Scurvy

Prolonged deficiency of ascorbic acid, also known as vitamin C, in the human body causes scurvy. It is also known as Moeller's disease, Cheadle's disease and Barlow's disease. Scurvy is characterized by darkened gums and loose teeth and is generally seen in people whose diet is low in fresh fruits and green leafy vegetables. The symptoms of scurvy are bleeding gums, joints pain, poor healing capacity of the wounds, liver spots and general weakness of the body. People who spend a lot of time away from the main land (being on sea), children with diet lacking in vitamin C and infants weaned early from their mother's milk are those whom scurvy is likely to strike more. However, the ailment can be treated at home easily, using the natural remedies.

• Black and blue spots on thighs and legs
• Depression
• Anemia
• Exhaustion and general weakness
• Bleeding gums
• Loosening of teeth
• Partial immobility
• Thin hair
• Swollen, purple spongy gums
• Weight loss
• Irritability
• Body aches
• Feeling of discomfort
• Nausea
• Fever
• Wounds that heal slowly
• Swelling in the legs
• Bleeding in the lining of the eyelids
• Arthritis
• Loss of appetite
• Failure to gain weight
• Enlarged joints

• Vitamin C deficiency
• Mental stress
• Alcoholism
• Inadequate intake of fresh fruit and vegetables
• Stress
• Pregnancy
• Inflammatory diseases
• Burns
• Surgery
• Exposure to heat or cold

• Extract the juice of a lemon and mix it with one tsp honey. Now, put this mixture in a glass of warm water. Have this decoction two times a day.
• Indian gooseberry is beneficial in treating scurvy. The fruit of this plant should be eaten regularly. Have four fruits per day, at different periods.
• Another way to treat scurvy would be to mix powdered Indian gooseberry and sugar in equal amounts. Have 1 tsp of this powder, with a glass of milk, every night, before sleeping.
• Include foods rich in Vitamin C, such as oranges, sweet lemons, watermelons, grapefruits, cantaloupes, green leafy vegetables and tomatoes, in your diet.
• In 500 ml of water, boil some leaves of jaundice berry. Keep on boiling until the decoction gets reduced to one-third. Consume this in a dose of 2 to 4 ml, everyday.
• Powdered raw mango, also known as aamchur, is beneficial in treating scurvy. In a glass of water, add ½ tsp of this powder.
• For infants, the best deal would be to give them cow's milk, along with breast milk.
• Potatoes are also beneficial in treating scurvy. Every 100 grams of potato contains approximately 17 mg of Vitamin C. Consuming potatoes will help you cure the ailment.
• Fresh air and sunshine have proven to be beneficial in curing Vitamin C deficiency. Go out and enjoy mingling with nature.