Naturopathy Q&A

What is naturopathy?
What is the biblical view on alternative medicine?
How do I choose a non-Christian naturopath?

 

What Is Naturopathy?

"What exactly is a naturopath?" Margaret's answer would be, "A qualified health practitioner who identifies the underlying causes of illness and seeks to restore wellbeing by natural means." Nutritional therapies, herbs, lifestyle changes, dietary adjustments, exercise and stress management all help to achieve this goal. By treating each person as a unique individual, naturopaths take into account all physical, emotional, biochemical and social aspects. Your first visit requires a full health analysis, which may incorporate various methods of analysis so that you can be treated in a holistic manner rather than symptomatically. Following this, the practitioner will formulate a treatment plan that may include herbs, homeopathics, nutritional therapy, massage and/or other therapies.

 

What Is the Biblical View on Alternative Medicine?
Debunking the myth that it is not.

Should Christians consult a naturopath? That is a good question.
Margaret says... It might help to tell you a little about my own background. Prior to 1983, New Age philosophies were part of my life. I was delving with gusto into parapsychology, being curious about the things beyond our natural senses. I had my own natural health clinic, and life was good (or so I thought). But then, one April day in 1983, everything changed:

A client shared the gospel, I was convicted of sin, and that very evening I came to the point of conversion. What followed was a huge transformation. While my professional training had encompassed hypnotherapy, naturopathy, herbalism and homoeopathy, I had added many more New Age dimensions. But now that I was a Christian, I had to re-think my approach to every part of my work.

I started searching the Bible and found that God is the one who heals (Psalm 103:3). But I also found that He employs men (Luke was a physician) and the use of foods and herbs as ‘prescriptions’, such as a cake of figs for Hezekiah’s boil (Isaiah38:21), wine and oil for the Samaritan’s wounds (Luke 10:34), and a little wine for Timothy’s stomach and frequent illnesses (1 Timothy 5:23). A number of other herbs are also mentioned for their medicinal value, and the sanitary ‘code’ given in Leviticus 15 is extraordinary because such hygiene practices were not known in the ancient world. Nonetheless, biblical descriptions of health, disease, healing and death are limited by the purpose of Scripture, which of course is theological rather than medicinal.

During my quest for truth I realised that the core practices of naturopathy (working with life style factors, dietary regimes, foods, and vitamins & minerals), herbalism (using herbs in various forms) and homoeopathy (using natural substances in minute quantities so that the body reacts to their energy rather than their biochemistry) are not contrary to biblical injunctions.  However, New Age practices such as pendulum work, ‘spiritual healing', and certain types of meditation and energy channelling definitely are. To my amazement, I also found a connection between emotions and health in the book of Proverbs. Here are some verses you can check out for yourself: Proverbs 12:25; 13:12; 15:4; 15:30; 16:24; 17:22; 18:14. There is so much wisdom in this book! You may even like to read all of Proverbs and colour-code the different topic areas. I was amazed by what I found when I did just that. Anyway, these insights caused me to learn more about counselling, because I realised that people needed more than physical help. But this is the natural health section, so let's return to it.

Let us start with the definition of 'naturopath.' Have you ever wondered what that word means? Take it apart and see what you get: ‘nature’ and ‘path’. You might like to think of it as a person who follows the path of nature in relation to health practices. Or as a practitioner who utilises principles of healing that have been built into nature from the very beginning. Have you ever bathed a sprained ankle in cool water? Have you had peppermint tea to settle a disturbed stomach, or chamomile tea to calm your nerves? Do you practice hygiene by washing your hands before you eat? If you have done any of these or similar things, you yourself have practised naturopathy or, in other words, natural medicine!

Here in Australia, this profession has been closely linked to New Age practices such as psychic or spiritualist healing, Reiki (a combination of hypnosis and energy channelling), chakra work (based on Indian religious beliefs), crystal healing, astrology, tarot cards and the like. These forms of mystic or ‘spiritual’ healing have their roots in Eastern religions and Eastern ‘spirituality’, which have been attractively repackaged for Western consumption. And of course as a Christian, I no longer approve of these ‘healing’ methods as legitimate. It is sad that many Christians reject natural therapies altogether because of these ungodly associations, throwing out the good with the bad.

