Naturopathy = the way of Nature

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As you may have gathered from my previous entry, I am currently doing a degree course in Doctor of Naturopathy. Other than some subjects (which I have done before and I find a bit repetitive) I am enjoying the course tremendously. It differs to a large extent from all my other studies, in that that the knowledge it imparts makes sense (even to a layperson) and therefore does not follow the usual way of memorizing a bunch of facts, just to be regurgitated when called upon in an exam, where after most of it is forgotten in any way. Since it makes sense, it sticks.

In a nutshell, the philosophy of naturopathy is that we are all born with the ability to heal and stay healthy, given that we follow the laws of nature. As much as we seem to forget it, we are animals, created by nature. We are however the one animal that is the farthest removed from the very entity that created us. We have created a very toxic environment for ourselves, both physically and mentally. Take any wild animal, in an environment where the natural balance has not been tampered with, these animals are in peak health. We, however, have lost the respect of nature, and with this the very body we live in. Instead of following the laws of nature, we want to control it. We should know by now that nature cannot be controlled. According to Naturopathy, health is the normal, natural state of a human being and is maintained by an inherent ‘intelligence’ without any conscious control. Should the laws of nature not be followed, and illness arises, the body is treated as a whole unit, in other words, what affects one part, affects the whole, irrespective of the disease. For example, through an unhealthy diet, it is not only the digestive system that is adversely affected. When toxins accumulate, other organs such as the bowels, kidneys, skin, and lungs are overworked and cannot get rid of these harmful substances as quickly as they are produced. In addition, the accumulation of toxins causes mental and emotional disturbances which in turn affect cell metabolism and ultimately the production of more toxins. It is a vicious cycle and the number of chronic illnesses that humans suffer from is testimony to this.

Back to basics
Nature did not create us for the way we are currently living. If that were the case, there would be no disease or illness. Our bodies cannot absorb the environmental, physical, and mental insults that we subject them to on a daily basis. There is too much stress, environmental toxins, unnatural food, and too little relaxation, fresh air, and wholesome nutritious food. For the most part, however, it seems that we have embraced this unnatural way of living, well at least until we are struck by a serious illness. You may have witnessed or read to what extent people go to regain their health. My question though is why is it that people only realize once they are ill that what they eat and what they think has a lot to do with health and healing?

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