Dr. Aarti Kulkarni

Hyper acidity (Amlapitta) is also called Acid Dyspepsia, which is one of the most common problem. Hyperacidity is a condition in which stomach secretes excess amount of acid.

Hyperacidity is very closely associated to Amlapitta in Ayurveda which is caused by the imbalance of agni or the digestive fire leading to the vitiation of pitta dosha.

Causes of Hyperacidity:

Hurry’, ‘Worry’, and ‘Curry’ are the three main reasons for the disease.

Diet (Ahara)

• Spicy fried junk food

• Carbonated drinks

• Excessive use of chilly, mustard, garam masala powder (spice mixture), garlic etc. in diet

• Salty and sour foods like chips

• Eating of stale, fermented foods (dosa, uttappa, idli, dhokla etc. bakery food items).

• Excessive intake of fast food

• Excessive intake of Oily foods, pickles

• Excessive intake of tea/coffee.

• Lesser intake of water

• Irregular meal times

• Skipping meals

• Repeated food intake (before the digestion of the previously taken food)

• Incompatible food like taking non-veg with milk, sour fruits with milk, pizza followed by milkshake

• Eating too late at night

Regimens (Vihara)

• Lack of rest

• Fast moving lifestyle.

• Insufficient sleep at night.

• Sleeping immediately after meals.

• Sleeping in daytime

Mental factors

• Stressful lifestyle

• Excessive anxiety

• Anger

Other causes of acidity include:

• Medications: Some anti-inflammatory drugs, when taken for a long period of time can develop chances of hyperacidity.

• Drinking alcohol

• Smoking

• Pregnancy

• Obesity

• Fasting

All the above factors result in an excessive increase of ‘Pitta dosha’ in the body and exhibits symptoms of amlapitta.

The condition of Amlapitta is explained with a simile just as milk is poured into curd pot immediately attains sourness and gets into an inspissated form. In the same way, repeatedly eaten food gets improperly burnt and causes acidity.

Signs and symptoms

• Vomiting

• Loss of proper taste of food

• Loss of interest of food

• Headache

• Heart &chest burn (retrosternal burning)

• Sour or bitter test in mouth and belching.

• Nausea

• Throat burn

• Regurgitation of food or sour substance

• Gaseous distention/ bloating of abdomen

• Pain in abdomen

• Chest pain

• Foul smelling loose motions.

• Burning sensation over feet, hands

• Mouth ulcers

• Fatigue (especially in legs)

• Tiredness

• Fainting

Ayurveda has explained 2 main types of amlapitta:

• Urdhvag Amlapitta: Mainly characterized by vomiting due to upward movement of pitta 

• Adhoga Amlapitta: Mainly characterized by loose motions due to downward movement of pitta.

Investigations

If there is chronic hyperacidity, following investigations are useful:

• Gastroscopy (Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy)

• Barium Meal x-ray

• Gastrin levels in blood

• Serology + histology for H. Pylori

• Stool routine examination

Complications 

If not treated at the proper time or if faulty diet, regimen and habits continued, it can complicate as

• Gastric Ulcer
• Chronic Gastritis
• Duodenitis

Prevention

“Prevention is better than cure” it is better to avoid all the causative factors of acid-peptic disorders (amlapitta).

• Avoid excessive salty, oily, sour and spicy foods

• Avoid heavy and untimely food

• Avoid smoking and alcohol intake

• Avoid overcooked, stale and contaminated food

• Avoid fried and junk food items

• Do not skip meals

• Avoid fast

• Do not overeat

• Avoid untimely and irregular food habit

• Avoid foods containing excess amount of garlic, salt, oil, chilies etc. very often.

• Avoid toor dal, horse gram, fenugreek

• Avoid lying down immediately after food

• Avoid, smoking, alcohol, tea, coffee and aspirin type drugs

• Follow the meal times

• Take Light food, Coconut water, articles having cooling properties

• Take vegetables like white pumpkin, cucumber, leafy vegetables except Methi

• Take Wheat, old rice, green gram

• Fruits like gooseberry, dry grapes (black resins), black grapes, pomegranate, fig, dry fig, custard apple.

