Our Natural Therapy Association has been accrediting naturopaths for more than 60 years, ensuring that they meet the highest educational and training standards required for membership.
All of the naturopaths in our directory are qualified and capable of delivering first-rate treatments.
Find naturopathic practitioners across Australia, in our directory of experts. Or find naturopath women’s health near me.
Naturopathy emphasises a holistic approach to disease prevention, and the treatment and promotion of optimal health through natural, therapeutic means. These may include homeopathy, nutritional medicine, herbal medicine, massage therapy and lifestyle and dietary advice.
Inherent to naturopathy is the principle that the body has an intrinsic ability to heal itself. Using the healing power of nature and gentle therapeutic techniques, the mind, body and emotions are supported during this healing process.
Naturopathy is one of the most popular forms of complementary medicine in Australia today, with naturopaths performing over 4.9 million consultations every year. They will often recommend a combination of therapies, and use preventative medicine practices to ensure the body restores, heals, and nourishes itself to remain vital and strong. According to naturopathic principles, naturopaths treat each client as an individual, treat the whole body and not just an affected area, and address the cause of health issues, not just the symptoms.
The term “naturopathy” originates from the Lain root for birth (“natura”) and the Greek root for suffering (“pathos”) to suggest “natural healing.” The first advocate of naturopathic medicine was believed to be Hippocrates, and the modern form of naturopathy can be traced to 18th- and 19th-century natural healing systems. These include hydrotherapy (water therapy), which was popular in Germany, and “nature cure” (the use of air, light, food, herbs and water to treat illness), which was developed in Austria.
Benjamin Lust first introduced naturopathy to the US in 1901, with the founding of the American School of Naturopathy. It emphasised the use of natural health practices including herbal medicine, hydrotherapy and homeopathy, the avoidance of overeating, and the elimination of tea, coffee, and alcohol. Naturopaths eventually became licensed under drugless practitioner and naturopathic laws in 25 American states. Naturopathy was adopted by many chiropractors, and several universities offered Doctor of Naturopathy (ND) degrees.
Naturopathy continued to gain popularity due to social and cultural change and government policies that highlighted freedom of choice and individual responsibility, and today, naturopaths are licensed primary care providers offering advice on a range of complementary and alternative therapies, including homeopathy, herbal remedies, vitamin and mineral supplements, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and relaxation techniques.
Naturopathic practices focus on the use of natural and non-invasive treatments that work in harmony with the body’s natural healing mechanisms. Naturopaths also consider disease prevention and the influence of emotions, the environment, and lifestyle on a client’s holistic health.
Naturopathy encompasses a range of treatment methods, including:
Some naturopaths are also trained in:
A naturopath can assist with a holistic health plan by helping you understand how a variety of imbalances, deficiencies, diet, environment, lifestyle, relationships and stress levels could be impacting your health. These include:
Naturopathy has proven to help with a number of health concerns, including:
There can be some degree of crossover with certain natural therapies, which can be confusing at times. Because naturopathy encompasses a number of other natural therapies like homeopathy, nutrition, and herbal medicine, it can be considered a much broader practice where the naturopath can help with a larger number of issues. By contrast, a herbalist can only help with herbal medicines, and a nutritionist with nutrition.
ANTA is committed to the delivery of public safety, quality health care and promoting informed choices. This is reflected in our Scope and Standards of Practice. Naturopaths must meet strict criteria to become ANTA members, and the easiest way to choose one is by using ANTA’s naturopathic practitioner directory, which you can access using the search form at the top of this page.
If you would like to find a naturopath yourself, these are the main things to look out for:
Often, a naturopath will start the appointment by getting a holistic understanding of your health. This may include talking about your medical history, stress, diet, lifestyle, bowel habits, and any health issues you’re currently having. They might also chat to you about your emotional well being, how much sleep you get each night, and your general energy levels each day. Finally, they may complete a physical assessment.
All of this information gives them a good understanding of your general health, which allows them to create a custom treatment plan for you, which allows your body to naturally heal. The plan may include recommendations such as detoxifying your body, making changes to your diet, taking nutritional supplements, and more.
Naturopaths aim to teach you about how to stay in good health, so they will provide you with plenty of good information to do so. They may also suggest follow-up appointments, although this depends on your specific treatment plan.
Our naturopaths are well-trained at integrating conventional medicines with natural medicines in terms of your specific health concerns. However, if you are currently taking medications administered by a GP, you should let them know you are also using alternative medicine, and continue taking those medications unless they advise otherwise. It may also be possible for us to work alongside your GP to ensure the proper monitoring and assessment of our natural medicines takes place during your treatment plan.
ANTA represents naturopaths with a broad range of skills, including helping you to have a baby. When you find a naturopath through our directory, be sure to enquire about their experience with fertility.
A change in your symptoms all depends on your age, your overall vitality, the severity of your symptoms and how long you have had your health condition.
Some clients start to feel results within a couple of days, for others, it will take a few weeks or even longer. It’s also important to note that, unlike pharmaceutical medications, natural remedies aren’t a quick-fix solution. They work on healing the body over time and involve working towards a long-term solution to your health problems.
Naturopaths will work with you to create a plan that involves “real-life” recommendations to help you lose weight at a consistent and steady pace. This will involve making nutritional recommendations and teaching you the principles of healthy eating so you can develop a healthy relationship with food and a happier, healthier body.
For more information on this, check out our comprehensive article on Naturopathy For Weight Loss.
