An insight into eye sight
By K.A. Martin
KOCHI, AUG. 26. Nellikattu Mani at Kizhakombu, near Koothattukulam, is offering some insights into eyesight. The old `mana', set in idyllic surroundings, has turned into Sreedhareeyam Ayurveda Gaveshana Kendram (a research centre in Ayurveda) over the last two years.
In the process, the `mana' has become a fountain of hope for hundreds of people with eye problems but have found no solace in other systems of medicine.
Now a team of four Ayurvedic doctors at the centre attend to about 150 patients in a daily ritual of dedication and commitment to a cause they have made their own -- to do whatever they can to lead more and more people from darkness to light.
For the last two years, eye patients have come here from the length and breadth of the State and even outside, relying purely on word-of-mouth reports. As the numbers swelled, the Ayurveda centre has been forced to hire lodges and rooms available in the nearby Koothattukulam town.
It all started two years ago under the inspiration of Dr. N.P.P. Namboodiri, medical officer at the Government Ayurveda Hospital, Thodupuzha. Dr. Namboodiri's talents with the eye has earned him a celebrity status among his patients in Thodupuzha.
He has shared his knowledge and experience with the team of young doctors at Sreedhareeyam. The patients here are attended to by Dr. N. Narayanan Namboodiri, Dr. N.P.S. Kala, Dr. Soumya Damodaran and Dr. N.S. Rajan. Inspired by the researches done by Dr. N.P.P. Namboodiri, these doctors have applied themselves to the task of exploring the capabilities of Ayurveda in a medical specialisation.
So far, the results have been encouraging. While the doctors have fought shy of publicity and made no claims to working miracles, their patients have had pleasant surprises.
A young professional from Kasaragod is bracing up to face life after his eyes, afflicted with retinitis pigmentosa, has responded well to the treatment. "My side vision has improved tremendously and the spot in the eye has virtually disappeared," he said when asked about his experience.
He has undergone four courses of treatment already over the last two years. "The doctor had warned me that the treatment would be long drawn," he said.
According to the doctors at Sreedhareeyam, an effective treatment of the problem is not available in some of the other systems of medicine.
Mr. Raizuddin who runs his own business in Palakkad had a severe allergy problem and one day he discovered that his eye sight was deteriorating. Raizudddin, who was at Sreedhareeyam last week for his first course of medicine, is optimistic that his eyes would respond. So are hundreds of others like a 16-year-old girl from Palakkad who has responded well to the treatment for night blindness.
Patients are given traditional Ayurvedic therapy, taking a holistic view of their problems. Rejuvenation of nerves and muscles is a key factor.
According to the doctors, 90 per cent of the patients they have attended to have chronic problems. Retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration, myopia and glaucoma are some of them.
Every treatment at Sreedhareeyam begins with an invocation to the family deity and God seems to be on their side.
http://www.hinduonnet.com/2001/08/27/stories/0427211q.htm
Monday, June 21, 2010
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Curing Incurable Eyes
Vrindavanam S. Gopalakrishnan
From all over india and far beyond her borders, people come to Sreedhareeyam Ayurvedic Eye Hospital and Research Center in Kerala. Many come to cure ailments unhealed by modern medicine, such as rheumatoid arthritis. But this hospital, set in the village of Kizhkombu, near the city of Kochi, is best known for treating diseases of the eye.
Dr. N. P. P. Namboothiri is the managing director and chief medical officer of Sreedhareeyam. He has also served for three decades as the chief medical officer of the Kerala government's state-owned ayurvedic hospital. His family, owners of a precious collection of old medical manuscripts inscribed on ola leaves, have for four generations been ayurvedic physicians specializing in treating eye disease.
The research-oriented approach of the present generation of the physicians, combined with the availability of modern facilities, has culminated in the birth of this well-equipped 500-bed eye hospital, which treats 200 to 300 patients daily. The rural setting, overlooking a lush green expanse of paddy fields, provides the clean and serene atmosphere required for convalescence. The hospital maintains its own cow and goat dairy, as well as a large garden to grow rare species of medicinal plants and other required herbs. It is equipped with modern diagnostic tools, and maintains six private cottages for the convenience of patients. All medicines and formulations used in eye treatment are manufactured in their own certified factory under the supervision of Dr. Namboothiri according to the traditional formulas.
"We could provide this with the grace of our family Deity, Bhadrakali, " says Dr. Namboothiri.
For Mr. N. P. Narayanan Namboothiri, chairman of Sreedhareeyam, it is not medicine alone that cures disease. Divine intervention should always be sought. Therefore, all the drugs manufactured are taken to the Deity at the temple in the hospital complex to be blessed by the Goddess. When treatment is begun, the patient is brought to the entrance of the traditional home, where the first dose of medicine is administered in front of the sacred lamp after offering prayers. Patients participate in this tradition regardless of their different religious beliefs.
Many eye diseases are treated here, including retinitis pigmentosa caused by diabetes. This disease is most often seen in children born from blood-related parents, and Western allopathic medicine offers no treatment for it. Other conditions treated here include macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataract and detached retina. Each is approached with a customized regimen of ayurvedic medicines, eye exercises and diet.
