10 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT AYURVEDA

#1: Ayurveda is a traditional Indian medicine system and one of the most holistic ones.

Ayurveda originates in India around 5000 years ago and translates to "Science of Life". What sets it apart from the modern Western Medicine is its holistic method which takes into account all features of mind and bodythat are important for the human health; physically and mentally as well as spiritually while dealing with the subtle relations between body, mind and its surroundings. By the way Ayurveda is as closely related to Yoga as the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is to Kung Fu.

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#2: Ayurveda treats people as individuals

Instead of indifferently prescribing the same drugs to anyone Ayurvedatakes care of people individually according to their constitution and personality. To help determine this constitution the model of "Doshas" or "Tridosha System" is used: everyone of us is dominated by a unique combination of Doshas - the 3 vital energies or rather one energy with 3 different sides - and these Doshas affect every person differnetly and cause different vulnerabilities and resistances. Considering these helps treating people gently and naturally by making use of their own self-healing capabilities.

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#3: Ayurveda is about maintaining health and preventing illness.

We all know prevention is better than curing, right? The major objective of Ayurveda is to prevent illness and preserve health by way of living. It is about looking after yourself and your body so to not exhaust your personal resources through the rush and stress that are all too common in modern societies. Not only will it help you to maintain your natural but since it's a holistic approach you'll also feel better and match up to all the day-to-day obstacles. So rather than trying to cure symptoms when it's too late Ayurveda aims to not even get to that point and will help you to find and cure the real cause of any illness through natural means.

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#4: Even a little Ayurvedic knowledge (like knowing your Dosha) can help

Ayurveda is a big thing, a vast and age-old knowledge base that can seem very daunting to the novice. Most of the terms and explanations are in staggering Sanskrit and can make a first comprehension or overview quite difficult without any help. But that's just fine, you don't have to understand everything at once and there are nicely written books to help the Westerner along. If you can find an Ayurvedic practitioner or a Yoga class that also teaches about Ayurveda, even better. But if you only want to see what Ayurveda is and "test it" there's no harm in just including ayurvedic bits and pieces into your lifestyle wherever you feel comfortable doing so. Ayurveda is not a radical diet that demands absolute discipline, but suggests to do all the changes you want to make rather gradually and see if you can adjust to them and want to extend your knowledge. (That is as long as you're not suffering from any serious condition in which case you should really see an ayurvedic or general practitioner.)

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#5: Ayurveda is not bound to religion

Although Ayurveda has its origin in India and is there closely connected to Hinduism you don't have to believe in any special gods or rituals for Ayurveda to work for you. It's a medicine system and even though it's holistic and is designed to care for your mental and spiritual health as well as your bodily health that doesn't mean you have to believe in anything. I feel spirituality has gotten kind of a suspicious name and many Westerners don't feel quite comfortable talking about it because it's often connected to peculiar or even dangerous sects. So to be clear: spirituality doesn't mean a certain religion. Religion can be a path to a person's personal spirituality but is in no way the only one. Spirituality means nothing more than knowing your deepest values and personal meaning of life and following them.

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#6: Ayurveda is labeled as "The Mother Of Healing"

Although Ayurveda is not very well known in the Western world today, it has impacted all major healing systems in the world. And it is becoming ever more accepted because it speaks of those keystone ideas of contact with nature, holism and that we are what we eat.
Ayurveda forms an essential part of the lifestyle of millions of people worldwide and its methods are applied not only to treat personal problems, but also to develop a balanced cuisine and create healthy and harmonious environments. The final intention of Ayurveda is to help the individual discover a personal knowledge of living.

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#7: Ayurveda is about physical as well as mental health

Almost all ailments arise from a combination of multiple circumstances instead of having only one clear cause. Many "modern" common Western ailments like headache, migraine are triggered largely by mental causes like persistent stress and fatigue in the most basic of cases. Frequently this is promoted by a lifestyle characterized by haste, fast food and social pressure. In the eye of society the value of personal freedom and free time has subsided favoring instead the qualities of being hardworking and resilient, ignoring the pressure this is putting on the individual because it's not considered as "real" by the public until it gets physical. An ayurvedic lifestyle helps putting this back into order and valuing your own mental health.

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#8: According to Ayurveda a healthy diet is the main resource for good health

Ayurveda is about preventing illness and its most important method is a healthy diet. This is not a strict diet but rather about guidelines for well balanced and individually positive cooking - what is perfectly good for one individual may be less healthy for the other and so it's vital to know your unique constitution and Doshas. According to Ayurveda the majority of health problems can be traced back to lacking eating habits which eventually diminishes the body's resistance and comes into picture as the one or the other symptom. Only should dietary alterations not succeed to enhance a condition comes the supportive system of herbs, treatments and medicine (in the Ayurvedic sense of the word).

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#9: Ayurveda looks at everything as either poison

Ayurveda considers literally everything natural utilizable as medicine instead of wholly depending on fabricated solutions from the pharmaceutical industry. If anything acts as medicine or toxin will depend according to Ayurveda in fact only on the quantities taken.

