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AYURPATRA Your
monthly health e-newsletter
Volume:
1- Diseases
of - Above Shoulder region
SERIES URDHWAJATRUGAT X –JUNE 2005 |
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We are delighted to
present to you our monthly e-feature about Ayurveda and health. Our web site (http://www.ayurplanet.com)
has helped millions of people. This newsletter will be loaded with lots of
information, events and happenings related to Ayurveda including featured
articles, details of very useful herbs, beauty tips and various herbal products
and health supplements. The aim of this Newsletter is to serve humanity from
health aspect by natural means.
FEATURED
HEALTH ARTICLE :
DANDRUFF
(DARUNAK/ARUNSHIKA) A
person's entire body surface continuously sheds dead skin cells. The skin itself
sheds every twenty-four days. Dandruff, the shedding of dead skin cells from the
scalp at an excessive rate, is the result of the normal growing process of the
skin cells of the scalp.
Dandruff is characterized by small, loose flakes of dead skin on the scalp or
trapped in the hair. Sushruta
in Nidan sthana says when ground of hair becomes hard, itchy and rough with
cracks it is known as Darunaka caused by aggravation of Kapha and Vata.
Arunshika is small ulcer with many openings manifested on the skin of the
scalp due to kapha rakta. Symptoms of seborrhoeic dermatitis resemble with the
symptoms of Arunshika. Mechanism
On
average the scalp skin replaces itself about once every 28 days. If turnover
speeds up to every 11 days the net result is obvious dandruff. In
dandruff there has been noted an association with a tiny fungus the yeast known
as Pityrosporum ovale also known as Malassezia, a member of our normal flora.
Everyone has some of this yeast on their skin, particularly in the greasy areas
such as the scalp and upper back. It feeds on the natural grease produced by the
skin.
Malassezia lives on the scalps of most healthy adults without causing problems.
But sometimes it grows out of control, feeding on the oils secreted by your hair
follicles and causing irritation that leads to increased cell turnover. All
skin cells die and are replaced by new cells. Normally, it takes about a month
for new cells to move from the lowest layer of your skin, where they form, to
the outermost layer, where they die and scale off in flakes. Because cells renew
themselves slowly, this process usually isn't noticeable. But
on scalps where malassezia thrives, the whole process can take as little as 11
days. The result is a large number of dead skin cells. As the cells fall off,
they tend to clump together with oil from your hair and scalp, making them
appear white, flaky and all too visible Root
causes: -
Excessive use of hairsprays and gels. -
Improper use of hair-coloring products or excessive use of electric hair curlers -
Exposure to cold and dry indoor heating. -
Tight fitting hats and scarves. -
Infrequent shampooing of the hair, improper hygiene or inadequate rinsing. -
Stress,
anxiety and tension. -
It
is most severe during the winter and mildest during the summer. Symptoms: MANAGEMENT: 1.
Dandruff may be a sign that circulation is blocked. Ayurveda recommends shiroabhyanga
(massaging the scalp) with medicated oil once a week, applying
the oil in evening and then washing it out in morning.The oils recommended in
Bhaishajya ratnavali for Dandruff are are Bhringraj tail,Trifladya
tail,Chitrakadi tail,Maltyadi tail,Guduchyadi tail,Dhurdhurpatradi
tail,Karanjadi tail,Neem tail. 2.
“Ayurveda India” has made a combination of Dhurdhurpatradi
tail,Karanjadi tail ,Kuntalkanti, Kayanadi,and Mahabhringraj tail.This oil is
highly effective in eradicating Dandruff. 3.
Shirodhara
(taildhara), Takradhara, Nasyam, Shirovasti are
beneficial in this disease. 4.
Massaging the
hair for half an hour with curd which has been kept in the open for three days
or with a few drops of lime juice mixed with amla juice every night before going
to bed. 5.
Shirolepam(Hair packs) - -
Leaves
of Neem ( Azadirachta indica) or Indian hemp applied in paste form to the scalp,
and kept for half an hour. A lukewarm shower to follow removes dandruff. -
Honey
is mixed with rock salt,Kushtha(Saussarea lappa) , Yashtimadhu
(Licorice).This pack is applied to the scalp and hair and kept for half
an hour and rinsed. -
Aloe
vera gel or Jaswand gel are applied to hair and scalp as packs for half an hour.
6.
Diet 7. Herbal
supplements -
The herb fenugreek is also a remedy for dandruff, using it in cooking or taking
a teaspoonful daily, mixed with honey. Fenugreek works best for people with vata
or kapha doshas. -
Amalaki Rasayna,Dhatri lauha are helps to prevent Dandruff. You
may consult our Ayurveda experts through on
line consultation or personally.
HERB
OF THE MONTH:
FENUGREEK Fenugreek
is a well-known leafy vegetable. It has excellent medicinal virtues. The seeds
of fenugreek contain a foetid and bitter fatty oil resin, mucilage and albumin.
Their mineral and vitamin contents are very high. In Indian homes, seeds are
generally used as a condiment and for flavoring. Natural
Benefits and Curative Properties The
leaves of fenugreek are aromatic, cooling and mild aperients. Paste of the fresh
leaves applied over the scalp regularly, before taking bath, lengthens hair,
preserves the natural color and keeps the hair silky soft. Paste of the fresh
leaves, applied on the face every night before going to bed and washed with warm
water, prevents pimples, blackheads, dryness of the face and early appearance of
wrinkles. It improves complexion and makes one look years younger. The seeds of
fenugreek are demulcent, diuretic, carminative which relieves gastric discomforts,
lactagogue, which increases the flow of milk, astringent and aphrodisiac tonic.'
