| Over 2400 years ago, the Greek philosopher and | | | | that this manner of healing is actually quite scientific. |
| physician Hippocrates taught the idea that nature has | | | | Naturopathy combines modern scientific methods and |
| the power to heal itself. Man, having a natural side to | | | | knowledge while using traditional or natural means of |
| him also has this power. This same idea is the core | | | | healing. Many times, Naturopathic practitioners are |
| idea behind Naturopathy and what is taught in schools | | | | also medical doctors. |
| for Naturopathic education. Naturopathy believes that | | | | Naturopathic education involves taking up three years |
| disease or illness can be cured by stimulating the | | | | of the pre-medical sciences of Western medicine. |
| healing powers of the body, and allowing the body to | | | | This is the same as a traditional pre-medical course |
| cure itself of the main cause of the illness. | | | | for Western doctors. Things like biology, |
| Through natural and alternative medicine practices, | | | | biochemistry, chemistry, organic chemistry, |
| Naturopathy is able to treat both everyday illnesses, | | | | psychology, humanities, comparative anatomy, and |
| chronic conditions, and give aid to serious disease. | | | | other relevant medical sciences are studied. This |
| The use of herbal medicine, hydrotherapy or water | | | | "pre-med" is followed by a four year full-time course |
| therapy, ayurvedic medicine, and Chinese medicine | | | | at a Naturopathic Medical college or university, |
| are all a part of Naturopathy. These non-invasive, | | | | assuming the prescribed grade point average is met. |
| gentle, and natural methods are said to stimulate the | | | | This Naturopathic medical course covers over 4500 |
| body, and encourage the body to heal itself. Proper | | | | hours of study and class, and 1500 hours of guided |
| nutrition and healthy lifestyle is also prescribed by | | | | clinical experience. |
| Naturopathy because prevention of diseases is seen | | | | After seven years of studying, students are only |
| as the best cure for the body. | | | | qualified to take the board or licensing exam. They |
| People used to conventional or Western medicine are | | | | need to pass this exam and obtain their license in |
| often very skeptical about Naturopathy or see it as | | | | order to become Naturopathic practitioners. As |
| new-aged mumbo-jumbo that doesn't really heal. It is | | | | practitioners, they are periodically re-tested by |
| very common that alternative medicine and | | | | regulatory boards, and licenses need to be renewed |
| alternative medical practices is seen in this light. Often | | | | every few years. |
| it is seen this way because people are very focused | | | | Given such rigorous training and education, it is safe |
| on taking a pill to heal them or having a machine heal | | | | to say that Naturopathic practitioners are very |
| them instead of having their bodies heal itself | | | | qualified individuals who take a very scientific and |
| naturally, and without the introduction of synthetic or | | | | medical approach to their practice of medicine. |
| chemical pharmaceuticals. | | | | Though the healing process itself may be alternative |
| For skeptics of Naturopathy, learning about | | | | or non-conventional, the manner in which they are |
| Naturopathic education or what practitioners of | | | | trained are actually quite conventional, which only |
| Naturopathy study and learn may help them realize | | | | adds to the credibility of the practice. |