Ayurvedic Remedies
"Ayurveda five thousand years old Indian system of medicine "
Asthma
Five Varieties of Respiratory Diseases
Ayurveda identifies Asthma or tamakaswasa as one of the five varieties of respiratory diseases, but is one that can be controlled through therapies and special routines. Asthma is a disease that occurs due to Vatha and Kapha doshas, beginning in the stomach and progressing to the respiratory organs. So, the treatment procedures would focus on moving the excess Kapha back to the stomach and finally eliminating it from the body.
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Asthma
Five Varieties of Respiratory Diseases
Ayurveda identifies Asthma or tamakaswasa as one of the five varieties of respiratory diseases, but is one that can be controlled through therapies and special routines. Asthma is a disease that occurs due to Vatha and Kapha doshas, beginning in the stomach and progressing to the respiratory organs. So, the treatment procedures would focus on moving the excess Kapha back to the stomach and finally eliminating it from the body.
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Asthma Symptoms
- Constant cough
- Chronic nasal discharge and neck pain or stiffness
- Fast and heavy breathing
- Inability to breathe if coughing does not remove obstructing phlegm
- Sore throat, inflammation, and speech difficulties
- Loss of sleep due to breathing problems
- Laboured breathing while lying down
Asthma Causes
- Toxin build-up in the body due to poor digestion
- Imbalance and deterioration of nervous system, strength, and stability
- Chronic stress
- Decrease in body’s self-healing ability
Asthma Treatments
Treatment for the disease would be altered based on the individual’s bodily constitution and specific requirements. However, the overall treatment would be focused on assuaging the vatha and kapha doshas. This is mainly achieved through the following steps:
- Panchakarma detoxification
- Herbal therapies to increase system strength
- Fast and heavy breathing
- Diet targeted to pacify the vatha and kapha dosha
- Stress management through Yoga practises
- Respiratory exercises such as Pranayama
- Herbalized oil massages
Allergies
Human Body Has Several Ways of Eliminating Toxins
The human body has several ways of eliminating toxins. In a healthy body, if an allergen such as pollen enters the system it is captured by the mucosal lining of the respiratory tract and evicted from the body through the nose or mouth. However, if the mucosal barrier is unable to eliminate the allergen, the body responds by increasing the production of mucus, in minor cases causing irritation to even major breathing problems in severe cases.
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There are also allergic reactions where swellings of certain body parts, rashes, and more problems are seen. Based on the type of allergies, they are classified into vatha, pitta, and kapha, and the diet has to be changed according to the type of dosha. Ayurveda suggests several healing programmes for allergic reactions which are intended to reduce the intensity of the reaction towards the allergen and remove the toxin build up from the body.
Symptoms of vatha type of allergies
(Common during the fall, especially during cold windy and dry weather; typical allergens are mold, dust, etc.)
- Wheezing
- Runny Nose
- Sneezing
- Intestinal cramps
- Tinnitus
- Gas and bloating
- Dry cough
Symptoms of pitta type of allergies
(Allergic reactions of the pitta dosha type are more common during the summer season. Allergens include house dust, micro particles from synthetic fabrics, etc.)
- Hives
- Eyelid rashes
- Yellow phlegm
- Fever
- Headaches
- Allergic types of dermatitis, eczema, and psoriasis
Symptoms of the kapha type of allergies
Symptoms of the kapha type of allergies
- Irritation of the mucous membranes
- Colds
- Repeated sinus infections
- Asthma
Treatments
Symptoms of the kapha type of allergies
- Irritation of the mucous membranes
- Colds
- Repeated sinus infections
- Asthma
Arthritis(rheumatoid)
The ancient practise of Ayurveda goes beyond only treating diseases.
Rheumatoid Arthritis is a progressive autoimmune disease which affects tissues around joints and certain internal organs such as membranes around the heart, also known as pericardium, membranes of the lung known as pleura, or can even result in nodule-like structures in subcutaneous tissues. In rare cases arthritis can also affect the sclera of the eyes.
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Arthritis(rheumatoid)
The ancient practise of Ayurveda goes beyond only treating diseases.
Rheumatoid Arthritis is a progressive autoimmune disease which affects tissues around joints and certain internal organs such as membranes around the heart, also known as pericardium, membranes of the lung known as pleura, or can even result in nodule-like structures in subcutaneous tissues. In rare cases arthritis can also affect the sclera of the eyes.
