Aspartame - Other Sweeteners Many people want to know what other artificial sweeteners they can safely use instead of aspartame. My first recommendation is NOT to use any chemical sweeteners at all, but merely use natural sugars or learn to adjust to the natural sweetness of raw foods themselves. I have provided a list of alternative artificial sweeteners available on the market today, even though I am not recommending their use over natural sweeteners. I do recommend them above aspartame, nonetheless, as their side effects are less harmful to human health. The best thing to do is avoid all artificial and chemical sweetener substitutes. They have NO food value, trick the body into thinking it is eating something sweet, and they have by-products of harmful toxic side effects. And remember that aspartame was discovered as an ulcer drug, not a sweetener. Every diet drink you used to drink was a dose of medication .

Information on Aspartame and Other Chemical Sweeteners:

Acesulfame K

Acesulfame Potassium (K) was approved for use by the FDA as a safe artificial sweetener in July, l988. It is a derivative of acetoacetic acid. Unfortunately, several potential problems associated with the use of acesulfame have been raised. They are based largely on animal studies since testing on humans remains limited. The findings showed the following:

Acesulfame K stimulates insulin secretion in a dose dependent fashion thereby possibly aggravating reactive hypoglycemia ("low blood sugar attacks").

Acesulfame K apparently produced lung tumors, breast tumors, rare types of tumors of other organs (such as the thymus gland), several forms of leukemia and chronic respiratory disease in several rodent studies, even when less than maximum doses were given. According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, it was petitioned on August 29, l988 for a stay of approval by the FDA because of "significant doubt" about its safety.

Dr. H.J. Roberts, Aspartame (NutraSweet) Is It Safe?, Charles Press, page 283/84.

Aspartame (commonly misspelled as aspertame)

Aspartame, a dipeptide of aspartic acid and a methyl ester of phenylalanine, is approved for use in pharmaceutical products and is being used increasingly in chewable tablet and sugar-free formulations. Labels for both prescription and nonprescription products must include the phenylalanine content. The major consideration in the use of aspartame in children is in patients with autosomal recessive phenylketonuria. Although heterozygotes do not appear to have clinically significant increases in phenylalanine after ingestion of even large amounts (equivalent to 24 12-oz cans of diet beverages), homozygotes with strict dietary restrictions should avoid aspartame. Children without dietary restrictions could safely ingest 10 mg/kg/d. [37-40]. Dietary consumption of aspartame is typically less than 5 mg/kg/d[41]; young children, however, could ingest considerably more. For example, a 2-year-old child weighing 12 kg consumes 17 mg/kg from drinking one 12-oz can of diet soda and one serving of a sweetened product (eg, cereal, pudding, gelatin, or frozen dessert).

Headache is the most common adverse side effect attributed to aspartame but is seldom confirmed by single-dose double-blind challenge. Up to 11% of patients with chronic migraine headaches reported headaches triggered by aspartame; however, a double-blind challenge with three doses of 10 mg/kg given every 2 hours triggered no more headaches than did placebos in patients with vascular headaches believed to be exacerbated by aspartame. A small, double-blind 4-week trial showed an increase in frequency of headaches after ingestion of 1200 mg/d, indicating that a longer challenge period may be necessary.

In anecdotal reports, aspartame has been linked to various neuropsychiatric disorders, including panic attacks, mood changes, visual hallucinations, manic episodes, and isolated dizziness. A small, double-blind crossover study of patients with major depression revealed a higher incidence of reactions in these patients compared with nondepressed volunteers after administration of 30 mg/kg for 7 days; symptoms included headache, nervousness, dizziness, memory impairment, nausea, temper outbursts, and depression. None of these conditions has been rigorously proven to be caused by aspartame, but carefully conducted double-blind challenges may be indicated in patients with histories that suggest aspartame as a cause. Patients with underlying mitral valve prolapse or affective disorders may be at increased risk for neuropsychiatric effects; several studies have shown that individuals without psychiatric or seizure disorders do not demonstrate these effects.

Seizures have been reported via passive surveillance data collected by the FDA and in a few case reports. A recent analysis of FDA reports showed 41 cases of rechallenge with a temporal relationship to aspartame consumption. Most seizures occurred in patients who had an acceptable dietary intake, except for a 16-year-old who ingested up to 57 mg/kg of aspartame. Aspartame is generally considered safe for children with epilepsy. One study found increased spike-wave discharges in children with untreated absence seizures after a high dose of aspartame and suggested that children with poorly controlled absence seizures avoid aspartame.

Saccharin

Foods containing saccharin no longer carry a label stating that the "use of this product may be hazardous to your health ...contains saccharin which has been determined to cause cancer in laboratory animals." This warning was lifted in 2001 by the American FDA as saccharin no longer has been connected to cancer in human beings.

Saccharin may be present in drugs in substantial amounts. Ingestion of the recommended daily dosage of chewable aspirin or acetaminophen tablets in a school-age child would provide approximately the same amount of saccharin contained in one can of a diet soft drink. This amount, relative to the body weight of a child younger than 9 or 10 years, ingested for prolonged periods would be considered as "heavy use," as defined in a major large-scale FDA/National Cancer Institute epidemiologic study. In this study, heavy use of artificial sweeteners was associated with a significantly increased risk for the development of bladder cancer. An independent review of this study concluded that there was no association. An investigation of saccharin performed by the American Medical Association in 1985 concluded that bladder changes were species-specific, were confined to the second generation of male rats, and occurred in association with large doses (equivalent to several hundred cans of diet soft drink per day). The no-effect level was equivalent to 500 mg/kg/d.[68,69] Saccharin is not genotoxic; the presumed mechanism of toxicity is the binding of saccharin to urinary proteins (not normally found in humans), creating a nidus for the formation of silicate crystals, which are cytotoxic to bladder epithelium.

