Dr. H.K. Bakhru - Naturopathy for Longevity

NATUROPATHY
FOR LONGEVITY

Published by Jaico Publishing House
A-2 Jash Chambers, 7-A Sir Phirozshah Mehta Road
Fort, Mumbai - 400 001
jaicopub@jaicobooks.com
www.jaicobooks.com

Dr. H.K. Bakhru

NATUROPATHY FOR LONGEVITY
ISBN 81-7224-629-3

First Jaico Impression: 2000
Ninth Jaico Impression: 2009

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About the Author

Dr. H.K. Bakhru enjoys a countrywide reputation as an expert naturopath and a prolific writer. His well-researched articles on nature cure, health, nutritionand herbs appear regularly in various newspapers and magazines and they bear the stamp of authority.

A diploma holder in naturopathy, all his current 13 books on nature cure, nutrition and herbs titled, A Complete Handbook of Nature Cure, Diet Cure for Common Ailments, A Handbook of Natural Beauty, Nature Cure for Children, Naturopathy for Longevity, Healing Through Natural Foods, Indian Spices and Condiments as Natural Healers, Foods That Heal, Herbs That Heal, Natural Home Remedies for Common Ailments, Vitamins that Heal, Conquering Diabetes Naturally and Conquering Cancer Naturally have been highly appreciated by the public and repeatedly reprinted. His first-named book has been awarded first prize in the category Primer on Naturopathy for Healthy Living by the jury of judges at the Book Prize Award scheme, organized by National Institute of Naturopathy, an autonomous body under Govt, of India, Ministry of Health.

Dr. Bakhru began his career on the Indian Railways, with a first class first postgraduate degree in History from Lucknow University in 1949. He retired in October 1984 as the Chief Public Relations Officer of the Central Railway in Mumbai, having to his credit 35 years of distinguished service in the Public Relations organisations of the Indian Railways and the Railway Board.

An associate member of the All India Alternative Medical Practitioners Association and a member of the Nature Cure Practitioners Guild in Mumbai, Dr. Bakhru has extensively studied herbs and natural methods of treating diseases. He has been honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award, Gem of Alternative Medicines award and a gold medal in Diet Therapy by the Indian Board of Alternative Medicines, Kolkata, in recognition of his dedication and outstanding contributions in the field of Alternative Medicines. The Board, which is affiliated with the Open International University for Complementary Medicines, established under World Health Organisation and recognised by the United Nations Peace University, has also appointed him as its Honorary Advisor Dr. Bakhru has also been honoured by Nature Cure Practitioners Guild, Mumbai with Nature Cure Appreciation Award for his services to Naturopathy.

Dr. Bakhru has founded a registered Public Charitable Trust, known as D.H. Bakhru Foundation, for help to the poor and needy. He has been donating Rs. 25,000 every year to this trust from his income as writer and author.

CONTENTS

PREFACE

How can one keep fit in old age and live longer? This book explains at some length the various factors which contribute to health and fitness, and impart energy and vitality in old age. It also deals with diseases commonly prevalent in the elderly and prescribes time-tested nature cure methods for their treatment.

Fitness, however, is a relative term. It is difficult to find a person with perfect health these days. Faced with the growing complexities of modern life and the resultant crises living in polluted environments and consuming denatured, refined foods one has to make strenuous efforts today to keep himself fit, especially in old age. The task is even more difficult for the elderly persons like me, as I have suffered immensely from a very early age, mainly due to the shortcomings of the modern medical system. A brief case history will drive home the point.

My troubles began at 16, when I contracted dry pleurisy and typhoid fever simultaneously. Having run their course for about 45 days, both the ailments rendered me very weak. My recovery was gradual but not complete, as I soon developed heartburn and breathing trouble.

At 28, came the worst crisis, when I suffered a stroke in the early hours of an exceptionally hot day, following severe heartburn throughout the night. The stroke made the left side of my body extremely heavy and weak. The attending physician, suspecting a brain tumour, referred my case to a wellknown neurosurgeon. For some two months, I was subjected to drastic tests which failed to locate the imaginary brain tumour. The harrowing experience left me a complete wreck.

That was not the end of it. The focus of investigation shifted from the brain to the stomach. A barium meal examination revealed chronic duodenal ulcer. The various drugs prescribed for this disease and the continuing weakness and heaviness of my left side made my condition worse. I endured this for three years, until the pain and heaviness of the left side was miraculously cured by an astrologer. But nothing could rid me of the heartburn, abdominal pain and occasional stomach upsets. A barium meal examination, done when I was 39, also revealed hiatus hernia with peptic esophageal ulcers.

To add to all these, at 45, an eminent heart specialist declared me a heart patient. The heavy drugging and dieting that ensued completely ruined my health and resulted in insomnia and a weight loss of 15 kg. Two years later, another renowned heart specialist, whom I consulted, gave his opinion that there was no evidence, whatsoever, of heart trouble. He, however, confirmed the presence of duodenal ulcer and hiatus hernia. Then came a host of diseases in quick succession cervical spondylosis, myalgia, backache and prostate enlargement. In treating all these diseases, the modern medical system failed miserably.

All this time, I was aware of the natural methods of treatment, but dared not adopt them because of my heavy dependence on drugs. Rather late in the day, at the age of 55, I made a determined bid to do away with all the medicines and take recourse to natural methods. I made a deep study of nature care, consulted expert naturopaths, made drastic changes in my diet and lifestyle, and started following the laws of nature rigidly. I was rewarded sooner than expected: so much so, that for one who narrowly escaped death at the age of 28, when my son was a year old, I can proudly say that today, at 73, when I have a 16-year-old grandson, I feel healthier, both physically and mentally. This is thanks mainly to my taking recourse to nature cure methods. Of course, I do not claim to have cured all my ailments. But I do maintain that I have been able to control them substantially.

The two dominant factors in the maintenance of my health now are: firm determination to keep fit and to forget that I suffer from any serious medical problem.
The various measures adopted in respect of the first factor include consumption of natural, unrefined foods as far as possible, regular practice of yogasanas and other physical exercises, especially walking, occasional use of hydrotherapy, avoidance of late hours and following other laws of nature. Of course, I do make exceptions and indulge occasionally in delicacies of refined foods and other hazardous substances, as otherwise, life will not be worth living.

With regard to the second factor, I keep myself fully occupied so as to avoid all thoughts about my illness. I devote my entire daytime for popularising nature cure by writing articles and books on the subject and offering personal and postal advice to those who seek my help in solving their health problems. I also keep myself busy with various charitable activities of the D.H. Bakhru Foundation, a registered public charitable trust founded by me, with a yearly contribution of Rs. 25,000 to help the poor and needy. I have, in about 13 years time, since my retirement, contributed over 2,000 articles in newspapers and magazines and written 10 books on nature cure, health and nutrition, of which eight have already been published and have proved to be best-sellers.