Ayurvedic Vajikarana and Shukrala Herbs

In Ayurvedic pharmacology there is a special group ofrasayana herbs, classified as vajikarana, that help to nourish and stimulate the sexual organs and tissues, as well as to promote beauty and sex appeal. Further classifications of herbs that aid in increasing spermatogenesis are referred to as shukrala.

In Sanskrit vaji means “horse” and karana means “power,” to convey the idea of the power or strength of a horse. The closest common Western term for herbs in this category would be aphrodisiacs. Yet because vajikarana herbs nourish the reproductive tissue, they also help to increase ojas, which is the essence of all bodily tissues that can be transformed into spiritual energy.

Vajikarana herbs can act as stimulants, tonics or both. Stimulants are typically heating andrajasic like damiana, fenugreek garlic, and onion. They help to decrease kapha and have more of an invigorating action on the sexual organs. Tonics, whether warming or cooling, are more nourishing and help to restore the overall quality and quantity of the tissues. Some herbs possess both stimulating and rejuvenating properties, such as shilajit, garlic, fenugreek, andashwagandha.

Common Ayurvedic Tonic Herbs For Male Reproductive Health

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)

In Sanskrit, ashwagandha means “the smell of a horse,” due to the strong odor of the fresh root, which resembles that of horse urine. It is also considered to bestow the sexual vitality of a horse and is often used in cases of sterility and infertility. Being one of the best male rejuvenating tonic herbs, it promotes spermatogenesis, blood flow and tone to the reproductive organs and regulates hormonal function. It is commonly used to relieve conditions such as spermatorrhea, impotence, premature ejaculation, nocturnal emission and enlarged prostate.

Its grounding and deeply nourishing qualities make it one of the best vata pacifying medicines. Due to its warming energy, it can provoke pitta when used in excess. This is especially true when prepared as a tincture, although the powdered herb used in combination with coolingvajikarana herbs such as shatavari, bala, licorice or vidari is fairly neutral. Ashwagandha has anabolic properties and increases the tone and strength of the muscles. Because it helps to combat stress, relax the body and mind, and fortify all the dhatus, it is a perfect herb for targeting many of the contributing factors associated with depleted sexual energy.

In my experience it is a fairly gentle herb with a wide range of uses and one of the most common vata pratyanika herbs. Some key signs and symptoms to look for when considering this herb are generalized low libido, stress, low mental or physical energy, depletion, insomnia, hyperactivity, nervousness, anxiety, worry and depression.

One of the most effective and simple ways to use this herb is to boil 1 teaspoon of the powdered root in a cup of raw unhomogenized cow’s milk for several minutes, sweeten with raw sugar or honey and take before going to bed or first thing in the morning. Those who don’t drink milk can use fresh almond milk or just plain hot water. I personally use this herb in formulation or along with other compounds more than just by itself for most conditions.

It is commonly used in combination with shilajit in male tonic formulas, which should be used with caution by pitta and vata folks or those with excess heat in the body. If kapha is involved in the imbalance, then it is best used along with stimulating spices such as pippali, ginger, cardamom, or fenugreek.

Ashwagandha plays a key role in several traditional compounds that are quite useful to enhance virility, including Ashwagandhadi churna and Ashwagandhadi lehya, a tasty herbal jam that is taken twice daily in doses of 1 to 2 teaspoons along with warm milk or water. Also, ashwagandharishta, an herbal wine preparation that is great for sexual debility as well as afflictions of the mind and nervous system, in doses of 20 to 30 ml twice daily. A moderate dose of the powdered herb ranges from 2 to 6 grams, 2 to 3 times daily.

Due to its sattwic quality, ashwagandha has long been used by the yogis of India to increaseshukra/arthava dhatu and transform it into ojas, thus promoting spiritual energy and enhancing meditative power. Since mental rejuvenation is vital for overall health, ashwagandha is also one of the most valuable medhya rasayana herbs in Ayurveda, and it combines well with othermedhya rasayana herbs such as brahmi (gotu kola or bacopa monniera), shanka pushpi andvacha.

 Kapikacchu (Mucuna pruriens)

This is perhaps one of my personal favorite vajikarana herbs for men, second toashwagandha, which is its frequent partner in male supportive formulas. It has a sweet and bitter taste, and is quite heavy and oily. When used in moderation it is fairly tridoshic but is mainly used to balance vata and pitta, as it increases kapha and ama in excess.

