HEALTH TIPS--Apples
* Apples are absolutely fat-free!
* One apple provides as much dietary fiber as a bowl of bran cereal.
That's equal to one fifth of the recommended daily intake of fiber.
* Apples are loaded with pectin, a soluble fiber that aids digestion
and may help reduce cancer and heart disease.
* The complex carbohydrates in apples give your body a longer, more
even energy boost compared to high-sugar snacks. Snacking on apples can
keep you going throughout the day.
* Apple consumption during pregnancy reduces risk for childhood
wheezing and asthma.
* A recent Cornell University study shows that disease-fighting
chemicals in apples could reduce the risk of breast cancer.
* A recent study shows that the nutrients in apples may improve memory
and learning. It's food for thought!
* Daily apple eaters breathe more easily due to stronger lung
functioning.
* Antioxidant phytonutrients found in apples also fight the damaging
effects of "bad" LDL cholesterol to keep your heart healthy.
TIPS TO IMPROVE YOUR CONCENTRATION
Are there any techniques for concentration? It sounds easy to
concentrate, but there are individual who have difficulties in
concentrating. Here's an easy concentration technique for them.
Concentration is an elusive state of mind. Ironically, the more you
think or worry about concentration, the less you're concentrating on
the task.
Sometimes, you are confused about the difference between
concentration and meditation. Meditation is a self-directed practice
for relaxing the body and calming the mind. We believe that
meditation techniques came from religious sectors in India, China,
Korea and Japan. Concentration is a technique or an action to focus
on one thing in mind.
How to know or distinguish concentration?
In the midst of the playing cards, take about 6 cards, and tell your
friend to choose one of those cards and let him remember the number.
Your friend is now concentrating to remember one card he chose. Now,
your friend can remember none of other 5 cards. It means that your
friend concentrated on one card. This is concentration.
It is essential to do sport, work, study and many other things.
Concentration perhaps is a MUST for everyone of us unintentionally to
satisfy daily living.
Let's take the simple case of your schoolchildren who do their
homework. "Hi, children, it's examination soon. You must concentrate
more on your homework." Your children maybe just wandering how to
concentrate for their homework.
Here, we tried to investigate how concentration occurs in the brain.
At first, we requested an abacus champion to calculate a five-page
accounting sheets in a schoolroom. When he started hitting the
abacus, rock and roll music was played aloud, but surprisingly, the
champion appeared to be not noticing the lousy music around him. It
means the abacus champion was really concentrated calculating with
the abacus.
Another instance was prepared. A famous magician was invited to a
small room in a hospital. Three doctors were invited to see the
magic. The doctors were told to find the trick. While the magician
was performing at the stage, a nurse with a white pig passed through,
then the nurse with a monkey passed through, and then three nurses
passed through. However, when we asked about nurses passing through
the stage, the three doctors did not notice them at all. The doctors
were indeed concentrating to see the trick of the magic.
The abacus champion and the three doctors were able to concentrate
easily. Or they were made to concentrate simply without any form of
suggestion. Yes, concentration is born simply. Truly, anyone is made
to concentrate simply. It is just a matter of a simple technique or
brain system that triggers concentration.
For you to believe, let's try to make an "Egg and Spoon Race".
See
http://www.pyroenergen.com/articles07/improve-concentration-tips.htm
for photos.
You can understand that all runners are concentrating not to drop the
egg from the small spoon. However, when the loud speaker announces a
certain story of a particular runner, the addressed runner dropped
the egg. It means the runner's concentration was broken by the
disturbance of the announcement.
We have learned that our brains will work very narrowly when we
concentrate. Our brain consists of several parts such as for
accounting, memory, viewing, and listening. When we concentrate, only
the selected part of the brain works. The people who cannot
concentrate usually try to listen or hear as much as possible.
Yes, the ear, hearing or listening noise could be the number one
disturbance when concentrating.
What is the technique to eliminate such noise or obstacles when you
want to concentrate?
We visited a toy manufacturer that has tremendous number of
productions and all workers need serious concentration. A mistake or
poor quality control will create a huge amount of loses in the
production line, thus, high concentration of all workers are required
in the factory. The manager of the factory told us that women have
higher concentration ability than men. For that reason, the factory
has applied all women workers in specific department. The factory is
constructed with soundproof materials with several speakers mounted
inside the ceiling.
No music sound comes from the speakers but sounds of stream, seaside,
and sounds of forest. They are all sounds of nature.
From this, we understand that the sound that has nothing to do with
workers can make them concentrate. The sound that creates them to
think something like what happened during the egg and spoon race will
disturb and make them hard to concentrate.
The sound technology for concentration has been applied quite a long
time ago, especially in various offices in major cities in Japan.
Probably, the following are also clues for concentration techniques
to switch the brain "ON". For example, set a goal like..."If I'm able
to concentrate well on this work, I will go to a restaurant to eat
what I like" or "The school examination is coming, I will surely
pass".
Before concentrating, relax and do not put yourself in place where
your ears, eyes and interest will go around. Do a few times of deep
breathing. Drinking a cup of tea or coffee is good. Taking a bath or
shower is also good. All these preparations will trigger the
brain "ON" for concentration.
Concentration makes us tired. It is the reason, as mentioned
previously, that you write your name, address, and names of your
friends during some hours of interval. By doing it, your
concentration skill will increase.
There are Japanese temples where they teach Buddhism way of
concentration and meditation. However, some supervisors of large
factories told us that their methods are not applicable to their
works. Technique of concentration differs on the place you apply. How
is your idea, then?
concentrate, but there are individual who have difficulties in
concentrating. Here's an easy concentration technique for them.
Concentration is an elusive state of mind. Ironically, the more you
think or worry about concentration, the less you're concentrating on
the task.
Sometimes, you are confused about the difference between
concentration and meditation. Meditation is a self-directed practice
for relaxing the body and calming the mind. We believe that
meditation techniques came from religious sectors in India, China,
Korea and Japan. Concentration is a technique or an action to focus
on one thing in mind.
How to know or distinguish concentration?
In the midst of the playing cards, take about 6 cards, and tell your
friend to choose one of those cards and let him remember the number.
Your friend is now concentrating to remember one card he chose. Now,
your friend can remember none of other 5 cards. It means that your
friend concentrated on one card. This is concentration.
It is essential to do sport, work, study and many other things.
Concentration perhaps is a MUST for everyone of us unintentionally to
satisfy daily living.
Let's take the simple case of your schoolchildren who do their
homework. "Hi, children, it's examination soon. You must concentrate
more on your homework." Your children maybe just wandering how to
concentrate for their homework.
Here, we tried to investigate how concentration occurs in the brain.
At first, we requested an abacus champion to calculate a five-page
accounting sheets in a schoolroom. When he started hitting the
abacus, rock and roll music was played aloud, but surprisingly, the
champion appeared to be not noticing the lousy music around him. It
means the abacus champion was really concentrated calculating with
the abacus.
Another instance was prepared. A famous magician was invited to a
small room in a hospital. Three doctors were invited to see the
magic. The doctors were told to find the trick. While the magician
was performing at the stage, a nurse with a white pig passed through,
then the nurse with a monkey passed through, and then three nurses
passed through. However, when we asked about nurses passing through
the stage, the three doctors did not notice them at all. The doctors
were indeed concentrating to see the trick of the magic.
The abacus champion and the three doctors were able to concentrate
easily. Or they were made to concentrate simply without any form of
suggestion. Yes, concentration is born simply. Truly, anyone is made
to concentrate simply. It is just a matter of a simple technique or
brain system that triggers concentration.
For you to believe, let's try to make an "Egg and Spoon Race".
See
http://www.pyroener
for photos.
You can understand that all runners are concentrating not to drop the
egg from the small spoon. However, when the loud speaker announces a
certain story of a particular runner, the addressed runner dropped
the egg. It means the runner's concentration was broken by the
disturbance of the announcement.
We have learned that our brains will work very narrowly when we
concentrate. Our brain consists of several parts such as for
accounting, memory, viewing, and listening. When we concentrate, only
the selected part of the brain works. The people who cannot
concentrate usually try to listen or hear as much as possible.
Yes, the ear, hearing or listening noise could be the number one
disturbance when concentrating.
What is the technique to eliminate such noise or obstacles when you
want to concentrate?
We visited a toy manufacturer that has tremendous number of
productions and all workers need serious concentration. A mistake or
poor quality control will create a huge amount of loses in the
production line, thus, high concentration of all workers are required
in the factory. The manager of the factory told us that women have
higher concentration ability than men. For that reason, the factory
has applied all women workers in specific department. The factory is
constructed with soundproof materials with several speakers mounted
inside the ceiling.
No music sound comes from the speakers but sounds of stream, seaside,
and sounds of forest. They are all sounds of nature.
