As times are changing, all of us are going back to traditional approaches, whether it is Ayurveda, Homoeopathy or Naturopathy. These are alternative medicines and are useful in treating many diseases, especially through lifestyle changes. Most of these alternative medicines focus on preventive care. Today, we try to find out what one might be in for when they choose Naturopathy as a way of healing. What does it do? How does it differ from Ayurveda? How can it complement the regular day-to-day modern medicines?For this, the Health and Me team spoke to Dr Prashanth Shetty, Principal at SDM College of Naturopathy and Yogic Science, Ujire.What Is Naturopathy?As the doctor explains, Naturopathy is a holistic approach to medicine that believes in the body’s innate ability to heal itself. It focuses on the root cause of illnesses, not just symptoms, and promotes natural healing through diet, lifestyle modifications, herbal remedies, hydrotherapy, and physical therapy."Naturopathy emphasizes natural healing, disease prevention, and lifestyle modification, aiming to restore balance and promote long-term wellness,” says Dr Shetty.Unlike allopathic medicine, which often relies on pharmaceuticals and surgeries to treat disease symptoms, naturopathy works by supporting the body’s self-healing process.How Does Naturopathy Complement Modern Medicine?Naturopathy is increasingly being integrated with modern medical practices. It works well as a complementary therapy, especially in managing chronic conditions. For instance, naturopathic therapies such as acupuncture and nutrition counselling can reduce side effects of medications or improve treatment outcomes.Patients undergoing treatment for diabetes, hypertension, arthritis, or even cancer may benefit from a combined approach—using conventional medications alongside naturopathic suggestions on diet, exercise, and stress reduction. This not only reduces dependency on medication but also empowers patients to actively participate in their healing journey.Can It Help With Chronic Conditions?Dr Shetty points out instances where Naturopathy has helped patients who have been battling with chronic diseases:Diabetes: Naturopathic approaches like dietary changes, herbal supplements, and stress management can complement conventional treatments.Hypertension: Lifestyle modifications, such as diet, exercise, and stress reduction, can be used alongside medication to manage blood pressure.Arthritis: Naturopathic treatments like acupuncture, herbal remedies, and physical therapy can help manage pain and inflammation.Mental HealthAnxiety and Depression: Naturopathic approaches like mindfulness, meditation, and herbal supplements can be used alongside conventional treatments.Stress Management: Naturopathic techniques like yoga, deep breathing, and relaxation can help manage stress.Digestive HealthIrritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Naturopathic approaches like dietary changes, probiotics, and stress management can help manage symptoms.Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Naturopathic treatments like dietary modifications, herbal supplements, and stress reduction can complement conventional treatments.Women's HealthMenstrual Disorders: Naturopathic approaches like herbal supplements, dietary changes, and stress management can help regulate menstrual cycles.Menopause: Naturopathic treatments like herbal supplements, dietary changes, and lifestyle modifications can help manage symptoms.Naturopathy vs Ayurveda: Are They the Same?Though both systems promote natural healing, they are fundamentally different. “Naturopathy and Ayurveda are not the same—they are distinct systems of natural medicine with different foundations and limitations,” says Dr Shetty.Naturopathy is grounded in the belief of self-healing through nature, whereas Ayurveda is rooted in the concept of balancing the body's three doshas—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Naturopathy commonly uses diet, hydrotherapy, and herbal medicines, while Ayurveda may include massages, herbal formulations, and treatments based on dosha types.Additionally, naturopathic education is often structured and formalized, while Ayurvedic learning can also be passed down traditionally through apprenticeships.While both the systems do share certain similarities—like emphasizing prevention, detoxification, and the use of herbal remedies; they follow a different framework and diagnostic methods. Naturopathy focuses more on individual's lifestyle and the environmental factors, whereas Ayurveda relies more on the ancient texts and doshic assessments, points out the doctor.Personalized and PreventiveWhat makes naturopathy stand out is that it is personalized in nature and is based on each individual's lifestyle, their dietary habits, what suits them and what does not and their stress levels. It also evaluates emotional well-being, as well as the environment that may be the cause of their diseases or disorders.At the core of naturopathy is prevention. It focuses more on preventing a disease even before the symptoms show up. By encouraging early lifestyle interventions, regular detoxification, and stress management, naturopathy helps reduce disease incidence, hospital visits, and the long-term burden on healthcare systems.Reducing Healthcare BurdenThere is an overgrowing burden on the healthcare system. While it is not to say that this must not be changed however, with alternative medicines like naturopathy, which emphasizes on preventive care, it can help lessen the burden. Naturopathy also focuses on educating individuals to take control of their health. The approaches used are: balanced nutrition, exercise, and mindfulness. As Dr Shetty notes, this not only empowers patients but also reduces the reliance on medication and minimizes hospital visits—ultimately easing the strain on healthcare infrastructure.