Helping The Body Heal Itself

Most of us have been exposed to some form of natural healing remedy be it a herbal tea, a nutritional supplement, a massage or a change in diet to bring ourselves back into balance.

Since civilization begun, every culture has been known to harness the healing powers in plants. The ancient Greek “Father of Medicine” Hippocrates is considered to be the first advocate of naturopathy as the Hippocratic school treated disease with diet, fasting, herbs, hydrotherapy, exercise and spinal manipulation, prescribed on the basis vis medicatrix naturae (only nature heals) which is the central theme of the naturopathic philosophy.

Naturopathy is a form of natural medicine based on the understanding that the body has the innate capacity to heal itself. Naturopaths strive to uncover the cause of the disease by understanding the client as a whole system comprising the mind, body and spirit. They attempt to restore the client’s health in a holistic manner which is both gentle and efficient by stimulating the body’s own healing powers.

Naturopaths use a variety of natural therapies and techniques which can include herbal medicine, nutrition, vitamins and minerals, diet and lifestyle recommendations, massage, flower essences and homeopathy. Naturopathy is really a philosophy of life not a set of fixed procedures to follow by. Therefore, different naturopaths use various therapeutic tools based on the basic principles of naturopathy to suit the client’s needs. The emphasis is on prevention of disease through stress reduction, healthy lifestyle and diet.

Naturopathic practice is based on the six core principles which highlight the importance of empowering people to take charge of their health by education and by promoting self-responsibility. People are encouraged to make conscious, informed choices together with health practitioners instead of just following everything the physician suggest. Naturopaths aim to treat people, not the disease and to remove the source of the disease, not merely its symptoms.

In Malaysia, many people are unfamiliar with the term ‘naturopathy’. When she tells people that she is a naturopath, a very common question naturopath Raja Johanna Arshad gets is “Do you have a spa in your clinic?” 33 year-old Arshad is an accredited naturopath with a degree from the University of New England in Australia.

“Naturopathy can treat most diseases from the common cold and fever to women’s hormonal imbalances and diabetes. In many countries, there is an increasing collaborative effort between naturopaths and medical doctors to treat patients where both parties are aware of the treatment given to the patient. Naturopathy is seen as a complement to allopathic medicine instead of being viewed as an alternative method. For a person undergoing chemotherapy, a naturopath can give specific suggestions to strengthen the immune system and decrease the side effects of the treatment”, adds Arshad.

Stress is an inevitable fact of modern living. If left unmanaged, stress can result in a harmful reaction to the body manifested as hypertension, migraine, anxiety, depression, digestive disorders and back pain. Nearly every disease we know can be aggravated or even caused by stress or destructive emotions and limiting beliefs.

First of all, it is crucial to identify the source of stress and consciously accept the possibility of the symptoms that arise in relation to stress. According to Arshad, stress can be managed by an individual using numerous ways such as:

1.      Regular physical exercise which releases our body’s natural painkillers called endorphins

2.      Daily meditation practice and relaxation techniques

3.      A well-balanced diet taken at regular intervals

4.      Vitamin B12 to assist the body in getting enough energy from food

5.      Herbal teas such as chamomile and valerian teas to soothe the nervous system, inducing sleep and relaxation

6.      Herbs like Rhodiola and Withania somnifera (also known as Winter Cherry or Ashwagandha) which are a natural adaptogens, promoting the body’s ability to maintain homoestasis and counter stress

During a consultation, the naturopath will ask a list of questions about your medical history, diet, lifestyle and relationships with people around you to understand the condition of your overall health (physical, mental and emotional) and prescribe the appropriate treatment. First time consultations usually take one hour and if necessary, follow-up visits will take about 30 minutes.

Arshad takes the budget of her clients into consideration when prescribing them a treatment plan. For her budget-conscious clients, she would recommend simple dietary and lifestyle changes instead of the more pricey nutritional or herbal supplements. She finds it important to discuss treatment options with her clients as the healing process is one taken by both the therapist and client together.

Arshad is available for consultations at Natural Harmony in Damansara Heights, Kuala Lumpur. Price of a consultation is RM 90 for the first one and RM 60 for subsequent visits. Please visit www.naturalhealthpractice.com.my for more information.

Arshad is available for consultations at Natural Harmony in Damansara Heights, Kuala Lumpur. Please visit www.naturalhealthpractice.com.my for more information.