The Six Principles of Naturopathic Medicine
Naturopathic medicine is based on six principles. These principles underlie everything a naturopath does, whether he is a traditional naturopath or a naturopathic physician. They are the philosophical underpinnings of naturopathy.
Principle #1: vis medicatrix naturae, or “The Healing Power of Nature”
This principle says that the body naturally has the power to heal itself. We get sick when things are out of balance, and restoring balance will allow the body to heal itself. The Healing Power of Nature also means that Nature is the place to look for remedies to restore that balance. Naturopaths are knowledgeable about our bodies and about the natural methods that restore balance when we are ill.
Principle #2: Identify and Treat the Cause
Illness is caused by imbalances, and a naturopath looks for that imbalance. Traditional medicine is more likely to treat the illness itself, not the imbalance. For instance, if you have an allergy, a traditional physician will treat the allergy. A naturopath will try to find out why you are exhibiting allergic symptoms.
Principle #3: First Do No Harm
Naturopathy supports your body’s efforts to heal itself. Anything that suppresses that is considered harmful. In the example above, the allergy symptoms are the body’s efforts to rid itself of something, and allergy medicine suppresses that response, so it is harmful.
Principle #4: Treat the Whole Person
Naturopathy does not focus on isolated symptoms. It focuses on the person who has symptoms. It looks at all aspects of the person: emotional, physical, spiritual, social and environmental.
Principle #5: The Physician as Teacher
The naturopath’s role is to identify the cause of illness and teach the patient how to treat it and how to avoid future problems. Ultimately, her goal is to teach the patient to live a healthy, natural lifestyle.
Principle #6: Prevention
Most people go to see a naturopath because they are having problems. The primary goal of a naturopath, however, is to prevent problems. They try to help you become more healthy, not less ill. It’s more of a wellness orientation.