Naturopathic medicine is an approach to health and healing that integrates nutrition, plant medicine, life style modification, standard medicine, homeopathy, water therapy and any other approach that enhances mind and body's innate healing potential.  The Naturopathic approach is based on European natural healing methods and Native American medical traditions. Naturopathic Physicians aim to restore balance in a gentle and effective way minimizing the potential for side effects. This is accomplished by providing the body with essential resources that optimize nutrient utilization and cellular communication.

Naturopathic health care benefits young an old. It provides answers for patients looking to live a health oriented life style and for those suffering from chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, auto immune disease, rheumatoid arthritis, recurrent infections, migraines, asthma, eczema, psoriasis, hormonal imbalances and other common health concerns. Naturopathic care is unique in that every patient's health concern is addressed in an individual in and unique way. For example, 5 different people with the same diagnosis are addressed differently.

Naturopathic physicians are trained primary care doctor who are graduates of an accredited Naturopathic Medical School. Currently, the 4 accredited teaching institutions include: National College of Naturopathic Medicine, Bastyr University, Bridgeport University and Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine. Naturopathic Physicians are licensed to practice in 15 States and are members of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians.

Classical Homeopathy treats the whole person and views each person as a unity of mind, emotions, and body. This 200 year old system of medicine was developed by Samuel Hahnemann MD, who rediscovered the law of similars, originally observed 3,000 years ago by Hippocrates, the father of medicine. Homeopathy is practiced throughout the world, and is quite popular in Europe, India and many South American nations.

Homeopathic remedies consist of minute dilutions of plant, mineral and other natural substances. They are recommended based on a very detailed analysis of a patient's individual mental, emotional and physical picture.

Homeopaths recognize that an innate intelligence regulates our immune system. Disease is the result of a prolonged disturbance of this intricate network. A homeopathic remedy optimizes the body's inherent healing mechanisms, restoring balance and eliminating disease.

Homeopathy can be used in many ways and can benefit many conditions:

1. First Aid: Homeopathic treatment of injuries is straightforward; it is relatively easy to determine the correct remedy. Conventional first aid measures, such as stopping bleeding, cleaning the wound, treating for shock, etc., should be performed along with administering the correct homeopathic remedy. Homeopathy is effective in relieving pain, preventing infection, and hastening healing for all types of injuries. Burns, cuts, stings, sprains, strains, fractures, bruises, and shock all respond quickly to homeopathic treatment. Sudden emotional traumas, such as grief, fear, stage-fright, etc., respond promptly to the correct homeopathic remedy. Homeopathy can be effectively used at home for these conditions.

2. Acute diseases usually have a sudden onset and short duration. They are usually infectious diseases, such as coughs, flu, ear infections, bladder infections, and childhood illnesses. Homeopathic treatment will lessen the intensity and shorten the duration of acute diseases. The patient suffers less, and acute diseases treated homeopathically tend not to progress into complications or lead to chronic diseases.

3. Chronic diseases are usually of gradual onset, and remain throughout the life of the person (unless treated homeopathically or by some other means of energy medicine). The vital force is unable to overcome the disease; these states become chronic, a stalemate. To regular or allopathic medicine, they are usually considered incurable. Allopathic medicine uses drugs, especially cortisone and other steroids, to suppress symptoms. Homeopathy attempts to eliminate and avoid the use of such suppressive and harmful therapies. Chronic diseases include allergies, asthma, skin disorders, arthritis, chronic headaches, gastrointestinal conditions such as colitis and ulcers, hormonal imbalances, musculoskeletal pains and dysfunction, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain syndromes, mental/emotional sufferings such as depression, phobias, or anxieties, and any long-standing problems.

Homotoxicology
The use of complex homeopathic formulas is a modern extension of the original classical homeopathic method. These preparations are geared towards restoring the body's terrain, balancing blood ph, strengthening organs and enhancing detoxification.

As long as the body has the ability to adapt to stress, the body maintains the ability to convert and excrete toxic elements. But when the body becomes overwhelmed, degeneration ensues and toxins move to deeper levels, disrupting health at the genetic level. The system of homotoxicolgy recognizes that there are many phases of degeneration and uses phase specific complex homeopathic remedies to restore optimal nutrient exchange and hormonal balance.

