Natural healing – the words themselves conjure up an image of nature and magic so its little wonder that when we have to make a choice on matters of health that we reserve a certain amount of scepticism. After all, mainstream medicine has adopted an almost invincible aura of assurance and authority so anything that lies outside that arena has an incredible barrier of resistance to overcome. However we live in an ever-changing world that has learnt to question and validate its own existence. No longer is the “Doctor” accepted as the only authority as individuals start to reclaim their right to know and be informed. The Internet has opened up an incredible vault of information and knowledge that would have been logistically unobtainable 10 years ago. More often than not healing is starting to become a synergy between mainstream medicine, personal evaluation and the assistance of complementary therapies.

What can commence as a routine enquiry at the local GP, or the prescription of a medicine may now be extended with the question of “ what other options are there available to me and are other therapeutic approaches going to benefit me more greatly than surgery or drugs.” Health is now developing beyond the hands of orthodox attitudes as people become more confident to explore their own feelings on their health and that of the vast range of complimentary therapies now available. Over the last 100 years western cultures have overpowered the old and traditional ways of health and healing – to the point where it is actually illegal in some western countries to practise natural medicine, recommend a vitamin or herb without a medical prescription, and especially to claim that any of the aforementioned has curative properties. Does that seem to echo the claims of an enlightened and democratic society? In New Zealand we are fortunate that at present there is a certain amount of latitude in these areas but we must remain vigilante, as even here there are proposals before parliament to limit the sale and availability of some herbal products.

Complementary therapies are expanding rapidly as our society realises that the current health system is unable to meet all their needs. With the days of user pays it is suddenly equally attractive to explore alternative approaches as in many instances mainstream medicine is no longer the preferred choice because it is the most economic option. In fact many G.P.’s are extending their own expertise into the field of alternative healing practices as they also recognise the values of a softer and self-empowering approach. And as the natural health industry makes its presence felt many people are asking the question – “would the long term benefits of natural healing put me in a more empowered position where I can be in control of my health and not end up dependent on a never ending regime of drugs and developing side effects”. When there are options available these questions have to be considered by the individual. A choice between the loss of a limb or dysfunctional organ may be considered against an alternative therapeutic approach or a regenerative diet. Does a lifetime of anti-depressant drugs present the most attractive solution when many complementary therapies are confidently offering a therapeutic approach to relieve life long mental and emotional anguish?

For a lot of people the answer to these questions is obvious. By far the majority of us will start this answer by asking what options and what evidence is available to me. The purpose of this column is to meet some of these needs by examining the natural healing modalities that are offered in this country, how the therapeutic approaches work, what degree of success is claimed and how can I complement the choice of mainstream medicine alongside the alternatives available. None of us can be wise without this information being available to us but it would be wise for us to at least expose ourselves to the options available. My task here is not to convince you how you should approach your health but at the very least to let you know what natural therapies are actively out there, what these therapies can confidently offer and how you can assess your needs to reclaiming an empowering and expanding state of health..

There is nothing new about natural therapies – they are as old as the human race and the existence of the remedies themselves. What is new is the approach we now take and the understanding we have of the techniques and botanical substances. Science itself now validates the very effectiveness of these alternative approaches. We as humans are natural healers and it is often just a matter of awakening this understanding and knowledge that already exists within us.

Copyright: Terry Drayton Namaste Healing & Retreat Centre www.namastewanaka.co.nz