Every November 18, India
celebrates National Naturopathy Day to promote better mental and
physical health through natural, drug-free therapies. This observance, launched
in 2018 by the Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani,
Siddha, and Homeopathy), honours Mahatma Gandhi’s advocacy for Nature Cure,
which he championed in 1945.
History of National Naturopathy
Naturopathy had its roots in 19th-century Germany before making its way
to the United States.
The term 'naturopathy' was first
used by John Schell in 1895. Still, Benedict Lust, known as the 'Father of
Modern Naturopathy,' popularised it in the U.S. Lust emphasised the 'Water Cure
System,' or hydrotherapy, which became a cornerstone of naturopathy practices.
Naturopathy is one of the oldest healthcare systems, combining
traditional healing methods with modern scientific knowledge.
It focuses on the body’s natural ability to heal, emphasising treatments
like diet, exercise, fasting, hydrotherapy, homoeopathy, botanical medicine,
detoxification, and lifestyle counselling.
Significance of Naturopathy in India
In India, naturopathy gained prominence with the translation of The New
Science of Healing by German nutritionist Louis Kuhne.
It was first translated into
Telugu by Dronamraju Venkatachalapathy Sarma in 1894 and later into Hindi and
Urdu by Shri Shroti Kishan Swaroop in 1904.
These efforts helped spread the principles of naturopathy
across the country.
States like Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Bengal, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh
played an essential role in promoting naturopathy.
Local communities in these regions actively supported and
adopted its practices, helping the movement flourish nationwide.