Yoga: Surya Namaskar - Benefits and Positions...Part 2

Let us talk today about the rest of the 6 positions of Surya Namaskar. Remember that it is important to do all 10 positions of Surya Namaskar ot attain maximum benefits.

Let me start with Position 4: Hold the breath and raise the knee of left leg. Take the right leg backwards and keep it close to the left leg. Straighten both the legs and both hands. Keep the neck straight and site fixed. Keep both the toes erect. Take care that the neck, spine, thighs and the feet are in a straight line.

Important points to remember for this position:

• Take the right leg back and place it beside the left leg, keeping the toes erect
• Keep the body in one straight line – plank position
• Keep the arms straight
• Gaze forward

Avoid below points for this position:

• Bending the arms
• Looking towards the floor
• Dropping the hips/waist towards the floor
• Sticking the buttocks into the air
• Bending the knees

Position 5: Exhaling bend both the hands in elbows and touch forehead on the ground, touch the knees on the ground, keep both the elbows close to chest. The forehead, chest, both the palms, both the toes, knees should touch the ground and rest of the body not touching the floor. Since only eight parts rest on the ground , it is called ' Ashtanga' position.

Important points to remember for this position:

• Bring the body towards the floor placing the 8 parts on the floor: Toes, knees, chest, palms, and forehead
• Keep the hands close to the body, next to the shoulders
• Keep the elbows pointed to the sky and close in to the body

Avoid below points for this position:

• Touching the thighs, hips, waist or abdomen to the floor
• Touching the chin to the floor
• Letting the elbows fall away from the body

Position6: Inhale and straighten the elbows, stretch the shoulders upwards, press the waist downwards but dont bend the arms. Keep the knees and toes on the floor. Push the neck backwards and site upwards.

Important points to remember for this position:

• Push the upper body upwards so that the arms are straight
• Keep the fingers pointed forwards, palms on the ground, thumbs at 90 degree angle
• Open the chest, pull the shoulders downwards
• Drop the head and neck backwards and gaze upwards towards the sky
• Keep the heels, legs and knees together
• Keep the toes erect

Avoid below points for this position:

• Letting the legs or heels be apart
• Bending the elbows
• Hunching the shoulders towards the ears

Position 7: Hold the breath, bend the neck downwards and press the chin in the throat, push the body backwards and touch the heels on the ground, raise the waist upwards, do not move the palms on the floor.

Important points to remember for this position:

• Push the body upward so the buttocks and waist are raised into the air, leaving the body in an Inverted ‘V’ position
• Take the head and chin towards the chest
• Try to touch the heels to the floor

Avoid below points for this position:

• Bending the legs in the knees
• Bending the arms

Position8: Hold the breath as in position 7, bring the right leg in the front and place it in between the hands like in position 3 but instead of left leg in the front here take right leg and place left leg in the back with left knee and toes on the ground.

Important points to remember for this position:

• Take the right leg forward and place it between the hands
• The knee of the right leg will be bent
• The knee of the left leg should touch the ground
• Drop the waist/ hips towards the floor
• Gaze is upwards, both arms are straight

Avoid below points for this position:

• Bending the neck forward
• Bending the elbows

Position9:Exhale and bring the left leg forwards as in the position 2 and place it in between both the arms.

Important points to remember for this position:

• Take the left leg forward and place it beside the right
• Palms touching the ground, fingers pointing forward, thumbs at 90 degree angle
• Legs straight
• Try to touch the forehead to the knees
• Relax the neck

Avoid below points for this position:

• Bending the knees
• Keeping the neck tense

Position 10: Inhaling start getting up and attain the position as in position 1.

With this, the series of posts on Surya Namaskar comes to an end. I hope, people from all walks of life will find this helpful for the health and wellness.

Ayurvedic Cure for Heart Disease

The heart is the most important organ of the body which pumps blood to all the other organs in order to keep them functioning. The heart has to work tirelessly for every living second of our life. It is no wonder then, that the heart is the organ that undergoes the highest degree of wear and tear in the human body.

