Michael T. Murray, N.D.
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 Recent studies on the effects of extracts made from the leaves of Tylophora asthmatica have upheld its extensive use in ayurvedic medicine for asthma and other respiratory tract disorders. Although the exact mode of action of tylophora is unknown, it is thought to be due to the alkaloids, especially tylo-phorine, which have been reported to possess antihistamine and antispasmodic activity and to inhibit other allergic activities. However, a more central mechanism may be responsible for tylophorine's clinical effects in asthma (several clinical studies have shown positive effects). |
Simon Mills and Kerry Bone
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 TRADITIONAL VIEW
In ayurvedic medicine, Andrographis is used for its bitter tonic, stomachic, antipyretic and laxative properties. It is said to increase appetite, strengthen digestion and diminish flatulence, hyperacidity and biliousness.1 The herb is utilized for the treatment of many conditions, including diabetes, debility and hepatitis.2 The roots and leaves have a reputation for being depura-tive and anthelmintic. |
Gary Null, Ph.D.
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 Celery is yet another tonic for nervousness.
In ayurvedic medicine, the herb that specifically alleviates anxiety attacks is called Ashwagandha. Much scientific research from India confirms that Ashwa-gandha calms because it is actually a nutrient for the brain and nerves.
Recently, the South Pacific herb kava kava was approved in Germany for its antianxiety effects. The plant is a species of pepper that aboriginal peoples have taken for over a millennium for relaxation purposes. Kava kava has become popular recently, but some caution should be taken. |
the Editors of PREVENTION
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 Used for centuries in ayurvedic medicine to treat diabetes, this herb, also known as gurmar, can help fend off a craving for sweets. "It has the unusual property of blocking sugary tastes," says Nancy Welliver, N.D., director of the Institute of Medical Herbalism in Calistoga, California. Squirting the tincture directly onto your tongue will block the taste of sugar for about 15 minutes. Look for it in health food stores, says Dr. Welliver.
Stevia
Sweeten coffee and baked goods naturally with a smidgen of this South American herb. |
| Called Indian ginseng because it is used in ayurvedic medicine in the same vitality-boosting way that Asian ginseng is used in Chinese medicine, ashwaganda works as an overall tonic. "It will help restore a sense of calm," Tillotson notes. "It's a very nourishing and nutrifying herb, so you also tend to gain weight when you take it." You can take it for as long as necessary to gain weight. If you are
Cause: Unexplained weight loss can result from digestive problems, particularly as you age, or from intestinal disorders such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or diverticulitis. |
Larry Trivieri, Jr.
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 Sodhi, ayurvedic medicine holds that an individual develops addictive behavior while attempting to cope with fear and anxiety. Each of the body types—vata, pitta, and kapha—copes with anxiety differently as well. Knowing this, the individual can use these inherent tendencies in an orderly and systematic manner for healing. For example, Dr. Sodhi explains that a pitta body type (very driven, overachievers) will not be able to tolerate alcohol. Part of the Ayurvedic diagnostic method outlined by Dr. |
Michael T. Murray, N.D.
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| Inflammation
Curcuma longa has been used in ayurvedic medicine, both locally and internally, in the treatment of sprains and inflammation. This use seems to be substantiated not only by the experimental studies described above, but also by clinical investigations.40-41
In one double-blind cross-over clinical trial in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, curcumin (1,200 milligrams per day) was compared to phenylbutazone (300 milligrams per day). The improvements in the duration of morning stiffness, walking time, and joint swelling were comparable in both groups. |
Annemarie Colbin
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 The ayurvedic medicine of India holds that one of the main properties of foods is that of virya, or the ability to warm or cool the body. These warming or cooling effects occur regardless of the temperature or composition of the foods; they seem to have to do with a form of energy that has been called "the nonnutritious compounds or properties"13 of the foodstuffs in question.
Laboratory analysis of components cannot tell us much about the total effect of the system called "food" upon the system called "person. |
Simon Mills and Kerry Bone
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| Theory and practice of ayurvedic medicine.
29. Svoboda R. ibid, p 87.
30. Thomson S. New guide to health; or the botanic family physician. Boston, 1835.
31. LyleTJ. Physio-medical therapeutics, materia medica and pharmacy. Salem, Ohio, 1897.
32. Thurston JM. The philosophy of physiomedicalism. Nicholson, Richmond, Indiana, 1900.
33. Cook \\'\I. The science and practice of medicine. Cincinnati, 1893.
34. Guyton AC. Textbook of medical physiology, 7th edn. WB Saunders, Philadelphia, 1986, pp 230-236.
35. Mills SY.M,pp 23-131.
36. Waldrop MM. |
| It was clear, however, that the texts were meant to be enabling rather than prescriptive; they encouraged a respect for diversity and complexity, for the individuality of the patient, rather than formulaic prescription. ayurvedic medicine is also marked in the clarity of its therapeutic objectives. As admirably expressed in one of the standard texts:
We nourish the emaciated and starve the corpulent. We treat the man afflicted by heat with cooling measures, and with hot things him who is afflicted by cold. |
Gary Null, Ph.D.
