Western Medicine and Ayurveda

 

Difference between Western Medicine and Indian system of Medicine

Western medicine works on the principle of using active ingredients from different sources such as herbs, minerals, petroleum products by extracting the basic chemicals which act directly on the invading germs, microorganisms or cancerous cells or by making use of surgical and other invasive therapies like laser (making cuts or punctures), there are other noninvasive methods like lithotripsy and some types of radiations.

Ayurveda works on humours or doshas and thereby correcting the vitiated doshas

Doshas are energy packs which run the body (physiological factors)

In western medicine most of the treatments are symptomatic and mostly do not address the real underlying cause (root cause), so they rely on symptomatic, corrective (like surgery) and palliative type of treatments.

Ayurveda has two types of treatments one is symptomatic type and another detoxification treatment.

Symptomatic treatment address symptoms directly.

What makes Ayurveda unique is their ‘shodana’ or detox treatment popularly known by the name panchakarma. Sometimes panchakarma is a used as a misnomer; it includes all procedures of Ayurveda which help eliminate toxins which cannot leave our system by normal ways of excretion.

As far as medicines in Ayurveda is concerned all the medicines are taken directly from nature, whether it be plant, animal or mineral origin. The demarcation between food and medicine is very thin in Ayurveda. So sometimes a controlled food itself act as medicine. At the same time some ayurvedic herbal medicines are fast acting and potently dangerous if given in wrong does and to the wrong patient (like purgative and emetics).

 Spices has a very big role in Ayurveda pharmacopeia; but extracting only the active chemical ingredient is not done in Ayurveda.

One of the advantages of Ayurveda is that it does not have side effects except in medicines of mineral or metallic origin.

The main problem with a western drug/medicine is its side effects when a new drug is introduced to body, body cells respond in  different way and sometimes the toxic effect cannot be eliminated fully.

COCONUT BASED PRODUCTS

 Coconut palm grows in the tropics and its yield is year-round. Coconut is used in these places as an ingredient of food, both in its raw form and as oil. Oil is used for cooking and cosmetic purposes. A variety of hair tonics are prepared with coconut oil as base.

Coconut oil has effect on some types of poison, acts against diseases, reduce inflammation, kill bacteria.

An Ayurveda oil named ‘Murivenna’ which uses coconut oil as base is widely used  in sprains, pain and even fracture management in Ayurveda.

Coconut oil is an esseintial ingredient of food in the tropical wold. Many an eyebrow was raised about the health value of coconut oil as it is a saturated type of oil; theoretically such oils tend to increase bad cholesterol, but studies have proved that this is just a speculation.

Even though coconut oil is a saturated one, the chemical structure is simple and it does not create adverse effect on its consumers. There are no statistical data to substantiate the claim that coconut oil can cause high cholesterol levels. 

Coconut oil solidifies in mid twenty degrees С so it is a drawback when used in cold seasons and in cold countries. Coconut oil extracted without any sediments can be used by heating in such circumstances

Coconut kernel is an alkaline food and most alkaline foods are suitable for our consumption, it is a storehouse of nutrients including proteins, fat, minerals vitamins, manganese, iron and copper. 

Coconut water from tender coconuts is a good natural beverage and contains good amount of bicarbonates, and potassium so it is a good diuretic and is recommended in patients with cystic stones and urinary tract infections.

The faous ayurvedic eye drop named Elaneer Kuzhampu uses coconut water as its basis as fresh coconut is so pure and sterile (aseptic)

ANTI-MICROBIAL AGENTS IN AYURVEDA

Antibacterial Agents

There are many herbs which are antimicrobial in nature. Most important being Tulsi (Ocimum), neem and turmeric.

The uses of these herbs are in different ways; Tulsi is used to disinfect the surroundings, it purifies air so it is grown in courtyards and indoors. It also finds place as an ingredient in medicine for respiratory tract infections and other lung related illnesses.

