Ayurvedic Home Remedies

Triphala Powder | Tablets | Capsules | Juice Health Benefits

noreply@blogger.com (Ayurvedic Home Remedies) — Thu, 23 Feb 2017 09:57:00 +0000

Triphala is a popular Ayurvedic remedy that has a good number of adherents who vouch for its gentle way of providing countless health benefits and curing various disease conditions. With the Ayurveda way of life spreading far and wide, it is no wonder that almost everyone knows of Ayurvedic remedies like ashwagandha churna, shatavari churna, asokarishta, chyavanprash, and Triphala to name a few. Not many in the west knew of these a few decades ago. While the exorbitant cost of conventional treatment and the adverse side effects of the conventional drugs forced everyone to look for an alternative, the rapid increase in the number of people affected by chronic lifestyle diseases and the ineffective treatment rendered by the conventional system was yet another reason that intensified this search.

It was the effectiveness of Ayurvedic system in treating some of the lifestyle diseases that led to the rapid proliferation of this old medicinal system the world over. Its time tested remedies have been effective in curing a number of so called ‘incurable’ diseases. Naturally, some Ayurveda formulations have become household names. Triphala is one such time tested remedy.

Constituents of Triphala

What is Triphala?

The word ‘Triphala’ means three fruits, the three fruits being Indian gooseberry, chebulicmyrobalan (haritaki), and Terminalia bellirica (bibhitaki). The three fruits have exceptional medicinal valuable medicinally. When they come together in Triphala, the resultant synergistic combo bestows a number of health benefits on its users. No wonder most households these days Triphala is a part of their remedy chest. Some of the classical Triphala preparations are Triphala guggulu, Triphaladhi Ghrita, Arogyavardhini vati, Triphala kwath, Chandraprabha vati.

Top 12 Health Benefits of Triphala

Indian Gooseberry (Amalaki)

This fruit is cultivated throughout India. It is found in home gardens as well as grown commercially in a large scale. It is well known for its Vitamin C content and can be used as a Vitamin C supplement. It is used medicinally for treating anemia, peptic ulcer, diarrhea, jaundice, weak memory to name a few.

Terminalia Chebula (Haritaki)

An important constituent in a number of Ayurvedic formulations, Terminalia Chebula (Haritaki) is used in treating asthma, vomiting, biliousness, bleeding piles, bladder diseases, heart conditions etc. It is an excellent laxative. It is also used in treating dysentery and diarrhea.

Terminalia Bellerica (Bibhitaki)

This fruit is found in deciduous forests of India and Burma. The bark of the tree is used in treating asthma and vitiligo. It is useful in treating bronchitis, sore throat and diseases of urinary bladder. The powder of this herb helps arrest bleeding. The oil made using this herb helps luscious hair growth.

What is Triphala Churna?

The powder obtained on crushing the dry fruits and mixing them in required proportions is called Triphala Powder or ‘Triphala Churna’. The usual proportion of ingredients is 1:1:1. The three fruits are dried and finely powdered and then mixed in equal proportion by weight. This is the general Triphala formulation available in the market.

Health Benefits of Triphala

Used as a mild and gentle laxative for chronic constipation.
Rich in anti-oxidants, relieves oxidative pressure.
Gently detoxifies the body and restores the efficacy of the digestive tract.
Aids digestion
Cures sore throat.
Improves immunity.
Improves eyesight.
Helps proper assimilation of food.
Improves liver function.
Relieves arthritic pain and reduces inflammation in the joints.
Helps lose weight
Helps keep diabetes in check
Helps fight cancer
Takes care of allergies
Helps hair growth
Eliminates dandruff.
Brings down excessive cholesterol to normal levels.
Nourishes skin
Clears dark circles around eyes
Improves hair color
Clears acne

With such a wide range of medicinal property in its possession, it is no wonder Triphala is used extensively in Ayurveda for treating various disease conditions. Now we will see briefly the medicinal benefits of Triphala powder.

Triphala for Constipation

Triphala for Constipation

It is the non habit forming and non addictive nature of Triphala that has endeared most of its enthusiasts. Most would have encountered the remedy the first time as a solution for their constipation. The first choice of an Ayurvedic physician for constipation is Triphala unless the disease conditions suggest otherwise. Triphala activates the secretion of the digestive juices in stomach. It also stimulates the peristaltic movement of the large intestines, thus relieving constipation and cleansing the colon.

For chronic conditions a dose of this powerful remedy (3-5 gm) is taken and mixed in warm water and taken three times a day. A smaller dose (2-3gm) is recommended as a preventative in case there is a tendency to constipate often. This dosage relieves constipation and eases bowel movement.

Triphala for Weight Loss

Triphala aids Weight Loss

Triphala stimulates liver and improves the ability to get rid of toxins from our body. Triphala’s action as a colon cleanser helps weight loss as a healthy colon gets rid of waste in an efficient manner. Also Triphala helps in proper assimilation of food as well as elimination of waste matter. It also fights chronic inflammation usually observed in obese people, thus helping the body to get back into fat burning mode. Being a laxative and cleanser, it expels toxin and excess water resulting in a quick and safe weight loss.

Triphala for Cancer

Triphala for Cancer

Triphala is found to stop the growth and proliferation of cancer cells. Triphala is an excellent scavenger of free radicals and has radio protective properties. This leads to a sort of cancer cell death (cytotoxicity of cancer cells). Further studies on the efficacy of Triphala in combating various types of cancer are ongoing in India and other countries. Breast cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic and blood cancer respond very well to Triphala.

Triphala for Skin Care

Triphala for Skin care

It is well known fact that accumulation of toxins over a period of time impedes the normal functioning of various organs and also manifests as skin eruptions, boils and other skin diseases. With Triphala being a gentle laxative and excellent detoxifier, it is only reasonable to expect regular intake of Triphala to benefit the skin. Triphala can also be applied externally to remove skin blemishes. It adds glow and vitality to the skin.

Indian gooseberry (amlaki) is rich in Vitamin C. It has excellent anti-inflammatory properties that help the skin regain its lost vitality. Chebulic myrobalan (haritaki) is a well-known laxative that keeps constipation at bay. It eases bowel movement and increases frequency of stools. It also clears fungal infection of the skin. Terminalia bellerica (bibhitaki) is a well known purgative. It promotes hair growth and cures premature greying. It improves immunity and promotes good health.

Triphala for Eyes

Eyesight diminishes with age, due to certain diseases like diabetes, or due to decreasing immunity. Triphala improves immunity and Triphala decoction cooled and strained can be used as eyewash to take care of various conditions like red eyes, conjunctivitis, glaucoma etc.

How to take Triphala?

This wonder remedy was taken in powder form since it came into existence. The taste of the powder is not easily palatable and hence with widespread usage, more easily palatable forms like tablet, capsule and syrup were introduced.

Triphala Churna

Triphala powder is called Triphala churna. This can be taken once a day, either in the morning or at night. Ideal dosage would be 1-2 teaspoonfuls per day. Mix the powder in hot water and allow it to room temperature. Drink the remedy warm. For best results it is advised to take the powder well in advance of breakfast or dinner, say 30-45 minutes.

Triphala Tablet/Capsule

Triphala tablets offer the same benefits as the powder sans the difficult taste and reach the stomach more easily. Two tablets make a spoonful of Triphala powder. It is not advised to take Triphala in any form when suffering from diarrhea.

Triphala Syrup/Juice

A completely harmless and easy to use alternative to the churna and tablet/capsule is the Triphala juice. Triphala juice can be prepared using 8 ounces of warm water. A lemon is squeezed to this water and a tablespoon of honey is also added. Now one tablespoon of Triphala powder is added to this water and mixed thoroughly. Triphala juice is ready for consumption. Taking Triphala in this form aids weight loss.

Triphala Oil

When Triphala powder is added to hot coconut or sesame oil and then allowed to cool to room temperature the ensuing oil is called Triphala oil. This oil has excellent wound healing properties. The oil can be applied on non-healing chronic ulcers. Regular application helps heal the ulcers. This oil can also be used to take care of skin blemishes, rashes and other conditions.

Side effects of Triphala

Most of the side effects occur due to a prolonged excessive dosage of Triphala. Although Triphala is safe for consumption, care should be taken when taken along with conventional medications as this can cause undesirable effects. Hence it is advised that you consult with your physician before taking this remedy.

Ayurveda physicians recommend pregnant women to not take Triphala. Also Triphala should not be taken when suffering from diarrhea. In some rare cases Triphala can cause allergic reactions like breathing obstruction, itching and rashes on skin, swelling of throat etc. Some may experience insomnia and find it difficult to fall asleep in the initial phase which can gradually fade away with regular usage. In case of experiencing any mild discomfort, it is advised to stop taking the medicament and start again after a few days at a lower dose.

The health benefits of taking Triphala is huge and the side effects if any can be totally eliminated with a judicious adjustment of the dosage. An Ayurvedic expert can guide you in the right direction.

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Ashwagandha Benefits and Medicinal Uses

noreply@blogger.com (Ayurvedic Home Remedies) — Thu, 09 Feb 2017 10:45:00 +0000

What is Ashwagandha?

Withania Somnifera, popularly known as Ashwagandha is used as a single herb or used in polyherbal or herbomineral formulations in Ayurveda. The word ashwagandha in Sanskrit means ‘horse’s odor’ because of the characteristic odor of the herb similar to horse’s sweat. It can also mean that the herb bestows the strength and vitality of a horse to the user. Lots of studies are going on worldwide to test and verify the various healing properties of this herb.

Also known as Indian ginseng, Ashwagandha is used in Ayurveda to treat various disease conditions like epilepsy, tumors, gout, lumbosacral stiffness, stiffness of joints, cardiac failure, vitiligo, ulcers in genital area, diseases of the urinary tract in women, abscess, depression etc. It has anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, cardioprotective properties. It is used as a mild tranquilizer because of its sleep inducing property. It has excellent thyroprotective and hypoglycaemic properties. It is regarded as a broad spectrum remedy for various disease conditions. Ashwagandha benefits all parts of human body and can be taken in powder, tablet or capsule form. Ashwagandha.

Ashwagandha Health Benefits

Ashwagandha Root Powder

Ashwagandha is also called winter cherry and grows as a small evergreen shrub to a height of 4 or 5 feet. It belongs to the Solanaceae family of which the tomatoes and eggplants belong. It is cultivated widely in central and north western India and used in more than 100 Unani, Siddha and Ayurveda formulations. All parts of this wonder herb have medicinal value. Ashwagandha leaves have anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective and antibacterial properties. The fruits and seeds of the plant are used as diuretic. It is the root that is mainly used in Ayurvedic formulations. The root has anti-inflammatory properties and is used in treating swellings, tumors, rheumatism etc.

