Old Time Skin Remedy and Ancient Health Tonic
Honey is like a wonder tonic. A spoonful of honey acts to balance metabolic systems when ingested, and is a natural antibacterial. Cleopatra from ancient Egypt bathed in milk and honey for a flawless complexion. England’s Queen Anne used it on her hair for moisturizing and shine. Honey is a natural humectant that attracts and retains moisture. With its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, it’s been touted for centuries to repair damaged, sensitive skin. Bacteria cannot grow in honey so the ancient Egyptians painted it on wounds to keep infections from forming. Smear some honey on your gums to help heal sensitive, sore mouths. You can make a classic old time smoothing lotion for extra dry skin by combining equal parts honey, lemon juice and any kind of vegetable oil (extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil are excellent), leave it on dry areas for 20-30 minutes and rinse off or jump in the bath and soak it off leaving skin soft and smooth all over. It’s also touted that if you take a spoonful of honey daily that is produced by bees in your geographical area, it will help you become immune to allergies of pollens since that honey is made directly from the pollens you’re affected by. Honey is good to take for a sore throat since it helps sooth and disinfect the throat. Taking honey daily can also help ward off arthritis and joint problems. Using honey to sweeten everything instead of sugar can gain you many health benefits while omitting the bad calories and dentist bills. See also under the category to the right “General Health” for information on apple cider vinegar and the ‘other wonder tonic’.
Bathing Beauty
In Ayurveda, bathing-or snaana- is a lot more than a simple hygiene practice or a soak in the tub. Bathing is a part of therapeutic and purifying process designed to restore stability to mind and body.Ayurveda nurtures the body inside-out by balancing the forces of the five elements. The daily bath, using the curative power of water, is an essential part of this process.
It is not just Ayurveda that glorifies the work. The primeval Greeks and Romans, for example, treated the bath as a curing activity and ablution remains the precondition for prayer or meditation in many cultures.
Bathing has always enjoyed the status of a sacred activity in Indian life as far back as Vedic civilization. It was in India that European colonizers in the 18th century learnt of and adopted the conception of a daily bath.
HOW IT HELPS US
Increase circulation, raises energy levels and refreshes the mind
Washes away dirt, sweat and environmental toxins
Relaxes tense muscles
Improves hunger
Promotes healthier sleep
Keeps away diseases
Balances the emotions, the mind and the nervous system
Adds a healing dimension
Improves blood circulation
Enhances the complexion
It is not just Ayurveda that glorifies the work. The primeval Greeks and Romans, for example, treated the bath as a curing activity and ablution remains the precondition for prayer or meditation in many cultures.
Bathing has always enjoyed the status of a sacred activity in Indian life as far back as Vedic civilization. It was in India that European colonizers in the 18th century learnt of and adopted the conception of a daily bath.
HOW IT HELPS US
Increase circulation, raises energy levels and refreshes the mind
Washes away dirt, sweat and environmental toxins
Relaxes tense muscles
Improves hunger
Promotes healthier sleep
Keeps away diseases
Balances the emotions, the mind and the nervous system
Adds a healing dimension
Improves blood circulation
Enhances the complexion
Nail Care
The condition of nails reflect the quality of tissue production in the body as nails are considered to be the waste product of bones (asthi dhatu) Healthy nails are pink, smooth and evenly shaped.
The root cause of nail disorders like splitting and flaky nails, white spots, vertical ridges or discoloration of the nail bed is an improper diet. Vata type nails are irregular in shape, pale, rough and brittle and bitten. A person with Pitta as the predominant dosha has oval, soft, strong and flexible nails while Kapha type nails are square, thick, large and very white.
Sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, dairy products, nuts, dried fruit and dark green leafy vegetables encourage healthy nail growth. To make the hands soft and nourish the nails, prepare a cream of almond oil and honey and leave it on overnight.
