The Harmony of Inside-Out and Outside-In: A Comprehensive Approach to Skin Conditions
As naturopathic doctors, we have a comprehensive approach to treating our patients. In this way, we differ from conventional practitioners of medicine. One way this is very evident is our perception and care for our patients’ skin. The skin is the largest organ in the body and can be seen as a barometer of what […]
Ler maisUrinary Colic & Lithiasis
Herbal Specifics Renal colic due to kidney stones can present as vague to excruciating pain, no matter the size of calculi. Renal colic pain is not due to the stone itself, but rather is due to obstruction of the urinary flow by the kidney stone causing increased pressure on the urinary tract wall, smooth muscle […]
Ler maisInterstitial Cystitis In Men
Tolle Causam For a long time the medical dogma has been that interstitial cystitis (IC) affects women 10 times more often than men.1 This idea was flawed for several reasons, particularly the simple absence of any attempt to look for IC in men with pelvic pain and instead labeling them as having chronic prostatitis. A large […]
Ler maisAddressing Acute Allergy Concerns Naturally
I occasionally have been guilty of wanting to be the quintessential ND, looking comprehensively at a patient’s presentation, scrupulously following our principles and digging deep to understand the multifactorial clinical tapestry as to effectively “identify and treat the cause(s),” unfortunately, sometimes all the while ignoring our hierarchy of care and the patient’s acute concerns: his […]
Ler maisPicrorhiza & Neopicrorhiza: Applications in Allergic & Inflammatory Lung Disorders
Neopicrorhiza schrophulariiflora and Picrorhiza scrophulariiflora have been used traditionally for allergies, asthma, and inflammatory disorders, including liver disease. Neopicrorhiza grows in high-altitude locales of the Himalayas and is an herbaceous perennial plant of the Scrophulariaceae family whose leaves, stems, and roots are used medicinally. Picrorhiza kurroa was the species originally used in Ayurvedic medicine; however, due to severe overharvesting, it is now […]
Ler maisThe Stars of Medicine
Introduction to Naturopathic Medicine Naturopathic medicine is a practice of medicine that focuses on holistic care, proactive prevention, comprehensive diagnosis, and non-invasive treatment. By using interventions that are all-natural or low-risk, naturopathic doctors help restore the body’s innate ability to heal itself. Naturopathic doctors (also known as NDs) are hybrid doctors; we are trained not […]
Ler maisBeyond Saw Palmetto: The Complexity Of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
The common condition benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) remains relatively poorly understood clinically. There is much room for improvement, including a long way to go beyond just providing Serenoa repens (saw palmetto) and clearing up all the misunderstanding of this herb’s role, in general. In this article, the causes of BPH will be discussed along with approaches to […]
Ler maisChoosing Among Adaptogen Herbs
Adaptogens, or safe herbs that help patients cope with stress, occupy a place of prominence in herbal medicine. Stress is a major factor in creating mind-body illness, and adaptogens are a useful part of correcting imbalances. Naturopathic physicians are generally familiar with the common adaptogens and many prescribe them routinely. However, many adaptogens are frequently […]
Ler maisHerbs For Sperm Disorders
Decreasing sperm counts and impaired function leading to reduced fertility are a major problem in the Western world, and growing worse. Numerous reports have documented declining mean sperm counts and increasing rates of asthenospermia in developed nations over the past 50 years (Carlsen et al., 1992; Auger et al., 1995). These trends have been increasingly […]
Ler maisChronic Prostatitis & Pain: Getting To The Root And Resolving It
“Chronic prostatitis” is a common but under-recognized, poorly researched entity that addresses a spectrum of disease in men. It includes interstitial cystitis (IC), a condition formerly believed to occur largely in women until men were actually inspected and found to have it at similar rates; chronic pelvic floor hypertonicity; and non-inflammatory and neuropathic chronic pain […]
Ler maisHypertension: A Symptom, Not A Disease
Tolle Causam Hypertension is regularly mismanaged in conventional and naturopathic medicine. The tyranny of the concept of “essential hypertension,” coupled with the widespread tendency to treat hypertension as a disease rather than a symptom, is at the root of this problem. Here, a more holistic approach to the patient with elevated blood pressure will be […]
Ler maisCinnamon, Spice And Everything Nice: Insulin-Sensitizing Spices
In recent years, several common spices have received attention as possible insulin sensitizers. Many of these spices, including Cinnamomum spp (cinnamon, cassia) bark and Syzygium aromaticum (clove) flower buds, were once central players in the spice trade. These and similar flavorful, well-known herbs could become critical components for helping people overcome or avoid metabolic syndrome and diabetes mellitus. Cinnamon […]
Ler maisXenoestrogens: The Assault On Reproductive Health
Synthetic compounds structurally distinct from estrogen that nevertheless act as estrogen receptor agonists are known as xenoestrogens. The list of xenoestrogenic compounds that industry has polluted the globe with is long and growing—dioxins, phthalides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), DDT, organochlorines, bisphenol A, and so on. The worsening estrogenic soup we appear to be bathing ourselves and […]
