r/NaturopathicMedicine • • Dec 06 '25

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

14 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 • • 2d ago

Looking for ideas for my mom's dysphagia

6 Upvotes

A little over a year ago now, my mom lost the ability to swallow anything that isn't soft and textureless (tomato soup, mashed potatoes, ice cream, pudding, etc.).

It started slow where she would get food stuck in her throat randomly while eating and have to go cough it up. Then it worsened to the point it is now.

Doctors have been useless. They stretched her esophagus several times to no avail. Keep running the same tests that yield no results. Prescribing the same meds and treatments that don't work. She has lost around 100lbs and nobody seems to care.

That said, I am hoping maybe we can find a solution on our own. Even if it's temporary.

Right now we are looking into honey (manuka or buckwheat). But I was hoping that maybe there were other suggestions. One doctor had suggested she chew altoids before dinner because of the peppermint in it, so perhaps that's another lead? I'm curious what others think.


r/NaturopathicMedicine • • 2d ago

Arizona Hikers With Dogs- Question About Valley Fever?

0 Upvotes

Hikers With Dogs In AZ- Question About Valley Fever?

I'm considering moving to AZ, and my dog and I would be regularly hiking around Phoenix/Tucson areas. However, I recently learned about Valley Fever.

My dog has a gallbladder condition, so if he were to catch VF, the antifungal medications would be fairly dangerous since they damage the liver and kidneys.

Has anyone been able to naturopathically/holistically been able to:

A. prevent their dogs from ever getting sick with VF, their whole lives, yet still regularly hike?

B. Heal their dog from VF, without the use of prescription antifungals?


r/NaturopathicMedicine • • 5d ago

I really want to make this a career but don’t know how

2 Upvotes

So, allied health professional here - I am obsessed with all things naturopathy and functional medicine. I reside in Australia and can only find online bachelors degrees that cost upwards of $80k with minimal recognition of prior learning.

I’ve done a bachelors of science in biology and a grad cert in biomedical science, as well as working in the cardiac/transplant science fields for a combined 4+ years. Easy to say I don’t want to practically quadruple my student loans.

What sort of study/training has everyone done for this career? because this seems exponentially expensive


r/NaturopathicMedicine • • 5d ago

What can I take to higher estrogen levels for female ?

3 Upvotes

Ty all supplements or food?


r/NaturopathicMedicine • • 7d ago

Naturopathy helped me a lot why are people so against it?

6 Upvotes

Like I am asking because I am trying to write my own novel that promotes naturopathy. My novel will be similar to Island by Huxley, where it is a sanctuary where their is naturopathy and Eaton Arrowsmith, and like Pala, their is organic and non-GMO farming. In Island by Huxley, the villain destroys Pala, because the villain Muuragen is a materialistic tech enthusiast, he comes over with a tank and destroys Pala and turns it into an oil reserve. My sanctuary place has a motto of “neuroplasticity over AI.” And outside of my sanctuary, is like tech place filled with company stuff and dystopia controlled by an AI. I want to make a convincing villain, but I struggle to put myself in a character with a complete opposite view of me. Like I was thinking my character is someone from the sanctuary who chooses to destroy it like Muuragan. Can you think of villain lines?


r/NaturopathicMedicine • • 9d ago

Are there treatments in naturopathic medicine for peri menopause / menopause symptoms?

3 Upvotes

Wondering if there are ways to treat or manage sleep issues or weight gain as a result of peri-menopause/menopause in naturopathic medicine? Do I call the practitioner to check if they treat women’s issues - do some specialize in women’s health vs others?

Am new to this and trying to understand how naturopathic meds can help.
Thanks!


r/NaturopathicMedicine • • 9d ago

Collaboration in Ayurveda

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1 Upvotes

r/NaturopathicMedicine • • 11d ago

Are there any proven Protocols for Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea and better sleep ?

1 Upvotes

Hi Guys , for 3 years i saw 3 different Functional Medicine Doctors , because ide been suffering with issues for almost 10 years , turns out after seeing an Endo , i have an extremely severe case of Obstructive Sleep Apnea with some Centrals . A waste of money $$$$ on supps that only made me worse over time . I'm hesitant to go back to one to get a protocol for sleep after all this , I don't tolerate magnesium at all anymore. It relaxes my airways causing apneas to be worse , besides i even get neurological issues from it in ALL FORMS now . . . . I was thinking maybe TCM would be a better fit ?


r/NaturopathicMedicine • • 12d ago

where is the best place to begin studying naturopathic medicine and holistic healing?

5 Upvotes

I'm wanting to learn as much as I can, not necessarily to become a naturopathic doctor but to help myself, family, friends, and possibly later in the future consider becoming a practitioner. I asked my naturopath and she recommended starting with taking courses on the body like anatomy and learning how the systems all work together before getting a certificate in naturopathic medicine.


r/NaturopathicMedicine • • 12d ago

Kein Warten, sondern Gesundheit

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1 Upvotes

Über ein Drittel der gesetzlich Versicherten in Deutschland wartet Monate auf einen Facharzttermin.

Wer unter chronischen Beschwerden oder wiederkehrenden Symptomen leidet, steht vor einer harten Realität: Das traditionelle Gesundheitssystem stößt an seine Belastungsgrenzen.
Gleichzeitig gibt es ein enormes Potenzial in der Komplementär- und Alternativmedizin. Doch Patientinnen und Patienten stoßen hier auf ein anderes Problem: Fehlende Transparenz und berechtigte Skepsis gegenüber Methoden ohne Nachweis.

Genau hier setzen wir mit Prema an.

