Guruji-Simply The Best!!!!!!

ಪೇಯಪರ್ವ, ತಲೆಹರಟೆ ಪುರಾಣ(collection)

2010-01-05T13:05:00.001+05:30

ಬೆಳಿಗ್ಗೆ ಎದ್ದ ತಕ್ಷಣ 80 % ಜನರು ಕುಡಿಯುವ ಚಹಾ-ಕಾಪಿಯ ಪುರಾಣ ಯಾರಿಗಾದರೂ ಗೊತ್ತಾ ??
ಅಷ್ಟಾದಶ ಪುರಾಣಗಳಲ್ಲಿ 19ನೇ ಪುರಾಣವಾದ ತಲೆಹರಟೆ ಪುರಾಣದಲ್ಲಿ ಪೇಯಪರ್ವದ 420 ನೇ ಶ್ಲೋಕದಲ್ಲಿ ಚಹಾದ ಉಲ್ಲೇಖವಿದೆ. "ನಭಯಂ ಚಾಸ್ತಿ ಜಾಗೃತಃ " ಅಂದರೆ ಚಾ ಕುಡಿದವನಿಗೆ ಯಾವ ಭಯವೂ ಇಲ್ಲ ಅವನು ಸದಾ ಜಾಗೃತನಾಗಿರುತ್ತಾನೆ ಎಂದು ಹೇಳಲಾಗಿದೆ .ಅದರ ಸಂಕ್ಷಿಪ್ತ ವಿವರಣೆಯನ್ನು ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಕೊಟ್ಟಿದ್ದೇನೆ

ವನವಾಸ - ರಾವಣ ಸಂಹಾರ - ಪಟ್ಟಾಭಿಷೇಕ ಎಲ್ಲ ಆದ ನಂತರ ರಾಮ ಒಮ್ಮೆ ಹೀಗೆ Evening Walk ಗೋಸ್ಕರ ದಂಡಕಾರಣ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಸಂಚರಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾಗ ಯಾವುದೋ ಒಂದು ಬೇರಿನ ಆರ್ತನಾದ ಅವನಿಗೆ ಕೇಳಿಸಿತು . ಈಗ ಬೇರುಗಳು ಎಲ್ಲಿ ಅಳುತ್ತವೆಯೇ ?? ಎಂಬ ಲಾಜಿಕಲ್ ಪ್ರಶ್ನೆ ಕೇಳಬೇಡಿ . ಸೀತೆಯನ್ನು ರಾವಣ ಅಪಹರಿಸಿಕೊಂಡು ಹೋದಾಗ ರಾಮ "ಓ ತರುಲತೆಗಳೇ ಓ ಪಶುಪಕ್ಷಿಗಳೇ ..... ಕಂಡಿರಾ ನನ್ನ ಸೀತೆಯನ್ನು??? ................. ಎಂದು ಕೇಳುತ್ತ ಹೋಗುತ್ತಾನಂತೆ . ಅಂದರೆ ಆ ಕಾಲದಲ್ಲಿ ಅವುಗಳಿಗೆ ಮಾತನಾಡುವ ಶಕ್ತಿ ಇತ್ತು . ಗೊತ್ತಾಯ್ತಾ ?? ಆ ಆರ್ಥಸ್ವರ ಕೇಳಿದ ರಾಮ ಅದರ ಬಳಿ ಬಂದು ಏನಾಯಿತು ?? ಎಂದು ಕೇಳಿದಾಗ ಆ ಬೇರು ಹೀಗೆ ಉತ್ತರಿಸಿತು .

ನೋಡು ರಾಮ ನಿನ್ನ ತಮ್ಮ ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮಣ ಮೂರ್ಛೆ ತಪ್ಪಿ ಬಿದ್ದಾಗ ಹನುಮಂತ ತಂದ ಸಂಜೀವಿನಿ ಸೊಪ್ಪು ನಾನು . ನನ್ನನ್ನು ಹಿಂಡಿ ರಸ ತೆಗೆದು ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮಣನನ್ನು ಬದುಕಿಸಿ ಕೆಲಸ ಮುಗಿದ ಮೇಲೆ ಹೀಗೆ ಮರದ ಕೆಳಗೆ ಬಿಸುಟು ಹೋಗಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ರಾಮರಾಜ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಇದು ನ್ಯಾಯವೇ ?? ಎಂದು ಕೇಳಿದಾಗ ರಾಮ ಹೇಳಿದ "ಎಲೈ ಸಂಜೀವಿನಿಯೇ ಹೀಗೆ ಮರದ ಕೆಳಗೆ ಬೀಳುವುದು ನಿನ್ನ ಪೂರ್ವ ಜನ್ಮದ ಕರ್ಮ ಫಲ. ನಾನು ವಿಧಿಗೆ ವಿರುದ್ಧವಾಗಿ ನಿನ್ನನ್ನು ಬದುಕಿಸಲಾರೆ . ಆದರೆ ನನ್ನ ತಮ್ಮನ ಪ್ರಾಣ ಉಳಿಸಿದ್ದಕ್ಕಾಗಿ ಕಲಿಯುಗದಲ್ಲಿ ನಿನಗೆ ಪುನರ್ಜನ್ಮ ಪ್ರಾಪ್ತಿಯಾಗಲೆಂದು ಆಶೀರ್ವದಿಸುತ್ತೇನೆ ಎಂದು ಹರಸಿದ . ಅದರ ಅವತಾರವೇ ನಮ್ಮ ಕಲಿಯುಗದ ಚಹಾ.

ಇನ್ನೂ ಸಂಶಯವೇ ??? ನೋಡಿ ಈಗಲೂ ಅಷ್ಟೇ ..... ರಾತ್ರಿಯಿಡೀ ಮೂರ್ಛೆ ತಪ್ಪಿದವರಂತೆ ನಿದ್ದೆ ಬಿದ್ದಿರುವ ನಾವು ಬೆಳಿಗ್ಗೆ ಎದ್ದ ತಕ್ಷಣ ಚಹಾ ಕುಡಿದು ಕ್ರಿಯಾಶೀಲರಾಗುವುದಿಲ್ಲವೇ ?? ಅದರ ಕರ್ಮಫಲ ಇನ್ನೊ ಬಿಟ್ಟಿಲ್ಲವೋ ಎಂಬಂತೆ ಚಹಾ ಮಾಡಿದ ಬಳಿಕ ಅದರ ಸೊಪ್ಪನ್ನು ಮರದ ಬೇರಿನಡಿ ಬಿಸಾಡುವುದಿಲ್ಲವೇ ?? ಅಷ್ಟೇ ಅಲ್ಲ ಸಂಜೀವಿನಿಯನ್ನು ತಂದವನು ಹನುಮಂತ ಯಾವ ಮೂಲಿಕೆ ಎಂದು ತಿಳಿಯದಿದ್ದರೂ "ದೂರ ದೃಷ್ಟಿಯಿಂದ " ಇಡೀ ಪರ್ವತ ಹೊತ್ತು ತಂದ ಹಾಗೆ ಭಾರತಕ್ಕೆ ಚಹಾ ತಂದವರು ಜೇಮ್ ಶೆಡ್ ಜೀ ಟಾಟಾ ಅವರು ಫಾರಸೀ ಆಗಿದ್ದರು. ನೋಡಿದಿರಾ ?? FAR = ದೂರ SEE = ದೃಷ್ಟಿ . ಹೀಗೆ ಇವರು ಕೂಡ ದೂರ ದೃಷ್ಟಿ ಯಿಂದಲೇ ಚಹಾವನ್ನು ಭಾರತಕ್ಕೆ ತಂದರು . ಅಲ್ಲದೆ ರಾಮನು ಕಾಡಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಈ ಸೊಪ್ಪಿಗೆ ವರದಾನ ಕೊಟ್ಟಿದ್ದರಿಂದ ಅವರು ತಂದ ಚಹಾಕ್ಕೆ "ಕಾನನ ದೇವನ ಚಹಾ " ( Kannan Devan Tea ) ಅಂದರೆ ಕಾಡಿಗೆ ಹೋಗಿ ಬಂದ ದೇವರನ್ನು ಬದುಕಿಸಿದ ಸೊಪ್ಪು ಎಂಬರ್ಥದಿಂದ ಈ ಹೆಸರು ಕೊಟ್ಟರು.

ಇದು ಚಹಾದ ಪುರಾಣವಾದರೆ ಕಾಪಿ ಇದಕ್ಕೂ ಹಳೆಯದು . ಸಮುದ್ರಮಥನ ಕಾಲದಲ್ಲಿ ಸುರಾಸುರ ಯಕ್ಷ ಗಂಧರ್ವರೆಲ್ಲರೂ ಸೇರಿ ಸಮುದ್ರವನ್ನು ಮಥಿಸಿದರು. ಅದರಲ್ಲಿ ಹುಟ್ಟಿದ ಪದಾರ್ಥವನ್ನೆಲ್ಲ ಪರಸ್ಪರ ಹಂಚಿಕೊಂಡರು. ನಡುವೆ "ಕಾಲಕೂಟ" ವೆಂಬ ಖತರ್ನಾಕ್ ವಿಷ ಬರಲು ಈಶ್ವರ ಅದನ್ನು bottoms up ಮಾಡಿ ಕುಡಿದ. ನಂತರ ಪೀಯುಷ ( ಅಮೃತ ) ಹುಟ್ಟಿಕೊಂಡಿತು . ಅಸುರರಿಗೆ ಮೊಹಿನಿಯಿಂದ ಮಂಕುಬೂದಿ ಎರಚಿ ಇನ್ನೇನು ಪೀಯುಷವನ್ನು ಸ್ವರ್ಗಲೋಕಕ್ಕೆ ತೆಗೆದುಕೊಂಡು ಹೋಗುವಾಗ "Hello Excuse me Boss " ಎಂಬ ಸ್ವರ ಕೇಳಿಸಿತು ತಿರುಗಿ ನೋಡಿದರೆ ಮಾನವರೆಲ್ಲರೂ ಗುಂಪು ಗುಂಪಾಗಿ ಬರುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಏನಾಯ್ತು ಎಂದು ಕೇಳಿದರೆ ಏನು ?? ನಮ್ಮ ಭೂಮಿಗೆ ಬಂದು ಸಮುದ್ರ ಮಥಿಸಿ ಸಿಕ್ಕಿದ್ದನ್ನೆಲೆ ದೋಚಿ ಹೋಗ್ತಾ ಇದ್ದೀರಾ ?? ನಮ್ಮ ಭೂಮಿ ಬಳಸಿದ್ದರ ಬಾಡಿಗೆ ಯಾರು ಕೊಡ್ತಾರೆ ?? ನಮಗೂ ಅಮೃತದಲ್ಲಿ ಪಾಲು ಬೇಕು ಎಂದು ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ಜಗಳ ಶುರು ಮಾಡಿದರು . ಆಗ ದೇವರು ಓಹೋ .... ಅಮೃತ ಬೇಕಾ ?? ಕಾಲಕೂಟ ಕೂಡ ಅಲ್ಲಿಂದಾನೆ ಬಂದಿದ್ದು ಅದನ್ನೂ ನೀವು ತೆಗೆದುಕೊಳ್ಳಬೇಕು ಎಂದು ವಾದ ಮಾಡಿದರು. ಮನುಷ್ಯರು ಕಾಲಕೂಟದಿಂದ ಹೆದರಿಕೊಂಡರೂ ಪಾಲು ಸಿಗದೇ ಹೋಗಲು ಬಿಡುವುದಿಲ್ಲ ಎಂಬ ಪಟ್ಟು ಹಿಡಿದರು .

ಆಮೇಲೆ ದೇವಗುರು ಬೃಹಸ್ಪತಿ , ದೈತ್ಯಗುರು ಶುಕ್ರಾಚಾರ್ಯ ಮತ್ತು ಮಾನವರ ಗುರುಗಳಾಗಿದ್ದ ಗಣಪಯ್ಯ ಮಾಸ್ಟರು ಕುಳಿತು ಒಂದು ಸಂಧಾನಕ್ಕೆ ಬಂದು " ಕಾಲಕೂಟದಿಂದ " "ಕಾ" ತೆಗೆದು "ಪೀಯೂಷದಿಂದ" "ಪೀ " ತೆಗೆದು "ಕಾಪಿ " ಮಾಡಿ ಮಾನವರಿಗೆ ಕೊಟ್ಟರು . ಈ ಸಂಧಾನದಲ್ಲಿ ಬೃಹಸ್ಪತಿಗಳು ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಮಾನವರ Favour ನಲ್ಲಿ ಮಾತನಾಡಿದ್ದರಿಂದ ಅವರ ಸ್ಮರಣಾರ್ಥ ಅವರ ಹೆಸರಿನ ಮೊದಲ ಮೂರು ಅಕ್ಷರ "BRU" ಎಂದು ಇದಕ್ಕೆ ನಾಮಕರಣ ಮಾಡಲಾಯಿತು . ಇದನ್ನು ಕುಡಿದು ಮನುಷ್ಯರಿಗೆ ನಶೆ ಏರಿದ್ದರಿಂದ ಅವರು ಅದನ್ನು "ನಶಾಕಾಪಿ " ಎಂದರು ಅದೇ ಕಲಿಯುಗದ NESCAFE ಆಯಿತು.ಹೀಗೆ ಸುರ - ಅಸುರರ ಸಹಕಾರದಿಂದ ಕಾಪಿ ಭೂಮಿಗೆ ಬಂದಿದ್ದರಿಂದ ಇಂದಿಗೂ ಅದನ್ನು ಕುಡಿಯುವಾಗ ನಾವು "ಸುರ್ರ್ ರ್ರ್ ರ್ರ್ " ಎಂದು ಶಬ್ದ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಾ ಅವರನ್ನು ನೆನೆಯುತ್ತೇವೆ

ಉಳಿದ ಪುರಾಣಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಪೆಪ್ಸಿ ಕೋಲಾ ಗಳ ಉಲ್ಲೇಖ ಇದೆಯೋ ಎಂದು ಹುಡುಕುತ್ತಿದ್ದೇನೆ . ನಿಮಗೆಲ್ಲಾದರೂ ಏನಾದರೂ ಮಾಹಿತಿ ಸಿಕ್ಕಿದರೆ ತಿಳಿಸಿರಿ .
-------------------------------ಅಥ ಶ್ರೀ ತಲೆಹರಟೆ ಪುರಾಣಂ ಸಂಪೂರ್ಣಂ

Swine Flu

2009-08-13T17:16:00.007+05:30

SWINE-FLU-H1N1

Swine influenza (also called H1N1 flu, swine flu, hog flu, and pig flu) is an infection by any one of several types of swine influenza virus. Swine influenza virus (SIV) is any strain of the influenza family of viruses that is endemic in pigs. As of 2009, the known SIV strains include influenza C and the subtypes of influenza A known as H1N1, H1N2, H3N1, H3N2, and H2N3.

Swine influenza virus is common throughout pig populations worldwide. Transmission of the virus from pigs to humans is not common and does not always lead to human influenza, often resulting only in the production of antibodies in the blood. People with regular exposure to pigs are at increased risk of swine flu infection. The meat of an infected animal poses no risk of infection when properly cooked.

The Swine flu has been compared to other similar types of influenza virus in terms of mortality: "in the US it appears that for every 1000 people who get infected, about 40 people need admission to hospital and about one person dies".. There are fears that swine flu will become a major global pandemic in the winter months, with many countries planning major vaccination campaigns.

Influenza is quite common in pigs; the main route of transmission is through direct contact between infected and uninfected animals.

People who work with poultry and swine, especially people with intense exposures, are at increased risk of zoonotic infection with influenza virus endemic in these animals, and constitute a population of human hosts in which zoonosis and re-assortment can co-occur. Other professions at particular risk of infection are veterinarians and meat processing workers, although the risk of infection for both of these groups is lower than that of farm workers.

Main Signs and Symptoms of Swine Flu

The ayurvedic postulation:

The knowledge that is available so far indicates that the malaise is pro vat-shleshmik condition associated with Pitta.

|| STAIMITYA PARVANAM BHEDO NIDRA GAURVAMEV CHA||

|| SHIROGRIHAH PRATISHYAYAH KASAH SWEDAPRAVARTANAM||

|| SANTAPO MADHYAVEGASHCHA VAT-SHLESHMA-JWARAKRUTI||

(SUSHRUT SAMHITA UTTAR TANTRA CHAPT 39/ 15-16)

Means when VAT-SHLESHMIK fever grabs then it manifests with lethargy-ness, headache, rhinitis or rhinorrhea, cough, fever etc.

The cause of flu can be different but the symptoms will remain almost same. This stanza from sushrut samhita proves that the flu is not a newborn disease, this ailment has a prolonged history behind this.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in humans the symptoms of the 2009 "swine flu" H1N1 virus are similar to those of influenza and of influenza-like illness in general. Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. The 2009 outbreak has shown an increased percentage of patients reporting diarrhea and vomiting. The 2009 H1N1 virus is not zoonotic swine flu, as it is not transmitted from pigs to humans, but from person to person. The most common cause of death is respiratory failure, other causes of death are pneumonia (leading to sepsis), high fever (leading to neurological problems), dehydration (from excessive vomiting and diarrhea) and electrolyte imbalance. Fatalities are more likely in young children and the elderly.

Prevention:

According to Ayurveda, prevention is always better than cure, and the primary aim goal of Ayurveda is to maintain the health of a healthy person. As stated: “Swasthasya Swasthya Rakshanam…” here are the few preventive measures according to modern science and Ayurveda.

Prevention of swine influenza has three components:

1. prevention in swine,
2. prevention of transmission to humans,
3. and prevention of its spread among humans.

The current trivalent influenza vaccine is unlikely to provide protection against the new 2009 H1N1 strain, so the control of swine influenza by vaccination has become more difficult in recent decades. But you don’t worry even if you are not vaccinated. Start practicing Pranayama, especially “hot Pranayama like Bhastrika and Kapalbhanti”! This will improve your lungs capacity and immunity to combat any infections from the viruses.
Swine flu cannot be spread by pork products, since the virus is not transmitted through food but it spreads between humans through coughing or sneezing and people touching something with the virus on it and then touching their own nose or mouth.
The swine flu in humans is most contagious during the first five days of the illness although some people, most commonly children, can remain contagious for up to ten days. Diagnosis can be made by sending a specimen, collected during the first five days for analysis. so as soon as you feel discomfort with symptoms like sneezing, coughing and any other respiratory symptoms, start to have herbal tea, which is very common practice in India. The recipe of such herbal tea knows almost every mother or grandmother knows in India! well, if you don’t know: let me explain:

Boil approximately 200ml of potable water, till it remains half and mix the following herbs in it.

Juice of 10 to 15 fresh leaves of Tulasi, (Basil),
5 ml of fresh ginger root juice,
half spoon powder of cloves,
half spoon powder of cinnamon bark,
half spoon powder of peppermint leaves,
half spoon powder of cardamom,
half spoon of turmeric powder,
half spoon of rock salt

Mix all these properly, add one spoon of honey when the tea is lukewarm and have it twice or thrice a day.

These all-around wonder spices are said to help detoxify the liver, fight allergies, stimulate digestion, and boost immunity. All these drugs have anti viral, cleansing and antioxidant properties. It helps the free flow of oxygen to the brain, helps enhance digestion and circulation and stimulates the appetite. They are excellent for balancing Vaata and Kapha, which are the prominent Dosha in Swine influenza or any other respiratory track infections.

Recommendations to prevent spread of the virus among humans include using standard infection control against influenza. This includes frequent washing of hands with soap and water or with alcohol-based hand sanitizers, especially after being out in public.
Chance of transmission is also reduced by disinfecting household surfaces, which can be done effectively with a diluted chlorine bleach solution.
Experts agree that hand-washing can help prevent viral infections, including ordinary influenza and the swine flu virus.
Influenza can spread in coughs or sneezes, but an increasing body of evidence shows small droplets containing the virus can linger on tabletops, telephones and other surfaces and be transferred via the fingers to the mouth, nose or eyes.
Alcohol-based gel or foam hand sanitizers work well to destroy viruses and bacteria.
The Puja being done in Hindus has the similar disinfecting properties. Studies have shown that lightning the lamp with cow’s Ghee has anti-viral property. The Dhupana being done with the help of natural sticks (Agarbattis) and Guggulu has very effective disinfectant properties.
Anyone with flu-like symptoms such as a sudden fever, cough or muscle aches should stay away from work or public transportation and should contact a doctor for advice.
Social distancing is another tactic. It means staying away from other people who might be infected and can include avoiding large gatherings, spreading out a little at work, or perhaps staying home and lying low if an infection is spreading in a community.
Public health and other responsible authorities have action plans which may request or require social distancing actions depending on the severity of the outbreak.

According to Ayurveda daily and dietary habits plays a major role in any disease. If your digestive fire is normal, your immunity will remain powerful and thus no infection can overrule you. So one should follow the ideal dietary regimen during seasons like monsoon and winter when the maximum chances are there for viral infections.

One should avoid traveling or being outdoors during the early hours of the day when there is dew and cold winds blow.
Oil massage with oil possessing warm quality is beneficial.
Clean and dry clothes should be worn.
Individuals should avoid direct and strong cold winds.
Avoid skipping meals.
Try to move around the place of work instead of sitting in one place or do some kind of physical work. This will help you to refresh yourself, especially when you feel dull & lethargic.
Try to avoid over exertion.
Not delay or skip your meals, you should take meals at regular timings & in fixed quantities.
Avoid damp, humid and cold weather, and environment.
Avoid use of air conditioners.
Drink a glass of water with two teaspoons of honey every day early in the morning.
Always have fresh meals, prepared using minimum quantity of oil, or prepared with the help of Cow’s ghee.
Dry chatni & dry vegetables are recommended.
Sprinkle your salads with dry ginger powder, and black pepper powder.
Chewing of a bite of ginger before meals with little bit of salt is helpful to improve.
Always choose warm food over cold food.
Pickles made of ‘Raw haldi’ are recommended.
Daily use of ‘Honey’ helps to control the excessive kapha.
Avoid regular use of sweets, butter, cheese, paneer etc.
Avoid dairy products especially curd and butter.
Avoid refrigerated, re-warmed, day old stale food, etc.
Avoid foods containing preservatives, artificial flavors, colors etc. Sauces, vinegar, pickles, chatani etc.
Avoid non-vegetarian food.
Avoid excessive use of Cheese, paneer, yogurt etc.

Ayurveda Treatment for Viral infections in Cold Seasons like Monsoon and Winter

If a person becomes sick with swine flu, antiviral drugs can make the illness milder and make the patient feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications. For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms). Beside anti-virals, supportive care at home or in hospital, focuses on controlling fevers, relieving pain and maintaining fluid balance, as well as identifying and treating any secondary infections or other medical problems. The virus isolates in the 2009 outbreak have been found resistant to amantadine and rimantadine.In the U.S., on April 27, 2009, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued Emergency Use Authorizations to make available Relenza and Tamiflu antiviral drugs to treat the swine influenza virus in cases for which they are currently unapproved.

In such condition following Ayurveda drugs may be started as soon as possible. Few of these drugs have been found very effective in current research works and are being practiced in India since thousands of years for combating various seasonal and viral infections.

. Haridra Khand

. Khadiradi Gutika

. Lavangadi Gutika

. Malla Sindura

Samirpannaga Rasa

Shwasa Kuthara Rasa

Preventive HERBAL PREPARATION for swine flu:

SAPTAPARNA (Alstonia scholaris), KUTAKI (Picrorhiza Kurroa) CHIRAITA (Swertia Chirata), the seed powder of LATA KARANAJ (Caesalpinia Crista) and GILOY SATWA, take all of them in equal proportions and make powder. Take 2 Grams of this powder in morning and evening with honey or lukewarm water.

Daily Morning Amrtarishta 3 tsp with 3 tsp water & Amalaki powder 1 tsp will boost the immunity system of the body against viral fever.

Note: though this is safe medication but take an advice from your physician before taking this.

Ayurveda has very good and safe medication and management of any kind of disease. This has been proved many time like against chicken guinea, Tinea worm infestation, Malaria and many other.

(But this is an informative article and please take advice from your Doctor or ayurvedic physician for the treatment.)

Effective Cold Prevention Strategies

2009-07-17T16:03:00.001+05:30

Effective Cold Prevention Strategies

1. Wash your hands - The world we live in is filled with viruses and bacteria that can make us ill. Your hands are no exceptions. Wash your hands often to keep them clean. If you cannot wash them, at least use some hand sanitizer, such as Purel.

2. Drink hot fluids, especially in the morning - The rhinovirus incubates in the back of the throat and spreads in the upper respiratory area because it's cooler than the body temperature. Rhinovirus can't survive at 98.6 (hence it doesn't travel far down into the bronchi or the lungs). By drinking hot fluid (such as hot tea and lemon) you can prevent the virus from incubating.

3. Keep your hands out of your face - We have already discussed the germs and viruses on your hands. You cannot wash them continuously, so in between washings keep your hands out of your face. Your face is an open portal to your insides. Keep the germs away from your portal.

