How to Prevent Age Related Macular Degeneration with Ayurveda

The Ayurvedic approach to prevent age related macular degeneration includes elimination of Ama (Metabolic toxins), detoxification, and improving nutrition to eye by administration of Chakshusya Rasayana (Rejuvenation for the eyes). The Ayurvedic treatment modalities include Panchakarma, external therapies, internal medications, and advice on food and life style changes. Proper care for the eyes is one preventive measure that helps.

The major procedures done for the treatment of age related Macular Degeneration are as follows:

•  Virechana (Therapeutic purgation) – Virechana is done with administration of medicines after internal and external oleation and sudation. This helps in removing toxins from the body and bring equilibrium of the doshas especially Pitta.
• Nasya (Nasal medication) – A procedure in which medicated oil, or fresh juice of herbs, is instilled inside the nostrils after oleation and fomentation of the face and neck. Anu oil is commonly used for Nasya. However other liquid medium that can be used are fresh juice of durva, powder of Vidanga, Karpasasthyadi taila, Lakshadi taila, ghee, etc.
• Netra Dhara / Seka (Eye wash) – The procedure of pouring thin streams of herbal liquids over the closed eye from a height of 4 finger breath is Netra Dhara or Seka. This procedure is carried out during the day. Triphala decoction is generally used for this purpose. Other herbal decoctions mixed with honey can also be used. The herbal liquid is poured on the closed eyes through a funnel and the medicines flowing out of the eye is collected by holding a bowl against the temporal region just below the outer canthus.
• Bidalaka or Lepa (Application of herbal paste) – Simple smearing of herbal paste on the skin surface of the eye lids, avoiding eye lashes, is Bidalaka or Lepa. It can be done with paste of Lodhra (Symplocos racemosa), Nimba/neem (Azadirachta indica), Shigru (Moringa olifera), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Eranda (Riccinus communis) depending upon the doshas vitiated.
• Netra Tarpana (Eye rejuvenation in dry types) – Warm medicated ghee is poured into the eyes and retained inside an herbal paste boundary. Ghee is unctuous and cool, hence helps mitigate Vata and Pitta doshas. Common medicated ghrita used for Tarpana are Mahatriphala, Triphala ghrita, Patoladi ghrita, Drakshadi ghrita and Jeevantyadi ghrita.
• Anjana (Collyrium) – The application of medicine to inner aspect of the lower eyelid from the inner canthus to the outer canthus is Anjana. It can be done with special rod or finger. Vimala Varti, Bhaskara churna, etc can be used for Anjana.
• Shiro lepa/Tala dharana (Application of herbal pastes on the vertex) – Common herbal paste used are Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna), Kachoradi churna.
• Shiro Tarpana /Murdha Taila (Oiling the head) – Oiling the head is very effective in the management of stress, hypertension, improves vision and calms down Vata dosha. Oiling the head can be done in four methods – Shiro Abhyanga (Head massage), Shirahseka (Pouring medicated oil or liquid medium on the head in a rhythmic manner), Shiropichu (Placing cotton swab soaked in oil on the vertex), and Shirobasti (Retaining medicated oil on the vertex inside a leather cap boundary).
• Taila Shirodhara (in dry type) – In this process lukewarm medicated oil (Sesame oil medicated with herbs like Brahmi, Shankhapushpi, Yashtimadhu, Chandana, etc.) is poured over the forehead in a rhythmic manner from a perforated pot suspended above forehead.
• Takradhara (in wet type) – In this therapy, lukewarm medicated buttermilk (medicated with Amalaki and other herbs) is poured over the forehead in a rhythmic manner just like in Shirodhara.