Ulcer

About thirty percent of the people in India are affected by different types of ulcer. Women are more prone to ulcer than men. Ulcer is prominent among the people in the age group of 25-40 years. People living in urban areas are affected by ulcer more than those in rural regions. More than 10,000 people die every year due to ulcer in the United States of America alone. Kerala and Tamil Nadu reports most of the ulcer cases in India.
What is Ulcer?
Generally wound or hole occurring in the linings of stomach and intestine is called Peptic Ulcer. Peptic Ulcer is of two types: Gastric ulcer and Duodenal ulcer.

Manuf. by: Aswani Ayurveda Pharma/ SSI Unit Savitha Herbal Products/ SSI Unit Kousthubham Herbal Products/ SSI Unit Herbal Health Products/ pmt. SSI Unit

Paul Varghese (USA) Vasudevan Nam. M Vijayakumar MLA

Gastric Ulcer

The wounds in the stomach is Gastric Ulcer. Gnawing stomach pain within an hour of eating is the main symptom of Gastric Ulcer. Due to the stomach pain, an ulcer patient will be disinterested towards food and hence will appear pale and tired.

Duodenal ulcer

The wounds in the beginning of the small intestine (duodenum) are duodenal ulcer. This ulcer causes pain after two and half to three hours of eating. The pain recedes when more food is taken. The infected person usually feels intense pain in the early hours (usually around 2 O’ clock in the morning). This is usually called ‘hunger pain’. Since the patients tend to eat between meals in order to reduce the pain, they will have more size and weight.

Pylorus Ulcer

The small tube joining the stomach and intestine is called pylorus. If ulcer occurs in the pylorus, the symptoms of both gastric as well as duodenal ulcer will be present. Since swelling and pain will be present in the intestine, the patients have a vomiting tendency.

Why does ulcer occur?

The mucus membrane of the stomach produces HCl and pepsin to digest the food. The hypothalamus or the pituitary controls the secretion of these gastric juices. If the gastric juices are not secreted in the proper quantity at the proper time, these chemicals interact with the mucus membrane, and gradually cause the wounds.
Another cause for ulcer is hyper acidity. It is caused due to the eating habits of the person. Overeating slows down digestion and the semi-digested food increases the acidity in the stomach. This causes a vomiting tendency.
Other factors affecting digestion are swallowing food without chewing properly, eating at improper times, and excessive use of hot and chilly food.

• Smoking and alcoholic beverages causes ulcer.
• Excessive use of tea and coffee increases the risk of getting ulcer.
• Hypertension is another cause for ulcer. Tension and grief stimulate the gastric nerves and causes secretion of the digestive juices. If this happens regularly, ulcer results. People with more responsibilities at work are found to be more prone to ulcer.
• Certain drugs may also cause ulcer. The prolonged use of medicines containing cortico steroids, salisilates, phynilbutazone, indomethacin will cause ulcer.
• Persons having respiratory disorders, liver disorders, hyper-thyroidism, and rheumatic arthritis are more prone to ulcer.

Symptoms

The main symptom is stomach the navel and the intensity of the pain may vary. The symptoms for duodenal and gastric ulcache. The pain occurs between the bottom of the chest and er have been discussed earlier. When a patient suffering gastric ulcer vomits blood, one suffering from duodenal ulcer usually loses blood along with stools (black stools).
A heavy feeling after meals, nausea, frequent burping or bloating is also symptoms.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis can be made from observation of the above-mentioned symptoms. Some modern techniques like ‘Barium meal X-ray’ is also used. Here barium sulphate is given on an empty stomach and X-rays are examined after 15 minutes and 3 hours.

Complications: Cancer and other diseases

If ulcer is not treated properly, the wounds may develop into perforations. The chance of cancer is also not negligible. The food particles may ooze out through the perforations into the abdomen and may result in a dangerous condition known as peritonitis. Surgery is the only option at this stage. Prolonged ulcer may also result in the ‘sionosis’ (shrinkage) of the digestive duct.

Ulcer: An Ayurvedic approach

Since ulcer is a disorder occurring at the stage when food is converted into energy, in ayurveda, ulcer is classified as Parinamasula. Tridoshas of Vatha, Kapha, and Pittha are obstructed during ulcer and hence leads to pain and discomfort.
Persons with vatha as the predominant dosha experience heavy stomachs and blockage of excretion. Intake of hot foods gives relief to pain.
The pain caused due to intake of chilly, salty or sour food is due to pitta. This kind of pain is relieved by the intake of cool food.
Vomiting and chest pain are associated with kapha. Bitter and chilly food gives relief.

Some controls: To avoid and to cure ulcer § Eat food only when hungry § Chew food properly § Reduce or avoid eating extreme foods like hot, spicy, chilly or sour food § Avoid tension and practice peace of mind § Avoid drinking and smoking and chewing tobacco § Reduce or avoid non-vegetarian food as they increases acidity § Avoid taking pain killers § Eat lightly § Include fruits and vegetables in the diet

Milk

Milk is found to heal the wounds in the stomach. Milk is alkaline and so neutralizes the acidity. Moreover, milk takes more time to digest. This gives more time for the medicines to take effect.

Food

Chew food properly before swallowing. Avoid drinking water during meals. Avoid chilly, sour and fried food. Also, avoid old food. Abstain from using tobacco and alcoholic drinks. Include fruits and vegetables in the diet. Frequent intake of Karpura Tulsi, Thazuthama and Vendhavallum is good for ulcer.

