Positive Health Online

The body and mind are intricately connected and it is widely acknowledged that all physical disease has a mental and emotional component.

Traditional Indian healing practices treat the underlying physical cause of arthritis and rheumatism as well as balancing the mind and regulating the emotions to heal the entire being on a holistic level. Ancient Indian energy healers believe that the physical root cause of arthritis and rheumatism stems from energy imbalances within the adrenal, thyroid and reproductive glands which results in weakened digestion, poor circulation and impaired oxygenation. This creates an accumulation of impurities and excess moisture within the bodily tissues causing stiffness, inflammation and pain. To empower the body’s innate self-healing ability, apply the following practices for up to three months:

Raw Food Diet

A raw food diet, adopted for a short period of time deeply cleanses, restores and rejuvenates the body’s energies to heal and prevent disease. All of the nutrients required by the body are available in a plant-based raw food diet in a form that is easily assimilated which allows the body’s energy reserves to be directed towards self-healing. A raw food diet consists of natural plant-based food eaten in its raw state and includes fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, sprouted grains, sprouted legumes, raw nut and seed butters, cold-pressed oils, raw honey, seaweed, fermented food, raw spices, smoothies and cold-pressed juices.

A raw food diet is recommended during the warm summer months when we are instinctively drawn to cooler foods. Include small amounts of the following juices to detoxify and balance the glands to heal arthritis and rheumatism:

• Beetroot Juice cleanses the kidneys and liver to reduce the accumulation of excess water and impurities;
• Black Cherry Juice is a natural anti-inflammatory, purifies the blood and stimulates the body’s natural healing ability;
• Potato Juice balances the body’s acid/alkaline level and improves oxygenation to relieve arthritic and rheumatic pain;
• Pineapple Juice detoxifies the joints, muscles and ligaments to reduce inflammation and repair tissue damage;
• Ginger Root Juice is anti-ageing and strengthens the adrenal glands to improve blood flow and reduce inflammation;
• Turmeric Root Juice is an anti-inflammatory which detoxifies the adrenal glands to remove the accumulation of impurities.

Pain-Relieving Balm

Prepare the following home-made natural balm using organic ghee and organic spices.

Apply to the affected areas three times a day to increase the blood flow, alleviate pain, tension and stiffness, assist in the removal of accumulated impurities, cold and excess moisture.

• Gently warm 100 grams of organic ghee;
• Add one teaspoon each of black pepper powder, ginger powder and mustard powder;
• Pour the warm mixture into a sterile jar;
• Do not refrigerate;
• Apply liberally to the affected area;
• Wash your hands immediately after use;
• Do not apply to broken skin;
• Avoid contact with the eyes.

Acupressure Therapy

Massage the hands and feet daily for a total of twenty minutes to stimulate acupressure points which empower the body’s vital energy to assist in healing arthritis and rheumatism. Concentrate on any painful areas and include the following:

• The tips of the fingers and toes to activate the systems and glands;
• The webs between the fingers and toes to calm and empower the nerves;
• The fleshy area located behind each knee to strengthen the adrenal gland function;
• The area of the palm, below each thumb to balance and empower the thyroid gland;
• The wrists and ankles to regulate the reproductive glands and stimulate detoxification;
• The anti-aging point located on the inner right arm, midway between the wrist and elbow.

Ginger/Mustard Foot Baths

The use of ginger or mustard in detoxification foot baths assists in warming the body and increasing circulation which promotes the removal of excess moisture and impurities through perspiration.

• Fill a basin with approximately three litres of hot water;
• Add one rounded tablespoon of finely grated fresh ginger root or one tablespoon of finely ground mustard seeds;
• Allow to infuse for a few minutes;
• Immerse your feet in the hot water for twenty minutes, carefully adding more hot water as it cools;
• Dry your feet thoroughly and wear natural fibre socks to absorb further perspiration;
• Practise daily for six weeks.

Colour Healing Therapy

The universe is bathed in a spectrum of colours each of which carries its own unique vibration and healing property. Traditionally, colour was absorbed from the sun by natural methods however we can use the method described below, during the cooler months. Red is the colour associated with arthritis and rheumatism which assists in strengthening the immune system, reducing joint pain and inflammation, preventing further deterioration and promoting mental and emotional balance.

• Place a red 60 watt bulb in a lamp that can be adjusted so that its light can be directed onto the affected area of your body;
• Place the lamp approximately two feet away from your body;
• Absorb the red light for ten minutes, two times a day for six weeks.

Herbal Poultice

A herbal poultice is the external application of moistened herbs to an area of the body to improve the blood flow to the affected area, relieve pain and inflammation and detoxify the tissues.

