History of Nature Cure ?
Nature Cure is a very old science of healing and art of living. 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 Nature Cure is based are already available in old texts which indicate that these modalities were widely practised in ancient India. The Swastha Vritta described in Ayurveda is basically Naturopathy.
In Indian Nature cure movement started mainly in the States of Uttar Pradesh, Bengal, Maharashtra and Gujrat etc. Gandhiji was influenced by the book "Return to Nature" written by Adolf Just and become a firm believer of Naturopathy. He not only wrote several articles in favour of Naturopathy in his newspaper "Harijan" but did its several experiments too on himself, on his family members and on the members of Ashram. The Naturopaths who did foundation work in the revival of Naturopathy in different States are Dr. Janki Sharan Varma, Shri Sharan Prasad. Dr. Khushi Ram Dilkash, Dr. S. J. Singh, Dr. Hiralal, Dr. Vitthal Das Modi, Dr. Kulranjan Mukherjee, Dr. M. D. Pawar, Dr. Sukhram Das, Dr. J. M. Jussawala, Dr. Vegi Raju Krishanam Raj LI, Dr. B. Venkat Rao, Dr. Vijay Laxmi, Dr. Ganga Prasad Goud "Nahar", Shri Dharam Chanda Saravagi, Shri K. Laxman Sharma, Dr.Sardarmal, Dr.Gowri Shankar Mishra, Dr.M.M.Bhamgara, etc.
Although the term "Naturopathy" originated in the late 19th century, the art can be traced back through Germany into Greece, to Hippocrates himself, and even beyond.
Modern Nature Cure movement was started in Germany and other western countries with Water cure (Hydrotherapy), which became synonymous with Nature Cure in those early days. The credit of making water cure world famous goes to Vincent Priessnitz, who was a farmer, in the late seventeenth and early eighteenth century. Later on, many other practitioners also made their contribution to this system. The name of Loius Kuhne, who derived the principle of Unity of disease and provided a theoretical base to this treatment method, is mentionable. His book "New Science of Healing" was a landmark and has been translated in numerous languages of the world.
The name of Dr. Henry Lindlahr, Dr. J.11. Kellogg, Arnold Ehrit, D. D. Palmer, Roliar, E. D. Babbit, Bernarr Macfadden, Arnold Rickley, J. H. Tilden, Father Kneipp. Benedict Lust, Stainley Lief and Herry Benjamin etc. are the other exponents of Naturopathy.
In looking at the natural healers and naturopaths of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, one can find many common points. All of them believed in healing by bringing strength to the individual rather than by curing specific diseases. All had a reverence for nature, and many of them could point to specific observations that led to the formation of theories and practices. Personal experience of illness and recovery often led them to practice natural healing. They frequently learned from each other or studied on their own, instead of, or in addition to, receiving a formal education. The medical establishment persecuted most. Those on record were highly successful, bringing good health to many people. |