HOME REMEDIES FOR SOME COMMON PROBLEMS




URTICARIA


Ayurvedic Synonym : - Shitapitta

Main symptoms : �
1. Rash all over the body.

2. Itching.

3. Reddish patches.

Remedies :-
1. Piper nigrum (Marich) with cow�s ghee.

2. Curcuma longa (Haridra) powder with milk or hot water.

3. Application of bark of (Kapitha).

Ayurvedic Medicines : -
1. Brihat Haridra Khand Yoga.

2. Khadirarishta.

3. Mahamanjishthadi kwath.

4. Arogyavardhini.






CONSTIPATION


Ayurvedic Synonym : - Malavashtambha

Main symptoms : �
1. Irregular bowel evacuation.

2. Passage of hard stool in less quantity.

3. Flatulence.

Remedies :-
1. 10-15 pieces of Vitis vinifera (Black Grapes) kept over night in a glass of water and used at morning can relive constipation permanently.

2. Decoction of Zingiber officinale (Ardrak) added with 2 or three teaspoon of castor oil, taken at bedtime can be useful for chronic constipation.

3. Powdered Terminalia.chebula (Haritaki) processed in cow�s ghee in the dose of 1 teaspoon followed by lukewarm water is also proved as equal effective.

Ayurvedic Medicines : -
1. Avipattikar churna.

2. Gandharva Haritaki churna.

3. Argwadh kapila vati.

4. Abhayadi Modak







VOMITTING


Ayurvedic Synonym : - Chhardi

Main symptoms : �

1. Nausea

2. Ejection of stomach contents.

Remedies :-
1. Glycyrrhiza glabra (Yashtimadhu) + Pterocarpus santalinus(Raktachandan } paste prepared in milk.
2. Santalum album (Chandan) + Emblica officinals (Amalki) } with honey
3. Fresh juice of Punica granatam(Dadim)

4. Decoction of Coriandrum sativum (Dhanyak) with honey mixed.

5. Fresh juice of Zingiber officinale (Ardrak)+ Allium cepa (Palandu).

Ayurvedic Medicines : -
1. Sutshekhar ras

2. Pravalpanchamrit

3. Mayur-pichhamashi

4. Chandanadi loha.

5. Dadimavaleham.






INDIGESTION


Ayurvedic Synonym : - Ajirna

Main symptoms : �
1. Loss of appetite

2. Nausea with /without vomiting.

Remedies :-
1. Citrus acida (Nimbuk) + Zingiber officinale (Adrak) + Salt (Saindhav) + Allium sativum (Rason) } Mixture - before meals

2. Tea of Syzygium aromaticum (Lavang) is effective when there is nausea and loss of appetite.
3. Ferula narthex (Hingu) with cow�s ghee.

4. Carum roxburghianum (Ajmoda) and salt (Saindhav) with hot water.

5. Drinking of Hot water intermittently.

6. Cuminum cyminum (Jirak) with Buttermilk.

Ayurvedic Medicines : -
1. Hingvashtak churna.

2. Panchakolasav

3. Shankhavati

4. Lavanbhaskar churna.





HAIR LOSS


Ayurvedic Synonym : - Khalitya

Main symptoms : �
1. Progressive hair fall with or without dandruff.

Remedies : -
1. Gentle massage with

coconut oil.
Sesamum oil processed with Emblica officinals (Amalaki) and Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi).

2. Emblica officinals (Amalki) Cyperus rotundus (Musta) Sapindus trifoliatus (Arishtak) } Rinsing hairs with decoction of these herbs.
3. Triphala churna + Black Sesamum + Eclipta alba (Bhringaraj) } powder with hot water of internal use.

4. Massage with pulp of Aloe vera (Kumari) and Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (Japa-kusum).

Ayurvedic Medicines : -
1. Bhringaraj ghan vati

2. Asthiposhak vati

3. Arogyavardhini

4. Praval panchamrit.

5. Tikta ghrit.






JOINT PAIN


Ayurvedic Synonym : - Sandhigata Vata

Main symptoms : �
1. Painful joints with or without inflammation

2. Restricted movements of joints.

3. Increased local temperature in inflamed joints.

Remedies :-

Inflamed joints :-
1. Dry fomentation.

