Semen a Natural Antidepressant for Women

April 4th, 2012

Until recently, scientist believed that sole purpose of semen was to nourish and protect sperm on their way to fertilization. But a latest study has revealed that semen helps in reducing depression in women and elavating their mood.

The study was conducted by psychology proffessor Gordon Gallup at University of Albany which observed that females who were not using condoms for sexual intercourse were less depressed than females who did use condoms.

Nearly 300 females filled out anonymous questionnaires designed to measure various aspects of their sexual behaviour, including frequency of sexual intercourse, the number of days since their last sexual act and whether or not they use condoms. The participants also filled a Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) which is widely used to measure and monitor mood changes in psychological distrubed individuala. According to Gallup, “females who engaged in sexual intercourse but never used condoms exhibited significantly lower scores on the BDI than those who usually or always used condoms.”

As it is known, semen mainly acts as a medium for sperm to swim through female vaginal tract into the fallopian tubes where fertilization takes place. However, it is interesting to understand why and how semen exhibits this amazing antidepressant action.

Sperms constitute about only 3% of total semen content. The rest of seminal fluid is a complex chemical activity formed by mostly water and about 50 other compounds such as sugar (to nourish sperm), immunosuppresants (to sperm destruction from women’s immune system) Most importantly it is observed that semen carries many mood elavating compounds like endorphins, estrone, prolactin, oxytocin, thyrotrophin-releasing hormone, and serotonin. In those women (or their partners) who do not use condoms during sex are exposed to semen. Duriing the sexual act, various chemical compounds are thus set in the circulation and thus result in overall antidepressant effect.

The observation of the study however has spurred a debate on the use of condoms. Proffessor Gallup lastly cautions that this study does not advocate that people abstain from using condoms. ‘ Protecting oneslef from an unwanted pregnancy or a sexullay transmitted disease is far more important”.

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PCOS

April 2nd, 2012

Prevalance: Estimates that between 5 and 10 % of females of reproductive age are affected by PCOS.
Defination of PCOS: 1.) Oligo or anovulation, clinical (e.g hirsutism, acne, alopecia) and or

2.) Biochemical signs of hyperandrogenism (eg. elavated levels of total or free testosterone)
3.) Polycystic ovaries on USG
Clinical manifestation of PCOS:
a.) Reproductive disorders – hyperandrogenism (ovarian and adrenal), ammenorrhoea (intermittent or complete), polycystic ovaries, high rates of miscarriage, hypersecretion of LH.
b.) Metabolic disorder – hyperinsulinemia, obesity, hyperlipedemia
c.) Steroidegenic disorders – hirsutism, acne vulgaris, androgenetic alopecia, acanthosis nigricans
PCOS largely affects three F’s of a women viz. face, figure and fertility..
Pathophysiology of PCOS: rollercoaster of hormones: women with PCOS have increased pulsative GnRH release, which results in increased levels of LH and decreased levels of FSH in most individuals.
higher LH (and insulin) levels seem to cause increased androgen production by follicular theca cells whereas decreased FSH levels leads to anovulation.
obesity and insulin resistance decrease levels of sex hormone binding globulin and thereby increase testosterone bioactivity.
maintain blood glucose levels, improve metabolic parameteres and improve lipid metabolism (improve lipid profile)
Common treatments:
lifestyle changes – such as weight loss and exercise
medications – such as oral contraceptives and insulin senitizers

Herbal remedy:
curcuma longa – antiandrogenic and antiobesity properties of curcumin
gymnema sylvestra – significant antidiabetic activity and a hypolipidemic activity
pterocarpus marsupium – insulinogenic because of post receptor intracellular medication by d-chiro-inositol
zinc oxide – an effective dietary adjuvant therapy to manage cardiovascular risk factors in PCOS patients
emblica officinalis – act as a hypolipidemic agent reducing the risk of cardiovascular complications in diabetics

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The Management of High Blood Pressure

November 3rd, 2011

The Management of
High Blood Pressure
Through Indigenous Method
Dr. Anita Sharma
Dr. Vinod Kumar Gothecha
Dr. Sunita Godara
(National Institute Of Ayurveda, Jaipur)

Hypertension or high blood pressure is the leading cause of death in the world today
The bigger danger with hypertension is that the person suffering from this condition may not even realize that he is suffering from this condition until it may become too late.
Hypertension itself is a very dangerous condition. It can cause serious damage to the liver, brains, kidneys and the heart. The damage to these vital organs is the most important cause of death.
The human heart beat has two distinct phases – the systole when the heart is at rest. During both the times, the heart exerts pressure on the blood vessels
Hypertension is a situation in which the blood pressure is elevated. It is also referred to as high blood pressure or shortened to HT, HTN or HPN. The word “hypertension”, by itself, normally refers to systemic, arterial hypertension.
Hypertension can be classified as either essential (primary) or secondary. Essential or primary hypertension means that no medical cause can be found to explain the raised blood pressure. It is common. About 90-95% of hypertension is essential hypertension. Secondary hypertension indicates that the high blood pressure is a result of (i.e., secondary to) another condition, such as kidney disease or tumours (adrenal adenoma).
Persistent hypertension is one of the risk factors for strokes, heart attacks, heart failure and arterial aneurysm, and is leading cause of chronic renal failure
Hypertension In Ayurveda
Ayurvedic texts does not explain hypertension as it is, probably because hypertension was not a major disease at that time. To find out the correlation of Hypertension in ayurveda we should first identify the factors of hypertension like symptoms and progression land structural and functional factors that got imbalanced in the diseased patients.
Secondly when these factors are correlated with diseases already mentioned in the Ayurveda texts, thus helping them to apply the treatment & medicines of correlated diseases in anew unexplained condition. Now, Ayurveda sees hypertension as a dysfunction of all the doshas, viz. vata, pitta and kapha. In Ayurveda, Hypertension is referred to as Rakta gata vata and it sees the vitiation of vata and pitta doshas as the main cause. People with Pitta and Vata predominant constitution and Pitta and Vata imbalance, are more prone to hypertension than any other.
Classification
A recent classification recommends blood pressure criteria for defining normal blood pressure, prehypertension, hypertension(stages I and II), and isolated systolic hypertension, which is a common occurrence among the elderly. These readings are based on the average of seated blood pressure readings that were properly measured during 2 or more office visits. In individuals older than 50years, hypertension is considered to be present when a person’s blood pressure is consistently at least 140 mmHg systolic or 90 mmHg diastolic
Systolic pressure diastolic pressure
mmHg kPa (kN/m2) mmHg kPa (kN/m2)

Systolic pressure Diastolic pressure
mmHg kPa (kN/m2) mmHg kPa (kN/m2)
Normal 90 -119 12 – 15 .9 60 – 79 8.0 – 10.5
Prehypertension 120 – 139 16.0 – 18.5 80 – 89 10.7 -11.9
Stage 1 140 – 159 18.7 – 21.2 90 – 99 12.0 – 13.2
Stage 2

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Herbal Hair Care – How it Works?

