LUMBAGO

LUMBAGO

Lumbago is the pain caused by a severe and prolonged spasm of the muscles in the lower back region of the body. It is usually caused by a fibrosis’s. It is always accompanied by muscle tenderness and pain either in the centre or the back or on one side. The onset of this disease is often very sudden and acute. Sprain or chronic constipation precipitates this disease. It usually occurs in old age and is more common in males than in females.

Prasarani is the drug for the treatment of this condition. It is used both externally and internally. The juice of this plant is boiled with gingerly oil by following a specific pharmaceutical process and this oil, when warm, is used for massage over the afflicted part, 2-3 times a day. The juice of this plant is given to drink in a dose of 125 ml three times a day.

The leaves of this plant produce a peculiar foetid –odour but when crushed with a pestle and mortar, the foetid odour disappears. A spoonful of honey and 1/4^th teaspoonful of black pepper powder may be added to this dose so as to make it palatable. For relieving constipation, the patient should be regularly given same purgative tablets in a suitable dose early in the morning.

Prasarani should be taken for about a month. Even after the pain is subsided, there is every possibility that this may recur.

After taking food, the patient should be advised to lie down. He should not sit for 15 minutes. Sedentary habit is harmful for such patients. Some physical exercises which involve the movement of the muscles in the back and pelvic region are good for the patients. Morning walk is helpful. Exposure to cold, strain and over exertion are strictly prohibited.

Sour and fried things and pulses are strictly prohibited in this condition. Wheat, bajra and jowar are better than rice.

LEUKAMIA

LEUKAMIA

Leukemia or Vana Sammipataja Panduroga in Ayurveda commonly known as cancer of the blood is a disease usually of chronic type, in which the number of white corpuscles of blood is permanently increased. In many ways it resembles a form of malignant disease.

In acute cases of leukemia, which are rare, the patient shows pallor, occasional purpuric rash, and enlargement of the lymphatic glands and spleen. The temperature is raised and the condition is liable to be mistaken for general TB. In the chronic type of leukemia, which is the usual type, the onset is gradual and the usual symptoms are either swelling of the abdomen or shortness of breath, due to painless enlargement of the spleen, or of the glands in the neck, armpits. There is pallor of the skin, palpitation and other symptoms of anemia. There may also be occasional hemorrhages form the nose, stomach, gums or Bowes. There is dropsy of the feet, diarrhea and also a slight degree of fever. The life expectancy of the patient is not more than a few years if the disease is not treated in time.

In allopathy there is no known cure for leukemia. Modern medicine has faide to come up with any explanation as to why the white blood corpuscles multiply fast giving rise to the complications mentioned above but Ayurveda, however, believes it to be caused by a vitiation of all the three Doshas, (vata, pitta and Kapha) and seeks to cure it with drugs which restore the balance of the three.

For acute cases of leukemia, the following drugs are prescribed.

Bajra Bhasma (calx of diamond) - 5.8 mg

Muktapishtha - 60 mg.

Pandupanchanan Rasa - 120 mg

To be taken 3 times daily.

LOW BLOOD PRESSURE

If the pressure of the blood being pumped by the heart into the arteries falls below the average 140 (systolic) and 80 (diastolic) there may be increase in the pulse rate, cold sweats, a feeling of extreme weakness and giddiness. Low blood pressure (Nyuna Raktachap) may be caused by:

(1) injury leading to loss of blood

(2) food poisoning

(3) anaemia, acute or chronic

(4) other disorders

if the pressure remains a little lower than the average it is a healthy sign, because in moments of stress the heart will be able to deal with any emergency. But if it falls below the minimum necessary for sound health, it may cause worry. The first requirement is to ascertain the cause of the malady. If it is anemia or sudden loss of blood, these conditions should be treated first. Severe blood loss, as in an injury, may need immediate transfusion of blood. Low blood pressure due to anemia can be cured only when the persistent lack of blood in the system has been dealt with.

Low blood pressure is also a disorder caused by the vitiation of Vayu and can be treated with drugs which correct the balance of this Dosha. A patient suffering from it should be given a balanced, nutritious diet, full of proteins and carbohydrates. Dry fruits, cheese, flesh of chicken, goat-soups of meat and black gram, fruits like mango, apple, banana, grapes and leguminous vegetables, should be the main diet of a patient suffering from chronically low bleed pressure.

