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Panchkarma Introduction Basic Principles Three Stages Panchkarma Durations ---------------------------------------- Introduction -------------- In Ayurveda treatment consists of four basic forms, namely - medicine or drug therapy, pancha (five) karma (actions/ systems), dietary regime and regulation of lifestyle. And works in two fundamental ways - cure and prevention. The preventive aspect of treatment is further subdivided into swastha varta (personal hygiene) - consisting of dinacharya (daily routine), ritucharya (seasonal corrections) and sadachara (appropriate behaviour) - rasayana & vajikarana (rejuvenation & virlification) and yoga. The curative aspect consists of three parts antati parimaijana (internal medicine) - consisting of samsodhana (internal purification through panchkarma) and samsamana (curative action) - external medicine as massage, use of pastes & powders and finally surgical treatment. The deep cleansing process, unique to Ayurveda, that enables the body to release excess doshas and toxins from its cells and expel them is called Panchakarma, which basically denotes detoxification or elimination of toxins from the body. Although the human body is considered as a great, intelligent, natural healing system capable of rejuvenating itself, the formation of toxins reduces that natural capacity. It is then that Panchakarma plays a crucial role in that correction. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Basic Principles ----------------- Panchakarma consists of medicated emesis (vamana) to remove excess kapha, therapeutic purgation (viracana) to clear excess pitta, medicated enema (vasti) to eject excess vata, nasal drops or snuffs (nasya) for diseases of the head & neck and bloodletting (raktamokshana) in case of blood disorders. Five purification procedures for removing accumulated toxins and other waste material in the body. As the humors and tissues are related closely to each other, this discharge procedure affects the tissues indirectly by the strong elimination of related humor. For example, the pronounced elimination of kapha by herb induced emesis causes an effect on the nutrient tissue fluid pool, containing water and electrolytes, plasma, muscle, fat. Or the large release of pitta by selective purgation similarly causes an indirect effect on the total colouring material in the body or blood. Vasti is somewhat different, as it is meant to nullify excess vata and contains warm oleation substances. During its long contact with the membrane of the large intestine, it separates layers of faecal matter and thus enhances better absorption, which is responsible for the ultimate nourishment of all tissues. Nasya in turn cleans the sinus and thereby improves the function of sense organs. Physical and mental diseases occur due to the vitation of somatic doshas vata, pitta and kapha and due to mental doshas Rajas and Tamas. Volitional transgression, effect of time and senses are the three primary causes responsible for vitation of biological and mental doshas. Food, drinks & environmental factors with similar properties to the doshas vitiates them and cause disease. Panchakarma's purificatory therapies balance out the three doshas, acting both as a curative and a preventive measure. ------------------------------------------------------------ Duration of Panchkarma --------------------------- The whole treatment of nearly a months duration is generally broken up in this manner : 1st cycle 1st-7th days of oelation, fomentation and nasal therapies. 8th day emesis therapy. 3 days off. 2nd cycle 1st-7th days of oelation, fomentation and nasal therapies. 8th day purgation therapy. 3 days off. 3rd cycle 1st-7th days of oelation, fomentation and nasal therapies 8th day enema therapy ********************************************************************* ********************************************************* *********************************************** Spiritual Aspects of Ayurvedic Medicine *************************** Spiritual remedies -------------------- Introduction Music Therapies Mantras Meditation ------------ Astrology & Ayurveda ---------------------- Introduction Planetary Ailments Herbs to the Rescue Gemology Vastushastra -------------- Alternative Therapies ----------------------- Introduction Acupressure Acupuncture Magnet Therapy Ancient Medicine Reiki Aroma Therapy Laughter Therapy Aura Therapy -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Spiritual Remedies ------------------ ------------------ Introduction ------------ It is an unquestionable truth of life that the most precious possession that you have is your very own spiritual self. As we tend to move away from that intrinsic part of ourselves the body gets trapped by negative energies, which are the root cause of ailments. Spiritual therapies channelise your energies back on the right track, by venturing deep within yourself. As God's children, all individuals have a part of divinity in themselves. By invoking the strength of that divinity through the control over ones thoughts, one can shape ones life very strongly. It is therefore important that one should attempt to root out all negative thoughts from the mind and concentrate on only the positive ones. The negative thought patterns which cause ailments are anger, criticism, resentment and guilt. It is utterly impossible to maintain a healthy body under such distressed condition. For instance, criticism indulged in over long periods will often lead to disease as arthritis. Anger turns into things that boil and burn and in the long run infect the body and it also leads to heart ailments. Resentment eats into your system and ultimately leads to tumour and cancer. Guilt always seeks punishment and leads to all sorts of pain. Next to hate, worry is