For Global Peace with Social Justice in a Sustainable Environment

Experiment on nature cure by Mahatma Gandhi, Part-I

Prof. Dr. Yogendra Yadav

Gandhian Scholar

Gandhi Research Foundation, Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India

Contact No.- 09404955338

E-mail- dr.yadav.yogendra@gandhifoundation.net

Experiment on nature cure by Mahatma Gandhi, Part-I

Nature Cure is the system of therapeutics in which surgery and prescription medications are avoided, and preparations such as vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbs are used to treat and prevent disease. It is a method of treating disease using food and exercise and heat to assist the natural healing process. Mahatma Gandhi was a very fond of nature. He knew it very well that nature has given everything to us. All plants, leaves, flowers, fruits have some medicinal property. So he did a lot of experiments on it. He guided to their associates for it. Mahatma Gandhi wrote on nature cure, “I see good improvement today in Ba’s health. If she survives, take it for certain that our nature cure remedies and faith in God have saved her.”1 Mahatma Gandhi wrote on nature cure, “I do believe in the religious treatment and that is what I have applied in the main, but I believe also in nature cure and fasting. Nature cure is hydropathy and enema. The only food I am taking is fruit juices, principally orange juice. I am free to confess that nature cure means to that extent want of faith in the purely religious cure.”2

Mahatma Gandhi wrote on nature cure, “Now about the Nature-cure Every change at Sabarmati, so far as diet and medicinal aid are concerned, is, I know, a fall. It commenced with my first serious illness. It shook me and I lost confidence in myself, whereas at Kochrab I handled fearlessly and with confidence in Nature’s healing power two cases of confluent small-pox in the face of medical opposition and serious enteric fever at the same time.”3 Mahatma Gandhi wrote on nature cure, “I have your letter. You need not apologize for its length. It is all very interesting and shows the deep interest you are taking in the Ashram and Nature Cure. My difficulty is to digest milk made out of nuts. I tried it during my convalescence after that violent attack of dysentery. I should love to give it a re-trial, but I do not want just now to make any risky experiment in dietetics. The earth bandage you suggest is not now required because the wound is already healed.”4

Mahatma Gandhi wrote on nature cure, “My right hand requires rest. I am therefore dictating this. It was a delight to receive your letter. I shall not be satisfied unless I see you strong, healthy and active. I want you to become a walking advertisement of nature cure.”5 Mahatma Gandhi wrote on nature cure, “Although we were living far from the amenities of city life, we did not keep even the commonest appliances against the possible attacks of illness. I had in those days as much faith in the nature-cure of disease as I had in the innocence of children. I felt that there should not be disease as we lived a simple life, but if there was, I was confident of dealing with it.”6 Mahatma Gandhi wrote on nature cure, “Some of them sought my advice being familiar with my experiments in nature-cure. Stray patients of this class would sometimes arrive at Tolstoy Farm. One of these was Lutavan, an aged client who first came from North India as an indentured labourer. He was over seventy years old and suffered from chronic asthma and cough. He had given long trials to vaidyas powders and doctors’ mixtures.”7

Mahatma Gandhi wrote on nature cure, “I reason with you at length because I honour your sincerity, but I detect your growing impatience and intolerance which are calculated to hinder your progress as a nature-cure advocate. Do not again run away with the idea that all things that taste bitter are necessarily bad. Bitterness, sweetness, etc., are relative terms. Do you know that for some people sweetness in more nauseating than bitterness? Will you not subscribe to the statement that a regular use of sugar is more harmful than a regular use of the bitter nim leaf? And I am not at all sure that a person who will clean his teeth well with a brush made from nim tree will not keep his mouth in a nice and healthy condition. Or will you prescribe for him a tea-spoonful of sugar powder to brush his teeth with? Lastly on the principle of “physician, cure thyself” I must ask you to become strong and robust and to be an object-lesson and advertisement for nature-cure.”8

