| DISEASES |
| |
|
SEXUAL DEBILITY |
| Ayurveda
stresses maintaining the health and vitality of the reproductive system. This
is not simply to allow for a better sex life. It is to afford greater vitality
for the body as a whole and for the nervous system specifically. Sexual
energy can become creative energy and help facilitate mental or spiritual work.
Hence, many yogis use herbs for the reproductive system for their general energizing
effect. Such herbs enhance Ojas, our underlying vital essence; they do not irritate
the sexual nerves or promote unwanted sexual activity. |
| Sexual
debility is lack of sexual vitality or inability to perform adequately sexually.
Symptoms include low energy, fatigue, tiredness, lack of sexual motivation
and impotence. Nervousness, palpitations, spermatorrhea, nocturnal emissions and
premature ejaculation may occur. Sometimes weak Kidney indications, frequent urination
or lower back pain will happen. |
| Sexual
debeility can be caused by overwork, too much exercise, stress or trauma.
It may be a complication of underweight and malnourishment where there is insufficient
energy. Or it can be caused by overweight which slows down and dulls the reflexes.
For a strong sex drive the male ego has to have some confidence; failure or lack
of sucess in life can caused it to weaken. According to Ayurveda, sexual
debility is frequently caused by excessive sex, the product of sexual
exhaustion. |
| In
Ayurveda terms it is more commonly a Vata (air) condition. Abstinence from
sex is an important initial treatment. Rest and relaxation is helpful. |
|
| CANCER |
| In Ayurveda
cancer is a disease that often involves all three humors, though it typically
starts with a predominance of one. The digestive fire and other Agnis are low,
allowing a build-up of toxic substances. The cancer represents a negative life-energy,
something like a parasite, which has become established in the body. Negative
life-energy usually comes from an excess of Apana, the downward moving air. Hence,
Apana disorders such as distention, constipation and diarrhea may be the basic
of this condition. Cancer cells, lacking oxygen (prana), represent a growth in
the body outside the rule of the life-force. |
| Cancer
has many causes including our toxic environment, devitalized foods, sedentary
life-style and lack of spiritual purpose or effort in life. Its basis often is
suppressed emotionl stagnation, which causes accumulation of toxic material, and
excess humors. It was seen as a disease of melancholy or blank bile, which also
translates as suppressed emotions. Hence, physical remedial measures are usually
not enough to restore health. |
| In
the Vedic system cancer is viewed as a psychic disorder, a disruption in the aura
allowing the entrance of a negative astral force. Emotional cleansing, mantra
and meditiation are important to counter this. |
|
| AIDS |
| According
to Ayurveda, AIDS is primarily a disease of low Ojas, the vital
sap of the body, the essence of the reproductive system that maintains the autoimmune
system. The AIDS virus can only affect us if our Ojas is already low. Factors
that deplete Ojas include excessive sexual activity, poor diet, junk food, use
of drugs, too much thinking or worrrying and lack of slep. |
| As Ojas is the
essence of Kapha (water), symptoms of low Ojas usually involve both high Pitta
(fire) and high Vata (air). There will be anxiety, restlessness, irritability,
vertigo, insomnia, palpitations and chronic fevers. |
| Ojas
relates to sattva, so a sattvic life-style should be followed (see section). Sattvic
herbs for the mind like gotu Kola, calamus and sandal-wood are helpful. Yogic
postures and breathing exercises, particularly lunnar pranayama are important. |
|
| ARTHRITIS
(JOINT PAIN) |
| Arthritis
is one of the most common chronic and degenerative diseases in the world. Yet,
modern medicine has little to offer for treating it except aspirin. In Ayurveda,
it is called 'Amavata', a toxic air condition. Arthritis is mainly a Vata (air)
disease; it involves pain and weakening of the bones (the main Vata tissue in
the body). It can also be divided into types or stages according to the three
humors. |
| Causes
include both internal and external factors. Arthritis is more common in
windy, damp and stormy climates. It is related to low agni and poor digestion
which causes the accumulation of Ama (toxins). Poor colon function allows the
toxins to be taken to the joints. It may also be caused by injury. Arthritis is
another auto-immune disorder where the body attacks itself, so much that has been
said under allergies is applicable here. |
|
| URIC
ACID (GOUT) |
| Gout
is a metabolic in which uric acid is deposited in the cartilages of the joints.
