Nadi Pariksha

Nadi Pariksha or pulse diagnosis is an ancient and Ayurvedic form of treatment in which physiological, psychological as well as spiritual methods of healing are applied. MetroMela spoke with Mahesh Krishnamurthy, a qualified practitioner of Nadi Pariksha at Nadi Chikitsa, Bangalore, to know more about it. Here is what he shared with us –

About
Nadi in traditional medical lingo means channels. These channels exist within the body in the form of blood vessels, nerves, lymphatic channels, nodes etc., through which energy passes. Pariksha means to examine. Hence, Nadi Pariksha means examining the pulse.

According to all systems of medical science, the artery is the main channel that supplies blood to all parts of the body. According to Ayurveda and Siddha systems of medicine, the artery carries more than just blood. Blood which flows through each and every cell in the body carries information, nutrients and life-source to the cells, tissues and organs. Any change is also communicated so that the necessary adaptation can be made by the various systems in the body which control the body from within.

Process
Meditation is the key to a successful diagnosis using Nadi Pariksha. As a traditional medical practitioner, one has to meditate regularly so that the universal energies flow through the being freely without the interference of ego.

The process of Nadi Pariksha involves placing the index, middle and ring fingers on the patient’s forearm, a little below the wrist, on the radial artery. There are various levels of pressure that have to be applied to read the pulse of the various aspects of the being. The organs, the tridoshas (basic principals which govern the body) and their manifestations, health of tissues, mind, beliefs and patterns stored in the sub-conscious, temperament, sleep pattern, dreams and the energy in the energy centres can all be measured by meditating on the pulse. As the pulse beats, the practitioner reads the different kinds of pulses and comes to a conclusion as to why the patient is experiencing the current state.

Healing
The focus of Nadi Pariksha is always on the cause of disease rather than the symptom. This allows the patient to stay in a state of calm while receiving the treatment and focuses on the Vaidya and the treatment rather than the illness. After diagnosis, a treatment chart is prepared and the patient is given a combination of appropriate diet, herbal remedies, yoga, psychological, spiritual and past life remedies where needed. Psychological remedies include practices like Antar Mouna (inner silence) in which patients pour out stored emotions in the sub-conscious and counseling.

Spiritual remedies include sessions such as Deva Session where we connect with manifestations of the soul that guides us in our day to day activities, Timeline Healing where experiences and emotions from the past are cleansed and Self Regression therapy to effect learning by calling in dreams in sleep. Forgiving ourselves and our perceptions is a very important activity in our cleansing process and expressing gratitude in which patients are taught how to stop complaining and start counting blessings also helps.

Requirements
For Nadi Pariksha, the patient has to remain on an empty stomach with permission only to drink plain water at room temperature. Typically, Nadi Pariksha is done in the early morning so that the patient can stay without eating, reading, exercising, meditating or bathing. Anyone above the age of three can undergo Nadi Pariksha.

Ayurvedic Remedies for Erectile Dysfunction

Ayurveda defines Erectile dysfunction or ED as follows.


Sankalpapravano nityam priyaam vashyaamapi sthreeyam
na yaathi lingashaithilyaath kadaachidyaathi vaa yadi
Shwaasaarthaha swinnagaatrshcha moghasankalpacheshtitaha
mlaanashishnashcha nirbeejaha syodetat klaibyalaxanam

This means even though a man has a strong desire to perform sexual act with a cooperative partner, he cannot perform sexual act because of looseness (absence of erection) of his phallus (penis). Even if he performs sexual act with his determined efforts he does not get erection and gets afflicted with tiredness, perspiration and frustration to perform sex.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) thus is the inability of a man to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for his sexual needs or the needs of his partner. Erectile dysfunction may sometimes be even termed as "impotence". The term "erectile dysfunction" can mean the inability to achieve erection, an inconsistent ability to do so, or the ability to achieve only brief erections.

Physiology of Erection

The two chambers of penis (corpora cavernosa,) which run throught the organ are filled with spongy tissue. The corpora cavernosa are surrounded by a membrane, called the tunica albuginea. The spongy tissue contains smooth muscles, fibrous tissues, spaces, veins, and arteries. The urethra, which is the channel for urine and semen runs along underside of the corpora cavernosa ...

