Alternative Healing An Introduction

In recent years the issue of Alternative Healing has skyrocketed to the forefront of the medical field. A 2004 government survey concluded that more than one third of adults use alternative medicine and healing
Herbal Medicine

One facet of this burgeoning interest is Herbal Medicine. While it may seem “trendy” to some, Herbal Medicine has been around for thousands of years. In fact, many of the familiar pharmaceutical medications we use today were originally created from “natural” ingredients. Drugs like opium (from poppies), aspirin (from willow bark), digitalis (from foxglove) and quinine (from the cinchona tree.)

Interestingly, the synthetic version of “aspirin” is credited with the beginning of the pharmaceutical industry. A chemist working for the Friedrich Bayer Company in Germany created the synthetic. The company registered the term “aspirin” as a trademark but Bayer lost the patent rights when the Allies seized and resold its foreign assets after World War I
3 Herbal Remedies Reputed To Bring Relief

Here are 3 herbal remedies to help with popular conditions:
Arthritis

The term Arthritis literally translates to “joint inflammation.” If you suffer from Arthritis, chances are you have taken drugs to combat the effects or tried other “home remedies.” If you haven’t yet tried “Urtication,” it might be helpful. The term “Urtication” comes from the botanical name, Urtica dioica and dates back some 2,000 years to biblical times. Urtica dioica is “Stinging Nettle. The treatment is to grasp the nettles in a gloved hand and swat the sore joints with the nettles. This may seem bizarre, but the practice has proven to be so effective for some sufferers of arthritis that they now maintain a nettle plant on their window sill
High Blood Pressure

Try vegetable soup. Yes, vegetable soup. Add any of the following: Celery, Garlic, Hawthorn, Kudzu, Onion, Tomato, Broccoli, Carrot, Purslane (any anything else that contains magnesium), Saffron, Valerian, Fennel, Oregano, Black Pepper, Basil and Tarragon. Consume on a regular basis. Eliminate pork, beef, and alcohol from your diet. Eat more plant foods and herbs and use a good vitamin regimen
Dandruff

Create an herbal scalp rinse. Add one teaspoon of Potassium Chloride (find in salt section at the supermarket) into 6 cups of water. Heat until the Potassium Chloride dissolves. Chop four ounces of fresh Celandine (if fresh is not available use a half cup of the dried herb instead).Add Celandine to the solution. Allow to stand for two hours. Then boil slowly for 20 minutes. Strain out the plant material, and simmer reducing to one and one half cups. Add eight ounces of glycerin and continue simmering reducing the liquid slowly to two cups. Strain the result and bottle it. Store in cool place. Use once or twice a day as a hair rinse
Warning!!

Always seek medical advice. Its always a good idea to make sure your physician AND your herbalist are aware of all medications and/or herbal treatments you are using. This is because some medicines can conflict with each other and make your condition worse

Narasimha Rasayana (narasimha rasayanam) is an Ayurvedic jam and dietary supplement beneficial in reversing aging, improving immune system and increasing libido.

Ashtangahridayam, one among the major ancient Ayurvedic treatise by Acharya Vagbhata describes the preparatory methods, actions and indication of narasimha rasayanam in detail.

The action of Narasimha rasayanam is mainly in improving immunity, improving physical strength. It acts as a body tonic, rejuvenative, increase sex drive, improves complexion and checks aging process.

The main indication for narasimha rasayana is premature graying or hair loss.

It is beneficial in treatment of all kinds of gynecological disorders and promotes fertility.

Ingredients of Narasimha Rasayana

Bhringaraja (false daisy – eclipta alba), Indian gooseberry (Embelica officinalis), Chebulic myrobalan, Beleric myrobalan, milk, ghee, satavari (asparagus rosemosus), etc are the main ingredients of narasimha rasayana.

Dosage of narasimha rasayanam

5-15 g daily before going to bed. Take water or milk immediately thereafter. Follow any specific instructions from your physician.

Good for both men and women, narasimha rasayana promotes steady physical health and promotes fertility and virility.

Narasimha rasayana is a general body tonic, but start taking it only with the advice of your Ayurveda physician.

Source: http://www.keralaayurvedics.com

As the doshas start to become rebellious in the system, they go through six stages that can be easily recognized through observation, questioning and also with the use of medical diagnosis.

