The most common ailments affecting the human crown are migraine and headache. Migraine is known in Ayurveda as Anantavarta while headache is termed Shirahshula. Chronic headache can be a potent symptom of many other diseases. There are many forms of headaches; and migraine is one of its predominant types. Another common form of migraine is identified as Suryavarta in Ayurveda. Let’s check out both migraine and headache in details.

MIGRAINE SYMPTOMS

The usual symptoms of migraine are convulsive painful attacks that keep on recurring. These attacks usually happen on a particular side of the head. However, if there are no such bouts the patient leads a normal life.

In the extreme cases, the intense pain may propel vomiting tendencies.

Though the patient may not experience any pain in the head between two bouts, yet he/she may experience nose congestion and head heaviness.

CAUSES OF MIGRAINE

There are two types of reasons why one may experience migraine; viz., primary and abrupt.

The primary causes are excessive tension, anxiety and worry.

Migraine may happen due to many other extraneous factors which can strike without warning. The most common of these abrupt causes is prolonged overexposure of the crown to snow, wind, cold or the heat of the sun.

MIGRAINE CONSEQUENCES

Chronic migraine may lead to constipation and even sinusitis. Some other effects of migraine are indigestion, nasal blockade and mental strain.

POINTS TO REMEMBER

More often than not, sneezing is accompanied by constipation. Hence, ensure that you have regular bowel movements. To cure constipation, one should have Agastya rasayana.

One needs to complete the full dose of six months to enjoy complete cure from constipation. More importantly, the patient must continue taking the medication (till the full dose is completed) even if the sneezing bouts disappear. This obviates any recurrence possibilities of the sneezing symptoms.

MAKE THESE PRACTICES YOUR HABITS

1. Retire early at night;

2. Learn to be an early riser;

3. Avoid sleepless nights;

4. Regularly do the yogic pranayams and breathing exercises.

5. Practise meditation.

6. Keep yourself free from all blues;

7. Don’t ever take anxiety, tension, or any form of mental worries;

8. These factors lead to constipation, indigestion and insomnia.

9. Never expose yourself to extreme climatic conditions;

10. Excessive toil, cold, rain and heat aggravate the conditions that cause migraine.

DIETARY REGIMEN

First, regular consumption of cow’s milk and ghee made from the milk of cattle is beneficial for the person suffering from migraine.

Second, he/she must always say ‘NO!’ to spicy food and all fried food items;

Third, don’t have those food items that cause flatulence, indigestion and/or constipation;

Last but not the least important point is to never consume sour things including curd.

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Ayurveda identifies three basic metabolic body types corresponding to three basic life energy forces, or doshas. Each person’s constitution is seen as a mixture of these doshas. Advocates of Ayurvedic medicine believe health is a balance of these energy forces, resulting in the harmony of body, mind, and spirit in the individual as well as between the individual and the outer forces of the environment and society.

THE DOSHAS HAVE FIVE SUB-PARTS

Each of the doshas is again subdivided into five divisions. These subdivisions stand for five separate aspects of the doshas themselves. They are not five different entities in the body.

Almost all the vital organs of the body are hosts to either the doshas or their sub-parts. They regulate all functions of the mind and the body.

SEASONS DETERMINE DOSHAS’ CHARACTERISTICS

Ayurvedic principles have it that the doshas undergo significant changes (get aggravated) according to the seasons.

For instance, Kapha is influenced in Spring (February-April), while Pitta is affected during Autumn (October-December). Similarly, Vayu intensifies between June to August (the concluding part of Summer).

Hence, it is mandatory that according to the season one should initiate remedial or precautionary measures to obviate any possibilities of contracting any disease. The classical Ayurvedic tomes recommend the various remedial steps: During the Spring season, one should consciously use various techniques like vomiting to bring out the toxic materials accumulating within the body; go for purgation in Autumn; and take medicated enema towards the fag end of Summer.

