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The Indian naturopathy
contents
- The origins of herbal medicine
- Traditional Indian medicine
- The market value of herbal medicine
- Ayurvedic plants in oral medicine
- Ayurvedic treatment of migraine
- Ayurveda for erection problems
- Ayurveda for diabetes
- Ayurveda for heart disease
- Indian natural medicine against overweight
Indian herbal medicine is based on the traditional medicine system of Ayurveda that has been practiced in the country since ancient times. Ayurveda means "the science of life" because the ancient Indian system of health care focused on the person and his illness throughout life. Positive health meant for people that their organism was well balanced.
Ayurveda: The Indian healing arts. Image: Floydine - fotolia Indians use herbs not only medically, but also for spiritual and religious purposes. Tulsi, Turmeric, Neem, Banyan, Khejri are just a few names of such medicinal-religious plants. Herbs were always very important in Southeast Asia, but only late did the Western world accept their importance and also developed a herbal system as a medical alternative.
India produces the most medicinal plants worldwide. There are over 250,000 registered practitioners of the Ayurveda system, compared to about 700,000 who practice modern medicine. India has about 20,000 medicinal plants recorded; however, traditional healers use only about 7,000-7500 of them to heal various diseases. In India, about 25,000 plant-based prescriptions are prescribed. An estimated 1.5 million practitioners, most of whom are not registered, use the traditional healthcare health care system.
Nature has blessed India with a tremendous wealth of medicinal plants; therefore, the subcontinent was often called the medical garden of the world. For millennia, herbal medicines have been popular with both urban and rural people. One reason for this is the belief that all natural products are safe.
The majority of Indians use herbs to cure disease. The Indians use herbal remedies against physical ailments as well as against stress, or to improve the karma. The treatment of diseases usually involves a change in diet, herbal cures, massages, oil spills on key points and rest.
The demand for plant-based medicine, healthcare products, pharmaceuticals, nutritional supplements and cosmetics is increasing in both developed and developing countries, due to the growing recognition that natural products create little side effects and are easy to obtain at low cost.
The origins of herbal medicine
The use of plants as medicine wrote human history. Archaeological evidence shows that humans used medicinal plants already during the Paleolithic, probably already 60,000 years ago. Plant samples from prehistoric tombs support the assumption that Paleolithic people knew about herbal medicine. For example, a 60000-year-old Neanderthal grave, "Shanidar IV" in northern Iraq, contained pollen from eight plant species.
The first written report on herbs used as medicine dates back over 5,000 years, from the Sumerians of ancient Mesopotamia, now Iraq. Sumerian descriptions of healing with herbs like thyme were found by archeologists on clay plates. At the same time, and perhaps even earlier, herbal traditions developed in China and India.
The ancient Europeans, Chinese and Indians successfully used medical plants. The methods we can still read in ancient texts today. In India, more than 1,100 medicinal plants grow in the natural forests. Of these, 60 species are intensively processed in medical preparations. Contrary to today's aspirations, they do not grow under human control, but indigenous tribes collect them for their livelihoods in the wild.
In India, Ayurveda may use plants like turmeric for 6,000 years. The earliest Sanskrit writings such as the Rig Veda, and the Atharva are some of the oldest documents ever that detail a medical knowledge. Many other plants and minerals that find use in Ayurveda were described later, for example, by Charakaand Sushruta in the first millennium BC.
The traditional use of herbs as a medicine differs from culture to culture. In Asia, especially the healing knowledge of India and China has always enjoyed great respect, and plants play an important role in Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine - until today.
Traditional Indian medicine
The word Ayurveda derives from "Ayur", which means life, and "veda", knowledge. Ayurveda is the science of life. It is an old system of health and long life. Ayurveda takes a holistic view of people, their health and illness. It aims at a positive health, which is described as a balanced metabolism associated with a healthy state of being.
