Miracle Herbs

March 8th, 2009 by admin

Congestive cardiac failure (CCF), also known as congestive heart failure, is a condition in which the heart’s function as a pump to deliver oxygen-rich blood to the body is inadequate to meet the body’s needs. CCF can be caused by coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, long standing alcohol abuse and disorders of the heart valves. Fatigue; swelling of the ankles and legs or abdomen; breathlessness; increased urination, especially at night; nausea; abdominal pain; and decreased appetite are common symptoms of this condition.

The Ayurvedic treatment of CCF is aimed at improving the efficiency of the heart, reducing the load on the heart and treating any potentially reversible causes of this disease. The efficiency of the heart is increased by using medicines like Laxmi-Vilas-Ras, Maha-Laxmi-Vilas-Ras, Makar-Dhwaj- Ras, Shrung-Bhasma, Bruhat-Vat-Chintamani and Abhrak-Bhasma. Coronary artery disease, leading to a reduced blood supply to the heart muscles, can be corrected by using medicines like Arogya-Vardhini, Triphala-Guggulu, Medohar-Guggulu and Chandraprabha-Vati. Weak heart muscles can be strengthened using medicines like Trayodashang-Guggulu, Panch-Tikta-Ghrut-Guggulu, Arjun (Terminalia arjuna), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Draksha (Vitis vinifera), Nimba (Azadirachta indica), Patol (Tricosanthe dioica), Patha (Cissampelos pareira), Musta (Cyperus rotundus), Kutaj (Holarrhina antidysentrica), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) and Naagbala (Grewia hirsuta). Disorders of the valves of the heart can be partially corrected using medicines like Laxadi-Guggulu, Sinhanaad-Guggulu, Dashmoolarishta and Arjunarishta.

It is very important to control high blood pressure, since this puts a continuous strain on the heart muscles. Medicines like Sarpagandha (Raulwofia serpentina), Jatamansi (Nardostachys jatamansi), Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), Dhamasa (Fagonia cretica) and Sutshekhar-Ras can be used for this purpose. Alcohol abuse can make the heart muscles weak, and also cause destruction in the liver, thereby resulting in CCF. This can be treated using medicines like Arogya-Vardhini, Shankh-Vati, Bhunimbadi-Qadha, Kutki (Picrorrhiza kurroa) and Sharpunkha (Tephrosia purpurea). The load on the heart can be reduced using medicines like Punarnavadi-Qadha, Gokshuradi-Qadha, Yav-Kshar, Apamarga (Achyranthus aspera) and Ikshumool (Saceharum officinarum).

A judicious combination of Ayurvedic medicines can thus be used to control CCF and improve the overall survival of patients affected with this condition. It is important to adopt adequate lifestyle modifications for this disease. Daily salt and fluid intake needs to be restricted. Regular exercise in moderation is beneficial for CCF. A complete abstinence from alcohol and smoking is important to avoid further damage to the heart. Stress needs to be minimized by adopting suitable relaxation techniques.

March 7th, 2009 by admin

Hemorrhoids are clumps of tissue within the anal canal that contain blood vessels and the surrounding, supporting tissue made up of muscle and elastic fibers. Hemorrhoids can be either internal or external. Long standing constipation, pregnancy, tumors in the pelvis and chronic diarrhea and dysentery are some of the known causes of hemorrhoids. Bulging of the hemorrhoids, especially while passing stools bleeding itching and pain in case of strangulated hemorrhoids, are common symptoms of this condition.

The Ayurvedic treatment of hemorrhoids is aimed at reducing the size of the swelling, treating the symptoms and preventing recurrence of this condition. Treating constipation is believed to be the mainstay of treatment for this condition. All patients affected with hemorrhoids are advised to adopt a high fiber diet, with a daily intake of large amounts of fruits and vegetables. Consumption of large quantities of water and milk also help in the formation of soft stools. In addition, for bulk formation and easy passage of stools, medicines like Isabgol (Plantago ovata), Triphala (Three fruits), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Gandharva-Haritaki, Avipattikar-Churna, Samudradi-Lavan, Shankh-Vati, Hingashtak-Churna, Arogya-Vardhini and Kutki (Picrorrhiza kurroa) are used.

