Ayurveda herbs to cure paralysis

One of the readers of our blog, Samyuktha Harshitha, has written about the medication he has been taking for paralysis and only the little recovery he has had from it.  

Some have said that they had an attack of paralysis years ago and that they are on medication. Apart from medicines, they say you have been prescribed physiotherapy. Well, since there is a slight improvement, however slight it may be, we request that it be continued.

Many of you have read about the Ayurvedic cure to paralysis and you have asked us for some basic answers. Many have asked whether there is really a cure and whether this cure can come from this treatment (Ayurveda).

Well, we are not doctors. We have only carried information about the Ayurvedic cure to our readers so that they can check it out. We have no contact or information about the doctor we have mentioned in the post “An Ayurvedic cure to Paralysis”, and we are in no way connected with him or his cure. Our desire was only to highlight the Ayurvedic or rather the old Indian system of treating debilities.

Whether such treatment is successful is not, only time can tell. If allopathy has failed to give you the desired relief, why not try other methods. After all, Ayurveda is not quackery and it is an ancient system of medicine and allopathy or English medicine came to India only after the British came to India. Till then, we had our own Vaids and they treated every disease. So why not try it out as long as the allopathy doctor has no objection and as long as it is not life threatening or expensive. Give it a try, bur before doing so thoroughly check out the antecedents of the practitioner and the treatment he or such centres offer.  

Another query asked is whether the patient has to go to the Ayurvedic practitioner mentioned in the post. Yes, no doctor will prescribe medicines or treat a patient without looking at the patient first.

In case the paralysis is of a serious nature and the patient cannot move, we recommend that you correspond directly with the Ayurvedic practitioner and check whether it is possible to come and meet him without bringing the patient. The address of Mr. Mohan Rao is as follows: Mr. C. Mohan Rao, s/o C. Ranoji Rao, Virupakshipuram village, Chappidipalle, Pin 517 432, Chitoor taluk, Andhra Pradesh The contact numbers are: Mobile 94404 59200 and landline 08579 200347. If you are confused, come to Palamneer and ask for Baireddipalli mandal. It is easy to get directions from there.

Now let us come back to the ayurvedic treatment for paralysis.

Generally, Ayurvedic treatment for paralysis also includes strict and vigorous diet. An ayurvedic patient is supposed to eat only freshly cooked food and food is bitter, pungent and astringent in taste, should be avoided. Some vegetables and fruits are asked to be avoided
In Ayurveda, Ashwagandha or Winter Cherry and Bala or Country Mallow and several medicated oils and paste is extensively used to cure paralysis.

Please check out books on Ayurveda and you are sure to come across cures for several modern day diseases. Paralysis too has been dealt with in Ayurvedic texts under and as Vata Vyadhi disorder. 

Ayurveda refers to paralysis in terms of  Paksaghata, Paksha Vadha and Ekanga Vata. The paralysis of the face or facial paralysis has been called Ardita vata. There are ways how these debilities are to be treated.

Several Ayurveda centres and Ayurvedic experts offer Panchakarma therapy as a cure for paralysis. Apart from this treatment, you have to undergo several other treatments such as Sarvanga Dhara, Pichu, Vasti and enter into a strict diet regimen for getting the better of paralysis.  
B the way, Nasya or herbal nasal drops has shown positive results in curing paralysis.

But please remember one thing. There are several types and varieties of paralysis

The spinal cord paralysis is called paraplegia and as the name itself suggest injury to the spinal cord causes this debility. It can interfere with the functioning of the motor movement, particularly the limbs. It is generally accompanied by loss of sensation below the level of injury and disturbed bladder function.

Diplegia is a severe form of paralysis affecting both the left and right side of the body and the limbs. Hemiplegia is when it affects only one side of the body and in such cases, movements of the face are more affected.  

Cerebral diplegia is more severe and dangerous and the damage here is rather widespread. Monoplagia  is the paralysis of a single part of the body. Polio is also a paralysis which occurs in infants. It is called Poliomyelitis or infantile Paralysis. Locomotor Ataxia or Tabes dorsalis affects sensory nerves and it can lead to reduced, partial or blurred vision.

Facial paralysis, muscular atrophy and Parkinsons are also varities of paralysis. Parkinson is characterised by uncontrollable shaking or trembling and this is technically known as Paralysis Agitans. Home remedies for Ayurveda and massage for the affected parts are recommended by ayurveda experts. You can try out several combinations and permutations and they depend on the nature and extent of the paralysis. However, ashwagandha is common for all treatments.

 Other herbs for a home remedy can include  for following combinations either severely or jointly, depending upon stage, condition and symptoms of the subject patient.