Kapikacchu is often used along with gokshura for the treatment of spermatorrhea and as a potent aphrodisiac when prepared with other rejuvenating substances, including milk, ghee and honey. A simple milk decoction with these ingredients can serve as an alternative to some of the more elaborate preparations mentioned in the classic texts for increasing the sexual vigor and potency. Combined with diuretics like punarnava and gokshura, it is very effective in the treatment of enlarged prostate and edema. It also helps to buffer stress when used along with other vata balancing herbs like bala, ashwagandha and jatamansi. Typical doses of the powdered herb range from 1.5 to 6 grams. One should avoid it in cases of aggravated pitta or high ama, unless it is well formulated.

Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus)

Although best known as one of the most important rejuvenating herbs for the female reproductive system, shatavari can also serve as a powerful male tonic. It has a bittersweet taste, is cooling and purifying to the liver and blood, and it helps to target pitta at its main site in the small intestine. When treating male sterility, shatavari is useful to balance heating herbs and foods that are commonly used to improve sperm count like ashwagandha, garlic and onion.

It prevents excess pitta from burning and depleting the sperm and, due to its heavy, moistening and nourishing properties, it is also a useful herb for vata, especially when combined with other vajikaranas like ashwagandha or bala. In much the same way asashwagandha, it can be prepared as a milk decoction in doses of 3 to 6 grams, or taken alone or in combination with other appropriate herbs.

For addressing any emotional components that may be associated with libido issues, shatavaricombines well with cooling nervine herbs like brahmi (gotu kola) and skullcap for pitta related emotions like anger and irritability. If there is more nervousness, worry or anxiety, then it is best combined with calming and grounding herbs like jatamansi, ashwagandha, or tagara. When there is a need for shatavari but there is a concern with excess kapha or ama, then it is best mixed with warming herbs like pippali or ginger.

Because the state of the digestion is of vital importance in restoring and maintaining health, it is good to note that shatavari is also one of the best herbs for balancing pitta in its main sites, the small intestine. It is used to reduce acidity and inflammation, sooth mucous membranes, and promote elimination due to its mild laxative and cooling diuretic properties.

Shatavari is clearly one of best pitta pratyanika herbs and can serve as a chief herb in formulas for many pitta and pitta-vata related conditions. Some good indicators for usingshatavari include general fatigue, low sexual energy, stress, irritability, inflammation, hyperacidity, urinary tract infections, and burning sensations. A typical dose of shatavari is 2 to 6 grams of the powdered herb, 2 to 3 times daily. One should avoid taking this herb in cases of high kapha and ama, or respiratory or sinus congestion.

Since the Ayurvedic approach is very individualized and holistic, the herbs selected for a formula and their proportions will vary depending upon the individuals needs. So let’s say an individual with a pitta predominant constitution presents symptoms of low libido, as well as other complaints such as heartburn, sharp appetite, hypoglycemia, sustained irritability, redness of the eyes and loose stools. Here a formula could use 4 parts shatavari to support the pitta prakruti and vikruti, rejuvenate and protect the reproductive tissues, relieve excess hot and sour qualities of pitta in the stomach, and calm and even neutralize the digestive fire. A supporting herb like vidari could also be added in 3 parts to bolster the sexual and physical energy, further balance pitta in the blood, liver, and GI track, and to help to bulk the stool. To calm the mind, 3 parts gotu kola could be added. Last but not least, 2 parts licorice to help to relieve symptoms of hypoglycemia, support sexual energy and relieve pitta in the intestines and harmonize the formula overall. Such a compound could be taken in doses of 1/2 to 1 tsp. hot or cold infusion, 2 to 3 times daily.

Bala (Sida cordifolia)

Bala means “strength” in Sanskrit, and it is one of the best rejuvenative tonic herbs for vataand pitta. It has a sweet taste, heavy and oily qualities, which may increase kapha when used in excess, and is mildly cooling. As most true rasayana herbs, it nourishes and strengthens all the bodily tissues, especially the plasma, muscle, nerve, marrow and reproductive tissue. Being one of the best anti-vata herbs in Ayurveda, it helps to correct disorders related to deficiency of the body and mind. It plays a leading role in the treatment of balakshaya or chronic fatigue, and can be used when there is exhausted physical or mental strength.

Bala has a tonifying action upon both the male and female reproductive systems, promotes spermatogenesis and fertility, and is very effective in restoring sexual stamina.