4. Drink water - Drinking more water is my answer to everything. Water will help clean out your body and keep it clean. It will also keep your body functioning at 100%. You should drink at least (eight) 8oz glasses of water everyday. This will also help you lose weight.

5.

5.Eat your fruits and vegetables - There are phytochemicals and antioxidants in fruits and vegetables that can help strengthen your immune system and prevent diseases. You should eat at least four servings of vegetables and two servings of fruits every day.

6. Multivitamins - If you are not eating all of your fruit and vegetable servings, you should take a multivitamin to ensure you are getting all of the vitamins your body needs to function properly. Take a simple one-a-day multivitamin everyday.

7. Stay warm - Being cold weakens your immune system and makes your body more susceptible to illness. Look at the day’s temperature at weather.com before leaving your home. Wear layers in and out of your home when it is cold.

8. Relax and rest - Stress weakens your immune system. You can reduce your stress levels by relaxing and getting more sleep. Sleep is essential to maintaining a healthy immune system. Sleep will also boost your recovery time if you become ill.

Getting a cold can derail your nutrition and activity plans. However, if you follow the strategies I laid out for you, you can prevent this from happening.

Smoking Facts...!!!!!!

2009-04-13T13:58:00.018+05:30

Facts about Smoking

Cigarette, cigar, and pipe-smoking are so debilitating that the immediate cessation of the
habit is always the first step of any program to improve one's health - even more
important than vitamins, diet, or exercise.
International studies of millions of people by government, industry, universities, andprivate research institutions have determined that smoking can cause:

Diseases due to smoking
· Stained teeth, fingers, and hair;
· Increased frequency of colds, particularly chest colds and bronchitis; asthma;
· Neuralgia;
· Gastrointestinal difficulties, constipation, diarrhea, and colitis;
· Headache
· Nausea;
· Convulsions;
· Leukoplakia (smoker's patch); Leads to cancer
· Insomnia;
· Heart murmur;
· Buerger's disease (inflammation of blood vessel linings)
· Shortness of breath;
· Arthritis;
· Smoker's hack;
· Nervousness;
· Wrinkles and premature aging;
· Tension;
· Gastric, duodenal, and peptic ulcers;
· Lung cancer;
· Cancer of the lip, tongue, pharynx, larynx, and bladder;
· Emphysema;
· High blood pressure;
· Heart disease;
· Arthrosclerosis & arteriosclerosis (thickening and loss of elasticity of the blood
vessels with lessened blood flow);
· Inflammation of the sinus passages;
· Tobacco angina (nicotine angina pectoris);
· Pneumonia;
· Influenza;
· Pulmonary tuberculosis;
· Tobacco amblyopia; (Reduced visual acuity)
· Impaired hearing;

· Decreased sexual activity;
· Mental depression.

Blood flow to the extremities is decreased (cold hands and feet). One puff lowers the
temperature in the fingertips 1ºF to 3ºF in 3 minutes.
Nicotine affects the nerve-muscle junctions, causing tremors and shaking. Nicotine
causes narrowing and constriction of the arteries, adding to the heart's load. Nicotine,
through its ability to stimulate, causes excitement and anxiety. But the effect wears off;
often a period of depression follows, whereupon another cigarette is taken. Nicotine, an
insecticide, makes the blood more viscous and decreases the available oxygen. It also
adversely affects the breathing, sweating, intestinal, and heart actions of our autonomic
nervous system, probably due to hindering the blood flow to the nerve centers in the
brain.
Two to four cigarettes in a row increase blood fats 200 to 400%. The average smoker (30
cigarettes per day) has 4 to 6 times the chance of having heart disease if he's in the 45-54
year age group.
If the mother smoked during pregnancy, her baby will average 6 ounces less and its pulse
will be 30% faster than a non-smoker's baby, and there'll be withdrawal symptoms in the
baby after birth. Premature birth has been related to smoking by the mother. There is a
direct link between parents' smoking and children's respiratory disease.

Smoking causes widespread permanent destruction of the tiny air sacs (alveoli) and
narrowing of small blood vessels in the lungs, decreasing the oxygen supply, requiring a
higher blood pressure, thus causing extensive circulatory problems and premature heart
attacks. Smokers have difficulty running and exercising.
The cilia are tiny, delicate, hair like coverings on the thin membrane of the surface of the
lungs and trachea that, by means of their whipping, beating action, produce an upward
current of foreign material and mucus from the lungs which is then swallowed or
expectorated. This is the way the body cleans the lungs. This delicate lung-cleaning
mechanism, in a cigarette smoker, at first paralyzes, then deteriorates, and is eventually
made inoperative, through the complete destruction of the cilia. The smoker then must
resort to coughing as a lung-cleaning method. This isn't efficient, and more than a cupful
of tars will have accumulated in his lungs by the time of his premature death.
Air pollution (auto exhausts, industry wastes, etc.) increases the lung cancer rate of the
smoker, but not of the non-smoker. Apparently, the lung-cleaning cilia are alive and
working for the non-smoker.
The time to recover from any specific ill, whether caused by smoking or not, is much
longer for the smoker. Often, a non-smoker will survive a sickness from which he would
have died had he smoked.

The non-smoker has no need to spend money to buy cigarettes, matches, lighters, holders,
ashtrays, or to spend a dime a mile for that special trip to the store. Just the cigarettes
alone amount to an average of $250 per year, after taxes - wasted. Add another $250 if
the spouse smokes. This is hard-earned, after-tax, money of yours, used to pay for the
above smoking paraphernalia - plus tax! (Please note: these are 1971 figures.)
By dying earlier, the smoker will lose many tens of thousands of dollars in social security
and other benefits which will naturally end up in the pockets of the non-smoker. The
cigarette tax is more money from the smoker to the non-smoker.
The smoker is sick more often, explaining why he misses an average of 7½ work days per
year, usually with a loss of pay, while the non-smoker will miss only 4½ days.
The smoker must spend valuable time looking for ashtrays, cigarettes, matches, retail
stores, vending machines, or change for these machines. He experiences displeasure if
they aren't immediately at hand. Just the process of deciding on "which brand" wastes
vast amounts of mental, physical, and financial resources.

The overall bad health of the smoker results, on average, in a decrease of 8.3 years in his
life expectancy, or about 12 to 14 minutes per cigarette. Just in lost social security
income alone, this amounts to about a 5¢ a cigarette. The actual cost of each cigarette
when you include extra medical expenses, lost pay, etc., is of the order of 25¢ per
cigarette (1971 figures).
Just the extra medical expenses alone can be expected to eventually use up all of a
smoker's hard-earned savings, already depleted by the high cost of smoking. By the time
non-smokers get sick,Medicare will foot their medical bills.
The smoker's body requires more sleep every night. This extra sleep must come from his
spare time. Besides needing more sleep, smokers don't sleep as well.
Smoking destroys vitamins, particularly vitamin C and the B's. Smoking has induced
cancer in dogs. Insurance rates can be higher for smokers. Some 100,000 doctors stop
smoking every year.
Foods will taste much better to non-smokers. Many subtle flavors and aromas will be
savored if your nasal and oral senses are freed of the effects of harsh chemicals, coal tars,
and other combustion products. How long has it been since you've experienced the smell
of fresh-cut grass or the delicate taste of lobster fromMaine or Nova Scotia?
Other disadvantages of smoking: You must always carry cigarettes and matches; your
pockets bulge - or there's less space in your purse; smelly breath; smelly house; smelly
clothes; messy rugs and furniture, often burned; cigarettes lying around for kids to smoke
(and matches to light); you're a bad influence on kids; you're held in low esteem by your
kids and your friends (even your smoking friends); the inside of your home and auto
windows need cleaning more often; death or property loss due to smoking in bed.
Some 120 persons have died in two airline crashes that have been attributed to ashtray
and lighter-fluid fires. Cigarette smoke collects with lint and is known to gum up delicate
mechanisms such as aircraft controls.
Smokers get into more auto accidents due to being less alert, having slower reflexes, and
also due to fussing around while driving (lighting up, etc.). In Czechoslovakia it's illegal
to smoke while driving. Accident-proneness has been related to smoking.
A non-smoker would have to put on an additional 150 pounds in order to increase his
mortality rate to that of an average smoker.
The fact that the tobacco industry provides work, that wouldn't exist without it, is a myth.
The money now wasted on tobacco, if diverted elsewhere, would create a wealth of new
job openings in industries producing goods and services more useful to the society than
cigarettes.
Smoking makes a person irritable and argumentative, partially due to a subconscious
knowledge of all of the above facts. Smoking has been related to brain damage and
premature senility.
A smoker needs much more food and sleep since nicotine makes his body work harder
and less efficiently and his heart beat faster, thus using more fuel and energy. This,
together with the fact that a smoker loses much of his appetite and his taste for food,
explains why smokers have less trouble keeping their weight down. When one quits
smoking, it's IMPERATIVE that the intake of food is drastically reduced in order to keep
the body weight normal. Having to eat less is of course an additional saving of time and
money.
Wouldn't it be nice if everyone quit smoking? There'd be less general litter, no more
butts, ashes, or wrappers in the streets, grass, urinals, etc.; no more smoke in restaurants,
theaters, airplanes or buses; a more alert society, with more spare time to enjoy or
improve their lot in life; fewer auto, plane, on-the-job, and household accidents; fewer
forest fires; less air pollution; lower auto and life insurance rates; and fewer people
coughing and spitting in public. By inflicting smoke on your non-smoking friends, it's
been shown that even their health and life expectancy are adversely affected.
Notice how many of your friends have quit smoking in the last 5 years. They're the smart
ones (and you know it). Lower intelligence has been related to smoking. In fact, smoking
is both a cause and an effect of lower intelligence, just as smoking is both a cause and
effect of lower income. The (smoking)-(lower-intelligence)-(lower-income)-(more
smoking) vicious circle can unknowingly spiral a brainwashed young person down and
down into the depths of poverty and despair. He'll not be as physically or mentally able to
cope with life's challenges. Our successful capitalistic system is based on competition,
and the physically-mentally handicapped smoker inevitably ends up at the bottom of the
heap. So get smart, today, now, and join the happy, healthy ranks of the non-smokers.

Sore Throat -Home remedy

2009-02-05T11:58:00.003+05:30

Sore Throat: Serious or Not?

Before you start treating that sore throat ask yourself a couple of questions:

Is it severe?
Prolonged? More than a few days?
Is there difficulty in swallowing?
Difficulty in breathing?
Unusually high fever?
Lump in neck?
Joint pain?

If you answered yes to any of these questions you should probably try to get in to see the Ayurvedic doctor, or whatever medical professional you use. If not, then try some of the following methods.

Gargles

There are several gargles that can be used to relieve the pain of a sore throat. Generally a gargle will help cure the sore throat by changing the acidity of the throat to one that the bacteria cannot survive.

Salt water- dissolve as much salt in a cup of warm water as will dissolve and gargle with the mixture. Repeat every couple of hours
Aspirin water - dissolve 4 aspirin (not Tylenol or ibuprofen) in 1 c warm water and gargle. Repeat every couple of hours
Vinegar- Add 1 tablespoonful of cider vinegar to 1 cup warm water and gargle. Repeat every couple of hours
Sage-1 tsp sage to 1 c warm water. Repeat a 3x daily
Garlic- boil 1 clove garlic in 1 cup water, cool to lukewarm and gargle
Listerine- It does kill germs, gargle with it a couple of times a day
Aloe Vera - gargle with aloe vera juice
Vinegar Mix- one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, one teaspoon of cayenne pepper and three tablespoons of organic, raw honey in a cup of warm water.
Any herbal tea that is recommended for sore throat can also be gargled

Herbal Teas

There are many herbal teas that are good for sore throats as well as boosting the immune system:

Traditional Medicines Throat Coat
Slippery elm
Wild Cherry
Licorice

Various Remedies

There are other home remedies that don't fit in either category. Some of them are:

Make a syrup of honey and lemon and onion by sweating 1 sliced onion until soft and then adding 1 c honey and 1 c lemon juice. Simmer for 5 minutes and strain.
Colloidal silver, 500pp. Take 15 drops by mouth 4x a day
Colloidal silver, spray. Use to spray throat. If you do not have this available add 1/4 tsp colloidal silver to 1/4 c filtered water and use as a spray.
Hold a couple of pieces of sliced, fresh garlic in your mouth like a cough drop, chewing it once in awhile.
Homeopathic Belladonna, 30x every 30 minutes until symptoms subside
Zinc-get the lozenges and allow to dissolve
Vitamin C
Propolis as a spray
Trilight herbs- Vira-mune
Trilight herbs-Throat care
Trilight herbs- scout out
Trilight herbs-lympha rub
Herbs For Kids- Cherry Bark Blend
Herbs for Kids-Eldertussin

Lots of Rest

People don't rest when they are sick much anymore. Most of the time we try to get some chemical medication into our bodies to bring it to a functioning level, and then we work more. No wonder we get sick!

The best thing to do when you are ill is to stay in bed. Drink lots of filtered water. Eat fruits and vegetables, especially those high in vitamin C. Eat pumpkin seeds for the high zinc content. Relax, sleep and allow your body to heal.

Acid reflux Food

2009-02-05T11:46:00.003+05:30

ACID REFLUX-FOOD

What acid reflux foodstuffs must I ban? The greater part of acid reflux sufferers are perplexed by this question. Changes in lifestyle and diet are seen to be natural components of any long-term holistic GERD treatment and are also inseparable. A preference for healthy foods and selective nutrition to increase the suitable and decrease the unsuitable can bring long-term health benefits to acid reflux sufferers.

Reducing consumption of unsuitable foods and adopting new dietary habits particularly to help digestion for acid reflux sufferers could bring about a hugely positive effect on your current condition of gastro esophageal reflux disease. The food we eat is determinant in the maintenance of the delicate and natural internal equilibrium of our bodies. Certain dietary habits and nutrition have been found to contribute indirectly or directly to the worsening of GERD. These kinds of foods are:

1. Drinks with caffeine content such as coffee provoke increases in acidity, so stay away from large volumes of coffee. When you can, halve your cup of coffee to give two half cups and drink less coffee before going to bed. Do not exceed two cups of coffee per day and drink less if possible.

2. Alcohol is also a potential irritant for the stomach and relaxant for the LES muscle, also causing more acidity and reflux.

3. Foods with high fat content take longer to be digested and your body finds it more difficult to eliminate them. They increase the risk that acid refluxes into your esophagus and are among the worst criminals for gastro esophageal reflux disease symptoms. The exceptions are fish and fish oil omega-3 fatty acids that are in fact strong anti-inflammatory substances.

4. If you are a chocolate addict, make dark, organic types your preference and do not exceed two or three minuscule squares two or three times in any week. Because it contains large amounts of caffeine and fat, chocolate can also boost acidity, worsening digestion, and for that reason should not be eaten.

5. Before going to bed, avoid consuming milk and products based on milk that are rich in calcium.

6. Avoid strong mint in food and also herbal tea that is mint-based. Acid reflux symptoms can be worsened by peppermint and spearmint amongst others.

7. Opening of the esophageal sphincter is also triggered by cruciferous vegetables (such as spinach, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, broccoli, cabbage) and foods high in acid (oranges and tomatoes for example) resulting in more acid reflux.

After that, which acid reflux food must you take out of your diet? No matter what level your acid reflux level is at, when you choose a better quality of life, you can literally opt to stop GERD permanently, by taking the holistic approach. You can move to eradicate gastro esophageal reflux disease and put your well-being and quality of life on a new level, by making these changes in your diet and having the right motivation to change your lifestyle. The power to solve the problem will be yours.

Chanakya Politics...!!!

2009-01-29T16:23:00.002+05:30

Chanakya the Father of all politicians quotes thus :

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"A person should not be too honest. Straight trees are cut first and Honest people are screwed first." Chanakya quotes (Indian politician, strategist and writer, 350 BC 75 BC)
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"Even if a snake is not poisonous, it should pretend to be venomous." Chanakya quotes (Indian politician, strategist and writer, 350 BC-275 BC)
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"The biggest guru-mantra is: Never share your secrets with anybody. If you cannot keep secret with you , do not expect that other will keep it. ! It will destroy you." Chanakya quotes (Indian politician, strategist and writer, 350 BC-275 BC)

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"There is some self-interest behind every friendship. There is no Friendship without self-interests. This is a bitter truth." Chanakya quotes (Indian politician, strategist and writer, 350 BC-275 BC)

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"Before you start some work, always ask yourself three questions - Why am I doing it, What the results might be and Will I be successful. Only when you think deeply and find satisfactory answers to these questions, go ahead." Chanakya quotes (Indian politician, strategist and writer, 350 BC-275 BC)

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"As soon as the fear approaches near, attack and destroy it." Chanakya quotes (Indian politician, strategist and writer, 350 BC-275 BC)

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"Once you start a working on something, don't be afraid of failure and don't abandon it. People who work sincerely are the happiest." Chanakya quotes (Indian politician, strategist and writer, 350 BC-275BC)

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"The fragrance of flowers spreads only in the direction of the wind. But the goodness of a person spreads in all direction." Chanakya quotes (Indian politician, strategist and writer, 350 BC-275BC)

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"A man is great by deeds, not by birth." Chanakya quotes (Indian politician, strategist and writer, 350 BC-275BC)
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"Treat your kid like a darling for the first five years. For the next five years, scold them. By the time they turn sixteen, treat them like a friend. Your grown up children are your best friends." Chanakya quotes (Indian politician, strategist and writer, 350 BC-275BC)
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"Education is the best friend. An educated person is respected everywhere. Education beats the beauty and the youth." Chanakya quotes (Indian politician, strategist and writer, 350 BC-275BC)

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JUNK FOOD NUTRITION...!!!!

2008-12-31T15:46:00.009+05:30

JUNK FOOD NUTRITION...!!!!

Humans are the only species on the Planet who actually go out of their way to feed their children CRAP.All other animals instinctly seek out the best nutrition the can find.Birds find grubs,worms and insects feed their young ,Honeybees painstakingly collect pollen & create a nutrient-rich food that gives rise to a living Queen Bee,& even dogs,cats and cows try to find the most nutrient-rich foods to offer their offspring.

But Humans...??? Most of them "REWARD" their children with junk food,sugary sodas,Candy laced with petrochemical coloring additives and refined sugars that promote OBESITY & DIABETES.Most parents dont even make any real effort to follow nutritional discipline at home..!! They simply buy whatever their children saw advertised on Television,caving in to the all powerful "NAG FACTOR" that junk food companies fully exploit when marketing to children.

As a result, Human children are the least healthy youngsters of any species on the planet.For example, Baby Dolphins are healthier than baby humans,and they are born with healthier nervous systems,fewer toxins & a lot more common sense...!!

Speaking of common sense ,Nearly all mammals have the common sense to feed their children their own mother's milk.A Kitten will drink from its mother cat's milk.A foal will drink from its mother mare 's milk like that..But humans..?? We're sort of stupid.We mostly drink cow's,sometimes sheep..!!!

Of all the mammals on planet earth , only humans are dumb enough to seek out mammary gland juice of another species while shunning the breast milk of their own species.And did we choose the milk of a species SMARTER than us that might have more brain boosting nutrients? NOPE.We get our milk from A Low-IQ species Well suited to pulling A plow cow"s milk ain"t exactly brain nutrition folks. Some people have a hard time understading that becuause they've been drinking too much of the stuff and those mushy neurons crammed into their thick skulls are firing a bit on the slow side.In that also we are not drinking the fresh milk of any other species rather we process it to powder or any other form and drink that milk...!!!

Humans by the way are not only so collectively short sighted that they feed their children crap foods and they actually still havent figured out why so many of their children are obase and diabetic..!! It's like beating yourself on the hand with a hammer and wondering why your fingers hurt.Gee, the evidence isn't that

difficult to figure out,Folks.If you feed your kids sugar, toxic chemical additives,mind altering pharmaceuticals and toxic shampoos,lotions and toothpaste,you're going to end up with mutant children who aren't exactcly NOBEL PRIZE material.

This is not rocket science.The real mystery is how the food companies keep getting away with all the denial of the evidence linking processed foods and beverages to children's health problems.I guess it helps that they influence the Government regulators and practically own the mainstream of media.they also buy all the prime shelf space at grocery stores,sponser the big sporting events,and have successfully infiltrated schools and hospitals with junk food restaurents and vending machines.

If the birds & the bees have figured out how to raise healthy offspring,you'd think that humans might have the brain power to raise their healthy children,Too. And some PARENTS ARE... There are lot of great parents out there raising kids on macrobiotic diet,A vegetarian diet or ZERO -PROCESSED -FOODs diet..Good jobs to all the parents who actually teach their children healthful eating habits!!

KEEP IT UP GOOD WORK..!!!

Unfortunately,those parents are rare.Most parents just buy whatever crap is being peddled on TV these days.And they feed their kids cancer causing processed meats,hyperactivity causing food additives and obesity promoting refined sugars.They load them up on high fructose corn syrup and then wonder why little johnny weighs 150 pounds..!!(Must be the genes,they think.because daddy's overweight too)

And even though some individuals and corporations may get financially rich by selling this junk to families,the bottom line is that
WE'RE ALL WORSE OFF WHEN WE RAISE UNHEALRHY CHILDREN IN SOCIETY
why? Because the future cost of treating disease--not to mention the loss of lifetime productivity--is jaw droppingly HUGE.It's enough to bankrupt nations,which is,coincidentally,what seems likely to happen in due course.No democracy has ever survived its citizens losing their health.

We could learn a lot by listening to nature on the subject of nutrition.Most animals eat raw foods vegetarian diet.Even the birds and bees have something important to teach us about nutrition:.But if you feed your children CRAP then your family tree becomes a dead stump in the dirt.

If you are a parent I urge you to make an effort to introduce your children to a diet of unprocessed,natural foods.If they have been on a sugared up diet of processed foods so far,they will of course whine about it.But your job as the parent is to give your children what's best for their health,not what they really really want because their taste buds tell them so.

Always breastfeeded new borns and dont believe the infant formula being JUST AS GOOD AS MOTHER'S MILK...!!!

Dont bring sugar or carbonated soda into your house,and dont reward kids with Junk food.that only trains them to associate pleasure with unhealthy foods,and that is a curse that could haunt them for the rest of their Adult life.

FEED THEM RIGHT AND YOU'LL GIVE THEM THE BEST GIFT ANY PARENT COULD HOPE TO OFFER

A HEALTHFUL ,SELF-AWARE FUTURE,

FREE FROM CHEMICALS AND DISEASE

In This New year I request all the parents to take a new Resolution that they feed their children only with the nutritious food and thus help to build the healthy FUTURE GENERATION....!!!
ALL THE BEST...!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009

Eating for Balance........!!!!!!!!

2008-12-25T13:03:00.002+05:30

Eating for Balance: Choosing Foods for an Ayurvedic Diet

According to ayurveda, every individual has unique needs for balance. Since diet is one of the most important ayurvedic tools for achieving balance, ayurvedic healers generally
design individualized diets for people they see, based on various factors such as age and gender, the doshic tendencies that need to be balanced at a given time, the strength of the body tissues and the digestive fires, and the level of ama (toxins) in the body. The place where a person lives and the season are also factors that affect dietary dos and don'ts.

Notwithstanding the individualized approach to choosing foods for balance, there are some universally applicable principles that are important to follow if you are living an
ayurvedic lifestyle:

1. Include the six tastes at every main meal
In ayurveda, foods are classified into six tastes--sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent and astringent. Ayurvedic healers recommend that you include all of these six tastes at each main meal you eat. Each taste has a balancing ability, and including some of each minimizes cravings and balances the appetite and digestion. The general North American diet tends to have too much of the sweet, sour and salty, and not enough of the bitter, pungent and astringent tastes.

A fruit-spice chutney or a spice-mix can provide a little of each of the six tastes if you are in a hurry, but it is ideal to choose foods from each category for complete, balanced nutrition. Just in the category of fresh vegetables and herbs, for example, you could choose fennel bulb or carrot for the sweet taste, fresh lemons for sour, arugula or endive for bitter, radish or white daikon or ginger root for pungent and cabbage or broccoli or cilantro for astringent. Click here for more on the six tastes.

The Amalaki Rasayana, made from the Amla fruit, offers five of the six ayurvedic tastes--all except salty.

2. Choose foods by balancing physical attributes
In ayurveda, foods are also categorized as heavy or light, dry or unctuous/liquid and warm or cool (temperature), and different qualities balance different doshas. A balanced main meal should contain some foods of each physical type. Within this overall principle, you can vary the proportions of each type based on your constitution and needs for balance, the season of the year and the place you live.

To keep Vata dosha in balance, choose more heavy, unctuous or liquid, and warm foods, and fewer dry, light or cool foods. To help balance Pitta, focus more on cool, dry and
heavy foods, and to balance Kapha, try more of light, dry and warm foods.

