Criticism of Naturopathy and the Profession Response: A Neutral Summary of the Debate
A neutral summary of what named critics say about naturopathy, what the profession and its researchers say back, and where the sources we read agree.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
This page is information only. Naturopathy should not replace medical care, and serious or worsening symptoms need a doctor first. In a US emergency call 911; for suicidal thoughts call or text 988.
Why there is a debate
People who ask "is naturopathy legit?" are usually asking several questions at once: Is the underlying philosophy sound? Is the training adequate? Do the treatments work? Is the profession properly regulated? Critics and the profession answer these differently. Below, each view is attributed to a named source and shown as that source's opinion or finding. Some critic sites use strong words such as "quackery"; we report that they say it and do not adopt the label.The debate side by side
| Question | Critics' view | The profession's view | What else the sources found |
|---|---|---|---|
| Is the philosophy scientific? | Quackwatch (Stephen Barrett, M.D., revised 2013) calls naturopathy a largely pseudoscientific approach and says no scientific evidence supports vitalism. [1] Science-Based Medicine (a pharmacist's 2014 post) names vitalism as its central belief. [2] | The Institute for Natural Medicine, a profession body, lists six guiding principles including the healing power of nature. [3] | Both sides are opinion pieces about a philosophy. See the principles page. |
| Is the training adequate? | The 2014 critic post says concerns about the standard of care are serious. [2] | The accrediting council says ND programs teach natural modalities plus biomedical and clinical sciences, with two years of clinical training. [4] | NCCIH says traditional naturopaths may train in non-accredited programs of varying length and content. [5] |
| Do the treatments work? | The critics above say the evidence is lacking. [1] [2] | A 2019 scoping review by naturopathic researchers reports mostly positive findings for whole-system care. [6] | Evidence differs by treatment. See naturopathy and science. |
| Is it regulated? | A 2012 review of Australia argued that lack of regulation in naturopathic education poses risks to patients. [7] | In an Australian survey, 85 percent of naturopaths and Western herbalists agreed practitioners should be formally registered. [8] | A 25-country survey found education and regulation are highly varied. [9] |
Where the two sides agree
The sources we read share more common ground than the headlines suggest.- The Institute for Natural Medicine itself says stronger clinical research is needed. [3]
- The critic post concedes that not all naturopath advice is bunk and that some can be sound. [2]
- A Canadian continuing-education study of 61 NDs found training could raise evidence-based practice skill and knowledge, but no substantive change in attitudes or use of evidence. [10]
- NCCIH says regulations, licenses or certificates do not guarantee safe, effective treatment from any health care provider. [5]
How to use this
Ask any practitioner what a test or treatment is for and what evidence supports that use. See how to evaluate a therapy claim and red flags and informed consent.Frequently asked questions
Is naturopathy legit?
It depends on the practice. Critics say its philosophy lacks scientific support, [1] while profession researchers report positive findings for whole-system care. [6] Judge each test or treatment separately.
Do critics say all naturopathic advice is wrong?
No. One critic post says some advice can be sound, though it argues this is because the philosophy happens to align with science. [2]
Does the profession accept the criticism?
Parts of it. The Institute for Natural Medicine says stronger clinical research is needed, [3] and Australian survey authors report gaps in readiness for evidence-based practice. [16]
Is a licensed ND the same as a traditional naturopath?
No. NCCIH describes different training routes, and says traditional naturopaths are not eligible for licensing in the United States. [5]
Can I use naturopathy instead of cancer treatment?
Do not use unproven approaches to replace or delay cancer treatment. [13] Talk with your cancer team before adding anything.
More details: evidence, limits and cautions
The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.
