An Introduction to Naturopathy
by Ronald Steriti, ND, PhD

 

The Origins of Naturopathy

In 1902 Benedict Lust founds the American School of Naturopathy in New York. He names his store the first “Health Food Store”. Lust was trained in chiropractic, Kneip Water-Cure, and Homeopathy. The origins of Naturopathic philosophy are clearly Germanic. Benedict Lust moves to Tangerine, Florida in 1914 and opens the Yungborn Resort.

In 1910 The Flexnor Report condemns what they designate as Class B and C rated schools. It is a report that specifically favors orthodox medical schools based on the Scientific Method. Eight years later only one eclectic school and one homeopathic school remain open.

Naturopathic Medical Schools

In 1956 the National College of Naturopathic Medicine is founded in Portland, Oregon. In 1978 Bastyr University is founded in Seattle, Washington. In 1993 the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and Health Sciences opens in Tempe, Arizona.

Natural Hygiene

The basic foundation of Natural Hygiene is that the body is always striving for health and that it achieves this by continually cleansing itself of deleterious waste material. Symptoms of disease are natural and restorative process of the body which, in general, should not be suppressed (for example by drugs).

Chronic disease is caused by the toxic saturation at the cellular level of the bodily tissues, bloodstream, and fluids. Fasting as a means of providing the ideal conditions necessary for the repair of bodily damages and for the elimination of toxins.

If you want to be vibrantly and vigorously alive and in the best possible shape, you have to eat food that’s alive. Fruits have the highest energy of all foods.

Natural Hygiene emphasized the proper combining of food: Fruit and melons should be eaten seperately. You may have starches with vegetables and proteins with vegetables, but do not combine protein and starch (e.g. steak and potatoes or fish and rice). Only one protein can be eaten at a time

Nature Cure

Health is the normal and harmonious vibration of the elements and forces composing the human entitiy on the physical, mental and moral planes of being, in conformity with the constructive principle in nature applied to life. The primary cause of disease, barring accidental or surgical injury to the human organism and surroundings hostile to human life, is violation of nature’s laws.

The three primary stages of manifestations of disease are: Lowered vitality; Abnormal composition of the blood and lymph; and Accumulation of morbid matter and poisons. The secondary manifestations of disease are: Heredity and acquired taints; and Germs (bacteria, virus), parasites, etc

Every acute disease is considered to be the result of a healing effort of nature. A healing crisis is an acute reaction resulting from the ascendancy of nature’s healing forces over disease conditions. A disease crisis is an acute reaction resulting from the disease condition over the healing forces of the organism. It’s tendency is, therefore, towards fatal termination.

Maintaining a healthy vital force is done with: Adequate sleep; Sunlight; Fresh air; Water (for drinking and bathing); Proper food (high in vegetables and fruits); A good mental attitude; and a Proper way of life

All acute diseases have their own course to run, regardless of medication. Take, for example, the common cold. The adage “If you take something for it, it will last a week, otherwise it continues for seven days” is still true.

Naturopathy believes that the correct approach to eating is that a person should “eat to live” and not “live to eat.” Most oeople regard eating as a means of gratifying their desire for the nice things in life. By tradition, “nice” things are supposed to be those which give pleasure and satisfy your taste buds, but nature has a different code.

Fantastic new books!

CAM Therapies has studies on natural therapies for over 100 diseases.

CAM Labs lists lab tests for 100 diseases.

Nutritional Genetics is a fantastic resource.