Ayurveda and Mouth Ulcers

The saliva in the mouth is there to protect the tongue, palate, throat, gums from ulcers. Hot substances like chillies, hot fluids and solids etc gets moderated by the action of saliva.

During the summer season, just as water in the atmosphere gets depleted, so too the water content in the body gets depleted. To overcome the effects of such depletion, following procedures can be followed.

• Gargle your mouth with water many times during the day.
• Fill your mouth with water and then wash your face.
• Dab a little amount of butter or ghee on the tongue 3-4 times a day.
• Gargle your mouth with coconut milk.
• Chew a few grains of linseed.
• Chew palm candy, raisins, bananas, seeds of cucumber, almond, etc for some time.
• Milk of adhimadhuram (licorice), turmeric etc mixed in milk and taken 3-4 times a day.

All the above can soften the aggression of a nasty mouth ulcer.

Also taking a decoction made of masikkai (nut-gall) can cure mouth ulcers.

Water mixed with honey and gargled can assuage mouth irritation and heal mouth ulcers.

Similarly gargling with coconut oil also heals mouth ulcers.

Manathakali keerai (Black Nightshade – Solanum Nigrum) is an excellent remedy for mouth ulcer. This green can be chewed raw to heal mouth ulcers quickly.

A sort of white thick milk will ooze out of a tender papaya when it is pierced. This milk when applied on the mouth ulcers can cure them.

Junk food, bad oral practices, taking high dose drugs without consulting doctors etc can cause mouth ulcers.

Triphala choornam 3 gm, adhimadhuram 2 gm, honey and ghee all these are mixed to form a paste. This paste when applied on the ulcers heals them. This is to be done before going to bed.

Also “Mahathiktham” taken morning and evening on empty stomach helps cure mouth ulcers.

Ayurveda for Tonsillitis

Galatundi is the name given to tonsils and tundikeri is a condition of inflammation of galatundi. Tundikeri or tonsillitis has been described as a localised swelling adjacent the base of the tongue having its resemblance to cotton seed fruit. When swollen it is covered with mucus, painful and hard to touch. There is oedema, increased size, pricking pain, burning sensation and suppuration.

Tonsillitis is one of the commonest diseases of the upper respiratory tract which affects all age groups particularly the growing children. The commonest cause of infection is streptococcal haemolyticus. The disease spreads quickly by way of dust particles. Poorly ventilated and overcrowded spots are the breeding grounds of these pathogens.

Chronic tonsillitis might lead to rheumatic fever, nephritis and many other systemic complications.

Symptoms include high fever of 103-104 range, with considerable pain on swallowing, painful enlargement of tonsillar glands in the neck, referred pain in the ear on the affected side, sore throat and exudation of pus.

Sphatika’s use in treating tonsillitis has been referred in ancient Ayurvedic texts. Ayurveda describes sphatika as an astringent, haemostatic, antiseptic. It has anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic and antibiotic properties.

A study was conducted in Jammu, India to test the efficacy of sphatika on both acute and chronic tonsillitis cases. [See: JRAS Vol XVII No. 3-4 (1996) pages 149-156].

Fine powder of purified sphatika was used for local application over tonsils and fauces thrice daily before meals. Similarly 1 gm of sphatika dissolved in half cup lukewarm water was taken internally.

It was found that the disease is more frequent among the male children (11 – 20 years). Sphatika had a marked effect on treatment of tonsillitis. The various symptoms started regressing just after a day or two of commencement of therapy.

Sphatika being kasaya, katu, tikta, usna and jwara-hara in action, reduces the inflammation of the tonsils thereby regulating the increased body temperature. Its antibiotic activity inhibits further spread of the pathogens. This was confirmed by throat swab tests done before and after treatment.

A Natural Remedy For A Bloated Stomach

Food plays a major role in bloated stomach. If major portion of the food consists of “gas items” in Ayurveda parlance, then it results in bloating.It is a very uncomfortable feeling and we resort to antacids. Antacids have their own side effects when used frequently.
Ayurveda suggests a simple home remedy for this.
A small piece of ginger, a teaspoon of cumin seeds and pinch of salt is all that is required. These are ground as a paste adding a little bit of water. The paste is swallowed as a whole. Drink a glass of warm water after this. This will immediately help in clearing the bloating with no side effects.
Disclaimer: All information provided in this blog is provided for historical and educational purposes only; statements contained here are reported in an effort to preserve traditional cultural lore and information. Nothing here should be construed as an attempt to diagnose, prescribe, or recommend treatment for any disease or condition. Please consult your physician for medical advice regarding any medical condition and do not use any of the historical information on this site without your physicians approval.

