Traditional Medicines

Traditional Medicines: Combining
Western Medicine and Eastern
Medicine for Optimum Health for
PHAs
Canadian AIDS Treatment
Information Exchange
Treatment Information Educator
Devan Nambiar, 2007
Objective
• To provide participants an overall
understanding and insight into the
philosophy, principles of Ayurveda
and Siddha and its use
“There is no substance in the world which cannot be
used for medicinal purposes. An appropriate substance
only needs to be used appropriately to be effective.”
Charaka Samhitra, 600 BC
Milestones of Ayurveda and Siddha
Ayurveda
• From the Vedas; Rig Veda and
Avartha Veda-developed
Ayurveda
• Charaka Sumita and Sushruta
Samita(surgical text) written in
1st BC
• Condensed text of Charaka
and Sushruta; Ashtanga
Sangraha (7th century) and
Ashtanga Hrdaya (8th century)
• Muslim/Arabic= Unani
medicine
• Tibetan
Siddha
• Dravidian culture….around
3000 BC, the Indus Valley
civilization
• The 18 Siddhas were
essentially Yogis and
secondarily physicians
• Founded by the great Siddha
Ayastiyar; standard books of
medicine and surgery in daily
use among the
Contents
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History
Overview of Ayurveda and Siddha
Definition of health
Diagnosis
Immune medicines
Massage and oils
Nutrition
Yoga
Resources
Ayurveda and Siddha
• Ayurveda= Ayur (life)+veda (science
or knowledge)
• Siddha= wisdom, knowledge,
alchemy
• Disease, if correctly understood, does not occur
as a arbitrary phenomena but for definite
reasons. In understanding this correctly, disease
can be prevented from recurring.
Eight specialities: Ashtanga
Ayurveda
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Internal Medicine (Kaya Chikitsa)
Paediatrics (Kaumar Bhritya)
Psychiatry (Bhoot Vidya)
Otorhinolaryngology and Ophthalmology
(Shalakya)
Surgery (Shalya)
Toxicology(Agad Tantra)
Geriatrics (Rasayana)
Eugenics and aphrodisiacs (Vajikarana)
Divided into sixteen specialties, refer to handout.
“Knowledge or wisdom" and
Attainment of Perfection
• "SIDDU" means "knowledge or wisdom" and
"SIDDHI" means attainment of perfection
• The Siddhars were the greatest spiritual
scientists/ seekers of truth
• One who had attained perfection in life are
called Siddhars.
• They possessed tremendous intellectual
powers in themselves and could sustain
their bodies for ages.
Thirumoolar
Internal systems of Siddha
• In the Siddha system, Kayakalpa has a very high priority
• Inherent in Kayakalpa is the belief of the Siddha
physicians that the human body consists of 72,000 veins
and nerves, six vital centres, 10 vital airs, and 10 vital
pulses.
• These appear to relate to tantrik and yogic concepts.
Kayakalpha slowing down the degeneration of cells and tissue
and thus improving immunity
Universe according to Ayurveda
and Siddha
• Consists of two essential
entities; matter and
energy.
• Siva (male) and Shakti
(female, creation).
• Matter cannot exist
without energy inherent in
it and vice versa. The
two co-exist and are
inseparable. They are
the 5 primordial
elements.
• Solid, Fluid, Radiance,
Wind, Ether are present
in every substance, but in
different proportions
• Earth, water , fire , air and
ether are manifestations
of these 5 elements .
Ayurveda & Siddha and its
definition of health
• Health is not simply the absence of disease. It is
rather a state of balance among body, mind, and
consciousness
• Health consists of balanced state of three
humors (doshas), the seven tissues (dhatus),
and three wastes (malas), and the gastric fire
(agni), together with the clarity and balances of
the senses, mind, and spirit
• The intention to preserve and promote optimal
health and prevent dis-ease vs. treating disease
• Every person has a unique body constitution
Ayurveda and Siddha diagnosis
• General physical
examination
• Pulse examination
• Examination of tongue
and eyes
• Urine examination
• Examination of skin and
ear including tactile and
auditory functions
• Examination of the feces
The eight methods of
diagnosis (sthanas)
• Pulse (nadi)
• Eyes (kan)
• Voice (swara)
• Touch (sparisam)
• Color (pvarna)
• Tongue (na)
• Feces (mala)
• Urine (neer)
Forces and elements of nature
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Fire
Earth
Water
Air
Ether
Kapha (water)
Pitta (fire)
Vata (air/ether, space)
Prana is the name for life force that inhibits all living things.
