What is Naturopathy?

Naturopathy is an integrative, evidence-informed system of healthcare that recognises the body’s inherent capacity to heal when given the right conditions. It combines centuries of traditional medical knowledge — including herbal medicine, nutritional therapy, and lifestyle medicine — with current clinical research, functional testing, and modern diagnostic techniques.

Unlike symptom-suppressing approaches, naturopathy focuses on identifying and addressing the underlying drivers of illness. These may include nutritional deficiencies, gut microbiome imbalances, hormonal dysregulation, environmental exposures, chronic stress, sleep dysfunction, or immune dysregulation.

At Como Health Group, naturopathy is further informed by European biological medicine principles — an advanced integrative framework incorporating terrain theory, environmental medicine, and biophysical assessment — alongside access to a suite of advanced medical technologies that extend what is achievable through natural medicine alone.

Conditions Our Naturopaths Treat

Digestive Health

• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and functional gut disorders
• Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
• Gut dysbiosis and microbiome imbalance
• Reflux, bloating, and food intolerances
• Inflammatory bowel conditions — integrative support
• Leaky gut and intestinal permeability

Hormonal & Reproductive Health

• Hormonal imbalance in women and men
• Thyroid dysfunction (hypothyroid, Hashimoto’s, hyperthyroid)
• Adrenal fatigue and HPA axis dysregulationPolycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
• Perimenopause and menopause management
• Menstrual irregularities, PMS and endometriosis
• Fertility support — natural and IVF adjunct

Fatigue & Energy

• Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS/ME)
• Post-viral fatigue and Long COVID recovery
• Burnout and adrenal exhaustion
• Iron deficiency and anaemia
• Sleep disorders and circadian rhythm dysfunction

Immune & Inflammatory Conditions

• Recurrent infections and immune dysfunction
• Autoimmune conditions — integrative support alongside specialist care
• Chronic inflammatory conditions
• Allergies, sinusitis and hay fever
• Mould-related illness and biotoxin illness
• Environmental sensitivity and chemical sensitivity

Skin, Mental Health & Chronic Disease

• Eczema, psoriasis, acne and chronic skin inflammation
• Anxiety, stress and nervous system dysregulation
• Depression support — nutritional and herbal adjunct care
• Cognitive function and brain fog
• Arthritis and joint inflammation
• Blood sugar dysregulation and insulin resistance
• Cardiovascular health — integrative prevention
• Anti-ageing and longevity programmes

Our Naturopathic Approach

Comprehensive Initial Assessment

A first naturopathic consultation at Como Health Group is thorough. We take a detailed health history covering your current symptoms, past medical history, medications and supplements, diet, sleep, stress levels, bowel function, and more. We use this — alongside physical examination and diagnostic testing — to form a complete clinical picture before any treatment begins.

Functional & Point-of-Care Diagnostic Testing

Our naturopaths utilise a range of functional diagnostic tools not routinely available through conventional GP consultations. These include live blood analysis (microscopy), point-of-care testing, photospectometry mineral analysis, comprehensive stool analysis, salivary hormone profiling, food intolerance testing, and referral to specialist pathology where indicated.

European Biological Medicine

Chris Ravesi’s advanced training in Germany in biological medicine informs a distinctive approach to complex chronic illness. Biological medicine considers the body’s internal terrain — pH balance, toxin burden, immune regulation, and cellular environment — as primary drivers of disease, and uses targeted natural therapies to restore terrain health. This framework is particularly effective for patients with multi-system illness, environmental exposures, or conditions that have not responded to conventional treatment.

Herbal Medicine & Clinical Nutrition

Treatment plans typically combine high-quality therapeutic herbal medicine, evidence-based nutritional supplementation, dietary modification, and lifestyle medicine. Prescriptions are always individualised — not generic protocols — based on both traditional usage and current phytotherapeutic research.

Integration with Advanced Medical Technologies

Where clinically appropriate, naturopathic care is integrated with Como Health Group’s advanced medical technologies — including ONDAMED biophysical therapy, activated oxygen therapy, photomedicine, nebulisation therapy, and full-spectrum infrared sauna. These technologies allow us to address conditions at a physiological level beyond what diet, herbs, and supplements alone can achieve.

Naturopathy for Children — Beaumaris & Bayside Melbourne

Como Health Group has a long-standing tradition of supporting children’s health through naturopathy — from infants experiencing digestive discomfort and skin conditions through to adolescents managing anxiety, immune challenges, and chronic health concerns. Our naturopaths have worked with children and families in the Beaumaris and Bayside community for over 40 years, developing a clinical approach that is thorough, gentle, and entirely appropriate for younger patients.

Why Parents Choose Naturopathy for Their Children

Many parents seek naturopathic care for their children after finding that recurring health issues — frequent infections, persistent skin conditions, digestive complaints, sleep difficulties, or anxiety — have not been fully resolved through conventional approaches alone. Naturopathy offers a thorough investigation into the underlying drivers of these recurring patterns, using evidence-informed, non-pharmaceutical interventions appropriate for children at every stage of development. Treatment plans for children are always age-appropriate, using gentle herbal preparations, targeted nutritional support, dietary guidance, and lifestyle recommendations that fit realistically into family life. We take the time to understand each child as an individual — their health history, diet, environment, sleep, stress, and family dynamics — before making any clinical recommendations.

 

Frequently Asked Questions — Naturopathy

What happens at a naturopathy consultation?

Your first consultation is typically 45 minutes. Our practitioners will take a thorough health history, review any existing test results or medical records you bring, discuss your diet, lifestyle, sleep, and stress levels, and may perform point-of-care diagnostic tests. You’ll leave with a personalised treatment plan that may include dietary recommendations, herbal medicine, nutritional supplements, lifestyle modifications, and referrals for further testing if needed.

How is naturopathy different from seeing a GP?

A GP consultation is typically brief and focused on diagnosis and pharmaceutical management of specific conditions. A naturopath spends significantly more time with each patient, investigates underlying drivers of illness using functional testing, and uses non-pharmaceutical interventions — herbal medicine, nutrition, lifestyle medicine, and integrative therapies — to support recovery. Naturopathy and GP care are complementary and many patients use both.

Can I see a naturopath while taking pharmaceutical medications?

Yes — and it is important to tell your naturopath about all medications you are taking. Naturopaths are trained in herb-drug and nutrient-drug interactions and will ensure your treatment plan is safe and compatible with your existing medications. We work collaboratively with GPs and specialists and can communicate with your treating team if needed.

What is an integrated acupuncture and naturopathy appointment?

An integrated appointment at Como Health Group combines a full acupuncture consultation and treatment with a naturopathic assessment and prescription in a single session with either Chris Ravesi or Shaun French. Because they both hold qualifications at the highest level, they can provide a unified clinical assessment across both disciplines — resulting in a single coherent treatment plan rather than two separate approaches. This is particularly valuable for patients with complex, multi-system health concerns.

Can children see a naturopath?

Yes — naturopathy is suitable for children of all ages, from infants through to adolescents. Treatment plans are always tailored to the child’s age, developmental stage, and specific health needs, using age-appropriate herbal preparations, nutritional support, dietary guidance, and lifestyle recommendations. Como Health Group has supported children’s health in the Beaumaris and Bayside community for over 40 years. All paediatric consultations require parental or guardian consent, and parents are welcome to be present throughout.

Looking for answers that conventional medicine hasn’t provided?

Book a naturopathic consultation at Como Health Group in Beaumaris. With over 40 years of clinical experience, advanced diagnostic tools, integrated acupuncture and naturopathy appointments, and a genuinely root-cause approach, we help patients find clarity and lasting solutions.