Varicose veins refer to the condition in which the veins of the legs become varicosed, i.e. they appear swollen and bulging and can be made out from the outside. Varicose veins may be dark in color or may retain their original color. They are always painful. In case of prolonged varicose veins, there could be skin peeling and skin ulcers in certain affected parts of the legs.

Varicose veins are caused due to excessive pressure caused on the legs or the abdomen. These are brought on by advancing age, obesity, pregnancy, hormonal changes and a host of other factors. Some deficiencies in the diet may cause the loss of elasticity of the veins, which may make them varicose. Also, standing for a long time, engaging in physical activity that puts more strain on the legs, wearing constrictive clothing and total lack of exercise can make the veins varicose.

This condition is more or less a vata problem. People with a predominance of vata dosha seem to suffer more from this problem.



(1) Useful Herbs for Varicose Veins

1. Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri)

The indigenous Indian herb, brahmi, is perhaps the best Ayurvedic treatment for varicose veins. It provides the necessary nutrients required for the proper toning of the veins and makes them less tortuous. Brahmi is taken in conjunction with some mineral supplement like Jasad bhasma.

2. Garlic (Allium sativum)

Among its many advantageous properties, garlic also has effects in the treatment of varicose veins. Garlic can break down the protein content in the body and distribute it evenly. This increases the protein supply to the lower limb region. Hence, the condition of varicose veins is avoided.

3. Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

Like garlic, ginger too breaks down and distributes the protein in the body.

4. Onion (Allium cepa)

Onion helps in the proper assimilation and distribution of protein in the human body. It gives inner strength. Chomping on one onion everyday can help to solve the problem of varicose veins permanently.

(2) Dietary Treatments for Varicose Veins

If the diet of the person is deficient in certain nutrients, then it may cause the skin to lose its elasticity. This would lead to the condition of varicose veins. For this reason, people must take good dietary care so as to provide the body with the essential nutrients. The following are some points to remember: -



- Include whole food grains in the diet, instead of synthetically polished ones. Whole grain wheat and millet are good.

- Fresh fruits are very much needed, since vitamin C deficiency is a prime cause of varicose veins. Amalaki and other citrus fruits must be had in good amount.

- Have a protein-rich diet, which is necessary for building up the tissues. You must have one egg daily, a glassful of milk, meat, legumes and other protein-rich food. But avoid red meat.

- Protein tends to accumulate in fixed pockets in the body. Hence to distribute this protein properly, you must consume garlic, onion, ginger and pineapple.

- Fish must be included in the daily diet.

(3) Ayurvedic Treatments for Varicose Veins

Ayurveda prescribes the Brahmi as the drug of choice for the treatment of varicose veins. Brahmi is used for four continuous weeks to get permanent benefits. It is taken in doses of 10 to 20 milliliters twice a day. Along with brahmi, the Jasad bhasma is also prescribed. This bhasma has three benefits – (i) it is a rich source of the mineral zinc, (ii) it helps in healing and blood clotting through the formation of collagen and (ii) it helps in the concentration of vitamin E in the blood. Other popularly prescribed medicines are Chandraprabha vati, Nagarjunabhra rasa and Punarnavadi guggulu, among others.

There are some Ayurvedic oils available for local application to seek temporary relief. These are Prasarini taila and Chandanabala taila. But care must be taken never to massage any oil directly on the varicose veins, as it would increase pressure on them.

Yogic exercises can treat varicose veins without any medication. The best exercises for this condition are Halasana, Pawanmuktasana and the Sarvangasana. Simple exercises like walking, swimming, cycling and stretching the legs while sitting on a chair also help.

(4) Home Remedies for Varicose Veins

1. Have a mixture of carrot and spinach juice daily. This will solve the vitamin deficiencies in the leg.

2. Apply a mudpack on the leg in the night and wash it off in the morning.

3. Wearing stockings at night helps, but do not wear tight jeans in the daytime.

4. Have an alternating hot and cold hipbath daily.

5. Apply an oil containing vitamin E as its major component onto the legs. But take care not to rub it too deeply into the legs.

