DIABETES CURE SIMPLE HERBAL REMEDY

INDIA KINO TREE (PTERO CURPUR MARSUPIUM) ON DIABETES MELLITUS -- It is a long tried recipe of Late Shri Govardhan Sharma (Ayurved Vrihaspati). The able propounder of the treatment commenting in it, writes: It is no discovery of mine but is accredited with my experience, no doubt. Rishis of yore the expounders of Ayurveda have authoritatively commented it to be beneficial for leprosy, erysipelas, leucoderma, Diabetes Mellitus, vaginal worms & various other phlegmatic & plasmobiliary disorders (Bhav Prakash). Similarly, the author of "Ashtanga Hridaya" has propounded an authentic list-a set of medicines (Asandi-gan) beginning from the Indian Kino Tree-for the ailment which is indicative of its extra ordinary utility & efficacy in Diabetes cases. so, from all these points of view, it is clear that the conventions of Ayurvedic researches are strongly based upon the hard toils & deep penetrability of its great scholars & not so unsteady as to last 5 to 10 years only. It is manifest that the findings of Ayurveda which are evolved thousands of years ago hold fast even to this day. 

Indian kino tree, the method of use of which I am going to mention here-under has displayed miraculous results in cases of Diabetes Mellitus where it is used in the following way :-

25 grams of a fine quality wood of Indian kino tree preferably of dark colour should be rubbed into dust with a clean file & the same should be placed in a china clay pot or a glass container & 100 ml. of hot clean drinking water should be poured over it at night. The pot should be then be covered with a clean muslin cloth & kept for the whole night. The powder should be rubbed in the same water next morning & taken after straining the same through a fine cloth, half an hour before meals. One dose daily is enough for mild cases while, in patients who pass a higher percentage of sugar, the same process be carried out in the morning & the infusion be taken in the evening as well. Regular use of of the above noted infusion for some time relieves Diabetes. I have long been using this recipe on my patients & have recorded notable success in all cases alike. Blood impurity cases & leucoderma too respond favourably to its use.        

LAHSAN (ALLIUM SATIVUM) REJUVENATER

Rasona Kalpa -- Diseases of the joints such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, Rheumatic Arthritis & gout are caused by defective metabolism & as a result of the aging process. To correct both these conditions, Garlic is administered to patients, which also rejuvenates the body. The process of administering a drug or recipe for the purpose of rejuvenation is called 'Kalpa'. The method of administration of Garlic for the purpose of rejuvenation is called 'Rasona Kalpa'. In Ayurvedic texts, different methods are prescribed for the administration of a drug. For long term effect & specially for the purpose of rejuvenation, the drug has to be administered in large quantities. Large quantities of the drug are not normally tolerated by ordinary patients. Therefore, it has to be given in gradually increased doses. There are indications & contra- indications for such therapies. To draw maximum benefit from such drugs, it is necessary to collect them in a specific manner & mix with other drugs before administration. The physician should be aware of the complications likely to arise & their successful management. This is, in brief, about the specific nature of 'Kalpa' therapy. Normally, highly potent drugs like Garlic are chosen for this therapy. This is used for the promotion of positive health and prevention of diseases including the ageing process in healthy individuals. This is also administered for curing some of the obstinate & otherwise incurable diseases.   

MYTHOLOGICAL ORIGINS OF GARLIC

The origin of LAHSAN : Its Mythology -- Mythological stories about the origin of this drug are described differently in different Ayurvedic texts.

According to Kasyapa Samhita:-- The wife of lord Indra did not conceive for hundreds of years. Therefore, her husband gave her 'amrita' (Ambrosia) to drink. When he was administering this potion to his wife, she vomited out a little bit of it because of her tenderness, and this fell down on the earth. Then Indra said, "You will have many children because of this potion". The portion of it which you have vomited out & which has fallen on the earth will carry a foul smell because of its contact with the foul smelling earth. Even then, it will have the same effect as the Amrita on the human beings.  But it will not be liked by 'brahmanas' & persons engaged in spiritual uplift.Where ever the 'Amrita' fell garlic grew up.

Both 'Gada Nigraha' & 'Ashtanga hrdaya' carry a different mythological story. When the gods & demons churned the ocean, 'Amrita' (Ambrosia) came out of it. 'Rahu' belonging to the group of demons on learning that Lord Vishnu was not going to give the 'Amrita' to the demons disguised himself as a god & took a portion of it. When it was known to Lord Vishnu, he decapitated the demon because of which a portion of the 'Amrita' fell on the earth. This gave rise to garlic. Since it is a part of 'Amrita', it has excellent therapeutic properties. On the other hand it became polluted as it had been consumed by a demon because of which 'brahmanas' are forbidden from consuming it.

'Harita Samhita' contains an altogether different type of mythological story. When the ocean was churned by the gods & demons, 'Amrita' (Ambrosia) came out of it with some other things. 'Garuda' (the celestial bird) took the vessel containing 'Amrita' to heaven. On his way, he had to fight with the demons because of which a few drops of 'Amrita' fell upon the earth & this gave rise to garlic. Once there was a famine for twelve years on the earth & all the forests were dried out. Therefore, the saints inhabiting these forests could not get food & had to leave their habitat. One amongst them was very old & was not able to travel. He could not accompany the sages & was left behind in that forest. He moved from place to place in search of food. Because of his virtuous acts, he saw some plants which were green in colour & he ate away the entire plant including its leaves for six months. Thereafter, leaves were not available to be eaten. Therefore for a month, he lived on the bulbs (roots) of this plant. After the famine was over, the sages who had deserted the forest came back & found that the old man whom they had thought was dead, had become a healthy youth. They were surprised & enquired about the cause of his youthfulness. He did not disclose the reason & was cursed by the sages who said that whatever he had eaten would not be considered fit for consumption by 'brahmanas' & it would carry a strong foul smell. It was garlic which was responsible for his youth. 'Bhava Prakash' has narrated a similar story.

