(1762 – 1836)

Hufeland, a revered physician in early 19th-century Germany, left an enduring legacy in preventive medicine and naturopathic care. His advocacy for the ancient Hippocratic oath – “first do no harm” – continues to inspire and guide modern medical practices.

Hufeland’s influential work brought attention to two crucial issues: disease prevention and the complexities of aging. Rather than solely focusing on curing illnesses, Hufeland advocated for their prevention by adopting a healthy diet and lifestyle. Additionally, he underscored the profound impact of emotional and mental well-being on overall health.

Hufeland ardently championed the “Nature Cure,” a holistic approach that featured hydrotherapy for colon cleansing, invigorating air and light baths, a nourishing vegetarian diet, and the potent healing properties of herbal remedies. Notably, Hufeland was a fervent advocate of the rejuvenating properties of mineral springs and the transformative “Water Cure,” famously promoted by Rev. Fr. Sebastian Kneipp.

Hufeland was a trailblazer in what we now recognize as public hygiene. His journey began in 1780 when he enrolled at the University of Jena and culminated in 1793 with his appointment as a Professor of Medicine in Jena (Thuringia). His dedication to advancing the field is evident in his achievements, including graduating in medicine from Göttingen in 1783 and gaining invaluable experience working alongside his father in Weimar.

His unwavering dedication to public health led him to commission the construction of Germany’s first morgue, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at preventing the inadvertent burial of individuals who were still alive. Furthermore, he staunchly advocated for the quarantine of smallpox patients, a critical measure in combating the spread of this devastating disease.

In 1798, he rose to lead the esteemed medical college and state medical affairs in Berlin. By 1801, he had secured a prestigious role as the personal physician to King Friedrich Wilhelm III, assuming oversight of the College of Medicine and Surgery and serving as the supervising physician of the renowned Charité hospital – a beacon of medical excellence in Europe. His influence extended to the University of Berlin, where he chaired the departments of pathology and therapeutics. In 1810, he ascended to the esteemed position of Councillor of State.

In 1800, he accepted the prestigious role of physician to the King of Prussia. When the looming threat of Napoleon’s invasion cast a shadow over Berlin, he selflessly left his family behind to accompany the royal couple to Eastern Prussia, as the queen required his specialized care. Recognizing his invaluable service, the queen generously provided the financial support needed to establish an outpatient clinic, offering free treatment to the impoverished residents of Berlin. This noble act of compassion and dedication to his community earned him election as a member of the esteemed Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in 1823.

His lectures and publications were written for educated laymen. He blazed a trail in 19th-century journalism by launching and overseeing a highly successful and esteemed medical therapy journal (Journal der practischen Arzneykunde und Wundarzneykunst, 1795-1836). One of his most cherished mantras was “Do little, leave everything to nature.”

Hufeland’s remarkable writing career comprised over 400 publications, covering a diverse range of medical subjects, including pediatrics, balneology, typhus, cholera, and medical ethics. His extensive contributions continue to shape the medical landscape, establishing him as a pioneering authority in the field.

