Kidney Stones – Its Natural Remedies and Ayurvedic Treatment

Kidney stones or renal calculi are solid concretion or crystal aggregations formed in the kidneys from dissolved urinary minerals. Kidney stones are a common cause of blood in the urine and often severe pain in the abdomen, flank, or groin. Renal colic can be associated with nausea and vomiting. Kidney stones may contain various chemicals. There are several types of kidney stone based on the type of crystals of which they consists. The majority are calcium oxalate stones, followed by calcium phosphate stones. More rarely, struvite stones are produce by urea-splitting bacteria in people with urinary tract infections, and people with certain metabolic abnormalities may produce uric acid stones or cystine stones.

Urolithiasis is the medical term used to describe stones occurring in the urinary tract. Men are three times more likely than women to have kidney stones form within the urinary tract.

Causes and Risk factor:

There is no consensus as to why kidney stones form.

Heredity: Some people are more susceptible to forming kidney stones, and heredity may play a role. The majority of kidney stones are made of calcium and high levels of calcium in the urine is a risk factor. The predisposition to high levels of calcium in the urine may be passed on from generation to generation. Some rare hereditary diseases also predispose some people to form kidney stones.

Geographical location: Increasing global temperatures will lead to greater future prevalence of kidney stones. The hot climate and poor fluid intake may cause people to be relatively dehydrated, with their urine becoming more concentrated and allowing chemicals to come in closer contact to form the nidus, or becoming, of a stones.

Medications: People taking diuretics and those who consume excess calcium-containing antacids can increase the amount of calcium in their urine and potentially increase the risk of forming stones. Taking excess amounts of vitamins A and D are also associated with higher levels of calcium in the urine. Other commonly prescribed medications associated with stone formation include dilantin and antibiotics.

Several factors increase the risk for developing kidney stones, including inadequate fluid intake and dehydration, reduced urinary volume, certain chemical levels in the urine that are too high or too low, and several medical conditions such as reflux, medullary sponge kidney, renal tubular acidosis and urinary tract infections. Anything that blocks or reduces the flow of urine also increases the risk.

Chemical risk factors include high levels of the following in the urine: calcium, cystine, oxalate, uric acid and sodium. A low level of citrate is also a risk factor for stones.

The following medical conditions are also risk factors for kidney stone disease: Arthritis, Colitis, Gout, High blood pressure, Hyperparathyroidism, Medullary sponge kidney, Renal tubular acidosis, Urinary tract infections, Intestinal disorder that causes chronic diarrhea, dehydration, and low citrate, and urinary tract infections.

Symptoms:

Many kidney stones do not move and are too small to cause any symptoms. However, if a kidney stone causes a blockage, or moves into the ureter, one may have severe pain or ache on one or both sides of the back, get sudden spasms of excruciating pain – usually starts in the back below ribs, before radiating around abdomen, and sometimes to the groin or genital, have bloody or cloudy urine, feel sick or vomit, feel a frequent urge to urinate, or burning sensation during urination, and get fever and chills.

The pain of kidney stones – referred to as ‘renal colic’ – can be very severe. It begins as soon as the stones becomes stuck in the ureter and tends to come in waves. It is not usually associated with the size of the kidney stone – sometimes small stones can cause more pain than very large ones.

Sometimes, symptoms such as difficulty urinating, urinary urgency, penile pain, or testicular pain may occur due to kidney stones.

Home remedies:

Small stones can be dissolved and passed out through urine by administration of certain home remedies coupled with some Ayurvedic remedies. The followings are the home remedies for kidney stones,

