Naturopathy is a medical system that regroups all alternative/natural health techniques with the aim of helping you attain your full health potential in terms of physical, mental and emotional health.
Modern day naturopaths combine ancient knowledge with modern scientific knowledge of nutrition and health (anatomy, physiology and pathology).
Naturopathy is based on the following five principles:
Vitalism:
The body, if given the right conditions will work to heal itself. A simple example of this is when you cut yourself or break a bone and it heals. In naturopathy this healing process is in proportion to the vitality of the patient. The higher the vitality the better chance a person has of healing. The cure of revitalisation in naturopathy aims to increase a person's vitality.
Causalism:
Naturopaths look for the underlying cause of imbalance or disease, rather than focusing on the removal of individual symptoms with drugs or surgery.
Humeurism:
In ancient Greece Hippocrates spoke of the 4 humours. Naturopaths still use these as well as other indicators of constitutional or temperamental individuality. Naturopaths realise that we are all biochemically individual and offer constitutionally individualised advice.
Naturopaths look at the at the state of the fluids in the body (the blood, the lymph, the extra and intra cellular fluids) to find possible lacks in essential vitamins, minerals, amino acids, fatty acids and/or nutrients or a possible build up of endogenic (internally created) or exogenic (from external sources) toxicity.
Holism:
Naturopaths look at the person as a whole. If someone is unwell any area of their life could be a contributing factor. The mind, body, spirit, relationships, career, environmental factors, etc. are all taken into consideration. In this way naturopathy and life coaching go very well together.
Hygienism:
This is the principle of 'clean living'. High quality organic food, exercise, rest, sleep, and contact with nature: earth, air, water and sunlight.