Ayurveda Diet & Digestion

DIET & DIGESTION

The Ayurvedic regime of proper living is designed for maintenance of health, long active life, providing relief from diseases. To attain the above said benefits three pillars are described in text-
1.Diet
2.Sleep

3.Celibacy (Brahmcharya). 

If these are observed properly and body is supported well with three pillars it continues well endowed with strength, complexion and development and abstain individual from harmful diseases.

Diet plays an important role in life of all living beings. All living beings require good complexion, clarity in sense organs, good voice, longevity, creativity, happiness, contentment, nourishment, strength and intellect all of which depend on food.

DIET – Daily eating with intelligence acts as TREATMENT

Food taken in proper quantity certainly helps the individual in bringing strength, complexion, happiness and longevity without disturbing the equilibrium of Dhatus and Doshas of the body

Improper quantity of food is of two types-
1.Deficiet(Hina Matra)
2.Excessive (Adika Matra)

Food deficient (Hina Matra) in quantity will produce following symptoms-
a) Loss of strength, complexion
b) Impairment of longevity, virility and Ojas
c) Affliction of body, mind, intellect and senses
d) Causation of various diseases affecting  Doshas and Dhatus.

Excessive quantity (Adhik Matra) will aggravate all the three Doshas( that vitiate other Dhatus and Malas). Some of the symptoms that occur due to aggravated Doshas are as-
Vata – Colic pain, constipation, malaise, dryness of skin, giddiness, irregular Agni, pain       and stiffness in muscles and joints etc.
Pitta – fever, diarrhea, burning sensation, thirst, giddiness and delirium.
Kapha – vomiting, anorexia, indigestion, heaviness of the body etc.

Ideal Matra of Food

Whatever quantity of food taken gets digested in time without disturbing the normalcy should be regarded as measure of proper quantity.

Four categories of bodily fire

1.     Sama Agni (Balanced digestive Fire)

          The individual having equilibrium in three Doshas have Sama Agni and provides benefits of a long life,free from diseases.

2.     Visham Agni (Irregular Digestive Fire)

          Seat of fire having being subdued by Vata, fire becomes Irregular

3.     Tikshan Agni (Intense Digestive Fire)

          Seat of Agni is dominated by Pitta.

4.     Manda Agni(Mild,dwelling fire)

          Seat of fire is subdued by Kapha

Ayurvedic Diet

According to Ayurveda, diet along with sleep and lifestyle, is a fundamental pillar of good health and longevity. Diet is an important therapeutic modality of Maharishi Ayurveda. According to individual’s needs (based on imbalances of Doshas and Dhatus) diet is recommended. 

Guidelines for proper intake of food

To strengthen digestion some proper guidelines should be followed while having meals.

1.     Favor fresh food. Don’t eat leftovers.

2.     Eat only when hungry, and after previous meal is digested.

3.     Maintain regular meal times

4.     Food should be warm, well cooked, in proper quantity.

5.     Don’t divide your attentions by reading, working, or watching TV while you are eating. Savor your meals.

6.  Avoid cold or iced drinks as they decrease the digestive fire.
7.  Eat only until you are three quarters full (one portion of the space for solid food, one for liquids and one for Doshas).
8.  Take your time, chew slowly.
9.  Regular intake of boiled milk with ginger or cinnamon.
10. Wholesome diet promotes health, brings happiness and balances bodily humor. Incompatible diet like milk with salty meal, use of milk with citrus fruits    should not be taken.

RASAYANA

RASAYANA

The Therapy, which gives the benefit of good Rasa, is Rasayana. Hence, it is the therapy by which one gets the Rasa, Raktadi Dhatus of optimum quality.

The therapy which produces the best quality of ras, rakta dhatu & other dhatus, is rasayan.

Which decreases the ageing process, increases the longevity & increases the mental as well as physical strength & which destroys the disease process, is rasayan .

          Rasayan maintain the immunity and increases potential of the human being.

          Rasayan from different aspects in texts are given as follows:-

·       “Rasayan”,as a means to promote vigour and health which is mainly virlific and promotive of vitality. This is same described by Aacharya Bagbhatta also.

