Note: This advice is given by the CAP Executive about non-broadcast advertising. It does not constitute legal advice. It does not bind CAP, CAP advisory panels or the Advertising Standards Authority.
This section should be read in conjunction with the entry on Health: Therapies (General)
What is Naturopathy?
Naturopathy is a holistic approach to healthcare that uses a combination of one or more different disciplines (for example herbal medicine or hydrotherapy) and a healthy lifestyle in order to gain and maintain a healthy body.
What claims are likely to be acceptable?
The promotion of a healthy lifestyle is likely to acceptable as are claims that go no further than those commonly accepted for healthy eating, sleeping well, taking exercise and the like.
What claims are likely to be problematic?
The ASA and CAP have not yet been provided with evidence which demonstrates that Naturopathy can be used to treat medical conditions (Rule 12.1). Therefore, any claims that go beyond accepted claims for a healthy lifestyle are likely to be problematic unless they are supported by a robust body of evidence. In 2013, the ASA ruled against claims on a marketer’s website which said that Naturopathy could be used to treat acute and chronic illness and disease because the marketer had not provided any evidence in support of their claims (CNM The College of Naturopathic Medicine Ltd, 13 March 2013).
What about conditions for which medical supervision should be sought?
Claims to offer treatment on conditions for which medical supervision should be sought are likely to be considered to discourage essential treatment unless that treatment is carried out under the supervision of a suitably qualified health professional (Rule 12.2).
See: CAP Guidance on Substantation for health beauty and slimming claims. and CAP Guidance on References to medical conditions in ads for health, beaiurt and slimming products and services.
Also see: Guidance on Health Therapies and Evidence QA (Sept 2011)