Naturopathy (also known as naturopathic medicine or natural medicine) is an eclectic alternative medical system The term alternative medicine, as used in the modern Western world, encompasses any healing practice "that does not fall within the realm of conventional medicine". Commonly cited examples include naturopathy, chiropractic, herbalism, traditional Chinese medicine, Unani, Ayurveda, meditation, yoga, biofeedback, hypnosis, homeopathy, that focuses on natural remedies and the body's vital Vitalism has a long history in medical philosophies: most traditional healing practices posited that disease was the result of some imbalance in the vital energies which distinguish living from non-living matter. In the Western tradition founded by Hippocrates, these vital forces were associated with the four temperaments and humours; Eastern ability to heal and maintain itself. Naturopathic philosophy favors a holistic Holistic health is a philosophy of medical care that views physical and mental and spiritual aspects of life as closely interconnected and equally important approaches to treatment. While frequently associated with alternative medicine, it may also be used in medical practice as part of a broad view of patient care approach and minimal use of surgery Surgery is a medical specialty that uses operative manual and instrumental techniques on a patient to investigate and/or treat a pathological condition such as disease or injury, to help improve bodily function or appearance, or sometimes for some other reason. An act of performing surgery may be called a surgical procedure, operation, or simply and drugs A pharmaceutical drug, also referred to as medicine or medicament, can be loosely defined as any substance intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease. Other synonyms include pharmacotherapy, pharmacotherapeutics, and drug treatment. Naturopathy comprises many different treatment modalities of varying degrees of acceptance by the medical Medicine is the art and science of healing. It encompasses a range of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness community; diet and lifestyle advice may be substantially similar to that offered by non-naturopaths, and acupuncture Acupuncture is a technique of inserting and manipulating fine filiform needles into specific points on the body to relieve pain or for therapeutic purposes. The word acupuncture comes from the Latin acus, "needle", and pungere, "to prick". In Standard Mandarin, 針砭 (a related word, 針灸 (zhēn jiǔ), refers to acupuncture may help reduce pain in some cases, but homeopathy Homeopathy is a form of alternative medicine, first expounded by German physician Samuel Hahnemann in 1796, that treats patients with heavily diluted preparations which in higher concentrations are thought to cause effects similar to the symptoms presented. Homeopathic remedies are prepared by serial dilution with shaking by forceful striking, is often characterized as pseudoscience Pseudoscience is a methodology, belief, or practice that is claimed to be scientific, or that is made to appear to be scientific, but which does not adhere to an appropriate scientific methodology, lacks supporting evidence or plausibility, or otherwise lacks scientific status. The term comes from the Greek root pseudo- and "science" ( or quackery Quackery is a derogatory term used to describe unproven or fraudulent medical practices. Random House Dictionary describes a "quack" as a "fraudulent or ignorant pretender to medical skill" or "a person who pretends, professionally or publicly, to have skill, knowledge, or qualifications he or she does not possess; a.

Naturopathy has its origins in the Nature Cure movement of Europe.[1][2] The term was coined in 1895 by John Scheel and popularized by Benedict Lust,[3] the "father of U.S. naturopathy".[4]

Naturopathy is practiced in many countries, especially the United States and Canada, and is subject to different standards of regulation and levels of acceptance. The level of medical education among naturopaths also varies, though no naturopathic training program reaches the same level of training as an MD or DO.[5] In the United States and Canada, the designation of Naturopathic Doctor (ND) may be awarded after completion of a four year program of study at an accredited Naturopathic medical school that includes the study of basic medical sciences as well as natural remedies and medical care.[6][7] The scope of practice varies widely between jurisdictions, and naturopaths in unregulated jurisdictions may use the Naturopathic Doctor designation or other titles regardless of level of education.[8]

Contents

History

Some see the ancient Greek "Father of Medicine", Hippocrates Hippocrates of Cos or Hippokrates of Kos - Greek: Ἱπποκράτης; Hippokrátēs was an ancient Greek physician of the Age of Pericles, and was considered one of the most outstanding figures in the history of medicine. He is referred to as the "father of medicine" in recognition of his lasting contributions to the field as the, as the first advocate of naturopathic medicine, before the term existed.[9][10] The modern practice of naturopathy has its roots in the Nature Cure movement of Europe.[1][2] In Scotland, Thomas Allinson started advocating his "Hygienic Medicine" in the 1880s, promoting a natural diet and exercise with avoidance of tobacco and overwork.[11][12] The term sanipractor has sometimes been used to refer to naturopaths, particularly in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States.[4]