In the Ayurvedic view it is a condition similar to arthritis and many of the remedial
measures are the same. The big toe is characteristically involved becoming swollen
and very painful. Gout is called 'Vatarakta' in Sanskrit, meaning Vata (air) in
the blood. Treatment is to reduce Vata and cleanse the blood. |
| Causes include
eating food that makes the blood toxic: too much salty, sour and spicy food, too
rich, too oily, too hot or improperly prepared food. Avoid meat, sugar, jellies,
pastries, beans, mushrooms, yogurt, pickles, acid fruits and alcohol. Fresh vegetables
may be taken freely; also fresh fruit, rice, wheat, potatoes and milk. |
|
| LEUCORRHEA |
| Leucorrhea
is an abnormal discharge from the vagina. The vagina has a natural acid environment
that protects it from unfavorable pathogens. If this is not maintained, various
bacteria, fungi or protozoa can proliferate. |
| Douches
of sour taste such as vinegar, yogurt or herbs with acidophilus supplements are
effective for this reason. |
| In
Ayurveda, leucorrhea is most commonly a Kapha, excess mucus condition, but can
be caused by the other humors. It is the humor that is treated rather than the
specific pathogen. |
| Vata
(air) type leucorrhea will be brown , sticky and dry, with more severe pain. |
| Pitta (fire)
type is yellow, smelling, perhaps purulent or mixed with blood, with more burning
sensation. |
| Kapha
(water) type is white, mucoid, thick, profuse with feelings of dullness and heaviness. |
| Causes are
mainly those which increase Kapha; eating too much sweet, sour and salty, heavy
and greasy foods such as dairy and sugars. Lack of cleanliness, excessive sex,
use of antibiotics infections or venereal diseases contribute. |
|
| DIABETES |
| Diabetes
is a disease of profuse urination in Ayurveda. Not specifically a urinary
tract disorder, it is a dysfunction of the water system and a water metabolism
imbalance. Twenty such diseases are listed according to the three humors that
cause them, but diabetes as we commonly know it, relates mainly to wo types, diabetes
insipidus and diabetes mellitus. |
| Diabetes
is a servere disease, difficult to treat and with many complications; Natural
remedies cannot often cure it, particularly that of junvenileo nset, but they
can alleviate many of its side effects and improve the quality of life and energy.
For juvenile onset and once the pancreas function is tottaly lost, the condition
is generally not reversible. |
| Diabetes
manifests itself as excess thirst and excess urination. Initially, it is primarily
a Kapha (water) disease involved with obesity and excess consumption of sweet,
kaphogenic foods. kapha increases in the stomach due to low pancreas function,
then enters the other tissues, causing frequency or turbidity of urination. |
| Long-term
diabetes involves thirst and wasting away of tissues and is or becomes primarily
a Vata (air) disease. This is true in diabetes mellitus, the most common type
of diabetes. Vata accumulates in the large intestine and travels to the pancereas,
deranging pancreas function. |
| Pitta
(fire) can also causes diabetes. It accumulates in the small intestine,
then travels to the liver and pancreas upsetting their functions. |
| Wrong diet
is often a causative factor in diabetes, with excessive consumption of sugar,
sweets dairy products, alcohol, fat and breads. It can be caused by obesity, excessive
sex, sleep in the day time, lack of exercise, worry, stress and anxiety, or it
may be herediatary. Psychologically, diabetes is a disease of desire, thirst and
lack of contentment in Life. |
|
| KIDNEY
FAILURE |
| The
Kidneys are a very important organ in Oreintal medicine. Their action
is closely related to the nervous system and the reproductive organs. They are
as important to water metabolism as the colon is to food (metabolism of the earth
element). Just as wrong eating habits damage the stomach and the g.i. tract, wrong
drinking (not only drinking alcohol) damages the kidneys and the urinary tract. |
|
| HYPERTENSION |
| Hypertension
is high blood pressure. It is one of the main complications and causes of heart
disease. Most of its indications and treatment are as under heart diseases. The
special ayurvedic herbs regulates the blood pressure. |
|
| ULCERS |
| Ulcers
are an inflammation of the mucus lining of the stomach. They involve pain, burning
sensation and, when more servere, bleeding. If perforated, they can be life-threatening.
