A Brief Introduction to Naturopathy and Naturopathic Medicine

By Ronald Steriti

This is a very brief introduction to naturopathy and naturopathic medicine. It covers the history and fundamental principles, including natural hygiene, nature cure, hydrotherapy, homeopathy, herbology, dietetics, nutrition and mind-body techniques.

1. Naturopathy
a. The History of Naturopathy
b. Naturopathy
c. Natural Hygiene
d. Nature Cure
e. Naturopathic Medicine
2. Hydrotherapy
a. The History of Hydrotherapy
b. Introduction to Hydrotherapy
c. Wet Socks
d. Hot Foot Bath
e. Heating Compress
f. Wet Sheet Pack
g. Constitutional Hydrotherapy
3. Homeopathy
a. The History of Homeopathy
b. Introduction to Homeopathy
4. Herbology
a. The History of Herbal Medicine
b. Galenic Medicine
c. Hippocratic Medicine
d. Paracelsian Medicine
e. Modern Medicine
f. Tibetan Buddhist Medicine
5. Dietetics
a. Acid-Alkaline Balance
b. The Glycemic Index
c. Macronutrient Diets
d. The Balanced Diet
e. The Low Carbohydrate Diet
f. Low Fat Foods
g. The Blood Type Diet
h. Cleansing Diets
i. Modern Food
6. Nutrition
a. The History of Vitamins
b. Vitamins
c. Minerals
7. Mind-Body Techniques
a. Agreement to Heal
b. Awareness
c. Brain Waves
d. Journaling
e. Body Mind
f. The Meaning of Symptoms
g. Intuition and Healing
h. Intuitive Dialogue
i. The Buddhist Concept of Mind
8. References

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ronald Steriti
• Release date: Aug 1, 2016
• ISBN: 9781310819520

Ronald Steriti

Dr. Ronald Steriti is a graduate of Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and currently is researcher for Jonathan V. Wright at the Tahoma Clinic.

Book preview

A Brief Introduction to

Naturopathy and Naturopathic Medicine

By Ronald Steriti, ND, PhD

©

A Brief Introduction to Naturopathy and Naturopathic Medicine:

By Ronald Steriti, ND, PhD

Copyright © 2016

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, including photocopying, including in a web site, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means, without expressed, written permission of the copyright owner.

The contents of this document are the sole property of the author.

Disclaimer

This book has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

The information contained in this book is for educational purposes only, and should not be construed as medical advice or instruction. No action should be taken based solely on the contents of this book. Readers should consult appropriate health officials.

While extensive efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained, the possibility of errors, omissions, and misinterpretations cannot be ruled out. The reader is advised to consult the original references for verification and clarification.

Foreward

This book is a very brief introduction to naturopathy and naturopathic medicine. It covers the history and fundamental principles, including natural hygiene, nature cure, hydrotherapy, homeopathy, herbology, dietetics, nutrition and mind-body techniques.

Table of Contents

1. Naturopathy

a. The History of Naturopathy

b. Naturopathy

c. Natural Hygiene

d. Nature Cure

e. Naturopathic Medicine

2. Hydrotherapy

a. The History of Hydrotherapy

b. Introduction to Hydrotherapy

c. Wet Socks

d. Hot Foot Bath

e. Heating Compress

f. Wet Sheet Pack

g. Constitutional Hydrotherapy

3. Homeopathy

a. The History of Homeopathy

b. Introduction to Homeopathy

4. Herbology

a. The History of Herbal Medicine

b. Galenic Medicine

c. Hippocratic Medicine

d. Paracelsian Medicine

e. Modern Medicine

f. Tibetan Buddhist Medicine

5. Dietetics

a. Acid-Alkaline Balance

b. The Glycemic Index

c. Macronutrient Diets

d. The Balanced Diet

e. The Low Carbohydrate Diet

f. Low Fat Foods

g. The Blood Type Diet

h. Cleansing Diets

i. Modern Food

6. Nutrition

a. The History of Vitamins

b. Vitamins

c. Minerals

7. Mind-Body Techniques

a. Agreement to Heal

b. Awareness

c. Brain Waves

d. Journaling

e. Body Mind

f. The Meaning of Symptoms

g. Intuition and Healing

h. Intuitive Dialogue

i. The Buddhist Concept of Mind

8. References

About the Author

Chapter 1. Naturopathy

In this section we cover the different aspects of naturopathy. We begin with the history of naturopathy in the United States followed by a discussion on naturopathy as viewed by its founder Benedict Lust.

The definition of Naturopathic Medicine as set forth by the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP) is in this section. Naturopathic medical students attend four-year full-time accredited naturopathic medical schools and after passing licensing exams can appropriately practice as primary care physicians in licensed states.

Naturopathy is closely related to the Nature Cure and Natural Hygiene movements. Both were popular in the United States at the time of naturopathy’s birth in the early 1900’s. The underlying philosophies of these methods are briefly described.

The other main parts of Naturopathy are described in the following sections. These include Homeopathy, Hydrotherapy, Herbology and Dietetics.

The material in each of these sections is presented in a chronological fashion with an emphasis on history. In this way the evolution of the underlying philosophies of health and wellness can be seen.

a The History of Naturopathy

1765

The first medical school in the United States, the College of Pennsylvania (now University of Pennsylvania), is founded. Benjamin Rush advocates heroic medicine and maintains that only bloodletting and calomel (mercury chloride) were required in medical practice.

1822

Samuel Thompson publishes A New Guide to Health, which describes the folk medicine he learned from Mrs. Benton, a midwife who was taught by Native American Healers. Thompsonian medicine believes that all disease has one general cause - cold, and one general remedy - heat. The main herbs are cayenne and lobelia. Thompson believes in training lay practitioners and begins The Popular Health Movement.

1830

The first physician licensing laws are enacted, and soon repealed as undemocratic. Regular doctors were recognized as just another sect that had attempted to monopolize healthcare at the expense of the working class. Some states, such as Alabama and Delaware, exempted Thompsonians from any restrictions.

1835

Constance Hering establishes the first homeopathic medical school in the United States.

1839

Sylvester Graham publishes Lectures on the Science of Human Life, a two-volume book that prescribes healthy dietary habits and emphasizes a moderate lifestyle. He begins the Hygienic Movement.

1846

The American Medical Association (AMA) is formed to promote the Orthodox Medical Profession. The AMA adopts the Scientific Method and proposes the first national medical code of ethics. They prohibit any consultation or contact with irregular practitioners such as homeopaths and eliminate blacks and women.

1852

Russell Trall founds the New York Hygrio-Therapeutic College, the first school of natural healing arts to have a four-year program leading to a MD degree.

1853

The Eclectic School of Medicine is founded in Cincinnati by Wooster Beach. Professional Thompsonian doctors (instead of lay practitioners) combine what was useful in the old practice with the best in the new.

1862

Russell Trall publishes The True Healing Art, which outlines Hygienics. He advocates clean water, fresh air and a moderate life- style. Personal hygiene, vegetarianism, bran bread instead of white, and avoiding tobacco are stressed.

1891

Louis Kuhne publishes the New Science of Healing.

1892

Andrew Taylor Still opens the American School of Osteopathy in Kirksville, Missouri.

1895

Daniel David Palmer founds the first chiropractic college in