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Ayurvedic Formulas
Ayurvedic Enemas
Ayurveda considers enema therapy a complete treatment for many diseases, including constipation, distention, lower back pain, gout, rheumatism, sciatica, arthritis, nervous disorders, chronic fever, colds and flu, sexual disorders, kidney stones, heart pain, neck pains, hyperacidity, nervous headache, emaciation, and muscular atrophy.
There are 3 basic types of enemas:
Oil enema (a cup of warm sesame or other oil is used).
Decoction enema (an herb tea (whichever is indicated orally) is taken rectally).
Nutritive enema (composed of warm milk, meat broth or bone marrow soup).
The following is a formula for basic Ayurvedic anti-vata enema:
Water (1 1/2 qts)
Sesame oil (4 oz)
Honey (4 oz)
Castor oil (1 oz)
Anise seed (2 oz)
Rock salt (1 oz)
Boil the anise seeds and salt from 3-5 minutes in the water, strain, and stir in the remaining ingredients. When the liquid is lukewarm, pour it into the enema bag. Hang the bag so that it is not more than a foot higher than the syringe. While reclining on a mat on the bathroom floor, insert the syringe slowly into the rectum. Try to retain the solution for at least 30 minutes, or longer if possible.
Enemas are contraindicated if rectal bleeding or diarrhea are present. Oil enemas should not be given if the person has cough, shortness of breath, diabetes, severe anemia, chronic indigestion, the aged, or children below the age of seven years. Decoction enemas are contraindicated in cases of acute fever, cold, paralysis, heart pain, severe pain in the abdomen, or wasting diseases.
Gas & Abdominal Swelling - Hingashtak
- (regulate and tonify digestive chi)
Asafoedita, hing in Sanskrit (3 parts)
Atractylodes (3 parts)
Cumin seed (2 parts)
Caraway seed (2 parts)
Pippli long pepper (2 parts)
Black pepper (2 parts)
Ginger root (2 parts)
Dandelion root (2 parts)
Slippery elm (2 parts)
Green citrus peel (2 parts)
Rock salt (2 parts)
This formula is taken after eating, relieves gas, abdominal swelling, indigestion, and food stagnation.
Gas & Abdominal Swelling - Hingashtak
- (regulate and tonify digestive chi)
Atractylodes (chief herb)
Caraway seed (chief)
Cumin seed (chief)
Asafoetida (chief)
Black pepper (assisting and conducting)
Citrus peel (assisting and conducting)
Dandelion root (supporting)
Slippery elm (supporting)
Rock salt (supporting)
Ginger (conducting)
Has warm energy. This formula regulates chi, aids digestion, counteracts acidity and digestive weakness, eliminates gas and bloating and is one of the best formulas for hypoglycemia and candida albicans yeast overgrowth. It may be powdered and added to food to help digestion; or taken either before or after meals with warm water.
Mucus, Allergies, Digestion - Trikatu
- (warm and stimulate the internal and dry wet)
Equal parts: Ginger root, Black pepper, Pippli long pepper, and Honey.
This formula has a hot, spicy energy and is dispersing and drying for damp conditions. Overcoming mucus makes it useful in treating allergies and colds, help reduce fat, aids digestion and circulation, warming internally. Should be taken in winter by nearly everyone and suspended in the summer months.
Dosage: 1 or 2 tablets 3 times per day. Be advised to cut down on fluid intake. More info on allergies.
Blood Purifier - Triphala
- (eliminate excess, clear heat and protect righteous energy)
Equal parts: Eblica officinalis, Terinalia belerica and Terminalia chebula
Triphala ("tri" three, "phala" fruits), consists of the combination of the fruit of the chebulic, beleric and emblic myrobalan trees (known in India as harad, behada and amla, respectively). Triphala is used as a laxative but also a rejuvenator. Harada and behada have warm energy, amla is cool. Triphala, therefore, is balanced, a useful formula for cleansing and detoxifying, blood purifier, strengthening of the eyes, counteracts many eye defects, and eliminates redness and soreness. Recommended for everyone, including more sensitive people and vegetarians.
Triphala will promote normal appetite, good digestion, increase red blood cells and hemoglobin, and aid in the removal of undesirable fat. Taken regularly, triphala promotes absorption and utilization of the B vitamins.
Dosage: As a blood purifier, reducing and cleansing agent, take 2 tablets 3 times per day. As laxative, take 2 to 6 tablets in the evening with a cup of boiled water. For eye problems, crush 2 tablets and steep in 1/2 cup of boiling water, cool, strain and use as an eyewash.
Blood, Heart, & Liver - Chyavanprash
- (warm and tonify spleen and stomach chi)
This is one of the most potent and delicious tonics known. In Ayurveda it is considered one of the best preparations used for rejuvenation and longevity.
