Nocturnal Enuresis (Bed-Wetting) – Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment
Nocturnal Enuresis is defined as bed-wetting which occurs in children aged 5 years or more, with at least 1-2 episodes per week over at least a three month period. Nocturnal enuresis may be primary or secondary. Most children with bed-wetting who are 7 years or younger, usually outgrow this condition and hence, do not require any treatment. Children more than 8 years of age who have nocturnal enuresis may require treatment, since it can prove to be embarrassing to the child and his/ her parents, and may affect the child’s academic performance and social relations with others.
Nocturnal enuresis is termed as “Shayya Mootra” in Ayurveda. Most Ayurvedic physicians
treat this condition according to the associated conditions or causes. Those with a tendency to constipation are given Arogyavardhini and Chandraprabha vati. Krumimudgar ras or Krumikuthar ras are given when there is a history of, or signs of worms. For generalized weakness, Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) kalpa or Shatavari Ghruta is used orally and Mahanarayan oil is used for massaging the body. Children having a history of loss of appetite, indigestion and loose motions are given Sanjeevani vati (containing mainly Semicarpus anacardium) and Pippalyadi decoction (containing mainly Piper longum). Turmeric(Curcuma longa), Ajvayan (Hyoscyamus niger), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Garlic, Ginger, Jeera (Cuminum cyminum), Pudina (Mentha spicata) and Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) are used regularly in the daily diet. Urinary tract infection is treated with medicines like Gokshuradi Guggulu. Herbal medicines like Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), Jatamansi (Nardostachys jatamansi) and Shankapushpi (Consecora decussata) are used to reduce stress.
Several herbal combinations are available which improve the neuro-muscular tone and strength and thus increase the retention capacity of the urinary bladder. Normally, with these medicines, most children get cured within 3 – 4 months of treatment. A selected few may require one or two additional courses of shorter duration.
It is advisable to have an early dinner, and to stop liquid intake from two hours before going to bed. The child should be encouraged to empty the bladder at frequent intervals before sleeping. The child should also be encouraged to be free from stress and anxiety. Timely treatment should be given for any underlying disease, if found present.
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 His blog, titled “Herbal Medicines”, can be seen at http://www.ayurvedicherbalmedicines.blogspot.com Dr. A. A. Mundewadi, B.A.M.S., has clinical experience of 22 years and clinical research experience of 9 years. He has published his findings of herbal treatment of HIV / AIDS in 55 patients in the Bombay Hospital Journal, Mumbai, India, July 2005 issue. He has also successfully completed a clinical trial of herbal extract medicines in Schizophrenia compared to modern anti-psychotics, in 200 patients (See http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct/show/NCT00483964). He has also conducted preliminary studies of Ayurvedic herbal extracts in the treatment of Bipolar Disorder, Vascular Dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Autism, Mental Retardation, Tobacco and Alcohol Addiction, Age Related Macular Degeneration and different types of Cancer.
Histoplasmosis – Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment
Histoplasmosis is a fungal infection prevalent in temperate climates throughout the world. Risk factors for this condition include living in endemic areas with contaminated soil; exposure to a large amount of the fungus; immunocompromised status; and concurrent respiratory diseases. This condition can be acute, chronic, or progressive and disseminated. Common symptoms include fever, headache, chills, joint pain, skin lesions, cough, hemoptysis, breathlessness, chest pain, mouth ulcers, diarrhea and involvement of the eyes.
Most individuals affected by this condition do not require treatment, since the infection is usually self-limiting. Ayurvedic treatment can be given in case of prolonged or disseminated infection, and in individuals with an immunocompromised status. Treatment is aimed at reducing the symptoms and boosting the immune status of the body. Medicines like Shwas-Kuthar-Ras, Sitopaladi-Churna, Talisadi-Churna, Gojhivhadi-Qadha, Yashtimadhuk (Glycerrhiza glabra), Kantakari (Solanum xanthocarpum), Bruhat-Kantakari (Solanum indicum), Kushtha (Saussurea lappa), Karkatashrungi (Pistichia integerima), Kulingan (Alpimia galangal) and Som (Ephedra vulgaris) are used to treat cough and breathlessness. Medicines like Naagkeshar (Messua ferrea), Vasa (Adhatoda vasaka), Sphatik-Bhasma and Praval-Bhasma can be used to treat hemoptysis. Inflammation and involvement of the lungs can be treated using medicines like Ras-Sindur, Malla-Sindur, Sameer-Pannag-Ras, Shrung-Bhasma and Pushkarmool (Inula racemosa).
Involvement of the lymph nodes can be treated using medicines like Kachnaar-Guggulu, Triphala-Guggulu and Panch-Tikta-Ghrut-Guggulu. Involvement of the intestines can be treated using Sutshekhar-Ras, Praval-Panchamrut and Panchamrut-Parpati. Mouth ulcers can be treated using Yashtimadhuk, Behada (Terminalia bellerica), Bakul (Aconitum ferox), Jeerak (Cuminum cyminum) and Saariva (Hemidesmus indicus). Involvement of the liver and spleen is treated using medicines like Arogya-Vardhini, Sutshekhar-Ras, Bhunimbadi-Qadha, Kutki (Picrorrhiza kurroa), Sharpunkha (Tephrosia purpurea) and Rohitak (Tecoma undulata). Involvement of the heart can be treated using medicines like Laxmi-Vilas-Ras, Laxadi-Guggulu, Punarnavadi-Qadha, Arjunarishta and Dashmoolarishta. Medicines like Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Bala (Sida cordifolia), Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), Abhrak-Bhasma, Suvarna-Bhasma and Suvarna-Malini-Vasant are used to boost the immune status of the body.
Acute histoplasmosis may prove to be life-threatening and usually requires immediate hospitalization and intensive care. Chronic infection may take a long, protracted course lasting from several months to years. The relapse rate in this condition is very high. Ayurvedic medicines may be used in combination with modern therapy in order to improve the therapeutic response and prevent a relapse.
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 24 years and clinical research experience of 10 years. He has conducted extensive research in HIV infection, Schizophrenia and many other chronic diseases.
