Ayurveda is an ancient system of health care that is native to the Indian subcontinent. The word “Ayurveda” is the combination of words ?yus meaning “life” or “life principle”, and the word veda, which refers to a system of “knowledge”.
The central concept of Ayurvedic medicine is the theory that health exists when there is a balance between three fundamental bodily substances or doshas called Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
Now a days there are lots of ayurvedic resorts in Kerala that offers all kinds of treatments in ayurveda.
Ayurveda treatments
Ayurvedic treatments differ from the majority of conventional cures in its unique approach towards healing. The principle of treating the sick and not the sickness is central to all forms of ayurvedic treatments. Rather than trying to cure a disease in isolatation, ayurveda takes into account an individual in his entirety.
There are eight divisions of treatments in Ayurveda
Panchakarma is a collection of purification techniques that Ayurveda prescribes for some diseases and for periodic cleansing. A course of Pancharkarma typically includes a short-term dietary prescription, massage, herbs, and may include purgatives, sweat baths, medicated enemas, and nasal cleansing.
Vamana
Vamana is a medicated emesis therapy which removes Kapha toxins collected in the body and the respiratory tract. This is given to people with high Kapha imbalance. Daily treatment involves loosening and mobilizing the toxins in an effort to finally eliminate them.
Nasya (Nose Cleaning)
Nasya involves administration of medicated oil through the nose to cleanse accumulated Kapha toxins from the head and neck region.
SIRODHARA
According to Ayurveda, Sirodhara is the best treatment for diseases of the nervous system and for emotional problems such as chronic depression and anxiety (panic) attacks. It is also recommended for chronic headaches, as well as ear, nose and throat problems, and is especially useful for pain management.
As a result of strong regulations in medical practice in Europe and America, the most commonly practiced Ayurvedic treatments in the west are massage and dietary and herbal advice.
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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.
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.
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In a healthy body, the allergic response serves to protect against invasion by harmful agents. Secretions and inflammation help our immune cells get into the affected tissue, dilute the toxic agent and help wash it away. “Allergies” become a health problem when an excessive and unwanted allergic response occurs to particles that are part of our normal environment and are not actually dangerous to the body.
Some individuals are born with allergies, and have a genetic susceptibility to them. However, most allergies are acquired after birth. While inborn allergies can often be helped by the measures discussed in this article, acquired allergies are generally more responsive to such behavioral approaches, and are the main focus of this article.
The Main Cause of Allergies
Although pollen, dust, dander, trees and other allergens are the trigger for allergies in susceptible people, they are not the underlying cause. Many people are exposed to these substances every day without developing allergic reactions. Rather, it is the inner condition of the body that determines whether an allergic response results from exposure to an allergen.
According to Maharishi Ayurveda, allergies result when the body has accumulated excess wastes, toxins and impurities. How does this happen? According to Ayurvedic theory, improperly digested foods (called ama), and impurities, such as chemical additives, are absorbed into the body, travel through the circulation and lodge in the respiratory tissues, skin and other tissues prone to allergy. These accumulated wastes and toxins block the channels, trapping the toxins inside the tissues, and activating the immune system. When additional allergens such as pollen or dust arrive on the scene, the already irritated immune system goes into “high gear,” creating the symptoms of an allergy attack.
Symptoms will vary depending on the tissue that has accumulated the toxic waste (ama visha.). If the tissue involved is the digestive tract, diarrhea can result. If in the skin, a rash or hives may occur. And if the respiratory tract is involved, sneezing, inflammation and mucous drainage will occur.
Since the source of allergies lies with our diet and digestion, adopting a proper diet and improving digestion are “job one” in the fight against allergies. Next, it is valuable to use internal cleansing regimens to reduce the clogging and accumulated impurities.
Recommended Diet for Allergies
The main dietary and eating guidelines for allergies are as follows.
1. Eat the largest meal of the day at lunch, between 12:00 and 1:00 PM, when your digestion is strongest. The sun– the heat element in nature– enlivens agni, the fire of digestion and metabolism, making our digestion strongest at the height of the day. Ayurveda recommends eating the largest meal when you are most capable of digesting it.
