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Naturopathy/naturopathic medicine
Description
The foundation and development of naturopathy is credited to Benedick Lust who bought the patent to the name ‘naturopathy’ in 1902 to describe an eclectic system of healthcare which, today, encompasses a range of interventions including dietary reform, exercise, homeopathy, osteopathy, chiropractic and herbal medicine. The original form of naturopathy arose from a combination of the nature cure movement, which is based on a vegetarian diet combined with light, air and therapeutic baths and the Hygienic movement, which encourages consumption of raw vegetarian, food and freshly squeezed juices in the correct combinations to maximize digestion. The philosophy behind naturopathy includes the concept of the healing power of nature, the inherent ability of the body to heal itself and the concept of constitutional types related to the five elements of water, fire, earth, wood and metal. The human body is viewed as consisting of mechanical, mental/emotional and chemical parts in equal proportions (called the healing triad), which are taken into account during diagnosis and therapy. Techniques used to aid diagnosis include history-taking, iridology, face, tongue, temple or skull diagnosis and Hara diagnosis, based on examination of the pulses and abdomen.
Hydrotherapy/balneotherapy
Description
Balneotherapy is a key component of naturopathy and includes: steam baths, whirlpool baths to provide underwater massage, foot baths; sitz baths, in which the patient alternately immerses their hips in cold and feet in hot water, respectively, alternating the positions during the treatment; blitz gus, in which a jet of water is directed at the patient from a distance of between 25–50 feet; cold friction rub, in which a coarse washcloth is dipped in cold water and rubbed vigorously across the body as a tonifying treatment; a cold immersion bath, for which patients are immersed for 4–20 min in a temperature of 10–23°C to stimulate circulation and the central nervous system and to reduce pyrexia; a graduated bath, when patients are immersed in a bath at 31°C and the temperature is slowly lowered at 1°C/hour to a temperature of 25°C to reduce pyrexia, for a general tonic effect and to energize the heart; a hip bath to relieve pelvic pain, congestion and genitourinary conditions; and a hot full immersion bath which involves soaking the whole body in water at 40–45°C to cleanse the body, relax muscles and induce sweating. Wet sheet treatments are also used, in which the patient is wrapped in cold wet sheets and covered with blankets and left until they begin to sweat, at which point, the blankets are removed and the patient drenched with cold water.
Nutritional therapies
Apitherapy
Description
Apitherapy is the medicinal use of various products of Apis mellifera, the common honey bee.
Bee venom uses the bee sting for its antiinflammatory properties and is traditionally used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, bursitis and tendonitis. In traditional Chinese medicine it is injected into acupuncture points to treat collagen-induced arthritis. Bee venom contains melittin, which has strong antiinflammatory and short-acting histaminic effects; peptide 401 mast cell degenerating protein, which reduces inflammation and pain through local action on tissue inflammation; and phospholipase A which emulsifies debris within the joints and other tissues.
Evidence:
Bee venom has been shown to help arthritis and multiple sclerosis. Honey has strong wound healing properties and is effective in combating infection including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus pyogenes, Helicobacter and Candida albicans. Manuka honey has been used to combat MRSA. Royal jelly appears to have hyperglycaemic and hypocholesterolaemic effects.
Chicken soup
Co-enzyme Q-10
Description
Co-enzyme Q-10 is a nutritional supplement consisting of a naturally occurring enzyme found in the mitochondria of body cells, which is important for energy production in cells and a free radical scavenger and antioxidant. It is found naturally in oily fish such as sardines, mackerel, whole grain cereals, soya beans, meat and poultry but is now also available as commercially produced supplements.
Detoxification
Description
Detoxification is a concept germane to several complementary and alternative interventions and involves the removal of accumulated substances from the body which are perceived as harmful. The process usually includes a period of fasting followed by a restricted diet for a number of days or weeks and the ingestion of detoxifying herbs or other products. The regimen may include colonic irrigation.
Fasting
Description
Fasting is a therapeutic procedure to facilitate elimination of toxins and promote healing in the belief that it helps to cleanse the liver and kidneys, purify the blood and enhance the immune system. There is usually a preparatory period during which only fruit and vegetables are consumed, followed by either a water-only fast or a modified form in which juices, fruit or vegetables are allowed (e.g. the grape cancer fast), varying in length from 1 to 15 days. Food is then reintroduced gradually in small portions.
Feingold diet
Description
In stage two, the foods containing natural salicylates are reintroduced and if there is no reaction, a diet is used which only eliminates chemical additives and preservatives. In general, children under 6 years of age respond within 1 week of commencing the diet; children over 6 years of age may take 2–6 weeks to achieve positive results.
Kousmine diet
This is a dietary therapy devised by Dr Catherine Kousmine who claims that multiple sclerosis is caused by poor diet and is curable by following this regimen, involving a low fat, low concentrated sugar, high fibre diet with added vitamins A, C, D, E and B complex. It is recommended that the diet starts with a raw fruit fast followed by 2–3 months avoiding meat.
Living/raw food diet
Lorenzo’s oil
Macrobiotic diet
Description
Safety:
The diet is very restrictive, not suitable for children, pregnant and lactating women or the elderly. There have been reports of health-related problems due to nutritional deficiencies, specifically vitamin D, B12, iron and calcium. Osteoporosis may be a risk factor and deaths have occurred as a result of the diet.
Nutraceuticals
Description
Safety:
May enhance triglyceride lowering drugs but can aggravate an increased cholesterol. Caution with blood sugar control in diabetics. Avoid in those on anticoagulants. Some supplements may be contaminated. The Food Advisory Agency advises that children be given supplements only under supervision. Pregnant women should avoid omega 3–6 obtained from fish oils, to avoid excessive vitamin A levels. Dosage should not exceed 3 g daily.
Orthomolecular medicine/megavitamin therapy
Description
This therapeutic approach involves the medicinal use of large doses of vitamins, minerals and amino acids to counter specific diseases. Linus Pauling claimed that large doses of vitamin C could help cure cancer and studies have indicated that it can enhance the effect of conventional treatments. Diagnosis follows similar lines to conventional medicine with the possibility of additional laboratory tests to determine the patient’s nutritional status; may be given alongside or instead of conventional treatment and includes selected nutritional supplements.
Probiotics/prebiotics
Description
They have been traditionally used to treat diarrhoea, vaginal infections and raised cholesterol.
Evidence:
Clinical trials indicate Lactobacillus GG and Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacteria bifidum may be useful for travellers’ diarrhoea. Lactobacillus GG and enterococcus SF68 Lactobacillus acid-ophilus, Bifidobacteria longum and Lactobacillus casei GG are indicated for antibiotic-induced and infantile diarrhoea, Lactobacillus GG being particularly effective against rotovirus, although this and other probiotics have been shown to be less effective against other organisms. Lactobacillus acidophilus in both live and pasteurized yoghurt has a role in preventing vaginal infections, Lactobacillus GG and Bifidobacterium may assist in preventing and treating eczema. Probiotics have been shown to reduce lactose intolerance and improve lactose digestion. A prebiotic fructo-oligosaccharide with Lactobacillus acidophilus or the prebiotic inulin may reduce serum cholesterol.
