Ayurvedic Drink to Keep Winter Blues at Bay

Have this energy drink every morning & keep all your winter problems at bay.

Here’s How You Make The Drink

Ingredients

2 Beets (boiled)

2 Carrots (boiled)

2 Amla

A handful of Coriander leaves

7-8 curry leaves

A handful of mint leaves

A piece of ginger

Half a lemon (optional)

Few raisins (to make it sweeter)

Method

Mix all of these and add half a glass of water

Let it grind in the mixture for a few min

Once it turns liquid, pour it in an empty glass

add some lime

Ready to serve

People with arthritis (joint pain) should avoid adding amla & lemon (sour fruits). 

Ayurvedic Teas For Different Ailments

 Some of the popular Ayurvedic teas include:

Ashwagandha - It's considered an adaptogen, which simply means that it helps your body manage stress more effectively.

Cumin - Research shows that it may boost the activity of digestive enzymes and the release of bile from the liver, speeding digestion and facilitating the digestion of fat.

Turmeric - Curcumin, its main active compound, has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Cardamom - Research suggests that it may help reduce blood pressure in people with elevated levels. There's also evidence that inhaling cardamom essential oil may increase the uptake of oxygen into the lungs during exercise.

Liquorice Root - Another Ayurvedic spice that helps reduce inflammation and protect against various infections. It also potentially treats digestive problems and relieves skin irritation.

These are only a handful of the plethora of herbs and spices that Ayurvedic studies have found over hundreds of years, there's a whole world of other ingredients from various parts of the globe that belong to this category of superfoods.

Different types of Ayurvedic Teas serve different health purposes and choosing the right ones can help us get rid of targeted health concerns. It's all about picking the herbs and spices that attend to our wellness needs the best. 

For digestion and gut health: Ayurvedic ingredients like ginger, fennel, holy basil, and cloves work their magic. 

If obesity and weight management are what you're struggling with, then liquorice, lemongrass, star anise, and basil can be your saviours.

Cough & Cold Tea - contains Ginger, Miri, Cinnamon, Parijatak leaves, Tulsi leaves, Bilva patra, coriander, Lemon Grass etc. It is very useful in cold, cough, Flu. 

Certain Ayurvedic herbs are your skin's best friend. If you grew up in an Indian household, you would know that turmeric tops that list. Purifying herbs like black pepper and fenugreek can also prove to be exceptionally helpful. 

For a good old detox: cumin, fennel, star anise, lemongrass, and coriander can work wonders with their cleansing and cooling effects.

Gain Weight Using Ayurvedic Herbs

 There are many benefits of Ayurveda, that can help you gain weight without compromising your overall strength. Weight Gain Diet and Weight Gain Exercise can also help you achieve your target weight. This way you will be able to increase weight without compromising your health. If you gain weight properly, your body will remain healthy and strong for a long time. Your immunity will increase and the body will gain strength. Today we are discussing weight gain herbs in Ayurveda that are effective and easy to follow.  

1- Ashwagandha - Consuming Ashwagandha powder with milk helps you increase your weight. Milk contains a variety of nutrients, which are beneficial for health. Ashwagandha powder is used extensively in Ayurveda. Having milk and Ashwagandha daily helps you in achieving your desired weight.

2- Shatavari - Shatavari powder is another popular herb in the family of Ayurveda. If you mix this herb with milk, it will make it easier for you to gain weight. You also need to have a high protein diet while you are having this mixture. You can take milk, yoghurt, buttermilk and soybean.

3- Yashtimadhu- One of the major reasons for weight loss is the weakening of the digestive system. In Ayurveda, Yashtimadhu is used to strengthen the digestive system. With Yashtimadhu you will notice the results within few days.

4- White musli- Eating white musli increases strength and helps in eliminating weakness. It also gives the required and necessary strength to the muscles. White musli also reduces stress and depression. Include this in your daily diet as a natural remedy to gain weight.  

5- Chyavanprash- Eating chyavanprash keeps the body healthy. Chyawanprash is also popular for gaining weight. This helps in increasing digestion and fighting diseases. Eating 2 spoons of chyawanprash daily strengthens the body and bones. 

Read more about "How to Gain Weight Using Ayurveda"

Ayurveda for Pregnancy

 At over 5,000 years old, Ayurveda is perhaps the oldest system of health and healing on our planet, and it is still widely practised today.

In Ayurveda, pregnancy is viewed as a very special and spiritual time in a woman's life. This is a time when a woman's intuitive abilities are particularly high, and meditation and other spiritual practices are highly recommended at this time.

Pregnancy is a time to bond with your child, and as we well know, self-care is very important during this time. Many physical and emotional changes are occurring during these 9 months. According to Ayurveda, pregnancy is the time to balance the Vata dosha, which is the energy of air and space, which dominates the nervous system. 

Here are 3 ancient Ayurveda self-care tips to follow during pregnancy.

