Naturopathy and Chronic Diseases

Naturopathy is a way of life, which when once acquired, helps one get rid of not only disease, but the medicine itself. The methods of treatment used in the science of Naturopathy or Nature-cure include natural techniques like baths, packs, massage, enema, fasting and regulation of diet. Below mentioned are some of chronic diseases and their treatment through Naturopathy.

Constipation: The treatment starts with orange juice - fast for three days, where the patient is made to drink only orange juice. During the fast, warm-water enema along with cold hip-bath is also given. This is followed by a regulated diet, consisting mainly of juicy fruits and green leafy vegetables. The diet is so constituted, that it contains 20:80 ratio of acidic to alkaline content.

Stomach Ulcers: The treatment starts with fast on all-fruit diet, accompanied by enema and hip-baths, twice daily. This can last for 7 to 40 days depending upon the severity. Gradually soup of vegetables is added to his menu. After completion of the full course, the patient is gradually brought back to normal diet consisting of natural foods, milk, vegetables and fruits.

Liver disorders: The treatment starts with orange juice - fast for five to seven days, followed by a fast on fruit for three to five days. During this period, warm-water enema, herbal enema with herbs beneficial to liver and hip-bath are given daily.

Kidney disorders: The treatment starts with a fast on fruit for five to seven days. During this period, warm-water enema, herbal enema with herbs beneficial to kidneys and hip-bath are given daily. During the treatment, the patient is also advised to drink 1-2 glasses of wheatgrass juice every day.

Diabetes: The patient is put on a restricted-diet fast for a period of 7 - 10 days. During this period, he is barred from eating white rice, sugar, sweets, white bread, potatoes. Intake of fruits is restricted and intake of bitter vegetables like bitter gourd (Karela) is encouraged. Enema, hip-baths and dry massage is given daily. The patient is also advised to practice Yogasana, Pranayama, long walks and light exercise everyday.

Piles: Treatment starts with orange-juice fast followed by fast on restricted diet, consisting of juicy fruits and green leafy vegetables. Onion juice is also given daily along with hip-bath and enema with lemon water juice. Cooked food with spices and condiments are strictly to be avoided. Alternate hot and cold fomentation is also applied at the site, which should end with cold application.

Heart disorders: The treatment starts with a fast on fruit for two-three days, followed by regulated diet which consists of bread or chapattis made from wholesome wheat, vegetables and salads. Among vegetables, spinach, beetroot, tomatoes and carrots are favoured, while among fruits, red grapes, grape fruit, oranges and apples are preferred. Meat, dairy products with high fat content and ghee is to be totally avoided, as also salt. Soy milk is preferred over dairy milk. A hot fomentation near the heart region is given daily. Smoking and drinking alcohol is strictly forbidden. Yoga, Pranayama and brisk walks need to be done daily.

High blood pressure (Hypertension): The treatment starts with a fast on fresh fruits for one week to a fortnight. The fruits that are consumed include red grapes, bananas, oranges and other potassium-rich fruits. During this fast, warm-water enema is taken daily at night. At the end of the course, regulated diet is prescribed which excludes all refined food, salt, meat, dairy products with high fat content, food and oil rich in saturated fats and trans-fat, confectioneries, pastries and ghee. Consumption of soy milk, soy beans, flaxseeds, green tea, potassium-rich fruits and vegetables is encouraged and Yogasana, Pranayama and light aerobic exercise need to be practiced daily.

Asthma and other breathing disorder: The treatment starts with a day of complete fast followed by a week of fast on fresh fruits. During this period warm-water enema needs to be given at night. A cold pack on the chest is also given daily. Pranayama and other breathing exercises also need to be practiced daily. Steam inhalation everyday is also very beneficial.

Obesity: Treatment starts with a week of fast on orange juice, followed by 10 days of fast on all-fruit diet. During this period, enema, hip-bath, steam bath and hot-and-cold bath is given daily. Daily light aerobic exercise, Yogasana like Suryanamaskaar and Pranayama like Kapaalbhaati is must. At the end of the course, the patient is advised a regulated diet that excludes sugar, meat, fatty foods, white rice, white bread, soft drinks, sweets, pastries, alcohol and other fattening food.

Arthritis and other diseases of joints: The treatment starts with a short fast on orange juice followed by all-fruit fast for 3-4 days. During this period, warm-water enema, dry massage, steam bath, hot-foot bath, mud pack on the affected part are also given. Wheatgrass juice taken daily on empty stomach is also very beneficial.

Eye disorders: The treatment starts with a short fast on orange juice for 4-6 days, followed by restricted diet for a fortnight, which includes only raw or steamed vegetables, salads, nuts and sweet fruits. Rice, wheat, lentils and toxic beverages are excluded. Warm-water enema, dry massage and hip-bath are given daily during the course. Special eye exercises like palming, swinging, blinking, sunning, splashing, gazing and shifting are practiced daily. The course is then followed by a regulated diet consisting of plenty of green leafy vegetables and dark coloured fruits that are rich in vitamin A.