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AYURPATRA Your
monthly health e-newsletter
Vol:
1-Diseases of - Above Shoulder region SERIES
URDHWAJATRUGATA XXI–
JULY 2006 |
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This
monthly e-feature “Ayurpatra” is a sincere effort for the welfare of
the mankind through Ayurveda. Our web site (www.ayurplanet.com)
has helped millions of people. Ayurpatra is loaded with lots of
information, events and happenings related to Ayurveda including
featured articles, details of very useful herbs, beauty tips and various
herbal products and health supplements. The aim of this Newsletter is to
serve humanity from health aspect by natural means. FEATURE
HEALTH ARTICLE: DENTAL
CARIES (KRIMIDANT) Dental
caries is decay of the teeth, which results in cavities, or holes in the
teeth. It
is one of the most common diseases, and occurs most often in children
and young adults. Bacteria
in the mouth, eating sugar and a susceptible tooth surface are all
factors that act together to cause dental caries. As
per Ayurveda vitiated Vata along with vitiated Pitta and Kapha gets
localised on the surface of the teeth and slowly destroys the enamel
giving rise to black discoloration and appearance of holes or cavities
in the teeth(Krimidant). Food
material and dirt accumulate in these cavities and give rise to
proliferation of germs, which further enhance the process of destruction
of teeth.When the process of destruction reaches nerve ending in the
pulp of the teeth,the patient suffers from severe,excrutiating pain and
burning pain.When the destruction reaches the underlying bones and
gums,pus and blood ooze from the region of carious teeth. Causes
of dental caries
There
are three interrelated factors that cause caries to form: specific
bacteria (found in plaque), sugar and a susceptible tooth surface. Dental
disease has a reciprocal effect with overall body health. If you're over
stressed and generally unhealthy, your immune system will be suppressed
and dental caries, caused by bacteria, will flourish. If your mouth is
unhealthy, especially with gum disease, it overloads your health every
moment of the day, lowering your resistance to all disease. Symptoms
and signs of dental caries
Ø
The
first visible sign of trouble is a white spot on the tooth - the area of
enamel being demineralised by the acid. If this area is now kept clean
of plaque, and minerals such as fluoride are used, the spot can still
demineralise, and a cavity will develop. This then shows as a dark spot
on the tooth. Once the demineralisation has progressed to the inner part
of the tooth (dentine), the damage is permanent, and a cavity can be
seen. This cavity will deepen, until it eventually reaches the pulp and
infects the health of the nerve and blood vessels. Ø
Toothache
due to cavities develops at a later stage, although not all toothaches
are due to cavities. Ø
Visible
pits or holes in the teeth. Ø
Discolouration
of teeth or fillings. Ø
Filling
which has broken or fallen out. MANAGEMENT Oral hygiene methodsA
clean mouth is a healthy mouth. As the saying goes, "clean only the
teeth you want to keep." In addition to conventional care, the main
way to keep your mouth clean is to eat a sugar-free, natural foods diet.
The bacteria that cause dental caries (Streptococcus mutans)
thrive on sugar. Brushing-
Herbal
medicine abounds with great substitutes for store-bought toothpaste.
Most effective natural tooth powders are warming, which promotes
circulation in the gums; astringent, which tightens the gums; and
detoxifying, which removes debris. Of course any preparation should also
remove plaque. According
to Ayurveda principle the taste for cleansing teeth and gums should be
Pungent,Bitter and Astringent(though a bit of salt is also used just to
loosen Ama ).Hence we should avoid too sweet toothpastes available in
market. And
while you're concentrating on brushing and flossing, don't overlook the
fact that cleaning the tongue is a critical part of maintaining oral
health. Ayurveda, in particular, emphasizes this daily practice. Brush
your tongue while brushing your teeth, or use a tongue scraper,. Tongue
cleaning reduces bad breath, and helps prevent plaque. Other
treatments Where
the teeth have not yet become loose,swedan(fomentation),
blood letting and avapidana Nasya
using vatanashak herbs is useful. Ayurveda
contain descriptions of oral hygiene procedures, which are advised to be
performed twice a day. It is advised to clean
teeth with the twigs of various aromatic shrubs frayed at the
end. These twigs are called Datuns. Oil
and ghee medicated with paste and decoction of vatashamak medicines
should be used for gargling(gandusha). HERBS Ø
In
the southern Karnataka state of India, the mango leaf is widely used. A
fresh mango leaf is washed and the midrib is removed. The leaf is then
folded lengthwise with glossy surfaces facing each other. It is rolled
into a cylindrical pack. One end of this pack is bitten off 2-3mm to
create a raw surface which is rubbed on the teeth. The pack is held
between the thumb and the index finger. Mangiferin, a compound present
in mango leaves has been reported to have significant antibacterial
property against certain strains of Pneumococci, Streptococci,
Staphylococci, and Lactobacillus acidophilus. Ø
Neem
extract have been tested for their the antiplaque efficacy, Ayurvedic
tooth powders and commercial tooth pastes. The Neem extract came out on
top and commercial tooth pastes were the last. But regarding any tooth
powder observe
and mind that the powder
should be very fine as coarse powder
may damage enamel. Ø
The
Ayurvedic herb, amla, is a general rebuilder of oral health.
