India Herbs

Publication: ayurvedahc.com

Author: Raghvendra Dubey

Date: July 23, 2007

In India, Shatavari is considered the women’s equivalent to Ashwagandha. The name translates to “she who possesses 100 husbands”, referring to the herbs rejuvenative effect upon the female reproductive organs. This sweet and bitter herb best known as a female rejuvenative having effects on the female reproductive system

Shatavari helps in restoring (natural healing) the damaged metabolism/cells/system on human body and helps it in faster recovery. Shatavari is also known as natural coolant of body having anti-inflammatory qualities. This herb is known to increase sattwa, or positivity and healing power. It also enhances the feelings of spiritual love, and increases ojas. Shatavari also helps in treating ulcers and acidity related complaints.

Healing qualities of Shatavari are very effective on the female reproductive system related problems. It helps in minimizing the women’s complaints related to menstrual cycles (Shatavari minimizes the pain, controls the loss of blood and other fluids during menstrual cycle) and balancing the female hormonal system. It also helps in decreasing the inflammation of female sexual organs, in fighting tiredness and morning sickness, helps in problems related to infertility, leucorrhea, and in regulating ovulation etc, which occur during the menopause cycle. Those women, who face problems of hot flashes, they should try combination of Shatavari and Kama Duba.

Shatavari is used as an ingredient in herbal mixtures, which fight against impotence, weakness in sexual activities and sexual organs, inflammation of sexual organs, and a condition called Spermatorrhea.

Shatavari contains a chemical composition, which is diuretic in nature, and helps in fighting infectious conditions such as bladder infections, intestinal infections etc. Because of its properties, Shatavari is used in dysentery, cystitis and such internal infection conditions.
Along with all the above uses, Shatavari is also used in treatment of chronic fever, dehydration, inflammation of internal walls of the heart and lungs, etc. Combination of Shatavari and other herbs is also used to treat ailments and other problems.           

Latin Name: Asparagus racemosus

Family: Asparagaceae

Synonym: Shatavari, Indian Asparagus, Hundred Roots, Asparagus roots, Tian men dong
Doshas: Vata, Pitta.  Shatavari helps in treating (balancing) ‘Pitta dosha’.

Parts Used : Roots (Rhizomes) and leaves.

Geographical Source: Grows in low jungles areas throughout India.

Properties: Nutritive tonic, rejuvenative, aphrodisiac, galactogogue, laxative, antispasmodic, antacid, diuretic, antitumor, demulcent, powerful anabolic.

Uses

-  Good for eyes, muscles, reproductive organs, increases milk secretion and helps to regain vigour and vitality.

-  Useful for infertility, impotence and general sexual debility, decreased libido, threatened miscarriage, menopause, leucorrhea, and has the ability to balance pH in the cervical area.

-  Used to treat gastrointestinal disorders (eg. Hyperacidity, stomach ulcers, diarrhea.) and as an external wash for wounds.

-  Useful in cases of bronchitis and chronic fevers. It is believed to bring into balance all of the body’s fluids.

-  Nourishes and cleanses the blood and the female reproductive organs.

-  Used in for those who have had hysterectomies, as it supplies many female hormones. It nourishes the ovum and increases fertility.

Publication: Ayurvedahc.com

Author: Dr T.R. Shantala Priyadarshini

Date: 11 July 2007 

1. Include more fruits in your daily diet helps (grapes-lemon-apples-banana-oranges etc.) 

2. Chew each morsel of food 30-40 times before swallowing 

3. Eat steamed freshly bought vegetables. Green leafy veggies may be balanced for Vayu doshas by cooking with ginger, cumin, coriander and asafetida.

4. Drink a glass of water upon waking, just after visiting bathroom

5. Dry fruits like raisins, dates or figs to be soaked overnight and eaten in the morning. 

6. Eat papaya before or after meals is helpful not only in relieving constipation but also helps you look young.

7. Lemon juice squeezed in a cup of hot water with a pinch of salt to be taken early morning ?daily 

8. One hour before your wakening time drink 1-2 cups of saline hot water and then go back to bed again ?this helps clear your bowels 

9. Adding 1-2 spoons of castor oil to milk and drinking it daily at bedtime helps

10. Avoid eating lot of spices, fried food, frozen food and food/drinks with preservatives, don’t suppress natural urges.

