Gallstones Gallstones Gallstones are a kapha disorder associated with underactive thyroid and slow metabolism. Gallstones begin with stagnation of bile in the gallbladder. The bile becomes thick, accumulates, coagulates, and slowly leads to stone formation.
Prevention of gallstones, and what to do when gallstones are present, are two different lines of treatment. First let’s consider what to do when gallstones have already developed.
TO ALLEVIATE THE PAIN. In general, gallstones are not painful. They may remain in the gallbladder for a long time without causing any pain; indeed, you will not know they are there. Pain occurs when the gallbladder tries to push the stones out of the gallbladder through the bile duct.
To reduce pain, put a warm castor oil pack on your abdomen. Castor oil produces a slow, sustained heat that is soothing and healing. Warm up about 3 tablespoons of castor oil and pour it onto a handkerchief or other soft cloth, spreading it equally on the cloth. Place this compress on the abdomen above the gallbladder (on the right side of your abdomen, above the line of your navel and below the ribs). If you have a hot water bottle, you may place it on top of the pack to keep it warm. (Electric heating pads are not recommended.)
FOR ACUTE ATTACK. During an acute gallstone attack, use this herbal formula:
musta 4 parts
trikatu 3 parts
guduchi 6 parts
Take ¼ teaspoon of this mixture 2 or 3 times a day with honey. It will reduce the pain and ease the gallbladder attack.
LIVER FLUSH TO ELIMINATE THE GALLSTONE. When the pain is gone, you can do a liver flush to wash out the gallstone. This liver flush should not be done if the stone is large, so before doing the treatment it is vital to get an ultrasound report on the exact size of the gallstone and consult with your physician about using the treatment. If it is a small and recently formed stone, this treatment will help. If it is quite large, such as 3 to 4 mm. in diameter, then the flushing treatment will not be good.
TIME TO SEE THE DOCTOR
IMPORTANT: This liver-flushing treatment should not be done without the approval and guidance of your physician or the direct supervision of an Ayurvedic physician. Otherwise, you may damage the gallbladder and experience dangerous complications.
Combine 8 ounces olive oil, 4 ounces lemon juice, a chopped fresh garlic clove, and ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper. Drink this entire mixture in the early morning (at about six o’clock) on an empty stomach. Don’t eat anything until at least noon. If you feel thirsty, drink hot water or a little lime juice.
The treatment is a shock to the gallbladder, which contracts and squeezes the gallstone(s) out into the duodenum.
That night, take ½ teaspoon of triphala with warm water. The next day you will pass some green stuff in the stools. This is thick, coagulated bile containing the gallstone crystals.
PREVENTION OF GALLSTONES. In order to prevent gallstone formation, one has to improve both thyroid function and metabolism. In general, the following formula is effective:
punarnava 5 parts
shatavari 4 parts
kutki 2 parts
chitrak 2 parts
musta 3 parts
shilajit ¼ part
This mixture (¼ teaspoon 3 times a day with honey), taken regularly for 2 to 3 months, will help to prevent gallstone formation.
YOGA POSTURES. Several yoga asanas are beneficial for prevention of gallstones. The Bow pose, Peacock pose, Spinal Twist, and Narayan pose (lying on the left side) will help to empty the gallbladder. (For illustrations of yoga postures, see appendix 4.) These postures will improve circulation in the gallbladder, helping to prevent the crystallization process.
DIET. Stay away from deep-fried food, dairy products such as yogurt and cheese, and all fatty foods, especially animal fat and any saturated fat. These accelerate coagulation of bile into gallstones.
Gas and Flatulence No one under the sun is exempt from flatulence. Every person at some time or another gets gases and disturbances in the colon.
We are all vulnerable to this condition for several reasons. First, the colon is the main seat of vata dosha, the dosha that is derived from ether and air. If vata increases in the colon, due to eating vata-aggravating foods, cold weather, anxiety, insomnia, and other factors, gases may build up. Also, whenever we eat anything, we swallow a small amount of air, which increases vata. And any food we eat undergoes slight fermentation, which produces gases. These gases, in the segmented colon, create flatulence, distension, and discomfort.
Here are some effective ways to control flatulence.
GINGER REMEDY. Grate some fresh ginger root until you have about 1 teaspoon of pulp, and add 1 teaspoon of lime juice. Take this mixture immediately after eating.
LEMON JUICE REMEDY. Another simple method to reduce excess gas is to stir 1 teaspoon lemon juice and ½ teaspoon baking soda into 1 cup cool water. Drink it down quickly, right after meals, for best results! (It forms carbon dioxide, which facilitates digestion.)
CUMIN-FENNEL-CELERY SEED MIXTURE. Prepare a mixture of roasted cumin, fennel, and ajwan seeds (Indian celery seed) in equal proportions. (See this page-this page for suggested method of preparation of roasted seeds.) After each meal, take about ½ to 1 teaspoon of this mixture, chew well, and swallow with about ⅓ cup warm water.
CHARCOAL TABLETS. Another simple remedy is charcoal tablets, which you can buy in most health food stores. Swallow two tablets after lunch and dinner. The charcoal absorbs gases and helps to prevent flatulence.
HERBAL TABLETS. Ayurveda also suggests the herbs shankavati and lasunadivati. These herbs are useful for an aching stomach and are helpful to reduce flatulence. Take 1 tablet (available from most sources of Ayurvedic herbs) at night for 5 days.
DIETARY GUIDELINES. Flatulence is mostly a vata condition, so following a vata-pacifying diet can help prevent it. Avoid raw foods, cold food and drinks, and most beans. (See chapter 8 for guidelines.) Fermented foods also increase gases in the colon, so it’s best to avoid them.
IRIPHALA. Finally, it is helpful to take the herbal compound triphala. At night before going to bed, steep ½ to 1 teaspoon triphala in a cup of boiling hot water for 5 to 10 minutes, then drink it.
Glaucoma Increasing intraocular pressure, due to accumulation of kapha dosha in the vitreous humor (the viscous fluid inside the eyeball), is called glaucoma. When glaucoma is occurring in an eye, palpation will show a tenseness in that eye. If pressure in the eye becomes high, headaches may occur. Glaucoma may become a serious condition and can cause blindness, so one has to be very watchful.
In persons who lift heavy weights (either at work or for exercise), who strain in exercise, who have high cholesterol or high triglycerides, or who have diabetes or nicotine toxicity due to smoking, intraocular pressure has a tendency to increase and may lead to glaucoma.
If upon examination by an eye doctor it is determined that you have higher than normal intraocular pressure, these remedies may be helpful.
AN HERBAL REMEDY. In earlier stages of glaucoma, Ayurveda treats this problem with the following formula, which will help to relieve the tension in the eye:
punarnava 5 parts
jatamamsi 3 parts
shanka pushpi 3 parts
Boil 1 teaspoon of this mixture in a cup of water for a few minutes to make a tea. Drink twice a day.
TRIPHALA TEA EYEWASH. To relieve the tension in the eye, wash the eyeball with triphala tea, which helps to regulate pressure in the eye. Boil ½ teaspoon triphala in 1 cup water for 2 minutes, strain it thoroughly (through cheesecloth double-folded, or through a coffee filter) so that no particles of triphala remain in the tea, cool it down, and wash the eye. (For more on triphala, see appendix 2.)
TREAT THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. In addition, one has to determine and then treat the root cause of the glaucoma. If the problem is diabetes, follow the instructions in the section “Diabetes.” If high blood pressure is the problem, then try to regulate the blood pressure (see “Hypertension”). If you have high triglycerides and high cholesterol, then you have to control that (see “Cholesterol”).
REDUCE KAPHA. Follow a kapha-pacifying diet. Especially avoid coffee, white sugar, and dairy products.
BE CAREFUL OF EXERCISE. Strictly avoid heavy weightlifting and similar straining. When you do yoga postures, avoid inverted poses such as Headstand and Shoulder Stand.
Gum Disease See also “Teeth and Gums—Ayurvedic Care”
Gum disease includes receding gums, bleeding gums, gingivitis, and swollen gums. From an Ayurvedic perspective, excess vata dosha leads to receding gums, while pitta dosha is responsible for bleeding gums, gingivitis, and swollen gums.
FOR GENERAL CARE. For general cleaning of the teeth and caring for the gums, Ayurvedic dentistry recommends the use of certain bitter and astringent herbs, particularly neem, which is bitter, and lodhra, kushtha, and bilva, which are all astringent. You can make an excellent cleanser for brushing your teeth by mixing the powdered form of these herbs. You can use neem plus any one of the other three, mixed in equal proportions.
Rinsing your mouth with a tea made from these herbs is also beneficial.
You can also buy any one of several commercial toothpastes with neem and other Ayurvedic herbs in natural food stores or by mail order (see Resources).
FOR RECEDING GUMS. Receding gums expose the roots of the teeth, and then both the gums and teeth become sensitive to cold and more susceptible to infection. To help with this problem, take a mouthful of warm sesame oil, and swish it around in your mouth for about 3 minutes before going to bed. Then massage your gums with your index finger. It is better not to rinse with water afterward; leave the oil residue in your mouth.
FOR BLEEDING GUMS AND GINGIVITIS. Triphala tea is effective for gingivitis and bleeding gums. Triphala has astringent qualities, and it is a hemostatic—that is, it stops bleeding. Gargling and swishing the mouth with triphala tea are helpful for both gingivitis and bleeding gums.
• One cup orange juice with ½ teaspoon natural sugar and a pinch of cumin will help bleeding gums.
• Drink the juice of ½ lemon squeezed into a cupful of water.
• Raw apples are also beneficial. Eating a raw apple about an hour after meals helps to clean the teeth and heal the gums. Pears are also effective.
• Eat some melon, chewing it slowly. (Again, at least an hour after meals.)
• Try eating about 10 to 20 raspberries 2 or 3 times a day on an empty stomach. (Don’t combine them with any dairy products.)
• Massaging the gums with coconut oil can also help heal gingivitis and bleeding gums.
FOR INFECTED GUMS. Tea tree oil is effective for painful infected gums, as is clove oil. Both help to reduce pain and heal the infection. All you need is one drop of tea tree or clove oil directly at the site of the pain. A small piece of natural, edible camphor will also take care of pain in the gums. (Do not use synthetic camphor; it is poisonous.)
• Dental floss with tea tree oil will take care of infected pockets in the gums below the gumline. Some dental floss treated with tea tree oil is available commercially; otherwise, just dip the floss in the oil prior to flossing.
Hair Care Secrets In Ayurveda, hair (along with nails) is considered to be a by-product of bone formation. The dhatu or tissue responsible for building bones (asthi) also gives rise to the hair. (For an explanation of the dhatus, please see this page.)
Thus, proper nutrition of the bones is necessary for healthy growth of your hair. If you don’t completely absorb calcium and magnesium, for example, not only will your bones be adversely affected, but your hair may become brittle, develop split ends, break easily, and even begin to fall out.
It is important to note that if your hair is unhealthy, it may be an indication that you are not absorbing these minerals effectively; this suggests that the health of your bones will be—or may already be—adversely affected. So the health of your hair (as well as your nails) is a good indicator of the health of your bones.
The following Ayurvedic secrets of healthy hair will help you keep your hair’s natural strength and luster.
PROPER DIET. Healthy hair depends first upon eating nutritious food. Dairy products such as cheese, milk, and freshly prepared yogurt are good for bones and hair, as are white radish and daikon. Coconut, cooked apples, and cabbage are also beneficial.
TAKE A MINERAL SUPPLEMENT. You can improve the condition of your hair (and also strengthen your bones) by taking supplements of calcium, magnesium, zinc, and other minerals. An effective formula will contain a daily dose of about
| calcium | 1,200 mg. |
| magnesium | 600 mg. |
| zinc | 60 mg. |
Oil Massage for Hair Health and Beauty
Rubbing a little oil on your scalp is beneficial for your hair. Amla oil, bhringaraj oil, and brahmi oil are all cooling, are quite favorable for healthy growth of your hair, and help maintain the hair’s natural luster. These oils are fine for all body types. (Please see instructions on how to prepare these oils in appendix 2.)
Before going to bed, rub 2 teaspoons of the oil onto your hair. Note that the object here is to apply the oil to the scalp, not the hair. Gently massaging the scalp improves circulation at the root of the hair and thus increases the supply of nourishing minerals that support the roots.
First pour the oil into a small dish. (You may wish to warm it up a little.) Dip your fingertips into the oil, and then run your fingers through your hair, with the intention of getting the oil to the scalp, not oiling the hair. Gently massage from the center of your scalp (the crown of your head) down toward your ears. A rough or rapid application may disturb the roots of your hair.
SESAME SEEDS. Every morning, eat a handful of white sesame seeds. One handful of sesame seeds contains about 1,200 mg. of calcium and magnesium and promotes healthy growth of your hair.
COCONUT WATER FOR CALCIUM. Drinking coconut water (the “juice” inside the fresh coconut) also helps to provide essential calcium for hair growth. You can have ½ cup a day. Drinking coconut milk (made from coconut “meat” blended in water) is also helpful, but is a second choice.
NOTE: If you have high cholesterol, you may not want to use so much coconut, as coconut is high in saturated fat, which increases cholesterol in the blood.
STIMULATE YOUR HAIR BY COMBING. Gently combing your hair with a comb, a little in the opposite direction of its natural tendencies, helps to improve the circulation at the root of the hair and will make your hair healthier.
Vigorous brushing of the hair is not recommended.
YOGA FOR YOUR HAIR. Several yoga postures are effective for relieving pressure and tension in the neck, which will increase circulation to the scalp. These include the Shoulder Stand; the Camel, Cobra, and Cow poses; and the Spinal Twist.
NOTE: For strategies to combat hair loss, see “Baldness.”
Hangover The effects of overconsumption of alcohol—headache, dullness, inability to focus the mind clearly, nausea, dizziness, and so on—are all symptoms of excess pitta. Drinking too much alcohol may become toxic to the stomach and liver, which triggers pitta and can eventually lead to serious illness.
The following recommendations will help you get over the effects of drinking too much alcohol the night before and will help restore normal functioning.
• Drink a glass of water with about 1 teaspoon lime juice, ½ teaspoon sugar, and a pinch of salt added. Just before drinking, add ½ teaspoon baking soda. This will immediately take care of pitta aggravation, and you will feel much better.
• A glass of fresh orange juice with 1 teaspoon lime juice and a pinch of cumin powder can help with both alcohol and drug-induced hangover.
• If you are feeling drowsy and dull, with an aching head, a burning stomach and no appetite, try a cup of cool lassi. Blend 1 tablespoon of fresh yogurt with 1 cup of water and a pinch of cumin powder. Drink this 3 or 4 times in the day. It will be effective to prevent dehydration, relieve nausea, and soothe the burning in your stomach.
• You can also use this herbal formula:
shatavari 5 parts
shanka bhasma ⅛ part
kama dudha ⅛ part
jatamamsi 3 parts
Take ½ teaspoon of this mixture 2 or 3 times in a day. Put it on your tongue, and wash down with warm water.
• Most of the time, drinking coconut water (the natural liquid inside the coconut) is beneficial for hangover.
• Doing nasya with bhringaraj oil or brahmi ghee may also be effective. (Instructions for preparing medicated oils and ghee are in appendix 2. To buy them already prepared, see Resources. Guidelines for nasya appear in appendix 3.)
• The herbal compound tikta is an effective antidote for alcohol toxicity. If you take ½ teaspoon of the powder 3 times during the day that you need it, washed down with warm water, it should take care of the hangover. If you cannot locate tikta, you may substitute aloe vera, myrrh, or sudharshan.
Headaches Headaches are a very complex phenomenon. Ayurveda speaks a great deal about the etiological factors behind headaches and the many ways headaches manifest.
Generally, headaches are classified as vata type, pitta type, and kapha type. In vata individuals, fear, anxiety, stress, nervousness, constipation, and physical overactivity can aggravate systemic vata, which can go into the skeletal, muscular, or nervous system and cause headaches. Vata-caused headaches will tend to be in the occipital area (the back of the head) or on the left side.
In pitta individuals, acid indigestion, hyperacidity, acidic pH of the saliva and stomach, excess pitta in the intestine and colon, and getting overheated, as well as a diet high in pitta-provoking food, can create a headache. That headache will be more in the temple or temporal area.
Because of a kapha-producing diet, systemic kapha in the stomach increases, enters into the general circulation, and can lodge in the sinuses and create kapha-type sinus headaches. Kapha headaches tend to be more in the frontal and nasal areas of the head.
Headaches can also be due to ear problems, eye problems, insomnia, food allergies, exposure to cold temperatures, tension in the neck, or working too long (for instance, in front of a computer) in a wrong position. Even using two pillows below the head for sleeping can cause headaches.
Clearly the causes are extremely varied. Remember that in Ayurveda, treatment is determined by the specifics of each situation. Thus in order to successfully treat your headache you need to know as much as possible about its cause.
These headaches are in the back (occipital) portion of the head. They are characterized by throbbing, pulsating, migrating pain that radiates from the back of the head and may go to the front. A vata headache may be associated with tension in the neck and shoulder muscles, back stiffness, constipation, and sciatica. This kind of headache is aggravated by high altitude. It gets worse when you move your body and subsides when you rest.
WARM WATER ENEMA. Vata headaches are often due to toxins accumulated in the colon. Ayurveda recommends using a warm water enema to relieve any constipation and taking triphala (½ teaspoon at night with ½ to 1 cup warm water) over several weeks to systematically detoxify the colon.
OIL ENEMA. Probably the best way to pacify vata is by oil basti (enema). Half a cup of warm sesame oil injected into the rectum and retained for at least 5 to 10 minutes helps to calm vata. (Detailed instructions for basti are in appendix 3.)
OIL MASSAGE. For tension in the neck and shoulders, massage the tight muscles there with sesame oil. Then take a hot shower.
GHEE NASYA. Putting 3 to 5 drops of warm ghee in each nostril will help reduce vata and will be effective for soothing your headache (see appendix 3).
NIGHTTIME FOOT AND SCALP MASSAGE. Before you go to sleep at night, rub some sesame oil gently on the top of your head and on the soles of your feet. This is one of the most effective ways to keep vata under control.
IN CASE OF DEHYDRATION. Vata headache is frequently associated with dehydration, especially if you have just gone to a higher altitude. If dehydration has occurred, make some homemade dextrosaline: Mix 1 tablespoon sugar, ¼ teaspoon salt, and about 10 drops of lime juice in a pint of water and drink it. The moment the dehydration is corrected, a vata headache will disappear or at least be greatly reduced.
A SOOTHING PASTE. If, after this treatment, the headache does not subside, then take ¼ teaspoon nutmeg powder in your palm, and add sufficient water to make a paste by rubbing your hands together. Apply the paste to your forehead. Leave it on for about half an hour and then wash it off. This should help to soothe a vata-type headache.
FOLLOW THE VATA-BALANCING DIET. Remember that if you are prone to vata headaches and other vata-related problems such as constipation and insomnia, following a vata-pacifying diet will help a lot (see chapter 8).
FOR PITTA-TYPE HEADACHES. Pitta headaches start in the temple area and go to the central part of the head. A pitta headache is characterized by shooting, burning, piercing, or penetrating pain, and it is worsened by bright light, hot sun, or high temperatures, or by eating sour fruits, pickles, or highly spicy food. It may be associated with nausea and/or burning of the eyes. The person may also become quite irritable. A pitta headache is often felt behind the eyes and may be associated with dizziness.
These headaches are related to the stomach and intestines.
ALOE VERA. If you have a pitta-type headache, take 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel, up to 3 times in a day.