November 3rd, 2011

A
s many people experience the effects of increasing pollution and ill health, hair can thin out, lose its color and become brittle and dull.
Mehendi (henna)
Henna represents a natural material derived from dried leaves of the plant Lawsonia inermis. It is mainly used as a hair dye in Europe, based on the staining properties of the main active ingredient Lawsone, 2 – hydrixy – 1,4 –naphtoquinone (CAS no.83 -72 – 7). Lawsone is known to be a natural part of Henna.
Popular as Henna, Lawsonia Inermis can actually enrich, color and enhance your hair. Henna is a powerful and natural hair condition that can help heal the hair shaft by repairing and sealing the cuticle, protecting hair against breakage and loss of shine. Henna is excellent for the maintainance of the health hair.
Henna is a small tree which grows upto a height of 6 meters. It is glabrous, muiltibranched with spine tipped branchlets. Leaves are opposite, entire, glabrous, sub – sessile, elliptical and broadly lanceolate. Henna plant has lateral branches with leaves that grow in pairs, around 2 to 4 centimeters in length. Henna leaves have a red – orange dye, lawsone, and the hight dye, concentration is in the petiole (the central vein). Young leaves have the highest petiole dye content. The dye content reduces as leaves grow older. Lawsone has an affinity for bonding with protein, and thus has been used to dye skin and wool. Henna body art is made by appling henna paste to the skin: the lawsone in the paste migrates into the outermost layer of the skin and makes a redbrown stain.
Henna also imparts excellent conditioning affect as well as thickness to the hair. The henna works more efficiently when the extract of some plants like amla (Indian gooseberry), reetha (soap nuts),shikakai (Acacia Concinna) etc. are mixed added to it. Henna can be used in any type of hair. However, the darker hair produce excellent result when henna is applied on it. When used as a conditioner, Henna imparts following benefits:
? Prevents hair loss
? Strengthens hair
? Controls dandruff
? Conditions hair
? Tones and promotes healthy scalp
? Removes excess oil from the scalp
? Relives headaches and scalp tension
In the early Ayurvedic texts, Henna is being mentioned as a cure for number of skin and hair problems. It is used to manufacture natural and herbal hair oils and shampoos.
Henna has Lawsone, tannin dye molecule, in its leaves. You can’t see it chlorophull. When you pulverize the leaves and mix them with a slightly acidic liquid such as lemon juice, the dye molecule becomes available as the cell wall’s cellulose dissolves. The dye molecule can then migrate out of the past, breach cuticle cell walls in the hair shaft, and bind with the keratin.
If the idea of Lawsone “migrating” from henna paste into keratin seems confusing, compared it to this: if you put a wet teabag on a white table cloth, the tannin in the tea “migrates” from the teabag into the cloth fibers, binds with those fibers, and leaves a stain. And, the darker the stain.
To release Lawsone efficiently, while preserving the hydrogen atoms necessary to bin the molecule to the keratin, mix henna powder with an acidic liquid, and lave it at room temperature overnight.
Youtr gray hair is special. There is no melanin in the middle of gray hair!
When your hair no longer produces melanins, Only the keratin hair shaft remains. Since keratin is the same stuff your fingernails are made of, your gray hair is the same color as your fingernails. Your gray hair may be slightly yellowish or grayish, or pure white. These variations are from the structure of the keratins scale, and wether they reflect more or less light, and from minerals in the water you drink and bathe with.
Since your hair follicle isn’t busy producing melanin, your gray hair grows much faster then rest of your hair ! Your gray hair may also be a different texture from the rest of your hair.
If you henna hair that has no melanin, the only color you see from henna is the Lawsone red-orange color. If the lawsone content is high, the color will be dark red-orange, oxidizing to deep auburn (hair color that is somewhere between brown hair and red hair).
Henna has been used to treat skin infections such as tinea and it is known to have antibacterial properties which have been attributed to naphthoquinones, including lawsone (wren RC. 1988 Potter’s new cyclopaedia botanical drugs and preparations. Revised edition. Saffron Walden : CW Daniel Co. Ltd. P 143.)
As per the studies it is identified that lawsonia inermis contains – Alkaloids, quinines, Tanins & Flavanoids, out of which flavanoids are 25.5+0.18mg/g.
The study in vitro showed antibacterial activity of Lawsonia inermis. The antibacterial activity was expressed at varying degress with the activity being of both strain and does dependent. Five bacterias were used for antibacterial studies.
Medicinal plants are being used by the larger proportion of Indian population. The reason for this include a)True improvement of diseases condition after herbal treatment b)Harmful side effect and high cost of the other forms of treatment.
This study, the result were encouraging, as the Lawsonia inermis appeared to contain substances that had antimicrobial properties because of the methanolic extract of the lawsonia inermis leaves were active against five different bacteria’s. Plants showing significant activity may be due to the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins and quinines. Among the various microorganisms, the methanolic extract of lawsonia inermis was more active against Staphylococcus aureus.
Indian gooseberry:
Amla (Indian gooseberry) is a proven hair toinc and is used in all or polyherbal ayurvedic preparation for hair loss. It enriches hair growth and hair pigmentation. Amla is also excellent for strengthening the roots of the hair, maintaining color and luster. Ayurvedic medition has used Amla oil as a topical solution to give additional nutrition to the scalp and hair in order to prevent scalp infection and controls premature graying of hair.
Many recipes using amla (gooseberry) are used in various parts of the asian countries to prevent premature graying of hair, as a conditioner, to prevent hair – loss,
The berries are very nutritious, containing vital amino acids, larger amount of proteins and vitamin C, and minerals. Hair requires proteins and amino acids to grow and flourish in a healthy way. Amala contains more amino acides than even apples. It contain glutamine, proline, aspartic acid, lysine, alanine, tannin, gallic acid and albumin. It also contains high levels of needed copper, zinc and chromium.
The berries boost calcium absorption which is vital to the production of healthy hair. It preserves the color of the haor and delays the onset of gray hair, even well into old age. It provides one of the best supporting mechanisms for strengthening the hair follicles, reducing the thinning and possible baldness that could eventually occur.
A fixed oil obtained from the berries that is used to strengthen and promote the growth of the hair. The dried fruits have a good effect on hair hygiene and have long been respected as an ingredient of shampoo hair oil.
Indian gooseberry is an accepted hair tonic in traditional recipes for enriching hair growth and also pigmentation. A fixed oil obtained from the berries strengthens and promotes the growth of hair. The fruit, cut into pieces, is dried, preferably in shade and then boiled in coconut oil, the resulting oil is said to be excellent for preventing hair graying – in Ayurvedic terms, a classic sign of excess pitta dosha. The water in which dried amala pieces are soaked overnight is also said to be nourishing to the hair.
Shoe flower (Hibiscus Rose sinensis) – Commonly known as Japa pushpa or Chembarathi, Hibiscus belongs to the Malvaceae family has a showy petals usually flowering in red colors. The women from ancient times are using the combination of hibiscus flower with herbal oils have proved to have amazing effects in hair care. It is one of the most luxurious and exotic way to pamper the health of your hair.
The topical application of the formulated herbal hair oil on the denuded skins of experimental animals showed excellent hair growth completion, which was comparable to observed that in hair oil treated group that texture of hair was coarse, rough and hard as compared to the hair of minoxidil 2% treated group which were short and silky. However the exact mechanism of hair growth stimulation is still not known and further studies are a perquisite in order to evaluate the extra mechanism behind hair growth stimulation. Literature survey reveals that minoxidil is accompanied by some unwanted side effects like withdrawal alopecia, headache & dizziness etc, which limits its extensive usage or its suitability for commercial exploitation, hence along with the mechanism of action and compound showing bioactive properties in formulated hair oil, futher research work is desirable to isolate and develop compound exhibiting properties similar to minoxidil, but with lesser or mild side effects.
Much likely the hibiscus has gained a huge popularity throughout Indian and have achieved a holy platform sharing with tulsi – Basil leaves. They are usually used in all kinds of rituals and festivals in India which display all the benefits.
According to Ayurveda these leaves consist of numerous elements that benefits hair and scalp. It is widely used for the treatment of dandruff and hair fall.
Be it the world of Ayurveda or the traditional Chinese herbal medicines the concoction of herbal oil with the hibiscus flower show a great effect on the scalp posses good amount of properties which helps to restore the health of our skin and hair.
The flowers help if used regularly . The extracted juices of the flowers are blended with hair dyes like henna and indigo. The properties of hibiscus have gained world wide acknowledgement because of the astounding result it showed on the hair scalp and hair fall troubles.
Hibiscuses have soothing and cooling effect on the scalp. Usually dandruff creates rashes in scalps and worsens the condition of the scalp. When hibiscus extraction is mixed scalp it produces a very soothing effect and also repairs the damage that is created due to dandruff. Undoubtedly it also helps in eliminating the dandruff from the scalp.
It has proven of great benefits in seborrhea conditions on the scalp. During seborrhea over activity of the sebaceous glands causes the skin to become oily which is treated with the help of the hibiscus. It also reduces excess oiliness that damages your hair.
Hibiscus aids to eradicate and lessen pore clogging which improves the general look and condition of hair. It also abridges extreme scaling, itching and redness of the scalp.
According to tradition texts (Nadkarni, 1954;kumar et al., 1994), it is well accepted that the leaves and flowers of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis have hair growth promoting and anti- greying properties. Moreover, in India the herbal products in the growth including the extract of various part of Hibiscus.
The main other benefits of hibiscus have proved to give greater effect on the health of the heir. At the very bottom line it helps in eliminating the toxins from the body but at the same time it also bushels the normal acid alkaline. While massaging it already improves the blood circulation and when combine it with hibiscus it gives essential nutrients to the follicles. All the elements that are needed to counter fights the pollutants that reside in the scalp due to the pollution are eradication with the help of hibiscus.
There are many ways to use hibiscus flowers and get benefited through it. Hot and cold infusion both are very helpful in treating the hair. In a hot infusion the flower and the leaves are added to boiling water and allowed to keep it for 10 to 12 hours and then strained it before using it on the scalp. While in the cold infusion are made to stand in cold water with a ratio of is to six and then flowers are squeezed, strained and then then used. Any if this infusion can be used as last rinse after washing the hair thoroughly.
Not necessary that you have to use these infusions just after washing your hair but this mixture can also be used to wash the hair or apply on the scalp with the help with the help of the cotton wool. Blend this extracts or juice of the flowers with henna paste and place it on the hair nourishments and helps in amazing growth of the hair.
Now a days Hibiscus extract is also added to brahmi, bhringaraj, amla, henna and other such extracts, to formulate products for hair care, like cleansers, hair tonics, anti-dandruff preparations, hair conditioners and rinses.
Hibiscus Hair oil Recipe
Shikakai: Acacia concinna is a tree native to Asia, common in the warm, plains of central & south Indian. Alkaloids are found in abundance in the fruit.
Acacia concinna has been used traditionally for hair care in the Indian subcontinent since ancient times. It is one of the Ayurvedic meditional plants. The fruits is known in India as shikakai. The word shikakai, means “fruits for hair”, it is a traditional shampoo used in India In order to prepared it the fruit pods, leaves and bark of Acacia concinna are dried, powdered and made into a paste.
While this traditional shampoo does not produce the normal amount of lather that a sulfate – containing shampoo would, it is a good cleanser. It is mild, having a naturally low pH, and doesn’t strip hair of natural oils. Usually no conditioner is needed, for shikakai also acts as a detangler.
Acacia concinna extracts are used in natural shampoos or hair powders and the tree is now grown commercially in India and Far East Asisa. The plant parts used for the dry powdered or the extract are the bark, leaves or pods. The bark contains high levels of saponins, which are foaming agents that are found in several other plant species. Saponin – containing plants have a long history of use as mid cleaning agents. Saponins from the plant’s ponds have been traditionally used as a detergent.
The name “shikakai” literally means “fruit for hair”. The powdered pods, leaves and bark of the shikakai shrub (Acacia concinna) have been used for cleansing hair and in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. Shikakai is reputed to get rid of dandruff, reduce shedding and help strengthen hair.

