Clinical naturopathy: An evidence-based guide to practice
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... It is a member of the Ranunculaceae family a perennial herb, found in deep woods in the east north America [7] . Extracts of the rhizome of Actaea racemosa have been traditionally used for a variety of female complaints including pain during childbirth, uterine colic and dysmenorrheal Actaea racemosa rhizome contains triterpene glycosides actein, 23-epi-26-deoxyactein (formerly called 27-deoxyactein), cimicifugoside, phenolic acids (isoferulic acid and fukinolic acid), flavonoids, volatile oils, tannins and other pharmacologically active ingredients Action Actaea racemosa is another great remedy which has its strong influence on female organ [8]. The main sphere of action of this remedy lies on cerebrospinal and muscular system as well as to uterus and ovaries [12] . ...
... It also act massively for pain in ovarian region [9] . It is one of the best remedies for the Dysmenorrhea when there is severe pain in the back radiating down to the thighs through side to side region of hip [8] . Pain of Actaea racemosa are electric shock on labour like pain which in sharp, shooting and lancinating pain which occurs mainly the flow of the menstruation [11] . ...
... gastrointestinal, respiratory, and cardiovascular) and the specific condition. Based on a naturopathic clinical textbook, a total of 17 condition categories and corresponding specific conditions were provided for participants to select [22]. For each condition category, an 'other' option was also provided so that participants can manually enter a condition that was not included in the category list. ...
... Similarly, published adverse events of other medications such as increased risk of suicide associated with the acne medication isotretinoin [39] as well as global concerns with overprescription of antibiotics [40] may 'push' patients and their parents to seek other treatment options for conditions such as acne and respiratory infections [41]. In contrast, naturopathic care for these conditions embrace principles of complexity and holism [12,13] by treating related physiological systems that may directly and indirectly impact on the presentation of a skin or respiratory condition such as the gastrointestinal system as was identified in our study and is described in naturopathic clinical texts and other practice-based research [16,22]. Such traditional naturopathic approaches to managing these conditions are supported by emerging research which reports a clinically significant link between microbiome and allergic disease inclusive of atopic dermatitis and asthma [42]. ...
Background
An individual’s health status varies with age, with most health problems increasing through different life stages. Yet, a key feature of the majority of conditions contributing burden to society globally, irrespective of life stage, is the predominance of chronic, non-communicable diseases (NCDs). An important response to this growing burden is the increasing recognition of addressing NCD prevention through a life-course perspective through primary care and public health. Naturopathy is a traditional medicine system originating from Europe, and its practitioners commonly provide primary care and focus on prevention and wellness. However, little is known about naturopathic practitioners (NPs) contribution to health care across different life stages.
Methods
This secondary analysis of a cross-sectional study aimed to describe the approach to the care of NPs based on the life stage of their patients. The primary study recruited NPs from 14 regions or countries, who were invited to complete a short survey about 20 consecutive patients. The multilingual survey included the following domains: patient demographics, reason for visit, prescribed or recommended treatments, and naturopathic interpretation of the health conditions . Descriptive statistics were tabulated as frequencies and percentages and chi square tests were used to test associations and compare groups. Effect size was determined by Cramer’s V.
Results
Participant NPs ( n = 56) provided consultation details for 854 patients encounters. There were differences in the patient’s primary reason for visiting, the additional physiological systems the NP considered important in the management of the patient’s health, and the treatments prescribed across all life stages. However, diet (45.1–70.0%) and lifestyle (14.3–60.0%) prescription were the most common categories of treatments across all patient groups.
Conclusion
NPs provide care to patients across all life stages, and diverse conditions pertinent to those life stages while also demonstrating a holistic approach that considers broader health concerns and long term treatment practices. While there may be emerging evidence supporting and informing NP clinical outcomes, the breadth and diversity of health conditions, populations and treatments within the scope of naturopathic practice underscores a need for urgent and widescale research investigating naturopathic care across the life course.
