Naturopathy recognises that health is more than the absence of disease and is dependent on many factors. For this reason, it is considered one of the 'most holistic' therapies – truly working to heal the whole mind, body and spirit as a preventative approach and a means of restoring bodily balance.
What is naturopathy?
Naturopathy blends traditional and natural forms of medicine with modern scientific knowledge. It is based on the healing power of nature and how it can support and stimulate our body’s ability to heal itself.
In this video, naturopath Maya Harish explains what naturopathy is and how it can help us approach wellness in a holistic, natural way.
Naturopathic medicine uses natural therapies, including:
- dietetics (foods, nutrition, fasting and supplements)
- botanical medicine (herbal and plant-derived remedies)
- hydrotherapy (cold or warm water-based treatments)
- homoeopathy (the use of diluted substances related to specific ailments)
- naturopathic manipulation (massage and gentle pressure treatments)
- traditional Chinese medicine (such as acupuncture and herbal medicine)
- exercise (yoga, lymphatic movements)
Other approaches may include lifestyle counselling, spiritual healing and environmental adjustment. Naturopaths utilise natural forces such as sunlight, fresh air, clean water, thermal effects, the earth, and vibration to support the body's healing tendencies. It is both an art and a science of disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
Naturopathy is a system of healthcare that promotes the body’s own self-healing mechanism. It uses natural therapies such as nutrition, herbal medicine, acupuncture and homeopathy.
The origins of naturopathy
Naturopathy is a holistic approach to well-being rooted in the European nature cure movement, with principles often associated with Hippocrates, who emphasised treating the whole person rather than focusing solely on symptoms.
The term "naturopathy" was coined in 1895 and later popularised by Benedict Lust, who helped establish the practice in the US by promoting a range of natural health approaches, including hydrotherapy, herbal medicine and healthy lifestyle habits.
Interest in naturopathy grew throughout the early 20th century and experienced a resurgence during the holistic health movement of the 1970s.
What do naturopaths do?
Naturopathic practitioners (naturopaths) strive to provide personal care to their patients. They believe that every individual is unique and people are genetically, biochemically, structurally and emotionally different from one another.
A naturopath will assess your condition before prescribing treatment.
Using a range of alternative diagnostic methods, a naturopath can often pinpoint a predisposition in the body before the onset of acute disease. This allows them to treat the patient with specific therapies and lifestyle changes.
The basis of naturopathy is to use your symptoms and ailments to identify an underlying cause. From their root-cause diagnosis, they will aim to not only provide professional therapeutic interventions, but also educate you on a new ‘way of life’.
The goal of a naturopath is to introduce you to a lifestyle that supports the long-term prevention and maintenance of your health and well-being. Advice usually covers diet and exercise, as well as lifestyle and habits you can incorporate into your day-to-day life.
What are the benefits of naturopathy?
Known for promoting and maintaining your body’s health, naturopathy offers many benefits. These may include:
1. Preventing disease
This is often done in combination with nutritional guidance to help maintain or achieve a healthier body and boost your immune system.
2. Aiding or treating common ailments
These can include, but are not limited to:
- digestive issues
- headaches
- allergies
- skin and hair concerns
Naturopathic consultations focus on supporting overall health and well-being through nutrition, lifestyle and natural health approaches. They are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure medical conditions. You should always consult your GP if you have any medical concerns.
3. Improving sleep
Herbal treatments frequently offered through naturopathy, combined with nutritional suggestions, can help to create better, more sustainable sleeping habits.
4. Increased self-awareness
Helping you connect with your inner self, naturopathy can help you better understand your body and what it needs. By learning what different symptoms or issues may mean or indicate, you can better understand what needs to change.
What are the naturopathic principles?
The naturopathy system is defined by six core principles that practitioners adhere to at all times. There are many versions and rephrasings of the six values, but essentially they all have the same meaning. These include:
1. The healing power of nature
This essentially means that we should recognise, respect and promote our body's healing power and self-correcting mechanisms. We should avoid any treatments which might contradict this by working against them.
2. Identify and treat the cause
It is important that the underlying cause, whether physical or emotional, is identified and removed, rather than simply suppressing the symptoms.
3. Do no harm
A naturopath will provide the most effective healthcare system with the least risk to the patient. They will never use treatments that may create other conditions.
4. Treat the whole person
Every aspect of a person's being must be taken into account when preparing a treatment plan. This includes the physical, mental and emotional aspects, as well as individual health factors and influences.
5. The physician as teacher
A naturopath must encourage their patient to gain control and take responsibility for their own health by teaching them self-care methods.
