GONORRHOEA DIABETES DEAFNESS RHEUMATISM HYDROCELE KIDNEY-STONES TUBERCULOSIS ELEPHANTIASIS GONORRHOEA official source: Yogic Treatments and Natural Remedies cross-references: none this version: is the printed Yogic Treatments and Natural Remedies, 3rd edition, 3rd printing, version (spelling mistakes only may have been corrected). I.e., this is the most up-to-date version as of the present Electronic Edition. This disease has no name in ancient Sam'skrta. Because of its many similarities with urethritis (meha), this disease has been called 'prameha' in Bengali. But the English word, 'gonorrhoea,' is more commonly used. Symptoms: Burning sensation while urinating; the head of the penis swelling and becoming blood-red; passing of urine drop by drop or with a white or yellowish coloration; seminal discharge of a white colour at first and yellowish in the later stage of the disease; sores around the head of the penis or inside the urinary passage; the penis swelling and becoming hard, etc.; are the indications of gonorrhea. Causes: According to medical practitioners, this disease is spread by a bacteria called 'gonococcus.' This disease originates with those males or females who are habitually unrestrained and unclean. And those who come in physical contact with such males and females also contract the disease. This disease is contracted by males from prostitutes, and innocent women may in turn be affected through physical contact with those males. Generally speaking, before this disease is clearly expressed, patients suffer from tickling or itching sensations inside the urinary tract or inside the vagina. And if the patient scratches or in some way manipulates or rubs the genitals, he or she will feel a hot sensation and at the same time some temporary relief. Treatment: The same as for syphilis. Diet: All nutritious foods that do not cause constipation can be eaten. Drinking of water and lemon juice in sufficient quantity is recommended, and the fasting rules must be observed carefully. Overeating, using intoxicating items, and eating non-vegetarian food should be carefully avoided. The buds, stems, and leaves of ucche, palta, neem (Azadirachta indica A. juss.) and sajane are very good for this disease. Do's and don't's: Though not fatal, gonorrhoea is more harmful than its simple fatality record, because it gradually poisons the life of the entire society. It is not easy to get complete cure from gonorrhoea. This disease sometimes remains latent for a long time, and a little intemperance will make it surface again. Therefore gonorrhoea patients should observe Naes't'hika Brahmacarya (strict abstinence from sexual intercourse) for a long period of time, to avoid having blind or deformed offspring. Even after achieving a complete cure from the disease, strict continence must be maintained for at least three years. If pus from this illness somehow gets into the eyes, it may destroy the eyesight. So the hands should be washed with soap if they have been contaminated with the pus. The diseased area should be exposed to the rays of the sun after taking a regular bath. If the pain becomes unbearable, soak the genital organ in alum-water as hot as can be endured. For relief from pain, the penis can also be covered with a pack of yellow clay, leaving the urinary passage open. The clay pack can be intermittently replaced by a fresh one, throwing away the old pack as soon as it has dried up. Gonorrhea generates an unbearable burning pain in the genital organ--often with stoppage of urine or passing of urine mixed with blood. So to keep the urination clear and easy, any of the following steps should be taken: 1. Take 1/4 seer of fresh, unboiled milk along with 3/8 seer water as a drink very early in the morning every day. 2. Drink 1 tola of heleinca juice. 3. Take 1 tola of raw turmeric with a drink of micharii in water. 4. Take 1 tola of a'mr'a'-skin juice, mix it with sugar and drink it. 5. Drink with water 1/8 tola dry yajina d'umura seeds crushed into powder. 6. Take with sugar 1 tola of ar'ahara-leaf extract. 7. Soak ba'bla' gum in water overnight and drink it early in the morning with sugar-water; or take a powdered cubeb (Piper cubeba Linn. f.) along with 1/16 tola of michrii. 8. Drink 10 drops of sandal oil in water. 9. Mix half a tola of white sandal powder with michrii-water. 10. Take a drink of 1/16 tola of isabgul in michrii-water. 11. Grind the tender aerial root of a banyan tree into unboiled milk and drink it. Some remedies: 1. Drinking 2 tolas of shatamu'lii juice with 1/8 seer milk or 2. Grinding sugar and 2 flowers of Pala'sha together and drinking them in cold water; or 3. Taking 1/16 tola of raw turmeric mixed with emblic myrobalan (Emblica officinalis Gaertn.) powder along with cold water; will cure urethritis. 4. Good results can be obtained by putting 1/16 tola of alum powder into the interior of a green coconut, burying the coconut from the morning of one day till early morning of the next, then drinking the coconut water. 