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Ayurveda a popular alternative medicine in Malaysia

With Indian Ayurveda emerging as a popular alternative treatment in Malaysia, experts here are seeking India's support in expanding the reach of the traditional medicine among Malaysians.

The Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and the Indian Ayurveda and Siddha medicine are respectively the most common alternative remedy to conventional medicine for the Chinese and Indian communities.

The president of the Malaysian Society for Complementary Medicine (MSCM) Dr Lee Chee Pheng remarked that no one wants to fall sick and the side effects of conventional drugs were pushing the society towards herbal medicine that is relatively harmless.

"Based on the market demand, TCM is the fastest growing industry in the world," Dr Lee was quoted as saying to Bernama.

In developing alternative medicine here, Dr Lee noted that India is willing to cooperate with Malaysia to explore the potential of our natural herbs.

In this respect Dr Lee invited the National Institute of Unani Medicine (NIUM) in Bangalore, India, to undertake joint research on natural herbs with the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia.

Concurring with Dr Lee, Dr VM Palaniappan a leading practitioner of alternative medicine and author of numerous books on the subject noted that the ancient Ayurveda and Siddha medicine too have been gaining popularity in Malaysia with many Ayurvedic centres cropping up over the last decade.

"I have a strong feeling that Ayurvedic system is fast picking up in Malaysia, and I will not be surprised if more people begin to seek remedies through this method.

"One of the reasons why people opt for alternative medicine appears to be the presence of undesirable side effects of chemical-based drugs used in modern medicine," said this former academician with Universiti Malaya.

Another reason for people seeking treatment using alternative method is the cost factor.
Source: IndiaTimes

Ayurvedic Herbs Information

Find Ayurveda medicinal plants that benefit nervous system. Ayurveda medicinal plants are useful in the restoration of consciousness, lack or sleep or acting as hypnotic plants, sleepiness or drowsiness, painful conditions acting as analgesic or anodyne, fits acting as anti-convulsant. These are good for our senses - beneficial for vision, and as mydriatics, myotics and as relieving many of ear disorders.

Herbs Restoring Consciousness:
These plants help to restore the consciousness and bring it back to normal state. These herbs have sharp quality and hot active principle.

The Ayurvedic Approach:
Ayurveda considers the Pitta humor to be the responsible physically and Tamas to be responsible psychologically. Further these medicinal plants stimulate the heart as well.

Hinga (Asafoetida or Ferula narthex), Mahanimba (Bead tree or Persian lilac or Melia azedarach), Vacha (Sweet flag or Acorus calamus), Brahmi (Bacopa or Bacopa monnieri) and Jatamansi (Spikenard or Nordostachys jatamansi) are some of the examples of these herbs.

Ayurvedic Herbs Information For Insomnia:
Sleep results from the action of Kapha humor and Tamas, so herbs that increase the kapha and tamas are helpful in Insomnia. Some narcotic herbs are also hypnotic in low dosage.


Charaka mentioned buffalo milk as the best diet or nutritional supplement to induce sleep in the insomnia patients.

Anti-Hypnotic Herbs:
Herbs that are anti-kapha and possess sharp quality are anti-hypnotic. The sharp purification processes of Ayurvedic panchakarma are good for those who feel sleepy all the time.

Ayurvedic Herbs Information For Analgesic Or Anodyne Effect:
All the pains in the body are due to alteration in Vata humor. The herbs having anodyne effect are essentially Anti-Vata. Plus they are usually having hot active principle. The qualities can be unctuousness or dry.

The examples of such medicinal plants are - Guggulu (Gum guggul or Indian bedellium or Commiphora mukul), Kataphala (Box myrtle or Myrica esculentus), Shala (Shal tree or Shorea robusta), Ahiphena (Opium or Papaver somniferum), Ganja (Indian hemp or Cannabis sativa derived product abused for addiction), Suchi (Atropa belladona), Vatsanabha (Aconite or Monk's hood or Aconitum ferox).
Convulsant Herbs:

These herbs have the potential to induce convulsions. e.g. Kupeelu or Nux vomica.

