Ayurvedic Healing: A Comprehensive Guide

341 Pages·2001·3.65 MB·English

by  David Dr. Frawley

AYURVEDIC
HEALING
A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE
By Dr. David Frawley, O.M.D.

MOTILAL BANARSIDASS PUBUSHERS
PRIVATE LIMITED • DELHI
First Published: 1989
First Indian Edition: Delhi, 1992
Reprint: Delhi, 1994
© 1989 by David Frawley
All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be used or reproduced
in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the publisher
except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical
articles and reviews.
ISBN: 81-208-0957-2 (Cloth)
ISBN: 81-208-1003-1 (Paper)
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CONTENTS
Foreword xi
Introduction xv
PART I: Principles and Therapies of the
Science of Life
1. The Biological Humors
The Dynamics of the Life-Force 3
Qualities; Actions; Aggravated States; Five
Types; Tissues (Dhatus); Systems (Srotas);
Western View of
2. The Six Tastes
The Energetics of Healing Substances 15
3. Constitutional Examination
How to Determine Your Unique
Psycho-physical Nature 21
Physical and Psychological Nature; Three
Humor Types; Three Guna Types
4. Examination of Disease
The Patterns of Imbalance 33
The Disease Process
5. Balancing the Humors
The Ways of Holistic Living 43
Ayurvedic Life-Regimes; Regimes for Each
Humor
6. Ayurvedic Diet
Personalizing Your Dietary Regime 59
Dietary Principles; Specific Diet for Each Humor
with Examination of Food Types and Individual
Foods; Sattvic Diet
7. Herbal Therapies
The Methods of Reintegration 87
Reduction Therapy (Shodhana); Detoxification
Therapy (Shamana); Tonification Therapy
(Brimhana)
8. Balancing Energy 109
Ayurvedic Healing
PART II: The Treatment of Disease
Digestive System Disorders 117
Ayurvedic View of Digestive System; Diseases of
the Large Intestine; Constipation; Diarrhea; Gas
and Distention; Diseases of the Stomach;
Vomiting/Nausea; Hyperacidity; Ulcers; Diseases
of the liver and Gall Bladder/Hepatitis/ Jaundice;
Gall Stones; Diseases of the Small Intestine
Malabsorption Miscellaneous Digestive System
Disorders; Food Allergies; Candida; Parasites;
Metabolic Disorders; Obesity; Underweight;
Anorexia
Disorders of the Respiratory System 161
Ayurvedic View of Respiratory System; Common
Cold/Flu; Cough; Sore Throat; Laryngitis;
Bronchitis/Pneumonia; Asthma; Hay Fever/Allergic
Rhinitis
Circulatory System Disorders 171
Ayruvedic View of Heart Disease; Heart Disease;
Hypertension; Arteriosclerosis; Hypotension;
Bleeding; Epistaxis; Anemia
Diseases of the Urinary Tract and
Water Metabolism Disorders 183
Difficult Urination; Edema; Urinary Tract In-
fections; Stones; Diabetes
Reproductive System Disorders 191
Ayurvedic View of Sex; Diseases of the Male
Reproductive System; Sexual Debility; Sterility;
Enlarged Prostate; Venereal Diseases; Genital
Herpes; AIDS; Gynecological Disorders; PMS;
Amenorrhea; Dysmenorrhea; Menorrhagia;
Leucorrhea; Menopause; Hysterectomy; Breast or
Uterine Cysts and Tumors; PID; Endometritis and
Endometriosis; Care During Pregnancy; Post
Partum ;Miscar-riage/Habitual Abortion; Infertility
Febrile and Infectious Diseases 213
Fevers; Infections; Boils and Carbuncles; Skin
Diseases
Miscellaneous Conditions 221
Traumatic Injuries; Post-Surgery; Arthritis; Gout;
Cancer; Bleeding Gums and Dental Problems
Contents vu
The Care of Children and the Elderly 231
General Care of Children; Old Age; Premature
Balding or Graying of Hair
Nervous System Disorders 239
Nervous System Disorders Generally; Insom-
nia; Headache/Migraine; Eye Diseases
Conditions Involving the Mind,
Mental Disorders, Meditational
Disorders and Addictions 247
Mental Disorders Generally; Psychological Un-
rest; Improving Sattva; Insanity, Possession;
Meditational Disorders; Addictions; Smoking;
Alcoholism; Drug Disorders
PART III: Ayurvedic Remedial
Measures
Classical Ayurvedic Formulas 269
Powders/Tablets; Gugguls; Medicinal Wines;
Herbal Jellies; Medicated Oils; Medicated
Ghees; Rasas and Other Mineral Preparations
Modern Ayurvedic Formulas 289
17 Modern Formulas
Oils, Aroma Therapy and Incense 297
Herb Usage 301
Dosage; Formula Development; Potentiation
of Herbs
Spiritual Remedial Measures 307
Astrology and Ayurveda; Gem Therapy; Mantra
Vedk and Yogic Science 317
PART IV: Appendices
English glossary 323
Sanskrit glossary 327
Herbal glossaries 331
1. Western and Common Ayurvedic Herbs; 2.
Special Ayurvedic Herbs; 3. Special Chinese
Herbs
Bibliography 343
Indexes 346
SRI DHANVANTARI NAMAH
ithin all of us is the archetype of the Divine healer. This Divine
W healer is the true healer in all beings, not any particular individual
or special personality. To heal ourselves or others we must set it in
motion within ourselves.
Dhanvantari, an incarnation of the God Vishnu, the immanent Divine
consciousness, represents this truth in the tradition of Ayurveda. His statue
is found at most Ayurvedic schools and clinics. It is a reminder that
however much we know or skillful we become, everything still depends
on the grace of the spiritual nature. Hence, this book is dedicated to the
Divine healer within you. v
FOREWORD
I started reading the manuscript of Ayurvedic Healing with a simple
curiosity to see how a Western teacher and practitioner of Ayurveda
interprets it. I ended my reading with profound admiration of his deep
insight and clear grasp of the fundamental principles of this ancient Indian
Science of Life.
It was a fascinating experience for me to observe how a Western mind
enters with perfect ease into the realms of intuitive knowledge of the East.
