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Skin Diseases and Ayurvedic Treatments

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 16:33:59 GMT

Skin Diseases and Ayurvedic Treatments

By Dr. (India) Alaknanda Rao (B.A.M.S)

Skin is reflection of one’s health. Everyone wants to have a flawless, soft, supple skin with beautiful glow.

Skin is seat of Vata dosha. Kapha helps in keeping the softness while Pitta gives nice glow to the skin. Skin is responsible for the sense of touch and temperature, thermal regulation, removal of liquid waste through sweat and the protection of body organs.

Healthy, soft, supple and flawless skin needs attention from inside out. Skin care begins with drinking sufficient quantity of water. Eating healthy, exercising regularly, avoiding hot spicy, heavy, fried and oily foods, acidic-sour foods, avoiding exposure to hot Sun, and avoiding the use of harsh chemicals are basic rules for prevention of skin diseases.

Ayurveda can guide you to choose the right kind of foods and suitable skin care based on your body type and skin type.

Even though everyone dreams about healthy skin, skin problems are very common in our country. Sometimes they are painful for the body. Redness, dryness, itching or burning can make life difficult. And sometimes painless skin conditions can be also painful for the mind due to the embarrassment could cause. E.g. In some young teenager’s life acne or vitiligo can be reason for the low self-esteem.

Dry skin can be the beginning of many skin problems. Simple technique of Abhyanga- the self-massage can help in avoiding the dryness of skin and helps to get better blood circulation. Application of warm sesame oil on body before shower keeps skin soft, nourished and healthy.

Various problems like oily skin, acne, rashes, psoriasis, eczema, skin abscess, infections, herpes, allergy, hives, rosacea, fungal infections in nails, lichen sclerosis, etc require different treatment plans.

Firstly, the diagnosis in Ayurvedic point of view is done based on three Doshas Vata Pitta and Kapha. Understanding how deep and how chronic the problem is determines the further plan of action and choice of herbs to be used. Finding and avoiding the causative factors behind the skin condition is very important part of the treatment. Diet adjustments, lifestyle changes, internal purification methods, deep skin cleansing methods, use of herbal formulations are important features of Ayurvedic treatment.

Internal and external treatments work hand in hand to give good results. In some chronic conditions Panchkarma cleansing treatments are very useful. Even after getting better special remedies are used to boost the immunity of the skin to avoid recurrence of the skin problems. Ayurvedic treatments are chemical free and give long lasting results.

Tips for beautiful skin-

For facial skin-

Use coconut oil for face massage( you can use coconut oil as make-up remover as well)

Use raw milk or ale-vera gel as a cleanser

Rose water or cucumber juice are good skin toners

For all over body skin-

Abhyanga (self-massage) with sesame oil

Body scrub- Mix 2 teaspoon red lentil powder or chick pea flour with water to make paste. Use it in the shower as a natural cleanser in place of soap. It will take out only excess oil leaving the skin nicely nourished.

Drink ½ tsp turmeric powder mixed with 1 cup of water and a pinch of black pepper every day for healthy, glowing skin

Poop talk

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 12:40:43 GMT

Poop talk-The story of constipation and intestine problems

For many of us, to talk about defecation is a taboo. People feel very uncomfortable discussing it. But Ayurveda gives a lot of importance to the topic. You will find your Ayurvedic doctor having a poop talk with you all the time.

Why?

Getting normal defecation in the morning makes the perfect beginning of a cheerful day. One feels energetic, clear headed and nicely hungry for the breakfast after a successful visit to the toilet in the morning.

Constipation may lead to gas, bloating, acidity, nausea, lack of appetite, heaviness, unclear head, headache, piles, fissure, worms, etc.

What is normal?

Any waste product gives complete information about the production line. Similarly in our body, the stools can tell how the digestion and absorption is working. When digestive fire works well the food is digested completely, bowel movement is regular. The body is then able to effectively digest and absorb the nutrients to turn them into energy.

In normal case, person can go to the toilet first thing in the morning without the help of stimulants like coffee or tea. Going to the toilet regularly, once or twice a day without help is very normal.