Ler maisCell Salts – Part 2: The Twelve Salts
What are they good for? The mini-descriptions below include the most common, everyday indications for the use of the 12 tissue salts, confirmed over a lifetime of using them in my own family and with my patients. More information can be found in, “The Twelve Tissue Remedies of Schüssler” by Boericke and Dewey, which includes […]
Ler maisCell Salts – Part 1: History and Overview
I was eighteen years old when I purchased a full set of Schüssler’s Twelve Tissue Salts. My parents had used these remedies from time to time when I was sick as a child, and, as a young woman I became intrigued by the delicious, little healing tablets. I also purchased a 36-remedy homeopathic kit along with […]
Ler maisSafe Harbor Laws: Protecting the Public and the Healing Arts
What are the laws surrounding the practice of medicine and who gets to decide what these laws are? Can unlicensed naturopaths, homeopaths, herbalists, and other natural medicine healers practice their medicine legally? What specifically does the practice of medicine entail? Most people probably don’t want their next-door neighbor to be able to perform general surgery […]
Ler maisHow to Favorite a Course
Let’s say you’re really interested in a course, but you’re not *quite* ready to register. Now, you can favorite the courses you are most interested in and save them for later. In this NatNotes article, we will walk you through the process, step-by-step! The Step-By-Step Instructions: Step 1 – Create an Account First things, […]
Ler maisHow to Combine Multiple Certificates into One PDF
In just a few clicks of the mouse, you can combine multiple certificates into one, single PDF document. Making it uber convenient to submit your certificates in time for your license or certification renewal. Gone are the days of downloading and saving each and every certificate throughout the year. You can combine certificates either: 1) […]
Ler maisHow to Find the Perfect Course
When there are a lot of courses to search through, it can sometimes be a little overwhelming – leading to analysis paralysis! (No bueno!). There are enough decisions to make in a day, let’s make finding the perfect course a simple one. Now, with the filter feature right in our Course Catalog, you can filter […]
Ler maisMaking the Most Out of Your Website: A Guide for Practitioners
In this NatPractice Session, we have the pleasure of introducing you to Michelle Martello, founder of Minima Designs. Michelle is just like us – she’s a helper. She’s working to make the world a better place. Lucky for us, it comes in the area of expertise that often (sadly) is not one of our strongest […]
Ler maisNatRecipe: Cooking The Whole Fish
My mother and I both loved Paris and several times had the pleasure of being there together—either meeting there or traveling there. However we met up, we never let the opportunity go by without a visit to our favorite restaurant, La Boule D’Or, in the 7th arrondissement. La Boule D’Or was a small family restaurant […]
Ler maisNatRecipe: Kombucha Like Fine Champagne
Kombucha is an artisan product, and like all hand-crafted foods, the best results require patience and time. A good hand-brewed kombucha is like a fine champagne, fizzy with tiny bubbles, a delightful combination of sweet and sour, and even slightly viscous on the tongue. The secret is plenty of time—it takes about 30 days to […]
Ler maisNatRecipe: Pancake Batter
One of the most versatile and successful recipes from Nourishing Traditions is the pancakes. Freshly ground flour (spelt, emmer, or soft winter wheat) soaked overnight with equal parts of yogurt or kefir serves as the base for delicious, light tasting, and highly digestible pancakes. Every few weeks I make a double recipe of pancake batter […]
Ler maisAromaChemistry and Applications of Tea Tree Oil – Part 4 of 4
Absorption of Tea Tree Oil Applied Topically Tea Tree Oil has long since been used topically for a variety of conditions and is widespread in formulations of the cosmetic industry. However, little is actually known about its absorption and penetration through human skin and the consequential risks of application. Due to the lipophilic nature of […]
Ler maisAromaChemistry and Applications of Tea Tree Oil – Part 3 of 4
Potential Uses For Humans In vitro studies have shown great potential for Tea Tree Oil as a therapeutic agent, but few in vivo studies have been conducted. Tea Tree Oil has been commonly used for acne, dandruff, cuts, as well as other conditions (10, 11). In vivo research is currently reviewing and determining the efficacy […]
Ler maisAromaChemistry and Applications of Tea Tree Oil – Part 2 of 4
Potential Modes of Action Even after substantial research, the mode of action of Tea Tree Oil is still not properly understood. Numerous studies have been conducted involving a variety of assays to hypothesize the mechanism behind Tea Tree Oil’s efficacy. Potential modes of action, as have been identified in bacteria, include inhibition of respiration, alterations […]
Ler maisAromaChemistry and Applications of Tea Tree Oil – Part 1 of 4
Introduction Plants, as a means of chemical defense, produce and store a variety of compounds that help protect against invasion from microorganisms. As a result, many of these compounds possess a multitude of medicinal qualities for humans. An extract of Melaleuca alternifolia, commonly known as Tea Tree, has been used within the practice of Medicinal […]
Ler maisMiasms and Mythology: Part 3 of 3
