The immune system is a network of glands, nodes, and organs that work to protect the body from bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other harmful organisms. It consists of the thymus gland, the spleen, lymph nodes (cervical, axillary, mammary), and other organs. These organs are involved in the process of generating and circulating immune cells and certain molecules (i.e. antibodies). The immune system requires a constant supply of energy and nutrients to maintain optimum function and performance. Toxins in the environment and in our food, poor diet, lack of or excessive exercise, and stress can all adversely affect the function of the immune system and can cause a decline in its’ proper activity. Without the immune system functioning at optimum levels, the body becomes subject to illness, infections and health problems.
Many factors play a role in strengthening and maintaining the immune system:
Balanced Diet, Plentiful in Vitamins and Minerals
Antioxidants like vitamin C and E protect the body against free radicals. Free radicals can be produced or brought into the body through poor diet, alcohol, pollutants, smoking, and X-rays. Free radicals attack all cells in the body including the cells of the immune system. Antioxidants bind to free radicals and neutralize them, thus eliminating their damaging effects and help maintain the function of the immune system.
Hatha Yoga – Practice of Yoga Poses
Yoga poses that twist and compress organs help massage and rejuvenate immune organs and channels. The practice of Yoga also generates balanced energy – vital energy required by the immune system. Other key poses can create specific benefits to improving immune function:
-Kurmasana (Tortoise pose) supports the thymus gland
-Inversions and Forward Bends like Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Facing Dog pose) improve the flow of the sinuses and help flush mucous from the lungs
-chest and lung openers like Ustrasana (Camel pose), Yoga Mudra and Bhujangasana (Camel pose) also increase lung mobility and flush out the lungs
-restorative Yoga poses (supported and gravity based) can provide healing benefits during low periods of energy
Stimulate the Thymus Gland
The thymus gland is located behind the chest bone (sternum) in the upper portion of the chest. Its’ primary function is the production of peptide hormones which appears to be essential for the normal development of T lymphocytes (T cells) and the immune system. The thymus gland is proportionally large in infants and children, but diminishes in size and effectiveness throughout adulthood.
Improve Circulation and Oxygen Flow with Regular Exercise
Moderate exercise (ie brisk walking for 30-60 minutes) daily will improve function and flow of the circulatory and lymphatic system, thus helping provide oxygen and nutrients for immune system organs and cells. Improving oxygen flow creates better transfer of energy from nutrients to cells. Take note: studies have shown that excessive amounts of exercise can decrease immune function as the overloading of tissues from exercise strips the immune system of energy. This energy is taken from the immune system to repair overloaded/strained tissues and to aid in post-exercise recovery.
Other Useful Tips:
Rest When Symptoms of Colds or Flus Appear
Avoid exercise and heavy workloads as well as make extra efforts to reduce stress. During the pre-stages of colds and flus, the immune system requires extra energy to produce immune agents to combat viruses. Exercise and stress take valuable energy away from the immune system.
Stress Reduction
Stress has been shown to weaken the immune system. Yoga, meditation, and other relaxation techniques reduce and eliminate stress.
Natural Antibacterials and Immune Boosters
Finely chopped or grated FRESH garlic produces a natural antibacterial agent. Garlic that has pre-chopped will not have the same effect as this antibacterial agent has been shown to be present only when garlic is freshly cut.
Wash Your Hands
The transmission of many bacteria and viruses are through touch. By washing your hands frequently, you significantly reduce your chances of having harmful organisms moving into the body. Also avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth when outside of the home and when others in the home are dealing with a cold or flu.
Nourish your immune system with a balanced diet, regular exercise, proper rest, and stress reduction methods. Explore, with qualified guidance, additional natural remedies that can strengthen the immune system. Respect that your immune system requires a proper flow of oxygen and energy to maintain its’ ability to defend against unwanted external agents
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
useful spice-Black pepper (Kali Mirch)
Black pepper (Kali Mirch), a highly valued kitchen ingredient when sprinkled over bland tasting dishes not just adds punch to them but has amazing health benefits as well. If you go through one of the previous posts, you will know how to make the best use of this spice to treat minor ailments and upsets like coughs, toothaches, indigestion, loss of appetite, bloating and flatulence, pains and even to dry out pimples and deal with skin disorders like eczema.
Speaking of skin disorders, it has been recently found that this wonder-spice can cure a skin disease vitiligo. Actually, Vitiligo/Leucoderma is a condition in which areas of skin lose their normal pigments and turn white. National Vitiligo Foundation elaborates: “Patients with vitiligo develop white spots in the skin that vary in size and location. The spots occur when pigment cells, or melanocytes, are destroyed and the pigment melanin can no longer be produced.” Researchers at King’s college in London carried out a study and found that piperine – a compound that gives black pepper its spicy, pungent flavor – can stimulate the skin to produce this pigment. Topical treatments with piperine combined with UV radiation were found to significantly enhance the pigmentation with results that were cosmetically better than conventional vitiligo therapies. Moreover, as vitiligo is a highly visible disease that greatly affects patients psychologicall y and emotionally, any breakthrough in treatments of this disease is most welcome, says Nina Goad, of the British Association of Dermatologists.
