Mental Diseases – Ayurveda Concept

Ayurveda is a “science of life and longevity”, a traditional system of medicine of India which considers the mind to be one of the three pillars (tristhuna) on which life depends. The concept of mind (manas prakriti) is both broad and illuminating. Mind is built from different aspects. Buddhi, the intellect is the digestive system of the mind as it discriminates between different aspects of mental ‘nutrition’. Manas is that which conceptualizes, analyzes and interacts between our inner sub consciousness and our experience of the outer world. Ahamkara is our ‘I’ maker and identity former that personalizes every experience. Tarpaka kapha relates to memory. Chitta that is considered to be consciousness and awareness. Prana connects these different aspects into antahakarana, the inner active.

It describes three primary qualities of mind or gunas as Sattwa, Rajas and Tamas. Satwa (equilibrium, evolution, intelligence) characterized by lightness, awareness, delight and lucidity, is pure, free from malady and cannot distorted and disturbed in any way. It activates the senses and is responsible for the perception of knowledge. Rajas (activity, agitation) which is most active of the gunas, characterizes motion and stimulation. All wants, wishes, aspirations and erratic-mindedness are a result of the effects of rajas guna. Tamas (inertia) which characterizes heaviness and immunity, produces disturbances in the process of perception (way one thinks) and activities of the mind. Hallucinations, laziness, apathy, sleepiness and drowsiness habits are due to it.

According to Ayurveda there are three fundamental mind types or mental doshas, called Vata, Pitta and Kapha, which embody different combinations of the five elements air, ether, fire, water and earth. Psychologically Vata governs feelings and emotions as freshness, nervousness, fear, anxiety, pain. Pitta arouses anger, hate, and jealousy. Kapha is responsible for the emotions of attachment, greed, and long-standing envyAyurvedic treatment aims to rebalance your doshas according to your constitution (also known as your Prakriti), resulting in a healthy body and sound mind.

Dr Rajesh Nair is a Web writer and ayurvedic researcher. Check out his favorite sources for ayurvedic medicines

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Ayurveda medicines

Memory Enhancement – A Scientific Approach With Herbal Alternative Medicine

It is true that “intellectual strength is more important than just physical strength”. This is an all time correct statement. For significant achievement in any field, intellectual performance is the most important tool and there could be hardly anybody who will disagree to this. Every parent dreams about their child scoring best in academics in all fields.

There are endless numbers of products available in the market today claiming such therapeutic benefits and also new products are coming up every other day. It creates confusion amongst consumers as to which products are genuine and which are not. The advertisements are also rivalling and hence it is essential to identify the appropriate one. Besides this, what are the other treatments, what are the correct doses, how these formulations work, how is the knowledge stored, how does the recall process works, what diet is good for nourishing the activity of brain, importance of diet, importance of prayers, significance of exercise and rest? Here you will find answers to all such questions and their scientific basis.

First Step: For acquiring the knowledge, the body uses 5 sense organs. Ears, Skin, Eyes, Tongue and nose are collectively called sense organs. The sensations experienced by these sense organs are transmitted to the brain. The sensory nerves conduct chemical messages via the nerves and then they are stored in the brain. Hence the precondition for uninterrupted transmission of these senses is to have the healthy state of the nerves and also they should be properly lubricated. While during common cold, blockage of olfactory nerve there is a total loss of sensation of smell. This is very common example experienced by most of the people. Similarly, if there is any kind of blockage in the optic nerve, the sensation of visual experience will be blocked; auditory nerve will result in impaired listening etc. Proper lubrication to the sense organs help to improve the oxygenated blood supply and thereby help to establish the physiological functioning of specific sense organ.

Applying a drop of oil or any other lubricant to finger facilitates inserting the odd-sized ring easily. This is an easy example to understand the importance in relation to the grasping ability of the sense organs. Oil and ghee are the main natural lubricants available since time immemorial. Ayurveda has described the properties of cow-ghee as follows: “68M$ ‘@ 8M.C$? .G’>=M(? ,2>/A 6AM0 M7A7>.M ….” It means that cow ghee improves grasping, storing and recall, the three aspects of brain. It also stimulates appetite, improves quality of life, physical endurance, vigour and eyesight. Nose is the gateway of brain and any product introduced through the nostril has immediate access to the brain tissue. Even modern medicine has identified the potential of this path which bypasses the blood brain barrier and without much efforts, the valuable drug can be made bio-available in plasma and CSF in just 1.5 minutes. Use of nasal insulin is a well-known example to understand this phenomenon. Here is the first step towards improving the grasping capacity of the brain which mentions administration of ghee based product through nostrils. Ayurveda has described this mode of administration 5000 years ago by the name of ‘Nasya’ treatment.

