“Everyone has a doctor in him or her; we just have to help it in its work. The natural healing force within each one of us is the greatest force in getting well. Our food should be our medicine. Our medicine should be our food.” – Hippocrates

Naturopathic medicine is well known to some, and unknown to many, even though it has been an underlying medicinal force in the medical consciousness for over 100 years. It has been making a resurgence in health care, as people are looking for greater options for their health, an integrated approach, of mind, body and spirit.

The premise of naturopathic medicine is thought to have originated from the ancient practices of Hippocrates, who believed in treatment of the whole person. The founder of naturopathic medicine in the U.S., Benedict Lust, MD, ND, DO, emigrated to the U.S. and began one of the first schools of naturopathic medicine in the early 1900s, where the education was based on solid medical training, hydrotherapy, and nature cure. Schools thrived all throughout the U.S., until a document called the “Flexner Report” was released and created dramatic change in our health care system. The number of medical schools reduced from 160 to 66, allowing only male attendees and demanding an eradication of government funding for all institutions who did not fall within the allopathic standard, or for allopathic schools who taught anything outside of the allopathic approach. Many eclectic, osteopathic, and naturopathic schools closed, and our modern system was born.

As natural approaches to healing were once again explored and accepted beginning in the 1960s, naturopathic medicine began to flourish once again, and is currently well on its way to national acceptance.

The underlying philosophy of naturopathic medicine is that nature is orderly and the body is wise, and if given the opportunity, the body with its innate wisdom, will bring about healing. Naturopathic medicine strives to aid the body by removing obstacles to healing (e.g., removal of food allergy); encouraging nourishment through clean water, an unprocessed, whole-foods diet and herbal medicines; bolstering nutrient status through supplements or IV therapy (if warranted); aligning structure through physical medicine and spinal manipulation; and encouraging spiritual growth and connection, leaving prescription medications as a last intervention (unless the condition warrants an immediate, higher-force approach). Other modalities that are commonly used include homeopathy, an energetic medicine based on the premise “like cures like,” flower essences, cranio-sacral therapy, and detoxification methods. And as the main approach is based on holistic care, naturopathic physicians work hand-in-hand with the patients’ medical doctor and specialists, to ensure comprehensive care. Many naturopathic physicians specialize in their practice, choosing to focus for example, in pediatrics or women’s health. However, you can also find many who practice as primary care family physicians, and treat a wide spectrum of conditions.

Naturopathic medicine is not licensed nationally, but varies from state to state. For instance, Washington State is licensed, however, Idaho is not. This leads to a variation in the level of training within the unlicensed states. Within Idaho, naturopathic physicians range from possessing medical doctorates with clinical training to practitioners with certificate (online) training only. Thus, it is important to ask about your naturopathic physicians’ level of training, length and place of study when in an unlicensed state to understand their potential limitations when treating you.

To learn more about naturopathic medicine, you will find resources listed at www.naturopathic.org (American Association of Naturopathic Physicians). Two practitioners of naturopathic medicine are available locally: Dr. Denice Moffat (208) 882-3993 in Moscow, and myself (509) 335-7225 in Pullman, WA.