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A lady suffering of Adenomyosis

 

A 40-year-old, mother of 2 was diagnosed with Adenomyosis in 2016.

A transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasound revealed a bulky anteverted uterus. The myometrium showed adenomyosis and the endometrium measured 10 mm.

Adenomyosis is an ailment where the cells normally lining the uterus grow in the muscular tissue of the uterus. It can cause enlargement of the uterus and often presents as a bulky appearance on an Ultrasound.

It is usually seen in women in their reproductive years when oestrogen is needed in the body and often subsides after menopause. It is a non-malignant growth.

Adenomyosis can be a very debilitating and symptoms can vary from mild to severe.

Our patient experienced these symptoms:
1. Severe menstrual pain and cramps starting 7 days prior to her period
2. Heavy bleeding
3. Fainting due to pain
4. Vomiting
5. Severe Anaemia. She needed an intravenous iron infusion but had an allergic reaction resulting in a hospital admission
6. Unable to go to work and bed bound for nearly 2 weeks at a time

Her obstetrician recommended a Hysterectomy and she booked a date to undergo this procedure.

Our patient conducted her own research and came across positive results from Adenomyosis Ayurvedic treatment, which brought her to Lakshmi Ayurveda.

A tailored treatment programme was recommended during her initial consultation and she decided to postpone the Hysterectomy surgery while undergoing the Ayurvedic treatments for Adenomyosis.

Granthi chikitsa was adopted when establishing the treatment plan. Granthi is a Sanskrit word meaning cyst, swelling, benign growth and we can correlate Adenomyosis to Granthi mentioned in the classical text. Another disease mentioned in the classics is called Arbuda. Arbuda is a disease characterised by a growth of a mass.

Granthi refers to modular or glandular swelling with hard, knotty and rough appearance. C.Chi 12:83

Granthi (cyst, swelling, benign growth) Treatment:
1. Increase the digestive function Deepana/Pachana,
2. Reduce the muscle, blood and fatty tissue this is called Mamsa, rakta and medohara chikitsa
3. The ailment is tridoshic with Vata/Kapha predominance this is why Vata Kapha Hara chikitsa (pacifying treatment for Vata and Kapha is adopted).
4. For reducing Kapha, lekhana treatment is done. Lekhana is a treatment with a scraping effect.

Our patient underwent a 4-week classical Panchakarma programme and the scan was repeated a few months after completing her programme. During this time, she adhered to strict Pathya/Apathy Ahara/Vihara (following a suitable diet and lifestyle) along with her prescribed Ayurvedic medicines.

Symptoms after Panchakarma:
• Period pain for 2 days instead of 7 days, severity decreased
• Menstrual flow normal, heavy bleeding stopped improving her iron levels
• Increased energy and vitality
• Ability to return to work
• No vomiting or fainting

A repeat scan was done and the thickness and bulging of the myometrium has decreased. Scans are available for scientific evidence.

If you suffer from Adenomyosis or if you have any other questions you are welcome to email us on info@lakshmiayurveda.com.au

We love to hear from you.
With love the Lakshmi team xx

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Vati and Gutika Kalpana

Vati is a preparation where different medicinal substances are used to make tablets (vati) and pills (gutika). This is done either by cooking the powdered herbs with jaggery or guggulu or without cooking by macerating the powder with any liquid like honey and guggulu and then rolled into pills. They are made of one or more drugs of a plant, animal or mineral origin.

At Lakshmi’s kitchen we have prepared Eladi Vati/ Eladi Gutika

Ingredients:
Ela/cardamon, tejapatra/bay leaves, dalchini/ cinnamon, pippali/ long pepper, sita/sugar, yasthimadhu/ licorice, dried dates, grapes and honey.

How to make it:
1. All of the first six ingredients are made into a a fine powder and kept aside (needs to be fine)
2. The dried dates and grapes are ground into a paste with a mortar and pestle
3. Then the fine powder is added and mixed uniformly
4. Add the honey and again mix well
5. The content is mad into little pills
6. The pills should be dried out (best in sunlight).

Best to prepare at the end of summer to be prepared for the season change (autumn/winter).

Indication:
Relief cough and cold, fever, hiccup, vomiting, fainting, bleeding disorder (nose bleeding), spleen disorder, horse voice, loss of taste and this tablets are nourishing and calming.

Fresh prepared Eladi vati are available at Lakshmi Ayurveda. A natural approach to relief your cough and cold. Prepared with 100% organic ingredients.

For any questions or if you would like to try some please visit us at Lakshmi Ayurveda.
We look forward to welcoming you soon.

Wishing you a cough and cold free season!

Much Love the Lakshmi Ayurveda team 🙂

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Sneha Kalpana – Medicated Ghee and Oil Preparation

Medicated ghee and oil preparation – Sneha Kalpana

Sneha means fat or a fatty material. Ghee and oil are boiled with Kalka (herbal paste), Swarasa (juice) or Kwatha (herbal decoction) so the active therapeutic properties of the Dravya (herbs) enter into the ghee.

