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Eczema is a skin disease, which is observed as exfoliation of the skin, mostly accompanied by severe itching. In the chronic stages, there may be oozing of pus and bleeding from the affected regions. It is also commonly referred to as dermatitis.

In Ayurveda, eczema is known as Vicharchika. It is caused due to the vitiation of all the three doshas – vata, pitta and kapha. Eczema is an infectious disease. It can spread from one person to another. It has been found to run in families. Especially if there is some allergy, then there is greater chance of eczema. Other factors that can bring on eczema are age, climate, food, stress and nature of skin. Eczema has more chances of occurring during puberty and menopause.

Useful Herbs for the Treatment of Eczema

- Babul (Acacia arabica) The bark of the babul tree is potent in the treatment of eczema. It is boiled in water and the fumes are used to foment the affected areas.

- Butea (Butea monosperma) In the treatment of skin diseases such as eczema, its the seeds of the butea tree that are useful. The seeds of the butea are mixed with lime water and are applied on the affected regions to get the required benefits.

- Linseed (Linum usitatissimum) Linseed is applied on the affected regions in the form of its oil mixed with lime water. This is effective in the treatment of many skin ailments including eczema.

- Madhuca (Madhuca indica) Madhuca leaves are used to get the madhuca oil. This is applied on the regions where the eczema has occurred to obtain relief.

Dietary Treatments for Eczema

The following dietary rules are very important for eczema patients to be obeyed:-

- Salt must be reduced in the diet.

- Sour foods must be avoided. This includes all pickles, curds, etc.

- Bitter tastes are useful. These are obtained from vegetables such as bitter gourd, bitter drumstick and flowers of the neem tree.

- Turmeric has a soothing effect on the skin. It must be used liberally in flavoring the food. Turmeric is also useful if it is applied locally over the affected parts.

Ayurvedic Treatments for Eczema

Eczema is a constitutional disease. Its cause is deep-seated within the body. Hence external medications are not effective in eczema. With such medications, the outer symptoms may disappear, but the underlying cause remains. Ayurveda attempts at curing eczema from its roots. The method used is an elaborate process to purify the blood of the individual.

The different steps involved are:-

a) Snehana – This method oleates the skin, i.e. makes it smooth using oily preparations. b) Swedana – This method induces sweating which removes the toxins from the blood. c) Panchkarma – These are the five steps to improve the blood. They include vamana (emesis), virechana (purgation), vasti (enema), siro-virechana (errhines) and rakta mokshana (blood-letting).

The following Ayurvedic preparations are used in the treatment of eczema:-

One teaspoonful of Panchatikta ghritam twice a day and one tablet of Arogyavardhini thrice a day are prescribed to all patients of eczema.

In addition, a dosage of 50 milligrams of Chaturmukha rasa with gold is prescribed to be taken twice a day along with 15 milliliters of Khadirarishta thrice a day. All treatments must be continued for one month.

Physicians would suggest massaging the area with Mahamarichyadi taila or Guduchyadi taila.

Home Remedies for Eczema

- Applying the juice of the wild almond (Terminalia catapa) on the affected parts provides relief.

- An emulsion can be made with the seeds of the karanja (Pongamia pinnata) and lemon juice. This is very beneficial if applied externally.

- An ointment is prepared using one part of sesame oil, sixteen parts of arka (Calatropics gigantica) and one part of turmeric. This should be applied externally.

- Prepare a brew of the peel of the banyan tree. Both drinking this brew and applying it externally over the affected parts show promising results.

- After meals, take one teaspoonful of Panchanimbadi choorna, which is available at all Ayurvedic outlets.

There are some other preventive methods that are necessary for people with eczema. These are enlisted below:-

- Soap must not be used over the affected regions. Mild soaps can be used, but it is best to avoid them. Hot water must not be used for baths. Adding some olive oil to the water helps.

- If the skin over the affected part is excessively dry, then a ghee or an oil massage will help. This will prevent the skin from erupting.

- People with eczema should take care that their bodies do not suffer from sudden extremities of climate. Hence, traveling must be done with care.

- The products of wool are not good for skins affected with eczema. Hence, people with eczema must avoid blankets and sweaters that are made of wool.

- People with eczema must take care that they do not sweat too much. Sweat can irritate the eczema.

By: Dr.Anna Hardy

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When there is a problem with the digestive system, then the stools may be voided in extremely watery form. This indicates the presence of water in the stools, which leads to dehydration. This condition is known as diarrhea.

In Ayurveda, diarrhea is known as Atisara. Vitiation in any of the three doshas can cause atisara. However, the vitiation of vata dosha is particularly responsible as it brings more water to the intestine and lowers the digestive fire which causes diarrhea.

The vata type of diarrhea is characterized by abdominal cramping and gas in the abdomen. The stools contain more water and less fecal matter. The pitta type of diarrhea show yellowish stools which have an offensive odor. The kapha type of diarrhea is whitish in color with copious water and little mucus.

(1) Useful Herbs in the Treatment of Diarrhea

1. Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna)

The bark of the arjuna tree is useful in the treatment of diarrhea. The bark is taken as a decoction in dosages of 15 to 30 grams per day.