They are usually due to psychological factors such as stress, worry or overwork
but there are many dietary causes as well, includeing too much spicy or sour food. |
| Ulcers,
most commonly are a Pitta (fire) condition. Excess acid from the small intestine
accumulates in the stomach and burns through the lining, causing inflammation. |
| It is not
always an excedd of stomach acid that causes ulcers. Some may be due to high Vata
(air) and its characteristic excessive thinking and nervous sensitivity. Sometimes
there is a deficiency of the mucus (Kapha) secretions of the stomach. This allows
a normal or even low amount of acid to burn through. Ulcers can even be caused
by a deficiency of stomach acid; the food stays in the stomach too long and eventually
burns through what may be a thin stomach lining. |
|
| MIGRAINE
HEADACHE |
| Headache
can be due to many causes: indigestion, constipation, colds and flus, poor posture
or muscle tension. As a nerve pain condition, it is placed here, though it could
go in other catagories as well. Migraine, a more servere type headache, is often
related to congenital factors. |
| Headaches
often relate to hypertension and the increased pressure in the head. Many
of the treatments for hypertension are helpful. |
| Headache
is another more common Vata (air) disorder. Vata headache is characterized by
extreme pain, anxiety, irregular diet, excessive activity, and mental stimulation,
worry and stress. |
| Pitta
(fire) headache symptoms are burning sensation, red face and eyes, sensitivity
to light, anger, irritability and sometimes nose bleeds. It is often associated
with liver disorders or toxic blood conditions. |
| Kapha
(water) type is more a dull headache with feelings of heaviness and tiredness.
There may be nausea, phlegm, excess salivation or vormiting. It is usually caused
by congestion of phlegm in the head and may be associated with pulmonary disorders. |
|
| PSORIASIS |
| It is a skin
disorder with silvery-grey scaling papules involving papulosquamous of the skin.
It is known as Ekakushta in Ayurveda. |
| Causes:
The disease is caused due to impurities of the blood associated with psychic causes. |
| Signs and
Symptoms: Scaly, silvery-grey papules appear on the exterior surface of either
the elbows or knees, or both. Sometimes it will spread all over the body. Psoriasis
must be differentiated from syphillitic rashes occurring on the body. The Patient
suffering from Psoriasis will have patches with violent itching and burning sensation
with watery discharge and blood. |
|
| GREYING
OF HAIR |
| Generally
hair becomes grey as a sign of old age. Sometimes the greying process starts
at a very young age. This is due to a disease. According to Ayurveda, this
is called Palitya. |
| Psychological
causes: Like excitement, anger, passion and mental strain and mostly persons who
are of Pittaja Prakriti (constitution) are prome to this disorder. |
| Other Causes:
People who suffer from chronic sinusitis and chronic cold are liable to contract
this disease. It is noticed in some people that even washing of hair with warm
water can also lead to early greying. |
|
| ECZEMA |
| It is a skin
condition called Pama in Ayurveda. |
| Causes:
One should not take food which has antagonistic properties, excessive fluids,
fatty and heavy food and suppressing the natural urges, doing excessive exercise
and exposure to hot climate, for with this the vata, pitta and rakta and Kapha
are vitiated. the weeping eczema can be correlated to Vicharchika wherein there
will be itching, eruptions, oozing and discolouration of the skin. |
|
| OBESITY |
| Obesity
is a condition wherein there is accumulation of excessivie fat in the body. In
Ayurveda, this condition is named Medo-Roga. Generally, even in normal individuals,
there will be accumulation of fat in the breast, buttocks and abdomen. An excessive
of fat will also occur in the above This will be produced after the fat is metabolised
in the body. The fat is obtained from ghee, oils and other fatty substances, which
are manily used either as a drink or as a food. It may be noted here thast even
nerve fibres contain a fatty material in their convering. The major portion of
the brain and also of muscle is derived from fat. Fat is also present in some
joints in order to avoid friction and damage to the part at the time of the movement.
