Treatment of Thyroid disease

Thyroid gland is situated in the neck and produces a hormone called thyroxine, which helps in regulating body metabolism. While deficiency of thyroxine hormone causes Myxoedema in adults and cretinism in children, excess of thyroxine levels could lead to exophthalmic goitre, Grave’s disease or Thyrotoxicosis.

thyroidgland Hyperthyroidism or thyrotoxicosis is a condition which is more common in women of age group 30 to 50 years. Such individuals show symptoms of irritation, over-anxiety, rapid heart rate, deep shallow respiration, diarrhea, heat intolerance, flushing, menstrual disturbance, fatigue and bulging of eyes. Though all of the said [tag]thyroid symptoms[/tag] may not be present a few of such symptoms could be due to hyperthyroidism.

Hypothyroidism is a condition caused due to inactivity of thyroxine. This condition can be caused due to deficiency of iodine or thyroid failure or pituitary dysfunction. Symptoms include fatigue, loss of vitality and overall hormonal imbalance. When hypothyroidism is left untreated for a long time it could result in myxodema which is distinguished by swollen skin and tissues.

According to Ayurveda, taking adequate quantities of milk can help in preventing goitre. Also rice, barley, Bengal gram, moong dal and cucumber are recommended for patients suffering from goitre. They should of course avoid heavy and sour foods. Herbs that are found useful in treatment of thyroid disorders include Kanchanara, Jatamansi, Shilajita, Brahmi guggulu, gokshura, and punarnava.

As a home remedy, a fine paste of vegetable jalakumbhi can be applied over the affected area and the juice of jalakumbi can be given a few times in a day. This has a high content of iodine, the deficiency of which causes goitre.

Coconut oil which contains medium chain fatty acids which help in improving body metabolism,   is good for those suffering from thyroid disorders. The medicines used in Ayurveda for treating thyroid disorders include Kanchanar Guggulu, Ashwagandharishta, Amritadhaya taila and Mahayogaraj guggulu.

Apart from all this, yogic asanas like Sarvangasana, Halasana, Suryanamaskara, Suptavajrasana are found helpful, though Pranayama is the most effective for curing thyroid problems.

Asthma treatment in Ayurveda

Asthma remedies in ayurvedaDue to today’s modern urbanized lifestyles, excessive pollution and rapid industrialization the number of patients suffering from [tag]Asthma[/tag] is fast increasing. Reports suggest that at least 15% of Indian population and 10% of U.S. population suffer from Bronchial Asthma every year. These days more and more of such patients are turning towards [tag]Ayurveda remedies[/tag], due to the holistic approach followed by [tag]Ayurveda[/tag] wherein apart from treating the disease without any side effects, measures are taken to find the root cause of the disease and prevent it.

Asthma is referred to as “Swas Roga” in Ayurveda. From an Ayurvedic perspective, the kapha dosha combines with ‘pranavayu’ leading to obstruction in the respiratory passage (called ‘pranavaha srotasa’ in Ayurveda) causing a condition called as ‘Swas Roga’ or “Asthma”.

There are various non-allergic and allergic factors that cause Asthma like diet, excessive exposure to smoke and dust, working in excessive cold or hot temperatures, over-exercising, emotional tensions, other disorders in lungs or throat or hereditary factors.

A few Ayurvedic remedies and home preventive tips are mentioned here:

   1. A few common medicines as suggested in Ayurveda are [tag]Sitopaladi choorna[/tag], Vasavleha, Swaskuthar ras etc. During Asthma attacks, “[tag]Rasayana Chikitsa[/tag]” is given to the patient. It is also advised that Asthmatic patients can go in for a [tag]Panchakarma[/tag], especially vaman chikitsa before the onset of monsoon.
   2. Honey is one of the most effective remedies used for [tag]treatment of Asthma[/tag]. During bouts of Astma, just holding a jug of honey beneath the nose and inhaling the air in contact with honey helps in easier breathing and provides temporary relief from Asthma. When consumed internally with equal parts of dates, black resins and pippali, it acts as a good lung tonic by thinning out the accumulated mucus and eliminating it from the respiratory system.
   3. When five grams of Indian gooseberry or Amla is mixed with one table spoon of honey and consumed, it acts as an expectorant, and is an effective medicine for Asthma.
   4. During Asthmatic attacks, [tag]massaging[/tag] mustard oil with camphor over the chest will loosen the mucus and help easy breathing. Simultaneously, inhaling steam with a few caraway seeds added to boiling water will help in dilation of bronchial passage.