6. Prevention is better than cure
This value really speaks for itself. Your naturopath will work with you to hopefully not only rid you of your current ailment but also to remove any substances and situations to prevent the onset of further disease in the future.
What should I expect during naturopathy treatment?
Initial consultation and diagnosis
Typically, you will have an initial consultation which lasts for around one hour. The consultation will allow your naturopath to ask questions regarding your lifestyle, medical history, diet and general well-being. They may also perform a physical examination, which could include anything from iridology (the study of the iris) to a tongue diagnosis.
The more information your practitioner has, the more accurate their diagnosis, recommendations and prescription will be. Once they feel they have gathered enough information, a treatment plan will be formulated. This will incorporate all aspects of an individual's life, rather than just the affected area; this way, the body has the best chance of healing itself.
The treatment plan may include advice on diet, lifestyle, exercise, herbal medicine, homeopathic treatments, or other suitable remedies. A naturopath may also refer the client to other practitioners as part of an integrated healthcare approach.
How much does an initial naturopathic consultation cost?
The cost of a naturopathic consultation varies based on multiple factors, including the naturopath's experience, the length of the consultation, and whether they provide herbal remedies.
On Therapy Directory, initial naturopathy consultations typically start at £65 and average around £100.
It’s important to bear in mind that an initial consultation is likely your longest appointment with your naturopathic practitioner, as it is when they need to consider your whole self, take time to understand your lifestyle, and devise a treatment plan.
How many sessions will I need?
The number of sessions you will need depends heavily on what is wrong. For long-standing issues, you might need more sessions than you would for a recent one. However, most people begin to see results within about five to six sessions.
It's important to remember that naturopathic medicine is not an instant treatment. If results aren't seen immediately, it doesn't mean that treatment isn't working.
What types of treatment might I be offered?
Because naturopathy is an overall approach to healthcare, it uses a variety of treatments chosen by the practitioner based on what they feel will be most efficient. Each treatment will be applied in a way that works with your body's ability to heal itself.
Many naturopaths are also qualified in other therapies, such as acupuncture, homeopathy, nutritional therapy, and iridology, enabling them to be directly involved in treatment. However, they might select a treatment outside their specialist area, and in that case, they will refer you elsewhere for treatment.
There are many treatments your naturopath might recommend – here is a selection to give you an idea of what to expect:
- kinesiology
- botanical medicine
- brainwave entrainment
- chelation therapy
- colonic enemas
- colour therapy
- cranial osteopathy
- hair analysis
- hydrotherapy
- ozone therapy
- physical therapy (such as osteopathy or soft tissue massage)
- psychological counselling (such as meditation or talk therapy)
- reflexology
- rolfing
- Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
Education
Expect to learn about the principles of health and disease and why a person becomes ill in the first place. You may also learn about diet, nutrition, exercise, breathing exercises and stress management, among other things. All of this will help you gain a better understanding of the totality of the body, mind, and spirit.
Nutrition
The food we choose to eat influences the way our bodies behave. In naturopathy, the importance of nutrition is emphasised at every step. Naturopaths believe that the best fuel for our bodies is whole, organic, and chemical-free, and that adjusting our diets is a simple way to prevent health complaints.
Naturopathy FAQs
Who do naturopaths help?
- Those looking to prevent disease or start undertaking health promotion strategies.
- People with symptoms that they have been unable to address on their own or with the assistance of other medical practitioners.
- Those who have been diagnosed with an ongoing issue and are seeking complementary treatment options that may improve their quality of life.
- People hoping to combine conventional and naturopathic medicine (often to minimise the risk of side effects from drugs, surgery, or other medical treatments).
How is naturopathic medicine different from conventional medicine?
Naturopaths treat each patient as an individual. This means they address not only physical, but also emotional, attitudinal, lifestyle, and environmental aspects that may be affecting their health. This allows them to identify and treat the root cause. This is done using a variety of therapies, rather than focusing on pharmaceutical options as conventional medicine often does.
What training and qualifications does a naturopath need?
There are no laws currently in place to regulate the practice of naturopathy in the UK. Various professional associations have therefore been established to protect the public from practitioners who have not received proper training.
The organisations ensure professional standards and fitness to practice for all members. This provides a safe resource for members of the public seeking a practitioner.
They also require potential members to agree to comply with their code of ethics and complaints procedure, and to confirm that they hold the appropriate insurance.
How do I find a naturopath?
On Therapy Directory, we only list professionals who have relevant qualifications and insurance and/or are members of a professional body.
If you are ready to work with a naturopath, you can use our search tool to find one today. Browse their profiles to learn more about how they work, and reach out to those of interest. Here you can enquire about a consultation and start your natural healing journey.
