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Naturopathy & Integrative Practices

Naturopathy, integrative medicine, functional medicine and lifestyle medicine are not the same thing. This guide explains each, what a consultation involves, how licensed and unlicensed practitioners differ in training and regulation, and how to judge a proposed plan.

Some tests and treatments sold in these settings lack proper evidence, and some carry risks, so these pages are written to be evidence-based and never to replace medical care. They describe credentials and scope without ranking any practitioner, and give no practitioner listings.

Start here: What Is Naturopathy? History, Practice, Evidence and Regulation

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Safety first

  • Complementary therapies can interact with medicines and some are unsafe in pregnancy, in children or with certain health conditions.
  • Do not delay or stop medical care for a serious or worsening condition to try a therapy.
  • Choose a practitioner whose qualifications you have checked, and tell every clinician what you are using.

Natural Remedy Safety

Overview

What this category covers

This section explains naturopathy, integrative medicine, functional medicine and lifestyle medicine in plain language. These words are often used as if they meant the same thing, and they do not. NCCIH, the US government's lead agency for research on complementary and integrative health, separates "complementary" (used together with conventional medicine) from "alternative" (used in place of it). [1] Integrative health brings conventional and complementary approaches together in a coordinated way. [1] Naturopathy is a distinct medical system that evolved from traditional practices and health care approaches popular in 19th-century Europe. [2]

How the pages are organized

Traditional ideas and evidence

Naturopathy describes its aim as treating the "root cause" of illness on the belief that symptoms are the body's signal. [2] That is a guiding philosophy, not a laboratory finding. Evidence is judged for each treatment and each condition. Research on whole-system naturopathic care is promising but limited, and the studies combine several treatments, so it is hard to tell which part helped. [3] Some parts of naturopathic practice, such as homeopathy, have little evidence of benefit. [4] We hold every approach to the same standard, whether traditional or modern.

Safety pointers

  • Natural does not necessarily mean safe, and supplements and herbs can interact with medicines. [5]
  • NCCIH advises against using unproven approaches to postpone seeing your health care provider. [5]
  • Credentials differ greatly by place; in the US they are set state by state. [6]
  • Tell all your providers about everything you use. [7]

For urgent problems, get emergency care first. In the US call 911; for poisoning call 1-800-222-1222.

Explore Naturopathy & Integrative Practices

Foundations: Naturopathy, Integrative & Holistic Terms(6)What naturopathy, naturopathic medicine, integrative, functional, lifestyle and holistic medicine each mean, how the terms overlap, and what claims do and do not have evidence.
History, Philosophy & Debate(3)Where naturopathy comes from, its stated principles, how it relates to science, and the main criticisms and the profession responses, presented neutrally.
Common Components of Care(10)Nutrition counseling, lifestyle support, botanicals, supplements, homeopathy, physical medicine, injections and other things offered in these settings, each linked to its canonical guide.
Integrative, Functional & Lifestyle Medicine(8)How integrative, functional, lifestyle and holistic medicine models work, who practices them, and where they sit relative to standard care.
Consultation, Costs & Care Planning(9)What a first visit involves, health history, medication review, lab ordering, evaluating a plan, costs, insurance and second opinions.
Evidence by Health Concern(13)What research shows for anxiety, depression, digestion, hormones, diabetes, blood pressure, pain, skin, fertility, cancer supportive care and other concerns, by intervention.
Tests & Treatment Claims Checked(17)Critical educational pages on tests and treatments sold in these settings: food IgG, hair mineral, adrenal and microbiome tests, detox, chelation, IV therapy, ozone and more.
Populations & Settings(7)Pregnancy, children, older adults, cancer, mental health, chronic illness and people on many medicines.
Safety: Never in Place of Medical Care(13)When not to delay care, cancer and vaccine claims, interactions, over-testing, unlicensed practice, informed consent, complaints and warning signs.
Credentials, Licensing & Scope of Practice(11)Who may use which title, licensing and scope by jurisdiction, how to verify a credential, and how licensed and unlicensed practitioners differ in training and regulation.
Training, Education & Careers(3)Naturopathic doctor programs, other naturopathy and health-coach training, integrative and functional medicine certificates, and costs.
Research & Evidence(7)How naturopathic and integrative care is studied, what whole-system trials show, guideline views, funding and conflicts, and claim checks.
Comparisons & Claim Checks(14)Side-by-side comparisons of practitioner types and care models, and checks of common statements, with no universal winners and no ranking of people.
Glossary & Reference(7)Terms, practice and condition indexes, frequently asked questions and a safety quick reference.
Evidence and limitations. Traditional ideas are described in their own terms, then kept separate from what research has measured. Where research exists we say what it covered; "Proper evidence not found" means we looked and found nothing usable. Every approach is held to the same evidence standard.

Related comparisons

Related Wellness Goals

Research connections

Our pages cite the studies and official sources behind each statement. For the underlying records, see the evidence page for this goal and the Research Library.

Therapies Research and Evidence: How Much Research Exists and How to Read It Research Library Wellness Goals

Frequently asked questions

Is naturopathy the same as integrative medicine?

No. Naturopathy is a specific medical system. Integrative medicine is a coordinated way of combining conventional and complementary approaches. [2][1]

Does the evidence support naturopathic medicine?

For whole-system care, studies are promising but limited, and results depend on the condition. [3] Individual parts must be judged separately.

Are naturopathic doctors licensed?

In some places. In the US, states decide, and NCCIH says traditional naturopaths are not eligible for licensing. [6][2]

Can I use these approaches along with my medicines?

Often people do, but tell your providers, because supplements and herbs can interact with medicines. [8]

Should I trust a test or detox program sold in a clinic?

Check what the test is for and what evidence supports it. Start with our pages on broad testing and detox claims. [5]

References

  1. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Complementary, Alternative, or Integrative Health: What's In a Name? Last updated April 2021. Read 2026-10-22.
  2. NCCIH. Naturopathy. Last updated April 2025. Read 2026-10-22.
  3. 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;25(2):141-168. PubMed 30785315. Read 2026-10-22.
  4. NCCIH. Homeopathy. Last updated April 2021. Read 2026-10-22.
  5. NCCIH. Are You Considering a Complementary Health Approach? Last updated September 2016. Read 2026-10-22.
  6. NCCIH. Credentialing, Licensing, and Education. Last updated May 2018. Read 2026-10-22.
  7. NCCIH. 6 Things To Know When Selecting a Complementary Health Practitioner. Read 2026-10-22.
  8. NCCIH. Using Dietary Supplements Wisely. Last updated January 2019. Read 2026-10-22.

Content last updated . This section has not been medically reviewed.

Education, not medical advice. This section is for general information. Supplements are not automatically necessary and do not replace a varied diet or medical care. It does not diagnose or treat any condition and is not a substitute for care from a qualified health professional. Naming a condition here does not mean a natural remedy treats it. Natural does not automatically mean safe.

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