Nature
cure is a constructive method of treatment, which aims at
removing the basic cause of disease through the rational use
of the elements freely available in nature. It is not only
a system of healing, but also a way of life, in tune with
the internal vital forces or natural elements comprising the
human body.
The modern methods of nature cure originated in Gemany in
1822, when Vincent Priessnitz established the first hydropathic
establishment there. With his great success in water cure,
the idea of drugless healing spread throughout the civilised
world and many medical practitioners from America and other
countries became his enthusiastic students and disciples.
Nature
cure is based on the realisation that man is born healthy
and strong and that he can stay as such by living in accordance
with the laws of nature. Fresh air, sunshine, a proper diet,
exercise, scientific relaxation, constructive thinking and
the right mental attitude, along with prayer and meditation
all play their part in keeping a sound mind in a sound body.
Nature
cure believes that disease is an abnormal condition of the
body resulting from the violation of the natural laws. Every
such violation has repercussions on the human system in the
shape of lowered vitality, irregularities of the blood and
lymph and the accumulation of the waste matter and toxins.
Thus through a faulty diet it is not digestive system alone
which is adversely affected.
When
toxins accumulate, other organs such as the bowels, kidneys, skin
and lungs are overworked and cannot get rid of these harmful substances
as quickly as they are produced.
Besides this, mental
and emotional disturbances cause imbalances of the vital electric
field within which cell metabolism takes place, producing toxins.
When the soil of this electric field is disturbed, disease-causing
germs can live in it without multiplying or producing toxins.
Nature Cure vs
Modern System
The modern
medical system treats the symptoms and suppresses the disease but
does little to ascertain the real cause. Toxic drugs, which may
suppress or relieve some ailments have harmful side-effects. Drugs
usually hinder the self-healing efforts of the body and make recovery
more difficult. Drugs cannot cure diseases; disease continues. It
is only its pattern that changes. Drugs also produce dietary deficiencies
by destroying nutrients, using them up, and preventing their absorption.
Moreover, the toxicity they produce occurs at a time when the body
is least capable of coping with it. The power to restore health
thus lies not in drugs, but in nature.
The approach of the modern system is more on combative lines after
the disease has set in, whereas nature cure system lays greater
emphasis on preventive method and adopts measures to attain and
maintain health and prevent disease.
