Realistic cure prospects for common diseases

Gynaecology & Obstetrics Practice in Kerala Ayurveda

This article is indebted to the most famous Ayurvedic Gynaecologist of Kerala.

Dr Syamala has been and still is a constant guide to many of doctors like me regarding the practice of gynaecology

Many of we doctors are grateful to her guidance in clinical practice.

Dr. B. Syamala. M.D. (Ay).PhD

Principal
Matha Amrithanandamayi Madom Ayurveda College
Karunagapally ,Kollam [dist.], Kerala
drsyamala@asianetindia.com, Ph : 0471 - 2329409, 9447498816

Gynaecology

Fantastic remarkable cure for various Gynaecological diseases can be achieved through Ayurvedic system of medicine.

It can rectify conditions that seem to be incurable through Allopathic system. However, there is lack of awareness about the same. Majority of women approach modern medicine Doctors with the concept that they can get the best result with in a very short period.

Of course, Ayurvedic medicine may take some more time and may need patience but complete cure without recurrence is possible.

* The common Gynaecological diseases that can be cured through Ayurveda along with duration and type of management.

1. Dysfunctional uterine bleeding oral drugs - 3 months -
2. Fibroid uterus - <>) oral drugs - 3, 6 or 9 months.
3. Fibroid uterus > 5 c.m. - surgery.
4. Endometriosis : Oral drugs - 3,6,9 for 12 months - complete cure.
5. Adenomyosis : Oral drugs 6-9 months :
6. Leucorrhoea - Candidiasis - oral & local treatment, 7-10 days.
7. Trichomoniasis - ,, ,,
8. Uterine (cervical) polyp - polypectomy - Instant cure.
9. Cervical erosion - chemical cauterization - local - one application.
10. Menopausal syndrome - Oral drugs, therapies if needed - 3 months.
11. Dysmenorrhoea - oral drugs & therapies - complete cure.
12. Oligomenorrhoea & hypomenorrhoea - oral drugs - 3 - 6 months.
13. P.C.O.D - oral drugs - complete cure 6-9 months.
14. Infertility - oral drugs and therapies - time depends on cause.

Obstetrical care

Very good antenatal care is carried out throughout pregnancy without any adverse effects. This helps in preventing development of diseases as well as cure for the diseases that develop during pregnancy. The common discomforts of pregnancy as severe nausea, vomiting, gas trouble etc.

Threatened abortion - cured

Habitual abortion - prevented and cured with medicines and complete rest. Causes of it are detected prior to pregnancy as TORCH, ACA, AMA, ASA, cervical incompetence etc. & rectified.

Hyper emesis - mild to moderate - drugs.

Oedema - oral drugs & rest

Hypertension - oral drugs

Gestational Diabetes - Oral drugs - no adverse effects noticed yet.

Toxemia - mild - cured

Placenta previa - rectified by rest & drugs if detected early.

Backache & constipation - relieved.

Good delivery care is performed with purely Ayurvedic drugs (Allopathic drugs used only in emergencies) by expert Ayurvedic gynaecologists in maternity hospitals throughout the country. Normal deliveries, forceps and ventouse (assisted labours) are conducted by Ayurvedic doctors. Those who need Caesarean section are referred to Allopathic hospitals except in some hospitals.

Special post natal care is given including specific regimen and massage that is a specialty of Kerala. Its unfortunate to note that many dependents of the serving personnel rely on private hospitals for such services.

Realistic cure prospects for common diseases

Pediatrics practice in Kerala Ayurveda

I owe this article to one of the oldest families of Pediatrics practice of Ayurveda in Kerala

The doctors of this family have been and still are guiding our family in pediatrics .They possess special medicines and special treatment regimen as their hallmark in clinical practice.They are the following

Dr. M.N. Sasidharan, Appavoo Vaidyan Ayurvedic Medicine, Kottayam
drmnsasidharan@gmail.com, Ph : 9447661209
Dr. Sasi Sankar M.S., BAMS
drssms@gmail.com

1. Vit. A deficiency.

Duration of the Medication. :

Three weeks

Therapies required to cure the Ailment

.

1) Fruit juice therapy.

2) Milk + Egg white + Sugar ( well churned ) to be administered according to age.

3) Vegetable soup (prepared with Potato + Carat + Cabbage + Beans + Red onions + Drum stick + Pepper + Curry leaf + Mustard + Ghee ) . The quantity should be decided according to age.

Approximate relief expected - 90 %

2. Hemorrhagic disease of new born

Duration of the Medication: 4 to 8 days

Therapies required to cure the Ailment

1) A small Sandal powder bag for inhaling therapy for the new born

2) Milk + Sariba + Kutaja beej + Sandal ( 1: 1 : 1 ) and make a mixture for internal use. The quantity should be decided according to age.

3) Drakshamadhookamadukadi kashayam with honey

4) Vasa Swarasam with honey

Approximate relief expected: 80%

3. Jaundice

Duration of the Medication - 7 to 12 days

Therapies required to cure the Ailment

60% 0f the new born develop Jaundice during the first week after birth. Physiologic Jaundice normally develops from the face to feet .The therapies are:

1) Exposing the baby in sun light. .

2) Frequent feeding of breast milk.

3) Feeding of sterile water.

4) Make a mixture with Vasa swarasa + Guduchi swarasa + honey 7 drops every 3 hours internally.

5) Make a thoyapaka kwatham with Draksha + Elippakatal +Athimadhuram and use internally .

6) Vasa guluchyadi kashayam

7) Drakshamadookamadhukadi kashayam. And Punarnava swarasam with honey.

