Benedict Lust
Encyclopedia
Benedict Lust, ND, DO, MD (February 3, 1872 - September 5, 1945), was one of the founders of naturopathic medicine
in the first decade of the twentieth century.
, in the Black Forest
, where he was raised. After working as a professional waiter in Baden-Baden
, Geneva
, and New York City
, he became ill (with what he felt was tuberculosis) and decided to return to Germany to seek the water cure offered by Father Sebastian Kneipp
. He claimed his health improved dramatically, and he became an even more fervent believer in natural medicine.
On Father Kneipp's advice, he returned to the United States to spread the word. After opening an early health food store
, he began publishing several German and English language magazines advocating hydrotherapy
and nature cure. One of his regular customers at the time was Bernarr Macfadden
, the flamboyant popularizer of physical fitness and natural medicine. He married Louise Stroebel Lust, ND on June 11, 1901. He attended and graduated from the New York Homeopathic Medical College in 1901, where he suffered ridicule for his beliefs in natural medicine. He obtained his osteopathic degree in 1902 from the Universal College of Osteopathy in New York.
In 1902 Lust purchased the rights to the term naturopathy from John Scheel, MD. He soon opened the American School of Naturopathy in New York City, the first naturopathic medical school in the world. He went on to establish popular and successful health resorts known as Yungborn in Butler, New Jersey
and Tangerine, Florida (Which also acted as the Winter Campus for the American School of Naturopathy until 2001). He also founded the American Naturopathic Association, the first national professional organization of naturopathic physicians.
In 1918 he published the Universal Naturopathic Encyclopedia for drugless therapy, and also published Nature’s Path magazine.
He became known as the "Father of Naturopathy" in America, and his writings and magazines introduced the country not only to German methods, but also Indian concepts of Ayurveda
and Yoga
. Paramahansa Yogananda
was one of several Indians who wrote articles for Nature’s Path in the 1920s, gaining wide exposure to a large American audience. Lust was harassed by authorities and medical associations for promoting his approach towards healing, involving massage and nude sun bathing, at his health resorts, and was arrested at least 19 times by New York and Federal authorities.
Naturopathic medicine
Naturopathy, or Naturopathic Medicine, is a form of alternative medicine based on a belief in vitalism, which posits that a special energy called vital energy or vital force guides bodily processes such as metabolism, reproduction, growth, and adaptation...
in the first decade of the twentieth century.
Biography
He was born in Michelbach, GermanyGermany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, in the Black Forest
Black Forest
The Black Forest is a wooded mountain range in Baden-Württemberg, southwestern Germany. It is bordered by the Rhine valley to the west and south. The highest peak is the Feldberg with an elevation of 1,493 metres ....
, where he was raised. After working as a professional waiter in Baden-Baden
Baden-Baden
Baden-Baden is a spa town in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is located on the western foothills of the Black Forest, on the banks of the Oos River, in the region of Karlsruhe...
, Geneva
Geneva
Geneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
, and New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, he became ill (with what he felt was tuberculosis) and decided to return to Germany to seek the water cure offered by Father Sebastian Kneipp
Sebastian Kneipp
Sebastian Kneipp was a Bavarian priest and one of the founders of the Naturopathic medicine movement...
. He claimed his health improved dramatically, and he became an even more fervent believer in natural medicine.
On Father Kneipp's advice, he returned to the United States to spread the word. After opening an early health food store
Health food store
A health food store is a type of grocery store that primarily sells health food, organic foods, local produce, and often nutritional supplements...
, he began publishing several German and English language magazines advocating hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy, formerly called hydropathy, involves the use of water for pain-relief and treating illness. The term hydrotherapy itself is synonymous with the term water cure as it was originally marketed by practitioners and promoters in the 19th century...
and nature cure. One of his regular customers at the time was Bernarr Macfadden
Bernarr Macfadden
Bernarr Macfadden was an influential American proponent of physical culture, a combination of bodybuilding with nutritional and health theories...
, the flamboyant popularizer of physical fitness and natural medicine. He married Louise Stroebel Lust, ND on June 11, 1901. He attended and graduated from the New York Homeopathic Medical College in 1901, where he suffered ridicule for his beliefs in natural medicine. He obtained his osteopathic degree in 1902 from the Universal College of Osteopathy in New York.
In 1902 Lust purchased the rights to the term naturopathy from John Scheel, MD. He soon opened the American School of Naturopathy in New York City, the first naturopathic medical school in the world. He went on to establish popular and successful health resorts known as Yungborn in Butler, New Jersey
Butler, New Jersey
Butler is a Borough in Morris County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 7,539.Butler was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 13, 1901, from portions of Pequannock Township.-Geography:Butler is located at...
and Tangerine, Florida (Which also acted as the Winter Campus for the American School of Naturopathy until 2001). He also founded the American Naturopathic Association, the first national professional organization of naturopathic physicians.
In 1918 he published the Universal Naturopathic Encyclopedia for drugless therapy, and also published Nature’s Path magazine.
He became known as the "Father of Naturopathy" in America, and his writings and magazines introduced the country not only to German methods, but also Indian concepts of Ayurveda
Ayurveda
Ayurveda or ayurvedic medicine is a system of traditional medicine native to India and a form of alternative medicine. In Sanskrit, words , meaning "longevity", and , meaning "knowledge" or "science". The earliest literature on Indian medical practice appeared during the Vedic period in India,...
and Yoga
Yoga
Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline, originating in ancient India. The goal of yoga, or of the person practicing yoga, is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility while meditating on Supersoul...
. Paramahansa Yogananda
Paramahansa Yogananda
Paramahansa Yogananda , born Mukunda Lal Ghosh , was an Indian yogi and guru who introduced many westerners to the teachings of meditation and Kriya Yoga through his book, Autobiography of a...
was one of several Indians who wrote articles for Nature’s Path in the 1920s, gaining wide exposure to a large American audience. Lust was harassed by authorities and medical associations for promoting his approach towards healing, involving massage and nude sun bathing, at his health resorts, and was arrested at least 19 times by New York and Federal authorities.