Ayurvedh

[shaheediyan]

Heavy Metals in Ayurveda

by Dr. Dheeraj Malhotra, MD (Ayu)

Heavy metals – Are they really heavy on human body?

Ayurveda is knowledge about healthy prolongation of life (Ayu + Veda). Is it possible that the Spiritual Gurus who unveiled this treasure to the ailing humanity could have made this blunder and reduce the life of a person?

The answer is bold “NO.â€

Those who do not understand the viewpoint of Ayurveda and the ones who do not want to understand it says so.

Let’s see what exactly the definition of Heavy metals is?

Historically

There is no consensus on a scientifically valid definition of heavy metals!

There is a layman tendency, unsupported by the facts to assume that all the so called heavy metals and their compounds are highly toxic or have eco-toxic properties .Their is no basis in chemical or toxicological data. Thus the term heavy metal is both misleading and meaningless. (John H.duffus; Pure & Applied Chemistry.74i793-807)

In the earliest reference of Heavy metals, Bjerrume’s Inorganic Chemistry -1936, he defined “Heavy metals as metals having density greater than 4 gm/cm³â€. (It simply means any metal which is 4 times heavier than water should be called as heavy metal. Consider Silver is a heavy metal). However it was never used as a formal or official definition. This is because there is no relationship between the density and any reactive properties associated with metals, or any other element in the periodic table.

Later on it was redefined on the basis of gram atomic weight and if you call this an official one, both Magnesium and Potassium are classified as heavy metals. The confusion keeps on increasing, when you find that the most referred book on toxicology Casarretl and Doull’s toxicology never used the term Heavy Metal. Now you are confused as the rest of the medical faculty of the world lets find out the real truth.

All metals are present in the earth's crust and enter our bodies continuously at low levels. It is a common mistake, based on fear and misinformation, to believe that a toxin has a linear toxic effect down to the lowest levels. All toxins have a safe threshold below which there is no toxicity. In fact, below a safe threshold toxicity disappears and there is no toxicity at all —and in some cases even benefit exists. Mercury is most widely used metal in Rasa-Shastra discipline of Ayurveda and to some extent most controversial also. Recent developments have highlighted the need to research whether it should be used at all. Let’s gather all the relevant scientific data and accept it as truth.

How Can Mercury Enter and Leave our Body?

A person can be exposed to mercury from breathing in contaminated air, from swallowing or eating contaminated water or food, or from having skin contact with mercury. Not all forms of mercury easily enter your body, even if they come in contact with it; so it is important to know which form of mercury you have been exposed to, and by which route (air, food, or skin).

When you swallow small amounts of metallic mercury, for example, from a broken oral thermometer, virtually none (less than 0.01%) of the mercury will enter your body through the stomach or intestines, unless they are diseased. Even when large amount of metal mercury (a half of a tablespoon, about 204 grams) was swallowed by one person, very little entered the body.

What Happens to It in the Body?

Inhalation - 80% is absorbed.

Following ingestion, Absorption is

1. Less than 0.01% for metallic mercury,

2. Less than 10% for inorganic mercury (mercury used in Ayurvedic medicine),

3. More than 95% for organic mercury (methyl mercury).

Mercury can also be absorbed through the skin, but the amount is small compared to breathing or swallowing it. (The "true absorption" of a single oral dose of HgCl2 was calculated to be about 20% at two different dose levels).

Mercury in the Bloodstream

Methyl mercury (organic form) is the form of mercury most easily absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract (about 95% absorbed). After you eat fish or other foods that are contaminated with methyl mercury, the methyl mercury enters your bloodstream easily and goes rapidly to other parts of your body. Only small amounts of methyl mercury enter the bloodstream directly through the skin, but other forms of organic mercury (in particular dimethyl mercury) can rapidly enter the body through the skin.

From Mother to Fetus

There is no clear evidence that exposure to mercury or inorganic mercury compounds has adverse effects on the developing fetus. However exposure to organic mercury compounds can slow the growth of unborn baby and disrupt the nervous system. Organic mercury can be transferred from blood to milk posing the risk to new-born baby. (Pregnant workers information leaflet –for notification of pregnancy. govt. of U.K.)

What is around us cannot be Ignored

In the air we breathe,

(The five super thermal power plants in the Singrauli area, which supply 10 per cent of India’s power, are responsible for 16.85 percent or 10 tonnes per annum of total mercury pollution . . through power generation. “A typical 100-megawatt thermal . power plant can emit over 10 kg of mercury in a single year. . . About 200 metric tonnes of toxic mercury escapes from industrial. . Chimneys and effluents each year in India, said Anil Gautam,. . People’s Science Institute (PSI), a Dehra Doon based research. . Organization.)

