Saturday, June 20, 2015

Ayurveda Health Benefits Of Drinking Water



75% of earth’s area is covered by water. Water is the major component of all living beings and it is the major constituent of human cells. Ayurveda considers water (aap or jala) as one of panchamahabhutas. ( Panchamahabhutas  constitute human body). Water provides a good medium for most of the biological processes that happen in living beings. Dehydration or loss of water from body causes dry skin, lowered energy, muscle cramps, reduced alertness and affects vital organs.

Potable water:

Water which is not harmful to health and has all qualities to serve as drinking water is called as potable water. The potable water must be free from heavy metals, suspended particles and pathogens like bacteria.

Ayurveda recommends rain water which is devoid of impurities, microbes as pure potable water. This is called as “Gangambu”. Such rain water is healthy, refreshing, cools body, increases alertness and satiates taste buds. The properties of pure Gangabu or rain water are narrated as follows.

“Jeevanam tarpanam hridyam hlaadi buddhiprabhodhanam |
Tanvavyaktarasam mrushtam sheetam laghvamrutopamam||”

In present environmental scenario the polluted sky, dusty winds, chemicals spewed from industries get dissolved with rain water causing acid rains. It is not advisable to drink such rain water. Even in ayurveda it has been mentioned that rain water has to be used after analyzing its purity.

The water contaminated with mud, weeds, algae and microbes is referred as “Dushtajala” in ayurveda. Dushtajala or contaminated water should not be used for any purpose as it is harmful to living beings.

Benefits of cold  and warm water an - ayurvedic view

Ayurveda explains properties of cold water as follows

“Sheetam madaatyayaglaanimoorchaachardishramabhramaan ||  Trushnadaahapittasravishanyambu niyacchati ||”

Cold water reduces intoxication of alcohol. It relieves fatigue, giddiness, vomiting sensation and quenches thirst. It alleviates symptoms of increased pitta, rakta and poison.

Deepanam paachanam kantyam laghushnam basthi shodhanam ||
Hidmaadmaanaanilashleshmasadyahashuddhinavajware |
Kaasaampinasashwaasapaarshwarukshu cha shasyate |

Hot water kindles hunger, helps in good digestion, sooths throat, cleanses bladder, reduces hiccups, and alleviates increased vata and kapha. Hot water is recommended during panchakarma therapy. It eases symptoms of cold, cough, fevers and breathlessness.
It removes and flushes ama, the metabolic toxin of body.

Persons who drink plenty of water regularly enjoy the following benefits.

Healthy glowing skin: A well hydrated skin prevents dry skin and formation of wrinkles. Increased water intake moisturizes the skin from inside. It maintains the elasticity of skin and gives young looks. Water acts as a fountain of youth.

Keeps Cardio Vascular system healthy:  Researches have revealed that, drinking water regularly reduces the risk of heart diseases. The scientists say that dehydration increases the viscosity of blood and plasma which are risk factors of heart disease. 

Good Digestion: Water is very essential for digestion of food and absorption of nutrients. Well hydrated body cells function normally and efficiently. Water helps in expelling waste products produce during metabolism.

No Constipation: Inadequate consumption of water and lack of fiber in diet cause constipation. Drinking 14 glasses of water per day along with good fiber diet ease bowel movement and relieve constipation. 

Alert mind: Dehydration can affect mental alertness. Frequent ingestion of water keeps the mind alert and prevents dizziness which occur due to dehydration..

Regular Detoxification: In resent years our environment is full of toxins like pesticides, industrial wastes, vehicle exhausts etc. These toxins enter human body and get collected in tissues. Drinking lot of water help to eliminate these toxins from body. Hence drinking clean and pure water regularly in large quantities help to flush these toxins and prevent diseases which arise from accumulation of these toxins.

Apart from the benefits mentioned above , water regulates body temperature and boosts the immunity of body. Sports persons are always advised to drink plain water instead of aerated drinks.

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Ayurveda Health Benefits Of Milk



Milk contains nutrients like protein, fat, mineral matter, water and lactose. It is rich in calcium and vitamins. It is the natural food of all young mammals. Milk is a reservoir of nutrients and forms an important ingredient of a balanced diet. As it is rich in calcium it makes our bones and teeth strong. It helps to nourish the body with high quality proteins and vitamins. Drinking milk everyday helps to keep our body fit.

According to principles of ayurveda milk is generally sweet and unctuous. It has cooling effect on body. Consumption of milk increases lactation. It refreshes body and mind. Milk nourishes body and is believed to be a complete food. Daily consumption of milk increases libido, quality and quantity of semen and helps in erectile dysfunction. It helps to boost memory power and strengthens mind. Milk acts as an instant energizer and relieves thirst. The symptoms of bronchitis and cough get reduced by continuous use of milk. Persons suffering from gout are benefited by regular consumption of milk. Milk accelerates wound healing.

When milk is used during ayurveda treatment sessions it alleviates vitiated doshas and eliminates them from body. It acts as an appetizer. Milk helps to reduce the period of recuperation . People suffering from anemia, acid peptic disorders, diarrhea, fever etc are greatly benefited by consumption of milk. Milk is of great aid to persons who experience constipation. A quick recovery can be experienced in condition like genital organ infections (male and female), on consumption of milk. It is used in diet regimen for diseases which are caused due to vitiation of vata and pitta. .

