🌿 1. Botanical Medicine (Herbalism)
This field focuses on using plants and plant extracts for medicinal purposes. Practitioners:
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Prescribe herbal teas, tinctures, capsules, or topical remedies.
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Tailor herbs to support specific body systems (e.g., ashwagandha for stress/adrenal support).
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Often use both Western and Eastern herbs.
Example Herbs: Echinacea (immune support), Milk Thistle (liver detox), Valerian (sleep).
🍎 2. Clinical Nutrition
Nutritional therapy is core to naturopathy, based on the belief that food is medicine.
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Practitioners assess diet and recommend nutrient-dense whole foods.
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May suggest supplements (vitamins, minerals, amino acids).
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Nutrition plans are personalized for health goals, allergies, and deficiencies.
Specialties: Gut health, hormonal balance, metabolic support, detoxification.
🧘 3. Lifestyle Counseling
This focuses on how lifestyle habits affect health. It includes:
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Stress management techniques (meditation, mindfulness).
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Sleep hygiene education.
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Exercise recommendations tailored to individual needs.
Naturopaths often act as coaches, guiding people to sustainable lifestyle changes.
💆 4. Physical Medicine
This involves hands-on therapies to support structural integrity and circulation.
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Includes massage therapy, hydrotherapy, chiropractic techniques, and physiotherapy.
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Some naturopaths are trained in spinal manipulation.
Goal: Reduce pain, support detox, enhance circulation and healing.
🧪 5. Homeopathy
A controversial but widely used modality in naturopathy.
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Based on the "law of similars" – using minute doses of substances that in larger amounts would cause symptoms.
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Remedies are highly diluted and selected based on the patient's emotional and physical symptom picture.
Often used for chronic illnesses, allergies, or emotional imbalances.
🌞 6. Hydrotherapy
Water is used in various forms (hot/cold compresses, sitz baths, showers) to stimulate healing.
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Can improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and support detox.
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Often combined with other modalities.
🧬 7. Detoxification & Environmental Medicine
This focuses on eliminating toxins from the body and reducing environmental exposures.
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Includes liver/gut detox plans, heavy metal detox, and support for chemical sensitivity.
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May involve sauna therapy, fasting, or special diets.
🌍 8. Traditional Healing Systems
Some naturopaths incorporate elements of:
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Ayurveda (India): Uses dosha types, herbs, oils, and dietary recommendations.
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Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): Includes acupuncture, Chinese herbs, and Qi balancing.
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Indigenous or Folk Medicine: Depends on cultural background and practitioner training.
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