Category: Skin Health

May 20, 2019

How Meningitis can be treated naturally

Overview

Meningitis is the inflammation of the protective covering (meninges) of the brain and spinal cord caused due to certain infections. It is a serious and life threatening condition that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment. It is mostly caused by a viral infection but bacterial, parasitic and fungal infections may also be the causes. The early treatment of meningitis can prevent serious complications. This infection can occur in children as well as adults.

How Meningitis can be treated naturally

What are the causes of Meningitis?

  • Viral infection is the most common cause of meningitis followed by bacterial infections and rarely fungal infections. The bacterial infection is life threatening therefore identifying the cause is essential.

Types of Meningitis are:

1. Bacterial Meningitis

  • It occurs when the bacteria  from the bloodstream travels to the brain and spinal cord and cause acute bacterial meningitis or it can also occur when bacteria directly invade the meninges.
  • Bacteria that cause infections such as Streptococcus pnemoniae, Haemphilus influenzae, Neisseria meningiditis and Listeria monocytogenes.

Bacterial Meningitis

2.Chronic Meningitis

  • Chronic meningitis is caused when a slow growing bacteria such as fungi or Mycobacterium tuberculosis invade the membranes and the fluid surrounding the brain,
  • The signs and symptoms of chronic meningitis are similar to that of acute meningitis such as fever, headache, vomiting, mental cloudiness etc.

3.Fungal Meningitis

  • Meningitis caused by fungal infections is very rare. Its symptoms may mimic the symptoms of acute bacterial meningitis.
  • Cryptococcal meningitis is a common fungal form of the disease that affects people with immune deficiencies.

4.Viral Meningitis

  • Viral meningitis is the most common type and is mild and usually clears on its own.
  • Viruses such as herpes simplex virus (HPV), mumps etc. can cause viral meningitis.

sign and symptoms of Menningitis

What are the symptoms of Meningitis?

In the initial stages, the symptoms of meningitis mimics flu.

The symptoms are:

  1. Stiff neck
  2. Sudden high fever
  3. Headache with nausea and vomiting
  4. Seizures
  5. Severe headache that seems different from the normal
  6. Loss of appetite and thirst
  7. Sensitivity to light
  8. Confusion
  9. Difficulty in concentrating

What are the symptoms of Meningitis in newborns and infants?

  1. High fever
  2. Inactivity or sluggishness
  3. Poor feeding
  4. Stiffness in the baby’s neck or body
  5. Constant crying
  6. Excessive sleepiness
  7. Irritability
  8. A bulge in the soft spot on the top of baby’s head

Diagnosis:

  • The doctor can diagnose meningitis based on the medical history, physical examination and with the help of certain tests such as blood tests or CT scan.

Treatment

  • Modern medicine physicians prescribe corticosteroids and intravenous antibiotics for the treatment of acute bacterial meningitis to reduce the risk of swelling and seizures.
  • For viral meningitis, antibiotics are not prescribed as it can resolve on its own after sometime.

How Ayurveda can help in the treatment of Meningitis?

  • According to Ayurveda, meningitis is caused due to low immunity and vitiation of Pitta and Kapha mainly Tarpak Kapha. The function of Tarpak Kapha is that it helps the nerve impulses to move at a proper rate by nourishing and protecting the axons of nerves but when it is vitiated it obstructs the nerve impulses.
  • Along with the modern treatment for meningitis, ayurvedic treatment can be continued to prevent the complications.

How Planet Ayurveda can help in the treatment of Meningitis?

  • Planet Ayurveda provides herbal remedies that act as Rasayanas for enhancing the immunity of an individual and other herbs that act on the brain and nervous system to provide strength and nourishment.

Meningitis Care Pack by Planet Ayurveda includes:

  1. Brahmi Capsules
  2. Ashwagandha Capsules
  3. Kaishore Guggul
  4. Boswellia Curcumin Capsules
  5. Medhya Churna
  6. Septrin Tablets

1.Brahmi Capsules

  • Brahmi is an anti-oxidant herb that is used very commonly in Ayurvedic practice. Planet Ayurveda’s Brahmi Capsules contain the standardized extract of the herb Bacopa monnieri.It is used in the treatment of all brain disorders such as dizziness, confusion, sleep disturbances, insomnia, and lack of mental composure. It is a very good nerve tonic and protects the nerves, heart and blood vessels. Brahmi is also as an anti-inflammatory herb therefore useful in the treatment of meningitis.

Dose: 1 capsule twice daily with plain water after taking meals.

