Summer Blues - 1, Pitta Pacification

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Members,

 

Summer is just round the corner. We have a jump in temperature in

most regions of tropical countries. Pitta disorders become aggravated

in summer. Increased temperature reduces water element in environment

and also our body. Hence we feel more thirsty. The reduced water in

blood also increases the concentration of toxins. The pitta dosha

means disorders in blood. Let us be prepared to face them. Chaitra

and Vaishakha months according to Indian calendar (Two months

starting 21st March) is best period for blood detoxification. This

fact is already pointed out by Todd in a reply to Mr Vinod Haritwals

post.

 

Health is defined as an equilibrium in the humors of body and mind.

Body health is highly dependent on the purity of blood. More the

purity, more the health. Slight change in the composition in the

blood (accumulation of toxins) causes itching, blemishes, pimples,

acne etc The blood test may not reveal excess glucose, but stools

may have sticky substances, mucous, worms, causing fatigue and lack

of enthusiasm in daily routine.

 

The circulation of blood through various organs removes the wastes

and toxins maintaining the purity of the blood. The blemishes on skin

are related to Vata in addition to Pitta. Disturbance in Vata and

Kapha+Pitta exhibit various skin problems. Thus, Kapha vitiation

causes itching. For this condition many herbal remedies are available

in the form of powders as well as extract tablets. The ingredients of

such medicines are called Rakta Shodhakas.

 

The first amongst such blood purifiers is Indian Sarsaparila,

alternatively called `Anantmul' by Vaidyas. Next, the herbs such as

Manjistha (Majith) Punarnava (Satodi), Khadir (Katha), Chopchini

(China fruit), Yeshtimadhu, Chandan (sandal), Fennel seeds,

Sonamukhi, Kanchnar, Gokharu, Gorakhmundi, Bakuchi, Giloy are easily

available in Indian herbs market. Each of these have different

properties, but all of them purify the blood.

 

The Anantmul (Upalsari, Sariva are alternate names) is best Rakta

Shodhaka, diurectic, reduces the excess heat of the body and imparts

cooling. While building the dhatus, it is very useful in skin

diseases. Tries to balance all three doshas. This somewhat bitter and

somewhat sweet herb has an aromatic oil in it, so if one is taking it

in the form of a quath-Kashaya, boil only on simmering heat. Excess

minearls in the body are responsible for some skin diseases. The

action of this Anantmul starts from the conversion of food to rasa-

dhatu stage itself. This rasa, if deplete in essential ingredients,

fast ageing is the result. Anantmul tries to remove the impurities

mainly arising from Pitta dosha causing happiness to mind. Reduces

wrinkles on skin. The flesh, Meda, bones, bone marrow and Virya all

the seven dhatus it purifies.

 

In many symptoms such as inflamation in eyes, skin, urine, increased

thirst, inflamation in blood (low fever) , the use of basic herb

Anantmul as a main ingredient together with other rakta shodhakas,

can be used to obtain significant relief. Even Neem bark, Kadu

Chirayat, Kankach powders can be mixed with 16 times (by weight)

water and slow boil to one fourth volume. After straining, the

remaining liquid can be further boiled to obtain thick paste. This

paste can be made into hand made tablets 300 mg size. Two tablets

thrice a day, chew and swallow with water. Control on curd, pickles,

tamarind, chillies, sweets, khoya, nicotine, alcohol etc is essential

when taking this kind of blood purifiers. Punjabi food, fried items,

Farsan, Sambhar, refined floor (Maida) items, Samosa, Vegetable

cutlet etc should be avoided. It is not necessary to cut down salt

altogether. Small quantity (about 1.5 gms) Saindhav salt, black

pepper can be taken. An important point to note that while every

other salt raises Pitta, Saindhav salt is the only one which does not

aggravate pitta.

 

Another variant of above quatha can be used when women are sufering

from Leucorrhea, or Somroga. One can add Ashok bark, Lodhar,

Shatavari, turmeric, and Daruharidra to cure skin diseases such as

Acne caused by impure/inadequate menses. The joint pains and back

pains are often caused by urine infections. The quatha/kashaya

suggested here takes care of such conditions also. Author remembers

sevetral patients who underwent sonography for kidney stones, kidney

shrinkage etc., had reactions to antibiotics of alloppathy and

returned to ayurveda; this simple rakta shodhak quath relieved their

symptoms. This kind of medication must be taken at least for 3-4

months with adequate patience. The Manjistha is a potent blood

purifier. The Mahamanjistha quath, Manjistha Ghanvathi, Sarivadi

quath, Khadirarishta are blood purifier readily available pharmacy

medicines that can be used. Similarly, Kaishor, Kanchnar, Panchtikta

Ghrut Guggula can be used to cure a variety of skin diseases.

 

Notably, the under-eye-circles become light by use of Anantmul

quatha. Liver and intestines also work harmoniously. It should be

noted that diseases such as Psoriasis induced itching are caused by

vata disturbance as a result of doshas of mind. For instance, short

temper, sad emotions, hatred, etc. Purification of blood increases

immunity also.

 

Adjustments in diet to face summer blues will be a subject matter of

another post.

 

Dr. Bhate