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Naturopathy is
a system of therapy and treatment which relies
exclusively on natural remedies, such as sunlight,
air, water, supplemented with diet and therapies
such as massage. However, some naturopaths have been
known to prescribe such unnatural treatments as
colon hydrotherapy for such diseases as asthma and
arthritis.
Naturopathy is based
on the belief that the body is self-healing. The
body will repair itself and recover from illness
spontaneously if it is in a healthy environment.
Naturopaths have many remedies and recommendations
for creating a healthy environment so the body can
spontaneously heal itself.
Naturopaths claim to be holistic, which means they
believe that the natural body is joined to a
supernatural soul and a non-physical mind and the
three must be treated as a unit, whatever that
means. Naturopathy is fond of such terms as
"balance" and "harmony" and "energy." It is often
rooted in mysticism and a metaphysical belief in
vitalism (Barrett).
Naturopaths are also prone to make grandiose claims
about some herb or remedy that can enhance the
immune system. Yet, only medical doctors are
competent to do the tests necessary to determine if
an individual's immune system is in any way
depressed (Green). |
