Naturopathy 101: The History of Naturopathic Medicine

by | Jul 13, 2018 | Health

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Naturopathic medicine is one of the oldest and distinct forms of medicine in practice. It is an entire process, involving prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Like many forms of alternative medicine, naturopathic medicine puts emphasis on maintaining health as well as treating the entire body rather than focusing on the disease. There is a strong belief in the philosophy: the healing power of nature.

If you are looking for naturopathic medicine in Whitby ON area, look no further. You may have questions such as: How did naturopathic medicine get its start? Where did it come from? Naturopathic medicine has its roots in the eighteenth century, but it can be traced as far back as Ancient Greece.

When Did Naturopathic Medicine Begin?

In Ancient Greece, two schools of medical thought diverged from one another. They separated into two distinct entities: natural medicine and conventional medicine. While in modern times, they are very different, they began with the same principles behind them and have, in turn, influenced each other as time has gone by.

Naturopathic medicine did not become popular until the nineteenth century and saw a rise in popularity because of Dr. Benedict Lust. Lust was crucial to the success of naturopathic medicine as he exposed it to many of his colleagues in the medical field. He also educated his peers on how to use nature to heal the human body.

In the early twentieth century, naturopathic medicine came into its own. It received much more attention and, by extension, much more support. There was a surge in popularity until its peak in the 1920s. Around this time, many conventions were held and widely attended.

However, as the drug industry grew to dominant the medical climate, natural medicine was repressed. Naturopathic medicine was suppressed in both legal and economic ways. When Dr. Benedict Lust passed away in 1945, it seemed to be the end of naturopathic medicine.

However, during the 1960s, interest was rekindled in natural ways of healing the human body. This was largely to do with the American population growing more aware of how nutrition affects the body, as well as their growing distrust of big pharmaceutical business. Soon, naturopathic medicine was being practiced across the nation. Colleges were formed and began to do extensive research.

Naturopathic healing has become more and more popular, even rising to the front lines of the shift in medical thought. Now, it is not uncommon for many conventional practitioners to recommend natural methods when providing treatment.

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