I totally flopped my first interview. Olympic sized flop. All because of her final question,
“ We already have a fabulous Naturopathic Doctor on staff, how is what you do any different? ”
Vomit.
Not literally. But it might have been better than my word scramble.
In truth, I am not so good at talking about myself or what I do. I have always let my work speak for itself, but I had now been initiated into the business world of Alternative Medicine. Welcome!
Everything seemed to be going great, I arrived early to the interview, got a tour, met the staff and sat outside with the head of HR and her ‘understudy’ for the formal Q& A grilling.
It was easy. Although she wasn’t very thrilled when I noted the difference between western women, as compared to in India, where wine and chocolate are common coping tools. She laughed, and added herself to that category. 1st blow, dodged.
Then the interview took a quick nose dive into darkness when she said “So, what do you think you could contribute to our company?”
I listed the usual, ‘helping people, chronic ailments, optimal health etc.’ and added at the end
“... and I would love to assist in making some ‘Ayurvedic’ suggestions to your cafe’s menu, if possible.”
Well, she quickly rebutted that the whole menu was getting revamped and that I would be happy to see their new spread. I replied “Great,” as if I didn’t know any better - 2nd blow, dodged.
But, It was at that moment that I felt I might have flipped her cantankerous switch to ‘on mode.’
How was I to know?
Her final move?
“ We already have a fabulous Naturopathic Doctor (ND) on staff, how is what you do any different? ”
Cue the K.O. face. I paused…
She reamed into me, and set me to sail. I left exhausted. whew.
I was confused, because it seemed pretty obvious to me the difference. But if they are already happy with their set-up, then why was the interview even happening? Plus I am not one for self-aggrandizement and I didn’t want to seem like I was here to take clients away from the ND, so if I remember, I mumbled about collaborative working and supportive multi-disciplinary approach. But alas, no big word would save me from this drowning ship.
So here I am, to explain the difference and redeem myself from that horrid interview.
Naturopathic Medicine vs. Ayurveda Medicine:
Like any medical system, verbiage plays an important role in asserting position. Naturopathy has a bunch of Latin phrases and Ayurveda has a bunch of Sanskrit.
Commonalities
Both use herbal compounds.
Both have a ‘whole’ person / systems approach.
Both focus on prevention.
Both claim scientific data and time-tested results as means of validation.
Both agree on ‘removing the causative factor’ at the root of the disease state.
Both have means to create optimal health, vitality and support living in accord with nature.
**You don’t have to be sick to try either system. Naturopathy in particular puts an extra emphasis on prevention and ‘boosting’ the physiology.
Naturopathy & the Naturopathic Doctor:
Naturopathy is a science-based tradition whose origins are multiplicitious . "Naturopathy" was first coined in 1885 by Dr. John Scheel, a German homeopath, and Benedict Lust purchased the name in 1901 to describe the eclectic practice of "nature doctors". While other sources claim it has origins in the Hippocrates era and was the medicine system used then, but no confirmation has been made of this. In 2004 the 'Naturopathic Doctor' licensing and programs arose. What is practiced by a Naturopathic Doctor (ND) is Naturopathy. But it isn't that simple.
Upon further discovery, Naturopathy is more of an umbrella term, including in it; homeopathy, exercise, acupuncture, massage, yoga, manual therapy, micronutrient injections, nutrition, herbs, supplementation, hydrotherapy, counseling, yoga and etc.
In the creation of Naturopathic Medicine as we know it today, Ayurveda, Chinese Medicine, and other traditional medicine systems were studied, tested and items picked from each system to create the conglomeration of Naturopathic Medicine.
So, the difficulty in putting a definitive finger on what naturopathic medicine does or is, is evident.
Since its genisus in the 1900s, Naturopathy has always been evolving. According to the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP), principles of Naturopathy are continually re-examined in light of scientific advances. Some could see this as a cutting edge aspect to Naturopathy, that makes it scientifically 'with the times.' Although both medical systems are constantly publishing research, Naturopathy seems to assert a more forward definition of itself as 'scientific.'
**Not every Naturopathic Doctor (‘ND’) includes all the modalities in the list above, check into what they offer, and their specialty.
Naturopathy is a science-based tradidition that sees the body as a self-healing organism that has disease stemming from the excess of toxins in the body. Naturopathy follows 6 core principles of practice.
1. Do No Harm.
2. The Healing Power of Nature.
3. Identify and Treat the Causes.
4. Doctor as Teacher.
5. Treat the Whole Person. Prevention.
Ayurveda:
Ayurveda is a traditional Vedic system of healing from India that was brought over to the USA around the same time as the Yoga movement, in 1893 by Swami Vivekananda. Ayurveda is a sister science of Yoga and Jyotish, and one science follows the other.
Ayurveda has a 5,000 year-old history of continual practice, making it the oldest medical system in the world and the source of many healing systems used today. It is a full and complete system of medicine.
Ayurveda uses sparshan, darshan and prashna. Touch, sight and questioning to diagnose. Touch includes Nadi Vigyan or Pulse Diagnosis and sight includes Tongue Diagnosis and much much more.
These simple avenues of accessing information, can be surprising. My Ayurveda Guru was able to hear the patient walking down the hall, and through the sound of his gate, was able to make a correct diagnoses- just from the sound! Those devoted to this science have shown levels of genius.
Ayurveda is a tri-dosha system, based on the 5 elements, ether, air, fire, water and earth. Tri-doshas are the pillars of Ayurveda; Vata, Pitta and Kapha. 
Conclusion:
Ultimately the world of Alternative Health is becoming more and more integrative. Whether it be an ND or an MD, I have seen both incorporating Ayurveda.
Ayurveda comes with a rich cultural flavor and can not be separated from this.
Naturopathy is a combination of systems and Ayurveda is a solo system.
Seeing a Naturopathic Doctor can be a safe first step for someone wanting to step outside the allopathic paradigm. You will receive the same sort of feel, and knowledge base but with significantly more time spent with you and leave with a wholistic prescription.
Ayurveda is a great option for those who seek a more immersive experience. Those looking to incorporate principles of a science with roots in the furthest antiquity known to man and those familiar with the power of Yoga philosophy/asana practice and meditation, will find much resonance with Ayurveda.
Exceptional article - I learned a LOT. Thank you for taking the time to do this - I know it’s been a question a lot of people have had (including me) and you’ve explained it beautifully!