Naturopathy vs Integrative Medicine
Naturopathy and integrative medicine compared side by side: what each term means, who practices, how each relates to conventional care, and how regulation differs.
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Side by side
| Question | Naturopathy | Integrative medicine |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A medical system that evolved from traditional practices and health care approaches popular in 19th-century Europe. [1] | Bringing conventional and complementary approaches together in a coordinated way, often with two or more interventions at once. [2] |
| Stated aim | To prevent and treat disease by addressing its "root cause", on the belief that symptoms signal a problem. [1] | Treating the whole person rather than one organ system, with coordination among providers. [2] |
| Who delivers it | Licensed naturopathic physicians, traditional naturopaths, and other providers who offer some of the same treatments. [1] | Mixed teams. Physicians can become board-certified in integrative medicine. [1] |
| Typical tools | Diet and lifestyle changes, stress reduction, herbs and supplements, homeopathy, manipulative therapies, exercise therapy, counseling. [1] | Medication, rehabilitation or psychotherapy combined with approaches such as acupuncture, yoga or probiotics. [2] |
| Link to conventional care | Practitioners may refer patients to conventional providers when appropriate. [1] | Coordination with conventional care is part of the definition. [2] |
How training and titles differ
"Naturopathic physician" refers to a Doctor of Naturopathy (N.D.) or Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (N.M.D.). These practitioners typically complete a 4-year graduate program at a school accredited by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education. [1] Traditional naturopaths may train through non-accredited programs of varying length, and NCCIH says they are not eligible for licensing. [1]For integrative medicine there is no single title. One example for physicians is a board exam in integrative medicine from the American Board of Physician Specialties. Applicants must already be graduates of a medical school with an unrestricted medical license, and must also meet residency, prior board-certification and fellowship or other training requirements. [3] The word "integrative" by itself does not tell you someone's license. NCCIH notes that in the US government agencies grant and monitor licenses, while professional organizations certify practitioners. [4]
What researchers say about the two labels
A 2026 article in the American Journal of Medicine, written by authors affiliated with university integrative medicine programs, describes integrative medicine as an academic discipline grounded in evidence-based medicine and collaboration. [5] That is one viewpoint from people who work in the field. Evidence belongs to specific treatments for specific conditions, not to a label. [2] For naturopathic care as a whole, see what the whole-system trials found.A note on cancer and serious illness
In a published study of people with curable cancers, those who chose alternative medicine alone, without conventional cancer treatment, had a higher risk of death than matched patients who received conventional treatment. [6] Both naturopathic and integrative care can be used alongside medical treatment. Tell your oncology team about everything you use. Do not stop or change prescribed medicines without talking to your prescriber.Choosing between them
Ask the same questions of either: what exactly will be done, what is the evidence, what does it cost, and will you work with my other doctors? NCCIH advises finding out whether the practitioner will work together with your conventional providers. [7] Next steps: credentials and scope of practice, what to expect at a consultation and integrative, functional and lifestyle medicine.Frequently asked questions
Is a naturopath an integrative doctor?
Not automatically. A licensed naturopathic physician may work in an integrative setting, but physician board certification in integrative medicine is a separate route. [1][3]
Which one has better evidence?
Neither label carries evidence by itself. Evidence is judged for each treatment, condition and comparison group. [2]
Is integrative medicine the same as alternative medicine?
No. NCCIH describes "alternative" as a non-mainstream approach used in place of conventional medicine, and integrative health as bringing conventional and complementary approaches together in a coordinated way. [2] See integrative, alternative and complementary medicine compared.
Can I use both?
Yes, if everyone caring for you knows what you use. NCCIH advises telling all of your health care providers about the complementary approaches you use. [7]
Does a license guarantee good care?
No. NCCIH says regulations, licenses or certificates do not guarantee safe, effective treatment from any provider, conventional or complementary. [1]
References
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), Naturopathy, last updated April 2025. Read 2026-10-22.
- NCCIH, Complementary, Alternative, or Integrative Health: What's In a Name?, last updated April 2021. Read 2026-10-22.
- American Board of Physician Specialties, American Board of Integrative Medicine. Read 2026-10-22.
- NCCIH, Credentialing, Licensing, and Education, last updated May 2018. Read 2026-10-22.
- Soffer GK, Loy M, Bierman S, Weil A. Drawing a line between integrative and functional medicine. Am J Med. 2026 (online ahead of print). Authors are affiliated with university integrative medicine programs. Read 2026-10-22.
- Johnson SB, Park HS, Gross CP, Yu JB. Use of Alternative Medicine for Cancer and Its Impact on Survival. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2018. Read 2026-10-22.
- NCCIH, 6 Things To Know When Selecting a Complementary Health Practitioner. Read 2026-10-22.