Water: Drink at least 10-12 glasses of water a day.
Citric Acid: This natural acid has been known to dissolve hard materials, including kidney stones. A great citric acid fruit to choose is a lemon. Lemon juice can be mixed with water, honey, or sugar.
Citrates: Citrates will reduce the amount of uric acid and eliminate the build-up of calcium salts which cause the formation of kidney stones. A good tip for getting enough citrates is to drink fruit and vegetable juice such as carrot, grape and orange juice.
Boil 2 figs with water, and drink this every morning for a month.
Make one cup of juice made with radish leaves and drink twice a day.
Drink one glass of fresh tomato juice with a hint of salt and pepper for flavor every morning.
Basil (tulsi) leaves: Take 4-5 basil leaves, extract its juice and mix in a tablespoon of honey. Take this mixture every morning for 4-6 months.
Coconut water is a good home remedy for burning urination and scanty urine. Regular intake also flushes out small particles or dissolves stones through urination,
Barley water can also be used for this purpose,
Water melon is nutritive as well as a safe diuretic to be used in this condition.
Onion decoction: Make the decoction by adding water to some bulbs of onion. Sugar should be added to it and taken.
The decoction prepared with Kulathi Dal is very useful.
Soda water is also very useful if taken thrice daily after meals.
Other natural measures that may help prevent kidney stones include:Avoid foods and beverages that contain high fructose corn syrup.
Reduce daily salt intake.
Avoid calcium-containing antacids.
Limit intake of beef, pork, and poultry to less than 4 to 6 ounces a day.
Eat moderate amount of dairy products.
Limit the amount of pasta you eat,
Avoid high-oxalate foods, such as dark green vegetables, nuts and chocolate.
Ayurvedic medicine:Rencare Capsule: This medicine helps urine flow, and cools the membranes of the urinary tract. It also helps stop bleeding within the urinary tract, and helps break up and remove stones. Also, it helps relax the bladder, relieve irritation, and improve urinary flow.
Herbs included in this capsule are Gokshuru, Pashaan Bheda, Dhania Leaves, Cornsilk and Usher.Patherina tablet is the specific ayurvedic remedy for stones. 1 tablet twice a day along with a glass of water ensures good relief.
Cystone tablet (Himalaya Drugs): 1 to 2 tablets twice daily for 6 to 8 weeks.
Calcury tablet (Charak): 1 to 2 tablets twice or thrice daily for 6 to 8 weeks.
Ber Patthar Bhasma is the drug of choice.
Chander Prabha vati is also very useful in burning micturition. 1 tablet twice daily.
Diet:Hot water bath and hot fomentation over the back give relief.
Yoga: certain asanas, which stimulate kidneys can be practice. These are Pavana Mukta Asana, Uttana Padasana.

Ayurvedic Remedies – Modern and Other Medicines Embrace Ayurveda

Ayurvedic Remedies as an holistic approach

Ayurvedic Remedies come from ancient traditions that have been widely used in India for 3,500 years. In its purest form Ayurveda involves an entire approach to life, not merely a formulary of treatments for illness. Ayurvedic medicine accentuates disease prevention within the framework of one of civilization’s oldest ways of life.

Ayurveda means “longevity through knowledge” in Sanskrit. The concepts guiding ayurvedic medicine involve a five-element view of nature. The five elements include earth, air, fire, and water like ancient Greek science. Ether, Ayurveda’s fifth element, actually counts as the first: the essence of emptiness or the luck of evidence of the existence of other elements in that emptiness/space defines ether’s place.

In Ayurvedic medicine these elements are combined variously into three doshas, or biological energies:

• Vata – combines air with ether.

• Pitta – mixes fire with water.

• Kapha – blends water with earth.

In Ayurveda each individual has uniquely mingled doshas. In balance they make you healthy, but out of balance they wreak havoc on you. Applying ayurvedic therapy means applying different treatments and exercises designed to restore balance to your doshas. This subsequently restores your health.

For maximum effectiveness Ayurvedic doctors study you personally, identifying your unique ideal dosha balance. Full ayurvedic treatment means integrating combinations of massage, meditation, yoga, diet, natural cleansing, herbal remedies and breathing exercises into your lifestyle. Purists only accept a full Ayurvedic treatment regimen, but you can still benefit from Ayurvedic medicine even if you value modern science over ancient wisdom.

Consider something western medicine calls NETI, an acronym for Nasoendotrachial Irrigation. Modern western medicine recognizes NETI as valid symptomatic treatment for conditions such as upper respiratory infections, allergies and sinusitis. Simply put, NETI means preparing a salt and water solution, snorting it through your nose, and spitting it out without swallowing. Singers use NETI for obstructed nasal channels. It clears them out, restoring optimal tone to their voices.

This illustrates that whether or not you believe that snorting salty water up your nose restores your dosha balance, it still restores your breathing.

Ayurveda always treated head colds and some breathing maladies this way, just as Western medicine eventually learned to. However Ayurveda might include different infusions of herbs or oils, breathing exercises, heat treatment or massages, depending on specific symptoms and body type.

In cases when the prescribed treatment fails to cure the condition permanently, an Ayurvedic doctor might argue that neglecting part of the program limits overall effectiveness. Most Western doctors would say the same thing about a regimen of antibiotics, fluids, and bed rest. Leaving one out, they argue, diminishes results.

Ayurvedic treatments take a comprehensive, holistic, approach when treating patient. The physical emotional and spiritual aspects are all taken into consideration when treating the sick. To address these aspects of the patient, Ayurvedic remedies, such as herbs, oil and herb massages, breathing exercises and meditation are prescribed. In Western Medicine there are some doctors who include meditative practices mimicking Ayurveda to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Autism.

