Pudina (peppermint) Leaves

This hardy perennial is famously fragrant. It is full of aromatic menthol, which ‘wakes up’ the senses and decongests the orifices of the head as well as calming and relaxing digestion.

Common name Mint (E), peppermint (E), horsemint (E), Pudı-na (H), Puthia (H) Sanskrit Pudına Latin Mentha piperita or arvensis–Folium (Labiatae)

INDICATIONS

Digestion Nervous digestion, flatulence, bloating, IBS, ulcers, nausea, and anorexia (Bartram 1995). Specific for pitta inflammation and irritation causing gastritis and enteritis. The aromatic essential oils cool the heat of pacaka pitta and regulate samana vayu. This can help to alleviate morning sickness, vomiting and spasms in the gastrointestinal tract.

Colds Commonly used as a hot tea at a high dose to cause sweating in colds and flu. As mint moves upwards and outwards it is especially useful where ama blocks the pores and they need opening. It is useful where the lungs are congested with catarrh and constricted by spasm, causing wheezing or asthma (Frawley & Lad 1994).

Nerves It normalises the flow of prana vayu all over the body. By moving upwards and outwards it spreads any congested vata blocked from whatever cause; ama, kapha, high vata or high pitta. The high levels of the space element (akas´a tattva) present within peppermint with its expansive nature moving upwards and outwards opens the mind and lifts the ‘heaviness’ of mental and emotional tension and constriction. It opens spaces and creates room for movement.

Skin Peppermint water as an external spray is excellent for cooling and soothing skin inflammation, hot flushes and allergic itching (Tillotson 2001).

Gynaecology Often combined in formulas that help the flow of vata in the lower abdomen and ease menstrual congestion, pain and amenorrhoea (Frawley & Lad 1994).

COMBINATIONS

* Kutki, guduchi, shatavari for high pitta in the intestines.

* Cardamom, fennel, ajwain for high vata and intestinal spasms, flatulence, etc.

* Pippali, fresh ginger, cinnamon for colds to induce sweating.

* Brahmi, gotu kola, licorice for the mind and tension.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

High vata; sensitive individuals and epileptics need to regulate dosage.

SAFETY

May interact with iron medication, should be avoided by patients with oesophageal reflux, and it may negate the effect of gastric reflux medication (Bone 2003). The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends caution in patients with gallstones as it may cause stones to move into the bile duct and if they are too large they may become stuck (WHO 1999).

DOSAGE

1–30g per day or 3–20ml per day of a 1:3 @ 45% tincture.

NOTES

There are different classifications of the various mints as ‘heating’ or ‘cooling’ (see Aristotle, Galen; Tierra 1992, Bensky & Gamble 1993, Holmes 1999). It is a lengthy debate! Mentha piperita appears to have both qualities; its pungency acts as a stimulant diaphoretic while its sweet and bitter flavour has anti-inflammatory activity. The menthol appears to be both stimulant and anti-inflammatory.

Ayurvedically speaking, peppermint reduces all three dosas; its warming pungency dries kapha via diaphoresis, its sweet cooling effect reduces pitta; and its relaxing sweet pungency reduces vata. The stimulating effect of high doses may aggravate vata. The Nighan.t. u ratna-kara describes Mentha arvensisas pungent in taste, hot in energy and pungent post-digestively.

Regarding energetics, the dose and method of taking the remedy are all important. A low dose is relaxing, benefiting a va-ta stagnated by  constriction; a medium dose (preferably taken at a cool temperature) benefits the anti-inflammatory needs of pitta, and a high dose of a hot drink clears kapha. This returns us to the human nature of herbalism and Ayurveda; it is all about the person, their individual constitution and condition as well as the dose of the medicinal herb.

