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Naturopathy is a form of alternative medicine that employs pseudoscientific practices branded as "natural" or "non-invasive", ranging from outright quackery to widely accepted practices like certain forms of psychotherapy. Naturopathic practitioners commonly recommend against following modern medical practices, relying instead on unscientific notions. The practice is considered by the medical profession to be ineffective and harmful. Naturopathy has its roots in the 19th-century Natural Cure movement of Europe, and the term "naturopathy" was coined in 1895. The most commonly prescribed naturopathic therapeutics include botanical medicines, vitamins, minerals, homeopathy, and allergy treatments. Naturopathy as a whole lacks an adequate scientific basis and is rejected by the medical community. Naturopaths often recommend exposure to naturally occurring substances, such as sunshine, herbs, and certain foods, as well as activities they describe as natural, such as exercise, meditation, and relaxation. Many naturopaths are opposed to mainstream medicine and take an antivaccinationist stance.Summary of Naturopathy

• Naturopathy was founded in the United States, and anti-vaccine beliefs were associated with its founding.
• Evidence suggests that only a minority of naturopathic physicians actively support full vaccination.
• Licensed naturopaths may be referred to as "naturopathic doctors" or "naturopathic physicians" in 26 US states or territories and 5 Canadian provinces.
• The number of listed naturopaths in Switzerland rose from 223 in 1970 to 1835 in 2000.
• Naturopathic doctors do not receive comparable training to medical doctors in terms of the quality of education or quantity of hours.
• Licensed naturopaths must pass the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examinations (NPLEX) administered by the North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners (NABNE).
• Traditional naturopaths may complete non-degree certificate programs or undergraduate degree programs and generally refer to themselves as naturopathic consultants.
• The scope of practice varies widely between jurisdictions, with some covering naturopathy under medical regulation and allowing practitioners to prescribe drugs and perform minor surgery.
• In Australia, the position of the Australian Medical Association is that "there should be appropriate regulation of complementary medicine practitioners and their activities".
• In India, naturopathy is overseen by the Department of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH).
• In the United States, naturopathic doctors who are trained at an accredited school of naturopathic medicine in North America are entitled to use the designation ND or NMD.
• Naturopathy is not regulated in the United Kingdom.