Licensed and unlicensed practitioners: facts only
Titles and rules differ by country, state and province, so this table states only what the sources say and names where. It does not rank anyone.
| Licensed naturopathic physicians (ND or NMD) | Traditional naturopaths ("naturopaths") | |
|---|---|---|
| Training (US, NCCIH) | Graduate-level education at a naturopathic medical school accredited by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education. [5] | May train in various non-accredited programs, varying in length and content. [5] |
| Regulation (US, NCCIH) | State governments decide the credentials needed to work in that state. [11] | Not eligible for licensing, according to NCCIH. [5] |
| Scope (US, NCCIH) | Licensed NDs can diagnose and treat; scope varies by state. [5] | Not described in the sources we read beyond the above. |
| Australia | A 2012 review described naturopaths there as entirely unregulated; current status was not described in the sources we read. [7] | Same source. |
More on titles is at naturopath vs naturopathic doctor and credentials and scope of practice.
Safety concerns raised in the debate
A study of 281 patients with nonmetastatic breast, prostate, lung or colorectal cancer who chose alternative medicine alone found a greater risk of death than with conventional treatment. [12] It studied alternative medicine in general, not naturopathy specifically, and was observational. NCCIH advises not to use unproven products or practices to replace or delay medical treatment for cancer. [13] Vaccination views vary: a review of Canadian chiropractor, naturopath and homeopath literature concluded it cannot be described in broad strokes as pro- or anti-vaccination. [14] For vaccine facts, go to health authorities such as the WHO. [15]
References
- Barrett S. A Close Look at Naturopathy, Quackwatch (a critic-run consumer site), revised 26 November 2013. Opinion source. Read 2026-10-22.
- Gavura S. Naturopathy vs. Science: Allergy Edition, Science-Based Medicine (a critic-run blog), 20 March 2014. Opinion source. Read 2026-10-22.
- How Natural Medicine Principles Support Whole Person Health, Institute for Natural Medicine (a naturopathic-profession body). Read 2026-10-22.
- Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME), accreditor of naturopathic doctoral programs in the US and Canada. Read 2026-10-22.
- Naturopathy, NCCIH (US). Read 2026-10-22.
- Myers SP, Vigar V. The State of the Evidence for Whole-System, Multi-Modality Naturopathic Medicine: A Systematic Scoping Review. J Altern Complement Med 2019. Abstract read 2026-10-22.
- Wardle J, Steel A, Adams J. A review of tensions and risks in naturopathic education and training in Australia: a need for regulation. J Altern Complement Med 2012. Abstract read 2026-10-22.
- Braun LA et al. Naturopaths and Western herbalists' attitudes to evidence, regulation, information sources and knowledge about popular complementary medicines. Complement Ther Med 2013. Abstract read 2026-10-22.
- Dunn JM et al. Characteristics of global naturopathic education, regulation, and practice frameworks: results from an international survey. BMC Complement Med Ther 2021. Abstract read 2026-10-22; some authors are affiliated with bodies that support regulation of naturopaths.
- Aucoin M et al. Evaluation of an evidence-based practice continuing education course for Canadian Naturopathic Doctors. PLoS One 2025. Abstract read 2026-10-22.
- Credentialing, Licensing, and Education, NCCIH (US). Last updated May 2018. Read 2026-10-22.
- Johnson SB et al. Use of Alternative Medicine for Cancer and Its Impact on Survival. J Natl Cancer Inst 2018. Abstract read 2026-10-22.
- Cancer and Complementary Health Approaches: What You Need To Know, NCCIH (US). Read 2026-10-22.
- Filice E et al. Vaccination discourses among chiropractors, naturopaths and homeopaths. PLoS One 2020. Abstract read 2026-10-22.
- Vaccines and immunization: What is vaccination?, World Health Organization. Read 2026-10-22.
- Leach MJ. Readiness of the Australian naturopathic medicine profession for evidence implementation: a cross-sectional study. Evid Policy 2025. Abstract read 2026-10-22.
Education, not medical advice. This page is for general information. It does not diagnose or treat any condition and is not a substitute for care from a qualified health professional. Natural does not automatically mean safe. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before changing your care, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a health condition.