General Description:
Avaleha or Lehya is a semi-solid preparation of drugs, prepared with addition of jaggery, sugar
or sugar-candy and boiled with prescribed juices or decoction.
These preparations generally have
(1) Kashaya or other liquids,
(2) Jaggery, sugar or sugar-candy,
(3) Powders or pulps of certain drugs,
(4) Ghee or oil and
(5) Honey.
Jaggery, sugar or sugar-candy is dissolved in the liquid and strained to remove the foreign
particles. This solution is boiled over a moderate fire. When pressed between two fingers if Paka
becomes thready (Tantuvat), or when it sinks in water without getting easily dissolved, it should be
removed from the fire. Fine powders of drugs are then added in small quantities and stirred continuously
to form a homogenous mixture. Ghee or oil, if mentioned, is added while the preparation is still hot and
mixed well. Honey, if mentioned is added when the preparation becomes cool and mixed well.
The Lehya should neither be hard nor a thick fluid. When pulp of the drugs is added and ghee or
oil is present in the preparation, this can be rolled between the fingers. When metals are mentioned, the
Bhasmas of the metals are used. In case of drugs like Bhall¡taka, purification process is to be followed.
The Lehya should be kept in glass or porcelain jars. It can also be kept in a metal container
which does not react with it. Normally, Lehyas should be used within one year.
Asavas and Arishtas
Asavas and Arishtas
General Description:
Ësavas and Arishtas are medicinal preparations made by soaking the drugs, either in coarse
powder form or in the form of decoction (Kashaya), in a solution of sugar or jaggery, as the case may be,
for a specified period of time, during which it undergoes a process of fermentation generating alcohol,
thus facilitating the extraction of the active principles contained in the drugs. The alcohol, so generated,
also serves as a preservative.
Arishta
The drugs mentioned in the texts are coarsely powdered and Kashaya is prepared. The
Kashaya is strained and kept in the fermentation vessel. Sugar, jaggery or honey*, according to the
formula, is dissolved, boiled, filtered and added. Drugs mentioned as PrakÀepa Dravyas are finely
powdered and added. At the end, Dhatakipushpa, if included in the formula, should be properly cleaned
and added. The mouth of the vessel is sealed. The container is kept either in a special room
(Alternatively, in an underground cellar or in a heap of paddy, so as to ensure that for the duration of
fermentation, as far as possible, a constant temperatures may impede or accelerate the fermentation).
After the specified period, the lid is removed, and the contents examined to ascertain whether the
process of fermentation (Sandh¡na) has been completed. The fluid is first decanted and then strained
after two or three days. When the fine suspended particles settle down, it is strained again and bottled.
Asavas
The required quantity of water, to which jaggery or sugar as prescribed in the formula is added,
is boiled and cooled. This is poured into the fermentation pot, vessel or barrel. Fine powders of the
drugs mentioned in the formula are added. The container is covered with a lid and the edges are sealed
with clay-smeared cloth wound in seven consecutive layers. The rest of the process is as in the case of
Arishta.
If the fermentation is to be carried in an earthen vessel, it should not be new. Water should be
boiled first in the vessel. Absolute cleanliness is required during the process. Each time, the inner
surface of the fermentation vessel should be fumigated with Pippal¢ C£r¸a and smeared with ghee
before the liquids poured into it (in large scale manufacture, wooden-vats, porcelain-jars or metal
vessels are used in place of earthen vessels.).
The filtered Ësava or Arishta should be clear without froth at the top. It should not become sour
(Cukra). The preparation has the characteristics of aromatic alcoholic odour.
Asavas and Arishtas can be kept indefinitely. They should be kept in well-stoppered bottles or
jars.
_________________________________________________________________________
* Honey, where mentioned, should be added as such without being dissolved or boiled.
General Description:
Ësavas and Arishtas are medicinal preparations made by soaking the drugs, either in coarse
powder form or in the form of decoction (Kashaya), in a solution of sugar or jaggery, as the case may be,
for a specified period of time, during which it undergoes a process of fermentation generating alcohol,
thus facilitating the extraction of the active principles contained in the drugs. The alcohol, so generated,
also serves as a preservative.
