National Naturopathy Day is annually observed across India on 18 November, to promote positive mental and physical health through a drugless medicine system called ‘Naturopathy‘.
- 18 November 2023 marks the observance of the 6th National Naturopathy Day.
- The annual observance of the day is led by the Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy), Government of India.
The 2023 theme of National Naturopathy Day is, “Naturopathy for Holistic Health.”
- The theme highlights that Naturopathy offers diverse preventive treatments and therapies and focuses on preventing diseases and complications through natural means.
Background:
i.The Ministry of AYUSH declared the 18 November of every year as National Naturopathy Day in 2018.
ii.The first-ever National Naturopathy Day was observed on November 18, 2018.
Why November 18?
It was on this day in 1945, when Mahatma Gandhi became lifetime Chairman of the All India Nature Cure Foundation Trust and signed the deed to make the benefits of Nature Cure available to all classes of people.
Note: Gandhiji is considered the founding figure of Naturopathy in India, as it was largely through his efforts that this practice which originated in Europe became popular in India.
What is Naturopathy?
i.Naturopathic medicine also known as Naturopathy is a complementary and alternative medicine system that uses natural remedies to help the body heal itself.
ii.It is the oldest kind of medicine, which combines traditional and natural treatment with current scientific understanding.
iii.The term Naturopathy was coined in 1885 by John Scheel, a German physician, and used by Benedict Lust, a German hydrotherapist.
2023 Events:
Central Council for Research in Yoga and Naturopathy (CCRYN), New Delhi (Delhi), the National Institue of Naturopathy (NIN) Pune (Maharashtra), and the University of Patanjali, Haridwar (Uttarakhand) have jointly organised the 6th Naturopathy day celebration at University of Patanjali on 18th & 19th November 2023.
- For the 2nd time, CCRYN has organised an International Conference on Naturopathy in association with Patanjali Yogpeeth, NIN & World Naturopathic Federation (WNF).
- The conference included a workshop on Research Methodology organized by the Center for Chronic Disease Control, New Delhi for young researchers in this area.
About Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH):
Union Minister– Sarbananda Sonowal (Rajya Sabha- Assam)
Minister of State– Dr. Munjpara Mahendrabhai Kalubhai (Constituency- Surendranagar, Gujarat)