Hunger pain

Persons suffering from duodenal ulcer feel the pain 2 1/2 hours after eating. The pain recedes if food is taken immediately. The person feels grueling pain at night and the pain subsides when food is taken. This is known as hunger pain. Since the patient takes food frequently, he would appear healthy.
Persons suffering from gastric ulcer feel the pain within one hour of eating. Due to the intense pain he would be forced to vomit the food.

Treatment

By proper ayurvedic treatment ulcer can be cured without being serious. Pitta food is the best form of ulcer treatment. Sweet food items are used for its treatment.

Mix Badam powder in milk and take regularly Honey is good for ulcer. Take Sugar syrup (20ml in 60ml of milk) for three months. Eating banana daily is good for ulcer Take beetroot juice in honey. Hinguvachadi Churna is used for ulcer treatment

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Liver disorders

Liver: A wonderful organ
Liver is one of the most important organs in the human body. It is situated at the top-right corner of the abdomen, quite close to the heart. The liver is about four times as heavy as the heart. The liver performs many functions:

• It absorbs the poisonous contents from drugs, intoxicants and diseases and thus protects the body.
• Blood purification and the storage of vitamins and sugar is also the function of the liver.
• The liver generates the antibodies required to fight bacteria
• The impure blood goes to the heart through the liver. The liver adds proteins like albumin, fibrinogen, and globulin into the blood.
• The liver generates bilirubin. Bile is essential for the digestion of fat. Bile is also required for the removal of wastes like urea and uric acid from the liver.
• The liver separates minerals like iron and copper from the food and stores them. It also stores vitamins A, D and B.

Studies prove that liver performs around 60 biological functions. Diseases, alcohol and certain drugs adversely affect the functioning of the liver. Some of the common diseases that affect the liver is described below.

Jaundice - Yellow skin

This is a disease commonly occurring during summer. The bile produced by the liver is stored in the gall bladder and from there the required quantity is passed to the duodenum through the bile duct. This bile aids in the digestion of food. The disorders in the generation and supply of this bile lead to jaundice.
The bile gets its color because of the chemical bilirubin. Usually 100ml of blood contain 0.2mg to 0.5mg of bilirubin. When the content of bilirubin rises to around 3mg, it causes a yellow coloration of eyes and skin and jaundice results.

Symptoms

The primary symptom is yellow coloration of the skin and mucus membranes. The white region of the eyes will also appear yellow. The nails may also become yellow in some cases. If proper treatment is not given in the beginning itself the disease will become critical and the level of bilirubin in the blood rises to 4 to 8mg or even more. Since bilirubin is disposed through urine, urine may have a yellow or red coloration. The other symptoms of jaundice include tiredness, dizziness, vomiting, constant pain in the liver region, and a heavy feeling in the stomach due to the indigestion of fats.
There are three types of jaundice: 1) Obstructive jaundice
2) Hemolytic jaundice
3) Infective jaundice

Obstructive jaundice

This jaundice is caused due to the obstruction of the bile duct due to which the bile is not passed on to the duodenum and instead it mixes with the blood. The continued use of certain allopathic drugs (e.g.: sulphadiacin) can lead to this situation. The symptoms appear slowly and the bilirubin content in blood may rise to 30mg to 100mg.
The bile salt accumulates under the skin and causes severe itch. The eyelids feel heavy and swollen due to the accumulation of fat. The stool may have a white color and urine a yellow or red color in this type of jaundice.

Hemolytic jaundice

Due to certain diseases, the white blood corpuscles in the blood may be destroyed. So the liver secretes more bilirubin. This excess bilirubin may not be accepted by the bile and cannot be disposed completely through urine. So some bilirubin accumulates in the blood. Malaria and blood deficiency can accentuate the occurrence of this type of jaundice. The itch felt during obstructive jaundice is not experienced during Hemolytic jaundice. The stool may have a orange coloration.

Infective jaundice

This jaundice is caused due to viruses. Certain drugs and chemicals (carbon tetra chloride used in dry-cleaning and fire extinguishers; alcohol, chlorophorm, phosphorous, ferrous sulphate) can also lead to this type of jaundice. The presence of liver serosis and hay fever can also cause this jaundice. The absence of amino acids, which are generated during the disintegration of proteins, can also lead to this jaundice. The symptoms appear rapidly and the patient feels very weak and tired.

Means of infection

The blood and stool of the patient will be infected. The disease may also spread through food and water. The use of syringe without proper sterilization can also cause jaundice.

Treatment

The treatment of jaundice must start with purgation. The basic theory is that no burden be placed on the liver and for that, a daily purgative (allopaths recommend a saline purgative) is recommended. The disease is pittaja as per the tridoshas. Datri Lehya, Dathrya Arishta, Kalayanagritham, Nimbatriphalathikwatham, Punarvatika Kashaya, Vashanimbadhi Kashaya, Triphaladhi Kashaya, Nagarapal Kashaya, Chitrakadhi Churna, Trivridhathi Lehya, Padhyamandoora Vatika, Yakrutharivauham, Chitrakadhilouham, Dathrya Arishta and Parpatyadhi Arishta are effective for treatment of jaundice. Oil should not be used. Taking Shanku Bhasmam for seven consecutive days is very effective.
Kizharnelly mixed in milk is a good medicine both during as well as after the disease.

