Natural medicine practitioners get state licensing in California

• Your health care options increased a few weeks ago and you probably didn't know it.
• On January 14, California began licensing a new kind of medical practitioner using an old kind of medicine.
• Supporters of naturopathic medicine say it's a valuable alternative, but critics say a visit to a clinic practicing such an approach might make you sicker.
• Dr. Carl Hangee-Bauer is one of the state's first licensed doctors of naturopathic medicine.
• He claims such fears are simply unfounded.
• "Californians have a choice to choose a primary care practitioner who specializes in and is trained in natural medicine and that's a huge step," he said.
• "We'll treat people with anything from the common cold to chronic illnesses."
• She says she simply wasn't happy with the way traditional physicians were treating her chronic intestinal illness.
• They can diagnose disease, dispense herbs and supplements, and recommend diet or lifestyle changes.
• "It was a frustrating thing for a long time to feel like I had these services I could offer to the public that I couldn't offer because of the legal obstacle in the way," he said.
• But Dr. Jack Lewin of the California Medical Association warned patients to use caution when considering naturopathic medicine over traditional medicine.
• "If you want to be a physician and do what physicians do -- you basically need to go to medical school and take the residency training required," he said.