Jump to content
IndiaDivine.org

Daily herbs -- recommended?

Rate this topic


Guest guest

Recommended Posts

Is it recommended to have any/all of these daily for life?

 

-- Triphala powder (how old can this be? does age make a difference?)

-- Shankhapushpi

-- Aswagandha

-- Shatawari

 

Please let me know,

 

my mother has been insistent that I take these daily, but I feel my

body doesn't process this very well.

 

Thanks for your help,

Prashant

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Dear Friend,

Any substance categorised as AUSHAD (medicine) is not intended to be used for

life-time. According to Ayurveda, each herb has it's indication in illness or a

specific purpose for usage.

Only substances that can be used for life are those classified as ANNA (food).

So, by this rule, Triphala, Shankhpushpi, Ashwagandha and

Shatawari are all medicines and should be used with a specific motive /

intention, even if they have to be used to promote health and prevent disease.

 

Dr.D.B.Muzumdar

_______________________________

Is it recommended to have any/all of these daily for life?

-- Triphala powder (how old can this be? does age make a difference?)

-- Shankhapushpi

-- Aswagandha

-- Shatawari

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Is Dr. Shirish Bhate still around on this group? :-)

 

Thanks for the words there Dr Muzumdar. My question was a bit different.

 

The herbs in question: Triphala, Ashwagandha, Shatawari, Shankhpushpi are all

known for their cleansing and enhancing properties.

Ashwagandha enhances strength and helps increase Oj. Shatawari/shankhpushpi

have mental cleansing and stabilizing/enahncing properties.

 

As such is prolonged use/daily use of these an enabler for better health? are

these like " rasayans " that are helpful if taken continuously?

 

On one hand I feel that these would work as vitamins/etc supplements as they

provide the minute quantities of essential chemicals that enhance body

functions. On the other hand, over prolonged use, the body gets used to

receiving these and can either go immune to their effects or become dependent as

well. Which of these would be the way of looking at this?

 

_

Any substance categorised as AUSHAD (medicine) is not intended to be used for

life-time. According to Ayurveda, each herb has it's indication in illness or a

specific purpose for usage.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

> The herbs in question: Triphala, Ashwagandha, Shatawari,

> Shankhpushpi are all known for their cleansing and enhancing

> properties.

> Ashwagandha enhances strength and helps increase Oj. Shatawari/

> shankhpushpi have mental cleansing and stabilizing/enahncing

> properties.

 

all these herbs are NOT known for their cleansing properties -

specifically, ashwagandha and shatavari and generally contraindicated

in ama-conditions

 

>

> As such is prolonged use/daily use of these an enabler for better

> health? are these like " rasayans " that are helpful if taken

> continuously?

 

triphala is an exception in the sense that it is both shodhana and

rasayana, and can be taken regularly

for vajikarana or as nidrajanana, the others can as well, depending

on the condition and patient

 

>

> On one hand I feel that these would work as vitamins/etc

> supplements as they provide the minute quantities of essential

> chemicals that enhance body functions. On the other hand, over

> prolonged use, the body gets used to receiving these and can either

> go immune to their effects or become dependent as well. Which of

> these would be the way of looking at this?

 

it depends on purpose - i personally see little point in taking

rasayana herbs in small doses, but i guess it depends on what you

mean by small

efficacious doses begin at 1 g and up for most herbs, and taking less

is used more for their energetic or physiologic effect

 

for vajikarana, herbs like ashwagandha and shatavari need to be taken

in rather large doses (10-15 g bid), and one thing you will see

pretty consistently is that modern dosing strategies are rather

underpowered compared to more traditional practices

 

of course, the freshness and quality places a role, as does the

method of processing

 

Caldecott, Dip. Cl.H, RH(AHG)

Ayurvedic practitioner, Medical Herbalist

203 - 1750 East 10th Ave

Vancouver, BC V5N 5K4 CANADA

web: http//:www.toddcaldecott.com

email: todd

tel: (1)778.896.8894

fax: (1)866.703.2792

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Dear Dr Todd

I am really filling proud of your insight of Ayurveda.

Rasayana means which works on Sapta dhatu Agni [ Metabolisam] and

Vajikarana means which stabilizes Shukra dhatu. Here we should bear

in mind that the Shukra dhatu means not only Sperms and Semens but

is situated in every cells of each dhatu.

