Piles

Piles or haemorrhoids are among the most common ailments today, especially in the Western
world. They are a varicose and often inflammed condition of the veins inside or just outside the
rectum. In external piles there is a lot of pain, but not much bleeding. In case of internal piles
there is discharge of dark blood. In some cases the veins burst and this results in what is known
as bleeding piles.
Symptoms
Pain at passing stools, slight bleeding in the case of internal trouble and a feeling of soreness
and irritation after passing a stool are the usual symptoms of piles. The patient cannot sit
comfortably due to itching, discomfort and pain in the rectal region.
Causes
The primary cause of piles is chronic constipation and other bowel disorders. The pressure
applied to pass a stool to evacuate constipated bowls and the congestion caused by
constipation ultimately lead to piles. The use of purgatives to relieve constipation, by their
irritating and weakening effect on the lining of the rectum, also result in enlargement and
inflammation of veins and bleeding of the mucus lining. Piles are more common during
pregnancy and in conditions affecting the liver and upper bowel. Prolonged periods of standing
or sitting, strenuous work, obesity and general weakness of the tissues of the body are the other
contributory causes of piles.
Mental tension is also one of the main causes of harmorrioids. Persons who are always in a
hurry often strain while passing stools. They rush through defecation instead of making it a
relaxed affair. The pressure thus exerted by the anal muscles affect the surrounding tissues. The
extra rectal pressure and the resultant congestion of veins ultimately leads to haemorrhoids.
There is probably a hereditary factor also involved in the development of piles.
Treatment
The treatment of the basic cause, namely, chronic constipation, is the only way to get rid of the
trouble. To begin with, the whole digestive tract must be given a complete rest for a few days
and the intestines thoroughly cleansed. For this purpose the patient should adopt an all-fruit diet
for at least seven days. After the all-fruit diet, the patient may adopt a diet of natural foods aimed
at securing soft stools.
The most important food remedy for piles is dry figs. Three or four figs should be soaked
overnight in water after cleansing them thoroughly in hot water. They should be taken the first
thing in the morning along with water in which they were soaked. They should also be taken in
the evening in a similar manner. This treatment should be continued for three or four weeks. The
tiny seeds of the fruit possess an excellent quality of stimulating peristalic movements of
intestines. This facilitates easy evacuation of faeces and keeps the alimentary canal clean.
The pressure on the anus having thus been relieved, the haemorrhoids also get contracted.
Mango seeds are regarded as an effective remedy for bleeding piles. The seeds should be
collected during the mango season, dried in the shade and powdered and kept stored for use as
medicine. It should be given in doses of about one and a half gram to two grams with or without
honey.
The jambul fruit is another effective food remedy for bleeding piles. The fruit should be taken
with salt every morning for two or three months in its season. The use of the fruit in this manner
in every season will effect a radical cure and save the user from bleeding piles during his / her
entire life.
White radish is considered highly valuable in the treatment of piles. Grated radish mixed with
honey may be taken in this condition. This vegetable can also be taken in the form of juice mixed with a pinch of salt. It should be given in doses of 60 to 90 ml. in the morning and evening. White
radish well ground into a paste in milk can also be beneficial applied over inflammed pile masses
to relieve pain and swelling.
The patient should drink atleast six to eight glasses of water a day. He should avoid straining to
pass a stool. Cold water treatment helps the veins to shrink and tones up their walls. The
treatment is done by sitting in a tub filled with cold water for two minutes with knees drawn up to
your chin. The water level should cover the hips. This should be done twice a day. Other water
treatments beneficial in curing piles include cold perennial douche and cold compress applied to
the rectal area for an hour before bed time.
A patient with piles must make an all out effort to tone up the entire system. Exercise plays an
important corrective role in this condition. Movements which exercise the abdominal muscles will
improve circulation in the rectal region and relieve congestion. Outdoor exercises such as
walking and swimming are excellent methods of building up general health. Yogic kriyas like
jalneti and vamandhouti and asanas such as sarvangasana,viparit karani, halasana,
gomukhasana are also useful. Sarvangasana is especially beneficial as it drains stagnant blood
from the anus.

Peptic Ulcer

Peptic Ulcer refers to an eroded lesion in the gastric intestinal mucosa. An ulcer may form in any
part of the digestive tract which is exposed to acid gastric juice, but is usually found in the
stomach and the duodenum. The ulcer located in the stomach is known as gastric ulcer and that
located in the duodenum is called a deudenal ulcer. Usually both are grouped together and
termed peptic ulcer.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms of peptic ulcer are sharp and severe pain and discomfort in the
upper central abdomen. The pain is commonly described as burning or gnawing in character.
Gastric ulcer pain usually occurs an hour after meals, but rarely at night. Duodenal ulcer pan
usually occurs between meals when the stomach is empty and is relieved by food, especially
milk. It is often described as hunger pain and gets the sufferer out of bed between 2 and 4 a.m.
As the disease progresses there is distension of the stomach due to excessive flatulence,
besides mental tension, insomnia and a gradual weakening of the body. It may also cause
constipation with occasional blood in the stools. If an ulcer bleeds slowly, there is anaemia.
Causes
Peptic ulcers result from hyperacidity which is a condition caused by an increase in hydrochloric
acid in the stomach. This strong acid, secreted by the cells lining the stomach, affects much of
the breakdown of food. It can be potentially dangerous and, under certain circumstances, it may
eat its way through the lining of the stomach or duodenum producing, first, irritation of the
stomach wall and eventually an ulcer.
Dietetic indiscretion, like overeating, taking of heavy meals or highly spiced foods, coffee,
alcohol and smoking are the main factors contributing to this condition. The ingestion of certain
drugs, particularly aspirin, food poisoning, infections like influenza and septicaemia and gout
may also cause ulcers. Emotional stress or nervous tension also plays a major role in the
formation of ulcers.
Treatment
Diet is of utmost importance in the treatment of ulcer. The diet should be so arranged as to
provide adequate nutrition to afford rest to the disturbed organs, to maintain continuous
neutralisation of the gastric acid, to inhibit production of acid and to reduce mechanical and
chemical irritation. Milk, cream, butter, fruits, and fresh, raw and boiled vegetables, natural foods
and natural vitamin supplements are the best diet for an ulcer patient.
The most effective remedy for peptic ulcers is bananas. They are said to contain an unidentified
compound called, perhaps jokingly, vitamin U (against ulcers). Bananas neutralises the over
acidity of the gastric juices and reduces the irritation of the ulcer by quoting the lining of the
stomach. Banana and milk are considered an ideal diet for the patients who are in an advanced
state of the disease.
Almond milk made from blanched almonds in a blender is very beneficial as it binds the excess
of acid in the stomach and supplies high quality proteins. Raw goat’s milk is also highly
beneficial. It actually helps to heal peptic ulcer.
Cabbage is regarded as another useful home remedy for peptic ulcers. Cabbage is boiled in
water. This water is allowed to cool and taken twice daily. The leaves of kalyana murangal tree,
which is a variety of drumstick found in South India, have also proved helpful in the healing of
the ulcers. The leaves of this tree are ground into a paste and taken mixed with yogurt daily.
Raw vegetables juices, particularly carrot and cabbage juices are beneficial in the treatment of
the peptic ulcers. Carrot juice may be taken either alone or in combination with spinach or beat
and cucumber. The formula proportions in the case of the first combination are 300 ml. of carrots
and 200 ml. of spinach and in case of the second combination, 300 ml. of carrots and three
ounces each of beets and cucumber to make half a litre of juice.
The observance of certain rules by an ulcer patient with regard to eating habits are essential. He
should never eat when tired or emotionally upset, nor when he is not hungry even if it is meal
time, nor when his mouth is dry. He should chew every morsel thoroughly. He should eat only
natural foods and take food in as dry a form as possible. Meals must be small and frequent. All
foods and drinks which are either too hot or too cold should be avoided.
The ulcer patient should drink eight to 10 glasses of water every day. However, he should not
drink water during or with meals, but only half an hour before or one hour after he has eaten. He
should bathe, preferably in cold water, twice daily. Alternate hot and cold hip baths for 10 to 15
minutes and a mud pack applied over the lower abdominal for half an hour daily will help the
ulcers to heal. The hip bath or the mud pack should be taken on an empty stomach and should
be followed by a walk. In case of haemorrhage in the stomach, a rectal enema should be
administered four times daily with water temperature at 110 to 115 o F. In case of abdominal or
stomach pain, hot pack should be placed on the abdomen with water temperature at 120 o F. A
hot pack should also be placed between the shoulder blades.
Daily massages and deep breathing exercises also help. Above all, the patient must try to rid
himself of worries and stay cheerful. He should also cultivate regularity in his habit - be it work,
exercise or rest. Asanas which are beneficial in the treatment of hyperacidity and ulcers are
vajrasana, uttanpadasana, pawanmuktasana, bhujasana, paschimottanasana. Yogic kriyas like
jalneti and pranayamas like anuloma-viloma , shitali and sitkari are also beneficial.
Hyperacidity does not appear suddenly ; it develops gradually and its cure is also a gradual
process. The patient should not lose patience but must continue the regimen suggested ; this
will help him get relief from his ailment.

Obesity

Obesity may be described as a bodily condition characterised by excessive deposition or
storage of fat in adipose tissue. It usually results from consumption of food in excess of
physiological needs. Obesity is common among people in Western countries and among the
higher income groups in India and other developing countries.
Obesity can occur at any age in either sex. Its incidence is higher inpersons who consume more
food and lead sedentary leaves. Among women, obesity is liable to occur after pregnancy and at
menopause. A woman usually gains about 12 kgs. weight during pregnancy. Part of this is an
increase in the adipose tissue which serves as a store against the demands of lactation. Many
women gain more and retain part of this weight. They become progressively obese with each
succeeding child.
Obesity is a serious health hazard as the extra fats puts a strain on the heart, kidneys and liver
as well as the large weight-bearing joints such as the hips, knees and ankles, which ultimately
shortens the life span. It has been truly said, ‘ the longer the belt, the short the life. ‘ Overweight
persons are susceptible to several diseases like coronary thrombosis, heart failure, high blood
pressure, diabetes, arthritis, gout and liver and gall-bladder disorders.
Causes
The chief cause of obesity , most often, is overeating - that is, the intake of calories beyond the
body’s energy requirement. Some people are habituated to eating too much while others may be
in the habit of consuming high-calorie foods. These people gain weight continuously as they fail
to adjust their appetite to reduce energy requirements. There has, in recent times, been an
increase in awareness of psychological aspects of obesity. Persons who are generally bored ,
unhappy, lonely or unloved, those who are discontented with their families, or social or financial
standing usually tend to overeat as eating is a pleasure and solace to them.
Obesity is sometimes also the result of disturbances of the thyroid or pituitary glands. But
glandular disorders account for only about two per cent of the total incidence of obesity. In such
persons, the basal metabolism rate is low and they keep gaining weight unless they take a
low-calorie diet.
Treatment
A suitably planned course of dietetic treatment, in conjunction with suitable exercise and other
measures for promoting elimination is the only scientific way of dealing with obesity. The chief
consideration in this treatment should be the balanced selection of foods which provide the
maximum essential nutrients with the least number of calories.
To begin with, the patient should undertake a juice fast for seven to ten days. Juices of lemon,
grape fruit, orange, pineapple, cabbage, celery, may be taken during this period. Long juice fast
upto 40 days can also be undertaken, but only under expert guidance and supervision. In the
alternative, short juice fasts should be repeated at regular intervals of two months or so till the
desired reduction in weight is achieved.
After the juice fast, the patient should spend a further four or five days on an all-fruit diet, taking
three meals of fresh juicy fruits such as oranges, grapefruit, pineapple and papaya. Thereafter,
he may gradually embark upon a low-calorie well- balanced diet of three basic food groups,
namely (i) seeds, nuts and grains , (ii) vegetables and (iii)fruits, with emphasis on raw fruits,
vegetables, and fresh juices.
The foods which should be drastically curtailed or altogether avoided are high-fat foods such as
butter, cheese, chocolates, cream, ice-cream, fat meats, fried foods, and gravies ; high
carbohydrated foods like bread, candy, cake, cookies, cereal products, legumes, potatoes,
honey, sugar, syrup and rich puddings beverages such as all-fountain drinks and alcoholic
drinks.One sure method of reducing weight is by practicising what is known as "Fletcherism". It was
discovered in 1898 by Horace Fletcher of the U.S.A.. Fletlcher, at 40, considered himself an old
man. He was 50 pounds overweight, contracted flu every six months and constantly complained
of indigestion and a tired feeling. After a deep study, he made some important discoveries and
prescribed the rules for "Fletcherism" which are as follows :
1. Chew your food to a pulp or milky liquid until it practically swallows itself.
2. Never eat until hungry.
3. Enjoy every bite or morsel, savouring the flavour until it is swallowed.
Do not eat when tired, angry, worried, and at meal-time refuse to think or talk about
unpleasant subjects.
4.
Horace Fletcher followed these rules for five months. As a result he lost more than 60 pounds
and felt better than he had for 20 years. A weight reducing programme built on Fletcherism
works wonders and is worth a trial.
Ingestion of honey is an excellent home remedy for obesity. It mobilises the extra deposited fat
in the body and puts it into circulation which is utilised as energy for normal functions. One
should start with small quantity of about 10 grams to be taken with hot water. The dose can be
gradually increased.
Fasting on honey -lime juice water is highly beneficial in the treatment of obesity without the loss
of energy and appetite. In this mode of treatment, one spoon of fresh honey should be mixed
with a juice of half a lime in a glass of lukewarm water and taken at regularly intervals.
Another effective remedy for obesity is an exclusive lemon juice diet. On the first day the patient
should be given nothing but plenty of water. On the second day juice of three lemons mixed with
equal amount of water should be given. One lemon should be subsequently increased each day
until the juice of 12 lemons is consumed per day. Then the number of lemons should be
decreased in the same order until three lemons are taken in a day. The patient may feel weak
and hungry on the first two days, but afterwards the condition will be stabilised by itself.
Cabbage is considered to be an effective home remedy for obesity. Recent research has
discovered in this vegetable a valuable content called tartroric acid which inhibits the conversion
of sugar and other carbohydrates into fat. Hence, it is of great value in weight reduction. A
helping of cabbage salad would be the simplest way to stay slim, a painless way of dieting.
A hundred grams of cabbage yields only 27 kilo calories of energy while the same quantity of
wheat bread will yield about 240 calories. Cabbage is found to possess the maximum biological
value with minimum calorific value. Moreover, it gives a lasting feeling of fullness in the stomach
and is easily digestible.
Along with dietetic treatment, the patient should adopt all other natural methods of reducing
weight. Exercise is an important part of weight reduction plan. It helps to use up calories stored
in body fat and relieves tension, besides toning up the muscles of the body. Walking is the best
exercise to begin with and may be followed by running, swimming, rowing and other outdoor
sports.
Certain yogi asanas are highly beneficial. Not only do they break up or re-distribute fatty
deposits and help slimming, but they also strengthen the flabby areas. Sarvangasana, halasana,
bhujangasana, shalabhasana, dhanurasana, chakrasana, naukasana, ardh-matsyendrasana,
paschimottanasana, vajrasana, yogamudra and trikonasana are recommended. These asanas
work on the glands, improve circulation, strengthen many weak areas and induce deep
breathing which helps to melt off excess fat gradually. Yogic kriyas like kunjal and jalneti and
pranayamas such as kapalbhati and bhastrika are also helpful in normalising body weight.
The patient should also adopt measures which bring on excessive perspiration such as sauna
baths, steam bath and heavy massage. They help to reduce weight. Above all, obese persons
should make every effort to avoid negative motions such as anxiety, fear, hostility and insecurity
and develop a positive outlook on life.

Nepthritis

Nepthritis refers to an inflammation of the kidneys. It is a serious condition and may be either
acute or chronic. A synonym for nephthritis is " Bright’s disease, " for Bright (1789-1858)
described examples of many different diseases which can be included under the term.
This disease most often strikes during childhood or adolescence. It can become progressively
worse and result in death, if not treated properly in the initial stages. In the alternative , it may
subside into a chronic stage where the patient gets better but not too well.
Symptoms
The main symptoms of acute nepthritis are pain in the kidneys extending down to the uterus,
fever, dull pain in the back and scanty and highly coloured urine. Often the urine may contain
blood, albumin and casts consisting of clumps of red and white cells, which come from damaged
kidneys. The patient suffers from puffiness in the face and swelling of the feet and ankles.
In the chronic stage of nepthritis, which may drag on for many years, the patient passes large
amounts of albumin in the urine. Later there may be rise in blood pressure and the patient may
develop uraemia. There may be frequent urination, especially during night.
Causes
Nepthritis usually follows some streptococcus infection of the throat or an attack of scarlet fever
or rheumatic fever. The underlying causes of nepthritis are however, the same as for diseases of
the kidneys in general, namely wrong dietary habits, excessive drinking, the suppressive medical
treatment of former diseases, the habitual use of chemical agents of all kinds for the treatment of
indigestion and other stomach disorders and frequent use of aspirin and other painkillers.
Nutritional deficiencies can also lead to nepthritis. The disease has been produced in many
species of animals by diets deficient in the B vitamin, choline. Animals lacking essential fatty
acids and magnesium also develop nephritis. When vitamin B6 and magnesium are under
supplied, the kidneys are further damaged by sharp crystals of oxalic acid combined with
calcium. Nepthritis also occurs if vitamin E is deficient.
Treatment
The safest treatment for acute nepthritis is fasting. By means of the fast, the toxins and systemic
impurities responsible for setting up of the inflammatory kidney conditions are removed rapidly.
The patient should resort to juice fasting for seven to ten days till the acute symptoms subside.
Mostly vegetable juices such as carrot, celery and cucumber should be used during this period.
A warm water enema should be taken each day while fasting, to cleanse the bowels of the toxic
matter being thrown off by the self-cleansing process resulting from the fast.
After the juice fast, the patient may adopt an all-fruit diet for four to five days. Juicy fruits such as
apples, grapes, oranges, pears, peaches and pineapples should be taken during this period at
five-hourly intervals. After the all-fruit diet, the patient may adopt fruits and milk diet. In this
regimen, milk, preferably raw goat’s milk , may be added to the fruit diet for further seven days.
The patient may thereafter gradually embark upon a well- balanced low protein vegetarian diet,
with emphasis on fresh fruits and raw and cooked vegetables.
In case of chronic nepthritis a short juice fast for three days may be undertaken. Thereafter, a
week or 10 days may be spent on a restricted diet. In this regimen, oranges or orange juice may
be taken for breakfast. Lunch may consist of a salad of raw vegetables which are in season, and
dinner may consist of one or two vegetables, steamed in their own juices and a few nuts.
Thereafter, the patient may gradually adopt a well- balanced low protein vegetarian diet.
Further short juice fasts followed by a week on the restricted diet should be undertaken at
intervals of two or three months until such time as the kidney condition has shown signs of
normalisation.The patient should avoid vegetables containing large quantities of oxalic acid such as spinach
and rhubarb. Chocolate and cocoa also contain oxalic acid and must not be used. Garlic,
asparagus, parsley, watercress, cucumber and celery are excellent vegetables. The best fruits
are papaya and bananas. Both have a healing effect on kidneys. A small amount of soured milk
and home- made cottage cheese can be included in the diet. All salt should be eliminated from
the diet. Five or six small meals should be taken in preference to a few large ones.
A glassful of carrot juice mixed with tablespoonful of honey and a teaspoonful of fresh lime juice
is a very effective home remedy for nepthritis. It should be taken every day early in the morning
before breakfast.
Bananas are also valuable in nepthritis because of their low protein and salt content and high
carbohydrates content. In this condition , a diet of bananas only should be taken for three or four
days, consuming eight to nine bananas a day.
Smoking and drinking ,where habitual, must be completely given up. Studies have shown that
smoking impairs kidney function. The patient should avoid white bread, sugar, cakes, pastries,
puddings, refined cereals, greasy, heavy or fried foods. He should also avoid tea, coffee, all
flesh foods, condiments, pickles, and sauces.
All measures should be adopted to relieve the kidneys of work by increasing elimination through
other channels. Hot Epsom salt bath should be taken every alternate day to induce elimination
through the skin as much as possible.
Fresh air and outdoor exercises will be of great benefit in all cases of nepthritis and where
possible, the patient should have a walk for atleast three kilometers once or twice daily. The
sufferer from chronic nepthritis should never exert himself when doing anything . He should
avoid all hurry and excitement. He should also avoid late hours.
If the above treatment is faithfully carried out, the patient of acute nepthritis should soon be on
the way to recovery . Even in advanced cases of chronic nepthritis, the sufferer’s condition
should improve with this treatment.

Neuritis

Neuritis is one of the serious nervous disorders. It refers to an inflammation of the nerves,
involving a single nerve or a series of nerves. At times, several different groups of nerves in
various parts of the body may be involved. This condition is known as polyneuritis. It is also
known as polyneuropathy, for strictly speaking, the condition is not an inflammation, but a
change in the state of the nerves resulting in weakness, loss of the reflexes and changes of
sensation.
Symptoms
The main symptoms of neuritis are tingling, burning, and stabbing pains in the affected nerves.
IN severe cases, there may be numbness and loss of sensation and paralysis of the nearby
muscles. Thus a temporary paralysis of the face may result from changes in the facial nerves on
the affected side. During the acute stage of this condition, the patient may not be able to close
the eyes due to loss of normal tone and strength by the muscles on the affected side of the face.
Neuritis may also be caused by pernicious anaemia, involving the nerves of the spine. The
patient with this condition may find it very difficult to walk in the dark.
Causes
The chief cause of neuritis is chronic acidosis, that is, excessive acid condition of the blood and
other body fluids. All the body fluids should be alkaline in their reaction ,but when the acid waste
matter is continuously formed in the tissues over a long period due to a faulty diet, it results in
acidosis. Wrong habits of living , over work , etc., lower the tone of nervous system and
contribute towards neuritis. This disease can also result from a variety of nutritional deficiencies
and metabolic disturbances such as faulty calcium metabolism, deficiencies of several B
vitamins like B12, B6, B1, pantothenic acid and B2 and general toxaemia.
Other causes of neuritis include a blow, a penetrating injury a bad bruise or heavy pressure over
a nerve trunk and dislocation and fractures of the bones. Any violent muscular activity or
over-extension of the joint as in sprains may injure the nerves and cause neuritis. The condition
may also result from certain infections such as tuberculosis, diptheria, tetanus, leprosy and
diabetes mellitius, poisoning with insecticides, mercury, lead, arsenic and alcohol.
Treatment
Treatment of neuritis by painkilling drugs may give temporary relief but it does not remove the
trouble effectively. The pain is relieved for the time being at the cost of the health of other parts
of the body, especially the heart and the kidneys, and the neuritis remains.
The best treatment for neuritis is to ensure that the patient gets optimum nutrition, well
assimilated with all the vitamins and other nutrients. The emphasis should be on whole grains,
particularly whole wheat,brown rice, raw and sprouted seeds, raw milk, especially in soured
form, and home-made cottage cheese.
In this regimen, the breakfast may consist of fresh fruits, a handful of raw nuts or a couple of
tablespoons of sunflower and pumpkin seeds. Steamed vegetables, whole wheat, chappatis and
a glass of butter-milk may be taken for lunch. The dinner may comprise a large bowl of fresh,
green, vegetable salad, fresh home made cottage cheese, fresh butter and a glass of butter
milk.
In severe cases, the patient should be put on a short juice fast for four or five days before being
given the optimum diet. Carrot, beet, citrus fruits, apple and pineapple may be used for juices.
All vitamins of the B group have proved highly beneficial in the prevention and treatment of
neuritis. The disorder has been helped when vitamins B1, B2, B6, B12, and pantothenic acid
have been given together, and extreme pain,weakness and numbness in some cases have been
relieved within an hour
The patient should avoid white bread, white sugar,refined cereals, meat, fish, tinned foods, tea,
coffee, and condiments which are at the root of the trouble, by continuously flooding the tissues
with acid impurities.
Certain remedies have been found highly beneficial in the treatment of neuritis. One such
remedy is soyabean milk. A cupful of soyabean milk mixed with a teaspoonful of honey should
be taken every night in this condition. It tones up the nervous system due to its rich
concentration of lecithin, vitamin B1 and glutanic acid. Soyabean milk is prepared by soaking the
beans in water for about 12 hours. The skin of the beans is then removed and after a thorough
wash, they are turned into a fine paste in a grinding machine. The paste is mixed with water,
three times its quantity. The milk should then be boiled on a slow fire, stirring it frequently. After it
becomes little cooler, it should be strained through a cheese cloth and sugar added.
barley brew is another effective remedy for neuritis. It is prepared by boiling one-quarter cup of
all natural pearled barley in two quarters of water. When the water has boiled down to about one
quarter, it should be strained carefully. For better results, it should be mixed with butter-milk and
lime juice.
Raw carrot and spinach have proved valuable in neuritis as both these vegetables are rich in
elements, the deficiency of which has led to this disease. The quickest and most effective way in
which the body can obtain and assimilate these elements is by drinking daily at least half a litre
of the combined raw juices of carrot and spinach.
The patient should be given two or three hot Epsom-salt baths weekly. He should remain in the
bath for 25 to 30 minutes. The affected parts should also be bathed several times daily in the hot
water containing Epsom salt - a table- spoon of salt to a cupful of hot water. The patient should
undertake walking and other moderate exercises.

Leucoderma

Lecucoderma, also known as vitiligo, is a distressing skin condition. The word literally means ‘
white skin’. There isa gradual loss of pigment melanin from the skin layers which results in white
patches. These patches look ugly, especially in persons with dark complexions.
The condition does not cause any organic harm. It , however, brings about great psychological
tension to the patient who is more embarassed than the victim of any pain or discomfort. The
condition thus, besides being a medical problem, also becomes a social stigma.
Leucoderma is a fairly common disorder and it affects one per cent or more of the world’s
population. The incidence is a little higher in India. The disorder can occur at any age in either
sex in normal skin. It is, however, more common in women than men. The most affected areas
are the hands, the neck, the back and the wrist in that order.
Symptoms
The problem usually starts with a small white spot and later on it develops into patches. These
patches are pale in the beginning but become whiter and whiter as time passes due to loss of
pigment. As spots enlarge, they merge into each other and, in course of time, form a very broad
patch. In some cases, most of the skin of the body may be covered with white patches.
Causes
Many wrong beliefs are prevalent about the causes of leucoderma. It is not caused by eating fish
and drinking milk at the same time, as is generally believed because even vegetarians suffer
from this disorder. Other food combinations such as pumpkin and milk, onion and milk as
possible causes of leucoderma also have no basis.
Leucoderma is not caused by any germs ; nor is it due bad blood. It is neither infectious nor
contagious. It cannot be transmitted from one person to another by physical contact.
The main causes of leucoderma are excessive mental worry, chronic or acute gastric disorder,
impaired hepatic function such as jaundice, worms or other parasites in the alimentary canal,
ailments like typhoid which affect the gastrointestinalm tract, defective perspirative mechanism
and burn injuries. Often the hormone secreting glands are involved in this disorder. Heredity is
also a causative factor and about 30 per cent of patients have a family history of the disorder.
Treatment
In nature cure, the treatment of leudoderma consists of adoption of constitutional measures to
cleanse the system of accumulated toxins. This enables the healing power within the body to
assert itself, and produce normalcy. To begin with, the patient should undertake a fast on juices
for about a week. IN this regimen, he or she should take fruit or vegetable juices, diluted with
water on 50 : 50 basis every two or three hours from 8.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m. The bowels should
be cleansed daily with warm water during this period.
After the juice fast, the patient may adopt a restricted diet consisting of fresh fruits, raw or
steamed vegetables and whole meal bread or chappaties. Curd and milk may be added to this
diet after a few days. The patient may thereafter gradually embark upon a well-balanced diet of
seeds, nuts and grains, vegetables and fruits. The large proportion of the diet should consist of
raw foods. Seeds and beans such as alfalfa, mung and soyabeans canbe sprouted. This diet
may be supplemented with cold-pressed vegetable oils, honey and yeast. Juice fasting may be
repeated at intervals of two months. The patient should avoid tea, coffee, alcoholic beverages
and all condiments and highly flavoured dishes. He or she should also avoid sugar, white flour
products, denatured cereals like polished rice and pearled barley and tinned or bottled foods.
Home Remedies
Certain home remedies have been found useful in the treatment of leucoderma. The best known
of such remedies is the use of seeds of psoralea, known as babchi in Hindi. Seeds should be steeped in the juice of ginger or cow’s urine for three days. The fluids should be renewed every
day. The seeds should then be rubbed with hands to remove their husks, dried in the shade
andpowdered. One gram of this powder should be taken every day with fresh milk for 40 days
continuously. The ground seeds should also be applied to the white spots.
Babchi seeds, combined with tamarind seeds, are also useful. Equal quantity of both the seeds
should be steeped in water for three to four days. They should then be shelled and dried inthe
shade. They should be ground into paste and applied to the white patches for a week. If the
application of this paste causes itching or the white spots become red and a fluid being to ooze
out, it should be discontinued. If there is no itching or reddening, babchi seeds should be taken
also for 40 days.
Another useful remedy for leucoderma is red clay found by the river side or on hill slopes. The
clay should be mixed in ginger juice and applied over the white spots once a day. The copper
containedin the clay seems to bring back skin pigmentation and ginger juice serves as a milk
stimulant, facilitating increased blood flow to the spots. Drinking water kept overnight in a copper
vessel also helps.
A paste made from the seeds of the radish is valuable in treating leucoderma. About 35 grams of
these seeds should be powdered in vinegar and applied on the white patches. For better results,
seeds should be finely pounded, mixed with a little white arsenic and soaked in vinegar at night.
After two hours, when leaves appear, it should be rubbed on the leucoderma patches.
The use of turmeric and mustard oil is also considered beneficial in the treatment of leucoderma.
About 500 grams of turmeric should be pounded and soaked in eight kgs. of water at night. It
should be heated in the morning till only one kg. of water is left. It should then be strained and
mixed with 500 grams of mustard oil. This mixture should be heated till only the oil is left. It
should be applied on white patches every morning and evening for a few months

Kidney Stones

The formation of stones in the kidneys or urinary tract is a fairly common disorder. The stones
are formed from the chemicals usually found in the urine such as uric acid, phosphorous,
calcium and oxalic acid. They may vary in consistency from grit, sand and gravel-like
obstructions to the size of the bird’s eggs.
Stones may form and grow because the concentration of a particular substance in a urine
exceeds its solubility. This disorder occurs more frequently in middle age, with men being
afflicted more often than women.

The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs, lying below the waist on either side of the spinal
column on the back wall of the abdomen. They are soft, reddish brown in colour, and, on an
average, measure 10 cm. in length, 6 cm. in width and is 2.5 cm. thick at its centre. They are
filtering plants for purifying the blood, removing water and salts from it which are passed into the
bladder as urine.

Symptoms
Kidney stones usually cause severe pain in their attempt to pass down the ureter on their way to
the bladder. The pain is first felt in the side and thereafter in the groin and thighs. Other
symptoms of kidney stones are a desire to urinate frequently, painful urination , scanty urination,
nausea, vomiting, sweating, chills and shocks. The patient may also pass blood with the urine.
Sometimes, large stones may remain in the kidneys without causing any trouble and these are
known as silent stones.

Causes
The formation of stones in the kidneys is the result of defects in the general metabolism. They
usually occur when the urine becomes highly concentrated due to heavy perspiration or
insufficient intake of fluids. They are aggravated by a sedentary lifestyle. The other causes are
wrong diet, excess intake of acid-forming foods, white flour and sugar products, meat, tea,
coffee, condiments and spices, rich foods and overeating. Lack of vitamin A and an excessive
intake of vitamin B may also lead to formation of stones.
Types of Stones
Chemically, urinary stones are of two categories, namely, primary stones and secondary stones.
Primary stones are ordinarily not due to infection and are formed in acidic urine. They usually
result from alcoholism, sedentary life, constipation and excessive intake of nitrogeneous or
purine-rich foods. Secondary stones are due to local infection and are formed in alkaline urine.
Most kidney stones are composed either of calcium oxalate or phosphate, the latter being most
common in the presence of infection. About 90 per cent of all stones contain calcium as the chief
constituent. More than half of these are mixtures of calcium , ammonia, and magnesium,
phosphates and carbonates, while the remainder contain oxalate. Uric acid and cystine stones
represent about four percent and one per cent respectively of the total incidence of stones.

Treatment
A majority of patients suffering from kidney stones can be treated successfully by proper dietary
regulations. These regulations will also prevent a recurrence of the symptoms. Only a few cases
require surgery.
The patient should avoid foods which irritate the kidneys, to control acidity or alkalinity of the
urine and to ensure adequate intake of fluids to prevent the urine from becoming concentrated.
The foods considered irritants to the kidneys are alcoholic beverages, condiments, pickles,
certain vegetables like cucumbers, raddishes, tomatoes, spinach, rhubarb, water-cress and
those with strong aroma such as asparagus, onions, beans,cabbage and cauliflower, meat,

In calcium phosphate stones, over -secretion of parathyroid hormone causes loss of calcium
from the bones resulting in a high blood level of calcium with increased excretion of calcium in
the urine. An abnormally high intake of milk, alkalies or vitamin D may also result in the
formation of calcium phosphate stones.
For controlling the formation of calcium phosphate stones, a moderately low calcium and
phosphorous diet should be taken The intake of calcium and phosphates should be restricted to
minimal levels consistent with maintaining nutritional adequacy.
The maintenance level of calcium is 680 mg. and of phosphorous 1000 mg. In this diet, milk
should constitute the main source of calcium and curd or cottage cheese, lentils and groundnuts
should form the main sources of phosphorous. Foods which should be avoided are whole wheat
flour, Bengal gram, peas, soyabeans, beets, spinach, cauliflower, turnips, carrots, almonds and
coconuts.
When stones are composed of calcium and magnesium phosphates and carbonates, the diet
should be so regulated as to maintain acidic urine. Insuch a diet, only half a litre of milk, two
servings of fruits and two servings of vegetables ( 200 grams) should be taken. The vegetables
may consist of asparagus, fresh green peas, squash,pumpkins, turnips, cauliflower, cabbage
and tomatoes. For fruits, watermelon, grapes, peaches, pears, pineapple, papayas and guavas
may be taken.
On the other hand the urine should be kept alkaline if oxalate and uric acid stones are being
formed. In this diet, fruits and vegetables should be liberally used and acid-forming foods should
be kept to the minimum necessary for satisfactory nutrition. When the stones contain oxalate,
foods with high oxalic acid content should be avoided. These foods include almonds, beetroots,
brinjal, brown bread, cabbage, cherry, chocolate, French Beans, potatoes, radish, spinach and
soyabeans.
Uric stones occur in patients who have an increased uric acid in the blood and increased uric
acid exertion in the urine. Since uric acid is an end product of purine metabolism, foods with a
high purine content such as sweet bread, liver and kidney should be avoided.
Kidney beans, also known as French beans or common beans, are regarded as a very effective
remedy for kidney problems, including kidney stones. It was Dr. Ramm of Germany, who first
discovered the value of kidney beans as a medicine for kidney and bladder troubles. He
employed it for over 25 years with beneficial results. The method prescribed by him to prepare
the medicine is to remove the beans inside the pods, then slice the pods and put about 60 mg. in
four litres of hot water, boiling slowly for four hours. This liquid should be strained through fine
muslin and then allowed to cool for about eight hours. Thereafter, the fluid should be poured
through another piece of muslin without stirring.
According to Dr. Ramm, a glassful of this decoction should be given to the patient every two
hours through the day for one day, and thereafter it may be taken several times a week. Dr.
Ramm also says that this decoction will not work if it is more than 24 hours old. The pods can be
kept for longer periods but once they are boiled, the therapeutic factor disappears after one day.
The basil, known as tulsi inthe vernacular, has a strengthening effect on the kidneys. In case of
kidney stones, basil juice and honey should betaken for six months. It has been found that the
stones can be expelled from the urinary tract with this treatment. The celery is also a valuable
food for those who are prone to stone formation in the kidneys or the gall bladder. Its regular use
prevents future tone formation.
Research has shown the remarkable therapeutic success of vitamin B6 or pyridoxine in the
treatment of kidney stones. This treatment has to be continued for several months for obtaining
a permanent cure.
The patient should take a low protein diet, restricting protein to one gram per kg. of food. A
liberal intake of fluid upto 3,000 ml. or more daily is essential to prevent the production of urine
at the concentration level where the salts precipitate out.
The patient should be given a large hot enema, followed by a hot bath with a temperature of 100
o F, gradually increased to 112 o F. The head should be kept cold with cold application. Hot
fomentation applied across the back in the region of the kidneys will relieve the pain. Certain
yogasanas such as pavan-muktasana, uttanpadasana, bhujangasana, dhanursana and
halasana are also highly beneficial as they stimulate the kidneys.

Jaundice

Jaundice is the most common of all liver disorders resulting from an obstruction in the bile duct,
or the loss of function of the bile-producing liver cells. There are several forms of jaundice but all
of them are marked by yellow discoloration of the skin and the whites of the eyes.
The liver, located under the diaphragm just above the stomach, is a vast chemical laboratory
which performs many important functions. It inactivates hormones no longer needed,
synthesizes many amino acids used in building tissues, and breaks proteins into sugar and far
when required for energy. It produces lecithin, cholesterol, bile and blood albumin, vital to the
removal of tissue wastes. It also stores vitamins and minerals.
Bile is a vital digestive fluid which is essential for proper nutrition. It exercises a most favourable
influence on the general processes of digestion. It also prevents decaying changes in food. If the
bile is prevented from entering the intestines there is an increase in gases and other products.
Normally the production of bile and its flow is constant.

Symptoms


The symptoms of jaundice are extreme weakness, headache, fever, loss of appetite, undue
fatigue, severe constipation,nausea and yellow coloration of the eyes, tongue, skin and urine.
The patient may also feel a dull pain in liver region.

Causes


Jaundice is indicative of the malfunctioning of the liver. It may be caused by an obstruction of the
bile ducts which discharge bile salts and pigment into the intestine. The bile then gets mixed with
blood and this gives a yellow pigmentation to the skin. The obstruction of the bile ducts could be
due to gall stones or inflammation of the liver, known as hepatitis, caused by a virus. In the later
case, the virus spreads and may lead to epidemics owing to over-crowding , dirty surroundings,
insanitary conditions and contamination of food and water. Other causes of jaundice are
pernicious anaemia and certain disease affecting the liver such as typhoid, malaria, yellow fever
and tuberculosis.

The Cure


The simple form of jaundice can be cured rapidly by diet therapy and exercises. Recovery will ,
however, be slow in serious cases which have been caused by obstruction or pressure in the
bile ducts. The patient should rest until the acute symptoms of the disease subside.
The patient should be put on a fruit juice fast for a week. The juice of lemon, grapes, pear,
carrot, beet, and sugarcane can be taken. A hot enema should be taken daily during the fast to
ensure regular bowel elimination, thereby preventing the absorption of decomposed, poisonous
material into the blood stream. The fruit juice fast may be discontinued after the severity of the
disease is over and a simple diet may be resumed on the following lines :
On rising : A glass of warm water mixed with two teaspoons of lime juice.
Breakfast : One fresh juicy fruit such as apple, papaya,grapes, berries and mangoes . One cup
wheat dalia or one slice of whole wheat bread with a little butter.
Mid-morning : Orange juice.
Lunch : Two small chappatis of whole wheat flour, a cup of strained vegetable soup, a steamed
leafy vegetable such as spinach, fenugreek or carrot and a glass of buttermilk.
Mid-afternoon : Orange juice or coconut water.

Dinner : Two whole wheat chappatis with a little ghee or butter, baked. Baked potato and one
other leafy vegetable like spinach and fenugreek, a glass of hot milk with honey if desired.
All fats like ghee,butter, cream and oils must be avoided for at least two weeks,and after that
their consumption should be kept down to the minimum. Digestive disturbances must be
avoided. No food with a tendency to ferment or putrefy in the lower intestines like pulses,
legumes,etc. should be included in diet.
The juice of bitter luffa (karvi torai) is regarded as an effective (home) remedy for jaundice. It is
obtained by pounding and squeezing through cloth. The juice should be placed on the palm of
the hand and drawn upthrough the nostrils. This will cause a profuse overflow of the yellow
coloured fluid through the nostrils. The toxic matter having been evacuated in a considerable
quantity, the patient will feel relieved. It is, however, a strong medicine and may cause in the
patients will delicate nature, side effects like giddiness, migraine and at times high fever for a
short duration. Its use should, therefore, be avoided by such patients.
If the green juice of bitter luffa is not available, it can best be substituted by two or three drops of
the fluid obtained by soaking its dry crusts overnight in water. This produces an identical effect.
Seeds of bitter luffa which are easily available can also be used for the same purpose after
rubbing in water.
Another valuable food remedy for jaundice is the green leaves of radish. The leaves should be
pounded and their juices extracted through cloth. One pound of this juice daily is sufficient for an
adult patient. It should be strained through a clean piece of muslin cloth before use. It provides
immediate relief. It induces a healthy appetite and proper evacuation of bowels, and this results
in gradual decrease of the trouble. In most casse a complete cure can be ensured within eight or
ten days.

Water Treatment


Drinking a lot of water with lemon juice will protect the damaged liver cells. Alternate hot and
cold compresses should be applied to the abdomen. Maintain the hot compress for one minute
at 120 o F. Alternate with a cold compress at 60 o F for few minutes. The treatment may be
continued for an hour or 10 repetitions. The procedure should be repeated at five-hourly
intervals. A hot immersion bath at 104 o F for 10 minutes daily will be helpful in relieving the
itching which sometimes accompanies jaundice and in the elimination of the bile pigment from
the system through the skin and kidneys. Cold friction twice a day will be beneficial for general
tone-up. Certain asanas such as uthanpadasana, bhujangasana, viparitkarani and shavasana,
and anuloma-viloma, pranayama will be helpful in the treatment of jaundice.
The jaundice patient can overcome the condition quite easily and build up his sickliver until it
again functions normally with the above regime. With reasonable care in the diet and life style,
and regular, moderate exercise and frequent exposure to sunshine and fresh air, a recurrence of
liver trouble can be prevented.

Insomnia

Your Ad Here

Insomnia or sleeplessness has assumed alarming proportions in present times, especially
among the upper classes in urban areas. This is evident from the wide range of medication for
this condition prescribed by physicians and sold by chemists. Instances of persons taking an
overdose of sleeping pills with fatal results are quite frequent. Insomnia deprives a person of
mental rest and thereby interferes with his activities in the daytime. It constitutes a severe health
hazard when it becomes a habit.
Sleep is a periodic state of rest for the body which is absolutely essential for its efficient
functioning. Sleep gives relief from tension, rests the brain and body and a person wakes up in
the morning fresh and relaxed after sleep. The amount of sleep, however, varies within very
wide limits from individual to individual. Normally, seven to eight hours of sleep every night is
adequate for most people. Some, however, do well with four to five hours because their sleep is
deeper and more refreshing.
Insomnia is common among the elderly for a variety of reasons. The sleep of the elderly is often
punctuated by brief periods of wakefulness during the night. IN such cases it is the quality rather
than the quantity which is most affected. With age, there is gradual reduction of periods of deep
sleep. The older person, therefore, gets roused easier. Sleep requirements also diminish with
ageing. From nine hours of sleep per night at the age of 12 the average sleep needs decrease to
eight hours at the age of 20 , seven hours at 40 , six and half hours at 60 and six hours at 80.
Symptoms
The signs of pathological insomnia are dramatic changes in the duration and quality of sleep,
persistent changes in sleep patterns, lapses of memory and lack of concentration during the day.
Other symptoms are emotional instability, loss of coordination, confusion and a lingering feeling
of indifference.
Causes
The most common cause of sleeplessness is mental tension brought about by anxiety, worries,
overwork and overexcitement. Suppressed feelings of resentment, anger and bitterness may
also cause insominia. Constipation, dyspepsia, over-eating at night, excessive intake of tea or
coffee and going to bed hungry are among the other causes. Smoking is another unsuspected
cause of insomnia as it irritates the nervous system, especially the nerves of the digestive
system. Often, worrying about falling asleep is enough to keep one awake.
The Cure
Sleeping pills are no remedy for sleeplessness. They are habit forming and become less
effective when taken continuously. They lower the I.Q., dull the brain and can prove fatal if taken
in excess or before or after alcohol. The side-effects of sleeping pills include indigestion, skin
rashes, lowered resistance to infection, circulatory and respiratory problems, poor appetite, high
blood pressure, kidney and liver problems and mental confusion.
To overcome the problem, one should adhere to a regular sleeping schedule, going to bed at a
fixed time each night and getting up at a fixed time each morning. Early to bed and early to rise
is a good rule. Two hours of sleep before midnight are more beneficial than four after. It is sheer
folly for students, at examination times, to keep awake till long after midnight, drinking one cup of
tea after another, as that is only apt to cause blackness and inability to concentrate in the
examination hall.
Research has shown that people with chronic insomnia almost invariably marked deficiencies of
such key nutrients as B-complex vitamins, and vitamin C and D as also calcium,magnesium,
manganese, potassium and zinc. The sleep mechanism is unable to function efficiently unless
each of these nutrients is present in adequate amounts in the diet.

A balanced diet with simple modifications in the eating pattern will go a long way in the treatment
and cure of insominia. Such a diet should exclude white flour products, sugar and its products,
tea ,coffee, chocolate, cola drinks, alcohol, fatty foods, fried foods, foods containing additives,
that is chemicals for preserving, colouring and flavouring, excessive use of salt and strong
condiments.
In the modified eating pattern, breakfast should consist of fresh and dried fruits, whole cereals,
seeds and yogurt. Of the two main meals, one should consist of a large mixed salad and the
other should be protein-based. A cup of milk sweetened with honey at bedtime is helpful as the
amino-acid tryptophan contained in milk induces sleep.
Sleep is often elusive. Any attempt to force it only drives it further away. It is better to divert the
mind with soft music or light reading. While going to bed, visualise a blank black wall occupying
the entire field of vision. Turn your thoughts to light and cheerful matters. Use light bed clothes
and relax. Do not lie on your back, put on your side with one or both knees brought well up and
the head and shoulders slightly forward. During the night, the position of the arms and legs
should be changed frequently and a healthy sleeper usually shifts from one side to the other
several times in the course of the night.
Controlled breathing is also a great help in inducing sleep. The method is to lie on your side in
bed, and then take three deep breaths expanding the abdomen completely. Then hold your
brath as long as you can. Next, take three more breaths and repeat the breath-holding. While
you hold your breath, carbon dioxide accumulates in the body and induces natural sleep.
Regular, active exercising during the day and mild exercise at bedtime enhances the quantity
and the quality of sleep. Exercise stimulates the elimination of lactic acid from the body which
correlates with stress and muscular tension. Regular exercise also produces hormonal changes
which are beneficial to the body and to the sleep pattern. Walking, jogging, skipping, swimming
are all ideal exercises. Vigorous exercise should, however, be avoided at night as this can be
over-stimulating.
Yogasanas
Yoga helps a majority of cases of insomnia in two ways. Firstly, yoga treatment helps tone up
the glandular, respiratory and nervous system. Secondly, yoga also gives physical and mental
relaxation as a safety value for one’s disturbing problems. The traditional yogasanas which are
effective for insomnia patients are shirsana, sarvangasana, paschimottanasana,
uttanasan,viparitakarni and shavasana.
Hydrotherapy is also effective in treatment of insomnia. Application of hot packs to the spine
before retiring, hot fomentation to the spine , hot foot bath or an alternate hot and cold foot bath
at bedtime are all time-tested methods. The cold hip bath with the feet in hot water and the
prolonged neutral immersion bath (92 o to 96 o F) at bed time, when one’s nerves are usually
irritable, are also effective measures.
Along with the various measures for the treatment of insomnia, all efforts should be made to
eliminate as many stress factors as possible. The steps in this direction should include regular
practice of any relaxation method or meditation technique, cultivating the art of doing things
slowly (particularly activities like eating, walking and talking) limiting the working day to nine to
ten hours and five and a half days weekly, cultivating a creative hobby and spending some time
daily on this, avoiding working against unrealistic targets and completing one task before starting
another.

Influenza

Your Ad Here

Influenza, also known as flu, is the clinical condition that results from infection with influenza
viruses. The main effects of the influenza viruses are on the upper respiratory tract, the nose
and throat, with possible spread and involvement of the lungs and bronchi.
The disease is highly contagious and it has potential to cause wide spread epidemics affecting
sizeable portion of a population at any time. Although it is more common during winter it may
strike at any time. It affects people of all ages.
Symptoms
Influenza strikes suddenly. It usually begins with a chill, fever, headache and severe muscular
pains. The patient feels miserable and weak. There is an inflammation in the nose and throat,
which may spread down the windpipe to the lungs, resulting in a sore throat, cough, running of
the nose and eyes. In milder case of influenza the temperature rises to 102 o F and lasts for two
or three days. In severe cases, it may go upto 104 o F and last for four or five days. The
consequent weakness and fatigue may continue for several weeks. This may be followed by a
deep chest cough due to irritation in the windpipe.
Causes
Influenza is what is known as germ disease. It is, however, not caused primarily by the action of
the germs as is generally believed, but develops due to a toxic and run-down condition of the
system of the affected person. This condition is brought about by dietetic errors and a faulty style
of living such as worry, over work, lack of proper exercise , living in stuffy rooms and keeping
late hours. No disease germs can find lodgment and become active in the system of a person
who is perfectly healthy in the true sense of the term. Influenza is passed on with ease from one
affected person to an other especially to those who are also in an equally low vital stage. That is
how an epidemic starts.
Treatment
Influenza , like all other acute diseases, is a natural attempt at self-cleansing and if rightly
treated in a natural way, immense good can ensue so far as the future health of the patient is
concerned. In the acute stage of influenza, a patient should abstain from all solid foods and only
drink fruit and vegetable juices diluted with water, 50 - 50 for first three to five days, depending
on the severity of the disease. The juice fast should be continued till the temperature comes
down to normal. The warm water enema should be taken daily during this period to cleanse the
bowels.
After fever subsides the patient may adopt an all-fruit diet for two or three days. In this regimen,
the patient should take three meals a day of fresh juicy fruits such as apples, pears, grapes,
oranges, pineapple, peaches and melons at five-hourly intervals. Bananas or dried, stewed or
tinned fruits however, should not be taken. No other food stuff should be added to the fruit
meals, otherwise the value of the treatment will be lost. This may be followed by a further two or
three days on fruits and milk diet. Thereafter, the patient may adopt a well-balanced diet of three
basic food groups namely, (i) seeds, nuts and grains, (ii) vegetables, and (iii) fruits.
Spices and condiments , and pickles, which make food more palatal and lead to overeating,
must be avoided. Lemon juice may be used in salad dressing. Alcohol, tobacco, strong tea and
coffee, highly seasoned meats, over-boiled milk, pulses, potato, rice, cheese, refined,
processed, stale and tinned foods should all be avoided.
Certain remedies have been found highly beneficial in the treatment of influenza. The most
important of these is the use of long pepper. Half a teaspoonful of the powder of the long pepper
with two teaspoonfuls of honey and half a teaspoonful of juice of ginger should be taken thrice a
day. This will help greatly if taken in initial stages of the disease. It is especially useful in

avoiding complications which follow the onset of the disease, namely, the involvement of the
larynx and bronchial tube.
Another excellent remedy for influenza is the green leaves of basil or tulsi plant. About one gram
of these leaves should be boiled along with some ginger n half a litre ofwater till about half the
water is left. This decoction should be taken as tea. It gives immediate relief.
Garlic and turmeric are other effective food medicines for influenza. Garlic is useful as a general
antiseptic and should be given as much as the patient can bear. Garlic juice may also be sucked
up the nose. A teaspoonful of turmeric powder should be mixed in a cup of warm milk and taken
three times in the day. It will prevent complications arising from influenza and also activate the
liver which becomes sluggish during the attack.

Indigestion

Your Ad Here

Indigestion or dyspepsia is one of the most common ailments today and is caused by dietetic
errors. It is a condition of the stomach in which digestive juices are incorrectly secreted, resulting
in discomfort.
The alimentary canal and the process of digestion begin at the mouth. The stomach, which is the
most abused organ of the body, looks like a pear-shaped pouch. It forms part of the digestive
tract which is a tube coiled in loops nearly 28 feet in length. It varies in size and position
depending on how much food it contains. An overloaded stomach tends to prevent the
diaphragm from functioning properly. It may also press on the heart.
Symptoms
Abdominal pain, a feeling of undue fullness after eating, heartburn, loss of appetite , nausea or
vomiting and excessive wind or gas are the usual symptoms of indigestion. Other symptoms
include a bad taste in the mouth, coated tongue, foul breath and pain in the upper abdomen.
Causes
The feelings of discomfort and distress in the abdomen are often caused by overeating, eating
too rapidly or not chewing properly. Overeating or eating frequently produces a feverish state in
the system and overtaxes the digestive organs. It produces excessive acid and causes the
gastric mucus membrane to become congested. Hyperacidity is usually the result. Overeating
makes the work of stomach, liver, kidneys and bowels harder. When this food putrifies, its
poisons are absorbed back into the blood and consequently, the whole system is poisoned.
Many people gulp their food due to stress or hurry. When food is swallowed in large chunks, the
stomach has to work harder and more hydrocholoride is secreted. Eating too fast also causes
one to swallow air. These bad habits force some of the digestive fluids into the esophagus,
causing burning , a stinging sensation or a sour taste, giving an illusion of stomach acid.
Certain foods, especially if they are not properly cooked, cause indigestion. Some people react
unfavourable to certain foods like beans, cabbage, onions, cucumber, radishes and seafood.
Fried foods as well as rich and spicy foods often cause abdominal discomfort and gas, and
aggravate the existing condition. Excessive smoking and intake of alcohol can also cause
stomach upsets. Constipation may interfere with the normal flow of ingested matter through the
gastro-intestinal tract, resulting in gas and abdominal pain. Drinking too much water with meals,
insomnia, emotions such as jealousy, fear and anger and lack of exercise are among the other
causes of indigestion.
The Cure
The only effective treatment for indigestion is a thorough cleansing of the digestive tract;
adoption of a sensible diet and a change in the style of living. The best way to commence the
treatment is to adopt an all-fruit diet for about five days. After the all-fruit diet, the patient may
take to a restricted diet of easily digestible foods, consisting of lightly cooked vegetables, juicy
fruits and buttermilk for about 10 days. He may thereafter gradually embark upon a
well-balanced diet.
The use of fruits in general is beneficial in the treatment of indigestion. They flush out the
undigested food reside and accumulated faeces and re-establish health to perfect order. Being
rich in water, they clean body mechanisms thoroughly. The best among the fruits in dyspepsia is
lemon. Its juice reaches the stomach and attacks the bacteria, inhabiting the formation of acids.
Lemon juice removes indigestion by dislodging this acid and other harmful substances from the
stomach, thereby strengthening and prompting a healthy appetite.
The orange is another effective food remedy in chronic indigestion. It gives rest to the digestive
organs and supplies nutrition in a most easily assimilable form. It also stimulates the flow of digestive juices thereby improving digestion and increasing appetite. It creates suitable
conditions for the development of friendly bacteria in the intestines.
Another fruit useful in indigestion is grapes. They are a light food which removes indigestion and
irritation of the stomach in a short time and relieves heat. Pineapple is also valuable. It acts as a
tonic in dyspepsia and relieves much of the digestives disorders of dyspeptics. Half a glass of
pineapple juice should be taken after a meal in this condition.
The sufferer from indigestion must always follow the under-mentioned rules regarding eating :
Never eat and drink together. Water or other liquids should be taken half an hour before
and one hour after a meal. Milk, buttermilk and vegetables soups are, however, foods and
can be taken with meals.
i.
Never hurry through a meal. Eat very slowly and chew your food as thoroughly as
possible.
ii.
iii. Never eat to a full stomach. Always leave the table with a feeling that you could eat more.
Never sit down to a meal, feeling worried, tired, excited or in a bad temper as such
feelings temporarily paralyze the manufacture of digestive juices including hydrochloride.
iv.
Do not eat if appetite is lacking. Miss a meal or two, if necessary, until real appetite
returns.
v.
vi. Never boil vegetables, always steam them.
Do not mix too many foods at the same meal. Never eat raw vegetables and raw fruits
together as they require a different set of enzymes. Take protein and starchy foods
separate as far as possible.
vii.
Yogic asanas such as ardh-matsyasana, srvangasana, uttanpadasana, pavnmuktasana,
vajrasana, yogamudra, bhujangasana, shalabhasana, and shavasana, kriyas like jalneti and
kunjal, and pranayamas like kapalbhati, anuloma-viloma, and ujjai are highly beneficial in the
treatment of indigestion. Light exercises such as walking, golf and swimming also help digestion.
Water Treatment
A daily enema should be administered to cleanse toxic bowel waste. Other beneficial water
treatments include wet girdle pack applied at night, application of ice bags over the stomach half
an hour after meals, a daily cold friction bath and alternate hot and cold hip baths at night.
Massaging of the abdomen also helps.

Hypoglycemia

Your Ad Here

Hypoglycemia or blood sugar is a disorder of blood sugar metabolism which may result in
diabetes in later life. It is a condition in which the pancreas produces too much insulin, causing
the blood sugar to drop.
Hypoglycemia sometimes occurs in healthy people some hours after a meal rich in
carbohydrates, especially following muscular exertion. It is frequently found in the first few days
of life, especially among premature infants.
Hypoglycemia is a serious disorder as the brain cannot function properly when the blood sugar
level is too low. Like all other organs of the body, the brain receive its fuel from the diet. But it
can use only the sugar produced by the body from carbohydrates. Unlike many of the body
tissues, it cannot store its fuel. Therefore, it must get a constant supply of sugar through the
bloodstream. Mental disturbances caused by subnormal blood sugar levels can seriously affect
a person’s life.
Symptoms
A craving for sweets and starches in excessive amount between meals is the first sign of low
blood sugar level . When the blood sugar level falls much below normal, symptoms such as
nervousness, irritability, fatigue, depression, disturbed vision and headache appear. Other
symptoms are sweating, trembling, numbness, absent-mindedness, dizziness, palpitation of the
heart and some sexual disturbances. Most hypoglycemia patients feel hungry and eat frequently
to get over the feeling of weakness and emotional irritability. They feel tense if they have to go
without food for several hours.
Causes
Hypoglycemia is usually caused by an excessive intake of refined carbohydrates and sugar
foods. These substances cause the pancreas, the adrenal gland and the liver to lose their ability
to handle the sugar properly. Other causes of low blood sugar are a tumour, disturbed
functioning of the liver, pituitary gland or adrenal glands. Stress intensifies this condition as it
weakens the adrenal glands and starts a faulty pattern of glucose intolerance.
The Cure
The high animal protein diet generally prescribed for hypoglycemia is not suitable for this
disorder. It may help control the condition temporarily, but it is harmful in many other respects
and may result in other diseases like heart trouble,arteries, kidney problems and cancer.
The ideal diet for hypoglycemia should be based on three basic food groups,namely grains,
seeds and nuts, vegetable oils. Seeds, nuts and grains should be the main constituents of the
diet. Seeds and nuts should be taken in their raw form. Grains, in the form of cereals,should be
cooked. Cooked grains are digested slowly and release sugar into the blood gradually six to
eight hours after meals. This will keep the blood sugar level normal and constant for a long
period.
Persons suffering from low blood sugar should take six to eight small meals a day instead of two
or three large ones. Eating raw nuts and seeds such as pumpkin or sunflower seeds or drinking
milk, butter milk or fruit juices between meals will be highly beneficial. All refined and processed
foods , white sugar, white flour and their by-products should be completely eliminated from the
diet. Coffee, alcohol and soft drinks should also be avoided. The consumption of salt should be
reduced as an excessive intake of salt causes loss of blood potassium, which causes blood
sugar to drop. The following is the menu suggested for hypoglycemia.
On rising : Fresh fruits such as apples,peaches, melons, berries, avocado or a glass of fresh
fruit juice.

Breakfast : Nuts, seeds, fruit, cottage cheese and buttermilk.
Mid-morning : Fruit, fruit juice or tomato juice.
Lunch : Cooked cereals and milk.
Mid-afternoon : A glass of fruit or vegetable juice or a snack consisting of nuts.
Dinner : Vegetable salad with a cooked vegetable from among those allowed, one or two slices
of whole wheat bread,cottage cheese and butter milk.
On retiring : A glass of milk or buttermilk.
Vegetables which can be taken in hypoglycemia are asparagus, beets, carrots, cucumbers,
egg-plants, peas, radishes, tomatoes, spinach, kale, lettuce, beans, baked potatoes. Fruits
which can be taken are apples, apricots, berries, peaches, and pineapples. Consumption of
citrus fruits should be limited.
Foods rich in vitamin C , E and B-complex are highly beneficial in the treatment of low blood
sugar. Vitamins C and B increase tolerance to sugar and carbohydrates and help normalise
sugar metabolism. Pantothenic acid, and vitamin B6 help to build up adrenals which are
generally exhausted in persons with hypoglycemia. Vitamin E improves glycogen storage in the
muscles and tissues. The patient should take vitamin C in large doses from 2,000 to 5,000 mg.;
B6 50 mg. and vitamin E upto 1,600 lu daily.
Proper rest is essential for those suffering from low blood sugar. A tranquil mind is of utmost
importance in this condition. Nervous strain and anxiety should be relieved by simple methods of
meditation and relaxation. Yogasanas like vakrasana, bhujasana, halasana, sarbagasana and
shavasana and pranayama like kapalbhati and anuloma-viloma will be beneficial. A prolonged
neutral immersion bath is also helpful in relieving mental tension.

Hydrocele

Your Ad Here

Hydrocele is a common condition of men in which there is accumulation of fluid in the tunica
vaginalis, the sac which surrounds the testicle. It may occur at any age, but old men are usually
more prone to the condition.
The testicles are the major sex glands in the male. Each gland is composed of myriads of coiled
tubes in which the sperm cells are produced. It is the function of these cells to fertilize the ovum
during sexual intercourse.
Symptoms
The main symptom of hydrocele is painless, smooth and elastic enlargement of the scrotum. In
some cases swelling is so much as to cause a great deal of inconvenience interfering greatly
with walking. Consequently it may produce a great deal of pressure upon the testicles and the
spermatic vessels causing a detrimental effect upon the generative system. The hydrocele is
translucent. If a bright light is placed upon it in the dark the whole swelling lights up If the
swelling become painful, it usually denotes that it has become infected.
Causes
The apparent cause of hydrocele may be a knock or a strain but toxic condition of the system is
usually at the root of the matter. This systemic toxicity results from wrong dietary habits, general
wrong living and suppressive medical treatment of former diseases. Sexual excess and abuse is
also an important factor in some cases, through the degeneration of the sex organism which
follows. Sometimes gonorrhoel infection, obstruction of the abdominal vein, tuberculosis and
dropsy may be the cause of this condition.
Hydrocele sometimes exists at birth. In this case swelling is seen when the infant is an upright
position and disappears when the infant is laid upon its back. Hydrocele usually disappears by
itself in infants.
Treatment
Tapping is the method usually resorted to for removal of the fluid in hydrocele. This, however,
does not remove the cause of the trouble but only its effects. The correct way in which the
condition can be really dealt with successfully is through constitutional treatment. Such a
treatment should aim at removing the underlying toxicity of the system which is at the root of the
trouble.
The sufferer from hydrocele should begin with an exclusive fresh fruit diet for seven to ten days.
In this regimen, he should have three meals a day of fresh juicy fruits, such as apples, pears,
grapes, grape-fruit, oranges, pineapple, peaches, melon or any other juicy fruit in season but no
bananas or dried, stewed or tinned fruit, and no other foodstuff whatever. For drinks, lemon
water unsweetened or water either hot or cold may be taken.
During this period the bowels should be cleansed daily with a warm water enema. If constipation
is habitual, all steps should be taken for its eradication.. After all all-fruit diet the patient may
adopt the following regimen :
Breakfast : Fresh fruit as obtainable, or grated raw carrot or other raw salad-stuff, prunes or
other dried fruits, if desired, and a cup of milk.
Lunch : Steamed vegetables, as obtainable, with either a poached or scrambled egg or a
vegetarian savory. Stewed fruit or a baked apple may be taken for dessert.
Dinner : A good-sized raw salad, of any suitable vegetable as obtainable, with whole wheat
bread and butter, and prunes or other dried fruits as dessert.

Further short periods on the all-fruit diet should be undertaken at monthly intervals as required,
for two or three consecutive days each time. The diet factor is of the utmost importance and
fruits and salads must form the main basis of the future dietary . Alcohol, strong tea, coffee
condiments, pickles and sauces should be avoided. Smoking, where habitual, should be given
up.
Water Treatment
Treatment through water is extremely beneficial in curing hydrocele. Cold hip baths twice daily in
the morning and the evening, for 10 minutes each time, are specially valuable. For a cold hip
bath, an ordinary tub may be used. It should be filled with cold water. The patient should sit in
the tub, keeping the legs outside.
A hot Epsom-salts bath is also very useful in the treatment of hydrocele and should be taken
once or twice weekly, where possible. This bath is prepared as outlined in chapter 3 on
Therapeutic Baths.
Every effort should be made to build up the general health level to the highest degree. Fresh air
and outdoor exercise are essential to the success of this treatment. Sun and air bathing, where
possible, should be undertaken. All habits, and practices tending to lower the tone of the body
should be studiously avoided ; strain should be avoided as far as possible. The wearing of a
suspensory bandage is often useful.
Unless the condition persists for a long time, the foregoing treatment should soon begin to show
its beneficial effects, and the whole general health-level of the sufferer will be greatly enhanced
at the same time.

High Blood Pressure

Your Ad Here

High blood pressure or hypertension - to give it the correct medical term - is regarded as the
silent killer. It is a disease of the modern age. The fast pace of life and the mental and physical
pressures caused by the industrial and metropolitan environments give rise to psychological
tensions. Worry and mental tension increases the adrenaline in the blood stream and this, in
turn, causes the pressure of the blood to rise.
The blood which circulates through the arteries within the body supplies every cell with
nourishment and oxygen. The force exert by the heart as it pumps the blood into the large
arteries creates a pressure within them and this is called blood pressure. A certain level of blood
pressure is thus essential to keep the blood circulating in the body. But when the pressure
becomes too high, it results in hypertension which is caused by spasm or narrowing of the small
blood vessels, known as capillaries, throughout the body. This narrowing puts more stress on
the heart to pump blood through the blood vessels. Hence, the pressure of the blood to get
through rises in proportion to the pressure on the heart.
The blood pressure is measured with the instrument called sphygmomanometer in millimeters of
mercury. The highest pressure reached during each heart beat is called systolic pressure and
the lowest between the two beats is known as diastolic pressure. The first gives the pressure of
the contraction of the heart as it pushes the blood on its journey through the body and indicates
the activity of the heart. The second represents the pressure present in the artery when the heart
is relaxed and shows the condition of the blood vessels. The blood pressure level considered
normal is 120/70, but may go up to 140 /90 and still be normal. Within this range, the lower the
reading, the better. Blood pressure between 140/90 and 160/95 is considered border line area.
From 160/96 to 180/114 , it is classed as moderate hypertension, while 180/115 and upward is
considered severe. A raised diastolic pressure is considered more serious than the raised
systolic pressure as it has a serious long-term effect. The higher the pressure the greater the
danger it causes to the wall.
Symptoms
Mild and moderate hypertension may not produce any symptoms for years. The first symptoms
may appear in the form of pain toward the back of the head and neck on waking in the morning,
which soon disappears. Some of the other usual symptoms of hypertension are dizziness, aches
and pains in the arms, shoulder region, leg, back, etc., palpitations, pain in the heart region,
frequent urination, nervous tension and fatigue, crossness, emotional upset, tiredness and
wakefulness.
A person suffering from high blood pressure cannot do any serious work, feels tired and out of
sorts all the time. He may experience difficulty in breathing and suffer from dyspepsia.
Hypertension, if not eliminated, may cause heart attacks or strokes or other disability conditions
such as detachment of the terina.
Causes
The most important causes of hypertension are stress and a faulty style of living. People who
are usually tense suffer from high blood pressure, especially when under stress. If the stress
continues for a longperiod, the pressure may become permanently raised and may not become
even after removal of the stress. An irregular life style, smoking and an excessive intake of
intoxicants, tea, coffee, cola drinks, refined foods, destroy the natural pace of life. The expulsion
of waste and poisonous matter from the body is prevented and the arteries and the veins
become slack. hardening of the arteries , obesity, diabetes and severe constipation also lead to
hypertension. Other causes of high blood pressure are excessive intake of pain killers, common
table salt, food allergies and eating a high fat, low fibre diet, processed foods deficient in
essential nutrients.

The kidneys play an important role in controlling blood pressure through secretion of rennin, a
natural chemical. If increased rennin is secreted by the kidneys, more salts are retained in the
body, which leads to an increase in the volume of circulating blood and consequently to an
increase in the blood pressure. Repeated infections and inflammation in the kidneys can also
give rise to hypertension.
The Cure
The modern medical treatment of high blood pressure is highly unscientific as it brings down the
pressure by drugs without making any effort to remove the underlying causes. Drugs may
temporarily reduce blood pressure,but they do not cure the condition and are harmful in the
ultimate analysis. All drugs against hypertension without exception, are toxic and have
distressing side effects. The safest way to cure hypertension is to remove the real cause. The
natural way of dealing with it is to eliminate the poisons from the system which cause it. Persons
with high blood pressure should always follow a well-balanced routine of proper diet, exercise
and rest. Diet is of primary importance. Meat and eggs cause the blood pressure to rise more
than any other food. The pressure is lowered and blood clotting diminished by partaking of a
higher fruit content, lower protein and non-flesh diet. A natural diet consisting of fresh fruits and
vegetables, instead of a traditional diet, is helpful in getting rid of the poisons from the body. A
hypertension patient should start the process of healing by living on an exclusive fruit-diet for
atleast a week, and take fruits at five-hourly intervals thrice in the day. Oranges, apples, pears,
mangoes, guava, pineapples, raspberry, water-melon are the best diet in such cases. Bananas
and jack fruit should not be taken. Milk may be taken after a week of ‘fruits only’ diet. The milk
should be fresh and should be boiled only once. The patient can be permitted cereals in his food
after two weeks.
Vegetables are also good for the patient of hypertension. They should preferably be taken raw. If
they are cooked, it should be ensured that their natural juices are not burnt in the process of
cooking. Vegetables like cucumber, carrot, tomatoes, onion, radish, cabbage and spinach are
best taken in their raw form. They may be cut into small pieces and sprinkled with a little salt and
the juice of a lemon added to them so as to make them more palatable.
Garlic is regarded as one of the most effective remedies to lower blood pressure. The pressure
and tension are reduced because it has the power to ease the spasms of the small arteries.
Garlic also slows the pulse and modifies the heart rhythm besides relieving the symptoms of
dizziness, numbness, shortness of breath and the formation of gas within the digestive tract. The
average dosage should be two to three capsules a day to make a dent in the blood pressure.
Indian gooseberry (amla) is another effective food remedy for high blood pressure. A
tablespoonful each of fresh amla juice and honey mixed together should be taken every morning
in this condition. Lemon is also regarded as a valuable food to control high blood pressure. It is a
rich source of vitamin P which is found both in the juice and peel of the fruit. This vitamin is
essential for preventing capillary fragility.
Watermelon is another valuable safeguard against high blood pressure. It was proved in recent
experiments that a substance extracted from watermelon seeds has a definite action in dilating
the blood vessels, which results in lowering the blood pressure.
Recent studies have revealed an important link between dietary calcium and potassium and
hypertension. Researchers have found that people who take potassium-rich diets have a low
incidence of hypertension even if they do not control their salt-intake. They have also found that
people with hypertension do not seem to get much calcium in the form of dairy products. The
two essential nutrients seem to help the body throw off excess sodium and are involved in
important functions which control the working of the vascular system. Potassium is found in
abundance in fruits and vegetables and calcium in dairy products.
Exercise plays an important role in curing hypertension. Walking is an excellent form of exercise.
It helps to relieve tension, builds up the muscles and aids in the circulation of blood. As the blood
pressure shows signs of abating, more exercise like bicycling, swimming, jogging should be
taken. Yogic asanas such as surya namaskar, makrasana,matsyasana, vajrasana,
ardhapadmasana, pavan-muktasana, shavasana and simple pranayama like anuloma-viloma
and abdominal breathing are beneficial. All asanas should, however, be discontinued except
shavasana if the blood pressure is above 200 milimeters.

Water Treatment
Prolonged neutral bath daily for an hour or so at 90 o to 95 o will be beneficial. Cold compress
should be kept on the head during this bath. Other water treatments include hot foot or leg bath
for 10 minutes, hot compress over the heart replacing it as bath cools down.
Persons suffering from hypertension must ensure at least eight hours of restful sleep, because
proper rest is an important aspect of the treatment. Most important of all, the patient must avoid
over-straining, worries, tension, anger and haste. He must try to be cheerful and develop a
contented mind. The natural treatment may take sometime but it is the safest and best way to
get rid of this disease.