We are what we eat. It means, what we consume, we become. Our body is made of innumerable cells that are created and destroyed as a part of a continuous process of eating food, digesting it and nourishing these cells. Hence, food is the major reason for health or ill-health. It is the cause of most of the diseases that are manifested in the body. Our body is a factory that produces many types of chemicals and when a certain disease is manifested, the modern medicines try to suppress it or cure it. But do the medicines really cure the ailing body or do they only offer care? However, there lies a natural cure in the form of natural food, which helps the body to surpass the side effects of modern medicine. That's the reason why in naturopathy, so much importance is given to uncooked food and yoga to ensure a healthy life.
"Look at animals, a cow or an elephant. Do they eat meat? If they can survive eating only leaves and grass, why can't humans eat only divine food for survival?" asks naturopath Dr Jacob Vadakkanchery, chairman and managing director of Nature Life International who was in Goa recently to deliver a lecture on Naturopathy at the St Xavier's church hall at Mapusa.
At the lecture, Dr Jacob spoke about how human bodies are not meant for digesting non-vegetarian food. If one insists on eating it consistently, over a period of time the body is sure to undergo stress and strain and in the bargain, develop multiple diseases. "My motto is to encourage people to celebrate health, and make sure that they do not get any disease - by following a simple natural diet," announces Dr Jacob. Founder and director of seven non-profit Nature Life Hospitals in Kerala, Dr Jacob is recognized internationally for his naturopathic, health-restoring philosophy, Nature Cure. His Nature Life International is a non-profit health organization working to educate the people on the need to learn and practice holistic health habits based on naturopathy traditions.
Offering free consultations at Clergy Home in Margao, Dr Jacob explains that the body is the most basic medium by which any living being communicates with the five elements that sustain life on Earth. This makes the flow of Earth, Water, Ether, Sunlight and Air most essential for maintaining the balance and stability of the body. According to him, the constant exchange and dependence between the body and mind also has a major role in staying healthy and peaceful.
"As far as human beings are concerned the loss of balance between the elements and body leads to discomfort which we define as disease. The perfect and wonderful machine that our body is has its own homeostatic mechanism by which it corrects and adjusts any anomalies. But for this to happen two important factors are prerequisite - patience and time - the patience to listen and be sensitive to the body and the time to allow self-correction. This is the most natural way in which one can reinstate health and peace of the body and mind," he asserts.
The power of Nature Cure lies in the experience and trust that it places on the innate strength of the body to correct itself. The body wants to be in a state of equilibrium and harmony. It always attempts to correct itself using the simple yet most effective support of air, water, soil, sun and food. The body tries to get back to health and not stay in a state of discomfort and uneasiness. Any attempt to not respect this and use artificial means to suppress, ignore and overstep this vital healing process will result in more disarray and disorder.
Citing an example of the so-called lifestyle disease, Diabetes Mellitus, Dr Jacob states that is not an incurable disease as modern medicine projects it to be and that it is perfectly curable through proper diet and exercise. Claiming that at Nature Life International thousands of people have been cured of diabetes in different parts of the world by adopting the lifestyle suggested by him, Dr Jacob explains, "Diabetes is a stage in which the pancreas gland becomes inactive. Through proper diet, the veins around the pancreas can be rejuvenated and through yoga exercises such as Shalabhasanam and Mayoorasanam, the pancreas will get activated."
Nature Life International has six nature cure hospitals at Poojappura,(Thiruvananthapuram), Kayamkulam, (Alappuzha), Varakkara (Thrissur), Mannarkkad, Kunthippuzha (Palakkad), Calicut (Kozhikode), Champakkara and Edapally both in Kochi. A Gandhian, Dr Jacob who runs four nature food restaurants in Kerala, is a peace and justice activist for over three decades. Practicing and preaching naturopathy, Dr Jacob is also the editor of ‘Sujeevitham', a self-healing magazine that educates people from all walks of life. Fighting against modern medicine mafia, working among various constituencies of people as well as undertaking education and training in the crucial health sector, he hopes to take the masses on a path of health and wellbeing. An international speaker, Dr Jacob has visited a dozen countries. He conducts regular camps and seminars in Thailand and Cambodia. Visting Goa, Mangalore, Kasargod Kannur and Calicut every month, Dr Jacob visits Goa for consultation on the first of every month.
What is Nature Cure?
The major principle guiding Nature Cure concept is - Mother Nature sustains all life as it provides energy, water, air and the base for sustenance and survival. She is the originator of a healthy, happy and a peaceful life. It is this most simple fact that is the idea behind Nature Cure. This medical system of curing the human body using the basic powers of nature dates back to aeons. A tribal woman who uses the sun's energy to heal her fever, a Chinese elder who gives a wet pack on the stomach to relieve an ache have all resorted to the most powerful philosophy of Nature Cure.
