Naturopathy is an art and science of healthy living and a drugless system of healing based on well founded philosophy. It has its own concept of health and disease and also principles of treatment. Naturopathy is a very old science. We can find a number of references in our Vedas and other ancient texts. The morbid matter theory, concept of vital force and other concepts upon which Naturopathy is based are already available in old texts which indicate that these modalities were widely practiced in ancient India.

The fundamental difference of Naturopathy with other systems is that its theory and practice are based on holistic view point where as the liters approach is specific. Naturopathy does  not believe in the specific cause of disease and its specific treatment but takes into account the totality of factors responsible for disease such as ones unnatural habits in living ,thinking ,working ,sleeping ,relaxing ,sexual indulgence etc.and also considers the environmental  factors involved which on the whole disturb the normal functioning of the body and lead it to a morbid, weak and toxic state. For treatment, it primarily stresses to correct all the factors involved and allows the body to recover itself. The Naturopath helps in Natures effort to overcome diseases by applying correct natural modalities and controlling natural forces to work with in safe limits.

DEFINATION OF NATUROPATHY

PRINCIPLES OF NATUROPATHY

The main principles of Naturopathy are as under:

1. All disease, their cause and their treatment are one. Except for traumatic and environmental conditions, the cause of all diseases is one that is accumulation of morbid matter in the body and their elimination from the body is treatment.

2.  The primary cause of disease is not bacteria or virus. Bacteria and virus enter and survive in the body only after the accumulation of morbid matter when a favourable atmosphere for their growth is established in body. Hence, the basic cause is morbid matter, not the bacteria. They are secondary cause.

3. Acute diseases are self healing effort of the body. Hence they are our friends, not the enemy. Chronic diseases are outcome of wrong treatment and suppression of the acute diseases.

4. Nature is the greatest healer. Body has a capacity to prevent itself from disease and regain health if unhealthy.

5. In Naturopathy patient is treated and not the disease.

6. Patients suffering form chronic ailments are also treated successfully in comparatively less time in Naturopathy.

7. After emerging suppressed diseases can be cured by Naturopathy.

8. Naturopathy treats physical, mental, social (moral) and spiritual all four aspects at the same time.

9. Naturopathy treats body as  a whole instead of giving treatment to each organ separately.

10. Naturopathy does not use medicines. According to Naturopathy “Food is Medicine”.

11. According to Gandhiji “Rama Nama is the best Natural Treatment”, means doing prayer according to one’s spiritual faith is an important part of treatment.

DIFFERENT MODALITIES OF NATUROPATHY

It’s main object is to change the living habits of people and to teach them the healthy life style. Different modalities of Naturopathy are very helpful in the fulfillment of this pursuit.

The human body has got remarkable recuperative power. It is composed of five great elements (Panoha Maha Bhutas), imbalance of these, creates disease. Treatment of the diseases by these elements i.e Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Ether is known as Naturopathy. The general treatment modalities and diagnostic methods employed in Naturopathy are as stated below:

DIET THERAPY

These diets are broadly classified into three types which are as follows:

Fruit, Salad, Boiled/steamed vegetable, Sprouts, vegetable chutney etc.