Mahatma Gandhi wrote on nature cure, “Hanumantharao, some time member of the Servants of India Society, is dead. He has died a martyr to his own ideals. He was a votary of the nature-cure cult. He did not believe in the use of drugs for curing the many ills that flesh is heir to. The only aid to nature he acknowledged was hydropathy according to the system of Louis Kuhne. He had belief in the efficacy of this treatment bordered on religious faith. He dreamt of popularizing this method among the villagers. He practiced what he preached. He was seriously ill a year ago. He underwent the water-treatment and was believed to be cured. He was convalescing at Vizagapatam and died on 20th instant. Up to the last moment he remained true to his faith. Only a few days before his death he wrote a long letter avowing his faith and gently rebuking me, a nature-cure believer like himself, for weakly taking quinine and submitting to iron and arsenic injections. He had expected more strength from me. In these days of contradiction between precept and practice, it is refreshing to find a man like Hanumantharao who would remain true to his faith even unto death. What if he was mistaken? He was a searcher after truth. We shall find it only by following what we hold to be true. Hanumantharao lives though dead, for he had realized the immortality of the spirit in the perishable body.”9

Mahatma Gandhi wrote on nature cure, “I expect you now so far as it is possible for you to continue Hanumantharao work where he had left it. Let me know about yourself. What are you doing? I hope that all the members of the family are taking the event joyfully. It will be wrong to grieve over a death so brave as Hanumantharao. Please send the second letter that I wrote to Hanumantharao to the friend at Rajahmundry and let me have his address also. I would like in so far as it is possible to put in more work for nature-cure than I have done hitherto.”10 Mahatma Gandhi wrote on nature cure, “I took quinine for the same reasons for which I had undergone an operation3 while I was in jail. I had to undergo the operation under pressure of the jail authorities. Then imagine what must have been the extent of the pressure exerted by friends’ love while taking quinine. But this much is true that had I not been convinced that my consenting to the operation was the result of my weakness, I would not have had even the operation. But that weakness has resulted from an imperfect faith in what you call nature cure. Moreover, the method of that treatment has certainly not been perfected. If you have anything in mind besides nature cure, it is faith in God and hence the feeling that whatever happens should be witnessed and borne. I have not yet reached that state. One can go in that direction only through effort. We cannot attain this thing like clothes which we can put on when we wish, nor can we have the assurance through argument that the Protector of the world always protects us. It can only be had through darshan.”11

Mahatma Gandhi wrote on nature cure, “The risks involved in experiments in cultivating intimate contacts with Europeans were as grave as those in the nature-cure exp320 eriments. Only those risks were of a different kind. But in cultivating those contacts I never so much as thought of the risks.”12 Mahatma Gandhi wrote on nature cure, “Let me tell you what I feel inwardly. It is of course God’s will that prevails, and human intelligence follows the law of karma. Man is however entitled to use his reason. Accordingly, it appears to me that the best remedies are the remedies I or we employ and are based on nature-cure methods. It seems to me that both Maganlal and Rasik could perhaps have been saved if simple remedies had been applied. One may put the same idea in another way. If Rasik had been destined to live, he would have been put in such circumstances that only nature-cure methods would have been used in his treatment. This thought, however, is no consolation, nor do we seek any. By saying all this, I do not express regret at having sent him to Delhi or at his being put under a doctor’s treatment. You did what was pr for him in respect of Maganlal. We should never grieve over anyone’s death. Dharma lies in doing one’s duty, not in making no mistake at all. But after all, mine is only a conjecture. What was best Rama alone knows.”13

Nature Cure is a very old science of healing and art of living. We can find a number of references in our Vedas and other ancient texts. Mahatma Gandhi wrote on nature cure, “Do not leave off sun-baths. I am confident that your pain can be cured at any rate controlled by nature-cure, never with drugs. Your diet should be simple and not too much. Keep physical exertion to the minimum.”14 Mahatma Gandhi wrote on nature cure, “It is good for Vidya1 to continue the diet of milk and fruit and even fruit alone if milk disagrees, till she has a real hunger and appetite for other food. But if she can go to Bombay for treatment under a nature-cure expert, it would, of course, be better.”15 Mahatma Gandhi wrote on nature cure, “I think, in Karachi suggested that she might live on fruit alone for some time. But the very best thing is for her to put herself under the treatment of the nature-cure physician of Poona about whom I talked to Jairamdas and about whom Jairamdas has already written to you. I do not know him personally but I have great faith in Dr. Khambatta1, whom the Poona physician treated for suspected cancer. You must not lose time over Vidya’s treatment.”16