A COOLING TEA. Drinking cumin-coriander tea (equal amounts of each, about 1 teaspoon of the mixture per cup) can help to relieve a pitta-type headache. Let the tea cool to room temperature before you drink it.
A COOLING PASTE. This cooling paste may help to quickly relieve a pitta headache. Mix 1 teaspoon sandalwood powder with sufficient water to make a paste, and apply it to your forehead and/or temples. Leave it on your skin for about half an hour, then wash it off.
SOOTHING GHEE NASYA. A few drops of warm ghee placed in the nostrils will be beneficial for soothing a pitta-type headache.
EAT SOMETHING SWEET. Sometimes a pitta headache responds quickly if you just have something sweet to eat. Try a piece of sweet fruit, or some ice cream.
NIGHTTIME MINIMASSAGE. At night, rub a little bhringaraj oil or brahmi oil on the soles of your feet and on your scalp. Take precautions not to get oil on your pillow and sheets.
COVER YOUR HEAD. If you have a pitta-type headache—or are prone to getting them—don’t walk or work in the sun without wearing a hat. A hat on your head protects against aggravating pitta and helps to prevent the headache.
If your headache occurs in winter or spring, strikes in the morning or evening, and gets worse when you bend down, it is a kapha headache. It is often associated with sinus congestion and clogging of the nose, and it often accompanies a cold or a cough. It may go along with hay fever and other allergies. The pain of a kapha headache is usually dull and deep-seated. It starts in the upper frontal area of the skull, moves down to the forehead, and sometimes comes down to the sinuses.
EUCALYPTUS STEAM. To immediately relieve a kapha headache, put 10 drops of eucalyptus oil in boiled water, cover your head with a towel, and inhale the steam. This helps to relieve the congestion and often completely takes care of the headache. Ginger steam—boiling fresh ginger or dried ginger powder and then inhaling the steam—is also effective.
USE THIS WARMING PASTE. A warming ginger paste can be quite helpful. Take 1 teaspoon ginger powder, mix together with sufficient water to form a paste, and apply it to your forehead. You can also put some of the paste across the bridge of your nose and over your cheekbones. A paste of vacha powder (calamus) is also helpful and is preferable for pitta individuals, as the ginger powder may burn their skin. Leave the paste on for about half an hour, then wash it off. Be careful when washing off ginger paste: Avoid getting any in your eyes.
NOTE: Ginger paste can sometimes create a burning sensation on the skin, especially in pitta individuals. It is not dangerous, but if you begin to feel an uncomfortable burning feeling, wash the ginger off with warm water.
A PASTE FOR SINUS HEADACHES. For sinus headaches (usually related to kapha), make a paste out of ½ teaspoon cinnamon and sufficient water, and apply it locally.
SALTWATER REMEDY. For some individuals, a kapha-type headache can be quickly relieved by this simple remedy: Mix 1 teaspoon warm water and at least ⅛ teaspoon salt to make a thick, concentrated solution. Put 3 to 5 drops of this salt water in each nostril. This greatly helps to drain and unclog the sinuses and relieve the headache.
TIME TO SEE THE DOCTOR
Generally headaches can be relieved using Ayurvedic remedies. However, if you have a headache that persists for more than a couple of days; if your headache is accompanied by a fever or stiff neck; if you also experience neurological symptoms such as blurred vision, difficulty with coordination or speech, memory loss, numbness, or weakness in your arms or legs; if you wake up at midnight with a headache; or if you are having headaches often that seem to be becoming more severe, then please see a doctor.
Generally, a person having headaches should do the Moon Salutation. Certain yoga postures are also helpful, such as the Boat pose, Hidden Lotus, Bow pose, Spinal Twist, Palm Tree pose, and Standing on the Toes. (For illustrations of yoga poses see appendix 4.) Inverted poses such as Headstand, Shoulder Stand, and the Plow pose are not recommended.
Hearing Loss Hearing is governed by an aspect of vata known as prana vata. In older people, prana vata tends to get debilitated, leading to what is known as conductive or nerve deafness: The person doesn’t hear properly because the nerves become weak.
To improve hearing, try the following natural remedies:
TAKE YOGARAJ GUGGULU. This special compound of Ayurvedic herbs pacifies vata dosha and strengthens weakened nerves. Take 200 mg. of this compound 2 or 3 times a day with warm water, after meals. Yogaraj guggulu can be ordered in capsules from many sellers of Ayurvedic herbs. (see Resources for addresses.)
DIET. Avoid vatagenic foods such as popcorn, corn chips, beans, raw vegetables, and cold drinks. (Guidelines for the vata-balancing diet maybe found in chapter 8.)
TRY GARLIC OIL. Pour about 1 tablespoon of sesame oil into a small pan, and into it place 1 clove of garlic, well chopped. Cook till the garlic turns brown, then let it cool. While cooking, press the garlic into the oil. This helps the healing properties of the garlic ooze out and permeate the oil. The resulting mixture, which has an excellent fragrance, is called garlic oil. Place 5 to 10 drops (of body-temperature oil) into the ear. This will improve the hearing capacity of the auditory nerve.
NOTE: Oil should be used in the ear only when there is no infection.
YOGA POSTURES. The following yoga postures may improve hearing: Lion, Camel, Cobra, and Cow (see appendix 4). Alternate Nostril breathing may also be effective (see chapter 6).
TIME TO SEE THE DOCTOR
Ayurveda offers several recommendations to restore hearing or retard hearing loss. However, if these treatment suggestions don’t result in any improvement after a couple of months, or if your hearing loss seems to be increasing rather than diminishing, seek a doctor’s advice.
Heart—Ayurvedic Care According to Ayurveda, the heart is the seat of prana, ojas, and mind. It is a most vital organ. In fact, a person is as old as his or her heart. So we have to take good care of this precious organ.
If a person has high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high triglycerides, and in addition lives a stressful life, that person runs a great risk of heart problems. So to keep the heart healthy, it is important to control these factors as much as possible.
High blood pressure is discussed at length in a separate section (“Hypertension”), as is high cholesterol (“Cholesterol”). Please see those sections for more complete recommendations. A few suggestions follow:
In order to control cholesterol and triglycerides, it’s important not to eat food with a high fat content, such as fatty fried food, ice cream, heavy meats, and cheese. Yogurt is also not helpful.
To keep your heart healthy, you need some daily exercise, though the quantity of exercise and the degree of strenuousness depend on your age, level of fitness, and constitutional type. Kaphas need the most vigorous exercise, vatas the least, with pittas in the middle. (See this page for further guidelines.)
For most people, walking at least two miles a day is very beneficial. Some more vigorous aerobic cardiovascular exercise may also be beneficial, such as fast walking, gentle jogging, or jogging in place on a trampoline. (You don’t need to use the large gymnastic trampoline; you can use the small variety, usually about 3 feet in diameter.)
Cholesterol-Reducing Foods
Some foods may actually help to reduce cholesterol. These include:
Be sure to include some of these foods every day in your diet if you have high cholesterol.
To keep stress levels low, here are two important recommendations.
DO SOME QUIET MEDITATION. Meditation is one of the best ways to relax, dissolve stress, and allow the body to heal. By meditating for 10 to 20 minutes twice a day, a person’s heart may be healed. Please see chapter 7 for guidelines on how to meditate.
DO DAILY PRACTICE OF SAVASANA. Savasana is the yogic rest pose. While lying quietly, flat on your back with your arms by your sides, watch the flow of your breath. Inhale and exhale, inhale and exhale.… You’ll notice that after exhalation (and before inhalation), there is a brief, natural stop. Similarly there is a natural stop after inhalation and before exhalation. In that stop, stay naturally quiet, silent, for just a few seconds. This practice brings tranquillity and rest, which are healing for the heart. Remain in savasana practicing this quiet breathing for 10 to 15 minutes.
In addition to these recommendations for diet, exercise, and stress management, several other simple home remedies can help keep your heart healthy.
GOLD WATER. Gold is healing for the heart. It is good for the coronary artery and is said to gradually reduce cholesterol. For instructions on making gold water, see appendix 1.
HERBS FOR YOUR HEART. Certain Ayurvedic herbs are strengthening and healing to the heart.
• First is the herb arjuna. Take ½ teaspoon 3 times a day with honey and warm water. Arjuna does much the same thing as gold: It is a coronary vasodilator, it protects the heart, it strengthens circulation, and it helps to maintain the tone and health of the heart muscle.
• Ginger is also important for a healthy heart. Make fresh ginger tea by boiling a little grated or sliced ginger in a cup or two of water. Or grate a little ginger and add it to your rice and/or your soup. Eating a little bit of ginger every day will help to prevent heart attack.
• The following formula of four Ayurvedic herbs is good for the heart:
punarnava 4 parts
kutki 3 parts
gulwel sattva ¼ part
shilajit ¼ part
Steep ½ teaspoon of this herb mixture in a cup of hot water to make a tea. Drinking that tea twice a day after lunch and dinner will help your heart.
• Another simple domestic remedy to protect the heart and keep it healthy is to include a little garlic in your diet. Garlic reduces cholesterol, strengthens the circulation, and acts as a decongestant.
RUDRAKSHA. Rudraksha, the “tears of Shiva,” are the dried seeds from the fruit of the rudraksha tree. An ancient story says that when Lord Shiva came out of deep meditation, a few tears dropped from his eyes and fell to earth, from which sprang up the rudraksha tree. The seeds are good for the heart both physically and spiritually; they are said to be good for meditation and for “opening the heart chakra.”
You can wear a necklace of the beads externally, in front of the heart. Or soak a rudraksha bead overnight in water and drink the water in the morning. Drinking rudraksha water can reduce blood pressure and strengthen the heart.
YOGA POSTURES. Unless there are acute heart problems, Ayurveda suggests daily performance of the set of yoga postures known as surya namaskar, the Sun Salutation. Do at least 6 to 12 cycles a day. That will help to strengthen the health of the heart and help to prevent heart attack.
Ancient Advice for a Healthy Heart
Charaka, one of the ancient sage-physicians who wrote down the principles and practices of Ayurveda thousands of years ago, gave the following advice for care of the heart:
“One who wishes to protect the heart, circulatory system and vital essence should avoid, above all else, those causes leading to mental stress and instability. One should regularly adopt measures that support the heart and vital essence, cleanse the blood vessels, increase knowledge and calm the mind.
“The practice of nonviolence is the best among life-promoting practices, conservation of vital energy among the strength-promoting, and acquisition of knowledge among the nourishing practices. Control of the sensory organs is best to achieve happiness, and knowledge of reality for pleasure. Among all of these, celibacy is regarded as the best.
“From the heart, as the root, ten great vessels carry ojas throughout the body. In its importance, the heart is to be regarded as the central supporting member of a house.”
TIME TO SEE THE DOCTOR
IMPORTANT: If you have any heart problems, or you are over 40, it is wise to consult your physician before beginning any new exercise program.
If there are heart problems, the Sun Salutation may be too strenuous. In that case, substitute the following postures: Locust, Lotus, Bridge, Cow, Camel, Bow, and Cobra poses, Forward Bend, and Standing on One Leg—the Palm Tree pose. (Illustrations of yoga postures appear in appendix 4.)
BREATHING EXERCISE. A deep breathing exercise such as ujjayi pranayama will also be helpful (see chapter 6).
Heartburn and Acid Stomach Although there are several rather strong medications on the market for heartburn and acid stomach, these conditions are usually quite easy to control with the following natural Ayurvedic home remedies:
ALOE VERA GEL. Take 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel with a pinch of baking soda. This will have an immediate soothing effect.
INSTANT EFFERVESCENCE. You might also try this formula. Into 1 cup of water add
lime juice 10 drops
organic sugar ½ teaspoon
baking soda ¼ teaspoon
Put the baking soda into the cup last. When you add it, an effervescent reaction will occur. Immediately drink the mixture to neutralize heartburn and acid stomach.
PAPAYA JUICE. For hyperacidity and indigestion, try drinking 1 cup papaya juice with 1 teaspoon organic sugar and 2 pinches cardamom.
NOTE: Pregnant women should not eat papayas, which contain natural estrogen and may create the danger of miscarriage.
FOLLOW THE PITTA-PACIFYING DIET. Generally, acid stomach can be controlled by a pitta-pacifying diet. Strictly avoid all hot spicy food. No pickles, and no fermented food. Minimize or cut out citrus fruit and sour fruit. And avoid overeating.
TIME TO SEE THE DOCTOR
If your heartburn is not helped by the remedies recommended in this section or if it occurs often for no apparent reason, you should consult a doctor. If you feel you have heartburn and it is accompanied by vomiting, dizziness, chest pain radiating into your neck or shoulder, or shortness of breath, you need help immediately: You may be having a heart attack.
A SOOTHING BREATHING EXERCISE. The breathing technique known as shitali pranayama is also helpful. It is not only cooling (to combat the excess pitta) but also stimulates digestion.
Hemorrhoids According to Ayurveda, there are two basic kinds of hemorrhoids, associated with vata and pitta imbalances.
• Vata hemorrhoids are small, dry, and irregular in shape and may be accompanied by fissures or cracking of the anus. They are rough and hard to the touch and look like raisins. Vata hemorrhoids may become active when the person takes antibiotics or does a lot of cycling or physical exercise.
• Pitta-type hemorrhoids tend to get red, irritated, and inflamed and to bleed. They may look like purple grapes and are painful—sometimes very painful—to the touch. When they burst, they bleed extensively.
There are also kapha hemorrhoids, which look like green grapes. They don’t bleed, and people generally live with them without problems, so we won’t consider them in this section.
We can also distinguish between “internal” and “external” hemorrhoids. The internal kind are usually of the kapha variety and are more like polyps. They are not painful and are generally not problematic.
In most cases, hemorrhoids can be completely healed by Ayurvedic treatment, but one must first understand the distinction between the two basic problematic types in order to treat them properly.
• A person with vata hemorrhoids should follow the vata-pacifying diet. Especially, it is vital to keep away from the nightshade vegetables—potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplant—all of which aggravate hemorrhoids.
• Take triphala guggulu, 1 tablet 3 times a day.
• Another helpful herbal formula for vata-type hemorrhoids is a combination of these herbs:
hingwastak ⅛ part
dashamoola 2 parts
Take ½ teaspoon 2 or 3 times a day with warm water.
• It is important to keep the stools loose and soft, as hard stools irritate the hemorrhoids. Taking 1 teaspoon of sat isabgol (psyllium husks) with a glass of warm milk at night is beneficial for vata hemorrhoids.
• Another way to help keep the stools soft is to take ½ to 1 teaspoon of triphala powder at bedtime with warm water.
• Prepare a warm castor oil or sesame oil pack, and sit on it for a while. Both oils are warming; castor oil especially produces a slow, sustained heat that is soothing and healing. Warm up about 3 tablespoons of oil, and pour it onto a handkerchief or other soft cloth, spreading it equally on the cloth (or dip the cloth in the oil).
• For pitta-type hemorrhoids, the first step is to follow the pitta-pacifying diet, especially avoiding spicy and fermented foods (see chapter 8).
• For hemorrhoids which become active and inflamed and start bleeding, one should prepare an herbal mixture of:
guduchi 1 part
neem 2 parts
kama dudha ⅛ part
Take ½ teaspoon of this mixture twice a day with warm water.
• If you have rectal bleeding from the hemorrhoid, drink a few ounces of cranberry juice and pomegranate juice (mixed half and half) between meals. That juice will act as a hemostatic, to stop the bleeding.
• Locally, you can apply coconut oil, which helps to control inflammation and irritation as well as bleeding.
• As in the case of vata hemorrhoids, it is important to keep the stool soft to avoid aggravating the condition. To accomplish this, take ½ to 1 teaspoon of amalaki at night with cool water. Or you can take 1 teaspoon of sat isabgol (psyllium husks) with a glass of warm milk at night.
• Steep triphala (1 teaspoon) overnight in a glass of water, and then the next day, early in the morning, after brushing your teeth, drink that tea.
• All types of hemorrhoids respond well to aloe vera juice. Drink ½ cupful of the pure juice 3 times a day.
• Or you can add a pinch of ginger to 1 tablespoon aloe vera gel, and take it twice a day.
• Drink 1 cup carrot juice mixed with 2 teaspoons cilantro juice twice a day on an empty stomach for relief of hemorrhoids.
• Externally, you can also apply a mixture of ½ teaspoon turmeric and 1 teaspoon ghee directly to the hemorrhoid at bedtime. (But remember that the yellow color of the turmeric will stain whatever cloth it touches.)
• After each bowel movement, instead of using dry toilet paper, wash the anal orifice with warm water, and then apply some castor oil to the hemorrhoid. The dry paper may irritate the delicate mucous membrane and aggravate the hemorrhoid. It can also spread some fecal matter to the site of the hemorrhoid and lead to complications.
Herpes Herpes labialis comes through the oral contact of kissing, or drinking from the same cup or glass. It is essentially a pitta disorder that comes from rakta dhatu (blood) and breaks out on the skin, particularly in the corner of the mouth or on the upper lip.
Many people confuse herpes and canker sores, which are somewhat similar in appearance. With canker sores, however, only one ulcer appears; herpes produces a rash consisting of numerous small blisters, possibly clustered around one central, larger bump. Also, canker sores are usually in the mouth, while herpes sores are on the outside.
• Externally, one can apply tikta ghrita (bitter ghee) directly onto the affected area. Aloe vera gel or ointment is also quite effective.
• You can also use ¼ teaspoon kama dudha, mixed into 1 teaspoon dairy cream. Apply to the sore in the morning and at bedtime.
• Internally, use this Ayurvedic herbal mixture:
neem 3 parts
kama dudha ⅛ part
maha sudarshan 3 parts
Take ½ teaspoon of this mixture 3 times a day, either with 1 teaspoon tikta ghrita, if you have it, or with warm water.
• At night, take ½ teaspoon triphala in warm water. This will pacify systemic pitta and will help relieve the herpes.
Genital herpes is similar to oral herpes. But they are transmitted differently; oral herpes through kissing or drinking glasses, as mentioned above, and genital herpes through sexual contact.
• For internal treatment, use the same herbs and herbal formulas recommended above.
• Externally, tikta ghrita can also be helpful. Also, dry genital intercourse can sometimes aggravate the herpes, so apply some tikta ghrita to the glans penis and/or labia minora before intercourse.
One of the primary causes of herpes eruptions appears to be psychological stress. The virus lies locked in the neuromuscular cleft and comes out during times of stress. To minimize stress:
TAKE HERBAL TEA. Make some tea of chamomile, jatamamsi, and brahmi. Mix these herbs in equal proportions and use ½ teaspoon to make a tea; take it twice a day.
MEDITATE. Meditation is also effective to soothe the system and reduce stress. (See chapter 7 for meditation suggestions.)
NOTE TO MEN: If you know you are susceptible to herpes outbreaks, be careful shaving around your lips and the corners of your mouth. The lips form a delicate and sensitive muco-cutaneous junction that is easily injured. Any small cut or scratch can activate the herpes virus. To help prevent this from happening, apply some neem oil after shaving.
Hiccups Hiccups are caused by ischemia, or lack of blood supply to the diaphragm. As a result, the diaphragm undergoes the spasmodic periodic movements that we call hiccups.
HOLD YOUR BREATH. The simplest remedy for hiccups is to hold your breath. Take a deep breath; hold the breath behind the belly button; then gradually exhale.