According to Ayurveda, illness arises from the body and mind through external as well as internal factors alike. Ayurvedic treatment therefore targets the patient as an organic whole, and treatment consists of the application of medication, nutrition and secured techniques. This doctrine was developed when science was not developed enough to understand the human body in a biochemical sense.
Ayurveda is probably older than traditional Chinese medicine. The origin of Ayurveda has disappeared in early history, but its characteristic concepts are believed to be between 2500 and 500 BC. Originated in India. The earliest references to medicines and diseases can be found in the Rigveda and Atharvaveda, reaching up to 2000 BC. Back to Chr. The Atharvaveda, consisting of 6599 hymns and is regarded as the predecessor of Ayurveda.
The "Samhitas", or the Encyclopaedia of Medicine, dates from the post-Vedic period and contains the "Charak Samhita" (900 BC), the "Sushruta Samhita" (600 BC) and the "Ashtang Hridaya" (1000 BC) Chr.). Later, many more manuals appeared, and the use of medicinal plants is described by the "Nighantu Granthas", which was widespread from the 7th to the 16th century.
The elementary concept of Ayurveda is that all living beings build their substance on three essential factors, vaate, pitta and kapha, which work together. Ayurveda assumes that the human body consists of living and non-living substances, including earth, water, fire and air. Illness is a consequence of the imbalance between the various elements, and the goal of the treatment is to restore balance.
Ayurvedic medicines receive particular attention for diseases for which there are no or no adequate medicines in modern medicine, for example for disorders of metabolism. Most of these diseases have multiple causes, and there is a growing awareness that a combination of drugs that tackles a range of goals at the same time is more effective than drugs that focus on just one goal. Ayurvedic medications, which often consist of many components, have a special meaning for such treatments.
The market value of herbal medicine
The market for Ayurveda substances is expanding by 20% annually. The sale of medical pawls in India increases annually. Traditional medicine in China uses over 5000 plant species, India over 7000.
The international market for medicinal plants is increasing by 7% every year, but China's share of the world market is $ 6 billion, while India's is only 1%. The annual export of medicinal plants from India includes 1200 million rupees. All major pharmaceutical companies have growth rates of approximately 15%. Traditional medicine serves as a source of alternative medicine, new pharmaceuticals and health products.
Medicinal plants are important for the pharmacological research and development of medicines, not only when the plants are used directly as remedies, but also for the artificial production of medicines or as models for pharmacologically active substances. A significant number of modern pharmaceutical agents have been obtained from medicinal plants. The derivatives of medicinal plants are not narcotic with little or no side effects.
The basic use of plants in medicine will continue in the future as a source of drugs, and as a raw material for the extraction of semi-synthetic chemical components such as cosmetics, perfume and food.
The popularity of health care with plant-based products is reflected in their increasing popularity and use in the cosmetics industry as well as in the rising public costs of personal health and well-being. In their dual role as a source of health care and income, medicinal plants are a significant aspect in a broader development process.
Ayurvedic plants in oral medicine
Despite advances in many areas of medicine, throat infections and tooth decay remain serious public health issues and are a major burden for health services around the world, especially in developing countries.
Ayurveda offers many methods of dental care. Ayurveda uses natural ways to prevent diseases in the pharynx. In rural India, dental care is usually not always available, and people can not afford professional help, but there are many ayurvedic remedies in everyday life.
Indian spices play a major role. Image: nilanewsom - fotolia In Ayurveda, dental health (danta swasthya in Sanskrit) is very individualistic and depends on the constitution (prakriti) of a person and climatic conditions, the sun, the moon and planetary influences (kala-parinama). The physical condition is based on three states of mind (dosa), wind (vata) and phlegm (kapha). The dominance of dosa in the individual and nature determines the health care in Ayurveda, including dentistry.
Ayurveda recommends Kausticks in the morning and after each meal to prevent illnesses. These sticks are either katu, tikta (bitter) or kashaya in the taste. An end is broken off, chewed and eaten slowly:
Neem (Azadirachta indica) is an evergreen tree that grows endemic to the Indian subcontinent. He is known for his antimicrobial, antiseptic and antifungal substances, and so neem extracts are often used in cosmetics, soaps, hair products, body creams and hand creams. Twigs of the Neem tree have been using the people of the Middle East as toothbrushes for centuries.
