Neuritis

Neuritis refers to an inflammation of the nerves, be it a single nerve or a series of nerves. At times, several different groups of nerves in various parts of the body may be involved. This condition is known as polyneuritis.

Causes and Symptoms

The main symptoms of neuritis are a tingling and burning sensation, and stabbing pains in the affected nerves. In severe cases, there may be numbness, loss of sensation, and paralysis of the nearby muscles. Thus temporary paralysis of the face muscles may result from changes in the facial nerve on the affected side During the acute stage of this condition, the patient may not be able to close his eyes due to a loss of normal tone and strength of the muscles on the affected side of the face.

The chief cause of neuritis is the presence of toxins in the blood and other body fluids. This could be the result of a faulty diet, wrong habits of living, overwork, nutritional deficiencies, and metabolic disturbances. Other causes include a blow or a penetrating injury; a bad bruise or heavy pressure over a nerve trunk; dislocation and fractures of the bones; certain infections; diabetes mellitus; and poisoning with insecticides, mercury, lead, arsenic, and alcohol.

Remedies

Soya Bean Milk: The most important among the home remedies in the treatment of neuritis is soya bean milk. A cup of this milk, mixed with a teaspoon of honey, should be taken every night. It tones up the nervous system due to its rich concentration of lecithin, vitamin B|( and glutamic acid. Soya bean milk is prepared by soaking the beans in water for about twelve hours. The skin of the beans is then removed and after a thorough wash, they are turned into a fine paste in a grinding machine. The paste is mixed with water, three times its quantity. The milk is then boiled on a slow fire, and stirred frequently. After it becomes a little cooler, it should be strained through a cheese cloth and sugar added to it.

Barley Brew: Barley brew is another effective remedy for neuritis. It is prepared by boiling quarter of a cup of pearled barley grain in half a cup of water. When the water has boiled down to about one-quarter, it should be strained carefully. For better results, it should be mixed with half a glass of buttermilk and the juice of half a lime.

Carrot and Spinach: Raw carrots and spinach have proved valuable in neuritis as both these vegetables are rich in elements, the deficiency of which leads to this disease. The quickest and most effective way in which the body can obtain and assimilate these elements is by drinking at least half a litre of the combined raw juices of carrot and spinach — 300 ml of carrot juice and 200 ml spinach juice – daily.

Orange Flowers: The use of orange flowers has also bean found useful in neuritis. The water distilled from these flowers is a stimulating and refreshing drink, and should be taken regularly fy the patient The finest quality is one distilled from the petals °f the bitter orange. Eating fresh orange flowers with honey is also 311 effective tonic for the nerves and valuable in treating neuritis, about ten grams should be eaten daily.

Vitamin B: All vitamins of the B group are valuable in neuritis. A combination of vitamins B1 B2, B6, B12, and pantothenic acid have proved to be of immense help in this disease; in fact, extreme pain, weakness, and numbness, in some cases, have been relieved within an hour.

Dietary Considerations

The best treatment for neuritis is optimum nutrition, well assimilated with all the vitamins and other nutrients. The emphasis should be on whole grains, particularly, whole wheat, brown rice, raw and sprouted seeds, milk, yoghurt, and home-made cottage cheese. In severe cases, the patient should be put on a short juice fast for four or five days before being given the optimum diet. Carrots, beet, citrus fruits, apples, and pineapples may be used for juices. The patient should avoid white bread, sugar, refined cereals, meat, fish, tinned foods, tea, coffee, and condiments.

Other Measures

The patient should be given two or three hot baths with Epsom salts weekly. He should remain in the bath for twenty-five to thirty minutes. The affected parts should also be bathed several times daily in hot water containing Epsom salts — a tablespoon of salt to a cup of hot water. Walking and other moderate exercises are also beneficial in the treatment of neuritis.