Naturopathic and

Homeopathic
Medicine
 Complementary and
Alternative Medicine
 Traditional Alternative Medicine
 Acupuncture  Biologically Based
 Ayurveda Therapies
 Homeopathy  Dietary Supplements
 Naturopathy  Herbal Medicine
 Chinese/Oriental
 Manipulative and Body-
Based Methods
 Mind-Body Interventions  Chiropractics
 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy  Massage
 Meditation
 Biofeedback  Energy Therapies
 Hypnosis  Electromagnetic Therapy
 Prayer
 Art, Music, Dance
 Homeopathic medicine
 A type of alternative medicine that is used
to treat various ailments based on the the
ability to heal itself as it views symptoms
of illness as normal responses of the body
as it attempts to regain health.
 Homeopathy: History
 This principle was first described in Hindu
writings over 3000 years ago

 Also mentioned by Hippocrates , Galen in

the 2nd century and Paracelsus in16th
century

 More recently researched by a German

physician Samuel Hahnemann who
developed “Homoeopathy”
 History of Homeopathy

 Late 1796 – developed in Germany

by Samuel Hahnemann
 1825 – Introduced in the US by
Hans Burch Gram
 1835 – 1st homeopathic medical college –
Allentown, Pennsylvania
 By the turn of the 20th century, 8 % of all
American medical practitioners were homeopaths, and
there were 20 homeopathic medical colleges and more
than 100 homeopathic hospitals in the United States.
 Negatively affected by medical advances, including
recognition of the mechanisms of disease and antiseptic
techniques
 Began to revive in the 1960’s
 Homeopathy
 Homeo (similar) and pathos (suffering)

 “Principle of Similars”: Any substance that can

create symptoms in a healthy person can be
used to treat similar symptoms in a sick person.

 “Principle of Potentization”: Diluting a substance,

with vigorous shaking at each step of dilution,
makes the remedy more, not less, effective by
extracting the vital essence of the substance.
 i.e.
 the principle of “like cures like” - similia
similibus curentur

 Use the smallest dose possible to produce

a response
Examples of the similia principle

 arsenic poisoning causes severe vomiting

and diarrhoea with burning pains and
chilliness –
 Arsenicum album (Arsenicum alb.) V.
effective in gastroenteritis and food
poisoning
 This is a solution prepared by diluting
aqueous arsenic trioxide generally until there
is little or no arsenic remaining in the solution.
Allium cepa (onion)
 Peeling an onion
leads to sore, runny
eyes, itchy nose and
sneezing –

 Allium cepa used to

treat hay fever and
colds
Urtica urens (dog nettle, annual
nettle)
 nettle stings produce
a burning, itchy wheal
on the skin
 - Urtica urens is a
good remedy for
similar skin lesions
Examples of the similia principle
in medicine
 Radiotherapy which is used to treat cancer
also causes it

 Amphetamines which produce

hyperactivity, are used to treat hyperactive
children

 Immunisation
 Basis of Treatment
 Homeopathy works with the body’s
response to illness and remedies are
prescibed according to the symptoms

 one remedy can be used to treat several

ailments

 one ailment may need to be treated with

different remedies in different patients
 Treatment
 Mostly derived from natural substances that come from
plants, minerals, or animals
 Used to treat acute and chronic illnesses, as well as to
prevent diseases
 Used most often to treat arthritis, asthma, colds, flu,

and allergies
 The choice of medicine is based on a person’s total
symptom picture.

 Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States

contains guidelines for homeopathic remedies.
 Treatment
 Follow-up on problem in 2-6 weeks after start of
the treatment
 Patients may experience homeopathic
aggravation.
 Doses are repeated as necessary, and treatment
is discontinued upon resolution of the problem.
 Remedies may be changed as the condition and
the associated symptoms change.
 Changes to diet and lifestyle are often
recommended, as well.
 Safety
 Endrezzi et al. studied adverse drug events
related to homeopathic encounters in 335
follow-up visits in 181 patients.
 9 (2.68%) adverse reactions were reported.
 No medical therapy was required to treat
any of the adverse events.
 Adverse events exist, but are rare and not
severe.