From this, we understand that the sound that has nothing to do with
workers can make them concentrate. The sound that creates them to
think something like what happened during the egg and spoon race will
disturb and make them hard to concentrate.
The sound technology for concentration has been applied quite a long
time ago, especially in various offices in major cities in Japan.
Probably, the following are also clues for concentration techniques
to switch the brain "ON". For example, set a goal like..."If I'm able
to concentrate well on this work, I will go to a restaurant to eat
what I like" or "The school examination is coming, I will surely
pass".
Before concentrating, relax and do not put yourself in place where
your ears, eyes and interest will go around. Do a few times of deep
breathing. Drinking a cup of tea or coffee is good. Taking a bath or
shower is also good. All these preparations will trigger the
brain "ON" for concentration.
Concentration makes us tired. It is the reason, as mentioned
previously, that you write your name, address, and names of your
friends during some hours of interval. By doing it, your
concentration skill will increase.
There are Japanese temples where they teach Buddhism way of
concentration and meditation. However, some supervisors of large
factories told us that their methods are not applicable to their
works. Technique of concentration differs on the place you apply. How
is your idea, then?
Early rising may be bad for health
ARE you a habitual early riser? You might be at a higher risk of heart disease. Junking the age old mantra that professed waking up early as good for health,
a study conducted by Japanese researchers has found that people who regularly wake up before 5 am faced an added risk of developing heart disease. They
were found to be also at higher risk of developing high blood pressure/hypertension and stroke.
Announcing the finding at the recently concluded Congress of the World Federation of Sleep Research and Sleep Medicine Societies in Cairns, Australia, Japanese
physician Mayuko Kadono said his subjects, who woke up before 5 am were 1.7 times more prone to suffering from high BP/hypertension. A two-time increase
in the chance of developing hardening of the arteries was also noticed when those in the study woke up regularly at 5 am.
Kadono used 3,017 healthy adults between the ages of 23 and 90 years to study the relationship between time of getting up in the morning and the frequency
of developing health problems.
"Rising early to go to work or exercise might not be beneficial to health, but rather a risk for vascular diseases," said an abstract of the study.
Dr V Mohan Kumar, vice-president of the World Federation of Sleep Research and Sleep Medicine Societies, told this newspaper that an adult needs a minimum
of six-eight hours of sleep everyday. "People who go to sleep at 10 pm and wake up at 5 am or later should face no problems. Some people wake up late.
If those who like to sleep a little more are forced to wake up at 5 am everyday, it naturally leads to stress in the heart causing complications," Dr Kumar,
a former HOD of the department of physiology at AIIMS, said.
-Dawn/The Times of India News Service
a study conducted by Japanese researchers has found that people who regularly wake up before 5 am faced an added risk of developing heart disease. They
were found to be also at higher risk of developing high blood pressure/hypertensi
Announcing the finding at the recently concluded Congress of the World Federation of Sleep Research and Sleep Medicine Societies in Cairns, Australia, Japanese
physician Mayuko Kadono said his subjects, who woke up before 5 am were 1.7 times more prone to suffering from high BP/hypertension. A two-time increase
in the chance of developing hardening of the arteries was also noticed when those in the study woke up regularly at 5 am.
Kadono used 3,017 healthy adults between the ages of 23 and 90 years to study the relationship between time of getting up in the morning and the frequency
of developing health problems.
"Rising early to go to work or exercise might not be beneficial to health, but rather a risk for vascular diseases," said an abstract of the study.
Dr V Mohan Kumar, vice-president of the World Federation of Sleep Research and Sleep Medicine Societies, told this newspaper that an adult needs a minimum
of six-eight hours of sleep everyday. "People who go to sleep at 10 pm and wake up at 5 am or later should face no problems. Some people wake up late.
If those who like to sleep a little more are forced to wake up at 5 am everyday, it naturally leads to stress in the heart causing complications,
a former HOD of the department of physiology at AIIMS, said.
-Dawn/The Times of India News Service
Tinnitus (Ear Ringing) – Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
The strange phenomenon where the ear is ringing without audible sound
from the outside is called "tinnitus".
Generally, the ear ringing appears when you have some difficulties in
hearing. This jarring noise gives you various agonies from
sleeplessness to depression. The exact cause of tinnitus is a hard-to-
find answer by many specialists.
Does tinnitus cause stress? I do not think that way. It is stress
that cause tinnitus, isn't it? Tinnitus itself is not a disease but a
symptom resulting from wide range of causes, including ear
infections, foreign objects, earwax, injury from loud noises or
sounds, and side effects of some medications such as aspirin and
serotonin.
Although this is not definite, some research groups reported to us
that climate or certain seasonable atmosphere might make people to
have ear ringing, and also to those who have nervous temperament.
WHAT IS TINNITUS? A definition from an internet news:
The symptoms of tinnitus include ringing noises in the ears or
hearing sounds that seem to be coming from inside your head. The
sounds of tinnitus may be varied and sufferers report the noise as
ringing, buzzing, whistling, beating or roaring. The noise may be
continuous, may come and go, be heard in one ear or in both. Tinnitus
is sometimes associated with hearing loss. For some, tinnitus may be
nothing but an annoying little sound they hear every now and then,
but for the unlucky ones, tinnitus can reduce the ability to
concentrate or hear outside noises and may become completely
debilitating - preventing the sufferer from leading a normal life.
WHAT REALLY CAUSES TINNITUS?
Tinnitus is usually caused by damage to the microscopic hairs that
line the auditory cells in the ear. These hairs usually move in
response to sound waves detected, producing a brain wave that is
experienced as sound. When damaged, these hairs become bent or broken
and move randomly in a constant state of irritation,
producing "sound" impulses in the brain.
Degenerative damage in people of advancing age is a common cause of
tinnitus and usually paired with hearing loss. In younger sufferers,
exposure to loud noise is probably the leading culprit.
Other causes of tinnitus may be as benign as a small plug of wax in
the ear that is easily removed. Tinnitus may also occur as a result
of head and neck injury, stiffening of the bones in the middle ear or
as a side effect of prescription drugs.
Sometimes, tinnitus may be caused by an actual sound produced in your
body that becomes audible due to disease or proximity to the ear
(objective tinnitus). Circulation problems such as high blood
pressure and atherosclerosis can cause the sound of blood flow in
vessels close to the ear to become more forceful, or turbulent -
allowing your ear to detect the sound. Malformation or narrowing of
blood vessels in the head and neck can have the same effect. More
rarely, tinnitus is a symptom of a tumor in the head or neck.
There is no definite answer for tinnitus at all. All the answer seems
to be just guessing games.
Probably, your physician told you, "Hmmm, there's no abnormality
anywhere, anyhow. Hmmm, here's your medicine." It is impossible that
there's no abnormality. If there is nothing wrong, where does that
ear ringing come from?
Well, how does that ringing sound produced? Many doctors in Japan
believe that the cause might be due to autonomic imbalance;
vegetative dystonia, or distortion of Gnathal, arthropathy. Aside
from that, stiff shoulders and high blood pressure are at top list.
Most doctors are unclear about the real cause of tinnitus.
from the outside is called "tinnitus".
Generally, the ear ringing appears when you have some difficulties in
hearing. This jarring noise gives you various agonies from
sleeplessness to depression. The exact cause of tinnitus is a hard-to-
find answer by many specialists.
Does tinnitus cause stress? I do not think that way. It is stress
that cause tinnitus, isn't it? Tinnitus itself is not a disease but a
symptom resulting from wide range of causes, including ear
infections, foreign objects, earwax, injury from loud noises or
sounds, and side effects of some medications such as aspirin and
serotonin.
Although this is not definite, some research groups reported to us
that climate or certain seasonable atmosphere might make people to
have ear ringing, and also to those who have nervous temperament.
WHAT IS TINNITUS? A definition from an internet news:
The symptoms of tinnitus include ringing noises in the ears or
hearing sounds that seem to be coming from inside your head. The
sounds of tinnitus may be varied and sufferers report the noise as
ringing, buzzing, whistling, beating or roaring. The noise may be
continuous, may come and go, be heard in one ear or in both. Tinnitus
is sometimes associated with hearing loss. For some, tinnitus may be
nothing but an annoying little sound they hear every now and then,
but for the unlucky ones, tinnitus can reduce the ability to
concentrate or hear outside noises and may become completely
debilitating - preventing the sufferer from leading a normal life.
WHAT REALLY CAUSES TINNITUS?
Tinnitus is usually caused by damage to the microscopic hairs that
line the auditory cells in the ear. These hairs usually move in
response to sound waves detected, producing a brain wave that is
experienced as sound. When damaged, these hairs become bent or broken
and move randomly in a constant state of irritation,
producing "sound" impulses in the brain.
