Institutionalized Falsehoods: NUHS's Naturopathy Chair Smith and Oregon.gov Claim Homeopathy is Scientifically Supported

here, I cite from the web pages of NUHS Chair ND Smith who claims homeopathy is "clinical science" [see 001., below]; then, I go to the trunk of the naturopathy tree, NCNM, and show the 'knowledge conflation inanity' that is at the core of naturopathy [see 002., below]:

001. Smith, F. (ND CCNM 1997) states:

001.a. in "Naturopathic Doctors" [vsc 2011-04-13]:

"modern, properly trained naturopathic doctors are graduates of naturopathic programs that are affiliated with [...] the CNME is the specialty accreditation agency that the U.S. Department of Education recognizes at the accreditor of naturopathic medical programs. There are 7 such programs in North America [...including] National University of Health Sciences (Lombard, Illinois) [...] these schools produce a graduate who is well versed in the natural healing arts, and who has been trained to assess the health status of the patient. Rigorous study of biomedical sciences, diagnosis and supervised internship help shape the competent naturopathic graduate [...] Part I of NPLEX [licensure exam] evaluates basic science knowledge (Anatomy, Biochemistry, Pathology, Microbiology, Physiology). Part II NPLEX evaluates the clinical science knowledge such as diagnosis and treatment."

Note: so, there you go, a claim that the ND boards are "science".  In the land of naturopaTHICKness: a 'university of science' teaches naturopathy, and this is "proper" and "competent"; "science" that is "rigorous" includes, as we shall see, what science has totally DISPATCHED.  Naturopathy is truly a reversal of basic values.  And who are the accomplices?  The federal and state departments of education and kind.

001.a1. for some background, ND Smith also states in "About Fraser Smith, N.D" [vsc 2011-04-13]:

"in 2005, Fraser Smith was recruited by National University of Health Sciences in Chicago, Illinois, to develop their naturopathic medicine program. The doctor of naturopathic medicine (ND) degree program."

Again, science is an overall category that's used to describe naturopathy.

001.a.2. but, what isn't specifically mentioned by ND Smith:

is that within  Part II the "Core Clinical Science Examination" is homeopathy, according to the exam's site.

Note: this boils down to naturopathy equating science and nonscience -- the absurdity of claiming that something is what it is not.  In my view, that is what integrative, holistic, alternative, natural medicine does: it refuses to analyze, and instead conflates.  But, that's insane.

001.b. in "Modalities of Naturopathic Medicine" [vsc 2011-04-13]:

"the mechanisms of homeopathy are not fully understood [it doesn't work, and we know the mechanism is placebo!], and some aspects of it defy explanation [or sanity!], but in terms of application, there is a great deal of clinical history [leeches had the same pedigree!]. Naturopathic physicians tend to use homeopathy [I'll say!] for both chronic and acute conditions [like Nuremberg!], because of its non toxic nature (homeopathic preparations are extremely dilute)[I'll say!] and because homeopathic medicines can be matched to the patient in a very specific way (individualization) [an efficacy claim!]. This link at the National Institutes of Health describes homeopathy in greater detail and offers other resources and links which can be helpful [legitimacy by association!]."

Note: so, there you go.  A whole bunch of science-ejected or -unsupported archaic bunkum claimed as hugely efficacious. Notice the strategy of evoking the '.gov' authority of NIH as if this now makes bunkum scientific.

001.b1. also on that same page is homage to the core principle of TCM, "qi" / vitalism.  ND Smith tells us: 

"the fundamental basis of TCM [and naturopathy, I don't have to argue], is that the body's energy flows along certain pathways called meridians. This energy is known as qi;  it enters the body at conception and is the vital principle in the human body throughout life. Health is when the flow of qi is harmonious and uninhibited, and, its fundamental aspects - that of yin and yang, are in balance.  When qi is blocked, or yin and yang are not in harmony - disease results [really!]. TCM is a medical system unto it’s self: there is also a system of understanding of the bodies physiology [really!] which involves organs.  Each organ represents a broader concept than that of the organ in western medicine, including some energetic or mental/spiritual aspects."

Note: so there you go again: overarching all this nonsense is the label "science" because in naturopaTHICKland, science is only a letterhead and the page is filled up with whatever sectarian and archaic crap they want. Somehow, naturopathic institutions and practitioners, and the government entities that 'accomplice' / facilitate this whole thing, don't have a problem engaging in such falsely labeled commerce.  Along the lines of conflation, notice too that that which is mental is equated with that which is supernatural and energetic.  "Energy" is not being used here in any kind of scientific sense, it is a figmentation.