Anti-Convulsant Herbs:
These herbs pacify the convulsions. These are also called Spinal depressants. e.g. Ahiphena (Opium or Papaver somniferum), Suchi (Atropa belladona), Karpura (Camphor), Ganja (Indian hemp or Cannabis sativa derived product abused for addiction), Tobacco. Most of these herbs are having hot active principle.
Ayurvedic Herbs For Sensory Organs

There are five sensory organs - eyes, ear, tongue, nose and skin.

Beneficial Herbs For Eyes:
Most of the diseases of eyes are due to Pitta or Kapha humor. So herbs that are useful for eyes are both hot and cold in active principle.

The herbs with cold active principle are Madhuyasti (Liquorice or Licorice), Triphala (Triple myrobalan - Terminalia chebula, Terminalia belerica and Emblica officinalis each in equal parts) and the herbs with hot active principle are Shigru seed (Horse radish tree or Drum stick plant or Moringa oleifera), Chakshuya (Cassia absus).

Mydriatic Herbs:
Iris regulates the size of the pupil. Mydriatric herbs increase the size of the pupil. Iris has two types of fibres - the circular and longitudinal - responsible respectively for constriction and dilatation of the pupil.

Mydriatic action is produced by many mechanisms.

1. By depressing the occulomotor or 3rd Cranial nerve - Suchi (Atropa belladona), Dhatura (Datura metel or Thorn apple).
2. By stimulating Sympathetic sensory nerves - Cocaine, adrenaline, Ephedra extract.
3. By depressing the occulomotor center in brain - during asphyxia or loss of consciousness or coma.

Many of the psychological states or emotional conditions are also capable of increasing the size of the pupil like fear and excitement. Activities like dilatation and constriction are due to the action of Vata humor.

Myotic Herbs:
These herbs are responsible for constricting the size of the pupil. These act in two ways -

1. By stimulating the Occulomotor nerve: Tobacco.
2. By stimulating the Occulomotor center in Brain: Ahiphen (Opium or Papaver somniferum) or General Anesthesia.

Myodriatic herbs increase the intra-occular pressure and Myotic herbs reduce the intra-occular pressure.

Ayurvedic Herbs Information For Ears:
The herbs useful for ear exert their effects in different ways.

1. By expelling the sebum like substances from the external auditor or ear canal. These dissolve such substances with them. e.g. oils like unctuous substances.
2. The Alkali substances expel the sebum like substances with them e.g. Apamarga (Prickly Chaff flower or Achyranthes aspera) derived alkali based oil (exerting effect like Hydrogen peroxide)
3. By pacifying the Vata in the ear by their unctuous properties like herbal oils
4. Some herbs stimulate the nerves by their specific properties like Bilwa (Bael or Aegle marmelos).

Source: holistic-herbalist.com

Sreedhareeyam in Bhopal

New Sreedhareeyam branch outside the Kerala shall be started functioning on 29th January 2011 in Bhopal in presence of Dr. N.P.P. Namboothiri, Managing Director at the following address:

M/s Sanjeevni Sreedhareeyam Ayurvedic Netra Chikitsalay
Minor Forest Produce Processing And Research Centre (MFP-PARC),
Van Parisar, Barkheda Pathani,
Bhopal - 462 021, (M.P.)
Ph : 08435587874

Now, effective therapy for rare eye diseases

Eyes, they say, are windows to the world. These days, eye diseases are proliferating across age groups. And though modern medicine has analysed these diseases in detail and come up with remedies wherever possible, there are still many eye conditions that cannot be treated successfully such as Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP). However, in Ayurveda, there are effective treatments for this and other conditions like night blindness, day blindness, etc.