HOSTS OF THE DOSHAS

Mentionably, certain portions (organs and elements) of the body are permanent hosts to the doshas.

For instance, Vayu is permanently lodged in bones and the legs; the thighs; the pelvic region; the intestines, and the urinary bladder. Pitta is lodged permanently in the stomach; the blood; the lymph; and also in the sweat. The permanent seats of Kapha are fat tissues; the upper portion of the stomach; the joints; the neck; the head; and the thorax.

THE DOSHAS ARE MADE OF THE MAHABHUTAS

All the Doshas are constituted of all the five Mahabhutas. In fact, the entire human body is composed of the Mahabhutas.

For instance, the Vayu Dosha is mainly made up of the Akasha and the Vayu Mahabhutas. The Pitta Dosha is dominated by the Agni Mahabhuta; while the Kapha Dosha is composed primarily of two Mahabhutas – Prithvi and Jala.

NOTE: For details of location of the Doshas, check out Appendix-I

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The human body possess two main circulation channels (Srotas) although Ayurveda recognises 11 other such channels.

Through one the digested forms of the consumed items are circulated from the gastro-intestinal tract to the cells and the tissues. This nourishes the body.

This highway also carries the right proportions of the doshas (constituted of the Mahabhutas) and the other basic tissue elements from one portion of the body to another. This mechanism keeps the body healthy.

The other pathway transports the waste products produced by the body to be finally eliminated naturally via the Malas.

Therefore, the Srotas are constituted of all the major transportation avenues. They include the microscopic and finely designed capillaries; as well as the macroscopic genitor-urinary tract, the lymphatics, the veins, the arteries and the gastro-intestinal tract.

The ways to keep healthy the Srotas are regular yogic exercises, and observance of a hygienic daily regimen.

The literal meaning of the word srota is body passages or body channels. These channels are present throughout the visible and invisible body of the cells, molecules and atoms.

The body channels carry solids, liquids, gases, nerve impulses, nutrients, waste products and secretions in and out of the human body physiologies. According to some physicians human body is a network of appropriate nutrients and energies through the channels results in healthy mind and body. Any kind of blockage, deficiency or excess in the channels can result in various diseases.

The body channels are classified in two categories:

There are thirteen srotas in the internal channels. Among thirteen srotas, three srotas connect the individual to the external environment by inhaling and exhaling air, food and water. These three srotas are:

The other seven srotas are associated with the seven dhatus or tissues. These are:

The other three srotas eliminates the metabolic waste from the body. These are:

The external channels have their natural openings on the surface of the body. The pair of ears, eyes and nostrils, the mouth, anus and the urethra is the nine openings of the channels opening externally.

According to some ancient authorities there are three more srotas related to lactation, menstruation and the flow of thoughts to the mind. These three srotas are:

The food and activity that promotes the morbid tendencies of the three humors and are harmful to the body elements results in blockage of the body channels.

Ayurveda helps in diagnosing the affected srotas, its nature and extent of blockage and ultimately helps in knowing the process of disease. Ayurveda also takes the help of doshic imbalances, dhatus and Agni in the assessment of disease.

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In Ayurveda, there are three important purgation means. These are sweat, urine and stool. It is through these means that the toxic and waste materials produced within the body are brought out of the physical system.

It is of utmost importance that the functioning processes of the organs possessing the three purgation means, viz., the skin; the urinary tract; and the anus function regularly, normally and adequately. When any of them fails to properly work, the human body is exposed to various disorders. As a result, there is malfunctioning of one or a combination of the different Malas. The outcome is disease.

Each of the Malas functions in its typical mechanism.

The skin is made up of the different sweating glands.

The urinary tract is composed of the bladder and the kidneys among others.

The anus is a congregation of the entire digestive system – the enzymes, stomach, intestines, liver and the primary excretory mechanism including the anal tract).

