Phosphorus

This mineral combines with calcium to create the calcium -phosphorus balance required for the growth of bones and teeth and in the formation of nerve cells. Phosphorus is also important for the assimilation of carbohydrates and fats. It is a stimulant to the nerves and brain. Phosphorous is found in abundance in nuts, egg yolk, fruit juices, cereals, pulses, milk and legumes. Usually about one gram of phosphorous is considered necessary in the daily diet. A phosphorous shortage may bring about loss of weight, reduced sexual powers, retarded growth, and weakness.

Calcium

The human body needs calcium more than any other mineral. Calcium performs many essential functions. Without this mineral, the contractions of the heart would be defective, the muscles would not contract correctly to make the limbs move and blood would not clot. Calcium stimulates enzymes in the digestive process and coordinates the functions of all other minerals in the body. Calcium is found in milk and milk products, whole wheat, leafy vegetables such as carrots, lemons, lettuce, watercress, oranges, spinach, and cabbage, almonds, figs and walnuts. Deficit may cause porous and fragile bones, insomnia, tooth decay, muscle cramps, heart palpitations, and irritability. Liberal quantity of calcium is also required when excessive calcium has been lost from the body as in hyperparathyroidism or chronic renal disease.

Importance of Minerals in Naturopathy

Importance of minerals in Naturopathy is significant because minerals are vital to health. They are essential for regulating and building the trillions of living cells which make up the body.



Minerals are of immense importance in Naturopathy. Like vitamins and amino acids minerals are crucial for regulating and building the trillions of living cells which make up the body. Body cells receive the vital food elements through the blood stream. They must, therefore, be appropriately nourished with an adequate supply of all the essential minerals for the well organised functioning of the body. Minerals help maintain the volume of water necessary to life processes in the body. They help draw chemical substances into and out of the cells and they keep the blood and tissue fluid from becoming either too acidic or too alkaline. The mineral elements which are needed by the body in substantial amounts are sulphur, magnesium, calcium, phosphorous, iron, sodium, potassium and chlorine. In addition the body needs minute amounts of iodine, manganese, zinc, copper, cobalt, selenium, silicon, fluorine and some others. 

Tulsi, Indian Herb

Tulsi is an Indian plant that is widely used for its medicinal properties. It is often used to treat common cold, toothache, etc. Tulsi leaves are an important part in the daily worship of the Hindu gods.

 Tulsi is a native plant of India and is religiously significant. Planting tulsi inside the house is a common phenomenon. Tulsi is a Sanskrit name. The name Tulsi refers to one who does not tolerate. Tulsi, in fact, is a symbol of culture and religious inclinations of the family. The scientific name for tulsi is Ocimum tenuiflorum. It is also known as Holy Basil in English. However there are other species of Tulsi as well. For instance, Hyptis suaveolens, Ocimum americanum, Ocimum gratissimum, Ocimum sanctum and others are also found in India. Abundantly found in rural areas, it is called `Gramya`, the village maiden. It has also earned the name Shoolaghni, because of its ability to alleviate pain. One of the English names for Tulsi is `the Mosquito Plant`. Sir George Birdward wrote that the Victoria Gardens and the Prince Albert Museum were `malarial`. The cultivation of the Tulsi plants freed it from mosquitoes. Besides these, tulsi is also known as Surasa and Sulabha.

Types of Tulsi
Three types of Tulsi are generally found in the Indian subcontinent: Rama Tulsi has green leaves, the Krishna Tulsi generally has purple leaves and the Vana Tulsi. The medicinal value as well as the size of Tulsi varies to a large extent with the changes in rainfall and the type of soil in which they are grown.

The Tulsi plant or the holy basil is three to four feet tall. Though black sticky and moist soils are most suitable for its growth but it can be cultivated on other soils as well. The plant bears inflorescences about two inches long. The maximum diameter of the trunk may be about the size of a wrist, and the branches may grow to a thickness of half an inch. The leaves are of an elongated oval shape.

Tulsi has a sharp taste and an odour which kills germs. It is always used when fresh. A number of household remedies are prepared by mixing Tulsi with dry ginger, pepper, billa fruit pulp, the tender shoots of the neem tree, cardamom, and such other ingredients.

Uses of Tulsi
The uses of tulsi are manifold. In India these are primarily known for their medicinal values. The leaves of tulsi are used to treat a number of diseases like coughs, bronchitis, skin diseases, diarrhoea, cholera, influenza and malaria. Tulsi seeds are used to treat ulcers, vomiting, low energy levels and it acts as an over all tonic.

Recent research has shown that small doses of Tulsi are able to protect a person against high blood pressure. It also helps to control high blood sugar levels. Tulsi is also believed to cancer at bay. Tulsi plant is rich in bio available antioxidants, Vitamins A and C.