The fundamental principles of naturopathy, low potency homoeopathy and herbalism have nothing whatsoever to do with the occult or other religions, and this is reflected in European countries, where many orthodox medical practitioners will use and prescribe herbal and homoeopathic remedies, nutritional programs, and other forms of natural healing such as massage and hydro (water) therapy. These practices are based on natural laws and can be verified by scientific research. Think for a moment: when your car needs petrol, would you supply it with sugar syrup? Of course not! You would use only petrol, which is specifically designed to make your car engine run. But in this hectic world filled with hurry and stress, pollution, chemicals, sprays, fast foods and additives, many people are not as diligent with their bodies as they are with their cars. They have forgotten that good nutrition is the basis for health and an efficient immune system, and that God has given us foods and herbs to aid health and reverse disease (you might find it interesting to do a concordance study on the word herb/herbs and read Revelation 22:2).

'Disease' may be defined as 'dis-ease,' an imbalance within the system. And most practitioners of natural medicine (the politically correct term these days is complimentary medicine) seek to restore that balance. First of all, they will need to do some detective work and ask you lots of questions regarding your lifestyle, nutrition, exercise, body habits and emotional situation. They may even check your tongue, your eyes, your lungs and/or your pulse, and occasionally they may send you for further clinical tests. When the causes for your symptoms are finally established, the necessary building blocks are then supplied to aid your body in its great potential to heal itself according to God’s design. These building blocks may be environmental, nutritional, herbal or whatever else in nature, because a naturopath will look at your health from a holistic point of view (the word should be spelled 'wholistic' in order to distinguish its origin as from the word ‘whole’ rather than ‘holy’). A natural health practitioner will therefore take the whole of your life circumstances into consideration, rather than labelling you with a disease based on symptoms. God has given us bodies with an amazing power to recover from imbalances and injuries, and the intricate workings of body and mind never cease to amaze me.

But please don’t misunderstand me! I am NOT saying you should not go and see your doctor! God has allowed the medical profession to make great discoveries, and we are grateful for its many advances. I regularly sent clients for medical tests. All I am saying is that those ways which naturally help our bodies to rebuild themselves are preferable whenever possible. There are some illnesses that natural therapies cannot cure (although they may still aid the person’s comfort levels), and I am grateful for hospitals and surgeons in the case of accidents, or when disease has progressed too far for a natural reversal. Sometimes drugs are necessary. But an ever-increasing number of people are searching for more natural ways of looking after their health. And due to the abundance of information available these days, they are able to make more informed choices. I sincerely hope that some of the things I have said will help you to do the same! May the Lord lead you in the way that YOU should go!

 

How Do I Choose a Non-Christian Naturopath?
(If I can't find a Christian one)

Training standards for natural medicine practitioners and herbalists in Australia are high, and a number of universities are now offering degrees in Health Science (Naturopathy). Furthermore, in order to obtain professional indemnity, all practitioners are required to maintain full membership with one of the professional associations in their field. Therefore (in most cases) you will encounter practitioners with high ethical standards and continuing professional education.

But don't hesitate to ask about their qualifications and/or spiritual practices! Transparency is part of their moral obligation, and if they are honest and adhere to professional ethics, they will be happy to tell you whatever you want to know. And if you then decide to consult that person, you can feel your way once you are there.
Don't forget, you don’t need to accept any treatments you don’t feel comfortable with. Nutritional, herbal and lifestyle prescriptions are ‘safe’ areas anyway. And you never know; the Lord might even give you an opportunity to witness to that person as one of my clients did to me so many years ago – and I was convicted and believed (my testimony tells the story).  Besides, there is no need to be afraid. He that is in you (the Holy Spirit) is far greater than he who is in the world (Satan). Ask God to guide you and give you wisdom, and you can gain great benefit even from a New Age therapist, especially in the areas of nutrition and herbal medicine.
You will find practitioner listings on relevant professional association websites, e.g. www.atms.com.au ~ https://nhaa.org.au ~ www.australiannaturaltherapistsassociation.com.au.
Apart from professional qualification, personal attributes are also important because they help establish a good relationship with your therapist. So look for a person who is genuinely caring, truthful, warm, open, friendly and respectful; one who is concerned for you as a unique individual. I hope you will find just the right practitioner and wish you good health!