THE SWEAT

Sweating is the body’s natural process to maintain the body temperature. It serves as an air conditioning tool. Moreover, sweating cleans the cells in the skin. The skin is always directly exposed to many pollutants. The body uses the skin pores to serve all these important bodily functions.

Hence we should keep the skin clean through means other than the natural ones as well. These means to clean the skin are regular scrubbing and bathing, exercises, and fomentation once in a month.

The moot point is to aid the purgation mechanism of the skin.

THE URINE

The urinary tract is one of the main channels through which certain highly toxic substances (produced by the body) are purged naturally.

To ensure regular and proper functioning of the urinary tract, one should drink enough quantities of hygienic and pure water.

It is normal to pass urine at least six times during the daytime.

However, abnormally frequent passing of urine is considered symptomatic of diseases like diabetes.

THE STOOL

The stool consists of two elements: One is the refuse or remnant of the food items that we consume and after our body digests or absorbs the necessary minerals and vitamins from them. The other is the eliminated substances from the Sapta Dhatus or the tissue cells of our bodies.

The significance of evacuation of stool can never be overestimated:

1. To maintain the tissue cells in their prime condition, there must be regular and natural movement of the bowels.

2. Else, gastro-intestinal and several other diseases will attack us.

3. Improper bowel movement further creates an ideal breeding ground for intestinal worms.

4. These worms then adversely affect the friendly bacteria that generally reside in the colon.

5. These friendly worms play a pivotal role in the synthesis of many useful materials which are absolutely necessary for the proper functioning of the body.

6. Proper bowel movement obviates the possibilities of one contracting chronic diseases like asthma, bronchitis, sciatica, rheumatism, lumbago and even paralysis.

7. Ensuring of the regular bowel movements is a pre-requisite to commencement of Ayurvedic treatments.

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Ayurveda stresses on the need for purification of certain Ayurvedic toxic medications prior to preparing them. This purification process is termed ‘Shodhana‘ in Ayurvedic terminology.

Purification is necessary to tender chemical and physical purity to the drug. In the process, the Ayurvedic drug becomes therapeutically more effective and also less toxic.

The actual ‘Shodhana‘ process constitutes a specialized segment altogether. In fact, the therapeutic effect of any of the Ayurvedic medications depends to a large extent on two aspects: the correct and accurate amount of purification as well as that of the drug preparation process.

The following examples will make the statement clearer:

Particular gum resins like ‘Guggulu’ as well as certain drugs contain ‘Kushtha’ – a volatile oil. However, only a particular quantity of this oil is therapeutically recommended. The excess oil is removed by the boiling process. Other materials used in the boiling process are milk and ‘Go-mutra’ among others.

‘Aconite’ in its natural form is a cardiac depressant. It should not be taken in that form. However, after purification (‘shodhana‘), ‘Shodhita Aconite’ transforms into a cardiac stimulant.

Shodhana- Elimination Therapy

When the diseases are chronic it is difficult to treat through the balancing methods of shaman therapy as it takes a lot of time. Here comes the role of the elimination therapy that takes less time and cure the diseases in which the doshas are situated at a much deeper level. Shodhana therapies expel the aggravated doshas from the body by the use of different types of elimination therapies called the Pancha Karma.

It involves the use of the following five types of cleansing techniques:

• Vamana- emetic therapy (supervised vomiting)
• Virechana- laxatives
• Vasti- herbal enema
• Nasya- nasal administration
• Rakta Mokshana – blood letting

Some preparatory treatments are first induced in order to soften the dosha and move it to either the stomach or the intestine from where the dosha is eliminated using the above-mentioned techniques. Shodhana is also used as a preventive treatment to gain positive health.

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A body tissue is known in Ayurveda as the Dhatu. The meaning of the term Sapta is seven.

A tissue, in simple terms, is a bonding cord. It ties together the body parts and also the different parts with one another to constitute a comprehensive whole.