Mahatma Gandhi wrote on nature cure, “It is good, too, that you have come to have faith in nature-cure methods and simple food. These two save us from many diseases. Your daily programme is excellent.”17 Mahatma Gandhi wrote on nature cure, “One boy is born sick; he conquers his disease by nature-cure. The other is stupid but learns by constant effort. Both by individual effort triumph over fate. Fasting usually does not result in permanent weakening of the system; on the contrary frequent fasts bring an ultimate improvement of health. Every man can judge by experience his limits for fasting. Everything can be set right if the trade is carried on by setting up a loom and charkha in the home. I have not seen the Hindi translations. But it has been my feeling for a long time that even sesame oil cannot supplant olive oil. Some people do use linseed oil but I have no knowledge in this respect. I have heard great praises of triphala but I have very little faith in medicines. I believe in nature-cure.”18

Mahatma Gandhi wrote on nature cure, “Give up all worries; leave everything to God. It is good if Dr. Sharma2 comes to the Ashram. We must have only nature cure but up to now we did not find anyone willing to observe the Ashram rules too. These days’ long letters should not be expected from me.”19 Mahatma Gandhi wrote on nature cure, “But now I am a little worried about you. You should improve your own health. If you only interest yourself in other patients, you will not benefit either. Then you need a little more study and experience of nature cure. I want that you should familiarize yourself with the experience of all such centers in India. I know most of them. I don’t know whether you are well acquainted with Gaurishanker. You have also to see whether you have mastered yogasanas. It is my desire to exact a good deal of work from you after you have gained the necessary proficiency. But we should not be hasty. For the present, you should observe and treat the patients there. This will take quite a bit of your time. You should also keep writing to me about the condition of your health. I am not concerned about weight. It is enough if the bowels are cleared regularly and you feel fresh and energetic.”20

Mahatma Gandhi wrote on nature cure, “I want from your presence in the Ashram much more than mere treatment of a few patients. A firm believer in nature-cure myself, I would like to find in you a kindred spirit given up wholly to truthful research without any mental reservations. And if I can get such a man with also a belief in the Ashram ideals, I could regard it as a great event. I know you too are approaching the visit in that light. You will therefore please make yourself thoroughly at home at the Ashram and study it in every detail. It is my belief that a nature-cure man should be able to vanquish the climate. Millions of human beings ought to be able to live healthy life by understanding the laws of adaptability to the climate in which they find themselves. They cannot have changes that rich men can afford and I cannot imagine nature to be so cruel as to be partial to the rich and indifferent to the poor. On the contrary I believe in the Biblical saying that “it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven”, and another Biblical verse says that “the Kingdom of Heaven is within you”. Therefore I have always imagined that laws of nature are simple and understandable and capable of being followed easily by the millions.”21

Mahatma Gandhi wrote on nature cure, “Miss Schlesin’s suggestion is certainly admirable. But I don’t think you will be able to act upon it. Kallenbach will not agree to meet the expenses of a visit to America, and you will not be able to get the money from any other source. And I also think it difficult, if not impossible, that I. O. can be kept up meanwhile. Even if you go to America and return after getting trained, I don’t think patients from all communities will come to Phoenix for nature-cure treatment.”22 Mahatma Gandhi wrote on nature cure, “Kakasaheb is at Sinhagad taking nature-cure treatment for his digestion trouble. If possible, I shall certainly get him to write something when he comes down.”23 Mahatma Gandhi wrote on nature cure, “Would love to put Narasimhan under Dinshaw Mehta’s care, but I know that you do not believe, as much as I do, if at all, in nature-cure. Kaka is taking that cure at Sinhagad at present and Sinhagad is a very fine secluded sanatorium. It is only a few miles from Poona. If you will not send him to Sinhagad you should send him to the Mysore sanatorium.”24

