Naturopathy Principles

Naturopathic Medicine is a natural approach to health and healing that recognizes the integrity of the whole person. It is a vital tradition of medicine in the western world. This means that it treats the disease with the help of stimulation, as well as increases and supports the person's inherent healing capacity. The therapies used in naturopathy are chosen in accordance with the natural healing process of the Nature. All the Naturopathic medicines include the six principles of healing. These principles are based on observation of health and disease using modern scientific methodologies.

Do No Harm (Primum No Nocere)
Illness is a state which has a purpose. The evolution of symptoms is an expression of life force, which depicts its curative efforts, during the process of healing. Thus, this indicates that the therapeutic actions should support and be in sync with the healing process. The physician actions can therefore can improve or antagonize the actions of the healing power of Nature. Consequently, the therapy should not suppress the symptoms, without eliminating the cause behind it. Such practices should be avoided or at least minimized.

Healing Power of Nature (Vis Mediatrix Naturae)
The body has an innate ability to maintain and restore health. The healing process is natural, intelligent and works through the response of the life force. The role of the physician is to facilitate this process and remove obstacles if any, helping the body to recover. The internal and external environment of the body should also be taken care of.

Identify and Treat the Cause (Tolle Causam)
Any disease or illness does not occur without cause. To treat the patient, the underlying cause must be known and treated, before the body recovers from the illness completely. The symptoms expressed by the body are not the causes of disease; rather they are the signs, showing the body's attempts to heal. The cause of the disease can be manifold including physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. Thus, the physician must evaluate all the levels, directing the treatment towards the root cause and not towards the symptomatic expression.

Heal the Whole Person (Tolle Totum)
Health and disease are the conditions associated with the individual as a whole. It involves the complex interaction of varied factors. As a result, a naturopathic physician should treat the person as a whole, taking in account all the factors. For prevention and recovery from disease, all the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects should be in perfect harmony. Thus, a comprehensive approach should be taken towards diagnosis and treatment.

Physician as Teacher (Docere)
The physician plays an important role in accelerating the healing process by understanding the patient and the disease. For the physician to do his best there should be a cooperative relation between the doctor and the patient, which contains inherent therapeutic value. The physician educates and encourages the patient for taking up the responsibility of his own health. In the end, it is the patient, who completes the process of healing. Thus, with knowledge, hope and understanding, the physician teaches the patient to be able enough to recover.

Prevention is the Best Cure (Prevention)
Any health care ultimately aims at prevention of disease. This is achieved by educating and promoting habits that support good health. The physician assesses the risk, utilizes his reasoning and understands the patient's situation. After this, desired intervention is done to avoid any harm to the patient. The emphasis should be more on building health than fighting disease.