Natural medicine is the oldest healing system known to man. 3,000 years ago, for instance, the Chinese ate kelp for thyroid health.
For night blindness, the ancient Egyptians consumed liver. Native American and many other cultures used herbs to promote healing. Hydrotherapy, fasting, purging, sweats and the like were employed to help nature unload toxins from within the body. If you have ever soaked in a hot tub, to relax and relieve your tired, achy muscles, you have already made use of one form of hydrotherapy.
Natural medicine makes use of natural therapies and remedies that are safe and effective. The harmful suppression of symptoms by pharmaceutical drugs is avoided in a natural approach to health, because they can cause toxicity and can result in chronic disease.
THE FATHER OF MODERN MEDICINE
Hippocrates advocated the use of foods medicinally, to help prevent and overcome illness. He once said: "Let your food be your medicine and let your medicine be your food." These are very wise words, indeed, and excellent advice for today as well as for the time in which he lived! Hippocrates was one of the best known natural physicians in history. He lived from 460 to 377 B.C. He is known as the "Father of Modern Medicine." His best contribution to naturopathy was the principle, "First do no harm." He formulated the Hippocratic oath, that is still taken by doctors of natural medicine, naturopaths and medical doctors today.
Have you ever eaten chicken soup when you had a cold or flu or drank cranberry juice when you had a bladder infection? If so, you already have personal experience in using a modern-day example of Hippocrates' nutritional approach to assist your body in overcoming illness. Hippocrates taught that the body heals itself, that nature is the healer of all diseases and that the physician is only nature's assistant. The role of the doctor was merely to assist nature in its efforts.
DOCTORS OF NATURAL MEDICINE
Doctors of natural medicine believe in the healing power of nature.
This means that we trust the body's ability to heal itself from just about anything, if toxins are removed and if it is given enough of the raw ingredients that it needs to repair itself. This process must occur on time, before the body is too far down the disease path to recuperate.
A doctor of natural medicine strives to identify and address the underlying causes of disease, rather than looking only at the symptoms.
Symptoms can indicate the cause and are seen as the body's natural efforts to heal itself. Underlying causes can include diet, lifestyle factors, trauma or environment.
A NATURAL APPROACH TO MEDICINE
A natural approach to medicine identifies the causes of problems and supports their healing, so that a person's health can improve.
Each person is unique and requires an individualized health program. In assessing the cause of any condition, a doctor of natural medicine considers the physical, genetic, environmental, emotional, mental, spiritual and social dimensions of the person's life.
Any disease process affects the entire person, not only the specific body part that is considered sick. So, we assess the whole person.
Therefore, the naturopathic approach evaluates nutritional status, physical health, environmental and emotional stresses, family history, lifestyle factors and even thoughts and feelings.
Doctors of natural medicine believe wholeheartedly in prevention.
As facilitators, we seek to identify the cause of specific problems. We teach the patient how to eliminate toxins and heavy metals. We recommend natural substances that will provide nutritional support for deficiencies.
We discuss the individual's risk factors and hereditary weaknesses and intervene appropriately, to help prevent illness.
But let's not wait until we are sick. Let's provide our bodies with healthy foods that can also serve as our medicine, to help keep us well!
Dr. Gail Smolinski, Doctor of Natural Medicine, has her Doctor of Naturopathy degree and is Board Certified in Traditional Naturopathy and in Nutritional Wellness.
She is a Certified Low Intensity Laser Therapist, Master Herbalist, Registered Nutritional Consultant, Professional Homeopath and Holistic Iridologist.
Dr. Gail offers Low Intensity Laser Therapy, individual health consultations, bio-energetic therapies, detoxification footbaths and a wide variety of professional health products at her natural health clinic. You may contact her at 306-783-1261.
This column is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease. It provides general information about health and nutrition. It is run bi-weekly, space permitting.