Attributing the ever-increasing incidence of eye ailments among children to the fast life, fast food and continuous viewing of television, Dr. N. P. P. Namboothiri said that absence of eye exercise is a major reason for some of the ailments. He states that eye exercise is of paramount importance, pointing out that skilled practitioners of Bharatanatyam and other traditional dance forms, with their intense patterns of eye movement, have the lowest incidence of eye diseases.
The ancient ayurvedic scriptures describe the treatment of many illnesses for which "modern " medicine has found no remedies, such as retinitis pigmentosa. The Shalakya Tantra, for instance, contains descriptions of some 76 eye diseases, 28 ear diseases and 31 nose diseases.
Dr. Namboothiri told Hinduism Today, "Urdhwanga Chikita, or Shalakya Tantra, is one of the eight branches of ayurveda. It offers a detailed study of the etiology, diagnosis, prognosis, prevention and treatment of diseases affecting the organs in the head and neck--the ears, nose, eyes, throat, etc. Of the three main classic texts of ayurveda, Susrutha Samhitha provides the most profound knowledge on this branch of treatment. Acharya Susrutha was the greatest proponent of this science. He could be hailed as the pioneer surgeon in medical history who systematically and elaborately dealt with the anatomical structure of the eye. The prognoses made by him on aveitis and glaucoma are regarded as exceptional."
Dr. Sharat Menon, a professor from Texas, USA, who has undergone treatment at Sreedhareeyam, told Hinduism Today that based on his experience with other such institutions in recent years, Sreedhareeyam is unparalleled in the ayurvedic treatment of eye ailments.
Another enthusiastic Sreedhareeyam patient is Dr. James Lunney, an experienced physician from Canada. He says, "ayurveda is the ancient medical system of India which encompasses the healing of body, mind and spirit." This is accomplished through diet, lifestyle and rejuvenation, along with the use of cleansing programs and medicinal herbs. Instead of focusing narrowly on the patient's current disorder, ayurvedic medicine targets the root cause of disease--not only treating the disorder itself but also eliminating problems before they arise.
http://www.hinduismtoday.com/modules/smartsection/item.php?itemid=1566
Vrindavanam S. Gopalakrishnan
From all over india and far beyond her borders, people come to Sreedhareeyam Ayurvedic Eye Hospital and Research Center in Kerala. Many come to cure ailments unhealed by modern medicine, such as rheumatoid arthritis. But this hospital, set in the village of Kizhkombu, near the city of Kochi, is best known for treating diseases of the eye.
Dr. N. P. P. Namboothiri is the managing director and chief medical officer of Sreedhareeyam. He has also served for three decades as the chief medical officer of the Kerala government's state-owned ayurvedic hospital. His family, owners of a precious collection of old medical manuscripts inscribed on ola leaves, have for four generations been ayurvedic physicians specializing in treating eye disease.
The research-oriented approach of the present generation of the physicians, combined with the availability of modern facilities, has culminated in the birth of this well-equipped 500-bed eye hospital, which treats 200 to 300 patients daily. The rural setting, overlooking a lush green expanse of paddy fields, provides the clean and serene atmosphere required for convalescence. The hospital maintains its own cow and goat dairy, as well as a large garden to grow rare species of medicinal plants and other required herbs. It is equipped with modern diagnostic tools, and maintains six private cottages for the convenience of patients. All medicines and formulations used in eye treatment are manufactured in their own certified factory under the supervision of Dr. Namboothiri according to the traditional formulas.
"We could provide this with the grace of our family Deity, Bhadrakali, " says Dr. Namboothiri.
For Mr. N. P. Narayanan Namboothiri, chairman of Sreedhareeyam, it is not medicine alone that cures disease. Divine intervention should always be sought. Therefore, all the drugs manufactured are taken to the Deity at the temple in the hospital complex to be blessed by the Goddess. When treatment is begun, the patient is brought to the entrance of the traditional home, where the first dose of medicine is administered in front of the sacred lamp after offering prayers. Patients participate in this tradition regardless of their different religious beliefs.
Many eye diseases are treated here, including retinitis pigmentosa caused by diabetes. This disease is most often seen in children born from blood-related parents, and Western allopathic medicine offers no treatment for it. Other conditions treated here include macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataract and detached retina. Each is approached with a customized regimen of ayurvedic medicines, eye exercises and diet.
Attributing the ever-increasing incidence of eye ailments among children to the fast life, fast food and continuous viewing of television, Dr. N. P. P. Namboothiri said that absence of eye exercise is a major reason for some of the ailments. He states that eye exercise is of paramount importance, pointing out that skilled practitioners of Bharatanatyam and other traditional dance forms, with their intense patterns of eye movement, have the lowest incidence of eye diseases.
The ancient ayurvedic scriptures describe the treatment of many illnesses for which "modern " medicine has found no remedies, such as retinitis pigmentosa. The Shalakya Tantra, for instance, contains descriptions of some 76 eye diseases, 28 ear diseases and 31 nose diseases.
