Category: Mental Health

Depression in today’s working women-how can Ayurveda help get rid of it?

Introduction

One of the basic factors that lead to depression is when we are not happy with the part of our self. While our natural body wants us to rest and take time for ourselves, we are only striving for reaching another goal, doing another big thing. The constant hustle and not giving oneself the time to breathe and feel the roses by living in that present moment have a deep impact on our emotions as well as physical health.

After a certain period, even our body gets so drained that the eight hours of good night sleep get ineffective in bringing rest to our body. Ever since the first-ever organized women’s rights movement in the small village of Seneca Falls, the United States in 1848, a lot has changed. While women are now working at par with their male counterparts in big corporate, participating in the policy matters, representing their nation at the international level in various sports, driving cars, planes, knocking off an opponent in the boxing ring but our social conditioning is still the same.

Herbs for Depression

Women are made to feel guilty by society and even in their intimate relationships for making time for themselves. They are judged by even the other women in the circles for not giving into the social conditioning that expects her to be active and attentive towards her household duty evens after all a long day at work. This constant juggle and striving to maintain balance in work-life along with fulfilling all the responsibilities of home life has torn women into two half.

Sometimes, women do that to themselves so that they don’t feel judged. Deep down they believe that in case they give up some of their responsibilities to work on their other commitments, their importance or place in the family dynamic might diminish with the time.

It’s a high time that we should start the discussion of women empowerment in various platforms in the sense of resting and recuperating and not only confined to opportunities in the corporate world.

The feminine energy that is predominant in females is all about creation, connecting to nature, self-love, and intuition that needed to be acknowledged and nurtured. We need to teach our daughters and friends that men and women are equal but still different. We should not strive to be men but our true authentic feminine self.

Our world is more in the need of a more caring and nurturing individual, not the technologies. Women are innate nurturers; it a matter of them understanding their powers and not wait for the world to confirm them.

Lack of self-love among women

The practice of self-love is what attracts the best things to us but many women who might seem very attractive and confident from the outside lack self-love. The only reason being not acknowledging one’s individuality and being oppressed with the social perception of perfect women.

Women need to understand that we are our being and have our strength and weakness and we all deserve love and respect. Putting you second and trying to be someone to be accepted by the immediate groups or society detaches one from their true self.

For instance, an all-night party might be an idea of fun for one individual but feel more like a nuisance for another. While the women all out there for reaching professional goals and making their mark in the industry, they should also try to know themselves. Their likes and dislikes.

Simple and Natural Ways to Overcome Such Depression

One does not need to spend bucks in an expensive salon or brands for feeling better, there some simple and effective ways we can adapt to practice self-love.

Taking a breather between work and home life

Taking time off for one even it’s half an hour can do a trick even between the busy work and home responsibilities even its spending time while having tea in your favorites spot.

Journaling

Writing is considered one of the best ways of emotional outlet. It helps one to put to emotional clutters in our head into writing. Journaling is not only beneficial for one’s emotional well-being but also for increasing your creativity. This is also another way to meditate if you are not into the traditional method of meditations.

Cooking

The act of cooking is among the creative expressions that the women have been practicing in their kitchen for ages. It is also an expression of love. Our mothers have been cooking healthy recipes in the kitchen with love and care. Practice cooking for yourself and also for your loved ones. It will heighten your nurturing abilities.

Savings

I know we have talked earlier about how women tend to stop caring for themselves while hustling between work and home but even a little saving can make them feel secure and grounded within themselves. The idea is not how much you earn but how you use your capital for feeling secure and grounded and stop living from paycheck to paycheck. It will help you to get rid of anxiety and fear of losing your job tomorrow and give the confidence to stand your ground.

Dance

It does not matter if you are a good dancer or not but dance especially the one with more hip movements can be proven to be beneficial for well being. Dancing increases one’s confidence, improves and removes any form of blockage. It helps you to live in the present movement while your body is in tune with the music and forgetting even it’s for sometimes the events of the past and fear of the unknown future.

COMMON ALIMENTS IN WORKING WOMEN

Other than the depression, some ailments that have seen in the women include heart disease, autoimmune diseases, breast cancer, and osteoporosis due to unhealthy lifestyle, lack of self-care and lack of rest but can be easily cured through natural methods.

HOW CAN AYURVEDA HELP IN MANAGING DEPRESSION?

Sometimes making the changes in lifestyle are not enough as it is a never-ending process that may affect anyone anytime because of the natural behavior of humans. So, we need to go some steps further and take the help of some natural herbs that will help in reducing the effects of depression without causing any other complications. Hence, the most effective and trusted herbs for managing Depression are

HERBAL REMEDIES IN AYURVEDA FOR CURING DEPRESSION

1.Ashwagandha:

Ashwagandha has been proven to be beneficial in curing stress and cutting down the anxiety levels. It also helps one to remain focused and to have more control over mood swings.