Incorporate Fats and Oils into Your Diet: We should always incorporate plenty of healthy fats into our diet, but especially during pregnancy. It is vital that a pregnant woman consumes enough fats and oils, not only to help her gain enough weight during pregnancy but also to help the baby's brain develop. Fats and oils also balance Vata, which is dominant. Healthy fats can include organic whole milk, coconut oil, olive oil, nuts (almonds, walnuts, cashews, hazelnuts), seeds (sunflower, pumpkin) and avocado. Favour raw or grass-fed dairy, if possible. Cooking with ghee (clarified butter) helps promote digestion, which can be irregular during pregnancy when the Vata dosha is dominant. All Ayurvedic herbs are fat-soluble -- this means that their nutrients are more efficiently delivered to the cells and tissues when accompanied by a healthy fat.

A secret Ayurvedic tip to help your baby's immunity and vitality is to take one spoonful daily of this golden elixir of life each day of pregnancy: add one teaspoon of warm milk with one teaspoon of grass-fed ghee.

Before bed, take a regular dose of warming turmeric milk to build vitality: Melt 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder with 1/2 teaspoon of cardamom powder in one cup of warm milk, on the stove. When the spices have assimilated into the milk, add 1 tsp of raw honey. This will aid digestion, calm the nerves and help with sound sleep.

Eat Sattvic food: In Ayurveda, Sattvic means pure and fresh. This means: avoid leftovers. No processed foods. It is advised to buy organic and non-GMO produce. An expectant mother needs to consume pure and easily digestible foods that nourish the Dhatus( tissues)  of both her and her baby. Also, cooked food is better than raw during pregnancy, as raw foods tend to aggravate digestion.

A sattvic diet is said to increase the qualities of purity and clarity in the mind. Sattvic and grounding foods such as organic dairy, nuts, whole grains, beans, fruit, and freshly cooked vegetables deliver prana, or cosmic life force, to the body. They also help to build Ojas, or vitality, for both you and your baby.

Nourish The Body and Mind through Oil Massage: Most importantly, nourish yourself. As traditional medicine teaches us, everything that you taste, see, touch, and feel during pregnancy, the baby experiences too. Give yourself a daily massage with warming and grounding Ayurvedic oils to nourish your mind, body and spirit as well as the baby.

In Sanskrit, the word Sneha means both "oil" and "love." This speaks volumes. Abhyanga, Sanskrit for "oil massage," is a timeless Ayurvedic ritual. Applying oil to the body is grounding and relaxing, and provides stability and warmth. This ritual evaporates stress and fatigue. You are literally giving love to yourself and your baby, while also helping to diminish stretch marks, restore skin's elasticity, and relieve that pregnant belly itching. Win-win-win!

Read about more Ayuredic Tips for Happy and Healthy Pregnancy.

Ayurvedic Ways To Ease Acidity

 Hyperacidity is one of the most common ailments seen across all ages and classes of society. Pitta, or acidity, is caused when there is excess acid production in the body, causing stomach acid to leak back into the oesophagus. While acids are detrimental to the digestive process, an imbalance in their production can cause serious health issues and a lot of discomforts. It is, therefore, important to focus on what you eat, how much you eat and how often you eat.

It is said that ‘hurry’, ‘worry’, and ‘curry’ are the three main culprits in acidity. Ayurveda has advised us to eat slowly, becoming mindful of all that we are ingesting. The process of eating food must be calming, helping us to forget our worries.

Here are some effective tips to deal with acidity in the Ayurvedic way. These are suggestions that are time-tested, safe and effective. Try them out to rid yourself of the menace of acidity.

Avoid Too Much Spice -

Excessive use of chilli, cinnamon, clove, mustard or any garam masala powder can aggravate the acidic juices in the abdomen, making it difficult to digest food. Fennel, or saunf, is known to work wonders on an acidic stomach. Infuse a tablespoon of fennel seeds in a jug of water and drink one cup at the end of every meal. You can also chew a few fennel seeds after every meal.

Avoid Salty And Sour Foods -

Especially those that come laden with flavouring agents. Move away, also, from fast food and stale food. Get rid of those chips and other off-the-shelf farsan packets if you experience acid reflux. It will only make the situation worse.

Increase The Intake Of Fluids -

Add more water, fibrous fruits, cold milk and loads of fresh seasonal vegetables to your daily diet. Eat food that is freshly prepared at home.

Know About Incompatible Foods -

And consciously avoid them. Wrong food combinations adversely affect the digestive fire, or ‘Jatharagni’, leading to an accumulation of acidic foods, causing indigestion. Examples of incompatible food combinations are milk and fruits, yoghurt and milk, onions and yoghurt, and eggs and milk.

Reduce Excessive Intake Of Caffeine -

Cut down on tea and coffee. It will make your condition worse, triggering heartburn and aggravating acid reflux.