Mahatma Gandhi wrote on nature cure, “Nature cure has made great strides since Kuhne’s time, and I should like to incorporate the results of new experiments. We are all keeping well, and all of us send you and Anand1 our love. I do hear from Mira every week and write to her in return. To correspond with me every week she forgoes the pleasure of writing to and meeting other friends. I will certainly convey your love to her. A letter is going to her today.”25 Mahatma Gandhi wrote on nature cure, “The Gandhi family is not unacquainted with nature cure. But this is only a polite statement. Their faith is not much, but that too cannot be said of all. What can them and other poor fellows do? Whatever knowledge and love of nature cure they possess is only because of me. But my knowledge is so incomplete that I become helpless in emergency cases. I have never had the time to make a systematic study of the science. But I have acquired a smattering of it because of my interest in it. Owing to my deficiency I have ever been in search of an expert in nature cure. One such doctor was Hanumanta Rao, a devoted and a good man. He died a victim of his own cures. His knowledge was insufficient but his faith was unique.”26

Mahatma Gandhi wrote on nature cure, “My faith in nature-cure goes back to forty years ago. What I meant was that my faith in your cure will be strengthened by its success in the Ashram. Do write the pamphlet for the Ashram.”27 Mahatma Gandhi wrote on nature cure, “Have faith that your health will definitely improve if you patiently cling to nature-cure treatment. I was over-hopeful when I wrote in my previous letter that I would soon be able to write letters without any difficulty, but I find that, leave alone writing, I am not even able to dictate as much as I should like to do. It will take some time before I can dictate or write without difficulty.”28 Mahatma Gandhi wrote on nature cure, “God forbid that you should ever become a nature cure Miss. It is quite enough and it will be excellent when you can become a proper full-fledged Harijan servant and if you will be that, nature cure will take care of itself.”29

Mahatma Gandhi wrote on nature cure, “Purushottam is here and is learning nature-cure methods under Mehta who has been nursing me with exquisite devotion. Mahadev is down with fever. He will be all right in a day or two.”30 Mahatma Gandhi wrote on nature cure, “I am glad Begum Mahmud is better and I hope she will be thoroughly restored. For your own health, how I wish you could take nature cure at Dr. Mehta’s sanatorium. I have no doubt that you can be thoroughly restored.”31 Mahatma Gandhi wrote on nature cure, “Five systems of treatment are current in India at present: (1) allopathy, (2) ayurveda, (3) unani, (4) homoeopathy and (5) nature cure. I am inclined towards nature cure and, if further help is needed, I would have recourse to allopathy, but within limits. In certain cases surgery is indispensable and some of the drugs, like quinine, are very effective. I would put you under nature-cure treatment and, for the trouble you are having with your teeth, etc.”32

Mahatma Gandhi wrote on nature cure, “At present I desire two things from you. First, consider yourself as a trustee and earn as much money as you reasonably can. You should regard even such indulgences as you think necessary for your happiness as a trust. Secondly, I should like you to build up your body. For that purpose, you may try nature cure methods if they appeal to you. Not far from where you live are Mehta of Poona and Kuvalayananda of Lonavala1. Both the institutions have branches here.”33 Mahatma Gandhi wrote on nature cure, “You know that Ramdas has become weak. He feels happy in Surendra’s company. He wants to try the treatment of Dr. Sharma who employs nature-cure remedies. Because he is weak, Ba wants to stay with him. Hence Ramdas, Ba and Dr. Sharma will leave this place and go there.”34

