Homeopathy & you November 2014 Anniversary Issue

Vol 2. Issue 1. November 2014 • `100

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dr mUKeSH Batra The homeopathic Medorrhinum personality PLUS

16 reasons to love your homeopath Infertility: Food for thought Mudra healing Goodness of onions Aamir Khan’s wellness mantra

ryaN HarriSoN Detox naturally

Dr JAN SCHOLTEN

HomeoPatHy: NatUraL mediciNe 2 50580 2 40 2000

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Vol 2. Issue 1. NOVEMBER 2014

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INSIDE

Vol 2. Issue 1. NOVEMBER 2014

Editorial Advisory Board Chairman| Dr Mukesh Batra Vice-Chairman| Dr Akshay Batra Editor & Publisher Dr Rajgopal Nidamboor rajgopal.nidamboor@homeopathyandyou.com Assistant Editor Kavita Nadkarni Head-Sales & Marketing Kiran Joshi Manager-Marketing J Chaitanya Kumar chaitanya.kumar@homeopathyandyou.com Contributing Writers Maneka Gandhi, New Delhi, India Dr Richard Firshein, New York, US Kerry Dulin, Michigan, US Nelressa Stallings, New Jersey, US Alan Jones, Wiltshire, UK Ambika Shukla, New Delhi, India Radhanath Swami, US/India Badrinath Durvasula, Mumbai, India Ruby Lilaowala, Mumbai, India Dr Preeti Mandawewala, Mumbai, India Amita Quenim, Goa, India Ryan Harrison, Los Angeles, US Vinesh Sukumaran, Bengaluru, India Eusebio Jason Fernandes, Goa, India Dr Pankaj Aggarwal, New Delhi, India

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Disclaimer: Homeopathy & You is committed to providing useful information on homeopathy, health and wellness. However, its content is not intended to provide medical advice or diagnosis for individual problems, or inferred to be a substitute for professional medical guidance. It is imperative for readers to consult their doctor/healthcare professional or therapist, prior to starting any treatment, or practice, or attending to any questions thereto. The opinions expressed by writers and columnists are their own. They do not, in any way, or manner, reflect the views of the publisher, editor, or company.

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Letters Focus: Homeopathy; Natural medicine Homeopathic ‘Sunsigns: Know your personality; know your remedy. Dr Mukesh Batra distils the homeopathic Medorrhinum, this month Medical Marvels: Case reviews from homeopathic doctors How Homeopathy Helped Me For Women: A remedy for every need Quintessence: 16 reasons to love your homeopath Q&A: Doctor’s Orders What Lies Beneath: Power of the minimum dose Home[e]o Truths: Homeopathy aggravation; Myth or reality?

Living Well: Detox naturally Mind your back The Way We Were & Are Fitness Equipment Top of Mind The goodness of onions Health Happenings Read. Watch. Listen. Explore Celeb Fitness: Aamir Khan

20 COLUMNS 39 Live & Help Live: Maneka Gandhi 42 Good For You: Richard Firshein 43 Fighting Fit: Kerry Dulin 44 Whole & Soul: Radhanath Swami 45 Poise & Balance: Preeti

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Mandawewala Corporate Wellness: Badrinath

Durvasula Life Coach: Vinesh Sukumaran Mixed Bag: Ruby Lilaowala

MAILBOX: READERS’ FEEDBACK CONGRATS, H&Y! I would like to congratulate Team H&Y for completing 12 issues of enlightening reading. I have been reading your magazine since its inception and I must say the quality of articles in all the issues was excellent. I believe the November 2014 issue would be your anniversary special issue, and I am really looking forward to informative articles. All the best for your future editions and a special thank you for informing us so much about the healing science of homeopathy.

S John, Indore GOOD CONTENT I have been reading H&Y since March 2014 and I must say it is one of the best magazines on holistic healthcare that I have come across. I particularly like reading expert articles like ‘Poise & Balance’ by Dr Preeti Mandawewala and ‘Corporate Wellness’ by Badrinath Durvasula. Also, Radhanath Swami’s column is nice. What I like the most about H&Y is the good mix of medical and lifestyle content. I would like to see more guest articles though. I am sure this will bring in variety.

Shivani Sharma, Lucknow HEALTHY FARE I read H&Y magazine regularly and especially enjoy reading articles on child health, lifestyle and food. I have been following Tarla Dalal’s column and have tried all her recipes that have been featured so far. Her rajma cheese parathas recipe in your September issue was an instant hit with my kids. They just loved it. Even their friends in school have requested me to keep sending them in the tiffin box regularly. Thanks to H&Y for bringing to us such tasty and healthy recipes.

Bijan Ghosh, Kolkata SAFE MEDICINE I enjoyed reading ‘Homeopathy & pregnancy’ [H&Y; October 2014]. I am currently in my first trimester of pregnancy and suffering from extreme nausea. I don’t want to take allopathic medications, as I fear they might have adverse effects on the well-being of my child. Thank you H&Y for letting me know that homeopathy offers safe remedies for curing pregnancy woes. I will consult an expert homeopath for my nausea too.

Ikshita Vyas, Vadodara BALANCED MIX Congratulations Team H&Y for completing one year. I would like to specially congratulate the editor for such a wonderful product, as I know it is no easy task to come up with such a variety of content — with an excellent mix of good medical and lifestyle related articles — issueafter issue.

George Fernandes, Mumbai

LETTER OF THE MONTH I really love and appreciate homeopathy, as I have seen positive results even in severe skin conditions [which are sometimes, I am told, left uncured by allopathy]. I had suffered from allergic dermatitis a few months ago, and homeopathy worked well for me. I, therefore, enjoyed reading ‘Homeopathy and atopic dermatitis,’ by Dr Akshay Batra [H&Y; October 2014]. The article is extremely well-researched and well-written and informs readers about how homeopathy drives the aberration out of the body and not just from the surface — which I must say is 100 per cent correct.

Ayesha M, Mumbai

VARIETY FARE: READERS WRITE IN Our October issue evoked a gratifying response. Do write in with your comments, suggestions and even criticism that will help us and our readers to get better. Every month one ‘best’ letter will be awarded. Please E-mail your feedback/comments to

! rs e t i r W g n i l Cal

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WRITE FOR US!

Homeopathy & You is looking for quality articles [600-800 words] on homeopathy, health, wellness, and lifestyle, that reflect the spirit of our publication. Professional homeopathic doctors may E-mail their ‘best’ cases [and, ‘best’ letters from their patients] too!

Send in yours, TODAY! Please submit your material/articles etc., by pasting it in the body of your E-mail [not as attachment], along with a brief description of the piece, your credentials to write it, your short bio, your photo [in high-res .jpeg format {300 dpi}; as attachment], contact information and anything you feel we should know.

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HOMEOPATHY & YOU | NOVEMBER 2014

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FOCUS

HOMEOPATHY :

THE MEdicinE Of nATurAl HEAlinG Homeopathy is an advance. A homeopath will never tell patients that they are not sick, or ‘there is no problem.’ When people say they are sick, they are sick. The feeling of being diseased is already ‘dis-ease.’ It is, therefore, remarkable and plausible why most patients so often talk about homeopathic remedies as ‘wonder pills.’

By dr JAn ScHOlTEn

M

ost people wonder as to what ‘disease’ really is. Where is it emerging, or cascading, from?

The answer is — disease is ‘dis-ease,’ or not being at ease. This happens because your healthy, inner tranquillity is disturbed and the resultant ‘unrest’ is replaced by chaos.

Why should unrest come to pass? Where does it emanate from? Conventional, or allopathic, medicine perceives disease as emerging fundamentally from the outside, from bacteria, viruses, trauma and the like. It ‘stops,’ when the ‘cause’ is treated. But, the big question

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is — do conventional interventions really treat the cause and provide relief? Not really. In chronic diseases, for instance, it turns out that most symptoms are ‘treated,’ or better ‘counteracted.’ The fact is such disease, or illness, isn’t really cured — more so, because the individual, or patient, has to take medicines for the rest of his/her life.

This means that the disease, or illness, is only palliated — in other words, a disease or its symptoms is made less severe without removing the cause.

Homeopathy is an advance. Homeopathy evidences that disease comes from the inside, or from within. In

this respect alone, homeopathy is akin to Buddhism.

The cause of disease is seen as emanating from desires and disappointments with a sense of fear arising, or transpiring, from them. The idea that things have to be placed in a certain way also results in sadness, anger and frustration — more so, when things are not what one expected them to be.

The best healing solution is to free people from delusions and replace them with the vision of how things should be. This is achieved in Buddhism with meditation.

This is achieved in homeopathy with healing remedies.

In other words, it may be said that homeopathy is the scientific and therapeutic corollary of Buddhism. It helps people to free themselves from delusions and unwanted desires and illness.

expel health problems from the utmost and to the farthest — in other words, from the centre to the periphery. They prefer to have the disease located at the farthest part, like the toe, than in the head. They also prefer to have the disease in the outer tissues, like the skin, not the inner tissues like the brain.

Psychologically, one can see such a progression in the tendency of people to blame others, the circumstance, or the like. They, thus, prefer to see the problem located elsewhere, instead of the ‘inside,’ or within oneself.

This process is called projection in psychology. It explains the preference of most people, as is done in conventional medicine, who label the ‘cause’ as being from the outside, that is ‘above’ homeopathy, when the cause is perceived to be, or is, from inside.

Mind VErSuS MATTEr Conventional medicine views human beings and all other living beings as machines. When your heart does not function well, it is replaced with a new one, just like you replace the battery in a car when it is not functioning well. The mind and emotions, likewise, are simply seen as ‘side-effects’ of the brain and hormones. This goes as far to say that the mind doesn’t really exist, or that computers could develop consciousness, or conscience, when they become sophisticated enough. The problem is that this so-called ‘parable’ leads to contradictions. The first is that humans perceive their emotions and thoughts as something real, not as the ‘side-effect’ of their brain.

The second problem is that emotions often influence the body much more than the other way around. The mind seems to be primary. This is obvious in all kinds of designs. The design of a car is just as primary to its existence.

A BiG QuESTiOn AnSWErEd Can homeopathy cure everyone? In practice, the answer is ‘no.’ In theory, the answer might be ‘yes,’ but then more and more remedies have to be discovered. This is so because every remedy can only cure its ‘own’ disease.

This is the consequence of the ‘law of similars,’ the basic law of homeopathy. It means ‘like cures like.’

This, otherwise said, suggests that ‘a remedy can only cure what it can produce as a toxin,’ because every substance in the world has toxic properties when taken in ‘enough’ quantities. This also means that every substance is a remedy. So, every plant, mineral and animal has healing properties; this is ‘similar’ to its toxic qualities.

The development and progression of homeopathy largely depends in the discovery of new healing or ‘identical’ toxic qualities of minerals, plants and animals.

MEdicinE & HEAlinG Homeopathy relates everything, every substance, including the living being as ‘medicine by itself,’ as a healing substance. This is the upshot of the first law of homeopathy — the ‘law of similars,’ which says that the toxic capacity of a substance is similar to its healing capacity. One can presume that all substances are toxic; I haven’t encountered one that is not. Sugar and salt, or even water, are highly toxic and deadly when taken in excess amounts. So, every substance, likewise, must also have healing qualities. The only problem is to discover which they are.

It is also obvious that such information can have deep and lasting effects on human beings, primarily because homeopathic remedies achieve that advantage, as they are full of such information.

cOncEPT Of diSEASE Disease is different for a homeopathic doctor. What is seen in conventional medicine as the diagnosis, or disease, is, according to homeopathy, just a symptom, or group of symptoms. This can be compared with the

EKdiOKY Yet another tenet of homeopathy, ‘the law of cure,’ has not had a good, apt, or precise name, so far. This is known as Hering’s Law — named after the legendary American homeopath, Dr Constantine Hering, MD. This is why I have invented the word, ekdioky, from the Greek, ekdiok, meaning ‘throwing out.’ It states that living beings try to

HOMEOPATHY & YOU | NOVEMBER 2014

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‘diagnosis’ of a fever state during mediaeval times.

We now know that fever is not a diagnosis, but just a symptom of different diseases. It is obvious that it is not easy to imagine that ‘fever’ was once seen as the real diagnosis. For homeopaths, this is the same for normal diagnosis, like ‘bronchitis,’ ‘diabetes,’ or ‘depression.’

In homeopathy, a host of aspects are seen as symptoms of disease. For instance, food desires are generally, or normally, seen as just a matter of taste. In homeopathy, they are suggested to compensate for a certain imbalance, a disease. Sometimes, we understand it, like the desire for sweets can be seen as a desire to be loved.

A desire for salt is, likewise, understandable in the case of a patient in the ‘state’ of Natrum Muriaticum, which is made of table salt, albeit the reason is not often clearly understood. Yet, the symptom can be used for diagnosis, although it may not be essential to understand what-iswhat-as-it-is in order to be able to use it.

A homeopath will never tell a patient that s/he is not sick, or ‘there is no problem.’ When someone says s/he is sick, s/he is sick. The feeling of being diseased is already ‘dis-ease.’ It is remarkable how often patients talk about homeopathic remedies as ‘wonder pills.’

HOMEOPATHic HOliSTic curE One of the most impressive aspects of homeopathy is that it can cure [chronic] disease. This is its striking aspect when compared with ‘normal,’ conventional medicine. We often hear in conventional parlance that patients have to ‘live with their disease’ and take medicines for the rest of their life. A good homeopathic remedy cures the disease and is not needed anymore after the cure. This allows patients more freedom and independence; also improved quality of life [QoL]. There is not just freedom from taking medicines, but freedom that is also felt emotionally. This is what patients will tell after a cure, ‘I feel good again,’ ‘I feel my old self again,’ or ‘a burden has been taken away.’

Isn’t it wonderful to see a chronic disease disappear — vanishing into nothing? A problem that seemed insurmountable before, for the patient and the doctor, just goes away with homeopathic treatment. Later, it feels as if it had never existed. The patient even forgets that s/he ever had it. This is why conventional medicine often denies a homeopathic cure; sceptics, true to their propensity, often say that the disease never existed and that the diagnosis was false, a mistake.

This leads to the second objection to homeopathy.

‘Homeopathy cannot work because there is nothing in it. Homeopathic remedies are so much potentised, or diluted, that they don’t contain molecules anymore of the original substance.’ There are several arguments against this objection, as also confusion between theory and experience. The objection cannot reason or do away with experience. A real scientist adapts his/her theory to experiments; not the other way around. This is what adversaries of homeopathy are doing, or contending, that, ‘homeopathy cannot work because there is nothing in it.’ infOrMATiOn cHEMiSTrY Conventional medicines are based on chemical reactions

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in the body. Homeopathic remedies, in contrast, can be best described as ‘information’ medicines. The information is transferred from the original substance by the process of shaking [succussion] the remedy at every step of potentisation. The carrier, water, or lactose base, is imprinted with the information of the original substance.

One can compare such information with computer discs.

Homeopathic remedies are chemically all the same, as are CDs, but the information they carry is different — this is what causes the effect. The information the disc carries, as you know, is diverse. It ranges from the music of Bach to family photographs, from the movie Avatar to a software programme — just like the homeopathic remedy that carries infinitely diverse information. infOrMATiOn MEdicinE Homeopathic remedies are often disqualified, or poohpoohed, by sceptics as ‘there is nothing in them.’ In a way, this may be true — there is nothing, ‘no-thing,’ in them.

There are no chemical substances in them. This is where there is a palpable discrepancy between conventional medicine and homeopathy.

Conventional medicine thinks and limits itself to matter, the physical body. Homeopathy includes in its vision the mind, with all its myriad dimensions. In medicines, it is the same too. It is not matter that matters, in homeopathy, but information. In the process of potentisation, or the homeopathic way of producing medicines, the substance is left out, while the information of the substance is kept intact.

Homeopathic remedies can be best compared with music CDs, as already touched upon: the music is nowhere found in the chemical sense. All music CDs are ‘chemically’ alike, whatever the music on them. In chemical analysis, only the carrier is analysed; because, for every kind of music, it is the same. The information is the most important factor — this has to be analysed in a different mode. One can analyse the information with a CD player in music CDs. In the case of homeopathic

remedies, the healing information can be ‘read’ by living beings. How? We do not know precisely yet — but, we know through evidence that they do.

POTEnciES & PHYSicS That homeopathic remedies are not ‘just’ water has been shown in several experiments. Researcher Louis Rey demonstrated that potentised water contains information similar to that of the original substance. Shui-Yin Lo showed that ice has several anomalous states. Prashant Chikramane showed that homeopathic potencies retain nanoparticles of the original substance. Ursula Wolf showed that potencies are different from water.

Of WATEr & infOrMATiOn Rustom Roy, PhD, the materials scientist, showed that water can contain information. George Czerlinski showed that water contains domains of structures following the regional substance.

The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder, and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead; his eyes are closed. This knowledge, or feeling, is at the centre of true spirituality. In this sense, and vision too, as Albert Einstein said, one belongs to the ranks of devoutly spiritual men.

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pronounced ‘The end of homeopathy.’

Shang made a ‘careful’ selection of only eight studies and compared them with another selection of eight studies in conventional medicine and came to the conclusion — that homeopathy was due to the placebo [dummy pill] effect. His ‘winding up’ made headlines.

Although Shang came to the conclusion that ‘there is evidence for a specific effect of homeopathic remedies,’ he attributed the homeopathic effects to be placebo.

A L B Rutten and others argued successfully against Shang’s ‘biased’ conclusion and showed that almost any kind of selection would show homeopathy to be effective, except in the selection chosen by Shang. Aside from this, the study by Shang was not meta-analysis — a statistical procedure that integrates the results of several independent studies — as such. It was merely a wilted comparison of homeopathy and conventional medicine.

OBJEcTiOn WiTHOuT ‘infOrMATiOn’ The objections against homeopathy, in general, can be summarised as follows.

VErificATiOn & cOncluSiOn There is abundant evidence for the effectiveness of homeopathy. In the first place, millions of patients have taken [and, continue to take] homeopathic treatment for over 200 years with evidence-based, documented success. Homeopathy has been favoured by them despite all the ‘drawbacks’ that sceptics take pride in, or propagate. Many conventional doctors have also turned to homeopathy, after having been strong adversaries. Today, proof is often asked, mostly in the form of double-blind clinical studies, randomised clinical trials [RCTs] and also meta-analyses, where several studies are taken together, to draw conclusions about a certain kind of treatment.

1. The first is that there is no proof that homeopathy works; that there no evidence and research to show that homeopathy is effective.

2. The second is that homeopathy cannot work because the remedies are just water; they contain no chemicals and, thus, cannot work.

The problem, as already stated, highlights a paradoxical conflict between theory and experiment. This can be seen explicitly in the lectures by J Vandenbroecke, an epidemiologist, “One cannot set or simply state: there is a RCT [random clinical trial], a ‘type-A’ evidence, so we have to follow that, because that leads directly to the acceptance of homeopathy. Accepting that an ‘unendless’ dilution can be effective leads to the rejection of a whole system of chemical and physical insights that supports more than just medicine. That price is too high. So, we stay with that dogma and prefer to stay critical to the facts.” Vandenbroecke, an opponent of homeopathy, makes the mistake of adapting experiment to theory. A scientist has to adapt theory to the experiment. Besides, his conclusion that it “leads to the rejection of a whole system of chemical and physical insights” is incorrect. It is imperative to add something to the system of chemical and physical insights — ‘information.’

Not surprisingly a study by A Shang and associates received much attention in the media, when they

1. J Kleijnen and P Knipschild analysed 107 researches.

Their conclusion: the evidence of homeopathic clinical trials, at the moment, is positive.

2. J P Boissel and M Cucherat analysed 15 studies. Their conclusion: there is some evidence that homeopathic treatments are more effective than placebo. “The results of our meta-analysis are not compatible with the hypothesis that the clinical effects of homeopathy are completely due to placebo.”

3. K Linde first analysed 89 studies and concluded: “The results of our meta-analysis are not compatible with the hypothesis that the clinical effects of homeopathy are completely due to placebo.”

4. K Linde analysed 32 more studies and concluded: “The results of the available randomised trials suggest that individualised homeopathy has an effect over placebo.”

5. R T Mathie analysed 93 studies and concluded: “[This] represents a body of research where the null hypothesis has been rejected in favour of homeopathy.”

All five meta-analyses concluded that homeopathy was and is effective medicine and results could not be explained as placebo. It is also, in general, regarded as sufficient for one to have two positive meta-analyses for a science to be recognised.

Most meta-analyses show that homeopathy is effective and that the effects cannot be explained as placebo.

HOMEOPATHY & YOU | NOVEMBER 2014

Of GrOuP AnAlYSiS & ElEMEnT THEOrY Dr Jan Scholten, MD, who was recently decorated as Knight in the Dutch Order of Orange Nassau, the Netherlands, is a renowned homeopath-researcher.

He brings to homeopathy not only his knowledge of medicine, but also of chemistry, mathematics, and philosophy. He is a scientist, making good use of solid information and logical thinking. At the same time, he stands open to information derived through the senses, thus synthesising right and left brain in his research. He has conducted several medicinal provings and has furthered not only our understanding of remedies, but of homeopathy in the broader context.

