Author: ashok

HEALTH IS WEALTH

Ayurveda is the sub-vedic stream of Atharvaveda, which is influential in maintaining the health of healthy people. Today, Aayurveda is coming up  as a potent cure for many challenging ailments, but earlier it was slightly forgotten due to the Mughal and British invasions, loss of intellectual literature and arcives, ignorance from government bodies, comparatively lesser funds allotted to aayurvedic development than modern medicine and lots of other reasons. Even in this age of painkillers, steroids and antibiotics aayurveda is standing tall with its indigenous way of diagnosis, on the pillars of Panchabhoutik theory, Shadras theory, Panchakarma treatments since 700 BC.

Aayurveda is the most ancient science among the group of allopathy, naturopathy, homeopathy, magnetotherapy and so on. It is getting acknowledged in 20 to 25 countries other than India. It has proven to be effective and has the power to eradicate the disease from its roots, not only on stereotypic ailments like arthritis, asthma and hyperacidity but also on diseases which seem to be nightmares to modern medicine, like psoriasis, colitis, hepatitis, heart diseases, fistula, diabetes, paralysis, allergies, respiratory tract infections, optical ailments, insomnia and many more. Many surgical procedures which are considered necessary by modern medicine can be prevented by ayurvdic treatments.

Dietary malpractices

Good health-Sampurna Aarogya is necessary to attain economic stability, working efficiency, focus and ultimately salvation(Dharma-artha-kaam-moksha). Even though many people know this, the current society is not so keen towards maintenance of health. Many new diagnostic methods and methodologies are being devised and developed day by day, but the rate of increase in the number of patients is also attaining new peaks. The heart diseases which were seen in ages 50-60 earlier are today diagnosed at young ages too. There is an alarming increase in the number of diabetes patients in the young generation and in children. There are no limits to cases of depressionmental stress. Really, is this social progress?

The causative agents of cancer, asthma, arthritis, skin diseases and many other conditions can seldom be assessed with help of tests, but the principle causes of diseases are the wrong food habits and life style we unknowingly follow in day to day life.

 The “so called” modern lifestyle has led to the inculcation of many bad practices in today’s life, especially that of the youth. This generation frequently wants to skip their lunch and instead have a pizza or a burger. Also, drinking water along with it seems like old ways to people, instead of modernizing and having a coke. This is occasionally okay, but many people have let it become their daily routine. No one has the time to think how this junk food is torturous to our body and how unknowingly we ingest a huge excess of calories and harmful contents

Today, staying up late night and following haphazard workschedule  is considered as the best way of life. Only infants sleep at around 9-10 pm, all else go to bed late, at 12 or 1 am. , consequently waking up late at 8 or 9 am. Staying up late increases PITTADOSH, WAATADOSH in our body. All ailments arise due to increased heat in our body. Digestion is disrupted. The consequences don’t appear immediately, but in time, staying up late gives rise to hyperacidity, buccal ulcers, constipation. Constipation is the source of many other diseases. Waking late also leads to the avoiding of exercises. When we blindly copied the junk food and fast life of the westerners, we simply and conveniently left out their urge and dedication towards fitness and exercise. In America, 50 to 60% people exercise daily on the contrary to less than 10% in India.

It’s not that in the earlier days there were no diseases, no epidemics, but there was quite a less rate of people getting ill. People were more inclined to stave off diseases and use fewer medicines in day to day life. People from all houses knew the scientific ways and information of diet. GRANNY’S WAYS were revered back then. The value of health was well understood. That’s why we see in the ancient literature like Charak, Sushrut, Wagbhat that more attention is given to knacks of prevention of diseases. The seasonal regime [HEMANT, SHISHIR, VARSHA, VASANT, GREESHM AND SHARAD and the diet to be followed during these seasons] and the daily regime [right from MALAVISARJAN(defecation), DANTADHAVAN(dental cleansing) in the morning to NIDRA(sleep), MAITHUN(sex), all viewed through the lens of WAAT-PITTA-KAFA and the scientific reduction  of the disease prevelance, dietary sciences etc. provide an explicit explanation which still holds true since 5000BC.

