Headaches-Insomnia-Anxiety and Constipation Have the Same Root Cause According To Ayurveda

Headaches, insomnia, anxiety and constipation have the same root cause which is a vata imbalance according to ayurveda. Until recently modern Western medicine believed that health was simply the absence of disease. Illness was caused purely by something outside the body, the way a hammer hitting your toe causes pain?viruses caused colds, allergens caused allergies, stress caused anxiety, carcinogens caused cancer, and so on. The solution was to find the right pill and the disease would be cured.

But today we know that the seeds of illness are sown way before obvious symptoms appear. The absence of a readily diagnosable disease is no longer the definition of health?people want to feel good, not just "not bad." The hammer-hitting-the-toe model of disease doesn't explain the wide variation in people's abilities to resist illness or recover from illness. When you encounter a cold virus, you have only one chance in eight of getting a cold. Seven out of eight times your mind-body is able to defend itself. Clearly the virus is only one small factor?the state of your general health is paramount.

By focusing on physical cause and effect Western medicine has looked at individual organs in isolation, as separate from one another and from the mind and spirit. By way of contrast ancient civilizations were intimately in touch with their nonphysical selves and had rich inner lives. They knew what modern science is just now starting to realize: The mind and body are so connected as to be indistinguishable from each other.In many ways modern science is only beginning to catch up with Ayurveda. In many ways modern science is only beginning to catch up with Ayurveda. For example research is discovering that certain people are constitutionally prediposed to certain illnesses, and proving that lifestyle practices and gentle herbal medicines can make a huge difference in our ability to resist disease, recover from illness, and extend our lives. That's exactly what the ancient science of Ayurveda has been saying for thousands of years. Headaches, insomnia, anxiety and constipation have the same root cause which is a vata imbalance and this is an example of genetic predisposition according to body type.

http://www.drhelenthomas.com Hi I am a practicing Chiropractor for the last 25 years. Ayurveda came into my life in 1984. I have study with the best in the nation and the best in India. It is a practice that takes a lifetime to become a master. I love teaching it and practicing it. The results in everyday practice are phenomenal. It takes seven years to get a degree in Ayurveda in India. It is a serious healthcare science that as a doctor of Chiropractic I was prepared to take it on as my specialty. It gives me so much as a human being and supports me as a professional and serves my community with such grace. California License to Practice Chiropractic 1983,

Bachelors From California Institute of Integral Studies Focus: Ayurveda. 1995 Self Procured Apprenticeship: In Practicing Ayurveda in California for fifteen years. First Ayurved Formal education : Maharishi Ayurved 1985-current. Apprentice: Vaidya Charya Ragu New Delhi, India teacher for Pulse Training.1989-90 Assistant to Vaidya Triguna, Palo Alto,Ca

A Herbal Cure to Constipation

Constipation is usually associated with three things, the pain in bowel movement and the inability to have bowel movement after a long period of straining in the stool and the absence of bowel movement after several days, which is generally three days or more. However, there is really no clear definition on what would constitute a person suffering from constipation because bathroom patterns vary from one person to the next. For example, on person may have to go to the bathroom every single day, but similarly, another person's routine may involve going to the bathroom only after two days.

Generally though, the person himself will know if he is suffering from constipation if he experiences its symptoms such as irregular and infrequent bowel movement, a sudden decrease in the frequency of the need to go to the bathroom, his bowel still feels quite full even after the passage of stools and the abnormal difficulty in having bowel movements. You should also note that there are various causes of constipation. But in most cases, people suffering from constipation have some similarities with regards to their lifestyle like eating unhealthy food, lack of regular exercise, insufficient amount of fluid in the body because they do not drink enough water and the stress they have to deal with. But other factors can also contribute to constipation. For example, pregnancy can alter your bathroom habits and you may have some difficulty in the passage of stools. Some medical conditions can also prove to have some adverse effects like having difficulties in passing stools.