'Kasyapa Samhita' narrates yet another mythological story  about the origin of this useful plant. 'Rudra' or 'Shiva', in the course of his wanderings on the earth to relieve humans of their miseries once came upon 'rishi patnis (spouses of the sages) who lived in the forests. Since they were childless they sought 'Rudra's' blessings. He asked to partake of a plant& told them that it would free them from diseases & give them children who would be strong & have a good complexion. The sage's wives took his advice & were blessed with healthy children. that plant was garlic.   

LAHSAN (ALLIUM SATIVUM) FOR ARTHRITIS

1. ALLIUM SATIVUM (Lahsan) 

Synonyms-- English: Garlic, Poor man's treacle; French: Ail, Ailcommun; German: Knoblauch, Lauch; Greek: Aglidion, Skorodon; Italian: Aglio; Sinhalese: Sudulunu; Hindi: Lahsan; Sanskrit: Rasona, Yavanesta.

Parts used -- The bulb is used in medicine.

Description -- It is well known because of its wide use as a spice or condiment all over the world. It has narrow flat leaves. The bulb consists of several cloves (one variety has only one clove) and is surrounded by a thin white or pinkish sheath. Apart from its medicinal use, it is commonly used as a condiment in all parts of the world. As a medicine however, it occupies a significant position. Ayurvedic texts are replete with references to its therapeutic excellence. In other parts of the world, right from Siberia to tropical countries such as Sri Lanka it is also popularly used as a medicine. Depending upon the geographical conditions, its colour & taste vary slightly. But all the therapeutically useful species of this plant have the characteristic odour of garlic.

Therapeutic uses -- Garlic is used extensively in the treatment of Rheumatic Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Sciatica, Curvical Spondylitis, Lumbago & backache. It is also used in the treatment of obstinate skin diseases including leprosy, phantom tumour, diseases of the nervous system, infections by bacteria, virus, intestinal worms & so forth, fracture of the bones, piles, colic pain, chronic fever, anorexia, bronchitis, oedema, heart-disease, bronchial asthma, disease caused by 'kapha', obstinate urinary diseases, including diabetes, dysuria, consumption, suppression of digestive power, leucoderma, giddiness, malarial fever, tuberculosis, hiccups, sprue syndrome, itches, vestibular eruption, discolouration of the skin, cataract, night blindness, burning sensation, aphasia, stone in the kidneys,obstruction to the channels of circulation, menorrhagia, spleen enlargement, gout, tymphanitis, diseases caused by 'pitta', emaciation, anemia, jaundice, bleeding from different parts of the body, fainting, epilepsy & chronic rhinitis.  

HERBS FOR TREATING ARTHRITIS

MEDICINES -- Eight selected medicinal plants are described with reference to their anti-arthritic properties. They have been in use in India & her neighbouring countries for thousands of years. Today Ayurvedic physicians use these plants & their preparations with considerable success & without any adverse effect whatsoever. These are not the only anti-arthritic Herbs in the armoury of Ayurveda. They have been chosen because of their popularity & therapeutic excellence. Ayurveda, has its own concepts of drug composition & drug action. Such details have been avoided here intentionally to maintain focus. Several compound preparations of these Herbs are described in Ayurvedic classics & marketed by large scale manufacturers. To supplement the effects of these drugs, to make the preparations palatable, to make their effects multidimensional & to increase their shelf-life, several other drugs are added & preparations made according to different pharmaceutical processes. unlike modern medicine, in these compound preparations no synthetic chemicals are added. Only simple extracts, or the Herb in raw form, are used. A few important compound preparations are mentioned at the end of the description of each Herb. Patients can safely use Herbs & Herbal preparations on the lines suggested further on. They are intended for not only giving relief to manifested signs & symptoms of Arthritis in a particular joint or limb, but they also produce effects on the whole body to ultimately root out the disease. All of them have a large safety margin & even if consumed in doses higher than what is prescribed for the therapeutic purposes, they have no bad effects. Instead of side (toxic) effects, these drugs produce side-benefits. They can be used by healthy persons & patients alike. In healthy persons, these Herbs prevent the occurrence of the disease & promote positive health. In patients, these plants cure the disease & make the body immune to future attacks of this ailment. These Herbs have many other therapeutic effects. But in order not to stray away from the context, only anti-arthritic properties have been described in some detail leaving other aspects of these Herbs with a casual mention. Since these Herbs have no adverse effects when used for prolonged periods there is no fixed course of treatment for Arthritis with these remedies. They can be safely used until the patient becomes absolutely free from the disease & even for a few days thereafter, to prevent recurrence of the ailment.

