Dr. Jay Apte, one of the most experienced Ayurvedic doctors in the US with more than 35 years of experience, offers “Personalized” Ayurvedic treatments based on each individual’s body constitution or Prakriti as opposed to a “one size fits all” approach. If you have tried conventional as well as other alternative treatments and are still suffering the effects of MS, or if you are tired of chemicals based medicines, which can have significant side effects, then may be it is time to consider Ayurveda’s holistic approach. You will be in good hands of Dr. Jay and will receive the most authentic and safe Ayurvedic treatment.

Ayurveda is an energy science, based on three doshas (or energies) within each person – Vata dosha, Pitta dosha and Kapha dosha – which control all the functions in the body. These doshas are present in every cell within the body. In a healthy person, these doshas are in a balanced condition (each person’s balanced condition is different).

• Vata dosha (analogous to wind energy) controls coordination of movements, actions and nerve impulses in the body.
• Pitta (fire) controls all the enzymatic and chemical reactions,
• Kapha (air) is in charge of tissue building, nourishment, protection and lubrication of all the tissues in the body.

An imbalance of Vata dosha is the cause of MS in Ayurveda.

Vata imbalance can happen anywhere in the body causing different symptoms depending on the location of the imbalance. In case of MS patients, imbalanced Vata causes excessive dryness in the body which results in degenration of the tissues including Myelin Sheaths. Vata imbalance also affects coordination of movement as well as conduction of impulses through the nerve fibers. Vata can go out of balance due to various reasons, such as:

• Eratic/irregular eating habits and life style routine
• Eating very dry, cold and light foods or stale foods
• Excessive travel
• Recreational drug use
• Sudden emotional shock
• Accidents damaging a nervous system
• and many more

If imbalanced Vata is the cause of MS, then bringing Vata into balance is the Ayurvedic treatment for MS.

Ayurvedic Treatment for MS

Personalized Ayurvedic treatment consists of:

1. Panchakarma therapy– detoxification, cleansing and rejuvenation
2. Diet modifications
3. Life style modifications
4. Natural herbs to balance Vata

1. Panchakarma (PK) is a Cleansing, Detox and Rejuvenation therapy that stimulates the regrowth of healthy tissues (including Myelin Sheath). Panchakarma literally means five (Pancha) processes or ways (Karma) of purifying the body. Panchakarma treatment for each individual is “personalized” according to his or her body type and can change from one person to the other. It is not a “One Size Fits All” approach. This personalization of the treatment can produce amazing results in a short period of time.

Panchakarma for MS involves three steps:

1. The first step is oil and steam therapy to loosen aggravated doshas and toxins from various sites (in the body).
2. Second step is to remove toxins from the body.
3. Third step is to build the healthy tissue by following an Ayurvedic diet and lifestyle modifications and using tissue building natural herbs (this is known as rasayana chikitsa).

First step is repeated for 6 days (in a row). This step is very important as it dislodges the toxins from various sites.

Second step is the key step of Panchakarma which literally flushes those toxins from the body and actually cleanses and detoxifies it. During this step, Basti – one of five processes in Panchakarma, is extensively used. Bastis are types of enemas – oil enemas or herbal cleansing enemas. Bastis are mainly done to re-balance imbalanced Vata dosha – the main cause of MS. Nourishing and cleansing bastis are given for number of days (the number depends on the chronicity and severity of the disease). Basti is a very effective procedure in Ms Conditions.

Third step is followed for an extended period of time to rebuild healthy tissue. During this step, Ayurvedic herbs such as Bala, Ashvagandha, Shatavari, Guduchi, Licorice are used. Myelin sheath being one of the tissues, it is rebuilt by Panchakarma procedures (time required to rebuild tissues varies from person to person and severity of imbalanced dosha). Once Myelin sheath has been restored, it starts protecting nerve fibers and optimizing the function of nerve conduction. With the repair of Myelin sheath, MS symptoms disappear and patients can start living normal, healthy life.

It is important to understand that tissue rebuilding is a slow process and it takes time. Therefore, Panchakarma therapy may have to be repeated several times depending on the severity of Vata imbalance and the myelin sheath damage. While Panchakarma treatment is NOT a magical cure for MS, it can certainly help in mitigating the adverse impacts of MS symptoms.

2. Vata balancing diet and eating habits

Vata balancing diet – Since most of the diseases occur due to wrong diet or life style, Ayurveda emphasizes on balancing diet and life style. Properties of Vata dosha (like wind) are cold, dry and light. Foods with opposite qualities help to balance Vata. So eating warm, moist and heavy foods such as oatmeal or cream of wheat, grits for breakfast, a bowl of soup or stew, pasta with gravy, curried meat or vegetables, rice etc for lunch and dinner are examples of Vata balancing foods. Handful of nuts, sweet fruits are good examples for a healthy snacks.

Vata balancing eating habits

• Set a routine and fixed time for meals
• Eat at the table not on the run or while watching TV or working on a computer
• Eat mindfully
• Eat fresh foods
• Take some time to prepare your own food
• Eat with the happy state of mind (have a smile)

3. Vata balancing daily routine changes

• Set a routine and follow it rigorously
• Do not be always on the run
• Have few moments to relax
• Do things mindfully
• Do not rush into things
• Massage the whole body with warm sesame oil 2-3 times a day
• Keep body warm in cold environment

4. Natural Herbs to balance Vata –

• Triphala – is the key Ayurvedic formula to keep Vata into balance, have regular bowel movement and to calm the nervous system
• Jatamansi & Licorice also help calm the nervous system and balance Vata
• Ashvagandha, Shatavari, Bala help to protect healthy tissues (such as myelin sheath) from the damage

As you can see, Ayurveda’s approach to treating Multiple Sclerosis is considerably different than that of conventional medicine. If you are now ready to try this approach which may transform your life, or have more questions, please feel free to call us at any time. We are here to help you regain your life.

Please call 650-584-3123 for appointment