SANA - South African Naturopathy Association

31/03/2026

VITALISM is a core philosophy combined with HOLISM in Naturopathy. It emphasises that there is an innate intelligence in all living organisms. Or another way of describing it is: ALL living beings are animated by a distinct “vital force” or energy—not pseudoscience, but something beyond just the physical and chemical processes.

A modern/contemporary vitalist is better understood as a systems-oriented clinician or thinker who recognises inherent biological self-organisation and healing capacity, while integrating this with modern scientific frameworks.





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27/10/2025

SANA AGM & LECTURE ONLINE - 10th November 2025

All practitioners are welcome to attend the 2CEU-accredited lecture by Dr Faryal Luhar ND.

R150 for non-SANA-members.

See payment details below and please include your AHPCSA number for your CPD certificate, when emailing your POP through to [email protected].

12/07/2024

PARKINSON'S DISEASE (PD) & THE MICROBIOME

Article of interest from the (June 2024)

To date, there is an understanding that factors related to the gut may play a role in both initiation and promotion of in a subset of PD patients.

The gut offers potential opportunities to enhance care and promote patient outcomes for those with PD. While and does not offer a cure, it can play a role in slowing disease progression and enhancing quality of life for these patients.

https://www.naturalmedicinejournal.com/journal/parkinson-disease-and-the-microbiome?

GRAPHIC CREDIT: , Gastrointestinal dysfunction in Parkinson’s disease

27/06/2024

It's WORLD MICROBIOME DAY - 27 July 2024

Today, we honour the fascinating world of the - the trillions of microorganisms that live harmoniously within and on our bodies.

These tiny allies play a crucial role in maintaining our health, from enhancing to supporting . As the South African Naturopathy Association (SANA), we recognize the significance of a balanced microbiome in holistic health.

Let’s take this day to appreciate the power of these microscopic communities and promote practices that support a healthy, diverse microbiome. Happy World Microbiome Day!

Contact your for more info.

28/05/2024

RESEARCH OF INTEREST:
The Impact of Mouth-Taping in Mouth-Breathers with Mild Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Preliminary Study

Background: Many patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are mouth-breathers. Mouth-breathing not only narrows the upper airway, consequently worsening the severity of OSA, but also it affects compliance with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment. This study aimed to investigate changes in OSA by the use of mouth tape in mouth-breathers with mild OSA.

Background: Many patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are mouth-breathers. Mouth-breathing not only narrows the upper airway, consequently worsening the severity of OSA, but also it affects compliance with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment. This study aimed to investi...

12/05/2024

RCT Article of interest -
Dysmenorrhea and Bitter Orange

A new study testing the well-loved herbal medicine Citrus aurantium has revealed it has even more potential than many of its current uses suggest. Medical herbalist RUTH WEAVER reviews the latest findings

Read the full article in our May issue. Subscribe today and claim your free copy (while stocks last) 👉 link in our bio or on our pinned post on Facebook.

13/03/2024

Improved Cardiovascular Parameter With a Nutrient-Dense, Plant-Rich Diet-Style: A Patient Survey With Illustrative Cases
Joel Fuhrman and Michael Singer
American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine 2017 11:3, 264-273

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1559827615611024

03/01/2024

As the new year begins, many people start to "re"focus on their health.
In 2024 - why don't you focus on eating more good quality VEGGIES!!!

Just One to Two Servings of Vegetables a Day Improves Health....But eating more is still better! Research and Data collected by THINK GLOBAL HEALTH.
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19%
Two servings of vegetables a day can reduce people’s risk of ischemic heart disease by 19 percent!
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https://www.thinkglobalhealth.org/article/just-one-two-servings-vegetables-day-improves-health
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View their interactive world MAP - to see how many deaths per country caused by a diet LOW in VEGETABLE intake.👇
https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/wmawU/4/
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Think Global Health is a multi-contributor website that examines the ways in which changes in health are reshaping economies, societies, and the everyday lives of people around the globe.
Visit your local to get more info and to assist with a program.

25/10/2023

Review article:
Edible mushrooms as potential functional foods in amelioration of hypertension.

Phytotherapy Research - Volume37, Issue6, June 2023
Pages 2644-2660 https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.7865

03/07/2023

Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are a common health challenge faced by many of our patients. As healthcare professionals, we continuously seek safe and effective methods to prevent and treat these conditions. Echinacea, a potent herb known for its numerous medicinal properties, offers promising results.

SUMMARY HIGHLIGHTS:

🌸Echinacea exhibits anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral properties, making it a powerful tool in preventing and treating RTIs.
🌸A meta-analysis of six RCTs found that echinacea extracts reduce the risk of recurrent RTIs by 35%.
🌸Echinacea treatment reduces the frequency of complications such as pneumonia, otitis media/externa, and tonsillitis/pharyngitis.
🌸For prevention, a daily dose of 2400 mg (dry root equiv.) is recommended. At the first sign of a cold, the dosage should be increased to 3825 mg (dry root equiv.) per day.
SOURCE: Blackmores Institute