6. Have a wholesome diet rich in proteins and vitamin C.



By: Tom alter

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Ayurvedic Cure for Chikungunya

Introdution

Chikungunya has become the biggest scare in the world currently. After the epidemics of dengue and SARS, now chikungunya has grabbed the attention of people of the world. In some parts of the world, chikungunya is also called as Chicken Guinea, though this is a misnomer as chikungunya has nothing to do with chicken. Chicken Guinea is just an Anglicization of the word chikungunya.

The word chikungunya is etymologically rooted in the Makonde language of Tanzania, where it means ‘that which bends up’. This name is because of the painful Symptoms which cause the patient’s joints to curve in an upwards position. The origins of chikungunya can be traced to 1952 in central Africa from where it has become rampant in Asia currently. The disease manifests itself as an epidemic, and if uncontrolled, it might turn into a pandemic.

The latest epidemic of chikungunya is currently going on in South India. The heavy floods in South India in the monsoon region have been responsible for the widespread outbreak of the disease. Southern states of India such as Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Tamil Nadu have been the most drastically hit. A lot of research is going on in India with respect to chikungunya, in both the allopathic and the Ayurvedic fields. Most people have found Ayurveda to be a solution for chikungunya.

Definition of Chikungunya

Chikungunya is a viral disease that is very similar in symptoms and etiology to the more popular disease, dengue fever. The virus responsible for chikungunya is alpha-virus, which belongs to the togoviridae family. This virus is transmitted through mosquito bites. Only a specific type of mosquito is a vector, i.e. carrier for chikungunya. This is the aedes aegypti mosquito, which is active only in the daytime. The aedes aegypti mosquito is the same mosquito that is responsible for the transmission of dengue fever among humans. The condition of chikungunya is generally not fatal, and it can be remedied within five to seven days with proper treatment. The basic characteristic of the disease is a fever along with an arthritic-type of pain in the joints (which has given it its Sanskrit name).

Causes of Chikungunya

Chikungunya has become the biggest scare in the world currently. After the epidemics of dengue and SARS, now chikungunya has grabbed the attention of people of the world. In some parts of the world, chikungunya is also called as Chicken Guinea, though this is a misnomer as chikungunya has nothing to do with chicken. Chicken Guinea is just an Anglicization of the word chikungunya.

Chikungunya is a viral disease transmitted through the agency of mosquitoes. The responsible chikungunya virus is the alphavirus, which is carried by the aedes aegypti breed of mosquito. Hence, after malaria, filaria and dengue, chikungunya has become one more reason to exterminate mosquitoes.

The prime method of spread of chikungunya is through stagnated water. The aedes aegypti mosquito lays its eggs only in stagnated water. This explains why there is a widespread outbreak of chikungunya in India currently, which has just recovered from heavy floods in July-August.

Symptoms of Chikungunya

Chikungunya symptoms begin almost immediately after the viral infection. Some of the symptoms are:-

·        Fever with very high temperature

·        Acute pain all over the body

·        Sharp pain in the joints accompanied by swelling

·        Severe headache

·        Profuse rashes

·        Conjunctivitis

·        Loss of taste in the tongue

·          Mouth ulcers

The following Ayurvedic preparations have been found to be effective against the symptoms of chikungunya:-

·        Sudarshan choorna – Two tablespoons of this choorna must be taken per day.

·        Yogiraj guggulu – Two tablets per day are to be taken.

Here it is important to mention that there is currently a debate going on about the effectiveness of Ayurvedic medicines in the treatment of chikungunya, for which no other form of treatment has been found yet. Almost all Ayurveda exponents are of the opinion that chikungunya may not be treated by Ayurveda alone, but the herbs are effective in allaying some of the severe symptoms of the condition.

Ayurvedic Treatment for Chikungunya

The fever of chikungunya normally comes back to normal within two to three days, but the other symptoms persist for over a week or more. The fever is quite different from normal fever since it is accompanied by chills and feelings of nausea and vomiting.

