Some Remedial Tips against Dental and Oral Diseases - II

May - Jun 2006

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 As we discussed earlier pyorrhea is among the most acute and dangerous ailments of teeth. It begins with accumulation of the layers or particles of substances chewed or gulped via mouth, some of which are deposited on the gums, some get stuck in between the teeth (especially the jaws) or at the root of the teeth near the gums. The chemicals released in the saliva during night also add to these. If not cleaned properly these would rotten inside and become host to a variety of bacteria and germs. Swelling, reddishness or pain of the gums is an alarming warning of this hazard. The layer of dirt spreads on the teeth, they appear yellowish. Mouth begins to stink. These are early symptoms of pyrrheatic ailment. Successively things go worse, the gums begin to bleed with a little pressure or jerk of the toothbrush. Unless one takes proper medicated care and treatments, at early stage there won’t be any hope; the gums would go septic with the pus inside them rotting the teeth roots too.   The pus further grows and spreads with the bleeding gums risking its entry into the stomach and thus inviting other diseases.     

After a certain stage there is no complete cure of pyorrhea except taking huge amounts of antibiotics and suffering the negative side effects along with uprooting of the denture. The Ayurvedic herbal therapies recommended in the scriptures and practiced, though at a limited scale, even today, provide effective cure of pyorrhea and several other dental and oral diseases. The remedies including – doing yagya with the herbal preparation consisting of the dry powder of following plant medicines in equal proportions:

Kachoor or kapurkachari (Zedoary), Sheetal Chini (Cubebs, Tailed pepper), Akarkara (Spanish Pollitory), Babool (Indian Gum Tree) bark-skin, Khadir or Khair (Black Catechu) bark-skin, Arimeda (Cassie Flower) bark-skin, Sirisha bark-skin (East lndian walnut), Neem (Margosa) bark-skin, Molashri (Surinam Medlar), Patang (Caesalpinia Sappan), Manjishtha, (Madder Root, India Madder), Kareel (Capparis aphylla Roth), root of Chameli (Common Jasmine), Ilayachi (Cardamom), Ratan Jota (Belly ache bush), Sugandhabala (Indian Valerian), Saarivan (Indian sarsaparilla), Agar (Aquilaria Agallocha), Daruhaldi (Indian Berberry), Padmakha (Mild Himalayan Cherry), Lavang (Cloves), Chandan (sandalwood), Tagar (Moonbeam), Jawasa (Persian Manna) Dalchini (Cinnamom bark), Dhaya Pushpa (wood fordia floribunda) Nagarmotha  (Nutgrass), Mulahathi (Liquoric Root), Khas (Cuscus grass), Jatamansi (Spikenard), Aakmula (Mudar root),  Lodhra (Symplocos bark), Pippali (Long Pepper), Rasaut (Extract of Indian Berberies), leafs of yellow Katsariyya (Spiny yellow-Barleria), Dhamasa (Fangonia arabica), Haldi (Turmeric), Ajamoda or Ajavain (Carraway, Ajova or Ani Seeds), Apamarg (Prickly-chaff Flower), Asan (Spinous kinotree), Kateri (Solanum indicum), Kayphala (Myrtalberry), Bada (Banyan) bark-skin, Majuphala (Gallnut), leafs of Menhadi (Henna), Supari (Beetal Nut), Kalimirch (Black Pepper), Javitri (Mace), Bayavidang (Barbreng),  Punarnava (Hogweed Horse Purslene), Bacha (Sweet flag), Sauntha (Dry Ginger), and Triphala [mix of equal proportions of Anwala (Emblic Myrobalan), Baheda (Beleric Myrobalans, Beddanut) and Harad (Chabulic Myrobalans)].   
      
Yagya-therapy is found to be quite suitable for a variety of contagious diseases and the diseases caused by bacterial, viral attack/infection including those of oral and dental system.  

A special havan samagri is prepared by grinding the above combination of dry herbs/plant medicines as rough powder. In case all the constituents are not available, one should use as many of these as possible. The homa (yagya) is performed by sacrificing in the yagya-fire this havan samagri mixed, in equal proportion, with the usual havan samagri of Gayatri Yagya.  The latter is generally useful for vigorous health. It consists of –– Somalata or Giloya (Tinospora, Guduchi), Brahmi (Hydrocotyle Aisatica), Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis Choisy), Nagkesar (Cobra's saffron, Ironwood of Assam), Mulhati, Red Chandan, Baheda, Sonth and Harad, Agar, Tagar, Jatamansi, Guggal (Indian Bedellium), Devdar (Himalayan Cedar) and Nagarmotha. Small quantities of odorous, sweet and healthy nutrients like saffron, musk, illaychi, jayphal, javitri, camphor, jaggery, sugar, dried grapes (resins), honey or chhuhara, clarified butter (ghee), milk, dry-fruits, dry coconut, and one or two of the cereals like wheat, rice, barley, til (Seasamum), kangu, green gram, yellow gram, black gram, red gram or peas etc are also used in yagya.