Ayurveda effectively helps against dental problems such as bad breath, yellow teeth, tooth decay, tooth loss and bleeding gums. Ayurveda provides a wide range of plants and eating habits to relieve tooth problems, including neem, banyan, babul and basil. Ayurveda recommends avoiding soft drinks, as well as reducing simple carbohydrates like sugars. This should be consumed a lot of raw vegetables, as well as citrus and green plants.
Oil flushing recommends Ayurveda to cure more than 30 diseases, from headaches and migraines to diabetes and asthma. Oil rinses are widely used in India to prevent tooth decay, bad breath and bleeding gums. In addition, they help against dryness of the throat, chapped lips, it strengthens the teeth and jaws.
An oil spill is usually as follows: A tablespoon of cold pressed oil is gargled every morning for 20 minutes in the mouth. The idea is that gargling concentrates the "poisons" of the whole body in the oil and thus cleanses the organism. The gums are healed and the teeth whiten because the oil pulls the "poisons" out of the tongue.
For oil rinses, for example, offers coconut oil. This has been used in oral hygiene since ancient times to clean and whiten teeth, and to support healthy teeth and gums. It "sucks the dirt" out of the mouth, creating an antiseptic environment in the mouth, allowing the flow of saliva secretions necessary to prevent disease.
Ayurvedic treatment of migraine
Migraine is a very common disorder characterized by recurring headache attacks, which are usually of varying intensity. It can affect the brain, the eyes and the autonomic nervous system. Migraine develops because the blood vessels enlarge and subtract chemicals from the nerve fibers.
The modern lifestyle requires that people live a hectic life. That's one of the reasons for many diseases, including migraine. The symptoms of migraine are sensitivity to light, sounds and movements of the head, as well as allergic reactions to odors and perfumes or smoking.
Women suffer from migraine three times more often than men. The disorder can occur at any age, but usually between 30 and 50. Migraine puts a strain on sleep, work and everyday life. Migraines can be triggered by changes in the weather, irregular eating, stress or alcohol.
Classical Ayurveda knows many methods to treat migraine. These therapies provide significant prevention against the disorders. These include yoga, a healthy lifestyle and herbal medicine.
In Ayurveda, migraine is a so-called Tridoshaya disorder. Image: Voyagerix - fotolia According to the Ayurvedic principles, migraine is a Tridoshaya disorder, of the three doshas, Vata and Pita are the dominant factors. A Vata imbalance leads to a disfunctional metabolism, mental and physical stress, insomnia, etc. "Pitta" causes the dilation of the blood vessels, causing migraine.
The traditional science of Ayurveda diagnoses migraine as a result of deep-seated problems, and this includes a sensitive nervous system. Ayurveda believes in purifying the body from the inside, thus fighting the disease at its source. The treatment of migraine with Ayurveda therefore focuses on pacifying the Pitta Dosha. Ayurveda also recommends the use of some medicinal plants as well as adequate nutrition and life planning to control migraines.
Phyallenthis emblica, known as Amla, is widely distributed in the tropics and subtropics and has healing potential. It is rich in vitamin C, polyphenols like tannins and flavonoids like quercetin and rutin.
Because of these valuable ingredients, Amla helps treat many illnesses, including migraine. In migraine, Amla controls the internal production of chemicals and reduces the risk of blood pressure, which is a major factor in migraine. Amla and other fruits like Triphala also work in makeover and help to regulate normal body functions, which is essential to treat migraines.
Ayurveda for erection problems
Erectile dysfunction refers to the inability of a man to get an erection that is strong enough for his or her sexual needs or the needs of the partner. Another term for this is impotence.
