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AYURPATRA Your
monthly health e-newsletter
Volume:
1- Diseases
of - Above Shoulder region
SERIES URDHWAJATRUGAT XIII –SEP 2005 |
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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:
SLEEP
DISORDERS(to be covered in 2 issues)
The
sleep is known as Nidra or "Sushupti" in Ayurveda.It is one
of the “Tryoupstambha” considered in Ayurveda. Maharshi
Vedvyas writes in the Mahabharata –– Naktamacaryam
Diwaswapnamalasyam Paishunammadama | Atiyogamayogamca
Shreyasoarthi Parityajet
|| Means
One who cares for his well being should avoid ––keeping awake at
night, sleeping in daytime, lethargy, intoxication, habits of
criticizing or complaining about others,
extremities in eating and other activities. According
to Ayurveda the state when the mind and body both go to rest it is
said that the living body is asleep. When the mind is afflicted by
tamoguna in the night, the kapha dosha increases and natural sleep is
inflicted. Kapha dosha is related to growth and development of our
body tissues and increases the immunity to fight against diseases. In
the presence of depression, anger or sensuality a good, calm sleep is
not possible because these increase vata (rajasik guna) which has an
effect opposite to that of tamoguna. Sleeping for long or sleeping
beyond the night at odd hours disturbs the whole day routine and have
a bad effect on health. Also lack of proper sleep gives a dull feel
all day, laziness, burning sensation in eyes, headache, body ache. Ayurvedic
experts always advise that there should be a minimum of three hours’
gap between the dinner time and the time to go to bed. One must drink
substantial amount of water after one hour’s interval during this
period. This helps proper digestion of the meal, good sleep at night
and natural
cleansing of the bowels after getting up in the morning. Consuming hot
drinks (including tea or coffee), especially in the evening or night,
is harmful to health, as it disturbs sleep and eventually the mental
and bodily health. One does not feel fresh in the morning if one
has not slept well in the night. Morning-fatigue, drowsiness and
general dullness upset one’s work efficiency.
The savants of Ayurveda advise
that one should wash the feet (using cold water in summer and warm in
the winter) before going to bed. Those still having problems with
sleep should massage the soles with ghee (clarified butter)
prepared from cow’s milk or with mustard or other prescribed herbal
oil. This also minimizes the chances of catching cold or cough. Types
Out
of the above seven types Kala Swabhawa is natural which helps in
protecting our body. Tamobhava on the other hand due to its tamo guna
dominance is sinful and destroys the body, while the remaining five
are caused due to various stages of diseases. Depending
upon the body constitution sleep is different in every individual. 1.Vata
constitution person are prone to disturbed sleep. Hands and feet are
cold specially in winters. 2.Pitta
people tend to have sound sleep mostly.They prespire in sleep. 3.Kapha
people have deep sleep and snore.
The
disorders of sleep can be broadly categorised as: 1.Late
onset sleep - The person who takes time to fall asleep after going to
bed.This occurs due to reduced kapha and anxiety,tension & stress. 2.
Disturbed sleep - the individual wakes up many times during the
sleep.The cause is disturbed vata and uncomfortable atmosphere. To
be continued … You
may consult our Ayurveda experts through on
line consultation or personally . HERB
OF THE MONTH:
TAGAR Indian
Valerian is a perennial plant indigenous to India, and is
characterized by its irregularly shaped root. The drug derived from
the dried rhizome and rootlets is called Tagar. Tagar promotes
sound sleep, eases anxiety and relaxes tense muscles. It may also have
a role to play in relieving digestive conditions, such as
diverticulosis and irritable bowel syndrome. Valerian added
to bath water in the form of a very strong herbal tea or as an
essential oil is said to have a calming effect, although specific
scientific evidence is sparse. Tagar
is very similar in composition to Valerian, but contains a slightly
larger amount of volatile oil. It has stimulant, depressant, sedative,
neuroleptic and antispasmodic properties. Rasa-
Pungent, bitter, astringent Veerya
– Hot Vipaka-
Pungent USES: Antispasmodic
- an
agent, which relieves or prevents spasms, usually of the smooth
muscles. Barbiturates and valerian are examples of antispasmodics. Improve
sleep - Valerian
is a strong nervine tonic helpful for insomnia. It
contains an essential oil and alkaloids, which combine to produce a
sedative effect. It can be used as a tranquilizer, and will leave one
feeling refreshed rather than sluggish. It is safe and non-narcotic
and has been recommended for anxiety. Valerian is commonly used with
other herbs for nervous tension, and is usually recommended for
short-term use, as prolonged use can cause mental depression. Valerian
root has been used for centuries to calm nervous disorders.
