Q:My two-year-old daughter is constantly covered in red itchy patches and scratches herself all day. She has difficulty sleeping as well. I do not want to use over-the-counter or prescribed medications. I have taken her to conventional doctors, tried eliminating various foods, and bought several creams and tried natural remedies including applying organic ghee to her skin after her bath. Do you have any suggestions?
A:Looking at the symptoms that you have mentioned, my Ayurvedic assessment is shitapitta or udarda (urticaria).
According to Ayurveda, sudden exposure to hot and cold weather, the heat of the sun, reactions to chemicals, gases, fumes, dust, pollens, suppression of the natural urges (such as urinating) or eating incompatible food combinations. In terms of food, it is important to keep in mind that if the child is still breastfeeding, the mother’s diet affects the child’s health.
The immunological and emotional factors cause aggravation of the pitta dosha (fire element), which causes ama (toxins) to enter the blood and circulate throughout the body resulting in rashes and itching. Intestinal parasites can also result in rashes and itching along with constipation and interrupted urine.
Home Remedy:
• Turmeric for internal use or made into a paste for external application.
• Diluted aloe vera juice taken internally and applied externally on the irritated areas.
• ¼ teaspoon of ghee (clarified butter) with ¼ pinch of black pepper 2-3 times each day taken internally.
• Make a paste of sandalwood powder and milk and apply all over the body.
• Make tea with equal amounts of cumin, coriander, fennel and amalaki and give 2-3 tbsp frequently.
• Follow a vegetarian diet.
Avoid:
• Excess salt, deep-fried foods and pungent and sour foods.
• Avoid common allergens: dairy, eggs, soy, peanuts, shellfish and red meat.
Ayurvedic Treatment:
Abhyanga (oil massage) with specific herbal oils that cool and detoxify. Warm coconut oil prepared with cooling and detoxifying herbs such as neem and sandalwood can be applied all over the body. To promote sound sleep, apply the oils on the soles of the feet. Continue abhyanga until the symptoms are alleviated.
There are many other suggestions for healing, however I do want to make it clear to you that the suggestions here are based on the limited amount of information I have. I strongly suggest that you take your daughter to a qualified Ayurvedic physician or practitioner who can assess the condition and suggest customized healing modalities for your child.
Q: I am a 30-year-old woman with a pitta prakruti (fire element predominant constitution). I have a number of health concerns. Since childhood, I have been very emotional and sensitive; since 1997, I have been experiencing depression which has gotten worse after coming to the U.S. in 2000. Since 2002, I have been having problems with my appetite and not feeling hungry. I follow a pitta-body type diet, and if I eat much more than fruit, I’m not hungry enough to eat. I take triphala regularly.
In 2002, I had my tonsils removed, in 2003, I gave birth, in 2004 and 2005, I suffered from repeated ear infections, in 2006, I had an ulcer problem and this year I had burning urine and took antibiotics for bladder infections. The antibiotics made me feel worse. I also have fibroids. Following a pitta-type diet has helped the burning urination, but not completely. How can I improve my health?
A:In reviewing all of your conditions from childhood to now, it looks to me like the problems you are experiencing are psychosomatic.
According to Ayurveda, most depressions are an imbalance of kapha and vata (water and air elements) leading to pitta (fire element) going out of balance. Initially the brain has an erratic overreaction due to vata imbalance which triggers a loss of enzymatic activity in the metabolism (pitta imbalance). Kapha responds by trying to hold everything together through increasing heaviness, darkness and inertia. The mind interprets these as negative messages, hopelessness and depression.
In other words, because of specific etiological factors where vata is disturbed in its seat, the colon, the other doshas are affected: pitta and kapha enter the general circulation and lodge in the nervous system, interfering with normal functioning of the mind and the rest of the impulses and communication of the nervous system. Once you deal with the root cause of the depression and create balance in your nervous system, most of your other ailments will be healed.
Likely causes of your ailments:
• Slow metabolism.
• Build-up of toxins at the cellular level.
• Inadequate or improper diet.
• Low ojas (our immunity that is the vital essence produced as the end result of our nutritional status).
Suggestions:
• Make sure you get 7 - 8 hours of sleep each night.
• Regularly walk in nature, along the beach in the sand and get fresh air.
• Eat regular, balanced meals with all the six tastes (sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent and astringent).
• Avoid an excess of spicy, fried or sour food.
• Pamper yourself with your favorite recreational activities.
• Incorporate self-massage with oil (abhyanga) in your daily routine.
• Receive a massage from a therapist when available.
• Drink tulsi (holy basil) tea with a pinch of dry ginger and honey to open the heart and mind.
Yoga:
• Practice pranayama: deep, slow and relaxed breathing and/or nadi sodhana (alternate nostril breathing).
• Halasana (plough pose), if appropriate for you physically.
• Savasana (relaxation).
Ayurvedic treatments:
• Panchakarma (detoxification).
• Nasya (nasal therapy). Stagnation of energy or blockages in the sinuses can contribute to disturbances in the mind and nervous system; nasya helps open the sinuses.
• Shirodhara: a continuous pouring of warm herbal oil in an even stream, onto the forehead.
• Abhyangana (customized her-bal massage).
• Shiro and pada abhyanga (head and foot massage) with herbal oil.
These are the general suggestions without having seen you but it is wise to visit a qualified Ayurvedic physician or a practitioner for a detailed customized assessment and personalized suggestions.
Before using any of the above Ayurvedic remedies, consult
with a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner or healthcare provider.
The information given here represents the opinions and recommendations
of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views
of LA YOGA Ayurveda and Health magazine.
Dr. Ram Tamang BAMS is licensed in India and Nepal
and is the director of panchakarma at the Healing Gardens. Thehealingardens.com
