Thursday, September 6, 2007
The human body acts as a host to a large number of parasites. These parasites are in the form of roundworms and flatworms, and they are found in both adults as well as children. However, children have a greater chance of getting these intestinal parasites. Some of the common worms that are found in human intestines are:-
a) Roundworms – pinworms, threadworms
b) Flatworms – tapeworms
In Ayurveda, parasitic infestation in the digestive system is called as Krimi Roga. Different worms cause different problems with the digestive system. Constipation, diarrhea, abdominal cramps are all common complications. In some cases, bronchitis, anemia, urticaria and fevers may also occur.
(1) Useful Herbs in the Treatment of Parasites
- Ash Gourd (Benincasa hispida)
Ash gourd can promote tissue growth within the digestive system. When taken with coconut milk it helps to expel tapeworms and other such kind of intestinal parasites from the human body.
- Bamboo (Bambusa bambos)
The leaves of the bamboo plant are effective in the removal of threadworms. They are taken in the form of a decoction when there is a threadworm complaint.
- Belleric Myrobalan (Terminalia belerica)
The belleric myrobalan is popularly known as behera in Ayurveda. It is a component of the Triphala choorna. In case of worm complaints, it is taken in mixture with the ground seeds of the palash. Behera with palash forms an excellent anthelmintic, i.e. a medicine that helps fight worms.
- Butea (Butea monosperma)
The butea is also known as palash in Indian language. Its seeds have anthelmintic properties. They are taken mixed with behera. Even otherwise, they can be taken as a paste with honey. The seeds of the butea are excellent for removal of roundworms and tapeworms.
- Chirayata (Swertia chirata)
The chirayata herb is remarkable for its properties in the removal of all kinds of intestinal worms. An infusion of the herb is prepared and taken regularly during parasitic infestations.
- East Indian Rosebay (Ervatamia coronaria)
The East Indian Rosebay is known as chandi, meaning silver in Ayurvedic medicine. Both its root and its milky white sap possess anthelmintic properties.
- Indian Acalypha (Acalypha indica)
The juice of the leaves of the Indian acalypha taken with a little garlic has good properties to expel intestinal parasites.
- Indian Aloe (Aloe barbadensis)
The Indian aloe is used especially in children to kill and expel parasites in the intestines due to its mild action. The juice of the leaf is used for it purpose. It is condensed by boiling in water.
(2) Dietary Treatments for Parasites
When there is a worm infestation, light diet must be preferred which can be digested fast. If the food remains in the bowels for longer time, then the worms get a chance to breed more. Hence, all spicy and oily foods must be avoided. The diet should be kept vegetarian and perfectly natural, i.e. no synthetic substances must be consumed. Sweet foods promote the growth of the worms; hence they must be avoided. Try to eat as many bitter foods as possible such as bitter gourd, bitter drumstick and neem. Bitter foods can expel the worms from the bowels. Fasting for a day is recommended.
(3) Ayurvedic Treatments for Parasites
There is a host of Ayurvedic preparations that can be used to get rid of intestinal worms. These are Krimi Kuthara rasa, Krimi Mudgara rasa, Krimi Kalanala rasa, Krimi Hara rasa, Vidanga arishta, etc. These preparations are available at any Ayurvedic shop, but you must take it in consultation with a physician so that the medicine specific to your cause can be given.
(4) Home Remedies for Parasites
- Take about twenty drops of the juice of the raw turmeric and put a pinch of salt in it. This must be taken early in the morning. It is a good remedy to expel the worms while passing stools.
- Extract the juice of a fresh radish. Add a pinch of salt to it. Drink this juice twice everyday; once in the morning and once in the evening. Continue this for four days. This will flush out all the wastes in the stomach along with the parasites.
- Buttermilk is a good remedy for curing intestinal parasites, especially if they are very persistent and do not go despite other treatments. Add some roasted cumin seed in the buttermilk, and some salt and ground black pepper. This must be drunk in a glassful quantity three to four times in a day. Within a week, even the most resistant of intestinal parasites will be removed from the guts.
