Simple Ayurvedic health tips

A good tip for corns and calluses

2012-02-14T17:00:00.000+05:30

source: public domain images of Leo michels - Jasmine plant.

Corns and calluses are thickening of the skin which is hardened by friction and gets tougher due to repeated pressure.

When a few leaves of the Jasmine plant are crushed and rubbed over the problem area- the calluses slowly weaken and gradually disappear.

Ayurveda tips in Hindi

2012-02-08T09:50:00.000+05:30

The blog
http://successful-life-tips.blogspot.in/

has many simple and brilliant tips in Hindi.It has many categories to choose from and the coolest thing about the blog is that they have an audio option .The blog is a consolidation of all the tips from the works and lectures of Pujya Asaramji Bapu.

The book Aroya nidhi which is every bit of what the title suggests is printed by the Ashram of Sri Asaram ji Bapu.The book is available online and the link is

http://hariomgroup.org/hariombooks/satsang/Hindi/Arogyanidhi.pdf

the link for the second part of the book is

http://hariomgroup.org/hariombooks/satsang/Hindi/Arogyanidhi2.pdf

These books are packed with precious tips and truly a gift for any Ayurveda enthusiast.

The books are also available in html format .There are many more e -books which can be found in this link
http://hariomgroup.org/books/

I am truly inspired by the seva members for their constant dedication to bring out the health tips to the general public.

A simple help from Ayurveda for Malaria

2012-01-30T11:04:00.002+05:30

Bitter gourd plant image source: biolib.cz, © Michael Kesl image in the public domain.

Momordica charantia or the Bitter gourd * plant leaves are very useful in alleviating the symptoms of Malaria.

3-4 leaves of the plant are washed - pounded with 3 peppercorns and given to the person suffering from fever and chills .The juice of the leaves is applied on the body.This will reduce the symptoms of the mosquito-borne Malaria and helps in healing the person faster.

* Bitter gourd - aka - Karela in Hindi-Pavakkai in Tamil, Kakarakaya in Telugu. .

http://simpleayurvedichealthtips.blogspot.com/2010/11/5-tips-for-intestinal-worms-in-children.html

The link above gives another tip which uses Bitter melon leaves.

Guava leaves help for anal prolapse

2012-01-26T20:47:00.001+05:30

Anal prolapse is the condition where a part of the rectum protrudes through the anus.There are various causes for this condition which has different manifestations .
The prolapse which is caused after dysentery can be managed by tying a poultice made from the paste of fresh leaves.
A decoction made from the bark of the tree can be used to wash the affected area for children.

However it is not recommended to try this at home and supervision of a Vaidya is necessary.
Previous posts have more medicinal properties of the Guava tree.

for image refer
http://simpleayurvedichealthtips.blogspot.com/2010/07/guava-curry-for-digestion.html

To reduce Arthritis pain

2012-01-20T09:04:00.000+05:30

4-5 tender leaves of the Guava tree * are taken and washed and pounded well to get a paste.This paste is applied on the area where the person is suffering from pain due to Arthritis.This poultice reduces the pain to a great extent.

* Jama in Telugu

Amrud in Hindi

Goyya in Tamil.

Nose drops for Thyroid hormone disorders

2012-01-18T12:02:00.000+05:30

The oil made from the fruits of the Neem tree is known to have many medicinal properties.
Using them as nose drops regulates the functioning of the Thyroid gland .
Dosage-1 drop in each nostril-preferably early in the morning on an empty stomach.

For another tip for Thyroid regulation refer :
http://simpleayurvedichealthtips.blogspot.com/2011/11/ayurvedic-cure-for-thyroid-problems.html

Benefits of Prayer wheels

2012-01-11T14:38:00.000+05:30

My Prayer wheel from Nepal.

The prayer wheel is an upright cylindrical wheel which can be spun around on a spindle .
It encloses powerful mantras written on a paper or a film and the prayer drum is supposed to be rotated clockwise to generate positive vibrations.
When they are turned smoothly with a calm mind the power of the mantras have a healing effect on the person and the surroundings.
The teachings of the venerable Lama Zopa Rinpoche emphasizes that this Dharma wheel protects us from all obstacles and the people around the Mani wheel are blessed.That home which houses this wheel will become similar to the Land of Potala.or the abode of Avalokiteshwara or the Compassion Buddha.

Banyan fruit powder as a cure for many diseases

2012-01-08T08:30:00.000+05:30

Banyan fruits.Ficus bengalensis

Hindi-Bad,Barrh
English:Banyan tree
Telugu:Marri chettu
Tamil:Aala maram

This tree has many medicinal properties but this post is about the healing properties of the fruit.
This tip is told by Panditha Elchuri.
A fruit is made as an offering to the Banyan tree and it is highly recommended that the person say thanks to the tree for the help-( It is always good etiquette to say thanks -even to a tree I guess..)
The fruit is collected ,washed and cut into 4 parts and dried in the sun .It is made into a smooth powder.

