Homeopathy and Naturopathy: Nature Benefiting Nurture

According to the 2009 Milliman Medical Index, an average family of four, covered by an employer-sponsored preferred provider organization (PPO) insurance plan, will still spend almost $17,000 in medical expenses annually. Traditional doctors charge outrageous prices for medical care that is generated to target a broad array of ailments as well as prescribe chemically infused drugs that cause harmful side effects. Traditional prescriptions also lack a singular healing focus, and target multiple issues-even when unneeded. Alternative medical options are growing more popular as individuals branch out in search of more natural healing options. Naturopathic and Homeopathic treatments are becoming more influential as individuals search for a way to avoid harmful side effects, courtesy of chemically infused drugs, as well as less expensive forms of medical care. The principle of Homeopathy has been known since the time of Hippocrates, the founder of medicine, around 450. Over a thousand years later Paracelsus, a Swiss alchemist, employed the same system based on the principle of ‘like cures like’. In the late 18th century Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, an accomplished and admired German physician evolved the concept of Homeopathy. Disgusted with the inhumane and at times barbaric medical practices of the time, he began to develop and practice safe, gentle, and effective methods of healing. Dr. Hahnemann believed that the human body possessed the ability to heal itself and that the symptoms of diseases reflected individual struggles to overcome illness. Naturopathy has been traced back to the Vedic Era of India, the therapy mentioned in Vedas and ancient text. During this ancient era the physicians treated disease-ridden patients using natural medicine and educating them on healthy lifestyles. According to Naturopathy, “A disease can be treated by regulating diet without taking any medicine”. Naturopathy was adapted in 1895 by John Scheel, and in turn popularized by Benedict Lust. Dr. Lust introduced, instructed, and spread the knowledge of Naturopathy into the United States in 1982 and was known as the father of modern-day Naturopathy. In 1902, Dr. Lust founded the American School of Naturopathy. Homeopathy and Naturopathy, while similar, have different focal beliefs directed toward medical healing. Homeopaths focus on treating the physical patient versus treating the disease or ailment under the belief that the health issue can be resolved by focusing on the patient and the patient’s history. Homeopaths believe a substance that causes the symptoms of a disease in a healthy person will in fact be able to cure similar symptoms in a sick person. For example, if a man or woman becomes irritated when cutting onions and suffers from a runny nose, sneezing, and watering eyes, then in turn when they are suffering from a cold a diluted solution using onions can in fact cure them. Since Homeopathy uses natural elements in order to treat patients, it is considered a generally safe form of medical practice without negative side effects and is believed to work best on psychosomatic illnesses such as diabetes, ulcers, and migraines. While Naturopaths believe in using natural elements to heal patients similar to Homeopaths, Naturopathy revolves mainly around the belief that a healthy lifestyle and positive, healthy dietary habits can be the main focal points for treatment and healing. Naturopaths believe that the best medicine is a well-constructed meal plan paired with an appropriate physically active life based on an individual’s constitution. Additionally, Naturopaths engage in therapies with the purpose of stimulating and improving responses of the body. In many traditional practices, Naturopathy is becoming a secondary option for doctors wanting to give patients a more natural alternative to prescription drugs. Naturopathy is considered safe, reporting minimal side effects thanks to its all-natural medicinal cures and procedures, as opposed to traditional medicinal options riddled with potentially harmful reactions. (Naturopathy. (n.d). Retrieved from http://www.vaxa.com/naturopathy.cfm) Both modalities share the tradition of searching for the root cause of illness in order to treat patients at a natural, fundamental level and share the belief that the body can, and will, heal itself. As previously mentioned, Homeopathy focuses on the ideal of like curing like by offering remedies composed of diluted doses of plants, minerals, or other all-natural substances, but there are also two other revolving principles, minimal dose and single remedy. Another example of the ‘like versus like’ concept would be treating a patient with the flu, suffering symptoms similar to that of mercury poisoning, with a diluted concoction of mercury. Following the minimal does principle, remedies are taken in a diluted form, one part remedy to 1,000 part water or alcohol solution. Following the single remedy principle, regardless the number of symptoms experienced, only one remedy is taken and directed toward each symptom. Similar principals apply to allergy treatment, where the allergic substance is given in a small dose, and in vaccines where an impotent form of the virus is given to bolster the immune system against that particular virus. (“Natural Cure’, 2011) Naturopaths use doctors that direct healing using botanical and physical medicines, hydrotherapy, nutrition and exercise programs, and lifestyle counseling, combining mental, spiritual, body, and emotional elements to crate healing plans. Naturopathic medicine is different from traditional medicine because the practice treats the cause of illness naturally, enhancing the body’s natural ability to heal itself and reflect damage to the body caused by environmental factors, stress, injury, lifestyle, and diet. Naturopaths focus on understanding and accessing the best way to assist in healing the mind and body. Homeopathy and Naturopathy, while criticized, have a multitude of advantages available to all different types of people. Homeopathy is accurate and effective when the correct remedy is taken, results being fast, absolute, and continuous. Being completely safe, young children as well as women who are pregnant can use Homeopathy without danger of side effects. As well as safe, Homeopathic remedies are not addictive and treatment is complete once relief has been granted. A large benefit to Homeopathy is that treatment plans are both inexpensive and easy to administer. Advantages of Naturopathy have proven to be extensive, being effective in curing patients naturally with little to no risk of side effects. Naturopathy accesses the whole body, bringing balance between all aspects of mind, body and soul, while considering the physical, psychological and biochemical attributes of an individual. The holistic approach of Naturopathy can cure ordinary and chronic diseases by focusing on physiological, structural, psychological, social, spiritual, environmental factors with lifestyle factors, as well as cures ailments versus covering them up. While the advantages of both Holistic practices are numerous, there can be potential downfalls that should be taken into consideration when showing interest in naturalistic medical care. Homeopathic remedies are not recommended in emergency situations, nor are they effective against serious, widespread infections and diseases that require surgical care. Naturopathic remedies can also cause serious reactions, including skin rashes, minor GIT symptoms, and psychological reactions. Aside from these potential disadvantages, Naturopathy and Homeopathy are still more beneficial for over-all, pure health. Homeopathic and Naturopathic medical remedies have advantages over nutritional supplements, traditional medication, and pharmaceutical prescriptions. Not only is the natural alternatives cost effective, they both center and revolve around the patient in order to correctly pinpoint and administer treatments based on lifestyle and ailments, without drug-infused chemicals and harsh side effects, versus the traditional method of administering medication with a vague and broad direction for treatment. Both holistic approaches immediately connect to the root of health issues without tip-toeing around potential or possible diagnoses. Natural medical treatment plans are better for men and women physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and financially.