SAN FRANCISCO -- 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.

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Video On Demand: John Fowler Reports On California New Licensing Of Doctors Of Naturopathic 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."

Gabrielle Chernis, a 31-year-old San Francisco teacher, says she likes the naturopathic whole-person approach. She says she simply wasn't happy with the way traditional physicians were treating her chronic intestinal illness.

"There are things that regular medical doctors don't know how to fix," she said.

Mara Alizondo, 46, of San Francisco, agrees.

"I think I've just felt better -- no more headaches -- just every day feeling better," she said.

But there are differences in what a traditional doctor and naturopath can do. Under the new law naturopathic doctors cannot prescribe drugs, or perform surgery. They can diagnose disease, dispense herbs and supplements, and recommend diet or lifestyle changes.

Hangee-Bauer has spent 19 years as an acupuncturist and herbalist, but it was only after the new law went into effect that he was licensed as a naturopath.

"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. "That is necessary and it's needed, on the other hand there's room out there for a lot of choice."

Dr. Henry Miller, a Stanford researcher, also urged caution.

"It can verge on quackery," he said. "Again, the quality and content of naturopathy will depend on the individual practitioner."