| Alternative therapies have entered the | | | | Ashok can be seen growing all over India, where |
| mainstream in the last decade as patients have | | | | it is said to raise energy levels. It is frequently |
| become more aware of the side effects of many | | | | drunk by women as a tea, and it is known |
| prescription drugs. A certain amount of stress is | | | | colloquially as the lady's herb as it is supposed to |
| good for us, but too much is harmful and we | | | | prevent gynaecological problems. |
| often fail to notice the signs that our bodies | | | | Ashwagantha (Withania somnifera) |
| communicate to tell us our stress levels are too | | | | Ashwagantha is used as a natural stimulant for |
| high. Typical symptoms are rapid heart | | | | energy; Indian folklore also says that is one of the |
| palpitations, dizzy spells, tight muscles or body | | | | most powerful natural aphrodisiac. Its properties |
| aches. | | | | stimulate the immune system. It is also used as |
| Laughter is one of the best medicines for mental | | | | an anti-inflammatory cure for arthritis. |
| and physical stress, it creates neurological changes | | | | Bhringaraj |
| in the body which can cushion the | | | | This is used to detoxify the system and is also |
| immunosuppressive effects of stress. It actually | | | | widely used for improving the glossiness in hair. |
| promotes clear thinking as well. | | | | Chamomile |
| India has an ancient science system, "ayerveda", | | | | Probably one of the widest used herbs globally, it |
| which is a comprehensive science of diet, health, | | | | has many uses, but its most powerful use is as a |
| nutrition as well as a treatment of diseases often | | | | muscle relaxant. It is also as a natural tranquillizer |
| called Ayurvedic treatment. It is the only thread | | | | for the nervous system and brain. It can usually |
| that runs through a web of food recipes, as | | | | be bought as commercial tea bags, and drunk. |
| diverse as the billion people that live there. | | | | The flowers which resemble daisies can be used, |
| Traditionally Indian recipes are not written down, | | | | both internally and externally. It is used |
| and they have developed using fresh produce | | | | extensively to promote a healthy natural sleep |
| local to the area. | | | | because it has properties which act as a mild |
| Ayurvedic medicine comes from the Sanskrit | | | | sedative, as well as relaxing muscles. It soothes all |
| word for life which is ayu, whilst veda means | | | | muscles including that of the lower intestines, and |
| knowledge of. No one knows how old this system | | | | as such is used as a treatment for Crohn's |
| of holistic medicine is, but the Sanskrit language | | | | disease. |
| has not been used for centuries. Some historians | | | | Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) |
| claim that it is over two thousand years old. | | | | This plant is native to the Mediterranean, but its |
| The principal of Ayurvedic medicine is diametrically | | | | use spread across to India, where it is used as a |
| opposed to Western ideas and its essence is | | | | tonic. |
| disease prevention. It involved the discipline of | | | | Gingko |
| yoga to relax the mind and the use of herbs to | | | | Chinese legend records that this is the only plant |
| heal our bodies'. It requires a desire for self help | | | | known to be in existence at the time of the |
| and relies to a certain extent on self knowledge. | | | | dinosaurs. It is supposed to promote memory and |
| Pranayama is the element of breathe control is | | | | as such is often a treatment in the early stages |
| yoga, and it brings control over our body and | | | | of Alzheimer's disease. It is thought to soothe |
| promotes serenity. | | | | allergies. |
| Panchakarma is the process of detoxifying the | | | | Gotu Kola |
| body and building a strong metabolic system. It | | | | This ancient herb has been in use all over South |
| does involve a purging and is quite harsh, but | | | | East Asia for centuries. It promotes healing in |
| externally it is often accompanied by | | | | wounds and is used for the treatment of |
| aromatherapy massages. It is often used before | | | | psoriasis, and also allergic reactions such asthma. It |
| the body has to undergo rasyana, which is the | | | | has recently been used in Europe to treat |
| use of herbal medicines to relieve stress. There is | | | | rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis |
| no clinical proof that the herbs that the Indians | | | | Jatamamsi |
| utilize to relieve stress actually work, but they | | | | Often combined with valerian to promote natural |
| have been used for centuries apparently without ill | | | | sleep, it is a calming herb, both for the muscles |
| effect. | | | | and the mind. |
| Ashok | | | | |