001.b2. furthermore, on the same page, we're told:

"naturopathic medicine [NM] is truly the embodiment of a tradition in medicine which could rightfully be called 'vitalistic' [V...] the vitalistic tradition is based on the premise that the body has an inherent ability to heal itself [IAHI]. The role of the physician is to support that self healing ability [SHA]. The vis medicatrix naturae or 'healing power of nature' [VMN-HPN] is the foundation of naturopathic medicine."

Note: so, to formulate the above sentence,  NM = V = IAHI = SHA = VMN-HPN.  Yet, it is nonsense to call vitalism 'within science'.

001.c. in "Naturopathic Chronicles: "Science and Belief" [vsc 2011-04-13]:

"naturopathic medicine [...has] a practice framework guided by principles [...] this weekend I was reviewing my notes for a class today on the concept of 'vitalism' [because this is the basis of naturopathy!...] science is an activity that accumulates knowledge, constantly evolves, and leads to ever more powerful models for understanding, explaining and predicting phenomena. The assertions of sciences are at least in principle testable, that is, they can be proven false through an experiment. If they stand the test of experimentation, they remain part of current knowledge [...] the doctor must be able to reconcile science and belief [...] Fraser Smith, ND."

Note: so, we get lectured on science while the truly science-ejected is mentioned.  The cognitive dissonance is amazing.

002. lets go to the source for the Full Monty, Oregon:

002.a. NCNM states in "Principles of Healing":

"National College of Natural Medicine, the oldest accredited naturopathic medical school in North America, celebrated its 50-year anniversary in 2006 [...] the practice of naturopathic medicine emerges from six principles of healing. These principles are based on the objective observation of the nature of health and disease and are examined continually in light of scientific analysis [...]";

a 'survives scientific scrutiny' claim.

"these principles stand as the distinguishing marks of the profession: [#1] the healing power of nature -- vis medicatrix natura [...] nature heals through the response of the life force [...] the process of healing includes the generation of symptoms, which are, in fact, expressions of the life force attempting to heal itself [...] the physician must also make a commitment to her/his personal and spiritual development [...] homeopathic medicine is based on the principle of 'like cures like.' Clinical observation indicates that it works on a subtle, yet powerful, energetic level, gently acting to promote healing on the physical, mental, and spiritual levels";

what science has dispatched is claimed to be within science.  And the supernatural is claimed to be within the scientific.

002.b. Oregon.gov's Board of Naturopathic Medicine states in "Naturopathy":

the same nonsense.  Specifically regarding homeopathy, we're told by the State of Oregon:

"homeopathic medicine: this powerful system of medicine is more than 200 years old.  Homeopathic medicines act to strengthen the body’s innate healing response [coded vitalism]."

003. what they have done:

is legislate FRAUD, in a pseudomedical, pseudoprofessional, pseudoscientific manner at an institutional level and particularly political level.  This is truly a total reversal of all values and virtues.  Once that happens, HOW exactly do you hold hucksters accountable for ACTS of nonsense when the law they're governed under is NONSENSE INCARNATE?

anyone harmed by naturopathy -- and I include, as in my case, anyone miseducated [mindfucked, truly] and therein abused and derailed from other NOT FRAUDULENT educational DOCTORAL options that have integrity -- can count these contributors as responsible: 

the ND / NMD practitioner, their alma mater, their AANP state org., the State they're practicing in, the federal educational apparatus, regional accreditors, the national and international naturopathy apparatus.

NUHS - Raising the Entrance GPA on an Idea that Gets an F, and a Milieu of Selective Fairness

here, I cite from a recent Dynamic Chiropractic [DC; which is quite COMICAL] article on National University of Health Sciences [NUHS; see 001., below]; then, I muse about the irony of having a concern for fairness when naturopathy itself is hugely mislabeled by NUHS in the first place! [see 002., below]:

001. the editorial staff of DC writes in "National Raises Bar, Ups Entrance GPA" (2011-01-29, vol. 29 no.03):

"National University of Health Sciences has announced that beginning with the fall 2012 incoming class, all students seeking to enroll [...] will be required to have a minimum 2.75 grade-point average to qualify for entry [...] the new standard will also apply to the university's naturopathic medicine doctorate degree program [...] 'as tuitions have gone up, it is vitally important for me that students be able to complete a program before sustaining a huge financial burden [...] if students come to National unprepared for the rigor of our curriculum, they might drop out or be expelled in the third, fourth or fifth trimester. They [would] then find themselves with a $60,000-$70,000 debt that they can't get rid of, and no career. It's not fair to them!' [...says] said Dr. James Winterstein, NUHS president."

