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Naturopathic History

Naturopathy continues to be a part of Germany for years and years. Many with the principles and philosophies of naturopathy originated in Germany and Europe inside the 16th and 17th century. The original naturopaths – just before 1900s – from all over the world, were trained by European doctors using hydrotherapy, herbal medicine and other traditional types of healing. Currently, European countries consider their practice of naturopathy as a system of healthcare which includes evolved by incorporating the original medicine of every country while using naturopathic principles, theories, modalities and traditions that were codified in North America. Naturopathic drugs are a distinct medical profession that combines the wisdom of nature using the rigors of recent science. Naturopathic doctors (NDs) are trained as primary care providers who diagnose, treat and manage patients with acute and chronic conditions, while addressing disease and dysfunction at the level of body, mind and spirit. of naturopathic teaching and employ continue to be common in Europe.

North America is most likely the home of contemporary naturopathy, or naturopathic medicine. Most North American schools are government-accredited and all sorts of regions within North America work toward regulation or licensure (with 50% of Canadian provinces and 38% of states / regions inside the USA regulated). There are strong national and regional naturopathic associations, ongoing naturopathic research and specialized groups and journals to aid the technique of naturopathic medicine. North America is credited with codifying the naturopathic principles as well as for contributing some of the established theories and practices which can be now used worldwide.

Throughout its history, naturopathy / naturopathic prescription medication is introduced right into a country every time a naturopath / naturopathic doctor that may be been trained in North America or Europe moves and takes their skills together. There can be a synthesis in the European or North American training with the regular systems of medication in their country. For example, naturopathy was introduced to India after a medical professional was trained by naturopaths in Europe; two of the respondents from South East Asia indicated that we were holding originally trained in the USA.

The World Naturopathic Federation is currently undergoing a research project to clarify and codify the historic roots of naturopathy from worldwide.

Naturopathic Principles

Although there continues to be historically broad discussions around the principles and exercise of naturopathic medicine, there were no formal codification process until 1986, when the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP) formed a committee that consisted of naturopathic doctors Pamela Snider, Jared Zeff while others. These practitioners spent over 36 months reviewing the historic data and documents and interviewing over 1,000 people. In 1989, a definition of naturopathic medicine along with the description with the six naturopathic principles was formally codified and accepted from the two North American national naturopathic associations (American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP) as well as the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors (CAND)).Based for the 2014/2015 global naturopathic workforce survey these principles appear to have international recognition and acceptance.

The naturopathic principles taught in many countries include:

First, Do No Harm (primum non nocere)

Healing Power of Nature (vis medicatrixnaturae)

Treat the Cause (tollecausam)

Naturopathic Theories

There are several naturopathic theories practiced worldwide including:

Humoral Theory

Therapeutic Order

Naturopathic Modalities

The naturopathic modalities or therapies used all over the world vary by country. Some from the most common naturopathic modalities include:

Clinical Nutrition

Some naturopathic doctors can have additional trained in other natural therapies including:

Ayurvedic Medicine

Prescription Rights

IV Therapies

Chelation Therapy

Minor Surgery

Colon Therapy

Global Naturopathic Regulation

Naturopathy is practiced in every world region, spanning over eighty countries. Statutory regulation of the naturopathic profession currently exists in jurisdictions in North America, India, Europe and Latin America. To be a full member with the WNF, associations must support and stay working toward regulation. They must also support educational accreditation and growth of educational standards.

Naturopathic Regulatory Process

The statutory regulation of naturopathy, like all professionals, is strongly correlated with educational standards and is also influenced by the political landscape in each country as well as the regulating other traditional and complementary systems of medicine within the region. Every country or region containing regulation is backed up by an experienced naturopathic association. For those countries / regions that don’t yet have regulation, the WNF encourages that professional naturopathic associations participate in self-governance activities that protect the general public as they work at regulation.

Overview of Statutory Naturopathic Regulation Globally

The regulation of naturopathic practitioners is diverse. It covers Naturopathic Technicians, Licensed Naturopaths, Diploma in Naturopathy and Naturopathic Doctors. Naturopathic practitioners in Europe are referred to as Heilpraktiker or Naturopaths. In North America and India, naturopathic practitioners are regulated as Naturopathic Doctors and/or Naturopathic Physicians. In Latin America, regulation exists for both Naturopathic Technicians and Doctors of Naturopathy. This difference reflects the educational differences, however the foundational philosophy and principles are similar.