Editing Naturopathy (section)

== Practice ==
[[File:Rational hydrotherapy - a manual of the physiological and therapeutic effects of hydriatic procedures, and the technique of their application in the treatment of disease (1902) (14760420036).jpg|thumb|250px|A patient undergoing a [[hydrotherapy]] session]]
[[File:Chromax II.JPG|thumb|250px|A nutritional supplement of [[Chromium(III) picolinate]], Chromax II]]
[[File:Homeopathic332.JPG|250px|thumb|[[Homeopathic]] preparations are commonly used by naturopaths.<ref name="Boon HS" /><ref name="Caulfield2011" /> The practice is considered a [[pseudoscience]].<ref name="Smith2012">{{cite journal |vauthors=Smith K |title=Homeopathy is Unscientific and Unethical |journal=Bioethics |volume=26 |issue=9 |doi=10.1111/j.1467-8519.2011.01956.x |pages=508–512 |year=2012 |s2cid=143067523 |url=https://zenodo.org/record/1035885 |access-date=October 28, 2017 |archive-date=October 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171029012949/https://zenodo.org/record/1035885 |url-status=live }}</ref>]]

In 2003, a report<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Atwood |first=Kimball C. |date=2003-12-30 |title=Naturopathy: a critical appraisal |url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14745386/ |journal=MedGenMed: Medscape General Medicine |volume=5 |issue=4 |pages=39 |issn=1531-0132 |pmid=14745386}}</ref> was presented by [[Kimball Atwood|Kimball C. Atwood]], an American medical doctor and researcher from [[Newton, Massachusetts]], best known as a critic of naturopathic medicine, stating among other criticisms that "The practice of naturopathy is based on a belief in the body's ability to heal itself through a special [[vitalism|vital energy]] or force guiding bodily processes internally".<ref name="atwood2003" />

Diagnosis and treatment concern primarily [[alternative medicine|alternative therapies]] and "natural" methods that naturopaths claim promote the body's natural ability to heal.<ref name="Gale_Frey" /><ref name="Skepdic_naturopathy">{{cite web |url= http://skepdic.com/natpathy.html |title= Naturopathy |access-date= March 21, 2015 |date= March 7, 2015 |vauthors= Carroll RT |work= [[The Skeptic's Dictionary]] |archive-date= September 1, 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100901033549/http://www.skepdic.com/natpathy.html |url-status= live }}</ref> Many naturopaths in India now use modern diagnostic techniques in their practice.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Nair |first1=Pradeep MK |last2=Nanda |first2=Awantika |title=Naturopathic medicine in India: Original Article |journal=Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies |date=September 2014 |volume=19 |issue=3 |pages=140–147 |doi=10.1111/fct.12125 }}</ref> Naturopaths focus on a [[holistic]] approach, avoiding the use of surgery and conventional medicines.<ref name="ACS-2009" /> Naturopaths aim to prevent illness through stress reduction and changes to diet and lifestyle, often rejecting the methods of evidence-based medicine.<ref name="Jagtenberg2006" /><ref name="ECHP">{{cite book |veditors= Clark CC, Gordon RJ |title= Encyclopedia of Complementary Health Practice |chapter-url= https://books.google.com/books?id=cwYnA1qunUwC&pg=PA57 |access-date= 2013-09-03 |year= 1999 |publisher= [[Springer Publishing]] |isbn= 978-0-8261-1722-9 |pages= 57–59 |chapter= Naturopathy: Practice Issues |vauthors= Pizzorno JE |archive-date= April 13, 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180413121208/https://books.google.com/books?id=cwYnA1qunUwC&pg=PA57 |url-status= live }}</ref>