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Top Health benefits of Pomegranate Juice

Pomegranate juice has become popular in the past few years. Several recent studies have shown significant potential health benefits from drinking pomegranate juice. Pomegranate has gotten its reputation as a superfood based almost entirely from the health benefits of pomegranate juice and from some of the pomegranate extract products. 70+ years of research has gone into discovering the pomegranate juice benefits. A good majority of this research has been done in the last 10 years as a result of pomegranate’s increase in popularity. In short, there’s a lot of research supporting the health benefits of pomegranate juice.

Here are important thirteen benefits:

Fights Breast Cancer

Research against the breast cancer cells, study shows pomegranate juice destroys cancer cells. It also helps to prevent cancer forming.
Pomegranate juice is best for preventing and destroying lung cancer cells.
It is best anticancer juice for cases of prostrate cancer.

Lung Cancer Prevention

Slows Prostate Cancer

Maintain PSA levels

Patient with prostrate cancer was studied and it shows pomegranate helps maintaining PSA levels stable. Under going Chemotherapy and hormone therapy pomegranate supports.

Protection of Neonatal Brain

Under study of maternal consumption of pomegranate juice suggest it helps protect the neonatal brain from the injury.

Osteoarthritis Prevention

Pomegranate juice helps prevention of cartilage from further deteriorations.

Protects Arteries

Pomegranate juice helps prevents plaque from building up in the arteries and may reverse previous plaque buildup.

Alzheimer’s Disease

Pomegranate juice prevent and slow Alzheimer’s disease.

Maintain cholesterol

It helps to lower LDL and raise HDL that is good cholesterol.

Lower Blood Pressure

Drinking of Pomegranate juice helps lower systolic blood pressure by around 5 percent.

Dental Protection

Pomegranate juice is natural way for preventing dental plaque. It helps strengthening your teeth.

Important Nutrients

Pomegranate juice is a good source of Vitamin C, Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5), Folate, Potassium and Vitamin K.  it is rich iron source so drinking of pomegranate juice is recommended to the patients with the low hemoglobin levels.

Helps Prevent and Treat Acne

The fruit is rich in iron, a constituent part of hemoglobin that helps absorb oxygen. Oxygen is carried to the skin cells, making the skin look fresh and smooth. Vitamin C is also necessary for regulating the production of sebum, an oily secretion of the sebaceous glands of the skin, which is one of the root causes of acne. To treat acne or improve your skin using pomegranates, all you need to do is apply pomegranate extract or juice on the affected areas and you will see favorable results in a few days. The pomegranate extract gets rid of acne and prevents the formation of scars by rejuvenating your skin cells. As it contain Vitamin C.

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Tulsi For Health

1)Diabetics 

Tulsi has antioxidant properties and reduces blood glucose levels. Thus it is useful for diabetics.  

2)Fever & Common Cold

The leaves of basil are specific for many fevers.  The juice of tulsi leaves can be used to bring down fever. 

3)Coughs

Tulsi is an important constituent of many Ayurvedic cough syrups and expectorants. It helps to mobilize mucus in bronchitis and asthma. Chewing tulsi leaves relieves cold and flu. 

4)Blood pressure

Tulsi reduce blood pressure.

5)Kidney Stone

Basil has strengthening effect on the kidney. In case of renal stone the juice of basil leaves and honey, if taken regularly for 6 months it will expel them via the urinary tract. 

6)Heart Disorder

Basil has a beneficial effect in cardiac disease and the weakness resulting from them. It reduces the level of blood cholesterol. 

7)Building stamina

Tulsi is also used to prepare herbal tea. It helps in building up stamina. 

8)Respiratory Disorder

The herb is useful in the treatment of respiratory system disorder. 

9)Stress

 Basil leaves are regarded as an 'adaptogen' or anti-stress agent.  Even healthy persons can chew 12 leaves of basil, twice a day, to prevent stress. It purifies blood and helps prevent several common elements. 