DO'S AND DONT'S FOR ARTHRITIS PATIENTS

WHY ONE MUST AVOID SOUR THINGS ?-- Apart from curd or yoghurt, several other sour (tart) food ingredients are eaten. these are in the form of pickles, tamarind, sour fruit juice & vinegar. Amongst sour things only gooseberry (amalaki or Emblica officianalis) & pomegranate may be taken. Other sour things promote the retention of metabolic waste products in the blood. Such retention causes or aggravates Arthritis.

DIGESTIVE STIMULANTS AND SPICES -- As has been mentioned before, Arthritis is basically caused by improper digestion & metabolism. It is, therefore, necessary to not only protect but to improve the power of digestion & metabolism of the patient suffering from Arthritis. Some people use very hot spices & chillies as part of their normal diet. These are, no doubt, harmful & should be avoided even by patients of Arthritis. But use of mild spices such as ginger, black pepper, cumin seeds, cloves & cinnamon are very useful. They not only promote the digestive & metabolic process, but also help in alleviation of 'vayu' & removal of metabolic waste products through various eliminative processes.

PULSES -- All pulses are aggravaters of 'vayu'. Among them, 'mudga' (Phaseolus radiatus) is least harmful. To supplement the protein content of the food this dal can be taken. But all the remaining pulses should be avoided. Grams, rajamas & masa (Phaseolus mungo) are very harmful for patients suffering from Arthritis.

WHY MUST ONE AVOID FRIED FOOD -- To make food palatable, often some of its preparations are deep fried in butter, ghee or vegetable oil. This butter, ghee & vegetable oil in themselves are not so very harmful. But when anything is fried or deep fried by adding various types of fat, it then becomes a little difficult to digest & this leads to indigestion & production of metabolic waste products. Therefore, Arthritis patients should strictly avoid fried food.

WHAT VEGETABLES MAY BE EATEN ? -- Vegetables like fruits which are sour (tart) should be strictly avoided. Similarly, vegetables containing a lot of starch re not useful. Vegetables with a slightly bitter taste & having a mild laxative effect such as gourd, bitter gourd, drumsticks, green papaya, plantain, brinjal (egg plant), spinach, capsicum, patola, kunduru, zucchini & broccoli are very useful for the patient. The patient should void lady's finger (okra), jackfruit, pumpkin & colocasia.

WHAT CEREALS MAY BE EATEN ? -- Rice as a staple food is not very good for Arthritis Patients. They should depend mostly upon wheat, maize, buckwheat & barley.

MEAT AND FISH -- As has been described before, the patient of Arthritis generally has low digestive power & he should void eating meat & fish as much as possible. He should particularly avoid eggs & sea-fish.

MOVEMENTS -- Arthritis is basically a disease of the joints which are responsible for all movements of the body. While it is not desirable that the patient should make the joint absolutely immobile by confining himself to bed, it is essential that he should not put more strain on the joints by walking, running, jumping or doing physical exercise much in excess of his strength. He should perform only such exercises that can be done without straining the joints. 

ARTHRITIS PATIENTS ADVICED

LINE OF TREATMENT--If the patient of Arthritis is to be cured (and not just relieved of symptoms for a few hours or a few days), then it is necessary that 'vayu' should be alleviated & 'ama' formation in the body should be corrected.

WHY DOES COLD AGGRAVATE ARTHRITIS ? Cold generally aggravates 'vyu' & it causes impairment of the functioning of 'pitta'. As a result of the latter, digestive & metabolic processes are affected & a lot of undesirable metabolic byproducts are produced. The aggravated 'vayu', coupled with the metabolic byproducts, if not corrected for a prolonged period, produces or aggravates Arthritis particularly in winter or in the rainy season, when there is humidity & relatively low temperature.

CONSTIPATION AS PRODUCER AND AGGRAVATER OF ARTHRITIS--Patients suffering from different types of Arthritis are generally, constipated. Proper bowel movement ensures alleviation of 'vayu' & excretion of the undesirable metabolic waste products from the body. If the patient is constipated for a prolonged period, then 'vayu' gets more & more accumulated in the body & metabolic waste products do not find an adequate channel for coming out of the body. It is therefore, necessary that the patient should be regularly given a laxative, preferably Castor oil. He should be given such diets & regimens which will make his bowels move smoothly & regularly. 

FASTING--Fasting is one of the oldest therapeutic measures known to men & animals, and has been a dependable curative measure through out medical history. At present, there is very little understanding & much less appreciation of its remarkable benefits particularly, in the treatment of Arthritis. When a person suffers from a disease, it happens usually because of the weekend defensive mechanism & impaired functions of vital organs. Due to continuous of overfeeding of the body & failure to observe other rules of health, the glandular including metabolic activities slow down & the eliminative organs lose their efficiency. As a result, many toxic & metabolic waste products remain inside the body & get deposited in the tissues, causing auto-intoxication. In Arthritis, these metabolic waste products get deposited in the joints & soft tissues surrounding it. By means of a laxative, some of the already accmulated waste products may be eliminated. But what is required simultaneously is not to produce more & more of metabolic waste products. This will be possible by observing fasts. Fasting does not always involve absolute restriction of food or drink. The patient can take liquid food like soup & gruel. He may also take a light diet which can be digested & metabolised easily.  This may reduce the weight of the patient to some extent but this should not make him week or physically inactive. In addition to soups, the patient can take papaya, apple juice, carrot juice, grape juice & such like. He can take rice, wheat products, milk, milk products (excluding curd or yoghurt), vegetables, particularly leafy vegetables & spices.

