Type of illness: Back pain experienced in the region of the buttocks,
back of the thigh and the leg. Patient experiences difficulty in walking.
The pain is associated with the Sciatica Nerve which is part of the nerve
system that controls the muscles of the back of the knee and lower leg,
and provides sensation to the back of the thigh, part of the lower leg
and the sole of the foot.
Causes of illness: According to Ayurveda philosophy, the human
body consists of three doshas - Vatha, Pitha and Kappha. An imbalance of
the three Dosha's leads to disease. Sciatica is usually caused by an increase
or aggravation of "Vatha Dosha".
At a practical level, the buttocks and part of the thigh and legs
are serviced by the Sciatica nerve. Pressing of the Sciatica Nerve and inflammation
of the surrounding areas of the Sciatica nerve leads to this disease. The
damage of the sciatica nerve slows down or prevents conduction of impulses
through the nerve. This also causes inflammation of the surrounding area.
Damage to the sciatica nerve can be caused through strenuous activity
such as lifting of weights or over exposure to cold wind.
The Sciatica nerve could also be injured by fracture of the pelvis, or
other trauma to the buttocks or thighs. Prolonged sitting or lying with
pressure on the buttocks may also damage it. Systemic diseases such as
diabetes, can typically damage many different nerves, including the Sciatica
nerve. The Sciatica nerve may also be harmed by pressure from masses such
as tumor or abscess, or by bleeding in the pelvis.
Specific symptoms:
Sensation Changes in the back, in the calf or the sole of the feet
Numbness and decreased sensation
Tingling and burning sensations
Mild or severe pain
Abnormal sensations
Weakness of the knee or foot resulting in difficulty in walking
Inability to move the foot (severe case)
Inability to bend the knee (in severe case)
Ayurveda Treatment: The illness is treated with a combination of internal
herbal pills, herbal decoctions and elixirs/ wine, and external oil applications
and hot fomentation.
Internally taken herbal pills called "Yogaraja Guggulu".
Guggulu is a resin obtained from the tree Camphora Mukul that is found
in South Asia. The Yogaraja Guggulu is made by making a paste of Guggulu
resin, 25 types of herbs, and ghee. The medicine is very effective
in the treatment of all pains of the nervous system. The pills are usually
prescribed twice a day and two pills at a time
Herbal elixire / wine called the "Dashamula Arishta". This elixire
contains about 63 herbs, plums, juggery ( molasses) and honey and water.
The name "Dashamula" comes from the fact that it has ten main
component herbs (dasa in Sinhala is ten). The ingredients are placed
in a specially prepared barrel and left to ferment for a month. The
result is a sweet wine of exceptional taste. The medicine has an anti
- inflammatory property and tones up the nerves and helps the nerves
to work more effectively. The prescribed dosage is
usually one tablespoon, twice daily. This elixire has anti -inflammatory
properties and tones up the nerves and helps the nerves to work more
effectively.
Ten main component herbs
1. Aswenna - Alysicarpus vaginalis
2. Polpala - Aerva lanata
3. Ela batu - Solanum melongena
4. Katuwel batu - Solanum xanthocarpum
5. Hin Nerenchi - Tribulus terristris
6. Thotila - Oroxylum indicum
7. Beli fruit - Aegle marmelos
8. Et demata - Gmelina arborea
9. Palol - Stereospermum suaveolens
10. Hin medi - Premna integrifolia
Fresh herbal decoctions prepared by boiling a large number of dry
and fresh herbs (at times up to 20 compounds) -depending on the patients
condition, These decoctions also help to reduce the pain associated
with the disease.
Internal medicine to avoid constipation, which often aggravates the
symptoms. Castor oil is prescribed for internal use with the decoctions.
Castor oil is a good purgative and has the qualities of reducing the
effect of constipation associated with Vata Dosha.
External oil application on the painful parts of the body, particularly the
back region, buttocks, and part of the thighs and legs with the medicinal
oil called "Sarshapadi" This medicinal oil is prepared with
the base of mustard oil, camphor and vegetable turpentine.
