All About Naturopathic Medicine

This guide is the part of a series exploring "alternative" therapies.

The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP) defines naturopathic medicine, or "naturopathy," as a "distinct system of primary health care [to] address the underlying cause of disease through effective, individualized natural therapies that integrate the healing powers of body, mind and spirit. In addition to the basic medical sciences and conventional diagnostics, naturopathic education includes therapeutic nutrition, botanical medicine, homeopathy, natural childbirth, classical Chinese medicine, hydrotherapy, naturopathic manipulative therapy, pharmacology and minor surgery."

The principles of naturopathic medicine include:

First of all, to do no harm.
To act in cooperation with the Healing Power of Nature.
To address the fundamental causes of disease.
To heal the whole person through individualized treatment.
To teach the principles of healthy living and preventive medicine.

AANP goes on to state: "therapies that are primarily natural (hence the name naturopathic) and nontoxic." Everything And Nothing posts naturopathic tea remedies (nontoxic and natural!) for a variety of ailments including bronchitis, cold, emotional stress and sore throat. Willow's World

also has quite a few naturopathic remedies for bronchitis, including essential oils, compresses and treatment for the air.

Reflexology Articles posts an article highlighting the excellent cancer prognosis rates at the Centre for Integrated Healing, Canada's only government-funded complementary- and conventional-care cancer clinic. Unfortunately, it comes down to how much seeing a naturopathic doctor will cost. The government foots the bill for conventional care, but not for complementary, or "alternative" care.

The bearable lightness of being discusses incorporating advice from her naturopath into her healthy eating plan.

And hey! Even our canine companions can benefit from naturopathic care. My Border Collie, Rowena: Trials & Tribulations of a Service-Dog-In-Training & Her Handler tried a naturopathic formula to help her dog heal after she was attacked by a "big mean German Shepherd."

You (or your dog) can find a naturopathic doctor here.

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