If you live in cooler climes, you'll want to gravitate towards warm comfort foods, and vice versa. Similarly, in winter, when Vata dosha tends to increase in most people's constitutions, almost everyone can benefit from including warm soups and nourishing dhals, fresh paneer cheese and whole milk in the diet. In the summer, plan on eating more cool, soothing foods to help keep Pitta dosha in balance.

3. Choose foods that are sattvic
A third ayurvedic classification of foods is by the effect they have on the non-physical aspects of the physiology--mind, heart, senses and spirit. Sattvic foods have an uplifting yet stabilizing influence, rajasic foods stimulate and can aggravate some aspects of the mind, heart or senses, and tamasic foods breed lethargy and are considered a deterrent to spiritual growth.

Everyone, whether actively seeking spiritual growth or not, can benefit by including some sattvic foods at every meal because they help promote mental clarity, emotional serenity and sensual balance and aid in the coordinated functioning of the body, mind, heart, senses and spirit. Almonds, rice, honey, fresh sweet fruits, mung beans and easy-to-digest, fresh seasonal vegetables and leafy greens are examples of sattvic foods. To get the full sattwa from sattvic foods, prepare and eat them whole and fresh.

4. Opt for whole, fresh, in-season, local foods
Authentic ayurvedic herbal preparations are made by processing the whole plant or the whole plant part, not by extracting active substances from the plant. Similarly, from the ayurvedic perspective, the most healthful diet consists of whole foods, eaten in as natural a state as possible, the only exception being when removing a peel or cooking helps increase digestibility and assimilation for certain types of constitutions. If the digestive fire is not strong enough, even wholesome foods can turn into ama (toxic matter) in the body.

Foods that are frozen, canned, refined so as to denude the food of its nutritive value, processed with artificial colors, flavorings, additives or preservatives, genetically altered, or grown with chemical pesticides or fertilizers are not recommended by ayurvedic healers, because such foods are lacking in chetana--living intelligence--and prana--vital life-energy--and will do more harm than good in the physiology.

For the above reasons, it's best to choose foods and produce that is locally grown or produced, foods that are in-season, and foods that are organic, natural and whole.

5. Rotate menus and experiment with a variety of foods
The sages that wrote the ancient ayurvedic texts would be horrified by our current fascination with the low-carb diet or the no-fat diet or the juice diet--from the ayurvedic perspective, any diet that is exclusive in nature is by definition incomplete in its nutritive value and ability to balance all aspects of the physiology. Eat a wide variety of foods for balanced nutrition--whole grains, lentils and pulses, vegetables, fruits, dairy, nuts, healthy oil or ghee, spices and pure water all have their roles in the balancing process.

If you find yourself eating the same dishes several times a week, or you gravitate towards the same produce or foods every time you shop, resolve now to start making your meals an adventure. Every week, try at least a few new foods or fix familiar foods in new ways, so that your taste buds and your digestion are constantly exposed to some new stimuli in addition to the familiar.

According to ayurveda, each meal should be a feast for all of your senses. When your plate reflects an appealing variety of colors, textures, flavors and aromas, your digestive juices start freely flowing in anticipation and your body, mind and heart are all fulfilled by the eating experience.

We constantly upgrade our site, so check back often for ideas for eating ayurvedically at our recipes and foods sections.

6. Include spices and herbs in your daily diet
Spices and herbs are concentrated forms of Nature's healing intelligence. They are particularly revered in ayurveda for their ability to enhance digestion and assimilation, help cleanse ama (toxins) from the body and their yogavahi property--their ability to transport the healing and nutritive value of other components of the diet to the cells, tissues and organs.

Spices, in ayurveda, are generally eaten cooked. Sauté spices in a little olive oil or ghee (clarified butter) and pour the mixture over cooked foods, or simmer spices with foods like beans or grains as they cook. Fresh herbs such as cilantro or mint are generally added at the end of the cooking process, just before serving.

Ayurveda recommends spices/herbs to stimulate the digestion before a meal, during a meal and after a meal. Eating a bit of fresh ginger and lemon about 30 minutes before a main meal helps kick-start the digestion. Eating dishes cooked with a variety of spices and herbs helps the cycle of digestion--absorption--assimilation--elimination. Chewing fennel seeds after a meal helps digestion and freshens the breath naturally as well.

Ayurvedic rasayanas such as Amalaki and Triphala offer additional ways to help nourish and cleanse the digestive system. Amalaki Rasayana helps enhance digestion, helps
balance the production of stomach acid and nourishes the body tissues. Triphala Rasayana helps tone and cleanse the digestive tract and helps nourish the different tissues.

Cooking with the Mung Bean the Ayurvedic Way

2008-12-25T12:54:00.003+05:30

Diet and Digestion

Cooking with the Mung Bean the Ayurvedic Way

If your concept of including mung in your diet means topping off a salad with a few bean sprouts, think again. Mung beans, and their split, hulled version, mung dhal, can be used to create main dishes, salads, soups, spreads, savories, beverages and desserts. Mung beans combine well with a host of grains and flours, vegetables and greens, tart fruit, other sprouts, spices and herbs, and even rice, soy or nut milks.

Mung or moong beans (Phaseolus aureous) are small cylindrical beans with a bright green skin and yellow insides. They are eaten whole, split with skins on, split and hulled as mung dhal, or sprouted. They are used extensively in both Indian and Chinese cooking.

Ayurvedic healers consider the mung bean valuable because it is highly nutritious and delivers sustenance while being easier on the digestion that most other beans. When cooked to butter-soft consistency and combined with digestion-enhancing herbs and spices, mung beans can be digested even by the recuperating, the very old and the very young, and individuals with a weak digestive fire. Mung beans offer the astringent and sweet tastes, are cooling for the physiology, light and soft. When cooked with appropriate herbs and spices, mung beans are balancing for all the doshas.

From the modern nutrition perspective, mung beans offer protein and dietary fiber, and are a source of phytoestrogens. They also contain vitamins A, C and E, folacin, phosphorus, magnesium, iron and calcium.

Buying and Storing Mung Beans

Mung beans are available at Asian groceries, health food stores, online and even some supermarkets. When buying whole mung beans, look for whole, unbroken beans of uniform size and rich color, with unbroken skins. Store the beans in clean airtight jars in a cool, dark place. Buy no more than what will last you for about a month. Older beans take longer to cook and produce more flatulence.

If you buy your mung sprouts, look for fresh, crisp sprouts without brown stains or marks. Prepare and eat the mung sprouts as soon as you can after purchase, definitely the same day. You can also sprout mung beans at home.

Preparing

Dry mung beans and dhals can contain small twigs, stones and other foreign material. Spread out the beans or dhal on a white serving dish and pick them over carefully before use. Also pick out and discard any discolored or shriveled beans.

Dry beans and dhals should be washed thoroughly in several changes of water before use. Discard any that float on top of the water.

Cooking

Dried mung dhal does not generally require pre-soaking. Whole mung beans are cooked both without soaking and after soaking. Mung dhal and beans can be cooked in a pressure cooker, in a slow cooker or on the stovetop. If cooking on the stovetop, foam that builds at the top can be skimmed off and discarded. Dhals generally have the best flavor when they are slow-cooked for a long time. In all cases, cook beans until completely tender.

Combining with Other Foods

Mung beans can be combined with brown or white rice, cracked wheat or oatmeal to make a one-dish meal known as khicharee. They can also be cooked to a soupy texture with lots of water and spices. Stews and soups that combine mung beans or mung dhal with a wide variety of greens and vegetables and grains such as barley are also common. Mung dhal flour can be combined with whole wheat flour to make fresh flatbreads on a griddle.

Cook mung beans with lots of herbs and spices. Fresh ginger, basil, cilantro, rosemary, sage, thyme, parsley, curry leaves and tarragon, fresh garlic, lemon juice, and spices such as turmeric, cayenne, ajwain, cumin, coriander, garam masala, black pepper and bay leaf go wonderfully with mung dhal or mung beans.

Recipes

Basic Mung Dhal

1/2 cup split hulled mung beans (mung or moong dhal)
3-4 cups water
Rock salt to taste
1 tsp - 1 tbsp ghee (clarified butter) (use less ghee for Kapha)
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
1/8 tsp turmeric

Sort and wash the dhal. Drain. In a heavy-bottomed pot, add the washed dhal, turmeric and 3 cups water. Bring to a boil; then turn heat down to medium/low and simmer-cook until dhal is butter-soft (about 30-40 minutes). Stir occasionally to prevent sticking, and add more water as needed to maintain desired consistency. If foam forms on the surface, skim it off and discard. When cooked, add salt and stir. In a separate pan, heat ghee until melted to a clear oil. Add the cumin seeds and stir to release aroma. The cumin should turn a rich dark brown but not burn. Pour the ghee-spice mixture carefully over the dhal. Stir and serve immediately with boiled Basmati rice or other whole grain and vegetables. (In a thinner consistency, this dhal can be drunk as a nourishing soup-beat with a metal whisk to a smooth consistency and heat through).

Bitter Greens, Mung Sprouts, Avocado and Orange Salad

1 cup baby spinach leaves
1 cup mixed bitter greens (arugula, dandelion, watercress etc.)
1 cup fresh mung sprouts, cut in half
1 cup orange sections, deseeded
1/2 cup diced avocado
1 tbsp soaked walnut bits, soaked for 15 minutes in warm water
2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp lemon zest
Rock salt to taste
Fresh cracked black pepper to taste
1 tbsp tahini
1/2 tsp minced fresh ginger

Heat one tbsp of the oil in a skillet. Toss in the spinach leaves and mung sprouts and stir briefly to wilt the spinach leaves. Remove to a bowl and cool. Add the mixed bitter greens, orange and avocado. In another bowl, briskly whisk together the lemon juice, rest of the olive oil, lemon zest, salt, pepper, ginger and tahini. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat. Garnish with the chopped walnuts and serve immediately.

Note: If using garlic, add to the oil in the skillet before you add the spinach. About 1/2 tsp minced garlic would be plenty.

Mung Bean/Herb Spread

1/2 cup mung dhal
2 tbsp almond butter or tahini
1 tsp minced ginger
1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
1 tbsp chopped fresh basil
1 tbsp mild olive oil
1/4 tsp ground cumin
Rock salt to taste
1 tbsp lemon juice
Fresh-cracked black pepper to taste or large pinch sweet paprika
1-2 tbsps water if needed

Heat a skillet and dry-roast the mung dhal until golden brown, about 10-12 minutes. Stir constantly to toast all sides and prevent burning. Grind to a coarse flour in a spice-mill. Combine all the ingredients in a food processor and process to a smooth, spreadable paste, adjusting the water as necessary. Tastes excellent on crisp toast or crackers, on flatbread wedges or as a dip for vegetables.

Note: If using garlic, add one medium clove, peeled, to the ingredients.

Renew yourself This Spring

2008-12-25T12:12:00.003+05:30

Renew Yourself This Spring

Ayurvedic healers highly recommend periodic internal cleansing as a way to maintain good health and prevent disorders from taking root in the physiology. Just like you regularly flush out the plumbing system in your home or change the oil in your automobile engine, periodically helping your body flush toxins out thoroughly is a good maintenance technique that will help organs and systems stay more efficient for a longer period of time. Especially after the age of 40, when your body's own cleansing and rejuvenating capability starts slowing down, supporting it with a cleansing regime is important for ongoing health and vitality.

The Seed and Land Theory of Ayurveda

Proper digestion is crucial for health. When digestion is efficient and complete, all of the food you eat is either converted into nutrient fluids for absorption into the body, or flushed out as wastes. When the digestive process is incomplete or inefficient, partially digested food matter is left behind in the digestive system. This substance, called ama in ayurveda, becomes toxic to the physiology if allowed to stay in the body or build up over time. Ama is not only inherently toxic in itself, it also clogs the channels of the body, further disrupting the flow of digestion and leading to an escalating cycle of toxin build-up. Ama is fertile ground for infections and disorders to germinate, take root and flourish. Ama build-up is considered the first stage of imbalance in the physiology. If not addressed, disorders invariably follow.

The digestive process leaves behind toxins either when you eat foods that are not fresh, natural or suited to your constitution and digestive capability, or when you follow eating routines and practices that are not ideal. Eating processed or artificially flavored foods and foods that are grown with chemical pesticides and fertilizers can lead to toxin build-up. Drinking iced water or ice-cold beverages douses the digestive fire and causes ama to be generated. Eating heavier foods after sundown, eating a new meal before the previous one is digested, or eating when stressed or working also impact digestion.

How to tell if you have ama build-up

It is best to visit an ayurvedic healer and have him or her assess your ama levels. The following are general indications that you may have an accumulation of toxins in your physiology:

1. Your tongue has a white coating in the morning when you wake up.
2. You yawn after a main meal and just want to curl up and snooze.
3. You feel tired and lethargic all day long, even though you eat well and sleep well.
4. Your appetite is poor or you crave junk foods.
5. You feel a general lack of motivation or zest for life.
6. You feel "spaced out" and your mind is cloudy.
7. You experience abdominal bloating and gas, especially after a main meal.
8. You feel heavy and congested or constipated.
9. You have a general sense of malaise, with vague aches and pains.

If you experience three or more of the above on a regular basis, your physiology would probably benefit from a cleansing regime.

Full-fledged ayurvedic cleansing programs, called Panchakarma, are best done under the supervision of an ayurvedic physician. Harsh sudden purges are also not recommended in ayurveda. A gentle program of cleansing, done over 45-60 days, is least stressful for the physiology, easiest to follow on a regular basis, and adequate for enhancing the digestive fire to burn off simple ama accumulation.

The best time for internal cleansing

Ayurveda recommends a seasonal routine (ritucharya) as well as daily routine (dinacharya). Each season brings with it its own challenges with respect to your health and needs for balance. The time when the seasons change is the best time to do an at-home cleansing regime, to divest yourself of the earlier season's accumulation of ama and to prepare the physiology for the new season.

Spring, especially, is considered an ideal time to rejuvenate the physiology, in keeping with Nature's own calendar for rejuvenation. With the melting of the snows and the thawing of the ground, the fluids in the body also start flowing more freely, and performing an internal cleansing routine at this time accelerates the flushing of toxins from the physiology.

The "at-home" cleansing routine: diet

The don'ts:

Start by eliminating from your diet all foods that can create ama. This includes leftovers, foods with preservatives, additives or chemicals, and foods grown in an environment laced with chemical fertilizers or pesticides, and canned, frozen or processed foods.

Eliminate junk foods from your diet. Avoid heavy desserts, heavy meats and cheeses, deep-fried foods, candy and chocolate, white sugar, carbonated drinks, caffeine, alcohol and nicotine. Minimize breads made with yeast and fermented foods.

Avoid raw foods such as uncooked salads, sprouts and cold sandwiches, because raw foods are harder on the digestive system. Avoid yogurt, as it sometimes clogs the channels of the body. If you drink milk, boil it with a pinch of nutmeg for Vata, cardamom for Pitta and a slice of fresh ginger for Kapha to enhance digestibility.

Avoid iced water and cold beverages.

The dos:

Pick foods that are best for your constitution and needs for balance, as well as the strength of your digestive agni. Stick to lighter, easier-to-digest foods from the choices you do have.Our food recommendations for Vata, Pitta or Kapha balancing diets is a good starting point.

Eat whole, fresh, natural foods, organic if you can get it. Buy your produce fresh, and consume it quickly.

Eat cooked foods, warm or at room temperature.

Drink lots of warm water through the day. Accompany meals with small sips of warm water as needed. A detoxifying "tea" is even better. Coriander, cumin, fennel and ajwain (carum copticum) are digestion-enhancing spices to choose from. Here are suggestions for detoxifying herbal waters for the three doshas:

Bring two quarts of pure water to a rolling boil. Add the herbs/spices listed below, turn off heat after a couple of minutes and let steep for about 15-20 minutes. Strain and pour the water into a thermos. Drink the tea through the day, especially 15 minutes after a meal. Throw out any that remains after 6.30 pm, and make a fresh batch the next morning.

Vata: 1/2 tsp cumin seed, 1/4 tsp ajwain seed, 1/2 tsp fennel seed
Pitta: 1/2 tsp cumin seed, 1/2 tsp coriander seed, 2 fresh mint leaves
Kapha: 1/2 tsp cumin seed, 1 clove, 1-2 slices fresh ginger root

If you can find fresh Tulsi (Holy Basil), add a leaf or two to the water for all doshas. Tulsi is known for its ability to cleanse the physiology of environmental toxins.

Include lots of cleansing fruits and vegetables in your diet. Barley water or rice kanjee, made by cooking a small amount of grain with a large quantity of water (1/2 cup to 10 cups) are also wonderful cleansers of the digestive system and the urinary tract. Greens, daikon radish, bitter gourd, cabbage and celery are examples of cleansing vegetables. Cooked apples and pears are a great way to get elimination going in the morning. Prunes, pineapple, papaya and pomegranate are other fruits that aid digestion and cleansing. Herbs such as cilantro, mint, fresh ginger and lemon are also helpful for cleansing and purifying the digestive system.

Cook with digestion-enhancing, detoxifying spices such as turmeric, cumin, coriander, clove, ajwain, fenugreek, dried ginger, Chinese cinnamon and fennel. Add the turmeric to foods as they are cooking, and sauté other spices in ghee or olive oil and pour over prepared dishes for the best therapeutic benefit. Digestion-enhancing lassi, made with some of the herbs and spices mentioned in this section, is an excellent choice for a lunchtime beverage.

The "at-home" cleansing routine: lifestyle

Follow ayurvedic guidelines for proper digestion. Eat three meals a day at about the same times, eat lighter in the morning and evening than in the afternoon, and eat in a quiet, pleasant atmosphere.

Get lots of rest. Sleep is important any time of year, but especially during purification, when your body needs the quiet time to cleanse itself and recharge. Go to bed early and rise early.

Meditate everyday. Stress contributes to disrupted digestion, and meditation can help reduce stress levels.

Exercise, done everyday, is important. Exercise early in the morning. Walking is excellent exercise for all body types. Practice deep breathing to draw in oxygen and cleanse the air channels of the body. Avoid napping during the day.

The ayurvedic daily massage, called abhyanga, helps loosen toxins deeply embedded in body tissues for ease of elimination.

If there is a day spa that offers ayurvedic rejuvenation treatments in the area, treat yourself to a shirodhara--a routine where a stream of warm oil is poured steadily on the forehead for 30-45 minutes, followed by a scalp massage. The shirodhara is wonderful for calming the mind and nervous system and recharging the entire physiology.

Regular elimination is important. Empty your bowel and bladder regularly to flush the toxins that have been loosened or released from the tissues, joints and organs out of the body before they get back into circulation.

The "at-home" cleansing routine: herbal rasayanas

Triphala and Tulsi together can help cleanse the physiology of internally generated digestive ama as well as toxins drawn in from the environment through less-than-ideal air, water or food.

Triphala Rasayana helps cleanse and tone the entire digestive tract, strengthens the digestion to deter further ama formation and strengthens and purifies the liver. It can be taken by all body types. For cleansing, take 2-4 tablets of AyurBalance Triphala Rasayana with warm water about an hour before bed, for 30 days. For ongoing maintenance, take 1-2 tablets every night all year round.

The ayurvedic herb Tulsi (Holy Basil) helps balance Kapha dosha, which tends to get aggravated in the spring, and helps purify the system of spring-related ama problems as well as environmental toxins. It also helps bolster your natural immunity. Drink Tulsi-infused herbal tea once or twice a day during the Kapha season to stay balanced.

After cleansing: ongoing maintenance

After the 30 days of cleansing, you can gradually add back heavier foods and small portions of raw foods into your diet if your constitution and digestive fire permit you to have these foods usually. Continue your diet of fresh, whole, pure foods and continue to drink lots of water through the day. Get plenty of rest, moderate exercise and some relaxation every day. Take maintenance amounts of the Triphala Rasayana and add the Amalaki Rasayana after lunch each day to strengthen digestion and offer nourishment to all the body tissues.

At the next change of seasons, perform the cleansing routine again to keep ama out of the system and to support natural good health and vitality on a long-term basis.

Twelve Ways to Enhance Digestion

Ayurvedic healers consider digestion a key indicator and determinant of good health. If your digestive agnis (fires) are functioning effectively, the food you eat should get completely digested, absorbed and assimilated by your body, with the wastes regularly flushed out. An efficient digest-absorb-assimilate cycle leads to enhanced ojas. Ojas is the biochemical essence formed at the end of the chain of transformation that takes place with the raw materials we take in. Building ojas is crucial to an enhanced quality of life: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.

On the other hand, imperfect digestion leaves behind a residue that ayurvedic healers call ama. Ama, if left to accumulate in the physiology, eventually turns toxic, and difficult to flush out. Ama in the physiology offers fertile soil for disorders to take root and flourish. Little wonder, then, that assessing the strength of your digestive agnis (there are 13 of them) is an important part of an ayurvedic health evaluation.

If your digestion feels sluggish, here are some simple dietary recommendations to help it function more efficiently:

1. Each morning, have a glass of warm water to which a tablespoon of lemon juice has been added. You can drink it straight, or with a touch of raw honey or turbinado sugar. Lemon juice is a purifier and cuts ama in the digestive tract.

2. Have a glass of digestive lassi at lunch. Lassi helps enhance the digestive flora without clogging the microcirculatory channels of the body. Lassi should not be taken after sundown.

3. A slice of fresh ginger with a little lemon juice is recommended by ayurvedic healers as a way to stoke the digestive fires and appetite before a main meal. If you can't eat the ginger root, try squeezing out fresh ginger juice and combine the juice with lemon juice and a little warm water. Drink about 30-60 minutes before a main meal.

4. Don't miss breakfast. Stewed fruit and cooked cereal make an easy-to-digest breakfast that will keep your digestive fire stoked through the day.

5. Cook with digestion-stimulating spices. Ayurvedic spices such as dried ginger, turmeric, cumin, coriander and ajwain not only enhance digestion, they also help flush toxins out of the body and help improve absorption and assimilation of nutrients. Foods that are harder to digest, such as lentils, should always be cooked with digestion-enhancing spices to help prevent discomfort and flatulence.

6. Replace caffeinated and carbonated beverages with herb-spice teas. A cup of fragrant fennel tea after lunch helps aid digestion. If you enjoy the taste of fennel, you can chew on a few seeds after lunch or dinner.

7. Minimize snacking between meals, as your digestive system needs a rest-and-recharge time to function efficiently at mealtimes and after. If you do feel hungry during the day in-between meals, eat fresh fruit--it's easy on the digestive system. Fruit is not recommended after sundown.

8. Soaking grains, lentils, nuts and seeds for 30-60 minutes in warm water helps make them easier to digest.

9. Eat heavier foods, such a paneer, at lunch. Your digestive fires peak around the middle of the day, and are less bright in the evening at dinnertime.

10. Avoid iced beverages, because they have the effect of dousing the digestive fires. Sip a little warm water or room temperature water with meals. Drinking warm water through the day, especially warm water spiked with digestion-enhancing spices, helps digestion as well as purification.

11. Cut down on raw foods because they are more difficult to digest. Steaming covered, or sautéing briskly can help make foods easier to digest without too much loss of nutritive value.

12. Buy fresh whole foods, and prepare and eat food fresh. According to ayurvedic healers, foods that have been sitting around and processed foods are taxing on the digestion and more likely to create ama.

OSHO-Terrorism...

2008-11-30T12:24:00.004+05:30

TERRORISM

Osho, Would you talk on terrorism?

Osho : Everything is deeply related with everything else that happens. The event of terrorism is certainly related with what is happening in the society. The society is falling apart. Its old order, discipline, morality, religion, everything has been found to be wrongly based. It has lost its power over people's conscience.

Terrorism simply symbolizes that to destroy human beings does not matter, that there is nothing in human beings which is indestructible, that it is all matter ― and you cannot kill matter, you can only change its form. Once man is taken to be only a combination of matter, and no place is given for a spiritual being inside him, then to kill becomes just play.

The nations are irrelevant because of nuclear weapons. If the whole world can be destroyed together within minutes the alternative can only be that the whole world should be together. Now it cannot remain divided; its division is dangerous, because division can become war any moment. The division cannot be tolerated.

Only one war is enough to destroy everything, and there is not much time left for man to understand that we should create a world where the very possibility of war does not exist.

Terrorism has many undercurrents. One is that because of nuclear weapons, the nations are pouring their energy into that field, thinking that the old weapons are out of date. They are out of date, but individuals can start using them. And you cannot use nuclear weapons against individuals ― that would be simply stupid. One individual terrorist throws a bomb ― it does not justify that a nuclear missile should be sent.

What I want to emphasize is that the nuclear weapon has given individual people a certain freedom to use old weapons, a freedom which was not possible in the old days because the governments were also using the same weapons.

Now the governments are concentrated on destroying the old weapons, throwing them in the ocean, selling them to countries which are poor and cannot afford nuclear weapons. And all those terrorists are coming from these poor countries, with the same weapons that have been sold to their countries. And they have a strange protection: you cannot use nuclear weapons against them, you cannot throw atom bombs at them.