2. Apply poultice of smashed leaves of Allium sativum (Rason), Ricinus communis (Erand), Vitex negundo (Nirgundi) Mixed with salt.

3. Zingiber officinale (Ardrak) ,Curcuma longa (Haridra) in paste form for Local Application.

Non Inflamed joints :-
1. Gental massage with Sesamum oil followed by hot water fomentation.

2. Smashed Allium sativam (Rason) boiled in milk.

Ayurvedic Medicines : -

Inflamed joints :-
1. Sinhanad guggul

2. Punarnava guggul

3. Dashamularishta

4. Rasnasaptak kwath

5. Mahavishagarbha tail for Local application

Non inflamed joints :-
1. Mahayograj guggul.

2. Mahanarayan tail for Local Application

3. Ashwagandharishta.

Zingeber Officinale
Nux Vomica
Lycopodium
Apis
Withania Somnifera

Vitiligo (often called as leucoderma) is a disorder where the skin loses its color in patches of irregular shapes and sizes. This is a pigmentation disorder which means that melanocytes (the pigment producing cells) in the skin get destroyed. This results in development of white patches on the skin.
The hairs which are growing in that area may loose their color and turn gray. This disorder also leads to psychological issues relating to appearances and at times in certain individuals (mainly the adolescents and the young) this stress can take enormous proportions particularly if Vitiligo develops on visible areas of the body, such as the face, hands, arms, feet, or on the genitals. They develop very strong emotions of being embarrassed, depressed, or worried about how others will react.
What causes Vitiligo?
The cause for Vitiligo is not very clear but doctors and researchers are beginning to believe that Vitiligo resembles an autoimmune disorder. Which means that the pigment (the matter that gives colour to our skin) producing cells of the skin are destroyed by the body?s own antibodies (defense cells).
In some cases it has been observed that the onset of Vitiligo is related to a psychologically stressful event in the patient?s life. People with a family history of Vitiligo are more prone to develop these white patches. Ninety five percent of all those who develop Vitiligo, start developing symptoms before their 40th year of their life.
Other factors that have been found to be more common with those suffering from Vitiligo are presence of other autoimmune disorders, history of sunburns, rashes and other skin disorders and hair turning grey before the age of thirty five.
What are the symptoms and how does it spread?
People with Vitiligo develop white patches on their skin of irregular shapes and sizes. Vitiligo is more common on the exposed areas for example hands face, neck and arms. It also occurs on covered areas too: - like genitals, breast and legs. In some patients the hair may also turn grey early and in the inside of the mouth, white discoloration may also occur.
The spread of Vitiligo cannot be determined. It may stop completely after the first patch but often these patches do spread. For some patients further development may takes years and for others the large areas can be covered in months. In some patients mental stress has been seen to increase the growth of these white patches.
How effective is homoeopathy?
Homoeopathy is able to give wonderful and miraculous cures in many cases of Vitiligo. This is due to the fact that homoeopathic treatment enhances the natural production of pigments. According to homoeopathic philosophy Vitiligo not a disease in itself but an expression of an inner disturbed state of the body. Thus, the cure should occur at a level where things have gone wrong. In order to archive this, the patient is analyzed on various aspects of mental and physical and familial attributes and also a complete study is done on the psychological-environment that the patient has gone through in his life. The prescription is then based at the deepest level of understanding of the patient?s disturbed inner force. Although many homoeopathic medicines Arsenic Sulph Falvus, Arsenic Album , Baryta Mur and Baryta Carb are known to give good results in Vitiligo; I would again reiterate the fact that real cure of Vitiligo occurs when the prescription is made according to the true principles of homoeopathic philosophy i.e. treating that ?deep causative factor ? which caused this inner disturbance. Also remember that Vitiligo is a chronic disorder and can take considerable time even with the best of the homoeopathic treatment, for it to be completely cured.

Introduction

Respiratory Disease will afflict every human being at some time in their life. Whether it�s a cough associated with the common cold or respiratory distress associated with allergies and asthma, respiratory challenges are a constant source of irritation and misery for the afflicted.

Classical Ayurvedic Medicine categorizes respiratory challenges into two main categories. These are Kasa (cough) and Swasa ( dyspnea or difficulty breathing). From an understanding of ayurvedic knowledge, common conditions such as the common cold, asthma and bronchitis can be understood and managed. This article address the condition of kasa (cough).

