* * *
A system of therapeutics in which neither surgical nor medicinal agents are used, dependence being placed only on natural (nonmedicinal) forces.
* * *
na·tu·rop·a·thy also na·ture·op·a·thy .nā-chə-'räp-ə-thē n, pl -thies a system of treatment of disease that avoids drugs and surgery and emphasizes the use of natural agents (as air, water, and herbs) and physical means (as tissue manipulation and electrotherapy)
* * *
n.
a system of medicine that relies upon the use of only 'natural' substances for the treatment of disease, rather than drugs. Herbs, food grown without artificial fertilizers and prepared without the use of preservatives or colouring material, pure water, sunlight, and fresh air are all employed in an effort to rid the body of 'unnatural' substances, which are said to be at the root of most illnesses.
* * *
na·tur·op·a·thy (na″chər-opґə-the) a drugless system of health care, making use of a wide variety of therapies, such as hydrotherapy, heat, massage, and herbal medicine, whose purpose is to treat the whole person to stimulate and support the person's own innate healing capacity. Naturopathic philosophy is summarized in six principles: the healing power of nature, first do no harm, identify and treat the cause, treat the whole person, prevention, and the physician as teacher. naturopathic adjMedical dictionary. 2011.