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| In addition to the approaches mentioned above, those suffering from arthritis might consider acupressure, acupuncture, aromatherapy, ayurvedic medicine, Bach flower remedies, biological dentistry, hydrotherapy, light therapy, massage, meditation, oxygen therapy, ozone therapy, physical therapy, qi gong, tai chi, and vitamin drips. Combining a number of treatments is the best way to meet the unique needs of each patient.
What to Avoid
As mentioned previously, most any food, especially those eaten on an everyday basis, can cause an allergic response that produces arthritis. |
Lita Lee, Lisa Turner and Burton Goldberg
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 Coleusforskohlii: an herb from ayurvedic medicine (SEE QUICK DEFINITION) used for asthma
?Raw thyroid glandular extract for his underactive thyroid, common in asthmatics and arthritics
David also underwent chiropractic and acupuncture treatments. He had suffered from asthma for so long I assumed it would take quite a while for him to be able to reduce his inhaler dosage. But only two days after he started the enzyme program, David called me and announced that he had "tossed" his inhaler. |
Rudolph M. Ballentine, M.D.
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 One of the three doshas, or dynamic factors in human functioning, as conceptualized in ayurvedic medicine. It has to do with the fiery aspects of the human, and is central to digestion, intelligence, and transformation.
Potency. The degree to which a homeopathic preparation has been processed. Higher potencies are reckoned to be more capable of affecting the subtler levels of consciousness and spirit.
Prana [PRAH-nuh]. Subtle energy, the Indian equivalent of ch'i in the Chinese system.
Proving. A process of eliciting the symptoms that a substance will produce. |
| One of the three doshas or dynamic factors in human functioning, as conceptualized in ayurvedic medicine. It has to do with the more solid and substantial aspects of the person, and is made up of the Elements of Earth (prithivi) and Water (apas).
Kundalini [KOON-duh-LEE-nee]. The potential energy {shakti) available to an individual, often latent because of unconscious conflicts that keep it tied up. It bears a close relationship to what the Western mind might consider erotic energy, and its form and behavior are often experienced as serpentlike.
Mantra [MAHN-tra]. |
| Each of the great schools of herbal medicine, for example, has focused on a specific type of remedy. ayurvedic medicine excels in the area of rejuvenatives, such as ashwagandha and chavanprash, while Chinese medicine is especially rich in adaptogens and remedies that tonify such as ginseng, astragalus, and fo ti.25 As a result, these Eastern traditions offer a wealth of herbs for maintaining strength and vitality even into the later years of life. |
| The Chinese doctors talked about Chinese medicine, the Ayurvedic doctors talked about ayurvedic medicine and the naturopaths talked about naturopathy. We've already heard that before."
I had presented to that audience a comprehensive vision of medical care—one that brought together the various holistic schools of healing, integrating their insights and skills. The structure of that presentation would become the skeleton of this book, Radical Healing. It was an exciting integration—and one that had been a long time in the making. |
Michael T. Murray, N.D., Joseph E. Pizzorno, N.D.
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 Tylophora asthmatica
The leaves of Tylophora asthmatica have been used extensively in ayurvedic medicine for treating asthma and other respiratory tract disorders. The mode of action of tylophora is unknown but is thought to be due to its alkaloids, especially tylophorine. These alkoloids have been reported to possess antihistamine and antispasmodic activity as well as inhibition of mast cell release of histamine and other inflammatory compounds.6'68 However, a more central mechanism may be responsible for the clinical effects in asthma therapy. |
| They are then able to choose which modality to focus on in elective advanced courses, or they may choose courses in other areas such as acupuncture and ayurvedic medicine to meet elective requirements.
The clinical curriculum begins in the first year, with students assisting in patient care and/or in the pharmacy and laboratory. |
| For example, a naturopathic physician who has been trained in Traditional Chinese Medicine or ayurvedic medicine will probably also utilize diagnostic techniques based on these systems of medicine.
A typical first office visit with a naturopathic doctor takes one hour. Since teaching the patient how to live healthfully is a primary goal of naturopathy, the time devoted to discussing and explaining principles of health maintenance sets naturopaths apart from many other health care providers. |
Rudolph M. Ballentine, M.D.
