TRANSITION

Transition: the word transition has a broad-spectrum realization. In our lifetime we constantly go through the process of transition. So also the whole Universe. Not only living-beings (what we identify as living), but also the inert world (what we identify as inert), rock, soil, sand etc. Without the process of transition, creation will have no meaning. Transition is the main cause of constant new growth (both ways). We humans will have to understand the true meaning of transition and should develop the aspiration to accept the transitional bittersweet kick-ups in us. Every step of transition is like an overhauling of machines, even if it occurs at each fraction of a second. We go through the process of transition, when we become unhealthy, and again we also go through the process of transition, when we go back to healthy. Stagnation of the mind and body, due to greed, illusion and ignorance are the main causes of slowing down the process of transition.

Many problems, either in our mind or in our body, are due to sickness irrespective of their intensities. The development of the body and mind happen in both ways, good or bad, due to our subtle activities of listening, reading, writing, speaking, observing and following etc. The development of the body is more through regular articulation of the limbs, which we describe as physical exercises or asanas etc, either purposely or in the process of our daily work , and through the consumption of diverse foods and drinks through the process of transition, in evolution. The body and mind have the individual capacities, to digest the materials they take inside them all the problems occur when there is an imbalance in the mental, physical or other levels. Due to excessive intake because of greed or due to deficit side because of illusion.

Page - 170

As the mind has great control over the body, through the power of knowledge (both ways, good and bad), so has the body by giving shelter to the mind, which will otherwise have no meaning.

All the problems of the body come from disruptions in the digestive system, sometimes prominent or sometimes undistinguished. There are numerous methods and systems to cure illnesses, and the direct use of herbs to get healed is one of them. This process requires complete deep calmness, in the individual. One should have unflinching faith in it for optimal results. In moments of physical pain, one should remain calm and take the products of nature as the grace of one’s own God. The healing process should not be perceived as the procedure of magic. One should always hold oneself responsible others can only help.

The healing of nature cure can be painfully long, but in the end, not only the system will be cured but also it will become immune to further illness, if healthy habits of good nutritions are practiced, thereafter.

Page - 171

Solanum nigrum Linn. (S.rubrum Mill)

of the family of Solanaceae.

This weed is used as a green diet along with other vegetables very frequently by the people of the southern states of India, where it grows everywhere in the hotter regions.Popularly known as:

This is an erect divaricately branched, unarmed, suffrutescent annual herb; leaves ovate or oblong, sinuate-toothed or lobed, glabrous; flowers in extra-axillary drooping sub-umbellate cymes; fruits purplish black or reddish; berries; seeds many, discoid, yellow, minutely pitted.The whole of this plant has broad-spectrum use in the aggravated conditions of TRIDOSA infections, like: rheumatalgia, swellings, otalgia, hiccough, nasal catarrh, ophthalmopathy, vomiting, cardiopathy, leprosy, skin diseases, fever, splenomegaly, hemorrhoids, hoarseness, nephropathy, dropsy and general debility. A decoction of the plant depresses the central nervous system and reflexes of the spinal cord and has influence on cardiac activity and in the regulation of blood pressures. The leaves are used as poultice for rheumatic and gouty joints and skin diseases. A decoction of the berries and flowers is useful in cough, erysipelas, rat bite, bronchitis, pulmonary tuberculosis, fever, diarrhoea, ophthalmopathy, rhinopathy and hepatitis. The leaves and berries are especially important as a cure for gastrohelcosis.To make one’s body system immune to all the above complications, one should make this plant a part of one’s daily diet.Twice a week taken as “Manatakkali kira kuzhambu” will certainly benefit the individual.Though it is widely used by the people of the region in their daily diet, it is still advisable to take expert advice, in case of any confusion.

Page - 172

Solanum nigrum Solanaceae

Page - 173

Solanum surattense Solanaceae

Page - 174

Solanum surattense Burn.f.

(S.xanthocarpum Schard. & Wendl.)

of the family Solanaceae

Grows throughout India, mostly in dry situations on roadsides, known as:

This bitter & acrid tasting weed is a thorny shade loving green perennial under-shrub with woody base, zigzag climbing branches that spread a little above the ground level covered with sharp yellowish white prickles; leaves ovate or ovate-oblong, stellately hairy on both sides, armed on the midrib and the nerves with long yellow sharp prickles; flowers blue or purplish blue, in extra-axillary cymes; fruits glabrous, globular drooping berry, yellow or white with green veins, surrounded by the calyx; seeds many, small, reniform, smooth and yellowish brown.

The whole of this plant/weed is useful in vitiated conditions of VATA & KAPHA, severe infestation with worms, decay of teeth, pain in the joint, stomach problems, loss of appetite for food, cold related problems, women menstruation related irregularities etc.

The tribals of India use the juices of crushed fruits to cure pain in the ear. The root of this weed is an important ingredient of the well-known Ayurvedic medicine, DASAMULA. The leaves and fruits are advisable as a part of people’s regular green diet.

Page - 175