Do you know that music is a natural healer?

Mumbai: Leading a hectic life is a part of our chosen lifestyle and practically not much can we do about it. The flip side to this is stress, anxiety and a host of other mental and physical issues. Is there something that can help us recoup from certain illnesses effortlessly? Well, there is an answer to all this in Music.

Do you know that music is a natural healer? Modern science permits music as a therapy - to treat chronic and terminal diseases painlessly. Let’s delve a bit more into this and see if knowing this can help!

Music is a clear reflection of the sum totality of human behaviour.  It is a part of a man’s ethnicity, customs and social legacy. Music was born in the Indian subcontinent with the advent of the Vedas Samaveda to be specific. Haridas Swami - guru of Tansen helped recuperate one of Akbar’s queens with a particular raga. The musical trinity of India, Saint Thyagaraja, Syama Sastri and Muthuswami Dikshitar brought a dead person back to life, cured stomach aches of many and also used music to pray for good health for mankind in general.

It was done through certain ragas in Indian classical, all of which are formed with handpicked notes to work on certain neurons of the human body. These Ragas are curate to belong to a particular time slot in a day and they work best when heard or sung then. Elements in parent raga’s control more than 100 nerves in the body and their ascending (aaroh) and descending (avroh) notes govern moods and mobility that play an important role in the therapeutic prowess of our own music.

Music therapy is often used to aid improvement in multiple areas of brain function deficit and to improve quality of life, as well as facilitating physical healing. Below is a list of ragas that help cure ailments. Some of the ragas are widely known and which can be used to treat a host of other ailments.

For hypertension: Raga Bageshri, Malkauns, Todi, Pooriya, Ahir Bhairav and Jaijayanti. Raga Malkauns is specifically used to treat low blood pressure. Raga Todi and Ahir Bhairavis a miracle pill for High BP patients and as a medication can be heard any time in the day.

Mind: Raga Kaafi and Darbaari, for mental strength and stress, Raga Shiva Ranjani for intellectual excellence, Raga Khamaj particularly for Hysteria and Raga Sahana for control over anger and inner violence. Raga Darbari helps with relieving stress if heard late night and Raga Bhimpalasi if heard in the noon.

Overall stomach: Raga Pooriya Dhanasri and Deepak for Acidity, Raga Jaunpuri and Gunkali for constipation, Malkauns for intestinal gas and fever. Basant Bahar cures Gall Stones. Raga Pooriyais were also known to cure colitis and anaemia if heard in the evening.

Heart problems: Sarang family raga’s, Kalyani and Charukesi work amazingly well for heart blockages and other heart diseases.

Headache: Raga Asaveri and Poorvi are drugs to get rid of headaches. Raga Todi is necessary for headache due to seasonal colds, while Raga Asavari also holds good for psychological disorders. Raga Bhairavi helps cure headaches for Sinusitis.

Diabetes: Raga Bageshri and Raga Jaijayanti for diabetes whether you are at a borderline or on insulin.

Oncology: Raga Bhairavi and Raga Lalit are played particularly during chemotherapy sessions. Patients taking music therapy are believed to recuperate much faster than those only on chemical drugs.

Asthma: Raga Malhar, Mian ki Malhar and Darbari Kanada are known for their healing properties for chronic asthma.

Blood Purification and skin issues: Raga Hindol and Marwa not only purify the blood and help maintain the best of skin possible but also cures high fevers caused due to Malaria and Dengue.

Hormonal problems and PCODs: Slow songs at a lower to medium octave as in Bhajans help in relaxation. They lead to favourable hormonal changes and cures PCODs. Shiv Shambhu bhajans have helped cure back pain and slip discs, Ganpati bhajans have evoked confidence and dispelled fear, Krishna Bhajans have been used to treat depression and stress, Raga Hanswadhani has helped to regenerate cells and bring back energy.

*Disclaimer: the article has been contributed by Ms Runki Goswami, Singer and Music Composer. The opinions expressed in this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and views appearing in this article do not reflect the views of Deccan Chroncile and Deccan Chronicle does not assume any responsibility and liability for the same.