Naturopathy vs Integrative Medicine
A side-by-side comparison of naturopathy and integrative medicine: what each is, who practices, how they relate to conventional care, regulation and evidence.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
The short answer
Naturopathy is a specific medical system with its own philosophy and its own practitioners. Integrative medicine is a way of organizing care that combines conventional and complementary approaches, whatever those approaches are. A naturopathic doctor can work in an integrative setting, but the two are not the same thing.Side by side
| Feature | Naturopathy | Integrative medicine |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A medical system that evolved from traditional practices and approaches popular in 19th-century Europe. [1] | Bringing conventional and complementary approaches together in a coordinated way. [2] |
| Guiding idea | Treat the "root cause"; symptoms are the body's signal. [1] | Treat the whole person, often with two or more combined interventions. [2] |
| Who delivers it | Licensed naturopathic physicians, traditional naturopaths, and other providers offering some of the same treatments. [1] | Mixed teams; physicians can become board-certified in integrative medicine. [1] |
| Typical tools | Diet and lifestyle, stress reduction, herbs and supplements, homeopathy, manipulative therapies, practitioner-guided detoxification. [1] | Conventional care such as medication, rehabilitation or psychotherapy plus approaches such as acupuncture, yoga or probiotics. [2] |
| Relationship to conventional care | May refer to conventional providers when appropriate. [1] | Coordination with conventional care is part of the definition. [2] |
Where they differ in practice
Naturopathy carries a philosophy that comes with the practitioner. Integrative medicine carries a method of coordination, so what you receive depends on the program. Because integrative care picks approaches one by one, the evidence for each can be judged separately. For whole-system naturopathic care, the evidence is promising but limited, and for homeopathy, one of its tools, NCCIH reports little evidence of effect. [3][4] See what is naturopathy and integrative, functional and lifestyle medicine.Regulation is different too
Naturopathic physicians are licensed in some US states, and NCCIH says traditional naturopaths are not eligible for licensing. [1] "Integrative" is a style of care, not a license, so check the underlying credential of each person on the team. [5] Details are in credentials and scope of practice.Choosing between them
Ask the same questions of either: what exactly will be done, what is the evidence for it, what does it cost, and will you work with my doctor? NCCIH advises asking whether the practitioner will cooperate with your conventional providers. [6] If you are weighing a plan, see naturopathic and integrative consultation.Frequently asked questions
Is a naturopath an integrative doctor?
Not automatically. A naturopathic physician may work in an integrative setting, but integrative physician is a different route; NCCIH notes physicians can become board-certified in integrative medicine. [1]
Which has better evidence?
Neither label has evidence in itself. Evidence belongs to specific treatments for specific conditions. [2]
Can I use both?
Yes, if everyone knows what you use. NCCIH advises telling all providers about every approach. [6]
References
- NCCIH. Naturopathy. Last updated April 2025. Read 2026-10-22.
- 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.
- 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.
- NCCIH. Homeopathy. Last updated April 2021. Read 2026-10-22.
- NCCIH. Credentialing, Licensing, and Education. Last updated May 2018. Read 2026-10-22.
- NCCIH. 6 Things To Know When Selecting a Complementary Health Practitioner. 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.