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Published (Version of record)CC BY-NC-SA V3.0, Open Access
Published (Version of record)CC BY-NC-SA V3.0, Open
Journal article
Clinician perspectives and understanding of the adaptogenic concept: A focus group study with Naturopaths and Western Herbalists
Integrative Medicine Research, Vol.10(1), pp.1-10
03/2021
PMCID: PMC7419323
PMID: 32802739
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Source: InCites
Abstract
Background: Herbal adaptogens are plant medicines which have traditional associations with herbal ‘tonics’ and promote homeostasis and non-specifically increase resistance to stress. Current definitions of adaptogens have been derived from extensive laboratory research, however there has not been sufficient clinical data for the concept to be standardised by regulatory bodies in Europe or Australia, nor is there clarity around how adaptogens are used and understood by herbalist clinicians themselves. This study aimed to identify how Australian Naturopaths measure adaptogenic activity relative to the clinical outcomes they aim to achieve.
Methods: A qualitative methodology was implemented using focus groups and thematic analysis.
Results: Three focus groups were conducted with a total of 17 Naturopaths with a Bachelor degree or higher qualification and over five years clinical experience. Three core themes were identified: ambiguous cultural origins with divergent perceptions on sources of knowledge about adaptogens; raising vitality and having a restorative effect, and intersystem activity. Within these three central themes, a number of sub-themes were identified.
Conclusions: Naturopathic clinicians utilise both subjective and objective measures of vitalistic signs across multiple body systems; however, the current available research may not accurately reflect expert clinician understanding and use of adaptogens. The study opens pathways to developing novel approaches to measuring adaptogenic activity which may facilitate the process of international standardisation of the adaptogenic concept for the development of well-designed clinical studies.
Details
- Title
- Clinician perspectives and understanding of the adaptogenic concept: A focus group study with Naturopaths and Western Herbalists
- Creators
- Sophia Gerontakos - University of Technology SydneyDavid Casteleijn - University of Technology SydneyJonathan Wardle - University of Technology Sydney
- Publication Details
- Integrative Medicine Research, Vol.10(1), pp.1-10
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Grant note
- This research was funded by Endeavour College of Natural Health (ECNH).
- Identifiers
- 991012968469202368
- Copyright
- © 2020 Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-SA license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Health; School of Health and Human Sciences; National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article