Degenerative damage in people of advancing age is a common cause of
tinnitus and usually paired with hearing loss. In younger sufferers,
exposure to loud noise is probably the leading culprit.
Other causes of tinnitus may be as benign as a small plug of wax in
the ear that is easily removed. Tinnitus may also occur as a result
of head and neck injury, stiffening of the bones in the middle ear or
as a side effect of prescription drugs.
Sometimes, tinnitus may be caused by an actual sound produced in your
body that becomes audible due to disease or proximity to the ear
(objective tinnitus). Circulation problems such as high blood
pressure and atherosclerosis can cause the sound of blood flow in
vessels close to the ear to become more forceful, or turbulent -
allowing your ear to detect the sound. Malformation or narrowing of
blood vessels in the head and neck can have the same effect. More
rarely, tinnitus is a symptom of a tumor in the head or neck.
There is no definite answer for tinnitus at all. All the answer seems
to be just guessing games.
Probably, your physician told you, "Hmmm, there's no abnormality
anywhere, anyhow. Hmmm, here's your medicine." It is impossible that
there's no abnormality. If there is nothing wrong, where does that
ear ringing come from?
Well, how does that ringing sound produced? Many doctors in Japan
believe that the cause might be due to autonomic imbalance;
vegetative dystonia, or distortion of Gnathal, arthropathy. Aside
from that, stiff shoulders and high blood pressure are at top list.
Most doctors are unclear about the real cause of tinnitus.
Acne home remedies
Mix equal quantities of cucumber juice, rose water and lime juice. Wash
the face and apply it overnight. Rinse off in the morning. This clears
the complexion and keeps it healthy.
Take 50 ml. of raw (not boiled) milk and mix a pinch of salt and two
teaspoonful of lime juice in it. Use it as a cleansing lotion. It helps
to clean the deep pores of skin.
Mix equal quantities of lime juice, glycerin and rose water. This
lotion if applied to the face regularly at bed time is very useful in
removing pimples, blackheads and other stains of the skin. It makes the skin
soft, and can also be applied to other parts of the body (hands, feet
etc.)
Take 50 ml. of tomato juice and mix with one teaspoon of lemon juice.
Apply this mixture to the face. It helps to make the skin soft and
glowing.
Take equal quantities of turmeric powder and wheat flour and make a
paste with sesame oil. Apply it to the face to remove unwanted hair.
Apply orange juice to the face for smooth and soft skin.
Take 30 ml. of cabbage juice and mix one teaspoon of honey in it. This
mixture, if applied regularly to the face, helps to keep the wrinkles
away.
Make a paste of raw carrots and apply it to the face. Wash it after one
hour. The skin will become glowing.
the face and apply it overnight. Rinse off in the morning. This clears
the complexion and keeps it healthy.
Take 50 ml. of raw (not boiled) milk and mix a pinch of salt and two
teaspoonful of lime juice in it. Use it as a cleansing lotion. It helps
to clean the deep pores of skin.
Mix equal quantities of lime juice, glycerin and rose water. This
lotion if applied to the face regularly at bed time is very useful in
removing pimples, blackheads and other stains of the skin. It makes the skin
soft, and can also be applied to other parts of the body (hands, feet
etc.)
Take 50 ml. of tomato juice and mix with one teaspoon of lemon juice.
Apply this mixture to the face. It helps to make the skin soft and
glowing.
Take equal quantities of turmeric powder and wheat flour and make a
paste with sesame oil. Apply it to the face to remove unwanted hair.
Apply orange juice to the face for smooth and soft skin.
Take 30 ml. of cabbage juice and mix one teaspoon of honey in it. This
mixture, if applied regularly to the face, helps to keep the wrinkles
away.
Make a paste of raw carrots and apply it to the face. Wash it after one
hour. The skin will become glowing.
Why liquid diets are unhealthy........
Many of those who want to get a trim tummy in a jiffy, think that switching on to a liquid diet helps. Also in the sweltering summer, people sometimes prefer to take only cool drinks or fruit juice rather than solid food. However, nutritionists while recommending more liquids in one's diet during summer, advise that one should not substitute a liquid diet for a solid one.
Says nutritionist Sumana Basak, "Liquid diet cannot supply all nutrients. Fruit juices lack protein, fats, adequate energy-giving calories and most importantly fibre.
Liquid food stays in our stomach for just 30 minutes to one hour compared to a solid meal that stays in the stomach for at least four to five hours.
Malnutrition can set in if one tries to survive on such a diet for a long period. Also, one may develop colon cancer as fruit juices lack the fibre needed to keep the colon ."
Dietician at Apollo Hospital, Hyderabad, Charita Adikane, says that the best liquids to take in this season besides plain water are tender coconut juice and barley water with lemon, buttermilk, gingili water, mango panna, juices of watery fruits like watermelon and mask melon.
Milkshake is another healthy drink, but it's better to avoid adding sugar to it. "This will keep one hydrated, detoxify the system (fruits like oranges containing vitamin C and anti-oxidant salts) and also aid digestion. However, it is always advisible to eat raw fruits than to drink fruit juice, as the former is rich in fibre."
"Those who want to stay slim by cutting down their diet can help themselves to soup before lunch or dinner. It reduces the urge to eat more.
Also, every major meal should be ideally followed by some liquids like fruit juice," adds Sumana. Therefore, a low calorie, whole fruits and salad-based solid diet as well as a liquid one are equally important for a balanced diet as they complement each other.
Says nutritionist Sumana Basak, "Liquid diet cannot supply all nutrients. Fruit juices lack protein, fats, adequate energy-giving calories and most importantly fibre.
Liquid food stays in our stomach for just 30 minutes to one hour compared to a solid meal that stays in the stomach for at least four to five hours.
Malnutrition can set in if one tries to survive on such a diet for a long period. Also, one may develop colon cancer as fruit juices lack the fibre needed to keep the colon ."
Dietician at Apollo Hospital, Hyderabad, Charita Adikane, says that the best liquids to take in this season besides plain water are tender coconut juice and barley water with lemon, buttermilk, gingili water, mango panna, juices of watery fruits like watermelon and mask melon.
Milkshake is another healthy drink, but it's better to avoid adding sugar to it. "This will keep one hydrated, detoxify the system (fruits like oranges containing vitamin C and anti-oxidant salts) and also aid digestion. However, it is always advisible to eat raw fruits than to drink fruit juice, as the former is rich in fibre."
"Those who want to stay slim by cutting down their diet can help themselves to soup before lunch or dinner. It reduces the urge to eat more.
Also, every major meal should be ideally followed by some liquids like fruit juice," adds Sumana. Therefore, a low calorie, whole fruits and salad-based solid diet as well as a liquid one are equally important for a balanced diet as they complement each other.
Summer Hair care
In summer, the hot and humid weather results in a lot of hair problems.
In fact, very few of us have normal, healthy hair. Good hair needs good care. If you are suffering from problems like oily scalp or dandruff or hair-fall, then have a look at these tips below and try following them. Within a month you will see results.
DANDRUFF:
* Apply neem leaves extract with lemon juice on the scalp and keep it for 30 minutes, then rinse it.
* After shampoo, apply vinegar and lemon juice mixed in equal quantities on the scalp and keep it for 5 to 10 minutes and rinse it.
* Massage the scalp with jojoba oil or coconut oil by gentle inward circulation for 30 minutes and wrap the hair with hot towel for ½ an hour. Shampoo the next morning.
HAIR FALL:
* Take 2 tsp of castor oil, 2 tsp of amla, 2 tsp of shikakai, 2 tsp of reetha powder, two tsp of fenugreek (methi) powder, 2 eggs and 2 tsp paste of neem leaves. Mix all of them and apply to the roots and keep it for 45 minutes. Then shampoo.
OILY HAIR:
* Mix 3 tsp of flour, 10 crushed strawberries, 2 tsp of amla powder and 1 tsp of white vinegar in cold water. Apply this paste on the hair and leave it for 40 minutes and then rinse it. This cleanses your hair and scalp.
Hair vitaliser:
* Grind a few hibiscus leaves and flowers and mix in 2 to 3 drops of coconut milk. Rub gently on the scalp. Rinse your hair after half an hour with a mild shampoo. It can be effectively used to treat various problems like hair-fall, dandruff and premature greying.
Hair tonic:
* Juice of fresh neem leaves cures scalp disorders including dandruff. It even reduces hair loss. A regular massage with neem juice can get rid of lice as well.
In fact, very few of us have normal, healthy hair. Good hair needs good care. If you are suffering from problems like oily scalp or dandruff or hair-fall, then have a look at these tips below and try following them. Within a month you will see results.
DANDRUFF:
* Apply neem leaves extract with lemon juice on the scalp and keep it for 30 minutes, then rinse it.
