Index of Naturopathic and Integrative Practices Covered on This Site
A one-page map of every naturopathic and integrative practice, care model, visit guide and evidence page on this site, with a plain note on what each page covers.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
This index lists the naturopathic and integrative practices covered on AlternativeMed.com and says where to read about each. Being listed here is not an endorsement. Every linked page applies the same evidence standard, labels how strong the research is for a specific use, and says when proper evidence was not found. Nothing here replaces care from your own doctor; for urgent symptoms, call 911 first and see the safety quick reference.
What naturopathic care can include
NCCIH lists these treatment approaches among those naturopathic practitioners use: dietary and lifestyle changes, stress reduction, herbs and other dietary supplements, homeopathy, manipulative therapies, exercise therapy, practitioner-guided detoxification, and psychotherapy and counseling.[1] NCCIH also says some practitioners refer patients to conventional providers when appropriate.[1] Integrative health, by NCCIH's definition, brings conventional and complementary approaches together in a coordinated way.[2] The sections below follow that list.
Start here: the big picture
| Page | What it covers |
|---|---|
| What Is Naturopathy? | Definition, history, practice, evidence and regulation in one overview |
| Integrative, Functional and Lifestyle Medicine | How these models and the words "complementary" and "alternative" relate |
| Common Components of Integrative Care | Nutrition, lifestyle, botanicals, supplements and mind-body practices side by side |
| Naturopathy Around the World | How practice and regulation differ by country |
| History of Naturopathy | Lust, Kneipp and the nature cure movement |
Common components of care
| Practice | Page |
|---|---|
| Diet and nutrition advice | More about Diet and nutrition advice → |
| Anti-inflammatory and elimination diets | More about Anti-inflammatory and elimination diets → |
| Herbs and botanical medicine | More about Herbs and botanical medicine → |
| Vitamins and supplements dispensed in a clinic | More about Vitamins and supplements dispensed in a clinic → |
| Water-based and physical treatments | More about Water-based and physical treatments → |
| Homeopathy and flower essences | More about Homeopathy and flower essences → |
| Bioidentical and compounded hormones | More about Bioidentical and compounded hormones → |
| Fasting, cleanses and "detox" programs | More about Fasting, cleanses and "detox" programs → |
| Referrals to primary care and specialists | More about Referrals to primary care and specialists → |
Mind-body practices that often appear in integrative programs have their own libraries: meditation and mindfulness, yoga and movement, breathwork and relaxation and massage and bodywork.
Care models
| Model | Page |
|---|---|
| Functional medicine | What It Is and How It Works, Evidence and Criticism, Testing and Treatment Plans |
| Lifestyle medicine | More about Lifestyle medicine → |
| Hospital and academic integrative programs | More about Hospital and academic integrative programs → |
| Integrative oncology (supportive care) | More about Integrative oncology (supportive care) → |
| What mainstream guidelines already include | More about What mainstream guidelines already include → |
Visits, costs and care plans
- Naturopathic and Integrative Consultation: what to expect, medication review and coordination
- Your First Visit, Medication and Supplement Review and Lab Tests Ordered in Integrative Practice
- How to Evaluate a Proposed Treatment Plan
- Questions to Ask Before You Commit, Costs, Packages and Supplement Sales and Second Opinions and Sharing Records
- Naturopath or Functional Medicine Near Me: How to Check. This site does not list or recommend practitioners. NCCIH advises finding out about any practitioner's education, training, licensing and certifications, and not assuming insurance will cover the services.[3]
What the research says for specific health concerns
Anxiety and depression, irritable bowel and digestion, PCOS and hormones, thyroid conditions, diabetes and prediabetes, back and musculoskeletal pain, eczema and allergies, fertility and pregnancy planning, fatigue and the "adrenal fatigue" question, autoimmune conditions, cancer, contested diagnoses and ADHD and autism claims.
Extra care for particular groups
Pregnancy and postpartum, children and infants, older adults, people in cancer treatment, people with chronic illness, mental health conditions and people taking several medicines or facing surgery.
Comparisons and credentials
- Comparing approaches: Naturopathy vs Integrative Medicine, Naturopathy and Functional Medicine, Functional and Conventional Medicine and Holistic and Conventional Doctors.
- Comparing people by training, regulation and scope: Naturopathic Doctor and Medical Doctor and Naturopath, Dietitian and Nutritionist.
- Credentials and rules: Credentials, Licensing and Scope of Practice and How to Verify a Credential.
Frequently asked questions
What counts as an "integrative practice"?
There is no single list. NCCIH defines integrative health as bringing conventional and complementary approaches together in a coordinated way.[2] This index follows the approaches NCCIH says naturopathic practitioners use, plus the care models that surround them.[1]
Does a page being listed here mean the practice works?
No. Listing only shows where to read about it. For example, NCCIH states there is little evidence to support homeopathy as an effective treatment for any specific health condition.[4] Each linked page judges the evidence for a specific use.
Are naturopathic and integrative care the same thing?
Not exactly. NCCIH describes naturopathy as a medical system with roots in 19th-century European practices.[1] It describes integrative health as the coordinated combining of conventional and complementary approaches.[2] See Naturopathy vs Integrative Medicine.
Who provides naturopathic services?
NCCIH says naturopathy is practiced by naturopathic physicians, traditional naturopaths and other health care providers who also offer naturopathic services.[1] Training, licensing and scope differ; the credentials pages explain how.
Can I use these practices instead of seeing a doctor?
NCCIH advises against using a product or practice that has not been proven effective to postpone seeing your health care provider.[5] Serious or worsening symptoms need a doctor first.
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.
Science, safety and tests
For how research is judged, start with Whole-System Naturopathic Care Trials and How to Evaluate a Therapy Claim. For risks, see Red Flags in Health Claims and Never Delay Medical Care. Tests and treatment claims are in the Index of Tests and Treatment Claims Checked on This Site. Unfamiliar word? Try the glossary.
References
- NCCIH, Naturopathy (last updated April 2025). Read 2026-10-22.
- NCCIH, Complementary, Alternative, or Integrative Health: What’s In a Name? (last updated April 2021). Read 2026-10-22.
- NCCIH, 6 Things To Know When Selecting a Complementary Health Practitioner. Read 2026-10-22.
- NCCIH, Homeopathy: What You Need To Know (last updated April 2021). Read 2026-10-22.
- NCCIH, Are You Considering a Complementary Health Approach? (last updated September 2016). Read 2026-10-22.