SINGLE HERB THERAPY IN WOMEN AND CHILDREN

Medicinal plants have been a major source of therapeutic agents by human being for
thousands of years. Ancient men obtained more than 90% of his medicaments from higher Plants .Medicinal herbs are the local heritage with global importance. Single herb
therapy or “EKA MOOLIKA PRAYOGAM”is one such tradition, which has given importance and astonishing factors .Due to there extraordinary curative properties by the presence of various complex chemicals substances of different composition, which are found as secondary plant metabolites.


From Indian kitchens to western laboratories there are many such single herbs, which
have exhibited their specific properties in different ailments .Eg: Neem (azadirachta
Indica) Turmeric (curcuma longa). With there antiseptic properties were of worldwide interest, which had already made wonders in traditional systems.

From ancient times ,since vedic times in atharva veda especially there are many drugs mentioned for different ailments.thousands of years ago this might be the experience, compilation,documentary done by our sacred men from all the people around starting from tribes who lived in forests to vaidyaas (scholars in medicine) who were in courts.


In ayurvedic literatures also there is a documentary done on single drugs by the name AGRYA dravyas, which means the best drugs for diseases in particular..
For example-; Maharshi charakaacharya mentions khadira (acacia catechu) as best in skin ailments,amla (emblica officinalis) as a best anti-oxidant, shirisha (albizzia lebbeck)
Acharya vagbhata specifies haridra ( curcuma longa) to be the best anti-diabetic, goats milk in diet to be best in case of tuberculosis, trivruth (operculina turputhem) as a best and safe purgative and still many more drugs are mentioned with there specific actions.


The test of any civilization is the measure of the consideration and care, which it gives to its weaker members. In any community, women and children constitute a priority group. They comprise 70% of population of developing countries .In India women of child-bearing age (15-44) years constitute 19% and children under 15yrs age about 40% of total population.

As women and children are the most vulnerable group, they need the utmost care .The healthy citizen so called starts its ride right from the girl baby which has taken birth in a healthy womb with proper growth and devolopment proceeds from her early age –puberty-menarchae-reproductive life and then to be a healthy mother.

Single herb therapy is one such simple methods, which has already been followed from decades together as tradition in households for mild ailments. Starting from kitchens with corns and spices ,mini gardens, back yards, until the out and in patient department levels single herb therapy is been proving safe. No matter though it acts as an alternative, supplementary, food or nutrition it has some of its own specific action, which proves to be the most effective drug on certain diseases. Single herb therapy not only acts as a curative but also it’s been exclusively used in preventive aspects.


Today my main focus of single herb therapy towards WOMEN AND CHILDREN.
Some of clinical experiences, which I would like to share!! Though we need to work a lot on there mode of action ,in fields and laboratories we have some of wonder drugs for cure.**

APPENDIX-1-women in general.

**A simple application of chandana (santalum album) on the lower abdomen along with a teaspoon of its paste with milk thrice a day before food internally can bring down the heavy flow by its refrigerant property.its also the best disinfectant.

**Fresh juice of daadima (punica granatum) adviced in low blood counts, which is about 10gms%, was raised to 12gms% within a fortnight.
At any stages of diarrhoea with or without mucous the fruit bark powder 1-2 tsps mixed with honey in children and with buttermilk for adults has shown considerable amount of relief within 2-3 doses.

**Ashoka (saraca ashoka) –one of important drug in feminine care.it’s a best uterine sedative and also corrects the hormonal imbalance when given internally in decoction form in cases of irregular and painful menstruation.it also controls excessive bleeding during menstruation.

**Japa kusuma (hibiscus rosasinensis) flowers dried and used in powdered form have given best results within 3mnths in case of stress and malnourished oriented leucorrhoea.

**Jeeraka (cuminum cyminis) in a simple decoction form has given marked relief in case of congestive dysmenorrhoea used even in emergency conditions.

**Udumbara (ficus glomerata ) bark used in decoction form given for sitz bath in case of vaginal ulcers has brought conditions like irritation and hyperaemia.By its anti fungal activity its been best used in case of cervical erosion as a vaginal douche.

**Swarnaksheeri (argemone mexicana) leaves ground and given with milk during menstration for three days in 3 consecutive months has shown remarkable reduction in size of ovarian cysts which is been a major gynaecological problem resulting in amenorrhoea and infertility.

**Shathavari (asparagus racemosus) is best known for its phyto progesterogenic activity has proved as the best galactagogue since time immemorial.
In the form of linctus ,powders,and pastes its been the ideal drug to increase the breast milk in a healthy form.even after conceiving, root powder used along with milk helps to stabilize the foetus increasing the weight and growth,cures constipation during pregnancy, brings down urine retention and painful micturition.


**Primary and secondary amenorrhoea due to endometrial hyperplasia and PCOD conditions and dysmenorrhoea are best cured using aloevera (aloe barbadensis) where the fresh mid fleshy part is adviced internally.Also it has increased the general health by increasing the blood count.


**In case of infertility and to check the habitual abortion rhizomes of kamala(nelumbo nucifera) are crushed and boiled along with milk and given for about 3 mnths .it is prepared in the form of ghee also and adviced to be taken for longer periods which has turned out with excellent results even in infections like TORCH.

