OSTEOARTHRITIS AND AYURVEDA-FURTHER DETAILS

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one the most common painful ailment seen above the age 45 and is characterized by mild to severe pain in the joints. Osteoarthritis is also known as degenerative arthritis or degenerative joint disease.

Usually the pain is restricted to a single joint and is most commonly seen in the knee and Hip joints. It is one of the most common causes for decreased mobility and joint pain in the elderly population.

OA is described as Sandhigatha Vatha or Sandhivatha and is one of the eighty Vata related disorders.

Cause:

ü  Abnormal wearing of the cartilage that covers the bone ends and acts as a cushion inside joints

ü  Destruction or decrease of synovial fluid that lubricates the joints

ü  In Ayurveda, the specific cause for OA is aggravated vatha dosha

ü  Aggravated vatha dosha tends to dry up the synovial secretions and also destroys the cartilage since Vata dosha has got the tendency to dry(Rooksha guna in sanskrit). Cartilage is composed of 65 to 80 percent water

What are the changes that happen?

The contact areas of the bones are coated with a slip membrane, a 3-4 cm thick cartilaginous tissue. This is called articular cartilage and helps smoothen the bone ends.

• This extremely smooth cartilage reduces friction within the joint and cushions hard impacts, e.g. when running.
• Wear and tear of the cartilage,inflammatroy changes inside the joint leads to OA

Prevalence:
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the leading cause of disability in elderly people.

• OA most often strikes the knee, particularly the inner aspect of the tibiofemoral joint
• Women in the menopausal age are more likely to suffer from this condition
• Prevalence is particularly high among overweight individuals and the elderly(Women more than men,Urban populace more than the rural)

Symptoms:

Pain and reduced mobility of the affected joint

• Pain aggravates or shows up more during walking, climbing steps or running
• The pain can vary based on the stage of the problem,from mild to severe
• Inability to use Indian toilets, pain on getting up
• Creaking or clicking sounds inside the joints
• Loss of flexibility in the affected joint/s, pain on moving the joint
• Swelling in the joint

Who is more prone to suffer from this problem?

ü  Sports persons with injuries to the joints

ü  People involved in military training involving lot of jogging or running

ü  People who are overweight or obese

ü  Persons suffering from osteoporosis

ü  Women above age 40 and men above age 45

ü  Prevalence is higher among women because they are more prone to osteoporosis due to hormonal imbalance

Diagnosis:

ü  An experienced physician will be able to detect the changes inside the joint by doing a thorough examination of the affected joint

ü  X-rays of the joint will show reduction in the joint space due to wearing out of the cartilage and other typical changes of OA

ü  MRI and CT scans

Prevention:

ü  Earlier detection and treatment is the most important aspect which determines whether the individual gets good relief.

ü  OA which is in the initial stages is treatable with Ayurveda and once the wear and tear becomes extreme, surgical intervention may become necessary.

ü  Once cartilage damage has begun, it is going to progress at increasing speed

ü  Resting of the affected joint is a very important part of prevention from further aggravation

ü  Exercise to strengthen the group of muscles supporting the affected  joint

ü  Avoid consuming green chillies and red chillies excessively

ü  Consume 1/4^th to ½ tsp of Cow ghee in your diet

ü  Avoid legumes such as beans, Red beans, Indian pea or chickpea, green peas on a daily basis. According to Ayurveda, these food articles  have the tendency to aggravate Vatha dosha

Prevention in Ayurveda:

ü  Abhyanga or applying medicated oil such as Narayana taila or Ksheerabala taila should be started by people who are prone to OA or are in the age when OA incidence rises

ü  Intake of medicated tila taila which is rich in Vitamin D such as Ksheerabala 101 Avarthi or Gandha taila is advisable

Treatment in Ayurveda:

OA is one the commonest problem seen in an Ayurveda OPD and is addressed successfully when the patient comes for treatment in the initial stage of the problem. To do so there is an increased need for awareness creation regarding the problem among the public.

Medicines:

ü  In Ayurveda, we use different guggulu based preparations in the pill form to treat OA.e.g:Yogaraja guggulu,Trayodashanga guggulu

ü  Apart from that medicated Cow Ghee and til oil based preparations are used to improve lubrication in the joints. e.g:Ksheerabala and Dhanvatharam Avarthi

ü  The fat based medications used in Ayurveda are rich in Vitamin D and this helps enhance the absorption of calcium from the gut.

ü  This process helps strengthen the bones and joints by slowing down the demineralization process which is the basic cause of the problem.

Panchakarma:

ü  Use of medicated oils and liniments externally over the affected joint

ü  Local steam or hot fomentation

ü  Ayurveda advocates the use of medicated oil in the form of Ahyanga, Vasthi, pathra pinda sweda, Janu vasthi, localized dhara etc over the joints. The complete explanation of these procedures is beyond the scope of this article.

