Looking for ayurvedic treatment for myasthenia gravis disease.

Looking for ayurvedic treatment for myasthenia gravis disease. Read more

What is AyurCold?

According to Ayurveda, you will suffer from cold and flu more frequently and over prolonged periods when your bronchial tubes are impeded by waste matters or Kapha. AyurCold acts on Kapha and removes the causes of weakened immune response from the body. By promoting the metabolism of triterpenes to molecules similar to adrenal cortex hormones which reduce inflammation along with naturally occuring Solasodine and curcuminoids, AyurCold eases congestion and soothes the respiratory tract. Read more

Healing with Oils

by Santosh Sachdeva

Five weeks in an Ayurvedic center in Coimbatore made the author healthier, fitter, and positively glowing.

Living in polluted Mumbai, 'ayurveda' and 'oils' sounded somewhat exotic to me. That is till my niece Shonali - having suffered a bad back for years - had a severe attack that left her bedridden for almost two weeks and informed us that she was leaving for an ayurvedic healing center somewhere in south India. She came back after five weeks, her back restored to health, her skin and complexion glowing and radiating youthful, good health. Continue Reading >>

Youtharia - Formula for Longevity based on Ayurveda

Youtharia - Formula for Longevity based on Ayurveda: Try a Proprietary Formula for Longevity based on Ayurveda - the Oldest and Most Holistic, Comprehensive Medical System Available.If you want to enjoy healthy longevity and eliminate chest discomfort, shortness of breath, urinary incontinence, glandular inflammation, hormonal imbalances, aches and pains, fatigue, and recurring ailments, there is proven help available. India's men and women have been reaping the powerful benefits of Ayurveda Medicine for the past 5,000 years! Read more about Youtharia - Formula for Longevity based on Ayurveda .

Ayurveda and its classifications

Ayurveda (which is in other words termed as the “Science of Life”), the most ancient medical system in India is considered as a holistic science which heals the ailments of body and mind and pertains to health and longevity. Ayurveda has been strongly influenced by theoretical views.
Ayurveda believes that there exist a strong connection between […]

Ayurveda in India

Ayurveda, no doubt is the most ancient form of medicine. The origin of Ayurveda was about more than 5000 years ago during vedic times. Ayurveda is also known as “science of life” (because Ayur stands for life and veda means knowledge or science). Apart from being a medicinal system, Ayurveda is also a philosophy. Ayurveda […]

Drumstick and Red Pumpkin Gravy with Raw Mangoes

Ayurveda says that drumstick possesses curative value against as many as 300 diseases. Its leaves are rich in Vitamins A and C and prevent cataract.Drumstick seeds can purify water: 1 litre of contaminated water can be purified by just 150 mg of ground drumstick seeds. The gum from a drumstick tree, mixed with sesame oil, […]

Ayurveda is "The mother of all healing arts" on our planet, because it predates all healing systems and all forms of natural medicine. It was develope

Ayurveda is "The mother of all healing arts" on our planet, because it predates all healing systems and all forms of natural medicine. It was developed in India some 5,000 to 10,000 years ago.

Knowledge of Ayurveda has been recorded in two of the vedic texts: the Atharva veda, and the Rig veda, which are more than 5,000 years old. It was many years later that other cultures studied Ayurveda and created their own healing systems, i.e. China, Tibet, Egypt, Africa, and other regions.

Ayurveda specializes in holistic natural remedies and prevention, and focuses on rebuilding the cells and tissues to support longevity. Hence its tools for healing are herbs, yoga exercise, healthy diet and lifestyle, Vedic massages, meditation, use of mantras, steam therapy and sauna, aromatherapy, use of gems, colors, etc.

More information about the Ayurveda Concept

Youtharia

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India's men and women have been reaping the powerful benefits of Ayurveda Medicine for the past 5,000 years! Youtharia is a natural supplement geared towards rejuvenating your entire biological system, impeding the aging process, and promoting longevity.

It will: Enhance Your Cardiac Output. Increase Your Energy and Stamina. Strengthen Your Immune System. Restore Your Sleep Physiology. Improve Your Appearance.

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Put Safety First During Winter Fun

(HealthDay News) -- Winter sports provide kids with great exercise and fun, but proper safety measures are needed to prevent injuries, say pediatric trauma experts.

"We see a startling number of injuries among children, from sledding accidents to snowmobile crashes and beyond," Amy Teddy, manager of the pediatric injury prevention program at the University of Michigan's C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, said in a prepared statement. "That's why it's so important for parents to make sure their children have taken the proper safety precautions before heading out into the snow."

