WHAT IS NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE: Then and Now

Naturopathic medicine, also known as "naturopathy", is a distinct  system of healthcare that emphasizes prevention, vitalism, and the self healing process using natural therapies based on the fundamental  understanding that the human body has its own innate healing ability through corrective health solutions that are safe and effective.  Naturopathic Doctors view the health of a person as a complex,  interrelated system. Therefore, dis-ease is viewed and corrected by  addressing all systems within the body, supporting the whole person. 

THE HISTORY OF NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE 

Naturopathic medicine has been practiced in the United States by Physicians and Doctors for over 100yrs. The  term “naturopathy” was first coin in 1892 to describe a rapidly growing system of natural therapeutics,  originally organized in response to the heroic age of medicine. The philosophy and the therapies, which have  their origins in Hippocrates and the traditional and indigenous medicines of the world, first became a distinct  profession in Germany in the mid-1800s. It was in the 1800s that practitioners from several medical  disciplines combined to form the first naturopathic professional societies. 

In 1896, Dr. Benedict Lust MD founded naturopathy in America and established the Yungborn Health Institute  in New Jersey. He purchased the name Naturopathy from Sophie and John Steel in 1900 which combines the  meaning of the practice of Nature Cure and Homeopathy. In 1901, Dr. Benedict Lust, MD also established the  American Naturopathic Society and the American School of Naturopathy. By the early 20th century, more than  20 naturopathic medical colleges had been founded in the US, and naturopathic physicians were licensed in a  majority of the States. By the 1920s, naturopathic medical conventions attracted more than 10,000  practitioners.  

The ontological design of the practice of naturopathic medicine was developed through significant contributions  of multiple schools of thought and natural medicine thought leaders. For example, Dr. Henry Lindlahr ND  systemized and distinguished the medical philosophy and clinical theory of naturopathic medicine in his  seminal work: “Nature Cure: Philosophy and Practice Based on the Unity of Disease and Cure”. This  groundbreaking and influential publication in 1914 was drawn from numerous scholars and schools of thought. 

Currently Naturopathic Physicians are licensed in 25  States across America. In the state of Arizona, Naturopathic Medical Doctors are licensed as Primary  Care Physicians and specialize in naturopathic  medicine. However, due to licensure reasons, the  scope of naturopathic medicine varies state to state.  For example, in pre-licensed states such as Missouri,  Naturopathic Doctors are not licensed to practice as  Primary Care Physicians. Therefore, our scope of  practice as a Naturopath is to work integratively with  your medical healthcare providers and specialists to  provide safe and effective health consultations and  recommendations; through extensive review of  medical records and utilizing botanical medicine,  homeopathy, naturopathic nutrition, nutraceutical  therapies, hydrotherapy, and colonic therapy. 

To learn more from Dr. Amber Tabares, NMD or book a consultation, visit https://www.betterworldmedicine.com/contact.html