ü  A good doctor usually will try to help by recommending medicines first and will advise panchakarma if he does not see the expected benefits from the medicines alone

Caution/red signals:

ü  Avoid using OTC painkillers without consulting a doctor

ü  Avoid going to quacks who promise miraculous results because there are none

ü  Avoid using products promoted through the visual media, especially television and before deciding on doing so take the opinion of your family doctor

ü  There are incidents being reported of people being approached with the promise of miraculous results even on the road and being cheated of thousands of rupees

ü  If the joint pain is associated with symptoms such as fever, you may need to go in for more detailed tests such as ESR; Differential count etc.This will be determined by your physician.

Final word:

Remember, successful treatment and recovery depends on the right doctor as well as a good patient. You will be on the path to recovery if you choose the right doctor and the right system of medicine.

COW MILK AS EXPLAINED IN AYURVEDA

COW MILK AND ITS IMPORTANCE AS EXPLAINED IN AYURVEDA

Ayurveda has described eight types of milk obtained from different animal sources and the pride of place has been given to Cow milk of desk breeds of India (Ksheera varge agryam). Cow milk has been described as nutritive and good for the vital organs such as the Eyes, Brain and the Heart. It possesses sweet taste (Madhura rasa) and is cooling (Sheetha veerya) in nature. Cow Milk promotes immunity and acts as rasayana and ojovardhaka.

All of us know Milk is a good source of protein and fat and minerals such as calcium. But there are facts about Cow milk which we are not aware or we have not given a thought about. Let me explain some of them in the following paragraphs:

Easy to digest: In the absence of mother’s milk, Cow milk has been suggested as a natural alternative. Children who have a weak digestion very commonly suffer from frequent vomiting and loose motions. Recurrent diarrheal episodes in these children lead to malnourishment and stunted growth. For such Children, Milk form Indigenous breeds of Cow will be a better alternative since it is easy to digest and more nutritive. Milk from genetically modified cows will aggravate the problem by hampering the immunity of the Child as well as affecting the digestive system. That is why in the absence of Mother’s milk, the next best alternative is always Cow’s milk.

 Milk from Indigenous breeds and better quality:

Indigenous breeds of Cow have better disease resistance and this result in reduced usage of potent chemical drugs for disease control. Their milk has better immune booster effect described in Ayurveda as Rasayana property. Rasayana is the ability of a dietary article or medicinal herb or medicinal product to nourish the body in a uniform manner. Chyavanaprasha Avaleha is a common example of a rasayana medicine. The person who consumes Cow milk from Indigenous breeds of Cow will have better disease resistance and less of digestive problems such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Cow Milk is a tonic to the skin, eyes, blood and has good nutritive properties. It has the additional advantage of being easy to digest when compared to other milk sources such as buffalo milk etc.

Milk and immunity: If your child is regularly suffering from recurrent infections such as tonsillitis,bronchitis,sinusitis it is time you shifted from your present source of milk to one which is obtained from Indigenous breeds of Indian Cow. Milk from Indian breeds of Cow has immune booster effect.

Cow milk and improved intelligence and memory:

Poor performance of their kids in Studies is the most common complaint of parents. Cow milk has the effect of improving medha or intellect and also is a good memory booster. Properly nourished kids perform better in their academics than poorly nourished children. To have a good intelligence and memory, it is essential that the brain gets adequate and proper nutrition. Cow milk is ideally suited as a brain tonic because according to Ayurveda it has the ability to pacify Vata dosha. Vata dosha is the one which is responsible for the proper functioning of Nervous system.

Parents are always in search of good brain tonics to be purchased from the Pharmacy but we forget that our ancients have advised Cow milk and Cow ghee as the best brain tonic. This is a medicine which is available at our doorstep and the most important thing about it is that it does not have any side effects.

Cow milk and its effect on the mind:

Our ancestors went beyond the calorie value of milk and found that milk has a calming influence on the mind. They have said that Cow milk improves the Sattva Guna in us and leads to enhancement of positive characteristics of a person. Milk from indigenous breeds of our Country has good medicinal value and it is advised to be used in preparation of Ayurveda medicines.

Cow milk and bone strength:
For pure vegetarians, Cow milk is a good source of Vitamin D and Vitamin D plays a huge role in the absorption of Calcium from the gut. Good absorption of calcium will lead to good bone strength. So Cow milk is very important for women who are nearing menopause because menopause increases the susceptibility to Osteoporosis.

Milk and its effect on the Tridoshas of Ayurveda:

Among the doshas, Milk has the capacity to alleviate aggravated Vata and Pitta dosha. We have to understand that these properties have been explained in the context of Desi or indigenous breed of Cow. There is a need to institute comparative studies on the quality and health giving properties of the milk obtained from indigenous and hybrid (genetically modified) cows. Cow milk is one of the most important ingredients in several Ayurvedic preparations such as Mahanarayana Taila, Ksheerabala Taila, Panchagavya Ghritha, Amrtaprasha ghrtha etc.

Cow Milk and its effect on Ojus as per Ayurveda:
Ayurveda explains Ojus as Saptha dhathu saara and in layman’s language it can be said that milk is tonic of all tonics. If used according to classical guidelines, milk nourishes all the tissues in our body.