Saccharin is an O-toluene sulfonamide derivative and causes similar dermatologic reactions. Cross-sensitivity with sulfonamides has been demonstrated; therefore, children with "sulfa" allergy should also avoid saccharin. Hypersensitivity can usually be confirmed by a radioallergosorbent test for saccharin. In a series of 42 patients with adverse effects resulting from consumption of saccharin in pharmaceutical agents, pruritus and urticaria were the most common reactions, followed by eczema, photosensitivity,

and prurigo. Other reactions include wheezing, nausea, diarrhea, tongue blisters, tachycardia, fixed eruptions, headache, diuresis, and sensory neuropathy.

Ingestion of saccharin-adulterated milk formula by infants was associated with irritability, hypertonia, insomnia, opisthotonos, and strabismus, which resolved within 36 hours after ingestion. Two anecdotal reports of an accidental overdose in an adult and a child discussed reactions of generalized edema, oliguria, and persistent albuminuria. Because of the paucity of data on the toxicity of saccharin in children, the American Medical

Association has recommended limiting the intake of saccharin in young children and pregnant women.

Sucralose

Splenda, also known as sucralose, is an artificial sweetener, which is a chlorinated sucrose derivative. Facts about this artificial chemical are as follows:

Pre-Approval Research

Pre-approval research showed that sucralose caused shrunken thymus glands (up to 40% shrinkage) and enlarged liver and kidneys.

Recent Research

A possible problem with caecal enlargement and renal mineralization has been seen in post approval animal research.

Sucralose Breaks Down

Despite the manufacturer's mis-statements, sucralose does break down into small amounts of 1,6-dichlorofructose, a chemical which has not been adequtely tested in humans. More importantly, sucralose must break down in the digestive system. If it didn't break down and react at all (as the manufacturer claims), it would not chemically-react on the tongue to provide a sweet taste. The truth is that sucralose does break down to some extent in the digestive system.

Independent, Long-Term Human Research

None. Manufacturer's "100's of studies" (some of which show hazards) were clearly inadequate and do not demonstrate safety in long-term use.

Chlorinated Pesticides

The manufacturer claims that the chlorine added to sucralose is similar to the chlorine atom in the salt (NaCl) molecule. That is not the case. Sucralose may be more like ingesting tiny amounts of chlorinated pesticides, but we will never know without long-term, independent human research.

Conclusion

While it is unlikely that sucralose is as toxic as the poisoning people are experiencing from Monsanato's aspartame, it is clear from the hazards seen in pre-approval research and from its chemical structure that years or decades of use may contribute to serious chronic immunological or neurological disorders.

It is very important that people who have any interest in their health

stay aware from the highly toxic sweetener aspartame and other questionable sweeteners such as sucralose (Splenda), and acesulfame-k (Sunette, Sweet & Safe, Sweet One). Please see the extensive resources for sweeteners on the Healthier Sweetener Resource List. http://www.holisticmed.com/sweet/

http://www.holisticmed.com/splenda/

Mark D. Gold mgold@holisticmed.com

Aspartame Toxicity Information Center

35 Inman St., Cambridge, MA 02139 617-497-7843

http://www.HolisticMed.com/aspartame/

Stevia

Another sweetener, stevioside, is championed by natural-foods advocates in the United States and is used in several countries, most notably Japan. Stevioside comes from the leaves of the stevia plant (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni), a perennial shrub of the Asteraceae (Compositae) family native to Brazil and Paraguay. Stevia contains sweet-tasting glycosides, mainly stevioside; but also rebaudiosides A, B, C, D, and E; dulcoside A; and

steviolbioside. Stevioside has a slight bitter aftertaste and provides 250 to 300 times the sweetness of sugar. It is stable to 200°C (392°F), but it is not fermentable and does not act in browning reactions.

In the 1970s, the Japanese government approved the plant for use in food. Japanese food processors use stevioside in a wide range of foods: pickled vegetables, dried seafood, soy sauce and miso, beverages, candy, gums, baked goods and cereals, yogurt, ice cream, and as a tabletop sweetener. In salty applications, stevioside modifies the harshness of sodium chloride. Combining it with other natural and synthetic sweeteners improves taste and functionality.

FDA considers stevia leaves and stevioside as unapproved, non-GRAS food additives. In 1992, the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) petitioned the FDA to declare stevia as GRAS, citing historical usage and referring to numerous toxicology studies conducted in Japan and other countries. The FDA rejected AHPA's petition, contending inadequate evidence to approve the product. The agency does allow the herb to be used in dietary supplements as covered by DSHEA (Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act).

Tagatose

From the manufacturer's web page.

It looks like sugar, tastes like sugar, cooks like sugar... well technically, it is sugar. But it's sugar with almost no calories. It's 100-percent natural - not synthesized, unlike other "sweeteners" that are chemically synthesized or derived from sugar, Tagatose is a naturally occurring sugar. And SPHERIX has discovered and patented a way to make it available for use as a food additive as well as for a variety of other uses.

It's Tagatose, the only sweetener that tastes, looks, feels, and performs like table sugar. Tagatose can supply a major need for baked goods, ice cream, chocolates, chewing gum, and other food products that can't be met by low bulk of high-intensity sweeteners. And it's safe, with over ten years of safety research and numerous consultancies and world-renowned scientists reviewing the product. Scientifically known as D-tagatose, Tagatose occurs naturally in some dairy products and other foods. Our patented production process starts from whey, a dairy by-product. Tagatose has been determined to be a Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) substance in the U.S., with the FDA affirming the green light for the product with its "no objection" opinion, permitting its use in foods and beverages. Tagatose has also been determined GRAS for use in cosmetics and toothpastes, as well as in drugs.

