tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32436125702591454992024-03-04T23:19:36.028-08:00HEALTH IS WEALTHDOCTORhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18188669046871912546noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3243612570259145499.post-57930926374406270612008-07-06T08:54:00.000-07:002008-07-06T08:57:54.457-07:00HEALTH SOLUTIONSNagachampa Massage Oil<br />Nagachampa Herbal Massage Oil (Joint Pains, Knee Pains, Arthiritis)We welcome you to the world of herbal medicine. Herbal medicine is the<br />oldest form of health care known to mankind. Herbs had been used by all<br />cultures throughout history. It was an integral part of the development<br />of modern civilization. Primitive man observed and appreciated the<br />great diversity of plants available to him. The history of herbology is<br />inextricably intertwined with that of modern medicine. There are over<br />750,000 plants on earth. Herbalists, however, consider that the power<br />of a plant lies in the interaction of all its ingredients. The efficacy<br />of many medicinal plants has been validated by scientists abroad, from<br />Europe to the Orient. Thanks to modern technology, science can now<br />identify some of the specific properties and interactions of botanical<br />constituents. With this scientific documentation, we now know why<br />certain herbs are effective .<br />We welcome you to the world of herbal medicine. Herbal medicine is the<br />oldest form of health care known to mankind. Herbs had been used by all<br />cultures throughout history. It was an integral part of the development<br />of modern civilization. Primitive man observed and appreciated the<br />great diversity of plants available to him. The history of herbology is<br />inextricably intertwined with that of modern medicine. There are over<br />750,000 plants on earth. Herbalists, however, consider that the power<br />of a plant lies in the interaction of all its ingredients. The efficacy<br />of many medicinal plants has been validated by scientists abroad, from<br />Europe to the Orient. Thanks to modern technology, science can now<br />identify some of the specific properties and interactions of botanical<br />constituents. With this scientific documentation, we now know why<br />certain herbs are effective against certain conditions.<br />We at SRIRAM HERBALS have developed this NAGACHAMPA ayurvedic massage<br />oil with great care in selecting the rarest of the herbs as per the<br />ancient formula handed over by generations to give relief from some of<br />the common ailments like Arthiritis.,Joint Pains, Knee Pains, Shoulder<br />Pains, Muscular pains, Sprains, Back pains , Neck pains and cramps.<br />The ingredients that are used in the oil are one of the best known<br />herbs in the science like Ricinus Communis, Olea Euopae, Piper Nigrum,<br />Myristica Fragrans, Rosmarinus Officnalis, Gaultheria Procubens,<br />Pogostemon Cablin, Cinnamomum Zeylancium, Azadirachta Indica, Cedrus<br />atlantica, Melaleuca Alternofolia, Commiphora Myyrha, Curcuma Longa and<br />Aloe Vera.<br /><br />What is the need for a body massage ? Are you suffering from Joint pains How does the Nagachampa Herbal Massage Oil work? Why should one take a massage with Nagchampa Ayurvedic Massage Oil if<br />one does not suffer from any kind of ailments/pains? Do I need to go to a Massage Therapist every time? How do I use the Nagachampa Herbal Massage Oil? Why should I use only Nagachampa Ayurvedic Massage Oil and not any<br />mineral oil? What is so special about the Nagachampa Herbal Massage Oil and what it<br />contains? The Ingredients Of The NAGACHAMPA Herbal Massage Oil And Their<br />Properties Are Listed Below :<br />Oleaa Europae It contains vitamin E, calcium, copper, Iron, Magnesium, phosphorus &<br />Zinc It relieves the stiffness, it is good for all skin types and is<br />used as the carrier oil Riccinus CommunisIt draws out toxins, breaks up Scar tissue, it helps to relieve all<br />types of joint pain, knee pain, spondilities, shoulder pain and<br />arthritis.<br />Piper NigrumThis oil helps to increase warmth in the body and mind relieving sore<br />muscles and joints, boosting the immune and digestive systems and<br />increase the circulation to the skin. Piper Nigrum can be used for pain<br />relief, rheumatism, increase circulation and muscular aches.<br />Myristica FragransThis oil is known to relieve all types of body pain without unwanted<br />side effects. It provides immediate relief for back aches, muscular<br />aches and pains, cramps, neck and shoulder pain, athletic injuries,<br />Inflamation of Joints, arthritis & Menstural cramps.<br />Rosmarinus OfficinalisThis oil helps to sooth muscle sprains, strain and arthritic joints.<br />This oil contains camphor, that can increase blood circulation to the<br />skin when applied topically.<br />Gaultheria ProcubensThis oil helps for muscle aches and particularly in foot balm and<br />rheumatism treatment and it is used with the Carrier oil.<br />Pogostemon CablinThis oil helps for Anti Fungal, Anti bacterial, Antiseptic, Anti<br />depressant, astringent, aphrodisiac and relaxing.<br />Cinnamomum ZeylanicumThis oil is warming and stimulating. It increases the blood circulation<br />in the body and with the result the firms up the skin.<br />Azadirachta IndicaThis natural oil is a gift from mother nature which has properties to<br />cure sprains, bruises, cuts, cold sores, body pain & arthritis. It is<br />non-toxic. It is stimulative and antiseptic effect when used for<br />massage of the body. It is an excellent moisturizing oil.<br />Cedrus AtlanticaThis oil is used for Anti bacterial, Anti fungal, Anti infectious,<br />Antiseptic, Astringent, insecticide and sedative.<br />Melaleuca AlternifoliaThis oil is used for bacteria, viruses and fungi. It boost the immune<br />system. It gives immediate relief for body pain.<br />Commiphora MyrrhaThis oil is used for aging skin & wrinkles. It helps to reduce boils,<br />skin ulcers, cracked heel, weeping eczema, athletes foot and wound and<br />it is used for arthritis and joint pain.<br />Curcuma LongaIt is an excellent anti inflammatory herb and is very good for<br />arthritis, rehumatoid arthritis, injuries, trauma and stiffness from<br />both under activity and over activity.<br />Aloe VeraIt has 96% high water content. Aloe Vera can be used to heal both<br />internally and externally.It greatly speeds the healing of many skin<br />injuries & burns and aloe appears to rejunuvate the body cells and<br />stimulates and tones up the skin.. <br /><br />The Common Ailments For Which Our NAGACHAMPA Ayurvedic Massage Oil Can<br />Be Used Are Listed Below : Arthiritis & Joint Pains: arthritis And Joint Pains Symptoms arthritis is a painful inflammation of a joint or joints of the body,<br />usually producing heat and redness. There are many kinds of arthritis.<br />In its various forms, arthritis disables more people than any other<br />chronic disorder.<br />The main symptom of arthritis is severe pain in the affected joints.<br />The muscles, ligaments, synovial membrane and cartilage get inflamed<br />and the movement of the joint becomes extremely painful, especially in<br />cold, windy and damp weather. If this condition is not treated<br />properly, the joints become immobile and this may ultimately lead to<br />deformity of the joint.<br />arthritis symptoms are inflammation is your body's reaction to damage<br />or to the presence of a foreign substance. It can occur when the joint<br />is injured, broken, infected, or subjected to prolonged<br />"wear-and-tear."<br />Remedy: Apply the NAGACHAMPA Herbal Massage Oil on the area and give a<br />gentle massage .Wash the area with warm water after 2 hours. <br /><br />SportsWhen you participate in sports and physical fitness activities, you can<br />injure the soft tissues of your body. Even simple everyday activities<br />can damage these ligaments, tendons and muscles.<br />Some of the soft-tissue injuries you're most likely to experience<br />include:<br />Sprains Strains Contusions Tendinitis Bursitis Stress injuries Any of these can be the result of a single episode, such as a fall, a<br />sudden twist or a blow to the body. You might also sustain one or more<br />of these injuries because repeated overuse, such as in ongoing athletic<br />activities. In this case, small amounts of body stress accumulate<br />slowly but steadily. The result can be damage and pain. Here are some<br />of the injuries you're most likely to experience, along with suggested<br />ways of treating them. <br />Sprains<br />The joints of your body are supported by ligaments - strong bands of<br />connective tissue that connect one bone to another. A sprain is a<br />simple stretch or tear of the ligaments.<br />The areas of your body that are most vulnerable to sprains are your<br />ankles, knees and wrist. A sprained ankle can occur when your foot<br />turns inward. This can put extreme tension on the ligaments of your<br />outer ankle and cause a sprain. A sprained knee can be the result of a<br />sudden twist. Wrist sprains most often occur when you fall on an<br />outstretched hand.<br />Most mild sprains heal with "R.I.C.E." (rest, ice, compression and<br />elevation) and exercise. Moderate sprains may also require a period of<br />bracing. The most severe sprains may require surgery to repair torn<br />ligaments. <br />Faqs For Men Sex<br />For Men Is masturbation harmful? What's the average size of the penis? Can penis size be increased? My penis bends (down/ left or right). Is there something wrong with it? One of my testicles is larger than the other. Is it all right? Sometimes I feel pain in my testicles. Is there some thing to worry? Ejaculation happens too fast. What do I do? <br /><br />Q. Is masturbation harmful?A. No, masturbation is not harmful in as much as producing physical<br />disability or diminishing your virility. In fact masturbation should be<br />seen as 'a handful of pleasure'. It doesn't lead to any deformity of<br />the penis nor does it affect the ability to achieve or sustain an<br />erection.<br />HERBAL Supplements HIMALAYAN NIAGRA<br />Q. What's the average size of the penis? A. The average size of penis is 15 cm, the normal range is considered<br />to be between 13 cm and 18 cm.<br />Ayurvedic Supplements · To increase the size of penis - KING COBRA capsules<br />Q. Can penis size be increased?A. Yes. There are two procedure i.e. medicinal & surgical procedures to<br />increase penis size.<br />For medicinal procedure - Ayurvedic Supplements - KING COBRA capsules for three months course Surgical procedures are two i.e. Biharin Procedure, and Fat Injection. The Biharin Procedure consists of cutting the ligament that secures the<br />base of the penis to the body. This gives between one-half and two<br />inches of increased length to the penis; however, because the penis is<br />no longer anchored to the body an erection no longer points 'up.' Fat Injection is the process of removing fat from the backs of the<br />thighs and injecting it into the body of the penis to make the penis<br />thicker. Because the body rejects a significant portion of the<br />injection this procedure may need to be repeated several times and each<br />operation carries with it a severe risk of infection. <br /><br />Q. My penis bends (down/ left or right). Is there something wrong with<br />it? A. One-quarter of all penises bend in some direction and some bend<br />downward even when erect. Coming to think of it, one would really thank<br />that the penis doesn't have any bones in it, and therefore it can<br />normally easily bend in many directions to perform its job without much<br />of discomfort. Unless the bend is severe or causes you pain, there is<br />nothing wrong or abnormal about your penis. It should not interfere<br />with sexual intercourse. In fact some people find the bend is to their<br />advantage, making penetration easier.<br />Q. One of my testicles is larger than the other. Is it all right?A. Rarely are both the testicles identical. In fact the left one hangs<br />lower in 85% of cases. It is nothing to worry about.<br />Q. Sometimes I feel pain in my testicles. Is there something to worry?A. Intermittent twinges in the testicles are common and these sometimes<br />happen after the intercourse. If it lasts less than a minute then there<br />is nothing to worry. An infection or inflammation causes testicular<br />pain that builds up gradually. In such cases consult your doctor.<br />Q. Ejaculation happens too fast. What do I do?A. Again, it is one of the more frequent problems. The solution is to<br />try to strengthen your PC (pubococcygeus) muscle. It is the muscle that<br />you use to stop urine flow or to rid yourself of the last few drops.<br />Try contracting it whenever you get reminded of it - in the car, at<br />your desk, some 50 - 100 times a day. It is the same muscle that<br />contracts for ejaculation, therefore strengthening it will give you<br />more control during sex. For Strengthen of PC muscle Ayurvedic Supplement - HIMALAYAN NIAGRA For prolonged ejaculation Ayurvedic Supplement - HIMALAYAN NIAGRA<br />Himlayan Niagra (Sex Enhancement)<br />There are many factors that influence a man's sexual performance. We<br />would like to give some details about the general causes for non<br />verility or general dislike by men for having sex. They are listed<br />below: For erectile dysfucntion To increase sexual desire levels To increase libido To delay the ejaculation Increase vitality and stamina for the sex ImpotenceImpotence is the inability to achieve or sustain an erection, and most<br />men will experience this very frustrating problem at some time. It can<br />either be a once-in-a-lifetime problem, or occur periodically or<br />chronically.<br />When this happens it can cause anxiety, depression, and a variety of<br />other problems, since it could lead to the man questioning his sexual<br />prowess. Several diseases such as diabetes can cause impotence; yet,<br />other factors such as worry, over-work, and fatigue can cause this<br />highly frustrating experience.<br />Circulation of blood is of prime importance, since if the blood flow to<br />the penis is not 100%, then problems may be experienced with achieving<br />and maintaining an erection.<br />Nutrition also plays a large role in sexual prowess, and that is where<br />the belief originated regarding oysters and sex - the reason is simple<br />- oysters contain zinc and men need zinc for normal sexual functioning.<br />Zinc is an ingredient needed for testosterone manufacture and for sperm<br />production. A shortage of zinc can also contribute to mental problems,<br />which may also contribute to a loss of libido. Zinc is also required<br />for proper prostate functioning. One very important point to keep in<br />mind is to discuss any sexual problem with your partner - this will<br />clear the air, and will also help to lessen any psychological pressure<br />that you may be feeling. <br /><br />AgeThe male's sexual peak is reached in early adulthood and then declines<br />after that - but - men can stay sexually active until a very advanced<br />age, should they so choose.Citing age as a contributing factor for<br />sexual dysfunction is mostly used as an excuse not to have sex, since<br />age as such does not mean that you should be sexually inactive. <br /><br />HormonesWithout testosterone in the body, normal sexual functioning cannot<br />happen, but should this be a problem it is easily treatable by a<br />medical doctor. There is no clear-cut indication that testosterone<br />levels influence the size of the penis.<br />The correlation between blood testosterone levels and sexual activity<br />is a disputed area, since some studies indicate that increased<br />testosterone levels influence sexual behavior, yet some conflicting<br />studies exist on the amount of testosterone required to perform<br />properly. <br /><br />Alcohol and Other SubstancesSome men might experience an increase in libido when a large quantity<br />of alcohol is consumed, or when certain addictive substances are used,<br />but the downside of this is possible erectile dysfunction.<br />Addictive substances, and here we include alcohol, may lead to problems<br />with achieving an erection, a decrease in the duration of the erection<br />and an increase in time to ejaculate.<br />Chronic alcoholism and substance abuse may lead to impotence since some<br />studies have shown that the liver is stimulated to produce an enzyme,<br />which destroys testosterone - the male hormone, and the body does not<br />compensate for this loss. It is therefore suggested that a healthy as<br />possible lifestyle be followed if you wish to maximize your sex life. <br /><br />MedicationMany drugs are prescribed for a variety of problems - from high blood<br />pressure medication to anti-anxiety and anti-depression drugs as well<br />as medication for ulcers etc., and these may cause loss of libido,<br />impotence as well as other sexual disturbances which could include<br />breast enlargement, decreased emission etc.<br />The important point when taking this type of medication is to know that<br />these side effects exist, to enable you to discuss them with your<br />doctor should it adversely impact on your sex life.<br />Should this happen your doctor could look at substituting the<br />particular drug. If substituting with another type of medication is not<br />possible it is important then to know why your sexual functioning is<br />impaired to prevent you doubting yourself. <br />Himalayan Niagra For Men<br />Some herbal sexual supplements for men sexual enhancer which make it<br />sound as if you will overnight get new body parts - but the truth of<br />the matter is that there are no pill or capsule that can change the<br />physiological size overnight.<br />What our herbal sexual supplement/ men sexual enhancer does with great<br />success, is to ensure that you achieve the best erection possible. With<br />this fact in mind, that the circulation to your penis is optimized to<br />ensure that it would also be the hardest erection.<br />The herbs also has a "warming" effect, and helps to increase the libido<br />naturally, without any side effects, as is the case with many sexual<br />medications.<br />We made no claims that is impossible to substantiate, and have a<br />faithful following of satisfied clients who have been using HIMALYAN<br />NIAGRA for some time, and with great effect. <br />Ingredients Used In Our Herbal Himalayan Niagra For MenOur Herbal Himalayan Niagra (For Men) Men Sexual Enhancer is a unique<br />and extraordinary formula, in which a blend of various pure herbs and<br />natural ingredients are combined to create this remarkable product.<br />Some of the herbs and natural ingredients in this medicine include:<br />ginseng, rosemary, ginger, peppermint, Cuccrbita Pepo, Asparagus<br />Racemosus, Argyreia Nervosa..<br />Kingcobra (Penis Enlargement)<br /><br />King Cobra is a natural herbal formula containing saw palmetto, asian<br />ginseng root and various other exotic ingredients that have been known<br />to help with male virility (penis health) and penis enlargement. So,<br />not only do the capsules improve sexual health and strengthen<br />erections, but also increase the length by allowing more blood flow<br />into the organ. King Cobra is the original product of this nature and<br />with millions of bottles being sold worldwide, it has proved to be the<br />most successful penis enlargement medicines currently available in the<br />market. Penis Enlargement Medicines are available in penis enlargement<br />capsules and penis enlargement tablets. To increase penile rigidity To increase the length to maximum desired results To delay the orgasm For powerful erection How does KING COBRA Work?<br />Herbs from many parts of the world are formulated into a blend that<br />enlarges the penis erectile tissues called corpa cavernosa. This allows<br />for increased blood flow into the penis in both an erect or flaccid<br />state, thus giving an extra virility.<br />Is King Cobra 100% Vegetarian?<br />Yes. King Cobra is in the capsule form and it is suitable for both- the<br />vegetarians and the non vegetarians. The ingredients are 100%<br />vegetarian, containing no meat, fish or any derivatives or extracts.<br />How Many Capsules Should I Be Taking?<br />Take two capsules 2 times day. King Cobra is best when taken before<br />meals. It is best to stick to a routine such as taking 2 capsule before<br />breakfast and 2 before your dinner. Do not exceed the daily amount as<br />this will not provide any extra benefits in that case. One bottle<br />contains 40 capsules.<br />Are There Any Side Effects In Taking King Cobra?<br />No. King Cobra capsules are a non-prescription formula that are 100%<br />safe and made of natural ingredients. However, if you have any known<br />allergies to any of the ingredients, then do not take the capsules.It<br />is always advisable to consult with your doctor in any case. The King<br />Cobra product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any<br />disease. The product has not been evaluated by the FDA or any other<br />medical authority and therefore there is no clinical trial data<br />relating to the product.<br />How Long Will It Take To See And Feel The Results?<br />During 1-4 weeks, the most noticeable change will be the expansion in<br />width of your penis. You should also experience and enjoy longer<br />lasting erections. In Weeks 4-8, you should start to see a lengthening<br />of your penis. Even when you're not excited and don't have an erection,<br />your penis should rest and hang longer and thicker than ever before.<br />Week 9 and beyond, you will realise the power of King Cobra as your<br />penis should look & feel firmer, stronger and longer.<br /><br />Can It Help With Impotence / Erection Problems?<br />For those who prefer a more natural approach to finding a treatment for<br />impotence, the list of natural remedies is long, and each comes with<br />reports of varying success rates. The more well known of these include<br />ginkgo biloba, which is said to improve circulation, and ginseng, which<br />for centuries has been said to stimulate many different areas of the<br />body. One lesser-known herbal treatment does, however, appear to have<br />proved itself in clinical trials. This is the one containing extracts<br />from the bark and roots of the Brazilian shrub known as Muira puama, or<br />'potency wood'. King Cobra contains these ingredients and so has proved<br />very effective in erection problems.<br />How Big Can I Get With King Cobra?<br />We do not like to make claims on any guaranteed increase in length as<br />results vary between individuals, however the manufacturer suggests<br />that based on historic data, you can realistically grow up to three<br />inches in length over the duration of taking the supplement for at<br />least 3 months.<br />What Are The Ingredients Of King Cobra?<br />King Cobra is a 100% safe, proprietary selection of special herbs<br />renowned for their special properties and blended in a powerfully<br />effective combination. These special herbs have been gathered from<br />around the globe. 1 capsule of King Cobra contains Centella Asiatica,<br />Tribulus Terristris, Hemedesmus Indicus, Ionidiun Suffruticosum.<br />Women Sexual Health<br />Faqs For Women Sex<br />How does Himalayan Niagra (For Women) work?<br />The all natural proprietary blend of unique herbs found in Himalayan<br />Niagra (For Women) is designed to restore blood flow, and heighten<br />sensation by activating the body's natural hormone production and<br />supplying vital nutrients necessary for peak sexual performance. It<br />increases the blood flow, along with energy, stamina, and desire.<br />Himalayan Niagra (For Women) is a sexual stamina enhancer.<br />Is Himalayan Niagra (For Women) safe?<br />As Himalayan Niagra (For Women) is an all natural nutritional<br />supplement containing only the finest botanicals, there are no harmful<br />side effects when taken as directed. Himalayan Niagra(For Women) is not<br />a pharmaceutical drug and contains none of the synthetic chemicals<br />found in prescription medications. It is a safe alternative to<br />prescription drugs, which can sometimes have serious side effects.<br />What can Himalayan Niagra (For Women) do for me?<br />Common benefits from using Himalayan Niagra (For Women) include:<br />Dramatically boost sexual desire, improved sexual stamina, stronger &<br />more powerful climaxes and multiple climaxes.<br />Will I experience any side effects?<br />Because Himalayan Niagra(For Women) is an all natural nutritional<br />supplement containing only the finest botanicals, there are no harmful<br />side effects when taken as directed.<br />What ingredients are used in Himalayan Niagra (For Women) ?<br />Himalayan Niagra (For Women) is an all natural product and is made from<br />the finest quality botanicals available like Hemidesmus Indicus,<br />Coculus Hirustus, Asparagus Racemosus, Withania Somnifera, Tribulus<br />Terristris.<br />How should I use Himalayan Niagra (For Women) ?<br />The normal dosage of Himalayan Niagra (For Women) is two capsules 2<br />times a day with a meal and a glass of water. It is advised that women<br />under pregnancy not to consume.<br />Do I need a prescription to use Himalayan Niagra(For Women) ?<br />No, you do not. Because Himalayan Niagra(For Women) is an all natural<br />nutritional supplement containing only the finest botanicals, there is<br />no need to obtain a prescription.<br />How does Himalayan Niagra (For Women) differ from other impotence<br />drugs?<br />Himalayan Niagra(For Women) is not a pharmaceutical drug and contains<br />none of the synthetic chemicals found in prescription medications. It<br />is a safe alternative to prescription drugs, which can sometimes have<br />serious side effects. <br />Q. Does Sex Hurt the First Time?<br />A. The first time a woman has sex, it may or may not be painful. There<br />may be psychological and physical reasons for it. If you are not sure<br />about your partner or if you are not entirely convinced about the<br />timing and place, then you may feel more pain than you should. If you<br />and your partner truly care for one another and he is gentle and<br />understanding and will go slowly, then there may be less discomfort.<br />Physically, often, the first time a woman has sex there will be some<br />bleeding as the hymen is torn. Using large amounts of a water-based<br />lubricant may help. If you have been using tampons, that may have<br />helped to stretch your hymen.<br />Q. What is the G-Spot?<br />A. There is a lot of talk regarding the most erotic zones for a woman.<br />The Grafenberg spot, or G-spot, is considered to be one such area. This<br />is an area located within the front wall of the vagina, about one<br />centimetre from the surface and one-third to one-half way in from the<br />vaginal opening.<br />The significance of the G-spot is that in about half the women it is a<br />highly sensitive area that under the right conditions can be very<br />pleasurable if stimulated. For some women, it can be a primary source<br />of stimulation leading to orgasm during intercourse.<br />It is believed that stimulation of the G-Spot can lead to what is known<br />as female ejaculation.<br />Q. Is it O.K. to have Sex during a Period?<br />A. Sex during periods is a strong taboo in many cultures but there is<br />no scientific basis for it .For the average, mutually monogamous couple<br />with no sexually transmitted disease, there is no medical reason to<br />avoid sex during menses. In fact many women feel increased sexual<br />arousal during the periods.<br />Q. I feel pain during sex. What could be the reason?<br />A. There may be a host of reasons for painful intercourse. Pain on<br />initial penetration is often due to infection, spasm of the vaginal<br />muscles or inadequate lubrication. Pain on deeper thrusting may be<br />caused by endometriosis, adhesions (scar tissue), a retroverted<br />(backward-tilting) uterus or fibroids. Pain in only one particular<br />position may simply means that in that position, your partner is<br />pushing against your cervix.<br />· Persistent pain in all the positions should prompt a visit to your<br />gynecologist for a thorough checkup.<br />Q. I suffer bleeding after Intercourse. Is it a cause to worry?<br />A. Bleeding after intercourse (post-coital bleeding in doctor talk) can<br />occur for several reasons. Infection is one of the most common reasons.<br />Abnormal cervical cells, including cancer, are also more easily<br />irritated and may bleed with intercourse. Women who use an IUD or<br />diaphragm may experience such bleeding from irritation and friction.<br />Sometimes the bleeding is not from the cervix, but rather from a tear<br />in the vagina; tears can happen with vigorous sex or if you are dry.<br />Himalayan Niagra<br /><br />Increase the sexual desire levels Increase the stamina levels Increase the libido Improve the general overall strength Recent studies show that 68% of women frequently experience problems<br />reaching orgasm. Unfortunately many women tend to believe that there is<br />something wrong with them- or even that they are "frigid"- if they<br />can't climax on demand. This is not the case. Nearly all men can climax<br />without difficulty, but women just aren't made that way. In the past,<br />most doctors didn't rate the importance of the female orgasm very<br />highly. Until recent years, doctors believed that only a tiny minority<br />of women could have multiple orgasms; to the contrary, research now<br />indicates that the vast majority of women are capable of having a<br />series of climaxes one after the other.<br />Specially formulated to raise levels of progesterone in women, Our<br />Women's Sexual Enhancer - Himalayan Niagra (For Women) can help to<br />enhance sexual sensitivity, increase sexual stamina, and improve your<br />ability to achieve more frequent and more powerful orgasms. <br /><br />Himalayan Niagra (For Women) - Women Sex Pills is an all-natural<br />alternative to prescription drugs made from the finest quality<br />botanicals available. The all-natural proprietary blend of unique herbs<br />found in Himalayan Niagra (For Women) is designed to increase blood<br />flow and heighten sensation by activating the body's natural hormone<br />production, while supplying vital nutrients necessary for peak sexual<br />performance.<br />Himalayan Niagra (For Women) - Women Sex Pills is the leading herbal<br />'Viagra for women'. Himalayan Niagra (For Women) uWomen Sex Pillsses<br />natural ingredients to help with libido problems and improve virility.<br />Himalayan Niagra (For Women) - Women Sex Pillsare daily supplement,<br />designed to help you achieve a natural balance throughout the month,<br />reduce the ups and downs experienced with the menstrual cycle and<br />increase spontaneous sex-drive. Unlike male counterparts, women do not<br />respond to an 'instant' sex pill. <br /><br />Common Benefits From Using Himalayan Niagra (For Women) IncludeIncreased stamina Improved sexual desire Stronger, more powerful<br />climaxes Multiple climaxes Because Himalayan Niagra(For Women) is an<br />all-natural nutritional supplement containing only the finest<br />botanicals, there are no harmful side effects when taken as directed.<br />Himalayan Niagra(For Women) is not a pharmaceutical drug and contains<br />none of the synthetic chemicals found in prescription medications. It<br />is a safe, natural alternative to prescription drugs, which can<br />sometimes have serious side effects. How does Himalayan Niagra (For Women) Work?The all natural proprietary blend of unique herbs found in Himalayan<br />Niagra (For Women) is designed to restore blood flow, and heighten<br />sensation by activating the body's natural hormone production and<br />supplying vital nutrients necessary for peak sexual performance. It<br />increases the blood flow , along with energy, stamina, and desire. Is Himalayan Niagra (For Women) Safe?Because Himalayan Niagra (For Women) is an all natural nutritional<br />supplement containing only the finest botanicals, there are no harmful<br />side effects when taken as directed. Himalayan Niagra (For Women) is<br />not a pharmaceutical drug and contains none of the synthetic chemicals<br />found in prescription medications. It is a safe alternative to<br />prescription drugs, which can sometimes have serious side effects. What can Himalayan Niagra (For Women) Do For Me?Common benefits from using Himalayan Niagra (For Women) include:<br />Dramatically boost sexual desire Improve sexual stamina Stronger, more<br />powerful climaxes Multiple climaxes Will I experience any Side Effects?Because Himalayan Niagra (For Women) is an all natural nutritional<br />supplement containing only the finest botanicals, there are no harmful<br />side effects when taken as directed. What ingredients Are Used in Himalayan Niagra (For Women)?Himalayan Niagra (For Women) is all natural, and made from the finest<br />quality botanicals available like Hemidesmus Indicus, Coculus Hirustus,<br />Asparagus Racemosus, Withania Somnifera, Tribulus Terristris. How should I Use Himalayan Niagra (For Women)?The normal dosage of Himalayan Niagra (For Women) is two capsules 2<br />times a day with a meal and a glass of water. It is suggested women<br />under pregnanacy not to consume this medicine. Do I need a Prescription To Use Himalayan Niagra (For Women)?No you do not. Because Himalayan Niagra (For Women) is an all natural<br />nutritional supplement containing only the finest botanicals, there is<br />no need to obtain a prescription. How Does Himalayan Niagra (For Women) Differ From Other Impotence<br />Drugs?Himalayan Niagra (For Women) is not a pharmaceutical drug and contains<br />none of the synthetic chemicals found in prescription medications. It<br />is a safe alternative to prescription drugs, which can sometimes have<br />serious side effects.<br />Breast Upliftment<br /><br /> Uplift is a natural herbal supplement. Which is very unique and a very<br />natural which contains proprietary blend of herbs traditionally known<br />for their ability to balance female hormones and prompts fuller, firmer<br />and uplifted breasts.<br /><br />What is hanging breast? Sinking between the ends of a thing, in consequence of its own, or an<br />imposed, weight; an arching downward in the middle, as of a ship after<br />straining.<br />Causes of hanging breast?The common cause for hanging breast is when a woman loses weight. When<br />you lose weight, some of that fat disappears from your breasts.<br />Typically the skin and the ligaments inside the breasts do not retract<br />accordingly, resulting in an 'empty' looking breast that then hanging.<br />When the gravity pulls the breasts down, those ligaments and the skin<br />can stretch, and so the breast then droops. This depends on the<br />elasticity of your skin and of your ligaments, as determined by your<br />genes and diet, and also on normal aging processes. Obviously large<br />breasts will loose easier since the gravity is pulling them down more.<br />What are the Ingredients?UPLIFT contains Trigonella Foenumgraeceum, Asparagus Adscendens,<br />Hordeum Vulgars, Leptadenia Reticulata, Foeniculum Vulgare<br />How do I use UPLIFT?Simply take 2 pills daily with a meal. Each bottle is a one month supply.<br />Why are UPLIFT Capsules so effective ?:Uplift contains a blend of herbs that stimulate your body to produce<br />new breast tissue growth. Your body responds to UPLIFT the way it<br />responds to puberty or pregnancy; with renewed glandular tissue growth<br />in the breast receptor sites.<br />How likely is it that Uplift Capsules will work for me? Most women experience a noticeable improvement in fullness and toning<br />in the breast area, so there is a high probability of success for you.<br />Women with a cup size of 'A or B' often report an increase of one to<br />two cup sizes. Differences in individual metabolism and body chemistry<br />obviously determine the outcome for you personally.<br />Are UPLIFT Capsules safe for me to use? UPLIFT is an all-natural herbal dietary supplement containing<br />absolutely no additives or fillers. There are no known negative side<br />effects. *Before taking any dietary supplement, women with special<br />medical conditions, pregnant or lactating are encouraged to consult<br />with their physician first .<br />What makes UPLIFT different and why is it more effective?CJ Industries Inc. is committed to providing you with the most<br />powerful, innovative dietary supplements in the market made from only<br />the finest quality ingredients available. UPLIFT uses more of the<br />Ingredients that are known to promote breast growth.<br />How long will it take before I start noticing results?Most women begin to see results in 5 to 7 weeks. However, results may<br />vary due to differences in individual metabolic rates and body<br />chemistry. Within the first 4 weeks you will notice an increase in<br />fullness and firmness; this is the first sign that UPLIFT is working.<br />How much growth can I expect?Women using UPLIFT capsules experience amazing improvements in both<br />firmness and fullness of their breasts, with increases of one, to two,<br />full- cup sizes.<br />Will UPLIFT cause weight gain?No! UPLIFT facilitates the development of the mammary glands by<br />exerting mild estrogenic effects and helping to balance the female<br />hormonal system. There have been no reports of women experiencing<br />weight gain because of using UPLIFT<br />My breasts have begun to lose elasticity, am I to old to think of doing<br />something about it now?UPLIFT capsules can normally help get back fullness and firmness as<br />well as help with menopausal symptoms, PMS and other discomforts.<br />I have breast implants and it has started "sagging" now. Can UPLIFT<br />help? According to our customers, yes. We have had numerous reports of women<br />using UPLIFT post-operation to enhance the appearance of their<br />implants. Women who have had breast implants can expect the same growth<br />as any other woman as long as there is no damage to the breast tissue<br />from surgery. It can help with dimpling, sagging, & other aging<br />effects.<br />Once I have achieved the growth I desire will I maintain the size?We recommend that once you reach the desired size, you should reduce<br />your dosage to just one capsule daily for an additional 90 days.<br />I'm confused on how much of the product to purchase. Would one month be<br />enough, or do you think I would need more? Realistically, six months is typically the standard time frame for<br />significant tissue growth. We recommend that once you reach the desired<br />size, that will be in approximately 40 to 60 days, you should reduce<br />your dose to just one capsule daily for an additional 90 days.<br />Garlic Herbal Capsules<br />Helps to control cholestrol formations<br />Helps to maintain good heart functioning<br />Helps to control gastric formation Garlic is a gastric, stimulant & help in digestion, acts as an anti<br />flatulent, carminative and diaphoretic. It is stimulant of kidneys and<br />skin and is diuretic in nature. It is a tonic, giving strength &<br />vitality, an expectorant having a special effect on the bronchial and<br />pulmonary secretions, beneficial for eyes & brain and helps in healing<br />fractured bones and is a great antiseptic. It has "allicin" which has<br />the property to destroy even those germs, which are not killed by<br />penicillin. It is thus a very powerful germicidal. It rehabilitates<br />sexual malfunctions. It improves functional activity of heavy smokers.<br />The extracts of Allium sativum bulb and compound preparation possess<br />pharmacodynamic properties. The extract of garlic was found to have a<br />significant protective action against a fat induced increase in serum<br />cholesterol and plasma fibrinogen and in fibrinolytic activity.<br />Garlic capsules is used as a carminative, aphrodisiac, expectorant, and<br />stimulant.<br />Anticancer Actions<br />Human population studies show that eating garlic regularly reduces the<br />risk of esophageal, stomach, and colon cancer. This is partly due to<br />garlic's ability to reduce the formation of carcinogenic compounds.<br />Animal and test tube studies also show that garlic, and its sulfur<br />compounds, inhibit the growth of different types of cancer-especially<br />breast and skin tumors.<br />High Blood Pressure<br />Garlic is regarded as one of the most effective remedies to lower blood<br />pressure. The pressure and tension are reduced because it has the power<br />to ease the spasm of the small arteries. It also slows the pulse and<br />modifies the heart rhythm, besides relieving the symptoms of dizziness,<br />shortness of breath and the formation of gas within the digestive track<br /><br />Digestive System Disorders<br />Garlic is one of the most beneficial foods for the digestive system and<br />anticancer medicines. It exercises a beneficial effect on the lymph,<br />aids in elimination of noxious waste matter in the body. It stimulates<br />peristaltic action and the secretion of the digestive juices. Crushed<br />cloves of garlic may be infused in water or milk and taken for all<br />types of disorders of the digestion. It has an antiseptic effect and is<br />an excellent remedy for infectious diseases and inflammations of the<br />stomach and intestine. The oil of garlic is absorbed into the<br />alimentary tract and is eliminated partly through the urine.<br />Garlic produces a very marked effects on the intestine. It is an<br />excellent agent as a worm expeller. It has also a soothing effect on<br />the various forms of diarrhoea. Problems such as colitis, dysentery and<br />many other intestinal upsets can be successfully treated with fresh<br />garlic or garlic capsules One garlic capsule taken three times a day is<br />usually sufficient to correct mild cases of diarrhoea or dysentery. For<br />more persistent cases, upto six capsules a day can be taken. Garlic has<br />the ability to destroy harmful bacteria in the intestines without<br />affecting the beneficial organisms which aid digestion.<br />Joint Care Capsules<br /><br />Modern medicine recognizes more than 100 types of joint conditions. It<br />is one of the most common chronic and degenerative health problems in<br />the world. Causes can be attributed to injury, infections, metabolic<br />conditions, or even tumors but the main cause is from a toxic<br />condition. Arthritis is mainly a Vata (air) disease which involves pain<br />and weakening of the bones (the main Vata tissue in the body). In most<br />cases the causes remain unknown to western medicine. Disorders are also<br />related to age, sex and weather conditions. Ayurveda also cites causes<br />related to digestive disorders. We manufacturer, exporter and supplier<br />of herbal joint care capsules and natural herbal arthritis remedies. Helps to releif from joint pains,knee pains Helps to control arthiritis and spondilitis Helps to mainatin healthy bone joints Main Causes and DevelopmentCauses include both internal and external factors. Arthritis is more<br />common in windy, damp and stormy climates. It is related to weak<br />digestion which causes the accumulation of toxins in the joints, as we<br />age our digestive power weakens. Poor colon function allows the toxins<br />to accumulate and be reabsorbed back into the blood stream and settle<br />in the joints where circulation is reduced. Eating incompatible food<br />combinations, foods which create toxins, lack of exercise or exercising<br />after eating fatty foods or poor digestion, produces ama (undigested<br />food toxins). Ama associated with Vata (internal moving body air)<br />quickly moves to different parts of the body and accumulates where<br />circulation is sluggish or slow such as the hands, knees and other bone<br />joints filling the blood vessels with a waxy type material. It is also<br />more common in old age when Vata naturally increases in the body. Meat<br />diet, foods such as ice cream, to much concentrated dairy such as aged<br />cheese or globs of sour cream or cheese with your meals, cold foods<br />especially during cold weather which weaken the digestion, heavy cakes,<br />pastries and candies, packaged and processed foods with little fiber<br />are the main dietary causes. Gas producing vegetables and legumes also<br />create more internal air which pushes the toxins into the joints. This<br />ama blocks tissue pores and passages. This causes heaviness and<br />weakness of the heart which becomes the seat of the disease. <br /><br />Vata TypeMost common type. Severe, throbbing and cutting pain that is variable<br />and migrating.This becomes worse in cold weather or when cold water<br />comes in contact with the affected joints.<br />Other symptoms include dry or scaly skin, stiff or cracking joints,<br />bone deformities, gas, abdominal distention, low back pain,<br />nervousness, fear, anxiety and insomnia.<br />The pain is relieved by heat. Constipation is usually a symptom. Body<br />types will usually be thin. Best to live in a tropical climate and<br />follow a Vata diet. <br /><br />Pitta TypeSecond common. There will be a burning sensation with redness and<br />inflammation which becomes worse in hot weather or from hot water.<br />Diarrhea, loose stool, anger, sweating, fever, irritability are usually<br />present. With Pitta type it is recommended to use bitter herbs in<br />combination with heating ones. Best to live in a cold climate and<br />follow a Pitta diet. <br /><br />Kapha TypeLeast common. There will be itching, swelling or loss of movement and<br />edema without inflammation around the joints. It becomes worse in cold,<br />damp or wet weather. Other symptoms may be heaviness, aches, oily skin,<br />congestion or mucus in the stool. Pain is relieved by heat or hot-dry<br />weather. Best to live in a hot-dry climate and follow a Kapha diet.<br />Combinations : One may also have a combination of the symptoms from the<br />three types so treatment by your Ayurvedic doctor may vary accordingly.<br /><br /><br />TreatmentOne may also have a combination of the symptoms from the three types so<br />treatment by your Ayurvedic doctor may vary accordingly. Treatment:<br />Externally, Medicated sesame oil helps loosen stiff joints, clears<br />toxins, nourishes tissues, relieves pain, counteracts the aging<br />process, beautifies the skin, improves circulation, regenerates the<br />nerves. This oil should be applied daily by massaging it into the<br />effected parts. Sesame oil enemas can be taken once a week. A<br />tablespoon of castor oil or Triphala can be taken every other day to<br />keep help clear the colon. Diet should be according to the symptoms you<br />have. If you have mostly the vata symptoms you should follow a Vata<br />reducing diet. Gout is treated the same. If you have a serious disease,<br />we suggest that you consult a qualified doctor who understands<br />alternative health care before combining herbs with allopathic<br />medicine. We suggest that you take herbs based on your faith and<br />knowledge of Ayurveda. If you do not have that faith and knowledge we<br />suggest that you read a book or two on the subject or at least read the<br />link History of Ayurveda. <br /><br />More on Guggulu! Indian Bdellium, which is called by the name Guggulu in India (It is<br />also known as Commiphora Mukul), is one of the most trusted herbs which<br />can be used as a purifying agent, a tonic that helps rejuvenate our<br />cells/tissues, and plays an important role in balancing nervous system<br />and solve reproductive system related complaints etc. It is also<br />considered for its use in solving and controlling menstruation cycle<br />related problems.<br />Guggulu as described above, possesses purifying qualities, which help<br />in purifying blood by removing toxins and other impurities from blood.<br />As it cleanses blood and removes impurities, it also helps our cells to<br />rejuvenate and become fresh and active.<br />Its cleansing qualities are very effective in treatment of various skin<br />disorders/diseases. For those who are suffering from skin related<br />problems and various infections, Guggulu can help them in finding some<br />relief as it helps in stimulation of Phagocytosis by increasing<br />leukocytes level in the blood. The skin, kidneys, mucous membranes and<br />many other internal organs omit this; this activity helps in keeping<br />our body safe from getting infected. Guggulu is considered to be one of<br />the most effective disinfectants that help our body in getting rid of<br />the unwanted elements/substances naturally. It also helps in<br />removing/reducing some type of unwanted tumors from our body (which are<br />caused by infection).<br />Along with cleansing the body, Guggulu also helps in reducing the level<br />of Cholesterol from the blood. Guggulu is used in the weight control<br />medicines/supplement as it helps in buring/reducing unwanted extra fat<br />from our body in the most natural way.<br />Guggulu is very helpful in conditions such as arthritis (a condition<br />caused due to 'Vata & Pitta Dosha') in which the patient suffers from<br />the pain (Vata Dosha) caused in the joints and also in cells/tissues.<br />The other main reason of arthritis is, the toxic substance (which is<br />caused due to some problem in digestive system, which results in half<br />digested food which is referred as 'AMA' (TOXIN)) that gets accumulated<br />in the tissues of body and induces the effect of pain in the body. As<br />guggulu is very helpful in improving the digestive system and it also<br />helps in removing toxins from our body, it can be used effectively in<br />treatment of arthritis. (Trifala Guggulu is mainly used in the<br />treatment of arthritis; it also eases the inflammatory conditions). <br />Digestion Care Capsules<br /><br />Improves the overall disgestion The root cause of most imbalances comes from a poor digestive system.<br />The digestive fire is responsible for the the break down of food so<br />nutrients can be absorbed by the body and it is also responsible for<br />destroying pathogens that enter in. Undigested food is a breeding<br />ground for pathogens and toxins which upset the immune system. When the<br />digestive fire is normal there is good digestion, elimination,<br />circulation and complexion, the body oder and breath are pleasent and<br />there is adequate energy and a strong resistence to disease. Hence,<br />improving the digestive fire is a radical treatment for many health<br />imbalances.<br />DIGESTION CARE - A Natural Herbal Health Supplement and Digestive<br />Enzymes Capsules which stimualtes the bodies own digestive enzymes for<br />improving digestion. <br />Neem Capsules<br />Neem is a household name for its medicinal properties. Neem helps in<br />removing toxins from the body, useful in the management of Diabetes &<br />improves body functions. It helps in pimples, blemishes and to cure<br />chronic skin diseases like Eczema, Psoriasis etc.<br />We are Neem Capsules exporter which are ideal blood purifier. Regular<br />use of Neem capsules adds glow to skin & make it fresh and radiant. It<br />also prevent acne, pimples, blemishes & chronic skin diseases.<br />Compositions Each vegetarian capsule contains Aqueous extract derived from Neem<br />(Azadirachta Indica) Leaf 2000 mg.<br />Lean Care Capsules<br /><br />To reduce weight To maintain the weight control To be light and with positive energy levels Reduce excessive lipids A Herbal Solution For Weight Control A unique complex herbal formula, which regulates the metabolism of fats<br />and has found to be highly effective in the treatment of problems<br />related to obesity, weight control capsules. This herbal solution<br />protects the overweight people against possible consequences of excess<br />lipids. Obesity is a medical condition, which occurs as a result of the<br />disorder of the lipid metabolism and there have a number of Ayurvedic<br />formulas for its treatment.<br />It is well known that the regulation of the sugar content in the blood<br />stream plays an important role in supporting a normal lipid metabolism.<br />The presence of Gymnema makes Lean Care the best natural solution for<br />weight control when the problem is related to poor regulation of the<br />glucose metabolism. If left unchecked, obesity may result in<br />hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, back pain, coronary heart disease,<br />gall bladder disease, cancer, sleep apnea and more problems.<br />Unique Herbal PropertiesLean Care is a complete natural product and is a extract of quality<br />herbal ingredients. It does not contain Ephedra and is safe and<br />effective as a weight regulator through specific ingredients and their<br />unique herbal characteristics. It helps inhibit the synthesis of fatty<br />acids thereby reducing the fat levels (lipids). It is highly effective<br />against obesity, hyperlipidemia control, craving for fatty and sugary<br />foods.<br />Lean Care Is Effective In- Maintaining healthy bodyweight Regulating the metabolism of fats Protecting overweight people against possible consequences of excess<br />lipids Regulating blood sugar levels Suppressing hunger and reduce fat levels.<br />Sugar Care Capsules<br /><br /> Action<br />Gymnema neutralizes the craving for sweets by abolishing the taste of<br />sugar. Gymnema promotes regeneration of beta cells responsible for releasing<br />insulin in the pancreas. Gymnema prevents adrenaline from stimulating the liver to produce<br />glucose. Gymnema lowers serum cholesterol and triglycerides. Overall, Gymnema blood sugar care which normalizes blood sugar levels<br />without the use of insulin or oral compounds. SizeAvailable in a pack of 60 Vegi-capsules (250 mg). Does not contain<br />added sugar, salt, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.<br />Suggested UseTake 1 or 2 capsules twice daily with meals. Allow several weeks for<br />benefits. The use of natural products provides progressive but<br />long-lasting results.<br />Side EffectsNone<br />Drug InteractionsIf taking with other anti diabetic medications, please monitor your<br />blood sugar levels closely as there is a risk of blood sugar levels<br />dropping below normal.<br />ContraindicationsNone<br /><br />What is Gymnema?Gymnema or Gymnema Sylvestre is often referred to as "sugar destroyer"<br />and has been used in Ayurveda since the 6th century B. C. It has been<br />shown to have a regenerative effect on pancreatic beta cells while<br />curbing a person's craving for sweets.<br /><br />Who Can Take Gymnema?Gymnema is typically recommended for people who have trouble taming<br />their sweet tooth and who are either borderline diabetic or waging a<br />war against Type II diabetes. When there a high level of blood sugar,<br />the body produces more insulin, which is the hormone that helps shuttle<br />blood sugar into the cells of the body. But as too much insulin is<br />produced, the cells become resistant to it - a condition known as<br />insulin resistance. When that happens, blood sugar remains high. Many<br />people who have insulin resistance gain weight, no matter what their<br />diet. In such cases, Gymnema may help by improving the cells' uptake of<br />blood sugar and helping the body utilize it.<br /><br />Is Gymnema Addictive?No, Gymnema does not contain any addictive components and can be taken<br />without fear of addiction for extended periods of time.<br />Are There Any Side Effects To Taking Gymnema?No side effects have been reported, but researchers have not<br />established whether this herb is absolutely safe for pregnant women or<br />during lactation.<br /><br />Can Gymnema Be Taken Along With Other Pharmaceutical Medication?It is advisable to use caution when taking Gymnema along with other<br />pharmaceutical medication (oral hypoglycemics or insulin) for diabetes.<br />The combination of gymnema and these medications can lower blood-sugar<br />levels to potentially risky levels. If you are already taking diabetes<br />medication, it is extremely important to work with a physician before<br />supplementing with gymnema because the physician needs to closely<br />monitor blood-sugar levels. In many instances, your doctor will need to<br />lower the dosage of the pharmaceutical medication you are on.o side<br />effects have been reported, but researchers have not established<br />whether this herb is absolutely safe for pregnant women or during<br />lactation.<br /><br />What Kind Of Action Does Gymnema Have On The Body?Gymnema has the ability to lower blood sugar levels, improve the body's<br />ability to metabolize and respond to insulin and regenerate the<br />pancreas, although results depend on how advanced the condition is the<br />extent to which medical management and monitoring is essential. Gymnema<br />decreases insulin needs by 45-75% and helps lower blood sugar and<br />triglycerides. Further, gymnema reduces craving for sugar and blocks<br />the ability to taste sweets for 3 hours, although it does not<br />completely destroy all sense of taste. In type II diabetes, gymnema<br />improves insulin's effects and can even substitute for oral<br />sugar-lowering drugs.<br /><br />How Can I Test If Gymnema Really Blocks One's Ability To Taste Sweets?A taste test can show how Gymnema works. First taste something sweet.<br />Then, take one dosage of Gymnema.Now, taste something sweet again. You<br />will not be able to taste the sugar because Gymnema has blocked the<br />taste of the sugar in your mouth in the same way it blocks sugar in<br />digestion.<br />What Are The Benefits Of Taking Gymnema?<br />Gymnema is an herb that reduces blood sugar levels after sugar<br />consumption. It has a molecular structure similar to that of sugar that<br />can block absorption of up to 50% of dietary sugar calories. Gymnema<br />can be taken for: Diabetes Hypoglycemia Weight Management Cholesterol Anemia Digestion How Long Do I Have Take Gymnema Before I See Any Results?<br />Herbal medicines provide progressive, long-term benefits. Certain<br />classes of herbs work well in acute conditions to provide quick relief,<br />however herbs like Gymnema need to be taken for at least 3-4 weeks<br />before the benefits of taking it can be experienced. Optimally, it can<br />take anywhere between 6 months and 2 years to experience the full range<br />of benefits. Individual results can vary, depending on the nature and<br />seriousness of the condition for which Gymnema is being consumed.<br />Tulsi Capsules<br />Tulsi is a well established household remedy & mostly used in the cases<br />of sore throat, cough etc. Tulsi is useful in conditions of diminished<br />appetite. Regular use of tulsi herbal capsules promotes health,<br />rejuvenates skin & respiratory system.<br />It is also very helpful in common cold & cough and promote health &<br />improve digestion.<br />Compositions<br />Each vegetarian capsule contains Aqueous extract derived from Tulsi<br />(Ocimum sanctum) Patra 3000 mg.<br />Gokshura Capsules<br /><br />Helps to support the urinary system Helps to mainatin a healthy urinary function Very good for the kidney functioning Gokshura is an important and highly effective Ayurvedic herb for the<br />kidneys. It is an effective rejuvenator of kidney and reproductive<br />health and helps in maintaining effective urinary functions. A diuretic<br />drug, Gokshura is useful in reducing renal discomfort and can be used<br />for various problems such as urolithiasis, dysuria, impotence and<br />kidney dysfunction.<br />Dietary SupplementWe are gokshura herb suppliers which are high quality pure extract with<br />maximum potency. Used as a dietary Supplement, Gokhru improves the flow<br />of urine, soothes the membrane of the urinary tract and inhibits the<br />production of oxalates. The herb is also used in Ayurvedic practice to<br />boost hormone production in men and women, urinary tract problems,<br />itchy skin and blood purification.<br />Gokhru is known as a cooling, analgesic, rejuvenating, and diuretic<br />ayurvedic herb, used for painful micturition, urinary calculi and<br />infections. Gokhru is also known to be useful for reproductive systems<br />and stimulates the hormone production in the body, increases stamina<br />and muscle energy level due to the presence of Saponins in it. It<br />exerts dilating action on coronary arteries and helps in improving<br />blood circulation. <br />Cleanses And Nourishes The Organs<br />Stress and toxins from the environment and food can be debilitating to<br />the kidneys and adrenal glands over time thereby reducing energy levels<br />and increasing fatigue. Gokshura is considered as a cleanser and<br />nourisher of these organs and infuses them with strength and improving<br />resilience to such health challenges.<br />Hair Care Oil<br /><br /> Herbal hair care oils are one of the most well recognized hair<br />treatments. Ayurvedic hair oils not only moisturize scalp, reverse dry<br />scalp and dry hair conditions, but provide numerous essential nutrients<br />required to maintain normal functions of sebaceous glands and promote<br />natural hair growth. Hair hair care oils have been traditionally used<br />to treat irritated stressed scalp, reduce effect of aging on hair shape<br />and growth, combat seborrhea and alopecia. Herbal hair care oils work<br />through nutritional support of natural skin restorative and hair growth<br />processes. Regular continuous application is the best way to achieve<br />significant improvement.<br />Hair is made up of 88% proteins. These proteins are chains of amino<br />acids. A common amino acid found in hair is cystine. Almost all hair<br />problems result in lack of nutrition in the hair. Stress keeps the<br />cells from reproducing. Sebum, bacteria and dirt wrap a hair's root and<br />does not allow it to respirate or breathe resulting in thinning and<br />loss.<br />Everyone's hair needs vitamins. Lack of vitamins can cause slow<br />growing, dull hair and hair that is easily broken or damaged and can<br />sometimes cause thinning! <br /><br />NAGACHAMPA HERBAL HAIR OIL is an almost magical blend of all natural<br />oils selected for their unique abilities to promote healthy hair and<br />scalp. Using only the finest grade oils, we have developed a hair serum<br />that is rich in essential fatty acids and other nutrients. Our all<br />natural hair oil promotes sheen and luster, stimulates circulation,<br />reduces bacteria, helps prevent dandruff and clears plugged pores.