This session will encourage practitioners to reflect on how scientific knowledge and practice is shaping the way we extract, understand and prescribe traditional medicines.

The landscape of naturopathy and medical herbalism continues to evolve, shaped by health and medical science research, consumer demands, economics and the availability of a rapidly growing natural medicine toolkit. Scientific research continues to validate the traditional understanding of specific herbal extracts, while at the same time, expanding their use and enhancing extraction methods to improve biological activity, stability, standardisation and ultimately clinical outcomes. 

In this session, Samuel will explore the application of several scientifically validated traditional herbal extracts that target the underlying cause of many diseases of modernity. He will make a case for why holistic practitioners shouldn’t shy away from phytochemically enhanced herbal extracts or isolated nutritional compounds, and how these tools can be compatible with a naturopathic treatment paradigm. 

 Samuel will separate the fact from the fad and provide a framework to assist practitioners in selecting the most efficacious and clinically relevant extracts while engaging with the principles of both evidence-based medicine and holism.

Key Learning Objectives:

• Understand how scientific knowledge and practice are shaping the way we extract and prescribe traditional medicines to address diseases of modernity.

• Understand how a contemporary naturopathic toolkit can be both convergent or divergent with the core principles of naturopathic medicine. 

• A thought-provoking look into the future of naturopathic medicine and herbalism and its place in a rapidly evolving healthcare system.

Bio:

BHSc (Naturopathy)

Samuel is a practising naturopath and industry professional, having worked across a variety of roles in practitioner education. He currently leads a team of professional educators at BioMedica Nutraceuticals, with the goal of delivering high-quality, unbiased naturopathic education for practitioners. Samuel has lectured nationally and internationally to a broad cross-section of the naturopathic community and has always focused on taking a balanced view of healthcare, evaluating health trends for their clinical relevance and scientific rigour. His passion is assisting practitioners in staying abreast of the latest research to facilitate the delivery of optimal health outcomes.

Samuel is an employee and Head of Education at BioMedica Nutraceuticals