Human body is a microcosm of macrocosm..
Dosha and Tridosha
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A dosha is an impurity, decay, or waste product that arises out of the
process of metabolism.
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Disease arise when a doshas get out of balance,
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1st step is to determine the constitution to balance the doshas ( maintaining
the proportion of the three doshas according to the individual’s constitution)
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A person can be a combination of two doshas (humors), while one
predominates
The doshas are not only the causes of disease but also the site of the
disease
Excess dosha will migrate to another site once it has damaged its own site
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The goal is to know the attributes of the dosha, rather than getting caught
up with the disease
As the disease becomes chronic, treatment becomes more complicated.
Tridoshas; involved in all functions of the
body, physical, emotional and mental.
Ayurveda
• Vata: most important of
the three humors. It
directs the other two
humors
• Pitta: known as fire or
bile. It properties are
slightly oily
• Kapha: referred to as
water or phlegm; it unites
earth and water; it
supports the other two
humors
Siddha
• Vatham : controls the
bodily activities, voluntary
and involuntary
• Pitham: linked to bodily
changes involving
destruction/metabolism.
• Karpam: all constructive
processes are performed
by Karpam. They
function dependent on
each other. They
permeate every single
structure in the body.
•The maintenance of the equilibrium is health, disturbance is disease
Kapha (water & earth)
Pitta (fire and water)
Vata (air & ether)
Differences and Similarities
Siddha
• Childhood-vatham
• Adulthood-pitham
• Old age-Kapam
Ayurveda
• Childhood: kapam
• Adulthood: pitham
• Old age: vatham
Provides measures for healthful living during the entire span of life and its
various phases
Methods of diagnosis
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Medical history
Constitution
Diet
Pulse
Tongue
Complexion
Digestion
• Sleep
• Elimination process
(urination, bowel
movement)
• Lifestyle (exercise,
spirituality, libido,
energy, stress,
employment)
Methods of Treatment
• Removal of cause
• Purification to eliminate
excess doshas
• Balance the doshas and
rekindle digestive fire
• Rejuvenate to build the
organism
For disease of consumption
such as cancer, AIDS,
the procedure is the
reverse…..
Diagnosis of doshas
• Rejuvenate first to
preserve life
• Balance the dosha
second; to strengthen the
patient and weaken the
disease
• Panchakaram next; to
purify the system
• Remove the emotional
cause of condition (when
the patient is ready)
Method of Treatment
The treatment for the imbalance of the Tridoshas
• The correction of the imbalance is made by substituting
the drug which is predominately of the opposite nature.
• An example is of Vatham imbalance is cold, dry thus the
treatment will be oily and warmth. For inactivity of
limbs, massage and activity, are prescribed.
• If Pitham dosha is increased, warmth is produced; to
decrease Pitham , sandalwood is administered, internally
or externally because of its cold characteristic
The treatment of disease are
classified as;
• Purification Treatment (Shodhana)
• Prescription of diet and activity (Pathya
Vyavastha)
• Avoidance of disease causing and
aggravating factors (Nidan Parivarjan )
• Psychotherapy (Satvavajaya)
• Rejuvenative medicines and use of
immunomodulators (Rasayana)
• Palliative Treatment (Shamana)
Seven dhatus or tissue layers
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Plasma (Rasa)
Blood ( Rakta)
Fat (Medas)
Bone (Asthi)
Marrow ( Majja)
Flesh
Semen, reproductive essence (Shukra)
…connected to Ojas, resides in bone marrow, enhances immune
function, aids digestion, provides luster and glow
The dhatus nourish one another
Definition of disease
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In Ayurveda and Siddha, new diseases do not occur, just different
degrees of a disease or disease-causing factors.
• In Ayurveda, HIV/AIDS is a disease of
low/decreased Ojas
• In Siddha, AIDS is called “Vettai Noi” and is
classified into 21 types. Medicines were
prescribed for Vettai Noi as far back as 3,000
BC in the prehistoric civilization of Southern
India.