<br />Ayurvedic Hair Oil rich with Olive Oil, Castor Oil, Rosemary Oil , Aloe<br />Vera,Tea Tree, Black Seed and other natural oils, NAGACHAMPA HERBAL<br />HAIR OIL is quickly absorbed for maximum effectiveness. No cheap<br />fillers or extenders are used in our unique serum that has been<br />especially formulated to promote growth, soothe scalp, control<br />dandruff, moisturize and increase sheen. NAGACHAMPA HERBAL HAIR OIL is<br />an exceptional natural hair oil full of essential fatty acids and other<br />nutrients necessary for proper hair and scalp health. <br /><br />Ingredients of our NAGACHAMPA HERBAL HAIR OIL<br />Santalum Album Citrus Limon Mentha Piperita Davcus Carota Ricinus Communis Rosmarinus Officinalis Melaleuca Alternofolia Pogostemon Cablin Azadiarchta Indica Ocimum Basiclicum Codrus Atlantica Aloe- Vera Emblica Officnalis Eclipta Alba <br /><br />Benefits Of Our NAGACHAMPA HERBAL HAIR OILSmoothes & SoftensShea Butter Oil- widely used in Africa for centuries, the use of Shea<br />Butter is exploding in American now. . We use Shea Oil in our Hair &<br />Scalp Elixir. Shea Oil is produced by dividing Shea into is solid<br />(stearin) and liquid (olein) parts.<br />Moisturizes & RegeneratesRefined Grade A Olive Oil is high in oleic acid and is a good skin<br />regenerator. Olive oil acts as a humectant, drawing moisture from the<br />air to your hair and skin, while allowing normal exfoliation,<br />perspiration and releasing of sebum to continue. Castor Oil is rich in<br />fatty acids. It is very soothing and lubricating to the skin. It is a<br />natural emollient (skin softener) and is readily absorbed. It acts as a<br />humectant, attracting moisture to the skin.<br />Improves Circulation & Stimulates GrowthUnrefined Black Seed Oil, also known as the "seed of blessing" is an<br />ancient remedy. It was even found in the Tomb of King Tutankhamen. So<br />powerful are its medicinal properties that ancient proverbs proclaim<br />Black Seed as the "cure for all disease". Our ancestors used Black Seed<br />on the skin to strengthen the immune system, prevent external<br />infections, increase blood circulation and achieve a smooth, even<br />complexion. Rosemary Essential Oil- a warming and calming essential<br />oil. Rosemary oil helps improve the circulation of the scalp, promoting<br />hair growth. Lavender Essential Oil- relaxes the scalp and may help<br />slow hair loss (alopecia).<br />Balances Scalp's Oil Level Golden Jojoba Oil- Technically, Jojoba is not actually an oil but is a<br />liquid wax. It is highly penetrating and closely resembles our natural<br />sebum. Sebum is required for proper moisturization of beautiful and<br />healthy hair. Hair that has a good moisture basis tends to be more<br />resistant to daily damage, tangles, dryness and split ends. The use of<br />Jojoba helps with excess sebum build-up by dissolving the sebum.<br />Amazingly, Jojoba is good for both overly dry and overly oily skin. It<br />can replace the missing oils on overly dry skin and can absorb excess<br />oil on overly oily skin. It also makes an excellent hair conditioner.<br />This is an excellent oil for adding moisture to the hair.<br />SoftensAloe Vera Oil Research has shown that Aloe Vera gel penetrates human<br />skin almost four times faster than water. Because of its ability to<br />penetrate so quickly, it is a wonderful addition to our serum. When<br />combined with other healing agents, Aloe Vera helps these substances<br />penetrate the skin easily carrying them to the deeper layers of the<br />skin. Aloe Vera is believed to have an anti-aging effect on skin.<br />Prevents Dandruff- Tea Tree OilThis essential oil is obtained through steam distillation of the<br />foliage from the Australian tea tree Melaleuca alternifolia. Tea Tree<br />Oil is a natural substance with a many uses. It is environmentally safe<br />and has a long history of use and clinical data. Tea Tree Oil contains<br />over one hundred individual organic compounds. Tea Tree Oil has a<br />pronounced anti-fungal and antibacterial effect, which is extremely<br />beneficial for scalp problems. Tea Tree Oil also helps control fungal<br />dandruff. Helps to unblock clogged hair follicles, moisturize the hair<br />and keep the scalp free of bacteria and fungal problems.<br />AntisepticNeem oil (Azadirachta Indica) is used widely in India and Africa as an<br />anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-septic, and<br />anti-parasitic agent in toiletries, soap, toothpaste and skin/hair care<br />products. It is used to treat skin disorders such as eczema, psoriasis,<br />ringworm, scabies, syphilitic sores, and chicken pox. Neem oil helps to<br />get rid of lice and control dandruff. Our neem oil is wildcrafted and<br />certified lead free. A little Neem oil goes a long way and is so<br />versitile in use. <br />Vitamin E- Antioxidant And Extends The Product LifeRegular use of NAGACHAMPA HAIR OIL helps restore and maintain healthy<br />scalp and hair. The oil helps combat scalp itching, redness and<br />dandruff, promotes recovery of scalp irritation. It combines immediate<br />relieving effect with nutritional support of normal functions of<br />sebaceous glands and hair follicles. NAGACHAMPA HAIR OIL imparts mild<br />attractive herbal aroma which comes from the volatile root ingredients<br />preserved by proprietary extraction technology.<br />Q: When I was having a sexual intercourse with my partner his condom<br />burst. I don’t know the HIV status of my boyfriend! Can anything be<br />done now?<br />Answer: There is no solution in this case. There are studies on the<br />efficacies of anti-viral drugs for such situations to reduce the risk<br />of transmission of HIV. The outcome of such studies has been equivocal.<br />However, one needs to remember in such situation prevention is better<br />than cure. In fact, prevention is the only cure Q: I am a 25 year, male. I am getting married soon. I am a virgin & a<br />total novice at sex. Please advice me, on the proper place and best<br />position for vaginal penetration?<br />Answer: Please acquaint yourself with the female anatomy. There are<br />three openings in a woman a) the Urethra, b) the Vagina and c) the<br />Anus. Urethra is too small, one can’t insert even a finger so question<br />of penis entering it does not arise. Anus is too low, hence in male<br />superior position even if you want to enter, its difficult. The only<br />place where it can enter is vagina. Get the guidance of your partner<br />while penetrating into her. To start with male superior / missionary<br />position would be advisable. Q: I am 19yrs,female, suffering from irregular periods. Few months<br />ago, a friend of mine tried to sexually assault me, but failed. It was<br />a traumatic experience. Immediately, the next month, I got my period,<br />but after that I missed my period again. Am I pregnant? Do I need to<br />see a Gynecologist? Please help.<br />Answer: As you got your period immediately, there is no question of<br />pregnancy. If you are still worried you can get yourself examined for<br />pregnancy test. Regarding your irregular periods you need to consult a<br />Gynecologist. <br />Q: I have (24 yrs) noticed that my quantity of semen has reduced. Does<br />this indicate that I am progressing towards impotency?<br />Answer: No. The quantity of semen, like the consistency, depends upon<br />the intensity of stimulation, period of abstinence, age and hormone<br />level. As a man grow older, the color of semen changes from white to<br />light yellow and the quantity may decrease, but the color and quantity<br />have nothing to do with the virility of an individual. Q: I am male, 35. I am about to get married but there is slight<br />deformity in my male sex organ. Will this impair my sex life after<br />marriage. - S.Gupta,Jamshedpur Answer : There is absolutely nothing wrong with you in medical terms.<br />You should have no problems. But you could always consult a specialist.<br />Q:What is the normal size of a penis of a man of height six feet? Can<br />it be increased by drugs at the age of twenty six? Ashis das, Kolkata<br />Answer : Dear Mr. Ashis Das,Thanks for trusting hindustanlink.com with your problem. You have<br />mentioned your height (6 ft) but you have not mentioned whether your<br />penis is too small and also please see / notice the size at the time of<br />erection. Before taking any action, consult personally with a<br />sexologist.<br />Do take care of yourself. Q: My problem is that I am having a problem in having interest in sex<br />and when I do the ejaculation is quiet early. -M. Ahmed, Calcutta<br />Answer : Thanks for trusting hindustanlink.com with your query.Your question is not so clear whether you are least interested in Sex<br />or you are too much excited for sex. If you are too sexy, then it is<br />obious that the ejaculation will be early. If you are newly married,<br />this problem may not be there after a couple of years. If you are<br />really tensed about it, please do consult personally with a sexologist<br />or else don't worry, enjoy sex and wish you a happy life ahead. Wish you a good health. Q: How do you Know When your girlfriend wants to have sex with you? -<br />S.Nanda, BhubaneswarAnswer :Dear Nanda, The only possible way to know this is if you know her very<br />well. Then you will be able to interpret all her gestures and actions<br />properly. My suggestion, Don't hurry it up. It might spoil everything.<br />Well, The other solution is to ask her.<br />Q: I am masturbating a lot nowadays & not getting sound sleep . Please<br />help - Piyush, Mumbai .Answer :Piyush, masturbation has nothing to do with sleeping patterns. Your<br />insomnia might be because of stress due to studies, since you are from<br />an IIT. What I'll suggest is that you cut down on coffee and alcohol,<br />and have a light, early dinner. You could also take a hot bath before<br />going to bed. If sleep doesn't come to you, then follow this<br />trick...close your eyes and start counting backwards from 10. With each<br />number, let a certain part of your body relax, and start taking slow,<br />deep breaths. Soon you'll be lost in slumber land. If this doesn't<br />work, then try the age old method of counting sheep!<br /> Q: Well My breast stand up often and I don't know why they do . Its<br />really bad Can u help me? - Priya, New York<br />Answer :Priya, thank you for trusting Hindustanlink.com with your problem. You<br />know what? you don't have a problem at all! Being an adolescent, it's<br />normal for those hormones to do the mambo no. 5 inside the body,<br />causing many an embarrassing moment. Guy's have to put up with<br />erections that keep on popping up like uninvited guests, and girls have<br />to go through other signs of sexual arousal. By what you have written,<br />I guess that is what your problem(?) is all about. Well, erect nipples<br />are nothing to worry about. It just goes to show that you are a healthy<br />female with a sexuality that is working itself out just fine! And that<br />is something to be proud of! If you are uncomfortable with the fact<br />then all you can do about it is to wear blouses or t-shirts that are<br />thick and opaque enough to let you keep the fact that you are aroused,<br />to yourself. Immerse yourself in a lot of group activities involving<br />both the sexes so that you'll get used to other people with budding<br />sexuality and become comfortable with your own body and it's responses.<br />Do let me know if my solutions have helped in any way. Happy growing<br />up!<br /> Q: I have been masturbating since 5 years. Now I am 20 & my penis is<br />tilted towards left. Is there any possibility to bring it back to the<br />original position? Please help me. Thank you. - Sushil, Calcutta<br />Answer :Dear Sushil, masturbation has nothing to do with the shape, size, or<br />alignment of your penis. It is perfectly normal to have a slightly<br />tilted penis in any of the directions. Most of the men do. If you still<br />feel dissatisfied, you can always go and check it up with an<br />anthologist<br /> Q: Hi does it really matters that u if u've done sex before marriage<br />or not. is there any way that ur husband comes to know that ur not a<br />virgin. - Srijata,Calcutta<br />Answer :Hey! Thank you for trusting Hindustanlink.com with your problem! A<br />woman is considered to be a virgin if her 'hymen', i.e. a membrane deep<br />in the vagina, is still intact. But it is not necessary that the hymen<br />is ruptured only due to sexual intercourse. Horse riding, cycling, and<br />other physical activities can also cause the hymen to tear. There have<br />also been cases where the hymen was so thick that even after<br />penetration during sex, it refused to give way. In such cases, it is<br />removed surgically. So, don't worry at all, there is no way that your<br />husband cane come to know that you are a virgin until you tell him so!<br />So relax. Do tell me if I was of any help.<br /> Q: How to get real climax with partner? - Ashok, DelhiAnswer :Dear Ashok, thanks for trusting Hindustanlink.com with your problems.<br />You cannot ejaculate without an orgasm (or, climax). There is nothing<br />known as a real or false climax, so I guess you just want to know how<br />to achieve a climax while having sex. Well, for a man that is fairly<br />simple. An orgasm is reached when the skin on the penis is rubbed<br />causing a friction which is received by the many sensitive nerve cells<br />present in the penis that finally reaches a peak resulting in the<br />ejection of semen. When you insert your penis into a vagina, all you<br />have to do is to move it in a piston-like fashion i.e. an in-and-out<br />motion. Soon you will reach your climax. Enjoy!!!<br />Q: I am 19yrs,female, suffering from irregular periods. Few months ago,<br />a friend of mine tried to sexually assault me, but failed. It was a<br />traumatic experience. Immediately, the next month, I got my period, but<br />after that I missed my period again. Am I pregnant? Do I need to see a<br />Gynecologist? Please help.<br />Answer: As you got your period immediately, there is no question of<br />pregnancy. If you are still worried you can get yourself examined for<br />pregnancy test. Regarding your irregular periods you need to consult a<br />Gynecologist. <br />Q: I have (24 yrs) noticed that my quantity of semen has reduced. Does<br />this indicate that I am progressing towards impotency?<br />Answer: No. The quantity of semen, like the consistency, depends upon<br />the intensity of stimulation, period of abstinence, age and hormone<br />level. As a man grow older, the color of semen changes from white to<br />light yellow and the quantity may decrease, but the color and quantity<br />have nothing to do with the virility of an individual. <br />Q: My problem is that I am having a problem in having interest in sex<br />and when I do the ejaculation is quiet early. -M. Ahmed, Calcutta<br />Answer : Thanks for trusting hindustanlink.com with your query.Your question is not so clear whether you are least interested in Sex<br />or you are too much excited for sex. If you are too sexy, then it is<br />obious that the ejaculation will be early. If you are newly married,<br />this problem may not be there after a couple of years. If you are<br />really tensed about it, please do consult personally with a sexologist<br />or else don't worry, enjoy sex and wish you a happy life ahead. Wish you a good health.<br />Q: Well My breast stand up often and I don't know why they do . Its<br />really bad Can u help me? - Priya, New York<br />Answer :Priya, thank you for trusting Hindustanlink.com with your problem. You<br />know what? you don't have a problem at all! Being an adolescent, it's<br />normal for those hormones to do the mambo no. 5 inside the body,<br />causing many an embarrassing moment. Guy's have to put up with<br />erections that keep on popping up like uninvited guests, and girls have<br />to go through other signs of sexual arousal. By what you have written,<br />I guess that is what your problem(?) is all about. Well, erect nipples<br />are nothing to worry about. It just goes to show that you are a healthy<br />female with a sexuality that is working itself out just fine! And that<br />is something to be proud of! If you are uncomfortable with the fact<br />then all you can do about it is to wear blouses or t-shirts that are<br />thick and opaque enough to let you keep the fact that you are aroused,<br />to yourself. Immerse yourself in a lot of group activities involving<br />both the sexes so that you'll get used to other people with budding<br />sexuality and become comfortable with your own body and it's responses.<br />Do let me know if my solutions have helped in any way. Happy growing<br />up!<br /> Q:WHEN I STARTED MASTURBATING AT THE AGE OF 14 I NOTICED THAT I STARTED<br />HAVING LOTS OF PIMPLES AND ACNES ,BUT WHEN I DID STOPPED I FOUND THAT<br />AFTER A FEW MONTHS THE PIMPLES WERE REALLY DISAPPEARING.AGAIN WHEN I<br />MASTURBATE THE NEXT DAY I FIND 1 OR 2 PIMPLE .SO IS THIS TRUE? Ravi<br />Answer : Dear Ravi, Thanks for trusting hindustanlink.com with your<br />problem. Masturbation is harmless way of sexual pleasuring which is<br />handy & is devoid of any health risk. Pimples / acnes may be due to age<br />factor (teenage), harmonal changes in the body etc. At the age of 14,<br />sexual feelings / mastubation is early which may be one of the reason<br />for pimples. Also try to have changes in your daily food habbits and<br />drink at least 8-10 glasses of water daily.<br />Erectile dysfunction (impotence)What is it?What are the main symptoms?What's the risk?What causes it?How can I prevent it?Should I see a doctor?What are the main treatments?How can I help myself?What's the outlook?Who else can help?<br />What is it?The persistent or recurrent inability to achieve or maintain an<br />erection good enough to complete your chosen sexual activity<br />satisfactorily, whether that's masturbation, oral sex or vaginal or<br />anal intercourse.<br />The occasional inability to achieve a satisfactory erection doesn't<br />normally constitute a problem.<br />Top of Page<br />What are the main symptoms?See "What is it?".<br />Top of Page<br />What's the risk?Most men will experience an erection problem at least once. This could<br />be due to stress, exhaustion, too much alcohol or simply not feeling<br />like sex. Persistent erectile dysfunction (ED) is estimated to affect about 10%<br />of men at any one time. Although age itself isn't a cause of erectile dysfunction (ED), the<br />risk nevertheless increases as you get older: 18% of 50–59 year olds<br />have trouble with their erections compared with 7% of 18–29 year olds. Top of Page<br />What causes it?There are two main causes of ED: physical and psychological. Most<br />doctors agree that the majority of cases are physical but it's also<br />clear that many men with ED also quickly start to feel anxious,<br />stressed or depressed. These feelings can easily make the symptoms of<br />ED worse.<br />The main physical causes are:<br />Diabetes. Up to 25% of all diabetic men aged 30–34 are affected by ED,<br />as are 75% of diabetic men aged 60–64. Inadequate blood flow to the penis because arteries have got furred-up<br />(a condition called atherosclerosis) or damaged. This causes about 40%<br />of ED cases in men aged over 50. Smoking cigarettes, which is<br />implicated in up to 80% of ED cases, constricts the blood vessels and<br />is a major cause of damage to the arteries leading to the penis. One<br />little-known cause of damage to key blood vessels is cycling. Regular heavy drinking. Alcohol can damage the nerves leading to the<br />penis, reduce testosterone levels and increase levels of the female<br />hormone oestrogen. The side-effects of prescribed drugs, particularly those used to treat<br />high blood pressure, heart disease, depression, peptic ulcers and<br />cancer. As many as 25% of ED cases may be caused by drugs taken to<br />treat other conditions. Spinal cord injury. Almost a quarter of men with spinal injury are<br />affected by ED. Prostate gland surgery (or other surgery around the pelvis). The risk<br />of ED depends on the type of surgery, but up to 30% of men who have a<br />radical prostatectomy (the complete removal of the gland affected by<br />cancer) will experience ED. The main psychological causes of ED are:<br />Relationship conflicts Stress and anxiety Depression (90% of men affected by depression also have complete or<br />moderate ED) Unresolved sexual orientation Sexual boredom One rough-and-ready way of working out whether your ED has a physical<br />cause is to see whether there any circumstances in which you get an<br />erection. If you can produce one when masturbating but not with a<br />partner, wake up with an erection, or have erections during the night,<br />then there's a good chance that your ED has psychological causes.<br />Top of Page<br />How can I prevent it?Have a healthy lifestyle. Quitting smoking and drinking alcohol in<br />moderation will help. Regular aerobic exercise and a low-fat diet will<br />also reduce the risks of atherosclerosis. If you have diabetes, ensure it's properly controlled. Top of Page<br />Should I see a doctor?Yes. Get help and advice as soon as you notice a problem. This isn't<br />only important in terms of getting treatment for your ED: it could also<br />be a symptom of other potentially serious conditions (such as diabetes<br />or heart disease - click here for more information.)<br />One study of 50 men with ED who had sought prescriptions for Viagra<br />found that although none of them had any symptoms of heart disease, six<br />were found to have blockages in all three major heart arteries, seven<br />had two arteries that showed narrowing and one artery was blocked in<br />another seven. Overall, 40% of the men were at significant risk of<br />angina or a heart attack.<br />If you are on treatment for a medical or psychiatric problem and you<br />think that this treatment is affecting your sex life tell your doctor.<br />Alternative treatments that may have less likelihood of affecting<br />sexual function are often available.<br />If your doctor doesn't take your problem seriously, ask to be referred<br />to a specialist. Don't let yourself be fobbed off with comments like<br />"What do you expect at your age?"<br />A wide variety of treatments for ED are now available. Remember,<br />however, that not all men are entitled to treatment through the NHS. To<br />find out about your entitlement, click here.<br />Top of Page<br />What are the main treatments?Oral drugs. These are by the far the most commonly used treatments.<br />There are now a number of oral treatments available and most work by<br />helping to relax the blood vessels in the penis, allowing blood to flow<br />in. They don't work unless you're also sexually stimulated. The most<br />common side-effects are headaches and facial flushing. These oral<br />treatments must not be taken by men who are also using medicines<br />containing nitrates (commonly prescribed for angina). There are a<br />number of oral treatments available including Cialis, Levitra, Uprima<br />and Viagra. There are pros and cons with each and it is important to<br />discuss these with your doctor. More details can be found here. Injection therapy. This is an effective and reliable way of producing<br />an erection with drugs but, understandably, many men don't like<br />sticking a needle into their penis every time they have sex. When<br />injected, the drug (most commonly alprostadil, commonly known as<br />Caverject and Viridal), relaxes the blood vessels and muscles, allowing<br />increased blood flow and producing an erection within 15 minutes. MUSE (medicated urethral system for erection). This method also uses<br />alprostadil, but this time it's administered by means of a small pellet<br />inserted into the urethram the opening to ther penis, via a<br />single-dose, disposable plastic applicator. More information about MUSE has been added here since this section was<br />written. Vacuum pumps. The penis is inserted into a clear plastic cylinder and<br />the air is pumped out, creating a vacuum. The penis fills with blood<br />and, when it's hard enough, a plastic constricting ring is placed<br />around the base of the penis to trap the blood. There are few<br />side-effects (apart from occasional slight bruising) and the devices<br />work for more than 90% of men. Many men find the process too unnatural<br />and intrusive, however, and prefer to try other methods of tackling ED. Hormonal supplements. Testosterone can be given to men in the<br />relatively few cases where low levels are the cause of ED, especially<br />if they also have low sexual desire. Before taking testosterone, always<br />insist that your doctor measures your testosterone level to confirm<br />that it really is low. Penile implants. Now that so many other effective treatments have<br />become available, implants are only now used as a last resort. A<br />mechanical device is surgically inserted into the penis. It can be<br />either permanently rigid or have a hydraulic action, operated via a<br />valve in the scrotum. Sex therapy. Whatever the cause or treatment of their ED, many men<br />could benefit from counselling or therapy. In fact, the best treatment<br />centres provide it as a matter of course. Sex therapy will be<br />particularly necessary if the ED has psychological causes which can't<br />actually be "cured" with physical treatments. If a man has ED as a<br />result of emotional conflict with a partner, for example, providing him<br />with a drug that produces an erection isn't going to resolve that<br />conflict; in fact, it might even make it worse. Men whose ED has a<br />physical cause may also have lost a great deal of self-esteem and<br />sexual confidence which sex therapy could help restore. It usually<br />makes sense to also involve any permanent partner in sex therapy since<br />the loss, as well as the restoration, of a man's erectile functioning<br />will almost inevitably profoundly affect their relationship. Top of Page<br />How can I help myself?Share your worries. No, you don't have to tell your work colleagues<br />about your penis problems, but it will help enormously if you can talk<br />to someone you trust. It's particularly important to communicate with<br />your partner. Some men try to deal with their ED by hiding it from<br />their partner and make all sorts of excuses not to attempt sex. This<br />can cause feelings of confusion and rejection as well as suspicions<br />that you're having an affair. You best bet is to be as open and honest<br />as possible with your partner and ask for support. Place less emphasis on intercourse and more on developing other forms<br />of sexual intimacy. Spending time cuddling, kissing, licking and<br />massaging can still be pleasurable and will help keep you emotionally<br />close to your partner. Don't try and treat yourself by seeking out pornography, or by asking a<br />partner to wear erotic clothing or act out your fantasies. This almost<br />certainly won't work and could leave you feeling even more upset. Don't be tempted to buy herbal supplements or so-called aphrodisiacs<br />through the Internet or magazine advertisements. You can't be sure what<br />you're getting and these remedies are very unlikely to work. Don't blame yourself for your ED. It's a health problem and not a<br />reflection of your masculinity. Don't be tempted to blame your partner<br />either. Top of Page<br />What's the outlook?There's an excellent chance that your erections can be restored through<br />one of the increasingly wide range of treatments now available but the<br />psychological scars may take longer, and be more difficult, to heal.<br />Top of Page<br />Who else can help?Read our article for more on:<br />how impotence might be a symptom of something else. Plus Q&A with Stirling Moss who has had ED problems.InformED.org.ukWeb site: <a href="http://www.informed.org.uk/">www.informED.org.uk</a>Pele fronted registration site run by Pfizer<br />Sexual Dysfunction AssociationWeb site: <a href="http://www.sda.uk.net/">www.sda.uk.net</a>Suite 301 Emblem House,London Bridge Hospital,27 Tooley Street,London SE1 2PR Tel: 0870 774 3571 (open Monday to Friday, 9 am–5 pm)For information and advice on all sexual dysfunctions.<br />RelateWeb site: <a href="http://www.relate.org.uk/">www.relate.org.uk</a>E-mail: <a href="mailto:enquiries@relate.org.uk">enquiries@relate.org.uk</a>For counselling for relationship and/or sexual problems.<br />Top of Page<br />Loss of sexual desireWhat is it?What are the main symptoms?What's the risk?What causes it?How can I prevent it?Should I see a doctor?What are the main treatments?How can I help myself?What's the outlook?Who else can help?<br />What is it?A condition in which you lack interest in sex, causing concern to you<br />and/or your partner.<br />Top of Page<br />What are the main symptoms?You never or rarely feel like having sex – or you feel like having sex<br />far less often than your partner, causing relationship problems.<br />Top of Page<br />What's the risk?Surprisingly high – about 15% of men aged 18–59 say they lack interest<br />in sex, according to a recent large survey.<br />Top of Page<br />What causes it?There are a wide range of causes, including relationship difficulties,<br />sexual boredom with a partner, depression, exhaustion, stress and a low<br />level of testosterone. It's possible that you simply have a naturally lower level of sexual<br />desire than your partner and that your real problem is finding a way to<br />negotiate some sort of compromise. Top of Page<br />How can I prevent it?Improve the quality of your sleep, cope better with stress, sort out<br />any relationship problems, find ways of spicing up your sex life. Get help if you're depressed. Regular exercise may also increase your sense of well-being and<br />feelings of sexual desire. Top of Page<br />Should I see a doctor?If your low level of sexual desire concerns you or is causing problems<br />in a relationship. You should certainly get advice if you have other<br />symptoms, such as exhaustion, a reduction in facial hair growth or a<br />loss of body hair, shrinking testicles or muscle weakness (these could<br />all be signs of testosterone deficiency). If you would prefer not to see a doctor, you could contact a sex<br />therapist for counselling. If s/he believes you could have an<br />underlying medical problem, you will still be advised to get it checked<br />out. Top of Page<br />What are the main treatments?Sex therapy and, in a few cases, testosterone supplements.<br />Top of Page<br />How can I help myself?Talk to your partner about your feelings and find ways of developing<br />intimacy and closeness that aren't only linked to sex. Avoid quack remedies, including so-called aphrodisiacs – there's no<br />good evidence that any of them work. Top of Page<br />What's the outlook?Good.<br />Top of Page<br />Who else can help?Sexual Dysfunction AssociationWeb site: <a href="http://www.sda.uk.net/">www.sda.uk.net</a>Windmill Place Business Centre,2-4 Windmill Lane,Southall,Middlesex UB2 4NJTel: 0870 774 3571 (open Monday to Friday, 9 am–5 pm)For information and advice on all sexual dysfunctions.<br />RelateWeb site: <a href="http://www.relate.org.uk/">www.relate.org.uk</a>E-mail: <a href="mailto:enquiries@relate.org.uk">enquiries@relate.org.uk</a>For counselling for relationship and/or sexual problems.<br />Top of Page<br />Premature (or rapid) ejaculationWhat is it?What are the main symptoms?What's the risk?What causes it?How can I prevent it?Should I see a doctor?What are the main treatments?How can I help myself?What's the outlook?Who else can help?<br />What is it?Ejaculation which occurs more quickly than a man and his partner would<br />wish, causing problems in a sexual relationship. The usual problem is that a man will come during penetration itself or<br />very soon afterwards. Top of Page<br />What are the main symptoms?See "What is it?".<br />Top of Page<br />What's the risk?It's a very common problem – in fact, it's the most common sexual<br />dysfunction affecting men. About one in three men of all ages suffers from premature ejaculation. Top of Page<br />What causes it?It's very rarely caused by a physical problem. The most common causes include stress, anxiety about sex (perhaps<br />because of a fear of pregnancy, a sexually transmitted infection or<br />failing to perform adequately), relationship difficulties and the<br />lasting effects of teenage sexual experiences which had to be quick to<br />avoid detection. Top of Page<br />How can I prevent it?There's not much you can do, except find better ways of coping with<br />stress and resolving difficulties with your partner.<br />Top of Page<br />Should I see a doctor?You should see your GP if the problem is persistent and causing you<br />anxiety or affecting your relationship. The GP may be able to advise<br />you about self-help measures or refer you to a specialist clinic or a<br />qualified sex therapist.<br />Top of Page<br />What are the main treatments?Sex therapy. This is normally based on two techniques: Stop-start. You stimulate your penis (or ask your partner to do it for<br />you) until you're near the point of ejaculation. Then stop and rest for<br />30–60 seconds before stimulating your penis again. You repeat this<br />process five or six times in each "training" session. Squeeze. You stimulate your penis (or ask your partner to do it for<br />you) until you're near the point of ejaculation. This time, you or your<br />partner firmly squeeze around your penis just below the glans (head) –<br />put your thumb on the underside of the penis in the indent where the<br />head meets the shaft (the frenulum) and your first and second fingers<br />on the other side of the penis, just above and below the ridge that<br />separates the head from the shaft. The squeeze has the effect of<br />preventing ejaculation. The idea of both these techniques is that, over time, you'll start to<br />recognise what it feels like to near the moment when you can't stop<br />yourself coming. When you're able to do that during sex itself, you can<br />then take steps to slow down or stop whatever you're doing until the<br />feeling fades. Once you know you can control your ejaculation in this<br />way, your confidence increases and, eventually, the whole process<br />becomes unconscious and automatic. Drugs. An old treatment that is still sometimes used is local<br />anaesthetic gel or spray applied to the penis. The idea behind this is<br />to reduce penile sensation. Although this works in some men it is not<br />always effective and some men are allergic to the treatment. Another<br />problem is that the gel may be transferred to your partner during sex<br />and anaesthetise her sensitive parts.In some cases, doctors will prescribe particular antidepressant drugs<br />that, as a side-effect, slow down your body's progress towards<br />ejaculation. The problems with this treatment are that you end up<br />taking powerful medication designed to treat a completely different<br />condition and that the drugs don't always work anyway and may have<br />unpleasant side-effects. They are best reserved for use when sex<br />therapy has failed to solve the problem or where the man has religious<br />reasons not to stimulate his penis by hand. Top of Page<br />How can I help myself?You could try these short-term remedies (although they won't<br />necessarily tackle the underlying problem):<br />Increase the frequency of ejaculations, perhaps by masturbation. This<br />could have the effect of delaying subsequent ejaculations. Wear a condom, or use an anaesthetic spray (see above), to reduce the<br />sensitivity of your penis. Don't focus on penetration during sex. You may be able to ease the<br />pressure on yourself if you don't attempt penetration until your<br />partner has already had an orgasm. Talk to your partner about your problem. This may help relieve some of<br />the pressure you feel under to perform well during sex. Try relaxation exercises to tackle stress. One simple but effective<br />exercise involves tensing and relaxing each of your muscle groups in<br />turn, starting with your feet and then moving up your body. Clench each<br />set of muscles for a few seconds, focus on the feeling and then<br />gradually relax. Finish with your forehead. This exercise helps<br />counteract the muscle tension that accompanies stress. Top of Page<br />What's the outlook?With determination and persistence, it's possible to develop good<br />ejaculatory control.<br />Top of Page<br />Who else can help?Sexual Dysfunction AssociationWeb site: <a href="http://www.sda.uk.net/">www.sda.uk.net</a>Windmill Place Business Centre,2-4 Windmill Lane,Southall,Middlesex UB2 4NJTel: 0870 774 3571 (open Monday to Friday, 9 am–5 pm)For information and advice on all sexual dysfunctions.<br />RelateWeb site: <a href="http://www.relate.org.uk/">www.relate.org.uk</a>E-mail: <a href="mailto:enquiries@relate.org.uk">enquiries@relate.org.uk</a>For counselling for relationship and/or sexual problems.<br />Top of Page<br />Retarded (or delayed) ejaculationWhat is it?What are the main symptoms?What's the risk?What causes it?How can I prevent it?Should I see a doctor?What are the main treatments?How can I help myself?What's the outlook?Who else can help?<br />What is it?The inability to ejaculate or a long delay before ejaculation.<br />Top of Page<br />What are the main symptoms?See "What is it?".<br />Top of Page<br />What's the risk?About one man in twenty is affected.<br />Top of Page<br />What causes it?Most of the causes are psychological, including performance anxiety,<br />self-consciousness, a belief that sex is somehow dirty or immoral,<br />stress and relationship difficulties. Some men find that they can<br />ejaculate normally by self-masturbation but are totally unable to<br />ejaculate when the penis is in their partner's vagina. This does not<br />mean that the vagina is too loose and not giving adequate stimulation<br />to the penis. The problem is psychological. Age. It is not unusual for men over the age of 70 to experience failure<br />of ejaculation. This may simply be part of the ageing process. However,<br />ageing is associated with decreased penile sensitivity, which means<br />older men need more prolonged and direct penile stimulation to achieve<br />ejaculation than younger men. Sometimes ejaculation fails just because<br />they do not have sufficient penile stimulation. It can be the result of the side-effects of certain antidepressant<br />drugs or of nerve damage. It can also be caused by physical factors such as a hormone imbalance<br />or nerve damage resulting from pelvic injury or surgery or diabetes. Top of Page<br />How can I prevent it?You can't do much, except find better ways of coping with stress, of<br />relaxing, and of resolving difficulties with your partner.<br />Top of Page<br />Should I see a doctor?You should see your GP if the problem is persistent and causing you<br />anxiety or affecting your relationship. The GP may be able to advise<br />you about self-help measures or refer you to a specialist clinic or a<br />qualified sex therapist.<br />Top of Page<br />What are the main treatments?Relaxation exercises, "superstimulation" (e.g. using a vibrator or body<br />oil combined with vigorous rubbing), sex therapy or a large dose of a<br />drug called yohimbine (but check this with your doctor first because<br />there are side effects and not everyone can take yohimbine, e.g. men<br />with high blood pressure). Avoid penetration until you're very near the point of ejaculation. It may be necessary to change any drugs that might be causing the<br />problem. How can I help myself?Talk to your partner about your problem. This may help relieve some of<br />the pressure you feel under to perform well during sex. Try to find<br />ways together to make sex more exciting. Try relaxation exercises to tackle stress. One simple but effective<br />exercise involves tensing and relaxing each of your muscle groups in<br />turn, starting with your feet and then moving up your body. Clench each<br />set of muscles for a few seconds, focus on the feeling and then<br />gradually relax. Finish with your forehead. This exercise helps<br />counteract the muscle tension that accompanies stress.<br /><br />Infertility What is it?What are the main symptoms?What's the risk?What causes it?How can I prevent it?Should I see a doctor?What are the main treatments?How can I help myself?What's the outlook?Who else can help?<br />Have your say about infertility<br />SPERM DONATION: who can it help and who can donate<br />What is infertility?Infertility is a common condition in which a man (or a woman) is unable<br />to produce offspring. The major cause of male infertility is failure to<br />produce enough healthy sperm.<br />Top of Page<br />What are the main symptoms?You won't normally have any obvious symptoms apart from the fact that<br />your partner cannot become pregnant.<br />Top of Page<br />What's the risk?About one in six couples have problems getting pregnant, and male<br />fertility is the reason in about 50% of cases. Around one man in twelve has some sort of fertility problem. Top of Page<br />What causes it?Sperm problems are the leading cause, and account for perhaps 75% of<br />male infertility cases. On average about 100–750 million sperm are<br />ejaculated during orgasm, but only a few hundred make it to the<br />fallopian tube where the egg is fertilised. Any reduction in the sperm<br />count (i.e. in the number of sperm), or any problem with their quality,<br />reduces the chances of conception.<br />To be of good quality, sufficient numbers of sperm must be "motile",<br />i.e. moving positively rather than aimlessly swimming around in<br />circles, and normally shaped rather than malformed. Enough sperm must<br />also be capable of escaping from the seminal fluid in which they were<br />ejaculated and of penetrating the woman's cervical mucus as well as the<br />egg's outer covering.<br />Are sperm counts falling?<br />Sperm problems can be caused by:<br />Trapped sperm inside the testicles. Mumps can cause orchitis (an inflammation of one or both testicles),<br />which may in turn result in reduced sperm production. Antibodies which make sperm clump together so that they can't move<br />properly. Sexually transmitted infections can damage the tubes where sperm are<br />made and stored. Testicles that don't descend into the scrotum at birth are damaged by<br />staying in the body, where the higher temperature leads to reduced<br />sperm production and poor quality sperm. Fertility can be affected even<br />if the undescended testicles are surgically corrected before a child is<br />two years old. Hormonal causes, though these are not particularly common. Enlarged veins round the testicles called varicoceles. Genetic causes. Several inherited conditions can cause problems,<br />including Klinefelter syndrome. About 11% of men with no sperm in their<br />semen have this condition, as have around 2% of those with low sperm<br />counts. Cancer drugs can cause temporary and, sometimes, permanent damage to<br />sperm-producing cells. Poor quality sperm after vasectomy reversal. Other reasons for fertility problems include:<br />Ejaculation problems, e.g. retrograde ejaculation which feels like a<br />dry ejaculation. Semen ends up in the bladder because the bladder neck<br />doesn't close tightly enough. Spinal cord injury and diseases such as diabetes may affect the nervous<br />system so that semen can't be pumped into the urethra. Hypospadias is one of the most common genital birth defects in male<br />babies. The urethra opens on the underside of the penis so that semen<br />isn't ejaculated into the vagina (although the sperm itself may well<br />still be healthy). Erectile dysfunction (impotence) – getting your partner pregnant is<br />going to be a problem if, for whatever reason, you regularly have<br />problems getting an erection. Top of Page<br />How can I prevent it?Use condoms to avoid sexually transmitted diseases. If you are taking any medicines check whether they could affect sperm<br />quality – quite a few can, e.g. some blood pressure drugs and<br />antidepressants. If this is the case ask about alternative drugs that<br />won't have this side-effect. Don't use anabolic steroids as they shut off sperm production. Cannabis – watch out! Just one joint can affect sperm manufacture for<br />36 hours. Vaginal lubricants are not a good idea as many kill sperm. KY-Jelly as<br />well as specifically spermicidal lubricants are toxic to sperm, and<br />even saliva can impair sperm motility. Store sperm before any cancer treatment. Lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking and drinking in moderation<br />could help. Ask for a lead shield if you require an abdominal X-ray. Top of Page<br />Should I see a doctor?Don't panic if your partner doesn't become pregnant straightaway –<br />conception takes time even for the most fertile of couples. The usual<br />rule of thumb is to wait a year before seeking help. However, visit your GP immediately if you think you may have problems,<br />e.g. you have had undescended testicles, mumps, orchitis, surgery in<br />the pelvic area (hernia repair), regular contact with substances such<br />as lead, ejaculation or erection problems, or are producing hardly any<br />semen or if there is blood in it. Your partner also needs to be checked out because (obviously) it takes<br />two to make a baby and good clinics assess a couple's fertility rather<br />than looking at one partner in isolation. TestsSemen analysis. Medical history to find out whether anything has happened which could<br />have affected your fertility. Your GP will also ask whether you've got<br />anyone pregnant before. A physical examination to check for things like genital abnormalities<br />and varicoceles. Sperm function tests. Blood tests to check for acute infections that could be damaging sperm. Urine tests for chlamydia Hormonal blood tests – the key one measures FSH (follicle stimulating<br />hormone), as very high levels indicate that sperm production has<br />failed. Genetic tests include a blood test called a karyotype, which looks for<br />major chromosomal abnormalities. Some research laboratories offer a<br />more specialised blood test to look for problems on the Y chromosome,<br />and some research centres assess the extent of chromosomal<br />abnormalities in sperm. Testicular biopsy – a tiny sample of tissue may be extracted using a<br />needle to find out what's happening to sperm production. A special X-ray to check for blockages in the vas deferens tubes and<br />ejaculatory ducts. Top of Page<br />What are the main treatments?Sperm antibodies – steroid treatment used to be given to reduce<br />antibody levels but these drugs can have nasty side-effects. Another<br />option is to wash the sperm in a centrifuge to remove the antibodies,<br />but this is difficult to do. Surgery to correct hypospadias, remove blockages in the testicles, or<br />remove varicoceles. Antibiotics for infections. Hormonal treatments, e.g. clomiphene, are sometimes used where there's<br />a low sperm count with no obvious explanation. Medication for some ejaculation problems, e.g. to tighten the bladder<br />neck in cases of retrograde ejaculation, a problem that can sometimes<br />arise after prostate surgery. Erectile dysfunction – the cause is physical in the majority of cases<br />and can usually be successfully treated. Vasectomy reversal is successful in at least one in three men but<br />success rates fall if reversal is carried out ten years or more after<br />vasectomy. Vitamin E supplements (600 mg daily for three months) may improve sperm<br />quality, but only if you have excessive amounts of naturally occurring<br />molecules called free radicals – this affects one in five men with<br />sperm problems. The molecules are thought to harden the sperm's outer<br />membrane, making fusion with the egg more difficult. Assisted conception techniques are being increasingly used to treat<br />male infertility, and they help by allowing sperm to bypass various<br />barriers. Trapped sperm can be extracted either direct from the testis<br />by a procedure called testicular sperm extraction or from the<br />epididymis (the coiled tubes outside the testes that store sperm) using<br />a needle by percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration (PESA) or<br />microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration (MESA). the collected sperm<br />can be sued to fertilse the egg by ICSI (see below). IUI (intrauterine insemination) has been available for a long time now<br />and can work well if you've got mild sperm problems. The best sperm are<br />selected and then placed in your partner's womb. It's likely she'll be<br />given hormonal drugs to increase the egg harvest and the chances of a<br />pregnancy.IVF (in vitro fertilisation) and ICSI (intra-cytoplasmic<br />sperm injection) are also options. Donor insemination using another man's sperm. Want to know more about sperm donation?<br />Top of Page<br />How can I help myself?Finding out that you may have some sort of fertility problem can wreak<br />havoc with your sense of identity. It's common to feel defective, a<br />failure, and that your partner has every right to go off and find<br />someone who "works properly". When dealing with a fertility problem<br />it's also easy to fall into the trap of believing that it's your<br />partner who needs all the support, while you must be strong and silent.<br />Don't bottle up your feelings and decide that you're a failure – you're<br />not! Try talking to your partner about how you feel – you may find that<br />this helps both of you. It may also help to see a fertility counsellor. Talking to other men in the same boat and discovering that you're not<br />alone can also be a great help. If you need treatment try and go to a clinic which specialises in male<br />infertility. Make sure that your lifestyle is as healthy as possible. Top of Page<br />What's the outlook?It's increasingly bright since the arrival of assisted conception<br />techniques and as more becomes known about the causes of male<br />infertility<br />Sleep problems What are they?What are the main symptoms?What's the risk?What causes them?How can I prevent them?Should I see a doctor?What are the main treatments?How can I help myself?What's the outlook?Who else can help?<br />What's it like? (real comments from real people)Have your say about sleep problems<br />What are they?There are a wide variety of sleep problems, the most common of which is<br />insomnia – the inability to get sufficient sleep. Other problems<br />include snoring, sleep apnoea (a condition in which the airway becomes<br />temporarily blocked during sleep) and narcolepsy (an inability to stay<br />awake). There are also sleep problems associated with shift work and<br />jet lag.<br />The bulk of this section tackles insomnia, but there is also<br />information on snoring and sleep apnoea, narcolepsy, and shift work and<br />jet lag.<br />Top of Page<br />What are the main symptoms?The symptoms of insomnia include:<br />Being unable to fall asleep within 30–40 minutes of going to bed Using pills or alcohol to get to sleep Waking frequently during the night Waking too early or waking up feeling unrefreshed Insomnia can, in turn, cause a variety of physical and mental health<br />problems.<br />How much sleep do I really need?<br />Why we need to sleep<br />Top of Page<br />What's the risk?Most people experience an occasional sleepless night. Short-term<br />insomnia, which affects 20–30% of the population each year, can last<br />for two to three weeks. Chronic insomnia that lasts for weeks, months or even years is<br />estimated to affect up to 15% of the population. Top of Page<br />What causes them?The causes of insomnia are numerous and not always immediately obvious.<br />Analysing your health, environment and lifestyle should reveal the<br />source of the problem and how to treat it.<br />Psychological factors: stress, worry, anger and grief are common<br />causes. Studies suggest anxiety and depression contribute to up to 80%<br />of cases. Medical conditions: pain commonly disturbs sleep, as do heart disease,<br />breathing problems, sleep apnoea, digestive problems, high blood<br />pressure, restless leg syndrome, arthritis, anorexia, and chronic<br />fatigue syndrome (also known as M.E.). External factors: noise, light, heat, cold, discomfort, shift work and<br />jet lag all have effects too. Drugs: some prescription drugs such as diuretics, certain<br />beta-blockers, appetite suppressants and large doses of steroids can<br />cause sleep problems. Street drugs such as heroine, cocaine,<br />amphetamines, LSD, cannabis and Ecstasy also interfere with sleep<br />quality. Lifestyle: lack of bedtime routine, too little exercise, poor eating<br />habits, cigarettes, alcohol and caffeine all disturb your sleep. Age: Sleep becomes lighter and shorter as you age. Health problems in<br />later life may also cause insomnia. Top of Page<br />How can I prevent them?How you sleep at night depends greatly on what you do during the day.<br />Try to eliminate all possible disruption to sleep by following the<br />guidelines in "How can I help myself?"<br />Top of Page<br />Should I see a doctor?If you are depressed, a common cause of sleep problems, you should see<br />your doctor. Insomnia usually responds well to self-help, but if you still aren't<br />sleeping after trying the advice in "How can I help myself?" then see<br />your GP. He or she can check if your insomnia is caused by a physical<br />illness, prescribed medicine or emotional problems. If your sleep has been disturbed for more than a month, has no known<br />medical cause and interferes with your ability to function normally<br />during the day, ask your doctor to refer you to a sleep disorders<br />clinic. Top of Page<br />What are the main treatments?Improving "sleep hygiene". Sleep scientists see insomnia as a symptom<br />of an unhealthy lifestyle. The first step therefore is often to clean<br />up your daily routine using a set of self-help guidelines. Sleep<br />hygiene is usually recommended before pills or more radical approaches<br />are suggested. See "How can I help myself?" Melatonin. This is a natural hormone released by the pineal gland to<br />help regulate the body's circadian rhythm. A synthetic form is<br />available as a food supplement and it has a rapid, mild, sleep-inducing<br />effect, helpful for shift workers, people with jet lag or those whose<br />insomnia is related to disturbed body rhythms. Melatonin is suitable<br />only for healthy adults who take no other medication and who have no<br />history of psychiatric disorder. In the UK it is available on<br />prescription to named users, which means you can only get it if your GP<br />is willing to prescribe it. Biofeedback. This relaxation technique can help if you are kept awake<br />by stress or anxiety. Medical monitoring equipment is used to measure<br />how your heart rate, blood pressure, muscle tension, skin temperature,<br />sweat and blood flow respond to stress. The idea is that you can<br />recognise when you are tense and learn to relax. The benefits are<br />similar to any other form of relaxation technique, but the equipment<br />helps to convince relaxation sceptics. Sleep restriction therapy. Sleep clinics sometimes use this radical<br />approach to re-establish healthy sleep habits. Sleep restriction<br />therapy is simple in theory, but it takes discipline to put into<br />practice. Sleeping pills and anti-anxiety drugs (usually benzodiazepines or<br />sometimes Zopiclone) can be an effective quick-fix for short-term or<br />occasional insomnia if no other immediate remedy is available. But they<br />do not cure sleep problems, they work for only a few weeks, they tend<br />to make you tired and irritable the next day and they are addictive.<br />They are generally best avoided except in exceptional circumstances.How sleeping pills workIf you have chronic sleep problems, effective treatment will depend on<br />resolving the underlying cause of the problem. Much better help than<br />pills is available, if you demand it. Top of Page<br />How can I help myself?Making simple changes to your lifestyle and bedtime routine is the<br />basis of "sleep hygiene", one of the main strategies employed by sleep<br />disorder clinics. You won't need to do all of the following<br />recommendations, just start with those you think would be most helpful.<br />If they don't help, try others. Persevere and you should find what<br />works for you.<br />Create a sleep sanctuaryKeep your bedroom for sleep and sex only, not for working, eating,<br />telephoning or watching television. Your room should be quiet, dark and<br />warm, but not too hot – a temperature of around 18°C (65°F) is most<br />conducive to restful sleep. Hang heavy curtains if you are disturbed by<br />light. Soft ear plugs can block out noise. Buy a good bedYou spend about a third of your life in bed so make sure yours is<br />comfortable. A good bed should support your back while allowing your<br />spine to settle into its natural slight "S" shape when you lie flat. It<br />should also be less than ten years old. A French survey reported that<br />even chronic poor sleepers slept better and for almost an hour longer<br />in a new bed compared with one that was ten years old. Change your dietThe basic rules of healthy eating form the foundations of a sound sleep<br />diet. So go for fresh wholefoods, plenty of vegetables and regular<br />light meals. Timing is also important: eat your evening meal at least<br />two hours before bedtime. If you get the munchies later at night have a<br />lettuce, banana, or peanut butter sandwich, or a bowl of cereal. All of<br />these contain the amino acid tryptophan which helps your body produce<br />the sleep hormone melatonin. A warm milky drink has a similar effect or<br />try a relaxing herbal tea such as camomile or lime flower. Avoid stimulantsCut out or cut down on all stimulants such as cigarettes, alcohol, food<br />additives, junk food and caffeinated drinks. If you have mild insomnia<br />avoid coffee after 2 pm – if it's serious don't drink it at all. Reduce<br />your intake slowly as sudden withdrawal may temporarily worsen your<br />sleep. A cigarette at bedtime is even worse than a cup of coffee. Even<br />in heavy smokers a late-night cigarette can delay sleep by 30–40<br />minutes.Alcohol and sleep Get activeTwo things guaranteed to send you to sleep are physical tiredness and<br />monotony. Exercise can deliver both. Regular gentle exercise such as a<br />swim, walk or one of the soft martial arts can help you get to sleep<br />quickly and sleep more deeply when practised early in the day. Regular<br />exercise also makes you feel good, and can prevent snoring and sleep<br />apnoea by improving breathing, toning slack muscles and reducing body<br />weight. Ease the pressureKeep your mind and body as relaxed as possible throughout the day. Give<br />yourself time to do what you need to do, and learn to say no to<br />unrealistic demands. Talk through problems with a friend, colleague or<br />your partner. Make time to have some fun in your life and learn to<br />relax. You may simply need some "quiet time" each day, or you could<br />practise a relaxation technique such as meditation. One research study<br />showed insomniacs who combined meditation with sleep hygiene techniques<br />fell asleep 77% faster than previously. Establish a pre-sleep routineOnly someone who was exhausted or suffered from narcolepsy would fall<br />asleep without some sort of preparation. Make a cut-off point between<br />day and evening at least an hour before bedtime. If you find it hard to<br />switch off, write down what's on your mind, then forget about it. Go<br />for a stroll, read something unrelated to work and/or have a bath. Warm<br />water is relaxing and it raises body temperature so that you feel<br />sleepy. Add 6–8 drops of an essential oil such as lavender, camomile or<br />sandalwood for extra sedative effects. Reinforce your body clockIf you only change one thing about your lifestyle, make it this one: go<br />to bed at the same time every night and get up at the same time every<br />morning. This helps to regulate your circadian rhythm, the internal<br />biological clock that governs your sleep/wake cycles. Aim to go to bed<br />before midnight to maximise the deep sleep that occurs early in the<br />night and get up early every morning, even if you've had a late night.<br />Research has shown that shifting your sleep pattern by only three hours<br />– say, going to bed at 1 am rather than 10 pm – can cause poor daytime<br />mood and performance, even if you get eight hours' sleep. Try a sleep remedyHerbs such as valerian, hops, passiflora, oats or kava can make safe<br />and effective sleep remedies. Products vary in safety, quality and<br />potency, so treat all remedies, even natural ones, with care, and only<br />take them for as long as you need to. Antihistamine-based<br />over-the-counter sleeping pills are also useful, non-addictive,<br />short-term remedies. Daytime napping is not recommended as it disrupts your natural sleep<br />pattern. However, there are exceptions to this rule:<br />Powernaps, quick 10–15-minute snoozes, can make those short of sleep<br />more alert if they nap about eight hours after waking in the morning<br />(during the afternoon sleepy period). Taking a nap 10–12 hours after<br />waking is likely to disturb night-time sleep. For shift-workers, long-distance lorry drivers and parents of young<br />babies, frequent naps may be the only way to get any sleep. Nap only<br />until you can get back to a regular routine. Regular hours of sleeping<br />and waking are the best way to ensure that you get the sleep you need. Top of Page<br />What's the outlook?If you follow the sleep hygiene guidelines, and get professional help<br />if you need it, there's an excellent chance that you can overcome your<br />insomnia.DOCTORhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18188669046871912546noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3243612570259145499.post-58071907869667371542008-06-15T08:21:00.000-07:002008-06-15T08:22:55.450-07:00HERBAL WORLD<strong><span style="color:#ff6600;"><span style="font-size:180%;">Welcome to home of authentic Ayurvedic Herbal Supplements</span><br />Herbal Care, since 1994, has been developing, manufacturing and marketing an authentic line of<br />Ayurvedic Food Supplements, herbal oils and other products and probably is the first US<br />manufacturer to do so. Developed by Dr. Vaijayanti (Jay) Apte, a recognized Ayurveda expert, with<br />more than 30 years of experience in treating thousands of people, this authentic line of herbal<br />food supplements is designed to restore body balance and strengthen the immune system.