2. Avoid eating heavy meals in the evening. The single biggest contribution to toxins and clogging in the body comes from eating heavy evening meals, particularly after 7 PM. Since digestion is much weaker in the evening, it is vital to eat lighter, more easily digested meals at that time. Eat a warm, freshly cooked vegetarian evening meal without fried foods, desserts, cheese, yogurt or other curdled products, since these are heavy for digestion and cause more blockage, congestion and mucous.
3. Eat warm food. Warm food is much easier to digest than cold food. Ayurveda recommends we eat fresh warm food, freshly prepared. Avoid micro-waving, which has been shown to destroy over 90% of the protective antioxidants in the food. Also, avoid cold drinks, ice cream, frozen yogurt and other cold foods.
4. Avoid leftovers. Once food has been heated and then gets put back in the refrigerator it becomes hard to digest and very clogging in nature.
5. Avoid excessively hot spices, sour and acidic foods. These foods are irritating to the body and promote inflammation, according to Ayurveda. Many people experience their allergies become worse when they eat foods with chilis, tomato sauces, hard or aged cheeses, refined sugar and sweets, and acidic foods. Bell pepper, eggplant and potato should also be avoided due to their channel-clogging effects.
6. Do include detoxifying spices in your daily diet. Turmeric in particular has anti-allergy, immune-balancing effects. Coriander helps to detoxify on a cellular level; fennel cools and balances; ginger helps the digestion and dissolves ama, and black pepper clears the channels and increases bioavailability of nutrients. Make a spice mixture of 6 parts fennel, cumin and coriander, 4 parts turmeric and 1 part each of ginger and black pepper. Freshly grind the spices, sauté them in a pan without oil until lightly browned, and put in a small airtight container. Carry them with you and sprinkle _ to 1 tsp. on your food at each meal, and cook with them when at home.
7. Do sip boiled warm or hot water about every half hour during the day around the change of seasons, to help your body purify and to support good digestion.
Behavioral Approaches to Reducing Allergies
Diet is not the only consideration in allergies. Ayurvedic theory also recommends the following behavioral changes to help tone down the allergic response.
1. Go to bed by 10:00 P.M. Between 10 PM and 2 AM, the body performs a natural cycle of internal cleansing. If we stay up after 10 PM, we interfere with this metabolic “house cleaning” and toxins and impurities begin to accumulate. Worse yet, the metabolic activity of cleansing tends to trigger hunger, and we may be tempted to indulge in the proverbial “midnight snack.” Unfortunately, eating after 10 PM further compromises the cleansing process and leads to even more waste accumulation, and more allergy tendency. On the other hand, going to bed by 10 PM improves the overall rejuvenative quality of sleep. You will find that your early bedtime habit helps not only your allergies, but your energy and complexion as well!
2. Cleanse the body before the allergy season. The traditional Ayurvedic answer to allergies includes purifying the body of ama and toxins before allergy season begins to prevent symptoms from arising at all. This internal cleansing may be done at home or, more thoroughly, through in-residence cleansing treatments called panchakarma or Maharishi Rejuvenation Therapy.
3. Have a regular routine of life. Eating, sleeping, working and exercising at about the same time each day is very balancing and stabilizing to the immune system and to the body as a whole. Allergies tend to be aggravated when routine of life is hectic and scattered.
4. Practice Yoga asanas and meditation. Yogas asanas and meditation are very balancing to all aspects of mind and body and have been used by many people to reduce allergy symptoms. For meditation, I suggest the TM technique because of its ease of practice and scientific verification.
Summary
The best approach to allergies is to focus on good eating habits, practice stress reduction and do natural cleansing before the allergy season.
Note: This article is for educational purposes only and is not meant to diagnose or treat disease. Please consult your physician regarding any symptoms you have or before you make changes in lifestyle and diet.
Statements in this article have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended for the prevention, diagnosis or treatment of disease.
Nancy Lonsdorf M.D. received her M.D. from Johns Hopkins and did her postgraduate training at Stanford. She has studied Ayurveda with some of the world’s most renowned Ayurvedic physicians in India, Europe and the U.S. Dr. Lonsdorf has 18 years of clinical experience with Ayurveda and is currently the Medical Director of The Raj Ayurveda Health Center in Vedic City Iowa.
