ACCUPRESSURE:

·      Based on the principle of manipulation of crucial pressure points in the body, accupressure cures difficult and chronic aches and pains - backaches, spondylitis, abdominal cramps, neurological disorders, arthritis etc. These pressure points, over a 1000 of them are actually small nerves about a centimeter in diameter and varying in depth between a quarter of an inch to several inches. - are often embedded in or near a muscle or tendon.

·      Adds life to those limbs that have been partially disabled.

·      Safe and effective, it involves no pin-pricks, no heat fomentations, nor any chemical or electric stimulations. However, it is a very exact art and should be carried out by a trained practitioner, absolutely sure about the pressure points to be tapped and the correct pressure to be applied.

The fundamental difference between these two systems being:

ACUPRESSURE

·      A form of physiotherapy that indulges in massage and stimulation of precise points of the body.

·      To ease all kinds of aches and pains and provide relief from tension, exhaustion and disease.

ACUPUNCTURE

·      A form of surgery where needles are penetrated into specific points of your body.

·      To cure chronic aches and pain.

(See also: ACCUPRESSURE , Ayurveda, Ayurvedic Dictionary, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

For more dictionary entries, see » Spiritual Healing Dictionary

AYURVEDA

Is from India, and is more than 5,000 years old. "Ayur" means life and "Ved" means knowledge. This holistic science is the knowledge of complete balance of the Body, Mind and spirit, including the emotions and psychology, on all levels. It includes in its consideration, longevity, rejuvenation and self-realization therapies through herbs, diet, exercise, yoga, massage, aromas, tantras, mantras, and meditation.

According to Ayurvedic tradition health is the balance of elements air, earth, fire, and water-and illness is as excess or deficiency of any particular element. Ayurveda treats illness at its source, rather than at the level of symptoms, and helps an in individual to take responsibility for their own health and well-being.

(See also: AYURVEDA , Alternative Health, Holistic Health, Body Mind and Soul)

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LYPPOSAGE

Developed by Charles W. Wiltsie III, lypossage is a combination of manual deep-tissue massage, lymphatic drainage, and the principles of structural integration used to combat cellulite.

An alternative to liposuction and body contouring machines, lypossage enhances firmness and tone and increases skin resilience and smoothness.

The treatment requires a series of sessions because the reduction of cellulite is only temporary unless treatment is continued. When combined with diet and exercise, lypossage produces a lifting effect in areas prone to sagging.

(See also: LYPPOSAGE , Alternative Health, Massage, Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul)

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Detoxification: Nutritionists, herbalists or other practitioners may recommend detoxification therapy to eliminate toxins from the body. Some detoxification therapies include a diet of fruits, vegetables, water and herbs. Others might include an enema or sweat bath. Detoxification is believed to help with respiratory and hormone problems, headaches, allergies and other ailments.

(See also: Detoxification , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

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Role of Taste

It is as important to realise that every food's unique combination of attributes will influence its taste and the action it causes in the body. With every taste having a different action – as detailed below. Astanga Hrdayam clearly describes the characteristics of each of the six tastes and problems that might be experienced from its habitual over-consumption. Most foods being a combination of two or more of these tastes e.g. coffee is bitter and pungent.

Sour

Comprised of the elements earth & fire, it increases pitta and kapha and is good for heart and digestion. Stimulates agni, moves inactive Vata energy down the pelvic cavity, sets the teeth on edge and increases salivation. Excess use may cause looseness and flabbiness, loss of strength, giddiness, itching, irritation, a whitish yellow pallor, herpetiform lesions, swelling thirsts and fever, and diseases arising from excess pitta and kapha.

Sweet

Related to earth & water, it mitigates pitta and vata, producing greater strength in the tissues and of value to the aged, wounded, emaciated and children. Universally liked, it often adheres to the inside of the mouth, giving a feeling of pleasure, contentment and comfort. Good for the complexion, hair, senses and ojas, it also increases breast milk and helps unite broke parts like bones. By its virtue it prolongs life and helps life activities. In excess however it may cause diseases arising from fat and excess kapha e.g. obesity, dyspepsia, unconsciousness, diabetes, enlargement of neck glands or malignant tumors.

