Name John Christopher | Role Herbalist | |
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Died February 6, 1983, Spanish Fork, Utah, United States Books School of Natural Healing, Herbal Home Health C, Dr Christopher's Guide to, Every Woman's Herbal, Herb Syllabus: Master H | ||
John Raymond Christopher (1909–February 6, 1983) was an American herbalist called "Dr. Christopher" who was a Utah Naturopathic Physician. He was known for his numerous lecures and publications on herbs and natural healing, including School of Natural Healing. He developed over 50 herbal formulas used worldwide, and founded The School of Natural Healing in Springville, Utah.
Christopher was born to European parents. He was left in a Salt Lake City, Utah orphanage and adopted by Leander and Melissa Christopher. Born with advanced rheumatoid arthritis, he endured excruciating pain as a child, and sometimes walked with a cane or used a wheelchair. He also developed hardening of the arteries, and a nearly fatal case of croup. Doctors of his day stated he would never reach the age of thirty.
As a child, he showed interest in being a doctor who would heal people with natural remedies.
In 1945 he was drafted into the military and was stationed at Fort Lewis, where he was allowed to experiment with herbs. After his military service he moved to Canada, and studied at Dominion Herbal College in Vancouver where he obtained his degree in Naturopathy. He later studied at the now defunct Iowa's Institute of Drugless Therapy and the now defunct Los Angeles Herbal Institute.
He spent time practicing as an N.D. in Olympia, Washington, Salt Lake City, Utah and Evanston, Wyoming.
In 1953, Christopher formed The School of Natural Healing, and began teaching. In 1979, he began publication of a newsletter about using herbs for healing
Christopher created more than 50 herbal formulas, including: Complete Tissue & Bone; Lower Bowel Formula; Blood Stream Formula; Female Reproductive Formula; Super Garlic Immune Formula; Herbal Tooth and Gum Powder; and Hormonal Changease.
Christopher's son, David Christopher, began studying and working with his father, and became the director of the School of Natural Healing in 1979. David furthered the work of his father by creating additional courses and formulas. In 2009, David announced an online version of the School of Natural Healing was being released to honor the centennial of his father's birth.