Diseases and Treatments

There is greater recognition for non-allopathic schools of medicine in the West now than in the past few hundred years. Ayurvedic concepts and herbal medicine are attracting attention. There is also more scientific research conducted in India, on herbal remedies.

There are some diseases for which ayurvedic treatment can claim superiority over other systems:

Liver Disorders

Herbs like Bhoomiamla (Philanthus Niruri), Bringaraj (Eclipta Alba), Pippali (Piper Longum) and Maricham (Piper Nigrum) are effective in the treatment of liver disorders.

Skin Diseases

Manjishta (Indian Maddar), Neem (Azadiracta Indica), Saribha (Hemidismus Indicus) and the barks and varieties of the family of Ficusaceae are used in treating skin ailments.

Arthritic Conditions

Various arthritic conditions can also be treated by internal and external remedies. Pinda Tailam, Vishamusti Tailam and Amavatha Tailam are commonly used for external application. Guggulu (resinous extract of the bark of Commifera Mukul) and other herbo-mineral compounds are taken internally.

Neurological diseases

Paralysis, Neurosthenia, Dystrophy and Atrophy are treated using Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera) Bala, Dasha moolas etc. Tailas that are used for external applications are Dhanwantara Taila, Karpastatyadi Taila, Visha Musti Taila, Mahanarayana Taila, Mahamasha Taila etc.

Cancer and AIDS

Bhallataka, Guddoochi, Chitraka and some time tested mercurial compounds extremely useful in the treatment of these two diseases, feared to be terminal. Extensive research is now on about the use of Ayurveda and Siddha medicines in the treatment of AIDS.

Diabetes

Nisha (Curcuma Longa) (Manjal in Tamil) Amalaki Churnam, Tarakeshwara Rasa, Shilajit (Gypsum Salt) made into a bhasma, the starchy portion of the Gudoochi satvam (starchy portion of the Guduchi stem) are used in diabetic treatment.

Hypertension

Sarpagandha (Rawolfia Serpentina) is considered effective.

The warning here is that the same prescriptions or dosage are not viable for all patients, as individual constitutions differ. A good physician who has analyzed the patient's nature will be in a position to prescribe the medicine required.

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