... Naturopathy is philosophically consistent with complex, dynamic and extended network models [23,24] based on its meta-theoretical precepts such as holism and non-specificity that it shares with other complementary medicine professions [17]. Naturopathy is founded on an inter-systems approach [33,34] aligning it with complexity principles This philosophical foundation makes naturopathy an ideal model to test systems-based tools and strategies in a clinical healthcare setting. The holistic perspective of naturopathy may be observed in the mind maps created by some naturopaths as part of their case management process. ...
... Each participant was emailed the same paper case study, and were requested to independently create a mind map, based solely on the information contained in the case study and using their preferred process and style, and software generated or drawn by hand, depending on their preference. While the case study was fictional, it contained information which was consistent with the type of information gathered during a standard naturopathic consultation [33]. Once created, the seven mind maps were emailed back to the research team. ...
Background
Advances in systems science creates an opportunity to bring a complexity perspective to health care practices and research. While medical knowledge has greatly progressed using a reductionist and mechanistic philosophy, this approach may be limited in its capacity to manage chronic and complex illness. With its holistic foundation, naturopathy is a primary health profession with a purported alignment with a complexity perspective. As such this pilot study aimed to investigate the application of complexity science principles, strategies, and tools to primary health care using naturopathy as a case study.
Methods
A network mapping and analysis of the naturopathic case management process was conducted. Mind maps were created by naturopathic practitioners to reflect their clinical conceptualisation of a common paper clinical case. These mind maps were inputed into Gephi , a network mapping, exploration, and analysis software. Various layouts of the data were produced, and these were analysed using exploratory data analysis and computational network analysis.
Results
Seven naturopathic practitioners participated in the study. In the combined network mapping, 133 unique elements and 399 links were identified. Obesity, the presenting issue in the case, was centrally located. Along with obesity, other keystone elements included: systemic inflammation, dysbiosis, diet, the liver, and mood. Each element was connected on average to 3.05 other elements, with a degree variation between one and 36. Six communities within the dataset were identified, comprising: the nervous system and mood, gastroinstetinal and dietary factors, systemic inflammation and obesity, the endocrine system and metabolism.
Conclusions
This pilot study demonstrates that it is feasible to apply a complexity science perspective to investigating primary health care case management. This supports a shift to viewing the human organism as a complex adaptive system within primary health care settings, with implications for health care practices that are more cognisant with the treatment of chronic and complex conditions and research opportunities to capture the complex clinical reasoning processes of practitioners.
... a. Pregnancy Pregnancy is the most prevalent reason for hyperprolactinemia, characterized by elevated levels of prolactin in the blood climbing to as high as 600 ng/mL and peaking at delivery. In women who do not breastfeed, prolactin levels undergo many changes initially, decrease in the first 72 hours following delivery, and then recover to normal [33]. Lactation raises prolactin levels in nursing mothers, although this normally goes away 12 weeks after delivery because postpartum estradiol levels fall, which reduces lactotroph hyperplasia. ...
Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a multifaceted endocrine disorder affecting many women during their reproductive years. It is characterized by oligo/amenorrhea, anovulatory cycles, polycystic ovaries, and insulin resistance. This review explores the hormonal and metabolic alterations associated with PCOS, comparing them to functional hypothalamic amenorrhea (FHA). Key aspects include the abnormally high LH pulse frequency in PCOS, indicating hyperactive gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), and the role of hyperandrogenemia in exacerbating the condition by increasing LH pulse secretion from the pituitary gland. Additionally, the review examines the neuroendocrine basis for PCOS. Methods: The methodology involved analyzing neuroendocrine pathways and physical manifestations through PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Scopus databases. Findings indicate that PCOS is primarily characterized by androgen excess, ovulatory dysfunction, and disruption of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis. Hormonal dysregulation includes disturbances in GnRH, insulin, LH/FSH ratio, and androgens. GnRH stimulates LH and FSH release from the pituitary, regulating ovarian function, while Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) inhibits follicular development in PCOS. Conclusion: The review concludes by highlighting the hormonal alterations, including decreased frequency and amplitude of LH pulses, disruptions in GnRH, LH, and FSH. Genetic predispositions and disturbances in the LH/FSH ratio can lead to impaired follicle growth and polycystic ovaries. This comprehensive exploration underscores the importance of understanding the hormonal and neuroendocrine mechanisms underlying PCOS, contributing to better diagnosis and treatment strategies
... A key finding from this research is that NPs' report using a range of knowledge to inform their practice and decision making, of which patient-shared knowledge forms part of this suite of knowledge sources. This finding is supported by globallyused naturopathic clinical texts [24], international position statements by the naturopathic profession [25], and research examining practitioner and patient experiences in Australia, United States and Canada [26][27][28][29][30]; all of which indicate that naturopathy has a legacy of working collaboratively with patients as a core element of practice [26,27,31]. This legacy has strong philosophical roots that inform the core principles underpinning naturopathic practice, which are fundamentally patient-centred [32]. ...
