Naturopathy is one of the oldest approaches to healing. It is based on the philosophy that the human body has the innate ability to keep itself well. But this can only happen if we eat properly, exercise regularly, enjoy our work and relationships, and live in an unpolluted environment. Modern naturopathy grew out of the ‘nature cures’ that drew people to Europe’s spa towns in the 19th century, but its ideas can be traced back more than 2,000 years to Hippocrates, the ‘father of medicine’.
Nowadays, most of us don’t live in ideal conditions. There are chemical pollutants in our food, air and water and even in our offices and homes. If a body weakened by unhealthy living cannot get rid of these toxins, degenerative illnesses such as arthritis, heart disease, cancer and so on are likely to develop. Naturopathy uses natural means – food, fasting, water, sunlight, breathing, exercise and relaxation – to help the body’s ‘vital force’ restore health.
If you visit a naturopath, he or she will probably spend an hour or so going through your medical history and asking questions about your job, your lifestyle and your diet, before recommending any changes that might be necessary. By making the suggested changes, you not only kick start your body’s healing force but also start to play a crucial part in your own recovery.
A revitalized body is likely to throw off any toxic overload by means of short-lived colds, diarrhea, fevers, sweating and skin rashes. These ‘healing crises’ are a valuable part of the journey to more energy and better health. If these temporary symptoms are suppressed, however, and toxins start to accumulate in the body tissues, vitality drops and health gets worse.
Breathing And Relaxation
All our vital functions are affected by how we breathe, and many of us breathe badly, using only part of our capacity. The result is that stale air and wastes collect in our lungs. Good breathing creates energy and improves health by increasing oxygenation.
DIY Breathing Exercise
The following breathing sequence takes about three minutes and should be done three times a day. It acts at once to calm you and steady your nerves, and offers other health benefits (particularly for asthmatics) within three to four weeks. Sit upright, resting your hands lightly on the sides of your chest just above the waist. Breathe through the nose throughout.
- Clearing Breath
Breathe in fully, allowing your lower ribs and stomach to expand (rest your hands on your lower ribs as a guide). Now, breathe out in a series of small puffs alternated with small breaths in – out-in, out-in – expelling slightly more air each time so that you end up with almost empty lungs. Then, purse your lips and blow out all the remaining air. Repeat this clearing breath three times. - Expanding Breath
Gently and without strain, breathe in (again breathing deeply) to a count of four, hold your breath for one, breathe out for four, pause for one count. Lengthen the breaths to five, six, seven counts, then down to six, five and four again. Repeat steps 1 and 2 again, once through.
For deeper relaxation, lie down comfortably on a bed and continue to breathe from the diaphragm, but miss out the counts. Every time you breathe out, say silently to yourself, “I am heavy”, and allow yourself to feel this heaviness spread gradually all over your body so that your face smoothes out, your shoulders ease and broaden, and your arms and hands relax. Feel your stomach let go, and your hips and buttocks sink down into bed, so that your legs and feet relax. Stay in this peaceful, totally relaxed state as long as you like. The ability to relax is one of the most powerful aids to better health.
Self Help Through Air And Sunlight
Walking in the countryside where the air is clean helps to clear our lungs of city fumes. Fresh air is particularly good for us near running water, where natural negative ions instill an increased sense of wellbeing.
The sun gives us full-spectrum light which has far greater health benefits than fluorescent or tungsten lighting. In moderation, sunlight lifts our spirits and gives us energy. It strengthens bones and muscles, helps recovery from illness, raises the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, increases levels of estrogen and testosterone, and can even lower excess cholesterol and high blood pressure.
You don’t have to lie around roasting in a bikini to get the benefits. Fifteen minutes walking outdoors daily, without spectacles or sunglasses which reduce the effect, will do the trick. Or just sit and enjoy the sunlight (never look directly at the sun).
Self Help Through Water Treatment
Water treatment (hydrotherapy) is an important part of naturopathy. Water on your skin can relax, rejuvenate, strengthen immunity and help recovery from illness.
The key lies in its temperature and the length of your exposure. Very hot water will exhaust you, warm water will soothe, and cold water will speed up your metabolism and create natural energy.
Dry Skin Brushing
Before a bath or shower, take a dry, long-handled bath brush (preferably bristle) and brush yourself firmly all over. Always work towards the heart, leaving out face and breasts. This stimulates circulation and promotes lymph drainage (waste discharge into the bloodstream). You’re now ready for your water treatment.