On the other hand, some people suffer from chronic constipation. This condition is actually very hard to live with because you experience difficulty in your bowel movements every time you go to the bathroom. However, chronic constipation is quite easy to cure if a person is committed to a lifestyle change because more often than not, chronic constipation is a result of an unhealthy lifestyle. Also, you can use some medications such as laxatives that can let you have some relief from this condition.

Meanwhile, you can also try some alternative cures such as herbal medicines because it is proven to help in constipation in some ways. But you should also be careful when choosing herb supplement because like chemical laxative, herb laxatives is also not good for you in the long term if you constantly use it to cure your condition. Also remember that laxatives are generally reserved for people with sever cases of constipation or those looking for an instant relief because of an emergency.

For people experiencing mild constipation, it is better for them to try mineral oils or even the milk of magnesia for them to cure this condition. They can also try the bitter liquid derived from aloe vera, this can be a very powerful laxative if ingested, but this is also not good for long-term use because it can cause a person to have severe and painful cramping. In addition, you should first consult with a healthcare professional before you take any form of medication whether it is herbal or not.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Constipation

Best Herbal and Ayurvedic Home Remedies For Constipation

Constipation is the name given to the condition in which a person finds difficulty in passing stools. Ideally, a person must void the wastes of the digestive tract one or two times a day. But in people suffering from constipation, this elimination of wastes becomes highly reduced, or may even be absent for several days together.

Constipation can be the reduction of the normal volume of feces voided, the complete absence of discharge or sticky discharge that the person has difficulty in passing out. In all cases, there is Ayurvedic treatment. Constipation is not a very dangerous ailment if treated properly in time. But if let be, then constipation can become chronic. Especially in elderly people, constipation for a prolonged period can be fatal.

From an Ayurvedic point of view, constipation is a disease caused particularly by the vitiation of the vata dosha. It is called as Anaha in Ayurveda. But the other two doshas can also be responsible for constipation. Constipation caused due to a high pitta dosha is characterized by dry stools. It is felt mostly in the hot months. Constipation caused due to a high kapha dosha is accompanied by pains in passing out the feces, which are sticky. In people with kapha vitiation, the excessive mucus may block the rectal passage which will obstruct the elimination of the wastes.

(1) Useful Herbs in the Treatment of Constipation

- Bael fruit (Aegle marmelos) The fruit of the bael is an effective laxative. The ripe fruit is better at this than the raw one. It has to be used for two to three months. It can be taken in the form of a sherbet. This will dissolve the wastes of the intestines and flush them out of the body.

- Belleric Myroblan (Terminalia belerica) The half ripe fruit of the belleric myroblan is a purgative. It is used in treatment of chronic constipation. However the fully ripe fruit may be disadvantageous to the treatment.

- Cassia (Cassia fistula) The pulp of the ripe fruit of the cassia tree is an effective laxative in the treatment of constipation. This remedy is popular because it has no side effects even when taken by children and pregnant women.

- Castor (Ricinus communis) Castor oil is effective as a purgative. This treatment also has no side effects. It can be taken safely, irrespective of the physiology of the patient and the climatic conditions.

- Chebulic Myroblan (Terminalia chebula) Chebulic myroblan is a mild laxative. Its pulp is taken with rock salt, or flavored with cloves and cinnamon. Regular use of this decoction relieves the person of constipation.

- Chicory (Chichorium intybus) Chicory has natural laxative powers. It can be used in the treatment of chronic constipation problems.

- Isphagula (Plantago ovata) This is the traditionally used remedy in the treatment of constipation. The seeds of this plant have a soothing effect on the mucus lining of the alimentary canal. The seeds must be soaked in water and then taken. Isphagula seeds act by binding the wastes in the alimentary canal and bringing them to a consistency in which they can be eliminated from the body.

- Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) Licorice is a laxative. In order to get better benefits, licorice powder is taken with water and jaggery.

- Rhubarb (Rheum emodi) Rhubarb is also commonly used in allopathic medicine for its purgative properties. Rhubarb contains several tannins that are beneficial in voiding the wastes from the alimentary canal. But rhubarb can be used only in simple cases of constipation, and it has no effect in chronic constipation.