Dr. Namboothiri told Hinduism Today, "Urdhwanga Chikita, or Shalakya Tantra, is one of the eight branches of ayurveda. It offers a detailed study of the etiology, diagnosis, prognosis, prevention and treatment of diseases affecting the organs in the head and neck--the ears, nose, eyes, throat, etc. Of the three main classic texts of ayurveda, Susrutha Samhitha provides the most profound knowledge on this branch of treatment. Acharya Susrutha was the greatest proponent of this science. He could be hailed as the pioneer surgeon in medical history who systematically and elaborately dealt with the anatomical structure of the eye. The prognoses made by him on aveitis and glaucoma are regarded as exceptional."
Dr. Sharat Menon, a professor from Texas, USA, who has undergone treatment at Sreedhareeyam, told Hinduism Today that based on his experience with other such institutions in recent years, Sreedhareeyam is unparalleled in the ayurvedic treatment of eye ailments.
Another enthusiastic Sreedhareeyam patient is Dr. James Lunney, an experienced physician from Canada. He says, "ayurveda is the ancient medical system of India which encompasses the healing of body, mind and spirit." This is accomplished through diet, lifestyle and rejuvenation, along with the use of cleansing programs and medicinal herbs. Instead of focusing narrowly on the patient's current disorder, ayurvedic medicine targets the root cause of disease--not only treating the disorder itself but also eliminating problems before they arise.
http://www.hinduismtoday.com/modules/smartsection/item.php?itemid=1566
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Ayurveda, the new mantra across the world
Ajay Ghosh
Ayurveda, the science of life, has brought true health and wellness to millions of individuals throughout the ages with simple changes in daily living practices.
This ancient art of healing has been practiced continuously for over 5,000 years. Ayurvedic practices restore the balance and harmony of the individual, resulting in self-healing, good health and longevity. Incorporating just a few of these proven methods into your lifestyle can bring about radical changes in your life.
The principles of many natural healing systems now familiar in the West, such as Homeopathy and Polarity Therapy, have their roots in Ayurveda. The understanding that we are all unique individuals enables Ayurveda to address not only specific health concerns but also offers explanation as to why one person responds differently th an another.
Ayurveda uses herbs and spices like basil, turmeric, garlic, ginger and aloe vera, as well as yoga exercises, to treat physical and psychological problems.
Interest in Ayurveda in the United States began in the 1970's, largely as the result of efforts by the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi organization of Transcendental Meditation. Interest continued to grow as Indian physicians came to the United States in the 1980's. Among these physicians were Dr. Vasant Lad, Dr. Sunil Joshi and Dr. B.D. Triguna.
In the late 1980's Dr. Deepak Chopra wrote "Perfect Health", his famous introductory book on Ayurveda for the general public. This opened the door of India 's ancient healing science for many Westerners. Furthermore, several American pioneers helped attract attention to Ayurveda and influence its growth.
They include Dr. David Frawley, of the American Institute of Vedic Studies, and Dr. Robert Svoboda, a Westerner who completed India 's BAMS program. As interest and awareness grew, training programs of various degrees emerged. In 1995, the California College of Ayurveda was founded and was the first State-approved practitioner training program in the United States .
The National Ayurvedic Medical Association is the major body in the United States representing the Ayurvedic profession. A non-profit association, it was founded in 1998 by four individuals: Dr. Marc Halpern, of the California College of Ayurveda, Wynn Werner, of the Ayurvedic Institute, Kumar Batra, and Cynthia Copple. Indians trained Ayurvedic physicians who come to the United States on a work visa or through immigration may practice Ayurveda within a allowable scope.
The interest in Ayurveda has grown steadilynin the past few decades, and many more people from across the world are seeking Ayurveda treatment in India and in the many facilities where they are being ofered. For too many, who have been "given up" by the Western medicine, the first choice of treatment, Ayurveda offers an "alternate" and several hundreds seek and find solutiomns to their physical and mental illnesses.
In December 2000, I was diagnosed with Uveitis with Vasculitis and peripheral neovascularization. After being treated with Prednisone, a steroid, upto 100 mg per day, though my vision had improved, it had inflicted several side-effects on my entire physical as well as mental health.
Later on, after several surgeries that included a cataract, laser-surgeries, and Vitrectomy, I decided to seek ayurvedic treatment at Sreedhareeyam Ayureda Gaveshana Kendram, an endeavor by Nellikattu Mana, a Namboodiri family with traditional experiences and talents in Ayurveda treatment especially in the treatment of eye diseases.
After undergoing a full three weeks of treatment for four times in two years at Sreedhareeyam, my vision had showed signs of improvement. The inflammation on the retina was substantially reduced and the damage to the optic nerve was contained, which I thought, was the biggest achievement of the treatment I received at Sreedhareeyam. The cataract on my left eye was healed without a surgery, although the pressure on my right remained elevated. Medical Superintendent at Sreedhareeyam, Dr. N P P Namboothiri, a famous eye physician and the mentor and guide to the hospital, helped me "restore" my vision. .
At Sreedhareeyam, where more than two dozen trained eye-specialists with degrees in Medicine, the primary focus has been on Ayurvedic treatments for all types of diseases.
However, specialized treatments are given for the various diseases affecting the positions above the neck. Most of the eye diseases, which have got no treatment in modern medicine, have been successfully treated here. People come here from all strata of society and from all corners of the world.
