Homeopathic cures for various ailments #2

now, on to our topic. the next few ailments I will be talking about here are angina, anorexia, appendicitis, and arteriosclerosis. hope this helps.

ANGINA:

Angina attack is an acute chest pain or discomfort felt around the chest area on account of reduced blood flow to heart due to narrowing of the arteries of the heart. Angina could also be caused due to increased demand of blood supply for the heart, blockage of artery, or thickening of heart muscles. Supplying more blood through narrow arteries causes discomfort, sudden pressure, tightness, heaviness or squeezing pain in the chest area which leads to Angina.

Angina also called angina pectoris is broadly classified into three types:

- Stable angina or chronic stable angina
- Unstable angina – known to initiate a heart attack
- Variant angina or Prinzmetal's angina - a rare type caused by coronary artery spasm

Angina is a symptom of the most common heart disease known as Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) and is relatively common considering more than 6 million people in US have angina

Common symptoms associated with Angina:

- Pain and discomfort in the chest area
- Pressure, tightening, squeezing or burning sensation in the chest area
- Pain may also be experienced in the arms, shoulders, throat, neck, jaw or back regions
- May appear like indigestion and consequent discomfort
- Other symptoms include: shortness of breath, palpitations, dizziness, weakness, fatigue, excessive sweating or nausea

causes of angina:

- Difference between blood demand and supply. Though demand is normal, supply of blood to the heart decreases due to narrowing of arteries or obstructive coronary vascular disease
- Fatty deposits on the blood vessels of the heart causing restriction of regular or required blood flow to the heart causing reduced blood supply to the heart
- Formation of blood clots that may partially or fully block the artery
- Other causes include: uncontrolled blood pressure, diabetes, anemia, polycythemia, heavy smoking or use of cocaine, heavy meals, physical exertion, emotional stress, diseases related to thyroid glands and other types of heart diseases

Remedies for Angina:

- Initiating lifestyle modifications such as: eating healthy and well balanced meals, quitting smoking, exercising regularly and being physically active. It is also advisable to lose weight in case of obesity
- Treating existing disorders that may lead to angina such as: high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and other heart related conditions
- Medicines and other options in surgery are also available to treat angina in serious cases
- Avoid eating cholesterol rich food and consuming light and preferably vegetarian foods
- Boost intake of Vitamin A, C and E rich foods to prevent and control the onset of angina
- Intake of vegetables, fruits and whole grains ensure your body receives the required nutrients
- A regular exercise program as supervised or indicated by the doctor
- Follow a weight-loss program for over-weight or obese persons
- Regular check to maintain levels of blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes
- Avoid stress and ensure a relaxed sleep
- Eat a well balanced, cholesterol free meal

ANNOREXIA:

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 such as severe depression, and some mental disorders as well as varied physical causes.

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.

Treatments for Anorexia:

-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 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 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 are another variety of fruit useful in anorexia. They help digestion by stimulating the flow of pepsin, a proteindigesting enzyme, in the stomach. The old adage, 'An apple a day keeps the doctor away', is certainly a valuable one.

-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.

-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.

Diet treatment:
-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.
there after begin introducing more solid foods like nuts and grains and meats like fish and chicken that are easily digestible

-also seek the help of a psychologist to help aid in the mental factor of the root cause of this disease and generally anorexia is caused by deep seeded mental instability in most cases, and having the support of someone trained in dealing with the mental aspect of this disease can help greatly in aiding to the recovery of this ailment.

APPENDICITIS:

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.

Symptoms:
Appendicitis usually begins with a sudden pain in the centre of the abdomen. The pain may be preceded by general discomfort in the abdomen, indigestion, diarrhoea, or constipation. Gradually, the pain shifts to the lower right side, and is usually accompanied by a fever varying from 38 oC to 39 oC. 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.

causes:
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.

Treatments for appendicitis:
-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.

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

-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 mane from this flour can be eaten daily for preventing this disease.

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.

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.

Avoid constipation
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:

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.

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.

For coronary arteries involved,
sharp pains mat be felt 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 haemorrhage 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.

CAUSES OF ARTERIOSCLEROSIS:
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.

Other diseases such as high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes may also cause hardening of the arteries. 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.

Home Remedies for Arteriosclerosis:

-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 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.

-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 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.

-The herb ishabgul, botanically known as Plantagoovata, 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.

-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.

diet treatment:

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/she should avoid all hydrogenated fats and an excess of saturated fats, such as butter, cream, ghee, and animal fat. He/she 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.

Vegetable oils, particularly safflower oil, flax seed oil, and olive oil, should be used as a cooking medium.

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 33.4°C to 36.7°C, and the patient should lie in it for an hour or so. The head should be kept cold with a cold compress.