• Take adequate amount of fluids like pomegranate juice, amla juice, kokam syrup.

• Medicated water with ushir (wala) or coriander-cumin seeds or tulsi seeds (sabja) or laja (puffed rice). 

• Take Warm water.

• Take Moravla (jam made from amla), gulkand (jam made from rose petals) 

• Take One teaspoonful of ghee with warm milk

• Take adequate sleep

• Exercise regularly

• Avoid stress

• Follow mental relaxation techniques like meditation, Yoga and Pranayama

Medical management

As the disease is of Pitta origin, all measures are undertaken to pacify pitta.

Some important drugs useful in Amlapitta

Shatavari, Yashtimadhu, Amalaki, Sunthi, Guduchi, Ushir, chandan shankhabhasma, suvarnamakshik bhasma, pravalpishti, sariva, bhunimb etc

Some important Ayurvedic Medicinal Preparations are helpful when taken under proper guidance

• Kamdudha Rasa 

• Sutashekhar Rasa 

• Prawal Panchamrit 

• Shankh vati

• Bhoonimbadi kwath

• Avipattikar Churna

• Shatavarighrit etc

'Panchakarma procedures' like Vamana (induced vomiting) or Virechana (induced loose motions) whichever is needed as per the symptoms should be administered. In chronic cases, Asthapana basti (medicated enema) is indicated.

UTI is a bacterial infection of the urinary tract. Recurrent UTI or chronic UTI if remain untreated can even lead to an organ failure. UTI is the second most common infection in the body. In reproductive age, there is a 10 fold increase in incidence in women than in men.

Why?

• Short urethra 
• Sexual intercourse
• Close proximity of urethral opening to the areas like vagina and vulva which are contaminated heavily with bacteria
• Recurrent vaginal infection

You may be suffering from UTI if:

1. You feel a pain in pelvis while urinating
2. You feel the need to urinate again and again and despite urgency you manage to pee only little
3. You feel burning while urinating or you have to stop urination in between because of excessive burning
4. Urine appears red or cloudy or bright pink with strong smell.

In severe infection, you may suffer from fever with chills, nausea and vomiting. Bad hygiene, sexual intercourse, recurrent vaginal infections, dehydration, holding urine for too long, pregnancy, catheterization while surgery, hypo-estrogenic state like menopause, having diabetes mellitus are some reasons and predisposing factors behind UTI.

If you feel any of the symptoms of UTI you must visit doctor and get urine microscopic examination done. To get proper result patient should collect midstream urine sample in sterile container after washing the private parts.

In chronic or recurring UTI, more extended investigation protocols like intravenous pyelography, cystoscopy (endoscopy of urinary bladder via urethra) are indicated.

Prevention

• The urge for urination should not be suppressed.
• Drinking water helps dilute your urine and ensures that you'll urinate more frequently — allowing bacteria to be flushed from your urinary tract before an infection can begin.
• Wipe from front to back. Doing so after urinating and after a bowel movement helps prevent bacteria in the anal region from spreading to the vagina and urethra.
• Empty your bladder soon after intercourse. 
• Change your birth control method. Diaphragms or unlubricated or spermicide-treated condoms can contribute to bacterial growth.
• Don't use feminine deodorants. These sprays can irritate your genital area and increase your risk of UTI.
• Wear cotton underwear. Cotton fabric allows moisture escape while other fabrics can trap moisture, which creates a potential breeding ground for bacteria. Also, avoid tight-fitting clothing.
• Avoid vaginal dryness
• Get help for recurrent UTI. 
• Avoid intake of hot, oily, spicy, sour, salty, and bitter foods.
• Increase intake of liquids in the form of water, juices, coconut water, and other cooling drinks.
• Increase intake of pitta-pacifying herbs like green cardamom, coriander, licorice root, black resins, gulkand and kokam syrup etc.
• Alcohol and coffee should be forbidden.
• Coriander and cumin seed water: Soak coriander and cumin seeds overnight in 6 times water. Drink 30 to 50 ml water next morning after sieving or filtering. Prepare fresh every day.
• Punarnavashtak kwath, Varunadi kwath, Chandrakala rasa, Chandraprabha vati etc are some of the ayurvedic medicines which are used treat UTI, those should be taken under proper guidance, if you suffer from UTI.