* After shampoo, apply vinegar and lemon juice mixed in equal quantities on the scalp and keep it for 5 to 10 minutes and rinse it.
* Massage the scalp with jojoba oil or coconut oil by gentle inward circulation for 30 minutes and wrap the hair with hot towel for ½ an hour. Shampoo the next morning.
HAIR FALL:
* Take 2 tsp of castor oil, 2 tsp of amla, 2 tsp of shikakai, 2 tsp of reetha powder, two tsp of fenugreek (methi) powder, 2 eggs and 2 tsp paste of neem leaves. Mix all of them and apply to the roots and keep it for 45 minutes. Then shampoo.
OILY HAIR:
* Mix 3 tsp of flour, 10 crushed strawberries, 2 tsp of amla powder and 1 tsp of white vinegar in cold water. Apply this paste on the hair and leave it for 40 minutes and then rinse it. This cleanses your hair and scalp.
Hair vitaliser:
* Grind a few hibiscus leaves and flowers and mix in 2 to 3 drops of coconut milk. Rub gently on the scalp. Rinse your hair after half an hour with a mild shampoo. It can be effectively used to treat various problems like hair-fall, dandruff and premature greying.
Hair tonic:
* Juice of fresh neem leaves cures scalp disorders including dandruff. It even reduces hair loss. A regular massage with neem juice can get rid of lice as well.
Acne home remedies
Mix equal quantities of cucumber juice, rose water and lime juice. Wash the face and apply it overnight. Rinse off in the morning. This clears the complexion and keeps it healthy.
Take 50 ml. of raw (not boiled) milk and mix a pinch of salt and two teaspoonful of lime juice in it. Use it as a cleansing lotion. It helps to clean the deep pores of skin.
Mix equal quantities of lime juice, glycerin and rose water. This lotion if applied to the face regularly at bed time is very useful in removing pimples, blackheads and other stains of the skin. It makes the skin soft, and can also be applied to other parts of the body (hands, feet etc.)
Take 50 ml. of tomato juice and mix with one teaspoon of lemon juice. Apply this mixture to the face. It helps to make the skin soft and glowing.
Take equal quantities of turmeric powder and wheat flour and make a paste with sesame oil. Apply it to the face to remove unwanted hair.
Apply orange juice to the face for smooth and soft skin.
Take 30 ml. of cabbage juice and mix one teaspoon of honey in it. This mixture, if applied regularly to the face, helps to keep the wrinkles away.
Make a paste of raw carrots and apply it to the face. Wash it after one hour. The skin will become glowing.
Regular application of mint juice to the face helps to remove stains.
Take 50 ml. of raw (not boiled) milk and mix a pinch of salt and two teaspoonful of lime juice in it. Use it as a cleansing lotion. It helps to clean the deep pores of skin.
Mix equal quantities of lime juice, glycerin and rose water. This lotion if applied to the face regularly at bed time is very useful in removing pimples, blackheads and other stains of the skin. It makes the skin soft, and can also be applied to other parts of the body (hands, feet etc.)
Take 50 ml. of tomato juice and mix with one teaspoon of lemon juice. Apply this mixture to the face. It helps to make the skin soft and glowing.
Take equal quantities of turmeric powder and wheat flour and make a paste with sesame oil. Apply it to the face to remove unwanted hair.
Apply orange juice to the face for smooth and soft skin.
Take 30 ml. of cabbage juice and mix one teaspoon of honey in it. This mixture, if applied regularly to the face, helps to keep the wrinkles away.
Make a paste of raw carrots and apply it to the face. Wash it after one hour. The skin will become glowing.
Regular application of mint juice to the face helps to remove stains.
Arthritis
Definition:
The swelling of a joint Arthritis has the ability to cause: Severe joint and muscle Pain; Loss of the body’s movement (loss of ability to walk, climb stairs, or even brush your teeth); Stiffness; Swelling of the Joints and Cartilage; Inflammation; Joint deformities, and Bone loss. There are over a hundred different varieties of Arthritis that affect more than 46 million adults and 300,000+ children in the United States alone. All types share this one common link – each of them affects the muscle / cartilage / skeletal system at the joints where two or more bones meet.
The most common types of Arthritis are:
Osteoarthritis: A degenerative joint disease in which the cartilage that covers the ends of bones in the joint deteriorates, causing pain and loss of movement as bone begins to rub against bone. This is the most widespread variety found in North America today.
Rheumatoid Arthritis: This is a serious condition where the Cartilage becomes inflamed as a result of body immune system failure. RA is one of the most serious and disabling kinds, especially for women.
Gout: This type usually affects men who drink alcohol and eat a large amount of red meat. It is very painful and usually attacks the smaller joints of the body such as the toes and the fingers.
Ankylosing Spondylitis: This rare kind of Arthritis affects the spine. As a result of inflammation, the bones of the spine grow and fuse together over time.
Fibromyalgia: Again, this variation affects mostly women and shows up as widespread pain that hits the muscles and the ligaments attached to the bone.
All these different varieties have a few things in common which when remedied, will not only bring about relief, but for the most part can bring about a complete reversal of the condition. There is hope ! ! ! And something can be done about it ! ! !
Common Contributing Causes:
1. The excessive consumption of commercial red meats and Dairy Products brings about an Acidosis condition = The Acid / Alkaline ratio (the pH of the body) goes dramatically out of balance.
2. Poor quality commercial foods bring about a state of Malnutrition. People are simply not getting enough nourishment in the form of Vitamins and Minerals from the foods they eat every day. Basically, they eat far too much Junk!
3. The large amounts of Toxins taken in from Pesticide laden foods, Alcohol, Coffee, Soda Pop, Sugar, and White Flour products that people consume, actually trigger many of these conditions in the first place, including those autoimmune disorders that are all too common.
The swelling of a joint Arthritis has the ability to cause: Severe joint and muscle Pain; Loss of the body’s movement (loss of ability to walk, climb stairs, or even brush your teeth); Stiffness; Swelling of the Joints and Cartilage; Inflammation; Joint deformities, and Bone loss. There are over a hundred different varieties of Arthritis that affect more than 46 million adults and 300,000+ children in the United States alone. All types share this one common link – each of them affects the muscle / cartilage / skeletal system at the joints where two or more bones meet.
The most common types of Arthritis are:
Osteoarthritis: A degenerative joint disease in which the cartilage that covers the ends of bones in the joint deteriorates, causing pain and loss of movement as bone begins to rub against bone. This is the most widespread variety found in North America today.
Rheumatoid Arthritis: This is a serious condition where the Cartilage becomes inflamed as a result of body immune system failure. RA is one of the most serious and disabling kinds, especially for women.
Gout: This type usually affects men who drink alcohol and eat a large amount of red meat. It is very painful and usually attacks the smaller joints of the body such as the toes and the fingers.
Ankylosing Spondylitis: This rare kind of Arthritis affects the spine. As a result of inflammation, the bones of the spine grow and fuse together over time.
Fibromyalgia: Again, this variation affects mostly women and shows up as widespread pain that hits the muscles and the ligaments attached to the bone.
All these different varieties have a few things in common which when remedied, will not only bring about relief, but for the most part can bring about a complete reversal of the condition. There is hope ! ! ! And something can be done about it ! ! !
Common Contributing Causes:
1. The excessive consumption of commercial red meats and Dairy Products brings about an Acidosis condition = The Acid / Alkaline ratio (the pH of the body) goes dramatically out of balance.
2. Poor quality commercial foods bring about a state of Malnutrition. People are simply not getting enough nourishment in the form of Vitamins and Minerals from the foods they eat every day. Basically, they eat far too much Junk!
3. The large amounts of Toxins taken in from Pesticide laden foods, Alcohol, Coffee, Soda Pop, Sugar, and White Flour products that people consume, actually trigger many of these conditions in the first place, including those autoimmune disorders that are all too common.
The Wonders of Triphala: Ayurvedic Formula for Internal Purification
The Wonders of Triphala: Ayurvedic Formula for Internal Purification
Dr. Michael Tierra L.Ac., O.M.D.
The most popular herbal remedies in the health food industry are those that promote bowel movement. The reason is quite simple since a very common problem for so many individuals is constipation and bowel irregularity. Consider how tremendously valuable a formula is that not only regulates bowel movement but at the same time does the following:
Triphala, as it is called, is the most popular Ayurvedic herbal formula of India, since it is an effective laxative that also supports the body's strength. The constitution of vegetarian Hindus cannot tolerate harsh laxatives anymore than vegetarians in other countries. Because of its high nutritional value, Triphala uniquely cleanses and detoxifies at the deepest organic levels without depleting the body's reserves. This makes it one of the most valuable herbal preparations in the world.
