Dr. Rajesh Choda

#vacha #herb in #alzheimers and #dementia 
Vacha is #acoruscalamus which is #braincells #stimulant and #adaptogenic and is very useful in #memoryloss.

Alzheimer's is not a normal part of aging and can be said most common form of dementia. 
In #ayurved chitta-nasha (chitta means mind and nasha means loss of) term is well mentioned for over 3000 years and it proves that cognitive function is well recognised.

Following #herbs have been mentioned in ayurveda and also studied in modern times establishing their use in dementia:

• Vacha (acorus calamus) or sweet flag: Adaptogenic and stimulates brain cells.
• Brahmi (bacopa monnieri): Mind soothing, memory enhancing
• Turmeric/curcumin: Beta amyloid blocker
• Ashwagandha (withania somnifera): Stimulates nerve endings
• Tejapatra (cinnamon tamala): Inhibits formation of tau protein (abundantly found in neurons of cns) thus useful in alzheimer's. 
• Coconut oil: Brain food for alzheimer's victims
• Coriander: Rich in #antioxidant thus prevents cell degeneration 
• Maricha/black pepper: #pipernigrum is adaptogenic 
• Garlic: Rejuvenating benefits by reducing fat and sugar in body.

Similarly #shankhpushpi (convolvulus pluricaulis), licorice/liquorice (glycyrrhiza glabra), gotu kola (indian pennywort or centella asiatica) are commonly and beneficially used in ayurved for dementia and alzheimer's for over three millennia for memory enhancing, rejuvenation therapy etc.

In shastrokt ayurvedic medicine system (classical ayurvedic medicines) few of the finished medicine/ brain foods are named below: • brahmi ghrit
• medhya ghrit
• swarm vacha • saraswatarishta • brahmi vati

Anybody interested in getting above shastrokt medicines/ brain foods etc or other indian classic ayurved medicine in small quantities for study purpose or for individual use may contact me.

VAYU ROG/ VAAT ROG/ BAADI (in vernacular language) represent Ayurvedic nomenclature for pains esp of peripheral nervous system or of joints. This is caused when vitiation of VAYU in body takes place. One common symptom is 'Badhkoshth' (Constipation) and 'Krishnartav' (blackish or dark menstruation in females). There are about 80 kinds of manifestation of VAYU ROGs.

I am going to mention here a very useful tip for any kind of VAYU ROG which can be given prima facie.

1. Hingwashtak chooran: Proper method is to take it is after first bite of major meals Hingwashtak chooran should be taken with ghee (mix) and take rest of food. Better to sip warm water after this. In case of reservations about ghee say in raised cholesterol/ BP etc it may be taken with plain warm water. However it's worthwhile here to mention that cow's ghee is not prohibited in Ayurveda in such raised cholesterol/BP etc. It provides optimum unctuousness required naturally.

2. Mahanarayan Tel: It's generally used for gentle massage for sometime over affected part. Many few people might be knowing that this oil is used ORALLY TOO in warm milk or water for treating Vayu Rog as also keeping one alert and active.

3. Dashmoolarishtha: It's a liquid which is useful for both men and women in lumbago (low back pain) and for females in Kashtartav (Painful menses).

Normally above can be taken in Vayu Rog without complications. In case of complex history of Vayu Rog, a qualified Vaidya (Ayurvedic doctor) should be consulted.

People suffering from osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and other joint pains:

It's very troublesome and happy moments are taken away from life when people start suffering from any kind of joint pains and esp those who are victimised by Osteoarthritis. Often TKR (total knee replacement) is seen as solution in 15-20% of such victims.

To prevent reaching this stage one must be alert enough to manage the starting stage of any kind of joint pains. That is managing weight; doing optimum physical exercise in any moderate form like walks, mobility of other kind, yoga etc.; keeping control on Hypertension and Diabetes. It's worthwhile here to mention that people who are hypertensive and diabetic are more prone to suffer damages to liver, kidneys and other vital organs when they resort to regular intake of modern pain killer medicines. So please avoid regular use of modern pain killers.

But then what should be done?

Ayurved has given a lot of solutions to humankind by which they can reverse or stop progressing such deterioration if they start before much damage is done.

In Ayurved Guggul Prakalp, Abhyang (message with medicated oils or JANU BASTI/ KATI BASTI etc); Metabolism and Diet management to prevent/ cure AMA (mucus) accumulation ultimately causing rheumatism etc have been comprehensively mentioned.

A simple approach would be to start using Panchkol (Chvya-chitrak-Sonth-pippal-pipplamool herbs) as decoction or powder as per guidance of Vaidya (Ayurvedic doctor) and use of Shallaki, Vedhaari, Ashwagandha herbs for complete prevention and early reversion of mild cartilagenous damage so that TKR is not needed in 85% of cases.