The use of plants as medicines is steeped in thousands of years of tradition and can be found in all societies in every part of the world. In countries such as China or India traditional healing therapies are used by up to 60 per cent of the population as primary treatments. What is Naturopathy? The philosophy behind naturopathy is that the body has the ability to heal itself. Naturopaths believe that illness and disease indicate the body is out of balance. They focus on treating the root cause of a problem, working on preventive measures rather than just treating the symptoms of illness, so that balance can be restored and the problem is denied the opportunity to return. Naturopathy draws on a range of therapies that are used to support the body’s natural healing processes. These include homoeopathy, herbalism, nutrition, exercise, massage, relaxation techniques and iridology. The practitioner chooses a combination of therapies which he or she decides will most effectively address the problems of the patient. Treatment The first consultation with a naturopath typically lasts about an hour. During this time, the practitioner will try to gain an understanding about how your problem fits in with the rest of your life. Naturopaths believe that illness can occur on many levels and that any prolonged stress (which could be in the form of a bad diet, lack of exercise, emotional problems, or environmental or ingested toxins) upsets normal functioning of the body and weakens the immune system. They will work to address any problems by looking at your whole person, so every aspect of your life will be examined, including your medical history, nutritional status, emotional wellbeing and lifestyle habits (such as exercise, use of caffeine, alcohol, tobacco). For extra clues, the naturopath may also use iridology or examine your hair, nails, skin and tongue. They may also request diagnostic tests such as blood or urine analysis (usually performed by a GP) or carry out allergy tests. If you have an acute condition such as a cold or infection, you could usually expect treatment to last a few weeks. For chronic conditions such as arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome or depression, you may need several months of treatment. The naturopath will most likely recommend a variety of treatments for your condition. These may include herbal remedies, dietary supplements, exercise, dietary changes, stress management or massage. Origins The ancient Greek physician Hippocrates, who lived around 2400 years ago, is thought to have been one of the first practitioners to use a combination of therapies such as diet, exercise, fresh air and rest to restore health in his patients. The “father of medicine” was well ahead of his peers (who blamed evil spirits for disease) when he theorised that illness occurred when the body’s systems were out of balance. Hippocrates treated the body as a whole, rather than a series of parts, a principle still applied in naturopathy today. The modern form of naturopathic medicine is said to have come out of the “natural cures” that were widely practised in European spas and natural mineral springs in the 18th and 19th centuries. It spread to the United States where German-born doctor Benedict Lust set up the first school of naturopathy in 1896. Naturopathic medicine has been used in Australia since the early 1900s. Benefits Naturopathy can be used to treat a wide variety of conditions. It may be helpful for skin conditions, premenstrual tension, irritable bowel syndrome, depression, asthma and headaches. These conditions appear to respond particularly well to a combination of therapies such as dietary changes, nutritional supplements, massage and stress reduction. Cautions Always follow your naturopath’s advice when taking nutritional supplements. Some vitamins and minerals can be toxic if taken in large doses or for too long. Do not self-prescribe – taking the wrong supplements for your condition may be harmful. They may interfere with your current medications. For example, St John’s Wort should not be taken if you are already taking antidepressant medication.
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