Hence Rasayana and Vajikarana treatment is essential after

suscessfully treating diseases.

The use of Rasayana and Vajikarana treatment means Apunarbhava

treatment [ complete cure]

Hence the selection of Rsayana and Vajikarana medicine depends upon

which Dhatu was affected in disease making process by Doshas.

e.g. Suvarnmalini Vasanta

This medicine is useful in Rajayakshma [ Tuberculosis] as a therapy

and as a Rasayana Vajikara Drava

In Rajayakshma Samprapti [ Pathogenesis] there is Rasadhatu

srotorodha as a basic pathology.

In Suvarnamalini Vasanta you will find Black Pepare powder [ Miri

churna] in large doses along with Suvarna.

Miri revomes srotorodha and enhances Rasadhatugata agni at the same

time Suvarnabhasma works as a Vajikarana.

When some body wishes to use Rasayana Vajikarana for good health.

Then it will always benificial to use them after Panchakarmas.

Triphala has mild Virechana action. As Virechana therapy is used for

Pitta dosha shodhana Triphana churna should be used at night about

30gms with warm water.

Though each Herbal Medicine have many properties the Vaidya should

judge the strength [bala Samprapti] of the disease and the different

kalpana [ preparations] of that Harbal Medicines should be used

accordingly.

e.g. Decoctions have more strength then Churnas.

 

I wish you best sucess in your Ayurvedic practice.

In short I will introduce my self. I Vaidya Upadhye am practicing at

Pune since 1984. I am attached with Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital.

Where I am performing Ksharasutra Procedure [surgery] for Piles and

Fistulas.

I am also Jyotishashastri. I apply knowledge of Vedic Astrology for

diagnosis and treatment. Please visit my site

www.astroayurvedalogy.com

Presently I am working as Research Coordinator at Sanjeevan

Hospital. Where we are working on new drug trials.

 

Fill free to write on info

 

Vaidya Upadhye

 

_________

it depends on purpose - i personally see little point in taking

rasayana herbs in small doses, but i guess it depends on what you

mean by small

efficacious doses begin at 1 g and up for most herbs, and taking

less

is used more for their energetic or physiologic effect

 

for vajikarana, herbs like ashwagandha and shatavari need to be

taken

in rather large doses (10-15 g bid), and one thing you will see

pretty consistently is that modern dosing strategies are rather

underpowered compared to more traditional practices

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Though Dr Muzumdar has explained this well, author likes to add

something from experience. Ancient texts provide good guidance but

also give freedom to a vaidya to deviate from the well trodden

track, if situation so warrants. Author finds this kind of deviation

important especially when Medhya herbs are concerned, addiction is

concerned. Now addiction need not alwys be alcohol, nicotine or

caffine. It could be synthetic drugs also.

 

In some cases, herbs need to be taken lifetime, albeit in minute doses like

homeopathy. While texts mention normal dosages, there is

insufficient guidance when a minute dose is given for a long time.

When one takes minute dose of intoxicants or addictive drug for a

long time we know that body develops drug resistance and demands

more dose for action. That is how addiction goes beyond help. This

happens when liver/pancreas get loaded (rather saturated) with toxic

residues. In such cases, when liver is detoxed, it becomes easier

for the person to get rid off his addiction, since cravings also

reduce. In a couple under infertility treatment, author noted that

both were having excess pitta dosha and that was causing

miscarriages. In two years time, there were 3 automatic or

intentional miscarriages(due to growth problems, in-utero cardiac

problems of fetus). When husband was willing to leave his tobacco

chewing habit, he was given liver detoxification followed by 2

months panchgavya medicines. He stopped tobacco use and his pitta dosha has come

to negligible level.

 

Homeopathy like minute dosages of Medhya herbs help when vatic

disease is in the beginning stage or curable stage. Some modern

science literature mentions that small dosages are washed out by

liver treating it as a toxic impurity. That is the inadequacy of

understanding of modern science. Science can see body only as a

chemical plant. author will mention two cases.

