Naturopathy Vs Ayurveda: Which is Right for You?

Today's population is taking a major shift from modern medicines to something that can heal naturally. This shift is the outcome of the awareness regarding the side effects of chemical drugs and invasive procedures. When talking about the most common holistic healing paths that people are looking up to is Ayurveda and Naturopathy!

People are often confused between the two, as both talk about healing with nature. In this blog, we will uncover the differences and similarities between these two authentic natural sciences of healing.

Both the sciences differ on the basis of the unique methods of diagnosis and healing. The major similarity that remains is the aim of these two different ways of healing, and that is, healing the body naturally. Let’s dive deep into these two interesting methods of cure!

What is Ayurveda?

Ayurveda, the ‘Science of Life’, is a five-thousand-year-old methodology of curing ailments. Being originated in India, it’s known as India’s most authentic method of healing. The philosophy and applications of Ayurvedic practices have their roots in the Indian Vedas. The Vedic culture of India defines the effective remedies and their execution in a real-life setting. The effectiveness of Ayurveda is time-tested.

Moreover, the classical texts of Ayurveda, such as Sushruta Samhita, explain the core of Ayurveda, the diagnosis system of Ayurveda, and the methods of healing holistically. Several pieces of evidence in India’s culture firmly confirm the benefits of this ancient Indian healing system. Ayurveda not only heals but also helps in maintaining the optimum well-being.

Ayurvedic Principles

For those who are unaware of the basis of healing in Ayurveda, here is a guide! Ayurveda works on two major core principles:

1. The Five Elements: According to our agebring the three old science, Ayurveda, our body is composed of five major elements. These are air, water, ether, fire, and earth. When these elements come together in the body, they combine, which makes the origin of the ‘Tri-Doshas’.
2. The Tri-Doshas: ‘Tri’ stands for three, and ‘Doshas’ stands for the three major bio-elements of a human body. These three doshas are responsible for governing the mental, emotional, and physical functioning of the body. Moreover, the dominance of particular doshas in an individual defines the individual’s trait. The three doshas are as follows:
   • Vata - A combination of Air and Ether
   • Pitta - It combines Fire and Water
   • Kapha - It is a blend of earth and Water.

When these doshas are imbalanced due to a sedentary lifestyle of food habits, they can cause various acute and chronic ailments. Ayurveda works on correcting the balance of the three bio-elements and bringing back the optimum health.

Healing Methods of Ayurveda

1. Herbal Medicines: Instead of chemical-based drugs, Ayurveda heals with natural and herbal medicines and formulations made up of medicinal herbs to ensure no side effects.
2. Panchakarma: Ayurveda believes in using non-invasive methods of healing, thus, Panchakarma therapies are one of the methods to detox the body naturally, flushing out toxins from the body, which, as per Ayurveda, are the main reason for any illness. 
3. Ayurvedic Massages: Next time-tested method that Ayurveda incorporates in its healing is massages. The various massages using medicinal herbal oils are very effective in combating various diseases.
4. Lifestyle Correction: ‘Dincharya’ matters a lot if seeking Ayurvedic treatment. Ayurveda starts the healing methods by correcting one’s routine to correct the body rhythm.
5. Diet Modifications: We become what we eat! As per Ayurveda, our food defines the level of fitness of our body. To correct the imbalanced doshas, diet modifications are a must. Ayurveda emphasises following a pure sattvic diet and avoiding junk, spicy, or oily food.
6. Yoga and Meditation: A disease is not a physical disability alone; it is also caused by emotional and mental imbalance. Therefore, to rejuvenate the physician, mental, and emotional health, Ayurveda uses yoga and meditation practices to treat the illness.

Understanding Naturopathy

Naturopathy originated in Europe. This science of natural healing came into existence in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The inspiration for Naturopathy came from the “Nature Cure Movement”. This movement included the processes of healing with the help of therapies like hydrotherapy, diet, fasting, and exercise.

However, the roots of this therapy are in various countries like India, China, and even Greece. In short, this science has a global origin. This therapy focuses more on natural interventions than medicines or herbs. Naturopathy is gaining fame as an alternative to other holistic healing approaches.

Naturopathy Principles

The core principles on which the science of naturopathy works are as follows:

1. Do No Harm (Primum Non Nocere): The treatment methods used in this system are natural and are aimed at causing no side effects to the human body. The healing is focused on treating the cause and not just suppressing the superficial symptoms without the knowledge of their origin.
2. The Healing Power Of Nature (Vis Medicatrix Naturae): Naturopathy believes that the body has the power to heal itself, which gets diminished due to modern medicines or lifestyle. The healing methods in naturopathy are aimed at bringing back the power and immunity of the body to fight for itself without any chemical drugs.
3. Identify and treat the cause (Tolle Causam): This science prohibits treating symptoms without knowing the root cause. Thus, it focuses on identifying the origin of the illness before starting treatment, just like in Ayurveda.
4. Treat The Whole Person: This is one of the similarities of Ayurveda and Naturopathy; the science also focuses on treating the person as a whole and not just treating the illness.
5. Prevention More than Cure: Naturopathy is more like a lifestyle that can be followed to stay healthy. The science focuses on using natural ways to keep the body away from toxins and be healthy.
6. Doctor is the Teacher (Docere): Naturopathy practitioners do not always treat the patient, but they teach the patient various self-help methods that can be used to keep them healthy and disease-free.

Common Methods of Naturopathy

Naturopathy uses common plant-based medicines to detox and treat any ailment. Secondly, this holistic approach focuses on diet correction. Unlike Ayurveda, the diet management here is not based on doshas but only on the nutritional potion required by the physical body. Ayurveda uses rejuvenating therapies, but Naturopathy uses therapies like hydrotherapy mainly for pain relief.

The hydrotherapy can be cold, warm, or include the use of steam, depending on the type of pain and treatment required. Another important aspect in naturopathy is lifestyle correction. Practitioners teach various exercises to manage the ailments or pain to avoid any modern invasive procedure. Naturopathy does not include any kind of surgical intervention in its healing process.

Difference Between Ayurvedic and Naturopathy Science

1. The difference in Philosophy

Ayurveda is based on philosophy and sacred spiritual traditions of India. The classical Ayurveda texts emphasise natural healing. No modern harmful methods are used. The science solely depends on the effectiveness of the natural and herbal healing approach. On the other hand, naturopathy is somehow dependent on empirical and scientific pieces of evidence and believes that the body can heal itself.

2. Diagnosis

Ayurveda starts the treatment only after knowing the root cause with the help of a detailed diagnosis. The diagnosis is non-invasive and includes methods like nadi parikhsa, mal mutra pariksha, eyes, nose, and even whole prakriti assessment. Naturopathy relies on modern tests.

3. Treatments

The treatment methods used in both the healing sciences are different. Ayurveda uses herbal medicines, panchakarma detox therapies, oil massages like Abhyanga, therapies like Nasya, basti, etc., to bring doshas and prana in balance to cure illness from the root. In Naturopathy, focus is given more on exercise and changes in lifestyle rather than such ayurvedic therapies. The therapies used in naturopathy mostly include Hydrotherapy, yoga, and pranayama.