We see that day by day, microbes are getting immune to the newest kinds of medicines. Microbes are not paying heed to those antibiotics which were considered to be their dreads, like penicillin, streptomycin and quinine. We should not consider the excessive use of antibiotics and the ability of microbes to resist them the only reason, but the loss of immunity of mankind ever since we evolved is also a prominent cause of increasing diseases.

In these cases and plenty others, Ayurveda has many advantages. Apart from being totally devoid of side effects, treatment administered by an expert ayurvedic doctor not only temporarily cures the symptoms of a disease; it totally eradicates the disease from its roots.

Ayurveda is comprised of eight branches, namely- KAYA(medicine), BALA(pediatrics), GRAHA(psychiatry), URDHWANGA(e.n.t.), SHALYA(surgery), DANSHTRA(toxicology), JARA(geriatrics), WRISHAAN(eugenics). This proves that Ayurveda also has different branches right from the beginning.

Ayurveda has recently shown very encouraging results in  Chikun gunya, in Gujarat. Centuries ago, the Bhaavaprakash Sanhita had stated that severe pyrexia(fever) as seen as a symptom in chikun gunya, is caused due to mosquitoes. This book also has symptoms that 100% match those seen in this disease. Thus, in a nutshell, Ayurveda is a capable alternative to many mind- boggling and grave diseases.

Dr Manoj M Deshpande

Dr Aparna M Deshpande

Kalpataru Ayurvediya chikitsalaya,Pune-411030(M S)-Indi 020-24480625

Diabetes – Ayurvedic perspective

Important tips for diabetes patients

• Early diagnosis of diabetes prevents further complications.
• The possibility of diabetes shouldn’t be ignored if there is a history of diabetes in blood relation, obesity, pregnancy, long term use of steroidal medicines, excess feelings of hunger and thirst, increased frequency of urination, increased duration of wound healing, recurrent abscess formation, undue fatigue, unexplained weight loss etc.
• It is very important for a diabetic patient to keep his weight in check. Reducing excess weight coupling with appropriate diet many a times doesn’t require you to take medications for diabetes. Also, the medicines taken for diabetes render ineffective if weight keeps increasing constantly. Small and simple things like walking to nearby places instead of taking vehicles, doing yoga procedures and aasanas like Surya namaskara, Shalabhasana, Ardhamatsyendrasana, Bhujangasana, Paschimottanasana, Shawaasana, Dhyana etc. enhance the pancreatic capacity to keep diabetes in control.
• Have small meals instead of eating to your fullest at a time.
• Prevent alcoholic drinks.
• Take special care of your legs. All footwear should be of appropriate size.
• Regularly check your eyes.
• Try to keep your blood sugar under control.
• Always carry with you a card mentioning you are a diabetic person. This may come to a great help in emergency cases.
• We should prefer unsaturated fatty acids instead of saturated fatty acids.
• We should carry with us sweet edibles like biscuits, chocolates, sugar etc. This should be handy if blood sugar level drops down suddenly.

*We should avoid untimely meals, uncontrolled lifestyle, fast food, cold drinks, fruits having more sugar, sweets items, curd, ghee, butter, refrigerated food, consumption of excess water, Idli and Dosa prepared from overfermented dough , constipation causing maida foods like bakery products, excessive use of air cooler, neglecting the frequency of urination and defecation, drinking lot of water just after a meal, long afternoon naps, mental stress, tension in order to prevent or keep diabetes at bay.

