Naturopathy is a therapy within the natural health field. It’s a practice, which focuses on restoring homeostasis (just a fancy way of saying balance) within the body by using the body’s own healing ability. Naturopath’s are able to strengthen and support this innate healing by addressing any cause of illness or dis-ease, using a variety of techniques and treatments. Basically, we give it the tools it needs to start healing itself!
Naturopathy is different to conventional medicine in the sense that instead of relying heavily on symptomatic treatment, practitioners are trained to find the root cause of these symptoms. I often refer to Naturopath’s as the detectives of the Natural Health world. Instead of just treating the symptoms or on a surface level, Naturopath’s look deeper using a range of different tools and criteria. Using clues (symptoms) and evidence to understand the full picture of what is going on with each individual patient.
Some tools used to find this evidence includes; in-depth health questioning, iridology, tongue analysis, physical examination, pathology analysis/review. Having a broad scope of material to draw from allows the naturopathic practitioner to be able to formulate an individualised treatment and prescription for each patient. No two treatments will be the same, as each patient is unique, so is their treatment. This is one of the things that I love about naturopathy. You truly do get to be a 21st century alchemist, mixing up herbs and compounding nutrients to suit your patients’ needs.
Some treatments used in Naturopathy to help restore homeostasis and to address any weaknesses or deficiencies the body may have include: herbal remedies, nutraceuticals, lifestyle advice, dietary recommendations and referrals to other allied health practitioners such as a remedial massage therapist, chiropractor or counsellor.
Naturopaths are required to follow the 6 Naturopathic principles to maintain a high quality of practice.
The 6 naturopathic principles are:
1. vis medicatrix naturae – The healing power of nature
2. tolle causam – Treat the cause
3. primum non nocere – First, do no harm
4. docere – Doctor as teacher
5. tolle totum – Treat the whole person
6. preventare – Prevention
These principles guide everything naturopaths do and ensure that while Naturopaths may have different areas of clinical focus, we still treat our patients with the same high quality of care.
- Healing Power of Nature: Nature possesses tremendous healing abilities. Naturopathy recognises and honours the body’s inherent wisdom to restore balance and heal itself (that innate healing I was talking about earlier). Through the promotion of a healthy lifestyle, including a nutrient-rich diet (or nutritional supplementation where needed), herbal support, regular exercise, and exposure to natural elements – Naturopaths can support this natural healing power.
- Treating the Root Cause: In Naturopathy, symptoms are viewed as the body’s ‘red flags’. A way the body can signal to let us know that there is an underlying imbalance. Instead of merely suppressing symptoms, Naturopaths work to identify and address the root cause of an ailment. By treating the cause, they enable innate healing to occur in the body, rather than providing temporary relief. Just treating symptoms is like applying a band-aid if you cut yourself with a knife. Sure, you can’t see the wound anymore but you’re still wounded (and you are still holding the knife). Naturopathic healing works by taking the knife away so that you don’t cut yourself anymore (and gives you the tools to learn proper knife skills so you DON’T cut yourself again – but this is more a focus of Naturopathic principle #4).
- First, Do No Harm: Naturopaths strive to create a therapeutic environment that supports the body’s healing process without causing any additional harm (or symptoms) to the patient. This is achieved by using therapies that follow gentle and non-invasive approaches to healing. The use of these therapies that have minimal side effects and pose the least risk to the patient is paramount in Naturopathic treatment.
- Doctor as Teacher: Education serves as a crucial aspect of naturopathic practice. Naturopaths empower their patients by providing them with the knowledge and tools necessary to take control of their own health. This is done by giving patients a greater understanding of the connection between the mind, body and spirit. Thus giving patients the autonomy and knowledge to actively participate in their healing journey whilst in treatment with their Naturopath and even after naturopathic treatment has ended. This is where the ‘knife skills’ part of my knife saying comes in – as mentioned in principle #2.
- Treat the Whole Person: The human body is a complex system of interrelated parts, systems and organs. Naturopathy acknowledges the importance of addressing all aspects of a person’s well-being—physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. Again, not by just treating symptomatically but by considering the whole person. Individualised treatment plans can be formulated to help restore homeostasis and promote lasting health.
- Prevention (is the best cure): Naturopathy emphasises the prevention of illness rather than waiting for illness/dis-ease to arise. By maintaining a healthy lifestyle, practicing stress management techniques, and utilising preventive therapies, individuals can proactively promote their overall well-being. Emphasising prevention not only reduces the risk of illness and dis-ease but also minimises risk of side effects from treatments.
The amalgamation of these principles is what makes Naturopathy such a special and effective treatment approach.
My name is Kelly and I’m the founder of Alchemy Natural Health. I completed my Bachelors Degree in Naturopathy in 2017, and started Alchemy Natural Health soon after (after an obligatory gap year/stint overseas).
As most health professionals, I became passionate about the natural health field after my own struggles with my health. My biggest struggle throughout my teenage years was my mental health. From being told that it was just normal ‘teenage’ emotions and hormones – to just ‘stop being stressed’.
It took a very special integrative doctor to actually delve deeper into WHY I was experiencing the mental health symptoms that I was. Turns out, I had Copper toxicity – this is when copper levels accumulate in the body and manifest in a number of mental health symptoms like OCD, anxiety and depression. If it wasn’t for this particular Naturopathic doctor investigating the root cause of my illness, I probably would have ended up on medication that in reality, probably wouldn’t have worked for my condition.
This inspired me to help patients in the same way that he helped me. I’d never been to such a caring and empathetic health professional before this doctor, and I was determined to be that type of practitioner for my future clients. And so, my journey into the world of Naturopathy began.
I started my business, Alchemy Natural Health as a generalised practice, later deciding to shift my clinical focus to mental health. I continue to my learning with various pathology courses (I’m a huge pathology nerd), natural health courses and counselling style courses. This is what helps me to stay a well rounded, and well-informed practitioner.
At Alchemy Natural Health, my goal isn’t to keep seeing my patients forever; it’s to heal, educate and inspire my patients. Inspire them to learn about and take control of their own health and how they can restore balance within themselves – physical, emotional, spiritual and mental. I want my patients to get better and live to their fullest potential.
I consult from Adelaide, South Australia in a hybrid clinic, offering consults online and in-person in both Stirling and Renmark. I find the balance of a hybrid clinic to be the most convenient for my patients, meaning people from all over Australia can book appointments with me.
If you want to take control of your health, and start living your life to it’s fullest – reach out. I’m here to help.
Alchemy Natural Health
0447 960 617
