Thursday, April 23, 2009

Ayurvedic Help For Restless Leg Syndrome

Ayurvedic Help for Restless Leg Syndrome


Restless leg syndrome is a neurological condition that causes an uncontrollable desire to move the legs while attempting to sit, rest or fall asleep. According to ayurvedacollege.com, living an Ayurvedic lifestyle will balance the nervous system of the body, allowing the restless leg syndrome to diminish and your body to heal. Ayurveda was first derived in India more than 5,000 years ago as their traditional system of medicine, and it has now become a popular type of alternative medicine around the world.


Herbs


According to ayurvedacollege.com, herbs can calm different aspects of the body and the body's energy, which could prevent the symptoms of restless leg syndrome. Examples of herbs that help restless leg syndrome include nervine sedatives, which include skull cap and jatamamsi; nervine tonics, which include ashwaganda and shankhapushpi; rasayanas, which include ashwaganda and amalaki; and cool dipanas, which include fennel, dill and aloe vera. Some of these herbs, such as dill juice and aloe vera, can be bought in health food stores. The more rare herbs can be bought online in pill form.


Diet


Restless leg syndrome is caused by a Vata problem, which is a downward flow of energy in the body, according to mapi.com. The legs become active at inopportune times when all of the body's energy flows into the legs. To relieve this Vata problem, ayurbalance.com suggests eating a balanced Vata diet. This includes avoiding dry foods like crackers and cold cereal, adding butter or olive oil in moderate amounts to sautéed vegetables or pastas, eating lots of warm, cooked foods and including a variety of spices, vegetables and nuts.


Yoga Poses


Ayurvedacollege.com recommends yoga poses that cause a balanced flow of energy throughout your body, to relieve an overload of energy in your legs. These include poses that work the thigh muscles, and those that flex and extend the solar plexus and pelvis. Try holding a squat position, with your arms straight up in the air. Then, slowly bend forward and touch your toes. Laying face down on the ground, lift your upper body off the ground and hold. Sitting on the ground with your legs out in front of you, bend one leg over the other leg and twist your body toward the bended leg. All of these poses will release stress and balance energy.


Lifestyle Changes








Along with the herbs, diet and exercise that ayurveda recommends, simple lifestyle changes should be made to assist ayurveda in working to relax your muscles and to help you fall asleep at night. Simple ways to do this include avoiding caffeine and alcohol, especially in the evening; establishing a daily routine by eating and going to sleep at the same time every day to train your body; going to bed earlier each night so that even if it takes awhile to fall asleep, you still obtain an adequate amount of sleep; and practicing deep-breathing and meditation for 30 minutes per day.

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