Author: Dr. Vikram Chauhan

November 11, 2021

Treatment of Dementia in Ayurveda with Herbal Remedies

Abstract

Dementia is a neurological disorder in which there is an impairment of memory and language. The brain, spinal cord and nerves make up the nervous system and they control all the working of the body. When there is something wrong in this nervous system then the person is facing symptoms like trouble in moving, speaking, swallowing, breathing, loss of memory, etc. In general, neurological disorders are the disorders that affect the brain as well as the nerves. There are approximately 600 neurological disorders and some of the examples are dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, meningitis, encephalitis, etc. So in this article, we are going to discuss Dementia and its Ayurvedic management.

Introduction

Dementia is a general term used for loss of memory, language, problem solving and other thinking abilities. This disease interferes with the daily activities of the patient. This is not a specific disease, but several diseases can cause this disease known as dementia. This disease generally involves memory loss. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia in older patients. Dementia is a general term used for the impaired ability to remember, think or make decisions that interfere with day to day activities. This disease manifests as a set of related symptoms that usually happen when the brain is damaged by injury or any disease.

Dementia

Ayurvedic aspect

We can correlate this disease with Vata roga. Vata is the predominant dosha that causes the symptoms of neurological diseases. Vata has a chal guna that means mobility. Due to this property, it is responsible for this condition. Acharya Charak mentioned that the vata disorders are caused due to the vitiation of vayu that takes place from either wasting of dhatus or obstruction in passage of vessels.

Acharya Charak also mentioned that due to rough diet, cold diet, consumption of little food, excessive coitus, faulty therapeutic management, excessive movements such as leaping, jumping, wayfaring and physical exercise, wasting of dhatus, excessive emaciation due to anxiety, grief and illness, uncomfortable bed and seat, anger, day sleep, fear, suppression of urges, ama dosha can cause the vitiation of vata dosha. This vitiated Vata dosha can lead to the symptoms like contractures, stiffness in joints, crepitations in bones and joints, horripilation, delirium, stiffness in hands, back and head, limping, crippledness, humpedness, drying of organs, sleeplessness, destruction of fetus, sperms and ovum, pulsation, numbness in organs, crookedness of head, nose, eyes, clavicular region and neck, tearing, piercing pain, distress, convulsion, mental confusion and exhaustion.

Etiology/Causes

This disease is caused by damage to the brain. This disease occurs when the part of the brain that involves learning, memory, decision-making and language is affected. The other causes of dementia can be grouped as:

  • Degenerative neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease, etc
  • Vascular disorders such as multi-infarct dementia
  • Infections that affect the central nervous system such as HIV, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, etc
  • Long term drug or alcohol use
  • Depression

Clinical features/Signs and Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of this disease are:

  • Forget recent events or information
  • Repeating comments or questions
  • Experiencing a change in mood, behavior or interests
  • Inability to remember and make decisions
  • Talking and finding the right words is difficult
  • Change in sleeping pattern
  • Hallucinations
  • Delusions
  • Anxiety
  • Behavioral symptoms such as agitation, restlessness, etc

Stages of dementia

The course of this disease is described in four stages

  1. Pre-dementia stage
  2. Early stage dementia
  3. Middle stage dementia
  4. Late stage dementia

1. Pre-dementia stage

This stage can include pre-clinical and prodromal stages. In the preclinical stage there is sensory dysfunction, loss of sense of smell, depression, loss of appetite. There is damage in the chemosensory networks and in the prodromal stage, there is a mild cognitive impairment and mild behavioral impairment.

2. Early stage

In this disease the symptoms become noticeable and the symptoms may interfere with daily activities. The symptoms include memory difficulty, word finding problems, and problems with recalling events.

3. Middle stage

When dementia progresses, the initial symptoms get worse. In this stage, a person loses almost all the new information. A patient may be severely impaired in solving problems and also their social judgment. Due to these symptoms these patients should not be left alone.

4. Late stage

In this stage, patients need assistance with most or all their personal care. A patient needs 24 hour supervision in this stage to ensure their personal safety. These patients are not aware of common dangers so they need full assistance. Commonly, they even do not recognize the familiar faces. This is the most severe type of dementia.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of this disease is quite difficult due to many diseases and conditions that cause it. However, a doctor makes a diagnosis of this disease on the basis of personal medical history, review of current symptoms and laboratory tests, imaging tests such as CT scan (Computed tomography), MRI (Magnetic resonance imaging) and PET scan (Positron emission test).