Chemical Constituents of Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha has steroidal lactones called withanolides. The pharmacological activity of the herb can be attributed to these steroidal lactones. In addition to that, Ashwagandha also contains 18 fatty acids, some of which are sedative and hypnotic. It has amino acids aspartic acid, glycine, tyrosine, alanine, glutamic acid and cysteine present in its roots.

Ashwagandha as Adaptogen

Adaptogens help our bodies to adapt to the stresses they are subjected to on a daily basis. They help normalize the physiological functioning of our bodies. Ashwagandha is clinically proven to have excellent adaptogenic capabilities. Double blind trial involving 60 healthy children of 8-12 years with oral intake of 2 gm a day of root powder showed an increase in mean corpuscular haemoglobin, total protein and body weight of the children. No toxic effects were observed even after eight months of daily consumption. Another study conducted on adults showed increase in haemoglobin and red blood cell count. There was a good reduction in ESR levels and improvement in sexual performance. Thus Ashwagandha is found to be very helpful in restoring and maintaining general health.

Ashwagandha for Skin

Ashwagandha for Stress and Anxiety

Ashwagandha root powder was tested in highly stressed individuals and found to safely and effectively increase an individual’s threshold levels to stress, thereby improving his/her quality of life. Ashwagandha is found to be effective in treating insomnia. It helps the body generate the necessary energy to settle and sleep and act as a rejuvenator and nervine tonic. Thus it helps overcome stress related conditions in a positive way. It rejuvenates the nervous system, eases out stress and takes care of insomnia. Ashwagandha root powder can be taken with cow’s ghee or sugar to cure sleeplessness. How much ashwagandha should I take for anxiety? The usual ashwagandha dosage for anxiety is 3-6 grams a day.

Ashwagandha’s Diuretic, Hypoglycaemic and Hypocholesterolemic Effects

Ashwagandha was found to decrease blood glucose levels comparable to that of an oral hypoglycemic drug. It helps normalize high blood sugar and improve insulin sensitivity. Ashwagandha is an excellent diuretic and complements weight loss efforts. A decrease in serum cholesterol levels was also observed on regular consumption of ashwagandha root powder. Ashwagandha lowers blood pressure and is found to arrest formation of stress induced ulcers.

Ashwagandha and Cancer

Growth Promoting Effects of Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha is well known for its growth promoting effects in children. Studies showed that a 60-day consumption of ashwagandha root powder 2 gm/day along with punarnava 2gm/day had a marked increase in haemoglobin levels, serum iron, MCV and increase in body weight of participants. Ashwagandha root powder is an excellent growth promoter in children. It is a well known memory booster. Children can benefit from drinking a glass of warm grass-fed cow’s milk mixed with a spoonful of ashwagandha root powder every day morning after breakfast.

Ashwagandha has anti-arthritic effects and brings down arthritic pain in joints when taken regularly. A painful, dry, swollen and inflamed joint is taken care of with Ashwagandha herb. One teaspoon of the root powder is taken in warm milk to reduce the arthritic pain.

Ashwagandha for Young and Old

Ashwagandha Benefits for Weight Loss

When used along with other weight loss supplements, Ashwagandha is found to improve their weight reduction capabilities. This is due to its adaptogenic property of stabilizing stress related fluctuations. This helps people who gain weight due to overeating.

For weight loss efforts to succeed a strong immune system is imperative. A vibrant immune system facilitates the body to continue its fat burning activities as the general tendency of the body in an immuno-compromised situation is to move away from fat burning mode as fighting the pathogens takes priority. Hence a strong immune system is necessary for an effective weight loss regimen. Ashwagandha comes in handy with its immunity boosting capabilities. Ashwagandha reduces inflammation commonly observed in overweight people.

When adrenal glands produce cortisol in excess in a stressful condition, and when this happens day in and day out, it leads to weight gain, nervous eating, muscle loss etc. Cortisol being a survival hormone, also stimulates production of glucose and triggers a hunger response in the brain. Ashwagandha is known to bring down cortisol to reasonable levels thus protecting the adrenal glands and helping weight loss.

How to take Ashwagandha Powder for Weight Loss?

Ashwagandha powder is either mixed in milk or honey, and taken in the mornings after food.

Ashwagandha boosts Immunity

Ashwagandha Leaves for Inflammation

A paste made of ashwagandha leaves is applied topically on local inflammation for quick relief from pain. Ashwagandha oil (made by adding ashwagandha powder to coconut oil) is used as massage oil for paralysis, sleeplessness etc.

Ashwagandha for Skin

Ashwagandha oil is also used in treating certain skin conditions. Vitiligo responds favorably to the action of ashwagandha. Paste made of ashwagandha powder is used in treating keratosis. It is also an excellent skin toner. For this purpose, a spoonful of fine ashwagandha root powder is mixed in organic coconut oil and made into a thick paste. This is applied as a thin layer on affected areas of the skin.

Ashwagandha for Debility and Weakness

Regular intake of Ashwagandha churna helps improve old age weakness, brain fag, tiredness, spermatorrhea, loss of muscular energy etc. Ashwagandha is very much helpful in patients suffering from chronic diseases like rheumatism, syphilis, and post-surgery recuperation etc. It rebuilds the system that has been ravaged by the disease. It is found to be very effective in treating retinopathy and conjunctivitis. It is also recommended for treating uterine fibroids in women.

Ashwagandha for Men and Women

Ashwagandha churna taken with honey and ghee in the prescribed format helps improve semen quality. When taken regularly it helps overcome erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation. It boosts libido and heightens sexual experience while promoting a calm state of mind. It also benefits the female reproductive system and increases weight of the ovaries.

Ashwagandha and Cancer

Studies done in 2003 and 2007 have shown that ashwagandha is found to be beneficial in inhibiting the growth and spread of breast, lungs and colon cancers.

Ashwagandha an Excellent Anti-oxidant

Ashwagandha neutralizes and eliminates free radicals in our body’s immune system. It is these free radicals that wreak havoc and cause breakdown of tissues which leads to rapid aging. Lactating mothers can improve their breast milk’s nutritive quality with consumption of ashwagandha tablets.

Ashwagandha for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease

Ashwagandha is found to enhance memory and stabilize mood. It improves the capacity to learn. Further research in this direction is ongoing.

Though not many studies have been conducted with regard to bipolar disorders, a very limited study has shown promise in the mood stabilizing capacity of ashwagandha. Mood and anxiety score levels remained stable in the subjects during the period of intake of ashwagandha. Ashwagandha also benefits people with ADHD and ADD disorders.

The health benefits of ashwagandha are well known in the Ayurvedic world for thousands of years. It has been used to treat a range of disease conditions.

Ashwagandha Dosage

There no recommended dosage of ashwagandha but it is safe to take 3 to 6 gm a day. For better results fresh ashwagandha powder should be used, preferably organically grown. Due to the increase in demand for the herb, commercial cultivation has gone up considerably. Hence it is wise to look out for organically grown ashwagandha to reap full benefits of the herb.

How to take Ashwagandha Churna?

The term churna means powder and Ashwagandha can be taken in powder, tablet or capsule form.

Side Effects of Ashwagandha Root Powder

Caution should be exercised when taking Ashwagandha along with barbiturates or sleep inducing compounds. It is advised not to take Ashwagandha in such conditions. Similarly, consumption of Ashwagandha when under the influence of alcohol is not advised. No toxic effects were noted on regular ashwagandha root powder dosage of up to 6 gm per day. Excessive consumption of the herb can cause stomach upset, vomiting and diarrhea. It has a tendency to induce abortion in women, hence pregnant women should desist from taking this herb.

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Computer Vision Syndrome - Ayurvedic Treatment Options

noreply@blogger.com (Ayurvedic Home Remedies) — Mon, 05 Sep 2016 16:03:00 +0000

Staring at the computer screen and focusing on it for protracted and uninterrupted periods of time results in Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS). It is also known as digital eye strain, where the prolonged computer or other digital devices usage results in vision related problems. A very bright computer screen is almost invariably the culprit in such situations. When an individual looks at a bright screen for 3-4 hours without interruption, there is every chance of occurrence of this condition in him/her. As computers as well as cell phones and other handheld devices have become inseparable from the everyday lives of people, it is only natural that more and more people will suffer from CVS. Awareness of alternative treatment for CVS can save you money as well as peace of mind.

Some common causes of CVS:

Distance between the device and the eyes is too short.

Prolonged poor sitting posture in front of a computer.

Straining the eyes too much in an effort to read or see things on the screen.

Brightness of the screen way beyond recommended levels.

Lack of relaxation to the eyes.

Though CVS is a new phenomenon that is found everywhere with the advent of computers, Ayurveda has some excellent remedies up its sleeves to treat such conditions.

How to cure CVS?

Based on the cause of CVS, an effective treatment regime can be worked out to overcome its ill effects. While it goes without saying that a proper distance between the device and the user should be maintained (15 inches minimum), it should also be noted that a break of 5-10 minutes after two hours of computer work is recommended. Too much of brightness should be brought down to reduce strain on eyes. It is only when these suggestions are implemented that a treatment regime would be effective and will bear positive result.

Ayurveda for CVS

You should make it a routine to rest your eyes after a day’s work. For this, you can wash your face and eyes with cold water and place a 5mm slice of cucumber on each eye simultaneously for about 10-15 minutes. Similarly you can splash your face with cold water once every 2-3 hours during your work hours. Too much of strain in the neck and eyes can be taken care of with occasional ‘shirodhara’ a process where medicated oil is poured on the forehead as a thin stream. This relieves stress and relaxes you thoroughly.

Shirodhara

Triphala choorna is an effective remedy for CVS. Taking a spoon of this powder with warm milk at night for 2-3 weeks relieves you of CVS. Triphala is an excellent remedy recommended by the great Siddha saints for longevity and a disease free life. Hence, regular intake of Triphala choorna is highly recommended for good health.

Following are some of the remedies used in treating CVS. Triphala gritha, Dhatri loha, amlaki rasayana, Netramritam (a product of Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala) amlaki choorna, jeevantyadhi gritha etc. These above mentioned remedies should be taken under the suprevision of an experienced Ayurveda physician.

CVS can be treated effectively with Ayurvedic remedies that gives you a lasting cure sans unnecessary side effects.