Food and rest

The food and rest is more important during the treatment of jaundice. Salt is prohibited for patients. Rice gruel without salt can be given. Fruits and fruit juices and milk is excellent for patients. The food should be given in small quantities as per digestion.
The patient should abstain from eating meat, fish and fried food. Alcohol and tobacco has to be avoided positively.
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Tuberculosis

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the bacterium responsible for tuberculosis. In ayurveda this disease is also called Rajayakshma.

Causes

The main factor responsible for the disease is the susceptibility to it, due to a constitution weakened by continuous ill health, a lowered power of resistance, hard work, excessive use of intoxicants. The disease tends to attack persons living in unclean surroundings. The disease causing bacteria can be considered more as an effect of the disease rather than as the cause for the disease.

Symptoms

The main symptoms of this disease are constant cold, irritating cough, fever, sore throat and chest pain. The patient feels difficulty in breathing and will have a consistent body pain. The cough may be accompanied by blood-flecked phlegm.
Tuberculosis affects different parts of the body. The common type, which affects the respiratory organs – pulmonary tuberculosis, is discussed here.

Treatment

The patient requires complete rest during the illness. He should be housed in an airy room where there is plenty of sunlight.
The patient should be given nutritious fruits and leafy vegetables as per digestion. The food, which can be easily digested, is best. Rice, wheat and oats can be used. Goat's milk, flesh, and fat, are useful for a TB patient. But since the digestion is slowed, vegetables are the best form of food.
One spoon of 5g Yavanathi Churna mixed in water can be taken before meals. 25ml of Drakshasavaristha can be served twice a day after meals. Yavanathi Churna in goat’s milk or curd is also good for the patient.
Cough: Severe cough is common in pulmonary tuberculosis. Quick relief is obtained by giving Yavaharithi Lahya and Kasari tablets powdered in ginger juice. Marichadi Churna is also effective for cough
Fever: Long spells of fever are common during TB. Kshemavilasarasam or Siddhamakaradhwajam or siddhajeevanadhwajam can be mixed in Eladhi Kashaya or Amrithadashamooladhi Kashaya or Indukantha Kashaya or Dhayanakadhi Kashya can be used for fever.

Home remedies

1. Drumsticks, patola, and kundru can be cooked as soup and served for the patient.
2. Coconut milk (100ml) in mixed with honey can be given to the patient.
3. A paste of Amukiram and Tipili can be mixed in equal proportions in honey and given to the patient.
4. Goat’s milk is good for the patient.
5. Powder Jeeraka, Chuku and Kuvunooru and take it with ghee.
6. The juice of the leaves and flower of Adalodaka can be mixed with sandal powder and taken with honey. This is good for blood-flecked phlegm.
7. The meat of goat and rabbit is good for TB patient. But the digestion has to be considered when having meat.
The primary thing in treatment of tuberculosis is to lead a healthy life abstaining from intoxicants and taking nutritious food. To regain health it is good to take powdered Amukura in milk or ghee.
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Asthma

A large percent of the world population suffers from asthma. All the causes for asthma has not yet been identified by medical science. Some of the main causes are outlined below.

Hereditary

Asthma is a hereditary disease. Some particles that are inhaled along with air reacts with the trachea and as a result, mucosal oedema is produced. Its main characteristic is the contraction of the trachea. So breathing becomes difficult. Asthma may also appear without hereditary reasons. Then this disease appears at a very late stage in life.

Allergy

When certain substances which cannot be accepted by the human body, are in taken through air or food, they acts as antigens. This situation is called allergy. The antigens cause antibodies to be produced in the body. Antibodies are chemicals called Gamaglobulin E. When these antibodies reach certain tissues in the skin, and trachea some reactions take place and chemicals like Histamin, Serotonin and Bradchynin are produced. Due to these, the trachea swells and the respiration become difficult.

Asthma: Special care

Sneezing, running nose and itch in the eyes and throat are symptoms of the beginning of the disease. Depending on the biological nature of the person, asthma may be triggered by allergens like dust in the atmosphere, pollen, saw dust, hay, flour etc. it is better to clean the house of an asthma patient with a wet cloth/mop rather than to dust it using a broom.

Ayurvedic view of asthma

Asthma is known as Tomaka Shvasa in Ayurveda. Tomaka means tiring. Asthma is supposed to originate from afflictions of the stomach and the gastrointestinal tract. The cause for asthma is improper food, hereditary and biological characteristics. Unhealthy weather with excessive sun or rain, stale food or the dust particles in the atmosphere can lead to blockade in the trachea and cause asthma.
The primary symptom of any respiratory disease is cough, and it is experienced by and asthma patient too.

Complications

If asthma is not treated properly from its onset, the consistent attack of the disease makes the weak body susceptible to other serious diseases. A condition called ‘emphysema’ is one of them. Asthma can also lead to heart diseases or can cause swelling in the stomach or legs.

Nutrition and lifestyle

Medicines will not cure asthma completely. Controlling the diet and eating habits are the way to cure asthma. The patient should adhere to the regulations mentioned below.
§ Eat cooked food only once a day.
§ Eat only when hungry
§ Do not over eat
§ Eat fruits and raw vegetables once a day
§ During severe asthma restrict the diet to fruits only
§ Water boiled with narichel and thazuthama can be used for drinking
§ Do not use milk and milk items
§ It is good to eat the leaves of tulsi and koovalam
§ Eat the dinner lightly and before 7 O’ clock
§ It is necessary to abstain from eating meat, fish, egg, fried food and bakery items

Treatment

The treatment for Tomaka Shvasa is explained in detail in ayurveda. Many medications like Dasamoola Shadyathi Kashaya, Bharghekanadi Kashaya, Pippiladhi Kashaya, Vaashaadhi Kashaya, Vidaryathy Kashaya, Drakshathi Churna, Jeerakathi Churna, Dhwanatharam Tablets, Brihatkasturyathi Tablets, Dathrathi Thilam, Agasthya Rasayana, Dashamoolaharithaki Lahya, Kushmanda rasayana, Vasha Arishta, and Kanakasava are used to treat asthma.

