of anxiety and also a major herb which treats it is addressed in this
post. The use of Aswagandha leaves for slimming is touched upon.
Anxiety, is a very common occurrence, often accompanies depression.
It is characterized by a feeling of impending disaster and an
inability to deal with the pressures of everyday life. Insomnia also
accompanies anxiety. For poor sleepers following website offers
simple and good tips:
http://www.well.com/user/mick/insomnia/insomnia.html
Anxiety attacks come especially while adjusting to a new situation,
for which mind was not able to do any rehearsal. Quite often anxiety
is stress-related. For instance, if you normally get up at 6:30 AM
and one day if you need to get up at 04:45 AM to catch an early
morning flight, the mind imagines all mishaps like alarm clock
failure, traffic jam, car breakdown, your oversleeping, etc. and does
not allow you to sleep. Catching that flight is a question of life
and death. The palpitations are caused while taking an examination,
facing an interview and it is the mind which makes you fail.
Similarly, butterflies in stomach while making a business
presentation or presenting a paper in a large audience.
The anxiety disorder is divided into different types and modern
medications available along with their side effects can be studied on:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/anxiety/anxiety.cfm
The modern medication may control the symptoms but may not cure the
disease, as noted on above site. The reason why this state arises,
according to author, is inability of the mind to stop thinking and
intellect feeding the mind all possible options. The most wonderful
and intricate creation of God is the human mind. All the yogis on the
path of self-realization are spending years and births to go to that
no-mind situation.
The persons engaged in intellectual professions (IT, medicine,
finance) and "burning to succeed" have to keep reading much
information. Many possible options which can be present based on
information at hand have to be weighed carefully and most likely
outcome has to be chosen. This is the filed of investigation. Medical
diagnosis using modern medical science is often this type. The person
gifted with "medha", on the other hand studies the situation like an
experienced chase player, who grasps the board quickly and makes a
move subconsciously. His brain has all data and makes the decision
based on artificial intelligence developed through the experience.
When brain, though using its faculties full steam, lacks the adequate
nutrition, mental fatigue results. Thinking ability is the gift
Almighty has given to everyone to a varying degree; it is only when
the nutrition does not provide toning cranial nerves, then problems
arise. Before studying Ayurveda recommendations, a cursory glance at
herbal proposals from other countries may be useful, since ayurvedic herbs from
India are often difficult to obtain elsewhere. The herbs used
provide a tranquilizing effect.
Chinese herbalist recommend herbs with the unusual names of zizyphi
seed and ligustrum. Ligustrum is one of the herbs commonly used to
support the adrenal glands when a person is under stress. Studies
conducted in China showed that these herbs are successful anti-
anxiety agents. In the same studies, both herbs proved even more
potent when combined with licorice and the Chinese herbs poria and
bunge root. This ancient Chinese combination is known as
Suanzaorentang. A 1986 study showed that this treatment is almost as
effective as the anti-anxiety drug diazepam (known commercially as
Valium) in dealing with anxiety, weakness, irritability and insomnia.
When taken three times a day, the herbal combination, unlike the
drug, improved psychomotor skills and produced no side effects. In
another 1986 study done in Europe, this same combination helped
people whose anxiety attacks were so severe that they often
experienced heart palpitations, chest pains and shortness of breath.
Valerian has also been compared with various prescription drugs. It
is no wonder, considering that this herb affects the same nerve
receptors as benzodiazepines. The most popular of these tranquilizers
is Valium, which doctors have long prescribed to relieve symptoms of
anxiety. The drug is also used to lessen the anxiety, agitation and
tremors that occur during alcohol and nicotine withdrawal.
Physicians in Germany commonly prescribe valerian in place of Valium
or Xanax (another very common anti-anxiety drug) for mild and even
moderate cases of anxiety. Some recommend fairly large doses—up to
two teaspoons of the tincture at least twice a day. If you are
taking Valium, Xanax or related drugs on the advice of a physician,
do not discontinue them without your doctor's approval. No
prescription drug should be discontinued before the prescribed stop
date without consulting a doctor. They are addictive. You may see
drugawareness.com
The results of one study conducted in 1993 showed that valerian and
hops combination calms the central nervous system. When volunteers
took this combination, several measurements showed that they
experienced less depression and anxiety. In fact, the herbs worked
faster than if the subjects had been given prescription drugs—hops
and valerian worked in only two weeks, as opposed to the six weeks
required for drugs. The herbs also caused far fewer side effects. If
you are used to strong prescription sedatives, herbs such as valerian
seem to have a harder time taking effect.
Motherwort—recognized today as a heart herb that also increases blood
circulation in the brain—was recommended by the seventeenth-century
herbalist Nicholas Culpeper to prevent melancholy. In modern times,
it has been studied in Germany, where it is recognized as a mild
sedative effective for treating anxiety and sleep disorders.
Modern herbalists find that both lemon balm and motherwort help
alleviate depression, especially when combined with other
antidepressant herbs. And aromatherapists commonly use the scent of
lemon balm to treat depression.
