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What is the difference between Homeopathy and Naturopathy?
by: Karen Jonas, FSHomMed e-mail: naturaldoctor@yahoo.com
Homeopathy is just beginning to get recognition as a natural health care specialty. Some key features of homeopathy are contrasted with naturopathy below:
Homeopathy:
a. A Homeopath uses homeopathic medicine as the primary treatment for illness.
Homeopathy is a complete medicine – it can treat a wide variety of conditions from
nosebleeds, skin conditions, stiff neck muscles, digestive problems and chronic pain
to depression.
b. Homeopathic medicine is different from herbal medicines or mineral supplements.
Homeopathic medicines are made from very small quantities of plant, mineral or
animal substances.
c. Homeopathic medicines are non-toxic and safe for babies and during pregnancy.
d. Full treatment homeopathy looks for one medicine to treat all of the patients’
problems. If you have headaches, constipation, chronic sinusitis, joint pain,
depression and eczema, one homeopathic remedy will be prescribed to treat all of
these problems. The medicine can cost as little as $7 for 1 year of therapy.
Naturopathy:
a. A Naturopath has some knowledge about a lot of natural therapies. Many of the
therapies that a naturopath has a general understanding of (e.g. Western
Herbalism, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nutrition, Acupuncture and Homeopathy)
can also be studied exclusively as specialties for up to 4 years each. To become a
specialist in each of the therapies listed above would require 15-20 years of training
and an equal number of years in practical experience. Naturopaths generally focus
on Western herbalism or botanical medicine.
b. Naturopathic medicine depends on the therapy the naturopath chooses – most often
this includes herbal medicine, botanical medicine and supplements (vitamins,
minerals, enzymes …)
c. Herbal medicines, vitamins, minerals and enzymes are not always safe for children
or during pregnancy. Dosages and quantities need to be closely monitored by a
professional.
d. Western herbalism is similar to Western medicine – you get one or more medicines
for each problem you have. Western herbalism substitutes medicines listed above
for pharmaceutical drugs. For instance, if you have liver problems you may be
given Milk Thistle, if you have joint pain you might get Glucosamine Sulfate, if you
have headaches you may get White Willow Bark. With this approach costs escalate
with the number of health problems that need to be treated. Each bottle costs an
average of $20 per month.
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