Naturopathic Physicians: What is Naturopathic Medicine?

The principles of naturopathic medicine form the matrix upon which a whole and holistic system of healing is built.

These principles are:

• Vis Medicatrix Naturae – The Healing Power of Nature
• Primum Non Nocere – First, Do No Harm
• Tolle Causum – Find and Treat the Cause
• Tolle Totum – Treat the Whole Person
• Prevenir – Prevent Disease
• Docere – Physician as Teacher

The major belief is in the healing power of nature (vis medicatrix naturae). Respect for nature includes honoring our fellow human beings, and our natural healing processes. Naturopathic treatments work in harmony with our body’s immune systems to increase our strength and vitality.

Another philosophy underlying naturopathic medicine is to first do no harm (primum non nocere). The approaches used in treatment are safe, non-invasive, and minimize the risks of side effects.

The third principle is to find the cause of a disease (tolle causam). Naturopathic physicians honor symptoms as the body’s way of communicating deeper problems. They generally do not treat the symptoms, as this would be analogous to fixing the warning light of one’s car. When the cause of an illness is addressed, the symptoms leave as well.

Naturopathic physicians treat the whole person (tolle totem). A patient is unique in his life experiences as well as his genetics. Therefore, disease manifests differently for each individual. Each has his unique complex of physical, emotional, and mental interactions. These interactions out of balance determine one’s susceptibility to disease and ability to relinquish it. In order to balance these interactions, the individual should have his appropriate medicine.

Naturopathic medicine also emphasizes preventative medicine. If we take responsibility for our life situations, lifestyles, habits, and patterns, we can begin to recognize imbalances and then work to change them for the better. We can prevent minor illnesses from developing into more serious or chronic degenerative diseases.

The last principle of naturopathic medicine is physician as teacher. Naturopathic physicians educate their patients about their bodies and how to live healthy lifestyles. Disease not only encourages our innate healing abilities, but also allows us to open up and accept the help and love of others. When this interaction takes place, healing occurs. Then we can share the experience and compassion and catalyze the healing process in others.1

Source: With a little guidance from the AANP pamphlet: Naturopathic Medicine: What it is…What it can do for you!