God is the greatest healer in history — past, present, and future. He healed lepers, the blind, the lame, and many others suffering from serious ailments, either directly or through ancient spiritual leaders like priests, elders, and prophets. In most cases, all they did was pray — and God answered. But Scripture also shows instances where “shepherds” encouraged the use of natural treatments.
Pastors today remain spiritual leaders, and calling attention to natural health remedies may challenge some assumptions. So, should pastors encourage natural health treatments — alongside prayer?
As always, we base our discussion on Scripture. To make this more concrete, let’s look at some of the shepherds and leaders who used or recommended natural health treatments.
Paul and Timothy
One verse often cited when discussing natural-health wisdom is when Paul instructs Timothy:
1 Timothy 5:23 — “Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.”
This wasn’t an invitation to excess. The wine was recommended for its natural digestive support — likely because fermentation has probiotic benefits. Probiotics can help with gut health, improve digestion, alleviate constipation, and support recovery from conditions like gastritis or even inflammatory-bowel issues.
Of course, today believers aren’t expected to lean on wine. Instead, abundant, non-alcoholic alternatives exist: yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, miso, tempeh — even raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar or properly aged cheeses. These offer many of the same benefits Paul was hinting at.
Given that Paul — a close companion of Luke (who was a physician) — recommended natural treatment, modern pastors can thoughtfully encourage similar natural health practices when they align with biblical principles.
Jeremiah and the Balm of Gilead
The “balm of Gilead” is mentioned several times in Scripture. In Jeremiah 8:22 the prophet asks:
“Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there?”
Balms — natural resins and ointments — were used for wounds, skin irritation, and infections. They functioned as ancient antiseptics and healing salves. In today’s context, using balms, soothing oils, or salves (for skin, muscle aches, or mild wounds) follows the same scriptural precedent.
Likewise, olive oil — mentioned by prophets such as Isaiah — was used in healing and caring for the body. In Luke 10:34, the Good Samaritan poured oil and wine on a wounded man. Today, gentler oils like olive, jojoba, or almond oil can serve a similar purpose for soothing, moisturizing, or promoting healing.
Isaiah and the Poultice of Figs
In 2 Kings 20:7 and Isaiah 38:21, the prophet instructs that a poultice of figs be applied to King Hezekiah’s boil — and the king recovered. While the healing involved God’s miraculous intervention, the use of a natural remedy points to an ancient respect for God-given natural healing agents.
This, and many other biblical examples, suggest that natural health treatments were once intertwined with spiritual care.
Why Pastors Should Study Natural Health
In ancient Israel, pastors and healers were often the same individuals. Prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah, or believers like Luke (a physician and apostle), cared for both soul and body. Over time, care shifted to physicians, while spiritual leaders focused on souls. But perhaps there’s value in re-exploring a more holistic model — where pastors also encourage basic natural-health wisdom.
Sometimes church members suffer from problems like exhaustion, chronic stress, or anxiety. While these may be spiritual, many times they are deeply physical: poor nutrition, lack of rest, chronic inflammation, hormonal imbalance. A pastor equipped with natural-health knowledge can walk alongside people — recommending rest, balanced diet, natural remedies, and prayer.
God created plants, herbs, and healing provisions even before modern medicine existed (Genesis 1:29–30). A balanced life — including whole foods, sunlight, rest, community, and faith — can play a significant role in preventive health. This doesn’t mean rejecting modern medicine; rather, prayer + natural wisdom + modern care can all work together for God’s healing purposes.
Integrating Faith & Practical Wellness — A Broader Perspective
Many Christian writers offer holistic-life perspectives that integrate faith, purpose, and wellness. For instance, Unshakable Life: Living a Life of Purpose, Abundance, and Eternal Impact presents a worldview grounded in faith that invites believers to live not just spiritually, but holistically — embracing spiritual well-being, personal purpose, and balanced living.
While this article focuses on natural health treatments rooted in Scripture, resources like Unshakable Life can encourage deeper reflection on how faith, health, and daily living intersect — reminding both pastors and believers that God’s design for our lives includes wholeness: body, mind, and spirit.