Guest guest Posted November 14, 2007 Report Share Posted November 14, 2007 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 15, 2007 Report Share Posted November 15, 2007 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 15, 2007 Report Share Posted November 15, 2007 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 16, 2007 Report Share Posted November 16, 2007 > 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 17, 2007 Report Share Posted November 17, 2007 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 20, 2007 Report Share Posted November 20, 2007 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? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
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.