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#10: Ayurveda is NOT some new age idea
... but an actual science that has been improved over millennia and is a valid alternative (or supplement) to the western medicine. Being a holistic approach it incorporates parts that might seem to be connected to new age, but as a wholeAyurveda is still a science and nothing less


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KSHAR AND KSHARSUTRA

Kshara

Kshara is a kind of medication described in Ayurveda Texts for the management of various disorders . The word Kshara(क्षार) is derived from the root Kshar(क्षर्), means to melt away or to perish (क्षर् स्यन्दने). Acharya Sushruta defines as the material which destroys or cleans the excessive/the morbid doshas (Kshyaranat Kshyananat va Kshara). According to the preparation we can consider it to be caustic materials, obtained from the ashes after distillation and are mostly alkaline in nature.

Contents

            1 Types of Kshara

• 2 Drugs Used
• 3 Method of Preparation
• 4 Kshara Sutra
  • 4.1 Method of preparation
• 5 Mode of Action
• 6 Types of Kshar Sutra
• 7 References

Types of Kshara

According to the administration it is of two type 1. Paniya Kshara(for internal Medication) and 2.Pratisaraniya Kshara'(external application). The Paniya Kshara is mostly used for the treatment of diseases like artificial poison, abdominal lump, indigestion, calculus etc. The Pratisaraniya Ksara is used to apply on tumors, piles, fistula in ano, skin diseases etc.

1. ^ Sabda Kalpadrima
2. ^ Susruta Samhita 3/11
3. ^ Susruta Samhita 11

 Drugs Used

Many drugs have been advised by Sushruta and other Ayurvedic texts for the preparation of Kshara. The important among them are - Palasa- Butea monosperma, Erythrina indica, Terminalia belerica, Cassia fistula , Plumbago zeylanica, Holarrhena antidysenterica etc.

 Method of Preparation

According to the three types of Ksharas are prepared on the basis of their strength. 1. Mild - Mridu, 2. Moderate - Madhyama and 3. Strong - Tikshna .The general procedure can be narrated as - 'Mridu'Bhașmīkaraņa (conversion to ash) Adding to water(1:6 ratio) Filtration(21 times) Distillation(boiling the ksarajala still all water evaporates) collection (process called lixiviation) 'Madhyama' Here the procedure is same some extra powders of Katasarkara Bhasma sarkara Ksheerapaka, Samkhanabhi( gravels of lime and ash,oyester-shell & core of conch-shell) are added to the boiling ksharajala before distilling it. 'Tikshna' Similar to madhyama kshara here added is the powders of drugs like Chitraka, danti, vacha etc. inplace of the lime stones.

Kshara Sutra

"Kshar Sutra" (क्षारसूत्र) is a sanskrit phrase in which Kshar (क्षार) refers to anything that is corrosive or caustic; while Sutra(सूत्र) means a thread.It is described by many Ayurvedic texts which originated and flourished in India. It is one among popular Ayurvedic treatment modality in the branch of Salyatantra followed by Susruta.

The Ksharsutra was first mentioned by the "Father of Surgery" Sushruta in his text named SUSHRUT - SAMHITA for the treatment of Nadi Vrana(sinus), Bhagandara (fistula- in - ano), arbuda(excision of small benign tumour) etc..Although Brihattrayi- the chief three texts of Ayurveda mention the use of kshara sutra,there is no description of their preparation properly. It was Chakrapani Dutta in late eleventh century in his book Chakradatta ,first mentioned the method of preparation with a clear-cut indication of its use in bhagandara and arsha(haemorrhoid). In his book Chakradutta explains the method that by smearing a sutra (thread) repeatedly in the latex of snuhi() and haridra(turmeric) powder makes the kshara sutra. Later authors like Bhavamishra, Bhaisajyaratnavali etc. also mention the same method. But because of brevity of preparation and inadequate explanation of procedure of application, it lost its popularity among Ayurvedic surgeons. Later in Rasatarangini a better preparation procedure was introduced still the credit of making it practically in use goes to Prof. P.J.Deshpandey and his coworkers. They rediscovered and standardized the ksharasutra in the present era . The Dept. of Shalya- Shalakya, Faculty of Ayurveda, IMS, BHU should be credited for the abundant use and popularization of this technique.

1. ^ A hand book of Anorectal Disorders and their Ayurvedic Management, Dept. of Salyatantra , GAC, Tripunithura, Kerala

Method of preparation

The standard kshar sutra is prepared by repeated coatings of snuhi ksheera (latex of Euphorbia Nerrifolia), apamarg kshara (ash of Achyranthus aspera) and haridra powder over a surgical linen thread no. 20. This thread is spread throughout lengthwise in hangers. Each thread on the hanger is then smeared with snuhi latex with the help of gauze piece soaked in the latex. This wet hanger is transferred in kshara sutra cabinet.

