Ayurveda treatment is based on the concept that diseases are caused by the imbalance of the three main doshas (Tridoshas) in the body namely Vata, Pitta and Kapha. A person’s good health depends on the perfect balance of the food he consumes, his actions and thoughts.
Ayurveda looks at brain disease as a Vata dosha imbalance. The human brain may be affected due to the stress and tension experienced by the person throughout his or her life. The brain diseases occur when there is degeneration of the brain cells losing the power to function normally.
Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease is caused due to progressive degeneration of the brain. It is identified by gradual loss of memory, decrease in cognitive skills or dementia etc. This condition can be managed by Ayurvedic therapy through a complete cure may not be possible.
Ayurveda treatment is aimed at restoring the vata balance in the person’s body so that the brain cells can be activated. The Ayurvedic diet recommended for this purpose consists of Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera) the herbal powder mixed with milk, ghee or skimmed milk. If the vata balanced diet is taken according to the patient’s condition on a daily basis the vata dosha gets corrected.
Massaging the body with medicated oils before daily bath can help in removing the toxins from the body that can help in removing the vata dosha disturbance. Similarly Ayurvedic cleansing processes like fumigation and enema are recommended to purify the environment and the body tissues. The idea is to purifying both internally and externally the factors that may be responsible for the dosha vitiation. Herbs like Brahmi and Ashwagandha are used for strengthening the brain tissues in Ayurveda treatment for brain disease.
Brain tumor
Brain tumor is described as the abnormal growth of the cells within the brain that can be cancerous and non cancerous. Two important factors affecting brain tumor are its size and the location where it is present in the brain. Brain tumor does not necessarily manifest in the brain; it can begin to appear in the other parts of the body and spread to the brain. The common symptoms are nausea, frequent headaches, sudden changes in vision, confusion, changes in speech, and problems in hearing accompanied by hormonal disturbances.
Ayurveda treatment of brain tumor involves both herbal medicines and spiritual healing. This is due to the Ayurveda principle that the health of the body and mind of the person depends upon the harmony of the elements present both inside and outside the body. Diseases occur when the body goes out of balance with the universe. The imbalance causes biological and emotional and spiritual well being of the person as they are interlinked with each other.
Herbs that are found to be effective in treating brain tumor are Divya herb and Mandukapani (Bacopa monerea) and Kasturi Bhairav rasa. Spiritual healing comprises of mantra chanting, meditation and following bakti yoga, religious offerings along with performing yagnas. The processes are aimed at reducing the negative tendencies of the mind.
Parkinson’s disease
In Ayurveda Parkinson’s disease is referred to as ‘Kampa Vata.’ Though there is no direct reference to this disease in Ayurveda its symptoms are dealt with in detail. Most common symptoms are tremors in hands, legs and other areas that maybe affected. Other symptoms may include staring and muscular rigidity. It is recognized by various tremors such as Kampavata that is caused by vata disturbance, Prevepana (excessive shaking), Vepathu (being out of alignment), Sirakampa (head tremor), Kampana (tremors in general) and spandan (quivering). Apana Vayu accumulates in the old age and it leads to constipation and increases vata dosha. There may be dryness in the membranes of the body. Kapha may be diminished in the majja (Marrow). Vata and pitta types of people are affected more and kapha types have natural prot4ction against Parkinson’s disease.
Chikitsa, the treatment involves fomentation and massage with herbal medicines. Enema known as basti or ingestion of oils is also recommended in some cases. Ashwagandha and Bala are also used effectively to nourish and rejuvenate the nervous system.