Pleomorphism and Darkfield Microscopy
Pleomorphism and Darkfield Microscopy Pleomorphism is based on the observation that every warm-blooded organism houses germs that have the ability to change form. This ability to mutate is influenced by the state of the body's internal environment. Micro organisms appear in their many developmental stages and can be studied under Darkfield Microscopy.

Cell pleomorphism was developed by Dr. Gunther Enderlein (1872-1968). He based his work on Antoine Bechamp's original observations that blood is not sterile. Further research indicated that an imbalance in the internal environment allowed microorganisms to upgrade into a pathogenic state, promoting congestion, inflammation and disease.

Currently western medicine uses antibiotics to eradicate the organisms that have flourished in an imbalanced environment. The Pleomorphic method differs in its approach as it aims to improve the terrrain that allows infection to take hold.

Through the use of Isopathic and complex Homeopathic remedies, this disease process can be reversed and down graded to a healthful symbiotic state. At the Maes Center for Natural Health Care integrating these methodologies has greatly enhanced our success in the treatment of conditions such as cardiovascular disease, arthritis, chronic fatigue and auto-immune disease.

The use of plants as medicine is also receiving greater appreciation because people are looking for gentler and safer alternatives to standard western medicine. Unlike antibiotics and other standard medicines, botanical remedies have the ability to enhance the body's inherent healing potential while eliminating viral and bacterial infections. Botanical remedies are also virtually free of side effects when used in recommended amounts. At the Maes Center for Natural Health Care the doctors are trained in the potential interactions between plants and standard medicines and can provide valuable guidance in this area.

Herbs used at the Maes Center are organically and bio-dynamically farmed and include Western, Chinese and Rain Forest herbs. As part of a treatment plan botanical medicines may be prepared as teas, tinctures, essential oils, solid extracts, salves, capsules or poultices and are blended according to individual needs.

Clinical Nutrition is a vital component of any longevity or restorative health care program. By improving the delicate balance of essential nutrients in the body we can allow its natural homeostatic mechanisms to restore health.

Today's standard model of medicine tends to look at the body as being either healthy or diseased. But in recent years we have come to realize that there are many levels of health. Nutrition, through good dietary habits and supplementation provides important building blocks to restore and maintain optimal health and prevent disease.

Research in the field of functional nutrition indicates that essential fatty acids, trace minerals, vitamins, amino acids, antioxidants and hormones play a vital role in optimal cell communication and reduction of inflammation and degeneration. When the body lacks these important resources, cell communication breaks down, tissues degenerate and disease sets in. Through observation we know that this process underlies many chronic diseases encountered today such as heart disease, arthritis and cancer.

It is our experience that food behaves very differently in our bodies due to our unique physiological make up. At the Maes Center for Natural Health Care our approach to clinical nutrition is comprehensive. We tailor food therapies according to different methods and tests which include: blood typing, Metabolic Typing, standard food allergy testing, Nambudripad Allergy Elimination Technique (NAET), functional metabolic evaluations, hair analysis, hormonal testing, digestive analysis and food combining.

The Metabolic Typing approach to nutrition is very specific and examines individual biochemical needs. With the great number of diets on the market it can be difficult to discern whether you would benefit from a high protein/ low carbohydrate diet or a high carbohydrate/low fat diet. Metabolic typing on the other hand uses specific parameters to determine unique protein, carbohydrate and fat needs.

A Blood pH near 7.46 is necessary for optimal cell function. Any shift away from this number towards acid or an alkaline reduces nutrient utilization, interferes with optimal cell communication and promotes the activation of viruses, bacteria and yeast. Because of our unique metabolic makeup, a food can be acidifying for one person while alkalizing for another. In short: one person's food can be another's toxin.

Metabolic typing evaluation lasts at least 2 1/2 hours and requires you to fast at least 12 hours before the appointment. The evaluation involves the measurement of numerous parameters with the goal of understanding the body's operating mechanism. The test also includes the following measurements.