Alternative medicine
Traditional European Naturopathy (TEN)
In many ways, the term naturopathy’ is self-explanatory.It originates from ‘natura’ (Latin root for birth) and ‘pathos’ (the Greek root for suffering) to suggest ‘natural healing’.Hence, naturopathy is pretty much synonymous with natural ways of healing and natural medicine.While conventional medicines act to suppress or eliminate symptoms (and frequently create new ones in the process), but cannot really cure, naturopathy has a very different aim,which is to address the underlying cause and stimulate the body’s natural capacity to heal itself until health and balance have been fully restored.This is because ultimately, only the body can heal itself.To support this process, naturopathy draws on a number of different methods and approaches.
The elements
TEN views humans as inseparably linked to nature.
It is based on the premise that nature and its elements are reflected in humans and have an impact on our health and lives.Hence, the traditional basic elements of air, water, fire and earth are considered active principles that have a real effect on our lives.In ancient times, these elements were associated with the four humours or bodily fluids:Blood (sanguine), phlegm (phlegmatic), yellow bile (choleric) and black bile (melancholic), each of which in turn was associated with a set of different qualities, i.e. warm, cold, wet and dry.
Homeostasis – internal balance
Today, the traditional elements of air, water, fire and earth are still considered active principles in this very way.
In ancient times, these elements were associated with the four humours or bodily fluids:
Blood (sanguine), phlegm (phlegmatic), yellow bile (choleric) and black bile (melancholic), each of which in turn was associated with a set of different qualities, i.e. warm, cold, wet and dry.
However, the four humours were also understood to define people’s physical and mental health and to determine their personality, thus giving rise to the four personality types of sanguine, phlegmatic, choleric, melancholic.
The term ‘homoeostasis’ first started to be used in a medical context in the first half of the 20th century.
It describes the internal balance between the cells, fluids, such as blood, lymph and digestive juices, and psychological well-being.This is referred to as a person’s ‘internal environment’.When a person is able to maintain an equilibrium between their fluids, they will be able to respond appropriately to internal and external stimuli and challenges,
meaning that a person is considered healthy.
Conversely, if there are blockages or an imbalance between the bodily fluids – the elements by which homoeostasis is maintained – a person will become ill.
By consciously honouring the rhythms of nature, the need to balance activity with rest, and by tending to all of the aspects of what it means to be human, TEN actively works with the whole person – in other words ‘holistically’ – to promote good and prevent ill health.
Hence, when a person experiences ill health, the aim of TEN is to restore balance in the body’s internal environment.This is because it is possible for the body to heal itself when this balance has been restored and all body systems are working in harmony.When this is the case, the body will also be able to overcome both persistent acute and chronic ailments.
‘Microbes can’t do any harm unless the host environment supports it!’
Prof. Dr Antoine Béchamp
Unique disease patterns – unique treatment plans
TEN consciously acknowledges the importance of the relationship between the therapist and patient and of taking into account the emotional, social, ecological and spiritual (e.g. that which gives meaning) aspects of a patient’s life.
In that respect, it is underpinned by a salutogenic approach, meaning that it focusses on supporting health rather than the factors that cause disease.
The way a disease unfolds in a person is a completely unique process that requires unique treatment.
Hence, a naturopath works to identify the type of imbalance and to find out its causes.
To do so, they use a number of different methods and approaches depending on their individual areas of specialisation and training.In addition to asking a range of questions and performing conventional medicine tests, they will also check their things such as patients’ heart rate, tongue, face or eyes.When doing so, a naturopath will not only use all of the obvious indications and test results for arriving at a diagnosis, but also use their intuition to obtain a more rounded and holistic sense of the situation.Between them, all of these different diagnostic methods will gradually reveal the direction that the treatment should take.
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Naturopathic consultation
During the consultation, you will then be provided with information and recommendations on how best to support and improve your health using natural substances such as essential oils (aromatherapy), tinctures, herbal remedies, gemmotherapy remedies, homoeopathy and Bach flower remedies, dietetics (the science of how nutrition affects health) and through appropriate nutrition.
