WHAT IS ANEMIA?
Anemia is a common nutritional deficiency disorder characterized by a decrease in the percentage of hemoglobin in the blood, which reduces the ability of the blood to carry oxygen.
CONCEPT OF ANEMIA ACCORDING TO AYURVEDA
Pandu roga is a condition described in Ayurveda that is very similar to the clinical picture of anemia. It develops due to the depletion of rasa dhatu which makes the production of rakta dhatu ineffective. An important diagnostic feature of Pandu roga is skin pallor due to qualitative and quantitative deficiency of ratka dhatu.
CAUSES OF ANEMIA
- Loss of blood
- Due to decreased or incorrect production of red blood cells
- Anemia due to destruction of red blood cells
- Heavy exercises
- Sour and salty food
- Alcohol intake
- Intake of mud etc.
- Inherited blood disorders
- Not getting enough iron in the diet
FAQ / ARTICLES INCLUDES / POINTS COVERED
- What is anemia?
- Causes of anemia
- What are the signs and symptoms of anemia?
- Types of anemia
- Anemia in Ayurveda
- What is Pandu roga?
- Complications of anemia
- Foods to be avoided in anemia
- Lifestyle changes for anemia
- Natural remedies to cure anemia
- Yoga asanas for anemia
MAJOR SYMPTOMS OF ANEMIA
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Tiredness
- Weight loss
- Loss of energy
- Headache
- Pale skin
- Irregular heartbeat
- Chest pain
- Cold extremities
TYPES OF ANEMIA
1. Iron deficiency anemia: Anemia due to deficiency of iron
2. Vitamin deficiency anemia: Anemia due to poor diet with a low level of folate [vitamin B12]
3. Hemolytic Anemia: Infections, leaky heart valves, autoimmune disorders, congenital abnormalities cause red blood cells to break down in the bloodstream or spleen.
4. Sickle cell anemia: Sickle cell anemia is inherited hemolytic anemia, where RBCs become sickle in shape.
5. Aplastic anemia: low levels of blood cells are produced in aplastic anemia. Viral infections, autoimmune diseases, or exposure to toxic chemicals are the common causes.
6. Pregnancy-related anemia: the anemia arises due to a lack of iron and nutrients in the diet.
According to the vitiation of doshas, anemia or Panduroga is of 5 types.
1. Vataja Pandu- blackish discoloration, dryness of skin and eyes, reduced urine output, tremors, giddiness, pricing, and burning sensation
2. Pittaja Pandu- yellowish discoloration of body parts, thirst, fever, diarrhea, yellowish discoloration of skin, urine, and eyes
3. Kaphaja Pandu- drowsiness and heaviness of body parts, edema, nausea, whitish discoloration of the skin, urine, and eyes
4. Tridoshaja Pandu- mixed features of Vataja, Pittaja, and Kaphaja type of anemia
5. Mrittikajanya Pandu- anemia due to intake of mud- indigestion, fatigue, loss of libido, debility, diarrhea, blood mixed stools, swelling under the eyes, chin, umbilicus, genitalia, and foot, loss of luster of body
DO I HAVE ANEMIA?
A person with anemia usually has debility, loss of interest in work, drowsiness, worm infestation, lethargy, breathlessness during climbing up, etc.
COMPLICATIONS OF ANEMIA CAN INCLUDE
- Extreme fatigue
- Pregnancy complications
- Heart problems
- Increased risk of death
HOW AYURVEDA HELPS IN PREVENTING ANEMIA PANCHAKARMA FOR ANEMIA
- Vamana- therapeutic emesis
- Virechana- therapeutic purgation
DIET FOR ANEMIA AND LIFESTYLE ADVICE
Vegetarian diet:
- Dry grape, banana, pomegranate, gooseberry, guava, barley, red rice, wheat, milk, ghee, honey, sugarcane juice
- Nuts such as almonds, pulses, dry dates, peanuts, and walnuts
- Food rich in iron- Spinach, lettuce, beetroot, broccoli, collard greens swiss chard, celery, and kale
Nonvegetarian diet:
- Poultry, fish, oyster
FOOD TO AVOID WITH ANEMIA
Spicy foods, sour and salty food items, pickles, horse gram, alcohol, bitter gourd, coffee, tea, pickles, horse gram, processed and refined foods
LIFESTYLE ADAPTATION IN ANEMIA
- Eat on time and don’t skip a meal
- Drink enough water
- Eat foods prepared in an iron pot
- Try to avoid alcohol, coffee, and tea
- Avoid salty, sour, and spicy foods
- Avoid heavy exercise and excess sexual indulgence
- Practice yoga and meditation
EFFECTIVE AYURVEDIC HERBS TO TREAT ANEMIA
- Amlaki- Emblica Officinalis
- Draksha- Vitis Vinifera
- Kumari- Aloe vera
- Shatavari- Asparagus Racemosus
- Guduchi- Tinospora Cordifolia
- Punarnava- Boerhavia Diffusa
- Pippali- Piper Longum
- Musta- Cyperus Rotandus
- Shunti- Zingiber Officinale
- Bhringraja- Eclipta Alba
- Haritaki- Terminalia Chebula
NATURAL AYURVEDIC REMEDIES FOR ANEMIA
- Eat one or two bananas daily.
- consume fresh pomegranate every day.
- Mix ½ cup of apple juice and ½ cup of beetroot juice. Add honey for taste and shake it well. Drink this juice daily.
- Amla and beetroot juice.
- Soak black sesame seeds in water for 2- 3 hours then grind it to make a paste, add honey or jaggery and mix well and drink it with milk.
YOGA ASANAS FOR ANEMIA
Anemia is a condition in which hemoglobin concentration, or the number of red blood cells, is below the defined level. Proper food, correct treatment, and the practice of asanas & pranayama have proved very valuable for the production of hemoglobin and necessary elements in the blood in the pure form. Regular practice of yoga purifies the blood and increases RBC production. Best Ayurvedic Treatments in India
- Trikonasana- Triangle Pose
- Sarvangasana- shoulder stand
- Paschimottasana- seated forward bend
- Pranayama- breathing exercises
