You are tired for no particular reason and the sunless winter days are bringing down your mood, and you are looking for natural solutions? Maybe you should consider seeing a naturopath. But first, let's clarify what this practice is all about.
You are tired for no particular reason and the sunless winter days are bringing down your mood, and you are looking for natural solutions? Maybe you should consider seeing a naturopath. But first, let's clarify what this practice is all about.
This is an unconventional medicine that aims to balance the functioning of the body through natural, profound, and daily means such as changes in diet, lifestyle, phytotherapy, physical activity, etc. In itself, it has many similarities with traditional medicines such as Ayurveda, which we have already discussed. According to the WHO, this practice dates back to ancient Greece, to Hippocrates himself.
This practice is carried out by a naturopath who is like a health advisor aiming to treat the causes and help their patient regain balance through various natural practices. It is a holistic healing approach based on natural healing processes. The goal is to assist the body in healing itself by providing it with the right tools, exclusively natural.
Naturopathy is primarily understood as a preventive approach to combat temporary difficulties. For example, one can seek consultation during periods of stress or fatigue in order to learn how to protect oneself, improve dietary habits or lifestyle, and boost the immune system. Naturopathy also serves as a complementary therapy to traditional medicine, such as for weight loss or chronic pain management, including migraines or painful menstruation.
Everyone, young or old, can be supported by naturopathy as a complement, prevention, or maintenance.
Naturopathy classifies individuals into different types, profiles, based on their temperament: sanguine, nervous, lymphatic, or bilious. Each one possessing their own particularities, qualities, and flaws. This classification was established by Hippocrates, the father of medicine, and is based on the physiognomy of the body and face.
Naturopathy is based on vitalism. This means that it considers the patient's vital energy and seeks to heal or maintain it. A naturopath will seek to evaluate the individual's vital energy and then respect and promote it through natural means. This is one of the reasons why the WHO says that naturopathy comes from Hippocrates, as he was passionate about this vital energy (vis medicatrix naturae) and truly believed that each individual was filled with this energy, this piece of the universe.
These two practices indeed have many similarities as they are both holistic practices focusing on the overall natural well-being of the individual. Both use similar techniques such as nutrition, massages, plants, and physical exercise. What differentiates these two very similar practices is mainly that Ayurveda is based on ancient Vedic texts, while naturopathy is based on different teachings, including Ayurveda. Another difference is that the spiritual aspect is more present in Ayurveda, which sees each individual as an integral part of the universe, whereas naturopathy does not have this conception.
And no, naturopathy is not the same as herbal medicine. Herbal medicine is the art of healing through plants, it is part of naturopathy, it is one of these techniques, but not the only one.
Naturopathy favors seasonal, local, and preferably organic fruits and vegetables. It promotes the use of minimally processed and refined products, and encourages cooking with raw ingredients.
It cannot replace doctors. It allows for prevention, maintenance, and improvement but not for cure. A naturopath cannot prescribe medication or perform blood tests, for example. This practice should be seen as a complement and not a substitute for one's primary care physician.