The Hindu : Kerala News : Tackling monsoon diseases, the Ayurvedic way

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Tackling monsoon diseases, the Ayurvedic way

TRADITIONAL WAY: Shirodhara is a therapy used in Ayurveda to tackle many chronic diseases.

Monsoon brings with it a plethora of diseases. The clogged drains and unhygienic surroundings provide the ideal breeding grounds for many disease-causing micro-organisms.

Monsoon is the time when many epidemics break out. People now increasingly rely on Ayurveda for relief from monsoon-related diseases. This holistic system of medicine emphasises prevention and protection. “During the season, our immunity system becomes very weak; so Ayurveda stresses shoring up immunity,” says Dr. Sheela Karalam, special officer at the Research and Development wing of Oushadhi, a Government of Kerala undertaking.

When the weather turns from high temperature to non-stop rain, the human body becomes susceptible to diseases. Contaminated water, unhygienic surroundings and mosquitoes aggravate the problem. Typhoid, jaundice, dengue fever, leptospirosis and chikungunya have become common during the rainy season. Most of them are water-borne or vector-borne.

“Our lifestyles, food habits and surroundings should be such that they will help us face the monsoon challenges,” says Dr. Sheela. “Last year, owing to unexpected early rain, the State could not take sufficient pre-monsoon preparations; this caused the outbreak of many diseases.”

Of the 211 cases of leptospirosis reported in 2007 in Thrissur district, 47 proved fatal. Sixty-four cases of dengue fever and 49 cases of chikungunya were also reported. Since the human digestive system slows down during the monsoon season, Ayurvedic doctors recommend hot and light food.

Old-timers go in for a course of “medicinal porridge” during monsoon. There are many purification and rejuvenation processes in Ayurveda that prepare one to live healthy during monsoon.

“All the three humours (thridosha in Ayurveda parlance — vata, pitta and kapha) are in peak form during this season,” says Rose Mary Wilson, chief physician, Kandamkulathy Ayurveda Hospital. Apart from the epidemics, respiratory diseases, arthritis and skin problems also become common during the season. In Kerala, all seasons, except the peak summer months, are suitable for rejuvenation and relaxation treatments.

Changing life pattern and increased stress bring many professionals to Ayurveda hospitals at a young age, says Dr. Rose Mary.

Along with personal hygiene, environmental hygiene should be part of our lifestyle, says Dr. Sheela. As part of controlling mosquitoes, Oushadhi is propagating the concept “Dhooma Sandya” whereby fumigation can be done at home in the evening using “Aparajitachoornam.”

The choornam, which has anti-microbial and mosquito-repellent properties, has been found very effective in Alappuzha, Kollam, Pathanamthitta and Kottayam districts, where most of the epidemics had been reported last year. Oushadhi has taken a survey of the causes and extent of monsoon-diseases, especially chikungunya and viral fever, in areas where the outbreaks were severe. There are people who still suffer joint pain and swelling even after one year, Dr. Sheela says.

To keep these diseases out, Ayurvedic doctors say, people should give special attention to personal and environmental hygiene and also take preventive steps.

Mini Muringatheri

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