Principles of Naturopathic Medicine
The foundation in which naturopathic clinical theory and practice is based upon – and those driving how naturopaths approach healthcare and patient care
The Healing Power of Nature
(Vis Medicatrix Naturae)
This principle is the major distinguishing philosophy of naturopathic approach to healing when compared to conventional or other medicines. It is the inherent self-organising and healing process of living
systems which establishes, maintains, and restores health. The Naturopathic practitioners' role is to support, facilitate, and enhance this
process by identifying and removing obstacles to health and recovery,
by supporting a healing environment through diet and lifestyle medicine, along with the assistance of other treatment modalities including nutritional and herbal medicine, homoeopathic remedies and flower essences where appropriate.
First Do No Harm
(Primum Non Nocere )
Naturopaths are careful in utilising therapeutics to ensure that risk of harmful effects are minimised. Firstly, this means that therapeutic interventions used in both diagnostics and treatment are of a 'lower force', more gentle in nature and are least invasive to the patient's body whenever possible, and using more aggressive therapies only when absolutely necessary. Secondly, naturopaths will avoid suppressing symptoms whenever appropriate as doing so can interfere with the natural healing processes of our body. The relief of symptoms is sometimes necessary, particularly when a disease process reaches a level where it is dangerous to the patient, or is causing excessive pain or discomfort. This principle also aligns with working within the naturopathic scope of practice and ensuring safety of prescriptions based on available scientific evidence as best as possible in order to provide the best patient-centred healthcare.
Treat the Cause (Tolle Causam)
Illness does not usually occur without cause, therefore this principle highlights the importance of identifying and addressing the root cause of dis-ease to allow the body to recover completely.
body is finally able to heal. Symptoms can be seen as expressions of the body to defend itself, adapt and recover, or may also be the result of the causes of disease. Along with supporting elimination of symptoms appropriately, Naturopaths ultimately seek to treat the causes of disease for long-term health and vitality.
Treat the Whole Person (Tolle Totum )
In line with the above principle, health and disease result is influenced by a complex of physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, social and other factors. Naturopaths recognise the interconnectedness of the body systems whereby harmonious functioning of all aspects as a whole is crucial to health. This is the reason why Naturopaths take time to collect comprehensive health history and utilise a personalised approach to treatment when it comes to addressing the multifaceted nature of health and treating the person as a whole.
Naturopath as Teacher (Docere)
The original meaning of Docere is – "Doctor" is Teacher. A principle objective of Naturopathy is to educate and empower the patient, as well as emphasise self-responsibility in the healing process. Naturopaths help the patient to facilitate the healing process, therefore the therapeutic relationship between the practitioner and the patient is based on collaboration.
Prevention (Preventare)
Naturopathic medicine emphasises the study of health as well as disease, whereby the prevention of disease and striving for optimal health in patients are heavily focused on as primary objectives. Naturopathic medicine asserts that one cannot be healthy in an unhealthy environment and is committed to the creation of a world in which humanity may thrive. Therefore, Naturopaths aim to assess risk factors, genetic predispositions and susceptibility to illness and provide appropriate interventions in collaboration with the patient to prevent disease progression.
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