Taken internally as well as massaging bala oil or ashwagandha bala tailam onto the penis can significantly improve its tone and help prevent premature ejaculation. For supporting the health of the prostate gland it can be combined with herbs such as gokshura, saw palmetto,ashwagandha, vidari kandha and kapikacchu. A typical dose ranges from 2 to 6 grams, 2 to 3 times daily.

Vidari kandha (Ipomoea digitata)

This starchy tuber is effective in promoting spermatogenesis and works fast when taken as a milk decoction. It is fairly tridoshic when used in moderation and, like ashwagandha, it is lighter for kapha types than shatavari and bala. To treat enlarged prostate it can be combined withkapikacchu or saw palmetto.

It is sweet and cooling, and it promotes ojas and muscle tone and coordination. Vidari is useful for sexual debility associated with nervous tension and adrenal stress. Here it can be used in formulation with herbs including Siberian ginseng, gokshura, licorice and ashwagandha.

The uses of this herb far extend this brief overview, but it is worth mentioning that it is a good alternative if shatavari is either too cooling or heavy, or when ashwagandha may be too warming. It falls right between the two and is of great value as both a vata and pitta pratyanikaherb. A typical dose ranges from 2 to 6 grams, 2 to 3 times daily.

Shilajit (Asphaltum, mineral pitch)

Shilajit increases virility and sexual stamina, while maintaining the normal tone of the genital organs. Many vajikarana herbs have an anabolic effect and increase kapha, whereas shilajitwith its pungent taste and heating energy invigorates, stimulates and scrapes excess kaphafrom the body.

In the case of kapha constitutions or kapha related reproductive imbalances, it is commonly combined with ashwagandha. It can also be used with diuretics such as punarnava to further reduce kapha via the kidneys, or warming stimulants that improve digestion, burn ama and refresh the mind and senses, like ajwan, ginger, pippali or the compound trikatu. For enlarged prostate, it combines well with gokshuradi guggulu, ashwagandha, saw palmetto, punarnava orvidhari.

I recommend using shilajit with other herbs or traditional preparations in doses from 250 to 500 mg twice daily. Precaution should be taken when using shilajit in cases of high pitta or vata due to its heating and scraping action, and during pregnancy.

Pippali (Piper longum)

With the exception of shilajit, most of the herbs mentioned in this article tend to increasekapha, so pippali makes a nice addition to formulas containing these herbs, since it is a rejuvenating herb with a warming, stimulating and kapha reducing action.

Pippali is heating, but its oily quality prevents it from becoming too drying to vata and its sweet post digestive effect makes it more pitta friendly than other hot spices and herbs when used in small amounts. Combined with ashwagandha, it helps to promote blood flow to the reproductive organs.

The primary ways we receive prana is through our breath, water and food. Pippali increasesprana agni, thus raising the life energy and expelling impurities via the breath. It also kindlesjathara and dhatu agni, and improves digestion, absorption and assimilation. Thus it is a key herb for rejuvenation and is used for a wide variety of digestive, respiratory and arthritic disorders. The typical dosage is 1 to 3 parts in complex formulas, or 250 mg to 1.5 grams. One should avoid using pippali in high pitta or inflammatory conditions.

Choosing the Right Herbs

When selecting vajikarana herbs to best suit an individual’s needs it is helpful to first gather as much knowledge regarding the person’s prakruti and vikruti, as well as the characteristics of their condition, the involvement of doshas, tissues, channels and organs, qualitative characteristics of the condition, medical history, contributing factors, strength of digestion, and levels of ama present, as well as their emotional state. This can certainly help to develop a strategy for selecting herbs that will resonate best with the client.

For instance, ashwagandha targets vata at its root and is famous for bolstering sexual energy, but how? By relieving stress, improving muscle tone, calming the mind and nerves, promoting sound sleep, replenishing adrenal energy and stimulating blood flow. There is no wonder how such an herb is perfect for pacifying vata at many levels and how it might support sexual and reproductive health on many levels.