The root cause of nail disorders like splitting and flaky nails, white spots, vertical ridges or discoloration of the nail bed is an improper diet. Vata type nails are irregular in shape, pale, rough and brittle and bitten. A person with Pitta as the predominant dosha has oval, soft, strong and flexible nails while Kapha type nails are square, thick, large and very white.
Sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, dairy products, nuts, dried fruit and dark green leafy vegetables encourage healthy nail growth. To make the hands soft and nourish the nails, prepare a cream of almond oil and honey and leave it on overnight.
Eye Care
Among the five sensory organs, eyes are the most beautiful expressive organs we have that also have the capability of vision. Kapha eyes are usually large and clear with thick lashes. Pitta eyes are sharp, penetrating and sensitive and are prone to itchiness or redness. Vata eyes are small, nervous and dry.
To prevent eye form damage its care is very necessary. It is best to avoid poor light when reading or using computers or watching television for long hours. Very intense light or using very hot or very cold water on the face and head is also not healthy for the eyes. Applying few drops of almond, coconut or sesame oil around the eyes prevents dark circles.
Dry or dull eyes
The aggravation of Kapha dosha causes dull eyes, while an increase of Vata leads to dryness.
Remedies
Aggravation of Pitta dosha due to stress, smoke or pollution leads to red sore eyes. Fatigue and insufficient or irregular sleep also causes tense or blood shot eyes.
Remedies
Alochaka Pitta is responsible for maintaining eyesight and it weakens with age. Proper caring for the eyes is one preventative measure that helps.
Remedies
To prevent eye form damage its care is very necessary. It is best to avoid poor light when reading or using computers or watching television for long hours. Very intense light or using very hot or very cold water on the face and head is also not healthy for the eyes. Applying few drops of almond, coconut or sesame oil around the eyes prevents dark circles.
Dry or dull eyes
The aggravation of Kapha dosha causes dull eyes, while an increase of Vata leads to dryness.
Remedies
- Use a few drops of honey, ghee or sesame oil in the eyes.
- Boil 1/2 teaspoon of fennel seeds in 1 cup of water until it has reduced to half. Cool and use as eye drops.
- Wash the feet in warm water and massage with oil.
Aggravation of Pitta dosha due to stress, smoke or pollution leads to red sore eyes. Fatigue and insufficient or irregular sleep also causes tense or blood shot eyes.
Remedies
- Put 3 drops of rose water in the eyes.
- Soak a cotton pad in rose water, milk or aloe vera juice and apply to closed eyes for 10-20 minutes while laying down comfortably.
- Place a slice of cucumber on each eye for some time.
- Boil 2 or 3 figs and 1 tablespoon of raisins in 1 cup of milk. Drink each morning.
Alochaka Pitta is responsible for maintaining eyesight and it weakens with age. Proper caring for the eyes is one preventative measure that helps.
Remedies
- Grind about half a cup each of almonds, raw sugar and aniseeds. Divide into 40 doses and take one each day with a cup of warm milk.
- Meditate daily on the flame of a candle.
- Rinse the eyes with water daily. Rest eyes if working for long periods.
- Mix some cardamom seeds with 1 tablespoon of honey. Eat daily.
Mouth Care
It is said that a clean mouth is a healthy mouth. Pleasant breath, clean teeth and healthy gums all contribute to a beautiful smile. Bad breath is usually a sign of poor digestion, which is why cleaning the teeth or using mouth gargles only relieves the problem temporarily. To permanently eliminate bad breath the eating habits or diet should be monitored. Fasting for a day, and then adopting a light, easily digestible diet can eliminate this problem.
Consuming aloe Vera gel, or ginger and lemon juice, also helps improve digestion. Rinsing the mouth with a decoction of mint, or chewing parsley or basil leaves can improve breath.
Teeth
Healthy teeth are white, evenly spaced, level and clean. Unhealthy teeth are discolored, uneven, and are present in greater or less than the normal number.