5. Take 5 tolas of water in which 8 to 10 leaves of red china-rose (Tamarix aphylla karst.) have been mashed until the water has become reddish, then strain out the leaves and take it with sugar as a drink, in order to relieve the disease. 6. All urethritis-type diseases can be cured by taking gulainca extract with honey. 7. If the patient suffers from severe abdominal pain, an application of white sandal paste on the navel region will bring relief. 8. If the secretions or pus of gonorrhea have gotten by chance into the eyes and have made them red or runny, application of a collyrium of apa'ma'rga will prevent blindness. Prepare a paste by burning a dry twig of apa'ma'rga in a candle flame, and mixing the ash with cow's ghee. This paste should be applied to the eyes with a pigeon feather. 1958 DIABETES official source: Yogic Treatments and Natural Remedies cross-references: none this version: is the printed Yogic Treatments and Natural Remedies, 3rd edition, 3rd printing, version (spelling mistakes only may have been corrected). I.e., this is the most up-to-date version as of the present Electronic Edition. Symptoms: Incessant desire for urination, burning sensation in the urinary tract, continuous thirst and sweet taste in the mouth, attraction of flies and ants towards the urine, headache, dizziness, pale and dry skin, becoming old in appearance at a young age, discomfort all over the body, etc., taken together, are the indications of diabetes. It is often found that diabetic persons suffer from cataracts. Causes: It is not always the case that sugar is present in the urine of diabetes patients. Diabetes with sugar in the urine is called 'somaroga' or 'madhumeha'. Diabetes without sugar is called 'mu'tra'tisa'ra' or 'udakameha'. The debility of the Man'ipura Cakra* is the main cause of diabetes. Amongst the pancreatic juices, one secretion helps in the digestion of food, and another separates the sugar content from non-vegetarian and starchy types of food. The sugar is then stored in a particular section of the liver and according to body requirements it is dissolved to generate heat and vital power to run the body mechanism. Chronic indigestion, constipation (here also the stool usually turns into pellets), mental exertion without any physical labour, use of intoxicants, and excessive seminal waste--all weaken the vitality of the liver. When such weakening takes place, the sugar contents of the food, failing to find a storage place in the liver, are assimilated into the blood and gradually accumulate. As a result, the blood gets polluted and loses its immune properties to a great extent. The natural reaction of the body in such a situation is to try to purify the blood by separating out its sugar content and expelling it with the urine. To dissolve the sugar, the human body needs plenty of water, and that is why diabetes patients suffer from a continuous thirst. Sugar emitted with the urine in a large quantity gradually reduces the vital energy of diabetes patients. * Psychic-energy centre located at the navel. Treatment: Morning--Utks'epa Mudra', Karma'sana, Agnisa'ra Mudra', Upavis't'a Ud'd'ayana Mudra', Ja'nushira'sana and A'gneyii Mudra' or A'gneyii Pra'n'a'ya'ma. Evening--Yogamudra', Diirgha Pran'a'ma, Bhu'jaunga'sana, Pashcimotta'na'sana, Bhastrika'sana and Agnisa'ra Mudra'. Diet: As diabetes is basically a disease of liver and pancreas, care has to be taken to keep these organs in a healthy state, and to do so patients must select food that will keep their bowels clear, yet which is nutritious and easily digestible. All types of fruits are good for this disease, especially ripe bananas. Non-vegetarian food must never be eaten. Vegetable proteins are also acidic, hence they are to be eaten as sparingly as possible. It is therefore advisable to reduce the intake of rice and rut'i (made of wheat flour) and instead to use more foods such as vegetable soup, plantain soup, pat'ol, okra, dhundula, palta', squash (Lagenaria vulgaris Seringe), plantain spathes and flowers, figs, etc., which contain alkaline properties. Do's and don'ts: Diabetes is the disease of intellectuals. Those who do physical labour seldom suffer from this disease. Undergoing mental exertion, remaining indoors for a long period, physical laziness, constipation, intemperance, etc., are reasons for the contraction of diabetes. As has already been said, diabetes is basically connected with the liver and the pancreas, hence only those foods should be selected which do not over-stimulate those vital organs. Similarly, work and exercise which will help to bring these organs into their normal state of health must be pursued more and more. For those who are adverse to physical labour, a cure from diabetes is next to impossible. The human body also needs the nutrients offered by starchy and non-vegetarian types of food; therefore foods which are not acidic but rather alkaline, yet contain those nutrients, should be taken in greater