Teddy and Cindy Wegryn, pediatric trauma coordinator at Mott, offer the following winter sports safety tips:

• Children should wear a helmet when they're snowboarding, sledding, snowmobiling and skiing.
• Dress to keep warm and safe. Wear layers of clothing and top it off with coats that are wind- and water-resistant. When snowmobiling, make sure that scarves and any loose fabrics are tucked in.
• Parents should always supervise young children and keep them in sight. Older children should always have at least one companion.
• Don't play on ice, which poses a serious fall risk. When skating, use ice only in areas designated for skating, and check for cracks and debris on the ice.
• When skiing, snowboarding or sledding, always make sure the path is clear of people and other obstacles.
• Only take part in winter sports in areas well-lit by sunlight or artificial light.
• No matter what the winter activity, always think about safety. For example, never pull your child in a sled behind a snowmobile or other motorized vehicle.

More information
The American Academy of Pediatrics offers more winter safety tips.

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Genes Yield More Clues to Schizophrenia

(HealthDay News) -- A U.S. team has spotted nine genetic markers that can increase a person's risk for schizophrenia.

They've also found evidence that the condition can be inherited in what geneticists call a "recessive" manner -- inherited from both parents.

"If a person inherits identical copies of these markers from each parent, his or her risk for schizophrenia increases substantially," lead author Todd Lencz, director of research at the Zucker Hillside Hospital campus of the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research in Glen Oaks, N.Y., explained in a prepared statement.

The study was published this week in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

"If these results are confirmed, they could open up new avenues for research in schizophrenia and severe mental illness" study senior investigator Dr. Anil Malhotra, director of psychiatric research at Zucker Hillside, said in a prepared statement.

For this study, the researchers developed a unique mathematical method to simultaneously examine genetic information that a person has inherited from both parents, identifying identical pieces of chromosomes.

The scientists tested genetic material from 178 people with schizophrenia and a control group of 144 people without the condition. They identified nine regions along the chromosomes that may play a major role in triggering schizophrenia when two identical variants are inherited from parents.

Four of these regions contain genes previously linked to schizophrenia. The five other regions are new. Many of the genes in these regions play a role in the structure and survival of neurons.

The researchers found that 81 percent of schizophrenia patients in the study had at least one of the recessive markers, compared to 45 percent of those in the control group. Almost half the schizophrenia patients had two or more recessive markers, compared to 11 percent of those in the control group.

More information
Mental Health America has more about schizophrenia.

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Cancer Patients Gain From Reporting Symptoms Online

(HealthDay News) -- Having cancer patients report to doctors on their symptoms and side effects online may improve their care, a new study finds.

Even the sickest cancer patients are willing and capable of reporting their symptoms online, says a team from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.

"Cancer care has become increasingly complex, causing office visits to become more compressed. This makes it challenging for the clinician to comprehensively assess each patient's symptoms in that brief window of time," study author Dr. Ethan Basch, a medical oncologist, said in a prepared statement.

"Because cancer therapies can be highly toxic, early detection of symptoms and timely treatment is vital. What is exciting to us about online self-reporting is that patients can alert clinicians to crucial symptoms in real time," Basch said.

The study included 107 lung cancer patients receiving outpatient chemotherapy who had access to a secure Internet patient reporting system developed by Basch and his colleagues. The patients were able to access the Symptom Tracking and Reporting (STAR) site using computers in waiting room kiosks and at home to report cancer symptoms and chemotherapy-related side effects.

The patients were followed for up to 16 months and 40 visits. All of the patients used the waiting room kiosks at some or all of their office visits, and an average of 78 percent logged onto the system at any given office visit. Patients were more likely to use STAR if they had prior computer experience.

The study found that 98 percent of patients found STAR easy to use, 90 percent said it was useful, and 77 percent believed it improved the quality of their discussions with clinicians.
The study appears in the Dec. 1 issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

More information
The U.S. National Cancer Institute has more about coping with cancer.

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Health Tip: Bringing Baby Home

(HealthDay News) - Bringing your newborn home from the hospital is a joyous event, but it can also be frightening for first-time parents.

Here are suggestions to help make the transition from hospital to home easier, courtesy of the Nemours Foundation:

• Dress your baby in clothing that's comfortable, appropriate for the weather, and easy to put on.
• Use your child's infant car seat for the ride home, and make sure it's properly installed.
  It's OK to feel a range of emotions, from happy to scared to overwhelmed. Don't be shy about asking family and friends to help.
• Take time to introduce the baby to his or her new family, including siblings, friends, relatives and pets.
• Don't be afraid to call your doctor if you are concerned or have questions.