11. Squat for 10 minutes first thing in morning to relieve gas and stimulate apana Vayu (downward air movement) to induce urge to pass stool. Twist the upper torso from side to side to trigger energy points on the lower belly for the same goal.

12. Then squat on toilet or place feet on small step bench when attempting to pass stool.

Publication: Ayurveda AHC

Author: Dr. Jayashree Nataraj

Date:  July 9, 2007

One who follows these eight powerful steps, will lead a quality life and keeps the diseases at a distance.

Hitha ahara- consuming food which is congenial to the constitutions, adequate for the age, appropriate for the balanced state of doshas and dhatus. Suitable combined, processed, and consumed in a pleasant atmosphere.

Hitha vihara- Physical exercise to keep the body fit, exercises should be selected according to the age, profession, constitution, and season.

Samikshyakari- an attitude with which one can analyze and discriminate between the beneficial or non beneficial - is the basic requisite either to select a food or an activity, even more so the thoughts.

Vishyeshvasakthah- achieving anything is the desire of the sensory organs. When this desire becomes an ambition/greed, the stress is more both physically and mentally, and becomes the cause for disease. Thus, to be healthy one needs to have control over the senses.

Datha- willingness to share helps in keeping away from self-centeredness, and improves social health.

Samaha- treating every one equally without any prejudice. This brings in social well-being.

Sathyaparah- Truthfulness keeps the individual relaxed.
Apthopasevi ?caring for others. Serving friends (who are our guides, philosophers and well-wishers).

As diseases are caused by psychosomatic reasons, these eight steps shall have the impact on all the components of one’s health.

Publication: Ayurvedahc.com

Author: Tripti Sharma

Date: July 04, 2007 

Most modern diseases are caused by prolonged exposure to a combination of faulty lifestyle, food habits and toxic environmental factors. Chronic stress has a vital role in immune disorders. There are two types of immunity which protects our body from any infection. These are Innate and Adaptive. Innate immunity - this type of immunity is present at birth and provides the first barrier against microorganisms which causes infections. Adaptive Immunity - it is the second barrier to infections and acquired later in life as - immunity after an immunization. The higher mortality rate is observed due to AIDS, it is the best example of immune disorders.

In Ayurved it is known as Byadhikshamata “OJA”, and described two types as Par and Apar Oja. ojas is the sara (essence) of dhatus ending with shukra dhatu (reproductive tissue).   It is also known as bala (strength). This strength provides stability and nourishment of the muscle tissue. It is located in the hridaya (heart). Though it is located in the heart, it pervades all over the body and controls the working of the body.      

Importance of ojas

By its loss, the autoimmune system becomes vulnerable to disease.

Ojas has two types:

    Par: Located in the hridaya
    Apar: located throughout the body

Appearance (Swaroopa) of ojas

It is viscous (unctuous and greasy)

Somatmaka (Preponderant in watery principle)

Clear (Transparent)

Slight reddish yellow in colour                                            
 

Symptoms of Lack of Immunity 

        Recurrent infections

        Lack of energy without any pathology

        Easily trapped by diseases

        Less power to fight against diseases

        Easily tiered and over stressed
Root Causes

        Microorganisms

        Genetic

        Virus

        Faulty life style and food habits

        Pollution

        Stress

        Metabolic disorders

Herbs that are useful in Immunity Disorder:   

Amla (Phyllanthus emblica)       
Amla , or Indian gooseberry, is a popular fruit cultivated in India that has long been valued for its rejuvenating properties, according to traditional Ayurveda. Preliminary evidence suggests that amla may help boost the immune response, presumably due to its vitamin C content.         

Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia)        

The plant is used in Ayurvedic rasayanas to improve the immune system
and the body’s resistance to infections. The bitter principle present
shows antiperiodic, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic
properties. Stem decoction for oral use. Giloy is helpful for counteracting infection and promoting resistance to illness. [Giloy is also called Guduchhi]    

Aswagandha (Withania somnifera)  
      
Ashwagandha is one of the main herbs for promoting ojas and rejuvenating the body. It is a well known semen promoter and it treats impotency and infertility. It increases physical endurance and improves sexual function. The strong anti stress properties include both mental and physical stress and exhaustion. Furthermore, this test indicates the low order of toxicity of the plant, supporting the Ayurvedic view that it is safe for long-term consumption. It has also exhibited antibacterial and antifungal activities in a raw or unprocessed state and it has antibiotic effects. It is used in many general tonics and preparations, such as Chyavan Prash

