Ayurveda is the traditional healing modality of the Vedic culture from India. Ayushman Bhava Ayurveda is blog dedicated to the people who wants to be healthy not only physically but also mentally & socially.
Wednesday, 16 August 2017
Agni According to Ayurveda
Tuesday, 15 August 2017
Ayurveda & AIDS
Ayurveda & AIDS
AIDS- MODERN CONCEPT
AIDS is an acronym for the 'Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome'. AIDS is not a single disease but it is a syndrome- a set of diseases, which results from the destruction of the body's defenses by human immune deficiency virus, HIV.
AIDS is an acronym for the 'Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome'. AIDS is not a single disease but it is a syndrome- a set of diseases, which results from the destruction of the body's defenses by human immune deficiency virus, HIV.
The virus that causes ' Aids' - HIV
belongs to a family of viruses known as retroviruses. HIV looks like a rolled
up porcupine. It contain two snakes like single strands of RNA along with
reverse transcripts firmly wrapped up in a core, giving HIV its characteristic
appearance.
On entering the white blood cells
known as CD 4 cells, HIV produces its own DNA and sees to it that this gets
inserted into the DNA of the host cell. The viral DNA has enough power and
information to direct the destiny of the cell. It can force the cell to
manufacture several new copies of HIV. However due to certain trigger and
regulatory mechanisms, the viral DNA lies dormant in the host cell for several
years before it begins to do the damage.
People infected with HIV may take 7
- 10 years to develop AIDS.
AIDS AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVE
According to Ayurveda the AIDS
disease may be correlated with "Kshaya' or "Ojakshaya' meaning loss
of energy. The Symptoms and causative factors and treatment for the latter are
found mentioned in many ancient Ayurvedic tests like, Charaka Samhitha,
Bhavaprakasha,Vaidyachintamani and Chakradatta etc., Shosha is another
condition, which results from loss of energy that is similar to AIDS.
The disease is caused by the
dominant kapha dosha along with the other doshas tends to block the path for
the flow of rasadi dhatus in their respective locations thus resulting in the
deterioration of saptha dhatu Rasa(plasma), Rakta (blood cells),Mansa (
muscular tissue), Meda (adipose tissue), Asthi (bony tissue), Majja (bone
marrow) and the Shukra (reproductive tissue). thus resulting into the disease.
The major symptoms are:
- loss of appetite, drastic loss of weight-emaciation
- fatigue and lethargy
- susceptibility to allergies and contagious diseases
- skin irritations
- bronchial disorders, often leading to tuberculosis of
the lungs
- damage to intestinal flora resulting in diarrhoea,
dysentery, gastritis and
- wide fluctuations in body temperature. prolonged fever
- sleeplessness etc.
TREATMENT OF AIDS ACCORDING TO
AYURVEDIC SYSTEM:
All seems not lost for the HIV
infected persons as the Ayurvedic supplements are proven to be harmless without
any side effects and there can only be improvement and not deterioration.
TREATMENT PLAN
The first step to stem the disease
is to ensure a good and healthy atmosphere for the patient. He should be
surrounded by well meaning friends and relatives who must affirm that the
disease state is totally curable. Nothing negative should be discussed before
the patient.
The patient should be given nourishing food which is easily digestible. He should be encouraged to do easy exercise which does not strain his fragile health. He should be kept engaged in fruitful activities which strengthen the good tendencies inherent in him.
The patient should be given nourishing food which is easily digestible. He should be encouraged to do easy exercise which does not strain his fragile health. He should be kept engaged in fruitful activities which strengthen the good tendencies inherent in him.
Initially, the patient is given
tonics and rejuvenators (Rasayanas) to boost immunity levels and to strengthen
the system and stimulate appetite.
After gaining some strength,
shodhana (elimination) techniques are used to expel toxins from the body
through enemas, purgation and emesis. The medications administered at this
stage are not hard or drastic, but soft, ghee-based so that the patient
withstands them with ease.
Secondly the blood is purified with
appropriate medications. Liver corrective measures also play an important role.
A strengthening diet along with
medicated ghee preparations and soups is recommended. But spicy, oily and
acidic foods are to be avoided. A little alcohol is recommended as anupana
(carrier) to aid the digestive process, and also remove blockages in the flow
of Rasadi dhatus, i.e. srothorodha.