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PMS Lite

Try a Proprietary Formula for PMS Relief based on Ayurveda - the Oldest and Most Holistic, Comprehensive Medical System Available. If you suffer from abdominal cramps, pelvic pain, back discomfort, and mood swings caused by Premenstrual Syndrome and menstruation, there is proven help available.

India's women have been reaping the powerful benefits of Ayurveda Medicine for the past 5,000 years! PMS Lite is a natural supplement geared towards towards controlling cramps, discomfort, and pain caused by PMS and periods by strengthening your urogenital and reproductive systems.

It will: Regulate Your Menstrual Cycle. Stimulate Your Uterine Musculature. Improve Uterine Blood Circulation. Reduce Pelvic Inflammation. Relieve Cramps and Pain. Fortify Your Urogenital System.

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Ayurtox

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If you want to enjoy optimal health and eliminate fatigue, loss of energy, depressed appetite, allergies, muscle cramps, digestion problems, frequent headaches, and poor general health, there is proven help available. India's men and women have been reaping the powerful benefits of Ayurveda Medicine for the past 5,000 years!

Ayurtox is a natural supplement geared towards detoxifying your body and enriching your overall health. It will:
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Ayurtox is a product of: 5000 years of Ayurvedic wisdom. Modern testing and research. Breakthrough encapsulation technique. Laboratory-controlled potency. Doctor-approved, carefully calibrated formula.
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Reduces Generalized Anxiety

Researchers at the University of California at San Diego (UCSD) conducted a randomized, controlled pilot study to measure the effects of Worry Free on ten patients who suffered from Generalized Anxiety Disorder, a condition that affects 25% of the population.

The treatment period was three months. One group took two tablets of Worry Free twice a day, while the other group took a placebo. At post-testing, after three months of taking Worry Free, 80% of the Worry Free group no longer exhibited Generalized Anxiety Disorder, exhibiting a two-fold greater decrease in the Hamilton Anxiety Scale than the placebo subjects.

What is the Ayurvedic explanation for this dramatic drop in generalized anxiety?

In ayurveda, mental abilities are divided into three categories. They are dhi (acquisition) dhriti (retention) and smriti (recall). Worry Free helped patients with Generalized Anxiety Disorder because it contains a special group of herbs such as Herpestis Monniera, Aloeweed, and Heart-leaved Moonseed, which have an enhancing effect on dhi, dhriti and smriti.

These special herbs are called medhya herbs in the traditional texts, and are known to not only nurture the three areas of the mind individually, but also to nurture coordination among them.
Muskroot (Jatamansi) and Greater Galangal are additional herbs that clear the channels. These keep the gaps between dhi, dhriti and smriti free of toxins and blockages. In the Vedic understanding, the gap, or union, is where all intelligence resides." Thus these herbs keep the coordination between acquisition, retention, and recall working well.

"So if people who take Worry Free are confronted with a stressful situation, they have the tools to make it a positive, rather than a negative experience. They can recall related experiences from the past to help them deal with the present problem, and they tend to learn from each new one," says an ayurvedic expert from The Council of Maharishi Ayurveda Physicians, "They can do this without disturbing their mind, without feeling anxious."

One additional herb in the formula also has a key effect. Winter Cherry (Ashwagandha) enhances the mind's overall ability to fight stress. Because it helps overall mental functioning, not targeting just one area of the mind, people find that they can think more clearly and can solve their problems without incurring stress. They avoid being damaged by stress in the first place."

Bacopa: A Better Memory Booster?

Bacopa: A Better Memory Booster?

Q: What you can tell me about bacopa? I first read about it as a treatment for memory problems. Do you know anything about its effectiveness in treating memory problems or what the recommended dosage should be?

A: Bacopa (Bacopa monnieri) is an herb native to India that has been used traditionally in Ayurvedic medicine to enhance memory, learning and concentration and also to treat anxiety, heart problems, digestive disorders, asthma, and bronchitis. Most of the research on bacopa has been in animals, but a few small studies on humans have also been done.

The single study I've been able to find on bacopa's effect on memory was a small, double-blind, placebo-controlled 12-week trial conducted in Australia with 46 volunteers between the ages of 18 and 60, divided into two groups.

The volunteers in one group were given 300 milligrams of bacopa daily, and the others received a placebo. Prior to the study, the researchers tested all the volunteers to assess their verbal learning abilities, memory and speed of information processing. The tests were repeated five and 12 weeks after the study began. The researchers noted a significant improvement among the volunteers in the bacopa group compared to those in the placebo group.