The quantity should be decided according to the age.

Approximate relief expected -100%.

4.Mumps.

Duration of the Medication. -10 to 18 days

Therapies required to cure the Ailment

Feed soft foods since the children with Mumps have a hard time chewing.

Soups and fruit juice are good.

1) Vitamin C supports the immune system and helps to fight against infections.

2) For boosting immune system the child could be fed Zinc a day. It will accelerate healing.

3) Apply warm or cold compress to ease the discomfort of the swollen gland.

Keep the child isolated until swelling subsides.

4)Pachanamrutam kashayam +Vettumaran gulika or Kodasariyadi Gulika.

5)Punarnavabhayadi Kashayam (Punanavam + Abhya each 15 gram + Sundhi,Padolam,Nimbatwak,Guduchi,Kadkarohini,Maramanjal each 5 Gram Make Kwatham and the quantity should be decided according to the age.

In hard Sopha Swadanam is very effective.( Mild swadanam in childrem.

Approximate relief expected - 90 %

5.Typhoid

Duration of the Medication _ 60 days

Therapies required to cure the Ailment

1)In Andrkajwaram (Typhoid ) internal medicine is most important.

2)Exturnal therapys like Thalam ( Muttathilam and Rasnadi powder is very effective in high fever.)

3) Pachanamrutam Kashayam, Pathyadi Kashayam, Jeerakatrikadukadi kashyam

4) Vettumaran gulika, Suriyaprabha gulika, MruthyunjayaRasam Gulika all are apply according to the various situationsin Typhoid.

Approximate relief expected :- 75%

6. Bronchial asthma.

Duration of the Medication

Most of the cases are genetic and incurable. But continues treatment brings relief. Bronchial asthma needs prolonged treatment. In children it may take 6 months to three years for curing the diseases.

Therapies required to cure the Ailment

1,)Clean nostrils with sterilized cloth or cotton, Apply Gingili oil +Salt boiled and cooled on chest for one hour and then rub it out.

2,)Bela +Jeerakom + sunty =( 10: 1 : 1 ) Kwatham is very much effective for brochial asthma. The quantity should be decided according to age.

3)Ealakanadi Kashayam, Dasamoolakadutrayam kashayam, Jeerakatrikadukadi kashyam.

4) Thila Saindhava samuktham for Exturnal application.

Approximate relief expected : - 50%

7. Allergic respiratory disease.

Duration of the Medication

Three to Six months treatments

Therapies required to cure the Ailment

1) Kacholam +Pushkaramoolam +Amalaki choornam

2) Pushkaramoolam + Thippali Powder

3) Gairikom + Anjanakkallu (Sudham ) +Thippali Choornam.

4) Kadukka + Vizhalari +Thippali Powder Mix with honey.

The above four combinations are very effective in Allergic respiratory disease.

A Military maneuver against Allergies

Allergic to pollen? Try this remedy, tested by the US army and deemed effective : Eat honey made in your area, and chew the bees wax it comes in . The theory is that by eating honey produced local bees, you can desensitize your immune system to the local pollen Starting two months before hay fever season, eat two table spoon of the honey a day, and chew the bees wax for 5 to 10 minutes. Continue until the season is over. While local honey works best, you can give store- bought a try.

Approximate relief expected : 70%

8. Epilepsy

Duration of the Medication :- 9 Months

Therapies required to cure the Ailment

1)“Seelayel thila lasunam” ( Garlic paste mix with gingili oil and lick at bed time.) Reduce the quantity of garlic in Greeshma.

2)Swarasa of Bacopa ( Brahmi ) mix with milk ans take it at the bed time daily.

3)Powder of Vacha mix with honey use daily.

4)Thippali( 3 ): Pepper (2 ) : Saindhavam ( 1 ) Make fine powder and take 2 to 5 Gram daily with Warm water.

5) Madhukachoornam (Erattimadhuram) Mix with Mustha swarasam take three days at bed time.

Approximate relief expected :80%

9.Hydrocephalus

Duration of the Medication -: As the Prognosis is very poor the duration is not particular.

Therapies required to cure the Ailment

SALILASHOSHANA CHOORNAM ( Bhaishajya ratnavali ) Exturnal use.

Draksharudrakshadi kwatham.( Vaidyatharakom)

Sasthra karmam

Approximate relief expected :- 20 to 30 %

10. Diarrhea

Duration of the Medication :- 3 to 7 days

Therapies required to cure the Ailment

1)Milk boiled with Mustha

2)Elavin pasa +Hing +Saindhavam equal masher and fried well then make fine powder take a small quandity with Honey or Buttermilk daily three times.

3)Kapithastakachoornam and dadimashtakachoornam

4) Fried and powdered .Kutaja beej Mixed with Butter or Honey,Daily three times.

5) Sethu bandham gulika,, Asthakshari gulika, Chargariadi gulika.

6) Lashunadi kashayam,Villwadi kashayam,Panchakoladi kashayam.

Approximate relief expected 80 to 90 %

11. Cerebral palsy.

Duration of the Medication :-Cerebral palsy is not a specific disease but a general term used to describe a group of disorders affecting movement and posture. These disorders all result from damage to the developing brain, either before or during birth or during a child’s early years. Prognosis Children with mild disabilities can usually lead active, full and long lives and often live independently when adult. Severely disabled children ,especially those with swallowing difficulties who are more prone to serious chest infections, have a lower life expectancy.