Some of them used for treatment include Rasnadi Kashaya, a liquid, also known as  Rasnadi Kwath kashaya or kwatha. This is mainly used by Kerala Ayurvedic practitioners. It is extensively prescribed to treat osteo arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It is anti-inflammatory and analgesic.

Vata or Mahavat Vidhwansan Rasa is in tablet form and it is prescribed by north Indian practitioners of Ayurveda. It is used in the treatment of Vata disorders, paralysis, bloating, abdominal pain, epilepsy and even spleen related disorders. Since it contains heavy metal ingredients, it should only be taken under strict medical supervision. This medicine is administered for a month and not for longer periods.

Ashwagandha is also known as Withania somnifera, Indian ginseng, poison gooseberry or winter cherry. Its long, brown, tuberous roots are used for medicinal purposes.The berries and leaves are applied externally to tumors, tubercular glands, carbuncles, and ulcers. The roots are used to prepare ashwagandha.

In a clinical trial four years ago, ashwagandha exhibited greater clinical benefit than psychotherapy in treating mental health (anxiety level), concentration, fatigue, social functioning, vitality, and overall quality of life.

Chopchinyadi Churna is a herbal powder used in treating insect bite, rheumatoid arthritis, gout arthritis, in treatment of syphilis, gonorrhea, Herpes genitalis and other venereal diseases, boils, rashes, carbuncles, wounds, chronic wounds and Fistula.
It is useful in all types of abscess. Today, it is widely used to  correct the structural and physiological deformity of sperms and thus forms an important drug in treating infertility.

Pippali or Pipli is carminative. It is acrid, hot and light. A  digestive, it si prescribed as an appetizer. It can cure diabetes, leprosy, chronic fever, cough, dyspnoea, ascites, piles, indigestion, colic, indigestion, anaemia and worm troubles. 

It is also prescribed for respiratory and cardiac problems as it relieves spasms and constipation. It is also used to treat insomnia. It is also an anti-cancer agent.

The Brihat Vatchintamani Ras is a tablet and prescribed for paralysis, hemiplegia, facial palsy, tremors.  It is an excellent rejuvenative and anti-aging Ayurvedic medicine. Today, it is also prescribed for Pitta disorders such as migraine, vertigo, digestive disorders.

The above mentioned are some of the commonly used Ayurvedic combinations to treat paralysis. A combination of these will go a long way in the treatment of  paralysis. So please check with your doctor for the correct dosage and usage.
Apart from these drugs, use the various tailas available for massage. A combination of tailas and drugs can help you on road to recovery.    

By the way, one of the readers mentioned that he has been prescribed clopilet75mg, Ecospirin 150 mg, Telsorton h active 40 mg and Glimy m 1 and that there is only a slight improvement.

If what we surmise from these medicines is right, here are some details about the drugs that have been prescribed.

Ecosprin contains Aspirin and its regular intake can lead to several side effects such as nausea, headache and stomach irritation. 

Clopid 75 mg is generally prescribed  for patients after they undergo angioplasty. It is used for patients with increased risk of blood clotting, myocardial infarction, coronary bypass, transluminal angioplasty, strokes and transient ischaemic attack.

Its continued use can lead to side effects such as Urticaria, Gi bleeding, rhinitis, angioneurotic edema, hepatitis, hepatomegaly, cerebral hemorrhage, airway obstruction, gastric ulceration, gastric erosion, dizziness, vertigo, nausea, vomiting, tinnitus, eigastric discomfort, dyspepsia, asthma, respiratory alkalosis, bleeding. Telsartan is mostly used in the treatment of hypertension, for BP protection especially in the risky early-morning hours.

Clopid contains Clopidogrel, the chemical that helps prevent clotting of blood. Its side effects are nausea, bleeding and neutropenia.

Clopilet A (75mg) comes in 10 Capsules in a strip. Clopidogrel bisulfate, which is present in the drug is an anti-platelet element. This prevents platelets from grouping together as part of a blood clot.  Thus, it prevents blood clots by irreversibly binding to the P2Y12 receptor on platelets and preventing adenosine diphosphate (ADP) from activating the platelets. Other drugs in this class include Ticagrelor (Brilinta) and Prasugrel (Effient).

Clopidogrel bisulfate is used to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes in these patients.

Telsorton h active 40 mg in India is manufactured by Dr, Reddy’s. Its main composition is Telnisartan + HCT.  This is generally used for treating high blood pressure. This drug should be able to reduce your BP within a few  weeks. However, you have to continue with it as it is not curative drug and it merely controls high BP.

