Sunday, 4 December 2011

Ayurvedic Home Remedies: Some Ayurvedic tips for Asthmatic Patients


During a flare up of asthma, patients would benefit from taking easily digestible food in lesser than usual quantity. Lukewarm water should be used for drinking and washing purposes.
Asthmatics dread taking buttermilk. But this can be overcome by adding a pinch of turmeric to buttermilk and heating it for a few minutes. This will help them reap the benefits of buttermilk as well as avoid the risk of catching a cold or formation of phlegm in chest.
People suffering from asthma can benefit from drinking boiled cow’s milk to which a pinch of turmeric, a few peppercorns, and small pieces of sliced ginger are added. Also taking soy bean soaked yoghurt is found to help improve the condition.
One simple way to improve immunity in people with asthma is to take vegetable soup as detailed. A big unskinned potato, a small onion, one big unskinned carrot, three garlic cloves are cleaned thoroughly and allowed to boil in a litre of water. Once reduced to half, add salt and allow it to reach a lukewarm temperature. This is taken 3-4 weeks. This is found to improve immunity.
Yogasanas help a lot in improving asthmatic conditions. Yoga mudra, paschimothasana, pranayama etc are all excellent postures and yogic exercises that can help people with asthma.
Eucalyptus steam inhalation is very beneficial in relieving nasal and sinus congestion. Asthmatic patients can try this process to loosen phlegm in chest as well as relieve congestion. Steam inhalation with crushed garlic cloves also provides the same effect.
Small onions are boiled in water for a few minutes, then they are filtered out and crushed. The juice obtained from this boiled crushed small onions is then applied on the soles of the feet before going to bed. This process can be followed for a week or two for reduction in asthmatic symptoms.
People who suffer from cough and asthma can benefit from Ayurvedic preparations like Vyagradhi kashayam, dasamoolakaduthrayam kashayam. For this Vyagradhi kashayam 7.5 ml and dasamoolakaduthrayam kashayam 7.5 ml are added to 60 ml water (cooled boiled water) along with a quarter teaspoon honey and taken on empty stomach in the mornings and evenings. This should be taken for 48 days in a regular fashion. A strict adherence to this regimen results in reduction of eosinophil levels in blood. This also helps in relieving headache, cough, heavy headedness, tasteless tongue, irritation around eyes and ears etc.
People suffering from dry cough and asthma can benefit from the medicinal properties of badam (almonds). Seven to eight almonds are soaked in water. The outer skin is removed. A pinch of saffron (kungumapoo) or turmeric, seeds of 5-8 cardamom pods, two Java peppercorns, a pinch of camphor, sugar candy etc are added to milk and allowed to boil. This milk is taken for five days morning and evening on empty stomach, one hour before food.
For people with dry asthmatic conditions, vidharyadhi kashayam three spoonful, twelve spoonful of warm water, and two vayu guliga tablets are mixed together and taken on empty stomach in the mornings and evenings.
All asthmatic patients can benefit from taking agasthya rasayanam 5 gm before going to bed. These preparations are available at all leading Ayurveda stores, both online and offline.
Source: Aayul Kaakkum Ayurvedham – Part 2, Prof. S. Swaminathan.