A consultation typically begins with a comprehensive patient interview assessing lifestyle, medical history, emotional tone, and physical features, as well as physical examination.<ref name="Gale_Frey" /> Many naturopaths present themselves as [[Primary care physician|primary care providers]], and some naturopathic physicians may prescribe [[prescription drug|drugs]], perform minor surgery, and integrate other conventional medical approaches such as diet and lifestyle counselling with their naturopathic practice.<ref name="Gale_Frey" /><ref name="CNME-handbook">{{cite web |url= http://www.cnme.org/resources/2007_hoa.pdf |title= Handbook of Accreditation for Naturopathic Medicine Programs |year= 2007 |publisher= Council on Naturopathic Medical Education |access-date= 2010-11-20 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170209083708/http://www.cnme.org/resources/2007_hoa.pdf |archive-date= February 9, 2017 |url-status= dead }}</ref> Traditional naturopaths deal exclusively with lifestyle changes, not diagnosing or treating disease. Naturopaths do not generally recommend vaccines and [[antibiotic]]s, based in part on the early views that shaped the profession, and they may provide alternative remedies even in cases where evidence-based medicine has been shown effective.<ref name="tot" />

=== Methods ===
Naturopaths are often opposed to mainstream medicine and take an [[antivaccinationist]] stance.<ref name="tot">{{cite book |vauthors=Singh S, Ernst E |work=Trick or Treatment?: Alternative Medicine on Trial |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nWnR1JI7G6gC&pg=PT197 |year=2009 |publisher=Transworld |isbn=978-1-4090-8180-7 |pages=197– |title=Naturopathy |quote=many naturopaths are against mainstream medicine and advise their patients accordingly{{snd}}for instance many are not in favour of vaccination. |access-date=January 27, 2016 |archive-date=February 6, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160206135211/https://books.google.com/books?id=nWnR1JI7G6gC&pg=PT197 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The particular modalities used by a naturopath vary with training and scope of practice. These may include [[herbalism]], [[homeopathy]],<ref name="Boon HS" /> [[acupuncture]], nature cures, [[Physical medicine and rehabilitation|physical medicine]], [[applied kinesiology]],<ref name="PoaP" /> [[Colon cleansing|colonic enemas]],<ref name="Barrett-Naturopathy" /><ref name="Caulfield2011">{{cite journal | vauthors = Caulfield T, Rachul C | title = Supported by science?: what canadian naturopaths advertise to the public | journal = Allergy, Asthma, and Clinical Immunology | volume = 7 | pages = 14 | date = September 2011 | issue = 1 | pmid = 21920039 | pmc = 3182944 | doi = 10.1186/1710-1492-7-14 | doi-access = free }}</ref> [[Chelation therapy#Cardiovascular disease|chelation therapy]],<ref name="atwood2004">{{cite journal | vauthors = Atwood KC | title = Naturopathy, pseudoscience, and medicine: myths and fallacies vs truth | journal = MedGenMed | volume = 6 | issue = 1 | pages = 33 | date = March 2004 | pmid = 15208545 | pmc = 1140750 }}</ref> [[color therapy]],<ref name="PoaP">{{Cite book |url= http://www.pewscholars.com/pdf_files/Naturo2.pdf |title= Profile of a Profession: Naturopathic Practice | vauthors = Hough HJ, Dower C, O'Neil EH |publisher= Center for the Health Professions, [[University of California, San Francisco]] |date=September 2001 |page= 54 |url-status= dead |archive-date= 2008-10-02 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081002072928/http://www.pewscholars.com/pdf_files/Naturo2.pdf }}</ref> [[cranial osteopathy]], [[Hair analysis (alternative medicine)|hair analysis]], [[iridology]],<ref name="PoaP" /> [[live blood analysis]], [[ozone therapy]],<ref name="ACS-2009" /> [[psychotherapy]], [[public health]] measures and [[hygiene]],<ref name="ECHP" /> [[reflexology]],<ref name="PoaP" /> [[rolfing]],<ref name="Beyerstein_NW" /> [[massage therapy]], and [[traditional Chinese medicine]]. ''Nature cures'' include a range of therapies based on exposure to natural elements such as [[sunshine]], fresh air, or heat or cold, as well as [[nutrition]] advice such as following a [[vegetarian]] and [[whole food]] diet, [[fasting]], or [[Abstinence|abstention]] [[Teetotalism|from alcohol]] and [[sugar]].<ref name="dummy">{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/complementarymed0000youn |title=Complementary Medicine for Dummies |vauthors=Young J |publisher=Wiley |year=2007 |isbn=978-0-470-02625-0 |location=Chichester, England |chapter=Chapters 8 & 13 |oclc=174043853 |url-access=registration}}</ref> Physical medicine includes naturopathic, osseous, or soft tissue [[manipulative therapy]], [[sports medicine]], [[Physical exercise|exercise]], and [[hydrotherapy]]. Psychological counseling includes [[meditation]], [[Relaxation technique|relaxation]], and other methods of [[stress management]].<ref name="dummy" />