His book, Homeopathy and the Minerals, is a landmark. To paraphrase Jackie McTaggart, a UKbased homeopath, it is the best introduction for the group analysis method —the method of thematic prescribing developed by him and his colleagues — for the homeopathic community. It comprises the study of a group of remedies rather than individual remedies. For instance, when you look at Natrums, you should look at the whole Natrum group — Natrum Carbonicum, Natrum Muriaticum, Natrum Phosphoricum and Natrum Sulphuricum.

Scholten’s work distils such themes and characteristics that were common to the whole group, and juxtaposes their overall picture, while applying them to the less known or even unknown Natrums. It, thus, brings in a whole new world of previously unknown mineral remedies into practice.

It also overcomes archaic theories. The process augments that there is order in the symptoms of a remedy, that they are not simply random, and there is logic in nature and, therefore, logic and structure in homeopathic remedy pictures. Einstein too had a deep conviction in the rationality of the universe.

Scholten’s work combines elements with salts and opens up new and exciting possibilities too for a much more precise simillimum [the best indicated homeopathic remedy for the given patient] than the repertory, the index of homeopathic remedies, could ever provide. The beauty of the group analysis method is that: • It is easier to remember a larger number of remedies in groups • It is easier to recall homeopathic remedy pictures, because there is a sequence and a structure to the basic concepts • It is easier to distinguish what symptoms are relevant • It is easier to find the real simillimum rather than ‘make do’ with a remedy that is approximate, but is not exactly right.

Scholten, as McTaggart underlines, applies his understanding of group analysis to the whole periodic

table, the table of elements, or atoms, the basis of chemistry, including the entirety of known minerals.

This opens the door wide enough for the possibility of being able to prescribe all the elements, unlike before when homeopaths only used a fraction of them.

To cull aphorism 119, from Dr Samuel Hahnemann’s groundbreaking book, Organon, which outlines the fundamentals of homeopathy, “Every mineral and salt differs from all others, in its external as well as its internal physical and chemical properties, which alone should have sufficed to present any confounding of each with the other. As they all differ and diverge among themselves in their pathogenic and consequently in their therapeutic effects, there can be from a medical point-of-view, no equivalent remedies whatever, no surrogates.”

With Scholten’s discovery of a pattern behind the periodic table and the essence of the rows and columns within it, a possibility has emerged to predict the picture of each. Scholten equates the pattern of the periodic table to the pattern of and development of life in the sequence of the elements. The theory allows him to classify homeopathic remedies in groups or families, identifying the series [horizontal groupings] and stages [vertical groupings] of the periodic system in order to find the most suitable pattern similar to the patient’s suffering.

To start with, Scholten prescribed certain lesserknown remedies, sometimes on only one or just a few symptoms, or on the ‘computation’ of a symptom-picture. Hence, the picture of each had to be ascertained from scratch. As his understanding expanded, he was increasingly able to prescribe well-indicated remedies, with clinical finesse and substantiation. The picture, as a result, evolved. It was, thereafter, enriched in tune with the healing response in patients.

This may be best illustrated in a brace of cases that ‘compounds’ chronic fatigue syndrome [CFS] with ‘academic failure’ — by courtesy of Dr J Geraghty, a homeopath — while highlighting the mind-body connect. It brings home the principle or raison d’être of Scholten’s pioneering endeavours in homeopathic therapeutics [See case studies, pg 12].

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CASE STUDY

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here was a nineteen-year-old patient who developed chronic fatigue syndrome [CFS] after repeated infections. She also reported of a series of academic failures. She was treated with Cobaltum Phosphoricum 1M, three doses, twelve hours apart. At two months, she was much better and, at two years, she had academic

success. There is a link between Phosphorus and siblings.

The subject was jealous of her brother’s easy success in business. According to Scholten, Cobaltum Phosphoricum helps when people “are afraid that they will fail their exams, because they haven’t done enough.”

CASE STUDY

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here was a female patient with chronic fatigue syndrome [CFS] and glandular fever, three months after enrolling at the university. She had broken up with her boyfriend six months before. She overslept with fatigue for a week. She was treated with Calcarea Phosphoricum 200C, three doses. Within two weeks, she was better; after

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three months the physical fatigue was gone and she was happier. At four months, she split up with her boyfriend, again, and Calcarea Phosphoricum was given yet again. Calcarea Phosphoricum is beneficial when there is a desire to travel, or one is agog with dissatisfaction, with a craving for smoked foods. The patient had such symptoms.

CASE STUDY here was a thirty-one-year-old male patient with increasing fatigue for two years, along with general muscle aches. He was in the creative arts and was overworked. He was given Medorrhinum 200C, three doses.

At thirteen months, he was given Cadmium Phosphoricum

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200C, three doses, which made the difference. The dosage was changed to 30C, thrice monthly at sixteen months. Scholten recommends Cadmium Phosphoricum for “decay and repetition in the performance of the arts. They become a bit too dramatic. They want to translate everything into art.”

ScHOlTEn’S THEME-PrEScriPTiOn: A cASE in POinT

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woman, aged forty, presented with premenstrual syndrome [PMS]. She is depressed and needs support to maintain her trust in love and relationship. She is irritable towards her children before her periods. She is a homeopath, having chosen the profession because of its holistic and individualistic approach. She has been divorced, leaving the marriage as she felt limited and narrowed down.

Independence, freedom, self-reliance, and making her own decisions are important for her; it is necessary for her to make a connection with herself, to know who she is. In this case, we see the theme of fighting for her freedom and against limitation [Lanthanides] in her marriage [Sulphur].

The Lanthanide themes are found in being a homeopath, and in the holistic, individual aspect, with a pressing need for independence and freedom.

dr Jan Scholten, MD, is a world-renowned homeopathic physician and researcher. He was recently honoured with the Dutch knighthood for his exemplary work in medicine. His areas of interest also include chemistry, philosophy, acupuncture, and other alternative health disciplines, such as orthomolecular medicine. He is well-known too for his landmark books, Homeopathy and Minerals and Homeopathy and the Elements. His other explorations include the study of the plant kingdom, particularly botanical families, such as the Compositae. Dr Scholten has lectured all over the world, including Germany, Austria, France, Spain, Norway, Ireland, Poland, Hungary, Italy, Israel, the UK, the US, India, Australia and New Zealand. He lives in the Netherlands.

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WHAT’S YOUR TYPE: YOUR PERSONALITY

MEDORRHINUM: HURRY = WORRY =ANXIETY The homeopathic remedy, Medorrhinum, is best suited for individuals who appear incessantly hurried, edgy or apprehensive.

What percolates on, or beneath, the surface is their overlapping, secluded, or vacant, and rather illusory, disconnected state.

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individuals who appear incessantly hurried, ippocrates, the father of conventional edgy and apprehensive. medicine, suggested that spoiled What percolates on the surface is their air and water could spread illness. overlapping, secluded and vacant, or rather Dr Samuel Hahnemann, MD, the founder of illusory, disconnected state. Medorrhinums homeopathy, concurred with Hippocrates.

By Dr MUKESH BATRA He went a step further. He researched for are obsessive; they understand life to the hilt. fifteen years with intense clinical acumen However, behavioural flaps are not unusual and outlined his new theory of illness. He ‘demystified’ for them, as also mood variations — put simply, the Hippocrates’ principle more than a bit. All illness individual presenting with the Medorrhinum personality or disease, Hahnemann observed, much before the hovers from one extreme to the other. From a reserved, microscope came into vogue, are products of certain artistically insightful state to a self-centred, selfinherited factors, or predispositions, when genetics was interested outlook. too alien an entity. This, he indicated, could be passed Such negatives, that, one would feel there are hardly on from one generation to the other. any positives made from them. Yet, the fact of the Galen, the Greek physician, first gave gonorrhoea its matter is Medorrhinum individuals are often pumped up name, from gonos, or ‘seed,’ and rhoia, or ‘flow.’ Legend with a strong zeal.

They do not mince words, but they are prone to has it that the expression predates ancient Greece, not express their passion and excitement to speak loudly — to speak of ancient Egypt and China. During mediaeval and, in full detail. times, gonorrhoea was considered a major underlying This is what gives them the creative edge — the trigger of illness. Hahnemann thought of it as a miasm. ability to express their mind through a diversity of The word, miasm, is derived from ‘stained’ in Greek. It domains, mediums, or platforms. was first used by Hippocrates to illustrate a contagious Classical homeopaths often point out that Vincent agent. Hahnemann expanded on it and called it van Gogh and Virginia Woolf, among other creative ‘miasmatic animalcule’ — or, an ‘agent’ that transferred or literary geniuses represented the Medorrhinum diseases. Today, we all know it as bacteria or virus — although it was remarkable for Hahnemann to have temperament. The two personality examples had imagined of the probability, with no access to gadgets, something in common — bipolar disorder — the or technology. common thread being the Medorrhinum trait, or miasm, in their perimeter of thought.

TWO EXTREMES This is not to suggest that the Medorrhinum types are The homeopathic remedy, Medorrhinum, which is uninteresting, or full of extremes — they swerve from being ascetics to being gregarious the next moment, derived from infection itself — a ‘nosode’ — was proved from being compassionate to nasty, from rational to

by Dr Swan, a pioneer in using diseased products as remote, or being extremely distressing to intuitive. medicine. The homeopathic remedy is best suited for HOMEOPATHY & YOU | NOVEMBER 2014

13

RESTLESS IMPATIENCE The Medorrhinum personality not only denotes great urgency in doing anything, but also an exaggerated sense of restlessness and impatience. They cannot sit or wait; in other words, they must do things immediately. When a time is set, for instance, a job interview, they get tense and incessantly hasty to ‘arrive’ and accomplish. Classical homeopaths call such a tendency as ‘hurry sickness.’ A figment of the imagination that time passes too slowly is yet another trait. Besides, Medorrhinums tend to eat so fast that they finish even before their companions could set the plate. Such haste extends to their thinking, moving, walking, and also decision-making. Most Medorrhinums have a penchant to perform several things at one time.

The consequence is obvious — they cannot focus or concentrate on doing one thing at a time. The result is confusion, along with a sudden lack of confidence and disappointment.

Procrastination is also wisdom and vice versa for Medorrhinums — this is the psychical underpinning for their frustration too. Medorrhinum tends to postpone everything for the next day and feels that the same thing they wanted to do is now impossible. They either leave work unfinished, or halfway. They also get over their qualms, just as quickly, and take up something else as swiftly. Or, blame others for their gaffe.

Medorrhinums represent two boundaries — either they are disgustingly cruel to animals or extremely fond of them. Two sides of the same coin. When the latter gets the better of their psyche, the pet, or even a stray animal, becomes the cynosure of their eyes.

This extends, no less, to their joyfulness at one time and glum the next moment. That Medorrhinums love themselves far too much is passé, just as much as a weepy tearful disposition marks the remedy’s child profile.

Suicidal tendency may mark their outlook too, at times, as also a lurking presentiment of death — juxtaposed by ‘no dread of death.’

NATURAL DETOX Medorrhinum is also about mental and emotional detox — ringing out the old and ringing in the new, or flushing out the emotional debris that was lurking around during the season. This is achieved primarily because Medorrhinum is a past-master, if not a hard

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taskmaster, in self-regulation, to putting up limits, while not overdoing things, or going overboard. Their aim is realistic — they recognise that work is serious, it is also fun. They learn and hone their skills to the best extent possible — they also know when to stop and pack up for the day. This is what provides them with a healthy tempo to their life. Never out of sync, always in balance.

On the physical plane, the Medorrhinum personality has a proclivity for mucous membranes, especially a strong vulnerability for infection. Most symptoms are generally better for discharge of mucous, for sea air, and in the evening. Their symptoms tend to worsen in damp weather and between 3:00am and 4:00am.

Writes Philip M Bailey, MBBS, MD, MFHom [Lond], in his perceptive work, Homeopathic Psychology, “Medorrhinum has something of a reputation for cruelty, but in my experience this is only true of the young Medorrhinum child. [Most often] Medorrhinum patients will confirm when asked that they enjoyed tormenting insects when they were young, or using a magnifying glass to ‘fry them’ in the sun’s rays. Some go as far as tormenting dogs or cats, by throwing them into the bath, or whirling them round by the tail. Generally though this cruel streak does not extend to hurting people, except perhaps when the Medorrhinum toddler punches his playmate in order to steal his toy, and it has usually disappeared before the child reaches his teens. The reason for this cruelty to animals is not clear, in view of the sensitivity of the older Medorrhinum. It is presumably a means by which the young Medorrhinum flexes his muscles, in order to gain a sense of power.

By the time he reaches adolescence he generally has sufficient confidence to dispense with such methods.

Sexuality is also an area in which the Medorrhinum child is especially likely to be precocious.”

Whatever their demeanour, it is not that Medorrhinums acquire their gonorrheal infection from actual voyeurism going awfully wrong — most classical homeopaths suggest that the trait is often constitutional, or genetic, passed on or acquired through their more ‘enterprising’ forebears. This also, perforce, explains their adventurous temperament.

Medorrhinums love to travel, explore new horizons, or new possibilities like the sailor at every port of call — or, they passionately pursue knowledge, study or research the arts, philosophy and logic, or get into the depth of scientific and technological advances. Most Medorrhiums are like Magellan — explorers in word and deed. They love to learn from the familiar, the much travelled and the less travelled path — nothing can stop them in their track, especially when it comes to acquiring what they love, or what they want to in terms of learning, or whatever the dangers that dot the path they wish to tread.

“Medorrhinum,” according to Rajan Sankaran, MD [Hom], “represents the centre-point of the sycotic miasm — the feeling of incapacity and the fear of being exposed is represented in Medorrhinum by his fears and anxieties. He [the Medorrhinum individual] is always anticipating that something bad will happen. He has

an anxiety of conscience, as if guilty of a crime. He has a fear that someone was behind him.” He adds, “On the physical plane, this inner anxiety and restlessness is manifest by signs such as restlessness of the feet, constant nail-biting and the need to wash his hands repeatedly. But, in order to cover up this feeling of incapacity, Medorrhinum may appear egoistic, rude, critical, extravagant and can act as if nothing really bothers or affects him. He is unwilling to take up responsibilities, because he feels that he is unable to fulfil them [and that] his weakness will be exposed.

[This] will be seen predominantly around middle age when the person, having struggled for a long time, sees several defects within himself and tries to cover them up. This is also the time when ideas become rigid, freedom restricted, while the person is content to cope rather than struggle.”

Medorrhinum is used to treat a number of health conditions, especially pelvic inflammatory disorders, ovarian pain as well as painful periods. It is also equally effective for disorders of the spine, nerves, kidneys as well as the mucous membranes. As far as emotional problems — a likely trigger of heart disease — Medorrhinum is a useful remedy. More so, when one lives in an ‘illusory, or dreamlike world of their own.’

THE MEDORRHINUM INDEX Cold, sinusitis & asthma. Medorrhinum is useful for individuals suffering from abundant cold or catarrh [inflammation of the mucous membrane, particularly the respiratory tract, accompanied by excess nasal secretion]. This is often related to tenderness, or sensitivity, of the nasal mucous membranes. Such patients may experience post-nasal drip or frequent sneezing. There may also be pressing, or pressured, pain in the sinus area. Medorrhinum is effective in relieving such symptoms, while also providing quick relief.

Other key symptoms are burning, profuse catarrh, associated with inflammation of the mucous membranes. Symptoms are better for lying on the abdomen and in the evening.

There may also be sore, watery eyes that may go into conjunctivitis. Symptoms are better for sea air and lying on the abdomen. Symptoms are worse by cold; dampness and during the day.

Asthma is typically better for lying on the abdomen and sticking out the tongue. There may be a cough — cough is again better for lying on the abdomen. It is aggravated by sweet foods and drinks.

Men’s & women’s health. Prostatitis [inflammation of the prostate gland] in men. The prostate may be enlarged, painful and heavy. There is often a foulsmelling discharge with impotency. Symptoms are better for kneeling on all fours; lying on the abdomen; and, in the evening. Symptoms are worse during hot

weather; passing urine; and, during movement.

The classical Medorrhinum indication is an enlarged and weighty prostate gland. Classical homeopaths verify that Medorrhinum not only cures the condition, but also alleviates related symptoms. Medorrhinum is curative for large genital warts accompanied by itchy rash. It is also useful for prickly rashes, or small blisters, that are painful or inflamed.

Medorrhinum is effective for profuse, foul-smelling menstrual discharge in women. The discharge is often acrid and thick with a fishy odour. There is also a marked sensitivity with tenderness in the breasts and nipples, along with sterility. Symptoms are better for kneeling on all fours; lying on abdomen; and, in the evening. Symptoms are worse for hot weather; passing urine; and, from movement.

Urinary tract infections. Medorrhinum is curative for UTIs that present with intense pain and burning sensation, more so when the individual attempts to void urine. The urine may contain pus or blood. Such patients have a strong desire to pass urine, but are unable to void even small amounts, despite trying hard. There may be sharp pains with a yellow, pus-filled discharge or blood in the urine — this is often indicative of non-specific urethritis [inflamed urethra]. In severe cases, kidney infections, and renal colic, may follow.

There may be pain in the abdomen, lower back, rectum, or testicles, along with fever and discharge. Symptoms are better for lying on the abdomen; and, in the evening.

Symptoms are often worse in hot weather; while passing urine; and, movement.

Dr Mukesh Batra, a homeopath of international repute, is Founder-Chairman, Dr Batra’s. In a career spanning four decades, Dr Batra has treated over a million patients, including presidents and prime ministers, and revolutionised the way homeopathy is practiced today. A writer, photographer, singer and philanthropist, Dr Batra has been honoured with several fellowships and over 50 national and international awards, including the Padma Shri by the President of India. He has authored several books, including the critically-acclaimed cyclopedic work, Healing with Homeopathy. He lives in Mumbai.

HOMEOPATHY & YOU | NOVEMBER 2014

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MEDICAL MARVELS: LITTLE PILLS, BIG RESULTS

No More ‘Winter Itch’

By Dr NAVEEN BOLUGAM, BHMS, Bengaluru

B

alaram, a ninety-one-year-old patient came to me complaining of dry, hypopigmented, and ill-defined patches with fine scales over the face and limbs. The symptoms started appearing at the onset of winter. Initially, he had dryness and itching. He later developed oozing and open wounds. Slowly, it started spreading to the hands, back and legs.

Before coming to us, he had tried conventional [allopathic] medicines. However, the outcome was neither satisfactory, nor permanent. He, therefore, decided to opt for homeopathic treatment.

He was diagnosed with xerotic eczema. Xerotic eczema, also known as ‘winter itch,’ or ‘winter eczema,’ is a form of eczema, characterised by changes that occur when the skin becomes abnormally dry, itchy, and cracked. Xerotic eczema is common in elderly people; it is not uncommon for people in their 20s. It can appear with red, bumpy, pimple-like irritation. Shaving can cause it to become inflamed.

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This type of eczema occurs in individuals with a ‘dry type’ of skin.

The characteristic features are dry, hypopigmented, and ill-defined patches with fine scales over the elbows, wrists and face. Oozing, crusting and fissures occur later. During homeopathic case-taking, it suggested that the patient had a military background and appreciated army discipline. He himself followed the same discipline throughout his life. He had worked in different places in different positions. He was all through life independent and hardworking. Even at the age of 91, he and his wife stayed independently without depending on their children.

Considering Balaram’s fierce independent temperament, and presenting symptoms, I prescribed him the homeopathic remedy, Nux Vomica 200C. The response was slow, but after homeopathic treatment for a year, the patient is far better as far as his dryness of skin and itching are concerned. His lesions too have healed.

Spreading the Joy of Good Health… through Homeopathy!

PCOS Cured

By Dr SARABJEET KAUR, BHMS, New Delhi

P

oonam Thakur, a twenty-eight-year-old executive, presented with hair loss since two years. She also had significant hair growth on her chin. Her periods were not regular.

The diagnosis: ovarian cysts, or polycystic ovary syndrome [PCOS].

PCOS is caused because of the accumulation of immature follicles in the ovaries. It produces symptoms in approximately 5-10 per cent of women of reproductive age. It is perceived to be one of the leading causes of female sub-fertility and the most frequent of endocrine disorders in women of reproductive age. The finding that the ovaries are polycystic on ultrasound is common, but it is not the absolute sign in all cases.

The most common immediate symptoms are anovulation [lack of ovulation], excess androgenic [male] hormones, and insulin resistance.

Anovulation results in irregular menstruation, amenorrhoea [lack of periods], and ovulationrelated infertility. Hormone imbalance generally causes acne and hirsutism [hair on face, hands etc].

Insulin resistance is associated with obesity, type-2 diabetes, and high cholesterol levels. The symptoms and severity of the syndrome vary greatly among affected women.

Following detailed case-analysis, it was found that Poonam got married four years ago. However, her marriage lasted for just 1.5 years. She said that her ex-husband was “more interested in money than family and treated her like a slave.” He even threatened her. She was, thus, left with no choice but to leave him.

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17

She got remarried, but her marriage was again unsuccessful. Two failed marriages and the struggle of managing life alone made her extremely “intolerant towards life and ill-natured people.”

She also revealed that during her growing years her mother gave more importance to her brothers and not to her. Think of the Freudian element of childhood and its resultant impact. She now appears to be more close to her brother and shares her concerns with him and her friends.

Poonam has a doctorate degree in mathematics.

She has now taken up a job in the Middle East to support herself. Taking into consideration her medical history and personal trauma, I prescribed her the homeopathic remedy, Natrum Carbonicum 200C and Apis Mellifica 6C. Following six months of homeopathic treatment, her hair loss has reduced considerably as also her other associated symptoms.

