Examining Your Nervous System Using Ayurveda

The human body is an amazing operating mechanism that manages complicated structures and systems that allow you to perform daily tasks with ease. Most of the operations that your body conducts go unnoticed, but it coordinates everything so that you can work efficiently every second.

The Nervous System and the Human Body

Almost all of your body’s operations are controlled by your neurological system. It is sometimes referred to as the command centre because it controls a variety of functions that you don’t even think about, such as breathing. The nervous system is essentially what makes you human since it allows you to make sense of your surroundings. It is divided into two parts: the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). CNS refers to your brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system receives information from the central nervous system and distributes it to other regions of your body, such as your organs.

The peripheral nervous system is divided into two parts: the autonomic nervous system and the somatic nervous system. Nerve cells, also known as neurons, are found in the CNS and peripheral nervous systems. Neurons communicate with one another and with other cells in the body using electrical impulses. Neurons evaluate information and alert you to what is going on. When you look at a butterfly, neurons assist you interpret what you see so you can figure out what it is. Neurons form a huge network that allows communication throughout your body.

The nervous system influences every aspect of your health. The neurological system controls how you react when you are emotional. Similarly, the nervous system is in charge of your ability to move in the way you wish. The nervous system is in charge of your memory and mental processes. The neurological system also regulates the ageing process. It has an effect on your senses, allowing you to feel, touch, see, taste, and hear. It regulates your body’s development, including puberty and digestion.

When there are problems with our nerve system, our entire body becomes disoriented. Let us go over the nerve system in greater detail in terms of Ayurveda.

The Majja Dhatu: An Ayurvedic Perspective on the Nervous System

Every person has a unique bodily composition according to Ayurveda. All living things are built on the five elements of fire, earth, ether, water, and air. The Doshas define your distinct bodily type, which identifies your mental, physiological, and physical self. An individual’s constitution is made up of varied quantities of these three Doshas. This is what distinguishes one person from others. According to Ayurvedic principles, the nerve system is governed by the Vata dosha.

Dhatu is the primary supporter of the Sarira (body), Manas (mind), and Prana (vital energy) in Ayurveda. Ayurveda recognises seven Dhatus in total, one of which is the Majja Dhatu.

The nervous system is referred to as Majja Dhatu in Ayurveda. The brain, spinal cord, vertebrate, and skull are all included.

Majja Dhatu governs and controls brain and neurological system operations, as well as physical qualities, strength, bone feeding, and mental and emotional condition. Majja Dhatu suffers greatly from the affects of contemporary living, including bad food, insomnia, and emotional suppression. Other Dhatus are as follows:

(Plasma) Rasa Dhatu

Rakta Dhatu (Blood):

Muscle (Mamsa Dhatu)

Meda Dhatu (Fatness)

Bone (Asthi Dhatu)

Male Reproductive Tissue Shukra Dhatu

Female Reproductive Tissue (Artava Dhatu)

When your Prana, or life force energy, is healthy, your body processes are at their peak, which is the ideal state to be in. However, issues arise when the Prana does not flow properly throughout time. This suggests that there is an issue in the Majja Dhatu. In Ayurveda, the tissues, or Dhatu, work to attain equilibrium in the mind, body, and prana. Anything you do that causes the Majja Dhatu to become imbalanced is to blame for your Prana-related difficulties. Accidents, for example, can lead your Majja Dhatu to get out of balance.

Doshas’ Influence on the Majja Dhatu

Understanding how doshas effect the Majja Dhatu is critical to understanding how everything is interrelated.

 Excess Vata causes weak and irregular tissue development. When Vata is out of balance, Prana can become either excessive or deficient. Prana changes can occur suddenly or gradually, compounding the condition over time. This means that there may be far too much or far too little activity. When a Vata-related condition persists for an extended period of time, the tissue might become weak and thin. The tissues might also become dry, making it difficult for the Prana to circulate freely. Damage can develop as a result of the fragility and the presence of excess Dosha.

When Pitta Dosha is high, there is a higher possibility of inflammation because tissue forms faster than usual. This causes the tissue to become hotter, resulting in tissue swelling. This swelling results in neuritis. Another issue is that the metabolism accelerates excessively. While this may appear to be great for burning fat, Ayurveda believes that it is not because tissues near to the nerves are more likely to be burned.