How is Triphala different from other kinds of laxatives?
There are two primary types of herbal laxatives. One is called a purgative and includes herbs such as senna, rhubarb, leptandra, buckthorne and cascara. These often contain bitter principles in the form of anthroquinones that work by stimulating the peristaltic action of the intestinal lining, either directly or by promoting the secretion of bile through the liver and gall bladder.
The second type of laxative is a lubricating bulk laxative, including demulcent herbs such as psyllium and flax seed. This is more nutritional and usually does not have any significant direct effect on either the liver or the gall bladder. Instead, these work like a sponge by swelling and absorbing fluid, thus acting as an intestinal broom.
Triphala combines both nutritional as well as blood and liver cleansing actions. It has little function as a demulcent or lubricating laxative, however. It possesses some anthroquinones that help to stimulate bile flow and peristalsis. The nutritional aspect is in the form of its high vitamin C content, and the presence of linoleic oil and other important nutrients that make it more of a tonic.
People who are in need of purgatives are those whose bowel irregularity is caused by liver and gall bladder congestion, usually accompanied, to some degree, by blood toxins. Those in need of demulcent laxatives are those with intestinal dryness caused by a variety of metabolic factors including a nutritional deficiency as well as a condition of excess hypermetabolic energy. Triphala will prove useful for all kinds of constipation except that caused by a lack of vital energy or chi. Even for the latter type, it will not further deplete such an individual and can be made to work well if it is combined with other chi, blood or yang-warming tonic herbs such as ginseng for chi tonification, tang kuei for blood tonification and prepared aconite for yang tonification.
Herbal healing is largely a matter of strategy. One approach may emphasize tonification while another emphasizes elimination. The problem with overemphasizing tonification is that it can lead to further stagnation and congestion in an excess condition. Emphasizing elimination through the overuse of purgatives in an already deficient individual can further deplete the body's store of minerals and essential B vitamins and can also cause an imbalance of beneficial intestinal microorganisms. The result is weakness with a likely tendency towards chronic fatigue and anemia. Since the body is always simultaneously involved with maintaining and gaining strength through good nutrition as well as eliminating waste, Triphala is unique in that it is naturally able to support both vital processes simultaneously.
Because of its high nutritional content, Ayurvedic doctors generally do not regard Triphala as a mere laxative. Some of the scientific research and practical experience of people who have used it down through the ages has demonstrated that Triphala is an effective blood purifier that stimulates bile secretion as it detoxifies the liver, helps digestion and assimilation, and significantly reduces serum cholesterol and lipid levels throughout the body. As a result, it is regarded as a kind of universal panacea and is the most commonly prescribed herbal formula.
A popular folk saying in India is: "No mother? Do not worry so long as you have Triphala." The reason is that Indian people believe that Triphala is able to care for the internal organs of the body as a mother cares for her children. Each of the three herbal fruits of Triphala takes care of the body by gently promoting internal cleansing of all conditions of stagnation and excess while at the same time it improves digestion and assimilation.
We herbalists believe that the longevity and innate power of herbs such as those of Triphala are, when ingested, energetically absorbed and imparted to our reserves. This belief exists with herbs such as wild ginseng, where specimens that have "weathered" decades of climatic stress have been found to contain the highest concentration of ginsenosides. The Ginkgo tree is another of those long lived plants whose evolution extends back over millennia to the time of the dinosaurs.
The three fruits of Triphala (Harada, Amla and Bihara) (bahada really) each correspond to the "three humours" or "tridosha" of Indian Ayurvedic medicine. According to Ayurvedic theory, the body is composed of three doshas or humours. Vata is sometimes translated as "wind" which corresponds to the mind and nervous system. Its nature is dry, cold, light and activating. The second is pitta which is also translated as "fire" or "bile." It is responsible for all metabolic transformations including the digestion and assimilation of food as well as assimilation and clarity of thought and understanding. The nature of pitta is primarily hot, moist and light. Kapha is sometimes translated as the "water" or "mucus" humour and is responsible for all anabolic or building functions such as the development of muscle and bone tissue. Its nature is cool, moist and heavy.
Harada, having a bitter flavor, is associated with the vata humour and with elemenst of well air and space. It treats imbalances and diseases of the vata humour. Harada possesses laxative, astringent, lubricant, antiparasitical, alterative, antispasmodic and nervine properties. It is therefore used to treat acute and chronic constipation, nervousness, anxiety and feelings of physical heaviness.
Among Tibetans, Harada is so highly revered for its purifying attributes that it is the small fruit that is depicted in the hands of the "medicine Buddha" in their sacred paintings or tankas. Of the three fruits, Harada is the most laxative and contains anthroquinones similar to those found in rhubarb and cascara.
Amla has a sour flavor and corresponds to the pitta humour and the fire element in Ayurvedic medicine. It is a cooling tonic, astringent, mildly laxative, alterative, antipyretic. It is used to treat fire imbalances that include ulcers, inflammation of the stomach nd intestines, constipation, diarrhea, liver congestion, eruptions, infections and burning feelings throughout the body. In various studies, Amla has been shown to have mild anti-bacterial[1] properties, as well as pronounced expectorant[2], anti-viral[3] and cardiotonic[4] activity.
Amla is the highest natural known source of vitamin C, having 20 times the vitamin C content of an orange. The vitamin C in Amla is also uniquely heat stable. Even when subjected to prolonged high heat, as in the making of the Ayurvedic tonic formula called Chyavanprash (Amla, as the primary herb comprises 50% of the formula), it loses hardly any of the vitamin C that was present when it was freshly harvested off the tree. The same is true of Amla that has been dried and kept for up to a year. This age and heat stable form of vitamin C that Amla possesses is due to the presence of certain tannins that bind and inhibit its dissipation.
Bihara is astringent, tonic, digestive and anti-spasmodic. Its primary flavor is astringent and the secondary is sweet, bitter and pungent. It targets imbalances associated with the kapha or mucus humour, corresponding to the earth and water elements in Ayurvedic medicine. Specifically Bihara purifies and balances excess mucus, treats asthma, bronchiole conditions, allergies and hiccoughs.
Ama is a term denoting a substance associated in Ayurveda with chronic disease patterns and symptoms of aging. It is described as a kind of sticky buildup of material that clogs the circulatory channels. In many ways it is nearly identical to the accumulation of excess cholesterol and blood lipids described in the West. Both conditions seem to contribute to a wide variety of circulatory disorders ranging from senility to rheumatic conditions, cancer and heart disease. It is interesting that in Traditional Chinese Medicine there is also a pathological condition associated with the heart called "invisible mucus" that is similar to the descriptions of both excess cholesterol in the West, and ama in Ayurveda.
One of the body's reactions to coping with stress is to increase the production of corticosteroids. The accumulation of these stress hormones can also contribute to the formation of cholesterol. Internal stress and the resultant buildup of cholesterol can be caused by the abuse of stimulants, spicy, hot foods such as garlic and cayenne, excessive aerobic exercise and repression of the emotions. It is interesting that some of the very substances and activities that can lower cholesterol in some, when not utilized in a holistic, balanced manner, can act as a stimulant and add further stress that would precipitate the further accumulation of cholesterol. Triphala is one of two[5] Ayurvedic formulations that are specific for eliminating Ama and cholesterol from the body.
Triphala is a completely balanced energetic formula, being neither too cold, nor too hot. When taken regularly over a long period, it gently effects the elimination and purification of Ama from the tissues of the entire body. The three fruits have been scientifically studied and confirm some of its known traditional benefits. These include the lowering of cholesterol, reducing high blood pressure, benefiting circulation, improving digestion and regulating elimination without causing any laxative dependency.
One Indian study reported by C.P. Thakur, demonstrated the enormous value and effectiveness of Amla, in reducing serum, aortic and hepatic cholesterol in rabbits[6]. In another study[7], extracts of Amla fruit were found to decrease serum free fatty acids and increase cardiac glycogen. This helps to prevent heart attacks by providing significantly greater protection and nourishment to the heart muscle.
Studies of the fruit of Bihara[8] found that it contains up to 35% oil and 40% protein. The oil is used in soap making and by the poorer classes,as a substitute cooking oil for ghee. The sweet smelling oil is 35% palmitic, 24% oleic and 31% linoleic. Linoleic oil is an essential fatty acid important for increasing HDL cholesterol, associated with a healthy state and reducing LDL cholesterol, considered to indicate a higher-than-average risk for developing coronary-heart disease.
One of numerous studies of Harada[9] demonstrated its anti-vata or anti-spasmodic properties by the reduction of abnormal blood pressure as well as intestinal spasms. This confirms its traditional usefulness for heart conditions, spastic colon and other intestinal disorders.
