Art of Self Medication - 1

[Guest guest]

The motivation for this series is Post#16186, 16213,17, where list members have

their herbs or their formulations, possibly ordered online, and do not know the

correct dosage or method of use. Most of the queries by members are questions

such as what herbs/formulations can be used to correct a disease condition

defined by a name used by modern science. They fail to realize that ayurveda is

not a simple " pathy " and its scope includes diet, lifestyle and environment. The

fact that many members do not have an ayurvedic vaidya conveniently in their

neighbourhoods, requires that they take herbal medication without supervision

and as self medicating for want of any other support. Now this could be a risky

method and give rise to unpleasant reactions, leading to their rejection of the

herb or treatment. This post is addressed to such patients. It also wishes to

emphasize that the ayurvedic herbal approach is slow and may sometimes demand a

degree of patience for meaningful benefits. To help remote patients a set of

herbs and formulations useful for common problems was given in the

" Medicine_Chest.doc " file stored on the group website.

 

Most of us discover that the effect of natural approaches to healing is far

better than the mainstream prescription equivalent. The desire to help others

who want to heal naturally through our own experience creates an expertise where

the sophistication of ayurvedic jargon may be absent, where only a hunch and a

sixth sense may be working, but at least some benefits are assured. Something

important to remember about natural " medicines " as opposed to prescription

drugs, is that more time is typically required to see results.

 

Healing, the natural way, goes to the core of the problem whereas much of modern

medicine deals solely with the cessation of symptoms. To the vaidya, symptoms

are seen as clues to the problem origin and not as something to be treated, but

something to be monitored as treatment progresses. Of course in some cases,

temporary relief of symptoms is necessary, if one has to work or cannot afford

to take time off to let the body do it's job of naturally dealing with

imbalances. The problem in our society is that we have begun to depend on the

" quick fix " of the antacid, the headache remedy, the sleeping pill, or the nerve

pill, instead of dealing with the core imbalances.

 

One of the more dangerous dependencies we've developed is a dependence on

antibiotics. What has happened over time is that viruses and bacteria have

developed ways to survive stronger and stronger antibiotics and most holistic

healthcare providers believe that it may not be long until even the strongest

available antibiotic will not be effective. We must learn to support our body's

natural defense system, give it the nutrition it needs to stay healthy, and deal

with our emotional, mental and spiritual lives in a healthier way.

 

This series of articles focuses on ways to use herbs for health and wellness.

This information is given for educational purposes only. The author wishes to

share holistic options for wellness that many are seeking in today's world.

The tips shared have come from personal experience in the use of herbal remedies

and are not to be construed as replacing any current medication or regimen

suggested by your doctor.

 

Whenever a new substance is introduced into the body's system for the purpose of

healing or correcting some condition, we understand that we have decided to

self-medicate. [Author applies this meaning even if you consult through an

email.] This is our right and it is also our responsibility. We should realize

that any substance can cause an allergic reaction and that the most important

time for paying attention to a possible response, positive or negative, is in

the first three to six days after adding this new substance. We need to learn to

notice physical energy levels, changes in breathing, temperature, skin color,

itching or rash-like symptoms, dizziness and mental/emotional changes – perhaps

the most subtle and therefore more difficult to discern. Determining whether or

not to continue taking a formula has sometimes becomes a little complex because

when, for example, someone starts taking a detox formula, the symptoms of

necessary internal cleansing can be the same as allergic reactions. The skin is

our largest eliminatory organ and can respond to a big release of toxins by

temporarily developing rash-like symptoms. As well as this, detoxification can

frequently tax the entire system (due to toxins being released and having to be

flushed out through the skin, liver, spleen, kidneys and colon) and can create

temporary feelings of fatigue, depression, etc.

 

The way to know for sure that whatever reactions are not allergic in nature is

to start with a very low dosage and work our way up to the recommended dosage.

The pulse count suggested in Post# 4511 also gives a clue to the true nature of

allergic reactions. Those born with a natal moon in the stars Aswini, Magha and

Mula have a very strong sense of smell and can recognise substances they are

allergic to just by smelling that substance. On the other hand, those born with

moon in aridra, swati or shatbhisa are the least allergic types, despite a good

sense of smell. By starting with a very low dosage, too low for a rapid detox to

be a factor and at least for 2-3 days, one can eliminate a allergic reaction and

associated side effects. For example, if a tincture is to be taken and the

dosage is 15 drops three times a day, one might start with five drops, once a

day. Then, after a day or two, increase the number of drops to twice daily,

then three times daily. Increase the dosage only after reaching three doses per

day or the specified dose. The efficiency of the medicine is in great part

dependent on the medicine being in the system continually. Until one reaches

three doses a day that full impact does not occur. After one is sure the

continual dose does not cause a problem, only then is it safe to increase to the

full dose. This method is the best way to avoid an undesirable response,

especially when taking formulas containing multiple herbs or formulas designed

to achieve a heavy detox. Single herbs rarely pose such a problem.

 

The next article in this series will be posted next week.

 

The editing help from Jane MacRoss is gratefully acknowledged.

 

Dr Bhate