Therapies required to cure the Ailment

The diagnosis of cerebral palsy is often difficult to make in a very young child. However once the condition is suspected , tests such as CT Scanning , MRI, Once the diagnosis is confirmed the whole family has to adjust to the life style changes that are often associated with caring for a child with cerebral palsy. Many children have only mild disabilities requiring some physical therapy. Children with more severe disabilities usually require long term programs of therapy and specialist support.

Approximate relief expected 40 to 50 %

12.Viral Hepatitis.

Duration of the Medication :-2 to 6 months.

Therapies required to cure the Ailment

Puthari chunda,Thazhuthama,Chukku,Kodithuva veru,Vayal chully Kwatham used for preparing Paya ( Kanji ) daily three times for curing Sarvanga Sopham in the Hepatitits condition.

Pathya punarnavadi kashayam, Punarnavabayadi kashayam. And avitholadi and panaviraladi bhasmam for Paya prepration

Vasaguluchadi kashyam”.Drakshamadookamadukam” Kashyam..

Keezharnelli ( Phlanthus niroori ) Samoolam Make paste use daily.

Approximate relief expected 75% to 90%

13.Iron deficiency anemia

Duration of the Medication :- 2 to 3 weeks

Therapies required to cure the Ailment

1) Karimbirumbadi kashayam, Vyoshadi kashayam, Loha thakram,Navayasa loham,

2) Punarnavadi mandooram,Maha chinjadi lahyam

3) Drakshadi lahyam

4) Vyoshadi gritam

5) Annabhedi sindooram. And Jambeera loham.

Approximate relief expected 75% to 90%

14. Juvenile Rheumatoid arthritis

Duration of the Medication :- 3 Years

Therapies required to cure the Ailment

1- Veerabeladi kashayam. ( Satavary,Kurumthotti ver,Devatharam,Chandanam,Earanda mool,Gokshuram,Chittarattha, Karimkuriji veru Kashayam )

2 – Amruthadi kashayam ( Guluchi,Kuruthotti,Devatharam. )

3 --Ellumnisadi lapam,Rajikadi lapanam,Doorva lepam, Jadamayadi lepam ( All are External application )

4 – Swadanam.

5 - Kanjirathol +Milk kasayam for Dhara on the painful joints.

This type of persistent inflammation of one or more joints that occurs in childhood usually clear up in a few years. Severely affected children may be left with deformed joints, and some may developed Rheumatoid arthritis later in adult life.

Approximate relief expected 75% to 80 %

15.Rheumatic heart fever

Duration of the Medication : - 3 Years

Therapies required to cure the Ailment

1- Orilaver Palkashayam.

2- Cheru panchamoolam Kashayam ( Orila ver +Karuttha chundaver +Veluttha chunda ver +Moovilaver + Njarinjil Kwatham )

3- Chittaratha +Dasamoolam +Amruthu + Earanda mool+Sundhi +Devatharam kashayam taken with Earandathilam.

4 – Indukantham kashayam,Vidaryadi kashayam. Rasona pushkaram kashayam

5 – Prabhakara vadi, Sankara vadi.

6 – Jeevaneeyam Ganam + Partha twak Kwatham.( Anubhootam )

Approximate relief expected 50%.

About one in hundred people dies during an initial attack of Rheumatic fever. The risk of a recurrence is highest in the first three years after the initial in young adults and people with damaged heart valves. After 10 years 2 in 3 people have a detectable heart valve disorder.

16.Urinary infection

Duration of the Medication 6 Months

Therapies required to cure the Ailment

1- Veeratharadi Ganam

2- Ooshakadi Ganam

3- Sundhyadi Kashayam

4- Chembakathin veer Kashayam,

5- Van kadaladi ver Kashayam ,

6- Cherupayaru kashayam + Gingeli oil

7- Thazhutama+ Njarinjil Kwatam

Sudhathilam ( Lime + Gingilioil ) Exturnal application.Prasarani root grind with Alovera and curd and make a paste and apply externally on umbilical region. Good result in Moothra krichram.

Approximate relief expected 75%.

17. Nephrotic syndrome

Duration of the Medication :- 6 months

Therapies required to cure the Ailment

1- Thazhutama+ Njarinjil Kwatam

Sudhathilam ( Lime + Gingilioil ) Exturnal application.Prasarani root grind with Alovera and curd and make a paste and apply externally on umbilical region. Good result in Moothra krichram.

2 –Gokshuradi modakom ( Gokshuram, Amukkiram, Chopchini,make fine powder mix equal quandity with Sitha powder ( Sugar ) .

3 – Ealatthari, Kattuvelliri veru ,Kumbalanghakkuru

4- Varee njarinjiladi kashayam ( Satavarikizhangu, Palmuthakkinkizhangu, Mustha, Truna panchamoolam Kazhayam with Honey and Sugar )

5- In paithika vikara Seethaveeryapradhan Dhara, Lepam , Avagaham.

Approximate relief expected 75%.

The prognosis of Nephritic syndrome depends on the extent of the kidney damage. Children usually respond well to the treatment. But may experience recurrent episodes of the disorder.

18.Pica

Duration of the Medication :- 6 to12 months

Therapies required to cure the Ailment

Child is overly fussy about certain food or refuses to eat the following things may be helpful

1- Keep the atmosphere relaxed at meal times. Do not put pressure on your child to eat every thing on his or her plate.

2- Serve small portions. You can always second helpings

3- Avoid too many snakes and excessive fluids between meals

4- Do not persist in offering rejected foods. Keep them off the menu for a week or two.

5- Be imaginative when preparing food. Cut sandwiches in to decorative shapes and create “Pictures” on the plate with fruit and vegetables.