Milk is widely used in ayurveda treatments. It is instilled as nasal drops and can be used as body pack or face pack. Milk bath helps to rejuvenate skin. It is used in panchakarma treatment process to induce vamana (emisis) and virechana (purgation). It is also used in basthi (enema).

This article is copy righted. The author Dr.SavithaSuri is an Ayurvedic Physician and web master of Ayurveda Help through Ayurvedic Remedies .Read more about Ayurveda Medicinal Properties of Milk

Home Remedies With Jaggery

Common Cold: mix 1 tea spoon of powdered gur with 2 tea spoons of beetle leaves’ juice. Add ½ cup of warm water and sip slowly.

Consuming 1 small piece of jaggery daily, in empty stomach with a glass of water helps to relieve menstrual problems.

Regular use of this helps to reduce incidences of anemia.

Grind ½ tea spoon of gur, ½ tea spoon sesame seeds and few drops of milk to a fine paste. Applying this paste on forehead helps to relieve migraine headaches.Consumption of jaggery relieves headache.

Grind 1 tea spoon jaggery with 2-3 black peppers. Keep this paste on tongue and slowly chew it to get relief from cough.

Note: Diabetic patients should be careful while using this as it may increase blood glucose level.
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Medicinal Properties Of Jaggery



Gur or jaggery is prepared from sugar cane juice. This is used as sweetening agent in many Indian traditional dishes. Jaggery contains plenty of nutrients as it is not completely refined like sugar. Texts of ayurveda eulogize this delicious substance as “Guda”.

Medicinal properties and health benefits of Gur or jaggery:

• Well prepared jaggery is store house of nutrients. According to ayurveda acharyas It eases bowel movement (hence very beneficial for persons suffering from constipation) and acts as diuretic.
• Guda or jaggery kept for a long time is very good for health and acts as cardiac tonic. It increases kapha and helps to gain a healthy weight. Hence it is recommended for persons who need brimhana therapy or weight gain therapy.
• Gur is rich in several important vitamins and minerals like potassium, magnesium, iron, zinc, selenium, calcium and phosphorus and antioxidants.
• It supplies instant energy. Juices prepared using this as sweetening agent are healthy and reviving.
• The iron content in this sweetener helps to boost blood hemoglobin level. Hence its use in pregnancy can be beneficial.
• The potassium in gur helps to control blood pressure.
• This sweetener can be used as a healthy substitute for sugar.
. It helps in digestion and nullifies free radicals.

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Soya Chunks Biryani





Soya chunks Biryani is a very quick and easy recipe. We know soya beans are nutritious and supply plenty of proteins.  The combination of Soya chunks, vegetables and rice constitute an ideal meal for kids in one go. Here goes the recipe

Ingredients

1.       Basumathi Rice – 1 ½ cups
2.       Soya chunks – medium sized ¾ th cup
3.       French beans – hand full (thinly sliced)
4.       Carrot – 1 medium sized (thinly sliced)
5.       Green peas – ¼ cup
6.       Onion – 2 small sized thinly sliced
7.       Tomato – 2 medium sized finely chopped
8.       Mint leaves – ½ cup coarsely chopped
9.       Ginger garlic paste – 1 tea spoon
10.   Green chilli – 1 (slit in middle)
11.   Curd – ¼ cup
12.   Ghee  - 3 tea spoon
13.   Cooking oil – 2 table spoon
14.   Cumin seeds – 1 tea spoon
15.   Black pepper corn – 5-6
16.   Clove – 2-3
17.   Cinnamon – ½ inch
18.   Cardamom – 3-4
19.Bay leaf – 1
20.   Turmeric – ½ tea spoon
21.   Red chilli powder – ½ tea spoon
22.   Garam masala – ½ tea spoon
23.   Salt to taste


Preparation of soya chunks:  Boil soya chunks in water until they become soft. Drain the water and rinse these chunks in running tap water. Squeeze these to remove excess water and keep them aside

Marinating -Add little salt, turmeric, red chilli powder and garam masala to curd. Take carrots, beans, peas and soya chunks in a bowl and add spiced curd. Mix them well and keep aside.

Preparing rice- Wash Basumathic rice in plain water. Add 1 ½ cups of water, little salt and a tea spoon of ghee to it. Pressure cook rice. Take care not to overcook it.

Preparation of Soya chunks Biryani:  Place a woke or kadai on stove. Pour cooking oil. When oil gets sufficiently heated add cumin seeds. When they splutter add remaining spices (15-19). Add onion and fry them till they become transparent. Now add ginger garlic paste and fry it. Add green chilli, tomato, ¼ cup of mint leaves, marinated vegetables and soya chunks.  Mix them well and cover the kadahi with a lid. Cook in a low heat. When vegetables are cooked add cooked rice, remaining ghee and mint leaves. Mix everything well and cover the lid. Heat this in low flame for 3 minutes. Allow the aroma of spices steep into rice. Serve this hot with cucumber raita  or tomato Cucumber raita.

This article is copyrighted. Author Dr.Savitha Suri  at blog http://aahara-arogya.blogspot.in/