Most of the patients here at this nearly 200-bed hospital are those who have tried the regular Western medicines and have been given up as having no cure for their problems. Just like me, most of them choose to come here as the final resort, and hope that Sreedhareeyam is the answer to many of their eye diseases.
Aravind Kumar, a college student in Delaware, told this writer, "I was born with congenital cataracts in both eyes." After six major eye operations that included surgeries to remove cataract as well as intra-ocular-lens implantation, he was was left with limited eyesight of about sixteen inches. "It was during the summer of 2003 that we made our first visit to India in several years, when we learned more about Ayurveda treatments specific to eyes and vision at Sreedhareeyam," Aravinf recalls.
In November of 2004, his first ever treatments began. "A few days into the treatment, my first eye refraction exam was done. From five feet I was able to see three lines of text clearly. After ten more days a second eye refraction was done. This time, from six feet I could read almost five lines of text. I was amazed that, through Ayurveda and Sreedhareeyam, I was able to see more things far away," this young boy from Allen Ttown, PA narrates. "My local Ophthalmologist in the US, who is renowned in the field of ophthalmology, was amazed to see the improvement in my vision."
Restoring vision from birth defects is not a quick-fix. It takes time. Since 2004, he had gone back to Sreedhareeyam for five courses of treatments, each for a period of three to four weeks. "During each visit I have undergone treatments like Nasyam, Netra Dhara, Sirodhara, Pothichil, Tharpanam, etc.," said Aravind, who went to Sreedhareeyam in Janauary 2008 for yet another phase of his treatment.
"I am experiencing dramatic results. Prior to the treatment, my peripheral vision was very poor and I had a tough time focusing. Now my peripheral vision is much better and I'm able to focus better. This has helped me immensely in my school work and day-to-day life. My astigmatism has been reduced, I am able to concentrate more than I used to and I can see things a little bit farther than I used to. My visits also gave me an opportunity to meet and talk to several visually under-previleged from across the globe, who come there with the hope for better vision. Most of them being tried and rejected by modern medicine." Aravind tesxtifies, "Sreedhareeyam is truly the Ayurvedic hospital and they definitely live up to their motto of "vision for all"
Jayachandran, a 43-year-old male, originally from Bangalore, now living in Japan, told this writer, "I was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa, a rare hereditary disorder, which causes poor night vision and ever-narrowing field of vision beginning in childhood."
About 12 years ago, he lost his vision completely and was declared blind. After being treated around the world for several years with no positive results, he heard about Sreedhareeyam, and came here about two years ago. "It's my fifth visit in two years. I am beginning to see for the first time in 12 years," Jayachandran said with a sense of joy and satisfaction. "The doctors here have been able to arrest the process of degeneration, and they have assured me that I can regain about 10 to 20 percent of my vision, which is great."
Simran, 10 and Sonal, 12, two sisters from Sydney, Australia, were here for treatment for Retinitis Pigmentosa. Online search for treatment for this rare eye disease by their desperate parents brought them here at Sreedhareeyam. After four visits with a gap of three months between each visit, now the doctors at Sreedhareeyam have advised them to return to Sreedhareeyam after two years.
There was a sense of relief and inner joy on the face of the Mr. V. Goyal, the father of these two young kids, realizing that the process of degeneration has been arrested and their vision will be stable.
Ella Murugan is a 20-year-old boy from Salem, Tamil Nadu. He was diagnosed with Retinal Detachment, and was treated at the famous Sankara Netralaya in Chennai for more than three years. "After each surgery done on my eyes at Sankara Nethralaya, I began to lose my vision, and I became totally blind," he said. "This is my fourth visit in less than two years, and now my eyes can see things and people around me, as though they are shadows." He expressed confidence that in the near future, he will begin to see more clearly.
The story of Abdul, a 10-year-old boy from northern Kerala was heart-breaking. While playing with his friends, a sharp wooden stick pierced through his right eye, severely damaging his retina and the optic nerves, resulting in severe bleeding of the retina, thus leading to the loss of vision.
In December 2005, he was at Sreedhareeyam for his third hospitalization in 15 months. "Also, his bleeding on the retina has been contained," his mother told this writer. "He has begun to see partially," she added.
These are only a few of the hundreds of success stories one gets to witness during the stay from patients who come here for various eye diseases. "Results from the treatment here are the only publicity we do," said, Narendran, Executive Director of Sreedhareeyam. "Our ever-increasing number of patients is a witness to the impact of the treatment patients receive here. Our publicity is by word-of-mouth only of these success stories."
There have been a number of instances at Sreedhareeyam where success was found while it was only failure that the patients met with in other systems of medicine. According to Dr. N P P Namboodiri, its all miracles in the sense that all these helped manifest the capabilities of Ayurveda in an area of health care that needs specialization. A large number of such cases from the long history of the hospital stand testimony to the supremacy of Ayurveda system of medicine over other systems in treatment of eye diseases.