The same process is repeated next day. Eleven such coatings with snuhi ksheera alone should be accomplished. The twelfth coating is done by first smearing the thread with ksheera and in wet condition thread is passed through the apamarg kshar. It is again transfer into the cabinet for drying. This process is repeated till seven coatings of snuhi ksheer and apamarg kshara are achieved. The final three coatings are completed with snuhi ksheera and fine powder of turmeric in the same fashion. Thus twenty-one coatings over the thread are completed.,

1. ^ A Handbook of Anorectal Disorders and their Ayurvedic Management, Dept. of Salyatantra, GAC, Tripunithura, Kerala
2. ^ Anal Fistula and KST, Pathak S.N., Chawkhamba Krishnadash Academy, Varanasi

 Mode of Action

Kshar Sutra is now a popular treatment modality in India for the management of fistula in ano. Many Clinical trials have done all over in different institutes to evaluate the action. In countries like Srilanka and Japan also many clinical trial has already done and established it. Precisely the action of Kshara sutra is thought to be due to its healing and cleansing effect according to Ayurveda. It can be suggested that due to the anti microbial action, and as a saton it allows the proper drainage of pus from the fistula, that leads to a proper healing. On the other hand the cutting effect of thread incises the skin gradually with out a surgical incision. Many studies confirms that it is more effective in the way of reducing hospital stay and less infection than the conventional seton therapy.Researches suggests that it is having the action of Excision, Scrapping, Draining Penetrating, Debridement , Sclerosing and Healing.it is Bactericidal and Bacteriostatic.

Types of Kshar Sutra

In the textual reference of Chakradatta and Rasatarangini we get only indication of the thread made up of Snuhi, apamarga and Turmeric. Susruta describes about many kind of Kshars like Karaveera, Palasa, Kadali etc. in Susruta Samhita. So many studies have already carried out with variations in the Kshara and the latex. The most remarkable are Guggulu Ksharasutra, Udumbara KS, Gomutra KS, Papaya KS, KS with Ficus carica latex etc.

1. ^ Shukla, N.K. Narang, R. Nair, N.G.K., Radhakrishna, S., Satyavati, G.V.: Multicentric randomized controlled clinical studies of Kshara-sootra in management of fistula-in-ano. Indi J. Med. Res. (B), 177-185, 1994
2. ^ Thakur abhiram at al , Kshara sutra therapy a new dimension, souvenir-Anusastra 2008, Dept. of Salyatantra, GAC, Tripunitura, Kerala
3. ^ Ghanekar BG , Susruta Samhita, Sutra sthana 11, ML Publication, New Delhi,1998

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Arthritis And Diet..

About one in seven peoples suffers from some type of arthritis,joint inflammation,stiffness,swelling and pain.The most common types are osteoarthritis,a painful condition in which joint cartilage gradually breaks down and rheumatoid arthritis ,a systemic disease that can cause severe pain and crippling...

Doctors do not understand why some individuals develop arthritis and others do not,but a combination of factors plays a role.People with Osteoarthritis may have inherently defective cartilage that makes it vulnerable  to normal wear and tear.Rheumatoid Arthritis(RA)develops when an overactive immune system attacks connective tissue in the joints and other organs,causing inflammation and pain...

There are some dietary measures which can fight with Arthritis..By some researches it is proved that with some types of foods,food elements,Arthritis can be prevented,or can be fought with..Until recently doctors generally dismissed dietary treatments for arthritis,but new research shows that for some patients diet can make a difference..Studies have shown that patients with RA can experience a marked reduction in swelling ,pain,and redness of joints by ADDING OMEG-3 FATTY ACIDS to their diet.The OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS have anti inflammatory properties,where as the more common OMEGA-6 FATTY ACIDS are pro inflammatory..

So..Some Important Dietary Tips:...

1..It is necessary to Watch the levels of OMEGA-6 FATTY ACIDS in your diet ...

OMEGA 6 FATTY ACIDS tend to weight gain,reduce the powe of immune system,resultant of Cardiac disease and even Cancer...So just keep watch on the level of OMEGA 6 FATTY ACIDS..which are found in sunflower oil,corns,soya-bin,safola oil..

2...Eat more Vitamin C rich foods...

Vitamin C is important for the manufacture of Collagen..Collagen is a type of protein. Fibrous in nature, it connects and supports other bodily tissues, such as skin, bone, tendons, muscles, and cartilage. It also supports the internal organs and is even present in teeth. There are more than 25 types of collagens that naturally occur in the body.Eating Vitamin C enriched foods may help slow the progression of Osteo Arthritis(OA)...Best food sources of Vitamin C are citrus fruits,berries,melons,many other fruits,cabbage,potatoes..many other vegetables..

3...Antioxidants:..

There are evidences that antioxidanats such as Vitmin C,beta carotene and Vitamin E will fight the effects of free radicals ,which are generated by inflammatory compounds and are thought to cause tissue damage in people with RA...So addition of Anti oxidants in diet will be helpful..

Antioxidant.                            Function                                                            Food Sources..

Vitamin C           Protects against HEART DISEASE,macular              Citrus fruits,Tomatoes,Melon etc...

                            degeneration,some types of Cancer     

Vitamin E     May help prevent tissue damage by fighting with        Nuts,seeds,oils,fruits,vegetables...

                    free radicals

Carotenoids               Same As Vitamin E Function                      Orange,dark green vegetables like

Beta carotene                                                                             carrots,spinach,sweet potatoes etc.

4...Food Allergies...