The term naturopathy was coined in 1895 by John Scheel,[3] and purchased by Benedict Lust, the "father of U.S. naturopathy".[4] Lust had been schooled in hydrotherapy Its use has been recorded in ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman civilizations. Egyptian royalty bathed with essential oils and flowers, while Romans had communal public baths for their citizens. Hippocrates prescribed bathing in spring water for sickness. A Dominican monk, Sebastian Kneipp, again revived it during the 19th century. His book My and other natural health practices in Germany Germany (pronounced /ˈdʒɜrməni/ ), officially the Federal Republic of Germany (German: Bundesrepublik Deutschland, pronounced [ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant] ( listen)), is a country in Central Europe. It is bordered to the north by the North Sea, Denmark, and the Baltic Sea; to the east by Poland and the Czech Republic; to the south by Father Sebastian Kneipp; Kneipp sent Lust to the United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district. The country is situated mostly in central North America, where its forty-eight contiguous states and Washington, D.C., the capital district, lie between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, bordered by Canada to the north and Mexico to the to spread his drugless methods.[13] Lust defined naturopathy as a broad discipline rather than a particular method, and included such techniques as hydrotherapy Its use has been recorded in ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman civilizations. Egyptian royalty bathed with essential oils and flowers, while Romans had communal public baths for their citizens. Hippocrates prescribed bathing in spring water for sickness. A Dominican monk, Sebastian Kneipp, again revived it during the 19th century. His book My, herbal medicine Herbalism is a traditional medicinal or folk medicine practice based on the use of plants and plant extracts. Herbalism is also known as botanical medicine, medical herbalism, herbal medicine, herbology, and phytotherapy. The scope of herbal medicine is sometimes extended to include fungal and bee products, as well as minerals, shells and certain, and homeopathy Homeopathy is a form of alternative medicine, first expounded by German physician Samuel Hahnemann in 1796, that treats patients with heavily diluted preparations which in higher concentrations are thought to cause effects similar to the symptoms presented. Homeopathic remedies are prepared by serial dilution with shaking by forceful striking,, as well as giving up overeating, tea, coffee, and alcohol.[14] He described the body in spiritual and vitalistic Vitalism has a long history in medical philosophies: most traditional healing practices posited that disease was the result of some imbalance in the vital energies which distinguish living from non-living matter. In the Western tradition founded by Hippocrates, these vital forces were associated with the four temperaments and humours; Eastern terms with "absolute reliance upon the cosmic forces of man's nature."[15]

In 1901, Lust founded the American School of Naturopathy in New York The State of New York ( /nuːˈjɔrk/ ) is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous. The state is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east. The state has a maritime border with Rhode Island east of Long; in 1902 he founded the Naturopathic Society of America (reorganized in 1919 as the American Naturopathic Association, ANA).[4][16][16] Naturopaths became licensed under naturopathic or drugless practitioner laws in 25 states in the first three decades of the twentieth century.[4] Naturopathy was adopted by many chiropractors D.D. Palmer founded chiropractic in the 1890s and his son B.J. Palmer helped to expand it in the early 20th century. It has two main groups: "straights", now the minority, emphasize vitalism, innate intelligence and spinal adjustments, and consider subluxations to be the leading cause of all disease; "mixers" are more open to, and several schools offered both Doctor of Naturopathy (N.D.) and Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degrees.[4] Estimates of the number of naturopathic schools active in the United States during this period vary from about one to two dozen.[3][4][17]

