Ayurveda is more then 5000 year’s old science of Longevity and vitality. The herbs were described to balance the body, mind and emotions as well as rejuvenation and aphrodism. Ayurveda has been the principle form of medicine throughout the Indian sub-continent. Based on the ancient philosophies of accomplished Vedic masters handed down to their disciples from generation to generation, Ayurveda is truly the mother of all healing. It is used not only in the treatment of illness and disease but also in the development and maintenance of a healthy and balanced lifestyle, which can guard against the onset of ill – health in the first place. Ayurveda is a veda (book) of ayu (life). To lead a healthy life and to get rid of or to get cured of diseases, herbs are being used since ancient time. Each and every dravya (Herb) has its own guna (property) and karma (function), by which the dravya is utilized for remedial purposes.
There are many herbs which were known in the olden time for instant cure but the knowledge of their uses is slowly disappearing from the Gurus to the students or the disciples. Also the old herbs are disappearing due to lack of experience or guidance.
There are many herbs which were described in Ayurveda for Kaya Kalpa means to change the Kaya or the Body completely from Old to New. A person used to look 10-15 years young after taking the proper herbs. Also there were herbs which were described for giving Life or instant Life saving herbs. One of this magical herb is called Sanjeevani which was brought by Lord Hanumana for surviving Laxmana from Coma. There is a story that Hanumana couldn’t recognize it so he brought the whole mountain to Rama for identification of sanjeevani and after it was given Laxmana came out from coma.
Also there are some herbs which are mentioned in Ayurveda called Ridhdhi, Sidhdhi, Somavalli ,Tiliyakand were excellent for Rejuvenation and kaya kalpa .there are some spices whose description is similar to them but are very rare and only available in Himalayas.
There is a very interesting herb called Aayapaan in Bengal and Bangladesh, its use is described in a patient who has Bullet or gun shot in the body. The bullet when is stuck in the vital organ like lungs or kidneys and doctor cannot operate then the thick ball of its fresh leaves is put inside the wound and the bullet will come out after some hours on its own.
This herb is available in Chat village Bangladesh and its interesting use is in snake bite. it should be given to the patient with black pepper .If the poison of the snake is there in the body then this herb will taste sweet .the administration should be continued till the taste of the herb changes to bitter. Which means the poison is not there, as an effect of the herb the poison is killed.
This herb is available in Himalayas and is used for healing any weapon injury. this magic herb can heal it within 3 hours.
Mucuna pruriens, commonly known as velvet bean, contains L-Dopa. Mucuna has been used for generations in India to treat Parkinson’s disease. L-dopa is used to make dopamine, and important brain chemical involved in mood, sexuality, and movement. Studies in rats show mucuna pruriens supplements influence dopamine content in the cortex of the brain. Mucuna pruriens has antioxidant properties.
Mucuna pruriens (also known as “the cowhage” or “velvet” bean; and “atmagupta” in India) is a climbing legume endemic in India and in other parts of the tropics including Central and South America. Sanskrit incunabula suggest it has been used by the ancients since 1500 BC for the treatment of medical ailments. Ayurvedic texts describe Kampavata, a nervous malady bearing similarities to Parkinson’s syndrome, responding to atmagupta (mucuna) and mucuna seed preparations are in contemporary use for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD) in India. Levodopa (L-dopa) was first isolated from the seeds of M pruriens in 1937 and when the value of L-dopa for the treatment of Parkinson became known, scientific interest in plants rich in L-dopa was revived. Three open label studies,which involved between 18 and 60 patients and used mean dosages of 45 g/day of mucuna seed powder extract (contains about 1500 mg L-dopa), reported significant improvements in parkinsonism for 12–20 weeks. One study suggested tolerability might be better with mucuna than with standard L-dopa preparations.
Parkinson’s disease has a low prevalence in India except in the small Parsi community where there is a high prevalence. Parkinson’s disease has been known in India since ancient days and the Powder of Mucuna Pruriens seeds have been used for its treatment.
Nutritional analysis reveals mucuna pruriens contains crude protein ranged from 20-29 %, crude lipid 6-7%, total dietary fiber 8-10%, ash 3% and carbohydrates 50-60%.
- Libido and sexual thoughts
- Erectile function
- Orgasms and climaxes
- Energy and stamina
In recent years science has made breakthroughs in the understanding of sexual dysfunction. But, for hundreds of years, civilizations around the world have known about locally grown herbs that achieve wonderful results with far fewer side effects than prescription drugs.
The seed powder of the leguminous plant, Mucuna pruriens has long been used in traditional Ayurvedic Indian medicine for diseases including Parkinsonism. Thre is a clinical study done on clinical effects and levodopa (L-dopa) pharmacokinetics following two different doses of mucuna preparation and compared them with standard L-dopa/carbidopa (LD/CD).
Eight Parkinson’s disease patients with a short duration L-dopa response and on period dyskinesias completed a randomized, controlled, double blind crossover trial. Patients were challenged with single doses of 200/50 mg LD/CD, and 15 and 30 g of mucuna preparation in randomized order at weekly intervals. L-Dopa pharmacokinetics was determined, and Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale and tapping speed were obtained at baseline and repeatedly during the 4 h following drug ingestion. Dyskinesias were assessed using modified AIMS and Goetz scales.
The rapid onset of action and longer on time without concomitant increase in dyskinesias on mucuna seed powder formulation suggest that this natural source of L-dopa might possess advantages over conventional L-dopa preparations in the long term management of PD. Assessment of long term efficacy and tolerability in a randomized, controlled study is warranted.
Family
N.O. Compositae
Synonyms
Anthemis Pyrethrum. Pyrethrum officinarum. Pyrethrum. Pyrethri Radix. Roman Pellitory. Pellitory of Spain. Spanish Chamomile. Pyrethre. Matricaria Pyrethrum.
Part Used
Root.
Habitat
Algeria. Cultivated in Mediterranean countries. This perennial plant, in habit and appearance like the chamomile, has stems that lie on the ground for part of their length, before rising erect. Each bears one large flower, the disk being yellow and the rays white, tinged with purple beneath. The leaves are smooth, alternate, and pinnate, with deeply-cut segments.
Medicinal Action and Uses
Pellitory root is widely used because of its pungent efficacy in relieving toothache and in promoting a free flow of saliva. The British Pharmacopoeia directs that it be used as a masticatory, and in the form of lozenges for its reflex action on the salivary glands in dryness of the mouth and throat. The tincture made from the dried root may be applied to relieve the aching of a decayed tooth, applied on cotton wool, or rubbed on the gums, and for this purpose may with advantage be mixed with camphorated chloroform. It forms an addition to many dentifrices.
Constituents
Analysis has shown a brown, resinous, acrid substance, insoluble in potassium hydroxide and probably containing pelletonin, two oils soluble in potassium hydroxide – one dark brown and acrid, the other yellow – tannin, gum, potassium sulphate and carbonate, potassium chloride, calcium phosphate and carbonate, silica, alumina, lignin, etc.
An alkaloid, Pyrethrine, yielding pyrethric acid, is stated to be the active principle.
A gargle of Pellitory infusion is prescribed for relaxed uvula and for partial paralysis of the tongue and lips. To make a gargle, two or three teaspoonful of Pellitory should be mixed with a pint of cold water and sweetened with honey if desired. Patients seeking relief from rheumatic or neuralgic affections of the head and face, or for palsy of the tongue, have been advised to chew the root daily for several months.
Being a rubefacient and local irritant, when sliced and applied to the skin, it induces heat, tingling and redness.
The powdered root forms a good snuff to cure chronic catarrh of the head and nostrils and to clear the brain, by exciting a free flow of nasal mucous and tears.
Culpepper tells us that Pellitory ‘is one of the best purges of the brain that grows’ and is not only ‘good for ague and the falling sickness’ (epilepsy) but is ‘an excellent approved remedy in lethargy.’ After stating that ‘the powder of the herb or root snuffed up the nostrils procure sneezing and ease the headache,’ he goes on to say that ‘being made into an ointment with hog’s lard it take away black and blue spots occasioned by blows or falls, and helps both the gout and sciatica,’ uses which are now obsolete.
In the thirteenth century we read in old records that Pellitory of Spain was ‘a proved remedy for the toothache’ with the Welsh physicians. It was familiar to the Arabian writers on medicine and is still a favorite remedy in the East, having long been an article of export from Algeria and Spain by way of Egypt to India.
In the East Indies the infusion is used as a cordial.
Dr. Sumita Prajapati is an MD (Ayurveda). She took her degree from Podar College in Mumbai. A pulse-reading wizard, she practices more then 23 years at differant clinics across the globe, with thousands of patients benefiting from her treatment.