Defnition Of Naturopathy

DEFINITION OF NATUROPATHY

There are several definitions of Naturopathy. Among them two definitions are very popular and quoted by several authors in their books. The one is commonly quoted by Indian Authors and the other one is of Dr. Henry Lindlahr.

Definition based on Indian Life Sciences

Nature Cure is an art of living in tune with Nature and a science of treating diseases through five grand elements (viz Air, Water, Earth, Fire and Space) of which the body is composed.

This is basically a definition based on Ayurveda and other ancient Indian concepts wherein it has been accepted that the human body is composed of five grand elements (PUNCHAMAHABHUTAS) – i.e. Air, Water, Earth, Fire and Space. In Nature Cure the said five elements are made use of in treatment. This definition appears to be a superficial one as it does not cover the complete aspects of human life, its problems and holistic view point. Mahatma Gandhi, the father of our Nation who was also a firm believer in Naturopathy tried to improve it by adding ‘RAM NAM’ in the above definition. He was of the view that applying treatments with PUNCHAMAHABHUTAS work only so long as a man is alive. As soon as his soul departs, the body starts decomposing and no treatment works at all. Therefore, the existence of body depends upon soul and soul can be affected only through prayers. Therefore, prayer (RAM NAM) according to one’s own faith and belief should form part of one’s daily life and treatment of diseases when one falls sick.

In fact this definition does not try to cover the different planes at which a man lives. When one speaks of way of living also, the different planes of being are required to be defined in clear terms and the different modalities employed in constructively effecting those plan are also required to be worked out. From this angle, the definition propounded by Dr. Henry Lindlahr appears to be more complete.

Definition of Dr. Henry Lindlahr

“Dr. Lindlahr has defined Nature Cure as a system of man building in harmony with the constructive principles in nature on physical, mental, moral and spiritual planes of being.”

Before we critically analyze the above definition, the constructive principles operating in nature are required to be understood. The constructive principles in nature refer to those principles in nature which build up, improve, and repair, which always make for the perfect type, whose activity in nature is designated as evolutionary and constructive, and which are opposed to the destructive principles in Nature.

The destructive principles refer to those principles in nature which disintegrate and destroy existing forms and types, whose activity in Nature are designated as devolutionary and destructive.

The above said definition of Dr Lindlahr classifies the life of man on under given four planes:

Physical Plane,
Mental Plane ,
Moral Plane and
Spiritual Plane
Any maladjustment in any one or more of the above planes leads to disease. The holistic view point of looking at a man either for maintenance and improvement of his health or for treatment of diseases should cover all the above four planes while necessary adjustments are required on the planes of maladjustment in harmony with other planes.

Nature Cure is basically a drugless system of treatment. Based upon the definition of Dr. Lindlahr, the modalities employed in treatment can also be classified into 4 groups.

Classification of Modalities

For correcting maladjustments at different planes, different modalities work better. If more than one plane are to be corrected and effected, combination of different modalities are required to be done for specific effects. While doing so the physician should not lose sight of the holistic view point of treating the man as a whole, the body as a whole, improving of all the planes of being as a whole and bringing him to a harmonious state with all the forces operating in Nature which are responsible for the existence of life. The regimens prescribed for holistic improvements are always to be taken care of. The classification given here under intends to acquaint the practitioner (student) with the modalities which may be especially useful in effecting and correcting the different planes.

Planes Modalities Specially Effecting the Particular Plane

1. Physical Elementary and Punchmahabhutas remedies such as Hydrotherapy, Aerotherapy, Mudtherapy, Heliotherapy, Chromotherapy, Magnetotherapy, Electrotherapy, Fasting and Dietotherapy, Manipulative treatments, Exercises, Deep Breathing, Massage etc specially effect the physical body and hence they are useful for ailments of physical origin.

2. Mental Everything that we see, hear, smell touch and taste effect the mind. Therefore each and every modality employed in treatment may effect mind also however, Psycho-therapy, Music therapy, Dance therapy, Aromotherapy, Colour therapy, Hypnotism, Scientific relaxation, Meditation etc are spacid11y useful for correcting ailments of mental origin.

3. Moral & ethical Different concepts prevalent in different societies determine the morality in those societies. Proper understanding of concepts and disturbing social factors, constructive thoughts, proper suggestions, application of tools of Yamas and Niyamas, Psycho-therapy and Psycho-social counseling etc employed as part of the treatment yield better and quick results

4. Spiritual Prayer according to one’s own faith, clear concept of universal truths, kirtan, bhajans, spiritual dances, meditation, reading of authentic literature etc should form part of one’s daily routine for upliftment at spiritual plane.

