The Healing Power of Nature (Vis Medicatrix Naturae)

Naturopathic medicine recognizes an inherent ability in the body whichis ordered and intelligent. Naturopathic physicians act to identify andremove obstacles to recovery and to facilitate and augment this healingability.

Identify and Treat the Causes (Tolle Causam)
The naturopathic physician seeks to identify and remove the underlyingcauses of illness, rather than to eliminate or merely suppress symptoms.

First Do No Harm (Primum Non Nocere)
Naturopathic medicine follows three principles to avoid harming thepatient: 1) utilize methods and medicinal substances which minimize therisk of harmful side effects; 2) avoid, when possible, the harmfulsuppression of symptoms; 3) acknowledge and respect the individual'shealing process, using the least force necessary to diagnose and treatillness.

Doctor as Teacher (Docere)
Naturopathic physicians educate the patient and encourageself-responsibility for health. They also acknowledge the therapeuticvalue inherent in the doctor-patient relationship.

Treat the Whole Person
Naturopathic physicians treat each individual by taking into accountphysical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental and social factors.Since total health also includes spiritual health, naturopathicphysicians encourage individuals to pursue their personal spiritualpath.

Prevention
Naturopathic physicians emphasize disease prevention, assessment ofrisk factors and hereditary susceptibility to disease and makingappropriate interventions to prevent illness. Naturopathic medicinestrives to create a healthy world in which humanity may thrive.

Wellness
Wellness follows the establishment and maintenance of optimum healthand balance. Wellness is a state of being healthy, characterized bypositive emotion, thought and action. Wellness is inherent in everyone,no matter what dis-ease(s) is/are being experienced. If wellness isreally recognized and experienced by an individual, it will morequickly heal a given dis-ease than direct treatment of the dis-easealone. (This principle was adopted by Bastyr University and added tothe six principles.)

This was adapted from the Bastyr Uiversity website.