“Nature cures, not the physician – ”Hippocrates (Father of Medicine)
Naturopathy or Nature cure is described as ‘A constructive method of treatment, which aims at removing the basic cause of disease through the
rational use of the elements freely available in nature’.
There are two popular definitions of Naturopathy one is purely Indian, based on Ancient Indian Health Sciences and the other one is of Dr. Lindlahr which is widely accepted all over the world. As per Indian beliefs our body is made up of five great elements Earth, Water, Sun, Air and Ether. The imbalances among these five elements are responsible for diseases and the treatment of various diseases with the help of these five element is called Nature Cure. Dr. Henry Lindlahr has defined Nature Cure as a system of man building on physical, mental, moral and spiritual planes of living in harmony with constructive principles in Nature applied to individual life. Nature Cure as a system of treatment is called Naturopathy.
In Nature Cure the methods employed in treatment are quite easy and can even be practiced at home. In fact Nature Cure is a science of living in tune with Nature. It mainly stresses on natural way of life. It not only frees one from diseases but also educates one how to prevent himself from diseases. The methods generally employed in treatment are Mud Pack, Enema, Hot and Cold fomentation, Hip bath, Steam bath, Hot Foot Bath, Sun Bath, Spinal Bath, Mud Bath and several types of packs etc.
Naturopathy is not only a system of healing but also a way of life. The following are needed to be in balance, for leading a healthy & balance life:
(Aachaar) – Right Conduct
(Vichaar) – Right Thinking
(Aahaar) – Right Food Habits
(Vihaar) – Right Daily Routine
Nature Cure believes that all the diseases arise due to accumulation of
morbid matter in the body. If scope is given for its removal, it provides cure or relief.
Nature Cure also believes that the human body possesses inherent self – constructing and self healing powers.
Basic Concepts
Three basic concepts of Nature Cure
• Accumulation of morbid (waste & toxic) matter
• Abnormal composition of blood & lymph
• Lowered vitality
Nature Cure does not believe in the specific cause of disease and its specific
treatment. Being a holistic approach, it looks at all the factors responsible for
diseases, which include:
• Internal Factors – One’s un-natural habits in living, thinking, working, sleeping, relaxation, indulgence etc.
• External Factors – The environmental factors
Following are the Basic Principles of Naturopathy:
All disease, their cause and their treatment are one
All forms of disease are due to a single cause, i.e. accumulation of waste (morbid) materials and bodily refuse in the system. The only way to cure the diseases is to employ methods, which will enable the system to throw off these toxic accumulations
The basic cause of disease is not bacteria
Bacteria develops after the accumulation of morbid matter, which provides a
favourable environment for their growth. Basic cause of diseases is morbid matter and not the bacteria. If one practices righteous living, no bacteria can cause any disease
Acute diseases are our friends not the enemies
All acute diseases such as fever, cold, inflammation, digestive disturbances and
skin eruptions are nothing more than self- initiated efforts on the part of the body to throw off the accumulated waste materials
Chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, rheumatism, asthma, kidney
disorders, etc. are the outcome of wrong treatment and suppression of the acute diseases
Nature is the greatest healer
Body has the capacity to prevent itself from diseases & regain health
The role of a Naturopath is just to help the body in regaining back and fully
developing its natural healing capacity
In Naturopathy, patient is treated and not the disease
The successful treatment of a patient depends on 5 factors:
(i) How much morbid matter is there in the patient’s body?
(ii) How much is the vital life force of the patient?
(iii) How much patience does the patient have?
(iv) How strong medication/operation the patient has already gone through?
(v) How much belief does the patient have in Naturopathy treatment?
In Naturopathy diagnosis is easily possible
Long wait for diagnosis is not required. Only thing that is required for diagnosis is the understanding of the site at which the Morbid matter has accumulated –
(front, back, side, whole body) or organ (heart, kidney, liver, stomach,
intestine, etc.) of the body
Chronic ailments can be treated successfully; this treatment can take slightly longer time
Chronic ailments are also accompanied by the toxicity generated by medication. Naturopathy treatment has to remove this toxicity in order to fully cure the disease.
Suppressed diseases emerge again during Naturopathy, and are cured forever
This is called Healing Crisis or Curative Crisis. Time period for this phase is 2-7 days. The diseases emerge and are cured in the reverse order of their occurrence in the past
Nature Cure treats body as a whole, instead of treating each organ separately
Naturopathy does not use medicines. According to Naturopathy, “Food is Medicine”