Besides cow-ghee, some valuable herbs like saffron help to impart phenomenal antioxidant effects on brain cells. It is scientifically proved and possesses a strong supporting reference. Nose is directly connected to the brain through olfactory apparatus; it is connected to ears through Eustachian tube, to eyes through lacrimal ducts. Therefore nasal treatment helps to restore the physiological functions of all these organs and nourish the brain’s grasping capacity. Ayurveda recommends 4-4 drops in each nostril daily to achieve the said therapeutic benefit. Despite improvement in intellectual competence, unknowingly this treatment imparts lots of other advantages like prevention of recurrent attacks of common cold, arrests hair fall, overcomes fatigue of eyes due to excess-reading, combats burning of eyes, protects occasional blocking of ears, protects vision defects etc.

The ideal time to administer these nasal drops is early morning or after sun-set. One should lie-down for 5 minutes afterwards. Rarely the feeling of the drops coming into throat is noticed which may be ignored or one can have a sip of warm water. This nasal medication helps to speed up the grasping process of knowledge without any difficulty.

Second Step: After grasping, the second step of improving the intellectual process is of increasing the storage capacity. The knowledge acquired has to be stored properly which can be utilised later as and when required. It is scientifically proved that the active constituents from herbs like Brahmi, Shankhapushpi, Shatavari, Ashwagandha helps in improving the intellectual performance by different mode of action. Some help by way of enhancement of protein kinase activity, Increase in protein in hippocampus, alleviate stress and help to minimize the release of stress hormone, some have neuro-regenerative activity, some help by improving the oxygenated blood supply to the brain and some prevent oxidative damage by imparting anti-oxidant activity. In short these herbs play a major role to improve the storage capacity of the brain. It is as simple to understand that if more books are ordered in the library, it becomes essential to make additional arrangement of accommodating them by adding number of cupboards.

Most of the marketed Ayurvedic and herbal formulations work on this principle. The activity starts in about 2 weeks. Nobody can deny the fact that memory related functions can’t be measured like body temperature. Even then their efficacy remains unquestionable as huge amount of data is available across the world and also the safety parameters are well established. The important aspect is to know the quantity of each item in the formulation. If inadequate quantities are consumed, one can not expect the therapeutic benefits in desired time. Besides improvement in intellectual abilities, these herbs also possess several other benefits like improvement in physical endurance, keeps hemoglobin, RBC, WBC in right shape, improves the immunity, hair melanin, prevent calcium depletion, and delay ageing process. Besides dosage, it is also important to check the taste of the product as children are very fussy about taste. The herbs are basically bitter in taste but many brands are available which mask the bitterness perfectly and make the product not only palatable but worth loving.

The third step: The 3rd and most important step of memory enhancement is the “recall process”. Many factors are responsible for affecting this process. Stress, fear, loud noise, lack of interest, inadequate exercise, wrong diet, weak concentration etc. are some major factors, which should be taken care of during the course of studies. Recently German researchers found they could use specific perfume at night to re-activate new memories in the brains of students during sleep and the volunteers remembered better on the next day. The test conducted showed the 97 % result and the control group performed only 84 %. During the studies, fMRI scan showed that the activity of Hippocampus was stimulated during inhalation of particular odour. Based on this research, a novel product in the form of agarbatti is prepared. This Agarbatti does not contain strong perfumes but it is composed by Ayurvedic aromatic herbs like Tulsi, Jatamansi etc. which improve the recall function of the brain. Students should light this Agarbatti in the bed room where he intends to sleep. It is also good to light this while studying to improve the consolidation of memory.