WHY MUST YOGHURT OR CURD BE AVOIDED ?-- Patients suffering from Arthritis should avoid use of yoghurt or curds. This is used as the main source of protein among the lacto-vegetarians of tropical countries & others in cold countries. Curd or yoghurt according to Ayurveda is considered to be 'abhisyandi' that is, it causes obstruction to the channels of the circulation of the body. In case of Arthritis, the channels of circulation in the joints. bones, ligaments, tendons & synovial membranes are already obstructed. What is required as a therapeutic measure, is to promote circulation in these channels & not to further obstruct them. This will be possible if the patient strictly avoids using curd or yoghurt. If however, he is fond of taking any sour milk preparations, then he can use butter milk which is prepared by churning yoghurt. Buttermilk should, however, be taken in small quantities& it should be ensured that it is not sour in taste. 

ARTHRITIS - SYMPTOMS & NATURE

 SIGNS & SYMPTOMS--The most common symptom of Arthritis is the pain in the joints. To start with, it may be slow pain & the patient may experience difficulty in climbing stairs or lifting weights. In the beginning, it may just appear & then disappear with some pain killers or even without treatment, just by a little rest. Some times it may disappear for months together & then reappear. There may be numbness & stiffness of the joints & while walking there may be a cracking sound from the joints. Often the joints become swollen & inflamed. Pain can be mild or very acute. In the first stage, it appears mostly at night or in the morning. It generally gets aggravated if the patient is exposed to cold, wind or rain, specially in winter.

SYSTEMIC NATURE OF THE DISEASE--Appearance of pain or stiffness in the joints is in fact not the first stage of the disease. It is only the first stage of the manifestation of local symptoms. It is a systematic disease & without the patient being aware of it the waste of the body start accumulating in the blood & joints for years together, before the first signal of approaching Arthritis is given in the form of pain in the joints. It is the years & years of abuse of the body in the form of wrong diet. Physical & mental strain., and absence of rest which brings about the systemic disturbance in the bodily functions that eventually leads to the break down of the health& the functions of the joints.

HOW DOES AYURVEDA EXPLAIN THIS DISEASE ?--According to Ayurveda, the traditional system of Indian medicine, this disease is called 'ama vata' or 'sandhigada vata'. In general, rheumatic & rheumatoid Arthritis come under the first category & Osteo- Arthritis under the second category. Gout, in Ayurvedic parlance, is called 'vata rakta'.In all these three conditions, 'VAYU', which is responsible for all nervous activities in the body is involved. 'Vayu', 'pitta' & 'kapha' regulate all the functions of the body. Taken together, these are called the 'doshas'. 'Vayu regulates the sensory & motor activities of the body. 'Pitta' regulates the digestive & metabolic processes including all the hormonal activities of the body. 'Kapha' is a lubricant & it is responsible for bringing about stability & sturdiness of physique. These three 'doshas' in normal healthy persons, are in a state of homeostasis or equilibrium. Change in this equilibrium may be tolerated by the body only up to a certain limit. Beyond that, it gives rise to diseases. The fluid in the synovial membrane of the joints, represents 'kapha'. The metabolic by products such as uric acid (which are formed more in the Case of Gout) are the outcome of the activities of 'pitta'. Thus in the causation of Arthritis all the three 'doshas' separately or jointly, are involved. 'Vayu' gets normally aggravated just before or during the rainy season. Other factors responsible for its aggravation are exercise beyond one's capacity, fasting, a fall or an accident, excessive elimination of some tissue elements such as blood & semen, fracture of a bone, remaining awake at night for a long time, suppression of the manifested natural urges, excessive worry, exposure to cold wind, facing a fearful situation & intake of food ingredients which are dry, astringent, bitter & pungent in taste. If because of the above mentioned factors, 'vayu' is aggravated in the body, then it causes Arthritis particularly Osteo-Arthritis & allied conditions. If aggravated 'vayu' is also associated with 'ama' (product of improper digestion & metabolism), then it is called 'ama vata'. To this 'ama vata' group belongs rheumatic & rheumatoid Arthritis & Gout.      

ARTHRITIS - KNOW MORE

SCIATICA--Sciatica is the inflammation of the sciatic nerve which runs down from the hip joint. This is a particularly crippling complaint & agonising in its painfulness. The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the body & runs down to the ankle joint. Sciatica can be caused by draught, dampness or chill. It can also be caused by a displaced spinal disc or vertebra.

MUSCULAR RHEUMATISM--Muscular Rheumatism is often caused by a draught or chill which constricts the blood vessels in the effected region. Because of this constriction, the toxic matter in that region does not get eliminated & inflammation sets in. This generally affects muscles of the shoulder,neck, back, arms or legs. The common cause of this ailment which is also called Fibrositis, is injury to the effected part- a muscle tendon or ligament.

SPONDYLITIS--Spondylitis is a chronic & progressive form of Arthritis which affects one or more of the vertebrae. The degenerative changes in the vertebra are similar to those in Rheumatoid Arthritis. It is most commonly found in males who keep bending their necks or backs constantly during their work. The onset is usually gradual beginning with mild back pains which become increasingly severe as the inflammation progresses.