They can throw bombs at you and you are suddenly impotent. You have a vast amount of atomic bombs, nuclear bombs in your hands ― but sometimes where a needle is useful, a sword may not be of any use. You may have the sword; that does not mean that you are necessarily in a superior position to the man who has a needle, because there are purposes in which only the needle will work ― the sword will not be of any use.

Those small weapons from the old times were piling up, and the big powers had to dispose of them ― either drown them in the ocean.... That meant so much money, so much manpower, so much energy had gone to waste; economically it was disastrous. But just to go on piling them up was also economically impossible. How many weapons can you gather? There is a limit. And when you get a new way of killing people more efficiently, then the old simply has to be got rid of. It was thought that it would be better to sell them to poor countries. Poor countries cannot create nuclear weapons ― it costs too much. And these weapons were coming cheap ― as help; they accepted it, but these weapons cannot be used in a war. In a war these weapons are already useless. But nobody has seen the possibility that these weapons can be used individually, and a new phenomenon ― terrorism ― can come out of it.

Now, a terrorist has a strange power, even over the greatest powers.

He can throw bombs at the White House without any fear, because what you have is too big and you cannot throw it at him. And these are the weapons sold by you! But the phenomenon was not conceived of, because human psychology is not understood.

My understanding is that the way he has lived, man needs every ten to twelve years ― a war. He accumulates so much anger, so much rage, so much violence, that nothing short of a war will give him release. So, war after war, there is a gap of only ten to fifteen years. That gap is a kind of relaxation. But again you start accumulating, because the same psychology is working ― the same jealousy, the same violence.

And man is basically a hunter; he is not by nature vegetarian. First he became a hunter, and for thousands of years he was just a meat-eater, and cannibalism was prevalent everywhere. To eat human beings caught from the opposing tribe you were fighting with was perfectly ethical. All that is carried in the unconscious of humanity.

Religions have imposed things on man very superficially; his unconscious is not in agreement. Every man is living in a disagreement with himself. So whenever he can find a chance ― for a beautiful cause; freedom, democracy, socialism ― any beautiful word can become an umbrella to hide his ugly unconscious, which simply wants to destroy and enjoys destruction.

Now the world war has become almost impossible; otherwise there would have been no terrorism. Enough time has passed since the second world war; the third world war should have happened around 1960. It has not happened. This has been the routine for the whole of history, and man is programmed for it.

It has been observed by psychologists that in wartime people are more happy than in peacetime. In wartime their life has a thrill; in peacetime they look bored. In wartime, early in the morning they are searching for the newspaper, listening to the radio. Things may be happening far away, but they are excited. Something in them feels an affinity.

A war that should have happened somewhere between 1955 and 1960 has not happened, and man is burdened with the desire to kill, with the desire to destroy. It is just that he wants good names for it.

Terrorism is going to become bigger and bigger, because the third world war is almost impossible. And the stupid politicians have no other alternative. Terrorism simply means that what was being done on a social scale now has to be done individually. It will grow.

It can only be prevented if we change the very base of human understanding ― which is a Himalayan task; more so because these same people whom you want to change will fight you; they won't allow you to change them easily.

In fact they love bloodshed; they don't have the courage to say so. In one of the existentialist's novels, there is a beautiful incident which can almost be said to be true. A man is presented before the court because he has killed a stranger who was sitting on the beach. He had never seen the stranger. He did not kill him for money. He does not yet know how that man looked, because he killed him from the back, just with a big knife. They had never met ― there was no question of enmity. They were not even familiar; they had not even seen each other's faces.

The magistrate could not figure it out, and he asked the murderer, "Why did you do it?" He said, "When I stabbed that man with a knife, and a fountain of blood came out of his back, that was one of the most beautiful moments I have ever known. I know that the price will be my death, but I am ready to pay for it; it was worth it. My whole life I have lived in boredom ― no excitement, no adventure. Finally I had to decide to do something. And this act has made me world famous; my picture is in every newspaper. And I am perfectly happy that I did it."

There was no need for any evidence. The man was not denying ― on the contrary, he was glorifying it. But the court has its own routine way ― witnesses still have to be produced; just his word cannot be accepted. He may have been lying, he may not have killed the man. Nobody saw him ― there was not a single eyewitness ― so circumstantial evidences had to be presented by the police.

One of them was that possibly this man has killed according to his past life and his background. When he was young, his mother died. And when he heard that his mother had died, he said, "Shit! That woman will not leave me even while dying! It is Sunday, and I have booked tickets for the theater with my girlfriend. But I knew she would do something to destroy my whole day ― and she has destroyed it."

His mother has died and he is saying that she has destroyed his Sunday! He was going to the theater with his girlfriend, and now he has to go to the funeral. And the people who heard his reaction were shocked. They said, "This is not right, what are you saying?"

He said, "What? What is right and what is wrong? Couldn't she die on any other day? There are seven days in the week ― from Monday to Saturday, she could have died any day. But you don't know my mother ― I know her. She is a bitch! She did it on purpose."

The second evidence was that he attended the funeral, and in the evening he was found dancing with his girlfriend in a disco. And somebody asked, "What! What are you doing? Your mother has just died."

He said, "So what? Do you mean now I can never dance again? My mother is never going to be alive, she will remain dead; so what does it matter whether I dance after six hours, eight hours, eight months, eight years? What does it matter? ― she is dead. And I have to dance and I have to live and I have to love, in spite of her death. If everybody stopped living with the death of their mother, with the death of their father, then there would be no dance in the world, no song in the world."

His logic is very right. He is saying, "Where do you draw the demarcation line? After how many hours can I dance? ― twelve hours, fourteen hours, six weeks? Where will you draw the line? on what grounds? What is the criterion? So it doesn't matter. One thing is certain: whenever I dance I will be dancing after the death of my mother, so I decided to dance today. Why wait for tomorrow?"

Such circumstantial evidences are presented to the court ― that this man is strange, he can do such an act. But if you look closely at this poor man, you will not feel angry at him; you will feel very compassionate. Now, it is not his fault that his mother has died; and anyway, he has to dance some day, so it makes no difference. You cannot blame this man for saying ugly things: "She deliberately died on Sunday to spoil my joy," because his whole experience of life must have been that she was again and again spoiling any possibility of joy. This was the last conclusion: "Even in death she will not leave me."

And you cannot condemn the man for killing a stranger... because he is not a thief; he did not take anything from him. He is not an enemy; he did not even see who was the man he was killing. He was simply bored with life and he wanted to do something that made him feel significant, important. He is happy that all the newspapers have his photo. If they had published his photo before, he would not have killed; but they waited ― until he kills they will not publish his photo. And he wanted to be a celebrity... just ordinary human desires.

And he was ready to pay with his life to become, at least for one day, known to the whole world, recognized by everybody. Until we change the basic grounds of humanity, terrorism is going to become more and more a normal, everyday affair. It will happen in the airplanes, it will happen in the buses. It will start happening in the cars. It will start happening to strangers. Somebody will suddenly come and shoot you ― not that you have done anything to him, but just, the hunter is back.

The hunter was satisfied in the war. Now the war has stopped and perhaps there is no possibility for it. The hunter is back; now we cannot fight collectively. Each individual has to do something to release his own steam.

Things are interconnected. The first thing that has to be changed is that man should be made more rejoicing ― which all the religions have killed.

The real criminals are not caught. These are the victims, the terrorists and other criminals. It is all the religions who are the real criminals, because they have destroyed all possibilities of rejoicing. They have destroyed the possibility of enjoying small things of life; they have condemned everything that nature provides you to make you happy, to make you feel excited, feel pleasant.

They have taken everything away; and if they have not been able to take a few things away because they are so ingrained in your biology ― like sex ― they have at least been able to poison them.

Friedrich Nietzsche, according to me, is one of the greatest seers of the Western world; his eyes really go penetrating to the very root of a problem. But because others could not see it ― their eyes were not so penetrating, nor was their intelligence so sharp ― the man lived alone, abandoned, isolated, unloved, unrespected.

He says in one of his statements that man has been taught by religions to condemn sex, to renounce sex. Religion has not been able to manage it; and man has tried hard but has failed, because it is so deeply rooted in his biology ― it constitutes his whole body. He is born out of sex ― how can he get rid of it except by committing suicide?

So man has tried, and religions have helped him to get rid of it ― thousands of disciplines and strategies have been used. The total result is that sex is there, but poisoned. That word poisoned is a tremendous insight. Religions have not been able to take it away, but they have been certainly successful in poisoning it.

And the same is the situation about other things: religions are condemning your living in comfort. Now, a man who is living in comfort and luxury cannot become a terrorist. Religions have condemned riches, praised poverty; now, a man who is rich cannot be a terrorist. Only the "blessed ones" who are poor can be terrorists ― because they have nothing to lose, and they are boiling up against the whole of society because others have things they don't have.

Religions have been trying to console them. But then came communism ― a materialist religion ― which provoked people and said to them, "Your old religions are all opium to the people, and it is not because of your evil actions in this life or in past lives that you are suffering poverty. It is because of the evil exploitation of the bourgeois, the super-rich that you are suffering."

The last sentence in Karl Marx's Communist Manifesto is: "Proletariats of the whole world unite; you have nothing to lose and you have the whole world to gain."

You are already poor, hungry, naked ― so what can you lose? Your death will not make you more miserable than your life is making you. So why not take a chance and destroy those people who have taken everything away from you. And take those things back, distribute them.
What religions have somehow been consoling people with ― although it was wrong and it was cunning and it was a lie, but it kept people in a state of being half asleep ― communism suddenly made them aware of.

That means this world is now never going to be peaceful if we don't withdraw all the rotten ideas that have been implanted in man.

The first are the religions ― their values should be removed so that man can smile again, can laugh again, can rejoice again, can be natural again.

Second, what communism is saying has to be put clearly before the people ― that it is psychologically wrong. You are falling from one trap into another. No two men are equal; hence the idea of equality is nonsense. And if you decide to be equal then you have to accept a dictatorship of the proletariat. That means you have to lose your freedom.

First the church took away your freedom, the God took away your freedom. Now communism replaces your church, and it will take away your freedom. And without freedom you cannot rejoice. You live in fear, not in joy. If we can clean the basement of the human mind's unconscious... and that's what my work is. It can be cleaned away.

The terrorism is not in the bombs, in your hands; the terrorism is in your unconscious.

Otherwise, this state of affairs is going to grow more bitter. And it seems all kinds of blind people have bombs in their hands and are throwing them at random.

The third world war would have released people for ten or, fifteen years. But the third world war cannot happen because if it happens it won't relieve people, it will only destroy people.

So individual violence will increase ― it is increasing. And all your governments and all your religions will go on perpetuating the old strategies without understanding the new situation.

The new situation is that every human being needs to go through therapies, needs to understand his unconscious intentions, needs to go through meditations so that he can calm down, become cool ― and look towards the world with a new perspective, of silence.

Osho: Beyond Psychology, #18

Reality Check

2008-11-29T10:51:00.001+05:30

REALITY CHECK

FOOD AND NUTRITION

* Myth: Bananas are fattening.

Reality: Banana is a low-fat, low sodium fruit packed with potassium, magnesium and vitamin B6. One medium-sized banana has only 105 calories, which comes mainly from the sugar, making it a wonderful snack bar for refuelling before, during or after exercise.

* Myth: Milk is good to counter hyperacidity.

Reality: Although milk neutralises stomach acid, the calcium and protein in milk stimulates the production of more acid. Cow’s milk creates a rebound effect. So milk may help relieve symptoms of hyperacidity in the short run, but in the long run, it aggravates the condition.

* Myth: Honey is a low-calorie substitute for sugar.

Reality: Honey is a sweetener with a chemical composition slightly different from sugar, hence the difference in taste. However, the calories in a teaspoon of honey are equivalent to those in a teaspoon of sugar.

* Myth: Drinking hot water with lime burns fat.

Reality: If that was true there would not be a single overweight person in the world. Hot water with lime just helps to clear your stomach but it cannot help you burn fat — only exercise can do that.

* Myth: Rice and potatoes should be totally avoided.

Reality: Potatoes by themselves are not bad; it’s what you do to them that can make them so. They are generally fried and they absorb a lot of oil. Rice need not be totally avoided, though it has starch, it also provides protein, and if combined with dhal becomes a complete protein.

* Myth: We must drink at least eight glasses of water daily for good health.

Reality: Drinking water should be dictated by thirst, your physical activity levels, and your environment. Besides, excessive water intake can lead to health problems, which may be as bad as dehydration.

* Myth: Vegetarians suffer from lack of protein.

Reality: Vegetarians who eat a balanced diet do not suffer from lack of protein. Pulses, soya, paneer, nuts and seeds, cereals [wheat, oats, and rice], dairy products [milk, cheese and yoghurt] are good sources of vegetarian protein.

* Myth: Going vegetarian is a sure way to lose weight and be healthy.

Reality: Whether you are vegetarian or non-vegetarian, if you always opt for food cooked in high fat or if your meals are low in fibre then you will definitely end up eating more portions at each meal, which will add to excess calories and cause weight gain.

*Myth: Having too many cold drinks can give you a cold or sore throat.

Reality: A cold happens only because of exposure to specific cold-causing viruses, not otherwise. The cold weather seems to cause more occurrences of cold, because people spend more time indoors, and infections are likely to spread faster inside.

*Myth: Eating sugar causes diabetes.

Reality: This is one of the most common misconceptions about diabetes. A study published in Diabetes Care reconfirmed that sugar does not cause diabetes. If you have diabetes though, you do need to watch your sugar intake.

HAIR CARE

*Myth: Scalp massage can turn around hair loss.

Reality: It’s never been scientifically proven. If it works for some, it may be due to a placebo effect.

Myth: Blow-drying causes permanent hair loss.

Reality: Blow-drying can damage, burn or dry hair, which can cause it to fall, but the hair will grow back.

Myth: Plucking out one grey hair will cause more to sprout.

Reality: Not true. Elders often use this as a threat to get youngsters who are going grey early to stop the bad habit. Plucking hair could cause a scalp infection or damage your hair roots so it would be wise not to do it.

Myth: Changing your shampoo every month keeps your hair healthy.

Reality: Considering there are shampoos available in the market today with different chemical compositions, it is important to identify a shampoo that suits your hair type. Once that is done, there is no need to change your shampoo as often as you might your wardrobe.

EXERCISE AND WEIGHT MANAGEMENT

*Myth: People with high blood pressure should not workout in the gym.

Reality: If you are suffering from high blood pressure and are on medication, you can exercise as long as you ensure that you do not perform any exercise in which you have to hold your breath or those that involve lifting weights above your head. Keep the weight you lift moderately heavy and stick to 15-20 repetitions. Do your exercises slowly and always cool down after the workout.

*Myth: Spicy food and stress cause stomach ulcers.

Reality: The truth is, almost all stomach ulcers are caused either by infection with a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori [H.pylori] or by use of pain medications. Spicy food and stress may aggravate ulcer symptoms in some people, but they do not cause ulcers.

Myth: Women who weight-train become muscular and start looking ‘manly’.

Reality: Women do not have sufficient levels of testosterone to build big muscles.

*Myth: Only high intensity exercise can give results.

Reality: Exercising at moderate intensity can give you the results you desire. It is just a matter of keeping the muscles confused and not allowing the body to adapt to a particular routine.

Myth: People are overweight because they have slow metabolism.

Reality: Unfortunately, a slow metabolism is no excuse for being overweight. In fact, recent studies revealed that fat people have faster metabolism and burn off more energy than slimmer people simply to keep their bodies going.

Myth: Slim people need not exercise.

Reality: Slim and fit are not synonyms. You can be thin but not necessarily fit. It is important for everyone to exercise — whether slim or over-weight — as it helps strengthens the muscles, joints, heart and other organs.

PERSONAL CARE AND HYGIENE

*Myth: Washing hands with soap and water kills germs.

Reality: Plain soaps have very little anti-microbial activity. In fact, if the soap is contaminated, washing could add more germs to your hands. This is why healthcare workers like doctors often use alcohol rubs to ensure sterility of their hands.

Myth: Massage helps one lose weight and tone up the body

Reality: A massage can only help you relax and feel rejuvenated. If it is your tired muscles you want taken care of then go to a massage therapist. But, if it is weight loss you want, go to the gym.

Myth: Natural ingredients are always non-allergic.

Reality: Allergy is individual specific. Whether it’s a natural or chemical ingredient, if you’re allergic to it, you’ll have a reaction.

SKIN CARE

*Myth: Dry skin causes wrinkles

Reality: Wrinkles are caused by exposure to sun or due to natural aging. Using a high SPF sun-screen daily, not getting tanned, and not smoking can help prevent a fair bit of wrinkling, but it is a natural part of the aging process.

Myth: The sun clears up blemishes

Reality: While the sun will temporarily dry out pimples, it interferes with healthy skin cells. This can cause a worse breakout a couple days after sun exposure.

Myth: You don’t need to use sunscreen on a cloudy day

Reality: The sun’s UV rays penetrate clouds and can still damage your skin.

Myth: Junk food, chocolates, sweets and oily food cause acne

Reality: Acne is build-up of dead skin cells within the pores of the skin, excess sebum production on the skin and proliferation of bacteria due to infrequent cleansing. But these factors have no correlation with what we eat.

Myth: Drinking a lot of water leads to beautiful skin

Reality: Lack of water is bad for skin, but drinking more water than your body needs will not improve your skin’s health.

PREGNANCY

*Myth: Having sex during pregnancy will hurt the baby.

Reality: According to Dr Roopa Nishi Viswanathan, KEM Hospital, if you have a low-risk pregnancy, there is no need for abstinence. You might be advised to avoid sex only if you have had a history of pre-term labour or are going through a high-risk pregnancy. Let your doctor be the best judge of this.

Myth: Pregnant women should avoid the use of microwaves and computers during pregnancy.

Reality: Computers are totally safe, says a study by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati. As for microwaves, you are at risk of getting radiation only if there is a leak. Use them by all means but maintain a safe distance while they are on, just in case.

Myth: Pregnant women should eat for two people.

Reality: During pregnancy the calorific requirement goes up by around 20 per cent, but it certainly does not double. Proper diet combined with appropriate physical activity is vital to maintaining good health during pregnancy.

Myth: If you get a lot of heartburn during pregnancy, your baby will have a lot of hair.

Reality: During pregnancy the stomach is pushed higher by the growing baby and the expanding uterus, it becomes easier for acid to move backwards [or ‘reflux’] from the stomach into the lower oesophagus. This has nothing to do with the baby’s hair growth

AYURVEDA TRIDOSHA

2008-10-26T20:03:00.003+05:30

Tridosha theory which help in diagnosis of the diseases
According to ayurveda three doshas or three energetic forces control the activities of the body. These doshas are

Vata
Pitta
Kapha

VAATA

The Vata dosha is the most important of the three doshas. It has been said in ayurveda classic books that “ pitta , Kapha and all other body tissues are considered lame without assistance of VATA .” Vata dominates the lower part of the body, which is below umbilicus. The movements of body fluid, metabolism, elimination of waste products, semen ejaculation, pushing the fetus out of body, relaying stimulus to brain and response to organs and tissues, heart beat, respiration, body movements etc are assisted by VATA.

Vata dominated regions are intestines, lumbar region, ears, bones and skin.

Vata gets vitiated due to following reasons:

Controlling natural urges like urination, defecation, hunger, thirst, etc.

Late nights.

Irregular food habits.

Talking in a high pitch.

Over physical and mental exertion.

Consumption of spicy, dry, bitter foods.

Exposure to severe dry and cold climate.
The opposites of above-mentioned reason normalize the vitiated vata.

PITTA

The pitta dosha assists the body fire or Agni, which plays a major role in body’s metabolic activities. The locations where pitta dominates are digestive system, skin, eyes, brain, and blood. Pitta maintains body temperature. The secretions like digestive juices pigments like melanin (bhrajaka pitta), hemoglobin (ranjaka pitta) are all types of pitta.

Pitta is dominant in regions of Umbilicus, stomach, sweat, lymph, blood, eyes and skin.

Pitta gets vitiated due to following reasons.

Excess consumption of spicy, sour, salty foods.

Consuming alcohol in excess.

Over exposure to hot sunny climate.

Short temperedness.

Using dried vegetables.

Indigestion of food.
The opposites of above-mentioned reason normalize the vitiated pitta.

KAPHA

Kapha provides bulk to body, lubrications, moistness, fertility, stability, strength, and memory. Helps in binding process wherever necessary. This is heaviest of all doshas.

Kapha dominated regions are chest, neck, head, stomach, body fat, nose and tongue

Kapha gets vitiated due to following reasons.

Sleeping in daytime.

Consuming sweets , chilled food, in excess.

Consuming fish, sesame, sugarcane, milk and milk products.
The opposites of above-mentioned reason normalize the vitiated kapha.
When these doshas are in balanced condition the body remains healthy. If these doshas get imbalanced the body succumbs to diseases. Doshas get imbalanced frequently due to change in climate, seasons, lifestyles, diet etc. The treatment is to bring back the doshas to normalcy and expel the toxin orama produced during the imbalanced condition.

Female Reproductive Healthcare

2008-09-28T18:19:00.002+05:30

The human race is nurtured in the lap of the mother. An attention towards caring for the one (i.e. mother) who has cared for the universe for centuries is a gesture of gratitude.

The following are the areas where Ayurveda can benefit female reproductive healthcare.

Pre-puberty period- Prevention of undernourishment by Ayurveda food practices (e.g., usage of Black gram, Groundnut, Ashwagandha, vegetables, and greens. (Shigru, Chakramuni). Administration of Herbs in the form of Rasayanas that support the normal physiological changes during puberty- Shatavari, Ashwagandha, Amalaki, bramhi etc).

Menstrual variations- Amenorrhea Usage of herbal emmenagogues, viz. Kumari, Gingly, nutritional supplementation of minerals nutrients by greens, herbo-mineral preparations to combat malnourishment as the cause of this condition.

Dysmenorrhea: when unabated, the normal course of medical care could be managed through Ayurvedic pancha karma maneuvers.

Menorrhagia- Prevention of anemia, and rectifying the found excess flow through – formulations comprising of Shatavari, Lodhra, Ashoka, Japa, Varuna, Bilva etc.

Altered cycles- Aiming at regulation, poly-herbal treatments (e.g. Ashoka, Kumari, Triphala, Panchakola etc. combined with Pancha karma (Virechana, Basti)

Implementation of practices for progeny, as per scheduled Ayurvedic methods will benefit safe and smooth parenthood.

The aspect of immediate goals will encompass the components of Antenatal care.
Continuity of pregnancy and aiding normal fetal growth through-

Monthly dietetic regimen
First month
Plain milk as much as one can consume at intervals
Second month
Kseerapaka prepared with madhura oushadha.
Third month
Milk with Honey and Gritha (ghee/clarified butter)
Fourth month
Milk with Navaneetha (Butter)
Fifth month
Milk with gritha Payasa.
Sixth and seventh month
Gokshura ksheera paka
Eighth month
Milk and ghritha.

Dos and don’ts during pregnancy: VIHARA
1. Exercise; the amount of exercise a pregnant woman can perform can be understood based on occurrence of fatigue.
2. During pregnancy it is not advisable to commence the jogging type of exercises for the first time.
3. Riding on the horseback, riding on two wheelers, long journey by car, on undulated roads, are best avoided.
4. Stand up jobs, working to exhaustion, can be harmful.
5. Exercise with relaxation is more beneficial
6. Sexual intercourse; is to be avoided during the first and third trimesters especially in high-risk cases. Coital techniques can be modified to satisfy the circumstances. With reduction in number of acts.
7. Adequate rest is very essential with feet up position.
8. Clothing; loose fitting and natural-fabric clothes are to be preferred; synthetic materials, tight fitting dresses are ill advised.
9. During early pregnancy itself, a shift to flat-heeled shoes is advisable.
[Consult doctor before starting any exercise program]

VICHARA; Psychological and emotional activities;
1. A pregnant woman needs to be provided with a pleasing environment.
2. Every individual who meets the pregnant woman needs to show concern, affection, and provide moral support.
3. Any type of mental stress is best avoided.
4. Positive thinking is the best approach.
5. A great deal of psychological comfort is to be provided at all spheres of family and society for an uneventful (safe) pregnancy.
6. Acceptability of the mother for any modality of management is top priority.
7. Use of rasayanas viz. Ashwagandha, Brahmi, Amalaki, Shatavari, Kushmanda, Gritha etc. is beneficial for health and immune strength.
8. Hygiene and fitness during pregnancy are important to maintain health and positive mental attitude.
9. Routine examinations and monitoring are required.

Diseases during pregnancy:
· Prevention of Hyper-emesis gravidarum.
· Nutritional disorders.
· Management of pre-eclampcia.
· Alteration in weight gains.
· Anemia etc. are managed with specific therapeutic modulations (viz. Dhanyaka hima, Kushmanda, Ashwagandha, Pala ghritha, Jatamamshi, Tantupashana. Rajatha bhasma, praval bhasma, Mandoor bhasma, etc.)
Periodic specialized therapies in pancha karma (ex. Mathra basti, Pichu dharana, abhyangaetc.) during the third trimester enhances neuromuscular strength to aid normal delivery.