2.Ashwagandha Capsules

  • Ashwagandha is used in Ayurveda since a very long time for several health conditions. In Ayurveda, ashwagandha is considered as a Rasayana. Planet Ayurveda’s Ashwagandha Capsules contain the standardized extract of the herb Withania somnifera. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, it is widely used in the treatment of meningitis. This herb protects the brain from degeneration and dementia.

Dose: Take 1 capsule twice daily with plain water after taking meals.

3.Kaishore Guggul:

  • Kaishore Guggul is a classical Ayurvedic medicine which possesses anti-microbial properties. Planet Ayurveda’s Kaishore Guggul contains the natural purifying herbs like Triphala and Giloy which are useful in removing toxins from the blood. It has anti-biotic and anti-inflammatory actions which help in the treatment of infections as it is a natural blood cleanser. It acts as Rasayana as well.

Dose: 2 tablets twice daily with plain water after taking meals.

4.Boswellia Curcumin Capsules

  • Boswellia Curcumin Capsules by Planet Ayurveda is a unique product that contains Boswellia (Boswellia serrata) and Turmeric (Curcuma longa) as the ingredients. Both these ingredients are anti-inflammatory in nature and work in a synergistic manner to reduce infection and inflammation. Curcumin is the best anti-inflammatory herb that has potent effects similar to the efficacy of corticosteroids. Turmeric has anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-biotic properties that are useful in the treatment of meningitis.

Dose: 1 capsule twice daily with plain water after taking meals.

5Medhya Churna

  • Planet Ayurveda’s Medhya Churna is a powerful blend of dried extracts of herbs that  act as a wonderful brain tonic. All the herbs used in this powder have been used individually since immemorial times for various types of brain disorders. Therefore, this churna is very effective in the treatment of meningitis.

Ingredients of Medhya Churna are:

Sr. No.

 Botanical Name Common Name Parts Quantity
1. Acorus calamus Vacha Roots 50 gm
2. Withania somnifera Ashwagandha Roots 5 gm.
3. Carum roxburghianum Ajmoda Seeds 5 gm.
4. Cuminum cyminum Shwet Jeerak Seeds 5 gm.
5. Carum carvi Krishna Jeerak Seeds 5 gm.
6. Zingiber officianle Sonth Rhizome 5 gm.
7. Piper nigrum Marich Fruits 5 gm.
8. Piper longum Pippali Fruits 5 gm.
9. Cissampelos pareira Patha Whole 5 gm.
10. Convulvulus pluricaulis Shankhpushpi Whole  5 gm.
11. Bacopa monnieri Brahmi Whole  5 gm.

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

6. Septrin Tablets:

  • Planet Ayurveda’s Septrin Tablets are useful in  conditions such as infections, pain, and inflammation. All the herbs used in this formulation are anti-inflammatory in nature which are very useful in the treatment of meningitis.

Ingredients of Septrin Tablets are:

Sr. No.

 Herb Used Botanical Name Parts Used Quantity
1. Guggul Commiphora mukul Resin 200 mg
2. Haldi Curcuma longa Root extract 150 mg
3. Tulsi Ocimum sanctum Leaves extract 100 mg
4. Sonth Zingiber officinale Root extract 20 mg
5. Marich Piper nigrum Seed extract 20 mg
6. Pippali Piper longum Fruit extract 10 mg

Dose: 2 tablets twice daily with plain water after taking meals.

Prevention:

  • Since it is an infectious disease, it can spread through coughing, sneezing, sharing utensils, cigarette etc. So it is necessary to wash hands, practice good hygiene etc.

Diet:

(Reference: Charak Samhita Chikitsasthanam, Chapter No. 12, Shlok No. 20)

Meaning: In this shloka, a diet that should be avoided in inflammation is explained. According to this shloka, a person having inflammation should avoid lean meat, dry leafy vegetables, newly harvested grains, food items prepared from jaggery and rice flour, fermented foods, curd, sesame seeds, oily foods, alcohol and sour foods.

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April 4, 2019

Health Benefits and Medicinal uses of Neem-Azadirachta indica

Introduction

Neem, (Azadirachta indica) is a tree with plenty of health benefits that holds a solid reputation in Ayurveda zone. It has many remedies that can heal a number of ailments like treat dandruff, pacify irritation, saves the skin from many diseases, accelerates wound healing, boosts the immune system and reduces the inflammation. It is also used to heal gastric troubles, enhances scalp health and hair growth, slows down the aging process, manages libido, has anti-cancer potential and useful in controlling diabetes.

