Dealing with Hair Loss, the Ayurvedic Way

Ayurveda believes that hair fall control is very much associated to the body type and also the stability of one's mind-body structure. Ayurveda considers the hair as a byproduct of bone formation; the tissues which are responsible for formation of bones are also responsible for the growth of hair..

Hair fall is thereby considered to be a problem of pitta-dosha in Ayurveda and its excess in the body is the chief cause of hair problems.. Ayurvedic hair loss treatment measures are known for their effectiveness, and they include diet, meditation, yoga, and a conventional medicated herbal oil massage.

As hair fall is considered a problem of the pitta-dosha, one needs to identify his or her bad eating habits that are contributing to the increase of pitta in the body. Pitta is increased by excessive intake of tea, coffee, alcohol, meats as well as excessive smoking. Pitta is also aggravated by eating too much of fried, oily, greasy, spicy, sour, and acidic foods.

The popular herb as recommended by Ayurveda is the Bhringaraaja. Known as king of hair, it promotes hair growth across the scalp and effectively stops and eventually reverses balding and premature graying. It also helps to calm the mind promoting sound sleep. Bhringaraaja (Eclipta prostrata) is taken internally and used externally as Bhringraj oil and is an excellent rejuvenator.

Further prescriptions include Aloe-Vera juice, fresh juices of carrot, alfalfa, lettuce and spinach, as well as the daily consumption of yogurt. Of course, the power of green leafy vegetables in preserving hair cannot be underestimated either. On the other hand, alcoholic drinks have an animosity with hair so they are best avoided.

This blog is powered by Baidyanath Life Sciences, who bring about authentic Ayurvedic wellness treatments through its centres in Nagpur. Contact us at (0712) 2551413/(0712) 2440020 to schedule an appointment.

Ayurveda's Success Story Abroad

Despite Ayurveda's 2000-year long history as a robust indigenous medical system of India, it has a dynamically, continually changing past and present: as Ayurveda spreads from the East to West and encounters new influences, it has become redefined by cultural and social biases.

Beginning in the 1960s, Ayurveda has begun to be advertised as "alternative medicine" in the Western world. Due to different laws and medical regulations in the rest of the world, Ayurvedic practices or terminology have also been adapted specifically for Western consumption, notably in the case of "Maharishi Ayurveda" in the 1980s.

Ayurvedic  and European doctors initially encountered one another through the spice trade that also exchanged botanicals and pharmaceuticals. Some Indian medicinal knowledge had already spread through texts and oral transmission. Later, the export of medicines along with the basic knowledge of their traditional applications became an intentional, large-scale commercial enterprise. By the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, during the British colonial period, this exchange reached its peak. Colonial Britain and British scholars initially took a keen interest in the ancient medical system and encouraged the study and practice of Ayurveda.

Besides the initial pre-colonial and colonial transfers of Indian medical knowledge, Ayurveda arrived to North America and Europe as Indian immigrants spread across the globe. However, very little information about Indian medicine (homogeneous or otherwise) became accessible to the public. In the 1970s and 1980s however, the political and social environment was largely characterized by an effort and rebellion against the mainstream. During this time, Ayurveda came into public view primarily through the New Age movement that rallied around the work of a few individual spiritual leaders. 

Today, Ayurveda has specialized its chief market even further to young, white, middle to upper class society. The past couple of decades have brought a surge in products, books, and classes that address proponents, through Ayurvedic versions of beauty care, yoga, aromatherapy and weight loss programs. Interestingly, this trend has reached India as well; even modern Indian Ayurveda is being marketed for both Indian and Western audiences.

This blog is powered by Baidyanath Life Sciences, who bring about authentic Ayurvedic wellness treatments through its centres in Nagpur. Contact us at (0712) 2551413/(0712) 2440020 to schedule an appointment.

Ayurveda during the Winter Months

Winter, the dark and cold season can really test our body and minds – with a plethora of coughs, runny noses, sinuses, joint pains and depression, just about everything is slow and dull. It thus becomes important to strengthen our immunity system. One might have noticed that people feel hungrier during winters, which is quite normal given the fact that digestion is stronger in winters. Hence, the body is capable of nourishing itself better.

Hectic lifestyles, pollution and irregular dietary habits result in the accumulation of toxins in the body - which contribute to a general imbalance, ultimately resulting in illnesses of various sorts. Ayurveda recommends releasing these toxins, and the ideal time for this is during the onset of Winter, Spring and Fall. Mild therapy is strongly recommended by Ayurvedic doctors to beat the winter blues too.

For starters, this is the time for the body to balance. Panchakarma and detoxification does exactly that for our body by eliminating toxin. Because of this, the absorption of the nutrients within food also increases drastically. Light therapeutic body massages with Vata balancing herbal oils, head massages and Shirodhara are highly recommended for this period. It is often seen that allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, allergies and cough and cold problems get aggravated during the winters. Ayurveda suggests a Nasya therapy, one of the popular therapies of Panchakarma to get rid of these symptoms if treated on timely basis. It is a short course of 8-11 days carried out under the supervision of expert Ayurvedic doctors.

As per the general myth, Panchakarma is not only about oil therapy. Oil therapy pertains more to the Purvakarma which is performed before Panchakarma and involves oil massages, herbal steams, etc. While Panchakarma refers to five treatments that purify the body and soul and evacuate the vitiated Doshas from the body. The five elimination techniques are Basti (medicinal enemata), Vamanam (induced emesis), Virechan (medicinal purgation), Nasya (nasal administration) and Raktamokshan (blood-letting). Which Panchakarma therapy will suit a given person as per their constitution and ailments or complaints is prescribed by the Ayurvedic doctor.

As far as the toxins are concerned, they are primarily accumulated in the large intestine, which acts as a waste bin for the body. This causes symptoms like the fullness of the abdomen, gas formation, excess belching and yawning, headaches, hyperacidity, irritability and joint pains. Hence, it is important to improve the digestive system and clear the large intestine. Basti plays a significant role in such conditions. Basti is a therapeutic process in which medicated oils and herbal preparations are used to flush toxins from the intestinal tract. Basti offers greater healing benefits than traditional water-based colon cleansing because the herbalized oils enter the deeper tissues and eliminate fat-soluble toxins.

The quality and efficacy of the oil used plays an important role in such therapies. Unlike most small setups, special care should be given on hygiene and cleanliness. Since Panchakarma and other therapies involve sensitive treatments like Basti, Vamanam, Virechanam and Netratarpana, it is important that the room is dust free. The clinics must use disposable items only and specially sterilized equipments. In addition, there should be expert doctors present at all times at the time of the treatment along with well-trained therapists.

There are special therapeutic Yoga classes held at the Baidyanath Life Sciences clinic every morning. These classes are open to all of the public at very nominal prices and is complimentary for most of the patients in the clinic. Asanas, meditation, pranayam and kriyas are all part of the Yoga classes. To provide the best in Ayurveda for Nagpurians, medicines, doctors or mental and physical balance is what the Baidyanath clinic aims for. A lush green garden and a soothing ambience , and helpful and smiling staff makes one instantly comfortable.

This blog is powered by Baidyanath Life Sciences, who bring about authentic Ayurvedic wellness treatments through its centres in Nagpur. Contact us at (0712) 2551413/(0712) 2440020 to schedule an appointment.