Perperal care:
Diet and herbs containing galactogogues and body restoratives (e.g. Jeevanthi, Shatavari, Lashuna, ksheera, Kulatta - Abhyanga with Ksheerabala taila). Use of Dashamoolarista, Devadarvyadi quath, Soubhagyashunti, pratapalankeshwara, Shatavari, Medicated ghritha, Ashwagandha, Amalaki etc. and suitable Pancha karma are beneficial.

Care of the newborn:
Abhyanga and Matra basti to enhance weight gain; these are more important for premature babies. Bala rasayana administration and the special pediatric rejuvenators (Vacha, Haritaki, Amalaki, Jatiphala) support normal growth and development and improve immunity.

Weaning foods: Yavagu, Krishara, Vilepi, Kritayoosha.

Management of Pediatric ailments:
¨ Gastric disorders - Vomiting, flatulence, constipation, and diarrhea are helped through safe, non-habit forming remedies (e.g. Chaturbhadra churna, Jatiphala, Triphala, Nagara, Kumari.)
¨ Respiratory infections: Management - Talisadi, Sitophala, Yasti, and Gorochana.
¨ Growth and developmental abnormalities:
¨ Nutritional- Marasmus, Kwashiorkar, - Nutrition supplemented with Rasayanas.
¨ Developmental- Mental retardation, cerebral palsy; are managed with condition-specific pancha karma therapies.

Thus, Ayurveda can provide life cycle approach in women’s health as well can care the children for their common ailments and rehabilitation in mental retardedation, and other diseases.

Identification of raw areas for introducing Ayurvedic modes separately or/and by coordinating with the existing programs.

Lastly, the mission of Ayurveda is that a physician is not just the rescuer of his patient’s illness, but also a caretaker of his total well being needs no special emphasis.

AMAZING GOD'S PHARMACY...!!!!

2008-09-27T14:35:00.003+05:30

AMAZING GOD'S PHARMACY...!!!!!

It's been said that God first separated the salt water from the fresh, made dry land, planted a garden, made animals and fish... all before making a human.
He made and provided what we'd need before we were born. These are best & more powerful when eaten raw. ?

We're such slow learners...

God left us a great clue as to what foods help what part of our body!God's Pharmacy! Amazing!
A sliced Carrot looks like the human eye. The pupil, iris and radiating lines look just like the human eye... and YES, science now shows carrots greatly enhance blood flow to and function of the eyes.

A Tomato has four chambers and is red. The heart has four chambers and is red. All of the research shows tomatoes are loaded with lycopine and are indeed pure heart and blood food.

Grapes hang in a cluster that has the shape of the heart. Each grape looks like a blood cell and all of the research today shows grapes are also profound heart and blood vitalizing food.

A Walnut looks like a little brain, a left and right hemisphere, upper cerebrums and lower cerebellums. ?Even the wrinkles or folds on the nut are just like the neo-cortex. We now know walnuts help develop more than three (3) dozen neuron-transmitters for brain function.

Kidney Beans actually heal and help maintain kidney function and yes, they look exactly like the human kidneys.

Celery, Bok Choy, Rhubarb and many more look just like bones. These foods specifically target bone strength. Bones are 23% sodium and these foods are 23% sodium. If you don't have enough sodium in your diet, the body pulls it from the bones, thus making them weak. These foods replenish the skeletal needs of the body.

Avocados, Eggplant and Pears target the health and function of the womb and cervix of the female - they look just like these organs. Today's research shows that when a woman eats one avocado a week, it balances hormones, sheds unwanted birth weight, and prevents cervical cancers. And how profound is this? ?It takes exactly nine (9) months to grow an avocado from blossom to ripened fruit.

There are over 14,000 photolytic chemical constituents of nutrition in each one of these foods (modern science has only studied and named about 141 of them).

Figs are full of seeds and hang in twos when they grow. Figs increase the mobility of male sperm and increase the numbers of Sperm as well to overcome male sterility.

Sweet Potatoes look like the pancreas and actually balance the glycemic index of diabetics.

Olives assist the health and function of the ovaries Oranges, Grapefruits, and other Citrus fruits look just like the mammary glands of the female and actually assist the health of the breasts and the movement of lymph in and out of the breasts.

Onions look like the body's cells. Today's research shows onions help clear waste materials from all of the body cells. They even produce tears which wash the epithelial layers of the eyes.

A working companion, Garlic, also helps eliminate waste materials and dangerous free radicals from the body.

HARIDRA-Curuma Longa

2007-12-28T14:30:00.000+05:30

HARIDRA-Curcuma Longa

Haridra or Turmeric (Curcuma longa, also known as turmeric or curcumin) is an ancient spice, native to Indonesia and India, where it has been harvested for more than 5000 years. Whole turmeric is a tuberous rhizome of perennial plant curuma longa, belonging to the ginger family. The name derives from the Latin terra merita “meritorious earth” referring to the color of ground turmeric which resembles a mineral pigment. In many languages turmeric is simply named as yellow root.

Medicinal uses of Turmeric

Digestive Disorders

Turmeric is considered as a digestive bitter and a carminative. It can be added into foods including rice and bean dishes to improve digestion, reduce gas and bloating. It is a cholagogue, stimulating bile production in the liver and encouraging excretion of bile via the gallbladder. This improves the body's ability to digest fats. For chronic digestive weakness and/or congestion turmeric is recommended. It can be taken as a single extract or in the form of digestive bitters, which combine turmeric with other bitter and carminative herbs. Turmeric is beneficial for people who feel tired after consuming meals or who experience gas and bloating. Whatever way turmeric is consumed it is beneficial to both the digestive system and the liver.

Liver Diseases

Turmeric is beneficial for its influence on the liver. In spring more consumption of herbs and foods can strengthen the liver. Turmeric shares similar liver protectant compounds that milk thistle and artichoke leaves contain. It is said to shrink engorged hepatic ducts, so it can be useful to treat liver conditions such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, and jaundice.

Cancer

Recent scientific research confirm that turmeric can cure host of diseases, also they found that turmeric restrain the growth of various types of cancer. Turmeric is used for the treatment of skin cancer or pre cancerous skin conditions. Both topical and internal uses are beneficial.

Atherosclerosis

Turmeric may helpful in preventing the blockage of arteries that can gradually cause a heart attack or stroke in one of two ways. Turmeric makes cholesterol levels low and inhibited the oxidation of LDL (bad cholesterol). Oxidized LDL deposits in the walls of blood vessels and contributes to the formation of atherosclerotic plaque. Turmeric may also prevent platelet build up along the walls of an injured blood vessel. Platelets collecting at the site of a damaged blood vessel cause blood clots to form and blockage of the artery as well.

Osteoarthritis

Turmeric may help relieve the symptoms of osteoarthritis because of its ability to reduce pain and disability.

Menstrual problems of Woman

For women who experience monthly menstrual cramps, try using turmeric extract or bitters twice daily for two weeks prior to expected menstruation. Turmeric is an antispasmodic to smooth muscles so it reduces digestive and menstrual cramping. It should reduce the severity of pain, if not ease them completely. Certainly, diet and standard of living have a reflective influence on the menstrual cycle, but turmeric is a great addition.

Bacterial Infection / Wounds

Turmeric is useful as an external antibiotic in preventing bacterial infection in wounds.

Eye Disorder

Curcumin may prove to be as effective as corticosteroids in the uveitis (inflammation of the uvea, the middle layer of the eye between the sclera - white outer coat of the eye and the retina - the back of the eye) the type of eye disorder.

Intestinal disorders

The juice of the raw root or the powder of the dried root mixed and taken with milk or water is very effective for intestinal problems.

Post partum recovery

The same juice is good for new mothers soon after delivery. It not only helps in faster contraction of ovaries and inner parts after delivery, but also improves the overall health and promotes breast milk secretion. If you want know ways to prevent postpartum depression, check out this post at Babylune.

Anemia

Turmeric is a rich and ample source of iron. Have a teaspoon of raw turmeric juice with a bit of honey, if suffering from anemia.

Asthma

A teaspoon of turmeric powder with a glass of warm milk helps in fighting bronchial asthma and cough. It not only gives relief but also acts as a preventive from further attacks.

Sprains and wounds

Apply a medicinal paste of turmeric (turmeric powder mixed with sweet lime juice and salt) on sprain swellings. This paste gives quick and long lasting relief. Powder of turmeric should be sprinkled on wounds/ulcers for speedy healing.

Cuts and burns

It should be immediately applied on cuts, bleeding or burns. It is an antiseptic and stops bleeding and heals the cut or burn.

Throat pain and cough

Add little turmeric, black pepper powder, sugar and ghee to and drink it, to get relief.

For skin diseases and itching

Mix a spoon of turmeric with butter or coconut oil and massage on your skin.

Burning sensation in the eyes

Boil water and add turmeric and cool it, wash your eyes in that water.

For sinus problems

Fry turmeric, jaggery and ghee in equal proportion, store it in a bottle and take a pinch of it everyday.

Flatulence

½ tsp powdered turmeric taken thrice a day relieves flatulence and loss of appetite.

Diabetes and other diseases

10-20 ml of expressed juice may be taken daily in skin diseases, diabetes and jaundice.
½ tsp each of turmeric along with amla (gooseberry) powder should be taken daily early in the morning. In small pox & chicken pox, a coating should be applied to facilitate scabbing.

Common colds and scorpion bites

Sprinkle turmeric powder over burnt charcoal and inhale the fumes. This is highly beneficial in asthma and common colds. In cases of scorpion bites, the bitten area should be exposed to the same fumes for a few minutes to minimize toxicity.

Astrology and Ayurveda

2007-12-28T14:19:00.000+05:30

Astrology and Ayurveda

Eternally fascinated by the uncertainty of the future, man has been equally engrossed in various studies that allow a peek into the same. Amongst the more significant ones is Astrology, a significant branch of Ayurveda that scientifically studies planetary movements and their effect on human constitutions and lives.

Astrology is based on the concept that each planet is intrinsically related to a specific body tissue and that the various planetary movements and their positions in relation to time exert powerful influences on your mind, body and consciousness, directly affecting your physical and mental health. It is to be noted that sun, rahu & ketu are nodal points exactly opposite each other and are given the status of planets according to the Indian system of Astrology. They are important indicators of spiritual and / or materialistic tendencies.

Extracts of the herbs and roots can also be taken orally, in the form of mother tinctures commonly used in Homoeopathy. These herbs and roots and their extracts in the form of mother tincture have proved equally effective in countering the negative influences of planets on human beings. The extracts of the roots and herbs as mother tincture are available in any homoeopathic outlet. The doses, however, should be taken after consulting an experienced astro-occult practitioner. The names and doses of some herbal extracts or mother tinctures are given below:

Sun.................Aegletolia (5 drops)
Venus.............Hydroquotile (10 drops), Meshashringi (10 drops)
Jupiter............Chirata (15 drops)
Moon..............Honey (One spoon)
Ketu...............Ahswagangha (10 drops)
Saturn............Shefalika (10 drops), Dhurba(10 drops), Honey (20 drops)
Mars...............Neem (10 drops), Anantamool (10 drops), Panchamukhi Jaba (10 drops),
Rahu ............... Swetchandan (5 drops)
Mercury..........Hydrocotyle (10 drops), Amala (5 drops)

Sleep deprivation and fat gain

2007-12-28T14:04:00.000+05:30

"sleep deprivation and fat gain: How does it happen?"

You've probably seen the magazine articles or news blurbs that
say, "lack of sleep can make you fat!"

There is a lot of confusion however, about the mechanism.
It's not uncommon for people to believe there is a cause and
effect relationship between sleeping less and gaining weight.

However, if that were the case, then you would always gain weight
if you slept less even if your food intake stayed the same.
To the contrary, if you sleep less AND eat less, rest assured
you will lose weight.

If you are awake more hours and you are more active during
those increased waking hours, again, rest assured you will
lose weight.

Almost all the research on this subject has been cross sectional
and therefore does not prove causality.

Research suggests that the likely explanation for a mechanism
is a disruption in hormones which can affect appetite and food
intake so you are more likely to eat more when you are sleep deprived.

For example, a new study published in the December 2007 issue
of "Nutrition Research Reviews" says that sleep deprivation can
reduce leptin (the anti starvation hormone, also known as an
anorexigenic hormone) and increase ghrelin, a stomach
hormone that increases hunger.

This makes total sense. Think about it: less sleep equals
more awake time. More awake time equals greater energy needs.
Greater energy needs can be satisfied by increasing hunger hormones.
Leptin and ghrelin are appetite-stimulating hormones.

The human body is incredible and amazingly self-regulating, isnt it?

In addition, when hormones are out of balance, that can affect
nutrient paritioning.

Nutrient paritioning refers to where the energy comes from when
you have a calorie deficit - fat or lean tissue - and where the
energy goes when you are in a calorie surplus - fat or lean tissue.

So, when partitioning hormones are messed up due to sleep
deprivation, it's entirely possibly that you are more likely to
add fat (not muscle) when in a surplus and lose muscle (not fat)
when in a deficit.

This is similar to what happens during stress. Stress also
does not "cause" fat gain, but it certainly correlates to
fat gain, for similar reasons. Imagine what happens when
you are stressed AND sleep deprived?

Some people seem to get by with less sleep than others. I know
many people, myself included, who excel physically on 6-7 hours
a night, so there is certainly a variation in sleep needs from
person to person.

Developing sleep habits that promote deep, high quality sleep
may also reduce sleep needs an hour or two. This includes going
to bed and waking up at the same time every night, getting to
sleep early and awake early to maximize night time sleeping hours
and daylight waking hours, sleeping in a dark room, avoiding
alcohol and stimulants prior to bedtime, reducing stress and
exercising regularly.

However, in light of past research and the new data that was just
published, if in doubt, it's surely better to err on the side of
a little more sleep than a little less sleep, if more muscle and
less fat is your goal.

Reference:

1. The influence of sleep and sleep loss upon food intake and
metabolism. Nutrition Research Reviews, Dec 2007, 20:195-212,
Cibele Aparecida Crispima, et al. Federal University of Sao Paulo, Brazil

Sthoulya_ Ayurvedic Managemant!!!!

2007-12-26T14:23:00.000+05:30

STHOULYA-OBESITY!!!!!

Obesity is the most common metabolic disorder and is one of the oldest documented diseases.

In Ayurveda as early as 1500 BC Charaka Samhita has described this disorder under the title Medoroga or diseased state of fat metabolism. According to Charaka, the great Ayurvedic physician, an individual whose increased adipose and muscle tissue makes his hips, abdomen and breasts pendulous and whose vitality is much less than his body size in obese. Simple obesity is due to alimentary factors like overeating heavy, sweet, oily foods, lack of exercise and hereditary predisposition. It can be due to other disorders of pituitary, thyroid, adrenals, gonads, pancreas and hypothalamus. Derangement of Agni or digestive powder leads to production of ama, which disturbs Agni of fatty tissue and blocks the proper formation of further tissues.

Improperly formed fatty tissue accumulates in the body causing obesity. Accumulated fat causes disturbance to movement of vata, which in turn increases appetite. Patient therefore eats more and the entire food is then converted into proper fat tissue, creating a viscous circle. Apart from the signs described above, Charaka has described that such person has reduction of longevity, premature aging, unpleasant odor, excessive sweating, dysponea on mild exertion, excessive hunger and thirst, weakness, loss of vitality, loss of sexual powder and mental confusion. If the condition is not properly treated, various complications like hypertension, hyper-cholesterol, heart diseases, hyperacidity, kidney infection, diabetes, fistula, arthritis and lipoma are produced.
Persons having kapha constitution, obesity is very common, as their metabolism is very slow. It has been found that to relieve strain or depression these people start eating. These people have the tendency to retain water. Hence the excess weight is mainly due to water retention and not due to accumulation of improper fatty tissue. In these individuals usually the function of the kidney is very weak.

Persons having pitta constitution usually has excess appetite. However their metabolism is very rapid, hence they have fewer tendencies to develop obesity than kapha constitution. But if these people do not take care regarding over eating sweets or sugars, then they can develop obesity.

In vata type people obesity is very remarkable. These are fluctuations in gaining weight and loosing weight. Many vata persons eat to provide security against their nervousness or anxiety, which is common in these people. In all types exercise is a must.

Herbal Remedies

• Fasting on lime juice-honey water is highly beneficial in the treatment of obesity. In this mode of treatment, one teaspoon of fresh honey should be mixed with the juice of half a lime in a glass of lukewarm water and taken at regular intervals.

• The leaves of kujube or Indian plum are another valuable remedy for obesity. A handful of leaves should be soaked overnight in water and this water should be taken in the morning, preferably on an empty stomach. This treatment should be continued for at least one month to achieve beneficial results.

• Cabbage is considered to be an excellent home remedy for obesity. A valuable chemical called tartaric acid is present in this vegetable, which inhibits the conversion of sugar and other carbohydrates into fat. Substituting a meal with cabbage salad would be the simplest way to stay slim.

• Tomatoes are valuable in obesity. One or two ripe tomatoes taken early morning as a substitute for breakfast, for a couple of months, are considered a safe method of weight reduction. They also supply the food elements essential to preserve health.

• Finger millet is an ideal food for the obese, because its digestion is slow and due to this, the carbohydrates take a longer time to get absorbed. By eating preparations made of ragi, the constant desire to eat is curbed, thus reducing the daily calorie intake. At the same time, ragi supplies an abundant quantity of calcium, phosphorus, iron, vitamin B1 and B2 and prevents malnutrition inspite of restricted food.

TRIPHALA CONCOCTION :-

Ingredients:-

Triphala powder
Honey
Method of preparation :-

Put a table spoon of Triphala powder in a vessel and add a glass of water in it. Boil this until the water reduces to 1/4 th of the total quantity . Allow this concoction to cool. Filter the concoction and add a table spoon full honey to this . This should be consumed in early hrs of the day in empty stomach.

2.SPICED RICE MANDA.:-

Ingredients:-

Rice
Water
Cumin seeds
Dry Ginger powder
Pepper powder
Long pepper powder
Method of preparation :-

1. Take equal quantities of spices mentioned above (3-6) and grind them to a coarse powder.

2. Cook 1/4 teaspoon of this powder with two table spoon of rice in one big glass of water. Decant only liquid portion of this preparation add a pinch of salt to it . This can be used instead of soups.

WATER

Consumption of Boiled and cooled water helps to reduce weight.

ASHWAGANDHA

2007-12-26T14:11:00.000+05:30

ASHWAGANDHA

Biological Name: Withania Somnifera, Physalis flexuosa
Solanaceae family

Other Names: Ashwagandha, winter cherry, Ashgandh, Achuvagandi, Amikkira-gadday, Amkulang-kalang, Amukkira-kilzhangu, Amukran-kizhangu, Asagandha, Asana, Asgandh, Asundha, Asvagandhi, Fatarfoda, Hirimaddina-gadday, Hirre- gadday, Penneroo-gadda, Pevette, Sogade-beru
History:
This herb is used for 4000 years plus in India. It is a very important herb in ayurveda, the traditional Indian medicine. It is used for tumors, inflammation (including arthritis), and a wide range of infectious diseases. The shoots and seeds are also used as food and to thicken milk in India.

Traditional uses of ashwagandha among tribal peoples in Africa include fevers and inflammatory conditions. Ashwagandha is frequently a constituent of Ayurvedic formulas, including a relatively common one known as shilajit.

Description:
A native of India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, Aswagandha is an important herb used in Ayurveda. The name comes from the peculiar odor of this herb, smell akin to that of a sweaty horse.

Aswagandha is an erect branched shrub with a greenish or lurid yellow flowers. Aswagandha in India is akin to ginseng in other parts of the orient. Both are touted for their longevity enhancing and sexually stimulating properties.

Parts Used: Root
Active Compounds:
alkaloids and withanoloids

Compounds known as withanolides are believed to account for the multiple medicinal applications of ashwagandha. These molecules are steroidal and bear a resemblance, both in their action and appearance, to the active constituents of Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) known as ginsenosides. (Some people do call ashwagandha as “Indian ginseng”.)

Generally, ashwagandha stimulates the immune system.
It has also been shown to inhibit inflammation and improve memory. Taken together, these actions support the traditional reputation of ashwagandha as a tonic or adaptogen. It counteracts the effects of stress and generally promote well

Commonly used herbs and minerals in AYURVEDA......!!!!!

2007-12-03T22:20:00.001+05:30

Commonly used herbs and minerals

Botanical (Latin) Name
Common (English) Name
Sanskrit Name
Claimed Therapeutic Use

(According to Ayurveda)
Acacia concinna
Acacia
Shikakai
Useful in billious affections, jaundice, malarial fever, prevtive to flatulence, mild laxative
Acacia nilotica
Indian Gum Arabic Tree
Babool
Demulcent, astringent, gonorrhoea, leucorrhoea, styptic, diarrhoea, dysentry, diabetes,
Acorus calamus
Sweet Flag
Vacha
Bitter tonic, ague, habitual constipation, atonic dyspepsia, flatulence, paralytic nervous affections, colic, epilepsy, dropsy, glandular diseases, rheumatoc swellings, useful for children's ailments teething etc.
Adhatoda vasica
Malabar Nut
Vasaka
For comfort from bronchitis, whooping cough & bronchial asthma. To support lung functions. Has immune system-boosting properties.
Aegle marmelos
Bael Tree
Bael
For intestinal problems such as amoebic dysentery & diarrhoea. Is digestive, anthelmintic, & anti-inflammatory, useful in irritable bowel syndromes and inflammatory condition of bowels.

Allium sativum
Garlic
Lasuna
To control excess conversion of lipids & cholesterol.

Aloe vera
Indian Aloe
Kumari
Useful in ophthalmic disorders, mild laxative, tonic, increases semen quality, cure vata dosha, poisonous effects, hepatospleenomegaly, spleen and liver disorders, cystic formation, hydrocele, kaphha fever, glands, anomalies of blood, anomalies of skin.
Andrographis paniculata
The Creat
Yavatika
Used in malaria fever, enlargement of liver, chronic and obstinate fever, dropsy, edema, removes constipation, appetiser, useful in infant's disorders such as diarrhoea, colic, vomiting etc.
Anethum sowa
Indian Dill
Satahva
Useful in improving hunger, good appetiser, anti-febric, vermifugal, digestive, abdominal colic, intestinal colic, ophthalmic disorders, pelvic inflammatory disease conditions, analgesic, body pain .

Asparagus racemosus
Asparagus
Shatavari
To nourish the female reproductive system, promote lactation.

Azadirachta indica
Neem
Neem
For skin disorders. Has blood purifying & immune-boosting properties. as an anti-bacterial, anti-fungal agent.

Bacopa monnieri
Bacopa
Brahmi
For improving alertness. As an anti-anxiety agent.

Balsamodendron mukul
Indian Bdellium Tree
Guggulu
Anti-spasmodic, emmenagogue, stimulant, tonic, alterative demulcent, useful in rheumatism, nervous diseases, glands and scrofulous diseases, blood purifier, useful in chronic wounds which do not heal easily.
Benincasa hispada
White Pumpkin
Kushmanda
As a food nourished body, vigour, purifies blood, appetiser, easy to digest, removes constipation, normalise bowel movements / as a remedy useful in mental disorders, epilepsy, mania, psychological disorders and helps to cure all mental diseases and their conditions.

Betula utilis
Himalayan Birch
Bhurjapatra
In ear disorders, bile disorders, anomalies of blood, psychological disorders, anti-obesity, anti-toxin.

Boerhaavia diffusa
Boerhaavia
Punarnava
For efficient kidney & urinary functions. In urinary tract infections.