<br />This Website shares the millennia of Ayurvedic experience of preventing & effectively treating<br />large number of common and not so common diseases like Arthritis, infertility, menstrual<br />disorders, asthma, allergies, diabetes, weight gain, weight loss, skin and hair diseases and many<br />more, using time proven concepts , of regulated diet and healthy life styles, supported with<br />remedies and treatments, that are safe effective and affordable.<br />We feel great pleasure to introduce ourselves to the world and share the ayurvedic heritage with<br />the world through this website. Ayurveda-the science of life has its rots in antiquity and has been practiced in India for<br />Centuries. To continue with the tradition of Ayurvedic treatment. We at "Family Care Clinic" cure patients with Natural Herbal Medicines. "Family Care Clinic" was established in 1980 and since 27 years it has cured thousands of<br />patients through ayurvedic herbal medicines. The only goal of our clinic is to bring smile on the patients face and to provide safe, effective<br />& affordable ayurvedic treatment to the patients around the world. The team of physicians serving<br />at Family Care Clinic are highly educated and efficient. Their profound and enormous knowledge of<br />Ayurveda has made Family Care Clinic one of the most reliable and successful clinic of the town,<br />treating large number of patients in India and abroad. At Family Care Clinic we have come across many cases which were complicated due to indiscriminate<br />use of allopathic drugs but we are happy to announce that we were successful in curing all cases.<br />Modern medicines have harmful side effects but ayurvedic treatment do not as a rule have any side<br />effects but they have their own properties. Everything in nature has relevance for medicine and<br />that is why Family Care Clinic has collected a fund of data of therapeutic effects of all kind of<br />natural substances on different diseases and this natural substances are then used to cure<br />diseases.Along with the medicines their is also Massage Center,Trans meditation Center, and Yoga<br />center at "Family Care Clinic".<br />Do you suffer from Severe hair fallThinning of hairWeak hair roots Dullness of hair texture Then discover 100% natural herbal remedy for this by using our Herbal Nourishing Hair Pack.Its<br />potent effective and reliable. Regular application makes hair Lustrous; Healthy, Gloomy and Hair<br />fall is restricted.<br />Do you suffer from Severe hair fallThinning of hairWeak hair roots Dullness of hair texture Then discover 100% natural herbal remedy for this by using our Herbal Nourishing Hair Pack.Its<br />potent effective and reliable. Regular application makes hair Lustrous; Healthy, Gloomy and Hair<br />fall is restricted.<br /> The special ingredients in the this herbal formula are:<br />Amla : Used for promoting healthy and black hair growth, strengthens hair root and restores it<br />natural color. Gotu Kola : Applied on the scalp for nourishing hair roots and promoting hair growth. Henna : Has a cooling n soothing effect. Bhringraj : Applied on the scalp for promoting hair growth and improving blood circulation in<br />scalp too.<br />It is 100% natural with no chemicals<br />Each jar contains 250 gm powder (7.5-oz) 9-10-applications.<br />Do you want your hair highlighted but naturally.<br />We have 3 shades of Herbal Hair Colour, which are 100% natural with no chemicals.<br />The 3 shades are:<br />Golden toned Copper toned Dark blackish brown <br />The special ingredients in this herbal formula are: <br />Walnut leaves : Nourishes and gives natural black color to hair. Gotu kola : Appliedon the scalp for nourishing hair roots and promoting hair growth. Henna : Give natural deep brown color to hair and yes has cooling and soothing effect on scalp<br />too. Emblica officinalis : Used for promoting healthy and black hair growth.<br />Besides giving colour, combination of these ancient .<br />Each jar contains 250 gm powder (8-oz) 9-10-applications.<br /> The Ultimate solution for Healthy and Disease free Body which is accepted worldwide is LIFE STYLE MANAGEMENT Package ( Based on NUTRITION THERAPY) To remain young and healthy at any age is always dream of everybody. We always dream of having<br />permanent and of course beautiful good skin, hair, figurative body and disease free and healthy<br />body. But we always run after superficial, temporary remedies of just applying cosmetics and<br />other shortcut methods. Real fact is that master Key for young, beautiful and healthy body is LIFE STYLE MANAGEMENT based<br />on “Nutrition Therapy”. Surprising fact is our ancestors enjoyed young and healthy body till<br />death. From health point of view their lifestyle was much superior than ours. In this fast stressful life people have forgotten the ideal lifestyle and so they are suffering<br />from disease like – Diabetes, Cholesterol, High B.P., Arthritis, Heart Attacks and above all OBESITY – mother of all<br />diseases. People have almost become slaves of drugs – medicines and medicines have become life part of<br />their life. Its transparent that to remain young and healthy at any age adopt “ LIFE STYLE MANAGEMENT Package<br />based on NUTRITION THERAPY”. Diet and lifestyle based on nutrition are master keys for healthy<br />life. Beauty is not only external it needs to come from within. If the body is strong and<br />beautiful from inside the same will reflect on outside also. So in this modern scientific world all the luxuries are their but men can’t enjoy it without good<br />health. At this stage revolution is very necessary and that is LIFE MANAGEMENT Package. Our Motto is – join the unique internationally acclaimed Life style Management Package today and<br />Live “Drug Free” happy and healthy life forever. There are 3 main Parts of this Package : Ideal nutritious diet - Based on nutrition therapy which consists of all the necessary<br />vitamins, minerals, fibers and fatty acids. Ideal lifestyle – Based on Yoga & Meditation which helps to remove stress and gives relaxation.<br /> Combination of Pure Herbs - Based on Indian Ayurveda to cure the disease if you are suffering<br />from any Benefits of this Package: Detoxification and nourishment of Body Loosing excess body fat naturally. Enjoying natural slim figure at any age without exercise. Rejuvenation of body. Obtaining all multivitamins through diet which is necessary for good health. Reducing risk of coronary heart disease, High BP , stroke , Arthritis. Above all Looking Young and Beautiful and Smart forever.<br />This is specially designed Tailor Made Package for Individual Person to reduce weight<br />naturally,herbally and yes above all safely. DETOXIFY, NOURISH AND REJUVENATE YOUR BODY BY OBEYING THIS package. This OBESITY MANAGEMENT Package is specially designed for LONG TERM PERMANENT RESULTS. There are 3 main Phases of this package : 1. Nutrious Diet based on nutrition therapy. 2. Yoga / walk 3. Herbal Slimming supplement which CONTAINS herbs like - Terminalia chebula, Emblica<br />officinalis, Terminalia bellirica, commiphora mukul and shilajit. Nutrious diet + Yoga/Walk + Herbal slimming supplement = permanent weight loss HERBAL supplements PLAY A ROLE OF CATALYST AND IF PROPER HERBAL CATALYSTS ARE ADDED THEN WEIGHT<br />REDUCTION PROCEDURE SPEEDS UP AND PERMANENT RESULTS ARE ACHIEVED SMOOTHLY AND SAFELY. HERBAL SUPPLEMENT – SLIMMING CAPSULES COMPOSITION: 1. Terminal Chebula 2. Terminalla Bellerica 3. Embilica Officinalis 4. Commiphora Mukul This package helps is safe and permanent weight reduction. DOSAGES : 1 capsules twice a day ACTION OF INDIVIDUAL HERB: 1. Terminal Chebula: Digestive chlonerhelic, increases B.M.R., hunger suppresant, reduce fat<br />deposits, remove toxins from our body. 2. Terminalla Bellerica: Antthelmentic, relieves flatulence and above increases B.M.R.& fastens<br />weight reduction process 3. Embilica Officinalis: Liver stimulant cleanser, maintain PH level and helps in fat reduction<br />process, improves nutrition naturally. 4. Commiphora Mukul: Removes plaque deposits in the body and promotes circulation as well as it<br />helps to stop the building of fat deposits THESES WHOLE COMBINATION Helps to reduce fat Discourage building of fat reserves .i.e. urea and glucose It is safe enough to be taken by teenagers and adults. They decrease the rate of conversion of<br />carbohydrates to fat. Reduce assimilation of lipids from food intake by the body cells. Increase Body Metabolic Rate (BMR) leading to fat burning and weight loss. Stimulate metabolism, improves muscle tone and supplements the effects of exercise. Energise the body during this crucial period. Reduce fat mass while preserving fat free mass. BENEFITS OF THIS PACKAGE Controls the weight Keeps the body in active condition Improves the blood circulation Improves the digestion power Reduces blood pressure, cholesterol & I.H.D Reduces knee joint pains / arthritis Reduces back pain Controls diabetes. M.. Gives figurative weight reduction without exercise. RISK OF OBESITY OBESITY is usually associated with various problems which are listed below :-- Backache Heavy breathing after stair climbing Hyperacidity Irregular menstruation Emotional stress Irregular menstruation Constipation Irritating nature Dizziness and laziness whole day Stomach, chest side and arthritic pain PRINCIPAL DISEASES CAUSED DUE TO OBESITY Hyper tension Pulmonary complication Coronary and cardiac insufficiency, sudden death Diabetes Surgical risk Osteo arthritis Gout Prostate cancer So Obesity is called costly disease because we have to pay physically a lot for it. Awareness on<br />right time helps us to save and cure this condition. <br /> Beauty Problems with Home Remedies Self medication with modern medicines is dangerous but simple herbal home remedies are safe and<br />have no adverse effects, so patients ideally deserve a chance to treat minor problems with home<br />remedies.Below is the list of common beauty problems and their home remedies.Family care clinic<br />has entire range of family care herbal beauty products, so if you need them you can contact us. DARK CIRCLES DARK CIRCLES UNDER EYES IMBALANCE Kafha AGGRAVATED BY Excessive oil secretion. TREATMENT Apply mask of groun fresh parsley on only area, Lie down for ten to fifteen minutes<br />and clean it. You can apply nutritive herbal scrubber available at Family Care Clinic. PUFFY EYES IMBALANCE Kafha AGGRAVATED BY Hypertension, Poor elimination, Poor digestive fire, Lack of sleep. TREATMENT Take tea bags and soak them in warm water and use them as eye pads. Soak cotton pads in cold milk and place over closed eyes for five to ten minutes. EYE STRAIN CROW'S FEET DRY EYES, OR EYE STRAIN IMBALANCE Kafha AGGRAVATED BY Hypertension, Poor elimination, Poor digestive fire, Lack of sleep. TREATMENT Take tea bags and soak them in warm water and use them as eye pads. Soak cotton pads in cold milk and place over closed eyes for five to ten minutes. PREMATURE WRINKLES IMBALANCE Vata and Pitta AGGRAVATED BY Dryness, Pollution, Sun, Wins, Extreme, Temperature, Alcohol, Tobacco, Sweets,<br />Spicy foods, Diabetes, Coffee, Sudden weight loss. TREATMENT Twice weekly do a facial massage by nutritive nourishing herbal face cream and face<br />pack available at Family Care Clinic. BLACK HEADS IMBALANCE Vata and Pitta AGGRAVATED BY Dryness, Pollution, Sun, Wins, Extreme, Temperature, Alcohol, Tobacco, Sweets,<br />Spicy foods, Diabetes, Coffee, Sudden weight loss. TREATMENT Twice weekly do a facial massage by nutritive nourishing herbal face cream and face<br />pack available at Family Care Clinic. IMBALANCE Vata and Pitta AGGRAVATED BY Old age and cold weather. TREATMENT Massge with Vata-pacifying oils available at Family Care Clinic. Do internal cleansing treatment at change of season. HAIR LOSS IMBALANCE Vata and Pitta, Kafha AGGRAVATED BY Stress, Tension, Cigarettes, Alcohol, Over use hair Dryers or hard Shampoos. TREATMENT To encourage new hair growth, Make a paste using black pepper 1/2 tsp. + 3/4 cup<br />coconut milk. Rub on the scalp, Leave it for 30 minutes and then shampoo with mild herbal shampoo<br />available at Family Care Clinic. Do scalp massage using soothing oil such as Brahma or trifla to improve circulation, You can<br />also use nutritive hair oil and hair pack available at Family Care Clinic Brush hair 100 times at night. DANDRUFF IMBALANCE Vata AGGRAVATED BY Head shampoos, Dry scalp, Poor nourishment, Poor circulation, Hot spicy foods,<br />Medication. TREATMENT After regular shampoo rinse hair with herbal tea made of Armica. Do hot oil scalp<br />massage two three times a week. This herbal medicated oil is available at Family Care Clinic. PREMATURE GRAYING IMBALANCE Vata and Pitta AGGRAVATED BY Anger, Frustration, Anxiety, Shock, Tension, Stress, Thyroid problems, Lack of<br />Copper and Zinc. TREATMENT Make a herbal infusion of 2 tsp each sage + Walnut leaves. Apply 1 tsp of the liquid<br />to the hair root where it is gray every night.You can also apply herbal hair dye available at<br />Family Care Clinic. ACNE VULGARIS (CYSTIC ACNE) DESCRIPTION Very oilly skin, Large pores, Pussy pimples, Deep scars. IMBALANCE Pitta and Kafha AGGRAVATED BY Over consumption of sweets, Fats, Oils, Sea foods, Alcohol, Emotional stress,<br />Depression. TREATMENT Exfoliate skin with herbal face packs available at Family Care Clinic.Take steam<br />baths, Using eucalyptus essential oils.Exercise vigorously for half an hour to achieve sweating. ACNE VULGARIS (CYSTIC ACNE) DESCRIPTION Red rash on nose and checks that may be very sensitive or burning with excessive<br />oiliness on T-zone IMBALANCE Pitta AGGRAVATED BY Anger tension, Anxiety, Stress, Hot weather, Spicy sour foods, Sea foods, Canned<br />or Preserved foods, Pizza, French fries. TREATMENT Do not use astringents, Toners, or Harsh substances on skin, use Only gentle soothing<br />treatments.Wash face with herbal powders and rose water available at Family Care Clinic.<br />INSOMNIA (ANIDRA) INSOMNIA is a condition in which patient suffers from sleeplessness, annoyance and<br />depression.When it becomes a habit it may pose a serious menace to health.<br />CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS<br />INSOMNIA may be due to a variety of causes like Tension,Depression and Stress.In temporary cases<br />of sleeplessness the affected person suffers from disturbed nights now and then, the cause is<br />usually to be sought in some external source of irritation slight degree of pain ,uncomfortable<br />surroundingssuch as insufficient covering in winter or a hot night without a fan ,an overfull<br />stomach causing discomfort , or a nagging worry may prevent the brain from attaining the degree<br />of relaxation which is a prerequisite of sleep.Fever infection or nervous weakness may also cause<br />loss of sleep.<br />If you are suffering from INSOMNIA and want safe and effective herbal medicines. Please fill<br />below form for Doctor's online consultation. Poorna.lohani Disease : Insomnia<br />I was suffering from problem of severe insomnia I could not sleep for days and this used to make<br />me annoyed and depressed. Slowly and gradually it was affecting my health very badly. I got<br />reference of Herbal Clinics while surfing on net. The details mentioned were quite impressive. I<br />decided to take the treatment as it was purely herbal and the doctors at Herbal Clinics advised<br />that there would be no side effects with them. The medicines helped me a lot and now I feel so good after the problem of insomnia is over now.<br />Thanks to Dr. Ritu and Family Care Clinic for helping me.<br />CRAMPS (KHALANI) Cramps are painful spasmodic contractions of the muscles, occurring mainly in the limbs, but also<br />apt to effect certain internal organs also.<br />CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS<br />The cause of cramps resides in the nervous system and troubles come on suddenly during sleep,<br />when one finds ones leg or arm muscles cramped resulting in acute pain.<br />The trouble can be temporary or permanent. The symptoms are in the first instance gradually<br />increasing. In ayurveda cramps are due to imbalance of vatta. So treatment balancing vatta should<br />be given to the patient.<br />If you are suffering from CRAMPS and want safe and effective herbal medicines. Please fill below<br />form for Doctor's online consultation. TIRUP LOATWALA Disease : Cramps<br />I have taken the treatment of Family Care Clinic for the problem of cramps that I was facing and<br />trust me it was too much to tolerate it anymore. I heard about the herbal treatment of Family<br />Care Clinic under the supervision of Dr. Ritu.<br />She explained me the reason that the cause of cramps resides in the nervous system and troubles<br />come on suddenly during sleep, when one finds ones leg or arm muscles cramped resulting in acute<br />pain.<br />According to her I was suffering from temporary cramps. After studying my case she decided to<br />treat me. I followed the medicines and the instructions given by her. The medicines have shown<br />their magic and I am fine now with the problem of my cramps solved.<br />Sciatica Sciatica is a pain due to disturbance in the sciatic nerve. These are often associated with each<br />other.<br />CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS<br />Most common cause is herniation of inter vertebral disc. Other causes of backache are spinal<br />tumor,ankylosing spondylitis,maligant disease in the pelvis,injury to the back and lifting heavy<br />weights.<br />The pain can be sudden or gradual. Main symptom is sudden severe low back pain when the patient<br />is bending.Sciatic pain is felt in the buttocks and radiates down the back of thigh and calf to<br />the outer border of the foot.Coughing and sneezing increases the pain.Most painful points are<br />where the nerves emerges at the pelvis and behind ankles and knee joints.<br />If you are suffering from Sciatica and want safe and effective herbal medicines. Please fill<br />below form for Doctor's online consultation. Margaret Langevin Disease : Sciatica pain I was Suffering from sciatica pain & went through all the remedies available in U.S but in vain .<br />Due to pain I got so much bed ridden that I lost my job also. Then I approached Dr. Ritu<br />Bharadwaj's Herbal clinic . Dr. Ritu I want to Thanks you for your care with my sciatic pain /<br />disc problems . The American doctors were only able to " medicate " me , while your herbal<br />"healed " me Due to your efforts I was I am able to get back to work.<br /> Leucoderma or Vitiligo (Kilas) Leucoderma is skin condition characterized by gradual of malanin pigment from the skin layers<br />which results in white patches. The patches look ugly especially in whitish or dark complexioned<br />persons. The condition doesn't cause any organic harm.<br />CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS<br />The primary causes of leucoderma are mental worry, chronic or accute gastric disorders, impair<br />hepatic functions, hereditary, typhoid, worm infestation, defective perspiration mechanism and<br />bum injuries.<br />The disease is charterise by the formation of white patches on the skin. The problem usually<br />starts with the small white sport, which soon spreads into patches. This patches are pale in the<br />beginning but become whiter with the passage of the due to loos of mellanine pigments.<br />Ayurveda maintains that leucoderma is caused by some morbidity of the liver which results in a<br />deficiency of pitta.<br />If you are suffering from LEUCODERMA and want safe and effective herbal medicines. Please fill<br />below form for Doctor's online consultation. Jude alfred Disease : Vitiligo<br />I was suffering from vitiligo since many years & life had become disastrous for me.75 % of my<br />body was covered by white patches.After taking herb at Family Care Clinic under supervision of<br />Dr. Ritu Bhardwaj I started getting results within 2 months.Treatment went very well and white<br />patches are gone.<br />FIBROID A benign tumor of fibrous and muscular tissue, one or more of which may develop in the muscular<br />wall of the womb is called FIBROID. Fibroids often cause pain and excessive pain and excessive<br />menstrual bleeding and they may become extremely large. They do not threaten life, but render<br />pregnancy unlikely. It is usually women over 30 years of age who are affected. Fibroids can be<br />removed surgically; but they can be dissolved safely by herbs also without creating complications<br />In very severe cases removal of the fibroid… may be necessary.<br />If you are suffering from CYSTS OR FIBROIDS AND ITS ASSOCIATED SYMTOMS……and want safe and<br />effective herbal medicines. Please fill below form for Doctor's online consultation. Jenny Diseas: Fibroids<br />I had the problem of breast cancer. Even after surgery…Till 2003 the tumors were formed every<br />year and also the carcinoma. After that I started the herbal treatment of Family Care Clinic in<br />India. Under the supervision of Dr. Ritu Bhardwaj. I followed all the instructions of Dr. Ritu<br />and took the herbs religiously. After taking the treatment of Family Care Clinic I got myself<br />checked once again. The reports came in my favor. MRI showed nothings, XRAYS of Lungs showed<br />nothing and my blood work returned normal or average.I am well satisfied with the treatment of<br />Family Care Clinics and got positive results from it.<br />Thanks to Family care clinic for giving back normal and happy life to me<br />RENAL STONE (ASHMARI) Renal stones occur when solutes come out from the solution either because they are present in<br />excessive quantity(urine is over concentrated) or because of lack of inhibitors of<br />crystallization.The majority are composed of calcium,magnesium,phosphate mixtures or urate.<br />CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS<br />Less intake of fluid,history of dehydration,diuretic or vitamin D therapy and certain disease<br />like gout and bowel disease lead to stone formations.<br />Sometimes stones are a symptomatic.Nausea,vomiting,sweating and strangury are common<br />symptoms.Sometimes if a stone gets trapped in urethra or if there is associated infection,fever<br />and haematuria are common symptoms.<br />If you are suffering from RENAL STONE and want safe and effective herbal medicines. Please fill<br />below form for Doctor's online consultation. Mr.Raman Patel Disease : Renal stones, Micturation and constipation<br />I was suffering from Renal stones, Micturation and constipation. Medicines recommended by the Dr.<br />Ritu Bhardwaj, At Family care clinic gave me quick relief from the disease and without any side<br />effect.<br />DYSPEPSIA (AGNI MANDAY) Dyspepsia or indigestion is the term applied to difficulty in digesting food.<br />CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS<br />Dyspepsia may be associated with pain in the stomach,flatulence,eructation's,foul taste in the<br />mouth,heart burn and feeling of discomfort.There is also loss of appetite in some cases of<br />dyspepsia.Irregular food habits in the form of overeating or eating at the wrong time or wrong<br />type of food leads to indigestion.<br />The general term applied to dyspepsia in AYURVEDA is AGNIMANDYA,which is decreased digesting<br />capacity of agnis,particularly,jatharagni,which aids digestion.The aggravation of vata,pitta and<br />kapha leads to this disease.Excess of vata leads to pain in the stomach,pitta leads to burning<br />sensation in the stomach and kapha leads to nausea and vomiting in the stomach.<br />If you are suffering from DYSPEPSIA and want safe and effective herbal medicines. Please fill<br />below form for Doctor's online consultation. Nicole Burr Disease : Chronic Constipation & gastrities , poor digestion<br />I was suffering from chronic constipation , Gastrities & poor digestion & foul smell from mouth<br />so I contacted Family Care Clinic ,.Although I am relatively young &Healthy these problems were<br />stopping me from leading a normal life. Dr. Ritu Bhardwaj had taken time , care and attention to<br />fully understand the problem & treat accordingly. The herbal treatment has fully controlled the<br />problem & now life is quite healthy & normal. Apart from treatment she has provided me general<br />life style advice and YOGA tips too which is really great.<br />Thank you so much.<br /> OVARIAN CYST A fluid filled sac, one or more of which may develop in the ovary. Although most ovarian cysts<br />are not malignant, they may reach a very large size or become twisted on their stalks, producing<br />pain and vomiting. In such cases the cysts are usually surgically removed but they can be<br />dissolved safely by herbs also without creating complications .<br />If you are suffering from CYSTS OR FIBROIDS AND ITS ASSOCIATED SYMTOMS……and want safe and<br />effective herbal medicines. Please fill below form for Doctor's online consultation. Christina Diseas: Ovarian cyst ,Infertility<br />I was suffering from ovarian cyst & irregular cycle since many years, This resulted in<br />infertility .After taking the treatment at Family Care Clinic, results were excellent. Medicines<br />used were safe, effective, affordable and without any side effects.And I was able to conceive a<br />baby boy too.<br />Thank you very much.<br />Mother nature whispered her beauty secrets to only a select few. Ages ago it was transcribed in<br />quaint palm leaf manuscripts and passed on down the generations. Pure, pristine formulations that<br />have been the basis for an engaging line of body care products from Cholayil.<br />Each, a marvel of ayurveda that will nourish your body, enlivening every pore, bringing on a<br />freshness you have never felt before. We were almost tempted to call it our Miracle Line.<br />QUALITY AWARD<br />Bombay-based Maureen's Herb Care Products Private Limited, manufacturers of hair and skin care<br />cosmetics under the brand name, Herb Care Simply Natural, has bagged the 23rd International<br />Trophy for Quality. This award has been instituted by the The Trade Leaders Club at Madrid,<br />Spain, and is given ''to distinguish a firm of every industrial branch whose services have<br />deserved a universal acclaim along the course of the year.''<br />Herb Care makes it to the cover of Newsweek!<br />Ms. Maureen S. Motwane, CEO of Herb Care featured with Mr. Salvador Escuderu, Honourable Minister of Agriculture, Phillipines.<br /><br />QUALITY AWARD<br />Bombay-based Maureen's Herb Care Products Private Limited, manufacturers of hair and skin care<br />cosmetics under the brand name, Herb Care Simply Natural, has bagged the 23rd International<br />Trophy for Quality. This award has been instituted by the The Trade Leaders Club at Madrid,<br />Spain, and is given ''to distinguish a firm of every industrial branch whose services have<br />deserved a universal acclaim along the course of the year.''<br />- The Economic Times,22-28 March, 1995 <br /><br />Herb Care makes it to the cover of Newsweek!<br />Ms. Maureen S. Motwane, CEO of Herb Care featured with Mr. Salvador Escuderu, Honourable Minister of Agriculture, Phillipines.<br />- Newsweek, June 18-21 1997 BRAND LAUNCHES<br />A WIDE range of skin care products and hair care products, including a range of creams, lotions,<br />nourishing creams, cleansers, cleansing masks, scrubs, facial moisturisers, shampoos, hair<br />colours were recently introduced in the market place by Maureen's Herb Care Products Private<br />Limited under the brand name Herb Care...<br />- The Economic Times, (Supplement:Brand Equity)<br /> IS THERE LIFE AFTER MODELLING?<br />...The face that launched a thousand products, has launched some of her own...''I never used soap<br />on my face, was always creating my own stuff for skin and hair care. When I got married, my<br />husband was surprised to see all those thalis of orange peels and such, drying in the sun. He<br />told me to seriously consider...<br />- The Times of India 5 April 1997. BACK TO NATURE<br />''With 1,200 people trying out my products in a single day, I couldn't have asked for a better<br />market survey. And for the past three years, I have been getting regular orders and not a single<br />complaint'', she claims, proudly. She began, as she claims with capital of barely Rs. 50,000 and<br />the turnover today, Maureen says, is 100 times more.<br />Beauty tips from the beauty queen herself. For those who believe in giving themselves the best.<br />Maureen S. Motwane - former Miss India, Miss Asia and winner of several beauty titles has for<br />years pampered herself with the abundance of nature. Her very own secret formulas that have given<br />her looks an ageless vibrance and made her cast a spell on the world, now after years of pious<br />study and scientific research, she is all set to share her magic with the world.<br /> Herb Care's Simply Natural collection is Maureen's small contribution to this already beautiful world we live in. The beauty secrets that were hers can now be yours.<br />Herb Care's policy is simply to make the most of nature, and not deprive ourselves of its<br />beautifying powers by seeking chemical and synthetic products. Herb Care's products are<br />clinically formulated and allergy free. Our products are for people who won't settle for less.<br />Herb Care caters to the beauty needs of some of the most prominent people in the world. Our<br />natural products derived from exotic natural extracts on the desciplines of Ayurveda have so far<br />been patronised by the royalty. Nobody less than the King of Bhutan, UK's PM Mr. John Major, the<br />Russian President Boris Yeltsin and various other premiers. Herb Care have also been the<br />exlcusive suppliers of toileteries to India's royal house. Our patrons include international<br />hotels, Airlines, world renowned beauty houses and stores.<br />Not many beautiful people care about sharing their beauty secrets with the world. But this is<br />your chance. Come spoil yourself with the endowments of mother nature. And with Herb Care<br />bottling up the wonder world of Green, they have brought to your fingertips literally. With Herb<br />Care, looking beautiful is no longer an effort, it comes to you naturally.<br /> Herb Care ........ SKIN CARE PRODUCTS COVER A WIDE RANGE OF CREAMS, LOTIONS, NOURISHING CREAMS,<br />CLEANSERS, CLEANSING MASKS, SCRUBS,FACIAL MOISTURISERS, BODY LOTIONS, BODY CARE BATH / SHOWER<br />GELS etc.For all SKIN TYPES are made to an exclusive Formula, Rich in Natural Proteinic Plant<br />Extracts, that visibly reduces Wrinkles, Stimulates & Invigorates the function of Epidermal<br />Cells, it Restructures the Cutaneous Surface, thus slowing down the Ageing process. The Face then<br />Takes on a smoother & more Radiant look Wrinkles diminish, fine lines Fade visibly.The skin<br />becomes firmer with a Youthful Charm and the formation of Wrinkles is delayed.<br />Herb Care ...............HAIR CARE PRODUCTS also covers a wide range of Shampoos, Hair Treatments, Herbal Hair Colour etc. suitable for all hair type made from theGardens of ''NATURE''. This product help reduce hair-fall, induces hair growth, helps prevent<br />premature, Greying, Stops Dandruff, besides Cleaning & Adding that Extra Body & Bounce. Today's<br />use of Herb Care line is an answer to our TOMORROW'S HAIR PROBLEMS.<br /><br /> Skin CareA wide range of creams, lotions, nourishing creams, cleansers, cleansing masks, scrubs, facial<br />moisturisers, body lotions, body care bath/shower gels, etc. for all skin types.<br /> Click here for list of skin care products.<br /> Hair CareA choice of gentle Shampoos pH Balanced with Natural Extracts for all hair types: NORMAL HAIR,<br />DRY HAIR, OIL HAIR, DULLY & LIFELESS HAIR. They also stop Dandruff and control hair fall and<br />induce hair growth. A choice of HAIR CONDITIONERS and HAIR OILS for all the above hair types.<br />Today's use of Herb Care line is an answer to tomorrow's hair problems.<br /> Click here for list of hair care products.<br /> Bath & Shower A wide range of DETERGENT FREE BATH GELS WITH MOISTURISER, BUBBLE BATH WITH DEAD SEA MUSCLE,<br />RELAXING MINERAL SALTS, TALCUM POWDER, ETC. In addition to the above, we have new products lines<br />to suit every application and pocket.<br /> Click here for list of hair care products.<br /> HOTEL GUESTROOM AMIENIETIES <br /> Click here for list of Hotel Guestroom Aminities/Toiletries. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br /> Moisturising Lotion ( 200 ml ) . Cocoa Butter Dew Drop Lavender Vitamin E Aloe Vera Papaya Water Melon Orange Cleansing Milk ( 200 ml ) Lavender Water Lily Lemon Drop Natural Extract Calendulla Vitamin E Face Care ( Jars ) Little Lines ( Wrinkle Free Cream ) 40gm Satin Golw ( Apricot Face Scrub ) 140mg Morning Mist ( All day cream Vit E ) 140mg Morning Nector ( For all skin types ) 140mg Youth Dew ( Natural Cream with Vit A )140mg<br /> Shampoo + Conditioner ph Balanced ( 300 ml ) . Amla shikakai Shampoo Green Apple Shampoo Papaya Shampoo Orange Shampoo Plant Extract Shampoo Herbal Shampoo Apricot Shampoo Aloe Vera Shampoo Margosa / Neem Shampoo <br />Our Wonder world of Green, is bottled & labeled to suit your specific requirements. We are<br />catering to the changing needs of institutions. Our buyers include leading chains of<br />International Hotels, Airlines, Beauty Shops & Parlours, Large Departmental Stores ( both in<br />India & Abroad ).<br />Below: The CEO at Rashtrapati Bhavan We have been requisitioned by the The Government of India, to supply our Product Range to the<br />Presidential House ( Rashtrapati Bhavan ) New Delhi, whenever important dignitaries or heads of<br />State visit our country. We feel honoured and privileged to mention a few names of Dignitaries &<br />Heads of State<br />Mr. John Major, PM of U.K Jan 93<br />Mr. Boris Yeltsin, President of Russia Jan 93<br />Mr. Felipe Gonzalez, President of Spain Feb 93<br />Mr. H. M Jigme Sengye Wangchuck, King of Bhutan Jan 93.<br />Mr. Abdumalik Abdullojonou, Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Tajikistan Feb 93<br />We were informed our products were well appreciated by the above guests. <br />Overview Brittle nails are fingernails and toenails that peel and break easily.<br />What is going on in the body? Fingernails and toenails are made up of protein layers. The thickness and strength of the nails<br />is inherited. Separation or breaking of the protein layers can occur in a person with brittle<br />nails.<br />What other signs and symptoms are associated with this symptom? The signs and symptoms of brittle nails include: • peeling at the nail tips• easy breaking• inability to grow the nails out<br />What are the causes and risks of the symptom? The main cause of brittle nails is extreme dryness of the nail. Some individuals have a genetic<br />predisposition to brittle nails. As people age, their nails become drier and more brittle. Dry<br />air, common with winter's low humidity and use of indoor heat, can cause nails to dry out. Long,<br />hot baths and showers can also make nails dry. Diseases and conditions that can cause brittle<br />nails include: • hypothyroidism, a condition caused by low levels of thyroid hormone• Raynaud's phenomenon, a disorder that affects the arteries of the arms and legs• skin diseases, such as psoriasis • endocrine disorders, such as Sjogren-Larsson syndrome, which also causes dry skin• malnutrition Factors that increase a person's risk of brittle nails include: • frequent handwashing, which may be associated with the person's job• prolonged exposure to cold, dry weather• sunburn or windburn• excess exposure to chemicals, such as nail polish removerRepeated injury to the nail tip can also lead to brittle nails.<br />What can be done to prevent the symptom? People subject to brittle nails should limit the amount of soap they use and the length of time<br />their hands are exposed to water. Some people may be able to use mild, moisturizing soap on their<br />hands. A few need to limit soap use to the underarms and genitalia. After patting the hands dry<br />with a towel, the individual should apply a moisturizer to the skin and nails. The two types of<br />moisturizers available over the counter include: • cosmetic moisturizers, which provide immediate relief of dryness but last only while they are<br />applied. For people with mild or intermittent brittle nails, a cosmetic moisturizer may be enough<br />to keep the skin from feeling dry.• therapeutic moisturizers, which have been shown to act as a barrier that keeps water from<br />evaporating from the nails. Many therapeutic moisturizers contain mineral oil or petroleum.Other measures to avoid brittle nails include the following: • wearing protective gloves whenever possible• avoiding prolonged exposure to water, such as swimming• avoiding exposure to chemicals that irritate the skin and nails. Some forms of nail polish<br />remover are gentler than others.Several vitamins and minerals have been proposed for the prevention of brittle nails, but none<br />have been proven effective in human studies.<br />How is the symptom diagnosed? The diagnosis of brittle nails is made when splitting of the nails is seen. Diagnostic tests may<br />be ordered if an underlying condition, such as hypothyroidism, is suspected.<br />What are the long-term effects of the symptom? Brittle nails are often unsightly but have no significant long-term effects.<br />What are the risks to others? Brittle nails are not contagious and pose no risk to others.<br />What are the treatments for the symptom? Brittle nails are treated the same way they are prevented, following the guidelines for bathing<br />and using moisturizers. Several vitamins and minerals have been proposed for the treatment of<br />brittle nails, but none have been proven effective in human studies. Other treatment is specific<br />to the associated underlying condition, if there is one.<br />What are the side effects of the treatments? There are no side effects to treatment, unless an individual is allergic to moisturizers. Those<br />individuals should choose unscented or hypoallergenic moisturizers.<br />What happens after treatment for the symptom? Moisturizer should be applied to the skin and nails on a regular basis as needed. This will help<br />prevent symptoms from returning.<br />How is the symptom monitored? Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the healthcare professional.<br /><br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><br /> <br /> </span></strong>DOCTORhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18188669046871912546noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3243612570259145499.post-74836560163361746882008-05-10T08:26:00.000-07:002008-05-10T08:29:06.071-07:00HUMAN HEALTH IS WEALTH<strong><span style="color:#ff6600;"></span></strong><br /><p><strong><span style="color:#ff6600;"><span style="font-size:180%;">Ayurvedic Herbs - Ancient healing from India<br /></span></span></strong><strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">Ayurveda is a holistic system that has emerged directly from the<br />ancient lands of India. According to Hindu Vedas, Ayurveda is a gift of<br />Gods and was codified by the sage physician Charaka and sage-surgeon<br />Shushruta 5000 years ago. This ancient Science is based on physical<br />condition and delves into the patient's entire personality - body, mind<br />and spirit. Ayurveda is made up of two Sanskrit words: Ayu which means<br />life and Veda which means knowledge. To know about life is Ayurveda.<br />Ayurveda is a holistic system of medicine that uses a constitutional<br />model.<br />There are several aspects to Ayurveda that are quite unique: Recommendations concerning the food and life style for different people<br />are different according to their needs.The treatments given in Ayurveda is validated by observation, inquiry,<br />direct examination and information derived from the ancient texts. It believes that there are energetic forces that influence nature and<br />human beings. In Ayurvedic term, these forces are called Tridoshas. Ayurveda sees a tough connection between the mind and the body.As per Ayurveda, every human being has a typical constitution that<br />decides the state of his or her health and his or her predisposition to<br />a particular disease. Ayurvedic herbs rectifies them. Base Of Ayurveda The treatment in Ayurveda is dependent on Thriguna (vatha, pitha,<br />kapha). These classifications are predominantly important in<br />understanding human psychology. VathamVatham is composed of Space and Air and is the subtle energy associated<br />with movement. It governs breathing, blinking, muscle and tissue<br />movement, pulsation of the heart, and all movements in the cytoplasm<br />and cell membranes. In balance, Vatham promotes creativity and<br />flexibility. Out of balance, Vatham produces fear and anxiety. A person<br />with Vatham is blessed with a quick mind, flexibility and creativity.<br />Vatham provides the essential motion for all bodily processes and is<br />extremely vital for health. Since the attributes of Vatham are dry,<br />light, cold, rough, subtle, mobile, clear and dispersing, any of these<br />qualities in excess can cause imbalance.PitthamIt is the energy of digestion or metabolism, formed by Fire. It<br />controls the metabolic activity of the body, digestion, warmth, luster,<br />intellect, assimilation, etc. Pitham predominates in the tissue blood.<br />It is formed by Earth and Water. It controls the stability of the body<br />such as strength, potency, smooth working of joints. Pitham<br />predominates the second one third of life. Its location is in<br />alimentary canal from cardiac end of stomach to end of small intestineKapamIt is formed by Earth and Water. It controls the stability of the body<br />such as strength, potency, smooth working of joints. Kapam predominates<br />in other tissues and become s active in the last one third of life. It<br />can diminish activity of various organs and limbs. It is located in<br />chest, throat, head, bone & joints. It acts as thermostat of body. Herbs Used In Ayurvedic Treatment Ayurvedic herbs are natural that really gives effective results and are<br />really safe:Amalaki It is known as a divine plant in the Ayurvedic materia medica. Amalaki<br />is also a rasayana, which means it has longevity- enhancing and disease<br />defying qualities. Amalaki fruit contains sweet, sour, bitter,<br />astringent and pungent tastes except salt. Amalaki helps purify toxins<br />from the body by enhancing food absorption. The unique thing about<br />Amalaki is that it increases digestion.. By enhancing digestion, it<br />helps to eliminate toxins from the body. Amalaki also helps to relieve<br />constipation. Amalaki is an excellent source of Vitamin C, and is the<br />most concentrated and absorbable source of the vitamin in the plant<br />kingdom. It also contains other absorbable minerals that nourish the<br />skin, blood and the whole body, because of its high content of Vitamin<br />C. Amalaki is a powerful antioxidant.ArjunaIt is in a form of the bark of tree. It is a cardiac stimulant and has<br />a cooling and tonic effect. It is useful in arresting secretion or<br />bleeding and helps to relieve fever. It is also useful in removing<br />calculi or stones formed in the urinary system, in promoting flow of<br />bile and in the healing of wounds. Asthma, acne, diarrhea or dysentery,<br />earache can be cured with this herb. AshwagandhaIt is also called Indian Ginseng. The biggest benefit of Ashwagandha is<br />it can cure various diseases like leprosy, nervous, disorders and<br />intestinal infections. Of late it has gained importance because of its<br />quality to increase resistance to stress and build greater physical<br />endurance.Natural Ayurvedic Herbs There are several natural Ayurvedic herbs that can be grown even in our<br />gardens and have great medicinal properties. AmlaIt is a richest source of vitamin C. Amla is useful in throat and<br />respiratory tract infections and protects cells from free radical<br />damage.BabchiIts seeds are useful in bilious affection & to make perfumed oil. The<br />powder is used in treatment of skin disease such as leucoderma &<br />leprosy. It is used in treating psoriasis. It is also used in the<br />manufacture of agarbathis because of its aromatic smell.BahebtaIt is used to cure coughs, sore throat and dyspepsia. It is one of the<br />constituent of triphala, which is present in hair care, diseases of<br />liver and gastro-intestinal tract. It is also a mild laxative and<br />demulcen.BrahmiIt is well known herb that helps in improving alertness. Brahmi also<br />acts as an anti-anxiety agent and has a calming effect.ChopchiniIts roots are aphrodisiac, pseudorific, demulent, alteratively used in<br />rheumatism, syphilis, and skin diseases. The rhizome is made into a<br />paste and applied to painful swellings.NeemIt has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and blood purifying properties. Neem<br />is very useful to rtreat skin disorders and helps to maintain a<br />healthy, beautiful and glowing skin.PippaliIt cures us from paralytic bronchial asthma, chronic malaria.<br />haematinic, inflammation of liver, pains in joint, piles lumbago,<br />snakebite, scorpion sting, night blindness, insomnia, worms etc.Safed MusliIt has aphrodiasiac properties & vitalizer. It is used for diabetes,<br />arthritis, rheumetism and Joint Pains, powerful uterine stimulant. It<br />is used for preparation of nutritive tonic for general sexual weakness<br />and it is a curative for Natal & post-natal problemsSunthIt is used for Gastrointestinal disorder, Bronchial asthma,<br />anti-inflammatory effect and to cure antirheumatic, Antihistaminic,<br />antiemetic and antivertigo, nausea and dyspepsia.TulasiIt is used in the form of powder and balms. It can also be used as an<br />insecticide for the distruction of fleas, bedbugs, moths, lice etc. It<br />is used in the treatment of diarrhoea and worms in children. The<br />rhizome is also used to make calamus oil, which has a pleasant odour.Gotu KolaThis creeping plant grows in China, India, and Madagascar.<br />Practitioners of Ayurveda (india's holistic medical system) have relied<br />on the herb for centuries. Gotu kola is often confused with the<br />caffeine-containing kola nut, but Gotu kola is unrelated and contains<br />no caffeine. People with stress-related disorders like anxiety and<br />panic attacks are believed to have an overactive startling response.<br />Gotu kola strengthens the collagen lining of your vein walls, enhances<br />circulation, and reduces inflammation to treat varicose veins.<br />Practitioners believe Gotu Kola improves memory by boosting circulation<br />to the brain.If You Want To Reduce Weight If you want to reduce weight Ayurveda recommends home remedies in your<br />daily diet. Ginger is a best herb to reduce and maintain weight. Fruits<br />which can accomplish thi sinclude the following.GingerPapaya Mango Pineapple Bitter melons Dark, bitter greensBuild your body too with Ayurvedic body build building herb.Are There Side Effects In Ayurvedic TreatmentResults from Natural Ayurvedic Herbs comes to those who are patient and<br />persistent, and diligently adopt the associated dietary and lifestyle<br />and take responsibility for their own well being. For getting full<br />benefit of Ayurvedic treatment, it is important to tell your Ayurvedic<br />doctor about complementary, alternative or diet supplement you are<br />taking.<br />Some methods of Ayurvedic medicine can be very harmful like<br />Bloodletting, which is dangerous for anyone, and especially for people<br />who are ill. Many people with cancer already have low blood counts, and<br />this can cause fatigue, breathlessness and other symptoms. So removing<br />blood will only worsen their condition.<br />Forced vomiting is unhealthy and can upset the levels of salt and<br />minerals in your body. Even taking regular enemas and medicines to<br />clear your bowel is known to cause some serious side effects including InfectionsConstipationInflammation of the bowelSalt and other mineral imbalances in the body andDeath caused by these problemsSome common herbs may have dangerous side effects when taken in<br />combination with cancer treatments.Yoga, breathing relaxation<br />techniques and massage therapy are generally very safe unless you have<br />problems with your muscles and bones. It is not advisable to rely<br />totally on Ayurvedic medicine in case of cancer and avoid conventional<br />medical help. The Cost Of TreatmentsThe other important thing is that Ayurvedic medicine costs more. The<br />cost varies depending on what you have done. The first consultation<br />with a practitioner can cost between £25 and £65. Herbal treatments can<br />be very expensive.They may end up costing between £5 and €30 a month.<br />Some Ayurvedic clinics encourage overnight or longer stays to have<br />intensive detoxification treatments. These can be very expensive.<br />From the Indian soils, Natural Ayurvedic Herbs are making their impact<br />felt all over the world changing the lives of the millions. This<br />treatment is getting much popularity in America especially for minor<br />ailments. <br />Wild Crafted Herbs: Wild valuables<br />The first question that comes to any believer in traditional herbs is<br />What are Wildcrafted Herbs. The Wildcraft herbs are nothing else but<br />Organic herbs grown and cultivated naturally in wild for medicinal<br />purposes. They are plucked in a manner that doesn't affect their source<br />or environment in which they are grown. They are grown organically<br />without any use of pesticides or fertilizers. How are wildcrafted herbs beneficial for us All wild herbs and foods are Wildcrafted from non-polluted areas<br />located in the mountains that surround us. So the Wildcrafted herbs are<br />purely natural. The Wildcrafted herbs are very healthy. They often<br />occur in clusters and grow in 'ideal' conditions under which they can<br />attain full medicinal potential. Wildcrafted Herbal Products use only<br />highest quality essential oils, carrier oils and herbal extracts. This<br />Wildcrafted herb are numerous and comes in varieties for different<br />ailments and are grown and harvested purely and naturally.<br />Some of the Organic herbs Online are following:AgrimonyAgrimony cures jaundice and other liver complaints. It is a very useful<br />agent in skin eruptions and diseases of the blood, pimples, blotches,<br />etc. Lder, tagA decoction or extract is useful in scrofula, secondary syphilis and<br />several forms of cutaneous disease. The inner bark of the root is<br />emetic, and a decoction of the cones is said to be astringent, and<br />useful in haematuria and other hemorrhages.BeechThe beech has enjoyed a long reputation in America as a source of<br />medicines. The Rappahannock Indians steeped beech barks in saltwater to<br />produce a poison ivy lotion. Beech sap was one of the ingredients used<br />to make syrup that was used for tuberculosis. Beech barks and leaves<br />have astringent and antiseptic properties.Some other organic herbs Some Organic herbs are Barley grass, sprouts and dark green leafy<br />veggies that have high levels of antioxidants. They contain,<br />bioflavonoids, which help keep veins and arteries healthy and seem to<br />be a constituent of antioxidant preparation. In this way Turmeric is<br />high in potassium. Fresh parsley is rich in vitamin C and chlorophyll.<br />Celery seed is high in calcium.<br />Some Fresh Organic herbs have help to fine-tune the immune response in<br />our bodies. Organic herbs profoundly affect our mind and spirit. They<br />support our growth and spiritual development. Organic herbs include<br />medication herbs and cosmetic herbs. Anxiety medication herbs can be<br />Valerian, which is popular and L-theanine, an amino acid derived from<br />Green Tea, is another herb known for anxiety. Similarly there are<br />numerous cosmetic herbs which companies are making use to manufacture<br />herbals cosmetics for beautiful skin. Healthy life with organic gardens Organic gardens works with natural systems, using composts, crop<br />rotations, rock dusts, seaweeds, and microbes, to improve soils,<br />promote healthy plant growth and increase food production. Organic<br />gardens help in various ways.Health of your garden.Organic gardening works with crops that promote beneficial insects, and<br />recycles nutrients with earthworms, composts and weeding.Health of your neighborhoodPollution of our environment with poisons is a problem in our society.<br />Organic gardening looks for ways to promote fertility and health using<br />non-toxic methods.Health of our planetOur personal health and the health of this lovely world that sustain us<br />are closely interwoven. Our backyard gardens can be the sanctuaries for<br />plants and animals whose homes are destroyed.Organic seeds for healthier cropsFor the healthy Organic herbs and healthy Organic Plants, Herbinists<br />have enunciated Organic seeds. It leads to healthier soils, genetically<br />diverse agricultural ecosystems. wildcrafted vs other herbsOther herbs can have lots of side effects. Even commonly used Kava kava<br />and echinacea have both been linked to liver toxicity. Wildcrafted<br />herbs doesn't pose any side effects. Only one negative point of<br />wildcrafted herbs is they are grown wild and so many plants can be<br />poisonous. Thus only highly educated and expert practitioner advice<br />should be taken before use of any Wild crafted product. Incense - a pleasant experience of healingIncense Incense is described as a material that produces pleasant aroma when<br />burnt or to be simple one can say diffusing of aromatic spices and<br />gums. When aroma is blown out from some gums and spices when burnt, it<br />gives a pleasing perfume.<br />Several parts of plants are eg. Wood, barks, logs are used as incense.<br />Some of notably used are: AlumAlum has no smell when smouldered (although it does have a slight<br />lemon-sherbet taste). However, when ground up with herbs and used in<br />incense it has the amazing property of bubbling around the herb, and<br />carrying the scent of that herb without the "bonfire" effect that you<br />get if you try to burn the herb by itself.Balm of gileadThe "Balm of Gilead" sold by most herbalists is not actually from a<br />Commiphora species but is the fragrant dried buds of various species of<br />Poplar tree, mainly Populus balsamifera. Abies balsamea (see Canada<br />Balsam) is also sometimes referred to as the "Balm of Gilead Fir"CamphorWhenever possible use the wood. The crystalline extract found in moth<br />balls is overwhelmingDaadThe dried root of Atractylis gummifera, the Gum Thistle, is monly used<br />in Arabic Magick to influence the Dark Forces. It is extremely<br />poisonousEuphorbiumThis is also known as Wolfs Milk. This is a poisonous milky white sap<br />found in the spurge family of plants. Euphorbia resinifera produces a<br />hardened resin.Long pepperThis is a very unusual spice. It has been frequently mentioned in<br />Grimoires and in mediaeval cooking, but nowadays hardly ever seen<br />outside of the Middle East.There are many more Incense products that are commonly being used all<br />over the world. Their scents only create an essence of solemn divinity<br />and peace.<br />These wildcrafted herbs can also be seen growing widely around us but<br />we rarely know about their importance due to the hectic life styles<br />.Wildcrafted herbs make use of these so essential gifts of nature.<br />Effective Arthritis cure! Herbal Remedies<br />Arthritis is named for a group of more than 100 medical conditions that<br />collectively affect nearly 70 million adults and 300,000 children in<br />America alone. Most common form of arthritis is Osteoarthitis (OA). It<br />affects the musculoskeletal system resulting in pain, stiffness,<br />inflammation and damage to joint cartilage and surrounding structures.<br />Such damage can lead to joint weakness, instability and visible<br />deformities that, depending on the location of joint involvement, can<br />interfere with the most basic daily tasks such as walking, climbing<br />stairs, using a computer keyboard, or brushing your teeth.<br />Other form of Arthritis is Rheumatoid arthritis. It is an inflammatory<br />disease that causes pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of function in<br />the joints especially in the mornings. Joints affected by rheumatoid<br />arthritis include hands, knees, wrists, and feet. Other common symptoms<br />are swelling, weakness, fatigue, weight loss, and mild fever.Supplements That May Be Helpful For Rheumatoid ArthritisNnon-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including indomethacin,<br />nabumetone, naproxen sodium, and oxaprozin are commonly used to treat<br />rheumatoid arthritis. However, there are also a number of natural and<br />safe supplements that have been used in connection with rheumatoid<br />arthritis. These include:Borage Oil - It may partially relieve symptoms. Fish Oil(Epa/Dha) - It may partially relieve symptoms of rheumatoid<br />arthritis.Vitamin E - It protects many tissues, including joints, against<br />oxidative damage.Rheumatoid Arthritis Herbal remedy includesBoswellia- It cures symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.Cayenne - It may help relieve pain when rubbed onto arthritic jointsDevil's Claw- It exhibits anti-inflammatory and analgesic actionsTurmeric - It is an active constituent and a potent anti-inflammatory<br />compound that protects the body against free radical damage.Herbs To Give You Quick Relief Joint pains, weaknesses in Joints can make the person intolerable to<br />bear but Medicines can give you relief but there is no other remedy<br />then Herbs to cure Arthritis. There are several herbal remedies for<br />Arthritis to make your self esteem rose. Some of them are following:Alfalfa (Medicago saliva)Alfalfa is a folk remedy for arthritis in southern Appalachia. Alfalfa<br />tea is rich with nutritive minerals. It is a perennial plant with a<br />smooth, erect stem that grows 2-3 feet. It looks like a large clover.<br />Its violet-purple flowers grow in racemes from June to August,<br />producing spirally coiled seedpods. Its dried whole herbs including<br />blossoms are gathered at the beginning of flowering season. Alkalizes<br />detoxifies the body and helps to fight diuretic, lower cholesterol,<br />balances hormones, promotes pituitary gland function. It is an<br />antifungal agent. It is best if used in raw form. Angelica (Angelica archangelica)Angelica is a herb been used in European folk medicine since antiquity.<br />It can be used to treat arthritisFeverfew This has been used for centuries for arthritis. Some studies have found<br />that the anti-inflammatory effects of this herb are greater than any<br />other. Take 250 milligrams once or twice daily.Ginger (Zingiber officinale) In one study, Indian researchers gave three to seven grams of ginger a<br />day to 18 people with osteoarthritis and 28 with rheumatoid arthritis.<br />More than 75 percent of those participating in the study reported some<br />relief from pain and swelling.Burdock This refers to any of a group of biennial thistles in the Arctium,<br />family Asteraceae. Common Burdock (A. minus) grows wild throughout most<br />of North America, Europe, and Asia. In folk tradition, burdock has also<br />been used as a laxative and to get relief from Arthritis. Vitamin EThis antioxidant is used primarily for osteoarthritis. Vitamin BIt is also an effective pain reliever. It works best on the knee and<br />can help stop degeneration that is caused by free-radical molecules,<br />not only in the joints but in other areas of the body as well.Medicines Or HerbsA potential advantage of using arthritis herbs is that, in addition of<br />alleviating arthritis pain, they may provide some positive effects that<br />are not attained from drugs aimed solely at reducing pain due to<br />inflammation. For example, there is more benefit of using Arthritis<br />herbal cures improved circulation. In fact, improving circulation to<br />the limbs may be one of the important therapeutic approaches for<br />alleviating arthritis pain. Persons with advanced arthritis feel<br />uncomfortable for any physical activity, which contributes to worsening<br />of circulation in limbs. This situation can easily be countered by<br />Herb.Are There Any Side Effects There are basically no side effects if you use Herbs with the<br />prescription of Doctor. But some patients have been affected with<br />allergy by using ALFALFA. With these herbs some people may experience<br />stomach discomfort, including diarrhea, gas or larger and more frequent<br />stools. Dermatitis (red and inflamed skin) has also been reported.<br />Alfalfa may also lower blood sugar levels.<br />Good life style, exercise, healthy diet along with herbal remedies for<br />arthritis can surely give you relief and even make you lead an active<br />and healthy life.<br />Perennial Herbs to make your garden elegant<br />Perennial Herbs- Paradise Of your home In the good olden days when ignorance prevailed all over, when<br />superstition was a virtue, and belief in magic was universal, there<br />were literally hundreds of perennial herbs cultivated for fantastic<br />reasons. Thanks to modern science and experts who after exploring many<br />of these ancient fallacies, modified and experimented with them and<br />thus gave us today the modern Pharmacopoeia means Perennial herbs.