BROWN BAG REMEDY. If you find it difficult to do this, take a paper bag, open it, hold the edges near your nose, and breathe into the bag (both exhaling and then inhaling). This will force you to inhale your own carbon dioxide, which naturally relaxes the muscles of the diaphragm. Continue for 1 or 2 minutes. Your hiccups should quickly be relieved.
HONEY AND CASTOR OIL. If the above procedure doesn’t stop the hiccupping, mix 1 teaspoon honey with 1 teaspoon castor oil. Every 2 or 3 minutes dip your index finger into the mixture and then lick your finger.
DEEP BREATHING EXERCISE. Another simple ‘remedy is Alternate Nostril pranayama, slightly modified as follows:
You can do this breathing exercise for 5 minutes.
TIME TO SEE THE DOCTOR
There are certain serious pathological hiccups, such as cardiac hiccups, which occur in persons having congestive heart failure; uremic hiccups, which occur due to renal failure (when the kidneys do not perform their function) and the resulting toxicity of uric acid in the blood; and cerebral hiccups, due to cerebral pathology. These serious hiccups require medical attention and treatment.
If the remedies in this section aren’t helpful and your hiccups are continuing longer than two days, see your doctor.
CONSTIPATION MAY BE THE CAUSE. Hiccups can also occur due to chronic constipation, bloating, and gases in the colon. If this appears to be the situation, do basti (enema), using 1 cup warm sesame oil for the enema. Try to retain the oil for at least 2 to 3 minutes, longer if possible. The warm oil in the rectum will relax the diaphragm and internal muscles and help alleviate the hiccups.
• If your hiccups are still continuing after another half hour, do a regular warm water enema.
Hypertension A healthy heart pumps the blood through the veins and arteries with a certain optimum amount of pressure. But sometimes, due to various causes, the pressure increases, and when it does, the person is at greater risk for heart disease and possibly paralyzing stroke.
Blood pressure will increase when there is increased viscosity of the blood, increased velocity, or constriction due to decreased diameter of the blood vessel.
From the Ayurvedic point of view, high blood pressure falls under three categories, primarily vata and pitta but also kapha.
Vata is responsible for constriction of the blood vessels. This frequently happens in old age. Somewhere around 65, the walls of the blood vessels often become thicker and the passage becomes narrower, with the result that many individuals develop a type of hypertension known as essential hypertension. It is a vata condition and is different from the narrowing of the arteries that occurs as a result of fatty deposits on the artery walls, which is a kapha condition.
Pitta is responsible for the rushing of the blood with more force. Kapha is related to increased blood viscosity.
Physical and emotional stress, including anger and anxiety, constrict the blood vessels and can increase blood pressure for a time. Heavy responsibilities, or stressful situations such as public speaking, may send your blood pressure soaring. There is even a phenomenon known as “white coat syndrome”; when a person goes to the doctor, anxiety and tension may increase, with the result that blood pressure goes up. This is all quite common and quite physiological, and fortunately it is also usually temporary. But if blood pressure stays high, it can become dangerous.
TIME TO SEE THE DOCTOR
If high blood pressure is temporary and related to a stressful situation, some rest and relaxation will generally take care of it. And even in the long term, just because pressure is high does not necessarily mean it has to be treated with medications. Entirely natural means, such as diet, exercise, herbs, meditation, and yoga, which have no negative side effects, may be quite sufficient to deal with hypertension.
However, high blood pressure does require a doctor’s supervision. Hypertension is a potentially life-threatening condition. I do not recommend that you use the following treatments in place of standard medical care.
Rather, try these Ayurvedic remedies—preferably with your doctor’s knowledge and approval—as an adjunct to your medical care, and ask your doctor to monitor your progress. If the remedies are successful, he or she will find less and less need to supervise your condition and keep you on medications. At the least you should be able to gradually reduce the dosage of your medicines.
Several foods can help you control hypertension:
• Drink 1 cup mango juice, followed about an hour later by ½ cup warm milk, with a pinch of cardamom, a pinch of nutmeg, and 1 teaspoon ghee. (Note: If your cholesterol level is high, skip the ghee.)
• Mix orange juice and coconut water (the natural juice inside a fresh coconut) in a ratio of 2 parts orange to 1 part coconut. Drink ½ to 1 cup 2 or 3 times a day.
• Add 1 teaspoon coriander and 1 pinch cardamom to 1 cup freshly squeezed (not canned) peach juice. Drink this as many as 2 or 3 times a day to help with high blood pressure.
• Eat some watermelon with a pinch of cardamom and a pinch of coriander added. This will act as a mild diuretic and will help to regulate blood pressure.
• Try some cucumber raita with your meal. Cucumber is a good diuretic. Raita is a yogurt-based condiment often used in Indian cooking. (See the recipe in the accompanying sidebar.)
• Mung dal soup, made of mung dal with cilantro, cumin, and a pinch of turmeric, is good for persons with hypertension.
• Honey water can also help. Add a teaspoon of honey and 5 to 10 drops of apple cider vinegar to a cup of hot water, and drink it in the early morning. This drink helps to reduce cholesterol, maintains vasodilation, and helps to regulate blood pressure.
Cucumber Raita
2 cucumbers
3 tablespoons ghee
½ teaspoon black mustard seeds
½ teaspoon cumin seeds
1 pinch hing
4 curry leaves
1 pinch cayenne or ½ small chili, chopped
1 small handful fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
½ cup plain fresh yogurt
Skin and grate the cucumbers. Pour off and discard any excess juice.
Heat the ghee in saucepan over medium heat, and add the mustard, cumin, hing, and curry leaves. Cook a moment until seeds pop.
Add the cayenne or chili and the cilantro, shake the pan, and remove from heat.
Stir the yogurt and grated cucumber together in a bowl.
Add the cooled spices to the yogurt mixture, mix well, and serve.
Serves 4–6 as side dish (1–2 spoonfuls per person).
NOTE: This recipe is from Vasant Lad and Usha Lad, Ayurvedic Cooking for Self-healing (Albuquerque: Ayurvedic Press, 1994), this page.
AVOID PITTA-PROVOKING FOOD. Persons with hypertension should not eat salt, fatty fried foods, or hot spicy food.
Ayurveda suggests the following mixture of herbs for hypertension:
punarnava 1 part
passion flower 1 part
hawthorn berry 2 parts
Steep ½ teaspoon of this mixture in a cup of hot water for 5 to 10 minutes, and drink the tea after lunch and dinner.
Another formula of Ayurvedic herbs is also effective for regulating blood pressure:
jatamamsi 2 parts
musta 2 parts
tagar 1 part
Use as above: ½ teaspoon steeped in a cup of hot water for 5 to 10 minutes as a tea, after lunch and dinner.
KEEP COOL. Working hard under the hot sun should be avoided by anyone with high blood pressure, as that may promote hemorrhage in the brain. Be cautious about this.
MAGNETIC WATER. You may be able to keep your blood pressure under control by drinking magnetic water. Put a cupful of water (preferably in a glass container) next to the north pole of a magnet. Let it sit for 2 hours. Drink a cupful of magnetic water twice a day.
Charging the water in this way increases its diuretic properties and thus helps bring down high blood pressure, in the same way as several widely used current hypertension medications, which are diuretics.
RUDRAKSHA. Soak 1 or 2 rudraksha beads in a cup of water overnight, and the next day drink that water. This is beneficial for regulating blood pressure.
Deep Relaxation to Help High Blood Pressure
Tension and stress increase high blood pressure. A wonderful and effective way to relax is the yogic rest pose, savasana.
Lie quietly, flat on your back with arms by your sides. Observe the flow of your breath. You will notice that after exhalation there is a brief, natural stop, and another natural pause after inhalation and before the next exhalation. In that stop, stay naturally quiet for just a few seconds. This practice will bring you deep relaxation, a natural antidote for hypertension. Remain in savasana practicing this quiet breathing for 10 to 15 minutes.
MEDITATION. Meditation is excellent for regulating blood pressure. (See chapter 7 for guidelines to help you meditate.) Several research studies, including a study funded by the National Institutes of Health, have shown that meditation can be as effective as medications in controlling hypertension, and it produces none of the negative side effects often associated with hypertensive drugs.
BREATHING EXERCISE. Some gentle shitali pranayama can help control blood pressure. Make a tube of your tongue, and inhale through that tube into the abdomen. Hold the breath for a few seconds and then breathe it out through your nose.
YOGA POSTURES. Effective yoga asanas for helping control hypertension include Yoga Mudra and the Moon Salutation. (See the illustrations in appendix 4.)
EXERCISE AND WORK WITH CARE. No one with elevated blood pressure should practice the Headstand or engage in weightlifting or vigorous exercise without a physician’s guidance.
IMPORTANT NOTE: As mentioned above, hypertension may lead to serious complications. Although these Ayurvedic recommendations are time-tested, safe, and effective, it would be wise to use them in conjunction with the advice and care of your physician.
Hypoglycemia Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is a very common condition. If you are late to eat at your regular mealtime and you feel light-headed or dizzy while standing up, or experience palpitations, tremor, nausea, drowsiness, sweating, nervousness, or mental confusion, all these indicate hypoglycemia. In some serious cases of hypoglycemia, a person can even have convulsions and fall into coma.
The brain uses blood sugar (glucose) as its sole food, and it depends on it for the necessary energy for its activity. If the brain doesn’t receive sufficient blood sugar, it goes into crisis; it will create tremors, headache, sweating, nausea, drowsiness, and the other symptoms mentioned because it is starving for blood sugar.
According to Ayurveda, hypoglycemia is common in persons with pitta prakruti (a pitta constitution) or pitta vikruti (a present pitta imbalance). Increased pitta stimulates the secretion of insulin, which lowers the blood sugar level and creates hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia in turn induces the secretion of adrenaline, which causes rapid heartbeat and tremors.
An unduly large dose of insulin taken by a diabetic person may lead to hypoglycemia. This condition is also common among alcoholics.
Hypoglycemia is a disorder that needs careful attention. To maintain their blood sugar level, pitta individuals should eat regular meals—breakfast, lunch, and dinner—and also have some fruit or another snack between meals or whenever they feel hypoglycemic symptoms. Emphasize proteins and complex carbohydrates for main meals; they digest more slowly, so the rises and falls in blood sugar will be less rapid.
TIME TO SEE THE DOCTOR
Reactive hypoglycemia may indicate a pancreatic tumor. When a middle-aged person craves sugar about 90 minutes after a full meal, it may mean that he or she has, or is going to develop, a pancreatic tumor. This is a serious health concern and requires medical attention.
Hypoglycemia can be classified into two types: fasting and reactive. Fasting hypoglycemia simply results from not eating, which is why people with a tendency toward low blood sugar need to eat regular meals. In addition, some individuals choose to fast, whether for religious reasons or for cleansing purposes. If they do too much prolonged fasting, hypoglycemia may result.
Reactive hypoglycemia occurs when the pancreas, often in response to a large intake of sugar, secretes too much insulin, which then reduces the blood sugar level. This is also called postprandial (after-eating) hypoglycemia. About 90 minutes after eating, the blood sugar level drops, and the person craves something sweet.
To deal with reactive hypoglycemia, one should treat pitta dosha.
DIET. Follow the pitta-pacifying diet (outlined in chapter 8). Stay away from hot spicy foods, fermented food, sour and citrus fruits, and alcoholic drinks. Smoking cigarettes should be curtailed or eliminated, as cigarettes also aggravate pitta.
LICORICE TEA. Drink licorice tea. When you are feeling lightheaded or faint or have some other hypoglycemic symptoms, make a cup of licorice (yashti madhu) tea, using 1 teaspoon of licorice root per cup of water. This tea will safely increase your blood sugar level. (However, individuals with hypertension should use licorice tea only sparingly; it increases water retention and may raise blood pressure.)
HERBAL REMEDIES.
• The best herbs to take are brahmi, jatamamsi, shanka pushpi, and licorice. These herbs are brain tonics; they nourish the brain and allow it to function on limited sugar. Mix these herbs together in equal proportions and use the mixture to make a tea. Steep ½ teaspoon of the herbs in 1 cup hot water, and drink after lunch and dinner.
• If the problem is postprandial hypoglycemia due to gastrojejunostomy, Ayurveda suggests using
guduchi 5 parts
shanka bhasma 2 parts
kama dudha 2 parts
Take ½ teaspoon twice a day (after lunch and dinner) with some water.
• If there is a suspicion that reactive hypoglycemia may lead to pancreatic tumor (see “Time to See the Doctor”), see your doctor. In addition, use shilajit, a nervine tonic that is rejuvenating for the pancreas. A good formula for using shilajit is the following:
shilajit 1 part
shardunika 1 part
Take ½ teaspoon of this mixture after lunch and dinner with some water. This formula will also help to prevent adult-onset diabetes (diabetes mellitus).
YOGA POSTURES. Some yoga asanas to strengthen the pancreas and help prevent hypoglycemia include the Peacock, Camel, and Locust poses, and the Elevated Lotus, as well as nauli (an abdominal exercise explained in appendix 3). Individuals susceptible to hypoglycemia should do these yoga exercises and Alternate Nostril breathing.
NASYA. Brahmi ghee nasya, 5 drops in each nostril, will quickly relieve nausea, sweating, and mental confusion (see appendix 3).
FOR DROWSINESS. Drowsiness can be corrected by taking some sweet juice, such as pomegranate or sweet orange juice.
Impotence See also “Low Libido”, “Premature Ejaculation”
Impotence, which is a man’s inability to have or to maintain an erection, may have several causes. Many people think it is always an emotional or psychological issue, but it can also be due to stress or to certain physical problems.
For example, when a person has high cholesterol, the fat and plaque may get deposited on the coronary arteries, blocking the flow of blood to the heart and triggering a heart attack due to the insufficient blood supply. Similarly, the plaque may get deposited in the blood vessels leading to the penis, resulting in a “penis attack”—in which the blood supply to the penis is insufficient to create or sustain an erection, resulting in impotence.
MASSAGE TO IMPROVE CIRCULATION. A simple and effective remedy is to massage the pubic area (the lower part of your abdomen) and the root of the penis with a few drops of mahanarayan oil. This massage will improve the circulation and may be sufficient to eliminate the problem.
APPLY SOME HERBALIZED OIL. You can also apply some bala oil or ashwagandha oil directly to the penis.
MASSAGE THE PROSTATE AREA. Massaging above the prostate gland (midway between the scrotum and the anus) with any of the three oils mentioned above will also be beneficial. If you do not have these oils, you can just use a little plain ghee. First rub in a circular motion, then finish with strokes from the anus toward the base of the penis. Use a light pressure. Like the massage of the pubic area, this will help improve circulation.
STRENGTHENING HERBAL FORMULA. For internal use, make a mixture of equal proportions of the following herbs:
ashwagandha
bala
vidari
and take 1 teaspoon of this mixture twice a day in warm milk, continuing for 3 months. While the milk is heating, add a few pieces of chopped fresh garlic. The garlic improves the blood supply and increases the dilation of the blood vessels. The combination of the garlic with these strengthening herbs will help alleviate the problem.
MILD APHRODISIAC DRINK. Every night, drink a cup of warm milk with a pinch of saffron added. Saffron is an aphrodisiac and also increases sperm count.
RELAX WITH TRANQUILLITY TEA. If the cause of impotence is psychological, such as fear or anxiety, you may be able to correct the problem by drinking some Tranquillity Tea, an herbal compound that contains jatamamsi, brahmi, and shanka pushpi in equal proportions. Make a tea from ½ teaspoon of this mixture, and drink it about an hour before going to bed. It will definitely help with the emotional and psychological stress that may be at the root of the problem.
YOGA POSTURES. Certain yoga exercises may also help. The Rooster pose, which involves sitting in such a way that pressure is applied on the prostate gland, is particularly beneficial. Also try the Elevated Lotus, Vajrasana, Chakra Asana, and the Bow pose. (For illustrations, see appendix 4.)
Incontinence, Urinary See “Urinary Incontinence”
Indigestion As discussed in chapter 3, the effectiveness of your digestion depends on the strength of your digestive fire (agni). If your food intake is large in quantity and heavy, very liquid, or quite dense in quality, these properties are antagonistic to the properties of gastric fire and can inhibit the normal function of the agni, leading to indigestion.
Emotional eating—eating for emotional reasons when the system is not in need of food or is given too much to comfortably digest—is another potential cause of indigestion. A third major causative factor is wrong food combining. Eating bananas and milk, melon and grains, and other incompatible food combinations adversely affects the digestive fire, leading to indigestion. (See chapter 8 for a chart of incompatible food combinations.)
These various factors promote excess secretion of acid, leading to acid indigestion, heartburn, nausea, or even diarrhea; fermentation of the food in the stomach or intestines may also occur, leading to gas, bloating, and a possible stomachache, depending on the severity of the cause.
So one has to deal with indigestion first by avoiding these causative factors, and second by using the herbal treatments recommended below.
The first key to prevention of indigestion is to enhance the digestive fire. Here are several suggestions:
GINGER. One of the best herbs to kindle agni is ginger. Before each meal, chop or grate a little fresh ginger, add a few drops of lime juice and a pinch of salt, and chew it up. Alternatively, you can simply cut a thin slice of ginger, put on a pinch of salt, and chew that.
GARLIC AND TRIKATU. Here is another before-eating stimulant for your digestion. Make a mixture of ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon trikatu, and a pinch of rock salt. (Trikatu is composed of ginger, black pepper, and Indian long pepper in equal proportions.) Take it before lunch and dinner.
HERBAL MIX. A similar mixture is 1 clove of fresh garlic, chopped up with ¼ teaspoon cumin powder, a pinch of rock salt, a pinch of trikatu, and 1 teaspoon lime juice. Take before meals.
BAY LEAF. Enliven your gastric fire with the common spice bay leaf. Steep ½ teaspoon crushed or ground-up bay leaf in a cup of hot water for about 10 minutes to make a tea. Add a pinch of cardamom, and drink after eating.
Fasting can be beneficial to dispel indigestion. Fasting not only kindles the digestive fire, it also gives the digestive system a rest. When you have indigestion, you can either observe a complete fast, or try this: Drink 1 cup of sweet fresh pineapple juice with a pinch of ginger, a pinch of black pepper, and ½ teaspoon organic sugar. Take this 3 times a day.
To relieve a case of indigestion:
ONION JUICE. Take ¼ cup of fresh onion juice with ½ teaspoon honey and ½ teaspoon black pepper.
GARLIC. Or chop up a clove of fresh garlic, add a pinch of salt and a pinch of baking soda, and eat it.
LIME JUICE. For acute indigestion, squeeze the juice from ¼ lime in 1 cup warm water. Just before drinking, add ½ teaspoon baking soda, and then drink it down quickly.
For people with chronic poor digestion (that is, weak agni), prepare this herbal mixture:
trikatu 1 part
chitrak 2 parts
kutki 1 part
Take ¼ teaspoon of this effective formula before meals, with a little honey and fresh ginger juice. If you don’t have fresh ginger, just use honey. This mixture will strengthen the digestive fire.
• Don’t eat unless you are really hungry.
• Don’t eat emotionally. Emotional eating can affect the digestive fire adversely.
• Eat only two or at most three meals a day: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Avoid snacking between meals.
• Avoid cold and iced drinks, especially during or after meals. They cool the digestive fire. For best digestion, take small sips of warm water during a meal.
• Fill your stomach to one-third of its capacity with food and one-third with liquid, leaving one-third empty. This aids in proper digestion and promotes mental clarity.
• Chew your food well to make sure the saliva is well mixed in. Saliva plays a major role in digestion.
• You can finish your meal by drinking a cup of lassi. This is made by blending 4 teaspoons of yogurt with 2 pinches each of ginger and cumin powder in 1 cup of water.
