The Relevance of Naturopathy as a Therapeutic Tool in the Modern Era: A Narrative Review

Altern Ther Health Med. 2024 May 3:AT10717. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

Background: There are numerous reports of remarkable recoveries from diseases through drugless healing systems. In an effort to enhance the understanding of naturopathic therapies, the author, a renowned BNYS doctor specializing in naturopathy, yoga, nutrition, and wellness, aims to explain the importance of drugless therapies in various disease conditions.

Objective: To provide a comprehensive overview of the relevance and efficacy of naturopathy as a therapeutic tool in modern healthcare. Drawing on a literature review and the author's expertise, it aims to explore the benefits of drugless healing systems.

Methods: This study adopts a narrative review methodology to synthesize existing literature on the efficacy of naturopathy as a therapeutic tool in modern healthcare settings. A comprehensive search strategy was employed, utilizing databases such as PubMed, with keywords including "naturopathy," "drugless healing," "alternative medicine," "therapeutic modalities," and specific interventions such as "hydrotherapy" and "acupuncture." Boolean operators were used to combine terms to ensure the inclusivity of relevant literature. The intervention under investigation involved the effects of naturopathy, fasting, hydrotherapy, chiropractic, acupuncture, acupressure, magnet therapy, therapeutic manipulation, color healing, and other drugless ‎therapies. The primary focus of the reviewed studies was to evaluate the efficacy of naturopathic interventions in improving health outcomes across diverse disease conditions, including cardiac health, skin diseases, cancers, immunity, and metabolic syndrome.

Results: The review identified a significant body of literature supporting the efficacy of naturopathic interventions in improving health outcomes across various disease conditions. Studies consistently reported positive effects of drugless healing modalities, including improvements in cardiac health, skin diseases, cancers, immunity, and metabolic syndrome.

Conclusion: The findings highlight the relevance and effectiveness of naturopathy as a therapeutic approach in modern healthcare. With its emphasis on lifestyle modifications and non-invasive treatments, naturopathy offers a holistic and cost-effective alternative for addressing lifestyle disorders and enhancing overall well-being.