Dr. Lonsdorf has authored two books on Ayurveda and women’s health:
1. A Woman’s Best Medicine (Penguin/Putnam 1995 ; ISBN 0-87477-785-2) describing the Ayurvedic approach to the major issues in women’s health
2. The Ageless Woman: Health and Beauty after Forty with Maharishi Ayurveda (MCD Century Publications 2004 ISBN#: 0-9721233-5-0) on anti-aging recommendations and longevity for women.
Doctor Lonsdorf’s contact information is:
Nancy Lonsdorf M.D.
1734 Jasmine Avenue
Vedic City, IA 52556
641-472-8246
web site url: [http://www.ayurveda-ayurvedic.com/]
In a healthy body, the allergic response serves to protect against invasion by harmful agents. Secretions and inflammation help our immune cells get into the affected tissue, dilute the toxic agent and help wash it away. "Allergies" become a health problem when an excessive and unwanted allergic response occurs to particles that are part of our normal environment and are not actually dangerous to the body.
Some individuals are born with allergies, and have a genetic susceptibility to them. However, most allergies are acquired after birth. While inborn allergies can often be helped by the measures discussed in this article, acquired allergies are generally more responsive to such behavioral approaches, and are the main focus of this article.
The Main Cause of Allergies
Although pollen, dust, dander, trees and other allergens are the trigger for allergies in susceptible people, they are not the underlying cause. Many people are exposed to these substances every day without developing allergic reactions. Rather, it is the inner condition of the body that determines whether an allergic response results from exposure to an allergen.
According to Maharishi Ayurveda, allergies result when the body has accumulated excess wastes, toxins and impurities. How does this happen? According to Ayurvedic theory, improperly digested foods (called ama), and impurities, such as chemical additives, are absorbed into the body, travel through the circulation and lodge in the respiratory tissues, skin and other tissues prone to allergy. These accumulated wastes and toxins block the channels, trapping the toxins inside the tissues, and activating the immune system. When additional allergens such as pollen or dust arrive on the scene, the already irritated immune system goes into "high gear," creating the symptoms of an allergy attack.
Symptoms will vary depending on the tissue that has accumulated the toxic waste (ama visha.). If the tissue involved is the digestive tract, diarrhea can result. If in the skin, a rash or hives may occur. And if the respiratory tract is involved, sneezing, inflammation and mucous drainage will occur.
Since the source of allergies lies with our diet and digestion, adopting a proper diet and improving digestion are "job one" in the fight against allergies. Next, it is valuable to use internal cleansing regimens to reduce the clogging and accumulated impurities.
Recommended Diet for Allergies
The main dietary and eating guidelines for allergies are as follows.
1. Eat the largest meal of the day at lunch, between 12:00 and 1:00 PM, when your digestion is strongest. The sun-- the heat element in nature-- enlivens agni, the fire of digestion and metabolism, making our digestion strongest at the height of the day. Ayurveda recommends eating the largest meal when you are most capable of digesting it.
2. Avoid eating heavy meals in the evening. The single biggest contribution to toxins and clogging in the body comes from eating heavy evening meals, particularly after 7 PM. Since digestion is much weaker in the evening, it is vital to eat lighter, more easily digested meals at that time. Eat a warm, freshly cooked vegetarian evening meal without fried foods, desserts, cheese, yogurt or other curdled products, since these are heavy for digestion and cause more blockage, congestion and mucous.
3. Eat warm food. Warm food is much easier to digest than cold food. Ayurveda recommends we eat fresh warm food, freshly prepared. Avoid micro-waving, which has been shown to destroy over 90% of the protective antioxidants in the food. Also, avoid cold drinks, ice cream, frozen yogurt and other cold foods.
4. Avoid leftovers. Once food has been heated and then gets put back in the refrigerator it becomes hard to digest and very clogging in nature.
5. Avoid excessively hot spices, sour and acidic foods. These foods are irritating to the body and promote inflammation, according to Ayurveda. Many people experience their allergies become worse when they eat foods with chilis, tomato sauces, hard or aged cheeses, refined sugar and sweets, and acidic foods. Bell pepper, eggplant and potato should also be avoided due to their channel-clogging effects.
