Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis with Ayurveda

What type of a disease is the multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis affects both the brain and the spinal cord. It is an autoimmune disease with inflammaitons spread, which is chronic. The nerve tissue becomes damaged, because the myelin shells of the fibers are impaired. This interrupts the transfer of nerves impulses along the nervous system and the patient loses control over his muscles and movements.

As the disease progresses, the patient can not walk and becomes totally dependent on the help of others. The development of the disease is individual and the processes may progress more slowly or faster. Multiple sclerosis is among the most common neurological illnesses affecting young people between 15 and 45 years of age.

The initial symptoms are muscle weakness and fatigue accompanied by pain, impaired coordination, loss of sensitivity and stiffness of the fingers, paralysis of the face and extremities. Other manifestations of the disease include blurred vision, double vision, speech disorder, constipation, urinary problems and inability to have sex. The levels of intelligence drop, as behavioral changes occur, as well as neurosis, depression, etc.

The causes may be different and usually act together – viral diseases, bacterial diseases, genetic predisposition, severe stress, head traumas and spinal injuries, lack of Vitamin D, mental and physical overload, improper nutrition and diet including lots of animal fat and excessive protein intake, etc. 

Magnetic resonance imaging is used for the diagnostics, as well as electromyography, immunological blood analysis, biochemical blood test and lumbar puncture.

Treatment should be prescribed by a physician, and the medicines and doses are personal and should not be used by other patients. Methylprednisolone from the group of corticosteroids is used against the acute episodes and exacerbations, as its action is hormonal, immunosuppressing and anti-inflammatory.

The plasmaphreisis procedure for blood purification from antibodies is also applied. ​​To delay the progress of the disease is used Avonex that has immunomodulatory, antiproliferative and antiviral effect as well as Mitosaktron with immunosuppressive function. The symptoms can be relieved with the help of Baclofen, Ibuprofen, Oxybutin.

Treatment of multiple sclerosis with the help of Ayurveda

According to Ayurveda, multiple sclerosis is caused by imbalance in the Vata energy /Dosha/, through which are carried out the functions in the brain and nervous system. When Vata goes out of the balance that is set at birth for everyone, these functions get disturbed.

The treatment is focused in several directions at the same time – cleansing the body from toxins, meditation and other practices such as yoga, daily regime of relaxation and activities, and so on. There is a special dietary regime and eating habits applied to restore the harmony that include herbs, many of which in the form of spices to foods and plant oils for pouring. 

Nutrition is very important – if it is improper, digestion gets disturbed, the effectiveness of the digestive fire is reduced, the food is not fully degraded and can not be absorbed completely. Thus toxins form from the food residues in the intestines, which together with the useful substances enter the blood stream and spread in the body, and respectively in the brain, as it is the case with multiple sclerosis. There they damage the cells and impair their nourishment. Moreover, the poisons clog and even block the energy channels, thus blocking the energy channels in the body. Therefore, the digestive fire should be increased in the process of treatment, including toxin cleansing procedures. 

To restore the balance of Vata, the food must be varied, warm, oily and nutritious. The beneficial flavors are sweet, salty and sour. Raw foods in large quantities are not recommended, as well as the cold and dry foods. Legumes must be avoided, as the only exception being mung dahl and tofu. Dry fruits and light fruits such as pears and apples are not recommended. Cabbage varieties are also not recommended. 

Ayurveda has a number of herbal remedies and spices for stabilization of the nervous system and the digestive fire in order to cleanse the organism from toxins – triphala, brahmi, ashwagandha, amalaki, aloe, bilva, katuka, ginger, guduchi, turmeric, and so on. 

The cleansing procedures are internal and external, respectively Puvakarma and Panchakarma. The external procedures include herbal sauna, rubbing of herbs, etc. Pouring with warmed oils is also applied, as sesame oil is especially useful for Vata dosha. The internal procedures include laxatives and cleansing agents, healing vomiting, herbal enema, and so on.

Daily activities that help to balance Vata dosha

The human organism and its activity are adapted to the natural cycles – Sun /day/, Moon /night/ and seasons. Even every organ has its own biological clock – the lungs are the most active in the morning, the stomach – at noon, the liver – in the afternoon, and at the end of the day – the kidneys and colon.

The overall activity is consistent with the Doshas and that’s why there are some specifics in the healthy daily regimes. Vata is active from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. and from 14 p.m. to 18 p.m., while Pitta dosha, for example, is active from 10 a.m. to 14 p.m. and from 22 p.m. to 2 a.m. This also determines when is useful to do the optimization of the physical activities and the harmonization of the physical and spiritual world of the person for self-esteem, calmness and happiness.

The western type of man, even if he is interested in Ayurveda, can hardly follow the Ayurvedic regime because of the objective differences in living conditions.  But he may strive to get close to this regime. It is important, for example, meals to be always at the same hours.

The optimal time for getting out of bed in the morning is 6 a.m. for the Vata people, as the breakfast should be at 8 a.m., the lunch between 11 and 12 p.m., and dinner – at 18 p.m. bedtime should be not later than 22 p.m. and is best to sleep on the left side of the body. The suitable breakfast for Vata should be satiating and abundant, while the lunch should include light foods, and the dinner should include lots of protein.

Ayurveda people make time for spiritual practices and prayer. Personal hygiene – washing the mouth, face and eyes should be done with cold water. Sharp, bitter and firming herbal powders and soft brush are used for mouth hygiene. Then a light eye massage should be applied, as well as eye exercises – blinking 7 times and looking in all directions.

It is recommended to drink a glass of hot water that has stayed in a copper pot during the night, which has to be warmed in the morning. This water is beneficial for cleansing the digestive organs and kidneys, and helps the empty the bowels.

Coffee and black tea are not recommended because they weaken the kidneys, and contribute to the occurrence of constipation. It is also recommended to add up to 5 drops of ghee in each nostril in order to cleanse the sinuses, improve the vision and voice, as well as to activate the mind.

Using warm sesame oil for Vata dosha – about 150 grams, you can make a whole body massage, starting from the head to treat headaches, hair loss and to nurture the skin. The blood circulation will be improved by this massage, the mind will be soothed and excessive Vata will be reduced. Then you can take a shower for cleansing and refreshment, then do some physical exercises, as the suitable for Vata are swimming, walking or yoga but without overloading yourself. The recommended asanas for Vata dosha are the Sun salutation, semi-bicycle, head stand, and so on. Breathing techniques and meditation are a must.

Drinking coffee and tea at work is not recommended, and if you are thirsty consume warm water and fruit juices. According to Ayurveda, the best time for sex is between 22 and 23 p.m., as this activity is not recommended in the morning and in the afternoon.