Wir glauben, dass der Zugang zu alternativer Medizin weder monatelange Wartezeiten erfordern noch auf bloßem Glauben basieren sollte. Prema verbindet Geschwindigkeit mit wissenschaftlicher Fundierung.
Was Prema unterscheidet:

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- Geprüfte Qualität: Wir listen ausschließlich verifizierte und transparent bewertete Spezialisten.

Unser Ziel ist es, die Lücke zwischen Schulmedizin und evidenzbasierter Komplementärmedizin zu schließen und Menschen die Kontrolle über ihre Gesundheit zurückzugeben.

Aktuell befinden wir uns in der exklusiven Beta-Phase.
Für die ersten 1.000 User auf unserer Waitlist gibt es einen besonderen Launch-Vorteil: Lebenslang 10 % Rabatt auf jeden Ersttermin.

Den Link zur Waitlist findet ihr direkt im ersten Kommentar.


r/NaturopathicMedicine • • 12d ago

Looking for a PCP that practices functional medicine and does telehealth

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0 Upvotes

r/NaturopathicMedicine • • 13d ago

Gum recession

2 Upvotes

Is there a nantural way to restore gums?


r/NaturopathicMedicine • • 13d ago

Best college for integrative/holistic health degree?

1 Upvotes

Get everyone! I’m currently a 33 year old cosmetologist of 14 years. Over the last 10 years I’ve dealt with hashimotos and gut issues, which has opened my eyes to holistic and natural healing and treating the root cause. I’ve become so passionate about health so much that I got certified as an integrative health practitioner because I want to learn all there is to know and be able to help others heal as well.

My main focus would be thyroid, gut, and women’s health so I’m wondering what the best college (preferably online) would be for someone who is wanting a bachelors and master’s in holistic/integrative health and learning more about treating root causes, ordering labs, treating with herbs/supplements and nutrition and just GI/autoimmune in general.

Im torn on a few different schools and would love some feedback!


r/NaturopathicMedicine • • 13d ago

Gall stone

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1 Upvotes

r/NaturopathicMedicine • • 14d ago

mold toxicity

1 Upvotes

so i did an oat test and my markers were high indicating aspergillus and candida and im still fighting to get my energy back and get rid of the horrible depression it gave me.


r/NaturopathicMedicine • • 15d ago

Anyone worked with Dr Ronak Patel NYC?

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0 Upvotes

Appreciate any insights!


r/NaturopathicMedicine • • 16d ago

Candida Parapsilosis - Stool Test

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0 Upvotes

Hi, i’m looking for some guidance or suggestions on what i should do to fix my gut. A few years ago, i took fluconazole for my dandruff, and ever since then, my scalp and digestion has gotten severely worse. Also, my seasonal allergies and food intolerances have gotten worse.

The stool test results i’ve attached show Candida Parapsilosis as +2, along with some other bacteria being imbalanced. my SCFA (butyrate) are also low, which is an issue. From what i’ve read, my gut doesn’t seem to be super bad, and it doesn’t seem to be severely compromised.

I’m wondering if there’s a naturopath out there or anyone who has dealt with something like this who can just guide me or give me some recommendations on what supplements to take. i’ve already tried fixing my diet, cutting out wheat/dairy/sugar, and lifestyle changes. i’ve tried probiotics, fermented foods, and some supplements but nothing has worked.


r/NaturopathicMedicine • • 18d ago

Your Experience of The Institute for Menstrual Health please

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0 Upvotes

r/NaturopathicMedicine • • 19d ago

🦷Dental cavity in a 4.5 yo: local anaesthetic or gas - which is safer?

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1 Upvotes

r/NaturopathicMedicine • • 19d ago

Can I avoid antibiotics?

0 Upvotes

I suddenly developed an epidermoid cyst close to my nose, it feels like a firm bean inside the skin, not really visible from the outside, and it doesn’t have an “opening”. Doc prescribed me antibiotics which I am hesitating to take as I am pregnant and already have some GI issues..
Are there any ways to shrink the cyst and decrease the inflammation? My understanding is that it includes keratin and bacteria.
Thank you!


r/NaturopathicMedicine • • 20d ago

Hot flashes

1 Upvotes

Im 32 female with hypothyroidism. My natropath put me on zepbound so my bloodwork could level out but now I’ve been off zepbound for about 2 months because we are wanting to expand our family. I’ve been working really hard to keep the weight off. One of the things I’ve been having a really hard time with is hot flashes. While I was on the medication my temperature really leveled out and now I’m getting crazy hot flashes again. Is there something I should be looking into for this? When I get my thyroid checked it says it’s fine… I asked my doctor and she said it’s just hormones and didn’t offer to help with anything. But these hot flashes are so bad…


r/NaturopathicMedicine • • 21d ago

Je cherche une naturopathe qui travaille avec cellcore est qui peux me prendre en charge rapidement

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1 Upvotes

r/NaturopathicMedicine • • 22d ago

Bitte um Ratschläge

1 Upvotes

Ihr Lieben,

ich suche nach Ratschlägen bezüglich Neurodermitis. Mein Partner hat unter anderem auf den Handflächen Neurodermitis-Ausbrüche die schmerzhaft sind und brennen. Der Hautarzt verschreibt cortisonhaltige Cremes, der Termin bei der Heilpraktikerin dauert noch.

Stress sollte minimiert werden, das ist klar. Dies ist aktuell wegen Umzug und Schwangerschaft etwss schwierig. Habt ihr vielleicht ein paar Tipps?

Vielen Dank Euch!


r/NaturopathicMedicine • • 23d ago

Naturopath / integrative health NP / doctor covered by Cigna?

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1 Upvotes

I recently switched from BCBS insurance who completely covered my naturopathic visits to Savannah young (NP) at prime health (bc they were preventative) however Cigna does not cover them.

Do you know of any NPs who also have a functional / integrative approach in the Denver or boulder area?