Seven Castles

Naturopathic Medicine

                                      

October 7, 2006

 

Naturopathic medicine (also known as naturopathy) is a school of medical philosophy and practice that seeks to improve health and treat disease chiefly by assisting the body's innate capacity to recover from illness and injury. It is a holistic approach that relies on natural remedies. Sunlight, air, and water are thought of as natural healers; this, along with nutritional supplements and massage therapies are all part of naturopathic medicine, that may include a broad array of different modalities such as manual therapy, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, herbalism, acupuncture, counseling, environmental medicine, aromatherapy, wholefoods, and so on.

 

Naturopathic medicine is founded on the principles that bodies are capable of self-healing. It emphasizes healthy environments and is part of a belief that the natural body is one with the Divine on a cosmological viewpoint. Combining harmony or balance, naturopathic medicine is comprised of herbal supplements and remedies that enrich the immune system. Theoretically, naturopathic medicine is also based on the principle that one can use his or her mind to enhance the immune system, overall improving health and well-being. Naturopathic medicine is a conglomeration of alternative medicines wrapped into one.

 

To heal in harmony with the natural functions of the body - without harm - is the underlying principle of the naturopathic system of medicine. The intent is to support the natural healing potential of the human body as validated by modern scientific research. It is this combination of the healing power of nature and scientific methods that makes naturopathic medicine an important system of medicine for today's health care. Naturopathic medicine's basic principles are: 1. Utilize the healing power of nature; 2. First, do no harm; 3. Find the cause; 4. Treat the whole person and 5. Preventative medicine.

 

Naturopathic practitioners do not use invasive surgery, or most synthetic drugs, preferring "natural" remedies, i.e. relatively unprocessed or whole medications, such as herbs and foods. Licensed physicians from accredited schools are trained to use diagnostic tests such as imaging and blood tests before deciding upon the full course of treatment.

 

The mainstream scientific community has found little evidence for the effectiveness of most naturopathic modalities, and the concept of holistic medicine itself is widely disputed. Alternative medicine is often treated warily, as when a treatment is proven to be effective it is usually integrated into mainstream medicine.

 

The origin of naturopathy can be traced back to the ancient healing arts of a variety of cultures. Still, as a formal system of medicine and healing, naturopathy has its origins in the United States, developed there near one hundred years ago by Benjamin Lust. However, it is today practiced in many countries around the world in one form or another, where it is subject to different standards of regulation and levels of acceptance.

 

Naturopathy is very popular in India, and there are numerous naturopathy hospitals in the country. There are also many doctors trained in the Western system of medicine who have acquired naturopathy degrees so as to integrate the insights gained into their system of practice. The Indian stream of naturopathy differs from the Western stream in many ways, particularly in their emphasis of strict vegetarianism and yoga.

 

In 1983 the World Health Organization recommended the integration of naturopathic medicine into conventional health care systems.

 

【作者: zhangliping】【访问统计:】【2006年10月7日 星期六 06:55】【 加入博采】【打印】