If you are suffering from milk allergy- is there an alternative:If you are allergic to Milk in any way, the best way out is to consume it in the form of buttermilk. The milk is converted into curd and later churned to obtain nectar like buttermilk. Buttermilk can be taken by people who are suffering from lactose intolerance and it actually improves the absorptive strength of the intestines. Ayurveda has extolled the virtues of buttermilk in several instances and modern research also confirms that buttermilk is a rich source of probiotics. Probiotics are nonpathogenic microbes. They are present as normal flora in the alimentary canal and they contribute to the digestive and metabolic process by their enzymatic activities. An imbalance in the probiotics flora will lead to susceptibility of the individual to frequent loose motions and digestive upset. In my clinical practice, I advise patients suffering from gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome, colitis and piles to consume lot of buttermilk prepared out of Cow milk.

How to drink and how much quantity?
Milk should be ideally boiled before consumption. Since Cow milk from Indigenous breeds of Cow has a natural sweet taste, there is no need for additional sugar. Since Cow milk itself is a complete formula, ideally it should be consumed without any additives.

Quantity of milk to be consumed:Quantity of milk to be consumed depends on the age and the digestive capacity of the individual. It is always good to have a complete diet with adequate sources of protein, carbohydrate, fats and minerals. Milk can be a good source of proteins, fats and minerals. One to two cups of milk per day should be ideal.

Cow milk and the elderly: Fifty and above is the age when our bones start showing signs of degeneration and Milk is an ideal supplement at this age. Elderly are more prone to fractures and arthritis due to weakness of bone tissue and Cow milk is an ideal bone tonic.

Cow milk and Women:Women during their pregnancy and lactation should consume adequate quantities of milk. They are prone to Osteoporosis during  and after the menopause and should ideally have a cup or two of Cow milk during this period since Cow milk is a rich source of calcium and other minerals.

How not to consume milk-Combinations to be avoided: Do not consume milk along with sour tasting fruits such as Pineapple, berries etc.Avoid consuming fish and sea food alongwith milk. For people who are having elevated cholesterol levels and suffering from heart problems, buttermilk is better than milk. Buttermilk has the property of making obese people lean and so overweight people should ideally consume less of milk and more of buttermilk.

Ayurveda and Cervical spondylitis

CERVICAL SPONDYLITIS-A nagging pain in the neck

Spondylitis is a disorder characterized by inflammatory changes in the spine. Spondylitic changes can affect all parts of the spine and based on the site of affection there are three variants, viz.:

ü  Cervical spondylitis-charecterized by spondylitic changes in the cervical spine(C1 to C7)

ü  Ankylosing spondylitis- characterized by spondylitic changes in the Thoracic spine(T1 to T12)

ü  Lumbar spondyltits- characterized by spondylitic changes in the Lumbar spine(L1 to L5)

Spondylitis does not have a simple explanation and reams of research papers have been published on the subject. The reasons for its occurrence are multiple and in this article we try to give a simple idea about cervical spondylitis.

Before we move on to understanding cervical Spondylitis (CS), there is a need to understand the vertebral column.

Vertebral column:

The vertebral column also known as the backbone consists of 7 cervical vertebrae, 12 Thoracic vertebrae, 5 Lumbar vertebrae, 5 sacral vertebrae and 4 coccygeal vertebrae. It extends from the cranium to the coccyx and the bones forming this column are separated from each other by soft structures known as intervertebral discs. The backbone and its components are held together by an intricate arrangement of cartilages, ligaments, muscles and tendons. You can compare it with a multi structured building supported by different structures.

The vertebral column encases the spinal cord and prevents damage to the very sensitive spinal cord just like the skull bones prevent injury to the brain.

Importance of a healthy backbone:

In an organization if there is somebody very important, he/she is referred to as the backbone of that organization. If that person quits, the organization will find it very difficult to replace him/her. This is an example to demonstrate the importance of the backbone for the health of a humanbeing.If it is affected by any problem, the repercussions are very painful severe.

Cervical spondylitis-What happens?

Degenerative changes in the intervertebral disc leads to cervical spondylitis.Thinning and weakening of the intervertebral discs leads to reduction in the intervertebral space. Osteophyte formation takes place leading to impingement of the nerves that leave the spine for other parts of the body.

Signs and symptoms of CS:

ü  Pain and discomfort in the neck

ü  Radiating pain in the arms

ü  Scapular pain

ü  Shoulder pain

ü  Giddiness in severe cases due to pressure over the vertebral arteries

ü  Weakness and pin pricking sensation in either or both of the arms

Who is more prone to suffer from CS:

ü  Software professionals are more prone to CS

ü  Constant forward bending position

ü  Repeated movements of the upper arm

ü  Puts pressure on the neck and shoulders

ü  We can include DTP operators or anybody who has high usage of computer or laptops

ü  Women above 40 and women who have experienced premature menopause

Diagnosis:

ü  A detailed examination by the physician will reveal the restricted and painful movements of the cervical spine

ü  X-rays will help in the diagnosis by visualizing the degenerative changes in the cervical spine

Simple tips for prevention of CS in Ayurveda:

