"Naturopathy, or naturopathic medicine, is a form of alternative medicine."
Similar to Ayurveda medicine, this practice uses natural remedies, herbs, and a balanced diet to prevent and treat disease.
Naturopathic Philosophy: The principles of naturopathic medicine, including treating the whole person, identifying and treating the root cause of illness, and using non-invasive and natural therapies.
Herbal Medicine: Using plants and plant extracts for their medicinal properties.
Homeopathy: A system of medicine that uses highly diluted substances to stimulate the body's innate healing abilities.
Acupuncture: The practice of inserting fine needles into specific points on the body to promote healing and balance.
Nutrition: The study of how food affects the body and how to use food as medicine.
Physical Medicine: Therapies such as massage, hydrotherapy, and exercise to promote physical healing.
Naturopathic Diagnostics: Methods of diagnosis used in naturopathic medicine, such as iridology, tongue diagnosis, and muscle testing.
Environmental Medicine: The study of how environmental factors, such as toxins and pollutants, can affect health and how to prevent and treat environmental illnesses.
Mind-Body Medicine: The use of mind-body techniques such as meditation, guided imagery, and hypnotherapy to promote healing.
Energy Medicine: Therapies that use the body's energy field, such as Reiki and acupuncture, to promote healing and balance.
"A wide array of pseudoscientific practices branded as 'natural', 'non-invasive', or promoting 'self-healing' are employed by its practitioners."
"Outright quackery, like homeopathy."
"These treatments range from outright quackery... to widely accepted practices like certain forms of psychotherapy."
"The ideology and methods of naturopathy are based on vitalism and folk medicine rather than evidence-based medicine."
"Following modern medical practices, including but not limited to medical testing, drugs, vaccinations, and surgery."
"Naturopathic practice relies on unscientific notions, often leading naturopaths to diagnoses and treatments that have no factual merit."
"Naturopathy is considered by the medical profession to be ineffective and harmful."
"The ethical issues about its practice."
"The American Cancer Society... denounce[s] and accus[es] naturopaths of being charlatans."
"Naturopaths frequently campaign for legal recognition in the United States."
"Naturopathy is illegal in two U.S. states and tightly regulated in many others."
"The lack of accreditation, scientific medical training, and quantifiable positive results means they lack the competency of true medical doctors."
"Some states have lax regulations, however, and may allow naturopaths to perform minor surgery or even prescribe drugs."
"Although practitioners may use techniques supported by evidence."
"Naturopathy is considered by the medical profession to be ineffective and harmful."
"A wide array of pseudoscientific practices... these treatments range from outright quackery... to widely accepted practices."
"Naturopathic practitioners commonly recommend against following modern medical practices, including but not limited to medical testing, drugs, vaccinations, and surgery."
"Unscientific notions, often leading naturopaths to diagnoses and treatments that have no factual merit."
"Naturopathy is considered by the medical profession to be ineffective and harmful."