Prayers have scientific base: Prayers towards God and offering respect to seniors helps to strengthen the brain’s overall performance. This statement can be scientifically proved here. To understand this, we must match up few things together. It is an established fact that cortisol hormone is released due to stress or fear. This is therefore called stress hormone. Cortisol affects the brain function seriously. Hence in acute and serious situations an individual becomes insane. He or she could not make any logical decision. Second situation when a child is thrown up, he laughs as he enjoys it. The confidence level of the child is to the extent that he is 100% sure about his security. Therefore in a situation where he should be afraid, he rather takes pleasure out of it. The hormone cortisol is not released and the brain remains away from its ill effects. A prayer towards God and offering respect to the seniors gradually builds the confidence level that a person feels enormous support. In olden days, it was a tradition but has a scientific base to offer respect to seniors and pray God before leaving for long journey. As there were no vehicles and even roads, people used to travel in either bullock-cart or ride on horses. Getting food during travel, climatic conditions, and possibility of attack from wild animals were major hurdles and only blessings used to be the moral support. The customs were simply followed but the hidden treasure is now understood by the modern world.

Importance of regular exercise: How much exercise you do is not important but how regular you perform it is rather more important. A 76 years old man reached the wedding hall slightly late for his own wedding is a fact known to the author. This was because he did not want to compromise with his exercise schedule. No doubt those taking rigorous exercise look well-built but, most of the times, their immunity is not up to mark. Their bones are also brittle and get fracture even with a small trauma. It is also found that such well-built individuals do not have an issue. This is because the optimum nutrition is utilized by the muscular portion and other systems remain under-nourished. Therefore is good to perform little but regular exercise. Apparently such people would not look as attractive in physical built, but their overall physical and intellectual will be far better than a robust individual.

Intellectual exercise: As regular exercise can build good muscle power, same is the case with brain tissue. The more you keep them functioning, their performance will improve to the top. In the course of exercise, the muscular action is repeated in the same sequence many times which tones-up the muscle fibers. The brain also achieves improved ability by repetitively doing the same task. Forgetting is a natural process in living creatures. Man forgets more because his mind is diverted to too many subjects throughout the day. Intellectual performance can be further improved by meditation as it tones up the brain to stick to one subject and not to get diverted. Very few people remember the dreams on the next day. The only reason for this is the moment you get up, you see the watch, then think of the studies, then think of the bank balance, then the medicine to be consumed on empty stomach and so on. There are hundreds of such things that vanish off the experience of dream. Same is the case with studies. Try to focus more and more on the task and nothing other than your commitments. This itself is an intellectual exercise.

Some important things about diet: Human digestive system is fabricated by the creator of the universe for consuming vegetables only. If non-veg diet is cherished; make sure that it should not be more than once a week. There is a special recipe described in Ayurveda by the name “Pancha Khadya” which contains following 5 items. Dry dates, Raw dates, Coconut, Poppy seeds and cane sugar. This recipe helps to improve various brain functions and is extremely delicious too. Instead of fast-food, wafers, wada-pav, biscuits etc, this can be a best alternative to schooling children as recess time breakfast

Dr. Santosh Jalukar
3/44, Madhavi Soc. Mogal Lane,
Mahim, Mumbai 400016

Dr. Jalukar is 3rd generation Ayurveda physician and engaged in Research & Development for last 24 years. The article is the summary of 2 years of his study and he has personally developed the said products for mankind.

Protect Your Memory with Rosemary Oil

Use Rosemary to restore, strengthen and balance the nervous system.

Rosemary stimulates the central nervous system and improves the intellect and left brain recall of numbers and facts!

Improves mental capacity and awareness, strengthens the imaginal forces and ability to evaluate possibilities!

Inhalation of Rosemary may be helpful for restoring the sensory abilities of smell, speech and sight!

In ancient Greece and Rome wreaths made of Rosemary were worn by students to improve mental focus and memory when studying or taking exams!

Helps to dispel negativity and negative situations, add to Black Pepper to enhance this effect.

Useful aid for meditation as it stabilizes and clears the mind for effective practice. Blend with Frankincense, Orange, Atlas Cedarwood to enhance this effect.

Rosemary’s invigorating scent is physically reviving and a wonderful aid for letting go of feelings of stress, frustration, inner resistance and the tendency to struggle.

Rosemary relieves mental fatigue, lethargy and physical exhaustion.

A great pick me up or wake up oil alone or in a blend. Add to Lemon, Pink Grapefruit, or Peppermint for a study blend to enhance your memory retention.

Rosemary Verbenone is recommended by many authorities for its cell regenerating powers. It is excellent for physical recovery of one’s energy after an illness.

In Ayurvedic Medicine, an ancient system of healing practiced in India, the warm and pungent aroma of Rosemary helps to regulate and pacify both Vata and Kapha Doshas.