Whenever we take fat or starchy material in excess they will be deposited in the
above mentioned places of the body. The danger of fat accumulation is that it
producess cholesterol, which circulates through the bloodstream, in the blood
vessels and sometimes it is deposited in the walls of the vessels producing a
disease called hypertension or High Blood Pressure. The liver, kidneys and heart
and their functions will also get deranged, thereby leading to many diseases. |
| Causes: Obesity
occurs in a person who is in the habit of not doing any exercise and who eats
too much of food consisting of fatty substances and carbohydraes which produce
phlegm in the body, resulting in the production of sweat. Because it contains
fat and oily material, the Medo-Roga will be produced. |
|
| PILES |
| The condition
is produced due to the varicosity of the venis around the anus. Irregular intake
of food, hard foods, dry foods, irritant foods like chillies or riding on a vehicle
continuously for a long time will produce piles or arshes. this is according to
the Ayurveda system of medicine. It may be either in the external area of sphincter
of the anus or the internal area of the anus sphincter according to modern medicine.
In Ayurveda these sphincters are called valis: Bahya valis and abhyantara valis.
Ayurveda has mainly classified arshes (piles) into two heads: |
| (1) Congenital
and |
| (2)
After birth (acquires). |
| It
is again divides into dry or blind and bleeding. |
|
| LOSS
OF MEMORY |
| This
is called Smriti Brahmsa or Smiritinasha. Memory is a state where one can remember
the past. It is especially useful for teachers, students and learned scholars.
Ayurveda advocates that both body and mindare interrelated and inter-dependent.
So, any causes which lead to the disorders of the above, will produce loss of
memory. |
|
| EPILEPSY |
| Epilepsy
is a paroxysmal disorder produced due to the disorder of cerebral function with
clouding of consciousness with or without localised or generalised convulsions. |
| Causes: Excessive
thinking or any mental weakness will produce this disease and the patient will
lose his memory after the attack of this disease. It is called Apasmara in Ayurveda. |
|
| CONSTIPATION |
| Most people
suffer from constipation due to sedentary habit and taking excessive food frequently.
The patient wants to pass stools but he cannot do so. Constipation leads to heaviness,
headache, loss pf appetite and no interest in doing any work. When food is present
in the intestine for a longer period, naturally it will lead to putrefaction and
flatulence. Sometimes acute constipation may lead to distension of the stomach
with severe pain in the abdomen. |
|
| ENLARGED
PROSTATE |
| It
is of three types -: Vata, Pita, Kapha |
| Prostate
enlargement is common in old age with weakening of sexual function. It can happen
in younger men through excessive sexual practices or from under supperssion of
ejaculation. |
| Most
commonly it is a Vata (air) condition and comes in the Vata stage of life (old
age). Symptoms include lower back pain, low energy, constipation. |
| Pitta (fire)
type involves infection, swelling and fever. The urine will be dark yellow or
red. |
| Kapha
(water) type is due to water retention and excess phlegm. Treatment is similar
to that for edema. |