There are three components of sneha (ghee or oil) preparation:

1. Dravya (juice or other liquid decoction)
2. Kalka – a fine paste of the drugs (kashtausadhi)
3. Sneha – ghee or oil

Generally the rule is:

1 part – Kalka (paste)
4 parts – Sneha (oil or ghee)
16 parts – Dravya (liquid)

The Murchita Taila is heated over a moderate fire. Next add the Dravya and the Kalka. This mixture is stirred continuously to ensure the paste does not stick to the vessel. Once all the liquid has evaporated the mixture begins to evaporate. At this stage it must be stirred very carefully so the paste will not burn. There are 4 stages of Paka (cooking) mentioned in the text: Mridu, Madhyama, Khara and Dagdha Paka. Once the correct cooking stages is achieved the oil is filtered.

The pictures above demonstrate the Sneha Kalpana for Ksheerabala Thaila.
Reference for this oil is found in Astanga Hridaya Vatarakta Chikitsa.

Ingredients:
1. Bala Kashaya 16 parts
2. Bala Kalka 1 part
3. Taila 4 parts
4. Ksheera 4 parts

Ksheerabala is used in:
– Vataroga such as (facial palsy, headaches, hemiplegia, ear pain, cataract, uterine disorder)
– Gout
– Rasayana

This oil can be used internally and externally for Nasya, Abhyanga and .

If you are interested in learning how to prepare Ayurvedic medicated ghee let us know. We look forward hearing from you info@lakshmiayurveda.com.au.

A wide range of classical Ayurvedic oils are available at Lakshmi Ayurveda
Have a beautiful day, the Lakshmi Ayurveda team

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Causes of Cracked feet (Padadari) an Ayurvedic perspective

Paada – means feet and heels
Dari/Darana – means cracking

Have you looked at your feet recently and thought your heels have had better times?

The Vayu located in the foot soles gets aggravated when one is frequently exposed to causative factors, causing roughness of the skin resulting in cracking. This is known as Padadari.

The Causative factors of Padadari, as mentioned in the Ancient Ayurvedic texts are:

• Intake of Vata aggravating diet
• Dry, rough, sharp, hot and spicy food such as junk food, oily food, deep fried, excess spices and high intake of raw food
• Certain activities like excessive walking, bare foot walking, walking with hard improper footwear, exposure to cold water, standing for a longer duration
• In summer, rainy, autumn and winter seasons
• Obesity
• Middle-aged women
• Diabetes
• Lack of a daily routine (Dinacharya)

Ayurvedic treatment principles:

1. Snehana/Oleation: application of medicated oil. Mix oils such as sesame oil, castor oil, Jatyadi taila mixed with equal part of Ashwagandha taila.
2. Daily foot massage (pada abhyanga): Use Kasa bowl (bronze bowl specifically for foot massage) or Kansa wand.
3. Svedana/Sudation: Soak and wash your feet with warm salt water.
4. Lepana/Paste application: Use herbs such as Manjistha, Neem, Yasthimadhu, Sandalwood and Haritaki. Apply daily for 20 minutes.
5. Moisturize: Use Beeswax (Madhucchistha), honey and Shatadhauta ghrita.
• Shatadhauta ghrita is amazing! This is ghee washed with water 100 times. This makes the ghee silky smooth and more butter like in consistency.
• Shatadhauta ghrita is wonderful to apply on cracked heels. Best mixed with herbs such as turmeric, licorice , neem and sandalwood powder.
• 1 cup of Shatadhauta ghrita with 3 tsp of turmeric is an effective combination.

If you are looking for more information about Padadari you are always welcome to email us on info@lakshmiayurveda.com.au

Have a beautiful day and don’t forget to look after your feet

The foot feels the foot when it feels the ground.
Buddha

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Anjeer – The magic of figs

How lucky we are to have a lovely neighbour who has a fig tree in his garden.

Figs are called Anjeer in Hindi. Anjeer has such wonderful medicinal benefits  with such a high nutritional value.

Figs are a wonderful source of iron, rich in calcium (more than milk), potassium (more than bananas) and rich in dietary fibres.

The dried fruits are abundant in manganese, iron, magnesium, potassium, and thiamine. These fruits contain 17 different types of amino acids

 

The ayurvedic properties are sweet (madhura)/ astringent (kashaya) and cold (sheeta) in nature

Figs are great to relive constipation, piles, liver disorder, gum disease, high blood pressure and debility.

1.       Anjeer richness is iron makes it a perfect fruit to treat Anaemia.

2.       Taken in the morning with Pippali is helpful for Asthma,

3.       Chewing figs strengthens teeth, tongue and gums

4.       Anjeer alkalises the body blood and maintains proper ph of blood.

5.       The richness in calcium makes them ideal for heart, bones, digestive and reproductive health.

6.       For cold or sore throat boil dried figs, fenugreek and tulsi leaves. Reduce the water to ¼ and drink it lukewarm

7.       Figs are high in antioxidants and studies suggest the anti cancer properties.

So interesting about the fig tree has been mentioned and considered sacred in different religions and cultures around the world.