How Shikakai Works as a Shampoo
Shikakai’s pods contain saponins, compounds which produce lather when mixed with water and shaken. These saponins help to clean oil off the shikakai helps to condition the hair powder is finely – ground, medium browh and has has a pleasant smell reminiscent of fruit tea.
Unlike commercial shampoos, shikakai does not produce mountains of lather. It is a milder cleanser than other natural shampoo substitutes such as baking soda. Due to its conditioning properties shikakai can be used alone: it can also be followed by a natural condition such as a hair treatment package with other herbs such as henna and fenugreek (methi). Another popular practice and let it soak for a few hours, before applying the shikakai to soak up the excess oil and cleanse the scalp.
Coconut oil:
Coconut oil is very popular and the most preferred among the hair oil worldwide. Let us find out why. If you ever visit coastal parts of India, like West Bengal, Kerala, Coastal Tamil Nadu etc, you will be surprised to see lots and lots of old men and women, in their 70s and 80s, still having thick jet black hair. Thanks to the coastal climate, the rice and fish meal and of course, to the pure coconut oil they use on hair. Since their childhood, people living in most of the coastal areas of the world, more specifically in the area where coconut grows in abundance, such as in the Indian Subcontinent, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malaysia, Burma, Philippines etc., known the one and the only, the sweet smelling coconut oil as their only hair oil. Coconut oil has been in use as hair oil for ages and it has shown remarkable results. Certain vitalized, nourished and protected from effects of ageing. Let us see those components and their effects on hair.
Lauric Acid:
One of the most responsible reason behind hair fall and hair loss is microbial action on the scalp and hair roots. So, to protect hair against them, what we need is an antimicrobial agent. Lauric Acid present in coconut oil is one of them. It is basically a triglyceride which yields a monoglyceride called Monolaurin when acted breaks the glycerol bonds. This monolaurin has excellent antimicrobial properties.

Capric Acid:
This is yet another triglyceride present in coconut oil, which, like Lauric Acid, yields another monoglyceride called Monocaprin due to bacterial action, having antimicrobial properties similar to that of monolaurin.
Vitamin – E:
Almost every aptly educated person knows the importance of vitamin – E for skin and hair. It keeps scalp and skin healthy and hair rejuvenated.
Moisture Retaining Capacity:
Coconut oil has high moisture retaining capacity, since it is not broken down easily nor evaporated, being very stable. It does not let moisture escape thus keeping hair moistened and soft. This prevents breakage of hair. Coconut oil is a far better conditioner for hair than any synthetic one available in the market.
Anti – Dandruff:
The various fatty acids present in coconut oil serve as very good anti dandruff shampoo. A regular application can help you get rid of dandruff for ever.
Styling:
Coconut oil can be good styling oil for hair too, as it melts on heating and then condenses on cooling. So when you apply it on your hair, it thins and spreads evenly due to heat of the scalp. Soon afterwards, as the hair comes in condenses on cooling and thus works as a styling gel or cream.

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Joint Rejuvenation Through Ayurveda

November 3rd, 2011

O
steo arthritis or joint degeneration is crippling Indian population.
Patients suffering with this condition are increasing alarmingly. A
recent pan-Indian health survey reveals that osteoarthritis has
emerged as the numero uno ailment in India, even trouncing traditional heavyweights like AIDS , diabetes ,cancer and hypertension.
The survey – titled ‘TNS Arogya 2006-07 The Heath Monitor’ –
Conduct by TNS, an ISO-accredited market research agency in Delhi, in
October 2007, was carried out across 15 cities – Delhi, Lucknow , Ludhiana, Jaipur, Varanasi, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Cochin, Kolkata, Patna, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Nagpur and Indore. According to the study, in the age band of 25 to 35 years, osteoarthritis is the second most prevalent disease in
India after diabetes. Despite this, reports the study, awareness amongst
Indians about the bone aliment is almost nil as compared to high profile
Diseases like cancer, AIDS and diabetes.
Osteoarthritis – or degenerative join diseases (DJD) – is a common rheumatological disorder .
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 70 million Indians are its victims, nearly 80per cent of them above 75 tears
The objectives of the TNS annual survey are to map the state prevalence rates of important diseases in India and to calculate the stated incidence rates for commonly occurring aliments in the country. This research is a point to the healthcare habits of Indians – their attitudes towards well-being and preferences for over –the-counter (OTC) medicines for common ailments.
Osteoarthritis – or degenerative joint disease (DJD) – is a common rheumatological disorder. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 70 million Indians are its victims, early 80 per cent of them about 75 years. Although the symptoms occur earlier in women, the prevalence of osteoarthritis among men and women is at par, say experts.
Osteo arthritis has become a common phenomenon in the urban population. It is also steadily growing in the rural popution. Once thought as old man’s disease is striking young generation.
Often called “wear and tear” arthritis, osteoarthistist (OA) is the most common form of arthitist in the world over. In most case, over time, symptoms being to occur. OA is the most commonly found in the:
Knees
Hips
Hands and fingers
Spine
Wrists, elbows, shoulders, and ankles can also be affected by OA, but this occurs less frequency. When OA is been a history of injury or stress to that joint.
Symptoms
Typically, OA comes on slowly. For many, the first signs are joints that ache after physical work or exercise. As the disease progresses, other most common symptoms include:
• Pain in joint
• Swelling or tenderness in one or more joints
• Stiffness after periods of inactivity, such as sleeping or sitting
• Flare –ups of pain and inflammation after use of the affected joint
• Crunching feelings or sounds of bone rubbing on bone (called crepitus) when the joints is used.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to talk to your doctor to find out if you have OA. It most often occurs in the following areas:

knees
Because knees are primarily weight-bearing joints, they are very commonly affected by OA. If you have OA in your knees, you may feel that these joints are stiff, swollen, and painful, making it hard to walk, climb, and get in and out of chairs and bathtubs.
Hips
OA in the hip can cause pain, stiffness, and severe disability. hips both support the weight of the body and enable movement of your lower body. when you have OA in your hips, you may also feel the pain in your groin, inner thigh, or knees. OA in the hip can lead to difficulty moving, bending and walking.

Fingers and Hands
When OA occurs in hands and fingers, the base of the thumbs joint is commonly affected and people experience stiffness, numbness, and aching. Other symptoms of hand and finger OA include:
• Heberden’ s nodes: small bony knobs that appear on the end joints of fingers
• Bouchard’s nodes: small bony knobs that appear on the middle joints of fingers
Spine
If you have OA of the spine, you may experience stiffness and pain in the neck or in the iower back. Sometimes arthritis-related changes in the spine can put pressure on the nerves, causing weakness or numbness in your arms or legs.
What causes osteoarthritis?
While the exact cause of OA is unknown, joint damage can be due to repetitive movement (also known as “wear and tear”). It can also begin as the result of an injury. Either way, with OA there’s erosion of the cartilage, the part of the joint that covers the ends of the bones.
• Cartilage acts as a shock absorber, allowing the joint to move smoothly.
• As cartilage breaks down, the ends of the bones thicken and the joint may lose its normal shape.
• With further cartilage breakdown, the ends of the bones may begin to rub together, causing pain.
• In addition, damaged joint tissue can cause the release of certain substances called prostaglandins, which can also contribute to the pain and swelling characteristic of the disease.
Here are some factors that may increase your risk of developing OA.
Age
Age is the strongest risk factor for OA. Although OA can start in young adulthood, in these case, it is often due to join injury.
Gender
OA affects both men and women. However , before age 45, OA occurs more frequently in men; after age 45, OA is more common in women.
Joints injury or overuse caused by physical labor or sports
Traumatic injury to a joint increases your risk of developing OA in that joint. Joints that are used repeatedly in certain jobs may be more likely to develop OA because of injury or overuse.
Obesity
The chances of getting OA generally increase with the amount of weight the body’s joints have to bear. The knee is particularly affected because it is a major weight-bearing joint.
Joint Alignment
People with joints that don’t move or fit together correctly, like bowlegs, dislocated hips, or double- jointedness, are more likely to develop OA in these joints.

Heredity
An inherited defect in one of the genes responsible for manufacturing cartilage may be a contributing factor in developing OA.
Osteoarthritis diagnosis
If you experience joint pain, stiffness, and / or swelling that won’t go away, you should make an appointment to see your doctor. Your doctor . your doctor will be able to determine if you have arthritis and ,if so, what type.

When you see your doctor about your symptoms, he or she may ask questions about when and how you started experiencing them. The doctor will probably give you a physical examination to check your general health, and examine the joints that joints that are bothering you.

You may also need other tests to help confirm the diagnosis of OA and determine the extent and severity of joint damage. Some of these may include:

x-rays
x-rays can helps the doctor determine weather you have OA or rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A series of x-ray obtain over time can show how fast joint damage is progressing. X-ray of the affected joints can show cartilages loss, bone damage, and extra bone growth (known as bone spurs) that can develop on the surface of normal bones.

Joint Aspiration
If your doctor is still uncertain about the diagnosis or suspects that you may have an infection, he or she may perform joint aspiration. In this procedure, your doctor , your doctor withdraws and examines synovial fluid (a liquid that lubricates the joint) from affected joints using a needle.
If you are experiencing some of these symptoms, the sooner you talk to your doctor, the sooner you may get diagnosed and get treatment.

What’s behind the OA scenario?
India, a place of work and worship, is crippling due to over exposure of foreign culture. It does not mean that we should oppose foreign culture but we should not leave our tradition. Our tradition. Our traditions are scientific, intend for healthy living.
Globalization is turning out to be the major destructor of health. More and more sophistication and comforts are leading us to become more and more sedentary. Unhealthy food and food that does not suit our lifestyle and environment is invading our kitchens. All these factors are the major causative factor that are making Indian population suffer not only with osteoarthritis but with many other lifestyle diseases like coronary Artery diseases (CAD), Hypertension (high blood pressure) Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and so on.

