Sebastian Kneipp

Sebastian Kneipp (; 17 May 1821 – 17 June 1897) was a German Catholic priest and one of the forefathers of the naturopathic movement. He is most commonly associated with the "Kneipp Cure" form of hydrotherapy (often called "Kneipp therapy" or "Kneippism" ), the application of water through various methods, temperatures, and pressures, which he claimed to have therapeutic or healing effects, thus building several hospitals in Bad Wörishofen.

Although most commonly associated with one area of nature cure, Kneipp was the proponent of an entire system of healing, which rested on five main tenets:

Hydrotherapy – the use of water to treat ailments Phytotherapy – the use of botanical medicines was another of Kneipp's specialties Exercise – promoting health of the body through movement Nutrition – a wholesome diet of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables with limited meat Balance – Kneipp believed that a healthy mind begets a healthy person

Early life Kneipp was born in 1821 in Stephansried in the Kingdom of Bavaria. His father was a weaver, and Kneipp trained as a weaver until he was 23 when he began training for the priesthood. Kneipp was so ill that he was visited by a physician around 100 times in each of his last two years of study. In 1893, M. E. Bottey described Kneipp's water cures as "dangerous in most cases". Wörishofen became known as a place with a reputation for spiritual healing. After being ordained in 1852, he continued to experiment with water treatments in his parish. In America, Kneipp Societies were founded, which, under the influence of Benedict Lust, changed their name to Naturopatic Society of America. Today there are 600 organizations that are a part of Kneipp Worldwide and there are approximately 1000 members of the International Society of Kneipp Physicians. Kneipp's likeness was featured on a stamp. Many towns in Germany have statues to honour Kneipp, including Füssen.