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.

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.

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.

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.

Ayurvedic method of living offers a solution to the problems of viral fever and almost all types of diseases.

Ayurveda attributes the reasons of spread of diseases to the pollution of air, water and land. Alongside treatments to such diseases, it is also required to purify the elements of nature. Clean the surroundings and plant trees like neem.

The treatment options for the disease vary considerably according to the stage of the disease.

The medicines
The following medicines are good for pacifying fever.

· Amritarishta
· Vilvadi gulika (tablets)
· Sudarsanam Gulika (tablets)

Pain and swellings at joints of limbs are other problems associated with the disease. The following treatments are beneficial.

· Take Punarnavasana internally &
· Warm the joints by pressing small warmed cloth bags bundled with thavidu (rice bran).

Preventive medicine to prevent fever and Chikungunya
The following medicines are beneficial in preventing attack of the diseases.

· Inthukantham Kashaya &
· Vilvadi Gulika

Both of them enhance body immunity.

Chikungunya is not a fatal disease, but post cure symptoms like pain at joints, mental depression, tiredness are pose serious problems.

Ayurveda suggests preventing disease causing conditions like impure air, water and land. Take the steps to keep the surroundings, air and water clean as the first step to prevent the spread of diseases of any kind.

A mutant variety of Aedes mosquitoes spread alphavirus, which is responsible for the disease. Carefully avoid mosquito bite. Use a mosquito screen net while sleeping.

Chikungunya has good treatments in Ayurveda and you can get them in any part of Kerala.

Find below natural food sources of various vitamins. Make sure to include variety of vegetables, fruits, nuts and grains in your daily diet.

Vitamin D is not produced by plants. Vegans don’t worry; vitamin D3 is produced in our body, with the help of sunlight. Plants produce vitamin D2.

Food sources for Vitamin A, Natural Sources of Vitamin A
Vitamin A, also called retinol is essential for good eyesight, bone health and for a healthy glowing skin. The food items that contain vitamin A are carrot, radish, pumpkin, broccoli, barley, turnip, apricot, wheat, maize, potato, peas, egg, chicken meat, linseed, mango, orange, sweet potato and cilantro.

Overcooking can lose Vitamin A.

Food sources for Vitamin B, Natural Sources of Vitamin B

Vitamin B complex has several vitamins

Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) –

Whole grains, soybeans, legumes, nuts, kidney and liver contain vitamin B1.

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) –

Vitamin B2 supplied by grains, broccoli, spinach, asparagus, milk and meat.

Vitamin B3 (Niacin) _

Spinach and green vegetables, potatoes, tomato, tuna, shrimp etc are sources of Niacin.

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) –

Whole grains, nuts, legumes, egg yolk, chicken and mutton are sources of vitamin B6.

Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) -

Vitamin B12 Kidney, liver, salmon, sardines, etc are main sources. Almost absent in plant sources.

Vitamin C

Indian gooseberry, orange, broccoli, cauliflower, pineapple, strawberries, fresh fruits and citrus fruits are natural sources of vitamin C. Vitamin C in Indian gooseberry is retained after cooking.

Vitamin D

Produced on human skin with help of sunlight, vitamin D is also present in egg yolk, fish and liver.
Vitamin E –

Green vegetables, soybean, sunflower seeds, wheat germ, shrimp and cod are good source of vitamin E.

Vitamin K – produced inside body, vitamin K is also found in green vegetables. Lettuce, cabbage, spinach, cauliflower and cereals are good source of vitamin K.

Sources of Minerals

Some minerals essential for body and their sources listed below. Body requires some minerals in very small quantities and some minerals in larger quantities.

Calcium
Essential for healthy bones, teeth and nervous system, calcium is found in milk and dairy products, cabbage, broccoli, salmon and seafood.

Fluoride
Helps in the formation of bones and teeth and resists tooth decay. Found in seafood.

Iron
Essential part of blood hemoglobin, iron is present in spinach, tomato, broccoli, green vegetables, parsley, shrimp, beef liver etc.

Iodine
A component of thyroid hormone, that regulates growth and development of an individual, iodine is found in sea salt and sea food. Milk and wheat also has iodine in very small quantities.

Phosphorus
Essential for the formation of cells and tissues, bones, teeth and essential element in maintaining optimum pH balance, phosphorus is found in grains, milk, egg, fish and meat.

Magnesium
Required for healthy bones, teeth, healthy nervous system and proper energy metabolism, magnesium is found in green vegetables, legumes, fish, poultry and meat products.

