tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42759822451370646522024-03-12T17:38:46.091-07:00ayurvedaminourlifeayurvedamourlifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12528326267044175943noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275982245137064652.post-84707780854999765932010-08-26T08:13:00.001-07:002010-08-26T08:13:45.978-07:00Ayurvedam<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Ayurveda literally means the "Science of Life”. Etymologically, the word "Ayurveda" is derived from two words viz. Ayu-which means “Life” and Veda-which means “knowledge or science”. Hence Ayurveda indicates the science by which life in its totality is understood. It is a way of life that describes the diet medicine and behavior that are benefical or harmful for life. Ayurveda thus means "the science of life and longevity".</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Coming to the definition "Ayurveda", it has been described by ancient and great physician CHARAK also known as father of Ay. Medicine as "The science that indicates the appropriate and the inappropriate, happy or sorrowful conditions of living, what is auspicious or inauspicious for longevity as well as the measure or the span of life itself is called as Ayurveda."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">The history of ayurveda Starts with the evolution of human life. "According to astronomical records in ancient Vedic texts, the Vedic system, including Ayurveda, was in practice since antiquity. This time proven system of medicine has its origins in Himalayan Kingdom and is still being practiced today in many parts of the world with proven results. Ayurveda is the healing gift, which originated from the ancient enlightened Vedic culture, which goes back to 5000 B.C. Thus, it can be concluded that the tradition of Ayurveda extends back over more than 5000 years of continuous daily practice, from ancient times to the present day. According to philosopher, ayurveda was originated from BRAHMA, the creator of Universe. From Brahma the knowledge of ayurveda was transmitted to mankind thorough subsequent generation. The ancient ayurvedic persons are Charka, Shusrut, Dhanwantari, Bhardwaj, Kasayap etc, who have done lot on ayurveda for its development.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">The aims and objectives of this science are to maintain the health of a healthy person and to cure the diseases of an unhealthy person. Unlike Modern system of medicine, it deals not only with the symptoms but also with the individual as a whole. As a science of self healing, Ayurveda encompasses diet and nutrition, lifestyle, meditation, breathing exercises, rest and relaxation, medicinal herbs, minerals along with cleansing and rejuvenation programs for healing body, mind and spirit. It can be concluded that it is the art of daily living in harmony with the laws of nature.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Along with the physical diseases, it also insists on the spiritual and ethical discipline for mental health and normal development of personality. It provides rational means for the treatment of many internal diseases, which are considered to be obstinate and incurable in other systems of medicine.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Ayurveda deals not only with human beings, but also in specialized subjects like Ashva-ayurveda (For the treatment of horses), Gaja-ayurveda (For the treatment of elephants), Go-ayurveda (For the treatment of cows) and Vriksha-ayurveda (For the treatment of diseases of plants).</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Ayurveda has gone through several stages of development in its long run. Today, it, is in yet another stage of development, is undergoing readaptation to the Western world and modern conditions, Ayurveda is coming up with answers to many problems, which have eluded modern medicine. For making it easier to study, this vast ocean of knowledge has been divided into 8 principal branches.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Shalya tantra (Surgery) --- The word “Shalya” denotes something that causes discomfort to the body and/or mind. This branch deals with the removal of Shalya and includes the surgical procedures like incision, excision, suturing, rhinoplasty, treatment of the dislocation of the bones, etc.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">In ayurveda, Shusurut describes surgery as the first and foremost specialty of system. He describes various surgical procedure including abdominal operation .bladder stone .He was the one who gives the concept of plastic surgery and the surgery of cataract. Ksharasutra chikitsa in ano rectal disease was his wonderful practice which is proved more advantageous and efficacious than modern surgical procedure.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Shalakya Tantra (E.N.T & Ophthalmology) --- This branch deals with the use of a rod (Shalaka) for the treatment of the diseases of the organs above the clavicle bone, hence the name Shalakya Tantra. In other words it deals with the diseases related to Ear, Nose, Throat and Eyes.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Kaya Chikitsa (General Medicine)---Here the word “Kaya” means “Agni” (Digestive power) and also “Body” & “Chikitsa” means “Treatment”. This branch includes the diagnosis and the treatment of the systemic disorders without surgical intervention. It also describes general introduction to health and medicine, longevity, general hygiene, preventive medicine and personal health, dietetics and instructions against the suppression of the natural urges. The popularly known PanchKarma is also described under this branch.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Kaumar Bhritya (Gynecology, obstetrics and Pediatrics)- This branch deals with the diagnosis and the treatment of the diseases related to mother before conception, during pregnancy, delivery, post-delivery and with the disease of children. Ayurveda describes method of conceiving of the desired sex, intelligence and constitution.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Bhootvidya (Psychiatry or Demonology) ---This branch deals with the mental diseases. These sorts of diseases can be correlated to as idiopathic disorders, in Allopathic system of medicine. According to Ayurveda, it has been assumed that these diseases are caused by affliction due to evil spirits.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Agad Tantra (Toxicology)---This branch deals with the forensic aspect. Diagnosis and the treatment of the diseases caused by various types of organic and inorganic poisons have been described under this heading.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Rasayan Tantra (Geriatrics)---The main objective of Ayurveda is to maintain health is carried out through this branch. It deals with various aspects of preventive health care. It includes details concerning rejuvenation and emphasizes a person to look younger.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Vajikarna (aphrodisiacs) ---This aphrodisiacs branch focuses on the sexual aspect of life. It deals with the disorders of reproduction and sexual life and includes administration of medicines which are aphrodisiacs and which not only help in spermatogenesis but also improves the quality of sperms.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">What exactly is Ayurveda?</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">A distinguishing feature which sets Ayurveda apart from other alternative systems of medicine is the fact that Ayurvedic treatment treats patient as a "whole" i.e. a combination of the body, the mind and the soul (Ranade,S.1991) . This Vedic system of medicine repeatedly emphasizes the common origin of mankind and the universe. Our relationship with our environment is intrinsic. The elements which compose the universe also constitute the human body and therefore the laws which govern the universal elements also govern the human realm. These profound concepts based upon an astute understanding of the universal laws and practical observations about the world around give us the indication about the holistic approach of Ayurveda and its potential in alleviating many health related problems afflicting the whole of humanity. Health is essential for enjoyment of all the worldly pleasures in a righteous manner. Ayurveda goes much beyond the realms of ordinary medicine and gives practical measures on how to maintain and protect one's health and well -being and promote longevity of life. Ayurveda is thus not just a system of medicine; rather it's a way of life! According to Ayurveda illness is a condition of imbalance which originates from some fundamental deficiency and something more than symptomatic relief is needed for its cure.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">AYURVEDIC MEDICINE</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Ayurvedic medicines are derived from the mineral, plant, and animal. A number of minerals and metals are used, but they are subject to various and complex process of purification and oxidation before becoming suitable for internal usage. Sankha ,praval (muga). Sipi,iron, gold, moti, tama, zinc, mercury etc are used to prepare ayurvedic medicine from minerals. Some examples are Sankha Bhasma ,Praval Bhasma,Swarna Bhasma, Rhumayog gold, Tribhuvan kirti ras etc. Some of the ayurvedic medicine is derived from animal origin like Kasturi (kastoori bhusan, mrigamadasab), mayor (mayurpuchha bhasma), elephant teeth (hasti danta masi), pitta of fish, etc. Some drug may need cow’s milk and urine for purification too.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Mostly plants are used to prepare medicine. Nepal is very rich in plant diversity. More than 3000 medicinal plants are available here. Due to the different altitude different type of flora are available. Yarchagumba, Panch aaule ,padamchal ,Kutki, lauthsalla ,sugandhawal. Jatamasi, Bikhma and number of other plant are having high medicinal value. These are abundant in our nation and are of high demand in international market.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Ayurvedic medicines predominantly being plant based are in close harmony with nature and hence easily assimilate by the human body. Ayurveda thus helps maintain the integrity of the unique elemental balance in each individual and treats the ailment at its root cause. Some ayurvedic drugs consisting plant ingredients are Trifala Churna, aabhipattikar churna , Sitopaladi churna.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">It is unwise to say ayurvedic medicines are always safe. Usually medicine containing ingredients of toxic plant and minerals in high dose are not safe to take and are fatal too. Ayurvedic medicines are prescribed to take with cold water. Some with hot water some with honey, these are called Anupan and Sahapan and they said to be act as a catalyst. Anupan and sahapan should strictly being followed while taking medicine. Indication and contraindication of diet according to diseases is highly emphasized in Ayurveda. A Nurse working in Ayurveda Hospital should have prompt Knowledge regarding methods of administration of drugs and dosage.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Ayurvedic medicine are made from mixing number of medicinal plant, minerals etc in different amount to prepare. One to hundred of ingredient may contain in ayurvedic medicine. So it is hard to examine quality of the drug by laboratory examination, but some drug may constitute single medicinal plant too.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Form of medicine- Powder, tablet, capsule, syrup, ointment, oil, juice, paste, decoction, injection, granules, Ash etc.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">There are two type of ayurvedic medicine available in market. Patent medicine and generic medicine.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Patent Medicine- Liv 52, Neo, newlivfit, cystone, Opthacare, Gastrx, Gasex, R. Pyrin, Neeri, calcury, Septillin, ojus, Himcocid, Livex, Ovarin, Eve care, M2 tone, Amycordial etc</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Generic medicine- Chywan prash, Ashokarista ,Dashamularista, Trifala churna, Aabhipattikar churna.Sankha bhasma etc..</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Ayurveda says medicinal plants of specific area are more appropriate for the patient of same area that means Ayurvedic drugs prepared from the Nepal are more suits to Nepalese Residence than the patient residing in Europe.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">AYURVEDA : PROSPECTS IN NEPAL</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Ayurveda is now becoming known and even respectable in the developed countries. Nepal is rich in Ayurvedic tradition. About 2/3 rd population is relying on ayurveda directly or indirectly. Ayurvedic medicines are natural, easy to find, cheap and safe to use. Peoples have lot of trust on ayurveda. Besides the living tradition its National Archives have many Ayurvedic manuscripts which are only available here and are yet to be published. Many western scholars and agencies are coming to Nepal to record this heritage of ours. Nowadays; Ayurvedists of Nepal are having more western patients or students and are also going to developed countries of the west or east. It is high time that this country should make a systematic effort to exploit this potential.AYURVEDA.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Existing situation There are number of government and non government organization working in ayurvedic field.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Nepal Ayurveda Medical Council NAMC functions on the registration of different ayurvedic manpower. Deals with the right of practitioners, controls quality in service and education. Altogether there are around 200 ayurvedic doctors registered in this council. Ayurveda Doctor only can do a practice after being registered in this council.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Ministry of Health-There is an ayurveda and alternative medicine unit in ministry of health. It contributes in policy making area.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Department of Ayurveda This is the apex body for Ayurveda in the country directly under the Ministry of Health HMG and is responsible for formulating implementation and overall supervision of other Units as following</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">1. Naradevi Ayurveda hospital of 100 beds -1</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">2. Regional hospital, Dang of 30 beds(50 running)-1</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">3. Zonal Ayurveda hospital-14</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">4. District Ayurveda health center -61</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">5. Ayurvedic Aushadhalaya (Primary dispensaries) -214</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">At now there is an ayurvedic Network in all 75 district by altogether 291 service providing center from different level of Manpower.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Regional Health Directorate there is an ayurvedic unit to monitor and supervisee the ayurvedic health center.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Singha Durbar Vaidyakhana .This is the manufacturing unit for the Ayurvedic drugs. Till recently this was under the general administrative control of Department of Ayurveda. Now it has been made an autonomous unit and the aim is to make it a self sustaining organization,</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Naradevi Ayurveda CampusThis is constituent campus of the Institute of medicine under Tribubhan University and is responsible for the production Ayurvedic manpower. Till recently this institution was running graduate course (BAMS, Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery) is being conducted with 15 admission per year.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Private Sector</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Practitioners with Institutional and Academic Training:</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Those with academic training either had their education in the Ayurvedic colleges in foreign countries or in Nepal. Numbers of them are profound scholars of Ayurveda and clinicians of great repute. Furthermore with their long experience they have the knowledge of local herbs and their uses hence they should be regarded as valuable resources persons.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Traditional Ayurvedic Practitioners</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">There are significant numbers of Ayurvedic practitioners who have a family tradition of several generations. They may not have formal academic training but had sufficient theoretical and some are very erudite also. Moreover in these families there are records of the recipes they have been suing for generations as well as old manuscripts. Due to the pressure of modernization the children of these families are reluctant to follow the tradition and the manuscripts as well the recipes they have been suing are being lost. There is an urgent need of taking some steps to preserve them.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Traditional healers</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">They are not Ayurvedic practitioners in the conventional sense however the tradition and even the herbs they use have Ayurvedic background. Mostly located in the remote villages they are the most often the first and only health personnel available to the community and the herbs they use in their have real medicinal value. Their large number have been brought in several studies and if mobilized could greatly contribute in the health care system of the country.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Pharmaceutical Sector</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Nepal at present imports Ayurvedic drugs of more than 150 cores rupees and it is increasing 25% each year. About two hundred different brands of Ayurvedic drugs are produced in Nepal by more than 30 private companies. More than 150 Indian Ayurvedic drug companies are currently supplying Ayurvedic medicines to Nepal. There is no doubt that significant amount if not all raw materials of these Ayurvedic drugs have their origin in Nepal. There is thus immense potential for these herbs for the manufacture of Ayurvedic drugs not only for the domestic purposes but also for the export to India where most Ayurvedic companies claim to manufacture their medicines from "genuine" Himalayan herbs</span></div>ayurvedamourlifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12528326267044175943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275982245137064652.post-17075393963553103292010-08-26T08:11:00.003-07:002010-08-26T08:11:53.786-07:00Naradevi Ayurveda Hospital in the field of Ayurveda<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Naradevi Ayurveda Hospital was established in Baishakh Shucla Akshya Tritiya' in 1974 BS. The formal education of Ayurveda which is also the first technical education in Nepal was also started in its boundary after ten years. At present, the Ayurveda education is under Tribhuwan University and the Ayurveda Hospital in under His Majesty Government of Nepal. But these two are situated in the same compound.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Present world has begun to discuss the usefulness of Ayurveda treatment. This discussion is due to two facts:</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">One – due to its inability to address the health problems of the people despite the large scale investment of money and manpower in modern medicine and</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">The next is – Ayurveda treatment system is less invasive to the host, that is, than modern one.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">In this way, Ayurveda has proved its existence in a distinct form in the modern world. The world health organization which is in fact of and by the world modern health workers, has also taken interest to protect and promote the Ayurveda and other traditional treatment system. Here, one thing very notifiable is that the treatment system, practiced innately by Nepali, is trying to be categorized as an alternative treatment system. It is quite obvious to say that Ayurveda is an alternative medicine in the context of America and Europe because it was imported to these regions from our sides. But how the system that was imported from western world and is not our own be the principal treatment system in Nepal; how our fundamental and innate system be an alternative treatment System? The foreign advisors and donor agencies in Nepal are advising keeping ayurveda as an alternative medicine as in their countries. If we get convinced and said our system as above, its shame to say own mother as a foster mother.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">The organizational development of Ayurveda is very old. The establishment of 'Simhadarbar Vaidyakhana' was in Malla era. The history of Ayurveda hospital is as old as nine decades and that of Ayurveda education is eight decades. How the system having quite long history is now in such a piteous condition? It is a matter of discussion. I like to say something about the Naradevi Ayurveda Hospital: - one of the ancient organizations established with four beds has only hundred beds till today. The organization much newer has already got its advanced forms. But its development is quite slower. Hospital and education are being conducted simultaneously (either in separate form or in the united form) but these organizations are always encountering difficulties. Their forms/patterns may be different but the problems are rising continuously instead of fading away. Having a problem is not a problem. Where there is organization, there are problems. Without problems development is impossible. For the development, identification of the problems are important. So, in many view, we could not identify our problems. The solutions will come immediately after the identification of problems. Yes, one should not raise the problems anywhere or anytime but analytic and reasonable idea or problems should be put forward. We could not identify our problems and make them distinct so they are remaining as burning coals inside the ash. Planning is needed to get ride of the problems. Planning should be done according to the policy. What are the planning and policy of Ayurveda for its proper conductance? What is its source? How can it be generated/gathered? We do not discuss regarding these facts. Ayurveda health pilicy was made in 2052 BS. It has declared; to make Naradevi Ayurveda Hospital 100 bedded, to form its management committee and to provide specialized service through the establishment of different departments. What are the services that we have said specialized services? How can we provide these services?; and What is the technology that we want to introduce? We could not identify these facts which are responsible for hindering the speed of development of Ayurveda hospital.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">We made policy. We copied it from others or developed it standing on our realistic ground? This planning is written in this way: "...... many days, months, or years will need to complete this Programme........" Had we made any concrete mentality for these? What is our financial status? In Ten years we can not express our commitment towards its implementation.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Now, the work we have to do for fulfilling the commitment toward policy is to establish different department and to provide specialized services. The others have already been completed. Considering the departments of the hospital, we have to think from two sides. One- the role of teaching hospital it has been providing and the other is the role of providing health facilities through Ayurveda treatment center HMG Nepal. For teaching-learning basis, priority should be provided by establishing different branches of different departments. For example, we can provide special services like "KAMALA", "VATVYADHI", "PANCHAKARMA" etc. in KAYACHIKITSA. So we have to establish the departments through proper coordination to achieve bilateral goals of service and education. The next problem is how to manage the manpower needed for the department. It's a misfortune that the organization having such a long ration (Hospital + Campus) could not do any coordination for the development of required manpower till now. The hospital needs specialized doctors but the campus can not produce such manpower. If we analyze the policy, there is a concept of independent Educational Academy. For raising this, as said above, whether it is a copy or our own matter? Who implements it? Who initiates for its establishment? Why can not we identify the problem and go for its solution?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">There is a urgent need of high level manpower for the betterment of present status of the hospital so as to provide better service and place for teaching hospital. What is the number and what will be the subject of specialization may yet be the matters of discussion. But, we should not let our philosophy, treatment system and policy die as by the fool helmsman who sank the village on discussion. So at present we can provide at least some facilities of KAYA-CHIKITSA (Internal medicine), SHALYA-SHALAKYA (ENT, Eye etc), BAAL and STREE (Paediatrics and Gynaecology & obstetrics) with specialized services. This can be said with reference to our neighbouring country. That's why current planning needs specialized (degree holder) manpower to complete the goal. The manpower needed as above can not be prepared immediately in our country. So some (eighteen) seats in KAYA-CHIKITSA, SHALYA-SHALAKYA, BAAL and STREE Roga and Acupuncture are required to the Ayurveda Department and MOH to provide for the scholarship. Ministry of Health has asked to the department of Ayurveda to assess the number of required manpower at Naradevi Hospital as well as in other Ayurveda Health organizations. Considering these events and taking quick steps, Department of Ayurveda if manages for higher study from bachelor level manpower, Ayurveda Hospital will definitely achieve some remarkable speed in its service. If not so, its development will be slower than that in the history. Our system will curse if we can not understand the speed of modern competitive age of advanced technology and information and speed up accordingly. So we must struggle to give a positive direction to this turning history and it's my desire.</span><br /></div>ayurvedamourlifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12528326267044175943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275982245137064652.post-16246115561814407542010-08-26T08:11:00.001-07:002010-08-26T08:11:31.844-07:00Ayurveda: Its Context and Propects In Nepal<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Ayurveda is the age old traditional system of medicine of the Indian subcontinent including Nepal. In spite of its antiquity going back to the Vedic period much before the Christian era, it is still in extensive practice and is also an officially recognized system of medicine in Nepal, India and Sri Lanka. It is also claimed that majority of the population in these countries is served by Ayurveda or that its practitioners are the first port of call for the health problems of the population. Emotional appeal for the promotion of Ayurveda is favorite topic in all public forums</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">of the subcontinent and claims made by its practitioners range from probable to incredible. Its medicines are said to be cheap, without any toxic side effects and capable of radical cure of the diseases not treatable by modern medicine. Further it is often equated with herbal medicines and Nepal being rich in medicinal herbs. Ayurveda is claimed to eminently suitable for this country for utilizing its herbal resources towards self sufficiency in health care. Besides, there is increasing awareness about Ayurveda in the developed countries of the west and Japan for its concepts and as a valuable resource material of knowledge about the medicinal plants used in this system. In various aspects of oriental learning as Yoga, meditation, Zen are becoming more popular in the west than in the countries of their origin.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Today because of communication explosion world has become small an no information or knowledge however obscure it may be, wherever it may be, can remain confined to a particular region or particular people. The dissemination of information is more rapid and universal today than ever before and is further going to increase. Thus if Ayurveda is valid and relevant to Nepal or India it is not going to be limited to these countries only and will be accepted and promoted in other countries of the world. There are infact indications that Ayurveda is going to be more universal in the coming days.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Where as the intellectuals of the undeveloped and developing countries are concentrating or catching up the technological developments of the west, their counterparts in the west are turning their attention to the ancient sciences of the orient hoping to find solutions for the problems of the society created by the technological development. It is realized that capacity to land in the moon surface does not necessarily improve the quality of life, or that unlimited exploitation of the nature ............ Thus while" back to nature " is becoming popular in the developed west, preservation of ecological balance, preservation of environmental pollution are the prime concerns, scant regard or attention is paid to them in the developing countries because of the population pressure, imperatives of existence at eh basic level or else or else because of the irresistible lure of quick returns whatever the means or effects may boon man and nature. This obsession to the western model of modernization and development and aping it may bring about spectacular short tem achievements but long term effects of indiscriminate harnessing natural resources is bound to be detrimental.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Emphasis on the inner quality of life, to live in optimal terms within oneself and without, is the central theme of Ayurveda, which the west having reached almost the limits of objective analysis of man and nature are finding relevant. According to Ayurveda life or life processes is not only a combination of physical and chemical processes but an integral union of physical body with consciousness represented by mind and soul. Similarly health is not only an absence of disease but a state of harmony and equilibrium within oneself and the environment and a state of joy and clarity of our sense faculties, harmony or equilibrium is recurrent theme and also the objectives to be attained in Ayurveda. Whereas harmony is health, disharmony is disease. Therapy in Ayurveda is aimed to bringing back the equilibrium rather than specifically directed towards an organ or an organism, participation of consciousness involving mind and spirit in all life processes of health and diseases is fundamental in the conceptual framework of Ayurveda which is being appreciated now in the west now.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Newtonian model of mechanistic universe was challenged by relativistic model Einstein, now. 'God does not play dice' is being questioned by the 'uncertainty principle' of Heisenberg in the physical sciences 'Objectivity' insisted upon and the sacrosanct creed of modern science may ultimately depend upon the 'observer' and the 'observed' is accepted now Evolution be it from 'Bang' to molecules or from molecules to living protoplasm or from protoplasmic particles to human form is not evolution in the structure of the molecules or composition of protoplasm, but of organization and awareness which in absence of terminology can only be approximated to 'consciousness'. If human beings are most evolved it is not because they different kind of protoplasm than amoebae or better kidneys, liver or other organs of the body but because they have better brains, the seat of consciousness and they have most advanced mental capacity. Whether mind is a product of matter or vice versa may be a subject of debate for scientists and philosophers but mind, consciousness, sprit, soul or whatever name you give it, play a vital role in our life, health and disease is certain, modern medicine has been primarily concerned with the somatic aspects of our body so far. It was hoped that physics and chemistry can explain all our body functions. Valid to an extent it is now apparent that neither life nor health can be measure in terms of sodium, potassium or other chemicals we contain nor by the exact size and shape of our body and organs. Recently modern medicine is taking cognizance of 'Psyche', the day is not very far when it will take into account soma, psyche and sprit as well which according to Ayurveda are integral components of life.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Another aspect of oriental learning including Ayurveda, which is arousing interest is its synthetic, perceptive and experiential mode of comprehending reality. The emphasis of the western thought process so called 'scientific' has been on analysis and objectivity where as our ancient seers were concerned with synthetic experience. Objective details for them were only the means or steps to knowledge and experience of the ultimate not the goal itself. They were aware that analysis could give us the knowledge of the parts, could prepare us for an experience, but can never be the experience itself nor without synthesis we can have a picture of the whole. Knowledge and concepts are necessarily intellectual and rational, but experience can be purely intuitive, never the less a definite reality. No amount of intellectual exercise can substitute for real experience. A professor may write volumes on hydrodynamics, but not know how to swim. It is this fundamental difference in the modern analytical scientific methodology and eastern so called mystical experiential approach which seem contradictory and confusing although both ways one tries to seek the ultimate truth. Reality can not b4e compartmentalized as objective or subjective is becoming evident now. 'Objectivity of modern science is in a way illusion because ultimately it depends upon the subjective perception and ability of different persons to agree upon observed phenomena and processes of thought. Science is ultimately as subjective as all other human knowledge since it resides in the mind and senses of the individuals. It is constrained by the present evolutionary state of man, by the limitations of his senses and even more significant by the power of his reason. All that can be4 claimed for science is that it focuses upon observations about which most human observers agree and proposes concepts that satisfies all requirements of a phenomena and leads to successful predictions.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Ayurvedic philosophical system which form the foundation of Ayurvedic concepts represent the comprehension and understanding of the phenomenal universe encompassing so called ' objective and subjective' sciences of today. Essentially it is a experiential and cognitive or perceptive conceptualization of the phenomenal world and participation of consciousness is primary basis. Reality thus is not objective or subjective but cognitive experiences, either a product of subject- object interaction or transcending them. Consequently objective realities as understand today as well as psychic entities are integral parts of reality. West may not have been converted to this view but there is serous inquisitiveness and inquiry is beyond doubt.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Bedsides these the critical concepts there are other practical considerations which are of interest to the west. Advances made in medicine in recent decades are truly phenomenal. We have now recognized most of microbes causing disease and potent antibiotics to eliminate them. We also have developed more potent means of diagnosis and treatment than ever before. Number of bacterial diseases have been brought under central, but there are several metabolic chronic autoimmune, stress related disease or cancers probably increasing because of environmental changes within or without have defied satisfactory treatment. Modern conventional treatment in a number of theses diseases is also hazardous and uncertain. Western scientists are actively in search of any alternative mode of therapy including Ayurveda, or in the rich herbal repertoire it has. Synthetic chemicals were in vague for some decades for new drugs but now all multinational pharmaceutical companies are again looking into the plant kingdom for new drugs relising the limitations of chemical synthetic approach. Ayurvedic classics mention more than 700 plants of medicinal value besides the use of several hundreds of other plants used by traditional parishioners. Many of these plants used by provide effective drugs is now being recognized . Gugglu is a very common drug used in Ayurveda has been proved to be a good hypocholesteraemic drug used in Ayurveda has been proved to be a good hypocholesteraemic drug. Isolation of reserpine a antihypertensive drug from Rauwolfia serpentina another commonly used Ayurvedic drug is a old story now. There are indications that Tas baccata another plant used in Ayurveda may have anticancer compound. Thus intense enquiry in the plant kingdom has become a part of their activity with leading pharmaceutical concerns. Billions are being invested for the purpose and tons of raw herbs are being consumed from wherever they are. Massive resources available at their disposal it an added advantage to them and it is possible it will make critical difference in the very existence of several species of plants.