Hot fomentation of the painful parts with the help of " Bolus"
or bundles of fresh and dry herbal parts and sea salt wrapped in cloth.
The oil massage and the formentation improves the blood circulation,
stimulate and strengthen the nerves and reduces the aggravated Vatha
Dosha and helps to reduce the pain.
Prospect of cure: Data analyzed show that the majority of the
patients were cured of the disease. A cure takes about 4 weeks of treatment.
Almost all the patients experienced reduction of symptoms. Reduction of
symptoms was seen after about 2 - 3 weeks of treatment.
Type of Illness: Complete or incomplete loss of functioning of
nerves, to a part of the body or whole of the body is called paralysis.
The part of the body that is affected looses its sensations and/or movements.
Cause of illness: Paralysis is the result of stroke (Cerebral-Vascular accident).
According to the great Ayurveda books (Samhitha), Paralysis is the main
disease described under the vatha diseases.
Paralysis occurs when vatha dosha aggravates in the brain. Strenuous
exercise, continuous exposure to stress, sleeplessness or obstruction
of channels present in brain leads to aggravation of the vatha dosha.
Aggravated vatha dosha can dry up the nerves with adverse affects on the
opposite side of the body.
According to western medical views contributory causes to paralysis
include:
Ischemic cerebral lesion, which is due to obstruction of blood vessel present in the brain with fat particles, blood clot, air bubble or cholesterol plaques (atheros sclerosis).
Hemorrhagic cerebral lesion is due to hypertension (high blood pressure)
or aneurysm or due to trauma.
The centre affected by the lesion is responsible for the paralysis
of the corresponding part in the body. The following risk factors are
mentioned in western medicine as being possible predisposing factors
to paralysis.
Hypertension
Diabetes mellitus
Obesity
Family history of cigarette smoking,
Hyperlipidaemia
Using oral contraceptives.
Specific symptoms:
Loss of sensation
Impairment of voluntary movements
Impairment of speech
Ayurveda Treatments:
Paralysis can be successfully treated with the combination of internal
medicine and external treatments. Treatment usually varies with the patient's
condition.
Internal Treatment:
Herbal decoctions to be taken orally. In the beginning Thri Katakadi
decoction is given. It contains 12 herbs and it purifies the obstructed
channels in the brain. But if patient is having Kapha dosha, the prescribed
decoction may change.
Seetharama: Little herbal pills called Seetharama are also given along
with this decoction to prevent fever and to balance the dosha.
Chandra Kalka: Orally taken medicinal herbal paste called Chandra
Kalka is given with a special herbal tea for the purpose of reducing
hypertension and to purify the obstructed blood vessels.
Ma-Ul-Asel: Special preparation called ma-ul-asel (contains honey
and water) given for preventing clot formation.
Ekaveriya pills: If patient has hypertension Ekaveriya pills containing Rauvolfia serpentina and herbal wine called Bala arishtaya is given to be take orally.
Herbal teas (Anupana): If patient has high serum cholesterol levels, it can be corrected through special herbal teas (Anupana).
External Treatments:
If patient does not have any kapha dosha aggravation or any heart disease,
following treatment can be administered.
Shiro Abhyanga (special head oil application)
Sharera Abhyanga (special body oil application)
Shirodara treatment (special head oil application)
Sarvangadara treatment (Treatment is done by applying small steam-heated
bundles of herbs tied in cotton bags and pressed gently on aching parts
of the body.)
Pinda sweda treatment (Mild oil application
with the help of special milk rice medicinal bundles made of cheese
cloth.
Prospects of cure:
Early stages in Paralysis (particularly before 1 year has lapsed) are
curable. When paralysis occurs in the very old or in infants it is hard
to cure.
Type of illness: Psoriasis is a severe skin disease.
Causes of illness: according to Ayurveda this skin condition
is due to blood impurities. These impurities can be due to many
causes. They are also associated with excessive hot foods, sour
and salty taste foods and mental stress.