Understanding the dynamic properties of herbs in the light of Ayurvedic principles can help us to choose relatively small amount of herbs to cover the most ground possible. Sometimes even just one herb, if it is well suited to the individual, can be very effective. Another important point to keep in mind is that many rejuvenating tonic herbs are heavy, oily, and hard to digest for those with low agni or high ama. Some individuals will develop gas, bloating or even constipation from such herbs. Here it is important to strengthen agni and cleanse ama before giving heavy herbs, or to combine them with light, warming and stimulating herbs like cardamom, ginger or pippali to make them easier to digest. Alcohol extracts and Ayurvedic medicated wines (arishtas and asavas) like ashwagandharishta or balaristha can help to lighten the properties of sweet, heavy and oily herbs a bit and make them easier to digest because they enter almost immediately into the blood stream.

with thanks :

http://www.bluelotusayurveda.com/category/bodily-systems/

Medhya Rasayana – Mental Rejuvenation

In Ayurveda, herbs that rejuvenate the mind and nervous system are known as medhya rasayanas. In Western herbalism, many of these herbs are classified as nervines. Medhya rasayana herbs help to calm the mind, relax the body, and even replenish and regenerate the nervous system. These herbs are great allies against the oxidizing effects of stress and the depletion of our vital energy and immunity. Some are heavy, grounding and sedating like valerian, hops, poppy or kava kava. Others are still calming, yet have lighter energy such as passion flower, gotu kola or skullcap. Nourishing tonic herbs, most notably ashwagandha, also have calming qualities, but can also provide strength and energy where and when needed.

Heart Opening Formula:

Hawthorne berry 3 parts

Arjuna                    2 parts

Brahmi                    3 parts

Cardamom             ½ part

Cinnamon               1 part

Lung Opening Formula:

Tulsi               3 parts

Vacha (Calamus)        2 parts

Fennel           2 part

Mint-              1 part

Ginger            1 part

Liver Calming

Burdock root     4 parts

Red clover         2 parts

Gotu kola           3 parts

Skullcap             3 parts

Oats straw         3 parts

Chamomile        2 parts

Rose petals       1 part

The above formulas are just simple ways we can explore with mental rejuvenative and other supportive herbs to direct there energy. You can start with these formulas or create your own, by adding herbs to suit your individual needs.

Yoga, Meditation and Peace

In both Yogic philosophy and practice, developing equanimity of mind is central to the practice of meditation. Through our practice we can observe that the mind is either constantly attracted towards the objects of the senses, or it has aversion to them. Everything is being weighed on the scales of pleasure and pain, lose and gain, good or bad and so on, and a great deal of energy is spent seeking pleasurable experiences, while avoiding others that are painful. If we become too attached to something, we may no longer even enjoy that which we have obtained because we start to fear of losing it. This clouds the joy of experiencing life as it is. One of my teachers puts it like this, “we eat the banana of pleasure, only to slip on the peel of pain.” The slip isn’t in the experiencing something, but the attachment to it in the mind. In our constant search for comfort, or a sense of safety, it is easy to mistake the temporary satisfaction felt by having certain experiences for the true lasting contentment that is our very nature. My guru uses the analogy here or a thirsty man mistaking a mirage in the dessert for water.

                     When we seek the view of a mountain vista, or to stand on the shores of the sea and look out into the vast expanse of water, we are in a very real sense, seeking that infinite peace within. Humanity is constantly in search for this, and people of all shapes and sizes search in the cathedral of nature for the spiritual union, even if they don’t realize it. The joy felt in such surroundings is nature’s way of wooing us back to the present moment. The point I want to make here is that this peaceful, contented feeling we get when we behold something beautiful is really whelming up from within, rather than being something is added to us, that makes us feel this way. Remembering this in the heat of passion, joy or bliss is an important piece of wisdom that the yogis share with us.

                   In the world of duality, we experience both side of the coin, so rejecting and avoiding pain only perpetuates it. Of coarse, this is easy stuff to talk about, but when the rubber hits the road it is another story all together. So how can we learn to loosen the grip of our attachments to the way we would like things to be and learn accept the way things as they are? Well, according to the yogis, it is only by persistent and unbroken practice in every moment of life, not just sitting, but in all of our daily activities. When we seek knowledge of our true nature, we must apply ourselves to that task and no matter how you slice it, life presents us with the opportunity to practice. We are not trying to force this process, but rather open, and relax into it, but this takes practice and constant remembering. If we are already established in the deep peace, the need for practice doesn’t arise, and no theoretical explanation is needed, one simply is. Many yogis I have come to respect teach that such a one has already gone through the needed practice. If you feel that there is more to yourself than the fluctuating thoughts in the mind, or you have a deep sense of longing and yearning for inner peace, this is a good signal that practice is the right medicine for your ills.

