Myth 1 Ayurvedic medicines are dangerous as they contain heavy metals

A lot of people would like to take Ayurvedic medicine but don’t because they are apprehensive about the heavy metal content in them. A few Ayurvedic preparations [herbo-mineral medicines] have heavy metals in them but these medicines are not dangerous in any way. The metals are made to undergo certain procedures to make them organic before they are incorporated in the medicines. Some of these metals are heat-treated to nullify the heaviness and toxicity. The medicines pass through a wide range of tests before they are declared safe for human consumption. The heavy metals, when converted, act as catalysts to carry the herbs to the desired site of action in the body.

Myth 2 Ayurvedic medicines do not have any side effects

It’s unfair to say this about any system of medicine. Though Ayurvedic medicines have fewer side effects, you can’t say for sure that they never cause any. For instance, when the detox procedures are not done properly, their counter-effects could be life threatening. One can develop symptoms like loose motions, constipation, digestive disturbances, rashes, boils, and fatigue. It is always advised to take the medicines under the supervision of a qualified Ayurvedic physician. Yet, there is always a tiny chance that you may develop some adverse reaction to a certain medicine.

When the detox procedures are not done properly, their counter-effects could be life threatening

Myth 3 There are more food restrictions while undergoing Ayurvedic treatments than other forms of treatments

Any treatment, whether allopathic or Ayurvedic will have certain dietary restrictions. And in order to treat an illness, at times certain foods need to be avoided. This is decided by your Ayurvedic physician after assessing your doshas. Since allopathy does not treat the disease as a whole and only treats the symptoms individually, there are not as many dietary restrictions as in Ayurveda or any other form of complementary therapy.

Myth 4 Ayurveda only means oil massages

Even though there is an increased awareness about Ayurveda, at a global level many people still consider Ayurvedic treatment to be consisting of application of different oils and massages. Ayurveda does not mention anywhere that oil massage is the only remedy for an ailment. It has to be understood that there are many conditions, as well as certain body types, where the application of oil could, in fact, aggravate the health problem. While oil massages are popular for the relaxing effect they produce, they are rarely used to cure diseases.

Myth 5 Ayurvedic medicines require a lot of grinding and pounding

Ayurveda has a wide range of preparations from pills, powders and decoctions to infusions, oils, and herbo-mineral preparations. Thanks to modern mechanical processes, ready-to-use medicines are now available. Even the bitter khashayams [decoctions] are now available in tablet form.

While oil massages are popular for the relaxing effect they produce, they are rarely used to cure diseases

Myth 6 Medicinal formulations are kept a secret

The main purpose of Ayurveda is to prevent the occurrence of diseases and to offer relief to the existing ones. There is nothing secretive about Ayurveda. Because most of the text, formulas and processes are in Sanskrit, they need to be translated. But, one can find many commentaries and translations in book stores these days. There are even universities that offer short- and long-term courses to understand Ayurveda.

Myth 7 Ayurveda is well-practised only in Kerala

There is no doubt that Ayurveda has flourished in Kerala, the land of the ashta vaidyas [the famous family traditionally serving people with their knowledge of Ayurveda]. When India was under British rule, Ayurveda was banned, but in the South it was still practised in parts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. After independence, when Ayurveda was legalised and recognised, many universities, colleges and hospitals started teaching and practising it. Today it is practised all over India and we find treatment centres from Jaipur to Jamnagar and the rest of the country.

Ayurveda is more than just treatments and medications; it is a lifestyle. The principles of Ayurveda,when practised properly, not only keep away diseases but also enhance our mental stability and brings about spiritual enlightenment. It is a holistic system suited for people from all walks of life.

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Herbs that can help expectant mothers

Prajasthapana

This herb group keeps the uterus healthy, making it more conducive to implantation of the embryo. It also enhances the health of pregnant woman as well as her foetus in the womb. This group includes aindri, brahmi, durva, lakshmna, haritaki, amalaki, arishta, bala and priyangu.

Garbhavridhikar

These herbs help in the growth, health and wellbeing of the foetus for the full nine months. They provide proper nutrition to foetal tissues to develop in a healthy manner. This group includes kakoli ksheera, kakoli meda, maha meda etc and all sweet tasting herbs and fruits, anti-vata substances, ghrita or clarified butter and fresh butter.

Garbhaprasuptinivaraka

Garbhaprasuptinivaraka is useful in cases of foetal growth retardation during pregnancy. Ghrita or clarified butter, masha or black gram and soup of radish are used as remedies. Mild, sweet and cold substances help in enhancing foetal growth.

Garbhanulomana

Garbhanulomana has the potential to abort. But these herbs are used sometimes intentionally to facilitate in the delivery of foetus after full term. Kustha, ela, langali, vacha, chitraka, chirabilwa, bhurja, and shishapa herbs belong to this group.

Aparapatana

Aparapatana supports the separation of the placenta, its descent and finally its expulsion from the uterus, which happens in the third part of labour.  This group of herbs includes bhurja leaves, kachamani, kustha, talisha, kulatha, mandukaparni, pippali [longpepper], deodar, ela, dried ginger, vidanga, kala, agaru, chavya, chitraka and upakunchika.