quantity to meet those needs. This will include coconut, peanuts, curd (yogurt), bananas, etc. A drink of peanut extract and water without sugar and with little or no honey is ideal as both food and medicine for this disease. Remember that insulin may increase the vitality of a patient but can never cure the disease. Generally diabetes patients are a bit greedy, and sometimes they eat too much sweetened food, which brings on the disease. Diabetes patients must keep control over such temptations and should practise fasting. In the severe state of the disease a continuous fast for two or three days taking nothing but a little juice of lemon or other fruit will definitely reduce the sugar content of the urine. Sometimes sugar is completely absent in the urine. In this respect one has to remember that sugar may be found temporarily in the urine if the urinary bladder, kidney or some other internal organ is subjected to a blow. If in such cases insulin is given, it will actually harm the patient. Under such circumstances the best thing to do would be to treat the injury of the concerned organ appropriately, and then the urine of the patient will automatically become sugar-free. Some remedies: 1. Boil myrobalan, mutha', lodha' and banyan fruits in equal quantities and drink 2 tolas of the extract early in the morning for a few days regularly. This will bring a good result. 2. Crush about 1/8 seer of guava leaves in water at night. The next morning strain the leaves out and drink the water. This will bring good results during the severe state of diabetes. 3. (a) 1 tola of yajina d'umura juice with honey; or (b) 1 tola of tela'kuca' leaf extract taken with honey early in the morning by licking it; will relieve diabetes. 4. (a) 1/16 tola of the inside of ja'm seeds with honey; or (b) Dry shimu'la root crushed with powder, to be licked with honey in a quantity of 1/16 tola; will yield excellent results in diabetes. 5. When the disease is worsening, 5 tolas of ba'nsha leaves in half a seer of water, boiled down to 1/8 seer, and the leaves strained out, should be drunk for immediate results. 6. Boil gent'e durba' (see durba' in glossary), vajina d'umura, emblic myrobalan (Emblica officinalis Gaertn.), myrobalan, coriander seeds and gandha-mutha' in equal quantities in half a seer of water. When boiled down to 1/8 seer, drink it. Do this every day for a week at break of dawn. This will bring beautiful results. 1958 DEAFNESS official source: Yogic Treatments and Natural Remedies cross-references: none this version: is the printed Yogic Treatments and Natural Remedies, 3rd edition, 3rd printing, version (spelling mistakes only may have been corrected). I.e., this is the most up-to-date version as of the present Electronic Edition. Symptoms: At the initial stage the patient hears a buzzing sound in the ears, and gradually all other sounds become indistinct to him. Causes: Deafness is not a disease by itself, unless it is congenital. It is an after-effect or reaction to some other ailment. Therefore one may find innumerable reasons behind deafness. 1. Excessive use of quinine or similar poisonous medicines for a long time reduces the power of hearing. 2. Due to lack of nutritious food, the auditory nerves of many persons of middle or old age weaken, and as a result they suffer from deafness. 3. Too much use of intoxicants increases acidity of blood, due to which hearing power is reduced. 4. Persons in whom kapha is the dominant principal sometimes suffer from excess accumulation of kapha in their system, which causes obstruction to the organs of hearing, and as a result deafness occurs. 5. The power of hearing is sadly reduced due to excessive seminal loss, and permanent deafness results. 6. Those who are in the habit of taking snuff or who blow their noses forcibly often obstruct the natural function of their auditory nerves and invite deafness. 7. A disturbance in the va'yu or kapha obstructs the normal functioning of the auditory nerve-fibres and creates deafness. 8. Swelling of the inner ear or accumulation of pus inside the ear may cause deafness. Treatment, diet, and do's and don'ts: By treating the disease that the deafness originates from gradually, the deafness will be cured. 1958 RHEUMATISM official source: Yogic Treatments and Natural Remedies cross-references: none this version: is the printed Yogic Treatments and Natural Remedies, 3rd edition, 3rd printing, version (spelling mistakes only may have been corrected). I.e., this is the most up-to-date version as of the present Electronic Edition. Symptoms: Swelling and contractures of the muscles or of different joints, acute pain or deformity of the swollen parts, etc., are the symptoms of this disease. Causes: The causes of this disease are just like those of acidity. That is to say, rheumatism occurs when the va'yu bodily air is disturbed due to excess of poisonous acids in the body. Treatment: Same as for acidity. Rheumatism patients should drink a sufficient quantity of