·       Maharishi “Susrut” has defined “Rasayan” as the method which retards the aging process, increases longevity, talent, and vitality and makes the body fit to overcome the factors causing ailments.

·       According to text Bhava Prakash, rasayan prevents ageing & diseases. It improves longevity of life. Presides optimum strength & maintains good functioning of sense organs as well as Aphorism.   

Drugs which ward off old age & diseases are called as Rasayan (tonics, rejuvenators, elixirs).

The action which creates strength to body, sense organs & teeth, out of that it control over the wrinkles, graying & falling of hairs that are the Rasayan.

The medicine which prevents diseases,   controls ageing and increase optimum strength provides nourishment to the body tissue, increase sexual power that is considered as Rasayan.

Those medicines which invigorate to healthy person are mostly Aphrodisiacs & rejuvenators.

Rasayan is to remove diseases and refresh the body cells and accelerate the various systems of body, thus giving strength to every organ enhancing the physical resistance and providing immunity against diseases.

According to Charak, A person undergoing Rejuvenation Therapy attains longevity, memory, intellect, freedom from diseases, youth, and excellence of luster, complexion and voice, excellent potentiality of the body and the sense organs. Vak siddhi   (i.e. whatever he/she says ,that become true), respect and brilliance.        

According to Bhav Prakash, A person undergoing rejuvenation attains long life, good memory, and forbearance, free from disease, youthful life, and potential of sense. So by in taking Rasayan one can attain long life and prevention from disease.    

The person who has taken Rasayan properly not only gets long like even after death, they attained blessing from deity (goddess). Not only this they attained immortal life, which is never decaying. 

Rasayana Benefits

 

•         It enhances longevity

•         It boosts memory

•         It sharpens the intellect

•         It lends glow and aura to the skin

•         It improves quality of voice

•         It makes speech more effective

•         It increases the stamina of the senses

•         It keeps the body and the mind youthful.

 

Leech (Jalouka) Introduction

Meaning of Jalouka : A small creature which lives only in water. The word jalouka symbolizes two words: 'JAL' meaning water and 'OUKA' meaning habitat.

Therapeutic use of Jalouka has already been described in our Indian ancient texts like Rigveda and also in Hippocrates books.
Ayurveda classifies Leech into two groups:

1. Savisha Jalouka - Poisnonus Leeches- Lives on terrestrial habitats
2. Nirvisha Jalouka - non poisonous Leeches- Fresh Water and marine leeches.

Actually , Leeches are never poisonous but ere habitats make them carries of infection agents.

SAVISHA JALOUKAS

1. Krishna
2. Kalbura
3. Ajgardha
4. Indrayudha
5. Samudrika
6. Gochandana

NIRVISHA JALOUKAS

1. Kapila
2. Pingla
3. Shnkumukhi
4. Mushika
5. Pundarikmukhi
6. Savarika

They are small, invertebrate and elongates creatures having almost cylindrical body and suckers on each end.
Anterior sucking end has 3 jaws and 100 teeth to suck blood and posterior one has many segments to hold itself to the host body.

Mode of Action Of Leech Therapy

The leech saliva contains a cocktail of different enzymes into the skin. 
Their salivary glands are completely free of bacteria and contain main component, hirudin, and a substance which prevents the blood from clotting and can dissolve already coagulated blood. The analgesics present in leech saliva are of use in the treatment of osteoarthritis &inflammatory conditions

Enzymes in Leech Saliva and their Actions:

Active Substances in the Leech Saliva	Mode Of Action
HIRUDIN	Inhibits blood coagulation & increases the activity of white blood cells.
CALIN	For cleansing of the wound by maintaining secondary-bleeding for another 2 hours.
HYALURONIDASE	Spreading factor; has a dilatation effect on the blood vessels.
COLLAGENASE	Inhibits  blood coagulation
ORGELASE	Works as a bactericide which accelerates the blood flow and lymphatic system.
EGLINES	Antiphlogistic (anti-inflammatory) properties.
APYRASE	Inhibits platelet aggregation.

