DOCTOR AS TEACHER : Docere

THE 6 PRINCIPLES OF NATURAL MEDICINE:::

Each week we have been exploring a different principle at the heart of the natural medicine modalities of herbalism and naturopathy. Ideally, these are principles at the heart of any healing therapy, as they are ideals that are supportive of life.

The fifth principle of natural medicine is:

DOCTOR AS TEACHER : Docere

This guiding principle reminds the practitioner of their role to educate the patient to take responsibility for their own health. The doctor-patient relationship acts to enable the patient to heal themselves. Listening, understanding, and communicating are therefore key aspects of a doctor/practitioner’s job criteria. It’s not about what you know, it’s about transmitting that to your client so they can nurture and protect their own health.

This principle also reminds therapists to not claim successes of treatments as their own; let’s reflect that back to our client’s as their wins! It is each person’s relationship with themselves that is creating and curating their health. Not the doctor. Not the herb. Not the medication. Not the physical adjustment. It can be so tempting to project healing unto another, when it is actually happening inside our own bodies, under our awareness and responsibility.

Healing is truly about meeting yourself, and creating a tender relationship with your body - that is TENDING to you body’s needs compassionately.

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