Raena Morgan: Dr. Ferguson, what are the benefits of having naturopathic doctor for your children?
Dr. Molly Ferguson: Well, one of the principles of naturopathic care is prevention. And so I would say, that’s one of the big benefits of having a child see a naturopath—is our focus is going to be on preventing disease. So making sure your child has optimal nutrition, optimal health. Some of the other benefits would be the minimization of use of drugs and medications in children. And that’s something a lot of parents are looking for—other alternatives to antibiotics for different infections. Are there alternatives to Ritalin? Are there alternatives to corticose steroid treatments for eczema, allergies etc.
Raena Morgan: And there are alternatives?
Dr. Molly Ferguson: There are alternatives and I won’t say that you won’t ever need to use another drug again. I’m not here to say that. But I am saying that you can certainly decrease the use of drugs dramatically and your child’s need for drugs.
Raena Morgan: See, because my mother was raising me and my sister, drugs were such a given. You know, penicillin was the miracle drug. But, it got used too much, you know, so.
Dr. Molly Ferguson: Yeah, we’re seeing the results of that in the super-infections that you’re finding in hospitals and in daycare centers actually now. You know, bacteria and fungus becoming resistant to antibiotic treatment. So herbs work in a little bit different way and sometimes bugs can respond better to herbs, actually—where they don’t have the same potential for creating a superbug. So, that is one thing. As far as other drugs go, certainly there are lifesaving drugs out there, especially with asthma and allergies. We absolutely need those. But you can certainly decrease your child’s need for them and that’s typically what I’ll see when I’m working with more inflammatory type diseases like that—is decreased use of inhalers. You know, “my child didn’t need it, except for once a month.” “You know, my child is not using their corticose steroid cream, you know, every day.” So, it’s nice to see that.
Raena Morgan: Well that’s great news. Thank you very much.
Dr. Molly Ferguson: Yeah, you’re welcome.
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