Ayurveda and Siddha
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Sex, illness and health
Food combination
Immune boosters
Massage and oils
Gem and color essences
Yoga, pranayama (breath
work), spirituality
Sex and health
Ojas (refined nectar, vital
energy)
• Resides in bone
marrow
• Enhances immune
system, digestion
• Stored in chakras
along the spine
• During orgasm
moves down
• Too much loss
aggravates vata
• Enhance energy by
satvic foods (saffron
& almond milk) and
pranayama
Sexual activity and health
• Abstinence (not repressing)- due to debility, emaciation,
convalescence (repressing can cause vitality to
stagnate or weaken)
• Sexual activity can be creative energy and help facilitate
mental and spiritual work-primary energy of the mind
• Valuable in treating mental and nervous system as
sexual fluids lubricate the nerve tissue
• The awakening of the subtle energies o f the mind,
stimulates the lower chakras, and often increases sexual
drive and decreases mental clarity
• Sexual abstinence requires use of asana, pranayama
and meditation
Excessive sexual activity can cause vata and pitta disorder
Sexual activity and tridosha
• Kapha; best sexual vitality with continous but moderate
(2 to 3 x/wk)
• Pitta; like drama and passion (every 2 wks)
• Vata; greatest interest in sex but lowest vitality (once a
month)
• Or practice Trantric sex
Seasonal for all:
• Most appropriate in winter and spring when Kapha is
highest
• More depleting in summer and fall during pitta and vata
season
• Best time: according to constitution
Ayurvedic Food Combination
Do not eat
With
Milk
bananas, fish, meat, melons, curd, kichari, yeasted breads, cherries,
yogurt
Melons
grains, starch, fried foods, dairy products
Starches
eggs, chai(indian tea), dairy products, bananas, dates, persimmon,
most fruits
radishes
milk, bananas, raisins
nightshades
(potato, eggplant,
tomato)
yogurt, milk, melon, cucumber
Yogurt
milk, fruit, melons
eggs
milk, meat, yogurt, melons, cheese, fish, bananas
hot drinks
meat, fish, mangoes, starch, cheese
corn
dates, raisins, bananas
lemon
yogurt, milk, cucumbers, tomatoes
hot drinks
meat, fish, mangoes, starch, cheese
General Recommendations for
Immune Health
• Anti-pitta/vata diet ( avoid
spicy, sour , bitter,
astringent foods)
• Foods to strengthen Ojas
and satvic (sesame oils
and seeds, almonds,
chickpeas, milk, yoghurt,
ghee (clarified butter)
• Ojas increasing herbs
combined with gugguls,
myrrh for cleansing the
deeper tissues
• Herbs; ashwagandha,
shatvari, taken with milk+
ghee
• Mantras: Om, Shrum,
Shrim
• Gem Stones: yellow
sapphire, yellow topaz,
diamond, clear zircon
• Massage: sesame oils,
sandalwood, Brahmi oil,
moderate sexual activity
Ayurveda treatments
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√ Ashwangandha leyham (Indian ginseng, Withania somnifera) helps
weight gain and increases testosterone and energy.
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√ Narasingha rasayana is used for strength and weight gain.
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√ Brahma rasayana boosts immunity by increasing CD4 and CD8 cell
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counts. It is also used during chemotherapy for cancer patients.
√ Jeevani is a combination of five herbs used to fight fatigue and to
enhance the immune system.
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√ Daimrasta churna is prescribed for chronic diarrhea.
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√ Tripla churna (3 herbs) is the best all-round medicine to improve
digestion of food and absorption of nutrients.
Ayurveda treatments
• Indoganda kasayam increases weight and reduces
fever.
• Serankottai nei (herbal ghee) and Mahavallathy
leyham, and
• Parangi rasayanam.
• Purnavine is Ayurvedic herbal preparation
Siddha Treatments
• √ Thetrankottai Ilagam - immune booster, improves digestion and
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increases muscle mass.
√ Thanga baspam is a potent rejuvenative of herbal pills mixed with
22- karat gold powder.
√ Sivam- to improve lung capacity after lung infection.
