NATUROPATHY - The Wholistic way of Cure

-Sushant K. Singhal

          As the name suggests,  Naturopathy is a science and art of treating people  through natural means without the use of poisonous drugs . Naturopathy is based on certain natural laws or principles:

a)     Our body is a single, integrated unit and not a machine made by joining various parts.

b)     Similarly, all of us are integral part of our surroundings and the   environment and if we wish to stay healthy,  we should live in a way so that our environment is not adversely affected. 

c)      When our life style is such that hurts our relationship with our environment,  various problems arise.   Falling ill is one of such problems. 

d)     Another main reason of illness is accumulation of wastes and  toxins (poisonous substances) in our body.  

e)     A naturopathic physician, therefore,  starts with cleaning our body internally and externally so that toxicity and wastes accumulated are removed from our body system.   This is done by supporting our excretary system to get rid of the wastes and toxins.

f)      When our life style is such that there is not much physical activity in our daily routine;  when we live in polluted environment or in artificially heated or cooled apartments; when we take such food that i) cannot be digested easily, ii) tends to stick in our intestines, and iii)  produces harmful chemicals inside our body,  there is every chance of falling ill.  In order to regain health, it is necessary to correct our life style and food habits also.

g)     Our body has a self-repairing system.  When we offer support to our diseased body by improving our environment, our food and our life style, the body's self-repairing system does the rest.  We are, thus able to regain health very soon.

Various specific methods are employed by naturopathic physicians to regain health.  These are:

a)     Cleaning of the body.  Drinking a lot of water everyday in the morning and vomitting it out cleans our stomach of any remains of food and acid from the previous night.   Even if we do not vomit, the water takes away various toxins with it through urine and stool.

b)     Various medicinal properties of air, water, earth, sun and vegetation are cleverly used by naturopaths to heal their patients.

c)      Almost always, naturopathy clinics and hospitals are established in the lap of mother nature with a lot of greenery, neat and clean environment away from pollution of every kind.  Patients soon forget all their tensions, worries, annoyance and leave these disease-causing factors behind them. The happiness and laughter is the greatest medicine for them. 

d)     Over eating is a frequent cause of falling ill.  People often take food because they like it and not because they are in need of it.   If a person is suffering due to over-eating,  he is advised to observe fasts quite frequently.  This offers much needed rest to the body's over-burdened digestive system and gives a chance to the body to heal itself.  Simple, easily digestible food is offered to the patients which is digested very easily by them.

e)     Sun bath, mud bath, steam bath, hip bath, body massage, applying pressure over certain points of the body,  applying oil or mud over the body and use of herbals are some of the other methods used by naturopaths to treat their patients.

   Points to be taken care of in naturopathy:

• Personal cleanliness and cleanliness of surrounding area;

• Prevention of breeding of insects and insect carriers;

• Proper protection of food;

• Use of fresh foodstuff;

• Avoidance of unhealthy methods of cooking food so as to help proper digestion;

• Taking only 85% of the food taking capacity of our stomach.

• Keep the bedroom window open for fresh air while sleeping;

• Sun rays are compulsory for health;

• Proper ventilation in all rooms is essential;

• Proper and routine habit of exercise or regular morning walk;

• Proper bathing twice daily;

• Proper rest to body;

• Proper knowledge of oneself and of the mind in relation to health;

• Should not give unnecessary stress and strain to body and mind;

• Maintain harmonious relationship with family, staff, subordinates, superiors and friends;

• Take things lightly, calmly and peacefully;

I know of one such place in Saharanpur where naturopathic cure is offered.  It is Maharaja Agrasain Naturopathy Resort & Spa., Vill. Chunheti, Near Railway Crossing, Delhi Road, Saharanpur - nearly 8 km. from Clock Tower, Saharanpur.   If you desire, you can contact them by visiting their website.