Patients with ADHD or Autism may, however, need medications before such methods can be added. Ayurveda, in such cases, would not likely use meditation alone either. It would include Ayurvedic remedies such as herbal therapy combined with some or all the other means mentioned above

A qualified therapist, when treating such persons, might add relaxation techniques, especially to those who are prone to stress. She or he will instruct you, the patient, to sit or lay down, close your eyes, and, instead of focusing on whatever vexes you, focus on your toes or fingers. Imagine, they might suggest, a calming wave flowing through your distal limbs. They then extend that calming image centrally, drawing it ever closer towards the solar plexus. Eventually you calm down completely.

Some other ancient cultures had discovered Ayurvedic remedies on their own. The classical Ayurvedic treatment for substance abuse, for example, includes steam baths. Native American’s therapy for treating alcoholism and drug addiction includes sweat lodge rituals that proved to be very effective. Some physicians, assigned to work within these communities, do not even understand how and why sweat lodges achieve the results that they do, but they cannot argue with their success.

Modern science decides validity by what it cannot prove wrong. Failing to prove something wrong requires experimentation, and ayurvedic medicine doesn’t bother itself with it. Ayurvedic therapy of modern days relies on over 3,500 years worth of trial and error to know what works and what does not. Even so, when they clearly do no harm, Western medicine is now ever more open, ever more ready to accepts Ayurvedic Remedies to augment “scientific” treatment, even without understanding how these Ayurvedic Remedies actually work.

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Ayurvedic Nutrition: Let Your Food Be Your Medicine

It is ironic how something as obvious as nutrition has become overlooked in the modern health care system, and how in the name of convenience our fast paced society has given way to fast foods, microwaves, quick fix medicines, and eating on the run. Fortunately, there is a growing focus in the important role that nutrition plays in maintaining good health. In Ayurveda, India’s ancient science of life, health and longevity, food plays a prominent role in promoting health and is therefore considered medicine.

Dating back over five thousand years, Ayurveda is still a highly respected form of health care in India today. According to this holistic system, everyone has a unique constitution or prakruti–an individual combination of physical, mental and emotional characteristics determined by many factors surrounding the time of conception and birth. Disturbance of this balance due to emotional and physical stress, trauma, improper food combination and choices, as well as seasonal and weather changes may lead to imbalance and eventually to disease. If we understand how such factors affect us we can take appropriate actions to minimize their effect and eliminate the causes of imbalance. In this sense, the path toward health is always individual. There is no single approach that is right for everyone, whether it relates to diet, lifestyle, exercise or the use of medicinal herbs.

According to Samkhya, the philosophical foundation of Ayurveda, creation expresses itself through the five elements–ether or space, air, fire, water and earth. These elements manifest in the body as the three governing principles or humors called doshas: vata, pitta and kapha. Everyone has all three of these doshas to varying degrees, although one and sometimes two tend to be predominant and the other(s) secondary. In balance, the doshas promote the normal functions of the body and maintain overall health. Out of balance, they create mental, emotional and physical ailments.

Vata is the subtle energy associated with movement and is made up of the air and ether. By nature it has dry, light, mobile and cold qualities. When aggravated, it can cause flatulence, constipation, tremors, spasms, asthma, rheumatoid and osteoarthritis, as well many neurological problems.

Pitta represents the fire and water elements of the body. It has mainly hot sharp and oily qualities. Pitta disorders include hyperacidity, ulcers, skin eruptions, chronic fatigue, Crohn’s disease, colitis, gout and numerous inflammatory disorders.

Kapha is made up of earth and water, and is associated with heavy, cold, damp and static qualities. Out of balance, kapha can cause obesity, high cholesterol, diabetes, edema, asthma, tumors and a variety of congestive problems.

Aggravation of the doshas can affect the digestion and can create toxins, or ama from poorly digested food. As ama accumulates in the tissues and channels of the body it slowly but surely affects the flow of prana (vital energy), immunity (ojas) and the cellular metabolism (tejas), eventually resulting in disease.

From an Ayurvedic perspective, one of the main keys to maintaining optimal health as well as to support the healing process is to help the body eliminate toxins and to reestablish constitutional balance. To achieve this, Ayurveda emphasizes the importance of proper nutrition through proper food choices, food combining and cooking methods, as well as herbal nutrition, all based on the specific needs of the individual and any current imbalance of the doshas.

Ayurvedic nutrition is a vast topic that takes into account the individual constitution, the medicinal value of culinary spices, the theory of shad rasa (or six tastes, which should all be present for a meal to be balanced), and more. As I mentioned before, in Ayurveda food is considered medicine. Likewise, herbs are also used for their nutritional and nourishing qualities, or to counteract any doshic imbalance and toxin formation as a result of poor digestion.