<br />Perennial herbs mean herbs growing through out the year and year after<br />year.Perennial Herbs And Your GardenPerennial herbs Gardens that decorate the home are the owners' pride.<br />Perennial herbs gardens have earned a respectable place in the homes of<br />Americans. Freshly harvested herbs have pungent and aromatic qualities<br />that far exceed those of their commercially obtained counterparts,<br />whether they are fresh or dried.<br />Even after the outdoor growing season is over, you can still enjoy<br />dried herbs in fragrant potpourris and sachets. You can also grow herbs<br />indoors in pots on sunny windowsills, and use them for culinary<br />purposes fresh, dried, or frozen. They require care and a little space.<br />Very few insects and disease affect these herbs, and they generally<br />require moderate fertility levels. Above all, herbs provide you a<br />continuing and satisfying hobby.Most Popular Perennial Herbs FennelFennel is as edible as a vegetable; with a sweet licorice taste. It is<br />used for flavoring foods from candy to fish and even used as a garnish<br />for deviled eggs. The diary of an Ohio Valley settler from the late<br />1700's mentions fennel as a medicinal herb that might be found in<br />pioneer cabins. Essential Oil of Fennel is included in some<br />pharmacopoeias. It is traditionally used in drugs to treat chills and<br />stomach problems.Bee Balm, Bergamot (Monarda Didyma)Many of the herbs cultivated here today were brought from Europe, but<br />bee balm is native to the Americas. This plant is very susceptible to<br />mildew, so it is harvested early and must not be treated with<br />chemicals. Modern herbalists recommend bee balm tea for sore throats,<br />coughs, nausea, and menstrual cramps. The essential oil of bergamot/bee<br />balm has antibacterial and antiseptic applications. Wild Garlic, Leeks And Chives (Allium)Representative of a large group of pungent herbs, alliums grow from<br />bulbs each year. Settlers used these early spring herbs for added<br />flavor and health benefits, much like onions and garlic. For herb<br />gardens, alliums are available from all over the world, many with<br />interesting and odd ornamental flowers. A. sativum is renowned for its<br />medical benefits as well as its flavor. More recently, Garlic has been<br />shown to have promising anti-cancer properties.Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)Native to Kentucky prairies, coneflowers were introduced to settlers by<br />Native Americans as medicinal herbs; echinacea herb derived from<br />Purpule Coneflower has indeed become a familiar word on pharmacy<br />shelves. These big, bold, beautiful flowers have become so popular that<br />plant breeders have developed hybrids with new features, including an<br />expanded color range of whites, pinks, reds, yellows and oranges. Many,<br />such as Fragrant Angel, are scented. Perennial herbs should be given a<br />permanent location in the garden where they can grow undisturbed year<br />after year. Perennial herbs require periodic division to remain healthy<br />and productive. Urva Ursi: Parts Are Leaves And BerriesNative to Europe, the herb is now naturalized throughout the Northern<br />Hemisphere up to the Arctic. It is popular with some gardeners who<br />cultivate it as a ground cover.<br />Astringent and diuretic, uva ursi is used almost exclusively in the<br />treatment of urinary disorders by herbalists in North America. It is<br />widely used to disinfect and astringe the urinary tract in cases of<br />acute and chronic cystitis and urethritis. Although one of the best<br />natural urinary antiseptics, it is not suitable in case of kidney<br />infection. Research has confirmed its antibacterial effect, which is<br />thought to be stronger in alkaline urine. Thus, it is likely to be more<br />effective if taken in combination with a vegetable-based diet.<br />Therefore, while taking uva ursi, vitamin C and acid-rich foods as<br />citrus and many other fruits, should be avoided.<br />The herb is also an anthilic, quickly breaking down kidney and bladder<br />stones, and stopping new ones from forming. It has been recommended for<br />ulceration of the bladder and leucorrhoea and to reduce excessive<br />menstrual flow.<br />There are over seventy species of Arctostaphylos, with uva ursi being<br />one of the most pronounced medicinally. It is available commercially in<br />forms for infusions, cold macerations, extracts, capsules, and powdered<br />forms. These preparations can also be made at home under professional<br />guidance.ValerianTwo species of Valerian, Valeriana officinalis and V. dioica, are<br />indigenous to Britain, while a third, V. pyrenaica, is naturalized in<br />some parts. The genus comprises about 150 species, which are widely<br />distributed in temperate parts of the world.<br />In medicine, the Valeriun root of V. officinalis is intended when<br />Valerian is mentioned. It is supposed to be the Phu (an expression of<br />aversion from its offensive odour) of Dioscorides and Galen, by whom it<br />is extolled as an aromatic and diuretic.<br />It has a remarkable influence on the cerebro-spinal system, and is used<br />as a sedative to the higher nerve centres in conditions of nervous<br />unrest, St. Vitus's dance, hypochrondriasis, neuralgic pains and the<br />like.<br />The drug allays pain and promotes sleep. It is of special use and<br />benefits those suffering from nervous overstrain as it possesses no<br />after-effects that are produced by narcotics.<br />Though in ordinary doses, it exerts an influence quieting and soothing<br />in its nature upon the brain and nervous system. Large doses, repeated<br />too often, have a tendency to produce pain in the head, heaviness and<br />stupor. Scented GerinniumIn the world of herbs, scented geraniums have unique place. There are<br />over 230 varieties with aromas. Whatever mood you are in a choose one<br />out of many whether it is apple , coconut, peach, apricot cinnamon,<br />pineapple, nutmeg, or even pink Champagne?<br />Scented geraniums are considered tender perennials. Today scented<br />geraniums continue to be used in the making of perfumes. Synthetic rose<br />oil is made using rose scented geraniums. The dried leaves are also<br />used in sachets and potpourri. In aromatherapy rose scented geranium is<br />used for facial steams as it is reputed to have anti-aging effects on<br />the skin. It is also said to ease insomnia and have an antidepressant<br />effect.<br />The best way to choose a variety is to find well-stocked nursery and<br />let your sense of smell lead the way. Guidelines To Buy Perennial HerbsPerennials add beauty, permanence, and seasonal rhythm to any<br />landscape, and fortunately, there's a perennial that's right for almost<br />any environment.<br />Before you move to your local garden store or sit down with your<br />nursery catalog, have a plan in mind to make sure you buy just the<br />right number of plants with the soil, amount of moisture and sunlight<br />the plants will receive. If you are:Starting your Perennials from SeedAdvantagesInexpensive -- a packet of perennial seeds often costs less than one<br />single plant. You'll have the widest possible variety of species and colors to choose<br />from. DisadvantagesSome perennials take two to three years to reach blooming size. Some perennials are difficult for anyone but the expert gardener to<br />grow form the seed. SuggestionsIt may not be feasible to try starting your entire perennial garden<br />from seed, but you may want to try adding a few new plants that you've<br />started yourself. You'll find that you take great pride in the plants<br />you've started yourself. Ordering from Mail Order NurseriesAdvantagesYou'll find a much larger selection than that available from your local<br />garden center.DisadvantagesPlants are usually smaller than those available locally, and may be<br />slower to establish themselves because of the stress of shipping.SuggestionsPlace a small first order from mail order nurseries to test the quality<br />of their plants. Order early for the best selection. Don't worry about broken or bruised leaves -- healthy plants recover<br />quickly. Examine your plants immediately and contact the supplier right away if<br />there is a problem. Most are reputable and will handle your complaints<br />promptly. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Mail order nurseries<br />often offer special collections that are excellent buys, but avoid<br />those that are unbelievable. Even the catalogues they offer are a great source of inspiration and<br />information.Buying From Your Local Garden Center AdvantagesYou can see what you're getting. Plants will be larger and will establish themselves more quickly than<br />those ordered by mail.DisadvantageThe selection won't be as good as what you'll find in a good nursery<br />catalog.SuggestionsShop in the spring when you'll find the best selection. Avoid rootbound plants. Check plants for insects. If you can't plant immediately keep the containers in a shaded area and<br />water often.<br />Whether you grow them, buy them, marinate with them or use them for<br />medicinal purposes perennial herbs are extremely versatile,<br />rejuvenating and self- satisfying.<br />Facts of Herbal Nutrition SupplementsHerbal Nutrient Supplement is becoming prominent. Herbal Supplements<br />are preferred by many people across the globe.<br />These herbal dietary supplementsProvide essential nutrientsBoost the human immune system Enhance memory and sleep qualityWorld of Herbal Nutrient SupplementsIn a vast family of Herbal Nutrient Supplements some of the most<br />popular Herbal Supplements are:GingkoThis increases blood circulation, oxygenation and improves memory and<br />mental alertness.GoldensealThis reduces inflammation and can be used as a mild laxative. FeverfewThis prevents migraine headaches, treat arthritis, rheumatic disease<br />and allergies.ST. John's WortIt is used for mild-to-treat depression, anxiety, or sleep disorders. GarlicThis helps to lower cholesterol, triglyceride levels and blood<br />pressure. GinsengThis Increases physical stamina and mental concentration. A New Era in a Fertility Arena Nutritional supplements have taken center stage in the realms of<br />fertility health and infertility therapy. New fertility-enhancing<br />supplements are leading to dramatic increases in conception rates and<br />providing a alternative (or complement) to conventional infertility<br />treatments. Numerous studies validated the herbal supplement for<br />fertility enhancing potential of several nutritional and herbal<br />ingredients. Herbs like vitex agnus castus (vitex, chasteberry) amino<br />acid and l-carnitine enhance the reproductive health of women and men<br />respectively. Clinical studies indicate that these ingredients optimize<br />fertility and increase the chances of conceiving a baby.Natural Therapies and Supplements for Anxiety DisordersMany Herbal supplements for anxiety problems have been in use for<br />centuries. Herbal anxiety supplements reduce Depression and other<br />problems faced by us. Herbal Nutrient vs Vegetables Unfortunately more and more use of pesticides and fertilizers by<br />farmers in their crops are leading to depletion of nutritious value<br />leading health problems. Thus the only substitutes are Herbal dietary<br />supplements. Multivitamin can act like Insurance cover.<br />If you belong to one of the following category then a daily Vitamin and<br />mineral supplement can fill nutritional gaps Women of childbearing age Seniors Citizens Strict vegetarians orDieters orFacing eating disorders, deficiency diseases and absorption problems.How to recognize Herbal Nutrient Supplements?Herbal supplements are commonly available in several forms like<br />Tinctures, Capsules, Tea etc. Familiarity with different forms of<br />herbal supplements can help you to make the best choice. Capsules are<br />most popular form of herbal supplements. The dried herbal supplement is<br />powdered and pressed into gelatin capsules. Capsules containing a<br />combination of the whole herb and a standardized extract provide the<br />greatest effect. Appropriate dosage ranges are listed on the labels of<br />herb capsule bottles. If you are taking herbal remedy for an acute<br />illness, choose the higher end of the dosage range. If you are taking<br />herbal supplements as a preventive measure, choose a lower dosage.<br />Teas (herbal infusions) are prepared by putting small amount of herb in<br />a cup, filling it with boiling water and then heating it. Herb teas<br />increase potency.<br />Quantity of Dosage<br />The quantity of herbal supplement dosage to be consumed depends on<br />weight. To calculate herbal supplement dosages, simply take the weight<br />of the person and divide it by 150. Chronically ill or physically<br />disabled persons should take low dosage of Herbal supplement. Side Effects There can be side effects in the use of Herbal Nutrition supplement<br />like GINKO. It may increase bleeding in people who already are taking<br />certain anti-clotting medications; Goldenseal may increase swelling or<br />high blood pressure. Feverfew can increase bleeding etc. Precaution needed before the use of Herbal Nutrient Supplement Dietary supplements may not be risk free under certain circumstances.<br />Few major points should be kept in mind before using Herbal<br />Supplements. They are as follows:Choose standardized herbal extracts. Standardization ensures product<br />consistency from one batch to the next. Look for the ingredient COA (Certificate of Analysis), which guarantees<br />the potency and safety of that ingredient. The active ingredients in many supplements are destroyed by stomach<br />acid but the best herbal supplement is one that is designed to bypass<br />or survive the digestive process. Choose single herb supplements rather than compounds or blends. Are Herbal Nutrient Supplements for everyone?Herbal Nutrient Supplements are for everyone except for those patients<br />who are undergoing surgery, pregnant or nursing women and children who<br />are currently under medical treatment. Doctor should be duly informed<br />about the vitamins, minerals, herbals or any other supplements before<br />elective surgery. You may be asked to stop taking these products at<br />least 2-3 weeks ahead of the procedure to avoid dangerous<br />supplement/drug interactions such as changes in heart rate, blood<br />pressure and increased bleeding that could adversely affect the outcome<br />of your surgery.<br />Need of doctor's advice<br />Dietary supplements have many supplements that contain active<br />ingredients. They have strong biological effects and their safety is<br />not always assured, and in some cases doctors advice is required. In<br />case of pregnancy, nursing a baby, or having a chronic medical<br />condition, such as, diabetes, hypertension or heart disease it is<br />advisable to consult doctor or pharmacist before purchasing or taking<br />any supplement. While vitamin and mineral supplements are widely<br />considered safe for children it is better to consult doctor or<br />pharmacist. If you want to use dietary supplement in place of drugs or<br />in combination with any drug then also health care provider should be<br />consulted. Authenticity of Herbal Nutrient Supplements The medical and scientific communities are rapidly accumulating<br />powerful evidence about the role of nutritional supplements in both<br />health promotion and disease prevention. The results are encouraging<br />and make one to conclude that Herbal Dietary Supplements are a gift to<br />mankind.<br />Welcome to HerbalCureIndia Herbal cure India is one of the most premier<br />brands that is functioning extensively in establishing the world of<br />ayurveda and herbs as the main stream of treatment. The herbal<br />supplements that made by herbal cure India are one of the best herbal<br />supplements that are available. These are formulated after extensive<br />research done by our doctors. The team of our specialized doctors is<br />present round the clock to give you online advice to cure you from all<br />the ailments you are suffering from. We have world’s finest range of<br />beauty products that will change your life and make you beautiful like<br />never before.<br /><br />Besides from the emotional shock, it seems that there are physical<br />ramifications from having acne breakouts. Besides the pimple itself, it<br />is the after consequence that actually poses a problem. Acne scars pose<br />the greatest physical effect on a person's acne-infested face.<br />While the pimples may come and go, scars can be enduring, and one needs<br />to make sure that she deals with her acne difficulty the right way<br />unless she wants to have scars all over her face and body.<br />Acne scarring depends on how pimples were cleared out from the face as<br />well as its healing process. But not all remnants of a pimple can be<br />measured a scar. Acne scars are formed simple as after the tissue has<br />been damaged, the body in general heals the small wound, but as the new<br />construction sets on that damaged area, it will not essentially be<br />similar-looking with the rest of the skin. This makes a scar.<br />The strength of the scar, though, depends on different unverified<br />factors. It could be because the acne was so severe, or the person did<br />something drastic to remove it. On the other hand, some people are just<br />more susceptible to acne scarring, which may be inherited. Acne scars<br />differ from each other. There are scars that change little in a<br />lifetime and there are scars that fade out over time.<br />A complete herbal solution to your eye problem. A unique formulation<br />based on the principles of ayurveda, that will help you counter any<br />kind of eye related problem. Safest method to rejuvenate the vision of<br />eye. Itone is an ayurvedic preparation, free from harmful chemicals<br />that works as an antiseptic and non irritant lotion without any harmful<br />effect to the eye tissues.<br />Indication Strains Watering of eyes Decreased vision Redness in eyes Pain in eyes Allergies Styes Dryness in eyes Burning of eyes Dosage 1 to 2 drops to be applied in both the eyes at bed time and after<br />rising in the bed in the morning or as advised by a doctor.<br />IngredientsNimba Sobhanjana Bhringaraj Punarnava Nirgundi Stapatri Yamani Haritki Vibhitaki Dhatriphala Haridra Larnpuam Pudina Saindhava lavana Madhu Ela Swet chandan Mukta Rakta chanadan Hastisundi Tulsi patra<br />So, how can you actually avert scarring? To be safe, it's better to<br />shun acne in the first place. It is best to treat the acne in its early<br />stages. The less inflamed it is, the less scarring possible. Also,<br />picking out the pimple will augment the possibility of scarring<br />incredibly. Taking good care of your skin can help you out in<br />preventing acne scarring. So put on some sun block and treat your skin<br />right with proper diet and shun things that can make the skin suffer<br />from premature aging such as smoking.<br />There are many types of acne. There are soft acne scars that are small,<br />soft to the touch and merge with the skin. There is also the ice pick<br />scar, which is small but deep and usually found on the cheek. An ice<br />pick scar that is quite big though, is considered as depressed fibrotic<br />acne scar. Scars differ not only in size or depth, but also in color.<br />This means some races are more prone to certain types of scars than<br />others.<br />But what is irritating about these acne scars is that they aren't easy<br />to take away. People who try to wait it out may be frustrated because<br />some are there to stay for a lifetime. But fret not, for there is a way<br />to treat acne scars. Bleaching agents are obtainable for certain scars.<br />There are also topical resurfacing agents for scars.<br />Microdermabrasion or dermatological surgery can also be a solution. But<br />whatever treatment you use, there is no certainty that your face will<br />have that pre-scar skin again, even if the treatment works. If scarring<br />does have a deep effect on your life, the best way is to ask the help<br />of a dermatologist.<br />Home remedy for constipation tip 1 - Drinking a glass of warm milk<br />before going to bed helps in easy evacuation in the morning. In case of<br />severe constipation, mix two teaspoons of castor oil in the milk.<br />Home remedy for constipation tip 2 - Bale fruit is the best laxative of<br />all fruits. It cleans and tones up the intestines & gives constipation<br />relief.<br />Home remedy for constipation tip 3 - You can overcome constipation with<br />simple home remedies and common sense. Schedule a regular time for<br />bowel movements. Choose a time when you won't be rushed or interrupted.<br />Many people find that the best time is shortly after a meal or first<br />thing in the morning or after coffee.<br />Home remedy for constipation tip 4 - 8 ounce of milk should be mixed<br />with about 3 ounces of prune juice in addition to little drops of<br />licorice extract and should be taken in morning to treat constipation<br />as soon as possible. This is simple and effective Home Remedy for<br />Constipation.<br />Home remedy for constipation tip 5 - Take 5 gram of amla powder in<br />night. It is an effective herbal remedy for constipation<br />Home remedy for constipation tip 6 - Mix dried figs with plum's<br />concentration; add half a teaspoon of paraffin oil, 1 cup of borsch,<br />honey and lemon and drink.<br />Tip 7 - Saturate plums (or dates) with warm water before you go to bed;<br />drink the water in the morning and eat the plums if you want to.<br />Tip 8 - Eat more veggies! In the long run, the only thing that’s going<br />to keep this from happening is fiber. You should be eating 28-42 grams<br />of fiber a day, which means fiber-rich veggies, not just a few<br />supplements<br />Tip 8 - Many home remedies for constipation are herbal. They are aloe<br />juice, senna, and cascara sagrada, and medicinal rhubarb, root of<br />dandelion and plaintain seeds. Of these the most effect is probably<br />cascara sagrada. Overuse can be harmful, however, so approach these<br />herbal home constipation remedies with care.<br />Our intend is to provide useful and precise information about herbal<br />products and home remedies. You will find general product information<br />as well as testimonials, product reviews and articles. This is a<br />moderately new site but we will be adding new herbal product reviews<br />each week.<br />There are five general categories of products:<br />Specific Health Products - herbal products relating to specific health<br />conditions. Weight Loss Products - herbal solutions to weight loss.Men's Health Products - herbal products relating to male sexuality or<br />men's issues.Women's Health Products - herbal products relating to female sexuality,<br />conception or women's issues.Natural Skin Care and beauty Products - Safe and gentle skin care<br />alternatives.<br />Natural weight loss with Bioslim Our nature provides us with a number of herbs that can be used to get<br />rid of a number of problems including obesity. These herbs are there in<br />the mountains and the forest covers and need to be cautiously selected<br />from their. The main benefit of consuming the herbs and taking an<br />herbal weight loss treatment, is that this a 100 % natural way of<br />getting rid of diseases, and hence is safer. There are a number of<br />researches that are constantly being organized to update the<br />information on the different herbal methods of recovering from diseases<br />and health problems.<br /><br />Herbs have also established to be useful in reducing weight. Some of<br />the medicines and chemicals that are unnaturally prepared to provide a<br />weight loss solution are present in these herbs. The herbal weight loss<br />medicines that are available in the market can be used for a quick and<br />competent treatment. The main advantage of using the herbal weight loss<br />medicines and treatments is that they are free of any side effects and<br />hence can help you decrease weight in a safer manner.<br />It is always better to club the weight loss treatments with the<br />exercise and a balanced diet. These two factors alone can help you loss<br />weight. Using herbal medicines to reduce weight would just add fire to<br />the fuel and increase the rate of weight loss. The information on the<br />herbal weight loss treatments can be obtained online. There are<br />different herbs that have been found in the new past that can be used<br />for herbal treatment of obesity. The use of green tea is one of the<br />latest discoveries that can be used for a quick weight loss device.<br />Lean tea is an herbal product that can be used to reduce the weight<br />without any side effect. Using the green tea you can with no trouble<br />convert the bad cholesterol contained in the body into the good<br />cholesterol.<br />There are dissimilar weight loss programs that can be joint with the<br />herbal treatment for weight loss for a more efficient weight loss plan.<br />The weight loss technique used in getting the herbal treatment use the<br />naturally happening chemicals in the form of the herbs to get rid of<br />the problem of obesity and for a quick weight loss. These herbs and<br />plants are cautiously selected and their extracts are prepared which<br />can be consumed in a fixed dosage for a side effect free weight loss<br />treatment.<br />Bioslim, a herbal weigh loss formula is extremely helpful in making you<br />lose weigh very fast. Bioslim is a blend of some of the finest<br />ayurvedic herbs that are extremely beneficial in weigh loss in the most<br />efficient way.<br />Speman for increasing sperm count<br />One of the most frustrating infertility problems is male infertility<br />caused by low sperm count. Around half of the infertility problems<br />encountered by couples are caused by male infertility. The most common<br />form of male infertility is a low sperm count.<br /><br />Below are various methods that will help you in increasing sperm count.<br />- Have sex & masturbate less often - the more times you ejaculate, the<br />less dense your semen will be. Maintain a gap of 3 days between two<br />consecutive ejaculations.<br />- Abstain from habits like smoking, alcohol consumption etc. - Alcohol<br />affects your liver function, which, in turn, causes a remarkable rise<br />in estrogen levels. Even two drinks a day will have long-term effects<br />on sperm production<br />-Exercise on a regular basis. Exercising your PC muscle can help you<br />shoot further than ever before. You can practice this exercise by the<br />use of penis enlargement oil popularly known as orgy oil.<br />- Eat Nutritious Food - Diet that's low in fat and high in protein,<br />vegetables, and whole grains is good for your health and for your<br />sperm. Avoid bitter, astringent and spicy foods. Decrease caffeine<br />intake<br />- Take natural supplement like Speman that will increase your sperm<br />count.<br />- Herbs like Ashwagandha, salabmishri, shialjit, that are present in<br />the most wonderful herbal product known as himalaya speman that will<br />help in increasing your sperm count.<br />There are several dietary measures that a man who has a low sperm count<br />can take to attempt to increase his sperm count, including:<br />- Eat a diet that comprises whole, unprocessed foods. The best foods<br />for health in general and also for sperm count problems, are whole<br />grains, legumes, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds.<br />- Eliminate alcohol intake. In addition to the general nutritional<br />benefits of avoiding alcohol, keep away from alcohol may also assist<br />with sexual performance issues.<br />- Identify and avoid food allergies.<br />- Raw sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds have been shown to help with<br />male fertility. It is recommended that a man with a low sperm count eat<br />1/4 cup of raw sunflower or pumpkin seeds each day.<br />- Drink at least 48 ounces of water every day.<br />- When promising, try to eat organic foods. Some studies propose a<br />connection between chemical fertilizers and pesticides with both male<br />and female infertility.<br />How To Lose Weight With An Advanced Weight Loss Diet If you've decided to live a healthier lifestyle, you may also want to<br />consider losing weight, too. Lately, more people have been trying to<br />get healthy with fat diets; and as more and more people fail, we hear<br />about the importance of losing weight more often in television and<br />print media.<br />But how can the average Joe get in 30 minutes of exercise everyday when<br />all he has to do is work? There are weight loss supplements that are<br />designed to help you lose weight without the need for weights and<br />running and all the other exercise regimes that people describe as the<br />best way to lose those extra pounds.<br />Advanced Weight Loss supplements are designed to help the average Joe<br />reach his goal of weight loss and or muscle gain. It can be seen as<br />like living in the future, take a supplement and everything will be<br />okay.<br />Of course it is not like that in reality: don’t think for a second that<br />you can take these supplements and they will solve all of your weight<br />loss problems. In addition to weight loss supplements, you should also<br />alter your diet. You should make it healthier by restricting your<br />portions and reducing the amount of saturated and hydrogenated fats you<br />consume.<br />You should also consider walking and cycling, which are good ways to<br />help the body stay naturally healthy as well as help those health<br />supplements get to their full power.<br />There are many packages available for purchase and you must check them<br />carefully; some are not designed for your health, so always be careful<br />and read the label. Taking concentrated chemical medicines instead of<br />healthy medicines could seriously alter your hormonal cycles.<br />This is another reason why healthy medicines are the best choice in the<br />long run. They will facilitate the improvement of your health over a<br />long period of time, rather than provide you with a dangerous, quick<br />fix to your problem.<br />Fat Loss Different For Everyone When it comes to ways to achieve fat loss, there are about as many<br />programs as there are people hoping to lose fat. Which one a person<br />chooses will depend on whether they think it will work for them. It has<br />been noted that if there were one diet plan that worked for absolutely<br />everyone, there would be no overweight people.<br />Many times, people look at a fat loss program and the easier it sounds,<br />the more excited about it they become. Imagine taking a pill and the<br />weight falls off while you continue your couch potato lifestyle. While<br />there may be some chemical needs to kick-start your metabolism, most<br />doctors and trainers will tell you that the only real way to achieve<br />fat loss is through diet and exercise.<br />Every person’s metabolism is different and how fast their body burns<br />calories is different. As a result, how fast they experience fat loss<br />is going to be different. Some of the better weight loss programs<br />understand that and advise people not to give up if they do not see<br />exceptional results in the first weeks of being on a particular diet<br />plan.<br />Fat Burners: A Temporary Solution<br />Recently, the biggest push has been for fat burners, which can help<br />jump-start your fat loss efforts. The trouble with these programs is<br />that they do work, but only for a while before the body builds up<br />immunity to them and stop working. The best role they play is showing<br />almost immediate results to give the person hope for their fat loss and<br />more initiative to stay on their program of choice.<br />A fast, temporary fat loss program will not help you maintain the<br />weight you are looking for, rather it only shows in the short term.<br />Without a maintenance program of diet and exercise it will not take<br />long until you will find the fat you lost. For those who struggle with<br />their weight, losing weight is not just a diet plan, it is a way of<br />life. When people say they do not diet because the diets do not work,<br />they may be right. In order to lose weight a person has to take in less<br />calories than they burn.<br />When seeking the right fat loss method that will work for you, remember<br />your body’s nutritional needs as well. Often times eliminating too many<br />calories also eliminates the very stimulus your body needs for its own<br />metabolic rate control and, after all, the body is the best fat burner<br />known.<br />Premenstrual Symptoms Premenstrual symptoms (PMS) is what is known as the symptoms that start<br />7 to 14 days before menstruation and thankfully the symptoms usually<br />stop soon after the period begins.<br />Most women feel different levels of discomfort before their periods. If<br />you have premenstrual symptoms, you may feel so anxious, depressed or<br />uncomfortable.<br />Some women suffer insomuch that they struggle to cope at home or at<br />work. Symptoms can be worse some months and better others<br />Some of the symptoms of premenstrual symptoms are listed below. Bloated<br />abdomen / Constipation Depression and Crying spells The heartbeat is<br />faster A feeling of hunger Feeling irritable/ tense Feeling tired and<br />anxious Headache and Joint pain Mood swings and a lack of interest in<br />sex Tender and swollen breasts Difficulty concentrating or sleeping<br />Swollen hands or feet Preferring to be alone Weight gain<br />What's the cause of premenstrual symptoms? It's not known for sure!It seems to be linked in part to changes in hormone levels that take<br />place during the menstrual cycle.<br />Contrary to what many people believe premenstrual symptoms is not<br />caused by stress or psychological problems although they may make the<br />symptoms of premenstrual symptoms worse.<br />How do we diagnose premenstrual symptoms? Some doctors ask their<br />patientsto keep track of your symptoms on a calendar. If those symptoms<br />follow the same pattern it's likely to be premenstrual symptoms.<br />You should ask your doctor to examine you to rule out other<br />problems.They will talk to you about your work or home life and discuss<br />your eating and exercise habits.<br />How is premenstrual symptoms treated? Most women are aware that there<br />isn't a cure for premenstrual symptoms. Eating a healthy diet and<br />regular exercise will be a great help. There are of course certain<br />medicines that also help.<br />Your doctor will consider advising you of possibly changing your diet<br />and including an exercise routine and depending on your symptoms, they<br />may also prescribe medicines.<br />Some medicines work better than others so you may need to experiment.<br />Some medicines are available over-the-counter and others require a<br />prescription. Prescription medicines may include antidepressants<br />diuretics or birth control pills.<br />As for the future? Other medicines are constantly being studied.<br />What are diuretics? A diuretic is any drug that tends to increase the<br />flow of urine from the body. They also decrease the extra cellular<br />fluid volume, and are primarily used to produce a negative extra<br />cellular fluid balance.You would normally take them prior to any<br />expected premenstrual symptoms.<br />What about antidepressants? For those women who suffer severe<br />irritability, depression and anxiety, some antidepressants may help.<br />These medicines are usually taken daily.....and birth control pills? Ask your doctor about taking birth control<br />pills. They can help ease some of your premenstrual symptoms by<br />"balancing out" your hormone levels throughout your cycle and many<br />women find that their premenstrual symptoms improve drastically.<br />Remember though, the pill may cause side effects.<br />What about non prescription Medicines?<br />Non prescription medicines are available that can help with the<br />symptoms of premenstrual symptoms. Basically these medicines combine<br />aspirin or acetaminophen with caffeine, antihistamines or diuretics.<br />Some over-the-counter pain relievers can also help and can work quite<br />well for mild or moderate premenstrual symptoms but do discuss this<br />with your doctor before you try them.<br />What might ease the symptoms? . Here are some tips on controlling<br />premenstrual symptoms: Eat complex carbohydrates including whole grain<br />breads, pasta and cereals. Eat fibre and protein and reduce your intake<br />of sugar and fat. Avoid salt just prior to your period to reduce<br />bloating and fluid retention.<br />Reduce your caffeine intake. This will help you to feel less tense and<br />irritable and help ease breast soreness. Cut out alcohol. Alcohol<br />before a period can make you feel more depressed.Eat more small meals each day instead of less larger meals. Get as much<br />sleep as possible--about 8 hours a night and keep to a regular schedule<br />of meals, bedtime and exercise. Avoid stressful events for the week<br />after your period.<br />Some people benefit from a vitamin regime and some don't. Supplements,<br />such as vitamin B6, vitamin E and magnesium, can help relieve<br />premenstrual symptoms. Check with your doctor about possible side<br />effects taking vitamins if you take more than the RDA.<br />Taking calcium pills may reduce symptoms of water retention, ramps and<br />back pain. Taking about 1,000 mg of calcium a day probably won't be<br />harmful, especially because calcium has so many other benefits, such as<br />being good for your bones.<br />Constipation in newborns can become a big problem if neglected. In many<br />cases, these situations can get complicated because newborn babies are<br />not able to describe what is happening with their own bodies. At the<br />same time, there is nothing such as a healthy frequency for bowel<br />movements in newborns. Some of them might have several watery stools in<br />a day, and some of them might not have bowel movements for whole weeks<br />together. That is the reason parents have to be vigilant. If the baby<br />cries incessantly or is squirming then it is probably suffering from<br />constipation.<br />If you are sure your baby is constipated, there are some ways to treat<br />the condition at home itself. You can try these very simple and safe<br />remedies before visiting the doctor.<br />Constipation in Newborns Home Remedy # 1 This is a simple massage technique that helps the baby to improve the<br />digestive and egestive (passing stools) function. Put the baby on its<br />back on a soft surface. Then hold both the feet of the baby in the air.<br />Then slowly circulate both the legs in the air. Follow different kinds<br />of movements for each leg – clockwise for one and anticlockwise for the<br />other, and change the orders. This helps to improve the function of the<br />digestive tract and the baby will have a bowel movement soon.<br />Constipation in Newborns Home Remedy # 2 This is another massaging method that works effectively. Put the baby<br />on its back and keep your palm on his/her tummy. Then, slowly and<br />gradually, cycle the palm on the baby's belly. The movements should be<br />with light pressure, but steady. This method stimulates the digestive<br />tract of the baby too and allows it to have a bowel movement. You can<br />do this massage when the baby is in the bath or after applying a<br />sufficient quantity of massage oil on the baby's body. Apart from being<br />a good digestive tract strengthening exercise, the baby will love the<br />feeling too.<br />Constipation in Newborns Home Remedy # 3 If your baby is being some formula, stop it. Rely only on<br />breastfeeding. Really, this is the best home remedy there is because<br />babies that are breastfed will never get constipated. If you cannot<br />breastfeed for some reason, then there might be two probable causes of<br />the constipation. Number one, you might be using lesser water than<br />required in making the formula. Prepare the formula exactly according<br />to the instructions mentioned. Use boiled water that has been cooled.<br />Number two, your child might be averse to milk-based formulas. Try<br />replacing them with soy-based formulas.<br />These are some things you can do at home to try and ensure that your<br />baby has regular bowel movements. But if the bowel movements do not<br />happen despite these massaging techniques, and the baby is not having<br />any other food except breast milk, then there might be some other<br />condition troubling the baby. In that case, you must not waste any<br />further time in visiting the healthcare provider.<br />Constipation in newborns can become a big problem if neglected. In many<br />cases, these situations can get complicated because newborn babies are<br />not able to describe what is happening with their own bodies. At the<br />same time, there is nothing such as a healthy frequency for bowel<br />movements in newborns. Some of them might have several watery stools in<br />a day, and some of them might not have bowel movements for whole weeks<br />together. That is the reason parents have to be vigilant. If the baby<br />cries incessantly or is squirming then it is probably suffering from<br />constipation.<br />If you are sure your baby is constipated, there are some ways to treat<br />the condition at home itself. You can try these very simple and safe<br />remedies before visiting the doctor.<br />Constipation in Newborns Home Remedy # 1 This is a simple massage technique that helps the baby to improve the<br />digestive and egestive (passing stools) function. Put the baby on its<br />back on a soft surface. Then hold both the feet of the baby in the air.<br />Then slowly circulate both the legs in the air. Follow different kinds<br />of movements for each leg – clockwise for one and anticlockwise for the<br />other, and change the orders. This helps to improve the function of the<br />digestive tract and the baby will have a bowel movement soon.<br />Constipation in Newborns Home Remedy # 2 This is another massaging method that works effectively. Put the baby<br />on its back and keep your palm on his/her tummy. Then, slowly and<br />gradually, cycle the palm on the baby's belly. The movements should be<br />with light pressure, but steady. This method stimulates the digestive<br />tract of the baby too and allows it to have a bowel movement. You can<br />do this massage when the baby is in the bath or after applying a<br />sufficient quantity of massage oil on the baby's body. Apart from being<br />a good digestive tract strengthening exercise, the baby will love the<br />feeling too.<br />Constipation in Newborns Home Remedy # 3 If your baby is being some formula, stop it. Rely only on<br />breastfeeding. Really, this is the best home remedy there is because<br />babies that are breastfed will never get constipated. If you cannot<br />breastfeed for some reason, then there might be two probable causes of<br />the constipation. Number one, you might be using lesser water than<br />required in making the formula. Prepare the formula exactly according<br />to the instructions mentioned. Use boiled water that has been cooled.<br />Number two, your child might be averse to milk-based formulas. Try<br />replacing them with soy-based formulas.<br />These are some things you can do at home to try and ensure that your<br />baby has regular bowel movements. But if the bowel movements do not<br />happen despite these massaging techniques, and the baby is not having<br />any other food except breast milk, then there might be some other<br />condition troubling the baby. In that case, you must not waste any<br />further time in visiting the healthcare provider.<br />Tighten & Restore the grip of Vagina<br />Lady Secret Serum gives you complete youthfulness and brings back the<br />vagina into its original shape and enhances tightening sensation and<br />heightens sensitivity of vagina. Contains Phyto-estrogen and various<br />tropical herbal extracted types also to helping and restores<br />lubrication and solving the problem of vaginal dryness.<br />Ingredients : Pueraria Mirifica and tropical herb extracts, Carbopol,<br />Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Propylene and etc.<br />Direction : After daily cleansing, properly washed hands and apply the<br />serum gently on vagina, and no need to rinse off.<br />Serum : 5 ml.<br />Introduction Lady Secret contains herbal ingredients, based on Indo-Thai traditional<br />knowledge of Herbal science. Lady secret helps in Tighten & Restore the<br />grip of Vagina and Stimulate the G Spot for Intimate Pleasure . This is<br />useful for ladies who loose their vagina size usually after delivery or<br />some other physiological reasons. Lady Secret effects positively on<br />intimate relationship where both partner looses interest in each other<br />without knowing the cause, this Lady Secret cream gives you complete<br />youthfulness and bring back the vagina into its original shape and<br />Enhances tightening sensation and heightens sensitivity of vagina. Lady<br />Secret will give you more confidence and Pleasure of Intimate<br />relationship, which you might have not experienced before. Experience<br />the Pleasure of young age again with Lady Secret. Product Features 1. Firms and tightens the vagina naturally at the same time to give<br />more pleasure and comfort . 2. Contains estrogen helping to restore lubrication solving the problem<br />of vaginal dryness . 3. Help in restoring the vagina suppleness. 4. Also increase vaginal secretion and contraction of vaginal channel . 5. It is an anti-inflammatory that stop swelling and dispel unpleasant<br />odor . 6. Helpful in protection from microbial pathogens. 7. Reduce excessive mucus of the vagina. 8. Contracts and reshape the vaginal walls to intensify intimate<br />pleasure. How it effects Lady Secret Cream (Herbal Vaginal Contraction) can shows results within<br />30 minutes, you can experience the contraction in vagina & tender<br />feeling of stimulation of G-Spot. Regular application of cream can<br />enhance the tightening sensation & sensation of vagina. To sustain the<br />affect of Lady Secret Cream (Herbal Vaginal Contraction) it is<br />advisable not to wash Vagina immediately. Mechanism (How It Works) Lady Secret Cream works by toning and lubricating the inner walls of<br />the vagina. It enhances the ability to draw on and secrete your own<br />natural lubricants. It stimulates the "Bartholon" glands to release<br />estrogen, helping to restore lubrication solving the problem of vaginal<br />dryness and thicken the vaginal walls.><br />Are you facing problems like Vaginal irritation Leucorrhea Vaginal discharge White discharge Urinary tract infection Yellow discharge Then you might be suffering from leucorrhea.<br />Leucorrhea is catarrhal release from the mucus membrane of the female<br />genital tract (FGT). It is commonly known as white or yellow discharge<br />.It may be due to any precise pathology or due to poor health &<br />unhygienic condition of the genital organ. This white or yellow<br />discharge may be varying from white to radish or thick and viscid with<br />or with no foul smells due type of infections continues. In normal<br />cases it may be come into view just before or after menstrual bleeding.<br />In Ayurvedic terminology it is called as SWET PRADAR supposed to be<br />caused by the aggravation or vitiation of dosha (humor) especially the<br />kapha humor.<br />Symptoms Irritability Digestive disturbances. Black circular patch around eyes. Itching in genital path. Spots on undergarments. Foul smells. Root Causes Awake late at night Metabolic & Hormonal disturbances. Weakness, Emaciated & Anemic. Fungal infections. Chronic Amoebiasis. Chronic Constipation Poor hygienic condition Treatment Ayurveda has been regarded as the best herbal medicinal science when it<br />is regarded to female health. There are lots many herb that are very<br />effective in treating the gynecological problems especially leucorrhea.<br />Below are few of the herbs and herbal formulations that are extremely<br />beneficial in treating leucorrhea.<br />Ashoka or Saraca indica - Ashoka acts as a muscle relaxant, thus it<br />relieves pain and discomfort, avoids itching. It is effective for<br />extreme blood loss during menstruation due to the presence of uterine<br />fibroids. It is also used as a alternate for ergot, a kind of dried<br />fungus used in medicine in the treatment of uterine hemorrhage. Dhataki (Woodfordia fruticosa): Dhatki is helpful in extreme uterine<br />bleeding. It forms a constituent of a research given in abnormal<br />suppression of menses. An extract of the plant was found to stimulate<br />the contraction of the intestinal loop, and investigations have<br />substantiated the clinical use of the drug in bowel complaints. Female support – This is a wonder of ayurveda. It is the most effective<br />herba; formulation that is very much recommend by doctors in preventing<br />as well as treating leucorrhea. This herbal formulation contains three<br />most vital herbs these are lodhra, ashoka and Shatavari. All these<br />herbs are very well known for there support in the gynecological<br />problems as well as leucorrhea. M2tone – m2tone tablets are regarded as a helpful hand in treating all<br />kind of female genital tract problems. It is considered as the most<br />authentic herbal formulation that is also a good remedy for treating<br />problems like PMS, menstrual problems, irritation, leucorrhea, vaginal<br />discharge and other gynecological problems. Diet for leucorrhea patient Fried and spicy food should completely be avoided. The patient should<br />not be allowed to keep her stomach empty for a long time. She should<br />not take heavy, indigestible food material. Sour items especially<br />pickle and curds are forbidden. Intake of supari after taking food is<br />very useful both for avoidance and cure of this disease.<br />Life style of the patient<br />The patient should be free from worries and should not keep herself<br />awake late in the night. Sexual intercourse during the attack of this<br />disease is forbidden. A brisk walk in the early morning helps in the<br />early cure of leucorrhea. Sanitary and hygienic measures should be<br />followed cautiously.<br />Are you suffering from following conditions? Irregular menstruation Menstrual disorder Uterine bleeding Primanary amenorrhoea, Irregular menstrual cycles Secondary amenorrhea White discharge Women are the most beautiful creation of God. She has been blessed with<br />the benediction to make our species to carry on. She has been assigned<br />duty by god to make our progeny to continue. But she also has to face<br />so many difficulties in following the rules laid by God.<br />Her reproductive tract is under complete control endocrine system.<br />These produce various hormones to make the female reproductive tract<br />working. Females have to face so many problems such as irregular<br />menstruation, menstrual disorder, uterine bleeding, primanary<br />amenorrhoea, irregular menstrual cycles, secondary amenorrhea, and<br />white discharge. She is most of the time troubled with these above<br />mentioned problems that make her very irritated and really need care of<br />people around her. <br />Constantly she requires your love and special care that will make her<br />feel that the pain and agony that she suffers is worth. Being her<br />partner or well wisher you should always help her. But here question<br />arises that what can be done…….Think..<br />Yes these are the primary things that come to your mind instantly. Your<br />love and proper care will make her relieved from these conditions. Give<br />her the right treatment for her problem. Heal her problem naturally and<br />with safety. Give her the herbs that will treat her problem with no<br />side effects.<br />But How?<br />Where would you get all the herbs that will treat her up.<br />I have the answer. This is known as M2Tone tablets.<br /> Benefits of M2 tone tablets Permanent treatment and cure for menstural cramps It stops abnormal or excessive bleeding from vagina and regulates &<br />restores normal menstural flow. Can be taken even during periods Completely safe with no chemicals and artificial hormones Improves pregnancy outcomes. Does not cause any side effects like Nausea, Vomiting, Breast<br />tenderness, Headache, unlike hormones. Safe for long term use<br />What is M2tone? M2 tone tablet is a wonderful menstrual medicine that is very effective<br />in irregular menstrual cycles and secondary amenorrhea. It is also<br />useful in Menstrual Disorder and is a good remedies for menstrual<br />cramps<br />Dosage of M2 tone tablets<br />General: One to two tablets twice a day for minimum three cycles with<br />water.Two tablets twice or thrice a day for minimum three cycles or till<br />conception takes place.M2tone tablets are the best Home remedies for menstrual cramps, as it<br />cure it naturally and is the safest herbal medicine as it possesses<br />various Ayurvedic herbs that will cure your menstruation problem and<br />will also help you conceive.<br />Females of any species have being the carrier of the progeny. She has<br />been provided with the powers to conceive and then give birth to the<br />same progeny of the species. Human female also gives birth to a baby.<br />Though it seems to be very easy process but it is actually a very<br />complex process. Female body is entirely controlled by hormones that<br />make all the child birth possible. Though this is a blessing by God as<br />she has the power to make her progeny to progress but still she has to<br />face lots of agony and troubles.<br />Female reproductive tract is one of the most complex systems of the<br />body. The hormonal effects make it susceptible to various wanted and<br />unwanted effects. The menstrual cycles plays one the most important<br />role in the life of a female. But it carry with it lots of problems and<br />pains that only female can understand.<br />Females also have many other issues also like concerning her beauty and<br />body. Due to hormonal disturbances she has to face problems like acne<br />and increased weight. They always want to look good and beautiful. Our<br />this section of female health deals with all the health concerns of a<br />women.<br />Natrual way for breast enlargement and firmness<br />It constists of high quality Pueraria Mirifica extract which gives best<br />results in breast firming and enlarging. Phytoestrogen from Pueraria<br />Mirifica also can help rehydrate the skin and strengthen collagen and<br />elastin. So it provides both skin and breast rejuvenation.<br />Ingredients : Pueraria Mirifica and tropical herb extracts.<br />Direction : Apply the cream on each breast massaging in a circular<br />motion for 3-5 minutes. Apply once in the morning and at night.<br />Cream : 100 g.<br />Human is also a one of the animals created by God. The only thing that<br />differentiates us humans with other animals is the brain. With the<br />grace and blessing of God, humans are provided with the developed brain<br />that provides them with the power to actually rule the world. But with<br />such a stressful life and lots of botheration and most importantly<br />unhealthy lifestyles has lead to the decrease in the activity of our<br />brain functioning. There are many other factors that are also<br />contributing to the decreased activity of the brain. Age is also an<br />important factor that leads to the decreased memory. Deficiency of<br />various vitamins and minerals are also a contributing factor.<br />In this section of the memory we would provide you with the various<br />remedies and information with which you can get benefit and improve<br />your mental skills.<br />Improve your memory from Memory support A powerful brain stimulant, that helps in revieving the mental ability<br />in you, that keep on deteriorating with time and also supports your<br />body and its hormonal activities. The unique herbal formulation<br />inspired from, the age old science of ayurveda makes it more precious<br />and esteemed in its approach to make to intelligent and brainy.<br />How it WorksMemory support initiates mental functioning by modulating the<br />neurotransmission of the chemicals involved in the nerve impulse<br />transmission. It restores the activities of the receptors. It helps in<br />triggering the stimulations in the brain so as to improve mental<br />concentration, memory skills, retention power and reduces stress. It<br />also helps in curbing the anxiety levels by decreasing the tribulin and<br />mono amine oxidase inhibitor. It is also helpful in beholding the<br />attention variation and behavioral ailments. Memory support also helps<br />in working as anti Parkinson agent as it enhance the dopamine<br />activities. The mild sedative and tranquilizing activities of memory<br />support helps in fits or convulsive disorders and in conditions of<br />sleeplessness (insomnia). It is also helpful in speech defects and<br />stammering.<br />Each Bottle contain 60 tablets<br />How to takeIn general it is recommended that 2 capsules of memory support with<br />milk is beneficiary in the conditions mentioned below.<br />Uses Memory loss Loss of concentration Language disorders Addictions like alcoholism, narcotics etc Less retention power Behavior disorders Aggressive attitude Anxiety Mental tiredness Mental retardation Epilepsy Parkinson diseases Psychosis Stress Side effects No side effects have been seen if memory support is taken in prescribed<br />amount.<br />Composition Bacopa monnieri (brahmi) 200 mg Shilajit Acorus calamus (vacha) 200mg Convolvulus pluricalis (shankh pushpin)100 mg Glycerrhiza glabra (mulethi, licorice) 50 mg Tinospora cordiofolia (giloy) 50 mg .<br />MALE HEALTH<br />Male health is one of the most important issues of men regarding the<br />problems like impotence, low sperm count, low libido, prostrate<br />problem, premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, over<br />masturbation.<br />In this article we will discus the topics like solving the male health<br />problems, we will here discuss topics like increase libido, libido<br />pill, libido enhancers, libido enhancer, libido boosters, libido<br />enhancements, increase semen, increase semen volume, sperm count,<br />increase sperm count, increasing sperm count, improve sperm count,<br />increase sperm, increase sperm production, Over masturbation, Penis<br />enlargement, penis enlargement oil, penis enlargement product, penis<br />massage oil.<br />Male have been known for there power and musculature. They are<br />physically strong. This is because androgen hormones that makes them<br />stronger and powerful. But due to some problem of some diseases males<br />some times have to face some conditions that make them feel low. In<br />this article we will provide remedies so that you may be able to solve<br />your problems.<br />We have Range of best herbal products for men’s health issues like<br />Penis enlargement, over masturbation, Impotence, Increase semen, Libido<br />and Prostate. With the world class Ayurvedic herbal products you will<br />definitely get relived from the various male health problems. It is<br />really very embarrassing for a man if he fails to show his manliness to<br />his mate and is unable to satisfier her desires. This also causes<br />stressful relationships that lead to daily fights and quarrels that<br />eventually lead to the break off of a relation.<br />Penis Enlargement Oil (Orgy massage Oil) delivers a powerful<br />synergistic blend of herbal ingredients purposely designed to benefit<br />men's penile and sexual health.<br />Natural and herbal alternative to Viagra with no side effects. It is<br />directly applied, and offers better penile firmness, an increase in<br />penile tissue growth, a longer-lasting erection, and a far reduced<br />occurrence of premature ejaculation. For best results, a few drops once<br />or twice a daily and before intercourse.<br />This is the latest scientific expansion in beneficial nutrient<br />absorption through the skin, so the naturally-derived therapeutic<br />ingredients, botanical extracts, vitamins and anti-oxidants go straight<br />into the tissues of the penis - fast, targeted specifically, and<br />straight away effective.<br />Is it Viagra?It is not a Viagra, it is a completely herbal oil that once massaged<br />onto the penis, gives better, stronger erections.<br />Can I Use it with a Condom?Yes. It is water based and 100% condom compatible.<br />Is it safe to use for oral sex?Yes, safe for oral sex, as it contains no artificial chemical or<br />petrochemical by-product, artificial colors or fragrance. The natural<br />base with the therapeutic component offers the safest, most effective<br />product available to date.<br />How do I apply it?Massage all over until an erection is attained. We suggest masturbation<br />with this product to get you contented with the amount needed and the<br />sensation it produces.<br />Will it leave a greasy or oily residue?No, it is technically designed to provide immediate absorption into the<br />tissue without an oily, sticky or greasy feeling.<br />What will it feel like when I apply it?You will feel a very warm feeling that is pleasant all over. Your<br />erection will build and become stronger.<br />Will this really help with premature ejaculation?Yes, one is most expected to notice the benefit in the areas of<br />strength, rigidity and also a reduction in the occurrence of premature<br />ejaculation.<br />Is a prescription required?No. This is a herbal product, and a prescription is not required unlike<br />other alternatives. Helps men attain full and satisfying sex lives through safe, natural<br />methods. This helps men to conquer erectile dysfunction, small penis<br />size and poor-self image.<br />What are the ingredients of Orgy penis massage oil?Orgy massage oil is completely herbal containing the most basic<br />Ayurvedic herbs that will make your penile tissue to grow as much as<br />you desire it to be. It contains Kesar, Heeng, Jundebedastur, Weer<br />bahuti, Akarkara, Kali mirch, Kasturi, Latakasturi, Chameli ka tail,<br />Karpass bej tail, Sarson ka tail.