After a period of rapid growth, naturopathy went into decline for several decades after the 1930s. In 1910, the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching Founded by Andrew Carnegie in 1905 and chartered in 1906 by an act of the United States Congress, the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching is an independent policy and research center, whose primary activities of research and writing have resulted in published reports on every level of education. Eight presidents have guided the published the Flexner Report The Flexner Report is a book-length study of medical education in the United States and Canada, written by the professional educator Abraham Flexner and published in 1910 under the aegis of the Carnegie Foundation. Many aspects of the present-day American medical profession stem from the Flexner Report and its aftermath, which criticized many aspects of medical education, especially quality and lack of scientific rigour. The advent of penicillin Penicillin is a group of antibiotics derived from Penicillium fungi. Penicillin antibiotics are historically significant because they were the first drugs that were effective against many previously serious diseases such as tuberculosis, syphilis, and staphylococcus infections. Penicillins are still widely used today, though many types of bacteria and other "miracle drugs" and the consequent popularity of modern medicine also contributed to naturopathy's decline. Following Lust's death in 1945, the ANA split into six distinct organizations. In the 1940s and 1950s, a broadening in scope of practice laws led many chiropractic schools to drop their N.D. degrees, though many chiropractors continued to practice naturopathy. From 1940 to 1963, the American Medical Association The American Medical Association , founded in 1847 and incorporated 1897, is the largest association of physicians and medical students in the United States. The AMA's mission claims to promote the art and science of medicine for the betterment of the public health, to advance the interests of physicians and their patients, to promote public campaigned against heterodox medical systems. By 1958, practice of naturopathy was licensed in only five states.[4] In 1968, the United States Department of Health, Education, and Welfare The United States Department of Health and Human Services , is a Cabinet department of the United States government with the goal of protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services. Its motto is "Improving the health, safety, and well-being of America". Before 1979, the department was formerly known as the issued a report on naturopathy concluding that naturopathy was not grounded in medical science and that naturopathic education was inadequate to prepare graduates to make appropriate diagnosis and provide treatment; the report recommends against expanding Medicare Medicare is a social insurance program administered by the United States government, providing health insurance coverage to people who are aged 65 and over, or who meet other special criteria. Medicare operates as a single-payer health care system. The Social Security Act of 1965 was passed by Congress in late-spring of 1965 and signed into law on coverage to include naturopathic treatments.[17][18] In 1977, an Australian committee of inquiry reached similar conclusions; it did not recommend licensure for naturopaths.[19]

Naturopathy never completely ceased to exist, and beginning in the 1970s interest waxed in the United States and Canada.[14]

Today, there are six accredited naturopathic medical schools This is list of naturopathic medicine schools in North America includes institutions that award the Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine degree and are accredited by or have candidate status with the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education in North America. In 1956, Charles Stone, Frank Spaulding, and W. Martin Bleything established the National College of Natural Medicine National College of Natural Medicine is a school of Naturopathic Medicine and Classical Chinese Medicine located in Portland, Oregon, United States. Founded in 1956, it is the oldest programmatically of the six accredited naturopathic medical schools in North America. Until July 1, 2006, NCNM was known as the National College of Naturopathic (NCNM) in Portland, Oregon Portland is a city located in the Northwestern United States, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the state of Oregon. As of July 2008, it has an estimated population of 575,930, making it the thirtieth most populous in the United States. It has been referred to as the greenest city in the United States. Portland is Oregon' in response to plans by the Western States Chiropractic College to drop its N.D. program. In 1978, Sheila Quinn, Joseph Pizzorno, William Mitchell, and Les Griffith established John Bastyr College of Naturopathic Medicine (now Bastyr University Bastyr University was established as the John Bastyr College of Naturopathic Medicine in 1978 in Seattle, Washington by Sheila Quinn, Joseph Pizzorno, ND, LM; William Mitchell, ND; and Les Griffith, ND, LM. It is named after John Bastyr, a pioneering naturopathic physician and chiropractor in the Seattle area who was instrumental in keeping) in Seattle, Washington Seattle is the most populous city in the northwestern United States. It is named after Chief Sealth of the Duwamish and Suquamish tribes. The encompassing Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue metropolitan statistical area is the 15th largest in the United States, and the largest in the Pacific Northwest. Seattle is part of the 13th largest combined statistical. The rise of the holistic health Holistic health is a philosophy of medical care that views physical and mental and spiritual aspects of life as closely interconnected and equally important approaches to treatment. While frequently associated with alternative medicine, it may also be used in medical practice as part of a broad view of patient care movement in the early 1970s contributed to this revival.[4]

Principles

Naturopathic ideology focuses on naturally-occurring and minimally-invasive methods, trusting to the "healing power of nature."[17] Such treatments as "synthetic" drugs, radiation, and major surgery are avoided, and rejection of biomedicine and modern science in favor of an intuitive and vitalistic conception of the body and nature is common.[16][17] Prevention through stress reduction and a healthy diet and lifestyle is emphasized. The philosophy of naturopathic practice is self-described by six core values.[20] Multiple versions exist in the form of the naturopathic doctor's oath,[21] various mission statements published by schools[22] or professional associations, and ethical conduct guidelines published by regulatory bodies:[23]