Capsicum annuum
Red Pepper
Katuvira
Aroused digestive fire, removes kaphha dosha, produce burning sensation, removes indigestion, anti-cholera, helps to heal obstinate wounds, removes hoarseness, sleepiness and perversion of taste, useful in loss of senses and weak pulse condition.
Cassia fistula
Golden Shower Tree
Aragvadha
FRUIT-BODY:Mild laxative, Anti-fever, useful in Cardiac or Heart problems, Rakta Pitta, Hematemesis, Hemorrhages, Arthritis, Vatavyadhi, Colic, Eructations, Acidity and acidic eructations, ROOTS: Very strong purgative, should not be used alone
Cedrus deodara
Deodar Cedar
Devadaru
BARK and STEM is used: creates sweating, creates urination, Anti-vata, eliminates Skin disorders, Anti-febril, Anti-edema, Arthritis, Joints pain, Joints swelling, Antitussive, Vermifugal, anomaly of Blood, anomaly of urine etc.
Cinnamomum camphora
Camphor
Karpoora
useful in kaphha, thirst, obesity, burning sensations, throat problems, intestinal worms, mouth freshener, analgesics, antitusive, antipyeratic, excessive sweats, beneficial effects when taken in small quantity [50mg]in Low blood pressure and asthama,

Citrus grandis
Pomelo
Mahanimbu
Vata-kaphha nashak, mild laxative, digestive, appetiser, loss of appetite, abdominal colic, worms, vomiting, nausea

Citrus limon
Lemon
Nimbaka
use as food, increased taste, increased hunger, digestive, help to pass abdominal wind, flatus

Citrus medica
Citron
Bijapura
useful in heart disorders, abdominal colic, Gulm, vomiting, nausea, indigestion, heamorrhoids

Cucumis sativus
Cucumber
Trapusha
Diuretic, useful in heamatamesis, heamorrhages, bleeding, cold in nature, as a food to renal stone patient
Cuminum cyminum
Cumin
Shvetajiraka
SEEDS: smell increasing the taste of food, increased taste, appetiser, Cholegague, useful in abdominal colic, flatulence, wind formation, offensive flatus, vermifugal, dysentry, diarrhoea, Gulma, indigestion, inflammatory condtion of bowels, renal calculus, gonorrhoea, obstruction of urine, nausea, vomiting etc.
Daucus carota
Carrot
Garjira
SEEDS: useful in flatulence, renal disorders, pathophysiology of small and large intestines, salpingitis, Impotency, Female genital disorders, ROOT: vermifugal, spleenomegaly, physical weakness, cholecystitis, problem before delivery, cardiac problems, piles, colic burning sensation, asthama, hiccough, mouth freshener, EXTERNAL: Burns, abscess
Eclipta alba
Thistles
Bhringaraja
JUICE:useful to teeth, skin and hairs, indicated for the treatment of Kaphha-vata disorders, cough, bronchitis, worms, asthama, skin diseases, oedema, mucous disorders, anemia, digestive, support and nourished body, choleggue, hepatomegaly, liver disorders, loss of appetite, vertigo, hepatospleenomegaly, piles, indigestion, headache, weak vision, EXTERNAL; Burns, skin diseases, leucoderma, hair falling, alopecia
Embelia ribes
False Black Pepper
Vidanga
FRUITS:carminative, anthelmintic, stimulant, alterative, anti-dyspeptic, anti-flatulent, skin diseases, rheumatisma, diuretic, laxative, purgative
Eucalyptus globulus
Eucalyptus
Nilgiri Taila
EXTERNAL:deodorant, useful in skin disorders, anti-vermicular, wounds us cervix, wounded piles, smells in Cold and coryza, muscular and joints pain, myopathy: INTERNAL; for excessive salivation, digestive, antipyeretic
Ficus bengalensis
Banyan tree
Vata
Kaphha pitta shamak, ,nausea, diarrhoea, bloody dysentery, heamorrhages, bleeding, dysentery, anomaly of blood, bleeding from all orifices, discoloration of skin, bloody leucorrhoea, leucorrhoea, white discharges feom vagina, help in pregnency, anomaly of urine, Prameha, ueful for childless women, increased fertility of women
Foeniculum vulgare
Fennel
Shatapushpa
used in Vata-pitta dosha, useful in mental weakness, weakness of eyesight, nausea, vomiting, weak appetite, Flatulence, abdominal wind, abdominal colic, dysentery, piles, cardiac disorders, anomaly of blood, cough, bronchitis, pulmonary disorders, anomaly of urine and urination, fever, skin disorders, weakness, burning sensations
Gaultheria fragrantissima
Indian Wintergreen
Gandapura
OIL:cures Vata, pain, stimulant, antipyeretic, brings sweats, diuretic, antispasmodic, removes pain of all nature, useful in cardiac disorders, joints pain, sciatica, flatulence, wind formation in abdomen, Rheumatic pain, myolitis
Hippophae rhamnoides
Seabuckthorn

BHASAM [Ashes]: used in respiratory disorders, hiccough, asthama, cough, cardiac pain, glandular swellings, rheumatism, arthritis, tuberculosis, pulmonary disorders, joints pain, increases sexual desire in male and female both, Impotency

EXTERNAL: paste is applied in Pleuritis, Pneumonia, backache, painful inflammatory condition with swelling

Jasminum officinale
Jasmine
Jati
cold nature, bitter taste, increases Vata and Kaphha Dosha, useful in Burning pain wounds, anomaly of blood, Oral problems, Tooth problems, Eyes disorders, Headache, migraine, antitoxic, OIL: cold, heals wounds, anomaly of blood, useful in skin, head and ophthalmic disorders, stomatitis

Juglans regia
Walnut
Akschota
useful in facial paralysis, cervical lymphadenitis, adenitis, ringworm, edema, dropsy, swelling, fistula, opium poisoning, devermicular, purgative, laxatives, provides strength, pulmonary tuberculosis, cardiac disorders, uric acid diathesis, gout, burning sensations, rheumotoid arthritis, syphilis, gonorrhoea, dermatitis, skin disordres and anomaly of blood, blood purifier,

Lilium polyphyllum
White Lily
Kshirakakoli
useful in increasing the quantity of semen, condensed semen, increasing lactations in feeding mothers, creates sexual excitement both in male and female, increases vitality, vigour
Mimosa pudica
Sensitive plant
Lajjalu
for gynaecological disorders, skin disorders, bleeding piles, amoebic dysentry, diarrhoea.

Mangifera indica
Mango
Amra
RAW MANGO: sour, tasteful, increases Vata & Pitta Dosha, RIPED MANGO: sweet, increases semen quality, appetiser, increases taste, wound healer, anomaly of blood,
Melaleuca leucadendra
Tea Tree
Kayaputi
useful in Hyperpyerexia, gout, uric acid, diarrhoea, skin disorders, bronchitis, cough, dermatitis, joints pain, muscular pain,
Mel despumatum
Honey
Madhu
sweet, cool, easy to digest, removes constipation, better for eyes & voice, beneficial to heart, ripes wounds quickly, useful in obesity, frequent urination, hiccough, asthma, bronchitis, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, emaciation, excessive thirst, heamorrhagic tendency, faintness, burning sensation, healing wound
Mentha arvensis
Mint
Putiha

Mentha piperita
Peppermint
OIL and CRYSTALS: carminative, cool, analgesic, relives painful muscular conditions, smells in Cold and coryza, relives headache, sinusitis, uses both internally and externally. very powerful in action, while use internally, use very small quantity [one drop in four divided doses] with precautions

Nardostachys jatamansi
Musk
Jatamansi

Pinus roxburghii
Chir Pine
Shrivasa

Piper longum
Indian Long Pepper
Pippali

Prunus amygdalus
Almond
Vatadha

Punica granatum
Pomegranate
Dadima

Pyrus malus
Apple
Seva

Rosmarinus officinalis
Rosemary
Salmalia malabarica
Silk Cotton Tree
Shalmali

Santalum album
Sandalwood
Chandana

Sapindus mukorossi
Soapnut Tree
Arishta

Sesamum indicum
Sesame
Til

Sesbania sesban
Egyptian Rattle Pod
Jayanti

Shorea robusta
Sal Tree
Shala

Solanum lycopersicum
Tomato
Trigonella foenum-graecum
Fenugreek
Medhika

Triticum sativum
Common Wheat
Godhuma

Vetiveria zizanioides
Poppy
Ushira

Vitex negundo
Five-leaved Chaste Tree
Nirgundi

Vitis vinifera
Grape
Draksha

Wrightia tinctoria
Sweet Indrajao
Hyamaraka

Xanthoxylum alatum
Toothache Tree
Tumburu

Zinziber officinale
Ginger
Sunthi
in digestive disorders like low appetite, indigestion, nausea, vomiting & motion sickness.

Alum
Saurashtri

INTERNAL:Bloody dysentery, Dysentery, worms, Remmitent and intermittent fever, anti-tussive,

EXTERNAL: Piles, wound, traumatic wounds and conditions, stings, itching, eczema, conjunctivitis, leucorrhoea, otorrhoea, gonorrhoea, gargles in pharyngitis, tonsillitis, throat problems

Conch Shell
Shankha
BHASAM [Ashes]: Loss of appetite, indigestion, peptic ulcers, dueodenal ulcers, hyperacidity, bronchitis, hepatospleenomegaly, Gulm, Asthama, cough, respiratory disorders

Sodium carbonate
Svarjikshara
INTERNAL:useful in constipation, Diuretic, Gulmanashak, Colic, pain abdominal, worms intestinal, flatulence, eructations, abdominal winds, tympenitis, Irritable bowel syndromes
EXTERNAL: promotes suppuration of boils, burns, pimples, leucoderma, white patches of skin

Sodium Bicarbonate
Tankana
First purify according of Ayurveda directions: Increased digestive fire, Kaphha nashak, antitoxic, cough, bronchitis, asthama, pulmonary resoiratory disorders, antipyeritic, Gulm nashak, colic, bodyache, sensation of chilliness etc. spleenomegaly hyperacidity, diminished hunger, stomatitis EXTERNAL:eczema, ringworm, itching of skin, mouth pain in aphthea, vaginal itching, leucorrhoea, hydrocele, mammary gland inflammation, toothache, black spot on face etc.

Cowrie Shell
Varatika
BHASAM [Ash]: used in colic of all nature, mucous colitis, dysentery, hyperacidity, weak assimilation, diarrhoea, gastritis, gas formation, flatulence, excessive thirst, tympenitis, rumbling in abdomen, loss of appetite, Irritable bowel syndromes, improves digestive power, asthama, bronchitis, otorrhoea, dry cough, Tuberculosis, exhaustive disease conditions, aphthea, stomatitis etc.

Natural Zinc
Yashad Bhasma
BHASAM [Ash]: used in ophthalmic disorders, night blindness, kaphha-pitta disorders, jaundice, liver disorders, hepatitis, anomalies of urine, diebetes, asthama, cysts, glands, diarrhoea, mucous colitis, dhatu kshaya, tuberculosis, bacillary dysentry, gonorrhoea, impotency, improves digestion, beneficial in vomiting and nausea.

Fat Loss Lie #8: "It takes just minutes a day"

2007-12-03T22:11:00.000+05:30

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Fat Loss Lie #8: "It takes just minutes a day"

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"2 MINUTE ABS"

"A FEW MINUTES IN THE MORNING!"

"THE ONE WORKOUT A WEEK FITNESS REVOLUTION!"

"CHANGE YOUR BODY IN 30 MINUTES A WEEK"

As if all the rapid weight loss claims weren't enough, the latest bombardment of advertising hype says that you're spending too much time in the gym and that if you follow their "secret" training program, you can get in tip top shape in just "minutes a day."

What do I think about that? well, you definitely don't have to "live in the gym" or train for hours every day to get great results. And you should always, of course, look for ways get the most benefit from every minute you spend in the gym. That's called "time efficiency," and that is a good thing.

But you should be very cautious of the claims about getting more results in less time. You really CAN get more results in less time with higher intensity workouts, but "higher intensity" translated, means "hard work." If it sounds too good to be true... well, you know the rest...

It's an error in thinking that you can bypass the law of cause and effect and it's a flaw in character to expect better results without putting in the necessary time and hard work(refer back to "The quick and easy lie.").

There's a fine line between training enough to stimulate growth and overtraining. We are warned continually not to overtrain or we'll "hold back our strength and muscle gains." We are also cautioned not to do too much aerobics or we'll "lose the muscle" we already have.

It's true that many people are overtraining. But just as there's fine a line between optimal training and overtraining, there's also a fine line between optimal training and undertraining.

The minimalist "less is more" approach is highly appealing because it represents the ultimate "lazy man (or woman's)" approach. And most of all, it SELLS!

The promoters are basically saying, "Hey, you're spending too much time in the gym and it's holding back your gains. Buy my secret miracle training program from Bulgaria, and you only have to train once or twice a week for a few minutes and you'll double your results."

Briefer and less frequent workouts are only good to the extent to which they prevent you from overtraining and they optimize hormonal response to training. Minimalism as a marketing appeal is a completely different story. Make sure you recognize the difference between the two.

I thought the "just minutes in the morning" idea was ridiculous (but brilliant from a marketing perspective), now someone just wrote a book called 2-minute abs. What's next? 30-second abs? Massive muscles in five minutes? The one rep muscle revolution?

Your body is begging for exercise - it's an amazing machine that was designed to be used often and vigorously. In fact, your body is the only machine that wears out faster when you don't use it!

Training for basic health benefits and training for maximum fat loss and muscle growth may not be the same thing. To get maximum changes in body composition, you need a much higher frequency, duration and intensity.

You can get health benefits from very small amounts of exercise. Even walking to work or class, or raking the leaves in your yard can have health benefits. But you get even greater health benefits from larger amounts of exercise.

You can get a training effect (muscle growth and strength increase) in as few as two or three thirty-minute workouts per week, especially if you use highly time efficient training methods such as high intensity interval training for cardio and supersets, circuits and short rest intervals for strength training.

However, you cannot expect to become super lean and highly muscular without putting in the time and effort.

Here's what it all boils down to: You reap what you sow... The rewards you take out will always come in direct proportion to the work you put in. The best bodies - with the best body composition and fat-to-muscle ratios - are built with high levels of physical activity. There's simply no quick fix.

Fat Loss Lie #7: "Drugs or surgery will take the fat off and keep it off"

2007-12-03T22:06:00.000+05:30

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Fat Loss Lie #7: "Drugs or surgery will take the fat off and keep it off"

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Drugs. Magic Bullet Or Lethal Mistake?

For many people who are frustrated with little or no results, despite their best intentions, physique-enhancing drugs or hormones appear to be the only legitmate "miracle cure." After all, supplements are iffy, but drugs are, well, drugs!

Steroids have been around for a long time. So have obesity drugs. Lately, there's been a push for the use of Human Growth Hormone or Testosterone under the harmless sounding labels of "anti-aging medicine" and "Hormone replacement therapy."

Of course, these are sometimes needed for clinical purposes, but the sales pitch I'm referring to is being made to perfectly healthy baby boomers, who desperately want to regain their youthful looks and vitality or to young people who want a "short cut."

Dramatic short-term results in body composition can be achieved from using all kinds of weight loss drugs, steroids, thermogenics, thyroid drugs, growth hormone and other chemicals. No doubt about that. One look around my own sport of bodybuilding is proof of that.

However, appearances can be deceiving. The road of drug use for cosmetic enhancement can be a wild ride in the beginning, but in the long run, it's a dead end street.

What The Pharmaceutical Companies
Don't Want You To Know About

Regardless of whether we're talking about illegal steroids and performance enhancers, prescription obesity drugs, or even over the counter "fat burning" drugs like ephedrine, these are all really one in the same:

(1) multi million dollar moneymakers, and
(2) Short-term attempts at treating effects, not causes.

Lets take weight loss drugs, for example:

What would happen if the pharmaceutical companies finally came out with a "safe and effective" obesity drug and brought it to the marketplace on a massive scale?

Here's exactly what would happen:

THE PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES WOULD GET RICHER
AND THE OBESITY PROBLEM WOULD CONTINUE!

Think about it: Did Xenical cure obesity? How about Phentermine? Meridia? Adipex? Bontril? Didrex? Tenuate?

What about Ephedrine? Tens of millions of people were taking it. Did that solve the obesity problem?

How about surgery? Gastric bypasses? 100,000 were performed last year. Did that solve the obesity problem?

In a few cases where someone's health is at stake, and when time is of the essence, the benefits of drugs may outweigh and justify the risks.

However, most people are not facing life-threatening obesity, and even in these rare cases, you have to concede that drugs or surgeries are last-resort treatments - not first lines of defense. They are absolutely not a substitute for proper nutrition, exercise and lifestyle change.

Here's the fatal flaw with thinking that any drugs will be a long-term solution:

We live in an orderly universe where everything happens for a reason (by "law"). For every effect, there is a cause. There are no accidents.

A lean body never happens by accident.
An overweight body never happens by accident.

A lean body and an overweight body are effects. Both of these effects have causes. If you're overweight, you can create lasting changes 100% of the time if you uncover the cause of the overweight condition and remove it.

The cause of body fat in nearly all cases is inactivity, poor nutrition and often negative self-image issues. Drugs and surgery can only treat an effect (the fat). Even if the fat (the effect) is temporarily removed, it will come back if the cause is still there.

You can't expect pills, drugs or surgical procedures that only treat symptoms/effects to create permanent changes.

Depending on your genetics, you may never look like a bodybuilder or fitness cover model, but you always have the power to improve your body and your health above and beyond where you are today.

You can always improve, no matter where you are now and no matter what your genetic disposition.

How? By accepting responsibility for your situation and then taking positive action every day for the rest of your life to improve it. You simply have to change your lifestyle!

Try to fight "the law" or shirk hard work by looking for short cuts if you want, but in the end, you'll always lose.

Try to ignore "the law" if you want, but ignorance of the law does not excuse you from its operation.

Lifelong health, fitness and a perfect body weight do not come out of a bottle or needle and never will - no matter what new concoction they cook up in the lab.

Those who think otherwise may gain temporary relief from health woes or enjoy some short-term benefits, but unless they alter their lifestyles, they'll have hard lessons to learn in the long run.

I envision a day when both the medical and fitness communities will join together to help stop this error in thinking, and begin to teach people how to improve their lifestyles with a natural approach and alter their mental attitudes instead of writing prescriptions and selling "magic" pills.

To permanently become lean, you must identify the causes of excess fat,. These can include:
Excessive caloric intake
Poor nutrition choices
Inactivity
Unhealthy lifestyle habits
Psychological and emotional factors

Then, you must treat THESE CAUSES. Only when the source ("the cause") of your problem is removed, will the unwanted effects disappear for good. Until then, anything else will only be a quick fix, band-aid, temporary solution

Fat Loss Lie #6: "Fat loss can be quick and permanent"

2007-12-03T22:03:00.000+05:30

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Fat Loss Lie #6: "Fat loss can be quick and permanent"

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The "Quick Fat Loss" Lie Exposed

"Lose 30 pounds In 30 Days!"

"Lose 9 Pounds Every 11 Days!"

Lose 10 Pounds This Weekend!

You see ad claims like these all the time, and they sure are enticing, aren't they? They play on our emotions and our desires for instant gratification.

Patience is the one thing you never seem to have when you’ve got a body fat problem. You want the fat gone and you want it gone now! And why not? It seems so do-able. Everywhere you look, you hear promises of quick weight loss and you even see people losing weight quickly.

We have reality TV shows that actually encourage people to attempt “extreme” body makeovers or see who can lose weight the fastest, and the winners (or shall we say, the "losers", as if that's a flattering title to earn), are rewarded generously with fortune, fame and congratulations.

Let’s face it. Everyone wants to get the fat off as quickly as possible - and having that desire is not wrong – it’s simply human nature. However...

Serious Problems Can Occur If You Try To
Force It And Lose Weight Too Quickly

The faster you lose weight, the more muscle you will lose right along with the fat, and that can really mess up your metabolism.

An even bigger problem with fast weight loss is that it just won’t last. The faster you lose, the more likely you are to gain it back. It's the the "yo-yo diet effect" - weight does down, but always comes back up. Think about it: We don’t have a weight loss problem today, we have a “keeping weight off” problem

Weight loss will be the healthiest, safest and most likely to be permanent if you set your goal for about two pounds per week (and even if you lose only a single pound each week, that is healthy progress). This is the recommendation of almost every legitimate and respected dietician, nutritionist, exercise physiologist and personal trainer on the planet, as well as exercise organizations such as the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Dietetic Association.

Are there any exceptions? Yes. It may be ok to lose more than two pounds per week if you have a lot of weight to lose, because the rate of weight loss tends to be relative to your total starting body weight. Generally the rule is that it’s safe to lose up to 1% of your total body weight per week, so if you weigh 300 lbs to start, then 3 lbs a week is a reasonable goal.

But there IS a catch.

What Really Matters Is Not How Much WEIGHT
You Lose, But How Much FAT You Lose

Where did your weight loss come from? Did you lose body fat or lean body mass? "Weight" is not the same as "fat." Weight includes muscle, bone, internal organs as well as lots and lots of water.

Let’s look at an example with some numbers so you can really grasp this concept of weight versus fat and then you can see, illustrated with specific examples, what will happen when you lose weight too quickly.

As an example, let’s take a 260 pound man who has a lot of body fat to lose - let’s call it 32%. With 32% fat, a 260 pounder has 83.2 pounds of body fat and 176.8 pounds of lean mass. Using this example, let’s look at a few possible scenarios with losses ranging from two to four pounds per week.

Weight Loss Scenario 1:

Suppose our 260 pound subject loses four full pounds instead of the recommended two pounds per week. Is this bad? Well, let’s see:

If he loses a half a percent of body fat, here are his body composition results:

256 lbs
31.5% body fat
80.6 lbs fat
175.4 lbs lean body mass

Out of the four pounds lost, 2.8 pounds were fat and 1.2 were lean mass. Not a disaster, but not good either. Thirty percent of the weight lost was lean tissue.

Weight Loss Scenario 2:

If he loses a half a percent of body fat and only three pounds, here are his results:

257 lbs
31.5% body fat
80.9 lbs fat
176.1 lbs lean body mass

These results are better. Although he lost less body weight than scenario one, in this instance, 2.3 pounds of fat and only 0.7 lbs of lean mass were lost.

Weight Loss Scenario 3:

What if he only lost two pounds? Here are the results:

258 lbs
31.5% body fat
81.2 lbs fat
176.8 lbs lean body mass

These results are perfect. Even though our subject has only lost two pounds, which seems slow, 100% of the two pound weight loss came from fat and he kept ALL the muscle!

Weight Loss Scenario 4:

Now let’s suppose he loses three pounds but he loses more body fat: .8%

257 lbs
31.2% body fat
80.2 lbs fat
176.8 lbs lean body mass

These are the best results of all. When the weekly fat loss is .8% (better than average), 100% of the three pounds lost is fat. So as you can see, yes, it’s safe to lose more than two pounds per week… but only if the weight is fat. If you lose three or four pounds per week, and you know it’s all fat, not lean tissue, then more power to you! If you lose four pounds and two of those pounds are muscle, you just shot yourself in the foot!

If as little as 20%-30% of your weight loss comes from muscle, when compounded over a few months, you’re talking about a massive muscle tissue loss which can dramatically slow down your metabolism, weaken you and turn you into nothing more than a “skinny fat person” (that's a person with low body weight because they lost so much muscle, but still holding stubborn fat because they shut down their metabolism).

Don't Be Fooled By Water Weight Losses

One thing you should also know is that it’s very common to lose 3 - 5 pounds in the first week on nearly any diet and exercise program and often even more on low carb diets. Just remember, its NOT all fat - WATER LOSS IS NOT FAT LOSS!

The only way to know if you've actually lost FAT is with body composition testing. For home body fat self-testing, I recommend the Accu-Measure skinfold caliper as first choice. Even better, get a multi site skinfold caliper test from an experienced tester at a health club, or even an underwater (hydrostatic) or air (bod pod) displacement test.

From literally hundreds of client case studies, I can confirm that it’s rare to lose more than 1.5 - 2.0 lbs of weight per week without losing some muscle along with it. If you exceed 2.0 to 3.0 pounds per week, the probability of losing muscle is extremely high. If you lose muscle, you are damaging your metabolism and this will lead to a plateau and ultimately to relapse.

The Biggest Weight Loss Mistake That Is
FATAL To Your Long Term Success

Lack of patience is one of the biggest mistakes people make when it comes to losing body fat. If you want to lose FAT, not muscle, and if you want to keep the fat off for good, then you have to take off the pounds slowly. (of course, if you want to crash diet the weight off fast, lose muscle with the fat and gain all the fat back later, be my guest)

This is one of the toughest lessons that overweight men and women have to learn - and they can be very hard learners. They fight kicking and screaming, insisting that they CAN and they MUST lose it faster.

Then you have these TV shows that encourage the masses that rapid, crash weight loss is okay. To the producers of these shows, I say SHAME ON YOU! To the personal trainers, registered dieticians and medical doctors who are associated with these programs, I say DOUBLE SHAME ON YOU, because you of all people should know better. These shows are not "motivating" or "inspiring" - they are DAMAGING! They are a DISGRACE!

The rapid weight loss being promoted by the media for the sake of ratings and by the weight loss companies for the sake of profits makes it even harder for legitimate fitness and nutrition professionals because our clients say, “But look at so and so on TV - he lost 26 pounds in a week!”

Sure, but 26 pounds of WHAT - and do you have any idea what the long term consequences are?

Short term thinking… foolish.

Do it the right way. The healthy way. Take off pounds slowly, steadily and sensibly with an intelligent nutrition and exercise program like Burn The Fat, measure your body fat, not just your body weight, and make this a new lifestyle, not a race, and you will never have to take the pounds off again, because they will be gone forever the first time.

Fat Loss Lie #5: "Exercise is not necessary... all you need is a diet"

2007-12-03T21:56:00.001+05:30

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Fat Loss Lie #9: "Exercise is not necessary... all you need is a diet"

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The Truth About The Diet Versus Exercise Debate

Yes, you CAN lose weight by cutting calories. But as you learned in the first part of this course ("the starvation diet lie"), there is danger in using very low calorie diets; you almost always re-gain weight that's lost with highly restrictive diets.

