I am an avid supporter of naturopathic doctors (N.D.s) who have attended certified accredited four-year naturopathic medical schools. Unfortunately, in states where N.D.s are not licensed, anyone can call himself or herself an N.D. so beware.

N.D.s are at the forefront of the revolution of our health care system as a health conscious public is wisely turning to these experts in natural health and turning away from drug-based, symptom-suppression medicine.

If you or someone you know lives in California and would like to help naturopathic doctors become licensed in California, please visit the www.NaturalMedicineNow.org Web site to help this worthy cause. I would like to see naturopathic medicine licensed in all 50 states and licensing in California would make a tremendous impact toward that goal. If you would like more information about finding a qualified naturopathic doctor near you, visit www.naturopathic.org for that information.

For those who are interested, here is additional information on naturopathic medicine:

Naturopathic doctors are primary care physicians clinically trained in natural therapeutics and whose philosophy is derived in part from a Hippocratic teaching more than 2,000 years old: Vis mediatrix naturae---nature is the healer of all diseases. Their practice is based on the same basic bio-medical science foundation that allopathic practice is; however, their philosophies and approaches differ considerably from their conventional counterparts.

Naturopathic physicians diagnose disease and treat patients by using natural modalities such as physical manipulation, clinical nutrition, herbal medicine, homeopathy, counseling, acupuncture and hydrotherapy, among others. They choose treatment based on the individual patient, not based on the generality of symptoms. This approach has proven successful in treating both chronic and acute conditions.

• The six principles that guide the therapeutic methods and modalities of naturopathic medicine include:
  
  First Do No Harm--primum non nocere: Naturopathic medicine uses therapies that are safe and effective.

• The Healing Power of Nature--vis medicatrix naturae: The human body possesses the inherent ability to restore health. The physician's role is to facilitate this process with the aid of natural, non-toxic therapies.

• Discover and Treat the Cause, Not Just the Effect--tolle causam: Physicians seek and treat the underlying cause of a disease. Symptoms are viewed as expressions of the body's natural attempt to heal. The origin of disease is removed or treated so the patient can recover.

• Treat the Whole Person--tolle totum: The multiple factors in health and disease are considered while treating the whole person. Physicians provide flexible treatment programs to meet individual health care needs.

• The Physician is a Teacher-docere: The physician's major role is to educate, empower, and motivate patients to take responsibility for their own health. Creating a healthy cooperative relationship with the patient has a strong therapeutic value.

• Prevention is the best "cure:" Naturopathic physicians are preventive medicine specialists. Physicians assess patient risk factors and heredity susceptibility and intervene appropriately to reduce risk and prevent illness. Prevention of disease is best accomplished through education and a lifestyle that supports health.

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