Some evidence show that a small % of people with arthritis have food allergies that exacerbate joint symptoms.Like wheat,soy,corn,coffee,possibly certain food additives..Researches have found that for these people removing the allergy causing foods from the diet has resulted in less pain ..It is helpful if you think a certain food is triggering your pain ,remove it from your diet for 2 weeks and pay attention to any symptom changes.Then add it back and see if your symptom worsens...

5...Weight Factor..

Obesity greatly increases the risk and severity of OA..Even a little extra weight strains the knees and hips.Losing weight and increasing exercise improve symptoms..

Patient of RA often have the opposite problem,they may be too thin due to appetite loss,chronic pain,or depression.So by having calorie and nutrient enriched liquid supplements it will be helpful..

6..Vegetarian Diet...

Researches have found that a strict vegetarian diet can bring about significant symptoms relief.The strict diet have a benefit from fruits,vegetables, and grains which contribute important anti oxidants that can help counter some of the inflammation..The diet is also low in or free of animal fats,which may promote the production of inflammatory immune compounds..Vegetarian diet with proper nutrition will be helpful...

7...Top Foods That Fight Arthritis...

A..Fish:..

Fish rich in Omega 3 fatty Acids....

B..Vegetables:..

Eat 5 to 10 servings of dark green or bright orange vegetables every day to provide beta carotene.(sources given in the chart)

C..Fruits:..

Eat daily:..yellow,orange colored fruits for beta carotene,citrus fruits,berries,melons etc..

D..Nuts & Whole Grains:...

Eat nuts,seeds and whole grains regularly,for Vitamin E,a potent antioxidant that helps relieve inflammation and stiffness...

I have tried to cover this important issue by the point of Dietary means...In the next doc file will try to cover Blood Pressure.....

References:..

1...Foods That Heal Foods That Harm...

2..The Nutrition Source..Vegetables and Fruits

3..Family medicine and Diseases..

4...Healthy Eating..Harvard School Of Public Health

5..Beilin LJ. Vegetarian and other complex diets, fats, fiber, and hypertension..

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DrAmita Kulkarni Purohit

Shatavari

Shatavari is considered to be the most helpful herb for women as it helps in balancing the female hormonal system. The main herbal rejuvenative for women, Shatavari nourishes and cleanses the blood and the female reproductive organs thus supporting the body's natural fertility. It nourishes the womb and ovum and supports the female organs for pregnancy. It also promotes body's natural lactation. Shatavari contains phyto-estrogens, the precursors of estrogen and is very useful for women who suffer from low natural estrogen levels as a result of menopause.

Botanical Name : ASPARAGUS RACEMOSUS

Family Name : LILIACEAE

Common Name : ASPARAGUS, WILD ASPARAGUS, ASPARAGUS ROOT, SHATAVARI

Shatavari is a climbing plant which grows in low forests throughout India. It is mainly the roots of the plant that are used for medicinal purposes. The roots are bitter, sweet, emollient, cooling, nervine, tonic, constipating, opthalimic, anobyne, aphrodisiac.

Shatavari has been mentioned in Ayurvedic texts like the Charak Samhita, Susruta Samhita, and Astanga Samgraha. Pandit Hem Raj Sharma, in the Kashyap Samhita, has clearly stated that shatavari promotes maternal health and noted its particular use as a galactagogue (enhances breast milk secretion in lactating mothers).

Ayurveda has called Shatavari the Queen of herbs and is the foremost herb recommended for female health. Among the three Ayurveda Doshas of ‘Vata’, ‘Pitta’ and ‘Kapha’ , Shatavari helps in balancing 'Pitta Dosha'. Shatavari's rasas are sweet "madhura" and bitter "tikta". It is a natural coolant.

Shatavari nourishes the female reproductive organs and prepares them for conception. It also prevents miscarriages and is useful as a post partum tonic. A clinical study performed in the Dept. of Gynecology & Obstetrics, Ayurveda Hospital, Nepal on The Effect of Shatavari in Threatened Abortion and High Risk Pregnancy, showed 90% of the mothers had successful, healthy pregnancies and deliveries when using shatavari..

Rashmi Chaturvedi
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AYURVEDIC RHEUMATOLOGY

Rheumatological  disorders  described  in Ayurvedic texts, as ‘Ama-vata’, is a popular Ayurvedic term for any inflammatory disorder that causes pain and stiffness, in joints, muscles and connective tissues, including minor aches and twinges as well as disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis etc.. In many texts, ‘Ama-vata’ has been referred as an  “auto-immune disorder” and “exogenous non-compatibility”  & “endogenous intoxication” as its main aetiological factors.

Due to complete abstinence from food, indigestion, over eating, irregular dietary  habits,  indulgence  in  incompatible articles of food, excessive consumption of cold substances, ill-effects of  ‘Virechana’(purgation), ‘Vamana’ (disgorgation), ‘Snehan’ (oleation), the wasting of tissues, states induced  by  faults or changes in place, climate & season, suppression of natural urges, impaired  ‘Pachak-pitta’ (digestive heat),  excessive  use  of dehydrated, over-hydrated or ‘Guru-Madhur-Amal’ (heavy, sweet & alkaline) food; physical stresses like excessive exercises, over indulgence in sexual pleasures, swimming etc.; mental stresses like rage, grief & hunger; and due to accumulation of ‘Mala’ (body’s waste products), ‘Ama’(unassimilated or undigested food juice) is  produced  &  collected in the gastrointestinal tract. A part  of it may be absorbed in the system causing systemic manifestations of certain ‘Ama’ related diseases. 