The six stages of disease are:
1. Sanchaya (Accumulation)
2. Prakopa (Aggravation, provoked)
3. Prasara (Overflow, spread)
4. Sthana samsraya (Relocation, depositing)
5. Vyakti (Manifestation – can be labeled at this point)
6. Bheda (Diversification, complications, damage to organs as in rheumatoid arthritis)

Vata and the Six Stages

1. Sanchaya: The vata attribute of cold is evident at this stage. Apana vayu is affected which is the downward moving vata responsible for bowel movements, urination, menstruation, child birth, and ejaculation. The person may have some gas or constipation and there will be an aversion to the cause.

2. Prakopa: The attributes of cold, dry, and mobile are involved in the imbalance now. The gas starts to rise and comes to the ascending colon causing abdominal distention, burping, hiccups and breathlessness.

3. Prasara: The vata attributes of mobile, light, agitated and subtle come into play and vata now moves out of the colon, penetrates the mucus membrane, goes through the capillaries and enters the blood. Vata begins moving throughout the body and the person may have some of the following symptoms: cold hands and feet, generalized body aches, irregular appetite, rajasic vata activity (unable to focus the mind), dry hair or nails, cracking joints, stiffness of the muscles, anxiety, insomnia, fear, and low agni which causes discomfort after eating.

4. Sthana samsraya: All the other attributes plus the attributes of rough and dispersing are now present. The dosha now goes to a defective or weak body part. This may be due to trauma (physical or emotional), memory of illness, or genetic factors. All these things make fingerprints in the body and make a place for future disease to occur. Even emotions will accumulate in the tissues and create puddles in which the depositing stage happens. In other words, the dosha lodges in the defective space. The manifested doshic imbalance can also be seen in the tissue.

For example, Vata in the:

* rasa dhatu can show itself as dry eczema
* rakta dhatu can be seen as anemia
* meda dhatu can be seen as weight loss, emaciation
* mamsa dhatu can be seen as muscle pain
* asthi dhatu can be seen as bone pain
* majja dhatu can create phobias or tremors.
* shukra/artava dhatu can create low sperm count, pain on ovulation.

5. Vyakti: All the attributes of Vata are now in full swing. The condition can now be labeled as epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, spastic colon, and so forth. 6. Bheda: At this stage the disease begins to cause damage to the organ and body parts. It seems to have a life of its own and projects itself like an entity. There may be, for example, arthritic deformities, loss of function of an organ, atrophy, etc.

Pitta and the Six Stages

1. Sanchaya: The attributes that are first evident are hot and liquid. Pitta is fire and water (hot and damp); hot water can put out our agni as can alcohol, and coffee. These substances can dilute enzymes and hydrochloric acid. The person may feel a little heat in the small intestinal region and will have an aversion to the cause.

2. Prakopa: The next attribute that gets stirred up is sour. This can manifest as acid indigestion, dark urine and dry yellow feces. Remember, the dosha is still in the digestive system at this stage and can be easily pacified through herbs and other corrective measures.

3. Prasara; The dosha leaves the small intestines and enters the circulation. Now the attributes that are added are light and spreading. The person may experience a rash, acne, burning hands eyes, feet, desire to have cold things, irritation, and the head may be hot (the brain does not tolerate heat very well). Emotionally, this may manifest as being hypercritical, lacking discrimination, engaging in unhealthy competition, expressing jealousy, anger and violence. The normal emotional functions of pitta are quick comprehension, appreciation and sharp intelligence.

4. Sthana samsraya: The attributes of sharp, penetrating qualities are now present and the dosha moves into the dhatu. There may be fever, inflammation, bacterial infection, and inflammation of the stomach wall, (pitta in the mamsa dhatu or muscle of the stomach).

5. Vyakti: All the attributes are now activated and the next stage is the labeling of the disease. Now the dosha has become an entity that is recognized as a specific pathological condition such as hepatitis, encephalitis, or meningitis. The suffix, itis, equates with inflammation or Pitta.

6. Bheda: The disease now starts to cause a breakdown in the system. Pitta being so aggressive can cause perforation, abscesses, coma and aneurysm. My teacher said, œNever fiddle faddle with Pitta!

Kapha and the Six Stages

1. Sanchaya: The kapha attribute of liquid and heavy begin to accumulate in the stomach. These create a feeling of heaviness after eating, slow digestion and a weighted feeling in the stomach.

2. Prakopa: The attribute of cool now enters the picture and the symptoms will start to increase. There may be poor digestion, excess saliva, mucus diarrhea, or coolness in the stomach region.

