Nature Therapies
Explore clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, and nature-based practices as part of individualized care in Santa Barbara. Evidence and suitability vary by practice; these approaches complement, not replace, appropriate medical treatment.
A Place for Nature in Your Care
Choose practices that suit your health, access needs, and daily life. Enjoying time outdoors does not require a promise of medical benefit.
Nature Therapy Modalities
Each is prescribed individually based on your condition and treatment goals.
Forest Bathing (Shinrin-Yoku)
Mindful time in a natural setting
Evidence: Some small studies suggest short-term stress and mood benefits; disease-treatment benefits are not established.
How we use it: Discuss appropriate outdoor activity and mindful nature walks. Ask the office whether any guided sessions are currently available.
Botanical Medicine
Plants as precision medicine — from adaptogenic herbs to clinical-grade extracts
Evidence: Ashwagandha, berberine, St. John's Wort, milk thistle, and dozens more with clinical trial support.
How we use it: Professional-grade herbal tinctures, capsules, or teas prescribed based on your condition and lab results.
Hydrotherapy
Warm and cool applications with individual precautions
Evidence: Evidence for constitutional hydrotherapy in chronic disease is limited. Temperature exposure can carry risks.
How we use it: Constitutional hydrotherapy protocols integrated into treatment plans for chronic fatigue, immune deficiency, and digestive conditions.
Grounding / Earthing
Outdoor contact, not an established disease treatment
Evidence: Research is limited; claims of treating inflammation, sleep disorders, or clotting risk are not established.
How we use it: Prescribed as part of a lifestyle protocol — barefoot walks on Santa Barbara's beaches and parks, grounding mats for indoor use.
Homeopathy
Discuss evidence and alternatives before use
Evidence: Reliable evidence has not established effectiveness for specific health conditions. Do not substitute for appropriate medical care.
How we use it: Classical homeopathic case-taking and prescribing, particularly for Dr. Dena Birch's pediatric and women's health patients.
Clinical Nutrition
Therapeutic diets as medicine — FODMAP, AIP, ketogenic, and more
Evidence: Dietary interventions have among the strongest evidence bases in all of medicine across dozens of conditions.
How we use it: Personalized therapeutic diet design based on your condition, stool analysis, food sensitivity testing, and metabolic goals.
Santa Barbara's Natural Advantage
Few cities offer what Santa Barbara does: year-round mild weather, mountains within 30 minutes, 30+ miles of Pacific coastline, and open hiking corridors through oak woodland and chaparral. Integrating nature into your healing protocol is not aspirational here — it's logistically easy. We prescribe specific nature practices as part of your treatment plan and provide guidance on how to use Santa Barbara's natural environment therapeutically.
- Mission Canyon & Botanic Garden — forest bathing
- East Beach & Leadbetter Beach — grounding
- Los Padres National Forest — extended immersion
Discuss Nature-Based Care at Your Clinic Visit
Start with an individual evaluation
Begin with your health needs and current care. A recommendation may involve nutrition, botanical medicine, or an outdoor practice, but not every modality is appropriate for every person. Review the evidence, uncertainties, medication interactions, and physical limitations with your clinician.
Before your appointment
Ask which services are currently offered in person and which are guidance for use at home or outdoors. Do not assume a guided forest session or hydrotherapy appointment is included. Bring your medication and supplement list, and discuss mobility, heat or cold tolerance, and other safety concerns.
Ask for a current, itemized quote
Confirm consultation fees and whether any recommended products, testing, or follow-up visits would be additional. Ask for a quote for the actual plan rather than assuming all modalities are included in one appointment.
An inquiry or discovery call is a first conversation, not a medical consultation or confirmation that treatment is appropriate. Confirm consultation fees and scheduling with the office before booking.
Visit Our Santa Barbara Clinic
Purety Family Medical Clinic
2323 Oak Park Ln, Suite 102
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
Two Licensed Naturopathic Medical Doctors. One Practice.
The naturopathic medical doctors caring for our patients at Purety Family Medical Clinic.
Jonathan Birch, ND
Founder · Naturopathic Medical Doctor
Licensed Naturopathic Doctor (CA) and Registered in Musculoskeletal Sonography. Practicing root-cause integrative medicine since 2014. Areas of focus include FMT and microbiome restoration, hormone and thyroid optimization, autoimmune and Long COVID protocols, ozone and IV nutrient therapy, and PRP and regenerative injections.
Read Dr. Birch's full bioDr. Dena Birch, NMD
Naturopathic Medical Doctor · Women's Health & Pediatrics
Licensed Naturopathic Medical Doctor leading our women's health and holistic pediatric care. Areas of focus include perimenopause and bioidentical hormone therapy, PCOS and thyroid, fertility support, pediatric eczema, immune issues and recurrent infections, and gentle well-child care for families.
Read Dr. Dena's full bioInterested in Nature Therapies?
Contact us to learn how foundational naturopathic practices can be integrated into your treatment protocol.
(805) 500-8300