Create A Schedule For Your Meals -

Eat at least three meals a day and absolutely avoid eating post-sunset. It will help your body to ease digestion and reduce acidity.

Don’t Eat When You Are Stressed Or Upset -

In this state, it is hard for the stomach to digest food effectively. Sit down to eat and chew your food well. There is an old Ayurvedic saying, “If you eat standing up, death looks over your shoulder”. So always sit and eat; let it be a calming, mindful experience.

Stroll After Meals -

Get into the practice of strolling for at least 10 minutes after meals. This Ayurvedic prescription helps food move through the stomach into the intestines faster, aiding digestion.

Try these tips to decrease acid reflux, prevent diseases from occurring, and improve your overall quality of life.

Visit here to know more about Ayurvedic Management for Acidity/ Acid reflux/ Hyperacidity

Heart Diseases Becoming Common Among People Under 40 - Ayurvedic Tips For A Healthy Heart

 Nowadays, Heart diseases are affecting people under the age of 40. Studies have shown that the proportion of people below 40 having a heart attack has been increasing, rising by 2 per cent each year for the last 10 years. Here are some Ayurvedic tips and foods you can include in your diet to reduce the risk.

One of the leading factors that lead to heart diseases is indeed a sedentary lifestyle. Chances of getting addicted to a lazy attitude with no exercise and improper diet are fairly high. 

Ayurveda To Reduce The Risk Of Heart Diseases -

'Heart diseases' is a broad term used for a spectrum of diseases associated with the disorders of blood circulation, heart vessels and muscles. Some of the most common causes of heart diseases include high cholesterol levels, obesity, diabetes, family history, smoking, high-fat and high-sodium diet. You can manage all these problems with Ayurveda, which in turn can help you combat serious ailments like heart attack, coronary artery disease, etc.

According to Ayurveda, depending on your Prakriti - Kapha, Pitta, Vata, there are different kinds of foods you should consume for heart health.

Here are some of the foods you can include in your diet:

Arjuna --

Ayurvedic Herb Arjuna, (recommended for Vata people) with strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, is extremely beneficial in managing high cholesterol levels by improving the level of good cholesterol.

Cinnamon --

Another very common spice found in each of our Indian kitchens in Cinnamon (Dalchini for Kapha people) acts as a powerful anticoagulant. It also lowers blood pressure and relieves inflammation caused by arthritis and other inflammatory conditions. Cinnamon intake with warm water in the morning is also effective in people suffering from heart conditions.

Ashwagandha --

Also known as Indian ginseng, Ashwagandha is recommended for Vata people. It is a fairly small shrub with small pale green flowers, simple leaves and red berries. Most of the benefits from ashwagandha are from the root and the leaves. The leaves are commonly used in teas. It can help reduce levels of cholesterol by an average of 17 per cent in a 60-day study of chronically stressed adults. It also alleviates cortisol levels in the body, which is the stress hormone. Stress is known as a risk factor for heart diseases.

Papaya --

An easy home remedy is to consume 'Papaya'. The fruit is rich in antioxidants vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E. If a person takes a diet high in antioxidants, it will significantly reduce the risk of heart disease. The antioxidants prevent the oxidation of cholesterol. When cholesterol oxidizes, it's more likely to create blockages that lead to heart disease.

Read Our Best Selling Ebooks:

1]AYURVEDA FOR HEART DISEASES  and 

2]Ayurveda and Yoga Management of Heart Diseases

Is Giloy a ‘magic Covid herb’ or liver killer?

 A study published in the Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hepatology, a peer-reviewed journal of the Indian National Association for the Study of the Liver said that Giloy can damage the liver.

The Ministry of AYUSH has rejected a study published in the Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hepatology, a peer-reviewed journal of the Indian National Association for the Study of the Liver. This study mentions that the use of the herb Tinospora Cordifolia (TC), commonly known as ‘Giloy’ or ‘Guduchi’, resulted in liver failure in six patients in Mumbai.

The ministry said “the authors of the study failed in placing all needful details of the cases in a systematic format. Apart from this, relating Giloy or TC to liver damage would be misleading and disastrous to the traditional medicine system of India as Guduchi or Giloy has been used in Ayurveda. The efficacy of TC in managing various disorders is well established.”

Read more about Ayurvedic Properties and Uses of Giloy -

https://ayurveda-foryou.com/ayurveda_herb/guduchi.html

Ayurvedic formulations effective in managing post-Covid hyperglycemia

 Those suffering from high blood sugar post-Covid-19 can find some relief in ayurvedic formulations like BGR-34 which are based on natural bioactive compounds with dipeptidyl-peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitory effects to manage blood glucose levels.

According to experts, a global study published in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism Journal found that at least 14.4 per cent of hospitalised patients reported onset of diabetes, causing dysfunctioning of glucose metabolism resulting in hyperglycaemia after recovery.