water (say four to five seers a day, but not much at a time), and should also observe the bathing and sun-bathing procedures. First the diseased limb should be exposed several times to the rays of the sun, and finally the entire body. The prescribed procedure for sun-bathing should be carefully followed, i.e., exposing the particular limb or the entire body to the sun for fifteen to twenty minutes at a stretch at the time fixed for summer or winter months (see Appendix). When the particular limb or the entire body, as the case may be, has become sufficiently warm, the patient should retire to the shade and wipe the area with a wet towel. This can be repeated several times. Diet: When a person's system becomes acid-dominated, rheumatism is the consequence. Hence the more a patient takes alkaline types of food, the better. If three-fourths of the food is alkaline, it will cure rheumatism completely within a very short time. That is to say, all kinds of sweet and sour fruits, and roots, are good for a rheumatism patient. Fasting with lemon juice and water on Eka'dashii, Pu'rn'ima' and Ama'vasya' days must be observed. Instead of cooked rice, it is better to take relatively dry food like rut'i at night. But it is always better for rheumatism patients to take as little as possible starchy and acidic food such as rice, rut'i, luci, etc., and instead to take fruits, roots, vegetable soups, etc., which are alkaline. Do's and don'ts: Just as for acidity; special care must be taken to clear the bowels regularly. Some special remedies: All remedies prescribed for acidity are also applicable in this disease. In addition- 1. When rheumatism first starts expressing itself, a mild purgative will cure it quickly. 10 or 12 tender leaves of soda'la fried in ghee; or 2. 10 or 12 tender leaves of bichuti fried in ghee--either of the two eaten with rice, will yield good results in the initial stages of rheumatism. 3. Castor oil with a little salt; or 4. A'kanda gum with a little salt; rubbed on the rheumatic limbs, will give good results. 5. Rheumatism can be cured by placing a warm solution of sajane gum mixed with water and a little asafoetida (Ferula foetida Regel) on the affected limb, or by applying 6. Garlic, ginger and the root of apa'ma'rga, pounded together, to the affected limb. 7. Fry some pork in mustard oil and rub that oil on the limbs. This will ease the pain. 8. Tiger fat rubbed on the limbs will work similarly. 9. Either anantamu'la extract with honey: or 10. Gulainca extract; duly cooled and taken in 5 tolas' quantity every morning, will yield good results within a very short time. 11. Boil 2 tolas of triphala' in half a seer of water; and when it has boiled down to 1/8 seer and is still warm, add 2 tolas of ginger extract. Drinking this for three days will surely cure rheumatic fever as well as to elephantiasis, filaria, or any similar condition. 1958 HYDROCELE official source: Yogic Treatments and Natural Remedies cross-references: none this version: is the printed Yogic Treatments and Natural Remedies, 3rd edition, 3rd printing, version (spelling mistakes only may have been corrected). I.e., this is the most up-to-date version as of the present Electronic Edition. Symptoms: Swelling of the scrotum, swelling and stiffening of the supporting ligaments and the blood vessels of the testicles, throbbing pain in the abdomen and in the scrotum, swelling of the scrotum due to accumulation of water, etc., are symptoms of this disease. Causes: Generally there are two possible causes for this disease: (1) internal, and (2) external. (1) In different parts of the body there are glands which act as storage places for shukra. In these glands the life-carrying spermatozoa are produced from the shukra. A male's testicles are such shukra-producing glands. When a man's mind is subjected to lustful thinking or any sort of sexual passion, his testicles are stirred into action very quickly and start producing spermatozoa. The spermatozoa are then channeled along with the seminal fluid to their ultimate storage sacs. During intercourse or nocturnal emission, spermatozoa are emitted from the body in the semen. If, however, the semen cannot find an outlet for some reason or if its flow is unnaturally obstructed, then the semen becomes decomposed in the storage sacks. If under such circumstances a particular patient is found suffering from any kind of pitta defect, constipation, etc., which has already weakened his blood and his lower anatomy, then the decomposing semen becomes watery and the person suffers an attack of hydrocele. His testicles start swelling very slowly, and ultimately the swelling becomes permanent. (2) Due to too much leaping about without wearing a Kaopiina (laungot'a'), a tight-fitting kind of underwear, or due to a sudden blow, the testes, along with their supporting ligaments and their blood vessels, may get swollen. This results in enlargement of the testicles and allows accumulation of fluids in them to form a