Osteo arthritis and Ayurveda
Ayurveda clearly described osteo arthritis as “sandhigate vata”, a disease caused by the vata dosha. Joint or sandhi in Sanskrit , is nurtured by sleshmaka kapha or the synovial fluid and the joint is kept intact by the mamsa (muscles), kandara (tendons)and snaya (ligaments). These structures will be maintained in normalcy by the proper food and activities of the individual. Hyper and hypo activities, injury and improper food habits will give rise to imbalance of the structures and resulting in detangement of the doshas leading to degeneration of the joint.
Vata dosha, a primordial factor related to the functional aspect of the body , maintains the sensory and functional aspects of the body. Vata dosha governs all movement in the physiology, from the subtle, fleeting movement of a though flitting across your mind to the coursing of blood through your arteries and veins.
When deranged/ aggrevated vata dosha lodges in the joint / sandhi it induces its specific qualities like dryness, roughness of the joint and thus produce degeneration of the joint.

Management
The management of the dieases is
A)Generalized approach
B)Individual specific approach

Generalized approach:
Here common procedures explained for vata dosha like sneha (internal and external oleation) and sveda (fomentation procedures), vasti (medicated enema), rakta mokshana (bloodletting through venesection and leech), agni karma (thermal cauterization) and other medicines and diet prescribed are used. The severity will determine the course of the treatment.

Individual Specific Approach:
According to the Prakruti (nature of the individual) and his strength the treatment is determined specific. It is more effective treatment. For example- For a lean person who is suffering with knee OA he should be prescribed fresh Guggulu (gum resin of commiphora mukul) and obese patient should be prescribed old guggulu.

Joint Rejuvenation:
Joint rejuvenation is possible with Rasayana therapy, a unique therapeutic procedure having inscrutable results. Rasayana therapy should be strictly taken under the therapy regenerates almost all the types of cells like blood, bone, bone marrow etc. along with Rasayan therapy, the other procedures aimed at rejuvenation of the joint includes Vasti (medicated enema), the top most therapeutic procedure having enigmatic results. But before starting therapies primary treatments should be done to make body fit for undergoing those procedures. These primary procedures will any how stop the degeneration of the joint and relieve the pain and stiffness immediately. These primary therapies are
a)Upakarmas – sneha (oil therapy), sveda (fomentation therapy)
b)Lepa – Ubtans
c)Bandhana – knee cap and other fixtures
d)Bheshaja kalpa – medicinis

Sneha:
External and internal oil application is the basic step in reducing the aggrevated vata dosha and soothes the chennels of the dosha and soothes the channels of the body. Sneha , fat in general, has the properties to reduce the vata dosha. Vasa (muscle fat) and majja (bone marrow) are said to be specific fat for joint disease. These two fats i.e. vasa (muscle fat) and majja(bone marrow) should be given internally and also to be applied externally.
For consuming internally and for external application the fats should be cooked (sneha paka) accordingly with or without specific herbs. These fats can be given in small doses for internal administration for longer period. For panchakarma purpose the internal administration is very specific and should be done by an expert ayurvedic physician .
Different kinds of external application to be carried depending upon the severity of the disease like abhyanga (smearing, in the early conditions), seka (pouring lukewarm/hot oil), pichu (applying cotton soaked oil on the affected and vasti (retaining oil on the affected site and enema). These procedures are very effective vasti is the most effective among the procedures.
Sveda/Fomentation:
Fomentation of different joints will ease the stiffness and provides much relaxation for the joints. It enhances the blood circulation by dilatation of the local blood vessels thus enhancing the clearance of the local toxins and wastes.
There are different types of formentation procedures explained in ayurveda like panda sveda (bolus formentation), avagaha sveda (dipping type fomentation), Nadi sveda (fumigating type formentation) etc. the selection of the sveda depends upon the condition of the disease as well as the patient.
Lepa/Ubatans:
External application of different kinds of pastes / ubtans also ease thejoint stiffness and reduces pain and inflammation. Herbal powders prepared from the herbs like Rasna (Alpine galaga), kusta (sausurea leppa), kulatha (Dolichos biflorus), kola (zizypus jujube) etc applied with kanji (fermented rice washed water) or lima juice or specific decoctions will be more useful.

Bandhana/Bandage:
External bandaging of the affected known as bandhana can be the present day knee support and lumbar support. They restrict the movement of the joint and support the muscle of the joint and thus avoiding futher damage of the joint. These supports are meant for alternate support of the joint and as such these are not main stream theyapy.
Medicine:
There are number of medicines available for Osteo arthritis. Don’t limit the treatment with calcium supply only. Out of 80 percent people who suffer with osteoarthritis will have a normal serum calcium level normal. So its not that they are deprived of calcium but the channels supplying calcium are blocked. Also it should be noted that the synovial membrane covering the joints is the part which is torn and it is this torn synovial membrane and leading to the degeneration of the bone. So the synovial membrane , which is made up medicines containing glucosamine, chondratin will be of much benefit rather than simply stuffing the body with calcium.
Ayurveda has understood the very basics of this physiology and thus we come across a very few calcium preparations for the treatment of osteoarthritis. Medicines aiming in improving calcium channel clearance and medicines which regenerate cartilage were given much importance.
Some of the is useful preparations for Osteo arthritis.
Internal medication
Rasnadi Kashayam, Gandharva hastadi Kashayam,
Yoga raja guggulu, maha yoga raja guggulu, saptavimshati guggulu, simhanada guggulu, rasnadi guggulu
Vatavidhamsini ras, amavatari as, vatachintamsini ras,
Kukkutanda bhasma, pravala bhasma, mukta pisti
Ksheerabala 101 avarti drops, dhanwantaram 101 avarti drops, gandha tailam

External medication
Kottam chukkadi choornam, kola kulathadi choornam
Dhanvantaram tailam, Narayana tailam, Maha Masha tailam, Kebukadi tailam
Panchakarma
Ksheera vasti – it has been proved very effective in the cases of osteoarthritis and osteo porosis.
Virechna – virechana clears the Pureesha dhara kala/asthi dhara kala i.e the layer responsible for the absorption of precursors of bone (bone forming elements).virechana clears the toxins and waste material that is logged in this layer and enhances absorption of bone precursors.
Diet:
Old wheat, red rice, brown rice, moong dal, lentils, cows milk, ghee, bone marrow, fish, chicken, mutton are very good.
Food that which enhances the formation of collagen is highly beneficial. Foods which are rich in fibre and vitamin C will help to produce collagen.
Exercise
Patients suffering with Osteo arthritis should do exercises depending upon the severity of the disease. Doctor’s advice is a must. Physiotherapy is very promising in recovering from Osteo arthritis clubbed with Ayurvedic treatments.

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Ayurveda Purification Procedure

August 8th, 2011

It has now been scientifically shown that a natural purification treatment can successfully eliminate environmentally toxic substances such as polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB’s) and pesticides from the body, without damaging side effects.

A study at the Institute of Science, Technology and Public Policy at Maharishi University of Management in Fairfield, Iowa in collaboration with a special laboratory at Colorado University demonstrated that classical Panchakarma treatment eliminated up to 50% of the detectable toxins in the blood.

Chemicals injure health

The world’s largest facility for substance identification, the Chemical Abstracts Service in Columbus, Ohio, USA, currently has more than 13 million artificial substances registered. At least 100,000 of these industrial commodities combine into a chemical “soup” which we constantly absorb through food, air and our skin. Experts calculate that in Germany 30% of the population suffer from environmentally induced diseases.

Most of the toady’s environmental toxins are lipophils that accumulate in the fatty tissues of the body. These fat-soluble toxins are associated with a range of diseases such as hormone disruption, immune system suppression, allergies, diseases of the liver and skin, various types of cancer, neurological illness, reproductive disorders and deformities.
The study
The study consisted of two parts: a cross-sectional comparison and a longitudinal pre- and post- treatment. It was designed to examine the level of contamination by toxins in the population and the effectiveness of Panchakarma treatment in eliminating these poisons.
Panchakarma Treatment
Several modalities in the Ayurveda detoxification procedure use non-toxic, lipophilic materials, such as clarified butter in the oleation phase and herbalized sesame oil in the massage and enema treatments. These traditional methods are believed to sequentially loosen and remove lipid soluble toxicants from their deposited sites and stimulate their elimination.
The cross-sectional study
88 subjects, age 45 years and older, participated in the cross-sectional study: 48 had previously undergone the detoxification procedure an average of 18 times and 40 had not. Blood samples from both groups were sent to the Analytical Laboratory in the Department of Environmental Health at Colorado State University that was blind to the
treatment status of the subjects.

PCBs and Pesticides Found in Blood Samples
Blood samples from both cross-sectional groups were assayed for 17 lipophilic toxicants, including 9 polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners and 8 pesticides and metabolites, such as DDE, a by-product of DDT. The specific PCBs and pesticides that were studied had either been previously linked to major health problems or had been of high concern for their potential toxicity.
The results showed that blood levels of PCBs and several pesticides were significantly lower in the detoxification group than in the controls.
The longitudinal study
In the longitudinal study, blood samples from 15 subjects who participated in the Vedic Approach to Health Ayurvedic detoxification procedure were assayed, pre- and post-treatment, by Colombia State University Analytical Laboratory.
The results of the two-month longitudinal study showed that PCBs and Beta-HCH levels were reduced by 46 percent and 58 percent respectively in the MVAH detoxification group. Without this intervention, the expected drop in PCBs and Beta-HCH over two months would be only a fraction of one percent. Previously, no method had been scientifically verified to reduce levels of these lipid-soluble toxicants in the human body without causing negative side effects.