Erectile dysfunction can mean that the man is unable to get an erection at all, the penis only swells irregularly or the erection only lasts for a short time. It can pass or stop; she can be totally or occasionally. Erection is essential for successful penetration into the vagina to transport live sperm into the uterus. If a person can not keep the erection to ejaculation, it will lead to failed sex.
Erection is conditioned by a number of factors. Erectile dysfunction occurs when one of these factors is disturbed. Nerve impulses in the brain, around the penis and the transmission to the muscles, the blood flow in the veins and arteries around the sexual organ must work, so that the penis erects. Injuries to any of these parts (nerves, arteries, muscles) can cause impotence.
Ayurveda defines an erectile dysfunctional as a man who has a great desire to perform sexual intercourse, but can not do it because of the weakness of his penis. Even when he does sexual intercourse, he does not get an erection and feels fatigue and frustration with sex.
Ayurveda offers nearly 203 prescriptions for men who suffer from impotence. Ayurveda doctors treat patients who are afraid of failing to have sex, as well as erectile dysfunction and impotence associated with stress and high blood pressure.
Work stress, mid-life crisis and other triggers affect male health in many ways. Men who are confronted with age, loss of energy, and new identities are finding a suitable ayurvedic therapy that focuses on their mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
Combined with the benefits of good nutrition, exercise and relaxation, Ayurveda gives optimal support to such patients.
Ayurveda names many herbal supplements to treat erectile dysfunction such as impotence. It is believed that people who have a strong lack of sex and want to enjoy sex regularly need to take these supplements regularly to build their energy and strength. These preparations also support the substances needed to produce seeds.
Ayurveda medicine to cure impotence is known as "Vajikarana aushadhis". Diet with many proteins is recommended for people suffering from erectile dysfunction. The patient must take the medication in addition to a proper diet to cure his dysfunction; The medications strengthen the muscles, veins and nerves to get a strong erection. Vajikarana describes the therapeutic benefits of various aphrodisiacs and preparations in order to organize the reproductive abilities and at the same time increase body and enjoyment of life.
The Vajikarana therapy leads to well-being, inner strength and potency and extends the length of the erection.
Besides the ingredients of the herbs, some simple exercises help; They reduce physical and mental stress and thus promote the genital functions that are essential to correct erectile dysfunction.
Many yoga experts teach kanda asana, which has been clinically proven to strengthen the legs and abdomen. Asana also reduces numbness in the tendons and joints. It promotes sexual performance and is good for treating impotence.
Ayurveda for diabetes
Diabetes causes long-lasting complications that affect almost every part of the body. The disease often leads to blindness, cardiovascular diseases, kidney failure, amputations and nerve damage. Uncontrolled diabetes can interfere with pregnancy, and birth defects are common in babies whose mothers have diabetes.
In Ayurvedic philosophy people, their health and the universe are connected. It assumes that health issues arise when these relationships become unbalanced. In Ayurvedic medicine, plants, metals, massages and other products, such as techniques, purify the body and restore balance. This should help to heal diseases and promote well-being. Ayurvedic practitioners expect patients to actively participate in their treatment because many ayurvedic practices require changes in diet, lifestyle and environment.
In terms of ayurveda, diabetes is a metabolic capillary type of disease in which malfunction of Agni causes blood sugar to rise. Ayurveda recognizes 24 forms of diabetes, usually classified under Prameha - 4 belong to Vata dosha, 6 to Piztta dosha, and 10 are caused by Kapha dosha. The main causes of these illnesses are fat like urine, and Kapha also refers to diet, fluids, lifestyle and others.
Ayurveda practitioners are designing a versatile program against diabetics. Ayurveda recommends lifestyle changes, including limiting fruits that contain lots of sugar and simple carbohydrates, smaller portions throughout the day, a variety of whole fruits, complex carbohydrates and vegetables every day, less fat and less salt.
It is also important to avoid smoking, to reduce alcohol, to sleep properly, to measure blood sugar as regularly as to strive for body weight and ideal body weight.
