Hyderabad: The Ministry of AYUSH has designated 18th November every year as National Naturopathy Day to enhance public awareness of naturopathy and its benefits. Naturopathy is a globally prominent alternative medical approach that focuses on healing and promoting natural health through the utilization of natural resources and activities.
The celebration of National Naturopathy Day is an important initiative to spread knowledge and awareness about naturopathy among the general public both in India and abroad. The Ministry of AYUSH is organising the event with an objective to educate people about the principles and benefits of naturopathic practice.
Naturopathy has a prominent place in the field of alternative medicine not only in India but also across the world. Its core philosophy is to harness the healing powers of natural elements to treat illnesses and promote overall health.
Significance – The commemoration of National Naturopathy Day serves as a platform to highlight the importance of raising awareness about naturopathy. This holistic approach to health care encourages individuals to explore natural, non-invasive ways to maintain and restore health. The celebration aims to promote information and understanding, empowering individuals to make informed choices regarding their health and to embrace naturopathic principles as a pathway to a healthier lifestyle.
What is Natural remedies? – Naturopathy is an ancient medical system adopted around the world, especially in countries such as India, that positions itself as a holistic approach to healthcare. Often intertwined with Ayurveda due to similar principles, aims and rules, naturopathy is more than just a treatment, it embodies a lifestyle.
Purpose of Naturopathy – Naturopathy addresses a variety of health issues, but its main goal is to maintain overall health. Dietary and lifestyle regulations are prioritized in naturopathic practice, which places the individual in a harmonious relationship with nature. Furthermore, naturopathy incorporates activities and treatments that utilize natural resources, such as purification rituals and practices related to water, sun and soil.
Prevention plays a central role in naturopathic medicine, emphasizing its importance as a proactive approach to health care. Customizing treatment based on an individual’s body, environment, and lifestyle emphasizes the individualization of naturopathic care. Natural remedies, therapies, and exercises selected to have minimal impact on the body are essential components of this health care system.
In particular, naturopathy complements allopathic and other medical approaches, providing a multi-disciplinary approach to health care, with a focus that goes beyond treating illness to promoting natural health, making it an attractive complementary medicine option.
history- The origins of naturopathic medicine date back to 1880, when Thomas Allinson advocated a “hygienic medicine” that recommended a natural diet and regular exercise. However, it was American naturopath Benedict Last, who is recognized as the father of naturopathic medicine in the United States, that naturopathic medicine gained widespread acceptance as an alternative medicine. The term itself is derived from the Latin “Natura” meaning nature and the Greek “Patho” meaning suffering or pain, and encapsulates the essence of naturopathic medicine.
Indian Naturopathy – The revival of naturopathic medicine in India began when Dronamraju Venkatachalapathy Sarma translated German nutritionist Louis Kuhne’s book The New Science of Healing into Telugu in 1894. Later, in 1904, Shri Shroti Kishan Swaroop translated the book into Hindi and Urdu with the aim of developing naturopathic medicine. The naturopathic movement in India began in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Bengal, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh with enthusiasts making significant contributions to the field.
Mahatma Gandhi was instrumental in introducing and popularising naturopathy in India. In 1945, he became the life chairman of the All India Naturopathy Trust and signed a deed aimed at making the benefits of naturopathy accessible to all. The tradition of celebrating Naturopathy Day on 18th November was started by the Ministry of Health of India in 2018 to officially recognise the importance of naturopathy in promoting natural health and wellbeing.
