Treating obesity through behaviour modification and yogic methods

Excess accumulation of fat tissues beyond the limitation of the skeletal and muscular requirement, is termed as obesity. Obesity is considered a problem because it detracts from one’s physical appearance according to the standards of our problems. The causes of obesity are complex and not well understood. According to yogic and psychological point of view our lifestyle and reinforcement for overeating is the most important factors behind obesity. The first cause is overeating and the second important cause is decreased physical activities, which means that there is an imbalance in the amount of energy we take in and the amount we expend. Regardless of the cause of obesity, it appears that in many cases it can be treated effectively with behaviour modification and adopting yoga in our daily life. In bahaviour modification methods self-monitoring of records of the food on caloric intake, stimulus control, i.e., controlled eating behaviour, changing eating behaviour and behavioral contract are important methods of controlling weight. In yoga therapy, yogasanas like the pawanamuktasana, shakti bandha, vajrasana, surya namskara, shatkarma, and pranayama are the important methods to remove extra weight from the body.

Arun Kumar, S. K. Srivastava
Haridwar (uttranchal)

Occupational health and yoga: an analysis

The state of health influenced by the environment of any occupation or work is called occupational health. According to World Health Organization ‘Occupational Health’ is a method of Medical science for promoting and maintaining the state of physical, mental, social and spiritual well-being in all occupations, preventing the loss of health caused by working conditions. It aims at protecting worker’s/ employee’s health which is influenced by occupational environment.
So far as the occupation in industry is concerned inspite of its financial benefits it has been observed that growth of industry is responsible for creating immense environmental pollution, which leads to health hazards. For example: the process of producing finished products out of raw materials through machines makes the environment polluted by releasing various kinds of wastes like solid, liquid, gaseous and chemical etc. All these wastes cause harm to the health of the concerned employees by creating respiratory disorders, injury to skin and other organs of the body. Working with unguarded machines for long hours may cause accident which is a major health problem leading to fatigue, backache, diseases of joints and muscles. In this way we know how the working condition or environment of any occupation affects employee’s heath, happiness and peace. Since stress and strain are inter related, we can observe that prolonged physical diseases cause stress disorders which includes aggressiveness, anxiety and depression etc. Again, stress at home may affect the progress of his/her job. Severe prolonged stress may do not allow an employee to work efficiently. So, it should be the motto of every employee of any occupation to create and maintain a healthy and secured work environment where every employee can work peacefully with full freedom and without any fear of danger and tension due to loss of health. To create a healthy work environment we should know the method of managing stress regarding which we get a lot of ideas and information from ancient Sanskrit writings about yoga. Thus, with an aim of preventing and relieving stress disorders for taking care of occupational health, it is proposed here to throw some light on “OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND YOGA: ANALYSIS” with the help of some relevant quotations from Patanjali Yoga Darshan, Bagavadgeeta, Vedas and other ancient Sanskrit writings.

Dr. Khagendrea Patra
Rourkela (Orissa)

Cardio vascular system and its effect through yoga

Cardio vascular system refers to the circulatory system related with the cardiac muscle. The cardiac muscular organ involved in the process is called heart.
This brief introduction o cardio-vascular system reveals its importance in organic life. Thus it is very much essential to look after it. Now-a-day many diseases concerned to it like diabetes, high B.P., high cholesterol, etc., one of the traditional and effective method to prevent these problems in yoga. This method only utilizes the meditation power of one’s own thus no risk of side effects from any external agent.
Cardiac (heart) disease and also arteriosclerosis (blood vessel degeneration) are the largest killers in the affluent segments of world society today every year. Many millions of people die from the complications of cardio-vascular degeneration including hypertension, chronic heart failure, stroke (cerebre-vascular accident). In addition, many more experience the anguish of chest pains known as angina pectoris, which indicate cardiac strain in the activities of their daily life.
According to yogic science, recognition of the patterns and effects of the emotional states upon the heart and mind absolutely essential for sufferers from cardiac strain or those recovering from a cardiac crisis. This is achieved through the practice of yogic relaxation, yoga nidra and meditations (dhyan). Mastery of a scientific technique of relaxation like yoga nidra is the most important first step in recovery from cardiac crisis through yoga. Meditation is fundamental to yoga life. It gradually instills peace, stability and increasing awareness into the life of the individually who is trapped in the throes of pain, fear, insecurity and emotional agony which accompany heart diseases.