<br />Male libido enhancer<br />Every male considers male libido or male sexual desire to be a<br />significant issue in his life. Male sexual desire or vary from one<br />person to another and in most situations it changes in one individual s<br />per the circumstances. It is a well established fact that man’s mental<br />well-being depends unswervingly on his sexual libido. When a man is<br />having trouble with his sexual libido, he feels depressed and afraid of<br />denial. A man measures his manliness by his libido.<br />It is seen that today most of the males are suffering from low male<br />libido. Low male libido can have diverse reasons, both emotional as<br />well as physical. Some of the emotional factors that result in low male<br />libido include depression, lack of self-esteem, or tedium. While the<br />physical reasons that results in the reduction of male libido include –<br />physical stress, aging process or senile changes (testosterone levels<br />reduce at about 2 percent every year after age 30), too much use of<br />certain drugs, like certain prescription medications and alcohol. Low<br />male libido can also occur due to chronic illnesses like cardiovascular<br />disease, diabetes, neurological disease or any problem that influence<br />blood flow to the penis pr the penile tissue.<br />Some of the herbs like Latakasthuri (Abelmoschus moschatus),<br />Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Vriddadaru (Argyreia speciosa Syn.<br />A.nervosa), Kapikachchhu (Mucuna pruriens), Trivang, Shilajit<br />(Purified), Kumkuma (Crocus sativus), Shudha kupilu (Strychnos nux<br />vomica) (detoxified), Makardhwaj, Salabmisri (Orchis mascula),<br />Akarakarabha (Anacyclus pyrethrum), Bala (Sida cordifolia), Shalmali<br />(Bombax ceiba), Maricha (Piper nigrum) rae know for there wonderful<br />effects on on our body that can boost up the libido manifold.<br />Gone are the days that were full of depression that caused you feel<br />down, Now enhance your libido with the powerful herbal formulation<br />known as himalaya tentex forte. Himalaya tentex forte will make you<br />feel like a king and boost your confidence to make you feel like a<br />Hercule .<br />Tentex forte is also known for its power to increase libido, Libido<br />enhancer pill, Libido enhancer and confidence builder, Libido boosters,<br />Male libido enhancers, increasing male libido, improve male libido, a<br />blessing for male lack of libido, male libido supplement.<br />Ingredients of tentex forte Latakasthuri (Abelmoschus moschatus) 10mg Ashvagandha (Withania somnifera) 65mg Vriddadaru (Argyreia speciosa Syn. A.nervosa) 32mg Kapikachchhu (Mucuna pruriens) 32mg Trivang 32mg Shilajeet (Purified) 32mg Kumkuma (Crocus sativus) 25mg Shudha kupilu (Strychnos nux vomica) (detoxified) 16mg Makardhwaj 16mg Salabmisri (Orchis mascula) 16mg Akarakarabha (Anacyclus pyrethrum) 16mg Bala (Sida cordifolia) 16mg Shalmali (Bombax ceiba) 16mg Maricha (Piper nigrum) 5 gm<br />Impotence<br />Erectile dysfunction or impotence is a sexual dysfunction<br />differentiated by the inability to develop or preserve an erection of<br />the penis for pleasing sexual intercourse in spite of the ability of<br />ejaculation. There are a variety of underlying causes, such as diabetes<br />mellitus, many of which are medically reversible.<br />The causes may be physiological or may be psychological. Psychological<br />impotence can often be helped by approximately anything that the<br />patient believes in; there is a very brawny placebo effect.<br />Medical symptoms Erectile dysfunction or impotence is characterized by the incapability<br />to maintain erection. Normal erections during sleep and in the early<br />morning recommend a psychogenic cause, while loss of these erections<br />may mean underlying disease, often cardiovascular in origin. Other<br />things leading to erectile dysfunction or impotence are diabetes<br />mellitus (causing neuropathy) or hypogonadism (decreased testosterone<br />levels due to disease distressing the testicles or the pituitary<br />gland).<br />Medical diagnosis There are no formal tests to diagnose erectile dysfunction or<br />impotence. Some blood tests are usually done to leave out underlying<br />disease, such as diabetes mellitus, hypogonadism and prolactinoma.<br />A useful and simple way to differentiate between physiological and<br />psychological impotence and erectile dysfunction is to determine<br />whether the patient ever has an erection. If never, the trouble is<br />likely to be physiological; if sometimes (however infrequently), it is<br />more likely to be psychological.<br />Clinical tests used to diagnose ED Duplex ultrasound<br />Duplex ultrasound is used to assess blood flow, venous leak, signs of<br />atherosclerosis, and blemish or calcification of erectile tissue.<br />Injecting prostaglandin, a hormone-like stimulator formed in the body,<br />induces erection. Ultrasound is then used to see vascular dilation and<br />measure penile blood pressure. Measurements are compared to those taken<br />when the penis is flaccid and not erected.<br />Penile nerves function<br />Tests such as the bulbo-cavernosus reaction test are used to decide if<br />there is enough nerve sensation in the penis. The physician presses the<br />glans (head) of the penis that right away causes the anus to contract<br />if nerve function is normal. A physician measures the latency between<br />squeeze and contraction by viewing the anal sphincter or by feeling it<br />with a gloved finger put into past the anus. Specific nerve tests are<br />used in patients with supposed nerve damage as a result of diabetes or<br />nerve disease.<br />Nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT)<br />It is normal for a man to have 5 to 6 erections while asleep,<br />particularly during rapid eye movement (REM). Their nonappearance may<br />point out a problem with nerve function or blood supply in the penis.<br />There are 2 methods for measuring changes in penile firmness and<br />circumference during nocturnal erection:<br />Snap gauge Strain gauge. Penile bio-thesiometry<br />This test uses electromagnetic vibration to assess sensitivity and<br />nerve function in the glans as well as shaft of the penis. A reduced<br />perception of vibration may point out nerve damage in the pelvic area,<br />which can lead to impotence or erectile dysfunction.<br />Due to its uncomfortable nature and the shame felt by patient, the<br />subject was taboo for a long time, and is the subject of many urban<br />legends. Herbal remedies have long been used but the dependable herbal<br />formulation was still missing that could provide the sufferer the most<br />expected result he ever desired. But recently doctors have discovered a<br />wonder formulation that is known as male support.<br />Male support is one of the most powerful impotence killer that will not<br />only treat your problem of impotence but will also make you strong to<br />perform more than 1000 stroke at a go.<br />AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is completely herbal formulation that is one of the greatest herbal<br />gift to manking. Known as the best herbal Viagra, male support has<br />millions of satisfied men world wide<br />Ingredients of male support Ashwagandha shilajit<br />Ashvagandha is especially beneficial in stress related disorders such<br />as arthritis, hypertension, diabetes, and premature aging. It increases<br />physiological endurance and protects against effects of stress. It is<br />anti-inflammatory and helps treat pain from conditions such as<br />arthritis and sciatica. Ashwagandha also helps protect brain cells.<br />Research has shown that ashwagandha extract helps to reconstruct<br />networks of the nervous system, making it a potential treatment for<br />neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's.<br />Benefits of Ashvagandha Ashvagandha provides better physical fitness Ashwagandha relieves stress and hypertension Ashvagandha is a strong rejuvenative Ashvagandha is used for arthritic pain relief Ashvagandha is anti-inflammatory Ashvagandha promotes sound sleep Ashvagandha reduces high cholesterol levels Ashvagandha enhances brain functions Famous as Indian ginseng is a wonderful herb that is very helpful in<br />total rejuvenation of the body. It helps in strengthening the nervous<br />system and also is very effective in avoiding the early aging<br />processing the body. It helps in proper maintenance of the secretion of<br />all the enzymes in the body thus normalizing the bodies functioning.<br />A unique herb with anti-stress adaptogenic action that leads to better<br />physical fitness and helps cope with life's daily stress. It increases<br />physiological endurance and protects against effects of stress. It is<br />especially beneficial in stress related disorders such as arthritis,<br />hypertension, diabetes, and premature aging.<br />Indications for taking Ashvagandha Ashvagandha helps to treat General debility Hypertension As a daily health supplement to cope with life's daily stress In the prevention and treatment of many stress related diseases like<br />arteriosclerosis, premature aging, arthritis, diabetes, Insomnia, bone<br />weakness, hypertension and malignancy etc Impotence Sexual debility Nervine debility Bone weakness Stress Health supplement Decreased energy Constipation Ageing Decreased immunity Muscular weakness Increasing the body stamina Increase vital fluids, blood and semen Physical weakness Insomnia Anxiety and high blood pressure Ashwagandha, an adaptogenic herb is best known as a health tonic and<br />restorative gent. It is helpful in condition of general debility,<br />exhaustion, stress induced fatigue and insomnia. Ashwagandha reduces<br />anxiety and stress levels, increases vitality and vigor. It improves<br />both physical and mental performance.<br />Dosage: 1 or 2 capsules twice daily with meals. Allow several weeks for long<br />lasting benefits.<br />Ashvagandha Facts: Botanical Name: : WITHANIA SOMNIFERA<br />Family Name: : SOLANACEAE<br />Common Name: : WITHANIA, WINTER CHERRY, INDIAN WINTER CHERRY, INDIAN<br />GINSENG, ASHWAGANDHA<br />Part Used : Root, Leaves<br />Ashvagandha is cultivated throughout drier parts of India. It is a<br />plant in the same family as the tomato. It grows as a stout shrub that<br />reaches a height of five feet (170 centimeters). Ashwaganda bears<br />yellow flowers and red fruit which are berrylike in size and shape. It<br />is Tonic, Abortifacient, Astringent, Deobstruent, Nervine, Aphrodisiac<br />and Sedative. It is official Indian Pharmacoepeia. It is popularly<br />known as Indian Ginseng. It gives vitality and vigour and helps in<br />building greater endurance.It has been used in diseases such as<br />rheumatism, leprosy and arthritis.<br />Ashvagandha in Sanskrit means " smelling like a horse ", probably<br />originating from the odor of its fresh root which resembles that of a<br />sweaty horse. Ashvagandha is a well known anti-stress herb. The species<br />name somnifera means "sleep-bearing" in Latin, indicating it was<br />considered a sedative, but it has been also used for sexual vitality<br />and as an adaptogen. It is also popularly known as Indian Ginseng.<br />Active ingredient are withanolides, similar to ginsenosides of Asian<br />ginseng<br />Ashvagandha in Ayurveda: Ayurveda makes mention of Ashvagandha in the teachings of sage<br />Punarvasu Atreya which goes back to over 4000 years. Ancient Ayurvedic<br />texts including the Charaka and Sushruta Samhitas praise Ashvagandha as<br />a tonic especially for emaciation in people of all ages including<br />babies and enhancing the reproductive function of both men and women.<br />It has also been used for inflammations especially for arthritic and<br />rheumatic conditions and as a major tonic to counteract the ravages of<br />aging and promote youthful longevity. Some of its other traditional<br />uses have been as a mild purgative for chronic constipation and for the<br />treatment of swollen glands.<br />Ashwagandha is ushan virya in potency, has laghu (light) and tickt<br />(penetrating) properties. Contains tickt, katu and madhur rasa. Due<br />these combinations of superior properties, ashwagandha acts in numerous<br />diseases with great results. As it is ushan virya in potency, it acts<br />as vata suppressant. There fore relieves from all the illness caused by<br />vata dominance. Also because of its hot potency, it opposes the rise of<br />kapha therefore it also acts in suppressing increased and unbalanced<br />kapha dosha. Root is found to contain biochemical like cuseohygrine,<br />anahygrine, tropine, and anaferine etc. it also contains glycosides,<br />withenolide with starches and amino acid.<br />Traditionally, Ashwagandha has been used in many ways--as a sedative, a<br />diuretic, a rejuvenating tonic, an anti-inflammatory agent, and as an<br />"adaptogen" (endurance enhancer).Many Western herbalists refer to this<br />herb as "Ayurvedic ginseng" because of its reputation for increasing<br />energy, strength, and stamina, and for its ability to relieve stress.<br />Are you in search of following? Neem extract Neem for acne Neem leaf capsules Neem leaf Neem skin care Neem tablets Organic neem Neem capsules Neem product Neem herb Neem supplement Neem India Acne remedy Eczema cure Skin diseases Natural blood purifier Blood purifiers If yes then you are at the right place:Neem or Azadirachta Indica, popularly known as margosa is a large,<br />evergreen tree. Neem has been used as a tonic and astringent that<br />heartens wound healing. Neem or Azadirachta Indica traditionally being<br />used because of its detoxifying benefits that help protects healthy<br />circulatory, digestive, respiratory and urinary systems of the body. It<br />is widely used for external applications in skin related problems. Neem<br />or Azadirachta Indica extracts have wonderful effects like<br />anti-diabetic, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral properties. Its standard<br />ingredient is nimbin, nimbinin and nimbidin. All parts of the plant<br />acquiesce b-sitosterol.<br />All the parts of the neem tree and active principles and extracts have<br />a lot of notable pharmacological actions. Neem is bitter. It can be<br />used as a poultice in case of boils; it works as anti-septic,<br />demulcent, a tonic in catarrhal affections, stomachic, stimulant. It is<br />obliging in snake bite, scorpion sting, hypoglycemic, in rheumatism, as<br />an painkiller, antipyretic, sedative, anti-bacterial, anti-protozoa,<br />antiviral, anathematic and in skin related problems. The tree stem,<br />root and bark possess astringent, tonic, and anti-periodic properties.<br />The bark of neem is beneficial in malarial fever and useful in other<br />cutaneous diseases.<br />Neem is one of the most strong blood purifiers and detoxifiers in<br />Ayurvedic system of medication, Neem is often used to protect healthy<br />skin. There is plenty of scientific backup for Neem's immune escalation<br />actions as a booster of the macrophage's efficiency. Scientific<br />researches indicate that Neem boosts the immune system by bracing<br />lymphocytes cells to respond to infection and other challenges to the<br />body's immunity. Clinical studies were conducted on 9 patients of<br />congestive heart failure (CHF) with anasarca to study the diuretic<br />effect of sodium nimbidinate. 250 mgrams were given every day by (IM)<br />injection in the gluteal region. The injections were repeated for 2 to<br />13 days with a regular of about 5 injections per patient. Four other<br />patients were also studied as controls on the same lines with complete<br />bed rest, little sodium diet and sufficient digitalization without any<br />diuretic. Eight of the patients showed a exact diuretic response. The<br />control group did not show any diuresis. No toxic reaction was noted<br />except local discomfort or slight pain. Clinical studies were conducted<br />on 12 cases of congestive cardiac failure with sodium nimbidinate for<br />diuretic activity. Heartening diuretic activity was observed with good<br />response in four cases. There was no notable toxicity.<br />Benefits of neem Neem is considered best anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and blood purifying<br />agent and is helpful in skin related problems and keep the skin healthy<br />and glowing. Neem is helpful as a tonic and astringent that promotes wound healing. Neem has detoxifying recompense that helps keep healthy circulatory,<br />digestive, respiratory, and urinary systems of the body. Neem extract has anti-diabetic, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral actions<br />that makes it a wonderful herb. It is helpful in treating fever like malarial fever and various<br />cutaneous diseases. Due to presence of bitter taste it is beneficial in indigestion,<br />constipation and restoring taste of mouth. Neem helps in fighting with the intestinal worms there by act as a<br />de-worming agent Neem extract is highly suggested in hyperacidity and epigastric pain. Good results of neem powder have also been seen in gastritis. Neem is widely and comprehensively used as powerful blood purifier. It gives excellent results in conditions like diabetes incipidus and<br />diabetes mellitus due to occurrence of bitter taste. It is very supportive in curing urinary tract infection (UTI) It kindles liver for proper functioning consequently helps in<br />maintaining proper secretions of liver Neem acts on all kinds of skin related problems and provides good<br />relief. Since ancient times neem leaves have been used as an agent that helps<br />in increasing vision as it helps in repressing kapha dosha disorders<br />thus liberating congestion on eyeballs caused due to mucus accretion in<br />sinuses. Coughing is calmed by use of neem water It helps in reducing surplus urination It has given excellent results in diseases like gonorrhea and syphilis.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> </span></strong></p>DOCTORhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18188669046871912546noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3243612570259145499.post-59317911966835465082008-03-07T06:42:00.000-08:002008-03-07T07:09:15.747-08:00<strong><span style="color:#ff6600;"></span></strong><br /><p><strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">Ayurveda Ayurveda (Devanagari: आयुर्वेद) or Ayurvedic medicine is an ancient system of health care that is native to the Indian subcontinent. It is presently in daily use by millions of people in India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. The word "Ayurveda" is a tatpurusha compound of the word āyus meaning "life", "life principle", or "long life" and the word veda, which refers to a system of "knowledge". Thus "Ayurveda" roughly translates as the "knowledge of life", "knowledge of a long life" or even "science of life". According to Charaka Samhita, "life" itself is defined as the "combination of the body, sense organs, mind and soul, the factor responsible for preventing decay and death, which sustains the body over time, and guides the processes of rebirth" [1][2] According to this perspective, Ayurveda is concerned with measures to protect "ayus", which includes healthy living along with therapeutic measures that relate to physical, mental, social and spiritual harmony. Ayurveda is also one among the few traditional systems of medicine to contain a sophisticated system of surgery (which is referred to as "salya-chikitsa").<br />Contents<br />1 Overview 2 Eight Branches (Ashtanga) of Ayurveda 3 History 3.1 Ayurveda & Purana 3.2 Historical evidence 4 Development 4.1 Gurukul system of Ayurveda 5 Tridosha system 6 Ayurvedic tastes 7 Medications 8 Panchakarma and Ayurvedic massage 9 Current status 9.1 Ayurvedic institutions and practitioners 9.2 Practice in the West 10 Criticisms 10.1 Scientific studies and standards 10.2 Safety concerns 10.3 "Miracle Cures"<br />Overview<br />According to the Ayurvedavatarana (the "descent of Ayurveda"), the origin of Ayurveda is stated to be a divine revelation of the ancient Indian creator God Lord Brahma[3] as he awoke to recreate the universe. This knowledge was passed directly to Daksha Prajapati in the form of shloka sung by Lord Brahma.[4], and this was in turn passed down through a successive chain of deities to Lord Indra, the protector of dharma. According to this account, the first human exponent of Ayurveda was Bharadvaja, who learned it directly from Indra. Bharadvaja in turn taught Ayurveda to a group of assembled sages, who then passed down different aspects of this knowledge to their students. According to tradition, Ayurveda was first described in text form by Agnivesha, in his book the Agnivesh tantra. The book was later redacted by Charaka, and became known as the Charaka Samhitā.[5] Another early text of Ayurveda is the Sushruta Samhitā, which was compiled by Sushrut, the primary pupil of Dhanvantri, sometime around 1000 BCE. Sushrut is known as the Father of Surgery, and in the Sushrut Samhita, the teachings and surgical techniques of Dhanvantri are compiled and complemented with additional findings and observations of Sushrut regarding topics ranging from obstetrics and orthopedics to ophthalmology. Sushrut Samhita together with Charaka Samhitā, served as the textual material within the ancient Universities of Takshashila and Nalanda.[6] These texts are believed to have been written around the beginning of the Common Era, and are based on a holistic approach rooted in the philosophy of the Vedas and Vedic culture. Holism is central to ayurvedic philosophy and elements of holism is found in several aspects of ayurveda.[7]<br /><br /> Eight Branches (Ashtanga) of Ayurveda<br />Internal medicine - Kayachikitsa Surgery - Shalya Tantra Ears, eyes, nose and throat - Shalakya tantra Pediatrics - Kaumarabhritya Tantra Toxicology - Agada Tantra Purification of the genetic organs - Bajikarana (or Vajikarana) Tantra Health and Longevity - Rasayana Tantra Spiritual Healing/Psychiatry - Bhuta Vidya See also: The Eight Armed Ayurveda<br />History<br />There is a concept that has been passing down verbally from generation to generation in India about the origin of Ayurveda. Accordingly, the ancient "Rishis" or wise men of India gathered at the foot of the Himalayas. Their objective was to innovate together the secret of leading a healthy, long life. The final product of their effort came to be known as Ayurveda or the "science of life".<br /> A statue of the Hindu God, Brahma. Hinduism believes in the divine origin of Ayurveda Dhanvantari, the God of Ayurveda Nagarjuna, a follower of Buddha, was a well known herbologist, known for inventing various new drugs for the treatment of ailmentsDocumented references to the precise timing of the origins of Ayurveda are not available. The age of Ayurveda has been established on the basis of correlating the evidence with other disciplines as well as circumstantial evidence. Ayurveda is said to have been first compiled as a text by Agnivesha, in his book Agnivesh tantra, which was written during Vedic times.[citation needed] The book was later revised by Charaka, and renamed to Charaka Samhitā (encyclopedia of the physician Charaka).[8] Other early texts of Ayurveda include the Charaka Samhitā and the Sushruta Samhitā[6] The system was orally transferred via the Gurukul system until a script came into existence.<br />The earliest scripts would have been written on perishable materials such as Taalpatra and Bhojapatra, which could not be readily preserved.[citation needed] The script was later written on stone and copper sheets.[citation needed] Verses dealing with Ayurveda are included in the Atharvaveda, which implies that some form of Ayurveda is as old as the Vedas.[citation needed] Ayurvedic practices have also evolved over time, and some practices may be considered innovations upon earlier Vedic practices, such as the advances made during the Buddhist period in India.[citation needed]<br />Hinduism attributes the genesis of Ayurveda to several theories in which the knowledge is believed to have been passed on from being to being, initially, through its realization by the divine sages, and gradually into the human sphere by a complex system of mnemonics. Details of Ayurvedic traditions vary between writers, as is expected when oral traditions are transcribed from multiple sources. The earliest authors of Ayurvedic manuscripts recorded divergent forms of the tradition.<br />Ayurveda & Purana<br />In Mahabharata it is stated that lord Krishna had a son Samb. He was suffering from leprosy. That's why Krishna called special Brahmin's of shakdvipa (believed that present Iran). They were sun worshipers and famous astronomer. They treated Samb and freed him from leprosy. Shakdvipiya brahmin originated from those shakdvipa origin brahmins and also called magi brahmin. Sakaldwipya are specialized in ayurveda (old indian method of treatment) and astronomy, astrology and Sakaldwipiya are sun worshiper so called Saura . The most detailed account of the origin of Śākadvīpīs or Bhojakas occurs in Bhavishya Purana (chapter 133)[9][10]Further they played a great role in ayrveda. The founder of modern Ayurveda Charaka was a Maga or Sakaldwipiya<br />Historical evidence<br />The history of indigenous Indian medical science is probably as old as the Indus Valley Civilisation dating back to 3000 BC. The meticulously planned cities of Harappa and Mohenjodaro are pointers not only to India’s rich cultural heritage but also to its advanced systems of hygiene and health care. The remains of deer antler and bitumen found in Harappa testify to the existence of a medical science. It was between 1200 and 700 BC, that the four sacred Vedas were composed. References to diseases, herbs and herbal cures can be seen in all the four Vedas especially in the Rig Veda.<br />The Atharva Veda has many hymns eulogizing herbs. Many plants were worshipped as deities and invoked by incantations. There were also many Mantras (invocations) to combat jaundice, consumption and hereditary diseases among others. The Atharvan hymns chanted for the cure of diseases were known as Bhaishajyams and those for attaining longevity and prosperity were called Ayushyams. These hymns, especially the Ayushyams are considered to be the foundation for advances in later medicine.<br />Development<br />Ayurvedic practice was flourishing during the time of Buddha (around 520 BC) , and in this period the Ayurvedic practitioners were commonly using Mercuric-sulphur combination based medicines.[11] In this period mercury, sulphur and other metals were used in conjunction with herbs to prepare the different medications.[citation needed] An important Ayurvedic practitioner of this period was Nagarjuna, a Buddhist herbologist, famous for inventing various new drugs for the treatment of ailments.[citation needed] Nagarjuna was accompanied by Surananda, Nagbodhi, Yashodhana, Nityanatha, Govinda, Anantdev, Vagbhatta etc. The knowledge of Ayurveda progressed a lot during this period, including development of newer and more effective medicines, and is therefore termed as the Golden Period of Ayurveda.[citation needed]<br />After emerging victorious at the Kalinga War, Emperor Ashoka (304 BC-232 BC) influenced by the Buddhist teachings, banned any bloodshed in his kingdom in 250 BC. Therefore many Ayurveda practitioners, who were practicing surgery along with medicine, left the surgical intervention and adopted totally new medicinal treatments. In this period, Ayurveda again evolved and flourished with the invention of new drugs, new methodology and new innovations. The practice of the accompanying surgery slowly died out during this period.[citation needed]<br />During the regime of Chandragupta Maurya (375-415 AD), Ayurveda was part of mainstream Indian medical techniques, and continued to be so until the colonisation by the British.<br />Chakrapani Dutta (DuttaSharma) was a Vaid Brahman of Bengal who wrote books on Ayurveda such as "Chakradutta" and others. Chakrapani Dutta was the Rajavaidya of Great King Laxman Sen {some says rajVaid of King Nayapala (1038 - 1055)}. It is believed by some practitioners that Chakradutta is the essence of Ayurveda.<br />Ayurveda has always been preserved by the people of India as a traditional "science of life", despite increasing adoption of European medical techniques during the time of British rule. For several decades the reputation and skills of the various Ayurvedic schools declined markedly as Western medicine and Western-style hospitals were built. However, beginning in the 1970s, a gradual recognition of the value of Ayurveda returned, and today Ayurvedic hospitals and practitioners are flourishing throughout all of India. As well, the production and marketing of Ayurvedic herbal medicines has dramatically increased, as well as scientific documentation of benefits[citation needed]. Today, Ayurvedic medicines are available throughout the world.<br />Gurukul system of Ayurveda<br />In the earlier days of its conception, the system of Ayurvedic medicine was orally transferred via the Gurukul system until a written script came into existence.<br />In this system, the Guru gave a solemn address where he directed the students to a life of chastity, honesty, and vegetarianism. The student was to strive with all his being to heal the sick. He was not to betray patients for his own advantage. He was required to dress modestly and avoid alcohol or drugs. He was to be collected and self-controlled, measured in speech at all times. He was to constantly improve his knowledge and technical skill. At the patient's home, he was to be courteous and modest, directing all attention to the patient's welfare. He was not to divulge any knowledge about the patient and his family. If the patient was incurable, he was to keep this to himself if it was likely to harm the patient or others.<br />The normal length of the student's training appears to have been seven years. Before graduation, the student was to pass a test. But the physician was to continue to learn through texts, direct observation (pratyaksha), and through inference (anumāna). In addition, the vaidyas attended meetings where knowledge was exchanged. The practitioners also gained knowledge of unusual remedies from laypeople who were outside the huffsteter community such as hillsmen, herdsmen, and forest-dwellers.<br />Tridosha system<br />The central concept of Ayurvedic medicine is the theory that health exists when there is a balance between three fundamental bodily humours or doshas called Vata, Pitta and Kapha.<br />Vata is the impulse principle necessary to mobilize the function of the nervous system Pitta is the energy principle which uses bile to direct digestion and hence metabolism into the venous system. Kapha is the body fluid principle which relates to mucous, lubrication and the carrier of nutrients into the arterial system. All Ayurvedic physicians believe that these ancient ideas, based in the knowledge discovered by the Rishis and Munis, exist in harmony with physical reality. These Ayurvedic concepts allow physicians to examine the homeostasis of the whole system. People may be of a predominant dosha or constitution, but all doshas have the basic elements within them.<br />The philosophy of Ayurveda<br />The emergence of different schools of Sanskrit philosophy like Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Sankhya, Yoga, Vedanta and Mimamsa was another landmark in the history of Indian medicine. The principles expounded in these philosophies facilitated the development within Ayurveda of its theory of humoral pathology which propounds that the human body is composed of Tridoshas, the three humors – Vata, Pitta and Kapha. When these are in equilibrium they are called the Tridhatus. The body in which these three humors are in a state of equilibrium enjoys perfect health; their disequilibrium causes ill health.<br />Disease management in Ayurveda<br />The principles of Ayurvedic pharmacology are fundamentally different from those of other systems of medicine, especially evidence-based medicine. Most Ayurvedic medicines are prepared from herbs.<br />Shamana and Shodhana are the two concepts of disease management in Ayurveda. Shamana means alleviation. Shamana methods mitigate the disease and its symptoms. Shodhana means elimination and Shodhana methods aim at the elimination of the basic cause of disease.<br />Ayurvedic tastes<br />Ayurveda holds that the tastes of foods or herbs have specific physiological effects. Those tastes that transform after digestion (Vipaka) are more powerful.<br />Sweet (Madhura) - Sweet foods nourish, cool, moisten, oil, and increase weight Sour (Amla) - Sour foods warm, oil, and increase weight Salty (Lavan) - Salty foods warm, dissolve, stimulate, soften, oil, and increase weight Bitter (Katu) - Bitter foods cool, dry, purify and decrease weight Pungent (Tikta) - Pungent foods warm, dry, stimulate, and decrease weight Astringent (Kasaya) - Astringent foods cool, dry, reduce stickiness.<br />Medications Ayurvedic practitioners believe that the tulsi (holy basil) plant has medicinal qualitiesAyurveda operates on the precept that various materials of vegetable, animal, and mineral origin have some medicinal value. The medicinal properties of these materials have been documented by the practitioners and have been used for centuries to cure illness and/or help maintain good health. Ayurvedic medicaments are made from herbs or mixtures of herbs, either alone or in combination with minerals, metals and other ingredients of animal origin. The metals, animals and minerals are purified by individual processes before being used for medicinal purposes.<br />Writers and compilers of Ayurvedic literature such as Charaka, Sushruta, Vagabhatta, Bhav Mishra, Shaligram and others have written about the qualities, characteristics and medicinal uses of the herbs, mineral, metals, chemicals, animal parts, cooked food articles, natural foods, fruits etc. Among them, the Bhav Prakash Nighantu, written by Bhav Mishra, is known for its detail .The composition of the Nighantu part (Ayurvedic Materia Medica) of the Bhav Prakash is part of the classical book. The details of the medicinal herbs are given according to the nature, effects, and curative properties as observed by the Ayurvedic practitioners.<br />Ayurvedic literature has been written by several authors in languages such as Sanskrit, Hindi, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu and more recently, in English.The Shaligram Nighantu was written in Sanskrit. The Banaushadhi Chandrodaya was written in Hindi.The Indian Materia Medica was written in English.<br />panchakarma and Ayurvedic massage<br />Panchakarma (the five actions or modalities) is a collection of purification techniques that Ayurveda prescribes for some diseases and for periodic cleansing. A course of Pancharkarma typically includes a short-term dietary prescription, massage, herbs, and may include purgatives, sweat baths, medicated enemas, and nasal cleansing.<br />Ayurvedic massage is a form of treatment for various age related and other common disorders. Some of the advantages which can be cited are pain relief, improved circulation, stress relief, better sleep, flexibility, athletic performance and emotional benefits[citation needed]. Massage therapy can soothe pain, relax stiff muscles, and reduce the swelling that accompanies arthritis[citation needed]. Advocates claim that, with ayurvedic massage, deep-seated toxins in the joints and tissues are loosened and released into the system for elimination through natural toxin-release processes.[12]. There are several different types of ayurvedic treatments such as panchakarma, marma massage and abhyangam.[13] Ayurvedic massage is especially developed in Sri Lanka and the Indian state of Kerala.<br />Current status<br />It has been suggested that Research and innovations in Ayurveda be merged into this article or section. (Discuss)<br />In the early 20th century, Ayurvedic physicians began to organize into professional associations and to promote their case for national recognition and funding.[citation needed] This began to become a reality after Indian independence in 1947.[citation needed]<br />Ayurveda is now a statutory, recognised medical system of health care like other medical systems existing in India. The Central Council of Indian Medicine {CCIM} governs and recommends policies for the research and development of the system. An Encyclopedia on Ayurveda - Ayushveda.com[2] has been developed to promote the knowledge of Ayurveda worldwide.<br />In India, practitioners in Ayurveda undergo 5 and 1/2 years of training including 1 year of internship in select Ayurveda Medical Schools wherein they earn the professional doctorate degree of Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery[B.A.M.S.]. A Bachelor's degree with a major in Science [Physics, Chemistry, Biology] and a minor in Sanskrit is desirable for candidates interested in taking up the course.<br />Select institutions like the Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, offer higher doctorates and postgraduate training such as MD [Ayurveda] which includes a 3 year residency and a dissertation similar to the MD/MS degrees in modern systems of medicine.<br />Ayurvedic institutions and practitioners<br />Ayurvedic practitioners have been appointed as Honorary Ayurvedic Physician to the President of India. Every year on the occasion of Dhanvantari jayanti, a prestigious Dhanvantari Award is conferred on a famous personality of Medical Sciences including Ayurveda. Traditionally Kerala has been the leading state in India that promoted Ayurveda as a medical system, because there existed about 18 families known as 'Ashtavaidyas' who practised ayurveda generation after generation. Even now a few number of these families exist (Pulamanthole Mooss, Thaikkattu mooss,Vayaskara Mooss, Alathur Nambi, Vaidyamadhom, etc.).They taught the ayurveda system of treatment to several people and it spread through them. It led to the establishment of Ayurveda colleges and also inspired research activities in Ayurveda. Now there are many Ayurvedic centers (known as Vaidya shalas) all over Kerala, and, of late, several Ayurveda colleges also have come up. One such dominant company is Kerala Ayurveda Limited founded on the banks of river Periyar at Aluva, Kochi, Kerala. Today Kerala Ayurveda Limited is a major force in health care, growing at a spectacular rate - with new clinics, new market strategies, new products, and new cures. Some of KAL's products are on the verge of being patented. KAL is truly on a mission to be the number one choice in Ayurveda globally.Besides Kerala, others also promoting Ayurveda are Gujarat, Maharastra, and Karnataka.<br />Practice in the West<br />As a result of regulations in medical practice in Europe and America, the most commonly practiced Ayurvedic treatments in the west are massage and dietary and herbal advice. Psychiatrist Frank John Ninivaggi, M. D. of Yale University School of Medicine has recently outlined the principles of Ayurveda, specifically for Western health practitioners.[14]<br />In the United States, the National Institute of Ayurvedic Medicine (established by Scott Gerson) is an example of a research institute that has carried out research into Ayurvedic practices.[15] Gerson has published part of his work on the antifungal activities of certain Ayurvedic plants in medical journals.[16]<br />Several Pharmaceutical companies and Academic Institutions in the west have come into conflict with Indian academic institutions and traditional Ayurvedic practitioners over the intellectual property rights of herbal products researched by the western agencies. The Ayurvedic practitioners have known about the efficacy of such products for centuries and so contend that they carry precedence with regards to patent rights on such products.<br />In December 1993, the University of Mississippi Medical Center had a patent issued to them by U.S patents and trademarks office on the use of turmeric (U.S. patent No. 5,401,504) for healing. The patent was contested by India's industrial research organization, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (C.S.I.R), on the grounds that traditional Ayurvedic practitioners were already aware of the healing properties of the substance and have been for centuries, making this patent a case of bio-piracy.[17]<br />After a complex legal battle, the U.S. Patents and Trademarks Office ruled on August 14, 1997 that the patent was invalid because it was not a novel invention, giving the intellectual property rights to the principle back to the traditional practitioners of Ayurveda. R. A. Mashelkar, director-general of the CSIR, was satisfied with the result, saying:<br />"This success will enhance the confidence of the people and help remove fears about India's helplessness on preventing bio-piracy and appropriation of inventions based on traditional knowledge[17]"<br />The turmeric patent was just one of the hundreds that the several academic organizations and Pharmecutical companies in the west have claimed by ignoring Ayurvedic knowledge. Vandana Shiva, a global campaigner for a fair and honest Intellectual Property Rights system, says patents on herbal products derived from Neem, Amla, Jar Amla, Anar ("Pomegranate"), Salai, Dudhi ("Calabash"), Gulmendhi, Bagbherenda, Karela, Erand, Rangoon-kibel, Vilayetishisham and Chamkura also need to be revoked.[17]<br />Seven American and four Japanese firms have filed for grant of patents on formulations containing extracts of the herb Ashwagandha. Fruits, leaves and seeds of the Indian medicinal plant withania somnifera have been traditionally used for the Ayurvedic system as aphrodisiacs, diuretics and for treating memory loss. The Japanese patent applications are related to the use of the herb as a skin ointment and for promoting reproductive fertility. The U.S based company Natreon has also obtained a patent for an Ashwagandha extract. Another US establishment, the New England Deaconess Hospital, has taken a patent on an Ashwagandha formulation claimed to alleviate symptoms associated with arthritis. It is clear that the Ashwagandha plant is catching the attention of scientists and more patents related to Ashwagandha are being filed or granted by different patent offices since 1996.[18]<br />Ayurvedic wisdom originated in the main Vedas as a part of way of life - a spiritual connection with spirit and nature. This is most evident reading Atharva Veda. Ayurveda was used to remove obstacles on one’s path to Self-Realization. At some point the medical aspects began to take priority over the spiritual forms of healing (ie, focusing on lifestyle, dharma and moksha. Today, these spiritual aspects of Ayurveda have taken a back seat to the medical focus. As Ayurveda becomes a more commercially viable career, the spiritual aspects may continue to lose ground. Yet there are a growing number of practitioners who practice mainly these spiritual therapies and find better results than limiting their approach to the medical, physical realm.<br />Criticisms<br /> Scientific studies and standards<br />Critics object to the lack of rigorous scientific studies and clinical trials of many ayurvedic products. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine states that "most clinical trials of Ayurvedic approaches have been small, had problems with research designs, lacked appropriate control groups, or had other issues that affected how meaningful the results were."[19]<br />In India, scientific research in Ayurveda is largely undertaken by the statutory body of the Central Government, the Central Council for Research in Ayurveda and Siddha (CCRAS), through a national network of research institutes.[20] A large number of non-governmental organisations are also conducting research work on different aspects of Ayurveda[21]. However, "even staunch advocates of Ayurveda like cardiologist Dr. M.S. Valiathan...admit that 'clinical studies that would satisfy the liberal criteria of WHO World Health Organisation have been alarmingly few from India, in spite of patients crowding in Ayurvedic hospitals"'.[19]<br />Safety concerns<br />There is evidence that using some ayurvedic medicine, especially those involving herbs, metals, minerals, or other materials involves potentially serious risks, including toxicity.<br />A research study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association[24] found significant levels of toxic heavy metals such as lead, mercury and arsenic in 20% of Ayurvedic preparations that were made in South Asia for sale in America. The Journal found that, if taken according to the manufacturers' instructions, this 20% of remedies "could result in heavy metal intakes above published regulatory standards"[24] Similar studies have been performed in India, and have confirmed these results. Cases of metal toxicity from use of ayurvedic medicines are well known.[25] Some practitioners claimed that "heavy metals are integral to some formulations and have been used for centuries. There is no point of doing trials as they have been used safely and have mention in our ancient texts."[25]<br />There is a technique of detoxification applied to heavy metals and toxic herbs called samskaras, which is similar to the Chinese pao zhi although the Ayurvedic technique is more complex and may involve prayers as well as physical pharmacy techniques.[26]<br />The described detoxification is a simple chemical process which involves four successive rounds of boiling the crude root in cow's urine (twice) and cow's milk (twice). This process is claimed to chemically modify both toxic and proposed therapeutic components of the root. It also extracts some of these compounds from the root into the boiling solvents, thereby decreasing their concentration in the final product.<br />Miracle Cures"<br />Most critics also question the safety of those Ayurvedic drugs that are said to provide "Miracle Cures" because "miracles" are more probably subject to theological rather than scientific inquiry.</span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">Ayurveda- Definition<br />The word ayurveda has been coined by the conjunction of two Sanskrit words, "ayur" meaning life and "Veda" meaning knowledge. The word together means the knowledge of life. In ayurveda the process of ayur (life) is considered as a combined state of body (sharira), senses (indriya), psyche (mana) and soul (atma). Among these the visible body is made of panchamahabhoota and is called sthoola sharir whereas the sense, psyche and soul are invisible and thus are called sukshma sharir or linga sharir. Ayurveda not only consists of natural scientific methodology of medication but also provides the way of life. During the course of time Ayurveda, the way of life and its knowledge became the science of life, which has its root in ancient Vedic literature and encompasses our entire life, the body, mind and spirit. PunarjanmaIt is believed that death takes away the sukshma sharir to the heavenly abode leaving behind the sthoola sharir that decomposes back to its constituent elements, the panchamahabhoota. The sukshma sharir takes rebirth (punarjanma) until it attains moksha. The splitting of the sukshma sharir into indriya, mana and atma after it attains salvation (moksha) follows this life and death cycle. Indriya and mana that originate from the nature, surroundings (prakruti) remerge with the same whereas atma, the image of parmatama merges back into it. The other instance that is believed in, is the non- attainment of salvation (moksha) after death. This leads to the combining of the sukshma sharir i.e. the indriya, mana and atma with the new sthoola sharir at the time of shukra shonita sanyoga (fertilization) in the uterus. This combination of sukshma and sthoola sharir occurs in accordance with the karmafala that is to be enjoyed by the new sthoola sharir. The karma (deeds) of the previous sthoola sharir decide the karmafala of the new sthoola sharir. It doesn't always happen that the sukshma sharir combines with species of sthoola sharir same as itself. According to vedic science the sukshma sharir can combine with any of the species among the 8.4 million species that exists. Attainment of moksha is one of the chaturvidh purushartha. (four main objectives of life) and the process of splitting and combining of the sukshma sharir with the sthoola sharir continues till moksha is attained. Atma is comparable to god, the creator and is believed to be the almighty. Once the sukshma sharir and the sthoola sharir have atma attached to it, due to karmafalbandhan all its strength and might is lost and he has to lead this cyclical phase of life according to the karmafala. In ayurveda itself the Sanskrit word ayur has synonyms that possess the same meaning and value as life itself. Few synonyms are: DhariAs the physical properties of the body is sustained (dharna) during life. JeevitaAs the lively activities are carried out. NityagaAs the time of life is continuously spent. AnubandhaAs life is possible with the combination (bandhan) of the sukshma and the sthoola sharir. Charak Sootra 1/41In ayurveda ayu (life) can be classified as:<br />Sukha AyuThe ayu that leads a healthy life. Person has good health.<br />Dukkha AyuThe ayu that live a diseased life. The person suffers with some disease all his life.<br />Hita AyuThe ayu that lives life by serving the society.<br />Ahita AyuThe ayu that live life in destructive activities. Definition of AyurvedaAyurveda is the science of life that not only deals with Sukha Ayu, Dukkha Ayu, Hita Ayu, Ahita Ayu but also deals with the ways and means to achieve health the path that leads to disease.In all ayurveda deals with quantum of the Ayu, the life.</span></strong></p><p><span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong>The writings that relate to Ashtang Ayurveda provide an introductory information of the eight branches of Ayurveda, namely: Surgery (Shalya), ENT with Ophthalmology (Shalakya), Medicine (Kaya), Bhoota, Gynac, Obstretics, Paediatrics (Kaumara), Medical jurisprudence and toxicology (Agada), Gerontology (Rasayan) and Science of Aphrodiasic (Vajikarana).. ShlokaShusrut Sutra 1/6 - 7 Pg. 30 (Ayurveda Hitopadesha) Ayurveda, Upaveda of Atharvaveda, written by Brahma is named as the Brahma Sanhita. It envelops in utself one million shlokas in form of rhymes written in one thousand chapters.Ayurveda was rewritten in the in eight parts popularly known as the ashtang ayurveda due to the decline in the intellectual level and life span of human beings. ShalyaShloka: Ref Shusrut Su. 7/4the word shalya refers to the things that cause discomfort to the body and the mind. Shalya is of two types, namely: shaarir (within the body) and agantuj (outisde the body). The shalya present inside the body is considered as the Shaarir Shalya.. Example: Unhealthy teeth, Hair, Nails, imbalanced doshas, dhatus and mala, abscess, tumor, fetus etc. Whereas agantuj are the shalya presen toutside the body. Example: Thorns, Stone pieces, iron pieces, dust particles, worry etc. Shalya tantra (Surgery): Shloka : Shusru. 1/8It deals with the means such as Yantra (Tools), Shastra (Instruments), Kshara (Alkalies) and Agni (Fire) to remove the shalya in the body by different methods. ShalakyaShloka: Ref Shusrut Su. 1/8It deals with the diseases related to Nose, Ear, Throat and Eyes. Inother words it deals with the disease of Urdhva Jatru region i.e diseases in the organs above the Clavicle (Jatru) and their treatment. Kaya Chikitsa (Medicine/ Therapeutics):Shloka : Shusrut Su. 1/8 it is the branch of Ayurved that deals with internal medicine. The treatment involved is called "Kayachikitsa", where Kaya means "Agni "and Chikitsa means "treatment". It is noteable that the entire Ayurvedic therapeutics is based on this concept of Agni. The concept of Kaya (Agni) is unique and is responsible for bio- transformation. As it is known that energy can neither be created nor it can be destroyed. In human body Kaya provides the necessary energy for all bodily activities. As energy can be changed from one form to another the living body derive energy from the food eaten and breathing air. Biological Kaya transforms this energy to the energy, which is utilized by our cells. In simple words, the vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, fats etc. eaten are bio transformed by this Kaya to the bodily substances. As long as Kaya is proper all the activities in body are carried out smoothly. Any disturbance in Kaya causes imbalance in the homeostasis (equilibrium) and disturbs physiology which is nothing but the disease. In ayurveda therapeutics devotes to correction and maintenance of biological Kaya through the means of Mantra, Mani and Aushadhi. Keeping in mind all the benefits of ayurveda it must be kept in mind that anything and everything that is herbal can not naturally become Ayurvedic medicine, but only the therapy which considers the above mentioned concepts of Ayurved qualifies to be called as Ayurvedic medicine. Bhoota (Graha)it is the branch of Ayurveda that deals with diseases acquired or inherited from apparently unknown causes. In modern terminology it can be considered as idiopathic diseases in which the exact cause of disease is unknown. According to Ayurveda, diseases are caused by affliction due to Deva, Asura, Gandharva, Yaksha, Rakshasa, Pitara, Pishacha, Naga and other bad demons or evils. The exact patho- physiology of these disorders is to be extensively researched. Bala / Kaumara:it is the branch of ayurveda that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases related to preconception, childbearing (Pregnancy), childbirth (delivery) and diseases of children (Pediatrics). Rasayana tantrIt is the branch of ayurveda that deals with various aspects of preventive health care. Without rasayana it is possible to gain neither oratory nor the desirable aura. It includes longevity, improved memory, health, youthfulness, glow, complexion, generosity, and strength of body and senses. Rasayana improves the metabolic activities and results in best possible bio- transformation leading to health. Vajikaranait is the branch of ayurveda that deals with the sexual aspects. It includes medications for diseases related with reproduction namely spermatogenesis, aphrodisiacs etc.</strong></span><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">Prayojan (aims and objectives)<br />Shloka Charak Su 30/26the aims and objectives of Ayurveda, the science of life has been beautifully coined in the above shloka. To lead a good life health is priority. Through ayurvedic concepts it is necessary to maintain health and in case of a diseased state gaining back the normal health. Aims and objectives of ayurveda have been divided into two aspects namely:<br />Swasthasya Swathya Rakshanam (Preventive and Social medicine)<br />Aturasya Vikar Prashamanam (Therapeutics) These two aspects reflect the unique approach of ayurveda.Therapeutics is not strictly related to dravya chikitsa i.e. treatment with medicines but also to the form of bhava chikitsa i.e. treatment without medicines and in the form of achar rasayan (good conducts both personal as well as social). The two objectives though defined clearly in a concise statement, have been explained in great details in the scripturesThe four chatushtayas that form the basis of a good human life is a unique feature of ayurveda. Following of the chatushtayas it is not only necessary to maintain good health but also to treat a particular disease if inflicted from what so ever caused. Ayurveda has not restricted itself as the path, which treats diseases but being the science of life has covered all the aspects necessary to maintain health and to restore it when inflicted with a disease. Charak has specified in the following shloka chark sutrasthan 5/103 that ignorance is no excuse and we have to take pains to learn and to follow various rules and regulations to remain healthy. These rules and regulations are nothing but guidelines to remain fit, refrain from diseases and lead a healthy life. These guidelines have been mentioned under the topic of swasthavrutta. Despite of all the preventive measures if we suffer from a disease we should be able to known the probable causes of that disease and the probable fallacies on our part in following the rules and regulations put before us in the form of the first objective. Ignorance and fallacies lead to disease and it is here that the second objective of aaturasya vikara prashamana comes into picture</span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">the origin of ayurveda, the word conjugated by "ayu" meaning life and "Veda" meaning knowledge can be traced back to the evolution of civilization. The Indian sages thousands of years ago enscripted their knowledge about life and the fundamentals of ayurveda in the oldest scriptures known to mankind, namely the Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Athrva Veda and Sam Veda.Ayurved is regarded as the Upaveda or sub-scripture of the Yajurveda. This Veda contains abundance of information on how to keep oneself healthy and to combat diseases. Originated as a part of Vedic science, ayurveda is an integral spiritual science devised to give a comprehensive understanding of the entire universe, which it sees as working according to a single law. Ayurveda is the branch of Vedic science, which deals with physical body besides yoga, meditation, astrology, etc. Herbal medicine, dietetics, physiology, surgery, psychology, spirituality etc. are included in ayurveda under Ashtanga Ayurveda. From the ancient enlightened sages and period, Vedic culture ayurveda is the healing gift to mankind. It is believed that the astronomical records in ancient Vedic texts, the Vedic system, including ayurveda, was in practice even before 4000 BC. Hence it is evident that ayurveda was very mature and predominant in India thousands of years ago. Ayurvedic philosophy says that suffering is disease and contentment is good health and no human being is healthy if he does not posses a sound sharira (body), a sound mana (mind) and a sound atma (soul). Ayurveda advises for smallest things of personal hygiene and social conduct and describe the whole way of life, narrates how one should keep healthy. The sages of ayurveda emphasized on the importance of preventive medicine by developing individual's own immune system to fight against all possible infections. Ayurvedic healing has two levels:<br />One for the layman and self-care<br />Second for the healer and his practice. The first ones outlines many common and home remedies for different diseases and gives a general constitutional or life-style treatment for health enhancement and disease prevention. It is also believe that it is only when our life- style is out of harmony that more severe disease arise and more specialized and complicated health care becomes necessary. The second level provides some of this specialized ayurvedic medical knowledge and says that more is utilized by a health care professional. Most disease conditions involve physical and spiritual factors and require treatment on both levels. Ayurveda traditionally involves a holistic treatment of the entire human being and its full cosmic nature.According to the Upanishads, the main spiritual teachings of ancient India, disease is the highest form of asceticism (tapas), whereby the truth of life and the truth of one's own self can be revealed. Disease may be a sign of wrong action in life, but it can also be an indication that the soul is directing its energy within. Either way it requires a spiritual re-examination of our lives, particularly if the disease is severe. Hence, self-examination is the first step and fundamental basis of understanding and resolving any disease. Ayurvedic medicines consist of various natural herbs and minerals and are rapidly gaining acceptance all over the world. Ayurveda today is part of a new movement towards a global medicine that includes the best developments from all lands. Trisutra AyurvedaShloka: Cha. Su. 1/24According to Charaka entire Ayurveda is explained in three strings (Trisutra), namely hetusutra, lingasutra and aushadhisutra, which are extremely helpful in maintaining health and treating diseases. Hetusutra: It is the causative factor of disease. Lingasutra: These are the sign and symptoms developed due to the disease. Aushadhisutra: It is the means of treatment.