Sunday, June 8, 2008

Information on Ayurvedic Treatments

Ayurvedic treatments differ from the majority of typical cures in its distinctive approach towards healing. The principle of treating the sick and not the sickness is central to all varieties of ayurvedic treatments. Rather than trying to cure a illness in isolatation, ayurveda takes into account a private in his entireness. "Samadosha samagnischa samadhatu malakriya Prasanna atma manah swastha itih abhidhiyate." Having a balanced state of doshas, agni (digestive fire), dhatus (tissues) normal functioning of os zygomaticum (waste products), cheerful state of atman (soul), sensory organs and mind are the symptoms of healthy life. Ayurvedic treatments lay emphasis on examining the doshas/prakriti or the natural states of people before continuing. The prakriti or the physical constitution, susceptibility to diseases, mental make-up associate degreed lifestyle of an individual is discovered in accordance to the fundamental constitution of the larger prakriti or the universe. Of course, ayurveda has drawn the most comprehensive image of anatomy and therefore the wildlife, saying that, the elements of the nature—the Panchamahabhuts: kshit (earth), ap (water), marut(air), tejas (fire), and vyoma (space or ether or akash), are also, the components of human body,which square measure manifested in 3 sorts of physic—kaph (water/earth), pitta (fire), vata (ether/ air).These 3 sorts square measure additional recognized by writing as tridoshas or the three faults—vata, pitta and kapha irregularities. The smooth functioning of the body is hampered because of the imbalances within the 3 doshas (prakriti) inflicting all types of diseases. Ayurveda takes into thought the body, mind and soul of an individual because the unit for identification. Hence, it recognizes negative emotions like anger, fear, insecurity, jealousy and greed as incorrect thinking on the part of a private. These can directly produce associate degree imbalance in the doshas. Sattva, or peaceful equilibrium, rajas, or excessive activity and tamas, or inertia—the 3 tendencies or gunas of mind influence the imbalances in the three doshas. Hence the mind-body imbalance impairs the inventive functioning of man.

THE DOSHAS

Vata Prakriti/Type

Vata, which is known with the cosmic part of vaayu or air and akash or ether, control all sorts of movements and is accountable for respiration too. This is the kinetic force all told sorts of biological forms, and controls the body's auto-functions (nerve impulses, circulation, respiration, and elimination and heartbeats etc.) therein. In case of an imbalance (vikruti), vata prakriti individuals, who square measure fast in their mental method and initiation of action, tend to suffer from diseases of the neurological system particularly motor functions. The diseases are pronounced throughout the previous age, which is the amount of vata (vata kala). The disease largely affects the lower components of the body since they square measure the predominant seats of vata dosha. Also, individuals happiness to this sort suffer from angina (hridgraha).

Pitta Prakriti/Type

Pitta Prakriti is consists of Hindu deity or teja, the element of heat energy. It is accountable for maintenance of body heat and reworking in nature. All types of out of doors parts a private takes-in square measure reworked into within parts (microcosm) of the body by tyrannid. It governs the digestion or proper assimilation of physical, mental and emotional elements of a biological entity. Hence, Pitta is accountable for metabolism within the organ and tissue systems, as well as cellular metabolism. The persons of this prakriti are sharp, quick in action and ordinarily possess a terribly smart intellect also as grasping power. The pitta prakriti persons square measure prone to diseases of the biological process and metabolic systems. The diseases mostly have an effect on the abdomen i.e. the area between the chest and navel. Also, pitta disorders square measure pronounced in the middle ages, which is the amount of tyrannid (pitta kala).

Kapha Prakriti/Type

Kapha prakriti or dosha consists of prithvi (earth) and jala (water). Jala or ap, is essential for sustenance of life. Prithvi, or earth, is responsible for structure and bulk of the fabric. Kapha is responsible for body type and structure (fluids, fats, bones and muscles). The kapha prakriti endows the individuals with a smart purgative and powerful perseverance however they're slow in their activities. The cold quality of kapha results in poor appetite as their Hindu deity or digestion is poor. In case of an imbalance (vikruti), individuals tend to suffer from the diseases of the metabolism system particularly unemotional disorders. The diseases normally have an effect on the higher components of the body i.e. chest and above. The diseases are pronounced throughout the early ages (childhood), which is the amount of kapha (kapha kala). Generally folks square measure a combination of 2 doshas i.e. dwandvaja prakriti. They possess characteristics of both doshas involved depending on the percentage of the combination. In this case, one is a primary and the other is the secondary dosha. Sometimes people are a combination of all the three imbalances of doshas. But, it is extremely rare to find a balanced state of all the three doshas. Not only the humans but also everything (animals, plants, geographical locations, times of day, seasons and activities performed etc.) in the universe is categorized according to these three doshas. An ayurvedic practitioner formulates a diet plan and recommends herbs for a patient after taking into consideration all these aspects. That's why in ayurveda different people with the same disease sometimes receive different diet and herb plans.

