Naturopathic medicine as a distinct health care profession is almost 100 years old and has its origins in the philosophy of Hippocrates and the healing wisdom of many cultures. Hippocrates, a physician who lived 2400 years ago, is often considered the earliest predecessor of naturopathic physicians, particularly in terms of his teaching that "nature is healer of all diseases" and his formulation of the concept of vis medicatrix naturae-- "the healing power of nature." This concept has long been at the core of indigenous medicine in many cultures around the world and remains one of the central themes of naturopathic philosophy to this day. Benedict Lust, practiced in the 1800's, and is considered the father of Naturopathic Medicine in the United States. In the early 20th century, practitioners of a variety of medical disciplines joined together to form the first Naturopathic medical societies. Naturopathic medical conventions attracted more than 10,000 practitioners; there were more than 20 Naturopathic colleges, and Naturopathic physicians were licensed in most states.
Naturopathic medicine experienced a decline in the 1940's and 50's with increased popularity of pharmaceutical drugs and technological medicine, and a widespread belief that these therapies could eliminate all disease. Over the past twenty years, a health- conscious public has sought out alternatives to conventional medicine and, because of this; naturopathic medicine has experienced resurgence.
Naturopathy continues to grow and evolve as a body of knowledge. Naturopathic medicine, as an organized profession, is committed to ongoing research and development of its science. It incorporates many elements of scientific modern medicine.