Raj Kumar Gautam
Sagar (MP)

Nature of health and happiness in yoga and Ayurveda

It is doubtful whether the wonders of science and modern civilization have made us happier than our less knowledgeable and slow moving ancestors. Science while bringing about vast changes in our immediate external world has been able to do practically nothing to improve our inner world of desires, emotions and conflicts. Our inner world has remained chaotic. The balance between our inner and outer being is lost. And it is this balance, which is the most crucial factor in deciding whether or not one can have happiness in life. All our thoughts and activities are, in the ultimate analysis, directed to this goal of happiness. Human happiness is not merely a product of what things are handles in daily life. Our relationship with the things we use, is of course, important, but more important is our interaction with people and with ideas, And it is in this field that science has had no influence so far. The instruments, which are useful in our dealing with things, have been wholly revolutionized by science but the instrument used in our relationship with the mind, remains unchanged. It needs training and improvement which science, unfortunately cannot provide. This is one of the greatest contradictions of the present scientific age.
The situation has been aggravated in recent years by technological advances which bestowed upon man a tremendous power not only of creation but also a destruction, together with an ever-increasing speed and an therefore unresourceful and powerful, one also needs greater wisdom, in addition to knowledge to be able to exercise control over himself and not be swayed by objects of enjoyment. Science has given us lately a multitude of objects of enjoyment. But it has failed to give us, at the same time, the much needed self-control. These two qualities namely, wisdom and self-control, which are the most essential factors in deciding whether or not there will be happiness, do not fall within the preview of science. The type of happiness, which lasts permanently, is known as transcendental and when we go on seeking after worldly things and the means, which give sensual pleasure is known as temporal one. Today man seeks happiness in money, property, riches, possession, wealth, bank account, a growing business and so on. Another seeks power, prestige, position of importance and leadership. Yet another takes to the path of knowledge, learning, study of religion, philosophy and the like. All this is temporal happiness. We may know the whole world, but unless we know ourselves first, our knowledge has no significance. Wisdom consists in knowing oneself i.e. one’s mind and the living spirit and also in understanding why we seek it. And it is wisdom that is essential for happiness.

Ravi Kant Khare
Sagar (MP)

Yoga and health

Yoga is a science derived from the Sanskrit root ‘YUJ’ (Union). It is the world most ancient science and said to be a balanced life. It is a perfect practical system of self-culture. Yoga is a way to super life with peace and harmony. About ordinary exercise is adequate, but the knowledge and practice of yoga is highly required. So, the yoga is completely depends upon the science. Health means each and every cell should be moved and functioned properly. To maintain health, yoga practice is essential. By adopting scientific methods only we can attain the total development viz., physically-strong, mentally-balance, intellectually-sharp, spiritually-advance and morally-sound. Therefore, the way we practice, so we are. The complete health is the fittest and fundamental for integration of yoga. Yoga is the great concept which is interlinked over another to develop still deeper and wider level consciousness in the people at the present modern scenario. Yogis, who are at present powerful agents have to transform the people in society through yoga and spiritual approach and inject health awareness in all respects and get optimum results, which resides a powerful saying “Health is Wealth”. To get success in the life, one should go according to the knowledge of yoga science as a weapon. At present, the human being moods, behaviors etc., are being measured, calculated, analyzed with the scientific instruments. We are attaining success in every task with the power of positive thoughts, which is being possible only through the practice of yoga by implementing the ancient yoga science.

S. koteswar Rao
Hyderabad (AP)

Paramhansa yogananda’s concept of mental health: a kriya yoga approach

Paramhansa yogananda was one of those very few yogis who propounded a detailed and pragmatic approach to lead a balanced life through kriya yoga. His writings are full of theoretical as well as practical explanations and methods for leading a perfect and balanced life. In order to lead a balanced and happy life, scientific technique of kriya yoga can be of immense help. His methods and techniques have been found to be very effective all over the world by the practioners of kriya yoga. Mention of kriya yoga is found twice in Patanjali’s yoga sutras (yoga sutra mentary on Bhagawad Gita, “God talks with Arjuna”; Sri Parmahansa Yogananda has explained kirya yoga in details. In Bhagawad Gita, Kriya yoga is mentioned specifically by Lord Krishna in Verse 29 of Chapter IV.
Other devotees offer as sacrifice the incoming breath of prana in the outgoing breath of apana, and the outgoing breath of apana in the incoming breath of prana, thus arresting the cause of inhalation and exhalation (rendering breath unnecessary) by intent practice of pranayama (the life-control technique of kriya yoga)
Yogananda explains this stanza in following words:
“By the concentrated practice of kriya yoga pranayama-offering the inhaling breath into the inhaling breath (apana into prana) – the yogi neutralized these two life currents and their resulting mutations of decay and growth, the causative agents of breath and heart action and concomitant body consciousness. By recharging the blood and cells with life energy that has been distilled from breath and reinforced with the pure spiritualized life force in the spine and brain, the yogi stops bodily decay, thereby quieting the breath and heart by rendering their purifying actions unnecessary. The yogi thus attains conscious life-force control.”

