The nature cure movement
started in
Germany
with the “water cure” (Hydrotherapy). The credit of making water cure
famous goes to Vincent Priessnitz (1799-1851), who was a farmer. The nature
cure movement gained momentum in
India
as Mahatma Gandhi, “Father of the Nation”, became interested in this
system and included it in his programmes. He also established a nature cure
Hospital in Uruli Kanchan in Pune,
Maharashtra
which is still functioning.
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Naturopathy believes that
nature is the greatest healer and the body has the capacity to prevent
itself diseases and regain health.
The treatment can include consultations
on lifestyle and diet, recommendations of mantras and meditation,
moxibustion (burning of the herb mugwort), use of supplements and massage
with specially formulated herbal oil, and occasionally, acupuncture. |
The practice of nature
cure is based on the three principles; accumulation of morbid matter,
abnormal composition of blood and lymph and lowered vitality. The system of
nature cure states that the basic cause of disease is not bacteria. Bacteria
develop after the accumulation of morbid matter when a favourable atmosphere
for their growth develops in body. All disease arise due to this morbid
matter in the body, and if latitude is given for its removal, the body
provides a cure. It also believed that the human body possesses inherent
self constructing and self healing powers. Nature Cure takes into account
the totality of factors responsible for diseases such as habits in living,
thinking, working, sleeping, relaxation, sexual indulgence, and consider the
environmental factors involved, which on the whole disturbs the normal
functioning of the body and leads it to a morbid, weak and toxic state.
A Nature Cure physician
helps in nature’s effort to overcome diseases by controlling the natural
forces to work within safe limits. The five main modalities or treatment are
air, water, heat, mud and space.
The recent development of
nature cure advocated the practice of drugless therapies like massage,
electrotherapy, physiotherapy, acupuncture, acupressure and magnetotherapy.
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