8 Common ailments and their natural cures.
Traditional systems of medicines, including herbal medicines, have been used for many centuries for health care by people in countries of the South-East Asia Region as well as in other parts of the world. Traditional medicine continues to be a valuable source of remedies that have been used by millions of people around the world to secure their health. It has been developed from empirical experiences and from observations made by people who use them. It embodies age-old wisdom and knowledge accrued over thousands of years, and forms an integral part of the social and cultural heritage of people and countries. The system has been inherited and handed down from one generation to the next by custom and tradition.
It has been truly said that ‘Nature has got the cure of all the diseases and ailments’. Natures itself is the cure. 5 elements (PANCHIKARANAM) of nature- air, water, fire, earth and space, the elements of which our bodies are made up of, has power to heal. Haven’t we seen while animals suffer from any minor ailment/ disease, they refrain from eating anything and heal on their own? Our body has tendency to heal on its own from many minor as well as major diseases.
Nature has rich resources of traditional and herbal remedies and they are accessible to all who choose to use them – by tradition or cultural acceptance in the far and remote corners of countries or by choice of those in the affluent urban communities where there is a desire to return to nature and to use natural remedies in taking care of their own health.
Some of the most common problems along with their healing herb are prescribed as under:
| Disease | Cause | Symptoms | Healing herb | How to use |
| Acidity and Gastritis | Frequent dietary irregularities and ingestion of irritant materials like too spicy and sour foods, alcohol and analgesic drugs like aspirin | Nausea, loss of appetite, indigestion and mild to moderate upper abdominal pain and distress | Amalaki (Indian gooseberry) | In adults, the dose of Amalaki powder is 3 to 6 grams and in children 500 mg to 1 gram, twice a day, to be swallowed on an empty stomach or just before meals with water |
| Common Cold | Viral infection | Sneezing, wet nose, running nose, scratchy throat, heaviness in head, body ache, headache, indigestion, nausea, stomach ache, vomiting, diarrhoea and fever | Trikatu powder (fine powder of three pungent drugs viz. Shunthi –Dry ginger, Maricha – Black Pepper and Pippali – Long pepper) | Adult dose of Trikatu- 2 grams given three times a day preferably with warm milk or water or honey. In children – 125 mg to 500 mg thrice a day. |
| Constipation | Too bland food, e.g. with low fibre residue, Too dry and astringent food, Inadequate fluid intake, Intake of hard water, Sedentary lifestyle | Indigestion, flatulence, abdominal pain or discomfort, headache and sleeplessness. | Haritaki powder (Ink nut/ Harad) | Adult dose of powder is 3 to 6 grams and for children, the dose of Haritaki is 500 mg to 1 gram, to be taken with lukewarm water once a day on an empty stomach |
| Cough | Fumes and dust, sudden change of temperature in the surrounding, dry and spicy foods, chilled water and food; chronic tobacco smoking, air pollution, valvular heart disease and certain medicines used for the treatment of high blood pressure | — | Pippali (long pepper) | Adult dose of the formulation is 1 gram to 3 grams and the children’s dose is 125 mg to 250 mg, two or three times a day, mixed with honey or warm water. Honey is the best vehicle for consuming Pippali powder |
| Fever | Chills, rigors, malaise, arthralgia, anorexia, fatigue, dizziness, sweating | Infectious diseases: viral infections, malaria, influenza, sore throat, typhoid, pneumonia, measles, chickenpox, tuberculosis | Kiratatikta powder- Chiretta | For adults -1-3 grams and for children – 250 mg to 500 mg, with water to be taken twice a day after meals |
| Headache | Migraine, refractory error, mental tension, sinusitis, flu, viral fever, typhoid | Severe headache- High fever, vomiting, convulsion, visual symptoms, stiffness in the neck and loss of consciousness | Pippalimoola powder- long pepper(Fruit) | For adults – 2 to 3 grams; For children – 250 mg to 500 mg, to be taken twice daily, preferably on an empty stomach mixed with 3 to 5 gm of ghee or butter or honey and followed by warm water or milk |
| Indigestion | Over eating, frequent eating without having the feeling to eat, untimely eating, emotional outbursts and improper sleep, gastrointestinal infection, consumption of contaminated food | Feeling of fullness or heaviness in the abdomen, low appetite, nausea, abnormal taste in mouth and disturbed bowel movements in the form of constipation or loose motions | Chaturbhadra decoction- Ativisha- Indian Atis, Guduchi- Giloy, Mustak- Nut Grass/ Motha, Shunthi- Dry Ginger | For adults – 40 millilitres of freshly prepared warm decoction and 5-10 ml for children, to be administered twice a day before meals |
| Sprain- stretch or tear of soft tissues around a joint | A fall, a sudden twist, or a blow to the body that forces a joint out of its normal position | Pain, swelling, bruising, instability and loss of function | Haridra powder and paste – Turmeric powder | Oral usage, for adults- 2 to 5 grams; For children- 1 to 2 grams. Normally two doses a day should be taken with water or mixed with honey |
Instead of filling our houses with allopathic medicines, have herbs and medicinal plants. Keep your body clean from inside-out and keep your surroundings clean. Have enough of fresh air and don’t fail to witness the beauty of sun-rise. Move your body (Yoga/ walk/ exercise) and eat healthy. Have food which is off- selves and comes directly from nature. Don’t wait for diseases to include natural remedies and healthy food in your life, rather make it your lifestyle.
