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 dosha in a person is found by asking several questions on his behaviour, 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 Ayurveda 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 advise is strictly followed. The results will manifest itself normally after 3 to 4 weeks as the body takes time to regenerate itself.

Pre purification therapies
The following pre purification methods are usually adopted for chemotherapy rehabilitation.Your Ayurveda Doctor will decide the appropriate therapy for you.

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, nut grass tuber, winter cherry etc in gingelly oil, coconut oil, ghee and milk. Sirodhara is highly effective for chemotherapy rehabilitation.

Thailadhara is a continuous showering and massaging process of the whole body using warm medicated oil to activate the muscles and nerve endings. White lead wort, malabar nut, liquorice, sesame oil etc. are the commonly used ingredients.

Abhyangam is whole body massage from head to toe using warm medicated oil such as Brahmi oil, sunflower oil or neem oil. These oils are mixed in herbs such as country mallow or winter cherry. Massaging is done by two persons and lasts for 45 minutes. It nourishes the body, increases vitality and provides immunity from various diseases. It is highly recommended in patients recuperating from the after effects of chemotherapy.

Main purification therapies for Chemotherapy Rehabilitation.

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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 commonly adopted Panchakarma treatments for chemotherapy rehabilitation are:

• Nasyam
• vamanam
• Virechanam
• 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 blend of sesame oil mixed with herbs such as sida plants, bael and vitex etc. Nasyam is found to be highly effective for chemotherapy rehabilitation.

Vamanam also known as therapeutic vomiting is a method of treatment in ayurveda that eliminates the vitiated doshas (waste products) through the upper gastro-intestinal track. It expels and cleanses undigested food. It is highly recommended for chemotherapy rehabilitation. Herbs generally used in vamanam include - emetic nut, sweet flag, liquorice etc.

Virechanam is a process of body purification. It is the oral intake of safe herbal medicines using herbs such as dry ginger, cardamom, long pepper, cinnamon etc leading to the elimination of poisonous wastes through the anal route. Virechan is recommended for patients recuperating from the after effects of chemotherapy.

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, herbal pastes, oils and decoctions are the main ingredients used in vasthy.

Rasayana treatments are rejuvenation treatments that bring in vitality in to the body constitution. These treatments help to reduce the adverse impact of chemotherapy and enhance the immune system. It also brings in mental competence, increased vitality and vigour.

Rasayana drugs are highly effective. These directly enrich the body tissues. These improve digestion and metabolism. They facilitate a better blood circulation and helps in the easy reach of nutrients to all parts of the body. This ultimately helps in reducing the ill effects of chemotherapy and brings in all round health and vitality. Studies conducted at All Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi, have revealed that herbal remedies reduce side effects of chemotherapy. Herbal preparations for chemotherapy rehabilitation will also include spices such as pepper, tulsi, brahmi, guggul, turmeric, amla etc

Diet regulations for Chemotherapy Rehabilitation

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A selective list of food items are recommended in ayurveda for chemotherapy rehabilitation patients. This should form the very basis of food intake. Fresh juice of fruits, fresh cow's milk, cow's ghee, butter, vegetables and wheat grass should be taken in abundance. Honey should be consumed regularly as it spreads immediately through out the body and penetrates to the deepest tissues without being first digested.

These foods rejuvenate the body that has gone out of balance .It brings back strength; vigour and vitality. It strengthens the immunity system and insulates the body against future diseases.

Tea, coffee, salt, sugar, bitter foods, alcohol, refined cereals, fried foods etc are, however, to be avoided.

Meditation for Chemotherapy Rehabilitation

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Meditation Recuperation of a cancer patient is a physical, emotional and spiritual process. Each is complimentary to each other and cannot be substituted either.

Meditation plays a vital role in the recovery process of every cancer patient. Cancer brings in negative thoughts and feelings and reduces confidence. Meditation bolsters self esteem and brings a sense of purpose. . It helps one to take a positive attitude to life. It eliminates fear. It lowers blood pressure and reduces anxiety. Meditation boosts creativity, relaxes, conditions and rejuvenates the mind and body. It ensures a perfect balance of the body, mind and soul.

Meditation is of great help in bringing about an attitudinal change in our mental make up. This will reduce the external manifestations of chemotherapy by building up our internal resistance. Every disease has a mental origin. This is followed by an imbalance in the functioning of the tridoshas. Meditation provides immunity against diseases by keeping our minds in perfect balance. Meditation has proven to be highly effective for chemotherapy rehabilitation.