Jan 042018
 

ayurvedic treatment for slip discSlip disc herniation is commonly known as slipped disc, a condition affecting the intervertebral discs of the spine. Slip disc is only one of the several conditions affecting the spinal column, the others being disc bulge, disc degeneration with or without osteophyte formation and disc thinning.  The slipped disc is that one which has peeped out of its original space and puts a pressure on the nerves arising out of the vertebral column. The pain is due to the nerve root compression. Ayurvedic treatment for slip disc employs to heal the nerves affected by the herniated disc and to relieve the muscular spasm as well.

What causes a slipped disc?

  1. Trauma to the vertebral column – due to accidents or physical injury.
  2. Physically strenuous jobs or exercises such as weight lifting or riding on a two-wheeler on a bumpy road.
  3.  Obesity
  4. Ageing
  5. Smoking and drinking

According to Ayurveda, aggravation of vata due to the above causative factors is known as the main cause for slipped disc. Hence Ayurvedic treatment for slip disc aims at maintaining the normalcy of the vata dosha by various medications and treatment procedures.

Symptoms

Symptoms vary according to the site of herniation.

Symptoms of a slipped disc in the neck:

  • Pain in the neck, shoulders, and arms
  • Numbness in part of the hand
  • Radiating pain that arises from the neck and reaches to the fingers of the hands over a period of time.
  • Muscle weakness in the hands
  • Burning sensation in the affected area

Symptoms of a slipped disc in the back:

  • Pain and numbness in the back.
  • Pain that arises from the back and radiates to the legs.
  • Worsening of pain while standing or sitting
  • Pain even while walking for short distances
  • Muscle weakness of the back and legs
  • Burning sensation in the affected area

Other associated symptoms include:

  • Insomnia – due to pain
  • Debility
  • Loss of appetite – due to several pain
  • Head ache or heaviness of the head

How does Ayurveda help treat herniated disc naturally and safely?

In Ayurveda, herniated disk is a condition that happens due to an imbalance of Vata element. This throws your body out of equilibrium. Ayurvedic treatment is a good way to restore the basic functional strength of your body.

In some people, symptoms like severe back pain, leg pain, or weakness of the lower extremity muscles are traced to a herniated disc. When the cushion that sits between the spinal vertebra is pushed outside its normal position, you have a herniated disc. This can occur as a result of rupture or bulge due to injury, disease, or deterioration. The spinal disc when pushed out irritates the spinal nerves that lay very close to the edge of these spinal discs causing severe pain.

A herniated disc can occur to anyone. It is, however, seen more commonly in people between the ages of 35 to 45 who perform heavy manual labour or drive motor vehicles for long periods of time. There are a plethora of effective Ayurvedic treatment for slip disc that help restore the equilibrium that is caused by Vata imbalance and provide you relief from lower back pain.

Ayurvedic treatment for slip disc

The Ayurvedic healing therapies are beneficial in many ways:

  • -They help in strengthening the supportive tissues that hold your spine.
  • -They help release the muscular spasm and nerve compression.
  • -They nourish the joints by enhancing circulation and relieve pain.

Here are the Ayurvedic therapies you can employ to treat herniated disk:

Kativasti

The term ‘Kativasti’ is made up of two parts – ‘Kati’ meaning the waist area of your body and ‘Vasti’ meaning a pouch like arrangement. kativasti is an Ayurvedic treatment for slip disc, where medicated oils are used on your back to treat the herniated disc condition.

Procedure:

The patient is made to lie down on his/her stomach on a bed. Medicated oil is spread over the lumbosacral area. After this, a reservoir or a ring is made on this lumbo-sacral region with dough made out of black gram powder. It is made sure that the ring is free of any leakage.

Medicated lukewarm oil is slowly poured into this ring. The temperature of the oil is preserved by reheating and continuously adding more oil. This is done for 30 to 40 minutes.

Later, the affected area is massaged lightly. It is followed by steaming for another 15 minutes which allows better absorption of medicated oil in your body. This process is carried over five to seven days as prescribed by the ayurvedic doctor.

How safe is Kativasti?

Kativasti is pretty safe for you. There are no side effects. This treatment is even safe for heart patients as only gentle massage is given. The only precaution to be taken is to keep the temperature of the medicated oil lukewarm to avoid blistering or scalding of skin.

Abhyanga

Abhyanga is a process where a person is given massage in slow and rhythmic movements throughout the body from head to toe. Warm medicated oils are used by one or two massage therapists for 40 to 60 minutes. The Abhyanga is performed in seven postures in by varying pressure at different points in the body.