When Kapha levels are high, more tissue forms than usual. While the increased tissue creation may appear to be beneficial, it is not because the tissue quality is poor. Excess Kapha causes the Majja Dhatu to thicken and become heavier, slowing the rate at which neurons connect with one another. This has an effect on the Prana flow, slowing it down and producing more issues. You are unable to comprehend information and respond appropriately to your surroundings. If the condition becomes too extreme, the Prana can stop, resulting in more serious and severe health problems. This usually occurs over time.

The Body and Majja Dhatu

Nervous system diseases are generally caused by the Vata dosha. Because of this, nerve system diseases are referred to as Vata Vyadhi. However, the other two doshas can also impact the neurological system, leading it to perform less efficiently than usual. If Vata is the cause of your nervous system condition and disease, the symptoms you experience will be of the Vata type. For example, you may have pain and be unable to move as freely as usual. Pitta Dosha produces inflammation, which can damage myelin and nerve structures over time. If there is Kapha Dosha, it significantly delays nerve conduction, which can reduce information processing and lead to an irregular flow of nerve impulses.

Majja Dhatu’s Mental Influence

When Majja Dhatu is in good health, it has a great effect on your mentality. That is, you have the impression that everything is fine in the world and that you are at peace. You don’t have any unpleasant feelings, and if you do, you can immediately alter your emphasis because your concentration is on the positive rather than the bad. When the Majja Dhatu is functioning properly, feelings of serenity and understanding predominate. A depleted Majja Dhatu, on the other hand, causes us to feel hollow, emptiness, and unhappiness in life. When Majja Dhatu is in excess, it can cause feelings of stagnation and loss of motivation, preventing you from functioning well in life.

What are the Problems with the Nervous System?

Problems with the nervous system are caused by imbalances in the appropriate levels of the three Doshas, but the Vata Dosha is principally responsible for the nervous system’s proper functioning. Vata denotes movement, and an imbalance of this Dosha level can result in nerve problems such as worry, stress, and sadness, as well as a variety of psychological issues, some of which can be significant and life-threatening.

There are currently around 600 neurological illnesses. The following are some of the most frequent nervous system disorders:

Stroke

A stroke occurs when your brain does not receive as much blood as it should. Because blood carries oxygen, a lack of blood means your brain cannot receive the oxygen it requires, and hence brain cells begin to die. As the condition worsens, it may result in permanent impairment or even death.

Epilepsy

Epilepsy is defined as an illness in which people begin to suffer seizures. It is a neurological condition, and people’s behaviour may be unusual. Epilepsy occurs when neurons communicate incorrectly and are unable to provide the correct messages.

Meningitis

When the meninges become inflamed, this condition develops. Bacterial meningitis and viral meningitis are the two most common kinds of meningitis. The former is uncommon, but it can be fatal. Viral meningitis occurs when a virus enters the brain and produces severe damage.

Spondylosis of the cervical spine

Cervical spondylosis worsens with age, and more than 80% of those over the age of 60 are plagued by this nerve ailment, according to study. Cervical spondylosis is a condition that affects the spinal discs in the neck.

Ayurvedic Techniques for Nervous System Support

There are time-tested approaches and specifically prepared Ayurvedic syrups and tonics that attempt to provide holistic relief and recovery from the underlying cause of these problems when it comes to Ayurvedic therapies for nervous system disorders. Every neurological disorder is treated with a treatment plan based on Ayurvedic principles that provides comprehensive treatments without adverse effects.

In a nutshell, therapeutic options include focusing on the Dosha to restore each one to its optimal levels, receiving medications such as particular brain and nerve tonics, and soothing the nervous system through cleansing and detoxification. An Ayurvedic eating plan is indicated to improve brain function and nervous system wellness. Holistic care includes:

•  Patient counselling
• Nidana parithyaga (avoid all potential causes)
• Samshodhana therapy consists of Vamana, Virechana, Vasti, and Nasyam.
• Shirodhara, Sirovasthi, and Thalapodichil are also helpful.
• Shamana Oushadhis intake