Restore, and rebuild nerves with Ayurveda

Right from mundane activities like breathing, thinking, and feeling emotions we are guided by wire-like structures, called nerves in our body, says Dr. V. C. Ajith Kumar, Director and Principal Consultant of Ayush Ayurveda, Singapore, Little India Branch. He explains that the nerves help us to execute complex tasks like reading, walking, eating, etc. The entire network of nerves which forms the nervous system in the body plays an important role in brain growth and development, says the Ayurvedic doctor.

With our fast-paced lifestyle, our life has turned dizzy. There is not much difference between holidays and work, says Dr. Ajith Kumar. “We spend a lot of time on laptops and mobiles in both places. Too much sitting or too much standing or walking has become the order of the day. Eating and sleeping at the right time are all bygones. These habits have taken a beating on the nervous system and we have to rejuvenate it time and again to bring it normalcy, says Ajith Kumar, doctor of Ayurveda.

Symptoms of affected nervous system

Everyday stress and unpredictable lifestyles exhaust us and weaken the nervous system. This also affects our immunity, highlights the Ayurvedic doctor.  Throwing more light on the subject, Dr. Ajith Kumar says that when the nervous system is weakened it leads to serious health problems. “Not just one or two, right from a simple headache to stroke to depression, a person can experience any problem like low back pain and motor neuron disease,” says the doctor.

Adding more information about some of the symptoms the doctor of Ayurveda says that all the disorders are due to a build-up of toxins (improper diet and environmental factors) in the body. At Ayush Singapore, we first look for the imbalance of the doshas of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha in the body. The functioning of the nervous system is affected by the imbalance in the vata dosha, which represents movement, says Dr. Ajith Kumar. “The wellness approach at Ayush, Singapore is to reinstate the balance of vata dosha and restore good health,” he adds.

Treatment with herbs

Ayurveda, the holistic science, tries to rejuvenate overall health, and its tonics work on the tissues to induce wellness in the nervous system and boost immunity, explains Dr. Ajith Kumar. The best tonic to maintain nerve health is Saraswatharishtam. The doctor of Ayurveda lists out the ingredients of this nerve tonic which helps restore the nerves in various parts of the body:

• Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri): Improves memory and concentration. Anxiety and depression symptoms are also addressed.
• Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus): Called the queen of herbs, it is a very nutritious and powerful tonic to manage depression.
• Haritaki (Terminalia chebula): Maintains Vata, Pitta, and Kapha
• Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera): Manages stress and anxiety
• Vacha (Acorus calamus): Balances Vata and Kapha doshas and reduces toxins in the body
• Madhu: Helps balance kapha and pitta doshas and strengthens the tonic’s properties.
• Dhataki (Woodfordia fruticosa): Maintains the immune system

Benefits of Ayurvedic tonic

The tonic of Saraswatharishtam is prepared in the traditional way by fermentation as this strengthens the potency of the tonic, notifies Dr. V. C. Ajith Kumar, physician Ayush Singapore. “Fermentation is also said to increase the shelf life of the tonic. The tonic is free of gluten, egg, soy, chemicals, or parabens,” assures the doctor.

Usage of Saraswatharishtam helps to maintain a healthy nervous system and deal better with stress, anxiety, and depression details Dr. V. C. Ajith Kumar. As it maintains a good sleep cycle, this restorative tonic acts as an immune modulator. At Ayush Singapore, this rejuvenating tonic is used to improve speech as it clears the body of toxins and restores dosha balance, says the doctor of Ayurveda.   

Dr. Ajith Kumar assures that Saraswatharishtam has no side effects and can be safely used externally. It gives us a plethora of benefits.  If the tonic is taken internally it might cause some discomfort. It is also said to cause some gastrointestinal issues if the dosage is not taken as per the advice of an Ayurvedic doctor. Ayurveda also does not recommend this tonic for pregnant and lactating women, informs the Ayurvedic doctor.   

Other herbal formulations

We also use another ayurvedic medicine for treating this condition. It is Dhanwanthararishtam, which helps in nerve regeneration. Made from fermented herbs it strengthens muscles and nerves, says Dr. Ajih Kumar.

To optimize the flow of impulses and keep the functions of the nervous system sharp, a herb called Calamus or Vacha is used, informs the doctor. But he emphasizes that we cannot use any medicine for it depends on the dosha of an individual.

“For a kapha dosha patient, Gotu Kola and Calamus, in equal amounts added to honey is recommended,” says Dr. Ajith Kumar. “Pitta dosha patients can do well with one-quarter of Calamus mixed with ghee. For Vata individuals, only Calamus is preferred. If needed it can be added to Gotu kola with warm water of ghee,” says the doctor.  

Recommended herbs, diet

Dr. V. C. Ajith Kumar opines that herbs like Calamus, Basil, Bayberry, Guggul, turmeric, bay leaves, and mint help to clear nerve passages. The herbs can be used with oils in aromatherapy. Herbs like Gotu Kola, Skullcap, Bhringaraj, Passionflower, Betony, and hops can be used to relieve inflammation, he informs. But above all these, Saraswatharishtam is the best nerve tonic in Ayurveda, affirms the doctor of Ayurveda.

To keep one’s nervous system healthy, it is also important to follow a good diet, recommends Dr. V. C. Ajith Kumar. Follow these diet recommendations and make it a everyday practice, instructs the doctor:

• Grains, healthy fats, fruits, and vegetables
• Manage diabetes well
• Limit your everyday alcohol intake
• Meditation or exercise is a must. At least 30 minutes a day should become a habit.
• 7-8 hours of sleep is a must to rejuvenate the body
• Body needs to be hydrated. Take plenty of water, juices, and other fluids.

“If you follow all the instructions properly you can be sure that all the nerves in the nervous system in the body will function well and help you with your daily life, assures Dr. V. C. Ajith Kumar, physician of Ayurveda, Ayush Singapore.