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">May be, because of serious enquiry, genuine benefits or the lure of exotic, it is certain that Ayurveda is no longer limited or specific prerogative of the countries of the Indian subcontinent. There are Ayurvedic societies, institutions in most countries of the west and Japan, increasing number of publications and import of Ayurvedic drug. Ayurveda or Ayurvedic drugs may nit have official approval of the state in these countries, but they are certainly being imported as herbal teas, health foods etc. Ayurvedic scholars are in increasing demand in these countries. Ayurvedic drug companies have set their eyes on this potential market and are extending their operations abroad. Even our nascent Gorkha Ayurveda Company have exported a considerable quantity of herbal Guduchi tea to several countries in the west so much so that this tea is proving to be their main product of sustenance. World Health Organization's support to traditional medicine including Ayurveda has also been a factor in the regard whatever their objectives or methodology may be. Increasing cost of the modern health care is a matter of concern even in the developed country as USA.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">With the above background although Ayurveda is gaining recognition at large, there is always a question mark on the rational of promoting Ayurveda amongst the health planners of the underdeveloped countries, because Ayurveda is not 'scientific' and not approved by the reputed medical journals of west. As a result inspite of profuse eulegy Ayurveda receives in these countries in all public forums by politicians, ministers, government officials and well meaning social workers their intentions and public pronouncements are hardly ever translated into implementation and coherent action.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">It is true neither antiquity nor extensive practice should be taken as a proof of the validity of Ayurveda nor it should be promoted because it is part of our culture and heritage. Further if Ayurveda can only provide second grade medical care there is no justification for its promotion. Only justification for its promotion should be that Ayurvedic therapy is effective and can answer the problems of today, human life be it in the city or in the village, rich or poor is equally precious and it is not justified to assume that Ayurveda is suitable for villages and poor people or poor countries.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Although it is ridiculous on the part of the Ayurvedists to claim that they can cure all disease on earth or diseases not treatable by modern medicines with all its advancements, it is equally preposterous and unjustified to dismiss Ayurveda as unscientific. If it is assumed the truth is limited to what ancient has proves, it will not only be an afferent to nature itself but also very antithesis of science. Science is not a religious dogma neither it is ever dogmatic, it is basically observation, systemization. Experimentation and verification of facts however bizarre they may be. Enquiry with an open mind is the essence of scientific temper. Mother's milk is the best for the child was not first tested scientifically. Neither we have started eating bread after it was put to scientific scrutiny.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Ayurveda represents a corpus of human knowledge and experience which has been in practice long before modern 'scientific' methodology was evolved. The primary objective should be to see whether Ayurvedic concepts and practices have any factual basis. If it is proved without as shade of doubt that the patients get relief, even if not rationally explained will in due course of time will be explained. It is a medical knowledge that works no matter how scientific its origins is a treasure that can not ignored.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Prospects in Nepal:</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Nepal is one of most underdeveloped countries, its per capita income among the lowest in the world. Resources are also limited. There are no known deposits of oil or minerals and its economy is based on mainly agriculture, and trade in the natural products of the hills and the forests of Tarai. Majority of the population being below the poverty line are more concerned with providing themselves with the bare daily necessities of survival and have little time or energy or awareness beyond their immediate requirements. These at the helm of the affairs of the country - who should know, should have had the vision, or wisdom in the long term interest of the country are obsessed with gaining quick popularity and returns for their own survival. Whatever the ground realities may be selling attractive dreams of modernization, development comparable to Switzarland or Singapore, taking the country to 21st century is the popular theme than reminding the population of the hard work and discipline the development process involves. In the field of Ayurveda also we are not short of verbal elequenoe and pious intentions, but how much of it is feasible, practical or every attempted to be implemented is quite another matter. Ad hoc decisions or adhocism has been a rule rather exception. Decisions are taken not on merits of any issue, policy or program but on the immediate returns or benefitser else even on the whims or prejudices of the authorities concerned.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Inspite of all the praises it receives, till late there has never been a consistent policy about Ayurveda in the country. Long term health plan promulgated in BS 2033 has only one sentence for Ayurveda in its objectives "To study the effectiveness of Ayurvedic drugs, to increases their production and to utilize the Ayurvedic manpower in preventive and family planning activities." Some plans and programme were spelled out in subsequent plan periods but with the advent of multiparty democracy government policy after some turns has developed a positive attitude. Organizational set ups, few as they are have little changed either in their status or their functioning for the last several decades. Singha Darbur Vaidya Khana, Nardadevi Ayurvedic hospital and Vidyalaya were established during discredited Rana regime and the Department of Ayurveda was formed in Panchayat period but all of them have little change in comparison to other areas of health and education. Basic reason for this sorry state besides government lack of coherent policy in the past and the poor quality of manpower and infrastructure.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Qualified, competent and trained manpower is a primary prerequisite for any institutional development, formulation, implementation and success of any program as well s the social acceptance or status of any branch of knowledge. No science can survive without the input of competent manpower. Unfortunately Ayurvedic education has received the lowest priority in this country. Although Ayurvedic education has only the technical education provided in this country. Although Ayurvedic education was the only technical education provided in this country even during Rana regime. It was closed with the introduction of New Education plan. Whereas earlier all levels of Ayurvedists were being produced in Naradevi Ayurvdeda Vidyalaya only middle level health of certificate standard were produced after the take over of Vidyalaya as Ayurveda campus by Tribhubhan University since BS 2029. Earlier students were also sent to India for Ayurvedic studies. However ever since these changes it was stopped. As a result not a single graduate in Ayurveda has been produced in this country for the last twenty years and only a about a dozen have been able to complete their graduation-most of them at their own initiative and expenses from India in the last three years. Only two post graduates have come back this year. Production of just twelve gradates in twenty years is indeed a record in the 'promotion of Ayurveda'. Furthermore all admissions in all courses running in the existing Naradevi Ayurvedic Campus have been suspended or stopped since 2049. Thus few as they are there is little hope of any increase of qualified Ayurvedic manpower.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">WHO including UNDP have been active in promoting Ayurveda after the Alma Ata declaration of Health for All by 2000 AD. In Nepal they have invested several millions through their projects dealing with primary health care, however the net outcome of these projects has been several visits of short term or long term consultants their voluminous recommendations, holding of workshops and seminars, WHO fellowships for the national to travel abroad, obtaining supplies and equipments most of which have never been put to use because of our incompetency of they were not appropriate. A s0pecific project for Ayurveda has been going on for several years with an annual budget of more than $ 40000. Obviously if our priorities are limited to somehow spend the aid money without any long term policy and programme no amount of external aid will have any results. In Ayurveda lack of infrastructure and trained manpower have been main constraints.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Much is talked about Himalayan herbal wealth. Ultimately resource of Nepal is the Himalayas, its rivers and its flora. Almost all Ayurvedic drugs are based on herbs of which Himalayan herbs are put at a premium. All Ayurvedic drug companies of India claim to prepare their products from 'genuine' Himalayan herbs, have their name as Himalaya drug Company. Quite a number of these companies have a turnover in billions. There is no doubts significant if not all their requirements of raw herbs have its origin in Nepal and their demands are increasing with their expanding trade. It is estimated that the import of Ayurvedic drugs is increasing and has reached to the value of 40 cores. As a corollary export of raw herbs from Nepal must be increasing. It is admitted that herbs beings exploited indiscriminately and exported legally or illegally so much so that numerous species have either become extinct or endangered with the growing interest of multinational drug companies and cosmetic industries. The situation is further going to be deteriorate is certain. Development of Ayurvedic manpower it can not be possible. At present in the absence of any awareness in the population or beaurocracy of their values except making quick money, we are complacently content by passing some laws and establishing some processing plants.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Nepal is also known for fits for its cultural heritage. In fact the tourist industry a major mainstay of Nepalese economy is based on Himalayas and its cultural heritage. Ayurveda is an integral part of this heritage and little people know that old manuscripts of Ayurveda which has been destroyed in India during its long history of foreign rule are still available here in the National Archives or in the private homes. They may be just relics of our past glory about which we, obsessed with 'Modern', many not be interested are valuable resource material of medical knowledge and it is the western scholars who are seeking them out. Kashyapa Samhita published for Indai and Siddha Sara Sangraha recently published from Europe were based on the manuscripts of our National Achieves. There are certainly many more which are yet to see light of the day. We may not be able or interested to publish them but even we prevent them being destroyed or being sold as trinkets in markets of Basantpur or Themal to tourists, we will be doing a great favor to mankind in general.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">The purpose of this tresentatun will be served if it is bought home that Ayurveda has a potential and future perse in the universal context or in the developed countries with or without out efforts. Therefore instead of spreading volumes of eulogy of promoting Ayurveda or saving it, it will be better and more rational if we can make a coherent plan and programmes if this country concentrate on creating compent manpower in Ayurveda there is some hope of preserving out natural as well as cultural resources.</span><br /></div>ayurvedamourlifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12528326267044175943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275982245137064652.post-29065064645178764502010-08-26T08:10:00.003-07:002010-08-26T08:10:58.572-07:00Traditional Chinese Medicine and popular Herbs in Thiland<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Traditional Chinese Medicine is a medical system developed from the experience of Chinese people over thousand of year in their struggle against diseases. It is developed as early as 4000 yrs ago. The essential characteristics of Traditional Chinese medicines are concept of wholism and treatment determination based on syndrome differentiation.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Traditional Chinese medicine recognizes two key elements to health and well being. The flow of vital energy known as qi and the basic harmony between the forces of yin and yang in the body. The ancient Chinese believed that 'They are born with a certain amount of qi the dynamic force that animates us and our lives. The qi is universal; it exists and manifests itself all throughout nature. The energy is capture (Primarily through the foods we eat and the air we breathe) and circulated in our bodies through invisible channels called meridians. The qi flows form one meridian into the other and is seen as body movements. The body may also store some of the energy for future use. The amount and quality of this life force is determined by heredity but is influenced by the way we liver our lives. We add to our eating the right food, supporting it with proper exercise and breathing clean air. On the other hand, we can deplete our qi by inappropriate habits and life styles. The stresses and excesses that can block the flow of qi are: the six excesses: wind, cold, heat dampness, dryness and fire; The seven moods; joy, anger, anxiety, obsession, fear, horror, and sorrow, intemperance in eating and drinking, too little or too much sexual activity: too little or too much exercise, work and contemplation. Energy varies not only in quantity but also in quality. For everything in the universe contains within itself. The seed of its opposite and everything is governed by the opposite yet complimentary forces of yin and yang. These two principles of nature define each other and constantly transform into the other in a mutually controlling and mutually dependent interplay which is the very force of all life. Yin is nurturing, feminine and dark, cool, quiet and passive like the night, Yang is motivating, masculine and bright, warm, noisy and active like the day. Yin and yang coexist in a fluctuating harmony, one flowing into the other as night into day into night. In traditional Chinese medicine, therefore, illness is an energy imbalance, and excess or deficiency in the elemental energies, the qi in the body. Death is the absence of total depletion of this energy. Illness also results when the basic harmony between the forces of yin and yang is distributed. Our health is a reflection of our relationship to these universal energies and the natural elements of life. From a philosophy of nature, traditional Chinese medicine has evolved into a complex system of examination and diagnosis of health and diseases. Its courses of treatment include herbal preparations, food therapy, breathing and physical exercises, massage (Tuina manupulation) as well as Acupressure, Acupuncture, Moxibuston and Cupping therapy. Basically traditional Chinese medicine is preventive and health promotive medicine using a wholistic approach to health.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">In Thailand, practise of herbal medicine is widely using as preventive, promotive, curative as well as in food products. BAY-sweet Laurus nobilis, CATNIP- Nepeta cataria, BUABUK (Cenetella asiatsica), Pennywort, CHA-PLU (Piper sarmentosum) as expectorant and carminative, CURRY (helichrysum angustifolium), GUICHAI ( Allium tuberosum), GANG DANG/GANG KHEO (Whan) in soap, GA-PRAO (Ocimum sanctum) as carminative, antidiarrhoeal, antihelmetic, HORAPAH (Ocimim basilium) as antispasodic useful in gastritis, indigestion and constipation, KHAMI KHAO (Curcuma petiolata) as antidiarrhoeal, antiemetic and antipyretic, KHA ( Languas galanga) in anorexia and indigestion, LEMONBALM (Melissa officinalis) as aromatic and cosmetic, LAMB'S EAR (Stachys) byzatina) as herbal art, MARJORAM (Sweet Origanum marjorna) as aromatic, cosmetic and decorative, MANGLUK (Ocimum basilicum) as laxative and carminative, MERIGOLD MINT/TEX. As (Tagetes lucidia) as culinary, medicinal and ornamental, carminative, antiflatulent and locally application in headache and sprain. PAKSHEE (coriandrum sativum) as aromatic, decorative & medicinal value, OREGANO (Origanum) as health food item, PRIKKEENOOH (calsicum fritescens) Thai pepper as expectorant, antihelmenthics, carminative, counter-irritant and antipyretic, PINEAPPLE SAGE (Saliva elegan rutilans) as decorative and culinary, ROSEMARY (Rosemerinus officinalis) as aromatic, cosmetics, culinary, decorative and medical value mixed with soap and perfumes, SORREL (Rumwl acetosa) as food items, TOEY (Pandanus) as aromatic leaves, TAKRAI (Lemon grass, Cymbopogon citratus) as carminative, diuretic, THYME (Thymus vulgaris) as antiseptic, TUM-LEUNG (Coccinia grandis) locally use as antipyretic, anti-inflamatory and antidiabetic, MAKUE (Thai egg plant) using in the Thai curry and dishes etc. Specially in Thailand, herbal medicines are popular for health food, drink and in cosmetic items. In Thailand, traditional medicine specially herbal medicine is practising since ancient period.</span><br /></div>ayurvedamourlifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12528326267044175943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275982245137064652.post-49326016010009734032010-08-26T08:10:00.001-07:002010-08-26T08:10:32.921-07:00Situation of Ayurveda in Nepal<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">The first health service organization and medical institution established in the country were Ayurveda Hospital and Ayurveda College, respectively. Now the country has dozens of modern hospitals and teaching institutions related to medicine. However, the central level Ayurveda hospital is the only one institution of its kind that has produced hundreds of graduates since its establishment in 1933.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">It is believed that several kinds of treatments - some of which are still beyond the scope of modern science - are possible in Ayurveda for a healthy life. Unfortunately, our Ayurvedic health organizations are remembered only for certain common ailments. Besides, Nepali Ayurvedic Doctors (local products) suffer from a trememndous identity crisis. They are not even eligible to do MD in India since none of the University has recognized the Ayurveda College.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">There has not been much development of Ayurvedic science for long.. Although ayurvedic science has tremendous potentials, no clinical researches have been conducted in this regard. Most of the ethno-botanical researches, researches on indigenous knowledge etc are conducted by either botanist or anthropologist. For the sake of development of the Ayurvedic science and procurement of efficient manpower, Ayurveda Health Policy (AHP) has emphasized the establishment of specific institutions. It has proposed the establishment of a National Ayurveda Study Center for quality service, management of manpower, research on Ayurveda and resource management etc. However even after a decade of policy promulgation, there has been no significant progress in this regard.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">The county has only one central level Ayurveda hospital in Kathmandu with 100 beds and one regional hospital with 30 beds in Dang. Besides this, 14 zonal Ayurveda Ausadhalaya, 55 District Ayurveda Health Center and 216 Ayurveda Ausadhalaya (dispensaries) are in operation.. There is no significant difference between Zonal Ayurveda Aushadhalaya and District Ayurveda Health Center. Humla, Mugu, Dolpa, Rukum and Kalikot have only one state-run Ayurveda Ausadhalaya. Similarly, eighteen districts (almost of remote region) have only two and sixteen have three Ausadhalaya.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Besides Ayurveda College, seven institutions (under Nepal Sanskrit University/former Mahendra Sankrit University) that produce certificate level (or equivalent) technicians and three institutions (under CTEVT) for 15-month-training program are running legally. Out of eleven educational institutions, seven are in Eastern Region; one doctor-level (BAMS) college is in Kathmandu, two (AHA level) in Western region, and two in Mid-Western (both are in Dang) but not in Far-Western region. Ayurveda education is wide spread in Eastern part comparatively in Western part of the nation. People of Western region have no easy access to Ayurvedic science.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">If we do study on the number of Ayurveda technicians based on their birth place, thirty-one districts have no Ayurvedic Doctors, twenty-five districts have no AHA (Ayurveda Health Assistant), and thirty-three districts have no AHW (Ayurveda Health Worker). Baitadi, Achham, Dolpa, Kalikot, Jumla, Humla, Jajarkot, Manag, Rasuwa, Tehrathum, Dhankuta and Taplejung districts have no Ayurvedic technicians. Panchthar, Sindhupalchok, Sankhuwashava and Bajura districts have only one AHW and no Doctors and AHA.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Darchula, Dadeldhura, Dailekh, Bardia, Rolpa and Ramechhap districts have only some AHA (maximum 4) and no Doctors and AHW. Makawanpur has only one Doctor and no AHA and AHW. Sad to say, Mahakali and Karnali Zones have no Ayurvedic Doctors. Among the five districts of Karnali Zone, only Mugu District has one AHA and one AHW. Janakpur is the richest in Ayurvedic technicians while Karnali is the poorest zone to have Ayurveda technicians including all levels. Similarly, nearly 49% of total Ayurvedic technicians are from Central Development Region and Far-Western Region represents just about 0.012%.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Those areas which are rich in medicinal plants have neither adequate Ayurvedic research institutions nor health centers. The regions, which are famous for valuable medicinal and aromatic plants are devoid of trained Ayurvedic technicians to use locally available resources. Transferring skills to the locals and helping them use their own local resources is the only way to improve the health status and the socio-economic status of the community people.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Ayurveda dispensaries are significantly increasing in the country but effectiveness of the service is yet to be improved. Centralized system of drug distribution, insufficient budget for drugs and poor-performance of the employees are hindering the effectiveness of the health service. Higher and middle level officers seldom attend offices in remote areas and in most cases, there are no adequate drugs to distribute.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">To sum up, excessive reliance on modern medicine is not an adequate way to improve the health status of people - especially in developing countries. Therefore, the state should integrate traditional medicine into national health system and work towards the development of Ayurvedic sector in the remote areas that are rich in natural resources.</span><br /></div>ayurvedamourlifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12528326267044175943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275982245137064652.post-12070892276990674052010-08-26T08:09:00.002-07:002010-08-26T08:10:03.148-07:00Discovering Cordyceps sinensis in Ayurveda<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Cordyceps sinensis, locally known as Yarsagumba in Nepali is found in alpine meadows of Himalaya above 3600m from the sea level. Yarsagumba develops when a type of fungus parasites the larvae of a moth and forms a fungus composite body. The larva forms a cocoon in the winter and hibernates in the ground. Because the fruiting body of the fungus emerges from the head of the larva in the summer trembling a grass sprout, it's local name means roughly Yarsa(winter bug) and gumba(summer grass).</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">This plant is mainly used to treat low energy following serious illness and as a strengthening tonic. It resembles all the properties of Rasayana and Vajikarana dravyas mentioned in Ayurveda. It's medicinal value is rooted in Tibetan indigenous medicine and at present is traded at the rate of about $4,000 per kg. Though Himalaya has always been the best place for qualitative herbs, there is not any clear proof of the ancient Ayurvedic literatures mentioning about it. However, one cannot deny the possibility of this drug being used in past with name other than it possesses today. Though it needs a lot of research and authenticity, this paper attempts to provide an Ayurvedic lens to this unique and important natural gift.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Keywords:</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Yarsagumba, Rasayana, Vajikarana dravya, Yarsagumba collection</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Introduction</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Botanical Classification:</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Kingdom: Fungi</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Phylum: Ascomycota</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Subphylum: Ascomycotina</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Class: Ascomycetes/ Pyrenomycetes</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Order: Hypocreales/ Clavicipitales</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Family: Clavipripataceae</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Genus: Cordyceps</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Species: Cordyceps sinensis(Brek.) Sacc.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Vernaculars:</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Nepali: Yarsagumba, Jeebanbuti, Sanjivani, Kiraghans</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Tibetian: Yarchakunbu</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Chinese: Dong chong xia cao</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Japanese: Tochukaso</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Description of name:</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">In Tibetan, it is called Yarchakunbu, which literally means 'Yar' for rain; 'Cha' for plant; 'Kun' for winter; and 'Bu' for insect. So, the literal meaning of Yarchakunbu becomes summer plant winter insect.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Tibetan people consider it as a 'Bu', which means living insect. In Buddhism, the collection of 'Bu' is considered as a sin act, which may be the reason of Yarsagumba being protected in the Himalayas for thousands of years.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">The botanical name of Yarsagumba comes from a latin word 'Cord'and 'Ceps' which mean club and head respectively. So, the meaning derived from its Latin name is an insect with its head in a horse's tail like body. (NEHHPA 2006)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Biological Description of Cordyceps sinensis:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Habit and habitat:</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Cordyceps sinensis is a caterpillar larva of an insect parasitizing fungus of the Hypocreaceae family, found at alpine meadows above 3600 m from the sea level. This fungus lives primarily in the larvae of one particular species of moth, Hepialus armoricanus. It is found that this larva is a voracious eater of leaves of plant Bistorta macrophylla. It is occasionally found growing on other moth species as well.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Morphology:</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">It is 5-15 cm long and 0.14 to 0.4 cm thick and resembles a caterpillar in shape and colour. It has a black or brown stem about 2-5cm long. Based on colour, it has 2 types. The whitish yellow is larger and good in quality. The other type is of copper colour and is smaller as well as qualitatively compromised. </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">There are 310 types of fungus of this genus but three of them are found to have medicinal value. Among these three, the Cordyceps sinensis is found to have the best quality.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Two other species of Cordyceps that are used as medicines are Cordyceps millitaris and Cordyceps barnesii, found in Korea.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Historical Background of Cordyceps sinensis:</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Cordyceps sinensis, known to the Chinese as "DongChongXiaCao" and to the Japanese as "Tochukaso" has been used in medicine for a very long time. The first known written record of this herbal medicine was in the Ben-Cao-Cong-Xin (New Compilation of Materia Medica) by the author Wu-Yiluo. Written around the year 1757 AD during the Qing Dynasty, this early medical text lists the traditional usage of Cordyceps as a "Lung Protectorate", for "Kidney Improvement" and as a "Yin/Yang double invigorant". (Holliday et al.)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">However, in Ayurveda there isn't any documented proof of this product being used as the same name. But it is believed that the 'Sanjivani' brought by Hanumaan from the Himalayas in Ramayana is the same plant which was used for Lakshman.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">During the 13th century, Ming Dynasty from China popularized the use of Yarsagumba collected from the Himalayan belt, most probably Nepal. They used to give a big surprise award to those who used to take pains to bring Yarsagumba from Nepal (Rawal). The vegetable worm first became widely publicized during the 1994 Asian Games in Hiroshima, when two female Chinese athletes,and attributed their display of phenomenal power and beat the world records for 1,500, 3000 and 10,000 meters. Later it was learned that they used it at the recommendation of their coach, which has been known for 2,000 years as a folk medicine that gives immense power and lengthen life (Rawal and Wikipedia).</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Nepal and Yarsagumba :</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Distribution of Yarsagumba in Nepal</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Located at central part of the great Himalayan range, Nepal provides habitat to wider varieties of flora and fauna. These floras contain many west Himalayan elements and that of east Himalaya too, with many Sino-Japanese elements. Northern part of Nepal provides habitat to the plants of the Tibetan plateau, especially in the trans-Himalayan regions (Bhattrai N. 1989-1993). Over 1,000 species of Himalayan plants have been discovered and described from the Nepalese Flora (Bajracharya et al., 1988). Some 370 plant species are endemic to Nepal (Joshi and Joshi, 1991) of which 252 are found in high altitude (Bajracharya et al., 1988). Amongst these Cordyceps sinensis has received higher attention these days. In Nepal Polunin and Williams first collected it in 1952 from Chakure Lek of Jumla district (NEHHPA 2006). Dolpa district is one of the major areas producing Yarsagumba in Nepal. Besides, it is also found in many other places like Darchula, Humla, Lamjung, Bajura, Bajhang, Mugu, Jumla, Gorkha and Rasuwa (Gyawali 2006). </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Collection:</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">This product is collected during the spring and early summer when the snow melts and fungus sprouts out on the hills (Gyawali 2006). Crowd of thousand of local people gather in Nepal Himalaya's alpine meadows in the season.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Cultivation of Cordyceps sinensis: </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Since native Cordyceps (wild Cordyceps sinensis) is rare and very expensive, countries like China and Korea have been investing a great effort in research for cultivation of this fungus. However, the exact method of cultivation of this fungus has not still known in Nepal. Some individuals and business organization are working on in this aspect. In 1982, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences isolated the commercial strains of Cordyceps for the first time. This strain named CS-4 was fermented in aseptic environment to develop a mycelium, which underwent extensive human testing, and clinical trials during the 1980's. In this way, commercial production of Yarsagumba begun from China in the name of JinShuiBao capsules. A wide range of population was encouraged to use it as a clinical trial in order to establish its chemical composition, therapeutic activity, toxicity and many other facts. (Bau, 1995)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Rasayana in Ayurveda :</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Acharya Dalhana says</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Bhesajashritaanam rasaviryavipaakaprabhavaparamaayurbalaviryaanaam vaya sthyairyakaranaamayanam laabhaopaayo rasaayanam Su. Su. 1/15</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Those dravyas, which are capable of utilizing all the rasas, gunas, virya, vipaak and prabhava to strengthen the body and develop immune mechanism increasing the lifespan, are known as Rasayana. Rasayanas increase a healthy person's mental and physical capabilities. Rasayanas or vitalizers replenish the vital fluids of our body, thus keeping us away from diseases. Rasayana is actually that which increases the essence of each dhatu, starting with rasa. Literally, Rasayana is a sanskrit word comprising of Rasa & Ayana.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Rasa means the nutrient portion derived after the proper digestion of the food and Ayana means proper chanalisation of such nutrients. Hence Rasayana therapy provides good nutrition to different tissues of our body and maintains health leading to long healthy lifespan. It can be effectively used in treating geriatric disorder as they are also known as vayasthapak.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Various merits of Rasayana therapy have been highlighted in the texts of Ayurveda as Charaka has mentioned in the following shloka</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Dirghamaayu smritimedhamaarogyam tarunam vaya.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Prabha warna swaraudaaryam dehendriyam balam param.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Waaksiddhimpranatimkaantilavate na rasayaanat</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Labho paayo hi sastaanaam rasaadinaam rasayanam. Ch. Chi. 1/8 </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Dirghamaayu (Long life).</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Smritimedha (Memory and intelligence)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Arogya (Good health)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Tarunam vaya. (Youthful age)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Prabha varna. (Glowing skin)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Sworaudaaryam. (Modulated voice)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Dehendriya balam param (Optimum strength of physique and sense organs)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">However the Rasayana dravyas are considered useful as remedies of various ailments especially the Auto-immune conditions and other psychosomatic disorders.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">It is also said as:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Rasayanancha tajjgeyam yajjaravyadhinaashanam. Ch. Chi. 1/5</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Hence, Rasayanas deal with the methods to maintain youth, increase longevity, intellectual capacity and strength and keep the patients free from diseases.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Vajikarana in Ayurveda :</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Vaaja is the word synonymus to Vega of Sukra (semen). Person with vaaja is called Vaaji and lacking it is called Avaaji. So, vajikarana is the process of changing an avaaji purush to a vaaji purush. As per some definitions those dravays which enables a male to enjoy sex for a longer time are known as vajikarana dravya.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Vajikarana is defined as</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Yena naarisusamarthyam vaajiballavate nara.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Brajechhavyadikam yena vaajikaranameva tatt.Ch. Chi. 2/4/51</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Vajikarana in Ayurveda explains the art of producing healthy progeny for the creation of a better society. Vajikarana therapy is recommended to treat various diseases like infertility and conditions relating to weak shukra dhatu resulting in male impotence (napunsakata). Ayurveda has laid much importance on a male's potency. Charaka states the use of aphrodisiacs as mentioned in ayurvedic therapies (Vajikarana therapies) enhances one's potency. These medicines are said to give one the strength and potency of a horse by increasing the quantity and quality of semen. It helps increase the will power, intellect and memory in addition to a healthy body. Shukra dhatu is the final product of all the dhatus and a precursor of Oja, the immunity of the body also known as the eighth dhatu. Hence, vajikarana dravyas help people to renew the sukra dhatu ultimately strengthening the immune system. For this purpose various aphrodisiacs and tonic preparations are prescribed for enhancing the vigor and reproductive capabilities of men. These not only serve as sukrabardhak(precursor of sukra) but also strengthen other dhatus like Rakta, Mamsha, Meda and Asthi. They are said to increase quantity and quality of semen, sperm count and sperm motility and nourish the body of the person.