In the food we eat

(Growing research shows a clear relationship between. . fish (tuna etc), Dental amalgams (MERCURY +SILVER) and the presence of mercury in body organs. It also links mercury fillings to autism and Alzheimer’s. This is continuous source of mercury poisoning)

It is not possible to totally eliminate all exposure. The goal is to stay below a toxic threshold.

It is not true that there’s no "safe" level for mercury.

At what level does mercury become harmful?

The World Health Organization's guidelines maintain that the lowest level that could possibly be harmful to humans is 5 parts per million (ppm). This level is based on scientific results from the 1960s that placed the level at which risk begins at 50 ppm for most people; WHO then applied a safety factor of 10, deciding that a level of 5 or less is safe for even the most vulnerable populations.

Now the University of Rochester team has conducted an extensive study in the Seychelles Islands of the most sensitive population -- young children -- where the average level is about 7 ppm, about 10 times the level of the U.S. population. The scientists found no harm from mercury at levels up to 15 ppm, nearly twice the average Seychelles level and about 20 times higher than the average U.S. level.

Despite those reports, hair analysis laboratories in the U.S. continue to report of toxicity at only 1 ppm.

Hair mercury is considered a valid test if properly performed. The recent Seychelles Island study showed that hair mercury below 15 µg/g (mean 6.9 ppm, SD 4.5 ppm) did not cause any problems in pregnant mothers or their newborn infants, who were followed with extensive neurological testing for many years from birth onwards. The diet contained ocean fish 12 meals per week. The fish contained the same amount of methyl mercury as found elsewhere in the world.

Laboratory Reference Ranges for Toxic Metals in Blood and Urine

Mercury

Random urine < 5 µg/g creatinine (Not provoked with a chelator).

Occupational limit in urine of exposed workers < 35 µg/g creatinine (Not provoked with a chelator)

Whole blood < 8.0 µg/L

Occupational limit in exposed workers < 15.0 µg/L.

Hair <15 µg/g (µg/g = ppm)

Environmental exposure: < 8.0 µg/L, individuals consuming large quantities of seafood may have values as high as 200.0 µg/L.

Occupational exposure: BEI®: inorganic mercury (sampling time is end of shift at end of work week): <15.0 µg/L1

Some Common Mistakes

Reference ranges for upper safe limits for metals, including mercury in urine, are often printed on laboratory report forms with ranges that apply only to urine collected without first giving a chelator. The safe upper limit on the report form will thus be much higher after a chelator. If proper procedures are followed, a large majority of people tested will be in the nontoxic range.

By provoking urine excretion with a chelator, metals in urine will always increase, by up to 1,000% or more, even if levels in the body are at quite safe and low levels. The result therefore, usually appears deceptively high. That type of report is meaningless and can frighten patients into thinking they are toxic when their levels are actually quite safe.

What does the Latest Researches says

Methyl mercury and HgS was orally administrated to mice for five consecutive days.

The present study suggests that the insoluble HgS (the main constituent of a Chinese mineral drug, cinnabar, used as a sedative) can still be absorbed from gastrointestinal tract and distributed to various tissues including the brain.

• As compared with methyl mercury, the total amount of HgS accumulated in the tissues ranging is about one five-thousandth of methyl mercury, which is well correlated with the biological activity of HgS reported previously.

• (Tissue distribution of different mercurial compounds analyzed by the improved FI-CVAAS. Yen CC, Liu SH, Chen WK, Lin RH, Lin-Shiau SY. Institute of Toxicology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei.)

PMID: 12166816 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

HgS or cinnabar was administered orally (1.0 g/kg) to Hartley-strain guinea pigs once daily for 7 consecutive days. A battery of electrophysiological, biochemical, and histopathological examinations were performed

Conclusion

The increased Hg contents in the cerebellum following oral administration of HgS and cinnabar were responsible, at least in part, for the detrimental neurotoxic effect on the VOR (vestibular ocular reflex system)

• Young YH, Chuu JJ, Liu SH, Lin-Shiau SY.

• Neurotoxic mechanism of cinnabar and mercuric sulfide on the vestibulo-ocular reflex system of guinea pigs. Department of Otolaryngology, National Taiwan University Hospital, No. 1 Section 1, Jen-Ai Road, Taipei, Taiwan.

PMID: 12011485 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Purification of Ayurvedic Mercurial Preparations

From my personal ‘scientific perspective these detoxifications do not have anything mystical or magical about them. All the described processes lead to the elimination of impurities through mechanical/chemical treatment of the mercury, which is then followed by a prolonged heat treatment. Sulphur is added through which process mostly the inert Compound is obtained.

Metals of Ayurveda behave differently than their counter parts in –modern Medicine.

Phenomenon of isomerism—

• Kajjali and Parpati have different actions o the body although both of them are black sulphide of mercury. The difference between them is them is the Sanskara (processing). The preparation of Kajjali does not involve heating while rasa-parpati is obtained after heating Kajjali.

