Natural health is a system of self-care that works with the body’s own innate curative powers. It uses forms of healing that are non-invasive, and considers the whole person: their physical, mental and spiritual health. It can be used on its own, aka alternative medicine, or alongside traditional western medical practice, aka complementary health, to support a healthy lifestyle and to manage illness.
NHSF is dedicated to the promotion of evidence based Information about natural health. It does this through the contribution of scientifically valid and relevant guidelines to educational institutions, media and health professional associations. NHSF also supports the work of organisations with similar commitments and objectives in order to foster closer ties between all stakeholders, resulting in better information and improved treatment outcomes for patients.
People have been using herbs and plant products for thousands of years to maintain or restore their health, and to treat illness. Some of these products were developed into the medicines we use today. For example, willow bark tea has been known to relieve fever for centuries. The pharmaceutical industry later isolated the chemical in willow bark that relieves fever, and produced aspirin. Other products, like omega-3 fatty acids or curcumin have been shown to prevent disease and act as antioxidants.
The NHSF also advocates for greater transparency of natural health products, including their ingredients and therapeutic benefits, in an effort to improve patient access and informed choice based on up to date clinical opinion and standards. To this end, the NHSF is working with ingredient specific expert bodies and condition specific health professional groups to develop Best Practice Guidelines for Natural Products.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to natural health, but a healthy diet and regular exercise are key. So are stress-reduction techniques and a positive outlook. A balanced combination of these approaches is called holistic health.
Naturopathic doctors and other practitioners of natural health are trained to work with the body’s innate healing systems, identifying and addressing any imbalances. This is done by looking at the whole picture, taking into account factors such as diet, sleep patterns, stress levels and the patient’s emotional state.
Those who choose to adopt a more natural lifestyle often turn to herbal supplements, vitamins, dietary changes and other holistic therapies. Natural healthcare is not a substitute for regular visits to your family doctor, but can be an effective addition to your current treatment plan.
The best way to ensure your safety is to report any unwanted side effects from a natural health product to Health Canada. This helps them to identify rare or serious adverse reactions, make improvements in product safety information and advisories, issue public warnings and remove unsafe products from the market.
The NHSF believes that all people have the right to receive safe, high-quality natural health products and services. This includes ensuring that they are accessible by providing education, advocacy and funding for projects encouraging patients to seek the benefits of evidence-based natural medicine as part of mainstream healthcare.