The healing power of nature - vis
medicatrix naturae - is an ancient medical principle that includes reference to the innate ability of the body to heal itself. The idea of the vis dates back to the father of modern medicine,
Hippocrates (460-370 BC). He emphasized that nature is the physician of disease. This is one of naturopathic medicines guiding principles and an important naturopathic philosophy. What does it
mean? .
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Naturopathic doctors recognize the
healing process to be ordered and intelligent. They act to identify and remove obstacles to healing and recovery, to allow the body to heal itself. The vis powers the body to heal. Does this
sound crazy? Here are some examples where the body works to heal itself: • Fever: yes, it is uncomfortable and can be dangerous if it gets too high, but your immune system creates a fever as the
defense mechanism to a virus or bacteria. Supporting the fever helps support healing. • Food poisoning and vomiting/diarrhea: the automatic response to remove the pathogen.
• Wound healing, and fractures: with
some support, you can be as good as new. .
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Another way to think about the vis is
through homeostasis. All physiologic processes aim to create and maintain homeostasis in the body. Temperature, pH, blood pressure, heart rate, metabolic activity – your body is constantly trying
to stay within a specific range. Maintaining homeostasis is a dynamic process, where each change in the body is countered by a “force” which precipitates movement back to equilibrium. This is the
vis – the constant driving force for the body to get back to homeostasis, to normal, to health. .
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If you are not balanced, or not in
homeostasis, this is where symptoms come from. Sometimes your vis needs some help, a push in the right direction, or needs an obstacle removed. This is where naturopathic doctors come in handy!
Through nutritional changes, acupuncture, lifestyle counseling, meditation, and many other treatments, you can help make the vis stronger. .
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A lot of discussion surrounds the vis
medicatrix naturae, as there are many interpretations. If you have any questions or your own ideas about it, please share!