They are the best cleansers to body, highly mucus-solvents and soothing agents. Digestive
Disorders Fenugreek
leaves are highly beneficial in the treatment of indigestion, flatulence and
sluggish liver. They help in the healing of mouth ulcers. An infusion of the
leaves is used as a gargle for recurrent ulcers. Boiled and fried in butter,
they are valuable in biliousness. The seeds are also useful in the treatment
of colic, flatulence, dysentery, diarrhea, dyspepsia. Pregnancy
and Lactation The
seeds are fried in ghee and finely powdered. This powder is mixed with wheat
flour and sugar to prepare a halwa. This preparation, taken in small quantity
daily, helps in quick normalization after delivery. The seeds, made into a
gruel, are given as diet to nursing mothers for increasing the flow of milk. Deadened
Sense of Taste and Smell The
seeds help restore a deadened sense of taste or smell. The loss of sense of
taste occurs due to improper functioning of the salivary glands. They often
become plugged with mucus and accumulated juices, causing swelling. Similarly,
the sense of smell is obstructed due to long accumulations of mucus or other
impurities in the nose where the olfactory nerves are based. Regular use of
fenugreek has proved beneficial in both these cases. Dandruff
Fenugreek
seeds are useful in the removal of dandruff. Two tablespoonfuls of the seeds
should be soaked overnight in water. In the morning the softened seeds should be
ground into a fine paste. This paste should be applied all over the scalp and
left on the head for half an hour. The hair should then be washed thoroughly
with soapnut solution or shikakai. Paste of the fresh leaves of fenugreek
applied over the scalp regularly before taking bath also cures dandruff. Respiratory
Infections During
the early acute stages of any of the respiratory tract infections, such as
bronchitis, influenza, sinusities, catarrah and suspected pneumonia, fenugreek
tea will help the body to produce perspiration, dispel toxicity and shorten
the period of fever. It should be taken upto four cups daily. The quantity is
reduced as condition improves. Fenugreek contains natural expectorant properties
ideal for treating sinus and lung congestion, and loosens & removes excess
mucus and phlegm. Fenugreek is also an excellent source of selenium, an
anti-radiant which helps the body utilize oxygen. Fenugreek stimulates the
production of mucosal fluids helping remove allergens and toxins from the
respiratory tract. Diabetes
Fenugreek
seeds have been found highly effective in the treatment of diabetes due to its
fibre content. Based on a research study as quoted by Press Trust of India on
January 6, 1988, fenugreek seeds, when given in varying doses of 25 grams to 100
grams daily, diminish reactive hyperglycaemia in diabetic patients. Levels of
glucose, serum cholesterol and tryglycerides were also significantly
reduced in the diabetes patients when the seeds were consumed, the report said
Quoting researchers at the National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, the
report said that the effect of taking fenugreek seeds could be quite dramatic,
when consumed with 1200-1400 calories diet per day, which is usually recommended
for diabetic patients. Fenugreek seeds contain chemicals that slow down the time
that food takes to go through the intestinal tract. As one result, sugars are
absorbed from foods more slowly and blood sugar levels may not rise as high or
fluctuate as much as usual. Also, fenugreek contains an amino acid called
4-hydroxyisoleucine, which appears to increase the body's production of insulin
when blood sugar levels are high. Higher insulin production may decrease the
amounts of sugar that stay in the blood for many individuals. BEAUTY
TIP – FOR
DANDRUFF
For
personalized beauty related queries mail to:beauty@ayurplanet.com
FORTHCOMING
EVENT:
Event
Name:Drug Discovery & Development Asia Pacific Congress
Date(s)
:
1ST June – 3rd June
Venue
: Singapore
Details:PH:
+65 6732 1970 ; E-MAIL:lynn.ng@ibacasia.com.sg; www.drugdisc.com/3110 Event
Name:Chem Spec Europe
Date(s)
:
22 June – 23 June Venue
: Dusseldorf,Germany
Details:PH:
+44(0)1737 855418 ; E-MAIL:padavis@uk.dmgworldmedia.com; www.chemspeceurope.com News:
Diet high in milk may cut heart disease risk NEW
YORK (Reuters Health) - A diet high in milk does not increase the risk of heart
disease and stroke, a new study suggests. On the contrary, it may protect
against stroke and heart disease. At
the start of the study, virtually all of the men reported drinking whole (full
fat) milk, but later on virtually all had switched to skim or semi-skim milk. AYURVEDA
INDIA An
International Herbal Treatment and Panchakarma Centre, Our
European Centre: AGN 2521
ZL; Thijsse straat 16;Denhaag;The Netherlands. Website:
www.agn-ayurveda.com
Email: info@agn-ayurveda.com
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their own and does not necessarily reflect the views of the editor or management
of this monthly. This monthly is meant only for information purpose and it is
not intended to replace the services of a health practitioner licensed in the
diagnosis or treatment of illness or disease. Any application of the material in
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concerns you are advised to consult with a duly licensed health practitioner We
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