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Showing posts from July, 2021

6 Health Benefits of Chyawanprash

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Chyawanprash is an Ayurvedic herb formulation and health supplement that can be consumed by people of any age group. It is a nourishing, anabolic preparation that is heating, heavy and oily. The ingredients for this jam-like preparation include herbs and plant extracts that have a medicinal property like Amla, Ashwagandha, Neem, Pippali, Tulsi, Saffron, Cardamom, Arjun, Brahmi, Ghee, etc. The following are the health benefits offered by Chyawanprash. 1) Strengthens immunity One of the major benefits of chyawanprash is that it keeps the body immune to seasonal infections caused by the variations in the weather. It is regarded that the primary action of chyawanprash is to bolster the immune system and to support the body’s natural ability to produce hemoglobin and white blood cells. Taking chyawanprash daily helps the body fight fungal and bacterial infections also. 2)Enhances digestion Chyawanprash contains five of the six tastes that Ayurveda recommends to initiate healthy digestion. I...

Powerful Health Benefits of the Miracle Tree: Moringa

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 Ever known a tree whose each and every part is extremely nutritious and nourishing?   Meet Moringa oleifera or popularly known as the Miracle Tree whose seeds, flowers, fruit and even bark is used for nutritional and pharmacological properties. The Tree embraces an unbelievable 90 plus nutrients and more than 46 antioxidants. It is a widely used Ayurvedic medicine since long. Some incredible facts – A single serving of Moringa is approximately equal to 4 times the amount of calcium for the same quantity of milk; it has double the protein content and triple the amount of potassium in a banana, plenty of Vitamin C than found in 7 oranges; it has an incredible 25 times more Iron than Spinach and 4 times more Vitamin A than carrots. Though Moringa is highly nutritious it should only be consumed in moderate quantity to get optimum health benefits. Powerful benefits and medicinal uses of different parts of moringa tree are as follows: 1.Leaves Moringa leaves are one of the mos...

4 Ayurvedic Ways to Beat the Heat this Summer

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It’s March and the temperature both inside and outside your home is climbing up. It’s the season when there’s skin eruptions, sweat and dehydration, grumpiness, daily tantrums and everything else. With the bright and scorching sun draining our body, it is vital to prep our body to resist the heat and also keep Pitta dosha in control. With the first heat waves of summer rolling over us, we start experiencing the effects of excess Pitta in our body. And this can be understood with signs like heartburn, excessive body heat and sweat, rashes, excess stomach acidity, acne and so on. By practicing the following Ayurveda tips, keep the imbalance of Pitta doshas at bay.   1. Pitta Pacifying Food The food you eat always determines your body conditions, especially during the summer season when it needs extra care and caution. Eat cooling or pitta pacifying foods like green leafy vegetables, cucumber, broccoli, watermelon, pear and apples. Being rich in water content, these food items help in...

4 Ayurveda Secrets to Keep Your Kidneys Healthy

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Kidneys are self-cleansing organs responsible for the removal of toxins and waste from the blood, while increasing RBC production and stabilising blood pressure. To support its functioning, it requires adequate amount of fluid content in our body, proper diet and moderate level of physical exercise. Unfortunately, our lifestyle choices coupled with food habits puts enormous pressure on the proper functioning of kidneys. Kidney diseases are silent killers and largely affects the quality of life once affected by it. However, there are several ways to reduce the risk of developing these diseases to maintain a healthy pair of kidneys. Here are the top 5 ways to keep your kidneys healthy and functioning: Stay Hydrated Maintain a healthy fluid intake of at least 1.5 to 2 litres of water per day. Consuming plenty of fluids help kidneys in clearing sodium, urea and toxins from the body, resulting in a significantly lower chance of developing kidney diseases. However, excessive consumption of f...

Yogasanas to Cool Your Body This Summer

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The summer heat is rising incredibly and therefore we have to take precautions to keep our body and mind cool. We have already started taking measures to beat the heat (link of previous blog) and incorporating yoga in our daily routine will prove to be beneficial. But make sure you avoid poses that include inversions, warrior poses, binds and sun salutation poses. Following are a list of yogasanas that help in cooling your body during this summer heat: Ustrasana Camel pose or Ustrasana is a backward bend pose that helps in improving respiration and heals the chakras in your body. It improves digestion, blood circulation to the brain and benefits the overall health and wellness of the body to keep your system fit and functioning during summer. Matsyasana Fish pose or Matsyasana is considered as the “destroyer of all diseases”. Here, the body is stretched out to stimulate the muscles of belly and back and also the organs of belly and throat. Practicing matsyasana prevents fatigue during ...

