From Classical Texts:

The Regimen during the Spring :

The accumulated kapha, getting liquified by the hot rays of the sun in the spring, affects the body ­heat and thus gives rise to many diseases.

Therefore, in the spring, purificatory procedures such as emesis etc., should be performed and one should avoid heavy, acid, unctuous and sweet articles, as also day sleep.

Charak Samhita, Sutra sthana, Chapter 6, Shloka ­ 22 - 23.

Sharing Thoughts:

Web site address is: http://www.samkhya-ayurveda.org/library/download/prAna_svarA_nidAnam.pdf

2 > You may not believe this . Something beyond our imagination.

A gentleman aged 64, has just accomplished a remarkable record- a world record, by doing continuous fasting for 411 days, (i.e. taking only boiled water during day time and just no other food or liquids). The unique thing, was that he was under continuous day to day medical checking and elaborate medical testing- with a critical evaluation by a team of expert doctors, representing various fraternities of medical science including family physicians, physicians, cardiologist, neurologist, endocrinologist, surgeon, pathologists, genetician, radiologists etc. Also from time to time several teams of physicists, chemists, biochemists, physiologists and several doctors from all different specialties from India as well as abroad have spent time to meet him, examine him. All of them have been impressed with the genuinity of fasting but every body is wondering how this has become possible. You will agree, that as per today's scientific knowledge, this is just not possible and it is extremely difficult to explain this happening, even if the man is taken as superman or genetically a different human being.

If you want to have detailed scientific report - hypothesis, please contact : Dr. Sudhir Shah, M.D., D.M. Neurophysician at sudhirshah@hotmail.com or write to ayulink@hotmail.com

Introduction of Ayurveda (New Series)

• Prana vata: Its main site is Head. It supports the mind, heart, sense organs and intelligence.
• Udana vata: Its main site is Chest. It helps in the initiation of speech, effort, strength (capacity to do work) and memory.
• Vyana vata: Its main site is Heart. It moves all over the body and is concerned with generally all the activities of the body as walking, lifting opening and closing of the eyes.
• Samana vata: Samana vata is responsible for fire (digestive activity) and moves in the kostha (alimentary tract). It helps in the digestion of the food. It separates essence and wastes and then removes the wastes from the body.
• Apaan vata: Its main site is Large intestine. It helps in the elimination of semen, menstural fluid, faeces, urine, flatus and fetus.

• Pachaka Pitta: Its main site is interior of pakvasya (large intestine) and amasya (small intestine and stomach). It digests the food and divides it into essence and waste.
• Ranjaka Pitta: Its main site is Amasya (stomach). It imparts red color to rasa and converts it into next dhatu rakta (blood)
• Sadhaka Pitta: Its main site is hridya (Heart). It performs functions like intelligence and self- consciousness.
• Alochaka Pitta: Its main site is Eyes. It is responsible for Vision.
• Bhrajaka Pitta: Its main site is Skin. It is responsible for the complexion.

Types of Kapha

There are five types of Kapha. Each of which has specific location and function in the body. Site and functions of them are as follows:

• Avalambaka Kapha: Its main site is chest.
• Kledaka Kapha: Its main site is amasya (stomach). It moistens the hard masses of the food.
• Bodhaka Kapha: Its main site is jivha (tongue). It performs the function of taste perception.
• Tarpaka Kapha: Its main site is Shir (Head in form of CSF) .It nourishes the sense organs.
• Sleshaka Kapha: Its main site is Sandhi (joints). It lubricates the joints.

Vaidya Swaran Kaur (BAMS),
Email: swaran_k@yahoo.com
URL: www.geocities.com/swaran_k

Problem of the month: (through e-mail counselling)

Question :

I am requesting for your kind advice about my own health: I am 66yrs old; retd.Professor; pure vegetarian; no smoking, no drinking; simple routine and style of life; There is no sign of "PITT" and "COUGH" but "VAAT" is there from the childhood itself out of the three common natures.

Since about a month, I have some problem with my digestive system. It becomes constipational for 2-3 days, and during this period the stool is small in quantity and size, then after that it becomes loose motion for a day or two. I usually take small quantity of food two times a day, and light breakfast in the morning.

I feel discomfortable, as the stomach becomes tight, heavy and swollen immediately after 30 minutes to one hour of taking the meals. It seems the system is gaseous as some of the gases pass after feeling the discomfort. Then there is some relief. Situation is worse in the night and that disturbs the sleep. Although there is no pain in the abdomen, but it hurts below the left ribs (It appears that there is some hardening over there - maybe muscles, intestine or whatever??). I will be expecting your kind reply with your advice soon.
With regards and best wishes ­ D. Gupta

Answer :

Respected Mr. Gupta,

From the history it sounds like "Grahani" roga in Ayurveda. It is nothing but improper digestion or weak digestion. I would suggest following;

1. Take very think buttermilk with cumin seeds and rock salt after meals.

2. Take Hingwashtak powder - 1 t.s.f. daily both times immediately after meals.

3. have some light exercise, like walk etc.

4. Keep min. 3 to 4 hours distance between your meals and sleeping time.

5. In case of more disturbance you can apply warm plaster (lepa) of Asafetida (Hing) + water on abdomen.

With best wishes and kind regards. - Dr. Prerak Shah

Note : This friend got much relief within a week of above changes in diet and life style.

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