Smoking Smoking See also “Addictions”
Addiction to smoking has two main causes: nicotine toxicity and stress. Once a person becomes a smoker, he or she has to achieve just the “right” amount of nicotine toxicity to maintain proper functioning of the brain as well as normal digestion and elimination. Also, at times of pressure or emotional disturbance, smokers habitually reach for a cigarette. So two parallel strategies are needed: detoxifying the nicotine toxicity and dealing with the stress.
HERBAL CIGARETTE. To gradually wean yourself from smoking, Ayurveda suggests that you prepare the following herbal mixture. It will help both with reducing your stress level and with detoxifying your body. Mix together equal amounts of:
brahmi
jatamamsi
rose petal powder
Remove ⅓ of the tobacco from a few of your cigarettes (at the end you light) and replace it with this mixture. When you feel like smoking, light and smoke the herbal mixture. When you reach the tobacco, stop. Soon you will see that the desire to smoke begins to diminish.
OVERWHELM YOURSELF. Here’s another helpful procedure: Place a few drops of brahmi ghee directly on the cigarette, then light up. The smoke produced will be so strong, it will eliminate your desire to smoke.
EFFECTIVE HERBAL TEA. At times of stress, instead of smoking a cigarette, prepare and drink a tea made of equal proportions of jatamamsi, chamomile, and brahmi.
jatamamsi 1 part
chamomile 1 part
brahmi 1 part
Steep 1 teaspoon of this mixture in a cup of hot water, and drink. Take it slowly, sip by sip, to help relieve the desire to smoke.
CHEW INSTEAD OF SMOKING. Whenever the desire for a cigarette arises, chew one or two small pieces of dried pineapple instead, mixed with ½ teaspoon honey.
REDUCE STRESS BY MEDITATING. For Stress management, spend some time every day meditating. If you know a practice, use it! Or try the Empty Bowl meditation explained in chapter 7. Most people find that when stress is reduced, their desire to smoke spontaneously decreases.
YOGA POSTURES. Yoga postures are helpful. Try the Moon Salutation sequence, as well as the Locust pose, Bow, Shoulder Stand, Plow, and Palm Tree. (Illustrations of yoga asanas are found in appendix 4.)
BREATHING EXERCISES. The pranayama (breathing exercise) known as Breath of Fire will also help you in your effort to quit smoking. It is explained in chapter 6.
Sore Throat A sore throat is caused by irritation and inflammation of the throat. This condition is generally quite easy to remedy using Ayurvedic methods.
GARGLE. Perhaps the simplest remedy, and one that is quite effective, is gargling. Ayurveda recommends using 1 cup of hot water (not so hot that it might burn your throat) with ½ teaspoon turmeric and ½ teaspoon salt mixed in. Gargle with this mixture morning and evening.
TURMERIC MILK. Drinking 1 cup of hot milk boiled with ½ teaspoon turmeric is also helpful for sore throat.
SOOTHING HERBAL TEA. Another remedy that works well is ginger-cinnamon-licorice tea in the following proportions:
ginger 2 parts
cinnamon 2 parts
licorice 3 parts
Steep 1 teaspoon of the herbal mixture in water for 5 to 10 minutes, and drink up to 3 times a day.
If your sore throat persists for more than a few days even though you are trying these remedies, see a medical professional.
FOODS TO AVOID. When you have a sore throat, it is important not to eat dairy products such as cheese, yogurt, and ice cream. Also avoid fermented foods.
NOTE: A cup of warm turmeric milk, as recommended above, is an exception. Do stay away from chilled dairy products, which are mucus-forming and will exacerbate your sore throat.
YOGA POSTURES. The yoga posture known as the Lion pose is traditionally recommended for sore throats. The Yoga Mudra is also effective. (See yoga illustrations in appendix 4.)
BREATHING EXERCISE. You can also practice bhramari (Humming Breath), which is described in chapter 6.
Spastic Colon For help with spastic colon, you can use the remedies suggested under “Irritable Bowel Syndrome.” In addition, try the following Ayurvedic herbal formula:
shatavari 4 parts
hingwastak churna ⅛ part
ajwan ¼ part
chitrak 1 part
Take about ¼ teaspoon of this mixture 3 times a day with warm water, after meals.