The already vitiated ‘Vata’ transports this ‘Ama’ to all parts of the body and carries it to the sites of‘Shleshak-kapha’ which has a common resemblance with ‘Ama’. With the effect of place, climate & season, the ‘Ama’ is motivated by vitiated ‘Vata’ and established at the already vitiated site of ‘Shleshak-kapha’. This ‘Ama’ associated with vitiated ‘doshas’, gets localised in a particular ‘Dhatu’ (tissue) to produce several types of endog­enous diseases like ‘Ama-vata’. In this disease, ‘Ama’ observed from the gastrointestinal tract reaches to ‘Kapha-sthana’ (site of ‘Kapha’) through the respective channels and gets modified and recirculated in the system causing capillaritis and synovitis. Probably some immunological mechanisms are also involved in this process.

General langour or debility of the body, disgust for food, thirst, lethargy, heaviness of the limbs, fever, indigestion and swellings are the common symptoms of ‘Ama-vata’ or rheumatism. The acute phase of‘Ama-vata’ is generally very painful with appearance of swellings in the hands, feet, head, ankles, waist, knees, thighs, and generally , in all the joints. These places, in  which the vitiated ‘Ama’ accumulates, become subject to piercing pains. Loss of appetite, watery secretions from the mouth & nose, loss of energy, loss of taste in the mouth, burning of  the  skin, copious or scanty urine, deep-seated pain and hardness of the abdomen, sleep at day-time but want of it at night, thirst, vomiting, vertigo, swoons, pain in the chest, constipation, dullness  of  the  body,  rumbling noise in the stomach, obstruction of the intestines or a sluggish condition of bowels; are the associated symptoms.

The excited ‘doshas’ according to their characteristics cause particular symptoms like excited ‘Vata’ causes excessive pains; excited ‘Pitta’ causes burning of the skin and redness of the complexion; excited ‘Kapha’causes wet sensation, heaviness of the limbs and continuous itching manifestations; besides the other symptoms. If the disease be due to the vitiation of two of the ‘doshas’, or all the three of them, the specific symptoms of each of the ‘dosha’ appear collectively.

There are many remedies prescribed in Ayurveda, some of which are:

1. Yograj Guggulu: ‘Guggulu’ processed with 27 extremely useful herbs, it nourishes the ‘Dhatus’, corrects vitiated ‘Vata’, destroys ‘Ama’, enkindles the ‘Agni’ (Ayur.Sars. pp-521-22); cures acute rheumatism, pain in the bones & joints, paraple­gia, acts as a tonic and enhances strength & vigour (Sen Gupta N.N.,1984); is well tolerated and shows marked im­provement in cases of morning stiffness, hotness, feverish­ness & tenderness of joints (Antarkar D.S., 1993).

2. Trayodashang Guggulu: ‘Guggulu’ processed with 12 extremely useful herbs, it is esteemed in all kinds of ‘Vata-vyadhi’ (neurological disorders) by correcting the  vitiated ‘Vata’ and used in colic-neuritis, gouty arthritis, paraplegia, hemiplagia, sciatica & other neuralgias (Ayur.Sars., p-516); cures the pains in the arms, back, knees, calves, waist, bones & the bone-joints and also relieves dislocation of the cheek bone and other ailments caused by the vitiated ‘Vata’ (Sen Gupta N.N. 1984).

3. Vyosadi Guggulu: ‘Guggulu’ processed with 9 extremely useful herbs, it corrects the vitiated ‘Kapha & Vata’ and destroys ‘Ama’; regarded to cure ‘Medoroga’ (Obesity), & ‘Ama-vata’ (Rheumatological disorders) (A.F.I., 5:9, p-59).

4. Haritkyadi Guggulu: ‘Guggulu’ processed with 3 extremely useful herbs, it nourishes the ‘Dhatus’, corrects vitiated ‘Vata’, stimulates ‘Pachak-pitta’, destroys ‘Ama’, enkindles the ‘Agni’, to relieve from ‘Vata-vyadhi’, low back pain, lumbago, constipation,  & ‘Ama-vata’ (Ayur. Sars. p-524).

5. Lakshadi Guggulu: ‘Guggulu’ processed with 5 extremely useful herbs & minerals, it nourishes the‘Asthis’ (bones) & dhatus’ and is  useful in  osteoarthritis,  lumbago and rheumatism. It also enhances healing  of fractured bones and decreases inflammation from the fractured part. (Ayur. Sars. p-523; Bhar.Ay.Yog Sang. Part-I, 1984).