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Ayurvedic Home Remedies for Kidney Stones (Renal Calculi)

noreply@blogger.com (Ayurvedic Home Remedies) — Fri, 26 Feb 2016 16:28:00 +0000

Incidents of kidney stone in young people, sometimes even kids, is on the rise these days. They undergo immense pain and suffering due to this condition. Sometimes the pain is so intense that surgery had to be resorted to. The stones get formed either in the kidneys, the gallbladder or the urinary tract. More males than females suffer from renal calculi. Obese people are more prone to get renal stones than others. There are some time tested Ayurvedic home remedies found to be successful in expelling these kidney stones. First let us find out what causes kidney stones.

Renal calculi is known as mutrashmari in Ayurveda. Mutra means urine and ashmari, stone. According to Ayurveda texts, some notable reasons for kidney stones are sedentary lifestyle, improper diet, loss of sleep, less intake of water, excessive fast food intake, thyroid disease, kidney infection etc. Ayurvedic lifestyle recommends a balanced diet which has all the six tastes in required proportions. When one taste is preferred over the others and taken in excess, it can result in improper digestion and assimilation of nutrients, which can potentially turn into kidney stones. One example is consumption of too much of sweets.

One recent study of renal stones in children attributes consumption of too much energy drink to formation of kidney stones. Consumption of nutrients more than that what is needed, can result in improper assimilation and can result in renal calculi.

Some symptoms of renal calculi include pain in the lower back radiating from back to front, severe pain on urination, red colored urination, irritability tastelessness etc. X-ray and ultrasound of the abdomen can reveal presence of kidney stones.

Some Ayurvedic Home Remedies for Kidney Stones

Punarnava, ginger, gokshura, ash gourd, ashwagandha, horse gram are some of the herbs used in treating renal calculi.

Watermelon is useful in preventing and treating kidney stones. Taking this fruit everyday helps keep the body hydrated too.

Horse gram is yet another remedy for renal calculi. For best results soup made of horse gram is taken twice a day, three days a week.

Plantain pith juice helps clear renal calculi but should be taken in moderation. Frequent usage is not recommended.

Home Treatment Plan for Kidney Stones

Once presence of stones in kidneys is confirmed, adopting the below mentioned treatment plan has been found to be very effective in expelling kidney stones. A rapid elimination of kidney stones is effected by following a strict ‘no solid food’ regimen for three days. Warm water and vegetable soup alone are taken for three days. This helps in the elimination of toxins from the body. Kidney stones get dislodged and eliminated easily along with the toxins. After successful completion of the three day ‘no solid food’ regimen, on the fourth day rice conjee is taken. Equal quantity of dried ginger (chukku), pepper (milagu), cumin seeds (seeragam), and coriander (dhaniya) are fried and powdered added to this conjee. A small pinch of rock salt can be added for taste. This helps in easy digestion and elimination of remaining toxins.

The above treatment plan can be used for treating appendicitis also.

In case of severe pain and presence of bigger size stones, gokshura (nerunjil thorn) comes in handy. This can be obtained from herbal stores. Collect handful of gokshura seeds, dry them in shade. They are then fried over mild fire and then powdered to a fine consistency. A teaspoon of this powder is boiled in a glass of water and reduced to half. This decoction is taken three times a day or when feeling thirsty. This takes care of tougher cases.

One note of caution, do not drink too much of water than needed in a desperate attempt to expel the stones. This can impede the digestive process and further delay the expulsion.

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Agnimukh Churna: Ayurvedic Home Remedies

noreply@blogger.com (Ayurvedic Home Remedies) — Thu, 25 Feb 2016 18:25:00 +0000

“Agni” (fire) in Ayurvedic parlance is the force that drives digestion, metabolism in an individual. The stomach is called “pachak” or cook that makes use of this fire to digest and absorb the food we eat. When all the three doshas, Vata, Pitta and Kapha are in harmony in an individual his/her degree of digestion of food and absorption of nutrients is optimal. This individual will be healthy and possess a strong immune system. The digestive fire in this person is called samanagni or samagni.

When there is an imbalance in the three doshas and there is a dominance of Vata, then it can result in conditions of diarrhea, wind in the intestines, rumbling, etc alternating with normal digestion. The vitiated fire is then called vishamagni.

If there is a domination of pitha in an individual then there is rapid digestion irrespective of the type of food consumed. This can result in sour eructations, hyperacidity, painful urination, etc and the body grows weak and emaciated. This individual experiences a constant feeling of hunger. The digestive fire here has turned into tikshagni or teekshagni.

When kapha dominates an individual due to the imbalance of the three doshas, it can result in protracted and prolonged digestion of even a small quantity of food. This causes heaviness in abdomen, asthma, respiratory illnesses, fatigue, nausea etc. Here the fire is called mandagni.

Agnimuka choornam or aknimukh choorna is an excellent remedy for all the above mentioned conditions. With the intake of this remedy the vitiated doshas are pacified resulting in re-establishing the lost harmony. Samagni is the result which helps in regaining lost health. Hence this preparation is useful in treating all types of digestive problems.

Ingredients of Agnimukh choorna are asafoetida, sweetflag (acorus calamus), piper longum (thippili), chebulic myrobalan (kadukkai), oregano (ajwain, omam), dried cleansed ginger (chukku), white leadwort root (koduveli), Indian costus root (koshtam).

Sweetflag

Asafoetida is used in treating indigestion and constipation. Sweetflag is well known remedy for bloated stomach, flatulence, diarrhea in infants. It aids digestion. Piper longum is useful in treating polydipsia (excessive thirst). Chebulic myrobalan cleanses toxins from liver. Oregano is an antibacterial agent. Dried ginger is an excellent appetizer. White leadwort root is regarded as a kayakalpa herb. This is a good general tonic for the whole body. The decoction of Indian costus root is used in treating poisonous bites. All these herbs combine together in agnimukh chooran to reinstate the lost samanagni.

How to prepare Agnimukh churna at home?

The ingredients of agnimuga chooranam are all available at the local herbal stores in India as well as online worldwide. The ingredients are taken starting with the first, asafoetida 10 gm and and increment of 10 gm each for other ingredients in the order mentioned earlier. So sweetflag 20 gm, piper longum 30 gm, chebulic myrobalan 40 mg, oregano 50 mg, dried ginger 60 mg, white leadwort root 70 gm and Indian costus root 80 gm are collected. Each herb is powdered to a very fine consistency and then mixed together. This is stored in a cool dry place.

Take half a teaspoon of this powder, mix it in a glass of cold water, and drink it before food both in the morning and at night. This is repeated three to four days. This is a quick and safe way to bring back the digestive system to normalcy.

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Vilvadi Lehyam: Ayurvedic Home Remedies for Stomach Ailments

noreply@blogger.com (Ayurvedic Home Remedies) — Wed, 24 Feb 2016 14:50:00 +0000

Bilwa Tree with its fruits

Bilva or bael fruit also known as golden apple or wood apple is a fruit obtained from the bael tree, a species native to India. The woody shelled fruit requires almost 10 to 11 months to ripen for consumption. The tree is called ‘vilva maram’ in Tamil and ‘bilva’ in Telugu, A sacred tree for Hindus, the bael tree can be found in all Siva temples, especially in Tamil Nadu. All parts of the bael or bilwa tree, the root, the bark, leaves, fruit, flowers, twigs etc have immense medicinal value. There are a number of excellent medical concoctions Both Ayurveda and Siddha systems of medicine make use of the

Bilva or Vilva tree is well known for its medicinal properties, especially its action on the digestive system and the stomach in particular. The hard outer shell of the bael fruit or wood apple has to be broken open to relish the content with jaggery and cardamom. This is a tasty treat that can arrest diarrhea and dysentery. When taken with cumin seeds and ginger it is found to be effective in treating hemorrhoids. The decoction of the root is an anti-emetic and a good remedy for bowel inflammation. The decoction made of the bilwa leaves is used in treating peptic ulcer.

Vilva leaves have been successfully used to bring down excessive sugar levels in diabetic patients. For this purpose some 5-10 vilva leaves are soaked in plain water overnight. The next day morning the water soaked leaves are ground to a fine paste and then taken on empty stomach. This is also effective in treating diabetic ulcers. Tablets prepared from vilva leaves is an excellent remedy for hyperglycemia.

Vilwadi Lehyam/Bilwadi Leham is a well known product of the Kerala tradition that makes use of the Vilva fruit and other parts of the tree as its main ingredient Other ingredients include coriander, cumin, caraway, pepper, long pepper, ginger, korai kizhangu (musta), nagkesar (nagappu in Tamil). One of the effective ways of taking such preparations is to place them on betel leaf or banyan leaf,then lick and slowly munch them down.

Vilvadi lehyam is taken for ailments of the stomach like gastritis, vomiting, poor digestion, diarrhea and dysentry, and asthma. A tablespoonful (5 gms) of this lehyam ( a jam like concoction) can be taken with milk three times a day after food. This is a very effective remedy for those affected by the above said conditions under the guidance of an expert Ayurveda practitioner. This preparation is also useful in treating irritable bowel syndrome, heartburn, acid-reflux etc (IBD). There is no known side effects on taking this medication.

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Ayurvedic Home Remedies: Triphala Health Benefits

noreply@blogger.com (Ayurvedic Home Remedies) — Sat, 12 Jul 2014 13:31:00 +0000

Triphala is one of the most popular and effective Ayurvedic remedies used over the millennia to treat various illnesses. This powder with excellent medicinal properties is effective in treating constipation as well as detoxifying the body. It is a gentle detoxifier par excellence. It regulates glucose levels in diabetics, controls hypertension and even stops the progression of cancers.

Indian Gooseberry

Triphala means ‘three fruits’ in Sanskrit; the three fruits are Indian gooseberry, kadukkai (Terminalia chebula) and thanrikkai (Terminalia Bellirica). The three fruits on their own have immense medicinal value and are used in the preparation of various home remedies. When these fruits come together in Thiripala, their medicinal powers multiply synergistically, resulting in a remedy that has a wide range of healing applications.

Triphala balances the tridoshas vata, pitta and kapha. It is mentioned in Ayurvedic text Sushrut Samhita. Generally Ayurveda physicians prescribe Triphala for constipation as it is cleanses the bowel in a gentle manner while acting as a detoxifier. Hence this preparation can be taken in moderation every day without any nasty side effects. But when we limit its usage to just a laxative, we might miss out on its other health promoting properties.

Regular intake of triphala benefits lungs and reduces the intensity of an asthmatic attack. It is rich in antioxidants, hence effective in combating cancers and signs of aging. It guards you against infectious diseases and tackles chronic ulcers and arthritis effectively. Triphala’s detoxifying effect results in healthy skin and good hair growth.

