Our elders are hardly wrong when they code their experiences in sayings. And that is why proverbs are an intrinsic part of every day Yoruba life. The Yoruba say, for example, that proverbs are horses ridden by the spoken word …when the word is lost, the proverb is dispatched to fetch it. Thus, when it comes to the role of food in health “food is the friend of complexion.” What they mean by that is: You are what you eat, or your diet shows in, or shines through, your complexion!
How right they are! After many years of intellectually detouring, from the path of Mother Nature like into chemical drugs for medicine to fight disease, mankind is finally returning to God’s Will in His Creation Plan for human health. And, thankfully, we have all around us people such as H. K. BAKHRU of India to hold us by the hand and, like babies overwhelmed by the environment, and lead us, out of the jungle. In doing so, he reminds us of the warning, long ago, of Thomas Edison to the doctors of his time: The nutritionist of today will be the doctor of tomorrow.
Dr Akibu Oyelami, professor of medicine at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex at Ile-ife, echoes Edison pointedly in his book, ACHIEVING GOOD HEALTH NATURALLY. Says Prof. Akibu who has introduced herbs into his protocols:
“It is becoming increasingly clear to most medical experts that more than 90% of diseases can be traced to faulty lifestyle, particularly the sufferer’s diet. Unfortunately, nothing much is taught about lifestyle in the medical school. The major preoccupation in medical schools is the teaching of diseases and how they are brought about rather than their prevention through natural living.
Thomas Edison, the great mind who invented the electric light bulb, once predicted that the doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will instruct his patients in the care of the human frame, in proper diet and in the causes and prevention of diseases. It is now being touted in some circles using Thomas Edison’s model that any physician who cannot articulate disease prevention measures based on the principles of health and disease does not merit the title of Doctor in the 21st century”
Enter H.K Bakru of whom it is said: “H.K. Bakhru enjoys countrywide reputation as an expert naturopath and a writer on the subject. His well researched articles on Nature cure, health and nutrition appear regularly in the media.
“He began his career in the Indian Railways with a first class postgraduate degree from Lucknow University. He retired in 1984, as the Chief Public Relations Officer of the Central Railways, after 35 years of distinguished services in the Public Relations Organisation of the Indian Railways and the Railways Board”
Bakhru holds a Diploma in naturopathy and has written many books, including FOODS THAT HEAL, VITAMINS THAT HEAL, NATURAL HOME REMEDIES FOR COMMON AILMENTS, CONQUERING
DIABETICS, NATURE CURE FOR CHILDREN’S DISEASES, NATURAL HEALTH FOR THE ELDERLY and COMPLETE HANDBOOK FOR NATURAL CURE.
FOODS THAT HEAL
This book discusses the healing powers of no fewer than 18 fruits and 20 vegetables. In the fruits category are Apple, Apricot, Avocado, Banana, Bagel, Date, Fig, Grapes, Grapefruit, Indian Gooseberry, Jamul fruit, Lemon, Lime, Mango, Orange, Papaya (Pawpaw), Pomegranate Raisins. Bakhru discusses, as well, the curative powers of Barley, Maize, Rice and Wheat. Nut and seeds. Seed lovers may wish to find out the health promoting benefits of Almond, Coconut, Groundnut, Mustard seed, Safflower seeds, Sesame seeds and Sunflower seeds. The list includes Curd, Honey, Milk and Sugarcane as for vegetables, Bakhru mentions [Asparagus (which Nigerian naturopaths now prescribe for immune boosting).
Beet root, an ingredient in Nigerian salads which cleanses the bloat, dissolves gall stones and builds blood count),
Bitter gourd (Yorubas called it Ejinrin and take it for uterine fibroids, high blood sugar, high blood pressure etc.). [Cabbage (taken as juice to heal peptic ulcer, according to a Stanfford University Study, and to slow hypertine thyroid gland; used as poultice to treat inflammation and arthritis).
Carrot, Cucumber, Drumstick, Garlic, Ginger, Lettuce, Mint, Onion, Potato, Soyabeans, Radish, Spinach, and Tomato
These fruits and vegetables are such potent health protectors and life extenders, as revealed by Bakhru, that it is no wonder that people who count among usually sick people also count among people who consume the least serving of fruits and vegetables every day.
I will randomly rush through this book because of space limitation, hoping the little said of it would be enough to recommend it as a book worthy to have in the home health library.
Books are featuring more in this column these days because many readers, their interest in their health grown, often ask me about which books they may read to expand their knowledge of Natural Health in this Information Age in which health has become personal responsibility.
APPLE
Try it for stomach disorders, anaemia, dysentery, constipation or diarrhea, headache, heart disease, high blood pressure, asthma, dry cough, kidney store, eye disorders, dental disorders and strength.
Bakhru doesn’t just make claims. He backs many of the benefits of whatever he discusses with folk beliefs which have been validated by scientific research in reputable universities.
BANANA
You would probably skip such uses as for constipation, allergies, anaemia, kidney disorders or menstrual disorders if you heard Bakhru say it could cure tuberculosis, a disease which would appear to have resurfaced in Nigeria.
LIME
When people tell me it makes sperm “watery” or makes women infertile, I always ask them about the source of their information. Here’s a versalitle fruit Bakhru recommends as eye drop (please read the formula) for the treatment of even cataract, tonsillitis, bleeding piles and high blood uric acid
PAWPAW
We take it for granted, yet it helps the eyes, digestion, enlarged spleen, the skin, worms and cirhrosis of the liver.
BITTER GOURD
The Indians call it KARELA, the Yoruba EJINRIN. Bakhru names it for diabetes, piles, blood disorders, including itching, scabies and boils.