Her periods are now normal and, more importantly, she appears relaxed and tolerant. She is also better able to mix with people in social gatherings, unlike before.

Tress Destress

By Dr HARSHA JOSHI, BHMS, Pune

E

ighteen-year-old Rajeev came to my clinic with patchy hair loss. He was diagnosed with alopecia areata [AA], an autoimmune condition characterised by patchy hair loss that occurs suddenly. Rajeev had earlier used several shampoos and conventional [allopathic] medicines to control his hair loss; however, none gave him extended relief. He had also taken homeopathic treatment, but there was no change in his condition. In fact, his condition only worsened.

Alopecia areata is a condition in which hair is lost from some or all areas of the body, usually from the scalp. Because it causes bald spots on the scalp, especially in the initial stages, it is sometimes called spot baldness. The initial symptoms of AA are small

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bald patches. The underlying skin is sometimes unscarred and looks superficially normal. The patches can take many shapes, but are usually round or oval.

In a few cases, the condition can also spread to the entire scalp [alopecia totalis].

I analysed Rajeev’s case in detail, including his personal temperament, likes and dislikes, apart from his medical history. Rajeev was quiet and shy by nature. He was slow in learning things. Though he appeared irritated he did not react and wasn’t demanding — as his mother deduced. I found him to be timid and non-reactive. He had a strong craving for milk. I prescribed him the homeopathic remedy, Calcarea Carbonicum 200C, which was immensely helpful. After a year-and-a-half of homeopathic treatment, his hair loss has reduced — there are no visible bald patches on his scalp.

Rash Calmed Dr ANU R, BHMS, Chennai

F

orty-year-old Meenakshi came to us complaining of eruptions with dryness and mild scaling around the mouth. It was associated with itching and burning. She was diagnosed with perioral dermatitis. Perioral dermatitis is a rash that develops around the mouth. The word perioral means ‘around the mouth.’ Dermatitis means ‘inflammation of the skin.’

In the condition, small red or pink coloured lumpy spots develop typically on the skin anywhere around the mouth. They may also appear on the cheeks and the skin next to and below the nose. They look like acne spots. The skin under and next to each spot is often red or pink in colour. If there are too many spots next to each other, then the area of affected skin looks red and lumpy. Sometimes, the skin surface can become dry and flaky.

The cause of perioral dermatitis is unknown. It often occurs after the use of topical steroid creams on the face. There are a large number of potential causes including chewing gum, certain medications, hormone changes, and autoimmune diseases.

Lip licking, lip chewing, lip sucking, and allergies to certain ingredients, especially in some dental products, have also been reported as likely causes.

Meenakshi’s case history revealed that she was a reserved type of person [introvert] and never complained about anything, not even about her pain to family members or friends. She often dreamt and feared, as she reported, of her children being attacked. She also mentioned that she had a strong dislike for sweets. I analysed her temperament and her medical symptoms, following which I prescribed her the homeopathic remedy, Phosphorus 200C. After a year’s homeopathic treatment and follow-up, she responded favourably and is now a strong proponent of homeopathy in skin and other disorders.

HOW HOMEOPATHY HELPED ME

Sneeze Freeze

I

was suffering from nasal allergy for over ten years.

The problem increased over a period of time — it took a toll on my life. I could no longer be myself.

I tried various treatments, but everything failed. In my search for long-term results, I turned up at Dr Deepa Sharma’s homeopathic clinic. Soon after the treatment began, the problem reduced, and as the treatment continued it disappeared completely. It was a pleasant surprise — because, I did not so much ‘believe’ in homeopathy. It’s been few years now; there’s no threat of any major recurrence, except for a bout of common cold, once or twice a year. I thank Dr Deepa Sharma for helping me get rid of my nosey distress.

Sonia Kaur, a patient of Dr Deepa Sharma, BHMS, Jaipur

More Than Patch Relief

I

had tried different treatments, including conventional [allopathic] medicine for many years, yet my health problems persisted. Homeopathy, I thought, was our only hope; my last port of call.

I was suffering from extensive white patches for years. Over a period of time, the patches only increased on my legs, face and other parts of my body.

Every treatment I took provided only temporary relief; in due course, the patches would reappear again. My physical condition made me feel awkward and I was extremely reluctant to mix with my classmates; I could not focus on anything.

I happened to meet Dr Nupur Barde, at her clinic, who after a detailed case-analysis, prescribed my certain homeopathic medicines. Much to my own and my parents’ delight, the patches stopped spreading.

This happened within a few months of treatment. With continued treatment, the patches slowly receded. I feel that I’ve regained my lost confidence too; my grades in college have started to improve. Many thanks, doc, for bringing that much-needed breath of fresh air in my life!

Pooja, a patient of Dr Nupur Barde, BHMS, Pune

Editor’s Note: Readers/patients are advised to be regular while taking homeopathic treatment as it helps for proper analysis of the efficacy, or otherwise, of the remedy administered.

HOMEOPATHY & YOU | NOVEMBER 2014

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FOR WOMEN

A REMEDY FOR EVERY NEED Homeopathy can provide safe, holistic support — by way of therapeutics and preventative treatment — and, help women lead healthy, happy lives.

By Dr PANKAJ AGGARWAL

W

omen’s lives have changed over the ages. In times gone by, life was particularly difficult for most women. Aside from numerous dangers and diseases, women often became wives and mothers when they were just emerging from their childhood. There were also too many women who had a multitude of pregnancies, most of which may or may not have been required. Then, childbirth itself was risky; not infrequently, it led to the death of the mother. Most women, in the past, did not also live long enough to be worried about menopause, or old age.

A woman’s life span has improved from 50, in the 1900s, to about 82 in the present millennium. It is continuing to increase. It is not only women today are living longer; they also have the possibility of enjoying a better quality of life [QoL] all through one’s lifespan.

To be able to live a happy and healthy life, it is essential for women to take charge of their own health and comprehend how they can maximise their fitness and wellness quotient — with the goodness of homeopathy, every woman’s best friend. It’d also be imperative for men to understand and be proactive to health concerns of women. Women and men share similar health problems, but women have their own, unique health needs and issues, which deserve special consideration, or attention.

This article attempts to summarise and expand on the fundamentals of women’s health concerns. This is not just related to their reproductive system, but also all aspects of their body, for which homoeopathy can provide safe, holistic support — by way of therapeutics and preventative treatment — and, help them lead healthy, happy lives.

DEPENDENCY DYNAMICS A woman’s anatomy indicates her dependency at every stage of life. For instance, a woman’s uterus is a pivotal structure that is suspended with the support of broad ligaments. It provides stability to the organ. It also indicates helplessness when there is no support.

In like manner, a woman needs support at different phases of their life: during childhood, of parents; after marriage, of husband; thereafter, of son or daughter. The moment a woman feels that her support system is getting wobbly, or lost, she becomes a victim to illness.

In the modern world, women are leading a better quality of

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life [QoL], yet, they also face a growing number of illnesses.

One out of three girls, for instance, may have ovarian cysts, or PCOS [polycystic ovary syndrome]. Infertility is also on the rise. It is common to find women having lumps in the breasts [fibroadenoma]. The trend of ‘size-zero-figure’ also poses a definitive threat on female hormones. The incidence of women suffering from menstrual disorders, or attending gynecological out-patient departments [OPDs], has increased significantly too. The most intimidating part is standard conventional [allopathic] treatment offered to such women patients is, by and large, hormonal. It often leads to weight gain, depression, nausea, and hyperacidity, aside from other serious side-effects, such as cancer.

It is essential to remember that most women, albeit strong in their mindful bearings, are delicate and should be taken care of with utmost care and sensitivity. There are various phases when a woman is particularly sensitive — physically, mentally, emotionally and psychologically. This calls for special attention.

1. At the time of puberty, a child’s body matures into an adult 2. During menstruation 3. After marriage 4. During first pregnancy 5. During subsequent pregnancies 6. Miscarriage 7. Menopause.

HEALING WITH HOMEOPATHY Dr Samuel Hahnemann’s The Organon of Medicine, the biblical tome of homeopathy, states, “The highest ideal of cure is rapid, gentle and permanent restoration of health, or removal and annihilation of the disease in its whole extent, in the shortest, most reliable, and most harmless way, on easily comprehensible principles.” Homeopathy considers each patient as a whole and treats them as a whole in the most rapid, safe and gentle manner. This tenet is taken into careful consideration while eliciting and distilling the full case and medical history of the patient.

There are certain homoeopathic remedies which are particularly effective when a woman has not felt well before or after a particular point: • Never been well since puberty: Pulsatilla

EVERY WOMAN’S HOMEKIT: USEFUL HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES Belladonna • Symptoms are extremely intense and/or come and go suddenly • Feels restless and flushed, with pulsing or pounding sensations; the eyes are sensitive to light • Worse from movement and touch; sitting may be the most tolerable position.

Bovista • Pain may be felt in the pelvic region, often with soreness near the pubic bone • Puffiness and oedema [swelling] because of menstrual stress; the patient is awkward and clumsy • Diarrhoea at the time of periods.

Caulophyllum • History of weak uterine tone and irregular periods • Stiffness, or arthritis, especially in the finger-joints • Intense discomfort during periods, with drawing pains in the thighs and legs as well as the pelvic area.

Chamomilla • Anger and irritability may be extreme [or, pain and cramping may come on after the woman gets angry] • Pain with numbness • Pains seem almost unbearable • Worse at night. Heating pads or exposure to wind can worsen the symptoms. Vigorous walking or moving around in other ways may help relieve the pain.

Colocynthis • Sharp, cutting, tearing pains that make the person double over

• Never been well since menopause: Lachesis • Menorrhagia [excess periods]/or not been well since her last miscarriage: Sulphur.

Many women patients consult doctors for dysmenorrhoea [painful periods] for which they are usually given painkillers. We need to understand what, in point of fact, is dysmenorrhoea. It is actually a ‘whimper’ of a woman through the uterus. Pain-killers may numb the ‘cry’ for the time being. A permanent cure can be established only by eliciting and treating the cause, as is done in homeopathy, with the character of the pain, aggravating or relieving factors taken care of and the appropriate homeopathic remedy prescribed accordingly.

Marriage is an important element to be considered in every case. After marriage, a woman steps into a totally new environment, with new people and new customs. This has a definitive impact on her physically, mentally and emotionally. The impact varies with each individual; hence, the need for different remedies, each ‘fitting’ the individual in question. When a woman comes, for instance, from a totally liberal family to a restricted family, Thyroidinum is often useful to promote harmonious acclimatisation.

Pregnancy may be wanted or unwanted/planned or unplanned. Some women may complain of profuse vomiting

• Worse by emotional upset, especially after experiencing anger or suppressing it.

Lachesis • A person who needs this remedy may feel ‘like a pressure cooker:’ the Lachesis personality is intense and passionate; she needs an outlet both physical and emotional • Women who have intense discomfort and tension before menstrual periods begin to feel much better when the flow is established.

Magnesium Phosphoricum • The homeopathic ‘aspirin’ • Painful cramps and pain in the pelvic region relieved by pressure and warmth/hot water bag.

Nux Vomica • When the woman patient tends to be edgy, irritable, and easily offended • Chilliness and constipation are common • Constricting pains that extend to the rectum, or the area above the tailbone • Mental strain, anger, physical exertion, stimulants, strong foods, and alcohol, are most likely to make things worse. Warmth and rest often help.

NB: Please speak to a professional homeopath for the appropriate remedy and dosage best suited for the health concern; do not self-treat.

throughout pregnancy, while in some there may be no vomiting. Different cravings for different things develop in different individuals. Some may develop itching, while in some, an old allergy may develop. All these factors are considered for prescribing the appropriate homeopathic remedy, which impacts and improves not only the mother’s but also the baby’s health.

Miscarriage is seen in some women who have a tendency to abort at a particular time after conception. With a properly selected homeopathic remedy, a woman can get over the tendency and, thus, deliver a healthy baby.

• Abortion at second month: Apis Mellifica • Abortion at third month: Cimicifuga Racemosa • Abortion at 5th-7th months: Sepia Officinalis • Abortion during early months: Apis Mellifica • Abortion during last months: Opium.

Menopause. A woman may develop different complaints during or after menopause and would, therefore, need different homeopathic remedies — or, more precisely, a remedy that ‘fits’ one’s temperament and symptom-picture.

• Mental depression, or irritability with flashes: Lachesis • Hysterical tendencies: Ignatia Amara • Palpitation: Amylium Nitrosum.

Dr Pankaj Aggarwal, MD [Hom], is a New Delhi-based senior homeopath and academician.

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QUINTESSENCE

16 REASONS TO LOVE YOUR HOMEOPATH Love your homeopath because your homeopath is a rebel like you, supporting medicines that work. And — spread the good word around.

By TRACY KOLENCHUK

1

For love. Love your family, love thy neighbour, and love your homeopath. Even if you don’t need a homeopath now, your aunt, your grandmother, or grandchild might. The decision to love your homeopath expands your future options — and, the future of your friends and family. Your health includes the health of those you love and your community.

2

For saving money. Homeopathic remedies are generally less expensive than patent medicines, which have prices driven by profit, not by cost or benefit.

Also, many homeopathic medicines are designed to cure disease — while many patent medicines only treat symptoms by ongoing, expensive prescriptions.

Mahatma Gandhi once said, “Homeopathy cures a larger percentage of cases than any other method of treatment and is beyond doubt safer and more economical and the most complete medical science.”

3

For your body, mind, spirit and community.

Homeopathy works. Sometimes it works after other medicines have failed. Take a look around. Most of us have no difficulty finding a friend who swears by a homeopath in their past, or in their family. How is it possible that everyone can find instances where a homeopathic doctor was able to solve a problem, one that other doctors could not solve, while others claim that homeopathic medicines can’t work? There are some who claim that homeopathic medicines should be banned because they work “no better than a placebo [dummy pill].” They don’t remember that a placebo is defined as ‘a lie from your doctor,’ or that lies from your doctor actually work too. Of course, they don’t mention that placebos often work so well that they embarrass medical researchers.

No medicine works all of the time. Even a null medicine works some of the time. Patent medicines, homeopathic medicines, placebos, and even simple empathy, have each been tested in clinical studies — with some positive results and some negative results. Do those who suggest banning homeopathic medicines also suggest banning doctor empathy, or a patient’s positivity, and their family’s prayers?

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The Queen of England, Queen Elizabeth II, has a personal physician — a homeopath. She has used homeopathic medicines for her pets as well. If it’s good enough for royalty, it’s good enough for you.

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Because someday you might need an alternative practitioner. Someday you may need a chiropractor, a Traditional Chinese Medicine [TCM] practitioner, acupuncturist, an osteopathic doctor, an ayurvedic, or any other ‘alternative’ practitioner too.

Remember the famous speech by Martin Niemöller: “When the Nazis came for the communists, I remained silent; I was not a communist. When they locked up the social democrats, I remained silent; I was not a social democrat. When they came for the trade unionists, I did not speak out; I was not a trade unionist. When they came for the Jews, I remained silent; I wasn’t a Jew. When they came for me, there was no one left to speak out.”

Attacking homeopathy, suggesting that it be banned, is a first step in the wrong direction. Many medical disciplines are attacked independently, with a goal to remove them all from the market — thus removing your freedom to choose. If we ban homeopaths, ask yourself — who’s next?

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For your freedom. Freedom to choose homeopathy.

Freedom to choose your medicines, and your treatment for your body. There are many who might prefer that you have less freedom to choose, especially those with something to sell. There are several claptrap restrictions on your freedom to choose, and little to no freedom on certain medical treatments. But, it’s your body, your mind, your spirit, and your life. You have the right to choose. Love your homeopath. Maintain your freedom of choice!

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For your symptoms. The medical model classifies all symptoms as indications of illness. It does not recognise that symptoms can be indications of healing or fighting illness. Homeopathy looks at symptoms from a completely different viewpoint. When we have more viewpoints, we see farther and find more effective treatments.

Because you are royalty. Kings and queens have historically used homeopathy with positive effects.

HOMEOPATHY & YOU | NOVEMBER 2014

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Courtesy; WAKE UP WORLD

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For your health. In the United States today [and, many other Western countries], it is illegal to market a product that claims to ‘improve your health,’ without making specific references to illness. All health claims must reference ‘a disease or health-related condition.’

It is illegal to sell a ‘health product’ without a reference to scientific studies of ‘illness.’ According to the USFDA: A ‘health claim’ by definition has two essential components: [1] a substance [whether a food, food component, or dietary ingredient], and [2] a disease or health-related condition. A statement lacking either one of the components does not meet the regulatory definition of a health claim.

Medicine is blind to health. Many products may improve your health regardless of the existence of an illness, but cannot be marketed as such. Homeopathy challenges many medical dogmas, opening the door to a more comprehensive, broader, clearer view of healthiness — not just illness.

For science. Some argue that homeopathy cannot pass the tests of science. These are people who do not understand science. Science does not find truth; it asks questions and seeks answers. The answers it finds, if they are useful, raise higher and more important questions. When science is stifled — when science becomes illegal — we all lose.

The science of clinical studies is a valuable tool for medicine, but it is a limited tool. Homeopathy challenges the limitations of clinical studies which ignore individual cases and rely instead on statistical models. Complete understanding of medical issues, including homeopathy, cannot be found solely through the science of clinical studies and statistics. [Note: If it could, our communities would be getting healthier, not sicker].

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For your doctor. Whether your doctor is a homeopath or not, s/he might need access to homeopathic ideas and medicines. Homeopathy is practiced by many doctors, dentists, naturopaths, chiropractors, acupuncturists, physician assistants, nurses, even veterinarians, and more. If homeopathy is banned, these medical professionals will be limited, or forced to hide or curb their beliefs and complimentary activities.

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Why stop at ten? Science doesn’t stop counting when it runs out of toes. Listing 10 reasons limits our ability to explore, to know, and to understand.

There are many more reasons to love your homeopath, because we know homeopathy works, and it’s the right thing to do. You will find more reasons yourself, if you look for them with an open mind.

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For your fears. These days we are surrounded by fear mongers. Sadly, this is nothing new. Fear has long been used to manipulate people. Dictators rely on fear to maintain power. Fear is used to enforce conformance. We fear terrorists, criminals, drug cartels, and ‘those who don’t believe what we believe’.

There are people who would prefer that you fear your homeopath, your chiropractor, your acupuncturist, your Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner, and others… so they can control you and your choices.

Fight back. Love yourself, your family, your ability to choose — without fear — those who provide your medical and health services.

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Because we don’t know. We know that homeopathic medicines work, but we don’t know how they work or why. We don’t know why acupuncture works. We don’t know why empathy, hope, positivity

or prayer works, but we know they can work. We need to accept that which we do not know, and work to understand, not to ignore, dismiss, or reject it.

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Because your homeopathic doctor cares about you and your health. Too much medicine today is profit-based, achieving only corporate goals of growth and profit. Homeopathic doctors want to make you better, to make you healthier, to serve your family, and your community. Many conventional doctors also want to make you healthier, but they can be trapped by a system of commercial pharmaceutical medicine that pursues profit at all cost.

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Love the rebel in you. Love your homeopath, because your homeopath is a rebel like you, supporting medicines that work. Rebel against the limitations associated with mainstream medicine’s ‘clinical studies,’ which are mostly about prescribing patented drugs for the long-term treatment of symptoms associated with chronic illness.

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Because you are smart. There is a long history of people who are not-so-smart dismissing or even banning what they don’t understand. It’s a history of darkness, of extended intentional unknowing. Smart people are not afraid of ‘not understanding.’ It’s okay to know homeopathy works, without understanding how.

“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference” and, the right to make my own choices.

The modern medical paradigm is failing. We need to embrace what we understand with courage, and accept what we don’t understand, without fear or rejection, if we are to move forward.

Love homeopathy. Love your homeopath.

Tracy Kolenchuk, the author of two books: Introduction to Healthicine: Theories of Health, Healthiness, Illness and Aging Healthicine: The Arts Sciences of Health and Healthiness, is also the founder of www.healthicine.org and www.personalhealthfreedom.blogspot.com, where he works to change the way the world defines and looks at health, healthiness and healthicine. He lives in Canada.

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HOMEOPATHY & YOU | NOVEMBER 2014

DOCTOR’S ORDERS

By Dr MUKESH BATRA LCEH, FSRH [MED] P [LOND], MDH [USA], FBIH [UK] PADMA SHRI RECIPIENT

Q A

I have been diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis. Please advice.

Ankylosing spondylitis [AS] is an inflammatory disease of the joints, especially the spine and sacroiliac.

This autoimmune disorder eventually causes fusion of the spine. Peripheral joints may also get involved. Men are three times more likely to develop the disorder as compared to women.

Research has shown that homeopathic remedies are effective in chronic and autoimmune disorders, thanks to their subtle bioenergetic therapeutic action, or correcting the out-of-sync immune system. While constitutional homeopathic treatment, under the guidance of a local homeopath, may be required for better results, I’d suggest that you’d take Calcarea Fluoricum 6X, 2-4 pellets, twice daily, for quick, effective relief.

Q

I am a 35-year-old career women, prone to constant stress and distress.

I have been diagnosed with tummy ulcer for a few years. My allopathic physician has given me multiple courses of medications. The ulcers always seem to return. Could homeopathy help?

