NLP articles

Naturopathic elder from the NLP have provided short articles in the CAND e-link since 2021.

August 2024

Female forebearers in Canadian Naturopathic Medicine

In the shadows of naturopathic history, many women, NDs and non-NDs, supported and provided impetus for the emerging naturopathic profession to become a major participant in primary care for Canadians through their academic, clinical, and financial means.

Naturopathic Medicine currently has the 3rd broadest scope of practice for regulated health professions in Ontario.

The next articles in this series will feature three visionary women who played significant roles in the early years of OCNM:

Dr. Carol Yawney was a professor of sociology in the School of Social Sciences at the Atkinson Faculty of Liberal & Professional Studies at York University. She was a renowned scholar on Rastafari culture and alternative health and a leading world authority on anti-racism.

Joy Garden, a philanthropist who dedicated herself to the promotion of naturopathic medicine, was instrumental in providing financial support and networking with other organizations and individuals.

Kathryn Hope, RN, is a philanthropist who has supported many health-related and cultural causes. She was an educator for OCNM, undertaking a variety of roles including Acting Dean and adjunct professor, and was a Board member of INER (Institute of Naturopathic Education and Research that was the charitable organization for OCNM).

By Dr. Daria Love, DC (retired) ND

September 2021

How to get NM principles integrated into applying Evidence Based Research (EBP)

Evidence Based Scientific research outcomes can be integrated into the entire paradigm of the NM principles using our modalities, which of course varies amongst NDs, in order to address the essence of the therapeutics needed for the client at that time in their health care. Essence has to do with accompanying the client along their journey, which at times is urgent care i.e. sprained ankle, morning sickness in pregnancy, shock form death of a loved one etc. The ND determines the root cause of the issue i.e. inflammation, biochemical shifts, loss, and uses their therapeutic modalities to address the situation. The underlying long-term care of the individual client may be something quite different i.e. addiction, lack of self worth, brain injury and so the long-term plan involves knowing what to do as clients restore, remain blocked, or decline. Take the EBP information and apply it where needed as the person’s health status reveals, shifts and changes. Each individual client will need individualized protocols. With that approach the EBP research information will have a therapeutic essence to it and can be applied to a variety of situations.

By Dr. Verna Hunt, DC (retired) ND

May 2021

Stress Affects Homeostasis and Can Be Alleviated with Forest Bathing

Homeostasis is the foundation of good health. The word homeostasis means the tendency of a system, to maintain functional stability. As the cells of the human body continually produce new cells, they break down old cells. If the immune system is not over-seeing this process sufficiently, decompensations occur and there is a interruption of normal cellular function leading to a lack of homeostasis.

Our response to stress determines the effect it has on our homeostasis. By developing coping skills to stress allows us to live in our natural rhythms. A wonderful way to interact with the Earth is to go Forest Bathing, a well-researched method first named in Japan in the 1980’s. Go to a forest and open all your senses. Slowly and silently walk around or sit and observe the sights, sounds, smells, tastes and textures in nature. You will feel calmer, rejuvenated and restored.

One additional benefit is the opportunity to identify botanicals in ‘the wild’ and to observe the relationship they have in nature with other plants, animals and birds. Go with an elder ND. The roots of Naturopathic Medicine lie in the observation of nature.

• Reference: https://www.natureandforesttherapy.org/

By Dr. Verna Hunt, DC, ND