Now Mumbaiites can easily avail highly effective treatment for rare eye diseases. Sreedhareeyam, the famous Kerala-based Ayurvedic Eye Hospital, which was awarded the Centre for Excellence by the Government of India, has recently opened a branch in Nerul, Navi Mumbai, to make the highly effective treatments of Ayurvedic ophthalmology available in the city.

Ayurvedic exponents have specialised treatises on more than hundred diseases affecting the eye. These diseases relate to the pupil, iris, cornea, retina, optic nerves, disc, etc. Among the causes of these diseases are bad food habits, excess acidic and alkalic juices in the system, drug abuse, unhealthy sleeping positions, cold baths while the body is still sweating, shifting vision focus abruptly from far to near objects, exposure to dust, fumes, smoke and sometimes, even excessive laughter.

Tantra, a branch of Ayurveda, discussed the origin, early stages, symptoms, treatment of eye ailments in detail. Srotha Shudhi is advised in cases caused by defective blood circulation. Treatments to cleanse the eyes like

Dhara, Thalam, Swedanam and Parishekam are also advocated.

The Mumbai clinic has been set up to offer every treatment that is available at the main hospital in Kerala. They will also have specially trained Ayurvedic physicians and Panchakarma experts. Besides ophthalmology, the centre will also offer therapies for other diseases like migraines, stressrelated problems, spinal disorders, multiple sclerosis, stroke, muscular dystrophy and atrophy, neurological disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, obesity, diabetes, etc. One can also avail rejuvenation therapy which boosts the immune system and acts as a preventive measure against diseases. In addition to the medical experts at the Mumbai centre, senior doctors from Kerala will also be available for consultation twice a month.

To know more, contact Sreedhareeyam Ayurvedic Eye Hospital & Panchakarma Centre, C1, F2 (F-type) Devdarshan Apartments, Plot No 6, Sector 11, Nerul, Navi Mumbai or email us at mumbaibranch@sreedhareeyam.com or call 022- 27706655.

Source: Mumbai Times

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Protect your Eyes, Ears and Teeth using Ayurveda Techniques

Ayurveda is becoming popular all over the world. For every disease in medical science, ayurveda have medicines. Eyes and Ears are the main sense organs of human body. So it should be protected and cared in a better way. In this article you will get the complete idea about, how to protect eyes, ears and teeth using ayurvedic techniques.

Protection of Eyes
Eyes are the main part of our body. So protection of eyes is very important. Now days, everyone is spending a lot of time in front of computer for business deals and children for gaming. We have to give relaxation for the eyes for a time period. Following points are to be noted for the protection of Eyes.

1. Don't rub your eyes using your hands or any clothes, if any dust enters your eyes. It led to scratch your eye lid. Wash your eyes using pure water jet.

2. Don't use the handkerchief or bathing towel which is used by someone else. It causes disease to your eyes.

3. Don't try to look at the image or statue which is highly bright or shining or microscopic. It may give more stress to your eyes which led to headache and eye problem.

4. Avoid the habit of reading books in running vehicles. It causes the eyes muscles and lenses to contract rapidly which led your eyes to problem or diseases like short sight.

5. Keep the book at a distance of 12 inch from the eyes when you are reading. Misplacing the distance cause the eyes for high stress.

6. Don't read the books in single time without giving rest to the eyes. Give the eyes some rest by giving some intervals in the reading procedure.

7. Watching television for a long time is not good for your eyes. Give rest for your eyes for a period of time in between watching the television. Also try to see television in the room having good light facilities.

8. Don't forget to switch on the light for good light in the room which you are watching television.

9. Keep in mind the mathematic ration of watching television. I.e. keep a distance from the television. The distance should be equal to the multiplication of the size of the screen of the television with eight. Sit and watch the television at a distance from the television by the calculation.

10. Only the one who don't have eyes know the value of it. So keep good care your eyes. Wash your eyes more than twice a day. Eat leafy vegetables more for good health of eyes.