A 2004 survey determined the most commonly prescribed naturopathic therapeutics in [[Washington (state)|Washington state]] and [[Connecticut]] were botanical medicines, vitamins, minerals, homeopathy, and allergy treatments.<ref name="Boon HS">{{cite journal | vauthors = Boon HS, Cherkin DC, Erro J, Sherman KJ, Milliman B, Booker J, Cramer EH, Smith MJ, Deyo RA, Eisenberg DM | title = Practice patterns of naturopathic physicians: results from a random survey of licensed practitioners in two US States | journal = BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine | volume = 4 | pages = 14 | date = October 2004 | pmid = 15496231 | pmc = 529271 | doi = 10.1186/1472-6882-4-14 | doi-access = free }}</ref> An examination published in 2011 of naturopathic clinic websites in [[Alberta]] and [[British Columbia]] found that the most commonly advertised therapies were homeopathy, botanical medicine, nutrition, acupuncture, lifestyle counseling, and detoxification.<ref name="Caulfield2011" />

In 2020, a survey of methods used by naturopaths in fourteen countries reported that 27% of clients received acupuncture, 22% homeopathy, 16% "other energetic medicines", and 13.5% were given hydrotherapy. A mean of 4.0 "treatments" were provided to each customer. One-third (33%) of patients consulted with only the naturopath to manage their primary health concern.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Steel A, Foley H, Bradley R, Van De Venter C, Lloyd I, Schloss J, Wardle J, Reid R | title = Overview of international naturopathic practice and patient characteristics: results from a cross-sectional study in 14 countries | journal = BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies | volume = 20 | issue = 1 | pages = 59 | date = February 2020 | pmid = 32070338 | pmc = 7076821 | doi = 10.1186/s12906-020-2851-7 | doi-access = free }}</ref>

=== Evidence basis ===
{{See also|Evidence-based medicine}}
[[File:Soapsuds Enemas.jpg|right|thumb|upright|Equipment for administering large [[enema]]s: a bag and a bucket, each holding a gallon. Enemas and [[Colon cleansing|colonic irrigation]] are commonly used by naturopaths for a wide range of medical conditions,<ref name="Caulfield2011" /> for which there are no known health benefits.<ref name="Ernst1997">{{cite journal |last1=Ernst |first1=E. |title=Colonic Irrigation and the Theory of Autointoxication: A Triumph of Ignorance over Science |journal=Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology |date=June 1997 |volume=24 |issue=4 |pages=196–198 |doi=10.1097/00004836-199706000-00002 |pmid=9252839 |doi-access=free }}</ref>]]
[[File:Rectal bulb syringe.jpg|right|thumb|upright|A rectal bulb syringe for injecting a small enema]]
[[File:Ozone IV Therapy AMA Skincare.jpg|alt=Patient undergoing Ozone IV Therapy|thumb|upright|Person undergoing ozone IV therapy with ultraviolet irradiation. According to the [[FDA]], "Ozone is a toxic gas with no known useful medical application in specific, adjunctive, or preventive therapy."<ref name="FDAozone">{{cite web|title=Code of Federal Regulations Title 21, Sec. 801.415 Maximum acceptable level of ozone|url=http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRsearch.cfm?fr=801.415|website=U.S. Food and Drug Administration|access-date=18 May 2016|date=1 April 2015|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304035650/http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?FR=801.415|url-status=live}}</ref>]]

