Naturopathy is a general umbrella term for a variety of different medical practices. These practices include herbal medicine, clinical nutrition, homeopathic medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, hydrotherapy, and exercise therapy. (“Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors”, 2015, Natural Therapies). Herbal medicine is the treatment of illness using plants and is one of the many treatments used by naturopathic doctors. Herbal medicine focuses on the prevention of illness rather than the treatment of it. The practice of herbal medicine uses the general philosophy of naturopathy in that it treats the body as a whole and aims to cure the root cause rather than the symptoms presented.
Herbal medicine uses herbs (crude plant …show more content…
Hippocrates was one of the first to practice naturopathy and described the concept as “the healing power of nature”. In 1892 Dr. Benedict Lust was the first to use the term ‘naturopathy’ and he furthered the practice by opening The American School of Naturopathy in 1902. By 1920 naturopathy and the use of herbal medicine was established and being practiced in Canada. After World War II, several medical advances appeared and caused the practice of naturopathy to dwindle. This uprising of surgery and pharmaceutical drugs was deemed to be the ‘medical miracle’ of the century. People experienced instant relief from pain and were able to rely on medical doctors to provide them with emergency care if needed. Within the past 20 years the general population has become less reliant on modern medicine and only uses it in emergency situations. A vast majority in Western culture are using natural methods such as vitamins, supplements, tinctures, juices, and other plant substances to prevent and treat health problems. (“Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors”, 2015, History of Naturopathic …show more content…
Herbal medicine can treat a variety of different health problems and restore balance within the body. These health problems include menopause, PMS, allergies, digestive problems, skin problems, high blood pressure, cholesterol problems, thyroid imbalances, insomnia, flus, headaches, asthma, depression, diabetes, sexual dysfunctions, and cancer. There are a vast amount of illnesses, diseases, and health problems that herbal medicine can not only treat but also prevent.
Approximately 40% of our prescription medicine comes from plant extracts or synthesized plant compounds. The top ten most widely known plants that are used in the medical field are cannabis, cocaine, daffodils, deadly nightshade, English yew, fever tree, foxglove, opium poppy, rubbertree, and willow. (“Plants & Medicine: Top 10”, 2014). All of these plants contain an active ingredient that aid in treating a variety of health
Herbal medicine uses herbs (crude plant …show more content…
Hippocrates was one of the first to practice naturopathy and described the concept as “the healing power of nature”. In 1892 Dr. Benedict Lust was the first to use the term ‘naturopathy’ and he furthered the practice by opening The American School of Naturopathy in 1902. By 1920 naturopathy and the use of herbal medicine was established and being practiced in Canada. After World War II, several medical advances appeared and caused the practice of naturopathy to dwindle. This uprising of surgery and pharmaceutical drugs was deemed to be the ‘medical miracle’ of the century. People experienced instant relief from pain and were able to rely on medical doctors to provide them with emergency care if needed. Within the past 20 years the general population has become less reliant on modern medicine and only uses it in emergency situations. A vast majority in Western culture are using natural methods such as vitamins, supplements, tinctures, juices, and other plant substances to prevent and treat health problems. (“Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors”, 2015, History of Naturopathic …show more content…
Herbal medicine can treat a variety of different health problems and restore balance within the body. These health problems include menopause, PMS, allergies, digestive problems, skin problems, high blood pressure, cholesterol problems, thyroid imbalances, insomnia, flus, headaches, asthma, depression, diabetes, sexual dysfunctions, and cancer. There are a vast amount of illnesses, diseases, and health problems that herbal medicine can not only treat but also prevent.
Approximately 40% of our prescription medicine comes from plant extracts or synthesized plant compounds. The top ten most widely known plants that are used in the medical field are cannabis, cocaine, daffodils, deadly nightshade, English yew, fever tree, foxglove, opium poppy, rubbertree, and willow. (“Plants & Medicine: Top 10”, 2014). All of these plants contain an active ingredient that aid in treating a variety of health