hydrocele. If people who do not take a dip bath (i.e., who splash water or shower without fully immersing themselves) also bathe in a standing position, the lower abdomen and back may remain completely dry. This dryness may irritate the nervous system and invite an attack of hydrocele. Treatment: Whenever an opportunity arises, the patient should perform Vasti Kumbhaka on an empty stomach. Rules of bathing and of drinking water should also be followed strictly. Morning--Utksepa Mudra, Vasti Mudra, Vasti Kumbhaka, A'mbhasi Mudra', or A'mbhasii Pra'n'a'ya'ma, Sarva'unga'sana and Gomukha'sana. Evening-Upavis't'a Ud'd'ayana Mudra', Agnisa'ra Mudra' and Utkat'a Vajra'sana. Diet: If the condition of the liver permits,all types of nutritious food can be taken. However, a very close watch must be kept on the regular clearing of the bowels. Fast on Eka'dashii, Pu'rn'ima' and Ama'vasya'. Do's and don'ts: Sexual thoughts and excitement are among the causes of hydrocele, so the more one can stay away from these things the better. Patients should use Kaopiinas. Alternative applications of cold and hot compresses will give quick relief. How to apply a compress: Lying in a supine position, apply an ice pack or an ice-cold water compress on the testes for fifteen to twenty minutes at a stretch. After the tissues have become thoroughly cooled, a warm flannel compress should then be applied to the skin for about one or two minutes to bring back its warmth. Again, apply the cold compress for fifteen to twenty minutes, following it with a warm compress as described above. At night, before retiring to bed, alternate cold and hot compresses should be applied a few times in a similar manner. The last compress of the night should be a cold one instead of hot to keep the tissues of the testicles cool for the night. Some remedies: 1. Wrap the testicles in kadamba leaves; or 2. Dissolve ammonium chloride in water and use a wet bandage soaked in that solution; or 3. Pound opium and white sandal into paste together and apply the paste on the testicles; or 4. Grind leaves of mango, ja'm, kayetbel and lemon together into a paste, and apply it to the testicles, in order to relieve hydrocele. 5. Apply the root of Brahmayasti or bamunha'ti ground in the water with which rice has been washed; or 6. On any Tuesday, tie a root of a barren jujube plant (Zizyphus jujuba Lam.) around the waist in such a manner that the root remains dangling down touching the testicles; these remedies will relieve hydrocele. 7. Good results can also be obtained in a very short time if one ties fibres of bora'caka leaves around the waist. 1958 KIDNEY-STONES official source: Yogic Treatments and Natural Remedies cross-references: none this version: is the printed Yogic Treatments and Natural Remedies, 3rd edition, 3rd printing, version (spelling mistakes only may have been corrected). I.e., this is the most up-to-date version as of the present Electronic Edition. Symptoms: Difficulty in urinating, passing of urine drop by drop instead of in a flow, stoppage of urine, blood in urine, etc., are symptoms of kidney-stones. Causes: The kidneys are located one on each side of the body, just below the liver and the spleen. When the liver, busy in its manifold duties, is not entirely capable of doing its job of purifying the blood, the remaining work is taken up by the kidneys. The kidneys, after filtering out the wastes and impurities and surplus water of the body, supply pure blood to nourish the body. The surplus water and waste materials are then accumulated in the collecting system of the kidneys and from there are passed on to the bladder. Ultimately these waste fluids are expelled from the body through the urinary tract as urine. If the acid content of the blood becomes excessive or if the blood suffers from other poisonous contaminations, this upsets the heart, liver and kidneys. The harm may be so great that the heart becomes incapable even of exerting sufficient pressure to keep the blood circulating unobstructed through the blood vessels. If such a situation continues for some time, the different waste materials found in the urine (accumulated naturally in the collecting system of the kidneys and in the urinary bladder) become high in proportion to the surplus water found there. And when that urine becomes sedimented, the waste materials start crystallizing. These crystals or stones can occur in different sizes and kinds. During urination, the presence of these stones blocks or obstructs the natural flow of urine. In that situation the bodily organs try to eject these stones from the kidneys to assure the flow of urine. This very effort of the organs is very painful for the patient. So wherever urine containing such impurities gets a chance to settle, the impurities crystallize and form kidney stones. Treatment, diet and do's and don'ts: Same as for gall-stones. Some remedies: 1. Urinary trouble will be eased by soaking 2 tolas of linseed or kula'ttha kala'i overnight in 1/8 