Dr. Manoj M Deshpande, Dr. Aparna M Deshpande

Kalpataru Ayurvediya Chikitsalaya,Pune-411030(M S)-India

BONES-BUILDING BLOCKS OF OUR BODY

For the construction and development of nature and body also, PRITHWI, AAP, TEJ, WAAYU, AAKASH are the five fundamental elements that are obligatory. Of these, PRITHWI, AAP and TEJ contribute to the development of ASTHI (bones). On digestion of food, seven basic constituents like RASA, RAKTA, MANSA, MEDA, ASTHI, MAJJA and SHUKRA emerge sequentially. Hence, MANSA and MEDA have a relation with the process of ASTHINIRMITI, i.e. bone formation. Unctuous, firm and stiff attributes of MANSA and MEDA attain a solid and strong form to make a bone.

Bones have the function of supporting the body. They form the skeleton and framework of the body. All the other basic and fundamental quantities are rested upon this framework. When the ASTHI (bones) suffer wear and tear, problems like joint ache, the fragility of teeth, hair and nails arise.

AYURVEDIC VIEW IN ORTHOPEDIC DISORDER TREATMEMT

As a result of wear and tear of bones, whenever one experiences backache, pain in the neck region, lower back pain, knee joint pains and other aches, many medicine are administered to enhance the strength and solidify the bones, but it is as equally necessary that in relation with absorption of medicines and the diet , one should have good digestive state . This is seldom taken serious, resulting in more wearing of bones even though we take a lot of supplementary calcium, vitamins etc. In ayurvedic treatment, DEEPAN-PAACHAN-SNEHAN-SWEDAN-VIRECHAN-BASTI and other procedures enhance the digestive system, consequently increasing the rate and efficiency of the digested food being converted into bones.

PANCHAKARMAS IN TREATMENT OF ORTHOPEDIC DISORDERS

• Virechana- when done in scientific procedure, virechana is a purgatory treatment by means of which the excess PITTADOSH (biliary problem causing agents) are expelled out of the body.
• Basti- a decoction of certain bitter herbs in milk along with clarified butter is administered in the rectum. This is called as TIKTAKHSEERA BASTI. This procedure halts bone degeneration. Surgical procedures of knee replacement, spine surgeries can be avoided with this treatment.
• Katibasti, Manyabasti, Jaanubasti- dough of wheat and black gram flour is encircled around the painful parts like lumbar and cervical region, painful joints like knee joint. Warm medicated oil is poured on that painful part. This procedure nourishes the bones, joints, ligaments and tendons. Thus, bone degeneration and pain is halted.
• Snehana- use of oil and ghee by means of external and internal way is called snehana. WAAYU responsible for bone degeneration is pacified and pain relief is established.
• Swedana- process of induced medicinal perspiration is called swedana. Joint stiffness and pain is immediately suppressed with swedana.
• Pathya- wholesome dietary advice- dried dates, milk, meat, eggs, fish oil, dates, ghee, sunlight exposure etc.
• Apathya(not to do)- stale food, untimely meals, heavy physical work, inadequate sleep, fad diet, frequent fasting, bakery items, junk and fast food, sedentary lifestyle, lack of sunlight exposure, smoking and alcohol intake, overall VAATADOSHA boosting lifestyle.

Best tonic for bones

How to prepare? – take 2 spoons of cow ghee in a pan. Add 50 grams of edible Babool gum (Babool resin). Fry on medium flame. Grind the puffed babool along with 2 to 3 spoons of sugar or 50 grams of dried date powder in a grinder. Consume this powder half spoon twice daily with warm water.

Dr Manoj M Deshpande, Dr Aparna M Deshpande

Kalpataru Ayurvediya chikitsalaya, Pune-411030(M S)-India

Ayurveda’s boon to skin and respiratory diseases

The disorders rising on the onset of winter include skin diseases and other breathing problems caused by Waatadosha. Kalpataru Ayurvediya Chikitsalaya is poised for research and eradication of skin and allergic problems since 23 years.