1-This banyan fruit powder is mixed with
2 - an equal quantity of Mishri or rock candy sugar and
3 - half the amount of Jeera powder.(aka cumin).

This mixture is stored in a glass jar.
Some dry pieces of fruit may be stored in bulk which is useful to make a fresh batch of the given mixture.

The dosage per day is- half a spoon for children and one spoon for adults with a glass of milk which can be sweetened with Mishri.

Benefits for children:

Children grow taller
Weak children become stronger and their complexion improves.
The memory of children improves dramatically.
A better behavioral change is seen in extremely stubborn children.

Benefits for Men:

Men become stronger and get a lustre of youth.
It is very potent and improves men's health in general and reduces the early discharge problem in men.

Benefits for Ladies:

All kinds of gynec problems are solved if ladies take this powder twice a day.

This includes - Excess discharge in periods,cysts in ovaries,white discharge problem,spotting between periods,repeated natural abortions,very light periods,some kinds of infertility and polyps.

It also tones up the body and firming the flabby areas giving them a youthful appearance.

For old people:
It acts a rejuvenant for the old.

Vinca rosea

2012-01-04T08:48:00.000+05:30

Catharanthus roseus:image in public domain from biolib.cz

Vinca rosea or Madagascar periwinkle is an ornamental plant and is used in folklore medicine.
The other Indian names are
Sadaphuli
Sadhabahar
Nityakalyani
Billaganneru
shavamnari

Vincristine and Vinblastine are the most important substances extracted from this plant which is used for treating some lymphomas and leukamia and some types of tumors and cancers .The yeild is extremely low ( 1 tonne of the leaves giving less than 50 gm of the usable form of the medicine).
It is used mainly as a tranquilizer and for diabetes and a good herb to reduce high B.P in traditional medicine.But an expert guidance is required because using this plant as a medicine can have unpleasant side effects.

To lose weight faster...

2012-01-02T09:38:00.000+05:30

Wish you all a very Happy and Healthy New year.

On the same note, here's a tip to lose weight naturally.
Mix:
30 gm of Triphala powder
10 gm of Sont powder(dried ginger powder-sonti,chukku)
10 gm of peppercorn powder --Kala mirch ,miriyalu, milagu.
10 gm of rock salt (kala namak-Saindhavalavanam)
10 gm of long pepper powder-aka Pippali , Pipallu .For the image see the link
http://simpleayurvedichealthtips.blogspot.com/2010/06/long-pepper-for-stomach-problems.html

The Sont and black peppercorns should be dry roasted before grinding them to a smooth powder.

Mix all the powders and store in a glass jar.
Half a spoon of this weight reducing churan is mixed with a little Sesame seed oil and taken twice a day.
Sesame seed oil is used in various other lehyams and available in all supermarkets-aka -nuvvula nooni in Telugu-til ka tel in Hindi and Nallenai in Tamil.

The dosage period is around six months and this will help a person in their weight reducing efforts and to attain a slimmer figure.

Low Sodium salt

2011-12-30T18:32:00.001+05:30

Sodium chloride is the Table salt which we can't live without.
Salt regulates the fluid balance in the body and regulates the electrical signaling in the nervous system.Too little salt in the diet can cause dizziness and fluid imbalance .
The recommended salt intake differs slightly depending on the age group of a person and the country one belongs to . But 2200 mg of Sodium in a day is the upper limit .This includes the sodium from all the food sources.
Increased Sodium levels in the diet cause kidney trouble,heart problems and water retention in the body.There is a direct relation between high blood pressure and increased salt intake.So it is always better to decrease the salt intake in the food.
There are low sodium salts available under different brand names in the market.These substitutes taste almost like salt but the sodium content is low.It is because the sodium chloride is substituted with Potassium chloride.The most common additive in table salt is the anti caking agents to make the salt more free flowing.This could be Magnesium carbonate or other agents in permissible amounts.Iodides and fluorides are also known additives in special salts.
Since Potassium chloride is also essential in the body and sometimes used to replenish electrolytes -it is thought to be safe for replacing the sodium in the table salt.However it is quite bitter and not salty and has to be mixed again with other additives to make it more palatable.Over dosage of Potassium chloride can lead to severe consequences and people suffering from hyperkalemia should not try using the low sodium salt.It is always better to consult a doctor before switching over to the substitute salt.
Avoiding pickled items in the diet ,chips,fast foods,processed foods and eating more boiled vegetables(without salt of course) and adding lemon and herbs to improve the taste are natural ways to decrease the salt intake in our food.It is very important to accept the salt- less taste of the vegetables and enjoy their true taste.