Neem (Azadirachta indica)        

It is used in Ayurveda for skin disorders, pimples, diabetes, tumours, obesity, arthritis, viral fevers, jaundice and as a blood purifier. In order to increase immunity of the body, neem leaves are also taken internally in the form of neem capsules or made into a tea. The tea is traditionally taken internally to reduce fever caused by malaria. This tea is extremely bitter. It is also used to soak feet for treating various foot fungi.  It has also been reported to work against termites. In Ayurveda, neem leaves are used in curing neuromuscular pains. Chewing of 8-10 neem leaves early in the morning for twenty-four days protects the body from diseases like diabetes and hypertension.  The body also becomes immune to skin problems by this medication.

Diet that helps :          
Patients should drink fresh water, milk , buttermilk, sugar cane juice and easily digestible foods.     

Lifestyle

One should follow his own conscience & follow the right path. The following natural urges should not be suppressed: passing of flatus, defecation, urination, sneezing, weeping, vomiting, breathing when fatigued, thirst, hunger, sleep and coitus. 

Yoga

      Shirshasan

        Sarvangasana

        Meditation

Publication: The Star Online

Author: Unknown

Date: July 1, 2007

INFERTILITY is the inability to conceive after one year of unprotected intercourse. Women who are able to get pregnant but then have repeated miscarriages are also said to be infertile. 

Infertility affects approximately 10% of people of reproductive age1, and 15% of couples. In 40% of infertility cases, the cause of infertility is the man; another 40% of cases involve a female factor; and 10% of the cases involve both sexes.
Asparagus racemosusis a multi-branched, spinous under-shrub, bearing numerous succulent and tuberous roots. The plant contains triterpene saponins, which are phytoestrogen compounds.
Male infertility

Healthy sexual function in men encompasses broadly two interrelated steps – spermatogenesis (formation of sperms), and performance of the male sexual act, which involves arousal leading to erection, orgasm and eventually ejaculation.

In men, hormone disorders, illness, reproductive anatomy trauma and obstruction, sexual dysfunction, oxidative stress and external factors (heat, chemicals, and lifestyle) can temporarily or permanently affect sperm and prevent conception. 

Common male infertility factors include azoospermia (no sperm cells are produced), asthenozoospermia (decreased motility of sperm) and oligospermia (few sperm cells are produced). Sometimes, sperms are deformed or die before they reach the egg. 

Many herbs have been shown to be beneficial in sperm production. 

Herbs like Vanya kahu (Lactuca scariola), and Kapikacchu (Mucuna pruriens) are potent antioxidants, and reduce oxidative damage to sperm by preventing disruption in the membrane integrity of sperms2,3. 

Kapikacchu has aphrodisiacal properties and is beneficial in oligozoospermia (insufficient sperm cells in the semen). Treatment with Kapikacchu has been shown to increase sperm count. 

L-dopa, a precursor of the neurotransmitter dopamine, isolated from Kapikacchu4, has been shown to increase sperm production5. Kapikacchu also prevents male sterility and acts as a nervine tonic. 

Protodioscin, an active principle from the herb Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris), is converted to DHEA (De-Hydro-Epi-Androsterone), which is a precursor of testosterone, and thus improves sexual desire and sperm production6.

While reduced sperm count and poor quality of sperm are significant factors in male infertility, adequate sexual performance is essential for the release of sperm and a successful mating of sperm with the egg. And this depends on achieving satisfactory erection and ejaculation of sperm into the female reproductive tract. 

Erectile dysfunction, sometimes called “impotence”, is the repeated inability to get or keep an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse. When a man becomes aroused, his central nervous system stimulates the release of a number of chemicals, including acetylcholine and nitric oxide, which relax the smooth muscles in the penis, allowing blood to flow into the tiny pool-like sinuses and flood the penis. 

Increased blood flow increases the pressure in the spongy tissue (corpus cavernosum) in the penis, causing it to become rigid. Studies show that adequate levels of testosterone stimulate the production of vasoactive substances like nitric oxide (NO), resulting in satisfactory erection7. 