Though a number of drugs are available to control hyperglycemia, DPP-4 inhibitors have been found to be the safest against post-Covid high blood sugar, according to a recent study in Elsevier journal, they said.

[Sourse: Healthworld.com/Health News]

Incorporating Ayurvedic Practices Into Daily Life

The Art of Living Retreat Center (NC), an Ayurvedic wellness retreat, provides some tips to incorporate ayurvedic practices into your daily routine. Ayurveda is an ancient science from India that focuses on a holistic diet and lifestyle practices to boost the immune system and prevent disease. The goal is to teach people how to attain optimal health and strengthen mind, body and spirit through a deeper understanding of themselves.

Ayurvedic Daily Routine -

Morning -

Rise Before the Sun (5 a.m.): Oxygen and earth energy is freshest and fairest, increases energy levels throughout the day.

Morning Hygiene Regime: Brush teeth and scrape tongue to purify the mouth, rinse face and eyes with cold water or rose water to keep eyes cool and refreshed and invigorate skin, apply nasal drops (3-5 drops of warm ghee nostril to lubricate, clean sinuses and improve voice, vision and mental clarity).

Drink a Glass of Warm Water: This helps eliminate toxins and impurities in the system.

Exercise (5:30 a.m.): Yoga, walking, biking, and swimming removes stagnation, strengthens digestive fire, reduces fat, and gives overall feeling of lightness and joy.

Meditation and Pranayama: Breathing exercises and 15 minutes of meditation set intention for the day.

Eat Breakfast (6:30 a.m.): Eat a filling breakfast comprised of wholesome, unrefined foods which minimize calories and maximizes nutrients. An example is coconut yogurt with chia seeds, strawberries, blueberries, cashews, and yacon syrup.

Get dressed and ready for the day.

Afternoon -

Work: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. are the most productive hours for work. Choose this time of day for problem-solving or completing any task that requires full attention and focus.

Eat Lunch: Eat lunch between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. This is the main meal of the day so eat a hearty, healthy, nutritious meal consisting of fresh food. Try spinach and tofu stuffed sweet potato or a broccoli, dandelion, avocado salad with fresh cilantro and almond sauce.

Walk: Take a gentle walk after eating lunch to aid in digestion.

Evening -

Eat a Light Supper (5-6 p.m.): Soups, salads, grains, and vegetables are ideal. Try to avoid eating a heavy meal that is hard to digest before bed. Carrot ginger soup is a great option.

Walk: Walking aids in the proper digestion of food.

Practice Yogic Breathing and Meditation: This helps strengthen the body’s ability to fight diseases and keep calm during widespread fear and panic.

Oil Massage (Abhyanga): This slows down the aging process by removing dryness and stagnation from tissues and organs, promoting lymphatic flow, and nurturing the mind and body. It also helps induce sound sleep and keep skin soft.

Evening Self-Care: Warm bath/shower, dry brushing, brush teeth, scrape tongue, oil pulling, and a Neti Pot.

Drink Tea or Warm Milk: Drink warm milk with turmeric and black pepper, or warm tea before bed to helps bolster the immune system. Try a homemade Turmeric Spiced Chai.

Light reading, journaling, and Pranayama (yogic breathing).

Bedtime by 10 p.m.: Between 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., the internal organs and systems are rejuvenating, healing and repairing.

Read more about Ayurvedic Dincharya - Ideal Daily Routine - 

https://ayurveda-foryou.com/clinical_ayurveda/dinacharya.html 

Zinc-rich foods to Boost your Immunity

 The intake of Zinc helps in fighting Covid-19 to some extent by inhibiting a certain enzyme.

In face of the ongoing Covid-19 people are trying every means to boost their immunity. But we often overlook or are not aware of the essential micronutrient Zinc. It acts as a shield to our immune system by activating 300 enzymes. The enzymes help in cell division, wound healing, synthesis of protein and DNA, and boost our immune system. The catch is that our body doesn't store this micronutrient and thus we have to consume it every day as per standard dietary intake criteria.

The intake of Zinc helps in fighting Covid-19 to some extent by inhibiting a certain enzyme. Its deficiency leads to weak immunity, lack of alertness, open skin pores and a weak sense of smell and taste.

Here are 5-Zinc-Rich Foods for Immunity. Take a look:

Shellfish -

Animal-based food has the highest amount of zinc. 1 oyster contains 50% of the recommended amount of zinc. They are low in calories and carry vitamin B12 and selenium to help with better immunity.

Meat -

Chicken, red meats, and eggs are an excellent source of Zinc, but since they are high in calories, the intake should be optimum.  The vitamin B12 and protein in them help in cell regeneration and keeps the nervous system function properly. 

Dark Chocolate -

The higher the amount of cocoa in the chocolate, the more it has zinc and flavanol in it.  It helps with regulating blood pressure, maintaining blood flow, and boosting immunity. Keep the intake at 28 grams of dark chocolate per day. 