• Yoga postures that can be helpful for improving digestion include Leg Lifts and the Peacock pose. (See illustrations in appendix 4.)
• You might also want to try the Ayurvedic procedure known as nauli (see appendix 3).
• The pranayama (breathing exercise) called Breath of Fire will help to stoke your digestive fires (see chapter 6).
Ingrown Toenail See “Toenail Infection”
Insomnia Insomnia is an uncommonly common disorder in the modern world, caused primarily by an increase of vata dosha in the mind or nervous system. Insomnia is a cause or a complicating factor in many other problems. It may be related to constipation. It may be a result of stress or being overtired, or it may create fatigue and lead to greater stress. It may be a symptom of depression, or it may intensify depression. So we have to deal with it effectively.
WARM MILK. It’s definitely true that drinking a cup of warm milk before going to bed helps bring on a peaceful sleep. You can have it plain if you prefer, but the following suggestions will make it more delicious as well as more effective:
• Add a pinch (up to ⅛ teaspoon) of nutmeg.
• Add some crushed almonds (blanched is better), a pinch of nutmeg, and a pinch of cardamom. You can prepare the almonds in a nut grinder or coffee grinder.
• Try garlic milk. Mix together 1 cup milk, ¼ cup water, and 1 clove of fresh, chopped garlic. Boil gently until 1 cup of liquid remains.
TRY CHERRIES. Cherries are good for mental fatigue and stress, both of which can contribute to insomnia. Eating 10 to 20 cherries daily may help relieve these conditions and help you sleep.
TOMATO JUICE. Here’s a use for tomato juice you probably never thought of. Drink 1 cup with 2 teaspoons natural sugar and 2 pinches of nutmeg. Drink the juice between four and five in the afternoon; have dinner between six and seven. That evening you should get a sound sleep.
HERBAL FORMULA. An effective herbal formula to help you sleep is:
tagar 1 part
valerian root powder 1 part
chamomile 1 part
Take ¼ teaspoon of this powdered mixture with a little warm water just before going to bed.
CHAMOMILE TEA. Justly famous around the world, a cup of chamomile tea at bedtime is truly beneficial for inducing sleep.
WARM OIL MASSAGE. One of the simplest and most effective ways to induce sleep is to rub some oil on the scalp and the soles of the feet before going to bed. Use sesame oil, brahmi oil, or jatamamsi oil, and massage gently for a few minutes. Slightly warming the oil before applying is helpful.
NUTMEG. Using this common spice can help induce sleep. A fine paste made of nutmeg powder mixed with an equal amount of ghee can be applied around your eyes and on your forehead before bed to help you fall asleep.
TAKE A HOT BATH. A hot bath or shower at bedtime helps to soothe vata and promote sound sleep.
TRY YOGA MEDITATION. Sleep disturbances are often due to worries and anxieties that keep the mind agitated at night. To help dissolve those anxieties, meditate for a while before going to sleep. Sit comfortably on your bed and put your attention on the “third eye” (the area on your forehead between your eyebrows). Follow your breath in and out, or do the traditional So-Hum meditation: Inhale while thinking the syllable “So” and exhale with “Hum.” (Further guidelines are in chapter 7.)
Then lie on your back. Watch your breath, and continue the So-Hum meditation, focusing your mind gently on the “third eye.” You will sleep like a child.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome According to Ayurveda, irritable bowel syndrome is due to vata pushing pitta into the colon. To help correct the situation, combine the following herbs:
shatavari 1 part
kama dudha ⅛ part
shanka bhasma ⅛ part
arrowroot 2 parts
Take ½ teaspoon of this mixture a couple of times a day with a little warm water, just after eating.
• You can also take 1 teaspoon of sat isabgol (psyllium husks) with ½ cup of fresh yogurt 1 hour after dinner.
• To create another simple remedy, boil 1 teaspoon of flaxseed in a cupful of water to make a tea, and drink it at bedtime.
• In certain chronic cases of irritable bowel syndrome, Ayurveda recommends introducing ½ to 1 cup of warm sesame oil into the rectum. If you use this enema treatment, try to retain the oil for 5 minutes. Once the colon is well lubricated with sesame oil, irritable bowel syndrome will be controlled. You can do this oil enema (basti) once or twice a week, as needed. (For more about basti, see appendix 3.)
Jet Lag Jet lag is essentially a condition of excess vata in the body. Traveling on a jet at a tremendous speed induces a light, mobile, and spacy quality in the system, which aggravates vata. To prevent jet lag, Ayurveda suggests the following three-part strategy:
If you reach your destination before nightfall, you can drink a tea made of equal proportions of chamomile, mint, and jatamamsi (⅓ teaspoon each), steeped in a cup of hot water for 10 minutes.
If you don’t expect to have herbs available where you are going, you can mix them at home and take them with you in a small plastic sandwich bag or other convenient container.
Kidney Problems See also “Kidney Stones”
Congestion, high pitta, or crystal urea in the kidney, as well as kidney stones, can all create tightness and pain in the lower back area. For these problems, Ayurveda suggests the following simple remedies.
First, prepare a mixture of these herbs:
punarnava 1 part
gokshura 1 part
fennel seed 1 part
Take 1 full teaspoon of this mixture 2 or 3 times a day after meals, washing it down with warm water.
Another simple, natural treatment for kidneys is cumin-coriander-fennel tea. Prepare the tea by mixing equal amounts of these herbs, boil in water, and drink 2 or 3 times a day. (Use about ¼ teaspoon of each herb per cup of water.)
For another effective remedy, combine about ½ teaspoon of the Ayurvedic herb musta with ½ teaspoon fennel, steep in a cup of hot water for 10 minutes, strain, and drink. This drink will strengthen the kidneys.
Kidney Stones There are different types of kidney stones, corresponding to vata, pitta, and kapha dosha.
• Calcium stones are kapha stones. They are generally soft and painless, though they may become painful when they start leaving the pelvis of the kidney and enter the ureter. An individual with an underactive thyroid or parathyroid gland can develop calcium stones.
• Phosphate stones are rough; they irritate the bladder and cause pain because of their rough quality. They are primarily caused by increased phosphates in the system, due to excess eating of nightshade plants (potatoes, eggplant, tomatoes).
• Oxalate stones are sharp. They are pitta stones. They irritate, burn, and create bleeding, and they may create a great deal of pain from loin to groin. A diet high in oxalic acid promotes formation of pitta stones. Thus individuals who eat spinach, potato, tomato, and rhubarb, which are rich in oxalic acid, have a tendency to form stones. These food items should be strictly avoided by anyone concerned about preventing the formation of kidney stones.
HERBAL REMEDIES. If you already have a kidney stone, to decrystallize the pelvis of the kidney Ayurveda suggests punarnava guggulu and gokshuradi guggulu. Take one tablet of each twice a day after lunch and dinner.
If you have begun to pass a kidney stone and are having a great deal of pain, prepare the following herbal formula:
punarnava 1 part
mutral 1 part
coriander 1 part
Take 1 teaspoon of this mixture twice a day, with a can of beer. Beer, which is essentially fermented barley soup, is a diuretic. It accelerates the passing of the kidney stone and, in combination with the herbs, effects a decrystallization of the kidney. You will pass the stone more easily, without much pain. NOTE: You can use nonalcoholic beer if you prefer, or you can heat up regular beer in a saucepan and the alcohol will quickly evaporate.
Another effective herbal remedy is this formula:
punarnava 5 parts
gokshura 3 parts
mutral 2 parts
shilajit ⅛ part
Taking ½ teaspoon of this mixture twice a day with a can of beer can help the kidney stone pass with less discomfort.
Again, if you don’t like to drink beer, you can substitute nonalcoholic beer, or drink barley tea or barley soup instead. All are diuretic and will accomplish the same action.
HOT AND COLD APPLICATIONS. Another way to ease the pain of passing a kidney stone is to alternate hot and cold applications to the kidney area. Use a hot water bottle or hot compress, and an ice bag or a bag of frozen vegetables. Alternate them every 30 seconds to 1 minute, until the pain subsides.
WATERMELON JUICE. Try drinking a cup of watermelon juice with ¼ teaspoon coriander power. Watermelon is a diuretic (as is coriander), so this mixture will give the kidneys a good flushing and help to remove small stones and crystals. Use this 2 to 3 times a day.
Low Libido Libido is the desire for pleasure and satisfaction. According to Ayurveda, this desire derives from shukra dhatu, the male reproductive tissue, and artava dhatu, the female reproductive tissue. When there is weakness or debility in the male or female reproductive tissue, libido is low.
Low libido is a symptom that many people have in middle age or even earlier. In addition to weakness in the reproductive tissue, emotional factors and high stress are the primary causes of a reduced sex drive. It can be effectively treated with Ayurvedic programs and remedies that reduce stress and strengthen the reproductive system.
But as always in Ayurveda, the question arises, What is the total context of the situation? Low libido can be a problem that affects ones marriage or partnership. On the other hand, reduced sexual desire may sometimes be a healthy response by the body, shutting off excess loss of the health-giving vital fluid. From this perspective, low libido may be seen as an expression of the body’s intelligence.
Intentional celibacy is quite different from low libido. In celibacy there is incredible sexual power, but the person consciously controls that sexual energy and transforms it into supreme bliss or supreme intelligence.
In cases of low libido, that energy is simply lacking. In this section we will explore several ways to increase it.
A simple but effective technique is to gently press the glans penis (the head or tip of the penis) with the top of your index finger. Specifically, press on the groove about one inch behind the tip of the penis. A marma point is located at the center of that groove. (See glossary for a brief explanation of marma points.) Gently press for a minute or two, then release. This technique will also help remedy premature ejaculation. (See further suggestions under “Premature Ejaculation.”)
• You can also gently massage the glans penis with bala oil or shatavari ghee. Or apply a little castor oil or brahmi ghee. (See appendix 2 for guidance in preparing herbalized oils and ghees.)
• Internally, taking the herb ashwagandha is effective. Add 1 teaspoon ashwagandha and ½ teaspoon vidari to a cup of warm milk, and drink it at night. This formula is strengthening for men with low libido. NOTE: It is better to cook the herbs in the milk for a few minutes than to just mix the powder in the cup.
A similar herbal formula is helpful for women, but use shatavari instead of ashwagandha. Mix 1 teaspoon shatavari with ½ teaspoon vidari, and take it with a cup of warm milk at night before going to bed.
• You can also gently massage the pubic bone with bala oil, shatavari ghee, castor oil, or brahmi ghee.
ALMONDS. Eat 10 raw (unroasted) almonds for breakfast. Soak them overnight in water, and the next morning peel off the skins before eating.
• Make this strengthening almond drink: As above, soak 10 raw almonds in water overnight, and peel off the skins the next morning. But then put the almonds in a blender, and add:
warm milk 1 cup
ghee 1 teaspoon
natural sugar 1 teaspoon
nutmeg a pinch
saffron a pinch
Blend thoroughly. It is yummy, and excellent for combating low libido!
DATES. Soak 10 fresh dates in a quart jar of ghee. Add:
ginger 1 teaspoon
cardamom ⅛ teaspoon
saffron 1 pinch
Cover, and keep in a warm place for at least 2 weeks. Then eat 1 date daily, in the early morning. These dates taste delicious and help to remedy low libido and sexual debility as well as chronic fatigue.
APPLE DESSERT. Another delicious and strengthening concoction is the following apple dessert. Remove the skins and core from 5 raw apples. Blend or mash them to make a pulp, and mix thoroughly, adding some honey according to your taste. Then add:
powdered cardamom ⅛ teaspoon
saffron 1 pinch
nutmeg 1 pinch
rose water 10 drops
Enjoy ½ cup of this dessert at least an hour after meals.
NOTE: Avoid milk, yogurt, and fish for at least 4 hours before and after eating this apple dessert.
FIGS AND HONEY. After breakfast, eat 3 figs with 1 teaspoon honey. An hour later, take a glass of lassi. (See this page for lassi recipe.) This will help restore sexual energy.
GARLIC AND ONIONS. Adding some more garlic and onions to the diet is helpful. However, these foods are not considered good for meditation as they are somewhat dulling to the mind, so if that is a concern of yours, you can skip this and the following two recommendations.
• Garlic milk is said to have aphrodisiac qualities. Mix together 1 cup milk, ¼ cup water, and 1 clove chopped garlic. Boil gently until only 1 cup of liquid remains, and drink at bedtime.
• Take 1 tablespoon onion juice mixed with 1 teaspoon fresh ginger juice twice a day.
HERBAL REMEDY. Low libido can be effectively treated with this herbal formula:
shatavari 1 part
vidari 1 part
nutmeg ⅛ part
tagar ½ part
Take 1 teaspoon of this mixture in the morning and another teaspoon in the evening, with warm milk. Continue taking it twice a day for 1 month.
LOW LIBIDO AND CONSTIPATION. These two conditions are often found together. To easily overcome constipation, take triphala daily, ½ teaspoon at night with warm water. Brew the triphala powder in about a cup of hot water, let it steep for 10 minutes, strain, and drink.
FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL AND EMOTIONAL ISSUES. If stress and psychological problems such as anxiety or hostility are contributing to your state of low libido, it will be helpful to meditate regularly, practice yoga asanas, and do breathing exercises. Particularly helpful asanas include Vajra, Rooster, Camel, and Nataraj. (Guidelines for yoga postures are found in appendix 4.)
Memory Problems Everyone has occasional episodes of forgetfulness. Forgetting a name, date, or other information that seems to be on the tip of the tongue can make a person frustrated. One may forget where one has parked the car or left one’s keys. Such experiences are common to everyone. On the other extreme, a severe form of forgetfulness happens in Alzheimer’s disease, in which one may fail to recognize one’s wife, husband, children, friends, or family members.
Memory problems are often the result of an inadequate supply of nutrients to the brain. Also, as age advances, memory frequently becomes poorer. Alcohol destroys brain cells, so memory loss among alcoholics is quite common. Memory problems may also be due to the use of drugs such as LSD, marijuana, and cocaine, as well as to alcohol abuse. All these can damage the brain tissue and memory will be affected.
According to Ayurvedic principles, memory is recorded on the sensitive film of the nerve cells within the brain, which are of a kapha nature; memory is enlivened and brought back at a proper time by means of vata. Most memory problems are due either to stagnation of kapha or to aggravation of vata dosha, with its light, airy, even spacy qualities. Thus, in order to improve memory, we need to control vata and kapha. Pitta, on the other hand, is sharp and penetrating and supports good memory.
The following recommendations will help you improve your memory and prevent memory loss.
CARROTS. Carrots, which contain carotene, are good for memory. Carrots also enhance pitta, which brings sharpness of recall. Drink carrot or beet juice, both of which are blood builders and will help improve memory.
KITCHARI FAST. Kitchari is a simple, nourishing dish made essentially of 50 percent basmati rice and 50 percent split yellow mung dal, with some spices usually added for flavor. A five-day kitchari fast, using plain kitchari with just some chopped cilantro leaves added, will cleanse the system and help to strengthen memory. (For more delicious kitchari recipes, use your imagination or consult a cookbook such as Ayurvedic Cooking for Self-Healing by Usha Lad and Vasant Lad; see Bibliography.)
Simple Kitchari Recipe
1 cup basmati rice
1 cup yellow split mung dal
1 small handful cilantro leaves, chopped
6 cups water
Wash the rice and mung dal twice, using plenty of water. If you have time, let the mung dal soak for a few hours before cooking, to help with digestibility.
Add rice, dal, and cilantro to the water.
Bring to a boil, and boil 5 minutes uncovered, stirring occasionally.
Turn down heat to low, and cover, leaving the lid slightly ajar. Cook until tender, about 25 to 30 minutes.
FRUIT FAST. A 3- to 5-day fruit fast, with triphala at night (½ teaspoon steeped for 5 to 10 minutes in a cup of hot water), will sharpen the nervous system and make the brain more capable of investigating deeply into the memory. Note: A fruit fast should not be attempted by anyone who tends to get hypoglycemia.
The following fruits are recommended for the fast:
| For vata | Papayas, prunes, mangoes |
| For pitta | Grapes, pomegranates, apples |
| For kapha | Apples, cranberries, pomegranates |
OTHER FOODS. Additional foods that are helpful for improving memory include sweet potatoes, tapioca, okra (frequently used as a brain tonic), and spinach, which promotes pitta and stimulates memory. Sattvic foods in general are good for memory. Foods traditionally considered most sattvic include fresh fruits and vegetables, almonds, oranges, ghee, and milk. One food that is particularly bad for memory is heavy meat. This should be strictly avoided by anyone with memory problems.
• Ginkgo and gotu kola have recently been touted as good for improving memory, and indeed they are truly beneficial. Both of these herbs serve to dilate the cerebral blood vessels, increasing circulation to the brain, and are good memory tonics.
• In Ayurveda there are specific herbs known as medhya herbs. Medhya means “that which improves memory.” The first and foremost is brahmi (which is similar to gotu kola). Also, jatamamsi, bhringaraj, and shanka pushpi are valuable for the brain and memory. You can use these herbs separately, or mixed together in equal proportions to make a tea.
brahmi
jatamamsi
bhringaraj
shanka pushpi
Steep 1 teaspoon herbs in 1 cup hot water for 10 minutes, and drink it on an empty stomach in the morning and evening. Continue taking this tea for 1 month to help improve circulation to the brain and eliminate memory problems. If it seems to be beneficial, you can continue using it indefinitely.
• Drink brahmi milk—½ teaspoon brahmi boiled for a couple of minutes in a cup of milk—at bedtime. It will improve your memory remarkably. Add a pinch of saffron for increased benefit. You can drink brahmi milk every day for a month, or continue indefinitely.
• A teaspoon of brahmi ghee, taken 5 to 10 minutes before breakfast and before dinner, also helps.
• Aloe vera gel (1 tablespoon) with a pinch of black pepper and ¼ teaspoon bhringaraj powder, taken 2 or 3 times a day, is also beneficial.
WRITE IT DOWN. Write down important information in order to remember it. Then you can go over it, and over it. Also, make a list of things you want to do or buy. Then you won’t forget the milk or bananas!
DEVELOP A POETIC ATTITUDE. Think in rhymes and rhythms. In the oral traditions of India and other countries, students memorize vast amounts of knowledge that is usually set in rhyme and rhythm.
ASSOCIATE. Use association to aid memory. Suppose somebody tells you his name. Try to associate that name with something familiar. You might even imagine a picture to go along with the sound.
MEDITATION ON FORGETFULNESS. There is an ancient Vedic technique to recapture a lost memory: If you forget something, just sit quietly and stay in the forgetfulness. Breathe into the forgetfulness, and try to dig out the memory. Suddenly it will come back!
EXERCISE. Daily walking, especially fast walking if you are fit for it, improves circulation and helps strengthen memory. Walk for half an hour, 5 times a week, Monday to Friday.
YOGA POSTURES. Yoga postures are helpful, especially the inverted poses (Shoulder Stand, Headstand, Plow pose, and Camel pose), which help to bring more blood to the brain. The Bow and Cobra poses are also helpful, as is Savasana, the yogic rest pose. Also do the Sun Salutation, 12 cycles a day.
OIL MASSAGE. Brahmi oil rubbed on the soles of the feet and on the scalp stimulates cerebral neural receptors under the skin, which send messages to the brain cells and can activate memory.
NASYA. The nose is the doorway to the brain and memory. Nose drops of warmed-up brahmi ghee, 5 drops in each nostril, can help to improve memory. (See appendix 2 for instructions on how to make medicated oils and ghees.)