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Rheumatoid Arthritis has all the features of what is known as “Ama Vatha” in Ayurveda. Ama is a toxic compound that develops in the body and hinders the proper functioning of the agni element. Vatha dosha is found wherever the accumulation of Ama takes place.
Symptoms
Though Rheumatoid arthritis can show varied symptoms according to a person’s routine, body type, as well as climatic conditions, there are certain common symptoms, such as:
- Fatigue
- Prolonged joint stiffness, especially after waking up
- Muscle pain
- Body fatigue
- As the disease progresses, the lining of the joint becomes swelled, leading to joint pain especially during winters. If left untreated for long it can lead to extreme pain, even resulting in joint deformity.
- The disease has periods of remission (during which time there are no symptoms) followed by relapses that worsen with time.
- Rheumatoid arthritis usually swells multiple joints in a symmetrical pattern (both sides of the body affected).
Other symptoms include:
- Chest pain while breathing
- Dryness of the eyes and mouth
- Nodules under the skin (usually a sign of more severe diseases)
- Numbness, tingling, or burning in the hands and feet
- Difficulty in sleeping
Causes
Ama is produced due to improper digestion. Accumulation of this toxin in the body over a long period of time can lead to several diseases including rheumatoid arthritis
Treatment
Ayurveda has several highly effective treatment procedures that can cure rheumatoid arthritis if treated at an early stage
The following are the major procedures prescribed for rheumatoid arthritis.
- Irritation of the mucous membranes• Purification therapy or Shodhanachikitsa
- Shamanachikitsa (Targeted treatment for reducing Ama in the body)
- Diet control
Apart from these several massages, treatments with medicated oils are also done according to the patient’s requirement after an in-depth consultation with the doctor. In severe cases complete cure may not be possible but treatment procedure helps to reduce pain, increase mobility and reduce dependence on allopathic medications.
Spondylosis
Spondylosis is an age-related condition that affects the vertebral column.
Spondylosis is an age-related condition that affects the vertebral column. The pain is caused as a result of compression of the spinal cord or nerve roots. Spondylosis mainly affects high mobility regions of the vertebral column, such as the lumbar region (lumbar spondylosis) or the cervical area (cervical spondylosis).
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Spondylosis Symptoms
- Tingling or numbness of the limbs
- Difficulty in walking or moving arms
- Loss of balance or coordination
- Anxiety
- Muscle spams
- As the disease progresses, bladder and bowel control problems may also happen.
Spondylosis Causes
Ayurveda recognizes spondylosis as arising due to an imbalance of vatha. Vatha is associated with cold and dryness if not balanced properly. In spondylosis the cushioning fluid and the connective tissue between vertebral joints dries out leading to compression of nerves and finally, pain. There can be several reasons for spondylosis including:
- Age
- Genetic reasons
- Injury or vertebral strain
- Herniated disks—the inner layer of the inter-vertebral disk protrudes out through the outer fibrous layer causing a bulge.
- Other factors can include poor posture, excessive intake of sour foods, etc.
Spondylosis Treatments
In Ayurveda, cervical spondylosis is known as Griva Sandhigata Vatha, and lumbar spondylosis has the symptoms of Kati vatha. Treatments in Ayurveda focus on harmonising the vatha element of the body. Treatments include:
- Rejuvenation therapy
- Abhyanga
- Sarvangadara
- Vasti
- Njavarakizhi
- Kati Vasti
- Nasyam
Average time for treatment is be between 4-6 weeks.
Special note: Though the treatment programme for spondylosis includes massage therapy, constant pressure massages can be detrimental. The massage should be done only by a highly trained practitioner as it requires very careful application of pressure.
Back Pain
The ancient practise of Ayurveda goes beyond only treating diseases.
Back pain is a very common problem that affects both males and females. It is a pain that is felt in the muscles, nerves, bones or joints of the lower back region. Back pain can be sudden onset or chronic. In some cases, the pain originating in the lower back radiates to other parts.
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Back Pain
The ancient practise of Ayurveda goes beyond only treating diseases.
Back pain is a very common problem that affects both males and females. It is a pain that is felt in the muscles, nerves, bones or joints of the lower back region. Back pain can be sudden onset or chronic. In some cases, the pain originating in the lower back radiates to other parts.