Technorati Tags:, , ,

Thursday, 1 December 2011

Medicinal Benefits of Curry Leaves


Indian cuisine makes use of mint, coriander leaves, curry leaves etc to add flavour and aroma to the spicy recipes. Though not a part of the greens, curry leaves has all the nutritive value found in greens and more.
Also known as sweet neem leaves, curry leaves has vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin B2, vitamin C, calcium and iron in plenty. This is an ideal herb for people suffering from the ill effects of diabetes. Diabetes patients often suffer from frequent vertigo. There may be aches and pains in the upper and lower limbs coupled with impaired vision. These patients should take curry leaves at frequent intervals to overcome these problems. Kashayam made of curry leaves dried in shade and powdered is a very potent remedy that helps stabilize glucose levels in a diabetic patient.
An excellent remedy made using curry leaves is found to be very effective in treating diarrhea. For this purpose 40 gm of curry leaves and 10 gm of cumin seeds are ground to a fine paste and taken orally. This should be followed by drinking a glass of warm water. A teaspoon of honey is taken after 10 minutes. This regimen is continued three to four times a day.
Cholesterol levels in edible oils can be reduced to a large extent by making use of a handful of curry leaves. One kilogram of the oil is boiled with 15-20 curry leaves and then filtered. This is said to bring down cholesterol level in oils. This oil can then be used in preparing food stuff. Increase in cholesterol can lead to obesity, increase in blood pressure, lethargy and other ill effects.
The young generation of this decade consume a lot of junk food which have no nutritive value. Due to chemicals and other spurious additives found in foodstuff, no wonder a sizeable portion of youngsters both male and female suffer from premature graying of hair. Curry leaves come as a boon in such situations. Youngsters should not throw away curry leaves found in various Indian food recipes. Eating these curry leaves and making it a practice will help to ward off gray hair. Children should be taught to eat curry leaves at a tender age.
I would like to share a popular remedy, a hair oil for premature graying. Heat a litre of coconut or sesame oil and drop 10 to 20 curry leaves into the oil. Remove from heat when it reaches boiling point. This oil is then stored in bottles and used as hair oil before bathing. Apply this oil liberally on the scalp and allow it to soak for about 15-20 minutes. Wash the hair with a mild shampoo or shikkakai powder. Follow this regimen once or twice a week.
Curry leaves can be used to treat a tasteless tongue. Excessive use of antibiotics, indigestion etc can result in loss of taste. A handful of curry leaves along with ginger, salt, garlic, tamarind and chillies, is ground to a fine paste. This is then mixed with hot rice. A few helpings of this mixture help arouse the taste buds. This is repeated two to three times a day till the condition improves.
Technorati Tags:herbal, remedy, ayurveda, home remedies

Thursday, 17 November 2011

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


(Courtesy: Haritha sangeerthanam, Shalom TV)



Technorati Tags:herbal, remedy, ayurveda, home remedies

Sunday, 28 August 2011

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

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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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




Technorati Tags:, , ,


Sunday, 14 August 2011

Ayurvedic Home Remedies: Medicinal Uses of Curry Leaves

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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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






Technorati Tags:, , ,


Saturday, 13 August 2011

Ayurvedic Home Remedies: Medicinal Uses of Coriander Leaves and Seeds

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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





Technorati Tags:, , ,


Monday, 1 August 2011

Ayurvedic Home Remedies: Medicinal Uses of Mint Leaves

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

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

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

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

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

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







Technorati Tags:, , ,


Monday, 6 June 2011

Ayurvedic Home Remedies: Ayurvedic Remedies for Children with ADHD

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

Symptoms of ADD/ADHD

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

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

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

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

Ayurvedic Remedies for ADHD/ADD

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

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

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



Technorati Tags:, , ,

Thursday, 2 June 2011

Ayurvedic Home Remedies: Home Remedies for Children - 2

Stomach Problems in Children

Diarrhea is the frequent watery bowel movement caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Impure drinking water, spoiled food, improper digestion etc can lead to diarhhea. ‘Body heat’ can also induce diarrhea in small kids. Diarrhea causes depletion in body fluids leads to dehydration. There is loss of water, sodium and other essential salts.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


Technorati Tags:, , ,

Tuesday, 31 May 2011

Ayurvedic Home Remedies: Home Remedies for Children – 1

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

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

Cough and Cold in Children

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



Technorati Tags:, , ,

Thursday, 26 May 2011

Ayurvedic Home Remedies: Home Remedies for Women - Summary

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


Technorati Tags:, , ,

Wednesday, 25 May 2011

Ayurvedic Home Remedies: Home Remedies for Women - 6

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


Technorati Tags:, , ,

Tuesday, 24 May 2011

Ayurvedic Home Remedies: Home Remedies for Women - 5

Lactation

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

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

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

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

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

Cracked Nipples

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

To dry up breast milk

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

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

Female Infertility

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

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

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


Technorati Tags:, , ,

Monday, 23 May 2011

Ayurvedic Home Remedies: Home Remedies for Women - 4

Nausea and Vomiting

Nausea gravidarum or morning sickness affects most pregnant women. Vomiting and nausea can be the first symptoms of pregnancy. Most of the time, the nausea is present in the morning and wanes off as the day progresses. In most cases this stops by the 12th week. In some rare cases, this progresses to excessive vomiting, necessitating immediate medical intervention.