Heart Disease or Hridyaroga is a global phenomenon. Already a big health problem in the developed countries, it is now becoming a major health problem even in the developing countries. Depending on their dosha, the heart diseases could be Vataka Hridyaroga, Paittika Hridyaroga and Kaphaja Hridyaroga. These three have slightly differing symptoms as follows:

• Vataka Hridaya Roga is characterized by acute pains which are not localized at a particular point. This is the heart disease caused due to the vitiation of the vata dosha
• Pittika Hridaya Roga is characterized by a burning sensation in the chest cavity. This is the heart disease caused due to the vitiation of the pitta dosha
• Kaphaja Hridaya Roga is characterized by mild pain in the chest, accompanied by heaviness, nausea and coughing. This is the heart disease caused due to the vitiation of the kapha dosha.

The predisposing factors of this disease are heredity, high blood pressure, diabetes, high serum cholesterol and smoking. The way of living and the way of feeling appear to be quite an important factor in its increasing incidence. Cardiovascular problems have been dealt with at length in Ayurveda, which describes 'Hridya' (heart) as a body organ governing emotions and circulating blood to keep a person alive and healthy.

Cardiac problems arise mainly due to improper diet and stressful life styles. These lead to thickening of arteries (dhamani praticaya) or hardening of arteries (dhamani kathinaya) resulting in angio-obstruction (vata dosa) and angina (ruja).

High blood pressure that hammers the arterial walls roughens them and causes the arterial wall to thicken. Fatty cholesterol particles get deposited under the inner lining of the arteries (i.e. atherosclerosis). The higher the pressure more the deposits will occur. Subsequently these deposits become calcified due to fibrous growth and involved arteries lose their elasticity. It prevents blood from flowing easily and may lead to clotting. The clot formation can suddenly choke off the blood supply and lead to a heart attack, stroke or kidney failure.

Treatment for Heart Disease:

Useful Herbs in the Treatment of Heart Diseases:

1. Alfalfa (Medicago satina): The congestion of the arteries can be reduced with help of juice of Alfalfa. The juice has better effects if it is taken along with the juice of a fresh carrot.

2. Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna): Arjuna has properties in increasing the stimulation to the heart. Its bark is used in Ayurveda for this purpose.

3. Digitalis (Digitalis purpurea): The digitalis herb is renowned all over the world for its benefits in heart care. The herb can stimulate the activity of all muscle tissues, including those of the heart. It improves the nourishment of the heart and rejuvenates the heart from its basic wear and tear. The digitalis herb also helps in correcting problems that may occur in blood circulation to the heart.

4. Ephedra (Ephedra gerardiana): The ephedra has fantastic heart stimulating properties. It is especially beneficial in strengthening hearts that are damaged due to infections of pneumonia and diphtheria.

5. Garlic (Allium sativum): Rasona or garlic is most important substance helpful in alleviating vata dosha controlling blood pressure. It can break down the cholesterol accumulated in the coronary arteries. Having a few cloves of raw garlic every morning can also reduce the possibility of a heart attack.

Alternatively, a paste made of about 1gm of garlic should be mixed with a glass of buttermilk. Drink this buttermilk twice a day. It will bring your blood pressure down. Garlic lowers cholesterol and triglyceride that have impact on heart disease

6. Onion (Allium cepa): Scientists have proved the properties of the onion in allaying heart attacks. It also reduced thrombosis of the heart and reduces the accumulation of blood cholesterol.

Additional Ayurvedic treatments for specific heart diseases: The preferred drug for people with heart problems is the arjuna. The modes of giving this drug depends on the dosha of the ailment.

1. If the person has a vata dosha related heart disease, then the powdered bark of the arjuna is given mixed with pure ghee.

2. If the person has a pitta dosha related heart disease, then the powdered bark of the arjuna is given mixed with milk.

3. If the person has a kapha dosha related heart disease, then the powdered bark of the arjuna is given mixed with pippali powder or with honey.

Medicines prepared using arjuna as the main ingredient, such as Arjunarishta and Arjuna ghritam can also be given in some cases.

