Ask the Ved

Prof Dr G G Gangadharan is an Ayurvedacharya and director at the Ramaiah Indic Specialty Ayurveda Restoration Hospital. He addresses queries on how Ayurveda could help.

I am diagnosed as pre-diabetic. Can Ayurveda help me manage this condition? Please advise.

Yes, we can manage pre-diabetic conditions through Ayurveda with internal medication along with lifestyle and diet changes.

I am 61 years of age, retired from PSU. My BP and sugar levels are normal. Lately I am experiencing difficulty in my knees while climbing steps. Can you please suggest any remedy?

Please take an xray to rule out OsteoArthritis. A course of seven days treatment for knee joint strengthening along with pain relief is recommended.

I am 40, working as a software professional in Bengaluru. I have to put in long hours of work due to which I am experiencing severe pain in the lower back. Is there any way I can get relieved of this?

A sedentary office job can develop stiffness and tension in the lower back due physical inactivity, incorrect posture or a poorly designed workspace. It can be prevented by adjusting your workspace and developing healthy habits, like using the right chair, by maintaining good posture during all movement and activities, short breaks in between and low-heeled shoes that encourage proper posture at all times. Practicing good posture minimises the pressure on your spine, and strengthens the core muscles. Aggravated vata/vayu causes pain, and taila (oil) is said to be the best remedy for vitiated vayu. Various types of medicated oleation/ oil massages and hot fomentation therapies not only alleviate the morbid Vayu but also provide significant relief from pain and catches. It nourishes and strengthens the bones, joints and soft tissues of the back and also rejuvenates them.

I am 50 years old and susceptible to cold. Can this be overcome with Ayurvedic medicine?

Cold, a seasonal health issue, can be overcome by correcting one’s diet and lifestyle as per the ritucharya advised in Ayurveda. If you are often suffering from cold, then immunity enhancing medicines in the form of lehyas and kashayams are advised based on your body’s constitution. Try eating a hot, easily digestible healthy food, consume boiled and cooled water, and increase the amount of healthy spices in the food.

Is there any treatment in Ayurveda for the eye floaters? I am 69 years old.

Eye floaters are caused because of many reasons like, early cataract, vitreous haemorrhage, retinal diseases, high myopia, etc. Most of the time in older age, because of the natural aging process, floaters are a very common manifestation. Get a complete ocular examination to rule out serious conditions. Ayurveda advises unique ocular therapies which can strengthen, nourish and manage many diseases. Tarpana, putapaka, nasya, anjana followed by oral medicines like triphala, yashtimadhu, shatavari helps to control floaters.

Can you please suggest what to include in one’s diet to strengthen eyesight.

Ghee is beneficial for the eyes. Including ghee in your diet keeps your eyes strong. Pure honey along with ghee mixed with triphala is the best antioxidant. Amla, and shatavari play a very important role. Green gram, barley, and red rice help in maintaining the health of the eye. Drumsticks and leaves, snake gourd, yam, ashgourd, lady`s finger, green leafy vegetables, brinjal, spinach, papaya, apple, dry dates, raisins, and apricots should be consumed.