Ayurveda and Alzheimer's Disease Treatment

by: Dev Sri

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive degenerative brain disease. Gradual memory loss, poor cognitive skills, dementia and personality problems are the main symptoms associated with Alzheimer's disease. Though there is not a complete cure for Alzheimer's, Ayurveda has the knowledge to treat an Alzheimer's patient.

Ayurvedic treatment for Alzheimer's disease is very much on its developmental stage. Ayurveda scientists in India, US and Germany are on the lookout of an effective cure for Alzheimer's disease using Ayurvedic herbs like Brahmi.

According to Ayurveda, all the diseases are caused due to imbalances in body. Tridosha concept is the basis of Ayurvedic knowledge. The food, the daily actions, the thought etc should be in tune with tridoshas.

Alzheimer's disease is due to imbalance of vata, which is common in old age. According to Ayurvedic principles, vata in the tissues of nervous system, especially brain gets imbalanced. This directly leads to problems like lower levels of co-ordination, clear thinking, lack of inhibitions and retarded words and actions.

Mano vaha srotas or the mind-channel that carries thoughts is affected due to vitiation of vata. This is the reason for delusions and mental disturbances.

Once the causes are identified it is easy to prescribe the cures. In case of Alzheimer's, Ayurveda too offers some assistance in helping a person live with Alzheimer's.

According to Ayurveda, the tensions and stress a person experience during his or her life cause disturbances to vata, the accumulation of which causes severe nervous problems. Pressure at work, pressure experienced while changing places, constant separation from close family members, etc all add up to the mental conditions.

In India too the large family system of living is fast depleting. People move into a small family. In the not-so older times, say before 1980s, Indian families were large with a lot of family members. There is support for the family members all the time from other members. This system has constant reinforcing power on individual members and they enjoy healthy minds.

Ayurvedic treatment for Alzheimer's

Vata imbalances are common in old age. Ayurveda Alzheimer's treatment mainly aims at restoring vata balance.

Ayurvedic therapy for Alzheimer's starts with choice of a vata balanced diet. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) powder with milk, ghee or skimmed milk according to the digestive capacity of the person is the first re-arrangement in daily diet. This soothes and empowers vata.

Daily oil massage before bath is another important part of Alzheimer's treatment in Ayurveda.

The person at his or her old age must get enough nutrients. There are specialized rice preparations beneficial for persons who experience the onset of or advanced stage of Alzheimer's disease.

Ayurvedic cleansing processes like panchakarma are not indicated for aged people. Other mild cleansing techniques like fumigation and enema are directed to purify body tissues.

Nervine tonics like brahmi, aswagandha etc are main herbs for Alzheimer's treatment.