Sprains and Strains Stepping off the curb in a wrong way, losing your balance when walking (especially easy to do when you wear high-heeled shoes), falling on an outstretched hand—all of these can lead to a sudden twisting of an ankle, wrist, or hip joint, resulting in a sprain or strain.
Although sprains and strains are similar, there is a difference. A sprain affects ligaments and is a pitta condition. It is caused by excessive stretching or even tearing of the ligament and involves pain, swelling, and blackish-bluish discoloration. A strain affects muscle, is due to vata, and does not produce bruise discoloration, although there is pain.
WRAP IT UP. Whenever there is a strain or sprain, as soon as possible wrap the area in an elastic bandage.
DRINK SOME JUICE. Then drink some pineapple or pomegranate juice. These juices contain an enzyme that acts as an anti-irritant and anti-inflammatory. This helps to pacify pitta and accelerates the healing process.
SOAK IT. For ankle sprain, soak your foot in a pot of hot water with a homemade mustard seed tea bag. Make the bag by tying up 2 teaspoons of brown mustard seeds in a handkerchief, some cheesecloth, or other light cloth. Immerse the bag in the hot water.
To relieve the swelling, soak the foot for 15 minutes in hot water with 2 tablespoons of salt per gallon of water.
APPLY A HEALING PASTE. Make a paste out of ½ teaspoon turmeric and ½ teaspoon salt, with enough water to form the paste. Use cool water. Applying it to the injury will help reduce swelling.
If it is a strain rather than a sprain, use a hot paste of turmeric and salt to help pacify the vata.
HERBAL REMEDY. If you can’t tell whether it is a strain or a sprain, take capsules of kaishore guggulu (200 mg. twice a day); this herbal formula will help heal both conditions.
SUGGESTION: If you want to avoid sprained and strained ankles, don’t wear high-heeled shoes.
Stomachache See also “Indigestion”
Stomachache is a very ambiguous symptom. Many causes are possible: acid stomach, acid indigestion, constipation, eating the wrong kind of food, even toxicity in the liver. All these, and other factors, can create abdominal aches and pains.
To treat a stomachache intelligently and effectively, first we have to rule out the serious causes, such as appendicitis, enteritis, gastritis, and colic. You may need a physician’s help to determine the cause. But for a common tummy ache, Ayurveda offers numerous simple, natural, and effective home remedies.
• Mix together ⅓ teaspoon cumin powder, a pinch of hing (asafetida), and a pinch of rock salt. Chew well; wash down with warm water.
• For stomachache associated with diarrhea, rub a little fresh ginger juice on your stomach, around the belly button.
• Try the Ayurvedic herb shankavati. It ordinarily comes in tablets; just take 1 pill twice a day, morning and evening. It will take care of an aching stomach.
• If you don’t find shankavati, take lasunadivati, 1 tablet twice a day after food.
• Another helpful herb is ajwan (Indian celery seed), which you can usually buy from an Indian grocery shop. Mix ½ teaspoon with ¼ teaspoon baking soda, chew the mixture, and drink it down with a little warm water.
• If this doesn’t relieve your stomachache, mix together some roasted fennel, roasted cumin, and roasted coriander seed, and chew on about ½ teaspoon of the mixture. (Roast these seeds individually—that is, one type at a time—in a heavy cast iron pan, stirring constantly so they don’t burn. Then mix them together.)
• To relieve indigestion, take ¼ cup of fresh onion juice with ½ teaspoon honey and ½ teaspoon black pepper.
• Make some cumin-coriander-fennel tea. Mix the three herbs in equal proportions, and use ½ teaspoon per cup of water. Drink 2 to 3 times a day to help soothe an aching stomach.
• Another simple tea can be made of equal amounts of the common Western herbs angelica, chamomile, and comfrey. Mix them together, and steep about ½ teaspoon of the mix in hot water.
Most of the time, a stomachache is due to indigestion and low agni (digestive fire). Here are four ways you can kindle agni:
• One of the best herbs to strengthen digestive fire 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 eat the mixture. Or just cut a thin slice of ginger, put on a pinch of salt, and chew that.
• Ginger tea will also increase the gastric fire and reduce the stomachache. Boil a little fresh ginger (grated, chopped, or sliced), or use powdered ginger to make a tea, and drink it 2 or 3 times a day.