The possible side effects include: dizziness, fatigue, Diarrhea, dizziness, sinus inflammation and upper respiratory infection. 

Telsartan-H can cause low blood pressure, especially if you are also taking another diuretic. This may make you feel light-headed or faint or both.

Glimy M1 Tab1x15 is also a drug by Dr. Reddy’s. It mainly contains the generic drug Glimepiride. Regular usage can cause nausea, stomach problems, skin rash and even acute toxicity. This is an oral hypoglycemic antidiabetic drug prescribed for type 2 diabetes.

Well, if you look at the medicines you are taking, they are making you feel weak or faint. Please consult your physician so that he can either rework the dosage or give you tablets and medicines to make you feel more active.

Even if there is a slight improvement and you say there is, please do not give up. Paralysis is definitely a testing and demanding debility. The best way is to fight it out.

Apart from private doctors, clinics and hospitals, Bangalore has in NIMHANS one of the best neurological hospitals and research centres.

BY the way, researchers and doctors at The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, a Center of Excellence, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, performed the first-ever Food and Drug Administration approved Schwann cell transplantation in a patient who suffered a (new) spinal cord injury. The procedure is a clinical trial designed to evaluate the safety and feasibility of transplanting the patient’s own Schwann cells. This trial is extremely important in curing paralysis.

Doctors say there is currently no cure for permanent paralysis. The aim of post paralysis treatment is to help a person adapt to life by making them as independent as possible.

Another goal is to address health problems and associated complications that arise from paralysis. Today, there is a wide range of assistive technology that can help a paralysed person maintain independence and at the same time improve the quality of life. 

Ayurveda claims to have a cure for paralysis. Please check with a well-known Ayurveda practitioner and be sure to keep you allopathic doctor in the loop. Never go against the advice and prescription of your doctor. Consult the doctor at every stage.

Well, please let us know whether our information was helpful. We will do all we can to help you overcome your difficulties.

A little more information from you about the nature and extent of the paralysis, your family and its background will help us give you more information.

Take heart. Never give up. And do write back. 

Fishing for blood clots

Nets are generally used by fishermen to catch fishes. But can you imagine a net to retrieve blood clots from a human body.  What is more, these are clots or thrombi that have formed due to stroke and they have stopped the supply of oxygen and blood to the brain, causing paralysis.

Such nets are now being used regularly in the United States to get to the blood clots and remove them from the brain of patients who had suffered a stroke or have had a series of strokes.

Generally, upwards of four strokes occur in a human being when blood clots block a blood vessel from carrying blood to the brain. When the clot stops the flow of blood, the brain is starved of oxygen and glucose and the cells die by millions, damaging the tissues (infarcts) leading to paralysis and in some cases even death.

Till now, the clots were removed or dissolved with the help of drugs. The drug, rt-PA, is almost fully effective if administered to victims within three hours of a stroke felling them. Unfortunately, it fails to dissolve large blood clots.

Doctors also use anticoagulants, which are popularly known as blood thinners, to treat clots. These medications- heparin, low molecular weight heparin, and warfarin-slow the time it takes for blood to clot and also prevent growth of a clot. However, all of them have side effects.

Other techniques to remove a clot include MERCI Retrieval System, which can be used at any time. This is a minimally invasive catheter-based system to retrieve and remove clots in patients experiencing acute ischemic stroke. The catheter is inserted into the brain to remove the clot. Another option is the Penumbra System, but this can be used only within eight hours of a patient suffering a stroke. Here, suction is used to remove the clots and restore blood flow.

Now, a team of doctors and researchers in the US have successfully tested a new technique to remove clots. They have used small nets to get to the place where the clot has formed. The net is sent to the brain through an artery in the leg.

When the net reaches the clot, the tip expands into a net and pulls out the clot into itself.

The device has been named as Solitaire and it has so far yielded promising results in a recent medical trial at the University of California, Los Angeles. This devise is different from the MERCI and its success too is double of MERCI.

Researchers were stunned to find that when MERCI was used, 598 per cent of the patients reported improved mental and motor functioning within a three month period. This compared well with those treated with MERCI (33 per cent).

More importantly, only 17 per cent of those treated with Solitaire died following treatment compared to 38 per cent treated with the MERCI.

Another study involving 178 patients showed those  treated with Solitaire had almost double the chance of living independently after treatment.

Why this success rate?. One reason is that it has allowed doctors to  successfully open up arteries and save the brain. What makes this device all the more valuable to a patient suffering from stroke is that it has been proved to effectively reverse a stroke even while it is happening.

This is because the brain cells can survive if blood supply can be restored quickly. This is what Solitaire can do.

