FUNDAMENTALS
OF HOLISTIC THERAPY:
A)
GENERAL APPLICATIONS TO DISEASE:
i)
General applications non system specific
ii)
General applications to specific systems
GENERAL
APPLICATIONS TO DISEASE:
i)
non system specific-
1) NUTRITION
:-
i) CARBOHYDRATES-
Complex
carbohydrates or long acting (roti, rice, bread,
etc.) provide energy after 4 hours. Simple carbohydrates
or short acting (fruits, biscuits, etc.) provide energy
much faster, within 15 minutes.
ii) PROTEINS- Eggs, milk, nuts, sprouts, fish, chicken, meat, etc.
iii) FATS- Polyunsaturated fatty acids like nuts, seeds, etc.
iv) VITAMINS- A, B, C, D, etc.
Deficiency of vitamin A causes night blindness. Vitamin A is present in carrots,
pumpkins.
Deficiency of vitamin B complex causes Beri Beri. It is present in green
leafy vegetables, egg yolk, all non vegetarian food, peels of fruits, covering of pulses, etc.
Deficiency of vitamin C causes frequent colds. It is present in citrus fruits
(orange, sweet lime).
v) MINERALS- Calcium, iron, etc.
Calcium is available in milk and milk products, fruits like mango, banana,
etc. Iron is present in green leafy vegetables, egg yolk, etc. Deficiency of iron causes Anaemia.
vi) ELECTROLYTES- Sodium, potassium, etc.
Sodium may be taken in the form of common salt (sodium chloride). Potassium is present in honey, jaggery, fruits, etc.
Calcium in the form of milk in the right proportion is very important for
healing in many places.
Lack of calcium causes muscle spasms, weakness, lethargy, bone fractures.
Peripheral arteriolar tone is dependent upon Calcium.
Conventional anti-hypertensive therapy involves the use of calcium channel
blockers such as Nifedipine (trade name-Depin). These drugs block the calcium channels in the whole body including the heart
and blood vessels in order to reduce heart rate and blood pressure. However, they also reduce the force of contraction of
the heart which will worsen the condition of a patient suffering from cardiac failure. Also they cause bronco-constriction
as the muscles of the bronchus also go into spasm. This will worsen a case of asthma.
The lack of calcium leads to overall body symptoms like:
a) Extreme weakness
b) Carpopedal spasm
c) Convulsions
The
required amount of calcium in the diet may be regulated as follows:
1
part of calcium= 1 glass milk/1 bowl curd/1 glass lassi/1 cheese cube
Required
intake per day for an adult= 2 parts of calcium
For
every 30 minutes of intensive exercise, example running, or 60 minutes of moderate exercise, example walking, add 1 part of
calcium.
BALANCED
DIET- ME LAND
M- Milk
E- Egg
L- Live food (fruits, raw vegetables)
A- Atta
N- Nuts
D- Dudhi (alkali)
Raw
vegetables are an important part of diet as a source of fiber. Lack of fiber causes constipation. When a person suffering
from constipation strains to pass stools, it causes varicosity of the veins of the rectum called Piles. When he passes hard
stools , it cuts the anus and causes fissures. Conventionally it is treated with local steroids when all that is needed is
to increase the fiber content in diet.
ALKALI-
One
of the most important factors in healing is the pH regulation of blood. The normal pH of blood is 7.32-7.42. If pH goes to
6.8, it indicates strongly acidic blood causing fits and coma. Patients in cardiac arrest, when injected intravenously with
Sodium Bicarbonate followed by DC shock, can sometimes be revived.
Effects
of acidosis:-
a) JOINT ARTHRITIS- Consumption of acidic food over a long period of time will increase
wear and tear of joints, cause joint sprains, muscle sprains, overall weakness, stiffness, and depression.
b) CORONARY BLOCKAGES- Insestion of acidic food accelerates deposits in coronary arteries
and therefore prepones myocardial infarctions and strokes.
c) EXTENT OF INFARCTRION- Acidosis causes increase in the area of the infarction of
the heart.
d) All healing is facilitated in alkaline pH of blood whereas all disease and injury
worsens in acidic pH.