6- Medicines….:- Vacha nirgundyadi Kashayam, Chindarmani gulika, Draksharudrakshadi Kashayam,

7- Brahmi gritam, Vach choornam.

Approximate relief expected 80%

19.Bed wetting

Duration of the Medication :- 3 Months

Therapies required to cure the Ailment

1) Kalyanaka Gritam

2) Maha kalyanakaGritam

3) Haridra + Sundhi Thoyapaka with Honey Daily 3 times a day.

4) Krimi roga chikilsa and Paneeyahara control.

5) Vachadi Kashayam.

6) Nirgundyadi kashayam

7) .Drakshadi Kashayam

8) Chintharmani Gulika. ( Vaidya tharakom )

Approximate relief expected 80%

Realistic cure prospects for common diseases

AYURVEDA FOR THE PSYCHIC HEALTH CARE

Courtesy : The following experiences are indebted to my teacher and constant guide of psychiatry medicine

Dr. Parvathi Devi, B.A.M.S, Medical officer at the Govt Ayurveda Mental hospital, Kottakkal, Malapuram Dist. drmpp1@rediffmail.com Ph. 0494 - 2681284, 9447276834.


Kerala state holds the unique distinction of having the exclusively Ayurvedic mental hospital where a wide variety of psychic ailments are treated and cured well .The significance of such an institution lies in the fact that patients from national and international level reach there to seek treatments for their ailments and that includes even retired defence personnels who had a scarred psyche in battlefields.

Given the ground reality of immense stress of psychological origin among the the civilised population , the services of the psychiatric speciality of Ayurveda does assume profound importance at preventive, curative and promotive healthcare levels.

Its a common knowledge that Kerala special Panchakarma therapies and the “stress buster” therapies are immensely popular among and sought after by foreign nationals who are generally found to have high levels of mental stress. The outstanding results that are achieved by these therapies naturally ensure that these foreign nationals make regular yearly visits to the Ayurveda health resorts and hospitals of Kerala.

Dr. Parvathi Devi ,B.A.M.S ,Medical officer at the Govt Ayurved Mental hospital, Kottakkal, Malapuram Dist. drmpp1@rediffmail.com has profound experience in treating and curing the ailments of psychic origin and she has been kind enough to teach her experiences in good length to me.

The ailments are classified as per the World Health Organisation criteria of International Statistical classification of diseases and related health problems – ICD 10

The commonly encountered diseases , their treatment response time are mentioned.

Its to be borne in mind that treatments in psychiatry is a challenging aspect and the presence of various variables of etiology, non co-operation of the patient to undergo medications and therapies, denial of the patient to accept that he has an ailment, diverse triggering factors, variation of individual temperaments , circumstances back home and work place etc.. have an impact either way. Thus a specific and precise time duration of response to treatments will not be practically easy.

1. Organic Mental Disorders

Alzheimer’s disease

Mild severity cases - very well managed and immediate memory loss can be cured.

Moderate severity –restlessness can be managed effectively.

Severe cases – no change can be brought to the memory status but associated symptoms can be well controlled and subsided.

Bed ridden case- no hope.

Dementia

Multi infarct vascular dementia and subcortical vascular dementia – no hope-generally poor response.

If Parkinsonism is the etiology – response to treatments is mixed with half the patients responding well the remaining half not responding.

Immediate memory loss responds very well to treatments but remote memory loss has not so encouraging results.

Duration of the therapies – 3 weeks to 5 weeks – but varies from case to case.

2. Mental disorders due to habit forming substances and drug abuse

Very encouraging results are observed soon after the completion of Snehapaana. Withdrawal symptoms are also controlled very rapidly and almost all cases show very good results.

Duration 4 weeks.

3. Schizophrenia

This is characterized by delusions ( thought, emotions and behaviour) and hallucinations.

Halucinations that too auditory respond in the first 5 days itself very quickly to dhoomapana and dhoopana.

But delusions are difficult to be cured off.

Paranoid variety – very good improvement is observed.

Hebephrenic ,Catatonic variety – appreciatable improvement.

Residual variety with negative thoughts – very difficult to cure.

Persistent delusion disorders- much improvement is noted but it will be a bit unrealistic to claim cure for this.

Schizo affective disorder –good improvement is noted.

4. Mood disorder

Duration of treatments - minimum forty days.

This is related much to the emotional state of a person and has seasonal variations.

Manic episode – responds very effectively.

Bipolar – very good improvement noted.

Depressive episodes are generally tough to respond.

Persistent mood disorders respond very quickly to treatments.

Its noteworthy that if the treatments are repeated next year also before any major triggering factor of the disease happens , a lasting impact of the treatments (performed the previous year) is observed.

Its observed that the treatments have a definite strong positive impact on the patient and the recurrence of the ailment is delayed very effectively.

5. Neurotic & Stress related disorder.

Phobic anxiety disorder – treatments alone are not enough , psychotherapy is also needed.

Generalised anxiety disorder – good response to treatments.

Obsessive compulsive – treatment and counseling make a greater impact than mere medicines. Two weeks of thalapodichil gives good relief in mild to moderate cases.

Adjustment disorders and reaction to severe stress - treatment response is tough as the temperament and mental strength threshold varies just like the intensity of the physical or mental trauma. Anxiety can be well controlled by medicines but counseling is also required .

It’s a common incidence in many wars and battles and also specialized trainings of many elite training programs of the special forces all over the world to have such incidences. Indian armed forces is no exception to this.

Disassociative disorders – very good improvement in one month duration.

Disassociative Multiple personality disorder –good improvement is noted.

