Author: Dr. Vikram Chauhan

December 31, 2018

10 Wonderful Health Benefits of Ayurvedic Herbs for Healthy Lifestyle

Overview

Ayurveda is one of the most ancient and comprehensive system of health care known to humanity for thousands of years. It is truly a science of life which tells us how to improve the quality of life by the use of various herbs gifted to us by nature.

Each and every herb in Ayurvedic pharmacgnosy has a multitude of benefits – for the mind, body, and spirit.

Health Benefits of Ayurvedic Herbs

Various herbs have been used since ages for the utility of mankind. Some of the herbs are:

  1. Ashwagandha
  2. Amla
  3. Turmeric
  4. Giloy

1.Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera):

  • Ashwagandha is known for having the “strength of ten horses”. It is referred to as Indian ginseng.

10 Health Benefits of Ashwagandha:

  1. Ashwagandha acts as an adaptogen which helps the body to cope with external changes in the environment. This herb is highly useful in reducing stress, anxiety and depression.
  2. It also supports healthy adrenal function by reducing stress and fatigue.
  3. In Ayurveda, Ashwagandha is referred to as Balya, which means giving strength in the conditions such as  general debility. It is known to improve energy, increasing stamina and endurance.
  4. Ashwagandha is a promising herb in providing relief in degenerative disorders such as it promotes the growth of nerve cells and protect the brain cells from the harmful effects of environment.
  5. It also acts on the endocrine system and encourages hormonal balance in the body.
  6. The rejuvenating properties of Ashwagandha make it very effective in treating insomnia as it calms the nervous system, eases stress and helps the person to get rid of sleeplessness.
  7. It acts as a nervine tonic. Hence, this herb is useful in relieving numbness.
  8. It improves muscle strength and has quite nutritive value and hence useful in gaining weight.
  9. It improves strength of heart muscles and therefore acts as a good heart tonic. Therefore, it is useful in lowering the high blood pressure. Regular use of Ashwagandha herb increases immunity as well. It is a good tonic for children for improving immunity.
  10. It enhances blood circulation as well and therefore improves cardio-vascular health.

2.Amla (Emblica officinalis or Phyllanthusemblica)

  • Amla has been used in Ayurvedic system of medicine for thousands of years. It is one of the three fruits that are contained in Triphala and the main ingredient of herbal jam Chywanprash. It is the richest source of Vitamin C.

10 Health Benefits of Amla

  1. Amla promotes detoxification of the body due to its anti-oxidant properties. Amla supports healthy circulation and digestion.  It eliminates toxins as well.  Amla is considered as a highly revered rasayana in Ayurvedic system of medicine. It promotes youthfulness, boosts immunity and promotes overall health and well-being.
  2. It is beneficial in patients with urinary ailments such as dysuria.
  3. Regular intake of Amla also relieves constipation.
  4. It is also useful in promoting intelligence and therefore widely used in Rasayan Chikitsa in Ayurveda.
  5. It has benefits in skin diseases such as: itching sensation, fever, uncontrolled thirst,  burning sensation, obstinate skin diseases etc.
  6. Amla shows wonderful effects in eye disorders by improving vision power and good for hair as well.
  7. Being rich  in nutrients and anti-oxidants, amla is also beneficial in weight loss.
  8. It improves immunity of the body as it easily gets converted into ojas, thus infuse qualities of ojas into the body. Ojas is regarded as the pure product of digestion and metabolism.
  9. Amla berry purifies the Rasa dhatu (nutrient fluid) and Rakta dhatu (blood), thus supports healthy functioning of liver. It stimulates the liver by eliminating toxins. It also helps in lowering the cholesterol levels.
  10. Amla is also known to lower cholesterol levels in the body.

3.Turmeric (Curcuma longa):

  • The benefits of Turmeric are known to Indians for thousands of years. It is native to India. It has immense health benefits due to presence of phyto-ingredient curcumin.