Administration of brandy or alcohol of any variety in quantities from 15 to 0 ml. diluted with warm water is a temporary expedient which can be tried till the exact cause for the malady is ascertained.

The patient should be given total rest.

LEUCORRHEA

LEUCORRHEA

In Ayurveda, this is believed to be caused by the aggravation or vitiation of kapha Dosha. This commonly occurs in females who are weak, emaciated and anemic.

This is characterized by a discharge from the female genital tract. It is often associated with infection of the genital tract by some organism. Organism apart, some metabolic and hormonal disturbances are also responsible for this disease.

The discharge from the genital tract produces bad smell if there is infection. The consistency of the discharge varies from patient to patient depending upon the age and the menstrual phase when the patient is afflicted with this disease.

Patients suffering from chronic leucorrhea become irritable and it is often associated with digestive disturbances. There is always some difficulty in the movement of the bowels. The patients develop a black circular patch around their eyes which is very characteristic from the diagnostic point of view. Remaining awake long at night precipitates the attacks of this trouble. There is a vicious circle of leucorrhea and mental worry.

For the treatment of this ailment, it is necessary to locate the exact causative factor for this disease. Regular douching of the genital tract with a decoction of the bark of banyan an fig trees is very useful. One tablespoonful of the powder of each of these two barks should be boiled in one liter of water and reduced to half. The decoction is then to be filtered and the powder thrown away. When it is slightly warm. Douching should be performed. This decoction keeps the tissue cells of this area healthy. The very popular medicine for this condition is pradarantaka lauha. This drug contains some bhasmas of metals. The most important one is the bhasma of iron. For the preparation of this medicine, the ingredients are triturated with the juice of kumari. 250 mg. of this drug is given to the patients three times a day, with honey.

Lodhra is also used for the purpose of douching. The bark of this tree is used. The decoction of the bark is prepared on the lines suggested above. This medicine is also used in the form of lodhra asava. The alcoholic soluble fraction of this drug is extracted through a special process during which some other drug are added to it. 30 ml. of this drug is given to the patient twice daily after food, with equal quantity of water. Sphatik or alum is also used both externally and internally for the treatment of this condition. Alum is fried in a vessel over fire and then powdered.

One teaspoonful of this powder is added to the decoctions described above and used for the purpose of douching 125 mg. of this powder is mixed with 125 mg. pradarantaka lauha and given to the patient twice daily on an empty stomach mixed with honey. Along with all the medicines described above tandulodaka (rice-wash) is given as a means to accelerate their action. Rice-wash alone is helpful for the cure of this disease.

Kumari is also used in the treatment of this condition. It tones up the tissue cells of the uterus and the genital tract and prevents exudation of abnormal fluid. Kumari is planted in the hedge of gardens. When fully matured this plant produces beautiful pink flowers. When the outer skin of the leaf of this plant is removed, a fleshy pulp comes out which is used for the extraction of juice. 30 ml. of this is to be given to the patient twice daily with a littly honey added to it, preferably on an empty stomach. This juice stimulates the liver, promotes digestion and regulates the bowels. It has some effect in correcting the hormonal imbalances by which genital organs of the patient get toned up.

Alternatively the following prescription are advised:

1. Kukkutanda Twakbhasma 240 mg.

Yashada Bhasma 120mg

Powder of Amlaki 500 mg.

To be taken in the morning and evening with honey.

2. Chandraprabha 500 mg.

Triphala powder 3 gm.

To be taken at mid-day and night with warm water.

Darukadi Churna 6gm. May be taken last thing at night with cow’s milk.

` Patients suffering from neurasthenia along with leucorrhoea Ratnaprabha Vatika Should be given in 120 mg. doses in the morning and evening.

A strict regimen is necessary for the patient of this ailment. Fried and spicy foods are to be avoided, as pickles and other savouries. The patient should be encouraged to chew betel nut(supari) after meals it has curative effect and also prevents the developments of the disease. The patient should avoid worry and mental strain of all kinds. Late nights and sexual inter course is to be avoided. A brisk walk and light Yoga-Asans early in the morning are helpful.