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Cataract is one of the most stubborn conditions to deal with. If it has become deep-seated, nothing short of a surgical operation will help. However, in the early stages, there are good chances of getting over the ailment by natural means. Even advanced cases can be prevented from becoming worse.

A thorough course of cleansing the system of the toxic matter is essential. To start with, it will be beneficial to undergo a fast for three to four days on orange juice and water. A warm water enema should be taken daily during this period. After this initial fast, a very restricted diet should be followed for two weeks. In this regimen, breakfast may consist of oranges or grapes or any other juicy fruit in season. Salads of raw vegetables in season, with olive oil and lemon juice dressing, and soaked raisins, figs or dates may be taken during lunch. Evening meals may consist of steamed vegetables such as spinach, fenugreek, drum sticks, cabbage, cauliflower, carrot, turnips (steamed in their own juices) and a few nuts or some fruits, such as apples, pears and grapes. Avoid potatoes and no bread or any other article of food should be added to this list.

After two weeks on this diet, the cataract patient may embark upon a fuller well-balanced diet - seeds, nuts and whole grain cereals, vegetables and fruits.

The short fast followed by a restricted diet should be repeated after three months of the commencement of the treatment and again three months later, if necessary. The bowels should be cleansed daily with the warm water enema during the fast, and afterwards as necessary.

The patient should avoid white bread, sugar, cream, refined cereals, rice, boiled potatoes, puddings and pies, strong tea, coffee, alcoholic beverages, condiments, pickles, sauces, and other so-called aids to digestion.

There is increasing evidence to show that in several cases, cataracts have actually been reversed by proper nutritional treatment. However, the time needed for such treatment may extend from six months to three years.

The aniseed is considered an excellent remedy of cataract. The patient should take about six grams of aniseed daily in morning and evening. Equal quantities of aniseed and corriander powder, mixed with brown sugar is also beneficial. The mixture should be taken in doses of 12 grams in morning and evening. Another valuable remedy for cataract is to grind seven kernels of almonds and half a gram of pepper together in water and drink it after sifting and sweetening the mixture with sugar candy. It helps the eyes to regain their vigour.

The use of carrots has been found valuable in cataract. The patient should eat plenty of raw carrots daily. Alternatively, he should take two glasses of carrot juice daily, one glass each morning and evening. Unprocessed honey has been found useful in treating cataract. A few drops of this honey should be put in the eyes. This is an ancient Egyptian remedy which has benefited many patients. The use of castor oil has also been found beneficial. Two drops of this oil should be instilled in the eyes before retiring to bed.

The use of spinach is an effective home remedy to check cataract, according to a study in the British Medical Journal. A probable reason is spinach's rich stores of antioxidants, including beta carotene. Indeed, the investigators found that those who ate the most beta carotene in fruits and vegetables were only 40 per cent as likely to develop cataracts.