In the Therapeutica concept we include in the treatment regimen remedies that harmoniously combine all that pertains to phytotherapy, apitherapy, aromatherapy and gemmotherapy. Below we list a few clarifying aspects.
Phytotherapy
Ancient method, supposed to be used “since the beginning of time”. In the Romanian area there is a veritable tradition of ‘healing plants’, a ‘red thread’ that starts with the village witchdoctors and reaches today’s schools (a representative example, a prominent name that I think is known to all: Acad. Prof. Dr. Ovidiu Bojor).
It involves the administration of a wide variety of plants – in whole form or as an extract – in the form of infusions/decoctions, tinctures, capsules/tablets, gemotherapeutic extracts etc., administered in an even wider range of ailments/dysfunctions. Of course, there are contraindications, which need to be scored according to the specific patient.
Apitherapy
At least as well known as Phytotherapy, has a special place in the Carpathian-Danubian-Pontic area, and even certain varieties of honey with indicated origin are recognized and indicated (honey from the delta, acacia or lime honey from certain forest areas). All hive products can be used for well-established therapeutic purposes, provided, of course, that the raw material is of high quality.
Aromatherapy
Therapy with essential oils, which are volatile compounds extracted from different parts of plants (flowers, leaves, seeds, bark etc.), which are proven to act not only on the body (specific pharmacological actions) but also on the psycho-emotional compound. They can be used in therapy by inhalation/air diffusing, massage, hot baths, compresses and poultices. As with beehive products, we draw attention to the importance of the quality/origin of these types of products.
Gemmotherapy
We mentioned it above at Phytotherapy, but it deserves to be explained additionally. It is a gentle form of therapy, targeting different organs and systems, and harmoniously complementing a naturopathic recipe. The preparations are obtained by hydroalcoholic maceration of the young parts of plants: buds, shoots, young roots, flowers, and are administered by dripping in water. It acts through what pharmacologists call the ‘active phytocomplex’ – a multitude of enzymes, growth factors, amino acids, mineral salts etc. deep in the body (down to the cellular level), stimulating detoxification processes at the same time. They can be recommended as single remedies or in a mixture.
Tofan Bogdan, MD