BURSITIS-- Bursitis means the inflammation of a bursa or several bursae. A bursa is a small fat sack, namely, a pouch containing synovial fluid, a slimy lubricant required to reduce friction & absorb that joints & tendons are subjected to. The most commonly affected are those of the elbow, shoulder joint & knee joint. The most frequent cause of Bursitis is an injury such as a knock or unusual pressure on the knee-cap or excessive amount of exercise which can irritate the joint.

RHEUMATIC FEVER-- Rheumatic fever usually begins with a sore throat or tonsillitis. During fever, cough, chill, pleurisy & abdominal pain will be experienced. Swelling & pain of joints of a severe nature generally follow & continue even the after fever is over. This may lead to heart disease & other disturbances in the bodily functions In addition to the above, there are several other types of Arthritis; namely Arthritis deformans, ankylosis, spondylitis, infective type of Arthritis resulting from tuberculosis, gonorrhea, syphilis & rheumatic Arthritis. Rheumatic Arthritis is a less serious form of rheumatoid Arthritis & it generally occurs after a bout of rheumatic fever. The most common forms of Arthritis are rheumatic Arthritis & Osteo- Arthritis, of which the former is most painful & crippling & affects people of all ages particularly those who are in their most active & productive stage of life.  

VARIETIES OF ARTHRITIS

OSTEO-ARTHRITIS-- Osteo arthritis is perhaps the most common type of Arthritis which affects people past middle age. Osteo Arthritis usually begins as  result of the ageing process that is, the wear & tear of the joints during the later part of one's life. It is characterised by degenerating process in the joints, for instance, softening & erosion of the cartilages & enlargement of the affected joints. Even though all the joints of the body are vulnerable to Osteo-Arthritis, it is generally weight bearing joints such as knee joints & elbow joints that are commonly affected. In old persons hip joints & shoulder joints are often affected by this disease. the joints become stiff & painful. Such conditions are referred to as frozen hip & frozen shoulder.

RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS--The next most common form of Arthritis is Rheumatoid Arthritis. Rheumatoid Arthritis is a serious form of rheumatic afflictions which can cause severe destruction of the joint tissue resulting in extensive deformities in which the patient becomes absolutely crippled. It usually strikes at a fairly young age though it can affect persons of any age. Women more than men are generally afflicted with this form of Arthritis. This type of Arthritis begins with an inflammation of the synovial membrane which eventually leads to deposits in the joints, bone degeneration, deformity & subsequent invalidity unless proper treatment is taken at the appropriate time.

GOUT--Gout usually manifests itself by an inflammation of the joints of the large toe. This is a local symptom of a general metabolic disorder which is caused by the accumulation of uric acid in the tissues. Gout generally affects people after middle age, but it may often occur in men & women at a very early age. In Osteo-Arthritis & Rheumatoid-Arthritis, generally large weight bearing joints are afflicted, but in Gout the smaller joints of the toes & fingers are commonly afflicted.

LUMBAGO--Lumbago is a rheumatic condition affecting the muscles of the lower part of the back, also called the lumber region. Unless cured by proper therapies, attacks of Lumbago get more frequent & more painful  like all rheumatic complaints, specially as the patient becomes older. Lumbago generally occurs in patients whose profession is largely sedentary requiring them to sit for long periods of time & also in those who are habitually constipated.

ARTHRITIS ITS CAUSES

How Arthritis develops--The mechanical construction of our body makes it possible for many bones to meet with each other & these meeting places are called joints. These joints help in different type of movements. to avoid friction & strain during these movements, the ends of the bones are covered with an elastic tissue called cartilage. a synovial membrane covers the inner surfaces of these joint-cavities.This membrane secretes a fluid that lubricates the joint. This synovial membrane & the tips of the bones are ramified with several capillaries which carry nourishment along with blood to the joints. If any infection or wrong metabolic byproduct passes through these capillaries, then the circulation of the nutrients & blood is obstructed resulting in stagnation & exudation of fluid in to the pocket crated by the synovial membrane in the joint. his causes the joints to become inflamed, enlarged & swollen. The cartilages, because of impaired nourishment, lose their elasticity & become dry & brittle. The secretion of the synovial membrane may also diminish & with the progress of the disease, may cease completely. The joint will thus dry out, become congested, rough & stiff. This may also cause the surrounding ligaments & tendons to become inflamed & to progressively lose their tone & flexibility. Be cause of the impaired metabolism & movement, excessive amounts of calcium & other minerals are deposited in the joint s. Sometimes osteoporosis or leaching of the calcium & other minerals from the bones can cause severe destruction of bones & joints. All these changes are usually accompanied with swelling & pain during movement. Subsequently, the pain becomes absolutely incapable of moving the affected part of body. If this development is not checked & effectively treated in time, complete destruction of the joint & impairment of its function will often be the ultimate result. Along with these signs & symptoms in the joint, the patient also suffers from other disabilities i different parts of the body. Digestive disorders, often very chronic, are present in patients of Arthritis. Constipation is often prevalent for many years before the actual Arthritis symptom begin to reveal themselves. General fatigue, physical & emotional stress, lack of sufficient rest, nutritional deficiencies, glandular disorders--all these could occur long before the final symptoms appear in the joints.