10 Health Benefits of Turmeric:

  1. Turmeric is traditionally used to support the body’s innate inflammatory response as it is anti-inflammtory properties. Curcumin is also very effective in joint pain and supports a healthy inflammatory response.
  2. Turmeric also helps in regulating the female reproductive system by purifying the uterus and breast milk and in men, it purifies and builds semen due to its pungent and bitter properties.
  3. For curing diabetes, there is nothing in comparison to turmeric. It is considered as a drug of choice for tackling diabetes and urinary tract disorders associated with diabetes.
  4. Due to its sour and bitter taste and hot potency, it removes blockage in the blood vessels thus makes the circulation of blood and nutrients easy.
  5. Turmeric has the ability to regulate metabolic fire due to its hot potency, it cleanses and detoxifies the digestive juices due to its bitter and sour taste thus enables free circulation of nutrients to each and every cell of the body.
  6. It helps in immune-modulation by correcting metabolism and enables the free circulation of nutrients and oxygen to the body. Therefore, the essence of all the tissues i.e. ojas regains its strength due to proper nutrition and thus immunity is established.
  7. Due to its hot potency and sour-bitter taste, it removes blockages in the liver thus restores the hematopoietic functions. Thus, anaemia is relieved by improvising the quality and quantity  of blood.
  8. Regular use of turmeric in diet is helpful in improving eye health and also relieves allergic disorders related to eyes.
  9. Turmeric is also used in the treatment of cancer because of the presence of phyto-chemical known as curcumin.

4.Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia):

  • In Ayurveda, Giloy is known as ‘Amrita’ which means ‘the root of mortality’ because of its medicinal properties.

10 Health Benefits of Giloy :

  1. Giloy is well known for increasing immunity. It is considered as a powerhouse of anti-oxidants which fight free radicals and help in keeping the cells healthy. It removes toxins, purifies blood and fights bacteria and combats diseases of liver and urinary tract.
  2. It is very beneficial in getting rid of recurrent fevers because of its anti-pyretic nature. Therefore, it reduces the signs and symptoms of dengue, swine flu as well.
  3. Giloy has hypoglycemic properties as well and therefore it helps in treating diabetes as well. It works wonder in reducing blood sugar levels.
  4. Giloy is also known for its anti-inflammatory properties and helps in respiratory health problems such as: cold, cough, bronchitis etc.
  5. It also reduces asthmatic symptoms such as: chest tightness, shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing so giloy is recommended to asthmatic patients.
  6. Because of its anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic properties, it helps to treat arthritis.
  7. Giloy can be used as an adaptogenic herb as well as it reduces mental stress as well as anxiety.
  8. Giloy is very useful in improving digestion and treating bowel diseases as well.
  9. Giloy also contains anti-aging properties that help in reducing dark spots, fine lines, pimples and wrinkles.
  10. Giloy is also used in vision problems as it is helpful in boosting vision clarity
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December 29, 2018

What are the Causes, Symptoms & Treatment of Severe Aplastic Anemia ?

Severe aplastic anemia is defined as blood disorders resulted due to the failure of bone marrow to form new blood cells.

Aplastic-anaemia

What is Bone Marrow?

A sponge-like soft tissue present inside the bones which forms stems cells which further develops into white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. It is a rare disease which can occur at any age and any age group. Firstly it is a slow process, which further gets worsen over a period of time. Bone marrow fails to produce cells due to environmental factors and stem cell damage. It is a non-contagious and a life-threatening condition due to decreased production of blood cells, there is more risk of bleeding, tiredness, and infection in a person.