2. Babul (Acacia arabica)

The babul tree is very useful in preventing diarrhea. Each part of the babul tree is useful. Its leaves can be taken as a mixed dose with black cumin seeds, its bark can be taken as an infusion with water and even its gum can be taken as a syrup.

3. Bael (Aegle marmelos)

Bael is very effective for the treatment of diarrhea which is not accompanied by fever. The unripe or half-ripe fruit is eaten for best results.

4. Banyan (Ficus bengalensis)

The buds of the banyan trees are the beneficial parts. These must be soaked in water overnight and the infusion must be taken in the morning.

5. Belleric Myroblan (Terminalia belerica)

Known as bahera in Hindi, this is one of the ingredients of the extremely useful Triphala. The pulp of its fruit is taken to cure most stomach problems, including indigestion and diarrhea.

6. Bishop’s Weed (Trachyspermum ammi)

The oil extracted from the seeds of the Bishop’s weed is useful in the treatment of diarrhea. Just two to three drops of this oil per dosage is sufficient.

7. Black Nightshade (Solanum nigrum)

Black nightshade leaves are used in the treatment of diarrhea. The leaves are taken in the form of an infusion with the juice of other liquids.

8. Butea (Butea monosperma)

The butea tree yields a gum which is beneficial in the treatment of diarrhea. It is especially useful in women and children that are suffering from diarrhea.

9. Chebulic Myroblan (Terminalia chebula)

Known as harad in Hindi, it is the second ingredient of Triphala. The pulp of the unripe fruit of this plant is given along with honey for better results.

10. Dill (Anethum sowa)

The oil obtained from the dill is used for the treatment of diarrhea. Dill oil is so mild that it is also an ingredient used in the medicines for treating baby colic.

11. Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum)

Fenugreek seeds are useful in the treatment of digestive problems including diarrhea.

12. Indian Gooseberry (Emblica officinalis)

Known as amalaki in Hindi, this is the third ingredient in the preparation of Triphala. It is the richest source of vitamin C in the world.



(2) Dietary Treatments for Diarrhea

Fasting is the first step in the Ayurvedic treatment of diarrhea. At this time warm water should be drunk throughout the day. This helps to flush out the toxins in the bowels as much as possible.

(3) Ayurvedic Treatment for Diarrhea

Once the causative dosha is identified, the treatment is done according to type.

1. For vata type of diarrhea, the medicine of choice is Kutajarishta. It is taken in quantities of 15 ml thrice a day for fifteen days.

2. For pitta type of diarrhea, the medicine of choice is Bilwadi choorna. It is taken in a teaspoonful amount thrice a day for fifteen days.

3. For kapha type of diarrhea, two medicines are usually prescribed. One is the Gangadhara choorna, which is taken in 1 gram amount twice a day for fifteen days. The other is Jatiphaladi vati, which is taken in 250 milligrams amount twice a day for fifteen days.



(4) Home Medications

1. Mix equal parts of the babul tree with black cumin seeds. Take this in dosages of 12 grams thrice a day.

2. Prepare an infusion of cinnamon in water and boil it. This must be taken half an hour after meals. It takes care of almost all digestive problems and also relieves flatulence.

3. Mix some tender curry leaves with honey and take them early in the morning. If there is vomiting, then the bark of this tree must be taken.

4. Grind the seeds of the Indian plum (jamun) and mango into a fine powder. Take two teaspoonfuls of this powder mixture in a glass of buttermilk. This treatment gives quick results.

5. Boil raw bananas and peel them. Put some ghee in a vessel and put some pieces of cloves in them. Put the bananas in them. Then introduce curds, coriander, turmeric and salt. This will be a very tasty banana dish which has special effects on the treatment of diarrhea.



By: Tom alter

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Vamana is a special medicated vomiting procedure to remove Kapha toxins from the sinuses, lungs and mainly the stomach. Virechana is a process of purgation used to flush Pitta toxins from the small intestine. Basti is a medicated enema to remove toxins from the colon and to tone and rejuvenate the colon.

 Nasya is a group of herbal therapies applied through the nose. Herbs are used in various forms including powder, powder blowing into nostrils, medicated oil, paste. These therapies are very good for mind, emotions, nerves, head and sinus conditions.Blood letting is listed by Sushrut- father of Ayurvedic surgery. In Charak Samhita, instead of blood letting, the two forms of basti are seen as two separate forms of pancha karma. A modern listing includes Shiro Dhara or hot-oil head massage (abhyanga).

 In Sanskrit Pancha means five and Karma means actions. Thus pancha karma therapies are five profound healing modalities unique to Ayurveda. It is a common occurrence to see people wheeled into Ayurvedic hospitals in India and walk out on their own two feet healthy after treatment. Ayurveda, the traditional health care system of India, is recognized by the World Health Organization as a comprehensive system of natural medicine.

 The Ayurvedic system of healing teaches that the five great elements of dynamic forces which are in constant cosmic motion are found manifested in the human body. They in turn, give rise to the three functional bio-energy or psycho-physiological principles known as the Tri-doshas, called Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Please Purchase Online http://ayurvedasbeautycare.com/



By: swornalakshmi

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