Migraine usually affects only one side of the head at a time. It destroys day to day schedule of patients. Headache can be unilateral or bilateral. There are common symptoms like nausea,loss of appetite and so on. Diagnosis can be ruled out majorly through signs and symptoms. There are various ayurvedic ways to treat Migraine.

A woman’s hair is the first most noticeable part of her beauty. It enhances her personality. It is not only true for women but also for men. A bad hair is just a bad day and nowadays bad days are very common because of frequent hair problems.

Common hair problems:

• Excessive hair fall

• Premature Graying

• Dandruff

While in modern life, for achieving their goals and position and even to compete for the basic needs people have to work more stressfully. Due to this, Dinacharya and Ritucharya have taken a back seat, moreover faulty dietary habits and faulty hair care methods with an unending race for chemical cosmetics from fashion industry, exposure to sunlight, water and air pollution etc. lead to greying of hair or fall down at a younger age.

Here are some probable causes:

• Inheritance(heredity)

• Stress

• Hormonal imbalance

• Excessive salty and spicy food

• Lack of sleep

• Lack of nutrition

• Indigestion, stomach infection

• Frequent different hairstyles

• Over combing / overbrushing of hair

• Improper usage of heated hair appliances

• Constant coloring of hair

Nutrition and development of Hair

• According to Ayurveda, from the ingested food, body forms assimilable nutrition fluid. Nutrition fluid gets divided into essential fluid and waste matter.
• The waste matter is responsible for the formation of urine, hair, sweat etc.
• The color of hair is based on one's prakriti (body constitution).
• Vata prakriti: Dry and low-density hair
• Pitta prakriti: Yellowish hair
• Kapha Prakriti: Thick, black and curly hair.

Hair problems:

1. Excessive hair fall:

The vitiated vata dosha and pitta dosha having recourse to the root of hair make hair fall off while vitiated blood and kapha fill up the follicles and thus blocking fresh growth.

2. Premature greying:

Stress, anger, fatigue and sorrow increase agni which vitiates the pitta which having recourse to head make the hair prematurely grey.

3. Dandruff:

It is due to vitiated kapha and vata. They cause hairy parts of the body hard and dry and itchy. So, the skin or scalp gets cracked, hence lead to dandruff.

Ayurvedic Solution

Hair loss problem is of great concern. Various synthetic medicines are available for hair loss treatment which does not treat permanently and also have severe side effects. Turning to Ayurveda is the safer and better option in the long run. Herbal medicines, hair oils, lifestyle and diet regimens, Panchakarma procedures help to prevent premature greying, hair fall, dandruff and promotes hair growth. So, Ayurveda has the holistic approach towards the solution of hair problem.

Diet:

• Avoid packaged food including ready to eat food, tetra pack juices, biscuits, chips etc.

• Avoid salty, spicy and stale food.

• Eat fresh vegetables and fruits

• Keep yourself hydrated.

• Avoid incompatible diet e.g. milkshakes, fruit ice-creams, curd with fish, milk with food etc.

Lifestyle modification

• Do exercise regularly

• Avoid stress

• Take proper sleep

• Follow proper daily and seasonal regimens according to ayurveda

• Avoid heavy hairstyles, use of chemicals on hair, frequent combing etc.

• Wash hair twice a week.

• Do not comb wet hair.