There is no drug prescribed for chikungunya from the World Health Organization until now. Doctors are using aspirin, ibuprofen, combiflam, paracetamol, etc. to reduce the pains and the fever, but there is no universally acceptable treatment in allopathic medicine yet. Some people are benefited by some medication, while others are not. Some chikungunya people get healed on their own after a few days. Hence, medical science is not trusted enough where chikungunya is concerned.

This has led many people with chikungunya to turn to Ayurveda for seeking out treatment. Ayurveda also may not be able to treat the condition of chikungunya completely, but it provides the necessary resistance for the body to combat with the disease.

Since there is no medicine for Chikungunya in allopathy, people increasingly turning to traditional indian medicines (ayurveda).Ayurvedic treatment of chikungunya uses herbal drugs. Some of the kashayams (concoctions) prescribed are Amrutharista, Mahasudarshana Churna, panchathiktha kashayam, Sudarshan Churnam, Dhanvantaram Gutika and Amruthotharam Kashayam. Ancient ayurveda describes a similar condition called Sandhijwara which is similar to Chikungunya in its symptoms (joint pain). Hence some of the medicines can sooth joint pain. At the same time there are reports of fake medicines in which steroids are added. These can cause severe side effects in long term. Hence the best advice is to take rest and drink plenty of fluid food!

Prevention of Chikungunya Fever

Currently there is no vaccine for Chikungunya. There is only way to prevent Chikungunya fever - don’t get bit by a mosquito! This is easier said than done in a tropical area such as India. Some of the following precautions can help reduce the risk of mosquito bites,

·        Use mosquito net when sleeping during daytime.

·        Wear dress which covers most of the body. Also there are repellents available which  can be applied on dress materials.

·        Use mosquito coils or repellents(which contains Picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or DEET). But you should be aware that prolonged use of these are not recommended. Also ensure adequate ventilation when these are used.

·        Use curtains or window nets which prevent entry of mosquitos to the house.

·        Use of cream or spray that can be applied on skin. This masks body odour and effectively you are invisible from mosquito. Very handy if you are visiting an area where Chikungunya is reported.

Summary

Chikungunya is an arboviral disease transmitted by aedes mosquitoes. The virus was first isolated in 1953 in Tanzania. Chikungunya virus is a member of the genus Alphavirus and the family Togaviridae. The disease typically consists of an acute illness characterised by fever, rash, and incapacitating arthralgia. The word chikungunya, used for both the virus and the disease, means “to walk bent over” in some east African languages, and refers to the effect of the joint pains that characterise this dengue-like infection. Chikungunya is a specifically tropical disease, but it is geographically restricted and outbreaks are relatively uncommon. It is only occasionally observed in travellers and military personnel. More than 266 000 people have been infected during the ongoing outbreak in Réunion, in which Aedes albopictus is the presumed vector. In the ongoing Indian outbreak, in which Aedes aegypti is the presumed vector, 1 400 000 cases of chikungunya were reported during 2006. The reasons for the re-emergence of chikungunya on the Indian subcontinent, and for its unprecedented incidence rate in the Indian Ocean region, are unclear. Plausible explanations include increased tourism, chikungunya virus introduction into a naive population, and viral mutation.

By: smita sahoo

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Cholesterol is quite easily the top of the list of killers among the human race in the world today. An excess of cholesterol can produce extremely fatal cardiovascular conditions such as atherosclerosis, heart aches, heart attacks, high blood pressure, etc. If a person has begun accumulating cholesterol in his or her arteries, then it might well be a way of inviting death.

A common misconception is that all kinds of fats can cause cholesterol buildup. But this is very far from the truth. In fact, only saturated fats and trans-fatty acids are responsible in building up cholesterol in the arteries. Whereas, cholesterol obtained from the monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids such as from nuts and cool water fishes are useful to the body, and they can bring the level of the harmful cholesterol down.