  1. First, do no harm; provide the most effective health care available with the least risk to patients at all times (Primum Non Nocere).
  2. Recognize, respect and promote the self-healing power of nature inherent in each individual human being. (Vis medicatrix naturae Vis medicatrix naturae is the Latin translation of the Greek, νονσων φνσεις ιητροι, a phrase attributed to Hippocrates but which he did not actually use. The phrase sums up one of the guiding principles of Hippocratic medicine which is that organisms contain “healing powers of nature”, a form of vitalism Vitalism has a long history in medical philosophies: most traditional healing practices posited that disease was the result of some imbalance in the vital energies which distinguish living from non-living matter. In the Western tradition founded by Hippocrates, these vital forces were associated with the four temperaments and humours; Eastern[24]).
  3. Identify and remove the causes of illness, rather than eliminate or suppress symptoms (Tolle Causum).
  4. Educate, inspire rational hope and encourage self-responsibility for health (Doctor as Teacher).
  5. Treat each person by considering all individual health factors and influences. (Treat the Whole Person).
  6. Emphasize the condition of health to promote well-being and to prevent diseases for the individual, each community and our world. (Health Promotion, the Best Prevention)

Practice

The focus of Naturopathy is on its philosophy of natural self-healing rather than specific methods, and practitioners use a wide variety of treatment modalities.[14][25] Many methods rely on immaterial "vital energy fields Vitalism has a long history in medical philosophies: most traditional healing practices posited that disease was the result of some imbalance in the vital energies which distinguish living from non-living matter. In the Western tradition founded by Hippocrates, these vital forces were associated with the four temperaments and humours; Eastern," and naturopathy as a field tends towards isolation from general scientific discourse.[10][26][27] The effectiveness of naturopathy as a whole system has not been systematically evaluated, and efficacy of individual methods used varies.[17][28]

A consultation typically begins with a lengthy patient interview focusing on lifestyle, medical history, emotional tone, and physical features, as well as physical examination.[14] Naturopaths do not necessarily recommend vaccines A vaccine controversy is a dispute over the morality, ethics, effectiveness, or safety of vaccination. The medical and scientific evidence is that the benefits of preventing suffering and death from infectious diseases outweigh rare adverse effects of immunization. Since vaccination began in the late 18th century, opponents have claimed that and antibiotics In common usage, an antibiotic is a substance or compound that kills or inhibits the growth of bacteria. Antibiotics belong to the group of antimicrobial compounds used to treat infections caused by micro-organisms, including fungi and protozoa, and may provide inappropriate alternative remedies even in cases where evidence-based medicine Evidence-based medicine aims to apply evidence gained from the scientific method to certain parts of medical practice. It seeks to assess the quality of evidence relevant to the risks and benefits of treatments (including lack of treatment). According to the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine, "Evidence-based medicine is the conscientious, has been shown effective. All forms of naturopathic education include concepts incompatible with basic science, and do not necessarily prepare a practitioner to make appropriate diagnosis or referrals.[28][29][30]

Methods

The particular modalities utilized by an individual naturopath varies with training and scope of practice. The demonstrated efficacy and scientific rationale also varies. These include:

Practitioners

Naturopathic care is available from three broad categories: practitioners with a four year degree or similar formal training; practitioners who are self-taught or have been apprenticed to another naturopath; and practitioners who operate under another professional license while also offering some naturopathic methods.[17] In unregulated jurisdictions, the designation Doctor of Naturopathy and similar terms are not protected and may be used by any practitioner regardless of qualifications.

Naturopathic doctors

Main article: Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine

Naturopathic doctor (ND) or a similar term is a protected designation with some form of licensing and training requirements in at least 15 US states, the District of Columbia, and five Canadian provinces.[34][35] In these jurisdictions, naturopathic doctors must pass board exams set by the North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners (NABNE)[36] after completing academic and clinical training at a college certified by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME).[37] Many naturopaths present themselves as primary care providers.[5][6][14] ND training includes the use of basic medical diagnostic tests and procedures such as medical imaging, minor surgery, and blood tests. The CNME also provides for the inclusion of optional modalities including minor surgery, natural childbirth and intravenous therapy, though they are not generally licensed to perform these functions; these modalities require additional training and may not be within the scope of practice in all jurisdictions. This training differs from that undertaken by MDs in that it includes scientifically disproven modalities, such as homeopathy, often called pseduoscience and quackery,[14][17][32] and concepts irreconcilable with modern science and medicine, such as vitalism.[5][6][13][14][32][38] NDs do not engage in residency training.[17] In 2005, the Massachusetts Medical Society opposed licensure in the commonwealth on these grounds.[30]

The core set of interventions defined by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education and taught at all six accredited schools in North America includes:[39] acupuncture and Traditional Chinese medicine, botanical medicine, homeopathy, nature cure (a range of therapies based upon exposure to natural elements), nutrition, physical medicine, and psychological counseling.