Internal medicines to be taken under proper guidance:

Jatamansi, Guduchi, Musta, Gokshur, Amalaki, Methi, Vidanga, nimba, Shatavari, Ashwagandha etc.

Ayurvedic Iron and calcium supplements.

Local treatments: 

• Shiro-abhyang (head massage):

Massage with ayurvedic hair oils containing maka, neelibhringa, hibiscus, aloe vera, bala, malati, dhatura, gunja, black sesame, tiphala, sariva, yashtimadhu etc according to hair problems.

• Lepa: 

Local application of some herbs like hibiscus, aloe gel, daruharidra, gunja powder etc. Lepa can be used for hair problems under proper guidance.

• Hair Wash using shikekai, ritha etc.

• Shiro basti:

Shirobasti means pooling the liquid medicines, especially herbal oils and or ghee in a chamber or compartment constructed over the head.

• Shirodhara:

Shirodhara is continuous & gentle pouring of medicated oil, liquids or decoction on the forehead. Shirodhara immediately calms, relaxes and has a cleansing effect on mind and nerves.

• Shiro pichu:

The Shiro Pichu Treatment involves keeping a gauze piece or cotton soaked in warm medicated, herbal oil over the affected area. 

• Panchakarma

The procedure and the medicine for panchakarma can be used according to hair problems and their cause.

1. Vaman: Induced vomiting in scientific method for removal of vitiated Kapha and pitta.

2. Virechan: Induced loose motions in scientific method for removal of vitiated Pitta, Vata and Kapha.

3. Basti: Removal of toxins by using medicated oil or herbal decoction enema.

4. Nasya: Removal of toxins from head-neck region by nasal administration of medicated oil or powder. It also facilitates cleansing of sensory organs and endocrine glands.

5. Raktamokshan: Removal of toxins through bloodletting. It is achieved by venesection or by application of leeches.

PCOD & Endometriosis

Dysmenorrhoea is the term used to describe painful periods. Normal ovulatory menstruation can be painful, but when it affects one’s routine for example absence in school or office or unable to do day-to-day activities, it has to be investigated and treated. Women of any age can experience painful periods. Some women find periods are no longer painful after pregnancy and childbirth

Symptoms of dysmenorrhoea

• Pain low in the abdomen that can spread to the lower back and legs

• Pain that is gripping or experienced as a constant ache, or a combination of both.

• The pain starts when the period starts, or earlier

• The first 24 hours is the most painful

• Clots are passed in the menstrual blood mostly pain is relieved after the passage of clots.

Dysmenorrhoea can be associated with:

• Nausea and vomiting

• Headache

• Digestive problems

• Fainting

• Premenstrual symptoms, such as tender breasts

Types of Dysmenorrhoea:

• Primary
• Secondary

Causes of Primary dysmenorrhea

Normal menstruation that happens to be painful is known as primary dysmenorrhea. In primary dysmenorrhoea, it is thought that the muscles of the uterus contract harder than normal to excrete the thickened lining (endometrium). These contractions may also reduce blood flow to the uterus which makes the pain worse. The hormone-like compounds that prompt these contractions are prostaglandins. The reason for the increased prostaglandins is not known. This type of dysmenorrhea diminishes with age. It is mostly seen in the adolescent period due to low pain threshold, tension and anxiety.

Causes of secondary dysmenorrhoea

• Endometriosis
• Adenomyosis
• Pelvic inflammatory diseases
• Ovarian cysts
• Fibroids of uterus

Ayurvedic view

According to Ayurveda, there is no pain without vata. Apan vayu is the subtype of vata dosha which is responsible for excretion of waste, cell division and any movement in the body. When there is vitiation of vata, instead of proper direction, apan vayu works in opposite direction. As reproductive organs are under influence of apan vayu, there is colicky pain and the discharge is thrown out with difficulty and becomes frothy. When the position of the uterus is distorted due to faulty positions and excessive coitus, the mouth of the uterus becomes curved and uterus falls back which is responsible for painful intercourse and painful menses. When along with vata, pitta is also vitiated then there are symptoms like chronic backache, painful menses, painful intercourse and periods with excessive bleeding; which can be corelated with PID (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease).