• Patients allergic to modern sulpha drugs do not show allergic reaction when Gandhaka Rasayana is given (the difference is processing, Ayurvedic Sulphur compounds are purified and prepared as per Ayurvedic texts). The daily dosage during an Ayurvedic treatment is about 30-40 mg of mercuric sulphide. This usually is given in combination with processed aconite (and together with the fruit of Terminalia chebula etc. ).

It is believed that metals in Ayurvedic preparations exist in complex ionic redicular form due to unique heat processing and herbal treatment. e.g. Loha Bhasma does not give positive test by routine method of testing for iron i.e. with Sodium Carbonate, Potassium Sulpho cyanide and Potassium ferro cyanide. Nitric acid is required to get the positive result for the presence of iron .Nitric acid breaks the complex iron radicle in to a simpler radicle.

(One Tibetan Dschu-Mar 25 â€jewel-pill†contains (depending on its origin) according to analysis between 10-50 mg Cinnabar – which corresponds closely to the Ayurvedic prescriptions. With the use of atomic absorption spectrometry at Ulm University a project was undertaken to investigate Dschu-mar 25 pills from different origins: a wide variation in the concentration of mercury was thereby discovered One result of this analysis seems to be of special importance: it was not only the inert and therefore untoxic HgS (Cinnabar) which was discovered in Dschu-mar 25

Some Facts

1. Inorganic mercury compounds like mercurous chloride and mercuric chloride are white powders and do not generally vaporize at room temperatures like elemental mercury will. If they are inhaled, they are not expected to enter your body as easily as inhaled metallic mercury vapor.

2. When inorganic mercury compounds are swallowed, generally less than 10% is absorbed through the intestinal tract ;( the WHO has set up Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI) – that allows 3.3 mg/kg of methyl mercury for tuna fish and shell fish) considering 1gm/kg is fed to rats which is very high dose when compared to use of mercury in Ayurvedic formulations which is 30-40mg /day in approximately 60 kg person comes out to be 0.5-0.6mg/kg……. (As compared with methyl mercury, the total amount of HgS accumulated in the tissues ranging about one five-thousandth of methyl mercury) and dividing it by 5000 it comes out to be .0001 a difference of 0 .9999 mg/kg between the thinking pattern of ancient scholars and western scientists.

3. As per absorption principle inorganic mercury absorption is 1/9th to that of methyl mercury which means 0.5/9 or .055mg/kg is absorbed through the intestines so the weekly dose comes out to be .055 x 7 =.385mg/kg bw/wk which is well below the even for the mark set for methyl mercury (the more dangerous one) .

4. Tissue distribution – (As compared with methyl mercury, the total amount of HgS accumulated in the tissues is about one five-thousandth of methyl mercury) and dividing it by 5000 it comes out to be .385/5000 =.00007mg/kg bw/wk. Can it be toxic!!! This is the difference between the thinking pattern of ancient scholars and western scientists.

According to the criteria of the WHO the weekly dose of mercury that can be tolerated by the body is estimated and the United Kingdom’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) uses the safety standard applied by the World Health Organization (WHO) -- called the Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI) -- that allows 3.3 micrograms of methyl mercury per kilogram of body weight a week (ug/kg bw/week) for the general population and 1.6 micrograms of methyl mercury per kilogram of body weight (ug/kg bw/week) for pregnant and nursing women.

Where as in U.S FDA /EPA reference dose is 0.7 micrograms per kg of body weight per week. (Note: the EPA reference dose provides a ten-fold safety factor.

5. It therefore suggests that the amount taken in with 2 to 3 pills is well below then WHO tolerance boundary for the maximum weekly dose.

There is limited laboratory evidence suggesting that several dietary components might reduce (e.g. selenium, vitamin E, omega-3 fatty acids) or enhance (e.g. alcohol) mercury’s toxicity for some endpoints.

Now consider the strict regime to be followed along with mercurial preparations beside the fact that it is almost always invariably combined with sulphur which is the advice given by noted nutritionists (It will be important to have a high protein diet as the sulfur bearing amino acids in the protein will greatly facilitate detoxification) ………. Mercury Detox Diet By Joseph Mercola, MD

6. Inorganic mercury compounds also do not move as easily from the blood of a pregnant woman to her developing child.

The question which should arise is that “whether the herbs and Metals (mind you not only metals) used according to Ayurvedic principles does any harm to the human body if prescribed by an Ayurvedic doctor or more precisely Vaidya. ( and not when taken by the recommendation of a good friend or a claim by a pharmaceutical company)

The answer is Simple and one word “NOâ€.