About Tagatose: IS IT SAFE OR NOT?

BIOSPHERICS HAS HIGH HOPES FOR SWEETENER

April 16, 2001

Washington Post

Page E01

Jerry Knight

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A21621-2001Apr15.html

Last week was, according to this story, a long time coming for Gilbert Levin, the 76-year-old chairman of Biospherics Inc. After almost a decade of study, a panel of medical experts declared that an obscure low-calorie form of sugar that Levin has latched onto is safe to use in food.

The story says that Biospherics has collected $2.5 million by licensing rights to make the sugar to a Scandinavian dairy cooperative, but the food safety panel's decision has the potential to open the spigot on what could become a gushing stream of royalty revenue on every pound of the product that goes into any food.

It'll be at least two years before consumers can eat anything sweetened with the stuff, but investors didn't wait to buy Biospherics stock. The story also notes there is no way of predicting whether food manufacturers will be as excited as Levin is about the sweetener called tagatose. It's a natural product, a chemical cousin of familiar sugars such as sucrose, fructose, dextrose and lactose. Tagatose, like table sugar, is a white crystal; it is 90 percent as sweet as ordinary sugar, but has one-third the calories.

Tagatose could be the product that converts Biospherics into what most people have always thought it was: a biotech company.

The story goes on to say that tagatose is most closely related to fructose, the sugar that's in honey, fruits and corn, Levin explained in an interview Friday. The chemical formulas for fructose and tagatose are identical. The two molecules look the same, but in tagatose, one atom of carbon juts off to the left of the main structure instead of off to right as it does in fructose.

Left-leaning sugars have fascinated Levin for more than 20 years. He first got interested in one that is a mirror image of table sugar. Think of the sugar molecule as a coil that curls around to the right. A backward sugar molecule that turns to the left was Levin's first interest. Levo-sugar it's called, for left-handed.

Levo-sugar is a confusing chemical to the human body. To the tongue, it tastes just like regular sugar. But the body has never swallowed left- handed sugar and can't digest it.

Levin spent the better part of the 1980s tinkering with left-handed sugar, attracting a lot of attention to Biospherics stock, but ultimately leaving a bad taste in the mouths of investors. The problem was that the company was never able to find a way to make left-handed sugar at a low enough price to give the company a high stock price. Every once in a while, Biospherics would announce some development in sweetener research, the stock would jump, and then it would drift back down.

The pattern continued in the 1990s after Levin shelved levo-sugar and shifted his team of researchers to tagatose.

The result has been an erratic stock with poor long-term performance. A $100 investment in Biospherics on Dec. 31, 1995, had grown in value to $151 at the end of 1998, but by the end of last year was back to $111. As a benchmark, a $100 investment in a Standard & Poor's 500-stock index mutual fund was worth $232 at the end of last year.

The story also goes on to say that unlike drugs, foods don't have to be tested on humans, Levin explained. But Biospherics obtained a Maryland Industrial Partnership grant to finance human studies at the University of Maryland Medical School, which produced promising results for potential use by diabetics.

Diabetics can eat foods sweetened with tagatose without getting the unhealthful changes in their blood glucose levels that are caused by eating sugar.

The studies did, however, find that patients who consumed large amounts of tagatose experienced gastrointestinal distress, including diarrhea, nausea and flatulence. The intestinal problems apparently result because most tagatose passes through the digestive tract without being absorbed -- a key reason why it's lower in calories.

Those lower-bowel symptoms weren't a problem for most people who ate small amounts of the sweetener and Levin said he does not expect the reaction to be a problem for the uses Arla has in mind for tagatose.

http://www.emedicine.com/MED/topic1653.htm

Also, preliminary reports exist of the potential utility of agents thatimpede dietary carbohydrate absorption. Tagatose is one of the agents in this class undergoing trials.

ref:  www.sweetpoison.com

Charm is the quality in others that makes us more satisfied with ourselves.
  - Henri-Frédéric Amiel

Asthma HomeRemedies

Asthma treatment via Honey

Honey is one of the most common home cures for asthma. It is supposed that if a jug of honey is held beneath the nose of an asthma patient and he inhales the air that comes into contact by means of it, he starts breathing easier and deeper. One of the popular home remedies for asthma.

Asthma treatment with Figs

Amongst fruits, figs have proved very precious in asthma. They provide comfort to the patient by draining off the phlegm. Three or four dry figs must be cleaned thoroughly with warm water and soaked during the night.

Asthma treatment with Lemon

Lemon is one more fruit found useful in the treatment of asthma. The juice of one lemon, diluted in a glass of water and taken with meals, will bring good quality results. One of the well liked home remedies for asthma.

Asthma treatment via Indian Gooseberry

Indian gooseberry has also proved precious in asthma. Five grams of gooseberry mixed with one tablespoon of honey forms an useful medicinal tonic for the treatment of this ailment. It must be taken every morning

Asthma treatment by means of Bitter Gourd Roots

The roots of the bitter gourd plant have been used in folk medicine for asthma since earliest times. A teaspoon of the root paste, mixed with an identical amount of honey or juice of the tulsi leaves, given once every night for a month, acts as an exceptional medicine for this disease. One of the best home remedies for asthma

Asthma treatment via Drumstick Leaves

One of the well liked home remedies for asthma is a soup prepared from drumstick leaves, and taken once daily. Adding a handful of leaves to 180ml of water and boiling it for five minutes prepare this soup. After being allowed to cool, a little salt, pepper, and limejuice might be added to this soup.