PRANAYAMA. Alternate Nostril Breathing helps to improve cerebral circulation (see chapter 6).
MEDITATE FOR BETTER MEMORY. Memory problems may be caused by stress, anxiety, and worries. Regular meditation is beneficial for relieving stress. Try the Empty Bowl or So-Hum meditation explained in chapter 7.
AVOID TOXIC SUBSTANCES. A person who has memory problems should avoid alcohol and marijuana. Also, strictly avoid drugs that will directly affect the brain, such as LSD. Smoking cigarettes can also adversely affect memory, as nicotine toxicity constricts the cerebral blood vessels, which will damage the brain cells. Some research indicates that certain commonly prescribed medications, such as diazepam (Valium), may also seriously impair memory.
These do’s and don’ts will be effective in protecting and improving your memory.
Menopause Problems Menopause is a natural phenomenon. The body stops producing female hormones, and menstruation ceases. In addition to their reproductive and other functions, female hormones are necessary for regulation of bone metabolism. That is why some women may end up with osteoporosis. This is particularly true of vata and pitta individuals. (See “Osteoporosis” for suggestions on preventing this condition.)
Some women may experience menopausal syndrome, characterized by hot flashes, retention of water, and mood swings. Some may have insomnia. The following recommendations will help you move through this natural stage of your life gracefully and comfortably.
DIETARY GUIDELINES. The main dietary recommendation for menopause is to follow the vata-pacifying diet (see chapter 8). This is true for all constitutions but is especially crucial for vata types.
ALOE VERA. Taking fresh aloe vera gel (1 teaspoon 3 times a day) will help prevent and relieve uncomfortable symptoms.
MINERAL SUPPLEMENTS. It is important to take some mineral supplements. Specifically, take a formula of calcium, magnesium, and zinc that provides a daily amount approximately as follows:
| calcium | 1,200 mg. |
| magnesium | 600 mg. |
| zinc | 60 mg. |
It has become commonplace for modern medicine to prescribe hormone replacement therapy for menopausal women. Ayurveda has long recognized the value of female rejuvenating herbs at this stage of life, to prevent and/or alleviate menopausal syndrome. However, these herbs, rather than being a synthetic formula, provide your body with natural food precursors of estrogen and progesterone.
The herbs shatavari and wild yam (which is similar to the Ayurvedic herb vidari) are most effective. A mixture of the two will be strengthening and healing to your system.
vidari or wild yam ½ teaspoon
shatavari ½ teaspoon
Take this formula twice a day after lunch and dinner during the entire menopausal stage, with a few sips of warm water or ½ cup of aloe vera juice.
Take these supplements at night. They should help with menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, and they can also help prevent osteoporosis.
FOR HOT FLASHES. Try drinking 1 cup of pomegranate juice with 1 teaspoon rock candy powder or organic sugar and 5 to 10 drops of lime juice. You can drink this 2 or 3 times per day, as needed to relieve hot flashes.
FOR VAGINAL DRYNESS. To alleviate vaginal dryness, you can pour some sesame oil on a piece of sterile cotton, mold it into a tamponlike shape, and insert it into the vagina at night. Use a sanitary pad to catch any leakage of the oil. (Consider tying a clean thread or string to the cotton to help you remove it in the morning.)
HELPFUL YOGA POSTURES. Certain yoga asanas are beneficial. Do the Sun Salutation at least 12 cycles per day, as well as postures that will strengthen the lower abdominal area, such as the Lotus, Locust, Bow, Boat, and Spinal Twist. Leg Lifts and the Chest-Knee pose are also helpful. (See appendix 4.)
Menstrual Difficulties See also “PMS”
According to Ayurvedic theory, painful or difficult menstruation (dysmenorrhea) can be divided into three types: vata, pitta, and kapha. It is important to know as specifically as possible what the problem is (vata, pitta, or kapha) in order to treat it effectively. Please note that these difficulties are independent of one’s own constitutional type. That is, somebody with a pitta constitution could be having vata-type menstrual problems. So read the following descriptions carefully and compare them to your own experience.
• Vata. More pain before the onset of menstruation, bloating, lower abdominal pain, lower back ache, constipation, cramps, and insomnia are associated with vata-type dysmenorrhea. Menstrual flow tends to be scanty.
• Pitta. Congestive dysmenorrhea is a pitta problem. Pitta creates congestion, inflammation, and irritation. The breasts become tender, the bladder becomes sensitive, and there can be a burning sensation while passing urine. There may be hot flashes and irritability. It may lead to profuse menstrual flow.
• Kapha. In kapha-type menstrual difficulties, there is also congestion, and pain occurs more in the later part of the menstrual period, associated with white discharge, bloating, water retention, feelings of heaviness, lethargy, and drowsiness. The woman feels like sleeping during the daytime.
Now for some effective treatments for each type of disorder.
VATA. For vata-type menstrual discomfort, make an herbal compound of
ashwagandha
vidari
tagar
Mix equal proportions of these herbs together, and take 1 teaspoon of the mixture with warm water after lunch and dinner.
Also effective for relieving vata-type cramps and discomfort is applying castor oil on the lower abdomen.
Take 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel with 2 pinches of black pepper 3 times a day until the cramps subside.
PITTA. Women with pitta-type symptoms should use
shatavari 2 parts
kama dudha ⅛ part
musta 1 part
This formula is effective for pitta-type menstrual pain. Take ½ teaspoon of this mixture twice a day with warm water, after meals.
You will also find application of some coconut oil on the lower abdomen quite soothing.
KAPHA. Kapha-type menstrual problems can be effectively treated by using a mixture of
punarnava ½ part
manjistha ½ part
trikatu ⅛ part
Take about ½ teaspoon of this mixture twice a day, after lunch and dinner, washed down with warm water.
Application of mustard oil and castor oil (half and half) to the lower abdomen will also help with kapha-type menstrual discomfort.
NOTE: This may be a good time to remind you of an important Ayurvedic principle. If you are finding that your self-treatment is not working or even appears to be making the condition worse, you may have made a mistake in your diagnosis of the problem.
Don’t give up! Remember, you are not a trained Ayurvedic diagnostician. Simply reassess the situation and try a different line of treatment.
HERBAL REMEDIES. Ayurvedic medicine includes a series of powerful herbal compounds based on the herb guggulu. In addition to other healing qualities, these compounds are especially good for regulating menstruation. For vata-type pain, use triphala guggulu or yogaraj guggulu. Pittas may use kaishore guggulu. Kaphas will do best with punarnava guggulu. In each case, take one tablet twice a day. These tablets are generally available from sources of Ayurvedic herbs (see Resources).
• Another universal remedy that should bring some relief from menstrual pain is to roast some cumin seeds in an ungreased pan until they smell pungent. (It will just take a few minutes.) When they are cool, chew about 1 teaspoon slowly, and follow with one tablespoon aloe vera juice.
FOR EXCESSIVE MENSTRUAL FLOW. A tea made of raspberry leaves and hibiscus flowers (equal amounts, 1 to 2 teaspoons of herbs per cup of water) is often quite effective.
• You might also try drinking a cup of coconut water (the natural juice inside a fresh coconut) with ½ teaspoon rock candy powder or natural sugar added.
• Eating about 10 to 20 fresh raspberries on an empty stomach, up to 2 or 3 times a day, may be helpful.
Perhaps more important than all these pain remedies is a strategy to prevent menstrual problems. You can follow this strategy quite easily, effectively, safely, and inexpensively.
ALOE VERA GEL. For the entire week before you expect your period to start, take 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel, 3 times a day. This will help prevent all types of menstrual pain and discomfort.
DIETARY GUIDELINES. Throughout the month, follow the dietary guidelines for your constitutional type (see chapter 8).
YOGA POSITIONS. Throughout the month, spend a few minutes every day on the yoga postures recommended for your body type (see this page). Yoga asanas are not recommended during the menstrual period. Just rest, read, and relax as much as possible.
If you follow these recommendations, your menstrual problems may soon be nothing but a memory.
Migraine See also “Headaches”
Although migraine headaches can result from a vata, pitta, or kapha imbalance, they most frequently occur when systemic pitta moves into the cardiovascular system, circulates, and affects the blood vessels around the brain. The hot, sharp quality of pitta dilates the blood vessels and creates pressure on the nerves, causing this painful condition.
FOLLOW THE PITTA-PACIFYING DIET. To treat migraine headaches, it is vital first to take care of pitta with a proper pitta-soothing diet. (See the dietary guidelines in chapter 8.) Especially avoid hot, spicy foods, fermented foods, and sour or citrus fruits. Carefully following a pitta-soothing diet is effective both for migraine relief and as a preventive measure.
PREVENTIVE BREAKFAST. Certain individuals get migraines at midday, which then subside later in the evening. For such individuals, try this preventive method. It may sound too simple, but it is effective. First thing in the morning, take 1 ripe banana. Peel it, chop it into pieces, and add 1 teaspoon warm ghee, 1 teaspoon date sugar, and a pinch of cardamom on top. This is delicious, and it will help to reduce pitta and prevent a headache from arising.
HERBAL REMEDY. The following herbal compound will be beneficial:
shatavari 5 parts
brahmi 4 parts
jatamamsi 3 parts
musta 3 parts
Prepare this mixture, and take ½ teaspoon twice a day, morning and evening, after breakfast and dinner, with a little lukewarm water. This formula is designed to pacify the aggravated pitta and help relieve migraine headaches.
AVOID DIRECT SUN. Because migraine headaches are predominantly a pitta disorder, they are affected by the hot sun. When the sun rises, its hot, sharp, penetrating rays increase pitta in the cardiovascular system and cause the dilation of the blood vessels in the brain, which results in the painful headaches. So it is important to avoid direct exposure to the sun, and if you do go out in the sun, wear a hat.
SOOTHING NOSE DROPS. Once a headache has developed, putting about 5 drops of warm brahmi ghee in each nostril will help relieve the pain.
RECOMMENDED YOGA POSTURES. Generally, a person having migraines should do the Moon Salutation (see appendix 4). Helpful yoga postures include the Hidden Lotus, Boat pose, Bow pose, Spinal Twist, Palm Tree pose, and Standing on the Toes.
A COOLING PRANAYAMA. You will also find a cooling breathing exercise such as shitali helpful (see chapter 8).
A HEALING YAWN. When you have a migraine, gently squeeze your earlobes, pulling the ear down, and do the act of yawning. That will relieve the pressure on the blood vessels and help to pacify the headache.
See “Headaches” for a detailed analysis of vata, pitta, and kapha headaches and their proper treatment.
Morning Sickness Early in pregnancy, morning sickness—nausea and vomiting in the early morning, immediately or soon after waking up—is quite common. This condition is due to aggravation of pitta and is especially common among pitta individuals. It usually occurs from approximately the sixth to the tenth week of pregnancy.
Some medical researchers have said that the level of estrogen in the blood rises during pregnancy. Estrogen is pittagenic. The higher estrogen level in the blood triggers pitta in the stomach and increases acid secretion, so that the stomach becomes more acidic. In the early morning, when the stomach is empty and acidic, morning sickness can occur.
Also, certain odors can trigger nausea and vomiting at any time of the day or night, but sensitivity to smell is greatest in the morning. During pregnancy, a woman’s sense of smell becomes unusually sensitive. The reason is interesting. According to Ayurveda, the earth element is particularly prominent during pregnancy, because the fetus is building and growing and the earth element is responsible for solidity and structure. The earth element is also associated with the sense of smell. (In Ayurveda, the senses are related to the elements like this: Space = touch; Air = hearing, Fire = sight; Water = taste, Earth = smell.)
Ayurvedic literature talks poetically about morning sickness, saying that it is common among women whose babies will develop a copious head of hair after birth.
START THE DAY WITH A LITTLE FOOD. Believe it or not, the first thing to do upon waking up in the morning is to put something in your stomach. Have a little light food. You might try some crackers with a slightly salty taste. Salt is generally pitta-provoking, but a small quantity of salt stimulates salivary secretion and helps to reduce pitta. Fresh lime juice is also helpful, with a little salt and sugar.
EAT OFTEN. If you are troubled by morning sickness, eat small frequent meals, as many as five or six in a day. An empty stomach has more acid secretion, and irritation and nausea easily follow.
COCONUT WATER. Add 1 teaspoon of lemon juice to a cup of coconut water (the natural juice inside a fresh coconut), and take a sip every 15 minutes to settle your stomach.
EFFECTIVE HERBAL REMEDY. The following herbal formula is effective for settling morning sickness:
shatavari 5 parts
shanka bhasma ⅛ part
kama dudha ⅛ part
Take ½ teaspoon of this mixture with lime juice or lemon juice in the early morning and at bedtime to reduce acid secretion in the stomach and relieve nausea.
TRY ALMONDS. Soak 10 raw (unroasted) almonds overnight, and next morning peel off the skin and eat them. In addition to providing a high-quality protein, almonds are a good source of calcium. Pregnant mothers need both. And they settle the stomach.
WALK IT OFF. Sometimes walking in the fresh morning air helps with morning sickness, because fresh cool air reduces pitta. It also helps to relieve stress. It sometimes happens that a pitta woman, working for a demanding boss and coming home to a criticizing husband, develops some unresolved anger. Stress builds up in the solar plexus and manifests as morning sickness. It is important for her to reduce her stress level by doing some early morning walking or other appropriate exercise.
MINIMASSAGE. In the morning, before taking a shower, warm up 3 to 5 ounces of sesame oil (for vata constitutions), coconut oil (for pittas) or sunflower oil (for kaphas), and rub it over your body for 5 to 10 minutes. Be sure to get some on your scalp and feet. Then take a nice warm shower. This soothing oil massage (called abhyanga) will minimize stress and help with morning sickness.
MILK WITH ROSE WATER. Buy some rose essence or rose water. When you are feeling nauseated, put 1 drop in a cupful of milk, boil the milk, and then drink it warm. (You can just as well use 5 fresh rose petals from your garden to boil in the milk.) This will help to eliminate the nausea. As a preventive measure, taking a cup of this rose milk with a teaspoon of ghee at bedtime will pacify pitta and help to control morning sickness.
DRINK A LOT. Vomiting can lead to dehydration, so you need to drink extra liquid to compensate. Better still, make some homemade dextrosaline by adding 2 teaspoons sugar, the juice of ½ lime, and a pinch of salt to 1 pint of water. Drink 1 cup every 2 hours to eliminate dehydration and help the nausea and vomiting subside.
PEACOCK FEATHER ASH. This remedy might sound strange, but it is quite effective. Ayurvedic literature says that morning sickness can be remedied by using peacock feather ash. Burn a peacock feather in such a way that you can collect the ash. The smell of the burning feather is quite awful, so someone else should burn the feather, not the pregnant woman. Take just a pinch of the powdery ash with a teaspoon of honey. This can immediately stop morning sickness.
EFFECTIVE HERBAL FORMULA. No matter what your constitutional type is, this formula will be beneficial for you:
shatavari 5 parts
kama dudha ⅛ part
shanka bhasma ⅛ part
moti bhasma ⅛ part
Take ½ teaspoon 2 or 3 times a day with ghee. Or, if you don’t want to use ghee, use warm water. Sometimes during pregnancy women may not feel like taking ghee.
Muscle Cramps and Spasms While running, walking, riding a bicycle, standing up for a long time, doing yoga stretches incorrectly, or even sleeping, a person can get muscle cramps. Any muscle—upper arm, forearm, leg, calf, or even a toe or the baby finger—can undergo sudden spasm.
Muscle cramps and spasms have numerous causes. They may be due to insufficient blood supply to the muscle or, in some cases, to excess blood supply, as in the case of “writer’s cramp.” Muscle spasms can be due to lack of calcium in the diet or malabsorption of calcium, since calcium plays a significant role in relaxing the muscle. A related problem is hypoparathyroidism (underactive parathyroid), in which the person loses calcium; this may also cause the muscles to undergo spasm. Exposure to cold and poor circulation may also be responsible.
The Ayurvedic understanding is, in simplest terms, that muscle spasms are caused by vata dosha. Vata, increased by mobile, cold, or rough qualities, makes a muscle stiff and hard, and it undergoes spasm.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELIEF. Whenever a muscle is under spasm
• Grab hold of it.
• At the same time, press your index finger deeply into the “belly” of the muscle (the bulging central part of the muscle) for 15 to 20 seconds. A marma point (like an acupressure point) is located in the center of the muscle; pressing on it helps the muscle relax.
• Take a few deep breaths.
This procedure will increase circulation, and the muscle will relax.
ANOTHER PRESSURE POINT REMEDY. A marma point is located at the midpoint of both the lips. If there is a spasm in the upper body, such as in the arms or fingers, grab hold of your upper lip, in the middle, between your thumb and index finger. If the spasm is in the legs or the lower part of the body, grab the lower lip.
These energy points on the lips send messages to the brain, which in turn relays a signal to the motor system to relax the muscles. Just grabbing the lips for 30 seconds should help relieve the spasm. Press fairly strongly, but not hard enough to be painful.
CONTRACT AND RELAX THE MUSCLE. Repeatedly alternate contraction and relaxation of the muscle. This will improve circulation and help to release lactic acid, which will relax the muscle.
MASSAGE. Another approach is to apply a little oil to the muscle belly and gently massage. Mahanarayan oil is best if you have it; otherwise, some sesame oil or other oil will do. Gentle massage of the painful cramped muscle will relax the muscle fibers, improve the circulation, and pacify the vata. That will help relieve the spasm.
After rubbing in the mahanarayan oil, apply a little heat. For best results, use a hot water bottle (not an electric heating pad).
Winter, with its dry, cold weather, is vata season. During winter season, when vata individuals get exposed to the cold, their muscles may cramp. Rubbing the muscle with mahanarayan oil (or sesame oil) and hen applying heat will be soothing and healing.
SOAK IT. For a cramp in your foot, soak the foot in a bucket of warm water that contains salt (1 or 2 tablespoons).
A hot ginger powder-baking soda bath (2/3 cup baking soda and ¼ cup ginger per tubful of water) is also effective for muscle relaxation.
HERBAL RELAXANTS. Make yourself a cup of chamomile tea, jatamamsi tea, or comfrey tea. Or, even better, you can make a tea using equal amounts of all three of these herbs (⅓ teaspoon of each per cup). It will help to relax your muscles.
FOR PREVENTION. As a preventive measure against future cramping, drink some dashamoola tea—½ teaspoon of dashamoola powder steeped for a few minutes in 1 cup hot water. Have a cup or two of dashamoola tea every Saturday.
MINERAL SUPPLEMENTS. Getting repeated muscle cramps suggests that you either have a calcium deficiency or are not absorbing enough of the calcium in your food. First, take some supplements of calcium, magnesium, and zinc. Your formula should contain approximately 1,200 mg. calcium, 600 mg. magnesium, and 60 mg. zinc. Take these supplements at bedtime.
Second, to improve absorption, take triphala every night or in the very early morning. Use about ½ teaspoon triphala powder per cup of boiling water.
YOGARAJ GUGGULU. Yogaraj guggulu tablets (200 mg. per tablet), taken 2 or 3 times a day for 1 month, are effective for pacifying vata in the muscles, which is the root cause of muscle cramps.
EFFECTIVE HOME TREATMENT FOR ABDOMINAL CRAMPS. Muscle cramps and cramps in the stomach may be related. Muscle pain can happen anywhere in the body, in the skeletal muscles as well as in the smooth muscles of the abdomen. As with spasm in the arm or leg, abdominal cramps may have many causes, such as eating too big a meal, or lifting too heavy a weight, which strains the abdominal muscles. Gases in the stomach, constipation, or acid indigestion can also create cramps in the stomach or abdomen.