Patient is advised to do regular
exercise. If the patient is incapable of exercising or running due to weakness,
then steaming (swedanam) is also recommended. reason behind this is 'Heated
blood is said to weaken, and even destroy, the virus in some cases'.
Experience has shown that certain
herbo-mineral compounds prepared as per the formulae prescribed by sages like
Agasthya, Charaka, Sarangadhara and others for the treatment of Kshaya have
brought about significant results in improving the condition of AIDS patients.
The Rasayana and Vajikara effects of the these medicines are good for the
patients.
Some of the propritery ayurvedic
medicines achieving good improvement in the quality of life of patients include
'Chyavanprash', 'Raktavardhak' for Immunity building and 'Sookshma triphla
tabs' to keep awaythe the infection.
CHYAVANPRASH:
An example of an Ayurvedic remedy which may be of use in the treatment of persons diagnosed with AIDS is 'Chyavanprash'. 'Chyavanprash' is most useful and most popular rejuvenator tonic(Rasayana) of Ayurveda.
An example of an Ayurvedic remedy which may be of use in the treatment of persons diagnosed with AIDS is 'Chyavanprash'. 'Chyavanprash' is most useful and most popular rejuvenator tonic(Rasayana) of Ayurveda.
This is an Ayurvedic herbal formula
which increases ojas, and restores the digestive, eliminative, respiratory and
sexual systems. It is frequently employed in wasting conditions where it has
been clinically shown to improve health and assist with weight gain. The main
ingredient in Chyavanprash is 'Amalaki'- the Indian gooseberry (Emblica
officinalis), which has the highest yield of natural source vitamin C, with
3000 mg per fruit. It is also a rich source of naturally occurring
anti-oxidants including bioflavonoids, vitamin B-complex and carotenes (vitamin
A). Studies suggest that this berry possesses antifungal, antibacterial and
antiviral properties. It assists digestion, lowers high blood pressure and
lowers blood cholesterol. Clinical research has shown that it accelerates
repair of muscle and skin and enhances natural anti-inflammatory substances.
Chayvanprash also contains about 35 others herbs which amplify and augment the
effects of its main ingredient; such a powerful formulation may indeed be
helpful in the treatment of persons who have been diagnosed with AIDS.
Other useful drugs include -
Shatavari -used as 'Shatavari kalpa', Guduchi(Tinospora cordifolia),
Kalmegh(Andrographis paniculata) etc.
Monday, 14 August 2017
Stress Management By Ayurveda
Stress is physical, mental, or emotional strain or tension. Tension
is mental or emotional strain, suspense, anxiety, or excitement. Anxiety is a
reaction to a real or imagined threat, a general feeling of uneasiness or
dread. Stress can be brought about by a
traumatic accident, death or emergency situation.Stress can also be side effect
of a serious illness or disease.
There
is also stress associated with daily life, the workplace and family
responsibilities
Scientists know that many types of stress can activate the
body's endocrine system, which in turn can cause changes in the immune system
Stress in General
Can't cope, can't concentrate, feel hopeless, helpless,
depressed and tired
Often irritable and angry, can't control your temper
Eat too much or too little, eat erratically
Have trouble in sleeping, don't get enough sleep, or sleep
too much and still feel tired
Smoking in excess, more than normal intake of alcohol,
caffeine or drugs
Have frequent headaches, backaches and stomach aches
Cut back on exercises
Family tensions run higher than usual. You and your spouse
fight more often
Not interested in sex
Get cough and colds and allergies
Ayurvedic
View of Stress
According
to Ayurveda stress affects the agni or the internal metabolic fire which in
turn affects digestion and metabolism, so the circulatory rasa dhatu
(plasma), raktha (blood), mamsa (muscle tissue), medas (fat and adipose tissue), asti (bone and cartilage), majja (marrow and nervous tissue); sukra (reproductive fluids) will be
affected. Above all the ojas or body's entire defense mechanism will
be affected.
Hidden
stress affects agni (digestive
fire), dosa., dhatu, ojas,
produce degeneration, depletion and accelerates aging process. This produces
cellular damage and produces wide range of diseases either chronic or acute.