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Pharmacology: </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Important components of Cordyceps sinensis</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Sn Component Unit Value</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">1 D-mannitol mg/g 76.81</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">2 Polysaccharide % 11.2</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">3 Protein % 25.44</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">4 Viatamin A mg/g 0.315</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">5 Viatamin B12 mg/g 0.02</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">6 Zinc Ppm/g 13.9</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">7 Copper Ppm/g 2.8</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Source: China Science Institute Shimyang Edible Center</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> </span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Chemical composition of Cordyceps sinensis</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">S.N. Component Unit</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">1. Water 10.84%</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">2. Fat 8.4%</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">3. Coarse protein 25.32%</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">4. Coarse fiber 18.53%</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">5. Carbohydrate 28.9%</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">There are a number of components like deoxy-nucleosides produced by Cordyceps sinensis, such as the compounds 2', 3' deoxyadenosine which is marketed in the United States as a drug for the treatment of AIDS under the trade name "Didanosine" (Holliday et al.). Similarly Quinic acid derived from Cordycepin (3' deoxyadenosine) present in Cordyceps is found to have anti viral and antibacterial property (NEHHPA 2006).</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Medicinal value of Cordyceps sinensis:</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) suggests use of Cordyceps sinensis by cooking the whole fruit body in chicken or duck soup. People use it this way for the treatment of many conditions, such as respiratory diseases, renal dysfunction, hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia.(Zhou, Halpern and Jones, 1998). Clinical research has shown 'Yarsagumba' to be very effective in treatment of Arrhythmia, Chronic kidney failures and hypercholesteraemia. It helps to strengthen the immune system of patients receiving chemotherapy, Anti tubercular drugs and various surgeries. The Host Defence Potentiators (HDP) present in Yarsagumba defends the host (patient) from foreign invasion by bacteria, cancer cells, and virus and thereby boosts the immunity. It also stimulates the hormone production giving it an anti aging property. (Rawal). Researches show that it may be useful in the treatment of cardiac arrhythmia, angina pectoris, liver disease, and even cancer. It is a building block for gene repair in cell replication and plays an important role in ATP metabolism.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Mode of use varies from place to place</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">In Nepal Yarsagumba is believed to act as an aphrodisiac and as a tonic when 1-3 pieces are taken regularly mixed with either milk or Shilajatu.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Balfour-Browne (1955) mentioned that Bhutanese use it for impotence caused by typhoid and other permanent diseases (Rawal).</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Chinese believe that it boosts Yang, strengthens kidneys, reduces phlegm, and stops bleeding (Holliday et al.)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Including Holiday et al, many literatures have been found to be describing Yarsagumba for following uses.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Hriddya (Cardiac Tonic)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">It has been found to have good effects in various Hriadaya rogas (Cardiac diseases). Studies have shown that over 84% of the patients with Hridaya roga esp. cardiac arrhythmia improved following treatment with Yarsagumba.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Raktasodhak(Blood purifier)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Yarsagumba reduces the amount of LDL Cholesterol and increases the amount of HDL Cholesterol thus thereby works as a blood purifier. It is found to have lowered total cholesterol levels by over 17% in a clincal trial.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Yakrit Balya (Liver Tonic)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Yarsagumba is found capable of curing some liver diseases. Clinical trials have shown that treatment with Yarsagumba improved symptoms of liver cirrhosis following hepatitis. The extract of Yarsagumba is considered to relax contractions in the liver blood vessel system and to increase hepatic blood flow, causing liver ATP levels to increase. Such hepatic ATP augmentation may contribute to the acceleration of recovery and improvement of liver function in patients with anaemia.(Manabe et al. 1999)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Used in Vrikka roga (Kidney Diseases)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">In TCM Yarsagumba's main use is in the treatment of Kidney disorders. It is believed that it improves kidney function. In kidney transplanted patients it was shown to return levels of infection fighting T cells to normal.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Balakarak (Strengethening tonic)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Cordyceps Sinensis is an excellent strengthening tonic for convalescing patients, and patients with reduced appetite, weak blood, weakened resistance of respiratory tract and susceptibility to colds or flu can take this product orally to strengthen resistance. Cordyceps has an ancient reputation as an effective sex stimulant for male. At present day, this property has made it so expensive and important. It has been termed as 'Himalayan Viagra' or 'Herbal viagra' by the western world nowadays.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Used in Swas roga (Respiratory Disorders)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">A preliminary study found that middle aged and elderly patients who took Cordyceps for COPD showed notable improvements. During it's intake by the patients with respiratory disorders it has found to improve coughing, reduction in quantity of sputum, and gradual decrease in shortness of breath. I has also good results in curing prolonged chronic bronchitis (both asthmatic and ordinary type), particularly ordinary type.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Ojobardhak (Immunomodulator)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Yarsagumba appears to be one of the most adaptive immune modulators. The mushroom was found to quiet immune cells in patient with abnormally overactive immune systems, and to raise immune system functions in patients with low or compromised immunological activity. These include a cure for tuberculosis and a restorative action after various diseases (Chatterjee et al. 1957)</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Adverse effects:</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">This medicine may cause the following reactions to the user allergic to it</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Breathing problems or tightness chest; chest pain, skin rashes, itchy or swollen skin.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Studies have shown following two major side effects in some cases:</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and upset stomach and dry mouth (Halpern GM et. al 1998)</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Economic value:</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">From Nepal, Yarsagumba is mostly illegally traded to China or Tibet in bulk quantity of 3-5 tons per year worth NRs. 1-1.5 billion. Its price varies from NRs 140,000 to 3, 00,000 per kg in Nepal. In 2004, only two villages (Majhphal and Sun) of Dolpa district in Nepal sold around 600kg of Yarsagumba, most to Tibet. It is estimated that 1 kg of Yarsagumba contains 2,700-4,500 pieces. Government's rate of royalty is NRs. 10,000 per kg. In addition, Maoist rebels collect tax of NRs 5,000 to NRs 27,000 per Kg (Gyawali 2006). Local people of Himalaya are much dependent on this resource, more economically than medicinally.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Conclusion</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">The Ayurvedic medicine is rich in natural herbs and the rejuvenator group of herbs termed as ' Rasayana ' has micronutrients, which improve health, immunity, vigor, vitality, and give longevity as well as protection against stress. All these actions of certain Rasayana dravyas have now been scientifically proved through experimental as well as clinical studies. Rasayana dravyas prevent the process of aging and keep the individual free from disease even at an advanced age. In this context, we need to introduce a new Rasayana dravya, Yarsagumba, in Ayurveda. Like all the other Rasayana formulations eg. Chyavanaprasha, Triphala rasayana, Pippali rasayana , Shilajatu , Haritaki rasayana,etc. Yarsagumba Rasayana is too serving the people in many aspects. In addition to enriching Ayurveda with a new ingredient, local economy will be improved ensuring sustainable incomes to poor peoples of Himalayas. Thus, it becomes the responsibility of entire Ayurveda world to encourage its use and help people lead a healthier and happier life without itself being destroyed.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">References:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Bajracharya, D.M., Joshi, R.M., Rajbhandari, K.R., Shakya, P.R. & Shrestha, T.B. 1988: Endemism in Nepal flora. In: Proceedings of the National Conference on Science and Technology. Kathmandu, Nepal; Royal Nepal Academy of Science and Technology. pp. 73-76</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Balfour-Browne(1955): Citation made from unpublished article "Nepal's Pride Yarsagumba" by Dr. Rana B. Rawal</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Bau TT, 1995. Further Study of Pharmacological Functions of JinShuiBao. Journal of Administartion Traditional Chinese Med 1995;5 (suupl):6</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Bhattrai N. 1989-1993: Articles on Regional Aspects of Medicinal Plants Use, Biodiversity - People Interface in Nepal</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Charaka Samhita</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">China Science Institute Shimyang Edible Center: Citation made from unpublished article "Nepal's Pride Yarsagumba" by Dr. Rana B. Rawal Gyawali 2006: Article titled "Himali Money - Yarsagumba", Himal Magizine, Issue 174, July 2006</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Halpern GM, Zhu JS, & Jones K: The scientific rediscovery of a precious ancient chinese herbal regime: Cordyceps sinensis, part II. J Alt Complement Med 1998; 4(4):429-457.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">John C. Holliday, Phillip Cleaver, Megan Loomis, Dinesh Patel: The hybridization of Cordyceps sinensis strains and the modifications of their culture parameters, in order to optimize the production of target medicinal compounds</span><br /></div>ayurvedamourlifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12528326267044175943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275982245137064652.post-61807567805723705742010-08-26T08:09:00.001-07:002010-08-26T08:09:25.745-07:00Ayurveda And Nepal<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">How long is the relation of Ayurveda & Nepal?</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">The relation of Nepal & Ayurveda is as long as the 'Rig-Veda' which is the eldest book of this subcontinent. The proofs of this fact are ' Rig-Veda' & the ancient book of Ayurveda themselves. In 'Regveda' the founder of Ayurveda i.e. Ashwini Kumar, Bhardwag, Aatraya etc are stated in many places and since the date they had their intimacy to Nepal. Ayurveda itself is related to Rigveda. In Charak Samhita, which is a famous ancient book of Ayurveda, it is motioned that for the search & development of Ayurveda there held a conference on the side of Himalaya where different famous ancient Seer were present. ( Sutrasthan 6-13).</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Ashwin kumar, Bhardwaj, Astraya etc were present in that conference. Not only this, the above statement of Charak Samhita also declares that the persons famous in Regveda like Bashista, Bishwamitra, Gautam, Agastya etc were also participated that search conference.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">These two facts prove that the relation of Nepal & Ayurveda dated at least 4,000 years back. Furthermore, these two statements also prove that the foundation, search & development of Ayurveda were started on this Himalayan belt.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">In Vedic literature and ancient religious books like 'Purans', the region of present Nepal was called Himalayan region or 'Himwat Khanda'. Since that time, Himal, Ayiurveda, and Nepal has been related strongly to one another.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">The continuation of this tradition:</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">The relation from Rigveada era & its continuation in also proved by the descriptions of the Buddha & the Kaytilya. The deported ancestors of Buddha by a North Indian King Okkar came and settled down on northern side of the Kapilvastu, before many generation of Buddha's time. This is a famous story on history. Among these deported, the eldest daughter named Piya ( Amrita) was suffered from leprosy. At the same time, a king of Kashi was also suffered form this disease and handed over his duty to his son & went to the isolated areas of Kapilvastu. Both of these were cured of the diseases by a herbal medicine 'Kol'. Both became healthy & beautiful; they got married. They cut down the jungle of Kol and cultivated the area. The offspring were become famous as "Kolia Kabila". (Aarthakatha: Mahakavi Buddhaghosh).</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Gautam Buddha himself was a reputed doctor of Ayurveda. There are many descriptions found that wherever he went he treated the patients by the local herbal medicine.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">'Kautilya Arthasastra' of third century B.C. also describes the herbal remedies that had been imported to India through Nepal. In third century BC, the Jain Sage Bhadrabahu also came to Nepal for Yoga in the cave on the side of Himalya and he used his efficiency in researching herbal medicines. At that time, about 500 Sages and other personnel of Jain society came to Nepal and they carried off a number of medicines that had been founded out by Bhadrabahu. This is a famous story of Jain literature.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">That tradition of Ayurveda medicine has been going on in Nepal. There are many proofs that the system was quite famous in Malla & Lichhibi era of Nepalese history. The history of Shimhadurbar Vaidhyakhana extends back to King Pratap Malla (1642-75 AD) of Malla Era. This system of tradition has been extended to many generations till now.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">The 'Chandra Nighantu' that covers the wide range of Ayurveda knowledge in its large 10 texts- present in Shimhadurbar Vaidhyakhana today- is also a milestone to explain the depth and longevity of the relation of Nepal to Ayurveda.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Ayurveda is not only a 'knowledgeable resource' but also an 'economic resource'.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">The reason why Nepalese people are under poverty and why should they go to the foreign country for their livings is due to their inability to develop their traditional knowledge given by their ancestors and inability to utilize their valuable resources. Agriculture, water resources, tourism, minerals etc are the possibilities of Nepal to its development. But there is a need of modernized knowledge, research and a much stronger economy for their development. But, a notifiable fact is that, we have Ayurveda, herbal plants and the medicine system based on long practised since thousand of years with more than thousand years study, use and experiment. With the best efforts of government, industrialists and concerned experts, we can develop it worldwide with lesser investment and shorter time duration.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Our water resources are mainly related to Nepal, India and Bangladesh. Though we can export our drinking water to many other countries, hydro-electricity can be distributed not more than that of India, China, Bangladesh and Pakistan. Tourism, in fact, is a business from exterior. There is lack of mineral resources so as to develop and export them worldwide. In addition Agricultural and veterinary resources to export in significant amount are also impracticable in Nepal. So the resource that is present in large amount and will never finish exporting worldwide even in future generation is the knowledge of Ayurveda and herbal medicine.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Though Nepal is a small country, it is a motherland of different people of different cast, tradition, religion etc. it is also rich in geographical diversity. It has extending from east to west, Himalayas, Mahabharata range, Cure range and Terai with diversified climate and soil. So, it possesses wide variety of knowledge and practice regarding herbal medicine. The various branches of Arya, Mongol, Astrick (Nigro) and Dravid roots comprising various casts, sub-casts etc are in Nepal from all four continents of the world. Moreover, all these varieties of human population have gathered a significant amount of knowledge about herbal medicine and related therapy in Nepal. It will be very difficult not to meet a person in any corner of Nepal who can not say a herbal medicine and a disease that can be cured by that herb. There are still thousands of traditional 'Vaidhya' and 'Aamchi' in Nepal who can recognize thirty/fifty or more herbal remedies and some diseases they can cure.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Nepalese People have more knowledge than the classical Ayurveda Textbooks.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">After visiting the different 'Vaidyas' in different parts of the country, it seemed that the traditional 'Vaidyas' are being using and practicing more herbs than those text books of Ayurveda.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">The knowledge acquired by the research, use and thousands of years practice after the origin of classical books of Ayurveda; if used collectively with wide research, will seem to be a praiseworthy contribution for the development of Ayurveda in Nepal.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">If we enter into the world market by analyzing and relating with modern technology, manufacturing and management, it will be the largest industrial region for Nepal and will raise its glory like Mount Everest.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Why to use expensive Treatment system.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Any person who is suffering form chronic sinusitis or Gastritis has to go hospital, nursing home or private clinics for many tests and findings for months or years and spending thousands of rupees. Moreover, he has to take many dangerous medicines for months, years or more. Nowadays, the Allopathic treatment system is so expensive that one has to sell his buffalo or ox or a peice of land to be cured of his disease. But, on the other hand, thousands of valuable herbs are being wasting everyday, every season. They germinate, grow up, dry off and decay every year. If we go to the green jungle and look around our hundred steps, there will be definitely 20-30 herbs.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">I have got some opportunities while on journey form Kathmandu to Narayanghat to share my knowledge about medicinal herbs present on the side of the road on traffic jam. If you have got an opportunity to walk with Late Narahari Nath, he would have identified you more or less hundred medicinal herbs within one kilometer range.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">There are many herbs capable of curing any kind of disease in our country. It is obvious that proper treatment of the diseases like Cancer, AIDS etc and those need surgery in not possible by this traditional knowledge but almost 90% of diseases can be cured by the doctors or practitioner of Ayurveda with the locally available, fresh, cheap and affordable medicinal herbs present here and there in our country. If the government pays some special attention and support; University, Ayurveda Hospital, Ayurveda doctors and traditional practitioner develop a champion for the development of Ayurveda, 50,000 trained middle health manpower can be prepared. There will be 12 herbalists for each Village Development Committee. They will grow herbs in their own farm and will collect herbs form their own forest. People will take advantage of the fresh, cheap and locally available herbs in any ailment; furthermore, they can cultivate the herbs in large amount to export internationally.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">How much to increase foreign debt?</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Nepal, at present, is spending billions of rupees to import expensive allopathic medicine and much expensive equipments and technology. In addition, billion of rupees need to prepare such manpower and the ratio of expenditure in increasing yearly. The foreign debt is also piled up day by day. It is obvious that for the diseases that can not be cured by our own technology and manpower (e.g. Incurable by our own treatment system, those that need complicated surgical procedure etc.), for the study, research, and experiments of severe disease; investment must be done by the country. In spite of the possibilities of production of affordable, locally available medicine by our own technology by our own manpower, our master-plan gives emphasis only on the expensive exported system. They not only ignore all these possibilities, but also say "Ayurveda is a bullock-cart and Allopathy is a rocket". This quotation is not said by other than so called reputed health minister of our country. It is the sentence of evaluation; how farsighted is our leadership?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">They not only ignore the manpower that are serving the nation with their full effort by local herbs but also ignore the production of qualitative Ayurveda exports and establishment of industrialize plants relating Ayurveda. Theses all are in the opposite of welfare of both nation and people. This creates a vast gap between wealthy and poor people; this type of policy, on one hand provides the service only for the 'well-to-do' and expels the poor for death and on other hand forces the nation to submerge the lake of debt. That is why changes should be done in the 'Health Policy' that ignores the problem of most people and forces the nation in debt.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">The Himalayan herbs or the things of world's attraction:</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">How people are attracted by the herbs of the Himalaya rather than the herbs of India or Terai region of Nepal ? Why the seer like Balmiki, Vedvays, and great poet Kalidas wrote the Himalaya as the resource of great medicine? Why European researcher concluded that the Himalayan herbs are more potent? Why the herbal companies give emphasis on "Himali herb" while giving an advertisement? What is the specific quality that is related to the 'Himalayan herbs'?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">These questions are really important and draw our attention on an extraordinary quality of herbs of Nepal. According to Ayurveda,-" The medicine of that place is the best where the patient has born (is living)". The health related personnel of all specificity accept in one voice that the Himalayan drugs possess especial potency or quality. There is specific logic for that. Any person dealing with ' Apple business' says the apples from Jumla, Kashmir or Marpha (Mustang) are more preferable. This is an example of the geographical and climatic impacts on the potency of the products where they originate. Our Himalayan range is the highest of all in the world and it faces to the south so that it receives plenty of sunlight. These two facts impact on quality of the Himalayan herbs and are famous for their potency from ancient period.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">If the Himalayan region and the nearby hilly regions are cultivated profoundly with the herbal medicine and thus grown products are marketed worldwide in their different shapes and forms, our nation and the people of the world will be benefited.</span><br /></div>ayurvedamourlifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12528326267044175943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275982245137064652.post-10507917496440939832010-08-26T08:08:00.001-07:002010-08-26T08:08:50.544-07:00Present Status of Traditional Medicine in Nepal<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">The term Traditional Medicine (TM) refers to way of protecting and restoring health that existed before the arrival of modern allopathic medicine. As the term implies, these approaches to health belong to the traditions of each country, and have been handed down from generation to generation. TM includes diverse health practices, approaches, nowledge and belief incorporating plant, animal and/or mineral based medicines, piritual therapies, manual techniques and exercises, applied singularly or in combination to maintain well-being as well as to treat, diagnose or prevent illness (WHO).</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">The WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy paper 2002-2005 explains that traditional, complementary and alternative medicine attracts the full spectrum of reactions, ranging from uncritical enthusiasm to uninformed skepticism. Yet the use of traditional medicine remains widespread in developing countries. In many parts of the world, policy-makers, health professionals and the public are wrestling with the question about the safety, effectiveness, quality, availability, preservation and further development of this type of health care. Meanwhile, in many developed countries, complementary and traditional medicine is becoming more and more popular.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Situation of existing traditional health systems in Nepal</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Ayurveda, Amchi, Homeopathy associating with Unani, Naturopathy are the important traditional health system existing in Nepal. Among them, Ayurveda has been practicing since the time immemorial.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Ayurveda</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Ayurveda is the omnipresent science of our rich tradition, heritage, and century-old knowledge. It is the most authentically recorded, culturally based health system in Nepal. Furthermore, this traditional knowledge provides great wealth and heritage to our nation. The history of Ayurveda can be traced to different periods, the earliest being the Vedic period when the Aryans complied the four Veda (1500-800 BC) with maximum reference in Rigveda and Atharvaveda. Ayurveda originated in heaven from Brahma. Brahma passed this knowledge to Dakshaprajapati then to Ashvinikumars. Then it transmitted to Lord Indra. On the earth, Maharshi Bharadwaj approached Lord Indra and got it.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Two types of Ayurveda practitioners are exist in Nepal. First, Ayurveda based traditional healers, who are practicing this knowledge since the time immemorial and it has been established as family profession and tradition. Second, academic Ayurveda practitioners trained from educational institutions, training centers, colleges and universities.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Homeopathy</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">This system has been recognized as a national health system and a homeopathy hospital is running by government since 2010 BS. The only one hospital in the country is located in Kathmandu with three graduated doctors studied in India. But the junior level technicians (total eight in number) associated with hospitals are from Allopathic background with refresh training on Homeopathy. There is no separate regulatory body to control and monitor this system of medicine and to register practitioners like in modern medicine (Nepal Medical Council) and Ayurveda (Nepal Ayurvedic Medical Council).</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">The Unani system of medicine is also incorporated in this hospital. Nearly one hundred and fifty Homeopathy technicians are practicing in the Kathmandu city registering in Health Professional Council (informal data given by the staff of the hospital). It is learned that this system of traditional medicine has been running with several confusions and dilemma due the lack clear policy and planning the state. Recently, formal education in Homeopathy has begun in Nepal.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Naturopathy</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">This is not an official system of medicine, but it has been well-practiced by the community. Training in naturopathy is provided by the private sector. There are private hospitals, training centers, clinics, and dispensaries in the country.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Amchi</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Amchi is a Tibetan medicine or healing practice existing in the upper Himalayan region of the country. This is not an official system of medicine. There are two types of practitioners in this system. Some of them institutionally trained and others follow the tradition. No official records regarding this system of medicine and manpower involved are available government offices. Reports show (as published in print Medias) this system has been remarkably contributing in Northern area, especially Far Western</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Region, for treatment of various kinds of ailments using the locally available medicinal plants. The practitioners have been claiming official recognition formation separate regulatory body since long time before.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Faith & Spiritual therapies</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">A large number of the population is still dependent on these practitioners. Basically they follow some ethno-traditional, tantrik, spiritual and Ayurvedic knowledge. Though they are not included in the official system of health care system, they are well known by different names in different communities.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Ayurveda: pre-historic legends of Himalaya- in Nepal</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">The root of Ayurveda dates back to the Vedic period. Ayurveda, the life science, is also the oldest authentically recorded science in existence today. Based on the pre-historic documents, the first international Ayurveda congress was held on the lap of the Himalayas. According to the Carak samhita there were 52 eminent scholars, rishi and experts that gathered there and performed meditation, afterwards discussing, developing and documenting this science. Therefore, the Himalayan region receives recognition and praise for its highest knowledge, aspiration, purity, and harmony of life. This region is also the source of many highly valued medicinal plants. Ayurveda is an ancient art of</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">healing or medicine, which has been practiced continuously throughout Nepal, India, Sri Lanka and a few other countries since ancient times. This knowledge of Ayurveda can be found in a number of manuscripts, books, healing practices, in cultural functions and ceremonies, and the teachings and practices of traditional healers. In fact, the practice of Ayurveda is essentially a culturally based health system. Furthermore, it was a way of life for the community, and its educational value was highly regarded.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">The cultural heritage of the Himalaya</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">This country is one of the richest in culture, tradition, and knowledge of Ayurveda and traditional health practices. In fact, Ayurveda has a strong cultural and scientific heritage in this country. Nepal eluded foreign invasions in its history and has unique socio-cultural and traditional practices. These practices still exist today, in various different ways such as: ethnic or tribal groups, social, familial, generation to generation, ritual, or ceremonial practices, daily routines or spiritual practices, diets or self-healing practices, traditional healers, yogis, monks, lamas etc among the institutional trained practitioners. The majority of people in Nepal continue to rely on this system of health care. Ayurveda</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">and the traditional medical wisdom and practices are prevalent in the community and are totally dependent on locally available medicinal herbs, knowledge, technology and their application. The country has contributed many valuable medicinal and aromatic plants, locally termed as jadibuti, and the indigenous people have been using them in traditional ways for their health and economy since time immemorial. This system contributes a major role in the health care system (Rishi, IUCN).</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Resources of Traditional Medicinal in Nepal</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Classical manuscripts: Ayurveda is a system of health which is based on its basic principles, the consciousness, proto-elemental, time, space, and its evolving theories concepts. It has deep history in taxonomical, pharmacokinetic, pharmacological, and clinical studies of drugs and the findings are used for the detail study of individual constitution, pathological states, disease conditions, drugs, formulations, forms, and dosages. Therefore, these manuscripts are not merely documents of individual records, but they provide widespread theoretical foundation and explanation. There are nearly 4000 copies of hand written manuscripts that exist. These manuscripts are written on leaf,</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">bark and hand made papers. The languages are Sanskrit, Pali, Newari, Nepali and other local languages, and are also recorded in Tibetan language. The contents of these manuscripts are concerned with plants, flowers, food, animals, cosmetics, minerals, tantric, basic principles, life conducts, diseases, yoga, rituals, environment, astrology, crystals, Ayurveda philosophy and more. These authentic manuscripts are the real wealth of this country.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Traditional Practitioners/Healers their knowledge, practices, concepts, innovations,technology, and recipes: These groups of traditional practitioners are deeply rooted in the culture of Ayurveda. They have aspired to reach the cultural values, norms, and respect of the people. They are readily available and work as a member of close relatives or family members. They are capable of managing a diversity of health problems with locally available resources. They are the repository of this culture and science, and are the wealth of the nation. A large number of the population still depends upon thesepractitioners. Traditional and indigenous knowledge has been used for ceturies by indigenous and local communities under local laws, customs and traditions.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Fundamentally, they follow Ayurvedic, ethno-botanical, ethno-traditional, tantrik, spiritual and Amchi knowledge. This knowledge has been transmitted and evolved from generation to generation. The estimated number of these practitioners in Nepal is 400,000. Although they are not included in the official system of health care as a health practitioner, their role is highly important. Some of them who are currently practicing are the 23rd generation of practitioners in their family. This generation to generation practice is handed down through the family and also through master-disciple tradition. In a survey done by consultants, it was found that there were four hundred fifty five traditional practitioners identified and interviewed. They were from 142 villages of six Village Development Councils of the Gorkha district of Nepal. Most of the practitioners were familiar with the knowledge passed down through generations.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Herbal resources:</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Herbal resources are other forms of Ayurvedic wealth. The geographical structure and advanced bio-diversity has made it possible for the Himalayan country to lodge numbers of valuable medicinal plants. The Medicinal and Aromatic database of Nepal covers 1624 species of plants found in wild state or cultivated or naturalized or imported belonging to 938 genera and 218 families. These are known to be used as medicine in Nepal. As described in Ayurveda, the Himalayan Jadibuti are used for healthy body and happy mind. These are used in different means such as toiletries and cosmetics; incense and aromas; health promoting agents, supplements and medicines; natural manures, pesticides; environmental cleaning and protection; food, food additives and drinks etc. Protection and preservation, development and commercialization of indigenous knowledge and herbal resources have become an issue. Herbal resources have been over exploited as usual and indigenous knowledge either humiliated or under threat of piracy. It has been estimated that four out of five medicinal plants utilized by human beings are collected currently from the wild. Since herbal resources are one of the most reliable sources of income for a majority of the people living in rural areas, competition for harvest begins before the right season. Locals do not have scientific knowledge or technology and tools to harvest. Probability of regeneration, therefore, becomes lesser by the year and finally reaches extinction. There are two urgent steps required to check this: First, the local people who rely on such natural resources for their lives must be trained; second, encourage them to cultivate these herbs commercially. Research has found that due to change in socio-psychological factors and educational patterns, the present generations of traditional healers do not follow the old methods. This is a threat to indigenous knowledge (Bhupendra, THT, 2004 June 22)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Institution/organization of Ayurveda/TM in Nepal</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">The institution of Ayurveda is the first health service provider as well as academic health technician-producing institute, whose inception was before the arrival of modern medicine. However, the century old heritage is running at tortoise pace due to extremelack of responsible and accountable organizations/institutions for preservation, promotion, and development of this sector. They are unable to capitalize on this resource, even in the least amount.