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Saturday, June 21, 2008

Western view on Eastern medicinal system

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JAY SHREE POOJYASHREE SHREE AMMA
JAY MAHAN BRAHMASHREE GOPALAVALLIDASAR
JAY SHREE RADHEKRISHNA SATHSANG

Dear Readers,
Radhekrishna!
There is a news as regarding our blog on Science and Hinduism. Beginning from this posting, we start a new separate section on this blog at the end of the article. This section shall include the description of Indian herbs, flowers, fruits, roots etc and their medicinal properties.
According to a study, these can cure up to 95% of all diseases! Sounds astounding? But its nevertheless true!
So enjoy reading this section to gain more knowledge about Hinduism and the science hidden in it and make the best use of it by spreading it amongst friends, relatives and family.
We dedicate this beginning of new section to our beloved Poojyashree Shree Amma and Guruji Mahan Brahmashree Gopalavallidasar as a humble samarpanam for the occasion of Guru Purnima. It is because of Them that we are what we are today. Pranams to Gurujiamma and Guruji.

Continuing the thread from the previous posting, we discussed certain points on the
philosophy of Ayurveda and a shloka from the Caraka Samhitaa describing which described the factors responsible for the promotion of strength.

In this posting, take a look at this extract below which throws light on what the western
world feels about our (Eastern) systems of medicine:

Eastern systems of medicine attach more importance to nutrition and prevention of disease than western medicine, and we should be more open minded to indigenous sian systems of medicines like Ayurveda and Tai Chi. Certain CAM (Complimentary and Alternative Medicine) practices such as acupuncture, bio-feedback, yoga, massage-therapy and Tai Chi may be useful in contributing to the achievements of the nation’s health-goals and objectives. The application of CAM practices to cure chronic diseases and disabilities is a largely unexplored area. CAM principles and practices are useful not only in preventing some of these diseases but also in enhancing recovery and preventing further illness. Increased research in this area will help to determine how CAM principles and practices can best be used to meet the goals of the healthcare system.

Dr. James S. Gordon, Final Report of the White House Commission,
Executive order no. 13147, 22 March 2002.

After reading the above report, the word that immediately comes out of the mouth is, wow! That’s the kind of respect our medicinal systems have in the U.S!
So please, please….. be proud of our Hinduism!

Coming to our new section the first substance that we describe about is Ginger.
(Adrak) in Hindi

(Zingiber officinale) in Latin

Some features of ginger
· Ginger is used extensively as a spice.
· The root of the plant is used; it is known for its quality of helping digestion.
· It increases appetite
· Reduces the flatulence caused by certain foods like black gram (Urad Dal).
· It increases natural body hear if taken with jaggery in water
· It is beneficial in disorder connected with the formation of phlegm in the respiratory tract.

That concludes our article for this forthnight. Till the next one, Radhekrishna!
Sarvam Guruvaarpanam


Friday, June 06, 2008

Ayurveda: Philosophy

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JAY SHREE POOJYASHREE SHREE AMMA
JAY MAHAN BRAHMASHREE GOPALAVALLIDASAR
JAY SHREE RADHEKRISHNA SATHSANG

Dear Readers,
Radhekrishna!

In the last five months, we have discussed leach therapy, some basics on Ayurveda and about the herb called as Ashwagandha.

Today, let us discuss about the philosophy of Ayurveda:

Ayurveda is a system of medicine that is holistic. It is holistic in more ways than one.

· It looks at the body as a whole.

· It looks at prevention and care in addition to treatment.

· It looks at food as an essential ingredient of good health and treatment in addition to medication.

· It looks at the body and the mind.

· It considers genetic and environmental factors.

Ayurveda has a medico-social and medico-philosophical approach to health and treatment. It concerns itself as much with good health and disease-preventing lifestyle as with the treatment of illness.

Moving ahead, let us take a look at an extract from a Hindu scripture which speaks about ‘The factors responsible for promotion of strength’

Balavrddhikarastvime bhaavaa bhavanti. Tadyathaa

Balavatpurushe kale ca sukhasca kaalayogah

Sattvasampacca svabhavasamsiddhisca yauvanam

ca karma ca samharshasceti.

Meaning: These factors are strength promoters. They are: birth in a place of strong men in times of strong men and in a pleasant climate, healthy seed and uterus, nourishing food, good physique, good maintenance, healthy mind, natural disposition, youth, action and cheerfulness.

Source: Caraka-samhitaa, Sharira-sthaanam, Adhyaayah 6, Paragraph 13 (1st Century BCE).

Notes:

The causative factors listed here include:

· Genetic and environmental

· Physiological and psychological

Besides, there is no preoccupation with disease and treatment. The science emphasizes the role of factors like food.

…. to be continued

Sarvam Guruvarpanam

 

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