Are naturopathic therapies scientific?
Many naturopathic therapies have developed out of a rich history of use and are now being validated by scientific research. For example, many herbs have been used effectively for centuries by varying indigenous civilizations. Research over the past few years have supported the use of such therapeutics as Echinacea and St. John’s Wort. The same can be said of acupuncture, homeopathy, and certainly of whole nutrition. As the demand for naturopathic medicine increases, so does the scrutiny of naturopathic therapies. The naturopathic profession supports research into the efficacy of these therapies. For example, the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine is currently involved in many studies, many of them in collaboration with other medical and naturopathic institutions.
