Author Archives: Dr. Vaidya Karanvir Singh

Ayurveda is an ancient science of healing it provides us various methods of rejuvenation. Apart from the medicines which are helpful in various diseases, Rasayana Chikitsa plays an important role for living a long and healthy life.

What is Rasayana?

“Labhopayo he Shastanam Rasadinam rasayanam”- 

Rasayana is made up to two words “Rasa” means “essence of digestion” and “Ayana” means “path”.

This Sanskrit Phrase describes Rasayana as the means by which one gets excellence of rasa (Nourishing fluid produced after Digestion of food) is known as Rasayana. This Rasa further nourishes our body and stimulate the immunity of the body to keep us healthy.

Rasayana is a technique of lengthening Lifespan and rejuvenating body by strengthening the Rasa Dhatu. Apart from this it also includes Psychic excellence like sharp memory and relief from mental fatigue by this therapy.

The basic aim of Rasayana Chikitsa is to achieve long and healthy life

• It boost up the Ojas (or Vital force of life) and the immune system of the person. Ojaswi is the term used for the individual who keep a good health in all the seasons and stages of life. 
• Function of Ojas- It give us an aura or bright look, Sharp memory, excellent performance in all the tasks and providing pleasure.
• It constitutes of drug, diet and regimens which delays ageing and preventing diseases thus promoting longevity.
• Obtain a rank in physical and mental fitness.
• It nourished the deep tissues, blood, adipose tissue, semen and other bodily fluids.
• Rasayana drugs may act as antioxidants, immune-modulator and anti-aging. 

Rasayana in different Decades of life-

Mode of Action of Rasayana Aushadhas

• Rasayana Aushadhas is used for preservation of positive health.
• Various Acharyas describe health as an Equilibrum of the three Humours or Doshas, normal functioning of agni and Dhatus beside the soul the mind and sense organs should be happy.
• Rasayana effect involve a complex phenomenon

It produces various effects like-

• Vayasthapana- Delays the Ageing Process
• Ayushkara- Provides Longevity
• Medhakara- Increses the intellectual power
• Urjaskara- Promotes and maintain healthy well being

Rasayana Aushadha or drugs acts at the level of Rasa i.e. it improves the specific nutritional values of Poshak Rasa.

According to different Properties of Rasayana drugs-

1. The drugs of rasayana which possess the following propewrties- Madhura(Sweet),  Guru(Heavy), Snigdha(unctuous), and  Sheeta (Cold)

• It promotes the nutritional value of the Rasa which in term helps in   obtaining the best qualities of Dhatus. 
• Some of the examples of such Ayurveda Rasayana drugs are Shatavari, Milk or Dugdha, Ghrita etc.
• These Aushadhas or drugs also have a fundamental effect at the level of Agni or digestion and metabolism.

2. The Rasayana Aushdhas and drugs possessing the Ushana(Hot potency), Laghu(Light), Ruksha(Dryness) Guna and Katu(Pungent),Tikta(Bitter), Kashaya(Astringent)

• It may be acting at the level of Agni, Vitalizing the organic metabolism leading to an improved structural and function pattern of Dhatus and thus production of the Rasayana effects.
• For Ex. – Pippali, Guggulu, Rasona etc. mainly acts at level of Agni so improves the digestion and create the excellence of Saptdhatu.
• The Rasayana Aushadhas or drugs like Vidanga, Chitraka, and Haritaki are experienced to enhance Agni at level of Jaathragni(digestive fire).
• Similar working of Rasayana aushadha is noticed in Amalaki, Guduchi or Giloy, Pippali etc.

3. Rasayana herbs are also the tools in Fighting COVID-19 as it possess immune-modulatory activity.

Rasayana Chikitsa or therapy is very helpful in Longevity of life; it can be correlated in terms of modern science as follows-

• It possesses an Antioxidant Action.
• Immunomudulator
• Haemopoetic effect
• Adaptogenic action
• Anti-ageing action or delays the ageing process
• Anabolic action
• Provide proper Nutrition
• Neuro-protective Action
• Rejuvenating body and mind

INTRODUCTION-

Nowdays back pain is a frequent complaint. Men & women both are equally affected with back pain. Back pain can range from a dull, constant ache to a sudden, sharp pain and is considered as the costly health problems and number one cause of job disability.  Ayurveda is a natural healing system. It is the world’s oldest holistic medicine. In Ayurveda science numerous back pain treatments are available.  