The true origin of ulcers is stress. It lies in the mind and the body. I see stress-related flare-ups of asthma, high blood pressure and diabetes, in most of my patients. I often suggest a homeopathic remedy, along with nutritional and lifestyle changes — to help both the mind and body. It appears that stress has been your constant companion for years. Natrum Phosphoricum 30C, 5-6 pills, daily, for a month may be useful for you. Try to set aside 15-20 minutes for meditation, every day too. Include licorice [extract] in your diet. Licorice helps heal the lining of the stomach. Please let me know your progress.

A

Q

Q

A

A

I suffer from heavy periods. I feel totally My husband, aged 51, wakes up every morning, exhausted; my tummy aches and I have giddiness complaining of constant pressure, a sudden urge at times. I just don’t feel like doing anything, not even to pass urine. He feels painfully full, no matter how attending office, during the time. Nothing seems to little he had had to drink or eat, or how frequently he interest me. Could you please prescribe me a suitable has relieved himself. Please help. homeopathic remedy?

Your husband is showing signs and symptoms of benign prostate hypertrophy [BPH], a common Excessive bleeding, or menorrhagia, is a symptom problem in men aged 50 and above. Sabal of a certain underlying problem; although, it may not be a problem Serrulata Q, 8-10 drops, in half-cup of water, by itself. There are many causes for at bedtime, daily, may be useful for his Do you have a health excessive bleeding. You should consult problem.

You may also put him on a high question? Need an answer? a local gynaecologist who would soya diet and introduce a ‘prostate-friendly’ E-mail your health diagnose the problem and/or suggest nutritional programme — with foods rich in questions to: tests/investigations, if required. zinc [beans, cheese, and salads] and omega expertadvice@ However, given the nature of your fatty acids [flaxseed]. Pumpkinseeds are also homeopathyandyou.com symptoms, you’d take the homeopathic good. Meanwhile, I’d suggest that you get Renowned homeopath remedy, Millefolium 30C, 4-5 pills, his investigations done — especially, prostate Dr Mukesh Batra will specific antigen [PSA] test. twice daily. Please let me know your answer your questions. progress.

HOMEOPATHY & YOU | NOVEMBER 2014

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HOMEOPATHIC HAPPENINGS

COST-EFFECTIVE & EFFICACIOUS HOMEOPATHY NEEDS ‘MODI-FIED’ IMPETUS

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ndia spends a paltry 4.8 per cent of its GDP on healthcare — 1.2 by government and 3.6 by private sector. What is deplorable too is just 17 per cent of public expenditure is spent on health in our country. On the contrary, Pakistan, Bangladesh, China and Brazil, have better spends on health — 20 per cent, 28 per cent, 38 per cent and 54 per cent, respectively.

This explains the imperative or the pressing need for a cost-effective, preventative and therapeutic/medical treatment and alternative option, like homeopathy, in a country as vast and diverse as ours.

Picture this — the previous government sanctioned `4,000 crore for the treatment of Japanese encephalitis in Bihar and UP. Compare this with the outbreak of viral encephalitis in Andhra Pradesh, just a few years ago. One million people were given the homeopathic preventative remedy, Belladonna. Not a single person died in the epidemic. The expenditure for treating one million people through the homeopathic prophylactic was less than `10 lakh! It is, therefore, time we considered health as wealth; and, not wealth as health.

What actually makes homeopathy more and more popular among people today is its personalised, individualised approach, cost-effectiveness, efficacy

and safety. Homeopathy has all the requisites to be the most ideal healthcare system in our country — right from the grassroots level, our villages, small towns, to urban areas and cities. It also certainly makes no sense to have homeopathy under the umbrella of AYUSH. The best thing, with the big hope that our Prime Minister Narendra Modi has ushered in for the country, would be to place homeopathy on its own ‘Modi-fied’ pedestal, with separate allocation of funds keyed to its development and research for a larger cause. The inference is obvious — homeopathy, which finds favour with 25 per cent of the people in our country, can easily fit our health bill, more so as an affordable, integral part of everyone’s healthcare strategy.

It makes sense to place homeopathy on priority list too — what needs to be first earmarked is augmented focus on improving homeopathic education in colleges and the universities that they are affiliated to, increase the number of government and private dispensaries, provide employment to homeopathic medical graduates and expand on research — with emphasis on evidencebased studies and clinical trials of homeopathic remedies using the best of scientific knowledge, advance and technology.

HOMEOPATHY IS PRAGMATIC MEDICINE

T

he public health and individual risks of inappropriate antibiotic prescribing and sick child with nurse-conventional over-the-counter [OTC] symptomatic drugs in paediatric treatment of acute otitis media [AOM] and upper respiratory infections [URIs] are significant. Clinical research suggests that OTC homeopathic medicines, in the US, offer pragmatic treatment alternatives to conventional drugs for symptom relief in children with uncomplicated AOM or URIs. Homeopathy is a holistic but demonstrably safe and effective 200-year-old system of complementary and alternative medicine [CAM] used

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HOMEOPATHY & YOU | NOVEMBER 2014

A H&Y ADVERTSING INITIATIVE

worldwide. Numerous clinical studies demonstrate that homeopathy accelerates early symptom relief in acute illnesses at much lower risk than conventional drug approaches. Evidence-based advantages for homeopathy include lower antibiotic fill rates during watchful waiting in otitis media, fewer and less serious side-effects, absence of drug-to-drug interactions, and reduced parental sick leave from work. Emerging evidence from basic and preclinical science research counter sceptics’ claims that homeopathic remedies are biologically inert [placebo].

Consumers already accept and use homeopathic

medicines for self-care, as evidenced by annual US consumer expenditures of $2.9 billion on homeopathic remedies. Homeopathy appears equivalent to and safer than conventional standard care in comparative effectiveness trials, but additional well-designed efficacy trials are indicated. Nonetheless, according to a paper published by Iris R Bell, MD, PhD, et al, in Global Advances in Health and Medicine, the existing research evidence on safety supports pragmatic use of homeopathy in order to ‘first do no harm’ in the early symptom management of otherwise uncomplicated AOM and URIs in children.

VET HOMEOPATHY @ Dr bATrA’S STATE-OF-THE ArT PET CArE HOSPITAl, YuSuF SArAI, NEW DElHI NATurAl ANTIbIOTICS FOr YOur PET’S WEllNESS

By Dr SHALLY, BVSc & AH, MVSc [Surgery & Radiology]

T

ry using natural antibiotics when you need to use an antibiotic for your pet’s illness — something with no side-effects! It is agreed that you will be faced with the dilemma to use or not to use conventional antibiotics. Sometimes, antibiotics can be lifesaving — but it would be prudent for you not to use them for every pet infection. Besides, there is often the additional risk of using far too many antibiotics — this can lead to major side-effects, including intestinal dysbiosis, or imbalance, besides drug-resistance.

One should, as a pet owner, use natural treatments — especially in the early stages of infections. The reasons are manifold — natural products, such as homeopathic remedies, do not have side-effects and they do not destroy the good bacteria, along with the bad bacteria, in the gut — conventional antibiotics, as you know, ‘kill’ both good and bad bacteria.

Besides, you risk building more powerful bacteriaresistant strains with each antibiotic use. Open-minded conventional [allopathic] physicians are against the over-liberal use of antibiotics, more so when more natural medicines can successfully be given with better and safer outcomes. The reason is simple — we are all witness to the bleak reality of bacteria becoming so defiant to the strongest, or most powerful, drugs today.

This can be frightening, especially when your pet really needs antibiotics, they may not work. In addition, powerful pharmaceuticals may lead to toxic burden in your pet. When this happens, the bacteria often find a mode to wobble your pet’s immunity — this can lead to compromised immune defence.

Is there a way out? There is. There are several homeopathic and other natural products that can work wonders in diverse illness states, such as a bad abscess, bladder, urinary, vaginal infections, or respiratory, skin and tooth disorders to name a few.

• Echinacea [Homeopathic]. Has great anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. It stimulates the immune system.

• Grapefruit seed extract [internally]. Researchers have tested grapefruit seed extract against 30 fungi, 20 bacteria and a host of viruses and protozoa. Results showed that grapefruit seed extract has significant antimicrobial effects.

• Hydrastis [Homeopathic]. Has proven antiinflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. It strengthens the immune system.

• Tea tree oil [external application]. Use it to clean and dress wounds to prevent and treat infections. You should dilute tea tree oil in water and use it as a wash or mix with carrier oil — olive or almond oil — in a 3:1 dilution when applying to wounds.

Dr Batra’s Pet Care is keyed to promote vet homeopathy and expand it rapidly — as first-aid, first-line, complementary, integrated, or also as ‘last-choice’ medicine — because, homeopathic treatment, given to pets, and other animals, is not only effective, but also free of side-effects.

For appointments, contact: T: [011]-4269 4800/M: 0-93805 80808 E: info@drbatraspetcare.com Website: www.drbatraspetcare.com

HOMEOPATHY & YOU | NOVEMBER 2014

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WHAT LIES BENEATH: MYSTERIES OF HOMEOPATHY

THE POWER OF THE MINIMUM DOSE New research suggests that potentised homeopathic remedies have the power of resonance — where a symphony of tiny, small waves creates considerable changes and ushers in safe, effective healing outcomes. A round-up.

By Dr RajgOPal NIDaMBOOR

M

atter, as we all know, stores and also radiates energy. Distilled [most often, double purified] water, or alcohol, the substance used to make homeopathic medicines, or remedies, is also matter — it stores wavelengths. All things produce their own wavelengths, and like a flower, each substance is unique.

Researchers say that not only does water store wave lengths, it also stores some form of memory.

Research in homeopathy suggests that double-distilled water, or alcohol, used in the preparation of homeopathic medicines maintains the memory, or reminiscence, of the substance diluted in it. This can occur even when repeated dilutions of 1:10 or 1:100 exceed the point at which no molecules [beyond Avogadro’s number] remain in it.

It is accepted when specific key enzymes, hormones, or tissues are activated, albeit slightly, in all living beings, macroscopic changes can happen. One classical theory that celebrates the idea is the theory of chaos, which states that even minute changes can have massive effects — and, lead to harmonious effects, or outcomes.

Recent research suggests that small doses may be more effective than large doses because of a ‘therapeutic window.’ New studies also state that this is more likely to happen when an individual, or any living being, is in a state of ‘readied excitation,’ or is ‘raring and geared up’ when a specific stimulus triggers a cascading, invasive effect. It may again be said that the homeopathic ‘law of similars’ [like cures like], can provide the essential connect to finding a substance in nature which, when individually prescribed, can trigger this ‘torrent effect.’

Homeopathic research relates potentised medicines to the power of resonance — where a symphony of tiny, small

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waves creates considerable changes.

Call this a sort of natural resonance that effects healing.

In homeopathic parlance, this connects to the process of ‘stimulating’ remedial effects of a given medicine in, and on, the body.

There are more than a handful of new theories that explain the mechanism of action of homeopathic potentised medicines. They are in précis — HORMESIS Edward J Calabrese, PhD, at the University of Massachusetts, US, has worked and contributed extensively on hormesis states. The idea suggests that most, if not all, chemical and physical agents, such as radiation, have the capacity to stimulate biological action at doses below the toxicity threshold levels, or cause toxicity at doses above the threshold.

This has been validated by Arndt-Schulz law of pharmacology — which explains the beneficial effects of micro-doses of potentially toxic substances used in homeopathy.

The effects of micro-doses have been known for a long time. There are a number of examples that support the idea — that extremely diluted concentrations of a substance will have a measurable and, sometimes, profound effect.

Hormesis is one such phenomenon.

In one research assay, researchers from the Michigan State University, US, showed how hormesis works in nature. They used micro-doses of a fertiliser to stimulate crop yield.

As already discussed, our bodies secrete minute

amounts of thyroid hormone, yet this is enough to regulate our metabolism. A minuscule deviation can, likewise, affect the body’s harmonious applecart.

As a matter of fact, animal studies have shown that low doses of certain substances trigger a beneficial response, while high doses may be dangerous.

This outcome has been acknowledged to occur with radiation therapy as already cited, and antibiotic use too — to cull but just two examples.

PHYSIOlOgICal MEDICINE We are a marvellously adaptive species. We are constantly evolving and also maintaining our balance and harmony of the spheres. This process of acclimatisation is constant.

In the tropics on a hot, sunny day, we sweat. In extremely cold weather, we shiver. The endocrine and nervous systems are primarily involved in mediating the manner in which we make small adjustments — this is called the homeostatic equilibrium.

The outcome of such a reaction is presented in the form of ‘symptoms.’

Not all of us — to go back a bit — think that sweating is a symptom. We think of it as the body’s defence mechanism of keeping itself cool. Just think of viral infection. When you have a viral infection, the immune system is activated, antibodies are formed, and symptoms develop. This may include fever, runny nose, sneezing, cough, headache and body ache.

All of these symptoms represent the body’s efforts to overcome and eliminate the viral infection. They are the body’s natural mode of coping with stimuli.

Homeopathy uses such symptoms to gently aid the body in its efforts to regain balance and state of health through the application of the ‘law of similars.’

Hahnemann was a pioneer. He thought — though he did not tangibly know in his time — that homeopathic potencies correspond to the natural physiological

concentrations found within the body.

It has been shown, in the recent past, that homeopathic dilutions actually assist the body, its physiology — to reactivate our enzyme and endocrine systems — by interacting with our regulatory and biofeedback mechanisms. Homeopathic concentrations — nanoparticles — are also suggested to attach to the receptor sites at the level of cellular membranes, enzymes and neural synapses. You may call this potential healing energy, or energy medicine.

QUaNTUM ‘lEaP’ It is established that our body produces electro-dynamic fields — this can be measured by the use of extremely sensitive high-resistance detection electrodes. The measurable field is suggested to emanate from the vital force, chi or prana within. This credo is also akin to homeopathic potentisation, which reduces the original medicinal substance to its fundamental wave form. Succussion augments the wave, or form. The result: the homeopathic remedy, as with music, now becomes more potent than before [volume], while retaining the same wave form and frequency [sound], or oscillatory capabilities. More recently, a research team at Kwangju Institute of Science and Technology in South Korea observed an extraordinary cluster of molecules in diluted solutions. Besides, our present thinking is quantum physics — the study of energy and its effects on matter — could well be one of the ‘best’ viable modes to ‘decipher’ homeopathy. Homeopathic researchers believe that the temporal dilution in the homeopathic phenomenon could be elucidated by way of pioneering physicists Werner Heisenberg’s theory of energy-time indeterminacy with the outcomes being fully attuned with the thought experiments of Erwin Schrödinger — albeit sceptics would, doubtless, be unwilling to acknowledge homeopathy’s ‘new-found quantum doctrine.’

PROPERTIES OF allOPaTHIC & HOMEOPaTHIC MEDICINES allopathic Features • Used on basis of therapeutic action • Animals and ill-patients used to test • Size of dose sufficient to achieve blood level • Strength expressed by amount of drug present • Depends on metabolic activity to work • Source of medicines is largely synthetic • Usually same drug given to all patients for similar symptoms • Drug given to treat symptoms in isolation • Condition at time of consultation treated • Usually ‘requirement’ for course of treatment • Symptoms disappear in no apparent order • Side-effects and iatrogenicity [drug-caused disease]

Homeopathic Features • Used on basis of a proving/drug picture toxicology and clinical evidence • Provings on healthy humans • Frequency of administration more important • Strength set by the potentisation process • Simple absorption; metabolic activity unproven • Sources mainly naturally occurring • Individualised treatment in chronic states • Most remedies treat patient as a whole • Holistic approach • Taken only until improvement is achieved • Homeopathic/Hering’s laws of cure are followed • Aggravations generally only transient.

Adapted from Steven B Kayne, “Homeopathic Pharmacy” [Churchill Livingston]

Dr Rajgopal Nidamboor is a board certified wellness physician, independent researcher and editor-publisher, H&Y

HOMEOPATHY & YOU | NOVEMBER 2014

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HOM[E]O TRUTHS

HOMEOPATHIC AGGRAVATION:

MYTH OR REALITY?

Most people think that homeopathic medicines sometimes aggravate symptoms before curing the illness or disease. This does not necessarily happen in every case. It occurs when past, suppressive treatments have pushed the disease into a deeper plane.

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By Dr AKSHAY BATRA

hen a homeopathic remedy and its potency is selected carefully and administered in required doses, the chances are extremely low that existing symptoms might aggravate before the patient is cured.

Nevertheless, in the process of cure the real fortification of the defence mechanisms of the body may sometimes result in a temporary increase of symptoms. This is a good sign — it indicates that the remedy selected is working appropriately. Usually, such symptoms last for only a few hours to a few days, but in some cases it may take longer.

For the patient not so inclined about the homeopathic healing mechanism, it may seem as if homeopathic medicines have adverse effects. Such patients often seek allopathic relief to again suppress ‘aggravated’ symptoms.

Thus, it is the responsibility of a good homeopath to judiciously guide patients through those situations, making them understand the homeopathic principles to cure disease.

UNDERSTANDING HEALING CRISIS & HOMEOPATHIC AGGRAVATION Due to excessive use or treatment with antibiotics and

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other medications for longer periods, in addition to pollution and environmental effects, that harm your body, there is a possibility of residual toxins getting stored in the body.

The toxins interfere with various functions within the body. Cells do not get the nutrition they need to rid themselves of their own metabolic waste.

This results in symptoms such as headache, body ache, sluggishness, occasional fever, etc., — which are often referred to as healing crisis. This is also the result of unlocking the toxic storage place and expelling accumulated toxins from the body.

Homeopathic aggravation is elevation in your current symptoms for a brief period of time. It is sometimes a good sign for the homeopathic doctor as it indicates the initiation of the healing process.

It might seldom refer to the fact that the potency was too high or the dose too large or repeated too frequently.

As homeopathic remedies boost the body’s own healing mechanisms, such ‘medicinal’ aggravations are only temporary and are followed by relief in symptoms.

A good homeopath will try to select the best potency to minimise and even eliminate the aggravation state.

RETURN OF OLD SYMPTOMS A return of old symptoms is another reaction that may occur after taking a homeopathic remedy. If there have been complex illnesses or diseases, the remedy may ‘take’ the body through a series of regression during which the patient can experience symptoms of each past illness.

There is no need to fear such ‘aberrations.’

The symptoms are a positive indication that the remedy is helping the body to rid itself of accumulated toxins.

PATIENCE HOLDS THE KEY “He that can have patience, can have what he wills,” said Benjamin Franklin. How true it is in the case of homeopathy.

Homeopathic medicines work with nature. Homeopathy believes that the human body functions like a wellbalanced network of interconnected systems and not just as individual systems working independently of each other. It, thus, believes in healing the entire body and not just the external symptoms.

Homeopathy emphasises on patient care rather than disease care. It cures the disease by stimulating the body’s natural defence mechanisms. It, therefore, in some cases takes time to cure. In doing so, your health will improve from strength to strength.

Patients who are used to the allopathic method of prescribing, which requires relatively simple judgments for finding medications, may be impatient or even disappointed at first with the systematic and painstaking process involved in homeopathic prescribing.

As a matter of fact, patients should be glad to see their homeopath taking so much time and care to listening to them. Remember, it is not easy for patients to reveal tiny details about themselves, especially on personal and private matters — e.g., anger, fear, jealousy, resentment and so on.

Understanding human life is definitely not easy. It is hugely dependent on the art of listening to the patient.

A homeopathic case history attempts to understand the entire life voyage of the patient. This usually takes anywhere between 1-2 hours. Only after analysing the entire history, does a homeopath prescribe the appropriate remedy.

THINGS TO DO When your symptoms first worsen, as discussed at the outset, it means the remedy was correct, but it might have been too strong for your sensitivity. It may have intensified your symptoms before triggering a healing response.

What to do next?

Notify your homeopath. S/he will most likely advice you to let the aggravation settle naturally, so that improvement in your symptom-picture can follow. Besides, future or similar aggravations can be avoided by your homeopath by adjusting the dose, potency, or the number of repetitions of the remedy to suit your sensitivity.

It is only during uncommon occasions, when the aggravation is far too prolonged that your homeopath may antidote the ‘annoyance’ with another homeopathic remedy.

THE CRUX OF THE MATTER In about 10 per cent of cases, the patient’s condition may be exacerbated within 2–5 days of taking a homeopathic medicine. Typically, a skin condition may become worse after taking a low-potency medicine. Such a reaction usually occurs only the first time the medicine is introduced to a treatment. This reaction, known as an aggravation, has been described as an adverse drug reaction [ADR] and in the sense that it is unwanted by the patient it might be considered thus [When told of this possibility, many patients will say that ‘they do expect to get worse before they get better with this sort of treatment.’ Far from being upset by the apparent ADR they consider an aggravation a sign that the medicine is working]. If an aggravation appears, the patient should be instructed to cease taking the medicine until the symptoms subside and then recommence, taking the medicine at a lower frequency. If the symptoms continue to get worse when the medicine has been temporarily suspended, then it is likely that the wrong medicine is being taken. Patients who are receiving

prescribed medication should be advised to consult their practitioner because ways of dealing with aggravations differ.

