[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2025\/05\/naturopathic-medicine\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2025\/05\/naturopathic-medicine\/","headline":"What Is Naturopathic Medicine?","name":"What Is Naturopathic Medicine?","description":"

Naturopathic medicine is a type of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) based on the belief that natural methods and remedies can help your body heal.<\/p>","datePublished":"2025-05-05","dateModified":"2025-05-22","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/","name":"UPMC","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/upmc\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/GettyImages-2117711031-e1746542786974.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/GettyImages-2117711031-e1746542786974.jpg","height":866,"width":2000},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2025\/05\/naturopathic-medicine\/","about":["Health Topics A-Z","Living and Wellness","Nutrition"],"wordCount":1202,"articleBody":"Naturopathic Medicine is a distinct system of care that blends conventional approaches with natural and integrative therapies such as herbs, nutrition, and lifestyle counseling. Naturopathic medicine is a part of integrative medicine in many hospitals and health care systems. Integrative medicine combines natural healing practices with conventional medicine and is an umbrella term that can include naturopathy, acupuncture, Ayurvedic medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, homeopathy, and more.What Is Naturopathic Medicine?Naturopathic medicine is a type of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) approach to health care. Another term for it is naturopathy. Its basis is the belief that natural methods and remedies can help your body heal itself.The Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges defines naturopathy as a distinct health care profession that combines nature’s wisdom with modern science’s rigors.The origins of naturopathic medicine date back to health care practices in Europe in the 1600s and 1700s. Doctors used both herbal medicines and traditional therapies to treat people during that time.Dr. Benedict Lust first codified naturopathy in 1902 when he founded the American School of Naturopathy in New York.Naturopathy is part of integrative medicine in many hospitals and health care systems. Integrative medicine combines natural healing practices with conventional medicine.What Do Naturopathic Doctors Do?During your first appointment, expect to spend 60 to 90 minutes as the naturopathic doctor reviews your medical history and gets to know you and your health goals.Nutrition is central to naturopathic medicine. You may need to complete a food diary in conjunction with your first appointment. You’ll also answer many questions about your diet during your first visit. These questions may also touch on how you feel after eating certain foods, and any supplements you take.In some cases, the ND may complete a physical exam. They’ll discuss your symptoms if you’re not feeling well. They may also order lab tests to establish a baseline understanding of your health or find the cause of your symptoms.Naturopathic medicine differs from conventional medicine in how it treats illness. The focus is on a holistic approach and natural therapies rather than drugs or surgery (NDs in the state of Pennsylvania do not prescribe medications), and the therapies utilized are tailored to the individual and their unique concerns.\u00a0\u00a0Furthermore, naturopathic practitioners seek to determine the underlying cause of disease rather than simply focus on palliating or suppressing symptoms.It’s important to note, however, that scientific evidence does not back some of the treatments and practices of naturopathic medicine. Also, while naturopathic medicine can offer supportive care for many diseases, it cannot provide invasive treatments like chemotherapy for cancer or major procedures like open heart surgery.However, naturopathic medicine can complement traditional medicine treatments for many acute and chronic conditions. Talk to your primary care provider (PCP) before beginning a new naturopathic care regimen.Naturopathic modalitiesNaturopathic modalities can include:Botanical medicine.Homeopathy.Hydrotherapy.Lifestyle changes, such as dietary changes and exercise.Manipulative therapies, such as acupuncture, massage, and chiropractic therapies.Nutritional supplements.Psychotherapy and counseling.Stress reduction techniques, such as deep breathing or mindfulness meditation.What Training Do Naturopathic Doctors Receive?You can find naturopathic health care providers in most states. But their licensing and registration requirements vary depending on their training and location. In Florida, South Carolina, and Tennessee, practicing naturopathy is unlawful. That’s according to the American Naturopathic Certification Board.Naturopathic doctors complete a 4-year undergraduate degree with standard pre-medicine prerequisites, then a 4-year graduate-level program at a residential naturopathic medical school accredited by the US Department of Education, earning a doctorate degree in naturopathic medicine (ND).Naturopathic medical schools provide a minimum of 4,100 hours of classroom and clinical training. During naturopathic medical school, students are educated in biomedical sciences as well as natural therapeutics. In addition to a standard medical curriculum, these schools require their graduates to complete four years of training in a number of natural modalities, including clinical nutrition, acupuncture, homeopathic medicine, botanical medicine, physical medicine, and counseling. For at least the final two years of this program, naturopathic medical students intern in clinical settings under the close supervision of licensed professionals, receiving at least 1,200 hours of supervised and hands-on clinical training.For more information on the education and training requirements for naturopathic doctors, visit the website of the Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges.Naturopathic Medicine in Pennsylvania\u00a0Currently, 23 states plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands have licensing or registration laws for naturopathic doctors. More information on regulation of the profession is available from on the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP).Pennsylvania has recently enacted professional regulation (registration) for naturopathic doctors. Only those who have gone through the training described above will be able to utilize the title \u201cnaturopathic doctor\u201d in the commonwealth of PA. Registration in Pennsylvania requires a degree from an accredited residential four-year naturopathic medical program as described above, and passage of postdoctoral board examinations (called the NPLEX).Additional information on the status of the naturopathic profession in Pennsylvania can be found at Pennsylvania Association of Naturopathic Physicians website.Note that the term \u201cnaturopath\u201d remains unregulated in the state of Pennsylvania. Any person in Pennsylvania may refer to themselves as \u201cnaturopath\u201d, regardless of their training, education etc.Working with a naturopathic doctorFollow these tips when choosing any complementary practitioner, including naturopathic doctors:Get a referral or recommendation from your PCP or doctor. You can also search the Find an ND tool through the Institute for National Medicine. Also check with your insurance plan to see if they cover ND care.Find out about their education, training, licensing, and certifications. Choose a qualified ND or NMD who completed training at a CNME-accredited program.Find out whether they’ll work with your traditional doctor. Communication and cooperation ensures you get safe and coordinated care.Explain your health conditions and health history to the ND or NMD. Find out what training and experience they have in treating people like you.Explain your health conditions and health history to the ND. Bring your medical records, particularly lab test results, your list of medications, and your supplement bottles, to your first appointment. Find out what training and experience they have in working with people like you.Tell your PCP that you’re working with an ND. They need to know what else you’re doing and taking to manage your health.\u00a0Sign whatever release forms are necessary for your healthcare practitioners to communicate with each other.SourcesAssociation of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges. Naturopathic Medicine. LinkNational Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Naturopathy. Link National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Homeopathy: What You Need to Know. LinkU.S. Food and Drug Administration. Homeopathic Products. Link Australian National Health and Medical Research Council. Statement on Homeopathy. LinkPennsylvania Association of Naturopathic Physicians. LinkAssociation of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges. The Difference Between a Licensed Naturopathic Doctor and a Traditional Naturopath in North America. Link American Medical Association. What's the difference between physicians and naturopaths? LinkAmerican Association of Naturopathic Physicians. Inclusion in Medicare. Link American Naturopathic Certification Board. Review of State Laws Regulating Naturopathy. LinkAssociation of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges. What to Expect on Your First Visit to a Naturopathic Doctor. 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