NATUROPATHY

Nature cure is an art and science of healthy living and a drugless system of healing based on well-founded philosophy. It has its own concept of health and diseases and also principles of treatment.

Nature cure is a very old science. We can find number of references in our Vedas and other ancient texts. The “the morbid matter theory”, “Concept of vital force” and other concepts on which nature cure is based are already available in old texts which indicates that these modalities were widely practiced in ancient India.

The fundamental difference between nature cure and systems is that its theory and practice is based on holistic view point whereas the latter approach is specific.

Nature cure does not believe in specific cause of disease and its specific treatment but takes into account of totality of factors responsible for disease such as one's unnatural habits in living, thinking, working, sleeping, relaxing etc. and also considers the environmental factors involved which on the whole disturbs the normal functioning of the body and lead it to a morbid, weak and toxic state. For treatment, it primarily stresses to correct all the factors involved and allows the body to recover itself.

The nature cure physician helps in Nature's effort to overcome disease by applying correct natural modalities and controlling the natural forces to work within safe limits.

The name of Louis Kuhne of Germany needs special mention who propounded the principle of Unity of Disease and treatment and provided a theoretical base to this treatment method, the book “New Science of Healing” written by him has been translated in numerous languages of the world.

Gandhiji was influenced by the book “Return to Nature” written by Adolf Just and became a firm believer of Naturopathy.

Naturopathy

Naturopathy is a system of man living in harmony with constructive principles of Nature on physical, mental, moral and spiritual planes of living. It has great health promotive, disease preventive and curative as well as restorative potential.

Different modalities of naturopathy

Naturopathy is a science of healthy living. It teaches us how we should live, what we should eat and how our daily routine should be. Nature cure not only helps us in attaining freedom from disease but also helps in acquiring positive and vigorous health.

The main objective is to change the living habits of people and to teach them the healthy lifestyle.

The human body has got remarkable recuperative power. It is composed of five great elements (Pancha Maha Bhutas), imbalance of these creates disease.

Treatments of disease by these elements i.e., Air, Water, Earth, Fire and ether is known as Nature Cure.

The general treatment modalities employed in Nature Cure are stated below:

• Diet therapy

• Fasting therapy

• Mud therapy

• Hydrotherapy

• Manipulation therapy

• Chromo therapy

• Air therapy

Diet therapy

According to this therapy the food must be taken in natural or maximum natural form only. Fresh seasonal fruits, fresh green leafy vegetables and sprouts are excellent from this point of view.

Liquid diet: Liquids- Lemon, citric juices,

tender coconut water, buttermilk, wheat grass juice etc.

Soothing diet: Fruits, Salads, Boiled/steamed vegetables, Sprouts, vegetable chutney etc.

Constructive diet: Wholesome flour, unpolished rice, little pulses, lentils sprouts, curd, etc.

Being alkaline these diets help in improving health, purifying the body and rendering it immune to diseases. To this end a proper combination of food is necessary. Our diet should consist of 20 per cent acidic and 80 per cent alkaline food for preserving health. A balanced food is a must for any individual seeking good health. Food is regarded as Medicine in Naturopathy.

Fasting therapy

Fasting is an important modality in the natural methods of health preservation. For fasting mental preparedness is an essential precondition. Prolonged fasting should be done only under supervision of a naturopath. Naturopathy believes that fasting is a process of giving rest to the digestive system. During this process, the vital energy which digests the food is wholly engaged in the eliminative process. This is the objective of fasting too. Fasting is an excellent treatment for removing the disorders of mind and body. Fasting is advised in treating the disorders like Indigestion, constipation, gas, digestive disorders, bronchial asthma, obesity, high blood pressure, gout, etc.

Mud therapy

Mud therapy is very simple and effective. The mud used for this should be clean and taken from 3-4 feet depth from the surface of the ground. There should be no contamination of stones pieces or chemical manure etc. in the mud.

Mud therapy is used for giving coolness to body. Mud dilutes and absorbs the toxic substances of body and ultimately eliminates them from body. Mud packs and mud baths are the main forms of this treatment. In different diseases like constipation, tension headache, high blood pressure and skin diseases etc., mud is used successfully.

Hydrotherapy

Like mud, water is also believed as the ancient method of treatment. Taking bath properly with clean, fresh and cold water is an excellent form of hydrotherapy. Such bath opens up all pores of the skin, imparts lightness and freshness to the body, all system and muscles of the body are activated and the blood circulation improves.

Hip bath, enema, hot and cold fomentation, spinal bath, hot foot bath, steam bath, immersion bath, hot and cold packs on abdomen, chest and other parts of the body are recent developments of hydrotherapy. Hydrotherapy is used mainly for preserving health and curing different types of diseases.

Manipulation therapy

Massage is also a modality of naturopathy and quite essential for preserving health. It aims at improving the blood circulation and also strengthening bodily organs. In winter season, sun bath after massaging the whole body is well known practice of preserving health and strength. It bestows combined benefits of massage and sun rays' therapy too. In disease conditions necessary therapeutic effects can be obtained through specific techniques of massage. Massage is a substitute for exercise for those who cannot do the same. The effects of exercise can be derived from massage.

Chromo therapy

Seven colors of Sun rays have different therapeutic effects. These colors are- violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange, red. For prevention and treatment of different diseases these colors work effectively. Water

and oil exposed to Sun for specified hours in colored bottles and colored glasses are used for treating different disorders. The simple methods of Chromotherapy help in process of recovery in a very effective manner.

Air therapy

Fresh air is most essential for good health. The advantage of Air Therapy can be achieved by means of Air bath. In this process one should walk daily

wearing light or minimal clothes at a clean place where adequate fresh air is available, preferably in the early mornings. Physicians also recommend Air Bath in certain disease conditions. Pranayama is also used therapeutically as a method of Air Therapy.

Afflictions and diseases which are amenable through naturopathy

The Central Council for Research in Yoga G Naturopathy (CCRYN), National Institute of Naturopathy (NIN) and various other non- government organizations, has been verifying the efficacy of naturopathy system in curative and preventive aspects of various diseases by launching research-oriented programs. Based on the research studies under CCRYN projects, the following diseases have been found to be amenable through Naturopathy treatment: -

• Asthma (Allergic G Bronchial)

• Anemia

• Allergic skin diseases

• Chronic non healing ulcers

• Colitis

• Diarrhea

• Facial paralysis

• Gastritis

•  Hemiplegia

•  Hypotension

•  Jaundice

•  Leprosy

•  Obesity

•  Psoriasis

•  Psychosomatic disorders

•  Rheumatoid Arthritis

•  Amoebiasis

•  Anxiety

•  Cervical Spondylosis

•  Liver Cirrhosis

•  Constipation

•  Dysentery

•  Eczema

•  Flatulence

•  Gout

•  Hypertension

•  Hyperacidity

•  Leucorrhea

•  Neurosis

•  Osteo arthritis

•  Peptic ulcer

•  Scabies

•  Splenomegaly

•  Sciatica

Further research studies are going on at several centers and it is hoped that the utility and efficacy of Naturopathy in different more areas may be identified in years to come. The aim of the Council for Research in Yoga and Naturopathy is to promote and develop health in the society. They believe that in future drugless therapies will emerge as the most effective mode of treatment to combat chronic diseases.

Dr Gauri Dubey has a Bachelor of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences. She is a Senior Wellness Consultant and an expert in alternative medicine. She has and extensive knowledge mind-body medicine, nutrition, accupuncture, yoga and naturopathy.