Psoriasis

A patient approached us on reading an article from the “Family Doctor”  edition of Daily Sakal newspaper issue. We were shocked to see this woman who was suffering from psoriasis since 10 years, dropping almost 200 grams of dandruff per day, her body covered in patches leaving not even a pinpoint on her skin. She could not even exit her house due to this dreadful disease. With the blessings of Lord Dhanwantari, accurate medicines and treatment cured her of this disease in 2 months time. After that, we continued to give her medicines to boost immunity, keep a check on skin cell division, and the required PANCHAKARMAS. Since then her grateful family is confidently referring other acquaintances and patients to us. That woman hasn’t got the recurrence of psoriasis, a disease notorious for its comebacks, in the following 10 years and continued. Even when denied by modern medicine, Ayurveda has proved right fact that in absence of medication- proper care, daily exercise and diet management can  cure a person from psoriasis. The testimonials of over 6000 patients at Kalpataru Ayurvediya Chikitsalaya only reinforces this fact. We  perform effective treatment also for psoriasis induced arthritis which is yet another more complicated issue .

Respiratory problems

Asthma and other breathing related disorders often trouble us in the winter and monsoon seasons. Modern medical science treats the allergy induced bronchoconstriction only by suppressing the allergy itself. For this, different sprays, tablets and inhalers are used. This is often rendered ineffective when the effects of the medicine stop or there is a slightest change in the diet and lifestyle of the individual. Ayurveda is the ultimate boon for these cases.

In Ayurveda, we not only hold the respiratory tract responsible for asthma, but also the PRANAWAHA, ANNAWAHA, UDAKAWAHA systems. Hence, untimely meals, heavy-to-digest meals tend to disrupt the ANNAWAHA SROTA and hence disorient the breathing pattern. Many people fall prey to the common misconception that ‘drinking excess water is good’ and  this habit disrupts the UDAKAWAHA SROTAand hence the breathing pattern too–welcoming cough, asthma etc. Things like mental stress, tension and anger also tend to affect our breathing pattern in a bad way. This implies that only symptomatic medicines for allergy aren’t enough. According to Ayurveda, the systems, namely respiratory and digestive, are responsible for asthma. Digestion boosting medicines and respiratory  systemenhancers coupled with PRANAYAMAS, stress management, control on excess water intake and the most important RASAYAMA CHIKITSA which is performed on disappearance of symptoms is the key to accurate treatment for asthma. When the child is caught in the cycle of asthma attacks, constant cold, recurrent cough — antibiotics, bronchodilators, sprays, inhalers can be cut down  permanently by Ayurveda;their parents bow before  Ayurveda. The doctor concerned also feels great satisfaction.

Arthritis – Dietary Advice

Good for arthitis

• Grains- brown rice,unpolished rice, old rice, barley, ragi.
• Vegetables- drumsticks, pumpkin, bitter gourd, snake gourd, PUNARNAVA (Boerhaviadiffusa).
• Cereals- MOONG, lentil, moth bean, ragi.
• Meat- chicken, mutton
• Milk products- only buttermilk that too at day time enriched with, pepper, cumin seeds and rock salt.
• Water- warm water enriched with medicinal properties.
• Natural pain killers- ginger, turmeric, onion, ginger,fenugreekseeds,flaxseed
• Other edibles- castor oil, GOUMOOTRA (cow’s urine), SOONTH (ginger powder), , fennel seeds.

Bad for arthritis

• Grains- new grains, wheat.
• Vegetables- bottle gourd, ivy gourd.
• Cereals- black gram, field beans, green pea, cowpea and chickpea.
• Meat- fish and seafood.
• Fruits- especially citric fruits
• Milk products- milk, curd, PANEER, cheese.
• Water- cold wate
• Bulbous fruits- sweet potato, potato
• Other edibles- VIRUDDH AAHAR (opposite natured food combinations), like milk + fruit, curd + milk, etc., jiggery,

Useful enriched recipes

• Moth bean soup- let the moth beans sprout. Take these in a pressure cooker and steam it for a few minutes. Take some grated coconut, onions, pepper, cloves, cinnamon and roasted coriander seeds to enhance the taste and put them in a mixer grinder and grind it. Then take the steamed moth beans and add some salt and chilli powder for taste. Mix it with the grinded mixture and boil it for some time.
• Ginger candy- take half a cup ginger juice. Settle the solid sediment and sieve the liquid juice in another cup. Add to it 1.5 cup milk and 1 cup sugar and boil until it becomes semisolid. Then apply some ghee to the back of a flat plate and spread the semisolid mixture. Then let it dry and divide it into pieces.

