The world of wellness is shifting, with more people stepping away from quick fixes and embracing a more holistic, natural approach to health. At the heart of this shift is naturopathy—a practice that prioritises treating the root causes of illness rather than just alleviating symptoms, helping to restore balance and overall vitality.
But what exactly does a naturopath do, and how can they support your journey to better health? Whether you’re new to naturopathy or simply curious about what to expect from a consultation, this guide will walk you through the essentials of naturopathic care and how it can help you thrive.
Understanding the naturopathic approach
At its core, naturopathy is about working with the body’s natural ability to heal itself. Naturopaths are qualified practitioners who combine traditional healing methods with modern scientific knowledge to assess a person’s overall health rather than focusing on isolated symptoms. This approach helps to identify imbalances that may be affecting wellbeing.
By considering the whole person—including mind, body, and lifestyle—naturopaths can uncover the root causes of your health concerns and create a personalised natural healthcare plan tailored to your needs.
Core principles of naturopathy
Naturopathic medicine is built on six core principles that guide holistic, patient-centered care.
- First, do no harm – Prioritise the safest, least invasive, and most natural treatments while respecting the body’s healing process.
- Harness the healing power of nature – Support the body’s innate ability to heal using natural therapies and a healthy environment.
- Identify and treat the root cause – Look beyond symptoms to uncover and address the underlying causes of illness.
- Teach and empower patients – Educate people on their health, providing the knowledge and tools for lifelong wellness.
- Treat the whole person – Consider physical, emotional, and environmental factors to restore balance and wellbeing.
- Focus on prevention – Take proactive steps to maintain health and prevent illness before it arises.
This whole-person approach blends modern science with traditional wisdom to heal the body, prevent illness and support lasting vitality.
What to expect at your first consultation
Naturopathic consultations are designed to give you (and your naturopath) a clear understanding of your health and the steps you can take to improve it.
The initial consultation
Your first appointment will generally include a detailed exploration of your medical history, lifestyle, diet, emotional wellbeing, and any environmental factors that may be affecting your health. From there, your naturopath may order specialised tests to gain deeper insights, identify key areas for support, and guide the next steps in your treatment plan.
Diagnostic tools
Depending on your concerns, your naturopath may use a variety of assessment methods, including:
- Functional testing: Evaluating hormones, gut microbiome, food sensitivities, nutrient levels, genetic markers (like MTHFR), and metabolic function to identify imbalances.
- Live blood analysis: Observing blood cells under a microscope to assess nutrient status, immune function, and overall health.
- Heavy metal and toxin screening: Assessing toxic burden and potential environmental exposures.
- Metabolic and mitochondrial function testing: Measuring energy production, metabolic efficiency, and oxidative stress.
- Inflammatory and immune marker testing: Evaluating systemic inflammation and immune system health.
- Cardiovascular health testing: Assessing lipid profiles, homocysteine levels, and other markers of heart health.
- Iridology: Examining the iris for signs of underlying health issues.
Developing a treatment plan
Once your naturopath has a complete picture of your health, they’ll create a personalised wellness plan, which may include:
- Herbal medicine: Plant-based remedies to restore balance and support healing.
- Nutritional guidance: Dietary recommendations and supplements for optimal health.
- Detoxification programs: Supporting the body to safely eliminate toxins.
- Gut health support: Targeted protocols for microbiome balance, digestion, and absorption.
- Lifestyle adjustments: Strategies for stress management, movement, and sleep.
- Mind-body techniques: Incorporating breathwork, meditation, or acupuncture referrals for holistic healing.
- Physical therapies: Recommending massage, lymphatic drainage, or hydrotherapy other physical therapies where appropriate.
- Ongoing monitoring & adjustments: Regular follow-ups to track progress and refine the plan as needed.
The lasting benefits of naturopathic care
Naturopathy goes beyond addressing health concerns—it empowers you with the knowledge and tools to take control of your long-term wellbeing.