We may not consider ourselves to be on a spiritual path, but the path of life is a practice, if we choose to view it that way. Those that consciously take up the path of sadhana, or regular practice, have chosen to place a greater amount of life energy towards this inner investigation. The great yogi, Ramana Maharishi, would often say that the one simple and fundamental truth is that we are all having an experience of the “I” or a sense of “being alive.” We may not know who we are, why we are here, or how we can to be, but here we are experiencing life in the world. If we seek to penetrate beyond the temporary manifestations and experiences of life, and peek behind the veil, we can practice meditation to train the mind, until quieting the mind becomes as natural as walking and breathing. When we go about the day to day, try to remember that the contentment that settles the spirit is not something gained from outside oneself, from anyone or anything. That being said, the practice of yoga is not a form of escapism, where we live on an isolated island within oneself. Let life offer a helping hand, it is a priceless gift to be loved by another and share the gift of being. The freedom of yoga, or union, that I am speaking of here is the freedom to love, to taste, to touch, and experience life more fully, without being hindered by the self generating pain of attachment that binds us to the memories of past and our worries of the future.  It is also a freedom from the self-criticism and for the aversion to the way we perceive ourselves. We are not broken and we don’t have to fix ourselves either. This process is one of deeper and deeper surrendering and self-love.

The one teachings of my guru that has stayed with me more than almost anything else he every wrote on his chalkboard is “peace comes when we accept life as it is.”

With Thanks from

Vishnu Dass:Blog

https://vishnudass.wordpress.com/2014/02/28/acceptance

Scoliosis

Someone with scoliosis may have a back that curves from side to side like an "S" or a "C." Small curves generally do not cause problems. If the curve gets severe, it can be visible and cause discomfort. If a curve gets really severe, it can even affect a person's breathing and heart. A very severe curve can lead to damage in the joints of the spine. This might get painful when the person is an adult.

Scoliosis is a bit of a medical mystery. No one knows for sure what causes the most common form of scoliosis, idiopathic scoliosis.

Doctors do know that scoliosis can run in families. So someone with scoliosis may have family members who also have it.

Most types of scoliosis are more common in girls than boys. Girls with scoliosis are more likely to need treatment than boys are.

How Is Scoliosis Diagnosed?

Sometimes scoliosis will be easy to see. A curved spine can cause someone's body to tilt to the left or right. Many teens with scoliosis have one shoulder blade that's higher than the other or an uneven waist with a tendency to lean to one side.

Because scoliosis can develop very gradually, it often isn't diagnosed until a person is between the ages of 10 and 14.

Doctors routinely check teens for scoliosis during regular physical exams. Some schools in the United States also test for scoliosis, but the most accurate way to diagnose it is to see a doctor.

What Do Doctors Do?

If a doctor thinks the curve isn't a problem, a person might not need any treatment, just regular checkups to make sure the curve doesn't become larger. To get a clearer view of the spine, doctors might order X-rays. If the exam or X-rays show a significant curvature, the person is referred to an orthopedist.

If you see an orthopedist, he or she will examine you and study X-rays of your spine. You may hear the orthopedist mention something called a Cobb angle. The Cobb angle is a measure of the curvature of the spine in degrees, and the number of degrees helps the doctor decide what type of treatment is necessary.

A scoliosis curve of 10 to 15 degrees usually means that nothing needs to be done except for regular checkups until the person has gone through puberty and finished growing (the curvature of the spine usually doesn't get worse after that point). If the curve is 20 to 40 degrees, the orthopedist will generally suggest a back brace. A Cobb angle of 40 or 50 degrees or more may mean that surgery is needed.

Treating Scoliosis

About 1 in 5 teenagers with scoliosis needs to wear a back brace. Back braces today are much lighter and more comfortable than they used to be — and researchers are developing even better ones all the time.

There are several different types of braces. Some braces are worn for 18 to 20 hours a day, others only at nighttime. Which one the orthopedist chooses depends on the person, where the curve is on his or her back, and how severe the curve is.

The brace acts as a holding device that keeps the spine from developing more of a curve. A brace won't ever make the spine straight. But if it does its job well, the curve won't increase more than 5 or 10 degrees and may prevent the need for surgery.

Sometimes, even with a brace, someone with severe scoliosis will need surgery to correct the curve. During the operation, the orthopedic surgeon does a procedure called a spinal fusion. This causes some of the separate bones in the spine to link or "fuse" together, so that the spine can no longer continue to curve. The surgeon also uses metal rods, hooks, screws, and wires to correct the curve and hold everything in line until the bones heal. The metal parts are placed deep under the spine muscles. In most cases they can't be felt and do not hurt.