Benefits of Leech Therapy:

·        Drains toxins (bodily & chemical).

·        Increases mobility.

·        Decreases lactic acid build-up in muscles.

·        Drains purulent joint inflammations.

·        Promotes blood flow to damaged tissue.

·        Relaxation of muscles / calming effect on patient.

·        Reduces heat from inflamed areas.

·        Thins the blood / Clears arterial blockages.

·        Reduces pain, stiffness and joint dysfunction.

·        Enhances the production of synovial fluid (joint fluid).

·        Accelerates the lymphatic systems, and hence stimulates the immune system.

·        Promotes vascular dilatation, and therefore increases the blood circulation, hence more oxygenated blood flows to the affected area.

·        Aids the healing process of lesions / wounds.

What Is Abhyanga? 

Abhyanga is the Sanskrit word for massage given to the entire body. It is an integral part of the daily routine (Dincharya) recommended by oldest healthcare system for maintaining good health. For thousands of years people have used Abhyanga to maintain health, benefit sleep patterns, and increase longevity. It has also been used as a medicine for certain disorders.

 Abhyanga is the anointing of the body with oil. Often medicated and usually warm, the oil is massaged into the entire body before bathing. For thousands of years, people have used abhyanga to maintain health, benefit sleep patterns, increase longevity. It has also been used as a medicine for certain disorders. The Sanskrit word sneha can be translated as both "oil" and "love". It is believed that the effects of abhyanga are similar to those received when one is saturated with love. Like the experience of being loved, abhyanga can give a deep feeling of stability and warmth. Sneha is subtle; this allows the oil/love to pass through minute channels in the body and penetrate deep layers of tissue.

In Ayurveda, it is believed that there are seven layers of tissue in the body (called dhatus). Each successive layer is more concentrated and life-giving. For sneha to reach the deepest layer, it is believed that it must be massaged into the body for 800 matras, roughly five minutes. To give this kind of attention to your entire body, you may need about fifteen-minutes. Considering the benefits that have been gained by people for thousands of years, fifteen-minutes per day is a minimal amount of time.

What Should Be Used For Massage?

Herbalized massage oils contain herbs known for their ability to strengthen the physiology and balance the mind. So the daily massage with a herbal massage oil has twice the beneficial power - the benefits from the performance of the actual massage and the added healing wisdom of the herbs.

Brahmi, Shatavari and Nirgundi are some Ayurvedic herbs you'll find in herbalized massage oils. Shatavari is renowned for its nourishing effect on the physiology. Narayani is the other name of Shatavari in Ayurveda and it means helpful in any way either you are taking it orally or topically or as nasya or may be as ear drops. It pacifies vata and pitta. It is very much useful as tonic (Balya) to general body weakness, hair, headache and all vata disorders. 

Apart from this many herbal oils are also used like dhanvantarum oil,elaadikerum oil,ksheerbala oil, bala aswagandha oil etc.

How Abhyanga Is Performed?

This herbal oil massage should be performed in the morning, before your bath or shower however you can enjoy it any time according to your ease. A daily full-body Bliss vata oil massage acts as a powerful recharger and rejuvenator of mind and body. Try whole body Bliss vata oil massage on a daily basis preferably, otherwise on alternate day or twice a week according to your comfort. It is nourishing, pacifies Vata, pitta and Kapha, relieves physical and mental fatigue, provides stamina, pleasure and perfect sleep, enhances the complexion and the luster of the skin, promotes longevity and nourishes all parts of the body.

There are however, five general strokes that are used in traditional massage. These are sweeping, tapping, kneading, rubbing, and squeezing.1 sweeping is applied from the navel out toward the distal areas of the body in brisk, straight strokes. On the upper body, sweeping starts at the navel, sweeping up to the shoulder and then sweeping down to the hands. Sweeping is used to open and close a body area and are repeated up to twenty five times on one area. Sweeping warms the tissue and revitalizes the limbs and feel invigorating.

