Naturopaths define health as - “A state of complete mental, emotional and social well being, not just the absence of disease”.

Naturopathic medicine treats disease by utilising the body’s inherent ability to heal itself. Naturopathic physicians aid the healing process by incorporating a variety of natural treatments based on the patient’s individual needs. Nutrition, diet, lifestyle, work and personal history are all considered when determining a treatment programme.

Naturopathic medicine is not a single modality of healing, but an array of healing practices, including diet and clinical nutrition, homeopathy, reflexology, iridology, herbal medicine, hydrotherapy, exercise, massage, counseling and other associated therapies.

Principles of naturopathic medicine

In the naturopathic system of medicine, disease is seen as a manifestation of the causes by which the body naturally heals itself. The main principles are:
• First principle: ‘do no harm’.
• The body is able to heal itself.
• Nurture the healing power within an individual.
• Treat the cause of the disease rather than the obvious physical symptoms.
• Treat the whole person.
• The Naturopath is an educator.
• The prevention of the disease is far easier than the eventual treatment.
 
How does naturopathic medicine work?

After identifying the underlying causes of disease in a patient’s life, the naturopath advises the patient of the most appropriate methods for creating a return to health. In order to become free of illness, it is often necessary for the patient to make both dietary and lifestyle changes. Naturopaths frequently use the following in combination to bring about a cure:
• Nutrition and dietary changes - to bring about true healing from within the body.
• Homeopathy - to stimulate recovery and reverse deep-seated, inherited problems.
• Herbal medicine – as tonics and nutritive agents to support weakened body systems and organs.
• Massage, Bach flowers, iridology, reflexology – to aid the healing process.
• Vitamins and mineral supplements - as added nutritional agents.
• Counselling - to release emotional stresses that depress physical function
• Yoga, visualisation and meditation - to increase spiritual harmony. Disharmony is often experienced as a feeling of deep unease or insufficient strength of will to initiate and sustain the healing process.    Disharmony is often an underlying problem in many illnesses.
• Detox – a great healing tool! Max is one of the world's leading experts in naturopathic detox.
 
Some of the conditions that respond favourably to naturopathic medicine

Naturopathic medicine can be applied to most healthcare situations. Naturopaths are the GPs of the Natural Therapies world. Naturopathy is effective in both acute and chronic/degenerative diseases.

• Weight-loss. Stress. General fatigue, adrenal stress and tiredness.
• Acute infectious diseases (colds, flu, ear infections, diarrhoea).
• Women’s conditions (menstrual problems, menopause, PCO/S, cysts, pregnancy,           weight  and skin).
• Men’s conditions (prostate, cardiac, weight, impotence).
• Childhood diseases and vaccination advice.
• Skin conditions (eczema, psoriasis, acne, warts).
• Depression (we offer a viable alternative to Prozac and Seroxat).
• Arthritis and other degenerative joint conditions.
• Chronic fatigue/ME, general fatigue and lethargy.
• Allergies to food and environment.
• Immune system dysfunctions.
• Fatigue and stress.
• General diet and lifestyle improvements.
• Bespoke Detox programmes