Like a ripe banana?!

The normal consistency of the stools is like a ripe banana( or you may call it sausage if you like that better) that is not too hard and not too soft and is well formed. Normal stools have longer pieces. There is not much presence of gas and there is no need to use pressure to pass the stools. Person feels light and satisfied when he can evacuate completely.

What is not normal?

Going to the toilet at irregular times, skipping days, getting hard stools or small pieces like goat droppings, or going to the toilet too frequently and getting very soft, unformed stools, mushy stools both are considered abnormal. Not being able to evacuate completely, having unsatisfactory feeling and going again and again to the toilet is also abnormal.

Presence of undigested food like pieces of vegetables or fruits, seeds or mucus, blood, parasites, small or big worms, etc in the stools are some other signs of abnormal functioning of digestive system.

Cramping pain before or after going to the toilet, bloating, gas, feeling heavy or sleepy after the meal, burning sensation, burping, nausea, rumbling sounds in the intestines, diarrhoea, heaviness in the abdomen, burning-itching-pain in the anus, piles, fissure, etc are signs of abnormal function of the digestive system.

What can help?

Regularity of mealtimes, healthy diet according to the body type and season, balance between diet, rest and exercise and enough sleep helps in getting normal defecation.

Balanced meals with small amounts of oil or ghee in it are very important. Dry foods lead to constipation. Heavy or untimely meals make more toxin (Ama) in the body. People with digestive problems and constipation should consume cooked, warm, soft, moist, juicy, semisolid foods cooked with oil or ghee and spies. Regular use of ginger, fennel seeds, cumin, black pepper, curry leaves, asafoetida, carom seeds(Ajwain), etc in cooking helps in digestion.

Drinking enough amount of water, cooked and warm water is also important.

Liver plays an important role in the process of digestion. In chronic cases of constipation health of liver should be maintained. Liver cleansing might be necessary in some cases.

Cleansing the intestines with the help of fasting, mono diet fasting, detox herbs, digestive herbs, panchakarma methods, purgation, enemas, etc help in elimination of old toxins, boosting digestive fire and reviving the health of the system.

For some people, digestion and intestine issues are connected to the stress. Peaceful mind plays important role in easy evacuation of the waste.

Tips for constipation:

Creating a habit of going to the toilet early morning before breakfast, right from an early age is very important.

Squatting system of toilet (Indian toilet) helps in easy defecation. In modern toilet, taking a small stool under the feet to elevate the level of feet helps.

Regular practice of Malasana , Vajrasana, Pavan muktasana , Balasana, various twists and triangles is helpful. Kapalbhati, Bhasrika pranayama and Agnisar kriya are very helpful in treating chronic digestive issues.

Soaked or cooked raisins, prunes, apricots or figs taken early morning is good for people having constipation.

1 teaspoon ghee or olive oil mixed with a cup of warm water or warm milk taken at bedtime is simple but effective remedy for constipation.

Haritaki, Senna, Aaragvadh, Danti, Nishottar, Kampilla, Triphala churna, Avipattikar churna, Swadishta virechan churna, Chincha-lavan oil, Ganadharvahastadi kashayam, Gandharva Haritaki, Castor oil are some remedies used for constipation.

Each case of constipation is different than the other. Self-medication could complicate the things further. Proper diagnosis to find out the reason behind problems, working with good dietary and internal herb advice by experienced Ayurvedic doctor can effectively resolve the intestine and constipation problems.

Rasayana

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 18:51:02 GMT

Ayurveda's secret for anti-aging and tissue revival

This article has also been published in Dutch in the Ayurveda Magazine.

Rasayana means revival, rejuvenation of the body cells and systems. It is a unique concept and specialty treatment in Ayurveda.

The treatments that boost rasa, all the other dhatus, Ojas, strength, complexion, immunity, vitality, intelligence, memory and longevity and keeps one younger for longer time are called Rasayana.

How did Rasayana come to existence?