Thiriphala powder can be taken with water or honey. A tablespoon of the powder is mixed in water and taken at nights at bedtime (one hour after supper) for constipation. It can also be taken with honey for cleansing and other health purposes. Some find it hard to stomach the taste of the powder. They can take the powder in capsule form.

Triphala tea is yet another easy way to consume the remedy. Boil a glass of water and add a teaspoon of triphala powder. Allow the water to cool and add honey as needed to hide the taste.

Triphala can also be used an eyewash for eye infections. For this purpose triphala powder steeped water kept overnight is used. Splashing this water on eyes is found to be beneficial in redness of eyes etc.

Pregnant women should desist from taking Triphala as it has a tendency to favor miscarriage. Excessive intake can lead to dehydration and stomach troubles due to its laxative properties.

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10 Ayurvedic Home Remedy Tips to Stop Hair Loss

noreply@blogger.com (Ayurvedic Home Remedies) — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 12:31:00 +0000

Men and women love to have thick, luscious, black hair. It makes them feel young and confident. But the numbers of men and women with healthy thick hair growth seem to be dwindling day by day. There are a number of reasons for hair loss and similarly there are a number of home remedies too to treat this condition.

Long hair was a craze not so long ago. Womenfolk would set aside time to take care of their hair, keeping the scalp adequately oiled and hair neat and untangled. Washing the hair and drying it took a long time. Spending so much time on hair has become a luxury for all these days. People could not devote much time to hair care due to their hectic schedule. It has resulted in a dramatic increase in the number of people suffering from hair loss and poor hair growth.

Some reasons for hair loss include heredity, anemia, stress and anxiety, dandruff, autoimmune diseases like lupus etc, hypothyroidism, unclean or unhealthy scalp, fungus, chemicals, environmental pollution etc.

Take plenty of Fruits and Vegetables to arrest hair fall

Intake of healthy food like fruits and vegetables, keeping away from junk food and leading a stress free life, though sound clichéd, are still the basic tenets for healthy living as well as healthy hair. So the first step to arrest hair loss is to adopt this healthy lifestyle. This should be followed by trying a few home remedies specific to the individual’s condition. Proper hair care takes time, but the benefits are there to be seen.

Some of the time-tested Ayurvedichome remedies for hair loss are given below. Choose the one that suits you best, based on your body type and easy availability of ingredients.

Fenugreek Paste Arrests Hair Fall

Fenugreek is a great hair loss remedy. The best way to use fenugreek is to make a paste with cow’s milk. The paste made of fenugreek and milk is applied generously onto the scalp and washed off after 15 minutes with warm water and soap nut powder. One note of caution. This method is not suited for those who catch cold very easily.

Dried gooseberry, white pepper, kadukkai, aromatic turmeric (kasthuri manjal), and neem seeds of equal quantity are collected. These are powdered individually and then mixed together. A teaspoon of this powder is taken and boiled in milk to form a thick paste. The paste is applied warm on scalp. It is allowed to remain for 10-15 minutes and then washed off with soap-nut powder.

Arugampul (Bermuda grass) and athimathuram powder are added to coconut oil and boiled to reach a thick consistency of a thailam. Filter the resultant preparation and store in a cool place. This thick oil is applied to scalp and washed off after 15 minutes. This is a very effective treatment for dandruff and hair loss.

Navacharam is the Tamil name for ammonium chloride. One very effective way to combat hair loss due to fungus attack of scalp is to mix a teaspoon of navacharam in honey and applying the ensuing preparation on scalp, particularly in spots which have been affected by fungus.

Cut small onion (shallot) into half and rub it on the scalp where there is hair loss due to fungus, ringworm, or bacterial infection. Wash off with warm water after 15 minutes. Onion has well-known antibacterial and antiseptic properties and hence can help in arresting hair fall. The same technique can be followed using wild garlic pods. Freshly cut wild garlic pods are rubbed on scalp. Garlic is also a well known antibacterial and antifungal agent which can prove beneficial in cases where hair loss is due to ringworm or other bacterial infections. Care should be taken as some can be allergic to onion or garlic. So the ideal way to benefit from garlic or onion is to test a small portion of the scalp initially and then if there is no reddening of scalp or unbearable itchy feeling, you can proceed to treat the rest of the affected areas of the scalp.

Henna Leaves help luscious hair growth

Henna leaf is yet another time tested herb that helps in treating hair loss. Collect two fistful of henna leaf and make a fine thick paste out of it. The paste is patted flat and round into shape of a one rupee coin. Allow this to try in shade for a day or two. Drop these henna tablets into a bottle of sesame oil. After 3-4 days place this bottle of sesame oil in hot sun for one day. Heat the oil in stove and as the henna paste turns brown remove from stove and let it cool. Store the oil in a bottle. This henna steeped oil is applied on scalp and massaged thoroughly to prevent hair loss and premature graying.

Elephant tusk is prescribed in certain Siddha texts to treat hair loss due to fungal growth. The tusk is burnt to ashes. The ensuing fine powder is mixed in coconut oil and applied on fungus affected areas of the scalp.

Water amaranth (Ponnanganni in Tamil) and false daisy (karisalanganni, bhringraj) are two herbs used in preparing hair oil. Bhringraj hair oil is a well known Ayurvedic hair oil for hair growth. Both these herbs are cleaned and the leaves are ground to make a fine paste. This paste is added to coconut and allowed to boil for 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and allow it to cool. Store the oil in a bottle. Apply this oil to scalp and hair every day. This arrests hair fall and helps thick luscious hair growth.

Shallots, a remedy for fungal attack on scalp

Take a handful of small onions (shallots). Cut them to thin slices. Heat a liter of coconut oil and drop the onion slices into the oil. When the onion slices start to float atop the heated oil, remove from heat and allow the oil to cool. This oil is applied to the scalp once in two days for 10 to 15 minutes and then washed with soap nut powder. This is an effective way to prevent hair loss.

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Ayurvedic Home Remedies: Health Benefits of Ice Apple (a.k.a. Palm Fruit)

noreply@blogger.com (Ayurvedic Home Remedies) — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 08:11:00 +0000

One fascinating aspect of Mother Nature is her myriad ways of taking care of the living beings that inhabit the earth. During the summer season we can see plenty of cucumber, water melon, tender coconut, ice apple etc everywhere that help human beings combat the ill effects of the soaring temperature of a hot summer.

Freshly cut Ice Apple cluster

Ice apple, also known as palm fruit or Nungu in Tamil is a delicious jelly like fruit that beats all the others for its cooling effect on a hot summer day. This seasonal nungu is the tender fruit of the palmyra tree. This tree is found in plenty in the villages of South India lining the paddy fields. It is the official tree of the Tamil Nadu State. It is a native to South and Southeast Asia. You can also find these trees in Pakistan, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, Java and other Southeast Asian countries.

During summer you can find clusters of palmyra fruit in the tree hanging down below the palm leaves. They have a thick violet black husk. The top greenish covering is cut to reveal the three sockets in which the fruit is located. The jelly has a tender brownish-yellow skin. Watery fluid is found inside the jelly which has excellent cooling properties.

Ice Apple with skin

The fruits of the palmyra palm grow in clusters. The tender, pale white, translucent jelly like fruit is seasonal and can be found in plenty in summer. Ice apple is rich in vitamins, iron, zinc, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, thiamin, riboflavin etc. Children love ice apple for its taste and softness. Pregnant women can overcome constipation and related difficulties with the help of ice apple. Dieters who are on a weight loss regimen can take ice apple. It does not contain fat or carbohydrates.

Seasonal problems like prickly heat affect children and grownups alike in summer. Ice apple is an excellent remedy for prickly heat. This has been my personal experience. In my childhood days I was prone to prickly heat of the summer. Come the month of April and my chest and back would be covered with prickly heat. My mom used to coat me with a thin layer of ice apple jelly. The soothing effect of the ice apple provided an immediate relief to that nasty itch. This application was continued for two to three days and the prickly heat boils would vanish in no time.

Ice Apple skin removed

To reap maximum benefit out of ice apple it should be consumed along with its tender pink, brownish skin. Though taking the fruit with the skin may taste a bit sour it can heal stomach ulcers. So take a few fruits along with the skin for your benefit. The jelly part is cut to pieces and added to milk and honey. This preparation cools the body and helps tackle the hot summer. People suffering from chicken pox can take ice apple regularly to bring down the intensity of the disease condition as well as aid rapid healing.

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Ayurvedic Home Remedies: Nilavembu Kashayam

noreply@blogger.com (Ayurvedic Home Remedies) — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 12:10:00 +0000

Nilavembu Kashayam/Kudineer, a herbal concoction found to be effective in curing all types of persistent fevers has been recommended by the Government of Tamil Nadu as a remedy for dengue, bird flu etc. The demand for this preparation is so high in Siddha and Ayurveda hospitals that the freshly prepared remedy (prepared early in the morning) gets consumed in no time. A separate cell has been set up in some Tamil Nadu districts to cater to the increasing demand for this remedy. There has been a sudden increase in dengue fever, swine flu, bird flu in India and this preparation has been found to be helpful in treating all these types of fevers.

The original ingredients of this wonder drug as per some old Siddha texts were roots of nilavembu, musuttai ver, vetti ver (Vetiveria zizanioides), vilamichai ver (Plectranthus vettiveroides), dry ginger. Other ingredients like chittarathai, narukku moolam, nalla milagu, jadamaanji, vilva root, sandalwood etc were added down the centuries to improve the vitality of the concoction.

Siddha, Ayurveda and other alternative systems do not regard fever as a disease but as a symptom of an underlying disease condition. The temperature of our body rises when the body’s defence mechanism is fully engaged in dealing with severe disease condition affecting the human body. Harmful germs, bacteria etc will find it difficult to survive the high temperature of a feverish body. So fever is to be looked upon as a beneficial development.

Conventional medicinal system deals with the external causative factors of fever alone whereas alternative systems delve deep into the human system and strike at the very root of the illness thus effecting a lasting and complete cure. Alternative remedies taken under the watchful eyes of an experienced alternative physician will result in a gradual and effective cure from fever.

Increasing environmental degradation, pollution, stress etc take a toll on human immunity. The compromised immune system in an individual is a fertile ground for the invasion of all types of diseases. When the condition builds up and reaches a threshold, the weakened immune system as a last-ditch attempt raises the body temperature to deal with the condition and this results in fever. Hence our efforts should be to improve the immunity and not to suppress the fever.