(2) Dietary Treatments for Constipation

There are many dietary guidelines for people suffering from constipation. The following are some of them:-

- Water is very important to keep the intestines working well. Drink a glass of water early in the morning. For better results, keep the water overnight in a copper vessel and drink it when you wake up in the morning.

- The food that you consume should not be too dry. It should be vata pacifying. Hence it must contain adequate amounts of oil or ghee in it.

- Take a glassful of warm milk with a teaspoonful of ghee in it when going to bed.

- Avoid rice. Take wheat instead.

- Fresh fruits and green leafy vegetables must be an integral part of the diet. Papaya and sugarcane are especially beneficial. Tomato and beetroot salads are also very beneficial.

- Avoid beans, legumes, grams, cabbages, mushrooms and such foods which are difficult to digest.

(3) Ayurvedic Treatment for Constipation

- The Triphala Choorna is commonly prescribed. It contains a mixture of the three important fruits of amalaki, belleric myroblan and chebulic myroblan.

- Medicines such as Agastya Rasayana, Pancha Sakara Choorna, Abhayadi Modaka, Madhu Yashthayadi Choorna, can strengthen the intestinal valves and hence improve their functions. These treatments are even prescribed in cases of chronic constipation.

- There are some special therapies Ayurveda uses in order to treat the condition of constipation. These therapies are:- a) Vashthi Karma (enema therapy) b) Virechana Karma (purgation therapy)

- In addition, a massage of the abdominal muscles, known as the Udavartana, is also employed if the constipation is chronic. This makes the intestinal muscles stronger and work better in dispelling the wastes.

(4) Home Medications

- Every morning when you wake up, eat two apples. Bite them with the teeth instead of using a knife to cut them into slices.

- Drink a glass of water with a teaspoonful of honey in it at night before going to bed.

- The best and simplest medicine is to drink a glass of lemon juice in water with a pinch of salt in it. This will treat any kind of constipation that may be present.

Read More on Constipation Cure by Ayurveda and Constipation Home Remedies at http://www.ayushveda.com
Also read more about Ayurveda at World's Largest Portal on Ayurveda and Ayurvedic Remedies: Ayushveda.com - The Free Ayurvedic Encyclopedia

Constipation - Causes and Ayurvedic Natural Cure

According to Ayurveda, constipation is caused due to aggravation of vata. But it can also be caused due to aggravation of pitta or kapha.

Wrong eating habits and bowel habits are main reasons for constipation. Eating too much of food that the digestive system can't handle, eating food items that are not easily digested by body, not taking enough fibrous food like fruits and vegetables, irregular sleeping pattern, mental tensions, etc can cause constipation.

The best laxative is triphala. When used as a laxative, triphala strengthens colon. Other laxatives are harsh on colon, which is unfavorable condition. It balances metabolism, thereby ensuring more nourishment to blood. Take a teaspoon of triphala powder at bed time. Dietary recommendations to Prevent Constipation

Include fruits like papaya, mango, banana, grapes, oranges, apple etc in daily menu.

Carefully chew your food.

Avoid spicy, frozen food items. Also avoid food items that have preservatives.

Avoid food items that are overcooked, refrigerated, preserved or canned. Replace refined starch food items with whole grain food items.

Food prepared with cumin seeds, coriander, turmeric and fennel as condiments are easily digested. Lifestyle Recommendations to Prevent Constipation

Avoid stressful conditions.

Squat for 10 minutes in the morning and preferably while eliminating.

Make going to toilet early in the morning a habit.

Fast a day per week.

Don't wear very tight belt.

Practice yoga. Several yoga postures are especially beneficial in strengthening colon, promoting appetite and facilitating digestion.

There are generic directions to help you prevent constipation. Follow these rules to prevent constipation.

