Apasmara, Epilepsy from on Ayurvedic Perspective
Called Apasmara in Sanskrit, the classical Ayurvedic texts described Epilepsy and its treatment program.
The Sanskrit Apasmara means: The disease where a person loses his memory.
The Madhava Nidanam describes the prodromal symptoms being palpitations, a feeling of emptiness of the mind, perspiration, worry, fainting, delusion and loss of sleep.
The Charaka Samhita goes into further detail about the condition in Chapter 8 of the Nidana Sthana.
Symptoms include and are not limited to tremors and convulsions, froth omitting from the mouth, rapid movements of the eyebrows and eyes.
Causes of Epilepsy
Specific types of Apasmara are listed are:
Depending on the main vitiation of the Doshas, the treatment program will vary.
Herbs traditionally used in the treatment
Recommended Treatment
Nidana Parivarjana / eliminating all possible factors should be the first line of treatment
Pathya/ Do’s ✅
Food: Wheat, black gram rice, green gram, (kushmanda) winter melon, milk and ghee.
Apathya / Don’ts
Food: Vata aggravating food, potatoes, chillies , stale food, incompatible food, day sleep, alcohol and suppression of natural urges.
Important! Each individual experiencing this condition needs to be fully assessed by an Ayurvedic practitioner before undergoing any treatment. You are welcome to message us with any questions you have or to speak with one of our practitioners.
#epilepsy #ayurveda #ayurvedictreatment #ayurvedaperth #ayurvedaaustralia #ayurvedictreatment #brahmi #shatavari #panchagavyaghritam #medicatedghee #ayurvedicpractitioner #nasya #virechana #vamana #basti #enema #worry #anxiety #fainting #tremors #convulsions #rajas #tamas #sattva #dosha #vata #pitta #kapha
The Sanskrit Apasmara means: The disease where a person loses his memory.
The Madhava Nidanam describes the prodromal symptoms being palpitations, a feeling of emptiness of the mind, perspiration, worry, fainting, delusion and loss of sleep.
The Charaka Samhita goes into further detail about the condition in Chapter 8 of the Nidana Sthana.
Symptoms include and are not limited to tremors and convulsions, froth omitting from the mouth, rapid movements of the eyebrows and eyes.
Causes of Epilepsy
- Too much Rajas and Tamas in the body and mind. This can be a result of unwholesome foods or lifestyle habits.
- Mental stress and anxiety.
- Aggravated Doshas impact the heart. Also due to unwholesome foods or lifestyle habits.
- Incompatible food
- There is also a genetic disposition for the condition, which can be assessed in a consultant with a practitioner.
Specific types of Apasmara are listed are:
- Vataja Apasmara
- Pittaja Apasmara
- Kaphaja Apasmara
- Sannipataja Apasmara (due to all three doshas)
Depending on the main vitiation of the Doshas, the treatment program will vary.
Herbs traditionally used in the treatment
- Brahmi: often used in a treatment plan for Epilepsy. Great for the mind. Brahmi Ghritam is the formulation of choice
- Panchagavya Ghritam: check out our previous post to learn more about this medicated ghee and its many benefits.
- Kalyanaka ghrita
- Kushmanda svarasa ghrita
- Shatavari churna
- Shankhapushpi
- Amalaki
- Garlic
- Licorice
- Vacha churna with honey (Bh. Ra.)
- Saraswataristham
Recommended Treatment
Nidana Parivarjana / eliminating all possible factors should be the first line of treatment
- Dhumapana: medicated smoke inhalation.
- Nasya
- Vamana/ emesis: when symptoms related to Kapha Dosha are prominent.
- Virechana/ purgation: when symptoms related to Pitta, including yellowing of the eyes, are indicated.
- Basti/ herbal enema: In the treatment where Vata Dosha is mainly responsible.
- Meditation and yoga practice
- Mantra - recitation of mantra is said to be beneficial in treatment.
Pathya/ Do’s ✅
Food: Wheat, black gram rice, green gram, (kushmanda) winter melon, milk and ghee.
Apathya / Don’ts
Food: Vata aggravating food, potatoes, chillies , stale food, incompatible food, day sleep, alcohol and suppression of natural urges.
Important! Each individual experiencing this condition needs to be fully assessed by an Ayurvedic practitioner before undergoing any treatment. You are welcome to message us with any questions you have or to speak with one of our practitioners.
#epilepsy #ayurveda #ayurvedictreatment #ayurvedaperth #ayurvedaaustralia #ayurvedictreatment #brahmi #shatavari #panchagavyaghritam #medicatedghee #ayurvedicpractitioner #nasya #virechana #vamana #basti #enema #worry #anxiety #fainting #tremors #convulsions #rajas #tamas #sattva #dosha #vata #pitta #kapha