There is no point in depending on any single food item for any specific vitamin or mineral requirement. Include all the different types of fruits, grains and nuts in your daily food. Vegetarians include an extra amount of pulses and green peas to ensure optimum protein supply. Include all the different items in your daily menu. It ensures your body gets all essential nutrients in the right amounts.

Since Kerala (and India) is an agriculture society, the rain also forces people off fields and into their houses.

During this month, the climate is very damp, with lot of rains. People are prone to diseases of various kinds. In other words, human body becomes extremely sensitive to pathogens.

This period has long been identified as the period for preventive treatments and rejuvenation therapies. This is because, during this period human body will also be receptive to Ayurveda medicines.

The major therapies for Karkidaka month ( July 15th to August 15th)

Massages

Oil massages (abhayanga) of various kinds are performed during this season, according to the age of persons. These massages give physical strength of the body. The medicated oil also passes the medicinal content straight into the bloodstream. Massages are part of rejuvenation therapies.

Karkidaka Kanji (the rice porridge)

Karkidaka Kanji is basically rice porridge with medicinally valuable herbs added. Karkikada kanji kit is available for purchase from different Ayurveda centers.

Sukha-chikitsa (preventive therapy)

Sukham means healthy state and chikitsa is therapy or treatment. Sukhachikitsa is given to healthy persons, to prevent diseases from attacking. Massages (abhayanga) and specially prepared kanji (rice porridge) are part of sukhachikitsa.

Rejuvenation therapy

Ayurveda rejuvenation therapy is long process, lasting for many days, from 21 days up to 45 days. During rejuvenation therapy, the body is first cleaned off accumulated toxic materials (excess fat, chemicals, pathogens, etc). The accumulated body waste is called ama or body toxins.

The body is then strengthened with special medicines like Rasayanas and with medicated oil massages (abhayanga).

Rejuvenation therapy can also include full-scale panchakarma treatments. However, according to the age, physical and mental conditions, and other factors, the doctor may decide to omit one or more procedures of panchakarma treatment.

The month of Chingam (Leo) follows Karkidaka. Chingam is time of blooming, gaiety and general healthfulness. However, the month that precedes Chingam (karkidakam) is the month of diseases.

Special Ayurveda packages for preventive healthcare are available in different Ayurveda hospitals and recognized treatment centers in Kerala. Karkidaka kanji kit is also available at many Ayurveda centers across Kerala.

Other menstrual disorders are infrequent or irregular menstruation, polymenorrhea (menstruation in less than 21 days), oligomenorrhea (menstruation in more than 35 days), amernorrhea (absence of menstrual periods) and Menorrhagia (an abnormally heavy and prolonged period).

Primary dysmenorrhea is not the indication of any diseases or conditions, but secondary dysmenorrhea can be the symptoms of anything from pelvic inflammation to uterine displacement.

How to control menstrual pain naturally

Many studies have found vegetarian food can reduce menstrual pain. A good advice here will be to avoid red meat from at least a week before monthly periods. Teenage girls who didn’t take meat for two months experienced considerable reduction in pain.  Fish and sea food can be included in diet.

Include fresh fruits, vegetables, and grains and avoid junk food from your dietary habits.

Menstrual hygiene should be observed to keep the pains under control. DonÂ’t use perfumed pads or tampons and change them every four-six hours.

Douching is counter productive. There is no need for douching. It actually eliminates the anti-bacterial, anti-fungal present naturally in vaginal lubrication. Your daily bath and change of pads in four or six hours is enough hygiene. Also donÂ’t use heavy soaps to wash vagina. This also destroys the bacteria fighting capacity of vaginal fluids.

Stress is a cause of menstrual cramps. Practicing yoga and relaxing meditation will help control menstrual cramps.

Commonly called pre-menstrual syndrome or PMS is a group of disorders that attack just before the menstrual periods is a nightmare to many women. The exact reasons are not known.

The imbalances to body due to unsuitable food habits and daily routines can be the main reason for PMS. Avoid alcohol, cigarette smoking, excess sugar and junk food, red-meat products as first steps to control PMS.

There is also a psychological aspect for PMS. Normally anxious woman can feel tensed when the date of menstruation ensues. This cause the woman to feel the pain that really is not there. Yoga and relaxation techniques help such women.

Regular exercises can help a young woman feel less anxious about the days. Though there is no solid clinical evidence of exercise programs reducing menstrual cramps, it is still a good idea to follow a healthy exercise regimen. It regulates blood circulation and keeps you in good mood.

