Ayurvedic Health Tips

Daily Oil Massage

One of the most enjoyable things you can do for your body and health is to have a full-body oil massage in the morning before your bath or shower. An oil massage has a soothing effect on the nervous system (vata), strengthens the circulation, and helps to remove toxins from the body. The Ayurvedic texts explain that the use of oil massage brings about a soft, flexible, strong and attractive body. It is extremely beneficial for the skin and should therefore be done regularly.

Guidelines for oil massage

Allow about 15 minutes, in the morning. The massage can be done either standing up or sitting down, in a comfortably warm room. Ideally the oil should be heated beforehand to a little above body temperature. Massage slowly and evenly, using the whole hand. By the end of the massage, a thin film of oil should cover the whole body.

Start by massaging the head region, with small circular movements. Then do the neck, throat, shoulders, arms and hands. Massage the limbs with long straight strokes up and down; for the joints use circular movements. The chest and stomach area should be massaged very gently. Use circular strokes on the chest, straight up-and-down strokes over the breastbone and solar plexus. For the abdomen use a slow, circular, clockwise movement. Massage the back and the base of spine up and down with the flat of the hands - as far as you can comfortably reach. The legs are done in the same manner as the arms: circular movements on the joints, straight strokes on the limbs. Finally, massage the feet and the soles of the feet. Best results are achieved if you leave the oil on for 15 minutes at least, before taking a bath or a shower, so that the body has time to absorb the oil. If you are short of time, then massage only the head, ears and soles of the feet.
Soothing Sleep

 Health Tips From Ayurveda
Drinking Hot Water

Drinking hot water regularly is a classical Ayurvedic recommendation for balancing Vata and Kabha dosha, strengthening digestive power, and reducing metabolic waste (Ama) that may have accumulated. Boil a sufficient amount of unchlorinated tap water or (still) mineral water in an open saucepan, for at least ten minutes. Keep this water in a thermos flask and take a few sips (or more, if you are thirsty) every half-hour throughout the day. It is the frequency rather than the quantity that is important here. To increase the positive effect you can add 1-2 slices of fresh ginger (or a pinch of ginger powder) to the water when boiling it.
Exercising for Good Health

Exercise is an important part of Maharishi Ayurveda but as with many good things in life, there is a limit to the amount of exercise that should be taken, and if one goes beyond this, the results will be negative rather than positive.

    Do not strain the body in your daily exercise. Remain within 50% of your capacity When you begin to breathe heavily or perspire a lot, then you should stop or slow down.
    Regularity is the key to success. A quarter of an hour each day is better than five hours once a week.
    Do your exercise preferably in the mornings between 6 and 10 o'clock.
    Follow a healthy diet, and support mind and body with Ayurvedic food supplements.
    Observe the important relaxation and regeneration phase after exercise.
    Practise Yoga Asanas regularly.

Diabetes mellitus has gained immense notoriety in recent times as it is fast becoming the world’s largest silent killer. Despite the thousands of people dying worldwide each year due to diabetes mellitus, it is very unfortunate that no proper cure for the disease has been discovered yet. The problem with diabetes mellitus is that it is very difficult to diagnose in the early stages. However, a person sticking to anAyurvedic preventive strategy right from the beginning, can easily prevent this disease or control it if already suffering.