“Life is a divine gift, and disease – free sound health is a great blessing.”

Maintenance of a disease – free sound health is one of the most vexing problems facing humanity today. This problem existed in the past too, but it has become more acute in the present age due to various reasons. Lack of proper nutrition in the present day diet; the consumption of refined and artificial foods devoid of natural nutrition and health promoting properties; the increased tensions of the modern day world; widespread pollution of environment; and lack of proper exercise also have their adverse effects.

It is a well established fact that is one follows the natural principles, a good health can be maintained or even regained at a minimum of effort and cost. All it needs is proper guidance, some determination, and a practical approach. The human body’s resistance against varied diseases can be enhanced by the judicious intake of wholesome and nutritious food.

This book, the outcome of the author’s dedicated research and practice over the decades, is an attempt to educate the lay people to make use of vegetables, fruits and herbs from kitchens, field and common market places to alleviate pain and cure sickness.

Thorough glossaries for English and Non – English terms, plants and their parts, and a comprehensive index of fruits, plants and their parts given in the alphabetic order of their Hindi names accompanied by the disease they heal and cure make it an illuminating document and easy – to – use reference guide.

‘Foods that Heal’ is an indispensable guide to good health in daily life and also for the practitioner of traditional medicine.

Health is a blessing that money cannot buy.

Indian has always been a treasure trove of herbs. There is hardly any traditional Indian cuisine which is considered complete without the use of herbal spices. The herbs are seen as agents of taste, satisfaction and well being. Indian herbalism was developed by the ancient seers, sage’s wanderers and tribal’s, who through intuition and observation discovered the many properties of plants and their products.

This book deals with various herbs, fruits and vegetables, etc. commonly found in the markets of subcontinent. Most of them are familiar kitchen and spice box staples having therapeutic properties. Dealing with each herb or fruit, the author has recorded its traditional use along with its efficacy as a drug. The book has several herbal and alternative medicine remedies.

The ailments have been arranged in groups under the system of related organs; however, the contents in the beginning of the book have been listed in the alphabetical order of the diseases and their remedies for easy reference. The glossary of English Terms, Non – English Terms and Plants and other Ingredients have been appended separately for the benefit of the readers. The extensive index given at the back of the book allows the quick location of the multiple remedial properties of a particular herb or fruit with respect to the disease listed beneath it. The index facilitates easy location of herbs or fruits by their Hindi names. The diagrammatic representation of few plants and their parts etc. has been given in the last few pages.

This book is an attempt by the author to contribute by documenting and making available to a larger public what he has practised during the long course of his research and practice. We sincerely hope that this version of the book will facilitate an informed understanding among the readers regarding herbalism and alternative medicine and will help to reinforce the therapeutic value of the foods that we generally consume daily.