NATUROPATHY
The nature cure movement was started in Germany by a farmer named by Vincent Priessnitz (1799 - 1851) but it gained momentum in India under the aegis of Mahatma Gandhi. He established a Bapu nature cure Hospital in Uruli Kanchan in Pune.
Naturopathy believes that nature is the greatest healer and the body has the capacity to prevent itself from the diseases regain health. The treatment can include consultations on lifestyle and diet, recommendations of mantras medication, moxibustion (burning of herb mugwort), use of supplements and massage with specially formulated herbal oil, and occasionally, acupuncture.
The practice of nature cure is based on the three principles;
1. Accumulation of morbid matter
2. Abnormal composition of blood & lymph
3. Lowered vitality
The system of nature cure states that the basic cause of disease is not bacteria. Bacteria develop after the accumulation of morbid matter when a favourable atmosphere for their growth develops in the body. All diseases arise due to this morbid matter in the body, and if latitude is given for its removal, the body provides a cure. It also believes that the human body possesses inherent self-constructing and healing powers. Nature cure takes into account the totality of factors responsible for diseases such as habits in living, working, sleeping, relaxing, sexual indulgence and considers the environmental factors involved, which on the whole disturbs the normal functioning of the body and leads it to a morbid, weak and toxic state.
A nature cure physician helps in nature's effort to overcome disease by controlling the nature forces to work within safe limits. The five main modalities of treatment are air, water, heat, mud & space.
The recent development of nature cure advocates the practice of drugless therapies like massage, electrotherapy, physiotherapy, acupuncture, acupressure and magneto therapy
ACUPUNCTURE
Acupuncture is based on an ancient Chinese theory. This theory states that life force flows through human body via fourteen invisible channels regulating the mental and physical processes. The 'puncture' in the word acupuncture, refers to the insertion of tiny needles in specific points on the surface of body. The use of this therapy has been widely successful in easing withdrawal from the addiction to drugs and alcohol, and is used in many detoxification clinics in the United States. Although it has been practised for many years as a method of traditional healing. Indians have only recently started to embrace this method
ACUPRESSURE
This science deals with the human body and the flow of natural energy within the body. It is practised with the use of only one tool, the human thumb. Pressure is applied on different pressure points on the body stimulates the corresponding glands of the body.
GEM THERAPY
Crystals, gems and minerals are solidified reflection of properties that are already within the human body. Gems and precious metals are used to balance planetary influences and to act directly on life forces. Having the capacity to both attract and dispel positive or negative energies, their healing properties are applied by wearing them in or having them in some way close to the body. The healing effect of gems can be experienced even by placing them in water overnight and drinking the water the next day, drinking water from vessels made of specific metals such as gold, silver or copper.
Precious stones and metals are also oxidized and purified in medicines in India. Called 'bhasma', these substances go deep into the body and can help in the healing of deep-seated illness or in rejuvenation. Healing using the crystals is among the most ancient of all known therapies. Due to their perfect molecular structure, crystals vibrate at a constant rate. It is this quality of crystal that makes them ideal tools for harmonizing and balancing the body. Al crystals and gemstones vibrate at their own unique frequencies. By selecting the crystal with the correction vibration to counter an individual's malady, the body's natural rhythm is resorted.
If gems are to be used for healing they should be purified. Immersing germs in salt water for two days purifies them. There power can also be enhanced by chanting sacred syllables (mantras) over them. Gems are most effective when they weigh more than two carats and are worn in contact with skin. If a precious stone of two carats or more is not available, it is better to use a semi precious stone that is larger to allow direct contact with skin, all rings and pendants should have an open backed setting and the preferred metal is gold. Individual stones have properties that influence the "doshas" in individuals and increase the well being of the wearer
Some of the commonly worn stones include the :--
Topaz, which is said to help overcome fear.
A yellow Sapphire is worn to enhance energy and vitality and is generally considered good for health.
Opal is considered to have a positive influence on the wearer, promoting friendship, compassion, creativity and understanding.
Precious stones like Diamond Sapphires Rubies and semi precious stones like Lapis Lazuli, Coral,  Beryl and Moonstone, have their own attributes and are recommended to correct various  imbalances in the body.