From the above definitions it is clear that Nature Cure has the following two aspects :

(a) Art of Living in tune with nature,

(b) Treatment of Diseases.

I It will not be out of place to mention here that Dr. Henry Lindlahr has classified the natural methods of living and of treatment as under.

a) Return to Nature. By the regulation of eating, drinking, breathing, bathing, dressing, working, resting , thinking, the moral life, sexual and social activities, etc. on a normal and natural basis.

b) Elementary Remedies. Such as water, air, light, earth cures, magnetism, electricity, etc.

c) Chemical Remedies. Such as scientific food selection and combination, homeopathic medicines, simple herb extracts, and the Vito-chemical remedies.

d) Mechanical Remedies. Such as corrective gymnastic, massage, magnetic treatment, osteopathic manipulation and when indicated, surgery.

e) Mental and Spiritual Remedies . Such as scientific, relaxation, normal suggestion, constructive thought, the prayer of faith etc.

Nature Cure philosophy is based upon sciences dealing with natural laws and principles and their application to the phenomenon of life and death, health and diseases and cure from ailments. From that angle, the above stated definitions have far reaching consequences to the development of this science, its scope and limitations.

Inter-relation with other Sciences

To understand the inter-relationship of Naturopathy with other sciences it is of paramount importance to know the different schools of Naturopathy, the views of eminent naturopaths about what constitute Naturopathy as also the decisions of prominent organizations and enactments done in early years for Nature Cure Movement.

Two Groups of Naturopaths

At present there are two groups of Nature Cure practitioners, One group strictly adheres to the methods traditionally employed in treatment and takes into consideration only the five elements of Nature i.e Sunlight, Air, Fire (Heat), Water and Earth (food), on which this whole science is based. Anything beyond this is considered by them as dilution for the system and not proper for Nature Cure. This group is generally known as basic group or traditional group.

The other group includes in their practice, the use of several modern techniques and therapies also which conform to the basic principles and philosophy of Nature Cure besides the original use of five elements, This group of Nature Cure Scientists does not regard Naturopathy as a rigid system and do admit the use of both natural medicines and surgery in cases when their use is constructive and in conformity with the basic principles. This group is generally known is Eclactic Group or Advanced Naturopathy Group.

Therapeutic Fasting is employed by both the groups.

What Constitutes Naturopathy

Dr. S.J.Singh and Dr. J.M Jussawalla are two were legends of early Nature Cure Movement in India who were known all over the country for their contribution to the cause of this system, Both of them were prolific writers on the subject and had written many famous books such as Dr Singh’s History and Philosophy of Nature Cure and Dr. Jussawalla’s Healing from within. While Dr. Singh had the honour of being appointed as the first Principal of the first ever regular college conducting 4 years course in Naturopathy established sometime in 1962 at Diamond Harbour Road, 24 Parganas, Calcutta under the name of Bhartiya Prakritik Chikitsa Vidyapeeth with the financial assistance of Govt. of India and thereby got an opportunity to design a Teaching and Training curriculum for long term systematic regular course and implement it, Dr. Jussawalla had the privilege of being associated with several committees on the subject on Govt. level.

It will therefore be worthwhile to read their views regarding what constitutes Naturopathy.

View of Dr J.M Jussawalla

To quote Dr JM Jussawalla, the advanced naturopathic system has been broadly classified in a three-fold manner, to cover three fields of treatment and three groups of scientific means.

These fields are the psychological, the physiological and the chemical i.e (a) man’s emotional, mental and psychical nature, (b) the body, its anatomy and functions, and-(c) the chemical substances which compose the body cells, tissues, etc. The three scientific means employed for healing in these three fields are :

a) PSYCHOTHERAPEUTIC. In the form of constructive suggestions to correct wrong habits, psychosomatic treatment for guiding the reciprocal influences of mind and body.

b) PHYSIOTHERAPEUTIC. Articular, spinal and muscular manipulations, massage and vibration, exercises and rest, orthopedics, gymnastics, hydrotherapy, neurotherapy, zonetherapy, sunlight, air, water, earth, heat and cold, light and colour rays, electrothe.rapy etc and

c) CHEMICAL AND MATERIAL. Nutritional control, dietetics, external applications, minerals, cell salts, vitamins and herbs.

From this we come to know of the fact that the progressive system of natural therapeutics combines the best features of such methods as fasting, the proper combination of natural foods, mono-curative diets and other dietetic measures, massage, curative gymnastics, physical exercises, osteopathy, chiropratic, spondylotherapy, hydrotherapy (water treatment), electrotherapy, sun and air baths, scientific relaxation, mental and magnetic therapeutics and so forth.