Legumes -

The best source of zinc for vegetarians comes from eating different kinds of legumes. Legumes are a class of vegetables that includes beans(Ex.-Soyabin), peas (Ex.-Green peas), and lentils (Ex. Moog, Masur). They are packed with health-friendly nutrients like protein, vitamins, iron, copper, magnesium, manganese, and phosphorus.

Pumpkin seeds and cashews - 

They can be eaten with oats, smoothies, or just a handful of seeds as a midday snack. Apart from zinc, they also contain iron, magnesium, copper, vitamin K, vitamin A, and folate. Eating them regularly can also help to manage your cholesterol and control your blood pressure level.

Ayurvedic Herbs For Beating Down Heat in Summer

 The summer season is here, with the rapid increase in temperature, it has become important to keep balance in our body and keep it cool. Exposure to direct sunlight and heat may cause excess skin irritation and rashes, also leading to allergies and acne. 

Continuous sun exposure also leads to dehydration and even heat stroke. Also, having an unhealthy lifestyle and eating junk food can lead to an increased risk of heat in the body, which triggers the “Pitta Dosh” within. 

Including cooling herbs and spices in our meals will fight hot temperatures and balance the pitta (heat) in our bodies. 

We can include the following Ayurvedic herbs in your diet plans to beat down the heat this summer:  

1. Mint:

Mint is one of the common and easily available herbs that can help you stay cool in summer. It can be used in multiple recipes and has a fresh and strong flavor, which is very refreshing. It can be used in various detox recipes too to get rid of the toxins in the body. 

2. Amla:

The antioxidants and vitamins found in amla offer several health benefits. High concentrations of vitamin C in amla helps the body recover from various illness. It also has a cooling effect on our digestive system. It also has other health benefits like controlling diabetes, keeping eyes healthy, boosting immunity, and also improving memory. 

3. Manjistha: 

Also known as Rubia Cordifolia, this is one the most treasured Ayurvedic herbs known for its cooling effect on blood and removing toxins from the body. Though this herb is a bitter astringent, it has a long list of benefits and uses. It is a potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial herb trusted for generations in the Indian Ayurveda. 

4. Basil (tulsi):

Also known as Holy Basil, it acts as a detoxifying and cleansing agent in the human body. It dates to 3000 years and is historically used as medicine due to its widespread therapeutic power. It keeps the body cool during extreme heat and is mostly used as an herbal tea on a regular basis. It is also known for its anti-stress properties worldwide.

5. Sandalwood: 

It leaves a cooling effect on our bodies. This herb can be turned into a paste to apply to the skin. It will help us fight skin issues as well as keep us cool. 

6. Mulethi (Liquorice):

It is commonly used to treat symptoms of dry cough and sore throat. This herb can keep us cool during the summer season. One can simply chew a stick to reap the benefits. 

This Ayurvedic Herb may contain a new drug against Covid-19

 As the world looks for an effective medicine against SARS-CoV-2, a herb widely used in Ayurveda provides an exciting new lead.

Scientists at the National Brain Research Centre, Manesar have found that an ingredient Mulethi (Yashthimadhu in Sanskrit) has the potential to emerge as a drug candidate against SARS-CoV-2 as it lowers the severity of the disease and brings down viral replication.

More than 15 months after Covid-19 pandemic hit the world, scientists are still to discover a medicine to counter the rampaging virus though several vaccines have been rolled out. The doctors currently manage patients with a handful of repurposed medicines with a varying degree of efficacy.

With support from the Department of Biotechnology, the NBRC team last year began looking for a new therapeutic against Covid-19 in the middle of the lockdown period.

When the search was narrowed down to glycyrrhizin because of its wonderful anti-inflammatory properties, the researchers carried out a series of experiments to check its potential against SARS-CoV-2.

In the laboratory, the scientists expressed specific viral proteins in human lung epithelial cells. The viral proteins triggered inflammation in these cells, but treatment with glycyrrhizin clears the inflammation in such cells. The untreated cells succumbed to inflammation.

By dampening cytokine storm (a severe immune reaction triggered by serious Covid-19 cases), glycyrrhizin can reduce the severity of the infection. Besides inhibiting the cytokine storm, glycyrrhizin also reduces viral replication by 90%. While 'Mulethi (Yashtimadhu)' is widely prescribed for lung ailments, chronic fevers and respiratory tract inflammation in Ayurveda, glycyrrhizin is used in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B and C.

Read more about the Sweet herb- Yashtimadhu

Nutrient-dense Ayurvedic superfood - Moringa

 The moringa tree, also known as the drumstick tree or horseradish tree, is one of the fastest-growing trees in the world and is drought-resistant, which means it is remarkably durable to farm.

The "Miracle Tree," as it has been called, is indigenous to South Asia, specifically the Indian subcontinent, and also grows across West and East Africa, Central America and the Caribbean, some parts of South America.

