|
We are delighted to present
to you our monthly e-feature about Ayurveda and health. Our web site (http://www.ayurplanet.com/)
has helped millions of people. This newsletter will be 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.
FEATURED
HEALTH ARTICLE :
STRESS BY VAIDYA REENA KAUL
It’s easy to carry an
article with one or two kilo weight. But it would start giving you trouble
if you have to carry it for few kilometers or for quite sometime. Same is
the case with the stress. Our body can cope up the stress for sometime but
not for long.
If you perform intense mental work many hours
a day or you are going through an emotional setback, it can cause an
imbalance in Prana Vata, the mind-body operator concerned with brain
activity, energy and the mind. The first symptom of Prana Vata imbalance
is losing the ability to handle day-to-day stress. As the person becomes
more stressed, it impacts mental functions such as dhi, dhriti, and
smriti-acquisition, retention, and recall.
Thus stress is the uncomfortable
gap between... how we would like our life to be and
how it actually is .if this gap is persistent (or even worse: growing) - despite our
efforts to reduce it then our mind feels uneasy, restless, disturbed,
agitated, frustrated, tense,
heavy or strained, we are said to be under stress.
CAUSES OF STRESS--
The causative factors of stress are broadly
divided into two types
External
and Internal Stressors :People
can experience either external or internal stressors.
1.External stressors include adverse physical
conditions (such as pain or hot or cold temperatures) or stressful
psychological environments (such as poor working conditions or abusive
relationships) , rules, regulations, "red tape," deadlines. It also
includes major life events: death of a relative, lost job, promotion,
insults, being ignored etc.
2.Internal
stressors can also be physical (infections) or psychological.
- Lifestyle
choices: caffeine, not enough sleep, overloaded schedule.
- Negative Thinking: Pessimism, self-criticism,
over-analyzing.
- Mind
traps: unrealistic expectations, taking things personally,
exaggerating, rigid thinking.
- Stressful
personality traits: perfectionist, workaholic, pleaser.
- Vata
and Pitta
constitution people.
Type of stress-Stressors can also be defined as
short-term (acute) or long-term (chronic).
Acute Stress. Acute stress is the reaction to an immediate threat,
commonly known as the fight or flight response. The threat can be
any situation that is experienced, even subconsciously or falsely, as a
danger.
Common acute stressors include: noise, crowding, isolation, hunger,
danger, infection, and
imagining a threat or remembering a dangerous event.Under
most circumstances, once the acute threat has passed, the response becomes
inactivated and levels of stress hormones return to normal, a condition
called the relaxation response.
Chronic Stress. Frequently, however, modern life poses
on-going stressful situations that are not short-lived and the urge to act
(to fight or to flee) must be suppressed. Stress, then, becomes chronic.
Common chronic stressors include: on-going
highly pressured work, long-term relationship problems, loneliness, and
persistent financial worries.
HOW STRESS AFFECTS BODY
After a
stressful situation, the levels of cortisol and adrenaline in
bloodstream decline. As a result,
heart rate and blood pressure return to normal and
digestion and metabolism resume a regular pace. But if stressful
situations pile up one after another, the body has no chance to recover.
This long-term activation of the stress-response system can disrupt almost
all the body's processes, increasing your risk of obesity, insomnia,
digestive complaints, heart disease and depression.
·
Digestive system. It's common to have a stomachache or diarrhea during stress.
This happens because stress hormones slow the release of stomach acid and
the emptying of the stomach. The same hormones also stimulate the colon,
which speeds the passage of its contents. Chronic stress can also lead to
continuously high levels of cortisol. This hormone can increase appetite
and cause weight gain.
·
Immune system. Chronic stress tends to dampen the immune system, making one
more susceptible to colds and other infections. I
·
Nervous system. If fight-or-flight
response never shuts off, stress hormones produce persistent feelings of
anxiety, helplessness and impending doom. Oversensitivity to stress has
been linked with severe depression, possibly because depressed people have
a harder time adapting to the negative effects of cortisol. The byproducts
of cortisol act as sedatives, which contribute to the overall feeling of
depression.
·
Cardiovascular system. High levels of cortisol can also raise your heart rate and
increase your blood pressure and blood lipid (cholesterol and
triglyceride) levels. These are risk factors for both heart attacks and
strokes.