In addition, there are other medicines for heart care such as Hridayarnava rasa and Prabhakara vati, which are given in the form of tablets. If the person has suffered an acute heart attack, then Mrigamadasava is found to be quite effective.

Other medications as per Ayurveda:

Soak 1tsp fenugreek seed in water for a night and munch them early in the morning on empty stomach. It will reduce your cholesterol and excess fats.

Jaharmorha is another Ayurvedic drug used in the treatment of cardio-vascular diseases. It is a yellowish-green soft stone found in the Himalayas. Its powder is processed with rose water and administered to heart patients.

Triphala Guggul is yet another Ayurvedic preparation found useful in reducing cholesterol levels

Diet for Heart Care

Some sources of fats are actually good for the heart contrary to popular belief, and they must be included in the diet. The fats that are harmful for the heart are the trans-saturated fats, which are also labeled as hydrogenated vegetable oil, partially hydrogenated vegetable oil or shortening. These fats can remove all the proteins, fibers, minerals and vitamins from the body, leaving behind only toxins.

But fats that are polyunsaturated or monounsaturated are good for the heart. These fats are contained in olive oil, flaxseed oil, sesame oil, mustard oil, groundnut oil and ghee. Such fats should make up for about 15% of the food requirement.

At the same time, remember that fat-free diets are extremely harmful for the body. These diets do not contain any fats, which prohibit the absorption of vitamins A, D, E and K. This can only bring death faster.

All stimulating foods such as tea, coffee, alcohol and chocolates must be avoided by heart patients.

Some more Home Remedies to keep Heart healthy

1. A glass of lemon juice must be drunk daily. Lemon juice contains vitamin C, which helps to dissolve the cholesterol. Amalaki can also be used for this purpose.

2. Have a cup of parsley tea daily. Parsley must be also included in the salad along with beet roots. This helps the proper functioning of the heart.

Take care of your heart.

Ayurvedic Cure for Diabetes or Madhumeha or Prameha...Part 2

We discussed about role of Bitter Gourd, Gooseberry and Blackberry in treating Diabetes, in the last post, there is another remedy for diabetes that is worth mentioning here, which is the mixture of all three. Let me start this post with a popular home remedy for diabetes that is quite effective too.

Mix an equal amount of amla (gooseberry) powder, jamun (blackberry) powder, and karela (bitter gourd) powder and give a teaspoon of this mixture once or twice a day to the diabetic patient. It would be highly efficient in checking the progress of the disease.

Other herbal remedies that are helpful in treating Diabetes are:

Cumin Seeds: Take Wild jeera (cumin seeds) black colored 60 gm and mix in 1 litre of water everyday. Boil and reduce it to 1/4th litre and take half part. Divide it into two equal parts and drink one part in the morning and one in the evening 2 times daily.
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Bengal Gram: Water extract or soup of kala chana (Bengal Gram) enhances the use of glucose and the insulin requirement goes down in the body considerably. Diabetes patients who are on a set diet which does not severely limit the intake of carbohydrates, but includes liberal amounts of Bengal gram extract, have shown significant improvement in their fasting blood sugar levels, glucose tolerance, urinary excretion of sugar, and general condition. Pulses from the same family like black gram are also quite useful in Diabetes treatment. In fact, two tablespoons of germinated black gram, taken with half a cup of fresh bitter gourd juice and a teaspoon of honey, is quite effective if taken everyday once for at least 100 days. Only thing that needs to be taken care of, in this case is that the intake of carbohydrates should be controlled.
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Mango Leaves: The tender leaves of the mango tree are measured useful in diabetes. An infusion is prepared by soaking 15 gm of fresh leaves in 250 ml of water overnight, and squeezing them fine in the water in the morning. This filtrate should be taken every morning to manage early diabetes. As an option, the leaves should be dried in the shade, powdered and preserved for use when necessary. Half a teaspoon of this powder should be taken two times in a day everyday.