It is important therefore to note that if Arthritis is to be successfully treated, the physician should follow a holistic approach by recognising the systemic nature of the disease, & the abnormal conditions as well as disorders in the other parts of the body that need to be corrected. The present day approach to the treatment of Arthritis patients, namely, to suppress the pain to give relief to the inflammation or swelling, does only give  false sense of relief to the patients; it is dangerous because the disease continue to progress inside the body & at one stage or the other, both the patient & the physician becomes helpless--the former cannot work with his joints & the latter cannot reduce the pain & swelling not to speak of arresting the progress of the disease. Any attempt, therefore, to treat the patient of Arthritis without realising e close relationship between the general health of the individual & his Arthritis symptoms will ultimately prove to be futile. Joints in any part of the body may be affected. Depending upon the nature of the affliction, the disease is called by different names.     

ARTHRITIS AYURVEDIC CURE

The place of man as an organic part of the biological & cosmic universe, subject to all the immutable & irrevocable laws of nature, is being increasingly recognised. In this context, the role of nutrition in preventive & curative medicine has become increasingly evident. In spite of these profound changes taking place in medical thought, today's conventional drug approach is unable to solve the problem of a catastrophic increase in such diseases as cancer, cardio-vascular disorders, diabetes, arthritis & so forth. Many of these ailments are thought as "incurable". Practitioners of ancient indigenous systems of medicine which, in fact do have cures for ailments such as arthritis, are derided as quacks. Systematic denunciation of such cures is being done through the new found audio-visual media. People are made to believe that constant use of aspirin & cortisone which give temporary relief from pain & whose continued use renders them ineffective are the only way out. In fact, there are serious side toxic effects as a result of prolonged use these conventional drugs. the net result of this criminal negligence of these arthritis patients has let thousands of crippled & unproductive men, women & children all over the world.

The other side of the story is that in several parts of the world, particularly in the cradle of ancient civilization, there are Herbal remedies which have been in use foe thousands of years for the treatment of Arthritis.These Herbs are not just empirically: the enlightened practitioners of traditional medicine of India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, China, Bangladesh & Pakistan will also provide the rationale behind the use of these Herbs in the treatment of Arthritis. The traditional system of medicine prevalent in India & its neighbouring countries is a repository of such well tried Herbal drugs. Some of these drugs have been scientifically tried on animal & human beings under controlled conditions & proved to be effective. Some such selected Herbal remedies are published herein. Perhaps some day in the foreseeable future the West will learn from the wisdom of the East.

TOOTH CARE WITH HERBS

Tooth Powder--Take dry bark of Mimusops Elingi tree, make it into a fine powder & keep it safe in a closed receptacle. This is the best tooth powder. Rub this powder on your teeth, let it remain so for a few minutes & then wash the mouth thoroughly with fresh water. This tooth powder should be applied early in he morning & at night before going to bed. this is efficacious for all diseases of the teeth & cures even Pyorrhoea if applied continuously for some days. It keeps the teeth clean & bright, destroys mouth odours, strengthens gums & protects teeth from all sorts of diseases. To give it a flavour,one fourth of chalk powder & the desired scent may be mixed in it.
Toothache--Toothache which is generally brought about by worm infestation is a painful condition. The worm makes a cavity in the tooth which causes persistent pain. The use of these different medicines effect only a temporary relief. After sometime the pain starts again & again. A permanent relief can only be effected if we, anyhow, can do away with the turbulent worms, but no specific for this purpose has so far been invented. Here we are apprising you with a drug which expels out the troublesome worms resulting in a lasting cure. EMBELIA RIBES (Babring) is a well known Herb which is found quite commonly. Powder its seeds & tie it in small Babring like knots in muslin cloth & boil them in a little water. Press one of the tiny knots in the cavity of the worm infested tooth & go to sleep with it. This knot shall in the morning be found to be invested by the worms. That one should then be thrown away & the process repeated again for a second & a third night if necessary until all the worms are removed out & a permanent relief is effected.

NEEM TOOTH-STICKS PROVEN REMEDY

Neem tooth sticks--I am reproducing the opinion of a Doctor in this regard. Dr. Johns in his article under the caption "Oral Hygiene of India" published on the front page of an old issue of " Home and Homeopathy" has commented with unreserved praise the Indian system of tooth cleaning. He has categorically stated the names of the trees, tooth-sticks of which are beneficial for a particular set of diseases. He writes:- " A fresh new stick is used each day, and we cannot but admit that this method is far more hygeienic & more effective than our method of using over & over again a filthy germ-laden tooth tooth-brush which, it is impossible to sterilize by any means......The ancient people knew the antiseptic & refreshing properties of the Milich Azederoch & Mongifere Milica sticks hundreds of years before the Allopathic world knew anything of this value....I have not yet come accross a person who is a habitual user of Neem-sticks & suffers from Pyorrhoea or other local infections of he mouth". Ayurveda too has recommended daily use of tooth-sticks showing that it removes tastelessness & bad odour of the mouth, makes it immune against a hoard of local infections & brings in a sense of pleasant lightness by effecting perfect cleanliness. Thus a lot of virtues of Acacia Arabica (Babul), Mimusops Elingi & Neem tree-sticks have been enumerated there. Habitual use of Neem tree tooth-sticks removes bad odour, gum-boils & bilious diseases & makes the teeth sturdy for a long time. The teeth of a regular user of Mimusops Elingi tooth-sticks don't shake up to the old age. Similarly, tooth-sticks of Acacia Arabica, Bassia Latifolia (Mahua) & Catechu tree (Khair) etc. are also highly beneficial. A tooth-sticks should be green, soft, fresh & 12 inches in length.

