Naturopathy, which is also referred to as natural medicine or naturopathic medicine, is a form of alternative medicine that focuses on using the body’s natural abilities to heal itself, to fight off illness and maintain its health. Following a whole body care approach, naturopathy involves taking certain natural steps to increase the body's natural defenses, as well as supporting the use of conventional therapies to combat the disease.
History of naturopathy
The history of Naturopathy is long and interesting. Although many people have never heard of this form of alternative medicine, it has actually been used since the 1880s. It was at this time that Dr. Thomas Allinson began defending medical practice in Scotland. Allinson promoted natural nutrition and regular exercise to improve body health and help cure illness and disease.
The concept of naturopathy did not reach the United States until the end of the 1890s. At this time, the term was used by Benedict Lust, who was also trained in other types of natural medicine, such as hydrotherapy. In 1905, in New York, the lust started, founded by the American School of Naturopathy. The American School of Naturopathy was the first college of its kind to be opened in the United States, but the practice of naturopathy began to lose followers in the 1930s, when synthetic drugs and penicillin began to be used more regularly. The emergence of other forms of alternative medicine, including herbalism and homeopathy, also contributed to the decline of naturopathy.
Despite her failures, naturopathy continued to practice some alternative doctors. By 1956, a new school of naturopathy was opened in Portland, Oregon. The National College of Naturopathic Medicine, which combined scientific methodologies along with naturopathic practice, became the first modern medical school to offer research in the field of naturopathy.
Principles of Naturopathy
To stimulate the body to natural healing, naturopathy follows seven basic principles. These include:
o Do not harm the body by providing the most effective medical care while simultaneously administering the patient to the least amount of risk.
o Respect and promote the body's self-healing power
o Remove all causes of the disease, not just suppress the symptoms
o Inhale hope and encourage the patient to take responsibility for their health.
o Consider individual influences and health factors when treating a patient
o To promote the well-being of people around the world
Although modern medical practices are used with naturopathies, the following steps follow the least invasive method.