With all the virtues of the three individual herbs, Triphala has many wide and varied uses as a therapeutic herbal food. Before considering pathological indications for which Triphala would be appropriate, we should never ignore the value of taking it on some regular basis whether once daily or once or twice a week simply for health maintenance. Triphala, having great nutritional properties, will help to prevent sickness.
I remember meeting a yogic master who was in his late eighties and staying in Santa Cruz for a few months. Being clear of mind and body, he could out walk anyone, both in terms of speed and distance. Besides his practice of meditation, he considered the fact that his remarkable fitness and health was primarily due to the fact that his diet consisted primarily of Kichari(mung beans, rice, ghee and spices, i.e., cumin, coriander, turmeric and salt) and a daily dose of Triphala as the primary herbal tonic.
I have numerous reports of individuals with chronic constipative tendencies who were able to regulate their bowels with the use of Triphala. One patient with a history of bowel irregularity was suffering from pyorrhea. After taking Triphala twice a day for three months, she was completely cured. Another patient who was at least 40 pounds overweight began taking Triphala and lost 20 pounds in a month with hardly any modifications in her diet. The reason is that because such severe obesity is usually accompanied by congestion of the internal organs of elimination, including the liver and bowels. As a result, digestion is compromised with the poorly assimilated food contributing to the organ congestion. For such conditions, Triphala can be highly effective in removing stagnation of both the liver and intestines.
Regardless of any other herbs being used, Triphala can be prescribed singly or adjunctively whenever there are symptoms of inflammation, heat, infection, obesity and other conditions of excess. Because of its combined tonic and eliminative properties, it is generally quite safe to give even for deficiency diseases including anemia, fatigue, candida, poor digestion and assimilation. Unlike other eliminative and cleansing herbs, Triphala may be safely taken for symptoms of wasting heat that frequently accompanies diseases such as tuberculosis, pneumonia and AIDS.
There are two ways to take Triphala, as a powder or tablet. Traditionally Triphala is taken as a churna or powder. One would stir in two or three grams of the powder with warm water and consume the entire amount each evening or divided into three doses throughout the day. Since for most it does not possess a flavor that one would look forward to experiencing, it is convenient that Triphala is available in tablet or capsule form. Generally the dose is from two tablets 1-3 times daily or four to six tablets one time daily. Children may only require one or two tablets in the evening.
The larger dose is more laxative while the smaller dose tends to be more gradually blood purifying. A smaller dose might be one or two tablets three times daily. One should increase or decrease the dose according to one's bowel movements. Since there are no problems in using Triphala, the dose can be adjusted upwards from the suggested amount.
Triphala is also widely taken for all eye diseases including the treatment of conjunctivitis, progressive myopia, the early stages of glaucoma and cataracts. For these conditions, it is taken daily both internally as described above, as well as externally as an eye wash. Steep one tablespoonful of the powder or six tablets in an 8 ounce glass of water overnight. In the morning, strain the infusion through a clean cloth. The resultant tea is used to sprinkle over the eyes or used in an eyewash with an eyecup that can be readily purchased at most drug stores. One can drink the remainder in one or two doses, morning and evening. Taken in this way for at least three months, Triphala becomes an herbal eye tonic.
As stated, there can be different reactions to the same dose of triphala. For some it causes too loose bowels while in others it may have little or no effect. As a result, it may take two or three days to regulate the dose that is best. After the constipative tendencies are removed, usually within 15 days of daily application, it will no longer cause loose bowels.
Presently Triphala is distributed and available in the U.S. from a few different sources. The powder can be purchased in most Indian food import stores in larger cities. Tablets are currently manufactured and distributed by Planetary Herb Formulas as well as a few other companies.
I have used Triphala as a regular part of my clinical practice for at least ten years. I know that other Ayurvedic doctors both here and in India also regularly prescribe Triphala for most of their patients to be taken at least once each evening. For centuries, Triphala has been known and used as a standard household health supplement much as vitamins are in the West. In many households, Triphala is taken on a weekly basis by all family members to prevent disease and maintain health.
In India, Triphala is considered the greatest and most versatile of all herbal formulations. With the presence of such a vitamin C rich herbal food as Amla, it possesses unique nutritive tonic and eliminative properties. Both the public and therapists of all disciplines should be able to benefit from its unique therapeutic virtues.
Planetary Products was the first to introduce Triphala to the U.S. herb market. It is no wonder that it is one of the best selling formulas in the entire line. Triphala is traditionally taken and works best when taken as a powder. The average dose is from one to two teaspoons of the powder in a little water once in the evening or three times daily for blood and general body purification. It can also be taken regularly once a week with great benefit since it promotes balanced cleansing and detoxification. The tablets are for convenience since many find the powder too have too unpleasant a flavor for the more spoiled tastes of Westerners.
Triphala has been found to be very effective for helping to control weight gain, chronic constipation and as an adjunctive treatment for many chronic degenerative conditions.
Dr. Michael Tierra L.Ac., O.M.D.
The most popular herbal remedies in the health food industry are those that promote bowel movement. The reason is quite simple since a very common problem for so many individuals is constipation and bowel irregularity. Consider how tremendously valuable a formula is that not only regulates bowel movement but at the same time does the following:
- Improves digestion,
- Reduces serum cholesterol,
- Improves circulation (potentiates adrenergic function),
- Contains 31% linoleic acid,
- Exerts a marked cardio-protective effect,
- Reduces high blood pressure,
- Improves liver function,
- Has proven anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties,
- Expectorant, hypotensive.
Triphala, as it is called, is the most popular Ayurvedic herbal formula of India, since it is an effective laxative that also supports the body's strength. The constitution of vegetarian Hindus cannot tolerate harsh laxatives anymore than vegetarians in other countries. Because of its high nutritional value, Triphala uniquely cleanses and detoxifies at the deepest organic levels without depleting the body's reserves. This makes it one of the most valuable herbal preparations in the world.
How is Triphala different from other kinds of laxatives?
There are two primary types of herbal laxatives. One is called a purgative and includes herbs such as senna, rhubarb, leptandra, buckthorne and cascara. These often contain bitter principles in the form of anthroquinones that work by stimulating the peristaltic action of the intestinal lining, either directly or by promoting the secretion of bile through the liver and gall bladder.
The second type of laxative is a lubricating bulk laxative, including demulcent herbs such as psyllium and flax seed. This is more nutritional and usually does not have any significant direct effect on either the liver or the gall bladder. Instead, these work like a sponge by swelling and absorbing fluid, thus acting as an intestinal broom.
Triphala combines both nutritional as well as blood and liver cleansing actions. It has little function as a demulcent or lubricating laxative, however. It possesses some anthroquinones that help to stimulate bile flow and peristalsis. The nutritional aspect is in the form of its high vitamin C content, and the presence of linoleic oil and other important nutrients that make it more of a tonic.
People who are in need of purgatives are those whose bowel irregularity is caused by liver and gall bladder congestion, usually accompanied, to some degree, by blood toxins. Those in need of demulcent laxatives are those with intestinal dryness caused by a variety of metabolic factors including a nutritional deficiency as well as a condition of excess hypermetabolic energy. Triphala will prove useful for all kinds of constipation except that caused by a lack of vital energy or chi. Even for the latter type, it will not further deplete such an individual and can be made to work well if it is combined with other chi, blood or yang-warming tonic herbs such as ginseng for chi tonification, tang kuei for blood tonification and prepared aconite for yang tonification.
Herbal healing is largely a matter of strategy. One approach may emphasize tonification while another emphasizes elimination. The problem with overemphasizing tonification is that it can lead to further stagnation and congestion in an excess condition. Emphasizing elimination through the overuse of purgatives in an already deficient individual can further deplete the body's store of minerals and essential B vitamins and can also cause an imbalance of beneficial intestinal microorganisms. The result is weakness with a likely tendency towards chronic fatigue and anemia. Since the body is always simultaneously involved with maintaining and gaining strength through good nutrition as well as eliminating waste, Triphala is unique in that it is naturally able to support both vital processes simultaneously.
Because of its high nutritional content, Ayurvedic doctors generally do not regard Triphala as a mere laxative. Some of the scientific research and practical experience of people who have used it down through the ages has demonstrated that Triphala is an effective blood purifier that stimulates bile secretion as it detoxifies the liver, helps digestion and assimilation, and significantly reduces serum cholesterol and lipid levels throughout the body. As a result, it is regarded as a kind of universal panacea and is the most commonly prescribed herbal formula.
A popular folk saying in India is: "No mother? Do not worry so long as you have Triphala." The reason is that Indian people believe that Triphala is able to care for the internal organs of the body as a mother cares for her children. Each of the three herbal fruits of Triphala takes care of the body by gently promoting internal cleansing of all conditions of stagnation and excess while at the same time it improves digestion and assimilation.
