Ayurvedic treatment for Chikungunya – arthritis

Ayurvedic treatment for Chikungunya – arthritishttp://easyayurveda.com/2009/12/09/ayurvedic-treatment-for-chikungunya-arthritis/

This article is from the above blog. Its an excellent source for anything Ayurvedic. Its also a tremendous effort to explain the various benefits of our Ayurvedic system of medicine and lifestyle. It will be an excellent site for anyone to visit to know more about Ayurvedic systems, treatments and also for good health guidance.

Chikungunya outbreak has caused a lot of panic among people. It is a viral fever that spreads by the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes. Most of the symptoms of chikungunya and dengue have resemblance. Though there is slight difference between chikungunya ; dengue. Severe, sometimes persistent, joint pain (arthritis), as well as fever and rash are the main characteristic features of Chikungunya. But in dengue, at later stages, the platelet count depletion sets in.


Chikungunya, in the acute phase, symptoms such as headache, fatigue, nausea, vomiting and muscle pain are also known to occur. Several varieties of viral infections are spread through droplets discharged into the atmosphere by the cough or sneezing of infected patients. It is seldom life-threatening.


However, the most painful aspect of chikungunya is the extended period of pain and swelling in the joints following the recovery from fever. This is due to the response of ones own immune system to parts of the virus which resemble the joint. This phenomenon is called as auto immune response. While the symptoms are less severe in younger patients, the older people and those with pre-existing arthritic tendency suffer badly.

Chikungunya and other similar viral infections have become very prevalent these days and are a grave cause for concern, affecting life of hundreds and thousands. The unbearable joint pain leaves many prostrated and unable to carry on with normal day t o day activities.

Arthritis associated with Chikungunya –
Post chikungunya arthritis affecting multiple joints can leave a person debilitated for a very long period of time.


The Allopathic treatment options are largely symptomatic for mitigating pain and fever using anti-inflammatory drugs along with rest. While recovery from chikungunya is the expected outcome, convalescence can be prolonged (up to a year or more), and persistent joint pain may require analgesic (pain medication) and long-term anti-inflammatory therapy.

Ayurveda, hass a great deal to offer by way of relief from Chikungunya & other forms of post-viral arthritis. The principle of Ayurvedic treatment in such acquired infections is of immuno-modulation. The medications and therapies help to modulate the immune response of the body against viral antigens which inadvertently affect the joints. Hence, in addition to the symptomatic relief which is very quickly felt, the immuno-modulation helps to reverse the inflammatory process as well as prevent tissue damage. This results in a faster recovery and a shortened convalescent period.

Ayurvedic treatment for Chikungunya – Line of treatment:
1. Preventive medicines to improve immunity. – These medicines which can be taken to prevent the chikungunya treatment or at least reduce its severity.
2. Medicines to reduce fever and bring down muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue and rash – that is, small red spots all over the body.
3. Medicines to relieve muscle and joint pains.
4. Rejuvenation medicines that are administered once after the disease is relieved. This is to restore body strength and immunity. These medicines give energy to the patient to get on with day to day activities after recovery.

Warning: Before trying any of these medicines, consult your doctor directly. I do not guarantee that these will work. These can be taken along with your allopathic treatment.
Please consult your Ayurveda doctor before trying any of below medicine
All the medicines that I have mentioned below are easily available in any local Ayurveda store or at shimply.com, eayur.com etc online Ayurveda shopping websites.

A. Preventive medicines and remedies against Chikungunya:
These medicines do not offer any guarantee that you will not get chikungunya. But your body will be better prepared to fight this disease.
1. Nimbadi Kashayam tablet (AVN company)-
Dose for adults – 2 tablets 2 times a day after food.
Dose for children above 7 years of age – 1 tablet 2 times a day after food.

2. Trishun tablet (Zandu company) –
Dose for adults – 2 tablets 2 times a day after food.
Dose for children above 7 years of age – 1 tablet 2 times a day after food.

3. Panchanimbadi Vati tablet (AVN company)
Dose for adults – 2 tablets 2 times a day after food.
Dose for children above 7 years of age – 1 tablet 2 times a day after food.

Trishun with Nimbadi Kashayam tablet
OR
Trishun with Panchanimbadi vati tablet – is advised as a preventive medicine combination.
The above 2 can be continued for up to 1 month time.

B. Ayurvedic medicines to reduce Chikungunya fever:
The below medicines are targeted to reduce fever.
Amritarishta (liquid) – 15 ml, mixed with 15 ml of water, 2 times a day. This is not recommended in diabetic people.
Trishun tablet
Dose for adults – 2 tablets 2 times a day after food.
Dose for children above 7 years of age – 1 tablet 2 times a day after food.
Sanjivani Vati tablet –
Dose for adults – 2 tablets 2 times a day after food.
Dose for children above 7 years of age – 1 tablet 2 times a day after food.
Amrutottaram kashayam tablet –
Dose for adults – 2 tablets 2 times a day after food.
Dose for children above 7 years of age – 1 tablet 2 times a day after food.