It is assumed that vitiligo affects at least 1% of the population. About half of the people who develop this skin disorder experience some pigment loss before the age of 20, and about one third of all Vitiligo patients say that other family members also have this condition. A combination of genetic, immunologic and neurogenic factors is of major importance in most cases. Many people report pigment loss shortly after a severe sunburn. Others relate the onset of Vitiligo to emotional trauma associated with an accident, death in the family, divorce, etc
Speaking of skin disorders, it has been recently found that this wonder-spice can cure a skin disease vitiligo. Actually, Vitiligo/Leucoderma is a condition in which areas of skin lose their normal pigments and turn white. National Vitiligo Foundation elaborates: “Patients with vitiligo develop white spots in the skin that vary in size and location. The spots occur when pigment cells, or melanocytes, are destroyed and the pigment melanin can no longer be produced.” Researchers at King’s college in London carried out a study and found that piperine – a compound that gives black pepper its spicy, pungent flavor – can stimulate the skin to produce this pigment. Topical treatments with piperine combined with UV radiation were found to significantly enhance the pigmentation with results that were cosmetically better than conventional vitiligo therapies. Moreover, as vitiligo is a highly visible disease that greatly affects patients psychologicall y and emotionally, any breakthrough in treatments of this disease is most welcome, says Nina Goad, of the British Association of Dermatologists.
It is assumed that vitiligo affects at least 1% of the population. About half of the people who develop this skin disorder experience some pigment loss before the age of 20, and about one third of all Vitiligo patients say that other family members also have this condition. A combination of genetic, immunologic and neurogenic factors is of major importance in most cases. Many people report pigment loss shortly after a severe sunburn. Others relate the onset of Vitiligo to emotional trauma associated with an accident, death in the family, divorce, etc
Monday, February 18, 2008
Principal of Healthy life style
The primary goal of the human being is to live a peaceful and happy life along with his family and maintaining good health. For maintaining good health and peaceful life, old saying depicts “Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise” But we have either forgotten or ignored all the principles and mantras set by our ancestral for leading a happy and peaceful life.
But, now-a-days people have an unorganized and haphazard life schedule and bad eating habits because they have a myopic outlook towards life i.e., to earn. money and to accumulate all the luxurious things in whatever way possible, no matter even if the peace of mind ,health, good sleep ,family life etc is sacrificed and due this busy schedule they suffer from various diseases such as anxiety, hypertension, sleeping disorder, blood sugar and even heart problem.Not devoting the quality time with family or even being present at home but due to preoccupation of mind somewhere else, ignoring /postponing the day to day needs of family members, are the main reasons of dissatisfaction amongst the family members and sometimes may lead to disintegration of the family.
For healthier, peaceful and successful life we have to follow the certain principles of life such as: -1.Time management
2.Regular exercises/yoga
3.Positive mind set (PMS)
4.Balanced diet
Time management
Everybody must have to follow a time schedule for getting up in the morning, doing regular exercises/yogas, taking food, sleeping etc. Allocation of the time for day to day activities will release pressure from the mind and prevent unwarranted anxiety and the person will be able to concentrate on his work and accomplish the same more efficiently in lesser time.
Regular exercises/yoga
To maintain the strength,flexibility,endurance and balance everyone must has to do regular exercises and yoga .Brisk walking in the morning for twenty minutes or jogging ,along with doing stretching exercises,asanas and yoga’s(PRANAYAM) is the best way to prevent the diseases. Anulom bilom pranayam i.e. inhaling the air from one nostril and releasing from the other for ten minutes in the morning keeps the mind cool and Control anger, anxiety and blood pressure.
Positive mind set
People with positive mind set have a solution oriented approach towards life and thus, are more likely to succeed .PMS makes us assertive, confident and proactive. A positive attitude definitely strengthens our mind and body and improves the quality of our life. Every positive statement-' we are healthy and strong' and repeating the same in the morning will make ourselves to take action to be strong and healthy. Repeating the positive statement leads to a healthier life style. Similarly we must also be focused towards our goal, as being not focused on the present whether we are eating, exercising or doing any work and thinking the next thing that we have to do, may lead to anxiety.
Balance diet
a wholesome and nutritious diet charges the battery of our body and refreshes our mind. A balanced diet includes fruit, vegetables, milk products and dry fruits. We should avoid junk and spicy food. Intake of fats in the meals should be reduced to keep cholesterol and triglycerides in control. We should also fix our meals times and there must be gap of at least two hours between dinner and sleeping time.By following these golden rules viz., time management, regular exercises/yoga, positive mind set and balanced diet, we can rejuvenate our self and lead healthy and peaceful life.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Alternative Therapies for Hyperactivity and ADHD.
HYPERACTIVITY is the clinical manifestation of a build-up of excess energy in a person's neuro-muscular system.
Hyperactivity is most intense in early childhood, declining gradually over the years, so that it becomes progressively less apparent in later childhood and adolescence.
Hyperactivity is less frequently seen when an erstwhile hyperactive child enters adulthood, because such an adult becomes hyperactive only during periods of nervous excitement or stress.
Hyperactivity of the MIND leads to ATTENTION DEFICIT.
The pattern of hyperactivity seen most commonly is physical hyperactivity accompanied by an attention deficit (due to a hyperactive mind), so we hear the label ADHD being used more commonly than just plain Hyperactivity.
WHEN DO WE LABEL A CHILD HYPERACTIVE?
We say a child has a Hyperactivity Disorder when the child:
* cannot sit still without constantly fidgeting, or even stand still for a little while.
* Squirms and keeps getting up from his chair, and twists and turns all the time.