 

A youth aged 30 had a motorbyke accident, some clots were removed by

surgeon and he was put on lifetime Phenytoin tablet at the time of

discharge from the hopsital, to guard agains convulsions. In 2 years

time, the patient had erectile disfunction as a side effect and in

addition, if he wanted to eat something, his hand would reach cheek

and then he had to bring it to his mouth. This is MS like symptom. Thus spatial

correlation

intelligence was seriously affected. After liver detoxification, the

residues of Phenytoin in liver were cleared and he was put on a very

small (2 pinches three times a day in honey) dose of a mixture

containing medhya herbs. In 6 months time, all his problems were

corrected. Thinking that now he is cured, he stopped the medicine

contrary to direction by Vaidya. in six weeks problems surfaced

again. When medicine restarted, in 2 weeks time the stability was re-

established. So the medhya herbs were correcting the deficiency of

neurotransmitters and neurochemicals, sterols etc, the permanent

disability caused by surgery.

 

Second case is a lady aged 36, mother of two daughters, who could

not balance upper torso well and used to oscillate just as snake

charmer makes snake oscillate to the rhythm of his musical

instrument. The oscillations resulted when her menses started after

the birth of second daughter. Similar dose of medhya herbs ( 3

pinches 3 times a day ) worked well here and in 3 months, the

oscillations stopped except for 4-5 days of menstrual period. The

latter was traced to compromise in blood flow to the brain during

menses. Now the dose was constant and indicated that these herbs are

taking care of the deficiency of certain neurotransmitters. ON one

occasion, due to Ganesha festival, she took two capsules of

synthetic hormones to delay the possible menstrual cycle, and the

oscillations started again on a scale larger than when she started

ayurvedic medicines. 2 more months were needed to bring her back to

normal state. What is important here is that minute dosages did not

cause any other problems for her.

 

The mixture of medhya herbs required costs less than Rs 30/- a month. This

approach author has used on five more patients successfully.

This includes autistic chilren also. If children are unwilling to take the herbs

direct, one can give them in ghee or honey. The herbs and their proportions

have to be patient specific. If dose is exceeded even slightly by

patient, vertigo/headache/insomnia are the results. No other side

effects.

 

The spectrum of problems which this approach could solve can cover

fertility related disorders too, but due to the nature of herbs

involved, it is better if patient-specific protocol is carried out

under supervision.

 

A retail store owner of ayurvedic medicines caters to at least three

hundred customers in 8-9 hours daily, answering their questions, calculating

the

amounts, collecting cash, with so much of calm and quiet mind, that

author could not resist asking him how does he achieve this. No

pranayam, no yoga, only Brahmi Vati, 2 tabs twice a day, with a

glass of milk over it. no Tea/Coffee/intoxicant. This has been going

on for last 15 years! Brahmi Vati also contains shankhpushpi, Vacha,

Jatamansi, Yeshtimadhu.

 

From few experiences (which could be termed anecdotal by modern

science or a science mindset), author would like to say that if a

small dose is continued for a long time, Medhya herbs are not likely

to cause addiction, if they were not taking care of deficiency to

start with. When they provide boost to tired nerves, it is left to

you to use the nerves extra after providing them medhya tonic, or do

not use the nerves at all. Body is an instrument given to you.

Taking the herb will boost certain function. Certain formulations

will boost fertility. It is left to the individual to upgrade the

energy to higher chakras or spend it in lower ones.

 

Ascetics use certain herbs to obtain better concentrations in

meditation. Excess of nutritious food can become poison. Though

there exist general guidelines, each case is unique. Whenever

possible use drugless technique. But modern lifestyle (children have

no time for yoga, pranayama are excuses) if it requires medhya

herbs, use them without fear. Herbs cant do the damage caused by chemically

ladden foods. If herbal dose is likely to be causing some negative

outcome, it will warn you much in advance. Only precaution needed is

that the dose should be small enough that body should be handle it.

 

___

 

> My question was a bit different.

 

> As such is prolonged use/daily use of these an enabler for better

health? are these like " rasayans " that are helpful if taken

continuously?

 

> On one hand I feel that these would work as vitamins/etc

supplements as they provide the minute quantities of essential

chemicals that enhance body functions. On the other hand, over

prolonged use, the body gets used to receiving these and can either

go immune to their effects or become dependent as well. Which of

these would be the way of looking at this?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...