What is Naturopathy and Naturopathic medicine? Should you see a Naturopath?

Naturopathy is an alternative medical system that emphasizes a holistic and natural approach and plays a big role in the cure and treatment of a whole range of illnesses and diseases. As more and more people are turning to natural methods of treatment and cures, naturopathy is expanding and gaining popularity.

We are mainly relying on today’s modern medicine when it comes to curative methods, from simple fevers to more complex diseases. The downsides of modern medicine are consistently raising reactions from individuals or concerned groups. Prices of medicine tablets, syrups, capsules, and sprays are soaring, much credit going to the big medicine companies and elite branding. Cheap generics are even attacked, declaring them less suitable compared to the more expensive and “quality” brand name medicine. Another downside is that all kinds of medicine are formulated with high-grade chemical compounds, thus producing negative side effects such as temporary nausea, vomiting, soreness in the body, etc.

There is also the recent medical issue of iatrogenic diseases. Iatrogenic diseases are the illnesses that are caused by the medications that were taken. Though it is argued that the iatrogenic illnesses are less severe than the disease the medication is supposed to treat, the thought that you are getting sick from the medicine that you are taking seem to be ironic and disheartening.

This is why naturopathy is a popular alternative nowadays. Naturopathy is the earliest known system of curative methods and healing. It is concerned not only with curing the diagnosed illness, but also the totality of the health of the person and how the illness affects the body, whether it is physical, mental or spiritual. This is why Naturopathy is called a “Holistic Treatment”.

Naturopathic medicine can be a mix of natural food substances, plant extracts and water, as well as a whole range of herbs. This is something familiar for all of us. We might remember home remedies that our parents or grandparents handed down from one generation to the next. Most of them are a combination of herbs and extracts, mostly found in nature. Naturopathy also includes massages, acupuncture, and other physical therapies to alleviate pain and revitalize the body.

When it comes to general acceptance, Naturopathy comes in many different forms so there is a wide audience. Even in countries that mainly rely and practice modern medicine, like the U.S.A, Canada, U.K, and more. Naturopathy is guided by various principles and standard regulations. In the US and Canada, there is a designation called an ND, or a Naturopathic Doctor, for those that completed a four-year program at accredited schools and have passed the North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners.

Adopting Naturopathic system of treatment doesn’t mean one should totally reject the idea of modern medicine. This is not Naturopathy vs. Allopathy debate. In fact, it seems that one should take what advantages modern medicine offers and make it a supplement to help in concentrating treatment on the area that needs it, while Naturopathic treatments concentrate on the deeper needs of the body to heal and regenerate itself.