naturopathy

noun

Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *ǵenh₁- Proto-Indo-European *ǵn̥h₁-sḱé-ti Proto-Italic *gnāskōrder. Latin nāscor Proto-Indo-European *-tew-? Proto-Indo-European *-r-eh₂? Latin -tūra Latin nātūralbor. Old French naturebor. Middle English nature English nature Ancient Greek -ο- (-o-)der. Latin -o-bor. English -o- Ancient Greek πάσχω (páskhō)der. Ancient Greek πᾰ́θος (pắthos) Proto-Indo-European *-yós Proto-Italic *-ios Old Latin -ios Latin -ius Latin -ia Old French -ieder. Middle English -ie Middle English -y English -y English -pathy English naturopathy From nature + -o- + -pathy.

1. A system of therapy that avoids synthetic drugs and surgery, while emphasizing the use of natural remedies (plants and the elements) and physical means (massage, acupuncture) to treat illness.