Pavanamuktasana

In Sanskrit "Pavan" means air, "Mukta" means release or free. As its name suggests, this asana gives relief from excess wind in the belly. This asana can be performed by raising one leg or both the legs.

Other names : Wind freeing posture, Wind releaving pose, Knee squeeze posture.
Technique :

• Lie flat on the back. Keep the heels of both the legs together.
• Inhale deeply and bend the right knee towards the stomach and hold it with both the hands.
• Rise the head above the ground and bring the chin closer to the knee so that it touches the knee-cap.
• Exhale and press the muscles of the right abdomen with the right thigh.
• Keep the stomach pressed till the breath is suspended.
• This asana is called "Dakshina Pavanamuktasana". If this asana is performed with the left leg, it is called "Vama Pavanamuktasana". Practice this exercise with both the legs together. This is called "Purna Pavanamuktasana".
• While holding the legs with both the hands, exhale and control the breathing. Remain in this posture for 3-4 seconds.
• Then slowly begin inhaling while stretching the legs out.

Benefits of Pavanamuktasana :

• This asana reduces obesity of the body and the fat around the abdomen.
• This asana is the best natural way to get rid of foul gases.
• It prevents heart-trouble and improves the working of the lungs.
• This asana releases the muscles of the lower back and relaxes the body.
• It is also useful in the treatment of impotence, sterility and menstrual problems.
• It also ensures a regulating of wind present in the body.
• This asana cures diseases as gas, constipation, the disorders of the uterus, intestinal worms, appendicitis, rheumatism, piles, blood impurities, windiness in the stomach etc.

Contra indication :

People who suffered from back problems, spinal injuries, sciatica should avoid this asana. Pregnant women should avoid it.

Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is defined as an inflammation and redness of the conjunctiva. The white area of the eye (sclera) is covered by a thin, filmy membrane called the conjunctiva which produces mucus to lubricate the surface of the eye. It spreads from person to person through direct contact. Conjunctivitis makes the eyes photophobic (highly sensitive to light) with discharge and burning sensation.

Conjunctivitis can be either be acute or chronic. An acute condition is one that occurs suddenly and remain only for a short interval of time. A chronic condition is one that lasts for a long time, usually many years. It can affect both of your eyes simultaneously. It is very common among children.

Causes :
Bacterial or viral infection, Eye strain, Catarrhal condition of the system from general toxaemia, Allergic, Excessive use of the eyes in one way or the others, Air pollution, partially blockage tear duct, Deficiency of vita-A, certain illness such as meals, Some sexually transmitted disease, Injury.

Symptoms :
Inflammation, the eyes are red and itchy, watery secretion, sensitivity to light, pain, dryness, scratchy feeling, In serious cases there is pus formation making the lashes stick together during sleep.

Home remedies for Conjunctivitis :

• Keep your eyes away from sunlight or bright light, dust, pollution.
• A warm compress applied to the eyes for 5 to 10 minutes 3 or 4 times a day.
• Wear goggles to prevent further infection to others.
• In allergic conjunctivitis use cold compresses (not warm).
• Don't share towel or wash clothes.
• Dip a sterilized cotton ball in goat's milk, and put it over your eyes.
• The patient should take natural foods rich in Vitamins-A and B2.
• Rose oil is used for the treatment of conjunctivitis.
• Chomoline is effective herbal remedy which is very useful.
• The oregon grape and golden seal contain berberine a substance which is used as a treatment for conjunctivitis.
• Raw juices of certain vegetables, 200ml of spinach juice should be mixed with 300ml of carrot juice has been found beneficial in this diseases.
• Apply the pulp of fresh cilantro leaves on closed eyelids. Blend handful of cilantro leaves with 1/4 to 1/3 cup water, strain out the juice and apply the pulp to your closed eyelids. Drinking the liquid will also be beneficial.
• Relaxing, strengthening of eyes by doing eye exercises like moving the eyes gently up and down, from side to side and in a circle, clock wise and anticlock wise and palming is highly beneficial in removing strain.
• In children, to place a drop of mother's milk in the eyes. If themother is still lactating and her child gets conjunctivitis, with irritation and discharge just one drop of her milk may heal it.

Herbal remedies :

• Coriandrum sativum (green dhania) : Make an eyewash by steeping 1 tsp of corinder seeds ml, cup boiling water for at least 15 min. Cool before using the water onyour closed eyes. (don't use too hot or too cold)
• Calendula officinalis (marigold) : Make a cold infusion by putting some leaves of the marigold plant in to water and use it as eyewash.
• Ocimum sanctum (tulsi) : The juiceof tulsi plant is very effective in reducing the inflammation of conjunctivitis.
• Barberis aristata (rasaut) : A paste of the rasaut is mixed with butter and alum and applied on the eyelids.
• Azadirachta indica (neem) : Neem leaves are rubbed in to a paste, then mixed with water and applied externally on the eyes.
• Achyranthes aspera (chirchita) : A paste of the roots of chirchita applied on the eyes reduces the pain and inflammation of conjunctivitis.
• Euphosia officinalis (eye bright) : helps fight infection and gry up excess fluid.
• Make some solution of Aloe vera juice in water apply it over the eyes with the help of cloth by soaking in this solution.
• You can take internally, a mixture of equal part of Kamadudha and Gudwel satva, take 1/4 tsp with warm water, twice daily in a week.
• A mixture of Turmeric (1 part), Neem ( 1 part), Manjistha(1 part) can helpful as a antibiotics take internally 1/2 tsp , twice daily with warm water after meals.
• A cup of Indian gooseberry juice should be taken mixed with 2 tsp of honey, twice daily.