Somatoform pain disorder –is found in general practice also – mild cases respond very well in two weeks treatments like thalapodichil

6. Behavioural syndrome associated with psychological disturbances

Eating disorders –Anorexia responds well but no comments are available about Bulimia as no cases have been reported yet.

Non Organic sleep disorders – somnambulism, nightmares,hypersomnia are very well manged at the OPD level itself.

Sexual dysfunction – (that not caused by organic lesion) –lack of sexual desire, premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, orgasmic dysfunction ,non organic dysparenunia ,excessive desire are encountered separately and some of them along with an established psychic ailment too.

Bark of araghwadha administered in decoction form for 2-3 weeks is found to be very effective in diminishing the excessive desire.

Most of these are treatable at OPD level and results are evident in 2- 3 weeks time along with counseling.

Mental disorders associated with purperium-

Mild cases respond very quickly to OPD level treatments and severe cases do so to IPD level treatments.

Generally 3- 4 weeks is the maximum duration of recovery.

Acute onset features usually show good prognosis.

Rarely some patients have slipped into the phase of psychotic disturbance which is generally tough to respond.

7. Disorders of adult personality and behaviour

Duration of treatment 4- 5 weeks

Specific personality disorders – very tough prognosis as the patient simply refuses to undergo treatment modalities.

Borderline personality disorder –very good results in two to three weeks by thalapodichil itself. They can continue with OPD level management .


Paranoid personality disorder – only partial relief is observed.

Habit and impulse disorders like Trichotillomania respond well to OPD level medications. But some other patients are not available for proper follow up.

Gender identity disorder – poor prognosis

Some male patients who show feminine features during the course of stay in the hospital get rid of such clinical features .

This compels to make a statement that temporary isolated events of such opposite gender identity are resolved well.

Disorders of sexual preference

Varied response ,cases of fetichism also respond if it happens to be a temporary isolated event.

8. Mental Retardation

There is no cure in Ayurveda.

Salivation will come down and associated signs and symptoms would also come down but overall prognosis is poor.

9. Disorders of psychological development

Generally tough prognosis and medications are required for months at OPD level.

Developmental disorders of speech and language – slight improvement is observed but not satisfactory enough.

Specific disorders of scholastic skill – some parents report an improvement in writing function of the children.

Autism and cerebral palsy - very appreciative improvements are observed and treatments of the duration of 3 weeks are required once in every six months for three years and profound improvement in the physical and emotional functions are clearly noted. Speech becomes much clear and the higher mental functions slowly but surely become better and better.

Interestingly enough, such is the positive impact of treatments to the child that parents of Cerebral palsy and Autism patients make sure of their half yearly visits to hospital of their own without being reminded of it .

Kerala Ayurveda physicians witness lot of such patients from other parts of India and abroad.

10. Behavioural and emotional disorder with onset usually occurring in childhood and adolescence.

ADHD – Attention deficit hyperactive disorder –
responds very well to 3 weeks of treatments and medication- followed by medications for months or even years depending upon the co existence of cerebral palsy or autism in the child.

It has been found very regularly that clinical features of ADHD, autism and cerebral palsy co exist in the same patient at a given time .

The response is very good results keeping in mind that other system of medicine do not seem to have any cure for this.

Conduct disorder- tough prognosis.

Emotional disorders – treatable with high success rate.

Non organic aneurosis – can be controlled by medicines to a good extent.

Pica tendency – can be controlled by 2- 4 weeks of medication.

Its noteworthy that mental healthcare of poulation is significant.


VISHA CHIKITSA PRACTICE IN KERALA - AYURVEDIC TOXICOLOGY

I owe this article to my friend

: Sri. Brahmadathan Namboodiri, Ullnoor Mana, Thrissur dist.
anudathanu@gmail.com, Ph. 0487 - 2261222, 9388847128

This has been and still continues to be speciality with emergency medical care.The range of conditions that are cured are wide and the response time is the quickest as they are life saving measures.

I have spend time learning this speciality with traditional Vaidyas who still possess clinical acumen to manage life threatening critical situations.

The scope of this lies not only in snake bite case but also in various toxicology condition of the North East Indian jungles were the troops are in lot of hardship due to poisonous flies, mosquitoes and insects bites that are characteristic of dampy , marshy jungle terrains. Even diseases of allergic nature, non healing ulcers caused due to even viper bites are very well managed.

Its noteworthy that these physicians are generally approached after all other systems of medicine have been tried out with no satisfactory results.

Each case of snake bite is unique. The venom targets the weakness in the body physiology of the victim and attacks it. Russels viper bite usually presents with symptoms like severe burning pain in the bite area which usually spreads to other areas, oedema, weakness in the limbs, severe bleeding etc.

The Ayurvedic clinical management of snake bite can be broadly divided into two.

1. Emergency management.

2. Continued medical evaluation and management.

Emergency Management

The first and foremost aim of an Ayurvedic toxicologist is to manage the emergency and stop the further development of pathology which may present the risk of the patient slipping into a coma, systemic failure and ultimately, death. Ayurveda bases its diagnosis and therapeutics on the theory of three humors and it is thus very important for the physician to find out which of the three humors or their combinations have been vitiated. A very bitter tasting drug is pasted on a betel leaf and given to the patient to chew and he is asked to report the taste experienced. It is noted that tastes like sour and even sweet are experienced by victims of snake bites. Based on this, the further development of pathology can be guessed by the physician and needed measures can be adopted. A number of drugs are also given as per the specific diagnosis. If the patient is unconscious or his response to stimuli are dropping, specific therapeutic measures like nasal medications, Anjana( applications in the eye) are adopted to bring the patient back to consciousness.

