The book deals with var tous diagnostic methods, theory and practice of Ayut vedic Medicines, Causes, Treatment and prevention of most common diseases like Blood Pressure, Arthritis, Gout, Impotence, Leprosy, Diabetes and diseases of Infants, Urogenital system, Digestive system, Respiratory system, Fevers, Eyes, Ears, Teeth & Gums The author has adopted ‘A Heal Yourself’ approach so that the patient doesn’t have to shell out mutch of hard earned money It is hoped that this book will go a long way in ameliorating mental and physical suffering of the common man at very reasonable expense etDIAMOND POCKET BOOKS SELECTED BOOKS FOR ALL Natural Healing with Reiki Sukhdeepak Malvar 100 00 Unverling the Secrets of Reiki M Sul 195 00 Brihant Light of Reiki M M Subramamam 195 00 Wonders of Magnetotherap Dr § K Sharma 60 00 Nature Cure for Health & Happiness Dr Satish Goel 60 00 Family Homeopathic Guide Dr S K Sharma 60 00 Miracles of Urine Therapy Dr § K Sharma 40 00 Health in Your Hands Dr 8 K Sharma 80 00 Food for Good Health Dr § K Sharma 60 00 deve Therapy Dr S K Sharma 60 00 Be Young & Healthy for 100 Years Dr Pushpa Khurana 60 00 Pregnancy & Child Care Dr Satish Goel 60 00 Causes & Cure of Blood Pressure Dr Satish Goel 60 00 Gauses & Cure of Diabetes Dr Satish Goel 60 00 Ladies Summing Course Dr Satish Goel 60 00 Be Your Own Doctor Dr Kanta Gupta 50.00 Acupuncture & Acupressure Guide Dr Goel 8000 ‘The Awesome Challenge of AIDS Dr Pushpa Khurana 4000 Cancer-An Environmental Disease Dr Pushpa Khurana 60 00 Comprehensive Vaastushastra Pt Gopal Sharma 60 00 Sampuran Vaastushastra Dr Bhojray Dwived: 200 00 Commercial Vaastu Dr Bhojray Dwivech 200 00 Environmentel Vaastu. Dr Dwivedi 200 00 Practical Vaastushastra Acharaya 200 00 Study of Omens Dr Bhoray Dwived: 60 00 ‘Truth of Lafe Veena 4000 General Knowledge Today (1998) ev Arora. 40.00 ‘The Book of Best Quotations Dr B R Kishore 30.00 Nostradamus & Prophectes of the Next Millenam A K Sharma 150 00 Tabassum's Jokes (Translated by) B K Chaturvedr 35 00 Chankya B K Ghaturved 40.00 Chankya Nit: B K. Chaturvedi 4000 Akbar the Great B K- Chaturvech 35 00 Ashoka the Great B K Chaturvedi 35 00 Lord Budha B K Chaturvedi 3000 Kautilya Arthshastra BK Chaturvedi 4000 How to keep fit M Kumara 20 00 India A Guide Dr B K Kishore 250 00 Cheiro's. ages of the Hand Chemo 40 00 Ghewo's Book of Astro} Cherro 50 00 Chero's of Numerology Cherro 10 Find Le: & Speakmg course Knsbna Gopal vipal 30 00 Eve in the Indian Kitchen ‘Kastore 2000 Bamayane Dr B R Kishore 3000 Mahal ate Dr B R Kishore 3000 Gods & Goddesses of India K Chaturvedi 35 00 Fasts & Feoizvals of Indes Manish Verma, 35 00 Sangrah (Roman 25 00 Durga Chalisa (Roman) Bk cndtaves 25 00 ‘The Hymns & Orisons of Lord Sava (Roman) B K. Chaturvedi 25 00 Sn Hanuman Chalisa (Roman) B K Chaturvedi 2500 Rigveda Dr B R Kishore 50 00 Samveda Dr B R Kishore 50.00 Yaqurveda Dr B R Kishore 50.00 Es Centres of India Be Ghararvorh 5000 nt Fetus fourist Centers of india B Ie chaturvedt 0 00 Sn it Manas )SP 120.00 Qider books by VBP Postage Fa 6/- per book exira. Postage free on onier of three or more books, ood Rocket Books @) Led X-30, Okhla indusitia) Area, ¥ Nem ToDAyurvedic Cure For Common Diseases Acharya Vipul Rao © DIAMOND POCKET BOOKS© Publisher ISBN 81-7182-087-5 Publisher DIAMOND POCKET BOOKS (P) LTD X-30, Okhla Industrial Area, Phase-Il New Delhi-1 10020 Phone 011-6841033, 6822803, 6822804 Fax 011-6925020 Distributor PUNJABI PUSTAK BHANDAR Danba Kalan, Delhi-110006 Phone 3266232, 3266317 Price Rs 7500 Edition 1998 Laser Typeset at PRINT LINE COMPUTERS Printed at ADARSH PRINTERS Shahdara, Delhi-110032Life can exist within the ambit of certain limitations imposed by nature, nan hmseif society and local ens trons of course, including one’s own tracts Upkeep of body 1s prime and foremost duty of everv human being who cannot perform his vatious functions & duties when his body 1s ailing or ts not in a healthy state An ailing person can neither serve his own self nor, family and society, at large It 1s the units that constitute a society and no society can ever exist in the absence of its constituents In ancient times man lived near nature and whenever be got indisposed he cured himself by the resources and material ptovided by nature Whenever he astrayed from the path of nature, he suffered in the form of illness Illness 1s the resultant outcome of violation