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| A companion volume to Dash's Fundamentals of ayurvedic medicine. Some repetitions in the first part, but over half of this volume is a materia medica of basic Ayurvedic plant remedies and a guide to treatment of specific disorders.
Introduction to Ayurveda, the Science of Life, Dr. Chandrashekhar Thakkur, ASI Publishers, New York, 1974. This remains one of the best, most complete, readable, and authentic books on Ayurveda in the English language. Unfortunately, it is not easy to find nowadays.
Perfect Health: The Complete Mind/Body Guide, Deepak Chopra, M.D., Harmony Books, New York, 1990. |
Barrie R Cassileth, Ph.D.
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 Vata One of the three basic forces and body types of ayurvedic medicine. Symbolized by air, Vata is the dosha that produces movement. vein The vessels through which blood low in oxygen passes from various body parts or organs back to the heart. vertebrae Thirty-three bones of the spinal column. In chiropractic medicine, vertebrae out of alignment are believed to be the source of medical problems and are manipulated by the practitioner to restore health. viruses Minute infectious agents capable of reproducing only in living host cells. |
| Early Greek practices, traditional Chinese medicine, ayurvedic medicine, and virtually all ancient healing systems emphasize mind-body interactions.
Modern medicine reduced the emphasis on emotional and mental factors as a source of disease for two main reasons. First, many mind-based explanations of disease, unsupported by evidence, have been proven wrong: we have tended to attribute psychological or emotional causes to diseases such as tuberculosis and diabetes until their actual causes were discovered. |
| The primary tools of ayurvedic medicine include maintaining certain lifestyle habits such as diet; using natural medicines, herbs, and internal cleansing preparations; and doing various yoga and meditation exercises. Ayurvedic visual images, as seen in ancient paintings and sculpture, convey the peace and balance that Ayurveda strives to attain.
What Practitioners Say It Does
The main goal of Ayurvedic therapies is to restore the body's homeostasis, or the balance of one's metabolic forces. |
| An uplifting, sometimes mystical word or phrase usually associated with meditation. In ayurvedic medicine, a category of Satvajaya, or sound therapy, designed to change the vibratory patterns of the mind. massage Manipulation of tissues and muscles by rubbing, stroking, kneading, or tapping. It is the most basic of all bodywork, frequently used for musculoskeletal problems. meditation The process of focusing one's thoughts or engaging in contemplation or reflection. |
Kathi Keville
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 Guggul, a resin from a relative of the myrrh tree, has long been used by practitioners of ayurvedic medicine to fight pain resulting from inflammation. The results of one study showed that people experienced significant relief from their arthritic pain after three months of using a traditional Indian combination of guggul, turmeric, withania and the mineral zinc. One of the compounds responsible for the efficacy of this treatment is curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, the spice that makes curry powder yellow. |
Barrie R Cassileth, Ph.D.
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| Malachite is thought to help uncover emotional traumas associated with the heart chakra, while smoky quartz helps generate vibrations at the top of the head (the "crown chakra" in ayurvedic medicine). The patterns, colors, and type of a given crystal, along with incantations and other rituals, also influence healing.
What Practitioners Say It Does
Most crystal healers do not make direct health claims, such as "malachite cures heart disease." Rather, they claim that crystals cure the underlying defects in thoughts and emotions of which physical disease is a symptom. |
Gale Maleskey
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 The Chinese use dry ginger in many heart and kidney treatments, and in ayurvedic medicine, ginger is considered a heart tonic," says Selvester.
In limited test-tube studies, ginger has also shown anti-inflammatory action. Research has shown that it can reduce pain and swelling in people with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and muscle pain.
Common over-the-counter anti-inflammatories like aspirin and ibupro-fen work in a similar manner, but long-term use of anti-inflammatory drugs can have serious consequences. |
Sydney Walker III, M.D.
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 For instance, the highly reputed Sharp Clinic in San Diego, California, recently opened the Center for Mind Body Medicine, based on ayurvedic medicine techniques.) Ayurveda is the hot treatment in Hollywood these days, and several books about Ayurvedic therapy have made it to the best-seller lists.
Ayurveda is based on two textual supplements to the Atharva-veda, one of the four fundamental Hindu scriptures. |
Paul Pitchford
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 Not only does safflower have the rancidity problems (discussed earlier) inherent in polyunsaturated oils, it provokes ill health according to both ayurvedic medicine of India and our own experience, regardless of the quality or freshness of the oil. Only oleic-rich safflower oil has the properties of a monounsaturated oil which promote balanced cholesterol reduction and relatively slow deterioration. Though it is apparently superior to regular safflower oil, it is still too soon to recommend the oleic variety unconditionally.
12. |
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