·
Other systems. Stress worsens many skin conditions — such as psoriasis,
eczema, hives and acne — and can be a trigger for asthma attacks.
Ayurveda
understands that the individual life entity ( ayuh) is comprising
of physical and mental attributes.
The human being is provided not only with a set of sensorial apparatus,
the Gyanendriyas, but with a highly dynamic psyche/mind or manas.
The mind is highly active but is unconscious. It derives its consciousness
from the soul or atma, which in turn is an extension of the cosmic.
Ayurveda nature consists of three primal qualities, which are the main
powers of cosmic intelligence that determine our spiritual growth.These
are called Gunas in Sanskrit meaning that binds because wrongly
understood they keep us in bondage to external world.
1. Sattva - Intelligence - imparts balance
2. Rajas - Energy - Causes imbalance
3. Tamas - Substance - creates inertia.
These are energies through which not only the surface mind but also our
deeper conscious functions. They are the powers of the soul, which hold
the Karmas and desires that propel us from birth to birth. So for our
mental gratification complete balance between three gunas are
essential.
In the physical
attributes its Prana - the vital life force that supports mind and body.
It is like the electricity that drives an electric appliance. The
appliance, like our mind and body is inoperable without it.
According
to Ayurveda, disease and delusion develop when this vital life force is
blocked by continued holding tension in the body as a reaction to
stressful situations. Stress is a mind-body reaction which occurs when we
do not have the energy needed to deal with the situation at hand.
MANAGEMENT
Providing
understanding and guidelines for balance in body, mind and spirit,
Ayurveda gives us Panchakarma Therapy as well
as herbal healthcare to maintain the flow of this vital energy throughout
our mind and body.
Panchakarma
Therapies has been used for centuries to clear our energy system of
painful blocks. Once energy circuits are reconnected, we feel rejuvenated
and relaxed as our vital systems have the energy they need to function.
The therapies specific for Stress conditions are Shiroabhyanga,
Shirodhara, Shirovasti,
and Abhyanga.
The drug used in the treatment are mostly medhya drugs or medhya rasayanas
which are believed to act as specific molecular nutrients for the brain
affording a better mental health leading in turn to alleviation of the
behavioral alteration and to cope up day to day stress. The herbs of
adaptogenic properties are Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Brahmi (bacopa monniera), Shankh
pushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis), Vacha (Acorus calamus), Madhuyashti (Glycrrhiza glabra),
Amrita(Tinospora cordifolia), Amalaki (Embelica officinalis) etc.
Ashwagandha ghrita, Brahmi ghrita in dosage of 5gm
with hot milk and Anu tail nasya also helps.
Capsule MEDHA a product of ‘Ayurveda India’ in the dosage of one
morning and one evening has shown tremendous results in students and in
the people working in stressful conditions.
All the above said herbs and herbal combinations helps to
balance the Vata by increasing the Kapha.Also they help to increase the
Ojus in the body by acting as Rasayana(Rejuvenators).Ojus acts like a
shock absorber, helping to insulate the mind from day-to-day stress and
enhancing the body’s innate immune systems.
You
may consult our Ayurveda experts through on
line consultation or personally.
HERB
OF THE MONTH: BRAHMI -
Bacopa monniera.
It has been used
in Ayurveda for centuries as the main revitalizing herb for nerves and
brain cells.
Its active
ingredients, Bacoside A & B, are glycosides. The neurobiological
effects of these isolated molecules increase
protein kinase activity and new protein synthesis, specifically in cells
in region of the brain associated with long-term memory. These
chemicals have been shown to alleviate fatigue and increase stamina.
Bacosides also enhance the metabolism of neurotransmitters, the chemical
messengers between nerve cells, thereby increasing mental function. Bacoside A assists in release of nitric oxide that allows the relaxation of the aorta and
veins, to allow the blood to flow more freely through the body. Because of
its powerful antioxidant properties, it is revered for strenghtening the
immune system, improving vitality and performance and promoting longevity.
Brahmi also has
marked hypotensive and diuretic properties and is known as an effective
"brain food" as it nourishes the brain . It is traditionally
used as an Ayurvedic rejuvenative or rasayana which helps to decrease the
signs of aging, particularly in the mind as it increases mental clarity
and brain functioning. It enhances the minds ability to learn and to
focus. It has an interesting ability to be able to calm the mind while at
the same time to invigorate the thinking capacity in a centered, peaceful
way. It is unique in its ability to invigorate mental processes
whilst reducing the effects of stress and nervous anxiety.
