Nursing mothers with systemic candida

[Guest guest]

Dear Esteemed Vaidyas;

 

We are having a discussion on another forum hoping to redefine a

protocol for nursing mothers who have systemic candida - which is

sometimes so severe that there is intense pain all during

breastfeeding, even to the point of wanting to stop breastfeeding.

The babies often will have thrush at the same time. I believe this is

characteristic of western dietary habits, low agni, low thyroid, poor

food combining, leftovers/frozen/processed foods and the terrible

misuse and underuse of proper oils. From here I can begin to

reconstruct an ideal postpartum diet with my knowledge of such special

needs. However it would be wonderful to know what herbal/oil as well

as dietary and topical recommendations have been successful in these

cases.

 

We have posts from the more allopathic/lactation consultant and some

general discussion of successful essential oils listed, but would

really like ayurvedic protocol guidelines. The problem seems to be

growing, of course, with both the unhealthy guidance and the lack of

it mothers are getting here in the US.

 

Thank you for your kind attentions;

Martha Oakes

Postpartum AyurDoula Care, Training & ARomatherapy

[Guest guest]

> We are having a discussion on another forum hoping to redefine a

> protocol for nursing mothers who have systemic candida - which is

> sometimes so severe that there is intense pain all during

> breastfeeding, even to the point of wanting to stop breastfeeding.

> The babies often will have thrush at the same time. I believe this is

> characteristic of western dietary habits, low agni, low thyroid, poor

> food combining, leftovers/frozen/processed foods and the terrible

> misuse and underuse of proper oils. From here I can begin to

> reconstruct an ideal postpartum diet with my knowledge of such special

> needs. However it would be wonderful to know what herbal/oil as well

> as dietary and topical recommendations have been successful in these

> cases.

 

i have treated this many times - its not too difficult but does require

some discipline

rather than try to invent a purely ayurvedic protocol, the following is

an example of my rather eclectic approach:

 

sometimes the problem originates with the mother, sometimes with the

baby, and in most cases they are mutually supporting the chronic

infection

 

often the issue is associated or concomitant with diaper rash

if so, this needs to be treated with adequate ventilation

i recommend fresh air and sunlight, amount 15-20 minutes of direct

sunlight daily on the bottom and groin

avoid diapers whenever possible

 

to treat the infection, rather than skin-sensitizing essential oils, i

would use a herbal salve, with soothing herbs such as plantain and

comfrey, mixed with antimicrobial herbs such as echinacea and chaparral

 

here is a typical recipe:

 

***

Echinacea root 50 g

Chaparral leaf 50 g

Plantain leaf 50 g

Comfrey root 50 g

Grain Alcohol 50-75 mL

Olive Oil 1 liter

Beeswax (grated) 210 g

Salve pots

Vitamin E

 

Grind the herb to a coarse grind, moisten with the alcohol, and let

stand for 2 – 3 hours. Blend the oil in a blender at a high speed until

the sides of the blender feel warm, and then pour herb and oil in a

double-boiler over low heat. When the smell of alcohol is gone, allow

to cool and strain mixture through cheesecloth, squeezing out the marc.

Place oil in a double boiler, add the grated beeswax, and when melted,

immediately pour into containers. Add 5-10 drops of vitamin E before

the salve sets.

***

 

for diapering, you might also try using a white clay powder, mixed with

finely sieved powders of licorice and turmeric (the turmeric however

can get messy); you might try barberry (barberry) instead - i stress

that the powders MUST be finely sieved, like silk between your fingers

 

if the baby has oral thrush, then there are a variety of methods you

can use

one is to use a dilute tincture of echinacea: put some a cloth and

wipe down the baby's mouth a couple times a day

following this you can wash the baby's mouth with whey, the liquid

portion from yoghurt, which can reestablish a healthy oral ecology

even just a fingerful of yoghurt smeared in baby's mouth can be helpful

- here this is pure,organic, preferentially unpasteurized yoghurt

 

to treat thrush on the nipples, they can also be wiped down with

echinacea tincture and/or whey/yoghurt and then a salve can be applied,

similar to what is used for diaper rash so they can heal up - the salve

is non-toxic so it doesn't have to removed prior to feeding, although

mom might want to wipe off the excess - fresh aloe gel (kumari) is also

helpful, but is bitter and definitely needs to be wiped off before

feeding - commercial aloe gel is inferior to the real thing

 

its also important for adequate ventilation of the nipples as well -

soggy bras and breast pads should be avoided for open air and sunlight

- mom and baby should find a private spot and sunbathe unclothed for 20

minutes daily, if possible

 

