AYURVEDA

Aegle Marmelos

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Botanical Name : Aegle Marmelos

English Name : Wood apple, Indian Quince

Hindi Name : Bel, Bael

Sanskrit Name : Bilva, Shivafal Bael, a Sacred tree of India, is mentioned in very old Literature. This tree is native to India, but is also found in Sri Lanka and Myanmar. Bael is a tree from Rutaceae plant family. This is a small thorny tree. The leaves are 3 foliate. The leaflets are lancelet. The flowers bloom in April to May. Color of the flower is greenish white. The fruits are globosely with woody rind yellowish in color. The pulp of the fruit is sweet and orange in color.

Usage:
The pulp of the fruit is used for making Jam and pickles. The pulp is very good for curing digestive disorders. It is also a good tonic for general vitality. The leaves are used for religious purpose in India. Tender fruits and pulp of ripe and matured fruits, are converted into Jam etc. The fruits besides being medicine are good herbal supplement. Roots are also used as medicinal herb.

Chemical compounds obtained:
Marmalosin, coumarin, embelliferone are obtained from this plant.

Asparagus racemosus (shatavari)

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Latin: Asparagus racemosus Willd.

Family: Liliaceae

Vernacular names: Sanskrit - Shatavari; Hindi - Satavari; English - Asparagus; Gujarat - Ekalkanto; Bengali - Satmuli

Asparagus racemosus : leaves, roots

Ayurvedic Energetics: Rasa: sweet, bitterVeerya: sheeta Vipaka: sweetGunas: light, unctous

Doshas: VP- ; K+

Pharmacological Action: galactogogic, antispasmodic, antidiarrhetic, demulcent, refrigerant, diuretic, aphrodisiac, tonic, antibacterial, antiparasitic, antitumor.

Clinical Research: There are saponins in the roots of A. racemosus collected throughout India. There are several reports of galactogogic activity. One study showed that A. racemosus increased the weight of mammary tissue and milk yield in estrogen-primed rats. Other studies report antioxytoxic and anti-ADH activity in these saponin fractions isolated from the roots. Another study measuring growth promotion indicated an anabolic action of the plant. No studies to date are available which evaluate the effect of Shatavari on serum prolactin levels but several groups are currently preparing such investigations. Aqueous extracts of the roots were reported to have lipase and amylase activities.

Traditional Uses: diarrhea, dysentery, inflammatory bowel conditions, blood purification, biliousness, edema, dyspepsia, rheumatic joint pains, gonorrhea, galactogogue, nervousness, fever.

Indications: to increase milk production, nervousness, gastritis, diarrhea, female aphrodisiac, general nutritive tonic, spastic colon, fever

Formulations and Dosage:infusion: 3-6 oz. bid decoction: 2-4 oz bid milk decoction: 2-4 oz. bid (with ghee pippali, and honey), powder: 3-5 g. bid (with honey).

Pranayama in Ayurveda

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Pranayama is the fourth constituent of yoga. It is very helpful in making mental and spiritual progress. It is equally important for physical improvement and maintaining health. Breathing is the most essential means of sustaining human life. We can live for some time without food, water, but without inhaling and exhaling air, it is not possible to liver longer than a few minutes.The ordinary way of breathing is to inhale and exhale in a regular manner, that is, inhaling, retaining and exhaling in a regulated and natural continuity. Such natural breathing, when controlled and prolonged successfully, is called pranayama or the science of breathing.Breathing properly practiced, cures all diseases, but improperly done, it cause all ailments. By irregular breathing many troubles like hiccups, cough, asthma, headache, earache and eye diseases etc. are caused. The aspirant should put himself under the tuition of an instructor who after duly considering the locality, time, physical capacity and the nature of health of the aspirant can give correct directions.It practiced along with the yogic postures, the effects or benefits purification of body and minds has inevitably to practice this part of yoga.The yoga sutra says that by the practice of yoga impurities disappear and knowledge begins to shine and culminates in self-realization.