"At Sreedhareeyam, ours is a humble attempt to treat the disease and annihilate it through the way of nature," says Dr. Narayanan Namboothiri, who treats patients from the same room in Naalukettu, where he was born 34 years ago. "Patients from all over the world come here for various eye diseases, including those suffering from Cataract, Glaucoma, Macular Degeneration, and Diabetic Retinopathy. We strive to give them our best, trusting in God's power to heal them," the gentle-speaking Dr. Narayanan Namboothiri says.
"At Sreedhareeyam, we strive to maintain and cultivate the hospital into a shrine of hope for hundreds of people who seeks cure from their various and mysterious ailments.
Fortunately, due to our long history of successes, we have an astounding number of patients coming in daily from the length and breadth of the country, seeking cure," Dr. Namboodiri says. "In the field of the treatment of eye diseases, we desire to rank ourselves from an international perspective. The history of the miraculous cures at Sreedhareeyam and our eminent panel of doctors proclaim our supremacy in this field. With all our expertise and resources, we foresee a wider dimension for our services to the society in the future," the physician says with a sense of pride and hope. In the wake of the prevailing situation, Sreedhareeyam, according to Dr. Namboothiri, "aspires for a wider participation on a large scale in the battle to annihilate darkness of human eye from the face of earth.
All the treatments offered here are unique in the sense that the medicines used for all these treatments are produced at the Manufacturing Unit of the hospital. "The ingredients of the medicine as well as the treatment procedures are all according to those parchments ('thaliyolas') and ancient books ('grandhas'), which counts among the traditional and precious assets owned by the Mana," Dr. Narayanan Namboothiri, the young and dynamic physician, who heads the research unit of the hospital, says.
The research centre is studying several manuscripts on ayurveda, found all over the State and putting them in order. Medicines are grown in the Koothattukulam campus, where the ancestral home of the vaidyas. Medicines are also manufactured here under the supervision of Narayanan Namboothiri, the Chief Medical Officer of the hospital.
Experts predict that hundreds of herbs used for centuries by traditional healers in India could soon be on western pharmacy shelves. With 15,000 plant species, India is well placed to increase its share of the $75billion global market in medicinal plants, which is growing by at least 7% a year.
The Indian Council of Medical Research has launched a series of studies to test the health claims surrounding a variety traditional medicines. Clinical trials have shown that herbal remedies for asthma, diabetes and even sexually transmitted diseases may be effective. The council is looking at treatments for a range of other conditions used for over a thousand years by practitioners of Ayurveda and Siddha medicine.
Professor Ranjit Roy Chaudhury, a member of the council, said that in some cases the herbs may be more effective than Western-style medicines. "We have plants for bronchial asthma, hepatitis and arthritis," he said. "We have other plants which have been shown to be effective for treating sexually transmitted diseases and they have been used in that way by tribal populations for centuries. We have herbs where you can relieve headache, fever, gastroenteritis, sneezing and coughing. These conditions can easily be alleviated."
Professor Chaudhury acknowledged that in some cases the council will be unable to prove that the herbs work. This is because many of the remedies are based on a combination of plants which taken on their own would not be effective. "There are hundreds of herbs but we are unable at the moment to do very good testing for combinations of plants. "In the Ayurvedic system they use usually combinations. But testing combinations with modern technology is difficult."
The world as a whole is switching over from chemical drugs to natural drugs because they are non-narcotic, they have no side-effects and are easily available. The world is interested in simpler and gentler therapies - especially for ageing, the problem of obesity, diabetes, neurological disorders, cardiac diseases and digestive problems.
Even as the ancient ayurveda science is becoming increasingly popular, it has encountered several hurdles too. Lack of funding for research has limited its growth and wider use. However, utilizing the available on going research, basing them on the ancient wisdom of the Rishis and Munis, and availing the few encouraging measures from the government of India,
The Ayurvedic profession is growing steadily in the United States of America, just as is in and around the world. Educational institutions are becoming more established and the Associations are working to give the profession a voice and address regulation issues. Ayurveda is likely to continue to grow in America and take its place among the other licensed health care professions.
http://theindianstar.com/index.php?udn=2008-02-13&uan=2618
Ajay Ghosh
Ayurveda, the science of life, has brought true health and wellness to millions of individuals throughout the ages with simple changes in daily living practices.
This ancient art of healing has been practiced continuously for over 5,000 years. Ayurvedic practices restore the balance and harmony of the individual, resulting in self-healing, good health and longevity. Incorporating just a few of these proven methods into your lifestyle can bring about radical changes in your life.
The principles of many natural healing systems now familiar in the West, such as Homeopathy and Polarity Therapy, have their roots in Ayurveda. The understanding that we are all unique individuals enables Ayurveda to address not only specific health concerns but also offers explanation as to why one person responds differently th an another.
Ayurveda uses herbs and spices like basil, turmeric, garlic, ginger and aloe vera, as well as yoga exercises, to treat physical and psychological problems.
Interest in Ayurveda in the United States began in the 1970's, largely as the result of efforts by the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi organization of Transcendental Meditation. Interest continued to grow as Indian physicians came to the United States in the 1980's. Among these physicians were Dr. Vasant Lad, Dr. Sunil Joshi and Dr. B.D. Triguna.