We herbalists believe that the longevity and innate power of herbs such as those of Triphala are, when ingested, energetically absorbed and imparted to our reserves. This belief exists with herbs such as wild ginseng, where specimens that have "weathered" decades of climatic stress have been found to contain the highest concentration of ginsenosides. The Ginkgo tree is another of those long lived plants whose evolution extends back over millennia to the time of the dinosaurs.
The three fruits of Triphala (Harada, Amla and Bihara) (bahada really) each correspond to the "three humours" or "tridosha" of Indian Ayurvedic medicine. According to Ayurvedic theory, the body is composed of three doshas or humours. Vata is sometimes translated as "wind" which corresponds to the mind and nervous system. Its nature is dry, cold, light and activating. The second is pitta which is also translated as "fire" or "bile." It is responsible for all metabolic transformations including the digestion and assimilation of food as well as assimilation and clarity of thought and understanding. The nature of pitta is primarily hot, moist and light. Kapha is sometimes translated as the "water" or "mucus" humour and is responsible for all anabolic or building functions such as the development of muscle and bone tissue. Its nature is cool, moist and heavy.
Harada, having a bitter flavor, is associated with the vata humour and with elemenst of well air and space. It treats imbalances and diseases of the vata humour. Harada possesses laxative, astringent, lubricant, antiparasitical, alterative, antispasmodic and nervine properties. It is therefore used to treat acute and chronic constipation, nervousness, anxiety and feelings of physical heaviness.
Among Tibetans, Harada is so highly revered for its purifying attributes that it is the small fruit that is depicted in the hands of the "medicine Buddha" in their sacred paintings or tankas. Of the three fruits, Harada is the most laxative and contains anthroquinones similar to those found in rhubarb and cascara.
Amla has a sour flavor and corresponds to the pitta humour and the fire element in Ayurvedic medicine. It is a cooling tonic, astringent, mildly laxative, alterative, antipyretic. It is used to treat fire imbalances that include ulcers, inflammation of the stomach nd intestines, constipation, diarrhea, liver congestion, eruptions, infections and burning feelings throughout the body. In various studies, Amla has been shown to have mild anti-bacterial[1] properties, as well as pronounced expectorant[2], anti-viral[3] and cardiotonic[4] activity.
Amla is the highest natural known source of vitamin C, having 20 times the vitamin C content of an orange. The vitamin C in Amla is also uniquely heat stable. Even when subjected to prolonged high heat, as in the making of the Ayurvedic tonic formula called Chyavanprash (Amla, as the primary herb comprises 50% of the formula), it loses hardly any of the vitamin C that was present when it was freshly harvested off the tree. The same is true of Amla that has been dried and kept for up to a year. This age and heat stable form of vitamin C that Amla possesses is due to the presence of certain tannins that bind and inhibit its dissipation.
Bihara is astringent, tonic, digestive and anti-spasmodic. Its primary flavor is astringent and the secondary is sweet, bitter and pungent. It targets imbalances associated with the kapha or mucus humour, corresponding to the earth and water elements in Ayurvedic medicine. Specifically Bihara purifies and balances excess mucus, treats asthma, bronchiole conditions, allergies and hiccoughs.
Ama is a term denoting a substance associated in Ayurveda with chronic disease patterns and symptoms of aging. It is described as a kind of sticky buildup of material that clogs the circulatory channels. In many ways it is nearly identical to the accumulation of excess cholesterol and blood lipids described in the West. Both conditions seem to contribute to a wide variety of circulatory disorders ranging from senility to rheumatic conditions, cancer and heart disease. It is interesting that in Traditional Chinese Medicine there is also a pathological condition associated with the heart called "invisible mucus" that is similar to the descriptions of both excess cholesterol in the West, and ama in Ayurveda.
One of the body's reactions to coping with stress is to increase the production of corticosteroids. The accumulation of these stress hormones can also contribute to the formation of cholesterol. Internal stress and the resultant buildup of cholesterol can be caused by the abuse of stimulants, spicy, hot foods such as garlic and cayenne, excessive aerobic exercise and repression of the emotions. It is interesting that some of the very substances and activities that can lower cholesterol in some, when not utilized in a holistic, balanced manner, can act as a stimulant and add further stress that would precipitate the further accumulation of cholesterol. Triphala is one of two[5] Ayurvedic formulations that are specific for eliminating Ama and cholesterol from the body.
Triphala is a completely balanced energetic formula, being neither too cold, nor too hot. When taken regularly over a long period, it gently effects the elimination and purification of Ama from the tissues of the entire body. The three fruits have been scientifically studied and confirm some of its known traditional benefits. These include the lowering of cholesterol, reducing high blood pressure, benefiting circulation, improving digestion and regulating elimination without causing any laxative dependency.
One Indian study reported by C.P. Thakur, demonstrated the enormous value and effectiveness of Amla, in reducing serum, aortic and hepatic cholesterol in rabbits[6]. In another study[7], extracts of Amla fruit were found to decrease serum free fatty acids and increase cardiac glycogen. This helps to prevent heart attacks by providing significantly greater protection and nourishment to the heart muscle.
Studies of the fruit of Bihara[8] found that it contains up to 35% oil and 40% protein. The oil is used in soap making and by the poorer classes,as a substitute cooking oil for ghee. The sweet smelling oil is 35% palmitic, 24% oleic and 31% linoleic. Linoleic oil is an essential fatty acid important for increasing HDL cholesterol, associated with a healthy state and reducing LDL cholesterol, considered to indicate a higher-than-average risk for developing coronary-heart disease.
One of numerous studies of Harada[9] demonstrated its anti-vata or anti-spasmodic properties by the reduction of abnormal blood pressure as well as intestinal spasms. This confirms its traditional usefulness for heart conditions, spastic colon and other intestinal disorders.
With all the virtues of the three individual herbs, Triphala has many wide and varied uses as a therapeutic herbal food. Before considering pathological indications for which Triphala would be appropriate, we should never ignore the value of taking it on some regular basis whether once daily or once or twice a week simply for health maintenance. Triphala, having great nutritional properties, will help to prevent sickness.
I remember meeting a yogic master who was in his late eighties and staying in Santa Cruz for a few months. Being clear of mind and body, he could out walk anyone, both in terms of speed and distance. Besides his practice of meditation, he considered the fact that his remarkable fitness and health was primarily due to the fact that his diet consisted primarily of Kichari(mung beans, rice, ghee and spices, i.e., cumin, coriander, turmeric and salt) and a daily dose of Triphala as the primary herbal tonic.
I have numerous reports of individuals with chronic constipative tendencies who were able to regulate their bowels with the use of Triphala. One patient with a history of bowel irregularity was suffering from pyorrhea. After taking Triphala twice a day for three months, she was completely cured. Another patient who was at least 40 pounds overweight began taking Triphala and lost 20 pounds in a month with hardly any modifications in her diet. The reason is that because such severe obesity is usually accompanied by congestion of the internal organs of elimination, including the liver and bowels. As a result, digestion is compromised with the poorly assimilated food contributing to the organ congestion. For such conditions, Triphala can be highly effective in removing stagnation of both the liver and intestines.
Regardless of any other herbs being used, Triphala can be prescribed singly or adjunctively whenever there are symptoms of inflammation, heat, infection, obesity and other conditions of excess. Because of its combined tonic and eliminative properties, it is generally quite safe to give even for deficiency diseases including anemia, fatigue, candida, poor digestion and assimilation. Unlike other eliminative and cleansing herbs, Triphala may be safely taken for symptoms of wasting heat that frequently accompanies diseases such as tuberculosis, pneumonia and AIDS.
There are two ways to take Triphala, as a powder or tablet. Traditionally Triphala is taken as a churna or powder. One would stir in two or three grams of the powder with warm water and consume the entire amount each evening or divided into three doses throughout the day. Since for most it does not possess a flavor that one would look forward to experiencing, it is convenient that Triphala is available in tablet or capsule form. Generally the dose is from two tablets 1-3 times daily or four to six tablets one time daily. Children may only require one or two tablets in the evening.
The larger dose is more laxative while the smaller dose tends to be more gradually blood purifying. A smaller dose might be one or two tablets three times daily. One should increase or decrease the dose according to one's bowel movements. Since there are no problems in using Triphala, the dose can be adjusted upwards from the suggested amount.
Triphala is also widely taken for all eye diseases including the treatment of conjunctivitis, progressive myopia, the early stages of glaucoma and cataracts. For these conditions, it is taken daily both internally as described above, as well as externally as an eye wash. Steep one tablespoonful of the powder or six tablets in an 8 ounce glass of water overnight. In the morning, strain the infusion through a clean cloth. The resultant tea is used to sprinkle over the eyes or used in an eyewash with an eyecup that can be readily purchased at most drug stores. One can drink the remainder in one or two doses, morning and evening. Taken in this way for at least three months, Triphala becomes an herbal eye tonic.