Once the patient is stabilized and out of the emergency, the stage of continued medical evaluation and management is commenced.

Continued medical evaluation and management

This stage involves with the various therapeutic procedures to counter the systemic and local symptoms which are of lesser severity and is not of direct risk to the life of the patient. Symptoms such as pain, continued bleeding, stupor, weakness, vomiting, abdominal pain, difficulty in micturition etc are managed by the spectrum of medicines and therapeutic procedures explained in the traditional texts of Ayurveda and toxicology.

Usually this stage lasts for one week in the case of Krait or Cobra bites, but in the case of Viper bites, this can extend to 90 days as the symptoms have a greater chance of relapsing by even a slight transgression from Pathya or dietary and habitual regimens prescribed by the physician. Medicines are prescribed to alleviate the associated symptoms such as oedema, ulcers, body pain and weakness etc.

Viper bites are usually associated with non-healing ulcers. These usually need medications ranging from 4 weeks to 12 weeks for complete healing. A number of such non healing ulcer cases present to the VISHA CHIKITSA practitioners of Kerala [notable among them are ULLANOOR MANA Vaidya Valloor Sankaran Namboodiri is a very experienced physician of this speciality Smti Vimala Antarjanam, Brahmadattan Namboodiripad , Trissur district, AVANAPARAMPU MANA Shri. Maheshwaran Namboodiripad, Ph : 04884-232910, Trissur & Manmathan Vaidyan in Nilamboor, Ph. 9446247902 Malapurram Dist.]

Some of the non - healing ulcers are 3-4 years chronic and they achieve a complete recovery by Ayurvedic medication within a time span of three months. This is mainly due to Ayurveda’s stress on correcting the impaired body physiology of the patient rather than on the administration of antibiotics which only serve to kill the microbes which infect the immunologically compromised tissues.

A lot of systemic complications can also develop due to venomous snake bites. One of the most common among them is the renal failure commonly developed in the viper bites. An interesting case was presented at Ullannoor Mana a couple of years back, where a young Christian boy was brought straight from a modern allopathic hospital. He had been bitten by a Russels viper 72 days back. A massive dose of Antivenom had saved the boy from immediate fatality, but soon after the bite he had developed renal failure. The doctors had certified that he had severely necrosed kidneys and was in need of immediate transplant of at least one kidney, which due to the financial constraints the family was unable to afford.

The presenting complaints were severe vomiting. The boy was unable to have any solid or liquid food owing to the severe vomiting and was surviving on fluids. He was severely emaciated and there was hardly any micturition.

Ayurvedic treatments were commenced soon after and after a period of three months of strict dietary and habitual regimen and medicines, he recovered completely. Modern laboratory tests revealed the normal functioning of kidneys and the now healthy individual co operates full time in his family profession. It is worthy to investigate further the role of Ayurvedic treatments in the management of such serious and life threatening complications which can develop even independently.

Some of the other cases that present at these VISHACHIKITSA centres are poisonous spider bites, bites of millipedes, wasp and bee stings and other insect bites including those of the millipedes. Usually in a clinical scenario, these are very commonly misdiagnosed as mere allergic reactions and are treated accordingly. It is a common scenario at these centres to have patients who have not responded to such allopathic treatments and when treated for their actual cause 95% of the patients respond well within a couple of days.

Skin diseases are also very common in these clinics for which treatments have worked well within a very short period of time, where modern treatments have failed to produce any result even by prolonged durations. It is experience of Ayurvedic physicians of Kerala that cases of eczema, fungal infections, skin diseases due to other metabolic disorders like Psoriasis respond well to Ayurvedic treatments. Since the treatments for poisons are also dependant on the humoral triad of Ayurveda, they can be easily adopted in any conditions of similar humoral vitiation, even when there has been no direct involvement of a poisonous substance in the development of the presenting pathology. It has an added advantage that, most of the treatments for poisons have been designed with the time factor in mind, most of these treatments can be directly adapted to the modern clinical scenario where time required for healing of diseases is of prime importance owing to the new economical challenges that the new millennium poses.

Realistic cure prospects for common diseases

ORTHOPEDICS SPECIALITY TREATMENTS OF KERALA AYURVEDA

The following informations are indebted to my teachers -under whom I learned the Orthopedic speciality

Dr. Sreekandan Nair, M.D.(Ayu) Ph. 0471 - 2465644 / 2460557, HOD of Shalya Tantra department,
Dr. Sivakumar C.S. M.D. ( Ayu) Ph. 9447389253, Reader, Dept. of Shalya Tantra, Govt. Ayurveda College Hospital, Trivandrum.

Its a common trend in any society to have medical problems related to orthopedics and sports injuries. Even though not life threatening in nature , the injuries induced lead to considerable morbidity and disability to the people affects their morale .
Many of them are subjected to office works instead of real active field duties thus causing loss to the functional capabilities of the organisations they serve.

Many are left out with residual injuries which severly effect their carieer.

The following conditions are applicable to most people

1. Simple fractures, joint injuries without fracture –

70 -90 % of cure is possible

Special bandages soaked in Murivenna for 3 weeks duration is very effective. The average time period for effective cure are mentioned below

Ankle joint ligament injury – 2 weeks

Knee joint medial and lateral collateral ligament -1month

Shoulder joint dislocation and injuries -3 weeks

2. Fractures needing operative reductions with nail, screw or plate.

If they can continue in active duty, the injuries would be manageable and Ayurvedic treatment methodologies of taila dhara,maatravasthi, kativasthi etc.

are found to have much remarkable results than mere physiotherapy . Flexibilty is attained and so is the neuro muscular strength.

