Archive for the 'Ayurveda' Category

How Smoking is Injurious to health.

It is known to everyone that cigarette smoking is harmful and addictive. But very few know the risks of cigarette addiction. Smoking inflicts body with many irreversible damages and reduces the human life span by 25 years.

Effects of Smoking on Body:

Heart : Smoking is the biggest risk factor for all heart diseases. It accelerates the process of fat deposition in the inner walls of arteries (atherosclerosis). It increases blood pressure and heart rate. Not only these, smoking increases tendency for the blood to clot. It reduces the capacity of a person to exercise. (Exercises always keep heart healthy).

Lungs : Smoking destroys small hairs present in upper parts of airways. In normal persons these hairs protect lungs from germs, dust and other harmful particles. When this natural cleaning system is damaged germs, dust, smoke and other harmful chemicals enter lungs causing infection, cough and lung cancer. The air sacs of lungs (alveoli) get permanently damaged causing difficulty in breathing.

Digestive system: Smoking causes heart burn ,delays healing of peptic ulcers, increases risk of crohns disease and formation of gall stones. It affects liver and increases chances of stomach cancer.

Legs: Smoking affects blood vessels of legs causing chronic pain in legs. This may further progress to cause gangrene of toes or feet.

Eyes: The sensitive blood vessels of eye are easily damaged by smoking. This causes blood shot appearance of eyes and itching. In heavy smokers it may lead to degeneration and loss of eyesight. Smokers are at an increased risk of cataracts.

Skin : Due to smoking the skin is deprived of oxygen and it loses its texture. An average smoker looks 5 years older than his healthy non smoking counterparts. The skin loses its healthy glow and takes on a yellowish-gray cast. The more cigarettes smoked, the worse skin will look. Wrinkles start appearing very quickly as smoking affects elastic tissues of skin.

Bones: It accelerates the process of osteoporosis

Cancer: Smoking causes cancer of lungs, larynx, oral cavity, pharynx, oesophagus and bladder. Tobacco smoke contains more than 60 substances which cause cancer. 87% lung cancer death occurs due to smoking.

Reproductive system: Smoking reduces fertility in both men and women.

In women: Smoking imbalances estrogen hormone in women. It causes dryness of vagina and reduces blood flow to genital organs. Women who smoke can get diseases of fallopian tubes and their egg production is affected. Smoking can cause abortion. It accelerates aging process and can cause early menopause.

The growth of baby retards when mother smokes in pregnancy. It affects the brain development of baby and reduces IQ. This happens even when mother is a passive smoker. The chances of miscarriage, premature birth and fetal death increase.

In men: Smoking impairs erections and can become a reason for erectile dysfunction. It also reduces sperm count and impairs sperm motility. But these are reversed after stopping smoking.

Hence quit smoking. Quitting smoking has immediate as well as long-term benefits for you and your loved ones

Panchakarma The detoxification therapy in Ayurveda

According to ayurvedic texts our body is crisscrossed by srotas or channels or tube like structures. This net work contains both microscopic and macroscopic channels. ( Digestive system, nervous system , circulatory system etc are few examples of these channels). Innumerable physiological process like breathing, blood circulation, fsecretions of enzymes, hormones etc , flow of signals, supply of nutrients, filtration of toxins , excretion of waste etc are aided by these tubular structures.

Diseases occur when toxins get accumulated in body and clog these channels. Unhealthy diet, lifestyle, stress, changes in environment etc lead to accumulation of toxins in body. These accumulated toxins have to be expelled out in order to keep our body healthy. Through panchakarma therapy these toxic clogs are removed to normalize the physiological process. Hence panchakarma therapy is called as detoxification therapy. Panchakarma therapy can be administered to a normal person to prevent diseases and keep his body healthy. The ideal season to expel toxins through this therapy, is rainy season.

Panchakarma therapy is also used as a purifactory therapy to cleanse the body before starting a treatment. A diseased body can be compared to a soiled cloth which can not be colored as we desire. Hence to attain the maximum benefits , the body has to be purified or cleaned before starting the treatment. The cleared channels help medicines to penetrate the deeper tissues.

The detoxification process contains three steps

1.Purvakarma – Preparations which have to be done before the detoxification

2.Pradhanakarma The main detoxifying process

3.Pashchat karma Rehabilitating the diet and lifestyle after the detoxification process.

