Biography

DOCTOR PENELOPE HOUGHTON, N.D.

In November 2004, Dr. Penelope Houghton moved to Ellsworth to take over the Acadia Naturopathic Medical Clinic, and is excited to bring the healing powers of naturopathy to Downeast Maine. With a degree in Development Studies and Nutritional Anthropology from Brown University, Dr. Houghton pursued experiences in teaching; academic and field research in anthropology; issues of food access in less developed countries; culinary arts; and theater. Diverse occupations have enabled her to live in West Africa, Europe and in several locations in the USA. From production to consumption, and understanding its cultural context, food has been a focal interest for Dr. Houghton. Naturopathy provided a perfect opportunity to blend her skills in teaching* with anthropological perspectives on human culture and behavior, and the recognition that food is a basis of emotional as well as physical nourishment. Honoring Hippocrates’ injunction “let food be thy medicine”, she expands the concept to embrace the multiple healing properties of plants, and other substances found in nature.

Dr. Penelope Houghton is a graduate from the School of Naturopathic Medicine at Bastyr University, the premiere natural sciences institution in the country, located in Seattle, Washington. She then completed two years of family practice residency in Portland, Oregon at the National College of Naturopathic Medicine, the oldest naturopathic medical school in North America. She has also received additional training in environmental medicine, hydrotherapy, women’s health, Bowen technique, and cransiosacral therapy. Outside of her practice, ongoing interests encompass music, hiking, gardening, and knitting. She hopes to explore Maine’s natural bounty by acquiring new skills in paddling and wilderness camping.

* the Latin origin of the word for doctor is docere, meaning teacher.