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Functions:   Growth; healing; detoxification; dealing with free radicals; immune system; wound healingSources:   Most fruit and vegetablesCauses of   Poor diet, smoking, stress, injury, pollution, Deficiency:   contraceptive pillDeficiency Signs   Lack of energy, aches and pains, swollen gums, and Symptoms:   spontaneous bruising, slow healing of wounds, repeated infections, poor colour, anaemia. Severe deficiency: Scurvy – swollen bleeding gums, internal bleeding, weak bones.Note: can be used in quite large doses for specific effects, such as detoxifying, boosting the immune system, helping constipation, as a stimulant, and to neutralize food intolerance reactions. It is also a good hangover cure. If it is taken regularly in large doses, a good multimineral supplement should be taken as well, as vitamin C washes minerals out.Free Radicals: these are delinquent oxygen molecules found in blood and tissue which are strongly suspected of causing degeneration and cancer. Some are released as part of the immune defence of the body, and some come from sources outside the body, such as tobacco smoke, organic solvents, food additives, pesticides, heavy metals, radiation.When fats combine with oxygen they become rancid and cannot be fully digested, and this releases more free radicals. When the body fights bacteria it makes its own free radicals and it also makes a substance, derived from what we eat, to neutralize them. This is why it is so important to eat the substances that provide the raw material for this job. They include: vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene (the vegetable form of vitamin A), the minerals selenium and zinc, and the amino acids L-cysteine and L-methionine. It is also important to keep intake of animal fats low.*141\326\8*

This is wonderfully relaxing, detoxifying, helps constipation and can bring great relief to aching joints and muscles.
1 In a warm room, massage 3 oz of warm castor oil into the whole body starting on the neck, at the base of the skull. Pay particular attention to any painful area and the abdomen, base of the spine and feet. Cover these with white or pale-coloured cotton or woollen socks as soon as you have oiled them to prevent skidding on the bathroom floor.
2 Put on a pair of warmed light-coloured pyjamas or an old track-suit, or wrap yourself in a warmed old sheet or large towel’
3 Get into a warmed bed (prepared before starting) and stay there overnight if possible.
4 Take a warm shower or bath when you get up, taking care to remove the oil from the soles of your feet before you step into the bath, to prevent slipping. You will find that a great deal of the oil has been absorbed during the night and, after washing, your skin will feel wonderfully soft.
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