Purvakarma : These steps are adopted to soften the channels and toxins, so that the toxins can get detached and eliminated easily during main detoxifying process. The hard toxic clogs are made to get loosened by increasing body fire or agni. Medicines are administered internally for this purpose. This process is called as “deepana and pachana” in ayurveda. ( the duration of this process is 3-5 days depending on the conditions and diseases)

Later whole body is oleated internally and externally with medicated oil or ghee. This process is called as “Snehana” .

Internal oleation is done by administering small quantities of medicated oil or ghee internally. The duration of internal oleation , quantity and type of medicated oil or ghee is determined by the physician after analyzing the body constitution of the patient. The patient has to eat liquid food or light food on the day prior to internal oleation. After consuming the medicated oil or ghee the patient is encouraged to sip warm water frequently. When medicated oil or ghee is completely digested, the patient is advised to consume light food.

External oleation is done after the completion of internal oleation.. The whole body or body part is massaged with medicated oil. Few types of external oleation are used as treatment methods. They are

1.Abhyanga ; Massaging whole body

2.Lepa Smearing medicated oil and herbs

3.Mardana Kneading the body parts with fingers and fists.

4.Padaghata Tampling the body with foot.

5.Gandusha – The mouth is filled with oil and is retained for a longer period of time.

6.Parisheka (Pizhichil ) – The warm medicated oil is poured continuously over the entire body for an extended period of time.

Soon after oil massage the body or body part is exposed to heat through steam bath or other heating methods according to the physicians choice. This process of exposing body to heat is called as swedana or sweating. Both snehana and swedana help to soften the channels and toxin clogs. Elimination of toxins becomes easy when channels are soft and toxins are loose.

Pradhana Karma : This is the main detoxifying process. The softened and loosened toxins are expelled from body by five methods. Considering these five major detoxifying methods the whole process is named as “Panchakarma” (Pancha = 5, Karma = process ) .

1.Vamana (through Emesis),

2.Virechana (Purgation),

3.Niruha basthi Basthi (enema with herbal concoctions ),

4.Anuvasana basthi (enema with medicated oil)

5.Nasya (nasal drops) and Raktamokshana (Blood letting).

(These processes will be explained in detail in next issue ). Physician can chose any of these detoxifying methods according to disease and prevalence of doshas.

Paschat Karma: A strict diet and lifestyle procedure has to be followed through out Panchakarma treatment. The rehabilitative procedures to bring back the diet and lifestyle to normal are considered as “paschat Karma”. In this stage the digestion power is brought back to normalcy. Medicines are administered to rejuvenate the body or to treat the disease.

During panchakarma treatment the following rules have to be strictly followed.

1.One has to use only warm water to drink, bathe and for other activities.

2.Person who is undergoing panchakarma therapy can not indulge in sex.

3.Sleeping in daytime is contraindicated.

4.Natural urges should not be controlled.

5.Exposures to extreme temperatures or weather conditions have to be avoided.

6.Keeping awake at night is not advisable

7.Foods which cause indigestion can not be consumed.

8.Exercise and mental stress have to be avoided.

The Panchakarma therapy is not advisable for persons in whom the following conditions exist.

•Menses

•Lactation

•Cancer of the Lungs or Testicles

•Melanoma

•HIV or AIDS

•Extreme Obesity

•Lympho-Sarcoma

•Hypertension

•Congestive Heart Failure

•Emaciation

•Any Active Infectious Disease

•Pregnancy

•Angina Pectoris

The benefits of Panchakarma are as follows

•Toxins are eliminated from body .

•Doshas get Balanced.

•Stress is reduced and body gets relaxed.

•Slows ageing process and increases the lifespan.

•Increases glow and luster of skin.

•Boosts body immunity and body energy level.

•Enhances strength, energy, vitality and mental clarity

•Reduces dependence on alcohol, tobacco and drugs.

•Help to implement healthy diet and lifestyle.

Keeping Well When Monsoon Dwells

First showers of monsoon are heartily welcomed by everyone after experiencing the scorching heat of summer. But monsoons reduce the immunity of our body and make us susceptible to many diseases which are commonly associated with this season. It is time for us to keep our body resistant against diseases by boosting our immunity and taking precautions against these diseases.