Home remedies

§ Grind the stem of touch-me-not (4 nos:) and jeeraka (7 nos:) and have twice a day before meals
§ Paste drumstick leaves in cucumber juice and have
§ Mix grinded touch-me-not in 50ml of coconut milk and have
§ Have the juice of some leafy vegetables twice a day
§ Make a kashaya of the root of ponnamthakara
§ Boil water with eucalyptus or pothina. Inhale the steam
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Hysteria

The feeling of a loss of sight, touch, smells or hearing with any visible physical disorders is called hysteria. Freezing of hands and legs, and fainting appear temporarily during hysteria. Hysteria is found more commonly among women.

Hysteria through history

Hysteria is one of the most mistaken diseases in human history. The ancient Egyptian medicine believed that the womb of a woman moved from one part of the body to another and during this movement, it caught stuck in some organs and caused hysteria associated with those organs. Hypocrites, the father of medicine believed that hysteria was caused due to sexual reasons and the best treatment was marry off the patient. Another ancient physician, Golan, believed that hysteria was caused by certain secretions in the woman’s womb to prevent them from having sex. In Europe during the medieval ages hysteria was viewed with superstition and torture and black magic was used as treatment for hysteria.
In the 18th century a French named Anton Mesmer was able to cure the symptoms of hysteria using hypnosis. This proved the world that hysteria is a disease that is related with trauma and mental illness. Charcott Breuer and Sigmund Freud conducted detailed studies about this disease. Their studies form the base of the modern theories about hysteria.

Sigmund Freud

Sigmund Freud is considered as the father of modern physcatry. His theory of hysteria is as follows. Faulty upbringing during childhood predisposes a person to hysteria. The sexual experiences during childhood reside in the subconscious mind of a child. Along with these shocking memories, the feelings of fear, tension and hate are expressed in the form of bodily disorder of hysteria. The sexual memories may be real or imaginary.

Hysteria: Modern theory

Hysteria is an activity of the subconscious mind to escape from intense grief or mental trauma. The people with certain hysterical personalities are more prone to the disease.

Symptoms

During hysteria, no visible symptoms appear on internal or external organs of the human body. The common symptoms are:

• A shivering sensation of head, arms and legs
• Difficulty in walking
• Contractions of the arms and limbs
• Loss of speech (Hysterical aphonia)
• Loss of sensation over areas of the body
• Loss of sight
• Head ache
• Feeing of a lump in the throat (Globus hystericus)
• Breathing disorders, burping and vomiting
• Cold sensation of arms and limbs
• Show the symptoms of certain physical diseases like appendicitis, tuberculosis or malaria
• Show the signs of conception in a woman without actually conceiving

Convulsive seizures are common during hysteria. Hysteria is contagious mental condition. Many people may be affected by hysteria in the same time in schools or work places. This is called mass hysteria. Hysteria is cured when the pollutants in the patients’ mind is removed. Psychotherapy and hypnotherapy are the important treatments for hysteria.

Yoshapasmara

Hysteria is known as yoshapasmara in ayurveda. Ayurveda regards hysteria as another form of epilepsy. It affects mainly young women. Menstrual disorders, sexual mania and blood deficiency can lead to yoshapasmara.
The primary symptom is freezing of arms and limbs and fainting. The person may faint repeatedly and the condition will last for hours at infrequent intervals. The feeling of a lump rising from the stomach and blocking the throat is common during hysteria. This is called Globus hystericus. Hysterical fits can seize the patient but it wont last as long as the epileptic fits.
Yoshapasmara wont happen during sleep. It will not happen during solitude too. Contractions of the nerves, deep breathing and swelling of abdomen are also common during hysteria.

Treatment

If the person faints due to hysteria the following treatments can be done.

• Sprinkle cold water on eyes and face
• Make the person sneeze by inserting a piece of clot in the nose
• Mix kasturi in cherupichakka thila and apply it on the stomach

If the person shows the symptoms of some other diseases, treatment has to be given for them too.

• It is good to give milk mixed with brahmi and vaimbu. Brahmigritham is also good for the patient
• The mental problems of the patient should be understood and taken care of.
• The menstrual disorders should be treated. Give ashtagandha arishta twice a day after meals. Ksheerabhala lahya can be applied on the head. Depending on the symptoms sukumara lahya, kalyanakaghruthum or kanashatahvathi lahya can be given to the patient.
• Garlic made as a kasaya in milk can be given for a few days
• Hot water boiled with 1g leaves of arutha can be given to the patient

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Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a historical disease. Many historical characters including Julies Caesar, Socrates, the French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, the Russian novelist Dostenovesky and Lord Byron the English poet suffered from this disease. An epilepsy patient was considered as a prophet of God by some cultures and as affected by he devil by some others. Hypocrates was the first person who contradicted this notion.

How does epilepsy occur?

The brain is the most integral part of the human body. It is the brain and the nervous system together which ensures the proper working of the human body. The brain cells usually works in a systematic order. When some improper event occurs in the brain, it overworks and as a result, electric energy is discharged and epileptic fits occur.