Taking small gooseberries (ari nellikkai in Tamil) during this time can help deal with nausea and vomiting. Also taking lemon juice with sugar and a pinch of salt is found to be effective in treating nausea and vomiting in pregnant women. Care should be taken not to leave the stomach empty. Ginger tea is yet another effective cure.

Pain and Childbirth

Pregnant women should be healthy enough to endure the process of childbirth. Mild exercises after the fourth month up to the time of delivery help women to tone up their muscles as well as not to put on excessive weight. Walking in the evenings, small household chores etc are necessary. Childbirth occurs within couple of hours of onset of pain. Acupressure, hypnotism, anesthesia are some methods resorted to reduce pain.

Postpartum Care

Taking tender neem leaves with turmeric will heal the internal organs of any wounds that might result due to childbirth. Application of paste made from maasikkai (Aleppo Oak) seeds on vagina will help in rapid healing of wounds.

The herb manathakkali keerai (Black Nightshade) is ground to a fine paste using goat milk. This is taken in the mornings and evenings to help cure ‘body heat’ as well as internal wounds.

Women become extremely weak after childbirth due to the labor pain and extreme exhaustion. There are some time-tested home remedies that help women recuperate and gain back their strength.

Root of kurunthotti herb, cumin seeds, pepper, mustard, garlic of equal quantity is ground to a fine paste and added to Cornish hen curry and taken once a week will help in regaining health. This will help in healing joint pain and hip. Mutton curry made using cumin seeds, garlic and pepper is another excellent remedy that help women in getting back to normalcy. Kurunthotti palkashayam serves the same purpose for women who prefer vegetarian stuff.

Lactation

Breast milk is the ideal food for the newborn. It is food as well as medicine for the child. Women with poor nutrition find it difficult to lactate. Frequent usage of birth control pills too can lead to this condition. Inadequate availability of breast milk will affect the newborn’s health and growth.

Adding drumstick leaves and tender papaya to the diet will help in increasing lactation. Fried and powdered sesame seeds can be taken with rice to improve lactation.

Garlic is sautéed in sesame oil and added to palm candy and pepper powder and made into small marble sized balls. One or two of these balls are taken before food to help in lactation.

Amukkura (aswagandha) root and sada kuppai ground to a paste and taken with jaggery or sugar is yet another remedy to help lactation.


Technorati Tags:, , ,

Sunday, 22 May 2011

Ayurvedic Home Remedies: Home Remedies for Women - 3

Puberty in girls happens between 12 and 16 years, but in some cases this may go beyond 18. One disturbing development observed these days is girls entering puberty very early (premature puberty), in some cases at the age of 9 and 10 years. One reason attributed to this is obesity. It is said obesity can trigger production of sex steroids. Hormonal changes, chemicals in environment can be other triggers.

Generally girls should not hit puberty before 12. Maturing quickly can be dangerous to heart and other organs. If you know of anyone maturing physically too quickly, ask them to seek immediate medical intervention.

On the contrary, in some cases, menarche may be delayed even beyond 18 years of age. One of the reasons could be under-developed internal sex organs. Poor nourishment, undeveloped womb, tuberculosis and heredity can also result in delayed puberty. In such cases, proper and adequate nourishment solves the problem.

Excessive Menstrual Bleeding

This may be due to ‘body heat’, workload in office or home, mental tension. Hormonal imbalance can also lead to menstrual bleeding. There are some good remedies for this condition.

Regular intake of white arugampul (Vel arugu) or tender Bermuda grass paste mixed in milk will put an end to this distressing condition. Similarly, seeds of Java plum (naval pazham), or bark of the tree can be ground to a fine powder and taken with water. This is yet another home remedy for excessive menstrual bleeding. Also taking mango seed kernel powder is effective in arresting excessive menstrual bleeding.

