1. Ayurvedic Approach to Treating Pain using Herbs,
Nutrition, Pancha Karma & Yoga
Dr. Vivek Shanbhag, ND, MD(Ayurveda), BAMS, CYEd.
Licensed Naturopathic Doctor, Ayurveda Practitioner & Professor
Founder & Director of Natural Medicine Clinic, Academy & Wellness Spa
3 Clinics in Mountain View, San Jose & Los Gatos, California
Advisor & Faculty, Association of Ayurvedic Professionals of North America
Board of Directors, California Association of Ayurvedic Medicine
Advisor & Faculty, Japan Ayurveda Association, Tokyo
Adjunct Faculty, Bastyr University, Seattle & San Diego
Faculty, Mount Madonna College of Ayurveda, Watsonville
Faculty, Vedika Global, Emeryville
www.YogaAyurveda.org
408-876-0636
email: drshanbhag@aol.com
copyright 2013
Dr. Vivek Shanbhag
www.YogaAyurveda.org

2. A study of Neuro-humors in Vata, Pitta, Kapha constitutions
When the blood levels of neuro-humors and metabolising enzymes were correlated with the
three constitutions namely Vata, Pitta and Kapha in normal persons, following considerable
relationship was found:
Ach(Acetylcholine) & CHE(Cholinesterase)
levels were higher in persons of Vata type
Catecholamines & MAO (Monoamine Oxidase)
levels were relatively higher in persons of Pitta type
Histamine & DAO(Diamine Oxidase/Histaminase)
levels were significantly higher in persons of Kapha type
Title of the
Article/
A STUDY OF TRIDOSHA AS NEUROHUMORS
Research work
.
Journal Journal of Research in Ayurveda and Siddha | Year : 1980 | Volume : 1 | Issue : 1 | Page : 1-20
Author(s)
R.H. Singh1, N.B. Singh2 and K.N. Udupa
copyright 2013
Dr. Vivek Shanbhag
www.YogaAyurveda.org

3. Relative blood levels of neuro-humors in normal persons of different constitutions
Statistical
Acetylcholine
Catecholamine
Histamine
Group
observations
ug/ml
ug/ml
ug/ml
____________________________________________________________________________________
No. observations
40
39
14
Mean
1.11
29.74
0.790
Vata
S.D.
0.46
8.05
0.305
95%Confidence
0.97-1.25
27.21-32.27 0.613-0.966
Interval
____________________________________________________________________________________
No. observations
65
69
15
Pitta
Mean
0.97
30.05
0.913
S.D.
0.34
12.04
±0.437
95 % Confidence
0.89-1.05
27.20-32.88 0.671-1.154
Interval
____________________________________________________________________________________
No. observations
38
45
6
Mean
Kapha
0.97
28.10
1.128
S.D.
95% Confidence
Interval
±0.82
0.71-1.23
±7.87
±0.271
25.81-30.39 0.843-1.412
Title of the
Article/
A STUDY OF TRIDOSHA AS NEUROHUMORS
Research work
Journal Journal of Research in Ayurveda and Siddha | Year : 1980 | Volume : 1 | Issue : 1 | Page : 1-20
Author(s)
R.H. Singh1, N.B. Singh2 and K.N. Udupa
copyright 2013
Dr. Vivek Shanbhag
www.YogaAyurveda.org

4. Relative blood activity of enzymes in normal persons of different constitutions
Prakrti
Statistical
ChE-Cholinesterase
MAO-Monoamine Oxidase
DAO-Diamine Oxidase/Histaminase
Group
observation P.U./ml
P.U./ml
P.U./ml
____________________________________________________________________________________
No, observation
41
25
25
Mean
106.6
14.65
121.36
Vata
S.D.
±17.8
7.61
±38.17
95% Confidence
101.2-112.1 311.474-17.826
106.09-136.6
Interval
____________________________________________________________________________________
No. observation
76
31
31
Mean
103.8
20.83
115.13
Pitta
S.D.
16.7
9.70
60.49
95% Confidence
100.1-107.6 17.29-24.27 93.76-136.50
Interval
____________________________________________________________________________________
No. observations
47
28
28
Mean
Kapha
Title of the
Article
101.4
14.61
155.14
S.D.
95 % Confidence
Interval
18.3
123.82-186.46
7.84
11.33-17.89 96.2-106.6
82.84
A STUDY OF TRIDOSHA AS NEUROHUMORS
Journal Journal of Research in Ayurveda and Siddha | Year : 1980 | Volume : 1 | Issue : 1 | Page : 1-20
Author(s)
R.H. Singh1, N.B. Singh2 and K.N. Udupa
copyright 2013
Dr. Vivek Shanbhag
www.YogaAyurveda.org