Tapping is used to awaken the body, alert the nerve endings, and increase circulation. It is done with open palms and relaxed fingers. After the area has received the tapping technique, it is kneaded at a depth that is tolerable to the client. The area is kneaded thoroughly and completely before the therapist moves on to the fourth technique, which is rubbing. Rubbing can be done on dry skin or performed with oil. It can be deep or light and superficial. Although some specific techniques rub in a counterclockwise direction, most often the rubbing is in clockwise circles.

 The fifth step in the massage sequence is squeezing. Using both hands, the therapist lifts an area of muscle with a squeezing and crossing torque-like motion. In bony areas such as the fingers and toes, a combination of squeezing fingers and toes, a drop of oil is placed on the finger so that it fills the gap between the nail and the flesh. The massage sequence ends for each body area just as it began with straight sweeps working out from the navel to the distal areas of the body.

Abhyanga massage is a gentle but firm whole body massage from head to toe using warm medicated oils. Oils are chosen according to the Prakruti (psychosomatic constitution) and the illness.

The massage is done in a soft rhythmic way with one or two persons massaging at the same time for forty five to sixty minutes.

After the massage a steam bath or hot shower is highly recommended.

Abhyanga massage is a deeply relaxing, rejuvenating experience as well as a treatment in certain illness.

A regular Abhyanga protects from stress, anxiety, exhaustion and Vata disorder. It nourishes the body, extends the life span, provides good sleep, improves the skin texture, improves the vision and provides better physical stability.

Benefits Of Abhyanga: 

Abhyanga treatment is the best way to control and balance Vata in the body. Vata is the predominant entity in the sense of touch and skin is the organ of touch.

1.  Increases circulation, especially to nerve endings

2.  Toning of the muscles and the whole physiology

3.  Calming for the nerves

4.  Lubrication of the joints

5.  Increased mental alertness

6.  Improved elimination of impurities from the body

7.  Softer, smoother skin

8.  Increased level of stamina through the day

9.  Better, deeper sleep at night

    Balance Vyanavata and Pranavata

10.       Nourishes Shleshka kapha and Bhrajaka pitta

11.       Relieves fatigue and mental exhaustion

12.       Pumps up circulation upto deeper level (microcirculation), especially to nerve endings 

13.       ones up the muscles and the whole physiology 

14.       Calming  and soothing for the nerves 

15.       Lubricates  joints and surrounding structures 

16.       Helps Increase mental alertness 

17.       Drains out day to day to stress

18.       Improved elimination of impurities (Ama) from the body 

19.       Helps increase the smoothness and softness of skin

20.       Increases level of physical and mental  stamina 

21.       Promotes better quality of  sleep 

Benefits of applying oil to the scalp (Murdha taila):

- Makes hair grow luxuriantly, thick, soft and glossy
- Soothes and invigorates the sense organs
- Removes facial wrinkles


Benefits of applying oil to the ears (Karna purna):

- Benefits disorders in the ear which are due to increased Vata
- Benefits stiff neck
- Benefits stiffness in the jaw


Benefits of applying oil to the feet (Padaghata):

- Coarseness, stiffness, roughness, fatigue and numbness of the feet are alleviated
- Strength and firmness of the feet is attained
- Vision is enhanced
- Vata is pacified
- Sciatica is benefited
- Local veins and ligaments are benefited

A daily full-body oil massage therefore acts as a powerful recharger and rejuvenator of mind and body.

Regards.

DR.SAURABH SHARMA

B.A.M.S, D.N.H.E., N.D.D.Y., D.Y.N

Maharaishi Ayurveda Hospital

BP-block,Shalimar bagh(w),

New Delhi-110088

Leech Introduction

The Enzymatic constitution Of Leeches are as follows:

