Glossary of terms: N

is a system of medicine based on the healing power of nature. Naturopathy is a holistic system, meaning that naturopathic doctors try to find the cause of disease by understanding the patients body, mind, and spirit. Most naturopathic doctors use a wide variety of therapies and techniques (such as nutrition, herbal medicine, homoeopathy and acupuncture).

is the independent organisation responsible for providing national guidance on the promotion of good health and the prevention and treatment of ill health.

incapable of being transmitted from person to person.

or generic products that are in the public domain and anyone can produce or distribute. These products are not protected by trademark or patent or copyright.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

loss of sensation in fingers, eg, in carpal tunnel syndrome, in toes in sciatica or generally in peripheral neuropathy and other neurological diseases. Seen occasionally as a drug side-effect.

is a healthcare professional who is trained to care for the sick.

is something that provides nourishment for an organism to live. There are six main types: carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water.

is a system of healing based on the idea that food provides the medicine we need to obtain and maintain a healthy state. In other words our food is our medicine and our medicine is our food. Many disorders, ranging from fatigue, energy loss, insomnia and depression, to backache, skin complaints, asthma, and headaches can be relieved effectively with nutritional therapy.