PRACTITIONER VOICE
application of blends with cooling essential oils of Mogra ( Jasminum sambac ), Gulheena ( Lawsonia alba ), a rare variety of vetiver called Rhukhus ( Vetivera zizanoid ), Rose ( Rosa damascena ), Sandalwood ( Santalum album ) and Jatamansi ( Nardeostachys jatamansi ) in cooling-base oils rich in EFAs , such as Brahmi and Amla , which has helped greatly with stress ). Use of Brahmi ( Bacopa monnieri ) and Jatamansi as herbs also helps the mind and nervous system , thereby enhancing our immune system as well .
Irregular periods are very common , often associated with PCOS and endometriosis . In times past women were advised to rest to restore balance . These days , due to the pressures of work and the fact that women often change roles , they are often not taking sufficient care of themselves , so changing their diet and giving them a daily routine is of utmost importance . Yoga also helps greatly , as do meditation and Pranayama .
Bowen therapy can be extremely effective , as it is truly a Marma chikitsa as it balances the Marmas , the Nadis , the chakras , and the Panch Mahabhootas ( the five basic or great elements , air , water , ether , fire , earth ) and the Doshas . ( Chikitsa in Ayurveda is used to refer to any type of treatment or therapy intended to correct an imbalance or manage a specific illness ).
Case study
Many young women are under pressure to have a child , and they can be made to feel inadequate and unfulfilled by either their partners or their families if they don ’ t . One such case comes to mind .
Patient background She was in her late twenties when she was referred to me by another client who was herself having a lot of stagnation , congestion and PCOS and had not had her periods for over six months at a time . ( Finally , through our treatment protocols her menstrual cycle regularised and she did conceive ).
“ I recommended she add ghee to her diet as this would nourish her tissues and her organs and balance her digestive fires and calm her system .”
This lady referred by her had developed rheumatoid arthritis and could barely move without pain . She was on medications before she came to me and had stopped taking them , as , according to her , they were not helping . She was also given some Ayurveda herbs and medications in India which she took for a while , but because she was prescribed too many and had no definite results she stopped . There was a lot of anxiety through family pressures for her to conceive . She was also working full time .
Treatment approach We discussed that first she needed to get her body and her mind into balance and to strengthen and restore herself , preparing her womb to be strong enough to conceive and carry a child . I also told her we do not make claims to cures , and she should be in touch with her GP for her blood tests etc . She was willing to take on the journey and we first treated her for her anxiety .
During consultation I noticed that her acidity levels were very high . She had a high Pitta disorder , and was very acidic and predominantly vatic in her constitution . She had a lot of dry heat . We addressed her anxiety first and then we started addressing her menstrual cycle together with her arthritic condition .
I prepared a dinacharya or a daily routine .
Diet Her diet was not the best . I asked her to avoid wheat , strong spices , tomatoes , daals except mung , chicken and meats , and to have only deep sea fish as protein . She was to have no acidic foods at all , such as pickles and vinegar , as this could also contribute to her rheumatoid arthritic condition .
I recommended she add ghee to her diet as this would nourish her tissues and her organs and balance her digestive fires and calm her system . She was to take warm water morning and night .
I recommended that she eat alkaline foods , with juice every morning of beetroot , celery , carrot , lots of coriander leaves . After two months on this regimen she became fitter and generally healthier . I also recommended including essential greens of barley grass , spirulina and wheat grass , chlorella and to add chlorophyll to her water and drinks .
I also recommended magnesium and vitamins C and D , and that she soak dhanya ( coriander ) seeds overnight and drink the water the next morning , as that could help reduce inflammation and cleanse the kidneys ; and a warm decoction of ginger , cumin , coriander seeds , tulasi leaves , cinnamon , cardamom and turmeric every day two to three times at least with fresh lime and honey to strengthen her immunity .
I treated her with application of herbal oil decoctions ( no massage , only gentle application as she was having Bowen therapy , which can be negated with massage ). To apply Ayurveda herbal oil decoctions , I used Mahnarayan oil , which is a herbal oil decoction , together with Chandanbala lakshadi to bring about a synergy as the two combined would give her the appropriate warmth to balance the Doshas and the musculoskeletal strength she needed ,
226 | vol30 | no4 | JATMS