Ayurvedic Cure for Conjunctivitis

Following are some of the Ayurvedic home remedies for conjunctivitis:

• Myrobalans – Take 3 to 6 grams of powders of all the three myrobalans – amla, harad and baheda twice a day.
• Rose water – Use plain rose water on the eyelids or as eye drops.
• Bilva – According to Ayurvedic texts, bilva leaves are beneficial in treating conjunctivitis. The fresh, clean juice extracted from the leaves of bilva should be properly filtered through a muslin cloth. Use as eye drops, or make a paste out of pounded leaves and apply to the eyelids.
• Coriander – Boil freshly dried coriander and prepare its decoction. Filter carefully and wash the eyes with this decoction to treat redness and burning of the eyes.
• Alum – Mix powdered alum into rose water and carefully filter it through a clean muslin cloth. Pt 2 to 3 drops of this liquid into the eyes.
• Soak powder of the 3 myrobalans overnight. In the morning, strain through a clean cloth. Use this liquid both for drinking and as an eye wash. It helps most of the eye problems.

Some Ayurvedic herbs to treat conjunctivitis:

• Chandi (Ervetamia coronaria)
• Chirchita (Achyranthes aspera)
• Kikar (Acacia arabica)
• Neem (Azadirachta indica)
• Prajmoda (Petrosilenum crispum)
• Rasaut (Berberis arisatata)
• Tarwar (Cassia auriculata)
• Zergul (Calendula officinalis)

The above are some of the Ayurvedic treatments for conjunctivitis.

Characteristic Symptoms of Conjunctivitis

• Inflammation of the conjunctivae along with discomfort, grittiness and sticky eyelids.
• Purulent or watery discharge from the eyes.
• Intense itching and mucoid discharge if the problems is allergic.
• The ailment becomes chronic with regular exposure to dust, smoke and cold winds.

Source: ayurveda.ygoy.com

Eye care by Ayurveda in 21 century

21 century has defiantly seen progress but on the expenses paid by us on our health. Eyes are one such sense organ that takes the heaviest toll. They are constantly exposed to either bright light from laptops or computers or television and if not this then on streets from bright neon signs. The new generation are equipped either with glasses or lens and the older generation like you and me facing many degenerative diseases of the eyes like macular degeneration and glaucoma.

In Ayurveda four major herbs or food items are known to be best when it comes to cure or prevent different disorder of the eyes. In this article we would have look and see if they still hold the magic key for good eye sight.

1] Ghee or Clarified Butter
Ghee or Clarified butter is a well known milk product for most of us Indian, but for others it seems like a product full of fats and cholesterol. Ghee in Ayurveda is said to be very cooling in nature. Over all Ayurveda speaks of ghee as a important Rasyana one that can nourish each and every cell of our body with its properties. Ghee thus acts as a tonic for our eyes too internally as well as externally and thus uses in treatment known as “Netra Tapan”. My personal experience speaks highly of the use of this treatment for macular degeneration , retinal prolapsed and other conditions of the eyes.

2] Honey:
Honey is known for its medicinal properties since ages and Ayurveda too has lot to add when using honey as medicine. The role of honey in Ayurveda is that of a catalyst. Add certain herbs with honey and the herbs are bound to reach smallest cells of the body with the help of honey. When it comes to eyes honey works more like a cleanser. Apply some honey in your eyes with a very smooth hand and see how it feels. Tears flow from the eyes and soon one can see that your eyes are clear from all the dirt and dust. In general Ayurveda regards honey to be great herb to work on the eyes.

3] Triphala :
One of the potent herb that Ayurveda recommends when it comes to different health issue of the eyes is Triphala. Triphala or basically a combination of three fruits thus the word Tri-phala namely Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Bibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica), and Haritaki (Terminalia chebula). This combination acts like cleanser and also rejuvenates the eyes. A potent mixture for most of the diseases of the eyes, Triphala unluckily should not be just taken without the consent of your naturopaths or Vaidya or Ayurvedic practitioner. Consult your Vaidya and see what he recommends and then try this this magic herb for your eyes.

