What is Naturopathy?

"The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will instruct his patient in the care of the human frame, in diet and in the cause and prevention of disease.” - Thomas Edison.

Naturopathic Principles

Naturopathic medicine is perhaps best described by its five defining principles:

  • First do no harm.
  • Healing occurs by way of nature.
  • Treat the whole person.
  • Remove the cause.
  • Prevent disease.

The primary principle of Naturopathy is to treat the person, not the disease. For example, we should not be asking what is the problem, but why is there a problem. What is the cause and why is it affecting you?

The individual is unique and each person responds in a different way - one shoe does not fit all. People will have different constitutions, blood types and experiences etc.

A Naturopath is an educator and teacher, empowering the patient to take responsibility for their own health.

Some Naturopaths believe deficiency and excess are the causes of most illnesses. If a person is deficient, treatment would be used to build them up with all that is essential for a healthy body. If a person has an excessive imbalance (toxicity) treatment would involve breaking down toxins, known as detoxification. Treatment should then be personally tailored to where the patient is in terms of emotional and physical health at that moment.

A person's symptoms should not be suppressed, as symptoms are there for a reason and are manifestations of natures healing force. All disease starts with a disruption to the body's vital force, so the Naturopath is there to guide the patient's body back to that balance, using various natural remedies and correct diet. A Naturopath should work along side your G.P. Doctors today do not have the time to give you a full 1 to 2 hours consultation which is sometimes needed to discover the cause and find the solution to your illness, and I have to stress also that most orthodox doctors have no prior training in nutrition or prevention of disease. So it is most essential that you visit a well trained Naturopath.

Remember prevention is preferable to cure.

One of the principles of Naturopathy is to do no harm to the patient. Often there are contraindications with conventional medicine, whereas with Naturopathy we aim to avoid all harmful side effects and healing crises from detox.