Naturopathy as a whole lacks an adequate scientific basis,<ref name="Jagtenberg2006">{{cite journal | vauthors = Jagtenberg T, Evans S, Grant A, Howden I, Lewis M, Singer J | title = Evidence-based medicine and naturopathy | journal = Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine | volume = 12 | issue = 3 | pages = 323–328 | date = April 2006 | pmid = 16646733 | doi = 10.1089/acm.2006.12.323}}</ref> and it is rejected by the medical community.<ref name="Jagtenberg2006" /> Although it includes valid lifestyle advice from mainstream medicine (healthy sleep, balanced diet, regular exercise),<ref name="tot" /> it typically adds a range of pseudoscientific beliefs.<ref name="NCAHF_np" /> Some methods rely on immaterial "vital energy fields", the existence of which has not been proven, and there is concern that naturopathy as a field tends towards isolation from general scientific discourse.<ref name="NCAHF_np" /><ref name="Herbert1994">{{cite book | vauthors = Herbert V, Barrett S |title= The Vitamin Pushers: How the "Health Food" Industry is Selling America a Bill of Goods |publisher= Prometheus Books |location= Buffalo, NY |year= 1994 |isbn= 978-0-87975-909-4 |url= https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780879759094 }}</ref><ref name="isbn0-87975-761-2">{{cite book | vauthors = Barrett S, Raso J |title=Mystical Diets: Paranormal, Spiritual, and Occult Nutrition Practices |publisher=Prometheus Books |location=Buffalo, New York |year=1993 |isbn=978-0-87975-761-8 |url=https://archive.org/details/mysticaldietspar0000raso }}</ref> Naturopathy is criticized for its reliance on and its association with unproven, disproven, and other controversial alternative medical treatments, and for its vitalistic underpinnings.<ref name="tot" /><ref name="ACS-2009" /> Natural substances known as [[nutraceutical]]s show little promise in treating diseases, especially cancer, as laboratory experiments have shown limited therapeutic effect on [[biochemical pathway]]s, while clinical trials demonstrate poor [[bioavailability]].<ref name="neut">{{cite journal | vauthors = Ahmad A, Ginnebaugh KR, Li Y, Padhye SB, Sarkar FH | title = Molecular targets of naturopathy in cancer research: bridge to modern medicine | journal = Nutrients | volume = 7 | issue = 1 | pages = 321–334 | date = January 2015 | pmid = 25569626 | pmc = 4303842 | doi = 10.3390/nu7010321 | type = Review | doi-access = free }}</ref> According to the [[American Cancer Society]], "scientific evidence does not support claims that naturopathic medicine can cure [[cancer]] or any other disease".<ref name="ACS-2009" /> According to Britt Hermes, naturopath student programs are problematic because "As a naturopath [student], you are making justifications to make the rules and to fudge the standards of how to interpret research all along the way. Because if you don't, you're not left with anything, basically".<ref name="ESP50">{{cite web |title=Episode #050, feat. Britt Hermes |url=http://theesp.eu/podcast_archive/episode_050_britt_hermes.html |website=The European Skeptics Podcast |date=November 29, 2016 |access-date=15 September 2018 |archive-date=September 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909000353/http://theesp.eu/podcast_archive/episode_050_britt_hermes.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2015, the [[Department of Health (Australia)|Australian Government's Department of Health]] published the results of a review of alternative therapies that sought to determine if any were suitable for being covered by [[health insurance]]; Naturopathy was one of 17 therapies evaluated for which no clear evidence of effectiveness was found.<ref name="aus17">{{cite web |url=http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/content/0E9129B3574FCA53CA257BF0001ACD11/$File/Natural%20Therapies%20Overview%20Report%20Final%20with%20copyright%2011%20March.pdf |publisher=Australian Government – Department of Health |author=Baggoley C |title=Review of the Australian Government Rebate on Natural Therapies for Private Health Insurance |year=2015 |access-date=December 12, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160626024750/http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/content/0E9129B3574FCA53CA257BF0001ACD11/$File/Natural%20Therapies%20Overview%20Report%20Final%20with%20copyright%2011%20March.pdf |archive-date=June 26, 2016}}
*{{lay source |template=cite web |author=Gavura, S. |date=19 November 2015 |title=Australian review finds no benefit to 17 natural therapies |url=https://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/australian-review-finds-no-benefit-to-17-natural-therapies |website=Science-Based Medicine}}</ref>

