How to Treat Parkinson’s With Ayurveda

by Kudrati Ayurved Parkinson Treatment in India

Parkinson’s disease is a neuro-degenerative disorder that affects movement. The process begins gradually – usually with a minor tremor in one the hands. Even though tremors are the most common symptoms of Parkinson’s, in the later stages, muscles tend to become stiff and movement becomes slow – often painful. It becomes difficult to perform unconscious functions like blinking or smiling and speech becomes slurry.

Ayurveda has its own name for Parkinson’s disease – it’s called Kampavata and is believed to be caused by the exaggeration of the Vata Dosha. Since the Vata Dosha usually falters in the old age, Parkinson’s disease is more commonly exhibited in the older generation of people.

In Ayurveda, Parkinson’s is believed to be the result of a flawed lifestyle. Not following proper Ahaar and Vihaar leads to the aggravation of the Vata Dosha. This excess Vata then moves inside the body through Srotas (micro-channels) and accumulates in the available spaces in the body. Once this accumulation reaches a certain threshold, the person starts exhibiting the symptoms of the disease. Luckily,

Ayurvedic Treatment for Parkinson

Nidaan Parivarjana: This treatment focuses on removing the etiological factors that are known to cause Parkinson’s. This is done by guiding the patient to discontinue the Ahaar and Vihar that is known to increase the Vata in the body. The foodstuff that is Rookshya (dry), Laghu (light), Sheet (cold), Daruna (unstable), Khara (rough) and Vishad (clear) should not be the part of the diet of a person suffering from Parkinson’s.

Sanshodhan: The word Sanshodhan refers to fixing. In this step, the excess Vata that has been accumulated in the body is made to come out. This is done via a number of methods including Snehana (massaging), Abhyanga (massaging with herb-infused oil), Swedana (steam therapy), Nasya (intranasal drug administration), Basti (enema of herbal oils).

Shaman: This is the ultimate step for Parkinson disease treatment in Ayurveda. In this step, the excess Vata in the body is balanced out with Ayurvedic herbal medicines.

Ayurvedic treatment for Parkinson focuses not only on counteracting the disease but it also lays emphasis on strengthening the body to fight the symptoms. For this, Yoga is highly recommended – especially the Bhujangasana and Setu Bandhasana. The former prevents the muscles around the chest from stiffening, thus maintaining the proper functioning of lungs, and the latter strengthens back extensors which usually get weakened due to the crooked gait – which is a symptom of Parkinson’s.

Parkinson treatment in India has existed for thousands of years and the principles of treatment have been codified in the Ayurveda, making it one of the most successful treatment procedures for the disease.