For optimum nutrition, care should be taken to insure that food be organic, fresh and whenever possible locally grown. In Ayurveda food, drinks, and spices are categorized according to their taste (sweet, salty, sour, bitter, pungent and astringent), the energetic effect they have on the doshas, as well as their post-digestive effect on the tissues. This is why when choosing foods it is important to understand our original constitution so as to eat foods that have the opposite qualities to those that are already predominant in the constitution. Furthermore, understanding the current state of the doshas is also crucial for making the right food choices.

Vata types tend to more deficient by nature and have light body frames, variable digestion and often have a tendency towards gas and constipation. Therefore, they do best eating warm, nourishing, unctuous and primarily cooked foods, and should avoid dried, cold, frozen and excess intake of raw foods. Also, they should avoid pinto, garbanzo or black beans, which are hard to digest and tend to increase intestinal gas. Vata is balanced by sweet, sour and salty tasting foods.

Pitta types tend to have strong appetites and good digestion, but have a tendency toward hyperacidity and inflammatory disorders. So they should avoid eating greasy, hot spicy, salty and fermented foods, as well as sour and acidic fruits. Pitta is balanced by bitter, sweet and astringent tastes.

Kapha types are large framed with a tendency toward weight gain, obesity, sluggish digestion, lethargy and congestive disorders. They do best on a light, reducing diet low in carbohydrates and avoiding dairy, cold food and drinks, poor quality oils and sweet treats. Kapha is decreased with pungent, bitter and astringent tastes.

Before talking about the use of spices in Ayurvedic cooking I should point out that although Ayurvedic food is traditionally Indian cuisine, it is not by any means limited to it. Also, by the same token, not all Indian food is Ayurvedic. In fact, Indian restaurant food is often overly spicy and drenched in poor quality cooking oils. What makes food truly Ayurvedic is the fact that it is selected and cooked according to the specific needs of the individual, or that it is balanced for all doshas.

Many of the spices used in Ayurvedic cooking such as turmeric, ginger, cumin, fenugreek, coriander and cardamom, amongst others, are also medicinal herbs used in Ayurvedic herbology. Cooking daily with those spices can greatly enhance digestion, absorption and assimilation of food, improve one’s appetite and elimination, nourish the internal organs and prevent doshic imbalance. Spices also provide a harmonious blend of the six tastes. Taste is medicinal and is the first form of nourishment. A meal containing a balanced blend of the six tastes, aside from being more appealing to the tongue, is also more digestible at a deep cellular level.

Modern research is now validating the benefits of many of the herbs and spices used in Ayurvedic cooking. Turmeric for instance, is highly effective in the treatment of type two diabetes, skin diseases, infections and hepatic and inflammatory disorders. Cumin, coriander, fennel, nutmeg and cardamom are extremely helpful in the treatment of a wide variety of digestive complaints, as is ginger for the treatment of respiratory congestion, fevers and colds. There are literally thousands of medicinal uses to such spices. Even today in much of rural India the wisest doctors are often the mothers and grandmothers who know the uses of their “kitchen pharmacies.”

Another vital aspect of Ayurvedic nutrition is proper food combining. In Ayurveda not all foods are compatible. Certain foods when eaten of cooked together can disturb the normal function of the digestive fire and promote the accumulation of ama (toxins) in the body. Various factors, such as the tastes, qualities, and energies of certain foods, as well as how long they take to digest, affect how well certain foods will combine. Heavy foods such whole grains, dairy, meats and starches don’t combine well with light foods such as fruit, which digest quicker. Another example, when sour and acidic fruits are combined with milk, which is sweet and cooling, this causes the milk to curdle and become heavy in the intestines. Ayurveda places great emphasis on the art of food combining.

Ayurveda encourages us to take responsibility for our health as much as possible by making appropriate changes in diet and lifestyle. What we eat and how we live on a daily basis can be our strongest allies in restoring and maintaining health. All other therapeutic measures will be strongly supported by this daily effort.

Along with a balanced diet, incorporating other healthy habits into a daily routine can prevent imbalance at its very root. A lifestyle that integrates regular eating and sleeping habits will bring discipline and help maintain the harmony of the doshas, thus promoting overall good health. An Ayurvedic clinician can provide dietary and lifestyle guidelines, as well as herbal nutrition, more specific to the individual constitution, doshic imbalance and situation of each person.