What are the benefits of Abhyanga?

  • It harmonizes the imbalance in the body due to Vata.
  • It provides nourishment and vitality to the bones, tissues, ligaments, helps reduce pain and enhances your healing capacity.
  • It keeps you full of vitality, removes fatigue and relaxes your body and mind.

Kizhi

Kizhi involves massaging your body with poultices that are made of therapeutic herbs and medicated healing oils. These warm poultices are used to massage the body. This helps the oil to get absorbed by your body tissues, helps in eliminating accumulated toxins.

This therapy rejuvenates your body, improves blood circulation throughout the body, removes muscular fatigue, alleviates mental stress and effectively helps treat herniated disk condition as well as other joint ailments or injuries.

Dhanyamla Dhara

‘Dhanyamla’ means body and ‘Dhara’ means a continuous flow of liquid. This therapy involves pouring herbal medicated oils throughout different parts of your body. This is done by pouring warm oil from a vessel hung overhead over the affected areas of your body in a rhythm.

It is given for 45 to 60 minutes and lasts for 7 to 12 days depending on your doctor’s assessment.

This therapy helps relieve body ache and muscular spasms by boosting blood circulation. It revitalizes your body and enhances immune system immensely. It is an effective method of treating herniated disk.

Click here to know How to Cure Herniated Disc Safely

Here are Some Pain Relieving Ayurvedic medicines for slip disc you Would Like to Know

Vata imbalance causes herniated disk condition. So, by correcting this imbalance, the symptoms of herniated disk get treated. the following ayurvedic remedies and medicines help treat herniated disk condition effectively. Ayurvedic medicines for slip disc are:

  • Gandharvahastadi kashayam
  • Cervilon
  • Lumbatone
  • Take 5 gm Triphala Churna with luke warm water at bedtime daily. This will ensure the expulsion of excess Vata from your system.
  • Take 5 – 10 ml of Gandharvahastadi Castor oil before food, or on empty stomach, once or twice a day or as directed by Ayurvedic doctor to relieve lower back pain.

Go for these Ayurvedic therapies and remedies for relieving the herniated disk. They are free from side effects and are an alternative to surgical procedures. Let your doctor decide upon the Ayurvedic treatment for slip disc best suited to your condition.

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Dec 282017
 

ayurvedic treatment for diabetesPrameha, according to Ayurveda is a group of urinary disorders. There are 20 types of urinary disorders (prameha) based on doshas. Among these 20 urinary disorders (prameha rogas), 4 are due to vata, 6 due to pitta and 10 due to kapha. Diabetes that is characterized by an increase in blood sugar levels and frequent micturition is a type of vataja prameha, known as “Madhumeha”. The causative factors and pathogenesis are very important to be noted in the Ayurvedic Treatment for diabetes.

Causative factors of diabetes

  • Excessive consumption of food especially: the meat of domesticated/aquatic animals, curd, milk, newly harvested grains, jaggery/molasses
  • Food and drinks that increases the kapha dosha.
  • Overindulgence in sleep
  • Living a sedentary life
  • Laziness

Knowing the causative factors are very much essential in the  Ayurvedic Treatment for diabetes. Ayurveda says that “Nidana Parivarjanam chikitsa which means that elimination of the causative factors is one the main steps in treating a disease. 

Due to the above causative factors, agni is disturbed and kapha dosha gets aggravated which vitiates the fat, muscle and watery elements (medas, mamsa and udaka) of the body and causes prameha that is predominant of various doshas.

Madhumeha

Madhumeha is a type of vataja prameha that can be co related to Diabetes. In this condition, the urine of the person becomes similar to that of honey. (“Madhusamam jayate”).  It is also said that any type of prameha that is not treated properly eventually becomes madhumeha over a period of time. Similar to the modern theory pertaining to diabetes, Ayurveda also has mentioned about congenital type of prameha known as “Sahaja prameha” and acquired type of prameha known as “doshaja prameha”.

Ayurvedic treatment for diabetes

Ayurvedic treatment for diabetes is based upon the built of the patient as sthoola pramehi (obese patient) or krisha pramehi (lean patient) based upon the dosha predominance.

Purificatory therapies like panchakarma are performed as the first stage of treatment in an obese patient and then rejuvenating herbs and formulations are prescribed. Whereas in cases of a lean patient with prameha, nourishing therapies are done in the first stage of treatment.

