Naturopathy is a system that is based on the use of exclusively natural substances rather than medicines, for the treatment of imbalances that affect people’s health.

This technique is based on the conviction that the body has an innate power to heal itself. For this reason they share concepts with Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda. This ability is called life force. Already Hippocrates advocated in his time the simple system of healing, based on moderate and healthy food, adequate rest and exercise. By making that life, only minimal help was needed to restore health.

The term «Naturopathy» was coined by the German Benedict Lust, it means natural therapy. Apparently his ideas were based on those of his compatriot Vincent Preissnitz and an Austrian Dominican named Kneipp. Current practice is based on the use of phytotherapy, acupuncture, hydrotherapy, massage, Bach flowers, nutrition, etc.

With the use of these natural substances (food, plants, preparations, creams, etc.) and also with the use of hydrotherapy, clay plasters, adequate nutrition, with a correct thinking and living according to well-channeled emotions, a quick and effective recovery of health is achieved.

Naturopathy is not only Phytotherapy or hydrotherapy, it is a philosophy of life, a different way of living in which the patient becomes aware of his own responsibility for his health and takes the reins of his destiny.

Naturopathy advocates that the body tends towards health and that the best way to heal the body is the body itself. If this body is disturbed by factors such as an inadequate diet, lack of sleep, exercise or fresh air, physical or emotional tensions, environmental pollution, or negative mental attitude, toxins are produced that influence blocking the self-healing mechanism and defense against external aggressions, such as viruses and bacteria.

Naturopathy teaches that infections rarely occur in a well-cared for body, and if illness occurs, symptoms should be allowed to manifest rather than repressed, and thus allow the body to defend itself and regain health. Sometimes, brief periods of fasting are recommended to help overcome mild infections such as the flu. Great importance is also given to good intestinal functioning, the ingestion of complete foods and the elimination of foods and substances such as fats, alcohol, salts and sugar.

Diets are usually recommended to clean the intestine and eliminate the growth of bacteria that could go against health and good intestinal hygiene.

Naturopathy teaches healing through the healing force of nature.

The technology that was applied to allopathic medicine after the Second World War generated a new blind trust of patients in the chemical compounds of new drugs, however, naturopathy relies on the natural ability of living beings to overcome most diseases without the need for the important side effects that allopathic medicines generate in the medium and long term.

Naturopathy is as old as man. Our body’s innate wisdom leads us to skip a meal sometimes if we feel unwell, or to bathe in cold water to relieve a kink.

Background treatment is more important than getting symptomatic relief. A local ailment may be the consequence of a generalized disorder. As an example of what has been said, it can be considered that in the case of a skin problem it is not usually enough to give a cream to eliminate the symptoms, it is necessary in the first place a good purification of the organism so that it does not manifest itself again anywhere else and in any other way.

It also takes into account the interconnection between mind and body, which as we know is the cause of numerous conflicts and the origin of practically all imbalances.

Inevitably this approach leads us to recall Hippocrates and his famous adage:

THERE ARE NO DISEASES BUT SICK PEOPLE!

© Article written in 2000 by Cesar Medrano