</span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">Medicinal valueIt is a blend of the leaves that is used to treat liver ailments including jaundice, ulcers, diarrhea and skin problems. The leaves are also used as a diuretic. For external purposes it is used as a fomentation for athlete's foot, sores, slow-healing wounds, and insect bites. Religious importanceIt is believed that Agrimony is used for protection form spells, to banish negative energies and spirits. It also reverses spells and reverts them back to the sender. If Agrimony is put under head a deep sleep is caused that continues until it is removed. HabitatMost of the United States and Southern Canada has tremendous growth of Agrimony, which is a perennial and reaches 2 to 3 feet tall. Complete sunshine and average soil is good for its growth. AlfalfaScientific name: Medicago sativaMedicinal valueIt is used for treating anemia, fatigue, kidneys, peptic ulcers, pituitary problems, and for building general health, retaining water in the body, relieving urinary and bowel problems. This herb is effective for the treatment of narcotic and alcohol addiction. Religious importanceIt is believed that if this herb is kept in a container and placed outside home it prevents the house from poverty and hunger. Scattering the ashes of burned alfalfa protects property. HabitatSunshine, regular watering are the necessary conditions for the growth of this 1 to 3 feet tall herb which is not picky about the soil and is cultivated in many parts of the world.. AllspiceScientific name: Pimenta dioicaMedicinal valueIt relieves toothache and is used as a mouth freshener for fresh breath. Religious importanceIt is believed that allspice enhances healing and is used to ask for money and good fortune it is used as a mixture. HabitatIt is derived form a tree that grows Central and South America and the Caribbean. Aloe VeraScientific name: Aloe vera, Aloe spp.Medicinal valueThe gel obtained from the inner part of the aloe leaf is used to treat burns, skin rashes, insect bites, healing wounds by drawing out infection, and preventing infection from starting and chafed nipples from breast-feeding. This gel can also be used internally to keep the bowels functioning smooth. It must be noticed that this medicine when taken internally causes intestinal cramping and there are other herbs that do this job better. This gel is best effective when used fresh rather than "stabilized" gels found in the stores. The fresh gel was used by Cleopatra to keep her skin soft and young. Religious importanceIt is believed that this plant if grown in the kitchen garden prevents burns and mishaps while cooking. It also prevents household accidents and safeguards against evils. It is reported that aloe was used to embalm the body of Christ. HabitatIt is bets to be grown inside home in pots. The climate of South, as in southern Texas or southern Florida is best for the growth of aloe outside. Aloe being a succulent needs water to keep the leaves fleshy and juicy. AmaranthScientific name: Amaranthus spp.Medicinal valueIt is best to treat stomach flu, diarrhea, and gastroenteritis. This herb is also helpful in stopping menstruation and for contraception. It reduces tissue swelling caused due to sprains and tick bites when applied externally. It is advisable not to be used by pregnant or lactating women. Religious importanceAmaranth is associated with immortality and is used to decorate god and goddesses. It is also used to repair broken heart. Woven into a wreath, it is said to render the wearer invisible. Also used in pagan burial ceremonies. HabitatThis 1 to 5 feet tall annual has to be sown inside soil to grow. It is generally not picky about soil type, and tolerates heat and drought well. AngelicaScientific name: Angelica archangelicaMedicinal valueIt is a herbal tea that is used to treat colic, gas, indigestion, hepatitis, and heartburn. It is also a remedy for afflictions of the respiratory system, liver problems and digestive difficulties. This herb also promotes circulation and energy in the body, often stimulates circulation in the pelvic region and also stimulates suppressed menstruation. It is advisable not to be used by pregnant women or diabetics. Religious importanceIf grown in garden it is believe this herb protects the garden and home. The leave is burnt to banish evil and root is used as protective amulet. It is also used to lengthen life and for protection against diseases and spirits. Adding it to a ritual bath will break spells and hexes. HabitatThis plant needs shade partially, rich and moist soil, wet bottomland, swamps and cool temperature grow. It grows to a 6 feet tall perennial. AniseScientific name: Pimpinellaa anisumMedicinal valueLike angelica this herb is good for the treatment of colic, gas, and indigestion. It is a trusted remedy for cough being the mildest of the herbs used for these purposes. Religious importanceIt is believed that if anise is blended with bay leaves it provide an excellent bath additive prior to ritual. Anise grown around the home keeps off evil and is it is placed in the sleeping pillow at night it chases away nightmares. Also in most parts of the world anise seed head is hanged on the bed pot to restore youth. HabitatIt prefers warm, sunny, rich sandy soil and well-drained areas. North America has an abundance of this annual plant with the height of 1-2 feet. It needs 120 days to produce fully ripened seed heads. AppleScientific name: Pyrus spp.Medicinal valueIt is used to treat constipation, lower cholesterol level, cures heart diseases and prevents infection if rubbed after crushing apple leaves on fresh wound. Religious importanceIt is used as a healing incense and an offering on samhain to the dead, since it is a symbol of immortality. Apple blossoms are used in love as well as gift for everlasting love. Apple wood is used to make magical wands. HabitatThe climatic conditions of North America are best suited for the growth of apple. A cool climate is just perfect for its growth. AstragalusScientific name: Astragalus membranaceousMedicinal valueThis herb strengthens metabolism and digestion, raises metabolism, aids in strengthening the immune system and is used in the healing of wounds and injuries. Apocynum (Black Indian Hemp)Scientific name: Apocynum cannabinum L. or A. androsaemifolium L.Medicinal valueIt is used to treat congestive heart failure as it contains cardio- active glycosides This herb doesn't have an edge over digitalis and hence is not advisable to be used by any human. HabitatThis perennial herb grows up to five feet tall in the climate of North America that is best suited for them. ArnicaScientific names: Arnica spp.Medicinal valueIf used externally this herb reduces inflammation and pain of bruises, aches, and sprains. While usage it must be kept in mind that internal application of this herb has a toxic effect on the heart and causes very high blood pressure. HabitatThe climate of meadows and mountainous regions of Europe and western North America is appropriate for the growth of this herb. </span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">Medicinal valueIt is an astringent used to treat diarrhea and ease gum, mouth and throat irritation. A blend or tea of these leaves can be either drunk or used as a gargle or mouthwash. It is also an effective treatment for mucous membrane irritation and diarrhea but overdosing may cause excessive irritation of the stomach. HabitatIt is three feet in height and is widely cultivated in herb gardens and is native to the cleared meadows of Europe. BroomScienitfic name: Cytisus scoparius (L.) LinkMeidicnal value It has abundantly used as an alternative to marijuana, which has negative effects. It has an action of a diuretic but is not advisable to use it as a diuretic also. HabitatThe bets suited climate is of the Atlantic coast and the Pacific Northwest. BilberriesScientific name: Vaccinium myrtillus L. Medicinal valueIt is a food supplement and increases the visual acuity apart from preventing glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration. HabitatThe herb height varies form six to twenty-four inches high, bear small, egg-shaped leaves with serrated margins and small, rosy flowers tinged with green. The hilly districts of Great Britain, northern Europe, and Asia have appropriate climate. Birch LeavesScintific names: Betula verrucosa Erh. or B. pubescens Erh.Medicinal valueThis herb is taken with a lot of water along. They act as a mild diuretic and are used for the treatment of kidney and urinary tract infections. HabitatThe colder parts of the Northern Hemisphere have plenty of growth of this herb. Also the Arctic and Alpine region have this herbs. BloodrootScientific name: Sanguinaria canadensis L. Medicinal valueIt is bets to use as a mouthwash as it helps reducing plaque cavities. HabitatEastern and Midwestern North America deciduous woodlands have this herb bloomed in spring season. BasilScientific name: Ocimum basilicumMedicinal valueThis herb is bets of the treatment of stomach cramps, vomiting, fevers, colds, flu, headaches, whooping cough, and menstrual pains. Furthermore, it reduces stomach acid and contributes to the cure of ulcers. To withdraw poison of insect bite from the body this herb is used externally. The herb is known for eliminating worms from the intestines and when applied in oil form to treat skin acne. Religious importanceIt is believed that basil is a protection against evil and negativity and helps in attracting and keeping love. Purification baths and in wealth and prosperity rituals basil is used. People believe that carrying a basil leaf in pocket brings wealth and if sprinkled over the spouse while sleeping, it removes infidelity from marriage. HabitatWell drained, rich soil and complete sun are the essentials for the growth of basil. Parts of North America have the perfect climate for this annual having a height of 2-3 feet. Pinch off the tips to promote bushiness and flower buds to maintain growth. BayberryScientific name: Myrica ceriferaMedicinal valueThis herb, strengthens blood vessels, increases circulation and also augments the vitality of the total body systems. Even vaginal infections can be cured by tea of Bayberry that stands good for gargle, sore throat and tonsillitis. Religious importanceIt is believe that oil of bayberry brings prosperity and luck. Bay LaurelScientific name: Laurus nobilisReligious importanceIt is believed that if this leaf is burned it will enhance psychic powers and produce visions. Moreover if worn in an amulet will provide protection from evil and negativity. People say that any wish written on bay leaf comes true.. BergamotScientific name: Monarda citriodoraMedicinal valueThis herb also known as Oswego tea and Bee Balm is good for the treatment of nausea, vomiting, cold and flu. If used in oil form is an effective treatment for acne, coughs, fevers, tension, stress, and depression. Religious importanceIt is believed that this herb is used in the rituals and spells for money and success. HabitatHaving all the characteristics of mint this herb of 2 feet tall height can be grown in pot or ground same way as mint and is a member of the mint family, so grow it as you would a mint. BistortScientific name: Polygonum bistortaMedicinal valueFor the treatment of diarrhea and dysentery the herb is boiled and drunk several times a day. It also acts as a dressing for cuts and wounds when mixed with echinacea, myrrh, and golden seal. Religious importanceIt is believed that an amulet fashioned of the root of Bistort is carried to fulfill the wish of conceiving. HabitatIt needs damp soil as of Europe. It is a perennial that reaches up to 30 inches tall. BlackberryScientific name: Rubus villosusMedicinal valueIt is an infusion of leaves that is good for the treatment of diarrhea and sore throat. It is often used as syrup prepared form the root. Religious importanceIt is believed that Blackberry leaves are used for money spells. HabitatFertile soil, full sun, no soggy soil and very good air circulation are the requirement for the growth of this plant. It is advisable not to grow this plant near other plants to avoid transferring diseases to the young vines. Black CohoshScientific name: Cimcifuga racemosaMedicinal valueFor the treatment of arthritis this herb is used a lot as it improves blood circulation. This herb is often used to cure delayed and painful menstruation besides being used as a conjunction with other herbs in treating menopause symptoms. It is advisable not to be used during pregnancy. Black Cohosh can be poisonous in large doses. Religious importanceIt is believed that if Black Cohosh leaves are laid around a room they drive away bugs and negativity. HabitatWindy Habitat, good soil, and partial shade is necessary for the growth of Black Cohosh. Georgia and Far West as Missouri areas are appropriate for the growth of this perennial, which reaches 3 - 8 feet tall. Blessed ThistleScientific name: Cnicus benedictusMedicinal valueIt is useful in strengthening heart and in all remedies for lung, kidney, and liver problems and also as a brain food for stimulating the memory. During menopause and for menstrual cramping and often for lactating women to stimulate blood flow to the mammary glands and increases the flow of milk, this herb is advised by ayurveda. HabitatAlong roadside or wasteland are the appropriate its growth. It is an annual and reaches to 2 feet tall. Blue CohoshScientific name: Caulophylum thalictroidesMedicinal valueTo regulate menstrual flow and suppressed menstruation this herb is used. This herb is also used to induce labor, also during childbirth to ease the pain and difficulty that accompany birthing, This herb should not be taken during pregnancy. HabitatMoist woodlands of southern Canada types are appropriate for its growth. The berry of this plant is poisonous and the plant itself can irritate the skin. The root is the part used in herbal medicine. BonesetScientific name: Eupatorium perfoliatumMedicinal valueThis herb is used for treating severe fevers, flu and catarrh conditions. Religious importanceIt is believed that an infusion sprinkled around the house drives away evil spirits and negativity. HabitatBoneset prefers damp to moist rich soils. It is a North American native perennial that reaches 2 to 4 feet high, and grows in partial sun. BorageScientific name: Borago officinalisMedicinal valueThis herb is used for treating bronchitis, rashes and to increase mother's milk. Religious importanceIt is believed that carrying fresh blossoms brings courage and its tea induces psychic powers. HabitatThe climate of Europe is perfect for its growth. This herb is an annual that grows in most soils, tolerates dry spells, and prefers full sun and reaching to 2 feet in height. BurdockScientific name: Arctium lappaMedicinal valueThis herb is used for the treatment of skin diseases, boils, fevers, inflammations, hepatitis, swollen glands, some cancers and fluid retention. It is an excellent blood purifier and its tea is used for indigestion. Helps clear persistent teenage acne if taken for three to four weeks. Religious importanceIt is believed that this herb is used for kicking off all sorts of negativity</span></strong> .</p><p><strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">Medicinal valueThis herb is used for aiding digestion, promoting menses, increasing mother's milk and to add to cough remedies as an expectorant. Religious importanceIt is believed that caraway is used as an amulet for protection, it promotes memory and guards against apart promoting lust when baked into breads, cookies, or cakes. HabitatThe meadows, woods and rocky areas with rich soil are perfect for the growth of this plant. Areas of Europe, Asia, Africa and North America are appropriate regions for proper growth of this biennial that reaches 1 1/2 - 2 feet high. Cascara SagradaScientific name: Rhamnus purshiana Medicinal valueThis herb is used treating chronic constipation, stimulating digestive system and is safe as a laxative. It is used for treating intestinal gas, liver and gall bladder complaints and enlarged liver also. Religious importanceIt is believed that this herb if sprinkled around the home before going to court it helps to win the case and is also used in money spells and in repelling evil and hexes. HabitatCascara Sagrada is a tree that is native to the Pacific Northwest regions of North America. CatnipScientific name: Nepeta cataria Medicinal valueFor home remedies for colds, flu, fevers, upset stomach and insomnia, particularly good for children with upset stomachs in a very mild infusion this herb is a very effective medicine. Religious importanceIt is believed that the large leaves, well dried are used to mark pages in magical books. They are also used in conjunction with rose petals in love sachets to create a psychic bond between you and your cat. HabitatMoist soils like the one throughout North America is appropriate for the growth of this perennial reaching to 3 feet high. Cat's ClawScientific name: Uncaria tomentosa Medicinal valueThis herb is also known as una de gato and is used for the treatment of arthritis, gastritis, tumors, dysentery, female hormonal imbalances, viral infections. This herb should not be taken by those who have received an organ transplant or by pregnant or nursing women. CayenneScientific name: Capsicum spp. Medicinal valueFor herbal use, the peppers are usually ground into a powder and mixed with other powdered herbs in capsules. This herb is used for all sorts of arthritis and muscle aches and it also benefits heart and circulation when taken alone or added to other remedies. This herb normalizes blood pressure and is good for ulcer. It is used in antibiotic combinations, for menstrual cramps and as a part of treatment for depression. Religious importanceIt is believed that Cayenne pepper scattered around your house breaks bad spells. Adding it to love powders will ensure that your love will be spicy, and can inflame the loved one with passion. HabitatGood, rich soil, plenty of water and full sun are perfect for this herb's growth. The peppers are dried after ripening. CedarScientific name: Cedrus spp. Religious importanceIt is believed that this herb is used in rituals to attracts money and is also used in purification and healing. It is a symbol of power and longevity. If this herb is hung in home it protects against lightning. Juniper can be used in place of cedar. HabitatThroughout the world a variety of cedars grow and hence each variety has a typical type of climate that suits its growth. ChamomileScientific name: Matricaria chamomilla (German chamomile), Anthemus nobilis (Roman chamomile) Medicinal valueThis herb is used as tea for nerves and menstrual cramps. The tea is also useful for babies and small children with colds and stomach troubles. For inducing sleep in insomniac conditions and wash sore eyes and open sores this herb is advised. Religious importanceIt is believed that this herb attracts money and if added to incense produces relaxed state for better meditation. If it is added to a ritual bath it is said to attract love. HabitatChamomile is an annual that adapts to most soils, likes lots of water and full sun. It grows up to 20 inches tall. ChickweedScientific name: Stellaria media Medicinal valueThis herb is an excellent source of many B vitamins and various minerals and thus is used to treat bronchitis, pleurisy, coughs, colds and as a blood builder. Externally it is good for skin diseases, and the tea added to the bath is good for soothing skin irritations and rashes. Religious importanceIt is believed that if this herb is carried or used in spells it attracts love and maintains relationship. HabitatThis annual herb grows throughout temperate areas of North America and Europe as it prefers full sun, average to poor soils and infrequent watering. CinnamonScientific name: Cinnamomum zeylanicum Medicinal valueThis herb is used for acute symptoms, as this herb is a stimulant to other herbs and the body, enabling herbal remedies to work faster. It is a blood purifier and an prevents infections. . Religious importanceIt is believed that if this herb is burned in incense, cinnamon will promote high spirituality. It is also used to stimulate the passions of the male. Clover RedScientific name: Trifolium pratense Medicinal valueThis herb is used as a nerve tonic, as a sedative for exhaustion, to strengthen children with weak systems and is used with children for coughs, bronchitis, wheezing, as it is mild to their systems. In combination with other drugs it is used for the treatment of cancer and for skin eruptions (acne). Religious importanceIt is believed that this herb brings luck, prosperity and health. Carrying a three-leaf clover gives you protection and if worn over the right breast it will bring you success in all undertakings. HabitatClover being an excellent cover crop is planted in fallow areas and turned under in the fall, it makes an excellent fertilizer for poor soils. ClovesScientific name: Eugenia caryophyllata Medicinal valueThis herb stops toothache when it is applied directly to the cavity as oil. It is very useful with people who have cold extremities. Cloves promote sweating with fevers, colds, and flu and are often used in remedies for whooping cough. Cloves are also safe and effective for relieving vomiting during pregnancy. Religious importanceIt is believed that Clove worn in an amulet drives away negativity and hostility and stop gossip. It is often carried to stimulate the memory and can be added to attraction sachets. It is placed in sachets with mint and rose to chase away melancholy and to help one sleep soundly. ColtsfootScientific name: Tussilago farfara Medicinal valueThis herb is used to treat respiratory problems and acts as a soother for the stomach and intestines. A combination of horehound, ginger, licorice root and Coltsfoot soothes throat when used as a cough syrup. Religious importanceIt is believed that this herb is added to love sachets and is used in spells for peace and tranquility. HabitatThis herb prefers damp, clay soil along with partial sun. height ranging from 5 to 18 inches this herb is a perennial. ComfreyScientific name: Symphytum officinale Medicinal valueBesides being a healer for wounds, burn, sores and bruises when applied as an ointment Comfrey is an effective remedy for coughs, ulcers, healing broken bones, sprains and asthma. It must be kept in mind that large dosages can cause liver damage and if used externally it should be used as tea rather than capsules. Religious importanceIt is believed that Comfrey ensures safe travelling and if put in some luggage it prevents it from being stolen and brings good luck to the carrier. HabitatWell-drained soils and partial shade are the requirements of this 3 feet high perennial that has its growth from Canada to Georgia and Far West as Missouri, in the wild. CornflowerScientific name: Centaurea cyanus Medicinal valueThe juice of the stem of this herb treats wounds and cuts. Religious importanceIt is believed that Cornflower promotes and enhances psychic sight and normal sight as well. HabitatThis 2 feet tall, annual herb is adaptable to many types of soils and climatic conditions. Cramp BarkScientific name: Viburnum opulus Medicinal valueThis herb is mainly used for treating feminine problems like aiding menstrual cramps, after birth, preventing miscarriages and internal hemorrhages and is used as an uterine sedative also.</span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">Medicinal value This herb regulates the female cycle of menstruation, stimulates sexual appetite and is good for urinary problems, nervousness and hypertension. Religious importance It is believed that the infusion of this herb incites lust and produces vision when burned. DandelionScientific name: Taraxum officinale Medicinal value This herb is good for proper functioning of liver as it clears obstructions (such as stones) and detoxifies poisons that gather in liver, spleen and gall bladder. This herb finds its utility in treating premenstrual syndrome, as a diuretic, to reduce cholesterol and uric acid and to clear skin eruptions when used both internally and externally. Religious importance It is believed that it is the sign of rain when a ripened dandelion falls. The seeds of this herb are also considered as carriers that carry thoughts to a loved one, near or far. Habitat Areas that are effected by chemicals like roadside are not appropriate for the growth of this herb. This herb can be grown in clean environment of personal yards and gardens. DillScientific name: Anethum graveolens Medicinal value Dill is an herb effective for the treatment of colic, gas, and indigestion. Religious importance It is believed that burned dried seeds of this herb protects home and a bath with one drop of this herb in water makes being loved irresistible and hence is used in love and protection sachets. Habitat The climate, frequent watering and well-drained soil of North America is perfect for the proper growth of this annual 2 - 3 feet tall herb.Dong QuaiScientific name: Angelica sinensis Medicinal value Being a uterine tonic and hormonal regulator this herb is an effective herb for female reproductive system. And is often used in premenstrual syndrome formulas as well as menopausal formulas. Dragon's BloodScientific name: Daemonorops draco Medicinal value This herb's resin has an external use as a healer and to stop bleeding apart from being used internally for chest pains, post-partum bleeding, internal traumas, and menstrual irregularities. Religious importance It is believed that this herb is used in love sachets and incenses to bring back love and increase the potency of other herbs.</span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">Medicinal value This herb is used as a natural antibiotic and immune system stimulator, helping to build resistance to colds, flu and infections. It increases the production of white blood cells, and improves the lymph glands. The tea from this herb should be used in all infections and has been used in treating skin cancers and other cancers. Religious importance It is believed that Echinacea is used as an offering to the spirits or gods and goddesses to strengthen a spell or ritual. Habitat This herb for its growth prefers the prairies, open and dry places. It easily adapts to most soils and grows in full sun. The area of North America is perfect for the growth of this perennial that reaches to about 2 feet tall. Elder Scientific name: Sambucus nigra Medicinal value This herb is an internal cleanser when fighting flu and colds. Acne can also be treated with this herb when taken as a tea Elder flower oil is a remedy for chapped skin and is also used to cleanse the body, build the blood, treat inflammation, fever and soothe the respiratory system. Being an antiseptic it heals external wounds and is also used as an insect repellant. Fresh Elder's stem has cyanide and hence should not be used internally by pregnant or lactating women. Religious importance It is believed that if this herb is scattered in all wind directions it brings protection, can be used for magical wands for ritual. In Denmark, it is believed to be unlucky to have furniture made of elder wood. It is used at weddings to bring good luck to the newlyweds. Habitat With a height up to 30 feet, this shrub prefers moist areas throughout North America. Elecampane Scientific name: Inula helenium Medicinal value This herb is an effective remedy for treating intestinal worms, water retention and to lessen tooth decay and firm the gums. This herb can be externally used for washing wounds and itching rashes. It is burned to repel insects. Religious importance It is believed that this herb adds to love charms and amulets of all kinds. Habitat The mushy and damp soil of roadsides and pastures is appropriate for the growth of this perennial that grows 3 - 6 feet tall. Eucalyptus Scientific name: Eucalyptus globulus Medicinal value This herb has antiseptic values when used as an oil and is used to treat pyorrhea (gum disease) and prevent infections after burning. The oil and steam of leaves if breathed in will help clear the sinuses. When mixed with water or vegetable oils, it makes a good insect repellant. Religious importance It is believed that this herb has healing energies and a branch or wreath over the bed of a sick person helps spread the healing energies and its oil if added to healing baths, and for purification. Habitat Capable of reaching heights till 250 feet this is among one of the tallest trees of the world with the adaptability to several soil conditions this thrives only in areas where the average temperature remains above 60 degrees Evening Primrose Scientific name: Oenothera biennis Medicinal value This herb's oil stimulates to help with liver and spleen conditions. Even Multiple Sclerosis, low blood pressure, pain of angina can be cured by it besides being an element to slow the production of cholesterol. It is a valuable part of an herbal remedy for treating the symptoms of pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) and menstrual cramping. Habitat The American variety found throughout North America prefers dry soils and full sun. It is a biennial, and grows 3 - 6 feet tall. Eyebright Scientific name: Euphrasia officinalis Medicinal value This herb stimulates the liver to remove toxins from the body and can be used externally and internally to treat eye infections and afflictions such as pink- eye. The herb strengthens the eye, and helps to repair damage. Religious importance It is believed that Eyebright is used to make a simple tea to rub on the eyelids to induce and enhance clairvoyant visions. Habitat Being adaptable to many types of soil Eyebright needs full sun for proper growth. It is a small annual that has a maximum height of 2 - 8 inches.</span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">Medicinal value This herb is used sooths very delicate stomach and stimulates the reproductive organs in women and men. This herb is very important for use during menopause, due to its positive effects on uterine disorders, headaches and depression. Habitat False Unicorn grows primarily in very moist areas and partially shady areas of North America. FennelScientific name: Foeniculum vulgare Medicinal value This herb is used as a sedative for kids. It also improves digestion, cures cough and takes away appetite. It is used for cancer patients after radiation and chemotherapy treatments and enriches the flow of milk for lactating women. Religious importance It is believed that fennel is used for scenting soaps and perfumes to ward off negativity and evil. Habitat Dry, sunny climate and average poor soil is appropriate for the growth of this perennial that can reach 4 - 6 feet high. FenugreekScientific name: Trigonella foenum-graecum Medicinal value This herb is used to soften and expel mucous whereas its antiseptic properties kill infections in the lungs. It helps reducing fever when taken with lemon and honey and also nourishes the body during illness. It is used to relax the uterus and can be taken by pregnant women. Religious importance It is believed that this herb's seeds when added to mop water to clean house floors it brings money. Habitat Dry, moderately fertile soil and sunny location is all that is needed by this annual for a growth of 1 - 3 feet. FeverfewScientific name: Tanacetum parthenium Medicinal value This herb is used for the treatment of cold, fever, flu, digestive problem, to end migraines and other headaches. Religious importance It is believed that Feverfew is carried for protection against illnesses involving fever as well as for preventing accidents. Habitat This biennial or perennial herb for its growth of 2 1/2 feet requires all dry places, poor soil and full sunFlaxScientific name: Linum usitatissimum Medicinal value This herb is used for maintaining cardiovascular health, to help in menopause and as a mild laxative, apart from being used in seed form for the treatment of cancer. The oil helps slow the kidney disease that accompanies lupus. Religious importance It is believed that this herb is used for healing spells and rituals and to attract money and wealth. Habitat The climate of North America is perfect for the growth of Flax, an annual that grows to 3 feet high and is adaptable to many soils and conditions. FrankincenseScientific name: Boswellia carterii Medicinal value This herb relieves menstrual pains, rheumatic aches and pains. Externally it is used for liniments and for its antiseptic properties. Religious importance It is believed that if Frankincense is burned, it raises vibrations, purifies and exorcise to aid meditations and visions. The essential oil is used to anoint magical tools, altars, etc.</span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">Medicinal value This herb is used to cure insomnia, prevent miscarriage, heart ailments, strengthening muscles, prevent arteriosclerosis, angina, poor heart action and for treating nervousness. Religious importance It is believed that the leaves are used to make protection sachets that if carried ensure good fishing. It is incorporated into spells and rituals for fertility and for protecting home from damaging storms. Habitat With a height reach of 40 feet this herb grows throughout North America and is tolerant to most soils but prefers alkaline, rich, moist loam. Hazel Scientific name: Coylus spp. Religious importance It is believed that the branches of this herb are used for divining and the wood makes wonderful wands. Hazelnuts if hung in the house bring luck and can be carried to cause fertility. Habitat For proper growth the Hazelnut trees should be planted in a well-drained, fertile, and slightly acid soil in any place with temperature below -10. Heather Scientific name: Calluna spp. Medicinal value This herb when made to tea suppresses cough and aids sleeplessness. Religious importance It is believed that heather if carried guards against rape and violent crime and if burned with fern it brings rain. Habitat This evergreen shrub with 1- 2 feet height prefers rocky or sandy soils and full sun for proper growth. Henbane Scientific name: Hyosycamus niger Medicinal value This herb is used to stop pain, lessens perspiration. As it is very toxic it is not advisable for use by pregnant women or weak children and must be taken in extremely small amounts for external use only and not on a regular basis. Religious importance It is believed that this herb if thrown into the water to bring rains. Habitat Due to the toxic nature it is not grown in home gardens but the climate and conditions throughout North America is perfect for its growth. Holly Scientific name: Ilex spp. Religious importance It is believed that holly is used as a protective plant and is used as decoration during the Yule season. It is said that if holly water is sprinkled on newborn babies it protects them. Habitat Sandy soil as well as acidic soil with full sun are just appropriate conditions for the growth of this 4 feet tall herb. Hops Scientific name: Humulus lupulus Medicinal value This herb is a sedative used for treating insomnia, coughs, bladder ailments, liver ailments and nervous tension. It is used in brewing beer and ales. Externally it is used to treat itching skin rashes and hives and it also removes poisons from the body. Religious importance It is believed that Hops is used in healing incenses and if included in sleep pillows it induces sleep and pleasant dreams. Habitat This herb is adaptable to many types of soil, prefers full sun and being a perennial has growth of 30 feet in height. Horehound Scientific name: Marrubium vulgare Medicinal value This herb is used as a home remedy for children's cough and as a tonic for the respiratory system and stomach. In large doses it acts as a laxative. Religious importance It is believed that this herb is used in incenses for protection and in exorcisms. Habitat Dry sandy soil and full sun and full sun is good for the growth of this perennial (except in very cold climates) that reaches to 3 feet tall and needs little water, tolerates poor soils and blooms during its second year. Horseradish Scientific name: Armoracia lapathifolia Medicinal value Herb oil is used to massage away muscular aches and help loosen chest congestion. It can be used to warm a cold body, and to clear up drippy sinuses. Religious importance It is believed that Horseradish is part of the Jewish Passover ritual and it repels evil around the home and property. Habitat By the second year this perennial plant grows to a height of 2- 3 feet throughout the world. Horsetail Scientific name: Equisetum arvense Medicinal value This herb is used for treating urinary tract infections, aid in coagulation, decrease bleeding, help broken bones heal faster, help brittle nails and hair and treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. When the plant boiled in water it makes an effective foot soak for tired feet and for the treatment of athlete's foot. It is advised to be not used by pregnant or nursing. Religious importance It is believed that whistles made from the stalks of Horsetail are used to call the spirits. Habitat Swamp and damp soils with full sun to partial shade are perfect for normal growth of this herb with a height of 1 - 2 feet. Hyssop Scientific name: Hysoppus officinalis Medicinal value This herb is used for treating lung ailments, aid in healing of wounds, soothe sore throats and inhibit the growth of the herpes simplex virus. Religious importance It is believed that Hyssop is used in purification baths and rituals and is used to cleanse persons and objects. Habitat This herb prefers dry conditions, tolerates most soils and full sun. It is a perennial shrubby plant growing to 3 feet tall and belongs to the mint family.</span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">Medicinal value This herb is used to cure all kinds of chest ailments and nourish the weak, elderly and weak children. Habitat This herb prefers cold, humid mountain areas and wood lands and has a height of 4 inches. Ivy Scientific name: Hedera spp. Medicinal value This herb is used as an effective remedy for treating sores, ulcers and other skin eruptions externally. Religious importance It is believed that if Ivy is grown outside the home it acts as a guardian and protector and if worn by brides it brings luck to the marriage. Habitat This herb is found all throughout North America and can adapt to different types of soils.</span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">Medicinal valueThis herb is used for treating insomnia, nervousness, relieving stress after injury, for pains associated with nerve and skin diseases. Large doses can create a toxic substance in the liver. Religious importanceIt is believed that the tea of kava kava is drunk to offer protection against evil and to invite good luck. HabitatThis plant is found in the South Pacific tropical islands and has a height of 8 to 20 feet.KelpScientific name: Fucus versiculosus Medicinal valueThis herb strengthens and promotes the glands, controls the thyroid and regulates metabolism. It is a terrific boost for pregnancy and good for child's development. HabitatBest found in stores as this is a sea weed that grows in the ocean. </span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="color:#ff6600;">Medicinal valueQueen Anne's Lace is used for treating gallstones, kidney stones, water retention, strains and sprains. It is also called Wild Carrot.HabitatQueen Anne's Lace is found throughout most of North America. It is a biennial that grows to 3 feet tall.</span></strong></p><p> </p><p><strong><span style="color:#ff6600;"></span></strong> </p><p><strong><span style="color:#ff6600;"></span></strong> </p><p><strong><span style="color:#ff6600;"></span></strong> </p><p><strong><span style="color:#ff6600;"></span></strong> </p><p><strong><span style="color:#ff6600;"></span></strong> </p><p><strong><span style="color:#ff6600;"></span></strong> </p><p><strong><span style="color:#ff6600;"></span></strong> </p>DOCTORhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18188669046871912546noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3243612570259145499.post-74040608903500553932008-02-09T05:18:00.000-08:002008-02-09T05:31:10.526-08:00<div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#990000;">The Life of Ancient Egyptians<br />For Every Malady a Cure</span></strong></div><br /><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#990000;">Of all the branches of science pursued in ancient Egypt, none achieved such popularity as<br />medicine. Homer put it aptly in the Odyssey (IV, 229-232):<br />That fecund land brings forth abundant herbs, Some baneful, and some curative when duly mixed.<br />There, every man's a doctor; every man Knows better than all others how to treatAll manner of disease ...<br />There was even a degree <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvq0ELwButXsREmpfQiCO_BTxSOMi-GGNepogzQqP96neZFXNKFV7gJar1zoSZm5mi8bkj5FnhtO4pSNEOPkWPJqznMH3XE-tN_Z2fGoeToAY6ypuueX1tZofOGxSv_grECjt5fkdaPJs/s1600-h/bounty1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164970306818094642" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvq0ELwButXsREmpfQiCO_BTxSOMi-GGNepogzQqP96neZFXNKFV7gJar1zoSZm5mi8bkj5FnhtO4pSNEOPkWPJqznMH3XE-tN_Z2fGoeToAY6ypuueX1tZofOGxSv_grECjt5fkdaPJs/s400/bounty1.jpg" border="0" /></a>of specialization quite remarkable for the time, if we are rightly<br />informed. Herodotus (II, 84) asserts that "The practice of medicine is so divided among them that<br />each physician treats one disease, and no more. There are plenty of physicians everywhere. Some<br />are eye-doctors, some deal with the head, others with the teeth or the belly, and some with<br />hidden maladies...'<br />The usual term for a doctor was sunu, written with an arrow-shaped symbol that, it had been<br />suggested, was an allusion to the use of arrowheads to lance abscesses. Some doctors belonged to<br />the priesthood, including priests of the goddess Sakhmet, patroness of diseases, remedies and<br />physicians, and of the lector-priests (khery-heb). Some again were counted among the scribes, as<br />shown in such titles as 'chief doctor and scribe of the word of god'. Many enjoyed ecclesiastical<br />as well as lay titles.<br />Like other professions doctors had their hierarchy. Besides ordinary doctors there were senior<br />doctors, inspectors, overseers and masters of physicians and the 'Chief of Physicians of the<br />South and the North', a kind of minister of health. Royal and palace doctors had their special<br />hierarchy and titles.<br />The Belgian scholar Frans Jonckheere counted 82 doctors known by name, many with titles<br />suggesting specialization in some defined area. Hermann Grapow, however, is probably right in<br />thinking of them as simply exemplifying the various skills which the doctor might possess.<br />Thus the 6th-dynasty court physician and high priest Pepyankh, known as Iry, was not only<br />'doctor to the king's belly' and 'shepherd of the king's anus', but also 'the king's eye-doctor'.<br />There has been much dispute recently as to whether dentistry ranked as a separate calling; there <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilW_NxmyvW9Lu7BEjS6GBtTpvTV6F4mzVygEXREebaLhhhskBtzDw_JM-hiez6Vm31OI9UJiu2uCz_w6tDzG7ofKB_6TOsx0MVc5U2yJ6p6564zCHWpnTI7c6nTJxCt-4RDr-Sl-N1wuk/s1600-h/bounty11.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164970311113061954" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilW_NxmyvW9Lu7BEjS6GBtTpvTV6F4mzVygEXREebaLhhhskBtzDw_JM-hiez6Vm31OI9UJiu2uCz_w6tDzG7ofKB_6TOsx0MVc5U2yJ6p6564zCHWpnTI7c6nTJxCt-4RDr-Sl-N1wuk/s400/bounty11.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />are only five references to it in the Old Kingdom and another isolated one in the 2 6th dynasty.<br />Nor has it yet been settled whether any of the doctors known to us conducted research.<br />There were no female nurses to help the doctors, but we do know of male nurses, dressers,<br />masseurs and lay therapists. It would be wrong to see connections between the medical profession<br />and that of the embalmers, priests of the god Anubis. Contrary to older ideas that Egyptian<br />doctors took part in the preparation of mummies to improve their knowledge of anatomy, it must be<br />re-emphasized that most of their information came from ancient texts in which descriptions of the<br />internal organs were based on analogy with animal bodies.<br />The embalming procedure had nothing in common with medical autopsies. The physician learnt his<br />trade in the Houses of Life, notably at Per Bastet in the New Kingdom and at Abydos and Sais in<br />the Late Period. He was no doubt given some practical experience, but chiefly he had to study<br />what was already written. As the Ebers Papyrus says: 'His guide is Thoth, who lets the scrolls<br />speak for themselves, compiles treatises and expounds knowledge to the savants and doctors who<br />follow in his path.'<br />Diodorus too confirms this (I, 82, 3): '[They] administer their treatments in accordance with a <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjahjDwZxcWk4pM6kALR543seWzsyw2Jdup9yBocEBb-7UvddIQnoeNqy6Q607hPHTq-8zf99aKjwfY7lF8BolVnlPN1NjFZ-FlnbagF_K6tht2RC6w8sHXqGUJJR0RTJ6LcwXcqY6IDaU/s1600-h/ph8.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164971251710899826" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjahjDwZxcWk4pM6kALR543seWzsyw2Jdup9yBocEBb-7UvddIQnoeNqy6Q607hPHTq-8zf99aKjwfY7lF8BolVnlPN1NjFZ-FlnbagF_K6tht2RC6w8sHXqGUJJR0RTJ6LcwXcqY6IDaU/s400/ph8.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />written law which was composed in ancient times by many famous physicians.' From his further<br />statement that 'on their military campaigns and on their journeys in the country they all receive<br />treatment free of charge', it appears that for some people, at least, there was a system of free<br />medical aid, such as we know existed also at Deir el-Medina. But on other occasions doctors<br />expected to be handsomely reimbursed, as we can tell from a scene in the I 8th-dynasty tomb of<br />the doctor Nebamun at Dra Abu el-Naga. There we see a patient, supported by his wife, (both<br />dressed in Syrian style), being handed some medicine by Nebamun's orderly.<br />Behind this group and on another register is a file of servants bringing the doctor his fee - a<br />copper ingot, a set of vessels (full, no doubt) and several little slave-girls.<br />The medical texts were not only the fount of professional knowledge but an insurance against<br />possible failure. Diodorus saw this clearly (I, 8 2): 'If they follow the rules of this law as<br />they read them in the sacred book and yet are unable to save their patient, they are absolved<br />from any charge; but if they go contrary to the law's prescriptions they must submit to a trial<br />withdeath as the penalty.'<br />Of the eight extant medical compendia the most important is the Ebers Papyrus, a collection of<br />about 700 prescriptions for treating internal diseases arranged according to the organ concerned.<br />This was built up between the 4th millennium BC and the New Kingdom through the continual <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPJ7rJNC1eAjuo86EXcuu1UwMHhFQ5J_NMCJWO3Rsy0G1M8dLDVSzFsyU9mcld9SFCkXqoaiWCNHzNMxyVCqW4BoasWLxRXlXkjhNzjhA6SqVjEg5Cps_xkwb9Xleenve2FIbkgMsVo7g/s1600-h/bounty8.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164971251710899810" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPJ7rJNC1eAjuo86EXcuu1UwMHhFQ5J_NMCJWO3Rsy0G1M8dLDVSzFsyU9mcld9SFCkXqoaiWCNHzNMxyVCqW4BoasWLxRXlXkjhNzjhA6SqVjEg5Cps_xkwb9Xleenve2FIbkgMsVo7g/s400/bounty8.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />addition of fresh material. The Hearst Papyrus, by contrast, probably represents the memoranda of<br />a practicing doctor of the I 8th dynasty in which he had written out remedies from other works,<br />the Ebers Papyrus among them.<br />The Edwin Smith surgical papyrus shows a profound empirical knowledge of the different types of<br />injuries and how to treat them: this is a copy from the Second Intermediate Period of a work at<br />least 1000 years older. Other medical documents include the Great Berlin Papyrus, the London<br />Papyrus, Chester Beatty Papyrus NO.VI, Papyrus Ny Carlsberg NO.VIII and theKahun Papyrus, the last dealing with gynecology. These are largely copies of Old Kingdom<br />treatises made during the Middle and New Kingdoms.<br />Examination of both medical and non-medical documents has convinced many investigators that the<br />ancient Egyptians knew their anatomy in fair detail. In addition to externally visible features<br />there are many names of internal organs well known from butchery and cooking.<br />Notions of physiology and disease were all anchored in the concept of the heart as the center of<br />the organism. It was the site of the soul, the reasoning faculty, qualities of character, and <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAzDjrrfaQgYhH6ckLo0UFBX6MksTZP3jaGhUlWJJfla_0AtIBDCtR9zJm-WW5PRH7M4k7BW97LPd0wm90HSPlnZKOZ7y50zLsJ8WBQNonewpnecG2goqZXyLGgCk3m9ZqFJgzyFCnMlY/s1600-h/ph1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164970311113061970" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAzDjrrfaQgYhH6ckLo0UFBX6MksTZP3jaGhUlWJJfla_0AtIBDCtR9zJm-WW5PRH7M4k7BW97LPd0wm90HSPlnZKOZ7y50zLsJ8WBQNonewpnecG2goqZXyLGgCk3m9ZqFJgzyFCnMlY/s400/ph1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />emotions. It was through the heart that god spoke, and the Egyptian received knowledge of god and<br />god's will. The heart was one's partner: it spoke to a person in his or her solitude.<br />It was at the same time the engine of all the bodily functions, not only of one cardinal<br />function, the circulation, as modern science revealed. From the heart proceeded channels (metu)<br />linking all parts of the body together.<br />These channels, the Egyptians believed, conveyed not only the blood, but also air (reaching the<br />heart from the nose, they thought), tears, saliva, mucus, sperm, urine, nutriment and feces, as<br />well as harmful substances (wehedu) conceived to be the agents of pain and illness. Not only<br />blood vessels were considered as metu, but also the respiratory tract, tear duct, ducts of<br />various glands, spermatic duct, the muscles, tendons and ligaments.<br />The female organs were likewise seen as tubes open into the internal cavity; the eye was supposed<br />to communicate with the car and the only purpose of the brain was to pass mucus to the nose,<br />with which it was also thought to be connected. The Egyptian idea of the human body, then. was as<br />a network of interconnecting channels and analogous to the branches of the Nile and the<br />artificial canals of their own country. It was soon realized that in some of the metu the heart<br />'spoke' and a doctor could 'measure the heart' from this beat. But he could only tell if the<br />heart was going faster or slower by comparing the patient's pulse with his own.<br />The concept of circulation was still beyond the Egyptians' knowledge, since they did not<br />distinguish between arteries and veins, nor appreciate that the blood returned to the heart. The<br />precondition of good health, they thought, was free flow through the metu: ailments arose when<br />they became blocked, just as with irrigation canals.<br />Thus if a woman was infertile this was because the sexual channel was closed, and constipation<br />or accumulation of the blood were likewise causes of disease. Harmful substances might find<br />their way into the metu through the natural orifices, mainly by the ingestion of bad food. But<br />they could also originate inside the gut, and doctors were therefore much exercised to ensure its<br />regular evacuation. Sometimes seeing worms in the stool, they deduced that these too might have<br />come into the body through the mouth and cause a disease.<br />With externally visible damage like wounds and fractures the causes were often obvious. But with<br />many internal ailments doctors were at a loss, so they imputed them to irrational influences,<br />usually gods - either hostile and malignant deities, or well-intentioned ones who sent down<br />plagues as a punishment for wrongdoing. Sickness might also be the work of evil demons, or of an<br />envious neighbor's evil eye.<br />It would far exceed the scope of this chapter even to enumerate the diseases of ancient Egyptians<br />that our researches have so far revealed. The evidence comes from several sources; from<br />identification of their names and from their description in the texts, from their characteristic<br />appearance in portrayals of the human body, from the study of pathological tissues in mummies<br />and, in the case of diseases of bones and teeth, from the examination of human skeletal remains<br />from burial sites. The study of all these sources constitutes the recently defined discipline of<br />paleopathology.<br />According to medical texts the ancient Egyptians recognized some 200 types Of sickness, though<br />there is no mention of diseases of the lungs, liver, gall-bladder, spleen, pancreas or kidneys -<br />the symptoms evidently eluded them. We can of course never be sure what any named disease refers<br />to unless its symptoms or recommended treatment are mentioned in the same context.<br />The descriptions of external lesions and in particular of wounds are fairly clear. A wound is<br />said to have a 'mouth' and 'lips' and may 'go as far as the bone'. It is usually accompanied by<br />bleeding, which in the case of severe injuries to the skull, may come from the nose and ears too.<br />The Ebers Papyrus (Case 8) mentions that a skull fracture hemorrhaging into the brain can cause<br />paralysis, on the same side of the body it says, not the opposite side - perhaps this was a<br />copyist's error.<br />The Smith Papyrus (Case 7) quotes a man with a gaping head-wound as showing the symptoms of<br />tetanus: 'His mouth is locked tight ... his brow is convulsively contorted and he has the<br />expression of a man crying.' The Egyptians distinguished simple fracture, sedj, where the bone is<br />broken in two, and complicated fractures, peshen, resulting in numerous fragments.<br />Conditions characterized by a bulging of the affected part were classified either as shefut,<br />commonly translated as 'swellings' but in view of some scholars references to a liquid content<br />possibly including abscesses too, or as henhenet and aat, thought<br />to denote tumors. The former were treated with dressings, the latter by excision. Most of the<br />ophthalmic and internal maladies mentioned in the texts are difficult to identify with certainty.<br />The only unambiguous ones are constipation, inflammation of the rectum, cystitis, and blood in<br />the urine, usually due (in Egypt) to bilharzia, equated by Ebbell and Jonckheere with the disease <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe6N8SdK-MaRGlwukukV9rFTAmuRBe1Io-Q_H1mdzHWwkJr15Qx18uUXZOBs2iZnxyJvqUx-OX7_b8Hqnvjg7Fjs9tfVpzROUBb0jRBrbQjp2Af-Bx_I-3eAzhvVDYA-iUUQmQ0qtwUa0/s1600-h/ph11.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164971260300834450" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe6N8SdK-MaRGlwukukV9rFTAmuRBe1Io-Q_H1mdzHWwkJr15Qx18uUXZOBs2iZnxyJvqUx-OX7_b8Hqnvjg7Fjs9tfVpzROUBb0jRBrbQjp2Af-Bx_I-3eAzhvVDYA-iUUQmQ0qtwUa0/s400/ph11.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />aa.<br />We are on safer ground where we can find illustrations drawn by artists with a feeling for<br />characteristic changes of appearance. The Queen of Punt, familiar to us from a relief in the<br />temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, suffered from abnormal obesity, probably lipodystrophy.<br />The eunuchoid appearance of Akhenaten towards the end of his reign suggests Frohlich's syndrome<br />resulting from malfunction of the pituitary gland or of the mesencephalon, most probably due to a<br />tumor. There are many depictions of dwarfs, distinguishable from the ethnic pygmies of Africa by<br />their abnormal proportions.<br />One important achievement has been the examination of fragments of lung tissue overlooked by the<br />embalmers when they were removing the soft parts from inside the body. It has shown that Egyptian<br />lungs, like ours, contained coal dust in the lymphatic nodules (anthracosis), probably through<br />inhaling smoke from open fires. Hypertrophied connective tissue between the alveoli, and the<br />lymphatic vessels of other mummies proved to contain minute sharp-edged particles of silicates,<br />felspars and other granite minerals (silicosis).<br />In other cases lungs were found to be covered with dust of fine desert sand (pneumoconiosis).<br />Other mummies again showed changes characteristic of pneumonia, sometimes complicated by<br />pleuritis or pericarditis.<br />The Life of Ancient Egyptians<br />Bounty of the Black Earth<br />The Egyptian landscape is scenically among the most extraordinary in the world. A relatively<br />narrow strip of fertile valley spreads out into the Delta in the north, and to the south cuts<br />through the endless expanse of the Sahara.<br />Its fertility does not depend on the amount of rainfall, which suddenly decreased from the end of<br />the Neolithic wet phase in Upper Egypt and Nubia till it virtually came to a stop. Regular floods<br />bring about the Nile valley's annual miracle, when nature is reborn and the fields turn green and<br />then gradually golden with the harvest.<br />As early as the fifth millennium BC, the Egyptians realized the extraordinary fruitfulness of<br />their fields and the secret behind it - the deposits of black silt borne down by the river in<br />flood time. Hence they called the soil of the Nile valley 'black earth' (kemet), as distinct from<br />the 'red earth' (deshret) of the desert.<br />In their black land they felt content and safe. They were satisfied that a host of gods,<br />originally regional gods, kept guard over its fertility and that Khnum, the god of the First<br />Cataract, would ensure the punctual onset and adequate height of the flooding. The regular cycle<br />of natural events conferred a rhythm on their lives which was part of the maat, the eternal order<br />of things.<br />The red land, by contrast, was to be shunned as far as possible. From the western wilderness a<br />scorching, destructive wind, the khamsin as we now call it, would sometimes blow down on them.<br />Then, as now, it would raise clouds of fine sand and dust, blinding men and animals alike, and<br />sometimes drying out their fields.<br />No wonder they saw the desert as the domain of malignant forces disruptive of the established<br />order and personified in the Late Period by the baneful god Seth. It was of course the peasant<br />farmer whose links with the soil were strongest. He had learnt to cultivate it to perfection and<br />gradually extended the area of his fields to wherever the annual floods reached. He would clear a<br />course for as much water as he needed and steer the surplus back to its riverbed. In the passage<br />of time the size of his harvests and his herds grew to the point where, even in predynastic times<br />(4000--3000 BC), part of the population could turn to other employment.<br />This second social division of labor (following the first, that between men and women, which went<br />far back into prehistory) continued up to the threshold of the historic period. But even then the<br />majority of the population was still tied to agriculture and the rest of society lived on its<br />produce.<br />Egypt is the 'gift of the Nile' and her harvests depend on its floodwaters. These were the<br />fundamental pacemaker of the Egyptian farmer's life. It was the farmer, above all, who hadvested interest in the calendar, an invention which - thanks to the regularity of natural events<br />- this country was one of the earliest in the world to possess.<br />People knew from long experience that this was about the time for the level of the Nile to start<br />rising. Just before this, flocks of white ibises would have appeared on the fields as they<br />returned from the south. If they came late or not at all, farmers would see this as a bad omen<br />foreshadowing low floods and a poor harvest. So they regarded the wise bird that knew the secret<br />of this vital phenomenon as an embodiment of the learned god Thoth.<br />The Nile floods are in fact triggered by sudden monsoon downfalls on the Ethiopian plateau, the<br />source of the Blue Nile, and to a lesser extent by those around Lake Victoria and the Ruwenzori<br />mountains where the White Nile originates. Heavy rain and surging waters bring down the fertile<br />soil which the overflowing Nile then slowly deposits over the fields in its calm lower reaches.<br />Chemical analysis explains the fertility of the Nile mud, containing as it does all the important<br />ingredients which would otherwise have to be added to the soil by artificial manuring. Egyptian<br />farmers prayed to the hermaphrodite god of the Nile, Hapy - portrayed as a man with women's<br />breasts in symbolism of the apparently spontaneous fruitfulness of the river and its flood-plain<br />- to ensure that the yearly inundation were just right: not too deep, not too shallow.<br />If they were too shallow, the floods would not reach the thirsty fields, but if too much water<br />came rushing down it would sweep away the laboriously constructed dykes, tear up the fields, and<br />even threaten low-lying villages.<br />According to the theory accepted until quite recently, it was the very need for centrally-managed<br />canal construction and maintenance, and central allocation of water supplies, that played the<br />paramount role in bringing about the rise and continuance of the ancient Egyptian state. This<br />view ascribed the chief decision--making power to the king and his vizier, detailed supervision<br />of the work being entrusted to officials chosen from among the nobility and scribes.<br /><br />It was even proposed by the Polish archaeologist Krzyzaniak that artificial irrigation started as<br />early as the second half of the Predynastic Period. As evidence that canals existed even before<br />the country was unified many writers have adduced the mace-head of King Scorpion, one of the last <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Uw5P7oqEoxjgRSRt4ge6HLXe454qZj-qrpqTjMeF8wu8_YIOxb_lQ-Lv1DlsTGNJ9wen4qBt8smOWEhPwnFTbHKlFbNQ3dpLdUAS1e6b16Zkdm9K91JRdb8gdUtsFS6_wVjWw8OP5cY/s1600-h/ph6.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164971256005867138" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Uw5P7oqEoxjgRSRt4ge6HLXe454qZj-qrpqTjMeF8wu8_YIOxb_lQ-Lv1DlsTGNJ9wen4qBt8smOWEhPwnFTbHKlFbNQ3dpLdUAS1e6b16Zkdm9K91JRdb8gdUtsFS6_wVjWw8OP5cY/s400/ph6.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />rulers of a separate Upper Egypt, which may depict him officiating at the ceremonial opening of a<br />new canal.<br />Recently, however, the evidence for artificial irrigation has been analyzed independently by two<br />German archaeologists, Erika Endesfelder and Wolfgang Schenkel. The first-named has noted that<br />pyramid texts (the oldest being on walls of late 5 th-dynasty pyramids) do use the terms for<br />'canal', mer and henet, but only in the context of waterway traffic. Schenkel agrees that canals<br />existed in the Old Kingdom for traffic, and possibly also for the drainage of marshes.<br />Royal decrees of the 6th and gilt dynasties make no mention of labor squads being seconded for<br />the construction of irrigation canals, but simply make the distinction between two kinds of<br />fields: those that were flooded every year, and higher-lying ones that only came under water in<br />years of exceptionally high flood.<br />A part from reliefs showing gardeners watering vegetable patches as in the mastaba of Mereruka,<br />there are no scenes in Old Kingdom tombs of artificial field-irrigation or canal- and<br />dyke-building.<br />It appears indeed that no artificial irrigation was needed as a rule up until the end of the<br />Neolithic wet phase around 2350 BC. The Nile floods functioned quite regularly, supplemented by<br />occasional rain. It was only a series of low floods during the First Intermediate Period, when<br />rain ceased falling in Upper Egypt too, that famine occurred and radical measures were clearly<br />needed.<br />Water from this canal would have been distributed over the fields by the system of<br />basin-irrigation to be described later. It is under the Middle Kingdom that we first come across<br />terms for irrigation-- related works: a (canal), meryt (embankment), denyt (dyke) and others. In<br />contrast to the earlier notion that irrigation was a centralized affair, recent findings show<br />that it was promoted by local initiative which sometimes exacerbated parochial rivalry.