Basic principles of naturopathy

Health is the greatest of gifts, Contentment is the greatest wealth;

Trust is the best of relationships, Nirvana is the highest happiness. Buddha

Naturopathy
Naturopathy can be defined as a system that utilizes the inherent healing
forces/energies available within the body and the mind to help person maintain health
and get rid of the diseases. Naturopathy allows use of methods, medicines and
techniques that are in harmony with the natural processes and that support the inherent
healing forces.
The basic principles of naturopathy are as given below,
1. The Morbid Matter Theory:
The basic cause of disease is not bacteria. Bacteria develop after the accumulation of
morbid matter (toxins) when a favourable condition for their growth develops in the
body. Basic cause is morbid matter and not the bacteria.
Toxins and waste products are generated during the process of metabolism. Toxin is
produced due to improper digestion of the food, which does not get absorbed and
assimilated or excreted through normal channels but remains in the G.I. Tract. With
continuing causative factors, toxins accumulate in the body. Accumulation of toxins is
the causes of majority of diseases arising within our body.
The pathogenic agent itself does not directly cause the symptoms accompanying the
disease; rather, they are the result of the organisms attempt to defend and heal itself.
Many diseases of the body are born due to accumulation of such morbid matter
produced during process of digestion. Normally, these toxins are excreted-out as bodys
waste, but due to incorrect diet and lifestyle and negative mental attitude, these toxins
start accumulating in the body and eventually cause the disease. Therefore, the basis of
all treatment in naturopathy is to assist body in removing these accumulated toxins
through normal channels.
Symptoms are the part of constructive phenomenon that is the best choice the
organism can make, given the circumstances at any given time. This is also known as
healing reaction, the ultimate aim of the process is to maintain Homeostasis.
The process of cure of the any disease consists largely in purifying the body of morbid
materials (detoxification). Detoxification is achieved by Fasting, dietary changes and
external treatments that support the inherent healing forces to detoxify itself.

Nimesh Shah

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2. Acute diseases are friends and not foes/enemies. Chronic diseases are outcome of
wrong treatment and suppression of the acute conditions.
Every acute disease is the result of a purifying and self-healing effort of the body.
Acute disease like fever, cold, diarrhoea and oedema are caused as a result of bodys
efforts to remove these toxins. If these symptoms are not serious, by letting these
bodily cleansing processes do its job patiently, we can help the body heal itself.
Normally, these diseases get cured on their own.
Role of the doctor is to remain vigilant and to see that the patient does not end up
with physiological complication like dehydration, electrolyte imbalance and so forth.
Continued accumulation of toxins in the body over a long period of time and their
suppression through medicines eventually leads to chronic conditions such as
asthma, kidney problems, rheumatism, diabetes, etc.
Patients suffering from chronic diseases are also treated successfully in relatively
less time in naturopathy. Chronic conditions can be treated depending upon,
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

Extent of accumulation of the morbid matter

Strength of Vital force
Preparedness of the patient to undergo the treatment patiently
Extent of damage due to prolonged condition and prior medication
Faith in naturopathy

3. All the diseases, their cause and their treatment are one.
In other words, all the diseases are similar in nature. They have a common cause and
therefore, can be cured through a common treatment.
According to Henry Lindlahr, the cause of all diseases could be attributed to,
-

Lowered vitality
Abnormal composition of vital fluids (i.e., blood, lymph, cytoplasm) and
Accumulation of toxins

When treating any disease naturopathically, the emphasis is on,

-

Return to natural habits and diet

Rest and relaxation
Exercise
Economy/conservation of Vital Force
Elimination of toxins
Positive thinking

Nimesh Shah

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4. The diagnosis, as understood in allopathic and other treatments is not required for
treatment. Naturopathy diagnosis is simple.
5. After emerging, supressed diseases can be cured by naturopathy.
-

The concept of healing crisis and withdrawal symptoms

6. It is believed that nature is the greatest healer. Body has the capacity to prevent
itself from diseases and regain health if unhealthy, if appropriate environment is
provided.
7. The patient is treated as a whole and not just the disease or the affected organ/s.
In allopathy the method of treating diseases is SYMPTOMATIC and COMBATIVE while
in naturopathy it is HOLISTIC and PREVENTIVE.
8.