Vata is the dosa which react very much to the stress
which in turn vitiate other factors. There is a close relationship between
respiratory rate and restlessness
To
reduce stress one should follow diet & daily regimens mentioned in ayurveda
books, which are as follows-
Dina carya (Daily regimen)
·
Get up at brahma muhurta (3 am to 6 am)
·
Attend to your calls of nature (urination, defecation)
·
Clean the teeth with twigs and occasional gum massage with herbal
tooth powders
·
Clean the tongue with the scrapper to remove mucus to enhance
taste
·
Do gargling with cold water and splash the eyes with the same
·
Do nasya with anu taila
followed by gargling with warm water and inhalation of smoke.
·
Daily usage of nasya will give strength to the
shoulder muscles, prevent sinusitis, spondylosis, produces clarity of senses,
hair growth and good voice.
·
Do oil massage to mitigate vata, to promote
strength, sleep, growth, etc..
·
Do
regular exercises as per your personality
·
Do
prayers and meditation
·
Have
regulations over sex and sleep
Diet
·
Pay attention to calls of nature before eating
·
Bath or at least wash your hands, face and feet before you eat
·
Sit in an isolated clean area
·
Face the direction of the sun
·
Pray and thank nature for providing you food
·
Approach each items with reverence and love and chew them well.
·
Feed others
·
Concentrate and eat with confidence. Avoid seeing T.V,
conversation during eating
·
Consider eating as a yajna (sacrifice) you are
offering havis to the internal fire who is Bhagavan (God)
·
Utilize rice, wheat, barley, tender radish, grapes, green gram,
jaggery, ghee, milk, honey, pomegranate, triphala daily
·
Half of the stomach should be filled with solid food
·
One quarter by liquids and the other quarter should be kept vacant
for air
·
Avoid curd at night
·
See that all the six tastes are present in the menu.
·
Foods which are preserved from the previous day should not be
taken except curd ,ghee, honey, butter milk
·
Eat sweet, oily food first; sour, spicy in the middle and bitter,
astringent at the last
·
The food should be warm
·
Eat always accustomed food (in relation to body, age, season, dosa
and diseases)
Activities
after meals
·
Take tambulam (betel leaves) , walk about hundred
steps and lie on the left side
·
Avoid driving, swimming and exertion immediately after meals.
Oil
massage
·
Application of oil on head and body parts is one of the daily
routine in Indian culture.
·
Processed sesame seed oil is used generally for Vata
and Kapha
·
Coconut oil is good for Pitta
·
For Vata people it is advised every day, for Pitta
alternative days, for Kapha people once in a week
·
Oil bath is avoided in cases of indigestion, cough, cold,
diarrhoea, fever, menstrual cycle, conjunctivitis, post emesis therapy,
purgation and infectious diseases etc.
·
Application of oil on the head, ears and feet is necessary.
·
Warm water bath after fifteen to thirty minutes is advised.
·
Avoid cold water bath, ice creams, curd, sex, day sleep, alcohol,
exposure to sun and exertion during the day of massage
Benefits of oil
bath
It controls Vata, promotes strength and sleep,
overcomes fatigue, provides growth, prevents old age, mitigates pain, promotes
hair growth and vision.
Qualities
of Rasayana
·
Improves
appetite, digestion and assimilation; enhances serum proteins, fat and
carbohydrate metabolism
·
Improves
muscular tone and retards the changes in the skin that develop with age,
promotes regeneration of epidermal cells
·
Assures
normal sleep
·
Reestablishes
regular bowel habits
·
Relieves
vague aches and pains
·
Promotes
healthy vigour and a sense of well being
Special
Treatment for Management of Stress
If
the guidelines adopted by the person fails he should consult an ayurvedic
doctor and he does treatment like shirodhara (pouring medicated
oil in a continuous stream over the scalp of a person), shirovasti
(allowing the oil to stand on the scalp of a person by fixing a cap), nasya
(nasal application of medicines are done) special medicines like manasamitram,
brahmi, asvagandha, vaca, sankapuspi,
jadamamsi are highly effective in these conditions.