All the ingredients for this concoction can be purchased online. It can be prepared in the convenience of your home and taken in moderation as per the directions of your Siddha/Ayurveda physician. This bitter remedy strengthens your immune system and prevents the recurrence of fever.

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Ayurvedic Home Remedies: Thuthi Keerai

noreply@blogger.com (Ayurvedic Home Remedies) — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 18:41:00 +0000

Thuthi keerai once not so easily seen in South Indian markets has come back with a vengeance. It has found new patrons in the new enlightened generation. This generation has paid dearly for the blatant misuse of noxious chemicals in the agricultural realm and the subsequent damage caused to the ecosystem as a whole. Awareness of healthy diet, organic food, exercise etc is on the rise. That may be the reason behind the demand for some rare greens like thuthi keerai etc. Now for some info on thuthi.

Thuthi keerai in Tamil or “Indian mallow” is a long forgotten green that has come back with a bang in the markets. It grows in plenty in hot temperate regions of India. It is known as Atibala in Sanskrit and pettaka in Malayalam. The leaves, flowers and root of this plant have immense medicinal value.

Thuthi keerai is a well known Tamil home remedy for constipation. Alternative systems regard constipation as the root cause of almost all diseases that afflict mankind. ‘Fast food’ culture has pervaded the Indian food domain and has replaced healthy eating habits. Excessive consumption of these tasty but nutrition less foods leads to malnutrition. Also these lack essential fibres that aid digestion. Needless to say, constipation cuts short longevity. Thuthi keerai helps in overcoming constipation. Fresh, clean leaves of the greens can be cooked with green gram and ghee. This preparation is taken with rice regularly to cure constipation.

Haemorrhoids find an excellent remedy in thuthi leaves. Siddha and Ayurveda texts state that frequent consumption of food high in sour and hot taste (foods which contain excessive amount of chillies, tamarind, etc) jeopardizes gas in the intestines and can cause haemorrhoids. The number of haemorrhoid sufferers is on the increase the world over. Stress in workplace, lack of exercise, seated in a place for long periods of time etc can cause haemorrhoids. Constipation and haemorrhoids are closely related. Constipation leads to haemorrhoids. Thoroughly cleaned thuthi leaves are cut to small pieces. Green gram, garlic, shallots are sautéed in ghee and added to the cut greens and cooked. This is then ground to a fine paste. This paste taken twice or thrice a week takes care of the painful haemorrhoids and helps in gradual reduction of its intensity.

Thuthi keerai is a rich alkaline food that neutralises acidity in our body. Our body should be in an alkaline state for it to function effectively and keep premature aging, joint paints, exhaustion and various adverse conditions at bay. Thuthi is an alkaline food par excellence. One way to benefit from this alkaline storehouse is to clean the leaves and wash them. The leaves are then cut to small pieces and added to boiling water. Garlic, shallots, pepper and salt are added to this boiling water as required. The water is then allowed to cool. This green steeped water is taken regularly to neutralize acidity.

Thuthi is also used as a diuretic. Rasam made of thuthi leaves is an excellent diuretic and when taken regularly takes care of urinary retention and other such complications. It also relieves stomach ulcer.

Water steeped with thuthi leaves is a well known remedy for diseases of the gums. This can be used as a mouthwash. Regular gargling after brushing the teeth with this thuthi mouthwash can safeguard you from gum diseases and the like.

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Ayurvedic Home Remedies: Health Benefits of Saffron

noreply@blogger.com (Ayurvedic Home Remedies) — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 18:39:00 +0000

Saffron is one of the expensive herbs used in Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani systems of medicine. Also known by its common name Crocus, saffron has been used from time immemorial the world over to treat various ailments and disease conditions ranging from skin disorders to depression. Crocus sativus was regarded as an aphrodisiac and associated with fertility. It was considered a very good stimulant.

Recent research has shown saffron to be effective in treating depression. Researchers at Teheran University of Medical Services in Iran have found saffron to be effective in relieving depression just as the popular anti-depressant Prozac but without any side effects. Saffron has been used as a sedative and anticonvulsant in traditional systems of medicine.

Saffron is also found to be helpful in combating cancer. Dr Fikrat Abdullayev’s research carried out at Mexican Ministry of Science and Technology has shown saffron inhibited new cancer formation as well as well as shrunk existing cancerous tumors. Also the anti-cancer effect of chemotherapy improves with usage of saffron. Saffron can be helpful in cancer prevention.

When used in moderate quantities saffron is found to be useful in treating menstrual problems and help in conception. Saffron helps improve complexion and take care of skin blemishes. It is a very effective remedy for acne and other similar skin conditions. For this purpose a paste made of saffron is applied on affected areas. One common practice still practiced by pregnant women in Southern India is the regular consumption of milk after adding four to five strands of saffron. This is said to improve the complexion of the child in the womb.

One promising cure for AMD or age related macular degeneration is saffron. This golden herb is found to reverse the condition of AMD and other age related diseases like retina pigmentosa. Saffron is rich in anti-oxidants. It contains niacin, riboflavin, Vitamin A and C, and minerals like calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, selenium and zinc.

To make a kilogram of saffron, strands from upwards of 170,000 flowers are required. The reason behind the prohibitive cost of saffron is the labor intensive process involved in its production. The female part of the flower called stigma is the source of saffron. These minute stigmas are painstakingly extracted by hand.

To reap the health benefits of saffron one needs to take it regularly for a long period of time. Also the fact that the strands stale fast as well as the flowers being seasonal add to the cost. These factors keep saffron away from the reach of common man denying him of its health benefits.

Recent developments in the extraction front have changed the scenario to a very significant extent. Nowadays companies like VAV Life Sciences use state of the art extraction methods to provide the common man with natural saffron extract. The shelf life of the product is three years. This results in easy availability throughout the year.

The saffron natural extract can be mixed in water or milk and taken every day to reap its medicinal benefits. It is easier to handle. The dosing can be measured easily and adjusted according to the needs. The cost of the extract is comparatively lesser than the conventional saffron. Modern science helps common man to enjoy the benefits of saffron that were once the privilege of the rich.

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Ayurvedic Home Remedies: Some Ayurvedic tips for Asthmatic Patients

noreply@blogger.com (Ayurvedic Home Remedies) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 06:37:00 +0000

Tips to control Asthma

During a flare up of asthma, patients would benefit from taking easily digestible food in lesser than usual quantity. Lukewarm water should be used for drinking and washing purposes.

Asthmatics dread taking buttermilk. But this can be overcome by adding a pinch of turmeric to buttermilk and heating it for a few minutes. This will help them reap the benefits of buttermilk as well as avoid the risk of catching a cold or formation of phlegm in chest.

People suffering from asthma can benefit from drinking boiled cow’s milk to which a pinch of turmeric, a few peppercorns, and small pieces of sliced ginger are added. Also taking soy bean soaked yoghurt is found to help improve the condition.

One simple way to improve immunity in people with asthma is to take vegetable soup as detailed. A big unskinned potato, a small onion, one big unskinned carrot, three garlic cloves are cleaned thoroughly and allowed to boil in a litre of water. Once reduced to half, add salt and allow it to reach a lukewarm temperature. This is taken 3-4 weeks. This is found to improve immunity.

Yogasanas help a lot in improving asthmatic conditions. Yoga mudra, paschimothasana, pranayama etc are all excellent postures and yogic exercises that can help people with asthma.

Eucalyptus steam inhalation is very beneficial in relieving nasal and sinus congestion. Asthmatic patients can try this process to loosen phlegm in chest as well as relieve congestion. Steam inhalation with crushed garlic cloves also provides the same effect.

Small onions are boiled in water for a few minutes, then they are filtered out and crushed. The juice obtained from this boiled crushed small onions is then applied on the soles of the feet before going to bed. This process can be followed for a week or two for reduction in asthmatic symptoms.

People who suffer from cough and asthma can benefit from Ayurvedic preparations like Vyagradhi kashayam, dasamoolakaduthrayam kashayam. For this Vyagradhi kashayam 7.5 ml and dasamoolakaduthrayam kashayam 7.5 ml are added to 60 ml water (cooled boiled water) along with a quarter teaspoon honey and taken on empty stomach in the mornings and evenings. This should be taken for 48 days in a regular fashion. A strict adherence to this regimen results in reduction of eosinophil levels in blood. This also helps in relieving headache, cough, heavy headedness, tasteless tongue, irritation around eyes and ears etc.

People suffering from dry cough and asthma can benefit from the medicinal properties of badam (almonds). Seven to eight almonds are soaked in water. The outer skin is removed. A pinch of saffron (kungumapoo) or turmeric, seeds of 5-8 cardamom pods, two Java peppercorns, a pinch of camphor, sugar candy etc are added to milk and allowed to boil. This milk is taken for five days morning and evening on empty stomach, one hour before food.

For people with dry asthmatic conditions, vidharyadhi kashayam three spoonful, twelve spoonful of warm water, and two vayu guliga tablets are mixed together and taken on empty stomach in the mornings and evenings.

All asthmatic patients can benefit from taking agasthya rasayanam 5 gm before going to bed. These preparations are available at all leading Ayurveda stores, both online and offline.

Source: Aayul Kaakkum Ayurvedham – Part 2, Prof. S. Swaminathan.

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Medicinal Benefits of Curry Leaves

noreply@blogger.com (Ayurvedic Home Remedies) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:33:00 +0000

Indian cuisine makes use of mint, coriander leaves, curry leaves etc to add flavour and aroma to the spicy recipes. Though not a part of the greens, curry leaves has all the nutritive value found in greens and more.

Also known as sweet neem leaves, curry leaves has vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin B2, vitamin C, calcium and iron in plenty. This is an ideal herb for people suffering from the ill effects of diabetes. Diabetes patients often suffer from frequent vertigo. There may be aches and pains in the upper and lower limbs coupled with impaired vision. These patients should take curry leaves at frequent intervals to overcome these problems. Kashayam made of curry leaves dried in shade and powdered is a very potent remedy that helps stabilize glucose levels in a diabetic patient.

An excellent remedy made using curry leaves is found to be very effective in treating diarrhea. For this purpose 40 gm of curry leaves and 10 gm of cumin seeds are ground to a fine paste and taken orally. This should be followed by drinking a glass of warm water. A teaspoon of honey is taken after 10 minutes. This regimen is continued three to four times a day.

Cholesterol levels in edible oils can be reduced to a large extent by making use of a handful of curry leaves. One kilogram of the oil is boiled with 15-20 curry leaves and then filtered. This is said to bring down cholesterol level in oils. This oil can then be used in preparing food stuff. Increase in cholesterol can lead to obesity, increase in blood pressure, lethargy and other ill effects.