Note: so, there's this label of science placed upon naturopathy, and this concern for fairness...of all things.  I think the costs of the process of an ND are adequately spoken for.

002. musing:

well, I know for a fact that preponderantly, naturopathy is based upon the science-ejected and that those science-ejected concepts are built into the ND oath.  I also know that within that oath is the label of science placed upon those science-ejected concepts.  And the oath also guides NDs / NMDs in another way: by example, it falsely labels the science-exterior without transparently relating that science-exterior content and is actual science-exteriority.

This sound like, and I agree with the NUHS person above: unfair.  Unfair trade.  They are, collectively, 'the education robbers'.

But, why is the grossest of charades not unfair: academic mislabeling [science upon sectarian belief systems]?  That is selective fairness.  It seems to say:

it's okay for us to take you for the whole deceptive ride, but we don't think it's fair if you can't get all the way.

Labeling naturopathy "science" is no better than labeling astrology or homeopathy as science.  It is simply WRONG.

The Florida Connection - A Really Old and New Naturopathy Science Claim - St. Petersburg Independent 1910-10-22, NUHS 2009-12-29:

here, I cite from the St. Petersburg [Florida] Independent concerning naturopathy as "science" [see 001, below].  And then, I cite from the National University of Health Sciences recent press release [see 002., below].  Then, I make 'the Florida connection' [see 003., below]:

001. in their local news, per "A Modern Method of Practice Without the Use of Medicine", we are told in the St. Petersburg Independent:

"among our late arrivals is Dr. J.H. McGilvary, naturopathic physician, a graduate of the Texas College of Science [...] naturopathy is not a faith cure, nor a suggestion cure, nor a hypnotic cure.  It is a practical and scientific treatment of all curable diseases [...] although the Dr. has lost his eyesight, it does not handicap him in the least, but rather adds to his senses of touch and hearing, and makes them more acute, which enables him to diagnose more correctly [!]."

Note: this is accessible through books.google.com.  What interests me most is the claim of "science" placed over the naturopathic at both the subject-matter and institutional levels.

002. chiroeco.com tells us in "NUHS Awards First ND Diplomas Since 1952" [2009-12-29]:

"in historic commencement ceremonies on Dec. 17, National University of Health Sciences awarded three graduates the institution’s first doctor of naturopathic medicine degree (ND) since 1952 [...] National’s current ND program opened its doors for the first class of students in the Fall of 2006 [...] NUHS is the only naturopathic medical school in the Midwest and one of only two universities in the country to offer degrees in naturopathic medicine, chiropractic medicine, acupuncture, and oriental medicine on the same campus [UB is the other...] source: National University of Health Sciences, www.nuhs.edu."

Note: again, what interests me is the label "science" placed over the naturopathic.  The institution claims to be a "science" institution.

003. the Florida connection:

003.a. at NUHS's web site, "DC in St. Petersburg, Florida", we are told:

"National is now part of the University Partnership Center of St. Petersburg College (SPC). This [...] allows NUHS to offer its doctor of chiropractic (DC) degree on site at the St. Petersburg college campus. When you earn your DC degree from National University of Health Sciences St. Petersburg Campus [etc....this is] primary care chiropractic medicine. We prepare you to become a first contact physician with a strong foundation in basic sciences [...] National University of Health Sciences (NUHS) offers a doctor of chiropractic degree program in Lombard, Illinois, which has been accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE) since 1971 and by its predecessor, the American Chiropractic Association Committee on Accreditation since 1966. [...] on April 20, 2009, National University of Health Sciences (NUHS), Lombard, Illinois, received approval from the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools to offer the Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine degree at the University Partnership Center at St. Petersburg College in Florida. The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools may be contacted at 30 N. LaSalle, Suite 2400, Chicago, Illinois, 60602-2504, or 1-800-621-7440."

Note: science, science, science.  Coincidentally, 001. and 003. above are all about St. Petersburg, Florida.  And what happened the last time a DC program was attempted in Florida, you may ask?  Nice skeptical activism: a public university wouldn't do it, due to the backlash.