Symptoms of Vata imbalance are premenstrual syndrome, constipation, insomnia, restlessness, nervousness, anxiety and worry.

Symptoms of Kapha imbalance are high cholesterol, low metabolic forces, slow to lose weight, fluid retention, stagnation and blockage, lethargy and depression.

CAUTION: Due to its stimulating properties please do not use Rosemary during pregnancy, if you have high blood pressure, or have a diagnosed seizure disorder.

PLEASE NOTE: There are many cheap, synthetic copies of aromatic oils, but these are not recommended for therapeutic use. For best results purchase the highest quality oils you can possibly find. Use certified organic essential oils, or oils that have been tested and are pesticide free.

Aromatherapy is a gentle and noninvasive complementary health care system used for balancing and synchronizing your body, mind, spirit and emotions to enhance your health. Properly administered essential oils are a natural, safe and effective way to enhance your health and well-being and can produce satisfying results where other methods have failed. Please consult with your physician regarding serious health concerns and do not attempt to self diagnose.

KG Stiles is a certified aromatherapist practicing in Ashland, OR USA. PurePlant Essentials is her line of pure organic essential oils.

KG recommends the following aromatic remedies made with Rosemary Verbenone. Click to learn about & order RID (Rapid Immune Defense) – PREVENTION & RELIEF OF COLDS & FLU http://www.kgstiles.com/ridmoreinfo.html

More Info? Contact: KG Stiles at Springhill Wellness Center, 2520 Springhill Drive Ashland, OR USA (541) 941-7315 Mahalo!

It’s a Mad, Mad World! Mental Health – An Ayurvedic Perspective

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 450 million people worldwide are affected by mental, neurological or behavioral problems. However, determining that someone has a mental illness, and which one it could be, is one of the greatest challenges psychiatrists and psychologists face today. To date, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (the psychiatrists bible), lists over 400 disorders.

It’s quite normal to sometimes feel happy or sad, anxious or fearful, forgetful or confused. These are the hills and valleys of emotion in our daily lives. But when a person’s emotions, thoughts or behavior frequently trouble them, or disrupt their lives and those around them, they may be suffering from mental illness. Even though as many as one in five people are thought to suffer from a form of mental illness, it still carries with it stigma and discrimination. Because of this people are reluctant to admit they have a problem and seek help and treatment. Unfortunately, when mental illness goes untreated the result can be suicide, which claims 873,000 lives a year. The economic costs of these conditions are also enormous and growing. According to the WHO, depression is expected to account for more lost years of healthy life than any other disease by 2030, except for HIV/AIDS.

What Causes Mental Illness?

Western scientists can tell us what happens as a result of certain mental health issues, but they cannot give us the underlying cause. For instance, brain scans have directly linked depression with changes in levels of neurotransmitters – chemicals that convey messages across neurons – people suffering from depression often display lowered levels of neurotransmitter serotonin. Serotonin’s main effects include improving mood and giving you that “satisfied” feeling from food. It’s also thought to help promote sleep and relaxation. Alzheimer’s disease, a major source of dementia and memory loss in the elderly, is a result of an accumulation of protein plaques, which choke neurons in the brain. Untreated HIV infection, syphilis, Lyme disease and malaria are also thought capable of triggering a variety of mental illnesses. Modern medicine does not recognize a link between the body, mind and emotions. They look at the body as a machine, working independently of the mind.

The 5,000-year-old holistic science of Ayurvedic medicine, on the other hand, views the human being as body, mind and spirit, including the emotions and psychology, on all levels. It incorporates longevity, rejuvenation and self-realization therapies utilizing herbs, diet, yoga; breathing and physical exercises and meditation, massage, aromas and mantras. Ayurveda uses the concept of three biological humors; vata (air), pitta (fire), and kapha (earth) that if become unbalanced can affect us mentally, with disturbed emotions and thoughts, this will usually be reflected on a physical level also and visa versa. Through recent scientific research Dr. Candace Pert has come to a similar conclusion in her book Molecules of Emotion. Pert refers to the mind-body connection or a network of emotions linking the mind to the body. She demonstrates that cells throughout the body secrete ‘emotional’ hormones; these are then picked up by nerve impulses to produce the corresponding changes in mood and behavior. The immune system is linked with the brain (pituitary gland) and the endocrine system. Endorphins are the body’s natural ‘opiates’ or pleasure hormones and are known to be increased by pranayama (yogic breathing) and yoga asana. Stress affects the body by releasing hormones, adrenaline and corticosterone from the brain and the immune system. Once in a stressed state the body itself can continue the stress cycle by the continuous activation of corticosterone. Depressed and traumatized people have high levels of corticosterone and often have a decreased level of immunity. This physiological state can be deactivated when the trauma and stress are released. In Ayurveda this means transforming the negative emotions, like fear, pain, anger and grief into positive ones.