<br />Canal-building, maintenance and water allocation were in fact managed by local consortia with no<br />one higher than a regional prince at the head. Nor do any later documents suggest the existence<br />of a central state institution dealing with these matters and we find no relevant titles in the<br />biographies of nobles or priests. On the contrary, every peasant had a share of responsibility<br />for water--management.<br />The Book of the Dead expressly makes it a great offence to obstruct another person in the use of<br />water or illegally to block his supply. If the central authorities concerned themselves over the<br />height of the Nile floods it was likely to be for fiscal reasons (since it was the basis of<br />harvest forecasting) or religious ones. But they were of course involved in any projects of<br />nation-wide importance.<br /><br />Thus some investigators believe that a dam was built below Memphis soon after the town was<br />founded as the capital of a united Egypt. In the course of the 3rd and 4th dynasties the area of<br />land under cultivation grew through 'internal colonization', namely the draining of the Delta and<br />the utilization of land previously lying untitled.<br />In inter-flood periods water would flow out of this lake onto the surrounding fields through a<br />system of irrigation canals. The extension of cultivated ground in the Faiyum was completed under<br />the first Ptolemaic kings.<br />The development of an irrigation canal network made possible not only improved supplies of water<br />to fields that had enjoyed Nile flooding in earlier times but, more importantly, an increase in<br />the arable acreage in more remote and elevated areas. While under the Old Kingdom only natural<br />irrigation had existed, in the Middle Kingdom a distinction could be made between low-lying<br />fields flooded by nature and higher land watered artificially.<br />In the New Kingdom two further categories were recognized, of 'used' and 'fresh' fields.<br />Herodotus, who had personal knowledge of Egypt in the 5th century BC, evidently saw it during the<br />period of copious flooding. Hence his rosy view of the farmer's life there: 'Now, of course, they<br />reap the fruits of the earth with less effort than anywhere else in the world ... They do not<br />have to plough the furrow or dig the soil, they can dispense with the tiresome labor in the field<br />that other people must endure ... As soon as the river has risen of its own accord, watered the<br />arable land and receded again, each of them sows his own plot and drives pigs on to it to tread<br />the seed in. Then he awaits the harvest.<br /><br />A textbook passage from a scribes' school, by contrast, paints the peasant's lot in much darker<br />colors - exaggerating perhaps by way of propaganda for the happy career of the scribe: 'When [the<br />farmer] returns to his fields he finds them in good condition. He spends eight hours plowing, and<br />the worms are already waiting. He cats half his crop himself, the rest is taken by the<br />hippopotamus. There are many mice in the fields, and locusts descend on them.<br />Even cattle devour his harvest and sparrows steal it. Then the scribe-officer arrives to count up<br />the harvest: he has bailiffs with him who wield sticks, and black men with palm-stalks. "Give us<br />the grain, " they say. "There is none." So they hold him by the legs and beat him, then tie him<br />up and throw him in the ditch. His wife is bound too, and his children, and their neighbors make<br />haste to abandon them so as to save their own grain.'<br />In tilling his land the peasant made do with a small range of simple tools, many of which are<br />used in almost identical form by the fellah of today. First and foremost was the indispensable<br />hoe for loosening the soil, its broad, thin sharp-edged blade of hard wood set at an acute angle<br />to the long wooden shaft to which it was bound with plant-fiber cord.<br />The oldest sign of its existence is a plough-shaped hieroglyph of the 2nd dynasty. The plough<br />consisted of a fairly long blade of hard wood fastened at its lower end to a pair of wooden<br />stilts slaved out toward their upper end, on which the plowman would lean to drive the blade into<br />the soil to the required depth and guide it along the furrow. A long pole extended from the lower<br />end of the stilts to the yoke over the necks of the draught animals.<br />For cutting the corn farmers originally used an almost straight or slightly curved wooden sickle<br />with a longitudinal groove in which a row of flint blades were set close together. These were<br />gradually superseded by copper and then, from the Middle Kingdom on, bronze sickles.<br />For wood-cutting, ground stone axes were used, the heads being tied to J-shaped handles. Other<br />agricultural implements included wooden shovels for tossing grain, wooden pitchforks for loading<br />the sheaves, wooden rakes for collecting the cut cars, plant-fiber nets and bags, leather or<br />canvas sacks for transporting both sheaves and grain, large wooden tubs for measuring grain and<br />cords for field-surveying.<br />The cereals the Egyptians cultivated were three kinds of wheat (einkorn, emmer and spelt) and<br />several of barley, notably the six-rowed variety. They devoted ample acreage to flax, their main<br />source of textile fiber. For a second crop, or in garden plots, a wide variety of vegetables were<br />grown, including onions, garlic, leek, Egyptian lettuce, radishes, cabbage, asparagus, cucumbers,<br />lentils, peas, beans and many spices. Valuable vegetable oils were extracted from sesame, flax<br />and castor-oil seeds. The floods meant a period of rest for the farmer, unless the pharaoh called<br />him up into army service or public works.<br />At the height of the floods, usually in mid-August, each farmer would row around his land closing<br />the vents in the surrounding dykes. Then when the Nile subsided the water would slowly run off,<br />deposit all the enriching mud it had brought with it and soak down deep into the soil. After<br />about a month-and-a-half he would come again to release the water, now turned brackish through<br />evaporation.<br /><br />Once the water had completely seeped away and the ground was firm enough to walk over, the farmer<br />and his family would start hoeing it up again or deep--plowing it at intervals. Then it was ready<br />for sowing. The scribe in charge of the granaries would measure out the quantity of grain<br />allotted to each farmer and keep a written record. Then the vizier, through his officials and the<br />town and village headmen, would give the order for sowing to commence.<br />The ceremony symbolized at the same time the ritual burial of the god Osiris, who had died at the<br />hand of his brother Seth but came to life again thanks to his wife (and sister) Isis. Grain, the<br />symbol of Osiris' body, appears to have no life till it sprouts anew. Hence, in the harvest<br />festivals, the generous praise for Isis, to whom credit was due for the revival of the grain.<br />This popular belief was reflected in the little flat clay figures of the prostrate Osiris which<br />were 'sown'; the appearance of green corn was seen as an analogue to Osiris' resurrection.<br />So now the farmer could start sowing. With his grain in a leather bag slung across his left<br />shoulder, or in a basket held in his left hand, he would scatter it in wide swathes over the<br />prepared ground. Lest it stay on the surface to be pecked up by birds, he would invite a herdsman<br />to come onto the field with his flock of sheep or goats so that they could tread the grain in<br />with their hooves.<br />Sometimes the sun's heat had drawn off all the moisture before then. This was particularly liable<br />to happen on elevated sites beyond the flood's reach, or in years when the floods were poor<br />anyway. Unlike the Delta and central Egypt, where there would be an occasional brisk shower,<br />usually in November or December, the rest of the valley in Upper Egypt and Nubia had never<br />experienced a proper downfall since the Neolithic wet phase. So there was nothing for it but to<br />fetch additional water from the river or the irrigation canals.<br />The first mechanical device for conducting water to high-lying fields from the canals dates from<br />the Persian Period (after 525 BC). This was the tanbur or Archimedes' screw, a helix that could<br />be revolved inside a sloping cylinder. This provided a many times larger, faster and more<br />continuous flow of water, but as the corn between his fingertips and pronounces it ripe.<br />Harvest-time means mobilizing the village's entire labor force, women and children included.<br />From the New Kingdom onwards slaves and violators of royal decrees will have been roped in too,<br />and in an emergency even army units might be detailed to lend a hand.<br />The start of the harvest involved celebrations in honor of the fertility god Min. These were<br />opened by the king himself, who reaped the first ears of grain with a sickle. Diodorus tells us<br />that even in his day, the 1st century AD, peasants maintained the old tradition of setting up<br />stocks with the first corn harvested, beating their breasts and calling upon the goddess Isis.<br />Harvest scenes are depicted on the walls of many tombs, nowhere more fully than in the<br />15th-dynasty tomb of Menna at Sheikh Abd el-Quma. We shall now take these as a guide.<br />Before the sickles plunged into the standing corn the assessor-scribes led by the 'Overseer of<br />Fields' turned up to check the position of the boundary-stones and measure the size of the field<br />with a calibrated surveying cord. From these data they worked out the probable yield, which would<br />be compared with the actual yield after the threshing was done. This was clearly done to prevent<br />any part of the harvest being 'mislaid'.<br />The harvesters usually worked in a straight row, advancing steadily to the rhythm of one of the<br />songs documented for example in the tombs of Ty (5th dynasty) or Mereruka (6th dynasty) at<br />Saqqara. The song-leader was accompanied by a flautist and the harvesters probably chanted in<br />response. (We can hear Egyptian laborers singing today in the same fashion during the tedious<br />work of removing sand from archaeological sites.)<br />Grasping a bunch of stalks in his left hand the harvester would slice them through 9 at a level<br />just above his knees, then toss the cars aside to be picked up by the helpers. These would pile<br />the eared stalks alternately end to end, so that a compact sheaf forfned that required no binding<br />- the Ty relief shows this very clearly.<br />The sheaves were in turn loaded into nets or baskets to be taken on donkey back for threshing.<br />The threshing-floor was sometimes out on the field, sometimes next to the farmhouse. It was a<br />circular arena of trodden clay ringed with a low clay wall. The sheaves would be loosened, the<br />cars thrown on to the ground and cattle or donkeys driven into the enclosure to thresh out the<br />grain with their trampling, while the men stood outside in a circle urging the animals on with<br />cries or prodding them with sticks.<br />The grain released in this way was still mixed with chaff, straw and other impurities. Cleaning<br />was done on a breezy day on some well-swept piece of flat ground. It was usually a job for young<br />girls, who tossed the corn into the air with short-handled wooden shovels. The wind carried off<br />the lighter chaff and so on while the heavier grain fell back on the ground. This winnowing could<br />also be done by shaking the grain in sieves - usually a man's task. Once again the scribes now<br />came 3 on the scene to measure the volume of grain in standard wooden tubs. Finally it was sacked<br />up and carried, by manpower or donkey power, to the granaries.<br />The oldest type of granary, known from Archaic times, was a round-based cone with a domed top. It<br />was made of seasoned wood, often plaster-lined, or of mud bricks. The largest ones had steps<br />leading up to the filling hole, or else a ladder was laid against them.<br />All grain earmarked for the next sowing was stored in granaries of a different, trapezoidal shape<br />so that there was no danger of it being ground in error. Among Middle Kingdom models we find<br />another, four-cornered design of granary, standing in a row against one side of a house<br />courtyard. One such granary is shown with a flat roof and five filling-holes through which women<br />are pouring sacks of grain while a scribe, seated nearby, keeps a tally and a guard looks on,<br />stick in hand.<br />At times when central authority was weakening, especially after the Third Intermediate Period,<br />several royal or temple priests, army veterans and others were able to acquire land, initially to<br />cover their own needs for the rest of their lives. This land could however be passed on by<br />inheritance and in the course of time it came to be regarded as transferable and then as<br />saleable, the state no longer having enough authority to re-annex it to the state farming<br />enterprises.<br />The Egyptians had a high regard for flowers and trees and devoted great care to planting,<br />tending and protecting them. To sit in hot weather under the canopy of a tree was a favorite<br />recipe for relaxing body and mind.<br />It was popularly thought that trees were the abode of supernatural beings or much-loved gods. The<br />Books of the Dead linked this tree with the rising sun and with the sky goddess Nut, or at other<br />times with Isis or Hathor.<br />Even humble village houses had little gardens next to them. Where buildings were close together<br />the owners might have to be content with a few trees or flower-beds, or simply grow flowers and<br />small shrubs in clay pots or wooden troughs in the courtyard.<br />When the heavy trusses of golden fruit appeared among the crown of fronds, men would clamber up<br />the trunk with knives between their teeth to cut down the strings of dates. There is a painting<br />on the wall of Rekhmire's tomb that shows this being done. Here one man is shown plucking the<br />fruit with both hands and another is carrying it away in pans hung on a yoke. In the royal<br />gardens they even employed tame monkeys for this job.<br />An important oil-bearing tree was the baq, probably synonymous with the horseradish tree. Apart<br />from cultivated kinds, many valuable trees grew wild, including acacias, tamarisks, mimosas,<br />willows, palms and lemon trees. Most of the native broad-leaved trees yielded only inferior<br />timber that was too knotty, brittle or prone to split for use other than for stanchions,<br />roof-beams and some domestic furniture - chests and coffins.<br />When Egypt gained control of these lands in the early New Kingdom she developed tree-felling<br />there on such a scale that it helped to denude the entire coastal region.<br />Few gardens were without grapevines, which were also grown in separate vineyards. Many Old<br />Kingdom, and even more New Kingdom, tomb murals show bunches of grapes being gathered in baskets<br />and brought to the wine-press. This was a square vat lined with smooth mortar. The grapes were<br />thrown in and the juice trodden out by groups of barefoot men hanging on to ropes suspended from<br />a wooden frame so that they should not lose their balance and tumble into the pressings as they<br />inhaled the heavy vapor.<br />After this the must was filtered through cloth into fermentation vats and left for a time, heat<br />sometimes being applied to speed up the fermentation. Finally the mature wine was again filtered<br />through canvas and improved by the addition of spices or honey, then conveyed throughout the<br />country in wine amphorae whose frequent appearance in archaeological sites shows how popular the<br />drink was, especially from the New Kingdom on and even more so in Roman days. Masses of them were<br />found during the excavation of the Ramesseum storerooms, in the tombs of Theban dignitaries, at<br />Abydos, Tell el-Amarna and other places. Inscriptions on some amphorae give the vintage year,<br />type and quality of grape, locality and owner of the vineyard etc.<br />The ancient Egyptians were familiar with many wild shrubs and herbs and used them as drugs, for<br />making dyes and wickerwork - mats, baskets, bed matting, osier stands, sandals and so forth.<br />Many kinds of flowers were tied into bouquets for the living or the dead - cornflowers, poppies,<br />chrysanthemums, mandrakes, mallows, irises, larkspurs, jasmine, ivy and above all papyrus reeds<br />and lotus lilies.<br />The dense growths of papyrus and lotus in fens and marshes were a typical feature 113 of the<br />Egyptian landscape. Papyrus, particularly common in the Delta, became the heraldic plant of Lower<br />Egypt while the lotus, found all along the Nile, was the symbol of Upper Egypt. The close union<br />of the two parts of the country is proclaimed in reliefs round the plinths of colossal statues of<br />the king, which show the Nile god Hapy tying up bunches of papyrus and lotus together.<br />Papyrus thickets were also favorite hunting grounds. In the branches of the Nile in the Delta<br />maze little muddy islands developed which continually changed shape or shifted. In mythology the<br />papyrus came accordingly to symbolize the earth arising from the primeval ocean and hence, by a<br />shift of meaning, youth and happiness.<br />Amulets in the shape of papyrus bundles were popularly worn as a protection for the living, and<br />were credited with magic power to confer eternal youth and everlasting joy on the dead as well.<br />Papyrus bouquets stood for victory and for joy.<br />The Egyptians certainly appreciated the black earth that had yielded them so much benefit, and<br />they took care to husband it. New villages were most commonly sited on the very edge of the<br />fertile areas, where the desert sand began, or on flat islands of sand alluvium. In this way the<br />Egyptians minimized the encroachment of damp into their houses, while ensuring that not a scrap<br />of unable soil was wasted.<br />The Egyptian peasant's habit of working half-naked in the blazing sun, wearing only his short<br />kilt, shows how immune his skin had become to sunburn, and apparently they were not accustomed to<br />cover their heads to avert sunstroke. They stood up equally well to fierce winds, and were<br />resistant to common colds from the alternation of daytime and night-time temperatures. Their<br />diet, based on bread, green stuff and milk products, was balanced and biologically sound,<br />containing plenty of vitamins and minerals with little animal fat or harmful ingredients.<br />We know from their portraits that they enjoyed slender, wiry frames and athletic physique. A<br />peasant might also fall foul of one of the several kinds of scorpion that hid under the stones.<br />Their stings also have a neuro-toxic effect, like that of the cobra in the larger species, more<br />like a bee's in the smaller ones. Since neither preventive nor curative medicine of any value was<br />available, people resorted to charms, spells, magic knives and - in the Late and Graeco-Roman<br />Periods - to magic steles on which the god Horns is shown battling victoriously with snakes and<br />scorpions.<br />Perhaps this was why venomous snakes were sometimes embalmed as mummies. In truth most patients<br />could only hope to survive if the snake had already voided some of its poison in biting an<br />earlier victim.<br />Glass Making<br />There is still some doubt as to when and where glass was invented. The tradition passed on by<br />Pliny locates the event on the Phoenician coast, in modem Lebanon, where there later grew one of<br />the most important glass-making centers.<br />In Egypt, the first glass we know of, as a component of faience ware, dates from as far back as<br />the Neolithic Badarian culture at the turn of the 5th and 4th millennia BC. Glass is produced<br />from a mixture of silica-sand, lime and soda, colored with the copper ore malachite and fused at<br />a high temperature.<br />In the oldest Egyptian faience ware a skin of this substance was applied to a core made of<br />silica-sand and clay, or of the stone steatite. This was used at first only for beads, but later<br />on for amulets, shawabtis (the little figurines of the attendants of the deceased), other figures<br />and inlays (shapes inserted into the sides of vessels, wooden objects, or into plaster).<br />Particularly in the Middle and New Kingdoms a faience glaze was often applied to complete vessels<br />and statuettes.<br />Pure glass as a separate material came later, in predynastic times, in the form of translucent<br />beads. In the Old and Middle Kingdoms glass jewelry, amulets, little animal figures, mosaic<br />stones and similar things made their appearance.<br />Not till the reign of Tuthmosis I in the New Kingdom, however, is there any record of glass<br />vessels being made. The innovation was probably due to Egyptian expansion in the Middle East.<br />There Egyptian soldiers and administrators would have come across advanced centers ofglass manufacture and brought back local craftsmen, probably as slaves. This view is reinforced<br />by the fact that production of glass vessels started in Egypt as a royal monopoly serving the<br />court, top dignitaries and the high priesthood. Such 18th-dynasty workshops as have been<br />discovered were very close to royal palaces, such as that of Amenophis III at Malqata or<br />Akhenaten's residential quarter in Akhetaten. Further 19th-dynasty factories have been found at<br />Lisht, Menshiya and possibly Gurob.<br />Unlike those of other crafts, portrayals of glass production are conspicuously missing from<br />drawings and reliefs. (Alleged illustrations of glass-making that have been reproduced from time<br />to time are in fact metal foundries.) This was no doubt because of the royal monopoly. Since the<br />aristocracy owned no glass workshops, the subject did not feature in their tombs, and in New<br />Kingdom royal tombs non-religious scenes were very rare. The methods of glass manufacture would<br />thus have remained a mystery but for archaeological research and the extant glass vessels<br />themselves.<br />The glass factory found at Lisht yielded fragments of crucibles, conical clay stands for holding<br />the crucibles during fusing, pieces of slag from the ovens, samples of the pigments added to the<br />glass, little discs with well-worn edges used for finishing the surfaces, over too glass rods of<br />various colors, pieces of unfinished faience ware and nearly 200 sherds of glass vessels. There<br />are traces on the inside of some vessels of a clay-and-sand core, revealing the technology used.<br />Manufacture proceeded as follows. The raw glass was heated in pans up to 750'C and then again in<br />crucibles to as high as 1000C. A clay-and-sand core was made in the shape of the cavity of the<br />intended vessel, covered with cloth and stuck onto a metal rod. This was plunged into the molten<br />mass and given several quick twists to spread the glass evenly over it. (This did not always work<br />out, as we can see from the uneven thickness of some vessels.)<br />If decoration was required, one or more thin colored rods were wound spirally over the glass<br />while it was still soft. Before these rods hardened they were moved up and down with metal pins<br />to produce waves, garlands, arches and leaf or feather patterns. Sometimes a comb was drawn<br />across the rods, producing a series of vertical ribs. The whole job was then reheated and rolled<br />over a smooth stone block to produce an even surface. Finally, edge and foot could be pulled out<br />and handles fused on. Once the object was cold, the core had to be scraped out.<br />Ancient Egyptian glass was usually tinted with pigments added to the raw glass. A milky-white<br />color was produced with tin or lead oxide, yellow with antimony and lead, or ferrous compounds,<br />red or orange with oxides of copper, violet with manganese salts, greenish blue (in imitation of<br />the prized turquoise) with copper or iron compounds, dark blue (in imitation of lapis lazuli)<br />with cobalt com-pounds and black with a larger proportion of copper and manganese, or with ferric<br />compounds. The finished artifacts - little bottles, vases, goblets and bowls - were chiefly<br />destined to hold cosmetics and fragrant unguents in the boudoirs of queens and high-born ladies.<br />The decline of royal power after the end of the New Kingdom put a stop to glass production for a<br />time. Not till the Graeco-Roman Period did new Egyptian glass centers arise in the Hellenistic<br />cities of Alexandria and Naucratis. These enjoyed close links with centers in Asia Minor and<br />their extant Greek-style products show that they followed the international market of their day.<br />Around the beginning of the Christian era molded glass bowls appear, and another innovation was<br />millefiori glass made from variously colored glass rods fused together.<br />The revolutionary invention of glass-blowing took place, probably in Syria, during the 1st<br />century BC, though the technique did not reach Alexandria until the latter half of the following<br />century. As a rule clear glass was used, either of the natural greenish hue or with additives to<br />make it colorless. It was cut with a copper wheel and ground with emery powder. The new discovery<br />increased production many-fold and glass then ceased to be either a rarity or an upper-class<br />prerogative.<br />What the social status of glass-makers may have been we can only speculate. It was a highly<br />artistic craft and gifted individuals had a chance to become acknowledged masters. Though the<br />glass-factory employees appear originally to have been slaves, and for the most part foreigners,<br />skilful workers were probably freed at an early stage and imparted their secrets to Egyptian<br />colleagues among the royal artisans.<br />The work was doubtless strenuous and damaging to the health of its practitioners. The intense<br />heat produced by fusing glass on open fires could injure the body-fluid management; the cornea<br />and retina of the eye suffered from the glare, and skin burns were no rarity. Glass-blowing<br />exerted a back-pressure on the lungs that could lead to emphysema and circulatory trouble at an<br />early age, shortening a worker's life considerably.<br />While Beit El-Sennari was built in 1794 by Ibrahim Katkhuda El-Sennari, a Sudanese occultist, it<br />is famous for another reason. In 1798, Napoleon invaded Egypt bringing with him an army of<br />scientists, scholars and artists to establish a French culture base in Egypt. Soon, they began<br />their mission of making the first European study of Egypt which they published as Le description<br />de l'Egypte. Beit El Sennari was used to house many of the French artists and scholars at the<br />time. It became the center of the French study of Egypt, and therefore a very important monument<br />to early Egyptology.<br />The house was allowed to deteriorate until, in 1995, the first restoration of it was undertaken.<br />It had suffered much from neglect, air pollution and subterranean water damage. It was also<br />severely damaged during an earthquake in 1992. However, because of the efforts of the Egyptian<br />government with French assistance, it was faithfully restored and opened to the public in 2000,<br />though some restoration work continues.<br />Beit El Sennari is not well known by many tourists who visit Egypt. Situated on a small lane<br />named Haret Monge, just off of a downtown street called Khairat, there are very few tourism<br />attractions nearby. Perhaps the easiest way of reaching it is by using the metro to go to Sa'ed<br />Zaghloul Station.<br />This was exactly what I did. After leaving the metro I had to walk for about 15 minutes before<br />reaching the house. All the people I asked didn’t know Beit El Sennari or even Haret Monge<br />Street. I kept walking until I reached the Sayeda Zeinab Mosque and square. There, I found a very<br />old man sitting on a chair next to a shoe store, who knew Beit El Sennari<br />I walked in Haret Monge for a couple of minutes before I found myself next to a very beautiful<br />mashrabeya window to my right. I knew then that I had reached Beit El Sennari because there<br />aren’t any other older Islamic sites in the area. This mashrabeya screen looked older than many<br />of the other screens I have seen. Under this screen, there is the original door to the house but<br />it is closed these days. One must enter the house through a small door to the side of the<br />mashrabeya screen.<br />Upon making my way through this door, I found myself in an old garden that I found out later was<br />the main garden of the house. Here, I found many old palm trees, along with some construction<br />work, as the museum is still under restoration. I began looking around and found many brown<br />mashrabeya windows all around the house but I was lost as I didn’t know where to begin my<br />exploration.<br />Suddenly a cute girl appeared asking me what I wanted. I suppose, due to the small number of<br />tourists visiting this place, she didn’t understand that I just wanted to tour the house. I did<br />have to buy a ticket, which costs one pound for Egyptians and five for foreign tourists. Then she<br />showed me the way into the house.<br />Inside, what struck me first is that I was the only visitor. There wasn't another person in the<br />house, so I was free to roam about, unimpeded by any tourists. At first, I found myself in the<br />open air hall usually found in old Islamic houses and called a sahn. Typically, the rest of the<br />house surrounds this open courtyard, and it was used, particularly in the mornings, as a<br />reception place. The sahn of El Sennari House is very beautiful. There is a very old fountain in<br />the middle that seems very ancient.<br />The sahn is an excellent place to see most of the mashrabeya screens of the house, as they are<br />built to overlook the courtyard. These are some of the most beautiful ones I have seen in Cairo.<br />There are many mashrabeya screens all around the house and in a very good state. They are of the<br />finest variety, made of very small pieces of wood in tight patterns, and many have additional<br />arabesque carvings within the wood. To the left on the second floor, one's eyes are drawn to a<br />very attractive balcony with wood work all around it.<br />Under the balcony, there is a small display of pictures of the house as it appeared in the past.<br />It gives one an idea of just how effectively the restoration process improved the condition of<br />the house.<br />Afterwards, I entered a room near the main door of the house. This room has a hole in the ground<br />at the end of it, which I believe was a water well or a place to keep water because this area is<br />connected to all the other stores of the house. They used to transfer water all over the house<br />from this place.<br />From here, I found myself on the same balcony I had seen from the sahn. It is a big open air<br />space with the traditional Islamic decorated ceilings. Hanging from the ceiling are two charming<br />lanterns much like the famous fanoos of Ramadan. Strikingly, there are few objects such as<br />furniture within the house. Here, there was only a lonely wooden sofa where they used to sit in<br />the summer beside the wooden cupboards one would normally find in many Islamic houses.<br />The next chamber is the main salamlek, the guest room of the house. It is similar in its design<br />to the summer guest room in Beit El Suhaymi. It has a fountain and pillows to the right and left<br />of it to sit on. It's window is covered by the largest mashrabeya screen in the house. It is one<br />of those I spotted prior to entering the house and for those who love these screens, this one is<br />a masterpiece. I spent a few moments admiring the mashrabeya and then I was off to see the rest<br />of the house.<br />The bathroom was an interesting place. It has the same ceiling as in Beit El Suhaymi with the<br />colored glass all above you with the sun rays lighting the place through them. There is a second<br />bathroom, with rectangles cut into the ceiling and inset with small pieces of colored glass. It<br />was lovely, appearing almost like an electric lamp pasted to the ceiling. Like the rest of the<br />house, this bathroom was bare but for a big water container.<br />The next room was the main haremlek, a private room where the women of the house would have spent<br />much of their time. It had two mashrabeya screens to the left overlooking the sahn. To the right,<br />there are some wooden cupboards that were used by women to keep their precious items. Here, I<br />really began to notice the interesting doors of the house, which are made of old wood and<br />decorated beautifully in the Islamic style.<br />The third floor of the house wasn’t really interesting as it only had a few empty rooms and a<br />little open air hall in the middle. I soon found myself returning to the sahn, one of the most<br />pleasing areas of the house, to explore it a bit more. Here, I found what almost seemed like a<br />tunnel that leads to the old main door of the house.<br />I left the house feeling a bit empty, just as the house seems so empty of life, seeing very few<br />tourists and having so little content. It was not an unpleasant visit. I very much enjoyed the<br />mashrabeya screens and the old doors, but there is precious little else here. In the past, Beit<br />El Sennari hosted many works from different Egyptian artists. In 1917, a permanent exhibition<br />displaying Napoleon Bonaparte's personal collection was on display here, but that was removed in<br />1926. It also housed many other exhibits over the years.<br />And this is what this old, famous house is in need of today, along with some additional attention<br />to its garden. It needs some content, and specifically items to remind us of its real importance.<br />As both a historical house, and the center of work surrounding the scholars in the Napoleon<br />expedition, it deserves, and will probably someday receive, more attention. But probably only<br />then will it find an audience of tourists. Nevertheless, even today it does have its charm, but<br />only those very interested in such places will appreciate its appeal.<br />Ancient Indian thoughts, philosophy a developed with a rational synthesis an gathering into<br />itself new concepts. Spiritual was the foundation of India’s cultural histo spirituality, dharnza<br />(ethical conduct accordi state) was the most important concept of Indi Both are, unfortunately,<br />on the decline.<br />With the coming of the Europeans, and especially during the colonial rule, imitation of what the<br />rulers did and practised became more and more popular. But, there was also resistance to this<br />wholesale copying of the foreigners’ practices. ‘Reverence for the past is a national trait.<br />There is a certain doggedness of temperament, a stubborn loyalty to lose nothing in the long<br />march of the ages. When confronted with new culture or sudden extensions of knowledge, the Indian<br />does not yield to the temptations of the hour. but holds fast to his traditional faith, importing<br />as much as possible of the new into the old. Conservative liberalism is the secret of the success<br />of India’s culture and civilization(1).<br />The value systems in India have been influenced by all the religions, but mostly by Hinduism.,<br />the major religion (82.64% of the population), contributing to the philosophy and ethics of the<br />people of’ the country. The fundamental basis of ethics arises from the Hindu belief that we are<br />all part of the divine Yaranzatman; we have in each of us Atman, part of that Paramatman.<br />The ultimate aim is for our Atman to coalesce with Parmatman or Brahman to become one. According<br />to the Vedas (4000 RC to 1000 BC), the call to love your neighbour as yourself is ‘because thy<br />neighbour is in truth thy very self and what separates you from him is mere illusion (maya). ’<br />Closely allied to Hinduism are Jainism and Buddhism. These religions proclaim Ahimsa Paramo<br />Dharma. Most important of all our actions is alzinzsn, non- violence. Patanjali defined ahimsa<br />asSarvatha sarvada sarvabutananz anabhidroha(1) , a complete absence of ill- will to all beings.<br />Ayurveda is the ancient science of life. It lays down the principles of management in health and<br />disease and the code of conduct for the physician. Charaka has described the objective of<br />medicine as two fold; preservation of good health and combating disease. (2) Ayurveda emphasised<br />the need for healthy life- style; cleanliness and purity, good diet, proper behaviour, and mental<br />and physical discipline. Purity and cleanliness were to be observed in everything: jalasuddi<br />(pure water), aharasuddi (clean food), dehasuddi (clean body), manasuddi (pure mind) and<br />desasuddi (clean environment).<br />Ayurveda calls upon the physician to treat the patient as a whole: ‘Dividho jayate vyadih, Sariro<br />manasasthatha, Parasparanz tavorjanma, Nirdvadvam nopalahhyate.(Diseases occur both physically<br />and mentally and even though each part might be dominant, they cannot be compartmentalised).<br />Ayurveda treats man as a whole body, mind and what is beyond mind. The earliest protagonists of<br />Indian Medicine, such as Atreya, Kashyapa, Bhela, Charaka and Susruta have based their writings<br />on the foundations of spiritual philosophy and ethics. But the one teacher of Ayurveda who<br />established the science on the foundation of spirituality and ethics was Vagbhata, the author of<br />Astanga Hridaya(3) .Vagbhata says:Sukarthah sarvabutanam, Matah sarvah pravarthayah, Sukham ca na<br />vina dharmat, thasmad dharmaparo bhavet_( All activities of man are directed to the end of<br />attaining happiness, whereas happiness is never achieved without righteousness. It is the bounden<br />duty of man to be righteous in his action).<br />Charaka Samhita prescribes an elaborate code of conduct. The medical profession has to be<br />motivated by compassion for living beings (bhuta- daya)“. Charaka’s humanistic ideal becomes<br />evident in his advice to the physicians’. He who practices not for money nor for caprice but out<br />of compassion for living beings (bhuta- daya), is the best among all physicians. Hard is it to<br />find a conferor of religious blessings comparable to the physician who snaps the snares of death<br />for his patients. The physician who regards compassion for living beings as the highest religion<br />fulfils his mission (sidhartah) and obtains the highest happiness.<br />Informed consentThere is a general belief among the doctors in India that a conflicting situation that it is not<br />possible to get informed consent because of rampant illiteracy. They believe that the patients<br />are unable to make a reasoned choice because they cannot appreciate the intricacies of<br />alternative medical treatment, procedures or drug trials. Often a paternalistic view is taken:<br />‘The doctor knows best. ’<br />Dr. Srinivasamurthy and colleague8 at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences,<br />Bangalore, conducted a study into the relevance of obtaining informed consent. Almost all (99%)<br />of the subjects invited to participate in a drug trial gave a clear choice whether to participate<br />or not. Patient’s level of understanding and decision- making related to the amount and quality<br />of information provided. They did not correlate with social, economic, educational or other<br />background characteristics.<br />Charaka advises the physician to take into confidence the close relatives, the elders in the<br />community and even the State officials, before undertaking procedures which might end in death of<br />the patient. The physician is then to proceed with the treatment.Can the doctor withhold<br />treatment, if there is no informed consent? Can a man refrain from benefiting from medical<br />treatment and forfeit saving his life? Will the doctor be assisting suicide? On the contrary,<br />does not the patient have the right to control what shall be done to his/ her body?<br />What is the status of informed consent when a patient is admitted to the hospital in a critical<br />condition but in full possession of his/ her senses? Can the surgeon who diagnosed the condition<br />requiring immediate surgery refrain from operating on the sole ground that the patient had not<br />given his/ her consent for the operation? If the patient later dies, what is the liability of the<br />doctor?<br />An interesting case came up in the State of Kerala. A patient with acute abdominal pain was<br />admitted to a district hospital. He was examined by the surgeon, who diagnosed perforated<br />appendix with general peritonitis, which required an immediate operation. But the operation was<br />not performed by the surgeon and the patient died the next day. The relations filed a petition in<br />the court against the doctor personally and against the Kerala Government vicariously. The<br />doctor’s defence was that the operation was not performed as the patient did not consent to it.<br />The court rejected this plea and granted a decree against the doctor. The decision was confirmed<br />by the Kerala High court in the appeal preferred by the doctor. Two specialist surgeon who were<br />called as expert witnesses stated that they would have operated on the patient without the<br />explicit consent.<br />In contrast is the view that every human being has a right to determine what shall be done with<br />his or her own body. A surgeon who performs an operation without the patients consent commits an<br />assault for which he is liable? Indian physicians who are trained abroad or have imbibed this<br />principle find themselves in a conflicting situation.<br />What is the ancient teaching in such circumstances? Charaka advises the physician to take into<br />confidence the close relatives, the elders in the community and even the State officials, before<br />undertaking procedures which might end in death of the patient. The physician is then to proceed<br />with the treatment.<br />In India, great trust is reposed in the doctor, but more and more people are questioning the<br />practice. Trust based on ‘goodness’ of the doctor is slowly giving way to the concept that making<br />the decision is the right the patient.<br />AdvertisementThere are instances of unethical advertising by doctors. Such doctors are frowned upon by their<br />colleagues but little action follows. The Medical Council of India and the state medical councils<br />are to look into such matters but because of technical flaws, the doctor often escapes. Of late,<br />advertisements by hospitals and diagnostic centres are coming up in a big way proclaiming their<br />superiority over others.<br />Diagnostic aidsThere is a growing supermarket in diagnostic equipment. Sophisticated equipment is bought at<br />great expense of scarce foreign exchange. Most of the imaging equipment currently in use in the<br />various hospitals and diagnostic laboratories is in excess of the needs. Yet another problem with<br />the purchase of equipment from abroad has been the difficulty of servicing and maintenance.<br />Doctors trained abroad in the specialities ask for such equipment, but should these requests not<br />be tempered by the realities of the situation? Is it ethical for the doctor to order costly,<br />sophisticated equipment, which is not likely to function, utilising scarce foreign exchange? Is<br />it ethical for firms to supply these items without back- up service? This is a problem in most<br />third world countries. Thairu(6) suggests that an ethical code should be agreed on by both<br />(manufacturers and users) regarding the sale of equipment.<br />Drugs and pharmaceuticalsThere is a huge proliferation of drugs in the Indian market, with more than 60,000 formulations.<br />They are manufactured by large, medium, small and tiny factories - multinational and national.<br />There are many drugs in the Indian market which are banned in other countries. There are drugs<br />which were banned in India itself but continue to be marketed, after getting stay orders from the<br />courts. Legal proceedings take years. During this period, doctors continue to prescribe these<br />hazardous drugs, patients continue to take them and the firms continue to make huge profits.<br />Many of the drugs in the market are spurious or of substandard quality. It has been reported that<br />as a rule 20- 30 percent of the samples tested are substandard. Government agencies take a long<br />time to test the samples and to announce the details of the substandard drugs. Manufacturers are<br />expected to give the indications, contra- indications, side effects and adverse effects. They<br />often do so but in such a way that it will not attract attention; the greater the hazard, the<br />smaller the print.<br />One of the most distressing aspects of the present health situation in India is the habit of<br />doctors to over- prescribe or to prescribe glamorous and costly drugs with limited medical<br />potential. It is also unfortunate that the drug producers try to push doctors into using their<br />products by all means - fair or foul. These basic facts are more responsible for distortions in<br />drug production and consumption than anything else. If the medical profession could be made to be<br />more discriminating in its prescribing habits, there would be no market for irrational and<br />unnecessary drugs.<br />The drug firms do not generally follow the WHO ethical criteria for drug promotion. Gift giving,<br />almost universal, raises many ethical issues as in other countries(8 ) ; the effects are much<br />more pronounced in a poor country.<br />In the past, medicines were prepared under the personal supervision of the physician or by the<br />families of the patients. There were strict guidelines for the collection of herbs and other raw<br />materials and for the processes. Medicines thus prepared were reliable for quality and purity.<br />Right to healthEveryone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well- being of himself<br />and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social<br />services - Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. If health is a fundamental<br />human right, it becomes the responsibility of the State to protect and promote the health of all<br />the people. There has to be an irreducible minimum of health care services to all. There is need<br />to close the gap between the ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’, achieve more equitable distribution of<br />health care resources and attain a level of health for all. The Alma- Ata Conference declared:<br />‘Governments have a responsibility for the health of the people, which can be fulfilled only by<br />adequate and equitably distributed health and social measures. ’<br />The right to health brings on the issue of distributive justice to make available an acceptable<br />and affordable care to all. One important aspect of such service is the provision of qualified<br />persons for providing health services where such services are not available at present. Can the<br />physician be compelled to provide service in villages where there are no doctors? The State and<br />the institutions generally subsidise medical education. Even if there is no subsidy, the doctor<br />has been provided an opportunity, not available to many. But opposing questions arise. The doctor<br />is not owned by the people or the institution. Can the doctor be deprived of the right to earn<br />legitimately as much as he or she can and where he or she can? Can a person be compelled to act<br />against his or her wish as long as no harm is done to the Society? The consensus is that the<br />doctor owes a duty to serve the people in the areas where they are needed but the medical<br />profession, in general, is not in favour of mandatory service. Health is included in the<br />Directive Principles of State policy, which is considered as the ‘conscience’ of the Indian<br />Constitution. Article 39 of the constitution directs the State to ensure health; article 47<br />requires the improvement of public health to be among the primary duties of the State. In<br />pursuance of these articles the Government had issued a number of policy statements and<br />programmes. The latest in the series is the National Health Policy (1982).<br />Health policyThe stated health policy of the Government of India has been frustrated by poor implementation.<br />The allocation of resources to the health sector has been very small. Often, the priorities are<br />assigned not on the needs of the people but on what is fashionable and on who has the maximum<br />political leverage. Very little allocation is made for control and treatment of infectious<br />diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria and kala- azar (especially prevalent in the villages of<br />Bihar, Orissa and West Bengal).<br />Questions arise: Who shall receive what health care? What resources can be allocated, how and to<br />whom? How do we set our priorities? What is an acceptable form of health care? Who should decide<br />on health policy?<br />Many issues are being debated currently. There is a demand for more equitable distribution of the<br />benefits of medical knowledge. Against it is the much more powerful force for the use of<br />sophisticated, spectacular and costly technology for the benefit of the few. Newer technology is<br />pushing skyhigh the expenses for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Patients are made to feel<br />that, unless they go through a whole array of expensive diagnostic procedures, a correct<br />diagnosis is not possible. There are wide networks of costly diagnostic laboratories, aided and<br />abetted by doctors who often get kickbacks.Patients are completely mystified by the advice they<br />get from their physicians. They shell out huge sums of money (relative to their earnings) which<br />they can ill afford. The onus for this unethical practice rests squarely on the medical<br />profession.<br />Does an individual have the right to buy expensive technology to the exclusion of others who<br />share the same resources? Is it right that the scarce resources of qualified and experienced<br />personnel, money (including foreign exchange) and materials be used for the benefit of a few<br />while the large majority of people are not able to get even simple primary health care services?<br />All religions advocate the care of the poor and needy. Christ declared: ‘When you have done this<br />to the least of my brothers, you have done it to me. ’ Gandhiji said: ‘I will give you a<br />talisman. Whenever you are in doubt or when the self becomes too much with you, apply the<br />following test: recall the face of the poorest and weakest man you have seen and ask yourself if<br />the step you contemplated is going to be of any use to him. Will he gain anything by it ?’ Kabir<br />said: ‘The valiant fighter is only he who fights for justice to the poor.’<br />The debate on distributive justice goes on. Shall the State purchase ten renal dialysis machines<br />(which will maintain the life of a few sick people) or employ fifty community health workers (to<br />help 50,000 people primary health centres have trained laboratory technicians who can spot the<br />malaria parasite? Shall the hospital buy one lithotripter or expand its programme for oral<br />rehydration for children affected with diarrhoea? The cake is small. How shall it be cut?<br />Has the medical profession any ethical responsibility in influencing the health policy? The<br />doctors in India are often passive spectators in the fight for social justice and against<br />discrimination in health care.<br />Educating the public on genetic engineeringWe must not imply tc the public that we are going to chase with the genome project, with somatic<br />DNA therapy, all the ills of man. It is surely ethically more acceptable, in both the developed<br />and the developing world, to tell the public that in the foreseeable future genetic engineering<br />will not provide practical and affordable solutions to these problems. Scientific responsibility<br />demands recognising this and not misleading the public with false promises and unattainable<br />hopes, as has happened in several biomedical projects of immense dimension during the past half-<br />century. There have been a number in my own field.<br />One has just been discussed at length in a recent book by Desowitz called The Malarial Capers,<br />which describes... the malaria ‘felons’. The story starts a century ago, with the catastrophic<br />prima donna- like contention for the Nobel Prize between Grassi in Italy and Ross in England. All<br />the chicanery that went on then in research reminds one of what the newspapers tell us today. The<br />story continues to 1991, with the molecular biologists promising much too much to the public and<br />Third World governments - that a practical subunit vaccine was just around the corner. One<br />billion dollars went into the project and we are still nowhere near. And none of the scientists<br />has loudly and clearly proclaimed that it ain’t going to happen soon and, it it ever does, it<br />will be for generals and armies and not for the general population in the Third World. No one has<br />dared to say this because it would interfere with the project and our careers.<br />D. Carleton Gadjusek<br />Gajdusek DC: Scientific responsibility. In: Fujiki N, Mater D (Eds.) Human genome research and<br />society. Proceedings of the Second International Bioethics Seminar. Eubios Ethics Institute,<br />Fukui, Japan. 1992. Pages 2052 10.<br /><br />The Sukhadeo Thorat Committee, constituted to enquire into the alleged harassment of students<br />from the scheduled castes and tribes in the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, found<br />widespread evidence of such harassment (1). To make matters worse, the committee found that the<br />faculty, largely from the forward castes, were also involved in systematic denigration of<br />students from the scheduled castes and tribes. The complete report makes sad reading. The<br />harassment is in many ways: soon after new students join the college they are the target of<br />systematic verbal and, sometimes, physical attacks by higher caste students. They are frequently<br />told that they are inferior and do not deserve to be in the institute. They are given very little<br />space in sports and cultural activities. In the hostels, due to repeated harassment, these<br />students have been ghettoised into two floors. There is very little healthy social interaction<br />among students of higher castes and these students.<br />In the academic sphere they are the victims of scorn by the faculty. For example, the institute<br />has a system of continuous evaluation of the students and an end semester examination. There is a<br />widespread feeling among the students of the scheduled castes and tribes that they are<br />discriminated against in these evaluations. Systematic bias is also encountered in the junior and<br />senior residency posts and in recruitment to the faculty.<br />The basic proximate cause of this behaviour by the forward caste students appears to be that they<br />feel that the students from the scheduled castes and tribes have been given an unfair advantage<br />in selection to the course. They hold the view that the system of reservation or quotas is unfair<br />and results in the selection of inferior students. This feeling is shared by many of the faculty.<br />They feel that such students can never be good doctors. In short, casteism has a strong grip.<br />Competence, caring and equity in medical education<br />The assumption that reservation of seats for the less privileged castes would lead to a dilution<br />of standards has been disproved by the experience of Tamilnadu, where 68 per cent of seats in<br />medical courses are reserved for almost 40 years. Yet Tamilnadu has among the best health<br />indices. Medical care is not the only reason for this but surely does play some part. In the<br />curative sector, Chennai is a centre which draws patients from other states, notably from north<br />India.<br />The primary purpose of medical education is to train doctors to treat and prevent illness among<br />people. All over the world, competition to get into medical school is fierce and societies<br />everywhere try to select the best possible students. What are the desirable qualities that should<br />be looked for in students who will become doctors? To this apparently simple question there<br />appear to be no simple answers (2).The qualities that patients see as desirable in doctors are<br />humaneness, competence and accuracy, patients' involvement in decisions, and time for care (3,<br />4). In India, by and large, the only criterion used to select students is the marks scored in<br />examinations. Earlier attempts to use interviews as an additional tool failed because of<br />perceived widespread misuse by which the most influential candidate was selected, not the best<br />one. This gave rise to the idea that merit, defined as performance in examinations, was the only<br />fair criterion to apply. This has helped buttress the widespread notion among the forward castes<br />that all forms of quotas for castes which had been the victims of oppression were unfair as the<br />marks that they require to get into a medical college are lower than those required by student<br />from the forward castes. It is another matter that the influential ensured a loophole for<br />themselves by creating so-called self-financing colleges where those with money or influence<br />could qualify for a medical degree.<br />Marks in qualifying examinations are a good method of ensuring selection of capable medical<br />students who will make competent doctors. But they are not enough to ensure good doctors (5,6).<br />In many countries, for example Canada, France, Australia and South Africa, policy makers have<br />clearly stated that a secondary aim of medical education is to ensure equity and affirmative<br />action (7). These objectives are seen as desirable in themselves to build a healthy society.<br />Underprivileged people who enter the health sector not only ensure the economic security of their<br />own families but also make a favourable impact on their community (8). Schemes to ensure that<br />underprivileged sections of society will get adequate representation in medical school placement<br />are in place in most countries in the world. They all make provision for the fact that<br />disadvantaged sections of the student community will not score grades as high as the more<br />privileged will, even if they are equally intelligent (6). The concept that those who require<br />quotas are not as intelligent as those who do not shows an ignorance of the social determinants<br />of success in examinations. It ignores the effect of the advantages of class (and, in India,<br />caste), facilities and opportunity, all of which have been well-documented. (6). To understand<br />quotas as providing an unfair advantage is to be blind to the unfair disadvantages that certain<br />communities in India have been victims of. To understand quotas as opening the gateway to<br />training incompetent people ignores the basic fact that there is a minimum standard for<br />qualification.<br />At independence, a section of those who were instrumental in policy making, notably Dr. B R<br />Ambedkar, pointed out that certain sections of the populace were the victims of long-standing<br />oppression of the most demeaning kind and ensured that some provision was made for them to catch<br />up in the educational sphere and also in the struggle for jobs. Unfortunately, many influential<br />people in society, particularly the bureaucracy and politicians, have never really accepted this<br />view. In the 60 years since independence, many castes which were considered backward at<br />independence have been able to assert themselves through new political formations. However, the<br />dalits continue to remain marginalised.<br />Equity in service provision<br />There is clear evidence to show that doctors from less privileged backgrounds are more likely to<br />serve underserved populations (9, 10). In a society like ours, which remains primitive in many<br />ways, it is likely that the scheduled castes and tribes feel more comfortable seeking medical<br />advice from one of their own community. A time will come when caste has no relevance in India,<br />but the time is not yet.<br />Considering the dramatic maldistribution of doctors, with a majority being located in the cities,<br />a policy which will encourage provision of medical services to the poorly served is welcome.<br />The All India Institute of Medical Sciences and caste<br />The All India Institute of Medical Sciences was set up in 1956 with the intention of nurturing<br />excellence in all aspects of healthcare. It would seem to be obvious that this would include an<br />understanding of the causes of sickness and health that go far beyond the germ theory and into<br />the social and economic context of it. That this has not happened, and that in fact the institute<br />was the centre of activity against providing affirmative action for the less privileged, should<br />be a matter of great concern. The involvement of the faculty in the movement against quotas is<br />particularly disturbing. They are expected to be role models for students. If they perpetuate<br />ideas of caste superiority and the intrinsic unfairness of reservations, they do harm not only to<br />their students but to society as a whole. An American clinical teacher has said, “Ultimately<br />teaching is all about the learner, not the teacher. Thus effective clinical teachers aspire to a<br />sort of selflessness whose tangible expression is kindness to learners, especially when assessing<br />them (giving feedback).” (11) Doctors should have a broad view of the causes of ill-health.