Pineapple
The pineapple is one of the best fruits of the tropics. It is universally popular fruit, with its distinctive flavour and exquisite taste and above all its refreshing qualities The fruit is rich in various nutrients.
This popular fruit and its main constituent bromelain, both possess antibacterial activity. It is thus beneficial in the infectious diseases like throat infection, diphtheria and tuberculosis. Fresh pineapple juice exercises a soothing effect on the throat. It is valuable for the singers who often take it for maintaining health of the throat. In diphtheria, it is used as a mouthwash for removing the dead membranes from the throat.
Pineapple juice has proved beneficial in the treatment of tuberculosis. It is found to be effective in dissolving mucus and aiding recovery. This juice was used regularly in the past in treating this disease when it was more common than it is at present. One glass of pineapple juice should be taken daily for this purpose.
Radish
The radish is one of the most commonly used vegetables in India. It has a pungent flavour. It stimulates appetite and promotes a healthy blood stream. The radish is one of the richest sources of iron, calcium and sodium. This vegetable is valuable in fighting infections. A syrup prepared by mixing a teaspoon of fresh radish juice with equal quantity of honey and a little rock salt is beneficial in the treatment of hoarseness, whooping cough, bronchial disorders and other chest complaints. It should be given thrice daily.
Sage
Sage, one of the most important culinary herbs, has always played a great role in the history of botanic medicine. It is an antibacterial food with antiseptic property. It is especially valuable against infections like sore throat and tonsillitis as well as plague. German doctors commonly recommend a hot sage gargle for sore throat and tonsillitis, says Michael Castleman, author of The Healing Herbs.
According to him, sage’s therapeutic benefit comes from its astringent tannins. This gargle is prepared by putting one to two teaspoons of dried sage leaves in a cup of boiling water. It should be kept steeped for ten minutes. Children under the age of two years, however, should not be given this medicinal dose of sage. Leafy sprigs of sage were spread with brushes on the floors of old manors, as a preventive measure against plague and other infections.
Turmeric
Turmeric is a perennial plant. The rhizomes or underground stems are short and thick and constitute commercial turmeric. It is an important common flavouring spice of daily use. Turmeric has been mentioned in early Sanskrit works and has been used as medicine by the Ayurvedic and Unani practitioners in India since ancient times. Turmeric is a truly marvelous medicinal spice of the world. It contains antiseptic property and is an effective remedy for cold, rhinitis and throat infection.
Half a teaspoon of fresh turmeric powder, mixed in 30 ml. of warm milk, is a useful prescription for treating these conditions. The powder should be put into a hot ladle. Milk should then be poured in it and boiled over a slow fire. In case of running cold, smoke from the burning turmeric should be inhaled. It will increase the discharge from the nose and bring relief. The Paste of fresh turmeric can be applied with beneficial results over skin to cure ringworm, scabies and indolent ulcers.
The juice of raw turmeric is also very effective in the treatment of ringworm infection. It should be applied externally to the parts of the skin affected by ringworm. Simultaneously, one teaspoon of turmeric juice, mixed with an equal quantity of honey, should be taken orally.