Endrizzi C et al. Homeopathy 2005; 94: 233-240.

 Selecting the remedy
 Detailed Homeopathic history
 Repertorization
 Materia medica
 Homeopathic history
 Details of presenting complaint –

 Aetiology : trauma, bereavement, never well

since -pregnancy, menopause, glandular
fever
 Aggravations : conditions that make
symptoms worse
 Ameliorations : improve symptoms
 Modalities : conditions qualifying a symptom
 Homeopathic history

 General symptoms - patients’ reaction to

their environment, heat, cold, weather

 Food likes or dislikes, e.g. crave

pickles,like fat

 periodicity - frequency of symptoms -

monthly, weekly, yearly
 Mind or Mental symptoms
 Placid, anxious,  Jealous
 Anxious on  Tidy
anticipation  Fears
 Depressed  Company
 Weepy  Shy
 Consolation  Routine
 Easily bored  Resentments
 General appearance
 Vivacious red-head  Weepy blonde
 Nervous  Lacks energy
 Laid-back absent  Flabby handshake
minded professor  Closed
 Prim and proper  Shy, hides behind
 Scruffy mother
 Extremely neat and  Anxious to please,
colour co-ordinated maintain eye contact
 The relevant kingdom
 Animal, Mineral or Vegetable (Plant)

 Animal – hunter/ hunted, victim, prey, pursued,

escaping, nurturing, flying, pouncing, caged, free

 Mineral – structural terms, cracking, crumbling,

stable/ unstable, falling apart

 Plant – sensitive to surroundings e.g light,

warmth, smells, cold, damp,
 Repertorization
 Repertory contains details of symptoms
produced by remedies listed under bodily
systems
 e.g. mind, vertigo, head, eye, vision, ear,
hearing, nose, face etc.
 e.g. heartburn after eating - Aesc. agar.
Am.c. anac. Calc. Calc. p. carl. Chin. Cocc.c.
con. Croc. Graph. Iod. Lyc. Merc. Nat. mur.
Nit. Ac. Nux v. Sep. Sil.
 Remedies
 These are prepared
from :-
 minerals,
 plants,
 fish,
 insects,
 snakes and disease
products
Sepia - ink sac of the cuttle
fish
 Irritable, intolerant of
contradiction
 Weepy, depressed,
easily offended
 Can’t be bothered, can’t
cope
 Indifferent to family,
wants to run away
 Brunettes, butterfly rash
on face
 Pulsatilla - wind flower
 Mild, yielding disposition, shy, blush
 Fair, fat, forty, blue-eyed
 Laughs and cries easily, craves sympathy
 < for heat > fresh air, < damp
 > gentle movement, restless
 Absence of thirst, dislike and upset by fat,
pork, spicy food
 Sulphur
 Absent minded
professor
 Scruffy with dirty skin
 < heat
 Desires fat, salt, sweet
 Skin ailments
 Lazy, selfish, irritable
 Hungry 11a.m.
Instructions for taking remedies
 Homeopathic remedies are very delicate
and should not be handled.
 They are absorbed from the mouth and so
are sucked not swallowed.
 Should not be taken near food or drink as
these may interfere with the absorption.
 Store away from strong smells.
 Direction of cure

 From top to bottom

 From inside to outside
 From an important organ to a lesser one
 May develop “old symptoms”
 Why use homeopathy?

 Where there is no effective allopathic

alternative
 Where conventional medication is unsafe
 Where allopathy has unacceptable side-
effects
 To minimise the use of allopathy
No effective allopathic treatment
 Allergies  Mastalgia
 Anger  M.E./chronic fatigue
 Bruises  Nightmares
 Colic  Premenstrual
 Fear/phobias syndrome
 Glandular fever  Teething
 Grief  Urethral syndrome
 Influenza  Warts
Where conventional medication
is unsafe
 Pregnant women
 Young children and babies
 The elderly
 Anticipatory anxiety
 Where the side effects of
allopathy are unacceptable
 Anxiety
 Depression
 Menopausal symptoms
 Osteoarthritis
 Situations requiring repeat antibiotics
To minimise the use of allopathy
 Asthma/eczema
 Constipation
 Dysmenorrhoea
 Hypertension
 Migraine
 Neuralgias
 Recurrent otitis media/ U.T.Is/ sore throats
 Overall Outcome of Treatment
with Homoeopathy - GHHOS
 1 = No change
Outcome 2002
 2 = Slight change
40
40  Improvement in
35 wellbeing
30
25
 3 = moderate
No. of
20 19 19
22
19 improvement
patients
15
Series1
 4 = good improvement
10
5
 No symptoms as long as
0
continue with remedies
1 2 3 4
Outcome measure
5
 5 = cure
 Asymptomatic without
remedies
68% range from 3-5
 Regulation
 The National Center for Complementary
and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) is the
Federal Government's lead agency for
scientific research on CAM.