[[Kimball C. Atwood IV]] writes, in the journal ''Medscape General Medicine'',<ref name="atwood2003" />{{blockquote|Naturopathic physicians now claim to be primary care physicians proficient in the practice of both "conventional" and "natural" medicine. Their training, however, amounts to a small fraction of that of medical doctors who practice primary care. An examination of their literature, moreover, reveals that it is replete with pseudoscientific, ineffective, unethical, and potentially dangerous practices.|author=|title=|source=}} In another article, Atwood writes that "Physicians who consider naturopaths to be their colleagues thus find themselves in opposition to one of the fundamental ethical precepts of modern medicine. If naturopaths are not to be judged "nonscientific practitioners", the term has no useful meaning".<ref name="atwood2004" />

A former licensed naturopathic doctor, Britt Marie Hermes, states that "any product that is sold by a naturopath almost guarantees that there is no reliable scientific data to support whatever health claims are made,<ref name="Haglage">{{cite news|vauthors=Haglage A, Mak T|title=Trump Vitamins Were Fortified With B.S.|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/05/25/inside-donald-trump-s-vitamin-scam.html|access-date=24 June 2016|work=The Daily Beast|date=25 May 2016|archive-date=January 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114003653/https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-vitamins-were-fortified-with-bs|url-status=live}}</ref> and that while some naturopaths claim to only practice evidence based medicine, "the problem is, all naturopaths in an accredited naturopathic program are required to extensively study homeopathy, herbal medicine, energy healing, chiropractic techniques, water therapy" and other pseudoscientific practices.<ref name="ESP50" /> Hermes further notes that, while some naturopaths claim that their method can be effective treatments for psychological disorders, "no naturopathic treatment has been clinically proven to be safe and effective for bipolar disorder or any other condition."<ref name="DubiousclaimsHermesSI">{{cite journal | vauthors = Hermes B |title=Dubious claims in psychotherapy for youth |journal=Skeptical Inquirer |date=April 2020 |volume=44 |issue=2 |page=50 |url=https://skepticalinquirer.org/2020/01/dubious-claims-in-psychotherapy-for-youth/ }}</ref>

According to [[Arnold S. Relman]], the ''Textbook of Natural Medicine'' is inadequate as a teaching tool, as it omits to mention or treat in detail many common ailments, improperly emphasizes treatments "not likely to be effective" over those that are, and promotes unproven herbal remedies at the expense of pharmaceuticals. He concludes that "the risks to many sick patients seeking care from the average naturopathic practitioner would far outweigh any possible benefits".<ref name="Relman_text">{{cite web |url= http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/Naturopathy/relman1.html |title= Textbook of Natural Medicine |access-date= 2009-04-17 |vauthors= Relman AS |author-link= Arnold S. Relman |orig-date= January 9, 2001 |date= April 10, 2002 |publisher= QuackWatch |archive-date= May 11, 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110511175643/http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/Naturopathy/relman1.html |url-status= live }}</ref>

The Massachusetts Medical Society states, "Naturopathic practices are unchanged by research and remain a large assortment of erroneous and potentially dangerous claims mixed with a sprinkling of non-controversial dietary and lifestyle advice."<ref name="MMStestimony2015" />

