The week of May 11 to May 17, naturopathic doctors across Canada were conducting free public events to share their knowledge on health benefits of naturopathic medicine and natural approaches to health promotion and disease prevention. Presentations were focused, but not limited to stress reduction, digestive health, fertility, women’s, men’s and children health. Held annually since 1999, Naturopathic Medicine Week is a national initiative, co-ordinated by the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors.
“Naturopathic Medicine Week is a national initiative started by the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors,” says Karamjit Singh, media and community relations officer with the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine. “It is an excellent opportunity for naturopathic doctors in Canada to promote naturopathic medicine in their communities and educate people who are still on the fence when it comes to naturopathic medicine.”
Fertility and Reproductive Health Focus Initiative
Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine
Presented by Dr. Christina Meffe
On May 12, IHP Magazine had the pleasure of attending Fertility and Reproductive Health Focus Initiative – a free information session held by the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine as a part of Naturopathic Medicine Week.
According to the session presenter Dr. Cristina Meffe, unfortunately, general public doesn’t have enough information on the benefits of naturopathic medicine, though “the situation is becoming a lot better than it used to be.”
“I am doing a lecture to predominantly let patients know about the new focus shift that we have, giving them very basic information on causes of fertility issues – both from the sort of conventional perspective and naturopathic perspective – and educating them a bit about the naturopathic medicine in general and how we can help them with fertility issues,” Dr. Meffe said in her interview with IHP Magazine.
According to Statistics Canada, the number of couples experiencing infertility issues has doubled since the 1980s. Today, roughly one in six Canadian couples has difficulties getting pregnant. With statistics being so discouraging, naturopathic doctors work with natural treatment modalities to address the needs of patients struggling with fertility issues. As Dr. Meffe mentioned during her lecture, she doesn’t think of infertility as a diagnosis, but rather as a symptom of other underlying health problems, such as ovulation issues, hormonal or thyroid concerns, PCOS, sperm and testicular problems. Dr. Meffe uses a wide variety of treatment methods, such as diet, nutrition and lifestyle counseling, botanical medicine, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture to help couples experience the joy of parenthood.
The information session was held in a very friendly and informal atmosphere with Dr. Meffe answering multiple questions from those in attendance.
TEA with an ND
Integrative Health Institute
Presented by Dr. Jen Newell and Dr. Shannon Vander Doelen
On May 15, IHP Magazine had the pleasure to attend a tea party at the Integrative Health Institute (IHI) in Toronto to celebrate Naturopathic Medicine Week. IHI naturopathic doctors Jen Newell and Shannon Vander Doelen were talking about different tea ingredients and answering questions about naturopathic medicine and natural therapies.
“Regardless of the fact that many people drink coffee, there is always a place for tea, and tea has such a medicinal benefit that you can add in different herbs or tinctures, or infusions in ways that it’s easy to incorporate enormous medicinal benefit into your life,” says Dr. Newell. “You can really choose the type of tea or an infusion that your body needs at any given time. So today we will talk about four different types and the uses for them, a lot of ways on how you can integrate tea into your therapeutic protocol.”
About ten people in attendance had a chance to learn about the health benefits of four types of tea: Shiitake mushrooms, dandelion and rose hip tea, red raspberry leaf tea, spearmint and peppermint teas.
According to Dr. Newell, a lot of people are drinking tea on a regular basis and sometimes, to get the most benefits, it’s just about tweaking the tea you are drinking.
“I always ask people to look for clean sources that are organic, that are wild-sourced, so you are not getting teas that have been commercially grown and sprayed with chemicals,” Dr. Newell recommends. “Find the teas that you like the taste of. If you absolutely hate the taste of it, the cost benefit is not really there because that therapeutic aspect of tea is also the ritual where you are sitting and enjoying and relaxing is a part of that process.”
