Parkinson's Disease

All treatments in Ayurveda are prescribed only after a careful diagnosis of the patient's body constitution, family history, sex, age, stage of the disease etc. This will enable the patient to receive treatments that are specifically suited to his very needs. Ayurveda treatments will therefore vary from patient to patient.

The first consultation with an Ayurveda doctor, including the diagnosis will last for more than an hour. The basic step in the diagnosis will be to find the person's body humour (Dosha) - Vata, Pita or Kapha, because it is the imbalance of these body humours that create every disease.

The dominance of a particular doshas in a person is found by asking several questions on his behaviour, food habits, sleeping patterns and personal details like age, height, weight, place of life, profession, health problems and medical reports etc. Ayurveda diagnosis comprises of clinical and laboratory tests also. The doctor can decide if an Ayurveda treatment is helpful on providing these details.

Pulse, tongue, nail, and eye examinations are important diagnosis methods used to reveal a person's body humor and its imbalance. This will help the doctor in treating the disease.

Pulse diagnosis in Ayurveda is not just counting the beats. It also reveals the health status of the entire body constitution, including the dosha imbalance and the health of the various body organs.

In tongue diagnosis, the doctor checks the general appearance, colour and the coating of the tongue. In Ayurveda, as different areas of the tongue correspond to different organs of the body, the Ayurvedic practitioner can determine which organs of the body are out of balance by having a detailed tongue examination.

Nail examination is done to check the type, colour and shape of the person’s nail. Imbalances of doshas are easily detected on close examination.

In the eye diagnosis the colour, size and even the shape of the eyes are important in determining the dosha dominance of a person. His mental status, nervousness, anxiety, confidence level etc can also be learned through eye diagnosis.

A preliminary consultation with Ayurveda doctors online is also possible nowadays for guests worldwide .

After the diagnosis, the doctor sets out to treat the patient in a very systematic manner. This would include a set of appropriate Panchakarma treatments and Rasayana therapies. These treatments are meant to flush out the toxins, to nourish the body, to bring the doshas back to balance and to regenerate the body.

They are, however, classified as pre-purification, main purification and post purification phases and include various types of therapies like oil massages, fermented liquid massages, medicinal enemas, herbal purification methods, diet regulations, daily regimens, intake of oral medicines etc.

The treatments suggested here are for general guidance only. It may vary according to the decision of the doctor for each person.

Pre-purification therapies are the first ones applied to loosen the toxins, open up the circulation channels and get the body ready for discarding these wastes. These methods are highly relaxing for the body and mind.

The following pre-purification methods are usually adopted in the treatment of Parkinson's disease

Sirodhara therapy refers to the Pouring of warm medicated herbal oil on the person's forehead, non stop, for about 30 to 40 minutes from a suspended oil filled vessel hung 3 or 4 inches above the patient. The medicated oil is made by boiling herbs and fruits such as gooseberry, bala, sandalwood, bael, liquorices, nut grass tuber,winter cherry etc in gingely oil, coconut oil, ghee and milk

Njavarakizhi a process in which the whole body or any specific part thereof is made to perspire by applying custom made cotton pouches containing medicated rice cooked with herbal decoction and milk is called njavarakizhi. This is an extended treatment and lasts for two to three weeks. sida, spreading hog weed, winter cherry, are the herbs used in making the decoction.

Thalam Retention of medicated paste or oil right on the vertex of a person for over 30 minutes is termed thalam. The therapeutic effects of herbs and oils pass on to the central and autonomous nervous system through the brain.Indian pennywort, staff tree, sida plant, rasna etc are some of the medicinal herbs used in preparing the herbal paste.

Thalapothichil It is the application of herbal paste on the scalp of a patient for nearly 40 to 50 minutes and then covering it with banana leaves. The process cools the brain and provides wonderful relaxation to the mind. Fruits and herbs such as gooseberry, Liquorice, asparagus, henna, lotus seeds, sandal, nut grass tuber etc are used in the preparation of this herbal paste.

Main Purification Therapies for Parkinson's disease

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Main purification therapies This is the phase of elimination of toxins that were loosened at the pre purification treatment stage. These therapies are highly potential methods and are usually overseen by doctors. The two commonly adopted Panchakarma treatments for Parkinson's disease are Nasyam and Vasthy


Nasyam is the pouring of herbal oil in drops in to the nostrils and inhaling the contents. This opens up the head channels and enables the herb extracts to act directly on the central nervous system. Nasyam treatment lasts for twenty to thirty minutes. The herbal oil is a mixture of sesame oil and herbs such as Sida plants, Bel and Vitex etc.

Vasthi An effective enema therapy, 'Vasthi' is termed as the ace colon cleaning panchakarma treatment where special medicines are introduced through the anal route for the evacuation of accumulated toxins and metabolic wastes. Dill seeds, honey, rock salt,Dill seeds, herbal pastes, oils and decoctions are the main ingredients used in vasthy.

These are body nourishing therapies to rejuvenate the body and mind after the Panchakarma treatments. They keep the enzymes in the tissue cells in their normal functioning condition, restore and balance the body functions and maintain the overall health and well being of an individual for much longer periods after the Panchakarma course. Rasayana treatments for Parkinson's disease consist of oral medicines and diet regulation.

Oral medicines for Parkinson's disease

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Herbal medicines form an important part of any Ayurvedic treatment. Oral medicines for Parkinson's disease will be extracts of pure medicinal herbs, leaves, spices etc. These are prepared specifically to restore the lost balance and to provide the needed inputs to cure Parkinson's disease. Kashayam and Arishtam - herbal decoctions and fermentations Lehyams - semi solid formulation are commonly prescribed.

liquorice, gooseberry, bael, Winter cherry, nut grass tuber, Henna, Asparagus etc are some of the medicinal herbs used in the preparation of kashayams, lehyams and aristams for the use of Parkinson's disease patients.

The type and quantity of the medicines to be taken are decided by the doctor after a detailed consultation and examination. The patient's body type, age etc are also important factors to be considered.

Diet regulations for Parkinson's disease

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will be suggested for patients suffering from Parkinson's disease. Proper diet is a brilliant means of controlling and curing this disease. Ayurveda diet provides adequate nutrition as well as rest for the needed organs.

Patients are advised to eat a well balanced high fiber content diet. They are to consume large quantities of leafy vegetables; vegetable juices especially carrot juices, fruits, sprouted grains, seaweeds, raw sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds etc. They should cut down on high protein foods. Consumption of organic foods is to be encouraged at all times.

They should avoid processed and chemicalized foods, alcohol, coffee caffeinated tea and excess intake of hot spices, sugar and tobacco. They should also drink six to eight glasses of water a day as it helps to flush out the toxins from the body.

You can find out your type of Prakruthi and decide a diet for yourself.

Patients must realize the fact that their life is being changed and cannot fully live in the way they were accustomed to. They should not feel it below their dignity to seek the help of others. They should avoid tension and worry in their daily lives and lead a calm, contented and peaceful life.