#63: Anup Mulakaluri, ND: Heart & Spirit of Ayurvedic Neurology

Apr 13, 2022

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Despite being born into an Ayurvedic culture, Dr Anup Mulakaluri, ND, didn't seek out Ayurvedic training until his mom gained medical benefit this ancient science. As soon as he started his training, he knew he was at home and brings the cozy comfort of Ayurveda to each patient he sees and the teaching he does, like in our show today. He starts out describing Ayurveda as 'a system of healing, a way of life, a spiritual practice and as a functional medicine'. He then dives into how we can understand ourselves through our doshic makeup, meaning the three components of our constitution termed vata, pitta, and kapha. With his clear definitions and descriptions of how to stay balanced, lovingly shares what to do when it's hard to wake up in the morning, for example. We then shift to the Ayurvedic perspective of neurology. He describes the nervous system is the action arm of consciousness, where choices are made. He discusses the innate connection between the nervous system and the gut as they can be connected through vata dosha and 'vatagati', meaning 'vata goes there'. Dr Mulakaluri unfolds the beauty of Ayurveda to meet the patient exactly with what they need. Typically with neurological disease, primary treatments are to apply soothing oil topically with massage but also internally with ghee, oils, and fatty animal tissue like cold-water fish in the diet. He explains how the lipophilic nature of oil allows it to penetrate through membranes to address neurological tissues. From here, Dr Mulakaluri reviews a few cases with treatments given for a patient with Parkinson's Disease, a patient with primary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS). In brief, he also reviews the incredible and unique process that is Ayurvedic panchakarma for detoxification, cleansing, restoration and rejuvenation. Panchakarma is the tool for hitting the reset button. He bravely answers our question about 'why does Ayurveda work for neurological conditions'. This was such a relaxing show to record and we are thrilled to offer you this look into Ayurveda today.

For more information about Dr Anup Mulakaluri, ND, and his clinic, Natural Rhythms Ayurvedic Naturopathy: https://ayurvedicseattle.com/

Parkinson's:

AV Mungale, et al. Role of Panchkarma and Shaman Chikitsa in Parkinson’s Disease. World Journal of Pharmaceutical research, Vol. 10(2), 1430-1437.
Verma J, et al. An Open Clinical Study to Evaluate the Efficacy of Shirobasti and Nasya with and without Levodopa in the Management of Kampavata w.s.r. to Parkinson’s Disease (PD). Research & Reviews: A Journal of Ayurvedic Science, Yoga & Naturopathy Volume 8, Issue 3.
Sagar M. Bhinde, Kalpana S. Patel,1 Virendra Kumar Kori,1 and S. Rajagopala. Management of spastic cerebral palsy through multiple Ayurveda treatment modalities. Ayu. 2014 Oct-Dec; 35(4): 462–466.

Multiple Sclerosis: Shailesh VD, et al. Effect of Ayurvedic and Panchkarma treatment in Ashti Majja Gata Vata: A Case Study. J. of Ayurved and Holistic Medicine, Vol. 5 (6), Nov-Dec. 2017.

Guillain-Barre Syndrome: Nakanekar, Amit et al. “An ayurvedic approach in the management of Guillain-Barre syndrome: A case study.” Ancient science of life vol. 35,1 (2015): 52-7

Myasthenia Gravis:

Ashwini HA, et al. ROLE OF PANCHAKARMA IN MYASTHENIA GRAVIS– A CASE STUDY. Int. J. Ayur. Pharma Research, 2018;6(3):61-65.
Vidyasagar, Prashanth A.S. A critical understanding of Myasthenia Gravis and it's Treatment in Ayurveda. Int. J. Ayur. Pharma Research, 2018;6(8):55-61