An official website of the United States governmentNaturopathy
What is naturopathy?
Naturopathy—also called naturopathic medicine—is a medical system that has evolved from a combination of traditional practices and health care approaches popular in Europe during the 19th century.
Naturopathy aims to prevent and treat disease by addressing its root cause, based on the belief that symptoms are the body’s way of signaling a problem. Naturopathic medicine takes a holistic approach to healing, incorporating practices like physical activity, a well-balanced diet, and stress management.
People visit naturopathic practitioners for various health-related purposes, including primary care, overall well-being, and treatment of illnesses. In the United States, naturopathy is practiced by naturopathic physicians, traditional naturopaths, and other health care providers who also offer naturopathic services.
The naturopathic profession more than doubled from 2000 to 2016, increasing from approximately 2,000 licensed practitioners in North America to an estimated 5,000 licensed practitioners in the United States and more than 2,000 in Canada. National survey data show that 0.2 percent of U.S. adults used naturopathy in 2002, and 1.3 percent used it in 2022.
What are the different types of naturopathic practitioners?
There are three main types of naturopathic practitioners:
- Licensed naturopathic physicians complete graduate-level education at a naturopathic medical school accredited by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education.
- Traditional naturopaths, also known simply as “naturopaths,” may receive training through various non-accredited programs, varying in length and content. Traditional naturopaths are not eligible for licensing.
- Other health care providers may offer some types of treatments that are also included in naturopathy. For example, chiropractors may provide diet and nutritional counseling, exercise therapies, and recommendations for stress reduction, and physicians can become board-certified in integrative medicine.
What is a naturopathic physician?
The term “naturopathic physician” refers to a Doctor of Naturopathy (N.D.) or Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (N.M.D.).
Naturopathic physicians typically undergo a 4-year graduate program at one of the North American naturopathic medical schools accredited by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education. The accrediting agency was established in 1978.
Licensing requirements for naturopathic physicians vary across U.S. states and territories. In jurisdictions with licensing requirements, naturopathic physicians must graduate from a 4-year naturopathic medical college and pass national board exams to receive a license. Licensed naturopaths are also required to complete any state-mandated continuing education requirements.
Licensed naturopathic doctors can diagnose—which may include medical history, physical exams, lab tests, and diagnostic imaging—and treat patients, distinguishing them from traditional naturopaths. The scope of practice varies by state licensure and regulations.
What do naturopathic practitioners do?
Naturopathic practitioners use many different treatment approaches. Examples include:
- Dietary and lifestyle changes
- Stress reduction
- Herbs and other dietary supplements
- Homeopathy
- Manipulative therapies
- Exercise therapy
- Practitioner-guided detoxification
- Psychotherapy and counseling
Some practitioners use other methods as well or, if appropriate, may refer patients to conventional health care providers.
More To Consider
- Remember that regulations, licenses, or certificates do not guarantee safe, effective treatment from any health care provider—conventional or complementary. To learn more, see the NCCIH fact sheet Credentialing, Licensing, and Education.
- Take charge of your health—talk with your health care providers about any complementary approaches you use. Together, you can make shared, well-informed decisions.
For More Information
NCCIH Clearinghouse
The NCCIH Clearinghouse provides information on NCCIH and complementary and integrative health approaches, including publications and searches of Federal databases of scientific and medical literature. The Clearinghouse does not provide medical advice, treatment recommendations, or referrals to practitioners.
Toll-free in the U.S.: 1-888-644-6226
Telecommunications relay service (TRS): 7-1-1
Website: https://www.nccih.nih.gov
Email: info@nccih.nih.gov (link sends email)
Know the Science
NCCIH and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) provide tools to help you understand the basics and terminology of scientific research so you can make well-informed decisions about your health. Know the Science features a variety of materials, including interactive modules, quizzes, and videos, as well as links to informative content from Federal resources designed to help consumers make sense of health information.
Explaining How Research Works (NIH)
Know the Science: How To Make Sense of a Scientific Journal Article
PubMed®
A service of the National Library of Medicine, PubMed® contains publication information and (in most cases) brief summaries of articles from scientific and medical journals. For guidance from NCCIH on using PubMed, see How To Find Information About Complementary Health Practices on PubMed.
Website: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
Key References
- American Association of Naturopathic Physicians and the Institute for Natural Medicine. Frequently Asked Questions. American Association of Naturopathic Physicians website. Accessed at naturopathic.org/page/FAQ on February 3, 2025.
- American Association of Naturopathic Physicians. Scope of Practice by State: A Resource for the Public and Patients. American Association of Naturopathic Physicians website. Accessed at naturopathic.org/page/ScopeforPatients on February 13, 2025.
- American Association of Naturopathic Physicians. What Is a Naturopathic Doctor? American Association of Naturopathic Physicians website. Accessed at naturopathic.org/news/news.asp?id=655870 on February 27, 2025.
- Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges. The Difference Between a Licensed Naturopathic Doctor and a Traditional Naturopath in North America. Accessed at aanmc.org/featured-articles/difference-between-traditional-naturopath-and-licensed-naturopathic-doctor on March 10, 2025.
- Clugston RM, Goldblatt E, Rosenthal B, et al. Clinicians’ & Educators’ Desk Reference on the Integrative Health & Medicine Professions. 3rd ed. Mercer Island, WA: Academic Collaborative for Integrative Health; 2017:8-9,43-63,123-150,185-191.
- Dewangan S, Kumar BB. The relevance of naturopathy as a therapeutic tool in the modern era: a narrative review. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine. 2024;30(4):38-41.
- Drake DF, Norman DK. Whole medical systems the rehabilitation setting (traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurvedic medicine, homeopathy, naturopathy). Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics of North America. 2020;31(4):553-561.
- Nahin RL, Rhee A, Stussman B. Use of complementary health approaches overall and for pain management by US adults. JAMA. 2024;331(7):613-615.
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NCCIH has provided this material for your information. It is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your health care provider(s). We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with your health care provider. The mention of any product, service, or therapy is not an endorsement by NCCIH.