To look and feel younger...

2011-12-29T19:53:00.000+05:30

Mix:
10 gms of ghee made from Cow's milk and equal amount of Sesame seed oil -aka Til ka tel , Nuvvula nooni and Nallenai in different Indian languages.
5 gms of honey
25 gms of Amla Churan
This powder is available in all ayurvedic stores.It is the powder of the dried fruits of Goose berry ( Usurikaya in Telugu ,Nellikai in Tamil)

Eating a little of this mixture in the mornings will make the person look and feel younger.

(This tip was taken from Rishi prasad- Asaramji Bapu ashram magazine)

Ayurvedic nose drops for Sinusitis

2011-12-20T10:31:00.000+05:30

People who suffer from Sinusitis during winter as a routine can crush the leaves of Acalypha indica * and put one drop of the juice in the nostrils.A slight burning sensation is normal. One drop for each nostril is sufficient.
Care should be taken that the leaves are clean .This is an extremely common plant and the remedy is very effective in relieving the Sinus symptoms .
Common names of Acalypha indica:

Tamil name:Kuppaimeni
Telugu name:Moorkonda,murkonda,kuppi chettu, Kuppinta
Sanskrit name: Haritha manjari
English name:Indian Acalypha,Indian nettle
Hindi :Khokli or Kuppi

More info and image can be found in
http://simpleayurvedichealthtips.blogspot.com/2011/01/acalypha-indica-khokli-or-kuppi.html

Click on the tab ' Sinusitis' below for more remedies for the inflammation of the Sinuses.

A simple tip for pimples

2011-12-17T09:48:00.001+05:30

Mix Sont powder * (dried ginger)
and
Clove powder (Laung, Lavangam)
with a little water and apply on the pimples .The size decreases dramatically and they slowly disappear.

For back pain during periods

2011-12-06T22:35:00.000+05:30

Many ladies complain of back ache during the time of the month.This easy tea recipe will relieve that backache to a great extent.

Pound
10 gm of Sont-dried ginger
and
10 gm of false black pepper (dried fruits).
The Latin name of this plant is Embelia ribes.It is known as Vayuvidangalu in Telugu,Vayuvidang in Hindi.

Boil the mixture in water till three fourth of the water remains.Add jaggery (30gm) and drink up the decoction for the back pain to disappear.
This is done once a day for 3-4 days.

For difficulty in breathing during winters

2011-12-04T10:44:00.001+05:30

Many children and adults may have a breathing problem during winters.This is a small aid suggested by Pujya Asaramji Bapu in the book Arogya nidhi - part 1.
Mix a pinch of pepper powder and little honey and ghee ( a few drops) and swallow it .This relieves the congestion to a large extent.

A tip for muscle pain

2011-12-02T10:03:00.000+05:30

Mix a little rock salt * with garlic juice and massage in the area where there is a muscle pain due to vata dosha.This will reduce the pain to a great extent.

* Saindhavalavanam

A simple oil recipe for children suffering from leg pain

2011-11-28T09:07:00.000+05:30

School going children sometimes complain of leg pain. This is a good recipe suggested by Panditha Elchuri.
Athibala * plant leaves are collected and the juice is extracted.It is mixed with an equal quantity of sesame seed oil and boiled over a low flame till all the water content evaporates and only the oil remains.The oil is cooled and filtered and stored in a glass jar.
Apply this oil on the legs and massage gently.This must be done once a day preferably before bedtime.The pain should disappear in a day.

* For more info on Ati bala plant and image and a tip for knee pain refer :

http://simpleayurvedichealthtips.blogspot.com/2011/03/atibala-oil-for-knee-pain.html

Dietary modifications for people suffering from high Uric acid levels

2011-11-21T12:44:00.000+05:30

Hyperuricemia is a condition where the uric acid level in the body is higher than normal.It is not a disease by itself but can cause a kind of arthritis called gout .This is a painful condition where the crystals are deposited near a joint.The high levels of uric acid aggravates some kind of heart problems and it is not too kind on diabetics either.They may also cause kidney stones which do not show up in a normal X ray.