√ Muthu Baspam (herbal pills with silver)
Gandhak parpam, Gandhaka rasayanam, Idivallathy mezhugu
and Poorna chandrodayam - herbal mineral
Serankottai Nei (herbal ghee), Mahavallathy leyham, Parangi
rasayanam - Herbal preparations
Idivallathy mezhugu, Poorna Chandrodayam- Herbal mercuric
preparations
Rasagandhi mezhugu (√), Nandhi Mezhugu, Sivandar
Amirtham, Kshayakulanthan Chenduram - Herbal-mercuricarsenial
Chyavanaprash and Jeevani
• Chyavanaprash (Amla
Embelica Officinale )
Indian Gooseberry)
• Richest Source of Natural
Vitamin C, bioflavonoids
and tannins, help prevent
flu and cold, build
immunity and promote
healing
• Jeevani- made from fruit
of Arogyapacha
• The cellular immune
system is activated. It
exhibits hepato-protective
activities used to build up
vitality and vigor- has
adaptogenic properties
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
and Shatvari (Asparagus racemosus)
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Ashwangandha
proven stress adaptogen,
mental fatigue, stress related
disorders, mood elevator,
anxiety, depression , erectile
function and libido, arthritis,
immunity
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Shatvari
Tonic and adaptogen for
women
Improves circulation and Ojas
Counteracts symptoms of
menopause
Drug Interactions
• Ayurveda and Siddha medicines use many preparations
made from plants, minerals and metals.
• Consumers to be aware of the potential drug interaction
and negative outcomes of combining certain eastern
medicines and pharmaceuticals.
• It is equally important to inform the practitioner if they are
taking any prescription medicines and for the practitioner
to be knowledge of the prescription medicine.
• The interaction can cause an increase or decrease in
drug levels, which can cause an increase or decrease of
side effects or have no therapeutic benefits for the
individual.
Oil Massages
• All Ayurvedic/Siddha massages use medicated
herbal oils (Siddha tailam)
• The herbal oils are prepared according the
person’s constitution
• Regular twice/week
• Nourishes the heart and calm the mind, provides
elasticity to muscles, ligaments, strengthens
bones
• Medicated oils work on the plasma, blood,
muscles, increase digestive (metabolism) capacity
of the tissues, skin, lungs and colon
SHODHANA CHIKITSA
Massage and oils (continued)
• When massage is mixed with essential oils
(aroma therapy) and fragrances it will help
open the mind, heart, purify the air
PIZHICHAL
Oil baths and 16 massages
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Sixteen different types of massage treatments are available with
different herbs, botanicals, or poultices.
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For general health, sesame oil is warmed and/or
mixed with herbs and massaged into the skin. This mixture is left on
for at least one hour to ensure that the oil penetrates the skin and is
followed by a hot bath.
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Kaya kalpa chiksa is a 21-day extensive cleansing, diet,
and massage treatment with rare herbs and minerals for HIV
positive patients. Kalpa is intended to improve quality of life and
prolong life.
To undergo kaya kalpa, you must stay at a clinic and adhere to a
specific diet while under the supervision of a physician.
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Massage oils
• Anti-pitta: cooling oils e.g. coconut oil, sunflower
oil, ghee (clarified butter) use with (fragrance:
sandalwood, rose, gardenia)
• Anti-kapha: light oils, e.g mustard or flaxseed
(fragrance: musk, camphor, clove, frankincense)
• Anti-vata: warm heavy oils, e.g. sesame oils or
almonds (fragrance: sandalwood, camphor,
wintergreen)
• Abhyanga
Navarakizhi
Patra Pinda Sweda
Shirodhara
Talapodichil
Sarvangadhara (Pizhichil)
Netra Tarpana
Padaghata
Udvartana
Gemstones and color essences
• Has harmonizing effect
on mind and emotions
• Balance one’s physical
and mental nature
• Worn as rings, pendants
• Strongest effect if in
contact with skin
• Gems with herbs
• Ruby: circulation
• Yellow sapphire, topaz:
tonic and rejuvenate
• Emerald: nervine and
harmonizing
• Red coral: stimulant and
aphrodisiac
• Diamond: Tonic for
reproductive system
Yoga: union of mind, body and soul
Astanga yoga (8 limb)
• Abstentations (yama)
• Observations (niyama)
• Postures (asana)
• Sense withdrawal
(pratyahara)
• Concentration(dharana)
• Meditation (dhyana)
• Contemplation
• Absorption (samadhi)
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Hatha
Tantric
Kundalini
Raja
Jnana
Bhakti
Iyengar
Diet, Meditation, Asanans, Chakras, Pranayama (Breadthwork)
Benefits of Yoga
• Regular practice helps to keep our body fit, controls
cholesterol level, reduces weight, normalizes blood
pressure and improves heart performance.