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Ministry of Health: In the Ministry of Health, the HMG/N has already set up a focal unit – Ayurveda & Alternative Medicine Section which is responsible to develop necessary planning, policies, rules and regulations regarding all kinds of traditional medicine existing in country and play vital role in corporation, coordination, direction and monitoring other organization related to TM under the ministry. The following organizations/ institutions are working currently under the ministry.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Department of Ayurveda: This Department is under the Ministry of Health who looks after government networks of Ayurveda and policy and planning. The constraints of manpower, visionary leadership, budgetary allocation, prioritization of activities, and lack of activity monitoring matrixes have been realized recently for the development of this sector.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Ayurveda Hospitals: Two Ayurveda hospitals – one in Kathmandu with hundred beds (Nardevi Ayurveda Ausadhalaya under Ayurveda Ayusadhalaya Development Committee), and a regional hospital with 30 beds (more 10 beds with cabins in internal resources) are running in Dang.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">District Ayurveda Health Centers: 61</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Zonal Ayurveda Dispensaries: 14</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Local Ayurveda Dispensaries: 216</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Council of Ayurvedic Medicine: Apex body to control, monitor and regulate Ayurveda professional and traditional healers and academic institutions. Following three categories of professional has been registered in the council. Ayurveda Physicians: Graduates are registered as a full fledged member of the council.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Ayurveda Para-medicals are registered under a sub-committee of the council.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Traditional Ayurveda practitioners are enrolled and licensed for their practice. For this that is having three generations of practicing of Ayurveda and at least minimum of 50 years age groups (deadline is for one year) are eligible for enrolling. Due to this limitation, many other traditional healers are not able to get enrollment for licensing practice. The discussion is going on amending this clause and incorporate training component to upgrade their knowledge and bring them into the main stream.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Academic Institutions: The first formal technical education started in the country was in Ayurveda. In 1928 AD Nepal Rajakiya Ayurveda Vidyalaya was started in Naradevi, Kathmandu for the production of Ayurveda manpower i.e. Vaidyas of all levels up to Acharya, equivalent to a Bachelor of the present day standards in contrast to the technical education in the modern system. In spite of the fact that Ayurveda is traditional and that formal education began much earlier than arrival of the modern medical system, since the advent of “democracy” in 1950, the emphasis and all out efforts has been on themodernization and expansion of modern health services. Ayurveda Campus TU is the continuing institute of Ayurveda Vidhyalaya. Other training Institutes under Mahendra S. University and CTEVT in the periphery are running. At present, one graduate level Ayurveda College, seven three-years- course educational institutions, and three fifteen-month tranining institutions are running legally throughout the country.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Ayurveda Pharmaceutical Sector: There is one government owned producing unit, Singha Durbar Baidhyakhana Vikas Samiti (started from Malla dynasty 357 years ago with a high reputation in its history) running below capacity and constraints of quality measures. There are 32 other private Ayurveda pharmaceutical companies, with limited capacity and some of them are not functioning all of the time.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">National Ayurveda Research & Training Centre: Governments of Nepal & China have signed recently for the establishment of this institute and this is a recent development in Ayurveda sector in Nepal.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Other: There are a significant number of institutions - Public, Development Partners’, I/NGO and Private Organizations and Institutions involved in Medicinal plants including NTFPT - involved in this sector. There is minimal coordination within the Ayurvedic sector, which is very important and vital for the overall development of the country and Intellectual property rights issues.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Status of traditional medicine: A glance</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">System</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Ayurveda</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Homeopathy</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Manpower</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Graduated/post</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">graduated</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">239</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">3 (associated with government hospital, no authentic record available of private practitioners)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Certificate level</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">(equivalent)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">754</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">-</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Training (15 months)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">308</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">-</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Traditional Healers </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Nearly two dozens traditional healers have been registered to</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">legalize their practices.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Educational Institutions</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Graduate Level </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">1 (state-owned)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">1 (recently established by</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">private sector)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Certificate level </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">7 ( 6 by private</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">sector)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">-</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Training </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">3 (private sector)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">-</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Health Services (all state-run)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Central Level </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">1</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">1</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Regional </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">1</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">-</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Zonal </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">14</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">-</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">District Level </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">61</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">-</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Dispensaries </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">216</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">-</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Manufacturing companies</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">State-run 1 (Singh Durbar Vaidya Khana)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Private Around 30 (No reliable data is available)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Ayurveda Health Policy (AHP) 2052: Backbone of the development of Ayurveda</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">For the accomplishment of the objectives identified by the National Health Policy, 2048 (1992), the specialty of Ayurvedic treatment which has been preserving health and curing diseases from ancient times is timely. Its principal objectives is to improve health condition of mass people and make them self-reliant on health service by officially and mostly utilizing local medicinal herbs and medical entities which are easily available and can be used.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Some key features of AHP:</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Provision of Inter institutional and People’s participation:4.1 Health workers, wizards, women volunteers, birth attendants, workers of social organization, who are providing medical service by way of herbs in a traditional manner in rural areas will be provided with trainings of growth, promotion, collection, protection and use of herbs, and people’s participation will be mobilized in the Ayurvedic treatment service.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Encourage Herbs farming, production and enterprise of medicines: Qualitative business of herbs will be encouraged by developing model herbs farms in Himalaya, Mountainous and Terai regions and providing the people with knowledge on the use of the herbs in domestic treatment and their preparation, protection and promotion. Co-ordination will be made with governmental and non-governmental associations related with the herbals, so as to maintain standard in domestic trade and export to foreign countries by identifying genuine herbals.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Governmental and non-governmental Ayurvedic medicine manufacturing companies established or to be established in the country will be encouraged to manufacture qualitative medicines on the basis of ‘Good Manufacturing Practice’ and imports will be reduced and export promoted.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Ensure Ayurvedic education and manpower development: Taking into consideration of paramount role of qualified, efficient and duty-bond manpower in the technical field like treatment, a National Ayurvedic Institute, equipped with necessary equipments as well as a research centre, will be established under Tribhuvan University, for enhancing and carrying on further development in effective production of Ayurvedic manpower carrying out functions being dedicated to the field of Ayurveda and in standard of quality of its various dimensions (education, health, and preparation of medicines).</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Similarly, Programme of producing bachelor-level manpower in Ayurveda will be conducted so that physical infrastructure will be developed in harmony with the objective to provide master level and P.H.D. level Ayurvedic education in the future.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Management of Ayurvedic Manpower: Various organizational structures under the Ayurveda Group will be made responsive and service-oriented for consolidation of management aspect of Ayurvedic manpower. Ayurvedic doctors and Ayurvedic health workers will be provided with the same allowances and special facilities as doctors or health workers of other systems are receiving or will receive.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Ayurvedic Research: there will be established an Ayurvedic Research Institute furnished with the required equipment, for research of international standard in matters related with the use of Ayurvedic medicines and entities and the Ayurvedic treatment.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Provision of Resource Mobilization: Assistance of native and foreign donor agencies will be made available so as to provide financial support to various programms of Ayurveda, to mobilize the acquired financial source by promoting export of herbs and prepared medicines and to assist in the implementation of the said programme.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Nepal Ayurvedic Medicine Council: Establishment of Nepal Ayurveda Medical Council in national level for fixing necessary standards of Ayurvedic education and service, registration of doctors, well arrangement of fixation, monitoring and evaluation of their jurisdiction.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Achievements of the formulated policy: Concisely, For the sake of development of Ayurveda manpower as well as education, several objectives are resplendently designed in AHP (Ayurveda Health Policy)-1995 realizing global demand and future of Ayurveda. Educational institutions to produce graduate, post-graduate and PhD level; National Ayurveda Study Center for quality service, management of manpower, research on Ayurveda and resource management; etc are the major objective. However even after a decade of policy promulgation, there is no significant progress observed except the establishment of Nepal Ayurvedic Medical Council (Bhupendra TKP, 18 th Nov, 2006).</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Legal status and Regularity situation</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">The use of medicinal herbs in Nepal’s traditional medical system dates back to at least 500 AD. In Nepal, traditional medicine, although low profile, has been an integral part of the national health system. Parallel to the allopathic system, traditional medicine is encouraged in all spheres because of its efficacy, availability, safety, and affordability when compared to allopathic drugs.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">The policy of the Government, based on five-year plans, involves a system of integrated health services in which both allopathic and Ayurvedic medicine is practiced. Ayurvedic clinics are considered to be part of the basic health services, and there is a section responsible for Ayurvedic medicine in the Office of the Director General of Health Services. The programmes for health services included in the Fifth Five-Year Plan makeprovision for four Ayurvedic hospitals, one in each of the four development regions. The Ayurvedic Governmental Pharmaceutical Unit works to provide inexpensive medicaments.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">The Ayurvedic Medical Council was created through legislation passed in 1988. Section 2.1 of this Act gives the Council’s mandate as, among other things, steering the Ayurvedic medical system efficiently and registering suitably qualified physicians to practice Ayurvedic medicine. In Section 4, the legislation sets out highly detailed provisions for registration that classify applicant practitioners into four groups according to their qualifications and experience in Ayurvedic science. By Section 5.2.2, membership in a particular group fixes the range of Ayurvedic medicines that a practitioner is permitted to prescribe. Registered practitioners enjoy a monopoly over the practice of Ayurvedic medicine: direct or indirect practice of Ayurvedic medicine by other medical practitioners is forbidden by Section 5.1.1. Section 5 of the Act enables registered Ayurvedic practitioners to issue birth and death certificates as well as certificates concerning the Ayurvedic medical system and patients’ physical and mental fitness (WHO).</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">For the better future of traditional medicine</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Immediate step need to capture, protect, and commercial exploit the natural resources, medicinal plants, Traditional Medicine and their related intellectual property rights for the overall sustainable growth and development. For this following actions are important and Nepal is far behind in this process.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">1. Documentation</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">2. Information Dissemination:</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">3. Training:</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">4. Research and Development:</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">5. Intellectual Property Right and benefit sharing:</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">6. Exchange programs for students and professionals:</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">7. Exchange of science and technology:</span><br /></div>ayurvedamourlifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12528326267044175943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275982245137064652.post-18217912470206186052010-08-26T08:07:00.001-07:002010-08-26T08:07:55.218-07:00Ayurvedic medicine can cure swine flu<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">"The disease (swine flu) and its treatment is already mentioned in our old books of medicines by sages. On the basis of the symptoms of swine flu, it has been given the name `vatashlesmic' fever in the ayurvedic medicine books."</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">"For treating a patient infected with H1N1 virus, ayurvedic medicines like Sanjawini Vati and Tribhuvan Kriti Ras can be given. These medicines are prepared by mixing 12-14 ayurvedic ingredients selected on the basis of the symptoms of the viral disease."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">At a time when swine flu is taking lives across the globe, very few know that its sure shot treatment.The oldest mode of medicine -- Ayurveda has a cure for the much talked about swine flu. While there is panic among people when it comes to the tests and medication of the H1N1 virus, the Ayurveda and Homeopathy experts claim to know methods of prevention and cure of the disease.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">In contrast to Allopathy medication being preferred by the apprehensive patients, there are few takers of the ayurveda and the homeopathy medicines even if it claims to provide hundred per cent treatment. Dr Bhagwan Singh, principal and superintendent of State Ayurvedic College, Lucknow, says, "The disease (swine flu) and its treatment is already mentioned in our old books of medicines by sages. On the basis of the symptoms of swine flu, it has been given the name `vatashlesmic' fever in the ayurvedic medicine books."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">He further added, "Whenever there is a change in the environment due to spurt in growth of any kind of virus, human beings are the first one to be affected by it. For treating a patient infected with H1N1 virus, ayurvedic medicines like Sanjawini Vati and Tribhuvan Kriti Ras can be given. These medicines are prepared by mixing 12-14 ayurvedic ingredients selected on the basis of the symptoms of the viral disease."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Ayurveda claims to have preventive medicine for H1N1 infection also. Professor, P S Srivastava, department of Kaya Chikitsa, State Ayurvedic College, Lucknow opines, "On the basis of symptoms like cough, cold, sore throat and fever, one cannot be considered as a patient of swine flu. So to be on the safer side, one could take a medicine named as Gurahi for the sake of prevention. Apart from this, one can also have tea or hot water adding black tulsi leaves to it and following other hygienic practices like using mask etc."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">However, it is not only Ayurveda that has a cure for the flu. Homeopathy also claims to have medication for H1N1 treatment. No matter that homeopathic treatment involves a slow process of curing any disease, its practitioners still consider it to be effective in treating swine flu. Dr B N Singh, director of Homeopathy, UP says, "Swine flu is an influenza like illness, where primary symptoms are very much similar to those of influenza. Thus one can take Influnzenium 200 as a preventive medicine. Three doses each after 10 minutes within 24 hours can develop an immunity against H1N1 virus."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">"Moreover a combination of 6-7 homeopathic medicines should be given according to the symptoms of the patients. These include Aconite Nap 30, Belladona 30, Bryonia Alb, Mercuris Vibre, Gelsinium 30 and Eupaporium Purf. These medicines should be taken after consulting a homeopathic doctor as they are advised only after examining the patients and his/her symptoms," he added.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">He also informed, "Along with the homeopathic medicines one can also take supplements of biochemic medicines like Ferrom Phos 3x and Kali Mure 3x, 2-4 tablets three times a day to prevent getting infected from H1N1 virus.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">source: times of india</span><br /></div>ayurvedamourlifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12528326267044175943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275982245137064652.post-54577671402391894542010-08-26T08:06:00.001-07:002010-08-26T08:06:50.006-07:00Alternative medicine is becoming mainstream<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">"They spent about $33.9 billion on these practices in 2007, accounting for about 11.2% of the public's total out-of-pocket health expenditures. In 1997, the last time such a survey was taken, the figure was $27 billion."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">---Leon Wittman tweaked his shoulder in 1994 while attempting to keep his basement from flooding during a thunderstorm by scooping water out of a window well with a bucket.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">His left arm began to ache. He realized about a year later that he rarely used it anymore and could no longer comfortably sleep on that side. A physician said the only cure was surgery.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Wittman and his wife Charlene have always shied away from physicians, preferring to "maintain a good attitude, drink lots of water and figure things out on our own," as he puts it. And so he opted instead to try a pain relief supplement that included acetaminophen, alfalfa, cramp bark and valerian root -- which, he says, improved his shoulder within a month. The Shawnee, Kan., man now takes a glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM supplement.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Many Americans like Wittman choose to treat themselves with complementary and alternative medicine in lieu of surgery, pharmaceuticals or other traditional care. Their numbers have been steadily climbing over the last decade. According to a July study from the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, based on interviews with more than 23,300 adults during the 2007 National Health Interview Survey, almost 40% of adults use some form of complementary and alternative medicine to treat a variety of conditions.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">They spent about $33.9 billion on these practices in 2007, accounting for about 11.2% of the public's total out-of-pocket health expenditures. In 1997, the last time such a survey was taken, the figure was $27 billion.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">"Whatever this amount of the population is doing is no longer fringe," says Dr. Tracy Gaudet, executive director of Duke Integrative Medicine, part of the Duke University Health System. "We have to figure out what they are looking for that they can't find in conventional medicine."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Medicine outside the mainstream goes by many names -- naturopathy, complementary, alternative and integrative medicine -- partly because its umbrella covers almost any practice or product that is not generally taught in medical school or offered by traditional medical doctors. It encompasses a broad array of practices: crystal gazing, drinking green smoothies, taking fish oil, practicing yoga.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Alternative therapies are used most commonly to treat conditions such as back, joint and arthritis pain, colds and depression. The new study found the most popular therapies to be natural products, deep breathing, meditation, chiropractic and massage.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Self-care, at $22 billion, accounted for the majority of spending, mostly on nonvitamin, nonmineral, natural products. The most popular supplements are fish oil, glucosamine, echinacea and flaxseed. Americans spent $4 billion on yoga, tai chi and qigong classes, and $2.9 billion on homeopathic medicine.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">The survey found that visits to practitioners overall have decreased by about 50% since 1997, with the biggest drop seen by providers of energy healing and relaxation techniques. An exception was acupuncture, whose providers saw a threefold increase from 1997 to 2007.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">For years, there has been a false assumption that users are anti-establishment and alternative types who choose it over conventional treatments -- but the data suggests otherwise, complementary medicine experts say. Dr. Mimi Guarneri, medical director of Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine in La Jolla, says that these are regular people who want more help staying well.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">"The good news about Western medicine is that it responds well in an acute setting -- if they have a heart attack, stroke or are hit by a car," she says. "When you look at other healing traditions, prevention is the first step, treatment is the last step."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">But the trend worries many medical experts, although they acknowledge that some alternative therapies seem useful -- acupuncture for treating back pain, for example, and exercise and dietary changes for better regulation of blood sugar.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">A 2008 study in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings found, for example, that patients who exercised, ate a low-fat diet and took fish oil and red yeast rice supplements over a three-month period reduced their bad, or LDL, cholesterol by 42%. A group taking the cholesterol medication Zocor saw a 39% LDL reduction.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">But many more of the therapies are unproven or untested. Echinacea, ginko biloba and shark cartilage all came up ineffective in recent studies. A June Associated Press article highlighted the fact that after 10 years and $2.5 billion in research, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine has not found any alternative medicine that works, save patients taking ginger for chemotherapy-induced nausea and limited uses for acupuncture, yoga, massage and relaxation techniques such as meditation.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Almost $3 billion is spent annually on homeopathic medicine, for example, but there is no hard evidence to show that it is effective. The treatment, which is based on the theory that "like cures like," offers patients highly diluted solutions of natural substances that create similar symptoms. (An insomniac, for example, would be given a solution with a small amount of caffeine.) A number of homeopathy's key concepts "are not consistent with the current understanding of science, particularly chemistry and physics," the complementary medicine center notes on its website.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">"I think people using alternative medicines are wasting their money and are being fooled into thinking they are getting something that is beneficial for them," says Dr. Jerome Kassirer, distinguished professor at Tufts University School of Medicine and former editor in chief of the New England Journal of Medicine.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Then there's the issue of safety. Herbs and supplements used by alternative health practitioners are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration because they are considered food, not pharmaceuticals. Thus, their purity is not guaranteed. The FDA has identified concerns with some dietary supplements that have been adulterated with drugs, mislabeled or may contain harmful substances including kava, ephedra and comfrey. A listing of alerts is on its website at www.fda.gov/Food/Dietary Supplements/Alerts/default .htm.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Some supplements -- such as St. John's Wort and ginko biloba -- also are known to interfere with conventional drugs, but many supplement users do not discuss the supplements they take with their doctors.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Gaudet says that medical students at Duke -- who are required as part of training to spend some time "loitering" in health food stores -- find that most consumers get information on how to use supplements from the health food store clerks. And a 2007 study by the complementary center and AARP looking at medical practices of people aged 50 and older found that 63% have used some form of alternative medicine but less than one-third told their doctor.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">"There are some of these alternative medicine potions that can be harmful," Kassirer says. "And I think people treat themselves when they should be seeing a doctor, and that can result in a delay in necessary treatment."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Alternative medicine practitioners counter that most of the therapies, even if not effective, are not likely to harm. "I think many herbal remedies are quite gentle compared to strong drugs. . . . They aren't necessarily all safe, but by and large they have gentle effects," Briggs says.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Nor are all the issues unique to complementary medicine, Gaudet says, offering as an example: In many areas of traditional medicine, such as surgery, rigorous trials are rarely completed.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">It's also unreasonable to argue that alternative therapies must be studied as thoroughly as a lot of mainstream medical practices, Guarneri says. The research should be as strong as a therapy's potential for risks.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Certainly, a new chemotherapy treatment should be rigorously tested, she says. But "I don't need a 2-million-person double-blind, randomized trial to tell someone to eat blueberries because they are low in sugar and high in antioxidants."</span><br /></div>ayurvedamourlifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12528326267044175943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275982245137064652.post-11577780946830512812010-08-26T08:04:00.001-07:002010-08-26T08:04:53.973-07:00Keeping Well When Monsoon Dwells<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> First showers of monsoon are heartily welcomed by everyone after experiencing the scorching heat of summer. But monsoons reduce the immunity of our body and make us susceptible to many diseases which are commonly associated with this season. It is time for us to keep our body resistant against diseases by boosting our immunity and taking precautions against these diseases.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> The diseases associated with monsoon are malaria, jaundice, gastro intestinal infections like typhoid and cholera. Apart from these, viral infections like cold and cough also make their presence felt. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> Puddles of water formed due to rain become breeding grounds for mosquitoes which spread diseases like malaria and dengue fever. As a precautionary measure against mosquito bite born diseases one can use mosquito net around the bed which is better choice to mosquito repellants like mats and coils. A mosquito repellant cream is the best choice when you are away from home. Fumigating the house with smoke of dried neem leaves in evenings for 1-2 minutes is an excellent ayurvedic method to keep mosquitoes away.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> Pollution of drinking water during monsoon is very common. It is very necessary to drink clean and pure water when water borne monsoon diseases like diarrhea and gastro intestinal infections threaten us. Drinking boiled water at home is strongly recommended to tap water. Prefer mineral water of government certified companies when you are away from home.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> Walking in dirty water during rainy season leads to numerous fungal infections which affect toes and nails. Diabetic patients have to take a special care about their feet. Always keep your feet dry and clean. Avoid walking in dirty water. Keep your shoes, socks and raincoats dry and clean. Drying clothes with fumes of loban and dry neem leaves is recommended in ayurvedic texts.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> Precautions have to be taken to prevent dampness and growth of fungus (mold) on and around the house where asthmatic patients live. Avoid fumigation in case of asthmatic patients.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Ayurvedic Tips to increase body immunity and preventing diseases of monsoon.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 1. The digestive system gets weakened due to dehydration in summer. This leads to low digestive power. This is further weakened by vitiation of doshas and dhatus due to monsoon. Hence following diets which increase power of digestion and strengthen the digestive system would be beneficial in rainy season.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> * Light foods prepared out of old barley, rice and wheat.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> * Sour and salted soups of vegetables.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> * Drinking boiled and cooled water mixed with little honey.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> * Consuming little quantity of wine prepared out of grapes.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> * Adding ginger and green gram in daily diet.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> * Eating warm food.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 2. Avoid the following</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> *</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> Sleeping in daytime.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> *</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> Over physical exertion.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> *</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> Over exposure to sun. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 3. Always keep the surrounding dry and clean. Do not allow water to get accumulated around.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 4. Keep your body warm as viruses attack immediately when body temperature goes down.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 5. Do not enter air conditioned room with wet hair and damp cloths.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 6. Dry your feet and webs with soft dry cloth whenever they are wet.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 7. Wash vegetables with clean water and steam them well to kill germs.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 8. Avoid eating uncooked foods and salads.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 9. Drink plenty of water and keep your body well hydrated.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 10. Do not allow kids to play in stagnant polluted water filled puddles.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Ayurvedic Home remedies for Monsoon diseases</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 1. Apply castor oil or sesame oil for cracked feet and skin.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 2. A freshly prepared paste of turmeric, neem and sesame seeds is recommended in ayurveda for fungal infection between toes.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 3. Drink a glass of warm water mixed with a tea spoon of honey in empty stomach. This flushes out accumulated toxins.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 4. Freshly prepared radish juice is the best remedy for cold.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 5. A pinch each of long pepper powder and rock salt mixed in warm water reduces cough</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">The following home recipes can be used as home remedies for digestive disorders of monsoon</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> In Indigestion</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Ingredients:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Rice-1/2 cup</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Water -4 cups</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Long pepper- 2or 3</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Ginger -1’’</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Method of preparation:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Cook rice with recommended quantity of water with crushed ginger and salt. Powder long pepper and fry it in a spoon of cow’s ghee and add it to gruel. Consume this when it hot. This is very light to digest and relieves colic pain.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">In Diarrhea</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Ingredients:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Rice -1/2 cup</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Water – 4 cups</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Ginger paste – 1/2 spoon</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Salt to taste</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Pomegranate juice: ½ cup</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Method of preparation</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 1. Cook rice with recommended quantity of water with ginger paste and salt</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 2. Add pomegranate juice when the gruel is warm. This gruel rehydrates body and supply energy . This soothes inflamed walls of intestine and controls bowel movements.