Juice obtained from fresh bark of Ashoka tree is very effective in treating all abnormal menstrual conditions. Decoction obtained from steeping leaves of athi, arasu, mango, naval trees is also an excellent remedy.

Pregnancy and Associated Health Problems

Abortion, nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, pain during childbirth, wound care, postpartum exhaustion, breast ache due to engorgement of breast milk, nipple cracks, stopping breastfeeding, sagging breasts etc are some conditions faced by women during pregnancy and childbirth.

Abortion

While the number of childless couples is on the increase, many couples resort to abortion for various reasons. If the mother gets pregnant within a few months of childbirth it can lead to difficulties for both the mother and the newborn. Similarly pregnancy beyond age 40 or more can be a health risk. Economic and financial reasons too can influence decisions on abortion. Pregnancy before marriage (teen pregnancy) etc and the associated shame can force people to opt for abortion.

One of the methods adopted in Indian villages for abortion include taking ripe papaya during the first three months of pregnancy. Another method is taking mustard paste with palm jaggery. The efficiency of these methods is questionable. Some practices not mentioned here can even lead to death.

Frequent abortion results in a weakened womb. This also reduces chances of pregnancy at a later stage. One reason for hysterectomy (removal of uterus) is frequent abortions.

Women can always opt for safe methods to avoid getting pregnant. One such method is to consume a few thulasi leaves (ocimum sanctum) everyday in the mornings. Conversely women who want to conceive should not take thulasi leaves.



Technorati Tags:, , ,

Friday, 20 May 2011

Ayurvedic Home Remedies: Home Remedies for Women 2

Most women can keep themselves healthy with improved self esteem. According to Fr John M. Valdaris a priest and a psychologist in Chennai, India, those who hold the erroneous belief and feel sorry for being born as women are prone to lots of psychosomatic illnesses. He has counselled a large number of women with physical and mental problems, and most of them were found to have issues of low self-esteem. Most of these women had problems like menstrual disorders, hysteria, inability to cope with workplace and domestic stress, interpersonal relationship etc.

The patriarchal structure of the Indian society has not only limited the full realization of women’s potential, but has also relegated them to the sidelines. While men in the families ate healthy food, women had to satisfy themselves with the leftovers. This resulted in anemia, general weakness, compromised immunity etc. Though there is a visible change in this condition these days, women still feel they are inferior and hence find it difficult to overcome the low self-esteem issues.

Women should cultivate the habit of valuing and respecting themselves. This in itself can cure many diseases. Women should never be ashamed of their bodies. Some women regard menstruation with revulsion. Menstruation is to be treated as a form of cleansing. It is the body’s way of cleaning the womb, just as urinating or defecating, nothing more, nothing less. This should be the attitude towards this natural process that takes place every 28 days. Trying to put off this natural process through medication can spoil the rhythm of this cycle.

Regular menstrual cycle is the sign of a healthy constitution. In case of unavoidable circumstances where one needs to put off their menstruation for a couple of days, there are a couple of ways adapted in some of the South Indian villages for this purpose. One is to eat a handful of roasted Bengal gram mornings and evenings, starting from a week before the onset of menstrual cycle. Another method is to take concentrated lemon juice with salt in the mornings on empty stomach. These methods should be used with discretion and used sparingly. This is for information purpose and you need to consult your physician before starting on this regimen.

Painful Menstruation

Many women suffer from stomach ache at the time of menstruation. They experience pain in the lower abdomen as well as lower back areas. The pain may be due to the spasmodic action of the womb to expel blood and other waste matters. Inflammation in ovaries can also result in pain. Take a couple of mature leaves of Giant Milkweed (Erukku in Tamil). Heat the leaves for a moment in a pot and then press them for juice. Take this juice with jaggery. This is said to relieve menstrual pain. Juice of drumstick leaves is taken in empty stomach in the mornings is yet another effective cure for stomach pain due to menstruation.


Technorati Tags:, , ,

Thursday, 19 May 2011

Ayurvedic Home Remedies: Home Remedies for Women - 1

Women play a very vital role in the progress of society. They are regarded as the backbone of the family, which is the basic building block of a society. Mother is the child's first teacher. She is the role model for them. Yet it cannot be denied that women have been a marginalised lot. This has been so for a very, very long time. Thus women face problems that affect both their body and mind in a very unique way.

