The Natural Remedies for Disease

What the Spirit of Prophecy has to say in reference to the treatment of disease.

By E. H. RISLEY, M. D., Dean, College of Medical Evangelists, Loma Linda

The Natural Remedies for Disease

In reading the works of the Spirit of proph­ecy with reference to the treatment of disease, and especially in presenting the same to the first-year class in medicine of the College of Medical Evangelists, it has occurred to me that it would be helpful to summarize a few of the quotations given in such books as Ministry of Healing," the volumes of the "Testimonies," "Counsels on Health," and "Healthful Living." As introductory quotations, the following are of special interest:

"There are many ways of practicing the healing art ; but there is only one way that Heaven approves. God's remedies are the simple agencies of nature, that will not tax or debilitate the system through their powerful properties. Pure air and water, cleanliness, a proper diet, purity of life, and a firm trust in God, are remedies for the want of which thousands are dying; yet these remedies are going out of date because their skillful use requires work that the people do not appreciate. Fresh air, exer­cise, pure water, and clean, sweet premises, are within the reach of all with but little expense; but drugs are expensive, both in the outlay of means, and the effect produced upon the system."—"Testimonies," Vol. V, P. 443.

Pure air, sunlight, abstemiousness, rest, exercise, proper diet, the use of water, trust in divine power, ---these are the true remedies. Every person should have a knowledge of nature's remedial agencies and how to apply them. It is essential both to under­stand the principles involved in the treatment of the sick and to have a practical training that will en­able one rightly to use this knowledge."—"Ministry of Healing," p, 727.

The remedies mentioned in the foregoing quotations, together with a few others mentioned elsewhere in Mrs. White's writings, make quite an array of interesting agencies that are of value in the treatment of disease.

I. Pure Air.—In both of these quotations, it will be noted that pure air is mentioned first. Additional quotations that deal specifically with this remedy follow:

"The more the patient can be kept out of doors, the less care will he require. The more cheerful his surroundings. the more hopeful will he be. Shut up in the house, be it ever so elegantly furnished, he will grow fretful and gloomy. Surround him with the beautiful things of nature ; place him where he can see the flowers growing and hear the birds singing, and his heart will break into song in har­mony with the songs of the birds. Relief will come to body and mind."—Id., p. 265.

"Life in the open air is good for body and mind.

It is God's medicine for the restoration of health. Pure air, good water, sunshine, the beautiful sur­roundings of nature,—these are His means for re­storing the sick to health in natural ways. To the sick it is worth more than silver or gold to lie in the sunshine or in the shade of the trees."—"Testi­monies," Vol. VII, p. 85.

2. Sunlight.—Another remedy mentioned is sunlight. The two following quotations clearly present this agency as a very important and useful remedial measure:

"The sunlight may fade the drapery and the car­pets, and tarnish the picture frames ; but it will bring a healthy glow to the cheeks of the children.- —"Ministry of Healing." p. 275.

'Go out into the light and warmth of the glorious sun, you pale and Sickly ones, and share with vege­tation its life-giving, health-dealing power."—"Healthful Living," par. 983.

3. Abstemiousness.—The idea of abstemi­ousness in the life is definitely presented as a remedial agency in the following quotation:

"Intemperate eating is often the cause of sickness, and what nature most needs is to be relieved of the undue burden that has been placed upon her. In many cases of sickness, the very best remedy is for the patient to fast for a meal or two, that the over­worked organs of digestion may have an opportunity to rest. A fruit diet for a few days has often brought great relief to brain workers. Many times a short period of entire abstinence from food, fol­lowed by simple, moderate eating, has led to re­covery through nature's own recuperative effort. An abstemious diet for a month or two would convince many sufferers that the path of self-denial is the path to health."—"Ministry of Healing," p. 235.

4. Rest.—Rest has long been considered a very important remedy. especially in connection with the treatment of tuberculosis. A good statement with reference to this type of treat­ment follows:

Some make themselves sick by overwork. For these, rest, freedom from care, and a spare diet. are essential to restoration of health."—Id., p. 236.

5. Exercise.---While we note that in certain cases rest is of importance in treating diseases. we know also that in'other cases exercise is of great value, as is shown by the following quotations:

"In all these cases, well-directed physical exercise would prove an effective remedial agent. In some cases it is indispensable to the recovery of health. The will goes with the labor of the hands ; and what these invalids need is to have the will aroused. When the will is dormant, the imagination becoines abnormal, and it is impossible to resist disease."—Id., p. 239.

"Those whose habits are sedentary should, when the weather will permit, exercise in the open air every day, summer or winter. Walking is prefer­able to riding or driving, for it brings more of the muscles into exercise. The lungs are forced into healthy action, since it is impossible to walk briskly without inflating them.

"Such exercise would in many cases be better for the health than medicine. Physicians often advise their patients to take an ocean Voyage, to go to some mineral spring, or to visit different places for change of climate, when in most cases if they would eat temperately, and take cheerful, healthful exercise, they would recover health, and would save time and money."—/d., p. 240.

6. Proper Diet.—Diet is one of the most outstanding and important agencies that we have for the treatment of disease, and it is so considered by practically all scientific workers. More and more emphasis is being placed on the diet question, and all up-to-date hospitals are supplied with a complete and thoroughly organized dietary section, with a highly skilled and trained personnel. Among the many state­ments to be found on this subject in the Spirit of prophecy, the following clearly point out this idea :

"Scanty, ill-cooked food depraves the blood by weakening the blood-making organs. It deranges the system, and brings on disease, with its accompani­ment of irritable nerves and bad tempers. The vic­tims of poor cookery are numbered by thousands and tens of thousands. ,

"It is a sacred duty for those who cook to learn how to prepare healthful food. Many souls are lost as the result of poor cookery. It takes thought and care to make good bread; but there is more reli­gion in a loaf of good bread than many think. There are few really good cooks. Young women think that it is menial to cook and do other kinds of housework ; and, for this reason, many girls who marry and have the care of families have little idea of the duties devolving upon a wife and mother."— Id., p. 302. (See also 'Counsels on Health," pp. 120, 121, DA.)