just about the worst form of self-destructive mental activity. Hatred is the most severely damaging mental activity. It poisons the body and the mind and its effects are almost permanent. Similarly if you have no will to live, you are unlikely to have a long life. On the other hand, if you intend to live with a positive mind, you will definitely live a long and healthy life. Thus a person who exercises, meditates and thinks positively, is telling his body that he wants to stay healthy throughout his life. Think of the experiences in life that you wish to be fulfilled. And you will find your thought patterns taking real shapes. This phenomenon is called metaphysical causation. This describes the power in the words and thoughts to create experiences. And explains the connection between thoughts and your physical self. Thus a stiff neck could easily be indicative of inflexibility in a person to listen to the other side of an argument. So if need be, be willing to change your words and thoughts and watch your life change right before you. The way to control your life is to control your choice of words and thoughts. Since no one can delve into the depths of your, but you. Although easier said than done, this can be achieved better by practicing the arts of relaxation and concentration. For which one can in turn take the help of music and mantras. ------------------------ Music Therapy ------------- Music therapy is a scientific method of effective cures of disease through the power of music. It restores, maintains and improves emotional, psychological and physiological well being. The articulation, pitch, tone and specific arrangement of swars (notes) in a particular raga (melody) stimulates, alleviates and cures various ailments. Music therapy has a long history dating back to ancient Greece. King David's curing an illness by playing the harp would count for the same in the Old Testament. Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, used it extensively. In ancient Egypt pain of childbirth was reduced thus. In Indian legends Thyagaraja, the famous south Indian musician is believed to have sung back life into the dead. And in 1729 Richard Browne compiled the well-known Medicina Musica. Music can be defined as ".a kind of inarticulate, unfathomable speech which leads us to the edge of the infinite and lets us for a moment gaze into that." Basically a sound (nada) generating particular vibrations which moves through space and effects the human body. In classical Indian system it usually takes the form of a raga which has four sources - folk songs, poetry, devotional songs of mystics and compositions of classical musicians. Ragas are closely related to time of the day and seasonal changes and emotional status. Symphonies of raga have a definite soothing effect on the mind as well as the body. The muscles, nerves and chakras of affected parts go through alternate contraction and relaxation during impulses and the in-between intervals respectively. This enables energy from a universal energy field to flow into human energy field and affect the central nervous system - roots of auditory nerves being more widely distributed than any other. Also beats in music have a close relation with heart beats with those below the pulse rate calm & relax the system and those above excite & rejuvinate. While ragas can cure tension, blood pressure, heart ailments, insomnia and other disorders, it should be kept in mind that such therapy treatment should be conducted either early morning, evening or late night, never long sessions on an empty stomach and ideally with regular short breaks in between. ------------------------ Mantras ------- Handed down since ancient times by religious seers who had attained self-realization by chanting them, mantras are words or syllables in Sanskrit which when repeated in meditation helps you transcend into a higher state of consciousness. As sound energies that have always existed the universe, they cannot be created or destroyed and command the power to heal you physically & spiritually. At the very basic level mantras help you to concentrate in meditation. And once you enter its auspicious circle, the mind instantly gets focussed and you discover a new realm of peace and tranquility.  The original of all mantras, Om, is the root of all sounds, thus letters and therefore of all language and thought. The "O" is generated deep within the body, from inside the navel, and slowly brought upward joining with the "m" which then resonates through the entire head. Chanting Om in a whisper correctly for twenty minutes relaxes every atom in of every cell of your body.  A mala (garland of Sandal or Rudraksha) is often used in accompaniment. It has one hundred and eight beads plus the larger `meru' beads. Holding it in the right hand, start at the meru and roll the beads along one by one between your thumb and third fingers while repeating your mantra. When you reach the meru, roll the mala in the opposite direction. Do not cross over the meru bead. ------------------------ Meditation ---------- According to Swami Vishnu Devananda, meditation is "..a continuous flow of perception or thought, just like the flow of water in a river." A practice wherein there is constant observation of the mind, meditation brings awareness, harmony and natural order into life. It helps you dig deep into your inner self to discover the wisdom and tranquility that lie within. Principles of Meditation The basic points to be kept in mind in practicing meditation are : Have a special place and specific time for meditation. Try doing it daily. Choose a time when your mind is not clouded with worries. Sit up straight with your back, neck and head in one line. Facing north or east. Condition your mind such so as to remain quiet for the duration of your meditation session. Regulate