Due to sensory or mental stimulation, or both, the erection begins. Due to impulses from brain and local nerves the muscles of corpora cavernosa relax and allow blood to flow in and fill the spaces of spongy tissue.

The flow of blood creates pressure in the corpora cavernosa, making the penis expand. The tunica albuginea helps trap the blood in the chambers, thereby sustaining erection. When muscles in the penis contract to stop the inflow of blood and open outflow channels, erection recedes.

In ayurveda physiology of erection and ejaculation is described as follows

Vrishunow basthimedram cha naabhyuuru vankshnow gudam
Apaanasthaanamantrasthaha shukra mootra shakrunti cha

The 'apaanavayu' one of the five types of vayu is located in the testicles, urinary bladder, phallus, umbilicus, thighs, groin, anus and colon. Its functions are ejaculation of semen, voiding of urine and stools.

Shushruta explains the process of erection and ejaculation as - When a man has desire (iccha) to have sex, his response to touch increases. (Vayu located in skin causes flow of signals from skin to brain, thus causing sensation of touch). This causes arousal or 'harsha' . Arousal or Harsha intensifies actions of vayu and at this moment highly active vayu liberates the 'teja' or heat of pitta. Thus tejas and vayu increase body temperature, heart beat and blood flow causing erection.

Causes of ED

Erection requires a sequence of events. Erectile dysfunction can occur when any of the events is disturbed. Nerve impulses in the brain, spinal column, around the penis and response in muscles, fibrous tissues, veins, and arteries in and around the corpora cavernosa constitute this sequence of events. Injury to any of these parts which are part of this sequence (nerves, arteries, smooth muscles, fibrous tissue) can cause ED.

Lowered Level of Testosterone Hormone: The primary male hormone is testosterone. After age 40, a man's testosterone level gradually declines. About 5% of men that doctors see for erectile dysfunction have low testosterone levels. In many of these cases, low testosterone causes lower sexual interest, not erectile dysfunction.

The whole male body responds to testosterone.

Even sushruta has illustrated about this response of body to the element 'Shukra' . He has said

"yatha payasi sarpistu goodashchekshow raso yatha shareereshu tatha shukram nrinaam vidyaadhbishagwara"

This means " The shukra (the element which helps in reproduction) is present all over the body.

This can be explained with the following examples.

1.The ghee is present in milk in an invisible form. This is extracted from milk using many processes.
2.The sugar is present all over the sugarcane. It is extracted by subjecting the sugarcane to number of processes.
Same way shukra is present all over the body. But the cream of shukra (semen) comes out of the body only during the process of ejaculation. But this process of ejaculation needs a joyful union of mind and body.

Decrease in production of 'Shukra' causes erectile dysfunction.

Over Exertion - physically and mentally : Working for long hours in office, mental stress at office and home, short temperedness ,insufficient sleep cause erectile dysfunction.

These causes are explained in Ayurveda as "shoka, chintaa, bhaya, traasaat .... " which means that erectile dysfunction or Impotence occurs due to grief, fear, anxiety and terror.

Strained relationship with sexual partner: Erectile dysfunction also occurs when there is a disliking towards sexual partner.

Ayurveda describes this as "naarinaamarasamjnatwaat..." means disliking for women.

Diseases that Cause Erectile Dysfunction

Neurological disorders, hypothyroidism, Parkinson's disease, anemia, depression, arthritis, endocrine disorders, diabetes, diseases related to cardiovascular system also become reasons for erectile dysfunction..

According to ayurveda the diseases which cause erectile dysfunction are "Hritpaandurogatamakakaamalashrama..." - Heart diseases , anemia , asthma , liver disorders , tiredness .Apart from these the imbalance in tridoshas also cause impotence or erectile dysfunction.

Consumption of medicines, drugs and tobacco: Using anti-depressants, tranquilizers and antihypertensive medicines for a long time, addiction to tobacco especially smoking, excessive consumption of alcohol, addiction to cocaine, heroin and marijuana cause erectile dysfunction.

In Ayurveda texts these causes have been said in brief as "rukshamannapaanam tathoushadham" - "dry food, drinks and medicines" cause impotence or erectile dysfunction.

Trauma to pelvic region: accidental injury to pelvic region and surgeries for the conditions of prostate, bladder, colon, or rectal area may lead to erectile dysfunction.