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Phytotherapy - Therapy with medicinal plants
People have been using medicinal plants to support healing since as far back as the stone age and throughout history.
Thanks to modern science, we now also know that many traditional medicinal herbs do indeed have potent medicinal effects.
And indeed, it seems that there is ‘a
plant or herb for every ailment.’
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Mycotherapy
The Chinese are considered the world’s experts on the medicinal use of mushrooms,
as they are an integral part of traditional Chinese medicine.
The secret of these health-promoting mushrooms are bioactive compounds.
In addition to these compounds, mushrooms also contain valuable nutrients, fibre, proteins, trace elements, minerals and vitamins that increase vitality and stimulate the body’s capacity to heal itself.
Medicinal properties of medicinal mushrooms include:
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antioxidative
- Antiviral
- Antifungal
- Anticancer
- Immunomodulatory
- Liver-protective
- Diuretic
- Lipid-lowering
- Platelet aggregation inhibitor
- Adaptogenic
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Aromatherapy
Essential oils and aromatic substances derived from plants have been used to prevent illness and to heal conditions for thousands of years.Many essential oils are antibacterial and antiviral and can be used alongside conventional medicines.Aromatherapy can be used to ease and alleviate symptoms of many conditions in a natural way.Essential oils can be used for:Symptoms associated with coldsInflammationInfectionsStomach problemsPainAnxietyStressTo aid concentrationand many other health issues.
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Gynaecology
Women’s health is an area with a particular high demand for holistic and gentle healing methods.
Although medicinal plants can sometimes produce an immediate effect, it is important to bear in mind that it might take a while before their healing effects are fully felt.
Naturopathy and natural medicine can help with a range of women’s health concerns, such as fertility, during pregnancy and all kinds of female reproductive system issues.
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Paediatrics
Many children with a compromised self-regulation system suffer from repeated infections, chronic conditions, allergies, asthma, skin conditions, digestive issues and developmental issues.
Traditional European Naturopathy is able to treat infants, children and teenagers in a gentle and safe manner using treatments that are of a different category to those offered to adults.
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Bach Flower Treatment - Therapy according to Dr. Bach
Bach flower remedies can act as a very potent complementary therapy and are used to address the internal causes of illness in a targeted way.
Bach flower essences use 38 plants that are each linked to emotional states.
These essences are then combined to create an individual mixture to suit a patient’s needs.
This is done using various tests or Bach flower test cards.
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Orthomolecular medicine
‘Orthomolecular medicine is the use of the right molecules or orthomolecular substances that are normally present in the human body in the amounts that lead to the best level of health and the greatest decrease in disease.’
Linus Pauling
Orthomolecular medicine uses substances such as vitamins, minerals, trace elements, secondary phytochemicals, amino acids (building blocks of proteins) and fatty acids (e.g. omega-3) to maintain health and heal illnesses.
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Nutrition and life advice
In many ways, nutritional advice is just an extension of herbal medicine, given that food can also be medicine.Nutrition is an important part of good health.This holds true in particular when we consider that we are (physically) what we are because of the food we have eaten.
‘Let food be thy medicine!’
Hippocrates
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Drainage & Detoxification - Intestinal Remediation
Cleansing & detoxification
One of the realities of the modern age is that we come into contact with a lot of harmful substances.
Regular cleansing and detoxification are vital for removing harmful substances from the body and can help to restore a good foundation for better health.This process can be further supported with herbal medicines, a change in diet and, if needed, by taking orthomolecular supplements such as zinc, selenium and various vitamins for maximum effect.The best time for cleansing and detoxifying is spring.
Gut and digestive system rehabilitation and regulation
The most important requirement for healthy digestion is healthy gut flora.
Gut flora can be negatively affected by medication, diarrhoea, a lack of stomach acid that is the result of an acid-base imbalance, and other issues.While diet is crucial to maintaining healthy gut flora,we can also use specific measures to support the development of good bacteria and reduce the amount of bad bacteria in the gut.
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