Treatment: Correction of Apana Vata vitiation is the main objective of the treatment. The site of Apana Vata is last part of the intestines. Etiological factors which lead to Apana Vata provocation need to be strictly avoided.

SNEHANA

• Generally, snehana or oleation is done with medicated oil or ghee.
• It may be administered orally (shatavari ghrit) or externally (sesame oil).
• Local massage with sesame oil and hot water bag fomentation or nadi sweda are
• helpful in painful condition.
• Oleation help in pacifying vitiated Apana Vatha.

Virechana-Medicated purgation

• Purgatives or laxatives are useful here for, example gandharva haritaki.

Basti

• As basti is the primary treatment of vitiated apan vata, it is of prime importance during painful episodes as well as to prevent dysmenorrhea.
• Enema with medicated oils is used to pacify Apana Vata.
• Uttarbasti with bala taila, Dashamool ksheer basti and decoction basti, sahchar oil matrabasti are helpful.

Diet:

• Take Fresh fruits and vegetables

• Avoid salty spicy fried junk food

• Take Asafoetida in diet

• Milk medicated with Ashwagandha

• Add Cow ghee in diet

Some useful Medicines:

• Yograj guggul, maharasnadi Kashaya, dashmool kashay, shankhavati, ashokarishta, lodhra, jatamansi, shatavari, ashwagandha, shunthi, hingu, black sesame, haritaki etc.
• Yoga, Pranayama and meditation and exercise
• Stress is the main factor contributing to this disease and hence pranayama and meditative techniques are proved to be effective in relieving the condition and prevent further recurrence.
• Regular exercise is inevitable and part of your lifestyle.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Various Ayurvedic treatment modalities in gynaecology

• Reproductive tract infections are being increasingly recognized as a serious global health problem.
• They can have severe consequences including infertility, ectopic pregnancy, chronic pelvic pain, miscarriage, low birth weight babies etc.
• To treat these disorders, along with ORAL AYURVEDIC treatment, local treatment also plays an important role.

Treatments that can be helpful are 

• Uttarbasti: Uttarbasti is instillation of sterile medicated oil or ghee into uterine cavity at particular period of menstrual cycle. It acts as a purification treatment for uterus & fallopian tubes. Active principles of medicine get absorbed & helps to maintain the health of reproductive organs. It is common treatment for infertility, anovulation, endometriosis, tubal block, heavy bleeding & recurrent abortions.
• Basti: As the reproductive organs are under influence of Apan Vayu and Basti is an important intervention of diseases related to Apan Vayu. Basti is medicated oil, milk or decoction enema. Enema gets absorbed from the micro-channels of intestine & gives the desired effect according to cause and medicine. It is also done in 9 th month of pregnancy to clean the bowels and facilitate the normal labour.
• Basti Chiktsa is very helpful in for irregular menses, painful menses, heavy bleeding, anovultion, Arthritis, Osteoporosis, Backache and Obesity.
• Katibasti: Katibasti is keeping warm medicated oil on the lumbar region for some specific period. It is helpful in sciatica, low backache, lumbar spondylosis, muscular spasm at lumbar region.
• Yoniprakshalan: Yonidhavana is nothing but irrigation of vulva and vagina with warm decoction. Medicines for decoction are used according to the cause. Yonidhavana is helpful in vaginal infections and white discharge.
• Pichudharan: A sterile tampon soaked with medicated oil or ghee is kept in posterior fornix of vagina for 4-5 hours, the procedure is called as pichudharan. It is useful in narrow introitus, vaginismus, cervical erosion, cervicitis, infertility, cystocele, rectocele, 1st degree uterine prolapse etc. Medicines for pichu are used according to the cause. Pichudharan is also done in 9 th month of pregnancy to soothen reproductive tract and facilitate normal delivery.
• Vartidharan: Yonivarti is vaginal suppository or pessary. It is indicated in white discharge, vaginal infections and cervical erosion.
• Dhoopan: It is the process in which fumigation if vulval and vaginal region is done by herbal medicines. Mostly, it is done after delivery to reduce watery secretions, pus and wound discharge.
• KsharPratisaran: It is an application of Kshar (ash obtained by burning herbs) over affected areas, mainly cervical erosion and cervicitis.
• Shirodhara: Shirodhara is continuous & gentle pouring of medicated oil, liquids or decoction on the forehead. Shirodhara immediately calms, relaxes and has a cleansing effect on mind and nerves. It can help relieve symptoms of anxiety, menopausal stress, stress due to infertility, fatigue & hypertension. Shirodhara has been used to treat vertigo, sleeplessness, disturbed sleep, psoriasis, depression, headache, etc.