Precautions:The breathing exercises should be done at leas three or four hours after meals and the food should consist mostly of milk, ghee, rice, porridge, bread, vegetables, khichari, fruits, and dried fruits which are easily digestible and absorbable objects may be preferred.Patients having high temperature and pregnant woman should not in any case take breathing exercises. This is equally applicable also to those who are hungry or have their stomachs full. The breathing exercises should not be taken after merely reading books on the subject or even observing others at practice of these. In the earlier stages the exercises should be done under the guidance of experienced instructors.For acquiring the power of meditation, breathing exercises should be done, while keeping the spinal cord, waist, chest and neck in one straight line only. Then the exercises will give the desired results.For gaining the fullest benefit from the breathing exercises, one should control one's diet, behavior, activities, actions, sleeping and working hours. These rules must be strictly observed.The postures and the breathing exercises should not be taken in an atmosphere of smoke, dust foul smell or dampness. If this rule is not adhered to, more harm is possible than good.

Types of Pranayama:

1. Ujjayi Pranayama

2. Surya Pranayama

3. Sitkari Pranayama

4. Shitali Pranayama

5. Bhastrika Pranayama

6. Bhramari Pranayama

7. Murchha Pranayama

8. Plavani Pranayama

Benefits:The yoga sutra says that scientific breathing (Pranayma) dispels the curtain of darkness concealing knowledge. It enables the mind.

Common Disorders and Treatments

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Coughs and Colds

Tribal peoples in Patalkot use extensive and easy methods to cure this common health disorder. They boil seven Black Peppers fruits (Piper nigrum) in 250 ml water for 20 minutes. They take it directly, go to bed and cover themselves with a bedsheet. This is the commonest way of treating cough. Tribal peoples of Chimtipur have a modified way of treating this disorder. They pick 7-11 leaves from the Basil plant (Ocimum sanctum), 2gm Ginger (Gingiber officinalis) and seven Black Pepper fruits (Piper nigrum). They mix all these in 250 ml boiling water. After filtering, they add 100ml boiled milk and 10gm sugar. This extract is taken twice or thrice a day. Tribal peoples in Chhindi village use Ajwain seeds (Carum copticum). 10gm crushed seeds are tied in a cotton cloth and smelled frequently.

A few tribal people prepare Vasaca (Adhatoda vasica) extract and give it to a child suffering from cough and cold. Tulsi leaves (Ocimum sanctum) extract is given in mild cough. Mustard oil (Brassica compestris) is applied externally over the lower surface of the foot and a few drops are dropped in the nostrils for relieving a cold.

Tribal peoples of Jaitpur use another way to treat this ailment. They add 3gm crushed Black Pepper and 20gm old Jaggery in 50gm curd. This mixture is taken four times a day to cure a cough and cold.

Fever

6gm each of Amla (Emblica officinalis), Chitrak (Plumbago zeylanica) and Ghost Tree fruit (Ficus religiosa) are added to 40ml of water. This mix is boiled for 25 minutes and taken after filtering it. This extract is said to be very effective if taken thrice a day. Sometimes, tribal people prepare a powder of this material and take it directly. This is good in all types of fever.

Harra (Terminalia chebula), Kutki (Picrorhiza kurroa), Amaltas (Cassia fistula) and Amla (Emblica officinalis) in equal amount are crushed in a mortar and boiled in water. 5ml Honey is also added. This medicine for curing fever is used by the Gonds of Harra Ka Char. Unripe Mango Juice (Mangifera indica) is given in the fever of sunstroke. Tribal peoples in Bijouri prepare extract of Jungli Harra (Terminalia chebula), Clove (Syzygium aromaticum), Bark of Neem (Azadirachta indica), Ginger (Gingiber officinalis), Nagarmotha (Cyprus rotundus) and Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia) 20gm each. They take this extract thrice a day and say it is a wonderful medicine for curing various types of fever

Tribal peoples of this region sometimes fast for a day or two. Sago (Manihot esculenta), milk and light food are given to the patients suffering from fever.