Causes

  • Due to unknown causes. It is an acquired condition, not inherited, it is not present from birth and develops some time during life.
  • Damage to bone marrow, which results in slowing, or stopping the production of new blood cells. Damage could be due to any kind of injury to bone marrow.
  • Due to exposure to radiation and chemotherapy: as these cancer-killing therapies along with killing cancerous cells also do damage to healthy cells, which include stem cells in the bone marrow. Due to side effect of these therapies, this condition arises.
  • Exposure to harmful toxic chemicals like pesticides and insecticides leads to aplastic anemia. Exposure to gasoline, which has ingredients like benzene also cause aplastic anemia.
  • Use of drugs used to treat arthritis and some other kind of antibiotics leads to aplastic anemia.
  • Autoimmune disorders which attack healthy cells, involving your stem cells is another cause.
  • Viruses like hepatitis, parvovirus B 19, HIV and Epstein Barr is responsible for this disease.
  • Due to pregnancy, the immune system affect the bone marrow.

Symptoms

  • The body gets fatigued.
  • Due to exertion, there is shortness of breath
  • Irregular heart rate. It can be slow or rapid.
  • Prolonged bleeding due to any cuts or injury
  • Rashes over skin
  • Person become dizzy
  • A severe headache
  • Bleeding from nose and gums
  • Bruises get easily
  • Quick and prolonged infections
  • Pale face and skin
  • Low platelet count (thrombocytopenia)
  • Neutropenia (low white blood cells) – the presence of infection and mouth sores.

Risk Factors

  • Exposure to high radiation during chemotherapy or cancer treatment.
  • Exposure to various toxin agents or chemicals
  • Use of drugs used to kill bacterial infection or to treat rheumatoid arthritis
  • Certain blood disorders or autoimmune disorders. Many infections could also be a risk factor

Diagnose

  • Blood Tests : blood tests are done to check different types of blood cells like RBC, WBC and platelet and level of hemoglobin in the body
  • Bone Marrow Biopsy : In this a needle is used to remove a small piece of bone marrow from a large bone of the body, it could be a hipbone. This sample is examined under the microscope to rule out the disease. If the bone marrow contains fewer cells than normal. The test is positive.

Chromosome Analysis

Done on blood and bone marrow cells. In another disease of bone marrow changes in chromosome pattern is seen in marrow cells but in severe aplastic condition, changes are not seen except in extremely rare cases

Treatment in Modern Medicine

In modern medicine, the treatment includes blood transfusion, medication or bone marrow transplant.

  • In blood transfusion, blood cells are provided that bone marrow lack in production. It is not a cure but it prevents bleeding and its symptoms. The weakness and fatigue of the body are also relieved.
  • In a bone marrow transplant, rebuilding the bone marrow with stem cells from a donor. It is a risky process.
  • Immune-suppressing drugs along with bone marrow stimulants are used. For infection, we use antibiotics and antiviral medicines.
  • Isolation from a healthy person. Visitors should wear masks and gown and thoroughly wash hands before touching the patient.
  • Avoid physical activities as much as can as there is a risk of injury which leads to unstoppable bleeding.

Prevention

  • Take precautions from chemicals if you are working in industrial chemicals
  • Avoid direct exposure to pesticides or insecticides. Avoid food that is treated with such agents
  • Get a proper and early treatment of autoimmune disease as it is one of the causes of anemia

Ayurveda Aspect

In Ayurveda, there are three energies (vata, pitta, kapha). The dosha that is responsible for aplastic anemia is pitta doshas. In this pitta doshas is correlated to digestive fire, so if the digestive fire is hampered directly or indirectly and the required a number of nutrients are not absorbed in the proper amount. This leads to poor nourishment of rasa dhatu, hence rakta dhatu which get nourishment from rasa dhatu also decrease in quality and quantity. Thus results in aplastic anemia.

Treatment

Purification of the body is done by Vamana and virechana process. Various medicines are given after snehan with ghee.

