On a recent search for a ‘good’ gynaecologist, I stumbled across a leaflet offering so much more. Sabine Schapals has combined her gynecological and obstetrics practice with naturopathy, which means that regular issues such as menstrual disorders, infertility, labour pains, nausea and vomiting, can all be dealt with in a natural manner. In addition to conventional medicine, a naturopathic gynecologist will prescribe vitamins, essential oils, foods with healing properties and prebiotics to heal the body.

Sabine, who has recently opened her own clinic called the Nicosia Maternity Clinic, has always been a firm believer in natural medicine and its healing properties. “Women should have the choice of being treated in a natural way,” she says. “Natural therapies do not have side effects and are much safer than conventional methods, especially when it comes to pregnancies.”

Women of all ages can benefit from naturopathy, which uses a number of different methods based on a person’s needs. Herbal therapy, which uses medicinal plants, is the most common and is one that has been used for centuries. “A woman with a yeast infection could put a few drops of tea tree oil on her panties or on a tampon and could also drop some chamomile oil in a bath and sit in it for a while,” says Sabine. Nutritional therapy is one of the simplest methods used and is often overlooked. Sabine explains: “By eating garlic or onions, you are immediately helping your system rid itself of any infections or nasty intruders. It’s an amazing healing tool.” She continues: “Since earlier times, the connections between nutrition, well-being and illnesses have been recognised over and over again. Correct nutrition can even prevent the development of certain illnesses.”

Orthomolecular medicine, another method used, is closely connected with nutritional medicine. “We use food supplements to preserve good health and change the concentration of substances that are normally present in the body,” says Sabine. Acupuncture, which has gained much respect, can be used to treat pain and cure functional ailments while relaxation methods can help battle stress and tensions effectively. “When I speak of relaxation, I mean the healthy balance of the physical and mental self.”

Naturopathy is based on the premise that the signs and symptoms of a disease represent the body’s attempt to correct an imbalance, meaning that it must be enhanced rather than suppressed for healing to occur. One of the reasons naturopathy has become so popular is that the human system has an innate need to restore itself to a balanced state therefore resonating with the naturopathic philosophy. “We recognise that the patient’s mental, emotional and physical states must all be treated for a lasting effect,” says Sabine. “Naturopathy is based on the belief that the body is self-healing,” she added.

By taking time to listen and learn about your overall health, which involves physical and emotional matters, you’ll be able to incorporate a simple and effective attitude towards gynecological concerns.

Nicosia Maternity Clinic- Tel: 22-376630