What is naturopathic medicine?

Naturopathic Med: Naturopathic medicine is a distinct method of primary health care - an art, science, philosophy and practice of diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of illness. These physicians seek to restore and maintain optimum health in their patients by emphasizing nature's inherent self-healing process. They do this through education and the use of natural therapeutics. http://www.naturopathic.org/.

Not medicine: Naturopathy is a discipline, not medicine, which assumes that the natural healing processes of the body will do all the work if given an assist by unproven and untested herbal (labeled 'natural') products. It works because most conditions are self limited and that process is not impeded by what naturopaths do. If you have any real medical condition, an M.D. Is essential for treatment.

Proven vs unproven: By definition, "alternative" is different than modern western medicine. Generally any drug, herb, treatment, or procedure that stands up to rigorous scientific scrutiny is included in modern medicine. The problem is that many alternative practices, herbs etc do not stand up to scientific scrutiny and cannot be shown to work. They therefore remain "alternative". Be careful and watch your wallet.