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Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Historical Summary
Review: This long-awaited title will interest all who wish to learn about the historical roots of naturopathy, the writings of its founders on a variety of natural therapies, and the modern applications and validations of naturopathic techniques.Dr. Thiel is well-qualified to author such a book. In addition to his Ph.D. in Nutrition Science from the Union Institute and his doctor of Naturopathy from the International College of Naturopathy, Dr. Thiel is current president of the California State Naturopathic Medical Association. Thiel has also had a number of papers published in various alternative medical journals (including the Townsend Letter) and currently has a paper in press with the prestigious British journal Medical Hypotheses. The book begins with an overview and definition of just what naturopathy is. Drawing from the writings of Drs. Bendict Lust and John Schnell, as well as the defining Congressional Act of 1931, Thiel presents naturopathy as a drugless, non-invasive, non-surgical, non-medical discipline that should only use natural interventions to correct bodily and mental imbalances. In chapter two, titled "Naturopathic Philosophy," Thiel draws from early naturopathic writings to demonstrate the basic foundations of the art: Premum no nocere ("First, do no harm"), Vis medcatrix naturae ("the healing power of nature"), and Tolle causum ("all causes," or what makes people get sick). Peculiar to this chapter is the presentation of the nine naturopathic standards adopted by the profession at the Golden Jubilee meeting in 1947. Something Thiel repeatedly draws attention to in this chapter is the importance of approaching the person in their totality and not just their symptoms. Thiel accurately points out that alternative therapists sometimes commit the same error of allopaths: they treat the disease and not the patient. Proper attention to correcting the causes of disease are paramount to the naturopathic approach to health. What makes this book unique is the effective and thorough "round-up" of early writings on a variety of naturopathic modalities such as heliotherapy, hydrotherapy, herbalism, homeopathy, massage, exercise, rest and sleep, fasting, etc. Thiel has done an outstanding job of finding and organizing assorted excerpts from the profession's founders to define what those modalities are and what their possibilities are in helping others. Thiel then makes conclusions as to how these modalities are still effective today, often reporting on recent studies or research that validate naturopathic techniques. Most striking, however, is Thiel's stance on synthetic and natural vitamins and minerals. Citing the Golden Jubilee's Standards of 1947, Thiel argues that synthetic supplements have no place in naturopathic practice and devotes considerable space in the book to demonstrating that natural, food-complexed nutrients are superior to synthetic ones. Several of Thiel's published papers on fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, and other subjects fill out the book's appendices. Thiel concludes the book with a warning to the naturopathic profession: "If naturopaths embrace allopathic medications as part of their modalities, not only will they betray their naturopathic foundation, they will cease to be naturopaths. Naturopaths who prescribe medications are telling their clients that they do not feel they can be helped through naturopathic methods. Naturopaths who routinely prescribe medicines are not, in my opinion, being true to this profession." In these days where some naturopaths feel that they should have the legal right to dispense drugs as allopaths do, Thiel's words are quite pertinent and should be heeded. Naturopathy for the 21st Century should be required reading of all present and future Nds, as well as the lay public who are interested in natural health. In its masterful combining of old and current writings and research on the art and science of naturopathy, the book offers readers invaluable insights into the healing power of nature.
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