A review article of some 38 scientific studies of bacopa was published in the March, 2004, issue of the journal Alternative Medicine Review, and noted two small studies that demonstrated an improvement in cognitive function in children as a result of taking bacopa. A single small-scale human study also found a decrease in anxiety symptoms among patients treated with bacopa.
Bacopa is now being widely promoted as a treatment for memory problems, but I would recommend more proven protective strategies.

Keep your mind active by reading newspapers and books, doing crossword puzzles, playing musical instruments, participating in ongoing education, and learning a new language. As far as supplements to enhance memory are concerned, the ones listed below have been studied more thoroughly than bacopa:
Ginkgo biloba. This well-studied botanical remedy increases blood flow to the head, has a reputation as a memory-enhancing agent and may slow the progression of dementia in early onset Alzheimer's disease. You probably won't notice any effects for six to eight weeks. (Look for products standardized to 24 percent ginkgo flavone glycosides and 6 percent terpene lactones; the dose is 60 to 120 milligrams twice a day with food.) Ginkgo has low toxicity, although it may cause mild stomach irritation.

Acetyl-L-carnitine (also called ALC or ALCAR) is an amino acid derivative. Human clinical studies of this compound are currently underway, and the early evidence from animal trials is encouraging. Many people take ALC as a cognitive enhancer.

The dose is 500-1,000 milligrams twice a day on an empty stomach. It is nontoxic, but this is an expensive regimen.

Phosphatidyl serine, or PS. A naturally occurring lipid that is a component of cell membranes, PS is considered a brain-cell nutrient. Human studies have reported positive effects on memory and concentration; PS may improve cognitive function in normal adults and may help reverse age-related cognitive decline.

The supplement form, derived from soybeans, is readily available, but fairly expensive. The starting dose is 100 milligrams two or three times a day; if this produces positive benefits after a month or more, it may be possible to go on a lower maintenance dose. It is nontoxic.

Andrew Weil, M.D.–Author of:
Eight Weeks to Optimum Health
Spontaneous Healing
The Natural Mind
The Marriage of the Sun and Moon
Health and Healing
Natural Health, Natural Medicine
From Chocolate to Morphine (with Winifred Rosen)

Ayurveda gaining popularity as form of alternative healing in Nepal

KATHMANDU, Nepal : Ayurveda is a form of alternative healing and nowhere is it more widely practised than in the Himalayan kingdom of Nepal.

The Naradevi Ayurveda Campus, the constituent campus of the Institute of Medicine in Kathmandu, is the only university that provides a Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) degree.The institution runs graduate courses, with 15 admissions per year.

One student said, "In my Ayurvedic studies, I get an integrated approach towards understanding modern medicine along with the traditional."With a history of around 88 years, Naradevi Ayurveda Hospital is located in the central part of the town.Among the 300 patients that they examine everyday at the hospital, over 75 percent come for the treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.Statistics show that the hospital treated over 50,000 patients last year.Apart from the government-owned Naradevi Ayurveda Hospital, there are a number of private Ayurveda centres in the capital.

The prospects in the Ayurveda industry depends heavily upon the awareness of the potential of Ayurvedic medicine within the country and internationally.While it may take some time before Ayurveda is recognised as a more acceptable form of alternative healing, Nepal is striving to make its mark on the global arena.Over 2,100 medicinal herbs are indigenous to Nepal.Such plants bring out an immense potential for the production of Ayurvedic medicines.

The first-ever traditional pharmaceutical company of the country, Vaidyakhana, has a 350-year-old history.Vaidyakhana produces Ayurvedic paste, oils and tablets in huge amounts.Although Vaidyakhana has expanded its modern equipment, the company still prefers traditional preparation methods when it comes to boiling.
Channel NewsAsia, Singapore
July 18, 2004 Rumee Singh
www.channelnewsasia.com

Ayurveda:Exploring an alternative medicine

San Mateo County Times, USA
Apr. 3, 2004 Malaika Fraley
http://www.sanmateocountytimes.com/

FOSTER CITY -- When conventional Western medicine isn't working, a Foster City doctor says, more and more people are turning to Ayurveda -- an ancient Indian healing science that treats health problems through diet, exercise and herbs."In conventional medicine, we focus more on the physical body and in Ayurveda -- it means the wisdom about healthy living -- we much more focus on the body, mind and spirit," says Dr. Jay Apte, who runs a Ayurvedic clinic in Foster City. "We always believe that our mind has more control over our physical body."We focus on prevention rather than treating disease, mainly through diet and lifestyle, meditation, exercise and taking natural herbs," she adds.