Duration - one month of therapies with sufficient rest and internal medications

In severe case that would necessitate termination from service, therapies with duration of 1-3 months wil be required.

3. Head injury resulting to Quadriplegia ,Hemiplegia.

Generally 3 months duration is required and is found to have much better results than physiotherapy.

4. Tendon and ligament injuries

Related to - shoulder, elbow ,wrist, knee, ankle

Minimum one month is required .

This is the better option compared to the usage of steroids which do not promote regeneration of the injured tissues.


5. Osteoarthrosis of spine, knee ,ankle secondary to injury or fracture

Treatments and medications over a span of 3 weeks and medications for another 3-4 months yield about 95 % cure in such patients.

Further degeneration to the joints is surely arrested and enhanced mobility and power to the joints is attained.

6. Meniscus injury second degree – is curable

7. Patellar fracture – One and half months

8. Joint stiffness in the joints with nails implanted in open reduction –
responds very much better with increased mobility in 2 -3 weeks duration itself.

9. Ribcage fracture – in the absence of any thoracic cavity injury – ie. fracture with hematoma

Ayurveda has a better management , cure in a span of 3- 6 weeks


10. Fistula – in –ano

Kshara sootra is the ultimate sure shot treatment modality that has complete cure depending upon the chronicity and extent of the fistula.

15 cms long fistula tract - 3 to 6 months required for total cure.

5 cms long fistula tract – 1month required for total cure.


11. Dislocation of joints

Ayurvedic management aims at analgesics and joint stability bandages for 3 weeks and specialized massage techniques .

It has been found that various modern medicine doctors regularly refer such cases to the Govt. OPD for obvious reasons.

There is greater strength and stability gain in the joints with bandages and application of herbal pastes.

These techniques and medications were and still are used in the martial arts tradition of Kerala.

12. Wedge compression fracture of thoracic vertebra - that does not require operative reduction.
Bandage and rest and medications for 4 -8 weeks ensures greater flexibility.




CLINICAL PRACTICE OF OPHTHALMOLOGY - KERALA SPECIAL TREATMENTS


The following informations are indebted to the best Ayurvedic opthalmologist in Kerala

1. Dr P K Santakumari , M.D ( Ayu),
Head of the Department – Shalakya Tantra,
Govt . Ayurveda College , Trivandrum
pksanthakumari@rediffmail.com
Ph : 0471 - 2731352, 9387734578

and also to my friend

2. Dr. Jomon Joseph Daniel, PG Scholar
Govt. Ayurveda College, Thiruvananthapuram
drjomonjoseph@yahoo.co.in
Ph : 9446993260

The stress nature of office type jobs are finding its place in any organization . Long hours spent in front of the computer systems, computer vision syndrome etc are finding its place among many individuals.

Eye healthcare is an important arena that can be earmarked for preventive and curative aspects.

Ophthalmology physicians of Kerala Ayurveda have developed their own special medicines and treatment methodologies regarding the preventive and curative healthcare of most of the disorders of eye.

Dr. Santakumari is the most sought after ophthalmology specialist in the Ayurveda circles of Kerala with about three decades of experience in ophthalmology practice.

The following clinical conditions are just few of the cases that regularly come across in her clinical experience in the Ayurveda college hospitals of Kerala.

1. Sinusitis- acute phase-

Nasal drops of special herbs relieve the pain and congestion within one to 3 hours.

2. Migraine

Application of "talam" – medicated oil or paste over bregma ensures quick pain relief in 15 -30 minutes.

3. Acute management of cerebral hemorrhage – not possible.

4. Management of arterial block – not possible.

5. Residual impact of the above two conditions – possible.

6. Acute congestive glaucoma –

Immediate pain relief by leech application .This ensures the results as good as an injection.


7. Eyestrain

Sekam and talam makes it possible to provide relief with in hours.

8. Corneal abrasion

Due to foreign body, severe burns , trauma – poor prognosis.

Durva ghritham is found very effective for topical application.

9. Corneal ulcers – shata shuklam

Symptomatic relief is very much possible the same day, for healing5 to 20 days are required depending upon the intensity of lesion.

Corneal opacity that is mild – curable by Ayurveda.

It’s a regular experience that by Ayurvedic treatments of topical application and internal medications in a corneal ulcer, chances of opacity become very minimal.

Corneal ulcer secondary to infection – poor prognosis - Ayurvedic measures do not help.

Corneal opacity that is dense – poor prognosis – Ayurveda can not manage.

10. Stye – anjana pitaka

Parasurgical measure like I &D.

11. Blepharitis -pillam

Total cure in 7 days time. For some patients there are chances of recurrence.

12. Follicular conjunctivitis- sikatha varthmam

Ayurvedic management ensures very less chances of recurrence.

Immediate response to the treatment done.

13. Conjuctival infections – uthklishtam,kardama varthmam

Response time 5- 15 days by sekam ,ashchotanam etc.

14. Madrosis –pakshma shatam

Leeching followed by anjanam.

15. Ptosis , Blepherospasm – vatha hatam

Ayurveda is the best choice as there are no side effects like steroids.

Needs course of treatment for a month.

16. Pterigyium – armam

Surgery the best option.

It is possible to avoid the recurrence with the help of special Anjanas for two months duration that are very effectively employed in treatments.


17. Scleritis , Episcleritis

Modern medicine has better management.

18. Dry Eye

A very common ever increasing ailment .

Unlike the modern medicine’s artificial eye drops that have side effects in the long run, Ayurvedic approach is more on the systemic lines and offer better results.