<br />Nothing in the present way that doctors are trained helps in this. The All India Institute of<br />Medical Sciences, instead of providing a lead in broadening the understanding of health and<br />disease and showing the way in producing good doctors, has become a centre of bigotry. The<br />ill-effects are felt all over the country. The time has come for a major shake-up in medical<br />education in general and in the Institute in particular.<br />The National Drug Policy (NDP), 1982, of Bangladesh was expected to make available essential,<br />good quality drugs at affordable prices. This article gives an overview of the situation today,<br />more than two decades after the Drugs (Control) Ordinance, 1982, was promulgated to implement the<br />NDP. While there have been some successes, many of the goals of this initiative are yet to be<br />achieved. Inadequate supply of essential drugs, substandard quality, uncontrolled drug prices and<br />inappropriate uses of drugs are major problems in Bangladesh.<br />Unethical drug promotion and marketing of substandard and unnecessary drugs in Bangladesh were<br />very common before 1982. Instead of producing essential drugs, most drug manufacturers<br />manufactured non-essentials such as vitamins, tonics, enzymes, gripe waters and cough mixtures.<br />To stop these practices, Bangladesh formulated a pioneering National Drug Policy (NDP) in 1982<br />(1). The Drugs (Control) Ordinance, 1982, was promulgated subsequently to implement the NDP (2).<br />The principal objectives of the NDP were to make available essential drugs; ensure good quality<br />drugs; control drug prices; ensure rational use of drugs; develop an effective drug monitoring<br />system; improve the standard of hospital and retail pharmacies; and ensure good manufacturing<br />practices (1, 2). Before the NDP, eight multinational companies (out of 166 licensed companies)<br />had about 75 to 80 per cent share of the drug market. Many of them abandoned their operations in<br />Bangladesh after the NDP. Today, local pharmaceutical companies dominate the drug market with a<br />share of more than 75 per cent (1). The NDP has had some success in regulating the drugs market<br />of Bangladesh, but many of the goals of this initiative are yet to be achieved.<br />Access to essential drugs<br />Although official documents indicate that 80 per cent of the population has access to affordable<br />essential drugs (3), there is plenty of evidence of a scarcity of essential drugs in government<br />healthcare facilities. One study conducted in four district hospitals and one medical college<br />hospital showed that only eight per cent of patients received the prescribed medicines from these<br />facilities (4) In another report, two major hospitals in the capital city of Dhaka were operating<br />without essential medicines for eight consecutive weeks (5). There are countless such incidents<br />relating to the supply of essential medicines in Bangladesh. In most such cases, government<br />officials and health professionals are responsible for the shortage as they often sell<br />government-supplied drugs to local drug stores instead of dispensing them to poor patients (6).<br />The government must be cognisant of this fact, but rarely takes any action.<br />Quality of available drugs<br />Of the 300 pharmaceutical companies in Bangladesh, only the 20 to 25 top ones produce drugs of<br />standard quality (6). Reports show that numerous small companies market substandard drugs in the<br />country (7). Fake or substandard medicines, including lifesaving ones, with an estimated worth of<br />US$ 150 million per year, are flooding the domestic market (8). In its annual testing in 2004,<br />the government laboratory detected 300 counterfeit or very poor quality drugs out of 5,000 drug<br />samples. A recent assay involving 15 brands of ciprofloxacin showed that 47 per cent of samples<br />contained less than the specified amounts of the active ingredient (6). Another report noted that<br />69 per cent of paracetamol tablets and 80 per cent of ampicillin capsules produced by small<br />companies were of substandard quality (9).<br />Good manufacturing practice (GMP) is a major criterion to maintain standard quality in drugs, and<br />it was one of the principal objectives of the NDP to ensure standard manufacturing practices for<br />drug manufacturers. But there are some 265 pharmaceutical companies in Bangladesh that do not<br />follow or comply with GMP (10). It is widely alleged that adulteration flourishes in the country<br />because of poor government vigilance and supervision over drug manufacturers and sellers.<br />Unfortunately, a section of corrupt physicians and government officials is involved in these<br />underhand dealings. The government states that it has limited manpower and facilities to cope<br />with the country's fast expanding pharmaceuticals sector (11). In fact, the regulatory authories<br />have given scant attention to quality matters in Bangladesh.<br />Lack of control over drug prices<br />In Bangladesh the maximum retail price (MRP) of every essential drug is fixed by the Directorate<br />of Drug Administration (DDA); for all other drugs the DDA endorses the companies' quoted prices<br />(2). Drug prices are quite high in Bangladesh in comparison to neighbouring countries. The drugs<br />control authority is apparently reluctant to negotiate with the companies to fix prices (12). The<br />regulatory authorities have virtually no control over drug prices in Bangladesh. Indiscriminate<br />pricing can be observed in all therapeutic classes of drugs. For example, prices of various<br />ciprofloxacin brands range from Taka (Tk) 5 to 14 (US$ 0.07 to 0.20) per unit (13). The price of<br />dexamethasone eyedrops extends from Tk 24 to 90 (US$ 0.34 to1.29) per 5ml, and diclofenac eye<br />drops are available at a price range from Tk 40 to 200 (US$ 0.57 to 2.86) per unit (6). These are<br />a few of the existing price discrepancies in the country.<br />Patterns of drug use<br />To ensure rational and appropriate use of drugs in Bangladesh was another prime concern of the<br />NDP. But there has been no drug use study in the country (14). Clinically inappropriate and<br />inefficient use of medicines is a serious problem. More than half the medicines in Bangladesh are<br />inappropriately prescribed, dispensed or sold (15). Despite legal prohibitions (1), numerous<br />drugs with similar or no significant benefits are available in the market. As a specific example,<br />there are seven members of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors available in the<br />country. The efficacies and chemical structures of these molecules are more or less similar, but<br />their price vary significantly (13). The drug policy clearly prohibits the production of<br />multi-ingredient preparations of vitamins and minerals with the exception of B-complex vitamins<br />(1). But a mixture of 32 vitamins and minerals including selenium, vanadium, molybdenum, tin and<br />many other unnecessary ingredients has been marketed in the country for a few years, violating<br />the principles of the NDP. The need for these trace elements in Bangladesh is not established<br />whereas nutritional deficiencies are mainly related to vitamins A and B-complex, iron, calcium,<br />iodine and zinc (13). Irrational prescription and use of antibiotics are rampant throughout the<br />country, with an estimated half of all antibiotics being sold without prescriptions (16).<br />Self-medication is widespread, and all types of medicines can be purchased without a prescription<br />(17). There are about 30,000 illegal (6) and 80,000 unlicensed (8) drug stores operating in the<br />country. It is alleged that both legal and illegal drug dealers are engaged in selling fake,<br />smuggled and adulterated medicines in the country (6).<br />Conclusion<br />Inadequate supply of essential drugs, substandard quality, uncontrolled drug prices and<br />inappropriate uses of drugs are major problems in Bangladesh. The drugs control authorities<br />should be better equipped and more vigilant to cope with the situation. Health professionals and<br />drug manufacturers should be more committed in order to achieve the goals of the NDP.<br />Bioethics, which is the title of this national conference, is a term that implies far more than<br />medical ethics which dominates its sessions. What is bioethics? It is no more and no less than<br />the ethics of living or ethics of life, which evolved from non-life over millions of years.<br />Humans are a product of the evolutionary process like all other species, but they are unique<br />insofar as they not only participate in the evolutionary process but also command and determine<br />the future, as brought home so vividly by global warning. Nevertheless, as Professor Hubert Markl<br />remarked, there is a circular relationship between nature and humankind because human concepts<br />are nature's concepts. Human technological and economic inventiveness is no more than nature's<br />way of acting upon itself and shaping its own future. The outcome could be glorious success or<br />disastrous failure - in either case, nature acting through humankind bears partial responsibility<br />for the outcome. This is fundamentally an ethical question. Are we right, for example, to cause<br />the profoundest changes in biodiversity in all the 3 billion years of evolution by the mindless<br />destruction of all living species to accommodate 10 billion human beings and their domesticated<br />slave species of animals and plants? To make a sustainable future, we have an obligation to act<br />in accordance with the dictates of reason and moral norms, and remain responsible for what we do.<br />It is this undoubted fact of nature that makes us look for guidance to bioethics, without which<br />life would be replaced by fossils. I would, therefore, compliment the organisers for placing the<br />deliberations of this conference against the austere background of bioethics.<br />A missing domain<br />The programme of the conference is wide-ranging and covers practically all the vital and<br />contemporary issues relating to medical ethics in India. However it is silent on one issue of<br />great importance, which is ethics in the practice of ayurveda. An Indian traditional system of<br />medicine par excellence, ayurvedic practices were in vogue in Buddha's period when Takshasila was<br />already reputed as a major centre for the training of physicians. The term “ayurveda”<br />crystallised in the first century when the Charaka Samhita was written - a text that is taught<br />even today in ayurvedic colleges. India produces over 15,000 ayurvedic doctors every year from<br />over 200 colleges and, according to some estimates, 60 per cent of the countryside depends more<br />or less on ayurvedic practitioners for basic healthcare needs. To survive and flourish even after<br />2,000 years of varied fortunes, the traditional system must surely have intellectual and ethical<br />vitality, and its claim to consideration in a national discussion on bioethics would seem<br />self-evident. An effort is necessary - however difficult and time-consuming it may be - to<br />develop a unified ethical code that would apply to all forms of healing in India.<br />Ethics in ayurveda<br />In the three classic tests of Charaka, Sushruta and Vagbhata there are no separate sections on<br />ethics. But ethical concepts are ever-present and an ethical undercurrent runs through all the<br />texts. To distil the ethical content from these large texts is as difficult as extracting sugar<br />from a cup of sweetened milk. One can only attempt to present gleanings from here and there to<br />give a flavour of the ethical spirit which animates ayurveda.<br />Bioethics and ayurveda<br />On human beings as part of nature; their lives in harmony with nature; the kinship with all forms<br />of life and so on, ayurveda has plenty to say. Consider the panchabhuta doctrine, so central to<br />ayurveda: it says that the universe consists of five elements that are the stuff of the stars,<br />earth, oceans, all living beings and everything that exists. These are, of course, not the<br />elements of the periodic table, but substances that are perceived by the five senses of sight,<br />hearing, taste, smell and touch. The sensory experience constitutes the basis of physical reality<br />or nature - what is extrasensory may or may not exist, but that is not part of nature. According<br />to ayurveda what exists in the human body exists in nature and vice versa, and their<br />interpenetration and interaction are constant and continuous. The homology between the universal<br />macrocosm and human microcosm was carried to extraordinary lengths until humans were regarded as<br />cosmic resonators. Hurting nature was no different from harming oneself, and reverence for nature<br />was ingrained in the practice of medicine.<br />Health and disease<br />Ayurveda laid a great deal of stress on good health and its maintenance, even as it laid out its<br />elaborate encyclopaedia on diseases and their management. Health was regarded as a state of<br />equilibrium that was sustained by a number of component equilibria. These included the<br />equilibrium of the tissues of the body; of doshas or functional units; of fires that burn in the<br />tissues and bring about changes such as food into tissues; of the body and its surroundings, and<br />so on. The human body was designed to maintain this equilibrium, which was its natural state. Any<br />deviation into disequilibrium, which we call disease, was largely brought on by one's own<br />misdeeds, and it could be counted upon to resolve and return to equilibrium automatically. All<br />that the physician could do was to give a helping hand in the process. His task had less to do<br />with the removal of a cause, which was, according to ayurveda, not the primary objective of<br />treatment. Causes exist within the body and without, but they are not necessarily pathogenic.<br />They become pathogenic only when the equilibrium is breached by the imprudent conduct of the<br />individual. Nor is it possible to sanitise the body and environment of causes. Then why stress<br />upon a cause to the exclusion of other considerations? Thus argued the ayurvedic texts.<br />Patients<br />Patients were seen in their homes or in the residence of the physician. Diagnosis was regarded as<br />so important that an entire classical text - Madhava Nidana - was devoted to it. History was<br />taken with great care not only from the patient, but also from his family and messengers who<br />brought the summons. The illness of a person was, therefore, more than a matter between the<br />patient and the physician. Having made the diagnosis, the physician had to decide whether the<br />disease was treatable easily and curable; treatable with difficulty and palliative; or whether it<br />was incurable and untreatable. He was obliged to inform the patient and family about the<br />prognosis - especially the palliative and incurable types - before undertaking treatment. If a<br />hazardous procedure such as the surgical removal of a bladder stone through the perineum was to<br />be undertaken, the physician also had to obtain royal permission in advance. The Arthasastra of<br />the third century BC had even prescribed capital punishment for physicians who undertook major<br />procedures without prior permission that led to the death of the patient. The protocols for<br />treatment specified the best of procedures and formulations that were apparently costly, and the<br />physicians were exhorted to provide “no-frills” protocols for those who could not afford costly<br />treatment. There was no bar on accepting fee for service except from specified categories such as<br />the king, preceptor, Brahmins, the indigent, etc.<br />When necessary, patients were admitted to homes for treatment, which were described elaborately<br />by Charaka. These had a scenic location with plenty of flora and fauna, lakes with clear water,<br />rooms for the patient, physicians, attendants, kitchen, store, procedures, toilets, etc. The<br />homes also had in residence storytellers, singers, and friends and relatives of the patients. It<br />was obviously a friendly place. A physician was enjoined to look on the patient as his own so<br />that he would develop total trust in him and regard him as his “father and mother” even in<br />difficult circumstances.<br />The great emphasis laid on the signs and premonitions of impending death makes one wonder whether<br />there existed in the remote past a class of physicians who specialised in the care of the dying,<br />who were summoned when the treating physician felt that his role was over.<br />Training<br />Training of physicians took place in the gurukulas or in the universities such as Takshasila and<br />Nalanda. The qualifications for the teacher and student were stringent, and covered physical,<br />intellectual, professional, moral and social attainments and background. Students were preferred<br />from Brahmin, Kshatriya and Vaisya castes, but Shudras were also admitted if the candidates were<br />bright. On acceptance, the pupil had to take an oath administered by the preceptor in a sacred<br />ceremony attended by a learned assembly. The oath covered the student's conduct under all<br />circumstances; his duties to the teacher, patients, friends, relatives, etc; his attitude to<br />learning and practice of medicine; and his commitment to a virtuous life. The oath represents the<br />high point of medical ethics in ancient India.<br />Professional conduct<br />The ancient texts reserved the harsh language of condemnation for the impostors and quacks who<br />obviously existed even in those far-off days. Those who paraded their so-called skills and<br />knowledge; who lacked proper training in theory and practice; who blamed the patient and<br />relatives for setbacks; who fled if the patient developed dangerous complications; who made false<br />claims about their lineage and achievements - all these came in for severe condemnation. The<br />fraudulent physician was looked upon as a messenger of death. The noble physician who was<br />virtuous, an expert in theory and practice, compassionate to the core and a friend of all was<br />revered.<br />General conduct<br />The life pictured in the ayurvedic texts is that of a people who were happy and cheerful, and who<br />sought to live for a hundred years in good health and comfort. They celebrated life and enjoyed<br />themselves without worrying about metaphysical subtleties. These was little place for<br />self-torture or renunciation, while respect was always shown to the saints. There was a general<br />belief that diseases were caused by one's own imprudent conduct or the act of gods. Virtuous<br />conduct which stipulated the avoidance of the overuse, underuse and misuse of the 10 sense organs<br />- sensory and motor - was prized because it was the sovereign prophylaxis for all ailments, which<br />could even annul the effects of karma unless they were caused by enormously wicked actions.<br />Truthfulness, compassion and reverence to learning were held in the highest esteem.<br />Conclusion<br />An effort to raise ethical awareness in health care should not be an event, but a never-ending<br />process. The veneer of civilisation is thin and the atavistic tendencies of man for violence and<br />cruelty are ever ready to burst forth, as happened in Nazi Germany. The cases reported by Beecher<br />in the US reminded us that atavistic tendencies could reassert in more “civilised” ways under the<br />garb of science. What can one say about India where people live in fear of their kidneys being<br />stolen?<br />In strengthening our ethical convictions and practices, we are meeting our obligation to not only<br />the present but also to our past and the future.<br />Primum non nocere, the Hippocratic dictum, is perhaps the cardinal rule of medicine in general<br />and of medical ethics in particular. This principle has been honoured by most of its<br />practitioners in the long history of medicine. Thus, a book which provides a revisionist history<br />and bunks considerable amounts of accepted or known history needs to be noticed. Medicine has had<br />more error than it has done things right, says the author, David Wooton, Anniversary Professor of<br />History at the University of York, England.<br />Wooton does not write a conventional history. He chooses, instead, selected - but extremely<br />important - events in medicine to illustrate his theory. For instance, all medical students are<br />taught that James Lind was the physician who showed that scurvy could be prevented in sailors by<br />the regular intake of lime on long sea voyages. Likewise, Ignaz Semmelweis is given credit for<br />showing the aetiologic connection between puerperal fever and the lack of disinfection or washing<br />of hands by medical students and doctors who examined pregnant women after performing autopsies.<br />Wooten upsets the apple cart by stating that Lind had little to do with the treatment of scurvy;<br />our belief that he did so is purely a misinterpretation of known facts. He shows, also, that<br />Leewenhoek's microscopes and specimen preparations were far superior to what we've always<br />believed - that they were crude and incapable of yielding good information. Wooton shows that<br />there was a delay in microscopic pathology, a delay which is unforgivable and must have cost<br />numerous lives over the decades. In a similar vein, Wooton states that years took place between<br />the discovery of penicillin (long before Fleming rediscovered it) and the realisation of its<br />impact on therapeutics followed by its mass production and use. Indeed, many of our medical<br />heroes seem to have got it all wrong, in this book.<br />Because physicians refused to accept change and have an open approach to change until 1865, when<br />Lord Lister changed the course of medicine with his seminal introduction of antisepsis in surgery<br />, they have been unscientific, claims Wooton. And an unscientific physician is, it is obvious to<br />us, an unethical one.<br />And, yet, methinks the man doth protest too much. Is Wooton guilty of evaluating the events of<br />the past with today's knowledge? I suspect so. There is of course, much truth in what Wooton<br />states. But is it fair, for instance, to say that Semmelweis is given “more credit than he<br />deserves” only because “he did not recognise puerperal fever as an infectious disease or<br />recognise the role of germs”? Opportunities have been lost, mistakes have been made - but that is<br />what research and progress is all about. What he does not seem to realise is that there are very<br />few eureka moments in science. Change, when it does take place, is generally slow. This is<br />probably true not just for medicine, but for other fields as well. Further, making retrospective<br />diagnoses and offering armchair theories are among the easiest things on earth, be it in<br />radiology and pathology, history of medicine or in predicting the stock market. It is all too<br />obvious now that the earth revolves around the sun, but before Copernicus and Galileo changed<br />that belief, millions of people would have scoffed at the idea. Not for nothing is it said that<br />when a new idea is introduced it is initially scoffed at, then looked at with some interest and<br />then accepted as something that was obvious all along.<br />Wooton himself accepts that psychological and cultural factors worked (and work and will continue<br />working) against innovation. After all, medicine is a science which develops in a social context<br />and its history and interpretation cannot be studied in a vacuum.<br />It is also useful to keep in mind cases which were immediately accepted by medical science - the<br />use of thalidomide and of frontal lobotomy are only two examples of treatments which created much<br />misery before being discarded. More bad medicine, perhaps?<br />Although I do not accept Wooton's thesis - which has been warmly praised by some critics and<br />blasted with equal fervour by others - I recommend that you read the book. Much of his research<br />and interpretation is original and teaches that it is always sensible and often useful to<br />question established theories about known “facts”.<br />Government policy and medical practice<br />The character of the medical profession, the manner in which medicine is practised today and the<br />direction of healthcare are shaped by our environment with all its inequities of caste, class<br />and gender. This character, this manner and this direction are reinforced by the messages<br />conveyed in the medical education system, by the incentives of the new economic policies and by<br />the actions - or inaction - of regulatory authorities. Such an understanding is expressed in<br />various ways in this issue. An editorial writer comments on the Sukhdeo Thorat Committee report<br />documenting faculty inaction against caste-based harassment of students in the All India<br />Institute of Medical Sciences. That the caste and other inequities reinforced in medical school<br />are expressed in medical practice is illustrated in an interview with the director of a sperm<br />bank; parents demand - and doctors arrange - sperm of the desired caste and economic background.<br />The second editorial describes how the inequities in this environment are reinforced by the<br />government. As private medical care grows it seeks foreign markets; hence the policy to promote<br />"medical tourism" with tax breaks and other incentives - even as the vast majority of poor<br />Indians have no access to healthcare<br />Stem cell "therapy" is another example of an industry promoted by the government policy of<br />turning a blind eye to its unregulated proliferation. A commentary writer documents the<br />unjustified claims that prompt the desperate to spend their life savings in the hope of being<br />cured of a serious disease. Doctors undertake experiments with neither scientific basis nor<br />ethical clearance in the name of treatment. Regulatory authorities indicate their inability - or<br />unwillingness - to take action against unethical practices. Another commentary writer describing<br />his encounters with corruption in medical practice points out that corruption has infiltrated<br />the profession at every level, including those agencies meant to enforce ethical practice. Those<br />who benefit from the existing system - within medical practice and in society in general - have<br />every interest in maintaining the current state of affairs. More than 500 health professionals,<br />researchers, policy makers and students attended the Indian Journal of Medical Ethics Second<br />National Bioethics Conference in Bangalore. We carry a report on the conference and comments<br />from participants.<br />Medical ethics education in India<br />Medicine is one of the few professions that sets a code of behaviour for its practitioners. In<br />the past the relationship between the doctor and patient was paternalistic. Today this has<br />changed. Advancement of medical science and technology has made a tremendous impact on medical<br />practice. Rising costs of medical care and scarce resources pose dilemmas to the practitioner of<br />medicine.<br />Since the late 1950s there has been an explosion in the field of bioethics. Gone are the days<br />when problems were resolved by emulating seniors in the profession. Writing in The National<br />Medical Journal of India, Dr SK Pandya laments that today “unfortunately the number of role<br />models in the medical colleges is diminishing as unethical practices flourish and this adds to<br />the frustration of students for they see a divergence between what is preached and what is<br />practised” (1).<br />The Medical Council of India (MCI) regulations on undergraduate medical courses emphasise that<br />medical graduates become exemplary citizens by the observation of medical ethics, and<br />fulfilling social and professional obligations, so as to respond to national aspirations (2).<br />This is one of the objectives of medical education. Students need to develop a rational approach<br />to solve medical dilemmas that they will face in the future. Just as they learn various subjects<br />to tackle medical problems, they also need ethics to solve the moral quandaries that they are<br />likely to face in their practice in the future.<br />The application of the Consumer Protection Act to the medical profession has stimulated<br />professional bodies to consider medical ethics in their annual deliberations. Media reports of<br />patients faced with questions regarding transplants, medical negligence, end-of-life issues, etc<br />highlight the ethical dilemmas of the medical profession as well as those of the public. Reports<br />of misconduct in research, and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) guidelines on<br />clinical trials, have stimulated a keen interest in the study of ethics in the country.<br />Medical ethics teaching in India: the current scenario<br />The MCI curriculum does not have medical ethics as a separate subject in any of its courses. In<br />the curriculum of forensic medicine, the student is expected to “observe the principles of<br />medical ethics in the practice of his profession” (2). The St John's National Academy of Health<br />Sciences is one of the few medical colleges with ethics as a separate subject for training of<br />undergraduates (3). Many universities and medical colleges are making efforts to introduce it in<br />the curriculum. Since 2004 the ICMR has been conducting sensitisation workshops for students as<br />well faculty throughout the country. This has created a tremendous interest in medical ethics.<br />Therefore, we need to act now to fulfil aspirations.<br />A few law schools have started distance education courses in medical law and bioethics in the<br />country. These courses are more tuned to law than to ethics. Moreover all of these are<br />certificate or diploma courses. At present there is also a dearth of teachers and resources for<br />teaching medical ethics.<br />Challenges faced in teaching medical ethics<br />Course<br />1. At present the MCI curriculum does not have medical ethics as a subject. Only when it is made<br />a separate subject by the MCI will all the medical colleges and universities in the country<br />implement it. We need to lobby to implement it.<br />2. Medical ethics should be made a compulsory course with requisite attendance for the award of<br />medical degrees. Studies have shown that making ethics an optional course in medical colleges<br />does not serve its purpose (4).<br />3. Medical ethics need to be structured in such a way that the student is exposed through out the<br />medical training period.<br />4. Evaluation of the course should be left to the faculty teaching the course. Students should<br />have to be certified by the college, stating that they have successfully completed the course<br />with the requisite attendance. In my opinion, making medical ethics a university examination<br />subject adds to the burden of the student and reduces the classroom interactions.<br />Curriculum<br />A structured curriculum is necessary for the teaching of medical ethics. The St John's curriculum<br />has been modified by many universities. The ICMR is in the process of formulating a curriculum<br />for bioethics in the country. The MCI should develop its curriculum by adopting one of these<br />curricula. Care must be taken that it is not overloaded with legal issues.<br />Teachers<br />A handful of trained bioethics teachers (postgraduates) are available in the country, but only a<br />few of them work in medical colleges. There is a need to increase this pool. Many medical<br />teachers have diplomas in medical ethics. There is an acute shortage of trained medical ethics<br />faculty in the country. There is an urgent need to train staff if medical ethics is to be<br />introduced as a subject.<br />What can be done?<br />1. Organise advanced programmes urgently for teachers who have undergone diploma/certificate<br />courses in medical ethics.<br />2. Start master's degrees in medical ethics. Encourage more clinicians to become ethics teachers.<br />This will, hopefully, improve the standard of ethics practice and there will be better role<br />models for students to follow.<br />3. Redress the lack of faculties of law, philosophy and social sciences in medical universities<br />in the country. Faculty in these disciplines who are working in the regular universities must be<br />given a dual appointment in medical colleges and they should be actively involved in teaching.<br />4. Provide additional incentives for faculty who are involved in teaching ethics either in<br />monetary terms or in terms of career advancement.<br />5. Encourage medical universities to establish chairs and departments of medical ethics to<br />develop the subject in the country.<br />Resources for teaching ethics<br />There are few Indian textbooks on medical ethics. Most deal with the legal aspects of medicine<br />rather than ethical ones. Some books are even factually incorrect and misleading. There is a dire<br />need to have good textbooks on medical ethics in an Indian context.<br />There is a dearth of articles on medical ethics from the point of view of Indian philosophy.<br />Research has to be undertaken to identify and interpret Indian philosophy as it relates to<br />medical ethics.<br />Writing on ethics in the Indian context is negligible. General medical journals rarely carry<br />articles on medical ethics. Even if they are written, they deal more with malpractice and legal<br />issues rather than ethical thought.<br />Throughout the ethics discourse we need to remember that India is a secular and multicultural<br />society. Resource materials on medical ethics must incorporate this unique aspect.<br />Hope for ethics teaching<br />At present there is a tremendous interest in medical ethics in the country. Many universities are<br />actively working on developing an ethics curriculum. The ICMR is taking a lead to introduce a<br />certificate as well as a master's course in medical ethics. It is also in the process of<br />publishing a book on medical ethics. The response of the medical community to the first national<br />bioethics conference is another hopeful sign that medical ethics teaching will become important<br />in the near future. One hopes that the MCI will take the lead and make ethics a part of medical<br />education.<br />VIETNAMESE REVIVE ANCIENT MEDICAL ARTS<br />The Vietnamese, short of medicines, medical equipment and the money to buy them, are reviving and<br />encouraging the use of the country's ancient healing arts.<br />''We have 4,000 years of history and more than 1,000 years of written works of traditional<br />medical practice,'' said Dr. Tran Thuy, the deputy director of Hanoi's Institute of Traditional<br />Medicine.<br />''Acupuncture, massage, physical exercise and the use of plants and minerals are all part of<br />this,'' he added. ''With these, about 60 illnesses can be treated successfully, many in local<br />clinics.'' Dr. Thuy is an ear specialist with a modern medical training who moved into<br />traditional medicine out of a life-long interest Intellectual Vietnamese have made native<br />medicine into a science, but traditional medicine is not limited to government public health<br />services.<br />One of the most famous and popular men in Hanoi these days is a 75-year-old Buddhist private<br />practitioner of traditional medicine who goes by the professional name of Cuu The, ''the one who<br />saves lives.''<br />Cuu The holds office hours in a small shop in downtown Hanoi with posters on the walls and a<br />sidewalk sandwich board to advertise his specialties: liver ailments, rheumatism, asthma and a<br />host of sexual dysfunctions. His fee is measured in pennies, but his clientele is cosmopolitan.<br />Cuu The, a chain smoker who is almost toothless, chortles his way through a story about a Russian<br />who came to him for a cure for infertility. ''He was back this morning to thank me,'' Cuu The<br />said with a satisfied grin, looking at notes of the case he was recording in one of many school<br />exercise books.<br />The old practitioner, one of 18 members of the city's Traditional Medical Care Organization, most<br />of them private doctors, says that at the root of his success is his Sino-Vietnamese Buddhist<br />faith. ''If we were all Buddhists we would have peace in the world,'' he says. To that, he adds<br />yoga breathing techniques from South Asia. ''Good for headaches,'' he said. ''The air pushes out<br />the poisons.''<br />''The Buddha taught that on the globe there are rivers, and in the body there are also rivers,''<br />Cuu The explained. ''When there are no blocks in the earth's rivers, the water flows<br />continuously. When there are no blocks in the body, there is no disease.''<br />Cuu The also recommends relaxing massages, ''reasonable'' exercise and proper diet, based on<br />ancient Sinetic definitions of ''hot'' and ''cold'' foods (not related to temperature) for<br />traditionally understood ''imbalances'' in the body. Dried foods, he explained, strengthen the<br />body's ''positive'' aspects (the cause of headaches); water and wet foods, the ''negative.''<br />''A person will have good health when his body is balanced,'' he said. He also tells patients to<br />take a lot of vitamin C in the form of lemonade. Told he sounded like a California health-food<br />advocate, he laughed.<br />''Vitamin C is an old idea here -followed by papaya to keep the river flowing,'' he said.<br />''Thirty years ago I predicted foreigners would one day come to Vietnam to study our medicine.''<br />Cuu The dips frequently into herbal or other natural medicines, drawing on both Chinese and<br />Vietnamese prescriptions. ''But the basis is Vietnamese,'' he adds, echoing the official view<br />that Vietnam has nothing much to learn from China. ''Vietnamese medicine is better than Chinese<br />in both theory and practice,'' he said.<br />Cuu The said 95 percent of his prescription remedies were based on plant products easily found in<br />the countryside.<br />''Chinese medicine has about 1,000 natural materials,'' he said. ''We have 800. I know all of<br />these. Thirty of them cure difficult diseases.''<br />The Institute of Traditional Medicine also uses local vegetable, animal and mineral products.<br />Eucalyptus, mint, ginger and aromatic coleus are among the most widely used plants to treat<br />common illnesses, according to Dr. Thuy.<br />Dr. Thuy, whose institute conducts research and trains practitioners, said 23 common ailments<br />were now treated entirely at the local level by combinations of herbal remedies, massage,<br />physical exercise and simple acupuncture. More complex ''electro-acupuncture'' treatment cases<br />are referred to the four-year-old Central Hospital of Acupuncture, which adjoins the institute in<br />Hanoi.<br />Foreign medical experts who visit Vietnam as well as Vietnamese doctors say that the country's<br />most serious problems, especially among children, are intestinal diseases caused by universally<br />contaminated water and mosquito-borne illnesses, coupled with malnutrition that leads to easy<br />infection.<br />Dr. Thuy said 77.6 percent of common diarrhea cases and 86.35 percent of amoebic dysentery<br />attacks were now treated with traditional medicine. Respiratory ailments, allergies, fevers, back<br />pain and joint and muscle pains are also among what Dr. Thuy listed as diseases and symptoms that<br />are first treated without chemical or surgical cures.<br />''For economic reasons, our chemical industry has not developed yet,'' he said. ''By fully using<br />trees, the earth and other resources we can save foreign exchange. And there are no chemical side<br />effects on patients.''<br />At the Central Hospital of Acupuncture, where nearly 70 patients were sharing 50 beds and about<br />300 to 400 people crowded the corridors each day as out-patients, Dr. Mai Tue, the director of<br />specialty departments, showed a visitor people being treated for encephalitis, earache, back<br />pain, dizziness, loss of appetite, vision and hearing problems and paralysis.<br />The hospital also uses acupuncture as an analgesic in surgery for appendicitis, colosectomies and<br />hernias, among other procedures, Dr. Tue said. Two research projects are now under way in<br />cooperation with the Soviet Union, on optic nerve repair and the treatment of paralysis. The<br />hospital says it has had much success in both areas.<br />The hospital makes extensive use of a low-cost electro-acupuncture system its staff devised<br />themselves, Dr. Tue said. This involves attaching needles to a six-volt power source that<br />provides automatic vibration. Needles were earlier manipulated by hand.<br />''We can treat every disease or illness treated by modern medicine,'' Dr. Tue said. ''With our<br />economy facing so many difficulties, this is the most suitable way to deal with our health<br />problems.''<br /><br /><br /></span></strong></div></div>DOCTORhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18188669046871912546noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3243612570259145499.post-52415402513300723892008-01-13T08:42:00.000-08:002008-01-13T09:14:21.404-08:00<div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5155010395939338210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 390px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 52px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="52" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5nyBYs_8hXnV7NMNkz3CL7BTs5fyeNdHUoSOBFzRKEMZwzsg25WqoFPCm4YDzztuCW6io3XvJHVzPMoawOgc3c4NBqenKkjRwtrqllOQ_xffhGKZDd1wm1I3xA7PBWJeiWm6CVaWus_s/s400/bff.jpg" width="270" border="0" /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#330099;">History of medicine</span></strong><br /><br /><div></div><div><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">The earliest type of medicine in most cultures was the use of empirical natural resources like plants (herbalism, animal parts and minerals. In all societies, even in Western ones, there were also religious, ritual and magical resources. In aboriginal societies, there is a large scope of medical systems related to religious thinking, cultural experience, and natural resources. The religious ones more known are : animism (the notion of inanimate objects having spirits); spiritualism (here meaning an appeal to gods or communion with ancestor spirits); shamanism (the vesting of an individual with mystic powers); and divination (the supposed obtaining of truth by magic means). The field of medical anthropology studies the various medical systems and their interaction with society.<br />The practice of medicine developed gradually in ancient Egypt, Babyl<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDr3aMO5szjyEQu6EyPtSkw2dNTlZju8_XZyOdf8bsph9EULGUtjrP94g4ex3yQPl2TPdkNFJbkkW-NbBkLIcNQSE2YlyyKls26GJYWapDH4Qbq_339Ms9eMhTViisucFRzGhHAw3_xKg/s1600-h/180px-Drug_ampoule_JPN.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5155009640025094082" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 221px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 343px" height="343" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDr3aMO5szjyEQu6EyPtSkw2dNTlZju8_XZyOdf8bsph9EULGUtjrP94g4ex3yQPl2TPdkNFJbkkW-NbBkLIcNQSE2YlyyKls26GJYWapDH4Qbq_339Ms9eMhTViisucFRzGhHAw3_xKg/s400/180px-Drug_ampoule_JPN.jpg" width="180" border="0" /></a>onia, India, China, Greece, Persia, the Islamic world, medieval Europe, and elsewhere. Medicine as it is now practiced largely developed during the Middle Ages and early modern period in Persia (Rhazes and Avicenna), Spain (Abulcasis and Avenzoar), Syria/Egypt (Ibn al-Nafis, 13th century), England (William Harvey, 17th century), Germany (Rudolf Virchow, 19th century) and France (Jean-Martin Charcot, Claude Bernard and others). The new "scientific" or "experimental" medicine (where results are testable and repeatable) replaced early Western traditions of medicine, based on herbalism, the Greek "four humours" and other pre-modern theories.<br />The focal points of development of clinical medicine shifted to the United Kingdom and the USA by the early 1900s (Canadian-born) Sir William Osler, Harvey Cushing). Possibly the major shift in medical thinking was the gradual rejection, especially during the Black Death in the 14th and 15th centuries, of what may be called the 'traditional authority' approach to science and medicine. This was the notion that because some prominent person in the past said something must be so, then that was the way it was, and anything one observed to the contrary was an anomaly (which was paralleled by a similar shift in European society in general - see Copernicus's rejection of Ptolemy's theories on astronomy). People like Ibn al-Nafis and Vesalius led the way in improving upon or indeed rejecting the theories of great authorities from the past such as Hippocrates, Galen, and Avicenna, many of whose theories were in time discredited. Such new attitudes were made possible in Europe by the weakening of the Roman Catholic church's power in society, especially in the Republic of Venice.<br />Evidence-based medicine is a recent movement to establish the most effective algorithms of practice (ways of doing things) through the use of the scientific method and modern global information science by collating all the evidence and developing standard protocols which are then disseminated to healthcare providers. One problem with this 'best practice' approach is that it could be seen to stifle novel approaches to treatment.<br /></span></strong><a class="image" title="Drug ampoules" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Drug_ampoule_JPN.jpg"></a><br /><a class="internal" title="Enlarge" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Drug_ampoule_JPN.jpg"></a><span style="color:#330099;"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Drug ampoules</span></strong><br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiof6fXyRhIsuCbzProOEGxsFayNuHwIhPrywU_KCrOvHbChKf6WN0fKvIOD4kJuV00xE5vWz9weYzonK9GlxBNLSuGqAZ_VWbGZ9SKU4kBPJYsRqpO5ol8EZvSlvLjnNN6Bzias9Ve8_g/s1600-h/150px-Henriette_Browne_Mutter_Kind.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5155009644320061394" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 246px" height="183" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiof6fXyRhIsuCbzProOEGxsFayNuHwIhPrywU_KCrOvHbChKf6WN0fKvIOD4kJuV00xE5vWz9weYzonK9GlxBNLSuGqAZ_VWbGZ9SKU4kBPJYsRqpO5ol8EZvSlvLjnNN6Bzias9Ve8_g/s400/150px-Henriette_Browne_Mutter_Kind.jpg" width="240" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">Genomics and knowledge of human genetics is already having some influence on medicine, as the causative genes of most monogenic genetic disorders have now been identified, and the development of techniques in molecular biology and genetics are influencing medical practice and decision-making.<br />Pharmacology has developed from herbalism and many drugs are still derived from plants (atropine, ephedrine, warfarin, aspirin, digoxin, vinca alkaloids, taxol, hyoscine, etc). The modern era began with Robert Koch's discoveries around 1880 of the transmission of disease by bacteria, and then the discovery of antibiotics shortly thereafter around 1900. The first of these was arsphenamine / Salvarsan discovered by Paul Ehrlich in 1908 after he observed that bacteria took up toxic dyes that human cells did not. The first major class of antibiotics was the sulfa drugs, derived by French chemists originally from azo dyes. Throughout the twentieth century, major advances in the treatment of infectious diseases were observable in (Western) societies. The medical establishment is now developing drugs targeted towards one particular disease process. Thus drugs are being developed to minimise the side effects of prescribed drugs, to treat cancer, geriatric problems, long-term problems (such as high cholesterol), chronic diseases type 2 diabetes, lifestyle and degenerative diseases such as arthritis and Alzheimer's disease.<br /></span></strong><a id="Practice_of_medicine" name="Practice_of_medicine"></a><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color:#330099;">Practice of medicine</span><br /></span></strong><a class="image" title="Artificial biomedical insemination" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Tr_icsi_03.jpg"></a><br /><a class="internal" title="Enlarge" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Tr_icsi_03.jpg"></a><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">Artificial biomedical insemination<br />The practice of medicine combines both science as the evidence base and art in the application of this medical knowledge in combination with intuition and clinical judgment to determine the treatment plan for each patient.<br />Central to medicine is the patient-physician relationship established when a person with a health concern seeks a physician's help; the 'medical encounter'. Other health professionals similarly establish a relationship with a patient and may perform various interventions, e.g. nurses, radiographers and therapists.<br />As part of the medical encounter, the healthcare provider needs to:<br />develop a relationship with the patient<br />gather data (medical history, systems enquiry, and physical examination, combined with laboratory or imaging studies (investigations))<br />analyze and synthesize that data (assessment and/or differential diagnoses), and then:<br />develop a treatment plan (further testing, therapy, watchful observation, referral and follow-up)<br />treat the patient accordingly<br />assess the progress of treatment and alter the plan as necessary (management).<br />The medical encounter is documented in a medical record, which is a legal document in many jurisdictions.<br /></span></strong><a id="Health_care_delivery_systems" name="Health_care_delivery_systems"></a><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#330099;">Health care delivery systems</span></strong><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#3333ff;">Medicine is practiced within the medical system, which is a legal, credentialing and financing framework, established by a particular culture or government. The characteristics of a health care system have significant effect on the way medical care is delivered.<br />Most industrialized countries and many developing countries deliver health care though a system of universal health care which guarantees health care for all through a system of compulsory private or co-operative health insurance funds or via government backed social insurance. This insurance, (in effect, a form of taxation) ensures the entire population has access to medical care on the basis of need rather than ability to pay. The delivery systems may be provided by private medical practices or by state owned hospitals and clinics, or by charities.<br />Most tribal societies but also some communist countries (e.g. China) and at least one industrialized capitalist country (the United States) provide no guarantee of health care for the population as a whole. In such societies, health care is available to those that can afford to pay for it or have self insured it (either directly or as part of an employment contract) or who may be covered by care financed by the government or tribe directly.<br />Transparency of information is another factor defining a delivery system. Access to information on conditions, treatments, quality and pricing greatly affects the choice by patients / consumers and therefore the incentives of medical professionals. While US health care system has come under fire for lack of openness, new legislation may encourage greater openness. There is a perceived tension between the need for transparency on the one hand and such issues as patient confidentiality and the possible exploitation of information for commercial gain on the other.<br /></span><a id="Health_care_delivery" name="Health_care_delivery"></a><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color:#330099;">Health care delivery</span></span></strong><br /></div><br /><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">Medical care delivery is classified into primary, secondary and tertiary care.<br />Primary care medical services are provided by physicians or other health professionals who have first contact with a patient seeking medical treatment or care. These occur in physician offices, clinics, nursing homes, schools, home visits and other places close to patients. About 90% of medical visits can be treated by the primary care provider. These include treatment of acute and chronic illnesses, preventive care and health education for all ages and both sexes.<br />Secondary care medical services are provided by medical specialists in their offices or clinics or at local community hospitals for a patient referred by a primary care provider who first diagnosed or treated the patient. Referrals are made for those patients who required the expertise or procedures performed by specialists. These include both ambulatory care and inpatient services, emergency rooms, intensive care medicine, surgery services, physical therapy, labor and delivery, endoscopy units, diagnostic laboratory and medical imaging services, hospice centers, etc. Some primary care providers may also take care of hospitalized patients and deliver babies in a secondary care setting.<br />Tertiary care medical services are provided by specialist hospitals or regional centers equipped with diagnostic and treatment facilities not generally available at local hospitals. These include trauma centers, burn treatment centers, advanced neonatology unit services, organ transplants, high-risk pregnancy, radiation oncology, etc.<br />Modern medical care also depends on information - still delivered in many health care settings on paper records, but increasingly nowadays by electronic means.</span></strong></div><br /><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></strong></div><br /><br /><div><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#000099;">Branches of medicine<br /></span></strong><a class="image" title="Asclepius was the demigod of medicine, and the Rod of Asclepius with its single snake, is an ancient Greek symbol associated with medicine. The American Medical Association, the American Osteopathic Association, the Royal Society of Medicine, the Australian Medical Association, the British Medical Association, and the World Health Organization display the Rod of Asclepius in their logos or emblems." href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Asklepios.3.jpg"></a><br /><a class="internal" title="Enlarge" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Asklepios.3.jpg"></a><strong><span style="color:#3366ff;">Physicians have many specializations and subspecializations into certain branches of medicine, which are listed below. There are variations from country to country regarding which specialties certain subspecialties are in.<br /></span></strong></div><br /><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">Anatomy is the study of the physical structure of organisms. In contrast to macroscopic or gross anatomy, cytology and histology are concerned with microscopic structures.<br />Biochemistry is the study of the chemistry taking place in living organisms, especially the structure and function of their chemical components.<br />Biostatistics is the application of statistics to biological fields in the broadest sense. A knowledge of biostatistics is essential in the planning, evaluation, and interpretation of medical research. It is also fundamental to epidemiology and evidence-based medicine.<br />Cytology is the microscopic study of individual cells.<br />Embryology is the study of the early development of organisms.<br />Epidemiology is the study of the demographics of disease processes, and includes, but is not limited to, the study of epidemics.<br />Genetics is the study of genes, and their role in biological inheritance.<br />Histology is the study of the structures of biological tissues by light microscopy, electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry.<br />Immunology is the study of the immune system, which includes the innate and adaptive immune system in humans, for example.<br />Microbiology is the study of microorganisms, including protozoa, bacteria, fungi, and viruses.<br />Neuroscience includes those disciplines of science that are related to the study of the nervous system. A main focus of neuroscience is the biology and physiology of the human brain and spinal cord.<br />Nutrition is the study of the relationship of food and drink to health and disease, especially in determining an optimal diet. Medical nutrition therapy is done by dietitians and is prescribed for diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, weight and eating disorders, allergies, malnutrition, and neoplastic diseases.<br />Pathology as a science is the study of disease—the causes, course, progression and resolution thereof.<br />Pharmacology is the study of drugs and their actions.<br />Physiology is the study of the normal functioning of the body and the underlying regulatory mechanisms.<br />Toxicology is the study of hazardous effects of drugs and poisons.<br /></span></strong><a id="Medical_specialties" name="Medical_specialties"></a><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong><span style="color:#330099;">Medical specialties</span></strong></span><br /></div><br /><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">Medical speciality<br />In the broadest meaning of 'medicine', there are many different specialties, which additionally have many sub-specialties. However, within medical circles, medicine usually denotes doctors that specialise in one internal medicine specialties, as opposed to surgery or radiology. The various specialties can be categorised thus:<br />Surgical specialities - the use of manually operative and instrumental techniques to treat disorders.<br />Internal medicine - concerns the diagnosis and nonsurgical treatment of diseases in adults, especially of internal organs.<br />Diagnostic specialties, rather examines disorders (especially imaging specialities) than directly attempts to cure.<br />Anaesthetics - specialise in anaesthetising patients for procedures and optimising analgesia</span></strong><br /><a id="Surgical" name="Surgical"></a><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong><span style="color:#330099;">Surgical</span><br /></div></strong></span><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>Surgical specialties employ operative treatment. Some disciplines are highly specialized and are often not considered subdisciplines of surgery, although their naming might suggest so.<br />It has many subspecialties, e.g. general surgery, cardiovascular surgery, maxillofacial surgery, orthopedic surgery, otolaryngology, plastic surgery, oncologic surgery, vascular surgery and pediatric surgery.<br />In some centres, anesthesiology is part of the division of surgery (for logistical and planning purposes), although it certainly is not a surgical discipline</strong></span>.<br /><a id="Internal_medicine" name="Internal_medicine"></a><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#330099;">Internal medicine<br /></div></span></strong><br /><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">Internal medicine is concerned with systemic diseases of adults, i.e. those diseases that affect the body as a whole (restrictive, current meaning), or with all adult non-operative somatic medicine (traditional, inclusive meaning), thus excluding pediatrics, surgery, gynaecology and obstetrics, and psychiatry. Practitioners of such specialties are referred to as Physicians. There are several subdisciplines of internal medicine:<br />Cardiology<br />Critical care medicine<br />Endocrinology<br />Gastroenterology<br />Hepatology<br />Hematology<br />Infectious diseases<br />Nephrology<br />Oncology<br />Proctology<br />Pulmonology<br />Rheumatology<br />Neurology<br />Geriatrics<br /></span></strong><a id="Diagnostic_specialties" name="Diagnostic_specialties"></a><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#330099;">Diagnostic specialties</span></strong><br /></div><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#3333ff;">Clinical laboratory sciences are the clinical diagnostic services which apply laboratory techniques to diagnosis and management of patients. In the United States these services are supervised by a pathologist. The personnel that work in these medical laboratory departments are technically trained staff, each of whom usually hold a medical technology degree, who actually perform the tests, assays, and procedures needed for providing the specific services. Subspecialties include Transfusion medicine, Cellular pathology, Clinical chemistry, Hematology, Clinical microbiology and Clinical immunology.<br />pathology as a medical specialty is the branch of medicine that deals with the study of diseases and the morphologic, physiologic changes produced by them. As a diagnostic specialty, pathology can be considered the basis of modern scientific medical knowledge and plays a large role in evidence-based medicine. Many modern molecular tests such as flow cytometry, polymeras chain reaction (PCR), immunohistochemistry, cytogenetics, gene rearragements studies and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) fall within the territory of pathology.<br />Radiology is concerned with imaging of the human body, e.g. by x-rays, x-ray ultrasonography, and nuclear magnetic resonance tomography.<br />Clinical Neurophysiology is concerned with testing the physiology or function of the central and peripheral aspects of the nervous system. These kinds of tests can be divided into recordings of: (1) spontaneous or continuously running electrical activity, or (2) stimulus evoked responses. Subspecialities include Electroencephalography, Electromyography, Evoked potential, Nerve conduction study and Polysomnography. </span></div>DOCTORhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18188669046871912546noreply@blogger.com0