Regulation
of blood pH to promote healing (alkaline food):-
a) RAW FOOD- When food is cooked, proteins coagulate and pH becomes acidic. Raw food
is alkaline.
b) VEGETABLE JUICES- Lauki or bottle gourd juice, bitter gourd, water melon peel juice,
coconut water is all alkaline in nature. To get maximum benefit, nothing should be consumed until after half an hour of drinking
vegetable juices.
c) NO SOUR FOOD- Do not eat sour food like lemon, tamarind, vinegar, kokam, etc. They
are all acidic.
NON VEGETARIAN FOOD – REASONS TO AVOID
a) All non vegetarian food is putrefied. The moment an animal dies it starts decaying.
After hours of decay it is put in cold storage where again putrifaction occurs. Even fish caught the previous morning is not
fresh because it is consumed after 48 hours.
b) All non vegetarian food has high acidic pH, i.e. it contains uric acid. They have
a very high content of uric acids because after death cellular DNA breaks down the byproduct of which is uric acid.
c) People who eat non vegetarian food could suffer from allergies of skin (eczema),
asthma, etc. because it is animal protein.
d) All non vegetarian food contains stress hormones because when the animal is being
slaughtered it is terrified and releases stress hormones. When one consumes non vegetarian food, he also consumes stress hormones.
Therefore some non vegetarians could experience agitation.
Hence
it is best to avoid non vegetarian food. However, if it must be consumed, then it is better to kill and eat immediately.
FOOD CONTAMINATION
Horse
dung powder is used to contaminate masala and other spices. Industrial waste oil is used to contaminate cooking oil. FDA has
found food contamination even in major 5 star hotels. Therefore spicy food consumed at home does not cause acidity but when
outside food is consumed it causes severe acidity, heart burn and regurgitation because of the contaminants.
PEPTIC
ULCERS VIA PYLORO SPASM-
When
contaminated food enters the stomach, in an attempt to shut it off from the rest of the body, the pylorus contracts and shuts
down. As a result the gastric acids which otherwise leave the stomach in 20 minutes stay on and start eroding the stomach
lining and cause peptic ulcers. It is a protective mechanism. It is not hyperacidity, but normal acidity with a closed pyelorus.
Now
that the food is stagnating in the stomach, bacteria like H-pylori grow causing conventional thought to conclude that peptic
ulcer is caused by H-pylori. Therefore peptic ulcer is nowadays treated with antibiotics. Instead cutting the contaminated
food from diet will help in healing.
SALIVA
IS AN ANTACID- When food is chewed properly, it mixes well with the salivary juices in the mouth. Saliva is alkaline in nature.
The alkaline saliva coating the food reaches the stomach and neutralizes the acid in the stomach. Thus chewing food well will
cure acidity and ulcers.
2) EXERCISE:-
i) MUSCULOSTELETAL SYSTEM- Exercise increases blood
supply to all ligaments and supporting muscles. Exercise will improve flexibility and strength of ligaments and all the supporting
muscles around the joints and as a result the joints will become stronger and stabler. With exercise, the mobility in the
body is maintained, which is important for proper body functioning as well as for healing. In case of an injury like bone
fracture, it is important to rest only the affected part and not the whole body as is conventionally followed.
ii) CARDIO-RESPIRATORY SYSTEM- Normally the heart pumps around 5 litres of blood per
minute. While exercising the heart pumps 7.5 litres of blood per minute. Therefore the effort tolerance of the heart increases.
Normally the resting blood pressure is 120/80. After prolonged exercise the oxygen consumption of the body, resting heart
rate, and the blood pressure start decreasing. This means that the heart starts functioning at greater efficiency with a lesser
requirement of oxygen and nutrients.