Assessment
The study came to two conclusions:
1) An alarming finding of the study was that PCB and DDE levels appear to be unexpectedly high in the general population, and may actually be increasing. This is surprising since these toxicants were banned decades ago in many countries. However they have not disappeared from the environment since they have half-lives several years in duration. Also they are still entering the food chain through imports.
2) Within days Panchakarma treatment eliminated a large proportion of these fat-soluble toxins from the body. Without this intervention, the expected drop would be only a fraction of one percent.

Study Shows Banned PCBs and Agrochemicals in Blood Reduced 50 Percent
By Centuries-Old Detoxification Procedure.

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Use of “PINAK” in the treatment of Scorpion Stings

January 15th, 2010

Use of “PINAK” in the treatment of Scorpion Stings

Dr. R.G.RAUT

Medical officer, PHc Dimbhe,Pune District

 

Dr.HANAMANTRAO CHAVAN

District Health Officer,Pune District

 

Dr. P.S. PAWAR

Medical Superintendent,

Sassoon General Hospital, Pune

 

Dr. S.P. GAIKWAD

Head of the Department of Ayurveda,

Sassoon General Hospital, Pune

 

Pinak is an ayurvedic antivenin used for snake bite cases. Feedback from patients of scorpion stings stimulated us for this study. Now we have concluded that a single table of Pinak is able to cure scorpion stings cases completely. More tables may be required in few selected cases of scorpion stings.

Scorpion stings are a major public health problem in many under developed tropical countries. Every year more than 1,25,000 cases of scorpion stings are reported in India and a few unlucky ones loose their life due to it. Most of these cases occurs in the rural areas.

Out of 1500 scorpion species, 50 are dangerous to humans. The lethal scorpion found in the Asia continent belong to Megobuthus.

The scorpion’s venom is composed of varying concentrations of neurotoxin, cardiotoxin, nephrotoxin, hemolytic toxin, hyaluronidases, phosphodiesterases, phospholipases, histamine, serotonin, tryptophan and cytokine reieasers.    Scorpion stings cause a wide range of contributions, from severe local skin reactions to neurologic, respiratory and cardiovascular collapse. Most deaths occur during the first 24 hours after the scorpion sting and are due to respiratory or caddiovascular failure. Further more, patients in rural areas tend to fare worse than patients in urban areas because of the delay in getting medical helo due to a longer travel time to medical centres.

Treatment generally consists of moving the patients’ airway and vital signs, follwed by administration of antivenin and institution of symptomatic and local treatment.

It may be noted that scorpion toxins do not induce abtibodies that cross-react against toxins of other scorpion species. Thus, no universal antivenin is available. Instead, 22 different types of scorpion antivenins exist. It does not prevent or protect the victim from cardiovascular manifestitaions. Moreover, it is not free from cardiovascular manifestations; also it is not free from anaphylaxis. It takes 45 minutes to reach peak tissue concentrations. In animals no beneficial effects of antivenin are observed if, it is injected more than 15 minutes after envenomation.

A majority of the victims go to ‘vaidu’ for treatment. Very few patients of scorpion stings come to State hospitals, because of lack of availability of treatment for scorpion bite in the State hospitals.Antivenom although available in the market, is very costly. It is beyond the reach of the rural folk. The treatment given by the doctors in the hospitals consists of a local xylocaine injection.

Pinak tablet has been in use in the area i.e.  Satara, Solapur, Pune districts in India for quite some time. People store these tablets in their household and administer themselves as and when required i.e.any bite. There have been encouraging reports from people regarding Pinak use for scorpion stings. And, there have been no untoward incidents so far.If the Pinak tablet is made available to all in the area and then across the country, a large menace troubling the people can be effectively tackled there by reducing the morbidity and preventing mortality.

Oral toxicity of Pinak tablets were studied by the Indian Institute of Toxicology, Pune (a NAbL accredited laboratory) which concluded that LD50 in rats was found to be greater than 2000mg/kg body weight.

The Pinak tablet is purely of herbal origin. It is polyvalent.The contents are:

i)Erythrina Indica

ii)Mangifera Indica

iii)Eugenia Jambolana

iv)Jasminum Sombac

The heavy metal content of the Pinak preparation is well below the permissible levels i.e.0-6 ppm.

All the patients were given single Pinak tablet sublingually and observed for a minimum of 30 minutes.

Hence, the present study was taken the effect of yhe Pinak used in scorpion sting cases.

Case Definition:

Any person irrespective of age, coming with a history of scorpion sting or symptoms suggestive of scorpion stings were considered for study.

 

Material and Methods:

The  study was conducted from 01.02.2008 to 25.03.2009 in a little over one year. Cases were more during May, June, July and August months. However, a clear cut seasonal association was not observed. Also there was no diurnal variation observed.

All the patients were treated in dimbhe PHC of Pune District. 25 Patients were referred by MPW/ANM while rest of the patients i.e. 35 patients came to PHC on their own and seen by the Medical Officer In charge of PHC. A detailed history was taken so as to confirm  the scorpion stings and type of scorpion species involved. All the patients were given single Pinak tablet sublingually and observed for a minimum of 30 minutes. After stabilization of their clinical condition and relief of pain, the patients were allowed to go home. A home visit was paid to these patients, the next day by the ANM/MPW of the PHC area to enqyire about the condition of the patient. 

 

After giving Pinak tablets sublingually, they were assessed for relief of pain and the effects on their CNS status by a visual analogue scale.

 

Results of the study:

A total of 30 patients of scorpion sting were included in the present study. Table I shows the age wise distribution of these patients.

Table I. Age wise distribution of scorpion sting cases

                          

Age (in years)

Male

Female

Total

Less than 5

0(0.0)

0(0.0)

0(0.0)

5-9

0(0.0)

1(3.3)

1(3.3)

10-19

3(10.0)

2(6.7)

5(16.7)

20-29

5(16.7)

3(10.0)

8((26.7)

30-39

4(13.3)

3(10.0)

7(23.3)

40-49

3(10.0)

1(3.3)

4(13.3)

50-59

2(6.7)

0(0.0)

2(6.7)

60~

0(0.0)

3(10.0)

3(10.0)

All

17(56.7)

13(43.3)

30(100.0)

 

Note: Figures in bracket indicate percentages in under five age group. Except that, there were patients from all other age groups. A large proportion of patients were in 20-29 years (26.7%) and 30-39 years (23.3%). There were fewer cases from extreme age groups. The 20-40 years is an active age group involved in field work and is naturally exposed to scorpion stings more.

 

 

 

 

Table II. Site of scorpion bite

 

Body part involved

Number

Percentage

1.Lower Limbs

16

53.34

2.Upper Limbs

13

43.33

3.Abdomen

0

0.0

4.Head and Neck

0

0.0

5.back

1

3.33

All

30

100.00

 

 

Lower limbs were the most commonly involved (53.34%) followed by upper limbs (43.33%)since these are the peripheral parts involved in field work,they were exposed to Scorpion stings.

 

Table III. Swelling at the site of scorpion bites:

 

Swelling

Number

Percentage

Present

16

53.33

Absent 14

46.67

 

Tatal

30

100.00

 

A little over half of the patients (53.33%) had swelling at the site of the bite.

Most of the patients i.e 25 (83.33%) had a burning sensation at the site of bite, while 2(6.67%) had tingling sensation. Also, in 26 (86.67%) redness was observed around the site of sting. One patient had oedema around the site of sting.

On examination, it was observed that all the patients were conscious, afebrile and palpitation out of the 30 patients. 20(66.67%) out of the 30, complained of sweating.

 

 

 

 

 

Table IV. Pulse rate of patients

 

Pulse rate per minute

Number

Percentage

Up to 69

0

0.0

70-79

3

10.00

80-89

15

50.00

90-99

8

26.67

100-110

4

13.33

All

30

100.00

 

In 4 patients (13.33%) tachycardia was observed while in 8 patients (26.67%), an increased pulse rate of 90-99 per minute was observed. Usually in scorpion stings, an increased pulse rate is observed.

 

Table v.Diastolic blood pressure of patients:

 

Blood pressure (in mm Hg)

Number

Percentage

Up to 60

0

0.0

60-69

5

16.67

70-79

15

50.00

80-89

10

33.33

90-99

0

0.0

100~

0

0.0

All

30

100.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table VI. Respiratory Rate of patients:

Respiratory rate per minute

Number

Percentage

14-15

9

30.00

16-17

18

60.00

18-19

3

10.00

All

30

100.00

 

In 9 (30%) patients the respiratory rate was 14 or 15 per minute.

Table VII.Time gap from scorpion bite to administration of Pinak tablets

Time Gap

Number

Percentage

Up to 30 min

9

30.00

31-60 min

10

33.33

61- 90 min

3

10.00

91-120 min

3

10.00

151-180 min

1

3.33

181 min~

1

3.33

 

30

3.33


 

Table VIII. Blood pressure (Hypertension) in patients:

Systolic BP(in mm Hg)

Number

Percentage

Less than 90

0

00.00

91-120

23

76.67

121~-140

7

23.33

141~

0

00.00

All

30

100.00


None of the patients had hypotension or hypertension. Majority i.e.(76.67%) had a systolic blood pressure between 91 to 120 mm Hg.