Make Your Skin Summer-Ready with Ayurveda

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Oily skin, breakouts, allergies and the main one among all, suntans! These skin issues are always tagged with summer season. With the brutal heat wave, pollution and hot wind during summer, you end up having troubles in maintaining a healthy and flawless skin. Follow the below mentioned ayurvedic tips and remedies, to get a flawless skin even in this summer season: 1. Avoid food like red chili peppers, vinegar, sour foods, fast food, salty food and alcohol that will increase Pitta dosha and heat your body. This helps in preventing damage to the skin and cools down the body. 2. Drink plenty of water and consumer water-rich fruits and vegetables like squashes, watermelon and cucumber to keep your skin hydrated. 3. Stay away from chemical-infused skincare products, artificial skin lotions, creams and soap as it directly aggravates Bhrajaka Pitta thereby, increasing your sensitivity to sun damage. 4. Apply a few drops of organic rosewater to a cotton pad and place them over your eyelids fo...

Ayurveda Recommended Healthy Habits for Good Eye Health

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Eyes are a reflection of the body’s overall health and taking care of it plays a significant role. To prevent defective eyesight or Drishtidosha in Ayurveda, it is vital to follow healthy eye habits like exercising, following a balanced and nutritious diet, avoiding strain for eyes, etc. Drishtidosha is caused due to a multitude of factors like nervous disability, alcohol consumption, excessive smoking and aging, which strikes the balance of pitta dosha. Here are a few Ayurveda recommended tips and remedies to maintain the good health of your eyes: 1. Relax and meditate Mind and vision are intertwined and therefore, meditating is considered as the best remedy to maintain eye health. Practice Trataka meditation by sitting comfortably and staring at a single point, object, black dot or a candle flame. If using candle flame, place it at least one meter away from the eye level. Gaze at it without blinking as long as your eyes start watering. Close your eyes and focus on the after-glow of t...

11 Ayurveda Drinks To Keep You Cool In Summer

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Chilled and hydrating drinks is all that we look out for during summer season. But as per Ayurveda, consuming ice-cold beverages will only disrupt the digestive power, known as Agni. Therefore, it is vital to hydrate your body with drinks that lower your body temperature and not hamper the digestive system.  Here is a list of healthy drinks recommended by Ayurveda to cool your body and hydrate as well: 1. Buttermilk Probably the best drink which refreshes and keeps the body cool in the hottest summer days, buttermilk is prepared by blending a few spoons of natural yogurt mixed with water. Often some spices like pepper, green chillies, ginger, coriander leaves, and curry leaves are added to it, to enhance its nutritional and therapeutic benefits. Consumed as almost everyone in every Indian household post meals, it gives a cooling effect on the digestive tract. Buttermilk can be used to treat digestive disorders, swelling, gastrointestinal ailments, anemia and lack of appetite. Consu...

6 Ways to Manage Stress & Lead a Stress-Free Life

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Does stress leave you anxious, preventing you from getting things done properly? Does it keep you up at night? Does it trigger other health problems? Leading a modern lifestyle demands a hectic schedule, be it for work or personal life, and we have become victims to stress and anxiety. In such situations our adrenal glands are fatigued and are overworked leading to other conditions like digestion problems, irritability, lowered immune functioning, exhaustion, weight gain or loss, etc. Stress, in Ayurveda, is related to the imbalance of Vata, Pitta and Kapha doshas. Maintaining a harmony among these doshas will steer clear all related symptoms of stress and anxiety. How do you achieve it? With regular practice of the below mentioned mudras and pranayamas, one can stay calm, relaxed and manage stress anytime at any place. Vayu Mudra Sit comfortably with your shoulders up, neck in a neutral posture and spine straight up. Bend your index finger downward until it touches your palm just belo...

