Naturopathy combines traditional healing approaches with current scientific research. It incorporates herbal medicine, nutrition, lifestyle and mindfulness practices to support a return to vibrant health. Naturopathy utilises individualised treatment plans as it views the person as a whole rather than seeing their ailments as separate elements to fix. It also empowers the individual to have an understanding of one's own body to enable long term wellness.

The Six Principles of Naturopathic Medicine.

Vis Medicatrix Naturae: The Healing Power of Nature

The body heals through the response of an innate life force. The naturopath’s role is to facilitate this process by identifying and removing obstacles to health and by supporting the creation of a healthy internal and external environment.

Tolle Totum: Treat the Whole Person

Health and illness are the result of a complex mixture of physical, spiritual, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental and social factors. All elements are essential to determining one’s health, therefore a multifaceted and personalised approach is required in order to treat the whole person.

Tolle Causam: Treat the Cause

The underlying causes of illness must be identified and removed before complete recovery can occur. Symptoms are an expression of the body trying to defend itself, recover or may be the result of a disease. Therefore the focus must be to treat the cause itself rather than to suppress the symptoms.

Primum Non Nocere: First Do No Harm

Naturopaths’ therapeutic actions are complementary to and synergistic with the healing process. They use methods and substances that minimise the risk of harmful effects and use the least force possible to diagnose illness and restore health. Space and respect is held for each individual's self-healing process.

Docere: Naturopath as Teacher

The objective of the naturopath is to work with the patient by educating and empowering them throughout the healing process. This means that they can then support their own health for the remainder of the healing journey.

Preventare: Prevention

The ultimate goal of naturopathic medicine is prevention with an emphasis on building health rather than fighting disease. This is accomplished through education and promotion of healthy ways of living. The naturopath also assesses risk factors and hereditary susceptibility to disease and makes appropriate interventions to prevent illness.

Written by Brooke Schiller, naturopath and nutritionist (BHSc) - @balancedbybrookeschiller

www.balancedbbs.com

You can find Brooke at our Bondi infrared sauna studio; Practitioners Bondi — Nimbus Co.

For more information on Nimbus Co and our infrared saunas; About Nimbus Co. — Nimbus Co.