Irritable bowel syndrome or IBS has become a real issue with many people today. IBS symptoms are abdominal cramps, alternatating constipation and diarrhoea,  and often lack of control over one’s bowels, causing a lot of problems in particularly when travelling. Modern medicine does not yet know what  causes the IBS, however Ayurveda believes that Irritable bowel syndrome is caused mainly due to accumulated toxins because of improper digestion.  A stressed filled life also indirectly contribute to IBS.  It emphasis that it can be treated by a little changes in the diet,  lifestyle, yogic practice (yogasanas, breathing techniques, meditation) along with the intake of ayurvedic medicines which are in the form of herbal formulas.

To correct IBS, it is the GI-tract that needs attention.  The basic rules of Ayurveda for treating improper digestion are:

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If you are interest in Herbs and Ayurveda you might like to take a look at www.ayurwiki.info which is an Wiki devoted to the subject of Ayurveda herbs and associated information.

This project is attempting to gather as much information about herbs/plants (dravyas in Ayurveda) on-line for the benefit of practitioners as a resource, herbalists  and the public for information on the herbs that may be taking or being subscribed, although a little understanding of Ayurveda is required to understand the concepts mentioned.

Ayurveda makes use of many hundred of herbs and mineral preparations in its medicines, the information of which is scattered in various resources which are often not so easy to get to.  This project is an attempt to gather this information in one place and to include details of whatever research for each of the herbs listed.

Ayurveda looks at herbs in a different way to modern herbalism or naturopathy, although modern ayurvedic texts do mention the chemical constituents of the herbs.  Ayurveda looks more closely at the actions (karmas) associated with each herbs and their energetics.   Herbs with different actions and energetics are used in different ways and combinations depending on the imbalance within a client and the ayurvedic constitution of the client.  As such, different herbal combinations of herbs are often used for the same conditions in different clients.    Traditionally a client would have been given a special mixture of herbs on visiting an Ayurvedic practitioner or doctor but today in Ayurveda there are many common compounds of medicines made which can be taken by a variety of people.

The project has a long way to go yet but there is now some content on-line.

If you are interest in contributing I would love to hear from you.   If you are interested in the project and would like to be kept informed then you can subscribe to a newsletter on the website…. don’t be concerned about being spammed by constant newsletters as I can assure you these will be irregular and contain interesting information on Ayurveda from time to time.