Scientific experiments conducted with laboratory animals in West
Germany have demonstrated that valerian root corrects muscle spasms
and tremors, reduces excitement and irritability, lowers high blood
pressure, and calms the central nervous system In the brain,
valerian is thought to bind to receptors for a nerve chemical called
GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid). By blocking some nerve impulses from
reaching the brain, the herb seems to shorten the amount of time it
takes to fall asleep as well as improve the quality of sleep that
results. And, unlike some of the more commonly prescribed sleep
medications, valerian is not addictive. Nor does it cause morning
grogginess (when taken at recommended doses), as some prescription
drugs do. Numerous
studies of insomniacs have shown that those who take valerian fall
asleep faster than participants given a placebo. The quality of sleep
improves as well, according to several recent studies. In one
placebo-controlled trial of 27 people with insomnia, Swedish
researchers found that 89% of those who were given a valerian
preparation reported improved sleep, with 44% rating their sleep as
"perfect." Even more
impressive results emerged from a well-designed 1996 trial involving
121 insomnia sufferers. Among the benefits of valerian root extract
taken one hour before bedtime (2 tablets of 300 mg each):
significantly improved sleep quality, dream recall, and sense of
psychological well-being. Nervine
- a substance which quells nervousness,anxiety and irritability,
either through depression or stimulation of the central nervous
system. German
health authorities endorse the use of valerian for restlessness and
sleeping disorders that are caused specifically by nervous conditions.
In fact, anyone who suffers from stress, panic attacks, or other
nervous conditions may want to give valerian a try. Valerian is
thought to lessen anxiety because in blocking brain receptors for the
neurotransmitter GABA, it also inhibits nerve impulses and
stress-related messages from reaching the brain. More research is
needed, however. Stomachic
and Carminative
- a substance which excites, strengthens and tones the stomach and
also assists in expelling gas from the intestines. Animal
testing and clinical research indicates that valerian has
antispasmodic properties. This may explain why it's valuable for
countering spasms of the muscle tissue in the digestive tract and
easing the intestinal pain that frequently accompanies irritable bowel
syndrome. The herb's calming effect may also contribute to healing;
after all, many digestive disorders are provoked by stress. ·
BEAUTY
TIP – Skin
Moisturizer: For
personalized beauty related queries mail to:beauty@ayurplanet.com
FORTHCOMING
EVENT:
Event
Name :AYURVEDIC INDUSTRY
IIIrd NATIONAL SYMPOSIUM Date(s):
9 to 21 September Venue:
New Delhi Organizer:
Ayurvedic drug manufacturer’s association Contact:
ADMA, 227,T.V.industrial Estate,248/A S.K.Ahire Marg, Worli,Mumbai Ph:
91 22 24984405; Email: admaindia@vsnl.net NEWS:
Coffee
number 1 source of antioxidants in US diet
29 Aug 2005 AYURVEDA
INDIA An
International Herbal Treatment and Panchakarma Centre, Our
European Centre: AGN 2521
ZL; Thijsse straat 16;Denhaag;The Netherlands. Website:
www.agn-ayurveda.com
Email: info@agn-ayurveda.com
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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
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concerns you are advised to consult with a duly licensed health
practitioner We do not claim for any authenticity of the matter.
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