4] Breast Milk:
One of the recommendations in the books of Ayurveda when it comes to work on eyes is the use of Breast Milk. Fresh breast milk is said to be good for the eyes possibly due to its cooling action on the eyes.
I personally use instead Cow’s Milk instead of Breast Milk since the availability is an issue. After long strenuous day on computers, soak gauze in cold milk and then keep it on your closed eyes. Keep that gauze for a while and see the result. Try it now ...if you wanted.

Besides all those food group carrots, green vegetable like spinach , herbs like bilberry fennel are known to be good for our eye sight and to prevent and cure different eye issues. Lastly it all comes down to prevention rather than cure and thus trying avoid all those triggers such conditions in general.

Source: e-swastya.com

Eye Problems Natural Remedies, Ayurvedic Cure

According to medical studies minor eye problems are a result of poor lighting, and using too hot or too cold of water on the fact.

According to ayurvedic studies, eye problems are caused by a variety of different upsetting of one of the three doshas. For instance, the aggravation of Kapha dosha aggravates dullness of eyes. Also, the increase of the Vata dosha leads to dry eyes.

Furthermore, the pitta dosha is aggravated through smoke, stress, or pollution causes bloodshot eyes. The other cause of sore eyes is insufficient sleep. Also, weak eyes are caused by a weakening of the Alchaka Pitta.

Eyes that are not taken care of properly could result in the following:

• Impaired vision (need of glasses)
• Cataracts
• Damaged Retinas
• Blindness

Eye exercise in Yoga

Yoga is vital in maintaining eye health. Yoga Eye Exercise strengthens the muscles of the eyes, thus preventing eye ailments. Regular practice of certain eye exercises even rectifies eye problems. It has also been scientifically proven that certain eye exercise like rotating eyeballs, palming, gaze shifting etc improves vision and hence should be a part of regular yoga practice.

A few such Yogic Eye Exercises are given below. It is recommended that one should assume the Corpse Pose (Shavasana) wherein one is required to lie in a relaxed state on the floor, with all parts of the body kept relaxed, while doing these exercises.

• Sit straight with hands on the knees. Lift up the eyes, find a point on which the gaze can be focused for a few seconds without much strain. Then shift the gaze down to the floor, now find a point on which the gaze can be focused effortlessly. This shifting of gaze up and down, is a good eye exercise. Breathing should be normal and regular. Care should be taken to see that the head or any other part of the body does not move during this exercise except the eyes.
  

• Rub the palms until they are heated up and place it over the eyes. While doing so, there should not be any direct pressure on the eyes. The eyes should remain relaxed in the darkness.

• Move eyeballs from left to right and vice-versa and then relax by placing the palms over the eyes. Now move eyeballs from left top to right bottom and vice-versa, and again relax as said. Now rotate the eyeballs in clock-wise direction and then anti-clockwise direction a few times. Relax. Finally move the eyeballs up and down several times without blinking. All these movements should be slow and relaxed.
• Sit on the floor keeping the spine straight. Keeping the eyes open, fix the gaze on a picture or candle. Without blinking, focus on the object for a few seconds (it is okey if the tears flow from the eyes). However, the eyes should not feel strained and breathing should be normal and deep.

These exercises help in removing any sort of tension and eye strain. They help in clarity of vision and in increasing blood supply to the nerves of the eyes. It removes tension and relaxes the eye muscles giving a calming effect. The mind and eyes are inter-linked. It is said that more than 40 percent of the capacity of the brain is occupied by vision. Hence while closing the eyes, even the brain is relaxed. The health of the eyes is directly proportional to the relaxation it receives in the form of such exercises.

Source: ayurvedictalk.com