Excerpted from What is Naturopathic Medicine?

Naturopathic medicine blends centuries-old, natural, non-toxic therapies with current advances in the study of health and human systems, covering all aspects of family health prenatal to geriatric care. A Naturopathic Physician (ND) is a primary care general practitioner trained as an expert in natural medicine. Naturopathic medicine concentrates on whole-patient wellness; medicine that is tailored to the patient and emphasizes prevention and self-care. Naturopathic medicine attempts to find the underlying cause of the patient's condition rather than focusing solely on symptomatic treatment. Naturopathic physicians cooperate with all branches of medical science, referring patients to other practitioners for diagnosis or treatment when appropriate.

The Principles of Naturopathic Medicine Include:

The Healing Power of Nature (Vis Medicatrix Naturae): The healing power of nature is the inherent self-organizing and healing process of living systems which establishes, maintains and restores health. Naturopathic medicine recognizes this healing process to be ordered and intelligent. It is the naturopathic physician's role to support, facilitate and augment this process by identifying and removing obstacles to health and recovery, and by supporting the creation of a healthy internal and external environment.

Identify and Treat the Causes (Tolle Causam): Illness does not occur without cause. Causes may originate in many areas. Underlying causes of illness and disease must be identified and removed before complete recovery can occur. Symptoms can be expressions of the body's attempt to defend itself, to adapt and recover, to heal itself, or may be results of the causes of disease. The naturopathic physician seeks to treat the causes of disease, rather than to merely eliminate or suppress symptoms.

First Do No Harm (Primum Non Nocere): Naturopathic physicians follow three precepts to avoid harming the patient:

Doctor As Teacher (Docere): The original meaning of the word "doctor" is teacher. A principal objective of naturopathic medicine is to educate the patient and emphasize self-responsibility for health. Naturopathic physicians also recognize and employ the therapeutic potential of the doctor-patient relationship.

Treat the Whole Person: Health and disease result from a complex of physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, social and other factors. Since total health also includes spiritual health, naturopathic physicians encourage individuals to pursue their personal spiritual development. Naturopathic medicine recognizes the harmonious functioning of all aspects of the individual as being essential to health. The multifactorial nature of health and disease requires a personalized and comprehensive approach to diagnosis and treatment. Naturopathic physicians treat the whole person taking all of these factors into account.

Prevention: Naturopathic medical colleges emphasize the study of health as well as disease. The prevention of disease and the attainment of optimal health in patients are primary objectives of naturopathic medicine. In practice, these objectives are accomplished through education and the promotion of healthy ways of living. Naturopathic physicians assess risk factors, heredity and susceptibility to disease, and make appropriate interventions in partnership with their patients to prevent illness. Naturopathic medicine asserts that one cannot be healthy in an unhealthy environment and is committed to the creation of a world in which humanity may thrive.

Naturopathic Training: Naturopathic medical colleges are four-year, graduate-level medical schools with admissions requirements comparable to those of other medical schools. The Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine degree (ND) is awarded after classroom, clinic and practical study. NDs are trained in medical sciences which include:

•anatomy •cardiology •physiology •neurology •biochemistry •radiology •pathology •minor surgery •microbiology
•obstetrics •immunology •gynecology •pharmacology •pediatrics •dermatology •lab diagnosis •clinical and physical diagnosis •gastroenterology •oncology •endocrinology

Throughout the four years there is training is naturopathic therapeutics, including therapeutic nutrition, botanical medicine, homeopathy, acupuncture, hydrotherapy, physical medicine and counseling techniques.