In the late 1980's Dr. Deepak Chopra wrote "Perfect Health", his famous introductory book on Ayurveda for the general public. This opened the door of India 's ancient healing science for many Westerners. Furthermore, several American pioneers helped attract attention to Ayurveda and influence its growth.
They include Dr. David Frawley, of the American Institute of Vedic Studies, and Dr. Robert Svoboda, a Westerner who completed India 's BAMS program. As interest and awareness grew, training programs of various degrees emerged. In 1995, the California College of Ayurveda was founded and was the first State-approved practitioner training program in the United States .
The National Ayurvedic Medical Association is the major body in the United States representing the Ayurvedic profession. A non-profit association, it was founded in 1998 by four individuals: Dr. Marc Halpern, of the California College of Ayurveda, Wynn Werner, of the Ayurvedic Institute, Kumar Batra, and Cynthia Copple. Indians trained Ayurvedic physicians who come to the United States on a work visa or through immigration may practice Ayurveda within a allowable scope.
The interest in Ayurveda has grown steadilynin the past few decades, and many more people from across the world are seeking Ayurveda treatment in India and in the many facilities where they are being ofered. For too many, who have been "given up" by the Western medicine, the first choice of treatment, Ayurveda offers an "alternate" and several hundreds seek and find solutiomns to their physical and mental illnesses.
In December 2000, I was diagnosed with Uveitis with Vasculitis and peripheral neovascularization. After being treated with Prednisone, a steroid, upto 100 mg per day, though my vision had improved, it had inflicted several side-effects on my entire physical as well as mental health.
Later on, after several surgeries that included a cataract, laser-surgeries, and Vitrectomy, I decided to seek ayurvedic treatment at Sreedhareeyam Ayureda Gaveshana Kendram, an endeavor by Nellikattu Mana, a Namboodiri family with traditional experiences and talents in Ayurveda treatment especially in the treatment of eye diseases.
After undergoing a full three weeks of treatment for four times in two years at Sreedhareeyam, my vision had showed signs of improvement. The inflammation on the retina was substantially reduced and the damage to the optic nerve was contained, which I thought, was the biggest achievement of the treatment I received at Sreedhareeyam. The cataract on my left eye was healed without a surgery, although the pressure on my right remained elevated. Medical Superintendent at Sreedhareeyam, Dr. N P P Namboothiri, a famous eye physician and the mentor and guide to the hospital, helped me "restore" my vision. .
At Sreedhareeyam, where more than two dozen trained eye-specialists with degrees in Medicine, the primary focus has been on Ayurvedic treatments for all types of diseases.
However, specialized treatments are given for the various diseases affecting the positions above the neck. Most of the eye diseases, which have got no treatment in modern medicine, have been successfully treated here. People come here from all strata of society and from all corners of the world.
Most of the patients here at this nearly 200-bed hospital are those who have tried the regular Western medicines and have been given up as having no cure for their problems. Just like me, most of them choose to come here as the final resort, and hope that Sreedhareeyam is the answer to many of their eye diseases.
Aravind Kumar, a college student in Delaware, told this writer, "I was born with congenital cataracts in both eyes." After six major eye operations that included surgeries to remove cataract as well as intra-ocular-lens implantation, he was was left with limited eyesight of about sixteen inches. "It was during the summer of 2003 that we made our first visit to India in several years, when we learned more about Ayurveda treatments specific to eyes and vision at Sreedhareeyam," Aravinf recalls.
In November of 2004, his first ever treatments began. "A few days into the treatment, my first eye refraction exam was done. From five feet I was able to see three lines of text clearly. After ten more days a second eye refraction was done. This time, from six feet I could read almost five lines of text. I was amazed that, through Ayurveda and Sreedhareeyam, I was able to see more things far away," this young boy from Allen Ttown, PA narrates. "My local Ophthalmologist in the US, who is renowned in the field of ophthalmology, was amazed to see the improvement in my vision."
Restoring vision from birth defects is not a quick-fix. It takes time. Since 2004, he had gone back to Sreedhareeyam for five courses of treatments, each for a period of three to four weeks. "During each visit I have undergone treatments like Nasyam, Netra Dhara, Sirodhara, Pothichil, Tharpanam, etc.," said Aravind, who went to Sreedhareeyam in Janauary 2008 for yet another phase of his treatment.
"I am experiencing dramatic results. Prior to the treatment, my peripheral vision was very poor and I had a tough time focusing. Now my peripheral vision is much better and I'm able to focus better. This has helped me immensely in my school work and day-to-day life. My astigmatism has been reduced, I am able to concentrate more than I used to and I can see things a little bit farther than I used to. My visits also gave me an opportunity to meet and talk to several visually under-previleged from across the globe, who come there with the hope for better vision. Most of them being tried and rejected by modern medicine." Aravind tesxtifies, "Sreedhareeyam is truly the Ayurvedic hospital and they definitely live up to their motto of "vision for all"
Jayachandran, a 43-year-old male, originally from Bangalore, now living in Japan, told this writer, "I was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa, a rare hereditary disorder, which causes poor night vision and ever-narrowing field of vision beginning in childhood."
