The Ayurvedic name for sciatica is Gridhrasi. It is the most painful disease of advancing age. People mostly in their early thirties begin complaining of aching lower backs or pain in their legs. Sciatica is not such a serious problem and can be cured through Ayurveda.
Sciatica pains can be severe sometimes. A proper diet, regular exercise and some Ayurvedic remedies can cure the problem. The disease can be defined as an inflammation of tissues supporting sciatic nerves in the legs. This inflammation causes severe pain in the lumbar area to back of the legs. Various Ayurvedic remedies and medicines are discussed in this article.
Ayurvedic View of Sciatica
- Sciatica is caused by vitiation in the vata and kapha dosha or the air phlegm body humors.
- Constipation and physical strain aggravate the disease.
Characteristic Symptoms of Sciatica
- Pain travels in the region of sciatic nerve. It starts from the buttock and radiates down to the posterior aspect of the thighs and calves and in the outer border of the foot.
- Numbness and tingling sensation may be felt in the region of the affected nerve.
- Restriction of movement and pain will be experienced while raising the straightened leg.
Ayurvedic Cure for Sciatica
Some of the Ayurvedic home remedies are given below –
- Mix saffron in warm milk and take it once or twice a day, preferably at bedtime.
- Take 1 or 2 tsp of purified castor oil mixed in milk preferably at bedtime.
- Take 125 to 500 mg hing.
- Heat a bag of salt and use it as hot fomentation on the affected leg.
- Swallow 2 to 4 cloves of garlic along with water on an empty stomach in the morning.
- Mix 1 gm each of dried ginger powder and pippali powder and 5 to 10 ml of castor oil. Take this mixture once or twice daily for a few days.
- Dry the leaves of harsingar in the shade and pound into a powder. Take approx 3 gm mixed with honey twice a day.
- Massage warm clove oil on the paining area.
Some Ayurvedic medicines to cure sciatica are as follows –
- Simhanada Guggul — 2 pills twice a day should be taken after meals with warm milk.
- Punarnava Guggulu along with Godanta Mishran can cure the disease effectively.
- Brihat Vat Chintamani Ras
- Maha Vishagarbha Tailam — This is an external use oil and should be applied to the affected area.
— One pill should be taken twice or thrice a day with Maharasnadi Kwatham to cure sciatica pain.
Brinjal, potatoes, cold water and curd should be avoided during the treatment.
The above are some of the Ayurvedic cures for sciatica.