Causes

The actual phenomenon that lead to the unusual electrical discharges from the brain is yet unknown. Nevertheless, ayurveda identifies many reasons, which might lead to epilepsy.
Epilepsy is usually caused due to the damages of the brain. The damage may be caused during the pregnancy or birth of a child. Viral diseases like meningitis block the blood supply to the brain and can lead to epilepsy. Certain hereditary factors can also lead to epilepsy.
Ayurveda categorizes epilepsy into three types:
1. Mahapasmara - Grand mal
2. Laghuapasmara - Petit mal
3. Focal apasmara - Focal epilepsy

Mahapasmara (Grand mal)

The symptoms of this type are as follows. The patient suddenly goes into a state of unconsciousness and falls down. It is followed by a contraction of the muscles and the whole body is thrown into violent agitation. The eyes roll wildly, the teeth are gnashed together, and the tongue is often severely bitten. The breathing is noisy, and foam, flecked with blood, spouts from the sides of the mouth. The patient may even pass urine or stool during the seizure.
The patient shows these symptoms for a few minutes. Then the convulsion subsides, the muscles relax, and the patient feels drowsiness and stupor which may continue for some hours. When the patient wakes up, he will fell head ache and/or body ache. It is interesting that the patient may not remember anything about the seizure.

Laghuapasmara (Petit mal)

This type of epilepsy generally affects children. As the child finishes puberty, the disease may subside automatically. The symptom of this disease is that the patient may remain unconscious and still for a few seconds. After a few seconds in this absent-minded state, he will regain normality and continue with the tasks. The fits and foam associated with grand mal is not seen here.
It is difficult to identify this disease. Scientists believe that the disease originates in the central cellophane of the brain.

Focal epilepsy

The symptoms of this type are very similar to that of grand mal. The convulsions start from one part of the body and spread throughout along with violent agitation. The patient does not lose consciousness. This type of epilepsy always originates from a focus and will last for many days. Chewing movements of the mouth and a state of mental agitation are also symptoms of this type.
One sub category of focal epilepsy is Jacksonian epilepsy, which spreads from one part of he body to another. For example the convulsions may start at the face, spread to arms and there to legs and so on.

First aid Grind the root of white sankhupushpam (15g) in milk and give to the patient Grind the root of white amalpori (15g) in milk and serve Make a kashaya of kumiril root and serve with ghee Manufacturing of Herbal Soap,      "Abhirami Beauty Soap"

EEG

EEG (Electro Encephalograph) can be used to diagnose epilepsy completely. EEG meters the electrical activities of the brain. From studying the EEG of a person, epilepsy can be determined.

Precautions

Epilepsy patients should not do dangerous jobs. They should keep away from fire, water and should not drive vehicles. Swimming is also risky for such patients.

Ayurvedic theory

Ayurveda believes that the disease is due to the vitiation of any of the three doshas or all of them. It categorises epilepsy into three types, depending upon the vitiation of a particular dosha – vathapasmara, pittapasmara and kaphapasmara.

Treatment

Depending on the type of apasmara, vasti is important during vathapasmara, viracha during pittapasmara and vamana during kaphapasmara.
Strict diet restrictions have to be maintained as per the directions of the doctor. Medicines should be taken from the beginning of the disease onwards.
Red rice, lemon juice, wheat, and rice foods are good during this disease.
Meat, fish, tobacco and overeating have to be avoided. Overwork and late nights have also to be avoided. It is good to reduce salt in food.
Leaves of karinechi can be squeezed to juice and given to patient
Powdered vaimbu in honey and brahmi in honey or milk can also be given to the patient
A preparation of shathavari juice in milk is also used for epilepsy

Home remedies

Grind the stem of touch-me-not (4 nos:) and jeeraka (7 nos:) and have twice a day before meals
Paste drumstick leaves in cucumber juice and have
Mix grinded touch-me-not in 50ml of coconut milk and have
Have the juice of some leafy vegetables twice a day
Make a kashaya of the root of ponnamthakara
Boil water with eucalyptus or pothina. Inhale the steam
Take karuka juice daily
§ Smell arutha when the patient becomes unconsciousness
§ Grind to juice karikuvala and serve twice a day
§ Take garlic juice daily
Medicines like Brahmigritham, panchavavyagritham, mahal panchavavyagritham, jeevanthayathiyamaka, kashmaryathigritham, kushmandagritham, vacholodryathi kashaya, lashuna jeerakathi kashaya, shewathavela tablets, rasana shunyathigritham, shankupushpathigritham, abrakha bhasma, saraswathagritham, suwarnamukhthathi tablets, swarna bhasma, manasamithradakam can be given depending on the symptoms.
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Arthritis

Osteo Arthritis

This is found in people in the age group of 50 –60 years. It affects the knees hips and finger joints. The wear and tear of the joints due to age accentuate the probability of this disease. The disease is more probable at bones that had been fractured. Swelling does not appear in the first stages of this arthritis. The pain increases gradually and movement of the joints becomes difficult.

Infective Arthritis

This is a rare type, which is caused due to bacterial infection in the joints. People suffering from pneumonia, tuberculosis and blood infections are likely to have this arthritis. When the joints are infected, the bones and their coverings may be damaged. Pain, swelling and fever are symptoms of this arthritis. This arthritis is caused due to tuberculosis and gonorrhea.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

This type of arthritis can affect any one, but is found usually among people aged above 40 years. The disease increases with age. This type is found usually in cold countries. The blood of the patient will have a high content of a protein called rheumatoid factor. It is found commonly in the joints of fingers, knees and hips.
The first stage of this disease affects the sinovial membrane and the patient feels tired. It usually affects the finger joints first. Later the pain increases.

