Age-old recipes of Ayurvedic herbal preparations prove to be helpful. These are still produced today according to traditional recipes. In modern production facilities, high-tech procedures and control mechanisms are increasingly enforcing correct production.

The production of Maharishi Ayurveda preparations has been certified several times according to European and USA standards. This is important to know because of the recurring heavy metal discussion. Production of Ayurvedic preparations in Delhi (Photo: Dr. Stephania Lorenz)

Therapy of eye diseases An important medicinal plant for maintaining eye health is the Amla berry (Amalaki), also known as Chakchushya (= eye strengthener):

• Vitamin C bomb
• All 13 digestive fires are strengthened
• Liver-protective, cholesterol-lowering
• Rasa and rakta strengthening, pitta regulation
• Nourishes brain and mental functions (dhi, dhriti, smriti)
• Heart and lung strengthening
• Regulation of Apana-Vata (excretion via kidney, liver, menstruation)
• Toxin elimination
• Calcium absorption improved
• Rasayana (cell renewal, antioxidant, immune stimulant)

Amalaki is also a component of the famous Triphala MA505, which is used as an all-round digestive aid and also as a rasayana (cell rejuvenator) depending on when it is taken. A special ghrita (herbal paste MA550) is another way to positively influence disturbances of the alochaka pitta and thus eye diseases. It can be applied externally directly to the eye and can also be taken with warm milk. The taste takes some getting used to, but the success usually convinces the patient. In my practice, I treated a 12-year-old female patient with bilateral corneal opacities of unclear origin. Keratoplasty was not yet possible because of the young age. The cornea could be cleared up to such an extent that the girl could be spared retraining in a low vision school. Amrit Kalash, the "nectar of the gods", is important for the preservation of vision and the overall immunity of the body. As a radical scavenger, it is 1000 times more potent than vitamin C and should not be missing from any Ayurvedic treatment concept. For inflammatory diseases of the eye, the intake of frankincense has proven its worth. Especially rheumatic diseases (iritis, uveitis) can be positively influenced. Ayurveda as a fascinating energetic system naturally also treats with aromatherapy. Sandalwood and frankincense kill germs and have a calming effect on vata and pittadosha. The effect of sounds (Gandharva Veda, singing bowl therapy) on the human organism can also be explained quantum-physically. The sound of nature can balance the discord of an illness and normalise the vibrations of each individual cell. The connection between healing and certain sounds has also been rediscovered by conventional medicine in recent times. Marma points essentially correspond to the acupuncture points known from TCM. However, they are not pricked, but treated with special massage techniques and oils. The treatment of the so-called 3rd eye plays an outstanding role in the treatment of eye diseases, but also mental disorders. Another amazingly effective treatment option is nasya therapy. Medicated reflex oil is put into both nostrils, thus clearing the nose and sinuses of old and new deposits. Immediately after the therapy, patients experience that they can not only smell better, but that their hearing and vision have also improved. This therapy usually takes place within the framework of a Pancha Karma cure, the major Ayurvedic cleansing treatment. Pancha Karma (= Five Actions) includes excretory procedures via kidney, intestine, skin and blood. Especially the synchronous massages (Abhyanga) have an amazing effect. Eye treatments with pure or medicated ghee or oils or decoctions (Netra Tarpana or Akshitarpana) are also used as part of a Pancha Karma cure. Warm ghee (Ayurvedic butterfat) is placed in a basin made of chickpea flour over the eyes. (I use specially modified swimming goggles for this purpose.) The therapy should be done over several days in ascending and descending durations. Such a treatment is felt to be very pleasant. It not only improves eye disorders such as burning and stinging (sicca syndrome). In some cases of dry macular degeneration, which is not treatable by conventional medicine, there has already been an increase in vision. The concepts for the wet form of AMD (age-related macular degeneration) are also not yet very convincing in orthodox medicine and are definitely more complex and expensive than a Netra Tarpana.

In a study conducted at the University of Graz, ghee was used to treat sicca syndrome. Without exception, the patients reported an improvement in symptoms after only 5 applications of the Ayuvedic butterfat eye wash. I also often prescribe ghee to my patients as a night therapy. Symptoms that have existed for years often improve after only 10 days. For the inflammatory component, it is recommended to treat the eyes with rose water or Triphala water during the day. For further treatment at home after a Pancha Karma cure, it is recommended to practise individually tailored yoga asanas, finger mudras or pranayama (yogic breathing techniques or meditation techniques). Here, the patient is especially challenged to contribute to his or her own healing. In ophthalmology, too, it is important that the gaze should not be obscured for the essentials. Ayurveda shows that the circumscribed treatment of only one part of the body is not sufficient for healing. In the energetic overall concept of the organism, it is important to achieve health and to enable the person to live a long, meaningful, fulfilled and disease-free life. Conventional medical diagnostics and therapy, combined with the principles of Ayurveda, offer the greatest chances of healing for the patient. I consider the interplay of ancient wisdom and state-of-the-art technology to be an important approach to help people with eye conditions improve their view of things in every way. The simple that is sometimes hard to find - like Columbus' "Eye"!0

 

Contact address: Dr. med. Stephania Lorenz Hans-Mielich-Str. 17a 85053 Ingolstadt Tel. +49 841 - 940096

 

Literature Ammon H.P.T., "The traditional medicine in India - Ayurveda" In: Yearbook of Yoga (R.Lobo, ed., pp. 137-158. O.W. Barth-Verlag, Scherz-Verlag, 1981).

Ammon, H.P.T., "Medicines of Ayurvedic Medicine" In: Arzneimittel der komplementären Medizin (J.Reichling, W.-D. Müller-Jahncke, A. Borchardt, eds., pp 170-183. Govi-Verlag, Frankfurt, 2001).

Ammon, H.P.T., "Indian Incense in the Laboratory". In: Healing Knowledge of Sunken Cultures (Gisela Graichen pp 130-133, Econ Verlag, 2004).

Frawley, David and Sandra Summerfield Koza, "Yoga for Your Type", Windpferd Verlag, 2000 Lad, Vasant and Davis Frawley, "The Ayurvedic Herbal Medicine"", Windpferd Verlag, 2000

Lele, Avinash, David Frawley and Subash Ranade, "Ayurveda and Marma Therapy", Airlift Book Company (paperback 2003)

Müller-Busch, C. "Active Music Therapy for Chronic Pain - Theoretical Concepts and Studies of Effectiveness", In: Non-Medicinal Pain Therapy, Springer-Verlag Vienna, 2007, pp. 171-184)

Schmut, O. "Ghee, the gold of Ayurveda medicine - a clinical study on dry eye therapy", Power Point presentation of the University of Graz (personal reference).

Schrott, Ernst "The healing sounds of Ayurveda", Karl F. Haug Fachbuchverlag, 2001

Schrott, Ernst and Cynthia Nina Bolen, "The Delicious Cuisine of Ayurveda: Eating with Body and Soul", (paperback, 2004)

Schrott, Ernst and Wolfgang Schachinger "Handbook of Ayurveda", Karl F.Haug Verlag, 2005

Schrott, Ernst and H.P.T. Ammon "Medicinal Plants of Ayurvedic and Western Medicine", Springer Verlag Berlin Heidelberg New York 2012

Schrott, Ernst, J.Ramanuja Raju, Stefan Schrott "Marmatherapy" Goldmann Verlag Munich, 2009 Sena, Srikanta Ayuveda textbook, 2 vols, Charaka Samhita, (Vasati Verlag, 2003).