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">In flatulence</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Ingredients:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">½ cup of rice</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">4 cups of water</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) - powder-1/2 spoon</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Roots of pippali or long pepper</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Ginger paste -1/2 spoon salt to taste</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Method of preparation</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Cook Rice, haritaki powder , roots of pippali and water together. Add salt to it.Consume this when it is warm. This relieves flatulence and regularizes the bowel movement</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> Thus precautions coupled with care really help you to enjoy monsoon. Have a healthy and safe monsoon.</span><br /></div>ayurvedamourlifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12528326267044175943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275982245137064652.post-60744049393047162942010-08-26T08:00:00.000-07:002010-08-26T08:04:12.516-07:00Ayurveda approach to Indigestion and concept of Agni<div style="text-align: justify;"><img style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;" src="http://www.ayurhelp.com/images/agni.jpg" border="0" height="409" width="421" /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">The word “Indigestion” is commonly used to describe the discomfort in one’s belly mostly caused after food consumption. Fullness, bloating, nausea, heart burn are other symptoms of Indigestion.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Before discussing Indigestion, understanding the process of digestion is very essential. The Ayurveda approach of explaining digestion is very simple and effective. The food we eat is digested by Agni or body fire which is present in our body. It is very much similar to the way we cook the food. The Agni or body fire helps to digest the food which is consumed, much like the fire of a stove cooks the food kept on it. The Agni is mainly situated in Jatara or in upper part of digestive system and is called as Jataragni. The Agni is further categorized as Bhootagni (which digests the 5 pancha mahabhoota factors present in food), Dhatwagni (The agni present in tissues which help them to absorb required nutrients), Malagni ( the agni which helps in formation of body wastes like stools, sweat and urine) . The Jataragni controls bhootagni, dhatwagni and malagni. Through this it is evident that ayurveda approach of digestion explains cellular metabolism too.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">The factors which help agni to digest the food completely. : Thridoshas -Vata , Pitta and Kapha help agni to digest the food. This can be understood through the following figure.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">If the process of digestion is compared to that of cooking rice, the stomach, like the vessel., receives food. Vata provides the necessary conditions like the air blower, Pitta acts like the stove, providing optimum working conditions while Kapha provides the moisture needed much like the water in the vessel.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">When all these factors are normal and well balanced, an optimum condition is created to digest the food completely.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">When food is completely digested by all the agnis, the body tissues will be well nourished and one is blessed with attractive complexion, glow, longevity, strength, good health, growth, enthusiasm, vitality and overall healthy development of body and mind.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">The indigestion occurs when agni is imbalanced by the factors ( tridoshas ) which help agni to digest food. The variations of agni due to tridoshas are of 4 types.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Samagni ( balanced agni ) :The agni which is well balanced due to balanced tridoshas indicate the condition called Samagni . Samagni digests the food completely and nourishes the body tissues very well.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Vishamaagni ( varying agni ):- When vata is predominant this condition surfaces. The regular food gets digested normally on some occasions and poorly on others. Vata increasing foods and lifestyles lead to this condition. This variation of agni causes constipation, flatulence, pain in abdomen and other vata predominant diseases. The indigestion caused by this type of agni is called Vistabdhajeerna</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Teekshnagni ( increased agni ) : This variation of agni occurs due to predominance of pitta. Pitta increasing foods and lifestyle cause this variation. This variation of agni causes increased hunger, thirst, acidity, heart burn and loose motions. The indigestion thus caused is called as Vidagdajeerna.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Mandagni ( decreased agni ): As increased moistness reduces the intensity of fire, the increased kapha reduces the intensity of agni. Kapha increasing foods and lifestyle cause this variation. Feeling Heaviness of body, swelling of eyelids (lower), belching which emit the smell of food consumed and water brash are few symptoms which of indigestion caused by mandagni. The indigestion caused by mandagni is called as amajeerna.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">The decreased agni improperly digests the food and this indigested food is sticky in nature and improperly nourishes tissues, causing weakness of body. This sticky improperly digested food is called ama. Ama due to its sticky nature blocks the channels of body, vitiate doshas , contaminates tissues, imbalance body functions and cause diseases.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Causes of imbalance of agni which lead to indigestion</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 1.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> Spicy foods, chilly, oily foods, medicines, milk and milk products, tobacco and alcohol.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 2.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> .Irregular food habits and sleeping patterns.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 3.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> Medications like pain killers, antibiotics, oral contraceptives and steroids.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 4.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> Intestinal parasites.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 5.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> Diseases of pancreas, liver, gall bladder, intestinal infections etc.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 6.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> During pregnancy, premenstrual period, menopausal period in women.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 7.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> .Emotional upset like anxiety, stress, examination, family tensions, etc.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Home Remedies for Indigestion</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 1.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> Fasting completely for one day helps to normalize imbalanced agni and digest ama.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 2.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> Consuming liquid foods, boiled vegetables or fruit juices for 2- 3 days also improves agni and relieves indigestion.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 3.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> Avoid the factors (mentioned above) which cause indigestion.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 4.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> Mix a ½ tea spoon of lemon juice, ½ tea spoon ginger juice and little salt in a cup of water and consume thrice daily.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 5.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> Drinking ½ glass of warm water once in 2 hours increases agni and digests ama.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 6.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> Cook ½ cup of rice with 4 cups of water with crushed ginger (1”) and salt. Powder long pepper (2 or 3)and fry it in a spoon of cow’s ghee and add it to gruel. Consume this when it hot. This is very light to digest and relieves colic pain.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 7.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> Abdominal Massage also helps to relieve indigestion. It loosens the tight muscles and increases the blood supply to digestive system. American Journal of aphysical medicine and rehabilitation mentions that “Abdominal massage has positive effects on some clinical aspects of neurogenic bowel dysfunction in patients with spinal cord injury. “</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Consuming well balanced food balances doshas and agni and hence keeps the body healthy and free from diseases.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">This article is copy righted. The author Dr.SavithaSuri is an Ayurvedic Physician and web master of http://www.ayurhelp.com </span><br /></div>ayurvedamourlifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12528326267044175943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275982245137064652.post-37263817138624443112010-08-15T10:59:00.002-07:002010-08-15T11:00:14.550-07:00Comparative Study Of Principles Of Naturopathy And Natural Ayurveda<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Natural Ayurveda can be compared to Naturopathy. There are some similarities and dissimilarities between the two holistic approaches of medicine. We will discuss only the principles and approaches of the two systems of natural medicine.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">What Is Considered 'Natural' In Naturopathy?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Naturopathy utilizes the ingredients of nature - earth or mud, water, sunlight or other forms of heat, fasting, fruits and vegetables. These substances are used because they are found in nature. Naturopathy considers these as 'natural' for our body, for healing. </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Ayurveda Considers The Balance As The Natural:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Holistic ayurvedic medicine considers the balance of three humors (Vata, Pitta, Kapha), seven tissues and sub tissues, the metabolic and excretory substances as natural for our body. The peace, happiness, knowledge, wisdom, love, service and other good qualities with innate universal appeal are considered natural for our mind. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Here is the main difference in paradigm between the two approaches. Naturopathy emphasizes the natural elements while Ayurveda puts emphasis on balance of various elements of our body and mind. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">What could be natural in Naturopathy could be unnatural in Ayurveda. For example, the person with specific constitution or ayurveda body type could very strongly react to some natural element as mud or water or some food or fruit and here Ayurveda considers the phenomenon as natural. </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">The Individuality And Personalization Of Regime In Natural Ayurveda And Naturopathy:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">So Ayurveda further respects the individuality of the person while advising lifestyle, diet, exercise, herbs or other treatment modalities. This personal approach is a great feature of Indian Ayurveda.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Healing In Natural Ayurveda And Naturopathy:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Both systems appreciate the natural tendency of our body to heal. Outer remedies and procedures help to support our inner core to recover and to jump back to healthy condition. Naturopathy emphasizes the vital force and its ability to heal the body and mind. Ayurveda further assists the inner vital force by actively restoring the imbalances in our tissues and humors and by actively detoxifying the body.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Mind And Psychological Health In Naturopathy And Ayurveda:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">The concept of mind and consciousness and its integration with body is one of the foundational features of ayurvedic medicine. And this is a very rare combination of body-mind-soul medicine. Even in the western world, most people are engaged in body mind medicine. Ayurveda as well as Yoga place the consciousness as the most central aspect of our being that supports and sustains all the other aspects of our life – body, senses, mind, society, work and family.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">As we have Ayurveda body types based on three humors or doshas, there are different mind types in Ayurveda based on three primary psychological attributes – Satva, Rajas and Tamas. Ayurvedic medicine is not limited to the classification but definite measures for the health of mind are devised in the form of herbal remedies, emphasis on character and habits, and the practice of yoga and meditation.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Though most of the alternative or holistic medicine considers our body to be a whole, yet they are rather limited in scope while dealing with the reality of body mind soul medicine. That is why I personally do consider them as a tool of holistic medicine or an approach of holistic medicine. And in this way, we are able to show proper regard for all systems and are able to overcome their limitations.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Concept of Detox in Natural Ayurveda And Naturopathy:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Our body is constantly detoxified everyday through sweating, breathing, passing urine and stool, and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea. This detoxification is going on at the cellular level, tissues’ level, organs’ level and at the level of whole body. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Naturopathy assists this process of natural detoxification via its different modalities of treatment.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Ayurveda accepts this and has incorporated all such measures as fasting, diet or organic food, sweating, cold and hot treatments, mud therapy, sun bath and massage for correcting the imbalance of humors and restoration of health.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">The Ayurvedic Panchakarma therapy goes one step ahead and deals with the stubborn and impacted humors in the deeper levels of various tissues. And I call it ‘Facilitated or Induced Detoxification of Ayurvedic Medicine’.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">In the preparatory steps of Panchakarma therapy, the humors are aggravated slightly, softened and liquefied so that they are ready to be expelled out. In the main five steps of ayurvedic Panchakarma therapy, these ready-to-be-expelled-out humors are expelled out by natural orifices by induced vomiting, diarrhea, basti (ayurvedic medicinal enema), nasal route and blood letting.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Not all these measures of Ayurvedic Panchakarma are used in every patient; the decision is made after thorough evaluation of the disease as well as the person.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Preventive And Health Enhancing Measures In Naturopathy And Natural Ayurveda:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Natural Ayurveda as well as Naturopathy can be used even when the person is healthy or to prevent any particular disorder to which a person is susceptible. In ayurvedic medicine, some rejuvenative remedies are described that are used to promote overall health or the health of a particular organ or to correct a particular condition. These measures can be used after partial or thorough detoxification as per the demand of the condition and the availability of time. Many such rejuvenative remedies are known by the name ‘Rasayana’ (Rasayana means the ability to rejuvenate all the tissues of our body, to infuse youthful energy and stamina, to prevent disorders and aging).</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">And now some concluding remarks.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">I am an Ayurveda doctor that is why it might appear (and it is quite possible) that I might appear to be (a bit!) biased or prejudiced. These concepts have been in my mind for several years, when I participated in one seminar of ayurveda doctors and naturopaths. I call Naturopathy as ‘Basic Detox’ and Panchakarma as ‘Advanced or Induced or Facilitated Detox’.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">In the next article, I will try to explain these observations with some case studies of patients and the application and interpretation of principles of both the systems – Natural Ayurveda and Naturopathy. I invite with great regards any Naturopathic practitioner to share his view regarding Naturopathy and/or comparative study with Ayurvedic Medicine. </span><br /></div>ayurvedamourlifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12528326267044175943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275982245137064652.post-63385139887369866122010-08-15T10:59:00.001-07:002010-08-15T10:59:46.239-07:00Basic Elements Of Ayurveda, Ayurvedic Medicine And Yoga Practice And Their Similarity In Theory And Practice<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Ayurveda and Yoga are the two disciplines that are based on the ancient tradition of Vedic wisdom. Vedas are the ancient scriptures of Hinduism. The word 'Veda' literally means 'the science or the wisdom, the light, and to know' and the word 'Hinduism' is defined by Supreme Court Of India as 'the lifestyle, a method of living' and not as a religion.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Holistic ayurvedic medicine is the Sub-Veda of Atharvaveda, one of the four textbooks of Vedas. Ayurvedic wisdom is also reputed as 'the fifth Veda' by some scholars emphasizing its role in health and disease.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Yoga is one of the six basic tools of Vedic literatures that are meant for the unleashing human potential and guiding human development in all possible avenues in a holistic and comprehensive manner.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Ayurveda And Yoga - What Is Yoga?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">The word 'Yoga' means 'the union'. This union is completed in two phases - first, by being aware of one's soul or one's own pure consciousness and secondly, by uniting one's pure consciousness or soul with Supreme Soul or God or Cosmic or Universal Consciousness.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Yoga is not limited by some specific practices like some Asanas or postures, Pranayamas or breathing techniques or meditation techniques. These techniques merely serves as tools of yoga. These are means to an end.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">This union is a universal goal of all of us, rather the fundamental purpose of every human being. It is the pinnacle of human consciousness, the climax of human evolution.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Along the stream of time, many tools and techniques of yoga practice have been developed that are suitable for various needs and temperaments. If we analyze them, we can easily classify them among the chief forms of yoga practice.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Ayurveda And Yoga - Basic Forms Of Yoga:</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Ashtanga Yoga Or Eight Limbed Yoga:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Ashtanga yoga or eight limbed yoga is the most ancient form of yogic practice. Great sage Patanjali compiled the theory and practice of this yoga in his famous work 'Patanjali Yoga Sutras or Yoga Aphroisms of Patanjali'.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">The eight steps are - Five universal principles of human conduct, five universal practices and attributes for unleashing human potential, yogic postures, yogic breathing techniques, interiorization, concentration of mind and energy, meditation and attaining cosmic consciousness.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Others forms of yogic practices are extensions of some principle or approaches of Ashtanga Yoga.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Knowledge or Wisdom or Jnana Yoga:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">This form of yogic practice is for those persons who are already evolved practitioners and who have disciplined their body and mind in the science of yoga. Their powers of concentration and meditation are already developed enough to grasp the subtler subjects of yogic discipline.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Karma Yoga or Yoga of Action:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">The yoga of action is for those persons who need to balance their active life in society, organization and family with their spiritual life. After devoting a few hours to deep and focused yoga practice, the rest of the time is devoted to one's duties in a conducive environment. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">The follower of yoga of action endeavors to maintain his focus and spiritual balance during working hours, family life and social activities. This form of yoga is great for all of us to remain focused and to be productive in a balanced and holistic manner. Most of the highly valued management and leadership theories and practices are finding new insights and implementations in the principles and practices of yoga of action.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Bhakti Yoga or Yoga of Devotion:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">The yoga of devotion is more suitable for persons with devotional temperaments, who have developed great passion and ardent desire for yoga practice. On another side, yoga of devotion is also used an approach to induce the externally diverted mind to focus and realign it to deeper practices. Women have great passion and feeling and emotions so they are more devotional in their temperament and are naturally fit for yoga of devotion.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Hatha Yoga:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Hatha yoga is based on yoga postues, breathing techniques and yoga mudra or yogic gestures. One of the famous Hatha Yoga textbook, Hatha Yoga Pradipika illustrates its original purpose clearly in the very first verse as, "The basic purpose of Hatha Yoga is to prepare and purify human body and mind so that they become fit for higher forms of yogic practice."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">The practice of Hatha Yoga evolved in those times when people got sick due to unhealthy lifestyles, fall in conduct, unnatural diet. These practices help in getting rid of diseases and disorders, enhances health and well being and purifies the subtle channels of vital force so that one can easily practice higher forms of yogic practices.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Nada Yoga, Bindu Yoga, Dhyana Yoga, Samadhi Yoga etc.:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Many times the word yoga is attached to several prominent practices of different kinds of yoga. So they are not actually some individual forms of yoga. This practice has been used to emphasize their practice and their relevance.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Synthesis Of Yoga And The Balance And Synergy Of Our Life: </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Each kind of yoga practice emphasizes one or more aspect of our life. That is why Shri Aurobindo has aptly said that All Life Is Yoga. We can adopt the various principles and practices in our life and get benefit from them. No man or woman is purely rational or emotional, we are a mix of all - wisdom, action and devotion and our holistic nature is integral and have innate seeds of all the dimensions.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Ayurveda And Yoga - The Basic Forms Of Ayurveda Practice:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Like yoga, ayurveda has its own history and its development spans over a period of at least thousands of years. The principles of ayurveda as well as its practice have evolved with time. The basic principles have never been negated or neglected. They are made more clearer with newer ramifications and practical applications.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">There had been three basic dimensions of ayurvedic management of health and disorders.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Ayurveda And Yoga - Daivyapasharaya Approach of Ayurvedic Medicine:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">In this approach, the emphasis is given on natural and external elements like air, water, sun, fire and various ceremonial rituals are also described. Many of them range between rational tools to superstitions. The word 'Deva' is used for gods and elements of nature.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Most of them are not used now. Some of them should be use taken care of in present time like a thankful prayer to Sun to provide life and energy. This is a morning ritual practiced by some of Hindus. They offer prayer and water to Sun in the morning after meditation or prayer. It is a nice act of saying 'Thanks' to Sun who is the sole provider of life on earth as far as science recognizes! Every religion stress on expressing gratitude for nature.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Ayurveda And Yoga - Yuktivyapasharaya Approach of Ayurvedic Medicine:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">This is the rational or scientific approach of ayurvedic medicine that is based on logic, common sense, evidences, observation, experimentation and follows the law of cause and effect with same devotion as modern science.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Here starts the practical use of various tools of ayurvedic medicine and the endless journey of medical developments and achievements that is going on still with ever increasing pace. Several approaches and substances have been used under this approach of ayurveda.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 1. Herbs</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 2. Herbal Remedies And Formulations</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 3. The different pharmaceutical methods to prepare remedies.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 4. Vegetables, fruits, cereals and beans, milk and its derivatives, meat and its derivatives and the culinary and dietetics part of ayurveda.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 5. Natural minerals had been used after their purification and after making them medicinally potent, safe and biologically acceptable.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 6. The modification of lifestyle measures.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 7. The moral code of conduct and the underlying universally applicable principles of human conduct.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 8. Specialization in medical fields like eight ancient specialties of ayurvedic medicine.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 9. Development of ayurvedic panchakarma therapy procedures and their use for purification.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 10. Prescribing individually customized daily and seasonal regime based one's condition and doshas.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 11. Suggestion of higher tools of yoga and meditation.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Satvavajaya Approach of Ayurvedic Medicine:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">This is the highly developed approach of ayurveda that is based on yoga and its practice. It is truly the beginning of body-mind-soul medicine. Here starts the acceptance and dominance of consciousness over all the elements of nature and human body.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Ayurveda has used and recognized this higher and advanced practice of yoga as 'the ultimate medicine'. True understanding of these fields is still in nascent phase, for advancement in this approach is not based on scientific equipments and laboratory. All the equipments and lab is available already within human body! But we as a composite of humanity are happily progressing toward larger acceptance of this approach. It will take its own time because it will be revealed gradually as we evolve.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">This article can be long enough to cover several pages but the most wonderful facet of all this development and advancement in ayurveda and yoga is its integrity with basic principles. This integrity with basic principles is a hallmark of ayurveda as well as yoga. So we can appreciate now the congruity of principles and practices of ayurveda and yoga.</span><br /></div>ayurvedamourlifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12528326267044175943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275982245137064652.post-66596076126877162262010-08-15T10:57:00.000-07:002010-08-15T10:58:19.340-07:00Comparative Study Of Principles Of Naturopathy And Natural Ayurveda<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Natural Ayurveda can be compared to Naturopathy. There are some similarities and dissimilarities between the two holistic approaches of medicine. We will discuss only the principles and approaches of the two systems of natural medicine.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">What Is Considered 'Natural' In Naturopathy?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Naturopathy utilizes the ingredients of nature - earth or mud, water, sunlight or other forms of heat, fasting, fruits and vegetables. These substances are used because they are found in nature. Naturopathy considers these as 'natural' for our body, for healing. </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Ayurveda Considers The Balance As The Natural:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Holistic ayurvedic medicine considers the balance of three humors (Vata, Pitta, Kapha), seven tissues and sub tissues, the metabolic and excretory substances as natural for our body. The peace, happiness, knowledge, wisdom, love, service and other good qualities with innate universal appeal are considered natural for our mind. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Here is the main difference in paradigm between the two approaches. Naturopathy emphasizes the natural elements while Ayurveda puts emphasis on balance of various elements of our body and mind. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">What could be natural in Naturopathy could be unnatural in Ayurveda. For example, the person with specific constitution or ayurveda body type could very strongly react to some natural element as mud or water or some food or fruit and here Ayurveda considers the phenomenon as natural. </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">The Individuality And Personalization Of Regime In Natural Ayurveda And Naturopathy:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">So Ayurveda further respects the individuality of the person while advising lifestyle, diet, exercise, herbs or other treatment modalities. This personal approach is a great feature of Indian Ayurveda.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Healing In Natural Ayurveda And Naturopathy:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Both systems appreciate the natural tendency of our body to heal. Outer remedies and procedures help to support our inner core to recover and to jump back to healthy condition. Naturopathy emphasizes the vital force and its ability to heal the body and mind. Ayurveda further assists the inner vital force by actively restoring the imbalances in our tissues and humors and by actively detoxifying the body.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Mind And Psychological Health In Naturopathy And Ayurveda:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">The concept of mind and consciousness and its integration with body is one of the foundational features of ayurvedic medicine. And this is a very rare combination of body-mind-soul medicine. Even in the western world, most people are engaged in body mind medicine. Ayurveda as well as Yoga place the consciousness as the most central aspect of our being that supports and sustains all the other aspects of our life – body, senses, mind, society, work and family.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">As we have Ayurveda body types based on three humors or doshas, there are different mind types in Ayurveda based on three primary psychological attributes – Satva, Rajas and Tamas. Ayurvedic medicine is not limited to the classification but definite measures for the health of mind are devised in the form of herbal remedies, emphasis on character and habits, and the practice of yoga and meditation.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Though most of the alternative or holistic medicine considers our body to be a whole, yet they are rather limited in scope while dealing with the reality of body mind soul medicine. That is why I personally do consider them as a tool of holistic medicine or an approach of holistic medicine. And in this way, we are able to show proper regard for all systems and are able to overcome their limitations.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Concept of Detox in Natural Ayurveda And Naturopathy:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Our body is constantly detoxified everyday through sweating, breathing, passing urine and stool, and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea. This detoxification is going on at the cellular level, tissues’ level, organs’ level and at the level of whole body. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Naturopathy assists this process of natural detoxification via its different modalities of treatment.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Ayurveda accepts this and has incorporated all such measures as fasting, diet or organic food, sweating, cold and hot treatments, mud therapy, sun bath and massage for correcting the imbalance of humors and restoration of health.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">The Ayurvedic Panchakarma therapy goes one step ahead and deals with the stubborn and impacted humors in the deeper levels of various tissues. And I call it ‘Facilitated or Induced Detoxification of Ayurvedic Medicine’.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">In the preparatory steps of Panchakarma therapy, the humors are aggravated slightly, softened and liquefied so that they are ready to be expelled out. In the main five steps of ayurvedic Panchakarma therapy, these ready-to-be-expelled-out humors are expelled out by natural orifices by induced vomiting, diarrhea, basti (ayurvedic medicinal enema), nasal route and blood letting.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Not all these measures of Ayurvedic Panchakarma are used in every patient; the decision is made after thorough evaluation of the disease as well as the person.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Preventive And Health Enhancing Measures In Naturopathy And Natural Ayurveda:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Natural Ayurveda as well as Naturopathy can be used even when the person is healthy or to prevent any particular disorder to which a person is susceptible. In ayurvedic medicine, some rejuvenative remedies are described that are used to promote overall health or the health of a particular organ or to correct a particular condition. These measures can be used after partial or thorough detoxification as per the demand of the condition and the availability of time. Many such rejuvenative remedies are known by the name ‘Rasayana’ (Rasayana means the ability to rejuvenate all the tissues of our body, to infuse youthful energy and stamina, to prevent disorders and aging).</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">And now some concluding remarks.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">I am an Ayurveda doctor that is why it might appear (and it is quite possible) that I might appear to be (a bit!) biased or prejudiced. These concepts have been in my mind for several years, when I participated in one seminar of ayurveda doctors and naturopaths. I call Naturopathy as ‘Basic Detox’ and Panchakarma as ‘Advanced or Induced or Facilitated Detox’.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">In the next article, I will try to explain these observations with some case studies of patients and the application and interpretation of principles of both the systems – Natural Ayurveda and Naturopathy. I invite with great regards any Naturopathic practitioner to share his view regarding Naturopathy and/or comparative study with Ayurvedic Medicine. </span><br /></div>ayurvedamourlifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12528326267044175943noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275982245137064652.post-80595897438867293002010-08-15T10:52:00.000-07:002010-08-15T10:53:13.711-07:00Ayurvedic health care in humid weather<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> Monsoon! Monsoon!</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Please come quick</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">To water the plants</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">That looks like sticks</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">We need the rain</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">We need the rain</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">To trickle down</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Our dried up drains ………….