About 12 years ago, he lost his vision completely and was declared blind. After being treated around the world for several years with no positive results, he heard about Sreedhareeyam, and came here about two years ago. "It's my fifth visit in two years. I am beginning to see for the first time in 12 years," Jayachandran said with a sense of joy and satisfaction. "The doctors here have been able to arrest the process of degeneration, and they have assured me that I can regain about 10 to 20 percent of my vision, which is great."
Simran, 10 and Sonal, 12, two sisters from Sydney, Australia, were here for treatment for Retinitis Pigmentosa. Online search for treatment for this rare eye disease by their desperate parents brought them here at Sreedhareeyam. After four visits with a gap of three months between each visit, now the doctors at Sreedhareeyam have advised them to return to Sreedhareeyam after two years.
There was a sense of relief and inner joy on the face of the Mr. V. Goyal, the father of these two young kids, realizing that the process of degeneration has been arrested and their vision will be stable.
Ella Murugan is a 20-year-old boy from Salem, Tamil Nadu. He was diagnosed with Retinal Detachment, and was treated at the famous Sankara Netralaya in Chennai for more than three years. "After each surgery done on my eyes at Sankara Nethralaya, I began to lose my vision, and I became totally blind," he said. "This is my fourth visit in less than two years, and now my eyes can see things and people around me, as though they are shadows." He expressed confidence that in the near future, he will begin to see more clearly.
The story of Abdul, a 10-year-old boy from northern Kerala was heart-breaking. While playing with his friends, a sharp wooden stick pierced through his right eye, severely damaging his retina and the optic nerves, resulting in severe bleeding of the retina, thus leading to the loss of vision.
In December 2005, he was at Sreedhareeyam for his third hospitalization in 15 months. "Also, his bleeding on the retina has been contained," his mother told this writer. "He has begun to see partially," she added.
These are only a few of the hundreds of success stories one gets to witness during the stay from patients who come here for various eye diseases. "Results from the treatment here are the only publicity we do," said, Narendran, Executive Director of Sreedhareeyam. "Our ever-increasing number of patients is a witness to the impact of the treatment patients receive here. Our publicity is by word-of-mouth only of these success stories."
There have been a number of instances at Sreedhareeyam where success was found while it was only failure that the patients met with in other systems of medicine. According to Dr. N P P Namboodiri, its all miracles in the sense that all these helped manifest the capabilities of Ayurveda in an area of health care that needs specialization. A large number of such cases from the long history of the hospital stand testimony to the supremacy of Ayurveda system of medicine over other systems in treatment of eye diseases.
"At Sreedhareeyam, ours is a humble attempt to treat the disease and annihilate it through the way of nature," says Dr. Narayanan Namboothiri, who treats patients from the same room in Naalukettu, where he was born 34 years ago. "Patients from all over the world come here for various eye diseases, including those suffering from Cataract, Glaucoma, Macular Degeneration, and Diabetic Retinopathy. We strive to give them our best, trusting in God's power to heal them," the gentle-speaking Dr. Narayanan Namboothiri says.
"At Sreedhareeyam, we strive to maintain and cultivate the hospital into a shrine of hope for hundreds of people who seeks cure from their various and mysterious ailments.
Fortunately, due to our long history of successes, we have an astounding number of patients coming in daily from the length and breadth of the country, seeking cure," Dr. Namboodiri says. "In the field of the treatment of eye diseases, we desire to rank ourselves from an international perspective. The history of the miraculous cures at Sreedhareeyam and our eminent panel of doctors proclaim our supremacy in this field. With all our expertise and resources, we foresee a wider dimension for our services to the society in the future," the physician says with a sense of pride and hope. In the wake of the prevailing situation, Sreedhareeyam, according to Dr. Namboothiri, "aspires for a wider participation on a large scale in the battle to annihilate darkness of human eye from the face of earth.
All the treatments offered here are unique in the sense that the medicines used for all these treatments are produced at the Manufacturing Unit of the hospital. "The ingredients of the medicine as well as the treatment procedures are all according to those parchments ('thaliyolas') and ancient books ('grandhas'), which counts among the traditional and precious assets owned by the Mana," Dr. Narayanan Namboothiri, the young and dynamic physician, who heads the research unit of the hospital, says.
The research centre is studying several manuscripts on ayurveda, found all over the State and putting them in order. Medicines are grown in the Koothattukulam campus, where the ancestral home of the vaidyas. Medicines are also manufactured here under the supervision of Narayanan Namboothiri, the Chief Medical Officer of the hospital.
Experts predict that hundreds of herbs used for centuries by traditional healers in India could soon be on western pharmacy shelves. With 15,000 plant species, India is well placed to increase its share of the $75billion global market in medicinal plants, which is growing by at least 7% a year.
The Indian Council of Medical Research has launched a series of studies to test the health claims surrounding a variety traditional medicines. Clinical trials have shown that herbal remedies for asthma, diabetes and even sexually transmitted diseases may be effective. The council is looking at treatments for a range of other conditions used for over a thousand years by practitioners of Ayurveda and Siddha medicine.
Professor Ranjit Roy Chaudhury, a member of the council, said that in some cases the herbs may be more effective than Western-style medicines. "We have plants for bronchial asthma, hepatitis and arthritis," he said. "We have other plants which have been shown to be effective for treating sexually transmitted diseases and they have been used in that way by tribal populations for centuries. We have herbs where you can relieve headache, fever, gastroenteritis, sneezing and coughing. These conditions can easily be alleviated."