These causes are mentioned as abhighata (trauma), shastradantanakhakshataha (injury from weapons, teeth and nail.) in Ayurveda.

Other reasons

Obesity, prolonged bicycle riding, past history of sexual abuse and old age also cause Erectile dysfunction.

Ayurveda describes the cause of impotence or erectile dysfunction due to old age as follows. " diminution of - tissue elements, strength, energy, span of life, inability to take nourishing food, physical and mental fatigue lead to impotence"

Remedies for ED

ED is treatable at any age. The total treatment in for impotence is called as Vajikarana therapy in Ayurveda. As this therapy increases the strength of a man to perform sexual act, like a horse, it is called 'Vaajikarana'. (' Vaaji' = Horse.)

Vaajikarana therapy leads to

Happiness.
Good strength.
Potency to produce offspring.
Increased span of erection.

Eligibility for Vajikarana therapy:

1.The vajikarana therapy should be administered to persons who are between 18 to 70 years of age.
2.These therapies should be administered only to a self controlled person. If this therapy is administered to a person who does not have self control, he becomes nuisance to society through his illegitimate sex acts.
Psychotherapy

Decreasing anxiety associated with intercourse, with psychologically based treatment helps to cure ED. The patient's partner can help with the techniques, which include gradual development of intimacy and stimulation. Such techniques also can help relieve anxiety when ED from physical causes is being treated.

Same treatment is illustrated in Ayurveda. It has been said 'A woman who understands a man and is liked by him, along with erotic environment act as best aphrodisiac.'

Drug Therapy

Numerous herbal preparations are mentioned in Ayurveda to treat ED or impotence. It has been said that people who have strong sexual urge, who want to enjoy sex regularly have to consume these preparations regularly to replenish the energy, vigor, stamina and strength. These preparations also supply the nutrients which are necessary for production of semen.

Ayurveda tips to overcome ED

Erectile dysfunction which is a very common complaint can be generally rectified by following few simple steps. Here goes the list of simple but effective tips to rectify erectile dysfunction.

•Avoid consumption of alcohol. If you are addicted to alcohol restrict the intake. Alcohol acts on central nervous system and causes erectile dysfunction.
•Keep away from smoking. Men who smoke suffer from erectile dysfunction than men who do not. It is evident from researches. Smoking causes formation of plaques in arteries (atherosclerosis) which obstruct the blood flow.
•Avoid working for long hours. Take a break from regular routine at week ends and spend time with your partner.
•Practice Yoga and meditation regularly to keep away anxiety, depression and stress. Meditation and Yoga are best stress busters.
•Do not have the fear of not getting hard erections or do not doubt your ability to satisfy your partner. It will lead to psychological ED.
•Happy and comfortable atmosphere at home is very essential to stimulate sexual desire and keep sexually healthy.
•Exercise regularly and daily. Brisk walk for 45 minutes is the best exercise which keeps the cardiovascular system healthy. Researches have shown that the incidences of erectile dysfunction are less in men who regularly exercise.
•Weight reduction helps to increase testosterone level and increases sexual energy and stamina. Weight reduction helps to keep hypertension and diabetes in control. Diabetes causes erectile dysfunction and anti hypertensive medications may cause erectile dysfunction.
•Marijuana, heroin, cocaine etc cause erectile dysfunction. Withdrawing from addiction to the above mentioned substances really helps in increasing erections and sexual stamina.
•Reduce the frequency of masturbation. Masturbating twice in a week is ideal. .
•Massage whole body with herbal oil at least once in a week. This increases sexual energy and stamina. Body massage (abhyanga) is mentioned as the best aphrodisiac in Ayurveda.
•Sleep at least for 8 hours a day. Body gets energized with good sleep.
•Do not control natural urges. Empty your bladder before going to bed with your partner.
•Take all steps to prevent indigestion and constipation. Indigestion and constipation vitiate doshas and cause diseases. Hard erections will not occur when body is not healthy.
•Avoid hot, spicy and bitter foods which imbalance vata . According to Ayurveda imbalanced vata causes erectile dysfunction.
•Give a gap of four days between two consecutive intercourses.
•Regularly consume Vajikarana Preparations. Vajikarana preparations always keep men sexually healthy.
Give a gap of four days between two consecutive intercourses