Rheumatism

Rheumatism, (from the Greek word “rheuma” which means ‘swelling’) is an acute or chronic pain and swelling of the muscles, ligaments or tendons, and the joints.

Symptoms
Acute rheumatism is characterized fever, intense soreness and pain. Muscular rheumatism makes even the lightest object feel heavier, such as clothing. If not treated properly, it may accelerate into chronic rheumatism.

Meanwhile, chronic rheumatism include pain and muscle stiffness. Symptoms for chronic articular rheumatism (joints) are joint stiffness and pain accompanied by swelling.

Causes
Primary cause is the presence of toxic matter in the blood. This can be contracted when consuming meat, sugar, refined cereals and white bread in liberal quantity. Low vitality makes the bones and joints prone to intoxication.

Infection of the teeth, tonsils and gallbladder may also escalate to rheumatism. Exposure to cold weather aggravates the condition.

Home Remedies
Potato: Mash raw potatoes to make 1-2 teaspoons of potato juice. Take it before meals. Another remedy is to wash 30 gm of potato peels thoroughly. Boil it in ½ liter of water until it is reduced to a half. Strain then drink 1 glass of the decoction 3-4 times daily. Potato skin is rich in mineral salts that help eliminate the toxic matter from the body.

Bitter Gourd: Mix 1 cup of bitter gourd juice with 1 teaspoon of honey. Take it daily. Continue treatment for 3 months.

Celery: Put 5-10 drops of celery juice extracted from its seeds in hot water. Take it before meals. Powdered seeds can be mixed as a condiment.

Lemon: Drink lemon juice extracted from 2-3 lemons.

Walnut: Eat ½ dozen of thoroughly masticated walnuts daily.

Rhubarb: Pound rhubarb and mix with equal quantity of sugar. Take a teaspoon 3-4 a day.

Diets
Undergo a short orange juice and water diet for 3-4 days. Follow with a restricted diet for 14 days. This should consist of orange and grapefruit for breakfast; raw salad made from seasonal vegetables mixed with dates, figs, raisins and prunes for lunch; and 1 or 2 steamed vegetables for dinner.

Eat plenty of grains, nuts, seeds, fruits and vegetables afterwards.

For chronic cases, undergo a fruit diet for 4-5 days. Eat plenty of ripe fruits and fresh vegetables and drink buttermilk after it.

Avoid drinking alcohol, tea and coffee.

Avoid meat, fish, sauces, pickles, condiments, refined cereals, white bread and sugary products, indigestible and highly seasoned foods.

Further Suggestions
For acute rheumatism, administer a warm water enema everyday while under the juice diet.

Apply a hot pack; take a hot bath, a sauna bath, dry friction, or a sponge bath if desired.

For chronic rheumatism, take a hot Epsom salt bath twice a week for 3 months. Do it once a week after. Wash affected parts in hot water mixed with Epsom salt 2 times a day. Apply olive oil afterwards.

Perform light exercises such as deep breathing, and take plenty of fresh air for speedy recovery.

Avoid staying in cold and humid places.