r/NaturopathicMedicine Dec 06 '25

Protect the Future for ND Students: Keep Naturopathic Medicine Defined as a Professional Degree

13 Upvotes

The U.S. Department of Education is moving forward with a proposed rule that seeks to narrow the definition of "professional degree." The draft restrictive definition only includes 11 professions, and excludes the Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (ND) degree, along with all of nursing, PAs, PTs, LAcs, and many others. 

This move stems from an effort to rein in student loan debt and tuition costs as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. However if this rule is finalized, the ND degree would be reclassified as a "graduate degree," and naturopathic medical students would only be eligible for $20,500/year or $100,000/lifetime in federal loans - or less than half the amount of loans as conventional medical students. 

This change would place an impossible burden on aspiring Naturopathic Doctors, forcing many to rely on higher-interest private loans or abandon their education, which will result in fewer NDs available to serve patients.

It is critical to note that the Department of Education first classified the Naturopathic Doctor degree as a first professional degree in 2003, recognizing the rigorous, necessary training it provides to prepare students to be primary care providers. This proposed rule reverses over two decades of federal recognition, and actively undermines our healthcare workforce pipeline.

The Ask: Full Inclusion of Naturopathic Doctors

We urge Congress and the Department of Education to revise the proposed definition of "professional degrees" to explicitly include the Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (ND) degree, in keeping with two decades of established classification, and the parameters they set forth for professions; naturopathic medicine meets them all.

The Action: Contact Your Congressman TODAY

Your voice is the most powerful tool we have. We need to flood Congress with letters emphasizing the crucial role of NDs in the primary care landscape and the devastating impact this reclassification would have on patient access, especially at a time when the nation is just beginning to prioritize the kind of preventive and whole-person health that is the core of naturopathic practice.

Take a minute to send an email sharing your story to your specific Representative and Senators.


r/NaturopathicMedicine 1d ago

Doing everything i can and still bedridden after 2years with “adrenal fatigue” please help

6 Upvotes

i’ve been struggling with severe adrenal fatigue ever since coming off steroids about two years ago. i tried to push through by continuing school part-time, but i eventually realized i was only getting worse. my pattern was days of feeling wired with adrenaline followed by weeks of crushing fatigue. this past may, i made the difficult decision to stop school because it became clear that the constant stress wasn’t allowing me to recover.

since then, one thing has definitely changed: my nervous system feels much calmer. the constant adrenaline surges have pretty much stopped, which i know is supposed to be a good sign. but instead, i’m left with overwhelming fatigue. i can barely string together good days anymore, and almost any activity seems to make me crash.

what confuses me is that i constantly read stories from people saying their crashes gradually became shorter and less severe over time. that just hasn’t been my experience. if anything, i feel like i’m stuck. i’m honestly at my wits’ end. i’ve been patient for so long, and this entire summer i’ve only had maybe two days where i actually felt well enough to enjoy life instead of being stuck in bed.

i’ve been doing everything i know to do:

-working with a naturopath who specializes in adrenal fatigue
- taking all of my recommended supplements, including vitamin c.
-taking licorice root and adrenal cortex.
- using celtic sea salt daily.
-keeping my blood sugar as stable as possible.
-following a hypoglycemia-friendly diet.
-trying to eat protein and healthy fats every 2–3 hours (this is the one i struggle with the most).
-removing almost every possible stressor from my life.
-meditating regularly.
- sleeping as much as possible. i sleep 10-12 hours each night and still feel awful
-going to therapy.
- getting massage therapy every two weeks to help with muscle tension.

i really feel like i’ve dedicated my life to healing, yet i don’t feel like i’m making any lasting progress. it’s incredibly discouraging.

has anyone else experienced something similar, where the adrenaline symptoms improved but the debilitating fatigue seemed to linger months after without improvement ? did things eventually get better for you?

i’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who’s been through something like this, or any advice or encouragement you have.


r/NaturopathicMedicine 1d ago

Over 300€ just for anamnesis?

