Book excerpt: Principles and Practice of Naturopathic Medicine has been written to meet the needs of several different readers: naturopathic medical students and educators; students and educators in other healthcare professions; naturopathic physicians and other healthcare professionals; and patients participating in their own healing process. Principles & Practices links naturopathic philosophy and clinical theory to standard practice. Designed to comply with the curriculum standards established at leading naturopathic colleges affiliated with the Council of Naturopathic Education (CNME), this is the first textbook published for use in introductory courses in naturopathic medicine. Principles & Practices enables students to complete the for¬mative part of their basic training, allowing them to enter their clinical training with increased confidence. The book provides the basic information students need for further study in specific modalities, such as required upper-year courses in clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, homeopathy, traditional Chinese medicine, physical medicine, hydrotherapy, and lifestyle counseling. For other natural medicine and healthcare students, studying chiropractic, osteopathic, botanical, or homeopathic medicine, for example, this book should enable them to learn to practice as broadly as possible so that they can treat patients as narrowly as they wish to. Likewise, conventional medical colleges may use this book as the foundation of required or elective courses in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) or integrative practices. Practicing physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals will find this book a useful reference, offering a quick overview ofthe naturopathic approach, which may complement or enhance their approach, and serving as