Ayurveda Tips
1. HONEY
Eyesight
Regular use of honey mixed with carrot juice significantly improves eyesight. It should be taken one hour before meals in the morning.
Cough
A mixture of equal quantities of honey and ginger juice serves as an effective expectorant. It provides immediate relief from symptoms like cold, cough, sore throat, chest congestion, and runny nose.
Asthma
Mix half a gram of black pepper powder with a honey and ginger juice mixture (equal quantity). This should be taken at least three times a day, helping to alleviate asthma.
Blood Pressure
One teaspoonful of garlic juice mixed with two teaspoonfuls of honey can be taken twice a day, morning and evening. Regular ingestion of this mixture is beneficial for high blood pressure.
Blood Purification and Fat Reduction
Mix 1-2 teaspoonfuls of honey and one teaspoonful of lemon juice in a glass of warm water. Consuming this daily before evacuation aids in blood purification and fat reduction, helping to clean the bowels as well.
Heart Tonic
One teaspoonful of anise powder blended with one or two teaspoonfuls of honey makes an excellent tonic for the heart, strengthening heart muscles and improving function.
2. FIRST AID
Asthma
Take one teaspoonful of ginger powder and one teaspoonful of licorice powder. Add half a liter of water, boiling until it reduces to one-fourth (about 125 ml). Strain and drink warm, optionally adding a teaspoonful of honey or one gram of common salt for added benefits.
Backache
Prepare a paste of ginger and apply it to the affected area. Massaging with eucalyptus oil is also highly effective. For a homemade massage oil, take 2-3 cloves of garlic, cut them into small pieces, and heat them in 100 ml of sesame or mustard oil. This oil will be beneficial for massaging backache areas.
Bleeding (External)
Applying a paste of sandalwood powder is helpful for external bleeding cases, stopping the bleed and healing the wound. A warm drink of milk with half a teaspoon of turmeric powder and a pinch of saffron or alum acts as a soothing healing drink and pain reliever.
Burns
Mix fresh aloe-vera gel with a pinch of turmeric powder. Adding 1-2 grams of ghee or coconut oil to this paste makes it even more effective for application on burnt areas.
Cold
Combine one tablespoon of grated fresh ginger, one teaspoonful of cinnamon powder, and one teaspoonful of licorice powder in one liter of water. Boil on low heat for ten minutes until it reduces to about one-fourth (250 ml). Take this three times a day, sweetening with honey if desired.
Diarrhea
Blend one teaspoon of fresh grated ginger with one gram of nutmeg powder in half a cup of water for a remedy that helps to stop diarrhea when taken twice or thrice a day.
Earache
For earache, take 2-3 cloves of garlic, peel and chop them, then boil with 100 ml of sesame or mustard oil on low heat for about five minutes. Strain and allow to cool; put two drops in the aching ear twice a day. Alternatively, mix one teaspoon of onion juice with half a teaspoon of honey and apply two drops in each ear, also twice a day.
Eye Burn
Place 2-3 drops of pure rose water into the affected eye two or three times a day, helping to reduce redness and itchiness.
Boils
Apply a cooked onion poultice on the boil. A paste of one teaspoon of ginger powder and one teaspoon of turmeric powder is also effective for boils, either suppressing them or aiding in pus drainage.
Exhaustion (Heat)
Consume one glass (250 ml.) of coconut water or grape juice. Cook 3-4 pieces of dates with one glass of milk or water. Eating the dates and drinking the liquid provides instant energy.
Gum Bleeding
Squeeze half a lemon into a cup of water, adding one teaspoonful of honey. This drink should be taken every morning, while gently massaging the gums with coconut oil also helps maintain gum health.
Menstrual Cramps
Mix one tablespoon of aloe-vera gel with half a gram of black pepper powder, taking this mixture 2-3 times a day until cramps disappear. Try out these simple Ayurvedic first aid remedies for health.
REDUCE WEIGHT BY NATURAL WAYS
The primary reasons for obesity often stem from overeating, irregular eating habits, and neglecting proper food combinations.
In Ayurveda, Charak Samhita delineates eight distinct body types prone to disease, with the obese body being particularly afflicted with various ailments. Obesity signifies excessive fat accumulation in adipose tissue.
