What is Naturopathy?<\/p>\n
Naturopathy simply means a natural approach to healing.\u00a0 It is, above all, a philosophy, which states that the body has the ability to heal itself, given the chance.\u00a0 The task of the Naturopath is to be an educator, to teach how and why illness arises, not just to treat the symptoms.\u00a0 We aim to empower our patients to take control of their own health.<\/p>\n
Illness is seen as a manifestation of the body trying to heal itself.\u00a0 For example, eczema may be the body\u2019s attempt to clear toxins.\u00a0 If treatment is not designed to deal with the root of the illness, it can merely mask or even supress the problem.\u00a0 As part of our approach, therefore, we must establish why the eczema is occurring: is it due to toxic build up, emotional issues, digestive weakness, lack of nutrients?<\/p>\n
The basic principles of naturopathy go back at least to Greek medicine and Hippocrates, and it is interesting to note the similarities between his principles and those of his contemporaries in China, for example:<\/p>\n
\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 the idea of the \u201clife force\u201d has much in common with qi.<\/p>\n
\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 the body is composed of elements, or \u201chumours\u201d, which need to be balanced.<\/p>\n
\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 medicine should work with the body\u2019s own healing force, and not over-ride it with strong medicine, which will simply supress illness.<\/p>\n
\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 humans are composed of spirit and matter, and both aspects need to be addressed in healing.<\/p>\n
\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Nutrition is a key form of medicine<\/p>\n
Naturopaths use a wide variety of techniques to stimulate the body\u2019s own \u201clife force\u201d.\u00a0 These may include nutrition, supplementation, fasting, water cure (application of hot \/ cold water, in the form of baths or compresses), detoxification, herbs, flower remedies, breathing techniques, and exercise.<\/p>\n
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What is the benefit of the Naturopathic approach?<\/p>\n
We are working in a very different situation from ancient China: whereas much illness then was due to poverty and lack of nutrients, much modern disease is due to overeating, eating too much rich food, and lack of exercise and fresh air.\u00a0 Diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, chronic pain and infertility are usually, from the naturopathic perspective, due to poor lifestyle, leading to toxic overload.\u00a0 It is therefore necessary to apply treatments which aim to work with nature, to allow the body to regain its vitality.\u00a0 This idea echoes the words of the Yellow Emperor, which points out that it is poor lifestyles which are the cause of premature aging and death. One suspects that the Emperor would be horrified to see how things have degenerated still further in our modern society.<\/p>\n
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Naturopathy as a bridge between western and Chinese medicine<\/p>\n
Many of us have found that Naturopathy has helped us gain a deeper understanding of Chinese medicine, and make sense of it from a western perspective.\u00a0 For example, the Chinese concept of \u201cblood stagnation\u201d is explained by the naturopathic concept of \u201cagglutination\u201d of blood cells, or \u201csticky blood\u201d.\u00a0\u00a0 This can reduce the amount of oxygen entering the cells, leading to fatigue, toxic build up and tissue damage. The resultant stagnation can cause \u201cphlegm\u201d, which is referred to as \u201cmorbid matter\u201d by naturopaths.\u00a0 This can be expelled by a range of techniques, such as enemas or controlled fasting.<\/p>\n
Another example is what acupuncturists call \u201cspleen qi deficiency\u201d.\u00a0 From the naturopathic perspective, this could be a lack of digestive enzymes, which may be treated by enzyme supplementation, or by consuming freshly juiced vegetables, which are rich in enzymes.<\/p>\n
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Conclusion<\/p>\n
In our experience, the naturopathic approach works by combining the best of the western healing traditions with the wisdom of Chinese medicine. The two systems are mutually supporting, and enrich each other.\u00a0 \u00a0Acupuncture is embedded in a full programme of treatment and education which addresses all aspects of the patient\u2019s lifestyle.\u00a0 Clients are empowered to take control of their own health, and to grow continually in wellness.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Henry McGrath<\/p>\n
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