Parkinson’s disease (PD) belongs to a group of conditions called motor system disorders, which are the result of the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells. The four primary symptoms of PD are tremor, or trembling in hands, arms, legs, jaw, and face; rigidity, or stiffness of the limbs and trunk; bradykinesia, or slowness of movement; and postural instability, or impaired balance and coordination. As a result, the patients may have difficulty in walking, talking, or completing other simple tasks.
At present, there is no definite cure for PD, but a variety of medications provide dramatic relief from the symptoms. Usually, patients are given levodopa. Although levodopa helps at least three-quarters of parkinsonian cases, not all symptoms respond equally to the drug. Bradykinesia and rigidity respond best, while tremor may be only marginally reduced. Problems with balance and other symptoms may not be alleviated at all. Anticholinergics may help control tremor and rigidity. In some cases, surgery may be appropriate if the disease doesn’t respond to drugs. A therapy called deep brain stimulation (DBS) has now been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Yogic breathing programs such as Bhramari Pranayama has similar effects. Ayurvedic Panch Karma and Yogic support can reduce the need for levodopa and related drugs, which in turn decreases the involuntary movements called dyskinesias that are a common side effect of levodopa. It also helps to alleviate fluctuations of symptoms and to reduce tremors, slowness of movements, and gait problems.
What is Ayurvedic Treatment?
Ayurveda considers it due to pathology in Vata element. The vitiation of Vata manifested as tremor, is the major symptom for some patients, while for others tremor is only a minor complaint and other symptoms are more troublesome. Ayurvedic scientists are working to develop an evidence based protective therapy and remedy that can delay, prevent, or reverse the disease. Mucuna Pruriens contains Levodopamine or L -dopa within its seeds. L-dopa is the precursor of dopamine, the neurotransmitter which is absent or decreased in Parkinson’s disease. Garlic is wonderful mega resource to control oxidative damage to neurons. Garlic extract contains a variety of organosulfur compounds, other than alliin/allicin, that are the most important and medicinally beneficial Vata balancing components. Garlic paste 5 gm should be taken with gingelly oil 5 gm along with a pinch of black rock salt twice daily is effective.
Vata must be pacified at its site of origin in the colon, site of overflow in the rasa dhatu and at its site of relocation in the majja dhatu. Decoction of Tinospora cordifolia, Pluchea lanceolata (Rasna) Zingiber officinale, Boerrhvia diffusa in quantity of 20 ml should be taken with Castor oil 10 ml twice daily. Disturbance of Apana vayu (Colo-rectal region) should be treated with moist laxatives such as psyllium (Plantago Psyllium) and triphala.
Vata in the majja dhatu may be treated with mucuna pruriens, along with neuro-protective herbs such as Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera), and Haridra (Curcumin longa). The ayurvedic receipe made by Withania somnifera and Mucuna pruriens 10 gm. is to be taken with milk twice daily for few weeks. Makarsanjivani tablets can be taken with milk to boost the neuromuscular system. If vata has also entered the mamsa dhatu causing rigidity, herbs which are muscle relaxants and nervine sedatives may be of value. If depression is present, Brahmi (Hydrocotyle Asiatica) and Jatamansi (Nardostachys Jatamansi) can be added to formulas or used separately.
Sanjivani Parkinson’s Herbs is a potent synergistic supplement of Mucuna Pruriens, Hydrocotyle Asiatica, and Withania somnifera. It was formulated by the author for care through research clinic on Neuro-muscular Diseases in 1995. This supplement was found effective to help promote brain locomotive functions. It is a safe and natural relief for several movement disorders. The serving size is 500 mg capsule to be taken with milk twice daily.
Since vitiation of Vata element is a main culprit in the neuron damage, a vata pacifying ayurvedic diet and proper dietary habits are essential to reduce long term burden of Parkinson’s disabilities. Panch Karma massage using Shat Bala Prasharni oil and Vasti therapy using medicated milk provide additional support for Vata balancing. Neuro-physiotherapy should always be combined with Panch Karma and Yoga for lasting relief. Pawanmuktasana series of Asanas are helpful to reduce the blockage of Vata flow in the neuro-muscular system. Bhramari Pranayama followed by Meditation is effective to reduce burden of oxidative damage to the nervous system . These non-pharmacological programs cultivate a sattvic mind and teach the patient how to safeguard their Vata element.
Reference:
1. Jankovic J (April 2008). “Parkinson’s disease: clinical features and diagnosis”. J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. 79 (4): 368–76. doi:10.1136/jnnp.2007.131045. PMID 18344392.
2. Lemoine P, Robelin N, Sebert P, Mouret J (1986). “La L-tyrosine : traitement au long cours de la maladie de Parkinson [L-tyrosine : A long term treatment of Parkinson's Disease]” (in French). Comptes rendus academie des sciences 309: 43–47.
3. Birkmayer W, Birkmayer JG (1986). “Iron, a new aid in the treatment of Parkinson patients”. J. Neural Transm. 67 (3-4): 287–92. doi:10.1007/BF01243354. PMID 3806082. http://www.springerlink.com/link.asp?id=tp15r2g8u6327731.