• Draksha (Ayurvedic herbal wine) before meals will help to kindle the digestive fire. Use 2 to 4 tablespoons mixed with an equal amount of water. Or take a few sips of port or another sweet wine.
• Another simple way to enliven your gastric fire is to use the common spice bay leaf. Steep ½ teaspoon of crushed or ground 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.
EAT LIGHTLY. If your stomach hurts, avoid eating any heavy meals, beans, meat, and heavier grains like wheat. It is better to be on a diet of kitchari, a combination of rice and dal that is easy to digest. (See this page for a basic kitchari recipe). Between meals, take some fruit juice.
FOR CHRONIC INDIGESTION. For chronic poor digestion and frequent stomachaches, prepare this herbal mixture:
trikatu 1 part
chitrak 2 parts
kutki 1 part
Take ¼ teaspoon before meals, with a little honey and fresh ginger juice. If you don’t have fresh ginger, just use honey. This mixture will help strengthen the digestive fire.
TAKE A BREAK FROM EXERCISE. When you have an upset stomach, Ayurveda recommends that you just rest, read, and relax as much as you can until the condition clears. Exercise, including yoga asanas, is not recommended.
Stress Stress is a psychosomatic disorder that has many causes in our day-to-day life. We may get stressed when traffic is jammed, when we have to stand in a long line, or when we deal with a difficult work situation. An all-too-common cause of stress is the feeling that we have too much to do and too little time to do it. Unemployment is another potential source, as are pollution and crime. Even watching crime stories day after day on television builds up stress. An unhappy relationship, a dominating spouse, faulty plumbing, school exams, burn-out at work—the list of causes is virtually endless.
Stress, in turn, may trigger allergies, asthma, herpes, high cholesterol, and hypertension. It may even lead to a heart condition. It can induce an imbalance of vata, pitta, or kapha, depending on the individual’s prakruti (constitution).
Generally, vata individuals are likely to develop vata-aggravated stress reactions, such as anxiety or fearfulness, even phobias or anxiety neurosis. Pitta individuals increase in pitta during stressful situations and typically react to stress in the form of anger. They may also suffer from hypertension, peptic ulcer, ulcerative colitis, and other pitta disorders. Kapha individuals under stress can develop underactive thyroid function, slow metabolism, and even increased blood sugar, leading to a prediabetic condition. They tend to eat and eat and eat and become chubby.
TAKE A RELAXATION BREAK. To prevent the buildup of stress, the first line of defense is to stay calm and cool during potentially stressful circumstances. Take long, deep breaths, and breathe out your stress. Relax. Have a massage, or give yourself an oil massage by rubbing a few ounces of warm oil on your body, from head to toe. Vata individuals should use sessame oil, pitta individuals sunflower oil, and kapha individuals corn oil. After your massage, take a hot shower or a hot tub bath. Mental techniques such as positive imagery, prayer, singing and chanting, and meditation, as well as regular yoga exercises, are all effective to minimize and remedy stress.
ANALYZE YOUR STRESS. Separate the things in your life that you find stressful into two categories: things you can do something about, and things you can’t. If you can do something about it, then do it! If there’s nothing you can do, then surrender to it. Accept it. When there’s nothing I can do about a situation, I have to surrender to it, and in accepting it, there is peace.
MONITOR YOUR NEGATIVE THINKING. Stress is often the result of fear that is based largely on imagination. Look at your negative thinking, and replace it with positive thinking. Just changing your thinking or your attitude can alleviate much stress.
EXAMINE YOUR ROLE AND YOUR GOAL. Find the right match between your job and your personality. Job stress is a terrible burden on many people when work and personality are not appropriately matched. If you love what you are doing, there is no stress. If you don’t love what you are doing and you still have to do it, that is very stressful. So you have to discover your true role and your goal.
A SOOTHING BATH. A ginger-baking soda bath is quite soothing. Add ⅓ cup ginger and ⅓ cup baking soda to a hot bath for greater relaxation and healing.
OILS FOR RELAXATION. Rub a little brahmi oil on the soles of your feet and on your scalp at bedtime.
• Put one drop of pure castor oil (with no preservatives) into each of your eyes, and rub a little on the soles of your feet for a calming, soothing effect.