The wood used in yagya-fire is also of selected medicinal type; usually, Mango, Shami, (Sponge tree), Peepal (Poplar leaved Fig tree), Palash (Flame of the Forest) are recommended for this purpose.  Volatile healthy substances and phytomedicines are spread in the vapors, gases, colloidal output of yagya, oral and nasal inhalation and skin transport of which bring the desired effects in most natural way. The mantra (Vedic Hymn) prescribed for yagya-therapy of dental and oral diseases like pyorrhea is the “Surya Gayatri Mantra”. This should be chanted loudly and the herbal preparation should be sacrificed in the holy fire of yagya at the end of each chant.  
Doing yagya everyday may not be feasible for some people. Gargling with a decoction of the above listed special anti-pyorrheatic preparation of fifty-three herbs/plant medicines should be taken in that case. Gargling with the dental decoction brings fastest results and is recommended even if the patient is doing the special yagya everyday.  Preparation of the decoction: Soak 15gm of fine powder of the special herbal preparation in about 250gm of water in the night.  Boil it on mild flame in the morning. Continue boiling with proper stirring till the solution concentrates to one-fourth of its original amount. The decoction is now ready. Let it cool down to tepid temperature then filter it using a clean thin cloth. Minute quantities, about 4 ratti (ratti = approximate weight of eight grains of rice) each of very fine and filtered (through a clean thin cloth) powder of alms and catechu are also mixed in this decoction before using it for gargling. This much amount of decoction is sufficient for one patient for gargling in the morning and evening. The decoction should be retained in the mouth for few minutes during gargling. This way the concentrated essence of the herbal medicines extracted in the decoction would thoroughly reach in between the teeth, the teeth roots and gums and destroy the infections there. In acute stages of the disease, the patient is also advised to drink three-four teaspoons of this decoction (but without the alms) every day. 

In any case, as we all know and are taught since childhood, proper cleaning of the teeth, tongue and mouth every morning and after having meals is necessary. In fact this is the most effective preventive cure.  Ayurveda and Naturopathy emphasize on preventive measures for maintenance of good health. Teeth in general are among strong components of our body. They would accompany us till the last rites, if a little care were taken to keep them clean. It is a pity that many of us have chosen to neglect the mouth system that guards our health right at the entrance of our vital food-water intakes. Instead of going by the natural means of cleansing it and taking care of our eating habits, we are charmed by the advertisements of unhealthy foodstuffs, harmful drinks, artificial toothpastes, mouth cleansing solutions, mouth fresheners and what not.    

The chemically synthesized toothpastes available in the market, some of which are also suspected of making use of animal products, may not be free of negative side-effects. However, the use of d³tunas of Neem is generally good for every one as it is natural, made up of pieces of tiny thin sticks of the branches of Neem (Margosa) tree, which is among the best known antibacterial, antipyretic plants.  It eliminates the dirt and mucus in and around the teeth, gums and mouth, works as a disinfectant and removes stinking odors from the mouth. It is also important to use a d³tuna properly. The teeth should be brushed gently and the d³tuna should be pressed beneath the teeth so that its juice is extracted and spread around the teeth and gums and fills the mouth. 