Water Therapy
Energizing baths of various sorts can give you a boost. One method is to run enough cold water into the bath to reach your navel. Sit in the bath, feet resting out of the water, for about 30 seconds, then get out and dry yourself vigorously. This bath improves circulation and strengthens nerves. (Avoid this type of bath after eating, or if you are menstruating, very exhausted, or have high blood pressure, heart or respiratory disease, or thrombosis. If you don’t feel exhilarated afterwards, this bath is not for you.)
If you find the idea of sitting in stone-cold water too much, then simply run some water away while you are in a warm bath and add cold water, swirling it round, until you feel it is cold enough. Another method is to use two hip baths (also known as sitz baths) – one hot, one cold – and sit with your bottom in one and your feet in the other. You can stay like this, or you can alternate your position to stimulate the circulation.
For relaxation, run a warm bath, adding a few drops of essential oil. The following oils make an especially relaxing blend:
- 4 drops pure patchouli
- 3 drops pure lavender
- 2 drops pure rose
Body Use And Exercise
Naturopaths also practice osteopathy and believe that ‘structure governs function’ – that is to say, stiff joints, bad posture and knotted muscles encourage toxic build-up and impede the healthy working of the body. Osteopathy isn’t just for your aching back; it improves overall body function. Your practitioner will probably also recommend some form of exercise.
Exercise, Relaxation And Meditation
One of the best forms of exercise you can take is walking in the open air, which improves the fitness of your heart, lungs and muscles without exhausting you. Gentle walking in the countryside or park is ideal, both for those recovering from illness and for those who find it keeps them active and well.
Regular exercise or yoga practice can give you a supple, strong body, more energy and better general health. They can also improve a wide range of conditions, including asthma, arthritis and high blood pressure. Relaxation and meditation can dissolve chronic tension and anxiety, helping to encourage emotional healing and peace.
Food
Naturopathy uses diet, supplements and fasting to enhance vitality and help the body throw off illness. Everybody is different and a naturopath will give you expert individual advice. However, here are some general guidelines:
- AVOID – avoid convenience, processed and fast foods, genetically modified foods, foods made with white flour or white sugar.
- SUGARS – use unprocessed honey, dark brown sugars.
- WATER – drink bottled or, even better, filtered water.
- EAT – eat raw, fresh salads and fruits (and drink their juices), briefly cooked vegetables, well-cooked beans, wholegrains, some meat if you wish, fish, some cheese, nuts and seeds. When possible, buy organically produced foods.
- FATS – use cold-pressed, unhydrogenated oils and margarines, or a little butter.
- FIBER – eat the skins of fruits and vegetables where possible, and the stalks of cabbage, broccoli, etc, wholemeal bread, whole cereals including brown rice and wholemeal pasta.
Fasting
Fasting is used to spring-clean the body. With regular, sensible fasting, illnesses can recede, aging slows down and you are likely to enjoy heightened energy and an increased zest for life. Fasting, when your body uses stored nutrients, is not the same as starving, which after time can start to use up body tissue.
During a 24 hour fast, you should relax at home without any demanding tasks (don’t drive a car or do the housework). Start the day with a glass of hot water and a slice of lemon. For the rest of the day, avoid all food and drinks except water (bottled or even better filtered) and juices (not citrus); aim to drink at least one and a half liters.
You will probably find abstaining from food altogether easier than limiting yourself to smaller portions. Take frequent sips of liquid if you start to feel pangs of hunger. You may feel slightly cold, with a mild headache and a coated tongue. This is normal and a sign that your body is seizing this opportunity to discharge toxins. Bowel action may slow too and, again, this is nothing to worry about.
Have a peaceful, relaxing day, with a warm bath and perhaps a short walk in the open air. Break your fast the following morning with a snack of ripe, fresh fruit.
As long as you are healthy, you can fast for up to three days at home without guidance. For longer fasts and advice about fasting in general, consult a naturopath.
A gentler way to ‘detox’ is to set aside a day a week when you eat only fresh, ripe fruit – grapes are ideal, well washed – and drink only juices and water. You can probably work normally and, over time, regular fruit fasts will yield similar health benefits as 24 hour fasts.
People Who Should Not Fast
Pregnant or breast-feeding women, those who are under severe stress, exhausted, weak, depressed, receiving drug treatment, suffering from anemia, high or low blood pressure, heart trouble, gout, gastric or duodenal ulcers, diabetes, cancer, or diseases of the kidneys, liver or nervous system. Very young children, teenagers and the elderly should also not fast.
Naturopathy is good for:
- fighting chronic degenerative illness
- maintenance of good health
Naturopathy:
AVAILABILITY: Increasing
MEDICAL EVIDENCE: Sparse
MEDICAL ACCEPTANCE: Mixed
SELF HELP: Possible