 CAUSES OF BACK PAIN

• Pelvic inflammatory disease 
• Stones in the urinary tract
• Inflammation in the urinary bladder
• Congenital spinal canal stenosis
• Tumor in the spine
• Spinal Tuberculosis 
• Muscle spasm and slipped disc
• Sprain, Strain and trauma etc.
• Spina bifida (an abnormal development of the spine)
• Lumbar spondylosis
• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Osteo-porosis

BACK PAIN SYMPTOMS-

Acute back pain suddenly appears and disappears. It can last as long as 3 to 4 months. Chronic back pain gradually develops and causes long- term health problems.

The most common back pain symptoms include-

• Difficulty during walking and lifting
• Increased discomfort after prolonged standing or sitting
• Trouble standing up straight
• Dull and aching pain located in your lower back
• Burning or stinging pain ranging from yourlower back to your thighs
• Muscle spasms along your back,hips and pelvis.

 TREATMENT APPROACH FOR BACK PAIN-.

As per Ayurveda, space (Akash), air (Vayu), fire (Agni), water (Jala) and earth (prithvi) from the three energies, or doshas, that controls our bodies. Health issue occurs due to imbalance of our doshas.

Ayurveda treatments include herbal drugs and topical applications. You can also receive an Ayurveda oil massage (Abhayanga) or a medicated enema (Basti), kati basti and parisheka to correct your back pain.

PANCHAKARMA DETOX-

• Panchkarma detoxes and rejuvenates the body.  It works to restore your immune systems, balance and overall well-being.
• Panchkarma therapies detox cleanses the body of toxic materials caused by your environment bad nutrition and diseases.
• Our bodies normally can remove waste marerials. But after long term poor lifestyle habits or genetic predispositions, internal homeostasis is interrupted.
• This allows toxins to spread throughtout the body and cause discomfort.
• Panchkarma treatments detox corrects your body’s imbalances.
• It eliminates toxins through your colon, sweat glands, lungs, bladder and intestines.
• A successful detox reduces pain and discomfort throughtout your body.

ABHYANGA /MASSAGE –  

• A full body massage done with herbal Ayurvedic oils. 
• It relieves pains and aches in the back by lubricating the same, improves blood circulation and channelizes nerve ending.
• Massage/ abhyanga therapy for your spine and back muscles to relieve back pain and stiffness.
• Massage improves blood circulation, which aids in recovery of muscle soreness from physical activity. 
• Abhyanga relaxes back muscles for an improved range of motion.

ABHYANGA WITH POTTALI SWEDA –

• A treatment which comprises fomentation done using medicated herbs/powders; effective in lower back pain & other musculoskeletal conditions.  
• In this procedure uses powders, herbs, rice, sand tied in a muslin cloth to make small satchels.
• These powders, herbs, rice or sand sacks are then heated and lightly pounded over the body or specific parts of the body as needed.
• This massage provides dry heat for aggravated Vata and vata kapha conditions.
• This helps to pacify the aggravated vata thus relieving the associated pain immediately.

ABHYANGA PARISHEKA –

• parisheka is the squeezing of warm medicated oil onto the body of the patient from a piece of cloth that is periodically soaked in a vessel containing the medicated oil.
• This therapy is done after a traditional massage.
• It helps improve muscle tone and strengthens them thereby providing the much needed support.
• Abhyanga parisheka rejuvenates the tissue good for inflammatory pains.
• Parisheka literally means squeezing.

KATI BASTI –

• In Kati Basti specially prepared warm herbaliazed oil is poured over the lower back and retained inside a well created using black gram flour or whole wheat flour. 
• It is helpful in lower back pain conditions like lumbar spondylosis, inter-vertebral disc prolepses, lumbago (low back ache), and sciatica.

BASTI/ MEDICATED ENEMA-

Vata doshas is responsible for 50% of our body’s diseases. A medicated enema, also known as basti balances vata dosha.

It works your colon because your colon is what balances you vata.

Sneha Basti 

Sneha Basti involves enema using medicated oil. 

It is used to treat lower backache, gout and rheumatism.

Kashaya Basti 

Kashaya Basti involves enema using medicated decoction. 

It is used to treat lower backache, gout and rheumatism.
Get effective and safe Ayurvedic Treatment for back pain.

CHANDIGARH AYURVED & PANCHKARMA CENTRE’S BACK PAIN TREATMENT-

• CAC prepare their own ayurvedic medicinal preparations created with the help of the experience and knowledge that they had got from their ancestors.
• Our experience of over 85 years makes us the best at offering the services required to effectively heal.
• Effective treatment avoiding the need of surgery.
• A long tradition of effective healing for over 131 years.
• Safety for long term use.
• Better clinical outcomes.
• Renewed confidence in life.
• The treatment is natural and holistic.

INTRODUCTION TO SWEDANA-

WHAT IS SWEDAN?