There is no evidence that homeopathic medicines interfere with any concurrent orthodox [conventional] medicines and, indeed, they are particularly useful to treat many conditions in people who are taking a large number of orthodox medications. It is thought that steroids may inactivate homeopathic medicines to some extent and, while this potential interaction is certainly not dangerous, it could reduce their expected effectiveness. Aromatherapy products are claimed to inactivate homeopathic medicines and should not be taken during treatment. Traditionally, homeopaths advise patients to refrain from consuming coffee, tea, chocolate and spicy food and using highly-flavoured toothpastes when taking homeopathic medication. However, there is little evidence that such abstinence is, in fact, necessary.

— Courtesy, S & L Kayne, “Homeopathic Prescribing Pocket Companion” [Pharmaceutical Press].

Dr Akshay Batra, a renowned homeopath, is Managing Director, Dr Batra’s. He is the first-ever homeopath-trichologist from Asia to be elected President of the Trichological Society of London, his alma mater. He is the youngest and the first-ever non-UK-based trichologist to receive the prestigious Robert Olding Award for outstanding achievement in the field of trichology. Dr Akshay is also India's first hair specialist to be associated with the European Hair Research Society [EHRS]. His published work includes the firstof-its-kind, bestselling book, Hair: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know, which is available at all good bookstores and on www.flipkart.com. He lives in Mumbai.

HOMEOPATHY & YOU | NOVEMBER 2014

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GRIN AND BEAR IT

LAuGhTER,

THE BEST MEDICINE GOOD & BAD NEWS Bob met with a terrible motorcycle accident and his legs weren’t in great shape. After a few weeks of therapy, it soon became clear to the doctor that they were just pushing off the inevitable. The doctor was afraid to give him the bad news. Instead, he gave the remorseful job to Bob’s wife of 40 years, hoping that she would know how to break the bad news to him ever so slowly and gently.

“Honey,” said Bob’s wife Eva, the next morning, “I’ve got good news and bad news, which one would you like to hear first?” Bob, always in a morose state, responded in his usual grumpy voice, “What do I care? Just give me the bad news.” “Well dear,” said Eva cupping Bob’s hand with her two hands, “I hate to have to tell you this, but it seems like your legs are going to have to be taken off.” Bob, barely able to hold his voice from cracking, croaked out, “Eva, what’s the good news?” “The good news,” said Eva happily, “is that the gardener that was in here just before suggested he may be interested in buying your slippers!”

WRONG PILL An old man strode in to his doctor’s office and said, “Doc, my druggist said to tell you to change my prescription and also check the prescription you’ve been giving to Mrs Smith.” “Oh, he did, did he?” the doctor shot back. “And, since when does a druggist second guess a doctor’s orders?” The old man responded awkwardly, “Since he found out I’ve been on birth control pills since August.”

6 WEEKS TO LIVE An elderly man goes into his doctor’s office for an annual physical. After a while, the doctor comes out and says, “I’m sorry Bill, but we have discovered you have a condition which only allows you another six weeks to live.”

“But doctor,” Bill replies, “I feel great. I haven’t felt better in years. This just can’t be true. Isn’t there anything I can do?” After a moment, the doctor says, “Well, you might start going down the street to that new health spa and take a mud bath every day.” Bill asks excitedly, “And, that will cure me?” “No,” replies the doctor, “but it will get you used to the dirt.”

MIRACLE MEDICINE John works in a machine shop. One day he gets into an accident at work. He leans in too close to a piece of machinery and it chops off his arm. Bob rushes over to help. He puts John’s arm in a plastic bag and takes him to the hospital. An hour later, John comes out with his arm reattached. “Ahhh, the miracles of modern medicine,” says Bob. A few weeks later, John leans in too close again, but this time it chops off his leg. Bob puts John’s leg in a plastic

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HOMEOPATHY & YOU | NOVEMBER 2014

bag and takes him to the hospital. A few hours later, John comes out with his leg reattached. “Ahhh, the miracles of modern medicine did it again!” says Bob. A few weeks later, John once again leans in too close, but this time it chops off his head. Bob rushes over, puts John’s head in a plastic bag and takes him to the hospital.

Three hours go by and finally a doctor emerges from the surgery room. He walks over to Bob and says, “I’m sorry, but your friend didn’t make it.” Bob is distraught and says, “But, the miracles of modern medicine have saved him before. Why couldn’t you reattach his head?” The doctor replies, “We would have been able to, but some idiot put his head in a plastic bag and he suffocated.”

AGING & NOT AGING Somehow we always think we are aging at a slower pace than everyone else; this was true of this older woman who is seeing the doctor in question for the first time. She is taken into a room and told to “make herself comfortable.”

While reading the doctor’s medical degree on the wall, she realises that she went to high school with him several years ago. The doctor enters the room; he has white hair and is slightly bent over from old age, and says, “Hello, how can I help you?” The woman asks, “Did you attend Roosevelt High School?” “Yes, I did,” the doctor answers.

She asks, “Class of ‘59?” “Yes, I did,” is the answer. The woman is delighted, and says, “You were in my class!”

The doctor responds, “What did you teach?”

[Culled and Collated from the ‘Net]

Courtesy: Fritz/www.rackafracka.com

CELEBRITY SPEAK

FAMOUS WORDS I find homeopathy incredibly useful for keeping me and my family healthy. I depend on it and have a kit of homeopathic medicines ready for what day-to-day life might bring.

Homeopathy works extremely well on children. I am convinced of My two sons and I have taken homeopathic remedies for 26 years. Homeopathy has seen me through coughs, the effectiveness colds, operations, emotional and physical problems both of homeopathy... acute and constitutional. But, most recently it has eased The British me through the menopause without having to even think Homeopathic Association [BHA] has for decades been promoting about more toxic medicines. Bless Hahnemann and all integration of homeopathy in the health service. I’m that pioneering work he did 200 years ago. extremely pleased to be associated with the campaign to Louise Jameson, acclaimed actress raise awareness of homeopathy and how it can be used more widely in healthcare today.

When I had my first Gaby Roslin, popular television personality daughter Assisi in 1992 I thought I could I was diagnosed with prevent her getting juvenile rheumatoid blotchy sores that plagued me for years. arthritis [RA] at the I fed her only organic age of two and the only treatment that vegetarian food and was available in 1986 breast milk for the was steroids. My first two years, but, parents had never despite that, she heard of homeopathy, eventually developed but after extensive eczema. Fortunately, my homeopath cured research, decided that it was a better her with just one option than chemical remedy. drugs which would Jade Jagger, jewellery designer and former model have long-term sideeffects. Thankfully, they were right.

When I had my Homeopathy built my immune system four wisdom back up so that my teeth removed, body could fight the I’m convinced disease. At the age it would have of seventeen I came been a carnage off homeopathy and tried conventional treatments to without Arnica.

If you believe in beat a bad flare-up. The conventional medicine made the arthritis spread to all my joints and left me in a it and it works wheelchair. I went back to homeopathy and eventually for you, then I got myself walking again. Now, at the age of twentydon’t see the eight, I’m healthier than ever before and I put that down harm. to homeopathy.

Kirstie Allsopp, noted television presenter

Lauren Vaknine, interior designer and author HOMEOPATHY & YOU | NOvEMbEr 2014

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LIVING WELL: LIFESTYLE

DETOX NATURALLY When we give our body extra nutrients, natural substances and energy it sets the balance straight and places the process of detoxification at high gear.

By RYAN N HARRISON

A

noted magazine made the incredible statement.

Every living thing has at least one parasite that lives inside, or on it, and many, including humans, have far more. Scientists are only beginning to discover exactly how powerful these hidden inhabitants can be, but their research is pointing to a remarkable possibility.

Parasites may rule the world. The notion that tiny creatures we’ve largely taken for granted are such a dominant force is immensely disturbing. We are collections of cells that work together, or kept harmonised by chemical signals. If an organism can control such signals, an organism like a parasite can control us. And, therein, lies the peculiar and precise horror of parasites.

The problem is simple. The average American diet, for instance, as may be other ‘yo-yo’ diets, produces a sick colon, complete with deadly faecal build-up that becomes the perfect breeding ground for parasites. Humans can actually play host to over 100 different kinds of parasites, ranging from the microscopic to tapeworms that can grow to several feet in length. And, they don’t just sit in your intestines. They can migrate to other parts of the body, including the liver, lungs, muscles, joints, skin, blood, and even the brain.

While they are not terribly difficult to clean from the body, parasites are often unsuspected and, therefore, completely unnoticed by their hosts. This allows them to thrive, taking the most valuable nutrients away from the host, who then has to deal not only with poor nutrition and all of its attendant complications, but parasitic waste products as well.

Scientists refer to the level of a person’s chemical and toxin exposure as the individual’s body burden — the

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consequence of lifelong exposure to industrial chemicals that are used in thousands of consumer products and linger as contaminants in air, water, food, and in the soil.

There are literally hundreds of chemicals in drinking water, household air, dust, treated tap water and food.

And, they come from household products like detergent, insulation, fabric treatments, cosmetics, paints, upholstery, computers and TVs. What’s more, they accumulate in fat, blood and organs, or are passed through the body in breast milk, urine, faeces, sweat, semen, hair and nails.

MALADIES GALORE Carrying a high body burden translates into all sorts of maladies. Headaches, insomnia [sleeplessness], constipation, fatigue, weakness, blurred vision, greater susceptibility to infection, allergic reactions, joint pain, recurrent respiratory problems, back pain, mood changes, stomach pain, and digestive problems. The list is long. It is shocking to realise that most of the problems mentioned have become so commonplace in our culture that we don’t stop to wonder why we experience them with such regularity. There are entire over-the-counter [OTC] product lines that depend on us to be and feel ill. Indeed, some companies need us to carry a high body burden.

Fortunately, the human body is quite resilient. Dr Andrew Weil, MD, one of the world’s leaders in complementary medicine today, is a firm believer that our bodies want to be healthy. “Health is the condition of perfect balance, when all systems run smoothly and energy circulates freely. This is the natural condition, the one in which least effort is expended; therefore, when the body is out of balance, it wants to get back to it.”

Now — more than ever before — it is imperative that we assist our body’s detoxification processes. Detoxification is a natural, health-preserving therapy, which helps remove harmful toxins from the cells and tissues, while restoring their immune-protecting functions.

Dr Elson Haas, MD, Director of the Preventive Medical Center of Marin, San Rafael, California, US, and author of The Detox Diet says, “The process of detoxification is the missing link to rejuvenating the body and preventing such chronic diseases as cancer, cardiovascular problems, arthritis, diabetes, and obesity. The modern diet, with excess animal proteins, fats, caffeine, alcohol, and chemicals, inhibits the optimum function of our cells and tissues. The cleansing of toxins and waste products will restore function and vitality.”

All detoxification programmes are not equal, though.

Some, due to the relatively recent discovery of the need of detoxification, are nothing more than low-quality attempts to cash in on a potential market. So, you need to know what makes a good detoxification programme.

Here are the components that I suggest — ‘All Systems Detoxification Programme.’ While it is great to target one particular system of the body from time to time, and as necessary, such a regimen is no substitute for a complete, full-body cleanse. Completing a detoxification programme that cleans all systems of the body, in consultation with a wellness therapist, is the essential step to achieving maximum health and wellness.

NATURAL, ‘HUMAN-FRIENDLY’ INGREDIENTS You should only use a detoxification programme that contains 100 per cent natural, non-genetically modified, life-promoting ingredients. After all, you can’t expect to help detoxify your body by pouring more potentiallyharmful synthetic chemicals into it. Look for a programme that uses primarily herbs, vitamins and minerals, and if there are ingredients that you can’t pronounce, be sure you know what they are and what they do.

ANTI-PARASITE SUPPORT Recent medical studies suggest that 75-80 per cent of most adult populations are infected with at least one form of parasite. Easily spread from person to person and through contaminated water, food and soil, parasites cause our bodies to lose their biological balance by secreting toxins and damaging vital organs. A good detoxification programme will have an anti-parasite component to help expel parasites as well as to clear their eggs and hatching larvae from the body.

INTESTINE-COLON CLEANSING SUPPORT Making sure that the bowels are consistently active is vital to healthy detoxification. Toxins and ‘dead’ foods lead to poor digestion, constipation, toxic colon build-up, weight gain and low energy. The common symptoms are more than just an inconvenience — they can lead to long-term

health problems and serious disease. Irritable bowel syndrome [IBS], constipation, gas, diverticulitis and colon cancer are simply not things we like to discuss. And yet, as the old expression goes, “Death begins in the colon.”

Don’t believe it? Ask any coroner. Autopsies often reveal colons that are plugged up to 80 per cent with waste material.

PROBIOTIC SUPPORT You may not be aware of it, but inside each of us live vast numbers — as in several thousand billion — of bacteria without which we could not remain in good health. We call these ‘friendly’ bacteria to distinguish them from the ‘harmful’ bacteria that also inhabit our bodies. When the ‘harmful’ bacteria proliferate and outnumber the ‘friendly’ bacteria, we experience all manner of ailments, including excessive gas, bloating, diarrhoea, intestinal toxicity, constipation and poor absorption of nutrients.

If this imbalance is left untreated, the symptoms can become chronic and can compromise our immune system, leading to other serious illnesses. A good detoxification programme will provide you with a potent probiotic to help tip the scale back in favour of ‘friendly’ bacteria. Look for a probiotic that contains at least eight different strains of ‘friendly’ bacteria and is ‘enteric-coated.’

ALL SYSTEMS DETOX While it is great to target one particular system of the body from time-to-time and as necessary, such a regimen is no substitute for a complete, full-body cleanse. Completing a detoxification programme that cleans all systems of the body is an essential step to achieving maximum health and wellness.

MULTIVIT DETOX Few people actually obtain the minimum recommended amounts of vitamins and minerals from their diet, and yet our bodies cannot function optimally without them.

When you add to that the fact that an unhealthy and toxinburdened body cannot make complete use of vitamins and minerals as they are made available, you have a recipe for poor health. As your body becomes progressively cleaner and toxin-free, its ability to uptake and utilise much-needed vitamins and minerals increases dramatically. This, in turn, ‘super-charges’ your body, optimising it to perform all of its functions flawlessly.

CONCLUSION While it sounds like a large bill to fill, a good detoxification programme will meet and/or exceed the suggestions cited.

Because, detoxification is such an item of interest lately — and, with good reason — your options are fairly open.

By staying within the guidelines prescribed above, you can take a lot of the hassle out of figuring out if a programme, in consultation with a wellness therapist, will meet your detoxification needs.

Ryan N Harrison is a US-based holistic health educator and consultant in private practice. He has taught holistic nutrition, therapeutic herbalism and natural health for several years — in traditional and online settings.

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LIVING WELL: LIFESTYLE

MIND YOUR BACK More and more people are complaining of back pain today. Back pain interferes with work, routine daily activities, and leisure. Is there a way out? Read on...

By KAVITA NADKARNI

N

early everyone at some point in life has experienced back pain. More than 25 million people suffer from the problem, according to the American Academy of Neurological and Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Back pain can be a shooting and stabbing twinge, with tingling or burning sensation, or pain that radiates from the back into the buttocks, thighs, and down the legs. It can be intense and short-lived, or less intense — one that lasts for weeks or even months.

Back pain can occur in any part of your back, but most people complain of lower back pain. This is not surprising, considering that it supports much of your body weight.

CAUSES While a sudden jerk to the back can result in pain, there may be certain underlying causes that weaken your back, making it more vulnerable to pain and trauma. Some of the likely causes of back pain are:

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• Strained muscles, ligaments and joints — they account for a majority of lower back problems • Aging of the spine, ligaments, and discs • Arthritis • A poorly aligned spine • Structural problems, such as damage to the disks • Osteoporosis • Being overweight or obese • Sciatica [Sharp, shooting pain originating in the back that travels down through the buttocks into the legs] • Other conditions that have nothing to do with the back, but can still cause lower back pain — this may include bladder infections, kidney stones, other kidney diseases, ovarian cysts, endometriosis in women — a gynecological condition in which cells from the lining of the uterus [endometrium] appear and flourish outside of the uterine cavity, or torsion of the testicles in men.

Though there are a host of treatments for back pain, there is also a lot you can do to prevent yourself from

suffering from it. Let us look at a few, yet important tips for good spine health.

Correct sleeping position. Sleeping well is important to your overall health. Practice sleeping on your side, not your stomach. Sleeping on your stomach puts more pressure on your spine. Invest in a supportive mattress as well as a pillow that promotes proper alignment of your back and neck.

Lift right. The most common cause of damage to the spine is incorrect posture when lifting an object.

While lifting anything, stand as close to the object as you can. Use your legs rather than your back or upper body to lift the object. It will help if you bend your knees. Keep your back straight. If the object is heavy, and you feel the need for help, don’t hesitate to get help.

Maintain proper posture. ‘People sitting at their computer for 7-8 hours a day keep my business running,’ is what most orthopaedic doctors say with a smile. When people slouch over their computers and telephones, they don’t realise the damage they do to their backs and the pain it might cause. So, be sure to work at ergonomically correct workstations, at office and home. Make sure your workspace area — whether a laptop, phone, computer desk, or even your car — is set up for your height and functionality. Choose a chair that provides back support. Make sure your knees are at 90 degrees and your feet rest comfortably on the floor. Break the monotony of long periods in front of the computer with stretching exercises. If you

practice good posture, you will maintain the natural contour of your back and help keep it strong.

Stretch out. If you start your day with a few good stretches, it will promote your spinal health.

Stay active. Staying active and keeping your body moving helps maintain the health of your spine. Any form of exercise is fine. Whether you make regular visits to the gym, walk, bike, swim, or play with your kids, anything that keeps you active is good for your back. Exercise also helps you to lose weight or maintain a proper weight. Being overweight can put added pressure, or stress, on the muscles, ligaments, and tendons of your lower back.

Stay hydrated. Staying hydrated is important to maintain soft tissue elasticity and fluidity in joints.

Reduce stress. We probably don’t realise how stress can impact our back health. Stress causes you to tense your muscles; constant tension can cause back pain. Any activity that helps you reduce stress will help prevent back pain.

Pay attention to warning signs. It is common to have back pain once in a while. You can reduce your risk for back pain with simple lifestyle changes cited above. However, don’t ignore persistent spinal problems or pain. It can indicate a more serious problem. Left untreated, it can worsen and become severe. Talk to your doctor about your symptoms and what you should do to find and treat the cause [Also, read our ‘Fitness Equipment’ feature on pg 53 (in this issue) for ‘Swiss ball’ exercises — to get relief from back pain].

Kavita Nadkarni holds a degree in microbiology with a master’s in bio-informatics. She has worked in media groups, specialising in healthcare and pharmaceutical publications. Her areas of interest include complementary medicine and alternative healthcare. She is Assistant Editor, H&Y.

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BACK PAIN: A PHYSIO’S PERSPECTIVE

By EUSEBIO JASON FERNANDES

Back pain is one of the most common medical problems affecting 8 out of 10 individuals at some point of time in their lives.

Our spine [back] is made up of complex structures with interconnected, overlapping elements which form the only bony link between the torso [upper body] and the legs [lower Body].

The spine is formed by small bones [vertebrae] interspaced by spinal discs which act as shock absorbers.

The spine is protected by a complex, yet interdependent network of ligaments, tendons and muscles. There are, through the joints, between individual vertebrae, highly sensitive nerves supplying various parts of the body.

A disruption in the harmony of this network of ligaments, tendons and muscles results in pain.

Research suggests that 80 per cent of people will experience back pain at least once at some point in their lives.

Although common, the severity and intensity may vary from person to person, with some having a dull ache over the low back, while others may complain of radiating pain down their legs. Many a time a muscle spasm in the low back acts as the basis for pain; if left unattended, this may result in muscle weakness, poor posture and vice versa.

• Wearing a back brace may not always be the best solution as the brace may add to the muscle weakness • Hot water bag application may help soothe back pain • Studies show that too much rest only aggravates the pain; so, keep exercising

• Maintain a good posture • Sleep well [use a comfortable mattress].

Most people with long standing back pain benefit with abdominal strengthening exercises.The exercises are known as core stability exercises. The core muscles are a group of muscles around the abdomen that act as a natural brace — they also maintain the spine in proper posture.

One should remember that poor postures or muscle spasms weaken the core muscles resulting in back pain. Research also suggests that concentrating on building muscle memory is more important than just exercising to build muscles.

The following exercises are often beneficial — each can be repeated 10-20 times: Knee roll. Lie flat on your back with knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Now, slowly roll your knees to the right and then to the left.

Back extension. Lie on your stomach with your elbows placed beneath the shoulders. Now, slowly push up onto your palms so as to arch the back.

Maintain this position for 10 counts.

Pelvic tilts. Lie flat on your back with knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Gently flatten your low back into the floor by contracting your stomach muscles [This exercise can be progressively done by altering the leg position while maintaining abdominal contraction].

Hamstring stretch. ‘Long sit’ [with legs straight] on the chair or floor and try touching your toes until you feel a pull at the back of your thigh. Maintain the stretch for 10-20 seconds.

It is also imperative to practice relaxation techniques, relaxed breathing and yoga therapy — they have proven efficacy in combating back pain.

Eusebio Jason Fernandes is a graduate in physiotherapy with a master’s degree in applied physiotherapy from Sheffield Hallam University, UK. He is currently working with children having special needs. He lives in Goa.

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LIVE & HELP LIVE

INFERTILITY: FOOD FOR THOUGHT Infertility, like everything else that follows the laws of nature, has a lot to do with the food you eat.