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Piles Can Now Be Cured By Ayurvedic Treatment

Hemorrhoids or piles, in layman terms, are small, bluish swellings that comprise of the large blood vessels located in the anus. Piles is a dangerous and dreadful condition which requires timely and proper care. Piles also have specific types. The two types of piles are- bleeding piles and dry piles. One who is suffering from piles need not worry because Ayurveda treatment has the cure for it. The best part is that these remedies do not have any side effects. In dry piles the inflammation is experienced outside piles. It is a horrible condition and the person suffering from piles experiences continuous pain. Bleeding piles is the worst because in this condition, internal piles instigate bleeding. If the bleeding is excessive and continuous it can turn into anemic condition.

What are the causes of piles? There are several causes of piles. This condition could occur because of constipation and a person’s sedentary lifestyle. It could also be a result of lack of exercises or bad dietary habits. One more cause is sitting on a hard seat for long duration.

What can be done at home? There are some Ayurveda treatments that can be tried at home. One such Ayurveda treatment is using Cypress or Juniper while taking a bath and adding some drops of it in the water. Some herbs are really good like Morse chestmt, Marigold and Pilecort which are easily found in creams. You can use one tablespoon of Triphala which is again an effective herb, in your bed time. Triphalachurna and Abhayarista are also useful herbs and help in the treatment of piles.

What are the precautions? Patients who are undergoing the treatment for piles should follow some precautions to avoid any mishaps and inconvenience. Patients suffering from piles should avoid going for horse riding and sitting on a hard seat. They should also avoid having too much sex during the treatment. The treatments for bleeding piles are different from that of dry piles. So know your type of piles and take a treatment accordingly.

These were all the useful and necessary measures one could take for piles. If followed properly it can be very effective for this condition. Ayurveda treatment is a must and should be considered for such diseases. There are emergency cases too and in such a situation one must immediately rush to Ayurveda treatment center. There the doctors take proper care of you.

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Dental Diseases – Ayurvedic Medicines

Ayurveda is a system of medicine that combines natural therapies with a personalized approach to the treatment. This form of health care focuses equally on the wellness of the body, mind, and spirit where an imbalance results in illness. There are three doshas, which govern the body: Vata, Pitta and Kapha. The mouth is the seat of the kapha dosha, care must be taken not to vitiate it. Problems with this dosha lead to several dental problems some of which are:

Bad breath

Toothache

Bleeding gums

Yellow teeth

Tooth decay

Ayurveda suggests a wide range of herbal and dietary solutions to dental problems some of which are:

Neem

The neem tree is a traditional remedy for white healthy teeth. Neem twigs are used as toothbrushes. Neem oils contain astringent and antiseptic properties to fight bad breath, kill microorganisms accumulated on the teeth and combat dental caries.

Turmeric

Besides flavoring food, purify blood; dental remedy is probably the most common use of Turmeric in Ayurveda. Prepare a mixture of a quarter teaspoon of common salt with mustard oil and apply on the affected tooth. Its daily use prevents dental caries, foul breath, bleeding from the gums, painful gums, and toothaches. Burn some turmeric sticks; make a fine powder and use as tooth powder. Gumtone is a trusted tooth powder from Charak Pharma.

Clove

Another remedy for toothache is in the use of clove, which lessens pain. It also helps decrease infection due to its antibacterial properties. Clove oil, applied to a cavity in a decayed tooth, also reduces toothache. Use a paste of zinc oxide powder and clove oil to fill the cavity in the aching tooth, also preventing food materials from accumulating in the cavity. Peel and crush a clove of fresh garlic and mix it with peanut butter. Apply it to the aching tooth and keep it there for some time.

Vitamin C prevents decay and loosening of the teeth, dental caries, toothache, and bleeding of the gums. Take Vitamin C rich diet to fight against toothache.

Sugar from candy, cookies, soft drinks and desserts damages teeth and gums hence should be avoided.

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Three Types of Ayurvedic Preparations

Ayurveda is an ancient science and a living tradition which has for millennia been developing new treatments and products as well as perfecting existent ones. There are several principal texts which have been handed down for generations that outline many of the specific formulations still used today. Perhaps the most famous among these is the Samhita of Charaka which includes twelve chapters outlining specific ayurvedic products for treatment of a variety of conditions. These formulations and many newer additions comprise the wide range ayurvedic products that are available today. Ayurvedic products take a many forms that are differentiated by their mediums or methods of application. The fundamental types of ayurvedic products are described below.