2.Brahmi:

Brahmi is a herb is proven to effective in calming the brain and bringing relief from anxiety and stress

3.Peppermint:

Peppermint or Pudina has a cooling effect on the nervous system and helps you to have good sleep.

4.Jatamansi:

It’s a herb that helps in curing insomnia. Jatamansi also works as a natural anti-depressant formula.

While all the above-mentioned steps and herbs are affected but if you are suffering from clinical depression, it is always advisable to consult the doctor.


What is the use of Sumatriptan and its best alternative in Ayurveda?

Abstract

Although migraine headache is a benign condition. Many people do not pay attention to it because it is much less likely to be fatal, but it requires proper treatment because it severely affects life. And most people prefer modern medicines like sumatriptan that cause side effects and lead to serious complications later. So, everyone needs to find out the best alternative of these medicines, which do not cause any side effects and treat migraine naturally i.e. Ayurvedic treatment. It includes herbs and herbal formulation. This natural remedy is the best alternative to sumatriptan. Planet Ayurveda provides a pure and safe herbal formula for migraine named “Migraine Care Pack”, the best alternative to Sumatriptan in Ayurveda.

migraine_headache

What is Sumatriptan and its use?

It refers to a class of drugs called selective serotonin receptor agonists. Sumatriptan is used for acute treatment of migraine attacks with or without aura (1).

Mechanism of Action

Sumatriptan is agonists of 5-HT1B and 5-HT1D (5-hydroxytryptamine). This agonism leads to the contraction of cranial blood vessels and prevents the release of pro-inflammatory neuropeptides. Sumatriptan reduces carotid artery blood flow but increases blood flow velocity in the internal carotid artery and middle cerebral artery.

Dosage Forms And Route Of Administration

It is available in the market in the different dosage form with the different route of administration (2) i.e.

  1. Tablet and capsule: Oral
  2. Spray: Nasal
  3. Injection: Subcutaneous
  4. Patches: Transdermal

What is Migraine?

Migraine is a chronic headache that can range from mild to severe. It can affect one half of the head. Migraine attacks can last two to 72 hours and this severe pain interferes with the daily routine. The exact cause of migraine is not known. This may be due to environmental and genetic factors. Variations in brain chemicals including serotonin can cause migraine problems. So the fluctuations in the brainstem and its interaction with the trigeminal nerve is the major route to produce pain. Symptoms of migraine may include vomiting, nausea, and sensitivity to sound, smell, or light, mood changes, increased appetite, Polydipsia, Polyuria, excessive yawning, etc.

Sumatriptan and Migraine

Sumatriptan is considered to reduce blood vessel widening. It helps to relieve headaches and other symptoms associated with a migraine attack. Sumatriptan shows its action when a migraine attack has begun. It will not stop the further migraine attacks. So, Sumatriptan is not a drug that permanently prevents a migraine attack (4) and its use also causes many side effects.

Side effects of Sumatriptan

This can lead to adverse central nervous system issues outside of migraine attacks. It can produce moderate sedative effects such as sleepiness or fatigue (1).

The most common and serious side effects of Sumatriptan (3) are the following:

1. Common Side Effects

  1. Tingling or Numbness in Fingers or Toes
  2. Dizziness
  3. Warm, Hot, Burning Sensation to Face (Flushing)
  4. Weakness,
  5. Drowsiness
  6. Tiredness

2. Serious Side Effects

  1. Raynaud’s Syndrome: Changes in Color or Sensation in Fingers and Toes
  2. Stomach And Intestinal Problems. Symptoms Include
  3. Sudden or Severe Stomach Pain
  4. Weight Loss
  5. Nausea or Vomiting
  6. Bloody Diarrhea
  7. Fever

3. Difficulties With Blood Circulation to Legs And Feet Known As Peripheral Vascular Ischemia. The Symptoms Includes

  1. Cramping and Pain in Your Legs or Hips
  2. Feeling of Heaviness or Tightness In Leg Muscles
  3. Aching and Burning in Your Feet or Toes on Resting
  4. Numbness and Tingling in Legs

4. Breathlessness

5. Allergies Like a Rash, Hives, Swollen Eyelids, Face or Lips

Ayurvedic aspect for Migraine

Reference Sushruta Samhita

(Reference: Sushruta Samhita, Volume 2: Uttara-tantra// Chapter- 25// shloka no. – 15)

This shloka Explains: that when aggravated tridosha gets localized in the head it causes vitiates Mansik Dosha and develops severe pain, delirium in the period of 10 to 15 days without any reason. Then these episodes of headache called Migraine.