Effect of Seasons on the Prakriti Types

The condition of human body depends on the continuous interaction between internal and external factors. Environmental factors include the nature of the land, water and various atmospheric phenomena such as temperature, humidity, wind, rain and snow shortly, the seasons and climes. Food and proper digestion of it in our systems is considered vital to maintain a reasonable balance of the three doshas of vata, pitta and kapha. Food is digested by Hindu deity (heat/fire) inside USA simply as it's well-done by Hindu deity (heat/fire) outside. According to ayurveda, there is a "stimulus-response" relation between the agni inside USA and therefore the outside agni—the sun. When the Hindu deity outside is robust (i.e. summer) the agni within USA (the biological process energy) is weak and vice-versa. Basing on this principle the Indian food customs (even festival delicacies) and of course, the diet and lifestyle program (Dinacharya and Ritucharya) of writing have been custom-made to seasonal changes.

Ayurvedic Remedies

Specialized ayurvedic remedies such as panchakarma, marma chikitsa, dhara or following an ayurvedic diet, basically endeavor to restore the harmony of the tridoshas. The purpose of all ayurvedic remedies and herbal medicines is to keep the doshas or the humors in equilibrium, since an imbalance indicates a disease condition. Samsodhana (cleansing process), samsamana (palliative measures) and nidanaparivarjana (treating the causes) are the three main stages through which ayurvedic remedies usually progress.Of these three remedial phases, samsodhana is considered a prominent process and according to ayurveda, should be administered with full care. Panchakarma is synonymous with this process. In fact, panchakarma is a group of five ayurvedic remedies, all of which are not practiced in all diseases.

PANCHAKARMA

Ayurveda recognizes that all living and non-living things are composed of panchamahabhut or five basic elements of the entire creation. One branch of Indian philosophy—Sankhya, states that there are 24 elements in all, of which five are the foundation of the gross world: earth, water, fire, air and ether. According to ayurveda these five elements in different combinations constitute the three body types/doshas—vata (air and ether), pitta (fire) and kapha (earth and water). These two theories are the guiding factors of ayurveda as a therapeutic science. Ayurveda advises undergoing panchakarma at the seasonal changes to both keep the metabolism strong and keep toxins from accumulating in the body as well as the mind. The process finds the way to the root cause of the problem and corrects the essential balance of mind, body, and emotions. It is considered extremely effective to go through the process of panchakarma prior to any rejuvenation treatment (rasayana/herbal medicines), for it cleanses the body, improves the digestion, the metabolic processes of the body and cleanse the thought process as well. Basically, panchakarma is meant to make an individual most receptive to the curative process of ayurveda by removing accumulated waste in body and mind.

Vamana (Emesis)

It is a process of therapeutic vomiting (induced), which helps eliminate the toxic or waste matters from the stomach and thoracic cavity. Kapha dominant diseases like severe skin diseases (psoriasis, urticaria); bronchial asthma, mental disorders etc. are selected for this treatment procedure. This process is not suggested for expecting mothers. Normally eight bouts of emesis are followed. The vomiting is stopped when yellow coloration is seen. Then, dhoomapana—inhalation of medicated fumes—is done through a special process. Finally, certain rules have to be followed called paschatkarma that basically implies strict diet regimen. The entire treatment takes 15 days, and requires good attention as well as skilled assistance.

Virechana (Purgation)

This eliminates the toxic or waste matters from the intestine. It also cures pitta or pitta-dominated diseases. Poorvakarma or initial process of cleansing like vamana is suggested here. About 20 purges may be seen in this process depending on the patient's health. A mild form of virechana without the poorvakarma, is an integral part of ayurvedic therapy. It is also used for prevention of diseases.

