{"id":9503,"date":"2020-07-15T00:30:38","date_gmt":"2020-07-15T00:30:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/withoutlifterp.wpenginepowered.com\/courses\/?p=9503"},"modified":"2024-02-16T15:47:07","modified_gmt":"2024-02-16T15:47:07","slug":"vedic-formulation-study-ayurveda","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wellness.keralaayurveda.us\/courses\/blog\/vedic-formulation-study-ayurveda\/","title":{"rendered":"Vedic formulation study: 25% of an Ayurvedic practitioner’s skill set"},"content":{"rendered":"

Jivaka was Buddha\u2019s personal Ayurvedic physician or Vaidya<\/em>. He was a disciple of the great Sage Atreya. Legend goes that Atreya sent his students to the forest to look for a plant that does not have any medicinal value.<\/p>\n

Jivaka took a while and came back disappointed and empty handed. To Sage Atreya\u2019s delight, Jivaka asserted that he couldn\u2019t find any such plant! This was a revelation of earth’s healing capacity. Jivaka’s learning was now complete and he went on to be a model healer.<\/p>\n

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A quarter of Ayurvedic practice lies in effectively using herbal formulations<\/h3>\n

Indeed, Ayurveda believes that everything in nature has healing properties. Then what is the Ayurvedic remedy for back pain? For anxiety? For hyperacidity? If you are an Ayurvedic professional, you know that these are just symptoms and you need to delve into underlying causes before selecting and combining herbs and formulations for creating an individualized protocol; an expertise that is of paramount importance in your practice. In the modern world we often seek symptomatic relief, and while alleviating symptoms is one of your goals, your real quest is to address the root cause and entire pathology of diseases.<\/p>\n

Ayurvedic heritage comprises a rich Vedic tradition of herbal formulations. Why do you need to study them? According to the root text, Ashtanga Hridayam<\/em>, 25% of the efficacy of clinical success in a treatment plan depends upon the choice of herbs and formulations. Ayurveda is a vast ocean of knowledge. Ayurvedic training in Vedic formulations would help you cut through that complexity and make you confident in your practice and ability to heal.<\/p>\n

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What are Vedic formulations?<\/h3>\n

Ayurvedic formulations could be herbs or herb blends, classical formulations from root texts or modern proprietary formulations which are patented by a company. Vedic formulations are made exactly as per recipes given in ancient Ayurvedic texts. They are referenced in different clinical contexts and are comprehensive and robust.<\/p>\n

There are myriad herbs and formulations enumerated in ancient texts like Ashtanga Hridayam<\/em>, Bhaishajyaratnavali<\/em> (translated as \u2018an array of gemstones of Ayurvedic formulations\u2019), Sahasrayogam<\/em> (literally meaning \u2018a thousand formulations\u2019) and Bhava Prakasha<\/em>. There are also various formats available including herbal ghee or Ghritam<\/em>, fermented Arishtam<\/em>, decoctions or Kwatham<\/em>, tablets or Gulika<\/em>, oils or Thailam<\/em>, powders or Churna<\/em> and Jam consistency preparations or Lehyam<\/em>.<\/p>\n

The formulations are documented in a beautiful poetic format in Sanskrit. In all Vedic formulations, the first few lines are the ingredients, followed by the process of manufacture and finally, indications of use. It is important to note that the whole is different from the sum of parts; you can\u2019t assess a formulation or assume efficacy by looking at individual ingredients. There is synergy, correcting and enhancing, augmenting and balancing involved. For instance, Indukantham Gritham<\/strong> does not aggravate Pitta<\/em> though it contains Panchakola. There could also be one name for many herbs and one has to examine the context carefully in ancient texts.<\/p>\n

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How does Ayurvedic training in formulations help?<\/h3>\n

