| What is Ayurveda and Its Importance?Ayurveda | | | | Clinical Research Conducted.Improvement of |
| is a traditional holistic healing. Translated | | | | cardiac muscle function and subsequent |
| from Sanskrit, Ayurveda means 'the science of | | | | improved pumping activity of the heart seem |
| life'. ayur means "life" and veda means | | | | to be the primary benefits of Terminalia |
| "science. India system which largely depends | | | | Arjuna.Brahmi (Bacopa, Gotu Kola) - Brahmi is |
| on plant support to form major Chunk of its | | | | known as "the food for brain". Traditionally |
| medicine. Most of the herbs, spices, seeds, | | | | Brahmi is used as a mental tonic, to |
| roots, leaves, stems, petals and flowers are | | | | rejuvenate the body, as a promoter of memory |
| deeply ingrained in all Indian homes where | | | | and as a nerve tonic. It promotes a calm, |
| 'home remedies' are popular. Even certain | | | | clear mind, and improves mental |
| family members in some family are adept in | | | | function.Modern Research claims that brahmi |
| curing even intricate disorders by simple and | | | | improves memory and helps overcome the |
| cost effective formulations which, at times, | | | | negative effects of stress. Brahmi is |
| have shown marvelous and astounding | | | | especially suitable for students as it |
| results.All over the world today we are | | | | enhances the minds ability to learn and to |
| looking for a natural system of healing that | | | | focus and for an elderly person hoping to |
| is comprehensive and complete, that is not | | | | regain their memory. It is unique in its |
| merely some curious form of folk healing but | | | | ability to invigorate mental processes whilst |
| a real and rational system of medicine that | | | | reducing the effects of stress and nervous |
| is sensitive to both nature and the Earth. | | | | anxiety.As a nervine tonic, Brahmi has been |
| This is exactly what Ayurveda has to offer, | | | | used to help those affected by stroke, |
| for it has a many thousand year-old clinical | | | | nervous breakdown or exhaustion and Attention |
| tradition and a comprehensive natural method | | | | Deficit Disorder. The best Ayurvedic brain |
| of treatment ranging from diet, herbs and | | | | and memory formulas contain brahmi, as do |
| massage.With Ayurveda we learn the right diet | | | | many of the long life promoting |
| for our individual type, how to improve our | | | | compounds.Guggulu (Shuddha Guggulu, Guggul, |
| immune system, he keys to right use of sexual | | | | Commiphora Mukul) - Modern Research shows |
| energy and rejuvenation,a nd a conscious way | | | | that it is the prime Ayurvedic herb for |
| of life that can lift us to a new level of | | | | treating obesity and high cholesterol. |
| awareness in all our endeavors.Without such | | | | Studies shows that guggulu lowers serum |
| natural wisdom as Ayurveda, we may find | | | | cholesterol and phospholipids, and that it |
| ourselves not only unhealthy, but unhappy and | | | | also protects against cholesterol- induced |
| spiritually confused.Ayurveda Principles and | | | | atherosclerosis. Guggulu were seen to lower |
| TheoryAyurveda system is the prominent user | | | | body weight in these clinical studies.Guggulu |
| of herbs and its basic theory revolves round | | | | also as anti-inflammatory properties and is |
| imbalance and vitiation of three humors | | | | effective in treating arthritis and other |
| (Doshas).Ether (Akash), Air (Vayu), Fire | | | | joint pains.Karela (Bitter Melon, Bitter |
| (Agni), Water (Jal) and Earth (Prithvi) are | | | | Gourd, Momordica Charantia) - At least three |
| the great five elements which underline all | | | | different groups of constituents have been |
| living systems. these elements are constantly | | | | reported to have blood sugar lowering actions |
| changing and interacting and can be | | | | in bitter Mellon. These include a mixture of |
| simplified into three Vitiations (Doshas). | | | | steroidal saponins known as charantin, |
| When these doshas remain under harmony and | | | | insulin-like peptides, and alkaloids. |
| balance, health of body does not get | | | | Scientific studies have consistently shown |
| disturbed but, when their balance gets | | | | that bitter melon lowers blood sugar level of |
| disturbed, a diseased state sets in.The three | | | | Type 2 Diabetes.It could probably reduce the |
| doshas are vata (Wind), Pitta (Bile) and | | | | patients intake of antidiabetic drugs. Also |
| Kapha (Phlegm) and due to predominance of the | | | | Bitter Melon has two proteins which are |
| one dosha, a person's personality is | | | | thought to repress the AIDS virus.Recently, |
| determined that is ' Vata-Prakriti', 'Pitta- | | | | the Department of Health in the Philippines |
| Prakriti' or 'Kapha Prakriti'Vata formed from | | | | has recommended bitter melon as one of the |
| ether and air, governs all movement in the | | | | best herbal medicines for diabetic |
| mind and body and must be kept in good | | | | management.Neem (Azadirachta Indica) - Neem |
| balance.Pitta formed from fire and water, | | | | is an extraordinary blood purifier, good for |
| governs "all heat, metabolism and | | | | al skin diseases like acne, eczema, psoriasis |
| transformation in the mind and bodyKapha | | | | and teeth and gums. Neem is included in most |