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As Ayurveda healing principles are based on three main methods of treatment that are Ahaar (Food), Vihar (Exercise) and Aushadh (Medicine), there are other prescribed treatments of this disease in Ayurveda. We will discuss these treatments now:
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In Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus {Vathaja prameha} Patients are advised to have Bhrimhana medication & diet which increases dhathus in the body.

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In Type 2 Diabetes, obese diabetic patient with optimal body strength having intense increase of doshas, Purification of the body is advocated whcich is dependent on dosha predominance (Kaphaja are advised to have emetics, Pittaja are advised to have purgation.)

• Snehanam (prescription of oils internally & externally)
• Sodhana (Purification therapy under category three) – The treatment activities that are part of Sodhna are a) Vamanam (Induced Vomiting), b) Virechanam (Induced lose motions) and c) Vasthi (This process is the application of medicine through the anal route. This is indicated only in specific condition
• Shamanam (Suppression of symptoms)
• Pathya – Apathyas (Prescribed Diet)
• Vyayamam (exercises)

In strong prameha patients, but with increased doshas, sodhana chikitsa (treatment) is prescribed. The Purification Therapies are most important treatment in this condition. Snehana karma should be done before giving sodhana chikilsa. Generally swedana is contra indicated in prameha as swethathi pravruthy (profuced sweating) and is one of the main symptom of prameha. Moreover swedana induces kleda which is a causative factor for this disease. Different snehanas (oliations) are advised in different stages of prameha

The most common problem in diabetic patient is a general body weakness & a fast deterioration of the major organs affecting all physiological systems including the mind.

Mild forms of snehana, shodhana & Shamana treatments accompanied with drugs formulated for this protocol has been very effective in controlling Kaphapitta type of prameha. The rugs or herbs that can be taken as treatment for diabetes are

• Arogyavardhini
• Vasanta Kusumakar Ras
• Chandraprabhavati
• Triphala with Amalaki juice
• Gudmar
• Shilajit

Last but not the least, the role of yogasana in controlling diabetes is enormous and one of the asana that is seen to be giving best results, paschimottana–asana. If this asana is practiced daily without fail, it generates related energy that reduces the insulin requirement in the body and hence helpful in reducing the need of insulin injections. Other helpful asanas are halasana, pranayam and meditation.

I have not mentioned some of the herbal and other treatments that I discussed earlier in one of my previous posts so will request the readers to go through all posts on diabetes to take most benefit from my research on this topic.

Ayurvedic Cure for Diabetes or Madhumeha or Prameha

I wrote about this disease, its prevention and cure some days back also and I got reponse from some readers that the details are not that much and they need more details to actually benefit from it. So I took it up this topic in much more details this time.
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Diabetes Mellitus or Prameha or Madhumeha or Asrava has become the most dangerous killer disease across the globe. Though thousands of people are dying with Diabetes around the world every year, yet there is no discovery of the cure of this disease. The more unfortunate part is that there is very less awareness among people on the capabilities of Ayurveda, to not only prevent these disease (even for them who have history in family) but it can also be cured to a certain extent in more than one ways like frequency of taking insulin injections is reduced drastically or improving functioning of pancreas that generates insulin or reducing the requirement of insulin by body etc.

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We all know that Diabetes Mellitus is the medical condition in which there is an accumulation of glucose in the blood and urine of the person. So, it is a metabolic disorder, which is caused due to malfunctioning of pancreas – which is responsible for production of an important hormone called insulin.

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According to Ayurveda, Diabetes is divided in 4 major types (and total 21 types)

• Kapha type (again divided into 10 types)
• Pitta type (again divided into 6 types)
• Vata type (divided into 4 types)
• Juvenile diabetes for children

 It is categorized by Ayurveda as “Maharoga” (major disease) because it affects most part of the body and every cell of the human physiology. The ancient Indian physicians described not only the sweetness of urine as one of the major symptoms but also the relationship of the disease with disturbance of the 5 sheaths of the body – Annamaya kosha (Food sheath), Pranamaya kosha (Energy sheath), Manomaya kosha (Mind Sheath), Vijnanamaya kosha (Intellectual Sheath) and Anandamaya kosha (Bliss Sheath).