Health at your Workspace – 7 Seated Yoga Poses to Try while at Office

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Working at your office slouching at the desk for eight hours or more can seriously harm your health and body. From tight hips and shoulders to severe neck pain and acute back pain, continuous work without breaks will take a toll on your health. Leaving the office for a workout break is not feasible but it is possible to practice certain yogasanas while sitting at your work space to relieve stress, increase energy and give the body a much needed boost from lack of movement. Following are a few of the work-friendly seated yoga poses you can do at your desk to keep your body fit and healthy. Desk Shoulder Opener Considered to be one of the best yoga poses to release tight shoulders at work, try this yoga pose to ease tension caused from sitting too long at a desk. Move the chair away from your desk and stretch your arms straight. Drop your shoulder in between your arms and breathe till you feel relaxed and free from tension. Seated Cat-Cow Stretch Seated cat and cow pose helps in stretchi...

Getting over depression through Ayurveda

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We have adapted ourselves to this fast paced life that comes with stress and strain. With such a lifestyle came various forms of mental tensions and depression being the most common one. Expressed through emotions like frequent sadness, anxiety, loss of interest, irritability, worthlessness, hopelessness or loss of appetite, decline in job performance, poor concentration level and insomnia, this mental illness, if not taken care in its initial stages, could become a matter of concern in the long run. According to Ayurveda, depression or Mano Avasad can be caused due to an imbalance in psychic energies like sattva, rajas and tamas which is supported by an imbalance of physical energies like vata, pitta and kapha doshas. External factors like stress and living environment can also contribute to this illness. To overcome this, Ayurveda recommends people to take up therapies, make lifestyle adjustments and consume herbal preparations and healthy diet. Below mentioned are some of the key Ay...

An Ayurvedic Approach in Managing PCOS Condition

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Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is becoming a common endocrine condition among young and middle aged women. Caused due to an imbalance in their hormones, PCOS can lead to irregular periods, obesity, sub-fertility or infertility, physical changes like hair loss, unwanted facial hair, and in the worst scenarios, diabetes and heart disease. Tagged as a lifestyle disease, PCOS could be a resultant of stress and hormonal changes. Women diagnosed with this condition have small growths or cysts on their ovaries, referred to as PCOS. They are not harmful but could lead to further imbalances in your hormones and thus, early diagnosis and treatment is recommended. According to Ayurveda it is believed that PCOS is caused due to the imbalance of vatta, pitta and kapha doshas. A healthy individual who has all three doshas in perfect harmony would be free from such lifestyle diseases. And to achieve the same, Ayurveda focuses on detoxifying the body to strengthen and revitalize the female reprodu...

Karkidakam – The best season for Ayruvedic Treatments

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The constant showers, pleasant weather and a rejuvenating Ayurvedic treatment – there’s nothing more that can describe a perfect monsoon season. Varsha ritu or monsoon season generally starts off from June to August with environmental changes setting in gradually. With this change comes the aggravation of Pitta dosha in our body paving way to ailments. And according to Ayurveda, monsoon or Karkidakam is a season with highest levels of humidity in the air draining out Ojas (an essential energy for the body and mind) from our body. To cure the discomfort and distress of both the mind and body, there is nothing better than a natural healing system – Ayurveda treatments. The drastic change from the scorching summer heat to heavy downpours is said to have a profound impact on the strength and immunity of our body. And this could throw off the balance of Vata, Pitta and Kapha doshas, hinting that our bodies require extra caution and care to maintain health. Why should one take up Ayurvedic t...

Karkidaka Kanji – Recipe & Benefits

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Karkidakam month is all about heavy downpours and calls for regular consumption of Oushadha Kanji or Karkidaka Kanji. The medicinal gruel is a unique combination of Ayurvedic ingredients that has special therapeutic benefits which help in overcoming ailments caused during monsoon season and also to boost one’s immunity. It aids digestion and also cleans the body internally. Monsoon season is when Vata dosha is naturally predominant in our body. It gets aggravated and causes accumulation of Pitta Dosha. This disturbs the natural balance of our body and weakens the digestive fire or Agni. Thus, to regain the balance, aid digestion and to maintain health, Ayurveda recommends taking up Karkidaka Chikitsa (Ayurveda during monsoon season) along with the consumption of Karkidaka Kanji. According to Ayurveda, it is recommended to have Karkidaka Kanji continuously either for 7 days, 14 days, 21 days or 28 days for optimum results. The health benefits of having it are as follows: Helps in regain...