AROMATHERAPY
Aromatherapy has been around for over 6000 years. In India and other ancient civilizations of the East, plant essences were used for their fragrance to purify the air. Agarbattis and dhoop (incense sticks) are still in use as they were in ancient times in India.
The modern era of aromatherapy in 1930 when the French chemist Rene Maurice Gattefosse coined the term 'aromatherapy' for the therapeutic use of essential oils. He was fascinated by the benefits of lavender oil in healing his burnt hand without leaving any scars. He started investigating the effect of other essential oils for healing and for their psychotherapeutic benefits.
Our sense of smell works at a subconscious level. Olfactory nerves conduct smell sensations to a part of the brain, which also regulates and controls our moods, emotions, memory and learning. Studies with 'Briar wave frequency' have shown that smelling lavender increases alpha waves, which are associated with relaxation in the back of the head. Fragrance of jasmine increases beta waves, which are associated with a more alert state in the front of the head.
Essential oils are contained in plant materials like leaves, flowers roots, seeds, bark and resin. Each essential oil contains as much as 100 chemical components, which together exert a strong effect on the whole person. Depending on which component is predominating in oil, the oils act differently. For example, some oils are relaxing some soothing and some pain relieving. They leave no harmful residues.
Aromatherapy is particularly effective for stress, anxiety, and psychosomatic induced problems, muscular and rheumatic pains, digestive disorders and gynaecological problems, such as P M S, menopausal complaints and postnatal depression.
MAGNETO THERAPY
The history of magnetism dates before the birth of Christ. The earliest mention of the magnet being used as a healing agent is in the Atharva Veda, the ancient Indian treatise on medicine and a part of one of the four Vedas. The ancient Egyptians were also familiar with the properties of magnetic forces, as they utilized it to preserve mummies. Their legendry queen, Cleopatra was said to have worn a tiny magnet on her forehead in order to preserve her charm. It was only in the beginning of the 16th century that, magnets became an object of scientific research.
A Swiss alchemist and physician, Paracelsus, discovered magnets healing powers, and was soon followed by other researchers. Dr Samuel Hahneman, the father of homeopathy, was convinced of the magnet's healing powers and recommended its use. Today, Magneto therapy is widely recognized and has scientific support. Magnetic therapy is very effective in drawing out pain and reliving stiffness. When the body comes into contact with magnets. The magnetic waves passes through the tissues and induce secondary current, which produce heat, thus reducing pains and swellings magnets also promotes the growth of cells and increase the number of healthy red blood corpuscles. The red corpuscles contain haemoglobin, which in turn contain iron
The magnets influence the iron in the blood, thereby removing calcium, cholesterol and other deposits. It cleanses, purifies and ionises the blood. The ionised blood flows easily, resulting in case in the activity of the heart and normalization of blood pressure. The secretion of hormones is also regulated and this improves the lustre of the skin. Magnet of various shapes, sizes and strengths are used to regulate and strengthen the natural system and preserve the balance of magnetic field in the body. Two types of artificial magnets are used electromagnets and permanent magnets. For most treatments, disc shaped magnets of medium to high potency are generally used.
PRANIC HEALING
Pranic Healing is based on the principle that the body has the capacity to heal itself, and a catalyst is used to accelerate the healing process. This catalyst is called the Prana (vital source of life that is all around us). It is a non-touch, non-invasive process. This system of medicine believes that all living beings have two selves, the physical self and the energy that form the exterior cover. The two are said to be intertwined and intrinsic, so much so that the energy is often referred to as the "ethnic twin".
According to pranic healing. The requirement for being healthy is when both the energy and the physical self are in harmony. Healers try to cure disease by clearing or cleaning energy systems. The system comprises of 11 major chakras (corresponding to vital organs), or power centres in the body. These are the basic chakra (located at the base of spine), Sex chakra, Meng Mein chakra (located approximately at the back of navel), Navel chakra, Spleen chakra Solar Plexus chakra, Heart chakra, Throat chakra, Ajna chakra, Forehead chakra and the Crown chakra. Each chakra has its own position and it controls a set of organ.