Dysentery

Tribal peoples in Patalkot treat dysentery by giving salty water to the patient. They prepare a powder of dried Cumin seed (Cuminum cyminum), Mango Seed (Mangifera indica), Aniseed (Foeniculum vulgare) and Ginger (Gingiber officinalis). This powder is given four times a day. This cures dysentery. In severe cases, it is taken six times a day. Some tribal peoples apply Ginger extract (Gingiber officinalis) near the navel. Aniseed (Foeniculum vulgare) 12gm and 6gm Cumin seed (Cuminum cyminum) taken with water is good in dysentery. Powder of dried Amla (Emblica officinalis) and Harra (Terminalia chebula) is good for this disorder.

In Gaildubba, tribal peoples prepare extract of Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia), Dry Amla (Emblica officinalis), Nagarmotha (Cyprus rotundus), Bel (Aegle marmelos) and Coriander leaves (Coriandrum sativum) 10gm each. They give this extract to the patient suffering from severe dysentery.

Worms

This is a common disorder among tribal children. Tribal peoples have various applications of medicinal/ common plants to cure this ailment. They take two big Tomatoes (Lycopersicum esculantum) and mix them with crushed Black Pepper (Piper nigrum). They give this mixture to worm affected children. This is a good medicine. No food is given to the child for the next two hours. Worms are killed and the children become healthy.

Ajwain seeds (Carum copticum) mixed in Jaggery are given in worms in Rated. Ajwain seeds (Carum copticum) 0.5gm and a little black salt make a good medicine for this disorder. 10gm extract of Moringa fruit (Moringa oliefera) and honey are good in children. Tribal peoples in Loutia give Mulberry fruits (Morus alba) mixed with the coat of Pomegranate (Punica granatum) fruit to worm affected children. It cures quickly.

Headache

Reetha bark (Sapindus emarginatus) is washed in boiling water which is then dropped in the nostrils to cure headache. Some tribal peoples apply fresh Mint leaves (Mentha arvense) to the head. Roots of Madar (Calotropis procera) are smelled by a few tribal peoples. They say it relieves the pain. Kaner leaves (Thevetia nerifolia) dried and mixed with Coconut Oil are applied to the head for relieving pain. Gwar leaves (Aloe vera) 50gm are mixed with Wheat powder (Triticum aestivum); small balls are prepared and kept in a pot for 2-3 days. The balls are taken once a day to relieve the pain. Lemon leaves (Citrus aurentum) crushed with salt are applied externally. According to Bhumka, Madar leaf extract (Calotropis procera) is dropped into the nostrils to cure this ailment.

Arand roots (Ricinus communis) and Black Pepper (Piper nigrum) are crushed and filtered. It is applied to the head to cure headache.

Dandruff

Tribal peoples of Patalkot apply Lemon juice (Citrus aurantum) and Coconut Oil (Cucus nucifera) to the scalp. They wash their hair with Reetha fruits (Sapindus emarginatus) twice a day in dandruff. Reetha fruits (Sapindus emarginatus) are dipped in water overnight and this water is used in the morning as a shampoo. A few tribal peoples use Coconut Oil (Cocus nucifera) 100gm and Kapur 4gm for curing dandruff. Sometimes they add the juice of two or three Lemons (Citrus aurantum) in a bucket full of water and wash their hair in it. This is an effective way to cure dandruff. Paste of dry Amla powder (Emblica officinalis) is prepared and applied to the head. It gives strength to the hair roots.