Combinations –
Sanjivani with Trishun + Amritaristhta
Amrutottaram with Sanjivani and Trishun
They can be continued up to 4 – 6 weeks of time, based on your doctor’s advice.

C. Ayurvedic medicines and remedies to relieve pain and inflammation
R compound tablet – 2 tablets 2 – 3 times a day after food.
Shallaki capsule – 1 – 2 capsules – 1 -2 times a day after food (Excess of this may cause stomach irritation in some people)
Sallaki MR tablet – 1 – 2 tablets 1- 2 times a day after food.
Yogaraja Guggulu
Vatari Guggulu etc.

Any one or two among above can be continued for up to 2 – 4 months time, with gradual decrease in dosage, as per your Ayurvedic doctor’s advice.

D. Ayurvedic Medicines to restore energy after the fever is relieved:
Ashwagandharishta, Amrutarishta, Balarishta – any one among the above – 15 ml, mixed with 15 ml of water, 2 times a day after food. (Cannot be administered to diabetic people)
Swamala compound – 1 teaspoon 2 times a day (Cannot be administered to diabetic people)
Ashwagandha capsule, Shilajit capsule, Shatavari capsule etc.

Oils and liniments to apply externally over joints to reduce pain:
Please note that while you have fever, you cannot apply oils to the joints. But liniments can be applied to relieve pain. Liniments are oil + volatile prinicples. After application, they evaporate quickly. The below mentioned liniments are good to apply 4 – 5 times a day for 4 – 6 weeks time.
Some good liniments are –
Arnopen liniment
Arthorub liniment
Myostaal liniment
Rhukot liniment
Rumalaya liniment etc.

Oils for application –
These oils can be applied after the fever is completely relieved. These oils improve joint strength and relieve pain.
Mahanarayana taila
Kottamchukkadi taila
Mahamasha taila
Balaswagandhadi taila
Vishagarbha taila

Rejuvenative Ayurvedic medicines for Chikungunya joint care:
Especially in old people, chikungunya may cause permanent joint pain and difficulty in walking. For them, below medicines help to strengthen joints. These can be started during the fever and can be continued for up to 3 – 4 months of time, with gradual decrease in dose.
1. Ksheerabala 101 drops – 10 drops, 2 times a day after food.
2. Ksheerabala capsule -1 capsule 2 – 3 times a day after food.
3. Gandha tailam drops – 10 drops 2 times a day after food.
4. Lakshadi guggulu tablet – 2 tablets 2 -3 times a day after food.
5. Gandha tailam capsule -1 capsule 2 times a day after food.

Beware of false promises:
As you may have noticed any tablet or capsule that I have enlisted above does not cost you more than 4 – 6 rupees per piece.
Some fake Ayurvedic doctors may push you to buy costly Swarna Bhasma, Heera Bhasma for thousands of rupees to relieve this. They may or may not work, but they are not necessary.


Home remedies for chikungunya:

• A decoction or herbal tea prepared with neem powder + ginger – once or twice a day.
• Herbal tea prepared with neem powder + Ashwagandha powder + ginger
• Tulsi herbal tea

Consult your doctor before trying any home remedies or medicines.

http://easyayurveda.com/2009/12/09/ayurvedic-treatment-for-chikungunya-arthritis/

How To Improve Blood Circulation?

How To Improve Blood Circulation? 

25 Ayurveda And Yoga Tips
Article by: Dr. Mahesh Annapure M.Sc. D.N. M.D.(A.M.) http://easyayurveda.com/2016/08/01/how-to-improve-blood-circulation/

Transportation of blood from heart to the different parts of the body, then pulling it back to heart to send it to lungs to get fresh oxygen and so on, is called as blood circulation. Human body contains 1,12,000 km long blood vessels. The functions of the blood vessels are to provide the nutrients and fresh oxygen to all the cells of body and to remove unpurified blood and the wastes from body metabolism .


Blood facts:
Human body is having at about 10 Lakh Crore cells. The needs of these cells are supported by the blood. The main part of the blood is a Red Blood Corpuscles (RBCs). In every second 12 Lakh RBCs are degenerated. The life span of RBCs is of 120 days.

The formation of new RBCs occurs in the bone marrow. In the whole life of human, the bone marrow produces 100 kg of RBCs. Within the life span of 120 days, these RBCs revolves around the body cells near about 75 thousands times. This happens due to the help of the motor pump of body, we know it as a heart. Heart performs the activity to supply blood to the body cells and collect it back.

From each contraction of the heart 75 ml of blood is forced towards the body. Due to the hearts contraction and relaxation, heart beats are formed. 