 

Table Ix. Evaluation of CNS effects

CNS effects

Upto 20%

21-40

41-60

61-80

81-100

1.Depressed to Euphoric

0

(0.0)

4

(13.3)

14

(46.67)

11

(36.67)

1

(3.33)

2.Passive to Active

0

(0.00

0

(0.0)

7

(23.33)

13

(43.33)

10

(33.33)

3.Tired to alert

0

(0.0)

4

(13.3)

9

(30.00)

11

(36.67)

6

(20.00)

4.Relaxed to tense

6

(20.00)

7

(23.33)

5

(16.67)

11

(36.67)

1

(3.33)

5.Anxious to confident

0

(0.0)

3

(10.00)

6

(20.00)

11

(36.67)

10

(33.33)

 

Note: Figures in parentheses indicate percentages.

When the effects of Pinak in CNS were evaluated, it was observed that, 4 (13.3%) were depressed as opposed to 12 (40%) patients with euphoric state. While in the remaining 14 (46.67%), it was neither depressed nor euphoric.

Majority of the patients i.e. 23 (77%) were active with none in passive state.

Majority i.e.17 (56.67%) were alert. However 4 patients (13.3%) felt tiredness.

Almost equal number of patients were found to be relaxed 13 (43.33%) as compared to tense patients 12(40%).

While 3 patients (10%) were found to be anxious, 21 (70%) felt that they were confident.

The patients were evaluated on a visual analogue scale of 1 to 10 for assessment of pain before and after administration of Pinak tablets.

Table X: Mean visual analogue score of pain

Before Pinak

After Pinak

Mean Reduction in Score

7.47

1.9

5.57

      Paired                        P<0.001             Highly Significant

t-test=19.17          

Table XI: Change in visual analogue score level of pain after Pinak

Pinak

administration

Visual  Analogue Score Level

0-3                 4 to 6            7 & above

Before Pinak

Nil                  6(20.0)       24 &above

After Pinak administration

27(90.0)         2(6.67)       1(3.33)

 

Z test for score 7+ =9-58        P<0.001 Highly significant

Majority of the patients came with severe pain i.e., 24 (80%) had pain score of more than 7 while 20 (20%) were in 4-6 pain score. After Pinak administration an overwhelming proportion i.e., 27 (90%) were in 0-3 scale while only one individual had a pain score of more than 7 and above. In the absence of any active international treatment, the pain due to scorpion sting takes many hours to come down. It may be noted that the assessment in reduction of pain was done after 30 minutes. Hence, this reduction of pain can be attributed to the effect of Pinak administration (Table XI).

From table x, we can compare the mean visual analogue score of pain assessment before and after Pinak Administration. The main pain score which was 7.47 before Pinak reduced to just 1.9 after Pinak administration, which was highly significant statistically calso.

Clinically, we noted swelling and redness followed the same fate as pain.

Summary and Conclusion:

A total of 30 cases of scorpion stings were considered in the present study. They were all administered Pinak tablets orally. Only one patient needed lignocaine injection locally. No serious untoward reactions were noted to Pinak administration. None of the patients experienced the serious effects of scorpion evvenomation. The severity of pain came down rapidly after Pinak administration. In fact in 5 patients there was no pain at all after Pinak intake. It is worthwhile noting that 80% of the patients had a severe pain i.e a pain visual analogue score of 7 and above before Pinak administration; and which came down to just 3.3% after Pinak intake. 90% of the patients had little or no pain at all. Thus the present study demonstrates the effectiveness of Pinak in scorpion stings cases.

The high cost of the present antivenom, non-availability of antivenom in most of the rural areas, the non-specific antivenom that is available today; all these factors compared with the easy availability, storage and administration of Pinak, relatively it’s low cost and high effectiveness of Pinak make it a good alternative choice for consideration in the treatment of scorpion stings cases.

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BOON OR BANE

January 15th, 2010

 

 

 

Use Of Herbo Mineral Formulation In ayurveda:

BOON OR BANE

Dr Anand Chaudhary

Converting toxic materials like minerals, metals and heavy metals in to medicinal forms to eradicate many diseases which cannot be properly treated with the help of other drugs, is an art in Ayurveda.

Since last two decades,Ayurveda, the complete system of medicine and a way of living in positive renovation of human health in all stages of life, is creating its own space on global canvas of wellbeing, effectively.The basic rationale and explanation for this is its doctrine of pharmaceutics, diagnostics, therapeutics and over all attention on mental health through spirituality and learning processes to cope up stress and build up individual psychosoma to the grade of enlightenment.

The material- medica of Ayurvedic system of medicine comprised of resources of three different origin viz herbal, mineral-metal and animal. More than six hundred herbs are addressed in writings of Ayurveda from 2000 BC to 2000AD.These herbs have been attended by scholars to explore their pharmacological and therapeutic area.Pharmacognosy and pharmaceutics of these herbs are taken care of by concerned personnel to provide best exclusive dosage forms of Ayurvedic medicaments of herbal origin.

A big boom was felt in Ayurvedic pharmaceutics in 15th century AD and onwards when material-medica of mineral and metal origins started taking over on exclusive herbal phenomenon of Ayurvedic formulations. Substantial incorporation of these medicines of mineral-metallic origins as single drug or in combination of herbs which may be termed as Herbo mineral formulations are visible from the classics of Ayurveda since 11 century AD with palpable prominence from 14 century AD to 18 century AD. Fascinating inventions were made during that period for proper assimilation and absorption of these drugs which eventually showed extensive variety of pharmacological and therapeutic results on specific disorders with better palatability, greater shelf life period and less dose pattern.

The essence of substances of animals origin are also viable in Ayurvedic formulations as application of milk, ghee, urine and other materials are added in specific medicaments for purpose of potentiating or purifying of different substances.

In present global scenario very optimistic attitude is prevailing for Ayurvedic system of medicine not only to cure and prevent ailments but for adding unconstrained quality in life. This created fear and jealousy among managers of giant allopathic manufacturing concerns because any progress in Ayurvedic system of medicine would affect directly their income. And their combined efforts are very much targeting Ayurveda by means of TV shows radio talks and up to my surprise with some so called designated research papers. Although the Gove of India challenged the methodology of these papers it remains unanswered, And in the end of the game when these medicines were banned by some European Government, we had done some research into it. But the findings were presented in media in misleading form. In fact we invite Indian stakeholders of Ayurveda to collaborate with us in this regard.

Ayurvedic Pharmaceutics

All substances of any origin are first treated with many pharmaceutical processes for their conversion from raw material to remedies for treatment diseases and strengthening normal physiology to enhance immune culture of body.

 

 

 

The herbal dosage forms are prepared by applying techniques to prepare particularized formula which have been depicted in table 1

 

 

Table  No.1

Sr no

Dosage forms

Formulation

Indication

 

01

Swarasa (self expressed juises)

Tulsi swarasa

Mild respiratory disorders

 

02

Kalka (mass/paste)

Nimba Kalka

Wound healing

 

03

Kwath (decoction)

Rasna saptak kwath

Anti inflammatory and analgesic effects

 

04

Churna (fine powder)

Hinguastak churna

Digestive disorders(appetizer)

 

05

Vati (Pills)

Rasona Vati

Anti arthritis remedy

 

06

Avaleha (confectionaries)

Chavyan prash

Immuno modulator

 

07

Ghee & Thaila (medicated oleogenous product)

Brahami ghrita

Memory enhancer and stress releaser

 

08

Asav & Arishta (fermented products)

Dashmularishta

Gynecological disorders

 

These all exclusive herbal dosage forms are privileged with their unique method of preparation which is described very systematically in Sharangdhar samhita of  13 century AD.

 

 

 

 

 

The ranges of dosage forms of herbo mineral formulations are also full of illustrations which are summarized in table no 2

Table no.2

Sr no

Dosage forms

Formulation

Indication

01

Bhasma (Incinerated/calcined form)

a.Metallic

b.Minerallic

c.Non metals

 

 

Swarna Bhasma

Makshila Bhasma

Shankha Bhasma

 

 

 

 

Rejuvenator

Haematinic

Osteoporosis

02

Kajjali (a triturated product of Parad and Gandhak)

In combination of many other ingredients

As per indication of formulations

03

Parpati (a specially designed product of Parada and Gandhak)

Panchamrita parpati

Digestive disorders

04

Kupi Pakwa rasa (a Spacially designed product of Parada and gandhak)

Rasa Sindoor

Potency enhancer of many formulations when mixed with them and alone esed as anti geriatric agent

05

Pottali (a specially designed product of Parada and Gandhak)

Abhra garbha pottali

A wide range of respiratorty disorders

 

The processes responsible for transformation of these industrially toxic materials of mineral and metallic origin to medicinal form for eliminating various kinds of acute and chronic diseases are as follows:

*Shodhan of Raw material (purification and potentiation)

*Maran of Shodita Material(incineration/calcinations)

*Jaran of Shodita material (intermediary process of polling)

*Sanskar of Parad (spacially designed process for purification and potentiating of mercury)

*Miscellaneous other procedures

*Completion test of Bhasma

Shodhan of Raw materials

These first two pharmaceutical processes namely Shodhan and Maran are basically credited fpr all good qualities of all minerals and metals used in practice of Ayurveda in general and in Rasa Shastra in particular. It is very interesting to know that Swarana (Gold), Rajat (Silver), Tamra (Copper), Loha (Iron), nag (Lead), vanga (Tin), Yashad (Zinc), Abharak (Mica), Makshika (Chalcopyrite), gairika (Hematite) kasisa (Green vitriol), Hartal (Orpiment), Hingula (cinnabar), Cowry (Sheepi), shankh (Conch shell) and many more are used in practice of Ayurveda as single ingredients or as multi component compounds with other drugs oh gerbil origin and even with other drugs of mineral or animal origin.