Herbal poultices include:

• Sandalwood Powder Poultice for general stiffness, aches and pains associated with the nerves;
• Holy Basil Powder Poultice for rheumatic aches and pains and pain associated with the nerves;
• Ginger Root Powder Poultice for arthritic pain and pain associated with cold, contraction and poor circulation;
• Turmeric Root Powder Poultice for inflammatory joint pain and pain associated with a hot burning sensation;

Application:

• Apply a thin layer of cold-pressed sesame oil or ghee to the affected area to protect the skin;
• Add warm water to your chosen herb to make the consistency of a thick paste;
• Apply a thick layer of warm paste to the affected area;
• Cover with a bandage, secure firmly and leave in place for a few hours or overnight;
• Remove in the morning, wash the area with warm water and apply a fresh poultice if required.

Sun Breath Exercise

The traditional sun breath exercise revitalizes depleted energies, warms the body, increases oxygenation, strengthens digestion and calms the nerves.

To practise:

• Sit comfortably and close your eyes;
• Close your left nostril with your right ring finger;
• Inhale deeply through your right nostril;
• Keep your left nostril closed and use your right thumb to close your right nostril;
• Retain your breath for as long as you feel comfortable;
• Release your right ring finger and exhale through your left nostril;
• Repeat eleven times;
• Practise each morning, facing the sun.

Copper-Charged Water

Healing with metals is a traditional practice believed to empower the body’s endocrine glands, systems and organs. Each metal possesses specific healing properties to treat disease and is administered through concentrated charged water. Copper empowers the nervous system and assist in healing arthritis, rheumatism and degenerative diseases.

The traditional method of preparing copper-charged water:

• Thoroughly wash 50 grams of pure copper;
• Boil one litre of water in a stainless steel pan;
• Add the copper to the boiling water;
• Continue to boil until half of the water has evaporated;
• Remove the copper and filter the copper-charged water through a fine muslin cloth, two times;
• Divide into three cups and drink one cup of warm copper-charged water before each meal;
• Prepare fresh copper-charged water daily using the same copper;
• Continue for four weeks and refrain from eating sour food during this time.

Mudra Healing

The Surabhi Mudra is a powerful and slightly intricate expressional hand gesture that balances the five elements of the body and mind to heal an array of diseases including arthritis and rheumatism.

• Place the tip of your left little finger and the tip of your right ring finger together;
• Place the tip of your right little finger and the tip of your left ring finger together;
• Place the tip of your left middle finger and the tip of your right index finger together;
• Place the tip of your right middle finger and the tip of your left index finger together;
• Relax and extend your thumbs;
• Practise three times a day for fifteen minutes each.

Root Chakra Healing

The seven main energy centres known as the chakras are the foundation for physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being. Depleted root chakra energy is associated with arthritis and rheumatism. The following traditional energy exercise initiates the body’s self-healing response, grounds the emotions and calms the mind.

To practise:

• Stand barefoot outdoors on dry grass, sand or bare earth;
• Lift your left leg and right arm simultaneously, keeping your knee and elbow bent;
• As you lower them, lift your right leg and left arm simultaneously, keeping your knee and elbow bent;
• Continue as though doing an exaggerated march on the spot at your own pace;
• Practise for thirty seconds initially and gradually increase the practise time to five minutes, four times a day.

Crystal Visualization

The body and mind are intricately connected therefore our thinking patterns have a profound effect on our physical health. Positive healing visualizations with the use of the earth’s natural stones restore, elevate and empower the energies of our entire being to instil harmony and balance.

The following crystals assist in healing arthritis and rheumatism:

• Copper increases vital energy flow and empowers the nervous system;
• Indigo strengthens the skeletal system, ligaments, joints and cartilage;
• Carnelian enhances blood flow and stimulates the body healing ability;
• Apatite assists with restoring and repairing damaged tissues and joints;
• Chrysocolla relieves pain and inflammation and strengthens the muscles;
• Hermatite improves the circulation, alleviates pain and activates healing;

To practise the crystal visualization:

• Lie down comfortably and place your chosen crystals on the area that requires healingl
• Close your eyes and bring your awareness to your breath;
• With each inhalation, visualize your in-breath being directed to your affected area;
• With each exhalation, visualize your out-breath releasing any pain, stress and tension;
• Bring your awareness to the healing vibration of your chosen crystals;
• Visualize the healing vibration of the crystals being absorbed by your affected area;
• Sense the healing vibration expanding the energies and increasing blood flow to your affected area;
• Feel your affected area being cleansed, nourished and strengthened;
• Allow any discomfort, pain or inflammation to be dissolved by the crystal vibration;
• Open your eyes gently and trust in the knowledge that crystals have been used since ancient times to heal the body, mind and spirit;
• Crystals can be taped to the skin over the affected areas to release the negative stagnant energy which allows the free flow of positive vital healing energy.

Traditional Indian holistic practices treat the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspect of our body by gently releasing our imbalances, restoring our energies and empowering our natural healing ability which permanently alleviates our dis-eases.