I don't like the term "alternative medicine." You know what they call alternative medicine that has been proven to work? MEDICINE!

Nearly all medicines come from highly purified and concentrated natural compounds, or some synthetic derivative of what was once a natural compound. There is still a HUGE amount not known about most chemicals, more specifically combinatorial chemistry, that there is reason to think a naturopath might have just as good cures for illnesses as current medicine. BUT personally I don't go to naturopaths just because there is a lot of quackery and I have never seen consistent results come from going to one. My mind is open, my body is not so willing to risk it!

For less serious and time sensitive illnesses, I would attempt natural methods first and then move to more invasive methods if neccessary.

For diseases such as cancer, I would use a combination of both. Chemo and/ or surgery first to hit the cancer hard, and then natural methods to stabilize body chemistry and allow my immune system to begin operating normally again.

Not as a primary, but as a supplementary, there may be value. For example, if I had cancer, I'd find out radiation and chemo options and make a concrete decision, then perhaps seek out a naturopathic doctor for symptom relief and stress management. There is old wisdom in this world, but there is also young intelligence and I believe the iterative nature of learning grants certain advantages to the more modern methods.

For some of the reasons already mentioned, I prefer to do it in reverse: have a conventional primary care doctor and consult with non-traditional methods/caregivers as needed. There are traditional doctors who are open to whole body lifestyles and therapies, and not all synthetic meds should be discounted simply because they're synthetic, just as all natural options shouldn't be accepted carte blanche.

I don't trust western medicine being that its focus is on the symptom, not the disease. There is much they just don't know that homeopaths have known for centuries. Western medicine looks to treat not to cure making you dependent on the treatment for life. Sometimes, a combination of both is best but I'd start with the naturopath.

Other.
I have a disease that marijuana can help.
I would use cannabis oils or edibles to help treat it.
Other than that I'll go with the "real" doc's.

I’m getting tired of writing out long, informative comments, to only have it disappear when trying to submit it.

I just wrote out two different posts on botanical medicine and the bs we get for trying to use natural aid.

If you want to discuss this with me (I’ve been practicing for 25+ years), message me. Right now I’m pretty pissed off.

Certainly not

stay away from all doctors and live a good life

No

100% yes even if they don't have certification...as long as they are knowledgeable..I am my own doctor...I heal myself...the medical establishment is corrupt and a for profit business..backed by big pharma

I would judge the individual doctor on her own merits rather than judging a class of doctors.

I think as a primary choice, this might work well, but I would need for them to be open to synthetics.

I am 60 years old and have used natural remedies since my kids were young. I also believe in homeopathy and use certain ones, though I have never seen a homeopathic DR. I still go to a regular western doctor, but I prefer natural remedies over prescriptions ! I have 5 or 6 books on natural healing.

Black seed oil cures cancer and many other medical issues..colloidal silver is a natural antibiotic that helps you never get a cold or flu..also heals a cut wicked fast..I use both these natural medicines on myself and my pets..black seed oil cured my dog of cancer

I believe they can give great advice. Most of it your can find on the internet. The medicine no.

Oh hell no! Ask Steve Jobs how that worked out for him. You can't? I know, because HE'S DEAD!

I kind of like the comment "If it works it's called medicine." There are plenty of practices outside of mainstream western medicine that have been proven objectively to work. There are also many 'alternative medicines' that have been shown to be useless or even dangerous. The same can be said of mainstream western medicine. The point is doing the research and experiments in the proper way and using that information to prevent and cure illness.

Trust? That's all i use, Naturopaths, licensed or not.
No allopathy and no allopathic medicine.

Humans, like all other life forms, are biochemical and electrical machines, nothing more nor less. These machines, whether simple or complex, are constantly under attack by viruses, bacteria and other micro-organisms who, in the course of their own life cycles, seek to turn us into rot. There is certainly something to be said for prevention and wellness but, often, intervention is required. Naturopathy denies our essential being as machines that require constant maintenance with the same chemical tools that sustain us. As we learn more and more about the processes that keep us alive we learn more how to effectively intervene when needed. Naturopathy is a stoned, naïve hippy's la-la land approach to health. It's OK until you need your gall bladder removed. For a parent to subject their child to it is as abusive as subjecting the child to faith healing. Both deny the need for real medical care.