Naturopathic Medicine

Principles of Naturopathic Medicine 

The Healing Power of Nature (Vis Medicatrix Naturae)
Naturopathic medicine recognizes an inherent self-healing process in the person which is ordered and intelligent. Naturopathic physicians act to identify and remove obstacles to healing and recovery, and to facilitate and augment this inherent self-healing process.

Identify and Treat the Causes (ToIle Causam)
The naturopathic physician seeks to identify and remove the underlying causes of illness, rather than to merely eliminate or suppress symptoms.

First Do No Harm (Primum Non Nocere)
Naturopathic physicians follow three guidelines to avoid harming the patient. 

1. Utilize methods and medicinal substances which minimize the risk of harmful side effects, using the least force necessary to diagnose and treat; 
2. Avoid when possible the harmful suppression of symptoms; 
3. Acknowledge, respect and work with the individual's self-healing process. 

Doctor As Teacher (Docere)
Naturopathic physicians educate their patients and encourage self-responsibility for health. They also recognize and employ the therapeutic potential of the doctor-patient relationship.

Treat the Whole Person
Naturopathic physicians treat each patient by taking into account individual physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, social and other factors. Since total health also includes spiritual health, naturopathic physicians encourage individuals to pursue their personal spiritual development.

Prevention
Naturopathic physicians emphasize the prevention of disease - assessing risk factors, heredity and susceptibility to disease and making appropriate interventions in partnership with their patients to prevent illness. Naturopathic medicine is committed to the creation of a healthy world in which humanity may thrive.

Naturopathic Doctor

Diagnoses, treats, and cares for patients, using system of practice that bases treatment of physiological functions and abnormal conditions on natural laws governing human body: Utilizes physiological, psychological, and mechanical methods, such as air, water, light, heat, earth, phytotherapy, food and herb therapy, psychotherapy, electrotherapy, physiotherapy, minor and orificial surgery, mechanotherapy, naturopathic corrections and manipulation, and natural methods or modalities, together with natural medicines natural processed foods, and herbs and nature's remedies. Excludes major surgery, therapeutic use of x-ray and radium, and use of drugs, except those assimilable substances containing elements or compounds of body tissues and are physiologically compatible to body processes for maintenance of life. 
(Taken from the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT), the government's book of jobs and job descriptions in America.)

The State of Illinois does not currently license naturopathic physicians. Naturopathic Practitioners in the state of Illinois do not diagnose or treat disease, but serve as Health Consultants.To support ND licensure, please visit the Illinois Association of Naturopathic Physicians website, and take action!

Flower Essence Therapy

Flower Essence Therapy is a plant based system that holds at its foundation the premise that humans are deeply connected to Nature, and that our emotions and behaviors can be positively influenced by contact with the energies of specific flowers. These liquid extracts, derived from a sun infusion of flowers, are used to address issues of emotional well-being, soul development, and mind-body health.

The practitioner using flower essences creates an individualized prescription for each patient that facilitates growth, from limiting patterns into a fuller expression of creativity and strength. Flower essences are used around the world, and can safely be combined with any other form of medical care. Flower Essence Therapy is similar to homeopathy, in that it uses the energetic “signature” of the flower to affect change, and so differs from Herbal Medicine which uses plant chemical extracts to balance the body, and aromatherapy, which uses the fragrances of plants to affect the body

Flower essences are not used to treat physical illnesses, but can be used as one way of accessing the emotional roots of healing.

Flower essences are safe for animals and children, and do not interfere with medications.

For more information on flower essences, see the Flower Essence Society and the Bach Centre websites.