In case people have problems in getting d³tuna every day, they may make use of (herbal) toothpaste or toothpowder. Use of powdered rock salt, mustard oil, and powders of dry ginger, sal ammoniac, dried green-leaf of guava, dry bark-skin of Molashri (Surinam Meddler), Kayphala (Myrtalberry), Triphala etc is recommended in preparation of good Ayurvedic toothpastes or tooth powders.  The Brahmvarchas Research Centre, Shantikunj, Hardwar has brought out an effective formula for herbal toothpowder prepared from natural products after reinvestigation on the type and properties of the herbal / plant medicines referred in the Ayurvedic scriptures. A large number of patients of dental cavities, oral ulcers, spongy (swollen) gums, toothache, stinking mouth, tooth decay and pyorrhea are reported to have been cured by regular use of this tooth powder. It is also of excellent use in preventive care and strengthening of the gums and teeth. It can be obtained from any of the local centers of Gayatri Pariwar across the globe. If the herbal / plant medicines are available nearby and authenticity of their type and freshness is guaranteed, this toothpowder could also be prepared at home.
Ingredients: [1] Kapoor sat (Camphor Essence) – 8gms; [2] Pipperment sat (Peppermint essence) – 8gms;  [3] Ajavain sat (essence/oil of Ajova seeds or Aniseeds); [4] Neelgiri Tela (Eucalyptus oil) – 10ml; [5] Lavang Tela (Clove Oil) – 10ml; [6] Geru  (Red Ochre)  – 1Kg; [7] Vajradanti (Barteria Prionitis) – 50gm; [8] Sendha Namaka (Rock Salt) – 25gm; [9] Kalimirch (Black Pepper) – 35gm; [10] Akarkara (Spanish Pollitory) – 10gm; [11] Triphala powder – 8gm; [12] Phitakari Phoola (Puffed Alms) – 25gm; [13] Chhal-Chhadila  – 100gm; [14] Kayphala (Myrtalberry) – 200gm; [15] Ilayachi (Cardamom) – 10gm; [16] Majuphala (Gallnut) – 100gm; [17] Lavang churna (Clove powder) – 10gm;  [18] Khadiya (rock used for writing on slate) powder – 100gm; [19] Tumburu or Nepali Dhaniya (zanthoxylum alatum) – 100gm; [20]  Saunth (Dry Ginger) – 5gm; [21] Haldi churna (Turmeric powder) – 10gm; [22] Harad (Chabulic Myrobalans) – 10gm; [23] Anwala (Emblic Myrobalan)  – 8gm; [24] Neem Chhal (Margos bark-skin) – 250gm;  [25] Babool Chhal (bark-skin of Indian Gum tree) – 25gm; [26] Molashri Chhal (bark-skin of Surinam Medlar) – 25gm; [27] Arimeda/Keekar Chhal (bark-skin of Sponge tree) – 25gm;  [28] Akharota Chhal (Walnut bark-skin) – 25gm; [29] Nagarmotha  (Nutgrass) – 50gm; [30] Kuchla (Nux-vomica, Poison nut) – 25gm; [31] Neela Thotha (Blue Vitriol) – 10gm; [32] Kapurkachari (Zedoary) – 50gm; [33] Tejabala (zanthoxylum hostile) – 100gm; [34] Sirish Chhal (bark-skin of East Indian walnut tree) – 100gm; [35] Vanshlochan ( Bamboo) – 100gm.           

Method of Preparation: Grind each of the fresh dry herbs listed at serial numbers (6) to (35) above into a fine powder and filter it through a clean diaphanous (thin) cloth-piece.  Combine all of them thoroughly. Mix the quantities listed at Sr. Nos. (1) to (3) in a beaker or stainless steel pot separately; this would become a solution. Thoroughly mix it in the fine powder of other herbs. Then pour the prescribed amounts (sr. nos. (4) and (5)) of Eucalyptus and clove oils in this preparation. Again mix well. The toothpowder is now ready for use. Keep it in an airtight container.  It may be noted that blue vitriol should be first powdered and roasted on mild heat before mixing it with other ingredients. This purifies the natural compound. The same process is required for alms. It is also heated on a tava (iron plate for baking) or a kadhai (stew pan) without using any oil or anything else till it puffs up. It should be powdered only after this. Kuchala also needs to be purified. It is roasted or fried and powdered in a hot state only; once it cools down it becomes so hard that it is difficult to grind it even in an electrical grinder or mixer.

Brush your teeth with it every day in the morning and before going to bed; also gently massage your gums with it every time. This would keep your gums tight and stout and your teeth shining and strong. People of all age groups can use it. About 2gm of this toothpowder is sufficient for one time cleansing of the mouth (teeth) by an adult person.

People suffering from dental/gum ailments should also do gargling using the herbal decoction as described above along with using this toothpaste. Gargling could be done few hours after brushing the teeth, say after having lunch.  

The added advantage of Ayruvedic methods of prevention and cure of the mouth components is that some of the ingredients are good remedies for several other infectious diseases, fevers etc. While the antibiotics tend to harm the vital system and body-resistance and induce negative side effects (esp. on the digestive system), the Ayurvedic preparations do just the contrary by providing extra benefits of vigorous health and immunity.

In the next article we shall discuss some simple tips from Ayurveda for treatment and preventive care of the eyes.   
(Series to continue)


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