TOOTH-STICK BEST REMEDY FOR HEALTHY TEETH

Tooth stick for Pyorrhoea-- Sanitation of teeth is a necessity not only for adding charm to beauty but also for the sake of preventing attacks of good many diseases. A train of inventions in the shape of dentifrices(tooth-powders, tooth-pastes & tooth-lotions) have been designed for the cleanliness of the set of teeth but nothing better than a tooth-stick has so far been known to exist for the purpose. To which of the diseases the system is exposed by not attending to proper sanitation of teeth & how obstinate diseases are relieved without treatment by imparting due care towards that end, requires a whole book to be explained but so much should definitely be understood that tooth-sticks taken from different trees cure a number of diseases of teeth. 80% of the human population to-day is found to be suffering from Pyrrhoea yet its specific treatment has so far remained unknown.Once a teacher I met had contracted the Pyorrhoea trouble & no treatment he underwent proved helpful, on my advice, he resorted to the use of the tooth-stick of Mimusops Elingi (Molsari) & persistent use of the same for three months relieved him of half the trouble which strengthened his faith in the practice & he made its use his daily routine whereby, he was fully relieved of the nasty ailment in six months. Even to this day he rubs his set of teeth daily with Neem stem when the former is not available. His teeth have now attained normal fixture & the decayed gums have regained their normal form. The above mentioned real incident should have convinced you about the usefulness of the habit of daily cleaning the teeth with a tooth-stick & the teeth -preserving & anti-Pyorrhoea properties of the Mimusops Elingi tree. This is a common tree which which hardly needs any extensive elaboration.As regards the merits of the Neem tree, follow the next post.    

TOOTH DECAY MOST COMMON PROBLEM

Tooth Decay--It is also definitely pointed out that a diseased predisposition also plays an important part in exposing the teeth to decay while some other doctors & specialists hold that continued over-excitement & mental agitation consequent to emotional conflicts prevailing in the present day society is, to a considerable degree, the cause of the growing menace of existing dental troubles. We definitely know today that great changes in the chemical composition of blood take place under the influence of the emotions of anger & fear & it is quite probable that the composition of saliva may also undergo questionable changes in the same way on account of the said causes which, as has already been established through experiments, is highly injurious for the well-being of teeth. not withstanding the advances made in applied studies of dentistry & the hopes that are held high in the anticipation of the introduction of modern appliances & techniques, teeth are still decaying. A fine method of saving the teeth for a good long time is to treat all teeth troubles of school going children efficiently; this Early care of their teeth shall save them from decay & it has tremendously succeeded in checking teeth decay rate in grown ups. No doubt, all this shall involve a great deal of expenses but it is also clear that the expenditure incurred therein shall be found to be worthwhile in, as far as, the health of teeth stands as a prime necessity of mankind.

TEETH DECAY AND ITS CAUSES

Why the Teeth Decay ?--According to a specialist as many as 8 women out of every 10 & 7 men out of every 10 lose heir teeth up to the age of 70 years.Again, if you live in an eastern country, the chances of tooth decay are doubled in your case than those living in Western countries. It may be due to the presence or absence of Flourine in drinking water (Flourine saves the teeth from decay & it is equally true with regard to some other minerals as well) but the real cause of the malady is not yet precisely established. As to what is the predisposing factor responsible for teeth decay, has been subject of investigation for the last 300 years & the question has attained an extraordinary significance in the modern age, as we know that the percentage of teeth decay is increasing with the advancement of the so called civilization. When we compare our early falling teeth with those much more stationary ones of the prehistoric men & think over it, we can reach conclusion that the cause of this difference in the stability of teeth might be the difference in dietary habits of the people of the two ages. Some form of diets are definitely responsible for the trouble & this fact has been supported by experiments which have shown that too much of sweet drinks cause teeth to fall sooner. this effect is brought about by the acid fermentation that ensues about 20 minutes after the use of sugar or saccharine. Fresh fruits & vegetables generally make the saliva alkaline which checks the production of the aforesaid acid. So, if the teeth are brushed & cleaned just after meals, the possibilities of tooth decay are minimized considerably. The ingested food exerts good or bad effect upon our teeth according to the earth in which it grows. It evolves that the corn grown on earth devoid of necessary body building elements shall naturally be lacking in those fundamental substances & the people fed upon that food shall not be provided with necessary teeth building elements. Similarly, drinking water also inherits certain chemical elements from its origin which don't let the teeth decay before time. It has been recognised that the water containing Flourine serves preserve teeth against decay bacteria, though it is very likely to stain them with a peculiar sort of pigment marks.