Teeth problems occur due to poor diet or bad eating habits, tobacco, tea, coffee, sweet and sticky foods (sweets, chocolates, raisins) and very cold or hot food can lead to discoloration or decay. Ayurveda emphasizes on cleaning the teeth twice daily, in the morning and evening.
After eating it is necessary to rinse and gargle to remove food particles that may be stuck between teeth. Eating hard, crunchy fruits and vegetables (Apples, carrots) is good for the teeth. For discolored teeth salt mixed with lime or lemon juice to brush the teeth. To ease toothache, apply a couple of drops of cinnamon or clove oil to the base of the aching tooth.
Gums
Healthy gums are red, regular, compact and hard while unhealthy gums are spongy, dark red or very pale and may bleed.
Citrus fruits (oranges, grapefruit, lemon, lime), guavas or pomegranates should be included in the diet to ensure healthy gums as these fruits contain large quantities of vitamin C. Massaging the gums daily with a mixture of salt, black pepper, turmeric and sesame oil is also beneficial.
Tongue
The internal conditions of the digestive system is reflected by the tongue. According to ayurveda the condition of coating on the tongue determines physical disorders that may be present while a mucus like coating on the tongue demonstrates the presence of Ama (a toxic byproduct of poor digestion or improper eating habits).
Ayurvedic oral hygiene includes:
Cleaning the teeth and tongue daily with specially designed metal tongue scraper and gentle use of toothbrush.
Consuming aloe Vera gel, or ginger and lemon juice, also helps improve digestion. Rinsing the mouth with a decoction of mint, or chewing parsley or basil leaves can improve breath.
Teeth
Healthy teeth are white, evenly spaced, level and clean. Unhealthy teeth are discolored, uneven, and are present in greater or less than the normal number.
Teeth problems occur due to poor diet or bad eating habits, tobacco, tea, coffee, sweet and sticky foods (sweets, chocolates, raisins) and very cold or hot food can lead to discoloration or decay. Ayurveda emphasizes on cleaning the teeth twice daily, in the morning and evening.
After eating it is necessary to rinse and gargle to remove food particles that may be stuck between teeth. Eating hard, crunchy fruits and vegetables (Apples, carrots) is good for the teeth. For discolored teeth salt mixed with lime or lemon juice to brush the teeth. To ease toothache, apply a couple of drops of cinnamon or clove oil to the base of the aching tooth.
Gums
Healthy gums are red, regular, compact and hard while unhealthy gums are spongy, dark red or very pale and may bleed.
Citrus fruits (oranges, grapefruit, lemon, lime), guavas or pomegranates should be included in the diet to ensure healthy gums as these fruits contain large quantities of vitamin C. Massaging the gums daily with a mixture of salt, black pepper, turmeric and sesame oil is also beneficial.
Tongue
The internal conditions of the digestive system is reflected by the tongue. According to ayurveda the condition of coating on the tongue determines physical disorders that may be present while a mucus like coating on the tongue demonstrates the presence of Ama (a toxic byproduct of poor digestion or improper eating habits).
Ayurvedic oral hygiene includes:
Cleaning the teeth and tongue daily with specially designed metal tongue scraper and gentle use of toothbrush.
Reduce Weight Naturally
In ayurveda, Charak Samhita describes eight different types of bodies that are disease prone. Out of these, the obese body is described as the one afflicted with the most diseases and troubles. Obesity is the condition or physical state of the body when excessive deposition of fat takes place in the adipose tissue.
Extra fat puts a strain on the heart, kidneys, liver and the joints such as the hips, knees and ankles and thus, overweight people are susceptible to several diseases like coronary thrombosis, high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, gout, liver and gall bladder disorders. Chief cause of obesity is overeating, irregular eating habits and not following the rules of eating or mixing non-compatible food items in one meal.
To decrease weight and get rid of obesity three things must be kept in mind:
According to ayurveda home remedies are prepared in the same way and with the same purpose as other ayurvedic medicines. The main aim is to obtain the maximum therapeutic benefit while making it palatable.