How is moringa traditionally used?

In many cultures, the leaves are mostly eaten raw, boiled, steamed, or roasted. They are also used for the preparation of tea, which is traditionally consumed to prevent diseases and to boost health. For its ease of application, the powdered form is most common and is created by drying and grinding the leaves to preserve their quality. Its high zeatin levels block the degradation of chlorophyll in the leaves so they don’t lose their healing effect.

What are the benefits of moringa?

For those who want to cover their extra daily need for numerous essential vitamins, minerals and trace elements without having to resort to synthetically produced nutritional supplements, moringa is where it’s at.

Moringa is rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, calcium, iron, and protein. It also contains eight essential amino acids, more than 90 nutrients, including 46 different antioxidants (ascorbic acid, carotenoids, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds) and 36 anti-inflammatory compounds (isothiocyanate and phenolic derivatives), which can help boost liver function. And, much like turmeric, it’s been known to help with inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn’s disease.

The leaves contain more vitamin C than oranges, more magnesium than eggs, more vitamin B3 than peanuts and more vitamin B2 than bananas, more potassium than bananas, and more vitamin A than carrots. This means moringa can contribute to everything from better vision and immunity to bone health and skin radiance.

Moringa has also been shown to help stabilize blood sugar and insulin levels in patients with diabetes, as well as help treat symptoms and other medical conditions associated with diabetes.

If you are an expecting mother or currently breastfeed, moringa powder (rather than root or seed) is ancestrally believed to help with the production of breast milk, though it hasn't been extensively. It's rich in three plant sterols that may encourage your body to produce more breast milk. Plus, the baby gets access to all those amino acids and histidine in the plant which can aid their growth and development.

For vegans and lactose intolerant, moringa leaves can provide much more calcium than milk, more protein than yogurt and more iron than spinach.

Moringa can give athletes a boost, too, due to its high content of iron and vitamins A and C, which are responsible for constant and sufficient supply of oxygen to blood and stabilized blood circulation. In addition, numerous amino acids and a high calcium content positively influence the growth of muscle mass, and the antioxidants provide additional protection to the cell tissue during increased physical activity.

Studies suggest that daily consumption of moringa leaves should not exceed 70 grams — or 1 tablespoon, or 6 grams, of moringa powder — to avoid excess iron intake.

Ayurvedic tips to prevent Bird Flu

 Bird flu has come as a twofold blow for countries that are already fighting their biggest battle against Covid-19.

Again the sign and symptoms of Bird flu are related to the respiratory system only along with fever. Since there is not much clarity about its complications and other issues, which patients can face, there is no one way to deal with this situation.

As a general rule of Ayurveda strength of diseases can be reduced by only good immunity. So, the best way to protect yourself from any kind of disease is to boost your immunity and follow a healthy lifestyle which can go beyond opting good eating habits. Following (Dinacharya) Daily routine, waking up early morning and sleeping on time is also part of a healthy lifestyle. 

A healthy lifestyle also includes a healthy meal on time, sound sleep, daily exercise & meditation, offering food for our mind as well as the soul.

-- Keep your immune system in shape you can add a few herbs like Ginger, Garlic, Turmeric in your daily diet to avoid bird flu kind of infections. These herbs give strength to the body for fighting back and also protect our body from getting infected.

-- Practice Nasya to keep your respiratory system in shape -  Every morning putting two to four drops of Anu tail in each nostril will give strength to the respiratory system. This also helps in flushing out pollutants or foreign bodies from the nasal cavity and prevents them from crossing the nasal pathway. 

-- Remove toxins with oil pulling therapy, gargling and steam inhalation: One of the other important therapy is oil pulling therapy, it can be done by holding lukewarm oil in the mouth for a few seconds followed by gargling with lukewarm water with a pinch of salt and turmeric along with steam inhalation. Oil pulling therapy, gargling and steam inhalation helps in removing toxins and boost the immunity of the person.

-- Start your morning with one spoon of Chyawanprash: One more important add on in daily life is Chyawanprash. Every morning during breakfast taking one spoon of Chyawanprash helps in boosting immunity and strengthens the respiratory system. 

-- Drink Golden Milk before sleeping- taking golden milk (Milk with sugar and pinch of turmeric) is one of the best remedies to get rid of symptoms like fever, cold and running nose etc.

Ayurvedic herbs that help to reduce signs of ageing

 While there is not much we can do about the process of ageing, there certainly are things we can do to ensure age doesn't show on our skin. Here's how!

With time, everybody ages. Our bodies become tired, bones start creaking and all of this shows on the face in the form of fine lines, wrinkles, blemishes, etc. While we cannot avoid these changes completely, there are ways in which we can slow down the process. Some Ayurvedic herbs are very useful and are known to slow down the process of ageing. Here are the ones you should include in your diet. 