Neem is known for its antimicrobial effect on both fungus and bacteria. It is used as medicine for many skin ailments. Neem is an active ingredient of many herbal soaps and cosmetics. Neem oil finds a place in agriculture too where it is widely used as herbal pesticide, the residual neem cake also finds its use as a fertilizer plus antifungal in property.

Another common spice which is widely used as an antimicrobial is turmeric. Turmeric is an indispensable ingredient in Indian cuisine and used as medicine too. Curcumin which is an active ingredient of turmeric is know to have anti-cancer property too.

Garlic and ginger also find an important place as food which has antimicrobial properties, especially cooking meant or fish. They can nullify the toxic effect, if any, of meat.

Single herbal drugs (having only one ingredient) are available in the market now; they adorn a prominent place in Ayurvediс treatment in India and elsewhere. 

Neem, Haridra, and Tuslsi are available in tablet forms.

COVID19 AND SENSE OF SMELL

 

How to regain sense of smell after Covid

One of the most common symptoms of Covid 19 is anosmia or potential loss of smell during the infection. It has been found that some patients are unable to regain the ability to smell well after covid recovery. This problem takes some bizarre turn when some patients have false perception like confusing the smell of perfumes with rotten or pungent smell.

At the moment there is no medication in modern medicine that can help, ‘time’ is the only cure available.

Looking through the ayurvedic point of view it has been found that Nasya therapy which is one among the panchakarmas has been found yielding encouraging results.

Contrary to popular belief nasya is not a treatment limited to clean the upper respiratory tract, it is a simple but effective treatment in many neurological conditions including hemiplegia and facial paralysis. Before the advent of antivenom treatment in snake bite nasyam had a big role in toxicology too as it is fast acting due to bypassing the alimentary canal in absorption.

Nasya with Anu taila, shat bindu or fortified ksheerabala is used for nasya. It is better to perform the nasay in a clinic or hospital as pre-nasya procedures like oil massage and sweadana are mandatory.

As an adjuvant therapy gandoosha can also be done.

Role of Yoga and Marma therapy

Kapalabhati

Bhastrika

Massage on marma points of head

The abovу mentioned treatments has given encouraging results from various doctors in Kerala, India. Always consult an Ayurveda doctor to know more

COVID AND AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT

 

As pandemic continues to rage all over the world medical fraternity is looking towards alternative therapies like Ayurveda to prevent, treat and rehabilitate patients of covid.

Ayurveda has a branch called “Rasayana” which can be roughly translated as geriatric medicine; to be precise it is more of a preventive therapy applicable to all age groups.

The medicines used in ‘Rasayana’ can be taken in two ways, one is taking smaller quantity (dose) of medicines for an extended period of time; say three months.

Second one is taking “Rasayana” medicines in controlled doses under the supervision of a doctor for a shorter period of time. This is a combination of “Panchakarma’ procedures, followed by intake of medicine; followed by a strict regimen (daily routine) and diet.

 

To treat an infection of covid patients the ayurvedic way is mostly symptomatic as Ayurveda does not have medicines with sudden action on viruses.

 

Unlike other infectious diseases covid does not have a uniform pattern of infection or post-covid complications; mostly it affects our respiratory system but other systems like gastroenteric system is also affected, which is often missed in diagnosis. Rarely the complications can be to cardiovascular system and excretory system.

 

One feature of covid infection that baffled medical professionals was its ability to kill persons with good immunity due to stronger immune response. In such cases conventional immune booster can sometimes cause negative result, so need of the hour is immunomodulators which acts in a metered quantity.

 

Here also immunomodulators like Chyavanprash can help in the rehabilitation of post covid patient. If there is a gastrointestinal complication panchakarma therapy can also be availed; but most importantly yoga practices have been found effective especially the pranayama (the breathing techniques) section of yoga. A regular practice of pranayama along with rasayana medicines are the best possible alternative therapies that will go places in the management of post-covid complications.