seer of hot water and drinking it in the morning; or 2. By drinking 2 tolas of the juice of pa'tharkuci leaves with water. With this disease also, the patient must consume a great amount of water, and use plenty of lemon, and should never fast without water. The more one can fast on water and lemon juice, the better. Boil milk with a myrobalan seed and drink the milk after removing the seed; or mix myrobalan, mutha', lodha' and banyan fruits in equal quantity and drink 2 tolas of their extract. This will yield good results within a short time. 1958 TUBERCULOSIS official source: Yogic Treatments and Natural Remedies cross-references: none this version: is the printed Yogic Treatments and Natural Remedies, 3rd edition, 3rd printing, version (spelling mistakes only may have been corrected). I.e., this is the most up-to-date version as of the present Electronic Edition. Symptoms: Rattle of the throat in the morning and evening, hoarse voice, dry cough; or sputum with flecks of blood, or bloody vomiting; feeling slightly feverish from evening on; pain in the chest and back; general debility; and sweating at night -- especially sweating of the head -- are the main symptoms of tuberculosis. Causes: Tuberculosis germs are present in almost all human bodies in greater or lesser numbers. So long as the strength of the blood and vitality of the human body remain normal, tuberculosis germs cannot do any harm or cause any disease. If, however, the strength and purity of the blood break down for any specific reason, then the tuberculosis germs get a chance to settle in different glands and joints and start multiplying. Persons with pure blood usually have sound lungs--that is why it is not possible for tuberculosis germs to attack them. But when the strength and purity of the blood break down for any specific reason, then the tuberculosis germs get a chance to settle in different glands and joints and start multiplying. Persons with pure blood usually have sound lungs--that is why it is not possible for tuberculosis germs to attack them. But when the strength of the lungs declines due to weakening of the blood, the germs succeed in establishing a foothold in them. Under such circumstances, to maintain their own health, the lungs try to expel the germs. This attempt takes the form of coughing. Such coughing is a natural phenomenon to keep the body free of mucus and is not at all harmful. The best way to recognise this harmless type of cough is that there is almost some phlegm or mucus coming out with it. But when the cough happens to be dry and persists day after day, then it should be understood that there must be something seriously wrong in the system or that the tuberculosis germs are trying to dig into the lungs with all their might. This condition is the first stage of tuberculosis. In this stage there is usually a feeling of general debility, accompanied by night sweats -- other symptoms are not so fully expressed. In the subsequent stage of the disease, nature starts forming mucus around the diseased parts of the body in order to keep the internal organs strong and active. That is why a little bit of mucus is usually brought up while coughing. After the germ has managed to acquire a firm foothold in the lungs, the mucus also shows some flecks of blood, and the patient suffers from pain in the chest and back. Due to obstruction of the natural movement of the body's fluids, a rattling sound and hoarseness appear in the throat. In the evening a fever of 99--100 degrees F. occurs. Sometimes the patient vomits blood also. 'Begarodha't ks'aya'cchaeva sa'hasa'dvis'ama'shana't--that is, when the fluid elements or the vital energy of the body becomes obstructed, people suffer an attack of tuberculosis. When tuberculosis attacks as a result of such obstructions, patients become emaciated and lose strength of mind within a short passage of time. The final essence of the human body is shukra. As butter is obtained by churning milk, similarly the essence of the blood turns into shukra. Due to the excessive wasting of this essence of the body, shukra, the blood becomes lifeless and the vital energy decreases. As a result, tuberculosis germs easily get a chance to acquire a foothold in the body. If people labour beyond their capacity, whether just taking a risk, or driven by the mentality of gaining applause or by financial greed, then their vital energy is reduced and tuberculosis may attack. If any person is long habituated to eating badly-combined foods, such as meat, fish, eggs and similar Ta'masika* foods immediately before or after milk, ks'iira (a kind of rice pudding) and similar Sa'ttvika* foods, then those foods create a favourable condition in the body for tuberculosis. * See Carya'carya Part III, pp. 7-8 (Shrii Shrii A'nandamu'rti, Carya'carya Part III [A'nandanagar: A'nanda Ma'rga Praca'raka Sam'gha], 1979]). Overeating day after day when one is only a little hungry or not hungry at all is also a bad food habit. Such harmful