Six fundamental principles form the foundation of naturopathic medical practice:

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1. The Healing Power of Nature (Vis Medicatrix Naturae):

   • Naturopathic medicine recognizes the body has an inherent self-healing process that is ordered and intelligent. Licensed Naturopathic Doctors act to identify and remove obstacles to healing and recovery and to facilitate and augment each individual’s inherent self-healing process.

2. Identify and Treat the Causes (Tolle Causam):

   • The Naturopathic Doctor seeks to identify and remove the underlying causes of illness rather than to merely eliminate or suppress symptoms. 

3. First Do No Harm (Primum Non Nocere):

   • Naturopathic Doctors follow three guidelines to avoid harming the patient:

     1. Utilize methods and medicinal substances which minimize the risk of harmful side effects, using the least force necessary to diagnose and treat; 

     2. When possible, avoid the harmful suppression of symptoms; and

     3. Acknowledge, respect, and promote each individual’s self-healing process. 

4. Doctor as Teacher (Docere):

   • Naturopathic Doctors educate their patients and encourage self-responsibility for health. They also recognize, employ, and explore the therapeutic potential of the doctor-patient relationship. 

5. Treat the Whole Person:

   • Naturopathic Doctors treat each patient by taking into account individual physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, social, and other factors. Since total health also includes spiritual health, naturopathic doctors encourage individuals to pursue their personal spiritual development. 

6. Prevention:

   • Naturopathic Doctors emphasize the prevention of disease by assessing risk factors, heredity, and susceptibility to disease, and by making appropriate interventions in partnership with their patients to prevent illness.