Kasa (Cough)

In the Allopathic medicine, Cough are understood to be the result of either infection or irritation of the bronchial tissue and are known as bronchitis. Infectious bronchitis commonly accompanies the common cold but may occur separately and may or may not be associated with fever. Cough may be dry or productive. Irritative bronchitis is usually the result of pollutants, smoke, or chemicals and may have an allergic component.

Samprapti (Pathology)

Kasa occurs when apana vayu is obstructed resulting in an increase in upward motion. Vitiation of udana vayu propels the air upward and out of the body. Vata may however lodge in the chest, back, or head resulting in pain and repeated coughing.

All disease has its physicial origins in the digestive system. This is the site of accumulation and aggrevation of the doshas. Kasa begins with vitiation of apana vayu in the purishavaha srota (large intestine). Vata eventually overflows into circulation (raktavaha srota) and relocates to the pranavaha srota (respiratory system.) Additional doshas may mix with vata or become dominant in the pathology.

Purvarupa (Prodomal symptoms)

Cough are often preceeded by symptoms of the common cold such as a sore throat, and a decrease in appetite. Proper early management of the prodromal symptoms can prevent the onset of bronchitis.


Types of Kasa

Kasa (cough) is of five types; vata, pitta, kapha, ksataja and ksaya. Those of a vata, pitta and kapha nature represent different doshic manifestations of a cough. Ksataja type are due to chest injuries while ksaya type is due to disease that results in wasting of the bodily tissues such as tuberculosis.


Rupa (symptoms)

Cough due to vitiation of vata are called �vataja kasa�. They present as a dry cough with little mucous production. While small amounts of hard mucous may occasionally accompany a cough, the condition is for the most part dry. Examination of the mucous reveals it to be gray in color and ununctuous (not very sticky). The cough may be accompanied by a loss of voice and severe chest pain. The frequency of the cough is episodic and may occur in fits.

Cough due to pitta vitiation are called �pittaja kasa�. They present with a greater amount of mucous. Examination of the mucous reveals a yellow color and possible blood within the mucous giving it a �rusty� appearance. This latter appearance indicates that the infection has penetrated deeper in the respiratory system as is seen in pneumonia. Pittaja kasa is accompanied by fever. The cough is more continuous than that of vata type.

Cough due to kapha vitiation are called �kaphaja kasa.� They present with the greatest amount of mucous. Examination of the mucous reveals a cloudy, white color and the mucous is thick and sticky. The condition is often accompanied by a runny nose, nausea, and vomiting. Actual pain in the chest and head is mild. Kaphaja kasa is not associated with fever. Coughing is continuous.



Comparative Rupa (symptomatology) of Vataja, Pittaja and Kaphaja Kasa
Vataja Pittaja Kaphaja
Minimal mucous, hard mucous, grey in color Moderate mucous, sticky, yellow in color Large amounts of mucous, sticky, cloudy and white in color


Cough due to trauma, called �ksataja kasa� reveal a combination of symptoms related to vata and pitta types. Sputum may be red, yellow or black indicating infection and bleeding. While the mucous is abundant, it is ununctuous. Fever is probable and there may be joint pains as well. Due to trauma, blood may simulatanously appear in the urine. Cough due to trauma are described as resembling the cooing of a pigeon.

Cough due to ksaya occur with wasting disease such as tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is called �rajayaksmadi� literally the �kind of diseases� in the Ayurvedic literature. The condition results in a drying up and loss of tissue (ksaya). While vata dosha plays the most important role in this condition, the condition is sannipattika in nature (due to the vitiation of all three doshas).


Chikitsa: Treatment and Management

The management of kasa (cough) requires an understanding of the state of the patients agni, ama, and ojas as well as an appreciation of the doshic pathology present. In addition to treatment at the site of relocation in the pranavaha srota (respiratory system), treatment should also be directed toward the mahavaha srota (digestive system) as this is the physical root of the condition and the raktavaha srota (circulatory system) as the pathway of overflow.


