Ayurvedic treatments to combat Diabetes

Diabetes has been recognized by Ayurveda for centuries. Recognized as Madhumeha is Sanskrit nomenclature, it is primarily classifed as a kapha variantal disorder. Overall, Ayurveda identifies as many as twenty types of diabetes - four due to Vata, six from Pitta, and ten caused by Kapha.

A disease severely aggravated by the wrong kind of diet, its planning and implementation is the Ayurvedic cornerstone in managing diabetes. Sugar for starters - is avoided in any form. This particularly pertains to foods such as rice, potato, banana, cereals and fruits which possess high sugar content. A singular bitter dish is recommended in every meal, and it proceeds to advise the inclusion of vegetables such as bitter gourd, string beans and grains like Bengal gram into the diet.

Of them all, the bitter gourd is regarded as the best remedy for diabetes. Drinking at least one tablespoon of bitter gourd juice on a daily basis will help reduce blood sugar levels in blood and urine. In addition, having bitter gourd cooked in ghee for a period of a few months also helps in reducing diabetic reactions in the patient by enabling the pancreas and pancreatic glands to secrete insulin.

Ayurveda proceeds to recommend changes and improvements to one's lifestyle as well, in its zeal to combat diabetes. Aside from avoiding smoking and other obviously harmful activities, diabetics are advised to avoid sleeping during the day, prescribed regular eyecare and asked to take adequate care of the eyes and feet.

In essence, the strategies prescribed by Ayurveda in the treatment of diabetes and lowering blood sugar level are safe, easy to practise, and are free of any side effects whatsoever - establishing it as a core method in controlling this passive disease.

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.

The Amazing Benefits of Tulsi

In the traditional Indian medicine system and in Ayurveda in general, Holy Basil, commonly referred to as Tulsi, is considered to be a tonic to retain youth and avoid aging. Vitamins C and A, phytonutrients and the essential oils in Tulsi are all excellent anti-oxidants, and they protect the body from nearly all the damages caused by free radicals.

In all, the Tulsi is an important symbol on the Hindu religious tradition, and is worshipped in the mornings and evenings by Hindus at large. Its leaves are specific for several fevers. During the rainy season for instance, when malaria and dengue fevers are widely prevelant, tender leaves boiled with tea act as preventive agents against such bacteria that lead to those diseases. 

Furthermore, the herb is useful in teeth disoders too. A decoction of the leaves can be given, wherein pounded leaves mixed with sandalwood paste are applied on the forehead for obtaining relief from heat, headaches and for providing coolness in general. As an extension, Basil juice is an effective remedy for sore-eyes and night blindness, generally caused by a deficiency of Vitamin A.

The various texts of Ayurveda describe the properties of Tulsi in a favourable manner in many of their medicinal recommendations, terming it light to digest and effective in drying tissue secretions. Although it tastes hot and bitter, it can penetrate deep tissues and its anti-helmenthis properties normalizes the kapha and vata in an individual. Leaves, flowers, seeds and roots of Tulsi are also used in Ayurvedic preparations.

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.

Ayurvedic Remedies to Cure Asthma

Asthma is a common chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, including wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath. Thought to be a combination of environmental and genetic factors, its diagnosis is usually based on the pattern of symptoms and response to therapy over time. 

The occurrence of asthma has increased significantly since the 1970s. In 2011, 235–300 million people globally have been diagnosed with asthma, and it caused 250,000 deaths.

As with several other diseases, Ayurveda provides succinct answers to combat and eventually cure Asthma. For starters, Asthma can be aggravated through an improper diet. Certain foods in particular can make the vata highly active or clog the physiology, thereby worsening many of the symptoms of the disease.

One of the most important factors for balancing vata and keeping the natural cleansing processes strong is to have a lifestyle that does not disturb natural bodily rhythms. When we eat, sleep and exercise in constantly fluctuating and disturbing patterns, the body loses its natural balancing cycles and cannot cleanse or heal itself as effectively. Therefore, regularity in our daily routine can be extremely effective in reducing vata imbalances.

Moreover, traditional Ayurveda theory says that herbs are most effective after a person completes an internal cleansing program in the zeal to combat Asthma. The cleansing and rejuvenation treatments that one will receive daily are the main focus of treatment. Once such a program is finished, he or she is ready to gain maximum benefits from any subsequent herbal program for the rest of the season ahead.

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.

Is my Ayurvedic clinic Authentic?

We being Indians have adopted Ayurveda since childhood and our rich culture often talks about it, be it in our eating habits or the famous grandmother tips. Integrally, we all believe in Ayurveda. But when it comes to treatments and medicines, we are usually unsure as to where to go.

Let us examine what one should look out for when visiting an authentic Ayurvedic clinic.

1. Ask the name of the doctor and his/her qualification
When we go to a modern doctor, we most often check for his or her qualifications on the board or letter pad. The same should apply for an Ayurvedic doctor. In India, a doctor with a B.A.M.S. or Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery is identified as an Ayurvedic doctor or Vaidya. This can be followed by a Masters degree and doctorate as well.

Be aware that DNYS stands for Diploma in Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences.

2. Ask for a written prescription with details
Most often, there are no written prescriptions given. It is mandatory by law to purchase any medicine only on the basis of a written prescription. The prescription should have the details of the doctor and the the full name of the medicines being prescribed.

3. Accept medicines with proper labels where all ingredients are mentioned
It is your right to know what you are putting into your mouth. Insist on knowing every ingredient in the powder / bati / churna / asav, etc. you have been prescribed. You never know, you may just be allergic to a herb but just because it is not mentioned, you are left totally unawares!

4. Look out for the MRP!
If it is a well-labelled medicine, look out for the MRP. Else, if it is a customized medicine and you find it very expensive, ask the doctor for its details as there may be some rare herbs or other beneficial mineral or metal elements, which may be required for your body as per the treating Ayurvedic doctor. It may not harm to get this in writing as well. Also it pays to ask for a receipt for any future references.

5. Check out the cleanliness and hygienic conditions for a prospective treatment.
If you have been advised a Panchakarma treatment, do check out the hygiene levels at the clinic. The table you lie on, the utensils used for oils and other tools and equipments should be clean. All good clinics usually clean them in front of you with disinfectants after your treatment is done.

6. Insist on disposable material and sterilized instruments
While undergoing a treatment, insist on disposable sheets, undergarments and gloves. These are the basic hygiene requirements any reputed clinic should follow. The instruments should be well sterilized before every use.

7. Beware of spurious locations, rooms and therapists
Due to malpractices under the name of Kerela Ayurveda, a lot of spurious massage centers have opened up. Make sure the room you are getting your treatment done in does not have any hidden cameras (there are mobile apps now to detect this).  Refuse the treatment immediately if you find anything fishy with the surroundings or therapist.

8. Insist on doctor’s visits during treatment
One must insist that the therapy should be under the supervision of an Ayurvedic doctor. The doctor should visit you often to know the progress of your therapy. This may be more necessary for the first few sittings of your Panchakarma course than later on.

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.

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.