6. Do include detoxifying spices in your daily diet. Turmeric in particular has anti-allergy, immune-balancing effects. Coriander helps to detoxify on a cellular level; fennel cools and balances; ginger helps the digestion and dissolves ama, and black pepper clears the channels and increases bioavailability of nutrients. Make a spice mixture of 6 parts fennel, cumin and coriander, 4 parts turmeric and 1 part each of ginger and black pepper. Freshly grind the spices, sauté them in a pan without oil until lightly browned, and put in a small airtight container. Carry them with you and sprinkle _ to 1 tsp. on your food at each meal, and cook with them when at home.
7. Do sip boiled warm or hot water about every half hour during the day around the change of seasons, to help your body purify and to support good digestion.
Behavioral Approaches to Reducing Allergies
Diet is not the only consideration in allergies. Ayurvedic theory also recommends the following behavioral changes to help tone down the allergic response.
1. Go to bed by 10:00 P.M. Between 10 PM and 2 AM, the body performs a natural cycle of internal cleansing. If we stay up after 10 PM, we interfere with this metabolic "house cleaning" and toxins and impurities begin to accumulate. Worse yet, the metabolic activity of cleansing tends to trigger hunger, and we may be tempted to indulge in the proverbial "midnight snack." Unfortunately, eating after 10 PM further compromises the cleansing process and leads to even more waste accumulation, and more allergy tendency. On the other hand, going to bed by 10 PM improves the overall rejuvenative quality of sleep. You will find that your early bedtime habit helps not only your allergies, but your energy and complexion as well!
2. Cleanse the body before the allergy season. The traditional Ayurvedic answer to allergies includes purifying the body of ama and toxins before allergy season begins to prevent symptoms from arising at all. This internal cleansing may be done at home or, more thoroughly, through in-residence cleansing treatments called panchakarma or Maharishi Rejuvenation Therapy.
3. Have a regular routine of life. Eating, sleeping, working and exercising at about the same time each day is very balancing and stabilizing to the immune system and to the body as a whole. Allergies tend to be aggravated when routine of life is hectic and scattered.
4. Practice Yoga asanas and meditation. Yogas asanas and meditation are very balancing to all aspects of mind and body and have been used by many people to reduce allergy symptoms. For meditation, I suggest the TM technique because of its ease of practice and scientific verification.
Summary
The best approach to allergies is to focus on good eating habits, practice stress reduction and do natural cleansing before the allergy season.
Note: This article is for educational purposes only and is not meant to diagnose or treat disease. Please consult your physician regarding any symptoms you have or before you make changes in lifestyle and diet.
Statements in this article have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended for the prevention, diagnosis or treatment of disease.
Nancy Lonsdorf M.D. received her M.D. from Johns Hopkins and did her postgraduate training at Stanford. She has studied Ayurveda with some of the world's most renowned Ayurvedic physicians in India, Europe and the U.S. Dr. Lonsdorf has 18 years of clinical experience with Ayurveda and is currently the Medical Director of The Raj Ayurveda Health Center in Vedic City Iowa.
Dr. Lonsdorf has authored two books on Ayurveda and women's health:
1. A Woman's Best Medicine (Penguin/Putnam 1995 ; ISBN 0-87477-785-2) describing the Ayurvedic approach to the major issues in women's health
2. The Ageless Woman: Health and Beauty after Forty with Maharishi Ayurveda (MCD Century Publications 2004 ISBN#: 0-9721233-5-0) on anti-aging recommendations and longevity for women.
Doctor Lonsdorf's contact information is:
Nancy Lonsdorf M.D.
1734 Jasmine Avenue
Vedic City, IA 52556
641-472-8246
web site url: [http://www.ayurveda-ayurvedic.com/]
Obesity is a condition where an individual is grossly overweight due to accumulation of excess fat on the stomach areas, buttocks, breasts, thighs etc. This excess fat build up is caused when a person consumes more calories every day than what the person is able to burn off. Obesity is partly hereditary.