Basil 

This superfood is known to help fight against wrinkles since it retains moisture in the skin and reduces the roughness. Including basil in your diet or applying it on the skin gives a smooth texture to the skin's surface. 

Ashwagandha 

This herb is known to be excellent for the skin and hair. Consuming it regularly will drastically change the skin's appearance, giving it a glow like no other while also reducing the fine lines and wrinkles on it.

Amla 

This fruit is high in VItamin C and a rich source of antioxidants. Consuming it regularly will do a better job than your Vitamin C serums, make the skin firmer and brighten it substantially. 

Guduchi 

It is the herb that helps the skin in reviving its tissue, fighting off inflammation, acne and leaving the skin with a soothing effect. Consuming this herb also boosts immunity levels in the body. 

Haldi 

Turmeric is also known to boost the glow in the skin and make one look younger almost instantly! Curcumin found in this herb has anti-ageing properties that help in fighting off free radicals and protects the skin from harmful UV rays! 

More Ayurveda skincare tips here - 

https://ayurveda-foryou.com/women/ayurveda-for-glowing-skin.html

Ayurvedic remedy to treat cold and flu - an easy recipe you can try

 Cold and flu are one of the most common conditions that come up during the winter season. Fight infections and boost your immunity in a natural and healthy way with this ayurvedic recipe.

Ayurvedic remedies for health issues makes use of various herbs and spices. A Kwath(Kadha) is a method of decoction.

Here is an easy-to-make recipe and is also inexpensive as most of its ingredients are can be found very easily in an Indian household.

Ingredients:

1 Laung [clove]

Cinnamon (1/2 tsp)

Crushed Kalimirch [black pepper] (1 tsp)

Finely chopped Adrak [ginger] (1 tsp)

Honey (1 tsp)

5 Tulsi leaves [Indian basil]

Giloy [guduchi] (1/2 tsp)

Method of Preparation:

-- Dry roast the tulsi leaves, black pepper. clove and ginger on low flame for at least 30 seconds.

-- Pour a cup of water in a pan and put in the dry roasted ingredients in it. Keep on high flame.

-- Add honey and cinnamon to it.

-- Grind the giloy and add to the boiling ingredients.

-- Let it boil for a few minutes and then strain the mixture in a bowl.

-- Pour the kadha in glasse and drink.

Tip: You can also add a pinch of Turmeric (haldi) into it.

This kadha has the ability to help the body get rid of cold and flu, as well as boost immunity. Tulsi has anti-bacterial properties and helps against harmful bacteria. Issues like cough and cols, congestion and sore throat can be helped with ginger. Warm water can help in soothing the throat. Black pepper and clove can help clear throat and loosen mucus by acting as an expectorant. Last but not the least, honey can add flavours and be useful because of its anti-inflammatory properties.

Read more about Ayurvedic Treatment For Common Cold & Flu -

https://ayurveda-foryou.com/treat/cold.html

Natural Tinnitus Cure

 It is important to understand that though Tinnitus feels like the disease, it is merely a symptom.

Tinnitus is a symptom that something is dysfunctional in the auditory system. This system includes the ear, the auditory nerve that connects the inner ear to the brain, and the parts of the brain that process sound. Note that this problem may also cause other symptoms such as vertigo.

Tinnitus is often regarded as the first sign of hearing loss in elder people. It can also be a result of the side effects of past medications. Usually, prolonged exposure to loud sound causes tinnitus. This includes people working on construction sites, in traffic, in the army etc.

Tinnitus is not a serious health problem as a standalone. However, tinnitus over a period of time can cause other psychological problems such as anxiety, depression, fatigue, loss of focus and even some memory problems.

According to Ayurveda, the underlying cause of tinnitus is inner ear cell damage.

Read more about Ayurvedic Treatment of Tinnitus here - 

https://ayurveda-foryou.com/treat/tinnitus.html

AYURVEDA DAY-2020

 

#AyurvedaDay2020: Prime Minister Shri

Narendra Modi

to dedicate two future-ready #Ayurveda institutions at #Jamnagar and #Jaipur to the nation.

The highlight of the observation of the 5th Ayurveda Day on 13th November, 2020 will be the dedication to the nation of two future-ready #Ayurveda institutions which are expected to play global leadership roles in the growth and development of #Ayurveda in the 21st Century, by the Prime Minister. These institutions are: Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda (ITRA), Jamnagar and National Institute of Ayurveda (NIA), Jaipur.

The Ayurveda Day is being observed every year from 2016, on the day of #DhanwantriJayanti. This year it falls on 13th November 2020. #AyurvedaDay is more an occasion of re-dedication to the profession and the society, than one of festivities or celebrations. Potential role of Ayurveda in the management of the Covid-19 pandemic will be the focus of this year's 'Ayurveda Day' observation.