The Function of the Astral Body

In Ayurveda and many other natural healing methods a subtle astral or emotional body is recognized to exist simultaneously with the physical body. It is linked to the physical body by energy centers or chakras. Subtle channels known as nadis transport prana or the essence of life energy and thought to corresponding glands around the body. Disruption in the flow of these energies causes psychological disease. As mentioned yogic breathing can keep these energies circulating, as can certain herbs such as calamus, basil, turmeric, guggul, myrrh, frankincense and cedar.

There is a shield between the astral and physical bodies, which protect us from negative thoughts or energies that are within the astral atmosphere. For instance, there is so much accumulated fear within the world projected from wars, the slaughter of billions of animals, pain and suffering of women and children that exists in the astral plane that if the link becomes weak we can no longer discriminate the physical from the astral. The fear, pain and anger “out there”, affects our thoughts, fantasies and emotions, and we lose control. A physical trauma such as a severe blow to the head, sexual or physical abuse, excessive alcohol and mind-altering drugs such as LSD, ecstasy, cannabis and heroine can weaken this shield. Persons who are channelers open themselves up the astral plane also. One striking example of this is schizophrenia. This is a distorted view of reality, which may include hallucinations, hearing voices, delusions, and paranoia. Ayurveda recognizes this to be a symptom of a destructive astral force or entity entering the physical body commonly known as possession. Many Hindu priests, as well as Catholic priests, are taught a certain practice through prayer and sanctified water to rid the sufferer of the negative energy. Calamus, Holy basil and Gotu kola are then administered with perhaps some time being spent in a ‘sattvic’ or loving monastic environment.

Allopathic Psychiatric Treatments

Psychiatric treatment for mental illness can take many forms. The patient is encouraged to recognize their problems, understand what may trigger undesirable behavior, and develop coping strategies. Mood-stabilizing aim to moderate manic episodes of bipolar disorder and may also reduce recurrences of depression. Recently, however, some experts think there has been a rush to medicate and have questioned the effectiveness of many drugs. There is also controversy about using these drugs – such as Ritalin or amphetamines to treat children.

Various Mental Disorders and Ayurvedic Treatments

Depression

Among the most common mental illnesses is clinical depression. It is described as a prolonged, debilitating sadness, and feelings of hopelessness that is often accompanied by no highs or lows, just a bland existence which will ultimately lead to thoughts of suicide. The numbers of adolescents suffering from clinical depression have risen alarmingly in the last 10 years. Statistics show that suicide is the third leading cause of death in youths between 10 and 19 years old.

Bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression) is an affective disorder that causes periodic mood swings in which they cycle from depression to mania. Depression may be characterized by having a lack of motivation, difficulty doing tasks, short attention span, decreased appetite, crying spells, difficulty in getting to sleep or sleeping too much, and in the more severe cases thoughts of self harm. Mania is separated into two types: Full mania and hypomania. Mania may be characterized by a decreased need for sleep, decreased self-control, overspending, increased sexual activity, irritability, rage, risk-taking behaviors, and in the more severe cases psychotic states. Hypomania is described as having the same behaviors, to a less extreme level.

Ayurvedic Treatment

A need to arouse the sufferer’s interest and enthusiasm in life is introduced to the sense of taste. Spices like ginger, cardamon and basil are used to open the heart and mind. Calamus teas are given with a little ginger and honey. Mints and sages of all types are useful. Triphala is given to alleviate constipation. Color therapy is used with warm tones of yellow and gold. Long walks are encourages in nature at her best; sunshine, river, lakes and forests. All these places are filled with pranic energy.

Cutting or Self-Injury

Self-injury involves self-inflicted bodily harm that is severe enough to either cause tissue damage or to leave marks that last several hours. Cutting is the most common form of SI, but burning, head banging and scratching are also common. Other forms include biting, skin-picking, hair pulling, hitting the body with objects or hitting objects with the body. Although suicidal feelings may accompany SI, it does not necessarily indicate a suicide attempt. Most often it is simply a mechanism for coping with emotional distress. People who select this emotional outlet may use it to express feelings, to deal with feelings of unreality or numbness, to stop flashbacks, to punish themselves, or to relieve tension. Although SI is recognized as a common problem among the teenage population, it is not limited to adolescents. People of all sexes, nationalities, socioeconomic groups and ages can be self-injurers.

