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Read Divine Articles Fasting or Upvasa- The Medicinal Benefits
Read Divine Articles Fasting or Upvasa- The Medicinal Benefits
| Fasting or Upvasa- The Medicinal Benefits |
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| User Article |
| Written by satsang |
| Wednesday, 19 May 2010 10:40 |
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Fasting or Upvasa- The Medicinal Benefits . In Hinduism the fasting has been an intrinsic part of almost all the spiritual practices to achieve the spiritual goals and advance in their spiritual practices. Fasting or “Upvasa” refers to complete abstinence from food for a short or long period for a specific purpose or to have only one or other thing in very small quantity only. . However, apart from the above spiritual importance, fasting is nature’s oldest, most effective and yet least expensive method of treating various diseases. Now, medically also it is recognised as the very importance part of natural healing. . Hinduism, being the most ancient religion, the practice of fasting is one of the most ancient customs in Hinduism, however, it is also followed in almost every religion, Mohammedan, the Buddhists etc. and many others also have their periods of strict fasting. The Hindu saints of medieval times laid great stress on this method. . Thereafter, fasting in treating diseases was advocated by the school of natural philosopher, Asclepiades, more than two thousand years ago. Throughout medical history, it has been regarded as one of the most dependable curative methods. Hippocrates, Galen, Paracelsus and many other great authorities on medicine prescribed it. And apart from the above, many noted modern physicians have successfully employed this system of healing in the treatment of numerous diseases. . Now, the question is how fasting cures? In Hinduism and now even new age every healing works on the principle of clearing the negative energy, waste etc. from the body, because the common cause of all diseases is the accumulation of waste and poisonous matter in the body which results from overeating, indigestion etc. . The majority of persons eats too much and follows the life styles which do not permit sufficient and proper exercise for utilisation of this large quantity of food and this surplus foods overburdens the digestive organs and clogs up the system with impurities or poisons substances. Which result into clogging in the system and slows down the whole system and results into various deceases in the body. . Every deceases is only due to these unsystematic acts which result into impurities in the body and every disease can be healed by just the reversing what causes it, so, it can be reducing the food intake or fasting or upvasa. Thus, fasting is merely the process of purification and an effective and quick method of cure. It assists nature in her continuous effort to expel impure matter and disease producing waste from the body, thereby correcting the faults of improper diet and wrong life styles. It also leads to regeneration of the blood as well as the repair and regeneration of the various tissues of the body. . Fasting or Upvasa Duration . The duration of the fasting depends upon the age / strength of the patient, the nature of the disease and the amount and type of drugs previously used. The duration is important, because long periods of fasting can be dangerous if undertaken without competent professional guidance. . It is, therefore, advisable to undertake a series of short fasts of one to two days and gradually increase the same, but there are views that it should not exceed a week of total fasting at a time. This fasting will enable the sick body to gradually and slowly eliminate toxic waste matter without seriously affecting the natural functioning of the body. . And after such fasting the correct mode of living on a balanced diet will restore body of the individual. It is highly beneficial in all kinds of stomach and intestinal disorders and in serious conditions of the kidneys and liver. Fasting is also a miraculous cure for eczema and other skin diseases. . The various nervous disorders also respond favourably to this mode of treatment. Fasting should, however, not to be useful in every illness. In diabetes, advanced stages of tuberculosis, and extreme cases of neurasthenia, long fasting will be harmful for the body. However in most cases, no harm will accrue to fasting patients, provided they take rest, and are under proper care of the expert. . Methods of Fasting . The best, safest and most effective method of fasting is juice fasting. Although the old classic form of fasting was pure water fast, most of the leading authorities on fasting today agree that juice fasting is far superior to water fast. . A precautionary measure which must be observed in all cases of fasting is the complete emptying of the bowels at the beginning of the fast by enema so that the patient is not bothered by gas or decomposing matter formed from the excrements remaining in the body. The patient should get as much fresh air as possible and should drink plain lukewarm water when thirsty. Fresh juices may be diluted with pure water. The total liquid intake should be approximately six to eight glasses. . A lot of energy is spent during the fast in the process of eliminating accumulated poisons and toxic waste materials. It is, therefore, of utmost importance that the patient gets as much physical rest and mental relaxation as possible during the fast. In fasts with fruit juices, especially when fresh grapes, oranges or grapefruit are used exclusively, the toxic wastes enter the blood -stream rapidly, resulting in an overload of toxic matter, which affects normal bodily functions. This often results in dizzy spells, followed by diarrhea and vomiting. If this physical reaction persists, it is advisable to discontinue the fast and take cooked vegetables containing adequate roughage such as spinach and beets until the body functioning returns to normal. . The overweight person finds it much easier to go without food. Loss of weight causes no fear and the attitude of patient make fasting almost a pleasure. The first day’s hunger pangs are perhaps the most difficult to bear, however the craving for food will, gradually decrease as the fast progresses. The simples rule is to stop eating until the appetite returns or until one feels completelywell. Only very simple exercises like short walks may be undertaken during the fast. A warm water or neutral bath may be taken during the period. Cold baths are not advisable. Sun and air baths should be taken daily. Fasting sometimes produces a state of sleeplessness which can be overcome by a warm tub bath, hot water bottles at the feet and by drinking one or two glasses of hot water. . Benefits of Fasting . Fasting comes with several benefits. During a long fast, the body feeds upon its reserves. Being deprived of needed nutrients, particularly of protein and fats, it will burn and digest its own tissues by the process of autolysis or self-digestion. But it will not do so indiscriminately. The body will first decompose and burn those cells and tissues which are diseased, damaged, dead or aged. The essential tissues and vital organs, the glands, the nervous system and the brain are not damaged or digested in fasting. This is why the fasting is used as a curative and rejuvenative method. . During fasting, the growth new and healthy cells are speeded up by the released amino acids from the diseased cells. The capacity of the eliminative organs, that is, lungs, liver, kidneys and the skin is greatly increased as they are relieved of the usual burden of digesting food and eliminating the resultant wastes. They are, therefore, able to quickly expel old accumulated wastes and toxins. . Fasting affords a physiological rest to the digestive, assimilative and protective organs. As a result, the digestion of food and the utilisation of nutrients is greatly improved after fasting. The fast also exerts a normalising, stablising and rejuvenating effect on all the vital physiological, nervous and mental functions. . Breaking of Fast . The success of any method also depend of how it is broken. The main rules for breaking the fast are: .
. If the transition to normal foods is carefully planned, there will be no discomfort or damage. The patient should also continue to take rest during the transition period. The right food after a fast is as important and decisive for proper results as the fast itself. . .Few Contents at sourced from “Fasting - The Master Remedy” at http://www.healthlibrary.com/reading/ncure/chap2.htm |
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