Traditional naturopaths

Traditional naturopaths are guided by the same naturopathic philosophies and principles as board-licensed naturopathic doctors and often prescribe similar treatments. Traditional naturopaths however, are not primary care providers, whereas graduates of CNME accredited naturopathic medicine schools are classified as both alternative or complementary practitioners as well as primary care providers. Traditional naturopaths may voluntarily join a professional organization, but these organizations do not accredit educational programs in any meaningful way or license practitioners, per se.[citation needed] The training programs for traditional naturopaths can vary greatly. Compared to naturopathic medical schools, traditional naturopaths' training programs are less rigorous and do not provide the same basic and clinical science education.[citation needed] The professional organizations formed by traditional naturopaths are not recognized by the government of the USA or any US State or Territory.

Other health care professionals

According to a 1998 taskforce report, some physicians are choosing to add naturopathic modalities to their practice,[40] and states such as Texas have begun to establish practice guidelines for MDs who integrate alternative and complementary medicine into their practice.[41] Continuing education in naturopathic modalities for health care professionals varies greatly but includes offerings for many professions, including physicians, physical therapists, chiropractors, acupuncturists, dentists, researchers, veterinarians, physician assistants, and nurses.[42] These professionals usually retain their original designation but may use terms such as 'holistic', 'natural', or 'integrative' to describe their practice.

Regulation

The examples and perspective in this article may not represent a worldwide view of the subject. Please improve this article or discuss the issue on the talk page.
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Australia

There is no state licensure in Australia, rather the industry is self-regulated. There is no protection of title, meaning that technically anyone can practise as a naturopath. The only way to obtain insurance for professional indemnity or public liability is by joining a professional association, which can only be achieved having completed an accredited course and gaining professional certification. Currently the only registered modalities of natural medicine in Australia are those relating to Chinese medicine, and only in the state of Victoria.[43]

In 1977 a committee reviewed all colleges of naturopathy in Australia and found that, although the syllabuses of many colleges were reasonable in their coverage of basic biomedical sciences on paper, the actual instruction bore little relationship to the documented course. In no case was any practical work of any consequence available. The lectures which were attended by the Committee varied from the dictation of textbook material to a slow, but reasonably methodical, exposition of the terminology of medical sciences, at a level of dictionary definitions, without the benefit of depth or the understanding of mechanisms or the broader significance of the concepts. The Committee did not see any significant teaching of the various therapeutic approaches favoured by naturopaths. Persons reported to be particularly interested in homoeopathy, Bach's floral remedies or mineral salts were interviewed, but no systematic courses in the choice and use of these therapies were seen in the various colleges. The Committee was left with the impression that the choice of therapeutic regime was based on the general whim of the naturopath and since the suggested applications in the various textbooks and dispensations overlap to an enormous extent no specific indications are or can be taught.[19]

India

In India there is a 5 1/2 year degree course offering a Bachelor of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences (BNYS) degree. There are a total of 11 colleges in India, of which 4 colleges are in the state of Tamilnadu.[citation needed]

Naturopathy and Yoga, as an Indian system of medicine, falls under the Department of AYUSH, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India.[citation needed]

"Central Council for Research in Naturopathy & Yoga": The Government of India after having recognized the need for systematic Research and Development of Yoga & Naturopathy in the country, established the “Central Council for Research in Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy” in 1969 as an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. This organization, first of its kind was established in India by the Central Government to conduct Scientific Research in Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Yoga, existed upto 1978. During this period, the development of Naturopathy was looked after by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare directly. Later, in March 1978, this composite Council was dissolved to pave way for the formation of four independent Research Councils, one each for Ayurveda and Siddha, Unani, Homoeopathy and Yoga & Naturopathy.[citation needed]

"National Institute of Naturopathy" - Department of AYUSH, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India: The National Institute of Naturopathy, Pune came into existence on 22 December 1986. It encourages facilities for standardization and propagation of the existing knowledge and its application through research in Naturopathy throughout India. This Institute has a “Governing Body” headed by Union Minister for Health as its President.[citation needed]