Ayurvedic Treatment

Often, the sufferer feels the need to stimulate themselves by pain. Ayurveda uses nervine herbs like Trikatu, cayenne, cardamom, cloves and calamus. Warming and nourishing these feed the emotional heart. Pippali is good also, 1/4 teaspoon with honey every few hours. Avoid sleeping during the day.

Anxiety Disorders

These include post-traumatic stress disorder, panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anger disorders, hypochondria, and phobias such as agoraphobia (open spaces), claustrophobia (small places), acrophobia (heights), arachnophobia (spiders) and social phobia (being around people). These are all characterized by powerful feelings of panic and physical signs of fear, sweating, and a racing heart – due to some cue in the environment, or for no obvious reason at all. Many sufferers believe they are either going insane or going to die.

Ayurvedic Treatment

Anxiety is mainly a Vata disorder and Ashwaganda is generally given am and pm in warm milk. Aromatherapy, using rose and jasmine is used. Warm massage and gentle, slow yogic techniques. Maha Mantra and Shrim mantra should be spoken.

Eating Disorders

There are three common eating disorders; anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. Each disorder has different affects on the human body. A disease that used to be associated with young women is now appearing in young men. Anorexia is characterized by a significant weight loss, which is usually resulting from excessive dieting. Sufferers see themselves to be overweight, or fat, no matter what their actual weight may be. Anorexics may also use compulsive exercise to control their weight. Anorexics commonly strive for perfection in all the things they do. They set extremely high standards for themselves, and feel that they always have to prove themselves. They may also feel that the only thing they have control over in their lives is their weight. People with bulimia engage in cycles of gorging or binging themselves on large quantities of food and then purging through vomiting or use of laxatives. This can have a disastrous effect as with repeated purging the sufferer will lose their teeth from stomach acid and the use of laxatives will eventually render the bowel muscles useless.

Ayurvedic Treatment

To begin with the patients should fast on orange juice and water for first three to five days. After the juice diet the patient may adopt an all fruit diet for a further five days, taking three meals a day of juicy fruits, such as apples, pears, grapes, oranges, pineapple, peaches at five hourly intervals. Thereafter they may adopt a restricted diet of easily digestible foods, consisting of lightly cooked vegetables, juicy fruits, and buttermilk for about ten days. During the first three to five days of the juice fast, the bowels should be cleansed with a warm water enema each day. Teas of cardamom, fennel, and fresh ginger to help regulate digestion and stop vomiting; valerian, nutmeg, herb ashwagandha. Massage with sesame oil, and sandalwood.

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ADHD

ADHD, sometimes known as ADD, is a common behavioral disorder that affects an estimated 8% to 10% of school-age children. Boys are about three times more likely than girls to be diagnosed with it, though it’s not yet understood why. Children with ADHD act without thinking, are hyperactive, and have trouble focusing. They can’t sit still, pay attention, or attend to details. Recent research links smoking during pregnancy to later ADHD in a child. Some studies have even suggested a link between excessive early television watching and future attention problems. It has been advised that children under 2 years old should not have any “screen time” (TV, DVDs or videotapes, computers, or video games) and that kids 2 years and older should be limited to 1 to 2 hours per day, or less, of quality television programming.

Ayurvedic Treatment

Child’s diet should consist of fruit, grains and vegetables full of natural vitamins, minerals, and enzymes. Eliminate caffeine, sugar and other sweets, processed food, MSG, aspartame (NutraSweet) and other sugar substitutes, and any foods that contain preservatives, food dyes or other chemicals and eating at fast food chains. Drink water, fresh homemade vegetable and fruit juices. Eliminate sodas and caffeinated beverages. No white bread. No processed peanut butter: It contains aflatoxin, a fungus that causes cancer. Instead use almond butter from your health food store. Children need a lot of rest and should go to bed early. Proper exercise daily- outdoors in the fresh air and sunshine. Play with your children!

