Origins Of Naturopathic Medicine

Over 2400 years ago Hippocrates was first to proclaim "the healing power of nature." Known as the founder of medicine, he believed in the natural healing ability of rest, a good diet, fresh air and cleanliness. Naturopathic medicine is based on this ancient philosophy. During the early 1900s naturopathic medicine enjoyed much growth and acceptance. The 1920s to the 1970s were a time of tremendous struggle for the naturopathic profession as the focus of health care shifted toward pharmaceutical medicine and medical institutions. Today, naturopathic medicine has established accredited academic institutions and programs, has strong national and provincial associations and, most importantly, it continues to graduate naturopathic doctors that embrace the principles of the healing power of the body - treating the root cause of disease and offering individualized treatment to each person.

Origins of Naturopathic Medicine, the first of a twelve volume series entitled The Hevert Collection: In Their Own Words, returns to print prominent contributors to the journals published by Benedict Lust between 1900 and 1923. Topics in this first volume include the medical laws of Naturopathy, discussions of therapies, descriptions of health resorts and clinics founded, colleges and school needs, medical legislations of the time, legal issues faced, strategies to discredit Naturopathy, issues of medical freedom, Convention business, physical therapy, and much more. Many illustrations and an index are included. Benedict Lust (1872-1945) at the age of 29 had already founded North America's first School of Naturopathic Medicine in New York City (1901). From 1896 to his death, his journal, The Naturopath and Herald of Health, provided a sophisticated, widely utilized forum for the Naturopathic profession in the early 20th century and helped to establish the educational foundation and framework for the naturopathic profession. Organized and selected by Sussanna Czeranko, ND, The Hevert Collection gives readers access to the issues which were faced by the early Naturopaths and which shaped and coalesced the profession, preparing those who followed these extraordinary pioneers to endure many obstacles. Many valuable lessons from this restored literature guide and teach us a century later-when many of the same issues continue.

Origins of Naturopathic Medicine, the first of a twelve volume series entitled The Hevert Collection: In Their Own Words, returns to print prominent contributors to the journals published by Benedict Lust between 1900 and 1923. Topics in this first volume include the medical laws of Naturopathy, discussions of therapies, descriptions of health resorts and clinics founded, colleges and school needs, medical legislations of the time, legal issues faced, strategies to discredit Naturopathy, issues of medical freedom, Convention business, physical therapy, and much more. Many illustrations and an index are included. Benedict Lust (1872-1945) at the age of 29 had already founded North America's first School of Naturopathic Medicine in New York City (1901). From 1896 to his death, his journal, The Naturopath and Herald of Health, provided a sophisticated, widely utilized forum for the Naturopathic profession in the early 20th century and helped to establish the educational foundation and framework for the naturopathic profession. Organized and selected by Sussanna Czeranko, ND, The Hevert Collection gives readers access to the issues which were faced by the early Naturopaths and which shaped and coalesced the profession, preparing those who followed these extraordinary pioneers to endure many obstacles. Many valuable lessons from this restored literature guide and teach us a century later--when many of the same issues continue.

"In Nature's Path- the first comprehensive book to examine the complex history and culture of American naturopathy- Susan E. Cayleff tells the fascinating story of the movement's nineteenth-century roots." --book jacket.

NATUROPATHIC PHYSICAL MEDICINE provides a philosophical naturopathic perspective, as well as practical clinical applications, for manual and physical approaches to health care. A wide range of bodywork and movement approaches and modalities are evaluated in relation to their ability to be appropriately used in naturopathic treatment and rehabilitation settings. The model of care emphasised in this text recognizes that naturopathically oriented therapeutic interventions usually focus on achieving one or all of the following: enhancement of function so that the person, system or part, can better self-regulate in response to adaptive demands; modification or removal of adaptive load factors; and symptomatic relief without creation of significant additional adaptive changes.

An eclectic group of firebrands overcame strong odds to create the naturopathic healing system. An alternative medical system emphasizing prevention through healthy living, positive mind-body-spirit strength, and therapeutics to enhance the body’s innate healing processes, naturopathy has gained legitimacy in recent years. In Nature’s Path—the first comprehensive book to examine the complex history and culture of American naturopathy—Susan E. Cayleff tells the fascinating story of the movement’s nineteenth-century roots. While early naturopaths were sometimes divided by infighting, they all believed in the healing properties of water, nutrition, exercise, the sun, and clean, fresh air. Their political activism was vital to their professional formation: they loathed the invasive, depletive practices of traditional medicine and protested against medical procedures that addressed symptoms rather than disease causes while resisting processed foods, pharmaceuticals, environmental toxins, and atomic energy. Cayleff describes the development of naturopathy’s philosophies and therapeutics and details the efforts of its proponents to institutionalize the field. She recognizes notable naturopathic leaders, explores why women doctors, organizers, teachers, and authors played such a strong role in the movement, and identifies countercultural views—such as antivivisection, antivaccination, and vegetarianism—held by idealistic naturopaths from 1896 to the present. Nature’s Path tracks a radical cultural critique, medical system, and way of life that links body, soul, mind, and daily purpose. It is a must-read for historians of medicine and scholars in women’s studies and political history, as well as for naturopaths and all readers interested in alternative medicine.

Nature Cure