=== Safety of natural treatments ===
Naturopaths often recommend exposure to naturally occurring substances, such as [[sunshine]], [[herbs]] and certain foods, as well as activities they describe as natural, such as [[exercise]], [[meditation]] and [[relaxation (psychology)|relaxation]]. Naturopaths claim that these natural treatments help restore the body's innate ability to heal itself without the adverse effects of conventional medicine. However, "natural" methods and chemicals are not necessarily safer or more effective than "artificial" or "synthetic" ones, and any treatment capable of eliciting an effect may also have deleterious [[side effect]]s.<ref name="ACS-2009" /><ref name="Barrett-Naturopathy" /><ref name="SkepDic_natural">{{cite web |url= http://skepdic.com/natural.html |title= Natural |access-date= 2013-09-08 |vauthors= Carroll R |work= The Skeptic's Dictionary |date= November 26, 2012 |archive-date= May 14, 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110514011749/http://skepdic.com/natural.html |url-status= live }}</ref><ref name="NCAHF_herb">{{cite web |url= http://www.ncahf.org/pp/herbal.html |title= NCAHF Position Paper on Over the Counter Herbal Remedies (1995) |access-date= 2009-04-17 |year= 1995 |publisher= National Council Against Health Fraud |archive-date= July 7, 2011 |archive-url= http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20110707163329/http://www.ncahf.org/pp/herbal.html |url-status= live }}</ref>

Certain naturopathic treatments offered by naturopaths, such as [[homeopathy]], [[rolfing]], and [[iridology]], are widely considered [[pseudoscience]] or [[quackery]].<ref name="NSBattitudes">{{cite web |title= Chapter 7 Science and Technology: Public Attitudes and Public Understanding, Section: Belief in Alternative Medicine |url= https://www.nsf.gov/statistics/seind02/c7/c7s5.htm#c7s5l2a |work= Science and Engineering Indicators - 2002 |date= January 15, 2002 |author= National Science Board |publisher= Division of Science Resources Statistics, [[National Science Foundation]] |location= Arlington, VA |access-date= 2018-04-06 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160616181809/http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/seind02/c7/c7s5.htm#c7s5l2a |archive-date= 2016-06-16 |url-status= dead |author-link= National Science Board }}</ref><ref name="WahlbergQuack">{{cite journal | vauthors = Wahlberg A | title = A quackery with a difference-new medical pluralism and the problem of 'dangerous practitioners' in the United Kingdom | journal = Social Science & Medicine | volume = 65 | issue = 11 | pages = 2307–2316 | date = December 2007 | pmid = 17719708 | doi = 10.1016/j.socscimed.2007.07.024 | url = https://curis.ku.dk/ws/files/49590510/Wahlberg.2007.Aquackerywithadifference.pdf | access-date = December 10, 2019 | archive-date = January 14, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210114003657/https://curis.ku.dk/ws/files/49590510/Wahlberg.2007.Aquackerywithadifference.pdf | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title= Iridology is Nonsense |url= http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/iridology.html |vauthors= Barrett S |date= March 28, 2008 |work= QuackWatch |access-date= 2013-09-08 |archive-date= April 6, 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110406120005/http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/iridology.html |url-status= live }}</ref> [[Stephen Barrett]] of [[QuackWatch]] and the [[National Council Against Health Fraud]] has stated that naturopathy is "simplistic and that its practices are riddled with quackery".<ref name="Barrett-Naturopathy" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=Homeopathy|url=https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/homeopathy/|date=2017-10-18|website=nhs.uk|language=en|access-date=2020-05-21|archive-date=May 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200513190309/https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/homeopathy/|url-status=live}}</ref> "Non-scientific health care practitioners, including naturopaths, use unscientific methods and deception on a public who, lacking in-depth health care knowledge, must rely upon the assurance of providers. Quackery not only harms people, it undermines the ability to conduct scientific research and should be opposed by scientists", says [[William T. Jarvis]].<ref name="Jarvis WT">{{cite journal | vauthors = Jarvis WT | title = Quackery: a national scandal | journal = Clinical Chemistry | volume = 38 | issue = 8B Pt 2 | pages = 1574–1586 | date = August 1992 | pmid = 1643742 }}</ref> In the 2018 Australian case against Marlyin Bodnar, who advised a mother to treat her infant son's eczema with a raw food diet which nearly led to the child's starvation death, Judge Peter Berman said, "Well intentioned but seriously misguided advice is, as the facts of this case demonstrate, capable of causing great harm and even death to vulnerable children."<ref>{{cite web| vauthors = Sutton C |title=Naturopath jailed in starving baby case|url=http://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/courts-law/naturopath-faces-sentencing-in-starving-baby-case/news-story/bc594346e08341bfee402f19471b830d|website=news.com.au|access-date=24 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180424055207/http://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/courts-law/naturopath-faces-sentencing-in-starving-baby-case/news-story/bc594346e08341bfee402f19471b830d|archive-date=24 April 2018|language=en|date=5 April 2018}}</ref> Furthermore, Britt Hermes criticizes the "pervasive culture of [[Victim blaming|patient blaming]]" among naturopathic practitioners, where "when something doesn't work for the patient and the patient is not experiencing all of the positive effects and zero side-effects that are promised with the therapy, it's never because the therapy doesn't work, it's because the patient didn't do something right."<ref name="ESP50" />