5. Constitutional Study of Cancer
28 patients undergoing treatment for Cancer-related
pains and 57 normal adults were studied for their
Prakriti to find out whether there is any difference in
the prakriti pattern of Cancer-related pain when
compared with that of normal volunteers. Vata
dominance is found in the prakriti pattern
of Cancer-related pain followed by Pitta
dominance.
Title of the
Article/
CONSTITUTIONAL STUDY OF CANCER PATIENTS – ITS PROGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC SCOPE
Research work
Journal Ancient Science of Life | Year : 1987 | Volume : 7 | Issue : 2 | Page : 110-115
Author(s)
S. VENKATRAGHAVAN, T. P. SUNDARESAN, V. RAJAGOPALAN & KANCHANA SRINIVASAN
copyright 2013
Dr. Vivek Shanbhag
www.YogaAyurveda.org

6. Inter-relationship of Shareera & Manas Doshas
Shareera & Mana are related with each other through their fundamental
functional forces viz. the Tridoshas & Trigunas, respectively. Interrelationship between both kinds of doshas was studied at different
levels like origin, functioning, health, diseases and death. To
understand the inter-relationship, details of conjugation and
configuration i.e. Amshamsha Kalpana of Mahabhootas were analysed.
Analysis showed that Vata had predominance of both Rajas & Tamas,
Pitta had predominance of Rajas and Kapha had predominance of
Tamas .
Title of the
Thesis/Study
AN INTERRELATIONSHIP OF SHAREERA DOSHAS & MANASA DOSHAS AND THEIR INFLUENCE ON
PHYSIOPSYCHOPATHOLOGY
University
M.D.(Ayu.)thesis,2011,Department of Basic Principles, Institute for Post Graduate Teaching and
Research in Ayurveda, Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar.
Scholar, Guide
Scholar:Kavita M. Vyas (1), Guide:Prof. R. R. Dwivedi (2)
& Co-Guide
copyright 2013
Dr. Vivek Shanbhag
www.YogaAyurveda.org

7. Chronic Pain Prevention & Treatment
Strategy
•Increase Sattva
•Reduce Rajas & Tamas
•Strengthen Agni
•Eliminate Ama
•Balance Vata
•Eliminate excess Kapha & Pitta
copyright 2013
Dr. Vivek Shanbhag
www.YogaAyurveda.org

8. Chronic Pain Chikitsa- Therapy Plan
Sattvic attitude, philosophy - Dhi, Dhairya, Atma-vijnyan
Sattva Enhancing Yoga:
Yam-Niyama Sattvic behavior
Asana, Pranayam & Dhyan
Sattvic Diet specific to individual’s dosha(VPK)
Sattvic spices– culinary herbs as dietary herbal supplements with food
Sattvic Medicinal Formulas specific to dosha, dhatu & srotas
Sattvic Dinacharya, Ritucharya & Sadvritta including:
Rest - regular & moderate
copyright 2013
Dr. Vivek Shanbhag
www.YogaAyurveda.org

9. Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Common Chronic and Degenerative Disease
• Predominant Aggravation of Vata & Pitta
• Caused by Ama (Endo & Exo Toxins) accumulation due to
– Low Agni
– Poor Elimination
• Complicated by further Ama build-up due to:
– Food, Inhalant and Contact Allergies/Sensitivitie
copyright 2013
Dr. Vivek Shanbhag
www.YogaAyurveda.org