 Homeopathy is regulated by the US Food

and Drug Administration (FDA).
 Required to list indications, ingredients,
dilutions, and instructions for safe use
 What is Naturopathy?

“naturopathy is an eclectic/diverse field of

medicine that promotes physical,
psychological and social health and
wellbeing through the use of a wide variety
of natural treatment approaches”
 Philosophy
Naturopathic Medicine emphasizes the treatment
of disease through the stimulation,
enhancement, and support of the inherent
healing capacity of the person.
 Who might benefit from a
naturopathic consultation?
 Chronic conditions: arthritis; Irritable bowel syndrome;
osteoporosis; eczema; psoriasis; period pain;
hypertension; oesophageal reflux; asthma

 Acute conditions: colds; influenza; sinusitis; ear

infections; urinary tract infections

 Prevention: preconception care; stress/lifestyle/diet

management

 General wellbeing
 When orthodox medicine fails
 When alternatives to orthodox treatments are sought
 What can I expect from a
Naturopathic consultation?
 Assessment
 Diet and nutrition management
 Lifestyle management
 Herbal medicine
 Homeopathy
 Tactile therapies
 Principles of Naturopathy
 Facilitate the healing power of nature
 Identify and treat the cause
 Do no harm
 Treat the whole person
 Prevent disease and ill health
 Establish health and wellness
 The practitioner is a teacher
These principles are based on the objective
observation of the nature of health and
disease, and are continually reexamined in
light of scientific analysis.

As such, naturopathic medicine is

distinguish from other medical
approaches.
1. The healing power of nature.
vis medicatrix naturae
The body has the inherent ability
to establish, maintain, and
restore health.

The physician's role:

to facilitate and augment this
process,
to act to identify and remove
obstacles to health and
recovery,
and to support the creation of a
healthy internal and external
environment.
 2. Identify and treat the cause.
tolle causam
Illness does not occur without cause.
Underlying causes of disease must be discovered and
removed or treated before a person can recover completely
from illness.
Symptoms are expressions of the body's attempt to heal, but
are not the cause of disease. Symptoms, therefore, should
not be suppressed by treatment.
Causes may occur on many levels including physical, mental,
emotional, and spiritual.
The physician must evaluate fundamental underlying causes
on all levels, directing treatment at root causes rather than
at symptomatic expression.
3. First do no harm.
primum no nocere
Illness is a purposeful process
of the organism.
Therapeutic actions should be
complimentary to and
synergistic with this healing
process.
The physician's actions can
support or antagonize the
actions of the vis medicatrix
naturae.
Therefore, methods designed to
suppress symptoms without
removing underlying causes
are considered harmful and
are avoided or minimized.
 4. Treat the whole person.
The multifactorial nature of health and
disease
Health and disease are conditions of the whole organism, a whole
involving a complex interaction of physical, spiritual, mental,
emotional, genetic, environmental, social, and other factors.
The physician must treat the whole person by taking all of these factors
into account.
The harmonious functioning of all aspects of the individual is essential
to recovery from and prevention of disease, and requires a
personalized and comprehensive approach to diagnosis and
treatment.
 5. Prevention.
Prevention is the best "cure"
The ultimate goal of any health care
system should be prevention.
This is accomplished through
education and promotion of life-
habits that create good health.
The physician assesses risk factors
and hereditary susceptibility to
disease and makes appropriate
interventions to avoid further
harm and risk to the patient.
The emphasis is on building health
rather than on fighting disease.
6. The physician as teacher.
docere
Beyond an accurate diagnosis and appropriate
prescription, the physician must work to
create a healthy, sensitive interpersonal
relationship with the patient.
The physician's major role is to educate and
encourage the patient to take responsibility
for health.
The physician is a catalyst for healthful
change, empowering and motivating the
patient to assume responsibility.
It is the patient, not the doctor, who ultimately
creates/accomplishes healing.
The physician must also make a commitment
to his/her personal and spiritual
development in order to be a good teacher.
What are the principles?
Naturopathic Modalities
Clinical Nutrition
That food is the best medicine is a
cornerstone of naturopathic
practice.
Many medical conditions can be
treated more effectively with
foods and nutritional supplements
than they can by other means,
with fewer complications and side
effects.
Naturopathic physicians use
dietetics, natural hygiene,
detoxification, and nutritional
supplementation in practice.
 Nutrition
Why does food matter?
The Intestine as a protective barrier
Miller AL. “The pathogenesis, clinical implications and treatment of intestinal hyperpermeability.” Alternative Medicine
Review, 1997; 2(5):365-376.
Walker M. “The leaky gut syndrome.” Explore!, 1996;7(3):9-12.

