De addiction packages in ayurveda deal with the ways and means to address the grave consequences associated with drug and liquor addiction. Drug and liquor addiction is a very grave social and economic problem affecting the individual, his family and the society to which he belongs. An individual becomes addicted to drugs or liquor and spends his time and money on satisfying his craving for liquor or drug. This destroys himself and his family economically and socially. It is generally felt that this drug addiction is a psycho- socio- medical problem and needs to be tackled in the entirety of the life situations of the addict.
Patients recovering from drug and liquor addiction exhibit several tendencies
temporarily such as loss of appetite, insomnia, headache, giddiness,
reduced sexual urge, numbness, suicidal thoughts etc.
Ayurveda system of medicine deals with this addiction problem in a very
systematic manner.
The de addiction packages recommended in ayurveda consist of rasayana
treatments, yoga, meditation and counseling as methods in the process
of de addiction. Ayurveda focuses on the mental aspect of the problem
and also emphasizes the role and responsibility of the family and his
social group in this de addiction process.
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 treatments in ayurveda are based on
individual body constitutions.
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 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.
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 de addiction
packages.
Sirodhara In this process herbal oil, medicated milk, medicated butter milk etc are
poured on the forehead in a special method for about 45-50 minutes. Ingredients
used in Sirodhara include gooseberry, nut
grass tuber, sandalwood etc.
Thalapothichil is the application of herbal paste on the scalp of a patient for a specific
period of time. Selected medicinal herbs, thoroughly ground and made in
to a fine paste, is thickly applied on the scalp of the person. The scalp
part of the head is then covered up with usually banana leaf to allow the
medicine to stay on and function well. This stays on the person’s head for
almost 40 to 50 minutes giving wonderful relaxation to the mind. Fruits
and herbs such as gooseberry, liquorices, asparagus,
henna, lotus seeds, sandal, nut
grass tuber etc are moisturized in buttermilk before grinding
it to paste form. The paste thus obtained becomes a rich blend of various
cooling agents.
Thakradhara is the profuse pouring of specially prepared buttermilk on the forehead
of the person for at least one hour. This cools down the brain, relaxes
the mind and reduces stress, tension and anxiety.
This butter milk is a mixture of assorted herbs and spices and also includes
such herbs as gooseberry, nut grass tuber, sandal wood, valerian, vetiver
and lotus etc. Gooseberry and lotus are excellent cooling agents.
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
suggested for De addiction patients are Virechanam, Vamanam and Vasthy.
Virechanam is the oral intake of safe herbal medicines leading to the elimination of
poisonous wastes through the anal route. The purgative medicine consists
of herbal powders, medicated castor oil or herbal paste. Avipathychooram,
the herbal powder which is generally used for virechanam is made out of
a mixture of herbs like turpith, embellia fruits, dry ginger, cardamom,long
pepper, cinnamon 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. It has been found to be highly
effective in the treatment of de addiction patients. Herbs generally used
in vamanam include – emetic nut, sweet
flag, liquoricesetc.
Vasthi is an enema therapy. It 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 for De addiction patients. Dill
seeds, honey, rock salt, herbal pastes, oils and decoctions
are the main ingredients used in vasthy. Vasthy helps to flush out the accumulated
wastes and toxins from the metabolic system.
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 in De addiction
package consist of oral medicines and diet regulations.
for de addiction patients 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 treat de addiction patients. Kashayam and Arishtam - herbal decoctions and fermentations Lehyams – semi solid formulation are commonly prescribed.
Herbs such as Aswaghanda and Chamomile are included in the medicinal preparations
like medicated ghee as these calm the mind, remove lung smoke and heal
lung tissues. Cloves, ginger,
pepper etc are taken with honey and lemon juice as these help relieve
the congestion that has occurred due to smoking and drinking. It is to
be realized that Aloe Vera Gel is the most suitable herb for balancing
liver functions that has gone out of balance due to addiction. Shatavari
herbs are used in medicinal preparations that help to restore emotional
sensitivity. Brahmin, vasthimadhu and gudduchi are included in medicines
and preparations that are used for boosting intelligence and for strengthening
the nerve system.
Besides, consumption of herbal wines made of herbs such as liquorices,
bala, turmeric, dry ginger ,barberry etc are both beneficial for health
and also are a real substitute for alcohol . Consumption of these wines
will help those undergoing de addiction treatments to completely eliminate
their dependence and craving for alcohol.
Almonds, sesame , bael, asafetida, lotus,
coriander etc are also some of the other medicinal herbs used in various
other preparations to be given as part of the de addiction process. 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
Regulation will be suggested for patients undergoing De addiction treatments.
Ayurveda diet provides adequate nutrition as well as rest for the needed
organs.
The diet suggested for de addiction patients would vary from patient to
patient depending upon the intensity of his addiction and his physical health.
Diets for de addiction patients should include vayu and pita reducing foods
especially barley. But generally they should consume a diet low in fat and
rich in proteins and carbohydrates. They should cut down on the intake of
coffee, tea and salt and should avoid alcohol completely. Consumption of
foods rich in fibre content is to be encouraged. It is better to consume
several light meals in a day rather than consuming one or two heavy meals.
Consumption of hot, garlic and spicy foods should also be avoided at all
costs.
However, you can consult your ayurveda doctor and it is he who will prescribe
the most suitable diet for you based on your prakruthi.
Yoga and meditation are proven and effective ways to develop and maintain
perfect harmony and balance in our body systems. It provides us with immunity
against all diseases. It alters brain wave activities reflecting in increased
relaxation and a better focused mind.
Yoga and meditation are particularly beneficial for de addiction patients.
These help an individual to break bad habits and purify his body, mind and
soul. It also helps him to realize the full potential inherent in himself.
As drug addiction is a mental craving , de addiction patients will gain
much by following yoga and meditation. Yoga and Meditation will also help
an individual realize the grave social and economic harm he has brought
on himself by his addiction. The benefits of yoga and meditation in the
de addiction process cannot be minimized.
Counseling: Ayurveda system of medicine attaches importance to counseling
as part of the de addiction package. This will help to determine the root
cause of addiction. Counseling by an expert will help to resist the temptation
to indulge in taking to drugs and alcohol once again. This will help him
to get rid of suicidal tendencies, acute anxiety, restlessness etc.The expert
will also enlighten the former addict on the social and economic implications
of his drug addiction .
Life style: Persons undergoing de addiction packages are recommended to
avoid tension and worry in their daily lives. It is suggested that they
undertake short walk in open fields and gardens as these provide serenity
and uplift the mind and soul. Cycling and swimming are also recommended.De
addiction patients should have sufficient sleep and take part in social
get together and become involved in social groups. This will help them to
be active group members and they will soon realize the futility of following
an individualistic path and their drug addiction. Light entertainments like
listening to music, watching entertaining movies, rearing pets etc have
been found to pacify the excited and disturbed body and mind and speed up
the recovery process in de addiction patients.
It is advised to take at least one or two weeks of rest after the panchakarma
experience. At this time the body is weak after a purification process and
needs time to get back to normalcy. One should also avoid strenuous exercises,
late nights, too much television and other stimulating experiences etc.