We call it as a Nadi (Pulse). This practice is called as a Nadi parikshana. 

Many defects and disorders of the body are occurred by the obstructions in the blood vessels, major of it is a Blood Pressure or Heart Attack. In Charaka Sutrasthana, it is denoted as a Raktavaha srotas and explained that the roots of the Raktavaha Srotas are based in the 12 major arteries and veins near the heart.


Symptoms of obstruction in blood circulation
– Shortness of breath
– Irregular heartbeats
– Itchy hands, legs and feet
– High cholesterol and blood pressure
– Swelling of hands and feet
– Loss of appetite and unexplained weight loss
– Change in skin temperature like cold hands, feet and fingers
– Numbness or loss of sensation in feet, toes and hands
– Feeling lethargic even after doing small activities like climbing the stairs
– Lack of energy and stamina
– Hair fall and dandruff
– Dry skin, uneven skin tone and blemishes on the skin
– Memory loss or sluggish memory
– Feeling sleepy all the time
– Cramps and headaches


Tips to maintain proper blood circulation:

Take Hydrotherapy –

It includes warm water bath, tub bath, contrast bath (switching between the hot and cold water), steam bath, etc. The therapy of water vapours, targeted towards relaxation, causes vaso-dilatation (widening of the blood vessels) of peripheral blood vessels (arteries and veins in the feet, legs, lower abdomen, arms, neck or head) which in turn, lead to faster and smoother blood circulation.

Quit Smoking-
Smoking is primarily responsible for peripheral vascular diseases (diseases of the blood vessels located outside the heart and brain). It brings about degenerative changes within the blood vessels leading to hardening of arteries and vericose veins, heart attacks, which eventually leads to improper blood circulation.

Regular exercise-
Exercise is one of the most effective ways to enhance blood circulation. Thirty minutes of regular exercise daily can substantially reduces your risk of various cardiovascular problems. There is an increase in the pumping action of the heart along with an increase in the number of vessels and capillaries. It can take the form of any physical activity like walking, jogging, running, stair climbing, cycling, swimming etc. These exercises have a great potential to improve the blood circulation rate and maintain pulse rate.

Take healthy, fats free diet-
To live healthy, you must eat healthy by taking healthy diet. Avoid consuming excess of anything especially dairy products, hydrogenated oils etc.
Consume healthy fats such as ghee, omega-3 fatty acids and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) that are available in fishes.

Eat plenty of green leafy vegetables, fruits and whole grains. Reduce the consumption of sugar and excess salts and add up more of dietary fibers. Improper diet can adversely affect the blood cholesterol levels, which in turn, can result in atherosclerotic changes (plaque build-up in the artery walls which does not allow blood to flow freely). These conditions affect the body’s normal process of blood circulation.

Tomato:
Tomato is a well-known food for blood circulation improvement. It contains lycopene, a compound that prevents plaque buildup, a hindrance to healthy blood flow.

Ginger-

Ginger contains gingeroles and zingerone, the active components that provide a whole range of benefits to the body. It prevents the absorption of cholesterol in the blood and liver. Regular consumption also prevents the clotting of blood in the body. In fact, it is much more effective than aspirin in preventing blood clot formation. Read more about ginger usage

Green Tea-
Green tea is rich in antioxidant called epigallocatechin, which improves the health of the cells that forms in the innermost lining of the blood vessels. This helps in the constriction and dilation of the vessels, enhancing the flow of blood. It reduces the formation of bad cholesterol and prevents the rise in blood pressure. Regular consumption also cuts down the risk of heart diseases.

Nuts-
Nuts like almonds and cashews provide high levels of vitamin B3, which boost the blood flow. It dilates the blood vessels, improving the circulation of blood. It also helps to lower low-density lipoprotein in the blood.

Garlic-

Garlic relaxes the blood vessels and interacts with the red blood cells, increasing the production of hydrogen sulfide. Increased production of hydrogen sulfide improves blood circulation. Consuming raw garlic reduces the accumulation of low-density lipo-protein in the blood. It also raises good cholesterol in the blood, keeping the blood pressure within normal limits. It also prevents blood platelet aggregation.

Guggulu or Guggul-
Guggul is a plant gum, contains kenotic steroid compounds called Guggulsterones, which reduces the plaque that builds the inner walls of the arteries, causing poor blood flow. It reduces the possibility of platelet aggregation, preventing blood clot formation. Read more about guggulu

Mehendi (Rosemary)-
Rosemary is one of the great herbal remedies for blood circulation improvement in the body. Fresh rosemary works best, but you can use the dried ones, its extract is taken in small quantity.

Nagfani/ Bansanjali (Hawthorne)-
Hawthorne has been used since centuries to treat heart and blood circulation problems. The berries and leaves of Hawthorne plant contain quercetin, a substance that minimizes histamine release. It is also useful for treating blood pressure problems.