Extra fat strains the heart, kidneys, liver, and joints, leading to vulnerabilities to diseases like coronary thrombosis, high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, gout, liver, and gallbladder disorders.
To decrease weight and combat obesity, one must keep in mind:
i. Control eating habits.
ii. Regular exercise.
iii. Avoid known causes of weight gain.
iv. Follow a diet that promotes weight loss.
Early Morning
Start your day with lemon juice mixed in warm water along with a teaspoon of honey for a refreshing boost.
Breakfast
Opt for wheat or mung bean sprouts along with a cup of skimmed milk.
Mid-Morning
Enjoy a glass of orange, pineapple, or carrot juice.
Lunch
Prepare a salad of raw vegetables, including carrots, beet, cucumber, cabbage, and tomatoes, paired with steamed or boiled vegetables, whole grain bread or chapatis, and a glass of buttermilk mixed with roasted cumin seeds, green coriander leaves, a bit of salt, and grated ginger.
Mid-Afternoon
Refresh yourself with coconut water, dry fruits, or lemon tea, along with fresh vegetable soup.
Dinner
Finish the day with whole grain bread or chapatis, steamed vegetables, and seasonal fruits (avoiding bananas and apples).
3. Home Remedies for Losing Weight
Incorporate more fruits, vegetables, and low-calorie foods while minimizing salt, as it can contribute to weight gain. Dairy products like cheese and butter, along with non-vegetarian foods, should be avoided due to high-fat content.
Mint is particularly beneficial in weight loss; mint chutney with simple spices or mint tea can be added to meals. Spices like dry ginger, cinnamon, and black pepper are excellent for weight loss and can be used creatively in various dishes.
Incorporate regular intake of carrot juice while avoiding rice and potatoes high in carbohydrates, with wheat being a better cereal choice. Vegetables like bitter gourd (Karela) or the bitter variety of drumstick are useful for weight reduction as well.
Honey is an exceptional home remedy for obesity, aiding in the mobilization of excess fat for energy. Start with a small dosage of about 10 grams or one tablespoon taken with hot water in the early morning, possibly adding fresh lemon juice.
Fasting on honey and lime juice is beneficial for treating obesity without losing energy or appetite. Mix one teaspoon of fresh honey with the juice of half a lime in lukewarm water several times a day at regular intervals.
Raw or cooked cabbage inhibits sugar and carbohydrate conversion into fat, making it valuable for weight loss.
Exercise is crucial in any weight loss plan, helping to utilize calories stored as fat. Walking is an excellent starting exercise, followed by running, swimming, or rowing.
The gum of Commiphora Mukul, known as 'guggulu', is highly effective for treating obesity.
Preparation of Home Remedies
In Ayurveda, home remedies are crafted similarly to other Ayurvedic medicines, aiming to maximize therapeutic benefits while ensuring palatability.
Common methods include:
Juice
Take juice from fresh leaves, flowers, or stems of herbs by crushing them to make a paste, then squeezing to extract the juice. Dosage: One to two tablespoons twice a day.
Powder
Dried herbs are used for powders, typically dried in a cool, shady place or direct sunlight and then ground into a fine powder for storage in an airtight container. Dosage: Half to one teaspoon twice a day, with water or as specified, sometimes taken with honey.
Decoction
A decoction is prepared by boiling herbs in water (ratio: 1 part herb to 16 parts water). The mixture is soaked overnight, boiled until reduced by three-quarters, then filtered. Dosage: One to two tablespoons twice a day.
Infusion
Herbs can be soaked in hot water for an infusion (ratio: 1 part herb to 8 parts water), or cold infusions can be made by soaking herbs overnight. Herbal teas are a form of hot infusion, to which honey can be added. Dosage: Half to one cup once or twice a day.
Paste
A paste can be made from any herbs for external application, typically to treat cuts, burns, or swellings, ensuring a thick consistency.
Tablets
Dried herbs are mixed into a powder and combined with water or herbal juice for paste, then made into tablets. Tablets remain potent longer than other forms. Dosage: 1 or 2 tablets twice daily.
Medicated ghee and oils
Ghee is cooked with herbal juices or pastes at a controlled temperature. Medicated ghee and oils are used internally or for massage applications. Dosage: Half to one tablespoon.
4. TAKING CARE OF EYES
Though we use our eyes daily, we often neglect their care until serious issues arise. By following simple remedies, you can maintain perfect eyesight throughout your life.