USE MEDICATED NOSE DROPS. Do nasya with brahmi ghee or plain ghee. Put 5 drops of the ghee into each nostril. (Refer to the nasya instructions in appendix 3.)
STRESS-REDUCING TEA. A tea made from equal proportions of the herbs chamomile, comfrey, and angelica will be relaxing. So will brahmi tea, which you can make by adding a cup of boiling water to ½ teaspoon brahmi. Or try a tea made from equal amounts of these herbs:
brahmi
bhringaraj
jatamamsi
shanka pushpi
Steep ½ teaspoon in 1 cup of hot water for 10 minutes. You can drink this tea 2 or 3 times a day for stress management.
YOGA STRETCHING. Certain specific asanas are effectively used for management of stress, especially the Shoulder Stand, Plow pose, Spinal Twist, and Locust pose. The Lion pose is also effective for relieving stress. (Asana illustrations appear in appendix 4.)
MEDITATION. Sit in the Lotus pose or the Easy pose (legs comfortably crossed) facing east, and meditate. Just observe the inflow and outflow of your breath, or do the So-Hum meditation (described in chapter 7).
BREATHE AWAY STRESS. Ujjayi pranayama is deeply calming and helpful for relieving stress. You can do it sitting up, or try lying on your back in Savasana (the “corpse” or rest pose) and doing this breathing exercise. (See instructions in chapter 6.)
LET YOURSELF CRY. If you have a lot of grief and sadness, it will help to cry out your stressful feelings. Crying is an excellent release for emotions.
LAUGHTER IS GOOD MEDICINE. Laughter is another good way to relieve stress. Try it, even if it is forced at first. Just start laughing! Soon real laughter will come and with it the release of tension and stress.
START YOUR WEEK WITH MEDITATION. Many people experience extra stress on Monday. They have to travel a long distance to work and start another week at a job they don’t enjoy. It’s a fact that heart attacks are more common on Mondays. To help you reduce stress at this crucial time, keep in mind that Monday is the day of the moon, and the moon represents the mind. So begin Monday morning—and your week—with 15 to 20 minutes of meditation before going to work. Regular daily meditation, morning and evening, is one of the best things you can do to keep your stress level low.
Sunburn Sunburn is an acute inflammatory condition of the skin cells due to overexposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun (or a solar lamp). The inflammation may be mild or serious, depending on the degree of exposure.
Something more may also be involved, however. Many people use large amounts of chemical products on their skin, as well as internally—chemical deodorants, chemical soaps, chemical perfumes, cough medicines, and numerous other medications. These substances all weaken the skin. When a person who uses a large number of these products lies in the sun, he or she is more prone to burn.
Also, according to Ayurveda, people of pitta constitution, who are generally more fair-skinned, are more susceptible to sunburn.
When sunburn is severe, the person may have many symptoms, including dizziness, nausea, blisters, undue sensitivity to light, and peeling of the skin. Repeated sunburn may create premature aging and wrinkling of the skin, and the person looks old, like a roasted potato!
Ayurveda has numerous recommendations both to prevent sunburn and to treat it effectively if it happens.
• Apply aloe vera cream to the site of the burn. You can also use some pure aloe vera gel (with no preservatives added), or if you have access to an aloe plant, lightly rub a piece of the plant on the sunburned area.
• Coconut oil is also effective for soothing sunburned skin.
• Take a gauze pad, dip it into cool milk (either cow’s milk or goat’s milk), and apply it directly to the sunburn. If you have no milk available, use a cloth dipped in cool water, but milk is better.
• Apply tikta ghrita (bitter ghee) topically.
• Pulverize some lettuce and apply the pulp directly to the sunburn.
• Place an icebag or a bag of frozen food (like corn, peas, or beans) on the affected area to cool the skin. But don’t leave ice touching your skin for more than a minute or two without a break.
• Apply a little fresh cream (from milk) directly on the sunburned skin.
• Make a paste of sandalwood and turmeric by mixing equal amounts of these herbs with a little cool water. Apply gently to the sunburned area. It will have a cooling effect. Note: This paste will stain your skin yellow for at least a couple of days and will also stain any clothing it touches.
• Avoid or minimize exposure to sunlight from 10 A.M. to 3 P.M. Those are the peak hours of the sun’s strength.
