Changes

The holistic management of apasmara includes three stages as discussed below:  

The holistic management of apasmara includes three stages as discussed below:  

I. Purification therapies:

 

====== I. Purification therapies ======

 

Apasmara is to be treated with strong elimination therapies like panchakarma.  The strength here directs towards deeper level of penetrability of the therapies to remove the toxins from micro-channels.

Apasmara is to be treated with strong elimination therapies like panchakarma.  The strength here directs towards deeper level of penetrability of the therapies to remove the toxins from micro-channels.

Important pathological milestone is occlusion of consciousness. Therefore to remove obstruction at heart [site of consciousness], channels of heart-brain connection, and mind is the treatment objective. Vata dominant apasmara is to be treated with medicated enema, pitta dominant with purgation therapies and kapha dominant with therapeutic emesis.  

Important pathological milestone is occlusion of consciousness. Therefore to remove obstruction at heart [site of consciousness], channels of heart-brain connection, and mind is the treatment objective. Vata dominant apasmara is to be treated with medicated enema, pitta dominant with purgation therapies and kapha dominant with therapeutic emesis.  

Role of these purification treatments like vamana etc in normalizing functioning of heart [consciousness mechanism and emotional intelligence], heart-brain connection, and mental functions is important to be studied. This may prove a major breakthrough in prevention and management of psychiatric disorders. The changes in memory/awareness level, mind functioning, emotional quotient, improvement in forbearance power are biomarkers for the assessment.  

Role of these purification treatments like vamana etc in normalizing functioning of heart [consciousness mechanism and emotional intelligence], heart-brain connection, and mental functions is important to be studied. This may prove a major breakthrough in prevention and management of psychiatric disorders. The changes in memory/awareness level, mind functioning, emotional quotient, improvement in forbearance power are biomarkers for the assessment.  

II. Assurance and consolation therapies:

 

====== II. Assurance and consolation therapies ======

 

The episodes of apasmara occur on exposure of distressful events or psychological trauma due to negative emotions like worries, passion, fright, anger, grief, anxieties etc. This indicates poor emotional quotient.  Affliction of mental dosha like rajas and tamas also need to be corrected basically. Therefore it is important to improve the emotional intelligence through positive training and programming of mind and brain to cope with the adverse situation. If the mental immunity is good, then apasmara episode will not occur, even if, the bodily doshas are aggravated. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy [CBT], REBT [Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy] can be useful supportive treatments for management of apasmara to reduce frequency of episodes as well as effective management of disorder.   

The episodes of apasmara occur on exposure of distressful events or psychological trauma due to negative emotions like worries, passion, fright, anger, grief, anxieties etc. This indicates poor emotional quotient.  Affliction of mental dosha like rajas and tamas also need to be corrected basically. Therefore it is important to improve the emotional intelligence through positive training and programming of mind and brain to cope with the adverse situation. If the mental immunity is good, then apasmara episode will not occur, even if, the bodily doshas are aggravated. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy [CBT], REBT [Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy] can be useful supportive treatments for management of apasmara to reduce frequency of episodes as well as effective management of disorder.   

III. Pacification [shamana] therapy:

 

After purification and consolation therapies are done, various formulations useful in treatment of apasmara have been enlisted. If we see the general medicines prescribed by Caraka, all of the formulations are either ghee based or oil based formulations. Ghee is considered as best vehicle for management of vata-pitta dominant disorders. Oil is the best for vata-kapha dominant disorders. Ghee has been proved to be effective in treatment of many neurological disorders owing to its capacity of maintaining cellular integrity.  

====== III. Pacification [shamana] therapy ======

 

After purification and consolation therapies are done, various formulations useful in treatment of apasmara have been enlisted. If we see the general medicines prescribed by Charaka, all of the formulations are either ghee based or oil based formulations. Ghee is considered as best vehicle for management of vata-pitta dominant disorders. Oil is the best for vata-kapha dominant disorders. Ghee has been proved to be effective in treatment of many neurological disorders owing to its capacity of maintaining cellular integrity.  

 

The animal products like ghee, urine, bile are used in most of the formulations. Cow’s ghee and goat’s urine is widely used as processing media for formulations. The route of administration is nasya [nasal drug delivery], anjana [for intra ocular drug delivery through conjunctivae], and dhupana [fumigation]. The properties of drugs used are mainly pungent to ensure higher penetrability in lower dosages. The possibility of crossing blood brain barrier with these routes might be higher for the herbs used in apasmara treatment.  

The animal products like ghee, urine, bile are used in most of the formulations. Cow’s ghee and goat’s urine is widely used as processing media for formulations. The route of administration is nasya [nasal drug delivery], anjana [for intra ocular drug delivery through conjunctivae], and dhupana [fumigation]. The properties of drugs used are mainly pungent to ensure higher penetrability in lower dosages. The possibility of crossing blood brain barrier with these routes might be higher for the herbs used in apasmara treatment.  

The formulations used in treatment are enlisted below:

The formulations used in treatment are enlisted below:

Panchagavya ghritam  

Panchagavya ghritam