The prac titioners of the Unani system regard that Tulsi stimulates the activity of the brain, reduces swellings, destroys gas, relieves congestion in the heart, stimulates the appetite, and counters dilapidation of the skin and vitiation of the blood.

A decoction of the plant is taken internally to relieve coughs and fever. The leaves for used for treating dysentery and as a mouthwash for relieving toothache. The leaves, widely used for flavouring sauces, soups and salads, are considered diuretic and tonic. The leaf paste is used externally for treating parasitic skin diseases.

Besides the medicinal uses, tulsi is also used in several Hindu rituals. Its leaves are offered to gods while worshipping. The leaves are given prime position in religious rituals, as prasad or offerings to Gods, in devotion, in preparing `Panchamrit` and in alms to the poor. It is even believed that the messengers of death (diseases) cannot approach a home where Tulsi is planted. Vedas mention that God does not accept any offering if it does not include Tulsi leaves. Indian Puranas describes Tulsi as the consort of Lord Krishna.

Fasting Therapy, Indian Naturopathy

Fasting therapy is one of the most ancient customs. This is nature`s oldest, most effective and yet least expensive method of treating diseases, recognised as the achievement of natural healing. Throughout medical history, it has been regarded as one of the most dependable curative methods. It refers to complete abstinence from food for a particular period pertaining to a specific purpose. The common cause of all diseases is the accumulation of waste and poisonous matter in the body which results from overeating. The majority of people eats too much and follows sedentary occupations which do not permit sufficient and proper exercise for utilisation of this large quantity of food. This surplus overburdens the digestive organs and clogs up the system with impurities or poisons. Digestion and elimination become slow and the functional activity of the whole system gets deranged. Every disease can be healed by only one remedy - by doing just the opposite of what causes it, that is, by reducing the food intake or fasting. By depriving the body of food for a time ,the organs of elimination such as the bowels, kidneys, skin and lungs are given opportunity to expel, unhampered, the overload of accumulated waste from the system. Thus, fasting therapy is merely the process of purification and an effective and quick method of cure.

Duration of Fasting
The duration of the fast depends on the age of the patient, the nature of the disease and the amount and type of drugs previously used. The duration is important, because long periods of fasting can be dangerous if undertaken without competent professional guidance. It is, therefore, advisable to undertake a series of short fasts of two to three days and gradually increase the duration of each succeeding fast by a day or so. The period, however, should not exceed a week of total fasting at a time. A correct mode of living and a balanced diet after the fast will restore vigour and vitality to the individual.

Fasting is highly beneficial in practically all kinds of stomach and intestinal disorders and in serious conditions of the kidneys and liver. It is a miracle cure for eczema and other skin diseases and offers the only hope of permanent cure in many cases. The various nervous disorders also respond favourably to this mode of treatment.

Methods of Fasting Therapy
The best, safest and most effective method of fasting therapy is juice fasting. Vitamins, minerals, enzymes and trace elements in fresh, raw vegetable and fruit juices are extremely beneficial in normalising all the body processes. They supply essential elements for the body`s own healing activity and cell regeneration and thus speeding the recovery. All juices should be prepared from fresh fruit immediately before drinking. The patient should get as much fresh air as possible and should drink plain lukewarm water when thirsty. Fresh juices may be diluted with pure water. The total liquid intake should be approximately six to eight glasses. Only very simple exercises like short walks may be undertaken during the fast. A warm water or neutral bath may be taken during the period. Cold baths are not advisable. Sun and air baths should be taken daily. Fasting sometimes produces a state of sleeplessness which can be overcome by a warm tub bath, keeping hot water bottles at the feet and by drinking one or two glasses of hot water.

Benefits of Fasting Therapy
There are several benefits of fasting. During a long fast, the body feeds upon its reserves. Being deprived of needed nutrients, particularly of protein and fats, it will burn and digest its own tissues by the process of autolysis or self-digestion. But it will not do so indiscriminately. The body will first decompose and burn those cells and tissues which are diseased, damaged, aged or dead. The essential tissues and vital organs, the glands, the nervous system and the brain are not damaged or digested in fasting. Here lies the secret of the effectiveness of fasting as a curative and rejuvenating method. During fasting, the building of new and healthy cells is speeded up by the amino acids released from the diseased cells. The capacity of the eliminative organs, that is, lungs, liver, kidneys and the skin is greatly increased as they are relieved of the usual burden of digesting food and eliminating the resultant wastes. They are, therefore, able to quickly expel old accumulated wastes and toxins. Fasting affords a physiological rest to the digestive, assimilative and protective organs. As a result, the digestion of food and the utilisation of nutrients are greatly improved after fasting.