• Limit your time in the direct sun to no more than half an hour. At high altitudes, even this may be too long.
• Before going into the sun, apply neem oil to the exposed parts of the body. Neem is a good sun blocker that will help protect your skin.
NOTE: As always in this book, “neem oil” does not mean pure neem extract, but a few drops of neem mixed with sesame oil or another mild oil. This is the way neem oil is commercially sold.
• Drink coconut water or coconut milk.
• Follow a pitta-soothing program. Don’t take saunas or get overheated. Eat pitta-pacifying foods, especially avoiding spicy and fermented foods (see chapter 8).
• Before and after showering, apply neem oil to your skin. Coconut oil is also helpful.
Swelling (Edema) During Pregnancy See also “Edema”
During pregnancy, the enlarged uterus exerts pressure on the pelvic blood vessels and constricts them, which leads to swelling of the feet. Swelling may also be due to lack of protein, lack of iron, or lack of exercise. Or it may be due to high blood pressure or poor circulation. Whatever the cause, it is important to treat it.
DRINK CUMIN-CORIANDER-FENNEL TEA. Mix equal proportions of these three herbs, and use ¼ to ½ teaspoon of each herb per cup of hot water. Drink 2 or 3 times a day.
USE A DIURETIC TEA. If the swelling is severe, certain herbal teas made of diuretic herbs can help to stimulate the kidneys. Make a tea of punarnava or gokshura, or combine the two in equal proportions, using 1 teaspoon of the mixture steeped in a cup of hot water. Drink 2 or 3 times a day. This tea will act as a mild diuretic and will remove the swelling.
TIME TO SEE THE DOCTOR
In certain extreme cases, during the last stage of pregnancy the placenta releases toxins and creates a condition characterized by increased blood pressure and swelling of the extremities; proteinurea, convulsions, and coma can develop. This dangerous condition is called eclampsia or pregnancy toxemia. It cannot be treated by home remedies; it requires prompt, expert medical supervision and care.
However, the following herbal formula will help, as an adjunct to treatment, to relieve the convulsions:
brahmi
jatamamsi
shanka pushpi
Mix these herbs in equal amounts. Use ½ teaspoon of the mixture to make a tea, and drink it twice a day.
NOTE: If there is ever a generalized swelling of the entire body (including, in men, a swelling of the penis and scrotum), this is a very serious, life-threatening condition that requires immediate treatment.
FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE. Use these herbs:
hawthorn berry
passion flower
arjuna
Mix in equal proportion, and use 1 teaspoon to make a tea. Take twice a day after meals until the situation is normalized. This simple tea will effectively regulate blood pressure. (For more suggestions, see “Hypertension.”)
IF THE PROBLEM IS ANEMIA. The swelling may be due to anemia. Folic acid anemia is common during pregnancy, and iron deficiency anemia not uncommon. You can have tests to determine whether you have these deficiencies. If you do, providing the missing ingredients will help reduce or eliminate the swelling. See “Anemia” for suggestions.
PROTEIN DEFICIENCY. Lack of protein may also be the culprit. If you determine that this is the case, eat more protein foods, such as soy products.
EXERCISE. Walking every day for 20 to 30 minutes will improve circulation and help reduce swelling.
AVOID SALT. Salt makes the body retain water and promotes swelling.
RAISE YOUR FEET. When lying down, put a pillow under your feet. This will drain the water and help to gradually decrease the swelling.
Teeth and Gums—Ayurvedic Care According to Ayurveda, teeth are a by-product of bone. Cavities in the teeth, and receding gums, are signs of aggravation of vata in the skeletal system.
FOR MINERAL DEFICIENCY. Problems with teeth are often related to a deficiency of calcium, magnesium, and zinc. To prevent future problems or to alleviate a deficiency:
• Chew a handful of calcium-rich white sesame seeds every morning. (Then brush your teeth without putting any toothpaste on the brush, so the residue of the sesame seeds can rub against your teeth, polishing and cleaning them.)
• You can also use a mineral supplement containing a daily dose of approximately these amounts: calcium (1,200 mg.), magnesium (600 mg.), and zinc (60 mg.) per tablet.