of laws of nature Hence, whenever a person got indisposed, he resorted to the use of herbs, fruits, vegetables, mineral waters, fresh air Even his daily food consisted of certain foodstuffs that helped him to stay healthy but, in case of illness, even simple modification in his dietary pattern sufficed to retrieve his health Ayurveda ts the science of life (better life), healthy and disease-free life It 1s the knowledge that 1s replete with guidelines which, if followed scrupulously and regularly, would spare the agony of disease It 1s the knowledge which carves out a health pattern based on natural resources. Disease, in fact, 1s a retribution of Nature. If we abide by laws of nature,we have hardly any chance to contact any disease but, conversely we will simply land ourselves in trouble Ayurveda ts based on sound principles of diagnosis which requires no clinical tests or costly investigations which are beyond reach of the common and less privileged person An adept Vaidya can always conclude the health status of a patient by simply feeling his pulse He won't ask irritating and offending questions, as he knows fully well that a person falls ill when the three humors viz, Vata (Air), Kapha (Phlegm) and Pitta (Bile) get imbalanced and disproportionate Whenevet, there 1s disturbance in these three humors, disease 1s the only outcome His chief aim, then, 1s to resotre balance amongst all the humors and when proper balance has been restored, disease will become non-existant There 1s an old concept, and quite weighty, justified and meaningful also, that the vegetations grown on a particular soil are capable of eradicating diseases Without fear of any contradiction this statement has stood the test of time and reason For instance, it has been generally observed that when a north Indian migrates to southern India or vice versa, he is hable to encounter certain diseases or, at least, some health problems but when he changes over to and adopts new region’s food habits his illness becomes a thing of the past But switch- over to new dietary pattern must not be abrupt and hasty, rather it should be gradual and systematic, as it takes time for the body to readjust itself and acclimatise In this small book, Ayurvedic treatment has been suggested in respect of only common diseases whereas the complex health problems should be got attended to by an expert on. In emergent situations, when patient’s life is in peril, the attendants must arrange for medical aid from the nearest physician, to whichever system of medicine he might belong. When crisis situation has been averted, the patient may be examined and treated by a physician of your choice No personal fads should govern choice of a physician or system.Certain patients have inate repugnance for a particula: doctor or system If you act against his will, be won’t co-operate Hence, let the will and choice of the patient prevail While suggesting various medications for specific and general diseases, some reference may be made to a particular company’s products which are considered to be more efficacious, easily available and cost-effective Mere mention of a company’s name must not be construed to mean that we patronising a particular unit/company There are many reliable, efficacious and easy available products of many companies which may be tried according to convenience and availability There 1s no choice when only a particular company produces a speciality but when processing 1s done by other companies, choice 1s wide open All said and done, medicines must be used which are produced by standard and established Ayurvedic companies We are indebted to Shri Narender Kumar, Managing Director of Diamond Pocket Books, for motivating to write this book and tendering his invaluable suggestions/guidelines from time to time May this book serve its intended purpose Achrya Vipul RaoCAUTION It 1s a myth to believe that Ayurvedic medicines are neither harmful nor do they react Any medicine that can act in one case can equally react in the othet case The medicines, teferred to in this book, ate merely suggested as a guidelines to the readers but element of reactions or harm cannot and must not be ruled out In view of the above caution, paticnts are advised to seek proper guidance and safeguaids from a qualified Ayurvedic physician before they use any medicine If, despite this precautionary warning, the