Scurvy is a disease caused by deficiency and lack of vitamin C and absorbic acids within the system and is particularly prelevant in children still and was so in Victorian sailors. As the sailors went long periods existing without vitamin C in their diet with the inevitable consequence eventually staples such as lemons and limes for the sailors to suck and thus consume their natural goodness were added to the diets of all ships of the time. And basically all preventative, alleviative and curing remedies today are the same, all that you need to ward off scurvy is to consume sufficient vitamin C and absorbic acids to keep the body healthy.

Causes of Scurvy

Besides the irregular ingestion of fruit and vegetable and other vitamin C enriched foodstuffs, stress is the only other main cause of scurvy. This is because if you are over laden with stress then the negative toxins released effect the body’s ability to properly make Vitamin C and so the whole inner system is compromised sufficiently to bring on scurvy.

The most obvious and common ways to combat stress in the Ayurvedic teachings is regular participation in activities such as yoga, meditation and deep breathing exercises.

Also regular physical exertions such as walking, swimming, cycling etc are not only a great aids to stress bust but will also keep you in a proper fitness state to be able to see off diseases like scurvy. Plus overall the fresh air of the great outdoors works wonders for your sense of being and both your mental and physical health.

Ayurvedic Diet as Remedy for Scurvy

A good healthy balanced all-round diet is really the only consideration for staving off scurvy. A good, regular combination of fresh fruit and vegetables, grains, pulses, nuts and seeds is the main requirement. Supplement these foods with things such as vegetable oils, milk and honey, as all are rich in the needed nutrients.

Eat healthily, for example stick to wholemeal rather than white bread.

Incidentally the recommended intake of Vitamin C in order to retain good health is 10-20 milligrams daily. It is essential that you stick to this dosage and whilst it is preferable to eat properly in order to ingest sufficient vitamin C, if for some reason you are unable to take a proper meal there are a whole range of tablets and herbal supplements available that will do the job just as well.

Indian gooseberry as Ayurvedic cure for scurvy

The Indian gooseberry or Amla or Emblica officinalis gaten, as it it is sometimes known as is probably the most important and vital fruit there is to battle scurvy as it is packed with Vitamin C and the other tonic giving properties required.

In particular it increases in potency the further away from the actual root it is removed. I.E. for its fullest effect drink its juice or add its powder to another drink.

It can be ingested in numerous ways, including,As a powder added by the teaspoon and with an equal amount of sugar to a glass of milk three times daily

In a capsule known as Morpheme Amakiki supplement

Other Ayurvedic herbal remedies that contain Indian Gooseberry

• Amalaki Rasayan

• Chyawanprash

• Amla Taila (an essential oil)

• Kabz care

Scurvy is very easily preventable if you follow the balanced , vitamin C enriched diet and other teachings of the Ayurvedic method.