Obesity is described as ‘Medoroga’ in Ayurveda. According to Ayurveda, people with a Kapha constitution are more likely to gain weight through excess fat than a Pitta or Vata person. The obese have a shortened life, difficulty in movement and sexual intercourse, tiredness, body odor, copious sweating, excessive hunger and severe thirst. This may also lead to diabetes, hypertension and arthritis.
Causes of Obesity
Overeating of heavy / cold food
Intake of excessive calories
Disturbance of thyroid or pituitary glands,
Excess sleep especially during day time
Lack of physical activity and a sedentary life
Hormone imbalance
Hereditary Factors
Ayurvedic Treatments for Obesity
Ayurvedic treatments for obesity consist of panchakarma treatments, rasayana treatments and other diet regulations. Panchakarma treatments are needed to remove the accumulated toxins from the body and to bring him back to normal self. Ayurveda cautions us that attempts to stay artificially thin may be unhealthy and may aggravate vata dosha. Efforts at reducing body weight must take into consideration a person’s constitution also. According to Ayurveda a mild, long-term reducing plan is more natural than crash diets. Management of Obesity includes reducing or lightening therapy with a light diet, fasting, and digestive (spicy) herbs.
Ayurvedic Remedies for Obesity
Avoid excess eating; intake of fat and carbohydrates should be restricted.
Avoid fried and heavy foods.
Avoid sleeping during the day; sleep in the night after one hour of your dinner
Do regular exercises like walking, running or swimming- avoid a sedentary and lethargic lifestyle
Minimize the use of oil and ghee; use nonstick pan for cooking.
Try to eat warm and freshly cooked meals; avoid aerated drinks and excess water after meal.
Avoid chocolates, ice creams, cheese etc
Avoid drinking alcohol
Consume wheat products instead of rice products.
Include fruits and green vegetables like bitter gourd, drumstick in your diet
Ayurveda is a very ancient science that comes to us from the Southern Part of India. This Vedic civilization which easily dates back four thousand years has drawn much interest recently as we are trying to find solutions to our health problems. Ayurveda truly looks to the essence of the individual and heals all aspects of the human being: mind, body and spirit. This science achieves that by first looking to the individual who is evaluated with many different tools including but not limited to body constitution analysis (what elements are present in the individual), tongue diagnosis, eye diagnosis, pulse diagnosis, lifestyle diagnosis to only name a few methods of assessment of the patient. Once the patient is completely evaluated, which is a process that sometimes takes over one hour, the doctor prescribes any number of changes involving the habits and practices of the individual. The physician will review which foods are better for this particular patient to consume, which spices they should be adding to their food, which oils are recommended for their health, which yoga postures and exercises, and also the doctor may prescribe herbal formulas that will bring the patient to health whether for preventative measures or for the treatment of disease. In Ayurveda the patient is treating according to their uniqueness and it is a very complementary method of healing that can help you to better understand yourself and your health.
Furthermore, Ayurveda looks to how to implement these changes into the patients life. Ayurvedic doctor teach you how to make these necessary changes easier and how to form healthy habits that will help prolong the patients’ life. They encourage the patient and let them know which aspects of their health can be treated in a concise manner and with little or no side effects. All of the herbal formulas used in Ayurveda contain little or no side effects because they are properties that come directly from nature. These natural medicines can help you cure an existing condition or prevent a probable condition in the future. Ayurveda also heals the patient in terms of detoxification. There are over one hundred methods of detoxification in Ayurveda. The premise is very simple. We create toxins in our bodies sometimes because of the foods we eat that are not easily digestible or because of our insistence to eat late. When we eat late in the evening and then go to sleep we make it very difficult for our bodies to process these foods during the time frame when the bodies’ functions are put to rest. These toxins remain in the body until we get in a healthy habit of eating better foods for ourselves and also eating at the right times. Additionally, Ayurveda teaches you the appropriate times for all of your actions. Ayurveda presents an exact science to health that, when followed, brings an incredible result both in the short term and in the long term. The Ayurvedic Science is a complete one also prescribing all types of exercises and methods to heal the mind. Ayurveda prescribes different methods of breathing, meditation, and mental observation to promote health and wellness.
