Sciatica (k
nown as Gridhrasi) is a common ailment that some people suffer as they reach their late thirties. The problem usually occurs from the lower back all the way down the leg. Sciatica can become a very painful condition, with pain shooting up and down all along the sciatica nerve, affecting the buttock, thigh, calf and foot area of one side of the body and in some rare cases, both sides. Various effective treatments for sciatica exist in the ancient medicinal tradition of ayurveda.
Ayurveda is fast becoming a buzzword in modern medicine for its use of completely naturally occurring substances for curative purposes. This usually has none or negligible side effects and provides a useful method of alternative therapy. Several ayurveda practitioners have cured sciatica purely based on the ancient ayurvedic texts.
While bed rest is one of the most highly recommended ways to ease the pain of sciatica, some other remedies are also suggested. According to some ayurveda scholars, applying a paste of tamarind that has been soaked in salt water, churned, filtered and boiled to form a paste-like consistency to the affected leg is a very effective cure for the ailment. Patients are also usually advised to consume carbohydrates, foods that are rich in fibre, vegetables, and fruits. They are instructed to keep away from sour foods like curd, beans and other pulses, potatoes and fried foods. Some prescribed herbs for external application are nutmeg, juniper, chamomile, vanda orchid, guggulu (gugal), and aloe vera.
Yoga is also a part of any ayurvedic treatment plan. While heavy exercises are not recommended for sciatica, light walking and swimming in luke warm water are recommended to ease the pain of sciatica.
All ayurvedic treatments must be carried out only under the care of a qualified professional and self medication should be avoided. This is because every patient is different and the treatment for every individual is crafter for the specific needs of that particular individual’s body. We suggest that you use this article as a learning tool, but before adopting any of these remedies, do consult your ayurvedic practitioner.
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