ü  Apply oil over the scalp and massage

ü  Use Til oil(Sesame oil) or coconut oil

ü  Medicated oils such as Bhringaraja taila, Triphaladi taila can be used

ü  Also instill a few drops of bilwa taila in the ear once in a fortnight

ü  Apply oil over the body and especially the spine

ü  Gently massage the part after applying the oil

ü  Use medicated oils such as Mahanarayana taila or ksheerabala taila

Treatment/Management:

q  Combination of Ayurveda and Yoga works well

q  Kashayams and pills prepared out of rasna,eranda and guggulu are commonly used. These are Vata shamaka in nature

q  Oil massage(Abhyanga) and leaf poultice massage (Elakizhi or pathra panda sweda) give good relief in acute pain conditions

q  Greeva vasthi-a procedure of using medicated oil for fomentation over the neck helps strengthen the bones

Medicines for CS in Ayurveda:

CS is considered as a Vata Vyadhi and all the medicines aim at establishing/restoring balance of Vata dosha. Some of the commonly used medicines are:

ü  Guggulu thikthaka ghritha

ü  Maharasnadi kashaya

ü  Yogaraja guggulu

ü  Gandha taila

ü  Ksheerabala taila 101 avarthi and dhanvantaram tailam 101 avarthi

ü  Simhanada guggulu

The right combination of medicines will be  prescribed by the vaidya based on the prakruti of the patient and the severity of problem.

Panchakarma treatment for CS:

Since CS is considered as a Vata Vyadhi, all the panchakarma procedures aim at establishing/restoring balance of Vata dosha

ü  Abhyanga and swedana –this is the basic treatment adopted to improve the blood circulation and to bring in flexibility of the spine.

ü  Nasya karma-Instillation of medicated nasal drops helps strengthen the cervical spine and bring back normalcy of Vata dosha

ü  Vasthi karma-is one of the most important treatment procedures to restore balance of vata dosha. Vasthi is the administration of different medicated oils and medicated decoctions through the rectal route.The number and type of medicated enema to be given is decided by the physician.

Diet:

ü  Avoid vata aggravating food articles such as chana,green peas, beans, green chillies,excess of spicy pickles

ü  Take adequate quantity of dairy products such as buttermilk, milk and ghee in your diet

ü  If you are suffering from constipation, take ½ to 1 tsp of medicated castor oil at bedtime along with warm water

Avoid:

ü  Avoid extreme backward bending postures or movements while doing exercise or yoga

ü  Continuously sitting in front of the computer without a break. Take small breaks in between and do simple exercises of the neck

ü  Big and hard pillows

ü  Asking your barber to relieve the pain by neck manipulating movements, this may be an invitation to disaster sometimes

ü  Uneven mattresses

ü  Watching TV for long durations

ü  Sitting in awkward positions

Final word:

If you are confused about the entire medical jargon written above, let me give you some very important advice which you should not miss for prevention of CS and if you are already suffering from it, to prevent from its aggravation:

ü  Have a proper sleep waking cycle-the simplest rule but very difficult to follow-early to bed and early to rise keeps your bones healthy

ü  Apply medicated oil to your scalp thrice in a week and have medicated oil bath once in a week

ü  Do simple neck exercises regularly

ü  Try to reduce the time you spend in front of your desktop or laptop

Dandruff and Ayurveda

COW PROTECTION-OUR DHARMA

At this point of time, the whole world is putting its brains together to address the issues of environmental change and global warming. This is the right time to discuss the issue of cow protection. We have to think what our learned ancestors would have done when faced with such a situation or problem? Our Seers and learned philosophers had a different approach when faced with major problems i.e. they used to put both their Heart and Brains together to arrive at a solution. The subject of Cow protection is a prime example of that thinking and it has the answer to most if not all of the problems faced by us and the World.
So in the few words of introduction to the topic itself we can understand the seriousness of purpose behind the issue of Cow protection and religion should not be the prime reason or justification for Cow protection. The larger cause of environment, sustainable agriculture, health of all living beings is associated with Cow protection. It may not be an exaggeration if we say that Earth’s existence is linked firmly to whether we can ensure the protection of Cow or not. Let us take a look at how Cow protection can be the solution for the problems and we have to admit that most of them are our own creation:
Definition of Dharma is given as follows in the scriptures:
“Dharathi Vishwam iti Dharmaha”
That which protects the Universe is Dharma.
Earth is referred to as Dharthi Ma in Hindi and it is because Earth supports or bears us. But there should be something which sustains the life on Earth and my firm belief is that something is nothing but Dharma. Dharma in turn depends on the ardent practice of Satya and Ahimsa, the two core principles, which when violated leads to Adharma and in the end disaster of unimaginable proportions. It is time for all of us to wake up since the early signs of the approaching danger have started becoming visible.

Satva Guna and Dharma:
Dharma can be practiced by a person established in Satva Guna and devoid of Raja and Tamo guna. When we look at the source of Satva, Cow emerges as one of the major source. So Dharma and Cow protection are firmly linked together. Cow milk, Ghee, Butter are sattvika in nature and help enhance the Satva guna in us when consumed regularly. When the Satva guna increases in a human being he naturally becomes peaceful, truthful, and free from greed. These are the principles on which Dharma is established.

