Naturopathic doctors (NDs) are trained as primary care providers who focus on identifying and addressing the underlying factors that may be contributing to illness and imbalance. Naturopathic medicine emphasizes individualized, patient-centered care and supports the body’s natural ability to heal and restore balance.

Naturopathic doctors are trained to take comprehensive medical histories, perform physical exams, and utilize laboratory testing and diagnostic tools to help assess and manage both acute and chronic conditions. Treatment plans may include a combination of:

• Clinical nutrition

• Botanical medicine

• Lifestyle counseling

• Physical medicine

• Homeopathy

• Stress management and mind-body support

• Preventive medicine and wellness strategies

Naturopathic medicine often works best as part of a collaborative healthcare approach and may integrate conventional therapies, referrals, and medications when appropriate and necessary.

1. First Do No Harm

(Primum Non Nocere)

Naturopathic doctors aim to use the least invasive and most appropriate therapies whenever possible while minimizing the risk of unnecessary side effects. Treatment approaches are selected with consideration for both safety and the individual patient.

2. The Healing Power of Nature

(Vis Medicatrix Naturae)

Naturopathic medicine recognizes the body’s inherent ability to heal, regulate, and restore balance. Naturopathic doctors work to support these natural processes and help identify obstacles that may interfere with recovery and wellness.

3. Identify and Treat the Cause

(Tolle Causam)

Rather than only suppressing symptoms, naturopathic medicine seeks to understand and address the underlying causes contributing to illness. Symptoms are viewed as important signals that may reflect imbalance, stress, dysfunction, or disease within the body.

4. Treat the Whole Person

Naturopathic medicine recognizes that health is influenced by many interconnected factors, including nutrition, digestion, hormones, sleep, stress, movement, environmental exposures, genetics, relationships, and emotional wellbeing. Each patient is treated as an individual, not simply a diagnosis.

5. Prevention and Wellness

Prevention is a core principle of naturopathic medicine. Naturopathic doctors focus on identifying risk factors early and helping patients build sustainable lifestyle habits that support long-term health and resilience.

6. Doctor as Teacher

(Docere)

The word “doctor” comes from the Latin word docere, meaning “to teach.” Naturopathic doctors value patient education and believe that informed patients are empowered to make meaningful decisions about their health and wellbeing.

Education and Training

After completing a bachelor’s degree, licensed naturopathic doctors attend a four-year accredited naturopathic medical program. In North America, accredited naturopathic medical schools provide extensive training in biomedical sciences alongside clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, physical medicine, counseling, and other integrative therapies.

Naturopathic medical students complete classroom education and supervised clinical training before graduating. Licensed naturopathic doctors are also required to pass national board examinations before becoming licensed to practice.