Nature has provided all the elements, within the ranges of the natural foods, which man needs in the way of food and medicine. Thus, the healing power by naturopathy is nothing new to Indian tradition. Nature cure treatments are very ancient and were widely practiced in ancient Rome, Egypt, Greece and India. Infact, in Indian homes, home remedies have always come before the doctor`s medicines. The times have yet not changed even in the metropolitan cities in India; however the term, Naturopathy is relatively of recent origin. Naturopathy believes that all the healing powers are within ones body, hence people actually fall ill only when they go against nature. It is nature, which cures, not the physician and the Vedic culture of ancient India highlights the use of natures foremost healing agents, water, air, earth and sun. The origin of Naturopathy could be traced right to Vedic period wherein Dietary discipline (Pathya & Ahara) and the principles of Health (Swastha Vurtha) described in Ayurveda have branched out and developed in the form of today`s Naturopathy.

Even today, strong recommendations of these natural treatments are prescribed for most of the diseases; and these diseases are actually the toxins, which are expelled from the body to cure the same. Indian naturopathy has described certain nature`s way to recover from these diseases; thus, thorough rest, including fasting, is the most favorable condition in which an ailing body can purify and recoup itself. The basic theory of Naturopathy is based upon the fact that we are born healthy and can stay healthy by living in accordance with laws of nature.
Principles of Naturopathy
The entire philosophy is based upon three basic principles, which have been tested and proved from over a century of successful Naturopathy treatments all around the world.

Naturopathy Treatments in India are mushrooming in large numbers especially in the metropolitan cities. Most of them follow a similar routine for treating the common ailments, which are as follows:
1. Strictly vegetarian food is served in all of them, as per the doctor or dietician`s prescription. None of the centers allow patients to bring in food from outside. Alcohol, smoking, chewing tobacco, and the consumption of tea, coffee, and non-vegetarian foods are forbidden in all the centers. All the naturopathy centers require the visitor patient to stay on campus, for a duration that depends upon the nature of his or her complaint.

2. Some Indian naturopathy centers prescribe a minimum stay of ten days, as they say that no significant effect can be observed within a shorter period. Charges vary, depending upon the kind of room the visitor prefers, with choices ranging from a dormitory to an entire cottage. In between these two rates are the various options like a single room, an executive room, a cottage or a hut. Apart from the charges for the accommodation, food and treatment charges are extra.

3. Treatment charges vary depending upon the complexity of treatment warranted by the specific ailment. Children below fifteen years of age are not allowed inside these centers nor are pregnant women. Patients should be able to walk at least 1 km without support to gain admission here.

4. Whether it is treatment that suits the more spiritually inclined, with yoga and meditation forming an important part of the day`s routine, or more modern equipment like saunas and whirlpool baths that take one`s fancy, one can choose from many naturopathy centers in India.

Fasting Therapy
Fasting refers to complete abstinence from food for a particular period pertaining to a specific purpose and this is nature`s oldest, most effective and yet least expensive method of treating diseases, recognized as the achievement of natural healing. By depriving the body of food for a specific period of time, the organs of elimination such as the bowels, kidneys, skin and lungs are given opportunity to expel, unhampered the overload of accumulated waste from the system. Thus, fasting is merely the process of purification and an effective and quick method of cure, assisting nature in her continuous effort to expel foreign matter and disease producing waste from the body, thereby correcting the faults of improper diet and wrong living.

Water Therapy
Bathing has been used as a valuable therapeutic agent and is also considered an important measure for the maintenance of health and prevention of disease, in all major ancient civilizations. Bathing was also valued for its remedial properties, since time immemorial and the ancient Vedic literature contains numerous references to the efficiency of water in the treatment of disease. Beneficial effects are exerted by water on the human system. It equalizes circulation, boosts muscular tone and aids digestion and nutrition. It also tones up the activity of perspiratory gland and in the process eliminates the damaged cells and toxic matter from the system.

Mud Therapy
Earth was used extensively for remedial purposes in ancient times as well as the middle ages. In modern times, it again came into prominence as it was discovered to have remarkable effects to refresh, invigorate and vitalize the human body; especially during the night. It was believed that for wounds and skin diseases, application of clay or moistened earth was the only true natural bandage. Thus, the sleeping or lying on the earth at night became customary in the curing of diseases. By doing this, the entire body is aroused from its lethargy to a new manifestation of vital energy, so that it can now effectively remove old morbid matter and masses of old faeces from the intestines, and receive a sensation of new health, new life and new vigour and strength.

