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:
A naturopath can provide a holistic health plan to tackle any imbalances, deficiencies, and stress levels that might be affecting your health. They may also make dietary and lifestyle suggestions to promote positive well being.
Specifically, naturopathy can help with the following issues:
The biggest difference between these three professions is their scope of practice. A herbalist administers herbal medicines and a nutritionist provides nutritional advice, whereas a naturopath offers both of these and much more.
ANTA is committed to the delivery of quality health care, public safety, and helping people to make informed health choices. These principles are reflected in our Scope and Standards of Practice, which helps us to attract the very best naturopaths in Melbourne and Australia. For this reason, the easiest way to find a skilled, capable naturopath is using our practitioner directory at the top of the page.
If you would like to find a naturopath yourself, these are the main things to look out for:
The process and methods naturopaths undertake to treat clients can differ depending on their healing philosophy and what modalities they have studied. However, generally, a naturopath will start by discussing your symptoms, medical history, diet, stress, bowel habits, and lifestyle. They will also consider your emotional well-being, quality of sleep and energy levels. They may use additional methods to assess your health, including undertaking a physical examination, and will ask when your health concerns began and what triggers your symptoms.
They will then design a treatment plan to support your body’s ability to heal itself. This may include advice on removing the underlying causes of stress in your body, including dietary changes (avoiding or eating certain foods), and taking various nutritional supplements. Depending on your health concerns, they may also recommend detoxification, in terms of undertaking a cleansing diet and eliminating tobacco, tea, coffee and alcohol.
Education is an essential part of a naturopath’s services, so they will advise you on which body systems are under pressure and what areas need treatment. They will advise you of the treatment options, what your treatment journey will look like, and what treatments and supplements will cost.
Your naturopath will also be keen to know of your progress between consultations and may suggest follow-up appointments including an annual check-up.
This depends entirely on the naturopathic treatments and conventional medications you’re taking. Be sure to list your current medications to your naturopath, as they will be able to advise of possible conflicts (which are unlikely).
Naturopaths can provide allergy testing, which tends to be in the form of an immunoglobulin (IgG) test. This test can reliably identify food allergies, which helps the naturopath to provide you with a healthier diet.
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.