An operation to correct scoliosis takes several hours, depending on how big the curve is and how many bones need to be fused. Normally, a patient doesn't need a brace or cast after surgery. A patient will be able to get out of bed the day after the operation and start to walk.

Most teens who get scoliosis surgery can leave the hospital in less than a week, usually go back to school about a month after surgery, then return to some activities in 3 or 4 months. Most should be able to go back to all normal activities after 6 to 12 months. But of course each patient's surgery and recovery might be different, depending on the type of surgery and the person's age.

After about a year, the bones should be fully fused. Although the metal rods are no longer needed, they are left in the patient's back because they aren't doing any harm and taking them out would involve another operation.

People with scoliosis can have active, normal lives. Doctors don't know of any activities (including things like sports or carrying a backpack) that make scoliosis worse. So people who have scoliosis should still be able to play their favorite sports and carry on as normal after they recover from surgery.

Muscular dystrophy

What Is Muscular Dystrophy?

In Muscular Dystrophy there is progressive weakness of muscles, so children, teens, and adults who have the disease will gradually lose their ability to do the things which other fellows can do without any problem. A fellow suffering from Muscular Dystrophy might start having muscle problems as a baby or their symptoms might start later. Some people even develop MD as adults. There is no fixed pattern of loss of muscles functioning. A fellow might have problem in walking and other movements of hands and feet while other might find difficulty in breathing as the first sign of loss of muscle working. With progressive muscular loss; there will be loss of functions also. Ayurveda considers this condition as Mamsa-vata-kshaya (MVK) related to Beeja dosha and impairments of Mamsagni (muscle enzyme). It involves deranged Vata and subsequent degeneration of muscles and structures related to it. Ayurvedic treatment might slow or stop the progression of muscle degeneration.

            According to modern science Muscular dystrophy (MD) is a genetic disorder that weakens the muscles that help the body move. People with MD have incorrect or missing information in their genes, which prevents them from making the proteins they need for healthy muscles. Because MD is genetic, people are born with the problem — it's not contagious and you can't catch it from someone who has it.

                 Several major forms of muscular dystrophy can affect teens, each of which weakens different muscle groups in various ways:

·        Duchenne (pronounced: due-SHEN) muscular dystrophy(DMD), the most common type of the disease, is caused by a problem with the gene that makes a protein called dystrophin(pronounced: dis-TROH-fin). This protein helps muscle cells keep their shape and strength. Without it, muscles break down and a person gradually becomes weaker. DMD affects boys. Symptoms usually start between ages 2 and 6. By age 10 or 12, kids with DMD often need to use a wheelchair. The heart may also be affected, and people with DMD need to be followed closely by a lung and heart specialist. They also can develop scoliosis(curvature of the spine) and tightness in their joints. Over time, even the muscles that control breathing get weaker, and a person might need a ventilator to breathe.

·        Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD), like DMD, affects boys. The disease is very similar to DMD, but its symptoms may start later and can be less severe. With BMD, symptoms like muscle breakdown and weakness sometimes don't begin until age 10 or even until adulthood. People with BMD can also have breathing, heart, bone, muscle, and joint problems. Many people with BMD can live long, active lives without using a wheelchair.

·        Emery-Dreifuss (pronounced: EM-uh-ree DRY-fuss) muscular dystrophy (EDMD) usually starts causing symptoms in late childhood to early teens and sometimes as late as age 25. EDMD is another form of muscular dystrophy that affects mostly boys. It involves muscles in the shoulders, upper arms, and shins, and it often causes joint problems (joints can become tighter in people with EDMD). The heart muscle may also be affected.

·        Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) affects boys and girls equally, weakening muscles in the shoulders and upper arms and around the hips and thighs. LGMD can begin as early as childhood or as late as mid-adulthood, and it often progresses slowly. Over time, a wheelchair might be necessary to get around. There are many different types of LGMD, each with its own specific features.

·        Facioscapulohumeral (pronounced: fay-she-oh-skap-you-lo-HYOO-meh-rul) muscular dystrophy (FSHD) can affect both guys and girls, and it usually begins during the teens or early adulthood. FSHD affects muscles in the face and shoulders and sometimes causes weakness in the lower legs. People with this type of MD might have trouble raising their arms, whistling, or tightly closing their eyes. This form of muscular dystrophy may be mild in some people and more severe in others.