Also the patient undergoes mental function tests such as memory tests,language skills, reasoning and judgment evaluation, problem- solving tasks, and other thinking skill tests

Ayurvedic herbs for dementia

In Ayurveda, we have wonderful nerve tonic herbs for the treatment of dementia. The herbs provide nourishment to the neurons and brain cells. They enhance or boost up the memory power and also rejuvenates the health of the brain cells. These herbs increase the coordination between brain neurons thus these properties help in improving short and long term memory. Some wonderful nervine tonic herbs are

1. Brahmi: Its botanical name is Bacopa monnieri. Its Raspanchak (Ayurvedic medicinal Properties) is as follows:

  • Ras (Taste) – Tikta (Bitter)
  • Guna (Property) – Laghu (Light)
  • Virya (Potency) – Ushna (Hot)
  • Vipaka (Post digestion effect) – Katu (Pungent)
  • Dosha Shamak – It pacifies Vata and kapha dosha
  • karma (uses) – Medhya (Brain tonic), shotha har (Anti-inflammatory), anidra (Insomnia), Unmaada (Mental disorders), Apasmar (Epilepsy)

2. Ashwagandha: Its botanical name is Withania somnifera. Its Raspanchak (Ayurvedic medicinal Properties) is as follows:

  • Ras (Taste) – Tikta (Bitter), Katu (pungent) and madhur (Sweet)
  • Guna (Property) – Laghu (Light) and Snigdha (Unctuous)
  • Virya (Potency) – Ushna (Hot)
  • Vipaka (Post digestion effect) – Madhur (Sweet)
  • Dosha Shamak – It pacifies vata and kapha dosha
  • karma (uses) – Chinta (Stress), Unmaada (Mental disorders), Apasmar (Epilepsy), murcha (fainting), Avsaada (Depression)

3. Jatamansi: Its botanical name is Nardostachys jatamansi. Its Raspanchak (Ayurvedic medicinal Properties) is as follows:

  • Ras (Taste) –  Tikta (Bitter), madhur (sweet) and Kashay (astringent)
  • Guna (Property) – Snigdha (unctuous) and laghu (light)
  • Virya (Potency) – Sheet (Cold)
  • Vipaka (Post digestion effect) – Katu (Pungent)
  • Dosha Shamak – It pacifies vata, pitta and kapha dosha
  • karma (uses) – medhya (brain tonic), anidra (insomnia), sangyasthapan (unconsciousness), deepan (digestive), shirshoola (headache), unmada (Mental disorders)

4. Vacha: Its botanical name is Acorus calamus. Its Raspanchak (Ayurvedic medicinal Properties) is as follows:

  • Ras (Taste) –  Tikta (Bitter) and katu (pungent)
  • Guna (Property) – laghu (light) and tikshna (sharp)
  • Virya (Potency) – Ushna (hot)
  • Vipaka (Post digestion effect) – katu (pungent)
  • Dosha Shamak – It pacifies vata and kapha dosha
  • karma (uses) – sangyanaash (unconsciousness), medhya (brain tonic), unmada (mental disorders), Apasmar (epilepsy), agnimandya (indigestion), aruchi (anorexia)

5. Gotukola: Its botanical name is Centella asiatica. Its Raspanchak (Ayurvedic medicinal Properties) is as follows:

  • Ras (Taste) – Tikta (Bitter)
  • Guna (Property) – Laghu (Light)
  • Virya (Potency) – Sheet (Cold)
  • Vipaka (Post digestion effect) – Madhur (Sweet)
  • Dosha Shamak – It pacifies pitta and kapha dosha
  • karma (uses) – Unmada (Mental disorders), Apasmar (Epilepsy), murcha (fainting), Avsaada (Depression), smriti naash (loss of memory), Agnideepak (digestive stimulant)

6. Jyotishmati: Its botanical name is Celastrus paniculatus. Its Raspanchak (Ayurvedic medicinal Properties) is as follows:

  • Ras (Taste) – Tikta (Bitter) and katu (pungent)
  • Guna (Property) – Tikshna (sharp)
  • Virya (Potency) – Ushna (Hot)
  • Vipaka (Post digestion effect) – Katu (pungent)
  • Dosha Shamak – It pacifies Vata and kapha dosha
  • karma (uses) – Avsaada (Depression), smriti naash (loss of memory), sangyanaash (unconsciousness), Chinta (Stress)

Herbal remedies for the treatment of dementia

We have a wonderful herbal manufacturing company that provides various herbal products for the treatment of various health ailments. Planet Ayurveda is the company that manufactures its own herbal products. These products are made with adherence to ancient ayurveda. All the herbal products are made from natural herbs with ancient time tested formulas and also form in the standardized extracts of potent herbs. Their herbal products include herbal capsules, herbal tablets, herbal powders, herbal teas, herbal oils, herbal juices etc. The herbal products that are offered by this company for dementia are:

  1. Ashwagandha capsules
  2. Brahmi capsules
  3. Stress support
  4. Calm easy
  5. Gotu Kola capsules
  6. Shankhpushpi capsules
  7. Saraswatarishta

Products description

1. Ashwagandha capsules

This is a single herbal formulation. This is an effective stress relief herbal supplement. It is useful in neurological conditions. These capsules are made from the standardized extracts of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera). This herb effectively acts as a nerve tonic. It enhances physical as well as mental stamina. This is a natural rejuvenator that helps in maintaining the health of the brain cells. This is a wonderful herb in the Ayurveda medical system.