ASHWAGANDHA holds an efficient anti-Covid-19 property

 Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera), commonly known as Indian winter cherry, is used in Ayurveda as a Rasayana—any preparation that improves general health by stimulating the body’s immunity. The literal meaning of Ashwagandha is “smell of horse”: The fresh roots of the herb emit the smell of a horse; also, there is a common belief that consuming extracts of the herb may help humans develop strength and vitality similar to that of a horse. The herb contains a range of constituents like withanolides and sitoindosides that protect the cells from oxidative damage and disease.

Ashwagandha has been appreciated in many cultures. There is a legend in Greek mythology in which Apollo finds this herb and gifts it to his son Asclepius—the god of medicine. There are also accounts suggesting that Alexander the Great and his army used to drink wine containing Ashwagandha to boost their energy.

The research by the IIT-D and AIST found that “natural compounds from Ashwagandha and propolis [bee glue used by bees to assemble the hive] have the potential to be effective anti-Covid-19 drug candidates”.

As part of the research, the team targeted the main protease (Mpro) of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Mpro is a key enzyme of the Covid-19 virus, which plays a major role in mediating viral replication. They observed that Withanone, a natural compound derived from Ashwagandha have the potential to inhibit the activity of Mpro, thereby blocking replication of the virus. The study has been published in the Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics.

While publishing the findings, the researchers mentioned that the drug development for Covid-19 may take a while, and in the current scenario, easily available and affordable natural resources like Ashwagandha “may offer some preventive or even therapeutic value”.

Read more about the King of Ayurvedic Herbs - Ashwagandha

Electric shocks to the tongue can quiet Tinnitus (chronic ringing in ears)

 Tinnitus—a constant ringing or buzzing in the ears that affect about 15% of people—is difficult to understand and even harder to treat. Now, scientists have shown shocking the tongue—combined with a carefully designed sound program—can reduce symptoms of the disorder, not just while patients are being treated, but up to 1 year later.

Hubert Lim, a biomedical engineer at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, hit on the role of the tongue in tinnitus by accident. A few years ago, he experimented with using a technique called deep brain stimulation to restore his patients’ hearing. When he inserted a pencil-sized rod covered in electrodes directly into the brains of five patients, some of those electrodes landed slightly outside the target zone—a common problem with deep brain stimulation, Lim says. Later, when he started up the device to map out its effects on the brain, a patient who had been bothered by ringing ears for many years, said, “Oh, my tinnitus! I can’t hear my tinnitus,” Lim recalls.

With certain kinds of tinnitus, people hear real sounds. For instance, there might be repeated muscular contractions in the ear, Lim says. But for many people, it’s the brain that’s to blame, perceiving sounds that aren’t there. One potential explanation for the effect is that hearing loss causes the brain to overcompensate for the frequencies it can no longer hear.

Further testing in guinea pigs revealed the best body parts to stimulate to shut off tinnitus, Lim says. He and colleagues tested the ears, neck, limbs, and “you know … other places,” he says, eventually concluding the tongue was the best target.

Then Lim turned to humans. In the team’s experiment, 326 people with tinnitus sat for up to 1 hour at a time with a small plastic paddle on their tongue. Tiny electrodes in the paddle delivered an electrical current designed to broadly excite the brain, getting activity going through a number of interconnected regions. The electrical stimulation feels a little like pop rocks candy fizzing in your mouth, Lim says.

Subjects also wore headphones that delivered a more targeted hit to the brain’s auditory system. Each person heard a rapidly changing series of pure tones at different frequencies, against a background noise that sounds “kind of like electronic music,” Lim says. The goal of the two together was to distract the brain by heightening its sensitivity, forcing it to suppress the activity that causes tinnitus. “The brain can only pay attention to so many things,” Lim says.

Over the 12 weeks of treatment, the patients’ tinnitus symptoms improved dramatically. More than 80% of those who complied with the prescribed regimen saw an improvement. And they saw an average drop of about 14 points on a tinnitus severity score of one to 100, the researchers report today in Science Translational Medicine. When the team followed up after 12 months, 80% of the participants still had lower tinnitus scores, with average drops of 12.7 and 14.5 points.

The results are “quite impressive,” Cederroth says. The reduction in symptoms is larger than other studies have found for bimodal stimulation, he says, and it’s the first evidence of such long-term effects. A 2018 paper that stimulated the skin on the neck and cheek over a shorter time improved patients’ tinnitus, but there was a smaller dip in severity scores, he notes, of only about seven points. And cognitive behavioural therapy, a kind of talk therapy that is currently the only clinically validated tinnitus therapy, improves severity scores by about 10 points on average.

Still, University of Oxford neuroscientist Victoria Bajo notes there was no control group in the trial. Without that, she says, it’s impossible to know how much patients would have improved on their own or with a placebo. The work is good, she says, “but this is the beginning."

[ Source: www.sciencemag.org/news]

Read more about Ayurvedic Management of Tinnitus .

Read about the Ebook here - https://ayurveda-foryou.com/ebook/ebook-ayurveda-for-tinnitus.html