[Academization of naturopathy and complementary medicine in the German language area].

Nowadays, it seems evident that natural and complementary medicine is represented amongst medical faculties. This was not always the case. Especially in the German speaking countries, more than 100 years of history were necessary. A short history of those academic developments that explicitly led to present day activities in naturopathy and complementary medicine is given by descriptions of persons and institutions. At present, 8 professorships dedicated to either naturopathy or complementary medicine or both could be identified in German speaking countries, thus representing academic medicine at its highest levels. Naturopathy and complementary medicine had received a strong reception in academic medicine. However, the vast majority of present day activities is financed by non-profit organizations and thus depends on their economic development.