Specific symptoms:
Patient experiences itching or scratching.
When scratching takes place pink skin patches appear.
This is most common in elbow and knees but may occur in any parts
of the body.
Patient may experience burning sensation with watery discharge or
blood from affected skin area
Ayurveda Treatments
Internal Treatments:
Pancha Tikta Ghee: Pancha Tikta Ghee is given to the patients. It
contains mainly five bitter herbs and it keeps the bowel movement normal,
promotes digestion, and purifies the blood. Dosage starts with one teaspoon
twice daily with a cup of warm milk before meals.
Verechana Karma (Purgation therapy): is very effective for the treatment
of psoriasis. Oral medicines are administered to induce purgation. It
purifies the blood and expels toxic substances, which cause psoriasis.
Chandraprabha Vati that contain Thippili (Piper longum), Gammiris
(Pipper nigram), Ginger (Zingber offcinale), Kaladuru (Cyperus rotundus)
etc. is taken orally two tablets, twice a day. It is prescribed for
its diuretic action to purify the body.
Manibadra powder is an orally taken herbal powder, which has a blood
purifying action. Dosage is one tea spoon twice daily.
Decoction containing Aswenna (Alysicarpus veginalis), Polpala (Aerva
lanata), Sarana (Trianthema decandra) etc. are given for balancing the
Pitha dosha. After 7 days another type of decoction is given.
External Treatments:
Green gram powder: External application of a paste of green gram powder
with water on to the affected area.
Shiro Abhyanga and Shareera Abhyanga also recommended.
Herbal medicinal baths.
Prospect of cure:
Disease can be cured if treatment
is taken over a period of time.
Type of illness: Rheumatoid Arthritis is a disease affecting primarily
the joints of the hand and feet, which become swollen and painful. If
not treated in its early stages, it may result in deformity and difficulty
in movement.
Causes of illness: Ayurveda states that dietary factors, alcohol
abuse, mental stress, and obesity are some of the causes of Rheumatoid
Arthritis. Dietary factors include excessive use of sour, salty, pungent
tasting foods, spicy food such as chili and oily foods. Due to the above
causative factors Vatha dosha and Pitha dosha aggravate and cause impurities
in the blood.
The toxic substances, which are absorbed into the blood, collect in hands,
legs and finger joints due to gravity.
In the beginning joints get swollen, painful and stiff. This is very
prominent with the little joints in hands, legs and fingers. Redness of
skin can be seen on the joint. Sometimes itching and burning sensation
is experienced and perspiration may increase or decrease.
If not treated immediately, the muscles, ligaments, synovial membrane
of the joint remains swollen and joints become extremely painful. In the
next stage, the cartilage of the joint can get damaged and calcium deposition
can take place. This leads to deformity of the joint. The disease can
then spread to other joints.
Specific symptoms:
In the beginning the disease affects the small joints in fingers.
Pain in joints. Pain is at its worst on awakening in the morning and
it may decrease with movements.
Stiffness of muscles around the joints of the finger so that the joint
tend to curve. At the beginning, the stiffness is more in the mornings
and could be present for several hours.
Joint swelling
Fatigue and general malaise, increased or decreased perspiration.
Later stages - Joint deformity, difficulty in moving the joints, muscle
wasting can be seen around the joint.
Disease then spreads towards the wrist joints, ankle joints, elbow
joints, knee joints, shoulders, hip and spine.
Treatment:
Rheumatoid arthritis is treated with a combination of internal and external
application of medicine.
Internal Treatments:
Thripala kawatha: is a decoction, which contains Aralu (Terminalia
chebula), Bulu (Terminalia belirica), and Nelli (Phyllauthus embelica).
This is given orally, two tablespoons, three times a day. The preparation
has mild laxative action and purifies the body.
Chandraprabha vati: Herbal pills called Chandraprabha vati, which
contains many herbs and guggulu. The dosage is two tablets, twice a
day. The pills have diuretic action and purify the body.