With appropriate recommendations of Ayurvedic herbs and formulations you can have impressive results in various health conditions. But how can you learn about the most commonly used and effective ones documented in classical texts? How can you get skilled in selecting and recommending them? What is their clinical application? How can you choose formulations for different ailments at different stages when one size doesn\u2019t fit all in Ayurveda? Every assessment is unique and requires addressing specific indications, the form and dosage, context for administering, specific indication, and the right adjuvant. There is also the question of what precautions you should take in recommending them, what are the do\u2019s and don\u2019ts, and how you can counter any complications.<\/p>\n

Since there are so many formulations and you can’t learn about every possible unique case to anticipate them, expert clinical guidance throughout your journey can make all the difference in honing your skill set. In addition to book study, clinical case studies and mentoring are valuable methods of learning.<\/p>\n

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Selecting a formulation<\/h4>\n

For formulation selection, you need to tap into how you create a protocol in the first place. Let us say a client comes to you with constipation and you refer to a list which says Abhyarishtam and Gandharvahasthadi Kwatham are good formulations; that is a very small part of the picture and could get you into trouble without a comprehensive assessment. You assess clients based on the Trividha<\/em> Pareeksha<\/em>; three tools of questioning (Prashana<\/em>), observing (Darshana<\/em>) and touch (Sparshana<\/em>) with methods like pulse assessment). There are also the eight and ten step assessments in understanding imbalances. You then go onto creating a protocol.<\/p>\n

The most important factor for selecting a formulation is its relevance in the current stage of pathology of disease or Vyadhiavastha<\/em>. For instance if there is pain in the feet, while you trace the client’s history, you need to know the nature of the pain today; is it sharp, burning, does it involve numbness, what factors aggravate and ease it (and associated conditions and expressions)? You need to assess the client\u2019s current status of Agni<\/em> (metabolic and digestive fire) and Ama<\/em> (stagnation), Dosha<\/em> (energy principals) and Srotas<\/em> (channels or systems) impacted, stage of disease or Samprapti<\/em>, what signs and symptoms they present with and your objective is to prevent the chance of recurrence.<\/p>\n

Vedic texts have very clear guidelines about herbs and formulations that address every possible pathway of diseases or Samprapti to give sustainable outcomes. Samprapti is the journey of pathology from the initial reason to full blown expression of a disease due to depletion and degeneration or stagnation and accumulation. This determines the formulation and format you use; planning how you get rid of Ama, manage Agni, balance aggravated doshas, clear, repair and recoup channels, rejuvenate the mind-body system of the individual, enhance physical strength and immunity and help them prevent future diseases.<\/p>\n

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Scenario: Ayurvedic formulations for immunity<\/h4>\n

Immunity or Vyadhikshamatwam<\/em> according to Ayurveda is a very comprehensive and balanced expression of your health. The text Charaka<\/em> Samhita<\/em> defines it as the ability of the body to overcome any disease process and resist not merely pathogens but all diseases. It is your core balancing ability, your shield and strength (Bala<\/em>) which can be equated with Ojas<\/em> or the supreme glow of health of all your tissues. It is compromised in every disease process that Ayurvedic herbs and formulations work to reverse. While anyone accustomed to the Western over-the-counter approach to remedies might think they can simply follow an indication like “immunity” and find an array of appropriate products accomplishing the same thing, Ayurveda offers many formulations which support this indication but for different unique conditions, with varying additional indications. To this point, here are two examples of immune boosting formulations.<\/p>\n

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Indukantham Ghritham<\/h5>\n

Indukantham Ghritam is a Vedic formulation in Sahasrayogam<\/em> which is very popular in enhancing overall Ojas<\/em> or Immunity and reducing Vata aggravation. It is a Ghritam comprising 18 herbs; Dashamoola, Putika, Devadaru, Saindhava and Panchakola. Indukantham Ghritam can help in various disease pathologies. It enhances Agni<\/em>, burns Ama<\/em>, clears channels, balances Vata<\/em>, helps with digestion, assimilation and nourishment and prevents degeneration and immune loss.<\/p>\n

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Indications for use:<\/strong><\/h6>\n