Herbs & Natural Medicine
Herbs & Natural Medicine
About Herbs & Natural Medicine
Naturopathy is a system of healing which focuses on using the body’s own healing powers to cure its own self. Good health is the normal harmonious state for the human body and naturopathic treatment aims to create the most favourable conditions to stimulate the body’s healing powers.
Naturopathic medicine has been practised since ancient Greek times and modern scientific research is increasingly validating its approach of supporting the body’s inherent healing powers.
The naturopathic approach focuses on treating the cause of illness rather than just the symptoms. A naturopath sees disease symptoms as the body’s defence mechanism trying to move the body back into a state of health. By working with this process instead of suppressing the symptoms, the body’s natural state of balance and health can be restored more quickly.
The naturopathic approach also emphasises the importance of empowering a person to be responsible for their own health and wellness by educating clients in good nutritional and lifestyle practices to allow them to be in control of their on-going health.
Naturopathic medicine recognises that there is a connection between the mind, body and spirit and that disturbed function in one part of the body leads to poor function elsewhere. Treatment is therefore holistic and addresses an individual’s physical, mental and emotional states.
Naturopathic principles can be applied to almost any health problem. Examples of conditions which can be treated are:-
- Acute infections such as colds, flu’s, ear/eye infections, cystitis, athlete’s foot etc.
- Chronic conditions such as acne, asthma, eczema, psoriasis, allergies, migraines, poor immunity, arthritis, insomnia, hypertension or high cholesterol
- Problems with stress, weight gain, low energy levels, irritable bowel syndrome or other digestive disturbances;
- Mental or emotional conditions such as depression and anxiety;
- Female or hormonal disorders such as PMS, endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, menopausal symptoms, menstrual disorders, infertility, pregnancy or thrush;
- Children’s conditions such as poor concentration or attention, ADHD, repeated ear or other infections, allergies, hayfever, skin problems;
- As a support to conventional medical treatment of conditions such as cancer, HIV and AIDS.
Meet Our Therapists
Natural Medicine FAQs
Yes. A naturopath should not recommend that you stop any existing medical treatment or prescription medication without your doctor’s agreement, and should ensure that any herbs or supplements recommended for you are safe to take with your existing medication.
Yes. During the consultation, we will review any prescription medication which you are taking to ensure that any herbs, supplements or homeopathic remedies recommended for you are safe to take with your existing medication.
Yes. Hot flushes are caused by the adrenal glands not functioning properly. There are many herbs which can resolve flushing by supporting good adrenal function.
Yes. There are lots of reasons why a woman might not be falling pregnant and by discussing your particular circumstances and history in detail, we can identify which factors may be adversely affecting you. By focussing on optimum nutrition, removing possible stressors and supporting you and your partner’s health using herbs, supplements, homeopathies and flower remedies as appropriate, we can create the best possible conditions for successful conception.
Not all remedies and supplements can be taken during pregnancy and a qualified naturopath is trained to know what is safe for you during pregnancy and what has to be avoided. However, there are many herbal and homeopathic remedies which can safely be used to help with complaints such as morning sickness, haemorrhoids, tiredness and low energy, and to ease labour and encourage breast milk.
Yes. Naturopathy works really well with children as their bodies tend to respond very quickly to natural medicine since they don’t have the life-long lifestyle and dietary abuses which adults often have!
Yes. There are a number of homeopathic remedies which are indicated for teething and homeopathy is perfectly safe to use with babies and children.
Homeopathy is a gentle, holistic system of healing which uses medicines prepared in a particular way to treat physical, mental and emotional issues. It focuses on you as an individual and the particular medicine selected for you will fit all of your characteristics.
It is suitable for all ages, young and old and can be used to treat a wide range of complaints.
Identifying what is wrong and why the body’s balanced state has broken down is an important part of naturopathic treatment. So, on your first visit (which takes about an hour) you will be questioned about your medical history, family history, symptoms, lifestyle, diet, emotional wellbeing and stress levels. An examination of your eyes (using iridology), nails and tongue will also be carried out, and laboratory diagnostic tests (such as blood, saliva or urine analysis) may be recommended. All of this information is used to assess how well you are functioning overall and what your innate vitality levels are like, as well as to diagnose what is wrong with you.
Naturopathic medicine believes that treatment should be non-invasive and focussed on achieving optimum wellness. Because each person is unique, the recommended treatment for each client will be individualised and unique. It may involve dietary and/or lifestyle changes, specific vitamin or mineral supplements to correct nutritional deficiencies, or specific herbal, homeopathic or flower remedies to assist in the healing process.
During the first consultation, we will discuss your existing diet, lifestyle and symptoms/complaints. If your symptoms indicate that your liver or digestive system are overloaded, then dietary changes might be needed to help your body’s elimination systems to work more effectively. This may involve avoiding certain foods for a period of time, and your treatment plan will ensure that your body receives all the necessary vitamins and minerals during this period.