Management of Vataja Kasa

The management of vataja kasa, at the site of relocation focuses on the application of oils and heat to the pranavaha srota (respiratory system). Sesame oil massaged into the chest followed by fomentation is recommended. Fomentation may be performed simply using hot water bottles, a heating pad or locally applied steam as in nadi svedana. Popular cough relieving herbs from India include kantakari (solanum xanthocarpum; VK-P+) and vamsa rochana (bamboo manna; VP-K+) . These are commonly used and may be prepared as ghrita (medicated ghee). Popular herbs used in the West include licorice (glycyrrhiza glabra; VP-K+) and wild cherry bark (prunis virginiana, prunia serotina; VP-K+).
Care of the digestive system requires dietary modification and the use of anuvasana basti (oil enema) or niruha basti (decoction enema). The diet, though nourishing should be taken in small quantities at first until the agni becomes strong. Nourishing soups are most beneficial. Patients should receive plenty of rest.

For both vataja and pittaja kasa, the classical formulation, Sitopaladi churna is commonly used. It may also be prepared in warm water or with honey. Sitopaladi churna is a combination of many herbs and spices with vamsa rochana as the chief herb in the formulation.


Management of Pittaja Kasa

The management of pittaja kasa, at the site of relocation focuses on herbal therapies. Oil and heat are not recommended. Medicated ghrita (ghee) may be prepared with cough relieving, expectorant herbs such as vamsa rochana (bamboo manna; VP-K+) and vasa (adhatoda vasica; PK- V+). Western herbal alternatives include licorice (VP-K+), mullein (verbascum thapus; PK-V+) and wild cherry bark (prunis virginiana, prunia serotina; VP-

K+). The classical Indian formulation, sitopaladi churna may also be used.
Virechana performed early in the condition is most beneficial to allieviate pitta at its root. The diet should emphasize a greater amount of the bitter taste as the bitter taste is cooling and purifies the rasa and rakta dhatu helping to destroy the infection. The diet should be light and and consist of easy to digest foods until improvement is noted. Stronger antimicrobial bitter herbs may be given to accompany the cooling, cough reducing herbs. These include kutki (Gentiana kuroo; PK- V+) and neem (Azadirachta indica; PK-V+) as well as well as Western alternatives such as goldenseal (Hydrastis Canadensis; PK-V+) and echinecea (Echinecea augustifolia, echinecea purpura; PK-V+). Patients should receive plenty of rest.



Management of Kaphaja Kasa

In the management of kaphaja kasa, treatment focuses on strong purification and may include vamana, virechana and niruha basti. Nasya is also recommended to purify the nasal passages and sinuses. An important herb from India is kantakari (solanum xanthocarpum; VK-P+). Kantakari alleviates cough and is a bronchodilator. Kantakari is one of the herbs in the famous ten roots formulation, dashmoola. Along with kantakari, additional herbs may be added to formulations such as vidanaga (embelia ribes; KV-P+) and chitrak (plumbago zeylancia; K-VP+). Dry, expectorant herbs may also be added to formulation or prepared for inhalation. Clove (caryophyllus aromatica) and bayberry (myrica nagi, myrica sapida, myrica cerifera) are commonly prepared in cigarette form or simply burned and inhaled. Western herbs that are beneficial include elecampane (inula helinum), eucalyptus (eucalyptus globulis) and black pepper (piper nigrum).

The diet of patients with kaphaja kasa should be very light and patients may fast for several days according to their strength. The diet emphasizes the pungent taste to support drying the lung tissues. Patients who are not experiencing great fatigue should remain active but should not overly exert themselves.



Managing Cough due to trauma requires referral to a medical specialist as the lung may be punctured. Until medical care can be administered, patients should take hemostatic herbs such as the Indian herbs manjishta and praval pisthi . Patients should also stay well hydrated.

Cough associated with wasting disease are difficult to treat and careful management is required. Weak patients usually require tonification to combat weight loss and increase strength. Medicated ghees with demulcent herbs such as bala rejuvenate the body and support repair of respiratory tissues. The dosage of the herbs is dependent upon the state of the patient�s agni. Anuvasana basti should also be administered to improve strength and can be prepared with nourishing herbs such as bala and ashwaganda in a sesame oil base. The diet should be nourishing. Meat and bone soups may be required to prevent continued weight loss.

Vegetarian patients may object, however they are strongly recommended if the patients life is in danger. The quantity of food taken should be proportional to the bodies abililty to digest it. Hence, dipanas to strengthen agni are required.