The only methods where the line is drawn are deleterious drugs, uncalled for surgical operations, administration of diseased products and destructive suggestions. There is, therefore, a combination and selection from everything that is good, practical and efficient, all that conforms to the fundamental laws of cure and has no harmful or destructive after effects.

As no single remedial adjunct of naturopathy or its forms of treatment is broad enough in its scope to be efficacious as a cure for every disease and condition met with in practice, the progressive naturopathic physician selects from his large therapeutic

armamentarium the particular form of treatment best suited to the needs of the case in hand.

Naturopathy has consequently kept pace with the progress made in other fields of science so that, as we have seen above, some of its methods differ materially from those of the early great pioneers. The individual modalities and techniques employed vary with the degree of intelligence, training and clinical experience of a practitioner but what needs to be done to eliminate disease from the body remains the same; the unchanging fundamental truth will ever remain the bedrock of naturopathic practice.

Views of Dr. S.J. Singh

To quote Dr S.J.Singh, those means or methods by which the powerful agencies and forces of Nature are made available in the treatment of disease are known as Natural Remedies, and their use is termed Natural Therapy or Naturopathic treatment. This system of Naturopathy is now a thoroughly developed and organized system, the principles of which may be grasped by any intelligent person and utilized to a most useful extent in dealing with every known malady.’

Naturopathy like most sciences, knowledge transformed into power. The theoretical aspects of Naturopathy- biophysics, biochemistry, physiology, physiopathology, micro-biology, and so forth – constitute the rational, experimental foundations of a science which is then applied by the practitioners, for Naturopathy by definition is the applied science that enable us to help Nature, directly or indirectly, in the various processes taking place in the human body The one cardinal principle that should govern every physician or other person who engages in the treatment of the sick should be to act in harmony with nature.

Naturopathy is a distinct system of treatment by itself. Just as there are other systems of treatment – Allopathy, Ayurveda, Unani, Homeopathy, etc – distinct and separate from each other, so is Naturopathy. Naturopathy is not Ayurveda, nor Homeopathy or any other; it is Naturopathy. Naturopathic method of treating the sick is just as different from the drug methods as darkness is different from light or light from darkness. According to Naturopathy, the drug method to treat the sick is wrong way. The natural method is the right way.

Views of Kneipp Convention :

In the summer of 1901 a Kneipp convention was called for the purpose of enlarging the Kneipp treatment, and after lengthy discussion, it decided to appoint a committee with Benedict Lust as Chairman, to study the matter. In the fall of 1901, the committee decided that all methods of drugless healing should be practiced and committee reported the following methods:

METAPHYSICAL- Psychotherapy, psychoanalysis, mental therapy, Suggestive therapy, Hypnotic therapy, Mesmeric therapy, Magnetic therapy, New thought, Higher thoughts.

NATURE MEDIA – Herbal therapy, Biotherapy, Biochemistry, Homeopathy, Pneumato therapy

MANIPULATIVE THERAPY – Masso therapy, Massage, Bone setting, Mechanotherapy, Osteopathy, Chiropractic, Respiration therapy, Medical Gymnastics, Physical Culture.

NATURO_THERAPY – Naturopathy, Natural Therapeutics, Hydrotherapy, Dietetics, Kneipp methods, Bilz’s methods Kuhne methods, Schroth methods, Just methods.

HEAT AND AIR TREATMENT- Ray therapy, Heliotherapy, Chromo therapy, Phototherapy.

SPIRITUAL – Occult therapy, Divine Healing

At the meeting it was decided to change the name from Kneipp Water Treatment to a new name – Naturopathy which name and rights Benedict Lust had purchased in 1900 from Dr John H Scheel who had first coined it in 1895. Dr Scheel was a German Homoeopath, who has studied the Kneipp and Kuhne methods in Europe and who had opened his sanitarium Badekur at 121 East 83rd Street, New York City.

Enactment of US Congress, House of Representative.

The following definition of Naturopathy was passed by the Cited States Congress on February 7, 1931, without a dissenting vote.

Section 2: It was further enacted that Naturopathy as used in the aforesaid Act, approved February 27, 1929, here after shall comprehend, embrace, and be composed of the following practices and usages :

Iridology Diagnosis and Practice of Physiological, mechanical and material science of healing as follows:-

The Physiological and mechanical science such as mechanotherapy, articular manipulations, corrective orthopaedic gymnastics, neurotheraphy, thermotherapy, radiotherapy phototherapy, chromotherapy, vibrotherapy, thalamotherapy, and orificial dilatation and other stimulation of-the sympathetic nervous system through the orifices; and dietetics which shall include the use of foods of such biochemical tissue building products and cell salts as are found in the normal body; and the use of vegetable oils and dehydrated and pulverised fruits, flowers, seeds, barks, herbs, roots, and vegetables uncompounded and in their natural state.

