When agni or jathar-agni (digestive fire) is disturbed due to various reasons, it results in toxins called ama which subsequently leads to indigestion, constipation etc., which are the root cause of all the body disorders including Rheumatic fever.
Ayurvedic concept of Rheumatic fever can be explained as below.
Ama or toxins are the unmetabolised wastes that have a heavy and sticky quality and Vata is the functional principle of movement in the body. Ama (toxins) are being carried by vata into rasadhatu ( lymph). And the imbalanced agni (digestive fire) and pitta dosha irritates the blood thereby leading to a systematic inflammation and Rheumatic fever.
Ayurveda attributes the following factors to the disturbance of digestive fire/doshic imbalance which indirectly leads to Rheumatic fever.
1. Leading an improper lifestyle or consuming stale foods/cold foods/processed foods/fermented foods etc, which does not suit one's body constituition.
2. Taking a lot of spicy/ fatty foods/incompatible foods like milk and fruits, fish and milk.
3. Either doing over exercises or not doing any exercises at all.
4. Obesity/genetics/hormonal disorders/irregular eating and sleeping patterns.
5. Malnutrition that occurs due to nutrient deficiency.
6. Mental worries that prolongs for a long time.
Rheumatic fever is named as Amavata in Ayurvedic classicals and main symptoms are fever and joint swelling. Intermittent fever with joint pains manifests throughout the episode. Intially ama will be sedimented in big joints which will affects all joints in due course. Panchakarma means five therapeutic measures which are undergone for the purification of the body. The simple logic on which Ayurveda operates is that the body has to be purified before preparing it for treating it for the complex health problems.
The pre-purification measures of panchakarma are :
1.Snehana (abhyangam) - oil massage is done which helps the ama to move towards the gastro intestinal tract.
2. Swedana (sweating) - a process which liquefies the toxins and increases the movement of ama towards the gastro intestinal tract.
Next comes the main purification measures :
1. Vamana - It is a therapeutic vomiting which eliminates the kapha casuing the excess mucus.
2. Virechana - It is a purgation therapy. To treat the fever which is the result of the excess Pitta being secreted in the gall bladder, liver or small intestine.
3. Nasya - It is believed that nose is the doorway to our brain which in turn is the doorway to consiousness. In Nasya, the excess of bodily humors especially the ones that are found in throat area, are eliminated through administration of medication through the nose.
4. Basti - It is an enema therapy where the herbal concoctions of sesame iols and other herbal preparations in the form of liquid medium are introduced in to the rectum. Janubasti is also very effective in treating vata disorders which results in RA disorders.
Hence panchakarma treatment is found very effective in treating the rheumatic disorders and after undergoing it the person is then advised to lead a modified lifestyle, take proper diet and do yogic exercises that helps him in keeping himself at bay from RF disorders in future too.
Ayurveda advises light anti rheumatic diets, mild yogic exercises and medicines to improve the digestive fire. Ayurvedic panchkarma treatment to cleanse the body is also advised. Slow and steady progress will acheived by good ayurvedic treatment and a complete cure will be obtained in three years. A special type of Ayurvedic panchkarma treatment is practised in the state of Kerala in India which is very effective for Ama vata.
In Ayurveda, diarrhea is known as Atisara. Vitiation in any of the three doshas can cause atisara. However, the vitiation of vata dosha is particularly responsible as it brings more water to the intestine and lowers the digestive fire which causes diarrhea.
The vata type of diarrhea is characterized by abdominal cramping and gas in the abdomen. The stools contain more water and less fecal matter. The pitta type of diarrhea show yellowish stools which have an offensive odor. The kapha type of diarrhea is whitish in color with copious water and little mucus.
(1)Useful Herbs in the Treatment of Diarrhea
1.Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna)
The bark of the arjuna tree is useful in the treatment of diarrhea. The bark is taken as a decoction in dosages of 15 to 30 grams per day.
2.Babul (Acacia arabica)
The babul tree is very useful in preventing diarrhea. Each part of the babul tree is useful. Its leaves can be taken as a mixed dose with black cumin seeds, its bark can be taken as an infusion with water and even its gum can be taken as a syrup.