Moreover, it is always advisable to use clot retrieval devices than go in for clot dissolving drugs.

By the way, the Solitaire was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use as a clot retriever in March 2012. This is actually called Covidien Solitaire FR Revascularization Device.

Dissolving blood clots

By the way, a John Hopkins study in the US has come up with a new technique to dissolve blood clots in brain and also lower the risk of brain damage after stroke.

The research is supported by the National Institute of Neurological Disease and Stroke

The technique which involves minimally invasive treatment   removes potentially lethal blood clots in the brain safely without cutting through easily damaged brain tissue or removing large pieces of skull.

More importantly, this technique was particularly successful in treating victims of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), which is considered to be the last  untreatable form of stroke.

ICH is caused by high blood pressure and in such cases the clot builds up pressure and leaches inflammatory chemicals. This leads to irreversible brain damage, causing death or extreme disability. Very few undergo the more invasive and risky craniotomy surgery, which involves removing a portion of the skull and making incisions through healthy brain tissue to reach and remove the clot. Roughly 50 percent of people who suffer an intracerebral hemorrhage die from it.

This new technique, if found positive, allows patients with stroke and paralysis to recover independent functioning of the organs that had been affected. The USP in this technique is that the brain remains safe and only a small hole the size of a coin is made in the skull to get to the damaged tissue which is then treated with rt-PA which is allowed to drip on the damaged cells.  

The irreversible stroke

What happens when you have a stroke and why is the damage to the brain extensive or irreversible..

Here are some answers.

A stroke is a medical condition where the brain cells suddenly die because of a lack of oxygen. The cells die a natural death when there is an obstruction in the blood flow or a rupture of an artery that feeds blood to the brain.

The average human brain generally weighs three pounds or 1.35 kilograms and it contains anything between 10 billion to 100 billion neurons and even a larger count of glial cells.

When a person is affected by stroke, close to two million cells die  and the person may suddenly lose the ability to speak, think or walk, talk. There may also be memory problems or one or two sides  of the body can become paralyzed.
The blocked cell form a clot and it is this clot that stops circulation of blood to the tissue in the brain, leading to neurological damages. The stoppage in the flow of oxygen and blood to the brain is a deadly Natural act which requires to be reversed if the damage is to be undone or lessened.

An unfortunate fallout of a stroke is paralysis and this kills lakhs of people all over the world. In US alone, paralysis in stroke victims kills one and a half million or thereabouts every year.

There is some good news though. Half the victims of stroke do survive with varying and often deteriorating degree of paralysis.

A stroke in nothing but a brain attack. Just as there is a heart attack, there is also a brain attack and this is called stroke which is the third leading cause of death in the United States. Approximately 20 million people each year will suffer from stroke and of these five million will not survive.  In developed countries, stroke is the first leading cause for disability, second leading cause of dementia and third leading cause of death. By 2015, India will report 1.6 million cases of stroke annually, at least one-third of whom will be disabled.

Stroke is also classified as a major cause for loss of life, limbs and speech in India, with the Indian Council of Medical Research estimating that in 2004, there were 9.3 lakh cases of stroke and 6.4 lakh deaths due to stroke in India. What is tragic is that most of these people are 45 years old or less.

The World Health organization says  by 2050, nearly 80 per cent  stroke cases in the world would occur in low and middle income countries including India China and Brazil.

This is the main reason why India has now come out with national guidelines for stroke management. This guideline has been Prepared by Dr Kameshwar Prasad, director of the clinical epidemiology unit of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, doctors from Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, Command Hospital in Lucknow and PGI in Chandigarh.

The guidelines are fairly comprehensive and they cover the management of stroke from onset to chronic care.

Stroke has a propensity for people with high blood pressure, diabetes and high blood fat, which is also called as cholesterol. What makes Indians more vulnerable to stroke is that 16 per cent or more above 20 years of age suffer from high blood pressure (BP). Shockingly, Fifty per cent of those with high BP are not even aware of it. Of those who are aware, only 50 per cent take measures to control it, and even among those only 50 per cent  are adequately controlled. This, means just about 12.5 per cent of patients with high BP are adequately controlled against stroke.

The guidelines make it mandatory for hospitals to set up a Acute Stroke Team, written care protocols for such patients and an emergency department whose personnel should be trained to diagnose and treat all types of stroke.

Early and timely diagnosis of stroke can help in a large way in the treatment and further spread or deterioration of paralysis.

The National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, has done far reaching studies on several aspects of neurological disorders, stroke, brain related diseases and other related aspects. More about them in the coming posts.

(The next post is on a net to fish blood clots and thus reverse brain damage and paralysis).