Prof. Keshav Sharma
Shimla (HP)

Emotions, Stress, and Health – Coping Strategies Through Yoga Proper Relation

Various theorists argue that emotions result from our attempts to adapt to the environment. Evidence suggests that all humans experience a common set of emotions. Lazarus (1991) has suggested that these emotions can be described by their core relational themes.
By adopting this term, Lazarus emphasizes that our emotional responses grow out of our interactions with the environment (are relational); are highly cognitive; and are often complex, frequently involving two or more emotions operating simultaneously. Identifying the various core themes in an emotional response would obviously help us to reduce its complexity.
Yoga is a life of self discipline based on the tenets of “simple living and high thinking”. To the ancient yogis, the body was seen as a vehicle for the soul, and this is a useful metaphor in the modern context. Just as a car requires a lubricating system, a battery, a cooling system, the proper fuel, and a responsible driver behind the wheel, so the body has certain needs if it is to function smoothly.

Prof. (Dr.) P. K. Dutta
Kolkata (WB)

YOGIC PRACTICES FOR SPORTS PERSONS

The purpose of the present study was to evolve a comprehensive yoga practices for sports persons and to find out the effect of the selected yoga techniques was done with help of the experts in the field of yoga as well as the researchers own experience. Based on the principles of yoga system a comprehensive yoga package had evolved. In the second phase, to find out the optimum utilization of the selected yoga-training package the study was conducted on 30 men players. They were divided into tow equal groups. Group – A underwent nine weeks of yoga training besides regular sports training, Group – B is control group did not undergo any type of training other than the regular sports training. The resting heart rate was measured before and after the treatment by using the scientific and reliable equipment. The data were analyzed by the statistical techniques ‘t’ ratio for interpretation. The selected yoga practices were fit enough to the sports persons. Further, the yoga training had significant (p<0.05) positive effect on the heart rate among the sports persons.

Key Terms: YOGA, ASANA, PRANAYAMA, MEDITATION, HEART RATE

Dr. K. Chandrasekaran
Tiruchirappalli (Tamilnadu)

RELAXATION: PRANIC ENERGISING TECHNIQUE (PET)

Relaxation is most neglected subject among Yoga practicing people, sportsmen and top executives, business people and others. And that is why in the long run people suffer with number of ailments. Generally people do yoga in hurry and bury and without doing relaxation at the end. In that case they loose all the benefits of doing yoga practice. Relaxation means to give rest or quietness to the body and mind. In relaxation rejuvenates the body by creating panic energy and to recoup lost energy. In rest period only, the active glands come down to normalcy; during that period only one will redouble his energy to work actively and energetically. By continuous work, the body becomes over tired and tense, hence it needs rest. This is the point at which the body and mind demands compulsory rest otherwise if refuses to work efficiently and falters in doing the work. When you are over exerted or tired the body itself gives warning to go for rest. If you disobey the warning, yourself suffer from increased respiratory rate and palpitation of the heart. Without proper rest to the heart, the nervous system also becomes wear and tear and weak. Hence the relaxation should not be neglected under any cost.

Yogacharya Balaiah Kovuru
Secunderabad (A.P)

Yoga for current Psycho-Social problems

Society is a reflection of the individuals of which it consists. Hence, individual problems are reflected in the society and attempts to resolve these problems create changes in social conditions form time to time. Mechanized society has different problems from non-mechanized society, that is, the problems of civilized or industrialized society are different from the societies, which are under developed. Today, rapid growth in communications prevents any society from remaining isolated and unaffected by the problems of other societies. Some of the problems of society, however, are rooted in its cultural background, the habits, traditions and religious beliefs that shape each society. All problems are rooted in emotional disturbance and every problem in turn creates emotional disturbance through its psychophysical practices. These techniques bring changes in the attitudes of a person, which are determinants of his behavior.

Recent research trends have shown that it can serve as an applied science in a number of fields such as education, physical education, and sports. Health and family welfare, psychology, medicine etc. Researches in the field of yoga have established that the yogic practices are the best and are highly useful as they help to strengthen each organ and develop every muscle of the body but also regulate the circulation of the blood, purify the lungs, inspire the mind and then achieve a harmonious development of human personality.