We are overwhelmed when we informed the world that these processes which were invented back in 08 to 10 century AD to purify and potentiate these metals and minerals and facilitate their use as medicine. These processes are very individualized in nature, for each and every substance there is unique process which consist of a specially designed instrument and very selective herbal media or any other liquid media is indicated there. No random interchange with any vision is permissible here. It was established by researchers of Ayurveda that if media of reaction or processes are not as per indications of classics, then there may be chances of very harmful effects  on administration. Even in classics of rasa Shastra it has been clearly mentioned that untoward effects are possible if Shodhan process was not followed with high degree of alertness.

The selection of process and media for Shodhan of individual substances are absolutely in accordance of their physicochemical properties. Such as for hard substances like Mica, Chalcopyrite, Copper and Iron the process of Nirvap (Heating and quenching in liquid media of different nature and pH0 have been advocated with certain number of repetition of process to ensure complete purification and to achieve a requisite physical form necessary for next step of Maran.

Where as for substances like Hartal and Shankh only swooning in Dola yantra (a designer instrument) with some specific herbal juices are indicated for certain period in one set and there also repetition of process is indicated for desired characters.

It may be perceived with soundness that one has to follow compulsorily the indicated process in literature in totality to avoid any untoward effects of these substances of mineral and metallic origin.

Maran of Shodita Material

In fact the process of maran is developed of Maran is developed for application of desired quantum of heat to shodhita material for their conversion in form of Bhasma. The scientific explanation of Bhasma is that it is a unique chemical constituent of individual material used in practice of Ayurveda which is obtained by treating them with very precise liquid herbal juice in process of Bhawana (impregnation) and ther after discs are formed which are exposed for heating under controlled temperature range for a definite duration. Here also repetition of process is specified in classics to achieve an accurate colour and particle size which facilitate therapeutic effect of the particular bhasma. If any one is compromising on color of bhasma means patients have to develop unwanted effects because that particular powder is not the desired bhasma of the substances but that is a different chemical entity may be not advocated for therapeutic purposes.

Certain colors of bhasma are accepted for therapeutic purpose viz; Swarana bhasma-chamapak color means an yellowish tint, Loha Bhasma-pakwajambuphal chayam means deep brownish color shade, Naga Bhasma-kapota varnameans a grayish appearance tone, Vanga Bhasma-shweta varna white color streak etc. This distinctiveness in color of bhasma of different minerals and metals ensures formation of that meticulous chemical constituent which would act as drug after administration.

This heart business in Ayurveda is controlled by certain measures collectively termed as ‘Puta’ means the knowledge of application of specific quantum of heat needed for individual substances in which heat is produced by fuels like wood, coal and cow dung in pits of different dimensions. There are variety of Puta viz maha Puta, Gaja Puta, Lavaka Puta which guarantee a temperature range of 800 degree C to 1000 degree C for shorter duration and shorter shelf cooling period suitable for incineration of Loha, Tamra, Abharak etc or a range of 400 degree C with longer duration and longer shelf cooling period suitable for incineration of Hartal etc which provides better opportunities for preparation of drugs. How ever, the current situation is in favour of replacement of all old methods by furnaces which are eco friendly and capable to provide desired amount of heat with all specifications needed for the formation of a compound.

Jaran of Shodhita Material

This is the process which is applied for those metals which posses low melting point like Naga, Vanga and Yashad who do not bear heat of higher range. These are powdered by a specia process called Jaran which is very nearer to the process of polling in which melted metals are rubbed with green alkaline wood under temperature till it solidified. Thus finely obtained poeders are further processed in puta to have perfect bhasma of these materials. This is again a very vital example of vision of saga of Ayurveda which ensures toxicity free preparation of bhasma of high therapeutic efficacy.

Sanskar of Parada

Parada (Mercury) is always centre of attraction in both cultures of east and west but with different reasons. East is crazy with unparallel alchemical and therapeutic properties )metallic transformation) i.e conversion of lower value metals to metals of higher value viz Gold and metabolic transformation i.e strengthening of body tissue for healthy longevity of life) of Parada where as west is afraid of all hazardous effects of Mercury. The classics of Ayurveda have prominently elucidated eight specialized procedures termed as Parada Sanskar which ultimately turns Mercury free from its toxicity and further specially designed procedures in which temperature range of 100 to 150 C for preparation of Parpati.

200 to 600 C temperature with intermittent heating for specific duration ranges from 24 hrs to 72 hrs for preparation of Kupi pakwa rasa and sulphur bath at the temperature range of 400 degree C. For products of Pottali dosage forms are given for standard production of medicines which free from toxicity. In all these formulations other substances have been used with basic material of Kajjali.

All these pharmaceutical processes are serving only one object in service of human civilization that they are converting toxic materials like minerals, metals and heavy metals in to medicinal forms to eradicate many diseases which cannot be properly treated with the help of other drugs, is an art in Ayurveda.                  

 

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Say Goodbye To Constipation

January 15th, 2010

Say Goodbye To Constipation

Constipation is a very common problem these days.Our lives of hectic schedules, late night awakenings and junky food habits have turned this problem into epidemic proportion.A person normally has to pass stools once every twenty-four hours, or else he is considered to be suffering from constipation.

The main factor involved in the etiology of constipation is imbalance of vata spacifically the apana vata.The other causes associated with this are inadequate food intake, low fibre diet, intake of less fluids,excessive intake of beverages like coffee and alcohol, inactivity or weakness leading to decreased bowel movements, cultivation of wrong toilet habits, improves use of laxatives e.g senna, castor oil and certain other herbs.Use of medications like opioids or diuratics which lead constipation, some conditions like malignancy even leads to this problem.

Although treating a case of constipation seems to be a tedious job as the diagnosis of the exact cause is very difficult.The treatment depends on the cause, severity and duration of the constipation, but in most cases dietary and lifestyle changes, relieve the symptoms to a much greater extent.

Simple measures like regularizing food and sleeping habits,not suppressing urge for defecation, simple exercises like jogging outdoors, simple stretching, swimming, yoga are best ways to get rid of this problem forever.

Prevention of constipation is easier when a person develops regular habits since childhood.Practicing daily regimen of waking early, following dinacharya-vyayama(suitable exercises), abhayanga(application of oils & proper body massage), dhyana(meditation), eating the food with respect to ones appetite or agni, ones health condition and season regularizes the digestive and bowel habits.

Panchakarma as per season helps a lot.One should consult an ayurvedic physician before undergoing any panchakarma procedure.Since vata prakriti people are more prone to constipation & basti is the main treatment of vata, it can be considered as the important panchakarma for constipation.

Including more fruits in the daily diet helps a lot.Fruits like grapes, apple, oranges, lemon, chicko and vegetables which have ample amount of roughage show dramatic results in case hard stools.

Avoid eating lot of fried foods, spicy and frozen food and food with preservatives.

There are around 500 herbs given in Ayurveda which prove to be very efficient in this condition, but consulting a physician is very important and especially, diagnosing the exact cause.

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AYURVEDA AND INSOMIA

January 15th, 2010

Dr. K.C. Thriveni,BAMS

AYURVEDA  AND INSOMIA

As an irish provobe says:”A good laugh and sleep are best cures in the doctor’ book.”A restless mind is never a happy place.They will hardly ever adorn a smile on their faces and become rather grim and glum personalities.Lack of sleep causes mental fatigue which does not let them concerntrate on what they practically become unwilling persons.

Sleeo is a natural periodic state of rest for the mind and body’in which the eyes usually close and consciousness is completely or partially lost,so that there is a decrease in bodily movement and responsiveness to external stimuli.During sleep the brain in humans and other mammals undergoes a characteristic cycle of brainwave activity that includes intervals of dreaming.

Almost everyone has occasional sleepless nights.Most individuals just experience a night or two of poor sleep,but sometimes the sleep disturbance can last for weeks,months, oreven yerars.Insomniacs typically complain pf being unable to close their eyes or”rest their mind” for morethan a few minutes at a time.Insomnia can occur in people of all ages.Insomnia is most common among women and older adults.

An estimated 30%-50% of the general populations are affected by insomnia,and 10% hane chronic insomnia.

Stages of Sleep:

Usually sleepers pass through five stages:1,2,3,4 and REM (rapid eye movement)sleep.These stages progess cyclically from 1 through REM then begin again with stage1.A complete sleep cycle takes an average of 90 to 110 minutes.The first sleep cycles each night have relatively short REm sleeps and long periods of deep sleep but later in the night,REM periods lengthen and deep sleep time decreases.

Stage 1- is light sleep where you dift in and out of sleep and can be awakened easily.In this stage the eyes moves slowely and muscle activity slows.During this stage, many people experience sudden muscle contractions preceded by a sensation of falling.

Stage 2 -eye movement stops and brain waves become slower with only an occasional burst of rapid brain waves.

Stage 3 –When a person enters stage 3, extremely slow brain waves called delta waves are smaller, faster waves.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

In Stage 4, the brain produces delta waves almost exclusively.Stages 3 and 4 are referred to as Deep sleep, and it is very difficult to wake someone from them.In deep sleep,there is no eye movement pr muscle activity.

In the REM period ,breathing becomes more rapid.irregular and shallow,eyes jerk rapidly and limb muscles are temporarily paralyzed.Brain waves during this stage increase to levels expience when a person is awake.Also,heart rate increases,blood pressure rises,males develop erections and body loses some of the aility to regulate its temperature.This is the time when most dreams occur, and if awoken during REm sleep, a person can remember the dreams.Most people experience three to five intervals of REM sleep eachnight.