Arishta
The drugs mentioned in the texts are coarsely powdered and Kashaya is prepared. The
Kashaya is strained and kept in the fermentation vessel. Sugar, jaggery or honey*, according to the
formula, is dissolved, boiled, filtered and added. Drugs mentioned as PrakÀepa Dravyas are finely
powdered and added. At the end, Dhatakipushpa, if included in the formula, should be properly cleaned
and added. The mouth of the vessel is sealed. The container is kept either in a special room
(Alternatively, in an underground cellar or in a heap of paddy, so as to ensure that for the duration of
fermentation, as far as possible, a constant temperatures may impede or accelerate the fermentation).
After the specified period, the lid is removed, and the contents examined to ascertain whether the
process of fermentation (Sandh¡na) has been completed. The fluid is first decanted and then strained
after two or three days. When the fine suspended particles settle down, it is strained again and bottled.
Asavas
The required quantity of water, to which jaggery or sugar as prescribed in the formula is added,
is boiled and cooled. This is poured into the fermentation pot, vessel or barrel. Fine powders of the
drugs mentioned in the formula are added. The container is covered with a lid and the edges are sealed
with clay-smeared cloth wound in seven consecutive layers. The rest of the process is as in the case of
Arishta.
If the fermentation is to be carried in an earthen vessel, it should not be new. Water should be
boiled first in the vessel. Absolute cleanliness is required during the process. Each time, the inner
surface of the fermentation vessel should be fumigated with Pippal¢ C£r¸a and smeared with ghee
before the liquids poured into it (in large scale manufacture, wooden-vats, porcelain-jars or metal
vessels are used in place of earthen vessels.).
The filtered Ësava or Arishta should be clear without froth at the top. It should not become sour
(Cukra). The preparation has the characteristics of aromatic alcoholic odour.
Asavas and Arishtas can be kept indefinitely. They should be kept in well-stoppered bottles or
jars.
_________________________________________________________________________
* Honey, where mentioned, should be added as such without being dissolved or boiled.
Thulasi
Botanical name:
ocimum sanctum,Family(Lamiaceae)
ocimum sanctum,Family(Lamiaceae)
Botany
An erect and herbaceous branched plant, 1 meter high or less. Stems are
covered with spreading hairs. Leaves are oblong-ovate and 2 to 4-5 cm long, with
pointed or blunt tips, somewhat toothed margins. Flowers are pink or purplish,
about 7 mm long, borne on racemes 5 to 14 cm long. Corolla is small.
Nutlets rounded or broadly oblong, slightly compressed and smooth.
Distribution
Found throughout India
Parts utilizedwhole plant Properties and constituentsUsed as a mosquito repellant in Leaves yield a volatile oils or methyl homo anisic acid, plus cineol and linalool. Seed decoction used as demulcent. Leaves are expectorant and stomachic. Considered to possess antifertility, anticancer, antidiabetic, antifungal, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, antiemetic, antispasmodic, analgesic actions. Eugenol (1-hydroxy-2-methoxy-4-allybenzene), the active constituent, considered to be largely responsible for its therapeutic potential. UsesOthers It is the most sacred plant in Hindu religion. In for flavoring foods. Folkloric Decoction of leaves used for aromatic baths. Decoction of roots and leaves used for gonorrhea. Used for rheumatic baths. Dried plant used for croup, diarrhea, catarrh, bronchitis and diarrhea. Decoction of roots used as diaphoretic for malarial fevers. Leaf juice used for earache. Infusion of leaves as stomachic and hepatic infections. Fresh juice iinduces vomitiing and expels worms. Mixed with honey, ginger and onion juice, used as expectorant for bronchitis and coughs. In Java, used to increase milk secretion. In malaria, dysentery, stress situations, worm infestations, superficial fungal infections, and as diuretic. Studies • Radioprotective: The radioprotective effects of two flavonoids, orientin and vicenin from the leaves of OS were studied by evaluating chromosome aberration in bone marrow cells of irradiated mice. Results suggest ocimum flavonoids may be promising for human radiationn protection. • Hypoglycemic:In a study, one of 24 of 30 medicinal plants, OS showed significant blood glucose lowering activity. • Anti-anxiety: Ethanolic extract study showed leaves possess anti-anxiety effects probably through a central nervous system pathway that may involve the GABA-ergic system. Another study on noise-induced changes in rats were normalized with pretreatment with OS extract indicating its stress-alleviating effect. • Anti-tussive: Study shows an antitussive effect probably by central action mediated through both opiod and GABA-ergic system. • :Antibacterial: Study of ethanol extracts showed antibacterial activity, greater in Gram positive bacter than gram-negative, esp against B subtilis and S aureus; comparatively less than Origanum majorana. Another study on OS essential oil showed marked antibacterial efficiency against all bacteria tested, maximum against S aureus and marked antibacterial efficacy against P mirabilis, P aeruginosa, Klebsiella sp and E coli. • CNS-Protective: A study showed the ethanol leaf extract of O sanctum to have a protective effect against haloperidol-iinduced catalepsy and indicates that OS may be used to prevent drug-induced extrapyramidal effects. • Antioxidant: A study showed the leaves of OS to possess both superoxide and hydroxyl free radical scavenging effect and attributes the antioxidant property to be responsible for its hypoglycemic effect. • Myocardial Salvaging Effect: A study showed Ocimum sanctum has cardioprotecdtive effects against ISP-induced myocardial necrosis probably through improved ventricular function, augmentation of endogenous antioxidants and suppression of oxidative stress. • Anti-cancer activity: Administration of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Ocimum sanctum to mice with sarcomatous tumor resulted in a significant reduction in tumor volume and increase in lifespan. • Anti-Fertility / Abortifacient: Leaves of O sanctum are said to be abortifacient in women. The benzene and petroleum ether extracts of leaves have been reported to produce 80% to 60% antifertility activity in female rats. In male rats, benzene extract of leaves has been reported to re4duce spermatogenesis by retarding sertoli cell activity. • Anti-Ulcer activity: Study showed the extract of OS possess antiulcerogenic properties with reduction of the ulcer index, free and total acidity in rats. Seven days of treatment increased mucous secretion. • Antidiabetic activity: A study indicated OS leaf extracts to have stimulatory effects on physiological pathways of insulin secretion to explain its antidiabetic action. • Hepatoprotective activity: A study showed the leaf extract of OS to have a hepatoprotective effect on hepatotoxicty induced by antitubercular drugs. The exact mechanism has not been defined, but OS antioxidant activity seems to be the most important mode of its hepatoprotective effect. • Eugenol: Ocimum sanctum is a cheaper source for the commercial extraction of eugenol. The aerial parts (leaves, flowers and stems) contain essential oils with good percentage of eugenol. The use of O sanctum in the treatment of gastric ulcer has been attributed to the antiulcerogenic action of eugenol and essential oil from leaves. It has also been shown to be immunostimulant. • Anti-Noise / Stress Alleviating: Study of ethanolic extract on noise stress induced changes in albino rats – leukopenia, increased corticosterone levels and enhanced neutrophil functions as indicated by increase in Candida phagocytosis and NBT reduction, showed normalization of the altered values by pretreatment with O S extract |
Sun stroke
Sunstroke
Sunstroke, more correctly called heatstroke, is a disorder of the body's heat-regulating mechanism caused by
overexposure to the sun or great heat, while in a humid atmosphere. It can also be brought about through excessive
exercise. Sunstroke shows symptoms similar to heat exhaustion--both have headache, dizziness and weakness--but
in sunstroke there is a high temperature and absence of sweating, while in heat exhaustion there is sweating with a
normal or below normal temperature.
Sunstroke can be dangerous. The high temperature should be brought down as quickly as possible, as above 104°F
(40°c) the person may collapse and become unconscious, with circulatory failure in severe cases. The immediate
treatment is to bring down the temperature by wrapping the person in a wet sheet, and create a draught by fanning
or switching on an electric fan. Keep the sheet wet and sponge the face. Once the person has cooled down, cover
with a dry sheet: if the temperature begins to climb again, allopathic treatment is immediately necessary.
Treatment
General treatment should include giving a little water to drink, with half a teaspoon of salt added per half-litre of
water, or an electrolyte replacer such as a sports drink. In stable cases, the following remedies can be used.
Sunstroke with hot dizzy sensation and bursting pressure. Person anxious and restless, worse from sitting up. The
skin is red and dry.
Aconite 6c, every 30-60 minutes.
Sunstroke with headache from the heat of the sun, with pounding head, flushed face and bloodshot eyes, person is
bathed in sweat.
Belladonna 6c, every 1-2 hours.
Sunstroke with violent, pounding headache, pale face and fixed eyes, white tongue and laboured breathing.
Glonoine 6c, every 2-3 hours.
Hot, dry and inflamed, with flushed face and feverish symptoms.
Ferrum phos 6x, a tissue salt, every 1-2 hours.
Sunstroke with stupefied, giddy, intoxicated feeling and band-like pain around the head.
Gelsemium 6c, every 2-3 hours.
Collapse after overexposure to the sun, with great coldness.
Camphor 6c, every 30 minutes.
Headache after sun exposure, like a thousand tiny hammers, with debility and thirst.
Nat mur 6x, a tissue salt, every 1-2 hours.
Sunstroke, more correctly called heatstroke, is a disorder of the body's heat-regulating mechanism caused by
overexposure to the sun or great heat, while in a humid atmosphere. It can also be brought about through excessive
exercise. Sunstroke shows symptoms similar to heat exhaustion--both have headache, dizziness and weakness--but
in sunstroke there is a high temperature and absence of sweating, while in heat exhaustion there is sweating with a
normal or below normal temperature.
Sunstroke can be dangerous. The high temperature should be brought down as quickly as possible, as above 104°F
(40°c) the person may collapse and become unconscious, with circulatory failure in severe cases. The immediate
treatment is to bring down the temperature by wrapping the person in a wet sheet, and create a draught by fanning
or switching on an electric fan. Keep the sheet wet and sponge the face. Once the person has cooled down, cover
with a dry sheet: if the temperature begins to climb again, allopathic treatment is immediately necessary.
Treatment
General treatment should include giving a little water to drink, with half a teaspoon of salt added per half-litre of
water, or an electrolyte replacer such as a sports drink. In stable cases, the following remedies can be used.
Sunstroke with hot dizzy sensation and bursting pressure. Person anxious and restless, worse from sitting up. The
skin is red and dry.
Aconite 6c, every 30-60 minutes.
Sunstroke with headache from the heat of the sun, with pounding head, flushed face and bloodshot eyes, person is
bathed in sweat.
Belladonna 6c, every 1-2 hours.
Sunstroke with violent, pounding headache, pale face and fixed eyes, white tongue and laboured breathing.
Glonoine 6c, every 2-3 hours.
Hot, dry and inflamed, with flushed face and feverish symptoms.
Ferrum phos 6x, a tissue salt, every 1-2 hours.
Sunstroke with stupefied, giddy, intoxicated feeling and band-like pain around the head.
Gelsemium 6c, every 2-3 hours.
Collapse after overexposure to the sun, with great coldness.
Camphor 6c, every 30 minutes.
Headache after sun exposure, like a thousand tiny hammers, with debility and thirst.
Nat mur 6x, a tissue salt, every 1-2 hours.
Sunburn
Sunburn
Sunburn may lead to nothing more than a temporary reddening of the skin, or it may progress to blistering and
deeper damage. It can be relieved temporarily by the application of aloe vera gel. Other external applications are as
for burns; some internal remedies follow.
Treatment
Sunburn with heat, redness and pain.
Ferrum phos 6x, a tissue salt, every 1-2 hours.
Sunburn with redness, heat and throbbing, worse from touch.
Belladonna 6c, every 1-2 hours until improved, then one dose every time the pain returns.
Sunburn, with large blisters, burning and containing clear or bloody liquid.
Cantharis 30c, every 3-4 hours for 1 day, then 1 dose every time the pain returns.
Sunburn peeling and leaving a raw, oozing surface, itching and burning.
Bufo 6c, every 1-2 hours.
Sunburn may lead to nothing more than a temporary reddening of the skin, or it may progress to blistering and
deeper damage. It can be relieved temporarily by the application of aloe vera gel. Other external applications are as
for burns; some internal remedies follow.
Treatment
Sunburn with heat, redness and pain.
Ferrum phos 6x, a tissue salt, every 1-2 hours.
Sunburn with redness, heat and throbbing, worse from touch.
Belladonna 6c, every 1-2 hours until improved, then one dose every time the pain returns.
Sunburn, with large blisters, burning and containing clear or bloody liquid.
Cantharis 30c, every 3-4 hours for 1 day, then 1 dose every time the pain returns.
Sunburn peeling and leaving a raw, oozing surface, itching and burning.
Bufo 6c, every 1-2 hours.
Sprains And Strains
Sprains and Strains
Strains occur when the ligaments around a joint have been stretched, and sprains when they have been torn. The
surrounding membranes of the joint may also be involved, resulting in fluid building up, which stretches the joint
capsule and limits joint movement. In all cases, pain, swelling and discoloration occur. If the joint is badly
displaced or wobbling, or impossible to straighten or bend, allopathic treatment is necessary, but can be followed
with advantage by homoeopathic treatment
Muscular problems, such as stiffness after unaccustomed exercise, have essentially the same treatment, so are
covered here as well.
Treatment
As a general treatment.
Apply ice packs immediately, externally.
For muscle strain after unaccustomed exercise, involving rupture, swelling and bruised pain.
Arnica tincture, diluted 1 in 10, applied locally as a firm compress;
Arnica 6c, internally, every 3-4 hours.
For a sprain or strain of joint, with painful ligament, tendon or bone.
Ruta grav tincture, diluted 1 in 10, externally.
Ruta grav 6c, internally, every 3-4 house.
For painful muscle and tendons, from overexertion, with pain that is worse on initial motion and better on
continued motion.
Rhus tox 6c, every 3-4 hours.
Strains occur when the ligaments around a joint have been stretched, and sprains when they have been torn. The
surrounding membranes of the joint may also be involved, resulting in fluid building up, which stretches the joint
capsule and limits joint movement. In all cases, pain, swelling and discoloration occur. If the joint is badly
displaced or wobbling, or impossible to straighten or bend, allopathic treatment is necessary, but can be followed
with advantage by homoeopathic treatment
Muscular problems, such as stiffness after unaccustomed exercise, have essentially the same treatment, so are
covered here as well.
Treatment
As a general treatment.
Apply ice packs immediately, externally.
For muscle strain after unaccustomed exercise, involving rupture, swelling and bruised pain.
Arnica tincture, diluted 1 in 10, applied locally as a firm compress;
Arnica 6c, internally, every 3-4 hours.
For a sprain or strain of joint, with painful ligament, tendon or bone.
Ruta grav tincture, diluted 1 in 10, externally.
Ruta grav 6c, internally, every 3-4 house.
For painful muscle and tendons, from overexertion, with pain that is worse on initial motion and better on
continued motion.
Rhus tox 6c, every 3-4 hours.
Puncture Wounds
Puncture Wounds
This type of wound is usually caused by a nail, thorn, splinter or similarly sharp-pointed object. Although the
wound may appear insignificant, deeper structures may be injured, or infection may be implanted. Damage to
important organs, or large blood vessels, requires allopathic treatment.
Watch for tetanus. The typical case of tetanus occurs from a sharp but dirty object that punctures the skin and
penetrates a short distance, with the wound closing over when the sharp object is withdrawn. The incubation period
for tetanus (the time taken for any implanted tetanus infection to produce enough toxin to affect the spinal cord)
may be anywhere from two to thirty days; the average is about ten. The longer the period of incubation, the milder
the disease. After any untreated deep puncture wounds, tetanus should always be suspected if the patient complains
of cramping, especially in the face or bowel. The following remedies can be used on puncture wounds while
allopathic advice is being immediately sought.
Treatment
General treatment externally.
Ledum tincture, 1 in 10 dilution.
General treatment internally.
Ledum 6c, every 3-4 hours for a few days.
If the wound is painful, and there are shooting pains.
Hypericum 6c, every 3-4 hours, each time pain returns.
This type of wound is usually caused by a nail, thorn, splinter or similarly sharp-pointed object. Although the
wound may appear insignificant, deeper structures may be injured, or infection may be implanted. Damage to
important organs, or large blood vessels, requires allopathic treatment.
Watch for tetanus. The typical case of tetanus occurs from a sharp but dirty object that punctures the skin and
penetrates a short distance, with the wound closing over when the sharp object is withdrawn. The incubation period
for tetanus (the time taken for any implanted tetanus infection to produce enough toxin to affect the spinal cord)
may be anywhere from two to thirty days; the average is about ten. The longer the period of incubation, the milder
the disease. After any untreated deep puncture wounds, tetanus should always be suspected if the patient complains
of cramping, especially in the face or bowel. The following remedies can be used on puncture wounds while
allopathic advice is being immediately sought.
Treatment
General treatment externally.
Ledum tincture, 1 in 10 dilution.
General treatment internally.
Ledum 6c, every 3-4 hours for a few days.
If the wound is painful, and there are shooting pains.
Hypericum 6c, every 3-4 hours, each time pain returns.
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