The Tubercular Miasm The Tubercular Miasm can be seen as a type of Pseudo-Psora, where the struggle is so intense, hectic, and destructive, that the person feels oppressed and needs to break away as soon as possible. It is even more revolutionary than the Cancer Miasm, which has a slower kind of pace to it. […]
Ler maisThe Way of CTCA: Naturopathic Oncology Gets a Place at the Table
A recent family trip to the Midwest had me reconnecting with colleagues in Chicagoland, and, serendipitously, I found myself having dinner with an old friend, who later invited me to visit her office at the Midwest outpost of The Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA). Yes, please! A Center for Healing Truth be told, […]
Ler maisMiasms and Mythology: Part 2 of 3
The Ringworm Miasm The Ringworm Miasm is characterized by an unequal struggle, whereby despite all your efforts to overcome the problem, eventually you realize it is bigger than you and you resign yourself to succumbing to its greater power. This miasm is evident in almost everybody. It’s ubiquitous, with a tussle between striving toward one’s […]
Ler maisTopical Ceramides for Cosmetic Dermatological Concerns
When one integrates aesthetics into their clinical practice, there are a few noted therapies which offer a benefit across most patient populations and concerns. In the realm of cosmeceutical ingredients, ceramides are a prime example of such therapeutic products, given their applicability for many common cosmetic/dermatological conditions. Further to the information provided in my […]
Ler maisMiasms and Mythology: Part 1 of 3
The miasms at their most basic level are archetypal energy patterns ranging from very rapid, intense, and generalized symptoms, to slow, insidious, and pathological symptoms. Follow Homeopath Luke Norland on a journey from Acute to Syphilitic. The Acute Miasm The Acute Miasm corresponds to the fight or flight response and is the body’s […]
Ler maisDr. Christine Girard Named President of National University of Natural Medicine
Recognized Leader and Educator in Integrative Natural Medicine Returns to Her Roots PORTLAND, Oregon (April 23, 2019) –The National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM) Board of Directors has appointed Christine Girard, ND, MPH, as the 18th president of NUNM. Dr. Girard will succeed David J. Schleich, PhD, who is retiring from the position after 12 […]
Ler maisHomeopathic Remedies for Insomnia: A Quick Review
Are your patients struggling with insomnia? Your patients might find it difficult to get to sleep initially, have trouble staying asleep, wake up too early, or just wake up unrefreshed from a night of tossing and turning. It is often difficult to pinpoint an exact cause and there are likely to be several contributing factors, […]
Ler maisReviewing the Many Applications of Cannabinoid-Rich Hemp Oil and the Role of the Gut-Brain Axis
Written by Chris Meletis, ND and Kimberly Wilkes A Brief Review of the Endocannabinoid System Endogenous endocannabinoids that are produced within the body including anandamide (arachi-donylethanolamide) and 2-arachidonylglycerol (2-AG) are able to activate receptors in the endocannabinoid system. Phytocannabinoids such as Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component of Cannabis sativa plant, and cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive […]
Ler maisEvidence for the Clinical Use of Cannabinoid-Rich Hemp Oil in the Management of Pain, Inflammation, and Stress
Written by Chris Meletis, ND and Kimberly Wilkes The endocannabinoid system is a fascinating regulator of many aspects of our health. Endogenous endocannabinoids that are produced within the body including anandamide (arachi-donylethanolamide) and 2-arachidonylglycerol (2-AG) are able to activate receptors in this system. Phytocannabinoids such as Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component of Cannabis sativa plant, […]
Ler maisHemp Oil Benefits and Challenges
Cannabinoid rich hemp oil has emerged as a promising botanical therapeutic with both clinical experience and published studies to support its use. The Stanley brothers are largely credited for first awakening the public to its benefits. The six Colorado siblings developed a hemp extract low in ∆9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component in marijuana, and high […]
Ler maisDr. Chris Meletis Inducted into NUNM Hall of Fame
Beaverton, Oregon — Naturopathic physician Chris Meletis was inducted into the National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM) Hall of Fame on December 1, 2018 in recognition of the vital role he has played in the enhancement of Naturopathic Medicine’s reputation, prestige, and pursuit of excellence. Established in 1956, National University of Natural Medicine is the […]
Ler maisSkin Deep: Dermal Absorption of Essential Oils
For one reason or another, many of us have applied essential oils topically, either neat (undiluted) or as a blend in a carrier, possibly as part of a clinical aromatherapy application. The integumentary system (the skin) is designed as a selectively permeable barrier to protect the human organism from its external environment.1,2 The inherent nature […]
Ler maisBook Review: Herbal Formularies for Health Professionals, Volume 1
In Herbal Formularies for Health Professionals, Volume 1, the first in a five-volume series, Dr. Jill Stansbury makes a strong case for herbs in clinical case management–with tremendous success. As a licensed naturopathic doctor and esteemed clinical herbalist, Dr. Stansbury shares thirty years of experience with botanical medicine from all over the globe in this […]
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