Ayurvedic medicines, majority of them don’t cause any undesirable side-effects. Rare cases of side effects for Ayurvedic medicines can be attributed to improper methods of administration, poor timing, or dietary imbalance. Another reason can be manufacturing defects.

Ancient Ayurvedic scriptures like Charaka Samhita recommend the right methods of medicine administration, medicine combination, diet and controls on activities. They also give specific advice on manufacturing process, the desirable environment to prepare medicines, and hundred other factors that affect the quality of medicines.

The dos and don’ts of administration of medicines are clearly explained in Ayurvedic texts.

One don’t is not to take Ayurvedic medicine when taking allopathic medicine. Though there are several exceptions to this case, the first thing you can do is to avoid Ayurvedic medicine while undergoing allopathic treatment and vice versa.

Ayurvedic medicines of high power are advised to take only for pre-determined number of days, weeks or months. If overdone, the favorable medicines show its undesirable side.

Some medicines are to be taken in the morning, some at mid day and some at night. There are specific reasons for the directions. The usage directions of a medicine are determined by the type of action the medicine does with your metabolism at different times of the day.

Presence of lead and lead poisoning in certain Ayurvedic formulations like Yogiraj Guggul was an apple of discord between Ayurvedic practitioners and general public. Lead has toxic property when used as such. But it also has medicinal properties which have to be brought forth by specialty processing, which lasts for many hours over a few days. Any short cuts taken here can cost heavily.

Another significantly important factor to look for in Ayurvedic medicines are the changes in environmental factors. At the time when Ayurvedic scripts were written and the knowledge passed down to generations, there were no pesticides in the air, water or earth. There were no vehicle fumes or smoke from factories. There were no acid rains. Dust was not a major problem.

Ayurveda Acharyas, would have never imagined present state of development and changes in environment. The plants that grow in this changed environment can have the unnecessary elements of modern environment. This also can be a reason for side-effects.

Organic farming of herbs in unpolluted environment, sticking to the preparation methods of Ayurvedic medicines as described in ancient text and  proper administration of medicines ensure a no-side-effect Ayurvedic treatment.

Anemia is a Latin word which means without blood. Anemia according to clinical terms is the state in which the body has lesser amount of red blood cells than is required.

This inhibits the blood’s ability to transfer blood to the cells and leads to cellular suffocation called hypoxia. The reasons for anemia can be hemorrhage or blood-loss, excessive blood cell destruction or due to inadequate production of RBC in body.

In such cases the person has enough amounts of fluids, but lacks the oxygen carrying RBC.

Here are a few home remedies to effectively control and prevent anemia

Take a cup of beetroot juice and a cup of apple juice with honey or sugar. This speeds up RBC production.

Eat a ripe banana with two-tea spoon honey twice a day.

Eat Indian gooseberry or orange. These fruits help speed up iron absorption to body.

Drink a cup of tomato juice mixed with apple juice once in four hours.

Take honey. It has easily digestible and absorbable minerals, especially iron.

Take lot of seafood, liver, egg yolk, chick peas, green peas, broccoli, raisins and dates.

Don’t drink carbonated beverages, coffee, tea and cow’s milk. They prevent absorption of iron especially when a person suffers from anemia.

Give breast milk to infants to prevent anemia.

Narasimha Rasayana (narasimha rasayanam) is an Ayurvedic jam and dietary supplement beneficial in reversing aging, improving immune system and increasing libido.

Ashtangahridayam, one among the major ancient Ayurvedic treatise by Acharya Vagbhata describes the preparatory methods, actions and indication of narasimha rasayanam in detail.

The action of Narasimha rasayanam is mainly in improving immunity, improving physical strength. It acts as a body tonic, rejuvenative, increase sex drive, improves complexion and checks aging process.

The main indication for narasimha rasayana is premature graying or hair loss.

It is beneficial in treatment of all kinds of gynecological disorders and promotes fertility.

Ingredients of Narasimha Rasayana

Bhringaraja (false daisy – eclipta alba), Indian gooseberry (Embelica officinalis), Chebulic myrobalan, Beleric myrobalan, milk, ghee, satavari (asparagus rosemosus), etc are the main ingredients of narasimha rasayana.

Dosage of narasimha rasayanam

5-15 g daily before going to bed. Take water or milk immediately thereafter. Follow any specific instructions from your physician.

Good for both men and women, narasimha rasayana promotes steady physical health and promotes fertility and virility.

Narasimha rasayana is a general body tonic, but start taking it only with the advice of your Ayurveda physician.

Muslims from across the world stay ordained to the Quran and fast for the whole of Ramadan month. Fasting is a part of pleasing God, in almost all religions. Probably, the health benefits of fasting were known to our forefathers several centuries ago.

Though the primary aim of fasting by Muslims is to conform to religious norms, fasting brings in several health benefits too. While considering health benefits, there are also a few problems to consider and precautions to take while fasting.

Those who suffer from medical conditions like coronary artery disease, kidney stones, etc are exempt from fasting. The negative effects of total fasting include hypokalemia (drastic drop of blood potassium levels), cardiac arrhythmia (abnormal heart beat), etc. Ramadan fasting is not total fasting and believers take nutrients needed for the body, through the systematically planned early morning and evening food.

Lowering of blood sugar levels, cholesterol and blood pressure are the first notable physiological changes.

Diabetes patients need to take extra care while fasting. Hypoglycaemia, a condition characterised by abnormal drop of blood sugar levels can cause health problems. Diabetic patients should reduce intake of medicines or insulin injection during fasting. Monitoring of blood sugar levels is also desirable. Conditions like tiredness, sweating, headaches, unconsciousness, etc are the symptoms of abnormally low levels of blood sugar levels.

Hyperglycaemia- this is the reverse of hypoglycaemia, characterised by increase of blood sugar levels. This is mainly due to the medicines you take to sustain blood sugar levels. Increase in blood sugar levels can cause problems to kidney and eyes.

Problems of Acidity and Ulcer – bile can get filled up in stomach, which causes acidity and ulcer.

Healthy individuals have considerable health benefits from Ramadan fasting. It is an effective detoxification therapy. Toxins accumulated in the body break down and pass out of the body.

Fasting is ideal for both overweight and underweight persons. It is commonsense how fasting works to reduce weight. During fasting, deposited fat gets used and burns down and facilitates weight loss.

Fasting also normalizes the digestive system of underweight persons, and equips body to digest and assimilate nutrients from the food they eat.

Fasting can also clear many skin problems. This is because of the elimination of toxic materials from the body and generally cleansing the blood.

Fasting has advantages in getting rid of addictions and unhealthy habits like smoking and taking alcohol.

Ramadan fasting improves the health condition of healthy people. But for people who suffer from any medical condition should monitor their body and physiology more closely.

Pregnant and feeding women are exempted from fasting and they shall not attempt fasting, as it can deprive nutrition to both mother and child.