Naturopathic Medicine
Overview. As a distinct American health care profession, naturopathic medicine is almost 100 years old. It was founded as a formal health care system at the turn of the century by a variety of medical practitioners from various natural therapeutic disciplines. By the early 1900s there were more than 20 naturopathic medical schools, and naturopathic physicians, called "eclectic" physicians at the time, were licensed in most of the States. After the Flexner Report in 1910 and the rise in belief that pharmaceutical drugs could eliminate all disease, the practice of naturopathic medicine experienced a dramatic decline. It has experienced a resurgence in the past two decades, however, as a health-conscious public began to seek natural therapies delivered by professionals skilled in these modalities. Today, there are more than 1,000 licensed naturopathic doctors (N.D.s) in the United States. Currently, there are two accredited U.S. naturopathic medical schools: the National College of Naturopathic Medicine (NCNM) in Portland, OR, and Bastyr College of Natural Sciences in Seattle, WA, which graduate approximately 50 physicians each per year. A third naturopathic medical school, Southwest College of Naturo-pathic Medicine in Scottsdale, AZ, began classes in September 1993. Seven U.S. States and four Canadian provinces grant licenses to practice naturopathic medicine. In addition, a number of other States have legal statutes that allow the practice of naturopathic medicine within a specific context. The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians publishes the Journal of Naturopathic Medicine, which includes articles on original research, research reviews, and news and review articles relating to naturopathic medicine. As it is practiced today, naturopathic medicine integrates traditional natural therapeutics--including botanical medicine, clinical nutrition, homeopathy, acupuncture, traditional oriental medicine, hydrotherapy, and naturopathic manipulative therapy--with modern scientific medical diagnostic science and standards of care. Naturopathic physicians are trained in anatomy, cell biology, nutrition, physiology, pathology, neurosciences, histology, pharmacology, biostatistics, epidemiology, public health, and other conventional medical disciplines, and they receive specialized training in the alternative medicine disciplines. They integrate this knowledge into a cohesive medical practice and tailor their approaches to the needs of an individual patient according to these eight primary principles: 1. Recognition of the inherent healing ability of the body. 2. Identification and treatment of the cause of diseases rather than mere elimination or suppression of symptoms. 3. Use of therapies that do no harm. 4. The doctor's primary role as teacher. 5. Establishment and maintenance of optimal health and balance. 6. Treatment of the whole person. 7. Prevention of disease through a healthy lifestyle and control of risk factors. 8. Therapeutic use of nutrition to promote health and to combat chronic and degenerative diseases. Research base. Medical research on naturo-pathic practice is based on the empirical documentation of treatments with case history observations, medical records, and summaries of practitioners' clinical experiences. Naturopathic physicians have conducted scientific research in natural medicines in China, Germany, India, France, and England as well as U.S. research in clinical nutrition. The two current accredited naturopathic medical schools have active research departments. For example, NCNM participated in a 10-year nationwide study of the cervical cap as a method of birth control. Study conclusions were submitted to the FDA (National College of Naturopathic Medicine Clinical Faculty, 1991). Naturopathic researchers also have investigated the pharmacology and physiological effects of nutritional and natural therapeutic agents (Barrie et al., 1987a, 1987b; Mittman, 1990). Digestive tract stresses and their treatment with natural methods also have been a focus of study (Blair et al., 1991; Collins and Mittman, 1990; Thom, 1992), and naturopathic physicians have been active in the investigation of new homeopathic remedies (Brown and Lange, 1992). Naturopathic medical researchers have shown a particular interest in the natural treatment of women's health problems. One series of clinical research studies evaluated a naturo-pathic treatment protocol for women with cervical dysplasia (abnormal Pap smears). All subjects received oral nutritional and botanical supplementation, local topical cleansings, and suppositories made from herbal and nutritional agents (Hudson, 1991). Eight distinct naturopathic protocols were used depending on the severity of the abnormal Pap smears. Treatment included topical applications of Bromelia, Calendula, zinc chloride, and Sanguinaria. Additional home treatments included vaginal suppositories with myrrh, Echinacea, Usnea, Hydrastis, Althaea, geranium, and yarrow. The patients also used vitamin A suppositories, vitamin C, beta-carotene, folic acid, selenium, and Lomatium systemically as well as a botanical formula including (a) Trifolium, (b) Taraxacum, (c) Glycyrrhiza and Hydrastis, or (d) Thuja plus Echinacea and Ligustrum (Hudson, 1993b). Of the 43 women in the study, 38 returned to normal Pap smears and normal tissue biopsy. Three had partial improvement, two showed no change, and none progressed toward more advanced disease states during treatment (Hudson, 1993a). It was suggested that partial use of these protocols might also benefit the long-term outcome in patients undergoing conventional treatment of cervical dysplasia including cryosurgery, conization, or loop electrosurgical excision procedures. The most recently completed naturopathic study in women's health tested the clinical and endocrine effects of a botanical formula as an alternative to estrogen replacement therapy. Results of this study suggest a clinically significant benefit (measured as reduction in the total number of menopausal symptoms) in 100 percent of the women versus 17 percent in the placebo group (Hudson and Standish, 1993). Future research opportunities. The following areas in the field of naturopathy offer the best opportunities for yielding significant research results: Clinical trials on naturopathic botanical formulas as an alternative to hormone replacement therapy. Effects of individual herbs on specific disease, for example, Glycyrrhiza for peptic ulcer disease, Crataegus for hypertension, Echinacea as an antiviral, Ulmus fulva for irritable bowel, and Taraxacum as a diuretic. Evaluations of the postsurgical outcomes of patients who have used naturopathic medicine to accelerate healing and improve their recovery. Evaluations of naturopathic protocols for treatment of hyperlipidemia, cervical dysplasia, otitis media, diabetes, and hypertension. Clinical trials on the outcome of breast cancer patients who use naturopathic medicine with their conventional therapy versus patients who use only conventional treatment. Facilitation of research into ethnomedicines by documenting oral traditions and studying them in the context of their cultures--for example, hydrotherapy and European traditions, native plants of developing countries and their local use by native healers, and traditional diets of native peoples. Clinical trials to evaluate the effectiveness of combination naturopathic medical protocols and rigorous evaluation of single-agent botanical medicines and naturopathic modalities in the treatment of HIV and AIDS