Harshvardhan goswami
Ghaziabad (UP)
Nitin korpal
Sagar (MP)

YOGA: THE SCEINCE OF BODY, MIND AND SOUL

Science is what science does. A matter which is tested in a laboratory with the help of some scientific instruments and equipments and in which some conclusion or result is generated is universally accepted because it has been scientifically tested. For science, subject matter is required to be physically observed. Yoga is a system wherein the thrust is in man’s belief and trust. The essence of yoga is certainly based on one’s understanding of the matter (tattva). Science looks upon the matter in its physical sense whereas in yoga the senses are itself matter. Yoga can be easily called the science of Body, Mind and Soul. Yoga is a complete science, which deals with man’s origin, death and rebirth again.

Dr. Nitin Korpal
Sagar (MP)

NATURE OF YOGA

The laws by which the self unfolds his powers in the universe, from the fire-mist up to the LOGOS, are the same laws of consciousness, which repeat themselves in the universe of man. This last process of evolution is called “Yoga”. We must connect our yoga with the evolution of consciousness everywhere, else we are exactly the same as the laws of yoga, and the principles whereby consciousness unfolds itself in the great evolution of humanity are the same principles that we take in yoga and deliberately apply to the more rapid unfolding of our own consciousness. The self in you is the same as the Self Universal. The Kurukshetra of the world is the field of yoga. As a matter of fact, you have practiced yoga unconsciously in the past, even before your self-consciousness had separated itself, was aware of itself. You may then be defined as the “rational application of the laws of the unfolding of consciousness in an individual case”. Next, yoga is a science. Systematized knowledge of the unfolding of consciousness applied to the individualized Self that is yoga. For yoga takes man for a special purpose and studies him for a special end and, therefore, only troubles itself about two great facts regarding man, mind and body. First, he is a unit, a unit of consciousness. For in yoga, “Self” includes consciousness plus such matter as it cannot distinguish from itself, and Not Self is only the matter it can put aside. Man is not pure Self, pure consciousness, Samvid. Four states of consciousness are spoken of amongst us. “Waking” consciousness or Jagrat; the “dream” consciousness, or Svapna; the “deep sleep” consciousness, or Sushupti; and the state beyond that, called Turiya. It is impossible to avoid the use of these technical terms, even in an introduction to yoga. When passing from one world to another, we should use these words to designate the consciousness working under the conditions of each world. All of you are familiar with the waking consciousness in the physical body. I read the words; my eyes are related to the outer physical consciousness. I have passed from the waking state of the physical plane into the Svapna state of waking consciousness, that sees through the outer form, seeking the inner life. I pass from this to the mind of the writer; here the mind touches the mind; it is the waking consciousness in its Sushupti state. If I pass from this contact and enter the very mind of the writer, and live in that man’s mind, then I have reached the Turiya state of the waking consciousness. It is said: “Yoga is Samadhi.” Samadhi is a state in which the consciousness is so dissociated from the body that the latter remains insensible. Samadhi for any one person is relative to his waking consciousness, but implies insensitiveness of the body. The man, who can so withdraw from the body as to leave it insensitive, while his mind is fully self-conscious, can practice Samadhi. The astral world then, for you, no longer belongs to the Svapna consciousness, but to the Jagrat; you have taken two worlds within the scope of your Jagrat consciousness – the physical and the astral worlds – and the mental world is in your Svapna consciousness. “Your body” is then the physical and the astral bodies taken together. The three bodies of the ordinary man have become one body for the yogi. “Yoga is Samadhi.” “Unfolding” always refers to consciousness, “evolution” to forms. It is necessary to understand something about that consciousness which is your Self, and about the matter, which is the envelope of consciousness, but which the Self so often identifies with himself. The consciousness of existence never changes, but beyond this all is change, and only by the changes does consciousness become self-consciousness. Consciousness is an ever-changing thing, circling round one idea that never changes – Self-existence.
The consciousness itself is not changed by any change of position or place. A change of consciousness is a change of a state; a change of matter is a change of place. Moreover, every change of state in consciousness is related to vibrations of matter in its vehicle. That makes it possible for the self to know the Not-Self. These correspondences are utilized in Raja Yoga and Hatha Yoga, the Kingly Yoga and the Yoga or Resolve. The Raja Yoga seeks to control the changes in consciousness, and by this control to rule the material vehicles. The hatha yoga seeks to control the vibrations of matter, and by this control to evoke the desired changes in consciousness. What is mind? How shall we describe this individualized consciousness? It corresponds to activity on the physical plane. That state is said to be approaching yoga, for such a main is becoming concentrated, even if only possessed by one idea. This stage corresponds to activity on the lower mental plane. This stage corresponds to activity on the higher mental plane. This stage corresponds to activity on the buddhic plane. The outward-turned consciousness is always first. When the object disappears, that is, when consciousness draws itself away from the sheath by which those objects are seen, then comes the Asamprajnata Samadhi; called the “Samadhi without consciousness”.