Course of treatment of 3 weeks each twice a year is required for substantial cure.

19. Blood vessels spreading like in the cornea – sirashuklam

Intensity of the condition can be surely reduced by jalooka / leech therapy.

20. Cataract

Ayurveda is helpful in very early stage but practically not much patients would be available for such a follow up.

Modern medicine has a better role in this.

21. Macular oedema

In 3 weeks of duration of treatments appreciatble level of cure is achieved and further recurrences can surely be reduced.

22. Retinal hemorrhage

This condition can be arrested by 15 - 45 days of treatment.

23. Diabetic retinopathy

Ayurveda treatments are found to be better in Background affected retinopathy.

Similar is the matter with hemorrhage, leakage ,exudates – these three can be arrested much better by Ayurveda.

Proliferative retinopaty - poor prognosis in Ayurveda.

24. Glaucoma

Signs and symptoms can be surely controlled and the clinical entity maintained with out problems for a long period.

Closed angle glaucoma – nothing can be done by any means.

25. Retinal detachment

Partial detachment is well responding to Ayurvedic treatments of one month with medicines as follow up.

Total detachment – impossible by Ayurveda .

Its note worthy that selection of head oil is very important regarding diseases of the eye.

26. Degenerative diseases.

These are the areas in which modern science has nothing significant to offer but Ayurveda can surely enhance the quality of life .

27. Macular degeneration –

Ayurvedic management is found to have much better positive impact on the prognosis of the disease.

28. Retinitis Pigmentosa

Further degeneration can be surely arrested whereas the previous damaged cells cannot be regenerated. Enormous importance is attached to food & life style for palliative care of the desease.



OPHTHAlMOLOGY & ENT - Practice in Kerala Ayurveda

Couresty

Dr. Jomon Joseph Daniel, drjomonjoseph@yahoo.co.in

1. External hordeolum or stye - Anjana pitaka

An easily treatable condition and responds well within a few days treatment. In recurring cases, deworming, refractive error correction – if any, may be needed.

2. Chalazion - Laganam

Very good prognosis. Treatable through internal medications and a minor surgical procedure as explained in Ayurvedic classics.

3. Episcleritis and scleritis

The different stages of this disease are beautifully explained in Ayurvedic classical texts and are entitled as separate diseases as sirolpatha, siraharsha, sirajala – all of which are curable with 1 – 2 months of treatment.

4. Sub conjunctival haemorrhage - Arjunam

Can be cured within 5 to 10 days. Installation of a special eye drops is described in this context.

5. Pterigyon - Armam

Surgical and post surgical management are well explained and is now practiced in Ayurveda colleges. Recurrence rate in very low.

6. Different stages of cataract.

Explained as thimiram, Kachams, linganasam. Duration of medication depends on the stage and chronicity of the disease. Modern surgery is the best option in chronic cases.

7. Conjunctivitis - Amloshitha

Easily curable with local and internal medications with in a few days.

8. Pan ophthalmitis - Akshipakathyayam

Vision may not be always preserved by treatment. But complications that lead to evisceration or dissemination of infection can be very well managed / prevented.


9. Deafness - Badirathwam

Treatment methods, duration and prognosis depends on the cause, duration etc.

10. Tinnitus - Karnanadam

Curable with local and internal medication.

11. Suppurative otitis conditions

Poothikarnam, Karnapakam

Very good result yielding conditions. Ayurvedic treatment procedures are found to activate healing of membrane rupture rapidly and conditions were gromet insertion was advised have responded very well.

12. Conditions of wax impaction and its complications - Karnaprathinaham

Easily curable within 2 weeks (maximum).

13. Allergic / vasomotor rhinorrhoea - Brisa Kshavarogam

Some times responds immediately but usually needs a long duration treatment of two months for complete results.

14. Chronic / hypertrophic rhinitis - Dustha prathi syayam

A treatable condition, needs long duration management of at least six weeks.

15. Nasal polyp - Nasarsas

Responds very well to local drug application / minor surgical procedures.

16. Stomatitis - Mukhapakam

A very easily treatable condition. But in chronic and recurrent cases there is need to rule out some underlying pathology and can be treated for it. Usually responds well within 1- 2 months treatment.

17. Trigeminal neuralgia - Anantavatam

A tough prognosis disease to be brought under control. Curable but recurrence rate is quite high.


18. Migraine / Vascular headache - Sooryavartham

Usually not completely curable, but can be managed well and can reduce the recurrence rate. Some physicians opine its curable & recurrence is rare for many patients.


19. Various forms of headaches (tension headache etc) Vathika, Paithika and kaphaja sirasoola etc.

Treatment depends mainly on the causative / provocative factors and clinical features. Success rate is high.

20. Alopecia areata - Indraluptha

Yields very good results. Hair growth is regained within 20 – 35 days.

21. Tonsilitis - Thundikeri

Curable in the initial as well as chronic stages.

22. Dental caries

In Ayurvedic texts, the different stages of this are explained as separate diseases and the initial stages as Seethadanta, danta harsha etc – if managed at this stage, further progress can be arrested.
But the last stage is Krimidantha & has to be extracted.

23. Myopia

Clinical features and treatment are explained in the context of drishti rogas. Even myopias with high refractive errors respond well to internal medications, local treatment procedures, eye exercises etc.

Some may need repeated treatment schedules at intervals of six months.

24. Opthalmia neonatorum - Kukoonakam

Effective treatment options against local / systemic steroid therapy which has widespread immediate and late complications are explained in Ayurvedic classics.