3. Prasara: The kapha dosha now leaves the stomach (digestive system) and circulates into the lymph system. The attribute of oily manifests itself and oily fried, greasy foods will cause kapha to increase. Remember kapha in excess creates stagnation and engorgement.

4. Sthana samsraya: The kapha dosha will now find a place to lodge itself. The attributes of dull and stagnant are manifesting. In the Rasa dhatu, kapha may appear as lymph swellings and congestion, sinusitis, and plaque accumulations. Ayurvedically speaking, we can see kapha lodged in the rakta dhatu as purulent discharges such as boils, in the mamsa dhatu as flabby muscles and so forth through the dhatus.

5. Vyakti: All attributes of kapha are in full swing. At this stage the disease can be labeled and we can now identify the disease entity. We may call it pneumonia, polyps, obesity, diabetes, and hypertension due to water retention.

6. Bheda: Now the disease entity begins to cause organ changes and disruption of physiological functions. For example, there may be a tumor in the liver, ascites (an abnormal accumulation of serous fluid in the abdominal cavity indicating a very serious condition), or congestive heart failure.

In today’s busy society, our immune system is continuously compromised. We spend long periods in automobiles inhaling traffic exhaust, on airline flights in confined spaces, working on computers indoors, often under fluorescent lighting, exposing ourselves to chemicals from synthetic fabrics, paint fumes, cleaning solvents”environmental hazards which are part of modern living. Daily, newspapers are filled with stories of auto-immune diseases and the drugs developed to counteract these diseases. Our body struggles to protect itself from these environmental offenders, yet over time the continual battle to maintain basic health depletes our immune system and symptoms of low ojas begin to manifest.

Fortunately, for Ayurvedic teachers and practitioners, many of these environmental insults can be alleviated by following the principles of the wonderful science of Ayurveda. Ayurvedic practices assist us to gain control and regenerate the forgotten complex called œthe immune system. There are many ways to modify and support this system in order to create strong ojas (the basis of immunity). When the dhatus (tissues) are adequately nourished and function as intended, the remaining energy converts to ojas. When any tissue is starved or malfunctioning, there is not a smooth transfer up the dhatu ladder, ojas suffers and weakness and sensitivity to the environment is experienced. The goal of Ayurveda is to build and maintain strong, well-functioning dhatus that provide adequate ojas; the pillar of the immune system.

Nourishment of the Immune System

Physical Nourishment: True nourishment occurs when we assimilate that which agni converts into energy. When this occurs, the physical body and all its tissues receive everything needed in order to thrive and we are able to cope with constant life challenges with adequate stamina and vigor. Ayurveda is largely based on appropriate diet regimens for specific body types to ensure appropriate and adequate physical nutrition.

Mental Nourishment: The source of all disease is the failure of the intellect. Mental nourishment produces acuity of mind, clear thinking, and perception. The development of mental capabilities is accomplished simply by being curious. Exploring the world we live in and creating intellectual avenues of interest causes an expansion of knowledge and of consciousness. Necessary mental nourishment can be facilitated through self-study and the reflective methods of meditation, mantra, spiritual practices, pranayama, and yantra. For example, Divinity can be experienced through the yantra symbol when working in focused concentration. All of these methods build and enhance mental immunity.

At the highest level, Purusha is connected to all things, and our mind is the embodiment of cosmic love and principles (Mahat). Prana, the life force, is the refinement of all movements and the overseer of Vata. Ultimately, development and refinement of Mahat (the conditioned mind) dispels maya (illusion), abolishes fear, and grounds us in the ultimate reality of love and purpose.

Emotional nourishment is also required. The immune system is greatly benefited by the communication of feelings. As practitioners, we need to maintain our professional career and have emotional outlets. One method of emotional nourishment is meditation, yet meditation without release can cause fragmentation of the wholeness of who we are. Therefore, participation in Master Mind groups, support groups, friendships, and love relationships are of utmost value in producing ojas and building mental immunity.
Practitioners and teachers of Ayurveda must be examples of a healthy mind, body, and spirit to be a guiding light for our communities. In order to create a breakthrough for Ayurveda, we must ˜Walk our Talk’, and œBe In Balance. Embodying strong ojas, prana, and tejas gives us the strength and vitality to cope with the work and challenges that lie ahead.