patients still choose to act otherwise, they will be doing so at their own risk and responsibility in which case the author and the publisher shall not be accountable/responsible — PUBLISHERCONTENTS Chapter Page No. Foiewoid Caution Contents I How Human Body Functions 13 Digestive System 13 Respnatoty System 17 Circulatory System 19 Neivous Systems 22 Excretory System 27 Endoci ine Glands 30 Il Theory of Ayurveda And Basic Principles 33 Theoty of Tridosha 33 Aur (Vata) 35 Bile (Pitta) 37 Phlegm (Cough) 39 III. Diagnosis 42 Aur Predommant Personality Traits 43 Bile Predominant Personality Traits 43 Phlegm Pradominant Personality Traits 43 Proper Regimen —1n relation to diet, 43 Food & Allergies 45 Multiple Allergies 45 Recommended diet in Three Humours 46IV VI VIL Points Relating to Dosage, Frequency, Drug-Combinations, Medicinal Vehicles Prescription etc Disease And Body Constituents Food & Panch Bhootas Theory of Panch Karma Ayurvedic Treatment For Various Common Diseases Fevers Common Symptoms Forerunners of Fever Typhoid Fever Malarial Fever Rheumatic Fever Dengue Fever Miscellaneous Types of Fever Meningitis & Diphtheria Kala- Azar (Kalazar) Measles Chicken Pox Small Pox Diseases of Respirtaory System (Including diseases of Throat and Nose) Allergy factor in Respiratory Diseases Asthma Common Cold Influenza Cough Sore Throat Tonsillitis PneumoniaVIII IX Xi XII Tuberculosis and Tuberculosis of Lungs Bronchitis Whooping Cough Diseases of Digestive System Constipation Gastritis/Gastralgia Loose Motions/Diarrhoea Dysentety Dyspepsta/Indigestion Intestinal Worms Flatulence and Gas Ulcers of the Stomach Colic/Enteralgia Stomach/Abdominal colic Diseases of Eyes Conjunctivitis Trachoma Myopia Eye-Flu Diseases of Ears Inflammation & Pain in the Ear Discharge From the Ear Disease of Teeth & Gums Toothache Pyorrhoea Disease of Urogenital System Disease of kidneys Polyuria & Bed-Wetting Hematuria 102 107 109 111 Wi 114 116 118 119 122 124 125 127 128 129 129 130 131 132 133 133 134 135 136 137 139 139 143 143xm XIV Dysmenorrhoea Amenorrhoea Menoirhagia & Metrorthegia Lreucoirhoea Hysteia Complications of Pregnancy Diseases of Infants Common Diseases Directions Regarding Chiid-Care & Treatment Miscellaneous Diseases Eczema Urticaria Leprosy Blood Pressure (High) Blood Pressure (Lower) Sleeplessness (Insomnia) Coma/Comatose Vertigo/Giddiness Loss of Memory Paralysis Sciatica Headache Diabetes Mellitus Gout Rheumatism & Rheumatoid Arthritis Osteo-asthritis / arthrosis Sterility / Infertility-among Females Sterility among Males Frigidity Impotence Syphilis Gonorrhoea i4t HS 146 i47 14S i390 i Ururnan body is analogous to any machine If the Li: ss in peifect order but the operator 1s a ovice, either he will spoil it or render it inoperative But, if the operator 1s an adept and well-tramed, he can handle efficiently, even a not so good machine Same 1s the Condition of the body No machine can be run ata stretch {f we use it continuously without looking to its wear-and-tear, and also giving tt a proper test, we must not expect any fruitful performance and result It has to be rested, oiled and lubricated properly & each and every component checked thoroughly On the contrary, if a machine 1s not used, at all, or ts allowed not to have its full recommended run, it will waste away and rust. Thus, when put to function, it will not give the desired output and performance A machine 1s a composite whole of nuts, bolts, screws, channels, gadgets, attachments, appendages etc and each compartment is designed and devised to give a particular performance Now applying the said analogy to human body, we can divide it into following systems viz, (i) Digestive System (11) Respiratory System (i) Circulatory System 13(iv) Nervous Systems (v) Skeletal System (v1) Excretory System (vu) Endocrine Glands In order that the human body functions properly and meets various demands made on it, it 1s necessary that all the systems functions normally and efficiently If an organ 1s ailing, 1t would split the entire body to tethers, thus adversely affecting its normal discharge of functions For instance, if you have toothache, headache or stomachache (to name a few only), your entire body will get tense and channelise all its energy to throw out pain/ache For instance, 1f one member in a family is ill, entire famtly will go haywire Digestive System ORGANS OF DIGESTIONFood 