IgG Food Allergies and the symptoms of an overactive

immune system
Gaby AR. “The role of hidden food allergy/intolerance in health and disease.” Alternative Medicine Review,
1998;3(2):90-1000.
Jacobson MB, Aukrust P, Kittang E, et al. “Relation between food provocation and systemic immune activation in
patients with food intolerance.” The Lancet, 2000; 356:400-401.
Rudat K-H. “Intestine-specific overstress diseases – concerning the functional utility of the intestinal tract and the
immune system.” Explore!, 1996;7(3):24-28.

Contribution to chronic inflammation and therefore further

destruction
Sutter, Frederick T. “Natural Therapies for Rheumatoid Arthritis and Other Chronic Inflammatory Conditions.” Applied
Nutritional Science Reports,
Reports, 2000;419.
Lerman, Robert H. “A Case Study Evaluating the Effects of an Inflammatory-Modulating Medical Food and a Nutritional
Supplement Containing a Proprietary Blend of RIAA, Vitamin D3, Selenium, and Zinc in a Patient with Crohn’s
Disease.” Applied Nutritional Science Reports, 2005;1271.
 Nutrition
Heavy Metal Toxicity
Individual and cumulative amounts of mercury in
vaccinations exceed safety guidelines
Is a byproduct of industrial waste transformed by
microorganisms in the environment, bioaccumulates in
water organisms (largest amount in salmon and tuna)
Toxic to all tissues and organs
Important in those with candida as mercury inhibits an
enzyme that produces an ion that is one of the key
defense mechanisms against candida
Treatment by chelation including garlic, cilantro, vitamin C,
calcium, NAC, selenium, lipoic acid
Shaw, William PhD. Biological Treatments for Autism and PDD. Lenexa: The Great Plains Laboratory,
2002.
 Naturopathic Modalities
Botanical Medicine
Many plant substances are
powerful medicines.
Where single chemically-
derived drugs may only
address a single problem,
botanical medicines are
able to address a variety
of problems
simultaneously.
Their organic nature makes
botanicals compatible with
the body's own chemistry;
hence, they can be gently
effective with few toxic
side effects.
 Naturopathic Modalities
Homeopathic Medicine

