Primum non nocere (First do no harm)
Although a core principle of all forms of medicine, naturopathic medicine demonstrates better adherence to the principle of "first do no harm" than conventional medicine by turning first to natural medicines. Because modern pharmaceuticals often have side effects which affect, or "harm", systems of the body beyond the one that is being treated with a drug, naturopathic physicians only use them when natural therapeutics fail to restore health to its desired state.
Phytomedicines
Plants, parts of plants, and isolated phytochemicals from plants, have been used with clinical success for the prevention and treatment of various health conditions for more than three thousand years around the world. Because of this, it is one of our most well-documented forms of medicine. A 12-week drug trial can never hope to provide us with as much data about the mechanisms of action and safety of a particular medicine in the treatment of human disease as can 3500 years of clinical success.
See PhytomedicineOrthomolecular Nutrients
Orthomolecular nutrition, literally translated as "right molecule nutrition", refers to the practice of treating and preventing illness by giving the body optimal amounts of substances that naturally occur in the body. HeartSong stocks over 20,000 therapeutic grade nutritional supplements through a relationship with Emerson Ecologics, a virtual pharmacy
www.emersonecologics.com/.
Medicinal Foods
Food is always used as the first line of therapy at HeartSong and health-promoting diet guidelines are usually given to every newcomer during their first visit. Medicinal Foods are foods that have been scientifically demonstrated to effect specific physiological or psychological changes in people and animals. For example, the common white button mushroom has been shown to successfully to lower blood sugar levels. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20116660. HeartSong often prescribes medicinal foods for specific purposes.
Homeopathic Remedies
Homeopathy, the science of treating "like with like" was developed by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, a German medical doctor (MD) in the 19th century, uses remedies created through a process of serial dilution to arrive at an infinitesimal dose that can be safely used to stimulate the innate healing potential of a biological organism to effect a cure from within. HeartSong has a complete homeopathic pharmacy on site. HeartSong carries over 100 homeopathic remedies in three different potencies.
See HomeopathyFlower Essences
Like homeopathic remedies, flower essences are dilutions of plant material, in this case the flower blossoms. The essences are not, however, as diluted as homeopathic remedies, and are used differently. In general they are used only to treat emotional and spiritual conditions. The most well-known flower essence remedies are the Bach Flower Remedies developed by Edward Bach, an English bacteriologist, pathologist and homeopath in the 1930's, and HeartSong's pharmacy has these in stock. To learn more, go to
www.bachflower.com/.
Personal Care Products
Many personal care products today contain substances that are harmful to your health. You are encouraged to use nontoxic natural care products for personal hygiene and skin care as much as possible. They protect you and the environment. HeartSong's natural pharmacy stocks a limited selection of personal care products, including Ayurvedic medicinal oils and EO Products, essential oil based natural and organic personal care products. We can also special order other personal care products from our virtual pharmacy.
Learn Morefor a telehealth consultation
Listen to what folks are saying about HeartSong:
I really like the holistic approach. I am learning things about my own body because my doctor is an educator at heart. How food is medicine, or poison. Acknowledging that emotions cause bodily pain. Inflammation is the root of much disease and how to prevent it. The importance of stress, and how to destress. Yet my doctor is not an idealogue – if I need to see a specialist she sends me, always to a great one. She really knows the network in our area and has also sent me to some fine physical therapists. She is really smart and I feel lucky to have such a powerhouse looking out for me, the whole me, energetically, and sometimes despite myself.
Theresa Maggio
Dummerston, VT