Professor Chaudhury acknowledged that in some cases the council will be unable to prove that the herbs work. This is because many of the remedies are based on a combination of plants which taken on their own would not be effective. "There are hundreds of herbs but we are unable at the moment to do very good testing for combinations of plants. "In the Ayurvedic system they use usually combinations. But testing combinations with modern technology is difficult."
The world as a whole is switching over from chemical drugs to natural drugs because they are non-narcotic, they have no side-effects and are easily available. The world is interested in simpler and gentler therapies - especially for ageing, the problem of obesity, diabetes, neurological disorders, cardiac diseases and digestive problems.
Even as the ancient ayurveda science is becoming increasingly popular, it has encountered several hurdles too. Lack of funding for research has limited its growth and wider use. However, utilizing the available on going research, basing them on the ancient wisdom of the Rishis and Munis, and availing the few encouraging measures from the government of India,
The Ayurvedic profession is growing steadily in the United States of America, just as is in and around the world. Educational institutions are becoming more established and the Associations are working to give the profession a voice and address regulation issues. Ayurveda is likely to continue to grow in America and take its place among the other licensed health care professions.
http://theindianstar.com/index.php?udn=2008-02-13&uan=2618
Monday, June 7, 2010
How to follow an Ayurvedic Lifestyle?
Practice a Daily Ayurvedic Routine
1. Try to wake up between the hours of 4 a.m. and 5 a.m. The 2 hours before sunrise are supposed to be the purest of the day.
2.Be sure to eliminate the body's waste products at dawn to avoid illness.
3.Wash your eyes with rose water. Add a drop of sesame oil to the water when washing your
ears. Put a little oil in the nostrils to clear your sinuses.
4. Exercise early in the morning to keep diseases at bay.
5.Consider getting an oil massage regularly to delay aging.
6.Eat a light breakfast with fresh fruits.
7.Try to obtain gainful employment that fits your dosha type.
8. Plan to have a light dinner between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.
9.Try to go to bed at about 10 p.m. to get at least 7 hours of sleep.
Follow a Seasonal Ayurvedic Routine
10. Follow seasonal recommendations to balance the vata, kapha and pitta doshas. Each of these mind-body types is more active during particular seasons. The seasonal directives for each are guides to keep them balanced.
11.Eat light foods and drink water with honey during Fall. Have regular baths and oil massages and avoid napping during the day.
12.Choose foods that are heavy during winter and drink warm water, cow's milk or juice. Have a tepid bath after your oil massage, dress warmly and exercise.
13. Drink more fluids during the summer. Avoid foods that are pungent, acidic or salty. Wear light clothes and avoid strenuous exercise.
14.Avoid foods that are cold, sour, sweet or difficult to digest during spring. Avoid daytime naps but have lots of oil massages and vigorous exercise.
Switch to an Ayurvedic Diet
http://www.ehow.com/how_2033077_follow-ayurvedic-lifestyle.html
Practice a Daily Ayurvedic Routine
1. Try to wake up between the hours of 4 a.m. and 5 a.m. The 2 hours before sunrise are supposed to be the purest of the day.
2.Be sure to eliminate the body's waste products at dawn to avoid illness.
3.Wash your eyes with rose water. Add a drop of sesame oil to the water when washing your
ears. Put a little oil in the nostrils to clear your sinuses.
4. Exercise early in the morning to keep diseases at bay.
5.Consider getting an oil massage regularly to delay aging.
6.Eat a light breakfast with fresh fruits.
7.Try to obtain gainful employment that fits your dosha type.
8. Plan to have a light dinner between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.
9.Try to go to bed at about 10 p.m. to get at least 7 hours of sleep.
Follow a Seasonal Ayurvedic Routine
10. Follow seasonal recommendations to balance the vata, kapha and pitta doshas. Each of these mind-body types is more active during particular seasons. The seasonal directives for each are guides to keep them balanced.
11.Eat light foods and drink water with honey during Fall. Have regular baths and oil massages and avoid napping during the day.
12.Choose foods that are heavy during winter and drink warm water, cow's milk or juice. Have a tepid bath after your oil massage, dress warmly and exercise.
13. Drink more fluids during the summer. Avoid foods that are pungent, acidic or salty. Wear light clothes and avoid strenuous exercise.
14.Avoid foods that are cold, sour, sweet or difficult to digest during spring. Avoid daytime naps but have lots of oil massages and vigorous exercise.
Switch to an Ayurvedic Diet
http://www.ehow.com/how_2033077_follow-ayurvedic-lifestyle.html
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Njavarakizhi Therapy. Whole body or any specific part thereof is made to perspire by the application of certain medical drug with Njavara (special variety of rice that grows in 60 days) rice pudding externally in the form of boluses tied up in a muslin bag.Njavarakizhi is also an excellent rejuvenating therapy to keep the body young and healthy. It nourishes the muscles, improves their tone, and imparts longevity. Various neuromuscular disorders and degenerative muscle diseases are treated by this method.
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