Menopause is the stage in a woman’s life when the menstrual cycle stops. When a woman is not menstruating for twelve consecutive months, then she has entered into the phase of menopause. Menses is called as Raja in Ayurveda. For this reason, the stoppage of the menses flow permanently, i.e. menopause is called as Raja Nivrutti, which literally means retirement of menses. According to Ayurveda, this is not a disease; rather it is a natural process in a woman’s life that occurs at the age of 45-55 years. 

With aging, out of three Doshas, Vata dosh increases significantly with considerable decline in pitta and kapha dosha, so menopausal symptoms occurring due to the vitiation of mainly Vata dosha. Every woman is born with definite number of oocytes (ovarian reserve). The natural depletion of the reserve and aging of ovaries cause decrease in feminine hormones and hence menopause occurs.

Premature ovarian Failure:

Premature ovarian failure (POF) is the cessation of the ovarian function before the age of 40 year. It is confirmed by high blood levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH).

Causes of premature ovarian failure

• Unknown cause

• Autoimmune disorders, 

• Thyroid disease

• Women who have a functional disorder affecting the reproductive system (e.g., endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, cancer of the reproductive organs) can go into menopause at a younger age.

• Cigarette smoking

• Higher body mass index

• Racial and ethnic factors

• Illnesses

Surgical Menopause

 Stoppage of menses as a result of removal of the ovaries is called "surgical menopause".

Symptoms of Menopausal Syndrome

Gynaecological

• Mood swings

• Dry skin or mucous membranes (including the vagina)

• Scanty bleeding during perimenopause

• Heavy bleeding during perimenopause

• Irregular bleeding

• Vaginal dryness

• Painful Intercourse

Physical

• Constipation or irritable bowel

• Insomnia

• Bone loss (Osteoporosis)

• Hot flashes

• High blood pressure and heart disease

• Weight gain

• Overweight

• Fluid retention, edema

• High cholesterol or triglycerides

• lack of energy,

• joint soreness stiffness

• back pain

• breast pain

• heart palpitations

• headache

• dizziness

• dry itchy skin

• urinary incontinence, increased urgency

• heavy night sweats

Psychological

• Irritability

• Anxiety. worry, fear

• Reduced libido

• Anger, irritation, jealousy, criticism, competitiveness

• Depression, sadness, greed

• Decreased concentration due to dullness

An Ayurvedic approach for managing Menopause:

Ayurvedic Management consist of mainly Rasayana (rejuvenation) therapy, Specific dietary guidelines, Lifestyle modification, Medicinal supplements, Panchakarma (detoxification) and Yoga.

Rasayana (rejuvenation) therapy: It is an Important therapy for this period which leads to an overall improvement in the formation and maintenance of the living tissues and helps in the prevention of aging, improving resistance against diseases, bodily strength and mental health.

