ND Mittman - SCNM & AANMC's Big Kahuna Homeopath, and Remarkable Claims of Homeopathy's Efficacy

here, I cite from a recent NDNR article [see 001., below]; then from remarkable claims regarding homeopathic sugar pills [see 002., below]; and finally, how naturopathy is wedded to science-ejected ideas and absurd therapies [see 003., below]:

001. the article "Message From the President" (2011-02) in NDNR states:

"Paul Mittman, ND, EdD, DHANP currently serves as president of both Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and Health Sciences [SCNM] and the American Association of Naturopathic Medical Colleges [AANMC...] Dr. Mittman graduated from National College of Naturopathic Medicine in 1985 [...] he was in private practice until joining the faculty of Southwest College as a professor of homeopathy in 1997 [...] Dr. Mittman is a recognized authority on naturopathic medicine [...who] integrates the foundations of naturopathic medicine with homeopathy and botanical medicine [...] he is a respected lecturer in the field of homeopathy [...and] former editor of Simillimum [naturopathy's homeopathy journal] and the New England Journal of Homeopathy."

Note: so, he's a big kahuna / authority when it comes to homeopathy.

002. SCNM and AANMC:

002.a. SCNM states in "Homeopathy" [saved 2011-02-20]:

"homeopathy is a remarkable [...] therapy that stimulates our natural ability to heal [coded vitalism...it] provoke[s] a healing reaction in the person [...] it is the healing reaction [coded vitalism] provoked by the homeopathic medicine that cures, not the medicine itself [...] it can gently and permanently cure diseases and restore health [...e.g.] coughs and earaches [...] autoimmune disease and cancer [...] a gentle yet effective way to cure illness [...] homeopathy alters our susceptibility to disease [...] the majority of known acute and chronic diseases can be treated successfully with homeopathy, including nearly all of the most common reasons why people seek medical treatment [...] homeopathy is really quite extraordinary [...] and amazingly effective for people of all ages."

Note: yes, they're claiming homeopathy's magic beans / unicorn tears are THAT effective -- that it cures cancer.  This is truly SICKENING.

002.b. AANMC states in "Become a Naturopathic Doctor" [saved 2011-02-20]:

"effective traditional therapies form the foundation of naturopathic treatment, while drawing on the tools of modern science [...] naturopathic doctors made [sp, 'may'] use [...] homeopathic medicines [...] homeopathy [...] in their supervised, hands-on experiences with patients, students learn to scientifically apply [...] homeopathic medicine [...] member institutions of the AANMC [...include] Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and Health Sciences [...] National University of Health Sciences."

Note: science, science, science.  How does one scientifically apply what science has demolished?

And in that document, AANMC also speaks of: "a healthy respect for the healing power of nature [...] a deep faith in the power of the body to heal itself" but, we're not clearly informed about this central naturopathic context.

But, ND Mittman has explained this science-ejected vitalistic context essential to naturopathy in quite a lot of detail (here, here).  He is, after all, an authority.

003. some deep revelations from ND Mittman in "Editorials: Naturopathic Medicine, Vitalism, and Homeopathy" (1997; Townsend Letter For Doctors and Patients, #165, p.122-3)[which I own]:

"[Mittman writes about] how we define the core and essence of naturopathy to ourselves [...] Hahnemann's homeopathy linked the disturbed vital force to the diseased body, and D.D. Palmer's chiropractic saw the spine as a conduit for the 'innate wisdom' [both are vitalistic...] alternative medical practices stepped in and linked the healing power of nature with the human spirit [supernaturalism...] what forms the heart of our healing art [...we have] more than a belief in the healing power of nature [...we] directly stimulate the vis medicatrix naturae [...per] working directly with chi, prana or the vital force [...] science and medicine have spent the last 500 years divorced from religion and spirituality. As naturopaths, we must openly acknowledge and unabashedly embrace our partnership with a higher power. The only way to accomplish this is to establish energetic [euphemism for vitalistic and spiritistic] therapies like homeopathy, Chinese and ayurvedic medicine and hydrotherapy at the center of our definition of naturopathy [...per] energy medicines, the practice of homeopathy [...] there is no philosophical conflict between homeopathy and naturopathic medicine. In fact, homeopathy is probably the clearest example of the healing power of nature [...] the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians gave us a clear definition of naturopathic medicine [...] patients get well because their healing begins at the deepest level of being - at the point where the body and its animating spirit meet [...per] the highest ideal of cure [...] Paul Mittman, ND, DHANP,  from The Best of Naturopathic Medicine Anthology 1996,  Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine Press.  Dr. Mittman graduated from National College of Naturopathic Medicine in 1985, after which he served as staff physician at the Portland Natural Clinic until 1990, when he began his private practice in Connecticut. Dr. Mittman has served on the editorial board of the New England Journal of Homeopathy and frequently lectures both  nationally and internationally on homeopathy. He serves as a board member on the Connecticut Society of  Naturopathic Physicians as well as the Homeopathic Community Council [p.123]."

Note: again, big kahuna homeopath ND.  Working directly with a figmentation.  Must be hard to measure, therein.  I'm sure therein, it's okay to cut a lot of corners and just settle on deciding 'yep, another case cured.'

Orac recently blogged at Respectful Insolence in a post titled "You Can't Have Naturopathy Without Homeopathy" (2011-01-28), which reminded me of this 1997 article.