Importance of health and contribution of Cow to Human health:
Dharmarthakamamokshanam Arogyam Moolamuthamam
Health is the fundamental requirement to achieve the four goals of human life viz., Dharma (righteousness), Artha (wealth), Kama (desire) and Moksha(liberation).
In few words I would try to put some light on the issue of contribution of cow to human health. As all of us are aware, Cow provides us with five vital components which are as follows:
1. Milk
2. Curd
3. Ghee
4. Urine
5. Dung
Cow Milk: Cow milk has been described as nutritive and good for the vital organs such as the Eyes, Brain and the Heart. It possesses sweet taste and is cooling in nature. Cow Milk promotes immunity and acts as rasayana and ojovardhaka. Among the doshas, it has the capacity to alleviate aggravated Vata and Pitta dosha. We have to understand that these properties have been explained in the context of Desi or indigenous breed of Cow and not the hybrid ones which are the major source of milk to us today. There is a need to institute studies to compare the quality and health giving properties of the milk obtained from indigenous and hybrid cows. Cow milk is one of the most important ingredients in several Ayurvedic preparations such as Mahanarayana Taila, Ksheerabala Taila, Panchagavya Ghritha, Amrtaprasha ghrtha etc. To conduct research on indigenous cows, saving them from complete destruction and once again making the river of pure milk flow in this country will be our dharma.

Curd: Curd has been described as nutritive, tissue promoter, weight promoter and is said to be useful in the emaciated. But the negative side is that it is contraindicated in people who are overweight and suffering from diabetes. Excess consumption of curd has been indicated as one of the causative factor of diabetes in Ayurveda. Consumption of Curd should be avoided in the night and also it should not be consumed regularly. In Ayurveda, Curd is used in the preparation of Panchagavya and Mahapanchagavya ghritha and these two formulations have proven extremely beneficial in the treatment of psychiatric disorders and Epilepsy. They are also excellent promoters of memory and intellect.

Buttermilk: It has been equated with amrutha or nectar by our ancestors. It is especially useful for people suffering from malabsorption (Irritable bowel syndrome) and Piles. The formulation Takrarishta contains buttermilk as its main ingredient and is especially useful in the treatment of IBS and Piles. Latest research says that buttermilk is a rich source of probiotics (non pathogenic microbes which are beneficial to human beings) and this explains the secret behind our tradition of finishing a meal with a cup or two of buttermilk. The food we consume will consist of substances which disturb the essential bacterial flora present in the gut and this tradition of consuming buttermilk restores the balance. People who are suffering from irritable bowel syndrome should live on a diet consisting exclusively of buttermilk and pomegranate for a period of 21 days and they will find excellent improvement in the absorptive capacity of their intestines.
Ghee: According to the principles of Ayurveda, Goghritha is Vata and Pittashamaka (alleviates or pacifies vata and pitta doshas). It is an excellent Eye vision promoter (chakshushya), Brain tonic and detoxifies (Vishghna) the toxins present in human body. Ghritha is said to enhance dhee (the capacity of the intellect to preserve knowledge, its faculty of rational thinking and its ability to take decision), dhrthi (ability to adhere to the righteous path) and smrithi (memory). Ayurveda advocates the daily consumption of Ghee and it is listed under the nithya rasayana dravyas. More than 150 Ghee based preparations are regularly used in Ayurveda treatment and some of the most commonly used are as follows:
1. Mahathikthaka ghritha in the treatment of skin diseases
2. Panchagavya and Mahapanchagavya ghrtha in the treatment of psychiatric problems and Epilepsy
3. Brahmi and Maha Kalyanaka ghritha in the treatment of developmental disorders of the brain such as Autism
There is a definite difference between the Ghee prepared out of indigenous cow’s milk and that of hybrid cows. Further investigations will be able to throw more light on the subject. But we cannot wait for science to confirm everything to take the advantage of traditional advice and practices. So use traditionally prepared Ghee in small quantities every day in your diet, exercise and avoid other fat sources such as deep fried food etc and you will remain healthy.
Cow Ghee prepared using the traditional process of churning curd, removing the butter and heating the butter possesses all the qualities traditionally ascribed to it. So stick to this process and enjoy the nectar like quality of Ghee. While buying Cow Ghee from the market sources, beware of adulteration and cheats who are even going to the extent of mixing animal fats with vanaspati etc and passing this substance off as Ghee! Do not blame Ghee, Cow and Ayurveda for any such problems because during the time when Ayurveda was advised such a thing as buying Ghee from the market was unimaginable leave alone the thought of adulterating it.

