What is Naturopathic Medicine?
Naturopathic medicine is a distinct practice of primary care medicine. It incorporates the science and art of physical and laboratory diagnosis into a clinical practice of medicine that is aimed at creating health and preventing disease. Naturopathic medical practices include modern and traditional philosophies, along with scientific and empirical methods of understanding health and disease. The aim of Naturopathic care is to remove the obstacles to health so that the body may heal itself. The foundation of this medicine rests in six fundamental principles:

1. Do No Harm
2. Treat the Cause (tolle causum)
3. Support the Healing Power of the Body
4. Treat the Whole Person
5. Doctor as Teacher (docere)
6. Prevention as Cure

A variety of therapies may be employed, depending on a physician’s area of specialty. These include, but are not limited to nutrition, herbal medicine, homeopathy, physical medicine, bodywork and lifestyle counseling. Specific treatment plans are designed to meet the evolving needs of each individual patient. As the patient begins to heal, his or her needs change, which necessitates an ongoing conversation and relationship between physician and patient. Referrals to other providers are utilized when and if necessary, and co-management of patient care with an MD or Nurse Practitioner is common.

Naturopathic physicians are granted licensure in 15 states, Washington DC, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands, as well as 5 Canadian provinces, and have held licenses in the state of Oregon  since 1927 and in California since 2004. ND's are eligible for a state/ provincial license after passing the postdoctoral board examination administered by the North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners (NABNE). Licensed Naturopathic Doctors must also annually fulfill continuing education requirements as outlined by the state/ province in which they hold a license. 

What is Biotherpeutic Drainage?

Biotherapeutic drainage is an approach to healing that was developed in Europe over 100 years ago. The theory behind the remedies used, called Unda numbers, is founded in Anthroposophy, Chinese Medicine, and homeopathy. In short, it is the use of plant and mineral based preparations to increase the excretory function of the cells, tissues, and organs in your body. This is a very elegant and deep acting way to rebalance, heal, and restore the body. The remedies are homeopathic preparations in that they contain minute amounts of the actual plant or mineral used, if any at all. The mineral aspect of the remedy is present to aid in the biochemical reactions our bodies employ for detoxification, and the plant aspect leads the mineral to the intended tissue or organ system. The formulas we use are sometimes labeled with a number, the name of a mineral, or in accordance with a particular organ they are designed to support. The remedies are safe, non-toxic, will not interfere with other medications, and have a gentle yet deep acting effect. For a more thorough explanation please read my collague's eloquent description: Dr. Angela Lambert on Biotherapeutic Drainage.