Also during exercise the heart requires more blood to be delivered to itself
which leads to the formation of many collateral blood vessels/arteries thus obliviating the need for bypass surgery and angioplasty
due to blockages in the main coronary artery.
iii) GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT- Exercise increases the blood supply to the tissues of the
GI tract. It improves intestinal muscle tone and relieves constipation and intestinal bloat.
iv) KIDNEY- Exercise increases perfusion to the kidneys. Regular abdominal exercise,
running, jumping, etc. help in crushing and dislodging kidney stones that are excreted out in urine.
v) In women, regular exercise relieves menstrual cramps.
Exercising the muscles of the abdomen will also increase the muscle tone of the uterus. Stronger uterine muscles will help
in getting rid of cramps during menses.
vi) RISE IN WHITE BLOOD CELLS- In healing, during illness or disease, mild to moderate
exercise causes a rise in WBC’s. The level and intensity of the exercise is to be decided by the patient under guidance
of competent authority in accordance with his or her disease and state of body. With the appropriate exercise causing a rise
in WBC’s, the body will heal faster as the body’s immune mechanisms will be boosted.
Exercise may be classified as local and general. General exercise is that
which involves the whole body and contributes to overall fitness, for example, walking, aerobics, etc. Local exercise is that
which involves the use of a specific part or organ of the body. For example, in order to treat asthma, a patient may be advised
lung specific exercises such as blowing balloons, stair climbing, etc.
3) DIURNAL HORMONE REGULATION :-
All the hormones in the body, such as testosterone, oestrogen, progesterone
are estimated at two times during the day- in the morning and in the evening.
SUNLIGHT- It is the controlling factor for starting and shutting down all
the biological processes in the body. Therefore it is important to wake up in the morning at sunrise and expose the eyes to
sunlight for at least 20 minutes everyday, and for healing 30-40 minutes. Similarly all the body systems must be regulated
to wind down and reduce activity after sunset and gradually go to sleep.
SLEEP- Always try to sleep and wake up at the same time. For example, if
you sleep at 11 P.M. and wake up at 6 A.M., then try to keep the timing constant. An allowance of an hour can be made either
way. Even if you are habituated to sleep late, say at 1 P.M., then you must stick to the same time. Wide fluctuations must
not be made, for example, sleeping at 10 P.M. sometimes and at 2 P.M. at other times.
FOOD- Food must not be consumed before sunrise and after sunset. After sunset,
all the body systems including the GI tract gradually come to a resting state and slow down. Hence consumption of food late
at night would draw blood to the intestines, therefore reducing blood perfusion to the heart and the brain.
This is reason maximum heart attacks occur at night as people eat heavy meals
late at night and go to sleep on a full stomach.
At night when the body is fasting and resting, the growth hormone is released.
Therefore, it is important to have dinner by sunset and to avoid food after that and also to have breakfast immediately after
sunrise. By doing this, children and teenagers will grow taller, have better muscle tissues and bones.
By taking proper care of the diurnal
rhythm by following the steps explained above, all the hormones in the body get stabilized and the influence of hormonal fluctuation
on disease is reduced which facilitates the healing process naturally.
4) SLEEP:-
The quality and the quantity of sleep are very important for maintaining
health and specially for healing.
You must sleep for enough number of hours each day. The factors for deciding
the number of sleep hours required are exercise, stress and disease. The body needs more sleep after exercising and if you
are going through stress. For healing, it is important to sleep for at least 7 hours.
The sleep must be deep so that you wake up feeling fresh and rested. In case
you have slept less, then try to take short 15 minute power naps at the end of every hour during the day for rejuvenation.
There are certain substitutes to sleep in case adequate sleep is not possible,
for example mentally relaxing activities such as listening to music, reading something which calms the mind, stretching, deep
breathing, etc.
The benefits of sleeping are oxygenation, digestion, pH regulation, resting
the heart and muscles. During sleep, the heart rate and blood pressure come down and therefore the heart is rested. The depth
of respiration increases and therefore greater oxygenation takes place. The digestion also improves during sleep. All the
muscles which have been used during the day and those that are stiff and tight due to muscular activity relax during sleep.