Even if the cholesterol has built up in the body, it can be certainly brought down using proper herbal techniques, as described in Ayurveda. This article is written with the purpose of enlightening you with some of the most potential remedies that Ayurveda describes for treating cholesterol and also some simple home remedies which also achieve the same task.

Treatment with Simple Home Remedies

Remedy 1

You cannot even dream of reducing cholesterol without first making a determination to stick to a particular regimen. If your cholesterol levels are high, then you must immediately and strictly obey the following guidelines:-

§ Stop the consumption of all fattening foods, which contain saturated and trans-fatty acids. These include all the hydrogenated oils, creams and chocolates.

§ Increase the consumption of fish such as salmon, sardines and mackerel and nuts. Always insist on one bitter dish per meal. It could be fenugreek, bitter gourd or bitter drumstick.

§ If you are overweight, enroll in a weight loss program. Keep yourself active and exercise often, according to the capacity of your body.

§ If you are an alcoholic, stop! If you are a smoker, desist! Alcoholism and smoking are lethal in people with high cholesterol.

Remedy 2

Oranges are very beneficial to eliminate cholesterol because of their high vitamin C content. Sticking to a diet of only orange juice for a day is really beneficial.

Remedy 3

Watermelon is very beneficial in treating high blood pressure that has been caused due to excessive cholesterol levels. Cut a whole watermelon and rub rock salt and black pepper on its slices. Then extract the juice of this watermelon and drink it. Within three or four days, the levels of the cholesterol will go down and the high blood pressure will also become normal.

Remedy 4

Crush some coriander and then put it in a cup of water. Warm it so that the juices of the coriander exude out into the water properly. Then cool it and drink this coriander water. Doing this everyday for about a month will bring the cholesterol levels back to normal.

Remedy 5

Every morning when you wake up, eat two to three cloves of garlic. If you cannot bear the sulfurous taste of the garlic, then you can roast them in a little amount of castor oil. Eat these cloves by biting them and chewing upon them fast. Eat them on an empty stomach each day. This seems to be a very simple thing to do (apart from the pungent taste of the garlic cloves, of course!) but it is proven even by western scientists to have amazing effects in the treatment of cholesterol.

Remedy 6

Every night before retiring, have a cup of warm water with five grams of Triphala choorna in it. Triphala contains the three great herbs – amalaki (Emblica officinalis), bibhitaki (Terminalia belerica) and haritaki (Terminalia chebula). All these three have been individually proved to have powers of dissolving serum cholesterol. Amalaki is very rich in vitamin C, which is the best known nutrient for the natural dissolution of cholesterol in the blood.

Remedy 7

Mix equal proportions of Bishop’s weed seeds, cumin seeds and sugar. Grind them to a fine powder in a mixer grinder. Take one teaspoonful of this powder twice a day with water. This is a safe remedy even for pregnant women, and it shows good results in them.

Remedy 8

Put a single clove of garlic in one glass of milk. Bring it to a boil. Drink this garlic milk when it is still a little warm. Drinking this continuously for a week will surely bring the level of the cholesterol down.

Remedy 9

Take two teaspoons of honey and mix one teaspoon of lemon juice in it. Drinking this juice twice a day helps to dissolve the cholesterol from the arteries.

Treatment with Special Ayurvedic Methods

Arjuna is the Ayurvedic drug of choice for the elimination of cholesterol. The bark of the arjuna is prescribed to the patient in powder form, or in the form of its various decoctions with other herbs. The general dosage is one gram of powder four times a day. The vehicle to take this drug is either ghee, milk or honey; depending on which dosha is predominant in the body of the person. Ayurvedic doctors may also prescribe Arjunarishta, which is a preparation of arjuna mixed in special butters or ghee.

By: Dr John Anne

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The liver is an extremely important organ as it is the seat of the five digestive fires of the human body and also the converter of plasma into blood. So, from an Ayurvedic point of view, the liver is the master controller of the entire body. However, the liver is susceptible to a large number of disorders also. One of these is the abnormal enlargement of the liver, which is known as hepatomegaly.