as far as treating the mom internally, i would use herbs such as

echinacea, barberry and pau d'arco; hingvastak, trisugandha or trikatu

can also be helpful

it is one of the few times i am enticed to use homeopathic nosodes,

such as candida 30x, 10 drops thrice daily

also consider beta carotene, vitamins c and e, and zinc to heal up the

skin and mucus membranes

 

in terms of diet, a classical anti-candida is key: no dairy, flour,

sugar or fermented foods - even fruits should be limited

emphasize warming spicy herbs, and no raw foods such as salads

Caldecott

todd

www.toddcaldecott.com

[Guest guest]

Dear Martha,

One of the most common protocol as per ayurveda followed after

delivery is massage for the mother and child.

In pure ayurvedic terms, pain of any kind is governed by vata. The

act of delivery is also governed by apana vayu and it does tend to

get vitiated even if there is prenatal application of oil in the

abdomen and hip region. Besides vata tends to get vitiated in the

abdomen area due to the sudden vacumn created by an empty uterus.

That is why application of oil and tying the abdomen with a tight

cloth (I am not sur if this is the right term, the aim is to help in

the contraction of the uterus to retun to its prenatal state) are

important part of post-natal regimen as per ayurveda. However with

advances in modern day management of pregnancy and delivery these

things are given the go by.

Having said that proper hygiene, proper nutrition and proper massage

both before and after delivery will help to control of post natal

complications.

As far as candida is concerned the other signs show vitiation of

pitta and rakta dhatu. So all herbs useful in reducing pitta and

nourishing rakta dhatu will help.

For external application you could use rakta-chandan (red

sandalwood), chandan (sandalwood), tankan, surasa (powder of holy

basil leaves), brahmi (powder form), turmeric powder etc.

In oils you could use neem oil, chandan oil, chandan-bala-lakshadi

oil, eladi oil, turmeric oil etc. Basically any oil will help

control the pain.

The use of dried grapes, pomegranates, amla or similar substances

(any fuit in the berry family) is also very useful.

Bhunimbadi kadha, Paripathadi kadha, Vasakasava, Kamdudha etc are

some of the medicines which can be given.

If it is possible and if it is easily available one singular drug

which would be most beneficial is raupya bhasma (silver bhasma).

But with the metal controversy raging around you will have to be

very careful with this one. A formulation which contain raupya

bhasma is tapyadi lauha (but then it contains iron bhasma also :-<).

I do think the above info will help you get started with formulating

a protocol based on the situation there. We could have more

discussions as your work progresses.

Best wishes.

 

Cybervaidya

[Guest guest]

Dear Todd and Cybervaidya;

Thank you both for your responses. We are sharing them and REbecca is

helping to organize the information. We have been trained in the

value of the oil massage for mother and baby, as well as the "belly

wrapping" as we call it, and 1 - 7 days small bala-infused sesame oil

bastis in the early days. I find most mothers in US general

population not yet familiar with ayurveda however, unwilling to do the

bastis or belly wrapping. Those who do almost always are reporting

good results.

 

The herb powders you have suggested (except turmeric!) will be added

to a variant on our herbalized massage oil when appropriate. The few

clients I have worked with of severe candida had the complication of

very much disliking the massage oiliness (Pitta aversion to excess

oil?) and cutting their treatments short rather than even try

something different. So in this case I believe it more appropriate to

also use coconut rather than sesame oil, and to use less. I had been

hesitant to use a cooling oil when winter weather compounded the

already high vata condition of postpartum.

 

> As far as candida is concerned the other signs show vitiation of

> pitta and rakta dhatu. So all herbs useful in reducing pitta and

> nourishing rakta dhatu

 

Would you kindly note the rakta nourishing herbs for us for internal

use, (is this the list ...? > The use of dried grapes, pomegranates,

amla or similar substances (any fuit in the berry family) is also very

useful.Bhunimbadi kadha, Paripathadi kadha, Vasakasava, Kamdudha etc

are some of the medicines which can be given. If it is possible and if

it is easily available one singular drug which would be most

beneficial is raupya bhasma (silver bhasma)....<

 

Your offering will be taken with due respect as much as we are

familiar with these substances for the fact that individual herb

choices and proportions should vary from person to person in many

cases. It makes sense given the pitta condition that the pomegranate

would be ok postpartum in this situation - we usually avoid it.