The Ayurvedic methods are quite simple. They do not take much time to learn and they can easily be applied to your life. In the latter parts of life these methods and practices will prove to be even more beneficial making it much easier to live at a later age. If you adopt some of these methods you can promote health so that you can enjoy your life to the fullest.
The oldest medical system in the world which is still widely practiced believes that a smooth and graceful transition from menopause to a healthy life following it can be achieved with the help of a specially prescribed diet, light exercise and massage. The body is far more complicated than many of us will ever know. It usually knows what is best for it and will let us know in several ways, one of which is menopause.
According to the ayurvedic system, diet plays a key role in balancing a woman’s hormones during and after menopause. We know that Japanese women are not normally afflicted by the hot flashes that western women face during menopause. We also know that soy plays a major part in their diet and that it contains a plant estrogen called isoflavones. However, women can get their plant estrogens from another source-phytoestrogens found in a variety of equally healthy foods such as whole grains, cereals, dried beans, lentils, peanuts and sunflower seeds. They are also found in vegetables such as carrots, garlic, broccoli and asparagus as well as fruits such as strawberries, plums and pears. Other sources for estrogen in the diet are spices like nutmeg, turmeric, licorice and oregano.
The general rule is to follow your own gut feelings and implement a commonsense approach to your diet and exercise. We need to follow the philosophy of variety and moderation because too much estrogen after menopause can be bad for the body as can phytoestrogens. The aspect of our mind-body profile that deals with menopause is called Apana Vata which governs the genito-urinary tract, elimination and menstruation. This aspect needs to be attended to by drinking plenty of warm water throughout the day and eating plenty of cooked leafy greens to help with elimination and bolster the intake of calcium in our diet. A breakfast of other cleansing foods is also prescribed and here cooked prunes, figs and apples are given importance for cleaning out the digestive tract. Additonal diet prescriptions are given based on individual mind-body makeups that are determined by a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner.
The best form of exercise during menopause is walking briskly and it is best to work this into a daily regimen where possible. Outdoors would be the obvious choice but if that is not possible or practical, you can also walk in place at home, a much under-appreciated exercise activity. Swinging your arms in an easy rhythm along with your steps will help tone the body overall.
Occasionally, some women will have more serious symptoms such as long-term insomnia, continual hot flashes and severe mood swings. These may be signs of deeper trouble and Ayurveda attributes them to the buildup of waste ‘ama’ or toxins in the body tissues. In these cases, a traditional Ayurvedic detoxification program called Panchakarma, or Five Actions, is prescribed to rid the body of these toxins. Panchakarma consists of massages and cleansing procedures which, incidentally, are also useful for osteoporosis and high blood cholesterol treatment.
The discs are protective shock-absorbing pads between the bones of the spine. Although they do not actually “slip,” a disc may split or rupture. This can cause the disc to fail, allowing the gel to escape into the surrounding tissue. The leaking jellylike substance can place pressure on the spinal cord or on a single nerve fiber and cause pain either around the damaged disc or anywhere along the area controlled by that nerve. This condition is also known as a herniated, ruptured, prolapsed, or more commonly slipped disc.
Slip disc or Spinal disc herniation can occur in any disc in the spine, but the two most common forms are the cervical disc herniation and the lumbar disc herniation.
Factors that lead to slipped disc include aging with associated degeneration and loss of elasticity of the discs and supporting structures; Poor posture combined with the habitual use of incorrect body mechanics, hard physical labour (delivery), improper lifting, especially if accompanied by twisting or turning; excessive strain, and sudden forceful trauma. A herniation may develop suddenly or gradually over weeks or months.
People between the ages of 30 and 50 appear to be vulnerable because the elasticity and water content of the nucleus decreases with age. But of late it is seen that even the people around age group 20 – 30 are also getting affected with slip disc, because of their life style and diet habits.
A slipped disc can be symptom free. If it causes pain, it is primarily due to the pressure on the nerve roots, the spinal cord or the cauda equina.
A herniated disc can therefore produce symptoms anywhere along the course of that nerve, though the injury and irritation of the nerve are at the spine itself (referred pain). A slipped disc can produce different symptoms like varying degrees of pain in the back or neck along with numbness or weakness, tingling, Paralysis of single muscles, possibly with pain radiating to the arms or legs, paralysis in the part of the body below the spinal cord pressure, disturbance of feeling in the limbs, muscle spasms, difficulty controlling bowel movements or bladder function, disturbance of feeling in the rectum and the inside of the thighs etc,.