• National College of Naturopathic Medicine

   

Canada > Ontario > Toronto > Education > College and University

• Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM) - offers a four-year, full-time program in naturopathic medicine as well as professional development, general interest and certificate programs.

   

U.S. States > Arizona > Tempe > Business and Shopping > Business to Business > Health Care > Training and Development

• Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine

   

U.S. States > Nevada > Las Vegas > Health > Alternative Medicine > Organizations

• American Naturopathic Medical Association (ANMA) - group of naturopathic practitioners who consult clients on alternative healing.

   

Health > Alternative Medicine > Naturopathy > Organizations

• Council on Naturopathic Medical Education - national accrediting agency for programs leading to the Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (N.D. or N.M.D.) degree.

   

Canada > Ontario > Etobicoke (Toronto) > Business and Shopping > Business to Business > Health Care > Professional Organizations

• Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors (OAND) - professional association. Contains information on naturopathic medicine.

   

Canada > British Columbia > Greater Vancouver > Vancouver > Health > Organizations

• British Columbia Naturopathic Association - offers patients referrals to a doctor anywhere in the province. Student information is also available.

   

Canada > Health > Alternative Medicine > Naturopathy > Organizations

• Canadian Naturopathic Association, The - professional association representing qualified doctors and promoting naturopathic medicine throughout Canada.

   

U.S. States > Texas > Business and Economy > Business to Business > Health Care > Professional Organizations

• Texas State Naturopathic Medical Association - relates health information to the public through its speakers bureaus, seminars, lectures, newsletters, and health columns.

   

United Kingdom > Health > Alternative Medicine > Naturopathy > Organizations

• British Naturopathic Association - organises annual public meetings and publishes the quarterly British Naturopathic Journal.

   

U.S. States > Vermont > Brattleboro > Business and Shopping > Business to Business > Health Care

• Brattleboro Naturopathic Clinic - provides alternative health services and prenatal care to clients in southern Vermont and bordering areas.

   

Australia > New South Wales > Haberfield > Business and Shopping > Shopping and Services > Health > Alternative

• Alternative Medicine within Australia - offers acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, naturopathy, hannya and therapeutic massage, and more.