Lifestyle changes-
– Reduce your coffee and tea intake or cutting down on them may be very beneficial for the body.
– Alcohol can have several detrimental effects on the body. It should be drunk only in moderation.
– Quit smoking in order to lead a healthy life. Smoking increases cholesterol levels, constricts the blood vessels and hardens the arteries.
– Avoid eating foods that contain high amounts of saturated fats. Saturated fats contribute to the buildup of cholesterol deposits or plaque in the arteries, leading to poor circulation.
– In addition, it is also required eliminate refined foods like alcohol, sugar and oily foods. Eliminating these items from your diet will help thin your blood, which will enable it to pass easily through the small blood vessels.

Drink plenty water- and juices
The blood plasma volume is the major determinant of blood pressure and the circulatory functions, plasma makes blood thinner. Dehydration can cause a reduction in the volume of blood through a reduction in the water content of the blood. This further lowers the blood circulation rate.
Make sure you drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated and it also maintains body heat.

Adopt Active Lifestyle-
The sedentary and lazy lifestyle of today slows down the rate of circulation and causes various health related problems. Switch to a healthy and active lifestyle, get involved in some outdoor activities like social gathering, mass movements, enjoy festivals, carnivals, gardening, dog walking, house keeping or in some recreational sports. Get adequate amount of sleep and learn to cope up with day to day stress. Stress, which causes muscle-tensions, can lead to serious circulation problems and cardiovascular diseases.

Take Ayurvedic Herbal Remedies-
Include herbs like cayenne (a mild form of chili powder), ginger, garlic and in your diet. These herbs have favorable effects on blood circulation. Wild berries, tomatoes and rosemary are known for their effects in regulating and stabilizing blood pressure. Spicy foods also promote good circulation. When you eat spicy food, your body’s temperature is raised; therefore, it increases your blood flow and gets your heart pumping.

Massage-
Massage facilitates circulation because the pressure created by the massage technique actually moves blood through the congested areas. Massage is one of the ancient and the most effective remedies to improve blood circulation. Massage is not just a relaxation technique but something more than that useful for circulation, The release of this same pressure causes new blood to flow in. Body pain develops on account of reduced oxygen supply to the muscles due to muscle tension, The squeezing and pulling also flushes lactic acid from the muscles and improves the circulation of the lymph fluid which carries metabolic waste away from muscles and internal organs, resulting in lower blood pressure and improved body function. Massage warms the body reliving the blood vessels improving blood circulation.

Yoga for improving blood circulation-
Virabhadrasana – Warrior Pose –
Warrior pose stretches the muscles of arms, shoulders, neck, legs, and groin favoring muscle contraction and relaxation. Such tone up muscles encourages circulation. Furthermore, the joints of the legs, the waist and those of spinal cord and neck get curved exactly in opposite direction, regulating the blood circulation in those joints.

Salamba Sarvangasana – Shoulder Stand –
Shoulder stand is a part of Hatha yoga, where all pressure is exerted on the neck, shoulders and back of the head. As the body remains straight from feet up to shoulder with legs at the 90- degree angle from the floor, blood flows from lower part of the body towards heart for oxygenation. Peculiar shoulder stand position improves supply of fresh blood to the brain, eyes, ears, nose and throat.

Viparita Karani- Leg’s Up Pose –
Inverted body position with leg’s up is just opposite to our normal standing or sitting posture. Gravity effect pushes impure blood from legs and pelvis towards heart and improves circulation.


Uttanpadasana with Both Legs
Vertical position of both legs stretches thigh muscles facilitating blood circulation. In this pose, you raise both legs up without the support of a wall.

Shavasana- Corpse pose –
Shavasana is one of the best relaxing poses, where a body looks like a dead body. Whenever a body is in action, it requires more oxygen, which is gained through increasing circulation. Increased circulation favors increase in respiration.

Deep Breathing
– While breathing in, the diaphragm, a major respiratory muscle is pulled down. This minimizes the chest pressure and increases abdominal pressure. An increased abdominal pressure compresses the abdominal veins, a type of blood vessels and pushes blood upward in chest and heart.
– While breathing out, the diaphragm reverts back in its normal position, which minimizes abdominal pressure. Reduced abdominal pressure drains blood from both legs toward abdomen and improves venous return to the heart.


Kapalbhati -Skull Shining Breath –
Kapalbhati, a process of fast exhalation and jerky inhalation is another type of breathing useful in maintaining a flow of blood. Peculiar exhalation and inhalation contracts and relax the abdominal muscles and diaphragm.
Unlike in deep breathing, during exhalation, blood is pushed from an abdomen upward in the heart. While in inhalation, the blood from legs drain into abdomen and go to the heart in next round.
Dr. Mahesh Annapure M.Sc. D.N. M.D.(A.M.)