Some Siddha Home Remedies for Stomach Problems

A choornam (herbal powder) for common stomach problems is given below.

Pepper, cumin seeds, thippili (Piper longum), induppu (rock salt) 25 gm each are powdered. 10 gm of dried powdered curry leaves and 10 gm of perungayam (asafetida) powder are added to this mix. All are mixed together and stored in a bottle. A tablespoon of this powder is added to the first portion of your lunch. This helps in gas and indigestion.

Another choornam (herbal powder) is as follows.

Perungayam (asafetida), chukku (dried ginger), turmeric, thyme, vasambu (sweet flag), 20 gm each are taken and fried using a new earthen pot or pan. The fried ingredients are then powdered and sieved using muslin. A pinch (1 to 1.5 gm) of this powder is mixed in honey and taken internally for stomachache, indigestion, gas etc. This can be given to kids and old alike.

Ways to Cure Stammering and Stuttering in Ayurveda

Given below are some ayurvedic home remedies for stuttering and stammering.

All activities of the human body is controlled by the brain. The brain processes all the information it receives through the senses and makes it more meaningful. All of the physical activities are controlled by the brain and specific areas of the brain control specific organs and the corresponding activities. Most of the activities of the brain are beyond the conscious control of the individual.

When a part of the brain is damaged due to various reasons, the specific body part and the corresponding activities come to a standstill. That part of the brain which controls speech may get damaged and this can result in stuttering and stammering. This is the physiological reason.

Just as our bodies can be kept fit by exercises, stuttering can also be cured by specific set of exercises.

Ayurveda states that the brain is under the control of ‘Prana’. Therefore to cure stuttering we have to improve the functioning of ‘prana’.

Vallarai is a herb that is found in shades in villages. A few coriander seeds and palm candy are placed inside 3 or 4 vallarai leaves and chewed. Also vallarai leaves can be dried in shade and powdered. This powder taken regularly helps reduce stammering. Paste made by grinding the leaves can also be taken with milk. It is surprising to note that the shape of vallarai leaf resembles the human brain.

Cow’s ghee is also recommended by Ayurveda to cure stammering. According to Ayurveda texts cow's ghee acts positively in the sphere of memory, speech, knowledge, wisdom etc. To sense things, store them in memory, express things coherently from memory etc all belong to this domain. Hence cow’s ghee is used in preparation of medicines that help improve memory, cure stammering, stuttering etc.

‘Saaraswatha choornam’ half a teaspoon and ‘brahmi kirutham’ one and half teaspoon are mixed in honey. This mixture is then placed inside rice balls and taken internally and masticated well. For this purpose it is recommended that you have rice along with hot sambar and rasam as breakfast. After breakfast, saraswatharishtam 30 ml should be taken.

Apply warm brahmi oil on top of head and allow it to soak for about 30 – 45 minutes. Afterwards bathe using warm water. This process helps improve memory as well clear stuttering and stammering.

The above mentioned ayurvedic remedies complement very well with the conventional treatments like fluency shaping, hypnosis, stuttering modification etc.

Meet My Siddha Physician

Dr. Pulavar Vinayagam is a Siddha physician of repute. He lives in North Chennai, in Otteri to be exact. An unassuming personality, he has bee practicing for over 40 years as a Siddha specialist. He is also the secretary of Tamil Nadu Siddha Vaidhya Sangam. He teaches yoga on Saturdays and Sundays. He uses ayurveda preparations along with siddha medicines. And he has been my physician for the past 20 years. Almost all of my health problems have been solved after I started using his Siddha preparations. He is a good listener and has always cleared my doubts. He is also a Tamil scholar and has written a couple of books in spite of his busy schedule.

I am also in the process of interviewing him on your behalf. So if you have any questions regarding Siddha or Ayurvedha systems you can contact me. I will come back to you with his insights regarding your problems.

Now, a little bit about Siddha system from Dr. Vinayagam’s book ‘Siddha Maruthuvam’. The content is in question and answer format.

Question: Please brief us on different parts of Siddha system and its speciality.