Herbs used in the Ayurvedic treatment for diabetes

Saptarangi – Salacia Oblonga

Haridra – Curcuma longa (turmeric)

Shilajit – Asphaltum (mineral pitch)

Haritaki – Terminalia chebula Retz.

Amalaki -Embilica officinale (Indian Gooseberry)

Jambu – Syzygium cumini

Guggulu – Commiphora mukul

Guduchi – Tinospora cordifolia (Neem giloy)

Nimba – Azadirachta indica (Neem)

Bel – Aegle Marmelos

Herbal remedies, if taken correctly, have a powerful effect on your body but should only be used under the care and guidance of an Ayurvedic practitioner. Most of these herbs target elevated blood sugar levels and balance the same.

There are several home remedies and ayurvedic medicines that you can take for lowering of your blood sugar levels.  As a precaution, you should monitor blood sugar on a regular basis.  Blood sugar level should not fall drastically with all these medicines and remedies.  Kindly speak to your allopathic doctor and reduce the dosage of the antihyperglycaemic drugs, so that you can use the Ayurvedic formulations simultaneously.

Home Remedies in the Ayurvedic treatment for Diabetes

  • Drink a glass of bitter gourd juice mixed with amla juice, added with half teaspoon of turmeric powder, daily morning on empty stomach.
  • Mix half teaspoon each of amla powder and turmeric powder in a glass of warm water and consume it n an empty stomach.
  • Include fenugreek seeds in your daily diet.
  • Consumption of Jamun seeds (dried and powdered) has proved to beneficial in case of type 2 diabetes.
  • Jamun seeds are said to be highly beneficial in treating diabetes because of its effect on the pancreas. Dried and powdered seeds should be taken in the dose of 1 tsp twice daily with warm water.
  • Water can be stored in the cups/containers made from the trunk of the jamun tree and that water can be consumed in the morning.
  • The seeds of parslane are useful in diabetes. A teaspoon of the seeds should be taken everyday with half a cup of water for 3-4 months. It will increase the body’s own insulin and will help in curing diabetes. The leves can also be cooked and taken as a vegetable.
  • Neem leaves should be ground and made into a paste and a small bolus of this should be added to water. This should be taken on empty stomach in the morning.

Ways to Reduce Insulin Resistance

  • Add 1 tsp of cinnamon powder to a glass of hot water and drink it daily for a couple of months.
  • Mix ground flax seeds to a glass of water and drink daily.
  • Consume fish oil which is rich in omega 3 fatty acids. It will improve insulin sensitivity. It will also help to reduce body fat.
  • To help balance insulin, consider a diet consisting primarily of lean meats and protein, high-fiber, whole grains, leafy greens, fresh vegetables and legumes, and fresh fruit.
  • Essential fatty acids (EFA) or healthy fats, are important to help insulin resistance. These fats include tuna, salmon, and other cold-water fish; fish oil supplements, eggs, avocado, and flaxseed, which can be taken in as a nutritional supplement.

Home Remedies for Oedema (Fluid Retention)

The main reason for oedema is improper blood circulation due to damaged blood capillaries as a result of increased pressure. Damaged capillaries cause peripheral oedema, leakage of fluids into surrounding tissues, which causes swelling.  Here are some natural remedies that you can try:

  • Elevation of feet (above the heart level) using a support or a pillow for 10-15 minutes every day can help to reduce swelling.
  • Regular exercises will improve the blood circulation to the legs.
  • Massage improves blood circulation in the entire leg and reduces pain associated with swelling.You may use Chinchadi tailam for massage. It improves the circulation.
  • Avoid wearing tight shoes. It’s better to buy shoes with one size bigger so that even if your feet are swollen, circulation won’t reduce totally.
  • Apply a paste of coriander seeds soaked in water on the affected area to relieve the water retention in your feet.
  • You can also soak your limbs in rice water for 15-20 minutes for relieving water retention and removing swelling of the leg. Rice water is also good for drinking when you have a swollen leg. This will help in microcirculation and removal of inflammation.
  • Restrict salt intake.

Healthy Diet for Diabetes

  • A diabetic patient should never skip meals.
  • Proper meals on time is a must.
  • Sprouted horse gram, green gram, barley can be taken after boiling or in a soup form.
  • oats, brown rice, flax seed, garlic, onion, cinnamon, fenugreek can be taken regularly.
  • Fruits including berries and apples, vegetables like spinach, cauliflower, cabbage, carrot, all types of gourds and squashes can be taken.
  • Tender coconut water can be taken and the whitish pulp should be avoided as it is high in sugar and fat.Taking coconut water directly improves blood circulation and helps to widen the vessels for smooth blood circulation.Therefore, coconut water provides great relief against fighting the symptoms and side effects of diabetes. It suppresses the appetite and also increases metabolism. Hence it is an ideal drink for obese diabetic patients.  Only pure and unflavoured (fresh) coconut water should be taken.
  • Raw honey can be taken that is astringent in taste and will not elevate the blood sugar levels.

