Naturopathy

Naturopathy is an approach to healing illnesses with natural methods while avoiding pharmaceutical drugs and other modern medicines. This school of thought had originated in the 1900s in the US, but curiously was defunct by the 1940s. The concept was 'coined' by Benedict Lust and Henry Lindlahr (both Germans migrated to US.) Today we observe a resurgent interest in Naturopathy as both alternative and complementary approaches to curing illnesses.

Naturopathy is not associated with its own unique healing technique, but relies on a combination ('Umbrella') of natural treatment modalities such as botanical medicines, nutritional therapies, homeopathy, acupuncture, traditional Asian medicine, hydrotherapy, counseling and physical therapy. The primary thrust is on providing the patient an optimum prescribed diet to maintain health and lifestlyle.

It believes that a good diet is one that comprises 'live' foods - that is, foods that have not been processed or refined and are mostly organic in nature ("clean food from good earth".) It also advises against drinking excessive water, as the liquids best suited to the body are already contained in the 'fresh' foods that we ingest. Naturopaths also recommend brief periods of fasting to help conquer simple infections such as influenza. They also believe that most infections are caused by the bacterial toxins in the gut; thus a special diet to clear the gut and eliminate the overgrowth of 'unfriendly' bacteria in the intestines that can contribute to toxicity, allergy and poor immunity. Some even go to the extent of 'washing' the gut with colonic irrigation (colon hydrotherapy.)

There is a small disagreement within Naturopaths as to what constitutes a wholesome, balanced diet: Vegetarian diet or a Vegan diet (One that excludes even milk and eggs.)

As Naturopathy involves different techniques, it is necessary to examine them individually, just as conventional medical therapy would be evaluated.

While Naturopathy is advisable for maintaining a good health and lifestyle, insisting on Naturopathic remedies for major illnesses or serious conditions is definitely not wise.