North America

In five Canadian provinces, fifteen US states and the District of Columbia, naturopathic doctors who are trained at an accredited school of naturopathic medicine in North America, are entitled to use the designation ND or NMD. Elsewhere, the designations "naturopath", "naturopathic doctor", and "doctor of natural medicine" are generally unprotected.[8]

In North America, each jurisdiction that regulates naturopathy defines a local scope of practice for naturopathic doctors that can vary considerably. Some regions permit minor surgery, access to prescription drugs, spinal manipulations, obstetrics and gynecology and other regions exclude these from the naturopathic scope of practice.[44]

Canada

Canadian provinces which license naturopathic doctors: British Columbia, Manitoba,Ontario, Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia.[45] British Columbia has regulated naturopathic medicine since 1936 and is the only Canadian province that allows certified ND's to prescribe pharmaceuticals and perform minor surgeries.[46]

United States

United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, as there is no government sponsored regulation of the naturopathy profession, naturopaths are unregulated. The largest registering body, The General Council & Register of Naturopaths, recognises three courses in the UK, two being taught at osteopathic schools: the British College of Osteopathic Medicine; The College of Osteopaths Educational Trust; and one at the University of Westminster School of Integrated Health under the auspices of the BSc Health Science (Naturopathy) course.[citation needed] These organisations are not recognized by the UK regulatory frameworks.

Members of this register will either have completed a three or four year full time course or possibly be a healthcare professional who has completed a two year post-graduate Naturopathic Diploma (ND).

Alternatively, there are the Association of Naturopathic Practitioners and The British Naturopathic Association whose members can practice and get indemnity insurance.[citation needed]

Criticism

This section requires expansion.

Naturopathy is viewed with skepticism for its reliance on or association with unproven, disproven, and controversial alternative medical treatments, and for its vitalistic underpinnings.[38] As with any alternative care, there is a risk of misdiagnosis; this risk may be lower depending on level of training.[14][32] There is also a risk that ailments that cannot be diagnosed by naturopaths will go untreated while a patient attempts treatment programs designed by their naturopath. Certain naturopathic treatments, such as homeopathy and iridology, are widely considered pseudoscience or quackery.[51][52][53] Natural methods and chemicals are not necessarily safer or more effective than artificial or synthetic ones; any treatment capable of eliciting an effect may also have deleterious side effects.[13][17][54][55]

Naturopathic doctors are not mandated to undergo residency between graduation and commencing practice,[17] except in the state of Utah.[56]

Stephen Barrett (of Quackwatch and the National Council Against Health Fraud) has stated that the philosophy of naturopathy is "simplistic and that its practices are riddled with quackery."[13]

K. C. Atwood writes, in the journal Medscape General Medicine, "'Naturopathic physicians now claim to be primary care physicians proficient in the practice of both "conventional" and "natural" medicine. Their training, however, amounts to a small fraction of that of medical doctors who practice primary care. An examination of their literature, moreover, reveals that it is replete with pseudoscientific, ineffective, unethical, and potentially dangerous practices."[5]

According to Arnold S. Relman, the Textbook of Natural Medicine is inadequate as a teaching tool, as it omits to mention or treat in detail many common ailments, improperly emphasizes treatments "not likely to be effective" over those that are, and promotes unproven herbal remedies at the expense of pharmaceuticals. He concludes that "the risks to many sick patients seeking care from the average naturopathic practitioner would far outweigh any possible benefits."[57]

See also

References

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'Naturopathy' Answers
What are the advantges and disadvantages of naturopathy and traditional medicine?
Q. What are the advantges and disadvantages of naturopathy and traditional medicine?
Asked by ambisou - Fri Apr 3 11:24:18 2009 - - 4 Answers - 0 Comments

A. I'm surprised nobody has answered yet. Some of the main benefits to natural medicines are that there are next to no side effects whereas drugs and surgery have huge lists of side effects. They are also more gentle on your body and are typically from natural plants and foods that many people have in their diets already. The main disadvantage that I've come across is that supplements and herbs give your body nutrition it's otherwise lacking in order to give a benefit (like eating when you're hungry makes you feel better). That's actually the same reason it's both good and bad, mostly because it depends on which nutrients your body is lacking as far as which one will give you the most benefit. That's also the reason you hear some people say… [cont.]
Answered by oldtimekid2 - Fri Apr 3 12:47:58 2009

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