Monsoon Skin Care: Ayurveda Tips and Remedies for Flawless Skin

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The fresh looking landscape with heavy showers, lush greenery, dark clouds, raindrops and what not, everything around us looks picture perfect. But can we say the same about our skin? Well, humidity in the atmosphere casts a negative impact on our skin. The imbalance of doshas in our body during monsoon season paves way to skin problems like acne, pimples, eczema, dermatitis and mainly, fungal infections. Therefore, the first step towards a holistic Ayurvedic approach to monsoon skin care is to identify the skin type or prakruti, which are Vata, Pitta or Kapha. Those with dry, thin, dehydrated, cool to touch and vulnerable skin that is prone to rashes during windy or dry weather falls under Vata category. Ones with skin that has breakouts, less tolerance to hot elements like weather or food, photosensitivity, more patches and moles are said to be under the category Pitta . And Kapha skin would be thick, greasy and would show better tolerance to sun. Apart from these three, one could al...

Monsoon Hair Care Tips

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Monsoon season brings in the happiness of enjoying the cool weather, constant showers and fresh lush greenery, but it comes with a load of hair problems and infections. Yes, you heard it right! The climate change experienced during monsoon season can cause a lot of damage to your hair including hair loss, dandruff, scalp infections, itchy scalp and dry hair. Especially if you get drenched in the rain, your hair is being exposed to the dirt and dust laden rainwater which damages the follicles of your hair. However, with proper care these problems can be treated and prevented to maintain healthy and strong hair. Here are some of the effective Ayurveda hair care tips to be followed during monsoon season: 1. Shampoo your hair twice a week Humidity during monsoon season will lead to accumulation of dirt and dust in your hair making it more frizzy, unmanageable and prone to more damage. As a result, you experience an increase in hair loss. An effective way to tackle this is to wash your hair...

Jackfruit – The Jack of All Fruits

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Enormous and prickly on the outside, the jack of all fruits, Jackfruit is the largest tree-borne fruit ever. It’s considered to be an exotic fruit as it smells sweet, tastes delicious and even promotes good health. Its health-promoting goodness embraces the high amount of nutrients like vitamin, minerals, electrolytes, phytonutrients, carbohydrate, fibre, fat and protein. STRIKING HEALTH BENEFITS: 1. BUILDS UP IMMUNITY It is an excellent source of vitamin C, a powerful nutrient which helps in protecting against common infections and supports the white blood cell function. 2. FIGHTS AGAINST CANCER Jackfruit is also rich in phytonutrients, which may help in eliminating cancer-causing free radicals and slows down the degeneration of cells that can lead to degenerative diseases. A cup full of cut jackfruit a day can supply the body with a good number of powerful antioxidants. 3. AIDS IN  DIGESTION It is also known to contain ulcer-causing properties, which also helps in other digestive...

7 Health Benefits of Castor Oil

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Castor oil is truly one of the best-kept secrets in the world of natural health. Taken from the bean of the castor plant, this oil is one of the most ancient ones, known for its powerful therapeutic properties. It has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, for which it is being used for centuries. ESSENCE The castor oil benefits for health and wellness are extensive. It has been used as a great remedy for various illnesses and can be consumed internally or applied on the skin externally. It can be used on the skin or taken as a dietary supplement and can even be rubbed into the hair. Castor oil benefits the skin, hair, internal organs and many bodily systems, even increases and strengthen our immune system. BENEFITS Possessing anti-inflammatory properties, Castor oil is used as an effective remedy for Arthritis. It acts as an excellent massage oil for joint pain, nerve inflammation and sore muscles. Acts as an excellent source to relieve pain and reduce inflammations. ... Rea...

9 Amazing Health Benefits of BAY LEAF

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It’s simply magical how bay leaves elevate the flavor of food along with imparting awesome health benefits. Known as the famous ingredient in many Indian cuisines’, Bay leaf apart from its culinary benefits is used in various Ayurvedic remedies for its antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic and other therapeutic properties. The aromatic herb is rich in Vitamin A & Vitamin C and contains vital minerals like magnesium, calcium, manganese, potassium, copper, iron and zinc. AMAZING HEALTH BENEFITS: 1. LOWERS BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS Bay leaves reduce the level of blood glucose and are very beneficial in treating type 2 diabetes. Tip – Try to drink bay-leaf tea thrice a day or consume the powdered leaf for a month for the maximum result. 2. TREATS RESPIRATORY DISEASES Being a stimulant of respiratory passage, bay leaf has been used as a traditional remedy for numerous illnesses related to respiration. It relieves congestion and makes the air tracts c...