For relieving depression and anxiety capsules of GLA, which is found
in evening primrose, borage and black currant seed oils can also be
taken. In studies done at the London Children's Hyperactive Clinic in
England, evening primrose oil was shown to reduce depression and
nightmares in children.
In Ayurveda commonly prescribed herb is Ashwagandha commonly referred
as Indian ginseng. In a 1990 study, ashwagandha was given to people
who had been diagnosed with anxiety disorders. Ashwaganda treatments
improved the mental condition of most participants in only three
months. This herb is used to such an extent in India, that it is
worthwhile studying many other usages for it as well.
The city dweller is subjected to both body and mental stress these
days. The nervous debility causes fatigue, insomnia and weakness.
Coughing, asthma attacks, water retention and even leucodema are
likely when such a debility continues for a long time. Other than
physical weakness, waist pain and uterus pain can occur for ladies.
In many cases, they loose libido after birth of one or two children.
Aswagandha is indicated in all such cases. In India it is available
round the year, more so after monsoons. It strengthens all seven
dhatus. It is atonic for both men and women. If ladies are suffering
from menstrual disorders causing unnatural discharges and back pains,
Aswagandha provides amazing results. For underweight persons, it
causes weight build up.
Aswagandha is an aphrodisiac, especially when libido needs to be
built up. Semen debility, premature ejaculation, wet dreams are
common situations wherein just a teaspoon of following mixture helps.
Aswagandha, Satavari, Gokharu, Vidarikand, Yeshtimadhu, Kapikachhu
Seeds. Grind all six in equal proportion and take one tsp of the
mixture daily morning evening along with honey, sweet milk or
Ghee+Sugar. In ayurveda, whereever Ghee is mentioned, treat it as
Indian Cow Ghee and Sugar means crystal sugar.
Author has used this mixture for childless couples. Aswagandha tailam
has been used for massage. It increases fleshy tissues. Girls with
inadequate bust before marriage, can use it to develop those glands.
Aswagandha Avaleha is similar to Chyvanprasha, a nervine and body
tonic. There are eighteen items used while preparing this Leha. It
can be prepared at home also, provided one has energy and patience.
By taking 1-2 tsp of this "Leha" followed by a cup of milk, Waist
pain, fatigue after the loss of dhatu during sex gets reduced.
One can prepare Aswagandha Pak also. Take Indian Cow Milk, four times
by weight of aswgandha powder. Mix both and slow boil while stirring
to make khoya. This khoya is mixed with cow ghee and heated till
golden brown. Add crystal sugar syrup. When growing children are
fed "Pedha" made from this aswgandha pak, they build up muscles
proportionately and strength. The intellect also builds up in case of
teenagers as aswagandha is a nervine tonic. Those who are underweight
and suffer from anxiety, can use this Pak beneficially, 1 tsp morning
evening.
After locking the house and starting the car, one often has a doubt
whether he closed all the taps, switched off lights, etc. This kind
of forgetfulness can be corrected by Aswgandha. It is also a
galactogogue, where lactating mothers can use an equal mixture of
aswgandha and vidarikand (1-1 tsp 2x daily) to increase milk supply.
The nervine weakness during oldage gets corrected by this mixture.
This experiment can be done round the year and year after year. No
side effects.
An arishtam made by aswagandha is known as "Aswagandharishtam". 2 tsp
with equal water at bedtime causes deep sleep, after the usage for
about a month. Overworking intellectuals should often use it to
offset nervous debility due to hyperactivity.
Aswagandha can be taken along with dates and shilajit or dates+ghee+
shilajit strictly under the supervision of a vaidya. Health and
beauty both can be increased by this experiment. Many vaidhyas add
aswagandha to Chyavan prasha. Aswagandha Lepa can be used on aching
joints as pain reliever. The patients suffering from sciatica can
benefit by taking aswgandha formulations. It is also useful as tonic
during convalscence after T.B.
Other usages include Aswgandha kashaya along with ghee and milk to
pregnant women to improve their strength and body tone, its powder
along with Amla juice and licorice powder for improving eyesight.
Juice of its fresh leaves, when applied on external swellings and
tumors it causes them to become soft and less sore. It appears to
reove water on a limited use.
Aswagandha is brain nutrient, shodhak, vata pacifier, rasayan (anti-
ageing). Harmless and cheap herb. If a lady takes its 1 tsp powder
with cow milk for three days morning evening after the completion of
menses, the chances of conception increase. On the other hand, ½ tsp
turmeric powder along with honey kill those chances. Aswagandha
powder reduces the phosphates being rejected through kidney. The
author used it successfully to cure such a genetic kidney defect for
a teenager boy. Aswgandha can also be used by combining it with
Shankhpushpi, Brahmi, raisins to enhance its nervine tonic effects.
The scan of several ancient texts and discussion with practitioners
indicates that no mention/experience exists on use of aswgandha
leaves for slimming. The herb builds rather than reduces. The roots
are extensively used rather than leaves.
Dr. Shirish Bhate
http://www.indiadivine.org/audarya/ayurveda-health-wellbeing/261177-slimming-anxity-aswagandha.html
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