This book is a splendid attempt to build a bridge of understanding between
the Eastern and Western minds and their two often opposite views of life.
The author has succeeded in giving a reorientation of our ancient wisdom
of India to suit the needs of the modern world. He has rightly pointed out
that "Ayurveda today is part of a new movement towards a global
medicine that includes the best developments from all lands." The
author's effort in this and his other books will certainly help in creating a
proper climate for such a synthesis.
Dr. Frawley enjoys some unique advantages as an Ayurvedic spokes-
men. He is primarily a Vedic scholar. Ayurveda is part of the Vedas, the
oldest record of supreme knowledge and experience of mankind, the
essence of which is man's harmony with nature and the individual's
oneness with the universe. Ayurveda is to be viewed in such a wider
perspective. Dr. Frawley has developed that vision. He is well acquainted
with Sanskrit, the language of the original texts of Ayurveda. This has
enabled him to reveal the deeper meanings of the terms and concepts
mentioned in the texts. Literal translation of the Sanskrit terms into
English almost destroys the sense of what was originally meant. Dr.
Frawley is faithful to the spirit of the teachings in his translation and
adaptation of them.
In addition he is a student of Yoga, the practical science of mind. He
has acquired expertise in Vedic Astrology. He has studied and taught
Chinese medicine. Naturally, with such a rare combination, he is the most
qualified person to introduce Ayurveda to the Western world in light of its
contemporary problems and life-style. His attempt symbolizes the world
view of health.
The information given in this book covers almost all significant
features of the Ayurvedic system and also of Yoga. This includes constitu-
tions of individuals, diet, health care, herbal therapies, specialized
xii Ayurvedic Healing
methods of relief, cure and revitalization such as: oil massage, Pancha
Karma, mantra, meditation, gems and, above all, the spiritual aspects of
life. The main emphasis is naturally on diet and .herbs with many home
remedies.
Many Ayurvedic herbs have been acknowledged by modern re-
searchers for their specific properties. It may be relevant here to quote the
latest scientific study on the rejuvenation (Rasayana) concept of Ayurveda
by a group of modern pharmacologists in India. They chose five plants
for their experimental study. These were ashwagandha (Withania som-
nifera), shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), haritaki (Terminalia chebula),
pippali or long pepper (Piper longum) and guduchi (Tinosporia cor-
difolia). The study concluded that,
Based on this experimental evidence we propose that the
Rasayanas (rejuvenative substances) of Ayurveda harmonize the
functions of the body by modulating the neuroendocrine-immune
function. This strengthens the individual's general resistance by
stimulating the immune function, a concept similar to 'prohost
therapy'. The role of stress and emotion on immunological dys-
function is very well known, so is the role of stress in pathogenesis
of many diseases. Therefore, it seems feasible that increased
immuno-competence improves the quality of tissues so that they
sustain effects of external and internal stress better. (Ayurveda
Revisited, Dr. Sharadini A. Dahanukar and Dr. Urmila M. Thatte,
Bombay, India).
Perhaps Rasayana therapy and Yoga may prove to be the most
effective integrated treatment for the health problems in which immune
system and emotional problems are involved. Dr. Frawley blazes a new
trail in this direction by coordinating such intuitional and scientific
wisdoms in his approach.
Lastly, Dr. Frawley has explained the spiritual aspect of life, a vital
issue in the ultimate analysis of health and disease. Hindu spirituality
believes in individualistic religion and pleads for freedom and spon-
taneity. This frame of mind transforms human emotions into Divine bliss
and restores one's integrity of being, as the Yoga Sutras state (I.3.), "then
the Seer returns to his own nature."
Ayurveda insists on spiritual and ethical discipline for mental health
and normal development of personality. Dr. R.D. Lele, eminent physician
and pioneer in Nuclear medicine in India, has appreciated this aspect of
Ayurveda in his book Ayurveda and Modern Medicine. He states, The
wisdom of Ayurveda lies in incorporating a code of conduct in the Science
Forward
of Life as a means to ensuring mental health and happiness." Dr. Frawley
has dealt with this aspect in all its details.
In conclusion, I must express my happiness as an Indian in welcoming
Dr. Frawley to the community of distinguished commentators of Ayurveda
and Yoga. He deserves a place of honor in his own right.
Dr. B. L. Vashta
February 1989
Bombay, India
*****
Dr. B. L. Vastha (69) completed his educational course and obtained
the qualification of 'Ayurvedic Visharad' (proficiency in Ayurveda) in
1945. He was a professor of Ayurveda for some years, has written many
books and is a regular columnist on health in leading Indian magazines.
An eminent scholar of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, he is also a
consultant to major Ayurvedic companies in India. Currently he is advisor
of the Institute of Yoga and Ayurveda (Panvel-Bombay, India). He par-
ticipates in international seminars and conferences and has joined the
efforts to spread the knowledge of Ayurveda in India and abroad.