The History of Naturopathy

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Naturopathy has its roots in ancient Greece, during the time of Hippocrates, who is called the Father of Modern Medicine. Hippocrates defined human beings as a combination of mind, spirit, and body, intricately linked to other elements in the natural world. Hence, any disturbance in the natural harmony within a human body is best-treated by natural medicine or naturopathy.

The modern movement of naturopathy can be traced back to the time of Dr. Vincenz Priestnitz. He had been ill for several years but is believed to have recovered after the effective use of hydrotherapy. Dr. Priestnitz believed that leading life in the wrong way led to an accumulation of poison, which in turn resulted in various diseases. Naturopathy encourages living a simple life that is close to nature. This allows a person to eliminate toxins from his or her body and speeds up the healing process.

This alternative medical discipline also establishes the importance of sunlight, diet, water, and air in the life of people. It believes that constipation is the main cause of all physical problems.

Naturopathy is practiced in different countries across the world. It is very popular in Canada and the United States. In both these countries, a naturopathic doctor is awarded an ND degree after he completes his course.