Dr. Maganlal S. Molia and H.M.Akwalia
Rajkot (Gujarat)

Ayurveda, Yoga and Nature (Herbs Minerals) Heritage for survival of human beings

Ayurved is a science of ages and also of life. This has its roots in B.C. it was the only system, which had wide spectrum of prophylactic and preventive medicines, knowledge of cure of sickness and its treatment and maintenance for over all health care.
Yoga is a science, which balances the body and nature and develops human personality. Yoga and Ayurved has worked with nature for survival since the ages. Deep knowledge of herbal remedies, agriculture, eco-balancing, identification of herbal, traditional knowledge specifically in tribes of mother and child care also for animal, human diseases and nature. Since origin of human race Ayurved, has detailed the knowledge in Ayurved and Yoga disappeared before the independence. But this knowledge has long life. None of the science is as old as this in our country. Urbanization, modernization, deforestation and destruction of nature is again switching human beings to adopt this valuable knowledge toe protect health and to prevent yourself. Now many plants people nature are extinct. We have to think over for survival of Yoga and Ayurved for the human life longevity.

Dr. Rajesh Shukla
Sagar (M.P)

YOGA IN SPORTS MEDICINE

Conventional yoga practices are beneficial to avoid sports injuries and add general flexibility to the body. Stretching the injured muscles remains an important routine for sometime after you have recovered from the sports injury, to prevent any danger of the muscles becoming tight and then being re-injured. Yoga is useful to rehabilitate from sports injuries. Stable autonomic nervous system equilibrium, with a tendency toward parasympathetic nervous system dominance.

Physiological Benefits of Yoga

• Pulse rate, Respiratory rate, Blood pressure (of special significance for hypo reactors) decreases.
• Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) increases
• EMG – alpha waves increase (theta, delta and beta waves also increases (respiratory amplitude and smoothness increase, tidal volume increases, vital capacity increases, breath-holding time increases)
• Gastrointestinal function and endocrine function normalizes
• Excretory functions, posture improves
• Muscular skeletal flexibility and joint range of motion increase
• Strength and resiliency increase
• Endurance, energy level and immunity increases
• Weight normalizes
• Sleep improves
• Pain decreases

Psychological Benefits

• Somatic and kinesthetic awareness increase
• Mood improves and subjective well being increases
• Social adjustment, self-acceptance and self-actualization increase
• Hostility, anxiety and depression decreases
• Psychomotor functions improve
• Grip strength increases
• Eye-hand coordination, choice reaction time, dexterity and fine skills improves
• Steadiness, depth perception balance and integrated functioning of body parts improve.
• Attention. Concentration, Memory, Learning efficiency. Symbol coding, Flicker fusion frequency improves

Biochemical effects
The biochemical profile improves, indicating an anti stress and antioxidant effect, important in the prevention of degenerative diseases.

• Glucose, Sodium decreases.
• HDL cholesterol, cholinesterase increases
• LDL, VLDL, triglycerides, total cholesterol, catecholamines decreases
• ATPase, hematocrit, hemoglobin, lymphocyte increases
• Total white blood cell count decreases
• Thyroxin, vitamin C, total serum protein increases Research study on Yoga on Tennis (Ravi Kiran Tennis Foundation, Hyderabad) proved that Yoga has better physiological and psychological advantage over stretching exercises.

YOGA COMPARED TO CONVENTIONAL EXERCISE

Yoga Exercise – Conventional exercise
Parasympathetic nervous system dominates - Sympathetic nervous system dominates
Sub cortical regions of brain dominate - Cortical regions of brain dominate
Slow dynamic and static movements - Rapid forceful movements
Normalization of muscle tone - Increased muscle tension
Low risk of injuring muscles and ligaments - Higher risk of injuring muscles and ligaments
Low caloric consumption - Moderate to high caloric consumption
Effort is minimized, relaxed - Effort is maximized
Energizing (breathing kept natural or controlled) - Fatiguing (breathing is taxed)
Balanced activity of opposing muscle groups - Imbalanced activity of opposing muscle groups
Noncompetitive, process-oriented - Competitive, goal-oriented

HOME REMEDIES

URINARY TRACT INFECTION
The urinary system includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. This system may get infected by bacteria (usually E-coli) and produce following signs and symptoms

Sign and symptoms:

• Increased urge to pass urine.
• Pain during micturation in bladder region and urethra
• Burning sensation during micturation
• Fever with chills
• On laboratory analysis one may find large amount of pus cells and a small quantity of blood may also occur.

