Epilepsy, popularly known as Apasmara or the falling disease in Ayurveda, is a neurological disorder characterized by sudden recurring fits of seizures with or without loss of conscience. The symptoms of epilepsy include violent convulsions, twitching of the muscles, biting of the tongue, distorted fixation of limbs, rotation of the head etc. The origin of epilepsy can be traced to the central nervous system and it affects both children and adults alike. In some cases, it takes the form of hysteria. In Ayurveda epilepsy is divided in to two major categories: petit mal (minor form) and the grand mal (major form).
According to the Ayurveda system of medicine, epilepsy is a result of the vitiation of the vata dosha and that which particularly affects the head. It is the vata force in the human body that controls the nervous system and is associated with air and either.
This vitiation of vata dosha could come about as a result of various causes including injury to the brain or the nervous system, suffering serious mental shock and being afflicted by diseases such as meningitis or typhoid etc. It has been noticed that allergic reaction to certain food substances can also cause epilepsy in certain persons. Disorders of the circulatory system, digestive disorders, excessive consumption of alcohol and drugs, excessive mental tension, lead poisoning and deficient mineral assimilation etc may also cause epilepsy.
The symptoms manifested by both petit mal and grand mal are rather different. In the case of petit mal, there is a temporary loss of conscience, with no convulsions except a slight rigidity. The duration of the attack is also for a limited period only and does not in most cases exceed a few seconds.
But in the case of grand mal, the symptoms vary dramatically. There will be violent convulsions accompanied by sudden loss of conscience, twitching of the muscles and biting of the tongue. There will also be distorted fixation of limbs and rotation of the head.s.
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. 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 dosha in a person is found by asking several questions on his behavior, food habits, sleeping patterns, 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 humour 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 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 .
The Panchakarma Treatments are meant to flush out the toxins, They are 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.
The Rasayana Therapies are meant to nourish the body, to bring the doshas back to balance and to regenerate the body.These comprise diet regulations, daily regimens, intake of oral medicines and ayurveda tonics, yoga and a stress free life. After the treatment the ayurveda doctors will advise you how to lead a healthy life. The beneifts and results of the treatment are shown only after the Rasyana Treatment is over and doctors advise is strictly followed. The results will manifest itself normally after 3 to 4 weeks as the body takes time to regenerate itself.
Panchakarma for Epilepsy 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 epilepsy Snehapanam is an important pre purification therapy for epilepsy which consists of oral intake of medicated ghee and sesame oil for a specified number of days. This unique treatment helps to flush out the toxins from the body. Amaltas, guggul, ginger, neem, onion, chopchini, tribhala etc. are the ingredients used for its preparation.
Swedanam is the process by which the body is made to sweat and perspire thus throwing out the waste products and ridding the body off impurities through the sweat glands. Through this process, all the channels are cleared and clogging is avoided. This is highly effective for epilepsy.
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, liquorice, tuber, winter etc in gingelly oil, coconut oil, ghee or milk. This pouring of warm herbal oil cools the brain and thus the central nervous system. It is very effective in the treatment of epilepsy.
Thalam Special powders mixed with medicated oil is applied on the vertex of the head and retained for 20 to 45 minutes. Thalam therapy directly affects the central nervous system and is very effective as a pre purification therapy for epilepsy. The medicinal herbs and spices used in preparing this special powder for thalam include those of the Sida plant, Indian Penny wort and the Staff tree.
This is the phase of elimination of toxins that were loosened at the pre purification treatment stage. These main purification therapies for epilepsy are highly potential methods and are usually overseen by doctors. The commonly adopted Panchakarma treatments for epilepsy are Nasyam, Vamanam, Virechanam and Vasthi.
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.
Vamanam- is also known as therapeutic vomiting. It is a treatment that eliminates the vitiated doshas (waste products) through the upper gastro-intestinal track. It expels and cleanses undigested food. Vamanam therapy is highly beneficial in treating epilepsy. Herbs generally used in vamanam include - emetic nut, sweet flag, liquorices etc.
Virechanam consists of the oral intake of safe herbal medicines leading to the elimination of poisonous wastes through the anal route. This cleansing of the mid zone benefits the entire body system. The appetite and body strength increases making you a more active and energetic person.
Vasthi is an enema therapy and is considered the ace colon cleaning panchakarma treatment. In this form of treatment special medicines are introduced through the anal route for the evacuation of accumulated toxins and metabolic wastes. It is highly recommended in the treatment of epilepsy.
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 includes oral medicines and diet regulation
The oral medicines used for epilepsy 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 epilepsy. Kashayam and Arishtam - herbal decoctions and fermentations Lehyams - semi solid formulation are commonly prescribed. Brahmi, Sanku puspam, Malkagni, and jata manzi are a few of the herbs used in the preparation of kashayams and aristams for the use of epilepsy patients.
Diet regulation will be suggested for patients suffering from epilepsy during and after the panchakarma treatments. Fresh organic fruits and vegetables are to be consumed. Epilepsy patients are especially advised to consume rice, milk, cereals, legumes, carrots, peanuts, green leafy vegetables, oranges, grapes, grapefruits, peaches, pears, pineapples, melons etc.
However, there are some restrictions on certain types of foods that they should avoid. Pungent, fried, hot and spicy foods are best avoided. They should also cut down on the consumption of sweets including sugar, strong tea and coffee. Consumption of alcohol and all forms of alcoholic beverages are strictly forbidden. Epilepsy patients are also advised to consume several light meals instead of one heavy meal.You can find out your type of prakruthi and decide a diet for yourself.
Yoga and meditation are always beneficial and have always played a vital part in curing every type of disease. Epilepsy patients are advised to do yoga and meditation on a regular basis. Yoga exercises done every day replenish and rebalance the physical and emotional systems that are depleted by the everyday stresses that lie so heavy on our lives. Yoga makes it possible to rest on a strong base of confidence and strength within oneself.
Life Style for Epilepsy: Patients suffering from epilepsy should avoid tension, worry and anxiety in their daily lives. It is also advised that they follow a daily routine. They should keep themselves busy through out the day so as not to indulge in undue worries. Excitements of all kinds should be avoided. Epilepsy patients should undergo regular massage of the head and soles of their feet with sesame oil. It is recommended that epilepsy patients take at least one or two weeks of rest after the Panchakarma treatments. Because, at this time, the body is weak after the purification process and needs time to get back to normalcy.
