Art of Self Medication - 3

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This is third post in this series, the links to previous posts appear at the

bottom of the page. The summary to date is as follows:

 

1. Use gradually increasing dosages to distinguish detox reactions from allergic

responses.

2. An allergic part of formulations being used simultaneously can be detected by

adding one formulation at a time, as also in the pulse test described in

Post#4511.

3. If a herb/formulation does not cause allergic reaction and seems to help,

noting subtle effects is discussed in Post #16234 and may be continued for an

extended period.

4. Added precautions need to be taken when a guiding vaidya is absent or

difficult to contact.

 

When taking a kashaya, arishta, or aasava tincture, or another stored liquid

preparation, shaking the bottle before each use rejuvenates, reactivates and

stimulates the potency of the medicine. This is also a component of homeopathic

medicine called succession, which applies equally to herbal asavas and arishtas.

The bottle should be shaken vigorously 10-20 times, releasing the gaseous

products which are formed as a result of long fermentation and it will save the

patient unnecessary flatulence and nausea after consuming these medicines.

Adding warm water brings the temperature of the medicine closer to body

temperature, and if copper water is used or the water is boiled to reduce it to

½ or ¼ fraction, the added bioavailability of the dose helps the medicine reach

each cell more efficiently.

 

Panchkarma is a very effective approach to solving several chronic problems.

After detoxification through panchkarma, several medicines become more

effective. However, this does not mean that herbs are ineffective without

panchkarma. Moreover, a patient may not be able to visit a vaidya for intensive

panchkarma or if he is able to visit for a limited time, Bastis can be taken.

There is a misunderstanding that panchkarma weakens a patient whereas the truth

is exactly the opposite. If Bastis are administered by an experienced vaidya,

Bastis can strengthen the patient, strengthen the reproductive system, as well

as dislodging deep seated toxins in the tissues. Bastis is the most powerful

weapon to beat infertility. Vaidyas can use tonic herbs, decoctions, ghrutams,

oils, fresh milk-like secretions of some trees and honey etc. to strengthen the

eliminatory organs, to nourish the reproductive track and eliminate harmful

microbial flora.

 

When a patient is taking a strong detox formula to cleanse the liver or colon,

then it is necessary to start even more slowly than with a single or tonic

formula and to build up to the maximum dosage. This is most applicable with

Panchgavya distillates. Many patients need to start with 10 drops diluted in 1-2

tsp water, shake and again add water to reduce the intensity of smell and taste

of cow urine distillate. They are asked to begin the course of treatment at a

time when they can rest, at least for the first two days. Skipping the medicine

for a day every week or so gave the body time to rest and renew. Since

panchgavya medicines lower the blood sugar, adding honey or dates to the diet

not only maintains blood sugar levels but also adds vitamins and minerals. If a

patient feels more energetic and fresher in the morning, their trust in the

medicine is doubled with the mind and the body working together and boosting the

corrective action of the medicine. Even diabetic patients can take dates and

honey in moderation. Drinking plenty of water, spread throughout the day and

taken at least every two hours, offers a vata pacification and increases

detoxification. The adverse effect of taking large amounts at once is described

in post#16298.

 

Once the body gets accustomed to digesting a daily increase in water, drinking

one or more litre will not present a problem, as long as elimination occurs when

the body demands. Suppression of the calls of nature adds to a Vata imbalance.

Samhitas mention that long travel causes vata imbalance. Why the author of

post#16298 gets severe constipation when he travels abroad is explained in

ayurvedic texts. (Flight over several time zones disturbs the circadian rhythms,

commonly known as jet-lag). One more point needs to be mentioned here

(Post#16284) that psyllium husk solves constipation, seems to have been

interpreted that it is a universal remedy for hard constipation. However, each

patient is unique. Depending on pulse, lifestyle, and diet, each patient

requires a different herb to tackle constipation. While a Kapha dominant patient

is happy with haritaki with black salt or haritaki with cow urine salts infused,

the pitta dominant patient is happy with sonamukhi, psyllium husk, but needs a

few more herbs to enhance the action. Mixing anti-pitta herbs gives the

advantage in this case. A Vata patient is the most difficult to treat. He

responds best to warm food and oils. Special haritaki Erand Bhrashta Haritaki,

Gandharva haritaki, Vatnashak churna consisting of Ginger, Fenugreek,

aswagandha, turmeric etc. may help him. The castor oil, castor seed decoction

etc. with an addition of jaggery, yeshtimadhu enhances the power of the

formulation. A Pitta dominant patient will respond to a milk + cow ghee mixture

too. The texts mentions that even haritaki should be taken with different

substances depending on the season (Rutu). Thus each patient needs a formulation

specific to his constitution as well as the season. With simple Parijata leaves,

ginger and castor oil, the author has seen that a monk could cure a very

difficult sciatica case! (Post#2765) Please do not treat ayurveda like a book on

home remedies or even universal remedies. The Vaidya is the central force in any

treatment, only he can take a fully integrated view of the patient.

 

Walking is a good exercise for all the organs and it also helps the body with

cleansing and detoxing. (See a power point presentation stored in the group

website files.) Taking a warm bath after an oil massage helps the skin

eliminate more toxins and reduces the chance of skin eruption from those same

toxins. Brisk towel rubs are also helpful, allowing the skin to release those

toxins and to stimulating the circulation and blood flow to the skin surface.

The author has successfully used oil massage on thighs and calf muscles to

relieve constipation, the marma points coming under massage is the secret key to

the effect achieved. This also explains why Indian toilets achieve better

elimination than western ones.

 

A diet containing good amounts of probiotic foods (buttermilk, yogurt) every day

after starting the detox herbs, insures that intestinal flora stay in balance,

increasing the probiotic content, and the end of the detox program balances any

potential erosion of healthy flora. Most of the ayurvedic formulations given in

conditions relating to indigestion, IBS etc. are given with anupana of

buttermilk or yogurt. Taking half a cup yogurt with a ¼ tsp turmeric mixed in

the first thing in the morning on an empty stomach helps considerably for a

jaundiced patient. This happens because turmeric is a liver cleansing herb and

also cleanses the gall bladder at the same time.

 

This series will be continued next week.

 

Editing help from Jane MacRoss is gratefully appreciated.

 

Dr Bhate