Ayurveda has given supreme significance to the human body and even ascribed special position to god in the human body, which signifies the fact that “How precious we areâ€. Ayurveda probably is the only science which says Purshm Purshm Vikshym (Ch.S…).which means characters of one person is different from the other (thoughts working style food habits etc) or in simple words No two human beings on this earth are same., so unlike allopathic, Ayurvedic doctor will prescribe different medicine to the persons suffering from the same disease based on their individual Prakruti (nature), Vikruti (Disease), Dosha – dushya sammurchana(gradation of disease process) and Sroto-dushti (tissues involved) and that to with proper Anupan (vehicle for medicine) along with Patya –Apathya (Do’s and Don’ts for diet) details.

These two are different sciences devoted to the welfare of humans but with different principles, so the rule which apply to one does not apply to the other at all.

e.g.– Heavy Metals – as popularly explained metals with specific gravity greater than 4 gm/cm³ which means when they are put on to the water they will settle at the bottom. But going by the tests for bhasmas for the final approval to use on the human beings must have following three qualities –

1) They should float on water (what happened to the gravity!)

2) They should be able to take the weight of a rice grain. (More weight bearing –must be a heart change for the metals)

3) They should have microfiness to fit into the lines of the hand and should not glitter.

So if the bhasmas have the same harmful properties as that of the metals how come it has lost all his physical properties and acquired new ones?

Well there are few explanations and theories to it but no facts to explain it perfectly.

Mercury and other metals become toxic only when they exceed a tolerable safe level.

If billions of people can exist without toxic symptoms at a tolerably low level of heavy metals, and if that has been the case as long as mankind has existed on the earth, it is highly misleading to tell patients they have "heavy metal toxicity" .

Again, none of this excuses herbal product manufacturers from stringent quality control standards; it's just that we should put health risks in their proper perspective.

In summary, I am not trumping up medicine safety issues relative to mercury in Ayurvedic medicine. I have simply reacted to the scientific community and regulatory agencies’ published findings that have alerted consumers to the need for caution and education so they make informed personal decisions as to their medicinal choices. My goal is to assist them to continue deriving the maximum health benefit from ancient Ayurveda with the confidence that they can do so safely.

August 20, 2006

Disclaimer

The above article is educational in nature, and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you have a medical condition, please consult your physician.

[shaheediyan]

Inducting Rasayana Therapy

in Our Daily Routine

by Dr.Krishna . R.S

November 27, 2005

Introduction

Ayurveda , the oldest health science has eight branches. Rasayana (rejuvenation) is one of them. Rasa has different meanings like â€juiceâ€, "taste“, “essence", "flavorâ€, or “emotion", but is not limited to any of these in itself. In therapeutic process Rasa is concerned with the conservation, transformation, and revitalization of energy. Rasa nourishes our body, boosts immunity and helps to keep the body and mind in best of health.

The Aim Of Rasayana

The Rasayana therapy enhances the qualities of rasa, enriches it with nutrients. With such enriched excellent Rasa, one attains longevity, memory, intelligence, freedom from disorder, youthfulness, excellence of luster, complexion & voice, optimum development of physique and sense organs, mastery over phonetics, respectability and brilliance.

Types of Rasayana

1. Types of rasayana preparations which can be consumed according to the needs.

A . Kamya Rasayanas

Kamya rasayanas are promoters of normal health. These boost body energy levels, immunity and general health.

Pranakamya – Promoter of vitality and longevity

Medhakamya – Promoter of intelligence.

Srikamya - – Promoter of complexion.

B .Naimittika Rasayana

Naimittika rasayanas help to fight a specific disease.

2. Types of Rasayanas on the basis of place of Therapy

A. Kuti Praveshika Rasayana – Indoor Rasayana Therapy .

B. Vatatapika Rasayana – Outdoor Rasayana Therapy.

3. Types of Rasayanas On the basis of diet and life styles.

A. .Aushdha Rasayana – Drug Based Rasayana.

B. Ahara Rasayana – Dietary Rasayana.

C. Achara Rasayana – Lifestyle Rasayana.

Preparation for Rasayana Therapy

It is very essential for a person who wishes to undergo rasayana therapy to undergo samshodhana (detoxification) as a preparatory procedure. The samshodhana process detoxifies both body and mind. A detoxified body and mind is a like a clean cloth which readily absorbs the color in which it has been dipped unlike a soiled cloth which looks soiled even after coloring with best colors.

But when a person is not eligible for samshodhana or is not able to get samshodhana then he can also consume rasayana preparations which still boost the qualities of rasa in his body.

Effect of Rasayana Therapy

Rasayana therapy enriches nutritional quality of Rasa, enhances digestion and metabolism by normalizing agni or body fire, and promoting the competence of channels

Benefits of Rasayana

The main purpose of Rasayana therapy is to retard the aging process and to delay the degenerative process in the body.

It enhances the intelligence, memory, body strength, luster of the skin, and modulation of voice

It nourishes the blood, lymph, muscles, tissues, semen, and thus prevents Chronic degenerative disorders like Arthritis.