Since the length of the female urethra is smaller as compared to the male, and also since urethra is wider in females than males, they are more prone to urinary tract infection.

Home remedies

• Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water as it helps to wash out the infection
• Drink ¼ cup of onion juice along with 1 tea spoon sugar twice a day. This helps relieve burning sensation
• Mix ½ teaspoon of cumin seed powder and 1 teaspoon of sugar. Take the mixture twice a day.

Diet and lifestyle
Take enough water. One may also take coconut water, barley water, lemon sherbet, etc. if desired
Avid spicy, oily food, tea, coffee, chilli etc in diet
Bacteria that affect urinary system often pass through stools. Hence it is important to clean the anus from front to back after defaecating rather than cleaning it the other way round.
The other mode of transmission of bacteria is through intercourse. Hence pass urine before and after a sexual intercourse and keep the genitals clean.

Ayurvedic remedies
Take 2 tablets of gokshuradi guggulu, thrice a day with 15ml of punarnavasa mixed in equal quantity of warm water. Take the mixture after food as it may trigger acidity.
Tablet chandraprabhavati taken in dose of 1 tablet thrice a day is also effective.
To relieve the burning sensation one may take 20ml of usheerasava or chandanasava with equal amount of warm water after food.

URINARY INCONTINENCE
The inability to control the bladder is known as urinary incontinence. Dribbling of urine and bet wetting are also forms of urinary incontinence. The people who are affected by this disorder are two extremes of the age group i.e., small children and elderly people

Home remedies

• Have a mixture of 1 teaspoon of dry powdered seeds of jamun mixed with water. Take this mixture twice a day
• Give walnut and around 20 raisins each night after dinner for 15-20 days.
• 2 teaspoons of honey can be given before bedtime. If it is to be administered to a child below 6 years of age, a dosage of 1 teaspoon would be sufficient
• Take a mixture of ½ teaspoon of sarshapa and milk at bedtime.

Diet and lifestyle
In case of elders who have lost control over urine, Kegel’s exercise to strengthen pelvic muscles are beneficial. Alternatively ask the patient to practice and stop urinating mid stream for a couple of moments and then resume urinating again. These exercises strengthen the sphincter muscles.
Use hot and cold bags and apply them alternatively on lower abdomen.
Avoid taking tea, coffee, or chocolates
Relax and do not brood over the fact that you can not control the bladder
Incase of children, do not punish, rebuke or ridicule them for bedwetting. Understand that it is not done deliberately. Encourage your child to pass urine just before going to bed. Children could be more anxious and stressed out than we can anticipate so help them to distress.
Massage the patient regularly with bala ashwagandha oil

Ayurvedic remedies
Deworming is important before starting the treatment as worm infestation can lead to bed wetting which would not respond to other remedies
For adults
Tablet chandraprabha vati – 1 tablet to be given daily with warm water
Incase of muscular debility administer 1 tablet of vishtinduk vati thrice daily with ghee and sugar.
For children
Tablet chandraprabhavati - ½ tablet to be given twice a day with warm water
Tablet neo (charka) – 1 tablet can be administered twice daily.

Dr. Purnima Vinod BAMS
Global ayurveda (April-May 2007)

CONCEPT OF DIGESTION IN AYURVEDA

Health, vigour, strength and life itself depends on the digestion. Normal activity of digestive power maintains health while abnormal activity leads to disease. A person with good digestive power will have good appetite; can digest even heavy food without having symptoms of indigestion.
Digestion can be defined as “the organic process by which food is converted into substances that can be absorbed and assimilated by the body for growth and maintenance of the body”. It is accomplished in the alimentary canal by the mechanical and enzymatic breakdown of foods into simpler chemical compounds. Digestive process in ayurvedic classicals is aided by the digestive power called “angi”. Agni is defined as the chemical factor, which transforms food into body substances, and the process is called as digestion. The living body is a product of nutrition. The tissues of the body are not similar to that of the food but food is converted into seven dhatus in the body. Tridoshas, seven dhatus (tissues), trimalas (waste products) form the composition of the body. Everything in the body depends upon the balance of these compositions of the body. The conversion of food substances at different levels in various ways till they become tissues of the body is brought about by the agni. There is no tissue building and hence no life or there is no life without agni. Therefore, the life, strength, growth, enthusiasm, development of body tissues, skin complexion are all depend on agni.
Classification of agni:
1. Jataragni – one
2. Butagnis – five
3. dhatwagnis – seven
4. Malaagnis – three

