Naturopathy is a system of healing science
stimulating the body’s inherent power to regain health with
the help of five great elements of nature – Earth, Water,
Air, Fire and Ether. Naturopathy is a call to "Return to Nature"
and to resort to simple way of living in harmony with the self,
society and environment.
Naturopathy provides not only a simple practical approach to the
management of diseases, but a firm theoretical basis which is applicable
to all the holistic medical care and by giving attention to the
foundations of health; also offers a more economical frame work
for the medicine of future generation.
Though the basic Nature Cure deals only with Pancha Mahabhoota’s,
the recent developments advocates the practice of drugless therapies
like Massage, Electrotherapy, Physiotherapy, Acupuncture and Acupressure,
Magnetotherapy etc., Diet plays a major role, above all.
Nature Cure movement started in Germany & other western countries
with "Water cure" (Hydrotherapy). Water cure was synonymous
with Nature Cure in those early days. The credit of making Water
cure world famous goes to Vincent Priessnitz (1799-1851) who was
a farmer. Dr. Henry Lindlahr and others go to the extent of crediting
him as "Father of Naturopathy". The word "Naturopathy"
has been coined by Dr. John Scheel in the year 1895 and was propagated
and popularised in the western world by Dr. Benedict Lust. A number
of Doctors of modern medicine and others became Nature Cure enthusiasts
and gradually added a number of modalities within the fold of Naturopathy
and scientifically developed them. Nature Cure movement gained momentum
in India as Mahatma Gandhi, "Father of the Nation" became
much interested in this system and included it in his programmes.
He has also established a Nature Cure Hospital in Uruli Kanchan,
Distt. Poona, Maharashtra which is still functioning.
Naturopathy adopts the following
diagnostic methods:
++Full life case history – covering all
the facts of life, since birth.
++ Facial diagnosis – the science of facial
expressions by studying the various characteristic features upon
the body.
++ Iris diagnosis – study of iris indicating
the condition of various visceral organs.
++Modern clinical diagnosis to some extent.
The methods applied for cure in Naturopathy
are the following:
Water Therapy: Water is the most ancient of all
the remedial agents. It is employed in different forms in treatment
and produces several types of physiological effects depending upon
temperature and duration. Hydrotherapy is employed in almost all
types of disease conditions.
Air Therapy: Fresh air is essential for good health.
Air therapy is employed in different pressures and temp. in variety
of disease conditions.
Fire Therapy: Existence of all the creatures and
forms depends upon “Agni” (Fire). In Nature Cure treatment,
different temperatures are employed through different heating techniques
to produce different specific effects.
Space Therapy: Congestion causes disease. Fasting
is the best therapy to relieve congestion of body and mind.
Mud Therapy: Mud absorbs, dissolves and eliminates
the toxins and rejuvenates the body. It is employed in treatment
of various diseases like constipation, skin diseases etc.
Food Therapy: Most of the disease are amenable
through food therapy. As you eat so will you be physically as well
as mentally. Your food is your medicine. These are the main slogans
of Nature Cure.
Massage Therapy: Massage is generally employed
for tonic, stimulant and sedative effects. It is an effective substitute
for exercise.
Acupressure: There are different points on hands,
feet & body which are associated with different organs. By applying
pressure on these selected points, related organs can be influenced
for getting rid of their ailments.
Magneto Therapy: Magnets influence health. South
and North poles of different powers and shapes are employed in treatment,
by applying directly on different parts of the body or through charged
up water or oil.
Chromo Therapy: Sun rays have seven colours –
violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange and red. These colours
are employed through irradiation or body or by administering charged
water, oil and pills for treatment.
For Detailed Dossier on
Naturopathy Medicines & Treatments in India, please write to us at
mktg@mediescapes.com
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