Naturopathy

Naturopathy is a system of medicine using diet and lifestyle therapy, herbal remedies and nutritional medicine, so as to create balance and good health.

The philosophy of naturopathic medicine focuses on treating the whole person and addressing the underlying cause, or causes. That is because our health is affected by a complex set of factors, including physical health, mental and emotional wellbeing, genetic tendencies, environmental influences, and dietary intake. Naturopaths recognise these intricate interactions, designing treatments that reflect the needs of each individual patient.

For this reason, naturopathy is considered both an art and a science. The art in the skill of the practitioner, using knowledge and understanding of patients to develop individual treatment plans. The science in the study and diagnosis of human disease processes.

The main therapeutic tools of naturopathy are herbal medicine and nutrition therapy. Herbal medicine uses plant extracts – from seeds, leaves, flowers, bark or whole plants – as a therapeutic tool. These may be dispensed in their traditional form of decoctions, teas and baths, otherwise compounded into powders, tablets or liquid tinctures. Nutrition encompasses the quality, quantity and types of food consumed each day. Nutrient therapy describes supplementation of specific nutrients and nutrient combinations. While supplementation is often beneficial – particularly in the case of a deficiency – the foundation of nutrition is maintaining a well-balanced diet.

Naturopathic treatment is appropriate for anyone, at any age: whether it is an acute illness, such as a bout of the flu, or a chronic condition, such as recurrent migraines.