Eczema or Fungal Infections

Tribal peoples cure eczema in a traditional way. 100ml of Mustard oil (Brassica compestris) is added to an iron pot. It is boiled and 50gm Neem leaves (Azadirachta indica) are added. Oil is filtered into a bottle. A little Kapur is added. This is an effective treatment. Sometimes they take Neem leaves orally. Marigold leaves (Tagetes erecta) and Titi leaves (Cassia tora) are taken in an equal amount and crushed. This infusion is applied over the affected part. Palash seed (Butea monosperma) oil is good in eczema. Tribal peoples massage with Palash oil often to avoid eczema.

Tridosha System

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The central concept of Ayurvedic medicine is the theory that health exists when there is a balance between three fundamental bodily humours or doshas called Vata, Pitta and Kapha.

Vata is the dynamic "kinetic" principle necessary to mobilize anything from electron to a galaxy. Air is the representative in an abstract sense.

Pitta is the thermal, explosive force behind the ability to transform everything. Sun is the representative.

Kapha is the cohesion that holds everything together with its electro magnetic and gravitational forces.

All Ayurvedic physicians believe that these ancient ideas, based in the knowledge discovered by the Rishis and Munis, exist in harmony with physical reality. These Ayurvedic concepts allow physicians to examine the homeostasis of the whole system. People may be of a predominant dosha or constitution, but all doshas have the basic elements within them.

Cassia Occidentalis

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Botanical Name : Cassia Occidentalis

Family Name : Fabaceae (leguminaceae)

Common Name : Coffee Senna, Negro Coffee, Coffee Weed, Stinking Weed, Foetid Cassia

Part Used : Roots, Leaves, Seeds

Habitat : Throughout india, growing abundantly immediately after rains.

Product offered : Seeds

Uses : The plant is bitter, purgative, laxative, anti-inflammatory, expectorant, hepatoprotective, anti-malarial, analgesic, vermifuge and febrifuge. It mainly used to detoxify liver, use to cure internal bacterial and fungal disorders, to kill parasites and viruses, enhances immunity, and promotes perspiration. It is also helpful in cough, convulsions, reduces blood pressure, reduces spasms and as cardiotonic.

Azadirachta Indica

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Botanical Name : Azadirachta Indica

Family Name : Meliaceae

Common Name : Lilac, Margosa Tree, Neem, Neem Chal

Part Used : Leaves, Flower, Oil, Seed.

Habitat : It is evergreen and grows throughout india.

Product offered : Bark, Leaves, Seeds, Fruit,Oil, Flower,Stem

Uses : It acts as vermifuge, insecticide, astringent, tonic and antiseptic. It possess anti diabetic, anti bacterial and anti viral properties and used successfully in cases of stomach, worms and ulcers. Root barks possess astringent, tonic and antiperiodic properties. It is also useful in malarial fever. The oil is used in making neem-based soaps, shampoos and toothpaste.

Artocarpus Heterophyllus

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Botanical Name : Artocarpus Heterophyllus

Family Name : Moraceae

Common Name : Jack Fruit, Jakfruit

Part Used : Seeds, Jack Fruit, Leaves

Product offered : Seeds, jack fruit, dried fruit, leaves

Uses : The leaves are useful in fever, boils, wounds , skin diseases. The young fruits are acrid, astringent, carminative and tonic. The ripe fruits are sweet, cooling, laxative, aphrodisiac and tonic. The seeds are sweet, diuretic, aphrodisiac and constipating. The wood is nervine, sedative and is useful on convulsions. The latex is useful in dysopia, opthalmities and pharyngitis. The Chinese consider Jackfruit pulp and seeds tonic, cooling and nutritious, and to be "useful in overcoming the influence of alcohol on the system." The seed starch is given to relieve biliousness and the roasted seeds are regarded as aphrodisiac.

The ash of Jackfruit leaves, burned with corn and coconut shells, is used alone or mixed with coconut oil to heal ulcers. The dried latex yields artostenone, convertible to artosterone, a compound with marked androgenic action. Mixed with vinegar, the latex promotes healing of abscesses, snakebite and glandular swellings. The root is a remedy for skin diseases and asthma. An extract of the root is taken in cases of fever and diarrhea. The bark is made into poultices. Heated leaves are placed on wounds. The wood has a sedative property; its pith is said to produce abortion.

