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MEDICINE FoR “NATURAL” BASIS Sue O'Neill A BASIS For “NAIURAL” MEDICINE Sue O'Neill ¢ GNatural Medicine” is a term which generally describes the use of endless combinations of air, fire, water, earth and ether, and that all ‘natural’ means which are harmonious with the body to effect a living things are pervaded by a life force. cure. ‘Natural medicine’ is a term that has almost lost its true meaning The ancient schools of medicine were successful because they in the wake of technology which is making its presence felt in ‘natural developed intuitive healing methods which allowed a holistic ap- medicine’ professions - the ever-increasing use of vitamins, minerals proach to healing. The Hippocratic physician observed the character and food supplements and the enormous variety of natural therapeutic of a disease and interceded at points of crisis with a sympathetic techniques which are now available. Where does a person start? medicine to aid the healing process, not interrupt it - striving to There is evidence to suggest that herbs have been used since the strengthen the body, not weaken it. Diseases are not to be suppressed, dawn of humankind. The original inhabitants of this planet were (and but encouraged to run their course. some are still) hunter/gatherers, and used herbs extensively as foods, In my practice as a herbalist/aromatherapist today, I think the medicines, clothing, and for aesthetic and religious purposes. most frustrating aspect of treatment is the expectations of most - So-called ‘primitive’ human-kind would have gained their patients that: knowledge of herbs from observing the behaviour of animals around 1) They want you to fix them as soon as possible, preferably yester- them (perhaps noticing that a sick animal would repeatedly graze on day! a particular plant until it recovered), and also from their own experi- 2) They shudder in horror when you explain the basic laws of nature ence. There is certainly evidence of the use of herbs and aromatic cure - which boils down to them being major participants in their own substances in ancient civilisations. The Greeks, Chinese, Indians, and healing process! Aztecs had very advanced holistic healing systems. In the recorded Of course it's desirable and possible to give some symptomatic history of Westem Civilisation, the Greeks stand out as those who relief, but true nature cure often takes a level of perseverance and have influenced Westem natural medicine the most. courage which many 20th century folk have lost the knack of (author not excluded)! Hippocrates the Great (460-377BCE) has been called the ‘Father Nature’s cures are what most traditional medicine is all about *& of Medicine’. He came from a long tradition of healers called the = -_ AESCULEPIEADS who were said to be direct descendants of AESCULATIUS, the Greek God of Medicine and Healing, who was himself a living physician and was later deified (Atlantean). Hippocrates travelled widely in the East and was a well known physician in his time. He regarded the body as a whole. Many of Hippocrates’ works are recognised as showing advanced scientific thought and great skill in clinical observation. One of these, in which he discusses the importance of diet, makes a significant point in this age of ‘fad’ diets, He says that what is good for one person is not necessarily good for another, and what is good at one time is not necessarily good at another. He also stresses the importance of the effects of environment on health. In all traditional forms of natural medicine, environmental factors are important in assessing the cause of disease and maintaining good health. General nutrition includes AIR, WATER, FOOD, EXERCISE and REST in balance, keeping good company, creating positive thoughts and including spiritual nourishment in one’s life. Hippocrates said: “it is not enough for the physician to do what is necessary, but the patient and the attendant on the patient must do their part as well, and the circumstances must be favourable”. Part of the success of a natural cure is dependent upon the co- operation and participation of the patient in their own healing. Hippocrates believed that the human body is largely a self- healing system and needs only a little intervention and a proper lifestyle for health to be restored. He followed the Elemental or ‘Humours’ theory. This belief system replaced any need for knowledge of physiol- ogy as we know it; anatomy was observed via the treatment of injuries, as dissection of corpses was against the Aesculepiad tradi- tion. The Hippocratic schoo] acknowledged the metaphysical aspects of existence and that human beings are more than flesh and blood, being made up of interdependent and ever-changing energies in NEXUS New Times Seven - Summer 1989 ¢ Natural Medicine” is aterm which generally describes the use of ‘natural’ means which are harmonious with the body to effect a cure. ‘Natural medicine’ is a term that has almost lost its tue meaning in the wake of technology which is making its presence felt in ‘natural medicine’ professions - the ever-increasing use of vitamins, minerals and food supplements and the enormous variety of natural therapeutic techniques which are now available. Where does a person start? There is evidence to suggest that herbs have been used since the dawn of humankind. The original inhabitants of this planet were (and some are still) hunter/gatherers, and used herbs extensively as foods, medicines, clothing, and for aesthetic and religious purposes. So-called ‘primitive’ human-kind would have gained their knowledge of herbs from observing the behaviour of animals around them (perhaps noticing that a sick animal would repeatedly graze on a particular plant until it recovered), and also from their own experi- ence. There is certainly evidence of the use of herbs and aromatic substances in ancient civilisations. The Greeks, Chinese, Indians, and Aztecs had very advanced holistic healing systems. In the recorded history of Western Civilisation, the Greeks stand out as those who have influenced Wester natural medicine the most. ¢ Natural Medicine” is aterm which generally describes the use of endless combinations of air, fire, water, earth and ether, and that all ‘natural’ means which are harmonious with the body to effect a living things are pervaded by a life force. cure. ‘Natural medicine’ is a term that has almost lost its tue meaning The