Introduction
Most knowledge translation models pay relatively little attention to patient-held knowledge and are largely based on the premise that researchers and clinicians hold all valuable knowledge, and patients are passive recipients of such knowledge. Counter to this clinician- and researcher-centred lens is a growing interest and awareness of patients as experts in their health. While naturopathic medicine is described and experienced as a patient-centred system of traditional medicine, the position of patient-held knowledge is unclear particularly when considered alongside their use of other more objective forms of knowledge such as research evidence.
Methods
This international online cross-sectional survey aimed to explore naturopathic practitioners’ perceptions of the value and contribution of patient-shared knowledge and information within the context of naturopathic clinical consultations.
Results
The survey was completed by 453 naturopathic practitioners (response rate: 74.3%). Approximately two-thirds (68.2%) of respondents reported using information shared by the patient. Most rated ‘information provided by the patient’ as either ‘extremely important’ (60.7%) or ‘very important’ (31.4%) to patients. Highest levels of trust were reported for information provided by the patient (‘completely’: 9.9%; ‘a lot’: 53.6%). Most practitioners indicated they trusted knowledge and information derived from the patient’s personal health history ‘completely’ (n = 79; 21.8%) or ‘a lot’ (n = 226; 62.4%) from the patient’s perspective of living with a health condition (‘completely’ [n = 63, 17.4%]; ‘a lot’ [n = 224, 61.9%]). Patients were the highest ranked stakeholder group (mean: 1.5) perceived to influence NP use of patient experience of living with a health condition to inform clinical decision-making.
Conclusion
Researchers and policy makers are increasingly focused on the value of the ‘expert patient’ in clinical decision-making, yet health professionals’ report challenges and, in some cases, resistance to meaningfully engaging with patient-shared knowledge in practice. However, our study has found patient-shared knowledge – inclusive of patient experience of their health condition – is among the knowledge used and trusted by naturopathic practitioners to inform their clinical decision-making. This study both offers insights into the knowledge translation behaviours of an under-researched health profession and provides a novel contribution to the wider aim of adopting patient-shared knowledge into clinical care more generally.
... The gastrointestinal system is an important aspect of naturopathic care for reasons relating to its bi-directional function in endocrine, neural, and immunological biomechanisms [43]. Naturopaths have historically targeted the gastrointestinal system to improve immunological functioning, reduce inflammatory processes, balance regulatory systems, and optimise metabolic functioning [44]. Study participants may be targeting this biological system for various reasons. ...
Objectives
Endometriosis is a chronic gynaecological disease with varying symptomatology and negative health outcomes. To ensure the best care for women with endometriosis, women require a multidisciplinary team approach. While some women consult with naturopaths for endometriosis, there has been little research on naturopathic knowledge and the naturopathic approach to endometriosis care.
Methods
This cross-sectional survey recruited naturopaths with experience in menstrual disorders from the Practitioner Research and Collaboration Initiative (PRACI) a Practice-Based Research Network (PBRN). Data collection was conducted via an online self-administrated 62-item questionnaire.
Results
Invitations were sent to 109 naturopaths who self-reported having experience in menstrual disorders, of whom 29 completed the survey (26.6% response rate). Naturopaths perceived endometriosis to be caused by inflammation (n=28, 96.5%) and risk factors associated with familial history (n=26, 89.6%). Many naturopaths aimed at reducing inflammation (n=27, 93.1%) and supporting gastrointestinal function (n=25, 86.2%) in their prescriptions. Naturopaths reported using various healthcare referrals to support women with endometriosis, primarily general practitioners (n=12, 41.3%), acupuncturists/Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners (n=11, 37.9%), and gynaecologists (n=9, 31%). Naturopaths reported receiving referrals from general practitioners (n=8, 27.5%) and psychologists (n=6, 20.6%).