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Though Prameha (Diabetes) is a tridoshaja vyadhi, the relative predominance of any one dosha and dooshya enables its classification in to Vathaja, Pithaja and Kaphaja pramehas. These have further been classified in to twenty sub categories (as highlighted above) in all the three classics of Ayurveda. Kaphaja and Pittaja prameha have been sub classified in to ten types and six types respectively. These sixteen types have the physical characteristics of urine that is colour, density and volume depending up on the different gunas of Kapha and Pitta. Vataja prameha has been sub classified in to four types depending up on dhatu being excreted through urine.

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The prodromal symptoms of this disease are:

• Profuse sweating
• Foul smell of the body
• Looseness the body
• Feeling of lethargy
• Heavy heart feeling
• Feel like something coated on eyes
• Excessive growth of nails and hair
• Affinity toward cold
• Dryness of throat and palate
• Sweet taste in mouth
• Burning sensation in palms and foot soles
• Sweetness in urine

After catching Diabetes, the main symptoms are:

• Increased thirst, increased urination, increased appetite are the initial signs
• Blurred vision, skin irritation or infection, weakness or loss of strength, and decreased healing capability
• Sugar in urine

If diabetes is not identified at the right time advanced symptoms like fluid and electrolyte imbalance, acidosis, coma are also seen.

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Role of Ojus in Prameha: Ojus is the essence of life, an extract of the seven dhathus (Elements) represented as bala (strength) of the body. The ojus in a healthy person determines the physical, psychic, sensory motor functions of the body. This is a biochemical component of the body which is reddish-white in color and residing in heart & other vital organs of the body. If ojus is disturbed, degeneration will be fast and will result in decreased life span. In prameha, ojus is expunged from the body through all navadwaras (Nine Exits of human body) especially through urine & sweat.

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Ojus gets imbalanced in prameha in two ways:

• Through obstruction in blood vessels (srothorodha)
• Degeneration of the body components is dhatu kshaya which can cause both cardiac & nervous system disorders - all this is ojakshaya meaning an imbalance in Ojus

 

Let us now talk about the various treatments suggested by Ayurveda that have the potential to reduce and sometimes remove Prameha or Diabetes.

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Bitter Gourd: This can be utilized quite effectively in treatment of Diabetes as it contains a hypoglycemic or insulin-like principle, designated as plant-insulin, which has been found precious in lowering the blood and urine sugar levels. The best method is to take the juice of about four or five Karelas (bitter gourd) each morning on an empty stomach. Alternatively (or additionally), the seeds can be added to food in a powdered state. Diabetics can also use bitter gourd in the state of a decoction by boiling the pieces in water or in the form of dry powder.

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Indian Gooseberry: Since it is high in vitamin C content, it is helpful in reducing blood sugar levels. Researches have shown that the anti-oxidants such as Vitamin C taken with other supplements has a great effect on diabetics, helping them lowering high sugar blood levels. It also helps reducing the risk of atherosclerosis too, that often occurs in diabetics. In this way the onset of heart stroke is easily delayed, and you may be well protected.

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Blackberry: Jamun or black berry is quite useful in Diabetes treatment. Since pancreas malfunctioning is one of the characteristics of Diabetes and Jamun positively impact pancreas, it is an effective treatment of Diabetes. Its seeds contain a glucoside 'jamboline' which is supposed to have the power to check the pathological conversion of starch into sugar in cases of increased production of glucose. In addition of blackberry fruit, the tree bark is also useful for diabetic patients. The method of taking Jamun is to dry and powder its fruit seeds. One teaspoon of this powder should be mixed in one cup of milk or water or half a cup of curd, and taken two times daily. The internal bark of Jamun tree can also be dried and burnt after which it will be converted to white color ash. This ash must be pestled in mortar, strained and bottled. And then the diabetic patient should be given ten grams of this ash on an empty stomach with water in the morning, and twenty grams in the afternoon, and in the evening an hour after taking meals.

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We will talk about some more herbal treatments for diabetes in my next post. Also, we will talk about the other effective treatments that Ayurveda suggests for this disease.