MASSAGE YOUR GUMS. You can make your teeth healthier and more beautiful by massaging your gums daily with sesame oil. Take a mouthful of warm sesame oil and swish it from side to side for 2 to 3 minutes. Don’t swallow it. Spit out the oil, then gently massage your gums with your index finger. This is an excellent preventive measure for receding gums, tooth infection, and cavities.
HERBAL TOOTH CLEANSER. Ayurvedic dentistry recommends the use of bitter and astringent herbs for cleaning the teeth. The main herbs used are neem, which is bitter, and lohdra, kushta, and bilva, which are all astringent. You can make an excellent cleanser for brushing your teeth by mixing the powdered form of neem and an equal amount of any of the astringent herbs and use the mixture to brush your teeth as usual. You can also buy commercial toothpastes and powders containing these herbs in natural food stores and from most suppliers of Ayurvedic herbs.
• You may also be able to find powders for the teeth made out of finely ground, roasted almond shells. These are highly beneficial for maintaining the good health of the teeth.
USE TEA TREE OIL FOR RECEDING GUMS AND SENSITIVE TEETH. Receding gums, and sensitivity of teeth to cold and hot temperatures, indicate a bacterial infection in the roots of the teeth.
• To treat the infection, wet a clean toothbrush, and put a few drops of tea tree oil directly onto the brush. Brush your teeth. Then use a cotton swab to apply some tea tree oil to the exposed part of the gums. This treatment will help arrest further infection of the teeth and will take care of pain and sensitivity to hot and cold.
• You can also apply some tea tree oil to your dental floss. This will help you reach some possible deep pockets of infection that the brush doesn’t reach. (Commercial floss treated with tea tree oil is also available.)
CHEW WELL. Ayurveda emphasizes the importance of chewing food well. This not only helps the digestive process, but also stimulates the gums.
TRY FIGS. For strengthening teeth and gums, try eating 4 figs and chewing them well, once a day.
TAP YOUR TEETH. Gently tap your teeth together 5 or 6 times, almost clenching them—but gently, so that you don’t break the crowns! This is said to stimulate the energy meridians related to the teeth.
Tendinitis In strenuous sports and athletic activities such as running or jumping, a person can pull a muscle and cause inflammation of the tendon, leading to tendinitis or bursitis. This condition can also result from a nonstrenuous activity repeated often enough to become stressful. An example is carpal tunnel syndrome, the result of working for hours a day at a repetitive task such as typing at a computer keyboard.
COLD COMPRESS. At the site of tendinitis, apply a cold compress such as an ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables. That will minimize the inflammation.
APPLY A COOL PASTE. Make a paste of sandalwood and turmeric powder in equal amounts. Mix the powders in enough cold water to form a paste, and apply it on the painful area.
• A paste of salt and turmeric will also be effective.
GENTLE STRETCHING. Careful, gentle stretching of the affected muscles will gradually help to improve circulation and heal the pain and inflammation.
TAKE ANTI-INFLAMMATORY HERBS. Taking some anti-inflammatory herbs will accelerate healing. Make this formula:
kaishore guggulu 2 parts
manjistha 2 parts
musta 2 parts
guduchi 3 parts
Take ¼ teaspoon of this mixture 2 or 3 times a day with warm water after meals.
APPLY HEAT. For both acute tendinitis, where there is much pain, and chronic tendinitis, apply soothing heat, such as a liniment (a penetrating, heating ointment) or a warm water compress. Wet or damp heat is effective to minimize the pain or inflammation.
OIL MASSAGE. Gently massage the affected area with mahanarayan oil, and then soak it in warm water.
Tinnitus NOTE: The same line of treatment used to improve hearing is absolutely good to silence tinnitus, or ringing in the ear, so please consult that section (“Hearing Loss”) in addition to the following recommendations.
HERBAL REMEDIES. According to Ayurveda, ringing in the ear is a vata disorder. To alleviate this root cause—aggravation of vata in the nervous system—prepare a tea made from equal amounts of comfrey, cinnamon, and chamomile. Steep up to 1 teaspoon of this mixture per cup, and drink 2 or 3 times a day.
• Also, you can take yogaraj guggulu (200 mg. 2 or 3 times a day) with warm water, after food.
• Gently rubbing the mastoid bone (behind your ear) with warm sesame oil may be helpful. Try it twice day, morning and evening, for a week, and see if it helps.