There are seven Dhatus. These are:

1. Rasa (or Chyle) : Includes the lymph;
2. Rakta : Encompasses blood (primarily the haemoglobin);
3. Mamsa : Includes the muscle tissues;
4. Meda : Refers to the fat tissues;
5. Asthi : Points to the bone marrow;
6. Shukra : Denotes sperms in males and ova in females.

THE MAHABHUTAS CONSTITUTE THE SAPTA DHATUS

Each of the Sapta Dhatus is formed of the five Mahabhutas.

These Dhatus remain in equilibrium in the body of a healthy person. Any change in their actual correct proportion leads to various ailments.

The following list mentions just the predominant dhatu in a particular set of tissues.

Here are the instances:

The fat and muscle tissues are composed of the Prithvi Mahabhuta.

The lymph tissues are formed of the Jala Mahabhuta.

Haemoglobin (in blood) is made up of the Tejas Mahabhuta.

Bones are constituted of the Vayu Mahabhuta whereas the bone pores are built by the Akasha Mahabhuta.

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PLEURISY CLASSIFICATION

Generally, pleurisy is classified into three categories. The classification is based on the effects that emanate as a result of the inflammation. These classifications are as ‘Purulent pleurisy‘; ‘Effusion Pleurisy‘; and ‘Dry Pleurisy‘.

‘Purulent pleurisy‘

‘Purulent pleurisy‘ is characterised by pus formation in the affected section of the lungs.

‘Effusion Pleurisy‘

A person suffers from ‘Effusion Pleurisy‘ when the following two characteristics appear: excessive fluid oozes out during inflammation; and the fluid gets deposited in the pleural cavity.

‘Dry Pleurisy‘

‘Dry Pleurisy‘ is characterised by deposits of fibrous tissue or fibres at the affected portion.

SYMPTOMS OF PLEURISY

The patient may be uncomfortable while sleeping owing to the inflammation. The pleura inflammation syndrome is also accompanied by all or any of the following symptoms: breathing problems, rise in body temperature, coughing and chest pain especially even while making any simple movements.

AYURVEDIC DEFINITION OF PLEURISY

This syndrome is termed as Parshva shula in Ayurveda.

According to Ayurvedic principles, Pleurisy is caused due to the aggravation of Kapha and Vayu Doshas.

CURE CONSTPITAION

It has been generally found that Pleurisy patients suffer from constipation which in turn causes the person to lose appetite.

In such cases, the patients should be made to cure constipation in the first place. He/she must be given papaya to get early relief from constipation. Once constipation is taken care of, the person will experience appetite. The person concerned would also find taste in the simple diet he/she is tendered.

DIETARY REGIMEN

The patient should regularly have potato, cabbage, cauliflower, lady’s finger, brinjal, patola, and butter gourd.

WHAT NOT TO EAT

Such persons must avoid having the following items:

Icy food stuffs;

Any types of fried items;

Avoid all items like the green banana which cause constipation.

OTHER IMPORTANT POINTS

Though the patient should have adequate rest, yet he/she should not sleep during the daytime especially in the wintry season.

Her/she must abstain from sex indulgence;

Similarly, don’t do any hard physical labour;

Stay away from acute changes in temperatures.

AYURVEDIC TREATMENT

Ayurveda has medications for each of the three types of Pleurisy.

The Ayurvedic medications for the patients suffering from Pleurisy are Suvarna vasanta malati, Rasa sindoora and Naradiya Lakshmivilas.

There is also a common Ayurvedic drug for the Pleurisy patients. Shringa bhasma is this medication.

SUVARNA VASANTA MALATI

Suvarna vasanta malati is recommended for patients who suffer from Pleurisy accompanied by pus formation and experiences fever and body temperature.

The patient should be given a combination of Rasa Sindoora and Suvarna vasanta malati mixed with honey.

The Dose : Take 0.125 gram of each drug and mix it with a teaspoonful of honey. The patient should have the concoction four times daily.