Asthma treatment with Ginger

A teaspoon of fresh ginger juice, mixed with a cup of fenugreek decoction and honey to taste, acts as a brilliant expectorant in cases of asthma. The decoction of fenugreek can be made by addition of one tablespoon of fenugreek seeds in a cupful of water. This remedy must be taken once in the morning and once in the evening.

Asthma treatment via Garlic

Garlic is an additional effective home remedy for asthma. Ten garlic cloves, boiled in 30 ml of milk, create an excellent medicine for the early stages of asthma. This mixture must he taken once each day by the patient. Steaming ginger tea with two minced garlic cloves in it, can also help to keep the trouble under control, and must be taken in the morning and evening.

Asthma treatment via Bishop's Weed

The herb bishop's weed has been found precious in asthma. Half a teaspoon of bishop's weed must be mixed in a glass of buttermilk and taken two times each day. It is an effective medicine for relieving difficult expectoration caused by dried-up phlegm. A hot poultice of the seeds must be used for dry fomentation to the chest two times daily. The. patient can also breathe in steam twice a day from boiling water mixed with ajwain. It will widen the bronchial passages.

Asthma treatment with Safflower

Safflower seeds are helpful in the treatment of bronchial asthma. Half a teaspoon of powder of the dry seeds, mixed with a tablespoon of honey, can be taken one or two times a day in treating this disease. This acts as an expectorant and decreases the spasms by liquefying the tenacious sputum. An infusion of five grams of flowers mixed with one tablespoon of honey, taken once every day, is also helpful in this disease.

Recommended Diet for Asthma

Carbohydrates, fats plus proteins

The patient must keep away from common nutritional errors. Ideally, his diet must contain a limited amount of carbohydrates, fats and proteins which are 'acid-forming' foods, and a liberal amount of alkali-forming foods consisting of fresh fruits, green vegetables, sprouted seeds, and grains. The patient must avoid foods, which tend to produce phlegm, such as rice, sugar, lentils, and curds. He must also avoid fried and other difficult to-digest foods, strong tea, coffee, alcoholic beverages, condiments pickles, sauces and all refined and processed foods.

Additional Suggestions for Asthma

Fasting and exercises

The patient must also pursue the other laws of nature. Air, sun, and water are great remedial agents. Normal fasting once a week, an infrequent enema, breathing exercises, fresh air, a dry climate, light exercises, and right posture go a long way in treating the disease.

ARTHRITIS-SOME HOME REMEDIES

 Home Remedies for Arthritis

Mix two teaspoons of lemon juice and a teaspoon of honey in a cup of warm water and take it twice in day for curing arthritis.
Eat half a teaspoon of guggulu twice a day after meals with warm water as guggulu(it is a herb) is helpful in curing arthritis.
Make a paste of 1 teaspoon red chilies and fresh ginger in half a cup of sesame oil and strain. Gently rub this oil on the painful joints.
Add half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder to one tablespoon of honey and take it every morning on empty stomach. Repeat this daily for one month.

Arthritis diet

Take fruits and vegetables in the shape of salads: Home Remedy for Arthritis

The diet of an arthritis patient must be designed so as to create alkalinity in the blood. It must comprise fruits and vegetables in the form of salads, and, at least, two cooked vegetables. In difficult cases, it would be desirable to put the patient on raw vegetable juice treatment three times a day, for about a week. Recurring juice fasts are suggested at intervals of every two months.

Additional Arthritis care

Stay body warm, don't bandage joints

The body must be kept warm at all times. Joints must not be bandaged strongly as this limits movement and interferes with the free movement of blood

Get rest, must have abundance of indirect ventilation

There must be plenty of not direct ventilation in the bedroom. Rest is advised when there is sharp inflammation in the joints. 

AYURVEDA

Ayurveda is grounded in a metaphysics of the "five great elements ; Prithvi-earth, Aap-water, Tej-fire, Vaayu-air, and Akash-ether—all of which compose the Universe, including the human body. Chyle or plasma (called rasa dhatu), blood (rakta dhatu), flesh (mamsa dhatu), fat (medha dhatu),bone (asthi dhatu),marrow (majja dhatu), and semen or female reproductive tissue (shukra dhatu) are held to be the seven primary constituent elements –Saptadhatu of the body.  Ayurveda deals elaborately with measures of healthful living during the entire span of life and its various phases. Ayurveda stresses a balance of three elemental energies or humors: Vata (air & space – "wind"), Pitta (fire & water – "bile") and Kapha (water & earth – "phlegm").  According to Ayurveda, these three regulatory principles—Doshas (literally that which deteriorates)—are important for health, because when they are in balanced state, the body is healthy, and when imbalanced, the body has diseases. Ayurveda holds that each human possesses a unique combination of Doshas. In ayurveda, the human body perceives attributes of experiences as 20 Guna (meaning qualities).  Surgery and surgical instruments are employed.  It is believed that building a healthy metabolic system, attaining good digestion and proper excretion leads to vitality.  Ayurveda also focuses on exercise, yoga , meditation, and massage.  Thus, body, mind, and spirit/consciousness need to be addressed both individually and in unison for health to ensue.

"Because every embodied individual is composed of a body, a mind and a spirit, the ancient Rishis of India who developed the Science of Life organized their wisdom into three bodies of knowledge: Ayurveda, which deals mainly with the physical body; Yoga, which deals mainly with spirit; and Tantra, which is mainly concerned with the mind. The philosophy of all three is identical; their manifestations differ because of their differing emphases. Ayurveda is most concerned with the physical basis of life, concentrating on its harmony of mind and spirit. Yoga controls body and mind to enable them to harmonize with spirit, and Tantra seeks to use the mind to balance the demands of body and spirit."