• Garlic oil is often effective. Place 3 drops into your ear at night before going to bed. (See appendix 2 for how to prepare oils like garlic oil.)
Toenail Infection When persons who have thick, tough toenails cut their nails in a convex curve, as the nails grow the edges may start to penetrate the skin and cut the soft tissue. This may lead to inflammation, swelling, pain, and possible infection. Generally, the nails of vata and kapha individuals grow stronger, so they are more prone to toenail infection. Shoes that are too tight can create pressure on the nails, also potentially leading to toenail infection.
The long-term solution is simply to cut the nail straight across, or with a slightly half-moon shape (a concave curve). That allows the nail to grow straight forward instead of into the skin at the sides.
If the nails have already begun to grow under the skin, soak your foot in warm water to soften the nails. When the nails are soft, clean them and apply some tea tree oil mixed half and half with neem oil under the nail. Then cut the nail straight across.
To prevent recurrences, wear soft shoes that are not tight, and cut the nails straight across or in a shallow half-moon shape.
Toothache See also “Teeth and Gums—Ayurvedic Care”, “Gum Disease”
Toothache may be caused by receding gums, cavities, sensitivity due to hyperacidity, and/or infection.
If high acidity is the problem, the person will tend to get heartburn and acid indigestion in addition to toothache. You can control the acidity by following a pitta-soothing diet, particularly avoiding spicy foods, pickles, citrus fruits, and fermented foods (see chapter 8).
When the teeth have cavities or the gums are receding, the roots of the teeth may become exposed. These nerve-filled areas become sensitive to cold or heat. (Sensitivity to cold is a sign of receding gums, while sensitivity to heat indicates infection.)
For any toothache, use a cotton swab to apply a little tea tree oil or clove oil at the site of the pain. Or a small piece of natural, edible camphor (not the synthetic kind, which is poisonous) can be placed next to the painful tooth. The saliva will mix with the camphor and will relieve the toothache. (See appendix 2 for directions on making medicated oils.)
Don’t just settle for getting rid of the pain, however. If you have a cavity, be sure to get it taken care of. And to avoid future problems, follow the recommendations for healthy teeth and gums in the section entitled, “Teeth and Gums—Ayurvedic Care.”
Ulcers Ulcers in the gastrointestinal tract are a pitta disorder. Pitta is hot, sharp, and penetrating, and when aggravated, it can erode the surface of internal organs or soft tissues. The mucous membrane lining the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, or colon can develop ulceration because of excess pitta.
Individuals with a pitta constitution or pitta disorder, or whose blood type is O and Rh-positive, are more prone to developing ulcers. A person with ulcers may experience pain, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, midback ache, and shoulder pain.
THE MAIN PRINCIPLE FOR TREATMENT: PACIFY PITTA. Ulcers can be effectively treated by treating the high pitta. If you have ulcers, strictly follow the pitta-pacifying diet: avoid hot spicy food, fermented or sour food, sour fruit, and citrus fruit. (See chapter 8 for complete guidelines.) Stay away from alcohol, tobacco, and coffee. And do not take aspirins or steroids, which can accelerate erosion of the gastric mucosal membrane.
TWO HERBAL FORMULAS. An effective herbal treatment for ulcers is the following formula:
shatavari 5 parts
yashti madhu 3 parts
shanka bhasma ⅛ part
kama dudha ⅛ part
Take ½ teaspoon of this mixture twice a day, after lunch and dinner, with a little warm water.
• Taking 1 teaspoon of sat isabgol (psyllium husks) at bedtime with a cup of warm milk will also be beneficial.
REDUCE STRESS. Stress is often the cause of or a complicating factor in ulcers. To help dissolve stress, make yourself some Tranquillity Tea from these herbs:
jatamamsi
brahmi
shanka pushpi
Combine the herbs in equal proportions, and use about ½ teaspoon of the mixture steeped in 1 cup of boiling water to make a tea. Drink it about an hour before going to bed.
YOGA POSTURES. Yoga asanas can help you relax and relieve stress, which is beneficial for ulcers. The following positions are particularly recommended for helping with ulcers: Leg Lift, Camel, Cobra, Bow, Bridge, and Spinal Twist. (See illustrations of yoga postures in appendix 4.)