Skeptic North vs AANP Alliance - Naturopathy, "Science" & "Belief System":

here, I cite from a recent Skeptic North [SN] post regarding naturopathy, wherein naturopathy is labeled 'a nonscientific belief system' [see 001., below]; meanwhile, the AANP Alliance, which drew me into naturopathy in 1996, falsely labels naturopathy 'scientific' and 'not a belief system' [see 002., below]:

001. in "A Skeptic North Response to the Naturopaths' Rebuttal"(2009-11-30), Jonathan Abrams and Steve Thoms write:

"the rebuttal clearly demonstrated that naturopaths are not science-based medical practitioners, and that they lack the training, understanding of science, and qualification to prescribe [...] it's time to take a stand for medical care based on science [...] naturopathy is an unscientific practice of medicine [...] naturopaths do not respect science [...] for decades they have derided science-based medicine [...] the authors seem to want it both ways: science is bad for being reductionist, and yet, naturopathy is a totally legitimate science [...] there is no evidence that any treatments offered by naturopaths, but rejected by medicine, have any effect on disease [...] four years of specialized education is also meaningless if the subject is meaningless [...]  naturopaths often use homeopathy, a placebo treatment [...] four years learning about the details of homeopathy is of no use if homeopathy does not work [yet NDs call it a clinical science on their boards!...] naturopaths turn to pre-scientific views of healing such as 'medicatrix naturae' [vitalism, which is science ejected...] it was a textbook example of the typical circular reasoning and self-defeating logic that naturopaths use to justify their particular belief system."

Note: SN clearly states that naturopathy is a nonscientific belief system.

002. in "The Alliance Legislative Workbook" (1997) (archived here), the AANP Alliance, composed of "the AANP, Bastyr University, National College of Naturopathic Medicine and the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and Health Sciences", states:

"naturopathic physicians are the modern day science based primary care doctor [...] it is not a belief system."

Note: so, AANP Alliance claims the polar opposite of SN.  If you look at the current AANP schools list, it includes National University of Health Sciences and they have an AANMC ND program there -- so, therein again we get this huge science label upon the nonscientific-naturopathic.

003. since naturopathy clearly states its beliefs (here, here) which are not scientific facts but are articles of faith [hugely], yet naturopathy states such falsely as scientific fact / able to survive scientific scrutiny [ISYN], I'd not believe them since they are patently ABSURD.

Note: it is a basic human right / freedom that people may choose to believe or not believe that which is a matter of 'belief or conscience'.

My take on naturopathy: their beliefs are foisted upon the vulnerable [patients, students] as [false] objective fact, and therefore naturopathy has no sensitivity for basic human rights.

In fact, when I was at UB and told 'this is science', and told by the first AANP president and the school's first dean Sensenig that what runs my body is a 'purposeful life spirit' otherwise known as 'god power within', my human rights were violated.

Why?

Because matters of faith are choices, and objective scientific facts aren't.

Yet, in naturopathy, there is no distinction [look at OBNE, as linked too!]. 

Literally, the science-ejected is falsely labeled scientific fact -- naturopathy is nonsense of the highest order.

When a choice is no longer offered as a choice, but instead you are mindfucked into thinking it is 'all there is to choose from and therefore no choice at all', your basic human rights have been seriously abused.

What's more disgusting is that this occurs clinically and academically, primarily.

Part of the Naturocrit project is to advocate for a procedure -- likely through the United States Department of Education, the Connecticut Department of Education & kind [they are accomplices in all this, so don't hold your breath] -- that will compensate for damages due to the quite sophisticated false inducements [unfair trade?] implemented / administered by these pseudomedical pseudoprofessionals / naturopaths.

An Invitation From an Academic Mislabeling Racket: AANMC's NUHS-Centered Webinar, 2009-11-12:

I recently received an email from the Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges [AANMC] inviting me to a webinar, wherein naturopathy is labeled as science and professional [see 001., below]; I then look at what AANMC says about naturopathy, and what NUHS's ND lead, who is part of that webinar, says in his 2008 naturopathy textbook [see 002., below]; and, then I THINK about this falsehood in terms of academic loans [see 003., below]:

001. AANMC states:

001.a. in "November 12 Naturopathic Medicine Informational Webinar":

"for this event, the AANMC is proud to introduce Rachel Marynowski, a fourth-year student at National University of Health Sciences (NUHS) [...] our webinar will also include presentations by naturopathic medicine professionals [...] including 'An Introduction to Naturopathic Medicine' presented by Dr. Fraser Smith, assistant dean of the NUHS naturopathic medicine program."

Note: so, we have the label of science and professional upon the naturopathic.  And, we have Smith. The webinar agenda can currently be accessed here, where AANMC tells us: "this event is sponsored jointly by the seven accredited colleges of naturopathic medicine comprising the Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges (AANMC)."