We all like stories and this story about origin of Rasayana is from Charak Samhita, an ancient text of Ayurveda. Long long ago, there were two types of sages in Indian continent. Shalin and Yayavar. Yayavar sages used to travel from place to place. While traveling and educating people, they encountered local people. Urban lifestyle and food disturbed their health. They became overweight and sluggish so much so that they were unable to perform their spiritual Sadhana. At the foothills of Himalayas, greatly compassionate King of Gods, Indra received the sages and taught them everything about anti-aging, antioxidant, Ojas boosting, longevity boosting Rasayana treatments. Bhrigu, Angira, Atri, Kashyap, Agastya, etc all sages learned, used and spread the knowledge about Rasayana.

The story of ancient Sages that had to revive their body systems after indulging in unhealthy foods and lifestyles matches so closely with us modern day humans, don't you think?

What does the word Rasayan mean?

The Rasayan word is made from joining two words Rasa and Ayana. Here Rasa indicates Rasa dhatu and all seven dhatus and Ayana- Apyayan-means nourishing- promoting- enhancing. Rasayana treatments are for promoting and rejuvenating body tissues.

Definition of Rasayana:

-Swasthasyorjaskaram yattu tadvrushyam tadrasayanam/ Cha.Chi.1/1/5

-Labhapayo hi shastanam rasadinam rasayanam/ - Cha. Chi. 1/1/8

Charaka Samhita says-’

Those(herbs, treatments) which invigorate a heathy person are called aphrodisiacs and Rasayanas.

The means by which one gets excellence of Rasa dhatu is known as Rasayana or rejuvenation therapy.

- Rasayanam hi tjdneyam yat jaravyadinashanam/ - Shrangadhar Samhita

Sharangadhar says, ‘The one that keeps disease and old age away is Rasayana or rejuvenation therapy.

- Rasayanam naam vayahsthapanam ayurmedhabalakaram rogharansamartham cha/ Su. Sa. 1

Rasayana is the one that gives power to speech, gives anti-aging effect, longevity, intelligence, memory, strength, complexion, vitality and resistance to disease.

Rasayana boosts strength of rasa and ultimately other dhatus. Stronger dhatus make strong Ojas and good immunity. That is how Rasayana boosts vitality and longevity.

Important types of Rasayana:

1. Anti-aging overall and immunity boosting against particular disease -

E.g. Shatavari powder or Ashwagandha powder taken with milk, ghee or warm water

Use of Vardhaman Pippali rasayan to make lungs stronger after a respiratory disease.

2.Rasayan for body and rasayan for mind-

Brahmi is Rasayan for nervous system whereas good behavior, regular meditation, music, silence, mantra are Rasayana for the mind.

3.Kamya, Naimittik and Aajasrik rasayan

Kamya- Kamya Rasayan is designed with a specific goal(Kamana) e.g. Loha Bhasma( iron) used to boost iron levels in the body. These Rasayanas are used until the goal is achieved.

Naimittik - Naimittik Rasayan is used for a short while to reduce weakness and get strength back after recovery from a disease. E.g. use of Guduchi after recovering from fever or flu

Aajasrik- Ajasrik Rasayana is for using all the time without any time limit. E.g. healthy diet, regular exercise, good behaviour, use of ghee or milk to boost dhatus, etc

4. Vatatapik rasayan and Kuti praveshik rasayan-

These are types of anti-aging, antioxidant Rasayana methods

Vatatapik Rasayan - In this method a person can live a normal life, work, keep a normal diet and lifestyle and take Rasayana herbs. Vatatapik Rasayana herbs need to work on various dhatus and they revive the body cells. The duration of these Rasayana can be from 21 days up to 1 year.

This method might give less results than Kuti Praveshik Rasayana but it is practical and convenient for most of us and is used more commonly.

Kuti Praveshik Rasayan - This is a unique Rasayana program. Kuti means hut or a small house. A person enters into this specially designed hut and lives there for several weeks and consumes Rasayana.

He follows stricter rules of diet. The Sattvic diet, meditation, staying away from society in silence and Rasayana herbs help in revival of tissues.

