Homeopathy vs Naturopathy - What's the Difference?

What is the difference between homeopathy and naturopathy?

​This is the #1 question I get asked.

Most people think homeopathy is a term used to describe natural remedies in general, or think it is herbalism. Many people have had experiences with homeopathy without even knowing it (e.g., maybe you’ve used teething tablets for your infant, or arnica cream for bruises).

Below, I’ll discuss some of the differences and similarities between naturopathy and homeopathy, and hopefully you will learn a bit more about homeopathy in the process!

1. What is it?

• "Naturopathic medicine is the art and science of disease diagnosis, treatment and prevention using natural therapies including: botanical medicine, clinical nutrition, hydrotherapy, homeopathy, naturopathic manipulation, traditional Chinese medicine/acupuncture, lifestyle counselling and health promotion and disease prevention.”

• “Homeopathy is a complete system of natural, evidence-based medicine using the principle of ‘like cures like’. It offers holistic, individual and integrated treatment with potentised medicines which aim to trigger the body’s natural system of healing."

2. Naturopathy uses many natural modalities. Homeopathy is a specialization.

• Naturopathy is an umbrella term for many natural healing modalities, including homeopathy and others mentioned above. Naturopaths study the foundation of homeopathy during their training.

• Homeopathy is a specialization. It is a complete system of medicine.

3. Naturopathic Doctors (ND) are natural medical doctors. Homeopaths are not.

• Naturopathic Doctors (ND's) have medical training. They can diagnose, prevent and treat acute and chronic illness. They can requisition tests. In some provinces, they can prescribe medication.

• Homeopaths take introductory courses in anatomy, physiology and pathology for the main purpose of being able to recognize a serious condition and refer to appropriate medical care. Homeopaths do not diagnose disease in the conventional medical sense. They prescribe based on symptoms. They also treat acute and chronic illness.

4. Physical body vs. Energetic Body

• Naturopathy encompasses both Western and Eastern approaches. It includes medicines that work on both the physical level (e.g. herbs, supplements) and energetic level (e.g. acupuncture).

• Homeopathy works at the energetic level.

5. Remedies

• Naturopathic remedies include herbs, tinctures, minerals, probiotics, vitamins and supplements. They work on the physical body, like conventional drugs, where they may fill in deficiencies, push the system in a specific direction or suppress symptoms.

• Homeopathic remedies are natural substances that have been diluted and energized to the point where there are no physical active ingredients left. Homeopaths do not prescribe herbs, supplements, oils, drugs, etc., though they may prescribe homeopathic mother tinctures. Homeopathy works on the energetic body first, which unlocks the body’s innate ability to heal.

6. Targeted vs. Holistic Approach

• Naturopathy can be holistic (e.g. treating the whole person via energetic approaches) or it can be more targeted (e.g. natural herbs and supplements for specific organs).

• Homeopathy in its essence is holistic. Homeopaths prescribe on the totality of symptoms. Homeopathy can also be used in a targeted way (in some cases).

7. Acute, Chronic and Preventative Treatment

• Naturopathy and homeopathy can both treat acute and chronic illness. They are wonderful preventative medicines. They are both great adjuncts to conventional medicine.

• Did you know that homeopathy was wildly successful in treating infectious epidemics like scarlet fever, yellow fever and cholera in the 1800s?

8. Root Cause

• Naturopathy addresses the root cause of the physical body. It attempts to understand what is happening to the whole body and mind (holistic), and use natural remedies to address what it thinks is the root of the problem. A simplistic example: treating a gut bacterial overgrowth to address pains, fatigue, brain fog, etc.

• Homeopathy addresses the root cause of the whole being. It aims to find a pattern through all the physical, emotional and mental symptoms, as well as the unconscious ways that we react to people and situations. An inner imbalance is present before physical symptoms appear. That is what homeopathy can uniquely treat. It can address acute and longstanding trauma, even inter-generational trauma.

9. Mental-Emotional Treatment

• Naturopathy can address mental-emotional issues by addressing hormonal imbalances, nutrient deficiencies, gut issues, reducing the stress response via energetic approaches, etc. - the possibilities are endless.

• Homeopathy addresses mental-emotional issues by treating the true root cause. Everything about a person is relevant (e.g. emotional issues, traumas, childhood, fears, phobias, dreams, food preferences) and helps the homeopath find the right remedies. The consultation can be therapeutic in itself.

• Did you know homeopathy has a history of successfully treating a multitude of psychological disorders?

10. Final words

• Naturopaths are your natural medical doctors, they can give you natural alternatives to drugs and treatments and understand how the body is interconnected and what it needs to be repaired and nourished.

• Homeopaths resolve symptoms by healing the inner imbalance that caused the symptoms in the first place. With homeopathy, you can free yourself from a state of being that prevents freedom at every level. Healing with homeopathy can bring about deep changes.