The proper function of channels (srotas) that transport fluids from one point to another within the body is seen as vital, and the lack of healthysrotas may lead to disease and insanity.  Sushruta identifies that blockages of these channels may lead to rheumatism, epilepsy, paralysis, and convulsions as fluids and channels are diverted from their ideal locations.  Sweating is used as a means to open up the channels and dilute the Doshas causing the blockages and harming a patient. A number of ways to take steam bathing and other steam related cures are recommended so that toxins are released.

In 1970, the Indian Medical Central Council Act which aims to standardize qualifications for AYURVEDA and provide accredited institutions for its study and research was passed by the Parliament of India.  In India, over 100 colleges offer degrees in traditional Ayurvedic medicine.  The Indian government supports research and teaching in Ayurveda through many channels at both the national and state levels, and helps institutionalize traditional medicine so that it can be studied in major towns and cities.  The state-sponsored Central Council for Research in Ayurveda and Siddha (CCRAS) is the premier institution for promotion of traditional medicine in India.  The studies conducted by this institution encompass clinical, drug, literary, and family welfare research. To fight biopiracy and unethical patents, the Government of India  in 2001, set up the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library as repository of 1200 formulations of various systems of Indian medicine, such as Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha. The library also has 50 traditional Ayurveda books digitized and available online.

Some ayurvedic products, mainly herbs used for phytotherapy, have been tested with promising results. Studies suggest that TURMERIC and its derivative CURCUMIN are antioxidants. TINSPORA CORDIFOLIA has been tested.  Among the medhya rasayanas (intellect rejuvenation), two varieties of SALVIA have been tested in small trials; one trial provided evidence that SALVIA LAVANDULIFOLIA (Spanish sage) may improve word recall in young adults, and another provided evidence that SALVIA OFFICINALIS (Common sage) may improve symptoms in Alzheimer’s patients. In some cases, Ayurvedic medicine may provide clues to therapeutic compounds. For example, derivatives of snake venom have various therapeutic properties.  Many plants used as RASAYANA (rejuvenation) medications are potent antioxidants. NEEM appears to have beneficial pharmacological properties. Cardamom and cinnamon stimulate digestive enzymes that break down polymeric macromolecules in the human body.  Research suggests that TERMINALIA  ARJUNA is useful in alleviating the of angina pectoris and in treating heart failure and coronary artery disease.  T. ARJUNA may also be useful in treating hypercholesterolemia.

Safety of Ayurvedic medicines:

The use of toxic herbs and of toxic metals and minerals as ingredients in traditional ayurvedic treatments is a major safety concern. Rasa shastra, the practice of adding metals, minerals or gems to herbs, is a source of toxic heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and arsenic. Adverse reactions to herbs due to their pharmacology are described in traditional ayurvedic texts.

Traditionally the toxicity of these materials are believed to be reduced through purification processes such as samskaras or shodhanas (for metals), which is similar to the Chinese pao zhi. The ayurvedic technique is more complex and may involve prayers as well as physical pharmacy techniques.

BASIC PRINCIPLE OF AYURVEDA:

The basic principle of ayurveda is thridoshas (three basic constituents of human body) are vata, pitta, and kapha.  The selection of ayurvedic medicines and treatments will be based on these three elements.  The predominance one of these suggest the PRAKRUTI(NATURE) of the individual.

VATA------Any movement in the body, macro or micro movements, nerve impulses, finger, hand movements, eyelid movements, talking, sensation etc all come under the vata dosha functions.

PITTA------Macro and micro digestion, metabolism, catabolism, anabolism etc.

KAPHA----Binding, keeping cells together, giving shape, providing lubrication etc.

In body without vata there is no pain, without pitta there is no burning sensation, and without kapha there is no swelling.

So, one has to look into the predominance of doshas among these three in particular illness and patient symptoms.  Then the medicine has to be decided.  For e.g. if a person is having joint pain with swelling (which means there is aggravation of vata and kapha) the medicines should be selected which will reduce vata and kapha.  The nadeepareeksha  (ayurvedic way of assessing the nadee i.e. pulse) is having a very important role in deciding the doshas apart from patient symptoms.  (One has to see the subdoshas and dhatus also).

SANTHIGIRI offers a unique system of treatment which combines Ayurveda and Siddha, the two systems of Indian medicinal systems. 

Santhigiri produces a variety of 700 plus Ayurveda and Siddha medicines both classical and proprietary.  The method of preparation is strictly according to the texts of Ayurveda and Siddha.

An extremely expert surgeon will pray for a minute before surgery as prayer (of God or positive energy etc) improves and imparts the positive energy in any work that we do.  This spirituality has been given an importance in sathigiri by praying Navajyothishri karunakara guru who is the founder of santhigiri.  The specific prayers are chanted while cultivating and collecting the raw materials, preparation and packing of medicines, prescription, and handing over of medicines to patients and also during the panchakarma treatments, so that the medicine should be enhanced in terms of positive energy through this spirituality.  This makes santhigiri distinct from other ayurvedic institutions.

Santhigiri has some special treatments in the form of massages, kizhi, vasti and an unique combined medicine systems of Ayurveda and Siddha.

AYURVEDIC APPROACH OF TREATING SOME DISEASES

OSTEOARTHRITIS:  In degenerative disorders like Osteoarthritis the allopathic approach is to give pain killers, external ointments and some calcium supplements, or else surgery if conservative treatments fails.  In ayurveda this is because of imbalance of Vata dosha.  The Osteoarthritis is treated strengthening the muscles in and around the joints by treatments like njavara kizhi, dhara, oil bandages and specific internal medications to. Also the effort is made to improve the synovial fluid by treatments and medicines.