Some people use calorie restriction out of necessity. For example, I know some wheelchair-bound individuals who lost weight with calorie restriction alone. I also know some people who were very obese and had orthopedic problems (making exercise difficult at first), who chose to get started only with dietary restriction, then they added the exercise later. They also lost weight.

However, for able-bodied people, dieting is the absolute WORST way to lose weight.

Two Ways To Create A Calorie Deficit And Lose The Fat

As you learned in part 5 on calories, to lose fat, you need a calorie deficit. However, there's more than one way to create a calorie deficit. One is to decrease the amount of calories you consume (eat less). The other is to increase the amount of calories you burn (exercise more).

Of the two ways, burning the calories with increased activity is the superior method. Or, you can also combine the two - eat a little less, and exercise more.

Paradoxical as it seems, the most effective approach of all is to eat more and exercise a LOT more (as long as you still keep your calorie deficit). Nutritionist and exercise physiologist Dr. John Berardi calls this a "HIGH ENGERY FLUX," which simply means, higher energy input, higher energy output. The result is a high level of nutrition and a turbo-charged metabolism.

Top 10 reasons why exercising ("burn"), not dieting ("starve"), is the superior method of losing body fat:

The most effective fat-burning programs in the world always contain two types of exercise - weight training and cardiovascular training. The reasons to include both could go on for pages, but here are the top 10:

1. Exercise increases your metabolism.
2. Exercise creates a caloric deficit without triggering starvation mode.
3. Exercise helps you sleep better and manage stress better.
4. Exercise (strength training) tells your body to keep the muscle. Dieting causes muscle loss.
5. Exercise increases bone density.
6. Exercise helps prevent diabetes, control blood sugar, and improve insulin sensitivity.
7. Exercise improves cardiovascular health.
8. Exercise improves mood, helps relieve depression and increases self esteem
9. Exercise increasese mobility and quality of life as you get older
10. Exercise helps you keep the weight off long term.

The Science Behind Burning More, Not Eating Less

The role of energy expenditure in weight loss (diet vs exercise) is still the subject of controversy. For years I've been a strong advocate of weight training and cardiovascular training to "burn the fat" instead of just cutting calories (and being a "couch potato"). Take a look at some of the research-proven benefits of the "burn more" approach and see for yourself:

“Strength training may have greater implications than initially proposed for decreasing body fat and sustaining fat free mass. Research suggests that adding exercise programs to dietary restriction can promote more favourable changes in body composition than diet or physical activity on its own.”
-Stiegler, Sports Medicine, 2006

“Treatments relying only on energy restriction commonly cause substantial loss of lean tissue…” - Walberg, Sports Med, 1989:

“Increasing daily activity and regular exercise plays an important role in weight maintenance due to an impact on daily energy expenditure and a direct enhancement of insulin sensitivity.”
- Astrup, Int J Vitam Nutr res, 76:4, 2006”

“Physical activity is a critical factor for successful body weight regulation. Physical activity facilitates weight maintenance through direct energy expenditure and improved physical fitness.”
- Saris, Int J Obes relat Metab Disord, 1998:

“Reduced energy expenditure appears to facilitate weight gain in individuals susceptible to obesity."
- Saltzman, Nutr rev, 1995:

The Lies And Deceptions That Fuel The $50 Billion Weight Loss Machine

With this kind of proof, why is there any debate at all? Well, the biggest reason is because the weight loss industry thrives on novelty. Without “what’s new,” there's no story. People want to hear about some cutting edge new revolutionary pill or unique new diet breakthrough.

The industry also bets on laziness. Exercise is a hard sell because it's perceived as hard work. Advertisers know there's a lazy side hard wired into human nature, so they do everything they can to make their weight loss solutions look quick, easy and painless.

I believe the fact that we need to exercise - for health, quality of life AND for improved body composition - is such a common sense and intuitive conclusion that I find it almost comedic that there's any debate about it at all.

Think about it: What will your body shape look like by dieting without doing any training??? Diet without exercise tends to create a “skinny fat person” - someone with a low body weight but little if any muscle, and the last 10-15 lbs of stubborn fat is left defiantly clinging to your hips, butt, thighs, abs or "love handles!"

Here's what else I believe about exercise vs dieting:
I believe that the human body is the only machine on the face of the earth that wears out and breaks down from not using it enough
I believe that much obesity and disease are a direct result of inactivity
I believe that much of the deterioration that happens as you age is a direct result of a sedentary lifestyle and a loss of muscle
I believe that cardiovascular exercise + weight training + a small calorie reduction is vastly superior for fat loss purposes than a calorie reduction alone, both in the short and long term
I believe that calorie restriction alone is a short-sighted and incomplete approach to a complex problem, and it requires a complete change in lifestyle habits to achieve better health, better body composition and results that last
I believe that everyone who is able-bodied should get some type of physical activity almost every single day
I believe that anyone who is healthy and physically able should get involved in weight training 3 days per week (up to 4 - 5 times per week for athletes and bodybuilders)
I believe that anyone healthy and physically able should do at least 3 days per week of vigorous cardiovascular exercise (jogging, brisk walking, treadmills, stairclimbers, ellipticals, aerobics classes, etc), and they may increase their exercise frequency, intensity and or duration if necessary, to accelerate fat loss
I believe that more people should stop taking their bodies for granted and start appreciating that those wheelchair-bound individuals I mentioned earlier would give anything to be able to run or ride a bike

It's tempting to keep looking for some kind of "no-sweat" secret, whether in the form of a special diet technique, a magic fat burning pill or whatever, but in the end, it always, comes back to this: You need a calorie deficit to lose weight... and it's better to burn more calories than to cut more calories.

Exercise - including weight training and cardio training - should be a part of every weight management program and a part of your lifestyle. This is one of the ultimate secrets to fat loss and long term weight control:

Remember, don't starve the fat, "BURN THE FAT."

Fat Loss Lie #4: "Calories Don't Count"

2007-12-03T21:53:00.001+05:30

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Fat Loss Lie #4: "Calories Don't Count"

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In many popular diet books, especially low carb programs, “Calories don’t count” is a frequently repeated theme and "you can eat as much as you like" is an often repeated promise. Other programs stress the importance of energy in versus energy out, but recommend that you count “portions” rather than calories. Still others say that you must keep a strict accounting of everything you eat. Who is right?
Well, trying to count every single calorie - in the literal sense - is probably not realistic or necessary as a lifestyle for the long term (all the number crunching can drive you crazy, for one thing!)
However, that doesn't mean that calories don't count. Any diet program that says you can "eat all you want and still lose weight" is one you should avoid because that is one of the biggest lies in the business.
The truth is, that line is a bunch of baloney designed to make a diet sound easier to follow. Anything that sounds like work – such as counting calories, eating less or exercising, tends to scare away potential customers. (Which is why "no calorie counting necessary," "eat all you like" and "no exercise necessary" are ubiquitous and notorious diet industry claims)
The law of calorie balance is an unbreakable law of physics: Energy in versus energy out dictates whether you will gain, lose or maintain your weight. Period.
I believe that it's very important to develop a respect for portion control and the law of calorie balance.
I also believe it's an important part of nutrition education to learn how many calories are in the foods you eat on a regular basis – including (and perhaps, especially) how many calories are in the foods you eat when you dine at restaurants.
The law of calorie balance says:
To maintain your weight, you must consume the same number of calories you burn. To gain weight, you must consume more calories than you burn. To lose weight, you must consume fewer calories than you burn.
If you only count portions or if you haven't the slightest idea how many calories you're eating, it's a lot more likely that you'll eat more than you realize.
So how do you balance practicality and realistic expectations with a nutrition program that gets results? Here's a solution that’s a happy medium between strict calorie counting and just guessing:
Create a menu using an EXCEL spreadsheet or your favorite nutrition software. Crunch all the numbers including calories, protein, carbs and fats. Once you have your daily menu, print it, stick it on your refrigerator (and/or in your daily planner) and you now have an eating "goal" for the day, including a caloric target.
Rather than writing down every calorie one by one from every morsel of food you eat for the rest of your life, your menu plan serves as a daily goal and guideline.
If you’re really ambitious, keeping a nutrition journal at least one time in your life for at least 4-12 weeks is a great idea and an incredible learning experience, but all you really need to get started on the road to a better body is one good menu on paper.
If you get bored eating the same thing every day, you can create multiple menus, or just exchange foods using your primary menu as a template.
Using this meal planning method, you really only need to “count calories” ONCE when you create your menus, not every day.
After you've got a knack for calories from this initial discipline of menu planning, then you can estimate portions in the future and get a pretty good (and more educated) ballpark figure.
So what’s the bottom line? Is it really necessary to count every calorie to lose weight?
No, it's not.
But it IS necessary to eat fewer calories then you burn. Whether you count calories and eat less than you burn, or you don’t count calories (guess) and eat less than you burn, the end result is the same – you lose weight.
But which would you rather do: Take a wild guess, cross your fingers and hope for the best, or increase your chance for success with some simple menu planning? I think the right choice is obvious.

Fat Loss Lie #3: "Liquid diets, protein drinks or meal replacement shakes help you burn fat and keep weight off"

2007-12-03T21:50:00.000+05:30

Liquid diets, protein drinks, or meal replacement shakes... Do they really help you burn the fat and keep it off?
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Fat Loss Lie #3: "Liquid diets, protein drinks or meal replacement
shakes help you burn fat and keep weight off"

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Liquid diets go back as far as 1930, when Dr. Stoll's "Diet Aid" was hawked in beauty parlors. In the late 1970's, liquid protein diets such as "The Last Chance Diet" became all the rage, much like low carb diets became popular in the 1990's. According to the FDA, in 1977, 58 deaths were reported by adults following these strict liquid protein diets, which lacked essential nutrients and solid food.
When news of the deaths made the headlines, liquid protein diets fell out of favor. However, they returned just as quickly in different incarnations. One of them was the doctor-supervised liquid protein diet, which provided an extremely low calorie diet (as low as 800 calories per day), primarily aimed at the seriously obese.
Proponents of these "second-generation" liquid diets, which still exist today, say they are safe and nutritionally complete because they are medically supervised and patients are given vitamin and mineral supplements.
The liquid diets became immensely popular again in the late 1980's. According to a New York Times story, when Oprah Winfrey announced the name of the liquid diet program she was using, that company recieved one million phone calls in a single day. By 1988, diet clinics expanded beyond the medical setting and had become a $10 billion dollar industry.
The third generation of liquid diets came in the form of powders or cans of diet drinks, which you could pick up at the local grocery store. Generally, you were advised to eat a shake for "breakfast," a shake for "lunch" then eat a "sensible" dinner consisting of whole foods. Sometimes snacks were allowed in between.
All these liquid diet programs claimed you would lose weight on them. That much is true. But many claimed that you would lose more weight using their products than you would with real, whole food, and that their products would help you keep the weight off. That part is NOT true.
Very low calorie diets (VLCD's) that that emphasize liquid nutrition and de-emphasize whole food, can be unhealthy, nutritionally inadequate and even dangerous, and are one of the worst things you could ever do to your body and your metabolism in the long term. Here's why:
First, these programs are usually 800 to 1000 calories per day or less, which will virtually always trigger your body's starvation response. According to Eleanor Whitney and Sharon Rolfes in the textbook, "Understanding Nutrition, "Very low calorie diet formulas are designed to be nutritionally adequate, but the body responds to this severe energy restriction as if the person were starving - conserving energy and preparing to regain weight at the first opportunity."
Second, the weight comes back. No doubt, the weight losses from liquid diets can be dramatic - but not nearly as dramatic as the weight regain afterward - along with the physical and pychological damage that comes with it. According to Dr. Phillip Sinaikin, an addiction recovery specialist and author of "After The Fast," "A drug addict stands a better chance of recovery than a [liquid] dieter."
The fact is, liquid formula diets do not teach you how to eat in order to stay slim.
In a New York Times survey of 31 men and women who had lost up to 194 lbs on liquid diets, 23 said they began to develop a strong fear of food, yet they experienced uncontrollable cravings and urges at the same time. One respondent said that after a binge that started with 7,000 calories in one day, he had regained 21 lbs in 15 days.
Third: Many of these liquid diet products are poorly formulated and loaded with junk such as pure sugar or corn syrup! YES - CORN SYRUP - That nasty refined sugar that nutritionists are blaming much of obesity and childhood obesity on during the last decade.
You would be shocked - even disgusted - if you looked at the "ingredients list" of some of these drinks and shakes that are actually being passed off as fat loss or health food.
Fourth, even if you know how to select a quality meal replacement product, these products do NOT contain any fat-burning or muscle-building properties that you can't obtain from regular food.
Today, nutritional supplements have come a long way and we now have "fourth generation" products including protein powders and meal replacements that contain protein and carbs. The better products are more adequate in calories than the previous generation of diet drinks and they are usually well fortified with vitamins and minerals and use high quality proteins such as whey and casein. Some even have added fiber.
High quality, modern meal replacement products can play a small role in your nutrition program. But even the very best products will never be superior to real whole foods. Human beings cannot improve on mother nature. Whole food contains naturally-occuring vitamins, minerals, fiber, phytochemicals, and bioactive compounds. They provide bulk and satisfaction and they improve your metabolic functioning.
The truth is that meal replacements are nothing more than "powdered food" (or "liquid food"). They're useful for convenience when you're in a hurry and you don't have time to prepare and eat whole food... but they're not better than food (with a possible exception being post workout drinks, which can also be helpful).
The process of digesting solid whole food every three hours actually stimulates your metabolic rate due to the "thermic effect of food." According to exercise physiologist Victor Katch, the thermic effect of food can be responsible for as much as 10% of your total daily energy expenditure.
Although scientists are still examining the metabolic difference between calories obtained from liquids and calories contained from whole foods, many champion bodybuilders and fitness models have discovered that eating 5 or 6 smaller meals, mostly from whole food, will maintain an optimal metabolic rate, a lot like stoking a furnace with efficiently- burning fuel.
The fat burning solution is to eat real, whole food as much as possible, to eat small frequent meals throughout the day, and avoid very low calorie "liquid diet" products unless your doctor is having you use them for a specific reason. Use the modern, nutritionally-complete meal replacements and protein powders only for convenience purposes, NOT for weight reduction.
Stay tuned for part 5, where you will discover the diet industry's "hidden agenda" behind one of the biggest nutrition and fat loss lies of all... "calories don't count."

Fat Loss Lie #2: "You need supplements or fat burners to get lean"

2007-12-03T21:44:00.000+05:30

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Fat Loss Lie #2: "You need supplements or fat burners to get lean"

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EPHEDRA AND EPHEDRINE - THERMOGENIC "FAT BURNERS"
The most popular of the "fat burner" supplements ever on the market were no doubt ephedra or ephedrine-based products, which hit the shelves in 1993.
Ephedrine was immensely popular because there was actually some good scientific evidence showing that it had measurable fat burning effects.
You could also “feel” it… you got an “energy buzz.”
Ephedrine is a drug derived from a plant (a Chinese herb) called ephedra (also known as ma huang). It is similar in chemical structure to amphetamines and works as a "beta-adrenergic agonist" - which means, in plain English, that it's a thermogenic (metabolism- stimulating) agent that helps with the release of stored body fat.
So if it worked, why did it get banned by the FDA and taken off the market in April of 2004?
Well, there were clearly some political and financial agendas involved, But the reason given to the public was concern about adverse affects and safety.
To this day, the decision to remove ephedrine from the market is still controversial because the research was mixed on whether the risks were severe enough to warrant the ban.
PROBABLY SAFE WHEN TAKEN AS DIRECTED, BUT...
Although the FDA had 80 ephedrine related deaths and 1400 adverse effect complaints on file, including strokes, coronaries and seizures, the fact is, when compared to deaths caused by prescription drugs and other over the counter drugs like aspirin, ephedra actually appeared fairly safe when used as directed by healthy individuals and not abused.
However, one huge downside of ephedrine that was not often mentioned by the pro-ephedrine camp is that stimulant-based fat burners can be highly addictive. Addiction leads to improper use or abuse.
In the early and mid 1990's, I used ephedra products myself because they were legal, over the counter and at the time, they were not banned from the natural bodybuilding competitions I participated in.
Research be damned, I never believed that these pills helped me all that much with fat loss.
But what I did notice was the "rocket-engine" stimulant boost - the buzz, The pounding heart rate, the increased physical energy, and the amplified mental focus and workout "intensity."
At the height of the craze, 12 to 17 million people were using ephedra and no doubt, many of them were hooked on what was essentially a mild form of legal speed.
These products were being abused en masse as “pick me ups.” Students were popping these pills to stay awake and study all night. Partiers were doing the same. So were truck drivers.
Like any addictive habit, it's difficult to stop. When you first go cold turkey, you crash emotionally and physically and your workouts suffer as your crutch has been taken away. I suppose it's a lot like trying to kick the booze or cigarette habit. You go through withdrawal.
WHAT GOES UP MUST COME DOWN
Your body is too smart for short term quick fixes to ever work because your body will always fight back to maintain a natural balance or “homeostasis.”
For every artificial peak or high you create, there will be an equal or greater valley or low point.
If you over-stimulate, your body can respond by slowing down your natural metabolic rate to compensate. As a result, when you stop using the stimulant, your metabolism is slower than ever and you gain back any weight you lost and more.
This often prompts you to go back on the stimulants and the vicious cycle of stimulant addiction continues. Some experts say that long term use can even lead to adrenal burnout.
So even if there aren’t any serious coronary or health risks from proper use, there is the risk of irresponsible use and the risk of addiction and dependency on "fake energy." just remember, what goes up, must come down. If you borrow energy you will eventually have to pay it back.
EPHEDRA FREE FAT BURNERS
When the FDA finally pulled the plug on ephedra, supplement companies scrambled like crazed maniacs to come out with "ephedra-free" formulas for their "fat burners" as they anticipated the imminent doom of their multi-million dollar cash cows.
The ads proclaimed,
"More powerful than ephedrine-based fat burners!"
"The next generation of thermogenic technology!"
The great irony is that most of the fat burners currently on the Market today are completely worthless. At best they provide a watered down, unproven substitute for ephedrine and a slight buzz (most are loaded with caffeine).
Or, they may provide some mild appetite suppression. But NONE of these so called “next generation fat burners" are the “miracles” that the advertisements say they are.
Bodybuilding industry columnist Will Brink put it this way,
"The explosion of ephedrine-free weight loss products was more a function of market pressure vs being based on any science. Claims by some companies that their new ephedrine-free "fat burners" were equivalent to or even superior to EC based products was wishful thinking and marketing-driven BS."
But it didn’t matter. Consumers had been hoodwinked with the classic bait and switch. The ephedrine was gone from the formulas, but the brand names remained the same.
STAGGERING FORTUNES IN FAT BURNERS AND DIET PILLS
In the last year before ephedra was banned, sales had skyrocketed to $1.25 BILLION DOLLARS, according to the Nutrition Business Journal.
The money still continues to pour in at a staggering rate today. To say that money is the main motivation behind the push for diet pills and a fat burners would be the understatement of the century.
Most people who aggressively recommend "fat burning" pills of any kind are profiting from their sale and it's hard to get unbiased information when so much money is at stake.
THE TRUTH: A LEAN BODY DOES NOT COME IN A PILL
It's a common misconception that you can't reach your fat loss goals unless you take some kind of "fat burner" supplement.
It's also a common misconception that you can pop a pill and get dramatic results like you see on TV and in the magazine ads.
The results you see in the ads for fat burners are persuasive, but before and after testimonials are NOT proof that diet pills were responsible for those results.
Not all before and afters are bogus, of course. But many of the legitimate photos are "not typical" and represent the best possible case scenarios, after extremely intense training and strict nutritional regimens.
As for many “miraculous transformations,” the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) And state attorney general’s offices have been exposing them for what they really are… set-ups and outright fakes!
In January of 2007, four diet pill companies you have definitely heard of were sued by the FTC and ordered to pay $25 million in fines.
The reasons: False advertising and no evidence to back up their claims.
San Diego Attorney Todd Macaluso took sworn depositions from several Diet pill before and after models. According to a story in the San Diego Tribune by Penni Crabtree, Los Angeles bodybuilder Mike Piacentino Swore under oath that he was paid to stop working out and to eat ice cream and donuts to fatten him up three weeks in advance of his “before” photo shoot. Then he used his bodybuilding expertise to get back in his usual top shape.
According to an ABC 20/20 expose’, fitness model Marla Duncan said In advertisements that she lost 35 lbs with the help of a popular fat burner pill. However, Jay Nixon, the Missouri Attorney General, found out that Duncan had recently been pregnant and given birth. The “before” photo was taken shortly afterwards. The fat burner pill company settled the case out of court for $100,000 while denying any wrongdoing.
Will you ever look at before and after photos the same again? Do you really want to keep forking over your money to these companies?
AN INTERESTING END TO THE FAT BURNER SAGA…
Diet pills and fat burners are nothing but quick fixes. Every one of them.
Even if they help in the short term, they don’t help in the long term because you are only treating symptoms. Body fat is a symptom of a complex problem with multiple causes including unhealthy lifestyle, poor nutrition, lack of activity and even mental factors like subconscious self-sabotage.
The true solution to any problem, including body fat, is to find the causes and treat them.

GEMS THERAPY...!!!!!

2007-10-13T13:22:00.000+05:30

GEMS THERAPY

The gems therapy has its roots in ancient Indian traditions. One can find its links in the Jyotish Shastra, which is the name for the specialized astrological beliefs of India. Jyotish Shastra believes that the movements of the celestial bodies, which include the Sun, the Moon and the prominent planets, have far-reaching effects on the life on earth. Each activity that occurs on the earth is a repercussion of some activity in the skies.

The Navgrahas of Jyotish Shastra

In order to make its beliefs more concrete, Jyotish Shastra believes in a system of nine planets. These planets are not the same as in astronomy. This is because Jyotish Shastra places the earth at the center of the cosmic universe and every other body is taken in relation to the fundamental position of the earth. The Sun and the Moon are also considered as grahas or planets in Jyotish Shastra. Out of the solar planets, only the closer ones visible from the earth are considered. These are Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. In addition to these solar planets, the lunar nodes – both north and south – are also considered to be grahas. In Indian mythology, the north lunar node is called as Rahu, and the south lunar node is called as Ketu. Rahu and Ketu are supposed to be the head and tail of a demon who was exiled by the Sun into the solar system.

The Kundali

When each person is born, the positions of the bodies in the sky play an important role in determining how the future life of the person will shape up to be. These positions are mapped in a zodiac chart, which is called as the birth horoscope or the kundali of the person. Each aspect of this kundali is an important deciding factor in shaping the person’s life. The kundali cannot be changed once a person is born, but there are several ways to modify the things that are going to happen later. Though the planetary positions cannot be changed, their effects can be either magnified or diminished. One way to do this is by gem therapy.

Principles of Gems Therapy

Gems or precious stones can exert both malefic (negative) or benefic (positive) influences in a person’s life. Since ancient times, Indian rishis and munis have believed that every graha is related to a particular gem which favors their prevalence. These gems could be expensive or cheap, that does not matter. What matters is how strongly the gems influence a particular graha.

Each graha has a gem that represents it. It is the color of the gem that is distinctive and bears the influence on the person’s life. For this reason, most Ayurveda doctors would suggest their patients to wear specific gems as long as the treatment continues. The gem therapy is considered to be an addition to the Ayurvedic treatment. The following table shows the name of each graha with its favoring gem.

Let us now see the manner in which the gems are influential in a person’s life.

(1) Ruby

Ruby is the gem of the sun. It is a red colored stone made of aluminum and oxygen with traces of iron and chromium in it.

It is observed that wearing a ruby is favorable in headache, skin diseases and heart ailments. It can keep minor ailments like constipation, coughs and flatulence at bay. It helps in cooling the mind down, consoling in times of dejection and increasing the concentration. Due to its red color, ruby is associated with the formation of blood. Hence people wearing rubies will not suffer much loss of blood, and whatever loss takes place, it will be replenished soon. Ruby is also found to be beneficial in problems of a spiritual nature such as hallucinations, appearance of ghosts and spirits, etc.

In order to get all these benefits of the ruby, it must be prepared and worn at a specific period. The preparation should be done on a Sunday – the day of the Sun – between 6:00 a.m. to noon. The wearing must be done after worship to the sun on the Sunday that has a Pushya Nakshatra. If the Pushya Nakshatra is not close, then wearing can be done on any Sunday with a sun nakshatra such as Uttarashada, Uttara Phalguna or Krittika. It is most effective to wear the ruby encrusted in a gold ring on the first finger of the right hand. A Gayatri mantra must be chanted regularly, otherwise the effects of the ruby will not be felt. Similarly, the Aditya must be chanted everyday after wearing the ruby following a bath.

If the ruby is not available, or is too costly, then there are some other gems that have similar beneficial effects. These are lalmani, garnet, padanranga, neelganthi and uparatna.

