Naturopathy

Humorism considers the importance of the purity of the “humors” (or internal fluids, in the sense of Hippocrates: lymph, blood, intra- and extracellular serums), their appearance, quality, quantity, possible intoxication, and their subsequent influence on health.

If there is a key concept in “traditional” naturopathy to explain the alteration of health, it is indeed the bodily overload of various toxins, the clogging (or tissue incrustation) via the “humors,” which prevents the body from functioning properly. Detoxifying and purifying the organism (Deinde purgare) is a prerequisite for regaining health.

Another important notion is the terrain, also found in homeopathy, which creates or does not create the conditions for a disease to establish. According to the famous formula attributed to Claude Bernard, but actually from Antoine Béchamp: “the microbe is nothing, the terrain is everything.”

Valentin Marchesseau – father of French naturopathy – provided a very useful synthesis of types of toxins. The “glues” (or colloidal overloads) mainly come from an excess of carbohydrates and fats, especially if refined; they are carried by the lymph and eliminated as pus, mucus, phlegm, or secretions. The “crystals” (or crystalloid overloads) come from an excess of proteins, especially of poor quality, leading to excess body acidity and to dry, acute pathologies or putrefaction.

This conception goes hand in hand with the emunctories; these are the body’s natural elimination organs, acting as selective filters that remove waste: liver, kidneys, skin, lungs, uterus/vagina. The goal is to identify (through assessment) the overload causing the disturbances — “glues” or “crystals” — and to advise accordingly on appropriate techniques: drying the source (Phase 1 diet), drainage, tissue de-incrustation, action on the emunctories, restrictive diets, fasting, plants, massages in Phase 2, as well as actions on management centers and psychological techniques. Naturopathy provides methods to stimulate the emunctories, with each toxin family preferentially eliminated by a specific emunctory.

Identify and eliminate the causes (Tolle causam).

In this approach, one will seek “the cause of the cause of the cause” (as Hippocrates said), aiming to determine the real, deep, and primary causes, beyond the misleading appearance of the symptom, and to avoid falling into the “trap” of anti-symptomatic treatment (even with natural products!).

Intervention can only be justified after correcting the errors that caused the disorder. The terrain must be restored; otherwise, natural defenses collapse, vitality decreases… Restoring a function does not remove the cause of the disorder and may lead to a hidden worsening of the situation. One must always seek to understand the intelligent maneuvering of the body, lest an apparently vanished illness evolve into a deeper, chronic disorder by diverting overloads to a weaker, deeper organ, leading to a more serious pathology. Thus, one does not merely recommend burdock cream for acne, but works on diet, liver drainage, and more.

This approach is more sustainable, but also more beautiful, satisfying, and intelligent. Likewise, one does not fight malaria by regularly flooding swamps with insecticide, but by sanitizing the environment and protecting oneself from bites in the meantime (mosquito nets, long sleeves…), or even going further by preventing vitamin B deficiencies…

“It is considered that an organism subjected for a certain period to a deficiency, in any of these ten health techniques, inevitably becomes the site of disorders evolving toward a state of disease. Thus, naturopathic action takes place below the level of medical action, which is different, and one can truly speak of prevention. The idea is simple and cannot be misunderstood, since it concerns prevention and disorders revealing errors in vital hygiene, not diseases whose treatment belongs to the medical profession.” – André Lafon.

Causality therefore leads us to implement a personalized vital hygiene program for a comprehensive care of the individual, according to their health history and causal factors. This brings us to the 3rd fundamental principle in naturopathy: holism.

This approach, dear to the naturopath and fortunately increasingly considered, emphasizes viewing the person in wholeness (or in a holistic way, according to the Greek root). A person consulting a naturopath will be asked many questions, more than they are used to in other consultations, across numerous dimensions: physical, bodily (how are your stools, a classic question), psychological (joy of living?), emotional (family relationships…), vital (healing, fatigue…), mental, environmental (pollution…), socio-cultural (isolation…)… Everything is connected, and identifying the combination of factors contributing to a health issue allows the proposal of a tailored program and synergistic techniques.

“The whole is greater than the sum of its parts”; this maxim is attributed to the great Aristotle, and finds illustration here as the cocktail effect of causes guides us toward an individualized restorative cocktail effect.

“The power of nature heals (Vis medicatrix naturae).” The naturopath believes in the Vital Force (VF) — or Vital Energy (VE) — that animates every being. VE is conceived as an immaterial principle whose continuous circulation animates the physical body (see Reflexology). Ancient traditions recognize this force, and Asian medicine bases its science on it (Chi or Ki in TCM, Prāna in Ayurveda…). VE comes from both external and internal sources (including heredity), as clearly understood in TCM. This energy is bipolar and needs to be replenished (through cosmic intake, from food, air, the day/night cycle, the company of others, relaxation… and the consultation!).

“Be simple, humble, never forget that the whole organism and each cell are more intelligent than all the academies in the world. Respect life and always remain passionate servants of life.” – Dr. A. SALMANOFF.

We call upon the internal forces that organize our body and maintain its health (see Hydrology, massages, reflexology…). It is not the remedy advice (plant or other) that heals, but the self-regenerating forces that are reactivated and supported. This is referred to as self-healing.

In truth, naturopathic advice to regain (and maintain) health will be effective and possible for people with a sufficient reserve of Vital Energy (and should only be directed to them). The early stages, when the body's defenses are intact or diminished, fall within the scope of Naturopathic Art. When defenses are overwhelmed, the resulting tissue damage is irreversible and will not be managed by naturopathy, but referred to urgent medical care (apart from relief and supportive measures).

It encompasses all vital hygiene practices, which could be summarized as “the art of living a healthy daily life.” Naturopathy draws on the best that nature offers (see the Elements) and applies it in the form of techniques (ancient or modernized), grouped into categories or “the 10 techniques.”