Shirodhara – An Ancient Ayurvedic Healing Technique

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One of the most divine of all Ayurvedic therapies, Shirodhara where Shiro implies Head and Dhara implies Flow is a therapy in which warm medicated oil having therapeutic properties, is poured gradually to the forehead continuously for an extended period of time, to open up the pituitary gland, and nourish the brain. The treatment is mainly used to eliminate the diseases of the head, neck, eyes, ears, nose and the nervous system. Shirodhara can be used to treat a variety of conditions including migraine, stress issues, eye diseases, sinusitis and memory loss. The therapy is known to impart a healthy radiance to the skin and is also considered to be good for hair health. Indications Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders Insomnia Psoriasis Hypertension Chronic Headaches and Migraines Memory loss Tinnitus and Hearing loss Procedure A special vessel with a hole would be hung up over the forehead of the patient, who will be lying on the treatment table. Before the stream of oil is poured the Ayurv...

10 Natural Home Remedies for Cracked Heels

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A cracked heel is not a very serious condition but it is an unpleasant and unattractive sight to look at and could be painful at times. The condition is nothing but a sign of lack of attention to foot care rather than just overexposure or lack of moisturizing. The skin under our feet is much drier than the rest of our body as it comprises of no oil glands and relies on our sweat glands to keep it moisturized. When we don’t care for our feet much, the skin under our feet becomes extensively dry and develops cracks and that’s called cracked heels. So, all you need is a bit of care. Below given are few effective home remedies for the condition – Warm Salt Water Keep your feet in warm salty water for ten to fifteen minutes daily for getting alleviation from the agony initiated by split heels. Pat dry your feet and apply some foot cream or petroleum jelly to look after the dampness. Rosewater and Glycerine Soak your feet in a simple mixture of glycerine and rose water every day. This mixtur...

Tips to Balance Doshas & Stay Healthy during the Monsoon Season

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According to Ayurveda, Monsoon season is characterized by the aggravation of Vata dosha which leads to many health problems. Below given are few simple Tips to Balance Doshas & Stay Healthy during the Monsoon Season – Have a light and fresh foods prepared from barley, rice, and wheat. Practice having a small piece of ginger with rock salt before every meal. Having boiled and cooled water with honey is recommended. Green Gram Lentil (Moong Dal) is the most easily digestible. Avoid processed, fried, spicy and oily foods since it causes indigestion and bloating. Steamed and well-cooked food is recommended during the rainy season. Vegetables recommended during the monsoon are mostly the non-leafy ones such as gourd, bitter gourd, snake gourd, pointed gourd, yam, sweet potato, brinjal, pumpkin and cluster beans. Also, its ideal to reduce the intake of non-vegetarian foods. When it comes to fruits, its advisable to stick to seasonal fruits rather than non-seasonal ones since the latter m...

Oatmeal Recipes for Every Dosha

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According to Ayurveda, any food is said to be medicinal when it helps in creating a balance between the doshas and the system, and also one which ignites the digestive fire, Agni. Oatmeal is one such food that helps balance Vata, pitta and Kapha doshas when prepared correctly. The use of sweeteners while having oatmeal could be beneficial for some while it could not be for the others. For instance: White sugar, made from sugar cane causes an imbalance to all doshas as it is heavily refined. Jaggery is good for Vata dosha as it is made from sugar cane and date sugar or palm sap (or sometimes a combination), is less refined and has 20 to 30% more moisture than another type of sugar. But consuming jaggery would not be beneficial for pitta and Kapha as it aggravates them. Maple syrup is considered to be the best sweetener for pitta and suitable for Vata dosha when used in moderate quantity. It contains vital nutrients such as manganese and zinc and is considered to be cool, heavy and sweet...

7 Yoga Mudras and its Benefits

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The term Mudra in Sanskrit means “seal” or “closure” and these gestures are mainly used in yoga and meditation to direct the flow of energy within the body. Different areas of the hands are connected while performing mudras which stimulate various parts of the brain to create a specific energy circuit in the body and mind. Each of our fingers represents the five elements of the universe. The thumb represents fire and universal consciousness; index finger for air and individual consciousness; middle finger for akasha or connection; ring finger for the earth, and the little finger representing water. These five elements must be well-balanced to keep diseases at bay and one way of maintaining it is by practicing mudras. Here are some of the commonly used mudras in Ayurveda you can perform on a daily basis: 1.Anjali Mudra Anjali Mudra is considered to be the most familiar mudra where the palms are brought together in front of the heart space. Lightly press your palm against each other whil...