The Best Alternative To Sumatriptan In Ayurveda

Ayurveda from ancient times provides the best treatment for any disease without causing any side effects. Various effective natural herbs treat the disease and manage the symptoms. The herbs like Ashwagandha, Shankhpushpi, especially Brahmi are the best alternative substitute for Sumatriptan in migraine. These can be used by both children and adults safely. These herbs individually and together give a synergetic effect in Migraine.So, Ayurvedic treatment of migraine and the use of herbal formulations are the best options for the treatment.

To get rid of this serious disease, Planet Ayurveda offers you a ‘Migraine Care Pack’. All herbal formulations included in this pack contain pure herbs and are prepared under the guidance of MD-Ayurveda. They are effective, safe to use and do not produce any side effects such as sumatriptan.

The herbal formulations of Planet Ayurveda included in ‘Migraine Care Pack’

  1. Brahmi Capsules
  2. Ashwagandha Capsules
  3. Pitta Balance Capsules
  4. Arogayavardhini Vati
  5. Medhya Churna

migraine-care-pack
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PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

1. BRAHMI CAPSULES

The best and standardized extract of Brahmi (Bacopa Monnieri) is included in Brahmi capsules which improves the functioning of the brain and maintains a healthy brain. These capsules are pure and natural, producing no side effects like sumatriptan, although it also provides other beneficial effects on a person’s health. These capsules help to balance the tri dosha in the body and improve the immunity. They also strengthen the neurons and enhance their ability to retain for a longer period.

Dosage: 2 capsules two times a day with plain water, after meals.

Classical Reference For Brahmi

(Reference: Shloka No. 280-281, Bhav Prakash Nighantu, Guduchyadi Varga)

This Shloka Explains: Brahmi is bitter, astringent, and light in nature, has cold potency and becomes sweet after digestion. It also explains that Brahmi supports vocal cords, enhances concentration, increases brain strength, helps in the skin and blood-related disorders, eases the motions and also helps in the treatment of various conditions such as Jaundice, Diabetes, Cough, and Fever. Brahmi calms Vata and Kapha doshas.

2. ASHWAGANDHA CAPSULES

These capsules from Planet Ayurveda are prepared by adding the standardized extract of herb Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera). It acts as an adaptogenic and provides relief from stress. It is a very useful herb for improving the functions of the nervous system. Therefore, very effective in the treatment of migraine headaches.

Dosage: 1 capsule twice daily with plain water, after meals

3. PITTA BALANCE CAPSULES

These capsules are madeby the combination of different ingredient such Praval Pishti (Coral Calcium), Mukta Pishti (Pearl Calcium), Akik Pishti (Agate Calcium), Giloy Satva (Tinospora Cardifolia), Jahar Mohra Pishti (also named as Naga Pashana in old Ayurvedic texts) and Kamdhudha Ras (An Ayurvedic Calcium Compound). These efficacious herbs help to balance the Pitta Dosha inside the body. As per Ayurveda, balanced Pitta is very important to secure the body from the diseases. Hence, it is a very useful formulation for a large number of diseases with wonderful positive effects.

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

4. AROGYAVARDHINI VATI

Arogyavardhinivatiis a classical formulation from the experts of Planet Ayurveda. The combination of herbs is used to prepare these tablets are Bibhitaki (Terminalia Bellirica), Haritaki (Terminalia Chebula), Chitrak mool (Plumbago Zeylanica), and Amlaki (Emblica Officinalis). It helps to remove toxins from the body and improve the proper functioning of the digestive system. Arogyavardhini Vati strengthens the body and also helps to prevent and treat severe aches like Migraine Headaches.

Dosage: 2 tablets twice a day with plain water, after meals.

5. MEDHYA CHURNA

Medhya Churna is the combination of very wonderful herbs including Brahmi (Bacopa Monnieri), Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera), Marich (Piper Nigrum), Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus Pluricaulis), Pippali (Piper Longum), Vacha (Acorus Calamus), ShwetJeerak (Cuminum Cyminum), Patha (Cissampelos Pareira), Ajmoda (Carum Roxburghianum), Sonth (Zingiber Officinale), etc. These herbs help to enhance the memory and concentration. This churna sharpens the brain and also helps to relax the mind and body. Therefore, it is considered as the best alternative to sumatriptan in migraine.

Dosage: 1/4 teaspoon once daily with 1 spoon of Cow Ghee (Clarified Butter).

References

  1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470206/
  2. https://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB00669
  3. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2012/020132s024s026lbl.pdf
  4. https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.524.pdf