=== Vaccination ===
{{See also|Vaccine hesitancy}}
[[File:Measles US 1938-2019.png| alt=Cases of measles from 1938 to 1963 followed a highly variable epidemic pattern, with 150,000–850,000 cases reported per year. A sharp decline followed after the introduction of the first [[measles vaccine]] in 1963, with fewer than 25,000 cases reported in 1968. Outbreaks around 1971 and 1977 gave 75,000 and 57,000 cases, respectively. Cases were stable at a few thousand per year until an outbreak of 28,000 in 1990. Cases declined from a few hundred per year in the early 1990s to a few dozen in the 2000s. | thumb | [[Measles]] cases reported in the United States fell dramatically after the introduction of the measles vaccine.]]

Many naturopathy practitioners voice their opposition to vaccination. The reasons for this opposition are based, in part, on the early views which shaped the foundation of this occupation.<ref name="Ernst-2001">{{cite journal | vauthors = Ernst E | title = Rise in popularity of complementary and alternative medicine: reasons and consequences for vaccination | journal = Vaccine | volume = 20 Suppl 1 | issue = Suppl. 1, 5th European Conference on Vaccinology: A Safe Future with Vaccination | pages = S90-3; discussion S89 | date = October 2001 | pmid = 11587822 | doi = 10.1016/S0264-410X(01)00290-0 | author-link = Edzard Ernst }}</ref> A naturopathy textbook, co-authored by Joseph Pizzorno, recalls anti-vaccine beliefs associated with the founding of naturopathy in the United States: "a return to nature in regulating the diet, breathing, exercising, bathing and the employment of various forces" ''in lieu'' of the [[smallpox vaccine]].<ref>{{cite book| vauthors = Pizzorno JE, Murray MT |title=Textbook of Natural Medicine e-edition: Text with Continually Updated Online Reference, 2-Volume Set|date=2011|publisher=Elsevier|isbn=978-1-4557-0527-6|edition=third|quote=To understand how revolting these products are, let us just refer to the vaccine matter which is supposed to be an efficient preventive of smallpox. [...] The natural system for curing disease is based on a return to nature in regulating the diet, breathing, exercising, bathing and the employment of various forces to eliminate the poisonous products in the system, and so raise the vitality of the patient to a proper standard of health.|page=43}}</ref>

