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AKA biogardener.

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The Kneipp Cure

by Traute Klein, AKA biogardener

Pastor Sebastian Kneipp discovered nature's miraculous healing wonders. Germans practice the principles which he taught. They are simple and cost nothing, unless you decide to learn them at the many spas throughout continental Europe.

180th Birthday Party

On May 17, 2001, the German spa city of Bad Wörishofen celebrated the 180th birthday of its most beloved parish priest, Sebastian Kneipp. He developed a system of natural wellness which is followed by many Germans all over the world. Let me introduce you to him through my own experience.

Healing by Fluke

The summer had been unusually hot and humid. I have never been able to adjust to that type of climatic condition, and my system was not working normally. I was suffering from continuous swelling of the feet for the first time in my life. Wearing shoes would have been impossible, but fortunately I walk in thongs all summer long anyway.

I had to get to the root of the problem and made an appointment with my family physician, but lo and behold, the day before I was to see him, the swelling disappeared.

It took me a whole week to figure out what had caused this sudden recovery. On the day in question, I had been walking and working in a hayfield which was soaked by a heavy rain the night before. The thongs allowed my feet to be cooled by the refreshingly wet grass. I might as well have been barefoot. That was the cause of my sudden recovery.

Popular Practices

Yes, I remembered. In my childhood, my mother would let us walk barefoot on lawns wet with dew every chance we had. We would also wade in shallow pools and ponds, ankle-deep in water, sometimes even knee-deep. We called the practice "Kneippen," but I knew little of its origin.

In 1968, I spent the summer studying at the University of Mannheim in Germany's hottest and most humid city. Many an afternoon would I cool my feet by walking barefoot on public lawns. I also noticed children wading in the pond at the castle in the middle of this Baroque city. Both practices are strictly verboten in Germany, but no one criticized me or the children. Everyone understood. From time to time, passers-by would ask me, if I was practicing "Kneippen." I realized then that the practices of my childhood were still alive among the German people.

Pastor Sebastian Kneipp

Sebastian Kneipp (1821-1897) was a Bavarian parish priest devoted to serving his community of poor people in every way possible. He had cured himself of tuberculosis when he was too poor to get medical help. He understood the plight of the people whom he served and became not only their spiritual advisor but taught them to take care of their health needs with a holistic system which is free to all. It is based on nature's miraculous healing properties.

The methods became popular in the German speaking countries of Europe as news of the priest's amazing results spread. The practices have not only gained in popularity in the last 100 years, they have led to the establishment of Kneipp spas in 60 German cities. They can be found in the links below. The medical community in Germany accepts the benefits of the system, and the national health insurance pays for treatments, both preventative and curative.

Hydrotherapy

The reasoning behind kneippen (pronounce kni-pen, yes, the K is pronounced) is simple. Wading on wet grass or in shallow water stimulates the internal organs, strengthens the immune system, and helps the body to heal itself. There are other aspects of hydrotherapy which I remember, and to my knowledge, most Germans practice many of these. One is called "Wechselbad," literally "change bath." The feet are exposed to hot and cold water in alternation. This is the same principle which we learn from the Finns who alternate between a hot sauna and a dip in a cold lake or a roll in the snow. Both of these practices encourage the body to do its own healing.

Herbalism

In Germany, natural healing methods have always been accepted by the people as well as by the medical establishment. A physician's prescription might include a herbal product as readily as a pharmaceutical. The pharmacists I have known are as knowledgeable in herbalism as in pharmacy and sell both types of products. Sebastian Kneipp's use of herbs is nothing unusual in the country. Every German home carries an assortment of herbal remedies anyway. Many products are marketed under the name Kneipp, as can be seen in one of the links below. After all, we might as well take advantage of a trusted name by attaching it to a product which is bound to sell.