Ayurveda & Parkinson’s Treatment

Ayurveda & Parkinson’s Treatment-

Parkinson’s disease is commonly referred to as ‘Kampa Vata’(tremors). Based on the principles of Ayurveda, Parkinson’s disease develops due to the aggravation of Vata Dosha in the brain’s nerves. This leads to drying of nerves with effects including shaking of hands and fingers, stiffness in muscles and inability to turn at once.

The disease usually affects elderly and rarely middle aged people. According to modern western medicine, Parkinson’s results due to the loss of specialized cells in the brain that produce the neurotransmitter, dopamine.

Signs and symptoms (Rupa and Laksana)-

Common Symptoms Include:

• “Pin rolling tremors” in the hands, arms and legs
• Stambha (muscular rigidity), movement becomes slow and difficult to initiate
• Expression less face and voice-mask face
• Reduced blinking/staring
• Dementia
• Vishada (depression)
• Orthostatic hypotension, constipation and urinary hesitancy

Ayurvedic Parkinson’s Treatment (Chikitsa)-

The Parkinson’s treatment protocol centers around the treatment of vata disturbance.

• Fomentation and leation form the basis of constitutional treatment. Ingestion of oils, oleation through massage (abhyanga) and enema (basti) are also indicated for Parkinson’s treatment.
• Medicated oils containing ashwagandha and bala are frequently used to pacify vata and build ojas. To relieve symptoms of Parkinson’s, certified organic virgin cold pressed coconut oil has shown good results.
• Another popular herb that has shown effectiveness in treating Parkinson’s- kapikkachhu, cowhage or Mucuna Pruriens, contains Levodopamine or L-dopa within its seeds, used in western medicine to treat the disease.
• Brahmi, also known as Bacopa, this Ayurvedic herb has been used for centuries for memory enhancement, improving circulation to the brain cells and even protect them from damage.
• Studies have shown that the polyphenols present in green tea protect dopamine neurons and the neuroprotective agent in green tea reduces neuronal death by half.
• Curcumin, a compound found in turmeric, may aid in combating symptoms of Parkinson’s by preventing aggregation of and disrupting proteins that are responsible for the disease.

According to Ayurveda , a holistic treatment regimen including external and internal therapies offers a greater success rate in patients with Parkinson’s disease.

Additionally, Vata must be calmed at the site of origin in the colon, the overflow site in the rasu dhatu and the relocation site in the majja dhatu.

Apana vayu can be treated with moist laxatives like psyllium, flaxseed or the traditional formula-triphala.

Vyana vayu in the rasa dhatu can be treated with demulcents like slippery elm or licorice.

Prana vayu in the majja dhatu may be treated with cowhage along with ashwagandha.

If vata is present in manovaha srota, showing signs of depression, St. John’s wort and Gotu Kola may be used as a tonic for the mind and the nervous system.
Furthermore, Vata soothing procedures include a proper diet and balanced lifestyle habits, including a daily oil massage and sensory therapies to complete the cure. An essential supportive treatment technique is an all-inclusive Ayurveda program including meditation and yoga practices that teach the patient to manage their internal energies.
While the use of kapikachhu has pharmacological effect similar to allopathic drugs, there are certain side effects associated with it, also the efficacy decreases with time and is more effective in early stages of the disease.
The cornerstone of Ayurvedic and yogic healing teaches us to live in harmony with one’s constitution on a physical, psychological and spiritual level.

A person who has or develops a sattvic mind does not experience the disease or brings rapid healing respectively. Hence the effectiveness of Ayurveda goes beyond the pharmacological effects of herbs but incorporates behavioral and ultimately the internal and subtle energies of one’s being.