Note: Ritalin closely resembles an amphetamine. It is a cocaine-like drug that induces zombie-like behavior in children. The public school system’s idea of ADHD treatments is prescribing Ritalin which, like all toxins, come with a long list of side effects including nervousness, nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, insomnia, joint pains, headaches, increased blood pressure, fever, rapid heartbeat, abdominal pain, and psychosis.

Knowledge is Empowering

Many people take medication to help control or manage the symptoms of their mental illness. A clear knowledge and understanding of medication and possible side effects combined with knowledge and understanding of both oneself and one’s illness is often important in achieving a sense of personal control over the symptoms of the illness. Knowledge enhances your ability to self manage your medication to get the maximum benefits from it while reducing the potential for side effects and the risk of relapse. Acquiring knowledge also enhances your ability to negotiate effectively with the treating doctor about dose, frequency and the types of medication choices. Keeping up with current advances in medication research and the new drugs as they become available also increases your medication and treatment options. Remember it is your body and mind, and your decision what treatment you are going to choose.

Jennifer (Yogamaya) is a director of the Vedic Cultural Fellowship and Pecos Valley Yoga and Ayurveda Center. Born in North Africa, and raised in the UK, as child she was introduced to yoga asana and pranayama by her aunt. During the 1990′s she studied homeopathy, massage, reflexology, nutrition and became a certified instructor by the British Wheel of Yoga. Naturally she was drawn to the sister science of Ayurveda and has studied under Doctors Vasant Lad and David Frawley. In 1998, she returned to the US with her husband Howard Beckman, to establish the Vedic Cultural Fellowship and in 1999 they founded New Rishikesh, in Pecos, New Mexico. In 2003, she was certified as a Planetary Gem Advisor, by the Planetary Gemologist Association in Bangkok Thailand due to her advanced working knowledge of using gemstones in accordance with Vedic astrological principles. Today she and her husband, together with Dr. David Frawley, are developing the VCF’s New Rishikesh as a major teaching and retreat center.

Traumatic Brain Injury – Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an injury caused by an impact to the head from direct blows or sudden body movements. Diffuse axonal injury involves widespread injury to the brain instead of localized damage, and constitutes one of the most common types of TBI. This condition can result in severe physical, cognitive, behavioral and emotional deficits.

The acute phase of TBI, when the patient is unconscious or critically ill, is best managed in intensive care. Ayurvedic herbal treatment can be initiated once this critical phase has passed, and the sooner treatment is started, the better will be the overall results. Treatment is aimed at healing the damaged nerve cells, improving neuromuscular coordination and treating the physical, cognitive, behavioral and emotional difficulties that result from TBI.

Medicines like Maha-Vat-Vidhvans-Ras, Vat-Gajankush-Ras, Bruhat-Vat-Chintamani, Vish-Tinduk-Vati, Agnitundi-Vati, Kaishor-Guggulu, Trayo-Dashang-Guggulu, Abhrak-Bhasma, Trivang-Bhasma, Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), Kuchla (Strychnos nuxvomica), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Haridra (Curcuma longa), Yashtimadhuk (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Mandukparni (Centella asiatica), Bala (Sida cordifolia), Naagbala (Grewia hirsuta) and Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) are used to normalize nerve and muscular function.

Medicines like Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), Jatamansi (Nardostachys jatamansi), Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis), Vacha (Acorus calamus), Jayphal (Myristica fragrance) and Sarpagandha (Raulwofia serpentina) are used to treat cognitive, behavioral and emotional problems. Medicines like Maharasnadi-Guggulu, Nirgundi (Vitex negundo), Rasna (Pluchea lanceolata) and Tagar (Valeriana valichii) are used to control pain and muscular spasm.

The entire body is massaged using medicated oils like Maha-Narayan-Oil, Chandan-Bala-Laxadi-Oil, Bala-Oil, and Saindhav-Oil. This is followed by medicated steam fomentation using Dashmool-Qadha or Nirgundi-Qadha. These procedures are believed to strengthen muscles and stimulate the nervous system. Modified massage procedures like “Pinda-Sweda” and “Pizichil” can also be used for specific situations. Some physicians advocate the use of medicated enemas called “Basti”, which are believed to regulate the “Vat” dosha and normalize nerve impulses.

It should be kept in mind that the response of patients to treatment can be highly unpredictable. Sometimes, patients with severe injury and an apparently major nervous system deficit make a dramatic and early recovery, whereas other patients who are comparatively not as handicapped take a longer time for improvement. Nevertheless, all patients do benefit from herbal medicines and Ayurvedic treatment procedures.