Neem in fact is a native of Indian subcontinent, these days it can be found in many other parts of the world because it is used to treat a huge number of diseases in a natural way. In fact it belongs to the family of Meliaceae. These trees grow in a rapid way and have massive quality and broad spreading leaves, which drop in drought as if they want to shield the other trees and the ground. Almost all the parts of this tree are used to prepare various remedies that cure plenty of diseases.

Neem leaves are in great demand because they have numerous beneficial & medicinal properties. The neem oil is extracted from its leaves and used in multiple ways to heal many ailments. These can also be dried and burnt, they turn into a pest repellent. In India the shoots and flowers of this tree are used in culinary applications.

Health Benefits of Neem

Some of the benefits of its leaves are:

How to Use

  1. Make a paste of neem leaves and water and dab it on your wounds, repeat this process a few times in a day. It will help in reducing the inflammation and pain and heals the wounds at a fast pace.
  2. Boil a handful of neem leaves in a glass of water till its color changes to green, let it get cooled. After washing your hair with a shampoo, apply this water to your hair. It will just say goodbye dandruff.
  3. Boil some neem leaves in water for some time and let it gets cooled. Sprinkle your eyes with this water. It will certainly cure the redness, itching, and feeling tired kind of look.
  4. Grind a few neem leaves and make a paste with water and apply it on your zit (a spot on the skin) directly, acne will just dry out. This paste also helps in removing all skin blemishes, making it totally flawless and supple. Add turmeric to this paste and it helps in removing many skin problems like itching, ring worms, eczema and other skin diseases.
  5. In fact, it just enhances your immunity, crush some neem leaves in a glass of water and can be drunk straight away. I know it has a very bitter taste, you can add some honey to sweeten it. But if you pay a look at its benefits you will not mind drinking it, without worrying about the taste.
  6. Neem flowers: The whole tree is bitter, except its flowers, which have a mystic jasmine like fragrance and which blossom in the afternoon and once again during the evening. During monsoon season, you will find them scattered all over the ground in bunches. These can be used in any form fresh, dried or powdered form, mostly these are used in South India to cook  many kinds of dishes. These flowers are roasted to be sprinkled on top of some dishes to make them more impressive.
  7. Neem flowers are also used to heal anorexia, belching, nausea and intestinal worms. Aromatherapy is done with them due to their calming effect. A recent study found it’s flower’s alcoholic extract to be a nice contraceptive.
  8. Neem Twigs & Bark: If you are an Indian and live in the rural sector, early in the morning you will find lots of people chewing on neem twigs and often don’t do any toothbrush. These twigs are so beneficial for the jaw health that it  kills all the toxins that are collected during the night and stop tooth decay or after getting shredded work as threads to stop the formation of plaque. It also maintains the alkaline level of your saliva, treats swollen gums and gives you sparkling white teeth.

Amazing Health Benefits of Neem

Benefits of Neem Oil:

  • Neem oil, which is extracted from seeds of neem trees has immense medicinal properties.
  • Making it a strong ingredient of many beauty products and cosmetics like soaps, shampoos, tooth pastes, hair oils, hand wash, mosquito repellents many creams & lotions that are made to moisturize your skin and make it smooth.
  • You can also add coconut oil in it and massage your whole body to enjoy the cooling effects.
  • We Indians feed our kids with the neem oil to eradicate all diseases that are caused due to viral infections to keep them healthy.

Here are some other great uses of neem oil you may have missed:

How to Use

  1. Say no to blackheads: Take 2-3 drops of neem oil, dilute by adding some water to it and apply this mixture on your blackheads directly.
  2. Apply this regularly to get rid of blackheads and prevent them from coming back.
  3. Anti-ageing oil: Neem oil is extremely nourishing and can be applied along with your face packs. It also helps in reducing the wrinkles that appear on your face and thus prevents aging skin, any kind of skin irritation caused by the harmful rays of the Sun and reduces itching.
  4. For strong hair: Take some neem oil and rub it into the scalp with the help of your fingertips, leave it  for a while and later wash. Neem oil can make your hair strong right from the root to the tip, prevents hair fall and treats dandruff.
  5. Ayurveda uses the basic properties of neem tree to cure ailments which occur due to disturbances in Vata dosha and also reduces neuro-muscular pains. The free radicals that circulate  cause harmful effects on our body.
  6. The neem tree has anti-bacterial properties that  neutralize these free radicals and then are thrown out of the body. It also destroys the bacteria that cause so many infections and promotes healing in a rapid manner.

Note

  • The neem tree has immense medicinal properties in it and can bring lots of benefits if taken properly. Remember one thing that the neem tree should be grown in an organic way and should be free from all chemicals. But it will be a good idea to consult your Ayurvedic doctor before proceeding. He/she can guide you more properly.
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