Last week, we spoke about Glaucoma and it’s various causes. This time around, we shall go deeper and look at how Ayurveda can help treat it. Ayurveda classifies Glaucoma as a disease thought to be caused by the imbalance of the body’s three doshas, Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Eye problems are often related to Pitta imbalance. The most effective remedy is to keep Pitta cool and calm with proper foods and daily meditation, so that the body’s unique balance of the three doshas, on which good health depends, is regained. Ayurveda advises management of glaucoma by diet regulation, Panchkarma treatment, oral medicine, Yoga and meditation. These procedures help to clear the obstruction in the flow of aqueous fluid in eye so that intra ocular pressure can be maintained in a normal range.
In the Ayurveda way of treatment, patients are prescribed a diet rich in vitamins and minerals that are important to the eye. These include zinc and copper, antioxidants Vitamin C, B, E, A and selenium. Foods containing these vitamins & minerals such as citrus fruits, sprouts, guava, banana and straw berries are recommended, and patients are also advised to drink small amounts of water, during the day. Panchakarma procedures like Thalam, Shirodhara, Tarpana and Nasyam are of great help in Glaucoma treatment. These procedures use different herbs and oils, medicated milk and buttermilk as well as medicated ghee, and result in eye cleansing as well as a cooling effect to the eye. A course of Virechan which is the intake of safe herbal medicines leading to elimination of poisonous wastes from the body is the next step in the treatment process. An Ayurvedic formulation known as Triphala churanam, amla juice with honey, and Lehyams of aniseed, babul, carrot, coriander and marigold are also prescribed.
Along with all these medications and procedures, yoga and meditation are also advised, as these are very beneficial to de-stress and reduce the intra-ocular pressure that triggers the occurrence of Glaucoma. Yoga and meditation are vital for stress reduction, which in turn, helps to reduce and prevent IOP. The rejuvenating medicines of Ayurveda give strength to the optic nerve and hence restore the vision within limitations.
Leading Ayurvedic Hospitals in Kerala conduct regular clinics to detect and repair any damage to eye caused by Glaucoma, which is fact turning out to be more serious than previously anticipated.