Dr. Vinayagam: Siddha system is a spiritually oriented system. Yogam, gnanam, vatham, vaithiyam, jothidam and manthrikam are the different aspects of Siddha system. Siddha system classify diseases as 4448 in number which manifest as a result of disharmony in vali, azhal and aiyam (vata, pittha and kapha). Siddha system claims to have remedy for all the diseases that afflict mankind. The basic tenet of Siddha is ‘food as medicine and medicine as food’. In fact it is a way of life. The system advocates vegetarianism.

Siddha system was not only adept at regaining the lost harmony it also helped maintain it. To that end the system exhorts a typical day to day activity that includes dhyanam or meditation, tapas or austere practices, kayakalpam, and vasi practice. Jothida naadi, or astrology refers to writings of Siddhars (founders of Siddha system of medicine). It is said that Siddhars were guided by a superior force to write about the future of human beings. These writings offer ways and means for people to overcome their problems be it physical, mental or spiritual.

The Siddhars by virtue of their wisdom and insight used herbs and minerals available in nature to cure ailments that afflicted mankind.

Ayurvedic Home Remedies for Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis

The word ‘arthritis’ means ‘inflammation of the joints’. It is, generally, a chronic disease process.

Mostly arthritis occurs as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease which usually occurs in the older age-group.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a serious disease which affects not only the joints of the fingers, wrists, hips, knees and feet, but also the muscles, tendons and other tissues of the body.

Causes and Symptoms

The main symptoms of osteoarthritis are pain and stiffness in the joints. The pain usually increases after movement. It usually develops gradually over several months, with persistent pain and stiffness in one or more joints. Ultimately the whole body is affected.
Given below are a few ayurvedic herbal and home remedies for Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis.

Potato Juice : The method of preparing potato juice is to cut a medium-sized potato into thin slices, without peeling the skin, and place the slices overnight in a large glass filled with cold water. The water should be drunk in the morning on an empty stomach. Fresh juice can also be extracted from potatoes. A medium-sized potato should be diluted with a cup of water and drunk first thing in the morning.

Other Raw Juices : One cup of green juice, extracted from any green leafy vegetable, mixed in equal proportions with carrot, celery and red beet juices is good for arthritis. The alkaline action of raw juices dissolves the accumulation of deposits around the joints and in other tissues. A cup of fresh pineapple juice is also valuable, as the enzyme bromelain in fresh pineapple juice reduces swelling and inflammation in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Garlic : Garlic is another effective remedy for arthritis. It contains an anti-inflammatory property which accounts for its effectiveness in the treatment of this disease. Garlic may be taken raw or cooked according to individual preference.

Castor oil : Treatment with castor oil has been found beneficial in arthritis. The procedure, as prescribed by a Spanish doctor, is to boil two tablespoons of castor oil over a stove burner. The oil should then be poured into a glass of fresh orange juice and taken before breakfast daily till the disease is cured. This treatment is believed to have been adopted by an American doctor, called Dr. Taylor, in 1990. He advised his patients to take it for three weeks, wait for another three weeks and then repeat it again for another three weeks. It is, however, essential that the patient must take an alkaline diet while adopting this mode of treatment; otherwise the value of the treatment will be lost.

Dietary Considerations : The diet of an arthritis patient should be planned so as to produce alkalinity in the blood. It should include fruits and vegetables in the form of salads, and, at least, two cooked vegetables. In server cases, it would be advisable to put the patient on raw vegetables juice therapy three times a day, for about a week. Repeated juice fasts are recommended at intervals of every two months.

Courtesy: www.home-remedies.in

Some more herbal remedies for external use.

Juice of Nochi leaves (Vitex Negundo) applied externally on affected parts brings down pain considerably.

Grind omam using water and make it into a thick paste. Heat the paste and then apply a thick layer of the warm paste on affected parts before going to bed.

Pour one teaspoon of onion juice in mustard oil two teaspoons and apply on the affected parts.

Mix camphor in pudhina (mint) juice and apply on affected parts.

Make a paste of dried ginger (chukku) and heat it. Apply the warm paste on affected parts.


Disclaimer: All information provided in this blog is for historical and educational purposes only; statements contained here are reported in an effort to preserve traditional cultural lore and information. Nothing here should be construed as an attempt to diagnose, prescribe, or recommend treatment for any disease or condition. Please consult your physician for medical advice regarding any medical condition and do not use any of the historical information on this site without your physician’s approval.