6. Maharasnadi Kwath: Maharasnadi Kwath is a decoction (obtained from of 50 parts of Vanda roxburghii, and one part each of Ricinus communis, Adhatoda vasica, Pinus deodara, Curcuma zerumbet, Hedysarum alhagi, Cyperus rotundus, Zingiber officinalis, Sida cordifolia, Aconitum heterophyllum, Terminalia chebula, Tribulus lanuginosus, Cassia  fistula,  Foeniculum  vulgare,  Coriandrum  sativum, Boerhaavia diffusa, Physalis flexuosa, Tinospora cordifolia, Piper longum, Lettsomia nervosa, Asparagus racemosus, Acorus calamus, Barleria cristata, Piper chaba, Solanum indicum and  Solanum xanthocarpum). To make its Kwath (decoction):

• all these herbs are crushed & added to water taken 8 times w/v,
• boiled to evaporate to obtain 1/8 decoction v/v under controlled heat at  optimum  temperatures;
• strained & mixed  with  finely  pulverised  dried  extract  of Sonth (Zingiber officinalis).

Maharasnadi Kwath  is esteemed in all kinds of ‘Vata-vyadhi’ by correcting the  vitiated ‘Vata’ and destroying ‘Ama’. It is useful in generalised pains, hemiplagia, lumbago, sciatica, elephantiasis (A.F.I. 4:28, p-51); highly esteemed to alleviate all symptoms and  problems associated with rheumatism, lock-jaw, paralysis, facial paralysis and the diseases produced by vitiated wind (Sen Gupta N.N. 1984).

In Ayurveda this plant is used to cure inflammations, rheumatic pains (Dr.Kaushik,P., 1983),and in Greek system of medicines this orchid plant is given to lessen inflammation & heal fractures (Kirtikar & Basu 1975).

Maharasnadi kwath  a good long term Ayurvedic agent helping the patients to manage their chronic illness in osteoarthritis (Dr Pai Dhungat, M.D., 1993). This kwatha is fairly effective in the treatment of ‘Ama-vata’ (Kishore & Basu 1988).

Ayurvedacharya P NaGrath

 

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Ayurveda- science of life: whether our scholars said Ayurveda an eternal truth?

Continous change is rule of nature. Even Ayuveda has changed a lot during last 7500 years. Ayurveda gained many of its knowledge and ideas from Atharva Veda, our scholars with thorough research added many diseases, its etiology, pathophysiology, symptoms, prognosis and treatment in detail, added use and properties of many herbs, but they did not copy everything from Atharva Veda. Since last 1000 year Rasa shastra was added to Ayurveda, considering the history of Ayuveda this addition is very recent one. In Laghu samhithas they added many new diseases like Amavatha, Phiranga roga, Soma roga etc.

We are in different era, many things have been changed since last 200 years and it seems that this is the right time for Ayurveda also to adopt new knowledges in our science for the benefit of patents.

Yes basic principles and many explanations described in different Ayurvedic text is under debate. I met many great Ayurvedic scholars, many great Ayurveda teachers of different colleges, but during discussion I have noticed a common agenda in most of them, that all the principles explained in Ayurveda, basic principles like Vatha, Pitta, Kapha are eternal truth and we have no right to change these principles.

But I don’t know why many scholars think in that way. We study Padartha vijnana for one and half year during our first professional year, unfortunately a most boring subject for most of us during college days. In that, we study regarding Pramanas, means process of obtaining knowledge, or knowing truth. Such knowledge of truth when undergoes Thadvidya sambhasha etc through different scholars and when this is accepted as Pramana by such group, is called as SHASTRA or SCIENCE or KNOWLEDGE OF TRUTH.

1. Pratyaksha- knowledge gained through sense organs, or knowledge which is felt through sense organs.

2. Anumana- Knowledge gained by inference

3. Upamana- Knowledge gained by comparison

4. Vyuthpatti (arthapatti) (?Upameya)- Knowledge gained through one’s experience, his skill etc

5. Apthopadesha- Textual references, which is still considered as Shastra, here we can not depend on outdated shastras or out dated knowledge(which can be proved as out dated PRAMANAS- for example- explanation of MUTHROTHPATTI in our texts)

Even today, so called modern science, Allopathy system etc also follows the same principle. All the methodology followed in any modern science come under any one among the above five.

So whatever may be the knowledge, if that can be proved as per the standard methodology may be modern methodology or Ayurveda methodology that should be accepted and adopted wherever necessary. Bothe Ayurveda and modern science follows the same methodology, but the only difference is that present methodology is explained depending upon new tools, inventions etc., for eg. today we have electron microscope to see the micro organisms, body cells, even we can see minutest nano particles using advanced microscopes. So definitely there will be lot of difference in prathyksha pramana of olden days and present days. Jvara disease explained in Ayurveda is a very good example for that, most of the jvara explained as Asadhya is Sadhya today, that is because of new inventions.

Our scientists explained body as SHAREERA and DEHA, means which continuously gets destroyed and grows. Continuation of the same knowledge is seen in modern science as CATABOLISM and ANABOLISM with much elaborated explanation. But we can not say that whatever explained in present modern text is eternal truth, when anybody if succeeds in disproving the present knowledge using the same methodology then that knowledge is considered as outdated.

This is a natural process for any shastra and this is essential part of evolution.