1s the sustaining force of our body Without food no organ of the body can ever discharge its assigned function Food enters through mouth where it is broken upto into small particles which, after getting mixed with saliva, which 1s an alkaline fluid 1s swallowed down the throat Saliva helps to moisten, soften and liquify masticated food which enters pharynx, an expanded cavity wherefrom it passes into gullet which 1s a muscular organ, capable of forcing the food down, as and when required The gullet finally ends in the stomach This ts the first stage of digestion From the gullet, food reaches a hollow muscular bag- like organ, called stomach, lined by a glandular mucus membrane that secrets gastric yuice which 1s composed of water, pepsin, salts and hydrochloric acid Stomach turns the food round and round, up and down-— and thus food gets fully muxed up and gets ready to pass through the stomach wall, for proper nourishment of the body In addition, proteins and starches, which have not been fully digested come into the picture Oil and fat are broken up and oil 1s set free From here the food enters into the small intestines which 1s coiled up tube Then, it finally reaches the large tube, called Colon Bile produced by liver, pancreatic juices produced by pancreas and the intestinal juice, a secretion of small glands of bowel Imning gets mixed up with food The largest organ of the body 1s liver that has fine tubes, called bile ducts, mto which bile 1s secreted by its fine tubes that jom together so as to form the hepatic duct which, in turn, carries the bile to duodenum which 1s first segment of the small intestines Bile 1s an important secretion consisting of bile salts, yellow fluid, water and mucus Bile also acts on oils and fats so as to break them (both) into small drops Liver controls, sugar metabolism in the body and stores sufficient quantity of sugar within it Whenever our body needs energy it releases sugar into blood When liver 1s not healthy, it releases extra quantity of sugar into blood, which condition surfaces in the 15form of diabetes Excessive quantity of sugar released by liver into the blood stream 1s controlled by insulin [f quantity of sugat teleased ts on higher side and release of insulin is meagre, it will result in diabetes Conversely, if inadequate quantity of sugat ts 1eleased but imsulin teleased temains below requisite demand, it will result in hypoglycaemia (lack/absence of sugar in blood) Pancreatic juices act upon statches. proteins and fats Intestine pertorms two functions - it helps to absorb and digest food Atthis stage now the digested food passes through intestinal walls and is taken by the blood—the residual tood passes into the large intestine that 1s Colon, where it remains lodged up for 24 to 36 hours, whereas food stays in the small intestine for about twelve hours Large intestine has no part to play in the digestion and absorption of food Since the residual food 1s devoid of any wate: content, it hardens here and takes the shape of excreta or stools which finally reaches the rectum which discharges it via rectum and anus So, this 1s the whole process of various stages ot digestion which: 1s the core factor in sustaining the body If digestion 1s disordered, most of the diseases suttace Digestive system 1s the only system which has important and vital organs like stomach, pancreas spleen, large and small intestines and liver If your digestion 1s in order, your body 1s not likely to suffer from any major disorder, but, when digestion 1s disordered, host of diseases will torture the body We have dealt with this section, in some detail, as Ayurvedic theory rests mostly and to a large extent on digestive system Its basic tenet that constipation 1s the root cause of many physical problems, and tt also maintains that 1f stomach (and by the words ‘stomach’, Ayurveda implies entire digestive system) 1s in order, everything else shall also be in order So, if you wish to stay clear of ailments, take care of your stomach — that 1s digestion. Constipation 1s deemed to be the monster that triggers almost every problem that manifests human body 16Indigestion, dyspepsia, belching, gastritis, gastralgia, diarrhoea, dysentery or constipation, pain in abdomen, sugar (diabetes), acidity, sour eructations, risings, nausea, vomiting, water brash, piles, cancer or ulcers etc In any digestive organ, are the warning signals of nature that ‘stomach’ ts not in order Hence, take care of your stomach, and enjoy a disease-free life RESPIRATORY SYSTEM One lives as long as one breathes, as there is no existence of life independant of breathing which 1s called Prana’ — the sustaining force of the body Even, in English, we often hear that a person has breathed his life which means even the last breath has left his body If you wish to enjoy long and carefree life, try to control and regulate your breathing process Normal respiration or else laboured, interrupted, retarted or tripping breath 1s indicative of your erratic health status Just watch an asthmatic patient and watch how he gasps for fresh air and fights for life Major respiratory organs are 1 Nose 2 Throat (Larynx and Pharynx) 3 Lungs and windpipe Respiratory apparatus consists of the above-mentioned major parts We breathe through nose and let in fresh air which 1s full of oxygen — the life-giving force When we inhale, we breathe life into our body The nose is such a perfect air filter as it divests the air from foreign and harmful dust particles When we exhale, we let out toxic and harmful gases, like carbon dioxide If there 1s no congestion and obstruction in the nose, air-inlet will be smooth. One of the major causes for respiratory disorders 1s nasal blockade and resultant inhalation of impurities, especially when inhalation 1s through mouth 17View of Lungs and Windpipe When aur 1s inhaled, lungs expand but when it ts expelled lungs contract Lungs also mmpart purity to blood which is paused by oxygen so that heart could nurture the entire body ‘with blood, after lungs have removed all the impurities from blood Thus, lungs have twinfold functions, viz (1) To fortify the blood with oxygen and (i1) to divest the blood of its waste products, of course apart from respiration If lungs fail to expand and contract, as in the case of smokers and asthmatics, respiration, causes many problems In normal process, we don’t feel the process & presence of respiration. Those who are in the habit of breathing through mouth, must note that, by doing so, impurities and dust particles are also inhaled, whereas in case of nasal breathing such problems hardly surface. Further, mouthybreathing cannot be resorted to too frequently and regularly due to drying up of moisture 18Diaphragm Air reaches the lungs through the windpipe which ha: rings of gristles so as to keep it open. Lungs restore oxyger content in the tissues and also expel carbon dioxide. This way the oxygenated blood is supplied to all over the body, from whom muscles take it up to perform various functions of the body. CIRCULATORY SYSTEM If purified blood is not supplied to any organ of the body the concerned organ fails to discharge its individual function 19Proper and requisite blood supply is affected by heart that performs following functions 1 To receive blood and treat it 2 After treating, sending the same to lungs for purification and divesting it of the harmful substances 3 To supply blood to each and every part of the body, enabling it to discharge its various functions through different organs So, as 1s quite evident from the said description, blood is the core and sustaining factor of human system Main functions of blood can be determined as follows viz (1) To meet blood demand (as and when it arises) of concerned organs of the body (1) To carry away impurities from all parts of the body (in the blood) and dispatch it to excretory organs, viz kidneys, lungs, skin etc (u) To carry food from the digestive system and supply It to all body-tissues (av) To carry heat to all parts of the body Without blood there 1s no existence and justification of heart which is a hollow, muscular, conical, 4 chambered fibrous bag, almost equal to the size of closed fist of an indtvidual Heart is divided into two parts, from top to bottom, and each part has no direct relation except that both the upper and lower parts have a valve each between them Lower portions of the heart are called ventricles whereas the upper ones are known as Auricles. Since functions of heart constitute a principle factor in body functions, it won’t be out of place to describe, in short detail, all the relevant stages of blood circulation which runs as follows. It is the pumping action of the heart that accounts for functions of the body which can be gauged from the following diagrams as also the relevant description. 20Heart Front ANTERNAL COMMAN SJUGULARVEIN UD ART iNT JUGULAR EFT COMMON VEIN CAROTID. EXT JUGULAR VEIN SUPERIOR VENA, CAVA VENA CAVA As soon as the blood reaches the tissues of the body, it loses its oxygen content but, when it gets loaded with waste material released by the tissue, it becomes impures blood That reaches the heart by means of veins & capillaries Beats of the heart help the impure blood to gain entry into the mght ventricle where from it reaches the right ventricle (from where it reaches the lungs, by means of pulmonary artery) In the lungs, it is purified by oxygen Now, having been treated and purified, 1t goes back to the heart via the pulmonary vein Here, it enters the left auricle which when squeezes during heart- beat, carries/pushes the blood to the left ventricle and thereafter it starts its journey once again to all parts of the body. When heart 1s at rest, it 1s called ‘Diastole” but when it contracts it is called ‘Systole’, and these two volleys are expressed in terms of blood pressure. 21Heart (Right Side) 2 2 3 < 5 5 | Toy When the right and left ventricles contract, venous blood is pushed into the lungs and the aerated blood into the main blood vessels. NERVOUS SYSTEM Seat of Nervous System vests in the spinal cord and brain whereas Nerves are spread all over the body which carries its various functions, through various organs in consonance with the orders received from entire nervous system. A specific function is attributed to each and every organ of the body. 22The nerves that carry messages to muscles, with orders to carry the orders to perform a specific act, ale known as ‘Motor Nerves’ Brain ts the centre of nervous system which 1s confined within the skull itself The brain consists of white and grey matters The gray matter forms a superficial and thin matter (layer) called ‘Cortex’ which consists of three parts viz (1) the Cerebrum or say the bigger brain that controls our will, thought, sight, emotion, hearing, memory and sensation of pain, of course through the grey matter (11) the cerebellum or the smal! brain stands connected with co-ordination of actions of nervous and muscular origin by which movements of the body are carried on and finally (111) the Medula oblangata that houses the centres of nervous tissue connected with reflex actions which consist of movements that automatically take place, such as walking/breathing Another important part of nervou system 1s spinal cord which 1s cylindrical in shape Thirty-one pairs emerge from this cord Spinal cord serves as a central pivot of the skeleton which could not have stood erect had it not been supported by the spinal cord which stems from medulla oblangata (of brain) to coccyx (last bone also called ‘the tail bone’, of the spinal cord) For convenience of readers, we will give, hereunder, classified description of the spinal vertabrae (from up down wards) Neck or Cervical Vertabrael Nerves —- 1 to 8 Thoracic Nerves - 9to 20 Lumbar Nerves — 21 to 25 Sacral Nerves — 25 to 30 Coccyseal Nerves - 31 The above subdivision clearly spells out spinal nerves and the organs of the body to which are attached All our body organs, in one way or the other, are attached with spinal discs and nerves. As long as your spine is healthy & flexible, chances of disease are rather rare, and as long as there 1s proper gap between the spinal vertabra and there is no nerve-compression, 23health will, most likely, remain in good order It 1s said that you are young as long as your spine 1s young, elastic, flexible and healthy We have given a bit wider view of spinal nerves so that we fully know which part of our body is connected with a particular Spinal Nerve Main Arteries & Veins of the Head & Neck The human body cannot function efficiently if connection’ between brain and spine 1s disturbed Hence, to have a healthy body, health of brain and spine as extremely imperative, rather indispensible. If we carefully look at human body, (without skin covering), as shown in the above diagram, and also the organs which constitute it, it would be noticed that skeleton 1s like 24a bony cage, fully covered with flesh or skin Simply imagine how horrible and despicable the human body would have looked had it not been covered with flesh Bones constitute major portion of body weight the rest consisting of watei, blood, phlegm, excretory substances, minerals, bone marrow, calcium, phosphorus, sulphur, sodium etc Spinal Cord ‘vag astm i? 12 DORSAL OR THORACIC VERT MBIA * 3201S 25Bony Cage of the Body 1 Skull 2 Vertebral Column 3 Clavicle 4 Ribs 5 Sternum 6 Humerus 7 Radms 8 Ulna 9 Carpal Bones 10 Metacarpal Bones 11 Phalanges of the fingers 12 Ischrum 13, Metatarsal Bones 14 Tarsal Bones 15 Tibia 16 Fibula 17 Patella 18 Femur 19 Pubic Bone 20 [iliumInorganic substances provide elasticity, and minerals provide sturdiness to bones which can be divided into following types. Long bones Like bones of arms & legs Short bones _ Like bones of fingers and toes Flat bones Like bones of skull, breast and riles All the bones are interconnected and fused together Bones of neck, elbow, hands, knees and toes and can be twisted and moved Only the bones of elbows and knees have a particular system called ‘locking device’ which 1s a unique example of nature’s mystery Simply watch the quardruped animals walking, moving and getting up, and you can easily, then, understand that there 1s not much (rather none) difference If a human being walks like the quadrupeds, he will also notice no visible difference in body structures Bones of elbows and knees can bend only inwardly but never in the outer direction, though spinal cord can be bent sideways, in forward and reverse direction — but only to the point of sustaining endurance Since bony structure 1s the largest and heaviest area of human body within which entire human organs are housed, it 1s impossible to furnish even a surface view of the subject Both hands & feet are called upper and lower extremities of the body Major organs, described heretofore, also form part of the skeletal system EXCRETORY SYSTEM Sweat, urine and faeces are the major excretioins of body Ayurvedic theory is firmly of the view that if natural excretions of the body get retarded, deficient excessive or madequate, it results in various problems pertaining to urinary, digestive and skin-related disorders. Excretions are, in fact, waste products of the body which the body expels so as to rid the body of harmful toxities. Life can be endangered if urine, stools and sweat do not appear, for being excreted in a systematic manner. For instance, if urinary flow 1s not adequate or is excessive, when there are no stools for days together or else when there is diarrhoea, or if there is either absence/deficiency or total non-appearance of sweat, there is an open invitation to diseases related a specific human organ/system. 27Ayurveda believes that irregular, inadequate and untimely excretion of all such toxic matters from the body 1s indicative of diseases To stietch this argument further, it can be safely asserted that malfunctioning of stomach ts the root cause of many disoiders and further that constipative state causes many illnesses When toxins or excretions are not eacreted by related organs, the waste materials that should have been expelled and thrown of the body, vitiate our whole system, thereby causing many diseases to surface Expulsion of wind from mouth (by way of eructations) and/or anus (flatus), sneezing, phlegm eye-glue, etc are also other forms of excretions, though those are not porsonous/ toxic Lungs also help to exit toxins from out of the respiratory system This way nose, throat. lungs, rectum and anus, urinary/kidneys & other organ(s) and skin are the main excretory organs of the body which are also called, and quite rightly so, scavangers of the body system Urme : Urine continues to fall in the bladder drop-by- drop and when the latter 1s full, there 1s an urgency to make water Urine 1s a waste (liquid) product which 1s filtered by the kidneys If kidneys are diseased, urine cannot be filtered by the kidneys properly, resulting in toxic blood Kidneys are such a perfect filter that nothing, except waste products, can escape through But, in the the diseased state of kidneys, urine is not perfectly filtered, resulting in loss of vital products through passage of urine Healthy urine 1s that which contains odour (not offensive), light yellow colour, transparency If should not spurt out too quickly or too slowly in a_ divided or broken stream, should not scald the genitals, should be slightly hot and without any uritation or burning sensation A healthy person voids his bladder every 4-6 hours — though frequency and quantity 1s more in winter and diabetes, but far less during summer or when there 1s some venereal disease or some obstruction caused by formation of stones, narrow passage Infrequent, dark, yellow, red or black coloured, scalding urine 1s indicative of some infection. If you wish to stay clear of urinary problems, take plenty of oral liquids — preferably free from germs and bacteria In Ayurveda urine and its appearance 1s accorded a significant status, as it shows health status of a person. But 28presence of pus cells, R BCS or frank blood, burning, too frequent o: painful urination 1s clearly indication of some serious disorder of the kidneys or the urinary passage itself Stool : In Ayurveda stool is anothe: factor in the diagnosis Foi instance, if there 1s constipation or else loose motions (Diarrohea), mucus/blood tinged motions/stools, the patient is a likely victim to constipation, loose/bloody/mucus stools, flatulence, gastritis and gastralgia, abdominal pain, sour or acidic eructations, or acidity ete If you pass stools painfully or have to exert too much and the quantity of faecal matter expelled ts too small and there ts no satisfaction regarding the bowels having been cleared, there is bound to be headache, back pain, loss of appetite, belching, bleeding from rectum or anus, or else blind or bleeding piles All such symptoms indicate constipation, retarded bowel movement, lack of peristaltic action or impaction of bowels Let it be remembered that dietary indescretions, sedentary life style, lack of roughage (caused by branless cereals, green & leafy vegetables, fats, fruits) lead either to constipation or loose motions Both the situations are lable to cause physical upsets, as described above Faeces, being a resultant-end of waste products of the body like urine, will cause frequently serious problems if not attended to quickly Avoid or cure constipation or loose motions, either by proper dietary control or by medications but, in no case, either of the situations, should be allowed to prolong If this warning is ignored the only outcome is disease Habitual constipation is too serious a physical problem If you pass urine and stools without any problems and difficulty, you are a lucky person Skin : Entire human body is enveloped by Skin It has two layers viz the upper layer, called ‘Epidermis’ or scarf skin and the lower layer, called ‘dermis’ or true skin Upper layer 1s covered with hair through which noarishment reaches inside and toxins in the form sweat are excreted. Skin discharges following functions such as — (1) It helps to regulate temperature of the body, (11) Protects the body, (iu) Imparts sense of touch, (iv) It acts as an organ of excretion of waste products/ toxins, by the aid of sweat glands 29(v) Gives lustre, complextion and sensation to the body Skin is the only covering of body that lets the body experience variable temperatures Sebaceous glands serve as lubricants to keep it glowing and to it ward off its roughness But for the skin, our internal organs would have remained exposed to outside hazards Dermis ts richly supplied with blood vessels Skin also protects our body from dust heat, cold etc Since Human physiology and anatomy 1s quite an exhaustive subject, only relevant aspects have been explained briefly, though an effort has been made to touch upon all the important points It 1s not necessary to remeber names of all body organs but knowledge of interconnection amongst various organs helps to understand disease in a better and understandable way However, there 1s no necessity to burden the memory with complex names of organs, functions and disorders related therewith ENDOCRINE GLANDS These are ductless glands situated within the body, and exert influence almost on every metabolic function Most of changes occuring in the body, mind and intellect are attributed to hypo or hyperfunctioning and resultant secretions discharged by each one of them. Even behavioural patterns, mood variations, love, hatred, prejudice, nobility, capriciousness etc are governed by such glands If one of the glands does not function properly, functioning of other glands will also be automatically get adversely affected. There are eight endocrine glands whose nomeciation 1s stated hereunder. Pituatary Gland Pineal Gland Thyroid Gland Parathyroid Gland Thymus Gland Adrenal Gland Pancreatic Gland (Pancreas) Sex Glands (of both sexes) Lymph Gland YAY AYN- $0 90