Naturopathic medicine is a holistic paradigm of the healing arts that emphasizes root causes of disease, prevention, and patient education. Naturopathic doctors (NDs) attend accredited four-year medical programs and must pass North American board examinations to obtain a license to practice medicine. Naturopathic medical education spans from biomedical sciences and conventional diagnostics to modalities like nutrition, botanical medicine, hydrotherapy, and homeopathy – its disciples are uniquely qualified to bridge the gap between conventional and natural medicine.

In addition to the modalities which compose it, naturopathic medicine is rooted in the principle of Vis medicatrix naturae, or the healing power of nature. Our bodies contain the innate wisdom to heal themselves — this guiding principle can be seen in an open wound that scabs, a broken bone that reconnects, an irritable digestive tract that moves smoothly, an abnormal menstrual cycle that returns to rhythmic flow. Patient and practitioner are facilitators for this healing process. We can work to identify and remove obstacles to health, address root cause of disease and dysfunction, and shift toward healing.

The scope of naturopathic practices varies by state. Dr. Geyman offers holistic health consults based in New York, where licensure for naturopathic medicine is currently under consideration, and maintains her medical license in Vermont.

Learn more about naturopathic medicine here.