The nitric oxide
in Brahmi along with an extremely positive effect on learning and memory
recall, also has an effect on blood circulation, the lungs, liver, and
kidneys.
Other published literature suggest that Brahmi is
also a blood cleanser, helps in variety of skin conditions and stimulates
growth of hair and nail.
BEAUTY
TIP – FOR UNDER EYE
DARK CIRCLES
Grated potatoes can lighten
under-eye circles. Potatoes contain an enzyme called catecholase, which is
used as a human skin lightener.
stuff the raw mash of potato
into a piece of cheesecloth.
Apply to the area directly beneath your eye — don't let the potato juice
come in contact with the eye itself — and leave for 15 to 20 minutes.
Wipe away the starchy residue
For personalized beauty related queries
mail to:beauty@ayurplanet.com
DR.RAGHUNANDAN’S
GLOBAL AYURVEDA TOUR 2005
Continuing
our mission to spread Ayurvedic knowledge and avail Ayurveda health
benefits all over the world, Ayurveda India’s Director Dr Raghunandan
Sharma commenced his Global Ayurveda Tour 2005 in the mid of February .
During this tour he will give intensive workshop, Lectures, seminars and
courses for students and practitioners of various healing systems.He will
also give consultations in different
parts of world. Dr Raghu will be visiting Netherland, Belgium, UK and
Germany as per the following schedule.
- February
till 20 March 2005 -- At AGN, Netherland
- AYURVEDA
OASE;Antwerpen,Belgium.
- 20
March till 28 March -TRADITIONAL ASIATIC MEDICINE;Zwingerberg;Germany.
- 29
March till 3 April - AGN ;Netherlands
- 4
April till 19 April - S.S.Ayurvedic Ltd.London,U.K.
During
this period Dr.R.Sharma can be reached at: raghuayurveda@hotmail.com
To participate or organize a similar seminar or workshop,
contact ayur@ayurplanet.com
FORTHCOMING
EVENT:
Event Name
: BEAUWELL
INDIA 2005 CONFERENCE
Date(s)
: March 8 - 9, 2005
Venue
: Chennai Convention Centre,
Chennai
Details:
Nytik N Joshi (Executive Officer)
phone: 044-52444555 ; Fax 0091-44-52444510;Cell 0091-98407 01269
Email nytik.joshi@ciionline.org
, www.ciionline.org
News: PLANT
SOLUTION TO BRAIN CANCER
The
Daily Telegraph; Japanese scientists have discovered that the
growth of malignant glioma cancer cells is almost completely halted by a
molecule found in a weed. The plant, known variously as thorn apple,
stinkweed and devil’s trumpet, is native to Asia and grows abundantly in
the United States. Scientists at the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of
Gerontology who injected the molecule - called DSA - into brain cancer
cells grown in the laboratory found that it brought their growth rate to a
virtual standstill. The researchers say DSA controls the cells through
glial differentiation rather than by killing them.
Is
it good to let doctors’ work on human body as experimental animals that
too with certifications and approval with drug authorities? Is it a
pharmaceutical way of functioning for earning or it’s aim is to really
help the humanity? Write to: ayur@ayurplanet.com
AYURVEDA INDIA
An International Herbal Treatment and Panchakarma Centre,
H-38 ;South Extension -I,
New Delhi -110049,
India.
Phone: 00 91 11 24648034 / 24641132
Website: www.ayurplanet.com
Email: ayur@ayurplanet.com
Our
European Centre: AGN: 2521 ZL ;
Thijsse
straat 16;Denhaag; The Netherlands.
Website:
www.agn-ayurveda.com
Email:
info@agn-ayurveda.com
*Please send
your articles in simple English and
abstract (not more then 250 words) words).
* You
have received this mail because you have registered with us or your friend
or business associate has recommended your name.
* To be removed from the mailing list, send blank mail to ayur@ayurplanet.com
with subject "remove".
* FREE
AYURVEDA COUNSELING Please ask
your health problems or any other questions related to Ayurveda.
* This mail is not a Spam.
::
Disclaimer: All details,
thoughts and opinions shared by the writers in this 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.
|