Take precautionary methods to control depression and anxiety. Identify the reasons of depression and anxiety as the first step to control them.

Regular menstruation is the sign of the ability of the woman to bear a child in her womb.

According to ancient Ayurvedic principle, the menstrual flow of a woman purifies her just like the water purifies a river. This is one reason women are not easily susceptible to many diseases.

As a first step to recover from the addiction, the person must identify he is slave to an addiction and should have a desire to recover from alcohol addiction, drug addiction or addiction to smoking. Over eating is also a behavioral problem that has far reaching consequences on one’s health.

One detrimental factor to free one from addictions is the withdrawal symptoms. The addicts feel they are punished for abandoning the use of drugs, alcohol or cigarette.

Ayurveda approaches this problem systematically and Ayurvedic system of cure from addictions is based on treating the cause instead of symptoms. The alcohol consumption or smoking is only a symptom. Underlying reasons can be stress or mental tension. The person tries to dissolve his worries in alcohol, but he or she ends up more worried and disheartened.

Ayurveda aims at removing the root cause of the addiction. Ayurveda aims at replacing the addictive behavior with some constructive behavior. For instance, smokers will be given herbal cigarettes, which satisfy their urge to smoke, but removes the toxins added to their body.

This herbal approach is supplemented with counseling, guided meditation, massage therapy, aromatherapy, etc which help in complete recovery of the addiction without withdrawal symptoms.

The inertia or the mental conditioning of the person to give up the habit is the first thing that needs attention.

Ayurveda also recommends personalized treatment programs based on the physical constitution of the person. Physical constitution, called DOSHA in Ayurvedic terms gives clues to effectiveness in recovery from any addictions.

Each type of persons have specific herbal formulations that help in removing toxic wastes accumulated to the body, strengthen internal tissues and easily recover the person from addiction.

The important factor is the mental preparedness of the person to accept he/she has some addictions and honest desire to recover. After getting the person in right mental condition, it is easy to recover from any life-threatening bad habits.

There are solid reasons for low libido in women. Sexual dysfunction or lack of libido or sex drive is due to low levels of hormone activity. This is true in both males and females.

Ayurveda attributes the main reason for lack of sex drive and/or physical weakness to the physical condition of body. Except in unlucky instances, the physical and hormonal state of a person is directly linked to his or her food habits and daily routines.

A person continuously taking fast food, over cooked food items, low nutrient food will tend to add on unwanted bulk, which is unhealthy. A person working continuously under stressful conditions also develops unhealthy symptoms and hormonal imbalances.

All the factors including food, work, mental condition and social atmosphere has an influence on the health of a person.

Lack of libido is direct result of physical or mental weaknesses. Physical weaknesses cause due to unhealthy food habits and routines, mental disturbances are caused by stress. Both of these factors lower the sex drive of a person.

Ayurvedic aphrodisiacs are developed mainly to avoid the physical weaknesses to give the body the perfect strength and condition to have the sexual drive and ability to fulfill his or her drive.

All Ayurvedic aphrodisiacs are aimed not only at increasing sex drive or giving higher levels of endurance, but also to give the physical body fitness for libido. Stable mind and body fitness are the keys to sexual drive or libido.

LetÂ’s take some cues from ancient Ayurveda scripts and list them as a few easy to digest capsules for better body fitness, increased libido and better enjoyment of sex life.

First of all eat healthy – you are feeding your body, not your tongue. You really know what is good for your body. Go for nutrient rich food.

Exercise – you know the importance of exercise in body fitness and better health. Remember once again body fitness is directly linked to sex drive or libido.

Bad habits to avoid
Smoking – smoking puts in harmful materials to your blood vessels and respiratory system, effectively blocking nutrients to the body and blocking the release of toxic wastes from body.

Drinking – moderate levels of drinking, especially when taking non vegetarian food is actually good for your body. But when you take it beyond beer, two glass of wine and a strong drink, the alcohol starts to behave like poison. Thus alcohol is hindrance to body fitness and libido.

External Chemicals – chemicals and hormones of insecticides and pesticides reaching our body with the fruits and vegetables add to body toxins.

Drugs – several drugs have effects and side-effects. The chemicals of the drug remains in your body for longer than you want. This negatively influence physical fitness and libido.

These are the signs to watch for – you now know what actions to take. Just keep in mind body fitness and libido sex drive are inseparable.