Some of the diseases that affect women are white discharge, itching of vagina, irregular menstrual cycle, painful menstruation, body odor, delayed puberty, scanty or excessive discharge.

White Discharge

The glands inside the vagina and cervix give out small amounts of secretions that come out as a milky white fluid. It is the old cells of the vagina. This way the body keeps the vagina clean and healthy. It is either clear or milky and won’t smell bad. This fluid is said to keep the vagina moist and pink. Change in color and density is observed when women are subject to stress and tension. Similarly ovulation, sexual excitement etc cause changes.

Diseases in womb can result in increased discharge. There may be itching and irritation with bad odor. When left untreated this can lead to excessive menstrual discharge. White discharge can also be due to bacterial infection, allergy, venereal diseases etc. Before initiating treatment, the cause for the disease should be established. There are a couple of good remedies for this condition.

Decoction made of ashoka bark is very effective in treating leucorrhea or white discharge. Collect 50 to 100 gm of bark obtained from ashoka tree. This is boiled in 10 glasses of water, reduced to half and then allowed to cool. This is taken in morning and night for two to three weeks and more depending on the severity of the condition.

The very tender coconut leaves found right in the crown part of a coconut tree (the pith) is a very good remedy for white discharge. A little amount taken in the mornings and evenings can take care of white discharge.

White onion chopped and sautéed in ghee is another excellent remedy for this condition. This is to be taken before food in the mornings and nights.

Powdered dry vallarai leaf and ghee is taken along with food. Regular intake of this remedy is found to cure white discharge

Vaginal Itching

Some causes that lead to vaginal include stress, vaginal yeast infection, weakened immune system, lack of hygiene, menopause, chemical irritants etc. Sexually transmitted diseases also can result in vaginal itching. In most cases, keeping the genital area clean and dry and using cotton panties instead of synthetic ones can help prevent vaginal itching.

Applying a fine paste of Maasikkai (Tamil) or Aleppo Oak seed on and around vagina can cure itching to a large extent.

Rice wash (water obtained after washing rice) is boiled after adding tamarind leaves. This is subsequently cooled down to a lukewarm state. This liquid is then used in cleaning vagina. Regular usage is said to cure vaginal itch.

Technorati Tags:, , ,

Wednesday, 11 May 2011

Ayurvedic Home Remedies: A Simple Hemorrhoid Remedy

Recently I came across a very simple and easy to follow cure for hemorrhoids. It is using garlic as a suppository. Dr John Douillard, of LifeSpa Ayurveda in Boulder, Colorado is a teacher of Ayurveda and natural medicine who swears by this treatment.

Roughly one third of Americans suffer from hemorrhoids and its complications. I think the figure would be the same more or less for other parts of the world too. Dr John Douillard lists the following as the cause for this condition. Poor diet, weakened digestive system and stress which result in chronic inflammation of gut.

Hemorrhoid is the result of this chronic inflammation of gut. Some of the initial symptoms like diarrhea or constipation, gas and bloating, indigestion, heart burn, food allergies etc can cause inflammation of the gut. When left untreated for an extended period of time, this can lead to hemorrhoids.

John suggests a two-pronged approach to cure this problem. One is using garlic as a suppository to de-inflame the rectal tissues and provide an antiseptic environment to aid healing of the tissues. To do this you need to take a clove of garlic and peel off the skin. Cut the ends to a smooth edge. Coat the garlic clove with olive oil and insert it into the rectum as a suppository before bed. Do this for seven days.

While there is an overwhelming evidence of relief with this process alone, John recommends treating the root cause to prevent recurrence. To take care of stress he suggests meditation. He also suggests taking Amlaki, which is a very potent Ayurvedic remedy for preventing infection and healing of ulcerated intestinal mucosa. Amlaki is a mild laxative too that helps relieve constipation. Neem is another remedy suggested in case of chronic condition.

John recommends taking food three times a day, instead of six. This will provide time for the digestive tract to rest and heal. He advises to keep away from erratic eating habits and eating throughout the day.