* Is restless and likes to run and climb all the time, often over furniture in the house.
* Has trouble playing quietly or engaging in a leisure activity (such as playing with one toy for any length of time when a toddler, or playing a game of chess with any interest as he grows up).
* Appears to be 'driven' and 'on the go' all the time.
* Talks excessively and loudly.
* Answers questions before they’ve been completely asked.
* Has trouble waiting turns and never stands in a line for anything. Waiting is not an acceptable behavior for him.
* Interrupts or intrudes on others, and is very annoying to others. * The child is always driven by impulse rather than thought. (A child should have at least six of these symptoms to be labelled hyperactive).
The Causes of Hyperactivity and ADHD
According Ayurveda attributes hyperactive states to the excessive accumalation of vaata dosha in the body.
Vaata is formed from the air and ether elements of our Universe and so is naturally associated with intense motion and kinetic energy.Hyperactive children have a predominently vaata type of Prakriti (Constitution) because of which they are prone to remain in constant motion, leading to hyperactivity.
The Prakriti of a person depends upon his Genetic constitution, which in turn(Ayurveda believes) is determined by his Natal Horsocope.Therefore, a person's Horoscope reflects his Prakriti and a study of the Planets in his horoscope can indicate which planet or planets are responsible for his hyperactivity.Treating malefic planetary influences with herbs and other means can thus offer a measure of relief from hyperactivity, too.
Natal and pre-natal factors such as prematurity, a low birth weight, maternal problems affecting the foetus in its formative stages, trauma and other problems during birth and many other related conditions often give rise to hyperactivity, with or without other associated conditions such as poor cognitive function, a degree of mental retardation and other neurological abnormalities. When such associated problems are present, they need to be treated concurrently.
VAATA DOSHA & HYPERACTIVITY
the three doshas of vaata, pitta and kapha that one is born with can also be modified by external factors such as diet, exercise and sleep.
A suitable alteration of the diet along with a prescribed change in the exercise and sleep pattern can help reduce hyperactivity in many cases.
Activity:
Children with hyperactivity have a predominently vaata prakriti ( Constitution ).
They, therefore, respond to their environment in the 'vaata way', which obviously involves a lot of motion and physical activity.
Hyperactive children should be encouraged to play in the shade and should never be allowed to over-exert or tire themselves out.
They should always be adequately hydrated and should avoid getting dehydrated, especially during and after playing.They should be given small and frequent meals.These two simple measures help to prevent a build-up of excessive vaata in a child's body.
Sleep: Children with hyperactive behaviour should be allowed and encouraged to take a nap once or twice a day, in addition to ensuring that they sleep well at night. This will prevent an excessive build-up of kinetic energy in their body.
We should aim not to let them 'over-do' anything - they should play within limit, talk within limit (even laugh within limit!) in order to maintain a better harmony of the three doshas.
Diet:A hyperactive child should not be given food that is dry, very cold, too spicy, or predominantly raw.Wafers, biscuits, puffed rice, farsan, curd (yoghurt), ice-cream, carbonated drinks are snacks best avoided.
The Various therapies available for treating Hyperactivity and ADHD:
There are a number of therapies which complement each other, which we can use to treat hyperactivity and modify hyperactive behavior. Not all children need all these methods however, and some may respond well enough to just one type of therapy and they will not need a second type of therapy at all, but for the most part, we find that combining the use of two or three of the following therapies often give the best result.
1. HERBAL HOMEOPATHY
2. BACH FLOWER THERAPY
3. AYURVEDA
4. ASTROLOGICAL REMEDIES
5. YOGA & MUDRA
6. RITALIN & other ALLOPATHIC MEDICINES
HERBAL HOMEOPATHY
we can use certain well-known herbs in their potentised form, making use of their biological effects, rather than their subtle effects. The potencies used are usually 6X and 30X. Higher potencies are not needed.Herbs which have a calming effect on the neuro-muscular system, such as chamomilla, passiflora, valeriana, nux vomica etc.can be used with great benefit. They act by scaling down excitability at neruo-muscular junctions leading to reduced muscle stimulation and voluntary movement. It helps if even these herbs are chosen according to a person's Prakriti.
BACH FLOWER THERAPY Many hyperactive children have an emotional component to their hyperactivity.Whether the emotional imbalance is a cause or an effect of their hyperactivity is often difficult to determine.In any case, treatment would focus on restoring their emotional balance to an extent as much as possible.The commonest emotional problems seen in hyperactive children are: a demanding nature, an insistence on being heard all the time, a perpetual extreme impatience and the desire to impose their will on others.They can get angry very fast and very easily, yet their tempers cool down fast, too. They have frequent mood swings and do not care much about the effect of their moods on others.Their behaviour is erratic on many occassions. It is apparent that they are often dictated to by their moods and they are not in command of themselves.Quite apart from their hyperactivity, their moody behaviour makes them difficult to handle and in some cases to live with, as well.Hence they are often a source of disruption in family life.
Bach flower remedies such as Chicory, Impatiens, Heather, Vine, Vervain, Beech and a host of others can be judiciously used to control temperamental and erratic behaviour.Once a child's behaviour improves with Bach flower therapy, the flower remedies may be discontinued.
AYURVEDA
The three pillars of Ayurveda are DIET - ACTIVITY - SLEEP
DIETIt should contain less of vaata-causing food.