Also, since they are not in use, no lactic acid secretion takes place. In fact, lactic acids are washed out, thus good sleep
regulates blood pH balance. Sleep also helps in resolving repression via dreams by brain activity.
Certain factors help in having good sleep. Stretching of muscles, a hot water
bath, a glass of milk, banana, or groundnuts all help in the quality of sleep. Avoid bright lights and stressful discussions
before sleeping.
5) BODY WEIGHT:-
Excess body weight or obesity is a predisposing factor for many diseases
and complications.
Ø ISCHAEMIC HEART DISEASE
(IHD) - Obesity reduces the effort tolerance of the heart by increasing the load on the heart.
Ø HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE –
The heart has to work more due to increased load.
Ø OSTEO ARTHRITIS- Obesity
causes wear and tear of the joints.
Ø INSULIN RESISTANCE- Although
insulin is present in the body, obesity and lack of exercise can render it inactive. Therefore it can precipitate or worsen
diabetes.
DETERMINING OBESITY- Obesity may be ascertained by taking a waist pinch.
If it is 2 inches thick, then it shows normal body weight. Every additional half inch shows 5 Kg extra weight.
CAUSE- Obesity is not necessarily caused by overeating. The most important
factor and the most poorly understood is the value of a balanced diet. In fact, overeating is also the result of an imbalanced
diet. If the food being consumed is deficient in a particular nutrient which is needed by the body, then there will be a tendency
to eat large quantity of that food in
order to make up for the required amount leading to overeating. Having a
well balanced diet which consists of all the nutrients keeps weight in check.
Also, the diet must include adequate fiber as low fiber causes obesity. This
is because fiber is roughage which contributes to feeling full after a meal. If the food does not have fiber, then you do
not feel full again leading to overeating. Example, you cannot eat as many apples at one time as you can eat mangoes.
6) MELATONIN REGULATION:-
Melatonin is the ultimate hormone which bestows youth, energy and drive.
It is the youth hormone which is secreted by the pituitary gland at night in response to exposure of the eyes to sunlight
during the day. It is supposed to be similar to morphine in structure. So if the eyes are exposed to sunlight during the day
then youth hormone is released at night.
Synthesis of melatonin is inhibited by free radicals which are released in
electro magnetic field like television, refrigerator, computers, artificial lights, fan, air conditioner, etc.
An important factor which stimulates the synthesis of melatonin is BETA CAROTENE
which is found in all green leafy vegetables and carrots.
7) HYPOTHALAMIC FACTORS:-
STRESS RESPONSE- Sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system.
Sympathetic nervous system- This is responsible for releasing Adrenaline
during times of increased stress. Adrenaline causes rise in heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, muscle tension,
etc.
Parasympathetic nervous system- This is responsible for releasing Acetylcholine
which acts as a stress reliever as it causes reduction in heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, muscle tension, etc.
EMOTIONAL FACTORS- There are many emotional factors which contribute to stress.
Ø Frustration - Anger
Ø Jealousy - Hate
Ø Sexual frustration - Repression,
aggression
Ø Desire -
Fear
Ø Pessimism - Depression
All the above mentioned factors generate stress which causes release of Adrenaline.
It causes bombardment of the brain and makes you hyperactive. It also releases cortisone in the body which makes you retain
salt and appear oedematous and makes the bones hollow.
When the mind is relaxed, the body releases Acetylcholine which has the exact
opposite effect as Adrenaline.
Therefore, you must take frequent holidays in order to relax. Other methods
may be employed such as recreational activities like playing a sport, going for a walk, reading, listening to soothing music,
etc. Specially during healing, it is important to avoid stress due to work, marital problems, etc.
8) BLOOD VOLUME:-
The blood volume is dependent upon COLLOIDAL OSMOTIC PRESSURE.
Colloidal osmotic pressure determines blood pressure; this in turn determines
the state and level of energy. When the blood pressure drops below normal there is a feeling of lethargy, lassitude and weakness.
The two components which are responsible for keeping water in the blood in
circulation in the capillaries are salt and protein (albumin). Salt exerts positive pressure on the capillaries while protein
(albumin) exerts negative pressure.