</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">This poem caught my eyes while browsing internet. Monsoon brings joy as plants wear a green look, rivers swell to brim and dry lands become wet. The grim side of this season is increased humidity, which troubles humans.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">What is humidity?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Humidity is the amount of water vapor in air. It is usually described as “relative humidity” and expressed in percentage. 100% humidity means the water vapor in the air is at its maximum at that particular temperature.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">When humidity is low (amount of water vapour is less in air), the evaporation from the surrounding areas is rapid. Hence the clothes dry quickly, soil dries up, sweat evaporates from skin etc.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">When humidity is high (amount of water vapour is more in air), clothes dry slowly, sweat do not evaporate from skin and we feel sticky and uncomfortable.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">We feel comfortable when humidity is 45-50% and temperature 20 to 22 degree Celsius. Any broad variation in these may cause health problems.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Effects of increased humidity on human body :</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Human body maintains its temperature by transferring body heat to surrounding air through evaporation of perspiration (sweat). When humidity is high in air the evaporation of sweat decreases and maintenance of body temperature is altered. Along with high humidity if atmosphere temperature is high, the blood circulation increases on surface of skin and decreases in muscles and other organs. Hence we experience fatigue in climate which is high in temperature and humidity.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Molds, mildews, bacteria, virus, dust mites proliferate when humidity increases in surrounding air. They grow on air conditioners, shower heads, damp walls, toilets , wet carpets and on other moist substances. Their spores which are called bioaerosoles, are constantly released into air. Bioaerosoles cause infection and allergies. They trigger asthma attacks and other respiratory diseases.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Researchers have found that osteo -arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis flare up in high humid weather.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">According to Ayurvedic texts the humidity increases during rainy season. The agni (body fire or digestive power) which is reduced during summer, decreases still further and gets vitiated by doshas. Doshas get vitiated due to changes in weather, like increased humidity, coldness, dampness etc.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">How to reduce humidity at home</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 1.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> Repair the source which is causing dampness or wetness at home .Leaking roofs, taps and tanks have to be repaired to prevent leaking.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 2.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> Keep the rain drain free from clogs and let the water from rain drain flow away from your basement.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 3.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> Switch on exhaust fans or vent fans after bathing and cooking.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 4.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> Do not dry clothes inside. This increases humidity inside home.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 5.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> Use a digital hygrometer to monitor humidity.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 6.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> Use a dehumidifier to bring down the humidity to 50% or less.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Ayurvedic tips to keep healthy in humid conditions:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 1.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> One has to undergo detoxification therapies like Vamana and Virechana.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 2.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> Asthapana basthi (An enema of herbal decoction) has to be administered to keep away humidity related health problems.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 3.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> The digestive system gets weakened due to dehydration in summer. This leads to low digestive power. This is further weakened by vitiation of doshas and dhatus due to increased humidity. Hence following diets which increase power of digestion and strengthen the digestive system would be beneficial.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> a. Light foods prepared out of old barley, rice and wheat.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> b. Sour and salted soups of vegetables.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> c. Drinking boiled and cooled water mixed with little honey.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> d. Consuming little quantity of wine prepared out of grapes.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> e. Adding ginger and green gram in daily diet.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> f. Eating warm food.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> g. The taste of food must be preferably sour and salty.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 4.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> Do not walk in bare foot. Always wear dry foot wear to prevent growth of fungus on nails and between toes. Dry your feet and webs with soft dry cloth whenever they are wet.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 5.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> The clothes should be fumigated using fragrant herbs. Drying clothes with fumes of loban and dry neem leaves is recommended in ayurvedic texts.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 6.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> We should not sleep in basement as it will be damp and growth of moulds and fungus will be more.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 7.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> Fumigating the house with smoke of dried neem leaves in evenings for 1-2 minutes is an excellent ayurvedic method to check the growth of microbes,</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 8.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> Always keep the surroundings dry and clean. Do not allow water to get accumulated around.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Ayurvedic Home remedies for Humidity related diseases</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 1.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> Apply castor oil or sesame oil on cracked feet and skin.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 2.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> A freshly prepared paste of turmeric, neem and sesame seeds is recommended in ayurveda for fungal infection between toes.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 3.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> Drink a glass of warm water mixed with a tea spoon of honey in empty stomach. This flushes out accumulated toxins.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 4.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> Freshly prepared radish juice is the best remedy for cold.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 5.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> A pinch each of long pepper powder and rock salt mixed in warm water reduces cough</span><br /></div>ayurvedamourlifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12528326267044175943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275982245137064652.post-70673326941504606312010-08-15T10:50:00.000-07:002010-08-15T10:52:02.476-07:00Ayurveda approach to Indigestion and concept of Agni<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">The word “Indigestion” is commonly used to describe the discomfort in one’s belly mostly caused after food consumption. Fullness, bloating, nausea, heart burn are other symptoms of Indigestion.</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;" dragover="true">Before discussing Indigestion, understanding the process of digestion is very essential. The Ayurveda approach of explaining digestion is very simple and effective. The food we eat is digested by Agni or body fire which is present in our body. It is very much similar to the way we cook the food. The Agni or body fire helps to digest the food which is consumed, much like the fire of a stove cooks the food kept on it. The Agni is mainly situated in Jatara or in upper part of digestive system and is called as Jataragni. The Agni is further categorized as Bhootagni (which digests the 5 pancha mahabhoota factors present in food), Dhatwagni (The agni present in tissues which help them to absorb required nutrients), Malagni ( the agni which helps in formation of body wastes like stools, sweat and urine) . The Jataragni controls bhootagni, dhatwagni and malagni. Through this it is evident that ayurveda approach of digestion explains cellular metabolism too.</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;" dragover="true">The factors which help agni to digest the food completely. : Thridoshas -Vata , Pitta and Kapha help agni to digest the food. This can be understood through the following figure.</span><br /><a style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqpN8sskKPTf8XGa3Ee8b1tEmS6E57fmfn7mgEl1bB_8WCTJ1rAhc7jFXOeetfspT15D9uuijrewkHLCGfrWBcrQoIrUTfoEGad0NzEI5e02k8bBevezTSw5qoOgwJyWSBmNYyxUUg0ks/s1600/agni.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 311px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqpN8sskKPTf8XGa3Ee8b1tEmS6E57fmfn7mgEl1bB_8WCTJ1rAhc7jFXOeetfspT15D9uuijrewkHLCGfrWBcrQoIrUTfoEGad0NzEI5e02k8bBevezTSw5qoOgwJyWSBmNYyxUUg0ks/s320/agni.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505695721606709074" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">If the process of digestion is compared to that of cooking rice, the stomach, like the vessel., receives food. Vata provides the necessary conditions like the air blower, Pitta acts like the stove, providing optimum working conditions while Kapha provides the moisture needed much like the water in the vessel.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">When all these factors are normal and well balanced, an optimum condition is created to digest the food completely.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">When food is completely digested by all the agnis, the body tissues will be well nourished and one is blessed with attractive complexion, glow, longevity, strength, good health, growth, enthusiasm, vitality and overall healthy development of body and mind.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">The indigestion occurs when agni is imbalanced by the factors ( tridoshas ) which help agni to digest food. The variations of agni due to tridoshas are of 4 types.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Samagni ( balanced agni ) :The agni which is well balanced due to balanced tridoshas indicate the condition called Samagni . Samagni digests the food completely and nourishes the body tissues very well.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Vishamaagni ( varying agni ):- When vata is predominant this condition surfaces. The regular food gets digested normally on some occasions and poorly on others. Vata increasing foods and lifestyles lead to this condition. This variation of agni causes constipation, flatulence, pain in abdomen and other vata predominant diseases. The indigestion caused by this type of agni is called Vistabdhajeerna</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Teekshnagni ( increased agni ) : This variation of agni occurs due to predominance of pitta. Pitta increasing foods and lifestyle cause this variation. This variation of agni causes increased hunger, thirst, acidity, heart burn and loose motions. The indigestion thus caused is called as Vidagdajeerna.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Mandagni ( decreased agni ): As increased moistness reduces the intensity of fire, the increased kapha reduces the intensity of agni. Kapha increasing foods and lifestyle cause this variation. Feeling Heaviness of body, swelling of eyelids (lower), belching which emit the smell of food consumed and water brash are few symptoms which of indigestion caused by mandagni. The indigestion caused by mandagni is called as amajeerna.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">The decreased agni improperly digests the food and this indigested food is sticky in nature and improperly nourishes tissues, causing weakness of body. This sticky improperly digested food is called ama. Ama due to its sticky nature blocks the channels of body, vitiate doshas , contaminates tissues, imbalance body functions and cause diseases.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Causes of imbalance of agni which lead to indigestion</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 1.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> Spicy foods, chilly, oily foods, medicines, milk and milk products, tobacco and alcohol.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 2.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> .Irregular food habits and sleeping patterns.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 3.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> Medications like pain killers, antibiotics, oral contraceptives and steroids.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 4.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> Intestinal parasites.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 5.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> Diseases of pancreas, liver, gall bladder, intestinal infections etc.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 6.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> During pregnancy, premenstrual period, menopausal period in women.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 7.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> .Emotional upset like anxiety, stress, examination, family tensions, etc.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Home Remedies for Indigestion</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 1.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> Fasting completely for one day helps to normalize imbalanced agni and digest ama.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 2.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> Consuming liquid foods, boiled vegetables or fruit juices for 2- 3 days also improves agni and relieves indigestion.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 3.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> Avoid the factors (mentioned above) which cause indigestion.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 4.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> Mix a ½ tea spoon of lemon juice, ½ tea spoon ginger juice and little salt in a cup of water and consume thrice daily.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 5.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> Drinking ½ glass of warm water once in 2 hours increases agni and digests ama.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 6.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> Cook ½ cup of rice with 4 cups of water with crushed ginger (1”) and salt. Powder long pepper (2 or 3)and fry it in a spoon of cow’s ghee and add it to gruel. Consume this when it hot. This is very light to digest and relieves colic pain.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> 7.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;"> Abdominal Massage also helps to relieve indigestion. It loosens the tight muscles and increases the blood supply to digestive system. American Journal of aphysical medicine and rehabilitation mentions that “Abdominal massage has positive effects on some clinical aspects of neurogenic bowel dysfunction in patients with spinal cord injury. “</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Consuming well balanced food balances doshas and agni and hence keeps the body healthy and free from diseases.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;" dragover="true"> </span>ayurvedamourlifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12528326267044175943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275982245137064652.post-79181194748655941472010-08-15T10:34:00.000-07:002010-08-15T10:49:56.383-07:00Alternative Health Tips<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Naturopathy is Swasha Vritha or the prophylactic or preventive aspect. Ayurveda is the Athura Vritha or Therapy. Both are related sciences.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Daily Routines or Dinacharya, according to Ayurveda</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">The ideal time to get up is 04.30 AM. This is known as Brahma Muhurtha or the Time of Brahman, the Absolute.After getting up, one should know the condition of the body. Then one should brush one's teeth and go to toilet for bowel movement. One should brush teeth twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Then one should go in for an Oil Bath. Oil, preferably coconut oil should be used. This oil should be pasted all over the body and one should wait for at least 30 minutes and then take a bath. Cold bath is ideal but for those suffering from diseases hot water bath is good.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Oil bath gives you good sleep. Weakness of the body will disappear. Your body will grow in strength. Your eyes will sparkle. " Abhyangam Achareth Nithyam " says Ayurveda ( Daily you should go in for Oil Bath ). But those suffering from indigestion and excess Kapha should not go in for Oil Bath.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Pathya - Diet Control</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">When Ayurvedic medicines are taken, one should observe Pathya or Diet Control.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">The Six Tastes of Ayurveda are - Sweet, bitter, astringent, sour, pungent and salty. Those suffering from Hyperacidity or Ulcer should not take in foods that are Sour or Pungent. This is known as Pathya.For every disease, there are foods that should not be taken in. For people suffering from heart trouble, cholesterol containing eggs, meat, beef etc should not be taken in. This is Pathya.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Now there is a saying in Ayurveda that for one observing Pathya, there is no need for medicine, as negative food is phased out and Spontaneous Cure takes place. Also for one not observing Pathya, as intake of medicines become useless, as negative food devastates his disease.Pathya means the Way to Health. Apathya means taking in the negative food which foster the disease.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Banana - Nature's Tonic</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">The Banana is full of vitamins and minerals. It contains iron, phosphorus and vitamins like Niacin and Riboflavin. A big banana can confer more than 200 calories.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">The fructose contained in banana turns to energy after intake. Along with protein and starch, it contains minerals like sulphur, iron, magnesium, copper & calcium. There is less fat content in bananas.Bananas will reduce the acidity in blood. It contains Vitamins C, A, B, D & E.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Along with bananas, warm milk should be taken. This is the ideal food for growing children. But then the obese should not take milk along with bananas. As Bananas have Rasayana properties, use of it will keep you young. You can live for months only on bananas. Bananas can be used as medicine for patients with liver complaints and for digestive tract disorders. Also it can be taken by those suffering from Malnutrition and Scurvy. Also for patients suffering from eye and dental diseases. ( as it contains Vitamin A & Cacium ).</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Continence or Brahmacharya</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">By Continence or Brahmacharya, we mean the control of libidinal life. Both Ojas ( Light ) and Veerya ( Virility ) are based on the Seventh Tissue Element, Semen. Avoid the misuse of this great Dhathu, says Ayurveda. Too much indulgence in sex makes you lose this Seventh Tissue Element and this will result in weakness of body. Body ache, headache etc will be the result. Loss of semen adversely affects reversely the other Six Tisssue Elements.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">If you observe Brahmacharya ( practise Continence ), improved memory, grasping power, physical strength, discriminative intellect, mental happiness, increase of Ojas or effulgence on the face etc will be the result. In order to have good health, you have to control sex. But then as pure Brahmacharya is impossible for married men, controlled Brahmacharya or celibacy is advocated.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Insomnia</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Lack of sleep is due to many factors - Anxiety, mental tension, over exercise, emotional suffering etc. When Anger and enmity are suppressed, sleeplessness is the result. Constipation, digestive tract disorders, coffee, tea etc will destroy sleep. Thoughts about sleeplessness will only compound the problem. Use of sleeling pills is not ideal. You may have to depend on such pills. And increasing the quantity is asking for trouble. If Alcohol is taken along with pills, there will repercussions.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Avoid beverages like Cola, tea and coffee. And take in less fatty foods. Avoid fried foods. Take only small quantity of food at night. If you have warm milk before going to sleep, if you keep the mind tranquil, you will doze off to slumberland. You should take food 3 hours before going to bed. It will be better if you can hear peaceful music. Reading is also a good habit which will take you to slumberland. You should walk at least half an hour before going to sleep. It will help to digest the food taken. Meditation will give you good sleep.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Constipation</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">The modern fast food culture is responsible for Constipation. Anxiety, fear, mental tension - all these create Constipation. Naturopaths averr that Constipation is the root cause of all diseases.Some antacids also create Constipation. In certain conditions, water will be absorbed in the Colon and faecal matter may solidify. Such hard stools are difficult to dislodge.Lack of proper timing of food, anxiety, mental problems etc all cause Constipation. Constipation will create back pain, weight in the stomach, headache, loss of appetite etc.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Intake of fruits and vegetables organically grown, 12 glasses of water daily, ensure mental peace, correct bowel movements - all these will cure Constipation</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Gas Trouble or Hyperacidity</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">This is a very common disease. In India, there are very few homes without antacid tablets ! On one side, we take a lot of antacids and on the other take in acidic foods ! Amongst the Six Tastes, that which is Sour, Pungent and Salty foster Hyperacidity.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Fried foods, foods containing Masala, very cold drinks,potato, plantains - all these foster Gas Trouble. Lack of exercise is one of the causative factors. Also working seated for long hours. Mental tensions also foster this disease. It is not what you eat, but it is what eats you that is the cause of this common disease.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Mental pain, thoughts of revenge, fear - all these pave the way for this malady. There is an Emotional Center in the brain. When we have mental upsets, this Emotional Center stimulates the oxintic cells in our stomach to secrete Hyrochloric Acid.Lots of gas going from the rectal tract, indigestion - all these are the symptoms of gas trouble. Naturopaths averr that Constipation is the cause of this disease, nay, for all diseases !</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Hurry, Worry and Curry are the main causative factors for this disease. Eating food fast, overeating, foods with masala, sour, pungent, salty foods, pickles, chillies, potato, soda, cola, chilled beer, nictoine, alcohol, very hot foods, chewing gum - all these cause Hyperacidity.Prevention is better than Cure. Avoid the Apathya foods and be healthy !</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">More information about Ayurveda can be had at</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">http://www.eastrovedica.com/html/ayurveda3.htm</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Contradictory Foods</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Contradictory Foods are known in Ayurveda as " Samyoga Viruddha". When contradictory foods are taken in, it will increase the Doshic imbalance and becomes the cause of many diseases.Shrimp and Milk, Fish and butter, Sour fruits & Milk - are some examples of Contradictory Foods. They are to be avoided at all costs.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Chicken & butter should not be taken in simultaneously. Honey and ghee in equal quantities also is prohibited in Ayurveda</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Colon Hydrotherapy</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Naturopathy says that diseases are caused by the accumulation of morbid matter. Natural Hygiene says the cause is Toxemia, or the infusion of toxins into the blood.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">One of the methods of cleaning the Colon is Enema or Colon Hydrotherapy.I have been practising Enema for the last 18 years. In 1989, while I was participating in an Exhibition Stall in Trichur ( a 41 day affair ), the nearest stall was a Naturopathy stall and the Chief Naturopath told me that the best way to get rid of Gas trouble was to take 15 light enemas.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">I bought an enema can and have been doing this when I have any rectal block. This therapy is effective as we can see putrified faecal matter going out 10 minutes after the enema is administered.This is Jalopasana or Water Therapy or Hydro Therapy. All the ancient cultures advocated Hydro Therapy, as Water has got tremendous medicinal properties. Not only faecal matter, but gas, mucous and toxins go out of the rectal tract.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Fasting Therapy</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Fasting Therapy is one of the best therapies. The digestive system gets rest during fasting. " Lankhanam Paramoushadam " - Fasting is the best medicine. Water Fasting, Fruit Fasting, Juice fasting --- there are many types of fasting. Juice Fasting is superior to Water Fasting as the body is supported nutritionally.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">The basic principle of Naturopathy is that Nature has healing power and that the Five Doctors are the Elemental Five -Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Ether. ( Annam Brahma ). By Annam is not meant Food, but the Five Doctors, the Five Elements. " The Five Doctors are the best, as the Five Elements are prior to all ", declares the Upanishads. ( Annam hi bhoothanam jyeshtyam, thasmad Sarvoushadam Uchyathe )</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Ghee - The True Rasayana</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman; font-style: italic;">Rasayana Therapy is Rejuvenation Therapy. That which rejuvenates the body is Rasayana. Ghee is considered to be the True Rasayana. All Ayurvedic preparations are based on ghee, I mean, almost all the Rasayanas. Ghee contains Vitamins A E, K D etc. Vitamin E and Vitamin A are anti-oxidants. Diseases are caused by the excessive production of Free Radicals and these two are antidotes to Free Radicals. The famous Chyavan Prash is based on Ghee. It is said that the Rasayanas confer beauty, longevity, intelligence, youthfulness, health etc. Ghee, taken in moderate quantities, will confer these.</span><br /></div>ayurvedamourlifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12528326267044175943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275982245137064652.post-37756695494698296772010-07-01T02:43:00.001-07:002010-07-01T02:43:55.395-07:00Mouth Ulcer and Diseases of the Tongue: Cause and Cure<div style="text-align: justify;"><b>In the case of normal mouth ulcers the internal membrane gets swollen and wounded and causes severe pain. If this problem aggravates further then boils and wounds spread through the entire mouth, saliva is secreted continuously, and a lot of sputum is produced. At times the patient also has a mild fever. Normally a mouth ulcer's symptoms resemble the symptoms of bleeding ulcers or the ones caused due to bile.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b> </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Types of Mouth Ulcers:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Painful Ulcers: In this case boils appear inside the mouth and cause a burning sensation. The rotten part separates. They seem to be normal boils in the beginning stage but slowly increase in size. This causes painful cough and symptoms of fever.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Tridosha Ulcers: The symptoms of vata, pitta and kapha are seen in these cases.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Ulcers with bad odour: The ulcers produce a very bad smell.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>In yet another type: The ulcers pop up and break, the face is like pulp. One type of ulcer is considered to be due to tridosha. In this case a round and high tumor appears, which causes pain.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Besides the above, mouth ulcers appearing in the throat are considered to be different. In that case there are small protrudings of the flesh in the throat. A few are deep, full of pus with severe needle like pain. Some lead to pain in the throat and swelling and cause sore a throat. Sometimes the patient has a mild fever. Therefore the patient experiences symptoms of swelling, sprouts, ripe tongue or dryness of the tongue. The tongue problems are also mouth related problems. The symptoms are different for these six types of ulcers. If it is due to vata then the tongue cracks and becomes rough. If it is due to pitta, the tongue becomes yellow, there is a burning sensation and reddish spike like formation. If the ulcers are the result of kapha, the, tongue has thorn-like things appearing. In another type, the kapha and blood generated ulcers, kapha and blood problems lead to a bent and painful tongue and saliva is secreted along with itching and burning sensation. A hole is formed in the cheeks and a boil comes out and, spreading quickly. These decay and produce a bad smell. The patient has a fever, cough, a burning sensation in the lungs and dysentery. This disease is common among children in the age group of 3 to 6 years.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>In yet another type of mouth ulcer the symptoms are similar to the one caused due to kapha. The tongue has a white coating and mucous like thing. First whitish boils appear on the tongue, which increase in size and reach the base, tongue and throat, Then they join together. Sometimes the child patient has a mild fever, loose motions and vomiting, but saliva is not secreted. According to the specialists this is common among children when they drink polluted milk. The children who drink outside milk also suffer from this disease because the milk bottle is generally not cleaned properly; bacteria gets accumulated and reaches the child's mouth through this contamination.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Normally, mouth ulcers are caused due to constipation, if a child is prevented from getting this problem then it protects him from mouth ulcers. In case the disease is caused, ayurvedic medicines for curing the digestive system should be given. General types of problems can be cured with external remedies. Therefore it would be better to divide them into two parts depending on the type of medicine used.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Cure Mouth Ulcer's with External and Internal Medicines:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>The mouth ulcers, which cannot be cured with external medicines, should be treated with internal medicines. Both the types of treatment are useful depending on the severity of the problem.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Home remedies:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Grind the paipal tree bark and leaves, add honey and apply the lep on the painful area.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Grind the moolhati, harad, daruhaldi and chameli leaves and mix with honey. Apply this lep on the painful area.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>In case of mouth ulcer caused due to vata, rub finely ground rock salt.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Make kwath with chameli, giloy, raisins, patha, daruhaldi, harad, baheda and avala leaves. Let it cool, then add honey and drink it.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Add honey in Triphala decoction and rinse the mouth with this solution.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Put rock salt in hot water and rinse the mouth.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Boil acacia gum in triple the quantity of water, sieve it and store it in a bottle. Apply this on the ulcers.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Apply banana juice on the child's mouth early in the morning. This gives relief.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>It is also beneficial to make the patient sit under a goat and let the milk streak fall directly in the mouth. This should be done early in the morning.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Cotton soaked in glycerin is also very beneficial in this case.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Grind roasted suhaga nicely and add honey, apply this on the ulcers.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Take two parts of moolhati, pathani lodh, usva and black sesame seeds, one part roasted Suhaga, boil it one part water and make sugar syrup with sugar candy. Apply this thrice or four times daily to cure mouth ulcers.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Mix peppermint oil with glycerin and apply on the ulcers for quick relief.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Take equal quantities of praval pishti washed in rose water and Swarna makshik, wash it nicely and keep it aside. Give 25 mg to 125 mg depending on the age of the child and give it with pomegranate juice twice daily.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Make decoction with triphala, patha, raisins and chameli leaves and give it to the child in reasonable quantity.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Take equal quantities of satvan bark, poppy seeds, sespedula leaves, nagarmotha, amaltas and red sandal. Make a kwath and give it to the patient. This is beneficial in case of mouth ulcers.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Make the decoction with daruhaldi, chameli flowers, raisins, thymol seeds and triphala, add honey and give it to the patient suffering with mouth ulcers.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Make a kwath made with sespedula, dry ginger, triphala, indrayan roots, banphasha, kutaki, turmeric and Giloy. Add honey and give to the patient.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Sucking neem gum is also beneficial in this case.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Apply glycerin and let the saliva come out.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Suck the green leaves of arhar for quick relief in mouth ulcers.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Applying milk of Gular tree is also beneficial in this case.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Make a decoction with mogra leaves and rinse the mouth to cure mouth ulcers.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Make a decoction with green menhdi leaves and rinse the mouth twice or thrice for special relief in mouth ulcers.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Soak raisins in water for some time then chew and eat.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Add salt in raw bitter gourd and keep it under the Sun. Extract the juice and add it in water. Rinse the mouth with this water for quick relief in mouth ulcers.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Diseases of the Tongue according to Ayurveda:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>According to ayurveda the diseases of the tongue have been included in the mouth. There are six types of tongue diseases according to Ayurveda.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Vataj</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Pittaj</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Kaphaj</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Alas</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Adhijeebh</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Upjeebh</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Main symptoms:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>In the vataj type, the tongue cracks, which does not give any type of taste. The tongue becomes rough like the vegetable leaf.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>In the second type the tongue becomes yellow in color with burning sensation. Reddish colored spikes appear on the tongue.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>In the third type the tongue becomes heavy and fleshy spikes appear on it.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>In the fourth type the disease is caused due to the doshas of kapha and blood. There is severe swelling under the tongue and when the disease increases then pus is formed in the base of the tongue and blocked. That means the tongue does not move nor rotates. When the patient tries to rotate it severe pain is experienced.