BREATHE AWAY STRESS. Shitali pranayama, a breathing exercise that has a cooling, soothing effect, will be helpful. Moon breathing (breathing through the left nostril only) for 5 to 10 minutes has a cooling effect that may also be helpful. Breathing exercises are described in chapter 6.
EAT EARLY IN THE EVENING, AND EAT SMALL MEALS. Persons with ulcers should not eat late at night. They also do best if they eat small, frequent meals. Don’t keep the stomach empty for long. At least have breakfast, lunch, and dinner, so the acid secreted in the stomach can be utilized for digestion.
AN EFFECTIVE HERBAL ACID BLOCKER. Today many people use acid-blocking medications for ulcers. The best acid blocker in Ayurveda is a combination of the herbs
brahmi
jatamamsi
yashti madhu
in equal proportions. A tea made from ½ teaspoon of these herbs per cup of water, taken after lunch and dinner, can help to inhibit acid secretions and prevent ulceration.
Urinary Incontinence Urinary incontinence is primarily a vata disorder, caused by weakness of the muscles of the bladder, especially the bladder sphincter. If that becomes weak and uncontrolled, a person may lose voluntary control of urination to a greater or lesser extent.
Another cause of incontinence, especially in the West, seems to be the frequent use of rest rooms. When some people see a rest room, they just use it, whether the need is urgent or not. They apparently think (perhaps subconsciously), “Maybe I won’t have another chance for a while.” But the bladder muscles become weak and lose the capacity to retain a large amount of urine and pass it out only when really necessary.
Urinary incontinence is more common among women than men, because their urethra is quite short. When women cough, sneeze, or strain, or even when laughing, their bladder may leak a little urine.
This disorder can be controlled by certain herbs, a periodic oil enema, and certain yoga exercises. Let’s begin with the latter.
ASHWINI MUDRA. This exercise involves using the perineal muscles to suck the anus inward, tightening the gluteal muscles. It will also strengthen the bladder sphincter. Do 10 to 12 repetitions, 2 or 3 times a day (while sitting down).
OTHER POSTURES. Sitting in the Vajrasana pose (see illustration in appendix 4) will help, as will the Forward Bend, Shoulder Stand, and Plow pose.
Prepare the following mixture:
ashwagandha 5 parts
bala 3 parts
vidari 2 parts
Take ½ teaspoon with warm water twice a day, after meals.
• Every day eat a handful of white sesame seeds with some jaggery or natural brown sugar. This will strengthen the bladder and help to correct the incontinence.
SESAME OIL ENEMA. Once a week, do a basti (enema) using warm sesame oil (see appendix 2). Insert about 1 cup of oil into the rectum, and try to retain it for at least 5 to 10 minutes. If the oil runs out, don’t worry. Sesame oil enema is one of the most effective ways to balance vata.
AVOID ALCOHOL AND CAFFEINE. Caffeine is a diuretic and intensifies the need to urinate. Therefore, incontinence and urgency of urination are quite common among coffee drinkers or users of other caffeinated beverages, such as tea or cola. Alcoholic beverages also promote incontinence. So it is better to avoid caffeine and alcohol if you have any problem with urinary control.
VATA-PACIFYING DIET. Since urinary incontinence is largely due to excess vata, following a vata-balancing diet will help. (See the dietary guidelines in chapter 8.)
Yeast Infections Yeast infections are a result of a mixed pitta and kapha disorder. To heal them, first one has to follow a proper diet, which must not increase either pitta or kapha. Strictly avoid sugar, fermented food, and yeast-containing bread. Ideally, it is best to follow a diet that is pitta-soothing, but not kapha-provoking. The best way to manage this balance is to look in the food charts for each doshic type (see chapter 8) and favor foods in the “yes” column for both kapha and pitta.
EFFECTIVE HERBAL REMEDY. A potent herbal formula that will help to heal a yeast infection is:
turmeric ¼ teaspoon
licorice ½ teaspoon
shardunika ¼ teaspoon
Take this complete mixture (1 teaspoon of herbs) twice a day with warm water until your symptoms are gone.
DOUCHE FOR VAGINAL YEAST INFECTION. If the yeast infection is vaginal, you will find it helpful to douche with licorice tea. Boil 1 tablespoon of licorice powder in 1 pint of water for 5 minutes. Cool, strain, and use that tea for the douche. You will notice the healing effect quickly.