Naturopathy: The Drug Free Way to Better Health

Naturopathy is both a science and philosophy of healing dating back many centuries. It places emphasis on preventative medicine and encourages the body’s natural ability to heal itself by employing the healing powers of nature. As a result, naturopaths utilise natural substances such as herbal medicines, vitamins, minerals and foods or other natural means such as exercise, meditation, etc to restore the body to health.

An ever-increasing number of people are becoming dissatisfied with orthodox medicine. Many of these have been put through a battery of often invasive orthodox tests only to be told that nothing is wrong with them. It is important for us to realise that orthodox medicine deals with detectable pathologies, whereas naturopathy deals with imbalances in the body hopefully before they develop into pathology. 

The best way to illustrate this is via the triangle of health, which perceives the body as a multidimensional, wholistic creation rather than a complex. This paradigm presents humans as existing in spiritual, physical, and mental or emotional dimensions. When the triangle is equilateral, the sides are obviously in balance and the person represented exists in a state of optimal life-force and health. In truth, no body is ever 100% in balance, but the body constantly compensates for this. Unfortunately, sometimes the body is unable to cope with the extra demands placed on it and needs assistance to restore balance and we get something that looks a bit lop sided like this.

Naturopaths attempt to identify these imbalances and correct them. We do this by taking a detailed case history and utilising diagnostic methods, including iridology, which involves analysis of the iris of the eye to gain valuable information on the overall state of health of the body, inherent strengths and weaknesses, nutritional requirements and the location of toxic accumulations), as well as finger and tongue diagnosis.

Whereas a consultation or general practitioner takes as little as 5 minutes, an initial consultation with a naturopath usually takes at least 1 hour. This is because whereas conventional medicine focuses primarily on the presenting symptom, naturopathy addresses every aspect of the person from what they had for breakfast, to their emotional state, hobbies, stress levels and how many bowel movements they have a day.

At the end of the first consultation with a naturopath the patient is usually prescribed things like herbal medicines, nutritional supplements as well as a few diet and lifestyle changes so as not to overwhelm them too much. At subsequent visits the patient is educated on the underlying cause/s of their problem as well as any other imbalances which came up during the initial consultation. They will then receive a course of treatment which may include nutritional supplements, herbal medicines, diet and lifestyle changes and flower essences or homeopathic remedies.

Since naturopathy addresses imbalances and underlying causes rather than symptoms, it may take several weeks before you notice any positive effects. In addition, in order be fully effective, the treatment should be continued for several months.

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