In general, evidence about associations between naturopathy and pediatric vaccination is sparse, but "published reports suggest that only a minority of naturopathic physicians actively support full vaccination".<ref name="Downey">{{cite journal | vauthors = Downey L, Tyree PT, Huebner CE, Lafferty WE | title = Pediatric vaccination and vaccine-preventable disease acquisition: associations with care by complementary and alternative medicine providers | journal = Maternal and Child Health Journal | volume = 14 | issue = 6 | pages = 922–930 | date = November 2010 | pmid = 19760163 | pmc = 2924961 | doi = 10.1007/s10995-009-0519-5 }} Quote is taken from introduction to paper, not from results of research presented in this paper.</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Herzog R, Álvarez-Pasquin MJ, Díaz C, Del Barrio JL, Estrada JM, Gil Á | title = Are healthcare workers' intentions to vaccinate related to their knowledge, beliefs and attitudes? A systematic review | journal = BMC Public Health | volume = 13 | pages = 154 | date = February 2013 | pmid = 23421987 | pmc = 3602084 | doi = 10.1186/1471-2458-13-154 | doi-access = free }}</ref> In Washington state from 2000 to 2003, children were significantly less likely to receive immunizations if they had seen a naturopath.<ref name="Downey" /> A survey of naturopathic students published in 2004 found that students at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine became less likely to recommend vaccinations to their patients and became more distrustful of public health and conventional medicine as they advanced in the program.<ref name="wilson" />

The British Columbia Naturopathic Association lists several major concerns regarding the pediatric vaccine schedule and vaccines in general,<ref>{{cite web|title=BCNA Vaccination Position Paper|url=http://www.bcna.ca/files_3/articles-vaccination.php|publisher=British Columbia Naturopathic Association|access-date=15 July 2014|archive-date=July 19, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140719051132/http://www.bcna.ca/files_3/articles-vaccination.php|url-status=live}}</ref> and the group's policy is to not advocate for or against vaccines.<ref>{{cite journal|vauthors=Brown H|title=Influenza Virus, Vaccination and Naturopathic Practice|journal=Naturopathic Doctor News and Review|date=21 December 2007|url=http://ndnr.com/nature-cure/influenza-virus-vaccination-and-naturopathic-practice/|access-date=20 October 2016|archive-date=January 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114003701/https://ndnr.com/nature-cure/influenza-virus-vaccination-and-naturopathic-practice/|url-status=live}}</ref> The Oregon Association of Naturopathic Physicians reports that many naturopaths "customize" the pediatric vaccine schedule.<ref>{{cite web|title=Naturopathic Primary Care|url=http://www.thelundreport.org/sites/default/files/u967/ND%20Primary%20Care%20in%20Oregon%20White%20Paper%20-%20Final.pdf|publisher=Oregon Association of Naturopathic Physicians|access-date=15 July 2014|archive-date=June 14, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130614203253/http://www.thelundreport.org/sites/default/files/u967/ND%20Primary%20Care%20in%20Oregon%20White%20Paper%20-%20Final.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

As of April 25, 2022, a British Columbia government report found that 69.2% of naturopaths reported having received at least two COVID vaccines or receiving a medical exemption. This was much lower than all the other regulated medical professions in the report. The number for two professions{{snd}}dieticians and physicians/surgeons{{snd}}was 98%.<ref name="cbc-covid-vaccines">{{cite news |title=Naturopaths, chiropractors least vaccinated of all B.C. health professionals, province says |last1=Larsen |first1=Karin |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/naturopaths-chiropractors-least-vaccinated-1.6439886 |access-date=11 May 2022 |agency=CBC |date=10 May 2022}}</ref><ref name="bc-gov-vaccines">{{cite news |title=Data published on vaccination status of regulated health professions |url=https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2022HLTH0138-000737 |access-date=11 May 2022 |work=news.gov.bc.ca |agency=BC Gov News |date=10 May 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

{{as of|2016}}, the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, which is the largest professional organization for licensed naturopaths in the U.S., is "still discussing its stance on vaccinations".<ref name="Robins">{{cite news|vauthors=Robins R|title=Funded by vitamin makers, naturopaths push to expand in US|url=https://www.statnews.com/2016/05/17/naturopaths-go-mainstream/|access-date=18 May 2016|work=STAT|date=17 May 2016|archive-date=January 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114003710/https://www.statnews.com/2016/05/17/naturopaths-go-mainstream/|url-status=live}}</ref>