Medicines like Kutaj (Holarrhina antidysentrica), Yashtimadhuk (Glycerrhiza glabra), Musta (Cyperus rotundus), Suran (Amorphophallus campanulatus), Dhamasa (Fagonia cretica), Jeerak (Cuminum cyminum) and Naagkeshar (Messua ferrea) are used to treat bleeding piles. The combined action of these medicines reduces the bulk of the hemorrhoids, stops bleeding and heals the mucous membrane. For non-bleeding, itching hemorrhoids, medicines like Bhallatak (Semicarpus anacardium), Chitrak (Plumbago zeylanica), Marich (Piper nigrum) and Chavya (Piper retrofractum) are used.

Local application on the hemorrhoids is an important aspect of treatment in order to give immediate relief from pain, bleeding and itching. Medicated oils and ointments are used for this purpose including Jatyadi oil, Yashtimadhuk-Ghrut, Kaasisadi oil and ointments containing Yashtimadhuk, Naagkeshar, Sphatik-Bhasma, Mandukparni (Centella asiatica) and Haridra (Curcuma longa). In order to reduce severe pain, patients are advised to soak in a bath- tub filled with warm water for about five to ten minutes, two or three times a day. This relieves the pain and swelling in the hemorrhoids and helps in easy passage of stools.

The majority of patients with hemorrhoids can be managed quite well with medicines, local applications and lifestyle modifications. About 10% of severe cases who do not respond to these medicines need to be treated surgically. Alternatively, patients can be offered ‘Kshar-sutra’ (medicated suture ligation) treatment which helps in complete eradication of the piles without the inherent risks of surgery.

March 6th, 2009 by admin

Dyspepsia is known by different names such as functional dyspepsia, non-ulcer dyspepsia and indigestion. Dyspepsia is a functional disease with several vague symptoms which include upper abdominal pain, belching, nausea, abdominal bloating or distension and early satiety. The symptoms are most often provoked by eating. Dyspepsia is believed to be due to a dysfunction of the muscles of the organs of the gastro-intestinal tract or the nerves controlling the organs. Visceral hyper-sensitivity, small-intestinal bacterial overgrowth, depression, and menstruation are known to precipitate dyspepsia. This is a chronic disease which usually lasts for several years, however, complications from this disease are relatively limited. The diagnosis of this condition is based upon exclusion of other diseases.

The Ayurvedic treatment of dyspepsia is aimed at treating the symptoms and treating the underlying cause, if known. Medicines are used to control burning and stomach pain, nausea and vomiting and control abdominal bloating. The choice of medicines is made according to the predominance of symptoms. Medicines like Sutshekhar-Ras, Praval-Panchamrut, Praval-Bhasma, Shankh-Bhasma, Kamdudha-Ras and Bhunimbadi-Qadha are used to control upper abdominal pain and burning in the stomach. Medicines like Laghu-Sutshekhar-Ras, Vishwa (Zinziber officinalis), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Marich (Piper nigrum), Pippali (Piper longum), Jeerak (Cuminum cyminum), Pudina (Mentha spicata) and Swarjika- Kshar are used to treat nausea and vomiting. Medicines like Shankh-Vati, Chitrakadi-Vati, Lashunadi-Vati, Hingashtak-Churna, Samudradi-Lavan and Lavan-Bhaskar-Churna are used to treat belching, abdominal bloating and distension.

A significant proportion of people affected with this condition also have associated anxiety and depression. Such patients therefore, also need to be given additional treatment like Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), Jatamansi (Nardostachys jatamansi), Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis), Mandukparni (Centella asiatica), Vacha (Acorus calamus) and Sarpagandha (Rauwolfia serpentina). To treat suspected small-intestinal overgrowth, medicines like Panchamrut-Parpati, Kutaj-Parpati and Sukshma-Triphala are used.

On the whole, a majority of patients with dyspepsia can be adequately controlled with the above mentioned medicines. Several courses of treatment may need to be given in order to adequately control the symptoms. People affected with dyspepsia are advised to avoid known precipitating food stuffs. It is very important to positively rule out other serious diseases of the gastro-intestinal tract like peptic ulcer before starting treatment for dyspepsia.