As stated, there can be different reactions to the same dose of triphala. For some it causes too loose bowels while in others it may have little or no effect. As a result, it may take two or three days to regulate the dose that is best. After the constipative tendencies are removed, usually within 15 days of daily application, it will no longer cause loose bowels.
Presently Triphala is distributed and available in the U.S. from a few different sources. The powder can be purchased in most Indian food import stores in larger cities. Tablets are currently manufactured and distributed by Planetary Herb Formulas as well as a few other companies.
I have used Triphala as a regular part of my clinical practice for at least ten years. I know that other Ayurvedic doctors both here and in India also regularly prescribe Triphala for most of their patients to be taken at least once each evening. For centuries, Triphala has been known and used as a standard household health supplement much as vitamins are in the West. In many households, Triphala is taken on a weekly basis by all family members to prevent disease and maintain health.
In India, Triphala is considered the greatest and most versatile of all herbal formulations. With the presence of such a vitamin C rich herbal food as Amla, it possesses unique nutritive tonic and eliminative properties. Both the public and therapists of all disciplines should be able to benefit from its unique therapeutic virtues.
Planetary Products was the first to introduce Triphala to the U.S. herb market. It is no wonder that it is one of the best selling formulas in the entire line. Triphala is traditionally taken and works best when taken as a powder. The average dose is from one to two teaspoons of the powder in a little water once in the evening or three times daily for blood and general body purification. It can also be taken regularly once a week with great benefit since it promotes balanced cleansing and detoxification. The tablets are for convenience since many find the powder too have too unpleasant a flavor for the more spoiled tastes of Westerners.
Triphala has been found to be very effective for helping to control weight gain, chronic constipation and as an adjunctive treatment for many chronic degenerative conditions.
Essential Tips For Calming Children With ASD.
7 Essential Tips For Calming Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders
(Courtesy Deborah Delp.)
Let's face it, it's difficult to deal with some children with autism spectrum disorders, so that's why we need to have solutions ready at our fingertips.
1. USE ROUTINES, NOT LIP SERVICE!
Set up a crystal clear, daily structure before the day begins and decrease power struggles.. Think structure, structure, structure. Why get caught in crisis at the last minute for yourself and all concerned. People, especially in the autism spectrum need routine and structure. Be pro-active and structure minded even if you're not. Learn to cut down on directing with words as you begin to chose words with careful thought and consideration and sparingly. A little goes a long way.
2. CHANGE ENVIRONMENT RATHER THAN THE CHILD!
Look around you. If you actually make physical, concrete changes in your household, school, or community setting and change what needs to be changed such as location of furniture, color, lighting, clothing, chaos etc. People in the autism spectrum are especially sensitive to sensory conditions such as sound, lighting, physical touch and so on. This way the environment rather than you dictate the rules and your child can enjoy independence this way!
3. FOLLOW THROUGH WITH FOLLOW UP…FOLLOW UP…FOLLOW UP
Use your routines and rules you set in motion and then make sure they are doing what they are supposed to. By doing so, you are not the bad guy and they will have to deal with the natural consequences of their actions. With those in the autism spectrum, they respond well to follow-up as they thing in concrete terms rather than abstract ones. This can be your salvation and teaches the kids what will happen in the real world. Natural consequences can be difficult for them to comprehend therefore responses and behavior may get worse before it gets better but hang in there.
4. GROUND YOURSELF, NOT THE KIDS WITH GROUND RULES!
Keep your credibility and your word with your kids. Though it's hard at times, stick-to-it-ive-ness is your key to long term success. Kids in the spectrum disorder can actually enjoy grounding and time-outs due to their egocentric nature so be careful. Use masterful logic and reason and don't let them break you down or it will break you up!
5. NEGOTIATION ISN'T JUST FOR ADULTS
When creating rules for your kids, do so with them, not just for them whenever possible. This way they will buy into the process and will be more likely to cooperate. The rules are great for kids with autism as it helps them stay anchored. They will also surprise you many times with their comprehension of what is actually going on. Even if they are non-verbal, this does not mean they are not understanding or communicating so get the buy in.
6. BREAK TASKS INTO SMALL CHUNKS
If you overwhelm them it's no wonder they fight back. By breaking down the tasks into do-able tasks you are ensuring their feeling of success and even raising their own self-esteem. The more they have mastery over their environment the better they will feel about themselves. This should begin as small as need be with small decisions, small responsibilities etc and work up to larger ones. When deciding on the type of task to complete, try to use the seemingly insignificant activities that fill each child's day.
When working with people in this spectrum, life skills are very important to integrate at an early age. Social stories and visual cues can be quite helpful as a reminder. You can place pictures and/or text on a place they normally see so they can easily access this. Its good to put words next to pictures so they can learn to associate the meaning.
7. GIVE KIDS THE "HEAD OF THE TABLE"
Let them be in charge of their responsibilities though its tempting to try and avoid taking over the responsibility. In the short term it may seem easier but that's only if you want to continue doing this for them, in the case of parenting, when they are over 20! They can be rather convincing, none-the-less, hang in there. You can balance your decision to give the responsibility back by maintaining a supportive and caring attitude rather than being the bad guy!
Source:
http://www.autismtoday.com/tips.htm
(Courtesy Deborah Delp.)
Let's face it, it's difficult to deal with some children with autism spectrum disorders, so that's why we need to have solutions ready at our fingertips.
1. USE ROUTINES, NOT LIP SERVICE!
Set up a crystal clear, daily structure before the day begins and decrease power struggles.. Think structure, structure, structure. Why get caught in crisis at the last minute for yourself and all concerned. People, especially in the autism spectrum need routine and structure. Be pro-active and structure minded even if you're not. Learn to cut down on directing with words as you begin to chose words with careful thought and consideration and sparingly. A little goes a long way.
2. CHANGE ENVIRONMENT RATHER THAN THE CHILD!
Look around you. If you actually make physical, concrete changes in your household, school, or community setting and change what needs to be changed such as location of furniture, color, lighting, clothing, chaos etc. People in the autism spectrum are especially sensitive to sensory conditions such as sound, lighting, physical touch and so on. This way the environment rather than you dictate the rules and your child can enjoy independence this way!
3. FOLLOW THROUGH WITH FOLLOW UP…FOLLOW UP…FOLLOW UP
Use your routines and rules you set in motion and then make sure they are doing what they are supposed to. By doing so, you are not the bad guy and they will have to deal with the natural consequences of their actions. With those in the autism spectrum, they respond well to follow-up as they thing in concrete terms rather than abstract ones. This can be your salvation and teaches the kids what will happen in the real world. Natural consequences can be difficult for them to comprehend therefore responses and behavior may get worse before it gets better but hang in there.
4. GROUND YOURSELF, NOT THE KIDS WITH GROUND RULES!
Keep your credibility and your word with your kids. Though it's hard at times, stick-to-it-ive-ness is your key to long term success. Kids in the spectrum disorder can actually enjoy grounding and time-outs due to their egocentric nature so be careful. Use masterful logic and reason and don't let them break you down or it will break you up!
5. NEGOTIATION ISN'T JUST FOR ADULTS
When creating rules for your kids, do so with them, not just for them whenever possible. This way they will buy into the process and will be more likely to cooperate. The rules are great for kids with autism as it helps them stay anchored. They will also surprise you many times with their comprehension of what is actually going on. Even if they are non-verbal, this does not mean they are not understanding or communicating so get the buy in.
6. BREAK TASKS INTO SMALL CHUNKS
If you overwhelm them it's no wonder they fight back. By breaking down the tasks into do-able tasks you are ensuring their feeling of success and even raising their own self-esteem. The more they have mastery over their environment the better they will feel about themselves. This should begin as small as need be with small decisions, small responsibilities etc and work up to larger ones. When deciding on the type of task to complete, try to use the seemingly insignificant activities that fill each child's day.
When working with people in this spectrum, life skills are very important to integrate at an early age. Social stories and visual cues can be quite helpful as a reminder. You can place pictures and/or text on a place they normally see so they can easily access this. Its good to put words next to pictures so they can learn to associate the meaning.
7. GIVE KIDS THE "HEAD OF THE TABLE"
Let them be in charge of their responsibilities though its tempting to try and avoid taking over the responsibility. In the short term it may seem easier but that's only if you want to continue doing this for them, in the case of parenting, when they are over 20! They can be rather convincing, none-the-less, hang in there. You can balance your decision to give the responsibility back by maintaining a supportive and caring attitude rather than being the bad guy!
Source:
http://www.autismtoday.com/tips.htm
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