Procedure Of Preparing Ayurvedic Medicine

In ayurvedic medicine, medicines are derived from things which occur in nature. In some instances, a single element, such as a single herb, may provide the necessary medicinal benefit. This is termed a "single-drug therapy." Often, however, a mix of elements is required to treat a particular condition. The procedure for preparing some ayurvedic medicines can be done at home.

As Liquids to Drink

Rejuvenating drinks and tonics are prepared often in water, juice or milk. Honey is a common ingredient in rejuvenating drinks. Simple preparations include mixing a tablespoon of honey in water or milk. Other preparations may include mixing in other powders, such as triphala powder. The triphala powder is mixed in water then left to stand for half an hour before adding in the honey. A couple of simple brain tonic preparations involve crushing leaves for their juice, then drinking the juice. Two such tonics can be made using either the leaves of the Centella asiatica (or mandukaparni) or the leaves of Tinospora cordifolia (or guduchi). Liquids and how they are prepared are important in ayurvedic medicine. Heating, for example, changes the properties of water. Drinking boiled then cooled water is believed to aid in losing weight. As such, in preparing liquid medicines, it is sometimes important to heat the liquid and other times important to not.

As Applications to the Body

In treating aches, such as joint pain due to inflammation, a compress might be prepared by wrapping and boiling the ingredients in a cotton cloth. For instance nirgundi and karanja leaves, wrapped in cotton cloth, forming a ball, are boiled. When the ball is bearably hot, the compress ball is applied to the aching joint. The process is repeated after the leaves have cooled. After 30 minutes of applying the compress, the leaves are ground into a paste and then spread on the aching area and wrapped.

As a Bath

While much of ayurvedic medicine is prepared and taken internally, either as a drink or with foods, such as rice, for some conditions, medicinal baths may be prepared. For hemorrhoids, a sitz bath is recommended. To prepare the bath, grated radish is boiled in water then poured into the tub of water. The soaking bath should be taken while the water is bearably hot.

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