The strength of Ayurveda in the area of spine and joint treatments is globally appreciated. Since it addresses the root cause of the issue the results are fantastic.
Ayurved offers a very effective treatment methodology based on the classical texts. The treatment comprises of Detoxification, rejuvenation through Ayurvedic Panchakarma therapy, administration of researched medicines internally.
The therapies like Abyanga swedam, Nasyam, Pathrapotala swedam, Choornapinda swedam, Pizhichil, Shirodhara, Kadeevasthy, Greevavasthy, Navarakizhi, Vasti etc. are done as per the necessity and condition. These therapies are directed towards relieving the inflammatory changes, releasing the spasms and nerve compressions in the affected area, strengthening the supportive tissues holding the spine/joints, nourishing the joints through improving the circulation. Usually the treatment period is 3 – 5 weeks according to the severity of the disease.
In four to six weeks, the majority of patients find their symptoms are relieved without surgery. If patient can come for the treatment in early stages, even total cure without recurrence is also possible.
For further information:
‘CHARAKA – THE SPECIALITY AYURVEDA’ Institute of Panchakarma & Research 1-8-49/1, Krishna nagar colony (lane beside Food world), P G Road, Secunderabad, Andhra Pradesh, INDIA-500003. Phones: +914027896644, +914066329888, Doctor’s Mobile: +919849015400 E-mail: info@charaka.org Web: http://www.charaka.org
Pain in the neck can be due to injury, a mechanical or muscular problem, a trapped nerve caused by a bulge in one of the discs between the vertebrae, or from arthritis of the neck.
It can range from very mild discomfort to severe, burning pain.
If the pain is ‘acute’ – sudden and intense – it is called a crick in the neck or muscular rheumatism.
If the pain has lasted more than three months, it is termed ‘chronic’ neck pain.
Neck pain is a very common condition and is more frequently seen in women than men.
Most people will experience pain in the neck at some point in their life.
What causes neck pain?
Many things can trigger neck pain. These include:
Trauma or injury
Worry and stress
Falling asleep in an awkward position
Prolonged use of a computer keyboard.
For most people, no specific reason for the pain can be found. However, in some cases it is possible to make a precise diagnosis. The underlying problem could be Slipped disc, brittle bones (Osteoporosis), Cervical Spondylosis, deformed natural curvature of the spine (Scoliosis) and, very rarely, structural damage due to Tumours or Infection. Finally, road traffic accidents involving whiplash injury may result in acute or chronic neck pain that takes several months to improve.
What does neck pain feel like?
General pain located in the neck area as well as stiffness in the neck muscles.
The pain may radiate down to the shoulder or between the shoulder blades.
It may also radiate out into the arm, the hand, or up into the head, causing a one-sided or double-sided headache.
The muscles in the neck are tense, sore and feel hard to the touch.
Acute pain can give rise to abnormal neck posture in which the head is forced to turn to one side
The pain at the base of the skull may be accompanied by a feeling of weakness in the shoulders and arms.
There may be a prickly or tingling sensation in the arms and fingers.
How does the doctor make a diagnosis?
In most cases, a neck problem can be diagnosed by carrying out a thorough examination that may include all or some of the following:
testing the movement of the neck.
testing for trapped nerves.
examination of the muscles.
examination of the movement of the joints of the spine, neck and hands.
How is neck pain treated?
Ayurveda suggests the following choice of treatment:
Diet management
Intensive muscle training, yoga, pranayama & other stress releaving exercises
Ayurveda & Keraliya Panchakarma Therapies for a period of 7/14/21/28 days according to the severity of the disease which includes Shiro dhara(pouring continuous stream of medicated oil, buttermilk etc on the fore head and doing a gentle & soothing head massage), Shiro vasti(A special technique of bathing the head in medicated oils using a special cap like apparatus), Abhyangam( A whole body massage with specific herbal oils, achieves deepest healing effects by naturally harmonizing Body, Mind, Soul and the Senses), Nadi Swedam(medicated steam bath), Nasyam(administration of medicated oil through the nose, cleanses accumulated Kapha toxins from the head and neck region), Elakizhi (herbal leaf bundle massage), Shastika Sali Pinda Swedam/ Navarakizhi (A highly effective rejuvenation technique using a special type of rice that is cooked, tied into boluses and dipped into an herbal decoction and warm milk, then skillfully massaged all over the body), Pizhichil (medicated oil bath), Greeva vasthi(a treatment done on to the neck to decrease cervical spinal compression) etc.