Gomutra and Gomaya:
Ayurveda advocates the use of Gomutra in Vata and Kapha dosha aggravated conditions such as prameha (Diabetes), Medo roga (Obesity), Twak roga (Skin diseases) and Udara (Ascites).It has proven very useful in the treatment of Vitiligo (white spots on the skin), Ascites (collection of fluid in the peritoneal cavity), Obesity (because of its lekhana guna) and recently some successful case documentations have been done in the treatment of oral cancer conditions. Further studies are going on regarding the applications of Gomutra in the treatment of life threatening conditions such as Kidney failure and Cancer.
Gomutra is widely used for the detoxification of toxic herbs (e.g.Vatsanabha) and purification of minerals (e.g.Mandoora shodhana) in Ayurveda. One widely researched example is that of Aconitum (Vastanabhi).Crude aconite is an extremely lethal substance. In case of accidental consumption, death ensues from myocardial depression or respiratory paralysis. Animal studies done on crude and processed Aconite showed that Aconite processed successively with Gomutra and Godugdha(Completely processed aconite) was rendered completely and absolutely non-toxic even at a dose as high as 20.8 mg/mouse. This study successfully demonstrated the Vishghna property of Panchagavya components and completely justifies instituting further deeper research into their applications.
Gomaya(Cow dung) is Vata Kapha shamaka and is majorly used in Agriculture and also as fuel(source of gobar gas). In Ayurveda, its use is advocated in the form of fuel to purify metals to be used as medicines. Apart from these applications, some research findings indicate that it has radio protective effect.
Lessen the use of harmful pesticides-adopt Cow urine based crop protection methods:
Pests attacking crops have become resistant to simple pesticides leading to the usage of stronger pesticides. This in turn has led to the presence of poisonous pesticide residues which has entered the food chain leading to severe debilitating illnesses such as cancer etc. Gomutra based keetaniyantraks (Pest controllers not killers) have proved to be very effective in pilot studies conducted by different organizations working in the field of organic farming. Further intensive research and large scale field trials will be able to demonstrate their effectiveness and lead to the large scale usage of cow urine in pest control. This single change will drastically reduce the damage being done to the environment and human beings. The farmer and his family who handle the harmful pesticides are directly exposed to their harmful effects and a shift to natural crop protection methods will save them from several dreadful diseases. This will be a good way of protecting the hands that feed us. To take care of people who serve us is dharma and to knowingly harm them is adharma.
The Cows are fed the grass (fodder) obtained after harvest and since they still contain harmful chemicals (in the form of residues) used during their cultivation, we are literally poisoning them. To harm a dumb animal which gives to us nectar like substances is adharma. I always quote the example of the cow to explain the meaning of Sanyasa. Abandonment of the fruits of one’s action is Sanyasa and what better example can be there for the act of renunciation than the Cow. To harm such a being is great adharma.

Cow protection and its different dimensions:
The issue of Cow protection addresses the issues of declining soil fertility, increasing usage of pesticides for crop protection, declining ground water levels, decreasing porosity of soil, decreasing nutrition status of rural community, increasing diseased state of humans, increasing violent behavior among children, increasing consumption of imported oil, inflating oil bill and increasing use of artificial fertilizer and the resultant burden on the country.
All this is happening because we as a country have completely forgotten our roots and have blindly adopted western models of Agriculture and Healthcare. Small is no more beautiful for us. We are focused on big ideas and when they fail to succeed the resultant burden is huge and unbearable. The farmer who is compared to the spine of the country is burdened with increasing input costs, increasing cost of healthcare and reduced fertility of his soil. If this state of affairs is to be corrected, there is an urgent need to look at holistic solutions instead of short term remedies.

Cow protection-what can be our contribution?
In the Ramayana, even a small squirrel contributed its might to build the bridge to Lanka by rolling on the sand with its wet fur and running back into the waves of the sea. Likewise even a small effort on our part will go a long way in ensuring that the Cow is protected. Some ideas:ü Fasting once a week and contributing the savings to the cause of cow protection. This achieves the dual purpose of Cow protection as well as self protection ü Spread the word of Cow protection through pamphlets, blogs, web ,writings in the media etcü Motivate your own family to do their bit for cow protection. On a festival day or a birthday in your family, you can celebrate by feeding the Cows in a goshala or in an agricultural farm near to your home.ü Once you are convinced about the cause, you will find your own ways of contributing to the cause of cow protection. I have just cited a few for the purpose of this article.
Conclusion: The topic of Cow is an ocean and any numbers of words are not enough to describe completely its contribution to mankind. Kamadhenu is a gift of God to mankind and He expects us to take good care of it. If the mission of Cow protection has to bear fruit, each and every one of us and our organizations have to work together with a single minded unison of purpose. The movement/mission will be successful the day every Indian’s heart beats for the cause of Cow protection and their heart bleeds when Cows are slaughtered. When a new dawn happened on Aug 15th, 1947 we started with two companions, Satya and Ahimsa (the two crutches of Dharma) but during the last 62 years of our journey, we have sadly lost them along the way! Hope we will rethink and retrace our steps to find our lost companions and bring back the days of original glory to our country?
Gopijana-vallabha-caranau saranam prapadye

Osteoarthritis and Ayurveda

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition of the joints and frequently affects the knee,hip and spine. Major symptoms of the problem are pain in the joints aggravated by strainful activities. It may be accompanied by swelling and clicking sounds on movement of the affected joint.On examination the physician can make out crepitus in the joints on movement. This is because of the sound produced while the bones with damaged articular cartilage rub over each other.The two major changes seen are degenration of the articular cartlage and reduction in the synovial fluid which acts as a lubricant in the joint.