Homeopathic medicine is based on the

principle of "like cures like."
It works on a subtle yet powerful energetic
level, gently acting to strengthen the
healing capacity of the body.
 Naturopathic Modalities
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Oriental medicine is a complimentary healing philosophy to
naturopathic medicine.
Meridian theory offers an important understanding of the
unity of the body and mind, and adds to the Western
understanding of physiology.
Acupuncture provides a method of treatment which can
unify and harmonize the imbalances present in disease
conditions, which, if untreated, can result in illness.
 Naturopathic Modalities
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Element: Fire
Organ: Heart
Function: Houses the mind (emotions)
Emotion: Grief
Analogy: Give someone your heart
Example: Adam Sandler in Reign Over Me
Western Diagnosis: Bipolar Disorder
TCM Diagnosis: Fire Harassing the Heart
 Naturopathic Modalities
Psychological Medicine
Mental attitudes and
emotional states may
influence, or even
cause, physical illness.
Counseling, nutritional
balancing, stress
management, and
other therapies are
used to help patients
heal on the
psychological level.
Naturopathic Medicine
Intravenous Therapy
IV therapy allows therapeutic
doses of vitamins and
minerals to be administered
to an individual in an acute
state of illness, or a
chronically debilitated state
so as to more rapidly bring
upon healing.
Intravenous therapy is an
effective tool to use in
chelating heavy metals, and
as well may be used as
adjunctive cancer therapy.
 Supplements
Essential Fatty Acids (EFA)
Simoppulos AP. “Omega-3 fatty acids in inflammation and autoimmune diseases. “J Am Coll Nutr. (2002):495-505.
Review.

Probiotics (Saccharomyces boulardii, bifidobacteria, Lactobacillus reuteri and casei)

Bongaerts GPA, Severijnen RSVM. “The beneficial, antimicrobrial effect of probiotics.” Medical Hypothesis,
(2001):174-177
Erickson KL, Hubbard NE: Probiotic immunomodulation in health and disease. Journal of Nutrition, (2000):403S-409S.

Glutamine – fuel for cells of the colon; production of ATP used as energy by cells of colon
Souba, Smith, and Wilmour. “ Glutamine metabolism by the intestinal tract.” JPEN (1985):608-17.

Magnesium and Vitamin B6 – as cofactors bound to lysine sites that are blocked because of
pentosidine formation on that site; promotes GABA formation
Mousain-Bosc et al. “Improvement of neurobehavioral disorders in children supplemented with magnesium-vitamin B6.
II. Pervasive developmental disorder-autism.” Magnesium Research, (2006):53-62.

Calcium – prevention against calcium deficiency from milk-free diet (Symptom – itchy eyes)
Shaw, William PhD. Biological Treatments for Autism and PDD. Lenexa: The Great Plains Laboratory, 2002.

MTC (Medium Chain Triglycerides) – contains mostly caprylic acid which is an antifungal
Shaw, William PhD. Biological Treatments for Autism and PDD. Lenexa: The Great Plains Laboratory, 2002.

Vitamin B12 – absorbed in the ileum where damage may be apparent (as study sited 93% autistic
children had ileal lymph node hyperplasia and 8% of subjects had ileitis)
Wakefield et al, 2002
 Naturopathic Education
Naturopathic education may be completed at one of six
four-year postgraduate schools in North America that are
part of the A.A.N.M.C. (Association of Accredited
Naturopathic Medical Colleges) including:
•Canadian College of Naturopathic
Medicine in Toronto
•Boucher Institute of Naturopathic
Medicine in British Columbia
•National College of Naturopathic
Medicine in Oregon
•Bastyr University in Washington
•Southwest College of
Naturopathic Medicine in Arizona
•The University of Bridgeport,
College of Naturopathic Medicine
in Connecticut
 Naturopathic Education
The degree of Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine requires four years of graduate level study in the
medical sciences including:
• anatomy
• physiology
• biochemistry
• pathology
• microbiology
• immunology
• pharmacology
• laboratory diagnosis
• clinical and physical diagnosis
• cardiology
• neurology
• radiology
• minor surgery
• obstetrics
• gynecology
• pediatrics
• dermatology
• other clinical sciences
 Naturopathic Regulation
Change in regulation from DPA (Drugless
Practitioners Act) to the RHPA (Regulated
Health Practitioners Act)
May 28, 2007 Naturopathy Act is passed as part
of Bill 171, Health Systems Improvements
Act to ensure regulation under the RHPA
Other professions regulated by the RHPA:
College of Midwives
College of Dental Technologists
College of Pharmacists
College of Chiropractors
College of Respiratory Therapists
College of Dental Surgeons
College of Optometrists
College of Dieticians
College of Occupational Therapists
College of Physicians and Surgeons
College of Psychologists
College of Chiropodists
College of Massage Therapists
While we may not be able to control
all that happens to us,
we can control what happens inside
us.
Ben Franklin