I would like to add a Siddha medicine called Karunai lehyam made from yam. ‘Naga parpam’ is yet another Siddha remedy for hemorrhoids. A pinch of ‘naga parpam’ mixed in a marble sized ‘karunai lehyam’ and taken in the mornings and nights before food is found to be very effective in treating piles.

One interesting thing to note, karunai lehyam is made from yam, the shape of yam resembles hemorrhoids.



Technorati Tags:, , ,

Tuesday, 1 February 2011

Ayurvedic Home Remedies: Tips for Healthy Living - 2

The rishis of ancient India knew very well the intimate relationship between mankind and natural laws. From this knowledge evolved the basis for the health care system called Ayurveda, the life medicine. It is only now that western medicine has been able to come to terms with this profound truth. All these years it had been treating the person as a machine. The human spirit was reduced to matter. The Newtonian mechanistic way of looking at things was the norm.

It was with Quantum Physics that the western world could release itself off the shackles of this mechanistic view point. The role of Quantum Physics in effecting a paradigm shift in western world thinking cannot be overstated. The immutable truths expressed in the Vedas that have stood the test of time began to make sense to the western mind.

Man came from nature, and he has to live in harmony with it. He/she should not subjugate it to his/her whims and fancies. He should realize the cosmic order that runs through the whole Universe, and cooperate in its fuller manifestation. He being part of the Universe, should imbibe that order in his own personality, in his complete self.

Ayurveda helps to establish this universal harmony in ones being. The Ayurvedic philosophy encompasses and takes care of all aspects of human life. It regards the human body as a microcosm of the Universe. One of the basic principles of Ayurveda is the tridosha theory.

The human bodily patterns consist of three doshas or health tendencies. These are Vata, Pitta and Kapha which can be equated to wind, bile and phlegm. Vata is connected to movement, Pitta indicates light and heat, Kapha relates to conservation. Susrutha, the great Ayurvedic teacher says, “just as the sun, moon and wind are vital for proper functioning of the outer world, so are vata, pitta and kapha needed for healthy functioning of human body.”

Ayurveda insists on diet, proper lifestyle, herbs, exercise and positive attitude. These are critical in effecting an all round development in body, mind and spirit. This way the individual is able to establish in himself the harmony that is found in nature.



Technorati Tags:, , ,

Tuesday, 11 January 2011

Ayurvedic Home Remedies: Tips for Healthy Living

To be born as a human being is a very rare, difficult and very significant feat. The old poetess Avvaiyar says so in her song. When Lord Muruga asks her what the rarest or most difficult thing on earth is, Avvaiyar answered this way. Aridhu, aridhu, maanidarai pirathal arithu. There are so many living beings on earth like animals, birds, insects, plants, creepers etc. Human beings alone are endowed with the sixth sense to differentiate good and bad.

There are a good number of sayings in the old Tamil literature that stress the importance of human birth. They all exhort human beings to make the most of their birth on this planet earth. Human beings should strive to manifest their fullest potential in all spheres of life instead of wasting their time in trivialities. A healthy body and a healthy mind is the cornerstone on which the whole edifice of a fulfilled and balanced life can be built. Subramania Bharathi, the greatest Tamil poet of the 20th century advises ‘strengthen your body’.

The complexity of the human body is beyond comprehension. With evolution over millions of years, the human body has acquired this phenomenal power. It is this complex structure that enables the human body to withstand and adapt itself to the various environmental onslaughts. Its efforts are geared toward establishing a harmony in human nature. Our ancestors knew for a fact that the human body has an inherent capacity to heal itself. The only requirement on the part of the sick ones is to cooperate with this healing process and not to hinder it.

When there is a radical change in lifestyle it tests the limits of human body's endurance. The contemporary sedentary lifestyle was alien to our ancestors. Lack of exercise, fast food diet, prolonged stress, all these can harm our body. The human body’s capacity to reestablish harmony can weaken as a result of prolonged attack. But the best part is, most of the modern day ailments can be cured with lifestyle changes alone. Herbs can help quicken the process.




Technorati Tags:, , ,