Robert Kachko performs acupuncture on a patient in his office in Manhattan. He also practices as a licensed naturopath in Connecticut.

Naturopaths, often derided as quacks, push to go mainstream — with help from vitamin companies

BOSTON — Naturopaths, who practice an alternative medicine heavy on herbal supplements, are making a big push to gain more authority and stature across the United States, including the right to do more hands-on patient care and to be reimbursed by Medicare.

That’s raising concern among critics who see naturopaths as quacks — and who warn that offering them state licenses, insurance reimbursements, and other recognition only legitimizes their pseudoscience.