Gout & Ayurveda
Gout is the most
common form of inflammatory arthritis, with a prevalence of 1–2% in developed
countries. It is a disorder of purine metabolism associated with increase level
of serum uric acid (serum uric acid >6. 8 mg/dL) , crystallizes in the form
of monosodium urate, deposit in joints, tendons and in the surrounding tissues ,
manifested as a sudden burning pain, swelling, redness and tenderness in
joints. Initially, hyperuricemic persons have no prominent symptoms and they remain
asymptomatic for long time and gout develop only in about 10% of these people.
Gout is the common cause of arthritis in men aged over the fifty. Incidence of
gout in men is more than women because before menopause, estrogen promotes
urate wasting in the urine.
Gout has both modifiable (diet, alcohol, medications, co-morbidities, body mass index, physical fitness) and non-modifiable (genetics, age and gender) risk factors. As the level of uric acid [in men (≤ 7 mg/dl) and women (≤ 6 mg/dl)] crosses its saturation thresholds in physiological fluids, urate crystals precipitation started in the joints and other tissues.
Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), colchicine, glucocorticoids, xanthine oxidase inhibitor (like allopurinol, febuxostat) and uricosurics drugs (like probenecid) are used in the treatment of gout. These drugs have some side effects such as gastric ulcer, hypersensitivity; acute kidney injury and possibility of drug interaction with other prescribed drug such as erythromycin restrict their uses. The major objectives in chronic gout management are to keep the serum uric acid level towards normal, prevent joint damage due to hyperuricemiaand and further occurrence as well as to promote the dissolution of existing uric acid crystals as well as prevent new crystal formation. Some non pharmacological measures includes restricted protein diet, life style modification, weight loss, low alcohol consumption and ensuring sufficient fluid intake.
Gout has both modifiable (diet, alcohol, medications, co-morbidities, body mass index, physical fitness) and non-modifiable (genetics, age and gender) risk factors. As the level of uric acid [in men (≤ 7 mg/dl) and women (≤ 6 mg/dl)] crosses its saturation thresholds in physiological fluids, urate crystals precipitation started in the joints and other tissues.
Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), colchicine, glucocorticoids, xanthine oxidase inhibitor (like allopurinol, febuxostat) and uricosurics drugs (like probenecid) are used in the treatment of gout. These drugs have some side effects such as gastric ulcer, hypersensitivity; acute kidney injury and possibility of drug interaction with other prescribed drug such as erythromycin restrict their uses. The major objectives in chronic gout management are to keep the serum uric acid level towards normal, prevent joint damage due to hyperuricemiaand and further occurrence as well as to promote the dissolution of existing uric acid crystals as well as prevent new crystal formation. Some non pharmacological measures includes restricted protein diet, life style modification, weight loss, low alcohol consumption and ensuring sufficient fluid intake.
AYURVEDIC VIEW
Tridoshas (three basic biological humors of body or Bio
energy Principles), vata (the Air or Nervous System Humor), pitta (the
biological fire) and kapha (The Water Humor or protective humors) are
three physiological basic of the human body. Vata being predominant has
the potential to cause more serious and long term diseases than the Pitta and
Kapha. It gets aggravated due to either Avarana (hindrance in the
path) or dhatukshaya (deficiency of body tissue).
Vatarakta is one of the unique disorders among the Vatavyadhi (a group of nervous disorder) which is the result of avarana of morbid vata dosha by vitiated rakta (blood) dhatu (tissue). This causes the derangement of Rakta dhatu resulting in Vatashonita. In addition to this, Vatarakta is also produced by the Margavarana of Vayu by Kapha and Medas. In Shabda kalpa druma definition of Vatarakta is given as “Vata dushtiam raktam yatra roga vishesha”, i.e. it is caused due to the vitiation of Rakta initiated by the morbid Vata is called Vatarakta. It is of two types.
