The healing power of nature is the inherent self-organizing and healing process of living systems which establishes, maintains and restores health. Naturopathic medicine recognizes this healing process to be ordered and intelligent. It is the naturopathic physician's role to support, facilitate and augment this process by identifying and removing obstacles to health and recovery, and by supporting the creation of a healthy internal and external environment.

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

Naturopathic physicians 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. Avoid when possible the harmful suppression of symptoms
3. Acknowledge, respect and work with the individual’s self-healing process

Naturopathic physicians educate their patients and encourage self-responsibility for health. They recognize and employ the therapeutic potential of the doctor-patient relationship.

Naturopathic physicians 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 physicians encourage individuals to pursue their personal spiritual development.

Naturopathic physicians emphasize the prevention of disease: assessing risk factors, heredity and susceptibility to disease, and making appropriate interventions in partnership with their patients to prevent illness. Naturopathic medicine is committed to the creation of a healthy world in which humanity may thrive.