:: June 2006 Volume 5/Number 4

Ayurveda Q & A

By Dr. Jay Apte

Ayurveda has been practiced in the U.S. only about 25 years, yet it is the 5000 year old Indian system of medicine and yoga's sister science. Readers are invited to submit questions for "Ayurveda Q & A" to ayurveda@layogamagazine.com

Q: My husband is an obsessive nail biter! He tried hard to stop but it’s occurred to me over the years that he somehow needs to eat his nails. Can this be true and what Ayurveda cause/solution would you suggest? He also has an incurable fungus on his toenails and now on a few fingernails. My husband is a kapha/pitta.

A: Nail biting is mostly a sign of anxiety and nervousness - it is mainly a vata disorder. He may have some chronic, deep rooted emotional issues. Fungus on the toenails and fingernails indicate that he also may have digestive problems involving the liver. Unless I get more information, it is difficult to recommend something, because it is complex.

Q: The only medications I take are trikatu and triphala in water twice daily and when I remember, Guggul Plus once a day. But so far this month my period is nowhere to be seen. Could these medications interfere with my period? It usually comes every 27 days - now at 34 days and counting. I am 45 years old. Please help if you can.

A: Trikatu is a combination of three pungent (hot) herbs - ginger, black pepper and long pepper (Pippali). It is used mainly for improving the digestion. Guggul in Guggul Plus is also heating, so all these formulas will not stop your period; on the other hand, they may increase a menstrual flow, by creating heat. Along with it, you are taking triphala - a combination of three fruits - Haritaki, Bibhitaki and Amalaki. This formula also will help you get a normal period.

You are 45 years of age. Before menopause, a few women get irregular period for quite some time. (It is very hereditary - you could ask your mother when her period stopped). Or, if you have made drastic changes in your eating habits, that could influence your period. Women going on low fat / no fat diets do not get (the) regular period. You are only 4-5 days over so don’t worry too much. You will get a period unless you are pregnant.

Q: Are there Ayurvedic suggestions to use to help speed up recovery after surgery requiring general anesthesia?

A: This is an excellent question! Ayurveda has a very different view than conventional medicine in this regard.

Generally, during major surgery and few days after, a patient is on a IV saline. When he/she is allowed to eat orally, the food served is mainly a big piece of meat and cold Jell-o. A patient is also asked to get back into a routine as soon as possible.

Here is an Ayurvedic view - Due to any surgery, the body undergoes a serious trauma. The medications and anesthetics also cause imbalances in the body. The body becomes weak, weakening the body tissues and digestive enzymes (digestive fire - agni). It is not a good idea to eat very heavy foods such as steak, beef and cold foods as Jell-o after surgery.

The first thing Ayurveda recommends is to restore the ‘agni’- digestive fire. Eating light foods such as Khichadi, home made soups and cooked rice work best. It is wise to avoid heavy foods at least for a week. Light foods strengthen the digestive fire and nourish the body better, the patient feels more energetic and the healing process begins sooner.

Also, it is wise to avoid cold foods. The blood vessels are very sensitive to temperature. Cold foods and drinks constrict (narrow) blood vessels, thereby reducing blood supply and slowing down healing. It is ideal to drink luke warm water. Similar to Chinese medicine, Ayurveda emphasizes on the subtle healing qualities in foods, which have profound effects on the body.

When we are at rest, ‘prana’ - the healing energy - is directed to heal the wounds, so the patient should get plenty of rest. He can walk for a few minutes, a couple of times a day, but rest is essential for a major part of the day. If we start getting into our routine faster than that, our healing slows down as the energy is diverted to other areas and routine activities.

Herbs such as Turmeric, Amalaki, Punarnava, and Haritaki help rejuvenate and speed up recovery.
In short, there is so much wisdom behind simple things, which makes Ayurveda a great resource.

Q: My daughter has a sty forming on her eye. I’ve heard that you don’t want to pop or drain it yourself, as that can make the infection worse. She is in a lot of pain and her eye is watering. I’m looking for home remedies or Ayurvedic treatments that can be helpful.

A: Eye is a seat of the fire element. Sty being an inflammation of the secretory gland of the eyelid, is also a pitta - the fire condition. We all have to protect our eyes from the heat.
Popping or draining a sty yourself, may cause infection. Even if you get it done by a doctor, it will not solve the problem because you are not addressing the cause; you are getting a quick fix. Remember, unless you take care of the cause, the symptoms will never go away; they will keep coming back over and over again.

The Ayurvedic recommendation is to use cooling herbs. Triphala is best for eyes. You can wash her eyes with a triphala decoction.

Use the following recipe:
Mix 1 tsp of triphala powder in 2 cups of water.
Let it boil, and then cool it down. Strain it with cheesecloth.
Use an eyecup to wash the eye. If you want to wash the other eye for prevention, then wash that eye (with no sty) first and then wash the infected eye. Repeat it twice a day for a few days.

Orally taking triphala and licorice will help to prevent the problem in the future.
Diet wise - cut down on salty junk foods and sour foods like tomatoes, yogurt, alcohol, vinegar, etc. Eat more veggies, grains and fresh cooling fruits - watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew melon etc.

Q: I am predominately vata with a little pitta and very little kapha. I have always had addictive tendencies. Whether my habits are healthy or unhealthy, I go to the extreme, and then, often very suddenly, just get tired and stop them. I know this is a vata pattern, but it happens over months and years sometimes. For instance, when I learned that vatas should keep a routine to avoid erratic behavior and burnout, I became so attached to my routine that it really shook me each time I had to stray from it. I’ve learned that moderation is a goal to which I must aspire and I have been working on it. But the problem is, it’s in my nature to behave this way and I can recognize these patterns all the way back to childhood. Is there an Ayurvedic way to assist my need for moderation?

A: Vatas are like a wind - free flowing, so they need a structure. This structure is an Ayurvedic daily routine, a seasonal routine etc. You said that you get addicted to anything. But getting addicted to good things is a good problem, why are you so worried?

Just keep some free time for doing ‘nothing’ or doing anything you feel like and not feel guilty about it. It will free you from a strict regimen.

When it comes to a new decision, Ayurveda talks about three things - “Dhi, Dhriti and Smriti.” Dhi is your decision. Smriti is constantly remembering the decision. Dhriti is changing your behavior according to your Decision - Dhi.

So your decision is “moderation is my goal.” Whenever you go to the extreme, think of Smriti, “I don’t have to be so strict, I can have fun sometimes” and not being hard on your self, will be your Dhriti.
Make some funny notes and stick to your refrigerator and at your office desk. This will help you “live in moderation.”
Good Luck!

As always, consult a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner before undergoing treatments or starting medications.

Jay Apte, BAMS, earned her degree in doctor of Ayurveda (BAMS) in India. Dr. Apte schedules consultations in Los Angeles at Dancing Shiva Yoga & Ayurveda. Reach her at
(800) 313 - 4372; www.herbalcare.com

All Rights Reserved.
Copyright © 2002-2006
LA Yoga Ayurveda & Health Magazine

.