| formed from earth and water, cements the | | | | Ayurvedic Skin products because it is as |
| elements in the body, providing the material | | | | effective on an external application as |
| for physical structureEach person has an | | | | through internal indigestion.In Ayurveda it |
| individual blend of the three doshas, with | | | | has been safely used for over five thousand |
| one or sometimes two doshas | | | | years and are a good immunity booster to |
| predominating.Common Herbs used in Ayurvedic | | | | prevent colds, fevers, infections and various |
| MedicinesAmalaki (Amla or Indian Gooseberry | | | | skin diseases.Shilajit (Mineral Pitch, |
| or Emblica officinalis) - The fruit is | | | | Asphaltum) - Shilajit is one of the prime |
| reputed to have the highest content of | | | | Ayurvedic compounds for rejuvenating the |
| vitamin C of any natural occuring substance | | | | body. it is an aphrodisiac, anti-aging herb |
| in nature. It maintains balance amongst three | | | | and to treat diabetes and debilitating |
| doshas and effectively controls digestive | | | | urinary problems.The Charaka Samhita states |
| problems, strengthens heart, normalises | | | | that a person must use shilajit for a minimum |
| cholesterol, prevents cancer, builds up and | | | | of one month before starting to realize he |
| sustain defence mechanism, improves eye-sight | | | | regenerating effects. It is also used to |
| and detoxifies the body.Amla is said to have | | | | treat impotency and infertility. it is well |
| 20 times more vitamin C than orange. The | | | | known that Shilajit would return the libido |
| vitamin C content of amla is between 625mg - | | | | of people to level of teenagers.There is a |
| 1814mg per 100gms. Other studies show that | | | | folk saying by the indigenous people who live |
| amla increases red blood cell count and | | | | in the Himalayan region that Shilajit makes |
| hemoglobin. A research tem discovered that | | | | the body strong as a rock. It is an |
| when Amla is taken regularly as a dietary | | | | adaptogen, (Rasayna), that helps to combat |
| supplement, it counteracts the toxic effects | | | | immune disorders, urinary tract disorders, |
| of prolonged exposure to environmental heavy | | | | nervous disorders and sexual |
| metals, such as lead, aluminium and | | | | dissatisfaction.Shallaki (Boswellia Serrata, |
| nickel.Ashwagandha (Winter Cherry or Withania | | | | Salai Guggul) - Modern Research indicate that |
| Somnifera)- Ashwagandha is one of the main | | | | the Boswellia herb may assist in treating |
| herbs for promoting ojas and rejuvenating the | | | | joint mobility, pain, and may be a useful |
| body in Ayurveda. It is a well known semen | | | | remedy for a variety of inflammatory diseases |
| promoter and it treats impotency and | | | | like rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. |
| infertility.Clinical studies show that | | | | A recent clinical trial suggests positive |
| Ashwagandha has antibacterial, antitumor, | | | | effects of Boswellia serrata extract in knee |
| anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating | | | | osteoarthritis.Boswellia has also been found |
| properties. The strong anti-stress actions, | | | | to be useful for a number of other disorders |
| increases memory and learning capabilities. | | | | and best for treating Back Pain, Knee Pain, |
| It has also found to be useful in Rheumatic | | | | Joint Pain and Arthritis. This herb has also |
| and Arthritic disorders like pain, swelling | | | | been proposed as a possible therapy for |
| etcSumming up, it is a strong Aphrodisiac and | | | | Crohn's disease and ulcerative |
| has Immunomodulating, anti- inflammatory, | | | | colitis.Triphala (Amalaki, Bibhitaki, |
| anti tumor and anti stress properties which | | | | Haritaki) - Triphala has got the properties |
| clearly shows why Ayurveda has such a high | | | | of three famous nutrients: amla, haritaki and |
| opinion of this herb as a general | | | | bibhitaki. The advantage of this formula is |
| tonic.Arjuna (Terminalia Arjuna) - It is a | | | | that it is milder in action and more balanced |
| cardiac tonic of high quality. Terminalia | | | | than any of the three alone.It has cleansing |
| arjuna, is known to be beneficial for the | | | | and detoxifying action. Used regularly it is |
| treatment of heart ailments since 500 BC. | | | | good for gentle, slow detoxification of the |
| Clinical research has indicated its | | | | digestive tract and then the deep tissues. It |
| usefulness in relieving anginal pain, and in | | | | also has the ability to normalize all three |
| the treatment of coronary artery disease, | | | | humors with continued use.As a daily |
| heart failure, and possibly | | | | supplement triphala is hard to beat; that' s |
| hypercholesterolemia."Terminalia arjuna bark | | | | why in India they say "even if your mother |
| extract, 500 mg 8 hourly, given to patients | | | | leaves you, every thing will be fine if you |
| with stable angina with provocable ischemia | | | | have triphala"Tulsi (Holy Basil, Ocimum |
| on treadmill exercise, led to improvement in | | | | Sanctum) - Its very name Holy Basil certifies |
| clinical and treadmill exercise parameters as | | | | to its sacred nature. |
| compared to placebo therapy." Result on | | | | |