Nature cure treats physical, mental, social (moral) and spiritual, all four aspects of
health at the same time.
Thus the Holistic approach involves healing the mind, body and soul by attaining
physical and mental balance. Along with conventional naturopathic treatments,
developing spiritual awareness is an essential aspect of naturopathy. Therefore,
practices according to individual faith to eradicate mental impurities and quietening
and balancing the mind is encouraged.

9. Medicines or herbs are not used in naturopathy. Food is as good as medicine in

naturopathy.
10. Faith and Prayer play an important role in nature cure.
11. The concept of Vital force
Vital Force is the primary force coming from the great central source of all life. It is
the force that is responsible for all kinds of signs of life in the body e.g. breathing,
movement, metabolic activities, etc.
It is the force acting in and through every atom, molecule and cell in the human body
that always endeavors to repair and heal the tissues and restore the homeostasis to
the perfect type.
Vital force can also be termed as Prana.

Nimesh Shah

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Treatment modalities in naturopathy

One must arrest the sickness before expecting any cure. Arresting the sickness itself
would initiate the self-healing. The Healing, in actual fact is self-healing. Therefore, the
patient has to be educated, empowered and encouraged so that he can take control of
his life, and thus, the healing process itself.
The treatment modalities applied in nature cure are,
1. Detoxification (detox) or purification of bodily tissues, organs and systems:
Detoxification can be achieved through fasting and cleansing or eliminative diet (by
increasing fruits and vegetable content in the diet). Flesh food, eggs, pulses and
cereals create morbid toxic substances in the system; while fruits and vegetable are
rich in organic salt which tend to neutralize and eliminate waste materials and toxins
from the system.
2. Naturopathy treatments are administered to remove the toxins and bodily wastes
from the body by natural means. Commonly used nature cure treatments include steam therapy, Sun bath, hydrotherapy (Hip bath, Immersion bath, Spinal bath, Jet
sprays), enema, mud therapy, massage, chromo therapy, exercises (physiotherapy,
gym, aerobic) and Yogic techniques (sukshamakriya, Suryanamaskar, asana,
pranayama, bandha, yoga nidra, etc.).
3. Returning to a healthy Lifestyle:
Adapting to a healthy and natural lifestyle requires adapting to a natural and
balanced diet and eating habits, correct exercise regimen, regularizing daily routines,
giving up harmful and unnecessary habits, taking adequate rest and relaxation,
improving the mental attitude, attaining to a higher level of awareness and reducing
dependency on modern gadgets, etc.
4. Detoxifying the mind
Body and Mind are interrelated. Purifying the mental and psychological processes are
integral part of naturopathic treatment. Yoga, pranayama, relaxation, meditation,
counseling, affirmations and autosuggestions help to purify the mind.
Book
1.
2.
3.

references:
Philosophy and practice of Nature Cure by Henry Lindlahr
Kudarati Upachar Jitendre Prasad
Publications of Central Council for Research in Yoga and Naturopathy (CCRYN)

Compiled by - Nimesh Shah

Yoga and Natural Lifestyle Consultant
Certified Ayurvedic Lifestyle Consultant
Diploma in Yoga
(Wellpark College of Naturopathy, New Zealand)

E-mail: nimeshkshah@gmail.com

Nimesh Shah

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Yoga classes
I am offering a variety of yoga
programs this year. There are
programs for beginners and firsttimers, as well as for more
experienced practitioners. A program
can also be developed according to
your specific needs and condition/s. Pl
contact me to discuss your specific
needs and which yoga program would
suit you the best!

Nimesh Shah

Lifestyle Consultations
Living a Healthy Lifestyle Naturally!
Through these consultations, the patient is given a better
understanding of various factors contributing to a naturally
healthy lifestyle. If presented with any condition, we may be
able to identify the causative factors behind the illness or the
imbalances. The patient is explained about things to be
avoided, which could be contributing to his/her current
discomforts and given advice on changes which would help
his/her live a healthy lifestyle naturally. S/he is also explained
the benefits of various lifestyle factors.
For an appointment, please contact me through e-mail
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