Naturopathy
Naturopathy
The unbridled growth of industrialization, accentuated by modern science and technology, has created a situation, which prevents man from bestowing adequate care and attention even to his minimal personal health needs. The new and complex problems posed to the human individual because of the galloping speed of science and technology demands an equally scientific approach for facing them. At the root of all these problems lies a distorted and fragmented view of the world set afloat by science. As such, the values and views generated by the mechanical approach have resulted in dealing with the problems of man as if each one is distinct and separate from other.
Naturopathy, otherwise known as Nature Cure, is a drugless, non-invasive, rational and evidence based system of medicine imparting treatments with natural elements based on theory of vitality, theory of toxemia, theory of self- healing capacity of body and the principles of healthy living.
The unbridled growth of industrialization, accentuated by modern science and technology, has created a situation, which prevents man from bestowing adequate care and attention even to his minimal personal health needs. The new and complex problems posed to the human individual because of the galloping speed of science and technology demands an equally scientific approach for facing them. At the root of all these problems lies a distorted and fragmented view of the world set afloat by science. As such, the values and views generated by the mechanical approach have resulted in dealing with the problems of man as if each one is distinct and separate from other.
Naturopathy, otherwise known as Nature Cure, is a drugless, non-invasive, rational and evidence based system of medicine imparting treatments with natural elements based on theory of vitality, theory of toxemia, theory of self- healing capacity of body and the principles of healthy living.
Theory of Vitality
Nature cure is based on the realization that man is born with a specific vitality/vital energy- the innate healing power that keeps him/her healthy and strong in accordance with the principles of nature. The violation of natural laws can affect the vital power resulting in unhealthy and diseased condition. “Return to nature”, following the principles of healthy living and leaving the body and mind “free” is the only resort for lowered vitality. To provide opportunity to vitality we need to be on total rest which can also be called as fasting. Fasting is the supreme remedy in naturopathy. Fasting is defined as total rest-physical, physiological, sensory and mental rest that includes voluntary and total abstinence from food-solid or liquid that demands digestion, for a definite purpose and period.
Theory of Self-Healing
Human Body has remarkable recuperative powers when it is left alone. All healing powers are within one’s body and that human body is a powerful living dynamo capable of self-preservation, without any help from external agents.
Nature cure therapy aligns us with the self-preservative will of Nature to protect and heal the body from within, by weeding out the root cause of disease rather than concentrating on the symptoms of disease. It treats the person as one single entity and adopts methods of cure, which are in conformity with the constructive principles of nature and aims at the readjustment of the human system from abnormal to normal conditions and functions.
To accomplish these goals, Naturopathic medicine incorporates many therapeutic modalities like Fasting, Diet & nutrition, hydrotherapy, Clay therapy, Heliotherapy, physical therapy, oriental therapy, lifestyle and counseling.
Theory of Toxemia
Naturopathy considers that the main cause of disease is the accumulation of toxic/foreign matter in the body and if kept unchecked the toxins will be absorbed and circulated in the system in different forms causing a complete toxicity – The Toxemia. These toxins can be:
- Internal – Biogenic Toxins (due to indigestion, incomplete elimination etc.)
- External -Ingestion of poison, chemical poisoning, drugs, environmental pollutants etc.
- Psychological – (due to mental disturbances)
The body warns us of the toxicity by generating alarms that can be generally termed as symptoms. If you suppress these symptoms/diseased conditions by drugs or by any other means, you are laying foundation for chronic diseases.