 

Thank you again;

Martha Oakes

Postpartum AyurDoula

www.sacredwindow.com

[Guest guest]

Dear Martha,

First a big sorry for answering so late.

1) Yes pitta prakruti persons are a bit uncomfortable with massage

with oils especially if they are suffering from conditions in which

pitta is elevated. One thing which will be very useful in such case is

shatdhauta ghruta only for local application (no massage). This

reduces the itching and heat sensation. Shatdhauta ghrut is plain ghee

processed a 100 times in cool water (if you require the complete

procedure I will post it separately). It also removes the problem of

the sticky feeling which massage oils tend to generate. Another

solution would be to use "murchit oils" for base oils. The solution of

"murchit oils" is generally beneficial if the base oil tends to get

sticky due to weather conditions. The procedure to prepare murchit

oils is mentioned in Sharanghdhar Samhita. If you do not have access

to it I will post it separately again.

2) In winter season or cool climate the base oil generally has to be

ushna veerya one. Sesame or mustard would work fine.

3) Basically any oil whether ushna veerya or sheeta veerya will

control vata. So you need not worry about using cooling oil in winter

if that is the only option available. Just be sure to heat the oil

before applying.

4) The list of rakta-nourishing substances would be a very big one. I

have covered the most common and easily available one. Generally

bitter (Tikta rasa) and sheeta veerya substances are good

rakta-nourishers.

5) In my last post I forgot to mention one combination of herbs which

would be very good in controlling the itching and heat sensation in

candida is Shadang-Paniya. The method of preparation is mentioned at

http://www.ayurvedaindia.org/haat3.htm It is listed there as Shadang

Quath.

 

Cybervaidya

[Guest guest]

Dear Cybervaidya;

 

No apologies needed for delays here; we all have them and are all

grateful for the time involved in gifting professional experience and

wisdom. As my Ayurvedic sources and training are limited and my

online searches not productive, I do not have access to the following

information and would be grateful your further detail.

 

1. The procedure to prepare Shatdhauta ghrut

2. The procedure to prepare murchit oils

 

As you will see below, my ayurveda terminology and Sanskrit is also

quite rudimentary. I am probably more educated than many group

members, so thank you for explaining the language/terminology.

 

3. Ushna means what? Veerya I understand is about energetics, and

with the oils mentioned I assume ushna means warming?

4. sheeta veerya meens ? As you say it is hepful to control vata, it

must not mean cooling, although it sounds related to the shitali

(pranayama) in word root

5. Regarding tikta (bitter) taste – my understanding is that it is

Rakta (blood tissue) cleansing, rather than nourishing, which of

course is also needed with candida. But is the cleansing also

nourishing in how it works?

6. Thank you for the information on Shadang-Paniya. I did look at the

web site and see all the main site navigation buttons are not yet

working, but appreciated what a good intro to ayurveda course is

offered in Inda; very affordable and in depth much more than mine!

http://www.ayurvedaindia.org/haat3.htm Quath means preparation or

ingredients? I do not have access to all the ingredients, but it

appears a good one to have access from time to time for clients, if

the time is not too much in getting. I have bookmarked to be able to

go back and order; how long is ordering to the states?

 

Sincerely,

Martha Oakes

Postpartum AyurDoula

[Guest guest]

Dear Martha,

Your understanding is correct. Tikta rasa is blood cleansing and by

this action also proves rakta nourishing. The term used for this

action is rakta-shodhan. What this does is, it improves the ability

of rakta dhatu to perform its action of jeevanam.

 

Quath means decoction

 

I have no idea how long it takes for ordering to the States. I do

beleive there are many members on the group who could help you with

this.

 

Cybervaidya

 

> 5.Regarding tikta (bitter) taste – my understanding is that it is

> Rakta (blood tissue) cleansing, rather than nourishing, which of

> course is also needed with candida. But is the cleansing also

> nourishing in how it works?

>6.Quath means preparation or ingredients?

> how long is ordering to the states?

[Guest guest]

Dear Cyberviadya;

Thank you for your clarifications. Is jeevanam about the conversion

process, the rakta agni's action, or is this about rakta's ability to

oxygenate, or?

Martha

[Guest guest]

Dear Martha,

Jeevanam could be said to be the action of oxygenation performed by

blood. In classical Sanskrit it will mean the ability to give life

or sustain/nourish life. In view of modern science we could say one

of the aspect of jeevanam is the oxygenation process.

 

>Is jeevanam about the conversion process, the rakta agni's action,

> or is this about rakta's ability to oxygenate