The young generation of this decade consume a lot of junk food which have no nutritive value. Due to chemicals and other spurious additives found in foodstuff, no wonder a sizeable portion of youngsters both male and female suffer from premature graying of hair. Curry leaves come as a boon in such situations. Youngsters should not throw away curry leaves found in various Indian food recipes. Eating these curry leaves and making it a practice will help to ward off gray hair. Children should be taught to eat curry leaves at a tender age.

I would like to share a popular remedy, a hair oil for premature graying. Heat a litre of coconut or sesame oil and drop 10 to 20 curry leaves into the oil. Remove from heat when it reaches boiling point. This oil is then stored in bottles and used as hair oil before bathing. Apply this oil liberally on the scalp and allow it to soak for about 15-20 minutes. Wash the hair with a mild shampoo or shikkakai powder. Follow this regimen once or twice a week.

Curry leaves can be used to treat a tasteless tongue. Excessive use of antibiotics, indigestion etc can result in loss of taste. A handful of curry leaves along with ginger, salt, garlic, tamarind and chillies, is ground to a fine paste. This is then mixed with hot rice. A few helpings of this mixture help arouse the taste buds. This is repeated two to three times a day till the condition improves.

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Ayurvedic Home Remedies: Medicinal Uses of 'Touch Me Not' Plant - Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Ayurvedic Home Remedies) — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 13:46:00 +0000

Ayurveda regards the ‘touch me not’ plant to have tiktha kashaya properties. It has a light and ferocious guna and has seeta veerya (cooling). All seeta veerya herbs can be used to treat diseases involving excessive blood flow. It is very much used in treating wounds, boils. For example bleeding piles or haemorrhoids can be treated using this herb. The bloody condition can be pacified with juice of thottaavadi leaves along with juice of thumba leaves. This is applied externally on the haemorrhoids. Similarly, excessive menstrual flow can be treated with honey and juice of thottavadi leaves and taken internally. It is also well known and effective in treating painful menstruation.

Skin disorders can be treated with this herb. One of the difficult skin conditions to treat, psoriasis can be treated successfully with thottavaadi. Lajjalu keram is the way of treatment (oushadha yogam) for treating most of the skin disorders. Lajjalu keram is made with the surasam (paste of the whole plant) and the kalkam (bolus) of the leaves boiled in coconut oil. This is used in treating many skin disorders. Similarly dandruff can be effectively treated with this herb. For this eswara mooligai (Indian birthwort) is used along with thottavaadi.

Thottaavadi kashayam made after removing the flowers helps in relieving various difficulties of the hemorroids. Karappan (eczema) found in children can be treated by collecting the juice of this herb and heating it in coconut oil. This preparation is applied on affected areas.

Bedridden patients generally take very less water and this can lead to infection of the urinary tract. One prophylactic approach to prevent this kind of infection is to use the kashayam prepared of this herb. This kashayam is given to bedridden patients everyday. This will help to ward off urinary tract infection to a large extent. Taking care of this will help in preventing fevers and other complications.

In case of back pain due to excessive physical strain or work, especially of the upper back, thottavaadi comes in handy in treating such conditions. 15 ml of thottavaadi leaves can be taken daily for a few days. This will help in relieving back pain.

Diabetic patients will benefit immensely from consumption of thottaavadi leaf juice every morning. The combination of thottavaadi leaves, curry leaves, guava leaves and wheat conjee is very effective in bringing down excessive cholesterol.

This herb is also used to treat premature ejaculation. The natural remedy for premature ejaculation is prepared by taking mature thottavaadi root and making a paste of it using cow’s milk. A thick layer of this paste is placed on the soles of both feet and allowed to dry. Once the paste dries off the soles can be cleaned with a piece of cloth. This regimen is continued for a few days or weeks depending on the severity of the condition. This is found to be effective in treating premature ejaculation.

Similarly white discharge in women is treated with this herb. For this a small marble sized paste of the leaves is taken every day till the condition improves. Sneezing, difficult breathing, itching of eyes, throat etc and similar allergic conditions etc can be treated with tender thottaavadi leaves. A few of these leaves are plucked before sunrise and taken raw. Following this regimen for a few days will help in treating such conditions.

(Courtesy: Haritha sangeerthanam, Shalom TV)

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Ayurvedic Home Remedies: Medicinal Uses of 'Touch Me Not' Plant - Part 1

noreply@blogger.com (Ayurvedic Home Remedies) — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 06:33:00 +0000

Medicinal Uses of 'Touch Me Not' Plant

The ‘Sensitive Plant’ (Touch-me-not) ‘thotta chinungi’ in Tamil and ‘thotta vaadi’ in Malayalam has been the subject of extensive studies over the recent years for its medicinal properties.

This plant is effective in treating a wide range of disease conditions ranging from allergy, asthma, menstrual problems, hemorrhoids, premature ejaculation, to hypertension, cholesterol, snake bite and more. Research has shown the plant to be effective in treating cancer, especially of the mouth and lungs. One of its compound mimocin is found to inhibit DNA replication in cancer cells.

The botanical name of ‘touch-me-not’ is Mimosa pudica. Though native to South and Central America, this plant is found in the tropical regions the world over. It is also called ‘humble plant’, ‘shameful plant’ because of the tendency of the leaves to fold inward when touched or shaken.

The thotta vaadi plant is an Ayurvedic home remedy for diabetes and hypertension. People suffering from diabetes can take 30 ml juice of thotaa vaadi plant in the mornings and evenings to bring down elevated glucose to normal levels. This remedy can also be used to keep diabetes at bay.

For those suffering from hypertension the remedy would be to take 15 ml of juice obtained from the leaves of this plant. This can be taken in the mornings and evenings to the keep blood pressure levels normal.

One Ayurvedic home remedy for arsas (hemorrhoids) is taking 8 gm of the dried and powdered root of thotta vaadi. This powder is added to warm milk and taken at nights for a period of two to three months. This is found to cure hemorrhoids or piles.

Some of the chemical compounds found in thotta vaadi are mimocin, galactose, mannose etc. These are more potent than the tricyclic anti-depressants and hence can be used in treating depression and other related disorders.

The plant has a tendency to bring down swellings and vata pain in the joints. The thick paste obtained from grinding the whole plant is taken in a piece of cloth and placed over the painful joint swellings and tied with a piece of cloth to hold it in place. This is done a couple of times. This relieves and pain and reduces the swelling. Similarly the paste can be used to treat delayed wound healing. The paste is applied over the wound to help in rapid healing.

The plant is a herbal natural remedy for asthma and asthmatic conditions. For this purpose 15 ml juice from thotta vaadi leaves is collected. Hot water is added to this juice and taken every two hours for quick relief from asthmatic troubles.

One of the problems of old age is insomnia. One excellent natural remedy for insomnia is the thotta vaadi plant. For this 5 gm of leaves is taken and boiled in a glass of water and taken at night before going to bed. Repeating this for a couple of days will help in curing insomnia.

Wheat congee made with thottavaadi juice, guava leaf, curry leaf and horse gram broth is a well known preparation for lowering elevated cholesterol levels.

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Ayurvedic Home Remedies: Medicinal Uses of Curry Leaves

noreply@blogger.com (Ayurvedic Home Remedies) — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 12:07:00 +0000

The curry tree (Murraya Koenigii) is native to India. The curry leaves are used extensively in South Indian and Sri Lankan cooking, especially in curries. Although thrown out later, the curry leaves are essential in providing the rich aroma to the curries. Recent studies have shown these leaves to possess anti-diabetic, antioxidant, hepatoprotective properties. They are also good for hair.

Curry leaves have plenty of Vitamin A and calcium. It also contains good amounts of amino acids. The leaves tend to excite the taste buds. They also help in quick digestion. Curry leaves take care of indigestion, stomach ulcers due to excessive acid secretion in stomach, diarrhea and other similar problems. It also prevents deposition of fat in various parts of the body.

One way to control blood sugar levels in a diabetic patient is to chew and eat a couple of curry leaves along with a few pepper corns first thing in the morning on empty stomach. The effectiveness of this remedy has led to studies on anti-diabetic property of curry leaves.

Take a handful of curry leaves, a dry red chilli and sauté them in ghee. Add a pinch of salt and pinch of tamarind to this and grind all of these to a fine paste adding water as necessary. This paste is mixed in hot rice and taken as a remedy for nausea, vomiting, digestive problems, diarrhea, bloated stomach etc.

Boils and similar eruptions appear on skin during summer. Most of the boils tend to subside over time, but some may persist and remain painful. Curry leaves come handy in treating such conditions. A paste made of curry leaves is applied on these persistent boils for quick relief.

Curry leaves are known to be effective in treating premature graying. Eating the leaves helps in strengthening hair roots. Add a handful of curry leaves to a litre of coconut oil and boil it for a few minutes. This hair oil is applied to the scalp. This is found to prevent premature graying as well as curing the condition.

Along with mint leaves and coriander leaves, curry leaves can be used in treating excessive pitta conditions. Some of the symptoms of excessive pitta include nausea and vomiting in the mornings. There may be even vomiting of bile. To treat this condition, make a paste of curry leaves with ginger, fried black gram, and salt. This paste is taken with food for a couple of days. This is very effective in treating nausea and vomiting due to excessive pitta.

The calcium content in curry leaves help in strengthening the bones. This can be had as a complementary treatment for people with osteoporosis and other similar conditions of the bone.

Thus curry leaves should be taken regularly for good health. Instead of throwing the leaves away from the curry, it would do a lot of good if we eat them. Thus curry leaves taken internally can strengthen the bones, improve digestion, and strengthen hair roots. External application helps hair growth. One of my earlier posts on Ayurvedic hair care details ways to make hair oil using curry leaves for premature grey hair.

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Ayurvedic Home Remedies: Medicinal Uses of Coriander Leaves and Seeds

noreply@blogger.com (Ayurvedic Home Remedies) — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 06:35:00 +0000

Coriander seeds and leaves have been used as home remedies to cure various ailments from time immemorial. Known as cilantro in America and Europe, coriander leaves are also called Chinese parsley. These leaves find their place in South Asian, Chinese, European, American, Russian and Mexican dishes as well. The roots are also used in Asian, Thai dishes.

Coriander leaves when digested turn sweet and alleviate irritations in the intestines. They stimulate appetite and help in easy digestion too. They have magnesium, potassium and fiber in plenty. So regular consumption boosts immunity and purifies blood. They stimulate insulin production and hence help prevent diabetes.