• Die Kunst das menschliche Leben zu verlängern (The art of extending human life) – (1797).
• Medizinischer Nutzen der elektrischen Kraft beim Scheintod, (Medical Benefits of Electrical Force in Suspended Death) – (1783). – Wellcome Collection
• Vollständige Darstellung der medicinischen Kräfte und des Gebrauchs der salzsauren Schwererde (Complete description of the medicinal powers and the use of hydrochloric acid heavy earth) – (1794).
• Ueber die Natur, Erkenntnissmittel und Heilart der Skrofelkrankheit : eine von der kaiserlichen Academie der Naturforscher gekrönte Preischrift – (On the nature, means of knowledge and cure for scrofula disease: a prize publication awarded by the Imperial Academy of Natural Scientists) – (1795).
• Bemerkungen über die natürüchen und inoculirten Blattern, verschiedene Kinderkrankheiten, und sowohl medizinische als diätetische Behandlung der Kinder – (Remarks on natural and inoculated smallpox, various childhood diseases, and both medical and dietary treatment of children) -(1798).
• Pathologie – (pathology) – (1799).
• Der Schlaf und das Schlafzimmer in Beziehung auf die Gesundheit. Enthaltend eine ausführliche Belehrung für diejenigen, welche einen erquickenden und gesunden Schlaf zu haben und durch diesen ihr Leben zu verlängern wünschen – (Sleep and the bedroom in relation to health. Contains detailed instructions for those who want to have a refreshing and healthy sleep and thereby prolong their life) – (1802).
• Bibliothek der practischen Heilkunde Veröffentlicht in der academischen Buchhandlung -(Library of practical medicine Published in the academic bookstore) – (1802).
• Verhandeling over het dierlijk magnetismus – (Negotiating over the dierlijk magnetism) – (1817).
• Conspectus morborum secundum ordines naturales adjunctis characteribus specificis diagnosticis seu signis pathognomicis : In usum auditorum – (Overview of diseases according to their natural order associated with specific diagnostic characteristics or pathognomic signs: For the use of the audience) (1819).
• Guter Rath an Mütter über die wichtigsten Punkte der physischen Erziehung der Kinder in dem ersten Jahren – (Good advice to mothers about the most important points in the physical education of children in the first years) – (1799).
• Bibliothek der practischen heilkunde (Library of practical medicine) – (1799).
• Conspectus Materiae medicae secundum Ordines naturales in Usum Auditorium – (Review of Medical Materials according to Natural Orders in Use Auditorium) – (1820).
• Der Scheintod; oder, Sammlung der wichtigsten Thatsachen und Bemerkungen darüber, in alphabetischer Ordnung (The apparent death; or, Collection of the most important facts and remarks thereon, in alphabetical order) – (1808).
• Onderzoek aangande zenuwkoortsen en typhus : benevens derzelver verschillende wijze van behandeling, als mede omtrent de oorlogspest, van den vroegeren en lateren tijd, vooral met betrekking tot het aderlaten in dezelve – (Research into nervous fevers and typhus: as well as the different methods of treatment thereof, as well as the war plague, of the earlier and later periods, especially with regard to bloodletting in them) (1814).
• Praktische Uebersicht der vorzüglichsten Heilquellen Teutschlands : nach eigenen Erfahrungenby – (Practical overview of future health care in Teutschland: after your own inheritance) – (1820).
• Armen-Pharmakopöe – (Poor Pharmacopoeia) – (1825).
• Makrobiotik; oder, Die Kunst das menschliche Leben zu verlängern (macrobiotics; or, The art of extending human life) – (1826).
• Die Lehre von den Heilungsobjekten und ihrer Erkenntniss, oder, Die Jatrognomik : ein Versuch zur Vereinigung der Aerzte –  (The doctrine of healing objects and their knowledge, or, Jatrognomics: an attempt to unite doctors) – (1829).
• Lehrbuch der allgemeinen Heilkunde (Textbook of general medicine). 1830.
• Armen-Pharmakopöe : zugleich eine Auswahl bewährter Arzneimittel und Arzneiformeln – (Poor Pharmacopoeia: at the same time a selection of tried and tested medicines and medicinal formulas) – (1832).
• Enchiridion medicum oder Anleitung zur medizinischen Praxis: Vermächtniß einer Fünfzigjährigen Erfahrung(Enchiridion medicum or instructions for medical practice: a legacy of fifty years of experience.) (1841).
• Hufeland’s Art of Prolonging Life – (1854).

The NHA wishes to remind the readers that nothing in this or other publications is intended to constitute medical treatment or advice. Readers should be aware that some previous publications do not reflect the NHA’s current health teachings or approach to health in several areas.

Our Mission

The mission of the National Health Association is to educate and empower individuals to understand that health results from healthy living. We recognize the integration of all aspects of health: personal, environmental, and social.

We communicate the benefits of a plant-based diet, exercise and rest, a healthy environment, psychological well-being, and when indicated, the use of fasting.