Amla works well as a mouth rinse, or one to two grams per day can
be taken orally in capsules for long-term benefit to the teeth and gums.
Herbs such as amla that support the healing and development of
connective tissue when taken internally will always benefit the gums.
Just remember that since they must saturate the whole body in order to
work on the gums, the healing effect of these tonics tends takes longer
to become apparent. The results, however, are more lasting. Ø
Bilberry
fruit and hawthorn berry stabilize collagen, strengthening the gum
tissue. Licorice root is a gem for the mouth: It promotes anti-cavity
action, reduces plaque, and has an antibacterial effect. Ø
Kawal
and Gandusha (holding herbal fluid in mouth) with Triphla decoction
helps in maintainig oral hygeine and strengthing teeth and gums. Ø
Other
herbs useful in dental caries –Asafoetida,Arka(Calotropis procera),
Vidanga(Embelia ribes), Vacha(Acorus calamus), Pippali(Piper lomgum),
Mustard, Apamarga(Acyranthes aspera), Nirgundi(Vitex negundo). HERB
OF THE MONTH: CLOVES/LAVANG Cloves’
many medicinal uses have been most famously applied to toothache, and
for mouth and throat inflammation. More than just a counterirritant
though, cloves is having antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal and
antiviral properties . One
of the main constituents of clove oil (eugenol) exhibits broad
antimicrobial activites agains both Gram-positive, Gram-negative and
acid-fact bacteria, as well as fungi. Cloves are well known also for
their antiemetic (relieves nausea and vomiting) and carminative
properties Traditionally
cloves have been used to treat flatulence, nausea and vomiting. In
tropical Asia cloves have been given to treat such diverse infections as
malaria, cholera and tuberculosis, as well as scabies. Laboratory
tests on cloves identify eugenol as being the possible reason for the
antimicrobial actions, and confirm cloves’ effectiveness in inhibiting
food-borne pathogens as well as other bacteria and fungi. The volatile
oil of cloves (about 85-92% eugenol) was highly active against a range
of test microorganisms, being classified as bactericidal in nature Digestive
disorder: Clove
is a strong stimulant and carminative and hence used to treat nausea,
indigestion and dyspepsia.Clove promotes enzymatic flow and boost
digestive functioning. They are used in various forms of gastric
irritability and dyspepsia. Licking the powder of fried clove mixed with
honey is effective in controlling vomiting. The anesthetic action of
clove numbs the gullet and stomach and stops vomiting.
Cholera:Cloves
are very useful for treating cholera. About 4 grams of cloves are boiled
in 3 liters of water until half the water has evaporated. This water,
taken in draughts, will check severe symptoms of the disease. Coughs:Chewing
a clove with a crystal of common salt eases expectoration, relieves the
irritation in the throat and stops cough in the pharyngitis that is,
inflammation of the pharynx. Chewing a burnt clove is also an effective
medicine for coughs caused by congested throat and pharyngitis. Teeth
disorder :The
use of a clove in toothache decreases pain. It also helps to decrease
infection due to decayed tooth, also relieves toothache.Cloves have many
medicinal qualities. Clove oil will stop a *toothache when it is applied
directly to the cavity. Other
uses:The
warm stimulating effect of clove oil is also very useful with people who
have cold extremities. Cloves will promote sweating with fevers, colds,
and flu, and are often used in remedies for whooping cough. Cloves are
also safe and effective for relieving vomiting during pregnancy. Unlike
some other herbs they will not cause harm to the baby. BEAUTY TIP OF THE MONTH: Split Orange lentils (Masoor dal) Flour pack ( Gives glow to Skin) Ingredients:- Split
orange lentils (Masoor dal flour which is available in Indian
stores) flour Milk
Ghee
Method
of preparation :- Prepare
a paste by mixing the flour with ghee and milk .Apply this as face
pack. This enhances the glow of skin. For
personalized beauty related queries mail to: beauty@ayurplanet.com
FORTHCOMING
EVENTS:
THE
HEALTH EXPO UK 2006
Dates
– 22nd
& 23rd July. Leicester City For
details: Rushna
Kaura : (0124) 4043474/75 or on 098 99059368 NEWS:
Ayurveda
India clinic in UK In
the Light of spreading Ayurveda throughout the world we have started
with another Ayurveda clinic project in Europe this month . This centre
provides the consultation, Ayurveda treatments and Ayurveda education.
Dr.Raghunandan Sharma is in UK for the developments of this endeovour.
He can be reached at ayurplanet@gmail.com AYURVEDA
INDIA An
International Herbal Treatment and Panchakarma Center, Our
European center: AGN
2521 ZL; Thijse straat 16;Denhaag; The
Netherlands. AYURVEDA
UK LTD.
110,Rutland road; Southall; Middlesex, UB1
2XS.UK.PH-02085783780/07737074821
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monthly, are their own and does not necessarily reflect the views of the
editor or management of this monthly. This monthly is meant only for
information purpose and it is not intended to replace the services of a
health practitioner licensed in the diagnosis or treatment of illness or
disease. Any application of the material in this text is at the reader's
discretion and sole responsibility. For all health concerns you are
advised to consult with a duly licensed health practitioner We do not
claim for any authenticity of the matter. Thank
you for taking the time for reading this newsletter.We hope you have
found it informative.
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