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Symptoms
Most people experience back pain at some point of their lives. However, back pain may be considered chronic if the symptoms persist for more than 3 months.
- Initial symptoms include tingling, weakness or numbness in the lower back
- Muscle aches
- Severe shooting pain
- Body fatigue
- Inability to stand erect
- Limited mobility or pain during movement
Causes
The causes of back pain vary with the individual. General causes include:
- Initial symptoms include tingling, weakness or numbness in the lower back
- Muscle or ligament injuries
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Spinal degeneration
- Arthritis
- Spondylitis
- Fibromyalgia
Treatment
Treatment is prescribed after a thorough physical examination by the doctor in order to identify the underlying condition. To achieve an effective treatment of back pain, a history of the patient’s injuries, prior diseases as well as lifestyle habits have to be taken into account. The duration of the treatment also varies. Back pain is attributed to Vata imbalance of the body and treatments are mainly aimed to rectify that and harmonize the elements of the body. Treatments for back pain include
- Pizhichil
- Vasti
- Njavarakizhi
- Dhanyamaladhara
- Shodhana
For the best possible results, dietary prescriptions need to be followed
Bell’s palsy
It is a condition that causes a sudden, temporary weakness on the facial muscles.
It is a condition that causes a sudden, temporary weakness of facial muscles. The condition makes it difficult to control the facial features of one side of the face. It is caused due to the inflammation or swelling of facial muscles. However, the symptoms are usually temporary and recedes after a few weeks.
Obesity
The ancient practise of Ayurveda goes beyond only treating diseases.
When body weight increases to levels where it significantly affects health, Ayurveda calls it Medoroga’ or ‘Sthaulya’.
When body weight increases to levels where it significantly affects health, Ayurveda calls it Medoroga’ or ‘Sthaulya’. It can affect the circulatory system, the respiratory system, the skeletal system and even provoke sleep disorders. Obese people are also at a higher risk of developing high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, gynaecologic problems, erectile dysfunction, fatty liver, etc.
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Obesity
The ancient practise of Ayurveda goes beyond only treating diseases.
When body weight increases to levels where it significantly affects health, Ayurveda calls it Medoroga’ or ‘Sthaulya’.
When body weight increases to levels where it significantly affects health, Ayurveda calls it Medoroga’ or ‘Sthaulya’. It can affect the circulatory system, the respiratory system, the skeletal system and even provoke sleep disorders. Obese people are also at a higher risk of developing high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, gynaecologic problems, erectile dysfunction, fatty liver, etc.
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According to the three dosha system, obesity is caused by an aggravation of kapha, which leads to production of toxins that result in the increased production of fat tissues in the body.
Causes
- Continuous indulgence in eating fast food, fried food, etc.
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Genetic factors
- Hormonal fluctuation
- Side effects of certain medication
- Stress and other psychological issues
Treatment
There are treatments available in Ayurveda that are targeted to mobilize accumulated fat, as well as detoxification programmes to reduce fat tissue production in the body. For the treatments to be effective, strict diets prescribed by the doctor need to be followed.
- Udvarthanam
- Abhyangam
- Dhanyamaladhara
- Lekhaneeyam
- Steam bath
Hair Loss
Hair is considered a by-product (waste product) of certain kinds of tissues, according to Ayurveda.
Hair is considered a by-product (waste product) of certain kinds of tissues, according to Ayurveda. This tissue known as asthi is found in bones, nails and hair. Any disruption in the natural metabolism of asthi can lead to hair fall. Out of the three doshas, pitta dosha is the main cause of hair fall. Ayurveda also considers digestive health and lifestyle habits to have a major impact on hair fall, Ayurveda calls this khalitya.
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Symptoms
- Receding hairline
- Visible thinning hair
- Bald spots
- Hair comes out as tufts due to stress or sudden shock
- Hairless patches throughout the body or complete loss of hair
Causes
Hair loss can be caused by one or more of these factors
- Hereditary causes
- Side effects of medication
- Skin diseases, scalp infections or fevers
- Chemicals used in hair products
- Hormonal changes
- Radiation therapy
- Severe stress or anguish
Treatment
Hair-loss treatments focus on diet as well as certain lifestyle changes. Including protein and iron-rich food in regular meals is important.
- Application of rasayanas
- Head massages with medicinal oils
- Rejuvenation therapy for prevention and regrow
- Panchakarma detoxification