About three years back I read one interesting article in a medical journal regarding recurrent renal stones, their new observation regarding recurrent renal stone is that 80% of recurrent renal stone is because of adenoma of parathyroid gland, they confirmed this with the help of color tomograhpy. Since then I have stopped recommending low calcium diet for any of recurrent renal stone patients because that may lead to osteoporosis if the cause is adenoma of parathyroid gland where calcium rich diet is necessary. We have added Kanchanara and other anti tumor drugs to our combination and treated many patients with that drug (Calculus 16 tablet). A patient with recurrent renal stone for last 20 years who took medicines from all system of medicines without any improvement, has no recurrent stone since last one and half years with the treatment started as per new concept. He is still under treatment due to fear of recurrence. Reason to mention this particular case is because the same person took medicine for one year from me 6 years back, but still had recurrent stone, now after adding potent anti tumor drugs and long term treatment with the same he has compete remission.

I came across with one Ayurveda scholar, initially he had the same view of eternal truth, but after a debate he agreed that Ayurveda has many out dated theories and principles but finally he had a view that people strongly believe in such theories, so if we change those theories then no body will accept Ayurveda. But my view is that Ayurveda is an applied science, where people and patients need results not just theories. So we should follow very strong theories and principles where each and every doctor can apply the same with ease while he treats the patient and most of Ayurveda doctor should succeed in curing many ailments, then only Ayureda will gain importance and people will accept Ayurveda with ease globally.

I have written all the above from one angle only, on the other hand even today we have lot of applicable theories, medicines and treatment plans which is proved to be better than any other system. But combining the new knowledge with our ancient time tested therapies benefits the patient.

For eg in Ayurveda there are five types of shirashula Vathaja, Pittaja, Kaphaja, Sannipathaja and Krimija and other diseases like Ardhavabhedaka, Sooryavartha and Shankhaka are other diseases where headache is the leading symptom. If we consider the same from modern point of veiw we have to think of Migraine headache, Tension headache, Sinusitis, Trigeminal and other neuralgias, Cervical radiculopathy, Meningitis, Brain tumours etc. Pittaja shirashoola can be well corelated with Sinusitis, Ardhavabhedaka with sinusitis or Migraine headache, Vathaja shirashoola with Tension headache or Neuralgias, Sooryavartha with Migraine headache and so on. By corelating in this way this helps us to select specific combinations from our text for newly understood diseases.

Please comment your view on this. I welcome both positive and negative comments. Many times negative comments help us to modify and strengthen our views.

Jayagovinda Ukkinadka
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Intervertebral disc prolapse (IVDP)

The most visited cases to Ayurvedic doctors and if we select the appropriate cases for treatment, success rate will be 100%!!!. Earlier this condition was identified as Sciatica syndrome (before MRI era, similar explanation in Ayurveda- GRIDHRASI), and now diagnosed under different headings depending up on the exact cause. Disc prolapse in turn may compress the nerve roots, spinal cord, or may reduce the spinal canal circumference resulting in canal stenosis. Symptoms will be different in all these cases. Another fact regarding IVDP is that almost 95% of cases resolve spontaneously by taking moderate rest for 3 to 6 weeks.

SELECTION OF CASE: After confirming the diagnosis of IVDP, we should be very careful in selecting the cases for Ayurveda treatment. Always try to avoid the below said cases for Ayurveda treatment.

1. IVDP with radiating pain with lower motor neurone paralysis in the affected limb (may be of toe-flexar and extensor movements, ankle etc) which constantly persists for more than three weeks without any improvement with Ayurveda treatment.

2. IVDP with canal stenosis which does not subside even after 3 week’s treatment. (The main clinical feature of canal stenosis is bilateral intermittent claudication along with other symptoms).

3. IVDP with upper motor neurone symptoms like urine retention, bowel incontinence, positive ankle clonus, exaggerated deep tendon reflexes, extensor plantar reflex (positive Babinski’s sign) etc. are surgical emergency. Here discectomy and other surgical treatment is treatment of choice. But we can consider Ayureda treatment in chronic cases where the damage has reached the irreversible phase.

4. If we can not see any improvement, or if the condition aggravates after 6-10 weeks of treatment, then also it is better to refer the patient for further management.

If we consider Differential diagnosis of IVDP

Lumbo sacral disc injuries

Lumbo sacral discogenic pain syndrome

Lumbo sacral facet syndrome

Lumbo sacral acute bony injuries

Lumbo sacral spine sprain/strain injuries

Lumbo sacral spondylolysthesis

Lumbar spondylosis

Pott’s spine

Neoplasms

Lumbar disc degeneration-usually seen in athletes

And also Sacro eleitis, peripheral vascular obstruction at superficial femoral artery level if bilateral sometimes mimic canal stenosis, etc.

TREATMENT:

Here aim of the treatment is

1. Healing of damaged disc (Mamsa Bhagna)

2. Reduce inflammation (vathahara)

3. Reduce pain (vedanahara)

4. Prevent recurrence

The initial approach is to heal the disc damage, inflammation and in turn radiating pain.

Here disc herniation should be considered as AVARAKA, Nerve root is AVRITHA and hence disc herniation should be treated first and the vathaja symptoms subsides.

In acute cases we prefer Inpatient treatment for 3 weeks, where success rate is excellent. Other moderate and mild cases can be managed in OP levels.

