Natural Hygiene, Orthopathy, and the Timeless Wisdom of Fasting

When it comes to health, few movements have been as radical and enduring as Natural Hygiene. Rooted in the belief that the human body has an inherent ability to heal itself when given the right conditions, this philosophy emphasises simplicity, self-responsibility, and respect for nature’s laws. At its core sits Herbert M. Shelton (1895–1985), one of the most influential figures in modern natural healing.

Shelton carried the torch for orthopathy—the “correct” or “true” path of healing—teaching that most illness is the result of poor living habits, wrong diet, and overstimulation of the body with drugs. His answer was simple but profound: remove the causes, supply the body with rest, pure food, and fasting when needed, and allow nature to do the work.

Herbert Shelton and the Natural Hygiene Movement

Shelton wrote over 40 books, including classics such as Human Life: Its Philosophy and Laws and The Science and Fine Art of Fasting.
He ran fasting retreats in the US for decades, guiding thousands of patients through supervised fasts.
His message was consistent: health is not found in pills or potions, but in living in harmony with biological laws—fresh air, sunlight, rest, wholesome food, and moderation.

Shelton described disease not as an enemy to be destroyed, but as the body’s healing effort. Symptoms such as fever, mucus, or fatigue were signals of cleansing, not malfunctions to be suppressed. This was—and still is—a radical departure from mainstream medicine.

Orthopathy: The Philosophy of True Healing

The term orthopathy literally means “right suffering.” Instead of suppressing symptoms with drugs, orthopathy teaches us to support the body through its crisis. For example:

Fever is a sign the body is fighting infection—support with rest and hydration rather than medication.
Colds and flu are often best managed by fasting lightly or skipping meals until appetite returns.
Chronic disease is seen as the cumulative effect of wrong living habits—best reversed by correcting those habits over time.

Shelton’s central claim was that the body is self-healing if given the conditions of health: proper diet, rest, fresh air, water, sunshine, exercise, emotional balance, and above all, freedom from toxic overload.

Fasting: The Fine Art of Resting the Body

Shelton believed fasting was the greatest tool of natural hygiene. In his classic Fasting Can Save Your Life, he showed how abstaining from food allows the body to:

Rest the digestive system, diverting energy to healing.
Detoxify, clearing waste and accumulated by-products of poor diets.
Reset appetite and taste, helping people enjoy simple, natural foods again.
Promote longevity, by reducing metabolic strain and inflammation.

He warned, however, that fasting should be applied wisely. Short fasts (24–72 hours) can be safe for most healthy people, while extended fasts should ideally be supervised by someone knowledgeable in natural hygiene.

Practical Tips for Daily Life (Shelton-Style, Modernised for Aussies)

Eat simply: Focus on whole foods—fresh fruit, vegetables, nuts, eggs, and clean meats if you eat them. Avoid ultra-processed foods.
Food combining: Don’t overload the stomach with incompatible meals (like heavy proteins and starches together). Keep meals light and balanced.
Fast smart: Listen to your body. Skip meals when unwell. Try occasional short fasts instead of constant snacking.
Prioritise rest: Health isn’t just about food—sleep, downtime, and mental quiet are essential.
Budget-conscious: Nature’s diet is cheap. Seasonal produce, bulk legumes, and fresh water cost far less than supplements or fad health products.
Movement and sunshine: Regular walking and exposure to fresh air beat gym memberships and pills.

Other Voices in the Fasting and Natural Hygiene World

Sylvester Graham (1794–1851) – early reformer who promoted whole grains, vegetarianism, and temperance.
Russell Thacker Trall (1812–1877) – physician and author of The True Healing Art (1855), one of the first major works to reject drugs in favour of hygienic living.
Dr. Alec Burton (1930–2021) – an Australian natural hygienist who carried Shelton’s torch, supervising fasts in Sydney and Melbourne for decades.
Dr. Isabelle Moser (1940s–1996) – naturopath who authored How and When to Be Your Own Doctor, a practical modern extension of Shelton’s ideas.

These voices remind us that fasting and natural living are not fads—they are practices with centuries of tradition.

Key Takeaways

The body is inherently self-healing if we remove obstacles and provide proper conditions.
Drugs often suppress symptoms instead of addressing causes.
Fasting is a powerful, low-cost way to promote healing and clarity.
True health requires simplicity—good food, rest, air, water, sunshine, and peace of mind.
Orthopathy and natural hygiene remain relevant today as antidotes to overmedicalised living.

Final Thought

In a world full of supplements, pharmaceuticals, and expensive health trends, the wisdom of Shelton and the natural hygiene movement feels refreshingly simple—and thrifty. Sometimes the most powerful medicine is not adding more, but taking away: excess food, stimulation, and stress.

Natural hygiene invites us to trust the body, live in harmony with nature, and rediscover that healing often costs nothing at all.

Ref: Herbert Shelton – 40 books, The Soil and Health Library , The National Health Association (NHA)