A diabetic patient should avoid the following food items in their diet:

  • Fried and grilled (BBQ) food should be completely avoided.
  • Jackfruit, mango, banana, potato, fruit juices, meat should be avoided.
  • Regular consumption of curd
  • Consumption of milk and other dairy products
  • Food rich in high glycemic index like the white rice, white flour, potatoes, white bread, pasta
  • All kinds of junk food, processed and canned foods are to be avoided.

Ayurvedic treatment for diabetes includes strict diet and lifestyle changes along with the consumption of ayurvedic medicines.

Lifestyle changes:

Lifestyle changes that have to be done in the ayurvedic treatment for diabetes are :

  • Brisk walk for atleast 30 mins in a day
  • Resistance exercises like weight lifting
  • Aerobic exercises like Walking, Jogging/Running, Tennis, Basketball, Swimming, Biking
  • Yoga postures like Mandukasana, Soorya namaskara, Pawana muktasana helps a lot in controlling the blood sugar and insulin resistance. Click here to read more about yoga for diabetes.

Ayurvedic Medicines for Diabetes

If you are looking for Ayurvedic supplements to manage diabetes, Salacia-O capsule is a beneficial formulation, which should be taken in the dose of 1 capsule twice daily, 30 minutes before food.

Traditional Ayurvedic formulations beneficial in case of diabetic patients are:

Katakakhadiradi kashayam

Punarnavadi kashayam 

Chandraprabha vati

Nishamalakadi churnam

Guduchi satva

Triphala churna

Salacia oblonga

Glucobalance

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Nov 242017
 

Normal frequency of urination varies from 4-7 times to 6- 10 times a day for each individual. Frequent urination is the condition where you tend to pass urine more frequently than what’s normal for you. It may occur either only during night time for some individuals or may be both morning and night time. Ayurvedic treatment for frequent urination employs, medicines, diet and lifestyle.

Causes of Frequent Urination

  • Urinary tract infection.
  • Certain medications which increase urine production.
  • Excessive consumption of certain beverages and fluids.
  • Diabetes mellitus and insipidus.
  • Benign prostatic hypertrophy in males.
  • Pregnancy in females.
  • Overactive bladder.
  • Stones or calculus.
  • Abnormal kidney functioning.
  • Mental disturbance like anxiety, unusual fear, etc.
  • Urinary incontinence due to muscular or neural weakness.

When to see your doctor?

These are alarming call for a person with frequent urination to consult a doctor.

  1. Is there blood in your urine?
  2. Is your urine dark yellow or brown?
  3. Do you have pain while urinating?
  4. Don’t you have control over your bladder?
  5. Do you have fever?
  6. Do you wake up more than twice on the night to urinate?

Ayurvedic view of frequent urination

Atimutrata is the term used for increased frequency of urination. It may be referred to as the excessive secretion of urine (polyurea) or the excessive elimination. The pathogenesis according to ayurveda varies in these two condition which changes the treatment pattern completely. It is considered as vitiation of apana vayu (apana vayu vaigunya) in the channels that carry urine (mutra vaha srotas). The mutravaha srotas has its root at the kidneys and the path extends upto the urethra via the ureter and urinary bladder.

  • When it is due to excessive secretion, it is a pathology in the kapha dosha and the water element (drava dhatu) of the body.
  • When there is no excessive secretion, it is the vitiation of vata dosha along with the water element (drava dhatu) of the body. It may or may not be associated with kapha.
  • In the symptoms of prameha(a group of urinary disorders that includes madhumeha/diabetes), excessive urination (prabhuta mutrata) is mentioned as a cardinal symptom.

Ayurvedic Treatment for frequent urination -Protocol

Ayurvedic treatment for frequent urination (atimutrata) includes the following:

  1. Snehana-swedana (oleation and fomentation) followed by snigdha virechana (purgation) in case of retention of urine (mutraghata).
  2. Enema procedures such as Asthapana basti, anuvasana basti and uttara basti are helpful.
  3. Medicines causing movement of vata in a normal direction (Vatanulomana and udavarta hara) and those which help in voiding of urine (mutrala) are helpful.
  4. Tub bath (avagaha) with herbal decoctions of varuna, gokshura, Brihati, shatavari punarnava are helpful.

