Naturopathy

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Organic

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Volume 2 Issue 11R

November 2001(Revised December 5, 2006)

 

 

n a t u r o p

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Naturopathy Defined

What it is & How it Works

Naturopathy in the American

Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (eighth edition) is defined as: n.

A system of therapy that relies exclusively on natural remedies, such as

sunlight supplemented with diet and massage, to treat the sick. Funk &

Wagnalls New International Dictionary of the English Language (Comprehensive

1971 Edition) defines it as: n. A system of therapy which avoids drugs in favor

of such physical agencies as air, sunshine, water, exercise, etc. That

" etc. " covers a very large territory, and the fact that

" Nutrition " and " Bio-Chemistry " were left out of every

dictionary definition researched (over ½ a dozen), shows that a better general

understanding of the subject is in order.

 

According to Webster’s, the

word Naturopathy comes from the three root words, " NATURE " ,

" O " and " PATHY " . The etymology of " NATURE " traces

back to the Latin word “natus”

" birth, to be born, Caused " , " o " as an Old English

preposition is an abbreviated form of the words " of or on " , while " pathy "

is derived from the Greek word pathos, " suffering, disease " . This is

absolutely wonderful, for now a " working " definition can be

postulated as follows: Naturopathy

n. a practice that addresses the CAUSE

of disease. In no way does this definition give a complete

description of what Naturopathy is, but it thoroughly describes what

Naturopathy does, and from this starting point, a comprehensive definition can

be extrapolated.

 

A debate might rage for

eons as to whether or not Naturopathy is a science or an art, and while there

are those practitioners who approach their work with the precision of a

chemical scientist or a nuclear physicist, there are therapists who have taken

their particular specialty far beyond the physical, and have literally created

a spiritual art form out of their practices. The Masseuse who with uncanny

precision can pinpoint with a finger that exact spot which blows an illness;

the Herbalist with his one dropperful of a special potent herbal preparation

that eradicates in a few days a long time chronic condition; the experienced

Nutritionist who by careful questioning isolates that one missing nutrient that

when added back into the diet brings about a state of health, are all artists

in their respective fields. For the sake of harmony, both words will be used in

the definition. In using the word " Nature " and its derivative

" Natural " , it can be seen axiomatically that invasive and synthetic

drug therapies as used by the Medical Doctor and Psychiatry have no place in

Naturopathy or in its definition.

 

In refining the meaning,

only those things having to do with Nature or the natural order of things

(Spiritual, Mental, and Physical), and which are not intrusive will be used.

This must include, but is not limited to: Nutrition, Bio-Chemistry (Herbs,

Homeopathic, Vitamins, Enzymes, Amino Acids etc.), Exercise, Sunlight, Clean

Air, Pure Water, Massage, Hydrotherapy (Hot & Cold), Prayer, Meditation,

Mental Attitude and Lifestyle, and the study of the imbalances occasioned by a

deficiency or over abundance found in any one of the above.

 

Therefore a comprehensive

definition could be stated as follows: “Naturopathy n. the science or art of

treating disease by addressing the CAUSE, using Nutrition,

Bio-Chemistry, Exercise, Sunlight, Clean Air, Pure Water, Massage, Hydrotherapy

(Hot & Cold), Prayer, Meditation, Lifestyle, and correcting any and all

imbalances found”.

 

Certain other subjects such as

Chiropractic, Massage, Dianetics, and Homeopathy amongst others, are also

Naturopathic in principle since they also deal in “Causes”, and could also be

used by the “Natural” practitioner.

 

It has been observed by teachers and healers beyond count that the

correction of physical imbalances brings about a state whereby the body will

then correct itself automatically.

One thing is for certain.

By addressing the " Cause of disease " , Naturopathy as a subject

is senior to, and more important than Allopathy (Conventional Medicine) which

handles only symptoms. The time is

ripe for the evil, Allopathic, Pharmaceutical empire to come tumbling down.

This is the age when Naturopathy must come into its own, not by some bloody

revolution, but by the natural evolution of the way things should be.

Doc

Shillington

2001, 2006 by

Ian “Doc” Shillington ND.

All rights reserved.

 

 

 

 

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