The diagnosis is usually based on x-rays of the affected joint and sometimes more detailed MRI test may be required.
The number of people opting for Ayurvedic treatment for this problem is on the rise with the increasing awareness among the public regarding the efficacy of the Ayurvedic system in treating this problem.

Ayurveda has included this under the heading of Vata Vyadhi and it is known as sandhigata Vata. Aggravation of Vata dosha leads to asthi kshaya which means depletion or weakening of bone. This includes the cartilage. So the treatment aims at Vata Shamana and Asthi vruddhi i.e. alleviation of vata dosha and improvement in bone tissue.
The Ayurveda treatment is as follows:
External: Regular use of Vata Shamaka Oils such as Ksheerabala and Mahanarayana taila for massage over the affected joint.While applying care has to be taken not to apply too much pressure and gentle rotatory movements over the joint is advisable. Making the oil luke warm before application is good. Hot water fomentation after massage using a clean cloth gives better
relief .
Pathrapinda sweda or elakizhi gives good results and this is done under the supervision of the physician.Janu vasthi or Janu taila dhara or pichu also gives good results. The oils to be used are ksheerbala and mahanarayana taila.

Internal:
Guggulu based medicines are the mainstay of treatment.Based on the stage and the condition the Vaidya can use Mahayogaraja, Yogaraja or Trayodashanga guggulu.
Ghritha based kalpas such as guggulutikthaka ghritha give wonderful and safe results. The physican may sometime need to take care of pitha aggravation while administering these medicines because guggulu is hot in potency and so may not be well tolerated by pitha prakruti individuals and persons having hyperacidity, gastrtis, peptic ulcers etc. This is one precaution that needs to be taken care of.
Responsibilities of the Patient:
1.Preferably the patient should resort to Ayurveda medicine at the onset of the condition itself for excellent results.
2. Do not pressurize the physician to give instant relief.The relief will be gradual and as per my experience takes at least 2-3 weeks.
3.Do not take medicines from quacks who sometimes are passing of analgesic laced medicines as herbal and ayurvedic medicines.
4.Adhere to the do's and don'ts advised by the physician.

Personal Experience:
My personal experience on this conditions has taught me that Ayurveda is effective in relieving the problem in the early stages and as the disease progresses the treatment is tough.So earlier addressal of the problem saves much complications and I advise all my patients the same.

FAQ's on Ayurveda

FAQ’s
1.What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda is an Indian traditional system of medicine which aims at maintaining health by following proper dietary and lifestyle related guidelines. It concentrates equally on prevention as well as cure of a disease. With the increasing awareness about the safety and efficacy of natural medicine, Ayurveda is gaining worldwide acceptance.

2. What are the diseases where Ayurveda can help?
Ayurveda is effective in treating all disease conditions and the physician will be able to tell you the probability of relief or cure of a disease based on the stage of the disease. I always emphasize that Ayurveda provides good relief when the patient approaches the practitioner in the early stages of the disease itself instead of trying it as a last resort. For e.g Ayurveda provides good relief to patients suffering from knee joint pain due to degenerative changes in Osteoarthritis. The patients who opt for treating the pain during the early stage itself through Ayurvedi get excellent results whereas those who come at later stages when there is excessive damage done to the Joint take time.Sometimes I have to tell them that the condition of the disease is beyond my treatment and the chance of positive response to the treatment is less. At the end of this document you will find a table giving an idea about the ailments successfully being treated by Ayurveda.This table is intended for information only and not exhaustive. The best person to tell you is your Physician.

3. How Ayurveda can help in health maintenance?
Ayurveda places great stress upon health maintenance and health preservation principles. It advocates specific routines such as daily regimen(dinacharya) and seasonal regimen(ruthucharya) and several do’s and don’ts related to diet, sleep etc. Ayurveda advocates shodhana or purificatory panchakarma procedures such as Vamana(Emesis or medicinally induced vomiting), Virechana(Medicinally induced purgation) for cleansing the body. Ideally in every treatment the administration of medicine should follow the purification procedures i.e. panchakarma. The particular treatment process to be adopted is decided based on the dosha aggravation and the stage of the disease.There are excellent medicines to boost immunity in Ayurveda.

4.What are the evidences to show that Ayurveda is effective?
Everyone of us would like to be reassured that the system of medicine we have chosen for the treatment of our problem has enough evidence to prove its efficacy.Ayurveda is a time tested system of medicine and the diagnosis and treatment guidelines have been elobarately described in it. Clinical studies of the different treatment procedures such as panchakarma and the medicines indicated in particular diseases are being regularly carried out by doctors in colleges and universities during the master’s and Phd work. Apart from these documented studies, several physicians have demonstrated the efficacy of Ayurveda treatment in the different fields of medicine. For e.g. in the field of Ophthalmology there is a separate institution called Sreedhareeyam functioning in Kerala and they are treating several eye diseases which have failed to be treated by mainstream systems of medicine.The number of clinical trials to study the efficacy of Ayurveda treatment for diseases such as Sciatica, backache,paralysis,facial palsy, osteparthritis, rhuematoid arthritis,eczema,Psoriasis,leucoderma,bronchial asthma have been conducted by Govt funded Institutions and they have published the results in reputed journals.With my 13 years of experience in the field of Ayurveda I can say with certainty and confidence that this traditional system of medicine can provide safe and sound relief from Acute to chronic conditions.