Perhaps the most famous and most enjoyable of all ayurvedic products are the rasayanas, or medicated jellies. These are made by blending a powerful herbal decoction with jaggery, or raw sugar, and then cooking it into a jelly preserve. These are sweet and satisfying, and they deliver the herbs to the blood and muscles with a potent nourishing boost. The most popular among ayurvedic rasayanas is Chyawanprash, which is a blend of almost 40 herbs, and it is renowned for its enhancement of almost all bodily functions, primarily the nutritional functions of the blood and the subtle channels. Rasayanas are designed for many different purposes, and are one of the best ayurvedic products for long term use.

Aristas or medicated wines are another very potent form of ayurvedic preparation. They are made by mixing herbal decoctions with jaggery and yeast, which is then fermented for at least three months prior to use. The small amount of alcohol that is produced acts as a powerful vehicle for the healing properties of the combined herbs, delivering them deep into the subtle tissues of the nerves. These are great for a variety of applications but perhaps most so for vata related conditions which benefit from the heating effect of alcohol on the nerves. Most notably among these is Ashwagandharista which combines the subtle delivery and heating effect of alcohol with the powerful vata balancing and tissue strengthening effects of ashwagandha and 22 other herbs. It is great for calming nervousness and anxiety and invigorating a body worn out by the erraticism of vata imbalance. Aristas are a very powerful ayurvedic product.

Next among the most notable ayurvedic preparations are the ghritas, or medicated ghee. A grita fuses an herbal concoction with clarified butter, or ghee. Ghee is a powerful medium which is both rejuvenating to all tissues and deeply penetrating. Though ghritas are fatty they contain only short and readily digestible fats that do not accumulate in the body. They are incredibly nourishing and enhance the digestive capacity and activity of all parts of the body, thus helping the body to process accumulated toxins and available nutriment. Ghritas are a soothing and nutritious ayurvedic product that is suitable for daily and long term use.

Though there are many other ayurvedic products and preparations these three are the centerpiece to traditional ayurvedic dietary treatments. All are both potent and healthy, and in no way habit forming, rendering them an effective and safe addition to your dietary habits. Whether you want to spread a rasayana on your toast in the morning or a ghrita on your chappati at lunch these ayurvedic products fit in great with your natural eating routines. They are both tasty and a boon to your health. Try and enjoy!

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Pregnancy – Ayurvedic Medicines

Ayurveda, a science of life, advises that the health of the pregnant women to be taken care, so that she is able to withstand the strain of labour and also give birth to a healthy offspring.

It advises mother-to be, to take certain herbs to be taken during each month of pregnancy. Milk decoction is one among them and it has to be drunk everyday before going to bed. It is prepared by mixing 15gms of the monthly advised herb/200mls milk/800mls water then boil it and reducing it to 1/4th the quantity.

First month

- 8 flg leaf buds boiled in milk and then strained for three consecutive days

- For the rest of the month the milk decoction with Bala (Sida rhombifolia)

- Guarantees a healthy child

Second month

- Milk decoction with the herb Lakshmana (Ipomeoa sepiaria)

- Sonitamrtam (tonic) is given

- Provides energy

Third month

- Milk decoction is with Solanum melenginum (Bruhati)

Fourth month

- Milk decoction with Desmodium gangeticum (Shaliparni)

- Prevents intrauterine growth retardation

Fifth month

- Milk decoction with Amrita (Tinospora cordifolia)

Sixth month

- Milk decoction is with Solanum xanthocarpum (Kantakari)

- if there is water retention problem then Tribulus Terrestris may be given

Seventh month

- Milk decoction along with Hordeum vulgare(yava)

- Sukha prasava Ghee is given to pave a way for an easy delivery

Eight month

- Maerua oblongiflia and milk is given

- Dhanwantaram 101 or Ksheerabala 101 is taken

- Lubricates the reproductive channels in preparation for childbirth

Ninth month

- Milk decoction with Asparagus racemosus (Shatavari) during this month

During pregnancy, women may undergo cramps, sleeplessness for which medicated oils like Dhanwantharam, Sahacharadi, Pinda tail are used. This ensures peripheral circulation too. To have a normal delivery medicated ghee like sukhaprasoothi ghrita is given.

Ayurvedic Medicine Employs a Vast Array of Treatments

The human body is a diverse combination of tissues intricately woven together in a delicate balance that must be respected and honored if it is to be healthy. Ayurveda is a science of life which treats the person as a whole, and as such, it treats all the diverse tissues of the body in a way that is both effective and respectful. Consequently, ayurvedic medicine employs a vast array of treatments each specially catered to the particular disease and the part of the body in which it is present. The delivery of treatment to the right part of the body is very important, as even the herbs with the right potencies can be ineffectual without proper delivery. In Ayurveda, the method of delivery, or vehicle, is called the anupana, and there are a variety of anupanas employed to deliver the power of herbs and minerals to the right places. Here we will explore the five basic vehicles, water, raw sugar, ghee, oil, and alcohol.

