Naturopathic medicine is a distinct method of primary health care — an art, science, philosophy and practice of diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of illness. Naturopathic physicians seek to restore and maintain optimum health in their patients by emphasizing nature’s inherent self-healing process, the vis medicatrix naturae. This is accomplished through education and the rational use of natural therapeutics.
Naturopathic Medicine is
- A defined discipline, a system of medicine
- A separate and distinct branch of the healing arts
- A practice based on the restoration of health
Comprehensive Definition of ND Medicine
1. The Healing Power of Nature
2. Remove the Cause
3. First, Do No Harm
4. The Doctor as Teacher
5. Treat the Whole Person
6. Prevention
These principles are guides for the practitioner of naturopathic medicine. As guides, they may be interpreted in different ways by different doctors. Thus, our medicine has richness and spontaneity, which allows for great diversity yet, at the same time, unites us.