Jataragni:
Agni in our body is generally called as jataragni, which is considered to be the life of a living being. The metabolism of all the tissues of the body depends upon the jataragni. Jataragni is also called as kayagni (that which is present in the body). The functional variations of digestive power can only be inferred can only by the digestive capacity of the individual. Agni is classified into four according to dosha predominance.
1. Samagni: samagni is considered to be the normal angi, which denotes the equilibrium of tridoshas and a healthy digestive system.
2. Vishamagni: food gets digested normally on some occasions and poorly digested in other occasions though the foood is taken normally. This occurs in case of predominance of vata. Persons suffering from this type of agni are more prone to vata vyadhis.
3. Teekshanagni: the person suffers from excessive hunger and thirst and is more prone to pitta diseases as it occurs when there is predominance of pitta.
4. Mandagni: the digestive power is very poor, that the person cannot digest even a small quantity of food. This type of agni occurs when there is predominance of kapha. Persons with this type of agni are more prone to kapha vyadhis.

Location of jataragni: grahani is the location where jataragni is situated and hence called as agniaashaya (the one that holds agni). It is called grahani since it holds the food for digestion.

Digestion of food: pranavata, the property of which is to convey the food form the mouth downwards takes the food from mouth to the stomach. The food is subjected to chymification in the intestines. Jataragni situated in grahani digests the food, which is taken in proper time, proper quantity and proper manner observing all regimen of diet.

Role of bhutagnis in digestion: the body is made up of panchamaha bhutas. Hence the panchabhoutika body should be nourished by the foood, which again is of panchabhouika constitution. The food after being digested by different agnis will in turn enrich the panchabhutas of the body. There are about five more agnis with respect to panchamahabhutas (prithvi- earth, ap-water, tejas-fire, vayu-air, akasha-space)
1. Partheevagni – predominance of prithvi bhuta (earth)
2. Aapyagni – predominance of ap bhuta (water)
3. Taijasagni – predominance of tejo bhuta (fire)
4. Vayavagni – predominance of vayu bhuta (air)
5. Aakashaagni – predominance of akasha bhuta (space)

Jataragni transforms the whole of the food mass into a common digested substance; the bhutagnis will digest their respective substances useful for the formation of different tissues.

Role of dhatwagni: the process of digestion is again continued by the dhatwagnis, which are present in each dhatus (tissues). After completion of digestion by bhutagnis the digested material have to be recognized in different proportions for the formation of different tissues, which is achieved by the dhatwagni (seven dhatus/ tissues) present in different dhatu levels of the body. These dhatwagnis will act upon the concerned nutrients circulating as food helping in the formation of three end products such as
- Gross form – the static dhatus meant for replenishment, growth and action
- Sublte form – the nutrients required for the formation of the next dhatus
- Bi-products/ waste product – the end products that are excreted in due course

Role of malaagni: there are three malas in our body. They are sweat, urine and faeces. They are not merely waste products but are in one way called as secretions also. Malaagni contributes further digestion of food by absorbing excessive water content of faecal matter and imparts natural colour and odour. Similarly mutraagni and swedaagni also contributes to digestion by separating waste after digestion and excreting them. But none of the ayurvedic classics have explained about malaagnis except chakrapanidutta in his commentary of charaka samhita.

Role of agni in formation of dhatus: all the ayurvedic scholars have universally accepted that the dhaus (tissues) are nourished one after another from first dhatu (rasa) to the seventh dhatu (sukra) and food is the main source for the nourishment of all the dhatus. Digestion of food is important as transformation of dhatus depends on proper digestion of food. Dhatus plays an important role in maintaining the equilibrium (health) of the body. Hence digestion (agni) has a vital role in the proper transformation of dhatus. Agni is praised as God itself in ayurveda. Agni is subtle in nature and transforms the food substance sun unexplainably to suit the physiological and psychological requirements of the individual. Maintenance of health depends upon the power of digestion, as proper digestion of food only can form proper formation of seven dhatus and tridoshas, which are the composition of the body. The food that we take should be properly digested by the power formation of the composition of the body. The food that we take should be properly digested by the power of digestion – the agni that could help in proper formation of the composition of the body. Improper digestion will lead to improper formation of dhatus, which further lead to many diseases in the body. Moreover, if digestion is good, only then proper assimilation and absorption of food can happen. In case of any disease the power of digestion is taken into account for proper assimilation and absorption of medicine that is administered, to server the purpose. Hence agni is important in every individual for healthy long life.
Note: when the power of digestion – agni is not good or when you don’t feel hungry should not eat and wait until you get proper hunger. Proper digestion can happen only when we take food with proper hunger. If food is taken when there is no hunger or heavy food is taken when there is less hunger will lead to indigestion further to any disease to the body.