Water is the simplest and most common vehicle and is often used in a preliminary step of a formulation only to be later combined with a more potent vehicle. In general, water delivers the potencies of the herbs to the plasma of the blood, and is used both hot and cold depending upon the circumstances and desired effect. Generally in ayurvedic treatments, hot water reduces vata and kapha, while cold water reduces pitta. The temperature of the medium greatly affects the metabolism and the manner in which the herbs are digested. For example, contrary to what one might think, fever reducing herbs should always be taken with hot water, as fevers result from a depression of the central digestive fire which causes it to rise to the surface of the body. Cold drinks and food further suppress this fire and perpetuate the cause of the fever, while warm and hot things kindle it back to health.

Herbs are also boiled in water to extract and concentrate their essences by a process known as decoction. Decoctions are then combined into concoctions and mixed in other mediums to create more complex formulations like medicated ghee, milk, oil, and aristas, i.e. medicated wine.

In ayurvedic medicine, raw sugar is a very common medium for rejuvenative tonics, due to its inherent nourishing. It is the medium in the famous Chyawanprash and other similar rasayanas. It delivers the herbs to the plasma and the blood, and increases the tonic effect of herbs. It rejuvenates the plasma and the blood, relieves heat, and protects tissues, while encouraging the digestive power of the tissues.

Ghee is perhaps one of the best anupanas in ayurvedic medicine for the treatment of pitta and vata, but is light and easily digested so as not to contribute to the buildup of excess kapha. Ghee enhances the ojas, which is the subtle essence of all tissues and is responsible for vitality and immunity. It also increases the digestive power of the small intestines and liver without aggravating pitta, making it a particularly powerful aid for the treatment of pitta related conditions which generally stem from these two organs. Although ghee is fatty it does not clog the liver as other oils and fats do, but actually strengthens it. Ghee is food for the bone marrow, nerve tissue, and brain, and encourages the intellectual digestive fire of perception and understanding. The penetrating and nourishing effects of ghee have won it a central role in many ayurvedic treatments.

Ayurvedic oils are known worldwide for their healing, nourishing, and rejuvenating effects. There are many classic formulations of oils which utilize herbs from all over India in all the varieties and combinations of oils which are found on the sub-continent. There are cooling, heating, nourishing and grounding oils all of which ayurvedic medicine employs each according to its potencies. The variety of different oils allows them to be used in ayurvedic treatments for all three doshas. In general, oils work on the plasma, blood, and muscle tissues of the body. They increase the digestive power of these tissues by providing essential vitamins and minerals in a rich medium of nourishing fats and fatty acids. Though they are too heavy for the liver to digest, and so cannot reach subtler tissues, they are very effective vehicles for the treatment of the skin, blood, lungs, and colon. They are a powerful and often relaxing medium of application.

Ayurvedic medicine employs alcohol as an anupana in its famous aristas, or medicated wines. Alcohol is a very powerful medium that reaches deep into the subtle channels and tissues of the body and mind. It works primarily on the nerves and as such is great for the treatment of vata, where its heating and calming effects enhance nerve supportive herbs. However, its power is not to be abused as it can also do great damage to the body, particularly the liver.

These are just a few of the many mediums which Ayurveda employs to administer treatment. Ayurvedic treatments are as vast and varied as the conditions which they treat, and consequently there are many more anupanas which are employed. These five constitute the primary mediums of most classic ayurvedic formulations which have served the science of life for many millennia.

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Does Ayurveda Have Any Effect On Panic Attacks

A good way to get rid of stress and avoid anxiety is to apply Ayurveda for panic attack. In many ways, Ayurveda for panic attack is parallel to stress management techniques. Ayurveda has a good combination of meditation and yoga to relieve the mind and body from excessive stress. Modern life can prove too stressful for many people and it is only natural that something like Ayurvda for panic attack will work so well when it has already benefited other types of problems. Being overworked we tend to neglect our body and yoga focuses on improving the coordination of the various internal bodily activities.

A core concept of yoga is “pranayama” or breath-control. This is a key skill in managing and eventually avoiding panic attacks. Proper breathing allows you to stay in control of your body and your emotions. Maintaining proper control over mind and body is essential to effective meditation. This is crucial because meditation helps to clear the mind of all clutter and negative thought processes and hence it must be given the best environment to work in. This whole process will help you to be more creative while improving your memory and keeping you calm.

Whether you are a professional or a student, ayurveda for panic attack can help you. The challenges faced can be daunting in every aspect of life. Some people tend to get unstable and frustrated while others will have a tendency to fall into depression. These minor problems develop into anxiety disorders in the long term and a good way to prevent that is ayurveda for panic attack.