001.b. in "Student Profile: Rachel Marynowski, Naturopathic Medical Student, Class of 2010":

"prior to entering naturopathic medical school, Rachel attended the University of Georgia, where she received a bachelor of science degree in public health [...] Rachel plans on returning to Georgia, where she was born and raised, to practice traditional naturopathy in an integrative setting."

Note: again, AANMC explicitly links naturopathy to SCIENCE, and I'd argue 'typical academic science' at that.  Also, this person will be a 'typical ND' per "traditional naturopathy."

002. what does AANMC & Smith say about naturopathy [and is it honest & true]?

002.a. AANMC states on their web site:

002.a1. that they are comprised of, per their homepage: "Bastyr University, Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine, The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, National College of Natural Medicine, Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine, University of Bridgeport [UB, where I did most of an ND], National University of Health Sciences."  True enough.

002.a2. that naturopathy is science-based.

Note: AANMC states that this is typical science.  This isn't true, or honest.  Now, because they claim professions-level ethical status, they must be held to the highest of ethical strictures.  It is not at all difficult to research the scientific status of what is the naturopathic, and to find that such is indeed hugely not science.  This false 'due diligence' of 'scientific professionalism', therein, I consider a deliberate ruse.

002.a3. that naturopathy is based on the "healing power of nature [HPN]".

Note: now, HPN is not being honestly contextualized here.  You are not being informed.  You are being, in my view, manipulated and deceived. The language is falsely naturalistic and is quite incomplete. HPN is mentioned three times on the page, yet AANMC never here shares the in fact sectarian belief that HPN is: vitalism, which I usually encapsulate as a belief in a 'purposeful life spirit' running the body.  Also, at UB, I was taught not only that HPN is a "life force", but also that it is a concept which I have termed 'autoentheism', that that HPN / life force is, as they call it there, "god power within".  This AANMC page disgusts me with its huge level of deceit, since naturopathy's HPN ['the vis'] is hugely science-ejected, and they don't reveal that at their upper-most echelon academic consortium's supposed definition webpage.

002.b. Smith's 2008 naturopathy text:

002.b1. so, Smith of this supposed SCIENCE university that contains presumably the SCIENCE degree known as naturopathy has written the naturopathic textbook "An Introduction to Principles and Practices of Naturopathic Medicine" (ISBN 9781897025253; 2008).  Smith states, regarding 'the vis', in the chapter "Naturopathic Philosophy and History":

"naturopathic medicine [...uses] therapies that support the person’s self-healing potential. Naturopathic medicine is the embodiment of a tradition in medicine that could rightfully be called 'vitalistic' [...] the vitalistic tradition is based on the premise that the body has an inherent ability to heal, a premise referred to in Latin as vis medicatrix naturae, healing power of nature [HPN], and that the human being is a dynamic creation of body, mind, and spirit, more than the sum of its parts [p.018...] vis medicatrix naturae. Co-operate with the healing power of nature. The concept of a healing power of nature [...] a healing power inherent in the organism [...] this power [...] this healing power [...] the vis [...] the flexibility and open-ended nature of this concept is a good thing. The bounded rationality of any particular individual or group cannot capture the entire meaning [...] the vis is the core focus of the Foundations of Naturopathic Medicine, the most elaborate guide to the profession available. The discernment of the necessity of working with the vis medicatrix naturae is what makes naturopathic medicine a distinctive field. In practical terms, the principle of vis medicatrix naturae means that we work with the self-healing systems of the body [...] the self healing drive [...] a dynamic, intelligent, and adaptable system to restore function, integration, and dynamism. This healing force is not a separate entity from us that 'inhabits' our body and 'heals' us; rather, we are talking about the very nature of the human being. The vis is the inborn power of the individual to adapt and to heal [...] this power [...] our power to adapt and heal [...] all physicians rely on the vis [...]  the vis medicatrix naturae [...] the vis medicatrix nature - the healing power of nature [p.019...] supporting, stimulating, or unchaining the vis [p.022]."

Note: so, the vitalistic HPN is the essentially naturopathic.  Included in the concept is a form of supernaturalism, per "spirit".  "Intelligence" implies purpose which implies goal-directedness, a.k.a. teleology.  Therein, 'purposeful life spirit'. Again, AANMC has said that naturopathy is science-based and HPN based at the same time.