RASA SINDOORA

Rasa sindoora is a specially prepared medication. The drug is prepared from typically purified (as per Ayurvedic norms) and sulphur and mercury. The purification process is done with the help of fire. As a result, both sulphur and mercury lose their toxic qualities and transform into therapeutic substances.

Note of caution : Rasa sindoora should not be consumed for a prolonged period. This medication should be discontinued immediately after pain and cough subsides.

The patient should then, however, continue with Naradiya Lakshmivilas and Shringa Bhasma.

NARADIYA LAKSHMIVILAS

Naradiya Lakshmivilas along with Shringa Bhasma is prescribed for patients suffering from Pleurisy accompanied by infusion.

The Dose : The patient should be tendered 0.250 gram of Naradiya Lakshmivilas mixed with half a gram of Shringa Bhasma four times daily.

Note : The patient should also take Rasa sindoora if the patient suffers from phlegm mixed cough.

SHRINGA BHASMA

Shringa Bhasma is prepared from deer’s horn which is first cut into minute pieces. They are then processed. Next, these pieces are burnt. Once they turn into ashes, the fine powder is used to prepare the medication.

The Dose : The dose is determined according to the seriousness of the syndrome and the acute nature of the ailment. The powder is mixed with honey and then given to the patient. The quantity of the burnt deer horn powder is 0.250 gram.

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AYURVEDIC INTERPRETATION

Hiccups are known as Bikka roga in Ayurvedic terminology. Varied symptoms are involved consequent upon the Doshas involved in causing the ailment.

DIETARY REGIMEN

The patient should be given a diet consisting of only the following items: Lots of garlic (even in the raw form or as a condiment with vegetables); goat’s milk, lemon, radish (the tender ones); patola and old rice.

He/she should also be tendered the soup of the dal kulattha.

WHAT NOT TO EAT

Masha, icy or refrigerated food items and heavy or fatty food should never be given to such a patient.

OTHER IMPORTANT POINTS

The patient needs to be tendered psycho-therapy especially if the ailment is caused by psychoneurotic factors;

He/she should never sleep during the daytime during the wintry season;

However, otherwise bed rest is quite important for the patient;

The patient should abstain from sexual indulgence;

Similarly, he/she should stay away from all forms of physical exercises

Nevertheless, the patient should not deprive himself from natural urges atleast in the normal form.

AYURVEDIC TREATMENT

The commonly prescribed Ayurvedic treatments to patients suffering from this condition are as follows: Sukumara ghrita, Eladi vati; and the ash of peacock feathers.

SUKUMARA GHRITA

Sukumara ghrita is recommended for the patients who suffer from the disease accompanied by upward alleviation of Vayu.

The Dose : Mix one teaspoonful of Sukumara ghrita with milk and tender the concoction to the patient thrice daily.

ELADI VATI

The primary ingredient of Eladi vati is cardamom. Eladi vati is available across the counter in the tablet (pill) form.

The Dose : The patient should suck a tablet of Eladi vati mixed with honey six times daily.

ASH OF PEACOCK FEATHERS

Interestingly enough, Ayurveda prescribes the ash of peacock feathers as the most ideal medication to treat hiccups.

The Dose : The patient should consume 0.125 gram of the ash six times daily.

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AYURVEDIC INTERPRETATION

Haemoptysis is included in the group of ailments commonly termed as Urdhvaga Rakta pitta according to Ayurvedic principles.

DIETARY REGIMEN

The patient should follow a strict dietary regimen. It should include meat, rice of the old variety (at least a year old) and soup of cereals like masur, moong, and patola.

He/she should drink lots of water.

Cow’s milk is also prescribed for such people.

Moreover, such a person needs to also regularly consume amalaki and pomegranate.

WHAT NOT TO EAT

The patient stay away from all forms of spicy and hot food items.

OTHER IMPORTANT POINTS

Complete rest is mandatory for such patients.

They should not get involved in any form of physical exertion. The patient should also avoid moving out under sunlight.