Mahatma Gandhi wrote on nature cure, “I have nothing to say if Ramdas himself desires to be released from your care. In that case you have to come here. I have no idea what is happening there. What is Ba doing? What is her opinion? It is very good that Surendra is there. Whatever happens, you must not lose your peace of mind. I am always aware of all the trouble you have taken for Ramdas. And, as a matter of fact, Ramdas had not been instrumental in your coming to me. That was on account of your nature-cure. Therefore all that we want to do in that respect still remains to be done. We shall discuss it when we meet.”35 Mahatma Gandhi wrote on nature cure, “It will be good if you can improve your health while you are there. There is someone who practices nature cure there. Would you like to try his treatment? If you are so inclined you may write to me.”36

Mahatma Gandhi wrote on nature cure, “True nature cure is to be found in the villages. All the knowledge the West has to offer can be got from the books. The rest is to come only from the villages. And in the end the service we wish to render will be to the villagers. Think over all this and tell me what you consider it is best to do. Can Draupadi stay with me?”37 Mahatma Gandhi wrote on nature cure, “H. L. Sharma is a nature-cure man. He wants to go to Battle Creek to perfect his knowledge. He wants to use it for purely humanitarian purposes. I am getting a scholarship for him. If he can earn his board and lodging by part-time work it will be a good thing. Have you any suggestion for him?”38 Mahatma Gandhi wrote on nature cure, “This letter will be handed over by Shri Hiralal Sharma. He is proceeding to America to gain further knowledge of nature cure. He wants to live in poverty and if possible even earn his living. He may be supplied with the names and other details of the sanatoria there were also some introductions if possible. Shri Sharma had never been out of India.”39

Mahatma Gandhi wrote on nature cure, “I have sent away Sharma. He has gone to learn about nature cure. He has impressed me with his simplicity, truthfulness and enthusiasm. I am watching the outcome of this experiment.”40 Mahatma Gandhi wrote on nature cure, “You are passing through considerable ordeals. Only yesterday I heard that Vikram1 had been seriously ill. You yourself have not recovered yet. I see much sickness around. I strongly feel that nature cure, simple food, pure air, is all that a man needs. How far can we improve the body which is more delicate than a glass bangle?”41 Mahatma Gandhi wrote on nature cure, “I see that Kamala is putting forth a very brave effort. It will be rewarded. You know my partiality for nature-cure methods. There are in Germany itself many nature-cure establishments. Kamala’s case may be past that stage. But one never knows. I know of cases which were reported to be for surgical treatment but which yielded to nature cure treatment. I send you this experience of mine for what it is worth.”42

Mahatma Gandhi wrote on nature cure, “I did not expect you to pay your way so soon in America but I did hold that it would not be difficult to live on modest means. Anyway, now that you are there you may stay on till you are satisfied. You should leave only when you feel that you have nothing further to learn regarding nature cure. The experiences of America will be almost repeated in England. There, too, you will not find much by way of nature cure but it was imperative that you visit the West. Quite a few misconceptions persist until experience drives them out. From this angle I do not regard your trip unproductive.”43 Mahatma Gandhi wrote on nature cure, “You are gaining good experience. It will be nice if you have nothing further to learn from any institution after you come here. You may remain there as long as your knowledge remains incomplete in any respect. As for my opinion, I hold that nature cure requires a different kind of training though a complete knowledge of anatomy and chemistry is of course most essential.”44

Mahatma Gandhi wrote on nature cure, “I was sorry to hear about Father’s continued illness. How nice it would be if he would take nature cure. Mention this to him on my behalf. He ought to pull through and get perfectly well through proper dieting and water and sun treatment.”45 Mahatma Gandhi wrote on nature cure, “Here is my diagnosis of your illness. You left in the midst of nature treatment. As it was not completed, there was a reaction in a radically changed climate. It would be called a healthy reaction if it could be treated a la nature-cure method. This [is] not merely hipbaths. There are steam-baths, light-baths, etc. But this was not to be. I was not alarmed over the reaction but over the just resentment in the family. They cannot sympathize with nature-cure methods.”46