Methods for Nourishing the Immune System
Essential Oils contain volatile components and active ingredients that support the immune system. When essential oils are inhaled, psychological, and physical changes are instantly produced, directly stimulating the nerve pathways between the nose and limbic system, our primitive brain, where memories, desires, and emotions are stored and accessed. The chemical constituents of essential oils are compatible with many of the allopathic medicines that are used today. In fact, the chemistry of many of essential oils is often utilized in the development of today’s pharmaceuticals.

I consider the use of essential oils a key ingredient of my self-care and the treatment of my clients. It is an easy way to maintain strong ojas, healthy emotions, and a balanced system. In my daily practice of abhyanga, I use essential oils in my massage blend to strengthen my immune response. Abhyanga seals and protects the skin, calms and tones the muscles, centers the mind, and provides a barrier to outside influences. Essential oils may also be added to toothpaste (fennel, neem, peppermint), shampoo (ginger, sandalwood, lemon, mogra, rose), and hair conditioner (lavender, bhrami, bringarash) according to one’s particular constitution.

Regular hot baths can provide stress relief and relaxation. Oatmeal and ginger baths with essential oils appropriate for your body type are stimulating, and a couple of tablespoons of clay or baking soda added to the bath is relaxing and balances electrolytes after a long day’s work. Footbaths with a few drops of essential oils are excellent for those who spend long hours massaging, doing pancha karma, or other client care.

Skin brushing with a natural bristle brush (purchased at any good health food store) is important to maintain the health of the body. The skin requires more attention during cold weather as wearing more clothing leads to less exposure to sunlight, causing the blockage of toxins that are normally released via the skin. Brush the entire body for 5-15 minutes daily, (except for the face) and always brush towards the heart.

Drink appropriate amounts of liquid (pure water, not tap water) or herbal teas according to your dosha.

Exercise daily (including yoga, tai chi, kung fu, Qi gong) according to your dosha.

Adequate rest is required according to constitution.

Maintain the health of your large intestine through regular elimination.

Daily intake of chyvanprash, dosha appropriate

Regulate the blood sugar level. For example, Vatas need to eat small amounts of food throughout the day.

Spritz your office and home with water and essential oils to create a clean, refreshing environment that can enhance daily activities. Lavender is relaxing, bergamot and other citrus oils are stimulating and uplifting.

Stress is the major cause of immune imbalance. Even with a strong immune system one must be careful not to undermine it through wear and tear of poor lifestyle habits and by continually pushing oneself. Even with the best genetics, the body may succumb to serious illnesses if Ayurvedic practices are not maintained.

Healers have a tendency to forego nurturing themselves. They see the needs of the world, stretch to accommodate them, and consequently do not take the time to maintain their own self-care.

The immune system is a complex interaction between ourselves and the world around us. How we think, feel and act with our world is a dance that determines whether we affect the world, or the world affects us. Ayurveda gives us many tools for a favorable outcome.

Ayurveda is an ancient system of health care that is native to the Indian subcontinent.In Sanskrit, the word Ayurveda comprises the words āyus, meaning ‘life’ and veda, meaning ‘science’, “life principle”, and the word veda, which refers to a system of “knowledge”.

The central concept of Ayurvedic medicine is the theory that health exists when there is a balance between three fundamental bodily substances or doshas called Vata, Pitta and Kapha.

Ayurvedic treatments differ from the majority of conventional cures in its unique approach towards healing. The principle of treating the sick and not the sickness is central to all forms of ayurvedic treatments. Rather than trying to cure a disease in isolatation, ayurveda takes into account an individual in his entirety.

There are eight divisions of treatments in Ayurveda:
Kaya chikitsa (General treatment)
Visha chikitsa (Toxicology),
Vajeekarana chikitsa (Aphrodisiac treatment).
Grahachikitsa (Psychiatry),
Urndhanga chikitsa (ENT & eye diseases treatment),
Bala chikitsa (Pediatrics)
Salya chikitsa (Surgical procedures),
Rasayana chikitsa (Geriatrics)

Panchakarma is a collection of purification techniques that Ayurveda prescribes for some diseases and for periodic cleansing. A course of Pancharkarma typically includes a short-term dietary prescription, massage, herbs, and may include purgatives, sweat baths, medicated enemas, and nasal cleansing.

Vamana is a medicated emesis therapy which removes Kapha toxins collected in the body and the respiratory tract. This is given to people with high Kapha imbalance. Daily treatment involves loosening and mobilizing the toxins in an effort to finally eliminate them.

Nasya (Nose Cleaning) involves administration of medicated oil through the nose to cleanse accumulated Kapha toxins from the head and neck region.