Ayurvedic treatment for frequent urination

  1. Sukumaram kashayam is a herbal decoction that is helpful in this condition.
  2. Chandraprabhavati tablets relieves symptoms of urinary retention, Urinary tract infection and BPH.
  3. Ayurstate tablets are exclusively used in the treatment of BPH, urinary retention and Prostate cancer.

Treatments for frequent urination

  1. Kegel exercises: These are floor exercises that can be performed by both men and women that will improve the muscle tone of the pelvis. Results are observed as early as two weeks when performed properly. It is known to reduce incontinence and over active bladder.Learn how to perform kegel excercises here.
  2. Bladder training: This involves holding the urge for a certain amount of time, setting time intervals for passing urine. This technique is known to change the bladder habits.
  3. Changing diet: avoiding foods that irritate the bladder or act as a diuretic, for instance caffeine, alcohol, chocolate, spicy foods, artificial sweeteners. Eating high-fiber foods can help reduce the constipation that worsens an overactive bladder.

Home remedies in ayurvedic treatment for frequent urination

  1. The fruit rind of pomegranate is ground and 1 tsp of this paste is taken with water in the morning and evening before food daily. This is known the cure the urinary frequency.
  2. Fenugreek seed powder  consumed with a pinch of dry ginger in the early morning and at night relieves this condition.
  3. Intake of jamun seed powder with raw honey on an empty stomach is known to cure frequent urination. It is also an effective remedy to reduce blood sugar levels.
  4. Intake of sesame seeds with jaggery thrice a day controlls frequent urination.
  5. Intake of coconut water relieves the UTI symptoms and cures frequent urination.
  6. Intake of Curd helps in reducing frequent  urination. Curd is known to have the property of withholding the liquids (grahi) and thus cures the problem.
  7. Intake of juice of one amla with honey and a banana along with it will take you out of this problem. It can be taken three times in a day and is beneficial for all age groups and in pregnant women.
  8. Reetha powder (soapnut) – 1/2 tsp with a glass of water will relieve the symptom in a week.
  9. Powder of pumpkin seeds with water cures the problem.

Diet to control frequent micturition

The following food habits is known to help along with the medicines is employed in the ayurvedic treatment for frequent urination:

  1. Juice of pomegranate, aloe vera juice, tender coconut water, cranberry juice and gooseberry juice is helpful.
  2. Intake of apples, bananas,apples, sweet potatoes, grapes, raspberries, beans, bananas, brown rice, and cherries.
  3. Add cumin, fennel seeds, jaggery, cinnamon and fenugreek seeds in your diet.
  4. Include curd and buttermilk in your diet.
  5. Take a lot of spinach,pumpkin and plantain stems.

3 foods to avoid:

  1. Artificial sugar
  2. Alcohol
  3. Fried food, junk food and pastries.

3 Yoga poses for controlling  frequent urination

There are a few yoga poses just like kegel exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor.

1.Triangle Pose(Trikonasana):

Stand with your feet very wide apart so your legs make a triangle to the floor. Turn your right foot 90 degrees. Align the center of the right heel with the center of your arch of your left foot. Inhale deeply. As you exhale, bend your body down from the hips to the right. As you bend down keep your back straight, place your right hand down by your right foot (you may place it on your shin, foot or on the ground beside your foot for balance) and point your left arm up to the sky. Breathe deeply while you are in this pose. After you’ve done some deep breathing, inhale and come up. Bring your arms down to your sides and straighten your feet.

2. Squat Pose(Malasana):

Stand with your feet a little wider than hip distance apart. Pivot your toes so they are facing outward and are wider than your heels. Bend your knees deeply until your hips are lower than your knees. Bring your hands palm-to-palm and place your elbows at the inner parts of your knee. Push your elbows into your knees to open up your hips. Attempt to raise your heart up to the sky to stretch your back and spine. Hold for 30 seconds. To release, sit back on your buttocks or push up to stand.

3.Chair Pose (Utkatasana):

Stand with your feet facing forward hip-width apart. Inhale as you face your palms forward moving them above your head. Exhale and bend your knees, while squatting down. Move your hips into the floor, almost like you are sitting in a chair. Bring your weight to the heels of your feet and do not lower your bottom to lower than your knees. Keep your knees pointing straightforward. Press your shoulders down and try to arch your spine. Breathe for roughly three to six minutes. To release this pose, inhale and slowly straighten your legs. Reach your arms up and stretch as you exhale and place your hands by your side.

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