First, do no harm: The principles of Naturopathy

A lot of people don't know what naturopathy, or a naturopath (also known as a naturopathic doctor) are. Some people even have trouble pronouncing the words. They come from "nature," and from the suffix "-pathy," which means either "disease" (as in "neuropathy") or a "system for treating disease" (as in "homeopathy" or "allopathy").

Here are some dictionary definitions from dictionary.com:

• A system of therapy that relies on natural remedies, such as sunlight supplemented with diet and massage, to treat illness.
• A system of therapeutics in which neither surgical nor medicinal agents are used, with dependence being placed only on natural remedies.
• A system of treatment of disease that avoids drugs and surgery and emphasizes the use of natural agents (as air, water, and sunshine) and physical means (as manipulation and electrical treatment)
• A method of treating disease using food and exercise and heat to assist the natural healing process

Naturopaths shouldn't be confused with medical doctors. Medical doctors are supposed to treat illness. They provide "sick care," not health care.

Medical doctors (rightly called "allopaths") have their place, but the medical profession shouldn't be your only source of health information, or your only source of attention when you aren't feeling well. Modern technology has made modern medicine outstanding in acute care. I mean, if I'm in an accident, don't take me to the local herbalist or naturopath. Take me to someone trained in treating trauma. But... most medical doctors don't have a clue when it comes to treating chronic problems, lifestyle-created illnesses, like heart disease, diabetes, etc. You can't just throw the latest pharmaceutical drug at a patient and expect them to get well. At best, you can mask or alleviate symptoms for a while. But no true health is re-established.

So, then, what are the principles of naturopathy. I've never found a better short description that these six points, originally from a book called "Alternative Medicine."

• First, Do No Harm -- By employing the safe and effective natural therapies, naturopaths are committed to the principle of causing no harm to the patient.
• The Healing Power of Nature Is Powerful Indeed -- The body has considerable power to heal itself, and the role of the naturopath is to facilitate this natural process with the aid of natural, non-toxic therapies.
• Treat the Cause Rather than the Effect -- Naturopathic physicians seek the underlying cause of a disease rathern than simply suppressing the symptoms. They avoid suppression of the natural healing wisdom of the body, such as fever and inflammation. Symptoms are viewed as expressions of the body's natural attempt to heal, while the causes can spring from the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels.
  
• Treat the Whole Person -- The individual is viewed as a whole, composed of a complex interaction of physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, social and other factors. This multifaceted approach results in a therapeutic approach in which no disease is automatically seen as incurable.
• The Physician is a Teacher -- Naturopathic physicians are first and foremost teachers who educate, empower, and motivate the patient to assume more personal responsibility for his or her health by adopting a healthy attitude, lifestyle and diet.
• Prevention is the Best Cure -- Naturopaths are preventive health specialsts. Prevention of disease is accomplished through education and a lifestyle that supports radiant health.

In many states, it's true, naturopaths aren't licensed by the state, and you can't pay them through your insurance company. That doesn't mean they aren't useful, or reliable, or to be trusted -- it simply means the state and the powerful medical lobby have stacked the deck against them, just as they did for so many years against chiropractors.