ancient schools of medicine were successful because they in the wake of technology which is making its presence felt in ‘natural developed intuitive healing methods which allowed a holistic ap- medicine’ professions - the ever-increasing use of vitamins, minerals proach to healing. The Hippocratic physician observed the character and food supplements and the enormous variety of natural therapeutic of a disease and interceded at points of crisis with a sympathetic techniques which are now available. Where does a person start? medicine to aid the healing process, not interrupt it - striving to There is evidence to suggest that herbs have been used since the strengthen the body, not weaken it. Diseases are not to be suppressed, dawn of humankind. The original inhabitants of this planet were (and but encouraged to run their course. some are still) hunter/gatherers, and used herbs extensively as foods, In my practice as a herbalist/aromatherapist today, I think the medicines, clothing, and for aesthetic and religious purposes. most frustrating aspect of treatment is the expectations of most - So-called ‘primitive’ human-kind would have gained their patients that: knowledge of herbs from observing the behaviour of animals around 1) They want you to fix them as soon as possible, preferably yester- them (perhaps noticing that a sick animal would repeatedly graze on day! a particular plant until it recovered), and also from their own experi- 2) They shudder in horror when you explain the basic laws of nature ence. There is certainly evidence of the use of herbs and aromatic cure - which boils down to them being major participants in their own substances in ancient civilisations. The Greeks, Chinese, Indians, and healing process! Aztecs had very advanced holistic healing systems. In the recorded Of course it's desirable and possible to give some symptomatic history of Westem Civilisation, the Greeks stand out as those who relief, but true nature cure often takes a level of perseverance and have influenced Westem natural medicine the most. courage which many 20th century folk have lost the knack of (author not excluded)! Hippocrates the Great (460-377BCE) has been called the ‘Father Nature’s cures are what most traditional medicine is all about *& of Medicine’. He came from a long tradition of healers called the = - a AESCULEPIEADS who were said to be direct descendants of AESCULATIUS, the Greek God of Medicine and Healing, who was himself a living physician and was later deified (Atlantean). Hippocrates travelled widely in the East and was a well known physician in his time. He regarded the body as a whole. Many of Hippocrates’ works are recognised as showing advanced scientific thought and great skill in clinical observation. One of these, in which he discusses the importance of diet, makes a significant point in this age of ‘fad’ diets, He says that what is good for one person is not necessarily good for another, and what is good at one time is not necessarily good at another. He also stresses the importance of the effects of environment on health. In all traditional forms of natural medicine, environmental factors are important in assessing the cause of disease and maintaining good health. General nutrition includes AIR, WATER, FOOD, EXERCISE and REST in balance, keeping good company, creating positive thoughts and including spiritual nourishment in one’s life. Hippocrates said: “it is not enough for the physician to do what is necessary, but the patient and the attendant on the patient must do their part as well, and the circumstances must be favourable”. Part of the success of a natural cure is dependent upon the co- operation and participation of the patient in their own healing. Hippocrates believed that the human body is largely a self- healing system and needs only a little intervention and a proper lifestyle for health to be restored. He followed the Elemental or ‘Humours’ theory. This belief system replaced any need for knowledge of physiol- ogy as we know it; anatomy was observed via the treatment of injuries, as dissection of corpses was against the Aesculepiad tradi- tion. The Hippocratic schoo] acknowledged the metaphysical aspects of existence and that human beings are more than flesh and blood, being made up of interdependent and ever-changing energies in nes Seven - Summer 1989 Hippocrates the Great (460-377BCE) has been called the ‘Father of Medicine’. He came from a long tradition of healers called the AESCULEPIEADS who were said to be direct descendants of AESCULATIUS, the Greek God of Medicine and Healing, who was himself a living physician and was later deified (Atlantean). Hippocrates travelled widely in the East and was a well known physician in his time. He regarded the body as a whole. Many of Hippocrates’ works are recognised as showing advanced scientific thought and great skill in clinical observation. One of these, in which he discusses the importance of diet, makes a significant point in this age of ‘fad’ diets, He says that what is good for one person is not necessarily good for another, and what is good at one time is not necessarily good at another. He also stresses the importance of the effects of environment on health. In all traditional forms of natural medicine, environmental factors are important in assessing the cause of disease and maintaining good health. General nutrition includes AIR, WATER, FOOD, EXERCISE and REST in balance, keeping good company, creating positive thoughts and including spiritual nourishment in one’s life. Hippocrates said: “it is not enough for the physician to do what is necessary, but the patient and the attendant on the patient must do their part as well, and the circumstances must be favourable”. Part of the success of a natural cure is dependent upon the co- operation and participation of the patient in their own healing. Hippocrates believed that the human body is largely a self- healing system and needs only a little intervention and a proper lifestyle for health to be restored. He followed the Elemental or ‘Humours’ theory. This belief system replaced any need for knowledge of physiol- ogy as we know it; anatomy was observed via the treatment of injuries, as dissection of corpses was against the Aesculepiad tradi- tion. The Hippocratic schoo] acknowledged the metaphysical aspects of existence and that human beings are more than flesh and blood, being made up of interdependent and ever-changing energies in a