Anethum Graveolens

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Botanical Name : Anethum Graveolens

Family Name : Apiaceae

Common Name : Dill, Dill Weed, Garden Dill.

Part Used : Fruits And Leaves.

Habitat : It is found in tropical and sub-tropical parts of india and cultivated throughout india.

Product offered : Leaves, wholeplant, oil

Uses : The fruits are acrid, aromatic, bitter, digestive, carminative, stomachic, stimulant, antispasmodic, antihelmintic, anodyne, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, emmenagogue, galactagogue, expectorant, cardiotonic, febrifuge, antispasmodic and antidysenteric.

It is useful in flatulence, colic, dyspepsia, intestinal worms, digestive problems, insomnia, inflammation, hiccough, cough, asthma, bronchitis, fever, ulcers, skin diseases, haemorrhoids and cardiac debility. It acts as stimulant for lactation.

Fruits and leaves are used as spice for flavoring salads, soups, pickles and breads, mainly by food industry. It is also used as insecticide.

Aloe Vera

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Botanical Name : Aloe Vera

Family Name : Liliaceae

Common Name : Aloe, Barbados Aloe, Curacao Aloe, Indian Aloe, Ghi Kunvar

Part Used : Flowers, Roots

Habitat : South and south western india.

Product offered : Leaves, Aloe Vera Gel, Aloe Vera Powder

Uses : It is useful for X-ray burns, dermatitis, cutaneous and disorders of skin. Drug from juice is tonic and is used in jaundice, ameneorrhoea, atonic and piles. Aloe Vera Gel has the remarkable ability to heal wounds, ulcer and burns.

Adiantum Capillus

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Botanical Name : Adiantum Capillus

Family Name : Pteridaceae

Common Name : Maidenhair Fern, Lady Fern.

Part Used : Fronds, Leaves And Rhizomes.

Habitat : Woodland garden; dappled shade; shady edge and cultivated beds.

Product offered : Leaves, Wholeplant

Uses : Maidenhair fern is antioxidant, astringent, liver bile stimulator, blood cleanser, cardiotonic decongestant, detoxifier, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, depurative, antidandruff, vermifuge, hepatoprotective, hypocholesterolemic, hypoglycemic, hypotensive, stimulant and tonic. It is mainly useful in respiratory problems, hair loss, gallstones, liver problems, wounds, diabetes, skin problems, diarrhea, and dysentery. It is helpful to cure jaundice, convulsions and many chronic diseases.

Leaves are edible and used in making tea and other refreshing drinks. Leaves are used as garnished material on foods.

Acacia Catechu

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Botanical Name : Acacia Catechu

Family Name : Mimosacaae

Common Name : Cutch Tree, Catechu, Black Cutch

Part Used : Bark And Heartwood

Habitat : Found in indian forests, upto the elevation of 1,500m.

Product offered : Roots, stem

Uses : Bark of cutch tree is strong antioxidant, astringent, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal in nature.

It is useful in passive diarrhea, high blood pressure, dysentery, colitis, gastric problems, bronchial asthma, cough, leucorrhoea and leprosy. It is used as a mouthwash for mouth, gum, sore throat, gingivitis, dental and oral infections.

Heartwood is used to yield concentrated aqueous extract i.e. cutch. Cutch (extract) is astringent, cooling, and digestive. It is useful in cough, diarrhea, ulcers, boils and eruptions of the skin.

History of Ayurveda

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There is a concept that has been passing down verbally from generation to generation in India about the origin of Ayurveda. Accordingly, the ancient "Rishis" or wise men of India gathered at the foot of the Himalayas. Their objective was to innovate together the secret of leading a healthy, long life. The final product of their effort came to be known as Ayurveda or the "science of life".