Breaking of Fast
The success of the fast depends largely on how it is broken. This is the most significant phase. The main rules for breaking the fast are no overeating, eating slowly and chewing food thoroughly; and taking several days for the gradual change to the normal diet. If the transition to eating solid foods is carefully planned, there will be no discomfort or damage. The patient should also continue to take rest during the transition period. The right food after a fast is as important and decisive for proper results as the fast itself.

Thus fasting therapy helps in the cure of a number of diseases.

Indian Naturopathy

Naturopathy as an age old healing method was very much in practice in India when drugs and technology were not much in vogue. Nature provided all the elements, within the range of the natural foods, which man needed in the way of nutrient and medicine. Thus, the healing power by naturopathy was nothing new to the Indian tradition. In Indian homes, home remedies have always come before the even doctor`s medicines. This clearly portrays the sheer importance of naturopathy as a trustworthy alternative treatment procedure in ancient India. With passing time, Indian naturopathy gained contour as one of the important health care systems in India, famed for its side effect less treatment.

The root of naturopathy as a treatment process is steeped in the antiquities. The origin of Naturopathy could be traced right to Vedic period wherein Dietary Discipline (Pathya & Ahara) and the Principles of Health (Swastha Vurtha) described in Ayurveda have branched out and developed in the form of today`s Naturopathy. Vedic tradition believed that it is nature, which cures, not the physician and the Vedic culture of ancient India highlighted the use of natures foremost healing agents, water, air, earth and sun which indeed forms the basic crux of naturopathy.

The entire philosophy of naturopathy is thus based upon three basic principles. The first principle of naturopathy believes that all diseases are due to the accumulation of toxins and waste materials in the human body. Thus the therapeutic principle of naturopathy in this case refers to the application of various methods to clear the human system from these toxins and accumulated wastes.

The second principle of naturopathy is again further elaboration of the first principle. According to the second principle when toxins accumulate in the body, the various organs of the body gets over exercised while clearing the toxin off the body. It is when this harmony of internal body organ is disturbed then germs multiply and cause disease. Application of medicine, high dose drugs and vaccines to suppress the symptom of the diseases further aggravates the disease while subduing the symptoms.

The third principle of naturopathy is somewhat a solution of the problems that the first and second principle states. According to the third principle of naturopathy, the human body is equipped with a unique self-healing mechanism, which brings back the body to normal conditions of health, if proper natural methods are used to assist the system to function properly.

The therapeutic practice of naturopathy is based on the principle of naturopathy. Naturopathy believes that the body possesses an inherent ability to "heal thyself"; all the healing powers are within one`s body, hence people actually fall ill only when they go against nature. The therapeutic use of naturopathy or the healing power of nature therefore corroborates nearly all the healing techniques in alternative medicine. The basic healing theory of naturopathy is based upon the fact that human being is born healthy and can stay healthy by living in accordance with the laws of nature. To support healthy living and indeed to say no to diseases, Indian naturopathy has described certain nature`s way; thus, thorough rest, fasting, water therapy, mud therapy, aromatherapy, message therapy, sleep therapy, acupressure, etc an ailing body can purify and recoup itself

Trusted for its side effect less treatment naturopathy as a health care system has gained importance. The naturopathic centres as the therapeutic centres have mushroomed in large numbers to provide naturopathic treatment especially in the metropolitan cities in India. Most of them follow a similar routine for treating the common ailments. Whether it is the treatment that suits the more spiritually inclined, with yoga and meditation forming an important part of the day`s routine, or more modern equipment like saunas and whirlpool baths that take one`s fancy, one can choose from many naturopathy centers in India to restore health.

Nature Cure Treatments

Nature cure is a constructive method of treatment, which believes in the rational use of the freely available elements in nature for removing the basic cause of disease. It is not only a system of healing, but also a way of life, in tune with the internal vital forces or natural elements comprising the human body. It is a complete revolution in the art and science of living. Nature cure is based on the realization that man is born healthy and strong and that he can stay as such by living in accordance with the laws of nature and even a slightest violation of the natural laws of nature result in an abnormal condition of the body called disease. Fresh air, sunshine, a proper diet, exercise, scientific relaxation, constructive thinking and the right mental attitude, along with prayer and meditation all play their part in keeping a sound mind in a sound body.

The nature cure system adopts methods of cure, which are in conformity with the constructive principles of nature and aims at the readjustment of the human system from abnormal to normal conditions and functions. Such methods remove the accumulation of toxic matter and poisons from the system, without injuring the vital parts of the body in any way. They also stimulate the organs of elimination and purification to function better. The nature cure treatments include different methods for curing the human system using the natural processes. A well-balanced diet, sufficient physical exercise, the observation of the other laws of well-being such as fresh air, plenty of sunlight, pure drinking water, scrupulous cleanliness, adequate rest and right mental attitude can ensure proper health and prevent disease. Let us understand all the diseases and their treatments.