Through generations, integrity has captured attention because any comments associated with it bring the object of integrity under close scrutiny. When someone or some organization is found to possess integrity we readily view them as honest, fair, ethical, of good moral character, unified in their efforts, coherent in their understanding and delivery of information, and cohesive in their work. Integrity remains a beacon, a goal to strive for in life. Surely, healthcare and holistic therapies must maintain integrity in the best interest of their patients/clients.

Dr. Mary Bove views integrity as a vital quality in her practice as a Naturopathic Physician. She practices at the Brattleboro Naturopathic Clinic in Brattleboro, Vermont and acquired her Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine and Midwifery Certification from Bastyr University of Natural Health Sciences in Seattle, Washington. Mary also received a Diploma of Phytotherapy/Herbal Medicine at the School of Phytotherapy in Great Britain and is a member of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists in the United Kingdom. (Phytotherapy is a treatment form where plants or plant extracts are used for medicinal purposes.) She served as a fulltime faculty member at Bastyr College in the departments of botanical medicine and naturopathic midwifery, holding the position of Chair of the Botanical Medicine Department from 1990-1993.

Mary practiced natural obstetrics/gynecology and pediatric medicine in Seattle, and then relocated her practice to Brattleboro, Vermont. Today she practices Naturopathic Family Medicine, including natural childbirth, at the Brattleboro Naturopathic Clinic. She lectures throughout North America, too, sharing insightful knowledge on botanical medicine, phytotherapy, and naturopathic obstetrics and pediatrics.

Dr. Bove wrote about her experiences and knowledge in her book, An Encyclopedia of Natural Healing for Children and Infants. Her book discusses the use of herbal remedies for infants and children, how to work with a child’s immune system, and some beneficial nutritional information for infants and children. She also shares information about illnesses common among children, and how to create a good “herbal medicine chest” for children. This book also provides proven methods for harvesting plants and their parts and drying herbs.

Visiting with Dr. Bove and reading her book reveals her passion for educating parents on the proper healthful care of their children. “Education can be a powerful tool in parenting and making choices about health and wellness. As a Naturopathic Physician I find it to be a foundational part of what I do with many parents as part of their child’s healthcare. Knowledge acts to empower and leaves less room for fear and choices made out of fear rather than reason. Assisting parents in understanding health and wellness from a holistic, mindful approach will empower them to be proactive and preventative in their choices. Giving knowledge to children to expand their understanding of their own health empowers them to take an active role in their own health.”

But what is Naturopathic medicine? According to Brattleboro Naturopathic Clinic’s website (www.brattleboronaturopathic.com) Naturopathic medicine integrates a firm scientific foundation with natural and minimally invasive therapies. It’s a comprehensive approach tailored to each patient emphasizing prevention and self-care. Naturopathic physicians collaborate with other branches of medical science, referring patients to other practitioners for diagnosis or treatment when suitable. Naturopathic physicians are trained in a four-year medical program with clinical training. Following completion of medical school, naturopathic physicians must pass the board examination given by the North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners prior to obtaining licensure in the states that offer licensure.

As a physician, Dr. Bove practices like most primary care physicians that practice general family medicine. As a naturopathic physician she practices preventative, complimentary medicine incorporating natural non-invasive therapies including herbal medicine, nutritional medicine, and mind-body techniques. She focuses her treatments to work in conjunction with the body’s innate healing wisdom, optimizing health and wellness, and preventing illness through healthy lifestyle practices, attitude, and education. Mary explains that “modern-day botanical medicine is a combination of the wisdom of ancient traditions with the cutting edge of current research. There is healing power in the plant kingdom, which after all is the nourishment of all animal life. Plants as medicines cannot be reduced to chemical components only and be expected to be effective. To be truly effective in botanical medicine, it is not enough simply to know about the herbs themselves. Gathering an understanding of how and when to use the herbs in response to the various therapeutic challenges in each individual case tailors the prescription to that particular individual and allows for the Art of Herbal Medicine to be felt.”