Home Remedies

  • Grind honey, gram, moong, and mix lemon and eat breakfast in the morning. Chew gourds with peas and jaggery. Eat spinach, mustard, beta, peas, fenugreek, green coriander, mint, and tomatoes. Eat papaya, grapes, guava, banana, apple, Chikoo and lemon in the fruit. Take the grains, pulses, crowns, raisins, carrots, and dates with the milk.
  • Take a glass of apples and beetroot juice, add a glass of sugar beet juice and honey to taste. Drink it daily. This beverage contains a lot of iron content.
  • Take teaspoon of sesame seeds and honey, soak it in water for 2  hours. After filtering the water, grind the seeds and make a paste. Then add 1 teaspoon honey in it and eat it twice a day.
  • Take 30 ml aloe Vera juice daily in the day, 30 minutes before breakfast.
  • It is also necessary to remove the toxin from the body. Therefore, massage your body with a good professional masseur.
  • Surya Namaskar, Sarvangasana, Shavasana, and Vyoptasanasanana increase the blood flow throughout the body. Besides, deep breathing and pranayama are also beneficial.
  • Bathe with cold water twice a day. In the morning, sit in the sunlight. Drink tea and coffee a little bit because it prevents the body from drinking iron.

Herbal Remedies for Severe Aplastic Anemia

1. Ashwagandha Capsules

Ashwagandha Capsules of Planet Ayurveda are pure herbal capsules useful in various disorders like fatigue, stress, anxiety, nervous breakdown, weight loss, and many other disorders. It also enhances stamina both at the mental and physical level. It is a very good remedy for severe aplastic anemia as it helps in relieving fatigue associated with it.

Dosage : 1-2 capsules twice daily.

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2. Punarnava Mandoor

Punarnava Mandoor is classical Ayurvedic tablets to improve blood count, improve blood quality, remove toxins from the blood and helps in eliminating toxins from the body. It is a classical Ayurvedic formulation for anemia. Thus, it is a natural remedy for anemia.

Dosage : 1-2 tablets twice daily.

3. Giloy Capsules

Giloy is considered an excellent blood purifier. Moreover, giloy is considered an excellent immune-modulator thus helps in increasing white blood cells in the body. Giloy capsules of Planet Ayurveda are prepared from the pure herbal extract obtained from Tinospora cordifolia. It is also used in the treatment of chronic fever, gout, anemia, jaundice, cardiac debility and all types of cancers. Planet Ayurveda Giloy Capsules are 100% pure and natural. They are free from chemicals and adverse side effects.

Dosage : 1-2 capsules twice daily.

4. Green Essentials Capsules

Herbal medicines like green essentials are one of the most effective and inexpensive herbal remedies which are gaining popularity among the people of both urban and rural areas. Green essential capsules prepared from Planet Ayurveda are prepared from wonderful herbal extracts of wheat grass, Spirulina, green tea etc. These capsules nourish the cells and fight against health ailments. These are also known to clear heavy metals which is one of the causes of severe aplastic anemia. They are also a rich source of minerals and iron which are responsible for blood formation.

Dosage : 1-2 capsules twice daily.

5. Wheat Grass Powder

Wheat Grass Powder of Planet Ayurveda is obtained from dried powder of young wheat (Triticum Aestivum) plant. It contains wheat grass powder which is naturally dried. It contains over 90 minerals and it is well known for increasing red blood cells.

Dosage : Mix a tablespoon of powder in plain water, stir well and drink instantly empty stomach in the morning.

6. Spirulina Capsules

Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) is a blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) Planet Ayurveda’s Spirulina capsules are of high nutritional value. Planet Ayurveda Spirulina capsules contain standardized extract of high nutritional value Spirulina rather than only raw powder. It contains potassium, calcium, copper and iron elements and a pigment such as beta-carotene is beneficial in increasing red blood cells and Spirulina is also known to increase platelets in the blood.

Dosage : 1-2 capsules twice daily.

These herbal remedies have a powerful effect on the bone marrow and stimulate them to start to produce normal red blood cells. The advantage of taking herbal treatment for severe aplastic anemia is that the individuals do not require blood transfusions after about 3-4 months of commencing Ayurvedic treatment.

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