Panchakarma and other treatments:

1. Alepa- Whole body application with herbs having anti inflammatory property, vedanahara property. We also use some herbs which are specially used in Mamsa Bhagna in Kerala Ayurveda Practice. (All lipid soluble molecules can be absorbed through skin in very low rate. We observed many herbs having pain killer and anti inflammatory property when applied all over the body intermittently- It is just like sub coetaneous injection). But the only problem is development of skin allergy with potent drugs like Gunja phala. As per our observation Gunja phala is one of the best drug, even though toxic, we have not observed any toxic symptoms except skin allergy which is seen in almost 40% of patients after 4-10 days of external application. Skin allergy was totally reversible when we removed gunja phala from our lepa formula.

2. Pathra pindasweda or Shastikashali pindasweda Along with very mild massage to low back. (Avoid vigorous massage to low back in IVDP). Katibasti and other snigdha and ruksha swedana can also be adopted.

3. Basti Karma- usually for 5-7 days.

4. Total bed rest for 1st three weeks

5. Skin traction in selected cases if found necessary

6. Yogasanas for IVDP after 2nd or 3rd week depending upon the improvement. We avoid any type of Yogasanas in Acute phase. Yogasana is mainly to strengthen the paraspinal muscles and to improve blood supply to disc(stretching exercises).

7. Internal medicines. It is better to take internal medicines till patent recovers to expected level. Usually we suggest 6 months of treatment in majority of cases. Again the internal medicines should contain antioxidant rich combination for better healing, vedanahara drugs and anti inflammatory drugs.

In our hospital we have treated hundreds of IVDP patients in IP and thousands in OP level, and result is excellent.

Jayagovinda Ukkinadka

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Irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome is a non inflammatory condition of unknown etiology. It is now believed that it is a functional disease related with hyper or hypo movement of intestine which results in diarrhea or constipation. Some believe that this disease is an outcome of communication error between brain and intestine.

            Main clinical features are mucous mixed stools, abdominal pain, abdominal bloating, symptoms aggravated by taking wheat and products, dairy products, leafy vegetables, pulses and spicy food items, no symptom after getting in to sleep or never awakened by IBS symptoms, and also fibromyalgia, depression are common co morbidity.

            There are many differential diagnosis for IBS, important are Ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, other Inflammatory bowel disease, giardiasis, amoebiasis, celiac sprue, colon malignancies, chronic mesenteric ischemia etc are some of main DD’s.

            There are mainly four sub varieties of IBS- they are 1) IBS-D, with diarrhea,    2) IBS-C, with constipation, 3) IBS-M, mixed, 4) IBS-A alternating diarrhea and constipation.

            Another condition which is called as post infectious IBS, where there will be micro inflammation in large and small intestines,an atypical variety of IBS, usually with severe symptoms which usually initiated after gastroenteritis.In our place we come across with such many cases and many IBS condition becomes worst after they suffer from gastroenteritis.

            Being a chronic relapsing condition most of the patient suffer from severe form of depression many times with suicidal tendencies.

Treatment adopted in Ukkinadkas Ayurveda:

The success rate widely varies from patient to patient. Most of the patient being a chronic condition we get after 10-15 years after the onset of symptoms.

-         first part of the treatment is DIET.

We advise to avoid wheat, milk products, most of the vegetables and pulses, spicy food, fried food etc.

We allow only taking rice, some specific vegetables like peel of pomegranate, ash guard, bottle guard, tender leaves of cashew nut plant, kakamachi leaves, dhathaki kusuma bheda leaves(in our place called as enjiru in Tulu), and other food which the patient is confident of harmless as per his experience. This strict diet is for 45 days, and then onwards he can take wide range of food.

-         Kwatha prepared out of Kutaja, Chithramula, Pata, Amalaki, Punarnava, Shunti, etc along with Ananda Bhairavi, Agnitundi or Lahsunadi vati etc

-         We have not tried with any Panchakarma till now because most of the patient refused to undergo Panchakarma treatment and many were poor patients.

We have treated many cases of IBS with above line of treatment, many patients get result to some extent and then once again relapses, in some patients we get no result, but in few patients we get very good result. Most of the patients who come to us are chronic, after few years most of IBS patients become depressed and while on treatment they become more depressed with varied symptoms and becomes difficult to make them to stay on treatment.

I have one special case, a female of 30 years of age now 43, took treatment for 3 years and got relieved of all the symptoms. After some time she took medicine for some other illness and that doctor gave her Chyavana prasha leha, immediately after starting the Leha symptoms reccured and once again she came to my clinic, I gave her the same medicine and got relived of the symptom and this time she continued the same for 5 years. Afterwards till now for any kind of illness she comes to us for treatment due to the fear of relapse. She is the only one IBS case who is under my treatment from day one of my practice. My father was practicing the strict diet method in all Grahanis and many other GIT diseases wherever AMA was there. Even today I follow the same diet plan for IBS patients with satisfactory result. Now a day it becomes very difficult to make the patient to stay on that diet for 45 days. Many patients arise the question of nutritional deficiency and afraid to follow the strict diet. But as per our experience afterwards absorption will be better and condition improves a lot.

But with all these we are not satisfied with the result because most of the patients they fail to continue the treatment. Many times we don’t get satisfactory result etc etc.

Jayagovinda Ukkinadka
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