Raw juice therapy which is also known as juice fasting is a method of treatment of ailments through an exclusive diet of juices of fruits and vegetables. This therapy is considered the most effective way to restore health and revitalise the body. In Raw juice therapy, the eliminative and cleansing capacity of the organs of elimination, namely lungs, liver, kidneys and the skin, is greatly increased and masses of accumulated metabolic waste and toxins are quickly removed. Digestion of food and the utilisation of nutrients are greatly improved in this therapy. An exclusive diet of raw juices of fruits and vegetables results in much faster recovery from diseases and more effective cleansing and regeneration of the tissues than the fasting on pure water.
Effects of Raw Juice Therapy
Raw juices of fruits and vegetables are very rich in vitamins, minerals, enzymes and natural sugars. They exercise advantageous effect in normalising all the body functions. They supply needed elements for the body`s own healing activity and cell regeneration, thereby speeding the improvement. Alkaline elements in raw juice is highly beneficial in normalising acid-alkaline balance in the blood and tissues as there is over acidity in most conditions of ill-health. Calcium, potassium and silicon in raw juice help in restoring biochemical and mineral balance in the tissues and cells, thereby preventing premature ageing of cells and disease. Raw juices contain certain natural medicines, vegetal hormones and antibiotics. For instance, string beans are said to contain insulin-like substance.
Precautions in Raw Juice Therapy
Certain precautions are, however, necessary in adopting an exclusive diet of raw juices. All juices should be made fresh immediately before drinking. Canned and frozen juices should not be used. Only fresh ripe fruits and vegetables, preferably organically grown, should be used for extraction of juices. Raw juices oxidise rapidly and lose their medicinal value in storage, even under refrigeration so only as much juice as needed for immediate consumption should be extracted. The quality of the juices has a distinct bearing on the results obtained. In case of incomplete extraction of juices, their effective power is proportionately reduced due to the absence of the vitamins and enzymes which are left behind in fibre and the pulp.
Types of Juices
Fruit and vegetable juices may be divided into six main types. These are, Juices from sweet fruits such as prunes and grapes, Juices from sub-acid fruits like apple, plum, pear, peach, apricot and cherry, Juices from acid fruits like orange, lemon, grapefruit, strawberry and pineapple, Juices from vegetable fruits, namely, tomato and cucumber, Juices from green leafy vegetables like cabbage, celery, lettuce, spinach, parsley and watercress and Juices from root vegetables like beetroot, carrot, onion, potato and radish. Fruit juices stir up toxins and acids in the body, thereby stimulating the eliminative processes. Vegetable juices, on the other hand, soothe the jaded nerves and work in a much milder manner. They carry away toxic matter in a gentle way. Owing to their differing actions fruit and vegetable juices should not be used at the same time or mixed together. It is desirable to use juices individually.
Treatment of Diseases in Raw Juice Therapy
Some common ailments which can be treated in raw juice therapy are:
Acidity: Grapes, orange, mosambi, carrot and spinach.
Acne: Grapes, pear, plum, tomato, cucumber, carrot, potato and spinach.
Anaemia: Apricot, prune, strawberry, red grape, beet, celery, carrot and spinach.
Arthritis: Sour cherries, pineapple, sour apple, lemon, grapefruit, cucumber, beet, carrot, lettuce and spinach.
Allergies: Apricot, grapes, carrot, beet and spinach.
Arteriosclerosis: Grapefruit, pineapple, lemon, celery, carrot, lettuce, and spinach.
Asthma: Apricot, lemon, pineapple, peach, carrot, radish and celery.
Bronchitis: Apricot, lemon, pineapple, peach, tomato, carrot, onion and spinach.
Bladder Ailments: Apple, apricot, lemon, cucumber, carrot, celery, parsley and watercress.
Colds: Lemon, orange, grapefruit, pineapple, carrot, onion, celery and spinach.
Constipation: Apple, pear, grapes, lemon, carrot, beet, spinach and watercress.
Colitis: Apple, apricot, pear, peach, pineapple, papaya, carrot, beet, cucumber and spinach.
Diabetes: Citrus fruits, carrot, celery, lettuce and spinach.
Diarrhoea: Papaya, lemon, pineapple, carrot and celery.
Eczema: Red grapes, carrot, spinach, cucumber and beet.
Epilepsy: Red grapes, figs, carrot, celery and spinach.
Gout: Red sour cherries, pineapple, tomato, cucumber, beet, carrot, celery and spinach.
High blood pressure: Grapes, orange, cucumber, carrot and beet.
Halitosis: Apple, grapefruit, lemon, pineapple, tomato, carrot, celery and spinach.
Headache: Grapes, lemon, carrot, lettuce and spinach.
Heart Disease: Red grapes, lemon, cucumber, carrot, beet and spinach.
Influenza: Apricot, orange, lemon, grapefruit, pineapple, carrot, onion and spinach.
Insomnia: Apple, grapes, lemon, lettuce, carrot and celery.
Jaundice: Lemon, grapes, pear, carrot, celery, spinach, beet and cucumber.
Kidney Disorders: Apple, orange, lemon, cucumber, cucumber, carrot, celery, parsley and beet.
Liver ailments: Lemon, papaya, grapes, carrot, tomato, beet and cucumber.
Neuritis: Orange, pineapple, apple, carrot and beet.
Obesity: Lemon, grapefruit, orange, cherry, pineapple, papaya, tomato, beet, cabbage, lettuce, spinach and carrot.
Piles: Lemon, orange, papaya, pineapple, carrot, spinach, turnip and watercress.
Prostate Troubles: All fruit juices in season, carrot, asparagus, lettuce and spinach.
Psoriasis: Grapes, carrot, beet, and cucumber.
Rheumatism: Grapes, orange, lemon, grapefruit, tomato, cucumber, beet, carrot and spinach.
Sinus Trouble: Apricot, lemon, tomato, carrot, onion and radish.
Sore Throat: Apricot, grapes, lemon, pineapple, prune, tomato, carrot and parsley.
Tonsillitis: Apricot, lemon, orange, grapefruit, pineapple, carrot, spinach and radish.
Varicose Veins: Grapes, orange, plum, tomato, beetroot carrot and watercress.
After the raw juice therapy, the return to normal balanced diet should be gradual, and in stages. In the beginning, two juice meals may be replaced by milk and fruits. Then gradually juice meals may be substituted by a balanced diet.