The Importance of Eye Health
If asked, "Do you care for your eyes weekly or monthly?" the typical response might be a negative one. The eyes are vital organs, yet they often receive inadequate attention.
Ayurveda encourages health maintenance even in well-being. Simple remedies can help sustain good eyesight for most of your life.
Every morning upon waking, fill your mouth with water, close your eyes, and sprinkle water on them 10-15 times. Ensure to wake before sunrise, as Ayurveda suggests. Avoid washing your eyes with hot water.
Do not wash your eyes or face while sweating, particularly after rigorous exercise or heat exposure. Avoid fixed staring, especially at long distances, and remember to blink and rest your eyes. Do not gaze at bright objects for extended periods; take regular breaks if you feel fatigue.
Staying up late and sleeping past sunrise can hurt your eyesight. If you stay up late, hydrate with water every half-hour or hour.
Keep your eyes away from dust, smoke, intense sunlight, and strong winds. If unavoidable, blink frequently and massage closed eyes gently.
Consistent and clean bowel movements are crucial, as constipation can impair eyesight. Mental stress, anxiety, grief, and frustration are also detrimental to your eye health.
Regular eye exercises can help preserve excellent eyesight. One straightforward technique involves moving the eyeball left and right, up and down, and rotating it clockwise and counterclockwise.
Another effective method is 'palming': rub your palms for about 30 seconds, close your eyes, and gently place your warm palms over them.
Incorporating raw cabbage and carrots into your diet is beneficial for eye health. You may also drink mixed juices of cabbage and carrot.
If you have Triphala (an Ayurvedic preparation), wash your eyes with 'Triphala water' prepared by soaking a teaspoon of Triphala powder in a glass of water overnight, straining it before washing your eyes.
Putting a drop of honey into each eye weekly is also advantageous, causing slight irritation but effectively cleansing the eyes.
Utilize these remedies to ensure your eyes remain healthy and vibrant. These techniques can benefit everyone, including individuals with weak eyesight potentially allowing them to forego spectacles.
5. REMEDIES FOR HAIR LOSS AND BALDING
Hair loss, thinning hair, and balding are prevalent issues exacerbated by modern lifestyles and dietary habits. Ayurveda offers valuable methodologies to address these conditions by identifying root causes.
Key causes of hair conditions include an excess of Pitta dosha, particularly spurred by consuming too much tea, coffee, alcohol, meats, and smoking. Increased Pitta is also attributed to overeating fried, oily, spicy, sour, and acidic foods. Chemical medicines, low blood circulation, anemia, general weakness, stress, and hormonal imbalance are prime contributors to hair loss.
To address these problems, examine your diet and lifestyle closely for factors contributing to increased Pitta dosha; modify or eliminate them as needed.
Utilize natural shampoos or soaps for hair cleansing; avoid chemical products that may aggravate the problem. Amala (embilica officinalis) and Shikakai (Acacia concinna) are traditional choices in India for washing hair.
Scalp oiling and massaging three times a week is essential for preventing hair loss. Use coconut or mustard oil, or try medicated oils like 'Mahabhringraj oil', 'Amala oil', and 'Arnica oil'. Gently massage at the hair roots to improve health.
Maintain regular bowel movements; in case of constipation, consider a mild natural laxative, with Triphala being beneficial.
Enhance your diet with green leafy vegetables, salads, milk, fruits, and sprouts, ensuring protein-rich foods and vitamin A from sources like milk and buttermilk.
Regular exercise is advantageous as it helps balance aggravated doshas.
An Ayurvedic formulation containing Bhringraj (Eclipta elba), Amala, corals, iron, and black sesame seeds can counter both hair loss and graying.
Post-wash, gently rub your scalp to promote blood circulation and activate sebaceous glands.
Juices from lettuce and spinach encourage hair growth; blending alfalfa with carrot and lettuce juices is particularly recommended.
Daily application of coconut oil with lime juice benefits the hair, as does the application of green coriander leaf juice to the scalp.
Washing hair with a paste of cooked Urad dal (black beans) and fenugreek (methi) two to three times weekly proves effective as well.
Lastly, applying a paste of licorice in milk to bald patches can stimulate growth, as can lemon and black pepper mixtures.
Explore these remedies to resolve your hair-related challenges.