Salt

The water & fire in salty taste increases pitta and kapha. It clears obstruction of channels and pores and increases the digestive activity and salivation. Also responsible for lubrication and sweating, it penetrates the tissues. An excess of it may cause baldness and graying of the hair, wrinkles, thirst, skin diseases, blood disorders, herpetiform leisons and loss of body strength

Pungent

Fire & air in pungent increases vata and pitta and mitigates kapha. Increases hunger, is digestive, causes irritation, brings secretion from the eyes, nose & mouth, and gives a burning sensation to the mouth. Dilating the channels and breaking up the hard masses. But an excess use of it may cause thirst, depletion of reproductive tissue and strength, fainting, contracture, tremors, pain in the waist and back, and other disorders related to excess of pitta and kapha.

Bitter

Air & space being its elements, it mitigates pitta and kapha. Drying up moisture from fat, muscles, faeces and urine. It cleans the mouth and destroys the perception of taste. It is said to cure anorexia, worms, bacteria, parasites, thirst, skin diseases, loss of consciousness, fever, nausea, burning sensation. But in excess, it increases vata, causing diseases of vata origin and depletion of tissues.

Astringent

Air & earth increases vata and mitigates increased pitta and kapha. It cleans the blood and causes healing of ulcers. Like bitter, it too dries up moisture from fat. It absorbs water, causing constipation and hindering digestion of undigested food. Its excess use causes stasis of food without digestion, flatulance, pain in the cardiac region, emaciation, loss of virility, obstruction of channels and constipation.

(See also: Diet , Ayurveda, Ayurvedic Dictionary, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

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HOLISTIC/WHOLISTIC

an adjective meaning targeted to the whole person - mind, body, and spirit. Wholistic medicine considers not only physical health but also the emotional, spiritual, social, and mental well-being of the person.

(See also: WHOLISTIC , Alternative Health, Healing, Body Mind and Soul)

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Spleen: Flattened, oblong organ that removes disease-producing organisms and worn-out red blood cells from the bloodstream. The spleen is situated in the upper left abdominal cavity, in contact with the pancreas, the diaphragm, and the left kidney. The spleen removes iron from the hemoglobin of red blood cells for use in the body. It also removes such waste materials as bile pigments for excretion as bile by the liver. The spleen produces antibodies against various disease organisms and manufactures a variety of blood cells.

(See also: Spleen , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

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Lungs: A pair of elastic, spongy organs used in breathing and respiration. In humans the lungs occupy a large portion of the chest cavity from the collarbone down to the diapragm a dome-shaped sheet of muscle that walls off the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity.

Air travels to the lungs through a series of air tubes and passages. It enters the body through the nostrils or the mouth, passing down the throat to the larynx, or voice box, and then to the windpipe. In the chest cavity the windpipe divides into two branches, called the right and left bronchi or bronchial tubes that enter the lungs. Although the words breathing and respiration are sometimes used interchangeably, they have distinct meanings.

Breathing is the process of moving oxygen rich air into and out of the lungs. Respiration refers to all of the processes involved in getting oxygen to tissues, including breathing, diffusion of oxygen from the lungs to the blood, transport by the blood, and diffusion from the blood to tissues. Because body cells are constantly using up oxygen and producing carbon dioxide, the lungs work continuously. An adult normally breathes from 14 to 20 times per minute.

(See also: Lungs , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

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Autumn:

Diet

Yummy dishes with astringent, bitter or sweet tastes are for you to enjoy.

Have lots of rice, barley, wheat, along with curd, cabbage, cheese, milk.

Avoid meat, yoghurt.

Conduct

·  This is the right time to go through purgation & blood letting treatment. (for detail see Panchkarma)

·  Avoid excessive sunbathing

Do not expose yourself to easterly winds.

(See also: Autumn , Ayurveda, Ayurvedic Dictionary, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

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Acupressure , Chih Ya, Shiatsu, Shiatzu, Zhi Ya ,  :

A type of massage in which finger pressure on specific body sites is used to promote healing, relieve fatigue, etc. Although the anatomical locations are the same as the ACUPUNCTURE POINTS used in ACUPUNCTURE THERAPY (hence acu-), no needle or other acupuncture technique is employed in acupressure. (From Random House Unabridged Dictionary, 2d ed). Shiatsu is a modern outgrowth that focuses more on prevention than healing.

(See also: Acupressure , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

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Massage and its remedial effects

Massage reduces muscle-tension and relieves pain, opens the pores of the skin, thus eliminating poisons from the body through sweat. It also speeds up blood circulation.

