What is the difference between Naturopathy and Homeopathy?
Naturopathy encompasses the entire spectrum of natural medicine, of which homeopathy is just one part. Homeopathy is a system which uses extremely small doses of natural substances to stimulate the body’s own ability to heal, and thus is based on many of the same principles as naturopathy – treating the cause, treating the whole person, doing no harm, and using the healing power of nature. Homeopathy is part of the foundation of naturopathic medicine, yet it may be taught and practised just by itself and by health care providers who are not naturopaths.
Homeopathy (click on Therapies – Homeopathy, for more information) is only one of the “modalities” or forms of treatment that a Naturopathic Doctor is trained in. Naturopathic Medicine is the art of using clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, homeopathic medicine, traditional Chinese medicine (includes herbs and acupuncture), physical therapies (includes hydrotherapy, massage therapy etc) and counselling together with medical science to create a unique treatment plan for each individual patient. Homeopaths, on the other hand, are trained to practice in ONE discipline – homeopathy. So while a homeopath would prescribe a homeopathic therapy, a naturopathic doctor would use any of the approaches listed above, including homeopathy, in their treatments.
Homeopathy is one treatment modality used by naturopaths along with botanical medicine, nutrition, Asian medicine, lifestyle counseling and physical medicine. A Naturopath is trained and regulated to perform all of these treatments. Homeopathy is a system of medicine based on the principle that like cures like and is the sole treatment used by most homeopathic practitioners.
Naturopathy is a system of medicine based on the healing power of nature. Naturopathic treatments include nutrition, botanical medicines, homeopathic medicines, physical therapies and spinal manipulation, hydrotherapy (water treatments), counseling and lifestyle changes. Naturopathic doctors may choose to specialize in one or more of these modalities, such as homeopathy.
