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Pine, Honeysuckles and Water Violets
When
one reflects on those Halcyon years of the seventies, it is
not surprising that in this the "New Age" there
is a strong movement to ostracise orthodox medicine. Still
reeling from the holocaust of Benzodiazepine addiction, people
would try anything before they would consider the use of medications
for the treatment of mental ill-health.
Doctors
were seen as "drug company whores", ready to prescribe
the latest medication for a set of new golf clubs or a week
in Club Med. These sentiments are, of course, perfectly understandable.
However, I believe very strongly that the time has come to
redress the balance.
This chapter examines the true definition and practice of
“holistic medicine”. Again utilising the question
and answer approach with a naturopath.
GWENDOLINE:
I become very concerned, as a clinician, when people are required
to make a choice between their doctor and their natural therapist.
Is this part of naturopathic philosophy?
KAREN:
No,
because depression is a chemical imbalance in your body. Diet
can help that, but I think by the time people are really depressed
they need some strong medicine to turn them around. And then
after they've done that, I'm really happy to help them stay
well, I would prefer that to be my role.
The role of natural therapies in the treatment of depression
and what benefit they can be for the caregivers is outlined.
Some of the latest research into the use of St. John’s
Wort is also outlined.
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