Dev Sri provides insider information about Ayurvedic herbal medicine practices and Ayurveda in Kerala. Find more about Ayurvedic medicines at http://www.KeralaAyurvedics.com/

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One Cause Of Constipation - Bad Bacteria

Bad bacteria in the colon are one of the worst conditions that could exist in your body. Yet few people are aware that this is something to be concern about. Not only is bad bacteria one cause of constipation, it is also a source of toxic matter that filters into your body where it creates many familiar diseases.

When bad bacteria takes over your colon and if remains in control of your colon over a long period of your life, expect to have serious diseases as you age. You may or may not wonder why practically every older person you know has many health issues to deal with. Most likely it is the neglect of the colon and the constipation that they have lived with during their lifetime.

When bad bacteria control the colon, they live on undigested food and cause this food to rot and become putrid. This condition causes your colon to become slight alkaline making it difficult for the good bacteria to thrive. As more toxic matter accumulated in the colon, it attracts other pathogens and yeast.

When the colon is weak, it is unable to quickly move fecal matter through its long intestine. It weakens when it continual tries to move fecal matter along the colon and is unable. After while it just quits trying and constipation sets in.

Bad bacteria are but one cause of constipation. There are others but it is always best to work on one cause of constipation before going to another.

So what can you do when you have an excess of bad bacteria in the colon? The first step is to increasing the amount of good bacteria in colon, since these bacteria can fight and destroy the bad ones.

So, how do you help the good bacteria to multiple? You do it by,

* Feeding the good bacteria

* Eating the right foods so that the colon environment can changed from alkaline to slightly acid

* Taking supplements that can kill bad bacteria and not good bacteria

* Taking supplements that increase the good bacteria

* Doing a colon cleanse to sweep out some of the bad bacteria and their source of food - decaying, rotting fecal matter.

Good bacteria are available in various forms. The most familiar source is liquid milk like solution call acidophilus. You can also get multiple forms of good bacteria in capsules. It is best to choose a form call enteric capsules. These capsules move pass the stomach acids where they could be destroyed and open up in the more friendly area of the small intestines. The good bacteria can then move into the colon where they will do battle with bad bacteria, one cause of constipation. When the colon is overwhelmed with bad bacteria you need to supplement your diet with a good amount of good bacteria, so don't hold when taking this supplement.

There you have it. It is not easy to get rid of bad bacteria quickly. You have to work at it and you have to know what you are doing. But when you realize that one way to do it is to build up the good bacteria and let them take care of your fight. So go out and buy some good bacteria.

As a Natural Nutritionist, Rudy Silva researches and writes on natural remedies for various body conditions. He has written and accumulated a lot of information on constipation. To get free tips on how to get constipation relief, sign up for his 10 week e-lesson series called "10 Constipation Secrets Revealed" at http://www.remedies-for-constipation.com/constipation_relief.html

How to Relieve Constipation With Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome, which is also known as spastic colon, is a gastrointestinal disorder that affects a lot of people. Constipation with Irritable Bowel Syndrome is common, in men and women alike.

IBS does not discriminate against any age, as a person can get it regardless of age and statistics indicate that up to 1 in 5 Americans suffer from this disorder, with 1 in 10 visits to the doctors being related to IBS, albeit mostly mild cases.

Although IBS effects both sexes, more women suffer with IBS than men.

Oftentimes IBS goes completely untreated. This is because a lot of people are uncomfortable, or even embarrassed, about discussing the associated symptoms with a doctor. Also the symptoms tend to come in bouts and are not always constant so may have cleared up by the time your appointment comes round.

This disorder affects the functions of the colon, also known as the large intestine, but there is no structural damage that occurs in a person with IBS. However, there are several main symptoms that are recognizable. These include abdominal bloating, pain, cramping, diarrhea and constipation.

It is important to understand that there are several different types of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. If you suffer predominantly from diarrhea then it is sometimes referred to as IBS-D. On the other hand, if you suffer primarily from constipation, then you have IBS-C.

Of course, it is also possible that your symptoms might alternate, in which case you have IBS-A. There is also another type that you may not even realize is possible. IBS-PI (post-infectious) is a type of Irritable Bowel Syndrome that directly relates to your having a bacterial infection in your gastrointestinal system.

