In Italy there is still a lot of uncertainty and confusion around the figure of the naturopath. The situation is different in other countries; if, for example, we focus on the reality of naturopathy in Germany, we find a reality in which professionals are respected, therapeutic practice goes hand in hand with legislation and people's needs.
Even in Italy, however, there are solid points that have now been reached: we can therefore give an overview of the situation regarding Italian legislation on naturopathy.
Current classification of the naturopath
Unfortunately many people still believe that the profession of naturopath, not being recognized by a specific law on naturopathy, is not allowed by law. Fortunately it is not so. In the Italian legal system (Articles 4 -35 -41 of the Italian Constitution) the professions not recognized by specific laws are free, that is, each can exercise them, without registration to a specific register. The boundary of the exercise of the profession consists of the fields of competence of the professions protected by state laws (doctor, psychologist, physiotherapist etc.).
When naturopathy leaves its field of action, the risk is a breach of the Criminal Code . Article 348 of the Code concerns in fact the abusive exercise of protected professions, which require a state qualification. The risk is above all related to the medical profession which, from definition of the Code, "expresses itself in identifying and diagnosing diseases, in the prescribing the treatment, administering the remedies (...) commits the crime of abusive exercise of the profession anyone who expresses diagnostic judgments and advice and prepares the patient's care ".
As described in the " Naturopathic Code of Conduct ", Naturopathy deals with the well - being of the person as a whole and that his areas of competence are: education and promotion of health, restoration of a balance of the organism in its entirety, with natural methods that may possibly support allopathic medicine therapies.
International legislation in naturopathy
Before discussing the Italian legislation on naturopathy, let's go beyond the boot. The World Health Organization (WHO) has proposed a document containing guidelines for naturopathy, where various areas are covered, including the training of naturopathic practitioners. The document also contains a review of the contraindications to the naturopathic intervention, in order to promote an exercise in naturopathy that is safe for professionals and for those who rely on them.
All this in order to represent a reference for the national authorities, to establish a regulation that provides for training, verification and qualification systems that guarantee a qualified practice of naturopathy.
The legislation on naturopathy in Italy
At what point is the legislation on naturopathy in Italy? Currently in Italy there is still no single and unambiguous state legislation regarding naturopathy. The individual regions have organized differently and have drawn up a series of decrees on naturopathy and bills. Let's look at just a few recent examples.
The Lombardy Region has established since 2003 a collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO-WHO) in the field of complementary medicine . The purpose and result of this collaboration is the support of projects and legislation to promote both a correct and rational use of complementary medicine by citizens and operators, and the safety and quality of herbal products and homeopathic preparations i. This collaboration includes a series of documents and initiatives specifically aimed at naturopathy.
On January 31, 2011, the conference "The Naturopath, an emerging profession: origins, meanings, scientific background" was held in Matera, organized and promoted by the Accademia Aires ( International Academy of Research and Science ) in Rome, during which underlined the need to create an order or to recognize and protect the figure of the professional naturopath.
There is also a proposal for a popular law, to request the Government to have specific legislation, which results in a law on natural medicines, and which finally constitutes a solid point and clarifies all our doubts and uncertainties on the subject.