habits encourage tuberculosis germs. If one for a long time cannot obtain enough food or takes unnutritious food, that is also a bad food habit. In most cases such habits are the main cause of tuberculosis. There are many other possible reasons for this disease, such as: 1. Blood weakened by acidity due to excessive use of intoxicants; 2. Liver, blood and digestive organs weakened by taking too much non-vegetarian food; 3. Weakening of nerves, veins, arteries and glands of the pelvis by too much indulgence in sexual intercourse; 4. Living in unhealthy surroundings; 5. Too many persons living crowded together; 6. Close contact with tuberculosis patients: 7. Drinking the milk of tuberculous animals or eating their meat. One has to remember in this context that wild birds and animals hardly ever suffer from this disease, whereas it often breaks out among domestic animals such as cattle, horses, ducks, hens, etc. Those persons who have not suffered from tuberculosis even when they have been using the milk or meat of domestic animals for a long time can be presumed to possess exceptionally great vital energy. Among the domestic animals, goats, sheep, dogs, cats and rabbits are seldom found to suffer from tuberculosis. That is why ancient people used to advise tuberculosis patients to live in close proximity to rabbits. In the Hindu Pura'n'as (mythology) it is said that the moon also once suffered from this disease, and since that time has kept a rabbit on his lap to counter the disease. Therefore another name for the moon in the Pura'n'as is 'Shasha'unka' (the Sam'skrta word for 'rabbit' is 'Shasha') . Extreme mental exhaustion and despondency in life also destroy people's vital energy, and as a result, tuberculosis may strike. Tuberculosis of the lungs, or pulmonary tuberculosis, can very quickly destroy the vitality. For this reason pulmonary tuberculosis is the most dangerous kind. However, tuberculosis germs can strike any part of the body, and the causes are the same wherever it strikes. One who does not suffer from constipation nor wastes his semen seldom becomes a victim of tuberculosis. This is because, in the first place, in such persons there is no possibility for undigested food, stool or unassimilated pitta to cause any contaminated gas or to breed any kind of harmful bacteria. And in the second place, the sufficient supply of lymph provides vitality to the blood and thereby strength to the body. Remember that: Mala'yattam' balam' pum'sa'm' Shukra'yattam ca jiivitam'. [One who has control over the bowels grows stronger, And one who has control over his semen enjoys long life.] Treatment: Morning-Utks'epa Mudra', Karma'sana, Agnisa'ra Mudra', Matsyendra'sana, Diirgha Pran'a'ma, Yogamudra', Bhu'jaunga'sana and Va'yavii Mudra' or Va'yavii Pra'n'a'ya'ma. Evening-Sarva'unga'sana, Matsyamudra', Naoka'sana, Utkat'a Paschimotta'na'sana and Agnisa'ra Mudra'. Diet: Due to deficiency in blood and in body fluids, tuberculosis patients lose vigour very quickly; so tuberculosis patients should take easily-digestible and nutritious foods. One should never eat very much food at a time. Foods that may cause constipation should be carefully avoided. Depending on the condition of the liver, one should drink sufficient cow's milk, goat's milk, peanut milk or coconut milk. Spices, meat, eggs, ghee and a'tapa rice should not be taken until the disease has been completely cured, because such types of food cause constipation. As with most other diseases, acidic food should be avoided. Instead, alkaline types of food, such as sweet and sour fruits and roots of all varieties, and soup of green vegetables, are ideal for tuberculosis patients. Critically-ill patients should not take anything other than lemon juice and fruit juices. Afterwards, as the critical stage of the disease abates, they should eat nutritious yet easily-digestible food of alkaline type as far as possible. Non-vegetarian may be permitted to eat soup of small fish made with a little spice. It is far better for tuberculosis patients to use honey than raw or refined sugar. At night, rut'i instead of rice should be served. They should also consume about two-and-a-half to three seers of water daily, but never more than one-eighth seer at a time. Fasting without water is strictly forbidden for all tuberculosis patients. Do's and don'ts: Tuberculosis patients should never exert themselves physically. If the health-permits, it will of course be beneficial for them to take a walk through an open field in a light and happy mood. Taking Vya'paka Sna'na daily and having sunbaths in summer and winter at a proper time (See Appendix) are also very useful in the cure of the disease. As far as possible, sun-baths should be taken completely naked and over the whole body. After the sun-bath is over, the whole body should be wiped with a wet towel. Patients should always try to retain confidence and strength of mind. They should not allow despondency about the disease to get the upper