So it should not be too dry or too cold. It should contain sweet, sour and salty 'rasas' rather then the bitter and spicy 'rasas', as the former reduce and the latter, increase the 'vaata' content of food.they prefer to eat snack foods rather than healthy foods, but snack foods often cause 'vaata' and should be discouraged.
ACTIVITY: (This is called 'vihar' in Ayurveda).
'Vihar' includes physical, mental and spiritual activity.
physical activity i.e.Excessive travelling, watching fast action scenes on TV, talking excessively all the while and other similar actions can cause a high input of 'vaata' should be curtailed.Frequent breaks should be used, during which only minimal physical activity is allowed.Loud, noisy places and loud, noisy music also increase 'vaata' and should be avoided, whenever possible. Violent games and violent activity in general, are to be guarded against. This includes violent thoughts as well, so even watching a movie showing a lot of violence is bad for a hyperactive child! Classical music, soothing music are beneficial. So are repetetive chants, such as catechism, because they serve to make the mind less hyperactive.
SLEEP
Sleep performs a very important function in our lives. Our Inner Body takes over when we are asleep. The seven chakras and all the nadis in our body work unhindered while we are asleep. They perform the vital functions of repair and maintenance of the body during this time. Our body decides how much of what it requires ( hormones, enzymes, etc ) and instructions are given accordingly. This system needs to function smoothly for proper balance and harmony to be maintained in our body. Please visithttp://herbaltradition.com for details about our Inner Body.
Children with hyperactivity have a poor sleep pattern and wake up easily at the slightest noise.They need to be encouraged to sleep properly, sometimes with the help of mild herbs like valeriana, avena sativa, chamomilla, eclipta, skullcap, betony, mint, sage, zizyphus. A good sleep goes a long way in reducing hyperactivity.
Ayurvedic remedies that may be used to treat Hyperactivity
Herbs which reduce 'vaata dosha', of which there are many, can be used either singly or in combination are:
Maharasnadi kadha Triphala guggul Erand-haritaki churna Saraswatarishta Ashwagandharishta, Shatavari, Brahmi, Shankpushpi, Jyotishmati and Jatamansi may also be used with good results in some cases, depending ofcourse, upon the child's Prakriti.
Ayurveda gives a lot of importance to OIL APPLICATION in treating vaata dosha. Important oils are: Til oil, Shatavari oil, Mahanarayan oil, Bala oil.Oil must be applied all over the body before a bath and massaged gently, from below upwards. Ideally,every day or at least once a week. Slightly warm oil should be used.
DIET and AYURVEDA: The following is a general outline of the type of diet that will suit or harm each type of Prakriti.
The qualities of vata are cold, dry, light, hard, and rough. So the food eaten must have opposite qualities.
VATA PACIFYING FOODS: General: excess vata can be counterbalanced with nutritive and tissue-building foods that are warm, moist, heavy, soft and oily, as well as foods with a sweet, sour and salty taste.Vata pacifying foods include ghee, soft dairy products, wheat, rice, corn and bananas. A person with a vata constitution should favor foods like hot cereal with ghee, hearty soups and vegetables, and whole cooked grains and chapatis. Spicy foods are generally okay for vata.Vegetables : Asparagus, beets, carrots, cucumber, green beans, okra (bhindi), onions and garlic , radishes, sweet potatoes, turnips.Fruits : Bananas, coconuts, dates, mangoes, melons, peaches, all sweet fruits in general. Grains: Oats, rice and wheat
VATA AGGRAVATING FOODS: General : Foods with the vata qualities, such as crackers, frozen desserts, and large amounts of raw vegetables and salads, will aggravate vata. Also, refined foods such as white flour and sugar have light and dry qualities and would be best avoided by people with vata constitutions. Pungent, bitter, astringent; light, dry, cold foods, stimulants like smoking, alcohol, junk food, sugar, tea (esp. long leaf teas and green tea), brown rice. Vegetables: Cabbage, cauliflower, celery, brinjal, leafy green vegetables, mushrooms, peas, peppers (simla mirch) potatoes, sprouts, tomatoes, zucchini (tori). If you do have these vegetables cook them in pure desi ghee or unrefined til oil. Tomatoes are best avoided except as a small addition to salads. Fruits: Apples, pears, pomegranates.Spices: Vatas can have almost all spices and herbs in moderation when there is aggravated Vata, the following are to be taken with caution: coriander seeds (dhaniya powder), fenugreek (methi seeds), saffron, turmeric, parsley. Avoid too much hot, dry spice such as dried chili, which will aggravate dryness.
Diet for PITTA PRAKRITI Pitta is hot, sharp, oily and light.So the food eaten should have opposite properties.
PITTA PACIFYING FOODS: excess pitta balanced with foods that are cool, dry and heavy with a mild, naturally sweet, bitter or astringent taste. For example, milk, rice, beans, steamed vegetables and fruit are good for pitta people. Mild spices like cumin, coriander and cilantro are particularly beneficial for pitta. Sweet, bitter, astringent; cold, heavy, dry. Moderation, coolness, ghee, coconut oil, olive oil, green coriander (dhaniya), coriander seeds, cardamom, sprouts and raw foods.Vegetables & Fruits: can eat most vegetables and fruits. Exceptions are given below.Grains : Barley, oats, wheat, parboiled rice.
