Homeopathic, Naturopathic, or Holistic, Good Question?

Homeopathic or naturopathic may seem confusing when you are looking for natural healing practitioner and medicine.  This blog will try to define them with some clarity. However, holistic medicine, homeopaths, or naturopathic doctors (NDs) have basic principles in common. They acknowledge the body’s natural healing abilities and respect the patient’s role within the healing process. The patient’s intake questionnaire will usually cover extensive emotional, physical, and psychological areas.

What is homeopathic medicine?

The National Institute of Health/National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health stated that Homeopathy, also known as homeopathic medicine, was developed in Germany over 200 years ago and is based on two unconventional theories. The definition of homeopathic medicine contains these two staple principles.

“Like cures like”—the notion that a disease can be cured by a substance that produces similar symptoms in healthy people.

“Law of minimum dose”—the notion that the lower the dose of the medication, the greater its effectiveness. Many homeopathic products are so diluted that no molecules of the original substance remain.

Homeopathic products

Homeopathic products are developed from plants (such as red onion, arnica [mountain herb], poison ivy, belladonna [deadly nightshade], and stinging nettle), minerals (such as white arsenic), or animals (such as crushed whole bees). Most are made as sugar pellets to be placed under the tongue (sublingual). They may also be in other forms, such as ointments, gels, drops, creams, and tablets. Treatments are personalized and are developed for a specific condition. This website has a list from A-Z of conditions and helpful suggestions https://www.homeopathycenter.org/find-remedy 

What is a Homeopathic Physician?

Homeopathic practitioners can have different educational, licensure, and certification options. According to the 2012 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), an estimated 5 million American adults and 1 million children used homeopathy in 2011. Most adults use homeopathic products for colds and musculoskeletal pain.  Reported by the Australian government’s there is no reliable evidence that homeopathy is effective for any health condition (National Health and Medical Research Council, 2015). In 2016, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced it will hold efficacy and safety claims for over-the-counter homeopathic drugs to the same standard as those for other products making similar claims.

In December 2017, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed a new risk-based enforcement approach to homeopathic products. However, the scientific community is still trying to conclude how a product with little or no active properties can be effective. Although we see healing in the health field with these remedies, it may be a placebo effect. Homeopathic treatments are not a “one pill treats all.” There are hundreds of possible remedies for thousands of symptoms.

Sources: The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians; The Council for Homeopathic Certification; Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; PayScale.com

What is a Naturopathic Physician?

It is the “naturopathic physician’s role is to identify and remove barriers to good health by helping to create a healing internal and external environment. Naturopathic physicians work in private practices, hospitals, clinics, and community health centers” (The American Association of Naturopathic Physician).

Naturopathy or naturopathic medicine is a form of alternative medicine that employs an array of pseudoscientific practices branded as “natural,” “non-invasive,” and as promoting “self-healing.” NDs treat a variety of issues using homeopathic medicines and are also concerned with preventative medicine and wellness. Naturopaths may treat allergies, high blood pressure, depression, fatigue, fibromyalgia, insomnia, menstrual issues, and weight control. The medicines they prescribe, which are manufactured by homeopathic pharmaceutical companies, are referred to as remedies and contain a mild form of bacteria that triggers an immune response.

In addition to working as primary care physicians, NDs may also work as consultants, natural pharmacists, research scientists, and wellness educators. However, some may choose to work within a multi-disciplinary practice that includes other health care providers, such as acupuncturists and licensed massage therapists.

What is a holistic practitioner?

A holistic practitioner is concerned with the whole person, mind-body-soul.  Injury and illness is a message that the mind-body-spirit in out of balance. The holistic practitioner incorporates homeopathic medicine to address the whole person. To understand the whole person, an initial conversation is very detailed. This may include emotions, dreams, stressors, personal interactions, work-life, and home life.

Along with a natural way of healing, is traditional Chinese medicine with the uses of herbs. People seek out a way to heal by not using conventional medicines. Herbs most researched from the National Center of Complementary and Alternative Medicines website in 2012 were St John’s wort, fenugreek, echinacea, aloe vera, and evening primrose.

Other therapies that can be alternative or complementary are chiropractic, massage, reflexology, and acupuncture. Chiropractic treatment is known as spinal manipulation therapy. Most people go to a chiropractor for muscle/skeletal pain in the back or neck. Little slips and falls add up creating an imbalance of the skeletal system. Massage therapy is a great additive to chiropractic.  The general reason for massage therapy is stress reduction, relaxation, increased blood flow, and relieving muscle pain. Therapeutic massage has been used for multiple sclerosis, cancer, HIV/AIDS, neurological trauma, sciatica, depression, anxiety disorders, and other mind/body complaints. Acupuncture has been around for thousands of years and has been used for all types of illnesses but mostly for pain. The procedure uses hair-fine needles inserted into the body along the meridian lines, acting as a signal to that organ to heal.

Essential oils are another avenue in the holistic and complementary fields that promotes health. There are so many benefits to them. Most holistic practitioners use them in their practice to help relax the body and mind of the patient/client. I have put together a blend to enhance your healthy lifestyle. In addition, essential oils also have various health benefits such as relaxation, insect control, emotional help, and pain relief.

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To Your Health and Happiness!!
Margie
Immune 8