This is a dietary modification suggested by Panditha Elchuri :

Including at least 1 radish a day in the diet will correct the levels of Uric acid.The radish can be consumed in any form--as a vegetable or juice or in salads
It would be very ideal if the people suffering from this condition avoid non vegetarian food,sugary beverages and alcohol.
there is another tip mentioned in this link for proper kidney function with the help of radish:

http://simpleayurvedichealthtips.blogspot.com/2010/02/routine-for-detoxifying-kidneys-and.html

(This post is in response to a query from a reader)

The Bombax ceiba or the Silk cotton tree

2011-11-18T11:44:00.000+05:30

Bombax ceiba-image in the public domain

This is quite a common tree which can grow to a height of 30 m.They bear small attractive reddish flowers with a slightly bulbous tender fruit under them.The trunk has thorny protrusions and the mature dry fruits burst open revealing a white cottony mass.
Common names in India :
Kapok tree
Semal -Shalmali in Hindi
Unnamurika in Malayalam
Dumboil in Assam
Sittan in Tamil.

the trunk of a bombax-Picture in the public domain -photo author:Michales

The cotton obtained from the fruits are used to stuff pillows .They are fairly priced and it is said the quality of sleep improves when these pillows are used.They can be used by people suffering from insomnia.

The thorns on the trunk are cut out and the base is rubbed in a circular motion on a rough surface with water.When this paste is applied on acne marks or burn marks the marks lighten significantly .

The lower part of the flower which is actually a glandular ovary is cooked and eaten which increases strength and stamina and reduces urinary problems.

-This info is mostly from the show by Acharya Balakrishnaji from Baba Ramdevji Ashram.

Ayurveda help for Baldness

2011-11-17T12:21:00.000+05:30

There are many factors for male balding. Age, genes , stress, using harsh chemicals on the scalp and hair , pollution , some medications and the harsh sunlight are some of the most common causes.

This is a simple tip suggested by Panditha Elchuri.

Rubbing a little Radish juice * on the scalp where the hair is thinning out helps the hair to regrow.The juice must be massaged gently on the scalp in the nights before sleeping.It should be stopped for 2-3 days if the person experiences any burning sensation or a rash.coconut oil must be massaged instead.The treatment must be continued again with the radish juice.

Inhaling Neem oil helps the hair to grow.For more details refer the link given below.

http://simpleayurvedichealthtips.blogspot.com/2011/08/drop-of-neem-oil-for-shiny-black-hair.html

* Radish-Mullangi-mooli .

A simple help for arthritis

2011-11-15T14:54:00.000+05:30

Make a decoction of Giloy plant churna * and Sont churna ( dried ginger powder).Drinking 20-50 ml of this tea will relieve the arthritis pain and it reduces the symptoms.

* Tinosporia cardifolia has innumerable curative properties.

Its also known as Gudichi,Giloy in Hindi ,Thippatheega in Telugu, Shindilakodi in Tamil,Amritaballi in Kannada and Ambrithu in Malayalam.

For more information on Giloy and image refer

http://simpleayurvedichealthtips.blogspot.com/2010/06/giloy-or-tinospora-cardifolia-for.html

(a small quantity of the powders is used)

An ayurvedic cure for Thyroid problems

2011-11-10T10:17:00.001+05:30

This tip is taken from the magazine " Andhariki ayurvedam" by Panditha Elchuri .

Mix
Triphala powder-300gm
(equal parts of 3 myrobylan fruits-refer- http://simpleayurvedichealthtips.blogspot.com/2010/01/remedy-for-constipation.html )

Deodar stem powder-100gm

Long pepper powder-100gm

More info about long pepper / Java pepper and the image can be found in this link-It is easily available in all ayurvedic stores.

http://simpleayurvedichealthtips.blogspot.com/2010/06/long-pepper-for-stomach-problems.html

Deodar is Devadharu tree in many Indian Languages.It has thin leaves and grows to 30m in height.

image in public domain -image source-wiki

5 gm of this powder is taken twice a day with honey for the Thyroid gland to start functioning normally.
P.S. The powder must be very fine.

A simple help for Herpes blisters

2011-11-01T12:07:00.002+05:30

Bermuda grass - Cynodon dactylon- image in the public domain -from wiki

Bermuda grass is an extremely common grass found in almost all parts of Africa,Europe,Asia and Australia.

Hindi - doorva grass,doob, Dhoob
Telugu - Garika
Tamil - Arugam pul
Malayalam - Karuka pul
Bengali - Dharba

This grass is used to worship Lord Ganesha .

Some readers have asked me cures for Herpes blisters.Hope this helps.

A little rice is soaked in water and made into a paste with Doob grass and applied on the blisters .This helps the sores to heal.

(Taken from ' Rishi Prasad ' a monthly magazine released by the Ashram of Pujya Sri Asaramji Bapu.)

A simple tip for Diabetes

2011-10-29T18:19:00.000+05:30

Radish leaves are generally available with the root vegetable .The leaves are washed well and the juice is extracted.Drinking 30 ml of this juice regularly in the mornings will bring down the blood sugar levels.