So in order to have good colloidal osmotic pressure, 3 things need to be
consumed:
a) Salt – Fruits
b) Protein – Eggs, milk, pulses
c) Bio water – Vegetable juices, coconut water
Temporary fall in blood pressure could happen due to:
Ø Dehydration- Exercise,
driving in a vehicle with the windows down
Ø Inadequate fluid intake
Ø Prolonged exposure to
heat and light
Ø Diarrhoea, vomiting, etc
In order to restore blood pressure, a diet rich in salt, protein, bio water
is recommended which would restore the colloidal osmotic pressure. Also, thick liquids are very important and useful for maintaining
as well as restoring blood volume and blood pressure such as Bengali sweets (rasgulla), milk and protinex, icecream, wheat
(after 3-5 hours).
Maintaining blood volume and blood pressure is very important for any healing,
especially for gynaecological problems and depression.
9) ADDICTIONS:-
There must be no habituation to smoking, alcohol, drugs, medications, etc.
The ill effects of smoking are as follows:
Ø Narrowing of peripheral
arteries- Smoking leads to the walls of the arteries becoming thicker and less elastic. The lumen becomes narrow. This may
cause rise in blood pressure.
Ø Destruction of cilia in
respiratory tract- Cilia, which are responsible for bringing up sputum or any foreign particle out of the respiratory tract,
are destroyed by tobacco smoke. Smoking may also lead to respiratory failure.
Ø Depositions in arteries-
Due to accelerated atheromatous depositions in coronary arteries and the arteries of the brain due to smoking, stroke and
heart attacks may result.
Alcohol- Consumption of alcohol causes severe gastritis and vomiting. It
also causes dehydration, lowers blood sugar leading to hypoglycaemia and causes vitamin B1 depletion. Therefore, hangover
headaches caused by alcohol consumption are relieved by first, taking vitamin B complex and then eating food.
Alcohol also causes incoordination (loss of balance) and systolic hypertension.
10) DRUG
THERAPY:-
A) NSAIDS- Common NSAIDS can cause peptic ulcers, severe GI bleeding, worsening of
asthma due to bronchospasm, salt retention, and oedema.
Inflammation is part of the healing process and
taking anti-inflammatory drugs suppress it thereby preventing the body from following its natural course towards healing the
injury or disease.
B) ANTIBIOTICS- They cause diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, salt retention, and oedema.
There are billions of bacteria which are living in harmony in the body and
are responsible for maintaining proper body functioning. Antibiotics do not differentiate between different bacteria but kill
all the bacteria in the body. This leaves a void thereby increasing chance of infection by other harmful bacteria from outside
the body which take the place of normal bacteria. Also the body forms memory antibodies in response to bacterial infection
which are then used in future against a new bacterial infection. Taking antibiotics prevents the body from forming such memory
antibodies.
C) BETA BLOCKERS AND CALCIUM BLOCKERS- They can cause RHF (right heart failure), hypotension,
worsening of asthma due to bronchospasm, constipation, depression.
Beta blockers and calcium blockers are frequently given for treating hypertension.
Beta blockers lower blood pressure by cutting the release of adrenaline in the body. However, it also causes fall in the heart
rate and force of contraction which would worsen a case of cardiac failure. It will lead to weakness as the body will not
be able to regulate the release of adrenaline in response to increased demand that may arise due to physical activity. It
will cause bronchoconstriction which would worsen a case of asthma. It will also lead to erectile dysfunction.
Calcium blockers reduce blood pressure by dropping the entry
of calcium into the cells all over muscles in the body. It would lead to many side effects.
A calcium block in the whole body will lead to:
Ø Extreme weakness
Ø Carpopedal spasm
Ø Convulsions
D) LASIX- Lasix cause drop in sodium and potassium. Fall in potassium causes arrhythmias.
Prolonged use of lasix can cause deafness and tinnitus.
E) TRANQUILIZERS- They cause confusion and dazed states.
