Further characteristics of Classical Natural Medicine 1. Standpoints from the particular effective principle of various methods of naturopathy A particular effective principle of various of these methods of naturopathy is of vital interest. They frequently have the aim of making favourable conditions for regeneration and recovery (but also of maintaining a state of good health) of the organism through the patient’s innate, natural capacity or through stimulating such autoregulative processes as well as the process of self-healing. From this conception particular standpoints arise for the application and dosage but also for the scientific analysis of naturopathy. In this respect some authors talk about a Hippocratic medicine.

2. Sociomedical standpoints

Great medical, social and also economic significance is attatched to the fact that these therapeutical methods and possibilities can often be applied and practiced by the patients themselves. These methods allow the patient to be actively involved in the therapeutic process.

They enable the patient to deal with a sickness in an independent way in which they themselves assume control. The sick person regains a certain degree of self competence, and the ”point of determination” is shifted for a greater part from the doctor back to the patient. A significant potential for a comprehensive health education and prevention can be developed here.

3. Relationship to history of medicine
and other medical systems

In our efforts to broaden the scope of anthropology and nosology through naturopathy, the European Society intends to devote some time to ethno-medicine and the history of medicine. Corresponding to the European tradition the ideas and methods of treatment of humoral medicine are of particular interest. Until recently these were applied with the theoretical concepts and explanatory models of a derivative and elimination therapy. In recent times, however, neuropsychological ideals of the mechanism of influence and effect have also been considered.

The European Society intends to declare its position as far as the medical concepts and systems which have been handed down to other cultural areas are concerned.