Dosage: 1 capsule twice a day after meals with plain water

2. Brahmi capsules

This single herb is the most effective memory boosting herbal supplement. This is the world famous memory enhancing herb. This is made from the standardized extracts of Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri). This herb increases concentration, stamina and helps in mental fatigue. Due to these properties this herb is very beneficial in treating dementia.;

Dosage: 1 capsule twice a day after meals with plain water

3. Stress Support

This is a poly herbal formulation that acts as an effective stress reliever formula. This herbal formulation contains powerful herbs to relieve stress, dementia such as Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Tagar (Valeriana wallichii) and Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri). It improves memory and mental concentration. This is the best natural remedy for insomnia and depression. It prevents oxidative damage to the brain cells and a natural mood elevator. It helps in increasing the memory and concentration power. Due to this, this capsule is the best natural remedy for dementia.

Dosage: 1 capsule twice a day after meals with plain water

4. Calm easy

This herbal product is very beneficial in brain disorders. It contains herbs such as Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Tagar (Valeriana wallichii) and Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) that provide relief from various neurological conditions and also these herbs helps in pacifying vata and pitta dosha. Vata is the main cause of neurological disorders. It relaxes the body and reduces the number of thoughts. It enhances memory, grasping power and learning capacity. It also provides relief from hypertension.

Dosage: 1 capsule twice a day after meals with plain water

5. Gotu Kola capsules

This is the best herbal remedy for anxiety, depression and memory. It is useful for lack of concentration, low memory. This wonderful herbal remedy is made from the standardized extracts of Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica). This herb improves circulation, alertness and helps in relaxation. It is traditionally used in enhancing memory power and boosting concentration. Due to this it is very useful in treating dementia.

Dosage: 1 capsule twice a day after meals with plain water

6. Shankhpushpi capsules

This Planet Ayurveda product is a great herbal product for enhancing memory. This is useful in cold, cough, and headaches as well. It is considered as an anti-ageing & also improves life longevity. This capsule is made from the standardized extracts of Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus prostratus). It manages diseases like dementia, insomnia, low power of concentration, poor memory, indigestion, constipation, etc.

Dosage: 1 capsule twice a day after meals with plain water

7. Saraswatarishta

This is a herbal supplement in liquid form. It is a wonderful herbal supplement for brain disorders. This herbal product is made from the extracts of herbs like Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Vidari (Pueraria tuberosa), Pippali (Piper longum), Trivrit (Operculina turpenthum), etc. This is a memory tonic and good for people of all ages.It is mainly used in mental conditions. This herbal medicine is used in the treatment of insanity, epilepsy, dementia, insomnia, depression, anxiety, etc.

Dosage: 2 tsp twice a day after meals with equal amount of water

Conclusion

As we saw that this disease is a combination of many symptoms and Vata is the main dosha that is responsible for dementia. So above mentioned herbal products are very beneficial in treating this condition. These herbal supplements can be taken for a longer duration without any side effects. These products are free from chemicals and additives. That is why this Ayurvedic treatment is so pure and worthwhile. Hence we can manage this condition by proper diet and lifestyle along with herbal supplements. For more enquiries you can visit www.planetayurveda.com

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November 2, 2021

AYURVEDA FOR RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Abstract

Feel like your good mornings aren’t that good lately? Have you been going through the morning struggle of getting those painful joints to help you out of bed? Does that morning stretch feel like a torture to your joints? Do you dread getting up after a long rest from a busy day’s work? Feel like you can’t even stop to rest? That unexplainable swelling and pain on your knees or hips getting you all worried? If you are being constantly bothered by these then it might be time for you to take a moment and give some attention to your joints because you are most likely to be suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis. Did you know that our body’s immune system could be the savior and the villain at times!! That our immune cells can attack our own body cells, tissues and organs?

Well, this is exactly what happens in auto-immune diseases like Rheumatoid Arthritis. Our immune cells attack the connective tissues of various joints in our body mostly affecting the knees, hip, joints on the fingers, etc, causing inflammation which results in swelling and pain.

