Bottle Gourd for Weight Reduction

This humble vegetable is often ignored and not given its due in our culinary diary. It is also known as calabash or opo squash. It is an amazing vegetable with high water content. It can be taken as a cooked vegetable or as juice.
Popularly known as Lauki in India, it is easily digestible and has amazing medicinal properties too. It cools the body and acts as a hydrating agent. Taken first thing in the morning, a glass of bottle gourd juice aids in weight loss, keeping us satiated, thus reducing hunger pangs. It has high-fibre content and it is this that helps in keeping us full.

It helps in the smooth functioning of the digestive system. This helps in regulating the metabolism of the body. Due to a high rate of metabolism, food gets digested quickly and there is no accumulation of fat in the body. Thus, it aids in weight loss indirectly. Bottle gourd juice should not be filtered, as it will result in the loss of fibre and valuable nutrients. Before extracting the juice, a small piece of the vegetable should be tasted, as some vegetables tend to have a bitter taste. Also, never mix bottle gourd juice with the juice of any other vegetable.

Read more about Bottle Gourd here.

Herbal Medicine to Heal your Thyroid

There are many herbal thyroid boosters that can help regulate the thyroid gland. There are also some herbs that may not directly balance the thyroid but may help alleviate symptoms of hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.

The following herbs are regarded as good natural support for the thyroid.

1. Bladderwrack: also known as the seaweed fucus, is a form of kelp that has been used medicinally for centuries. The main use of the herb has been for the stimulation of the thyroid gland as a treatment for obesity and cellulite. The high iodine content of the herb stimulates thyroid function which boosts metabolism.

2. Guggul: This Ayurvedic herb has been studied for decades for its pro-thyroid properties. It enhances enzymatic activity in the thyroid and helps the gland to use iodine. In addition, it helps convert thyroid hormone T4 to its more bio-active partner T3.

3. Ashwagandha: Chronic stress puts strain on the all-important HPA (hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal) system, which results in suppressed thyroid function. Ashwagandha takes strain off the pituitary and hypothalamus, thereby stimulating thyroid activity.

Read more about Ayurvedic Management of Thyroid Disorders.

MORE THAN HALF ALLOPATHIC DOCS PRESCRIBE AYURVEDIC MEDICINES!

If you are dependent on Ayurvedic medicines prescribed by your allopath, then you better think again before taking your next dose. Your doctor is as ignorant about Ayurvedic medicines as you are.

A study by the pharmacology department of KEM hospital has revealed that most of the allopaths who prefer prescribing Ayurvedic medicines for ailments like liver disorder, arthritis, cough and cold, kidney stones and piles, have very little knowledge about Ayurvedic medicines.

According to the study, 99% of the resident doctors did not even learn the basics of Ayurveda but 67% of them prescribe Ayurvedic medicines to their patients.

The study states that the commonly prescribed proprietary Ayurvedic medicines were Liv 52 (39%), Shatavari (13%), Cystone (12%) and common ailments for which these medicines prescribed were liver disorders (34%), arthritis (18%), cough and cold (13%), kidney stones (11%), and piles (10%).

However, while allopaths prescribe Ayurvedic medicines, they don’t show any inclination towards learning about the medicines. “At least 90% of these doctors basically rely on the reputation and credibility of the manufacturer, instead of knowing the content of the medicines. This is what needs to be changed.

Here is online course about Basic Principles of Ayurveda.

Buttermilk — a Versatile Drink

There’s is a simile about Buttermilk: What Nectar is for the gods , buttermilk is for human beings.

In Ayurvedic medicine, Buttermilk, or “takra" or "chaas” is used as a medicine to maintain health as well as treat disease. Buttermilk improves digestion, treats digestive disorders and other gastro-intestinal disorders. It treats inflammation, , spleen and liver disorders and is also beneficial in anemia. It can be taken instead of an antacid as it fights acidity in the stomach. It also helps with acid reflex after meals as it cools the stomach and soothes any irritation.

After eating a spicy meal such as curry, buttermilk soothes the stomach lining. It also washes down oil, butter and ghee.So, grab the buttermilk before you grab your antacid.

Generally, in the treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, the use of Buttermilk ( takra) is emphasized. The patient has to be kept on the diet of buttermilk, which is the treatment and nutrition in IBS. Buttermilk is digestive, astringent, and light to digest and helps in improving the consistency of the stool

In a study it has been found that fat molecules in buttermilk contain unique bioactive proteins that lower cholesterol and have antiviral, antibacterial and anticarcinogenic properties. This same study found that drinking buttermilk every day can significantly reduce blood pressure.

Ayurveda For You conducts "Basic course in Ayurvedic Nutrition" online certificate course.
This online course providing in-depth view on Ayurvedic Nutrition;
There is a discussion of basic concepts of Ayurvedic Nutrition and their applications in maintaining health as well as treating diseases.