naturopathy

American  

[ney-chuh-rop-uh-thee, nach-uh-] / ˌneɪ tʃəˈrɒp ə θi, ˌnætʃ ə- /

noun

1. a system or method of treating disease that employs no surgery or synthetic drugs but uses special diets, herbs, vitamins, massage, etc., to assist the natural healing processes.

---

naturopathy British  

/ ˌneɪtʃərəˈpæθɪk, ˈneɪtʃərəˌpæθ, ˌneɪtʃəˈrɒpəθɪ /

noun

1. Also called: nature cure.  a method of treating disorders, involving the use of herbs and other naturally grown foods, sunlight, fresh air, etc

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• naturopath
  noun
• naturopathic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of naturopathy

First recorded in 1900–05; nature + -o- + -pathy

Example Sentences

“Previously, I had studied naturopathy with the intention of going to a naturopathic school — herbalism, Reiki and light touch therapy.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

Researchers used the data to evaluate the use of seven complementary health care approaches: acupuncture, chiropractic care, guided imagery, massage therapy, meditation, naturopathy and yoga.

From New York Times • Feb. 2, 2024

She says that changing her mind about the efficacy of naturopathy for conditions such as cancer cost her friends and led to her being sued for defamation.

From Nature • Nov. 14, 2018

She is kind and loving, and I want them to be happy, but there’s one major problem: she has breast cancer, and she’s gone down the naturopathy rabbit hole.

From Slate • Nov. 6, 2017

The transnational, Anglophone yoga, Singleton argues, derives from a curious mix of British body-building and physical culture, American transcendentalism, Christian science, naturopathy, Swedish gymnastics and the YMCA.

From BBC • Jun. 19, 2015