Ankylosing Spondylitis

In this type the joints of the backbone withers and the patient is unable to bend the body. The difficulty is felt severely in the shoulders and waist. The persons affected by this arthritis feel weakening of the aorta in the eyes.

Joint Pain and Other diseases

Joint pain does not mean arthritis, as it can appear as the symptom of many diseases. An example is systemic lupus, which affects the skin, blood vessels, heart, muscles and kidneys.

Gout

Gout, seen most often in males over 40 years old, is caused by the formation of crystals in the joints with subsequent inflammation. If proper treatment is not given, the crystals may accumulate in important organs like kidneys.

Rheumatic Fever

This disease is caused due to bacteria called strepto cocuss. Ear pain, tonsillitis, and scarlet fever are also caused due to these bacteria. This disease usually affects kids and adolescents.
The disease starts with a throat pain. It develops into a fever and joint pain in 2-3 weeks. The joint pain is usually experienced in the knees, wrist and ankle. In some patients intense temperature, swelling and pain may be seen. The pain alternates between joints in this type. The swelling and pain will subside without any special treatment.

Danger

Arthritis can lead to the infection of heart and its valves. This will affect the functioning of the heart. If treatment is not given immediately, the patients are likely to die.

Mytrelstrinosis

This is the usual valve disease caused due to arthritis. This disease affects the valve between the left auricle and ventricle. The same infection may also happen at the aortic valve. This disrupts the functioning of the heart.

St. Vitten’s Dance

If rheumatic fever affects the brain, the hands, legs and body experiences violent shivers. This gives a dancing movement and hence is named after the saint of dance and drama – St. Vitten. Injection of medicines every three weeks is required in this condition. Complete rest is needed until the level of ESR in blood returns to normal.

Paralysis

This usually leaves one side of the body and the lower part of the face paralyzed. The main reason for paralysis is brain and spinal cord diseases. The main factors leading to paralysis are:

• Damages to brain
• Block of blood vessels in the brain
• The bacterial diseases of brain – polio mellitus, meningitis

Corns

Corns can develop on any part of the body but they are usually found on legs and more rarely on hands. There are two types of corns. The first type grows as a black mole o the bottom of the foot and grows inwards. This is the type found usually in Kerala. The other type appears as a patch of harder skin. Both types cause immense pain.
When a wound occurs on the underside of the foot, due to sharp objects or rough surface, a growth occurs to cover the wound and develop into corn. In ayurveda it is known as kandaram or kachhavi. It is caused due to the dosas of kapha and vatha.

Causes

The deficiency is nutrition is one of the causes for corn. The deficiency of especially vitamin A can cause corn. So the patients should take leafy vegetables which contain a large amount of the vitamin.
Beverages like tea and coffee, smoking and chewing tobacco, and over alcoholism can cause corn. The use of tobacco is the most dangerous.

Treatment

It is difficult to cure old corns. For them surgery is necessary.

• Make a bundle of grinded ellu, boil it in ghee and place it on the corn.
• Taking gulguluthiktagritham for a long time is useful
• Make a paste of totta oil, erikuinpalu and ponkaram. Apply it on the corn
• Apply the milk of eriku for a few days
• Fry and powder tirisuparal, add to the white of an egg and apply to the corn for 2 weeks
• Dissolve rock salt in starch and apply for 2 weeks
• Boil the gum of cashew shell in kadaku oil and apply on the corn
• Mix equal quantity of erukinpal and kallipal and apply on the corn

The treatments will be effective only if the unhealthy habits like smoking and use of tobacco are not practiced.
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Ground Itch

Ground itch or miners itch is seen in people who do not use footwear. Hookworm is responsible for ground itch. Their eggs reach the soil through the stool of humans. They develop into larvae in favorable conditions of hot and humid soil. When people walk without using proper footwear, these larvae attach themselves to their foot. They enter the body through the sweat pores.

Symptoms

When the larvae enter the skin intense itch and pain will be experienced. Small red swellings are developed in those itching parts. They grow into small bubbles filled with serum. The itch recedes when these bubbles burst and the serum escapes.
The larvae, which entered the body, reach the heart and lungs through the blood. They reach the throat through the trachea and from there goes to the intestines where they reach full growth and reproduce.

Complications

Each worm may live upto seven years in the human body. A worm may be 1 to 2 cm long and has four teeth. Thousands of such worms may be present in a person. They attach themselves to the walls of the intestines using their teeth and suck blood. Due to this blood loss the patient appears anemic and tired.

Treatment

Using proper footwear can prevent the occurrence of ground itch to a great extant. Keeping the legs clean and using toilets are effective in stopping spread of ground itch. Some of the medicines used are:

• Apply grinded nellica in curd water, on the affected places
• Apply warm powdered ellanakari in curd water on the affected places
• Grind aryavepu and green turmeric and apply
• Wash legs with water boiled with the bark of cashew nut
• Grind garlic and turmeric together and mix in salt water. Apply the preparation on foot
• Apply the juice of eriku leaves.
• Also do the treatment for anemia

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Pediatric Diseases

Breast milk is the ideal food for a newborn baby. If breast milk is unavailable, never give the ready-made baby food to baby. They can be unhealthy for the child. Instead, feed the child with diluted goat’s or cow’s milk or coconut water. Feed it using a clean spoon or a nipple.
Use cotton clothes for the baby. Never use synthetic fibers like polyester or nylon. Never leave the child in damp clothes.