Some common methods of preparing home remedies are:
Extra fat puts a strain on the heart, kidneys, liver and the joints such as the hips, knees and ankles and thus, overweight people are susceptible to several diseases like coronary thrombosis, high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, gout, liver and gall bladder disorders. Chief cause of obesity is overeating, irregular eating habits and not following the rules of eating or mixing non-compatible food items in one meal.
To decrease weight and get rid of obesity three things must be kept in mind:
- Controlling eating habits.
- Regular exercise.
- Avoiding the causes of weight gain
- Early morning
Juice of half a lemon mixed in a glass of warm water and a teaspoon of honey. - Breakfast
Wheat or Mung bean sprouts and a cup of skimmed milk. - Midmorning
A glass of orange, pineapple or carrot juice. - Lunch
- Salad of raw vegetables such as carrot, beet, cucumber, cabbage, tomatoes. Steamed or boiled vegetables
- Whole grain bread or whole wheat chapatis (Indian bread) and a glass of buttermilk.
- Roasted cumin seeds, green coriander leaves, a little salt and some grated ginger mixed in the buttermilk.
- Mid-afternoon
- Coconut water
- Dry fruits
- Lemon tea
- Fresh vegetable soup
- Dinner
- Whole grain bread or chapatis
- Steamed vegetables
- Seasonal fruits except banana and apple.
- Increase the quantity of fruits and vegetables and low calorie foods.
- Avoid intake of too much salt as it may be a factor for increasing body weight.
- Milk products like cheese, butter etc. and non-vegetarian foods should be avoided as they are rich in fat.
- Mint is very beneficial in losing weight. A chutney of green mint with some simple spices can be taken with meals. Mint tea also helps.
- Spices like dry ginger, cinnamon, black pepper etc. are good for loosing weight and can be used in a number of ways.
- Regular intake of carrot juice.
- Avoid rice and potato, which contain a lot of carbohydrates. Among cereals wheat is good.
- Vegetables like bitter gourd (Karela), and bitter variety of drumstick are useful in loosing weight.
- Honey is an excellent home remedy for obesity. It mobilizes the extra deposited fat in the body allowing it to be utilized as energy for normal functions.
Dosage: One should start with small quantity of about 10 grams or a tablespoon, taken with hot water early in the morning. A teaspoonful of fresh lemon juice may also be added. - Fasting on honey and lime- juice is highly beneficial in the treatment of obesity without the loss of energy and appetite. For this, mix one teaspoon of fresh honey with the juice of half a lime in a glass of lukewarm water.
Dosage: Take several times a day at regular intervals. - Raw or cooked cabbage inhibits the conversion of sugar and other carbohydrates into fat. Hence, it is of great value in weight reduction.
- Exercise is an important part of any weight reduction plan. It helps to use up calories stored in body as fat.
- Walking is the best exercise to begin with and may be followed by running, swimming or rowing.
- The gum of Commiphora Mukul called 'guggulu' is the drug of choice for the treatment of obesity.
According to ayurveda home remedies are prepared in the same way and with the same purpose as other ayurvedic medicines. The main aim is to obtain the maximum therapeutic benefit while making it palatable.
Some common methods of preparing home remedies are:
- Juice
The juice may be taken from the fresh leaves, flowers or stems of the herb. The part of the herb used should be crushed or ground in a mortar and pestle, to make a paste. This paste should be put in a piece of cloth and squeezed to take out the juice.
Dosage: One to two tablespoons twice a day. - Powder
Dried herbs are used for powders. The herbs are usually dried in a cool, shady and well-ventilated place, although some herbs are dried in direct sunlight. The herbs are then ground into a fine powder and stored in a dry, airtight bottle. The powder may be taken with water, or if specified, with milk or honey.
