You’re never too late to change your health. 

Naturopathic medicine is a system of healthcare that focuses on prevention, treatment and optimal health using natural therapies. NDs use herbs and other natural substances to treat patients who have a wide range of conditions. Naturopathic doctors are trained to help people understand how the body works, what can go wrong with it, and how to prevent disease through diet, lifestyle choices and other natural therapies.

The practice of naturopathy in British Columbia has undergone considerable changes in the last decade. In 2009, legislation was passed to allow naturopathic doctors (NDs) to prescribe drugs from their offices. Since then, the College of Naturopathic Physicians of BC (CNPBC) has developed standards that govern this practice and specify which drugs are permitted by NDs. In October 2018, the Minister of Health approved an updated Scope of Practice for Naturopathic Physicians related to prescribing drugs. This new document includes updated information about standards for safe prescribing and dispensing practices, as well as an expanded list of medications that can now be prescribed by naturopathic doctors in BC.

Naturopathic doctors believe that the body is self-healing and that illness is a natural expression of imbalance. A naturopathic doctor’s focus is on prevention and treatment of chronic diseases, with an emphasis on identifying the root cause of illness rather than simply treating the symptoms.

In contrast to conventional Western medicine, which usually focuses on treating symptoms with drugs or surgery, naturopathic medicine emphasizes lifestyle changes as a primary means of addressing health concerns.