Vasti (Enema)

The process of vasti or therapeutic enema is resorted to eliminate toxins from colon, and strengthens the tissues. Two kinds of vastis are followed in ayurveda. Snehavasti is the vasti where medicated oils are used. This is not advised in patients suffering from diabetes, anemia, diarrhea, and obesity. Poorvakarma is required here. For kashaya vasti, honey, rock salt, sneham (oils), paste of medicines are needed and mixed one by one in the higher than order. This concoction is taken in an empty abdomen. After the method the patient is allowed to require a shower. Diseases like hemiplegia, and disease due to vata square measure treated by this method. Medicines are elect as per illness and stage.

Nasya (Nasal Application of Herbal Medicines)

Nasya is instillation of medicine through nose. It is a vital procedure of ayurveda for the treatment of sirorogas or diseases moving head space. Nasya helps cleanse the head and sinuses. The process is contraindicated in numerous psychological diseases, asthma and cough. Here, the patient is to inhale lightly warm oil. Warmed oil is massaged in the patient's neck, shoulder, palm, face and sole before and after the method of nasya. Different timings square measure indicated for completely different dosha sorts. Morning time is prescribed for kapha diseases, noon in tyrannid diseases and evening in vata diseases.

Raktamoksha (Blood-Letting)

Susruta gave stress to Raktamoksha (blood-letting) as one of the panchakarma, taking two of the vastis as a single karma (here, procedure). The process of letting out the vitiated blood is termed raktamoksha. In this procedure localized impurity or poison from the blood is removed through various methods. Often leech is used to suck out the impure blood from the affected area. Blood-letting is also done to eliminate toxins from the blood stream causing various chronic skin disorders like urticaria, eczema, scabies and leucoderma etc. The method was also effectively used to cure enlarged liver and spleen. There are steps to be followed before doing panchakarma called poorvakarma. One is snehana or oleation where medicated oils are applied internally and externally. Another process called swedana or sudation is actually classified into four types to induce sweating. The purpose of poorvakarma is to liquefy and guide the provoked doshas to the mainstream to facilitate the sodhana or cleansing.

DIET

Following a strict ayurvedic diet also forms part of the ayurvedic treatment method. Ayurveda emphasizes that the diet we take has a close influence on our mind and body. According to ayurveda, the mind has three possible states (tri-gunas) that are related to the three states of our physical constitution or the three-dosha types. Sattva, or peaceful equilibrium, rajas, or excessive activity and tamas, or inertia—the three tendencies or gunas of mind influence the imbalances in the three doshas. Specific dietary adjustments serves to maintain the balance of specific doshas and thus entail perfect health. Appropriate diet will be wont to take away or neutralize toxins within the body, also. Ayurveda suggests feeding food till one's appetency is happy. When ill, one should eat solely lightweight food, and then normal food in tiny quantities, until [*fr1] the appetency is consummated. One important rule in writing is rarely to mix contradictory foods in terms of their qualities. Some of the commonly followed rules on food habits per writing square measure as below: • Keeping high-protein or high-fat food things in separate meals from lighter foods like starches and vegetables. • Not mixing milk with dairy product. • Not eating well-done foods and raw foods at the same meal since they need differing kinds of digestion. • Avoiding drinking milk while feeding radishes, tomatoes, meat, fish, eggs, citrus fruits. • Eating contemporary fruit severally from different meals (except the well-done fruits). • Some specific vegetables and grains are taboo in some specific days of a month. Diet is to be compatible with changing seasons.

YOGA

Practice of yoga is associate degree integral technique in writing, which is applied to keep each the body and mind healthy and relaxed. It is recommended for cure also as for bar of varied ailments. Different yogasanas square measure prescribed for completely different dosha primarily based ailments. The lifestyle regimens mentioned in yoga square measure integral to ayurvedic treatment. Meditation is often suggested to take care of balance or peace within the thinking method. Meditation removes any disturbances in the balance of the three mental states of sattva, rajas and tamas.

GEMS

Recommendation of gems to avoid any imminent downside is associated with Jyotish Shastra (astrology). Ayurveda applies Jyotish Shastra (astrology) to ascertain the approaching diseases a private goes to suffer also on ascertain what style of gems would be helpful for him. Ayurveda prescribes 9 precious gemstones to be used outwardly and internally as well. Apart from recommending wearing gems, the rasayana branch of ayurveda, also, recommends calxes of various gemstones (bhasma) as medicine.

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