PITTA AGGRAVATING FOODS:
General : pungent and oily foods such as curry, fried foods and spicy condiments, as well as spices such as cayenne, garlic and dry ginger, should be avoided by pitta constitutions. Pungent, sour, salty, hot, light, oily. Stimulants like smoking, alcohol, coffee, pickles, vinegar, fried foods, spicy foods, fermented foods, curds, almond, corn, til, mustard oil. Vegetables : Beets, carrots, brinjal, garlic, hot peppers, onions, spinach, tomatoes.Fruit : Sour and unripe fruits. If there is aggravated Pitta avoid grapefruit, papayas, peaches, bananas, apricots.Grains : Brown rice, corn, millet, rye.
Diet for KAPHA PRAKRITI: The qualities of kapha dosha are cold, heavy, liquid and unctuous.So the food eaten should be opposite of this.
KAPHA PACIFYING FOODS:
General : To balance kapha dominance, eat smaller amounts of food and emphasize food with vata properties of light and dry. Also, foods which are dry, hot or sharp are recommended, so look for foods with pungent, bitter or astringent tastes. Examples include puffed cereals such as puffed rice or corn; small, astringent grains, such as millet, amaranth, and quinoa; and light, bitter vegetables such as leafy greens. Spices like ginger, turmeric and chilli are generally good for kapha people.Favour : Warm light food, dry food cooked without much water, minimum of butter, oil and sugar, stimulating foods (ginger, chillies, pickles), raw foods, salads, fruits.Vegetables : Generally all vegetables are good, but if you are suffering from any kapha disorder like lung congestion, congestive asthma, sinuses, obesity, heart disease, diabetes, high cholestrol, then avoid all sweet juicy vegetables such as cucumbers, pumpkin family, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, tori, ghiya etc.Fruits : Apples, apricots, pears, pomegranates, dried fruits in general (apricots, figs, prunes, raisins)Lentils & Legumes : If the dosha is not aggravated all except tofu and kidney beans are acceptable.Spices : All are good - ginger is best for improving digestion, turmeric is excellent for drying out the mucous, chillies are excellent for removing mucous.
KAPHA AGGRAVATING FOODS:
General: Foods such as dairy products, wheat, avocados and oils have these qualities and will increase kapha in the body. Sweet, sour, salty; heavy, oily, cold. Desserts, sweets, ice cream, deep fried foods, possessiveness, miserliness, laziness. Vegetables: all sweet juicy vegetables such as cucumbers, pumpkin family, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, tori, ghiya etc.Fruits: All sweet juicy fruits in general.Lentils & Legumes: Tofu and kidney beans. Spices: excess salt.
YOGA & MUDRAS
There are many ways in which practice of Yoga and Mudras can help: They help to bring discipline in the Muscular System of the Body as well as in the Conscious Mind. They help by calming the Mind, so reduce Hyperactivity and help increase the attention span. They help by reducing the negative influence of Planets. They reduce the jerkiness seen in the movement of hyperactive persons. They also reduce the 'jerkiness' of their minds. They instill smoothness in movements of the limbs. They help by pausing an abnormal onset of both, physical and mental activity, automatically.Yogashould be initially regular ly done under supervision, because they will not give the desired effect if they are done wrongly.
Mudras are another form of Yoga, in which the fingers of one's hands are folded in particular ways. Some of the Mudras are very easy to do, and help in improving digestion and mental hyperactivity and so learning to do Mudras can be of great help in ADHD.
ASTROLOGICAL REMEDIES for Hyperactivity and Attention deficit
Astrology offers Specific HERBS, specific GEMS and specific MANTRAS. These have to be selected after determining which Planets in the child's Horoscope are responsible for malefic effects, and are responsible for his Hyperactivity.Please visit http://astrological-remidies-indianpedi.blogspot.com for details.
RITALIN & other ALLOPATHIC MEDICINES
I would leave these to the last, to be used only in desperate cases, where all else has failed.The best known drug today in the management of ADHD is without a doubt, Ritalin or methylphenidate.
It has, in the last few years, been widely used and abused, all over the world.Methylphenidate acts by amplifying the amount of dopamine secreted in the Brain.
Clinically, it has been shown to increase the self-esteem, cognition, and social skills of children with ADHD. It reduces locomotor activity as well as frequent bursts of impulsive behaviour and thus has a 'calming' effect on them.
This is what makes Ritalin a highly popular drug among parents, who often root for it with unqualified approval. Thus, Parents and sometimes Doctors too, tend to overlook the common side effects of Ritalin, such as appetite suppression, a paradoxically abnormal and extreme amount of focus on mundane issues, wakefulness and rarely, euphoria.
The possibility of a forced addiction-like state, complete with distressing withdrawal effects after discontinuance of therapy, does not deter parents in putting their wayward children on Ritalin, if only to buy peace in the family.Other drugs with Ritalin-like activity prescribed for ADHD are amphetamine and dextroamphetamine (sometimes in combination) dexmethylphenidate hydrochloride. Strattera: this is the only drug for ADHD that is not a stimulant
Hyperactivity is most intense in early childhood, declining gradually over the years, so that it becomes progressively less apparent in later childhood and adolescence.
Hyperactivity is less frequently seen when an erstwhile hyperactive child enters adulthood, because such an adult becomes hyperactive only during periods of nervous excitement or stress.
Hyperactivity of the MIND leads to ATTENTION DEFICIT.