·        Myotonic (pronounced: my-uh-TAH-nik) dystrophy (MMD) is a form of muscular dystrophy in which the muscles have difficulty relaxing. In teens, it can cause a number of problems, including muscle weakness and wasting (where the muscles shrink over time), cataracts, and heart problems.

·        Congenital muscular dystrophy (CMD) is the term for all types of MD that show signs in babies and young children, although the MD isn't always diagnosed right away. Like other forms of MD, CMD involves muscle weakness and poor muscle tone. Occurring in both girls and boys, it can have different symptoms. It varies in how severely it affects people and how quickly or slowly it worsens. In rare cases, CMD can cause learning or intellectual disabilities.

The life expectancy (in other words, how long a person may live) for many of these forms of muscular dystrophy depends on the degree to which a person's muscles are weakened as well as how much the heart and lungs are affected.

How Do Doctors Diagnose MD?

In addition to doing a physical examination, the doctor will ask you about any concerns and symptoms you have, your past health, your family's health, any medications you're taking, any allergies you may have, and other issues. This is called the medical history.

Tests can help the doctor determine which type of MD a person has and rule out other diseases that affect the muscles or nerves. Some tests measure how nerves and muscles are working. Others check the blood for levels of certain enzymes, the proteins that cause chemical changes like converting food to energy.

A blood test can measure levels of serum creatine kinase, an enzyme that's released into the bloodstream when muscle fibers are breaking down. When serum creatine kinase levels are high, that indicates something is causing muscle damage.

Sometimes a muscle biopsy is needed. The doctor removes a small piece of muscle tissue and examines it under a microscope. If a person has MD, the muscle tissue will have some unusually large fibers, and some of the other fibers will show signs of breaking down. Finally, genetic testing can show if a person has Duchenne MD or certain other forms of muscular dystrophy.

How Is MD Treated?

There is no cure for MD, but doctors and scientists are working hard to find one. Some scientists are trying to fix the defective genes that lead to MD so they will make the right proteins. Others are trying to make chemicals that will act like these proteins in the body. They hope that this will help the muscles work properly in people with MD. Doctors are also dedicated to finding the best ways to treat the symptoms of MD so that kids, teens, and adults with the disease can live as comfortably and happily as possible.

Teens with MD can do some things to help their muscles. Certain exercises and physical therapy can help them avoid contractures, a stiffening of the muscles near the joints that can make it harder to move and can lock the joints in painful positions. Often, teens are fitted with special braces to help keep joints and tendons (the strong, rubber band-like tissues that attach muscles to bones) flexible. Surgery is sometimes used to reduce pain and increase movement from contractures.

Because we rely on certain muscles to breathe, some teens with MD need respiratory aids, such as a ventilator, to help them breathe. Teens with MD also might need to be treated for problems like scoliosis, which can be caused by weakened muscles or muscles that are contracting or pulling too tightly.

For some types of MD, medicines can help. Guys with Duchenne MD may be helped by a medicine called prednisone. Teens with myotonic MD might use medicines like mexilitine to relax muscles.

It's also important that people with heart problems caused by muscular dystrophy see a heart specialist regularly.

Persons have different experiences depending on the type of MD. One person might have weakened shoulder muscles and not be able to raise a hand in class. Someone might be unable to smile because of weak facial muscles. Another person might have weak muscles in the pelvis or legs, making it hard to walk from class to class. In some cases, you might not even be able to tell that a teen has MD.

HEALTH-MANAGEMENT (New Book)

There are three primary qualities or principles or mechanisms that govern every human body. These principles are called doshas (Pita, Vata, and Kapha), which are derived from the five elements: earth, air, water, fire, and space. It is the doshas that regulate all actions of the body. When the doshas are balanced, we experience good health, vitality, ease, strength, flexibility and emotional well-being. When the doshas fall out of balance, and/or we accumulate Aam (toxins), then we experience energy loss, discomfort, pain, mental or emotional instability and, ultimately, dis-ease.

                  This book presents the knowledge of these ancient principles and a variety of remedies that create harmony in body, mind, emotions and spirit, thereby restoring optimal health. This approach is natural and preventative. It provides simple, effective means to increase energy, enthusiasm and tranquility.

May purchase "100 golden rules for health" and other health related important matter cost Rs 100/-.