The literal meaning of 'massage' is manipulation of the soft tissues of the body using the hands. In naturopathy, massage occupies a very important place in the treatment of diseases of all kinds. For centuries, massage has been used as a remedy in India, Greece, Rome, China, Egypt and a host of other countries.

Procedure

According to the modern system of physiotherapy, the process begins with massaging upper limbs (arms) and lower limbs (legs) followed by the chest, abdomen, back and hips, and ending with the face and the head. As far as possible, massage with the hands to derive complete benefit.

According to modern therapy, the massage strokes are directed towards the heart. According to Ayurdeva, massage is known as snehan (oleation) and should be given to a patient before panchakarma treatment. Panchakarmas are the five basic principles to clean and detoxify or purify the body. They are:

·      Vamana (emesis)

·      Virechana (puragation)

·      Nruha (medicated anema)

·      Anuvasana (unctuous anema -

·      preparation with oil or other unctuous substance)

·      Nasya (inhalation therapy)

Massage should always be followed by svedana (fermentation). Snehana and svedana are the two purvakarmas that should be given before panchakarma treatment.

Benefits

1. Massage is used to improve blood circulation, to reduce oedema,

 adhesions in tissues after injury, reduce muscular spasm and improve

 muscle tone.

2. Massage reduces muscle-tension and relieves pain, opens the pores

 of the skin, thus eliminating poisons from the body through sweat.

3. It also speeds up blood circulation, hence reducing swelling

 (oedema), relieving tension of the nerves and soothing them.

4. It stimulates the digestive system and activates the urinary system.

Rules on massage oil

1. For patients with pains, use Narayan Taila, or Mahanarayan Taila.

2. For weakness, use Narayan Taila, Chandan Bala Lakshdi Taila.

3. For patients with joint pains (rheumatism), use Saindhavadi Taila.

4. For patients with burning sensation problems and sleeplessness, use

 Bhringraj Taila and Brahmi Taila.

5. For patients with skin diseases, use Kushthararakshas Taila, Nimba

 Taila and Bakuchi Taila.

Massage produces heat. After half an hour of getting a massage done, a hot water bath or shower can be taken. The head should be bathed with lukewarm water.

Contraindications

1. Massage is not recommended in any type of fevers.

2.Massage is not recommended during pregnancy.

3.Abdominal massage should be avoided in case of diarrhoea, ulcers, appendicities and tumours in the abdomen.

Excessive oil after massage should be removed with gram flour (besan) and not with soap. Peeli mitti (Indian yellow clay) is also excellent for washing the body. It has a cooling effect on the skin and nerves.

(See also: Massage , Ayurveda, Ayurvedic Dictionary, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

For more dictionary entries, see » Spiritual Healing Dictionary

AROMATHERAPY

Uses essential oils extracted from nature’s herbs and flowers. The aroma is inhaled, or applied to the skin, and each of the oils (or combination thereof) addresses a specific disorder. It appears that the body is able to utilize the healing properties of the oils through the olfactory system of the body, and so initiate the healing process. Aromatherapy practitioners would also have an understanding of the psychological and emotional factors of illness.

(See also: AROMATHERAPY , Alternative Health, Holistic Health, Body Mind and Soul)

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ACCUPUNCTURE:

·      The modern name is derived from the Latin words Acus (needle) and Punctura (penetration). It is, however, an ancient Chinese art of healing that sticks needles into a patient's skin or even muscles to correct imbalances in the `yin' & `yang' of the body.

·      Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine, one of the oldest medical texts in the world, comprises a special section called `Magic Gate', which is devoted to this therapeutic style.

·      Although modern acupuncture charts more than 2000 points in the body - located along invisible energy called `meridians', 12 channels in each half of the body and 2 major channels (Ren & Du) along the middle line - traditionally there were only 365.

·      The western explanation for this is that a needle inserted at specific acupuncture points of the body releases certain chemical substances, that activate neuro-transmitters, which then pass on nerve impulses to the brain to obtain the desired effects. Must be performed by trained practitioners only.

The fundamental difference between these two systems being:

ACUPUNCTURE

·      A form of surgery where needles are penetrated into specific points of your body.

·      To cure chronic aches and pain.

ACUPRESSURE

·      A form of physiotherapy that indulges in massage and stimulation of precise points of the body.

• To ease all kinds of aches and pains and provide relief from tension, exhaustion and disease.