“Passed the House of Representatives, February 7, 1931”

Subjects Accepted by Indian Teaching Institutions

Based up on above concepts and historical developments most of the colleges (Including Universities) have included the following subjects in their courses of study leading to award of Nature Cure Diploma and Degrees.

Anatomy
Physiology
Nature Cure Philosophy
Exercise
Massage
Fundamentals of Ayurveda
First Aid
Health & Hygiene
Dietotherapy
Hydrotherapy
Physical Culture and Yoga
Electrotherapy
Pathology
Diagnostic Methods (Iris Diagnosis)
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Herbal Medicines (Biochemic medicines are also used by some naturopaths)
Orthopedics
Acupressure, Zone therapy,Reflexology
Minor Surgery
Rehabilitation Technique
Diseases and their Nature Cure Treatment
Forensic Medicine and Toxicology
Hospital Management
It may be seen from the facts mentioned above that Naturopathy is practically related to several other sciences for its development and scientifically applying various methods and techniques in treatment and interpretation of the facts.

Therefore to become a really competent Naturopath, the student is advised to have a wide reading and understanding of different related subjects.

SCOPE OF NATUROPATHY

The scope of Naturopathy is very vast. With the advancement of knowledge in different branches of sciences, the concepts, culture and lifestyle of the people have changed a lot and a number of new types of health problems which were not in existence in the past have come into being. Despite enormous advancement in Medical Sciences, the health problems and diseases could not be tackled yet fully. Several new diseases have come into existence. No solutions have yet been found out. It has now been realized that use of chemicals and drugs are worsening the situation and therefore non-drug methods are required to be investigated to lessen the problems

Naturopathy which has so far been considered as an ‘International Minority Health Movement’ has now occupied a prominent place and taken a firm footing due to the fact that most of its claims can now be proved scientifically. The results achieved at various Nature Cure Centers all over the world have amazed the medical scientists to the extent that they no more accredit Naturopathy as quackery. They rather try to change their own concepts and investigate mechanism involved in getting the body disease free through Nature Cure Methods.

Nature Cure is useful not only in disease preventive and health promotive aspects but also in creative and rehabilitative aspects. The incidence of diseases like Asthma, Arthritis, Blood pressure, Constipation, Colitis, Diabetes, Heart diseases are increasing day by day. All such diseases can be prevented only if one adopts Natural way of life and dieting pattern. Other systems of medicines have not yet found success in treatment of several chronic diseases where as Nature cure has been found to be efficacious in handling most of the chronic ailments (including Cancer as claimed by several Nature Cure Centers.)

Therefore, Nature Cure has a great role to play in building health of the Nation in achieving the goal of health for all .

Besides dealing with physical ailments, Nature Cure has a potential to set right various psychosocial problems as it creates awareness about various misconceptions prevalent in the society and put on a constructive thinking process.

The menace of alcoholism and drug abuse is spreading in the society so rapidly that even the school going children and youths have not been spared of. Nature Cure can not only play a role in detoxification and rehabilitation of addicts but can also play a preventive role if its principles and ways of life are propagated in the society.

It is evident from the above that a Naturopath is useful not only in Nature Cure hospitals and clinics but also in hospitals of other systems where he can work in co-operation with other medical specialists by providing drugless treatments in various medical and surgical conditions such as Exercise, Massage, Hydrotherapy, Dietotherapy etc. He can also be a useful person in de-addiction centres, psychotherapy centres. He can even work in industrial establishments for increasing .the efficiency of executives and workers besides looking after their health aspects.

Naturopaths are best lifestyle intervention experts both in health and disease. They can work independently as well as at medical establishments.

Since global awareness has been created in regard to efficacy and utility of Naturopathy, the scope for Nature Cure Practitioners has gone beyond their expectations and therefore, it is an opportune time for them to prove their worth and to work for advancement of this system.

LIMITATIONS:

Every system has its own limitations and so is the case with Naturopathy. Cure is brought about in Naturopathy by way of purification of the body and by inducing physiological changes and. restoring harmony. Therefore, it works better and brought about a cure if all the internal organs and vital organs are intact and no anatomical changes have taken place. However, there are several surgical conditions and emergencies where Naturopathy may not be helpful.

Understanding its limitations, the Nature Cure Practitioner should not hesitate in referring his patient to a competent specialist when ever needed.