Ideally, the diet should contain 60% plants, 30% protein and 10% carbohydrates with half an hour of gentle exercise such as hiking. The diet should support a Kapha calming diet and should therefore contain high-protein foods such as soybean products and legumes such as chickpeas or mung beans, as well as vegetables such as spinach, white squash or green lettuce, and cereals such as millet.
A diet according to the guidelines of Indian medicine is used among other things in diabetes. Picture: emuck - fotolia A diabetic should avoid eating rice, as well as avoiding potatoes, sweet fruits, white meats, wheat, red meats and sago. He should refrain from sugar, sugar cane and juices from sweet fruits. Citrus fruits are good, though.
Herbal formulas, if properly taken, have a powerful effect on the body, but should only be used under the supervision and guidance of an ayurvedic practitioner. The recipes include Jambhul (Eugenia jambolana), Junkunk powder, Guggul, Amalaki, Triphala, Shilajit, Gurmar and Bel. Most of these herbs aim to balance blood sugar levels. Some plants like Stevia serve as a sugar substitute.
Ayurveda recommends the Panchakarma as a cleansing treatment in addition to the herbal cure. The Panchakarma begins with a herbal massage and herbal sauna, followed by fasting to cleanse the body. This is followed by a herbal cure for the liver, followed by a digestive cure, which cleanses the intestine and rebuilds the system.
Snehana and Shodhana are also basic treatments, depending on the condition and body type of the patient. The Shamana treatment is prescribed according to the above mentioned therapies and uses combinations of herbal medicine.
Ayurveda for heart disease
Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death and the biggest threat to men's health. Heart disease includes all diseases of the heart; The many ailments under this term include disorders of the blood vessels, cardiac arrhythmia, heart infections and heart defects.
Ayurveda sees the heart as an origin of the rasa dhatu that forms after digestion by inner fire. Weak internal fire, the consumption of inappropriate food or mental stress lead to the production of poison. Poisons (ama) from the rasa dhatu go into the heart and block the bloodstream.
The heart is the seat of the mind and emotions, so a disturbance of that organ must be reflected as a confusion on a mental level. Poor nutrition, as well as the excessive consumption of oily foods such as fatty meats, plus sugar is another factor in heart disease.
Digestion is disturbed by factors such as irregular eating, gluttony and taking the wrong food, which causes toxins to accumulate in the body. These toxins accumulate in the body channels, such as the arteries of the heart and destabilize the healthy circulation, which manifests itself in various heart diseases.
Ayurveda treatment cleanses these channels of toxins to restore digestion and prevent further obstruction of the body's channels. Tonic herbs are also important to strengthen the heart and mind.
The herbs used to regulate blood pressure and strengthen the heart help to produce a normal heartbeat as well as a normal blood pressure.
The bark of the arjuna tree is used in Ayurveda to manage many heart problems such as angina, coronary artery disease, arterial blockage, high cholesterol and blood pressure. In addition, the plant protects against cancer and strengthens the heart muscles. The bark of Arjuna is rich in natural oxides, saponins and proanthocyanidan.
Cinnamon is a common spice on the Indian subcontinent. It lowers the cholesterol level. Its regular use reduces breathlessness and strengthens the heart muscles. Cinnamon works against nausea and diarrhea. Cinnamon paste helps against pimples and acne. It also helps against asthma, uterine disorders and excessive menstruation. Cinnamon is also an example of how Ayurveda medicine and nutrition go hand in hand.
Green tea is made from unfermented tea leaves that have a slightly bitter taste. Combined with black tea, it is rich in an antioxidant called epigallo catechin gallate. This antioxidant strengthens the cells in the immediate environment of the blood vessels and the heart. Green tea also lowers blood pressure. 3 to 4 cups of it are said to keep the heart and blood vessels in good shape and reduce the risk of heart disease.
Ginger is known to promote digestion and relieve bloating; Ginger is an important remedy for heart health. Studies have shown that ginger stimulates blood circulation and blocks harmful cholesterol.
