What is Naturopathy and What Does it Have to Do with Skincare?

Tina, the owner/ founder and maker behind OmMade Organic Skincare, not only holds a Bachelor in Applied Science (Aviation) from UniSA but also a Diploma in Health Science (Naturopathy) from Endeavour College of Natural Health. But what is Naturopathy, and how does it contribute to your wellness journey?

Originating in the 18th and 19th centuries, Naturopathy was introduced in the United States in 1902 by Benjamin Lust, a German immigrant. This ancient healing practice, which dates back thousands of years, centers around the body's natural healing capabilities (ANTA, 2018).

Unlike conventional allopathic medicine, Naturopathy is a holistic approach to healthcare. It focuses on the body's inherent self-healing and self-regulating abilities. This method treats the individual as a whole, rather than just addressing specific diseases (ANTA, 2018).

In its practice, Naturopathy employs a variety of techniques including herbal medicine, nutrition, homeopathy, and manual therapies. These methods aim to prevent illnesses and treat both acute and chronic conditions (ANPA, 2018).

Naturopathy is built on six foundational principles:

1. The Healing Power of Nature (Vis Medicatrix Naturae): This principle emphasizes the body's inherent ability to heal and restore health by working in harmony with nature.
2. First Do No Harm (Primum non nocere): Naturopathy advocates for using the least invasive methods to assist the body's healing process, following a specific therapeutic order.
3. Treat the Cause (Tolle Causum): This principle focuses on addressing the root cause of an ailment rather than just alleviating symptoms (Lindlahr, 1924).
4. Treat the Whole Person (Tolle Totem): Naturopathic treatment is holistic, taking into account the interplay of lifestyle, environment, genetics, and external factors on health. This contrasts with the reductionist approach of conventional medicine.
5. Doctor as Teacher (Docere): Educating patients about their health choices is key to improving compliance and encouraging them to take responsibility for their health.
6. Prevention (Praevenire): Promoting healthy lifestyle choices to prevent imbalances and foster good health (ANPA, 2018).

Naturopathy, enriched with wisdom from various traditional medicines like Ayurveda (India), Taoist (China), Traditional African, and Indigenous American practices, believes in the body's innate ability to achieve balance and self-heal, a concept known as vitalism. Holism, another core concept, recognizes the need to treat the body and its environment comprehensively (Hausser et al., 2018; Arentz, 2017).

Research in Naturopathy often focuses on holistic health outcomes rather than solely on medical or disease-centric results (Arentz, 2017). For instance, a study by Breed & Bereznay (2017) demonstrated that naturopathic treatment in a community health clinic significantly improved the mental health of patients suffering from depression and anxiety.

By integrating centuries-old natural medicine knowledge, adhering to Naturopathic principles, and validating its effectiveness through clinical research, Naturopathy offers an alternative path to wellness for those seeking solutions beyond conventional medicine.

Refererences

ANTA Natural Therapy | Australian Naturopath Directory (2018) Retrieved from hhtp://ftp.australiannaturaltherapistsassociation.com.au

Arentz, S. (2017). Bursting the bubble of 'no evidence' by reframing the foundations of Naturopathy. Australian Journal of Herbal Medicine 2017 29(2), 29(2), 63-67. Retrieved from http://content.ebscohost.com/ContentServer.asp?EbscoContent=dGJyMNHX8kSeprQ4zdnyOLCmr1Cep7ZSsq64TbCWxWXS&ContentCustomer=dGJyMPGqs1Czr7ZLuePfgeyx43zx1%2B6B&T=P&P=AN&S=R&D=rzh&K=123919871

Australian Naturopathic Practitioners Association (2018). Retrieved from http://anpa.asn.au

Breed, C., & Bereznay, C. (2017). Treatment of Depression and Anxiety by Naturopathic Physicians: An Observational Study of Naturopathic Medicine Within an Integrated Multidisciplinary Community Health Center. The Journal Of Alternative And Complementary Medicine, 23(5), 348-354. doi: 10.1089/acm.2016.0232

 Hausser, T., Lord, D., Yanez, D., Cottingham, P., Newman Turner, R., & Abascal, A. (2018). WNF White Paper: Naturopathic Philosophies, Principles and Theories. Retrieved from http://worldnaturopathicfederation.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/White-Paper_FINAL.pdf

Lindlahr, H. (1924). Nature Cure (pp. 1-9). Miami: Hardpress.