Breast milk

Breast milk is an important food until the child is one year old. So special attention should be given to the cleanliness of the breast. If the breast milk is unclean, the child will have diseases like constipation, dysentery, indigestion, phlegm, and difficulty in urinating.
Mother’s diet should be nutritious and easily digestible. Leafy vegetables should be taken regularly. Too much of milk, meat and fish is not good.

• Drink carrot or beetroot juice with honey for taste
• Make a kashaya of nerichal, orilaveeru, eratimadhuram, darghba, shathavari, jeevanthi, kurunthoti and sugarcane in milk and take with honey
• Take amukuram in coconut milk
• Grind muthanga and athividayam in curd andgive to the child
• From the 45th day onwards, grinded jathi in honey can be given to the child
• Give powdered athividiyam in muttahanga kashaya
• It is good to give a laxative like avaipathi churna or drakshathi lehya in the beginning stages
• During disease, give only light food that can be easily digested. Meat, fish and fried food have to be avoided.

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• Intestinal Worms

  Worms appear in the intestinal tract due to the excessive impurities in the body. The worms spread through stools, blood and phlegm.

  Lack of cleanliness is the cause of worms spreading through stools. Such worm may spread through hair, skin, and unclean clothes. The worms that spread through phlegm causes constipation, indigestion, tastelessness, excessive saliva, sneezing, head ache, cough, cold and a vomiting tendency.

  The different types of worm infections are discussed under.

  Hookworm

  The infection of this worm can be diagnosed from the following symptoms – ground itch, anemia, swollen eyelids, increased heart rate and swollen stomach.

  Roundworm

  The worms are passed out with the stools of infected persons. When unwashed fruits and vegetables is eaten, the eggs of the worm enters the human body. It may also spread through unclean water.

  Symptoms: greed for food, stomach ache, large stomach even though the body is skinny, need to pass stool frequently, and worms in stool.

  Complications: Roundworm may cause iosinophelia, which is characterized by cough, fever, itch and breathing difficulty. The larva spreads to the lungs through blood and can cause pneumonia. The worms may multiply in the intestine and block the digestive tract. They may also reach the trachea and block breathing. The worms secrete a poisonous chemical called ‘askaran’ which may cause typhoid.

  Threadworm

  This worm is usually present in the large intestine and the rectum. The worm lays eggs in the anus during night. Itch occurs due to the eggs and if scratched with fingers, the eggs get stuck between the nails. These eggs are taken in along with the food. The eggs thus reach the body and are hatched, and the cycle repeats.

  The main symptom is an itch in the anus. Proper cleanliness, trimming of fingernails, and taking preventives are the ways to prevent the infection.

  Tapeworm

  There are different types of tapeworms. The worm spreads through mutton, pork and fish. These animals eat the stool of infected people or drinks dirty water and the larva remains in the body of these animals. The spread of the worm can be prevented by eating properly cooked food and by passing stool in the toilet only.

  Symptoms: Voracious appetite, diarrhea, anemia, headache and constipation are the common symptoms.

  Amoeba

  Amoebas are single celled organisms. They enter the body through water and stale food. They are responsible for a very severe disease called amoebic dysentery. The symptoms are stool mixed with blood and phlegm. If not treated immediately, it will affect the liver and lead to complications.

  The preventive measures are to drink only boiled water, to avoid eating stale food and to use toilet for defecation.

  Giadria

  Dysentery, pain, and discomfort of the stomach will be caused due to this worm. The worm spreads through dirty water. The disease, giadriasis, causes intense pain during passing of stools.

  Treatment

  1. Take the milk of papaya in milk or honey before sleeping or at early morning
  2. The seed of papayacan be grounded and taken as above

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Sinusitis

Sinusitis refers to an inflammation of the mucous membrane lining the Para nasal sinuses. Sinuses are the airy chambers behind the nose. In ayurveda, sinusitis is known as peenasa or prathishayam.

Recurrent common cold is the first stage of this disease. Excessive or constant sneezing, running nose, blockage of nostrils and headache usually felt in forehead and just below the eyes are the common symptoms of sinusitis. Sometimes a difficulty in breathing and speaking is experienced.

Allergy is one of the reasons for sinusitis. Spices, powders, flowers, pollen, hair and smoke are seen to actuate the disease and it is advisable to keep away from those.

Diet restrictions also have to be maintained. The patient should not have fried, salty and spicy food. Reduce consumption of meat and fish. Include vegetables in the diet. Citrus fruits and milk products are good during this disease.

 sinusitis patient should not use cosmetics, hair oils and perfumes.

Types of sinusitis

In peenasa due to vatha, sneezing, blockage of nostrils, headache and pain near the eyebrows is experienced. In peenasa due to pitta fever, thirst, and phlegm from the nose is experienced. Cough, tastelessness, difficulty in breathing, sweet sensation in the mouth, and an increase in weight are the symptoms of peenasa due to kapha. Apart from these, peenasa can also occur due to tridosa.

Dhustapeenasam

If the different types of sinusitis are not treated properly, they develop into a complicated state called dhustapeenasam. Fever, lack of appetite, chest pain, blocking of nose, and diseases of eyes and ears are the common diseases during dhustapeenasam.