10)Insect Bites

 The herb is a prophylactic or preventive and curative for insect stings or bites. A teaspoonful of the juice of the leaves is taken and is repeated after a few hours. Fresh juice must also be applied to the affected parts. A paste of fresh roots is also effective in case of bites of insects and leeches. 

11)Skin Disorders: 

Applied locally, basil juice is beneficial in the treatment of ringworm and other skin diseases. It has also been tried successfully by some naturopaths in the treatment of leucoderma. 

12)Tooth ache

 The herb is useful in teeth disorders. Its leaves, dried in the sun and powdered, can be used for brushing teeth. It can also be mixed with mustered oil to make a paste and used as toothpaste. This is very good for maintaining dental health, counteracting bad breath and for massaging the gums. It is also useful in pyorrhea and other teeth disorders.

13)Headaches

 Basil makes a good medicine for headache. A decoction of the leaves can be given for this disorder. Pounded leaves mixed with sandalwood paste can also be applied on the forehead for getting relief from heat, headache, and for providing coolness in general.

14)Insect repellant

Tulsi acts as insect repellant. So it is used to store grains.

15)Eye Disorders

Basil juice is an effective remedy for sore eyes and night-blindness, which is generally caused by deficiency of vitamin A. Two drops of black basil juice are put into the eyes daily at bedtime.

Varieties of Tulsi in ayurveda

Ayurvedic benefit of tulsi or tulasi,varieties of tulasi,cultivation of tulsi plant.

Tulsi is called "elixir of life" in ayurvedi.It is mentioned in charaka samhita,in ayurvedic text.It is used thousand of years in ayurveda.

Varieties of tulsi

. Krishna or shyama Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum)

. Rama Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum),

. Vana Tulsi (Ocimum gratissimum).

All three types of tulsi have their uses in ayurveda,the rama and krishna are most widely used.

Purple Leaf Tulsi

Also known as 'Krishna or Shyama Tulsi', the Purple leaf tulsi is famous for its peppery, crisp taste. It comprises purple colored leaves and dark stems. Although, it is grown in many regions in India, it is relatively more difficult to find than the green vaiietals. Purple leaf Tulsi is known to be beneficial to treat throat infections, respirtory system, nasal lesions, earache and skin diseases.

Green Leaf Tulsi

Also known as 'Rama Tulsi', the Green Leaf Tulsi is known for its cooling, mellower taste. his variety of Tulsi is found in China, Brazil, Eastern Nepal, as well as in Bengal, Bihar, Chatgaon and the southern states of India. All the parts of the plant emit a strong aroma. Ram Tulsi has a characteristic fragrance. Crushing its leaves between the palms releases a stronger fragrance than other varieties of Tulsi.

Wild Type 'Vana' Tulsi

Vana Tulsi is found in the Himalayas as well as the plains of India, where it grows as naturalized plant. Vana Tulsi is also cultivated and grows wild throughout Asia and Africa.

Cultivation of Tulsi from seed

Tulsi seed is easy to germinate and grow. Sow the small Tulsi seeds in early spring indoors or in the greenhouse for an early start, or sow Tulsi seed directly in the spring or summer garden. Sow Tulsi seeds just under the surface of the soil and press in firmly. Keep Tulsi seed watered and warm until germination, which occurs within 1 to 2 weeks. Tulsi prefers full sun, rich soil, and plenty of water. Thin or transplant to 1 to 2 feet apart. Tulsi does well in pots or window boxes, and is traditionally grown for good luck near the front door of the house.

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Saffron

                  


                         Saffron or ‘Kesar’ as is locally known finds an important place in our Indian pharmacopoeia. Popularly known by the name ‘Kumkum’ in Sanskrit, there are some more synonyms by which it is referred like ‘ Kaashmir’ i.e. it is a produce of Kashmir, ‘Rakta’ i.e. it is red in colour etc. The Latin name of saffron is Crocus sativus. The part that remains in the sieve is again beaten and the entire process is repeated once or twice. The saffron subsequently produced is inferior in quality as well as value. It is termed as the third grade or the lachha saffron.