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>In another type of tongue problem caused due to blood and kapha there is swelling on the upper side of the tongue, it rips and becomes somewhat incurable.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>In the sixth type of mouth ulcer the tongue bends and gets swollen due the dosha of kapha and blood. A lot of saliva is formed in the mouth with itching and burning sensation. The patient does not have the taste of anything.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>If we look at the causes along with the symptoms we can know that this disease is caused due to wrong eating habits. Worms are created in the stomach, which aggravate the disease. The cause for mouth ulcers and diseases of the tongue are similar. According to western scientists, this disease is caused due to hookworm. If this worm is removed with the help of some medicine then the disease of the tongue can be cured easily.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>In case of chronic disorder of the bowels the children tend to get diseases of the tongue. If the bowel disorder is cured, the tongue disease gets cured on its own. In the case of Erithima migrans disease the tongue bends. There are reddish spots formed on the upper layer of the tongue, which keep on changing places. These types of spots are also seen in a few types of fever. The spikes in the tongue have a darkish tan and appear to be black in color. Those who use Hukka normally have black tongue but they do not have any disease and hence do not require any medication. In the disease called microglacia the tongue becomes thick and is a hereditary problem. It also does not require any treatment. Such children should be given thyroid tablets so that the thickness of the tongue reduces to some extent. In some children the tongue protrudes out and they have the habit to rotate it, this also makes their tongue thick.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Tongue related problems also arise due to fever caused due to tridoshas. The tongue becomes rough and contains spikes but its cure depends on the basic diseases. If the fever is not cured then the tongue related disease also doe not get cured. In some cases the chin becomes small and the tongue becomes thick.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>In this case the tongue can move towards the respiratory pipe and block its path. At this stage surgery proves to be helpful. Children who have a long tongue, find difficulty while drinking milk. They should be faced upside down and made to drink milk this way. The child is able to drink milk easily like this.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Remedies for Tongue Diseases:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>In case of disease caused due to vata dosha, shilvana lep proves to be beneficial.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>In case of pitta-generated disease where spikes appear on the tongue, rub them with rough things like cabbage leaves, etc., and then remove the blood, rinse the mouth with lemon water.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>In the case of disease generated due to kapha, apply pilyadigana churna with honey after removing the blood.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>When thorns appear on the tongue, grind rapeseeds and rock salt and apply it on the tongue, also drink the juice of sespedula leaves, neem bark, brinjal and Yavakshar.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Mix mankind bhasma, rock salt and rapeseed oil and rub on the tongue.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Add thuhar milk with some acidic things like lemon, etc., and rub it on the tongue.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>In case of thickness of the tongue, do lekhan procedure and pratisarana with acidic substance, and then do shirovechan, gandoop dharan and nasya etc.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Mix dry ginger, black pepper, pippali, yavakshar, harad and chitrak root powder and rub it on the tongue or rub the oil extracted from these things to cure this disease.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Rub the Biroja, ral, guggul, and devdaru and moolhati churna on the tongue if the disease is generated due to vata dosha.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Rub sweet substances if it is due to pitta dosha. Remove the polluted blood and do gandoop with sweet substances.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Pippali churna is beneficial in case of tongue disease caused due to kapha dosha. Mix honey in this powder and drink it, mix rapeseed and rock salt in hot water and rinse the mouth with this water.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Grind the makhanas and sprinkle the powder on the tongue.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Mix bhimseni camphor and sugar candy and sprinkle on the tongue or mix boric acid in glycerin and apply it on the tongue. If boric acid is not available, grind suhaga and apply it on the tongue with honey.</b></div>ayurvedamourlifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12528326267044175943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275982245137064652.post-60079855351592492102010-07-01T02:42:00.000-07:002010-07-01T02:43:06.532-07:00Get Rid of Pigmentation Marks and Pimples<div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Pimples and pigmentation marks appear on the face, which takes away the beauty and charm of the face. These can appear in summer or winter season. The main reasons are consumption of fat, controlling the urge to urinate, excessive labour and exposure of heat and Sun. The following home remedies should be used for this problem:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>- Take the cream from fresh milk, add few drops of lemon and apply on the face to remove pimples and acne.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>- Grind 30 gm of thymol seeds (ajwain) in 25 gm of curd and apply on pimples and acne. Wash the face the next morning. This remove pimples.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>- Take equal quantities of holy basil leaves and lemon juice and apply on the pigmentation marks, dark circles or pimples. This is an effective medicine.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>- Add glycerin four times the quantity of lemon juice and rub the face to get rid of pimples. Massage the whole body to get the silky and soft effect.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>- Soak lentil dal in sufficient water so that the entire water is absorbed. Grind it and add it in milk. Apply this paste on the face twice daily. This removes pigmentation marks and pimples.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>- Grind the dried orange peels in water and apply the paste on the face. This removes pigmentation marks and pimple.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>- Rub Jaiphal in milk and apply on pimples and pigmentation marks. This gives glowing skin.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>- Boil cumin seeds and wash the face with that water. This gets rid of pigmentation marks, dark circles etc and enhances the beauty.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>- Grind Jaiphal and black pepper in raw milk and apply on the face at bedtime. This cures pimples and removes pigmentation marks and makes the face beautiful.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>- Take one spoon lentil dal, half spoon rapeseeds and two almonds - grind it nicely and add lemon juice. Apply this paste on the face. Wash the face when dry.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>- Take equal quantities of alum and black pepper and apply on pimples and acne.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>- Grind guava and banana and apply the paste on face.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>- Apply cucumber juice on face to remove pigmentation marks and pimples.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>- Add radish juice in curd and apply on face to get rid of pimples, acne and pigmentation marks.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>- Add honey in onion juice and apply on the face, this cures both the problems</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>- Take enema of hot water with lemon juice.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>- Take boiled gourd or torai in meals. Eat the chapattis made with whole wheat.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>- Pat the face with water while taking bath.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>- Apply multani mati on face and peel it when dry. Wash the face with cold water.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>- Eat boiled vegetables or drink their juice.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>- Add Triphala and Moolhati and take 3 to 4 gm daily to cure constipation and get rid of pimples and acne.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>- Grind black pepper and apply on pimples.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>- Add gram flour in castor oil and apply on face, this is very beneficial.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>- Mix rapeseed and rock salt in lemon juice and apply on pimples.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>- Grind almonds in goat milk and apply on pimples to get rid of pimples.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>- Rub the seed of date palm in vinegar and apply on pimples. Wash the face after one hour with soap. Pimples disappear within three to four days.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>- Take equal quantities of lemon juice, rogan badam and glycerin, mix thoroughly and store it in clean bottle. Apply this lotion on the face everyday, to make the skin soft and beautiful.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>- Grind chironji and add butter, apply this pack on the face and rub it nicely. This cures all the skin related problems.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>- People suffering with pimples and pigmentation marks should maintain a clean stomach. They should improve their digestive strength and keep the intestines clean. They should walk in open and fresh air and take proper diet.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>- Add lemon juice and rose water in equal quantities and apply on face. Wash the face after half hour with fresh water. The pimples are cured within 10 to 15 days. This gets rid of pigmentation marks and dark spots.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>- Rub the lemon peels on the body before taking bath and wash the face with lukewarm water, this is effective to get rid of pimples.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>- Never pinch the pimples and try to break them. This spreads the pimples faster and causes permanent scars on the face. Take hot steam before applying any, pack for immediate results.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>- Apply olive oil regularly to cure different types of pimples and boils. This is also effective for curing pigmentation marks and spots.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>- Rub the inner portion of neem bark in water like sandal and apply on pimples.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>- Apply blue oil (pour oil in blue coloured bottle and keep under the Sun for one and half months) on pimples.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>- Take Gulkand with 25- 30 gm of milk everyday at bedtime.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>- Take avala marmalade to cure constipation and thereby pimples.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>- Boil the neem leaves in water and sieve it. Wash the face with this water to remove pimples.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>- Eat sprouted gram regularly according to the digestive capacity to cure pimples and pigmentation marks.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>- Eat ripe neem fruit to get rid of pimples.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>- Mix Triphala and Moolhati in equal quantities and take three grams powder with lukewarm water to cure constipation and thereby pimples and dark spots.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>- Add onion juice, rock salt and honey and apply on the face.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>- Take carrot, tomato, radish and other green salad along with meals everyday to remove pimples.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>- Avoid tea, coffee etc. This cures pimples and skin related problems.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>- Do not eat ice cream, chocolate, toffees, pastries etc. in excess quantity. Avoid constipation.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>- Do not eat food items made with spices, garam masala and acidic things.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>- Avoid hot spicy, heavy, oily and fried food items like samosa, kachori etc.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>- Do not eat things, made with horse bean, flour and do not use chemical based cosmetics on face.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>- Add lemon juice in Giloy juice and apply on the face to get rid of pimples.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>- In case of severe constipation and pimples, soak 6-7 raisins in water, remove the seeds the next morning and eat.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>- Grind Arjun Chaal, Mujith and Vasa Chaal, add honey and apply on the face to remove pimples.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>- Regular consumption of radish is good for getting rid of spots, pimples and acne.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>- Add black holy basil leaves powder in turmeric powder and apply the pack on the face before bath. This removes pimples.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>- Grind coriander, Lodhra and Koot and apply on the face.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>- Grind fenugreek leaves and apply the pack on the face, let it dry. Then wash the face, continue this for few days to remove pimples. This also makes the skin soft and smooth.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>- Add grounded onion seeds powder in lemon juice and apply on face; this is effective in case of pimples.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>- Make a fine paste of Amaltas Chaal, pomegranate Chaal, Lodhra, turmeric and Nagarmotha and add it in water. Apply the pack on the face. This works well in case of pimples.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>- Apply sandal wood oil on the face to clean all the infection causing bacteria and pimples.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>- Take equal quantities of Jaiphal, black pepper, red sandal, grind it nicely and add it in water. Apply this paste on the face to get rid of pimples.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>- Take equal quantities of rapeseeds, Semar thorns, lentil dal, chironji and almonds. Grind all the things nicely and mix it in little bit of milk. Apply this paste on the face to remove pimples.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>- Boil one cup milk and thicken it. Add lemon juice, remove from flame and let it be cool while stirring it continuously. Apply this paste on the face at bedtime. Wash the face after one hour and next morning. This removes pimples and gives a smooth and soft skin.</b></div>ayurvedamourlifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12528326267044175943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275982245137064652.post-45060165580291536642010-07-01T02:41:00.001-07:002010-07-01T02:42:02.220-07:00Cow Urine Can Cure Many Diseases<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHmjaMy9wHg1nME3XO4aAgdmmXyXtv1RT_5NgQxgngVQS5wc6DSKYj4f-VwsSmIps2LYB3WmJUTDB1bU8cpWPKp_QP1Z78X63eJ9V1pUpd5cynM-zvaHCnL-lnGz3bxhvV4ZYgvH7hXrM/s1600/cow-001.jpg"><img style="text-align: justify;float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 245px; height: 320px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHmjaMy9wHg1nME3XO4aAgdmmXyXtv1RT_5NgQxgngVQS5wc6DSKYj4f-VwsSmIps2LYB3WmJUTDB1bU8cpWPKp_QP1Z78X63eJ9V1pUpd5cynM-zvaHCnL-lnGz3bxhvV4ZYgvH7hXrM/s320/cow-001.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488870746029558226" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>The cow is a mobile medical dispensary. It is the treasure of medicines. Cow urine therapy is capable of curing many curable and incurable diseases. The holy texts, like Atharva Veda, Charaka Samhita, Rajni Ghuntu, Vridhabhagabhatt, Amritasagar, Bhavaprakash, Sushruta Samhita, etc., contain beautiful description about the medicinal benefits of cow urine. Cow Urine Treatment and Research Center, Indore has conducted a lot of research over the past few years and reached the conclusion that it is capable of curing diabetes, blood pressure, asthma, psoriasis, eczema, heart attack, blockage in arteries, fits, cancer, AIDS, piles, prostrate, arthritis, migraine, thyroid, ulcer, acidity, constipation, gynecological problems, ear and nose problems and several other diseases.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>The analysis of cow urine has shown that it contains nitrogen, sulphur, phosphate, sodium, manganese, carbolic acid, iron, silicon, chlorine, magnesium, melci, citric, titric, succinic, calcium salts, Vitamin A, B, C, D, E, minerals, lactose, enzymes, creatinine, hormones and gold. A person falls ill when there is deficiency or excess of these substances inside the body. Cow urine contains all of these substances, which are naturally present in the human body. Therefore consumption of cow urine maintains the balance of these substances and this helps cure incurable diseases.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>The Indian culture gives special place to the cow. All the 330 million gods have cow as their prime temple (all devas reside in the cow). Deva means to give, the strength to give, the ability to give more and take the minimum. This is known as Devata. The cow takes very less from us and gives us more. Therefore the Indian people have shown this with the help of strict devotion and dedication. Thus the cow has a prominent place in the Indian life and economy. Wealth, religion, enjoyment and salvation are accomplished with the service of the cow. The Indian farmer used to be known as king, or the giver of grains, due to the tradition developed in India thousands of years back. Our entire life is dependent on the cow.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>The whole world takes the cow as their mother. The reason is that the birth-giving mother gives milk to its child only for one or two years, but the mother cow gives milk throughout its life, which is like nectar. A black cow is tied in the Shiva temple, and when we see the Shiva along with the black cow then we are able to overcome the malefic effects of planets in our natal horoscope. When we see the ankles of the cow we protect ourselves from sudden deaths. Circumambulating the cow is equivalent to visiting all of the holy places. As the peepal tree and tulasi plant give oxygen similarly cow is the only animal which purifies the air. If one spoon of pure ghee is poured on burning cow dung (in homa) then they can produce one-ton of pure air, therefore ghee made with cow milk is used in sacrificial fires and havans. There is no better method to remove pollution.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Cow milk, butter, ghee and buttermilk are like nectar. The cow dung is not faeces, but a purifier. It helps produce the best quality grains, fruits, and vegetables when used as manure. Cow urine is a divine medicine and is a natural pesticide for crops. Pure ghee made with cow milk poured on burning cow cakes dung, produces a smoke that subsides the effect of poisonous gas. Cow urine contains copper, which is converted into gold inside the human body. It removes all toxicity. Drinking cow milk gives strength and increases the pure qualities in the human mind.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>The horns and back hump of the cow are like two powerful pyramids. We receive the strengths of the stars and sun through the medium of cow dung, milk, curd, ghee, etc. The place where the cow is tied does not produce any vastu related ill effects. If there is any malefic effect of any planet, serving the cow with chapatti and jaggery calms down the malefic effect.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>The following are some of my personal experiences treating people with cow urine therapy. A person was suffering with cancer and had been told that they would not survive for long; cow therapy was done on many such cases. Out of the many patients, who were suffering with cancer for the last 4 years, many are now leading a healthy life. In the same way, a diabetes patient who was taking insulin and having a sugar level of 488 or 420 did not have the necessity to take insulin after the treatment of cow urine. In the same way AIDS, asthma, psoriasis, eczema, blood pressure, heart disease, prostrate, piles, etc., also have been cured with this treatment. Premchand Rathore was suffering from asthma and isnophilia. He had palpitations and cough along with phlegm. He is now enjoying a healthy life after taking cow urine therapy. The cough and phlegm reduced. Mrs. Sharda Jalani was having varicose veins and dysmenorrhea. She used to have swollen nerves, pain, and swelling as soon as she used to stand up and it was very painful at the time of menses. She was advised to undergo operation for both of these problems. But she went for cow urine therapy and is now healthy. Omprakash Paul suffered a heart attack. He had high levels of cholesterol and chest pain. After taking cow urine therapy he is able to walk up to four kilometers, he does not get chest pain and his cholesterol level is also normal. Chandmal Gurjar suffered with cancer of the food pipe four years back, he could not take liquids also. Now he is able to eat and drink properly, he is healthy and working in the rice fields. There are thousands of people who have recovered from serious diseases after taking this therapy.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Today many AIDS patients are taking cow urine therapy. People who were suffering with migraine and headache for the past 15 years have recovered within six months of taking this therapy. In the past few years the Cow Urine Treatment and Research Center, Indore has treated 150,000 people. Out of the total patients 85 to 90 percent were also suffering from constipation. There is an old saying that if the stomach is clean half of the diseases get cured automatically. The patients taking cow urine therapy are able to enjoying sound heath within one month of this therapy.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Sushma Khurana had a thyroid complaint. Before taking this therapy her T3 level was 4, T4 was 15, TSH was 0.2. After six months of this treatment T4 was 9.97, TSH was 1.35 and today she is free of this problem. This therapy is also beneficial in the case of eczema, ringworm, itching and other skin problems. Old eczema patients have gained a lot from this therapy. Also school and college aged children can be free from the menace of pimples and acne with this simple therapy.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>[ Those who wish to purchase medicinal distilled cow urine can visit the following website. ]</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Chemical composition of distilled cow urine:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nitrogen (N2, NH2): Removes blood abnormalities and toxins, Natural stimulant of urinary track, activates kidneys and it is diuretic.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Sulphur (S): Supports motion in large intestines. Cleanses blood.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Ammonia (NH3): Stabilise bile, mucous and air of body. Stabilises blood formation.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Copper (Cu): Controls built up of unwanted fats.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Iron (Fe): Maintains balance and helps in production of red blood cells & haemoglobin. Stabilises working power.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Urea CO(NH2)2: Affects urine formation and removal. Germicidal.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Uric Acid (C5H4N4O3): Removes heart swelling or inflammation. It is diuretic therefore destroys toxins.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Phosphate (P): Helps in removing stones from urinary track.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Sodium (Na): Purifies blood. Antacid.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Potassium (K): Cures hereditary rheumatism. Increases appetite. Removes muscular weakness and laziness.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Manganese (Mn): Germicidal, stops growth of germs, protects against decay due to gangrene.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Carbolic acid (HCOOH): Germicidal, stops growth of germs and decay due to gangrene.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Calcium (Ca): Blood purifier, bone strengthener, germicidal.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Salt (NaCl): Decreases acidic contents of blood, germicidal.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Vitamins A, B, C, D, E: Vitamin B is active ingredient for energetic life and saves from nervousness and thirst, strengthens bones and reproductive ingredient for energetic life and saves from nervousness and thirst, strengthens bones and reproductive power.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Other Minerals: Increase immunity.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Lactose (C6H12O6): Gives satisfaction., strengths heart, removes thirst and nervousness.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Enzymes: Make healthy digestive juices, increase immunity.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Water (H2O): It is a life giver. Maintains fluidity of blood, maintains body temperature.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Hipuric acid (CgNgNox): Removes toxins through urine.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Creatinin (C4HgN2O2): Germicide.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Aurum Hydroxide (AuOH): It is germicidal and increases immunity power. AuOH is highly antibiotic and anti-toxic.</b></div>ayurvedamourlifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12528326267044175943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275982245137064652.post-84269525501882447712010-07-01T02:39:00.000-07:002010-07-01T02:40:38.340-07:00Pellitory Root: Qualities and Benefits<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQF7T3qi6jLhB9gDIuVy0TZB4FXucjkrzp_xMFhyphenhyphentqwkUrhGrhW3wfPnfCOw1ZeDtE74uAsJB-o3NxbBRXC78Obs_rt_VVxg8hLYhNfB0AScXoHaJ7Rk61btczsTnt9dGQb5dH3rWrJUM/s1600/health-047.jpg"><img style="text-align: justify;float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 120px; height: 107px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQF7T3qi6jLhB9gDIuVy0TZB4FXucjkrzp_xMFhyphenhyphentqwkUrhGrhW3wfPnfCOw1ZeDtE74uAsJB-o3NxbBRXC78Obs_rt_VVxg8hLYhNfB0AScXoHaJ7Rk61btczsTnt9dGQb5dH3rWrJUM/s320/health-047.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488870387627737698" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Family name: Compositae = Asteraceae.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Latin name: Anacyclus pyrethrum DC.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>(Also known as pyrethrum root in English)</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Sanskrit: Akarkarbha, Akaltnak</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Hindi: Akarkara, Karkara</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Gujarati: Akorkaro</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Marathi: Akkalkara</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Bengali: Akarkara</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>French: Vaishvatharkhun, Kohi</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Arabian: akikihan, Aduk Lai</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Punjabi: Akarkara</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Introduction:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Pellitory root is considered to be origin of Arab, because Charak, Sushrut and Vagbhatt do not mention about this. Probably Unani Hakims (herbal doctors) brought it to India. But today it is considered to be the most popular herb of India and Arab. It is cultivated in a few regions of India. The small shoots grow with the beginning of the rains. The root is pungent in taste and the person feels hot when it is chewed and a burning sensation is felt on the tongue. As far as quality is concerned the root found in Arab is better.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>External form:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>It is bushy and fibrous in form. There are small holes on the root at a distance. The root is pungent and hot, three to four inches in length, half inch broad. The flowers are whitish purple and yellow in colour. The branches, leaves and flowers are white and have thick stems. People in Maharashtra cook vegetable and make pickle with this stem.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Chemical composition:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>The most active substance found in this root, pirathrine, which is colourless crystal like thing. Apart from this it contains little amount of oil, which evaporates and stagnant oil, 50% insulin substance is also found. Qualities: It is strengthening and cures swelling. It strengthens the nervous system, increases the sexual urge and relieves pain.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Medicinal Use</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Headache:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Grind the roots and apply the lep on the forehead, to relieve headache.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Keep it in between the teeth to relieve headache. On chewing it, the saliva is secreted and relieves toothache.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Epilepsy:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Grind it in vinegar, add honey and lick around 5 to 10 mg of this medicine to control the attacks of epilepsy.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>It is beneficial in case of fits, if given along with Brahmi quath.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dull headed:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Take equal amount of Akarkara and Brahmi and make a powder, take half spoon regularly to improve the intelligence, a stupid person can also become clever with this medicine.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Stammering:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Add the powder of its root with black pepper and honey, rub one gram of this mixture on the tongue to remove the dryness. It cures lisping of the tongue. It should be used for 4 to 6 weeks.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Voice:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Take 250 to 500 mg of the root powder to improve the voice of children and singers.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Toothache:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Take equal amount of Pellitory root and camphor and grind it, use this powder to brush the teeth, it cures all types of toothache.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Gargle with the quath of the root to cure toothache and it also strengthens the looseness of teeth.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Throat problems:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Gargles with this water are beneficial in case of tongue, teeth and</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>throat problems.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Bad odour:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Take equal quantities of Pellitory root, Nagarmotha, roasted alum, black pepper, rock salt, brush the teeth everyday with this powder. It cures all types of dental problem and bad odour.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Heart disease:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Add Arjun chhal and Pellitory root powder in equal quantities, grind it nicely and take half spoon twice daily to cure anxiety, palpitation, shivering, pain and weakness.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Take 20 to 25 mg of Kullajan, Sonth and Akarkara (Pellitory root) and boil in 400 ml of water till it reduces to one-fourth quantity. This is beneficial in case of heart diseases.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Hiccups:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Take one gram of Pellitory root powder and lick with honey; it has an instant effect in case of hiccups.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Fever:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Cook this powder in olive oil and massage the body, it helps in perspiration and bring down the temperature.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Give 4 to 6 drops of Chirayata with 500 mg of this powder to cure chronic fever.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Respiration:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Sieve the Pellitory root with a cloth and smell it to remove the blockages</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>in respiration.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Cough:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Drink 100 ml Pellitory root quath twice daily to cure cough.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Take 3 to 4 gm of this powder it removes phlegm along with stools. Stomach problem: Take equal amounts of Pellitory root powder and small Pippali powder, and take half spoon twice daily after meals.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Acidity and loss of digestive fire:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Take one gram of each of Shunthi powder and Akarkara, and take it to cure acidity and loss of digestive fire.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Menstrual cycle:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Take 100 ml of Pellitory root quath to regulate the menstrual cycle.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dullness:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Take one gram of this powder with two to three cloves to remove the</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>dullness in the body. Drink 100 ml of Pellitory root quath to overcome laziness.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Paralysis:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Grind the Pellitory root nicely and add it in Mahua oil, massage the paralytic area for benefit.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Take 500 mg of Pellitory root powder with honey twice daily to cure paralysis.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Sciatica:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Add the Pellitory root powder in walnut oil and massage the affected area.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Wounds:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Make 100 ml of quath with Ushva and take it in case of wounds.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Mix Pellitory root powder and mustard powder with honey and apply the lep on the tongue to cure partial body pain.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Sense organ:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Take 10 gm of Pellitory root powder and grind it in 50 gm decoction juice, apply this lep to broaden the sense organ.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Bajikaran:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Take equal amounts of Ashvagandha, white Moosali, Akarkara and grind nicely, take one spoon regularly in the morning with one cup of milk. It has good effect. Effects : It should be taken in the prescribed quantity. Raisin and Katira gum reduce its effect.</b></div>ayurvedamourlifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12528326267044175943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275982245137064652.post-1774158849476669792010-07-01T02:36:00.001-07:002010-07-01T02:36:58.520-07:00The Best Way to Eat Carrot<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj9bGgYjacsE_PPNlulBUkWE9pJ9KDB_O4QiPmRm39bXYhL1BxRVOBMIAD3lMAmAUksnTGYOutchJT0oEyZr2Jd5gJB3047vTLAtm95DV9ifCkvvgNxQPNYi72gqece8rEDbxgLV16na8/s1600/health-013.jpg"><img style="text-align: justify;float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 120px; height: 111px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj9bGgYjacsE_PPNlulBUkWE9pJ9KDB_O4QiPmRm39bXYhL1BxRVOBMIAD3lMAmAUksnTGYOutchJT0oEyZr2Jd5gJB3047vTLAtm95DV9ifCkvvgNxQPNYi72gqece8rEDbxgLV16na8/s320/health-013.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488869429670237394" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>In the previous issue, Swami Ji had described the medicinal values of carrot in the article titled "Qualities of Carrot". Here he is giving detailed information about the best ways of eating carrot.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Carrot is a tuber root form of vegetable, which can also be eaten raw. The quality of carrot can be recognized with its color. A good carrot is one, which is deep yellow or red in color. Its leaves are green and very thin in texture. Carrot contains all the necessary elements required for the nutrition of the body. It is very beneficial to improve the memory and intelligence. Its regular consumption for few days helps in reducing the weight, however it should be consumed in a proper manner.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Carotene found in carrot is a form of Vitamin A. This substance is found in different fruits and vegetables as well.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Carrot is most beneficial when it is eaten raw. Eat raw carrot everyday in the morning, this reduces overweight and strengthens the teeth and gums. It is a good idea to remain on carrot diet for three days. Replace lunch with carrot salad. In case you are not satisfied with the diet, then take a hot glass of cow milk along with honey.