Water Therapy
The largest constituent of human body is water. About 60 to 70 per cent of the total body weight consists of water. Thus, the body of a 65-kg person contains approximately 40 liters of water. Of this, about 25 liters are within the cells and the remaining 15 liters in the extra cellular fluids. Versatility is the most important property of water. Both inside and outside the body water can be effectively used. Liquid, solid or steam any three forms of water can be used according to the need. It can be used hot, cold or lukewarm, for the smooth functioning of all the body processes.

The water consumption is mainly through drinking water, other fluids and the water content in the food consumed. Some of our common vegetables contain as much water as milk and even more. Thus, 100 grams of melon, tomato, and radish contain over 90 per cent of water. For the maintenance of good health, an adult should take eight to 10 glasses of pure, fresh water daily, whether one feels thirsty or not. This quantity is enough to flush the body and meet all internal needs. However, it is bad to drink excess of water since it weakens the kidneys and stomach. Drinking water along with meals is not healthy, for it dilutes the gastric juices and hampers digestion. Water should be drunk ha an hour before or one hour after a meal. Drinking a glass of water early in the morning after a mouthwash is good for health. Scientifically, drinking water early in the morning helps, saliva formation, which together with some useful enzymes helps in effective cleaning of the intestinal tract. The age-old practice of drinking water in copper vessel early morning is one of the oldest methods with the same principle.

A bath is very necessary not only to wash off these poisonous matters from the skin, but also for keeping the skin in a healthy condition. Cold water or water at body temperature should be used for bathing. The application of cold water followed by friction facilitates rush of blood to the skin. This gives the skin its necessary exercise and keeps it healthy and capable of normal functioning for the rest of the day. But the water to be used for drinking, cooking and bathing, should be safe, clean and free from bacteria, dissolved mineral impurities and suspended matters. Rainwater, purified water from a river, spring, well or a lake is good for the same, if is further treated properly. If bacteria contaminate the water, then it should be rendered harmless by boiling.

Massage Therapy
An excellent form of passive exercise is massage. A massage involves the scientific manipulation of the soft tissues of the body, which if done correctly, can be highly stimulating and invigorating. Massages have been used from the ancient times, as old as 400 B.C and yet been used as a mode of treatment for many ailments, since it has restored many a sufferer to health and vigour.

Colour Therapy
The method of treatment of diseases by colour is called Chromotherapy. Along with other natural methods of preserving health such as correct diet, adequate rest and relaxation, exercise, yogic asanas and so on it is best used as a supportive therapy. According to practitioners of chromotherapy, the lack of a particular colour in the human system can cause various diseases. Colour therapy is a technique of restoring imbalance by means of applying coloured light to the body.

Sleep Therapy
Sleep is one of nature`s greatest inventions and blessings of life. It is a periodic rest of the body, which is absolutely essential for its efficient functioning. It has been called "most cheering restorative of tired bodies," since sleep repairs the wear and tear of the body and mind incurred during waking hours. Sleep is thus a vital element in man`s mental as well as physical life, since the loss of sleep exerts seriously detrimental effects upon the nervous system. Long periods of wakefulness may cause profound psychological changes such as loss of memory, irritability, hallucination and even schizophrenic manifestations.

Acupressure
This is a special form of massage in which fingers or finger-like simple wooden instruments are pressed on certain points of the body to minimize aches, pains, fatigue, tension, stress and various other symptoms of disease. Unlike acupuncture, in which sharp needles are pierced into the points in the skin, Acupressure is non-invasive, safe and simple. In fact, it is a very natural form of physiotherapy, which follows anatomical guides and motor points, stimulation of which relieves various disabilities.

Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is the alternative branch of medicine that heals and improves the mind and the body, by using natural plant extracts. These plant extract are called essential oils, and are known to convey the "Life Force of Plant". Essential oils can be extracted from the herbs, plants, flowers, fruits, bark, roots or the resin of some trees. These magical extracts from plants can amazingly affect our physical, mental, emotional and even spiritual being. Whether it`s beautifying the skin, reducing weight, prevention and cure of diseases, inducing sexual attraction, relieving tension and anxiety, to sedate or refresh individuals, the essential oils come in handy.

Magnetic Therapy
Magnetic healing is a science as well as art demanding knowledge of human organism and the skill to cure through proper application of magnets. This alternative branch of medicine, magnetic therapy, is proving to be far reaching in terms of possibilities in physical and mental disorder treatment through the exposure to magnetic fields. Magnets designed specially for human applications have the power to interact with the energy system of the body, to create a different field for efficient cellular and hence organic activities. Magnets are applied to a painful area of the body to stimulate the nerves in that area for pain relief, as a part of the nature`s healing process.