Chyavanprash is made with fresh Indian gooseberries, called amla or amlakis. These fruits are considered the major health-food herb throughout India. Highest known source of easily assimilable vitamin C.
Hundreds of fresh amla fruits are cleaned, washed and tied in a cloth, boiled in water slowly until reduced to 1/6 the original volume. It is then strained, seeds removed and discarded. the fruit is fried in sesame oil and butter and reduced to a paste. This paste is combined with the remaining decoction is further boiled and reduced with jaggury (crude brown sugar with molasses). Approximately 34 to 50 herbs, depending on which variant of Chyavanprash is used, are added in powder form. The preparation is well cooked and honey is added to complete the process of manufacture.
The ancient Sanskrit texts prescribe Chyavanprash regular use for weakness and debility of all kinds, including chronic bronchitis, allergies, immune weakness, feverishness, emaciation, chronic cardiac disorders, gout, disorders of the urinary tract, impotence and infertility. Safely used for young infants, the very old, debilitated or very thin. Because of its great nutritive value, it increases longevity and mental alertness, and promotes a glowing complexion, clarifies the urine and effects regularity of evacuation, removes parasites and toxins and cures anorexia, indigestion and dyspepsia. Regular use strengthens sexual strength and vigor in a man, a blood tonic for women.
Dosage: take 1/2 to 1 tsp. each morning followed by warm water, herb tea or warm milk to treat low blood sugar, anemia and dyspepsia, build tissues and cells, and strengthen the heart, liver, kidneys and the sense organs. Chyavanprash is truly the king of herbal food preparations.
Blood Circulation - Guggula - (clear channels, circulate chi and blood)
Guggula is made from the resin of Balsaodendron Mukul; Sanskrit, guggullu, English, salai tree, gum gugal or Indian bedellium. Closely related to Myrrh. When fresh, it is moist, viscid and fragrant, with a golden color, it melts in the sun and emulsifies in hot water.
Helps alleviate an accumulation of cholesterol, thickened mucus and other materials in the aging process. Helps circulatory problems, including arteriosclerosis, arthritis, rheumatism, heart problems, high blood pressure, obesity, and enlargement of the prostate.
Combined with Triphala, taken in the morning and evening, counteracts obesity, blood disorders, constipation, skin problems, chronic venereal disease, ascites and sores that are difficult to heal.
Yogaraj guggula is used in many disorders: sciatica, rheumatism, gout, arthritis, amenorrhea, obesity, painful menses or arrested menstruation, hemorrhoids, worms, fistula and impotence. It is a rejuvenator and blood purifier, promoting normal circulation, allays pain.
Dosage: about 250 to 500 mg. taken twice daily.
Kidneys - Shalijit
- (tonify kidney chi, yin and yang, and overcome wasting)
The natural exudate of certain rocks and stones found in the Himalayas. Resembles and smells like asphalt, and black in color, which is the English name for it. In Ayurveda it is considered the urinary tonic par excellence. Naturally high in iron and other minerals, makes it helpful for all wasting, degenerative diseases: diabetes, chronic urinary tract problems, impotence and infertility. It promotes strong bones: good for healing fractures, osteoporsis, osteoarthritis and spondylosis.
Dosage: Shalijit usually is prepared as a paste, which is dissolved in a little boiled hot water or hot milk and taken twice daily.
Lungs, Bronchioles and Sinuses - (To warm and clear the lung, tonify the spleen)
Ma huang (chief herb)
Platycodon (chief herb)
Comfrey root (assisting herb)
Mullein (assisting herb)
Wild cherry bark (assisting herb)
Licorice (assisting herb)
Elecampane (supporting herb)
Ginger (conducting herb)
Cinnamon twigs (conducting herb)
Wild ginger root (conducting herb)
This formula is dispersing, decongesting; good for colds, flu, allergies, asthma and upper respiratory problems. It is excellent to help offset the harmful effects of smoking on the lungs. It has a neutral-to-warm energy.
Dosage: take 2 or more tbsp. 3 or more times daily with warm water.
Urinary Problems
Eliminate internal dapness and relieve heat from the urinary tract.
Cleavers (chief herb)
Uva ursi (chief herb)
Poria (chief herb)
Marshmallow (assisting)
Parsley root (assisting)
Dandelion root (supporting)
Ginger root (conducting)
This forula is dispersing, diuretic, harmonizes fluid metabolism; overcomes thirst, swelling, cystitis, and kidney weakness. It has a cool-to-neutral energy.
Dosage: for general fluid balance and elimination take 2 or more tablets 3 times daily with warm water. For urinary inflammation take 2 tablets every 2 hours with 2 echinachea tablets.
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