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Do not take any thing else except carrot and milk with honey. You can drink water to quench your thirst. Carrot juice is more beneficial when compared to carrot. You can also take 50 to 200 gm of carrot juice twice daily. This diet is a sort of fasting and also supplies nutritional elements to the body. You can add glucose to make it tastier and healthier. Those who can not keep fast or can not live without eating grains and cereals, they can eat carrot vegetable without curry. It should be cooked with black pepper, cumin seeds, coriander and common salt. Use anardana instead of dry mango powder. This vegetable can be eaten raw without chapattis as well. You can take one or two chapattis and eat more vegetable.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Carrot vegetable is very tasty and can be eaten as it is. You can also make carrot raita like gourd or cucumber raita. Wash the carrot and grate it nicely, put it in beaten curd and add salt, black pepper and roasted cumin seeds. You can also add roasted cumin seeds in vegetable or raita. There is no need to boil the carrot to make raita or peel the skin. Separate the middle yellow portion and make sweet marmalade. Take a big carrot and cut it into slices, sometimes it is soaked in limewa-ter for eight hours and then soaked in sugar syrup. This marmalade is very delicious. You can garnish it with small cardamom, vansh lochan and silver covering. This gives great strength and enthusiasm.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>GAJAR KA HALVA</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>This sweet dish is extremely delicious and nutritious. However there is no need to add khoya as the shopkeepers do. Here we are giving the method to prepare halva in order to increase its medicinal qualities.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Wash the carrots and grate it. Now, pour cow milk in a large pan and put it on flame, add the grated carrot when the milk begins to boil and stir it with a big spoon. Add some sugar candy when the milk begins to thicken and stir again.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Remove the halva from flame when it is ready. Add small cardamom, vansh lochan and saffron. This sweet dish is nutritious and gives a good figure. Around 25 gm of this halva can be taken every morning and an equal quantity in the afternoon as well. If 3 gm of honey in each serving is added it becomes more beneficial. Drink a glass of hot cow milk added with sugar candy over it. Chapatti or some light lunch can be taken along with this halva.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>CARROT AND GINGER</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Combination of carrot and ginger is very beneficial. Ginger increases the digestive elements, therefore carrot is easily digestible</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Grate the carrot, chop the ginger, add both the things and rinse in water. Serve it in a plate, sprinkle common salt, roasted cumin seeds powder and lemon juice.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>This is very healthy and nutritious item, which provides strength and energy; it also improves the digestion process. It contains vitamin A and C. It is tasty and improves the appetite. It can be a regular item on the breakfast table or a good substitute for the afternoon snacks.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Breakfast should contain a ripe guava along with carrot - ginger salad. The afternoon snacks should also be taken in the same way. Take hot milk at bedtime if desired. You can also add radish in the salad, it is very tasty and nutritious.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Vegetable soup is a very healthy dish. To prepare it, boil guava, tomato, carrot, radish and ginger in equal quantities and sieve it. Add lemon juice and take only this soup for three, five or seven days. Do not take any other grain or cereal; you might not need any medicine at all.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>OTHER WAYS OF EATING CARROT</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Carrot is available only in the winter season. A sweet marmarmalade can be prepared so that it can be taken throughout the year.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>There are other ways of eating carrot. Steam cook carrot, rose flowers and aniseed and extract the juice. Add two kilos of carrot pieces, 400 gm of aniseed and 10 kilos of water, sieve this water and make sugar syrup, cool it and use it.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Take 25 gm of this, drink at least four times everyday. It is very beneficial in case of heart diseases. You can also take it with orange, sweet limejuice. Carrot and rose squash can be taken in any season. Therefore you can enjoy the qualities of carrot even in off-season.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>During summers, take equal quantities of fresh water, orange juice and the rose-carrot squash, add citric acid and drink it. Live only on this water for three or five days, on the first day take one light meal and second day take orange juice with lemon juice. In this way maintain this diet for at least one week. Carrot diet can be planned depending on the patient's condition and strength. Carrot is beneficial in all circumstances; its seed is also very beneficial. Ground 300 gm of carrot seeds and boil in 500 gm of water. Boil till it reduces to half the quantity, add sugar. Give this syrup to women who are suffering with irregular menstrual cycle. All sorts of irregularities are cured within few days of consuming this drink.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Take 100 gm each of carrot and jaggery, boil both the things in 750ml of water. Boil till the carrot is cooked. Eat this dish with silver covering for two to three days on empty stomach in the morning. This medicine is very beneficial for liver disorders and especially jaundice.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Grate one kilo of carrot, boil it in four kilos of milk and add sugar. Add 250 gm of pure ghee when the milk dries up completely and roast it for some time. Eat this dish for one month regularly, this cures impo-tency. It also strengthens the brain.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Physically weak males and females should drink 200 gm of carrot juice everyday. This is the best medicine to overcome physical weakness.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Carrot is good for those children who are getting new teeth. Give carrot juice everyday, this strengthens the teeth and bones.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>In case of intestine swelling carrot proves to be very beneficial. Add 200 gm of carrot juice, 100 gm each of cucumber and beetroot juice and drink it for one week for curing intestine swelling problem.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Breast-feeding mothers should drink carrot juice everyday for increasing breast milk. It also develops attractive and healthy breasts.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Anaemic people should drink 200 gm of carrot juice with 100 gm of spinach juice. This increases the blood and hemoglobin content.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Sometimes the heart starts beating faster or perspiration increases with slightest work. In this case drink 200 gm of carrot juice for one week. The carotene present in carrot is effective in curing cancer.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Carrot leaves are also very beneficial. Apply a little bit of ghee on the leaves and heat them slightly, grind and extract the juice. Pour few drops in the nostrils to cure migraine problem completely.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>People suffering with night blindness should drink carrot juice regularly. Vitamin A present in carrot is beneficial in this disease.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Carrot is the best medicine for curing insomnia. Drink carrot juice at least 30 to 40 minutes before going to bed.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Burning sensation and pain in the rectum can also be cured with carrot. Drink one glass of carrot juice twice daily for some months to cure this problem permanently.</b></div>ayurvedamourlifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12528326267044175943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275982245137064652.post-41051842974314847332010-07-01T02:33:00.001-07:002010-07-01T02:34:27.108-07:00Linseed: It's Qualities and Benefits<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE6wTAl2qoQzsM8g3NIO_BqsFu1mfcvtad_e-5UHlm-MmajQecH5YmjI3L09VZ1OiPXdPFA4XV0MTz4TqzK0Fb-1LrIc3ZoOBTKaTsrbCphEcpYGSBeESDNZ53ZCNGV-VGv-Uw8aIVBcg/s1600/linseed-01.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE6wTAl2qoQzsM8g3NIO_BqsFu1mfcvtad_e-5UHlm-MmajQecH5YmjI3L09VZ1OiPXdPFA4XV0MTz4TqzK0Fb-1LrIc3ZoOBTKaTsrbCphEcpYGSBeESDNZ53ZCNGV-VGv-Uw8aIVBcg/s320/linseed-01.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488868615023393666" /></a><b><br /></b><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><div><b>Introduction to Linseed:</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Linseed is grown along with the winter crops in large quantities throughout India. In the state of Himachal Pradesh the plants are grown at a height of 6,000 feet. Due to the difference in planting location throughout the country there is a difference in the size, color and shape of the seeds. The linseeds are found in different colors like white, yellow, red and black. There are a lot of varieties of seeds as well. The linseed grown in hot climatic areas are considered to be the best for medicinal use.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>External Form of Linseed:</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>The one-year-old linseed plant is 2 to 4 feet high, straight and tender. The leaves have stripes, the edges are like spikes and the front part of the leaves are pointed and the leaf consists of three parts. The fruits are sky blue in color, round with five parts, each part consists of shining flat thick brown colored seeds, normally two seeds in one part. The plant bears flowers and fruits during the winter. The fruits become dried in the summer.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Chemical Composition of Linseed:</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Permanent oil is found in the seeds. The oil mainly consists of linolic and lirolenic acids and its glycerides and dense fatty acids. The seeds also contain a poisonous glucocide. Due to which the animals consuming the seeds die. The seed also contain protein, musyleze, some wax like substances, phosphates and sugar. The ash contains sodium potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorous, etc.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Qualities of Linseed:</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>The seeds are sweet, with mild smell, oily, hot, pungent, heavy, purgative, strengthening, increasing the sexual desire, if taken in little quantity the seeds produce urine, reduce the swelling and in large quantity they reduce vata and cure leprosy, seminal problems, kapha, pitta and eyesight problems.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Linseed oil:</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>It is sweet, greasy, cures vata, with mild smell, somewhat pungent in taste, strengthening, heavy, hot, produces faeces, oily, receptive, cures kapha, cough, etc.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Linseed leaf:</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>It cures cough, kapha, vata, the fresh green linseed leaves vegetable and curry is especially beneficial for the patients of vata dosha.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>The flowers are capable of curing blood and pitta related diseases.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Medicinal Uses of Linseed:</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Headache:</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Grind the seeds in cold water and apply the lep on the painful area, forehead. This is also useful in case of wounds on the head.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Insomnia:</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Mix equal quantities of linseed and castor oil, beat it well in a bronze plate and apply in the eye in order to get sound sleep.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Reddishness in the eyes:</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Grind the seeds and apply the viscous pulp around the eye to reduce the reddishness in the eyes.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Ear pain:</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Boil the linseed in onion juice and pour it in the ears to reduce swelling in the ears.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Cough and respiratory problem:</b></div><div><b>Take 5 gm of linseed and soak it in 50 gm of water. Drink this water after 12 hours. Drink the old water prepared in this manner, for example, the linseed water soaked in the night should be taken the next morning. This water is very beneficial for patients suffering with respiratory problems, however diet and regimen have to be followed strictly.</b></div><div><b>Grind 5 gm of linseed, sieve it and boil in water. Add 20 gm sugar candy and in winters use honey instead of sugar candy. Drink this water in the morning to cure cough and respiratory problems.</b></div><div><b>Grind 3 gm of linseed coarsely and soak it in 250 gm of boiling water. Cover it with a lid for one hour. Sieve it and take it with a little bit of unrefined sugar. It is beneficial in cases of dry cough and respiratory problem. It is also helpful for easy urination.</b></div><div><b>Grind 25 gm of linseed and soak it in cold water overnight. Sieve it in the morning and heat the water for sometime, add lemon juice and give it to the patient suffering with tuberculosis.</b></div><div><b>Roast the linseeds and take it with honey to cure cough.</b></div><div><b>Clean the linseeds and roast them i a pan. When the seeds start emitting smell then grind and add equal amount of sugar candy. Take 5 gm of this powder with hot water twice daily in case of cold for relief. It also cures cough.</b></div><div><b>Vata related diseases:</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Roast around 50 gm linseed in a pan and make powder, add 50 gm of sugar candy, 10 gm of chilly powder, beat it nicely with honey and prepare pills of around 3 to 6 gm. Give the small pills to children and the big ones to the elders in the morning to get rid of kapha and vata related problems. Do not drink water till one hour after medication.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Liver enlargement:</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Take 2.5 gm of roasted linseed with honey to cure liver enlargement.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Evacuation:</b></div><div><b>Extract the linseed oil without heating it. Take 4 to 8 gm of this oil for easy bowel movement. It removes the hard stools. This oil is very beneficial in case of weak intestines and constipation and piles caused thereby.</b></div><div><b>Gonorrhea and urinary disorder: take 50 gm of linseed, 3 gm of mulethi, grind it coarsely and heat it in 375 gm of water in an earthen pot. Boil till it reduces to 50 gm in quantity, sieve it, and add 2 gm of fiber. Take 20 gm at an interval of two hours for getting rid off burning sensation in the urine. It can be taken in larger quantities for 10 to 15 days.</b></div><div><b>Pour 4 to 6 drops of this oil in the opening of the urethra to remove pus from gonorrhea.</b></div><div><b>Take equal quantities of linseed and mulethi and grind it. Put 40 to 50 gm of this powder in an earthen pot and pour 1 liter of hot boiling water, cover it for one hour. Sieve it and add 20 to 30 gm of fiber and store it in a bottle. Take 25 to 30 gm of this medicine at an interval of three hours to cure burning sensation in the urine, painful discharge of urine, obstructed urination, bleeding urine, pus, and other such problems.</b></div><div><b>Take 10 gm of linseed and 6 gm of mulethi, grind it nicely and add 250 gm of water and boil it till it reduces to one-fourth the quantity. Take 25 gm of this kwath at an interval of three hours with 10 gm of sugar candy to reduce the burning sensation and give clear urine.</b></div><div><b>Poultice:</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Linseed poultice is the best among all other poultices. Take 4 parts of grounded linseed, and pour it in 10 parts of boiling water and stir continuously. This poultice should not be very thick. While applying it rub some oil in the lower part and then tie it. This reduces swelling and pain.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Joint pain:</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Grind the linseeds with Isabgol and apply on the painful area for relief.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Pain in the hip:</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Heat the linseed oil and add Shunthi powder, massage the back and hip area for relieving the pain.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Arthritis:</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>The poultice of linseed oil is very beneficial in case of swelling in arthritis.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Strengthening the sperm:</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Take linseed along with black pepper and honey to increase the sexual potency and cure the seminal problems.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Insect Bite:</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>If the insect bite does not heal then grind the linseeds and apply the lep on the affected area.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Boils:</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Grind linseeds in water and add barley flour, add sour curds and apply the lep on the boil to heal it quickly. If there is burning sensation and pain in the boil caused due to vata dosha then roast the linseed and sesame seeds and boil it in cow milk. Let it cool and grind it in the same milk for quick benefits.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Burns:</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Take pure linseed oil and lime water (lime should sediment in the bottom), mix both the things and beat it well. This will become like a white ointment and is known as carron oil. Apply this on the burnt area to relive the pain. Apply this lep once or twice for immediate relief.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Glands and tumors:</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Mix linseed powder in milk and water, add little bit of turmeric powder and boil it nicely. Place the hot poultice (bearable) on the glands or raw boils, keep a beetle leaf on the poultice and tie it tightly. Repeat this seven times, this heals the boil and relieves the pain and burning sensation. This removes the pus. However the poultice has to be tied on the boil for several days continuously.</b></div></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><br /></div>ayurvedamourlifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12528326267044175943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275982245137064652.post-29228138428145795002010-07-01T02:29:00.000-07:002010-07-01T02:31:44.010-07:00Qualities and Benefits of Bamboo According to Ayurveda<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhefMJK_FLiCWlbmxjd9c5TtDXgDitkoOxY0uYDQfESIFwAYXKDJwlfCDiNnQ9y1m6Pyjhajvqms4npAHeG6jZqHVs67JrbWcFmxGYNnQYEgo8fnd-70t6gNSeDOkWXJ_dkDNqfabp4jJY/s1600/bamboo-01.jpg"><img style="text-align: justify;float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhefMJK_FLiCWlbmxjd9c5TtDXgDitkoOxY0uYDQfESIFwAYXKDJwlfCDiNnQ9y1m6Pyjhajvqms4npAHeG6jZqHVs67JrbWcFmxGYNnQYEgo8fnd-70t6gNSeDOkWXJ_dkDNqfabp4jJY/s320/bamboo-01.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488868017340968498" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>School children are generally taught a couplet, which means that it is always good to keep a stick nearby as it has many qualities. The stick, which has been mentioned, is nothing but bamboo. We know that bamboo has several uses but we are unaware of its medicinal uses.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Bamboo is available in all parts of India, but it is mainly found in southern India and the states of Orissa, Assam, lower Himalayas, the plains of Ganges and Indus. It grows naturally in the forests, but is cultivated in the cities. There are 550 different kinds of bamboo, here two or three types of bamboo are being described.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dendro Calamus Atrictmus: It is straight, thin and solid. It belongs to the male species.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dendrocalamus Giganteous: This also belongs to the male species. It is 20 to 120 feet long. When old, this bamboo turns green or yellow in color. This type of bamboo is very strong.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Bamboo Manma - these bamboos are of female species and are popular in the hilly areas as fat, hollow and catarrh bamboos. The white fluid inside the bamboos dries up and forms into a solid substance and is therefore known as Banshlochan (manna obtained from bamboo, manna is a sugary substance). The real banshlochan (manna) is white in color or has bluish stripes, opaque, irregular in shape and small to large big pieces found between each node. It is very hard and does not break easily. It is not easily soluble in water. When water is poured on this manna it becomes transparent. The real manna is very expensive and can also be manufactured through a chemical process.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>External form: Bamboos are absolutely straight in groups having fixed thorns. This type of bamboo generally grows up to a height of 20 to 50 feet in shrubs. The stem is round with a thickness of 6 to 7 feet, having several hollow and solid barks at a distance of 20 inches with different shapes of clear nodes. The tree has no branches but three-fourths of the tree have more spines between each node. The leaves grow in bunches and are around 7 inches long with a sharp front edges and rounded towards the end.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Flowers: The long branches have whitish red colored flowers bearing fruits, which are 1/3 inch in size and barley shaped. They are also called vanshyava, because of their shape, and a rice like grain grows in these fruits, which are called bamboo rice.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Chemical composition:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Banshlochan (Manna) contains silica, mandoor, Potash, lime, alumina and some vegetable substances like colin carbohydrates and several other substances.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b> </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Qualities:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b> It is rough, slightly hot, sweet essence, astringent taste, ripe, oily, buddy leaves, belongs to the barley species and hot in strength.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Banshlochan (Manna): </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>It has a sweet astringent taste, sweet when ripe and cold in strength. It is healthy for the different humors of the body, and increases the sperm. It is beneficial in thirst, cough, fever, respiratory disorders, bile due to tuberculosis, blood impurities, leprosy with jaundice, wounds, ulcers, jaundice, vata dosha and painful discharge of urine. Besides it has other uses in pregnancy and post delivery.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Offshoots of bamboo: </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Spicy, sour, pungent, bitter, slightly cold and beneficial in bleeding piles, for burning sensations and gonorrhea.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Rice: </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>The bamboo rice is pungent, sweet, strong, and nutritious. It cures kapha, pitta dosha, removes toxic substances from the body and cures the disease in which the vital humors of the body are excreted through urine.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Function:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b> </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Bamboo and bamboo with a hole are beneficial in curing painful discharge of urine, excretion of vital humors from the body, and burning sensation of piles. The bamboo containing hole increases the fire in the stomach, cures indigestion, helps in digestion of food, relieves pain and enlargement of the heart and improves appetite.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Useful parts of Bamboo:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Roots, leaves, offshoots, fruits, manna.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Medicinal Uses of Bamboo:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Baldness:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>1. Burn the skin and roots of bamboo and mix it in vinegar. Apply this lep (pack) on the head. Hair will begin to grow on a bald head.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>2. Take the ash of the roots of bamboo and mix it in chameli (Jasmine flower) oil. This is very beneficial to cure baldness.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>3. Burn the roots and skin of bamboo and mix equal quantity of turmeric powder in their bhasma (ash) and make a fine powder. Apply this on the scalp, it makes the hair strong and prevents hair loss.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>4. Grind the roots of bamboo and apply on the face and small-pox marks. The skin becomes beautiful.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Itching:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Burn the bamboo leaves and apply the ash on the area, where it is itching. This is a very effective medicine to stop itching.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Bleeding Wounds:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>1. Burn the bamboo wood coals and make a powder. Sprinkle this powder on the wounds to stop bleeding and for fast healing. It also reduces swelling.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>2. Pour the juice of tender shoots of bamboo to kill worms. Tie a poultice of tender shoots of bamboo to heal the wound quickly.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Eye Problems:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>1. Banshlochan (manna) -1.250 mg, 1 small cardamom seed (powdered) - 10 gm, avala (mylobaran) - 750 mg, black pepper—500 mg, small pippali - 250 mg. Mix all the ingredients and add pure surma (collyrium, black substance applied as eye-liner) equal to half of the sum total of all the ingredients. Sieve with a thin cloth and apply in the eyes. This prevents all types of eye problems.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>2. Apply the oily substance accumulated on the stem and leaves of bamboo in the eyes. This is an effective medicine to cure cataract.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dental Problems:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>1. Burn the roots of bamboo and massage the teeth with the ash. The teeth become clean and shining.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>2. Take equal proportions of banshlochan (manna), small cardamom seeds and samamstangi. Grind all the ingredients together and store in a safe place. Massage the teeth with this powder twice daily. It cleans plaque and dirt on the teeth and makes the teeth sparkling white.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Disease of the Umbilical Tube:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Tie the poultice of the bamboo shoots on the umbilical tube. The disease will be cured.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Hip Pain:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>1. Rub the fresh shoots of bamboo leaves in vinegar and apply on the back and hips. This reduces the pain.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>2. Burn the roots of bamboo and mix the bhasma (ash) in water. Apply this on the hip bones to relieve pain.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Expulsion of the Placenta: </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>It is necessary to clean the uterus properly post delivery. Boil 10 bamboo leaves in 200 gm of water and make a thick decoction till it reduces to 50 gm. Sieve it and add 10 gm of jaggery and drink it hot (as per convenience). This eases the process of childbirth and expulsion of placenta. It reduces the pain in the uterus and prevents excessive loss of blood.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Mild Menstruation:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>1. If the female does not get proper menses or if the cycle is irregular, decoction of fresh bamboo leaves is highly beneficial.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>2. The same medicine is good for cleaning the uterus.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Painful and Mild Menstruation:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Make a coarse powder of the bamboo knot. Take 20 gm of this powder and 40 gm of soy seeds. Boil both the ingredients in one litre of water and reduce it to one-eighth of the quantity. Add 25 gm of jaggery and give it to the patient. This is beneficial in curing painful and mild menstruation.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Urinary problem:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>1. Decoction of fresh bamboo leaves is beneficial in reducing the burning sensation and pain in the bladder.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>2. Boil 25 gm of bamboo leaves in 200 ml of water. Reduce it to 40 ml. Give this medicine to the patient with 5 gm of honey. This is beneficial to cure urinary problems.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Gonorrhea:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Bamboo leaves are extremely beneficial to cure Gonorrhea. Dry the bamboo leaves in the shade, take 6 gm of the dried leaves and mix it with 6 gm of Anantmool powder. Boil both the ingredients in 400 ml of water till it reduces to 100 ml. Add 3 to 4 grams of sugar candy in this decoction and give to the patient regularly for one or two weeks.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Increasing the fire in the stomach:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Bamboo shoots are used as food in various ways. Boil the fresh leaves or shoots and prepare pickle, vegetable or soup and include it in your diet. This is very beneficial in curing indigestion and the digestive system will function properly.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Poison Antidote:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Extract the juice of bamboo leaves and add jaggery powder. Give one dose of this medicine to reduce the effect of poison.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dog Bite:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>1 .When a dog bites someone, its poison (bacteria) enters-the body. Grind the roots of bamboo in milk and give it to the person, the poison will be removed.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>2. Grind bamboo shoots and roots in cow milk and give to the person every morning for 15 days. This will remove the effect of poison in the body.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dry Cough:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Soak the bamboo knot in water and heat it lukewarm. Give this to children suffering with dry cough.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Jointpain:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Grind the knots of bamboo, heat them a little and tie a poultice on the painful area.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Injury:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>1. In case of any type of injury, grind the bamboo skin and make a fine powder. Give one dose with grounded jaggery.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>2. If injury causes acute pain and burning sensation in the blood and on the skin. In this case make a decoction with bamboo skin. Let it cool, add honey and give it to the person twice or thrice daily. This is very beneficial to reduce dehydration due to consumption of excess liquor and burning sensation due to the effect of toxic substances.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Uses of Banshlochan (Manna):</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>1. 1.250 to 2.500 mg of banshlochan with honey cures dry cough.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>2. One gm banshlochan powder, 395 mg of Pippali powder. Add both these ingredients in honey and give two to three doses daily to cure breathing and cough problem.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Fever due to indigestion:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>500 gm banshlochan, 500 gm of Giloy satva (extract), 250 gm of pippali powder. Add all these ingredients with honey and give three doses daily. This medicine cures fever due to indigestion.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Wounds:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Take 500 gm of banshlochan with ghee or honey thrice daily. This will heal all wounds.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Secretion of vital humors from the body:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b> Banshlochan rasa (essence), pure nagkesar and seeds of cardamom. Take equal proportion of these things, grind them and sieve it with a thin cloth. Grease it with sandal oil and make small pills. Give one pill each in the morning and evening with 50 ml water mixed with 6 gm of grounded jaggery. This dose reduces the burning sensation in case of Gonorrhea and completely cures the disease within seven days. This pill is beneficial in all types of secretions of the vital humors.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Burning Sensation in Urine:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>1. In the above mentioned pill do not grease it with sandal oil and give only one and a half or three gm of powder with sugar candy and milk.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>2. A dose of banshlochan with Gokharu drops with swarasa (essence) of Gokharu reduces the burning sensation of the urine.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>3. Make curds with raw milk, add banshlochan powder, Gokharu and sugar candy. This medicine cures burning sensation in the stomach.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Bleeding piles:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Take 2 gm of banshlochan powder and 10 gm of bamboo rasa and mix it with sugar candy.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Mouth ulcers:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Mix banshlochan, small cardamom, white catechu (katha) and geru in equal quantities and make a powder. Put a small quantity of this powder in the mouth at small intervals. Take 40 gm of rose petals and make Gulkand, add 2 to 3 gm of banshlochan and give twice or thrice daily.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Mix banshlochan with honey and apply the lep (pack) on the mouth ulcers.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Increasing sperm:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Consume one gm of banshlochan everyday or take it with praval pishti, abhrak bhasma (ash of mica), shilajit and other medicines.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Miscarriage:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>If there is a chance of miscarriage, take one gm of banshlochan, add 125 mg of Kalbul Haj. Grind both these ingredients separately and then mix them. Take this medicine twice or thrice to prevent miscarriage.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Other Uses:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>1. Take out the green portion of the lotus stem, which lies in the middle of the stem, and add equal quantity of banshlochan. Make a fine powder with both the ingredients and add sugar candy in double proportion. Take this medicine twice or thrice daily with cow milk to be blessed with a baby.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>2. The children have the habit of eating sand. Give them a cake of banshlochan to get rid of this habit.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Sitopaladi Churna:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dalchini 10 gm</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Small cardamom seeds: 20 gm</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Small Pipal : 40 gm</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Banshlochan: 80 gm</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Sugar candy: 160 gm</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Grind all these ingredients separately, sieve it with a cloth and store it safely. Give two to four gm of this powder with honey to cure phlegm related diseases.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>In case of wind and bile related problems, consume banshlochan first with ghee and then half quantity of honey.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>This powder cures dry cough, respiratory disorders, bleeding from the mouth, burning sensation in the hands and legs, pain in the ribs, fever due to indigestion and humors, weakness in children, burning sensation in the eyes, throat etc.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>A pregnant lady should take this powder for 4 to 6 months to give birth to a healthy baby. The same preparation can be used in the last month of pregnancy to induce labor.</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>10 gm of sitopaladi churna</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>10 gm of pure ghee made out of buffalo milk</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Keep both the things in glass or mud vessel and pour the freshly extracted buffalo milk and consume it twice daily for two months.</b></div>ayurvedamourlifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12528326267044175943noreply@blogger.com0