W

DAIRY DANGERS hile we all agree that the population Research at the Harvard School of Public of India is now unsupportable, if you Health,US, has found that men who consume a were told that you could not have lot of dairy food: milk, yoghurt, cheese/paneer a baby, you would still feel extremely sorry.

Infertility is an alarming modern epidemic have a lower quality semen that those who do not. all over the world. 1 out of 6 couples today The team compared the diets of 189 men aged

By MANEKA experience difficulty in getting pregnant. What 19-25, none of whom were overweight and all of GANDHI was once seen as a woman’s problem is now whom exercised regularly. They examined each evidenced to affect men equally. man’s sperm, its shape, how fast it could travel, and other The natural approach to treating infertility solves the markers that indicate fertility. They found that men who ‘root cause’ of infertility by addressing all body systems, ate more than three servings of full-fat dairy a day [any of rather than just focusing solely on the reproductive these: one glass of milk, an ounce of cheese, a teaspoon system. Many couples who can’t have a child suffer from of cream and one scoop of ice-cream] had sperm of 25 per a combination of conditions. These conditions can’t cent poorer quality than those who did not. cause infertility on their own, but cumulatively they can Research more than suggests that oestrogen, the significantly reduce a couple’s probability of conceiving. female hormone found naturally in cows’ milk, is For example: gluten intolerance alone cannot cause responsible for men’s ability to reproduce. Oestrogens infertility; however, the resulting inflammation in the gut are very high in cow/buffalo milk. In the process of trying can minimise nutrient absorption and lead to deficiencies to get calcium from milk [which, by the way, is not the in the nutrients you need for sperm, egg and hormone best mode to get it], the milk drinker takes in hormones production and a healthy pregnancy. Exposure to heavy like prolactin, somastatin, melatonin, oxytocin, growth metals, radiation, and toxic chemicals, in some foods, hormones, luteinising releasing hormones, thyroid drugs and other products can damage the DNA. Recent stimulating hormones, oestrogens, progesterone, insulin nutrigenomic research — the study of the effects of and corticosteroids. Obviously, they will disturb one’s nutrients on genes — suggests what we eat influences own hormone imbalance. In fact, researchers say that our gene structure. all animal products have a high content of hormones,

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including pesticides which are known endocrine disrupters. They play havoc with hormones and can lead to bad egg formation.

BLAME IT ON TRANSFATS Transfats — the sole purpose of adding transfats to food is to extend its shelf-life; they are also hidden in junk- and fast-foods, such as doughnuts, biscuits, candy, chocolate, chips, pies, fries and thousands of other foods — increase the risk of infertility by as much as 70 per cent. Scientists from the Harvard University School of Public Health advise women wanting to get pregnant to avoid all transfats. Read the ingredients: transfats are listed as ‘hydrogenated fat’ or ‘hardened vegetable fat,’ or simply ‘vegetable fat.’ A study on transfatty acid [TFA] levels in sperm associated with sperm concentrations among men from one infertility clinic found that men with high levels of transfatty acids in their semen have 96 per cent fewer sperm than men who don’t. The authors were unable to determine the time span for TFA to accumulate in the testes, but it is suggested to potentially last a lifetime.

According to a Danish study, “Caffeine Intake and Semen Quality in a Population of 2,554 Young Danish Men,” men who drink at least a quart of cola daily have sperm counts almost 30 per cent lower than men who drink no cola. The reason could be the high-fructose corn syrup found in these drinks. First, too much sugar can lead to insulin resistance, which disrupts fertility. Second, powerful pesticides — including Atrazine — have been shown in studies to be endocrine disrupters. According to J E Chavarro, the author of the Harvard University study, “A Prospective Study of Dairy Foods Intake and Anovulatory Infertility,” women who eat a lot of low-fat dairy products face 85 per cent higher risk of infertility than women who don’t.

CANNED HAZARDS Canned foods don’t help. According to Dr John Meeker’s “Semen Quality and Sperm DNA Damage in Relation to Urinary Bisphenol-A Among Men from an Infertility Clinic,” men who are exposed to large quantities of bisphenol-A [BPA], a chemical used in the linings of canned foods, have sperm counts about 23 per cent lower than men with no BPA exposure. The University of Michigan-affiliated study that yielded the statistics also found a 10 per cent increase in sperm DNA damage among men exposed to large quantities of BPA. BPA is now the subject of extensive investigations by the Food and Drug Administration [FDA].

Researchers who followed 18,555 women for eight years as they attempted to become pregnant found that women who consume at least one alcoholic beverage per day have a nearly 50 per cent greater risk of infertility than women who drink no alcohol. The failure to produce eggs usually means hormonal imbalance. The liver has to work to rid the body of these hormones, but it cannot do so if it is dealing with alcohol congestion.

In another study, “Semen Quality of Fertile Males in Relation to their Mother’s Beef Consumption During Pregnancy,” men whose mothers ate red meat seven times a week while pregnant were three times as likely to have low sperm counts as those whose mothers ate less meat. Which means that men’s ‘fertile’ abilities were impaired, while still in the womb.

According to Chavarro’s study, “Red meat contains arachidonic acid that can cause or worsen internal inflammatory reactions. The body is then in a state of disease and has less energy available for normal functions like procreation.” A new study from Harvard University, likewise, states that the intake of processed meats, hamburgers, hot dogs and bacon is associated with lower semen quality in men. The link between bacon and male fertility was presented at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine Convention, last year.

According to a Berkeley study, “Antioxidant Intake is Associated with Semen Quality in Healthy Men,” antioxidants found in fruit, vegetables, and green tea increase sperm counts and their ability to swim. The sperm of men who consume very low quantities of antioxidants is only two-thirds as motile as the sperm of men who consume high quantities of antioxidants.

Now, the obvious question. What is the ideal diet for a man interested in increasing his fertility? Simple.

Studies show that men who consume a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, than meats and fats, have higher sperm production. If you want to have a baby, try whole grains, nuts, seeds, vegetables and fruit, in season and organic if possible. Increase your consumption of good fats like olive and coconut oil too and avoid dangerous fats. What is research’s ‘take’ for women? According to Chavarro’s study, “Iron Intake and Risk of Ovulatory Infertility,” women who consume large quantities of non-haeme iron found in lentils, spinach, and supplements have a 40 per cent better chance of conceiving than women who consume little or no non-haeme iron found in meats.”

Maneka Gandhi is the union cabinet minister for women & child development, animal rights activist, writer and environmentalist. She is well-known for her books in the areas of etymology, law and animal welfare. She lives in New Delhi.

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GOOD FOOD

OF MEXICAN BREAD TARTLETS & BREAD PIZZAS Cute, little bread tartlets are filled with a delicious mixture of corn, capsicum, tomatoes and onions and topped with a generous layer of cheese. A great snack for children, they must be eaten warm, after they are baked and when the cheese is all molten.

By TARLA DALAL Preparation Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 5 minutes Baking Time: 10-15 minutes Baking Temperature: 200°C [400°F] Makes 10 tartlets

TIP Variation: Baked beans bread tartlets [Add baked beans, instead of the corn mixture].

METHOD FOR THE PIZZA SAUCE

BREAD PIZZAS INGREDIENTS • 10 bread tartlets • 2 cups cooked tender corn [makai ke dane] • 1/3 cup chopped onions • 1/4 cup chopped capsicum • 1 capsicum, chopped • 2 tomatoes • 3 tbsp grated cooking cheese • 2 green chillies; finely chopped • 3 tbsp oil • Salt to taste.

METHOD • Put the tomatoes in hot water for 10 minutes. Take off the skin and chop them finely • Heat the oil in pan and sauté the onions for 1 minute • Add the capsicum, tomatoes and green chillies and sauté for at least 3-4 minutes • Add the corn and salt • In each tartlet case, fill a little mixture, spread a little tomato ketchup and sprinkle some cheese on top • Bake in a pre-heated oven at 200°C [400°F] for 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese melts • Serve hot.

• Salt to taste • 1/2 tsp dried oregano • 2 tbsp finely chopped basil.

Bread pizzas are a quick do-ityourself alternative for regular pizzas. Since most of the ingredients for this open sandwich are common and readily available, you can prepare it quickly any time you want. Just make sure you bake it to perfection and devour it fresh!

• 6 bread slices, lightly buttered • 6 tbsp grated processed cheese

• Heat the olive oil in a broad nonstick pan and add the bay leaves and pepper corns. Sauté for a few seconds • Add the onions, garlic and capsicum and sauté on a medium flame for 1-2 minutes • Add the tomatoes, tomato purée, tomato ketchup, sugar, chilli flakes and salt, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 2-3 minutes, while stirring occasionally. Finally, add the dried oregano and basil and mix well • Remove the bay leaves and peppercorns and discard them • Divide the pizza sauce into 6 equal portions and keep aside.

FOR THE PIZZA SAUCE

HOW TO PROCEED

• 1/2 cup blanched, peeled and chopped tomatoes • 2 tbsp olive oil • 2 bay leaves [tejpatta] • 4 black peppercorns [kalimirch] • 1/2 cup finely chopped onions • 1 tsp finely chopped garlic [lehsun] • 1/2 cup finely chopped capsicum • 2 tbsp tomato puree • 1/4 cup tomato ketchup • 1 tsp sugar • 1/2 tsp dry red chilli flakes/paprika

• Toast the bread slices in a pre- heated oven at 200°C [400°F] for 10 minutes • Spread a portion of the prepared pizza sauce evenly over each bread slice and finally sprinkle 1 tbsp of cheese over it • Bake in a pre-heated oven at 200°C [400°F] for 5-7 minutes, or till the cheese melts • Serve immediately.

Preparation Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 5 minutes Baking Time: 20-22 minutes Baking Temperature: 200°C [400°F] Makes 6 bread pizzas

INGREDIENTS

[Courtesy: www.tarladalal.com] Tarla Dalal was a noted Indian food writer, chef, best-selling cookbook author and host of cooking shows like Tarla Dalal Show and Cook It Up With Tarla Dalal.

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GOOD FOR YOU

THE LONG & SHORT OF PEANUT ALLERGIES For most people, peanut sensitivity is a life-long allergy; however, the peak age for anaphylactic reaction appears to be between 14 and 17 years of age. Forewarned is, therefore, forearmed.

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food allergies should remain vigilant, since 75 hy are food allergies and particularly per cent of all allergic reactions occur through peanut allergy on the rise? accidental ingestion.

Researchers have been trying to understand why peanut allergies are on How is the diagnosis of food allergies made? the ascendance and their exact causes still

By Dr RICHARD Diagnosis is made by a physician and can mysterious.

FIRSHEIN be confirmed by using tests such as a RAST Studies show that the possible factors IGE blood test, skin testing, or through a food for food allergies, specifically peanuts, may challenge which is considered the gold standard. include foods being introduced too early in life, mothers consuming certain products during pregnancy and trace THINGS TO DO exposures due to food contamination at the production • With the festival season and the New Year coming up source. parents should be particularly careful. Avoid candy bars It is also possible that the allergy is environmentally and inspect anything that your child may consume once induced. For most people, it is a life-long allergy; however, you are home. peak age for anaphylactic reaction appears to be between • Ask your doctor about measures that one should take 14 and 17 years of age. and make sure that you or someone who has been trained can quickly seek medical help in an emergency.

What type of progress is being made?

• Be aware that several foods such as chocolate bars may Progress is being made on two fronts: one, through be contaminated. desensitising a child by slowly increasing exposure to • Grills in restaurants where peanut oil might be brushed nuts. The other is by utilising enzymes which neutralise on may be a source of cross contamination. the protein causing such reactions in the first place.

Symptoms of food allergy can occur within minutes and occasionally within hours. For many, it starts with a What percentages of children have food allergies?

Peanut allergies account for up to 25 per cent of all severe tingling on lips or mouth and chills. From there, the throat may swell or eyes may tear or water. The best advice is allergic or anaphylactic reactions to food. In recent years, strict avoidance. If you do not know all the possible ways the number of food allergic individuals has doubled; it is, in which food has been prepared, or what the ingredients for example, upwards of 8 per cent in US children. may be, avoid them.

When going to a restaurant, or to school, carry an How does cross-sensitivity affect people? ‘allergy card,’ which can be given to the waiter, teacher Cross-sensitivity is a major issue. Many children with etc., instructing them on your allergies. peanut allergies react to other legumes, such as soy and Prior to leaving home make sure you carry your doctor chick peas. Many peanut allergic individuals also react to prescribed ‘allergy pack’ with you. certain nuts and seeds. So, it is important to understand Exercising immediately after ingesting a potential that dealing with one allergy will not reduce allergic allergen has been known to accelerate allergic reactions. reactions to all foods.

For many children trace amounts of exposure can have lasting effects in terms of chronic infection, rash and What is the process being tested by researchers? asthma symptoms.

Researchers are working on a process that is based on Once a child has been exposed, or has had a severe food enzyme technology which naturally breaks down reaction, inflammation may be present in their system offending proteins responsible for the food allergy that for several weeks. This poses a significant threat for occurs through accidental ingestion. asthmatics due to increased airway responsiveness.

It is imperative that individuals who suffer with severe Dr Richard Firshein, Founder-Director of The Firshein Center for Comprehensive Medicine in New York City, is a leading innovator and authority in the field of preventative and nutritional medicine, integrating both Eastern and Western medical practices. He is Board Certified in Family Medicine and has served as professor of family medicine. An internationally recognised leader in the field of integrative medicine and healthy aging, a cancer researcher, prolific author and writer, Dr Firshein has written several groundbreaking books, including the bestselling Reversing Asthma, Your Asthma-Free Child, The Nutraceutical Revolution and, most recently, The Vitamin Prescription [For Life].

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HOMEOPATHY & YOU | NOVEMBER 2014

FIGHTING FIT

INTENSITY IS EVERYTHING The battle is not always with the strong, but to him, or her, that endures. This brings up another axiom which was originally intended for bodybuilders. That which does not ‘kill’ only serves to make one stronger.

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of 15 repetitions. Fifteen repetitions came and here is an old axiom in bodybuilding

By KERRY I knew that I had something left. I could have that says that ‘strength equals size.’ In DULIN racked it because I had reached my goal but I other words, as your strength increases knew that if I truly wanted to exhaust my legs there will be a corresponding increase in size I had to go further. 18 repetitions and counting. People as well. On the surface this makes perfect sense. If you are beginning to notice. 20 repetitions. The legs are can lift more weight or perform a greater number of burning, but still capable of overcoming the resistance. repetitions than you must have increased muscle mass 23 repetitions. It hurts; it hurts like hell. Everything in me as well. While this is true, it isn’t necessarily a one-tois saying to rack it — rack it now. My face is beginning one relationship. It is also possible to greatly increase to look like a grossly distorted caricature of myself. An strength with only a modest increase in size. inflated balloon that is about to burst. But, I’m not done The answer lies in a variety of factors and ultimately yet. Hands off the supports and on the knees, it’s time for comes down to your genetic predisposition. Muscle a little assistance. With help from above we are now at density and dominant fibre type [fast/slow twitch] play repetition #25. I’m hyperventilating. Seriously. a major role here. Unfortunately, there is little you can do to change your make-up outside of having your brain FULL EXTENSION removed and replaced in the body of some genetically My quads are about to explode. I hold the weight at altered beast [not a bad idea; where do I sign up?]. The full extension, take a few deep breaths and go for trick is to make the most of what you have; this is where it. Repetition #26. Slowly. The weight reaches full intensity comes into play. depression and then slowly begins its final accent. Teeth gnashed in primitive furry. The weight resists like a 20lb BE HONEST northern pike on a 5lb test line. But, this is one that isn’t We have all seen the showman at the gym pile on the going to get away. I talk to the weights, commanding plates and scream his guts out while he frantically them, ‘You’re mine.’ And, it is! I reach feverishly for the squeezes out 2-3 repetitions. That’s great; I do that pin to secure the final resting place. Head drenched sometimes myself. But, what does he do for an encore? in sweat and gasping for breath on the throne that I Never forget, we are bodybuilders, not power-lifters. Our have conquered, I suddenly realise, “I can’t move my goal isn’t to be the strongest person in the gym; only the legs.” Even so, I felt like I was in a house that was on best built. With this understanding, our macho example fire and just had to get out of there, and so I fell to the is in only halfway there. As difficult as he made his side. Lying on the floor like a beached whale, struggling 2-3 reps appear, the truth is that it is nowhere near as for air, I reached for the closest weight machine and difficult as it would have been if he had stripped a few pulled myself upright. My chest was red and potted with plates and whipped out 20-25 repetitions. If you have petechiae [burst blood vessels]. End of workout, I did never performed an honest burnout set then there are what I wanted to do. degrees of pain that you can’t begin to comprehend.

Well, you have just experienced a true burnout set.

Bringing a heavy set to failure is not the same as This technique is used on occasions to shock the performing a moderate weight set to failure. Not even muscles. Over time our bodies become accustomed close. By the time that the average lifter is racking the to the daily rigors of repeated workouts and, thus, weight, a true burnout set has only begun. The next anabolism slows to a snail’s pace. But, it is essential that several reps [and, I do mean several] are going to take we vary the programme. Light days, heavy days. High every ounce of spit and venom that you can muster. repetitions; low repetitions. Heavy resistance alone will Here is an example of what I am talking about. not penetrate the innermost depths of your muscle fibres.

Recently, I had a fair amount of weight on the leg press.

It was a weight that a few years ago would have been my You’d honestly compare your pump and vascularity after a low repetition and high repetition set. No contest. one repetition max. My goal for this set was a minimum Kerry Dulin, a world-renowned fitness guru, first got into professional bodybuilding at age 40. He won his first bodybuilding competition at 41. Now 55, with a physique that would put someone half his age to shame, Dulin has what he calls “a manageable programme,” 12 top trophies to show for his fitness endeavours and three health and fitness websites. He lives in the US.

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WHOLE & SOUL

THE QUEST FOR MEANINGFUL HAPPINESS Do you want happiness based on truth? The best thing to do to attain such a state is to worship god in every act of life.

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So, the nature of this world is there will be uestion: ‘I wanted to know how difficulties. No matter what right or wrong we to keep the mind steady; usually do, there will be difficulties. If we are going we have contradictory ideas and in the wrong direction, the difficulties will be thoughts going in the mind.’ perpetuated, complicated and worsened for Radhanath Swami: The nature of the mind the future. If we’re going in the right direction, is like that of a monkey; it jumps from branch by passing through such difficulties, we will to branch. It goes to one branch, then to the be liberated. Wrong direction leads to further next branch, then to the branch next to that, By bondage. then again the first branch. It’s the way the RADHANATH Question: ‘Why do we worship god?’ mind works. But, when you give the monkey a SWAMI RS: This is an important question. Unless nice ripe banana, it’s happy. Similarly, Bhakti we ask this essential ‘why,’ we will never have is about giving the mind a deep and fulfilling the conviction and faith to do it with, or in, the right experience. spirit.

Though we may not get that higher ‘taste’ Everyone is looking for happiness. For example, immediately, but since we know it’s there waiting for when a mosquito bites you, it doesn’t do it to give you us, it helps us keep the mind steady. Coming back malaria; it just wants to drink your blood, because that to the analogy of the monkey, if the monkey has the gives it happiness. Similarly, all the amazing things banana, it will stop jumping from branch to branch that people do in society today, it is all in pursuance of even before it has tasted the banana. It stops jumping happiness. in order to go through the process of peeling the But what is real happiness? Before we can banana. understand what is real pleasure we have to Our spiritual practice, our sadhana, is like peeling understand who’s trying to enjoy. The person trying the banana. We know that the higher taste is there — to enjoy is different from this body. If the body is inside — just as the monkey knows that the banana is there inside the peel. And, just knowing that it is there, compared to a vehicle, the person who’s trying to enjoy, the soul, can be compared to the driver in the and keeping our mind focused on the process, our vehicle. The vehicle requires certain maintenance; it mind can be kept steady. requires food in the form of petrol, it requires certain So, when we are chanting holy names, the mind will types of oils. But, the driver in the automobile has a go here and there; do not worry about it; just bring it different need. Drinking petrol and oil will not give him back. Bring it back to the divine sound vibration, to pleasure; rather it will ruin his health. that object of your meditation. Try to keep it there, and Similarly, this body and mind have certain needs: if it runs away — and, it sure will — bring it back as food, sleep, shelter, and various other facilities. But soon as you realise it has run away. what are the needs of the soul? Human society When you do seva, and if you realise your mind today has practically forgotten the needs of the soul. is wandering, just bring it back. ‘I am doing this for Therefore, howsoever much you get, you can’t be Krsna; let me do it in the best possible way.’ The more happy; it ultimately brings about frustration. we take responsibility to do something wonderful for The soul is spiritual. The soul is part of god. The god — sweeping the floor, cooking a meal or doing our nature of the soul is to serve god and to love god business — if we are really doing it for Krsna, for god, through all actions, words and thoughts. That gives we are going to be attentive to whatever details we real pleasure and real nourishment for the soul. So, can, and our devotion percolates to the mind. if you want your happiness based on truth, you must Question: ‘Even if we look in the right direction worship god in every act of life. We worship god and do the right things, why some difficulties still because it is the truth, it is our essence, it is our come?’ nature — forgetfulness of that nature is the root cause RS: If you are in the ocean, and swim correctly, of all the problems in this world. you still get wet. This is because you are in water.