F) COLD COUGH REMEDIES, ANTI ALLERGY DRUGS, PSYCHIATRIC MEDICATIONS- All of them cause
sedation and drowsiness.
G) DEPRESSION OF BONE MARROW- It will lead to the following consequences:
Ø Suppression in synthesis
of RBC- Haemoglobin will go down causing anaemia.
Ø Suppression in synthesis
of WBC- Immunity will be lowered causing infections.
Ø Suppression in synthesis
of platelets- Will cause bleeding from everywhere.
11) ORGASM:-
The mechanism by which a sexual orgasm helps in lowering
blood pressure is an adrenaline surge followed by an acetylcholine surge.
During intercourse, the peripheral arterioles contract and
the blood pressure rises to a very high level. During the orgasm, it rises even higher. This is because of release of adrenaline
from the medulla. With the orgasm, the peripheral arterioles suddenly relax completely and dilate with the result that the
blood pressure falls below normal. This is because of release of acetylcholine.
Thus it is a major blood pressure as well as hormonal regulator.
It is like a reset of hormones from top to bottom, giving a feeling of well being.
But in order to accomplish all of the above, the orgasm needs
to be substantially strong.
12) POLLUTION:-
Pollution is a major health hazard, primarily affecting the
lungs. It also affects the pH balance of the body as vehicular smoke and other normal pollutants present in the urban setting
contain carbon monoxide which makes the blood pH acidic.
It is important to move out of a polluted environment. If
that is not possible then regular holidays are a must in order to clean the lungs and regulate the blood pH levels.
GENERAL APPLICATIONS TO DISEASE:SYSTEMS SPECIFIC
A) CARDIO VASCULAR SYSTEM:-
a) Exercise- 45-90 minutes slow walking (not on treadmill)
b) Maintaining pH (alkali)
c) Reduce salt
d)
Enough
potassium (fruit), and calcium (milk)
e)
No
drugs
B) RESPIRATORY
SYSTEM:-
a) Diet- Salt, calcium, water and vitamins. No milk
in the evening
b) Exercise- Blowing balloons, running, walking, stair
climbing
c) No steroids
d) Encourage coughing (again calcium)
C) GASTROINTESTINAL
TRACT:-
a) Fasting
b) Electrolytes
c) Abdominal exercise (to
increase blood supply)
d) Lot of fiber (roughage)
e) Peptic ulcer- Neutralize
acids as follows:
Ø Chew well and slowly
Ø Alkalinize
Ø Give gaps between meals
Ø Eat small amounts
D) UROGENITAL
SYSTEM:-
a) Lot of water- to cause
diuresis
b) Calcium- for increased
tone of ureters to pass renal stones
c) Jumping up and down- in
case of kidney stones (to move the stone down)
d) Alkali (dudhi)
e) Orgasm- for lower urinary
tract, ex. bladder (should be substantially strong to make the bladder contract)
E) CENTRAL
NERVOUS SYSTEM:-
a) No blood pressure lowering
agents
b) Neuromuscular coordination
enhancing exercises
c) B1, B6, B12 injections
d) No intoxicants
e) Sleep
f) Alkali (dudhi)
g) Asanas for improving blood
supply to the brain
F) GYNAECOLOGY:-
a) Iron- bleeding disorders
cause anaemia and vice versa
b) Specific exercises- squeezing
anal sphincter, orgasm, etc.
c) Good build up of circulation
to prevent HT
d) General principles
G) STRAIN,
SPRAIN, TEAR, FRACTURE
a) Rest the part
b) Encourage early and passive
mobility
c) Alkali (dudhi) for healing
d) Rest only the affected
part and not the whole body
e) Do not massage
f) Take calcium (to reduce
spasm), sodium (Na- to reduce pain if it exists), glucose
g) Mobility
h) Local exercise (joint)
H) INFECTIONS-
LIKE FEVER
a) Water and electrolytes
b) May require fasting (for
GI rest)
c) Good food
d) Fresh air
e) Sleep/rest
f) For low grade fever- short
stroll, return and check vitals
Provide outlet- coughing, shitting, discharge