Currently there is not a specific cause of Irritable Bowel Syndrome known. One popular theory is that patients who suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome have an unusually sensitive colon. Their colon is said to react strongly to stress and certain foods.

One thing is known is that with the onset of IBS, the amount of water that the intestines absorb can be effected, which effects the consistency of the stool. Furthermore, it is thought that that the immune and nervous system is believed to affect either the symptoms or onset of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Recently there have been studies done that show that there may be a direct relationship between abnormal serotonin levels and IBS. Serotonin is responsible for regulating the movement and sensitivity of the bowels, and so abnormalities in seratonin levels can cause abnormality in the bowel function. Also, abnormalities in serotonin levels have been linked to increased levels of general anxiety disorders (GAD).

Thankfully this disorder can be controlled by changes to diet, lifestyle and medication where required

Continue reading to discover natural methods to control IBS and sign up for our free newsletter.

If your main IBS symptom is constipation, then there are some simple steps that can be taken to help ease the discomfort.

Increasing the levels of fiber in the diet help the digestive and waste elimination process by adding bulk and softening the stool. Fiber can be found in a variety of foods, but it is rich in cereal, bread, beans, bran and many vegetables.

Increase the levels of bran in the diet slowly, as adding more too quickly can cause some of the usual IBS symptoms to be triggered. There is also the option to increase fiber intake by taking fiber supplements.

Regular exercise can help the body process waste more effectively by ?massaging? the gut. The exercise does not need to be strenuous, just a brisk walk a few times a week to start off with will aid the body?s digestion and waste processing.

Ensure that sufficient water is being consumed. It is recommended that at least 6-8 glasses of water be drunk each day, which will help the body keep the stool moist and to ease the elimination process.

We have discussed a few methods to help relieve constipation with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, but it always advised that if you make any changes to your diet you seek advice from a qualified nutritionist, dietician or your doctor.

Sign up for the free Irritable Bowel Syndrome Newsletter and discover new and natural methods to manage your Constipation with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. You can also find more irritable bowel syndrome resources here.

 

Constipation Remedy - Two Seeds Paste

Here's a constipation remedy you can easily make at home and store for ongoing use. The ingredients can be bought in health food stores and Chinese or Asian supermarkets. This remedy for constipation is also highly nutritious and can be taken after illness and in cases of poor nutrition and anemia.

Constipation Remedy - Pumpkin and Sesame Seed Paste

Ingredients

Raw pumpkin seeds (60 grams), raw black sesame seeds (60 grams), raw peanut kernels (30 grams), sugar to taste. Double the amounts to make a larger batch.

Method

1. Heat the pumpkin seeds in a pan till they become fragrant. Remove the seeds from the outer shells as they open up from the heat. Put the heated seeds in a bowl.

2. Repeat step one with the sesame seeds, then the peanuts.

3. Place the pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds and peanuts in a mortar and pestle and grind them up. Add enough water to form a thick paste and mix in sugar to taste. Or, use a blender.

4. Let the paste cool, then store in a sealed jar in the fridge.

Dose

Take one tablespoon of paste before breakfast and again before bed. Consume with a small glass of warm-hot (NOT cold) water if you wish. Continue daily till your bowels return to normal.

Benefits

Pumpkin seeds benefit the intestines and prostate and can also eliminate internal parasites. Black sesame seeds lubricate the intestines and nourish blood. Peanuts also have lubricating and nourishing qualities. Overall, this constipation remedy lubricates the intestines so it's especially useful in cases of hard, dry stools. It may also be taken as a tonic when you're not eating well, as a snack or when you're in a rush and have no time to eat.

Matthew Scott is a professionally trained Chinese medicine practitioner from Australia, living in China since 2000. His website http://chinese-holistic-health-exercises.com offers classic, time-tested exercises & techniques to stretch, strengthen, energize, relax, ease pain & improve overall health.