Improves metabolic process and quality of body tissues and eradicates diseases of old age.

Helps to attain optimal physical strength and sharpness of sense organs.

Rasayana has marked action on reproductive organs and also nourishes shukra dhatu (semen).

Rasayana nourishes the whole body and improves Immune system and hence the natural resistance to infection will be more.

By following Achara Rasayana one can be more Satvik and surge ahead in the spiritual field by his pure daily routines like speaking truth, not getting angry, by having control over his sense organs and calmness.

[shaheediyan]

Menopause and Natural

Hormone Replacement Therapy

Menopause : It's About Balance

The medical community is quickly evolving its understanding of menopause. Following the abrupt, early halt to the HRT portion of the Women's Health Initiative last July, due to findings that Hormone Replacement Therapy's risks outweighed its benefits, headlines now read "Menopause is not a disease, but a normal part of life." Hormone "replacement" therapy (HRT) has become simply hormone "therapy" (HT) in recognition of the fact that replacing estrogen is not natural and brings dangerous side-effects, rather than the fountain of youth once touted.

Shocking and novel as these concepts may be to today's medical community, they are nothing new to Maharishi Ayurveda, a consciousness-based natural medical system from ancient India. For over 5000 years, Ayurveda has acknowledged menopause as a natural transition, not a mistake of Mother Nature's that requires hormone replacement therapy. Maharishi Ayurveda reassures us that menopause can be health-promoting, spiritually-transforming and free of troublesome symptoms.

Experts today are affirming this positive view of menopause, stating that it is not natural to get weak bones, heart disease and rapid aging after menopause. Rather, osteoporosis, heart disease and other chronic health problems develop over a lifetime, resulting largely from poor diet, stress and lack of physical exercise. And hormone replacement therapy (HRT,) once heavily promoted as the medical solution to these problems, is no longer recommended for their treatment or prevention.

Menopause: A "Balance Deficiency"

What is recommended for the prevention of major health problems after menopause is a healthy lifestyle. And, according to Ayurveda, healthy living is also the best way to ease symptoms of the menopause transition itself. How balanced, or overall healthy you and your lifestyle are when you reach menopause largely determines how smooth your transition will be. If you are "burning the candle at both ends" in your 30's and early 40's, you are more likely to have mood swings, sleep problems and troublesome hot flashes when your hormones start to change. Whereas if you are have healthy lifestyle habits and are managing your stress effectively, you are likely to breeze through menopause without any major problems.

Health problems at menopause represent imbalances in the body that were already growing in the body and are unmasked by the stress of shifting hormones. Menopause symptoms are Nature's wake-up call to let you know you need to start paying more attention to your health. Age forty-five to fifty-five is a critical decade, according to Ayurveda. It provides the foundation on which your later health is laid. Just like putting money in your IRA, timely investing in your health can dramatically increase your "yield" of healthy years at midlife and beyond. Particularly if you have not been taking care of yourself in your 30's and 40's, making lifestyle changes now is critical to ensuring that you age gracefully without the burden of chronic health problems.

What You Can Do Now to Get "In Balance"

While eating a healthy diet and getting enough exercise provides the foundation of good health for everyone, each woman's menopause experience is unique. Symptoms vary from woman to woman. Knowing precisely how your body is out of balance can guide you in selecting the key lifestyle changes you should make to relieve your symptoms. Ayurveda describes that the type of symptoms you have depends upon which bodily principle or dosha is "out of balance" in your mind/body system.

There are three bodily principles: movement and flow (vata or airy), heat and metabolism (pitta or firey), and bodily substance (kapha or earthy.) And there are three basic types of imbalances relating to each of the three doshas. Easing your menopause transition can be as simple as "reading" your dosha symptoms and taking measures to get your doshas back in balance. The following symptoms and lifestyle prescriptions are indicated for each of the three dosha imbalances:

V-Type- Prone To Nervousness: anxiety, panic, mood swings, vaginal dryness, loss of skin tone, feeling cold, irregular periods, insomnia, mild or variable hot flashes, constipation, palpitations, bloating and joints aches and pains.

Ayurvedic Tips: Increase warm food and drinks, regular meals, early bedtime, oil massage, meditation, yoga, walking and spices such as fennel and cumin. Decrease caffeine and other stimulants, refined sugar, cold drinks, salads.

P-Type- Prone to Hot Temper: anger, irritability, feeling hot, hot flashes, night sweats, heavy periods, excessive bleeding, urinary tract infections, skin rashes and acne.

Ayurvedic Tips: Increase cooling foods, water intake, sweet juicy fruits (grapes, pears, plums, mango, melons, apples,) zucchini, yellow squash, cucumber, organic foods. Go to bed before 10 PM and try to wind down earlier in the evening. Decrease excessive sun and overheating, hot spicy foods, hot drinks and alcohol.