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Parkinson

In Parkinson’s disease, the neuronal cells that produce the neurotransmitter dopamine deteriorate. As a consequence, dopamine levels decline and symptoms appear. Treatment has traditionally involved dopamine’s chemical precursor, L-dopa. Although widely used, this treatment is accompanied by unpleasant toxic effects and causes only symptomatic relief while the disease progresses. The legume Mucuna pruriens (L) DC. (Fabaceae) has been used in Ayurveda as a naturopathic medicine for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease (then known as Kampavata). The results from more recent clinical studies suggest that this nutraceutical may be more effective than L-dopa against the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, may possess neuroprotective properties, and may even cure patients suffering from this condition.

            Parkinson’s disease was named after the English medical doctor, James Parkinson, who in 1817 was the  first person to describe the symptoms as “the shaking palsy.” These symptoms were supposedly caused by a deficiency in the neurotransmitter dopamine. A neurotransmitter is a chemical messenger between nerve cells. Parkinson’s disease patients, as a result of dopamine deficiency, suffer from increased motor behavior impairment, usually at an older age. Based on the first symptoms, however, diagnosis can be difficult since at that point symptoms are often non-specific and can include weakness, tiredness, and fatigue. Consequently the disease may be unrecognized for some time. The primary symptoms of Parkinson’s disease include: muscular rigidity, resting tremor, difficulty with movement initiation (bradykinesia), slowed voluntary movement, difficulty with balance, and difficulty with walking. Next to Parkinson’s disease’s primary symptoms mentioned above, a patient may also start to suffer from secondary symptoms which include: depression, senility, postural deformity, and difficulty in speaking. Regardless of these primary and secondary symptoms, impairment of hand functions during daily activities to be the most disabling symptoms in Parkinson’s disease.

             The objective for management of Parkinson’s disease is often to attempt to keep the individual functionally active and independent as long as possible. The role of exercise and relaxation (e.g. yoga) at all stages of the disease is emphasized, and patient and caregiver are educated about the conditions and options. When the need for pharmacologic therapy arises, the appropriate drug is selected, starting with a low dose and increasing it very slowly. L-dopa is the best available remedy currently known to ease the lives of Parkinson’s patients. However, it is not a cure, because this treatment aims to increase dopamine levels and not stop the further deterioration of dopaminergic cells, and hence it does not work well in the long term. Long term use of L-dopa frequently results in fading of the therapeutic effect and the development of serious side effects such as further motor impairment and psychiatric complications.

Side effects of L-dopa toxicity are such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, anorexia, skin lesions, orthostatic hypotension resulting in dizziness and in some cases staggering, and increased heart rate. Most side effects could be explained by the presence of the enzyme AADC, which converts L-dopa to dopamine, in the liver, kidney and many other places in the body. Thus, while the dopamine levels in the striatum (subcortical part of the forebrain) become more normal, the extra dopamine production disturbs chemical balances elsewhere in the body. To bypass the problem of the side effects of L-dopa treatment, researchers started to synthesize compounds that would directly act on dopamine receptors. These compounds, called receptor agonists, would take over the role of dopamine, so that no administration of L-dopa would be needed. This would counter side effects induced by large amounts of L-dopa. In reality, however, the dynamics are more complicated and require further investigation.

Traditional treatment of Parkinson’s disease

The shaking palsy has existed in different parts of the world since ancient times. The first clear description is found in the ancient Indian medical system of Ayurveda under the name Kampavata.  ), the ancient medical science being practiced in India from the Vedic times (1500–1000 BC), Ayurveda (“knowledge concerning longevity”), used plant tissues as medicine and the powder of Mucuna pruriens. M. pruriens is a climbing legume that originates in southern China and eastern India. The genus thrives under warm, moist conditions, below 1500m above sea level, and in areas with plentiful rainfall. It is currently widely available in most tropical regions of Asia, South and Central America, and Africa. The holistic approach of Ayurveda takes advantage of the known and unknown active biochemical ingredients of the plant tissue. The disadvantages are the bulkiness of the preparation and difficulty in its administration. Thus, extracts of such medicinal preparations need to be made available in a user friendly form. The clinical features and treatment of Kampavata (“kampa” = tremors) resembling Parkinson’s disease are also mentioned in Ayurveda. The various signs and symptoms of Kampavata are found in Caraka Samhita (written by Atreya in 2500 BC) and Madhavanidhani. These include rigidity, tremors of hands and feet, head tremor, drooling of saliva, love of solitude (depression), somnolence, reptilian stare, stammering, tremors of hands and feet, difficulty in body movements, disturbed sleep and dementia.  Ayurveda described several formulations for the treatment of Kampavata. Nearly 18 of these contain M. pruriens (known as Atmagupta in Sanskrit).