Your naturopath can help you:
- Gain more insight into your body by understanding how different systems interact and what they need to function optimally.
- Develop sustainable health habits that support long-term vitality and wellbeing.
- Take charge of your wellness and make informed decisions about nutrition, stress, and lifestyle choices.
- Boost energy and resilience by addressing factors like sleep, digestion, and hormonal balance.
- Enhance mental clarity and mood by addressing stress, diet, and lifestyle factors.
- Support disease prevention by identifying potential health risks early and taking proactive steps to maintain optimal health.
By focusing on education, prevention, and whole-body balance, naturopathic care helps you build a foundation for lifelong wellness.
Myths vs facts about naturopathy
Despite its growing popularity, there are still many misconceptions about naturopathy. Let’s separate fact from fiction, based on what the science says:
Myth: Naturopathy isn’t evidence-based.
Fact: Many naturopathic treatments are supported by science. Naturopathy has been shown to be effective for conditions like cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and anxiety. Studies also support the healing benefits of many common naturopathic herbs, including turmeric for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, echinacea for its ability to support immune function and Ashwagandha for its role in thyroid support, and muscle renewal.
Keep in mind that naturopaths use scientific evidence to guide their selection of herbal remedies, ensuring treatments are personalised to each patient’s needs.
Myth: Naturopathy replaces conventional medicine.
Fact: Research suggests that whole-system, multi-modality naturopathic medicine may be effective for certain, including cardiovascular disease and chronic pain. Naturopathy complements conventional medicine by addressing the underlying causes of illness and supporting overall health.
Some GPs are also practising naturopaths, blending both approaches for a more integrative form of care. Many naturopaths collaborate with doctors and other healthcare professionals to develop evidence-based, personalised treatment plans.
Remember, you are the owner of your health journey. A naturopath can guide and support you, but ultimately, your wellbeing is in your hands. By combining naturopathic care with conventional medicine when needed, you can create a balanced, informed approach that works best for your body and lifestyle.
Always seek advice from qualified professionals and choose a path that aligns with your unique health goals.
Your naturopathy questions, answered.
Still have questions about naturopathy? Here, we answer some of the most common questions we’re asked, to help you better understand what to expect when consulting a naturopath.
Are naturopaths registered in Australia?
No, naturopaths are not registered under AHPRA in Australia. However, the Australian Register of Naturopaths and Herbalists (ARONAH) sets voluntary standards to ensure practitioners meet education and ethical requirements, mirroring regulated health professions.
Can naturopaths order blood tests?
Yes, naturopaths in Australia can order certain blood tests, including IgE (RAST) and skin prick tests, through private pathology labs. They may also refer clients for functional tests like hormone panels and gut analysis. These tests are usually privately funded, as naturopaths don’t hold a Medicare provider number.
Do naturopaths do genetic testing?
Yes, many naturopaths offer genetic testing to assess how your unique DNA influences health, nutrition, and disease risk. Identifying genetic predispositions can help tailor personalised natural treatment plans to support better health outcomes.
What does a naturopath do for weight loss?
Naturopaths take a holistic approach to weight management, focusing on overall health rather than just numbers. They assess factors like metabolism, gut health, hormones, and stress to understand what may be influencing weight. By creating a personalised plan with nutrition, lifestyle changes, and natural therapies, they support sustainable, long-term balance and wellbeing.
Ready to experience premium natural healthcare?
A naturopath’s role is to assess your health holistically, provide natural and personalised treatment plans, and empower you with knowledge to maintain long-term wellness. If you're new to naturopathy and are looking for a proactive, natural approach to health, a naturopathic consultation is a great place to start.
Interested in learning more? Visit our naturopathic consultations page to book an appointment today. Your journey to holistic health starts here.
For further reading, visit:
- Better Health Victoria’s guide to naturopathy
- Australian Natural Therapists Association’s naturopathy resources