The increase in the size of the liver happens gradually due to various factors. Some of them are glandular fevers, hepatitis, malaria, liver abscesses and even more serious causes such as leukemia and lymphomas. When the enlargement of the liver occurs, there is an obstruction in breathing as the expanded liver pushes against the wall of the diaphragm and interferes with the respiratory canal. The irritation can cause coughing.

Enlargement of the liver can become a life-threatening condition. It is extremely essential to seek treatment as soon as possible. There are several methods in Ayurveda, which can help prevent and treat the condition of hepatomegaly.

(1) Useful Herbs in the Treatment of Liver Enlargement

1. Chicory (Chichorium intybus)

Chicory juice obtained from its flowers, seeds and roots is very beneficial in the treatment of several liver problems. Its juice is commonly prescribed to treat enlargement of the liver.

2. Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)

Dandelion has a very positive effect on the liver, as it stimulates the liver to carry out its normal functions. It can be used in order to treat the condition of an enlarged liver.

3. Henna (Lawsonia inermis)

The bark of the henna plant is taken in powder form in 1.25 to 5 gram doses in order to treat the problem of liver enlargement. Alternatively, its decoction can also be taken in quantities of 30 to 60 grams.

4. Indian Aloe (Aloe barbadensis)

The Indian aloe is used in treatment of hepatomegaly. For treatment, the pulp of a single leaf of the plant is taken and mixed with black salt and ginger. This is taken every morning for ten continuous days.

5. Kantakari (Solanum xanthocarpum)

The kantakari herb is used in the treatment of enlargement of both the liver and the spleen, which is known as hepatosplenomegaly.

6. Trailing Eclipta (Eclipta alba)

The trailing eclipta is a creeper which has great benefits in the treatment of enlargement of the liver. It is taken in doses of one teaspoon twice a day. The herb is also beneficial if the enlargement of the liver is accompanied by the enlargement of the spleen.

(2) Dietary Treatments for Liver Enlargement

The liver is essential for digestion. Hence it is very important not to consume any food that is difficult to digest when there is a liver enlargement. All fried foods, spicy and salty foods must be avoided. Sour foods are also not good as they can increase the acidity within the stomach and the digestive system. Even curds should not be eaten. However, properly churned buttermilk is good for liver ailments.

Bitter tastes are positive indications in the treatment of hepatomegaly. These can be obtained from bitter gourd and bitter drumstick. They should be included in the daily diet. Sugars can be taken in the form of glucose. In fact a spoonful of glucose must be put in a cup of water and had once a day to regain lost energy and to help the liver in its normal functioning.

Among fats, buffalo’s milk should be avoided. Cow’s and goat’s milk are positive indications. If you can get hold of camel’s milk, then you must consume it as it is considered to be a beneficial factor for people with liver enlargement problems.

(3) Ayurvedic Treatments for Liver Enlargement

For almost all liver problems, Bhringaraj is the drug of choice. This is made from the herb trailing eclipta. This is a very bitter tonic, which is taken with honey to improve the taste.

Picrorrhiza (kutki) and turpeth (nisoth) are also good medications prescribed for liver enlargement. The Arogyavardhini vati can be prescribed which contains a mixture of both these herbs in powder forms.

For liver enlargement, the dhaatu of copper is also generally prescribed. It is taken in the form of a bhasma. Copper is a component of the Arogyavardhini vati.

(4) Home Remedies for Liver Enlargement

1. Consume a regular diet of eggplants. This helps to reduce the enlargement of the liver and to bring it back to its original size.

2. Prepare a half-cup of juice of the bitter gourd. Put some salt in it. Have this on an empty stomach in the morning. This is by far the best home remedy for liver enlargement and even other kinds of liver problems including diabetes mellitus.

3. Spearmint is also beneficial in liver enlargement. You must have its juice sweetened with sugar for a continuous period of ten days.

4. Consume at least half a papaya every day.

By: Tom alter

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