K-Type- Prone to Weight Gain: sluggishness, lethargy, weight gain for no reason, fluid retention, yeast infections, lazy, depressed, lacking motivation, slow digestion.

Ayurvedic Tips: Increase exercise, fruits, whole grains, legumes, vegetables, spices such as black pepper, turmeric and ginger. Get up early (by 6AM). Decrease meat, cheese, sugar, cold foods and drinks.

Your Hormonal "Backup System"

Ayurveda describes that your hormonal changes at menopause will be smooth and easy if three factors are in place.

• Your mind/body system (consisting of three doshas) is in "balance."

• Your diet is wholesome and rich in phytoestrogens.

• Your body is "clean" and uncluttered inside so your hormones and body can "talk" effectively.

Did you know that your ovaries and adrenal glands continue to produce estrogens and "pre-estrogens" after menopause, providing your body with its own hormonal backup system? Ayurveda describes that this hormonal production after menopause will be optimal if your mind and body are "in balance," providing just the right amount of estrogen to prevent hot flashes and keep your bones, skin, brain, colon and arteries healthy without increasing the risk of breast or uterine cancer.

Balancing your doshas, as discussed above, is the first approach to ensuring optimal hormone production after menopause, but Ayurvedic herbs can also help. Indian asparagus root (shatavari; asparagus racemosus), thick-leaved lavender (chorak; angelica glauca- related to the Chinese female tonic Dong Quai,) licorice root, sandalwood, pearl, red coral, rose and others are used by skilled practitioners in balanced, synergistic combinations to help relieve hot flashes, libido problems, irritability, mood swings and other menopausal symptoms.

Hormonal Help from Plants--It's Not Just Soy!

Diet also plays a key role in balancing hormones during and after menopause. It is well known that Japanese women rarely experience hot flashes, probably because their diet contains large amounts of soy, a food rich in certain plant estrogens called "isoflavones." Soy products are not the only source of plant estrogens, however. Another equally healthful source of phytoestrogens are "lignans," compounds found in a variety of whole foods including grains and cereals, dried beans and lentils, flaxseed, sunflower seeds and peanuts, vegetables such as asparagus, sweet potatoes, carrots, garlic and broccoli and fruits such as pears, plums and strawberries. Common herbs and spices such as thyme oregano, nutmeg, turmeric and licorice also have estrogenic properties.

It turns out that if you simply eat a varied diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and dried beans you will be ingesting a rich phytoestrogen feast in your daily cuisine! Variety and moderation are important because just as too much estrogen is unhealthy after menopause, too much phytoestrogen may also be dangerous. This danger can be avoided by getting your phytoestrogens naturally from a variety of whole foods, rather than from supplements or concentrated tablets.

When You Can't Stop Flashing, Get The "Lead" Out!

More serious symptoms, such as frequent hot flashes, continual sleep disturbance, and moderate to severe mood swings, are signs of deeper imbalances that, if left untreated, will persist to set the stage for later disease. For these more troublesome symptoms to manifest, the tissues of your body–your bones, muscles, fat, organs, skin, and blood–must be disturbed in some way. Ayurveda describes that stubborn symptoms are usually due to the buildup of wastes and toxins, referred to as "ama," in your body's tissues.

For example, hot flashes that won't go away despite herbs, diet, exercise, and perhaps even HRT usually represent a problem with ama. One of my Ayurvedic mentors explained it this way: When your body's channels are clogged with wastes, the heat from metabolism builds up in your tissues. Hot flashes result from sudden surges in blood flow as the body tries to clear the channels and dissipate the heat buildup quickly. A similar phenomenon occurs when you have a heater set on high in an overheated room with all the windows and doors closed. To cool down the room, first you must turn down the heater (see Tips for P-Type above) but you also need to throw open the windows and doors (as in removing the ama) so the heat can flow out.

We can understand this analogy medically in terms of hormone receptors. No matter how much estrogen or phytoestrogen you have floating through your bloodstream, it does you no good unless it connects with your body's estrogen receptors, the tiny "keyholes" on your cells. Estrogen and phytoestrogens fit these keyholes like minuscule keys and through them gain entry into your cells. When the receptors are clogged with debris or "ama," your hormones cannot get into your cells to do their work. Then bothersome menopause symptoms may persist despite a variety of attempted therapies.

In this case, a traditional Ayurvedic detoxification program referred to as Maharishi Rejuvenation Therapy (MRT), or "panchakarma," may be needed to clear the body's channels and gain relief. This internal cleansing approach is also the treatment of choice for more serious problems such as osteoporosis and high cholesterol. A study published in a recent issue of Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine confirmed that this ancient technology of herbalized oil massage, heat treatments and mild internal cleansing therapies does indeed reduce toxins in the body. Hormone disrupting PCB's and pesticides such as DDT were reduced by approximately 50% after just 5 days of treatment. Other studies have shown overall reduction in health symptoms, a rise in "good cholesterol," and reduction in free radicals from MRT.

