Indian Medicine (Medicin), translated by C. G. Kashikar c9.63

c9.63

the sight. The whole body should be anointed with fragrant oil to remove the bad smell, heaviness and fatigue in the limbs and itch, loss of appetite etc. Daily anointing of head with oil obstructs the falling or gray hair, allays headache and promotes sleep. Oiling the ears protects one from ear-disenses, stiffness of throat, lockjaw, difficulty in hearing and deafness. Anointing the feet removes roughness, dryness, heat, numbness of feet, sciatic pain, fissures of the feet etc. Betel-leaves, camphor, cardamom and other spices should be chewed in mouth in order to promote cleanliness and fragrance of the mouth and appetite. Movement or physical exercise (vyāyāma) gives activity, strength, good digestion and reduction of fat. Yet it should be avoided in diseases of vāta and pitta, indigestion and the like. Rubbing or massaging the body (udvartana) removes kapha and fat, makes the limbs strong and the skin tight. Bath makes the body clean, promotes appetite, potency and vitality, gives freshness and strength and removes itch, weariness, perspiration, thirst, heat etc. Warm baths or washes are advantageous only to the lower half of the body, but injurious to the upper. Baths are generally harmful in flatulence, rheumatism, indigestion and after meal. To use fragrance and garland, to wear fresh clothes, jewels and ornaments gives potency, good smell, vitality, favouriteness etc. It is likewise advisable to wear shoes, umbrella and a stick. Care of hair, beard and nails is also recommended according to Bhāv 1.1.93, which also advises to use a looking glass. One must get oneself shaved every five days. Natural tendencies like stool, urine, sneezing, sleep, phlegm and the like should not be suppressed, nor they be artificially excited. One should not sleep by day except in summer, should not see the rising or setting sun etc. (Car 1. 5; 1.4; AS 1.3; 1.5; 1.8; AHr 1.2; 1.4; Bhāv 1.1.89 ff.; Vṛ 81).