The value of the consultation
Like all systems of medicine, naturopaths share a common philosophical framework and it is these values that essentially define us.1 Globally, it’s our fundamental understanding of vitalism and holism that shapes our approach to prioritise person-centred care, the therapeutic relationship, empathy and patient empowerment.1 2 From our clinical understanding to treatment considerations, our principles guide all that we do.
Rooted in tradition, instilled by our elders and teachers, these principles provide a unified understanding of health management, while sustaining our identity and independence as a profession.3
Despite the complexities of the human condition and the demands of our contemporary health landscape – we can always return to our core values as our source of truth. They reflect what we stand for, act as our ethical compass and inspire our duty of care. Like water, they can never be broken but continually flow as an ever-evolving undercurrent, throughout our entire practice.
With these foundations, our capacity is limitless – practically and professionally.
1. First do no harm (primum non nocere)
To compassionately guide patients on the gentlest, yet most effective path to healing.
This principle provides a deep respect and appreciation of the healing power of nature whilst acknowledging the risks of all health care practices. Through our understanding of the therapeutic order (Figure 1) we can provide or refer for the most appropriate level of care that best meets the patients’ individual needs and urgency of care. Treatment plans aim, whenever possible, to align with nature and follow a path of least resistance (including minimising exposure to toxins and invasive diagnostic tools or interventions).4
Like recognising our tears are a way of releasing inflammatory cytokines or applying diaphoretics to better manage fever – we acknowledge symptoms such as inflammation or discharge are signs the body is working to heal itself.
Our aim, when appropriate, is to palliate without suppressing the natural processes working towards for resolution. It’s the consultation that allows us to develop our clinical understanding and informed decisions – to identify risks versus benefits and allow us to provide the most effective relief for each clinical situation.2 4 5

2. Healing Power of Nature (vis medicatrix naturae)
Our abundance is all within.
Synonymous with the concept of qi or prana, vital force or life force reflects that the body has an inherent capacity to heal itself and that nature in its full capacity, is capable of restoring balance. It is our role to nurture, facilitate and support this innate process.
This principle recognises that when the building blocks to health are provided, the body naturally has a greater resistance to disease and a greater inherent capacity to recover and self-regulate. Like watching a paper cut to our finger heal, this quintessentially is the innately ordered, intelligent and self-organising healing power of nature at play. It’s the inflammatory cascade and release of chemicals that stops the bleeding and allows for tissue repair and when the foundations for health are provided, the wound heals efficiently and effectively without consequential outcomes.1
Our intricate nature often finds strength in simplicity where the pillars of health can take many forms: breathing well, optimal hydration, nourishment and nutrition, movement, restorative sleep and self care. It considers the human need for joy, exposure to nature, social connection and purpose.
3. Treat the Cause (tolle causam)
Like peeling back the layers of the onion – we identify and work to resolve the root cause.
With an in depth understanding of a patient’s health history, we can identify the underlying drivers of disease states or imbalances (physical, emotional or environmental), and aim to remove these obstacles, compassionately and appropriate for the patient’s individual capacity.
As part of a multidimensional health care approach, a range of causative factors can be explored: 1
- Genetic susceptibility
- Physiology, pathology and compensatory mechanisms of symptoms and disease
- Modifiable lifestyle behaviours
- Social interactions
- Environmental elements
- External influences/life events
- Medical interventions
The consultation process allows us to better recognise the social determinants of health, as outlined by the World Health Organisation: ‘how we are born, grow, live, work and age’; to identify the emotional impact of one’s health/disease state. Here, we can consider the most appropriate road map to address driving factors, consolidate our treatment decisions and ultimately, the most effective path to healing. 1
4. Treat the Whole Person (tolle totum)
Everything is connected.