In my clinical experience, MRT can be very transforming, eliminating symptoms while at the same time dramatically reducing stress and fatigue. After a week of treatment, my patients not only report feeling much better, they radiate health and youthfulness and many experience a profound sense of well-being and inner peace.

It's Not Too Late

The important point to remember at midlife is that health problems don’t pop out of nowhere when your estrogen levels start to fluctuate and fall off. Rather it is the cumulative effects of damaging lifestyle habits--late nights, fast food, eating on the run, lots of stress, too little exercise--over decades that set in motion chronic disease and aging well before menopause. Your symptoms are simply telling you just how out of balance you are. The good news is that with a few basic lifestyle changes, and the healing power of Maharishi Ayurveda when needed, underlying imbalances can be resolved, paving the way for a smooth menopause transition and great health in the years to come.

– Nancy Lonsdorf M.D

April 19, 2003

Dr. Lonsdorf received her M.D. from Johns Hopkins and did her postgraduate study at Stanford University. She has also studied with many of the most renowned Ayurvedic physicians from India and has used Ayurveda in her practice for 17 years. For more information on the Ayurvedic approach to women's health go to Dr. Lonsdorf's web site at ayurveda-ayurvedic.com.

Disclaimer:

Information provided in this article is for the sole purpose of imparting education on Ayurveda and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you have a medical condition, please consult your physician.

[shaheediyan]

Therapeutic uses of Honey

in Ayurveda

The FAO Codex Alimentarius Commission defines honey as ‘the natural sweet substance produced by honeybees from the nectar of flowers or from secretions coming from living organisms feeding on plants, that bees gather, transform and combine with specific ingredients, store and leave to ripen in the combs of the hive.’

In Ayurveda honey is called as "Madhu". Its qualities are explained as follows.

“Vaatalam guru sheetam cha raktapittakaphapaham |

Sandhatru cchedanam ruksham kashayam madhuram madhu ||â€

“It has sweetness (madhura rasa) with added astringent as end taste (Kashaya anu rasa). It is heavy (guru guna), dry (ruksha) and cold (sheeta). Its effect on doshas is as follows: It aggravates vata, scrapes kapha and normalizes pitta and rakta. It promotes healing process.â€

The contents of Honey are :

Sugars like fructose, glucose, sucrose, maltose, lactose and other disaccharides and trisaccharides.

Proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, enzymes and amino acids,

Volatile aromatic substances.

Ashes and water etc.

Various ingredients of honey have helped it to become not only a sweet liquid but also a natural product with high nutritional and medicinal value.

The medicinal quality, taste, texture, color, aroma of honey differs according to the geographical area and the species of plants from which it has been collected.

Types of Honey:

Eight types of honey are described in Ayurveda depending on the type of bee which collects it. They are Pouttika, Bhramara, Kshoudra, Makshika, Chatra, Arghya, Oudalaka and Dala.

Pouttika

This honey is collected by very large bees from the nectar of poisonous flowers. It increases vata, causes gout and burning sensation in chest. It is also sedative and reduces fat.

Bhramara

This honey is collected by large bees and Sticky in nature.

Kshoudra

(Honey collected by medium sized honey bees ) light and cold in nature. Dissolves Kapha.

Makshika

(Honey collected by small honey bees) very light and dry natured. Useful in Vata-Kapha diseases and kapha diseases.

Chatra

Heavy and cold in nature useful in gout, Leucoderma (Shwitra).

Arghya

Good for eyes but causes arthritis.

Oudalaka

Useful in skin diseases, and helps in modulation of voice.

Dala

Dry and reduces vomiting.

Amongst all the above "Makshika" is considered as the best type with immense medicinal properties.

Therapeutic uses of Honey:

As it contains sugars which are quickly absorbed by our digestive system and converted into energy, this can be used as instant energizer.

As it is hygroscopic it speeds up healing, growth of healing tissue and dries it up.

Honey acts as a sedative and is very useful in bed wetting disorders.

Honey is very good anti-oxidant which restores the damaged skin and gives soft, young looks.

Honey has antibacterial properties due to its acidic nature and enzymically produced hydrogen peroxide.

Constant use of honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles to fight bacteria and viral diseases.

In Ashtanga Hridaya the great classic of Ayurveda, the therapeutic uses of honey are explained as follows:

“Chakshushayam Chedi tritshleshmavishahidmaasrapittanut |

Mehakushtakrimicchardishwaasakaasaatisaarajit ||

Vranashodhana sandhaanaropanam vaatalam madhu ||â€

Honey is very good for eyes and eye sight.

It quenches thirst.

Dissolves kapha.

Reduces effects of poison.

Stops hiccups.