Just as mint leaves, coriander leaves too help in dealing with headaches. A paste made of coriander leaves is smeared on the forehead and temples for a quick relief from headaches. This should be followed by thorough rest. Coriander leaves also cure mouth ulcers. For this a handful of coriander leaves are ground to a not so fine paste and then masticated thoroughly for a few minutes. This is done two to three times a day for a few days. This is a time tested home remedy for mouth ulcers.

People suffering from pitta aggravation due to excessive consumption of tea or coffee have an excellent remedy in coriander to pacify the aggravated pitta. It also helps in breaking the addiction to coffee and tea. It is an excellent alternative to tea and coffee. A handful of coriander seeds are fried and then powdered to a nice consistency. A spoonful of this powder is then added to a glass of milk with sugar and then taken instead of tea or coffee. Regular consumption can help break addiction to tea and coffee.

Half a teaspoon of coriander seed powder (prepared as mentioned above), a pinch of sandalwood powder, and four or five dried gooseberry pieces are added to a glass of water, boiled and reduced to half a glass. This is then taken at lukewarm temperature. This kashayam is a time tested home remedy for aggravated pitta due to excessive consumption of tea and coffee.

For relief from menstrual pain, women can take around twenty five thoroughly cleaned coriander seeds and boil them in a glass of water. This is reduced to half and allowed to cool to a lukewarm temperature. Sugar can be added as needed. This kashayam helps in relieving menstrual pain.

For painful urination in summer, coriander seeds offer an excellent cure. A teaspoon full of coriander seeds is added to four glasses of water, boiled and then allowed to cool to room temperature. Taking this water throughout the summer often will help in combating the summer heat as well as painful urination. This also keeps one fresh all through the day.

Coriander leaves are found to be effective in alleviating digestive problems. The leaves are washed thoroughly, ground to a paste and then pressed to obtain a tablespoon of juice. One teaspoon of cumin seeds are powdered thoroughly. Both are added to a glass of water along with a pinch of salt. This is an excellent home remedy for indigestion. This is found to cure indigestion as well as induce appetite within minutes.

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Ayurvedic Home Remedies: Medicinal Uses of Mint Leaves

noreply@blogger.com (Ayurvedic Home Remedies) — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 05:42:00 +0000

Mint has been used as an herbal remedy for ages all over the world for treating various ailments ranging from halitosis (bad breath), headache, indigestion, to toothache and more. It induces appetite and cures bloated stomach. It contains menthol and is used in aromatherapy for its essential oils. According to Wikipedia there are 13 to 18 varieties of mentha or mint found all over the world. This is an invasive herb that can grow and spread very rapidly. It grows to a height of 30 to 100 cm. Both fresh and dried mints are used in preparing herbal remedies.

People suffering from phlegm in chest, bronchial infections etc can turn to mint leaves for strengthening their lungs. Once cured of these problems, they should strengthen the lungs to prevent recurrence of infections. This can be done by taking a spoonful of juice obtained from mint leaves along with carrot juice and honey of same quantity. For best results this mixture should be taken in the mornings on empty stomach. This is found to strengthen the lungs.

Mint is an excellent remedy for pitta aggravation. Some of the symptoms of excessive pitha are nausea in the mornings, headache, vomiting of bile etc. For those suffering from excess pitha one time tested remedy is to take a spoon of mint juice, one half lemon juice, and one spoon of honey and mix them together. This mixture is then taken for a few days to pacify the aggravated pitta.

Mint is also useful in treating halitosis. For this dried mint leaves are used. Thoroughly dried mint leaves are ground to a fine powder and this powder is used in cleaning the teeth. Regular application is found to be effective in curing halitosis. This also strengthens the gums and roots of the teeth.

Some are prone to nausea while travelling on a bus or car etc. This is a very embarrassing social problem which can cause undue stress in these individuals. Mint is a handy remedy for this annoying condition. You need to take a handful of fresh mint leaves and curry leaves and sauté them in sesame oil. Add a little bit of tamarind and fried Black gram to these leaves and grind them to fine paste adding water as needed. This paste known as thuvaiyal in Tamil is taken before travel. This is a general remedy for nausea and vomiting.

Mint is rich in protein, vitamin A and C etc. Water content in this herb makes it an excellent remedy for urinary retention. It is used to treat urinary tract problems. Mint is also a time-tested remedy for headaches due to stress and heat. A paste made from fresh mint leaves is smeared on the forehead and temples for a quick relief from these types of headaches. This paste is also very effective in removing dark circles under the eyes. For this purpose the paste can be applied as a thin layer in the affected area before going to bed. This is then cleaned with cold water the next day morning. Regular application for a week or two will help get back the lost complexion in these areas.

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Ayurvedic Home Remedies: Ayurvedic Remedies for Children with ADHD

noreply@blogger.com (Ayurvedic Home Remedies) — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 11:25:00 +0000

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is found in 5 to 10% of children. Hyperactivity alone does not decide ADHD, since it is normal to find children overly active and boisterous up to about four or five years of age. ADHD symptoms are found to typically occur before the age of seven. It is very difficult to differentiate between a normal kid behavior and ADD/ADHD.

Symptoms of ADD/ADHD

Hyperactivity is one of the guiding symptoms but there are children with ADHD who are not excessively active, but inattentive, unmotivated and appear spacey. Most of the children with ADHD enjoy doing activities they love but find it difficult to focus on tasks that are boring or repetitive. They are not be able to stay quiet and sit still on one place. They exhibit a sense of urgency and restlessness that is not normal to children of their age. The intensity of the condition cannot be gauged by the activities of the child.

Children are found to be restless and they have a tough time completing their homework or other exercises. They are found to shake their legs constantly. They frequently commit mistakes due to their inattentiveness. They may not complete a task at hand, and will move to other tasks only to discard them later for another one.

Though all children exhibit these symptoms though infrequently, in case of children with ADHD these are observed as a constant occurrence at school, home and at play. This condition is found to be mostly hereditary in nature.

One positive thing to note is that this condition does not affect their studies and most of them are found to perform well in exams like any normal child. Boys are found to be affected more by this condition than girls. If left unattended, this condition can affect the child’s interaction with itself and with others. This can give rise to difficulty in communication, tiredness, depression etc.

Ayurvedic Remedies for ADHD/ADD

Children with ADHD are generally found to be restless. They will not stay in one place and will move about constantly. They usually misplace toys and other items. They behave impulsively and often intrude on other people’s speech, games etc. These symptoms resemble the nature of ‘vata’ or ‘vayu’. ‘Vaayu’ by its nature is restless and is one of constant movement. This is related to ‘Praana’.

According to Ayurveda specialist Dr S Mahadevan, abhyanga with shastika tailam made from navara rice and pacharavindha ghee made from lotus are effective in treating this condition. In his book ‘Deva Marundhu’ Dr S Mahadevan suggests some ayurvedic treatment options for ADHD. He finds application of a paste of panchagandha choornam on head and enema with dhanwanthara tailam to be effective. Regular application is found to bring the restlessness under control.

He suggests that these children should be taught to sit still in a place for one or two minutes initially and then the duration should be increased. They can be taught to repeat some mantras or songs during this period. These are some of the alternative treatment options available for children with ADHD symptoms.

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Ayurvedic Home Remedies: Home Remedies for Children - 2

noreply@blogger.com (Ayurvedic Home Remedies) — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 04:59:00 +0000

Stomach Problems in Children

Home Remedy for Diarrhea in Children

Children often suffer from stomach problems due to various reasons. Constipation, diarrhea, stomach ache etc affect them frequently. Diarrhea is the frequent watery bowel movement caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Impure drinking water, spoiled food, improper digestion etc can lead to diarhhea. ‘Body heat’ can also induce diarrhea in small kids. Diarrhea causes depletion in body fluids leads to dehydration. There is loss of water, sodium and other essential salts.

Symptoms of diarrhea include headaches, decreased blood pressure, fainting, unconsciousness, swelling of tongue, delirium, decreased urine output, dark urine, thirst, lethargy, sleepiness etc. If left untreated, diarrhea can be life-threatening.

If there is vomiting along with diarrhea, this can lead to a rapid depletion of body fluids. The immediate step in treating this condition is to replace the lost fluids and salt. Oral rehydration therapy is the best course of treatment. Here the patient is given a solution of salts and sugars by mouth. Intravenous administration can be done in extreme cases.

In case of diarrhea and blood in stool in children, this can be due to amoebic infection. Chances of contracting diarrhea in little kids who are fed breast milk are very rare. Breast milk provides the much needed immunity to children to fight diarrhea and amoebic infections.

Given below are some herbal remedies for children with blood in stool.

Sweet flag or Calamus has been used extensively for ages in treating stomach disorders. It has a very distinctive smell, and its essential oil is used in perfume industry. It has been used in Chinese and Indian herbal traditions. Ayurveda uses Calamus for treating digestive disorders.

Dry sweet flag root is rubbed against a clean rough surface adding a few drops of water. The ensuing fine paste is collected. The paste is smeared onto the child’s tongue as a thin paste once.This can be done in the mornings and evenings to treat bloody watery stools in children.

Carom seeds or omam (Tamil) has been used in Indian traditional medicine for treating digestive disorders. Studies have shown that it arrests the growth of pathogens in stomach while leaving the beneficial flora unaffected. Pirandai (Cissus) is an herb that has gastroprotective properties.

Take a handful of pirandai leaves. Take a table spoon of carom seeds and powder it coarsely.Heat the leaves and powdered carom seeds mildly on a pan. Remove from heat and extract the juice from the leaves. This juice a spoonful can be given in the mornings and evenings. Make a fresh preparation each time. This is an effective remedy for diarrhea and bloody stool in children.

Vasambu (Sweet flag), omam (Carom seeds) chukku (dried ginger), turmeric, perungayam (asafoetida) are taken in equal quantities, fried and ground to a fine powder. A pinch of this powder is given in vilakennai (castor oil) in case of bloated stomach. Otherwise this powder can be given in honey. This powder is found to be effective in treating bloody stools and diarrhea in children.

Mint leaf (pudhina) is yet another herb used extensively in treating gastric disorders. It is found to relieve bloated stomach, and mint tea is found to help with stomach pain.

Take a handful of pudhina (mint) leaves in an earthen pot. Add a cup of water and heat it. Reduce it to quarter of a cup. Filter out the water with a sieve. This water or this mint decoction is given twice a day to treat diarrhea.

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Ayurvedic Home Remedies: Home Remedies for Children – 1

noreply@blogger.com (Ayurvedic Home Remedies) — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 05:49:00 +0000

No one will deny the fact that children are the joy of the family. One of the primary functions of the family is reproducing society. The traditional assumption is that the family is an institution for continuation of creating, nourishing and perpetuating life. The family protects the child and provides a favorable environment for its physical, emotional, spiritual and social development.