Hirudin	Inhibits blood coagulation by binding to thrombin
Calin	Inhibits blood coagulation by blocking the binding of von Willebrand factor to collagen. Inhibits collagen- mediated platelet aggregation
Destabilase	Monomerizing activity. Dissolves fibrin. Thrombolytic effects
Hirustasin	Inhibits kallikrein, trypsin, chymotrypsin, neutropholic cathepsin G
Bdellins	Anti-inflammatory. Inhibits trypsin, plasmin, acrosin
Hyaluronidase	Increases interstitial viscosity. Antibiotic
Tryptase inhibitor	Inhibits proteolytic enzymes of host mast cells
Eglins	Anti-inflammatory. Inhibit the activity of alpha-chymotrypsin, chymase, substilisin, elastase, cathepsin G
Factor Xa inhibitor	Inhibits the activity of coagulation factor xa by forming equimolar complexes
Complement inhibitors	May possibly replace natural complement inhibitors if they are deficient
Carboxypeptidase A inhibitors	Increases the inflow of blood at the bite site
Histaminelike substances	Vasodilator. Increases the inflow of blood at the bite site
Acetylcholine	Vasodilator
Anesthetics substance	Anesthetic

Leech- Mode Of Action....

Leeches can attach themselves to a human body and suck out blood for 30 minutes to an hour, removing about 20 ml of blood before they fall off. They attach themselves to the skin using two muscular suckers. They then bite the skin through three teeth that are inside one of these suckers. Leeches can actually ingest about five times their body weight in blood before they let go of the skin and fall off.

These little creatures have had a long and strange history in the medical field. The first recorded use of medicinal leeches was about 2500 years ago.Back then, leeches were used to remove the “bad blood” from patients that were suffering from things as basic as a headache etc.

Leech- Morphology
Medicinal leeches have 5 pairs of eyes, but they do not see the full spectrum of a picture, although leeches can find their way almost perfectly. Smell, taste and touch are well-developed, which help leeches to survive. It is worth noticing that leeches wonderfully respond to smell of items that are deep down the water. They can't live in contaminated and smelly water. Medicinal Leech can't be closed to salt, beer, wine, chlorine, alcohol, etc. If they do they will be killed almost instantly. Leeches don’t walk, but they move by either an undulating swimming motion (eel like) or by an inch-worm like crawl using both, the anterior and posterior suckers. 

Hirudo medicinalis has been the focus of most scientific studies for many hundreds years . This annelid from the subclass Hirudinea has 2 suckers, an anterior (head) and a posterior (back), The back is bigger than the anterior. The Hirudinea has 32 brains. It has between 80 to 100 tiny small teeth in each jaw, in total it has between 240 to 300 teeth. It is hermaphrodite, which means it has two reproductive organs: Ovaries and testes. https://twitter.com/Omshivaayurveda
Leeches usually have three jaws but the Australian land leech has only two jaws and make a V-shaped incision. In general leeches make a Y-shaped incision when they attach to its prey. Their size range between 7 mm long to 300 mm when extended and very agile to extend or reduce their length. They normally breathe with their body and they have anaerobic breathing system, which means they can breathe without oxygen unlike human. 

Beauty Therapy By Leeches

Beauty Therapy By Leeches

In this running lifestyle, we usually forget our Healthy Diet and Daily routine which increases the toxins in our body and creates many health hazards.

Improper dietary habits also affects our hormonal system and their proper functioning too.

In the adolescent age, Hormonal fluctuations is quite obvious and if the diet and daily routine is also disturbed then it will reflect in many ways .Among many adolescent diseases the most common in ACNE or PIMPLES.

Also here are so many other causes like lack of hygiene, spicy food, habitual constipation, hereditary, change in environment, hot season, etc. which basically cause the imbalance of DOSHAS which creates the disease.

           Ayurveda believes it as a RAKTA DUSHTI means cause of pimples is impure blood. If we do purification of of blood then pimples may not occur and vanish permanently.

           

Along with above said management “Leech Therapy” is best treatment for pimples. So many patients got relief because of this therapy.

           Leeches are special type of earthworm like living organism  which sucks only impure blood if applied at affected body part. It’s Latin name is “Hrudina medicinalis”. Name itself suggests it’s used as medicine. Since ancient time ayurveda uses it, as a medicinal weapon. 

           Medicinal (Non-poisonous) leeches are used for the treatment of pimples.