CABBAGE
A young girl, Stella Jackson, of Abbeydguru Communications, Ilupeju Model Market, who came to me last week with a painful swollen knee with two skin breaks oozing pus didn’t believe me for two days when all I told her all she has to do was buy cabbage, beat some leaves to pulp till they bleed juice, wrap them around the knee and hold them there overnight with a bandage.
On the third day, she compiled. The next day, she came to thank me.
The swelling, virtually gone, she was able to walk freely again. Bakhru says it protects blood vessel walls, slows the aging process, prevents formation of kidney stones and keeps constipation at bay.
VITAMINS THAT HEAL
Like all things else, we often take vitamins for granted. I’ve seen many drivers run into the concrete median of the roads at night. Most probably, they suffer from night blindness, A litmus test for Vitamin A deficiency, which is a cause of night blindness is the failure or ability to see the black and white road markings at night. I, too, suffered from night blindness for many years. I doubt if I have fully recovered from it. In those days when it was most serious, I would bump into walls or doors and blame everyone at home for not lighting up the apartment during black-outs. These days, I keep a torch in practically every room.
Vitamin A
Bakhru says Vitamin A deficiency goes beyond night blindness which he said people of old in Egypt cured by boiling liver and dropping the juice extract into the eye. Its deficiency is behind common cold, sinus problems, acne, warts, boils, rashes and carbuncles, among other problems, he says.
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
Studies link heart disease to Vitamin B1, says Bakhru. A deficiency affects digestion, cause muscle wastage, nerve damage, lack of appetite, chronic constipation, muscular weakness, slow heartbeat and constipation. Many authorities believe Vitamin B1 and garlic help to shrink enlarged hearts.
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
Linked to glaucoma, Vitamin B2 deficiency easily shows in the mucous membrane lining of the mouth, lips and tongue. Bloodshot eyes are another deficiency signal. When the eyes cannot stand sunlight, itches, burns and waters, the body is calling for vitamin B2. The same goes for dull hair, oily skin, and premature wrinkling. In the eye, Vitamin A and Vitamin B2 work together. Vitamin A promotes vision by nourishing the light – sensitive retina. Vitamin B2 strengthens the eye muscles and eye nerves.
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
Here’s another B vitamin important for the nerves. Its deficiency shows in the coating of the tongue, and as Bakhru adds, in “sores in the mouth, irritability, nervousness, skin lesions, diarhoea, forgetfulness, insomnia, chronic headache, digestive disorders and anaemia.” So crucial is niacin that
“… prolonged deficiency may cause neurasthenia (weakness of nerves, mental disturbances, depression, mental dullness, and disorientation.”
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)
Anyone whose adrenal glands have buckled under stress will find Vitamin B5 useful. Not only does it help digestion of carbohydrates, proteins and fats and make amino acids, for repair and growth, it takes away the impact of physical and mental stress and the poisons they generate. Because it helps overcome the ravages of stress, pantothenic acid (sold as calcium petonthanate) prevents premature ageing. This condition shows easily in the premature graying of hair which this vitamin does not permit.
Two other substances which also reverse graying hair are INOSITOL and PABA – Para Amino Benzoic Acid.
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
Women who bloat up before their periods, with or without sore and painful breasts, will find it helpful, as it helps eliminate excess fluid load in the body.
Also, people who suffer from Carpal, Tunnel Syndrome, an inflammatory condition of the wrist and hand, do well on this vitamin. Cracks at the corners of the lips (the Ijebus of Yorubaland call it Ibe, are a deficiency sign. So are halitosis),
“foul smell in the mouth, nervousness, eczema, kidney stones, inflammation of the colon, damage to the pancreas, insomnia, tooth decay and irritability.”
Bakhru links a deficiency of this vitamin to “convulsions in children and pregnant women” He explains the link with epilepsy in children:
“It has also been found that during pregnancy, undernourished women usually lack in vitamin B6 due to an excessive demand by the fetus. This deficiency affects the development of the central nervous system of the fetus. This causes demylination (uncovering of the nerve fibers of the peripheral nerves)” resulting in epileptic-like seizures. In all such conditions where there is no other apparent known cause of convulsions, administering
50mg of vitamin B6, three times daily is found to be a very effective treatment”
The B vitamins are in a world of their own. I’d have liked to close the B vitamins with mentions of B8, B9, B12, B-prevention of hair loss and support to make the liver healthily but B6 is still child one. I know of a childhood friend who has bleed vaginally for over four months now. Pap smear and scans of the uterus have ruled out any fibroid or cancerous troubles. I have suggested she check for endometriosis and check her hormones just in case menopausal symptoms are catching up with her. She has managed to reduce the severity from four pad charges to one daily with Apple Cider Vinegar, Vitex and Yarrow tea. Shepherd’s Purse, a good astringent, was not readily available. Now, here is Bakhru saying “longstanding irregular vaginal bleeding in young girls can be successfully treated with vitamin B6. Vitamin B6 controls the bleeding by inhibiting the activity of estrogen and the ripening of the follicles.”
Some of us are lucky. I take a B-75mg supplement everyday and top it up before bed with calcium petonthanate (Vitamin B5). I hope Bakhru has helped many people appreciate why a 50mg or 75mg prescription, along with vitamin C 1000mg, is often made in respect of major health disturbances. Above all, I hope he has persuaded us all to appreciate why our libraries must have copies of his books on the shelf. So, for the readers who wants something to read to empower his or her capacity to take primary responsibility for his or her health, here’s yet another opportunity to get started. Remember the words of Hippocrates many decades ago: “Let your food be your medicine, and let medicine be your food”.