3.Bael (Aegle marmelos)
Bael is very effective for the treatment of diarrhea which is not accompanied by fever. The unripe or half-ripe fruit is eaten for best results.
4.Banyan (Ficus bengalensis)
The buds of the banyan trees are the beneficial parts. These must be soaked in water overnight and the infusion must be taken in the morning.
5.Belleric Myroblan (Terminalia belerica)
Known as bahera in Hindi, this is one of the ingredients of the extremely useful Triphala. The pulp of its fruit is taken to cure most stomach problems, including indigestion and diarrhea.
6.Bishop’s Weed (Trachyspermum ammi)
The oil extracted from the seeds of the Bishop’s weed is useful in the treatment of diarrhea. Just two to three drops of this oil per dosage is sufficient.
7.Black Nightshade (Solanum nigrum)
Black nightshade leaves are used in the treatment of diarrhea. The leaves are taken in the form of an infusion with the juice of other liquids.
8.Butea (Butea monosperma)
The butea tree yields a gum which is beneficial in the treatment of diarrhea. It is especially useful in women and children that are suffering from diarrhea.
9.Chebulic Myroblan (Terminalia chebula)
Known as harad in Hindi, it is the second ingredient of Triphala. The pulp of the unripe fruit of this plant is given along with honey for better results.
10.Dill (Anethum sowa)
The oil obtained from the dill is used for the treatment of diarrhea. Dill oil is so mild that it is also an ingredient used in the medicines for treating baby colic.
11.Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum)
Fenugreek seeds are useful in the treatment of digestive problems including diarrhea.
12.Indian Gooseberry (Emblica officinalis)
Known as amalaki in Hindi, this is the third ingredient in the preparation of Triphala. It is the richest source of vitamin C in the world.
(2)Dietary Treatments for Diarrhea
Fasting is the first step in the Ayurvedic treatment of diarrhea. At this time warm water should be drunk throughout the day. This helps to flush out the toxins in the bowels as much as possible.
(3)Ayurvedic Treatment for Diarrhea
Once the causative dosha is identified, the treatment is done according to type.
1.For vata type of diarrhea, the medicine of choice is Kutajarishta. It is taken in quantities of 15 ml thrice a day for fifteen days.
2.For pitta type of diarrhea, the medicine of choice is Bilwadi choorna. It is taken in a teaspoonful amount thrice a day for fifteen days.
3.For kapha type of diarrhea, two medicines are usually prescribed. One is the Gangadhara choorna, which is taken in 1 gram amount twice a day for fifteen days. The other is Jatiphaladi vati, which is taken in 250 milligrams amount twice a day for fifteen days.
(4)Home Medications
1.Mix equal parts of the babul tree with black cumin seeds. Take this in dosages of 12 grams thrice a day.
2.Prepare an infusion of cinnamon in water and boil it. This must be taken half an hour after meals. It takes care of almost all digestive problems and also relieves flatulence.
3.Mix some tender curry leaves with honey and take them early in the morning. If there is vomiting, then the bark of this tree must be taken.
4.Grind the seeds of the Indian plum (jamun) and mango into a fine powder. Take two teaspoonfuls of this powder mixture in a glass of buttermilk. This treatment gives quick results.
5.Boil raw bananas and peel them. Put some ghee in a vessel and put some pieces of cloves in them. Put the bananas in them. Then introduce curds, coriander, turmeric and salt. This will be a very tasty banana dish which has special effects on the treatment of diarrhea.
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Rajesh Nair has sinced written about articles on various topics from Acupuncture Chiropractor, Ayurveda and Alternative Medicine. Dr Rajesh Nair is the consultant of World's largest online Ayurvedic store . Check out his favourite. Rajesh Nair's top article generates over 9900 views. to your Favourites.
Tom Alter has sinced written about articles on various topics from Acne Treatment, Alcohol Treatment and Asthma. Read More on home remedy and herbal remedies for diarrhea by Ayurveda at Read more about Ayurveda at World's Largest Portal on. Tom Alter's top article generates over 135000 views. to your Favourites.