Conclusions
Naturopathic knowledge and management of endometriosis targets known problematic areas of endometriosis that can have debilitating effects on women’s quality of life. Naturopathic care has the potential to align with important health outcomes for women with endometriosis however, further attention is needed to assess the effectiveness and continue to establish a multidisciplinary approach involving naturopathic care.
... The recently published paper by Carè et al. is quite revealing of the phenomena in that many critical articles are ignored though the paper purports to be comprehensive in terms of its survey of stakeholders (Carè et al., 2021 Wardle, a co-author, is a co-editor of a textbook that places the science-ejected at the heart of naturopathy in its first chapter (Sarris and Wardle, 2019). He is based out of UTS and his CV there tells us he has a "Bachelors of Health Science (Naturopathy)" (UTS, 2021b). ...
Is care founded upon epistemically unwarranted medical claims and methods an appropriate publicly-funded remedy for America's underserved and vulnerable populations' rampant healthcare inaccessibility and inequality issues? The case of Bastyr University's Center for Natural Health and BU's satellite community clinics.
Also in podcast format at https://archive.org/details/naturocrit_podcast_s02e05b1
This literature review article addresses the "Misuse of Herbal Teas". We explore the traditional benefits of these teas, highlighting their long history of use in diverse cultures. We discuss the risks associated with inappropriate use, including side effects and drug interactions, as well as the lack of regulation in production and marketing. We emphasize the importance of guidance from healthcare professionals before consuming herbal teas and suggest strategies to educate the public about responsible use. This article highlights the need to balance the benefits and risks of these natural products and promote an informed approach to herbal medicine.
Introduction:
The first cases of Covid-19 disease were reported in December 2019.In March 2021,
the pandemic had expanded worldwide, with 114.217.365 cases and 2.533014 deaths, including 286.155 cases and 15.811 deaths in Ecuador.The goal of this study was to share the impact of COVID-19 disease on 700 chronic dialysis patients from Ecuador's highlands, representing nearly 7% of the country's dialysis population, after one year of pandemic.
Materials and Methods:
An observational prospective multicenter study was conducted on 700 Latin chronic dialysis patients from five distinct cities in Ecuador's highlands.Patients were tracked
from February 1, 2020, through January 31, 2021. Patients with COVID-19 symptoms were found, and the disease was diagnosed only through PCR testing of nasopharyngeal swabs. Disease presentation was defined as severe if oxygen saturation was less than 90% at presentation (LOS), moderate if symptoms were present but not at LOS, and asymptomatic if no symptoms were observed. The length of stay in the hospital, the period until a negative PCR, death, and laboratory results were all recorded.
Results:
Two hundred and five patients (29%) had COVID-19 illness symptoms; 115 patients (16%)
tested positive, and 60 percent of them were men (p=0.03). Twenty-five patients passed away (22 percent ).Mortality was linked to being over 64 years old, having a saturation of less than 90%, and having a severe illness presentation (p=0.03), as well as having previous pulmonary pathology and hospitalisation (p=0.01). Hospitalization was needed in 74 patients (64%) with hospital stay 11 days (4-15), days until death during hospitalization of 12 days (4-19) and time until negative PCR 20 days (10-25). The duration of symptomatology was 16 days (11-26).
Conclusion: COVID-19 disease was more common in men, and it has resulted in an additional 22% death rate in the chronic dialysis population. Patients over the age of 64, those with prior pulmonary disease, and those with a longer LOS at presentation are at a higher risk of mortality, necessitating more frequent follow-up in this subgroup. COVID-19 causes a high level of health care burden in the dialysis community, implying that dialysis patients and professionals involved in their treatment should be included in vaccination programmes to reduce disease-related mortality, infections, and healthcare costs.
BACKGROUND: The likelihood of spontaneous conception in subsequent cycles is important for a balanced management of infertility.
Previous studies on time to pregnancy are mostly retrospective and biased because of exclusion of truly infertile couples.