Ayurvedic treatments packages:

Abhyanga swedanam for 3 days

Elakizhi for 7 days.

Njavara kizhi 7 days

Dhara 7 days

Oil Bandage

Janu Vasti and Yoga Vasti.

The treatments are decided on the symptoms, dosha predominance and prakruti of patients along with the internal medications.

SPONDYLOSIS:  In spondylosis and slip disc the allopathic treatment is taking pain killers, traction, use of braces (neck belt), or surgery in advanced cases.  But in ayurveda, there are lot of treatments available for the better management of spondylosis.  First the stiffness of the muscles is releaved by some muscle relaxing massages, and then the muscles are strengthened by different types of kizhi treatments.  The greeva/katee vasti (making the oil to stay behind the neck/low back for about 20 to 30 minutes by ayurvedic treatment procedure) and vasti (medicated enema) are very beneficial in spondylosis as ayurveda catogerises spondylosis as one among the disorders caused by Vata vitiation.  Once the muscles around the neck and paraspinal muscles are strengthened, the pressure on the intervertebral discs is minimized and the possible nerve compression is minimized which will help in relieving the symptoms.  There are some medicines should be taken after these ayurvedic treatments to strengthen the muscles and nourish the body and vertebral column.

Ayurvedic treatments packages:

Nasyam for 7 days.

Greeva/Kati vasti for 7 days.

Elakizhi/Njavara kizhi 7 days.

PSORIASIS:  Psoriasis is worst of skin diseases.  It makes one’s life miserable. Santhigiri offers a very good line of treatment as psoriasis is considered as a disease which is having a link with our past life, which the ayurvedic texts explain.  Psoriasis effects from the gene level.  In allopathy the steroids are used as treatment measures.  Ayurveda advises a particular life style for psoriasis effected patients, how should they live, what to eat and what not to eat, balance of body and mind etc. The body is purified with internal medicines and also by panchakarma treatments.

Santhigiri follows a special takradhara treatement and njavara lepa treatments along with other classical vamana, virechana, and swedana chikitsa for psoriasis which are very useful and giving very good results in effected patients. These treatments are done for 7 to 14 days and with a 6 month or 1 year interval.

DIABETES MELLITUS:  According to Ayurveda diabetes mellitus is of three types i.e. Sadhya (curable), Yapya (manageable), and Asadhya (non curable).  In allopathy, eventhough the blood sugar level is controlled, the patients may have the secondary symptoms such as tiredness, burning sensation, uneasiness, loss of libido etc which are considered as “must compromise symptoms if you want to control blood glucose level.”  But by Santhigiri’s special treatment methods, the diabetic patients can control their diabetes without these secondary symptoms eventhough they have diabetes from many years.  The ayurvedic medicines act at the basic constituent level of body.  As diabetes is a metabolic disorder, the ayurvedic medicines will correct the metabolism i.e. pitta according to ayurveda.  There are so many patients who are diagnosed at very early stage and are controlling their diabetes through ayurvedic medicines.  Also the antidiabetic medicines of santhigiri will help to regain the loss of strength, libido, and to overcome the tiredness, tingling sensation, constipation etc in patients who are taking the allopathic medicines.

Massage and Steam bath is very useful in diabetes as it increase the blood circulation and stimulates the fat metabolism.

Santhigiri gives a special Vaitarana vasti for 8 to 16 days along with other internal medications in the management of diabetes.

IMMUNITY ENHANCING TREATMENTS AND MEDICINES:   Ayurveda focuses on immunity and has many treatments and medications to improve one’s own immunity level or body resistance power. The diseases like ALLERGY, ALLERGIC SINUSITIS, AND SOME FEVERS etc are immunity related. One can improve the immunity power by following the different regimens, seasonal treatments, and diets. 

Santhigiri has different packages for different seasons like monsoon rejuvenation packages which include ABHYANGA SWEDANAM, KIZHI, SHIRODHARA, PIZHICHIL ETC for 7 to 14 days.

STRESS AND SLEEP DISORDERS:  In allopathy, the stress and sleep disorders are treated with anti anxiety and sleeping pills which can cause addiction over a long term use.  But, ayurveda have far better approach and treatments and medicines.  The massages will increase the blood circulation and relax the body.  The treatments like shriodhara and shirovast will relax the mind.  The stress and sleep disorders are coming under the imbalance of VATA-PITTA.  The treatment packages and medicines given here are having the qualities of balancing this VATA-PITTA.

Treatment packages:

Relaxation massage with steam bath 3 to 7 days.

Shirodhara  for 7 to 14 days.

HYPERTENSION AND HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIA:  According to ayurveda, hypertension is because of PITTA imbalance and hypercholesterolemia is because of PITTA-KAPHA imbalance. In gross these two are metabolic disorders.  Santhigiri has some unique medicines like Hridayashanthi, Triphala choornam, Maruthan pattai choornam etc along with ayurvedic treatments like Steam bath, shirodhara, etc.  In the same way, obesity also comes under the metabolic disorders for which udwartanam, steam bath along with kashaya vasti  and some special internal medications are given which have a proven effect.

SPECIAL MEDICINES OF SANTHIGIRI

HRIDAYASHANTHI:  Hridayashanthi is an ayurvedic medicine for protection of heart.  It contains kharjura, draksha, ….., triphala, arjuna, sarpagandha etc almost eighteen ingredients including fuits and herbs.  Hridayashanthi controls LDL, VLDL(bad) cholesterol, maintain HDL i.e good cholesterol.  It removes fat deposition in the inner walls of arteries and blood vessels and prevents atherosclerosis.  Also reduces hypertension and insomnia.  In menopause it is helpful to control frustration, sleeplessness, hypertension, and mood swinging.  Fast food habits are more prone to heart problems.  It is also recommended as general tonic now a days as it contains nutritious ingredients like grapes, dates etc.