Medicinal Usage of Saffron

Brain Tonic
Saffron is believed to be a boon for the brain as well as the entire nervous system. You could add a pinch of the same to your milk preferably at bedtime.

Urinary Disorders

Being diuretic, saffron tends to cause free passage of urine. It thus finds an important place in treating urinary disorders in which there is diminished flow. At home, you could soak it in water at night and the subsequent day take it mixed with honey or sugar.

Skin Blemishes

Since olden times, saffron has been regarded as highly beneficial for the skin. Not only does it add glow to the skin and cure blemishes; it also acts as a blood purifier. The oil of saffron called ‘Kumkumaadi taila’ is to be applied to the face. As an easy remedy, make a paste by mixing saffron in water and apply it to the blemishes.

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Ashwagandha Tea Benefits

Ashwagandha, also commonly known as Indian ginseng, is a shrub-like plant from the nightshade family. However, unlike many nightshade plants, ashwagandha doesn’t hold any poisonous properties. On the contrary, the root of this plant has been utilized for thousands of years for a variety of beneficial healing purposes. Similar to ginseng, ashwagandha tea is also used to stabilize and increase energy but its useful abilities are far from ending there. There are many other valuable benefits that come out of drinking this particular tea as well, but here are a few of the most important ones.
Stress and Anxiety Relief
Ashwagandha tea is helpful in relieving stress and aiding sleep for those suffering from nervous tension. Unlike other energizing drinks, ashwagandha tea doesn’t contain any stimulants. So if you’re lacking sleep due to stress, drinking it can actually get you get a good night’s rest since it calms the mind and body.
Improves Memory
Aside from aiding those suffering from stress and lack of sleep, it has been reported that drinking ashwagandha tea also can help improve cognitive retention as well. This is because it helps to clear the mind and allow room for more focus.

Energizing
The most prominent benefit of this tea is that it can help energize the body in a way that is calming. Ashwagandha tea does not have the negative effects of most other energy increasing teas and drinks. This is because it doesn’t contain any of the stimulants that cause adverse effects like energy crash.

Stomach Discomfort
Another great benefit to drinking anise tea is that it can relax many different forms of stomach ailments such as flatulence, nausea, and cramping. When drinking it, the oils from the tea coat and soothe the stomach. Additionally drinking it can increase a poor appetite and help the digestion system function.
Preparation
To prepare ashwagandha tea, take one tea bag and allow it to steep in a cup of hot water for a period of five to ten minutes. Once the desired strength of tea is reached, sugar, honey, or milk can be added to the brew for additional flavoring if preferred. Ashwagandha tea should not be taken by women who are pregnant or nursing without consulting with a health practitioner prior to adding this herbal remedy to their diet. Drink this tea 2 to 3 times a day, regularly or whenever desired.

Drinking this tea is far more beneficial than relying on sugar-filled energy drinks, or other unnatural methods that deal with loss of energy. However, when considering this tea, it is advisable to not drink it for extended periods at a time. There are many places where you can buy Ashwagandha tea. Larger cities around the country usually have at least one health food store that sells hundreds of alternatives to prescription medications, healthy foods, and herbal supplements for a variety of health problems, or to use to prevent problems from occurring in the first place. At stores such as this, there is always a wide array of herbal teas. For this reason it is fairly easy to find ashwagandha tea for sale in health food stores or from online merchants like. Take note that you should always buy your teas from reliable merchants who will ship your orders promptly and answer any questions you may hold about herbs and teas that are unfamiliar to you. Be sure to also contact your physician before consuming any teas if you are unfamiliar with to be assured you won’t experience any negative or allergic reactions.

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Bitter Melon (Momordica Charantia-fructus)

Karela is very common vegetable in our kitchen. It bears good medicinal values to regulate blood suger levels and urinary disorders. it is bitter in taste so called bitter melon which shows healing function on the blood.

