What is Naturopathy?

What is Naturopathy?

By Sarah Bowles-Flannery, ND, DBM, MRN 

Naturopathy is a primary healthcare approach that uses only what nature provides for medicines and methods. It is also a philosophy of healing and health care that recognizes and supports the natural process of healing that occurs in all living things – and this is seen as a part of our life force. ‘Nature knows best’ is one of the principles of Naturopathy, and a simple example of this can be seen in the healing of a wound when we are cut, or the generation of a fever to fight an infection. 

This nature driven process of healing and seeking balance in our health is what Naturopathy works to support. A fundamental difference between Naturopathy and modern medicine is that most pharmaceutical medications are effective at suppressing symptoms. They often provide quick relief which is rarely without some level of side effects, and often not a cure, as the medication must continue to be taken for the symptoms not to return (sometimes in increasing doses). Naturopathy works on supporting and strengthening the body to give it the best opportunity to fully heal itself. This may involve changes to the diet, including fasting and detoxification when appropriate; nutritional support, herbal medicine, homeopathy, flower remedies, body work techniques such as massage, acupuncture and hydrotherapy. 

Another key tenet of naturopathy is: ‘Prevention is always better than cure’, but where there are symptoms of ill health, the underlying cause is treated as well as the symptoms. The patient is considered as a whole, with attention paid to all aspects of a person’s health – physical and mental/emotional. 

At the core of naturopathy are the basic elements needed for optimum health, and utilizing these is known as ‘Nature Cure’ – nutrition (fresh, organic, unprocessed, locally produced, seasonal,), water (clean/fresh with the correct balance of minerals/pH) and of course hydrotherapy e.g. hot/cold showers, or plunge pools or poultices on specific body parts – to encourage good circulation which brings the healing elements of blood, oxygen and nutrients to the affected area, the correct balance of rest and activity/exercise, air (unpolluted, and the correct diaphragmatic breathing techniques).

A naturopath – as well as being qualified in the use of ‘Nature Cure’, can be qualified in a number of different treatment modalities, which may then be combined depending on the individual being treated. These can include nutrition, herbal medicine, homeopathy, massage therapy and hydrotherapy.

History of Naturopathy.

Naturopathy is as old as the human race – all traditional cultures have historically employed a nature-based approach to healing. Utilizing the plants in their environments, dietary techniques, hydrotherapy, poultices, and fasting (we just have to look at the behaviour of children and animals when they are sick to see some of these natural processes in action – they will stop eating, and with animals – chew on certain plants and even stand in flowing water if injured – which improves their circulation).

With the growth of modern medicine and science there has been a diversion from these natural healing methods, and much of this traditional knowledge has been lost. And so in the last century a few notable naturopaths are known to have revived the popularity and use of naturopathic healing methods, e.g. Vincent Priessnitz, born in 1799 in Grafenburg, Silesia, who gained a reputation as a healer by water (hydrotherapy) and built a clinic which could deal with one thousand patients at a time. Father Sebastian Kneipp, a Bavarian monk (1821-1897) also popularized hydrotherapy in the Austro-German area, and wrote one of the best known books on the subject, ‘My Water-Cure’.

A contemporary of Priessnitz’s, Johann Schroth, was the first modern naturopath to employ clinical nutrition, or the use of diet as a therapy. His treatment, the Schrothkur, or dry diet, is still much used in central Europe. A number of practitioners trained by Priessnitz, Kneipp and Schroth made their way to America, and were soon involved in the fledgling naturopathic movement there. Pioneers such as John Harvey Kellogg, who together with his brother had developed the well known corn flakes for his patients at Battle Creek Sanitarium during the 1880s. Others such as Isaac Jennings (1788-1874) and Sylvester Graham (1794-1851), Adolph Just (1853-1939) and Louis Kuhne (1823-1907), were all placing very great emphasis on what is now accepted as healthy dietary modification.

The famous American naturopath Bernarr McFadden was the founder of the modern physical culture school of health and healing in 1937. This naturopathic school of healing gave birth across the world to gyms, and also exercise programs, designed to allow the individual to achieve and maintain the most perfect state of health and peak physical and mental condition. It was also the initial trigger for the proliferation of today’s routine exercises like hiking, jogging, swimming and cycling.

The man who perhaps has made the largest contribution to putting Nature Cure on a modern, comprehensive and scientific basis, was Dr H Lindlahr. Lindlahr did great work in coordinating all the different aspects of naturopathic treatments into one exact and complete science. He founded the Lindlahr Sanitorium in Chicago and wrote extensively, including ‘The Philosophy of Nature Cure’ and ‘The Practice of Nature Cure’.

How it differs from other therapies?

Pure naturopathy relies on Nature Cure, but most modern Naturopaths are also qualified in other modalities that come under the umbrella of Naturopathy, very commonly massage therapy, herbal medicine and homeopathy. The philosophy of healing is the same as most other complementary therapies, in that they all seek to enhance and support the bodies own vitality, releasing blocks in energy and taking away any barriers to cure e.g. toxins in the diet such as alcohol, caffeine, processed foods.

How can it help?

It can help any health concern – common illnesses that are routinely treated include colds, flues and other respiratory illnesses such as sinusitis, bronchitis, tonsillitis; digestive disorders – everything from IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), constipation, diarrhea, allergies, weight problems (over or under); hormonal issues such as menopausal symptoms, premenstrual syndrome; heavy, painful and irregular periods; infertility; mood disorders such as anxiety, depression; skin complaints like eczema, acne, psoriasis, poor wound healing. Insomnia, fatigue, headaches and migraines, the list goes on. Many patients have chronic conditions that haven’t responded to conventional treatment, and we mustn’t forget the area of disease prevention and maximizing health. Many athletes use naturopathic approaches to gain and maintain peak physical fitness and performance, and everyone can benefit from increased vitality which will improve mood, energy and quality of life overall. A big motivator for many who seek naturopathic health care is vanity! There is nothing more beautiful than naturally glowing skin, eyes, hair and nails that are the natural consequence of keeping the body toxin free, and a well nourished body and mind.

By Sarah Bowles-Flannery, ND, DBM, MRN 

Naturopath, Medical Herbalist, Nutritionist & Iridologist. 

Member: The General Council & Register of Naturopaths and British Naturopathic Association.  www.sarahbowlesflannery.co.uk