**Mandookaparni (centella asiatica)used in powdered form with milk is been a wonderful drug to cure stress oriented hypertension in young age especially seen in professionals.

**APPENDIX-2-women in pregnancy.

**Morning sickness is physiological symptom seen in 1st trimester of pregnancy for which many anti-emetic drugs are used and sometimes proved to be unsafe.instead ela seeds (elettararia cardomum) in dry form powdered and taken in very small doses about 3-4 pinches with honey will surely bring down the tendency of nausea and vomiting.

**Hypertension in pregnancy can be considerably managed and controlled by drug saariva (hemediscus indicus) root paste or powder used along with milk and thus prevents further complications like pre-eclampsia and then eclampsia.

**Useera (vettiveria zizzanoides) roots are soaked in water for 2-3 hours then strained,this water is given in pregnant ladies which is best to bring down any UTI with burning sensation .it acts as an anti toxicant also to eliminate any toxic materials formed in the body moreover it’s a safe single drug adviced during pregnancy

**APPENDIX-3-women after parturition

**A decoction of punarnava (boerhavvia diffusa) root given to delivered woman cures anaemia and also does the cleansing of the strained organs during delivery.its anti inflammatory action keeps the puerperal women healthy.

**Immediately after delivery in order to increase her appetite ,blood count ,cleanse the uterus and relax it pippali 9piper longum ) is the best drug used until 3 months of purpurium in powdered form with honey or rice cooked or even milk .

**APPENDIX-4-women in menopause


**Osteoporosis and osteo arthritis are common problems seen with symptoms like low backache and pain in knee joints for which methika (trigonella fenugraceum) in powdered form along with milk and jaggery has shown remarkable results.


**Asthishrunkala (vitis quadrangularis) the best calcium supplementary tonic used along with rice in the form of porridge has made prevent low backache in early menopause.




**APPENDIX-4-children

**Low birth weight and premature babies have a tendency of having less appetite and also present themselves to be physically weak.such children when given with ashwagandha (withania somnifera) root powder as a healthy drink everyday come out with firm and steady constitution.

**Sunthi (zingiber officinale ) one of important kitchen ingredient is the best drug for both mother and child to treat loss of appetite and indigestion.using sunthee with rock salt in very small quantities before food has given good results.also in case of cough with rhinitis , the juice with honey has cured within 4-6 doses.

**Haridra (curcuma longa )in powdered form or the paste made with milk is applied to the newborn to cleanse the skin and its anti-septic property removes the remnants of amniotic fluid and thus keeps away the skin ailments.

**Stomach ache,vomiting ,dyspepsia in children is been a common problem seen in children and can be thus cured by using ajamoda(apium graveolens) in decoction or decanted form for about 10-15ml in empty stomach.

**Dry cough is a daily seen problem in clinics and most of the times being allergic.
Yashti madhu (glycirrhiza glabra) in powdered form given along with honey and ghee in unequal quantities has shown excellent results in not only curing cough but also improving the voice.

**Vacha (acorus calamus )the best brain stimulant drug is an emetic if given in high dose.But in appropriate dose used along with ghee from the date of birth has shown children to be more active ,intelligent and extraordinary along with gaining more resistance to any diseases.

**An oil prepared using bala (sida cordifolia) used for anointing daily for a new born baby helps it to come out of difficulties occurred during delivery ,the strain and improves the muscular tone giving enough strength.

**Mustha ( cyperus rotundus ) roots given to children in the form of paste with honey or breast milk stops dysentery and improves appetite.

**Vidanga (embelia ribes) seeds rubbed with honey can be administered for de-worming.it’s a very safe drug than any other ani-helminthics.

**Rasna (pluchea lanceolata)in powdered form applied as poultice on the anterior fontanelle of the child keeps away from allergic rhinitis,very effective drug without any internal medication.



**Jaathiphala (myristica fragrans) in powdered form mixed with the spoon of honey can bring down diarrhoea iwithin 2 doses.


WHY SINGLE HERB THERAPY?-ADVANTAGES

#They are convenient and user friendly.

#Easy to process and administer with less cost.

#Pressure on poly herbal compounds and consumerism reduction.

#The trend towards self-medication is increasing.

#Consumer preference for natural products.

#To be more concerned, antagonizing effect or side effects are avoided.

#European union license laws are written only for single ingredient drugs and do not recognize poly herbal ayurvedic drugs.

#Treasuring the strong cultural heritage of kitchen remedies & grandmas prescription.


Thus single drug remedy has proven to be safe and accessible when compared to other compound formulations. Important to note is ayurvedic first aid begins at home remedies which are the cheapest way of maintaining health . we can certainly expect MAGICAL results by applying the knowledge of modern technique to our traditional ready source of material available abundantly in nature.

The problems affecting the health of women and child are multifactorial.the present strategy to provide both with an integrated package of essential health care.by improving this we can contribute to the health of general population.


To conclude ,single herb remedy should be propagated well to make it reach even to the poorest of the poor & we need more &more research light on it!!Every herb should be chemically,pharmacologically,genetically rediscovered to make it popularized and thus make it IMMORTAL,it’s our traditional wealth –THE EKA MOOLIKA PRAYOGAM.


THANK YOU!!!

Dr.K.Pallavi.G.Prasad.