The term naturopathy came into use early in the 20th century. Naturopathic medicine is a holistic approach to health, i.e. diseases affect the whole person - mind, body and spirit - and not just an isolated organ or system of the body. Each person responds in a unique way to his or her environment, each has individual strengths, weaknesses and needs. The naturopath searches for causes at many levels and attempts to eliminate the fundamental cause of illness, not simply to remove symptoms.
Naturopaths will generally use a variety of appropriate healing techniques, depending on their training, including forms of hydrotherapy, herbalism, homeopathy, osteopathy, chiropractic, relaxation techniques.
The following treatments are considered to be of primary importance in the naturopathic treatment of disease.
Nutrition - this includes advice on a balanced, wholesome diet.
Healthy life-style - this includes the general care of the body, the use of moderate physical exercise, the cultivation of a positive approach to life and health, relaxation techniques, etc.
Naturopathy in the home
Bath bags
Skin problems such as eczema and psoriasis, although needing other forms of treatment, respond well to oatmeal. The best results can be obtained by making a herb sachet from muslin or cheesecloth. Fill the bag with oatmeal and secure the top to retain the herb. Other healing herbs can be mixed in with the oatmeal such as comfrey and calendula. Fix the bag under hot running water, wring it out to release the active ingredients of the herbs and then allow the bag to soak in the bath water.