When there is involvement of Twak (skin) and Mamsa (muscle) dhatus only, it is known as Uttana Vatarakta (uncomplicated gout). This type of vatarakta has Akunchana (Contraction), Ayama (Dilatation of Vessels), Beda (Splitting type of Pain), Daha (Burning Sensation), Gourava (Heaviness), Kandu (Itching), Rakta twak (Reddish coloration of the skin), Ruja (Pain), Shayava twak (Cyanosis of the skin), Sphurana (Trembling or throbbing sensation), Suptata (Numbness), Toda (Pricking pain). On the other hand, when symptoms like Swayatu grathita (Hard swelling), Paka (Suppuration), Daha (Burning sensation), Kanjatwa (Lameness), Shyavatha (Cyanosis or pallor), Pangutwa (Paraplegia), Bhrisharthi (Excruciating deep pain), Vidaha (Internal burning sensation), Tamra twak (Coppery discoloration), Ruja (Pain), Sphurana (Throbbing sensation), Adhika purvaruk (Increased pain), Toda (Pricking type of pain), Vatasya sarva Shareera charana (Vitiated vata moves all over the body), Angasya vakrikarana
Vatarakta is one of the unique disorders among the Vatavyadhi (a group of nervous disorder) which is the result of avarana of morbid vata dosha by vitiated rakta (blood) dhatu (tissue). This causes the derangement of Rakta dhatu resulting in Vatashonita. In addition to this, Vatarakta is also produced by the Margavarana of Vayu by Kapha and Medas. In Shabda kalpa druma definition of Vatarakta is given as “Vata dushtiam raktam yatra roga vishesha”, i.e. it is caused due to the vitiation of Rakta initiated by the morbid Vata is called Vatarakta. It is of two types.
When there is involvement of Twak (skin) and Mamsa (muscle) dhatus only, it is known as Uttana Vatarakta (uncomplicated gout). This type of vatarakta has Akunchana (Contraction), Ayama (Dilatation of Vessels), Beda (Splitting type of Pain), Daha (Burning Sensation), Gourava (Heaviness), Kandu (Itching), Rakta twak (Reddish coloration of the skin), Ruja (Pain), Shayava twak (Cyanosis of the skin), Sphurana (Trembling or throbbing sensation), Suptata (Numbness), Toda (Pricking pain). On the other hand, when symptoms like Swayatu grathita (Hard swelling), Paka (Suppuration), Daha (Burning sensation), Kanjatwa (Lameness), Shyavatha (Cyanosis or pallor), Pangutwa (Paraplegia), Bhrisharthi (Excruciating deep pain), Vidaha (Internal burning sensation), Tamra twak (Coppery discoloration), Ruja (Pain), Sphurana (Throbbing sensation), Adhika purvaruk (Increased pain), Toda (Pricking type of pain), Vatasya sarva Shareera charana (Vitiated vata moves all over the body), Angasya vakrikarana
(Disfigurement of the parts), Vatasya sandyasthi Majjasu
chindanniva (Aggravated vayu while causing pain-burning sensation
constantly moves with high speed through the Sandhi, Asthi and Majja)
along with discoloration and hardening of skin are the features of Gambhira
Vatarakta (complicated gout).
After one year vatarakta becomes Yapya (difficult
to cure)
Principle of Ayurvedic management
In classics of Ayurveada both Shodhana and Shamana
chikitsa are described for vatarakta. According to Acharya
Charaka, Raktadhika vatarakta has to be treated with, Virechana (therapeutic
purgation), Ghrita ksheera pana (intake of medicated ghee or milk), Seka
(pouring of medicated decoctions over body), Vasti (medicated enema)
and Sita nirvapana (application of pastes for cooling). Since Gambhira
vatarakta falls into the category of Madyama rogamarga (intermediate
path)), no other treatment is better parallel vasti in treating the
disease. In case of Vatarakta, developed due to margavarana in
the Rakta vaha srotas by morbid Kapha dosha and Medo dhatu,
the line of treatment in the initial stage is different, snehana karma is
not recommended, the main purpose in this context is to remove the Avarana and
to clear the srotas (body channels) in order to monmalized the movement
of vata. To achieve this goal Kapha-medo shamaka / Rukshana chikitsa is
adopted first
A. Shodhana Chikitsa
(purification treatment) Shodhana treatment
includes Raktamoksana (bloodletting by leech or other method), Langhana
(methods for effecting leanness, reduction of body bulk or resulting in
lightness), Vamana (therapeutic emesis), Virechana, Asthapana vasti (decoction
enema), Snehapana (intake of medicated oils or ghee)
B. Shamana (pacifying treatment)
a. External application It includes various treatment
modalities like Alepana (application of medicated pastes), Abhyanga (massage),
Parisheka (pouring of medicated decoction over body) and Upanaha (application
of hot poultice). Following drugs are used for external application
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