After an initial history and exam, the most likely acute cause is decided upon and treated. Usually a saline irrigation is taught, but depending on the individual case, an antifungal nasal spray with quercetin added may be used. Quercetin is a natural antihistamine that also has properties of stabilizing some of the immune system cells usually involved in chronic sinusitis. If the case dictates, more interventional treatments of ultraviolet blood irradiation (most useful in bacterial/viral infection), ozone therapy (useful in both infection and immune system disturbances), or IV vitamin C (acute allergic conditions and infections) may be started upon to give faster improvement.

With osteoporosis, the naturopathic principle of prevention through a healthy diet rich in bone-building nutrients and a routine of weight-bearing exercise is of primary importance. Bone strength reaches its peak by age 30 and decreases gradually as a person ages. Even after osteoporosis is diagnosed, applying naturopathic principles of diet and exercise can minimize the progressive loss of bone density and promote healing.

Diet and nutrition are central to naturopathic medicine and poor nutrition can cause headaches. In addition, many headaches are caused by allergies to foods or food additives, environmental chemicals, or medications. Naturopathic medicine can identify these allergies and eliminate the offending agent. Naturopathic treatment for headaches includes detailed recommendations for nutrient intake, and reducing food additives and refined and processed foods.

Asthma is a life-altering and disabling condition that decreases quality of life. Conventional Western medical treatments generally focus on treatment of asthma attacks without addressing the underlying cause of asthma. As opposed to treating the asthma attacks, Naturopathic medicine uses natural therapies to address the underlying cause of the asthma. In the specific case of asthma, which has an immune system component, Naturopathic therapies focus on determining which allergens might be triggering the asthmatic condition and simultaneously restoring the balance of the immune system.

A common cause of depression is lack of adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals in one’s diet. Naturopathic treatment in such cases consists of nutritional supplements, especially the B vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, pyridoxine, folic acid, and B12), vitamin C, iron, zinc, potassium, magnesium, and selenium. These supplements can be taken in pill form or by increasing the amount of certain foods that are rich in them, foods such as whole grains, organic dairy products, nuts, seeds, fruits, and leafy green vegetables. Herbal supplements may also be helpful in relieving the symptoms of depression. Among the most popular herbs a naturopath will suggest for this purpose are chaste tree (Vitex agnus castii), coleus (Coleus forskohlii), passionflower (Passiflora incarnata), sage (Salvia officinalis), skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora), and St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum). Other non-herbal supplements are also known to affect mental and emotional moods and may be helpful in treating the symptoms of depression. Two common examples are the amino acids S-adenosyl methionine (SAMe) and 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP).

Naturopathic treatments for acne fall into several categories; using herbs and foods that promote healthy skin and/or remove toxins from the blood and avoiding the use of certain substances that directly contribute to acne outbreaks.
Naturopathy views diseases of the skin as the presence of toxins in the blood. Therefore, it is believed that foods and herbs that cleanse the blood can reduce the occurrence of acne. In addition, some herbs are used directly on the skin to cleanse and kill bacteria.

Naturopathic physicians understand the art of healing, which is more than dispensing an herbal remedy or nutritional supplement. To understand the context of a patient’s illness, the physician must take the time to listen to the patient’s story. Effective naturopathic treatment requires patience and good communication. Most patients know what is wrong and what needs to be done, but they don’t know how to translate this into an action plan. The naturopathic physician can translate the patient’s story and assign priorities among the several options that may emerge. They also take time to answer the patient’s questions.

Naturopathic therapies aim to support whole-body wellness, including the immune system, digestion, sleep, energy levels, diet, exercise and spirituality. Even though it has its own therapeutic specialties, naturopathic medicine incorporates the natural therapies of many different healing traditions. What makes a therapy part of the naturopathic scope of practice is the way it is applied.

Everyone is at risk for developing cancer. There have been many technological advances in its treatment, but cancer is still the second leading cause of death in the United States. The addition of naturopathic therapies to conventional cancer treatments can enhance treatment effectiveness by promoting overall health, reducing or eliminating factors that promote the growth of cancer, and improving the success of chemotherapy and radiation while reducing their side effects. Naturopathic treatment is patient specific, treatment specific, and tumor specific. By utilizing the strengths of naturopathic treatment with the strengths of conventional treatment, the cancer patient can maximize their chances of surviving the cancer.

The practice of naturopathy is based on six key principles:

1.Promote the healing power of nature.
2.First do no harm. Naturopathic practitioners choose therapies with the intent to keep harmful side effects to a minimum and not suppress symptoms.
3.Treat the whole person. Practitioners believe a person’s health is affected by many factors, such as physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, and social ones. Practitioners consider all these factors when choosing therapies and tailor treatment to each patient.
4.Treat the cause. Practitioners seek to identify and treat the causes of a disease or condition, rather than its symptoms. They believe that symptoms are signs that the body is trying to fight disease, adapt to it, or recover from it.
5.Prevention is the best cure. Practitioners teach ways of living that they consider most healthy and most likely to prevent illness.
6.The physician is a teacher. Practitioners consider it important to educate their patients in taking responsibility for their own health.