Offentl Gesundheitswes. 1991 Feb; 53(2): 84-7.

[Naturopathy and alternative medicine--definition of the concept and delineation]

Ostendorf GM.

Hallesche-Nationale Krankenversicherung, Stuttgart.

Naturopathic and biological systems of medicine are defined as disciplines that are not directed straight-away against pathological processes as such; their effect is based on stimulating the body's own resources of healing and regulating the dysfunctions that become manifest as disease, using natural active principles as levers to fight disease. Genuine naturopathic systems have mostly been able to prove their science-based efficacy and can be employed successfully especially in chronic diseases and in the after-treatment of severe disease patterns i.e. within the framework of post-disease treatment or rehabilitation. This is contrasted by methods that have not been scientifically proven or acknowledged, i.e. "fringe" systems based on speculative models of thinking, that could not be proven as being clinically effective. These methods cannot be equated with those of naturopathy. German private sickness insurance companies exclude from payment all methods of examination and treatment that are not scientifically recognised, but the German state-managed sickness insurance system provides for paying a subsidy unless the method in question has been specifically excluded. Attention is drawn to the problems that arise if persons who are entitled to receiving a subsidy take out an additional private insurance to supplement the same.