CONSTIPATION HOME REMEDIES

CONSTIPATION--What is constipation ? Constipation is a condition of the bowels in which evacuation is difficult and infrequent.
What causes constipation ? 1. Insufficient fibre in the diet. 2. Weakness of abdominal muscles due to lack of physical activity. 3. Improper chewing of food. 4. Over consumption of alcohol or caffeineated beverages. 5. Emotional stress.
REMEDIES--Fibre & only Fibre is the magical remedy to this common malady.
Dates(Khajur)- Have 4 to 5 dates every day early in the morning.
Fibre rich fruits- The high fibre content in these fruits adds to our diet thus regulating bowel movements and preventing constipation.Have 1 to 2 fibre rich fruits like orange, sweet lime, pineapple, grapes, guava etc. at bedtime to overcome constipation. You can also try the recipe of an unstrained juice like Beach Tropicana.
Papaya--Papaya is another laxative. Have a cup of chopped papaya with breakfast every day to stimulate bowel movements.
Lemon Water--Half a lime squeezed in a glass of hot water with half teaspoon of salt is a very effective remedy for constipation. Have it early in the morning even before your mandatory cup of tea or coffee to regularize the bowel movements.
Fennel Seeds(Saunf)--Fennel seeds are well known for their digestive properties. A decoction made by boiling fennel seeds in water is a great laxative.
FOODS TO BE AVOIDED--Tea & coffee. Aerated drinks. Refined foods like refined flour, pasta,sugar & polished rice. Deep fried foods. Confectionery & Mithai (Sweets). Fast foods like pizzas,burgers etc.
Tips to avoid & overcome Constipation-- 1. Eat a high fibre breakfast as fibre stimulates bowel movements. 2. Drink plenty of fluids (at least 6 to 8 glasses every day) as this softens the stools making them easier to pass. 3. Consume plenty of fruits & vegetables(with their skin on), whole grains such as whole wheat, oats, etc. as they help in bowel movements. One flavourful way of adding these fruits & veggies to your diet is Carrot & Date Salad. 4. Add high fibre foods like wheat bran or rice bran in your daily meals. An easy way to incorporate fibre in your diet is to add 1 to 2 tablespoons of bran to wheat flour while kneading the bread dough. 5. Indulge in daily exercise such as walking as this too helps in bowel movements. 6. Maintain a regular morning routine which allows time for bowels to move prior to starting your day.
BEACH TROPICANA -- one cup peeled & chopped Papaya, one cup peeled & chopped fresh pineapple, one banana peeled & sliced, one tablespoon sugar(optional) & 3\4 cup crushed ice. Blend all the ingredients in a liquidiser till smooth & take chilled. An eye catching fibre rich cocktail whipped up with nature's harvest. Do not strain this juice to retain the fibre which helps to overcome Constipation.

HERBAL LAXATIVES FOR CHRONIC CONSTIPATION

Laxative oil--The use of this oil with the following vehicle removes habitual constipation for good. At the same time, it corrects the defects of the mucous membrane of the alimentary tract & imparts tone to the intestines which insure proper evacuation of the bowels regularly. If a little inconvenience is met with, in the beginning, the same is worth bearing as this, most specific panacea displays commendable effect in the long run. 125 grams of Wild-Violet (Banafsha flowers) should be infused in one kilo water in a tinned basin at night & boiled on fire next morning. When half of the water is left in the pot, 125 grams of Almond Oil should also be added in it & boiled until the water evaporates. Then it should be strained through a cloth & preserved in a glass container. The oil is now ready for use. Mode of administration--5 ml. of the oil mixed with 5 grams of Isabgol drenched in a little water should be taken every morning & evening. This of course, causes some discomfort for some days in the beginning but eventually relieves the trouble permanently. Use of the above mentioned Almond-oil with 500 ml. of milk as well relieves dryness of the intestines & effects complete cure to chronic constipation very soon.

STOMACHIC AJOWAN--The under mentioned Ptychotis Ajowan is highly specific for habitual constipation, colic, anorexia etc. It is at the same time, free from all sorts of likely untoward side-effects or any harmful elements whatsoever. The mode of its preparation is.

Mix Colocynth kernel (devoid of seeds) one kilogram, cleaned Ptychotis Ajowan 250 grams & Lahori-Namak 60 grams together in a jar made of China clay. When the entire contents of the jug get dried by themselves the Ptychotis Ajowan becomes serviceable & should be used when necessary. Dose--5 to 6 grams twice a day with Luke warm water. It is really a wonderful medicine.

EPHEDRA VULGARIS (SOMLATA) FOR INDIGESTION

SOMLATA (EPHEDRA VULGARIS) Verses Indigestion--Indigestion caused by liver disorders is very easily & effectively relieved through its use because it tones up the liver resulting in complete digestion of the ingested food material. Other similar derangement's like dyspepsia etc. are also cured through its use. It is also fairly effective for jaundice. The use of its powder or infusion generates & stimulates flow of bile, improves digesting capacity & facilitates evacuation of fecal matter. Thus it gives a sense of relief & well-being to the patients suffering from impaired digestion. Tibetan Lamas (Buddhist Monks) use it with unflinching faith based upon Vedic scriptures & consider it to be containing nectarine properties. Once, a friend of mine had come over to me with an idea of using fresh juice of Ephedra & I sent him to the place of its origin, some 80 miles away, but he could not withstand severe cold of that place & returned forthwith. On his return he brought several Ephedra plants with him & continued to use them rubbed in water for good many days. During this time he informed me that he felt a peculiar sense of joviality & pleasantness & a vigorous inclination to work through its effect. He had lately been taking only one meal daily as two normal meals a day deranged his digestion but since he used Ephedra Vulgaris (Som Lata) he had begun to have two square meals every day without feeling the least trouble whatsoever. EPHEDRA VULGARIS (SOM LATA) is also very effective in the cure for all kinds of coughs. Given with powdered Turmeric twice a day it provides certain relief.