Radhanath Swami a spiritual guide, is the author of the bestselling book, The Journey Home. To know more about his work on leadership and spirituality, visit www.tulsibooks.com. Website: www.radhanathswami.com

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HOMEOPATHY & YOU | NOVEMBER 2014

POISE & BALANCE

THE MUDRA WAY OF HEALING Like any yoga practice, mudras are nature’s own way of holistic healing — as intended by nature. The more we embrace and follow such a mandate of nature for healing, from deep within, the better the outcome.

By PREETI MANDAWEWALA

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udra Vigyan is an entirely distinct and independent branch of yoga. It is the science of finger postures. It is based on the yoga of elements that go to create the human body — the science that can help raise the human being to achieve near-divine powers and keep the body perfectly fit.

Some mudras give instant relief. For permanent, longterm benefits they should be done, or practiced, with sincerity, belief, devotion and conviction.

According to the science of yoga, the five elements are the five building blocks that go into the formation of any living body. Several ancient health systems are based on the concept of harmonious balance of the five elements.

According to ayurveda and metaphysics, any distortion or impairment of the five elements creates outer disturbance and inner sickness in the body. The five fingers of the hands represent the five elements.

• The thumb represents fire, or sun • The index finger represents air or wind

• The middle finger represents sky or space • The ring finger represents earth • The small finger represents water.

THE MUDRA CATALOGUE • Vayu mudra — releases gas • Jalodharnashak mudra — burns excess fluid in the body • Hridaya mudra — enhances the functioning of the heart • Surya mudra — reduces excess weight • Shunya mudra — cures hearing [ear] problems.

1. Jalodharnashak mudra Method. Make a fist; open index, middle and ring fingers.

Put the pressure of your thumb on the small finger.

Benefits. Burns excess water in the abdominal region and helps in weight reduction.

2. Surya mudra Method. Place the tip of the ring finger on the base of thumb, with the thumb gently pressing it.

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Benefits. Reduces excess weight of your body.

3. Hriday mudra Method. Place the index finger on the base of the thumb and join the thumb, middle and the ring finger.

Benefits. Stimulates the heart, eases palpitation and high blood pressure.

4. Vayu mudra Method. Press the index finger on the base of the thumb and keep the thumb on the index finger. Let the other fingers be straight.

Benefits. As the name suggests, this mudra helps to release gas and discomfort immediately.

5. Shunya mudra Method. Place the tip of the middle finger on the base of thumb, with the thumb gently pressing it.

Benefits. This helps people with impaired hearing. If there is no physical defect, the mudra, when practiced regularly, can restore one’s hearing power. It also helps in getting rid of earaches within minutes. As a matter of fact, it takes no more than 2-3 minutes to get rid of most earaches. It also helps in relieving that typical nausea and vomiting sensation [car, or travel sickness] while driving through winding, hilly curves or while taking off or landing in the aircraft. It relieves vertigo too. The mudra should be discontinued after the problem is resolved.

FACT-FILE • Mudra is the exact scientific yogic function by which one

can develop or even change one’s internal and external dispositions, viz., mental anger, emotional disturbance, intelligence, spiritual [concentration, meditation], or physical [various diseases, or illnesses].

• Mudras can bring about miraculous mental, spiritual and physical changes and improvement in our body.

They help in quickly balancing the elements of the body.

• Mudras effect changes in the veins, tendons, glands and sense organs.

• Mudras need no prior preparation. They can be done most often anytime, anywhere and under virtually any circumstances.

• They are like literal remote control switches bringing quick and effective changes.

• They help bring about permanent change.

• A constant practice of mudras can stop or slow down the destructive changes in the human body. It can help develop a virtuous, socially amiable, non-violent, pious and courteous disposition.

• Some of the mudras can balance the elements of the body within 45 minutes; some ‘work’ in a few seconds on the human body.

• Mudras awaken your cosmic energy and help unite the atma [soul] with the Paramatama [the cosmic soul].

TIME & PRACTICE • Can be practiced at all times — while sitting, lying down standing, walking or even talking.

• For good results, it should be practiced for 24 minutes continuously. It can be practiced for 4-5 minutes at one time too.

Dr Preeti Mandawewala, PhD, comes from a traditional Marwadi business family. She first discovered, as housewife, her love for yoga and completed Yogacharya certification followed by Yogavachaspati. A few years later, she learned all she could about chakra meditation and pursued her doctorate in the subject. She conducts regular workshops and has found chakra meditation to be therapeutically effective for acidity, spondylitis, diabetes, high blood pressure, migraine, thyroid disorders and tennis elbow, among other health issues. She lives in Mumbai.

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HOMEOPATHY & YOU | NOVEMBER 2014

CORPORATE WELLNESS

THE WORLD AT YOUR FEET Be global, but think local. Strive for achievement, but work for fellow beings. This is what more than a handful of committed people have brought to us and made us what we are, or what we can, or could be.

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the physicist; Dr Christiaan Barnard, the heart he world at your feet. This is not the specialist, and Pele, the football legend, just to title of the next Bond flick. It’s all about name a few. Similarly, we respect the United a conqueror in each of you. If you are a Nations for its conflict resolution machinery; warrior, victory is yours.

The backdrop of the theme is a simple cue

By BADRINATH World Bank for its initiatives in executing Third World development; Red Cross for its services in from the team handling this magazine and its DURVASULA peace and war; and, Sulabh International for its first anniversary. The thought is instantaneous; cleanliness drive in India. Incidentally, they may the coverage is on accomplishments, be individuals or institutions, but the common thread individuals and teams — working for a cause. It is a running deep in them is emancipation of the human race. proven fact that whosoever works for human uplift has a In their lifetime, such individuals and institutions have place in sun. Is this also not good enough to say that the added value to humanity. Their outlook is solely focused world cares for you and you care for others? on crafting human beings in a transforming world of greed and devastation.

TRANSFORMATION PERSONIFIED In my childhood, my parents used to tell me stories Aesthetics provide pleasure for a moment, while of Swami Vivekananda, Chatrapati Shivaji, Maharana changing life patterns create a place in the sun. We Pratap and Mahatma Gandhi, who upheld the values of revere John Adams, the economist; Sir Isaac Newton,

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humanity and self-governance. Deeply inspired with their biographies, I looked at others, who shaped the world.

Otto von Bismarck achieved unification of Germany, Nelson Mandela attained freedom for South Africa, Americans got rid of a Satan named Osama Bin Laden and Steve Jobs brought in devises that changed the intellectual facet of humanity. Each of them brought a perceptible difference to human evolution.

PARADIGM SHIFT What’s more, business houses like IBM, Motorola, Tatas, Infosys, Hitachi, Philips, HP, Unilever, Merck, among many, have changed the quality of human life. Quality of living, knowledge management, and longevity of individuals have made the paradigm shift in each century.

Though they may be working for business, what is central is their contribution to human evolution. Profits are incidental to their survival. When analysed, what such corporates are doing for our betterment far outweighs the money they’ve garnered.

I was recently approached by a microbiologist from the US for an advisory. His request was to guide him on how best to convert his stem cell research into structured output for the Indian gene pool. Money-making was never his motto. On the contrary, his quest to support Indian genetic traits baffled me. This is not an isolated instance, but a bouquet of them follows — if one watches TED Talks. In the infrastructure industry, which I work for, budding engineers keep working out innovative concepts, not as a part of their job or work, but as a passion to contribute for generations to come.

We are all aware of the dreaded Ebola virus, which is spreading its tentacles to eat up the human race, much similar to AIDS at one point of time. Microbiologists and doctors all over the world are working hard, as a matter of challenge, not to earn money, but to salvage human suffering. Hundreds of research units are working round the clock to find solutions. This reminds me of homeopathy, which made deep inroads into the mysterious suffering humans are/were subject to.

From Dr Samuel Hahnemann, MD, the founder, down to generations of homeopaths have cured millions over the last 200 years. It is their passion, commitment and deliverance that makes us feel healthy; it is also a tribute to this magazine, whose focus is service to humanity.

So, what is it that makes one feel that the world is at their feet?

Passion for a [humane] cause. One need to be aware of the fact that whatever one is doing during the course of their employment or creative engagement, it should leave the imprint of betterment for fellow human beings

from the state where there were in before. It may look simple, but the most difficult to achieve. Ask a poet, he would be clueless, ask an actor, he would be baffled, but ask a philanthropist, he would justify. But, is it difficult for an actor or poet to achieve them? Certainly not, if their orientation is for a purpose.

Structured development. Be it business, or job or service, the path to proceed is preferred to be structured.

I do not suggest for a moment that everything should be structured, but by the law of averages, a structured path gives sustained results in comparison to sporadic or haphazard working. The principles of mathematics or science are layered from basics to high-end, without compromising for bypasses in-between. Our lifestyle of working should evolve with each passing day, to create a new dimension. Eventually, dimensions sprout to excel, and excellence is the true facet of development.

Motives above self. Transformation, in India, is seen with the motivating efforts of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, be it his speech at Madison Square or the cleaning drive he launched from Delhi. The actions that each of us perform should, at some point of time, be above self. Think human, work human. Plan for a new, progressive society and work for it. If each of us can bring in the difference to our quality of life [QoL], we’d have performed our roles. Take a deep breath in the morning, meditate for a while, and feel what you can do. Many thoughts would cross. Collate them and distil them. You have the solution.

Be a part of the problem. It may sound funny — when all of us try to attain solutions. In a way, by being a part of the problem, we will have many insights of the problem. Sometimes, the solutions are in isolation to the symptoms, but when we know the inside out of the problem, solutions are comprehensive. The principles of homeopathy, thus, make a substantive difference to any other form of medicine. There are no side-effects, and the cure is holistic. While performing commercial negotiations in our organisations, we tend to often get into the shoes of the other party to understand their concerns.

This is the magic wand that gives us the edge, as we were already aware of the perspective of the other side.

In the words of Sir Winston Churchill, “A pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity and an optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty.” To work for fellow human beings is a noble humane endeavour, a philosophy; to strive for their betterment is remarkable and to succeed, while contributing, is divine.

Result: you will have the world, doubtless, at your feet.

Badrinath Durvasula is Vice-President and Head, Legal and Strategy, Larsen & Toubro Ltd, Mumbai. A much-sought after speaker and motivational ’guru,’ Durvasula holds master’s degrees in nuclear physics, law and management.

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HOMEOPATHY & YOU | NOvEMbEr 2014

LIFe COACH

YOUR DIRECTION HOLDS THE EDGE As we go through the voyage called life, we tend to focus on different areas we feel is important to us — health, wealth, happiness, love, security, peace of mind, social status and so on. Is there a smart, doable approach, or rather the best mode to getting things done?

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By VINESH SUKUMARAN

here are two broad ways in which you could look at different areas in life or career, irrespective of what your focus areas are.

The ‘towards approach.’ When people tend to focus on what they want to achieve and where they want to head to. This approach is actively at work in people who say things like ‘I want a big car,’ ‘I want a fancy mansion,’ ‘I want to make a lot of money and get rich,’ ‘I want to go to the Himalayas this year,’ or ‘I want to be happy.’

The ‘away from approach.’ When people tend to focus on what they don’t want to have or where they don’t want to be. This approach is actively at work in people who say things like. ‘I don’t want this small car anymore,’ ‘I am tired of this tiny apartment,’ ‘I don’t want to remain poor and keep struggling to pay my bills,’ ‘I don’t want to go to a cold place,’ or ‘I don’t want to be sad.’

While the above two approaches are different, they may also be seen as a replica of each other. You will, for example, rarely find a person whose approach is purely ‘towards’ or purely ‘away from.’ In reality, most people function from the two approaches to some extent or the other. Having said that, it is fair to say that there are many individuals for whom one approach completely overshadows the other. So, the questions: • Do you want to become slim or do you want to stop being fat?

• Do you want to stop worrying or do you want to be happy and content?

• Do you want to stop working late or do you want to start leaving early?

It is a well-known fact that you tend to materialise

and bring into your physical reality what you think of and visualise. This idea has been so popularised over the years that there are clichéd statements that prescribe it like: • ‘What you see is what you get.’

• ‘Thoughts become things. So choose them wisely.’

• ‘You will step into the life you visualise.’

Using the ‘towards’ approach is a great way to get exactly what you want in life. For example, you are more likely to live your ideal life if you first start seeing that ideal life in your mind and start focusing on it rather than focusing on the kind of life you don’t want.

If you want to get to a high level of fitness, set clear fitness goals and work towards them rather than figuring out ways to manage low fitness levels. You are more likely to have peace of mind by figuring out ways to create that peace of mind for yourself as opposed to focusing on the zillion activities in your life that are keeping you tense and worried.

The ‘away from’ approach is a great way to jolt yourself out of a state of pointless complacence or carelessness.

For example, if you were an obese person who has been working out for a year and have slowed down now since you have lost a lot of weight, you could regain momentum by imagining your previous obese state and how you could fall back to it if you are not cautious.

Interestingly, the approach you use could change the way you experience life, the speed at which you achieve results as well as what results you achieve.

While one approach is not superior to the other, they are significant in their own sweet ways.

Vinesh Sukumaran is a Bengaluru-based applications specialist in behavioural dynamics and neurolinguistic psychology. A writer and coach, Sukumaran’s principal area of work is keyed to helping organisations and individuals apply neuropsychology to perform better at work and live more fulfilling lives.

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MIXED BAG

THE SINGLE DILEMMA To remain single today seems to be a preferred mode, if not a trend, for girls who are ‘married’ to their careers.

A

mode for girls who are ‘married’ to their forty-plus spinster told me recently careers. They don’t worry about marriage until that the most terrible thing she they are in their late thirties. A girl I went to dreads is friends, relatives and college with in the mid-sixties is still looking sometimes even total strangers asking her for her ideal man, which is unusual for our why she is not married yet. She finds it

By RUBY generation. At forty, girls start wondering why difficult to handle the stress of this ’single LILAOWALA they have not met their ‘Mr Right’ yet, and feel burning question.’ Life is not fair she left out. said. While a forty-plus man is an eligible A generation ago, this feeling would have started bachelor, she is categorised as a frustrated spinster. at 25 or 26, but now things have changed in terms of Mind you, she is open to the idea of marriage but careers and fertility-treatments. Men become aware the poor thing’s expectations are higher than Mount of their mortality as they cross forty; the desire Everest. to settle down becomes intense then. At times, To begin with, she wants a handsome bloke [Brad blokes rush in where angels fear to tread and wrong Pitt chalega?]. Also, a separate flat in a posh locality, without any in-laws staying with them. Of course, this decisions often turn holy-wedlock into an unholy deadlock. As girls and boys advance in age, they was just for starters. have fewer options and opportunities. However, when She wants a separate car with a driver, a cook you are in your early or mid-twenties, you have a and a full-time domestic help. No, the list doesn’t much larger pool to pick from — this increases your end here. Madam expects foreign holidays too. “I’ll chances. As you grow older, such variables become marry only on my terms, like ‘xyz’ did.” She overlooks fewer. the fact that the ‘xyz’ she referred to is a famous Marriage is outdated in the West today. Young Bollywood actress who is also known for her oomph adults live the life they want and society encourages with seriously dangerous curves. them. Coming back to our own society, the Our heroine, on the contrary, is rather plain-looking matrimonial ads and bureaus want ‘fair and lovely’ with a modest figure. brides. Now, every girl cannot be a ‘Helen of Troy’ Rewind. Our grandmother’s generation believed and every boy can’t look like John Abraham. that if a girl was not married by 18 or 20, she, The qualities of the head and heart are completely perhaps, had some flaw. The girls had to more or less accept marriage, as fixed by their parents. There were ignored — for whatever reason, or no reason. One has to balance his or her expectations. Unless this is no great expectations; hence, no great regrets either. done, that single burning question will prevail.

Fast-forward. To remain single today is a preferred

Ruby Lilaowala, a former special correspondent for Gulf Times, is a writer, columnist, life-coach and counsellor. She lives in Mumbai.

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HOMEOPATHY & YOU | NOVEMBER 2014

THE WAY WE WERE & ARE

the significance of ‘PRaDaKshina’ As a norm, devotees often go around the temple with their hands folded in front of them. This is known as pradakshina, which in Sanskrit means ‘moving around a sacred object for a good cause.’ A peek into the real essence of this age-old tradition.

M

ost faiths, including Hinduism, believe that god is everywhere — within us, around us, in all the living organisms in this world, and nothing happens without His consent. However, it is often difficult to keep the thought of god in our constantly wavering mind, for more than a few minutes. When you do pradakshina, or when you circumambulate the Lord, you give yourself an opportunity to constantly focus on Him and absorb the positive vibrations around the Supreme Power.

There is an interesting story behind the most celebrated pradakshina practice, or philosophy, according to Hindu mythology. Once Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, the parents of Lord Ganesha and Lord Kartikeya, had instructed their sons to go around the world in pursuit of knowledge.

Kartikeya, riding on his peacock went all over the world in search of knowledge, while Ganesha, circumambulated His parents, justifying His act by saying that the whole world is within Them.

Logically speaking, the simple reason behind pradakshina is the belief that the Lord is the centre point in our lives and a circle can only be drawn with a centre. This means we should keep the Lord as the focal point and go about our daily lives, or duties.

Every point on the circumference of the circle is equidistant from the centre, which means that no matter where we are, we will always be equally close to the Lord. The pradakshina is, therefore, done in a clockwise manner because, in Hinduism, the right side is most auspicious.

Physical benefits Most of the ancient Indian temples are huge. In times gone by, people used to practice the daily routine of

visiting temple early in the morning. When we go for circumambulation around the temple, it easily takes around half-an-hour to complete the pradakshina. In a small temple too, it takes a good amount of time to complete a few rounds around the deity. So, there is a healthy physical benefit of walking [exercise] in the process of circumambulation. emotional benefits As discussed earlier, the significance of pradakshina is that we should keep the Lord as the focal point and go about our daily lives. At the emotional level, when we circumambulate everyday there is an emotional attachment that everything we do revolves around god. intelligence benefits In Vedic science, everything is done in accordance to a universal pattern. In the universe, we observe that from the smallest subatomic particle to the gigantic universe, everything is in motion. There are two kinds of motion — self-spinning/rotating on one’s own axis and circumambulation, or going around a fixed point.

It may also be emphasised that it is from small microparticles to the complex or macro- universe that everything follows a pattern. To gain advantage, one needs to practice a pattern or certain set of rules while doing pradakshina. One has to fold hands in front of their chest, take small steps and walk unhurriedly, chant a mantra of the deity at the temple and visualise the presiding deity in their heart.

The feeling that arises is said to be one of fulsome peace and absolute surrender to god, or Supreme Power.

HOMEOPATHY & YOU | NOVEMBER 2014

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FITNESS EQUIPMENT

PLAY BALL FOR SPINAL WELLNESS The exercise ball is a good fitness and excellent healing option for back pain. This is primarily because it strengthens and develops the core muscles in the body, while stabilising the spine.

W

e put our back through a lot of stress as we age.

The result is back pain. A typical response to back pain is either staying in bed or stopping any kind of strenuous activity. While this approach is fine for short periods, when done for more than a day or two, it can actually undermine healing.

Staying active and engaging in some form of back exercise is necessary to rehabilitate the spine and help alleviate back pain. The exercise ball can be one of the best options to keep your back in good shape.

FORTIFIES THE BACK MUSCLES An exercise ball, also called as ‘Swiss ball’ or ‘physio ball,’ is a ball made of soft elastic with a diameter of approximately 35-85cm[14-34 inches] and filled with air.

A primary benefit of exercising with the Swiss ball as opposed to exercising on a hard flat surface is that the body responds to the instability of the ball to remain balanced, thereby engaging several muscles at a time.

Over time, the muscles, used to keep balance, become stronger. Thus, regular exercise on the Swiss ball helps strengthen important back and abdominal muscles.

There are a handful of back exercises that can be performed on the exercise ball for effective fitness and also relief from back pain.

HYPEREXTENSION • With the Swiss ball in front of you, get onto your knees • Lean forward, placing the top of your stomach on the ball [belly pressed on the ball] • Extend your legs behind you. Start with your head up, back extended, chest off the ball and hands behind your head • Now, lower your chest and head down until you feel a good stretch in your hamstrings • Contract lower back to return to the starting position.

LEG EXTENSION WITH BALL ON THE BENCH • Lie flat on top of the exercise ball [which is itself placed on a bench], place legs down but extended and grip the bench with both hands to maintain balance • Raise your legs up while keeping your legs extended and slowly lower them down after a short pause • Breathe out while raising your legs and breathe in while returning to the starting position.

PLANKS • Lie on your stomach, place your forearms on a mat, with your feet on the ball • Draw in your abdomen and make sure that you are in a straight plank position [no sagging in the lower back] • Hold the position for 30 seconds • Don’t hold your breath.

ARM-LEG EXTENSION • Lie prone on top of the exercise ball, your belly pressed against it and maintain balance with your feet and hands on the floor • Extend your left arm and right leg out and up and lower them back after a short pause. Alternate sides after each repetition • Breathe out while extending; breathe in while returning to the starting position.

Performing ball exercises can be a little tricky. It is, therefore, suggested that you should do them under expert guidance — for a while to start with until you are used to doing them correctly.

As is true for any type of physical activity you should consult with your doctor beforehand, especially if you are new to ball exercises.

Also, remember — whenever you feel pain, you’d disengage from the exercises.

