Ayurveda in Purana

[Guest guest]

Indian ayurveda is not restricted to just few Samhitas, but scattered

through various other mythological texts also. One such text is Garud

Purana, which is read in the house after death of a family member in

India. Uttrkhanda of this text is known as `Pretkalpa', having 35

chapters, that alone is generally assumed to be Garud Purana, since

people come across only Pret Kalpa. Beyond Pret Kalpa, other 229

chapters of Garud Purana treat subjects such as astrology,

Nitishastra, black magic, testing gems, ayurveda, procedures for

making gold and even Vashikarana. There are 47 chapters dealing with

diseases, their reasons and simple remedies. Many ayurvedists feel

that these chapters are copied from other samhitas. This opinion is

open to debate amongst learned. For people at large, what matters is

simple remedies suggested for many common ailments. These can be

tried by most, and except few exceptions, all will benefit.

 

Puranas are for people. While some well known samhitas in translated

form are widely available, Garud Puran is not so. Author thought it

appropriate to bring out some simple formulations proposed in Garud

Purana. Today, only one generic disease will be taken for discussion. In future

few more will be covered.

 

In view of inappropriate methods adopted by mass scale manufacturing

of ayurvedic medicines by pharmacies, people should prepare their own

medicines at home. The quality of these medicines will depend on

freshness of herbs, their method of storage and method of

grinding/pounding adopted. Try to get original herb parts rather than

powders. Powders cant tell how potent the original herb part was. The

deterioration of herbal medicine strength after powdering is more

rapid. Perhaps the grief of separation of particles is at work. We

often treat lack of motion as the sign of death, and treat dried herb

as dead. However, powder tries to stick together and make lumps. This

affinity towards each other also gives a key to understanding the

medical effects of the herb. The powders with stronger affinity have

stronger life forecs (bio-electricity) and contribute more to dhatu

restoration.

 

 

Skin diseases:

 

1. For various skin diseases causing itching on whole body or

locally, eruptions. Eczema, psoriasis, eruptions caused in summer due

to excess sweating, ring worm, herpes, etc this Kashaya can be made

from:

 

Trifla, Khair bark, Neem bark, dried Snake grourd, Giloy, Ardusi

 

The combination of these eight herbs (Trifla contains three) is

termed Ashtakquath. Equal proportion for all herbs. Bring herbs in

dried form, clean them, pound coarsely. Take approximately 20 grams

mixture and soak overnight in about 750 ml of water. Soaking in

copper pot or earthen pot yields better medicine, according to this

authors opinion. 750 ml equals two quartz. In the morning let water

boil on very low fire (simmering) till 25% remains. Remove from fire,

let cool to luke warm temperature after straining and drink empty

stomach in the morning itself. In the beginning, you can add a little

honey (max 2 tsp or 10 ml) in the beginning to avoid nausea

sensation, if any. The procedure should be continued for 10-12 weeks

till significant relief is obtained. The formulation consists of

herbs which purify the blood, reduce heat in the blood and eliminate

impurities through sweat, motions etc. The Kashaya can be given to

children in summer, half the quantity of adult dose given here. This

will reduce the chances of new eruptions due to summer heat and

spread of contagious diseases.

 

The powder of neem and amalki can be taken daily morning about 5

grams with water, every morning empty stomach. The powder can be made

fresh every day, or made for a week's requirement. Amalaki is anti-

oxidant and neem the blood purifier. This remedy helps in all kinds

of skin diseases. Due to Amlaki, long term usage also does not

produce any ill-effects.

 

Bitter herbs, when taken for a long time, or when taken in excess,

reduces sperm count and also may cause loss of libido.

 

Hence, if you follow any of these tips, keep proper observation, and

stop well before any undesirable effects occur.

 

The article is for information and eductational purpose only and

should not be treated as a substitute for consultation with local

ayurvedist. He can provide a more personalized guidance.

 

Similar propositions from Garud Purana for common diseases will be a

subject matter of future posts.

 

Dr Bhate

[Guest guest]

Dear Dr Bhate,

 

Namaste. We all enjoy reading your enlightening posts. Being an

Indian I am extremely proud of ayurveda and its emphasis on both

spirituality and humanity as a whole. This sets it apart from the

other systems in medicine.

 

Only today there is a report in the international media as to how

mainstream doctors are facing problems as they are not trained to

distinguish between the several races that inhabit the world. For

any vaidya this should not be a problem as he would simply put the

basic tenets of ayurveda to practice. This has been very effectively

pointed out by Todd in his various posts.

 

The article may be read through this link.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9230111/

 

Regards,

Jagannath.