Manibadra powder is an orally taken herbal powder, which has a blood purifying action. Dosage is one tea spoon twice daily.
Special freshly made herbal decoctions: The decoction contains Dummalla
(Trichosanthes cucumerina), Katukarosana (Picrorrliza kurrooa), Asparagus
roots (Asparagus racemosus), etc. with Eranda oil (oil obtained from
seeds of the ricinus communis plant).
After 7 days it is changed into another decoction. These decoctions
have mild laxative action, which purifies the impure blood and balances
the aggravated Pitha dosha.
Verechana karma (Purgation therapy) is also recommended for rheumatoid
arthritis. Oral medicines are administered to induce purgation. It purifies
the body and balances the pitha dosha.
External treatments:
Vasthi Karma or Medicated Enema treatment is also used when pain is
more prominent. Depending on the stage of the disease, medicated oils
or decoctions are administrated.
Pinda oil: medicated oil namely, Pinda oil, is gently massaged over the affected joints. This oil is prepared with the base of sesame oil, bees wax, welmadata (Rubia cordifolia) etc. it reduces localized pain and burning sensation and balances the Vatha and Pitha dosha.
Special herbal pastes are also applied to the inflamed and affected joints. This special paste contains red Sandle wood, sesame seeds, seeds of the ricinus communis (Eranda seeds) and milk. This is very good for reducing inflammation and pain.
Prospect of cure:
Disease can be cured in the early stages. When there is any muscle wasting
or when joint deformities take place, it is very difficult to cure. The
medicine and therapies can however, bring about a reduction in symptoms
and pain.
Name of medical problem: Parkinsonism/ Parkinson's disease
Ayurveda name: Kampa Vatha
According to the principles of Ayurveda, Parkinson's disease develops
because of aggravation of Vatha dosha in the nerves in the brain. Aggravated
Vatha dosha can dry up the nerves with adverse affects. The disease usually
develops during middle age or old age. According to western medical views
the loss of dopamine - the nerve transmitter is one of the main causes
of the disease.
Specific symptoms:
Patient may develop tremors (shaking) of hands or fingers. This is
present before starting work (Movements of fingers like pill rolling).
Sometimes this can be seen even in the rest of the body. But once he/she
starts to do something, the tremors will stop.
Patient feels stiffness (rigid) present in muscles.
When walking, patient cannot turn at once.
Ayurveda Treatments
Internal treatment:
Usually a set of decoctions (herbal medicinal drinks) is given. At
the beginning decoction should contain ingredients to achieve a balance
of Vatha dosha and later the decoctions should have nutritious or rejuvenating
value. The decoctions contain masha (Undu) - Phaselolus radiatus, Babila
- Sida cordifolia etc. and are very effective decoctions
Dasamula Arishta which contain several ingredients including herbs
and roots such as Aswenna, Polpala, Ela batu, Katuwelbatu, Hin nerenchi,
Beli, Midi, Thotia, Palol, Et demata and other herbs, are also given
orally to balance the Vatha dosha and as a tonic.
Ashwaganda Choorana - orally taken herbal powder. Dosage, one teaspoon,
twice a day with milk. It contains medicinal plant namely Ashwaganda-Withania
somnifera, which has mainly a rejuvenating property and acts as a nerve
tonic.
External treatment:
Following treatments are also given depending on the patient's condition.
Shiro Abhyanga and Shareera Abhyanga (special head and body oil application)
Shiro Dara Treatment (special head oil treatment)
Pinda Sweda Treatment (Mild oil massage is administered to the patient
with the help of special milk rice medicinal bundles made of cheesecloth.
Shiro Vasti treatment (Keeping oil over the head with the help of
special cap)
Nasya karma (drops inhaled through the nose)
Rasayana karma (Rejuvenation)
Prospects of cure:
Depends on the severity and complications of the disease. If in the early
stages, disease can be retarded, and symptoms can be controlled.
Minimum period of treatment in order to see improvements should be more
than four weeks.