(2) Pearl

Pearl is the gem of the moon. It helps in offsetting problems that are caused due to a weak position of the moon in the person’s kundali. The pearl is a milky-white smooth stone, just as the moon is visible from the earth. It is found on the sea-beds inside oysters. It takes several years for a single pearl to form.

All calcium related problems like weak bones and weak teeth can be resolved by using pearls. Pearls are helpful in many other diseases such as tuberculosis, goiter, typhoid, dropsy, dysentery, problems with urination, etc. Among minor ailments that pearl can cure are included cough and fever. Pearl improves the circulation of blood in the body and hence increases its resistance to diseases. It is also helping in soothing the nerves and keeping mental disturbances away.

Wearing a pearl for positive effects does not require as rigorous a ceremony as wearing a ruby does. It is enough if the pearl is worn anytime in the period of the waxing moon, i.e. the Shuklapaksha. While wearing, an incantation to the Lord Shiva is required, and must be followed by a daily recitation of the Shiva Mahima Stotra.

Alternative gems for pearls are moonstones and opals.

Here we continue the discussion on how various gems are influential on a man’s life. Let us see which the beneficial gems for the navgrahas are in this article.

(3) Emerald

Emerald represents the planet Mercury. It is a green colored gem. It contains the elements beryllium and aluminum, and its green color is due to the presence of chromium in it. Just as Mercury stays close to the Sun and absorbs its solar heat all the time, the emerald also has the capacity to absorb the excess heat from the human body and create a cooling effect in it. Emerald is called as panna in Hindi.

Emerald is found to be beneficial with lethargy-related problems such as laziness, lack of concentration, no desire to do work, etc. It can be helpful for people whose memories are weak and also for those who are intolerant of changes in their surroundings. The stone has powers to increase the fertility in males. It is believed that wearing an emerald can also help in solving family and business problems, and in easing the labor pains.

Wednesday is the best day to wear an emerald for the first time. It must be seen that any Mercury constellation must be present on that day such as Hasta, Revathi or Jyeshtha. The gem must be encrusted in a gold ring and worn on the little finger of any hand.

If a person is not able to get an emerald, then alternative stones are the peridot and the vairaj.

(4) Diamond

The properties and the scintillating beauty of the diamond are widely known to everyone. It is also the costliest of all the gems available on the earth. It is generally colorless, but artificial colors could be put in it. However, the most effective color for a diamond is pristine white. Diamond is the representative gem of Venus.

The powers of the diamond are most effectively felt in the alleviation of the sexual functions of the human body. The diamond can reduce the sexual drive in men and women in whom it is excessive. Problems such as lack of semen are also done away with by wearing diamonds. Hence, it could be said that diamond can treat several marital problems that could cause due to a deficiency in either partner.

Apart from its sexually healing powers, diamond can also reduce other diseases such as constipation, flatulence, dysentery, paralysis and epilepsy. It can increase the blood count and decrease the fluid buildup in hydrocele.

Diamond is also useful in the materialistic life of a person. It can bring success in love, money and career. It has a special significance in improving the person’s career if it is pertaining to some art form like music, films, paintings, etc.

A diamond must be encrusted on a gold ring and worn on any finger on any morning. Ascetics suggest the chanting of the invocation to Shukra before wearing the diamond ring.

There is a lesser known gem known as the turmali, which can be used as a substitute for diamond. This is a light blue colored gem, and is much cheaper than the diamond. However, the effects of this gem are found only in men.

(5) Coral

Corals are red colored gems available in many different hues. These are gems that are formed in the seas by aquatic fauna. Since there are many different hues to corals, they have different influences on the human beings. It is generally believed that the lighter the color, the better the effects as far as coral is concerned. Blood red corals must be avoided as they could lead to accidents. Instead faint red corals are the best. The effects of corals depend from person to person depending on how the principle planet, Mars, is placed in his/her kundali.

People wearing corals could experience a sudden spurt of courage and self confidence. The person may begin to believe in his/her own capabilities. The positive zest of life is one of the chief benefits of corals.

Corals are also very advantageous in people with blood pressure problems. In fact, there are a lot of people who claim to have their blood pressure under control by the regular wearing of a coral on their fingers. Other diseases that can be kept under check by the regular wearing of coral are cardiovascular problems and piles. If coral is put in water and then the water is drunk (not the coral), then it is very beneficial in people who have piles problems.

Wearing coral is advisable to people who have Mars in their 4 th, 6 th, 8 th, 11 th or 12 th houses in their kundalis. However, if the position of Mars is strong, then there is no purpose achieved by wearing a coral.

The best day to wear a coral is the day of Mars, i.e. Tuesday. It should be encrusted in a silver ring and worn on the third finger of either the right or the left hand. The benefits of wearing coral on the right hand are more than on the left hand.

Alternative stones to be used in place of coral are akik and rudraksha. Though rudraksha cannot strengthen a weak Mars, it has more or less the same beneficial properties in increasing blood circulation.

(6) Topaz

Topaz is the gem of the great planet Jupiter. It is a white color gem in its pure form, or it may show slight coloration of faint yellow. However, other colors such as blue, pink, green are also seen.

The qualities of topaz are beneficial in making social adjustments in life. By wearing a topaz, the person becomes charming and charismatic, and is able to win over people. Hence this stone is much in demand within the glamour world. Topaz can also help to make a person increase in his/her popularity in the world. Wearing a topaz can eliminate the negative thoughts from the mind, like the will to do something bad to others. It can remove the negative traits of laziness, anxiety, destructive thoughts, sorrows, etc. and fill the mind with positive energies.

Topaz is also suggested for people who are trying to break some vicious habit, such as gambling, smoking and alcoholism, or visiting prostitutes. Topaz can do this because it increases the willpower of the person. It can bring about success in a job or in exams, and also help to recover lost monies.

The positive points of topaz are the generation of happiness, luck and prosperity in an individual. Hence, topaz may be called as the master-gem in deciding a person’s life.

Thursday is the day of Jupiter – that’s the day when the topaz must be worn. Care must be taken to see that the Thursday selected has a Pushya Nakshatra in the period of the waxing moon. But, bear one thing in mind. Wearing a topaz in such circumstances could lead the wearer to live an almost spiritual and virtuous kind of existence.

The qualities of topaz are found to some extent in another lesser known gem, sunela. This is used as an alternative for topaz.

(7) Sapphire

Sapphire is a bright blue colored stone, for which it is known in Hindi as neelam. It is a characteristic stone for the planet Saturn.

The beneficial powers of sapphire are felt in people who have long-lasting problems with their bodies such as nervous system disorders, comas and bronchitis. It can cure melancholia and bring the person to a happy state of mind. Problems of a bilious nature are also brought in check by sapphire. Sapphire is beneficial in hiccups, incapacity of the brain and memory problems. A person who wears a sapphire increases in courageousness and consistency in thought.

Sapphire is used to remedy the weak position of Saturn in the kundali. The day of Saturn is Saturday; hence the stone must be first worn on any given Saturday, provided it has a Dhanishtha, Shravana, Uttarashada, Swati, Vishakha or Chitra nakshatras. The ring in which this gem is encrusted is a special ring made of five metals. If such a ring is not available, then it can be worn in a simple iron ring.

Jamuniya is the gem that is used as an alternative to sapphire. This gem is also blue in color. The gem is a powerful combatant of diseases, so it can provide the person with a long and improved life.

(8) Zircon

Zircon is a soft and transparent stone which is heavier than the other stones used in gem therapy. There may be many impurities in zircon, which should be rejected. The purest zircon would be of a straw yellow color with orange hues in it, and it must be completely transparent. Blemishes in the stone such as dots or lines, torn stones, etc. disqualify them in gem therapy.

This stone is good in getting love and happiness. People who are seeking good partners ought to wear zircon stones. Zircon can also bring luck to people who are in the midst of litigation. Zircon is the character stone of Rahu, who is called as the cheating graha. Rahu appears most unexpectedly and attacks the person with disease. Zircon can equip the person to be resistant from such sudden diseases. It also strengthens a person morally and physically to resist the sudden obstacles in the path of progress which Rahu can create.

Among diseases, zircon can be beneficial in epilepsy, piles, syphilis, weakness, fevers, flatulence, melancholia and insanity.

Wearing the zircon stone must be done under a carefully planned and supervised ritual. It must be found out from the kundali when the Rahu is the most harmful. At such a period, the zircon must be worn in a five metal ring in the third finger. The nakshatras auspicious to the ring wearing ceremony are Shatbhisha, Swati and Aridra.

(9) Cat’s Eye

Cat’s eye or lahsuniya is a very lesser known gem that is used to offset the weak positions of Ketu in the kundali. This stone is known to be effective in diseases of a sexual nature like syphilis and gonorrhea, piles, dysentery, cough, cold, diabetes, impotency, obesity, constipation, ocular diseases, labor pains and idiopathic diseases, i.e. diseases whose causes are not known.

Cat’s eye must be worn in the same manner as the zircon stone is worn. The beneficial nakshatras are Ashwini, Magha and Moola.

2007-10-08T10:39:00.000+05:30

AMLAPITTA
(Hyperacidity, acid – peptic disorder)

Agni and pitta are the maim\n factors responsible for digestion, due to its abnormality, food is not properly digested and produces the aam, which is acidic in nature. Person gets various symptoms including acidic eruction, indigestion etc., this syndrome is known as amlapitta, which has been separately described as disease by madhavakar, charaka pointed this condition in the grahani roga while indicating about amaj roga.

This is basically a disease of gastro –intestinal tract and due to abnormal secretions of gastric and pancreatic enzymes and it has been described as acid peptic disorder.

Factors responsible for the disease

1.Excessive intake of acidic – substances.

2. Excessive intake of hot drinks.

3. Excessive intake of alcohol, tea and tobacco.

4. Irregular habit of diet.5. Irregular time of taking diet.

6. Excessive intake of kulatha dal.

7. Living in anoopa desha i.e assam, Bengal and costal region.

8. Suppression of natural urges.

9. Stress and anxiety.

10. sharad ritu, and pitta diet excess.

Pathogenesis

1. chief factor (dosha) - pitta and agni(mandagni)

2. subordinate factor (dushya) – rasa and rakta

3. site (adhistan) – GIT specially stomach

Common symptoms

1. Acidic erruction

2. indigestion

3. burning of chest and neck

4. excessive salivation, vomiting tendency

5. fatigue

6. loss of appetite

7. constipation

Classification of disease

Amlapitta has been classification in two types as following:

1. urdhog amlapitta

2. adhoga amlapitta

urdhog amlapitta: the disease have the symptoms of upper gastro – intestinal tract including acidic erruction, bad taste, salivation, stomatitis, vomiting tendency and vomiting of acidic yellowish contents, pain after taking meal burning sensation in chest and in throat, along with temporal headache.

Adhoga amlapitta: this type of disease have the symptoms in lower part of gastro intestinal tract including irregular loose motion with or without pain, thirst, burning sensation, fainting, giddiness, dilusion, skin rashes, urticarial (allergic patches), sweating and pale colouration of body.

Complications

1. gastric ulcer

2. peptic ulcer

3. gastritis ( chronic)

lab investigation

1. urine – R.E

2. . Stool –R.E

3. F.T.M

4. Ba meal x ray

5. USG - upper abdomen

6. Gastroscopy – Endoscopy

Treatment

Pharmacopial preparation

1. avipattika churna or amalakyadi churna or triphala churna

Dose 4 gm at bed with worm water

2. sutsekhar or kamdudha – 125 mg one with dhaniya or haldi juice or milk.

Do & Donts OF CANCER....!!!!

2007-10-03T15:03:00.000+05:30

18 things that CAUSE cancer:

-->Smoking cigarettes

-->Drinking non-organic milk or eating non-organic dairy products

-->Hydrogenated oils and trans fatty acids - See Poison In the Food or articles on hydrogenated oils

-->Mammography radiation - see articles on mammograms

-->Chemotherapy and radiation

-->Perfumes and fragrance products

-->Cosmetics and personal care products - see articles on personal care products

-->Home cleaning products, including laundry detergent, dryer sheets, etc.

-->Plastic food containers - includes plastic lining inside food cans

-->Sodium nitrite - found in most processed meats, see articles on sodium nitrite

-->Pesticides, PCBs, chlorine and other chemicals

-->Acrylamides (formed during high-heat food processing such as frying)

-->Watching television / lack of exercise

-->Severe emotional distress or relationship stress

-->Refined sugars / refined grains

-->Dry cleaning chemicals

-->Hair color chemicals

-->Nail polish remover

22 things that PREVENT cancer:

Vitamin D and sunshine - the Healing Power of Sunlight and Vitamin D

Anti-cancer foods
Green tea
Broccoli and cruciferous vegetables
Medicinal mushrooms - reishi, shiitake, agaricus blazei, etc.
Lycopene and tomatoes

Infra-red saunas and sweat lodges - because sweating expels toxins
Chlorella
Omega-3 oils / chia seeds
Rainforest herbs - There are many anti-cancer rainforest herbs, including graviola and Cat's Claw (Una de Gato). Recommended sources is Terry Pezzi of the high-integrity Amazon Herb Company (also helping to preserve the Amazon rainforest) - Another great source of rainforest herbs is Rain Tree with Leslie Taylor
Juice detoxification

Acupuncture - helps move blood and chi (body's energy)

Sprouts - ALL sprouts are anti-cancer. Best sprouting machine is the EasyGreen Automatic Sprouter (use any search engine to find resellers)

Red clover - Helps cleanse the blood. Find from any supplement maker.

Deep breathing / oxygenation / stress reduction - Best product is called Stress Eraser (highly recommended)

Yoga, Tai Chi or Pilates - These all boost lymph circulation
Cacao - (real chocolate)

Therapeutic massage - helps move lymph, boost circulation

Mint - grow your own (the easiest plant to grow)
Apricot pits / laetrile / vitamin B17

Blackberries - Most berries contain some form of anti-cancer medicine

RULES AND TIPS OF DIETING

2007-10-03T14:43:00.000+05:30

RULES OF DIETING

1.AVOID FRYING YOUR FOOD

2.NEVER SKIP YOUR MEALS

3.DONT EAT WHEN YOU ARE INDULGE IN ANOTHER ACTIVITIES FOR EXAMPLE WATCHING A FOOTBALL MATCH

4.AVOID FAST FOOD AND SNACKS

5.EAT SLOWLY AND THOROUGHLY CHEW IT

6.YOUR EVENING MEAL SHOULD BE LIGHT AS YOU HAVE LESS OPPORTUNITY TO EXERCISE AFTERWARDS

TIPS OF DIETING IN A HEALTHY WAY

1.ALWAYS FIND A CHANCE TO MOVE YOUR BODY FOR EXAMPLE USE STAIRS INSTEAD ELEVATOR

2.CUTOFF SODAS AND GAS WATER FROM YOUR DIET AS THEY HAVE LOT OF CALORIES

3.DIETING SCHEDULE SHOULD BE STARTED SLOWLY CUT OFF UNHEALTHY AND FRIED FOOD FROM YOUR RATION AND TRY ADDING GREEN VEGETABLES,FRUITS AND LOT OF EXERCISE

4.ALWAYS STOP EATING BEFORE YOU ARE FULL

5.EAT LESS OFTEN BUT IN SMALL PORTIONS

6.AVOID EATING PREPACKAGED AND CANNED FOOD

7.FORGIVE YOURSELF WHEN YOU ALLOW YOURSELF EATING SOMETHING UNHEALTHY BRUSH YOUR TEETH AND COME BACK ON YOUR TRACK

BIG FAT LIES-1 Starve Yourself to Get A Lean Body!!!

2007-10-02T11:04:00.000+05:30

BIG FAT LIES.

In this lesson, you will learn the physiological truth about why very low calorie diets cannot work long term and why they are only quick fixes that lead to eventual weight re-gain...

Train hard and expect success,

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Fat Loss Lie #1: "You have to starve yourself to get a lean body"
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What if I told you that very low calorie diets will actually make you fatter in the long term, and that there's an almost embarrassingly simple way that you can eat more and still burn more fat?

I know it sounds too good to be true, but you're about to see the science behind it, and I've got the real-world results to prove it, so read on.

To get rid of fat, the laws of energy balance and thermodynamics declare that you have to consume fewer calories than you burn. Sorry, theres no way around it. There's no such thing as "calories don't count." Run for cover the next time you hear that claim because it's absolutely false and any scientist will tell you that.

You must have a "calorie deficit" to burn fat off your body. However, the fatal flaw in most popular diet programs is that the calorie deficit is too aggressive or too extreme.

Have you ever been told that to get a lean body you had to eat 1200 calories a day or 1000 calories a day or even less? Did you ever just get FED UP with no results and tell yourself, "That's it, I'm hardly going to eat ANYthing," because you were desperate to get the pounds off as fast as possible?

Yeah, sure, it works in the beginning, because there's a HUGE calorie deficit at first, but theres also a HUGE irony:

When you cut your calories too far, eventually YOUR BODY ADAPTS.

If you're a Star Trek fan, it's kind of like the BORG, where a phaser weapon works against the alien BORG creatures once, but then they adapt, and soon the same phaser blast no longer does anything.

Well, diets are kind of like that, aren't they?

You "fire" a low calorie diet at your body and it zaps off some weight in the begining. But then your body figures out what's going on. Your body doesn't care that you want to look good in a swimsuit; your body thinks you're under attack! Your body thinks you're about to starve to death!

When you fire something extreme at your body (like hardly eating), your metabolic rate slows down in order to protect you.

This "defense mechanism" is often called, "the starvation response."

When you go into starvation mode, here are some of the consequences:

1. Your body releases fewer fat-releasing and fat-burning enzymes such as hormone sensitive lipase and lipoprotein lipase.

2. Your fat cells release less of the hormone leptin, which is the signal that tells your brain you are well fed and not starving (it's the "anti-starvation" hormone)

3. Fat burning hormones crash, including your levels of T3 (no, not the latest Arnold terminator movie, T3 is the active form of thyroid hormone, the important "metabolism-regulating hormone" that you've probably heard about before).

4. You lose muscle. Muscle is metabolically-active tissue, which means it takes a lot of energy just to keep it. When you're "starving," you're in an "energy crisis", so excess muscle is the LAST thing you need. Muscle becomes expendable, and your body cannibalizes your own lean tissue.

5. Appetite hormones rage out of control. When you're starving, a part of your brain called the hypothalamus switches into high gear and flips the appetite switch, sometimes to the point where you become ravenous and cannot fight these physiological cravings with willpower.

Bottom line: It's hormonally, metabolically and physiologically impossible to achieve permanent fat loss by starving yourself.

And that's the first BIG LIE:

Any program that's extremely low in calories may work in the short term, but the "honeymoon" never lasts for long.

In the long run, very low calorie diets can actually make you fatter. Eventually, they lead to binge eating and weight re-gain and you end up with less muscle and a slower metabolism than when you started.

The TRUTH is,
you DON'T have to starve yourself to get a lean body.
In fact, you can eat more and burn more fat.

Here's how:

1. Avoid very low calorie diets.

Before going on any diet, look at the recommended calories. You'll probably discover that in most cases, you are required to slash your calories to "starvation" levels (1200 or less for women, 1800 or less for men, and active people need even more.

2. Make sure your calorie intake is customized.

Depending on your activity level, age and gender, your calorie needs may be much higher or much lower than the average person. If a diet program recommends the same amount of calories for everyone, that should be a red flag to stay away. It could be perfect for someone else, but starvation level for you.

3. Decrease your calories just a little below maintenance.

Decrease your calories conservatively - only about 20% below your daily maintenance level. A mild calorie cut doesn't trigger the starvation response as much.

For example: If you're female and you maintain your weight on 2150 calories per day,a 20% deficit is 1720 calories per day (correct). Conventional diets might have you slash to 1000 or 1200 calories per day or less without emphasis on exercise (incorrect)

4. Increase your calorie deficit more by increasing activity

If you only cut calories slightly below maintenance, then how do you reduce body fat without the process taking forever? Simple, you BURN more calories and increase your deficit by increasing your activity. (No brainer simple!)

First, if you're not doing so already, you should aim for three days per week of strength training with weights.

Second, you should do at least three days per week of moderate to vigorous cardiovascular exercise.

Third, if you wish to accelerate fat loss more, or if you need to break a progress plateau, you bump up your activity even further by adding additional cardio sessions or increasing the intensity or duration of your current workouts.

It also helps to get more physical activity in general, and to participate in physical hobbies, sports or recreational activities that you enjoy.

Bottom line:

The first secret to permanent fat loss is to

BURN THE FAT, don't STARVE THE FAT

There are some exercise physiologists today, who call this concept "energy flux." That's a fancy way of saying, "Eat more, burn more," (instead of "eat less, exercise less"), and that's what the Burn The Fat philosophy is all about.

An Apple A D ay Keeps The Doctor Away...!!!

2007-10-01T11:52:00.000+05:30

* Apples are absolutely fat-free!

* One apple provides as much dietary fiber as a bowl of bran cereal.
That's equal to one fifth of the recommended daily intake of fiber.

* Apples are loaded with pectin, a soluble fiber that aids digestion
and may help reduce cancer and heart disease.

* The complex carbohydrates in apples give your body a longer, more
even energy boost compared to high-sugar snacks. Snacking on apples can
keep you going throughout the day.

* Apple consumption during pregnancy reduces risk for childhood
wheezing and asthma.

* A recent Cornell University study shows that disease-fighting
chemicals in apples could reduce the risk of breast cancer.

* A recent study shows that the nutrients in apples may improve
memory and learning. It's food for thought!

* Daily apple eaters breathe more easily due to stronger lung functioning.

* Antioxidant phytonutrients found in apples also fight the damaging
effects of "bad" LDL cholesterol to keep your heart healthy.

Find Day For Any Date...

2007-09-23T18:26:00.000+05:30

Dear Friends Its a new Small Html page created by me to find out which day you have born or to find out on which day The given date falls...!!!!!

To Download Pls Click Here!!!

Find Day For Any Date...

HOME REMEDIES by Dr.GURUPRASAD

2007-09-23T12:14:00.000+05:30

Isabgol (flea seed husk) taken with some hot liquid like tea or even water before going to bed is quite helpful.

Haldi (turmeric) boiled in milk along with figs also helps in relieving constipation.

If there is discomfort in the stomach the immediate remedy is to quickly boil some a/wain (organo), zeera (cumin) in water, acid a little kala narnak (rock salt) and a few drops of lemon.

Isabgol taken with yoghurt is good for loose motions. A banana. (not very ripe) also helps.

To keep bowel movement smooth and to avoid a constipated stomach eat plenty of fibre found in green leafy vegetables, popcorn, porndge etc.

There are some food items which are worth more than their weight in gold. For instance garlic — very useful for lowering high blood pressure, cholesterol, acidity; also acts as a blood purifier. Amla (Indian gooseberry) contains the highest amount of Vitamin C and can be taken raw or in juice form or made into chutney during season or as a morraba (sweet pickle) out of season. Karela (bitter gourd) also contributes in keeping a check on blood sugar. Papita (papaya) is yet another fruit with sterling qualities; it helps to reduce cholesterol level and if taken daily keeps the stomach in top working condition. For lowering blood sugar nothing to beat jamun (Indian blackberry). The fruit may be eaten during season and the seeds can be dried and powdered together with Methi (Fenugreek) seeds and a tea-spoon of the mixture should be taken with water before going to bed.As for beauty aids, you can make a moisturizer at home by mixing equal volumes of glycerine, rose water and lemon juice. Keep in a bottle and apply on face, arms and legs to keep the skin soft and smooth.For an effective face pack, mix sandalwood paste with a pinch of turmeric powder and a few drops of lemon juice. Apply on face for 15- 20 minutes and wash with water. Please note that sandal paste should be freshly made at home.

Easy daily skin care.
hi friends,

it doesnt matter if u have a dry, normal or oily skin... this is something that everyone should do to keep their skin healthy and glowing. even if ur a boy. one should take care of ones skin.

few good home made cleansers,toners and moisturisers

take 1 loaded tsp of basan, (besan is known as Gram flour in english...)

1 pinch of haldi,
1 tsp of milk powder,
1 tsp of honey.
mix them all together and add plain water or rose water. keep in the fridge to cool it as if u apply it after that it will give u a smooth skin too. apply is all over ur face and neck too. wait for 20-25 mins. let it dry completely and then when u wash it off u will find really clean and glowing skin.

Ayurveda The Science Of Life!!!!

2007-09-23T11:52:00.000+05:30

Links For Ayurvedic Friends!!!!!
Click On the Links & Download

Ayurvedic Encyclopaedia
The Ayurveda Encyclopedia: Natural Secrets to Healing, Prevention & Longevity Author: Swami Sada Shiva Tirtha pages: 686 pages Publisher: Sat Yuga Press ISBN: 0965804224 Average Customer Review: Based on 3 review(s). Format: PDF Size: 27 MB

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:ASHTANGA HRDAYA SUTRASTAANA FULL:

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