It can be done in 4 ways :

• Achar rasayan (lifestyle modification)

• Ahar Rasayan (Diet Modification)

• Dravya Rasayan (Medicine)

• Panchakarma.

Lifestyle modification (Achar Rasayana): According to Ayurveda, by following Dinacharya, Ritucharya and Ratricharya aging process can be delayed and symptoms related to menopause can be minimized. Exercise should be inevitable part of lifestyle.

Yoga and Pranayama for specific condition like backache/ knee pain/ stress/ obesity should be learned from an experienced teacher and should be followed REGULARLY.

Dietary Guidelines:

Diet can be a crucial tool in menopause management.

If you are prone to Pitta-based problems, such as hot flashes or excessive irritability, follow a Pitta-pacifying diet: avoid foods that are spicy, such as chilies, black mustard seed. Salty foods and sour foods such as ketchup,chips etc.

Favor foods that are bitter, astringent and sweet, as these are cooling to Pitta dosha. Bitter and astringent foods include most vegetables. Sweet foods include rice, milk and Ghee pacify Pitta dosha. Cook with Pitta-reducing spices, such as cinnamon, coriander, cardamom,  and small amounts of cumin seed.

If you experience Vata-related symptoms of menopause such as bloating or vaginal dryness, then eat foods that are sweet, sour and salty as this balances Vata dosha. Avoid Processed sweet food as cakes Pastries, tetrapack juices and processed salty food like chips and biscuits

Apana Vata, which governs the genitourinary tract, elimination, and menstruation, is a key area to attend to when preparing for menopause. Drink plenty of warm water throughout the day. For both Pitta and Vata imbalances Milk and Ghee plays important role.

It is also important to keep your digestion strong and free of ama(Prduct of indigestion). Avoid eating foods that are packaged, processed, frozen, canned or left over. Eat organic foods that are cooked fresh. Your diet should consist of whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, and legumes Avoid heavy foods such as meat, cheese and ice cream and curd especially at night.

Medicinal Suppliments:

Shatavari, Ashwagandha, Chandrashur, Shankhkpushpi, Bala, Ardrak, Shatapushpa , Black grams etc can be taken under proper guidance

Panchkarma Therapies:

Basti:

• As menopausal period is under influence of Vata dosha and Mainly Apan Vayu, Basti is the best treatment for vitiated Apan vayu and eventually for disturbed menstrual cycle or heavy bleeding.

• Depending upon body constitution and severity of symptom Vaidya can advise Basti treatment.

• Basti can also be helpful in the gynecological conditions like painful menses and heavy bleeding.

• Intrauterine instillation (Uttarbasti) of sterile medicine (oil or Ghee) is helpful in heavy bleeding.

• Panchtikta KshirBasti is also helpful in the condition of osteoporosis.

• Local Treatments Like Janubasti, Manyabasti and Katibasti (Holding Oil over Knee, neck and back respectively) for Knee, neck and back pain are also helpful.

• Recurrent vaginitis, dryness or inflammatory conditions in Pap’s smear can be treated by local irrigation of lukewarm herbal decoctions (Yoni Prakshalan) and keeping oil soaked tampoon in vagina is also helpful in the conditions of vaginal dryness, cervicitis and first degree uterine prolapse.

Shirodhara:

• Shirodhara is continuous pouring of lukewarm oil or decoction or milk or buttermilk on forehead (in between both eyebrows).

• Medicine to be used can be decided upon the symptoms.

• This procedure helps to reduce stress, sleeplessness, anxiety, irritability, hypertension, hair problems etc.

• It relaxes body and mind as well.

Abhyang:

• Abhyang and Swedan (whole body massage and steam) are one of the traditional measures to relieve stress.

• This procedure helps to get rid of vitiated vata and hence we get pain relief and relaxation.

• According to Ayurveda we should practice Abhyang routinely on head, ear and foot/sole.

• Oletion by medicinal leaves pack (Patra Pind Swedan) is also helpful in knee/back/neck pain.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!