Apte, who received an integrated degree in Ayurvedic and Allopathic medicine in India and a master's degree in Pharmacology from the University of North Texas, said most of her patients have health problems such as weight gain, menopausal problems, stress, allergies and poor digestion. About 80 percent are women.It's "usually after they try everything and nothing works" that they come to Ayurveda, Apte says.Apte is also the director of Ayurveda Institute of America, a weekend program offering a certificate in Ayurvedic science in Foster City, Los Angeles, Houston and Hawaii.Many of her students are already in health-related fields: massage therapists, nutritionists, yoga instructors, chiropractors and sometime medical doctors and nurses who want to incorporate Ayurvedic methods into their practices."It's always been popular in India, but Ayurveda is also becoming popular here as a contemporary alternative medicine," Apte says. "It's a 5,000-year-old science, the mother of all health science, but some people are just learning about it."What's old is new again."Alternative to HRT Redwood Shores resident Kathie Smith says she first tried Ayurveda three years ago to help a digestive problem.She started doing it again two months ago for menopausal symptoms that included intense hot flashes. Having eight to 10 hot flashes a day was interrupting her work and sleep, and she wanted to avoid hormone replacement therapy."HRT is too risky and I couldn't take it any more," Smith says. "It's (Ayurveda) taking a little time but I've noticed the frequency and intensity of the hot flashes has decreased, the fatigue is less, and the mood swings seem to be gone."Western perspective Dr. Elliot Shubin of San Mateo says that although he is unfamiliar with Ayurveda, generally people should be careful when taking herbal medicines, which are classified as dietary supplements and therefore not monitored by the Food and Drug Administration.The main reason, he says, is that there are so many herbal medicines out there, the FDA simply doesn't have the manpower."I tell them (patients) some things are good, some are untested and some potentially harmful," he says. "It's difficult to recommend something that hasn't been tested."See Apte and the Ayurveda Institute of America online at http://http://www.ayurvedainstitute.com

Get the Lead Out?

Get the Lead Out?
Provided by: DrWeil.com

Q: My two-year-old grandson has lead poisoning from living in old Army Base housing. His lead levels have come down, but slowly. What kind of herbs or any other natural means can hasten the process? -- Dorothy A: Lead poisoning is a serious child health issue - nearly 900,000 American youngsters between ages one and five have elevated blood levels of this heavy metal.

Lead in the body can cause mental retardation, and even low levels can slow a young child's development and lead to learning and behavior problems.

While affected children may have no obvious signs of poisoning, some may complain of one or more of these symptoms: headaches, muscle and joint weakness or pain, fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting, and constipation. Affected children may be irritable or have behavioral problems; they may also have trouble concentrating, lose their appetite, or report a metallic taste in the mouth.

Exposure to lead often comes from paint applied prior to 1977 and from the soil (which picks up lead from gasoline and from the lead in houses that had been painted with lead-based paint).

Lead can get into drinking water from metals used in plumbing materials; more recently, it has been found in some imported plastic mini-blinds and vertical blinds as well as old toys, some imported toys, lead-glazed or lead-painted pottery, leaded crystal, and some ink and plaster.

The most important treatment is to end the child's exposure to lead - either get the lead out of the child's environment or remove the child from the place where he or she is exposed to lead. If you decide to remove lead paint, make sure to engage a professional trained to do the job safely; keep young children and pregnant women away from the house while the work is being done.

You also can ensure that a child's diet is protective:
Make sure kids get four to six small meals per day (it is easier to absorb lead on an empty stomach).

Give children plenty of iron-rich foods (normal levels of iron protect against the harmful effects of lead). Iron-rich foods include red meats, fish, and chicken, iron-fortified cereals, raisins, prunes, and other dried fruits.

Make sure kids get calcium-rich foods (calcium reduces lead absorption). Foods high in calcium include milk, yogurt, cheese, spinach, kale, collard greens, and other green leafy vegetables.

I don't know of any herbs or natural treatments that remove lead from the body. The conventional medical treatment is by chelation and involves use of a drug (given by injection or taken orally) that bonds with lead so that it forms a compound that can be excreted in the urine.

Chelation may be recommended for children whose blood levels of lead are 45 micrograms per deciliter or higher (in the U.S. lead poisoning is formally defined as having at least 10 micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood).

Andrew Weil, MD

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