Just what the naturopath ordered.

I read your March/April 2004 issue with great interest and pleasure. In the article "A Spoon Full of Sugar," the author implied that information on herbal supplements can be difficult to get, and that readers should do research themselves.

In fact, good herbal information is readily available through licensed naturopathic doctors. There are 4,000 of us now in the U.S. We undergo a four-year training program similar to standard MDs, but receive all our clinical training in outpatient care. We are also trained in herbs, manipulation, nutrition and homeopathy.

Since one in five prescriptions is unnecessary, and many more can be avoided, we are helping relieve the pollution of our water that occurs when drugs are flushed. As our name suggests, most naturopathic doctors are actively involved in the environmental movement. We are also committed to relieving social injustice. For example, most of the homeless shelter care done in Portland, Oregon is now done by naturopathic doctors.

As with social investing, the news about us has not reached the greater public. Many people mistakenly assume we are the equivalent of the correspondence school degree programs, when in fact we have prescriptive authority in many states and are trained in minor surgery as well as the range of illnesses from acute to chronic. Please let your readers know that we exist.

Christopher Maloney, Naturopathic Doctor

Augusta and Portland, ME