Causes: About half of all insomnia cases are caused by psychological or emotional problems such as Stress,Anxiety,Depression,Pain,Again and changes in sleep patterns(insomnia occurs more frequently in those over age 60),Caffeine,Irregular Schedule of sleep such as sleeping during day time & working during nights.

Prescription drugs include some antidepressant,high blood pressure and corticosteroid mrdications, can interfere with sleep.Many over-the-counter(OTC)medications, including some pain medication combinations,decongestants and weight-loss products,contain caffeine and other stimulants.

Doctors generally recommend using sleepjng pills for no more than four weeks, or until you notice benefits from self-help measures.If you need sleep medications for longer,take them no more than two to four tomes a week,so they don’t become habit-forming.Sleeping pills often become less effective over times.

Short term insomnia can be linked to events and factors that are often temporary, such as adjustment sleep disorder,jet lag,working the night shift or long shifts medications, overuse of caffeine and alcohol,environmental noise, extreme temperatures or a change in a person’s surrounding environmemt.

Apart from that, lack of a good night’s sleep can create psychological problems.Another factor which can cause insomnia is decrease as the person grows older.This is a hormone that helps control sleep.By the time a person reaches the age of 60, the body produces very little melatonin.

Complications:

*Increased risks for depression.

*Impaired concentration,slowed reaction time andpoorer work performance

*Impatience $ irritable

*Higher incidence of accidents

*Insomnia can lead to severe fatigue, anxiety, depression and lack of concentration.

*Chronic insomnia more likely can develop psychiatric problems such as depression and anxiety disorders.

*Long-term sleep deprivation may increase  the severity of the chronic diseases, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.

*Insufficient sleep can also lead to serious or even fatal accidents.Accordingly to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 100,000 crashes each year are due to drivers falling asleep at the wheel.

Treatment

Commonly doctors recommend sleeping pills to promote relaxation or sleep but,avoid prescribing it for the long term because they may cause side effects.In addition,sleeping pills can become less effective after a while.

In Ayurveda Charakha explains that happiness, sadness,nourishment, emaciation, strength, strength-lessness, libido or infertility, concioussness or insanity, all depends on sleep itself.

Therefore sleep is a very important component for existence.

*Frequent oil massage(full body)using medicated oils as Mahabhringaraj taila etc followedby warm water bath may relax the mental state.

*Medication such as ashwagandha ksherapaka, brahmi ghruta etc help to combat the stress.

*Avoid sleep during day time as it makes harder to fall asleep at night.

*Avoid or limit your use of caffeine(coffee, tea, sodas chocolate),decongestants, alcohol and tobacco, instead drink milk.

*Avoid drinking alcohol and smoking as these are also stimulants.

*In chronic insomnia patients panchakarma treatment such as-virechana followed by application of oil on head are found very effective.

Daily application of oil on head relieves headache, balding or graying of hair, makes the roots strong thick & dark,Oiling head strengthens the nerves in head, sharpens the sense organs, improves the scalp & enchaces good sleep.

Shiro abhyanga:

Soothing or relaxing Massage of the head, neck & shoulder for 15 minutes using warm herbal oils is called shiro abhyanga.

Massage is very helpful for the whole body as it relieves stress  and improves blood circulation.Body massage is a great way to heal the body.There are different tyoes of massages and the most preferred one is oil massage.

Oil massage is the best way of relaxation for the whole body.There are different types of oils used for massaging the body.each oil has its own properties to heal, relax. And strengthen the body and immune system.

Massage techniques have been practiced for thousands of years in many cultures.There are references to massage in ancient records of Chinese, Japanese,Arabic Egyptian,Indian,Greek and Roman nations.

People were also using abhyanga as a way to iprove well-being, help with relaxation, relieve stress relief, and enhance sleep and quality-of-life.

Practitioners may use their hands, forearms, elbows, or feet with oils to improve the smoothness of massage strokes. Touch is central to Massage. It allows therapists to locate painful or tense areas, to determine how much pressure to apply, and to establish a therapeutic relationship with clients.

In a proactive role, Massage treatments are performed on regular basis to help the body and mind maintain an optimal leval of relaxation and stress-relief.Massage therapy also reduces the chancesof migraine attacks and tension headaches significantly by relaxing muscle spasms and trigger points.Massage also switches the nervous system from the sympathetic (fight or flight) mode to the parasympathetic (rest and digest).This change enables the recipient to sleep uninterrupted and wake uo refreshed and rested.Massage is performed to ease the pressure brought on during a migraine or tension related headache.By focusing on the neck,shoulders, and head, massage can decrease the pain and discomfort brought on by migraine or stress.

A recent study showed that massage therapy recipients exhibited fewer migraines and better sleep quality during the weeks they received massage, and the three weeks following, that did participants that did not receive massage therapy.Another study found that in adults with migraine headaches massage theraphy decreased the occurrences of headaches, sleep disturbances and distress symptoms. It also increased serotonin levels, believed to play an important role in the regulation of mood, sleep and appetite.

Shirovasti:

This is the most important of all external use of Snehana(oil application).Certain lukewarm Ayurvedic/herbal oils are poured into a cap fit on the head for 15 to 60 minutes per day according to the patient’s conditions for a period of 7 days.

Shirovasti is considered more of a palliative (Shamana)treatment of of ayurveda than an eliminative (Shodhana) one.As usual the treatment is preceded by oleation and sudation.

A leather sleeve about six to eight inches high is placed on shaven head of the patient and band (Vasti) tied around the forehead to secure it in place.The inside bottom edge of this sleeve is lined tight with kneaded dough to prevent leakage.Mediacated oil is then poured into the sleeve and allowed to remain for a while.The oils commonly used are Ksheerabala or Dhanwantaram.The length of the time for the oil to be kept on the head is determined by the severity of the illness.Usually it is upto fifty minutes for diseases caused by severs Vata disorders.

Shirovasti is found very effective in diseases like facial paralysis,insomnia and disorders of the cranial nerves.

It is believed that the warm oil when retained in this manner actually clears the blockage of blood vessels (if any) & also relaxes the muscles.

Shiro dhara:

Dhara is a method of pouring warm herbal oil/herbal decoctions/medicated milk/ buttermilk in a thin & slow continuous stream into the forehead for about 45 to 50 minutes.This procedure pften induces a mental state similar to a trance, which creates profound relaxation of the mind and body.It deeply relaxes and revitalizes the central nervous system.Shirodhara gives the best results when taken after an Abhyangam.Dhara is good for all ailments.Selection of the liquid used is done on the base of the status of the Dosha,Body constitution(prakruti) & the disease condition wirh necessary alterations in the procedure.

Shirodhara has been used to treat variety of conditions including eye diseases, sinusitis,allergic rhinitis,graying of hair, neurological disorders, memory loss, insomnia, hearing impairment, tinnitus , vertigo, and certain types of skin diseses like psoeiasis.It is also used non-medicinally for its relaxing properties.

Recent research studies have shown that Shiro dhara results in Vaso Dilation(dilation of blood vessels) in the brain enabling increased supply of oxygen to the blood cells.

Researchers have conducted two human clinical trials on the psycgoneuroimmunologic effects of shiro dhara.In the first study a group of healthy females were randomly assigned to receive a shiro dhara treatment (with plain sesame oil) or remain in a supine position(control group), while being monitored for numerous physiologic, biochemical,parameters.The second study had a similar design, with the addition of the third group that received shiro dhara with a medicated sesame oil containing essential oil of lavender.Both shiro dhara treatments resulted in decreased anxiety and promoted ASC(altered state of consciousness).After the plain sesame oil treatment there was a significant decrease in plasma noradrenaline and urinary serotonin excretion vs. the control group.Significant Anxiolytic effect within the shiro dhara group was also obsereved.

Takra dhara:

Takra means buttermilk and Dhara milk means pouring.This therapy calms the individual down by using medicated buttermilk, which is poured onto the forehead to relieve insomnia, depression and stress related problems.

 

 

 

Paada abhyanga

(foot massage):

Massage theraphy is known method to reduce stress and tension, but can it really help you sleep better?The research shows that Massage theraphy can help you sleep.

All of us have autonomic nervous system comprised of two parts:the parasympathetic and sympathetic.The parasympathetic balances the sympathetic.When you have a massage, the parasympathetic is activated and thus allows your body to relax.When you are stressed, the sympathetic is activated and you will feel the urge to fight or flight.So if stress and tension are the reasons why you are not sleeping very well, you might be relieved to know that benefits of Massage theraphy is improved sleep patterns.Some people even fall asleep whle having a professional Massage.

In one of the study aimed to investigate the effect of foot Massage on sleep, vital signs and fatigue in the elderly who live in their Home.Tried foot massage theraphy on 20 elderly who live in the Seoul-Kyunggi province area.

Change of sleep and sleep satisfaction, vital signs(pulse, respiration, systolic and diasystolic blood pressure) and general fatigue between pre and post foot massage were analyzed using Paired t-test at 0.05 of the significance level.There were very significant difference in the sleep and fatigue between pre and post foot Massage.

Authentic Thai Foot Massage originated in the Thailand about 2000 years ago & is a Massage of the lower legs,feet and hands.It is practiced as a routine & a common procedure there.

The theraphy involves gentle the manipulation and Massage of the hands, legs and feet.This is believed to open energy lines stimulating reflex points on the feet which correspond to the internal organs of the body.

A truly relaxing experience as the toes, feet ankles & lower legs are manipulated, stretched & loosened.

Thai Foot Massage benefiys:

Improve circulation

Improve flexibility

Improve sleep patterns

Reduce stiffness in joints

Reduces stress

Stimulate the mind.

 

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