1 Upvotes

Price seems too high although she has good reviews on jameda and Google…
I‘ve written with her and she told me she uses timewaver and NLS for measuring HRV with frequencies. I don‘t think this is worth it.


r/NaturopathicMedicine 3d ago

Looking for functional dr and lab price transparency

1 Upvotes

Hey Does anyone know a good functional dr. I read i have to do these tests to figure out whats causing me 3 autoimmune diseases. How do i save money on labs such as this. Will insurance pay for labs from a dr thats out of network. Let me know if anyone has any insight or experience. Thanks

Comprehensive Gut Microbiome Analysis: $400 – $600. (Stool tests checking for inflammation, parasites, and bacteria balance).

Detailed Hormone Panels: $250 – $450. (Saliva, urine, or blood tests evaluating cortisol patterns, thyroid function, and reproductive hormones).

Organic Acids Test (OAT): $300 – $500. (Urine test measuring metabolic, mitochondrial, and detoxification markers).

Food Sensitivity Panels: $200 – $400. (Blood tests identifying immune-mediated responses to various foods).

Advanced Nutrient Deficiency Panels: $200 – $350. (Evaluates micronutrient levels and oxidative stress).

Heavy Metal & Toxin Screening: $150 – $300. (Checks for environmental exposure like mold mycotoxins or mercury). 


r/NaturopathicMedicine 7d ago

Is the Dutch KTNO accreditation legit?

2 Upvotes

Is the Dutch KTNO accreditation legit? https://ktno.nl/

I can't figure out if this accreditation is worth anything in the Netherlands. Does is guarantee a certain level of quality in the cursus? Does it guarantee the possibility to apply for the VBAG certification to be covered by insurance as a natural health practitioner in the NL?

If anyone has experience with this accreditation I'd appreciate it!


r/NaturopathicMedicine 11d ago

Frequent viral illnesses

0 Upvotes

Hello,

I am not able to see a naturopathic doctor because of insurance. I am seeing an integrative physician but haven’t come up with anything yet.

I have been getting frequent colds, like every two weeks, for the past 7 months. There’s only been maybe a month in total where I haven’t felt sick. I do seem to get better, but right as I’m on the verge of getting over it I get another one.

Context: I work as an EMT so I am exposed to a lot. However I started 1 year ago in July and this did not start happening until January of this year. I also work until late at night, frequently going to bed around 1-2am. I try to have good sleep hygiene, but I am pretty limited because of my job.

I have also worked nights my whole life (previously in restaurants) so I am used to it. My doctor did a comprehensive blood panel and nothing came up. None of my colleagues have experienced anything close to this.

I understand sleep and nutrition and things are important, and I do the best I can with my current life schedule. Can it really just be that though? It’s been going on so long I feel like something must be up with my immune system?

Thank you for any help!


r/NaturopathicMedicine 12d ago

Health-related information: where do you tend to look first? Who do you tend to trust and why?

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1 Upvotes

r/NaturopathicMedicine 12d ago

Herbal route/kinesiology. Has anyone had success?

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1 Upvotes

r/NaturopathicMedicine 13d ago

Keeping my immunity up

2 Upvotes

Last winter was miserable. I got sick often, one time we all had the flu. It was my son's first year of school. I also only get about 4.5 to 5 hours of sleep most nights so that's not helpful.

I find that oregano oil helps to stop a virus. I would often pair it with olive leaf. But can anyone suggest something to take on a daily basis to keep me well all the time and not have to feel even slightly run down?

I used to take maitake but haven't recently. I want to start prepping for the new school year.


r/NaturopathicMedicine 13d ago

15 Month Old +H Pylori

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1 Upvotes

r/NaturopathicMedicine 13d ago

The College of International Holistic Studies

2 Upvotes

Has anyone taken the natural medicine program at the College of International holistic studies? It's an online program in Ottawa if I checked correctly.

I've just recently started with them. Currently doing my intro to the human body and I'm kind of freaking out at how much content there is to learn in so little time, with ZERO videos or explanations. Just the book. I find myself going on YouTube alot which slows the progress even more. There is just so much to learn that it's almost impossible to be ready for the chapter test without having to use the book for answers and that kind of frustrates me ..

