The Healing Power of Juices

By Roopa Chari, M.D. 

Board Certified Physician in Internal Medicine and co-owner of The Chari Center of Health, Inc. in San Diego

Just as we know that herbs have specific curative properties so do the juices made from fresh fruits and vegetables. Juices can help to prevent and treat many chronic, degenerative conditions which so many people currently have. In addition, fruit and vegetable juices also provide us with all of the protein we need. 

Fruit juices are known more for their cleansing abilities. They purify the blood and eliminate accumulated toxins from the cells. On the other hand, vegetable juices help to regenerate and rebuild the body. Vegetable juices help in the production of new cells to replace and replace those depreciated or destroyed by disease or poor dietary habits. 

Raw juices will be absorbed into the bloodstream and glands 15 minutes after ingested on an empty stomach. Adding at least 1 pint a day of fresh fruit and vegetable juices is excellent preventative medicine. Dr. Richard Schulze, an internationally recognized herbalist recommends calling it a juice “flush”(rather than calling it a juice fast) for seasonal 5 day detoxification cleanses. 

Juices begin the detoxification process by also helping to dislodge and expel toxins from various locations in the body out through the elimination organs (skin,colon, kidneys, liver). Juices also balance the acid-alkaline pH of the body thus making the blood more alkaline so that acidic toxins in the tissues start to dissolve. 

The elimination of accumulated toxins will actually reduce body weight! The renewal of cells also enhances energy levels. The skin takes on a beautiful glow. 

Juices from all dark fruits (dark grapes, berriesand cherries) are very beneficial for those with low blood pressure. 

A daily glass of carrot and spinach juice gives vital nutrients to the roots of the hair, thereby preventing hair loss and actually restoring your natural hair color. Juices provide the vitamins, enzymes, minerals and trace elements which go into the formation of hair. Adding cucumbers to the carrot and spinach juice also promotes hair growth as it is high in silicon and sulfur. 

New studies are showing that drinking a few glasses of grape juice may have the same anti-clogging effect which has been attributed to red wine and alcohol. Once again it is the flavinoids in grape juice which protect the heart against heart disease by inhibiting platelet activity (platelets are the cells which promote bloodclotting). Therefore this reduces the chance of blood clots sticking to the walls of the artery and thus blocking the flow of blood through the artery. 

There are liquids locked inside the tiny cells of plants, especially in vegetables which get lost as indigestable roughage when it is eaten raw. These wonderful healing liquids often color fruits. By using a juicer, the vital nutrients are extracted from the plant cells which otherwise the human stomach would not be able to access. 

As the juices contain enzymes they are predigested in several ways. They therefore provide the body with new energy without depleting the energy for digestion. 

For colds and flus juices are wonderful therapy. Not only do they satisfy the thirst but they also help to neutralize toxins in the body. Fruit juices also release vitamin C, vitamins and mineral salts. 

Parsley juice should not be taken in quantities of more than 2 ounces at a time and should always be mixed with other raw vegetable juices such as carrot, spinach, etc. The elements in parsley will help to maintain the blood vessels in a healthy condition, along with being an excellent cleanser for the urinary tract (kidneys and bladder). 

For diabetes, drinking a combination of the juices of carrot, stringbeans and brussel sprouts is highly recommended. String beans and brusselsprouts give a natural form of insulin for the pancreatic functions of the digestive system. 

The following are some recommendations for juices for some very common health concerns. Please keep in mind that there are many juice combinations for each of the conditions listed and I will go into other combination with these and other health conditions in future articles. 

A. For Hypertension: 

1. Carrot: 8 ounces 

2. Celery: 4 ounces 

3. Spinach: 2 ounces 

4. Parsley: 2 ounces 

( For those who can take garlic it is beneficial to put 1 clove of garlic through the juicer as well). 

B. For Cataracts: 

1. Carrot: 8 ounces 

2. Celery: 6 ounces 

3. Parsley: 2 ounces 

C. For Constipation: 

1. Carrot: 8 ounces 

2. Apple: 4 ounces 

3. Celery: 4 ounces 

4. Spinach: 2 ounces 

. For Diabetes: 

1. Carrot: 6 ounces 

2. String Beans: 3 ounces 

3. Brussel Sprouts: 3 ounces 

Dr. Roopa Chari is a Board Certified Physician in Internal Medicine. She along with her family have opened an Alternative Medical Health Center in San Diego called,“The Chari Center of Health, Inc. She treats patients using herbal remedies,detoxification programs, healthy food programs, and a variety of proven,remarkable mind-body techniques to treat a wide range of medical and psychological conditions. Dr. Chari can be reached at (619) 275-8073 for appointments or please visit their website at www.charicenter.com.