The diseases associated with monsoon are malaria, jaundice, gastro intestinal infections like typhoid and cholera. Apart from these, viral infections like cold and cough also make their presence felt.

Puddles of water formed due to rain become breeding grounds for mosquitoes which spread diseases like malaria and dengue fever. As a precautionary measure against mosquito bite born diseases one can use mosquito net around the bed which is better choice to mosquito repellants like mats and coils. A mosquito repellant cream is the best choice when you are away from home. Fumigating the house with smoke of dried neem leaves in evenings for 1-2 minutes is an excellent ayurvedic method to keep mosquitoes away.

Pollution of drinking water during monsoon is very common. It is very necessary to drink clean and pure water when water borne monsoon diseases like diarrhea and gastro intestinal infections threaten us. Drinking boiled water at home is strongly recommended to tap water. Prefer mineral water of government certified companies when you are away from home.

Walking in dirty water during rainy season leads to numerous fungal infections which affect toes and nails. Diabetic patients have to take a special care about their feet. Always keep your feet dry and clean. Avoid walking in dirty water. Keep your shoes, socks and raincoats dry and clean. Drying clothes with fumes of loban and dry neem leaves is recommended in ayurvedic texts.

Precautions have to be taken to prevent dampness and growth of fungus (mold) on and around the house where asthmatic patients live. Avoid fumigation in case of asthmatic patients.

Ayurvedic Tips to increase body immunity and preventing diseases of monsoon.

1.The digestive system gets weakened due to dehydration in summer. This leads to low digestive power. This is further weakened by vitiation of doshas and dhatus due to monsoon. Hence following diets which increase power of digestion and strengthen the digestive system would be beneficial in rainy season.

•Light foods prepared out of old barley, rice and wheat.

•Sour and salted soups of vegetables.

•Drinking boiled and cooled water mixed with little honey.

•Consuming little quantity of wine prepared out of grapes.

•Adding ginger and green gram in daily diet.

•Eating warm food.

2.Avoid the following

Sleeping in daytime.

Over physical exertion.

Over exposure to sun.

3.Always keep the surrounding dry and clean. Do not allow water to get accumulated around.

4.Keep your body warm as viruses attack immediately when body temperature goes down.

5.Do not enter air conditioned room with wet hair and damp cloths.

6.Dry your feet and webs with soft dry cloth whenever they are wet.

7.Wash vegetables with clean water and steam them well to kill germs.

8.Avoid eating uncooked foods and salads.

9.Drink plenty of water and keep your body well hydrated.

10.Do not allow kids to play in stagnant polluted water filled puddles.

Ayurvedic Home remedies for Monsoon diseases

1.Apply castor oil or sesame oil for cracked feet and skin.

2.A freshly prepared paste of turmeric, neem and sesame seeds is recommended in ayurveda for fungal infection between toes.

3.Drink a glass of warm water mixed with a tea spoon of honey in empty stomach. This flushes out accumulated toxins.

4.Freshly prepared radish juice is the best remedy for cold.

5.A pinch each of long pepper powder and rock salt mixed in warm water reduces cough

6.The following home recipes can be used as home remedies for digestive disorders of monsoon

In Indigestion

Ingredients:

Rice-1/2 cup

Water -4 cups

Long pepper- 2or 3

Ginger -1

Method of preparation:

Cook rice with recommended quantity of water with crushed ginger and salt. Powder long pepper and fry it in a spoon of cows ghee and add it to gruel. Consume this when it hot. This is very light to digest and relieves colic pain.

In Diarrhea

Ingredients:

Rice -1/2 cup

Water 4 cups

Ginger paste 1/2 spoon

Salt to taste

Pomegranate juice: ½ cup

Method of preparation

1.Cook rice with recommended quantity of water with ginger paste and salt

2.Add pomegranate juice when the gruel is warm. This gruel rehydrates body and supply energy . This soothes inflamed walls of intestine and controls bowel movements.

In flatulence

Ingredients:

½ cup of rice

4 cups of water

Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) – powder-1/2 spoon

Roots of pippali or long pepper

Ginger paste -1/2 spoon salt to taste

Method of preparation

Cook Rice, haritaki powder , roots of pippali and water together. Add salt to it.Consume this when it is warm. This relieves flatulence and regularizes the bowel movement

Thus precautions coupled with care really help you to enjoy monsoon. Have a healthy and safe monsoon.