KADALEEKALPA RASAYANAM:  Effective ayurvedic medicine for complete healthcare of females from puberty to menopause.  It corrects Disfunctional Uterine Bleeding (DUB), leucorrhea, burning micturition, hormonal imbalances and infertility.  It strengthens uterus, cavities, controls excessive bleeding and pain.  It contains dffective and nutritious ingredients and it hlepls to improve the body complexion and health.

ANTIDIABETICS:  JUMBOLENE CAPSULES, PANCHAMRIDWEEKA RASAM, MENI NOKKI CHOORNAM, KOUSHALAMOHINI.  These controls fatigue, general and nervous debility, copious urination, voracious hunger, pain in joints, excess thirst etc.  It protects vital organs, hearts, liver, kidneys and eyes.

ANTI RHEUMATICS:  ARTIBAN FORTE CAPSULES, AMUKKURA LEHYAM, KARPOORADI THAILAM, DIFFERENT TYPES OF KASHAYA PREPARATIONS. These will reduce the swelling and pain, help to restore mobility of the joints, corrects neuralgia and muscle pain, removes uric acid deposited in the joints, strengthen bone and joints.

TIPPILI RASAYANAM, SOLANUM SYRUP, SOLANUM FORTE CAPSULE:  These will help in controlling asthma, allergic bronchitis, cough, and breathing problems.  The Tippili Rasayana will act as immune modulator and prevents infections.  They strengthen the respiratory system and correct breathing problems, also liquefies and expels the mucus.

UDARASUDHA, INJI RASAYANM, REGAS CAPSULES:  These correct the bowel movements, regulates assimilation and absorption, relieves urinary obstructions.  Effective medicines for constipation, dyspepsia, flatulence, loss of appetite.

AMUKKURA LEHYAM:  Ideal health restorative tonic.  Enriched with milk, honey, palm jiggery, ghee and corrects loss of weight and mal nutrition and increases breast mil.  It is most effective in male sexual problems-loss of libido, oligospermia, impotency, premature ejaculation, general weakness, fatigue, rheumatism and degenerative diseases.

KUMKUMADI LEPAM:  Best recommended for acne, blackheads, black spots, blemishes and dry skin.

KARUNAI LEHYAM, ENDOPILE CAPSULES, AND CHIRAVILWADI KASHAYAM:  Relieve constipation, prevents irritation, arrests bleeding per ano, and helps to shrink pile mass.  It controls bleeding and nonbleeding piles.

PANCHAJEERAKA GUDAM:  Traditional ayurvedic preparation which gives ideal body complexion for female.  It adds beauty health and structure in females.  It restores energy, vitality, and vigour.  In post natal, it promotes health to mother and baby.

NEELIBHRINGADI KERAM AND KESHAPUSHPAM:  Traditional ayurvedic medicine to promote hair growth.  It prevents premature graying and adds darkness to hair.

STROBILANTHUS OIL:  It is the body massage oil.  It impoves blood circulation and tone up the skin.  Best recommended oil for relaxation massages.

HRIDAYARENJINI LEPAM:  A pain reliever ointment used as external application.  A rare formula of ayurvedic ingredients to protect from head ache, cold, back ache, stiffness, joint pains, muscular pains, sprain and spasms.  It can be mixed with hot water and used for inhalation purpose.  It has bo burning sesation and can be applied for children as well as elders.  It is best recommended for low back ache during pregnancy.  It is also effective for sports injuries and dislocations etc.

KURUNJI KUZHUMBU:  It is a traditional ayurvedic medicine for mothers after delivery, used in post natal care, helps to restore health and symmetry of the body after delivery.

SANTHIGIRI HERBAL SOAPS, CHARMA SHUDDHI AND CHARMA MAHIMA:  Contains ayurvedic ingredients to protect from skin diseases and body odors.  These will improve the skin complexion and beauty and also gives good fragrance.

AYURVEDIC TREATMENTS OF SANTHIGIRI

PANCHKARMA (THE 5 MAJOR AYURVEDIC BODY CLEANING THERAPIES)

The role of Panchakarma is to clean the body (it never means that your body is unclean) by various detoxifying procedures, which will help in free radical scavenging and will restore the immunity of the body.  The procedures reduce the dryness inside the body, clears up various channels so that all the organs should receive proper nourishment / blood supply and function up to its best.

Be it be stone or other obstruction in urinary tract or atherosclerotic changes inside the arteries, lymphatic blockage, muscular dystrophy or atrophy, Breathing difficulties, musculoskeletal disorders like arthritis, Habitual constipation, obesity, osteoporosis, marrow compression, infertility, metabolic disorders, hormonal disturbances, different types of anemia etc.

Santhigiri practices these panchakarmas as mentioned in the Vedic texts and the inventions and modifications by the grace of NAVAJYOTHISRI KARUNAKARA GURU

While we are healthy, as by the judicious application of Panchakarma will never let the ailments to proliferate as ailments always challenge and reduce the immunity and only challenged and reduced immunity can let the disease/s to manifest in our biology.

PURVAKARMA: PRE-PURIFICATION MEASURES FOR PANCHAKARMA

Before the actual operation of purification begins, there is a need to prepare the body in prescribed methods to encourage the body to let go of the toxins. The two procedures are Snehana and Swedana (general body massage with medicated steam bath). Snehana is the oil massage. Oil is applied to the entire body with a particular type of massage which helps the toxins to move towards the gastrointestinaltract.  Ayurvedic oil massage also makes the superficial and deep tissues soft and supple, thus helping to remove stress and to nourish the nervous system.  Snehan is given daily for three to seven days, as indicated.  Swedana is sudation or sweating and is given every day immediately following the snehana.  An herbal concoction may be added to the steam to further loosen the toxins from the individual.  Swedana liquefies the toxins and increases the movement of toxins into the gastrointestinal tract.