ABHYANG

     Massaging the whole body with oil is called as ABHYANG in Ayurveda.The complex machine of our human body, when massaged with oil in the ABHYANG procedure, halts the degeneration of its parts and extends its life. Hence, regular ABHYANG is necessary in order to maintain and protect our health and increase bodily strength.

• Odd movements of our body, trauma and errors in the posture cause different WAATA disorders. ABHYANG ensures the eradication of these.
• Regular ABHYANG increases strength and hence duration of work.
• Skin appears young. Skin tone improves. Wrinkles and dryness in the skin disappears.
• Bone and muscle strength increases.
• Old age sets in late. Body becomes agile and flexible.
• ABHYANG is the utmost necessity for athletes and people who exercise regularly.
• ABHYANG has proven to be very effective in cases of polio, paralysis, joint pain, insomnia, different skin diseases, WAATA disorders, frozen shoulder, sciatica, lumbar pain, backache, neck pain, spondylitis, etc.

Methodical and proper ABHYANG is effective for decreasing as well as increasing weight. It stands as a prerequisite for other procedures like BASTI, WAMANA, VIRECHANA etc. Child development is aided by ABHYANG. It also balances the concentrations of the basic and fundamental constituents of the body in youth when the physical growth is done with. Due to the dominance of WAATA and disintegrative nature of body constituents, ABHYANG is a relief and upliftment for old people. ABHYANG performed for pregnant women in their third trimester in the thigh and lumbar region facilitates an easier delivery and preventing further ache in the back. To compensate the fatigue, massage should be continued for two months after delivery.

Head massage for children is very soothing for them. Children grow calm and sleep well. Complaints like hair fall, hair greying and insomnia are dealt with magnificently by SHIROABHYANG, i.e. head massage.

Four types of fatty substances, namely TAILA (oils), GHEE (clarified butter), VASAA (animal fat) and MAJJA (bone marrow) are used according to various disease conditions. Appropriate time and knowledge of proper pressure points is of utmost importance during massage. During cold seasons, to tackle the dryness of skin, oils having more unctuous properties are used. In summer, oils prepared in coconut base are preferred. During massage, muscle, joint, bones, ligaments, tendons, muscle origin and insertion points and MARMA BINDU (vital points) consideration is inevitable. Special emphasis should be given to these vital points- body constituent consideration (such as WAATA, PITTA, KAFA) is useful for selecting specific medicinal oil. Massage after exercise is always preferred.

Conditions where massage is contraindicated.

• In fever
• Inflammation
• KAFA DOSHA originating disorders
• Joint pain with fever and oedema
• Massage after food
• Massage while feeling much hungry
• Indigestion

Various tricks like patting, kneading and vibrating are equally important during massage procedure. This creates lightness in the body and relieves pain. According to directions, two types of massages are described in ayurvedic scripts- ANULOMA (direction towards heart) and PRATILOMA (direction away from heart).

General sequence of massage procedure

The massage done in the following sequence of organs is beneficial

Ears → nose → head → navel → soles → ankles → calf → knees → thighs → palms → wrists → forearms → elbows → abdomen → chest → back → lumbar region → sacral area → hips → posterior legs → posterior hands

Steam bath or hot water bath after this sequence is essential.

Last but not the least, people should be aware that ambience and external appearance of the massaging center or spa are not the only factors to serve your cause, but a therapist having thorough scientific knowledge is also important. ABHYANG or massage is not just an external treatment for temporary soothing, but it has a potential to cure the pains, relieve the stress hidden  deep within your body and mind.