Disease affects the whole person, not just a specific organ or system – both health and disease are the result of a complex interaction of one’s life and environment.5
Often reflected in indigenous models of health care, the mental and emotional, functional, structural and spiritual aspects of an individual are an inseparable whole that is interconnected and interdependent upon family, community and environment. Any pattern of disharmony in any aspect of a person, resonates throughout all levels of a being.5
Taking a person-centred approach within the consultation, allows us to dedicate time to building the patient-practitioner relationship and encourage a greater level of understanding of the patient’s condition, to offer support on all levels. To treat the person, beyond the label of disease.
5. Doctor as Teacher (docere)
Energy reciprocates energy.
With this principle we aim to elevate patient knowledge of health and well-being, meeting and aligning with a person’s level of understanding. Not just to be well, but to stay well. Through building relationships based on trust, professionalism and confidence, the education we provide can empower our patients to make better choices to support their whole being as permanent change.
For every patient we sit down with, we hold space for them to feel heard – to express themselves in a relaxed and safe way. To feel listened to and that we are on this path with them. In some instances, the power of this exchange can be just as therapeutic as the medicines.
The practitioner-patient connection is also reciprocal – within every healing relationship our understanding of the human condition grows, and it’s our experiences that become our biggest teachers. The more we learn about ourselves, the greater we also can connect with others.
6. Disease Prevention (preventare)
Prevention, the beating heart of all the principles.
The prevention of disease and the attainment of optimal health, go hand-in-hand as part of our naturopathic objectives. In practice, these values are projected through education and the promotion of healthier ways of living. By taking a thorough patient history, we can more easily identify risk factors; those that are hereditary or contribute to greater disease susceptibility and consider the most appropriate steps before disease manifests. 2
- Primary prevention identifies modifiable risks and enables us to intervene at a dietary, supplement and lifestyle level – to support healthier daily habits. It could also entail referring to other modalities, such as counselling, for holistic care.
- Secondary prevention defines the early detection of sub-clinical disease. As patient advocates, we are proactive in referring for screenings towards preventative care or when further investigation is required.
- Tertiary prevention reflects our focus on optimising quality of life and the actions taken to mitigate the impact of disease or treatment, including side effects of medications in established disease. Our vocation can shine here. Especially with chronic or terminal illness, we can draw from all of our principles, to provide ease in life, when the cure is beyond reach.
7. Wellness and Well-being
Health is our priority, it is our energy and vitality.
This principle acknowledges our ‘being-ness’, and that physical health as well as psychological and spiritual health creates total well-being.5 It encompasses health concepts such as passion and love for what we do each day, financial security, physical vitality, sense of pride in contributing to our communities, and the quality of relationships.
As part of the naturopathic consultation, especially the initial visit, we can subtly gain an understanding of how the patient defines well-being. It is the patient’s concept that is the most important, to recognise and work with.5
Beyond the absence of disease, this principle encourages a focus on achieving optimal health and vitality – to be top of the bell curve, not just within the periphery. It is our gentle reminder to take a proactive approach to well-being, while recognising the inter-connectedness of our mental, physical, and emotional health. Ultimately, it is the inter-relationship between the practitioner, patient and nature, that truly enables our framework of care and carry our principles into practice.2
References:
1. Lloyd Iva, Steel Amie, Wardle Jon. Naturopathy : Practice, Effectiveness, Economics & Safety. World Naturopathic Federation; 2021.
2. Hechtman L. Clinaical Naturopathic Medicine. 2nd ed. Elsevier Australia; 2019.
3. Evans S. Changing the knowledge base in Western herbal medicine. Soc Sci Med. 2008;67(12):2098-2106. doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2008.09.046
4. Finnell JS, Snider P, Myers SP, Affiliations JZ. A Hierarchy of Healing: Origins of the Therapeutic Order and Implications for Research.; 2019.
5. Hausser T, Lloyd I, Yanez J, Cottingham P, Newman-Turner R, Bascal A. WNF White Paper: Naturopathic Philosophies, Principles and Theories. 2017. Accessed November 25, 2024. https://worldnaturopathicfederation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/WNF_White_Paper_June-2017.pdf