Dr. S. Brindha BAMS
Global ayurveda (Dec-Jan 2007)

HOME REMEDIES

EPILEPSY
Sudden brief abnormal electric waves produced in the brain are known as seizures. The tendency to have seizures or fits is known as epilepsy. Seizures can occur in certain conditions involving the brain and its coverings like very high fever, meningitis, encephalitis, tumours of the brain, etc. Seizures may involve a part of the body with momentary loss of consciousness or it may involve the whole body and loss of consciousness could last for several minutes. The causes of epilepsy are head injury resulting from birth trauma or later during the life. This type of epilepsy is known as scar epilepsy. Certain drugs are also known to induce seizures.

Signs and symptoms

A typical epileptic seizure involves 4 phases the 1st being aura where an individual anticipates a seizure. The 2nd phase is the tonic phase where the muscles tighten followed by the sudden relaxation which is the chronic phase. This is followed by a state of unconsciousness that may last several minutes. Uprolling of eyes, tongue bite, drooling of saliva, involuntary discharge of urine and faeces may occur. This type of seizure is known as Grand Mal. The other forms are petit mal, tics, etc.

Home remedies:
If it’s a first convulsion that a person has experienced, it is advisable to seek medical help immediately. If a person is a known epileptic, following remedial measures can be adopted.

• Take a mixture of ½ cup of ash gourd juice, chunk of sugar and 3-6 grams of liquorice root powder twice a day. Ash gourd juice taken singly is also beneficial.
• Rasonksheepak can be made by crushing 3-4 cloves of garlic and boiling it in a mixture of ½ cup milk and ½ cup water. Heat it till half the solution evaporated. Strain the mixture and have it once during the day.
• Keeping the bowels smooth and regular is beneficial. To aid bowel movements take ¾ teaspoon of triphala churna with warm water at bed time.
• Leaves of brahmi can be chewed daily followed by a cup of milk

Diet and lifestyle considerations

• Avoid oily and spicy food items and stress
• Keep the house free from sharp objects so that the patient may not hurt themselves in case of seizure.
• Patients of epilepsy should avoid working at heights.
• Brihat vata kulantak rasa is very effective but is to be taken only after consulting a physician.
• Mix 500gms each of vacha churna and akarkarabh churna. Take the mixture twice daily with 10 gms of brahmiprash
• Take 20ml of sarasvatarishtam with equal quantity of warm water twice daily after food
• Cow’s ghee is a very useful remedy which can be used for nasya as well as for internal consumption.
• 250mg of smruti sagar rasa can be taken thrice daily with warm water.

STROKE
The condition in which the blood supply to any part of the brain is suddenly cut off is called a stroke. The blood supply to the brain can be impaired due to following reasons:
Blockage in the vessel which supplies the blood to the brain – the obstruction could be within the vessel like a clot of blood (thrombosis) or globule or fat (embolism) or the cause can be outside the vessel e.g. tumour etc. which compresses the vessel from outside.
The blood vessel may rupture leaking the blood outside the vessel (haemorrhage). The brain tissue which does not receive blood gets damaged causing impairment of that organ which it controls. It could affect one limb, two limbs, all four limbs, speech, facial muscles, etc This is what is commonly known as paralysis. Some strokes may last only for a short while and could be occurring due to momentary stoppage of blood supply caused by spasm in the vessel. These types of attacks are known as transient ischaemic attacks.

Important risk factors:
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Diabetes
Stress
Drinking and smoking

Signs and symptoms
Initially sudden severe headache occurs followed by slurring of speech and / or drunken gait, weakness in any of the limb or facial paralysis. In severe cases, person might lose consciousness and become comatose. Strokes that usually occur following a haemorrhage are often fatal.
Other symptoms a person might experience are loss of sensation or abnormal sensation, loss of control over bowel and bladder and unilateral dilation of pupil may be noticed.

Home remedies
Patients has to be hospitalized at the earliest. Once the person survives the initial phase, measures can be taken to improve the quality of life. Medications to help repair the damaged brain tissue should be administered. During convalescing period herbal remedies are highly useful. Mood swings are commonly observed in the patients and hence emotional support from family members is highly important. Gentle exercise and massage to prevent muscular atrophy are the only treatment that can be given at home. However, these are of vital importance.

Ayurvedic remedies
250mg of tab ekangveer rasa to be given thrice daily with warm water.
The contents of capsule palsineuron (phyto pharma) are to be taken out and mixed with honey. Take 2 capsules like this daily
60mg of brhitvatachntamani to be taken thrice a day.
Ayurvedic panchakarma procedures such as virechan, nasya and basti if employed with the right ingredients brings about faster recovery.

Dr. Purnima Vinod BAMS
Global ayurveda (Dec-Jan 2007)