hand in their minds. A patient's bedroom and bed must be dry, and there must be good ventilation and lighting. On the whole, the more patients remain in natural surroundings the better; they should guard against cold or sudden gusts of wind by covering their bodies with a wrapper of some kind. It will harm them if they are not allowed to take baths or if they are confined indoors for fear of their catching cold, because such restrictions will rapidly diminish their power of resistance. Too much talking, sexual intercourse, eating together with healthy person, etc., are strictly forbidden. Removing the body hair is not advisable, but their bodies should always be kept very neat and clean. Tuberculosis patients should also avoid staying awake at night, travelling from one place to another, and engaging in mental exertion. If they vomit blood, they should not get scared, but take Vya'paka Shaoca Kriya' at once, washing the head, then place a wet towel on the chest and keep it there until they feel better, wetting the towel in cold water periodically and wringing it out. Some remedies: 1. Mix equal quantities of berela', ga'mbha'rii, shatamu'lii, ashvagandha' and punarnava', dried and powdered, and take 2 tolas of the mixture with honey. Soon after, the patient should drink a glass of goat's milk, boiled just once. This will give quick results with tuberculosis. 2. It is desirable for patients to take every evening one spoonful of a mixture of bara ela'c, powdered along with the husk, and powdered cinnamon, mixed in equal quantities. Take it with honey. Similarly, every morning take a tola of the juices of bel, shiuli and kayetbel leaves, mixed in equal quantities. 3. Cut a gola' pigeon into pieces, discarding the feathers, and dry the pieces in the sun. Powder these dried pieces and give tuberculosis patient 6 ratis (6 ratis=.73 gram) of the powder with honey every morning. 1958 ELEPHANTIASIS official source: Yogic Treatments and Natural Remedies cross-references: none this version: is the printed Yogic Treatments and Natural Remedies, 3rd edition, 3rd printing, version (spelling mistakes only may have been corrected). I.e., this is the most up-to-date version as of the present Electronic Edition. Symptoms: Swelling of the legs, gradual thickening and wrinkling of the skin, intermittent fever, and throbbing pain are the indications of this disease. Usually elephantiasis attacks the legs, but sometimes it attacks the arms also. The legs will grow to resemble those of elephants: that is why in English the disease is called 'elephantiasis'. Causes: By the side of the arteries there is another system of vessels called shukrabaha' na'r'ii. These vessels, by carrying the most essential element of the body, the shukra, to various parts of the body, maintain the vitality of the nervous system, cells and glands. These shukrabaha' na'r'ii supply shukra to the sperm-producing or ova-producing glands, and with the help of the spermatozoa or ova-produced in those glands, help to maintain the immune power and the very existence of the body. If, due to constipation, too much pitta in the body, over-acidity, excessive seminal discharge, or malnutrition, or due to a woman's giving birth to many children, the person's blood has lost its vigour or become contaminated, then a certain type of microbe starts breeding in it. When these microbes either the shukrabaha' na'r'ii and get a chance to settle there, they obstruct the flow of shukra and cause the vessels to swell. This swelling of the shukrabaha' na'r'ii takes the form of elephantiasis. Treatment: Morning-Utks'epa Mudra', Padahasta'sana, Agnisa'ra Mudra', Ud'd'ayana Mudra', Diirgha Pran'a'ma, Utkat'a'sana, Yogamudra' and Naoka'sana. Evening-Sarva'unga'sana, Matsyamudra', Matsyendra'sana and Agnisa'ra Mudra'. Patients should properly follow the rules for bathing, drinking water and sun-bathing. Diet: All kinds of nutritious food can be eaten if the condition of the liver permits. All kinds of fruits and roots, especially sour fruits, are good with this disease. Patients should observe fast on Eka'dashii, Pu'rn'ima' and Ama'vasya' days. Do's and don't's: Doing regular physical labour and control of diet and thought are essential for elephantiasis patients. Leaves of heleinca' and punarnava' are most beneficial in this disease. As far as possible, patients should keep the diseased limbs wrapped in flannel cloth. Before retiring to bed, put a hot flannel compress on the diseased limbs. Good results are also obtained by keeping the affected limbs wrapped in kadam leaves, or, before retiring to bed for the night, wrapping the limbs in a bandage soaked in water mixed with ammonium chloride. Some remedies: 1. Very early in the morning take 1 spoonful of sesame oil or pure mustard oil, mixed with an equal quantity of gulainca juice on an empty stomach; or 2. Take some myrobalan powder mixed with urine of a goat or a cow on an empty stomach at dawn; to help in recovery from elephantiasis. 1958