 So What Causes This And Why Is Not Everyone Suffering From Rheumatoid Arthritis Even Though Everyone Has The Same Immune Mechanism

Certain individuals are genetically susceptible to such attacks from their immune system when they are exposed to environmental stimulus in the form of infections which trigger the immune system.  Although  genetic susceptibilities aren’t under our control, you can always pay attention to your lifestyle, quit smoking and rather run after your goals. Because, cigarette smoking is another important risk factor for the disease which lands you in the Orthopedic department several times with joint stiffness (which is more marked in the morning), multiple joint pain, swelling and difficulty in carrying out the daily activities.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Is Rheumatoid Arthritis The Reason For Your Bleeding Gums

Yes. Individuals suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis have a higher risk of acquiring gum disease. Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis experience gum bleeding so often during brushing, followed by their difficulty in doing the same adequately. This will lead to plaque formation and gingivitis i.e., inflammation of the gums as a result which can ultimately cause weakening of the gums and loss of tooth. Thus it’s comprehensible enough to say that episodes of gingivitis can flare up your Rheumatoid Arthritis.

What Can You Do To Prevent Bleeding Gums Prior To The Worsening Of Arthritis

Maintaining good oral hygiene is the ultimate way and in case you detect any gum disease, then prompt treatment to prevent further progression and complications. This will also help to keep the inflammatory levels from becoming worse.

Ayurveda And Autoimmune Disorders

In the pathogenesis of almost all diseases, Ayurvedic concepts are based upon the endotoxins build-up within the body tissues, forcing the body to readjust itself into acting against them. So the attack or immune responses of the body against its own cells doesn’t happen automatically but when the body is trying to clear out this cellular endotoxic content known as Ama.

Ayurveda and Amavata

Amavata is correlated with Rheumatoid Arthritis in Ayurveda. The classics have clearly mentioned the etiological factors responsible for the formation of the disease amongst which the following are important ones. Arthritis is mostly seen as occurring on a hereditary basis but in Ayurveda, the explanations indicate few other factors as well.

Are You A Victim To Incompatible Food And Regimen

There are copious food articles which we eat everyday and which have become a part of our daily chart but which are misunderstood as healthy combinations but in reality are to be recognized as Virudhaharam. In Ayurveda we contribute the idea of antagonistic food as Virudhaharam. The concept has made it amply clear that the different combinations of food seems to have the corresponding effect on our body. Some bring out the best of effect while some bring out the worst effect from within the body tissues.

Antagonistic food comes into the toxic state when they are consumed in the following situations for example, upon their untimely intake, unfavorable food to the climate, the quantity and the property of the food article etc. They seem to interrupt the cellular activities, cell nutrition and metabolic functioning of the body, And this ‘Virudha’ as the name suggests, they imparts negative effects out of the food preparations we serve our body with.

Virudha Cheshta

Virudha cheshta refers to unfavorable physical activities like a bath right after meals, constant suppression of natural urges, awakening at night, daytime sleep, and sedentary lifestyles all are minor but important physical responses that lead to endotoxin buildup in the cells.

Gotta Boost The Bio-Fire

Kayagni aka a robust bio-fire is extremely necessary to keep the metabolic reactions lively and proper within the body. The half-digested food articles that are formed as a result of mandagni leads to the further toxification of food articles getting ingested into the stomach. Mandagni can be caused due to Kapha prakopa or due to Virudha cheshta or Viruddha ahara. All of it leads to Ama build-up as well as cellular degradation paving way for tissue damage aka dhatu kshaya.

Find Time For Exercise In Your Sedentary Life

Lack of exercise and necessary corresponding physical activities to the diet and regimen you have been following will only end up in making your body weak although you might appear healthy as a horse. The truth is you need to practice healthy diet as well as you should be able to do necessary exercise to keep cellular health and to keep the energy levels in check compatible enough to maintain a healthy bio-fire and metabolism. Those who engage in physical activities will have a higher metabolic rate than people having little to no participation in the same. Sedentary habits and a sedentary lifestyle serves no good for your body.

So, What Ayurveda Do In Clearing Out This Endotoxic Content

Endotoxin build up is the ultimate reason behind the tissue degradation and the connected diseases. A build up related to a particular tissue or one of the Tridoshas can be brought to a balancing state by correcting our way of living. Sometimes our lifestyle might be the one, who is calling out the diseases into our body.

Therefore, primarily the detoxification is to be done to remove all the toxic buildup within the cells which will help in regenerating the tissues via cleansing of the body.

So, what Ayurveda does in making things better, for someone troubled with joint pain and dislocations for a long period, is by improving their lifestyle quality thereby tying a knot on the pace of joint damage.

 

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