Dosage: Half to one teaspoon twice a day - Decoction
A decoction is prepared by boiling the herb in water (ratio: 1 part herb to 16 parts water). The herbs are broken into pieces and soaked in water overnight. This mixture is then boiled until it reduces to one quarter of the original volume. It is then filtered and stored in a glass bottle.
Dosage: One to two tablespoons twice a day. - Infusion
Herbs are soaked in water to make an infusion (ratio: 1 part herb to 8 parts water). Hot infusions result from adding herbs to hot water, or gently heating but not boiling the mixture. This is strained and taken internally. Herbal teas are forms of hot infusions. Cold infusions are made from soaking the herb overnight. Honey can be added.
Dosage: half to one cup once or twice day. - Paste
A paste can be made from either fresh or dried herbs. The flowers, roots, stems, leaves or bark are ground and mixed with water. Pastes are mainly used for external application, in cases of cuts, burns and swellings. The paste should be thick enough to be applied in a layer to the skin. - Tablets
The herbs should be first dried separately and then mixed together in a powder form, in fixed proportions. Water or herbal juice can be added to this powder to make a paste, from which tablets of a specific size or weight are made. Tablets remain potent longer than juices, powders, pastes or decoctions.
Dosage: 1 or 2 tablets twice a day. - Medicated ghee and oil
Ghee is cooked with herbal juices, decoctions or pastes. The ghee should be heated with the herbal mixture at a moderate, controlled temperature. High temperatures can easily burn the ghee or oil, destroying its effectiveness. Medicated ghee and oils are either used internally or massaged externally.
Dosage: Half to one tablespoon.
Art of Ayurveda
Health promotion, beauty management and healing in ayurveda rely on freeing the body of ama (toxins), restoring cellular nutrition, facilitating complete elimination and re-establishing the balance of the doshas. Diet and lifestyle are two things that help achieve good health and beauty. As Ayurveda relates to every aspect of the mind, body and the soul, it considers beauty as an intimate part of the human personality. To serve the purpose of fast natural beauty a faster and deeper cleansing and re-balancing is accomplished by using Ayurveda's traditional rejuvenation therapy.
The rejuvenation therapy in ayurveda teaches ways to become naturally beautiful, which is not just limited to the physical body but extends to subtle qualities and vitality of a person. Hence rejuvenation therapy is regarded as an integral part of ongoing self-care that helps beauty be with you throughout life and a fresh start in the process of making health-supporting lifestyle changes
According to ayurveda happiness, gloom, sadness and relaxation are the aspects that are reflected by the face and by the body and can't be disguised with cosmetics. In other words ayurveda emphasizes on external and internal beauty. It is believed in ayurveda that one can enhance internal beauty by understanding and following the basic principles of Ayurveda.
There's a secret beauty or the third level of beauty in Ayurveda and is also known as the state of 'self-realization'. It is said that a self realized person is eternally beautiful and does not need to use any external cosmetics or designer clothes. However in ayurveda the therapies, treatment and tips are concern with physical beauty which is considered to be the path to secret of beauty.
The rejuvenation therapy in ayurveda teaches ways to become naturally beautiful, which is not just limited to the physical body but extends to subtle qualities and vitality of a person. Hence rejuvenation therapy is regarded as an integral part of ongoing self-care that helps beauty be with you throughout life and a fresh start in the process of making health-supporting lifestyle changes
According to ayurveda happiness, gloom, sadness and relaxation are the aspects that are reflected by the face and by the body and can't be disguised with cosmetics. In other words ayurveda emphasizes on external and internal beauty. It is believed in ayurveda that one can enhance internal beauty by understanding and following the basic principles of Ayurveda.
There's a secret beauty or the third level of beauty in Ayurveda and is also known as the state of 'self-realization'. It is said that a self realized person is eternally beautiful and does not need to use any external cosmetics or designer clothes. However in ayurveda the therapies, treatment and tips are concern with physical beauty which is considered to be the path to secret of beauty.
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