Documented references to the precise timing of the origins of Ayurveda are not available. The age of Ayurveda has been established on the basis of correlating the evidence with other disciplines as well as circumstantial evidence. Ayurveda is said to have been first compiled as a text by Agnivesha, in his book Agnivesh tantra, which was written during Vedic times. The book was later revised by Charaka, and renamed to Charaka Samhitā (encyclopedia of the physician Charaka). early texts of Ayurveda include the Charaka Samhitā and the Sushruta The system was orally transferred via the Gurukul system until a script came into existence.

The earliest scripts would have been written on perishable materials such as Taalpatra and Bhojapatra, which could not be readily preserved. The script was later written on stone and copper sheets. Verses dealing with Ayurveda are included in the Atharavaveda, which implies that some form of Ayurveda is as old as the Vedas. Ayurvedic practices have also evolved over time, and some practices may be considered innovations upon earlier Vedic practices, such as the advances made during the Buddhist period in India.

Hinduism attributes the genesis of Ayurveda to several theories in which the knowledge is believed to have been passed on from being to being, initially, through its realization by the divine sages, and gradually into the human sphere by a complex system of mnemonics. Details of Ayurvedic traditions vary between writers, as is expected when oral traditions are transcribed from multiple sources. The earliest authors of Ayurvedic manuscripts recorded divergent forms of the tradition.

Historical evidence

The history of indigenous Indian medical science is probably as old as the Indus Valley Civilisation dating back to 3000 BC. The meticulously planned cities of Harappa and Mohenjodaro are pointers not only to India’s rich cultural heritage but also to its advanced systems of hygiene and health care. The remains of deer antler and bitumen found in Harappa testify to the existence of a medical science. It was between 1200 and 700 BC, that the four sacred Vedas were composed. References to diseases, herbs and herbal cures can be seen in all the four Vedas especially in the Rig Veda.

The Atharva Veda has many hymns eulogizing herbs. Many plants were worshipped as deities and invoked by incantations. There were also many Mantras (invocations) to combat jaundice, consumption and hereditary diseases among others. The Atharvan hymns chanted for the cure of diseases were known as Bhaishajyams and those for attaining longevity and prosperity were called Ayushyams. These hymns, especially the Ayushyams are considered to be the foundation for advances in later medicine.

What is Ayurveda?

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Ayurveda (Devanagari:: आयुर्वेद) or Ayurvedic medicine is an ancient system of health care that is native to the Indian subcontinent. Even today it is very common in India, Nepal and Sri Lanka and is used by millions of people. Ayurveda is also gaining popularity in the west. The word "Ayurveda" is a tatpurusha compound of the word āyus meaning "life," "life principle," or "long life" and the word veda, which refers to a system of "knowledge." Thus "Ayurveda" roughly translates as the "knowledge of life," "knowledge of a long life" or even "science of life." According to Charaka Samhita, "life" itself is defined as the "combination of the body, sense organs, mind and soul, the factor responsible for preventing decay and death, which sustains the body over time, and guides the processes of rebirth." to this perspective, Ayurveda is concerned with measures to protect "ayus", which includes healthy living along with therapeutic measures that relate to physical, mental, social and spiritual harmony. Ayurveda is also one among the few traditional systems of medicine to contain a sophisticated system of surgery (which is referred to as "salya-chikitsa").

Eight Branches (Ashtanga) of Ayurveda

The eight branches of Ayurveda are:

1. Internal medicine - Kayachikitsa
2. Surgery - Shalya Tantra
3. Ears, eyes, nose and throat - Shalakya tantra
4. Pediatrics - Kaumarabhritya Tantra
5. Toxicology - Agada Tantra
6. Purification of the genetic organs - Bajikarna (or Vajikarana) Tantra
7. Health and Longevity - Rasayana Tantra
8. Spiritual Healing/Psychiatry - Bhuta Vidya