Ayurveda ...
2005
... and Immunity to Stress
In treating stress through Ayurveda, we look at four
areas:
- Consciousness
- Physiology
- Behaviour
- Environment
Mental stress can be relieved by meditation.
Physiology is addressed by dietary changes that include avoiding
stimulants and eating a balanced diet to suit the individual
constitution and by incorporating Abhyanga (Ayurvedic herbal body
massage) into the daily routine.
Behaviour modification involves adhering to a daily routine, with
regular hours for work, sleep and meals and an organized
lifestyle.
A suitable environment is created through music, aromatherapy and
such other things to soothe and balance the individual's
constitution giving a cleaner and more restful living space.
Ayurveda is a great science with complete detail on all the areas
of holistic living.
... and Panic Attacks
Ayurveda considers anxiety as primarily due to aggravation
of vata dosha in the nervous system. So, the primary treatment for
panic attacks is to balance vata dosha. A full body massage and
Shirodhara help to reduce onset of attacks.
Yoga and meditation are recommended for long term relief from panic
attacks. Avoiding tamasik (fried, over spiced, over-cooked) foods
and consuming Brahmi (Gotu Cola) or Chamomile tea regularly are
also effective in treating panic attacks.
.
.. and cholesterol
Panchakarma has been scientifically investigated in relation to
cholesterol levels and studies have shown that panchakarma helps to
significantly reduce cholesterol. VIP (vasoactive intestinal
peptide), a neuropeptide that dilates the coronary arteries, rose
by 80% three months after panchakarma. HDL cholesterol, the "good"
cholesterol rose 75% after three months in those subjects who had
original values that were low.
Other studies have also shown that panchakarma does reduce lipid
peroxide levels. During the week of panchakarma treatment, the
blood level of lipid peroxide actually went up but in three months
after the treatments, the levels were far lower than when the
treatment began. If you sweep your room, dust will fly temporarily
but soon the room is cleaner than before. Apparently, the ghee,
sesame oil and other aspects of panchakarma had loosened the lipid
peroxides from cell membranes and set them free, circulating in the
blood. In the weeks after panchakarma, the body eliminated these
circulating lipid peroxide molecules- and the rate at which new
ones were being produced also apparently declined.
[Next: Ayurveda and cancer...]
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