• For painful cramps in the abdominal muscles, take the herbal compound shankavati (one 200-mg. tablet after dinner).
• This antacid formula may also be effective:
shatavari ½ teaspoon
guduchi ¼ teaspoon
shanka bhasma pinch
Take this entire amount once or twice a day, after meals.
• Warm milk is helpful for abdominal muscle cramps. Its alkaline property helps pacify acidity, and it is also a good source of calcium, which helps muscles to relax. One cup of warm milk taken at bedtime will help to dispel acid irritation and spasm of the stomach.
• Lasunadivati (garlic compound) is effectively used for smooth muscle spasm as well as skeletal muscle spasm. Take 1 tablet after dinner for 5 days. You can also buy odorless garlic tablets; take them as directed on the package. Garlic relaxes the muscles, calms down vata dosha, and helps to take care of muscle cramps.
• Hingwastak churna, ¼ teaspoon taken twice a day after lunch and dinner, will also help relieve abdominal muscle pain. It may also create some gas, however.
• Triphala is very effective in relieving gases, promoting proper elimination, and facilitating absorption of calcium and other key minerals. Take ½ teaspoon of triphala daily at bedtime with warm water. It will minimize your chances of getting muscle cramps in the stomach.
Nasal Crust Some individuals, when their systemic kapha dosha becomes high (perhaps due to eating too many kapha-increasing foods), become sensitive to pollen, dust, ragweed, cat hair, dog hair, and other allergens, as well as to cold temperatures. As a result, they may develop rhinitis, with nasal congestion and nasal discharge. Even in the absence of infection, dryness in the atmosphere may dry up the mucous membranes and nasal passage; to compensate for that, the body will produce more mucus. Then, due to continuing dry heat in the environment, the nasal discharge becomes thick, dry, and crusty. This is known as nasal crust.
People with deviated nasal septum can also accumulate nasal discharge, and because of dryness in the air it may form a crust. Nasal crust can create stuffy nose, sinus headache, and difficulty breathing. It can be one of the causes of snoring and of sleep apnea. Nosebleeds may also be due to nasal crust.
Ayurvedic medicine offers a number of effective remedies:
STEAM IT. The simplest remedy is to inhale steam. You can use plain water, water with some ginger boiled in it, or a tea of the following ingredients:
ginger
ajwan (Indian celery seed)
turmeric
Put equal amounts of each of these herbs in a pint of water, and boil it up. Then turn off the fire, put a towel over your head, and inhale the steam. This will ease out the discharge. The crust will come out, and you will breathe freely. Though simple, this is an effective remedy.
MENTHOL AND EUCALYPTUS. Rubbing menthol on the forehead and on the sinus area will help. Placing a few drops of mild eucalyptus oil in the nose will also help.
NOTE: Do not use pure eucalyptus oil. Dilute a few drops of eucalyptus oil with sesame oil or some other mild oil so that it doesn’t burn your skin or the sensitive tissue in the nose.
USE AN ONION. Chop up an onion, and sniff its fragrance. Onions contain ammonia, which is a powerful decongestant. It brings tears to the eyes and promotes sneezing. The tears from the eyes will pass through the tear ducts and into the nasal passage, which will lubricate and loosen the crust; then the sneezing will help the crust to be eliminated.
LUBRICATE THE NOSTRILS. Putting a few drops of brahmi ghee or saline solution into the nose will also lubricate the nasal passage and facilitate removal of the crust. You can make an effective saline solution by adding ⅛ teaspoon salt to ½ cup water.
BURN IT OUT. A meal of spicy food will also help. For example, a hot soup or vegetables spiced with cayenne pepper, curry powder, or chili pepper (within your limits of comfort!) will increase circulation and help to eliminate stuffy nose and nasal crust.
USE A HUMIDIFIER. At night, run a humidifier so that the room will be warm and moist. If possible, don’t use an ultrasound humidifier. A hot-water type is best.
VITAMINS AND HERBS. Finally, take some or all of the following:
• Vitamin C—1,000 mg. (1 gram) twice a day
• Amalaki (a good source of vitamin C)—1 teaspoon at bedtime in warm water. (Don’t use it if you are already taking triphala at night; amalaki is one of the ingredients of triphala.)
• Zinc—60 mg.
• Sitopaladi churna—½ to 1 teaspoon, with 1 teaspoon honey and 1 teaspoon ghee.
Nausea and Vomiting See also “Morning Sickness”
Nausea and vomiting have numerous possible causes, including excess acid secretion, toxins in the liver, pregnancy, worms in the colon, food poisoning, and flu. (For suggestions on reducing nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, see “Morning Sickness.”)
In the event of food poisoning or excess acid secretion in the stomach, vomiting occurs as a protective response of the body to get rid of toxins. With flu also, excess bile may build up in the stomach, and vomiting occurs to cast it out. In such cases vomiting is a sign of health, of the body taking care of itself.
But when vomiting becomes persistent, it may lead to dehydration or other problems, and it has to be stopped. Morning sickness, for example, may adversely affect the flow of nutrition going to the fetus.
Ayurveda recommends quite a few effective ways to relieve nausea and put a stop to vomiting.
PACIFY PITTA. Nausea and vomiting indicate high pitta in the stomach, with increased acid secretion irritating the gastric mucous membrane. Therefore, it is good to follow a pitta-soothing diet, especially abstaining from hot, spicy food or fermented food.
TRY FASTING. Fasting gives a healing rest to the digestive system. Don’t eat for a day—and drink 1 cup of sweet fresh pineapple juice with a pinch of ginger, a pinch of black pepper, and ½ teaspoon organic sugar. Take this 3 times during the day.
• Alternatively, you can drink cranberry juice or pomegranate juice on your fast.
EIGHT WAYS TO SETTLE NAUSEA AND VOMITING. Here are eight simple and effective suggestions to help you soothe nausea and vomiting:
• To 1 cup of water, add 10 drops of lime juice and ½ teaspoon sugar. Last, add ¼ teaspoon baking soda. Stir and drink. This can immediately stop nausea and vomiting.
• An effective remedy is to chew 1 or 2 cardamom seeds.
• A mixture of 1 teaspoon ginger juice (or freshly grated ginger pulp) and 1 teaspoon onion juice will help to settle nausea and vomiting.
• Make a mixture of equal parts lemon juice and honey. Dip your index finger into the mixture and lick it, consuming the mixture slowly.
• Try stirring ½ teaspoon honey and 2 pinches of cardamom into half a cup of plain yogurt.
• A tea made from 1 teaspoon cumin seeds and a pinch of nutmeg steeped in a cup of hot water will be quite soothing.
• Drinking sugar cane juice can also be helpful, as is cranberry juice with a little lime juice added.
• Ayurveda also recommends the following herbal formula to quickly stop nausea and vomiting:
rose petal powder ½ teaspoon
sandalwood powder ¼ teaspoon
rock candy powder ½ teaspoon
lime juice 10 drops
Take this entire mixture in room temperature water.
Vomit for Healing
Most people find vomiting a rather unpleasant experience, but there are times when one might want to induce vomiting. When someone has a flu or a bad cold, excess kapha may build up and the person suffers from persistent headache, congestion, and coughing. Mother Nature may bring on vomiting to remove the kapha, but if that doesn’t happen, Ayurveda suggests taking matters into your own hands.
Drink a glass of water with ¼ teaspoon salt dissolved in it. The salty water itself is emetic (provokes vomiting), but you can also rub the back of the tongue to stimulate the “gag” reflex and vomit out the water. The moment vomiting occurs, fever will generally come down, the headache will disappear, congestion in the chest will be greatly relieved, and you will feel much better.
FOR NAUSEA IN CHILDREN. Try giving the child some coconut water. Add 1 teaspoon lemon juice to a cup of coconut water (the natural juice inside a fresh coconut), and have the child take a sip every 15 minutes or so to settle the stomach.
FOR WORMS. Nausea and vomiting may also be a sign of worms. If a person has a history of passing worms in the stool and gets repeated attacks of nausea and vomiting, use the following strategy:
• Take the herb vidanga, about ½ teaspoon twice a day with a little warm water.
• Keep the colon clean by taking ½ teaspoon triphala at night for several weeks. Mix the triphala into ½ cup of warm water, let it steep for 10 minutes, then strain and drink.
TO DETOXIFY THE LIVER. Nausea and vomiting may be a sign that there are excess toxins in the liver. To detoxify the liver, the following formula is effective:
kutki ¼ teaspoon
shatavari ½ teaspoon
shanka bhasma pinch
kama dudha pinch
Take this mixture 2 or 3 times a day with water to relieve nausea and vomiting.
Nightmares Nightmares are quite common in children up to the age of 12 but are more rarely found in adults. The main causes of nightmares in adults are (1) fears, anxieties, worries, and other psychological stresses, and (2) eating too much food too late at night. There may be other physical causes, such as problems with adenoids, or sleep apnea, or nasal crust that doesn’t allow adequate breathing. Whenever there is cerebral hypoxia—lack of oxygen and prana to the brain—the person can get nightmares. This can occur even due to insufficient fresh air in the room.
The main cause of nightmares in children is psychological—fear and anxiety based on frightening images they have seen or scary stories they have heard. So it is important not to feed the child’s imagination with disturbing images. Keep children busy with creative play; don’t let them watch violent or horrifying television programs or read frightening stories.
The child’s room should be pleasant and filled with sweetness, with nice music and perhaps some tinkling bells. Bells have a happy sound that children like. You can tell the child, “When there is a bell, monsters won’t come.” And they’ll sleep peacefully.
Rather than watching frightening or violent movies, tell children positive, uplifting stories, such as from the Ramayana, about baby Krishna, or any other beautiful, happy story.
Give the child a mini–oil massage before bed. Rub some oil, especially brahmi oil or bhringaraj oil, on the soles of the feet and on the scalp. This will help relax the child. (See appendix 2 for instructions on making herbalized oils.)
Sometimes nightmares come as a result of bedwetting. To help prevent this, see that the child doesn’t drink much for at least two hours before going to sleep. Some cumin-coriander-fennel tea (again, not just before bedtime) can help prevent bedwetting.
TRANQUILLITY TEA. Make a tea from equal proportions of
jatamamsi
brahmi
ginkgo
yashti madhu (licorice root)
Drinking a cup of this tea (made from 1 teaspoon of the herbal mix steeped in 1 cup hot water) before going to bed will help create a more peaceful mind and body. This tea is good for children as well as adults.
• You can also make a similar tea of equal amounts of jatamamsi and shanka pushpi.
HERBS FOR ALLERGIES. If allergies are the cause of the nightmares, you can help remedy them with sitopaladi and yashti madhu. Mix them in equal proportions, and take ½ teaspoon of each with honey twice a day. For children, use ¼ teaspoon of each.
JATAMAMSI. If you sew an ounce or two of the herb jatamamsi inside a small silk bag and place it under the pillow, its fragrance will help create a tranquil night.
NASYA. Doing nasya will help. Put 2 to 3 drops of warm ghee or any Ayurvedic nose drops (such as brahmi ghee) in each nostril, and inhale (see appendix 3). Nasya is equally effective for children.
Are Your Dreams Vata, Pitta, or Kapha?
To eliminate nightmares, it can be helpful to know if they are the result of a doshic imbalance of kapha, pitta, or vata, so that the imbalance can be corrected. By analyzing the nature and content of the dreams, it is usually possible to find out.
• Vata dreams. Vata dreams are active and hyper. They are plentiful, and the dreamer may well forget them in the morning. Horror, fear, running, jumping, flying high in the sky, falling deep down into a valley, being attacked or pursued, being locked up—these are vata dreams.
• Pitta dreams. These dreams can be rather violent. In addition to such themes as teaching, studying, trying to solve a problem, or failing at an examination, pitta dreams may involve fire, war, nuclear weapons, fighting, killing, and murder.
• Kapha dreams. Kapha dreams are generally mild and romantic. Water figures prominently, such as swimming in the ocean. Seeing gardens, lotus flowers, swans, and elephants and eating candy are all characteristic of kapha dreams. Drowning, or seeing oneself as dead, are “negative” aspects of the kapha dream repertory.
EAT EARLY. Eat dinner before seven o’clock. Eating too late at night may create nightmares.
CUT DOWN ON STRESS. Yoga asanas, regular exercise, Alternate Nostril pranayama, and meditation morning and evening help to relax the nervous system and reduce stress. (You will find instructions for pranayama in chapter 6 and guidelines for meditation in chapter 7.)
CRYSTALS. Wearing crystals, or putting some amethyst crystals on the four corners of the bed, may also help. You can tell your child, “Look, I’ve put these crystals around your bed; it will keep the ghosts and monsters away.” They will feel comfortable and will sleep well.
The root cause of nightmares is wrong thinking: negative imagination, loneliness, isolation, fear, disturbed relationships. That is why prayer, positive thinking, positive affirmations, and positive imagination are the best medications for nightmares.
Nosebleed Nosebleed has many possible origins. Trauma to the nose, extreme dryness of the nasal passage so that the nasal mucous membranes crack and bleed, allergies, rhinitis, a nasal polyp, or high blood pressure may all cause nosebleed. Going to a high altitude or consuming excess alcohol are also possible causes.
Usually we don’t have any time to investigate the cause; we need to treat it immediately. Here are several effective remedies:
DRINK COOL WATER. This alone will stop many nosebleeds.
USE A COLD COMPRESS. Dip a handkerchief or any clean soft cloth into cold water, and place it on the forehead and the nose. Then gently blow the nose so that the clot, if there is one, comes out. (If there is a dry nasal crust, it will irritate the nasal passage and cause bleeding.)
SNIFF COLD WATER. Take a little cool water in your palm, inhale it up into the nose, and gently blow the nose.
SQUEEZE YOUR NOSE. If the cold water doesn’t stop the bleeding, then pinch the nose with your thumb and index finger, as if you were about to dip under water. Hold for 2 or 3 minutes, breathing normally through the mouth. That should stop the bleeding.
GHEE OINTMENT. If the bleeding still doesn’t stop, another simple remedy is to put a couple of drops of lukewarm ghee in each nostril. Dip a cotton swab into a jar of ghee, and apply it to the nose. Ghee is hemostatic—that is, it stops bleeding.
STAND OR SIT UPRIGHT. Don’t lie down, which will encourage bleeding. Also don’t do any inverted yoga postures such as Headstand, Shoulder Stand or Plow. Remaining upright will minimize bleeding.
HUMIDIFY YOUR SURROUNDINGS. Many nosebleeds are due to a dry nose, caused by hot, dry air. So as a preventive measure in dry climates or in winter when heating the house can create a lot of dry air, be sure to humidify your bedroom, workroom, or the entire living space. It is better not to use an ultrasound humidifier; a hot water unit is best.
HERBAL REMEDY. Orally, take a mixture of:
manjistha ⅓ teaspoon
kama dudha ⅛ teaspoon
Take this mixture with a little warm water twice a day.
JUICE CURE. To stop or prevent nosebleeds, you can drink cranberry juice, pomegranate juice, or a half-and-half mixture of the two.
POMEGRANATE NOSE DROPS. When making the pomegranate juice, if you pick up a few drops of the fresh juice in an eyedropper and place them in your nostrils, it should instantaneously stop the bleeding.
TIME TO SEE THE DOCTOR
If, after trying these remedies, your nose is still bleeding, or if you have repeated nosebleeds over a couple of weeks, see your doctor. You may have a serious health problem. The bleeding may be due to high blood pressure, which needs to be cared for. Or it could possibly be caused by leukemia, a type of blood cancer.
FOLLOW THE PITTA-PACIFYING DIET. According to Ayurvedic principles, even though nosebleed has some vata symptoms, such as dryness and cracking of the nasal passages, it is essentially a pitta disorder, in which pitta becomes hot and sharp and causes the bleeding. So when you have a nosebleed, don’t eat hot and spicy foods, abstain from alcohol and cigarettes, and don’t work under the hot sun. These are all pitta-provoking.
Obesity Obesity is a condition in which an individual is significantly overweight, and an excessive amount of body fat has accumulated under the chin and on the breasts, belly, buttocks, and/or thighs. Though it is not a serious disease in itself, it may shorten the span of life, as well as create diminished efficiency and a predisposition to diabetes, hypertension, low libido, and arthritis. Ultimately, obesity reduces happiness.
To a great extent, obesity is due to the socioeconomic problems of an affluent society. A prosperous life, a sedentary job, and lack of exercise are the major contributors to obesity. From an Ayurvedic point of view, the main causes of this condition are eating too much, sitting too much, and doing too little.
Obesity is a kapha disorder. In obese individuals the gastric fire is strong, but the cellular fire in the tissue is relatively low. Whatever excess food or calories a person consumes are not burned and instead turn into adipose tissue, leading to overweight and obesity.
There are numerous other potential causes. Certain hereditary factors of the endocrine system, such as excess production of growth hormone, may contribute to the condition. When women are pregnant, they may eat too much and be unable to lose the weight afterward. Stress may induce repeated emotional eating, leading to significant weight gain. Frequent munching between meals is also detrimental to maintaining a healthy weight. Certain drugs, including steroids and oral contraceptives, can change the metabolism and produce weight gain, as can insulin. Addictions, including alcohol and cigarettes, are often associated with obesity. But the main factor is usually eating too much, along with insufficient exercise.
Habitually drinking cold drinks and eating fatty fried foods, dairy products such as cheese, yogurt, and ice cream, and consuming excess sugar and carbohydrates are all causative factors.
WATCH YOUR DIET. In treating obesity, the first step is to control what you eat. Follow the kapha-pacifying diet (see guidelines in chapter 8). Avoid habitually drinking cold drinks and eating fatty fried foods. Minimize dairy products such as cheese, yogurt, and ice cream. Be sure to include salad (without creamy dressings) and beans in your meals. Drink hot water instead of ice-cold drinks. Obese people generally hate hot water, but they should drink it, either plain or in herbal teas such as ginger, mint, or cinnamon.
If you like to eat meat, you can have some fish or chicken once a month, but no beef, lamb, or pork.
GET ADEQUATE EXERCISE. Do some regular exercise. A daily walk of at least half an hour is essential. And do some aerobic exercise, such as gentle jogging. Obese people hate jogging, but they should at least walk fast, carrying 2.5-pound hand-held weights. Swimming is also good exercise.
Lift weights to reduce body weight. Do some gentle weight lifting, using 5-pound weights to get started. This will help to burn adipose tissue. Also, muscle tissue burns calories more quickly than fat.
If you want to lose weight, you must understand some simple arithmetic. When you take in more calories than you burn off, you will gain weight. In order to lose weight, you must burn off more calories than you take in. In practical terms, this means two things: reducing your caloric intake, and increasing your output in the form of exercise. Follow the kapha-reducing diet, and increase the amount of exercise you do every day.
YOUR POSTEXERCISE PRESCRIPTION. Immediately after exercise, kapha individuals will feel hungry and thirsty and will want to rush to the restaurant to have a cold drink and a bite to eat. But the cold drink will slow down the metabolism, defeating the gain from the exercise. And we know that the eating will be counterproductive. So after exercise heavy and obese people should skip snacks and stay away from cold water and other cold drinks, and choose hot drinks such as herbal teas.
EAT YOUR BIGGEST MEAL EARLY IN THE DAY. According to Ayurveda, the best policy regarding meals, if you are overweight, is to skip breakfast entirely (maybe have some hot herbal tea), then take your biggest meal at noon. Supper should be light. Don’t snack between the two meals.
