Natural Medicine grew out of alternative healing systems of the 18th and 19th centuries, but traces its philosophical roots to the Hippocratic school of Medicine. Hippocrates became the first Naturalistic doctor recorded in history (circa 400 B.C). Hippocratic practitioners used the term ´vis medicatrix naturae´, the healing power of nature, to denote the body´s ability to heal itself.
The term ´Naturopathy´ was first used by Dr Scheel of New York at the turn of the 19th century, meaning nature cure. It is both a way of life and a concept of healing which uses natural means of preventing and treating human disease. It is based on returning to nature in regulating diet, lifestyle factors and by using non toxic medicines to eliminate poisonous products from the system and so raise the vitality of the patient to a proper standard of health.
Fundamental to the practice of Naturopathic Medicine is a profound belief in the ability of the body to heal itself, given the right environment and opportunity. The goal of a Naturopathic Doctor is to use the least invasive intervention that will have the most desired therapeutic effect. Naturopaths believe the body has an innate intelligence that is always striving for health.
A Short History of Naturopathic Medicine