(See also: ACCUPUNCTURE , Ayurveda, Ayurvedic Dictionary, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

For more dictionary entries, see » Spiritual Healing Dictionary

The Tridoshas

The Tridoshas (tri meaning three and doshas being the basic physical energies) are the primary and essential factors of the human body that govern our entire physical structure and function. Derived from the Panchmahabhutas, each dosha – which like the elements cannot be detected with our senses but their qualities can be – is a combination of any two of the five bhutas with the predominance of one. Called Vata, Pitta and Kapha in Sanskrit, these three are responsible for all the physiological and psychological processes within the body and mind – dynamic forces that determine growth and decay. Every physical characteristic, mental capacity and the emotional tendency of a human being can therefore be explained in terms of the tridoshas.

Most of the physical phenomena ascribed to the nervous system by modern physiology for example, can be identified with Vata. Just as the entire chemical process operating in the human body can be attributed to Pitta, including enzymes, hormones and the complete nutritional system. And the activities of the skeletal and the anabolic system, actually the entire physical volume of an organism, can be considered as Kapha.

Each dosha thus shares a quality with another (although there remain slight differences in the nature of shared quality), the third having just the opposite quality. Also, each has an inherent ability to regulate and balance itself, coming from the antagonistic qualities that arise from the doshas constituent elements.

When the doshas are in balance i.e. in a state of equilibrium, we remain healthy. As Charaka, the great ayurvedic sage, explained: "Vata, pitta and kapha maintain the integrity of the living human organism in their normal state and combine so as to make the man a complete being with his indriyas (sense organs) possessed of strength, good complexion and assured of longevity." It is only when that there is imbalance within the three that disease is caused. And since it is the strongest dosha in the constitution that usually has the greatest tendency to increase, one is most susceptible to illnesses associated with an increase of the same.

It is important to realise that these three are forces and not substances. Kapha is not mucus; it is the force that causes mucus to arise. Similarly pitta is not bile; but that which causes bile to be produced. And they are called doshas – literally meaning `faults’ or `out of whack’- as they indicate the fault lines along which the system can become imbalanced.

It is equally important to understand that the three doshas within any person keep changing constantly, due to the doshic qualities of specific lifestyle and environment, such as time and season. And that these three are not separate energies but different aspects of the same energy, present together in an infinite variety of combinations, wherein their qualities overlap and interrelate.

Ayurveda however considers only three types of constitution – in monotypes just one dosha predominates, in duo types two have near similar strength, and in the very rarely found third type all three are equally powerful. Within this broad classification, there are in the first category various sub-types that are listed below for easier reference.

(See also: Tridoshas , Ayurveda, Ayurvedic Dictionary, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

For more dictionary entries, see » Spiritual Healing Dictionary

Chandan: Sandalwood (Santalum album)

(See also: Chandan , Ayurveda, Ayurvedic Dictionary, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

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Toning

Vocalizing long, sustained sounds using a vowel, a consonant, or a combination of both without melody, words, beat or rhythm. Toning, an ancient method for pain relief and for treating illness, is one of the oldest forms of healing: also known as sounding, toning is the simplest form of singing. Toning produces vibrations with overtones, or 'vocal harmonics,' which help restore harmony of body, mind and spirit.

(See also: Toning , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

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Purisha:  stool, faeces

(See also: Purisha , Ayurveda, Ayurvedic Dictionary, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

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Ama: residual impurities deposited in the cells as the result of improper digestion. Also mental ama, impure or negative thoughts and moods.

(See also: Ama , Ayurveda, Ayurvedic Dictionary, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

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Equilibropathy: A method of balancing the body which can be used to therapeutically treat ailments from asthma, migraines, sore muscles, sinus congestion, vertigo, stiff joints including gout, arthritis & rheumatism, lowered immunity and many more common conditions and is particularly useful in the prevention of all types of illnesses.

(See also: Equilibropathy , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

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Midwifery: Midwives work with women so they can experience a healthy pregnancy and a safe natural childbirth as well as providing necessary education and follow-up care. Licensed midwives or nurse-midwives (both are recognized in Washington) receive extensive training in gynecology, fetus development, obstetrical complications, nutritional assessment, counseling, community health, family planning, various forms of delivery management, and other issues surrounding pregnancy and birth.

(See also: Midwifery , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

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Vasant: Spring

(See also: Vasant , Ayurveda, Ayurvedic Dictionary, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

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Paneer:  Cheese

(See also: Paneer , Ayurveda, Ayurvedic Dictionary, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

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