Common name Bitter gourd (English), Bitter melon (English), Karella (Hindi) Sanskrit Karavella Latin Momordica charantia–Fructus immaturus (Cucurbitaceae family)

ENERGETICS

Rasa (taste) Bitter, pungent
Vırya (energy) Hot
Vipaka (post-digestive effect) Pungent
Guna (quality) Dry, light
Dosa effect VKP−
Dhatu (tissue) Plasma, blood, muscle, fat
Srotas (channel) Digestive, water, excretory

CONSTITUENTS

Terpenoids Triterpene glycosides, momordicosides
Sterols Charantin, campesterol, stigmasterol, β-sitosterol
Beta-carotene
BIOMEDICAL ACTION

Hypoglycemic, carminative, vermifuge, bitter tonic, cholagogue, immune booster, purgative, diuretic, lithotriptic, alterative, vulnerary

INDICATIONS

Diabetes Karela has amazing anti diabetic properties. Charantin chemical in Karela is effective hypoglycaemica and effective than insulin without side effects. Bitter principle clears the kapha obstructing pancreatic function. Karela reduces blood and urine sugar doing insulin resistance.

Digestion Karela shows antihelmintic action in our gut. It also shows vermicidal effects of flushing bacteria and parasites. It reduces inflammation in the intestines. It is bitter in taste which also induce better digestion and absorption.

Urine Karela helps urinary system for better excretion. It effects water channels to clear kapha from the bodily system. It has formula for urinary system to affects urinary channels.

Skin Karela treatts inflammatory skin condition. it has detoxifying action to regulate pitta and clears bile toxins from the body.

Blood Karela has also specific action for the blood. It is good remedy for anaemia to build haemoglobin count by better absorption.

COMBINATIONS

* Gurmar, fenugreek, trikatu, turmeric in diabetes.

* Manjishtha, bhumiamalaki, gokshura for urinary stones.

* Neem, garlic for worms.

* Amalaki in acidity and inflammation.

* Neem, manjishtha, kutki in skin disorders.

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Ayurvedic Tips for Poor memory

Memory consists of remembering what has been learnt recently or in the past. Many people have problems in memory which may be a temporary phase (eg. After a head injury or a fit) or a permanent and progressive disorder. Ayurveda and herbal medicine has proven very good result for improving the memory power. If you are not satisfied with your memory, you can follow the ayurveda remedies and herbs for betterment.

Causative factors:

Temporary loss of memory is due to:

1. Head injury
2. A bout of excessive alcohol
3. Acute anxiety or stress disorder

Permanent loss of memory:

1. Degenerative disease eg. Alzheimer’s disease
2. Tumours of the brain
3. Deficiency of vitamin B1 and B12
4. Syphilis, AIDS
5. Chronic alcoholism

Home remedies

1. Amla is the best for poor memory. Its powder, Murrraba, vegetable can be consumed.
2. 5-10 almonds should be taken daily. Soak almonds overnight. Mix in 1 glass milk. Drink while still warm for 15 to 40 days.
3. The fruits rich in phosphorus are considered as the best home remedy for memory weakness. Apple, grapes, figs, dates and oranges are considered to be more effective home remedy for weak memory.

Ayurvedic remedies:

1. Brahmi vati 1 tablet twice daily with milk after meals
2. Tablet Mentat 1 tablet three times a day
3. Brahmighrita One teaspoonful twice daily with milk
4. Tablet Brento 1 tablet twice daily
5. Sarsatwaristha 3 teaspoonful with equal amount of water twice daily

Do’s and Don’ts

1. You should free from worries, anxiety, depression, emotional stress.
2. Meditation proves useful in correcting and promoting your memory power.
3. Yoga, pranayam, Reiki if possible try to continue for concentration and memory power.
4. Main cause of poor memory is lack of sleep so make a sound sleeping habit in time.

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