Sadhyasadhyata (Prognosis)

Doshic disturbances resulting in kasa are relatively easy to treat with vataja considered the easiest and kaphaja the most difficult. Those of mixed dosha pathology such as ksataja type are more difficult. Ksaya kasa is the most difficult of all. Ayurvedic texts state that kasa of any kind, if not treated properly can progress to ksaya type.

Anatomy and Physiology

Laparoscopic surgery is performed to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the organs and tissues of the abdomen and pelvis.

Traditional open surgery requires a relatively large incision. Laparoscopic surgery involves the creation of one or more tiny �keyhole� incisions, through which pencil�thin instruments are inserted to view the inside of the abdomen or pelvis, and to perform various procedures. This technique considerably reduces recovery time.

Reasons for Procedure

Laparoscopy is done to examine, diagnose, and treat problems inside the abdomen and/or pelvis. The procedure can: diagnose, and sometimes treat, causes of pain, retrieve a tissue sample, evaluate the presence of abnormal fluid, evaluate infertility, help determine if a cancer has spread, monitor previously treated cancer.

Treatments

Many surgeries that were traditionally performed through an open incision can now be performed laparoscopically. These include: appendectomy, ectopic pregnancy removal, egg retrieval for assisted reproductive technology, hernia repair, hysterectomy, certain surgeries of the gallbladder, stomach, colon, liver, spleen, adrenal gland, or kidney, biopsies, which entail retrieving a tissue sample, tubal ligation, and/or tumor removal In some of these cases, an open surgical procedure may still be required.

Procedure

In the days leading up to your procedure: Arrange for a ride to and from the hospital, and for help at home as you recover. The night before, eat a light meal and do not eat or drink anything after midnight. If you regularly take medications, ask your doctor if you need to temporarily discontinue them. Do not start taking any new medications before consulting your doctor.

Depending on the type of operation, laparoscopic surgery may be done under general, spinal, or local anesthesia. In general anesthesia, you will be asleep during the entire procedure. In spinal anesthesia, you will be rendered numb from the chest down. In local anesthesia, you will be numb at the site of the incision only.

To begin the procedure, your surgeon will insert a sharp instrument called a trocar through a small half�inch opening, usually just above or below your navel. The exact location of this opening will depend on the type of operation being performed.

In most cases, your surgeon will then pump carbon dioxide gas though this port in order to puff up your abdomen so its contents can be viewed more easily.

Next, your surgeon will insert the laparoscope. Images from its camera are magnified and projected onto a video monitor in the operating room. The surgeon will carefully examine your abdominal or pelvic organs and tissues, looking for signs of disease that might explain your symptoms.

Your surgeon may place other trocars through which surgical instruments can be inserted. These instruments may be used to: Move organs out of the way for better viewing Remove diseased or scarred organs or tissue Take tissue biopsies Sample and drain abnormal fluid Perform other surgical techniques

When the laparoscope is removed, all of the gas will be allowed to escape.

Each keyhole incision will be closed with just a few sutures or staples, and then covered with bandages.

Risks and Benefits

Possible complications of laparoscopy include: damage to blood vessels or organs in the surgical area, excessive bleeding Infection, anesthesia�related problems, during the laparoscopic procedure, your surgeon may need to switch to a traditional open procedure. This may occur if the area is damaged or it appears that the laparoscopic approach is not going to be successful.

Compared to traditional open surgeries, the benefits of laparoscopy include: smaller scars, shorter hospital stay or same�day discharge, fewer complications, less pain after the operation, and/or shorter recovery time.

However, these benefits are a tradeoff with the limited access available through the laparoscopic approach.

In a laparoscopy, or any procedure, you and your doctor must carefully weigh the risks and benefits to determine whether it�s the most appropriate treatment choice for you.

After the Procedure

In most cases, patients are discharged within one to two days of their procedure. Depending on the reason for your laparoscopy, you may be able to leave the hospital the same day it was performed.

Proper care after your laparoscopy largely depends on the particular operation performed. In most cases, however, you will be advised to: remove the bandages the morning after surgery, return to your usual activities within a few days, avoid heavy lifting for several weeks.

Be sure to call your doctor immediately if you experience: severe nausea or vomiting. faintness or dizziness, coughing, shortness of breath, or chest pain, fever or chills, redness, swelling, increasing pain, excessive bleeding, or discharge from any of the incisions, difficulty urinating.