SIRODHARA is the best treatment for diseases of the nervous system and for emotional problems such as chronic depression and anxiety (panic) attacks. It is also recommended for chronic headaches, as well as ear, nose and throat problems, and is especially useful for pain management.

Domestic Ayurveda herbs for Sexual weakness:

(a) Make a mixture of equal quantities of processed Guggal, Haritaki, Vibhitaki, Gaduchi and processed Shilajit. Dose 1 gm with milk twice daily.

(b) Pulverize together Ashwagandha, Mulathi, Vidarikand, Shatawari, Amla, Shankhpushpi, Vidhara and Pippali. Dose 1 gm with milk twice daily.

(c) Pulverize a mixture of 10 gm Amla, 1 gm Ilaichi, 1 gm Dalchini, 2 gm Peepali, 20 gm Motha, 30 gm Brahmi and 10 gm Sandal. Use 2 gm of fine powder with water.

(d) For Youthful mind:

Pulverize equal quantity of Brahmi, Shankhpushapi, Mulathi and Gaduchi. Dose 1 gm powder with water or make a decoction of it.

(e) Pulverize equal quantity of Vidari, Badam,l Salai Guggal, processed Kawanch, Jaiphal, Gond Katira. Use 6 gm powder with milk.

(f) Take processed Kawanch (100 gm), milk 500 ml,ghee 15 gm and 1 gm each of Jaiphal, Javitri, Laung, Ajwain, Sonth, Kali Mirch, Pippali, Dalchini, Tejpat, Iliachi , Jeera and sugar as per taste. Boil Kawanch in milk till it gets condensed, fry in ghee, when warm, add fine powder of spices with a pinch of Keshar, make candy balls of 20 gm each. Eat one ball empty stomach in the morning, and tow hours fter evening meal during 3-4 months in winter or cold season. Highly effective for all types of sexual inadequacies.

(g) Pulverizae 10 gm each of processed Kawanch, Triphala, Ashwagandha, Vidhara, Shatawari, Kabab Chini, Trikatu, Dalchini and 1 gm Keshar.

(h) Boil four Chuara (date palm) fruit, a pinch of Keshar (Saffron), and sugar as per taste in 500 ml of milk till Chuara turns tender. Chew them before retiring in the evening and drink milk afterwards.

(i) Banar Gutika (Monkey pill): The main ingredient is Kawanch seed, which is the king of aphrodisiacs bult it should be used only after processing. It is said that wild monkeys in the Indian forests, eat these seed regularly, and develop immense sexual and physical power. For Ayurvedic preparation, the seed is processed, by boiling it in milk, till the milk gets condensed. The whole mass is then turned into flakes or pills.

(j) Macerate 50 gm Gokshru in 250 ml 60 per cent alcohol or gin or Vodka. After a week, filter and use the fluid extract in a dose of 10 ml, three times a day or make 10 gm powder of the seed and mix it with milk.

(k) Take 5 gm Keshar, 55 gm Javitri, 60 gm Jaiphal, make fine powder, mix and use 2 gm daily for 60days.

(l) Triturate Shilajit 20 gm Vang Bhasam 20 gm , Lauh Bhasam 10 gm with minimum amount of water and make pills of 250 mg each. Take one pill with milk and sugar.

(m) Triturate Shilajit 50 gm,Guggal 30gm, Lauh Bhasam 7 gm, Vanga Bhasam 7 gm, Shatawari 15 gm. Make pills of 250 gm each. Take 2 pills before breakfast and before retiring in the evening.
Note: For proper effects, Shilajit preparations should be used minimum for 7-21 days.

(n) Take 1 gm of Kawanch processed in milk with 500 mg of a aqueous extract of Gokshru in a capsule along with milk. Dose may be increased till intolerable.

Note: Kawanch stimulates the release of human growth hormones. Its effect on hypothalamus causes remarkable sexual interest, and hyper growth of penis in some cases. It increases improvement in mental faculty and has a good effect on self, surrounding and the family. It replaces apathy with increased vigor, and rejuvenates all the body systems. It helps both sexses in loss of libido, weak response to sexual stimuli, sexual exhaustion, senile conditions and depression. In males it has been found lusesful in partial or nil erection, and premature ejaculation etc.

Labels:improve sex life, sex life, Youthful mind, Rejuvenator for Men, sex power, Kawanch, Ayurveda herbs, Sexual weakness