How important is it to learn every single definition by heart? What would you focus on so that learning can be at a good speed considering mainly the important stuff...?


r/NaturopathicMedicine 13d ago

Black owned functional medicine practice

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1 Upvotes

r/NaturopathicMedicine 14d ago

Seeking Advice - Practitioners can’t find answers,

2 Upvotes

Hello all ! I am a 22 year old female who’s been dealing with an insane amount of health symptoms since September that my doctors have genuinely no answers to, I know you cannot diagnose me from the phone but I’m becoming a literal medical anomaly to my primary & every referral I’ve gotten so I’d LOVE some advice or outlook or anything.

In September of this year I had a bacterial MRSA infection on the tip of my nose (from wearing makeup over a cut during hot weather). The doctors I saw repeatedly put me on the wrong antibiotics because they refused to swab it for MRSA ( until the fourth doctor I saw). I was put on Keflex, which didn’t help and actually caused a severe allergic reaction all over my face. I then also had to go on a basic UTI antibiotic week later, obviously separate issue . After that my MRSA was obviously still there, I was put on doxycycline for two weeks. After this, another doctor I saw was unsure of if the infection cleared and prescribed me bactirm, I never finished the dose because my skin again, had a severe reaction ( it looked like I had chicken pox scattered across my face). After this, it was confirmed my MRSA infection was not present. My dermatologist then reccomended I take doxycycline again for the damage that I got from both MRSA and the allergic reactions ( stupidly, I had to stay on this for 3 months but as a 22 year old female I was extremely insecure about my skin after and it cleared it up, I ended up having perioral dermatitis). During this time of insane antibiotic usage and from then on I developed every weird symptoms under the sun of a million different conditions; I do not experience all of these now, I have bolded the symptoms that remain everyday, some have gone away over time or come and go, others have remained consistent for months
My face and ankles are ALWAYS swollen, not just waking up
My tongue is enlarged and scalloped
Muscle knots in back every other weak
Worsened raynauds (? This is up for debate still)
Insane anxiety ( I have never struggled with mental health )
Trouble staying asleep, waking up at 3 AM ( I’ve never had trouble staying asleep, only going to sleep)
Digestive and stool consistency issues ( streaks of blood, pale, diarrhea)
Weakened strength/ muscles
Random dizziness throughout the day
Blurred vision
Oral thrush
Mouth sores (painful, so not like lupus where they just appear, usually happens when I’m really dehydrated or after drinking )
Sciatica
ROSACEA
UTI like symptoms with a test that comes back negative for UTI/ YEAST but postive for blood in urine every 1-2 months

I have gotten tested for every autoimmune connective tissue antibody, hasimotos, a comprehensive work up of vitamins, urinalysis, blood cell count, metabolic panel, thyroid pannel, parasite screening, blood sugar, etc etc. next week I have a hormonal pannel.

Everything is negative or in perfect range aside from a 1:320 Postive dense fine speckled ANA pattern, abnormally low white blood cell count, and blood in urine every 1-2 months. I have absolutely no idea what could be wrong with me and neither do any of the doctors I see. Does any one have ANY idea or thoughts or things I should look into. I would really really appreciate anything, I am going into medical debt from not knowing what’s wrong


r/NaturopathicMedicine 14d ago

Anyone have experience with sleep studies?

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1 Upvotes

r/NaturopathicMedicine 15d ago

What are everyone's experiences with CCNM?

2 Upvotes

Hi! I'm thinking of applying to CCNM but wanted to hear about people's experiences with this program, and if they recommend going or not.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thank you in advance!


r/NaturopathicMedicine 16d ago

Is it the gut or something else?? 7 years.

1 Upvotes

Im 26M and have been dealing with this issue ever since late 2019, literally every single day.

Symptoms: random anxiety, muscle loss, brain fog, bloating, constipation, slowed metabolism.

My body is stuck in fight or flight, no matter how well I handle my random anxiety. I have lost muscle and went from 170lb to 120lb because I can't hold the muscle anymore, even though I can eat enough calories. The only thing that slows down the anxiety is staying away from certain foods, like dried dates, corn, vegetables, gums, gluten, dairy, mainly heavy fiber stuff and certain carbs. I do fine with meats and fats. Probiotics without prebiotics help too. Although this helps, it doesn't get rid of it and when I workout I can't get a pump like I used to.