The pattern of hyperactivity seen most commonly is physical hyperactivity accompanied by an attention deficit (due to a hyperactive mind), so we hear the label ADHD being used more commonly than just plain Hyperactivity.
WHEN DO WE LABEL A CHILD HYPERACTIVE?
We say a child has a Hyperactivity Disorder when the child:
* cannot sit still without constantly fidgeting, or even stand still for a little while.
* Squirms and keeps getting up from his chair, and twists and turns all the time.
* Is restless and likes to run and climb all the time, often over furniture in the house.
* Has trouble playing quietly or engaging in a leisure activity (such as playing with one toy for any length of time when a toddler, or playing a game of chess with any interest as he grows up).
* Appears to be 'driven' and 'on the go' all the time.
* Talks excessively and loudly.
* Answers questions before they’ve been completely asked.
* Has trouble waiting turns and never stands in a line for anything. Waiting is not an acceptable behavior for him.
* Interrupts or intrudes on others, and is very annoying to others. * The child is always driven by impulse rather than thought. (A child should have at least six of these symptoms to be labelled hyperactive).
The Causes of Hyperactivity and ADHD
According Ayurveda attributes hyperactive states to the excessive accumalation of vaata dosha in the body.
Vaata is formed from the air and ether elements of our Universe and so is naturally associated with intense motion and kinetic energy.Hyperactive children have a predominently vaata type of Prakriti (Constitution) because of which they are prone to remain in constant motion, leading to hyperactivity.
The Prakriti of a person depends upon his Genetic constitution, which in turn(Ayurveda believes) is determined by his Natal Horsocope.Therefore, a person's Horoscope reflects his Prakriti and a study of the Planets in his horoscope can indicate which planet or planets are responsible for his hyperactivity.Treating malefic planetary influences with herbs and other means can thus offer a measure of relief from hyperactivity, too.
Natal and pre-natal factors such as prematurity, a low birth weight, maternal problems affecting the foetus in its formative stages, trauma and other problems during birth and many other related conditions often give rise to hyperactivity, with or without other associated conditions such as poor cognitive function, a degree of mental retardation and other neurological abnormalities. When such associated problems are present, they need to be treated concurrently.
VAATA DOSHA & HYPERACTIVITY
the three doshas of vaata, pitta and kapha that one is born with can also be modified by external factors such as diet, exercise and sleep.
A suitable alteration of the diet along with a prescribed change in the exercise and sleep pattern can help reduce hyperactivity in many cases.
Activity:
Children with hyperactivity have a predominently vaata prakriti ( Constitution ).
They, therefore, respond to their environment in the 'vaata way', which obviously involves a lot of motion and physical activity.
Hyperactive children should be encouraged to play in the shade and should never be allowed to over-exert or tire themselves out.
They should always be adequately hydrated and should avoid getting dehydrated, especially during and after playing.They should be given small and frequent meals.These two simple measures help to prevent a build-up of excessive vaata in a child's body.
Sleep: Children with hyperactive behaviour should be allowed and encouraged to take a nap once or twice a day, in addition to ensuring that they sleep well at night. This will prevent an excessive build-up of kinetic energy in their body.
We should aim not to let them 'over-do' anything - they should play within limit, talk within limit (even laugh within limit!) in order to maintain a better harmony of the three doshas.
Diet:A hyperactive child should not be given food that is dry, very cold, too spicy, or predominantly raw.Wafers, biscuits, puffed rice, farsan, curd (yoghurt), ice-cream, carbonated drinks are snacks best avoided.
The Various therapies available for treating Hyperactivity and ADHD:
There are a number of therapies which complement each other, which we can use to treat hyperactivity and modify hyperactive behavior. Not all children need all these methods however, and some may respond well enough to just one type of therapy and they will not need a second type of therapy at all, but for the most part, we find that combining the use of two or three of the following therapies often give the best result.
1. HERBAL HOMEOPATHY
2. BACH FLOWER THERAPY
3. AYURVEDA
4. ASTROLOGICAL REMEDIES
5. YOGA & MUDRA
6. RITALIN & other ALLOPATHIC MEDICINES
HERBAL HOMEOPATHY
we can use certain well-known herbs in their potentised form, making use of their biological effects, rather than their subtle effects. The potencies used are usually 6X and 30X. Higher potencies are not needed.Herbs which have a calming effect on the neuro-muscular system, such as chamomilla, passiflora, valeriana, nux vomica etc.can be used with great benefit. They act by scaling down excitability at neruo-muscular junctions leading to reduced muscle stimulation and voluntary movement. It helps if even these herbs are chosen according to a person's Prakriti.
BACH FLOWER THERAPY Many hyperactive children have an emotional component to their hyperactivity.Whether the emotional imbalance is a cause or an effect of their hyperactivity is often difficult to determine.In any case, treatment would focus on restoring their emotional balance to an extent as much as possible.The commonest emotional problems seen in hyperactive children are: a demanding nature, an insistence on being heard all the time, a perpetual extreme impatience and the desire to impose their will on others.They can get angry very fast and very easily, yet their tempers cool down fast, too. They have frequent mood swings and do not care much about the effect of their moods on others.Their behaviour is erratic on many occassions. It is apparent that they are often dictated to by their moods and they are not in command of themselves.Quite apart from their hyperactivity, their moody behaviour makes them difficult to handle and in some cases to live with, as well.Hence they are often a source of disruption in family life.