AYURVEDIC TREATMENT

Ayurveda has the following two effective medications for patients suffering from Haemoptysis. They are Pravala pishti and Vasaka.

PRAVALA PISHTI

Pravala pishti is prepared from coral.

The Dose : One gram of Pravala pishti should be mixed with honey. The patient should have it four times daily.

VASAKA

Vasaka is a commonly prescribed liquid medication. Since its taste is bitter, honey is used to tone down the taste and make it palatable.

The Dose : Two teaspoonfuls mixed with half a teaspoonful of honey four times daily.

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BRONCHITIS TYPES

Depending on the nature of the phlegm, Bronchitis can be of many types. On the other hand, bronchitis can also be indicative of many other ailments like TB (tuberculosis).

AYURVEDIC INTERPRETATION

Bronchitis is known as Kasa roga in Ayurveda. Ayurveda pinpoints the cause of this ailment to germs or Krimis. However, Krimis are only secondary causative agents. The primary factor for causing Bronchitis (according to Ayurvedic principles) is digestive impairment.

Ayurvedic treatment concentrates on correcting the digestive mechanism as well as the functioning of the lungs while treating Bronchitis. Thus, the ancillary ailments are also cured effectively.

WHAT NOT TO EAT

They should stay away from food items having sour taste.

Such people must not take curd.

Similarly, they should not consume guava and banana.

OTHER IMPORTANT POINTS

Patients suffering from Bronchitis should not bathe in cold water.

Besides, such people should never get exposed to rain or cold wind.

AYURVEDIC TREATMENT

Ayurveda has several easily available homemade treatments for the patients suffering from Bronchitis. Mention may be made of Khadira vati, Vasa, Trikatu or Tryushana, Maricha, Pippali, Sunthi and Haridra.

KHADIRA VATI

Khadira vati is available across the counter in the form of pills.

Khadira vati is generally prescribed for patients suffering from congested throat. The primary ingredient of Khadira vati is Khadira.

Khadira vati soothes the tummy by freeing congestion.

The Dose : The patient should slowly suck at least five tablets five times daily.

VASA

Vasa is a medicinal plant. The leaves of Vasa are used for preparation of the medication. This plant grows luxuriantly across India expect in the Himalayan mountain ranges especially in the snow-clad region and the deserts.

Vasa cures chronic bronchitis and cough. Since the taste of Vasa is rather bitter, one should mix honey with the juice.

The Dose : The patient should have two teaspoonfuls of Vasa leaves juice mixed with an equal quantity of honey thrice daily.

TRIKATU OR TRYUSHANA

Trikatu or Tryushana is a combination of three ingredients, namely Maricha (Black pepper), Pippali (Long pepper), and Sunthi (Dried ginger). Each of these ingredients is used as spices in the Indian households.

The stimulant and anti-pyretic effects arrests fever as well. Above all, the trio insulates the body of the patient from the attacks of any bacteria or germs. In fact, the Krimis fail to even multiply.

The trio acts as a potent therapeutic agent especially with respect to the lungs and the tummy.

This concoction expectorates phlegm and relieves breathing problems.

Moreover, Trikatu or Tryushana boosts metabolism and digestion. As a result, bronchial inflammation caused due tom infection is arrested.

The Dose : Half a teaspoonful mixed with an equal quantity of honey thrice daily.

Caution Note : One may experience a slight burning sensation after consuming the concoction in excess. Then, the amount of the concoction should be reduced.

HARIDRA

Haridra is turmeric powder. This simple medication should be taken by the patient in an empty tummy. Haridra does not have nay side effects. It is prescribed for all patients. This is notwithstanding sex, age or the state of the ailment.

The Dose : Mix a teaspoonful of Haridra with a cup of milk. The patient should have it thrice daily on an empty tummy. The frequency of the medication can be increased to five times if the patient suffers from the acute form of bronchitis.

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