If you can’t seem to skip breakfast, take your main meal then, early in the day. Have a light lunch and a lighter supper; skip supper entirely if you can.
DROP ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO. Quit drinking alcohol and smoking. These emotional habits unduly stimulate jatar agni (gastric fire) and make a person hungry.
LISTEN TO MUSIC. While eating your meals, listen to soft music and chew your food more, so that moderate eating gradually becomes habitual.
LEARN TO LOVE YOURSELF. Most obese people do not love themselves. This is significant because there is a deep relationship between food and love. Food is the food of the body; love is the food of the soul. When an individual is missing love in a relationship, he or she may try to find love through eating, and food will become a substitute for love. When a woman misses her husband or a man misses his wife, they frequently begin to eat too much.
TIME TO SEE THE DOCTOR
If you are very heavy and have not exercised for a long time, and especially if you are over 40, you must see your doctor before you start an exercise program more strenuous than walking.
Obese people also hate how they look, and they hate looking in the mirror because they don’t like what they see. When people hate their body, they become anxious and worried; then suddenly they become hungry and need to eat. This is not real hunger; it is false, emotional hunger. (See “Eating Disorders” and “Overeating” for further discussion of emotional eating.)
To help develop more love for yourself just as you are, try this technique. Go into your bathroom and remove all your clothes, or wear some shorts. Then take a good look at the person you see in the full-length mirror. Look at that image, starting at the head, the eyes, cheeks, lips, and neck; look at your chest, your belly, and so on.
As you look at the image in your mirror, at the same time look within. Ask yourself, do you like those eyes of yours? Do you love your nose? Don’t you have some affection toward your own lips, your own chest?
In this way, gradually, by looking outside, into the mirror, and at the same time inside at your own inner observer, two things will happen. First, you will begin to feel that you are beyond your body, that you are something higher, nobler, greater, and more beautiful, that you are pure existence. Second, this process will also bring greater acceptance, and you will start feeling more love for yourself. So look at yourself in the mirror, and love that person that you see.
A second important factor in loving yourself is to stop judging, comparing, and criticizing yourself. What you are is unique, and it is divine. Stopping judgment, criticism, and comparison is the beginning of self-love.
These two exercises will really help.
DRINK HOT WATER AND HONEY. Whenever you become hungry, drink a cup of hot water with 1 teaspoon honey and 10 drops of lime juice added. This will be a good substitute for eating and will help to melt the fat.
HERBAL HELPERS. Here is an herbal formula that will help you lose weight.
kutki 3 parts
chitrak 3 parts
shilajit 2 parts
punarnava 5 parts
Take ½ teaspoon of this mixture twice a day with 1 teaspoon honey, before meals.
• In addition, take 1 tablet of the following herbs all together, with warm water, 3 times a day after meals: triphala guggulu; chitrak-adhivati; punarnava guggulu.
• It will also be helpful for you to take triphala every night. At least 1 hour after dinner, pour 1 cup of boiling water over ½ to 1 teaspoon triphala; let it steep for 10 minutes, and drink.
SNACKS YOU CAN AFFORD TO EAT. In between meals, if you like to munch, eat raisins, which are a mild laxative. Don’t eat corn chips, which are salty and fatty and difficult to stop eating; don’t eat popcorn either. You might also try celery sticks or carrot sticks.
USE HOT SPICES. Use spices in cooking. The kapha-pacifying diet uses many spices, such as cumin, coriander, fennel, cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, and garam masala: These spices are good for kindling the gastric fire. (See chapter 8 for details of the kapha diet.)
HAVE COMPANY WHEN YOU EAT. It is better to eat with friends, particularly with skinny people and people with good eating habits! You’ll be happy to be surrounded by them. But don’t compare, thinking, “All my friends are thin, and I’m chubby.” Be in the company of slim people, and be active with them. That will help to reduce your weight.
HELPFUL YOGA POSTURES. Certain gentle yoga asanas are helpful, including the Palm Tree pose and the Triangle pose. Also, while sitting on the floor, bend forward as far as you comfortably can, with the goal of eventually touching your head to your knees. (You’ll have to work up to this one gradually.) The Fish, Camel, Cobra, and Cow poses are simple, helpful postures you can easily perform. Remember, don’t try to do them perfectly right away. (See the illustrations of yoga postures in appendix 4.)
BREATHE AWAY FAT. Bhastrika pranayama (Breath of Fire) will increase the rate at which your body burns off fat. Right Nostril breathing (surya bhedi) will also be helpful (see chapter 6).
DON’T NAP IN THE DAYTIME. Obese people frequently like to take siestas, but this is not a helpful practice. Don’t sleep during the day. Daytime sleep slows down agni (metabolism) and increases kapha dosha. Rather, do some hard physical work, and watch less TV. Generally I find that obese people get fixed to the couch, watch TV, and drink soda pop.
If you follow these suggestions, you can definitely take control of your weight problem. Don’t try to lose a lot of weight all at once. That almost never brings long-term improvement. Kapha individuals are noted for their ability to make steady, determined, consistent progress. So be persistent, and over time you will be successful.
Osteoporosis Osteoporosis is a thinning and increasing porosity of the bone due to increased vata. Bones are normally porous, but because of increasing vata—a normal occurrence as a person grows older—the porosity increases. Sometimes the individual loses so much bone that weak spots develop in the skeletal structure. Then the hips, forearms, or even the spine can fracture quite easily. The bones may crack under the body’s own weight, or a minor injury may be enough to create a fracture.
Osteoporosis is more common in women than men. Women lose bone rapidly after menopause. This is because the postmenopausal body produces little or no estrogen, which is necessary for maintaining bone metabolism utilizing calcium, magnesium, zinc, and other materials for building the bone. So it is during the postmenopausal years that women may have a tendency toward osteoporosis.
Men also need estrogen to maintain strong bones, but testosterone and prostatic secretions also play an important role. However, men may lose bone mass due to heavy drinking, heavy smoking, chewing tobacco, and taking steroids.
Lack of exercise can also reduce bone mass. To some extent, people need some stress to the body, in the form of exercise. Research has shown that if a person is confined to bed for several weeks, the bones become significantly weaker. Once the ill effects of lack of exercise became clear, exercise programs were designed even for astronauts in space. Exercise is a food for the bones.
For women, the combination of increased vata simply from growing older (see chapter 2, where we talk about the stages of life), plus the menopausal cessation of estrogen, may have a powerfully deleterious effect on bone mass.
EXERCISE. Gentle, daily exercise for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week, can help to treat osteoporosis. Walking is excellent and quite sufficient, but you may do swimming, gentle jogging, or whatever suits your constitution and level of fitness, and the condition of your bones.
Some people recommend weight-bearing exercise, even including weight lifting, for building bone. While this is good in general, for a person with osteoporosis it can be quite dangerous; as mentioned above, even a slight injury may crack the fragile bones of a person with osteoporosis. Therefore a good, safe way to begin an exercise program is to do some underwater exercise. As the bones become stronger, weight-bearing exercise, even including some gentle weight lifting, may be acceptable and effective.
CALCIUM. It is important to get a plentiful supply of calcium from natural food sources, such as sesame seeds, soybeans, soy milk, cow’s milk, cheese, carrots, and coconut. Calcium supplements, such as from oyster shells, may also be helpful. Your daily dose should include about 1,200 mg. calcium, along with 600 mg. magnesium and 60 mg. zinc for maximum absorption and effectiveness.
Almond milk also contains a significant amount of calcium. Soak ten almonds overnight in water. In the morning, peel them and blend in the blender with a cup of warm milk. (You can use goat’s milk or soy milk if you prefer them to cow’s milk.) Pour into a cup or glass, and add a pinch each of ginger, cardamom, and saffron. Drink twice a day, before breakfast and before bedtime.
Daily chewing a handful of white sesame seeds in the morning provides at least 1,200 mg. of natural calcium. These seeds won’t create clogged arteries, as dependence upon calcium from dairy products may. This is an effective way to help prevent osteoporosis in menopausal women.
However, merely taking calcium may not be sufficient. Along with it you need to bring some physical stress to the system through exercise.
BE CAREFUL WITH YOGA POSTURES. If osteoporosis has begun to develop, yoga exercises should be done gently, with great care, as there is a real danger of breaking a bone.
HERBAL HELPERS. Certain herbs can help to make up for estrogen in the metabolic cycle. Try the following formula:
shatavari 5 parts
vidari 3 parts
wild yam 2 parts
These herbs are food precursors of estrogen and progesterone. To this formula you can add ⅛ part each of shanka bhasma (conch shell ash) and kama dudha (coral shell ash). They contain a natural source of calcium bicarbonate, which can help to prevent osteoporosis.
Take ¼ teaspoon of this mixture twice a day with warm milk, whether cow’s, goat’s, or soy milk. Treat this as a daily maintenance dose, and take it indefinitely to help prevent osteoporosis.
Overeating See also “Obesity” and “Eating Disorders”
Because of hard work, especially physical labor, some people need to eat a large amount of food to replenish the body. In such individuals, overeating may occasionally occur. But most overeating takes place because of emotional factors, and that is what we will be considering here.
Food nourishes the body; love nourishes the soul. When you are with a loving friend or close family members, you can become so happy that you forget to eat. You feel no need for food at that time because you receive a higher food—love.
But when a person doesn’t receive that love or feel that happiness, he or she becomes lonely or has a feeling of rejection or of not being loved. Food may become the substitute for love. So eating, in order to suppress feelings of loneliness, grief, sadness, or depression, is the emotional, psychological cause of overeating. Statistically, overeating happens more in women than in men.
From an Ayurvedic perspective, due to emotional factors and stress, prana vata stimulates jatharagni, the gastric fire, and this stimulation activates the stomach. The stimulation is translated or experienced as hunger, and that is the reason people may eat more food.
There are many ways to deal with the problem of overeating. With a little care, it can be overcome.
EXPRESS YOUR FEELINGS. First, you have to let go of your feelings of loneliness and not being loved. Write about your feelings. Express them. That way, the energy that is blocked in the solar plexus starts releasing, and emotional hunger will begin to subside.
MEDITATE AND BREATHE. Whenever you feel emotionally hungry, sit quietly and pay attention to your breath. Or do 10 to 15 minutes of So-Hum meditation (see chapter 7).
Shitali pranayama (making a tube of the tongue and inhaling through that tube into the belly) will also be quite helpful. (See chapter 6.)
• Or take 12 deep breaths, then drink a cup of warm water. This will help dissolve the emotional hunger, and overeating can be avoided.
YOGA. Yoga exercises such as the Moon Salutation, Camel pose, Cobra pose, and Spinal Twist will help you control overeating due to emotional factors (see appendix 4).
WALK OFF THE CRAVINGS. Whenever you have emotional cravings for food, take a brisk walk for 20 minutes in the fresh air. That will help reduce the cravings.
EAT LIGHTLY. If you feel you must eat, then eat some light food. Try some light crackers, or some cereal or grains such as millet or rye. Or drink some fruit juice. Follow a low-fat diet. (See the guidelines for the kapha diet in chapter 8.) That way you won’t have to deny yourself when you feel like eating, but the light food won’t put on weight or fat.
TRY BANANAS. Eating 1 ripe banana, chopped up with 1 teaspoon ghee and a pinch of cardamom, is effective for pacifying emotional, obsessive eating habits.
TEST YOUR HUNGER. When you are hungry, here is one way to find out whether it is an emotional craving or a real biological need. Drink some licorice tea, chamomile tea, or mint tea. If it was emotional hunger, the warm soothing tea will take care of it, and you will feel better. If you are really hungry and need some food, the tea won’t diminish your appetite.
FOR HYPERTHYROIDISM. If your overeating is due to hyperthyroidism, which is a metabolic disorder, Ayurveda suggests using kaishore guggulu. This herbal compound helps to regulate metabolism and pacifies overactive thyroid.
DRINK BRAHMI MILK. When you feel hungry, drinking 1 cup of warm milk boiled with ½ teaspoon of brahmi will help you control overeating.
IF YOU HAVE ALREADY EATEN TOO MUCH. Roast 1 teaspoon coriander seeds and 1 teaspoon fennel seeds on a heavy iron pan, without any oil. (Stir constantly to avoid burning.) Add a pinch of salt, let the mixture cool, and eat it. It will help with indigestion.
Another aid to indigestion from overeating is to drink a cupful of water into which you have added the juice of half a lemon; just before drinking, add a pinch of baking soda, stir, and drink quickly.
Overweight See “Obesity”
PMS See also “Menstrual Difficulties”
Premenstrual syndrome or PMS is classified in Ayurveda in three types: vata, pitta, and kapha.
• Vata type is characterized by low backache, lower abdominal pain, distention, anxiety, fear, insomnia, and mood swings.
• Pitta-type PMS symptoms include tenderness in the breasts, urethritis, hives, hot flashes, irritability, and sometimes a burning sensation when passing urine.
• Kapha-type PMS involves water retention (breasts become enlarged and tender) and drowsiness, so that the woman loves to drink coffee!
PMS can be cared for successfully using the following Ayurvedic remedies and preventive measures.
IMPORTANT: In all cases, start the preventive program one week before the anticipated start of your period.
• Drink dashamoola tea (½ teaspoon dashamoola steeped in a cup of hot water for 10 minutes); you can add a little honey for taste. Take twice a day.
• Eat about 10 cherries daily on an empty stomach for a week before the onset of menstruation.
• Use kaishore guggulu or yogaraj guggulu, 1 tablet twice a day.
• You can also take 1 tablespoon aloe vera gel with a pinch of black pepper, 3 times a day before food.
• Take the following herbal mixture:
shatavari 2 parts
brahmi 1 part
musta 1 part
Take ½ teaspoon of this mixture twice a day with warm water.
• Aloe vera gel (1 tablespoon) taken with a pinch of cumin powder is also effective.
• Make this herbal mixture;
punarnava 2 parts
kutki 1 part
musta 2 parts
Take ½ teaspoon of this mixture twice a day with a little warm water.
• Eat about 10 cherries daily on an empty stomach for a week before the expected onset of your period.
• You can also take 1 tablespoon aloe vera gel along with a pinch of trikatu (a traditional Ayurvedic formula consisting of equal amounts of black pepper, pippali, and ginger).
• Warm ghee nose drops (5 drops in each nostril) stimulate natural hormones and help regulate balance of the system.
• When there is abdominal bloating and cramps, all constitutional types can put a warm castor oil pack on the lower abdomen. One of the qualities of castor oil is that it produces a slow, sustained heat that is soothing and healing. Warm up about 3 tablespoons of castor oil, and pour it onto a handkerchief or other soft cloth, spreading it equally on the cloth. Place this compress on the lower abdomen. If you have a hot water bottle; you may place it on top of the pack to keep it warm. An electric heating pad is not recommended.
NOTE: A warm castor oil pack will also help relieve the congestion and discomfort of endometriosis.
• Be sure to get regular exercise during the month, including half an hour of walking or other aerobic exercise at least five days a week. Yoga stretching is also helpful. However, Ayurveda recommends no exercise or yoga during the actual menstrual period. As much as possible, rest, read, and relax!
• To maintain health and balance, follow the dietary guidelines for your constitutional type (see chapter 8).
Premature See also “Impotence”
For the man who repeatedly ejaculates prematurely, sex can become a nightmare. He may run away from his partner out of fear that his sexual performance is inadequate, causing serious difficulties in the relationship.
Premature ejaculation is primarily caused by aggravated vata. Vata, with its qualities of quickness and heightened sensitivity to the sense of touch (as pitta brings greater sensitivity to light), gives a predisposition toward faster ejaculation; in general, persons with a vata constitution cannot sustain sex for very long. When vata is unduly increased in a vata individual, premature ejaculation is common.
A psychological, emotional factor of nervousness, fear, or anxiety may also be involved, but this too is due largely to the aggravated vata dosha. Thus the main avenue of treatment is to balance vata dosha.
Another possible cause is high cholesterol (and the related situation, high triglycerides). In men who have this problem, cholesterol deposition takes place in the blood vessels of the penis and the entire reproductive system. These blood vessels become thick and narrow (ischemia), so that the blood supply to the muscles of the penis and prostate is insufficient, causing lack of sphincter control and leading to premature ejaculation.
Premature ejaculation can be brought under control. Here are some effective ways to deal with it.
MASSAGE THE PENIS. Do a gentle massage of the penis. To 1 ounce of sesame oil, add 5 to 10 drops of mustard oil. The diluted mustard oil has a heating effect, which will dilate the blood vessels and improve the circulation of blood to the penis.
IMPORTANT: Do this massage about 1 hour before intercourse, and be sure to wash the penis thoroughly beforehand, or your partner’s delicate skin may feel burned by the hot mustard oil. You can also use castor oil, which will improve the tone of the sphincter muscles.
• Certain medicated ghees, such as brahmi ghee, shatavari ghee, or ashwagandha ghee, can also be used for massaging the pubic bone and the glans penis before making love.
PRACTICE. Practice stimulating the organ up to the point of ejaculation, but don’t ejaculate. Then sit up straight (in a Lotus posture, if you can), and raise the energy by doing Ashwini Mudra, pulling or sucking the anus inward in a series of tense-release movements. Do about 10 repetitions of the Ashwini Mudra. This way you train your organ to be ready but not to ejaculate. To succeed at this, you have to practice with great care.
Do this exercise about 1 to 2 hours before making love.
IMPORTANT: This is not masturbation, nor an endorsement of masturbation.
• You can also learn to control ejaculation by contracting the muscles of the buttocks.
• Locate the marma point (an energy center like an acupressure point) at the center of the glans penis, on the underside. Gently press that point, and at the same time suck the anus inward and hold for five seconds. Release. Do this 10 times. This will improve the blood supply to the penis and will help to maintain the erection. Do this about 1 hour before sex.
YOGA POSTURES. Helpful yoga asanas include the Bow, Fish, and Camel poses, Elevated Lotus, and Vajrasana.
DIET SUGGESTIONS. As mentioned, premature ejaculation is a vata disorder, so a man with this problem should adhere to a vata-soothing diet (see guidelines in chapter 8). If you have high cholesterol, follow a low-cholesterol diet. And if you have diabetes, keep your sugar intake low. Most diabetic men suffer from premature ejaculation.
EFFECTIVE HERBS. Make an herbal formula, mixing equal amounts of the following herbs:
bala
vidari
Take ½ teaspoon of this mixture twice a day with warm goat’s milk. Cow’s milk is acceptable if you can’t find goat’s milk, but goat’s milk is more effective.
• Ginseng is also helpful. It has properties similar to the Ayurvedic herb ashwagandha. Take ½ teaspoon after lunch and dinner with warm goat’s milk. Again, cow’s milk is acceptable if you can’t locate fresh goat’s milk.
ALMOND MILK. Soak 10 almonds overnight in water. In the morning peel off the skin, put the almonds in a blender, and add 1 cup hot cow’s milk and a pinch each of ginger, cardamom, and saffron. (Saffron is a mild aphrodisiac.) Drink almond milk every morning. You can also make a second cupful in the evening.
HEAL THE PROSTATE. Premature ejaculation often accompanies prostate problems such as prostatitis, or it may be a warning of developing problems. To help with this, massage the area of the prostate gland with castor oil. Apply a small amount of the oil (sesame oil is also beneficial) to the perineum, the area in between the anus and testicles. First rub in a circular motion, then finish with strokes from the anus toward the base of the penis. Don’t press hard; use light strokes.
