An osteopath acquaintance of mine came to see me in July 2002. He was 50 years old and had been diagnosed in April of that year as suffering from Crohn’s disease. This ailment is very serious and as far as the orthodox medical treatment was concerned he was recommended to go on adrenal corticosteroids or to have a colostomy (i.e., removing part of the inflamed bowel).

Crohn’s disease is an acute or chronic inflammation of the ileum — mostly the terminal part of the ileum, although all parts of the gastrointestinal tract from the stomach to the rectum may be involved. It is characterized by abdominal cramps, diarrhea, loss of weight, fever, anemia and perianal fistulas.

My patient’s colonoscopy showed the mucous lining in the affected part of the ileum to be very, very thin. He always had watery stools which later took the consistency of thick mud. He also had a lot of gas.

Both ascending and descending colon were affected, but the rectum and transverse colon were normal in appearance. My patient refused the steroids and anti-inflammatory drugs and decided to fast.

He completed a three-week stay with me during which time he fasted for fifteen days and then spent another week drinking juices and eating a hygienic diet.

In March of this year, this patient telephoned me to tell me that so far he is feeling much better and is grateful that thanks to a Natural Hygiene lifestyle he has avoided surgery and hospitalization.

COMMENTS FROM THE PATIENT AFTER HIS FAST:

“I feel so good inside for the first time in two years. I am having normal, well-formed stools. No more problems with cramps, pain or flatus.”

“Fasting is a true odyssey towards wholeness and vital well-being. It is slow, steady and sure. The regime at Keki’s is total rest — mind, body, spirit. No activity is allowed except walking in the garden, taking fresh air and sun when possible. Reading, sleeping, fasting, healing, provide true, deep and profound psychological, physiological and physical rest. Most fears about fasting are totally unfounded.

“I asked Keki what he thought was the single most important thing that would help us live healthy, long lives. Keki responded, ‘Health begins in the heart and minds of people. The desire to be healthy is the prime requisite for keeping healthy. Everything stems from this prime desire. An educational investment is needed. Educate and inspire your patients to live healthfully and you will have done a great service to humanity.’

“For me this was an amazing experience and has helped me on a personal healing level in so many ways.”

©Copyright 2003. All Rights Reserved. Health Science is the publication of the National Health Association. This article reprinted from the Summer 2003 issue.