German doctor of naturopathy who developed the Mucusless Diet Healing System, still popularly advocated in health-food circles. Ehret was born in Freiburg, Baden, Germany. Shortly after graduating from the University of Freiburg, he was drafted into the army but was soon released because of his heart condition. As his health continued to degenerate, he turned to various natural healing centers, including the famous water cure center headed by Fr. Sebastian Kneipp. Out of his search, he began to create his own understanding of the means to health. Healing was based on three key elements: fasting, a proper diet, and climate. He advocated fasting as a means of cleansing the body of impurities. He advocated a diet centered on raw fruit and natural foods that contained no albumin, which he believed produced mucus. As naturopathy emerged he was especially critical of colleagues who allowed substances containing albumin in their diets. He also traveled the world observing the fruits and vegetables grown in different areas as he sought to improve upon the basic diet he advocated.
Ehret developed a specific diet about which he lectured widely. He also built a sanitarium in Switzerland where diet was used to heal people. Beginning in 1914 he publicized his diet throughout the United States. He also prepared a manuscript outlining the basic aspects of his mucusless diet. After the war, he remained in California, where he had been treating a growing clientele. Unfortunately, he died in 1922 as the result of an accident; he was otherwise in perfect health. Shortly after his death, some of his supporters published his small book, Arnold Ehrets Mucusless Diet Healing System. It is still in print, though it serves only a small group of devoted vegetarians.