In Hindu philosophy the tree is sacred to different deities , the roots of one indian species represents Brahma the Creator, the leaves Shiva and the trunk Vishnu the preserver.

Adam and Eve used fig leaves to cover their nakedness. “And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.” (Genesis 3:7).

In ancient Egypt, pharaohs believed that when they died their souls would encounter a Fig tree at the edge of the desert, and that the goddess Hathor would emerge from the foliage to welcome them to heaven

Who would think of all this when eating a Fig!

Food is Medicine

Food is Conciousness

Figs are in season at the moment so this is the best time to eat this wholesome fruit. Also available at Lakshmi Ayurveda after your treatment 🙂

We look forward to welcoming you at Lakshmi Ayurveda

Warmly Karin and the Lakshmi team, info@lakshmiayurveda.com.au ph: 0406 810 547

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Hypercholesterolemia and Ayurveda

Karin Gunthor’s collaboration to the Australasian Association of Ayurveda (AAA)’s March newsletter:

Hypercholesterolemia and Ayurveda

Karin Lakshmi Gunthor, BSc Hons Ayurveda

What is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a greasy substance that is part of circulating lipids in the body.

It is part of the cell membranes and is used for the synthesis of steroid hormones, bile salts, and vitamin D.

It is derived from the diet and it is synthesized within our body mainly in the liver. Cholesterol is an important building block in the formation and repair of cell walls, the function of nerve tissues, the production of hormones. It is important to understand that normal amount of cholesterol itself is not bad and is essential for the body.

What if we have too much of it?

Hypercholesterolemia involves abnormally elevated levels of any or all lipids and/ or lipoproteins in the blood. These lipids include cholesterol, cholesterol esters, phospholipids, and triglycerides.

Hypercholesterolemia is recognized as a risk factor for ischemic heart disease and coronary mortality.

Lipids can be correlated to sneha, medo dhatu, saama rasa due to similarity in their properties.

In Ayurveda, we do not have any disease which can be directly compared to Hypercholesterolemia but we know that this disease is characterized by an increased amount of lipids present in the bloodstream.

Most of the acharyas have considered hypercholesterolemia under the heading of medoroga or medodosha but some authors consider it as as rasagata-snehavriddhi, raktgata-snehavriddhi and some authors consider it under the broad umbrella of AMA.

Most of the acharyas have stressed upon the role of an imbalanced diet and sedentary habits as a causative factor of medoroga or santarpanajanyavyadhis

We can say it is a dushya dominant disorder mainly of the meda and rasa dhatu.

there are two types of medo dhatu. One is poshaka and second is poshya.  Among these two, poshaka is mobile in nature (gatiyukta) which is circulated in the whole.

Improper diet and lifestyle, as well as emotional factors, will lead to improper Agni resulting in Ama.

The pathology of Medodhatuagnimandya leads to excess homologous poshakamedo-dhatu in the circulation.

Nidana

  • Aharaja/ dietary factors
  • Viharaja/ lifestyle factors
  • Beejadosha(genetic or hereditary)
  • Anya nidanas/ other causes

Samprapti Ghataka

  • Dosha: Kledaka Kapha, Pachaka Pitta Samana, and Vyana Vayu
  • Dushya: Rasa and Medo Dhatu
  • Agni: Rasa and Medo dhatvagni
  • Srotas: Rasavaha srotas, Medovaha srotas
  • Srotodusti: Sanga and Margavarodha
  • Adhisthana: whole body
  • Udbhavasthana: Amashaya
  • Vyaktasthanka: Sarvanga
  • Ama: Jatharagni mandhyajanita ama, Dhatvagnimandhyajanita ama
  • Roga marga: Bhaya

Ayurvedic Management

  1. Nidana Parivarjana
  2. Apatarpana chikitsa
  3. Sodhana chikitsa
  4. Shamana chikitsa
  5. Pathya/ Apathya Ahara Vihara

Things you should do if you suffer from High cholesterol

  • Avoid fatty and deep fried foods
  • Eat sattvic food
  • Exercise daily
  • Drink “copper water”
  • Use Ayurvedic herbs such as Guggulu/ commiphora mukul
  • drink a cup of madhudaka/ honey water
  • Yoga poses
  • Pranayama
  • Meditation

Case presentation:

46-year-old male who just had been diagnosed with hypercholesterolemia after having had a blood test by his GP (09/2017). No other significant medical conditions.

His GP advised him to start on Lipitor which the patient refused because of the possible side effects of the medication.

He is new to Ayurveda!

In the initial consultation, he was advised on strict

  • Pathya/Apathya Ahara Vihara
  • Ayurvedic medicines Kaishore Guggulu, Triphala and Guduchi.
  • daily medicated takra/ buttermilk for Srotosuddhi.

8 weeks after his treatment the blood test was repeated and within the short period of time, the Cholesterol has already reduced a great amount. For clinical evidence please contact Karin.

Note: Information published in this articles is for education purpose only, for further information for corrections, questions related to the publication please contact the AAA admin office or the practitioner contributed the article.
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