10. Important Ayur-Vedic Herbs & Minerals for
Rheumatoid Arthritis
• For Pitta – Sallaki, Eranda, Haridra,
Sandalwood, Saffron,
• For Kapha –Twak, Shunthi, Marich, Haridra,
Guggulu, Gokshur,Triphala
• For Vata –Ashwagandha, Shunthi, Marich,
Twak, Haridra, Shatavari
copyright 2013
Dr. Vivek Shanbhag
www.YogaAyurveda.org

11. Vata RA Treatment Protocol
• Oral Formulas:
• Maha Yogaraj Guggulu 250mg TID
• Triphala Guggulu 250mg TID
copyright 2013
Dr. Vivek Shanbhag
www.YogaAyurveda.org

12. Vata RA Treatment Continued
• Diet – Vata/Pitta Pacifying, Avoidance of Allergic Foods
• External Treatments –
– Maha Narayana or Sahacharadi Oil Massage
– followed by Alternate Hot & Cold on Joints,
• Total Avoidance of Inhalant and Contact Allergens
• Pancha Karma – Dashamula Basti (decoction enema)
copyright 2013
Dr. Vivek Shanbhag
www.YogaAyurveda.org

13. Pitta RA Treatment Protocol
• Oral Formulas:
• Rasnadi Quath 2 TSP TID
• Yograj Guggulu 250mg TID
• Suvarna Suta Shekhar 125 mg TID
copyright 2013
Dr. Vivek Shanbhag
www.YogaAyurveda.org

14. Pitta RA Treatment Continued .
• Diet – Vata/Pitta Pacifying, Avoidance of
Allergic Foods
• External Treatment –
– Chandan Bala Lakshadi or Nirgundi Oil Massage
– followed by Alternate Hot & Cold on Joints
• Total Avoidance of Inhalant and Contact
Allergens
• Pancha Karma – Triphala Basti
copyright 2013
Dr. Vivek Shanbhag
www.YogaAyurveda.org

15. Patient Case
Foc: 05-01-13
S: 46 y.o. w, f; exercises 1hr 5x/wk, irregular diet, high travel, high work stress(VP
biz dev), Burning pain in both feet. Dx Type 2 Diabetes for 5yrs, Rx 1500 metformin
daily, FMhx – NIDDM father, brother, maternal uncle
O: ht=5’6”, wt=162lbs, BP=132/88, FBS=160, A1C=7
A: Pitta type, NIDDM, overweight, pittaja pain
P: Pitta Specific Ayurvedic Weight Loss Program
Roc: 05-22-13
S: 46 y.o. w, f; following Pitta Specific Ayurvedic Weight Loss Program Dx Type 2
Diabetes for 5yrs, Rx weaning off metformin, FMhx – NIDDM father, brother,
maternal uncle
O: ht=5’6”, wt=153 lbs, BP=116/68, FBS=96, A1C=5.6
A: Pitta type, NIDDM, overweight, No burning pain
P: Pitta Specific Ayurvedic Weight Loss Program
copyright 2013
Dr. Vivek Shanbhag
www.YogaAyurveda.org

16. Thank You
Dr. Vivek Shanbhag, ND, MD(Ayurveda), BAMS, CYEd.
Licensed Naturopathic Doctor, Ayurveda Practitioner & Professor
Founder & Director of Natural Medicine Clinic, Academy & Wellness Spa
3 Clinics in Mountain View, San Jose & Los Gatos, California
Advisor & Faculty, Association of Ayurvedic Professionals of North America
Board of Directors, California Association of Ayurvedic Medicine
Advisor & Faculty, Japan Ayurveda Association, Tokyo
Adjunct Faculty, Bastyr University, Seattle & San Diego
Faculty, Mount Madonna College of Ayurveda, Watsonville
Faculty, Vedika Global, Emeryville
www.YogaAyurveda.org
408-876-0636
email: drshanbhag@aol.com
copyright 2013
Dr. Vivek Shanbhag