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Ayurvedic science updates 1 |
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Ayurvedic science updates Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, Feb-March, 2005 by Virender Sodhi Inflammatory Conditions and Ayurvedic Medicine Inflammation is a very normal desired effect in the body. To rid the body of all its ill effects, our body creates inflammation under different situations like infections, toxic exposure, ischemia, trauma and many other conditions. As soon as it has done its share of work, the body produces anti-inflammatory processes to control the inflammation. In a normal, healthy person, this process is in perfect balance. However, where there is an imbalance, our body does not stop producing inflammation. This results in conditions such as arthritis, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, dermatitis, asthma, colitis, Crohn's disease and many others. All these lie under the control of mental, emotional, physical, nutritional, environmental and even spiritual conditions. Ayurveda is the science of balance and teaches how to create a balance by following mental, emotional, and spiritual balancing with the assistance of nutrition, yoga, meditation, breathing exercises, herbs and supplements according to our individual constitution (Prakriti) and pathology (Vikriti). Ayurvedic verses have made it very clear in this Sanskrit phrase, "Samdosha samagnishch samdhatumalkriya, prasanatmaindriyamna swasth itiyebhidhiyete" or a person who has balance in his physiology (Doshas), balanced digestive abilities (Agni), balanced tissues (Dhatus), balanced excretion (Malas) and the person whose soul, senses, and mind are content, is considered healthy. Technically speaking, inflammation represents a major source of oxidation or free radical damage and Ayurvedic medicine is blessed with an arsenal of wonderful herbs to control inflammations at different levels. Boswellia Serrata for different inflammatory conditions Boswellia, prized in the Middle East as Frankincense and brought by the wise men, grows in India, Northern Africa and the Middle East. Extract of Boswellia has been used to treat arthritis, asthma, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, and skin conditions. Osteoarthritis and Boswellia: In combination form with Ashwagandha, turmeric and zinc; studies have shown positive effects in the treatment of osteoarthritis. In a double blind placebo controlled study, patients showed a significant improvement in pain severity, and disability score. In an animal study, the dogs showed improvement in intermittent lameness, localized pain and stiff gait. All external factors that aggravate lameness, such as "lameness when moving" and "lameness after a long rest" diminished gradually. In another study, all patients receiving Boswellia treatment reported a decrease in knee pain, increased knee flexion and increased walking distance. The frequency of swelling reduced considerably. In my personal experience I have treated thousands of patients with a Boswellia preparation for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. With a combination of the Panch Karma treatment, nutritional changes and yoga, we were able to take people off Prednisolone, Methotrexate and Enbrel treatment over a period of three to sixteen months. Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease and Boswellia: Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are both inflammatory diseases of the intestines. They are both dreaded and have high chances of becoming colon cancer. The standard medical treatment options involve lifelong commitments that come with their own share of side effects. In one study, patients receiving Boswellia preparation had an 82% remission as compared to 72% remission in a sulfasalazine group. Similarly, in Crohn's disease, the results were comparable to mesalazine: 44 patients were treated with Boswellia and 39 patients were treated with mesalazine, Boswellia extract proved to be just as effective as the pharmaceutical drug. In my clinic patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease have been able to go into remission with a combination of nutritional changes, yoga, breathing exercises and a Boswellia preparation. Boswellia and Asthma: In a study done in 1998, 40 patients took 300 mg of Boswellia preparation three times a week for six weeks; 72% showed significant improvement whereas only 27% of patients after receiving a placebo, showed improvement. Typical doses of standardized extract of Boswellia serrata are 300-400 mg standardized for boswellic acid three times per day. Boswellia is quite safe in therapeutic doses. There were no pathological changes observed in animals; up to 1000mg/kg of body weight and LD 50 was at greater than 2g/kg of body weight. Turmeric, A powerful Anti-inflammatory: Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is the source of spice that gives curries their signature yellow color and is used extensively in food, cosmetics, and religious ceremonies. It is also traditionally used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine. I believe turmeric to be the sole reason why Indians have less cancer compared to Americans. Current research has found turmeric to be a powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic, antimicrobial and hepatoprotective. It has also shown wonderful results in cardiovascular and gastrointestinal diseases. The active principals in turmeric are the flavonoid curcuminoids along with various volatile oils, resins, proteins and sugars. Potent Anti-inflammatory effect: Turmeric is a potent anti-inflammatory. Various laboratory studies have identified a number of different molecules involved in inflammation that are inhibited by curcumin. These molecules include phospholipase, lipoxygenase, cyclooxygenase 2 (Cox-2), leukotrienes, thromboxane, prostaglandins, nitric oxide, collagenase, elastase, hyaluronidase, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), interferon-inducible protein, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and interleukin-12 (IL-12). Cox-2 inhibitors such as Celebrex and Vioxx have been number 1 sellers as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They have been touted to be gentle on the stomach, yet once someone starts using them, they discover that these drugs come with their own set of side effects. Recently, Vioxx showed an increase in heart disease, which is why it was recalled from the market. Turmeric on the other hand covers almost every aspect of inflammation and has a much broader spectrum than the current drug regimen available. It has all these benefits minus the side effects. In animal and in vivo studies, turmeric extract has been shown to decrease chronic and acute inflammation. This is the reason why turmeric milk is undoubtedly one of the most common recipes for trauma in India. Furthermore, oral administration of curcuminoids in instances of acute inflammation was found to be as effective as cortisone or phenylbutazone. In animal studies, oral administration of the Turmeric extract reduced the inflammation of adjuvant induced arthritis. In monkeys, Turmeric extract inhibited the inflammation due to neutrophil aggregation. Anti-inflammatory effects on skin diseases and wound regeneration of Turmeric Traditionally, turmeric is not only employed as anti-inflammatory on skin conditions, but it has also been used as a skin color promoter. Turmeric extract applied to the skin topically has been shown to reduce inflammation, and irritation associated with inflammatory conditions and allergies. In acne conditions, a bacterium called Propionibacterium acnes plays a role in inducing inflammation and causing acne. Turmeric extract along with Neem extract and Rubia Cardifolia extract has been shown to stop the growth of Propionibacterium acnes. In other studies turmeric extract has been shown to regenerate skin and help repair wounds faster. With all these benefits that turmeric has to offer, it makes perfect sense to use these herbs for skin rejuvenation. Traditionally, turmeric extract has been used in marriage ceremonies to enhance the charm of bride and bridegroom. Twenty-one years ago, I was married to my beautiful wife Rekha. After marriage, she developed a bad case of acne on her face. Her dermatologist prescribed antibiotics that provided limited help. I prepared a preparation of Turmeric and Neem extract and her face cleared up in two months and she did not get acne again. She got dermatitis on her whole body when she was pregnant with our second son Rishi and it was so bad that her skin was chapped, dry and very irritable. Turmeric extract came to the rescue once again and after consuming turmeric extract for two weeks all her rashes vanished completely. I have also given turmeric extract for surgical scars and they heal much faster. Doses of turmeric: Typically 5-10 grams of turmeric is used per day. I prefer to use standardized extract in the doses of 500 mg to 2000 mg, two to three times per day. Toxicity and side effects: No toxicity has been reported in acute or chronic administration of turmeric extract. Turmeric extract caused ulcer as evident in one rat study only at a very high dosage (100mg/kg of body weight).
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