You’d restart as soon as it’s safe to do so.

HOMEOPATHY & YOU | NOVEMBER 2014

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Top OF MIND

YOGA OF COMMUNICATION Yoga is the popular buzzword for a healthy body and also the healthy spirit of the past. It can be used as a mantra for healthy relationships.

By SHUBHA VILAS DAS

T

he word yoga means wholesome connection.

For the spiritualist, yoga is connecting oneself to god by sacrificing one’s focus, time and energy in meditating on god. The same elements, when used in communication, become yoga for connecting two individuals.

Yoga of communication is essentially a combination of three limbs — viz., the yoga of interaction, the yoga of participation, and the yoga of non-intervention.

The yoga of interaction is practiced by pulling the mind away from personal needs, interests and concerns to focusing on the needs, interests and concerns of the one we want to connect with. Deep connections are forged when one learns the art of empathetically listening without diagnosing. If the deep-seated addiction to conclude before listening is sacrificed healthy interactions will begin.

YOGA OF INTERACTION Why was Rama loved so much? Just because He practiced the yoga of interaction perfectly. When a citizen achieved some success, Rama celebrated with the family. And, when someone went through a loss, Rama cried more than the family members. Not that He actually offered solutions to their problems every time, but just by empathising with their situation, He won their hearts. Rama knew that not every problem is meant to be solved, some are meant to be tolerated.

Tolerating a problem becomes easy when there is adequate empathy available close by.

The yoga of participation is appreciating the opinion of others and when need be sacrificing personal opinion in the wake of co-operation. Being a superman is about being right and having solutions to all problems. Being a Hanuman is about valueing others’ opinions and abilities above your own.

When Hanuman met Sita in Lanka and was asked

for His introduction, He replied he was the most insignificant of the monkeys in Sugriva’s army and, therefore, chosen to be a messenger.

He increased Sita’s confidence by stating that if the most insignificant monkey could jump over the ocean and create havoc in the city of Lanka singlehandedly, then naturally all the mightier heroes put together would surely be able to rescue Her and reconnect Her to Rama. He appreciated and valued others knowing that people are happy to participate in a relationship to the extent they feel valued and wanted.

YOGA OF NON-INTERVENTION The yoga of non-intervention is achieved by maintaining a healthy distance from those you want to connect with. One prefers seats in a plane with more leg space. Similarly, one prefers space to be oneself.

In the name of relationships, many a time, we squeeze the space out of people’s lives and force them to be a replica of ourselves. The yoga of non-intervention helps us to appreciate and accept people the way they are while simultaneously allowing us to remain at peace in the way we are.

Each of the five Pandavas had their individual likes and dislikes. Arjuna never forced Bhima to learn archery. Yudhishtir never criticised any of his brothers for not being as truthful as he was. Nakul never compared his good looks with others. Sahadeva never discussed his superiority in knowledge of conversing with animals. And, none of them was dissatisfied with their eating capacity by comparing with Bhima.

By practicing the yoga of non-intervention, they remained deeply bonded — in so doing, they used their differences to strengthen the unity from multiple dimensions.

The inference: when communication becomes yoga and vice versa, relationships reach the next level.

Shubha Vilas Das is a motivational speaker and author of bestselling book, Ramayana — The Game of Life. Follow him on www.facebook.com/shubhavilas

HOMEOPATHY & YOU | NOVEMBER 2014

55

HOME[O]PATHY

GOODNESS OF ONIONS Never mind the tears they bring on — besides adding oodles of taste to your food, onions provide incredible health benefits.

O

nion is found in almost every kitchen, thanks to the delectable taste it brings to food. Onions also form the basis of several dishes — be it raw, cooked, sautéed, baked, steamed or boiled.

It would be difficult to imagine the cuisine of any country without onions. Moreover, onions also have a lot of curative powers that make them an important medicinal plant too.

Onions were historically used as a preventative ‘medicine’ during ancient epidemics of cholera and the plague. They were apparently eaten by Roman emperor Nero, as a cure for colds.

The total polyphenol [antioxidant] content of onions is much higher than in several other vegetables thought to be the powerhouses of polyphenols, such as garlic, tomatoes, carrots etc.

FLAVONOID POWERHOUSE In the polyphenol category, onions are high in flavonoids, or plant pigments. They rank among the top ten of commonly eaten vegetables for their quercetin content. Quercetin is nature’s best remedy for allergies and also heart disease.

The flavonoid content of onions can vary widely, depending on the exact variety and growing conditions.

However, when onions are simmered to make soup, their quercetin content does not get degraded. It simply gets transferred into the water part of the soup.

By using a low-heat method for preparing onion soup, one can preserve the health benefits of onion that are associated with this key flavonoid.

Remember that the flavonoids in onions are more concentrated in the outer layers of the flesh. Thus, to maximise your health benefits, peel off as little of the fleshy, edible portion as possible when removing the onion’s outermost paper layer. Even a small amount of ‘overpeeling’ can result in the loss of flavonoids.

For example, a red onion can lose about 20 per cent of its quercetin and almost 75 per cent of its

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HOMEOPATHY & YOU | NOVEMBER 2014

anthocyanins [pigments], if it is ‘overpeeled.’

KEEP OSTEOPOROSIS AT BAY Onions are particularly good for people suffering from [or, at risk of developing] osteoporosis. This is because onions are loaded with a peptide called glutamylpropenyl-cysteine sulfoxide [GPCS], which is believed to slow down your body’s loss of calcium. Onions may also be useful in the fight against heart disease and diabetes, because they are loaded with vitamin C and folates.

BALANCING BLOOD SUGAR Onions have been used in folk medicine for the relief of coughs, colds and catarrh, especially asthma, but more recently some of their curative properties have been attributed to a compound called allyl-propyldisulphide [APDS], which is thought to have a good effect on insulin in balancing blood sugar levels. This does not mean that onions can be used as a substitute for insulin therapy; all the same, it may be of use as a healthy anti-diabetic kitchen remedy.

FACT-FILE • The phytochemicals [nutraceuticals] in onions improve the functioning of vitamin C in the body. This improves our body’s immunity • Onions contain chromium, which assists in regulating blood sugar levels • Onions have been used since ancient times to reduce inflammation and heal infections • Quercetin in onions is known to play a significant role in preventing allergy, heart disease and cancer • Raw onion encourages the production of ‘good’ cholesterol [HDL], thus keeping your heart healthy • Onions scavenge free radicals, thereby reducing your risk of developing gastric ulcers • The bright green tops of onions are rich in vitamin A — they are good for your eyes.

MINERAL WEALTH

THE FLUORIDE EFFECT Most people who have used adequate fluoride during the tooth-forming years of infancy and childhood are protected all through from dental decay.

F

luoride occurs in the human body just in traces.

Research, however, demonstrates that where diets are high in fluoride during the growing years, crystalline deposits in bones and teeth are larger and harder.

When bones and teeth become mineralised, a crystal called hydroxyapatite forms from calcium and phosphorus. Thereafter, the fluoride replaces the hydroxy portion of hydroxyapatite, forming fluorapatite — this makes the bones stronger and the teeth more resistant to decay.

Fluorapatite [pronounced floor-APP-uh-tite] is the stabilised form of bone and tooth crystal, in which fluoride has replaced the hydroxy portion of hydroxyapatite.

Once the teeth have erupted, topical application of fluoride by way of toothpaste, or mouth rinse, continues to exert a cavity-reducing effect.

SOURCES Most ‘normal’ diets contain some fluoride. Drinking water, processed soft drinks and fruit juice made with fluoridated water, fluoride toothpastes, gels, and oral rinses, are the most common fluoride sources.

Fish and tea also provide sizeable amounts of fluoride.

However, when the natural fluoride concentration in water is high, as is reported from some areas, too much fluoride can damage teeth, causing fluorosis. Fluorosis occurs only during tooth development. It cannot be reversed; this makes its prevention a top priority. In mild cases, the teeth could develop small white specks; in severe cases, the enamel could get pitted and fully stained.

This has led wellness experts and health agencies to earmark a Tolerable Upper Intake Level.

• Men: 4mg/day • Women: 3mg/day FLUORIDE DEFICIENCY When fluoride is lacking in water supply, the incidence of dental decay is high. It is also a cause of great concern — this is primarily because it can lead to a host of health problems affecting the whole body.

Experts recommend fluoridation of water to raise its fluoride concentration. The formula is 1 part per million — this is an important public health measure.

Research suggests that people who have had adequate fluoride during the tooth-forming years of infancy and childhood are protected throughout life from dental decay.

Research also substantiates enough evidence of flouride’s beneficial effects. The fluoridation of water has been approved by 150 national and international organisations.

About 70 per cent of the general population served by public water systems is estimated to receive optimal levels of fluoride. However, most bottled water, it may be emphasised, lack fluoride in adequate amounts.

PREVENTION OF FLUOROSIS • Get reliable information on the fluoride content of your local water supply. Get a lab to analyse the content if required • Oversee children younger than age six when they brush their teeth [also make sure they don’t swallow the toothpaste]; place only a ‘pea-size’ quantity of toothpaste on their toothbrush for use • Use fluoride supplements only when prescribed, or recommended, by your dentist.

HOMEOPATHY & YOU | NOVEMBER 2014

57

HEALTH HAPPENINGS

DELVING INTO THE MYSTERY OF WHY COLDS CAUSE ASTHMA A new study published in Science Translational Medicine reports the discovery of a potential new target to treat asthma attacks caused by colds.

It has not been clear until now how a rhinovirus [cold virus] infection triggers the inflammation typical of an asthma attack, where the airways become obstructed and mucous production increases.

World Health Organisation [WHO] statistics show that about 235 million people worldwide have asthma.

About 80-90 per cent of asthma attacks are caused by infections of the airways, particularly by rhinoviruses, which are also the main cause of the common cold.

In people with asthma, an otherwise-mild illness caused by a rhinovirus can trigger potentially severe attacks that may require hospitalisation. However, it has not been clear until now how a rhinovirus infection triggers the inflammation typical of an asthma attack, where the airways become obstructed and mucous production increases — type-2 immune response.

To try and answer this, UK-based researchers from the Medical Research Council & Asthma UK Centre in Allergic Mechanisms of Asthma at Imperial College London and King’s College London examined cells taken from the lungs of people with asthma and from healthy volunteers.

The researchers found that when the lung cells were infected with a rhinovirus, the cells from people with asthma produced around 10 times as many IL-25 cytokines as the cells from healthy volunteers.

Investigating further, the team infected both

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HOMEOPATHY & YOU | NOVEMBER 2014

asthmatic and healthy volunteers with a rhinovirus and studied the IL-25 response across the two groups. The researchers found that the asthmatic participants had a higher level of IL-25 in nasal secretions than the healthy volunteers.

IS LOSS OF SMELL A ‘HARBINGER OF DEATH’?

A new study has suggested that, especially for older adults, being unable to identify smells could indicate mortality within five years. The olfactory system is involved in a wide variety of physiological processes, ranging from detecting environmental hazards to triggering memories.

“Olfaction is a critical, if underappreciated, component of human physiology,” write the authors,

led by Dr Jayant Pinto and based out of the University of Chicago, US. “Although potentially less dependent on olfaction than many other mammals, humans still rely on this ancestral system which plays an essential role in health and behaviour.”

They point out that our ability to distinguish scents performs a wide variety of tasks. It influences nutrition through appetite and food preferences, enables us to identify environmental hazards and is inextricably linked with memory and social relationships.

Indeed, a failing olfactory system has already been observed to signal major degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Due to its links to diverse physiological processes, the authors theorise that it could also potentially be an indicator of mortality.

The study, published in the journal PLoS ONE, was part of the National Social Life, Health and Aging Project [NSHAP]. This project is the first in-home study of social relationships and health within a nationally representative sample of participants aged between 57 and 85.

ANXIETY, JEALOUSY & MOODINESS LINKED TO ALZHEIMER’S RISK A new study published in Neurology claims a woman’s risk of Alzheimer’s disease may be higher if she is anxious, jealous or moody in middle-age. Researchers say women who are neurotic during middle-age — defined as being anxious, jealous or moody — may be at higher risk of Alzheimer’s.

Alzheimer’s disease is more common in women than men, with 3.2 million of the 5 million Alzheimer’s cases in the US alone affecting women.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, a woman aged 65 or over has a 1 in 6 chance of developing the disease in her lifetime, compared with a 1 in 11 chance for men.

The researchers of this latest study — including Lena

Johannsson, PhD, of the University of Gothenburg in Sweden — say the majority of Alzheimer’s research has looked at how genetics, head trauma, heart and blood problems and education influences disease risk. For example, a study reported by Medical News Today earlier this year revealed a gene variant that may increase Alzheimer’s risk in women.

However, Johannsson and colleagues note there is little research on how certain personality traits may influence the risk of Alzheimer’s. They, therefore, looked to determine the association between personality and Alzheimer’s through a study involving 800 women of an average age of 46. Their results, it is suggested, will lead to more research and better analytical outcomes.

SMOKING DURING PREGNANCY COULD DAMAGE SONS’ FERTILITY Though it is well-known that smoking in pregnancy poses health dangers to offspring, in the US, around 20 per cent of young women continue to smoke while pregnant. Now, researchers who conducted a study in mice say smoking during pregnancy or breastfeeding could damage the future fertility of sons.

The new study adds another reason to stop smoking during pregnancy, as it found the male offspring of smoking mothers could have diminished fertility. The researchers, who were led by Prof Eileen McLaughlin of the University of Newcastle in Australia, have published their results in Human Reproduction.

They note that until now, the effects of smoking during pregnancy on male offspring fertility, as well as the mechanisms behind this, have been unclear, due to a lack of animal studies with carefully controlled environments and exposure to toxic chemicals.

With this latest study, however, the team has created the first comprehensive animal model to show how smoking can affect male offsprings’ fertility. Prof McLaughlin explains that they used a mouse model that mimics human smoking for their study because — naturally — it would be “unethical to deliberately expose pregnant mothers and their offspring to the toxins in cigarettes.”

LOW-CARB DIET IMPROVES QUALITY OF LIFE IN TYPE-2 DIABETES Low-carbohydrate diet has a good effect not only on blood glucose, but also on physical functions, bodily pain and general health, according to a diet study which included patients with type-2 diabetes.

The results of a two-year clinical trial in patients with type-2 diabetes, led by Dr Hans Guldbrand, general practitioner, and Fredrik Nystrom, professor of internal medicine at Linköping University, Sweden, has been published in Diabetologia. The trial studied the effects on blood glucose and blood lipids of a lowcarbohydrate diet compared to a low-fat diet.

The 61 enrolled patients were randomly divided into two groups — one for each diet type and were expected to adhere to the respective diet throughout the study HOMEOPATHY & YOU | NOVEMBER 2014

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HEALTH HAPPENINGS

period. It was found that both diet-groups reduced weight equally but the effect on blood glucose was better in the low-carbohydrate group.

The effects of a low-carbohydrate diet and a low-fat diet on well-being have now been analysed in a study led by Associate Professor Margareta BachrachLindström. A standardised analysis based on a special questionnaire was performed. After 12 months in the trial, the low-carbohydrate group improved in regard to the physical component, which includes physical function, bodily pain and general health. No improvements were seen in the low-fat group, despite weight loss. Mental health was similar for both groups and remained unchanged during the study period and did not differ between the groups.

“The result is interesting; it provides an additional argument that a low-carbohydrate diet is beneficial in diabetes,” says Hans Guldbrand. “We also found no adverse effects on mental health with the lowcarbohydrate diet, which an earlier study had indicated,” he adds.

The interview with the study patients revealed that for both groups there were difficulties adhering to the diet when they ate elsewhere than at home. There could also be problems if not all family members followed the same diet. Both groups expected health gains by adhering to the given dietary advice. The low-carbohydrate diet group expressed that it could be difficult to refrain from potatoes and pasta. The diet for the low-fat group was described as relatively inexpensive and tasty. Benefits of the low-carbohydrate diet were the patients felt less hungry and their appetite for sweets disappeared.

ENERGY DRINKS CAUSE INSOMNIA AND ANXIETY IN ATHLETES A study analysing the positive and negative effects of energy drinks on athletes has seen that, although

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HOMEOPATHY & YOU | NOVEMBER 2014

in principle their sports performance improved by between 3 and 7 per cent, there was also an increase in the frequency of insomnia [sleeplessness], nervousness and the level of stimulation in the hours following competition.

The consumption of energy drinks has increased in recent years. In the case of athletes, the use of them before practicing sport has also risen: more than 50 per cent take them during training and even before competitions.

A four-year study carried out by experts from Camilo José Cela University [UCJC], Spain, has evaluated the positive and negative effects of energy drinks on athletes.

In the study, top footballers, climbers, swimmers and basketball, rugby, volleyball, tennis and hockey players took the equivalent of three cans of energy drink or an energy drink [placebo] before a sports competition.

Sporting performance was measured with the use of GPS devices which determined the distance and the speed at which it was covered in team sports. They also used dynamometers and potentiometers to measure muscle performance in other sports. The results, published in The British Journal of Nutrition, show that athletes increased their sporting performance by between 3 and 7 per cent.

“What’s more,” as Juan Del Coso Garrigós, one of the authors of the study who is also in charge of the Exercise Physiology Laboratory at the UCJC, explains, “they ran further in team competitions, specially at higher intensities, which is related to sports performance.” Del Coso adds that “energy drinks increase jump height for basketball players, muscle force and power for climbers and trained individuals, swimming speed for sprinter swimmers, hit force and accuracy for volleyball players and the number of points scored in tennis”.

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THE ‘DAL BAATI’ SYMPHONY Think of authentic Rajasthani cuisine in New Delhi? Head straight to Rajasthan Food Stall on Aurobindo Marg — you’ll just love the special Rajasthani thali and dal baati churma. The kadi is good, the moong dal halwa is always good and gate ki sabzi great. Also, make sure to order a sweet lassi, not to speak of sweet raita — you will savour their yummy, lingering taste. Service is quick and courteous. Call: 011-2410 9427.

HOMEOPATHY & YOU | NOVEMBER 2014

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CELEB FITNESS

AAMIR KHAN’S WELLNESS MANTRA

W

hile the whole world went gaga over Aamir Khan’s look in the movie Ghajini, a few years ago, only the actor and his trainer knew the effort and pain which went into developing each and every muscle in his body. We bring you Aamir’s famed fitness and diet regime — courtesy of celebfitness.blogspot.in.

“It took Aamir 13 months of workout, with a daily regimen of about four hours, to achieve the next-to-impossible look for Ghajini’,” says Satyajit Chaurasia, who trained the actor for the film. He adds that Khan used to get tired exercising and sometimes even used to shriek in pain doing the stomach crunches, but he did not skip a single day. Every week his body used to show results and that kept him going. Aamir continues to keep fit. He fully believes in the good, old axiom — sound mind in a sound body.

AAMIR’S FITNESS MANTRA First things first. Let me share with you what I learnt in the last few years in the process of building a physique, losing weight etc.

There are three things that are most important — in the following order: 1. A healthy and balanced diet 2. Exercise 3. Rest.

Actually exercise and rest are equally important, but the most important is a healthy and balanced diet.

HEALTHY DIET The best way to get a healthy and balanced diet for yourself is to visit a qualified dietician. Not dieticians who put you onto new fad diets, like high protein diets, low carb diets, blood group diets, don’t eat carbs at night diets, Atkins diet, Santa Barbara diets, ‘have this pill’ diet, ‘eat only ‘this’ one day and ‘that’ on another day’ diet, falana diet, dhamka diet etc. No. You need to visit a qualified dietician who gives you the good, old fashioned calorie count diet. A good dietician will insist on a check-up before prescribing you a diet.

So blood and urine test is a standard, but in certain

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HOMEOPATHY & YOU | NOVEMBER 2014

cases a sonography and other tests may also be required depending on your health situation. The purpose is that your doctor needs to check your health before s/he can prescribe a diet. That’s where the word ‘healthy’ comes in.

Well, eating less is not a healthy balanced diet.

DIET HE FOLLOWED It was a balanced diet for me — one-third fat, one-third carbs, one-third protein, but normal food including rotis, rice, sabzis, chicken, 16 egg whites, fruit, and four litre of water. All cooked in three teaspoons of oil. No, not olive oil.

There was no sugar, no potatoes, no bananas, no red meat, no egg yolks and no fried stuff. The diet changed every month. In the last week and before I went on the sets of Ghajini, I cut down salt.

HIS FITNESS TRAINING This would depend on what you want to achieve. For general fitness, walking, jogging, swimming, or playing a sport, are all great exercises. So, if you are not looking for anything particular then choose one. Yoga is great too. In case you are interested in body building, building muscle, shaping your body etc., then what worked for me was weight training.

HIS EIGHT-PACK ABS The workout was a cycle of three days. Mondays, I did chest and back, Tuesdays I worked on the arms, and Wednesdays I exercised my shoulders and legs. Then I would repeat the cycle. This included cardio every day of between half-hour and hour. I did abs to work the core muscles and get the six-pack, say 1,000 crunches. On days when I felt good, I would push myself more. There was no time to think, because I’d be screaming in pain!

REST The importance of rest is often underestimated. No matter how hard you train, if you don’t rest your body, it will not respond well. During Ghajini, I slept for 8 hours [at least] as a rule every night. I did shavaasan post my bath, after my training.

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