A study showed that treatment with Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris) increased the intracavernous pressure in the penis and enhanced sexual behaviour. This is possibly due to the herb’s ability to increase androgen (testosterone) levels and the subsequent release of nitric oxide from the nerve endings innervating the corpus cavernosum, resulting in improved blood flow to the penis and in turn improvement in the functioning of the musculature in the penile region8.

Finally, a healthy male reproductive tract is essential for enhanced male fertility. The male reproductive tract is controlled by a well-balanced hormonal system, in which hypothalamic, pituitary and testicular hormones (androgens) participate. Any disturbance of this hormonal system may therefore lead to testicular dysfunction and interfere with spermatogenesis9 (production of sperm). 

Many other herbs used in Ayurveda such as, Bala (Sida cordifolia) and Salabmisri (Orchis mascula) have fertility enhancing functions. 

Sida cordifolia is mainly used in nervous disorders, general debility and sexual inadequacy. The tuberous root of Orchis mascula has good nutritional value and is used as a tonic and aphrodisiac.

Female infertility

The most common female infertility problem is an ovulation disorder. Ovulation is necessary for the release of the egg from the ovary. Some signs that a woman is not ovulating normally include irregular or absent menstrual periods. 

Other causes of infertility include blocked fallopian tubes (the tube through which the egg travels from the ovary to uterus), endocrine disorders, uterine fibroids, and anatomical defects of the uterus. 

Several other factors such as age, stress, poor diet, athletic training, being overweight or underweight, tobacco smoking, alcohol, sexually transmitted diseases (STD), health problems that cause hormonal changes, can affect a woman’s ability to have a baby. 

Herbs like Ashoka (Saraca asoca), Lodhra (Symplocos racemosa), Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), and Kumari (Aloe barbadensis) are used in Ayurveda for the treatment of female infertility.

Saraca asoca is a small evergreen tree. Its bark contains an oestrogenic compound and has a stimulating effect on the endometrium (inner layer of uterus) and ovarian tissue. 

It is useful in menorrhagia (excessive menstrual bleeding) due to uterine fibroids, leukorrhoea (white discharge) and in internal bleeding. It is well established for its effectiveness in menorrhagia and dysmenorrhoea. 

It also has a stimulatory effect on the ovarian tissue and may produce an oestrogen-like effect that enhances the repair of the endometrium and stops bleeding.

Symplocos racemosa is an evergreen tree, with white to yellowish flowers, and purplish black drupes. Its astringent bark is given for the treatment of diarrhoea, dysentery and liver complaints. It is recommended in the treatment of menorrhagia and other uterine disorders. 

The stem bark has anti-inflammatory properties. S. racemosa is used in Ayurveda for various female disorders. Studies have reported that S. racemosa stimulates and increases the levels of reproductive hormo-nes, FSH (Follicular Stimulating Hor-mone) and LH10 (Luteinising Horm-one). An increase in the ovary weig-ht was also found due to the observed FSH surge. These results are in concordance with the traditional use of this herb for female disorders.

Asparagus racemosus is a multi-branched, spinous under-shrub, bearing numerous succulent and tuberous roots. The plant contains triterpene saponins, which are phytoestrogen compounds. 

The plant is demulcent, aphrodisiac and galactagogue (promotes secretion of milk). The results of a study suggests an oestrogenic effect of the herb on the female mammary gland and genital organs11.

A. racemosus is often used for infertility, threatened miscarriage, leukorrhoea and menopausal problems. It nourishes the ovum and increases fertility.

Aloe barbadensis is a coarse-looking perennial plant with a short stem, with crowded leaves that have spiny teeth on the margins. Aloes have long been in use for a host of diseases such as, digestive, skin and liver ailments. 

A study on Aloes showed that the in-vitro production of oestradiol and progesterone by ovarian cells was significantly increased12 by it.

In another study, the leaf mixture of Aloe and other herbs induced a significant increase in ovarian and uterine weight as well as serum and ovarian oestradiol13.

These results clearly attest the direct effects of some chemical components of the leaf mixture on the production of reproductive hormones.

Infertility is a cause for concern. Nevertheless, for a substantial percentage of men and women with reproductive disorders, adopting changes in lifestyle, healthy exercise and dietary habits, reducing stress levels along with appropriate herbal supplementation can help overcome infertility.