Naturopathy's Essential Vitalism Premise - Gabriel, N. (ND Bastyr 2000) et al. (ISBN 0977655245; 2008):

this 2008 "integrative medicine" career [mis]guide informs us of 'the essential vitalistic spiritistic belief premise" of 'modern' AANP-CAND-FNPLA naturopathy [a sectarian medical system; see 001., below] -- a premise which is profoundly science-ejected [see 002., below] WHILE naturopathy labels itself 'firmly scientific' [see 003., below] and 'not a belief system' [see 004., below] {welcome to the naturopathic ABSURD!!!}:

001. Gabriel, N. (ND Bastyr 2000), Wengell, D. (MBA Emory) state in "Educational Opportunities in Integrative Medicine: The A-to-Z Healing Arts Guide and Professional Resource Directory" (ISBN 0977655245; 2008):

"Chapter 8: Naturopathic Medicine (ND) [...sidebar] naturopathic medicine is an integrative and vitalistic medical system [...main entry] naturopathic medicine is defined as much by its holistic principles as by its techniques. There are seven principles of modern naturopathy [...#2] respect the healing power of nature (vis medicatrix naturae). There is an innate healing force within all life that is always attempting to prevent and / or heal every possible illness [...] so long as this 'life force' flows in a balanced, unimpeded way. Naturopaths help their patients to optimize this innate force [...] most medical systems in place before the rise of modern western medicine [...] were 'vitalistic' in nature, meaning that a spiritual 'vital force' or 'life force' was believed to be both the source of existence and the essential healing force for every person. Ayurveda's 'prana,' Chinese medicine's 'chi,' and Hippocrates' 'humours' are all versions of the vital force [p.120...] naturopathic medicine is an integrative and vitalistic medical system [p.122...per a belief in] life force [p.124]."

Note: the book's title suggests its contents are 'of the professions'! And we are told by the authors, overall, as concerns this particular concept of bioagency -- naturopathy's supernaturalization of healing, aka vitalism:

"belief in this spiritual healing power is termed 'vitalism' [p.016...a putative power which is] unquantifiable in a scientific paradigm [p.175...e.g.: naturopathy's requisite homeopathy is] vitalistic, energetic, invisible, panacea-like, instantaneous, life force manipulating, and inexpensive [p.197]."

So, naturopathy is, make no mistake about it, a belief-centered spirit-manipulating system [shamanistic etc.; or as I'd said when deposed, a "cultic mystical weirdness"].

Also note: the homeopathy that is described above is considered a clinical science by FNPLA naturopathy.

002. keep in mind, as regards vitalism, it is profoundly science-ejected.

003. while, as regards naturopathic self-labeling, these health sectarians insist that they are science-based and this book states, as regards Bastyr University -- THE AUTHOR'S ALMA MATER -- who has already stated in the book that naturopathy is based upon vitalism & supernaturalism beliefs:

"Bastyr University was founded with the intent that science would be a cornerstone of naturopathy not merely a supporting figure [p.121...that Bastyr's context is ] science-based [p.048]."

004. for an AANP et al. 1997 document that absurdly simultaneously states that they are scientific and not a belief system [while essentially of the 'nonscientific science-ejected'], see this per:

"naturopathic physicians are the modern day science-based primary care doctors [...this] is not a belief system."

Note: for similar educational career misguidance from Bastyr directly, wherein they state that they are simultaneously scientific, supernatural and vitalistic [a logical impossibility] see this per:

"Bastyr at a glance [...] Bastyr University [...has] a multidisciplinary curriculum in science-based natural medicine [...per] the natural health sciences with an emphasis on integrating mind, body, spirit and nature [shorthand for their vitalism context and 'science-nullifying' 'knowledge-type nullifying' epistemic conflation!...aka, this is] natural medicine."

005. judgment:

"danger, Will Robinson, 'unethical sectarian pseudoscience!!!'"