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.