• Swedana is an Ayurvedic treatment which means to “perspire”. It is also known as “Steam therapy”. 
• The word Sweda is derived from Sanskrit word- swid, meaning ‘to sweat or to perspire’. 
• It is a body heating procedure which opens up the pores of the body and eliminates the toxins from the body. 
• Snehan and swedana are the pre-procedures of Panchakarma. 

WHAT IS PPS? 

• “Patra” means “leaves”; “Pind” means “Bolus”; and “Sweda” means “Sweat” or it is a sweat inducing Therapy.
• Patra Pinda Pottali Sweda or PPS is a type of Shankar Sweda or Pinda Sweda in which fresh leaves of medicinal plants are collected and cutted into pieces on addition with other drugs they are roasted in a pan with the help of oil and a bolus is prepared from it. 
• After that it is tied in a piece of cloth and a medicated pottali is prepared.

In this type of Sweda the following leaves are used- 

• Eranda leaves(Ricinus cumunis)
• Chincha Leaves(Tamarind)
•  Rasna(Pluchea lanceolata)
• Arka (Calatropis gigantea)
• Nirgundi (Vitex nigundu)
• Shigru ( Moringa oleifera)

Other ingredients – Lemon, Coconut grating, Saindhava Lavana, Methi dana powder, Rasnadi churna etc.

The property of the leaves is ushna virya (or hot in potency) and along with lemon which is having amla, ushna(hot) properties which helps in reducing the pain, inflammation and stiffness associated with the joint. 

• Other ingredients – lemon, coconut grating, Saindhava Lavana, Methi dana powder, Rasnadi churna etc.

It pacifies the imbalanced doshas i.e. Vata and kapha which are the main cause of the Joint disorders.

INDICATIONS- 

• Sandhi gata vata or Osteoarthritis 
• Aamavata or Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Chronic back pain 
• Mamsagata Vata or Musculoskeletal disorder
• Cervical Spondylitis
• Lumbar spondylitis
• Anti- Ageing
• Arthritis
• Gridhrasi or Sciatica
• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Swelling and Stiffness of the joints
• Body ache
• Stress
• Frozen shoulder

DURATION- 7 to 21 Days depending upon the severity of the disease.

Panchakarma Procedure-

Poorva karma (Pre-treatment procedures)

In this preparation of the required items is done or It includes the Preparation of the patient for the main procedure-

• Firstly the pottali’s are prepared with the above mentioned fresh leaves.
• Medicated Oil is suggested as per the disease by the MD Panchakarma expert doctor.
• Proper sanitization of the room and bed is done.

Procedure or Pradhana karma-

• Maintain the heating apparatus at a constant temperature.
• The herbal pottali is frequently dipped in the warm oil while rubbing the body with mild pressure.
• The Swedana or fomentation given in Patra Pinda Sweda therapy is carried out in 7 postures like that of Abhyanga or body massage so as to provide proper fomentation to all the parts of the body.
• A uniform temperature of the Potalli is maintained throughout the procedure by dipping it in the heated mixture of medicated decoction or oil.

Post-procedure

• After the Potalli massage there is induction of the sweat and the process is completed.
• They are advised to take rest for an hour and after that bath with warm water. 
• After the procedure intake of Light diet is advised.

HOW IT IS USEFUL IN JOINT DISORDERS?

• It provides amazing effects to in management of joint disorders.
• It helps in increasing the blood circulation to the affected area, pacifies the Doshas and provide strengthen to the muscles in the area.
• It reduces the stiffness of the joints and swelling associated with the joints.
• It helps in release of harmful toxins out of the body and thus reduces inflammation.
• It also helps to tone muscles and improve the working of tissues within the body.
• It also enhances the Glow and tone of the body.

BENEFITS of PPS-

• Prevents and delays the degeneration of joints and muscle disorders
• It helps in Elimination of the toxins from the body
• It induces good sleep and relieves stress
• It improves Range of motion (ROM) of the joints. 
• Improves the glow and complexion of the skin
• It helps in strengthening the muscles, bones, nerves, and tissues
• Improves the circulation of the blood.
• Helps in reducing the pain, stiffness, and inflammation. It pacifies the vata dosha.
• It is beneficial in neuralgic pain as it soothes the nerves in case of nerve disorders
• It provides good effects in case of Paralysis patients as it improves the sensory and motor functions.

Contraindications-

The Patra Pinda pottali sweda should be avoided in case of-

• Skin Allergies
• Sensitive skin 
• Acute inflammation
• Pregnant women 
• Diabetes
• Cardiac problems
• Hemorrhagic disorders
• Indigestion
• Fractures
• Acute illness
• Extreme fatigue
• Dizziness

NOTE- This Therapy should be done after consultation with a skilled Ayurveda Physician.