Mahatma Gandhi wrote on nature cure, “I was delighted to hear that you were examined by Dr. Deshmukh even though it was after daylight. Let us hope you will profit by his prescription. Shummy’s antipathy to nature-cure is either a simple pose or simply due to prejudice born of ignorance. Ansari always appreciated it.”47 Mahatma Gandhi wrote on nature cure, “I would rather that Dwarkadas was not taken to another hospital or another doctor. You are absolutely right in saying that all doctors belong to the same brotherhood. Hence, so long as a patient is willing to stick to the same doctor, it is not right to create doubts in his mind. Even the desire to go to a vaidya should be overcome. Nature cure is another matter. But in my view even for that the time has passed. So there is no need to insist on it. I am also a believer in fate. There is considerable truth in the saying “what fate has decreed cannot be otherwise”. Only such a belief can give us strength for endurance. Human effort has its limitations.”48 Mahatma Gandhi wrote on nature cure, “I understand about Balwant. One cannot expect much improvement in his mother’s health at this age. However, I see in many instances that old age can be made bearable by following nature-cure remedies and making necessary changes in diet. A diet like a child’s suits best in old age.”49

Mahatma Gandhi wrote on nature cure, “When I was in Poona, I got the news about the set-back in your health. You have tried a good many remedies. But now I would advise you to go and consult Gaurishanker, who is a Government servant living in Santa Cruz and who practices nature cure with a purely philanthropic motive. Go to him and tell him your trouble. If he takes up your case, follow his advice. Mahadev will give his address with this and also enclose a letter to him.”50 Mahatma Gandhi wrote on nature cure, “There is no reason for you to be overwrought. It is good you have placed yourself under the doctor’s care. You are bound to be cured. Only do not give up patience. Doctors, vaidyas and hakims all make mistakes. The system precluding any possibility of mistake is nature cure. But very few people have the faith to carry it on and there are very few experienced practitioners.”52

Mahatma Gandhi wrote on nature cure, “I have your letter. You have made a big change as regards hipbath. Really useful changes can be made by the patient himself, with the help of Kuhne’s and Just’s books. Nature-cure remedies are not like ordinary drugs. A patient can say that a particular drug does not suit him, but only the vaidya who is treating him can say which one is likely to suit. In nature cure, on the other hand, the patient himself knows which remedies benefit him and, after he has submitted himself to several restrictions, can he decide as to what kind of remedies to employ and in what measures. The reason is that the guide can never know as well as the patient can, the changes that take place in the latter’s body. Do make whatever changes seem necessary. But keep me informed, as you did this time. I certainly wish that if no definite change is clearly visible this month, then you may spend a day in Delhi. Saraswati Gadodia owes her job to this remedy. Her guru is a kind maulvi. The only attraction for going to Delhi is that you can have the benefit of the advice of both.”52

Mahatma Gandhi wrote on nature cure, “Nothing is permanent. Stick to the treatment so long as you feel that it is doing you no harm. Both of you must take onions and garlic. It is my opinion that nature-cure, if intelligently taken up, is bound to benefit. Write to me in detail about the treatment you are taking and about your diet.”53 Mahatma Gandhi wrote on nature cure, “I had assumed that you were always in good health and physically robust. Narendra Dev is very ill, Jayaprakash is so-so and you are suffering from jaundice and palpitation. In Gujarat, Dinkar is perpetually ill. Meherally1 has of course always been weak. I do not know about Masani’s condition. I really feel that I should open a nature-cure clinic for persons like you, and give up all other work. You surely know that I am a nature-cure fiend. Hence you should get well if only to avoid provoking the madness in me. Your letter throws ample light on my question. Nothing further remains to be asked. But the letter raises many other questions, which we shall talk over when we meet. However, let me say one thing. It does not seem correct to say that we can never approach our objective by means of compromise. Of course, the reason for compromise should not be our weakness.”54

Mahatma Gandhi wrote on nature cure, “You must not get ill. How I wish you had full nature cure. Hope the niece is better. 1 had a personal letter today from the Viceroy of good wishes. You must write daily. Please thank the Maharaja for the fruit. But tell him why foreign fruits when this land of ours has plenty of both fresh and dried fruit.”55

References: