Acne

Acne Vulgaris

Acne is a common and chronic skin disease. It is an inflammatory condition of the sebaceous glands and hair follicles. The lesions are usually found on the skin of the face, neck, chest, and shoulders. Nearly six out of ten young people between the ages of twelve and twenty-four suffer from some degree of acne. The disease causes a great deal of embarrassment at an age when people tend to be sensitive about their personal appearance.

Causes and Symptoms

Acne is characterized by the presence of comedones or blackheads, pimples, small superficial sebaceous cysts, and scars. There are over half a dozen forms of acne, the most common being blackheads. The areas chiefly affected are the forehead, temples, cheeks, chin, chest, and back. In rare cases, almost the entire body may be covered with blackheads accompanied by extensive scarring.

All forms of acne have their origin in wrong eating habits, such as irregular hours of eating, excessive consumption of starch, sugar, fried and fatty foods. Chronic constipation is another cause of acne. If the bowels do not move properly, the waste matter is not eliminated as quickly as it should be and the bloodstream becomes surcharged with toxic matter. The extra efforts of the skin to eliminate excess waste result in acne and other forms of skin diseases. Other causes of this disorder are a devitalized condition of the skin resulting from unhygienic living habits, excessive use of tea, coffee, alcohol, or tobacco, and sedentary habits which lead to indigestion and general debility.

Remedies

Vitamins: Two vitamins, namely, niacin and vitamin A have been used successfully to treat acne. Vitamin therapy should comprise the intake of 100 mg niacin, three times daily, and 50,000 international units of vitamin A, three times daily. Vitamin E, 400 mg, should be taken once daily. This therapy should be continued for a month.

Zinc: Another effective remedy in the area of nutrition that seems to offer new promise of help for acne is zinc. It has shown dramatic results in some cases. Zinc should be taken in therapeutic doses of 50 mg three times a day. 7inc is available in tablet and in capsule form. In tablet form, it is available as Zinfet – 200 mg (Yash Pharma, Bombay). The patient can take a quarter tablet so as to get 50 mg of zinc. In capsule form, zinc is available as Ulseal220 mg (Tam Pharmaceuticals). One-fourth of the powder inside the capsule can be taken as a single dose. The patient can take a dose of 50 mg daily up o one month or till there is noticeable improvement and then reduce the dose to 25 mg.

Orange Peel: Orange peel has been found very effective in the local treatment of acne. Pounded well with water on a piece of stone, the peel should be applied to the affected areas.

Lemon: Lemon has also proved beneficial in reducing pimples and acne. Its juice should be applied regularly to obtain relief

Garlic: Garlic has been used successfully in the treatment of acne. Pimples disappear without scars when rubbed with raw garlic several times a day. Even extremely persistent forms of acne, suffered by some adults, have been healed with this herb. The external use of garlic helps to clear the skin of spots, pimples and boils. The process is further helped by eating three pods of raw garlic once daily for a month to purify-the blood stream, so as to secure a long-term clearance of the skin.

Coriander and. Mint juice: A teaspoon of coriander juice, mixed with a pinch of turmeric powder, is another effective home remedy for pimples and blackheads. The mixture should be applied to the face after thoroughly washing it every night before retiring. Mint juice can be used in a similar manner as coriander juice.

Fenugreek: Fenugreek is another useful remedy for acne. A paste made of the leaves of this vegetable, applied over the face every night before going to bed and washed with warm water in the morning, prevents pimples and blackheads.

Cucumber: Grated cucumber applied over the face, eyes, and neck for fifteen to twenty minutes has been found effective. It is the best tonic for the skin of the face. Its regular use prevents pimples and blackheads.

Dietary Considerations

To begin with, the patient should take only an ‘all-fruit? diet for a week, taking three meals a day, of fresh juicy fruits, such as apples, pears, grapes, grapefruit, pineapples, and peaches. Only unsweetened lemon or plain water, either hot or cold; should be drunk and nothing else. After the one-week, all-fruit diet the patient can gradually adopt a well-balanced diet with emphasis on raw foods, especially fresh fruit and vegetables, sprouted seeds, raw nuts, and wholegrain cereals, particularly millet and brown rice. Further short periods of the ‘all-fruit? diet for three days or so may be necessary at a monthly interval till the skin’s condition improves. Meats, sugar, strong tea or coffee, condiments, pickles, soft drinks, candies, ice cream, refined and processed foods should be avoided as far as possible.

Other Measures

During the initial one week ‘all-fruit? diet, a warm-water enema should be taken daily to cleanse the bowels.

Hot fomentation should be applied locally to open up the pores and to bring out the waste matter. The affected parts should then be rinsed with cold water. The patient should take sun and air baths by exposing the whole body to the sun and air. A hot Epsom salts bath twice a week is beneficial in all cases of acne. This bath is prepared by adding 1 1/2 kg of Epsom salts to 60 liters of water having a temperature of about 37.80 C. The patient should remain in the bath tub for 25-35 minutes till he sweats freely. After the bath, the patient should cool off gradually.

Alcoholism

Alcohol Addiction

Alcoholism is a chronic disorder in which a person is unable to refrain from frequent and excessive consumption of alcohol.

Causes and Symptoms

Alcoholics have a puffy face with bloodshot eyes, hoarse voice and a rapid pulse. They are suspicious, irritable and over-emotional. Vomiting, delirium, impaired judgment, and disturbed sleep are some of the other symptoms that alcoholics suffer from. Excessive drinking damages the liver and gradually leads to cirrhosis. It also leads to disorders of the stomach and bowels. It can cause damage to the brain cells, and also affects the heart, which becomes weak and flabby.

Alcoholism starts with the individual taking an occasional drink. This gradually becomes a habit and leads to a state where the person cannot do without alcohol. Some people drink alcohol to enliven social gatherings under social pressure; for others, it is an escape from the responsibilities or stresses of life.

Remedies

Grapes: The most important home remedy for alcoholism is an exclusive diet, for a month or so, of grapes. Since this fruit contains the purest form of alcohol, it is an ideal yet healthy substitute for alcohol. Alcoholics should take three meals a day of fresh grapes at five-hourly intervals. The success of this treatment depends on the determination of the alcoholic to stop drinking.

Apples: Apples are another effective remedy for alcoholism. A generous intake of apples helps remove intoxication and reduces the craving for wines and other intoxicating liquors.

Dates: Dates are considered beneficial in the treatment of alcoholism. The patient should drink half a glass of water in which four or five dates have been rubbed together. This remedy should be taken twice daily for a month. It will bring definite relief.

Bitter Gourd: The juice of the leaves of bitter gourd is an antidote for alcohol intoxication. It is also useful for a liver damaged due to alcoholism. 11ree teaspoons of this juice, mixed with a glass of butter milk, should be taken every morning for a month.

Celery: The juice of raw celery has also been found useful in alcoholism. It exercises a sobering effect on the patient and is an antidote to alcohol. Half a glass of celery juice mixed with an equal quantity of water should be taken once daily for a month.

Dietary Considerations

The most effective way to treat alcoholism is to build up the body’s nutritional integrity so as to prevent craving for stimulants like drinks. The patient should be put on a cleansing juice fast for at least ten days in the beginning.

During the juice fast, the patient will gradually feel less craving for alcohol. This is a good beginning-towards breaking the drinking habit After the initial fast of juices, the patient should take an optimum diet of vital nutrients consisting of wholegrain cereals, nuts, seeds and sprouts, fresh fruits, and vegetables. It is advisable that at the beginning of the treatment~ the patient is given a suitable substitute to relieve the craving if and when it occurs. The best substitute drink for alcohol is a glass of fresh fruit juice. The patient should drink juices and eat candy or other snacks if he feels a craving for a stimulant All refined foods such as sugar, white rice, macaroni products, strong condiments, white flour, and meat should be avoided. The patient should eat several small meals a day in preference to two or three large ones.Plenty of rest and outdoor physical exercises are also necessary.

Other Measures

The most important step towards breaking the ‘alcohol habit’ is the willingness of an alcoholic to do so. He must make a firm resolve to make a clean break at once, as giving up in stages is next to impossible.

During the first ten days of the ‘juice fast?, a warm-water enema should be taken everyday to cleanse the bowels. Smoking must be avoided as it increases the desire for alcohol. Plenty of rest and outdoor physical exercises are also necessary.

Allergies

Asthma, Rhindis, Eczema’

The word allergy means an altered or abnormal tissue reaction after exposure to an antigen (also called an ‘allergen’). The allergic reaction occurs if the body tissues are sensitive to the allergen. The allergen may reach the tissues by direct contact with the skin or various mucous membranes of the organs or through the bloodstream after absorption. Almost any part of the body can be affected by allergies.

Allergic reactions are caused by a wide range of substances and conditions. These include pollens, dust, cosmetics, and animal hair; poisonous plants, serums, vaccines, and drugs; physical agents such as heat, cold and sunlight, as well as a variety of foods. The foods that commonly cause allergic reactions are oranges, milk, eggs, wheat, fish and other sea foods, chocolates, tomatoes, and strawberries.

Causes and Symptoms

Allergic symptoms are manifested in various forms in different organs These include recurring headaches, migraines, dizziness, irritability. nervousness, depression, neuralgia, conjunctivitis, eczema, hay fever, a stuffy or runny nose, diarrhea, vomiting, Urticaria, asthma, shortness of breath, and swelling of the face and eyes. The same substance can cause different symptoms in different people at different times.

Allergy is an indication of disharmony caused by dietetic errors and a faulty style of living. It is also caused by excessive consumption of refined and processed foods, loaded with numerous chemical additives, many of which cause powerful reactions. Emotional and psychological stress can also lead to allergies.

Remedies

Nutrients: Certain nutrients have been found beneficial in the prevention and treatment of allergies. Often the intake of vitamin B 5 or pantothenic acid brings great relief to the sufferer. This vitamin may be taken in a dose of 100 mg daily for a month. In such cases, liberal amounts of pantothenic acid helps even though the recovery takes several weeks. A dose of 400 mg of vitamin E taken daily for four to six weeks is also beneficial as this vitamin possesses effective anti-allergic properties.

Castor Oil: An effective home remedy for allergy has been discovered by an Indian physician, Dr Hemant Pathak. He found that five drops of castor oil in half a cup of any fruit or vegetable juice, or plain water, and taken on an empty stomach in the morning, is beneficial for allergies of the intestinal tract, skin, and nasal passages. Dr Pathak has reported numerous cases of allergic protection by this method.’

Lime: Line is considered an effective remedy for any kind of allergy. Half a lime may be squeezed in a glass of lukewarm water and sweetened with a teaspoon of honey. It can be taken once daily first thing in the morning for several months. This remedy not only flushes the system of toxins but also acts as an antitoxic and anti-allergic agent. However, those who are allergic to citrus fruits should not take recourse to this remedy.

Bananas: One or two bananas a day are useful for those who are allergic to certain foods and who consequently suffer from skin rashes, digestive disorders, or asthma. The fruit does, however, cause allergic reactions in certain sensitive persons and they should avoid it.

Vegetable juices: A quantity of 500 ml carrot juice or a combination of carrot juice with beet and cucumber juices, has been found beneficial in the treatment of allergies. In the case of mixed juices, 100 ml each of beet and cucumber juices should be mixed with 300 ml of carrot juice to prepare 500 ml or half a liter of mixed juice. This should be taken once daily.

Dietary Considerations

The best way to prevent or overcome allergies is to strengthen overall physical resistance so as not to fall an easy prey to every allergen that one comes across. To start with, the patient should fast on fresh fruit juices for four or five days. Repeated short juice fasts are likely to result in better tolerance to previous allergies. After the juice fast, the patient can take a mono diet of vegetables or fruits such as carrots, grapes, or apples for one week. After that, one more food may be added to the mono diet A week later, a third food may be added, and so on. After four weeks, protein foods can be introduced, one at a time. In case an allergic reaction to a newly-introduced food is noticed, it should be discontinued and a new food tried. In this way, all real allergens can be eventually eliminated from the diet,

Foods which should be excluded from the diet are tea, coffee, chocolate, cola drinks, alcohol, sugar and products made from it, refined cereals, meats, fish, chicken, tobacco, milk, cheese, butter, smoked and salted pickled foods, and foods containing any chemical additives, preservatives and flavorings.

Other Measures

For allergic conditions in which an element of mental stress is present as well, it is essential to employ such methods as relaxation, exercise, meditation, and mind control. These methods reduce or remove stress and thereby contribute towards the treatment of allergies. Yogic asanas like yoga-mudra, ardh-matsyendrasana, sarvangasana, shavasana, and anuloma-viloma pranayama are beneficial in the treatment of allergy.

Amnesia

Loss of Memory

Amnesia refers to partial or complete loss of memory. Different types and degrees of amnesia occur in old age and in some mental disorders.

Causes and Symptoms

The most common form of this disease is verbal amnesia. In this condition, the patient forgets words or names. An uncommon form of amnesia is temporary loss of memory, in which a person even forgets his own identity, including his name, age, family background, and any recollection of the past

The main cause of amnesia is the impairment of brain cells by diseases which affect them directly or indirectly, due to a poor blood supply caused by circulatory diseases. Poor memory also results from dullness of intellect and weakness of the brain. Many cases are, however, largely psychological in origin. They are caused by anxiety neurosis, resulting from attention-seeking in persons obsessed with their own problems. Temporary loss of memory may result from an injury.

Remedies

Rosemary: The most remarkable remedy for loss of memory or forgetfulness is the use of the herb rosemary, botanically known as Romarinus officinalis. Rosemary has long been regarded as a herb for remembrance. In ancient times, the Greeks and the Romans prepared fragrant distilled water from the flowers of this plant and inhaled the odor so that the evils were destroyed from the mind and the memory no longer played tricks.” Rosemary is considered to be an antidote for mental fatigue and forgetfulness. A tea made from this herb, taken once or twice a day, is a refreshing drink and an effective natural remedy for enhancing mental agility.

Brahmi Booti: Another herb useful in amnesia is brahmi booti botanically known as Bacopa scrophulariaceae. About seven grams of this herb should be dried in the ‘ shade and ground in water, along with seven kernels of almonds and half a gram of pepper. This mixture should be strained and sweetened with twenty-five gm of sugar. It should be drunk every morning for a fortnight on an empty stomach.

Sage: The herb sage has also been found beneficial in the treatment of a weak memory or loss of memory. It acts on the cortex of the brain, mitigates mental exhaustion and strengthens the ability to concentrate. A tea prepared from dried sage leaves can be used regularly for this purpose.

Almonds: Almonds are very valuable for restoring a poor memory caused by brain weakness. They contain unique properties to remove brain debility and to strengthen the brain. Almonds preserve the vitality of the brain and cure ailments originating from nervous disorders. Ten to twelve almonds should be immersed in water overnight and their outer skin removed. They should then be made into a fine paste and taken, mixed with one teaspoonful of butter or even alone. Inhaling ten to fifteen drops of almond oil through the nose, morning and evening, is also beneficial in the treatment of brain weakness.

Walnuts: Walnut is another unique dry fruit valuable in countering brain weakness. About twenty grams of walnuts should be taken every day. The value of walnuts is enhanced if they are taken with figs or raisins in a proportion of ten gram each, everyday.

Apples: Apples are useful in amnesia. The various chemical substances contained in this fruit such as vitamin B1, phosphorus, and potassium help in the synthesis of glutamic acid. This acid controls the wear and tear of nerve cells. Eating an apple a day with one tea-spoon of honey and one cup of milk is beneficial in the treatment of loss of memory and mental irritability. It acts as an effective nerve tonic and recharges the nerves with new energy and life.

Other Fruits: All fruits which are rich in phosphorus are valuable mitigators of amnesia, as they invigorate the brain cells and tissues. Apart from apples, almonds, and walnuts, which have been discussed earlier, other phosphorus-rich fruits are figs, grapes, oranges, and dates. Their intake is highly beneficial in loss of memory due to brain debility.

Cumin Seeds: The use of cumin seeds is another valuable remedy for amnesia or dullness of memory. Three grams of black cumin seeds should be mixed with two teaspoonfuls of pure honey and taken once a day, preferably, in the morning.

Black Pepper: Five seeds of finely ground black pepper, mixed with one teaspoon of honey are also beneficial in the treatment of this condition. This preparation should be taken both in the morning and evening.

Dietary Considerations

The diet of a patient suffering from amnesia should consist of phosphorus-rich foods like cereals, pulses, nuts, egg yolk, fruit juices, and milk. Cow’s milk is specially beneficial and the patient should take as much of this milk as he can safely digest.

Other Measures

Ensuring sufficient rest and sleep under conducive conditions is very necessary. The patient must also learn the art of relaxation and meditation which can go a long way in curing amnesia.

Anaemia

Haemoglobin Deficiency in Blood

Anaemia may be defined as a condition in which there is a decrease in the quantity of haemoglobin or in the number of red cells. Anaemia is among the most common ailments affecting human beings.

Nearly half the blood flowing in our veins and arteries consists of red blood cells which carry oxygen to the tissues. Approximately one trillion or 100 million new blood cells are formed daily in the bone marrow. The raw materials required in the production of these cells are iron, proteins, and vitamins, especially folic acid and B 12′ Of these, iron and proteins are essential in building up the red coloring matter called haemoglobin. A red cell has a lifespan of approximately one hundred and twenty days and is then destroyed and replaced. Each person should have about 15 gm of haemoglobin per 100 ml of blood, and a blood count of approximately five million red cells per millimeter of blood.

Causes and Symptoms

The patient usually complains of weakness, fatigue, lack of energy, and dizziness. Other symptoms include a haggard look, premature wrinkles, dull and tired looking eyes, poor memory, shortness of breath on exertion, headache, slow healing of wounds, and palpitations. The skin and mucous membranes look pale.

A diminished formation of red blood cells in the bone marrow, either due to defects in the bone marrow, or due to an inadequate intake of iron, vitamins, and proteins, is one of the main causes of anemia. Other important causes are heavy loss of blood due to injury, bleeding piles, or excessive menstruation in women. Anaemia can also occur due to a lack of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, which is needed for digestion of iron and proteins, or intestinal parasites or worms. Hookworms, pinworms, round worms and tape worms feed on the supply of blood as well as on the vitamins.

Remedies

Vitamin B 12 : Vitamin B 12 is needed for preventing or curing anemia. This vitamin is usually found in animal protein, especially in meats such as kidney and liver. There are, however, other equally good sources of vitamin B12 such as dairy products which also contain some B 12′

Beets: Beets are very helpful in curing anemia. Beet juice contains potassium, phosphorus, calcium, sulphur , iodine, iron, copper, carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins B,, B2, B,, niacin, and vitamin P. With their high iron content, beets help in the formation of red blood cells. The juice of red beet strengthens the body’s powers of resistance and has proved to be an excellent remedy for anaemia, especially for children and teenagers, where other blood-forming remedies have failed.

Fenugreek: The leaves of fenugreek help in blood formation. The cooked leaves should be taken by adolescent girls to prevent anaemia, which may occur due to the onset of puberty and menstruation. The seeds of fenugreek are also a valuable cure for anaemia, being rich in iron.

Lettuce: Lettuce is another effective remedy for this ailment as it contains a considerable amount of iron. It can, therefore, be used as a good tonic food for anaemia. The iron in it is easily absorbed by the body.

Spinach: This leafy vegetable is a valuable source of high grade iron. After its absorption, it helps in the formation of haemoglobin and red blood cells. It is thus beneficial in building up the blood, and in the prevention and treatment of anaemia.

Soyabean: Soyabean is rich in iron and also has a high protein value. As most anaemic patients usually also suffer from a weak digestion, it should be given to them in a very light form, preferably in the form of milk, which can be easily digested.

Almonds: Almonds contain copper to the extent of 1.15 mg per 100 gm. The copper along with iron and vitamins, acts as a catalyst, in the synthesis of haemoglobin. Almonds are, therefore, a useful remedy for anaemia. Seven almonds should be soaked in water for about two hours and ground into a paste after removing the thin red skin. This paste may be eaten once daily in the morning for three months.

Sesame Seeds: Black sesame seeds, as a rich source of iron, are valuable in anaemia. After soaking one teaspoon of the seeds in warm water for a couple of hours, they should be ground and strained, and ‘ then mixed with a cup of milk and sweetened with jaggery or sugar. This emulsion should be given to patients suffering from anaemia.

Honey: Honey is remarkable for building haemoglobin in the body. This is largely due to the iron, copper, and manganese contained in it.

Other Foods: There are several other foods which are rich sources of iron and can be used beneficially in the treatment of anaemia. The more important of these are bananas, black grapes, plums, strawberries, raisins, onions, squash, carrots, radish, celery, and tomatoes.

Dietary Considerations

Diet is of utmost importance in the treatment of anaemia. Refined foods like white bread, polished rice, sugar, and desserts rob the body of its much-needed iron. Iron should preferably be taken in its natural organic form in food. The emphasis in the diet should be on raw vegetables and fresh fruits which are rich in iron.

The patient should commence a therapeutic treatment with an exclusive fruit diet for five days, taking three meals a day of fresh juicy fruits. This may be followed by a fruit and milk diet for about fifteen days. In this regimen, the frequency of meals should be exactly the same as for the earlier all-fruit diet. Thereafter, the patient may gradually embark upon a well-balanced diet, consisting of seeds, nuts, grains, vegetables, and fruits.

Other Measures

Cold water baths are recommended in anaemia. The patient should be given a cold bath carefully twice daily, the coldness of the water being increased gradually. A hot Epsom salts bath for five to ten minutes once a week and an occasional steam bath are also useful. Sunbaths are especially beneficial as the sunlight stimulates the production of red cells. Other important factors that help in curing anaemia. are deep breathing and light exercises like walking. Yogic asanas such as sarvangasana, paschimottanasana, and shavasana, as well as massage are also helpful in this regard.

Anorexia

Loss of Appetite

Anorexia. means loss of appetite. It is a symptom of disturbed digestion and common in all diseases which lead to general weakness. This condition results from failure of the activity of the stomach and secretion of gastric juices due to low vitality which, in turn, can be due to various causes.

Causes and Symptoms

Persons suffering from anorexia may refuse to eat and suffer from insomnia. In course of time, emaciation becomes severe. People suffer from anorexia when they habitually take a faulty diet and hardly do any physical work. It may also result from stress and strain such as domestic worry, emotional disturbances, difficult working conditions, and nervous disorders. General body disorders and diseases also lead to this condition.

Remedies

Oranges: Oranges are an extremely useful remedy for anorexia. They stimulate the flow of digestive juices, thereby improving digestion and increasing appetite. One or two oranges a day are advised.

Sour Grapes: Sour grapes are another effective remedy for anorexia. The juice of these grapes should be used in kneading the flour before preparing chapatis. Chapatis made in this manner should be eaten continuously for two to three weeks. This remedy will tone up the stomach and improve the appetite.

Lime: Lime is also a valuable remedy for restoring a lost appetite. A preparation made from this fruit and ginger has been found very effective in overcoming this condition. About one teaspoon of the juice of lime should be mixed with an equal quantity of the juice of ginger. One gram of rock salt should be added to this mixture. It should then be placed in sunlight for three days. A teaspoon taken after each meal will tone up the digestive system and improve the appetite.

Apples: Apples are another variety of fruit useful in anorexia. They help digestion by stimulating the flow of pepsin, a protein digesting enzyme, in the stomach. The old adage, ‘An apple a day keeps the doctor away’, is certainly a valuable one.

Garlic: Garlic possesses a special property to stimulate the digestive tone of the system and improve appetite. A soup prepared from this vegetable can be of immense help to a patient suffering from anorexia. Three or four cloves of raw garlic should be boiled in a cup of water. This soup can be reinforced with the juice of half a lemon and taken twice daily.

Ginger: The use of ginger is valuable in the loss of appetite. About five grams of this vegetable should be ground and licked with a little salt once a day for the treatment of this condition.

Dietary Considerations

The only effective treatment for anorexia is a thorough cleansing of the digestive tract, and adoption of a sensible diet thereafter, along with a change in the style of living. To begin with, the patient should fast on orange juice and water for three to five days. The procedure is to take the juice of an orange in a glass of warm water, every two hours, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nothing else should be taken, as otherwise, the value of the fast will be entirely lost. If orange juice does not agree with the system, only water or half a glass of carrot juice mixed with an equal quantity of water may be taken. After the juice fast, the patient may adopt an all-fruit diet for a further five days, taking three meals a day of juicy fruits, such as apples, pears, grapes, grape-fruit, oranges, pineapple, peaches, and melons, at five-hourly intervals. Thereafter he may adopt a restricted diet of easily- digestible foods, consisting of lightly cooked vegetables, juicy fruits, and buttermilk for about ten days.

Other Measures

During the first three to five days of the juice fast, the bowels should be cleansed with a warm-water enema each day. The poisonous matter will thus be eliminated by this self-cleansing process.

The application of an ice-bag over the stomach for half an hour before meals, and a cool hip bath once or twice daily, will go a long way in curing anorexia. Other measures beneficial in the treatment of this condition are sun and cool air baths. An early morning sun bath, taken one day, should be alternated with an early morning cool air bath the next day. An outdoor life and abdominal massages are also advised.

Appendicitis

Inflammation of Appendix

The appendix is a small outgrowth of tissue forming a tube-shaped sac attached to the lower end of the large intestine. Inflammation of the appendix presents itself in acute and chronic forms and affects both the sexes equally. This disease accounts for about half the acute abdominal emergencies occurring between the ages of ten and thirty.

Causes and Symptoms

Appendicitis usually begins with a sudden pain in the center of the abdomen. The pain may be preceded by general discomfort in the abdomen, indigestion, diarrhea, or constipation. Gradually, the pain shifts to the lower right side, and is usually accompanied by a fever varying from 380C to 390C. Nausea is common and the patient may vomit once or twice. In the chronic state of appendicitis, the patient may suffer from recurrent pain in the right lower abdomen, constipation, loss of appetite, and mild nausea. Appendicitis is initiated by the presence of an excessive amount of poisonous waste material in the caecum. As a result, the appendix gets irritated and inflamed. Inflammation and infection are caused by certain germs which are usually present in the intestinal tract.

Remedies

When pains as described above are experienced, the patient is advised to consult a doctor immediately. The following remedies should be taken only in consultation with a doctor:

Green Gram: Green gram is a proven home remedy for acute appendicitis. An infusion of green gram is an excellent medicine for treating this condition. It can be taken in a small quantity of one tablespoon three times a day.

Fenugreek Seeds: Regular use of tea made from fenugreek seeds has proved helpful in preventing the appendix from becoming a dumping ground for excess mucus and intestinal waste. This tea .is prepared by putting one tablespoon of the seeds in a litre of cold water and allowing it to simmer for half an hour over a low flame and then strained it. It should be allowed to cool a little before being drunk.

Vegetable juices: Certain vegetable juices have been found valuable in appendicitis. A particularly good combination is that of 100 ml each of beet and cucumber juices mixed with 300 ml of carrot juice. This combined juice can be taken twice daily.

Buttermilk: Buttermilk is beneficial in the treatment of chronic form of appendicitis. One litre of buttermilk may be taken daily for this purpose.

Whole Wheat: The consumption of whole wheat, which includes bran and wheat germ, has been found beneficial in preventing several digestive disorders, including appendicitis. The bran of wheat can be sterilised by baking after thorough cleaning. This sterilised bran can be added to wheat flour in the proportion of one to six by weight. Two or three chapatis made from this flour can be eaten daily for preventing this disease.

Dietary Considerations

At the first symptoms of severe pain, vomiting, and fever, the patient should resort to fasting and nothing except water should enter the system. Fruit juices may be given from the third day onwards for the next three days. Thereafter the patient may adopt an all-fruit diet for a further four or five days. After this tightly regulated regimen, he should adopt a well-balanced diet, consisting of seeds, nuts, grains, vegetables, and fruits.

Other Measures

When the first symptoms of pain, vomiting, and fever occur, the patient must be put to bed immediately, as rest is of the utmost importance. A low enema, containing about half a litre of warm water, should be administered once every day for the first three days to cleanse the lower bowel if it can be tolerated with comfort.

Hot compresses may be placed over the painful area several times daily. Abdominal packs, made of a strip of wet sheet and covered by a dry flannel cloth bound tightly around the abdomen, should be applied continuously until all acute symptoms subside.

When the acute symptoms subside by about the third day, the patient should be given a full enema, containing about three litres of warm water, and this should be repeated daily until all inflammation and pain have subsided.

In other words, the patient of appendicitis should adopt all measures to eradicate constipation. Once the waste matter in the caecum has moved into the colon and is then eliminated, the irritation and inflammation in the appendix will subside and surgical removal of the appendix may not be necessary.

Arteriosclerosis

Narrowing of the Arteries

Arteriosclerosis refers to the thickening of the walls of the arteries. It has become a common ailment in modem times, accounting for much of the disability and high death rate, more so among older people.

Arteriosclerosis is usually preceded by atherosclerosis, a kind of fatty infiltration in the inner lining of the blood vessel walls. The most risky places for such degeneration are the coronary vessels of the heart and the arteries of the brain. Arteriosclerosis results in the loss of elasticity of the blood vessels and a narrowing of the smaller arteries, which interferes with the free circulation of the blood.

Causes and Symptoms

The symptoms of arteriosclerosis vary according to the arteries involved. Signs of inadequate blood supply generally appear first in the legs. There may be numbness and coldness in the feet, and cramps and pains in the legs even after light exercise. If the coronary arteries are involved, the patient may have sharp pains, characteristic of angina pectoris. When arteries leading to the brain are involved, the vessel may burst, causing hemorrhage in the brain tissues. A cerebral vascular stroke, with partial or complete paralysis on one side of the body, may result if there is blockage with a blood clot. It may also lead to loss of memory and a confused state of mind in elderly people. If arteries leading to the kidneys are involved, the patient may suffer from high blood pressure and kidney disorders.

The most important causes of arteriosclerosis are lack of physical exercise, excessive intake of white sugar, refined foods, and a high fat diet rich in cholesterol. Hardening of the arteries may also be caused by other diseases such as high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes. Emotional stress plays an important part, and heart attacks are more common during periods of mental and emotional disturbances, particularly in those engaged in sedentary occupations. Heredity also plays its role and this disease runs in families.

Remedies

It is imperative that a patient has his condition diagnosed by a physician and resorts to remedies only in consultation with him.

Lemon: One of the most effective home remedies for arteriosclerosis is the lemon peel. It is believed to be one of the richest sources of vitamin P. It strengthens the entire arterial system. Shredded lemon peel of one lemon may be added to soups and stews, or sprinkled over salads. To make a medicine, The peel of one or two lemons may be cut up finely, covered with warm water and allowed to stand for about twelve hours. A teaspoon may be taken every three hours, or immediately before or after a meal.

Parsley: Parsley is another effective remedy for arteriosclerosis. It contains elements which help to maintain the blood vessels, particularly the capillaries, and arterial system in a healthy condition. It may be taken as a tea: a teaspoon of dry parsley may be allowed to simmer gently in a cupful of water for a few minutes. This can be taken two to three times daily.

Vegetable juices: Beet juice, taken daily, has been found valuable in arteriosclerosis. It is an excellent solvent for inorganic calcium deposits. The juices of carrots and spinach are also beneficial if taken once a day. These juices can be taken individually-500 ml, or as a combination. When taken as a combination, they should be in the following proportion: carrots-300 ml and spinach-200 ml to prepare 500 ml of juice.

Honey: Honey is also considered beneficial in the treatment of arteriosclerosis. It is easily digested and assimilated. The patient should take a glass of water with one teaspoon each of honey and lemon juice in it, before going to bed. He can also take it if he wakes up at night.

Ishabgul: The herb ishabgul, botanically known as Plantago-ovata, has been found valuable in arteriosclerosis. The oil of the seeds of this plant should be used. It contains fifty per cent of linoleic acid, an unsaturated fat, and is, therefore, helpful in the prevention and treatment of this disease.

Garlic and Onions: Recent investigations have shown that garlic and onions have a preventive effect on the development of arteriosclerosis. They should be included in the daily diet, either raw or cooked, according to individual taste.

Dietary Considerations

To begin with, the patient should resort to a juice fast for five to seven days. Fresh, raw vegetables and juices of seasonal fruits may be taken three times a day. After the juice fast, the patient should take a diet consisting of seeds, nuts, grains, vegetables, and fruits, with emphasis on raw foods. Further short fasts of juices may be undertaken at intervals of three months or so, depending on the progress being made.

The patient should take several small meals instead. of a few large ones. He should avoid all hydrogenated fats and an excess of saturated fats, such as butter, cream, ghee, and animal fat. Vegetable oils, particularly safflower oil, flax seed oil, and olive oil, should be used as a cooking medium. He should also avoid meat, salt, and all refined and processed foods, condiments, sauces, pickles, strong tea, coffee, white sugar, white flour, and all products made from them.

Other Measures

During the juice fast undertaken for the first five to seven days, a warm-water enema should be used daily to cleanse the bowels.

Smoking, if habitual, should be given up as it constricts the arteries and aggravates the condition. The patient should undertake plenty of outdoor exercise and learn to take mental stress and worries in his stride. A prolonged immersion bath at room temperature should be taken at bedtime on alternate days. This bath should be administered in a bath tub properly fitted with a hot and cold water connection. The bath tub should be filled with water at a temperature ranging from 33.40C to 36.7 0C, and the patient should lie in it for an hour or so. The head should be kept cold with a cold compress.

Arthritis

Osteorathritis , Rheumatoid Arthritis

The word ‘arthritis’ means ‘inflammation of the joints’. It is derived from two Greek words: athron, meaning joints; and it is meaning inflammation. It is, generally, a chronic disease process.

Arthritis occurs in various forms, the most frequent being osteorathritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteorathritis is a degenerative joint disease which usually occurs in the older age-group. Rheumatoid arthritis is a serious disease which affects not only the joints of the fingers, wrists, hips, knees, and feet, but also the muscles, tendons and other tissues of the body.

Causes and Symptoms

The main symptoms of osteorathritis are pain and stiffness in the joints. The pain usually increases after exercise. Rheumatoid arthritis is often called the ‘cooked food disease’. It usually develops gradually over several months, with persistent pain and stiffness in one or more joints . Ultimately the whole body is affected. Symptoms include anaemia, colitis, constipation, deformed hands and feet.

Osteorathritis results from structural changes in the articular cartilage in the joints, usually those which are weight-bearing, such as the spine and knees. Rheumatoid arthritis is due to an inflammation of the synovium or lining of the joints. This is accompanied by swelling and eventually leads to deformity. The condition may be caused by hormonal imbalance, physical and emotional stress, infection, severe fright, shock, and injury. Hereditary factors may also be responsible for the onset of this disease.

Remedies

Potato juice: The raw potato juice therapy is considered one of the most successful biological treatments for rheumatic and arthritic conditions. It has been used in folk medicine for centuries. The traditional method of preparing potato juice is to cut a medium sized potato into thin slices, without peeling the skin, and place the slices overnight in a large glass filled with cold water. The water should be drunk in the morning on an empty stomach. Fresh juice can also be extracted from potatoes. A medium-sized potato should be diluted with a cup of water and drunk first thing in the morning.

Other Raw juices: One cup of green juice, extracted from any green leafy vegetable, mixed in equal proportions with carrot, celery, and red beet juices is good for arthritis. The alkaline action of raw juices dissolves the accumulation of deposits around the joints and in other tissues. A cup of fresh pineapple juice is also valuable, as the enzyme bromelain in fresh pineapple juice reduces swelling and inflammation in osteorathritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Sesame Seeds: A teaspoon of black sesame seeds, soaked in a quarter cup of water and kept overnight, has been found to be effective in preventing frequent joint pains. The water in which the seeds are soaked should also be taken along with the seeds first thing in the morning.

Copper: Drinking water kept overnight in a copper container accumulates traces of copper, which is said to strengthen the muscular system. A copper ring or bracelet is worn for the same reason.

Calcium: Studies have shown that calcium can help arthritis.’ Several patients have discovered that joint pains have either been relieved or have disappeared entirely after taking calcium. This mineral should be taken in the form of calcium lactate. Two teaspoons of calcium lactate, each teaspoon providing 400 mg of absorbable calcium, may be taken three times daily in water, before meals for at least four months.

Garlic: Garlic is another effective remedy for arthritis. It contains an anti-inflammatory property which accounts for its effectiveness in the treatment of this disease. Garlic may be taken raw or cooked according to individual preference.

Bananas: Bananas, being a rich source of vitamin B 6, have proved useful in the treatment of arthritis. A diet of only bananas for three or four days is advised in treating this condition. The patient may eat eight or nine bananas daily during this period and nothing else.

Lime: Lime has also been found beneficial as a home remedy for arthritis. The citric acid found in lime is a solvent of uric acid which is the primary cause of some types of arthritis. The juice of one lime, diluted with water, may be taken once a day, preferably first thing in the morning.

Alfalfa: A tea made from the herb alfalfa, especially from its seeds, has shown beneficial results in the treatment of arthritis. One teaspoon of alfalfa seeds may be added to one cup of water. Three to four cups of this tea should be taken daily by arthritics for at least two weeks.

Green Gram Soup: Another home remedy found useful in relieving pains in the joints is the use of green gram soup. This soup should be prepared by mixing a tablespoon of green gram in a cup of water, with two crushed garlic cloves. It should be taken twice a day.

Castor Oil: Treatment with castor oil has been found beneficial in arthritis. The procedure, as prescribed by a Spanish

doctor, is to boil two tablespoons of castor oil over a stove burner. The oil should then be poured into a glass of fresh orange ‘ juice and taken before breakfast daily till the disease is cured. This treatment is believed to have been adopted by an American doctor, called Dr Taylor, in 1900. He advised his patients to take it for three weeks, wait for another three weeks and then repeat it again for another three weeks. It is, however, essential that the patient must take an alkaline diet while adopting this mode of treatment otherwise the value of the treatment will be lost.’

Coconut or Mustard Oil: Warm coconut oil or mustard oil, mixed with two or three pieces of camphor should be massaged on stiff and aching joints . It will increase blood supply, and reduce inflammation and stiffness with the gentle warmth produced while massaging. Camphorated oil is an ancient rubefacient used for the purpose.

Dietary Considerations

The diet of an arthritis patient should be planned so as to produce alkalinity in the blood. It should include fruits and vegetables in the form of salads, and, at least, two cooked vegetables. In severe cases, it would be advisable to put the patient on raw vegetable juice therapy three times a day, for about a week. Repeated juice fasts are recommended at intervals of every two months.

Other Measures

The body should be kept warm at all times Joints should not be bandaged tightly as this limits movement and interferes with the free circulation of blood. There should be plenty of indirect ventilation in the bedroom. Rest is advised when there is acute inflammation in the joints.

Sea bathing has been found valuable in arthritis. The natural iodine in sea water is said to relieve arthritis pain. As is well known, iodine regulates the acid-alkaline balance in the blood and tissues, helps to repair and regenerate worn out tissues and nourishes the skeletal structure. It enters into the thyroid gland’s secretion. The hormone uses the. iodine to cleanse the internal toxins.

If sea bathing is not possible, the patient should relax for thirty minutes every night in a tub of warm water, in which a cup of common salt has been mixed. The minerals in the salt, especially iodine, will be absorbed through the pores of the skin. This will help correct an internal imbalance.

Asthma

Bronchial Asthma

Asthma is an ancient Greek word meaning ‘panting or short drawn breath’. It is an allergic condition resulting from the reaction of the body to one or more allergens, and is the most troublesome of respiratory diseases. An asthma patient gets frequent attacks of breathlessness, in between which he may even be completely normal.

Causes and Symptoms

Patients suffering from asthma appear to be gasping for breath. Actually, they have more difficulty in breathing out than breathing in, and this is caused by spasms or sudden involuntary muscular contractions of the smaller air passages in the lungs. The effect is to blow the lungs up because the patient cannot drive the air properly out of the lungs before he has to take another breath. Most asthmatics have more difficulty at night or early morning.

Asthma is caused by a variety of factors. It may be due to an allergy caused by weather conditions, food, drugs, perfumes, and other irritants. Allergies to dust are the most common. Foods which generally cause allergic reactions are wheat, eggs, milk, chocolates, beans, fish, and sea foods. The disease may also result from psychological factors. According to some studies, about twenty-five per cent of young asthmatics have a deep-seated emotional insecurity and an intense need for parental love and protection. Heredity also plays an important role.

Remedies

Honey: Honey is one of the most common home remedies for asthma. It is said that if a jug of honey is held under the nose of an asthma patient and he inhales the air that comes into contact with it, he starts breathing easier and deeper. The effect lasts for an hour or so. One to two teaspoonfuls of honey provide relief Honey can also be taken in a cup of milk or water. Honey thins out accumulated mucus and helps its elimination from the respiratory passages. It also tones up the pulmonary lining and thereby prevents the production of mucus in future. Some authorities recommend one-year old honey for asthma and respiratory diseases.

Figs: Among fruits, figs have proved very valuable in asthma. They give comfort to the patient by draining off the phlegm. Three or four dry figs should be cleaned thoroughly with warm water and soaked overnight. They should be taken first thing in the morning, along with the water in which they were soaked. This treatment may be continued for about two months.

Lemon: Lemon is another fruit found beneficial in the treatment of asthma. The juice of one lemon, diluted in a glass of water and taken with meals, will bring good results.

Indian Gooseberry: Indian gooseberry has also proved valuable in asthma. Five grains of gooseberry mixed with one tablespoon of honey forms an effective medicinal tonic for the treatment of this disease. It should be taken every morning. When fresh fruit is not available, dry gooseberry powder can be mixed with honey.

Bitter Gourd Roots: The roots of the bitter gourd plant have been used in folk medicine for asthma since ancient times.

A teaspoon of the root paste, mixed with an equal amount of honey or juice of the tulsi leaves, given once every night for a month, acts as an excellent medicine for this disease.

Drumstick Leaves: A soup prepared from drumstick leaves, and taken once daily, has been found beneficial in the treatment of asthma. This soup is prepared by adding a handful of leaves to 180 ml of water and boiling it for five minutes. After being allowed to cool, a little salt, pepper, and lime juice may be added to this soup.

Ginger: A teaspoon of fresh ginger juice, mixed with a cup of fenugreek decoction and honey to taste, acts as an excellent expectorant in cases of asthma. The decoction of fenugreek can be made by mixing one tablespoon of fenugreek seeds in a cupful of water. This remedy should be taken once in the morning and once in the evening.

Garlic: Garlic is another effective home remedy for asthma. Ten garlic cloves, boiled in 30 ml of milk, make an excellent medicine for the early stages of asthma. This mixture should be taken once daily by the patient. Steaming ginger tea with two minced garlic cloves in it, can also help to keep the problem under control, and should be taken in the morning and evening.

Bishop’s Weed: The herb bishop’s weed has been found valuable in asthma. Half a teaspoon of bishop’s weed should be mixed in a glass of buttermilk and taken twice daily. It is an effective remedy for relieving difficult expectoration caused by dried-up phlegm. A hot poultice of the seeds should be used for dry fomentation to the chest, twice daily. The patient can also inhale steam twice a day from boiling water mixed with ajwain. It will dilate the bronchial passages.

Safflower: Safflower seeds are beneficial in the treatment of bronchial asthma. Half a teaspoon of powder of the dry seeds, mixed with a tablespoon of honey, can be taken once or twice a day in treating this disease. This acts as an expectorant and reduces the spasms by liquefying the tenacious sputum. An infusion of five grains of flowers mixed with one tablespoon of honey, taken once daily, is also useful in this disease.

Linseed: A decoction of linseed is also considered useful in curing congestion in asthma and preventing recurrence of attacks. The decoction is prepared by boiling a teaspoon of linseed powder and a piece of palm candy in two cups of water till the mixture is reduced to half. This decoction taken with a tablespoon of milk once daily, will provide relief from chest congestion. Simultaneously, a linseed poultice should be applied externally during the attack, at the lung bases.

Mustard Oil: During the attack, mustard oil, mixed with a little camphor, should be massaged over the back of the chest. This will loosen up phlegm and ease breathing.

Copper: One of the preventive measures to stop attacks of asthma is to drink water which has been kept overnight in a copper vessel. This water, with traces of copper in it, is believed to change one’s constitutional tendency to get respiratory problems.

Dietary Considerations

The patient should avoid common dietetic errors. Ideally, his diet should contain a limited quantity of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins which are ‘acid-forming’ foods, and a liberal quantity of alkali-forming foods consisting of fresh fruits, green vegetables, sprouted seeds, and grains. The patient should avoid foods which tend to produce phlegm, such as rice, sugar, lentils, and curds. He should also avoid fried and other difficult-to-digest foods, strong tea, coffee, alcoholic beverages, condiments, pickles, sauces, and all refined and processed foods.

Other Measures

The patient should also follow the other laws of nature. Air, sun, and water are great healing agents. Regular fasting once a week, an occasional enema, breathing exercises, fresh air, a dry climate, light exercises, and correct posture go a long way in treating the disease

Backache

Spondylosis, Lumbago

Backache is one of the most common ailments prevalent today. Sedentary living habits, hazardous work patterns and psychological conditions associated with emotional stress, which bring about spasm of the muscles, cause backaches. As the back bears the weight of the entire body, overweight persons feel the strain on the back when they have to carry an extra load.

Causes and Symptoms

In most cases of backache, the pain is usually felt either in the middle of the back or lower down. It may spread to both sides of the waist and the hips. In a condition of acute pain, the patient is unable to move and is bedridden.

About ninety per cent of backache patients suffer from what is called cervical and lumbar spondylosis. It is a degenerative disorder in which the different vertebrae adhere to each other through bony unions. As a result of this, the spine loses its flexibility.

The main causes of backache and spondylosis are muscular tension, straining of the joints, poor posture, and incorrect nutrition resulting from dietetic errors and lack of exercise. Acute or chronic illnesses like kidney or prostate problems, female disorders, influenza, and arthritis, may also lead to backache. Other causes include stress and strain resulting from sitting for a long time, improper lifting of weights, high heels, and emotional problems which may cause painful muscle cramping.

Remedies

Garlic: The most important home remedy for backache is the use of garlic. Two or three cloves should be taken every morning to get results. An oil prepared from garlic and rubbed on the back will give great relief. This oil is prepared by frying ten cloves of garlic in 60 ml of oil in a frying pan. Any of the oils which are used as rubefacient, such as mustard oil, sesame oil, and coconut oil can be used according to one’s choice. They should be fried on a slow fire till they are brown. After the oil has cooled, it should be applied vigorously on the back, and allowed to remain there for three hours. The patient may, thereafter, take a warm-water bath. This treatment should be continued for at least fifteen days.

Lemon: Lemon is another useful remedy for backache. The juice of one lemon should be mixed with common salt and taken by the patient twice daily. It will give relief.

Chebulic Myroblan: The use of Chebulic myroblan is beneficial in the treatment of backache. A small piece of this fruit should be eaten after meals, This will give quick relief.

Vitamin C: Vitamin C has proved valuable in case of severe backaches. About 2,000 mg of this vitamin should be taken daily for treating this condition. Considerable improvement will be noticeable within two days.

Potato: Raw Potato is an ancient home remedy for backache, characterized by incapacitating pain in the lumbar region, especially in the lower part of the back. Application of raw potato in the form of a poultice has been found very effective in this condition.

Dietary Considerations

The diet of those suffering from backache should consist of a salad of raw vegetables such as tomato, carrot, cabbage, cucumber, radish, lettuce, and, at least, two steamed or lightly cooked vegetables such as cauliflower, cabbage, carrot, spinach, and plenty of fruits, except bananas. The patient should have four meals daily. Fruit and milk are advised for breakfast, steamed vegetables and whole wheat chapatis for lunch-, fresh fruit or fruit juice in the evening; and a bowl of raw salad and sprouts during dinner.

The patient should avoid fatty, spicy, and fried foods-, curd, sweetmeats and sugar; condiments; and tea and coffee. Foods that have been processed for preservation have few nutrients and should also be eliminated from the diet.

Other Measures

Smoking or taking tobacco in any from should be given up completely. Hot fomentation, alternate sponging, or application of heat to the back will also give immediate relief.

Yogic asanas which are beneficial in the treatment of backache are bhujangasana, shalabhasana, halasana, uttanpadasana and shavasana.

Boils

Local Inflammation of the Skin

Boils are localized, tender, inflamed, pus-filled swellings in the skin surrounded by large red areas. They are infections of the hair follicles of the skin. They are quite painful, particularly in areas where the skin is closely attached to the underlying tissues, such as the nose, ears, or fingers. They usually occur in teenagers and young adults. The common sites for boils are the face, neck, buttocks, and thighs.

Causes and Symptoms

At first, a painful red nodule appears on the skin. This grows bigger and then breaks down in the middle where the pus collects. The patient experiences a great deal of irritation and itching. There may be a single boil, or several boils in the same area or in different ‘areas at or about the same time, or they may come in successive crops. The swelling may not be limited to one hair follicle but may extend to several follicles. When the boils ripen, they give out a discharge. Fever may sometimes accompany the boils.

Boils are caused mainly by staphylococcus germs which enter the sweat glands or hair follicles. The essential cause of this disorder is thus bacterial. However, several factors predispose the growth of bacteria in hair follicles. Of these, the chief factor is a toxic condition in the blood stream, which is due to a faulty diet and a frenetic pace of living. Boils generally appear when a person is in a run-down and devitalized condition.

Remedies

Garlic and Onion: Garlic and onions have proved most effective among the several home remedies found beneficial in the treatment of boils. The juice of garlic or onion may be applied externally on boils to help ripen them, break them, and evacuate the pus. An equal quantity of the juices of these two vegetables can also be applied with beneficial results. Eating of two to three pods of garlic during meals will also bring good results.

Bitter Gourd: Bitter gourd is another effective home remedy for blood-filled boils. A cupful of fresh juice of this vegetable, mixed with a teaspoon of lime juice, should be taken, sip by sip, on an empty stomach daily for a few months to treat this condition.

Milk Cream: Milk cream is beneficial in the treatment of boils. One teaspoon of milk cream, mixed with half a teaspoon of vinegar, and a pinch of turmeric powder, makes an excellent poultice. It helps in ripening the blood boils and in their healing without allowing them to become septic.

Betel Leaves: Betel leaves are a valuable remedy for boils. A leaf is gently warmed till it becomes soft. It is then coated with a layer of castor oil. The oiled leaf should be spread over the inflamed part. It should be replaced every few hours. After a few applications, the boil will rupture, draining out all the purulent matter.

Cumin Seeds: Cumin seeds are beneficial in the treatment of boils. The seeds should be ground in water and made into a paste. This paste can be applied to boils with beneficial results.

Margosa Leaves: The use of margosa leaves has proved effective in boils. They can be used as a poultice, decoction, or liniment with beneficial results. To make the decoction, 15 gm of margosa leaves should be boiled in 500 ml of water till it is reduced by one-third.

Parsley: To treat boils, this vegetable should be steeped in boiled water till it is soft and juicy. When comfortably hot it should be wrapped with clean muslin or linen cloth and applied to the boils as a poultice.

Turmeric: Application of turmeric powder on boils speeds up the healing process. In the case of fresh boils, a few dry roots of turmeric are roasted, the ashes dissolved in a cupful of water, and then applied over the affected portion. This solution enables the boils to ripen and burst

Dietary Considerations

A thorough cleansing of the system is essential for the treatment of boils. To begin with, the patient may fast on orange juice diluted with water on a 50:50 basis for three to four days, or adopt an exclusive diet of fresh juicy fruits from five to seven