Ayurvedic preparations :

• Triphala lotion : usedas eyewash
• Triphala choorna : taken orally
• Chandrodaya varti : to desensitize person to allergies
• Triphala decoction : used as eyewash

Panchakarma :

• Netra tarpan : Keeping a medicated ghee (mahatriphaladi ghrit, Punarnavadi ghrit) in a groove mad up by flour of black gram & water around the eyes.
  

Uttanapadasana

"Uttana" refers to something which is raised and "Pada" refers to feet in Sanskrit, hence the name Uttanapadasana. This asana is very useful for removing the excess fat of the body. In Uttanapadasana both the legs are to be lifted and lowered together.

Technique :

• Lie flat on the back. Keep the arms by the side of the body. Keep the heels and the feet together.
• While inhaling , lift both legs to 30 degrees. Hold your breath in the posture as much as you can.
• While exhaling, brings your legs down to the floor without bending your knees.
• Again inhale and raise the legs to 45-50 degrees. Remain the breath for a while.
• Retain this position for 6 to 8 seconds. Hold the breath.
• Take rest for 6 to8 seconds and repeat the same.
• In the beginning, practice this asana four time a day and gradually increase it to 5 or 6 times a day.

Caution :

• Be careful to keep your legs straight during lifting and bringing your legs down.
• In the beginning take help of hands to raise the legs.
• High pressure and stretching is felt on the lower abdomen, practice according to capacity.
• All kind of jerks should be avoided.
• Take care that the full length of you back is resting on the floor and yourshoulders and neck are relaxed.

Benefits of Uttanapadasana :

• This asana gives sufficient exercise to every muscle of the abdomen. The abdominal muscles are strengthened and the digestive system functions efficiently.
• This asana reduces the fat in the body.
• It tones up the pancreas and indigestion and constipation.
• It rejuvenates the spinal nerves and the brain cells, strengthens the muscles and activates them. Balances thyroid activity by bringing a healthy supply of blood to the area.
• This asana is a good remedy for piles in the initial stage.
• This asana cures hiccough, pain in the thighs, belching and helps expelling the wind at the anus.
• Reduces the irritability and calms down the mind.
• This asana is helpful to those who suffer from backache and pains of the loins and thighs.

Contraindication : People having lumber spondilitis, high blood pressure, any heart disease, back injury, undergone any type of abdominal surgery should avoid this asana.

Appendicitis

Appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix. The appendix is a small out growth of tissue forming a tube shapped sac attached to the lower end of the large intestine. This inflammation presents in Acute and Chronic forms. Appendicitis results in abdominal pain and inflammation of the lining of the abdominal cavity, occuring between the ages of ten and thirty.

Appendicitis is initiated by the presence of an excessive amount of poisonous waste material in the caecum. As a result, the appendix gets irritate and inflamed.

Causes of appendicitis :

Improper diet and too little fiber, blockage in the large intestine stops the flow of fluids, resulting in inflammation of appendix.

Symptoms of appendicitis :

Severe abdominal pain start at the middle of the abdomen, coughing, sneezing, deep breaths, nausea, indigestion, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, abdominal swelling, mild fever, constipation, painful urination, blood in urine, elevated WBC count, inability to pass gas.

Home remedies :

• Green gram is very good for acute appendicitis, in a small quantity of 1 tsp, three times a day.
• Butter milk is beneficial for chronic appendicitis, 1 ltr of butter milk may be taken daily, for 15 days.
• Aloe vera juice helps reduce symptoms.
• Vegetable juices have been valuable, particularly combination of 100 ml each of beet and cucumber juice and 300 ml of carrot juice, taken twice daily.
• Fenugreek seed tea is very effective, 1tsp of the seeds in a litre of cold water and allowing it to simmer for half an hour over a low flame and the strained it. allowed to cool before drinking.
• In case of vomiting with appendicitis, ginger is best, taken 1 tsp juice or raw cut pieces stored with rock salt.
• Combination of ginger and turmeric, either raw or powdered for healing and anti inflammatory for appendicitis.
• The vegetable juices also include coriander leaves or seeds juices radish juice and to some extent spinach leaves juice.
• In appendicitis, a low enema, containing about half a litre of warm water should be administered once everyday. for first three days. It can be tolerated with comfort hot compresses may be placed over the painful area several times daily.Abdominal packs, made of a strip of wet sheet and covered by a dry cloth bound tightly around abdomen until acute symptoms sub side. When the acute symptoms sub side patient should be given a full enema, containing about 3 liters of warm water. It should be repeated daily until inflammation and pain have sub sided.

Herbal medicines :

• Centella asiatica : extract 60 mg one to two times daily or 60 drops of tincture 3 to 4 times per day.
• Agrimonia eupatoria : make a tea by steeping 1 tsp of the herb in 1 cup boiling water, stain and cool. Drink every 2-3 hours.

Note : Don't tke this herbal medicines if you have blood pressure, anxiety, diabetes.