Garbhopaghatakara

This group of herbal remedies damage the foetus and interferes with its health. Herbs in this group have sharp and hot properties. Remedies and diet include excessive salty and sour tasting items.

Herbs that can help lactating mothers

Stanyajanana

These herbs increase breast milk production both in quantity and quality in lactating mothers. This group comprises roots such as virana, shali, shashatika, ikshuvalika, darbha, kusha, kasha, gundra, and itkata.

Stanyashodhana

These herbs remedy vitiated milk in lactating mothers. An imbalance of doshas—vata, pitta and kapha—vitiates breast milk. This is different from infection of breast tissues. Vitiated milk affects the baby’s appetite, bowel habits, colour and form of stool, and activity. This group includes patha, shunthi, devadaru, musta, murva, guduchi, indrayava, chirayata, katuki and sariva.

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Here are three herbs that greatly benefit a woman’s health and wellbeing.

Amalaki

Botanical name: emblica officinalis; family: euphorbiaceae

Amalaki commonly known as gooseberry is a small to medium-sized tree with a crooked trunk and spreading branches. The fruit is extensively used for medicinal purpose. Amalaki is native to tropical Southeast Asia, found particularly in central and southern India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, southern China and the Mascarene Islands. It is commonly cultivated in gardens throughout India and grown commercially as a medicinal fruit.

Chemically, the amalaki fruit contains a series of diterpenes referred to as the gibberellins, as well as the triterpene lupeol, flavonoids [e.g. kaempherol-3-O-fl-Dglucoside, quercetin-3-O-fl-Dglucoside], and polyphenols. It is used in dyspepsia, gastritis, hyperacidity, hepatitis, constipation, flatulent colic, colitis, haemorrhoids, convalescence from fever, cough, asthma, skin diseases, bleeding disorders, menorrhagia [abnormally heavy and prolonged periods at regular intervals], anaemia, diabetes, gout, osteoporosis, premature greying, alopecia, asthenia, mental disorders, vertigo, palpitations, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.

The dried fruit prepared as a decoction and taken on a regular basis is useful in menorrhagia and leucorrhoea [a condition in which there is a white discharge from the vagina], and is an excellent post-partum restorative. Similarly the chakradatta recommends the fresh juice of amalaki with amalaki churna, taken with ghee and honey as a vajikarana rasayana— aphrodasiac.

Ashoka

Botanical name: saraca indica; family: ceasalpinoidae

It’s a small ever green tree that grows to a height of 6-8ms. The bark has a warty surface which is brownish grey or sometimes black in colour. Flowers are fragrant, orange red coloured arranged in corymbs. Fruits are flat pods with ellipsoid shaped seeds. This tree is found on eastern side of Himalayas and shady evergreen forests of south India.

Major chemical contents of Ashoka are alkenes [C20 – C35] esters tannin catachin [+] catechole [-] epicatechin. Ashoka stimulates the uterus making the contractions frequent and prolonged without producing tonic contractions [during the monthly cycle and childbirth]. Due to this it has been helpful in uterine hemorrhagic conditions like menorrhagia, and metrorrahagia [irregular bleeding during and after menstrual cycle].

The classical preparation— Ashokarista the alcoholic extract of Ashoka along with the combination of other herbs available in market is useful in conditions like dysmenorrhoeal, bleeding due to dysfunction of uterus. But it should be taken under guidance of a capable ayurvedic physician. Decoction of the bark of Ashoka mixed with cold milk is an excellent remedy for irregular menstrual cycles and other bleeding disorders.

Shatavari

Botanical name: asparagus racemosus; family: liliacea

This is a creeper, which grows in low forest areas throughout India. A much-branched spinus under-shrub with tuberous, short rootstock bearing numerous fusiform and succulent roots. It grows wild in southern Europe, south west England, and southern Ireland. Most of the greenhouse varieties come from South Africa

Shatavari contains triterpene saponnins shatavarin I-IV, which are phytoestrogen compounds. These help in balancing the hormone levels in female body. This oestrogen is of plant origin and has strong stabilising and rejuvenating effect on both body and mind. Due to this unique property, it is useful in pre menstrual symptoms [PMS], infertility, dysmenorrhoeal, irregular menstrual cycle, menopause and lactation.

The greatest use of shatavari is for menopausal women with low oestrogen levels. The symptoms which include hot flushes, insomnia, night sweats, vaginal dryness that can be effectively managed by phytoestrogens present in shatavari.

Granules prepared out of purified root powder of shatavari  taken one teaspoon with hot milk increases secretion of milk in lactating mothers.

Shatavari powder taken along with gokshura [tribulus terestris] and amalaki [emblica officinale] reduces oedema during pregnancy and gives rich nourishment to both mother and foetus. This also corrects the urinary tract infection [UTI] which pregnant women are often prone to.

Shatavari in combination with shankha puspi [conch flower plant] is very helpful in reducing stress, hot flushes, insomnia, pain and irritability associated with PMS.

Milk extract of shatavari and liquorices is the best medicine to reduce symptoms of menopause as both contain good amount of phytoestrogens. Shatavari taken with candy sugar cures gastritis.

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