Naturopathic medicine is the purest form of integrative medicine. The practice of naturopathic medicine includes modern and traditional, scientific, and empirical methods. Naturopathic medicine is a distinct primary health care profession, emphasizing prevention, treatment, and optimal health through the use of therapeutic methods and substances that encourage individuals’ inherent self-healing process. Naturopathic medicine offers safe, effective natural therapies as a vital part of the health-care systems of North America.
Licensed naturopathic doctors (ND) attend 4 year accredited medical schools where they are educated in all of the same basic sciences as an MD, but also study holistic and nontoxic approaches to therapy with a strong emphasis on disease prevention and optimizing wellness. In addition to a standard medical curriculum, the naturopathic physician also studies clinical nutrition, homeopathic medicine, botanical medicine, psychology, and counseling. A naturopathic physician takes rigorous professional board exams so that he or she may be licensed by a state or jurisdiction as a naturopathic doctor.
Licensure for naturopathic doctors began March 1st, 2016 and they are licensed by the Maryland Board of Physicians.
For more information, visit our national organization: American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP)