As a distinct health care profession, Naturopathic medicine is over 100 years old. Its philosophy and therapies have their origins in the philosophy of Hippocrates and the healing wisdom of many cultures and times. At the turn of the century, practitioners of a variety of medical disciplines combined natural therapeutics in a unique way. They joined together to form the first Naturopathic medical societies. Naturopathic medical conventions in the 1920s attracted more than 10,000 practitioners. Early in the 20th century there were more than 20 Naturopathic colleges, and Naturopathic physicians were licensed in a majority of states.
Naturopathic Medicine experienced a decline in the 1940s and 50s with the rise and popularity of pharmaceutical drugs, technological medicine and the widespread belief that these modalities could eliminate disease. It has experienced a resurgence in the last two decades, as a health conscious public began to seek out alternatives to conventional medicine. As a body of knowledge, Naturopathy continues to grow and evolve. As an organized profession, Naturopathic medicine is committed to ongoing research and development of its science, and incorporates elements of scientific modern medicine. It has evolved to incorporate the best of both worlds, to take advantage of modern medicine and the many truly remarkable discoveries, as well as the time honored experience of natural healing.