5. What are the usual modes of therapy in Ayurveda?
The basic concept of Ayurveda is the theory that health exists when there is a balance between three fundamental body components/doshas which are Vata, Pitta and Kapha. When there is any imbalance in these three doshas it results in disease. The cause of imbalance can be food, environment, injury etc. The physician tries to heal the illness by restoring the balance in the doshas.
Shodhana(comes from the word shuddhi or cleansing) and shamana are the two major approaches of Ayurveda in treating any illness.Shodhana involves usage of Panchakarma for elimination of the disease causing factors and shamana involves using herbs and purified minerals to restore normalcy of the doshas and bringing them back to their normal physiological state.
Along with the use of Panchakarma and medicines prepared out of selected herbs and purified minerals,Ayurveda lays a lot of emphasis on diet and lifestyle changes for complete recovery from diseased state and also to prevent the recurrence of the illness. For e.g. in the condition of gastritis the treating physician will guide you to avoid or reduce sour and spicy food along with the intake of medicines. This will help in quick recovery from the problem.

6. Are Ayurvedic medicines costly?
Few of the medicines used in Ayurveda are prepared using minerals such as Gold and Silver. But these are not regularly prescribed. The cost of treatment is higher only in cases where Panchakarma has to be done. Since pathological investigations are rarely requested for and most of the diagnosis is done by the physician the patient saves good amount of money. This part of the savings can be used to invest in the medicines by the patient.
If you are very particular about the cost of treatment and your affordability is low, do frankly express the same to the doctor so that he can prescribe an affordable medicine.

7. Are Ayurveda medicines are slow in their action?
Generally all diseases can be classified into Acute and Chronic. Chronic diseases are those which have not been treated successfully and have been troubling the patient since a long period of time. Since the illness is more deep rooted in these conditions it will take a longer duration for the problem to be eliminated completely. Problems which are of Acute or of recent origin definitely respond quickly and easily to Ayurvedic medicines. For e.g.Diarrhoea,Urticaria etc respond quickly to Ayurveda medicines.

8. Do Ayurveda medicines cause heat and should they be avoided in summer ?
This is a frequent query raised by people who opt for Ayurveda and some people even avoid taking resort to Ayurveda citing this reason.Ayurveda uses both cold potency (Sheetha) and hot potency (Ushna) medicines to treat diseases. It uses cold potency medicines to treat diseases arising due to excess of heat in the body and hot potency medicines to treat diseases arising due to excess of cold in the body. There will not be any problem when the medicines are administered by a well learned and experienced Ayurveda physician who has the ability to diagnose a disease based on the basic principles of Ayurveda. Most of the problems arises when people take Ayurveda medicines from quacks who are ignorant about the basic principles of Ayurveda.They cheat gullible people looking for relief from chronic illnesses by promising quick cure or permanent relief.I always emphasize to my patients that there are no shortcuts to recovery and that they have to persevere to get good results from the treatment.

9. Do all Ayurveda medicines taste bitter and are they unpalatable?
There are more than 10,000 Ayurvedic formulations and these are in different forms such as tablet, pill, liquids, ghee, oil, powder etc. Not all are bitter in taste and some of them are very palatable. For e.g. Draksharishta, chyavanaprash, Kooshmanda rasayana etc. With the adoption of modern pharmaceutical methods in Ayurveda industry the dosage forms are available in capsules and syrups too. If the disease condition demands the usage of a bitter or unpalatable medicine the doctor may advice the use of the medicine along with honey for easy palatability. If you strongly feel that you will be unable to take unpalatable medicines do frankly express the same to the doctor so that he can prescribe you some alternative if any exist.

Some examples of Diseases successfully treated:
Arthritis,Acne,Asthma, Anemia, Alopecia
Gout,Gastritis,Giddiness
Osteoarthritis,Osteoporosis,Obesity, Oral Ulcers
Bronchitis, Backache, Baldness
Headache, Hyperacidity
Paralysis, Benign Prostate Hypertrophy, Psoriasis, Piles
Premature greying of hair
Cervical spondylitis, Chikungunya, Chronic cold.
Insomnia, Impotency, Irritable bowel syndrome
Rheumatoid arthritis, Recurrent Tonsillitis, Respiratory infections and allergies
Chronic diarrhea, chronic dysentery, Depression, Dandruff
Jaundice
Sinusitis, Spondylitis, Sciatica, Stomatitis, Chronic Skin diseases
Eczema,Epilepsy,Erectile dysfunction
Leucoderma, Loss of libido
Urticaria,Chronic ulcers
Frozen shoulder syndrome
Migraine, musculoskeletal pains
Varicose ulcers
Osteoarthritis
Osteoporosis
Obesity, Oral Ulcers