25/01/2026
I get asked all the time if, as a naturopath, I am âanti-doctors,â âanti-medicineâ etc.
The answer to that question is no - I am not against medicine or doctors. Conventional medicine has led to incredible discoveries and life-saving practices.
I am however an advocate for *true* informed consent, which should mean:
đ You have been given adequate information to make an informed decision - this includes their recommended treatment AND other treatment options that are available
đ You have given consent without any undue pressure, coercion or manipulation
đ Both the benefits AND risks of proposed treatments are fully explained and transparent
đ You are given the respect of asking questions and choosing what you would like to do without shaming or coercion
I meet so many people who have been prescribed the oral contraceptive pill, antidepressants, sedatives, reflux medications, unnecessary antibiotics..without any of this kind of information being offered
At the end of the day, it is up to you to ask, do your research and listen to your intuition as the medical system is not geared towards individualised, patient-centred care that allows time and investigations outside of their paradigm. Risks unfortunately tend to be downplayed, or worse, even mentioned
ASK:
What are you suggesting? Why? How does it work in the body? Are there side effects? What can I do with dietary, lifestyle and natural medicine?
The answer to this question should be âplentyâ - any physician who says ânothingâ is ignorant or simply misinformed. So many medications result in worse long-term outcomes, and there are so many non-invasive natural medicine interventions with a very low-risk profile
Hopefully in the future, we reach a stage where doctors will explain that yes there are many other options available, but itâs not my area of specialty so you should consult with a practitoner in this field.
Until then - always ask questions, get multiple opinions, learn about all of your options, and always remember that you have a choice. Any sign of coercion, shaming or manipulation (e.g. guilt tripping, fear-mongering) is an instant red flag for me đ´ (by a doctor, or a naturopath)