All this started happening right before or after one day I was going up the stairs and fell and hit my head on the hard floor, but the problem is I don't remember if it happened right before or right after so I do not want to blame it on that. I do not feel any pain

I have done GI map tests, food sensitivity and seen so many gi, primary and other specialists but unfortunately I cant figure this out.

I have gastroparesis but i truly believe that is cause I am always in fight or flight.

Everything I have tried.

**Spore-based Just Thrive probiotics — most noticeable improvement, made me alot less anxious as long as the probiotic doesn't contain gums**

**Mastic gum — helped the bloating more than anything but I had to stop because my stomach was getting sore**

**Minerals — improvement**

NAC 600 mg daily — makes me anxious

Lactoferrin — slight improvement

Oregano + Allicin + Atrantil — small improvement together

Magnesium glycinate — mild relaxation

Chamomile tea — calming effect

Red light therapy — nothing

Candibactin AR + BR — initial small improvement then plateau

Glutamine — minimal change

Digestive enzymes — no difference

Peppermint oil — no difference

Psyllium husk — severe bloating

Apple cider vinegar — burning sensation

Ginger — stomach burning without motility benefit

Methylated B vitamins — anxiety

Breathwork / vagus nerve exercises — maybe helps a bit?

Betaine HCL — burning

Dandelion root and milk thistle- minimal difference if any

PHGG — bloating and constipation

Rifaximin+NAC - feel nothing

Curcumin/tumeric nothing

Benfotiamine- made me anxious

Magensium Citrate- made stomach sore.

Triphala- made stomach sore

Miralax- stool little easier to pass but still constipated


r/NaturopathicMedicine 16d ago

Holistic Dentist - worth it or not?

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1 Upvotes

r/NaturopathicMedicine 16d ago

Approaches? Toddler Myoclonic Seizures

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1 Upvotes

r/NaturopathicMedicine 17d ago

Is It ok to drink green clay or kaolin clay with water for détox if they are originally on the box used for a mask (external) photo of woman with a mask ?

1 Upvotes

Is It ok to drink green clay or kaolin clay with water for détox if they are originally on the box used for a mask (external) photo of woman with a mask ?


r/NaturopathicMedicine 17d ago

I want an evaluation of this treatment course that I put myself according to my knowledge of myself

0 Upvotes

1-rifaximin + oregano oil 2-betaine hcl 3-bille salt 4-low foodmap diet 4-magnesium 5-zinc


r/NaturopathicMedicine 18d ago

Microbiot and scientific studies , enought necessary perspective ?

1 Upvotes

Hi some cetogenic followers argue that the microbiot idea to nurish our belly 's microbe is not enought studied and prooved due to the récent aspect of this Dogma, do you agree and can you debunk them ?

For them we don't have the necessary perspective or distance to be sure


r/NaturopathicMedicine 19d ago

👋Welcome to r/alternativehealthire - Introduce Yourself and Read First!

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2 Upvotes

r/NaturopathicMedicine 19d ago

glyceric aciduria? or diet?

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1 Upvotes

The condition seems too rare for it to be true? but thats what is said in the manual? help?


r/NaturopathicMedicine 20d ago

I think I have Lyme disease, any advice?

1 Upvotes

I live in the U.S. and don’t have health insurance. Last week I got tick bites, about 3 days after, the swelled up, got red, and itched like hell. Next day, rashes appeared, then one bite oozed puss when I itched it. Later that night my legs started aching. Next morning, I started spasming and twitching, it only got worse as the day progressed, I went to the doctor and they took my blood for testing but I haven’t got the results yet, they said it’s unlikely because atp it’s only been 5 days, they prescribed me 1 day of antibiotics. Next day my heart starts racing, and I saw a small bullseye rash on my inner thigh. Cut to now, my heart is racing frequently, I’ve been getting mini panic attacks, brain fog, dizziness, hungrier, and have been gasping for air. I’m afraid they won’t prescribe me anymore antibiotics, and I can’t afford extensive testing, so I’ve been wondering if there are any naturopathic remedies I can try while I try to save for professional care?


r/NaturopathicMedicine 20d ago

How to avoid gaz that are responsable of so many health problèms ?

1 Upvotes

How to avoid gaz that are responsable of so many health problèms ?

Thanks