Bach flower remedies such as Chicory, Impatiens, Heather, Vine, Vervain, Beech and a host of others can be judiciously used to control temperamental and erratic behaviour.Once a child's behaviour improves with Bach flower therapy, the flower remedies may be discontinued.
AYURVEDA
The three pillars of Ayurveda are DIET - ACTIVITY - SLEEP
DIETIt should contain less of vaata-causing food.
So it should not be too dry or too cold. It should contain sweet, sour and salty 'rasas' rather then the bitter and spicy 'rasas', as the former reduce and the latter, increase the 'vaata' content of food.they prefer to eat snack foods rather than healthy foods, but snack foods often cause 'vaata' and should be discouraged.
ACTIVITY: (This is called 'vihar' in Ayurveda).
'Vihar' includes physical, mental and spiritual activity.
physical activity i.e.Excessive travelling, watching fast action scenes on TV, talking excessively all the while and other similar actions can cause a high input of 'vaata' should be curtailed.Frequent breaks should be used, during which only minimal physical activity is allowed.Loud, noisy places and loud, noisy music also increase 'vaata' and should be avoided, whenever possible. Violent games and violent activity in general, are to be guarded against. This includes violent thoughts as well, so even watching a movie showing a lot of violence is bad for a hyperactive child! Classical music, soothing music are beneficial. So are repetetive chants, such as catechism, because they serve to make the mind less hyperactive.
SLEEP
Sleep performs a very important function in our lives. Our Inner Body takes over when we are asleep. The seven chakras and all the nadis in our body work unhindered while we are asleep. They perform the vital functions of repair and maintenance of the body during this time. Our body decides how much of what it requires ( hormones, enzymes, etc ) and instructions are given accordingly. This system needs to function smoothly for proper balance and harmony to be maintained in our body. Please visithttp://herbaltradition.com for details about our Inner Body.
Children with hyperactivity have a poor sleep pattern and wake up easily at the slightest noise.They need to be encouraged to sleep properly, sometimes with the help of mild herbs like valeriana, avena sativa, chamomilla, eclipta, skullcap, betony, mint, sage, zizyphus. A good sleep goes a long way in reducing hyperactivity.
Ayurvedic remedies that may be used to treat Hyperactivity
Herbs which reduce 'vaata dosha', of which there are many, can be used either singly or in combination are:
Maharasnadi kadha Triphala guggul Erand-haritaki churna Saraswatarishta Ashwagandharishta, Shatavari, Brahmi, Shankpushpi, Jyotishmati and Jatamansi may also be used with good results in some cases, depending ofcourse, upon the child's Prakriti.
Ayurveda gives a lot of importance to OIL APPLICATION in treating vaata dosha. Important oils are: Til oil, Shatavari oil, Mahanarayan oil, Bala oil.Oil must be applied all over the body before a bath and massaged gently, from below upwards. Ideally,every day or at least once a week. Slightly warm oil should be used.
DIET and AYURVEDA: The following is a general outline of the type of diet that will suit or harm each type of Prakriti.
The qualities of vata are cold, dry, light, hard, and rough. So the food eaten must have opposite qualities.
VATA PACIFYING FOODS: General: excess vata can be counterbalanced with nutritive and tissue-building foods that are warm, moist, heavy, soft and oily, as well as foods with a sweet, sour and salty taste.Vata pacifying foods include ghee, soft dairy products, wheat, rice, corn and bananas. A person with a vata constitution should favor foods like hot cereal with ghee, hearty soups and vegetables, and whole cooked grains and chapatis. Spicy foods are generally okay for vata.Vegetables : Asparagus, beets, carrots, cucumber, green beans, okra (bhindi), onions and garlic , radishes, sweet potatoes, turnips.Fruits : Bananas, coconuts, dates, mangoes, melons, peaches, all sweet fruits in general. Grains: Oats, rice and wheat
VATA AGGRAVATING FOODS: General : Foods with the vata qualities, such as crackers, frozen desserts, and large amounts of raw vegetables and salads, will aggravate vata. Also, refined foods such as white flour and sugar have light and dry qualities and would be best avoided by people with vata constitutions. Pungent, bitter, astringent; light, dry, cold foods, stimulants like smoking, alcohol, junk food, sugar, tea (esp. long leaf teas and green tea), brown rice. Vegetables: Cabbage, cauliflower, celery, brinjal, leafy green vegetables, mushrooms, peas, peppers (simla mirch) potatoes, sprouts, tomatoes, zucchini (tori). If you do have these vegetables cook them in pure desi ghee or unrefined til oil. Tomatoes are best avoided except as a small addition to salads. Fruits: Apples, pears, pomegranates.Spices: Vatas can have almost all spices and herbs in moderation when there is aggravated Vata, the following are to be taken with caution: coriander seeds (dhaniya powder), fenugreek (methi seeds), saffron, turmeric, parsley. Avoid too much hot, dry spice such as dried chili, which will aggravate dryness.
Diet for PITTA PRAKRITI Pitta is hot, sharp, oily and light.So the food eaten should have opposite properties.