Ayurvedic herbal therapy can thus prove to be a valuable treatment modality in the management of TBI. Speech therapy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, recreational therapy, and counseling needs to be given as required. Ayurvedic medicines can help shorten the duration of treatment and improve the extent of recovery in TBI.

Dr. A. A. Mundewadi is Chief Ayurvedic Physician at Mundewadi Ayurvedic Clinic based at Thane, Maharashtra, India. He is available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant at http://www.ayurvedaphysician.com

The online clinic offers Ayurvedic treatment for all chronic and refractory health problems. Dr. A. A. Mundewadi uses high quality herbal extracts in tablet form, which are easy to take, effective and safe for long-term use.

Dr. A. A. Mundewadi, B.A.M.S., has clinical experience of 25 years and clinical research experience of 12 years. He has conducted extensive research in HIV infection, Schizophrenia and many other chronic diseases.

Ayurvedic Treatment of Depression

Mental depression, in itself is not a very definite term. It incorporates various conditions from temporary mood swings, to consistent feelings of dejection over a period of time to severe melancholia with serious repercussions. For the most part, people tend to take depression for granted, dismissing it as integral to a person’s natural disposition but in reality, it is a clinical condition that needs to be diagnosed for possible causes and then treated accordingly. It is often better to treat mental depression symptomatically through neural procedures, mood elevators, tranquilizers, and stress relievers or sedatives as the case may be. Regular physical activity and exercise have also been effective in fighting chronic cases of the disease. Studies have found out that ayurveda is a gentle, natural, and effective means of attending to depression without the side effects that most strong medicines are likely to produce.

Practiced for over 5,000 years Ayurveda is India’s traditional and natural system of medicine that believes that there can be no mental health without physical health as the mind (consciousness) and body (physical mass) are inseparably integrated. Ayurveda is a holistic system of health care that aims at balancing energies in order to achieve optimum health and well-being for an individual. Ayurvedic treatment is compatible with other forms of medication but it is always prudent to check with the doctor if the herbs and other ingredients prescribed in ayurveda will interact in any way with standard medication. Ayurveda seeks to arrive at a complete understanding of the nature and causes of the condition before the treatment is commenced.

Ayurveda has identified two main causes of depression – an imbalance in the three ‘Dosha-s’ of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha and a lack of awareness of one’s inner Self. The ‘Dosha-s’ are actually bioenergetic forces that govern and determine our health and physical condition. According to Ayurveda, depression is a classic sign of imbalance in the body that leads to many further complications if left uncorrected.

Vata induced depression – Generally associated with fear, anxiety, nervousness and sleeplessness. It is supposed to be aggravated by loneliness.

Pitta induced depression – Generally associated with the fear of failure or of making mistakes; often leads to anger followed by suicidal tendencies. Pitta depression may occur in a mild form to people who are addicted to success and may lot assume too severe a form. It is sometimes seasonal and is more frequent in winter.

Kapha induced depression – Kapha depression creates a feeling of being weighed down and is associated with excess sleep, sleepiness, obesity and a general feeling of being wasted.

Medications used in Ayurveda

Ayurveda uses plenty of herbs that have a calming influence on the nervous system and the brain. The most commonly used ingredients include Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Vachaa (Acorus calamus), Mandook parni (Centella asiatica) and Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia). Apart from these many Ayurvedic medicines have also been patented in the Indian market.

Some treatments of depression prefer to use Ghrita preparation (the ghee – butter oil preparation with Ayurvedic herbs). These include Saarasvat Ghrita, Brahmi Ghrita and Kalyanaka Ghrita.

External treatments in Ayurveda have also been perfected over the years. ‘Shirodhara’ or the ‘Third-eye treatment’ comprises a special way of pouring medication in a liquid form (oil mostly) on the forehead in between the two eyebrows. ‘Shirobasti’ or cap treatment uses an oil retention therapy for about forty-five minutes and ‘Abhyanga’ is body massage the Ayurvedic way and body anointing. The most commonly used oils are Brahmi oil, Sesame seed oil and Coconut oil.

Ayurveda stresses on the regular practice of Yoga for general health and well being as well as for cure and prevention in specific ailments.

Anjita is a dedicated writer for Batchmates.com the largest Alumni portal in India. With her research work and articles she has added an additional edge to the entertainment e-magazine BM Times. Her articles reach to millions of readers every day and are on various subjects.