Natural Remedies for Scurvy

Scurvy happens to be an illness that is borne out of a severe deficiency of Vitamin C. People that are deprived from fresh supplies of food for long periods of time, much like sailors and soldiers that keep food reserves for a long period of time, tend to suffer from scurvy more than most others. While scurvy is relatively widespread amongst children, the fact that it is a deficiency illness means that it can strike at any time during a person’s life. During the initial phases of its onset, scurvy will cause a person to feel extremely fatigued and weak. A substantial decline in a person’s energy levels will also be noticed which causes a number of physicians to confuse scurvy with other conditions that reflect the same symptoms like rickets, paralysis and rheumatism. Scurvy leads to the formation of a number of spots on the skin as well as spongy gums and some amount of bleeding from the mucous membranes. The spots are most commonly noticed on the thighs and legs. Advanced stages of scurvy would also include open suppurating wounds and a sudden loss of teeth.

The only way to really prevent scurvy is to follow a strict diet that contains certain citrus fruits like oranges or lemons as they are a source extremely rich in Vitamin C. Other sources of this vitamin include guava, blackcurrants, papaya, tomatoes, kiwi fruit as well as strawberries. Vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, cabbage, spinach, paprika and carrots are also sources of substantial amounts of vitamin C. For children, the proper feeding after birth is essential in the prevention of scurvy for the baby. Whenever possible, all children should be breast fed as the mother’s milk is pure and fresh while it also contains most of the nutrients necessary for growth and development of the baby, in correct proportions. After the child turns a year old, the child should be given fruits and vegetable juices along with the occasional intake of whole meal bread. The use of jaundice berry is also a trusted remedy in treating scurvy as its leaves are anti scorbutic or anti scurvy. A decoction using these leaves should be prepared by boiling about 15 grams of water till it is reduced by one third. Take about 150 to 175 ml of the mixture at a time. Mango powder is another beneficial substance and about 15 grams of the powder is considered to have the vitamin content of about 30 grams of good lime.