Home remedies for Scurvy

Symptoms of Scurvy

• Exhaustion, breathlessness and mental depression are the initial symptoms.
• Bleeding gums.
• Extensive hemorrhage and fermentation.
• Boils all over the body especially lower limbs.
• Appearance of black and blue spots on the body.
• Swelling of the extremities, pain on motion and paralysis of one or more limbs are the other symptoms.

Causes of Scurvy

• Deficiency of Vitamin C due to inadequate intake of fresh fruit and vegetables and lack of mineral salts is the main cause of scurvy.
• Children who are fed denatured food and condensed milk are most affected.
• Stress is another important factor.

Treatment of Scurvy

• Diet should be supplemented with milk, vegetables oils and honey. Emphasis should be on fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grain cereals. The patient should be given liberal quantities of Vitamin C rich foods.
• Indian gooseberry is the richest source of Vitamin C, and is one of the best remedies. 1 teaspoon of dry gooseberry should be mixed with 1 teaspoon of sugar and milk and taken thrice daily.
• Lime and lemon are also of therapeutic value. Juice of these fruits, should be diluted with water and taken with a teaspoon of honey.
• Potato is also regarded as an excellent food remedy for scurvy.
• The patient should spend a lot of time outdoors, in fresh air and sunshine.
• Neutral immersion bath on alternate days for 1 hour is beneficial.
• Gentle massage twice or thrice a week is also good.

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