Principles of naturopathy

The practice of naturopathy is based on six key principles:

1. Promote the healing power of nature.

2. First do no harm. Naturopathic practitioners choose therapies with the intent to keep harmful side effects to a minimum and not suppress symptoms.

3. Treat the whole person. Practitioners believe a person's health is affected by many factors, such as physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, and social ones. Practitioners consider all these factors when choosing therapies and tailor treatment to each patient.

4. Treat the cause. Practitioners seek to identify and treat the causes of a disease or condition, rather than its symptoms. They believe that symptoms are signs that the body is trying to fight disease, adapt to it, or recover from it.

5. Prevention is the best cure. Practitioners teach ways of living that they consider most healthy and most likely to prevent illness.

6. The physician is a teacher. Practitioners consider it important to educate their patients in taking responsibility for their own health.

Naturopathy in India

Naturopathy is very popular in India, and there are numerous naturopathy hospitals in the country. There are also many doctors trained in the Western system of medicine who have acquired naturopathy degrees so as to integrate the insights gained into their system of practice.

The Indian stream of naturopathy differs from the Western stream in many ways, particularly in their emphasis of strict vegetarianism and yoga.

Today, Naturopathy is quickly growing in popularity and accepted use.

Naturopathic Physicians doctors/ naturopathic medicine schools (certification)/ naturopathy course

Naturopathic physicians are educated and trained in a 4-year, graduate-level program at one of the four U.S. naturopathic medical schools accredited by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education. Admission requirements include a bachelor's degree and standard premedical courses. The study program includes basic sciences, naturopathic therapies and techniques, diagnostic techniques and tests, specialty courses, clinical sciences, and clinical training. Graduates receive the degree of N.D. (Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine). Postdoctoral training is not required, but graduates may pursue it.

Depending on where they wish to practice, naturopathic physicians may also need to be licensed. A number of states, the District of Columbia, and two U.S. territories have such licensing requirements (see the box below), most often consisting of graduation from a 4-year naturopathic medical college and passing the national standardized board examination (known as the NPLEX). The scope of practice varies by state and jurisdiction. For example, some states allow naturopathic physicians with special training to prescribe drugs, perform minor surgery, practice acupuncture, and/or assist in childbirth.

Regulation of Naturopathy

The following U.S. states and jurisdictions have laws regulating the practice of naturopathy:

• Alaska

• Arizona

• California

• Connecticut         

• Hawaii

• Idaho

• Kansas

• Maine

• Montana               

• New Hampshire

• Oregon

• Utah

•  Vermont

•  Washington

• District of Columbia

• Puerto Rico

• U.S. Virgin Islands

Traditional Naturopaths

The second major group of practitioners are traditional naturopaths, or simply naturopaths. They emphasize education in naturopathic approaches to a healthy lifestyle, strengthening and cleansing the body, and noninvasive treatments. Prescription drugs, x-rays, and surgery are several of the practices that traditional naturopaths do not use. Education and training for these practitioners typically consists of correspondence courses, an apprenticeship, and/or self-teaching. Admission requirements for schools can range from none, to a high school diploma, to specific degrees and coursework. Programs vary in length and content. They are not accredited by agencies recognized for accreditation purposes by the U.S. Department of Education. Traditional naturopaths are not subject to licensing.

Conventional Providers With Naturopathic Training

This group consists of licensed conventional medical providers (such as doctors of medicine, doctors of osteopathy, dentists, and nurses) who pursue additional training in naturopathic treatments, and possibly other holistic therapies. Education and training programs for this purpose also vary.

Benefits of Naturopathy/ Naturopathic Medicine

Naturopathic medicine is useful for treating chronic as well as acute diseases. It is sometimes used in conjunction with allopathic care to enhance wellness and relieve chronic symptoms, such as fatigue and pain. A naturopath treats a wide range of health problems, ranging from back pain to depression.

Side Effects and Risks in Naturopathy

Naturopathy appears to be a generally safe health care approach, especially if used as complementary (rather than alternative) medicine

NCCAM-Funded Research in Naturopathy

Some recent NCCAM-supported projects have been studying:

•CAM approaches, including naturopathic treatments, for women with temporomandibular disorder, a condition in which the joints connecting the skull to the lower jaw become inflamed

•A naturopathic dietary approach as a complementary treatment for type 2 diabetes

•The mushroom Trametes versicolor, for its effects as a complementary immune therapy in women with breast cancer

•The costs and effects of naturopathic care, compared with conventional care, for low-back pain

•Herbal and dietary approaches for menopausal symptoms.