The study aim was to present a non‐parametric estimation of cumulative probabilities of conception (CPC) in natural family
planning (NFP) users illustrating an ideal of human fertility potential. METHODS: A total of 346 women was observed who used
NFP methods to conceive from their first cycle onwards. The couples practising NFP make optimal use of their fertility potential
by timed intercourse. The CPC were estimated for the total group and for couples who finally conceived by calculating Kaplan‐Meier
survival rates. RESULTS: A total of 310 pregnancies occurred among the 346 women; the remaining 36 women (10.4%) did not conceive.
Estimated CPC for the total group (n = 340 women) at one, three, six and 12 cycle(s) were 38, 68, 81 and 92% respectively. For those who finally conceived (truly
fertile couples, n = 304 women), the respective pregnancy rates were 42, 75, 88 and 98% respectively. Although the numbers of couples in both
groups were similar, the impact of age on time to conception, as judged by the Wilcoxon test, was less in the truly fertile
than in the total group. CONCLUSIONS: Most couples conceive within six cycles with timed intercourse. Thereafter, every second
couple is probably either subfertile or infertile. CPC decline with age because heterogeneity in fecundity increases. In the
subgroup of truly fertile couples, an age‐dependent decline in CPC is statistically less obvious because of high homogeneity,
even with advancing age.
This policy statement on breastfeeding replaces the previous policy statement of the American Academy of Pediatrics, reflecting the considerable advances that have occurred in recent years in the scientific knowledge of the benefits of breastfeeding, in the mechanisms underlying these benefits, and in the practice of breastfeeding. This document summarizes the benefits of breastfeeding to the infant, the mother, and the nation, and sets forth principles to guide the pediatrician and other health care providers in the initiation and maintenance of breastfeeding. The policy statement also delineates the various ways in which pediatricians can promote, protect, and support breastfeeding, not only in their individual practices but also in the hospital, medical school, community, and nation.
Obesity, particularly the abdominal phenotype, is associated with several reproductive disturbances. Whereas mechanisms by which obesity affect fertility are complex and still not completely understood, an important role appears to be played by the presence of a condition of functional hyperandrogenism and hyperinsulinaemia, which accompanies the insulin‐resistant state. In women with the polycystic ovary syndrome, abdominal obesity may be co‐responsible for the development of hyperandrogenism and associated chronic anovulation, through mechanisms primarily involving the insulin‐mediated overstimulation of ovarian steroidogenesis and decreased sex hormone‐binding globulin blood concentrations. By these mechanisms, obesity may also favour resistance to clomiphene and gonadotrophin‐induced ovulation and reduce outcomes of IVF/ICSI procedures. Due to the beneficial effects of weight loss, lifestyle intervention programmes should represent the first‐line approach in the treatment of infertile obese women. Insulin‐sensitizing agents may add further benefits, particularly if administered in combination with hypocaloric dieting. Therefore, individualized pharmacological support aimed at favouring weight loss and improving insulin resistance should be widely extended in clinical practice in obese infertile patients. This may be beneficial even during pregnancy, thereby permitting favourable physiological delivery and healthy babies.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the commonest endocrine disorder in women. It presents typically with symptoms of anovulation, associated with clinical and/or biochemical evidence of androgen excess, although its spectrum of presentation includes women with hyperandrogenism who have regular periods. As well as being the most common cause of anovulatory infertility, it is now recognized as a major risk factor for development of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The aetiology of PCOS remains unclear, but both genetic and environmental factors are involved. Typical biochemical features are raised serum concentrations of testosterone and luteinizing hormone (LH), particularly in anovulatory women. The diagnosis is made primarily on clinical criteria. The finding of raised serum testosterone and/or LH complements the clinical diagnosis. In obese women an oral glucose tolerance test should be undertaken to detect impaired glucose tolerance. Management of PCOS includes treatment of infertility, menstrual regulation in those who do not desire pregnancy and treatment of associated symptoms of hyperandrogenism. Another important aspect of management is the introduction of diet and lifestyle changes in overweight and obese women with PCOS, not only to improve fertility but also to prevent the possible long-term consequences of the metabolic disturbance characteristic of anovulatory women with PCOS.