Prostate Problems In middle-aged men, it is uncommonly common for the prostate gland to become enlarged, resulting in a number of uncomfortable symptoms. For example, the man may wake up several times during the night to pass urine. He may have difficulty urinating, so that it may take some moments for the flow to start, or the flow may be slow, or it may “dribble” at the end. He may find that the need to urinate occurs rather suddenly, or that he feels a frequent need to go. This happens when the bladder does not empty completely during urination; even though there may not be much urine left in the bladder, the residual fluid creates the sensation of needing to go.
Another problem that sometimes develops is prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate), which has many of the same symptoms described above but also is characterized by a burning sensation while passing urine.
A number of herbal remedies are effective in treating prostate problems.
• Make this formula of Ayurvedic herbs:
punarnava 2 parts
shilajit ⅛ part
gokshura 2 parts
Take ¼ teaspoon twice a day, after meals, with a little warm water. Continue to take it until your symptoms resolve.
• You can also use ginseng, hibiscus, or horsetail tea, available in packages or as bulk herbs in most natural food stores. These teas can be drunk several times daily, as desired. Follow the directions on the package, or if you use bulk herbs, add about 1 teaspoon of mixture to a cup of boiling hot water, steep 5 minutes, cool, and drink.
TIME TO SEE THE DOCTOR
Since prostate cancer is a possible diagnosis based on the above symptoms, you should see a medical professional to determine the source of your problem. If the cause is benign, the following remedies may be effectively used for self-treatment.
• Cumin-coriander-fennel tea will help relieve the burning sensation and other symptoms as well. Mix the herbs in equal amounts, and steep 1 teaspoon of the mixture in a cup of hot water for 5 to 10 minutes. Drink 2 or 3 times a day.
• Another Ayurvedic herbal compound that is helpful for enlarged prostate is punarnava guggulu. Take 1 tablet twice a day.
• Make a mixture of equal amounts of vidari and ashwagandha, and take ½ teaspoon 2 or 3 times a day, washed down with warm water.
OIL MASSAGE. A gentle massage of the prostate area is also helpful. Apply a small amount of castor oil or sesame oil to the perineum (the area in the middle between the anus and testicles). First rub in a circular motion, then finish with strokes from the anus toward the base of the penis. Don’t press hard; use light strokes.
FROM THE YOGA TRADITION. It will be helpful if you perform what is known in yoga as the Ashwini Mudra: pulling or sucking the anus inward in a series of tense-release movements. Do about 10 repetitions of the Ashwini Mudra morning and evening. They should be done while you are sitting.
The Kukutasana, or Elevated Lotus pose, is also helpful for prostate problems. (See illustration in appendix 4.)
Rashes and Hives Skin rashes and hives indicate excess pitta or heat in the body; the Ayurvedic approach is to provide a cooling effect from both the inside and outside.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELIEF. Whatever the cause of the rash, whether allergies, an insect bite, or something else, cilantro juice will be immediately effective. Wash fresh cilantro, chop it into pieces, put it into the blender, add ⅓ cup of water, and blend. Drink the juice, and apply the pulp directly onto the skin.
TOPICAL SOLUTIONS. The following remedies applied directly to the skin will help soothe and heal rashes and hives:
• If you have a fresh coconut, break it open and apply the coconut water to the rash.
• Melon can also be soothing to rashes and hives. Eat some melon, and rub the remaining rind (not the outer tough skin) over your skin. With watermelon, eat the red part and rub the white part of the rind onto your skin.
• For rashes, hives, and other high-pitta conditions such as nausea, steep 1 teaspoon coriander, ½ teaspoon cumin, and 1 teaspoon natural sugar in 1 cup hot milk. Drink once or twice a day.
• You can also use a paste made of sandalwood and turmeric powders mixed in goat’s milk. This paste is healing for the skin. The formula is simple:
turmeric 1 part
sandalwood powder 2 parts
Mix up about a teaspoon of powder in this proportion, add sufficient goat’s milk to make a paste, and apply it to the affected area. Cow’s milk is acceptable, but goat’s milk is more effective. PLEASE NOTE: Your skin will look yellow for some time—up to 3 or 4 days—after you use the paste.
FOR INTERNAL HEALING. Here is an effective formula to help restore health to your skin from the inside:
coriander 2 parts
cumin 1 part
raw natural sugar 2 parts
Steep ½ teaspoon of this mixture in a cup of hot milk, and drink it once or twice a day until the condition is healed.
Rectal Bleeding See also “Hemorrhoids”, “Bleeding, Internal”
Numerous factors can give rise to rectal bleeding. These include hemorrhoids; inflammation of the rectal area due to aggravated pitta; anal fissures or polyps; passing dry, hard stools, which hurt the mucous membrane of the rectum; straining due to constipation; excessive pressure on the rectal veins due to liver cirrhosis; and congestive heart failure. In the last stage of pregnancy, prolonged pushing of the child during labor exerts pressure on the rectal blood vessels and leads to bleeding. Rectal bleeding is also common among people who eat refined foods containing little fiber. Eating hot spicy food may tend to produce constipation and rectal bleeding.
Whatever the cause, the following recommendations will be helpful.
WASH WITH COOL WATER. After each bowel movement, wash the anal orifice with cool water. This will help stop the bleeding, and if there is irritation, itching, and cracking, it will help to minimize it.
APPLY GHEE OR CASTOR OIL. This will help to soothe the irritation of the blood vessels.
DRINK CRANBERRY JUICE OR POMEGRANATE JUICE. These are both hemostatics (they stop bleeding) and will be helpful. Drink 1 cup twice a day.
TIME TO SEE THE DOCTOR
If these remedies do not stop your rectal bleeding in a week to 10 days, it would be wise to see your doctor. If the bleeding is profuse, go sooner. The bleeding could be a symptom of a serious illness.
AVOID HOT SPICY FOOD. Follow the pitta-pacifying diet (see chapter 8). Also avoid fermented food, sour fruit, citrus fruit, and alcohol.
KEEP THE STOOLS SOFT. This will help to minimize irritation and bleeding. Here are three ways to keep stools soft:
• Drink a cup of warm milk with 1 teaspoon plain ghee at bedtime. (This is a very mild laxative.)
• Take 1 teaspoon of amalaki or ½ teaspoon triphala at bedtime in warm water. Steep the herb in hot water for 5 to 10 minutes, then when it has cooled down, drink it.
• Take 1 teaspoon psyllium husks (sat isabgol) at night in 1 cup of warm water. This bulk laxative will keep the stools soft and avoid pressure on the rectal blood vessels.
USE VITAMIN K. If the bleeding is serious (that is, profuse or repeated), take vitamin K supplements according to the dosage recommended on the package. Also, you can buy vitamin K cream at most health food stores. Apply this cream to the anal orifice to stop the bleeding.
PACIFY PITTA. To reduce pitta, take vitamin E supplements, and drink cranberry juice and/or parsley juice.
PREVENTIVE MEASURES. To avoid rectal bleeding in the future, follow these recommendations:
• Strictly follow the pitta-pacifying diet: no sour fruit, citrus fruit, fermented food, or hot spicy food.
• Avoid hard physical labor if possible.
• Do abdominal yoga exercises such as nauli (see appendix 3 for instructions).
• The following yoga postures should improve elimination and help to prevent rectal bleeding: Camel, Cobra, Cow, and Spinal Twist.
• Take this herbal formula:
shatavari 5 parts
kama dudha ⅛ part
gulwel sattva ⅛ part
This herbal mixture (½ teaspoon with warm water), taken twice a day for 1 month, will help to prevent future rectal bleeding.
Rectal Itching Rectal itching has several possible causes. One is worms and parasites, such as roundworms and pinworms. Itching may also be caused by hemorrhoids, inflamed ulcers, a yeast infection, or a fungal infection. Excess toxicity—ama in the colon—can also create itching of the anus.
FOR WORMS. If worms are the problem, you may be able to eliminate them entirely with this herbal formula:
vidanga 5 parts
shardunika 2 parts
trikatu ⅛ part
Use ¼ teaspoon of this mixture twice a day washed down with warm water after meals.
• Also, take ½ teaspoon triphala every night in a cup of warm water. (Steep 5 to 10 minutes before drinking.)
FOR YEAST INFECTION. If there is a yeast infection, apply a little yogurt to the anal orifice, then wash the anus with water.
FOR HEMORRHOIDS. If the problem is hemorrhoids, take a baking soda bath, soaking the hemorrhoids in warm water with ⅓ cup baking soda added. Then apply neem oil to the hemorrhoids. (See also “Hemorrhoids.”)
FOR FUNGAL INFECTION. Mix a little tea tree oil and neem oil together, and apply it directly to the anal area to heal the rectal itch.
PREVENTIVE DIET. Avoid hot spicy foods, fermented foods, and yeast-containing bread. Stay away from alcohol entirely.
Sinus Problems The sinuses are air-filled cavities located on either side of the nose. There are ten sinus cavities, five on each side, all connected to the nose. They are covered with a superfine mucous membrane. The sinuses drain constantly into the nose; their chief function is to keep the nasal cavity moist. They also serve to amplify the voice when we speak.
Due to allergies, colds, or bacterial infections, the sinuses in both adults and children sometimes get clogged or infected. This is a condition of excess kapha that can be aggravated by many factors, including cold drinks, dairy products, and smoking.
Sinus problems can create complications of various kinds, from sinus headaches, snoring, and difficulty breathing to bad breath, ear infections, and sleep apnea. In serious cases, sinus infections can lead to brain infection, meningitis, or osteomyelitis.
HERBAL DECONGESTANT. When the sinuses become clogged and congested, it is important to drain them. A mixture of fresh ginger juice (or freshly grated ginger pulp) with 1 teaspoon honey taken 2 or 3 times a day will be quite helpful.
You can prepare this safe, effective decongestant formula:
sitopaladi 5 parts
trikatu ⅛ part
mahasudarhan churna 2 parts
Take ¼ teaspoon of this mixture 2 or 3 times a day with warm water after meals.
HERBAL ANTIBIOTICS. To help prevent secondary infection, mix equal amounts of the following antibacterial herbs:
goldenseal
osha
turmeric
neem
Fill some 00-size capsules with the herbal mixture, and swallow 2 capsules twice a day.
NOSE DROPS AND NASAL WASH TO DRAIN THE SINUSES. Make a mild saline solution by dissolving ½ teaspoon salt into ½ cup lukewarm water. Instill 5 drops of the solution into each nostril with a dropper, or take a little in the palm of your hand and snuff it into your nostrils. Repeat as often as needed to keep sinuses clear. (Several times a day is fine.)
Use Medicated Steam to Clear up Your Sinuses
You will be amazed at how effective this simple method is to help clear up painful, congested sinuses.
Heat up about a cupful of water, and add 3 to 5 drops of eucalyptus oil. Turn off the flame, cover your head with a towel, lean over the pot, and inhale the steam.
You can also use ginger in the same way. Take 1 inch of fresh ginger, chop it into pieces, and boil it in about a cup of water. Then cover your head and inhale the ginger steam. It will be effective for draining the sinuses. (You can use powdered ginger as a backup if you don’t have fresh.)
Here is a more powerful remedy that you can use for severe sinus congestion and pain. You may not enjoy doing this, but it works. Use a garlic press to squeeze out some fresh garlic juice. With an eye dropper, pick up some juice and insert just a few drops into each nostril. Keep your head tilted back for about five minutes to let the juice work, then sit up and let it drain out onto a tissue. You will be surprised at how clear your sinuses feel. Do this once a day as needed; for a severe sinus attack, you may do it up to three times, in the morning, afternoon, and evening.
FOR A SINUS HEADACHE. Try mixing ½ teaspoon cinnamon with enough water to make a paste, and apply locally.
STRATEGIES FOR PREVENTION. Here are several ways you can help save yourself from future sinus problems.
• Avoid dairy products, especially cheese, yogurt, and ice cream.
• Avoid cold drinks.
• Avoid exposure to cold weather.
• Do not smoke cigarettes.
• Once a day, instill a little warm ghee in each nostril and sniff. You may use an eye-dropper or use a clean finger dipped in ghee.
• Take this herbal formula on a regular basis:
sitopaladi 5 parts
mahasudarshan churna 3 parts
abrak bhasma ⅛ part
Take ¼ teaspoon of this mixture 3 times a day, after meals. Wash down with warm water. Take it for 3 months.
Skin—Ayurvedic Care Ayurveda has many wonderful suggestions for maintaining the health and beauty of your skin. Some you will find here. Others you will find, along with remedies for various skin problems, in the sections on “Acne,” “Dandruff,” “Dry Skin,” “Rashes and Hives,” and others.
The following suggestions will help you keep your skin healthy, glowing, and beautiful.
OIL MASSAGE. Daily oil massage over your whole body is very effective for keeping your skin healthy and beautiful. If you are vata or have a vata imbalance, use sesame oil. If you are pitta or have a pitta imbalance, use sunflower oil. If you are kapha or have a kapha imbalance, use corn oil or canola oil. Gentle oil massage maintains the beauty and texture of the skin.
TAKE TURMERIC. To have beautiful skin, take a capsule of turmeric daily. Ayurvedic tradition states that if a pregnant woman takes turmeric regularly, her child will have gorgeous skin!
GET ENOUGH IRON IN YOUR DIET. If your skin looks pale, it may be a sign of anemia. Drink some carrot juice, and eat cooked beets. This will give you natural iron and should improve skin color. (See further suggestions under “Anemia.”)
SOAK UP SOME SUN. Apply the appropriate doshic oil to your skin (sesame for vata constitutions, coconut or sunflower for pitta, corn for kapha), and lie in the sun for a little while—10 to 15 minutes, or at the most half an hour. This will improve the circulation and strengthen skin tone.
NOTE: Sunbathing should be done either before noon or in the late afternoon (after three o’clock), when the rays are not as direct. Also, the danger of sunburn is greater at high altitudes, so take care to limit your exposure when you’re in the mountains.
USE HERBALIZED OILS. For a wonderful face lotion, apply some neem oil or brahmi oil to your face. These oils are acceptable for all constitutions.
SHIKAKAI SHAMPOO. For washing your hair, use a shampoo that includes the herb shikakai.
NEEM SOAP. Use a neem or sandalwood soap for bathing.
BE SPARING WITH SOAP. As a general rule, it is beneficial to use soap on your skin only once or twice a week, not on a regular everyday basis. In a tropical climate, where people sweat a lot and their sweat contains salts and minerals that lodge in the skin, they have to take a soap bath every day. But in colder countries, where there is not much sweating, so much soap bathing is usually not necessary.
Of course, it depends on a person’s job. Someone who does hard physical work and sweats a lot needs some kind of soap. But to maintain softness and luster, it’s important not to wash off the sebaceous secretions that maintain the oiliness of the skin. If we apply soap daily, the oil will be washed off and the skin will become dry.
Pitta constitutional types may need soap a little more often, perhaps three times a week, both because they tend to perspire more and because pitta skin tends to be more oily.
MATCH WATER TEMPERATURE TO YOUR CONSTITUTION. Generally, washing in cool water is recommended for pitta, warm water for kapha, and hot water for vata. Vata individuals often have poor circulation, and hot water will improve circulation and help to keep skin healthy and beautiful.
GENTLE TOWEL MASSAGE. After bathing, gently rub your towel over the skin of your face and body. This improves cutaneous circulation, removes dead skin, and helps your skin look young.
Home Face-lift
You can do your own home facial massage and face-lift by applying gentle pressure from the chin to the forehead.
Face-lift Massage
Put your two index fingers together, and your two thumbs. Place the two index fingers between your lower lip and your chin, and the two thumbs just under the chin. Then, pressing lightly with your index fingers, sweep along the jawbone, with your thumbs underneath. When you reach the ears, go up in front of them, letting the thumb trail. Keep going up until your thumbs are just behind the temple area, above the ear. A marma point is located there. When you reach this point press lightly, with a lifting motion, for about 30 seconds. This procedure will stimulate the nerves that control the facial muscles, and it will improve the tone of those muscles and help remove wrinkles from the facial skin. Repeat seven times once a day, preferably in the morning.
FRESH CHERRY MASK. Apply a pulp of fresh cherries to your face at night as a mask, before going to bed. Leave it on for 15 minutes. This will relieve dry skin and give you a beautiful complexion.
YOUR SMILE HELPS YOUR SKIN. Keeping a smile on your face will help maintain the tone of your facial muscles and skin; people may say you look ten years younger than you are!
Sleep Apnea Apnea is a temporary suspension of breath. Sleep apnea is a brief interruption in breathing during deep sleep—sometimes numerous interruptions in a single night—that is quite common in young children but also occurs in some adults. It may also happen at high altitudes. Sleep apnea is often accompanied by loud snoring and an abnormal breathing pattern.
Apnea in older children and adults is less life-threatening. But because the person’s sleep is briefly interrupted each time the breathing stops, sometimes dozens of times in a night, it can be physically exhausting. It strains the cardiovascular system and respiratory system and may create excess carbon dioxide in the blood. It may lead to drowsiness and irritability during the wakeful state and an inability to concentrate, due to insufficient sleep.
In Ayurvedic terms, sleep apnea occurs because tarpaka kapha is blocking prana vata. So treatment centers on controlling excess kapha.
TO CONTROL KAPHA. The first remedy is pippali. Take ¼ teaspoon with 1 teaspoon honey and 1 teaspoon ghee on an empty stomach in the morning and evening.
• Instead of pippali, you can substitute trikatu churna (which consists of equal amounts of pippali, black pepper, and ginger).
• For an effective decongestant, take ½ teaspoon sitopaladi along with ¼ teaspoon yashti madhu in 1 teaspoon honey, twice a day. This will help both as a congestion remedy and as a preventive measure.
Sleep Apnea in Premature Babies
Premature infants sometimes have sleep apnea. Because the respiratory center in the hypothalamus has not fully matured in these babies, from time to time the child may completely stop breathing and can turn blue or purple.
If this happens, don’t panic, but act quickly: If you tickle the soles of the feet, or sprinkle cool water on the belly at the diaphragm, the baby will start breathing again.
This condition may cause SIDS, sudden infant death syndrome. It is a serious condition that needs prompt medical care. But when the breathing control center becomes mature, the baby’s sleep apnea should go away.
NASYA. Instill 5 drops of warm brahmi ghee or plain ghee in each nostril in the morning and before going to bed.
FOR OBESITY. One of the primary causes of sleep apnea is being significantly overweight. If that is the problem, you can treat obesity with this herbal formula:
kutki 1 part
chitrak 1 part
shilajit ⅛ part
Take ¼ teaspoon of this mixture 2 or 3 times a day before breakfast, lunch, and dinner with warm water.
• Regular walking or other exercise will also help the obese person to breathe better. Be careful not to undertake exercise that might be too much for you if you are very heavy and have not exercised in some time. Stick to walking, or consult with your doctor if you want to do more.
CHANGE YOUR SLEEPING POSITION. Anyone with sleep apnea would do well to experiment with different sleeping positions to see if the condition eases. In particular, obese people, who are often in the habit of sleeping on their chest or on their back with their hands on their chest, might try sleeping on their left side. Just this one shift could remedy or at least reduce the problem.
KEEP THE HOUSE HUMIDIFIED. Sometimes dry, hot air creates a choking sensation in the nose and can be the cause of sleep apnea. A warm, comfortably humid atmosphere will be best. Preferably, use a hot water humidifier; ultrasound humidifiers are not recommended.
PANCHAKARMA. Under the supervision of an Ayurvedic physician, it would be helpful for a person with sleep apnea to undergo panchakarma purification therapy (see chapter 4). This includes abhyanga (oil massage), virechana (purgation therapy), and nasya (nasal administration of medications) among others. This procedure is cleansing and rejuvenating.