Ayurvedic Acupressure Therapy

Acupressure is one of China’s best gifts to the world. It is an ancient technique that combines principles of acupuncture and studied pressure application to cure illnesses and help in overall well-being of a person. It is an ancient medicine practice using the fingers, knuckle or other objects to create pressure on particular points in the body called meridians. It is similar to acupuncture, but the pressure replaces the needles. Acupressure has been practiced since ages to improve the flow of prana or life force through the body. Pressure is applied to certain specific areas of the body for about 30 seconds.
Although, simple reflexology is all that is required to bring about an immediate cure, in chronic cases Chinese acupuncture may be required. But, in the recent past, Ayurvedic Acupressure has been found to be extremely good in treating several ailments including thalasemia, platelet count, RBC count etc.
Ayurvedic Acupressure is a particular kind of massage or an alternative medical treatment, blending two ancient forms of medicine – Ayurveda and Acupressure. Both the approaches to health and wellness have been used by Asians and Indians for ages now. By utilizing both these methods, one can experience considerable relief from pain, improve blood circulation and even relieve stress and anxiety in some cases.
In Ayurveda the pressure points or the meridians are called Marma points. These are considered as energy points, just as Chinese refer them as pressure points, and they help in stimulating not only circulation, but also improve mental and emotional outlook. The Marma points are located throughout the body.
Depending on the location of the Marma, Ayurvedic Acupressure helps relieve pain and stiffness, improving oxygenated blood flow into the area serviced by the pressure point. For instance, the two paired points at the upper level of the shoulder near the neck, called Urdhva Skandha, when pressed simultaneously, can help relieve a pinched nerve, or can treat rotator cuff tendonitis. As for the emotional aspects, applying this sort of pressure at these points can relieve headaches, while also promoting calmness.
According to the ancient Indian ayurvedic text Charak Sanhita, Ayurvedic Acupressure is mainly based on study of ten basic elements. Each finger represents a different element – space, darkness, fire, water, air, time, earth, mind, direction and soul, and they all have a corresponding colour. Acupressure, when combined with colour therapy, can melt anger, relieve stress, induce happiness, and maintain weight. Every emotion is linked to a particular organ, so treating that particular organ is vital.
Research has revealed that acupressure treatment can control several illnesses to a certain extent, including AIDS, cancer, tuberculosis, kidney failure, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, osteophytes, disc prolapse, Pott Spine, paralysis, cerebral atrophy, changes in various spinal segments, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, mania, mental retardedness, depression, mania, anemia deficiency, RBC, haemoglobin deficiency and even trigeminal neuralgia.
There are several acupressure exercises that could be done from home. But, it should be taught only by a trained and skilled practitioner. When executed as instructed, these exercises are sure to have a great impact on one’s lifestyle.

Mahanarayana oil for pain relief

Ayurvedic treatment makes use of massage techniques with selective medicinal oils as treatment mode for various pains, particularly for joint pain. There are different types of ayurvedic massage oils used for healing various pains related to sprains, stress injury, bone dislocation, and arthritis.
Mahanarayana oil is a popular Ayurvedic vata massage oil, particularly beneficial for pain pertaining to bones and muscles. It offers flexibility to joints, and is used in treating arthritis pain, sprains and backaches. According to Ayurveda, the root cause of arthritis is poor digestion in the individual. A person with less digestion, will have excess ama (body waste), which in-turn gets accumulated in the joints, resulting in joint pain.
Apart from arthritic conditions, Mahanarayana oil is also used to treat other painful conditions. For instance, it is an excellent oil for athletes, as it improves flexibility and rejuvenates joints and muscles.
Mahanarayana oil is well-known for its analgesic qualities, apart from its anti-rheumatic and anti-inflammatory effects. Its muscle and nerve nourishing properties makes it effective for paralysis, facial palsy, wasting of muscles and spondylosis.
Mahanarayana oil is used in treating diabetes-related vata diseases, rheumatoid arthritis and is generally effective for all vata disorders. In Ayurveda, it is used in Panchakarma and Rejuvenation treatment sessions, and renders considerable healing when applied to specific joints by trained therapist during a massage session.
The oil is gently heated and used as external application on entire body or on the affected body part.
Major ingredients in Mahanarayana oil are: Cow milk, Black sesame oil, Wild asparagus, Giant potato, Brahmin ginseng, Vigna, Saffron crocus, Camphor, Indian ironwood, Bitumen, Rock salt, Cardamom, Licorice, Nutgrass, False daisy, Sweet flag, Flame of the forest, Ironwood, Elecampane, Indian cassia, Coleus and Turmeric.