7. Water.—From the very first, our message with reference to health has included the use of water in the treatment of disease. This is presented in "Ministry of Healing," page 237:

"But many have never learned by experience the beneficial effects of the proper use of water, and they are afraid of it. Water treatments are not appreciated as they should be, and to apply them skillfully requires work that many are unwilling to perform. But none should feel excused for igno­rance or indifference on this subject. There are many ways in which water can be applied to relieve pain and check disease. All should become intelli­gent in its use in simple home treatments. Mothers, especially, should know how to care for their fami­lies in both health and sickness.

8. Trust in Divine Power.—An important remedial agent is also found in trust in divine power. Note this from "Ministry of Healing" on this topic:

"Christ is the true head of the medical profession. The chief Physician, He is at the side of every God-fearing practitioner who works to relieve human suffering. While the physician uses nature's remedies for physical disease, he should point his patients to Him who can relieve the maladies of both the soul and the body. That which physicians can only aid in doing, Christ accomplishes."—Page

There are many other references to the source of healing, two of which follow:

"The blessing of God is a healer ; and those who are abundant in benefiting others, will realize that wondrous blessing in their hearts and lives."—'Healthful Living,' par. 1000

"The influence of the Spirit of God is the very best medicine for disease. Heaven is all health ; the more deeply heavenly influences are realized, the more sure will be the recovery of the believing invalid,"—Id., par. 1007.

9. Mental Hygiene.—.A clear conscience, cheerfulness, and doing good are also cited as remedial agents, and are to be considered in the field of mental hygiene:

"Cheerfulness and a clear conscience are better than drugs, and will be an effective agent in your restoration to health."—Id., par. roar.

"A contented mind, a cheerful spirit, is health to the body and strength to the soul. Nothing is so fruitful a cause of disease as depression, gloominess, and sadness."—Id., par. 996.

"The consciousness of right doing is the best medicine for diseased bodies and minds. He who is at peace with God has secured the most important requisite to health. The blessing of the Lord is life to the receiver."—Id., par. 1003.

The power of mind over body is quite fre­quently mentioned as a valuable agency. In fact, we are told that much of the illness that prevails is due to an unfavorable balance between these two. The following quotations are worthy of thought:

"Thousands are sick and dying around us who might get well and live if they would; but their imagination holds them. They fear that they will be made worse if they labor or exercise, when this is just the change they need to make them well. With­out this, they never can improve. They should exer­cise the power of the will, rise above their aches and debility, and engage in useful employment, and forget that they have aching backs, sides, lungs, and heads."—Id., par. 989.

"A person whose mind is quiet and satisfied in God is in the pathway to health."—Id., par. 1012.

10. Prayer.—Prayer for the sick surely has a very definite field for missionary workers. "Testimonies," Volume V, page 443, gives a helpful word for our medical men in regard to the work of the Christian physician :

"The physician should know how to pray. In many cases he must increase suffering in order to save life; and whether the patient is a Christian or not, he feels greater security if he knows that his physician fears God. Prayer will give the sick an abiding confidence : and many times if their cases are borne to the Great Physician in humble trust, it will do more for them than all the drugs that can be administered."

These quotations do not by any means ex­haust the subject, but give a brief summary of a few of the more important agencies that are mentioned in the writings of the Spirit of prophecy, and perhaps will stimulate the reader to a definite study of the problem for himself.


Ministry reserves the right to approve, disapprove, and delete comments at our discretion and will not be able to respond to inquiries about these comments. Please ensure that your words are respectful, courteous, and relevant.

comments powered by Disqus

By E. H. RISLEY, M. D., Dean, College of Medical Evangelists, Loma Linda

May 1942

Download PDF
Ministry Cover

More Articles In This Issue

The "Wednesday" Crucifixion Argument

Wednesday-crucifixion champions, who base their contentions upon the wrong Passover full moon, often seek to bolster their Position by misuse of tables secured from the United States Naval Observatory. Are these reliable authorities?

Doing What "Can't be Done"

Our greatest fruitage held back by our own unbelief

Adapting Evangelism in China

Evangelism in China has unlimited possibilities, for here is found the largest group of humanity in any nation of the world.

Mission Problem of Illiteracy

Illiteracy is one of the greatest problems that face foreign missions.

Aggressive Evangelism and the Pastor

The secret of successful pastoral evangelism defined.

Outlines for Evangelistic Distribution

Remember that a printed outline is preferred to mimeographed sermon.

Radio Lightens the Evangelistic Load

Radio evangelism in action. A discussion of plans, methods, and objectives.

Expanding the National Broadcast

Encouraged by the opening weeks, the Gen­eral Conference Committee, on the recommen­dation of the Radio Commission, has author­ized an added budget expenditure for more stations.

Making Our Broadcasts Distinctive

Through the radio, we not only enter the individual's home, but also open the way to his heart for the message of mercy that will save him in the kingdom of God.

What Bible Workers Expect of Evangelists

A bible worker interchange article.

View All Issue Contents

Digital delivery

If you're a print subscriber, we'll complement your print copy of Ministry with an electronic version.

Sign up
Advertisement - RevivalandReformation 300x250

Recent issues

See All