- Mix equal parts of bitter gourd leaves and coriander and keep them soaked overnight in twelve parts of water. Filter this water in the morning. Divide the filtered water into three parts and drink them at equal intervals throughout the day. Within a few days the worms will be expelled from the digestive system.
Read More on Parasite treatments by Ayurveda and Home Remedies for Parasites at http://www.ayushveda.com
Also read more about Ayurveda at World's Largest Portal on Ayurveda and Ayurvedic Remedies: Ayushveda.com - The Free Ayurvedic Encyclopedia.
How To Protect Your Knees From Tendonitis
Tendons are fibrous chords that connect the muscles to the bone. When these chords are inflamed, a condition known as Tendonitis is probably taking place, and it is usually characterized by tenderness and pain around the affected body part.
Tendonitis usually affects the joint areas, and is most commonly known to attack the knees, the elbows, and the shoulders, although the wrists, the hips, and the heels can also sometimes be prone to developing Tendonitis. Regardless of what particular body joint it attacks, Tendonitis has been given various names to pinpoint the particular area where the pain is being felt. For instance, the Tendonitis that is restricted to the shoulder area is commonly known as rotator cuff Tendonitis, while the pain experienced in and around the kneecap is referred to as the patellar Tendonitis.
Often associated with other inflammatory ailments like rheumatoid arthritis, Tendonitis usually occurs in old age, mainly because the sheet of the body tissue that covers the tendons has been naturally overused. However, in recent years, the condition has begun to affect younger people, especially those who are regularly exposed to extreme physical activities like sports where the arms and the legs are constantly put under pressure. For example, soccer, basketball, and football players are known to be particularly susceptible to developing the patellar Tendonitis because the games that they play obviously expose their legs to constant stress.
Still, one need not be involved in sports to become a candidate for developing Tendonitis. Other factors like old age and abnormal physiological structure are also known to significantly contribute to the occurrence of Tendonitis.
Once Tendonitis sets in, it does not necessarily mean that medical treatment is imperative. If the pain that usually comes with the condition is still tolerable and occurs only once in a while, a simple rest is usually all that is needed. It is only when the pain begins to interfere with one's regular daily activities or when there is soreness that refuses to die down that a medical advice should be sought.
Of course, prevention is still the best solution for Tendonitis, and this can come only when one learns how to properly protect the joints, which are usually the first line of defense against the possibility of any injury. For the knees, for example, wearing knee-pads when doing certain activities like gardening or waxing the floor should be a good starting practice.
Sitting down for extended periods is not healthy for the legs. Ideally, one should stand up every now and then, walking around for at least 20 minutes. If there are tons of work that needs to be done and standing up is not possible, turning and twisting the body once in a while will suffice, with special focus on bending the legs.
Getting involved in thigh-strengthening fitness programs is also an excellent option. This should particularly include straight-leg lifting, which helps the thighs develop stronger muscles. Stronger thigh muscles, commonly called quadriceps, are known to provide adequate support to the knees. Of course, it is equally important that before one engages in these exercises, adequate warm-up activities should first be undertaken.
Caution, however, should also be practiced when doing exercises, especially those that put undue stress on the tendons. For instance, distance running and uphill climbing may be good forms of exercises, but if they cause pain on the knees, it is always best to stop and try other forms of fitness activities where the knees will not necessarily be pressured to work beyond their limits.
In cases when knee pain or knee swelling is already being felt, rest should always be the first option. Refrain temporarily from doing the activity that caused the pain so as to give the swollen area enough time for healing. Additionally, if the pain refuses to go away, applying ice on the aching portion at least three times daily for about 20 minutes may be resorted to, with the option to do some ice massage where plastic foam cups can be filled with water and rubbed directly on the swollen area.
Caution should again be observed when trying to rest a swollen knee. Prolonged inactivity of the knee can possibly lead to joint stiffening, so it is generally recommended that even while it is at rest, the injured leg should be raised just a little above the heart level. This action has been known to help reduce swelling in many instances and is particularly effective when done during the night.