Strength, immunity, complexion, memory get stronger. Longevity is increased. A person needs to come out of this controlled environment step by step. There are examples of people who shed their teeth, hair and nails and got new ones after successful use of Kuti Praveshilk Rasayana.

As this method needs a lot of money, arrangements and discipline it is not used very commonly, in recent times.

Who is fit to take Rasayana treatment?

Persons up to 70 years age are most suitable for Rasayana treatments.

Persons with Sattvic mindset are better suited to receive Rasayana

Persons that have a stable mind, capacity to arrange all necessary things and believe strongly in the treatment get good results.

People that have done some detoxification treatments are ready to get Rasyana- e.g. fasting, purgation, Panchkarma, etc

People that have strong Agni, no Ama and have clean system can follow Rasayana treatment.

Who can’t take Rasayana treatment?

Sushruta says Rasayan treatments should not be given to lazy, mentally unstable, alcoholic, addicted and to people with tamasic mindset. These people will not be able to follow the strict rules of diet and lifestyle and won’t get good results from Rasayana and may create ama(toxins) in their body.

Anupana used for Rasayan

Anupana is the carrier that enhances or balances the properties of Rasayana.

M ilk, honey and ghee are commonly used as anupana. Honey and ghee in unequal proportions is a very effective anupana.

Sometimes cold water, oil, sharkara, jaggery and cow urine are also used.

Anupana can make strong herbs softer e.g. Milk with Pippali

Anupana can bring Rasayana to a specific system or organ. E.g. Brahmi with ghee easily goes to Majja dhatu

Making of Rasayana

Some Rasayana are used in simple forms such as fresh juice or powder of a single herb used with specific Anupana

E.g. Fresh juice of Brahmi with sesame seeds taken early morning

Or Haritaki powder taken with honey, dry ginger or Pippali

Whereas some Rasayana have multiple herbs and a complex preparation method.

E.g. Chavanprash.

Making of Chavanprash?

Chavanprash, a famous Rasayana is made from Amalaki fruit, has 35 different ingredients and has a complex method of preparation. The ancient text of Ashtanga Hridayam explains the recipe in detail.

A decoction is made from Ashtavarga, dashmool, lotus, etc. And Amalaki fruits are cooked in this decoction to make it into smooth pulp. Then Amalaki pulp is roasted with ghee and sesame oil. Sugar syrup is made from leftover decoction and sharkara. The perfect consistency of sugar syrup gives that jam-like form to Chavanprash. Roasted Amalaki pulp is added to the syrup and mixed well. Finally, the ingredients such as cardamom, pippali, vanshlochan, honey, etc are mixed with it and the Chavanprash is ready.

Once we understand the complexity and hard work that goes into making various Ayurvedic Rasayana preparations we respect and appreciate them even more.

Diet for Rasayana treatments-

Sattvic, freshly made, easy to digest, clean foods enhance the effect of Rasayana. Use of ghee, milk, honey, rice and other wholesome foods are good to take during Rasayana treatments.

In some programs, one can eat a normal diet with a few restrictions.

But sometimes, Rasayana is consumed in the morning, until the stomach is full and for the rest of the day only milk or rice mixed with milk is taken.

Some Rasayana have specific food restrictions such as while taking Shilajit one should not eat horse gram, cut down on spicy foods and maintain mild, less spicy diet.

Charaka Samhita described positive mind, righteous behavior, joyful sattvic lifestyle as Manas Rasayana and says it is ‘Achara Rasayana.’(good behavior has Rasayana effect)

Ashtanga Hridayam mentions, good behavior, sattvic mindset, positivity and joyful mind are the best Rasayana that one can follow for their entire life as self-help.

Can one design his own Rasayana treatment?

When it comes to Rasayana treatments with herbs, there are various points to be considered. Finding dhatus and systems that need Rasayana, selection of suitable herbs for the person according to their prakriti and season, selection of effective anupana, checking level of Ama and to see if the body is clean enough to receive Rasayana. The selection of diet, detox programs, fasting methods and Panchakarma before starting Rasayana is important as well.

For all these reasons it is best to consult Ayurveda professionals and then starting Rasayana treatments is necessary for getting excellent results.