History of Naturopathy

➤ Introduction

History of Naturopathy – This is an ancient system. Nature itself is medicine. That is, the five elements of universe– Sky element, Air element, Fire element, Water element, and Earth element. In these five elements, one more element is included and that is Mahatattva.

Nature medical system is considered to be the mother of all medical systems of the world. In Vedas and Puranas, instructions of this natural medical system are found.

In Ramayana, King Dasharath had given a fruit to his three queens to get a son. This was also a fruit kalpa system. Many such examples are found in mythology.

Medicines were not used in ancient times. For body health, the body was kept healthy by using sunbathing, yoga, penance and fasting.

➤ The Decline of Natural Healing and Ancient Remedies in India

With the passage of time, many types of changes kept happening. Gradually, this system also changed. The pleasure-seeker Ravana ordered his physicians to find a medicine. The physicians searched for herbs. Fasting and natural treatment were difficult for Ravana who drank alcohol. He found these medicines beneficial. Ravana started using medicines to improve his health. Slowly, the natural treatment system started disappearing. With the passage of time, medicines started being used.

When a Buddhist monk got bitten by a snake, Lord Buddha instructed all monks to apply clay, cow dung, urine and ashes as remedy for the snake poison. This gives us evidence regarding the ancient usage of clay for curing diseases in India.

When a monk named Pilidwakka fell ill, Lord Buddha himself instructed him to give him a steam bath, water bath and hot water bath.

➤ Evolution of Naturopathy: From Herbal Medicine to Detox Therapies

Dr. James Curie and Sir John Flyer are considered to be the ones who focused on the natural treatment by saving their own body from poisonous medicines.

Dr. Sir John Flyer lived in the city of Lichfield in England at the end of the 18th century. Some farmers were bathing in the water of the waterfall in Lichfield. Dr. Sir John Flyer saw this picture and was amazed. Not only this, he was very impressed with this water therapy. He started trying to gain more and more information about this technique. Thereafter, Dr. James Curie, who lived in Liverpool, published a book on water therapy in 1717.

It is important to mention here that the modern movement of naturopathy began in Germany and other western countries in the form of water therapy. The credit for making water therapy world famous goes to a farmer named Vincent Preisnij (1799-1851). Later, other people also contributed to this work. Among them, Louis Kuhne’s name is notable. He formulated the principle of uniformity of diseases. He provided a theoretical basis to the water therapy system. Louis Kuhne’s book “New Science of Healing” was translated into many languages ​​of the world.

Other pioneers of naturopathy include Dr. Henry Lindhar, Dr. J.H. Kellog, Arnold Ehritt, D.D. Palmer, Schlier, E.D. Babbitt, Macfadden, Arnold Rickly, J.H. The names of Tilden, Father Nip, Banedift Lust, Stanley Leaf, Harry Benjamin are taken forward.

➤ The Western Influence: The Birth of Modern Naturopathy

In ancient times, humans used to maintain their health by using nature. Unlike today’s era, there was no use of doctors, hospitals, medicines etc. Still, humans were healthy and disease-free. Only due to the natural system of treatment, in ancient times, humans used to get health by travelling, doing Kalpa, fasting, eating Satvik food, consuming five elements of universe that is panchtatva. 

Humans used to live close to nature. The poisonous snake called disease never came near them. If anyone’s health deteriorated due to violation of natural law due to many reasons, then humans used to regain their health through natural treatment.

From these things, we can definitely understand that the natural system of treatment that we are using in today’s era was basically present in India since ancient times. Natural system of treatment is a gift of our India. It is our ancient system. But after the medical system got extinct with time, the credit of its revival and reconstruction goes to the western countries.

➤  The Revival of Naturopathy in India

Naturopathy in India started with the book “Naturopathy of Healing” by Louis Kuhne of Germany. Around 1894, Mr. D. Venkatachelapati Sharma translated Louis Kuhne’s book in Telugu language.

In 1940, Mr. Shroti Krishna Swaroop Bijnor Resident translated this book in Hindi and Arabic. It was easy to promote the principles and reservations of Louis Kuhne. The effect of naturopathy system is popular among the people. The promotion of the treatment system got a boost.

Our M. Gandhiji had a huge complaint. Adolf Just’s book “Return to Nature” was read in I. M. Gandhiji was influenced by this book. Many experiments were done on himself and family members and ashram residents. As a result, he became a strong supporter of naturopathy system on the skin, showing good results. He became the best pilgrimage of naturopathy system.

Naturopathy system is important for the health of the public. He wrote many articles on Naturopathy in Navjeevan and Harijan Patra. He also wrote books like Ramnam Arogya Ki Kunji, Kudrati Upchar. Through this book, Naturopathy has been highlighted. Incorporate Naturopathy in your service to the country. Efforts to promote it in every village.

➤ Expansion of Naturopathy Across India

M. Gandhiji stayed for medical treatment at Dr. Dinsha Mehta’s Nature Cure in Pune between 1934 and 1944. In 1946, M. Gandhiji established Prakritik Universe in Urli Kanchan. Due to Gandhiji’s influence, many Rashtriya Swayamsevaks, national leaders Mr. Morarji Desai, former Governor of Gujarat Mr. Mannarayan, former President Mr. V. V. Giri, Acharya Vinoba Bhave, and Mr. Balkoba Bhave joined the health movement.

Naturopathy in India grew rapidly in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bengal, Maharashtra, Gujarat, etc. At that time, Dr. Mahavir Prasad Poddar, Dr. Janaki Sharan Verma, Dr. Khushiram Dilkat, Dr. S.J. Singh, Dr. Hiralal, Dr. Vitthal Modi, Dr. Kularanjan Mukherjee, Dr. Sukhram Dada, Dr. J.M. Jaiswal, Dr. M.M. Bhamagra, Dr. Vegi Raju Krishna Raju, Dr. B. Bankat Rao, Dr. B. Vijay Lakshmi, Dr. Ganga Prasad Gaud Nahar, Shri. Dharmachandra Saraogi and Acharya K. Laxman Sharma etc. medicine men laid the foundation of naturopathy in various provinces.

➤ Conclusion

Naturopathy is not merely a mode of treatment; it is a way of life. This knowledge, which has come from India, reconnects one to nature for healing. 

If we think about it, we will realize that there were no hospitals or pills in the olden days, but people lived long, healthy life. How? By following the laws of nature. They ate fresh food, walked barefoot, took sun baths and trusted medicinal plants rather than chemicals.

Even today, we do this easily, like drinking warm water or turmeric milk for a sore throat, don’t we? This is naturopathy!

India has convinced the world of the importance of yoga, Ayurveda and now people are trusting natural treatments. It is easy and safe. Rather than taking synthetic medicines from nature, we accept natural remedies. This is the beauty of naturopathy.

So, now let us go back to our roots and choose the path of nature. 🌿