Healthy food is essential for a healthy body and mind. This goes a long way in developing immunity in children. Children can be afflicted with sudden illnesses and it is essential that parents have a basic knowledge of remedies that can help in mitigating the situation. Some of the common diseases that can affect children include cough and cold, dysentery, fever, vomiting, wheezing, whooping cough etc.

Cough and Cold in Children

Children are prone to cough and cold attacks, especially if they have a weak immunity. This is accompanied with formation of phlegm in chest. Cough and cold afflict children mostly in winter because of easy spreading of the disease causing virus during this time. It is infectious and can spread to others in the family. Runny nose, sneezing, nasal itching etc are the initial symptoms. Cough and cold can lead to headaches, ear infection, heavy feeling on top of head etc. Chronic cough and cold may end up in nasal polyps, tonsillitis etc.

Two drops of juice of tender nochi (Chinese Chaste tree) leaves can be given to children along with breast milk. This induces vomiting. The child will throw up the phlegm in the nasal passage and chest.

Karpooravalli (Indian Borage, Oregano) is an excellent expectorant and diaphoretic. Three to four drops of the juice of the leaves of this herb is mixed in honey and given to kids suffering from cough and cold. This will help expel the phlegm out. You can follow the same process with basil leaves.

A few drops of juice of basil leaves can be given with breast milk too. Vellai kunrimani root is cleaned and then boiled in coconut oil. Store the cooled oil in a bottle. Smear the oil on the tongue of kids suffering from cold and phlegm. This is an excellent expectorant.

A paste made from dried ginger powder is smeared in a thin layer on the forehead and temples. This is very effective in relieving the heavy headed feeling and pain in the nape.

Dry cough can spoil the sleep pattern and food intake in children. This can lead to lethargy and dullness. One helpful remedy to deal with all types of cough, especially dry cough is a preparation made from turmeric and pepper. These are taken in equal quantities as required and ground to a fine powder. This is mixed with honey and given to children with dry cough.

Extract juice from two to three white onions. Add jaggery to this and heat it in a pan. When it reaches a waxy consistency, remove from heat and let it cool. This preparation is given twice a day for a couple of days to alleviate cough and cold.

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Ayurvedic Home Remedies: Home Remedies for Women - Summary

noreply@blogger.com (Ayurvedic Home Remedies) — Fri, 27 May 2011 06:19:00 +0000

Most of the gender specific diseases that affect women revolve around menstruation, childbirth and post menopausal complications. Some problems that women face include irregular menstruation, white discharge, vaginal itch, delayed puberty, excessive discharge etc.

Due to the oppressive nature of the male dominated society, almost all women are faced with self-esteem issues. Those who feel bad being born as women are prone to various illnesses and psycho-somatic disorders. Conversely, women with good self-esteem can lead a healthy life. A lucky few are born in a nurturing environment while the rest have to deal with various issues before restoring their self-esteem.

Some problems with menstruation include painful menstruation, scanty or excessive menstruation, and irregular menstruation. Juice of drumstick leaves is helpful in treating painful menstruation. One cure for excessive menstrual bleed is arugampul (Bermuda grass) juice. Powder of mango seeds is another remedy. Powder of Java plum seeds is yet another remedy for this condition.

One disturbing trend observed these days is girls attaining puberty prematurely (before age 10). You need to seek immediate medical intervention if you find your near and dear ones with this condition. Left untreated, this can impair the functioning of internal organs especially the heart.

While abortion is resorted to by couples for various reasons, frequent abortions weaken the womb. This will impair the capacity of the womb to bear child. It may even lead to hysterectomy (removal of womb). One safe way to avoid pregnancy is for women to take a few tulsi leaves in the mornings.

Nausea and vomiting is one of the first symptoms of pregnancy. While in most cases, this tapers off with time, in some cases it persists for quite a long time. Lemon juice with a pinch of salt is helpful in treating this condition. Ginger tea is also found to be effective in tackling this problem.

Women need to do some mild exercises during pregnancy to help with easy child delivery. They should not put on weight during this period. After childbirth, taking neem leaves with turmeric is said to heal all internal wounds and help in recuperation. Mutton curry with garlic, pepper and cumin seeds is an excellent rejuvenator. Kurunthotti paal kashayam is a vegetarian alternative for this.

Breast milk is the best food and medicine for the newborn. It would do a world of good for the child if it is fed on breast milk alone for the first four to six months. For adequate of supply of breast milk, women can add drumstick leaves, tender papaya to their diet. Fried sesame seeds also help in improving lactation. Applying a paste of cucumber seeds on the breasts is also beneficial.

Female infertility increases with age. A woman can be infertile due to genetic reasons. Incomplete or improper development of internal sex organs is another cause. Triphala choornam is said to be effective in such cases.

In general, women’s diet should contain adequate amount of fruits and vegetables. Proper rest and some basic physical exercises are necessary. Meditation and a spiritual outlook to life will help in managing the stresses of daily life. Above all, positive self-esteem is the foundation on which a healthy mind and body can be built to lead a meaningful and fulfilling life.

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Ayurvedic Home Remedies: Home Remedies for Women - 6

noreply@blogger.com (Ayurvedic Home Remedies) — Thu, 26 May 2011 06:18:00 +0000

Menstrual problems occur due to various reasons. One of the main reasons for menstrual disorders is stress, both stress in the household as well as workplace. Anemia, tuberculosis, tapeworms, venereal diseases etc also can lead to menstrual disorders. Before starting any treatment regimen, the root cause behind the menstrual disorder should be identified. This can help in effective treatment of the condition.

Women experience pain in lower abdomen, lower back, and hip regions during menstruation. In addition, some women suffer from headache, stomach ache, pain in hands and legs, back pain and neck pain. Women who undergo pain should increase the quantity of onions, milk, honey, buttermilk, dates in their diet. They should remain active. Inhaling fresh air will help bring down pain.

Women who experience pain in ribs and back, pressure on stomach etc can take raisins and grapes during their periods. A handful of chembaruthi (hibiscus) flower and arugmapul (Bermuda grass) is taken and ground to a fine paste. This is taken with butter. Another alternative is to take 10 hibiscus flowers and ground to fine paste and added to a glass of milk. Taking this on empty stomach during periods is found to be helpful in alleviating pains in the extremities.

Hibiscus flower, rose flower, aavaram poo (Tanner’s Cassia) are taken in equal quantity and boiled in water and reduced to half. This decoction is taken, a spoonful three to four times a day with milk. Dietary restrictions include foods containing, salt and chilli.

Barks of banyan tree, athi (common fig) tree, and naaval (Java plum) tree are dried and ground to a fine powder. The powder is mixed with mondhan plantain (kadhali vazhai) for a night. The resultant liquid is filtered out the next day morning. This is also called as kadhali aasavam. Taking this liquid helps in controlling excessive menstruation.

Maasikkai (Aleppo Oak) is fried to brownish color and ground to a fine powder. A pinch of this powder is taken with honey. This is found to help with excessive menstrual discharge.

Fully dried white arugampul (Bermuda grass) and pepper are powdered and taken with goat milk. This should be done before food in the mornings. This is said to arrest excessive flow. Kernel from the seed of fully ripe mango is a very good remedy. This is dried in shade and ground to a fine powder. This powder is taken with honey.

Women who turn anemic due to this condition can regain their health by taking juice of fresh Bermuda grass (arugampul) before food in the mornings.

One of my earlier posts mentions the importance of adding Black gram and sesame to the diet to deal with most of the menstrual disorders. Dishes made of black gram and sesame can be taken both as a delicacy as well as medicine. Regular and judicious intake of these grains will help in overcoming most of these painful conditions.

Decoction of Asoka tree bark is yet another remedy. Asokarishtam is a boon for all menstrual disorders.

Meditation, prayer, etc will help in dealing with the stresses of day to day life. A genuine spiritual approach to life offers strength and solace to the much stressed women of this century.

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Ayurvedic Home Remedies: Home Remedies for Women - 5

noreply@blogger.com (Ayurvedic Home Remedies) — Wed, 25 May 2011 06:47:00 +0000

Lactation

Paste made of banyan tree seeds mixed in milk and taken in the mornings and evenings can help lactation.

A few drops of milk and ripe cucumber seeds are used to make a fine paste. This paste then applied on breasts. This is found to increase lactation in women.

Mother’s milk is the best food for the newborn child. It is a medicine for diarrhea, skin allergies, and has excellent nutritional value. Research has shown that women can put off pregnancy as long as they keep breastfeeding the child. So this is a natural birth control method. Also chances of breast cancer decrease in mothers who breastfeed their newborns.

Milk gets engorged in breasts when there is a considerable time lapse between feeding. For instance, women working in offices cannot breastfeed their child frequently. Alternatively if the child avoids breast milk for unknown reasons, the breast gets engorged with milk. This will turn into a very painful condition when left unattended.

Maasikkai (Aleppo oak seeds) paste is applied on breasts and nipples to alleviate pain. Similarly tamarind leaves made to a paste and mixed with sesame oil can be applied on breasts. Dry kuppaimeni leaves can be taken with milk and sugar. This tends to relieve the pain.

Cracked Nipples

The delicate breast skin and nipple breaks easily with improper feeding technique. When left unattended, this can lead to breast sores and infection. Maasikkai (Aleppo Oak seed) comes in handy to take care of this painful condition. A paste of this seed applied on the nipples can help in quick healing of sores.

To dry up breast milk

Children need breast milk for at least six months, but it is advisable to prolong this period and breastfeed as long as it is possible. Beyond six months, the quantity of milk may not be enough for the child. So the child’s diet should be complemented with other foods.

Breasts are covered with Pichi flowers or jasmine flowers for drying up of breast milk. The flowers can be placed inside the brassier till they wilt. Similarly cabbage leaves have also been found to serve the purpose. Women apply neem oil, aloe vera juice on breasts to induce aversion in children who refuse to give up breast milk.

Female Infertility

Female infertility can be due to genetic reasons, improper or incomplete development or malfunctioning of internal sex organs. Sexually transmitted diseases, smoking are some extrinsic causes that lead to infertility. Obesity also leads to this condition.

Females in general are fertile in their early 20s up to late 30s. There is a gradual decrease in fertility and by age 40, most women become infertile.

Triphala choornam is found to be effective in treating some forms of female infertility. The powder is mixed in water and taken in the mornings and evenings. Pirandai juice is also helpful in dealing with female infertility.

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