PITTA PACIFYING FOODS: excess pitta balanced with foods that are cool, dry and heavy with a mild, naturally sweet, bitter or astringent taste. For example, milk, rice, beans, steamed vegetables and fruit are good for pitta people. Mild spices like cumin, coriander and cilantro are particularly beneficial for pitta. Sweet, bitter, astringent; cold, heavy, dry. Moderation, coolness, ghee, coconut oil, olive oil, green coriander (dhaniya), coriander seeds, cardamom, sprouts and raw foods.Vegetables & Fruits: can eat most vegetables and fruits. Exceptions are given below.Grains : Barley, oats, wheat, parboiled rice.
PITTA AGGRAVATING FOODS:
General : pungent and oily foods such as curry, fried foods and spicy condiments, as well as spices such as cayenne, garlic and dry ginger, should be avoided by pitta constitutions. Pungent, sour, salty, hot, light, oily. Stimulants like smoking, alcohol, coffee, pickles, vinegar, fried foods, spicy foods, fermented foods, curds, almond, corn, til, mustard oil. Vegetables : Beets, carrots, brinjal, garlic, hot peppers, onions, spinach, tomatoes.Fruit : Sour and unripe fruits. If there is aggravated Pitta avoid grapefruit, papayas, peaches, bananas, apricots.Grains : Brown rice, corn, millet, rye.
Diet for KAPHA PRAKRITI: The qualities of kapha dosha are cold, heavy, liquid and unctuous.So the food eaten should be opposite of this.
KAPHA PACIFYING FOODS:
General : To balance kapha dominance, eat smaller amounts of food and emphasize food with vata properties of light and dry. Also, foods which are dry, hot or sharp are recommended, so look for foods with pungent, bitter or astringent tastes. Examples include puffed cereals such as puffed rice or corn; small, astringent grains, such as millet, amaranth, and quinoa; and light, bitter vegetables such as leafy greens. Spices like ginger, turmeric and chilli are generally good for kapha people.Favour : Warm light food, dry food cooked without much water, minimum of butter, oil and sugar, stimulating foods (ginger, chillies, pickles), raw foods, salads, fruits.Vegetables : Generally all vegetables are good, but if you are suffering from any kapha disorder like lung congestion, congestive asthma, sinuses, obesity, heart disease, diabetes, high cholestrol, then avoid all sweet juicy vegetables such as cucumbers, pumpkin family, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, tori, ghiya etc.Fruits : Apples, apricots, pears, pomegranates, dried fruits in general (apricots, figs, prunes, raisins)Lentils & Legumes : If the dosha is not aggravated all except tofu and kidney beans are acceptable.Spices : All are good - ginger is best for improving digestion, turmeric is excellent for drying out the mucous, chillies are excellent for removing mucous.
KAPHA AGGRAVATING FOODS:
General: Foods such as dairy products, wheat, avocados and oils have these qualities and will increase kapha in the body. Sweet, sour, salty; heavy, oily, cold. Desserts, sweets, ice cream, deep fried foods, possessiveness, miserliness, laziness. Vegetables: all sweet juicy vegetables such as cucumbers, pumpkin family, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, tori, ghiya etc.Fruits: All sweet juicy fruits in general.Lentils & Legumes: Tofu and kidney beans. Spices: excess salt.
YOGA & MUDRAS
There are many ways in which practice of Yoga and Mudras can help: They help to bring discipline in the Muscular System of the Body as well as in the Conscious Mind. They help by calming the Mind, so reduce Hyperactivity and help increase the attention span. They help by reducing the negative influence of Planets. They reduce the jerkiness seen in the movement of hyperactive persons. They also reduce the 'jerkiness' of their minds. They instill smoothness in movements of the limbs. They help by pausing an abnormal onset of both, physical and mental activity, automatically.Yogashould be initially regular ly done under supervision, because they will not give the desired effect if they are done wrongly.
Mudras are another form of Yoga, in which the fingers of one's hands are folded in particular ways. Some of the Mudras are very easy to do, and help in improving digestion and mental hyperactivity and so learning to do Mudras can be of great help in ADHD.
ASTROLOGICAL REMEDIES for Hyperactivity and Attention deficit
Astrology offers Specific HERBS, specific GEMS and specific MANTRAS. These have to be selected after determining which Planets in the child's Horoscope are responsible for malefic effects, and are responsible for his Hyperactivity.Please visit http://astrological-remidies-indianpedi.blogspot.com for details.
RITALIN & other ALLOPATHIC MEDICINES
I would leave these to the last, to be used only in desperate cases, where all else has failed.The best known drug today in the management of ADHD is without a doubt, Ritalin or methylphenidate.
It has, in the last few years, been widely used and abused, all over the world.Methylphenidate acts by amplifying the amount of dopamine secreted in the Brain.
Clinically, it has been shown to increase the self-esteem, cognition, and social skills of children with ADHD. It reduces locomotor activity as well as frequent bursts of impulsive behaviour and thus has a 'calming' effect on them.
This is what makes Ritalin a highly popular drug among parents, who often root for it with unqualified approval. Thus, Parents and sometimes Doctors too, tend to overlook the common side effects of Ritalin, such as appetite suppression, a paradoxically abnormal and extreme amount of focus on mundane issues, wakefulness and rarely, euphoria.
The possibility of a forced addiction-like state, complete with distressing withdrawal effects after discontinuance of therapy, does not deter parents in putting their wayward children on Ritalin, if only to buy peace in the family.Other drugs with Ritalin-like activity prescribed for ADHD are amphetamine and dextroamphetamine (sometimes in combination) dexmethylphenidate hydrochloride. Strattera: this is the only drug for ADHD that is not a stimulant
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