The healers use their hands to detect malfunctioning in the body (called scanning). They clean the used up or diseased energy with sweeping movements of there hands and dispose the waste energy in a bowl of salt and water (water dissolves the diseased energy and salt disintegrates it) Then, they receive the prana from the atmosphere with one hand and project it to the diseased charkas of the patient with other hand. This system can be used to alleviate a large number of ailment ranging from brain tumours, stomach disorder, and ulcers. Skin diseases to mental diseases like depression schizophrenia, and mental retard ness
CHAKRA THERAPY
Energy healing (aura and chakra healing) is one of the most profound and fundamental alternative therapies in the field of alternative medicine and holistic health. It employs spiritual healing methods which expand the awareness of the energy healer and uses energy, color and light healing techniques to catalyse healing in the patient's energy field (aura and chakra system)-helping the patient break free from afflictions and limitations of body, mind and spirit. It may provide enhanced quality of life for the patient, and facilitate spiritual growth. Energy healing is often a powerful spiritual path for the practitioner, as well.
What is Chakra Healing?
The human energy body is composed of seven major energy wheels or chakras. Each chakra is associated with a particular color, tone, fragrance & area of the body.
The stress of everyday life takes a toll on your physical body, but also on your energy system. Some chakras are affected more than others, creating an imbalance in your aura, or energy field. Chakra meditation is a useful way to restore balance.
Those ancient Singing Bowls, found to be spiritually attuned to each Chakra, are allowed to dominate in this music, so affording the maximum stimulation to the chakra in question, i.e., it is possible to focus one's listening attention upon the bowl(s) in question in each piece whilst allowing them to convey teaching or whatever other form of spiritual communication to your Being.
REIKI
Allowing energy to flow through peoples and directing the excess energy either to our selves or to others is the essence of REIKI. 'Re' means universal and 'Ki' means vital like force. Disease according to Reiki is caused by an energy imbalance, the depletion or congestion of energy. The treatment in this system of medicine consists of correcting imbalance. Reiki is similar to pranic healing; as it also uses Prana or energy to affect a cure but the technique of Reiki vary from pranic healing. Here the healer draws the prana or energy through his or her crown (chakra), and allows the energy to flow through the hands or the chakra. The healer or therapist is the energy channel
HOMEOPATHY
Homeopathy dissatisfied with the common medical practices of the time, Dr.Samnal Hahnemana sought to create a system of gentler healing. He began creating a new system using plants, minerals and animal substances, combining them into energetic compounds. With there substances, he stimulated and encouraged the body's natural healing forces of recovery.
The word 'Homeopathy' is derived from two Greek works, 'homeo' meaning similar 'pathos', meaning suffering. Homeopathy simply means treating diseases with remedies, prescribed in minute disease, which produce symptoms similar to the disease when taken by healthy people. It is based on the natural law of healing -'Similia Similibus Curarantur' which means "like is cured by like". For example, the effects of peeling an onion are very similar to acute cold. The remedy prepared from the red onion Allium cepa is used to treat that type cold
Conventional medicine believes that symptoms are caused by the illness of the body, whereas homeopathy views the symptoms as the body's natural reaction to fighting illness, and socks to stimulate the symptoms rather than suppress them. Homeopathy is concerned with the treatment of the whole person as an individual. Rather than the disease alone a homeopathy does not concentrate his therapy on, say arthritis or bronchitis or cancer. Rather he treats the mental, emotional and physical aspects of the patients. The physician's interest is not only to alleviate the patient's present symptoms but also his long-term well being.
Homeopathic medicines contain extremely small quantities of substance called potencies. Prepared in a special way by diluting shaking and pounding the mixture. These high dilutions not only enhance their curative properties, but also avoid undesirable side effects. Homeopathy has been serving humanity for over two centuries and has emerged as a time-tested therapy.
Homeopathy came to India in 1839 when Dr. John Martin Honigberger was called to treat Maharaja Ranjit Singh the ruler of Punjab, for paralysis of vocal cords and oedema. The Maharaja was relieved of his complaints and in return Dr. Honigberger received valuable rewards and was made the officer-in-charge of a hospital. This royal patronage gave Homeopathy its roots in India Homeopathy has blended so well into the tradition of the country that it has been recognised as one of the national system of medicine and plays an important role in providing health care to a large number of people.
|