PANCHAKARMA /CLEANSING THERAPIES

Pradhana Karma: Main Purification measures of Panchakarma

VAMANAM: THERAPEUTIC EMESIS THERAPY:  When there is congestion in the lungs causing repeated attacks of bronchitis, colds, cough or asthma, the Ayurvedic treatment is therapeutic vomiting so to eliminate the kapha causing the excess mucus also the aggravated Kapha is eliminated.  This is also useful in some of the skin diseases like psoriasis etc.

VIRECHANAM: THERAPEUTIC PURGATION THERAPY:  When excess bile, pitta, is secreted and accumulated in the gall bladder, liver and small intestines, it tends to result in rashes, skin inflammation, acne, chronic attacks of fever, biliary vomiting, nausea and jaundice.  Ayurvedic literature suggests in these conditions the administration of therapeutic purgation or a therapeutic laxative is recommended.

NASYAM: NASAL ADMINISTRATION:  An Ayurvedic Sutra says, the nose is the gateway to the brain and it is also the doorway to consciousness.  The nasal administration of medication is called NASYAM.  An excess of bodily Humors accumulated in the sinus, throat, nose or a head area is eliminated by means of the nearest possible opening, the nose.  The NASYA therapy sometimes acts as a stimulant.

VASTI : MEDICATED ENEMA THERAPY:   Vata's predominant site is the colon. Ayurvedic Vasti involves the introduction into the rectum of herbal concoctions of sesame oil, and certain herbal preparations in a liquid medium.  Vasti, is the most effective treatment of vata disorders, although many enemas over a prescribed period of time are usually required.  It relieves constipation, distention, chronic fever, cold, sexual disorders, kidney stones, heart pain, backache, sciatica and other pains in the joints.  Many other vata disorders such as arthritis, rheumatism, gout, muscle spasms and headaches may also be treated with Vasti.  This therapy is divided in two main types, i.e. Anuvasana Basti or medicated oil enemas and Niruha Basti or medicated enema of decoctions and medicated oils.

OTHER MISCELLANEOUS THERAPIES OF SANTHIGIRI AYURVEDA AND SIDDHA VAIDYASALA:

SHIRODHARA:   Prescribed herbal oils, medicated milk, buttermilk etc are poured on the forehead in a special method.  It is recommended in anxiety, depression, hypertension, insomnia etc.

KATIVASTI:   The oil is made to stay on the low back with the help of flour wall.  It is indicated in different backaches.

JANUVASTI:   Useful in arthritis of knee joint.  It is the variant of kativasti.  This is done on the knee joints.

NADISWEDA:   Useful in pain disorders of different sites.

ELAKIZHI:  Herbal leaves and herbal powders are applied to the whole body in bowls with hot medicated oils.  It makes body strong and sturdy with well developed musculature, removes sluggishness of excessive sleep, stiffness of joints, improves complexion, and increases appetite.  Useful in neurological ailments and in the management of different pains.

NJAVARA KIZHI:   The whole body or any part is made to perspire by the application of certain medical pudding tied up in cotton bag.  Good for joint pain, arthritic conditions, muscle weakness and certain skin diseases.  Useful in neurological ailments.

AKSHI-TARPANAM:  Useful in the ailments of eyes.

SHIROVASTI:   Certain lukewarm herbal oil are poured into a leather cap fitted on the head for 15 to 40 minutes. The treatment is highly effective for facial paralysis, severe headaches, migraine, epilepsy, lack of memory, sleep disturbances etc. Useful in hair fall and other diseases of skull.

UTTARA VASTI:   Useful in genitourinary diseases and infertility of female.

PIZHICHIL:   In this treatment, lukewarm herbal oils are poured all over the body in a special rhythmic way.  This is good for nervous disorders, efficacious in fractures, dislocation of joints, joint pain, and stiffness of limbs.

UDVARTANAM:   It is a medicated Ubtan to be applied over the skin for fair and glowing skin. This is a typical head & body massage with herbal powder for about 30-40 minutes. This is best treatment to relieve central obesity & helps in maintaining the figure according to desirable body proportion.

GREEVA VASTI:   Herbal paste ring made of black gram flour is applied over the shoulder – neck region in it Fresh herbal decoctions/medicated oils are poured, in this process specially prepared warm medicated oil is kept on the cervical region for 20 to 30 minutes. It provides good relief in chronic cervical spondylitis, spondylosis, and stretch in neck region, giddiness and vertigo.

UROVASTI:   Like kativasti, herbal medicated oil / ghrita (clarified butter for 20 minutes and it is good for vessel blockage of heart, angina pectoris, asthma etc.

AKSHI TARPAN:   This is a process where herbal medicated clarified butter is formed over eyes. Fresh black gram flour paste is applied around the eyes (as a type of bike / skiing spectacles this process is done with different herbal medication in certain eye diseases, refractive errors and to improve eye sight. This 3 months treatment package is also good for under eye circles and eye beauty.

MUKHA- ABHYANGA:   Beauty care treatment take care of pimples, wrinkles, sagging of the skin and falling of hairs by head massage, facial massage application of certain herbal / gold/ silver face gels and or / face packs.

AVAGAHAM:  This is a process of tub bath & tub medicated milk, 100% Ayurvedic perfumes, flowers and herbs are added to give a relaxing, expressing bath to achieve glowing of skin & add to beauty to all parts of body.

 DR.USHAKIRAN