Garlic is another "wonder plant" in Ayurveda. Studies have shown that consuming one toe per day reduced the production of "bad" cholesterol, boosted the production of "good" cholesterol, and kept blood pressure at a normal limit. Some researchers also found that people who regularly consume garlic show a more stable bloodstream and less often suffer from blood clots.
Boehavia diffusa is found in the higher Himalayas and has been used for many centuries to prevent heart disease. It removes toxins from the kidneys and the liver. It is also known as a rejuvenation plant. The plant relaxes the heart muscles.
Bacopa Monneiri prevents memory loss as well as lack of concentration and forgetfulness. It is very helpful in many mental illnesses. Regular use includes stress, anxiety attacks, blood pressure, hallucinations and epilepsy. It relaxes the nerves like arteries, brings the blood pressure under control and strengthens the psyche.
Indian natural medicine against overweight
Overweight characterizes an excessive fat storage in the body. When the calories that enter the body exceed the amount of calories burned, the body stores the excess calories in the form of fat. Excessive body fat carries a risk for the person concerned: heart disease, liver damage, diabetes, arthritis and kidney problems can follow.
Little exercise, a high calorie and fat diet, or both together, promote excessive weight. However, an imbalance between consumed and burned calories can also be caused by a number of other factors: genetic, hormonal, by the environment, and, to a degree, by the culture. For example, in some traditional societies, being fat is considered "beautiful," or as a sign that you do not have to go hungry.
Other factors that cause obesity include, for example, pregnancy, tumors, as well as internal diseases and medications, including psychotic drugs, estrogens, cortisone and insulin.
In Ayurveda, overweight is known as Medarog, which is caused by an aggravation of Kapha. Kapha in Ayurveda describes a temperament whose nature is heavy, dense, slow, stuffy, wet and cold.
In a balanced state Kapha gives the body nutrition through various microchannels. But if it gets worse, Kapha leads to the production of poisons. These poisons are heavy and dense and accumulate in the weaker channels of the body and block them. In the case of an overweight person, the poisons accumulate in the Medovahi srotas (fat channels), leading to an increase in adipose tissue (Meda Dhatu). As the body produces more fatty tissue, the weight increases.
To fight obesity, Ayurveda soothes the Kapha Dosha. This can be done by cutting off kapha's aggravating food from the diet. Next, the treatment focuses on purifying the Medovahian channels with medicinal herbs.
Gymnema is an ayurvedic type of herb known as the "destroyer of sugar". Gymnema got its name about a thousand years ago. Ayurvedic practitioners have found that chewing a few of these leaves effectively reduced the taste of sugar. Today, the plant is widely used in India and also in other countries that practice Ayurveda. Gymnema is especially used to lower blood sugar levels.
Many Ayurvedic doctors believe that ginger helps to lose weight. Ginger suppresses the accumulation of fat and controls cholesterol levels. Tomatoes are also considered to be an anti-obesity drug, especially the shell and seeds. Tomatoes contain ingredients that affect the hormones that control hunger. Moreover, tomatoes are rich in vitamins A. C and K, as well as magnesium, manganese, choline. They are also full of minerals that protect against cancer.
Green tea is widely used to lose weight. It is full of nutrients like vitamin C, zinc, selenium and chromium. Three or four cups a day fight the overweight, according to Ayurveda, especially mixed with ginger and cayenne pepper.
Honey and cinnamon tea cleanse the body and stimulate metabolism; Cinnamon reduces cravings by keeping insulin levels low.
Fresh or boiled cabbage should, according to Ayurveda, be an essential part of the diet. It contains acid that makes it difficult to convert sugar and carbohydrates into fat. In addition, it is rich in vitamin C and low in calories, but great as a water supplier. His phytochemicals not only control fat, but also prevent breast and other cancers.
Ayurveda is not a hocus-pocus, but one of the oldest forms of empirical medicine and today rightly spread all over the world. (Somayeh Ranjbar)