Natural Medicine and Naturopathic Practice

+ What is Nutritional Medicine?

It is an approach to healthcare which utilises all aspects that may affect a client’s health: stress, diet, drugs, foods, lifestyle and exercise. Natural medicine practitioners can be named or accredited with any of the following designations; complementary, functional, orthomolecular, naturopathic, herbal, traditional, nutritional, environmental practitioners. Essentially, all these practices are similar: Seek cause, implement treatment utilizing changes to lifestyle, food, exercise. And may prescribe nutritional, herbal, or homeopathic medicines and use of other services or modalities i.e. massage, chiropractic, acupuncture, Pilates etc.

“The power of Nutritional Medicine is amazing: it is life changing, it is lifesaving”

Quotation from Dr Sandra Cabot’s book: “Diabetes Type 11 and How to Reverse it Naturally”.

+ What is Naturopathy?

It is a wholistic method of treatment utilising herbal and nutritional medicine to work with the body’s innate ability to correct itself, regain balance and overcome illness.

+ Why visit a Naturopathic Practitioner?

Naturopaths interpret signs and symptoms to help find the possible root cause of the illness. A treatment plan may then be implemented to start a process to reverse painful symptoms and restore cellular health.

+ What is involved in a Naturopathic Consultation?

Documentation of medical history, accidents and noting life changing events. Listing medical drugs, herbal medicines and nutritional supplements. Noting possible reactions or contraindications. Identification of areas of pain, organ dysfunction, all symptoms. Listing all foods eaten, documenting intolerances and allergies.

Various diagnosis tests may be used such as testing for heavy metals, live blood microscopy, PH, hair tissue mineral analysis, iridology, zinc status, candida, celiac and general pathology. Other specialised testing dependent on need including ABO blood typing (rhesus factor not applicable). A treatment plan is discussed, including costs, once all information is received.

+ How much time is required for a consultation?

Initial consultation requires time to collect data and one hour minimum is necessary. Subsequent consultations are dependent on the presenting health problem. It is recommended to commit to a minimum of three sessions to allow implementation of a treatment plan and some indication of results.

+ Does Naturopathy include Nutrition?

Nutrition is an essential part of Naturopathic work and training. As food is part of what we do every day and influences our health daily, food advice is included in a treatment plan. Food and medicinal food recommendations may include eating according to your nutritional or metabolic type which is best determined by your blood group.

Eating for your blood type is well documented with excellent resources available from your practitioner, books, internet and apps. Detox programs, water, sleep and exercise are all considered in a treatment plan.

+ What does Naturopathy treat?

All health issues as it is a system that sees the body, mind and emotions as all interactive, one part affects another. All symptoms give insight to the inner terrain. All major health conditions are included: Alzheimer's, depression, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, asthma, fertility, hormonal problems, arthritis, sports injuries, cold, flu, viruses, candida, fatigue, sleep, adrenal fatigue, stress, anxiety, depression, gluten intolerance, gut and all digestion issues, fatty liver, allergies, skin problems, ADHD, weight loss and weight gain, hypertension, osteoarthritis, mental health.

• Naturopathy treatment is a program of ongoing health help.

• Discussion of changes to original symptoms, monitor possible detox reaction.

• Adjustment of prescribed nutrition/herbs in accordance with changes in health status.

• To ensure treatment program is having a beneficial effect.

• Continuing education to enable the client to be in control of their health ongoing.

Are you taking vitamins and minerals as prevention or vitamins as treatment?

Abram Hoffa, father of Orthomolecular (nutritional) medicine, started successfully treating patients with high dose vitamin C and the B group vitamins in 1952. When taking a low dose Vitamin C, you are unlikely to develop scurvy. Low dose is taking vitamins as prevention of a deficiency disease. On the other hand, by taking mega doses, you are using vitamins as a treatment for a specific disease state.

“Practitioner Only “natural medicine requires a prescription, as concentrated nutrients act like medicines but without side effects. They do bring beneficial change when correctly prescribed by an accredited health professional: naturopath, doctor or chiropractor.

Are you taking a raft of supplements you have self-prescribed?

Naturopaths will give professional advice on the vitamins, minerals and herbs you have self-prescribed which may not be supplying your health needs. Confidential consultations will address your health needs in depth, and especially if you are taking economy supplements without beneficial results.