Natural Health is only Natural!

What does 'Natural Health' mean?

Rainbow Chard, Attribution: http://www.flickr.com/photos/summertomato/4836952356/

The term, natural health, usually refers to Naturopathic Medicine which looks to natural remedies and will, if possible, approach the prevention and care of illness with alternative means before conventional treatment and surgery.

Hippocrates was the first to become a naturalistic doctor, breaking free from the beliefs of the time that illness and disease were due to supernatural forces, e.g., demons or gods.

Hippocrates and those who followed his lead considered that the laws of nature were comprehensible and organized.

Thus, they looked to the elements of nature for the cause of disease. Hippocrates and his followers referred to vis medicatrix naturae, the 'healing power of nature', to describe the ability of the body to heal itself.

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Apple a Day, Attribution: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ldcross/2187199008/

There is really but one healing force in existence, and that is Nature herself, which means the inherent restorative power of the organism to overcome disease.

~~Benedict Lust, February 3, 1872 - September 5, 1945                               One of the founders of Naturopathic Medicine.

What Natural Health means for your family

On a personal level for ourselves and our families, natural health is the way in which, with natural means, we can assist or augment the body's capability to maintain, or bring itself back to, wellness. This may mean we actively pursue supportive measures or just mean that we get out of the way of the body's 'know-how' by not weakening its resources with habits, diet, mental and emotional drains.

Navel Orange, Attribution: http://www.flickr.com/photos/summertomato/4508709819/

The body is like a small ecosystem unto itself, and everything is oriented towards balance. Natural health takes into consideration what many refer to as the triad of health. This is the body, mind and spirit. If any one of these elements is out of balance, illness can result.

True health comes when people learn how to prevent disease from occurring in the body.

How do you do that? One way you can prevent disease is by understanding how well your body is equipped to move towards maintaining balance.

When my kids have expressed the symptoms of a cold, or sustained a minor injury, I have reassured them of their 'body's magic' and its steadfast ability to restore them to good health. They have been reassured with a perspective that 'true north' for their bodies is wellness.

To lead a healthy life is learning how to balance your body, mind and spirit. To do so means connecting and communicating with your body, mind, and spirit. Our body will share its message with us.

Natural health and holistic care means focusing not only on a specific sign or symptom, but working to treat the mind, body and spirit of anyone who is willing to seek answers for what ails them.

"The cornerstone of all natural healing is summarized in the statement 'all healing comes from within and the body heals itself.'"  

~~Michael Tierra, L.Ac., O.M.D., the way of HERBS

It is important to find out what is causing imbalance and not merely reach for an agent which will provide relief from symptoms. Finding the basic cause will be a learning process that will bring healing on not only the physical level, but also on mental and emotional levels.

Most importantly, natural health for you and your family is about preventing illness. Thanks to good old Ben Franklin, his familiar quote is spot on:

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

Every single one of us would fare much better if we learned to prevent illness rather than rely on medicine to treat illness when it happens.

How do you prevent illness?

  • Exercise
  • Eat Right
  • Sleep Well
  • Provide your body with healthy nutritional supplements
  • Nourish your mind and spirit

More and more people are discovering modern medicine can be rather disheartening; they are interested in taking an active role in their health. On the other hand, many doctors today anticipate that their patients are going to be more proactive in their care and choose to be collaborative in their efforts. Modern medicine absolutely serves a purpose, but that purpose is often limited to treating disease.

'The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest his patient in the care of the human frame, in diet and in the cause and prevention of disease.'

~~Thomas Edison

Green Kiwi, Attribution: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pinksherbet/415651103/

I owe a huge truckload of gratitude to a woman doctor who gave me a 'Natural Health' prescription 25 years ago to:

  • Read the book 'Relaxation Response', by Herbert Benson, MD.
  • Avoid coffee and alcohol.
  • Eat an apple every day.

After my dad was in an airplane collision and left this planet, I was absolutely debilitated by panic attacks. Following her Rx, I took a foray into meditation which led me on a grand, new exploration of spiritual experience.

Thanks to her holistic advice, I took the road less traveled by (and that has made all the difference!). I discovered the blessing in the disguise of my un-wellness.

Actually, I have actually been very fortunate to find, down through the years, 'conventional' practitioners who have been very supportive of my intention to pursue 'natural' treatments as much as possible for my family and myself.  So I have no reason to 'MD-bash'!

Red Cabbage, Attribution: http://www.flickr.com/photos/benhosking/4813844880/

'While it may be our ultimate destiny to transcend nature, we must first rediscover our rightful place in it.'

Michael Tierra, L.Ac., O.M.D., the way of HERBS

'Natural Health' treats the whole person, rather than just specific areas of the body, seeing the body as a 'hologram' of the macro-ecosystem, of Nature. Naturally occurring substances are used to prevent and treat illnesses and disease instead of manufactured chemicals.

Red Tomatoes, Attribution: http://www.flickr.com/photos/epsos/3773953521/

Alternative therapies that have kept our family healthy and flourishing include homeopathy, herbal remedies, flower essences, essential oils, aromatherapy, and practices from the Ayurveda tradition.

And yes, I'll have more to say on this!!

Wishing you Radiant Health, naturally!

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Site updated  February 25, 2024

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