Lifestyle

The patients should avoid bath in cold water, severe food, and alcohol. It is good to fast during sinusitis.

Treatment

In peenasa due to vatha, a mix of rock salt in vidharyathigritham can be used. Dasamoolakulathathigritham can be taken either alone or with rice. Pathmakathigritham can be used in peenasa due to pitta and in peenasa due to kapha powdered chavarka in ghee can be given. For dhustapeenasam vashyathigritham, and musthathigritham are good. To kill the microbes of sinusitis, it is good to inhale powdered rama tulsi.

The diet of a sinusitis patient should include food rich in vitamin A. leafy vegetables, carrot, mango, papaya, and pumpkin are good sources of this vitamin.

Take vyishwanaram in goat’s urine

Take a mixture of turmeric and wheat powder in goat’s urine

Make a kashaya of equal portions of adalodaka root, dashamoolam, and trikudu and take it with honey for a month

Take veepinpatta kashaya

Dashamoolakuduthriathi kashaya is effective

Rubbing rasanathi churna on the crown of the head is effective against cold

Applying rasanathi oil, asanavilwathi oil and asanaeladi oil on head is also effective

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Tonsillitis

Tonsillitis is the inflammation of the tonsils-the small rounded masses of mainly lymphoid tissues behind the tongue, on either side of the pharynx. It is caused due to the dosa of kapha. Fever, cough and pain while swallowing are the common symptoms. If proper treatment is given, it cures fast and will not occur again.

In old times, the allopathic doctors used to remove the tonsils if it became infected frequently. Now days the importance of tonsils in a person’s immune system has been accepted and the surgery is not favored.

Food

The main cause for tonsillitis is improper food and drinks. Meat and fish cause tonsillitis and has to be restricted or reduced. Cold food and drinks also should not be taken. Leafy food and vegetables with fiber should be included in diet. Eat only when hungry and then too lightly. Egg, milk and milk products are bad for tonsillitis. Yogurt can be taken. Generally, food that increases kapha should b avoided.

Complications

If proper treatment is not given, the inflammation of the tonsils may become severe. It may also affect the ear and cause pain and may affect hearing.

Treatment

Fasting for a day taking only coconut water or limewater will help in curing the disease faster. If the patient is too hungry, fruit juices or rice gruel can be given.

An equal mix of amrithapathyathi kashaya, amritha arishta and gulgulutiktha arishta is good for fever and inflammation. If the breathing is difficult due to phlegm, siddhajarakadhwajam or dasamoolakaduthraya kashaya can be used. The other treatments are:

• Grind the leaves of muyalchevian and apply to throat
• Apply grinded garlic to throat
• Yavaksharathi churna mixed in honey can be applied to the infected tonsil to ease the inflammation.

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Tips for Facial Beauty

Fairness

• Boil water with grounded coriander, ayamodakam and jeeraka. Apply this water on the face daily before sleeping
• Grind the bark of neermaruthu in milk and apply on face
• Grind apple, cucumber of papaya in water and apply to face for an hour. Wash off with warm water
• Drink lukewarm lemon water
• Mix equal quantity of lemon juice, tomato juice and mullanki juice and apply to face for half an hour
• Mix a paste of sandal and karpura and apply to face before sleeping
• Grind jeeraka and salt equally and apply to face

Black marks on the skin

• Take equal quantity of milk skim, honey and cucumber juice, and apply on face. Within two weeks the marks will vanish

Grind leaves of tulsi and turmeric and apply on the face Wrinkles Apply milk skim and kasturi manjal on face

Abhirami Beauty Soap, Shari Hair Oil and Sanjay Lehyam

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Mouth diseases

The main reason for mouth diseases is the problems in digestion and the lack of nutritious food or the inability of the body to absorb nutrition from food. These diseases can be prevented by keeping good eating habits. Do not over eat, chew food properly and take nutritious food to keep mouth diseases away. Clean mouth properly before and after eating. Brush teeth at morning and night. Avoid smoking, drinking, chewing tobacco and taking severe food. These will prevent mouth diseases to an extent.

Mouth wounds

This is a common mouth disease. The first symptoms are small pimples in the inner mouth. These then break and form wounds.

Indigestion, deficiency of vitamin B and C, fever, and gastric diseases are the main causes of this disease.

The regular use of meat, fish, milk, butter and fast food can lead to the disease. The habit of eating vegetables only and only when hungry will prevent this disease.

Treatment

• Grind muthil and green turmeric and drink on an empty stomach with nellika juice
• Grind leaves of aryaveepu and one-third proportion of pepper. Make a nellika pramanam with those and take with curd twice a day
• Keep lime juice in the mouth for some time
• Mix triphala powder in yogurt and keep in the mouth for some time
• Take triphala powder along with honey
• Take the leaf juice of mutthil on an empty stomach

Dry and cracked lips

This usually occurs during cold season. Apply coconut oil or butter on the lips to prevent dryness. Cows fat can also be applied if there is pain.

Fungus in the tongue

A type called akkaraam is found on the tongue.

• Grind kadukka in curd and applyon the tongue

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  Cough

  Cough can be considered more as a symptom tan as a disease. Cough appears as a symptom of diseases ranging from common cold to tuberculosis. Usually cough is caused due to polluted air due to dust and smoking or due to over work, over-exercise and severe food. In ayurveda cough is known as kasa. Cough is also a biological process by which the body expels the impurities in the respiratory organs, like dust, phlegm, and disease causing microbes.

  Ayurveda classifies kasa into eight heads:

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