• Improves oxygenation, massages internal organs,
reduction of physical stress and greater vitality.
• Asanas harmonize our pranic ability and mental energy
flow by clearing any blockages in the subtle body leading
to mental equilibrium and calmness.
• Helps assist the mind and body to deal with difficult
situations
http://www.lifepositive.com/Body/yoga/ashtangayoga.asp#pranayama
Yoga, pranayama (breath work),
spirituality
"wherever you go there you are."
• Meditation is an art of cultivating awareness, becoming
aware of one's thought, observation of oneself
• In cultivating awareness one is mindful of each action
and thought before we act on it.
• Mindful meditation is to be mindful of your thoughts,
breath, body and body parts.
• It is a move into greater levels of oneself.
• We become mindful of who we truly are
• Meditation is the slow doing
Chakras: wheel of energy
centers
• In Yoga the base chakra's internal
color is Yellow, pelvic (White),
Solar plexus (Red), heart (Smoky
gray), throat (Bluish gray) and
fore head (Violet).
• The bija(seed) mantra from base
to forehead is as follows: LAM,
VAM, RAM, YAM , HAM, SHAM,
OM.
• The crown is where the thousand
lotus petals resides.
Pranayama
• "When the breath wanders, the mind is
unsteady, but when the breath is still, so is the
mind still." Hatha Yoga Pradipika
• “Breathing correctly means breathing through
the nose, keeping the mouth closed, and
involves a full inhalation and exhalation which
brings the whole of your lungs into play. When
you exhale , the abdomen contracts and the
diaphragm moves up, massaging the heart;
when you inhale, the abdomen expands and the
diagram moves down, massaging the abdominal
organs” Ramana Maharishi
Mantras
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Shanti Mantra
Aasato Ma Sat Gamaya (Om- lead me from unreal to Real)
Tamaso Ma Jyotir Gamaya (From Darkness to Light)
Mirtyor maamritam Gamaya (From mortality to Immortality)
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Gayatri Mantra
Om Bhur -Bhuva Suvah
Tat-saitur Varenyam
Bhargo -devasya dhimahi
Dhiyo yo nah pracodaya
(We meditate on the glorious effulgence of the Supreme Being, out
of whom all this creation-the earth, heavens, and beyond- has come
into being. May s/he illumine our minds and hearts and guide our
energies.)
Resources
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D.Nambiar.The heart and soul of Ayurvedic Medicine :
http://www.bcpwa.org/articles/issue_12_18-19_ayervedic.pdf
D.Nambiar. Ghee and Tonic; Treating HIV with Ayurveda and Siddha
medicines: http://www.bcpwa.org/articles/issue_22_2627_ghee_and_tonic.pdf
Practical Guide to Herbal Therapies. CATIE. 2005
Practical Guide to CAM Therapies. CATIE. 2004
B.V. Subbarayappa. Siddha Medicine:an overview. The Lancet 1997;350:
1841-1844
K. Morris. Meditating on yogic science. The Lancet 1998; 351:1038
Dr. D. Frawley. Ayurvedic Healing: A Comprehensive Guide, 1989
R. Svoboda. Ayurveda: Life, Health and Longevity. 1993
Drs.D. Frawley, V. Lad. The Yoga of Herbs: An Ayurvedic Guide to Herbal
Medicine
Dr. V. Lad. The Complete Book of Ayurvedic Home Remedies. 1998
Drs. V. Narayanaswami, A. Anandkumar. Introduction To The Siddha
System of Medicine. Research Institute of Siddha Medicine. 1975
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Decisions about particular medical
treatments should always be made in
consultation with a qualified medical
practitioner knowledgeable about HIVrelated illness and treatment question.
Disclaimer
The Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange
(CATIE) in good faith provides information resources to
help people living with HIV/AIDS who wish to manage
their own health care in partnership with their care
providers. Information accessed through or published or
provided by CATIE, however is not to be considered
medical advice. We do not recommend or advocate
particular treatments and we urge users to consult as
broad a range of sources as possible. We strongly urge
users to consult with a qualified medical practitioner prior
to undertaking any decision, use or action of a medical
nature.