Her specialty is working with children and their special needs; cultivating health and wellness, proper growth and development, and prevention of illness using natural medicines and foods.

Dr. Bove sees parents searching for diverse choices related to the health of their children, not necessarily choosing between alternative and medical treatment, but to integrate the forms of care together. She says many children between the ages of two to five contract recurrent respiratory difficulties including runny noses, earaches, coughs, and sore throats, often being treated with antibiotic therapies. The parent, wanting what’s best for their child, may seek alternatives to antibiotics in the form of natural treatments, which can be used in conjunction with the antibiotic to support the body’s immune function. She acknowledges the importance of antibiotics in the general care of children, but questions the frequency of their being prescribed. Dr. Bove explained that it is not a matter of antibiotics being good or bad, but rather if they are appropriate for the condition or not. There are circumstances when antibiotics are clearly necessary and should be prescribed, but there are some instances when antibiotics are overused or misused, according to Dr. Bove.

When seeing a child, she looks at various factors involved in the child’s health picture such as potential allergies, daily environmental toxic exposures, and other immune stressors, which could trigger a hypersensitive response. Following an evaluation, she prescribes a treatment appropriate for that child, often using common and local herbs such
as elderflower, echinacea, rosemary, thyme, lemon balm, ginger, or chamomile to name a few. She also believes it’s important for parents to be actively involved in the administration of herbal remedies, but warns, “parents should exercise care when using herbs because herbs are like any medicine and can have adverse effects. All herbs are not safe for all people. If one is not familiar with their use, contact an herbalist, The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, the American Botanical Council, or American Herbalist Guild.” Specifically, if the herb being considered is for use on a child be sure the product has specific directions for a child’s dosage, otherwise it’s for an adult. Dr. Bove says, “common sense should be exercised when purchasing or using any herbs. When purchasing any natural or herbal remedy ask questions; read labels.” She adds that like any medicine, if a person has an unexpected or adverse response, stop taking the remedy and consult with someone that’s knowledgeable about the use of herbs and natural remedies.

Mary Bove dedicates herself to keeping patients and parents educated, offering Integrative Circle™ an extraordinary distant-learning course. Integrative Circle™ is flexible, so a student may learn from the comfort of their home. Mary believes patient education is a vital element for a patient’s wellness. “As a Naturopathic Physician I educate and teach my patients how to restore and maintain their health through making positive and empowering choices to facilitate health, positive life changes, and skills to continue to cultivate wellness.”

She encourages patients to expand their educational knowledge in natural healthcare and to engage their minds in a creative learning process. Dr Bove’s experience as naturopathic physician, herbalist, midwife, mother, and teacher creates a program that “unites the traditional and scientific use of botanical medicines, foods and nutrition, while honoring intuition’s role in healing.” One teleseminar, Botanical Medicine for Children, teaches you how to safely use herbal medicines, create herbal preparations that are “kid friendly,” how to determine safe, age-appropriate dosing, and understandthe intuitive role of prevention and treatment of common childhood illness.

Integrity is vital in our life, our culture, and our bodies. Integrity can be integrated into our lives naturally through natural and herbal methods. From her book, An Encyclopedia of Natural Healing for Children and Infants, Mary Bove writes, “When we look at the body as a whole, with all systems interconnected, each affecting the other, the goal is not merely to treat the symptom but to treat the underlying cause of the symptom. By using herbal medicines to address not only the infective agent but also the immune response in the affected area as well as in the whole body, the cycle of disease can be interrupted. This will then allow the body to grow strong, come into balance, and heal itself.”

Dr. Mary Bove can be contacted through the Brattleboro Naturopathic Clinic in Brattleboro, Vermont (Clinic Phone: 802-254-9332), or through the clinic’s website (www.brattleboronaturopathic.com). Dr. Bove will be practicing naturopathic medicine through Bethel Naturopathic Care in Bethel, Maine. She invites Maine residents in that region to contact her at 888-207-4448 or via email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .