2.5.

3 Dietary Management and Lifestyle Changes

Dietary and lifestyle interventions are initiated according to the disturbed dosas and

the physical and mental constitution of a person; these interventions are accompanied

by spiritual nurturing, removing serious worry, exercise, and yoga practice. If vata

were disturbed, the diet would include oils, butter, and sweet food. If kapha were

disturbed, the diet would include bitter, sour, vinegary, spicy, dry food. If pitta were

disturbed, the diet would include mild tasting food, grains, lentils, and moderate

amounts of sweets and oils. Patients are given a restricted diet of small quantities of

mung dal (a type of lentil) or yogurt and rice. Depriving the patient of drinking water

helps in ascites, edema, and certain kidney diseases where large amounts of water are

retained in the body.

TABLE 2.10

Group of Herbs To Mitigate Kapha 3

Aragvadhadi Group (used to treat vomiting, leprosy, fevers, mitigate kapha, itching,

diabetes, and clean bad wounds)

Medicinal Plant Botanical Name

Aragvadha Cassia fistula

Indrajava Holerrhina antidysenterica wall

Patali Stereospermum colais

Kakatitka Abrus precatorius Linn.

Nimba Azadirachta indica A.

Amrata Tinospora cordifolia Miers

Madhurasa Marsedenia tenacissima

Sruvavrksa Flacourtia indica

Patha Steohania japonica Miers

Bhunimba Andrographis paniculata

Sairyaka Barleria prionitis Linn.

Patala Cydonia oblonga

Two Karanja Pongamia pinnata

Saptacchada Alstonia scholaris R.

Agni Plymbago zeylanica Linn.

Susavi Momoridca chirantia Linn.

Phalsa Grewia subinaequalis DC

Bana Barleria stringosa

Ghonta Acaia catechu Willd badari (Hem), Zyziphus

jujuba Lam.

Arka Calotropis gigantea (L.)

Alarka Calotropis procera

Nagadanti Croton oblongifolius

Visalya Gloriosa superba Linn.

Bharangi Clerodendrum indicum

Rasna Acampe papikkosa

Vrscikali Pergularia extensa

Prakirya Cesalpinia bonducella Fleming

Pratyakpuspi Achyranthes aspera Linn.

Pitataila Abrus precatorius Linn.

Udakirya Pongamia glabra Vent.

© 2004 by CRC Press LLCHealth Care and Disease Management 25

Healthy lifestyle is very important to maximize the effect of palliative treatment.

Ayurveda strongly recommends that the patient utilize a regular sleeping schedule, about
8 hours of sleep each night, rising early in the morning; do regular exercise; and eat

breakfast and engage in other dietary recommendations according to seasons. In order to

maximize the effectiveness of palliative treatment, Vyayam (exercise, yoga, stretching),

breathing exercises, and sunbathing are necessary. It is important that some appropriate

form of exercise be done at a maximum tolerated effect (MTE) level during the treatment

period; this may be with the help of a physical fitness trainer. The concept of MTE is

similar to a therapeutic dose of pharmacologic agents to get maximum beneficial effect.

Exercise is likely to create a need for nutrients inside the cells. It is believed to open up

the microchannels (shrotas) in the body cell for nutrients and for medicine to enter. It is

particularly important in maximizing the effectiveness of therapies in management as well

as prevention of chronic musculoskeletal disorders.

TABLE 2.11

Ayurvedic Herbs Known To Have Confirmed Therapeutic Effects

Disease/Symptoms Herb Popular Name

Edema Achyranthes aspera Linn. Apamarga

Mental distress Acorus calamus Linn. Vacha

Bronchiolar constriction Adhatoda zeylanica Medic. Vasa

Intestinal worms Butea monosperma Lam Palasha

Arthritis, inflammation, and

high cholesterol

Commiphora mukul Wightii Guggul

Bone fracture Cissus quadrangularis Linn. Vajravalli

Malaria Alstonia scholaris R. Br. Saptaparna

Liver disorders Andrographis paniculata Nees Bhunimba

Cardiac disorders Artemisia vulgaris Linn. Nimba

Terminalia arjuna Arjuna

Bacterial or virus Azadirachta Indica A. Juss Nimba

Memory problem Bacopa monnieri (Linn.) Pennell Brahmi

Inflammation and

diuretic need

Boerhaavia diffusa Punarnava

Severe constipation Cassia angustifolia Vahl. Rechani

Muscle spasm Cedrus deodara (Roxb.) Devadaaru

Memory problem Celastrus paniculatus Willd. Jyotishmati

Nerve weakness Centella asiatica (Linn.) Urban. Mandukaparni

Malaria and fevers Caesalpinia crista Linn. Natakaranja

Inflammation Curcuma longa Linn. Haridraa

Diabetes Eugenia jambolana Lam. Jamboo

Dysentry Holarrhena antidysenterica Wall. Kutaja

Convulsions Masilea minuta Linn. Sunisannak

Liver toxicity Picrorhiza kurroa Royle. Kutuka

Mild constipation Plantago ovata Forsk Ishadgola

Skin white spot Psoralea corylifolia Linn. Bakuchi

Low breast milk Pueraria tuberosa DC. Vidarikanda

Low muscle mass Sida rhombifolia Linn. Mahabala

Fever Swertia chirata Buch.-Ham. Kairata

Heart weakness Terminalia arjuna W. and A. Arjuna

Mental distress, physical

exhaustion, and inflammation

Withania somnifera Dunal Ashwagandha