It is very useful in urinary tract disorders, worm infestations, bronchial asthma, cough, diarrhea and nausea -vomiting.

Cleanse the wounds.

It heals wounds.

Helps in quick healing of deep wounds.

Initiates growth of healthy granulation tissue.

Honey which is newly collected from bee hive increases body weight and is a mild laxative.

Honey which is stored and is old helps in metabolism of fat and scrapes Kapha.

Ayurveda explains another special quality of honey. Honey is called as “Yogavahi†. The substance which has a quality of penetrating the deepest tissue is called as Yogavahi. When honey is used with other herbal preparations it enhances the medicinal qualities of those preparations and also helps them to reach the deeper tissues.

Precautions to be taken before using honey:

Honey should not be mixed with hot foods.

Honey should not be heated.

Honey should not be consumed when you are working in hot environment where you are exposed to more heat.

Honey should never be mixed with rain water, hot and spicy foods, and Fermented beverages like whisky, rum, brandy etc, Ghee and mustard.

Honey includes nectar of various flowers of which some may be poisonous.

Poison has hot or Ushna qualities.

When honey is mixed with hot and spicy foods the poisonous properties get enhanced and cause imbalance of doshas.

Few Home remedies with Honey

Mix 2 tea spoon of honey with carrot juice and consume regularly. This helps to improve eyesight and is very helpful for those who sit before computer for long hours.

In cold, cough and congested chest mix 2 tea spoons of honey with equal quantity of ginger juice and should be consumed frequently.

A mixture of black pepper powder, honey and ginger juice in equal quantities, when consumed thrice daily help to relieve the symptoms of asthma.

Regular use of one tea spoon of garlic juice mixed with two tea spoons of honey help to control blood pressure.

One glass of warm water taken with two tea spoons of honey and 1 tea spoon of lemon juice in early morning reduces fat and purifies blood.

Consuming one spoon of honey daily help us to lead a healthy long life.

Disclaimer: The above article is educational in nature, and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you have a medical condition, please consult your physician. Dr. Krishna.R.S has been an Ayurvedic Practitioner since 19 yrs, after getting a graduation degree in Ayurveda (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery) in 1986 from University of Mysore, India. He completed his post graduation diploma about allopathic medicine and surgery from University of Bangalore, Karnataka, India. His articles about Ayurveda and life sciences have been published in many magazines. Dr.Krishna. R.S is a star athlete and has represented state and universities when he was in high school, pre university and college. Dr.Krishna . R.S lives in Mysore , Karnataka, India. He gives consultations in Mysore and also in Bangalore the silicon valley of India. Email: drkrishnars@ayurveda-increaselibido.com

[nimarta da daan bakhso]

Is it okay to eat raw honey, as in just stole it from the bees, even though it has some yellow stuff in it.

Also should u eat raw honey left in closed container for a long time.

I know u copy and pasted these articles but if u know please help. Thanks

(man...my dad always said honey was good, i never believed him.....)

thanks

[shaheediyan]

From what I have read, honey, like suger and salt, can last for a very, very long time if stored correctly i.e. cool, dry place in a moisture tight container. If it crystallizes, then yuo can brig it back to normal by heating it, although this changes the taste slightly. Also, altough it contains preservative qualities (suger), it may help to add some additional suger and some water.

The below article gives some more good details:

Some characteristics of honey

Pure honey will last a long time. It does darken with age however. The two characteristics of honey we would like to discuss are 1) Fermentation of honey and 2) granulation of honey.

Fermentation of honey

Honey is hydroscopic which means that honey will absorb moisture. If the moisture content of honey exceeds 18.6%, honey will tend to ferment. The fermentation yeast in the honey will turn the sugars of the honey into alcohol. This causes honey to have a sour taste. It is recommended that if honey is to be stored for any length of time, it should have a moisture content of around 17%. The honey yeast are not able to grow at cool temperatures. So if honey is stored at below 50 degrees F., the yeast will not grow and are not able to grow and cause fermentation. Fermented honey can be feed back to the bees but it is unfit for human consumption. Honey can be frozen and that is a good way to keep honey for long periods of time. The optimum temperature for honey fermentation is above 80 degrees F.

Granulation of honey

All honey granulates at some point. That is: it becomes a semi solid sugar like substance. Honey that has granulated can be returned to a liquid state by heating it. So it should not be considered a serious problem. Granulated honey in jars can be put into a water bath having a temperature of 95 to 120 degrees F. Honey is darkened each time it is subjected to heat. If honey is heated to over 160 degrees F. for any period of time quick damage can be done to the honey. The taste will be changed and the color will darken considerably. Commercial honey packers usually heat honey to 160 degrees and then rapidly cool it. This causes the death of the yeast and reduces crystallization for several years -- giving the product long shelf life on the grocery stores shelf.

[nimarta da daan bakhso]

Thanks!