your breathing. Start with 5 minutes of deep breathing. Then gradually slow it down. Follow a rhythmic breathing pattern - inhale and exhale. Initially let your mind wander. It grows more restless if you force to concentrate. Then slowly bring it to rest on the focal point of your choice. Hold your object of concentration at this focal point throughout your session. Meditation happens when you reach a state of pure thought. Even while retaining an awareness of duel self. Followed diligently you will soon be able to attain a super-conscious state. Tips on Concentration At the outset, it is hard to keep your attention to keep focussed on one object. So it is better to start off by limiting your field of concentration to a category of objects. Choose your objects with care e.g. any four flowers, fruits, trees...etc. You must feel at ease with what you choose. After concentrating on one, you can move on to the next, if & when your mind starts wandering. This style of meditative exercise will help you control your mind down to a finer focus, teaching you the principle of single point concentration. Meditative Postures Yoni Mudra Frontal & Nasal Gazing Candle Gazing Close your ears with thumbs. Gaze at a point between your eyebrows, seat of the 'Third Eye' or at the tip or your nose. Place a candle at eye-level in a darkened, draught-free room. Cover your eyes with your index finger. This would improve your level of concentration. At the same time, strengthening your eye muscles. Nasal gazing has a positive effect on the central nervous system. Close your eyes and hold an after-image of the bright flame. Close your nostrils with your middle fingers. Remember not to strain your eyes. Start with one minute of gazing and then slowly build it up to ten minutes. The practice steadies the wandering mind, leading you to focus with pin-point accuracy. Press your lips together with your remaining fingers. Release the middle fingers gently to inhale and exhale while you meditate. ------------------------------------------------ Astrology and Ayurveda ---------------------- ---------------------- Introduction ------------ Eternally fascinated by the uncertainty of the future, man has been equally engrossed in various studies that allow a peek into the same. Amongst the more significant ones is Astrology, a significant branch of Ayurveda, that scientifically studies planetary movements and their effect on human constitutions and lives. Astrology is based on the concept that each planet is intrinsically related to a specific body tissue and that the various planetary movements and their positions in relation to time exert powerful influences on your mind, body and consciousness, directly affecting your physical and mental health. It is to be noted that sun, rahu & ketu are nodal points exactly opposite each other and are given the status of planets according to the Indian system of Astrology. They are important indicators of spiritual and / or materialistic tendencies.  ------------------------------------------ Planetary Ailments ------------------ Planets Corresponding Ailments Sun Circulatory deficiencies, Anaemia Indigestion Moon Circulatory disorder, Lunacy Mars Constipation, Flatulence, Liver trouble, Blind piles, Skin Trouble Mercury Nervous Disease, Ulcers, Acidity, Blood Pressure, Restlessness, Irritation Venus Bronchial disorder, Whooping Cough, Asthma, Dyspepsia, Sexual ailments, Delirium, Obsessions Saturn Neurosis, Neuralgia ,Sciatica, Rheumatism, Excretory disorders Jupiter Jaundice, Biliousness, Colic Problems Palpitation, Toothache ,Insomnia Rahu Hyperacidity ,Burning Sensations, Brain Disorders, Sexual Excesses , Drinking Problems Ketu Skin Disorders, Nervous Debility,Small Pox, Urinary Tract Infections --------------------------- Herbs to the Rescue ------------------- To counter these negative planetary influences, Ayurveda suggests the use of multi-faceted herbs that not only provide curative relief to various physical afflictions but are also endowed with the preventive power to combat planetary interference. PLANETS HERBS Sun Aegle Marmelus Moon Cueumis Satirus Cucumber (Khirika) Mercury Bacopa monierri (Brahmi) Venus Hydrocotyle asiatica (Mandukparni) Mars Hemidesmus indicum (Anantmool) Jupiter Swertia Chirata (Chirata) Saturn Nyetanthes arbortristis (Shefali) Desmostachya bipinnata (Dhuva) Ketu Withania Somnifera (Aswagandha) Rahu Bacopa monierri (Brahmi) ------------------------------ Gemology -------- In exactly the same manner precious gemstones such as rubies, diamonds, pearls, red corals, sapphires etc. can influence the effects of the planets substantially. Although they can minimise the impact of planetary afflictions, they should always be worn with care and on recommendation of an experienced astrologer. For the wrong stone can aggravate the condition and even cause fresh problems. ------------ PLANET DISEASE GEM ---------- Mars, Mercury, Moon Rheumatism, musculo skeletal Red coral, emerald, dark blue pearl, Saturn, Sun Problems and bone diseases sapphire, ruby Mars, Mercury Digestive diseases, diabetes Red coral, white coral,emerald Saturn, Ketu Diseases of the nervous system Dark blue sapphire Mercury, Mars, Ketu Psychol0ogical diseases, including hysteria Emerald in the night, red coral in the day Mars, Saturn, Rahu Skin diseases White coral, yellow sapphire Saturn, Mars, Moon,Venus, Mercury, Jupiter Urinary and gynecological problems Pearl, diamond, red coral, yellow sapphire, emerald, topaz Saturn, Mars Dental problems Sapphire, red coral Saturn, Mars Ear nose, and throat problems Yellow sapphire, white coral Saturn, Mars Blood-related problems Dark blue sapphire, emerald, ruby --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to Earth Medicine - Ayurvedic Herbal Medicine
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