Since yoga and meditation are parts of ayurveda, it is only fitting that they both be included when ayurveda is applied to a panic attack problem. Though there are spiritual aspects to these disciplines, you do not have to accept them. Regular practice can improve the physical and mental aspects of any individual.

Besides yoga and meditation, ayurveda also recommends the implementation of “panchakarma”. This includes five different forms of therapy that are all aimed at the prevention of disease and restoring the balance in post-illness situations. Their ultimate goal is to rejuvenate the individual. As a cure, this is applied to chronic and serious ailments. For panic attacks, it is more of a preventative measure. It improves the immune system and helps the body in getting more efficient at fighting infection. However, panchkarma might not be within reach of everyone because some of its treatment procedures are too exotic and may not be available in your neighborhood. At the most basic level it includes a change in diet and massages with different types of oils.

Yoga focuses on body control and breathing techniques. This improves body posture, blood circulation, and thereby more energy. Meditation will help to clear the mind and find more peace. Panchkarma is a good way of detoxifying the body and leaving it healthier. All these aspects are combined in ayurveda for panic attack and a long-term practice will improve your overall functioning and help you to cope with greater confidence the situations you now find difficult.

Healer Herbs

India is well known for its rich treasure of herbs that helps to heal. Today in this 21st century when technology and medical science have achieved the zenith, herbals treatment hasn’t been forgotten. It’s not only what I think but about four out of five people in India have the same faith in traditional remedies and therefore there are about 430,000 registered ayurvedic medical practitioners in India. There are also a countless rural vaids and healers who are not registered yet provide a valuable service to the community.

Aloe Vera is a plant who’s thick and fleshy leaves conceal an emollient extract which is used in preparing cosmetics, as it has anti-fungal properties and skin creams, due to its ability to regenerate cells. Its general ingredients are vitamins, minerals, enzymes, sugars, fatty acids hormones. It has both antiseptic and healing property. Some research has revealed that Aloe Vera also has protective effect against radiation damage skin. One who apply it over a period of time also found their skin more elastic and less wrinkled. It combats pimples, acne and removes scars and stretch marks. Aloe Vera acts as a laxative when it is consumed. It helps to increase intestinal water content, mucus secretion and intestinal peristalsis. Aloe Vera is a great detoxifier and helps in eliminating waste and toxins from the body. It can be consumed both internally and applied topically depending upon the purpose of its use but before using it or consuming it, proper dose or patch test should be done.

Fenugreek seed is a leguminous Asian herb with aromatic seeds which is used internally and externally for several cures. Its powdered seed can be applied as a poultice on hives, boils and ulcers or can also be consumed to increase the appetite, counter appetite loss and reduce blood sugar level. The presence of a lipid in high proportion helps in lowering high blood cholesterol. Person with high lipid level has risk of cardiovascular disease including deadly strokes and heart attacks. The use of the powdered seed at least twice a day, help to lower the level of cholesterol. It is also effective for type-2 diabetes and hypertension.

Garlic is another ancient medicinal herb belonging to the onion family. People taking garlic in their diet lowers the level of gastric ulcer, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Garlic eaters will also experience fewer anginas, the chest pain that heart patients often feel. Those who dislike the taste of garlic, deodorized garlic tablets will provide the same health benefits without the flavor or odour.

Turmeric is a perennial herb whose underground root when grinded becomes a spice and forms one of the staple food. The boiled, dried and grinded stem is used as a flavoring and coloring agent as well as a stimulant. This herb has a mild protective effect against cold and flu as it appears in lowering the severity and duration of the disease. It is effective if taken twice a day, when one feels a cold or flu may attack, with a cup of boiled milk.Curcumin, found in turmeric has anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties, useful in the treatment of arthritis. Most interesting feature of curcumin is the lack of gastrointestinal side effects despite it being an anti-inflammatory agent.

The auspicious or holy basil at our doorstep with fragrant leaves which needs no such introduction is our sacred plant,Tulsi. The consumption of Tulsi, help reduce acid secretion and protect the mucous membrane of the stomach. It helps to heal ulcers. It contains beneficial compounds like phyto-chemicals which possess antioxidant, antiviral, antibacterial and immunity enhancing properties that increases immunity and promotes wellness. Tulsi is very effective for coughs and colds. Tulsi syrup help mobilize mucus in bronchitis and asthma. Drinking and gargling with boiled Tulsi leaves heals sore throats. There are tulsi capsules manufactured by reputed companies which can be taken as the substitute.

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