History of Natural Hygiene and Principles of Natural Hygiene

by Herbert M. Shelton

""The History of Natural Hygiene and Principles of Natural Hygiene"" by Herbert M. Shelton is a comprehensive guide to the principles of natural hygiene, a holistic approach to health and wellness that emphasizes the body's natural ability to heal itself. The book provides a detailed history of natural hygiene, tracing its roots back to ancient Greece and exploring its evolution through the centuries. It also explains the key principles of natural hygiene, including the importance of a whole foods, plant-based diet, regular exercise, and proper rest and relaxation.The book covers a wide range of topics related to natural hygiene, including the benefits of fasting, the dangers of processed foods, the role of emotions in health, and the importance of maintaining a positive mental attitude. It also includes practical advice on how to implement natural hygiene principles in daily life, with tips on meal planning, exercise routines, and stress management techniques.Overall, ""The History of Natural Hygiene and Principles of Natural Hygiene"" is a valuable resource for anyone interested in natural health and wellness. It provides a thorough understanding of the principles of natural hygiene and offers practical advice on how to incorporate these principles into daily life for optimal health and wellbeing.Being the Naturopathic Teachings of Doctors Jennings, Graham, Trall and Tilden.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

Genres: Health

112 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Herbert M. Shelton was an American naturopath, alternative medicine advocate, and prolific author best known for promoting natural hygiene, fasting, and raw veganism. Born in Texas in 1895, Shelton was deeply influenced by observing animal behavior during illness and early pioneers like Isaac Jennings and Sylvester Graham. He studied at several institutions devoted to chiropractic and naturopathy, eventually graduating from the American School of Naturopathy. Shelton believed that cooked food was harmful and that the human body could heal itself without medical intervention, primarily through fasting and a raw, plant-based diet.
In 1922, he self-published Fundamentals of Nature Cure, later retitled An Introduction to Natural Hygiene. He went on to write the influential seven-volume The Hygienic System and published The Hygienic Review for forty years. In 1948, he founded the American Natural Hygiene Society, which became the National Health Association. Despite facing frequent legal challenges for practicing medicine without a license, Shelton maintained a loyal following and left a lasting legacy on the raw food and fasting movements.
A pacifist, Shelton was jailed during World War I for opposing the draft. His career was marred by controversy, including patient deaths and lawsuits, one of which led to his financial ruin and the closure of his health school. Afflicted by a degenerative disease in later life, he remained active in his work until his death in 1985. His legacy remains polarizing, viewed by some as visionary and by others as dangerously unscientific.

Reviews

[P.J. Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was expecting a book by Shelton, but this one has multiple authors. He is one of them and the others agree with him. Some were his predecessors in health reform. They all agree that illness is a result of transgressions from right living. Are they being overly simplistic in this? Or do they have the secret to lifelong health and vitality? What is meant by right living? That is what this book is about. Sylvester Graham would say that right living is “strict obedience to the laws of life.” For details, inquire within.

The authors in this book are readable. A few write in the stilted, antiquated language of the past. Dr. Tilden explains why the germ theory is wrong. Why toxemia is the true cause of disease. Sylvester Graham insists that the answer to disease is removal of causes, which include overeating. Isaac Jennings discusses the role of enervation in disease. Dr. Trall says that disease and the healing process are one and the same. G. R. Clements says that health depends upon a clean and “active” bloodstream. Dr. Carrington says that “the vitality of the body is not derived from food, but from some other source.” And Dr. Shelton talks of the principles of Natural Hygiene, the “true relations between living and lifeless matter,” and “the utter fallacy of the popular medical system.” These were the men who built the framework of the Natural Hygiene philosophy and movement.

A provocative book. Agree or not, there is much food for thought here.