What medication is given?
Medicines used in this treatment includes Thailams, Churnams, Asavams, Aristams, Ghrithams, Lehyams etc prepared from ayurvedic herbs like Rasna, Nirgundi, Dasamoola, Aswagandha etc based on severity, stage of the disease, age, prakruthi of the patient. Vata hara, Brumhana Oushada Ahara Vihara are also advised to these patients.
Exercise
People with weak neck muscles are more prone to neck problems and in such cases, an exercise programme to strengthen the neck is a good idea. Pranayama and other neck exercises releaves the stress in the neck.
Future prospects
This depends on the underlying cause of the pain. The prognosis is generally good, provided the patient remains active and obtains the correct treatment without delay.
Dr. Kranthi’s Ayurvedic Land… THE KERALA AYURVEDIC CARE, Skyline Theatre Lane, Basheerbagh are the pioneers in Kerala ayurveda panchakarma- established in 1999 with an aim of providing genuine health care to those suffering from the neck & the back pains. They are instrumental in successfully treating the chronic ailments like Sciatica, Slip disc, Neuro muscular diseases, Cervical & Lumbar Spondylosis, Degenerative disc diseases and severe Spinal conditions. Contact Dr. Kranthi Vardhan, Chief Physician & Managing Director on 92461 66636/ 66101140 all days from 8 am- 8 pm.
Ayurveda is a holy science that deals with all aspects of healthy life, be it mental health or physical health. It is a combination of exercise, healthy diet, yoga and meditation. It includes ayurvedic therapies for rejuvenating and cleansing, ayurvedic herbs as well as herbal preparations and Panchkarma which is a detoxification program.
The basic thing that Ayurveda tells is that the key to optimal health is good digestion. Right combination of food and proper diet are very important for maintaining good health.
There are ayurvedic health programs that help in implementing dietary guidelines and routines as per the specific constitution of a person of his/her doshic imbalance. Herbs as well as herbal preparations under this program promote harmony and balance of doshas and strengthen the immune system of the body and hence promote general health.
As per this ancient and holistic science, overall health of human body depends on a balanced lifestyle that involves regular and proper intake of food, bowel movements, sleeping habits along with healthy daily routines and practices like meditation, exercise or yoga. It brings a discipline in life that maintains harmony among doshas and promotes good health.
According to Ayurveda, it is important to understand and learn the different theoretical as well as practical aspects of this science, and try to integrate them in life. However, these changes should be slow so that they become a permanent change.
Different medical conditions are treated with different ayurvedic therapies.
Aspects of Ayurvedic regime
1. Learn and discover the right diet for you that will bring harmony, balance and health in your life, as per ayurvedic principles.
2. Cooking method should be proper and such combinations of foods should be avoided that create toxins in body. The basic concepts of Ayurveda cooking are:
a) Cook with love and respect
b) Agni and taste in digestion
c) The attributes of the food six taste theory
3. Understand the reasons of how some eating habits can have negative effect on health. What kind of foods should be eaten and ways to improve digestion.
4. What effect the seasons have on overall health and digestion and how to change habits according to them.
5. Why we should make change in our diet to adjust the change from one season to another.
6. The importance of yoga and exercise according to the specific needs of different individuals. The type and duration of workouts to satisfy individual needs and to improve digestion, induce relaxation, relieve constipation, avoid dehydration, muscle aches, breathlessness, chest pain and health problems like sciatica, arthritis or heart problems or any other problem due to over exercise of doing yoga in wrong way.
Ayurveda is a science and if you want to explore this subject more, get enrolled at one of the Ayurvedic schools.