002.b2. and Smith also states, regarding naturopathy as 'of the professions' level scientific':

"[per NUHS's president Winterstein] the [naturopathic] profession needed this textbook of fundamentals to help standardize naturopathic curriculum in health science colleges [preface...and per Smith, the] science [...] of naturopathic medicine [...] may we all better understand the art of medicine, the science of the human organism [p.008...] this book is also designed for patients with a basic health-science education [p.010]."

Note: so we have the professions claim, and the science label.

003. so, overall:

naturopathy claims that within science is the vitalistic and the supernatural, while both are outside of science.  The absurdity is obvious: naturopathy claims that something is what it is not.  I consider this an 'academic mislabeling racket', minimally.  I can only imagine the huge amount of money going into these seven North American ND granting schools under false pretenses / labels.  I believed naturopathy's mislabelings way back, and those education loans are going to be with me for the rest of my life.  So, I can't imagine there being a statute of limitations for anyone carrying loans from pursuit of an ND, as it is oftenmost Federal debt that cannot be dismissed.  Yet, I anticipate a day of reckoning.

CNME's Central Textbook ISBN 1897025254 - Naturopathy's Homeopathic-TCM Vitalism:

here, I quote from THE textbook for CNME-type ND programs in North America which details naturopathy's essential homeopathic-TCM vitalism [see 001, below];

001. Smith, F. (ND CCNM), "Assistant Dean of Naturopathic Medicine at National University of Health Sciences" [as per my blog mission, truly "from the inside"], states in:

001.a. "An Introduction to Principles and Practices of Naturopathic Medicine" (ISBN 1897025254; 2008):

"homeopathy [...its founder] Hahnemann taught that disease was due to the 'untunement' of the vital force, the part of the organism that allowed it to respond and adapt to life. Whether that meant shivering in response to cold or experiencing fear in response to a threat, the vital force was a dynamic aspect of the human being [p.095...] disease began when that dynamic principle became stuck [p.096...{lest we think all this past-tense verbiage means that naturopathy has discarded this science-ejected idea, NOWADAYS}] naturopathic medicine [...] is a primary healthcare system using therapies that support the person's self-healing potential [...it is] 'vitalistic' [...] the vitalistic tradition is based on the premise that the body has an inherent ability to heal, a premise referred to in Latin as vis medicatrix naturae (healing power of nature), and that the human being is a dynamic creation of body, and and spirit [{naturopathy's requisite supernaturalism, which is bound-up with vitalism}...per] the self-healing ability of the whole being [p.018...] the vis is the core focus of the Foundations of Naturopathic Medicine [{see that vitalism there, too}...] the discernment of the necessity of working with the vis medicatrix naturae is what makes naturopathic medicine a distinctive field [p.019...naturopathy's] protocol for treatment can be simplified into three stages [...#2] stimulate the vital force [...with] vitalistic therapies including homeopathy, hydrotherapy, and traditional Chinese medicine [{TCM} p.037...e.g.] promote self-healing processes by using a homeopathic medicine to stimulate the vital force [p.039...] TCM is founded in the principle that energy in the body flows along specific pathways called meridians. This energy is known as qi. Qi enters the body at conception and remains the vital force in the body [p.100...{and lest we forget how dangerous naturopathy is}] homeopathic treatment of children is valuable for both prevention and treatment of many conditions [p.319]."

Note: this textbook is published by CCNM Press. This is 'the essentially naturopathic' / 'their foundation'. It states on its back cover "this is the first textbook published for use in introductory courses in naturopathic medicine [...at] naturopathic colleges affiliated with the Council of Naturopathic [Medical] Education (CNME) [{yes, they forgot a word in that title}...and it] provides a strong foundation for required upper-year courses [...that include] homeopathy [and] traditional Chinese medicine."

002. the vitalism of naturopathy:

poses an "energy", "force" or "power" responsible for health and disease, and life itself. It is not merely acknowledging that a human being can repair / heal, and it is not merely descriptions of the phenotype. Boil it down, and what you get is a belief in a 'purposeful life spirit' animating the human organism. This is a combination of supernaturalism, teleology, and vitalism. And it is pure superstition falsely claimed as within science. All three facets of the naturopathic belief amalgam are exterior to science / what science bases. They are articles of faith claimed as something they are not: scientific fact.

When I was in ND school, I was told that that vital force was also "the god power within you." This is after I was told it was science-based and not a belief system. So, in terms of belief, I've labeled that autoentheism: the belief that god is within oneself.

Their homepage states: "the FNM Project has its academic home at NCNM in Portland." And NCNM is in the ridiculous position of claiming that which is nonscience is science.

Same old naturopaTHICK.