4. Editors Przuntek H , Riederer P, ed (1989). Early diagnosis and preventive therapy in Parkinson’s disease. Springer. p. 323. ISBN 0-387-82080-9.
5. “Dopamine biosynthesis” (Word doc). University of Chicago Personal Web Pages. http://home.uchicago.edu/~syin/Kang.doc. Retrieved on 2006-11-04.
6. Katzenschlager R, Evans A, Manson A, et al. (2004). “Mucuna pruriens in Parkinson’s disease: a double blind clinical and pharmacological study”. J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. 75 (12): 1672–7. doi:10.1136/jnnp.2003.028761. PMID 15548480.
7. Manyam, B., Dhanasekaran, M., Hare, T. (2004). “Neuroprotective effects of the antiparkinson drug Mucuna pruriens”. J. Phytotherapy Research 18 (9): 706–712. doi:10.1002/ptr.1514.
8. Jain Mukesh D (2009). Parkinson Herbs in Fight & Win the ailments of Modern Era with ayurvedic treatment. The Ayush Samiti Publication 22-24.
Author is Program director of Panch Karma Clinic on Neuro-Muscular Diseases at Sanjivani Ayurvedic Hospital Bhilai. Get more information at www.sanjivaniwellness.org. or http://openlibrary.org/a/OL4097418A
Hon. President of AYUSH Academy of Ayurvedic Medical Sciences & Fellow of French Association of Medical Yoga. Double graduated in Basic Sciences, Ayurveda with Modern Medicine and Surgery both from Sagar & Ravi Shanker Universities. A teacher, researcher, an author of two scientific books on Ayurveda & Yoga; On editorial board of several journals including Global Ayurveda & Light on Ayurveda Journal. Currently head of Panch Karma Clinic on Neuro-Muscular Diseases in Bhilai. Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/disabilities-articles/reduce-burden-of-parkinson-disease-with-ayurveda-975230.html
Profile:
http://openlibrary.org/a/OL4097418A
Related Posts - Brain Injuries and Substance Abuse I first became aware that my partner was drinking when, on several occasions, I came home and realized he was slurring his words. He initially denied that he had been drinking. In spite of reminding him of the harmful effects of alcohol, his behavior has continued to escalate. And as a......
- Believe it or not Believe It Or Not Life is a series of choices. We can choose to stay as we are or we can choose to change what and where we find ourselves. With prayer and healing we also have a choice to believe or not to believe. I put a question on......
- Benefits of team approach in Rehabilitation of Brain injury patients Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a complex injury to the brain and occurs when an outside force traumatically injures the brain. It has a broad spectrum of symptoms and disabilities, affecting the day to day functioning of a patient. The impact of the injury on a person and his or......
- How to Avoid Severe Brain Injury Every year, hundreds of thousands of people suffer serious, permanent damage to their brains because of traumatic head injury. Survivors of brain trauma are often left with long-term damage to their ability to think and to learn, to remember and plan, and they may suffer permanent loss of body movement.......
- How to Avoid Severe Brain Injury Every year, hundreds of thousands of people suffer serious, permanent damage to their brains because of traumatic head injury. Survivors of brain trauma are often left with long-term damage to their ability to think and to learn, to remember and plan, and they may suffer permanent loss of body movement.......
Related Websites - Quick Green Reads For The Weekend Volume Seventy Two. Here are a couple of articles that caught my eye when I had a chance to catch up on some green reading the last couple of days here from my camping chair! A new study out of the University of Washington has found that penguin populations are plummeting due to......
- Learn to Invest Money: Free Global Market Opportunities Technology Stock Picks (April 19 2006) Looking for some tech stocks to add to your portfolio? Here are three technology stocks that are well positioned for the remainder of FY2006.TKO: AMEXTelkonet, Inc. (TKO) is a small cap company that develops and sells proprietary equipment that enables the transmission of voice, video, and data communications over......
- The FDA Is Killing Adult Stem Cell Therapy Thus Killing Patients Image via Wikipedia In a startling new interview on stem cell research and adult stem cells in the near future, Dr. Christopher Centeno warns that Big Pharma and the FDA are teaming to control the use of a person’s own stem cells thus slowing innovation and the use of......
- Children exposed daily to untested personal-care products (Source: Environmental Working Group) – From baby shampoo to diaper wipes, children are exposed every day to products containing chemicals that have not been assessed for their hazards to children, according to an investigation by Environmental Working Group (EWG) of children's personal-care products. In an online survey of more than......
- FDA Violates Mandate - Unauthorized Change Undermines Most Promising Stem Cell Research [/caption] A leading adult stem cell therapy organization is warning the public that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has teamed up with the pharmaceutical industry to declare a person’s own stem cells to be a “drug” which can be regulated, thus slowing down the progress of these promising therapies......
Related posts:
- Coffee and Caffeine Reduce the Risk of Waking up in the morning with a cup of coffee...
- How to Avoid Severe Brain Injury Every year, hundreds of thousands of people suffer serious, permanent...
- How to Avoid Severe Brain Injury Every year, hundreds of thousands of people suffer serious, permanent...
- Prevention is the only way to stop Drug Abuse Drug abuse and addiction is a major problem in today’s...
- Reduce Your Electricity Bills With Solar Power For Homes Solar power for homes will reduce your electricity bills, and...
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
