Diseases and treatments

Ayurvedic treatment, knowledge of prakriti is very important. For e.g., a knowledge of vata prakriti is always likely to get vatika type of diseases and in him diseases of other type don't give much trouble or are easily curable. To prevent the occurrence of diseases, the individual having vata prakriti should always avoid such factors as would aggravate vata and resort to vata-alleviating food,
drinks and regime. Food ingredients which are unctuous and hot are likely to suit him most whereas to a pitta prakriti man cold things will be more suitable. Similarly while administering medicines, other things being equal, a pitta prakriti patient is to be given cooling medicine and kapha(cough) prakriti patient is to be given heating medicine having bitterness, dryness, roughness etc.

Diseases
LUMBAGO
Lumbago is a pain caused by severe and prolonged spasm of the muscles in the lower back region. It is usually caused by fibrositis. It is always accompanied by muscle tenderness and pain either in the centre or the back or on one side. The onset of this disease is often very sudden and acute. Sprain or chronic constipation precipitates this disease.It is usually occurs in old age and is found more in males than in females.
Treatment Method
Prasarani is the drug of choice of the treatment of this condition. It is used both externally and internally. The juice of this plant is boiled with gingelly oil by following a specific process and this oil, when warm is used for massage over the afflicted part, 2-3 times a day. The juice of this plant is given to drink in a dose of 120 ml. three times a day. For relieving constipation , the patient should be regularly given castor oil in a suitable dose early in the morning. The refined castor oil of BP. or. I.P quality may be given to the patient in the dose which gives him a clear motions. This should be repeated daily for about two months or till the pain is over. Prasarani should be taken for about a month.
Diet
Sour and fried things and pulses are strictly prohibited in this condition. Wheat, bjra and jawar are better than rice.
Other regimens
After taking food, the patient should be advised to walk or lie down. He should not sit for 15 minutes .Morning walk is useful. Exposure to cold, strain and weightlifting are strictly prohibited.
GOUT
This is painful metabolic disease resulting in inflammation and chalky deposits in the joints due to disturbance of the purine metabolism in the body. In ayurveda this is known as vatarakta. The characteristic features of this disease are the involvement of the big toe in the beginning which becomes acutely painful and swollen. Gradually other joints are involved and the patient experiences difficulty in walking, talking and even moving.

Treatment Method
This disease is caused by vata in the beginning Panchatikta ghrita is given to the patient in a dose of two teaspoonfuls twice daily, on the empty stomach mixed with warm milk. This should be continued for about 1 days. For external application Guduchyadi taila is to be given. the important ingredient of this medicated oil is guduchi.

Kaishora guggulu is the drug of choice for the treatment of this condition. It is given in a dose of five tablets three times a day. This should be followed by 60ml of decoction of manjistha . Bowels of the patient should be kept clear, and if required the powder of haritaki should be given to the in a dose of two teaspoonfuls at bedtime with warm water. The root bark of ashvattha tree is useful in this condition. In a decoction form it is given in a dose of 60ml. daily.
Diet
Freshly harvested rice and wheat should not be given to the patient. Old rice, wheat, moong dal, meat soup, garlic, onion, bitter gourd, papaya and green banana can be taken to the patient. Curd and any other sour articles of food , heavy food articles and fried things are prohibited.
Other regimens
The patient should not perform any violent exercise. He should not sit idle either. Exposure to cold wind and rain, and cold water bath are strictly contraindicated.
RHEUMATISM
Rheumatism is a disease marked by inflammation and pain in joints and muscles, usually recurrent and often caused due to exposure to cold. It is at time associated with fever. It is not treated in time it may be affect with heart. In Ayurveda it is known as amavata. This disease is caused by production and circulation of a substance called ama in the body. This ama is produced by improper digestion as well as metabolism, and it gets lodged in joins etc.