Manipulation is an art, a science and a philosophy. Manipulation is sometimes called ‘Orthopaedic medicine’ by medical practitioners, or ‘finger surgery’. It is one of the oldest techniques used for healing different ailments of the body. Hippocrates, the father of medicine, used to manipulate spines and joints of his patients. Sushrut, the pioneer of Indian medicine, used manipulation and called it ‘Asthi-chikitsa’.
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In 1858, Louis Pasteur first discovered the germ theory of the disease. He demonstrated that microbes were the cause of the decomposition of foods. He showed that the anthrax bacterium caused the dreaded disease of the same name, and discovered that small viruses cause rabies. In the first paper in which Louis Pasteur published his discoveries of the germ theory of disease, he also mentioned that garlic had antibiotic property. He noted that bacteria died when exposed to garlic. Thus, garlic was the first antibiotic food that was used against germs, within years of this discovery. Subsequently studies were conducted to ascertain anti-bacterial activity of various other foods that can be used as antibiotic against germs.
Curd
An Ancient Wonder food, curd or yoghurt is strongly antibacterial. Although it has nutritive content similar to fresh milk, it has extensive special values for therapeutic purposes. During the process of making curd, bacteria convert milk into curd, and predigest milk protein.
Ginger
Ginger is a root vegetable and a spice. It is being used in India from Vedic period and is called Maha-Aushadi, meaning the great medicine. It contributes greatly towards health and is regarded as a food medicine for several ailments.
Lime
Lime, like lemon, is an important citrus fruit and is very popular throughout the tropics. The juice of this fruit, which is used as medicine since ancient times, possesses antibacterial property. Its use has been found beneficial in infections like cold, tonsillitis and cystitis or bladder infection. For cold and tonsillitis, a fresh lime should be squeezed in a glass of warm water, to which a teaspoon of honey and a quarter teaspoon of common salt may be added. It should then be sipped slowly.
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.
Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables high in vitamin C and fibre help prevent blood clots. Those who eat fruits and vegetables in liberal quantities have the most effective clot-dissolving systems, according to a recent Swedish study of 260 middle-aged adults. Those who ate the least fruits and vegetables had the most sluggish clot-dissolving activity.
Aspirin, one of the best blood-thinning or anticoagulant medicines, was derived from the bark of a willow tree. It was only in 1970s, that a hormone like substance called prostaglandin was discovered. With this discovery, the scientists began to understand how aspirin works. They now know that the drug has anti-platelet-aggregation powers. It discourages platelets, the smallest blood components, from clumping together or aggregating. They are thus less sticky and less able to build clots that can clog arteries.
Grapes
The grape, known as ‘The Queen of Fruits’, is one of the most valuable gifts of nature. Charaka, the great physician of ancient India, called it the noblest of all fruits. It has immense therapeutic value, whether eaten as a whole, with skin, pulp and seeds, or used in the form of juice extracted from grapes. This fruit possesses anti-coagulant property and it helps prevent the formation of blood clots. Its skin in particular contains resveratrol, which has been shown to inhibit blood platelet clumping and consequent blood clot formation.
Hippocrates (460-370 B.C.), the father of medicine, included depression in his classification of mental illness. It has been called ‘the common cold of psychiatry’. It is the most prevalent of all the emotional disorders. It may vary from feelings of slight sadness to utter misery and dejection. It is the most unpleasant experience a person can endure and is far more difficult to cope with than a physical ailment. It is now firmly established that what one eats has a profound effect on moods.