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Fight Monkey Malaria with Ayurvedic Herbs

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After Swine Flu, another disease that is making news these days is Monkey Malaria. This week, Researchers in Malaysia have confirmed that a form of malaria thought to primarily affect monkeys can infect and kill humans, according to a study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases journal. Let me provide some critical information to my readers on the causes, symptoms, prevention and ayurvedic cure for monkey malaria.
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Malaria usually, is caused by protozoan parasites of the Plasmodium genus and is widespread in parts of the Americas, Asia and Africa. Malaria infections occur in more than 500 million people each year, with 1-3 million deaths. The parasite has two hosts in the course of its life cycle - a mosquito vector and vertebrate host. The parasites are transmitted to humans by female mosquitoes, multiplying within red corpuscles with consequential symptoms of anemia and fever.

The distinction between a disease that is occasionally transmitted to humans exposed in an area of natural occurrence and transmission (a zoonosis) and an actual human disease is one with serious biological implications. Although at least ten species of Plasmodium can infect humans, only four forms of specifically human malaria are believed to exist. In the case of these four established human malaria types, the parasite is transmissible from one human to another, and a stable transmission cycle is established in the absence of any other vertebrate host. Now Doctors have confirmed that monkey malaria made that switch and become the fifth human malaria.
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The parasitic organism responsible, Plasmodium knowlesi, is an established cause of monkey malaria.The P. knowlesi parasites reproduce every twenty four hours in the blood, the disease can be potentially fatal, so early diagnosis and appropriate treatment is essential.

Symptoms of Monkey Malaria: Though any concrete information has not been released by any medical body till date on the correct symptoms of monkey malaria, its most obviuos symptoms are very similar to the known form of malaria. The major difference between other forms of malaria and monkey malaria is that the lungs and kidneys are impacted the most in this. The major symptom is breathlessness that starts creeping in after almost 24 hours of the infectious bite. Till date, breathlessness has been reported as the major cause of human deaths in case of monkey malaria. People with severe monkey malaria can develop bleeding problems, shock, liver or kidney failure, central nervous system problems and coma. This disease impairs the immune system of the body making it prone to other diseases too. 
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Prevention of monkey malaria: Like other malaria variants, the traditional advice on its prevention includes avoiding exposure to mosquitos, wear appropriate clothing, use mosquito repellents or mosquito nets while sleeping etc. but early research in Ayurveda suggests that certain immunity building herbs can be very effective in your fight against monkey malaria. One of the wonder herbs is Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia). It is a climbing shrub. Barks are gray-brown or cream-white and warty. The upper layer of the bark is as thin as a paper and it is of brown color, which if removed gives way to a green stem. Leaves are broad, pointed at the tip and having margin. Small flowers appear in summer and fruits in winter. It grows in tropical and sub tropical regions up to an altitude of 300 meters.
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Take GILOY herb (AMRITA or Tinospora cordifolia or Guduchi) one foot long branch and seven leaves of TULSI and mix it and collect juice of this mixture in a vessel. Boil this juice and drink it. This herbal juice will increase our body resistant up to three times. It is very early to confirm the exact impact on monkey malaria but the immunity it develops is surely powerful enough to counter plasmodium virus attacks that are the cause of all malaria variants. Please be congnizant of the fact that though Giloy itself (with tulsi) is sufficient to improve your body resistance but if the Giloy plant climbing on a neem tree (called as Neem Giloy popularly) can be found, it is considered to be therapeutically much more useful.
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Another prevention tip is to drink a decoction made of fennel seeds soaked in warm water first thing in the morning which helps again in building body resistance against all kinds of malaria.
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Cure: The exact ayurvedic medicine for curing monkey malaria should be out in next few months (though Ayush 64, which is a most effective drug for malaria can be effective in monkey malaria also) but one important fact that we need to keep in mind that though it is completely curable through other medical sciences like Allopathy but it has the potential to come back after 24 hours (relapse) so taking ayurvedic herbal supplements as stated above can always make you stronger to fight the relapse while you are recovering from the disease.