For more information on tendonitis and knee tendonitis head over to the Tendonitis Help Center or read the Knee Tendonitis fact sheet.
Performance File #08: Moving a Heavy Load Safely
Maintaining the strength and flexibility of the back and its accessory muscles and joints (as discussed last month) are two of the three components of a healthy back maintenance program. The third component involves the use of proper lifting techniques when moving heavy objects around the workplace. Often, injuries occur because poor lifting techniques were used to move an object that, if lifted and moved properly, may not have precipitated an injury. This information “file” will provide you with some simple tips to use when lifting and moving heavy objects.
Use Your Head Before You Use Your Back!
Warm Up: If your job requires you to lift heavy objects routinely throughout the day, it is important to properly warm up your body by doing some simple stretching exercises in order to prepare your muscles and joints to handle the physical forcers involved in moving heavy items.
Test the Load: Before you attempt to move a heavy load, try to gauge the objects weight and your ability to handle the load by yourself by carefully lifting the corner or edge of the object. If the object is too heavy to move by yourself, can the load be divided into several smaller loads? If the object is too bulky, can the object be moved with the assistance of a hand-truck, push-cart, dolly, or with the assistance of another individual?
Clear a Path: Once you've decided how best to move the object, check to make sure you have a clear path in which to move. Make sure the walking path is clear of any obstructions and that the walking surface is clean and dry to help avoid slipping while carrying, pushing, or pulling the load. Checking the path firsthand could save you a great deal of aggravation, and pain, down the road.
Prepare the Destination: Before moving the object make sure you have a place cleared in which to place it. Whenever possible, store the object you’re moving at waist height. Avoid placing heavy objects above shoulder level or in areas that require you to reach forward more than arms length without bending at the waist.
Lifting an object off the floor:
1. Stand facing the object with your feet shoulder width apart and your toes pointed slightly outward. This stance will provide the stability to execute the lift properly.
2. Bend at the knees while maintaining the natural curvature of your spine. DO NOT bend at the waist or round your back when preparing to lift the object.
3. Contract your abdominal muscles to help support your spine as you begin to lift the object using the power of your legs. Maintain an upright back posture as you lift the object. Keep the object as close to your body as possible while lifting and carrying it. If you need to change directions as you move the object, turn your entire body feet first. DO NOT twist at the waist as this motion significantly increases the load on your spine and could cause an injury.
4. When you are ready to set the object back down, remember to bend at the knees performing a squatting motion while keeping your back upright and the object as close to your body as possible. DO NOT bend at the waist or round your back while setting the object down.
Pushing and Pulling a Heavy Load: When using a cart or hand-truck to move a heavy load it is safer to push the load away from you rather than pull the load towards you. When pushing the load lean slightly forward using the power of your legs to get the cart moving. If you must pull a load, make sure your path is clear and have someone direct you as you pull the load evenly with both hands as close to your body as possible while facing the load squarely. Pulling a load behind you with one arm can cause you to strain your back.
Storing Items: When storing items in your warehouse or storage area, avoid stacking items higher than your shoulder level. Lifting heavy items above shoulder height could cause an injury. If you must stack items higher than shoulder high, use a sturdy stool or ladder in order to reach the items at or below shoulder level. Remember to always keep the object as close to your body as possible in order to reduce the strain placed on your lower back.
Have deliveries of heavy objects set on tables or shelves rather than on the floor: Where possible, ensure that heavy objects delivered to your storage facility are placed in a position that provides easy access, at waist height, for relocation. When storing items on a low shelf, keep the item as close to your body as possible, bend your knees while stepping back with one so that you can rest the object on one knee as you approach the floor.
An Ounce of Prevention: A serious back injury can haunt you for a long time and can change your life in ways you never dreamed possible. Consider the benefits of keeping your back strong and supple, and lift properly on and off the job to prevent injury. This is one area where an ounce of prevention is definitely worth a pound of cure!
For more information on programs and products which improve individual performance and enhance business performance, visit Performance Prime online, at http://www.performanceprime.com.
