Thursday, October 31, 2013

Lord Shri Dhanvantari bhagwan Prayer


Lord Shri Dhanvantari bhagwan is god of Medicines.
You can see history and other details of Shri Dhanvantari here at my another post--->

Shree dhanvantari bhagwan

All Ayurveda lovers worship him....by this Sanskrit shlokas n prayers....
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" शंखंचक्रंजलौकांदधतममृतघटंचारुदोर्भिश्चतुर्भिः।
सूक्ष्मस्वच्छातिह्र्द्यांशुकपरिविलसन मौलिमम्भोजनेत्रम॥
कालाम्भोदोज्वलांगंकटितटविलसच्चारूपीताम्बराढयं।
वन्दे धन्वन्तरिं तं निखिल गदवन प्रौढदावाग्निलीलम॥ "
Meaning of this shloka--->>
"One who bears in his attractive four hands- conch, circular weapon,
a set of leeches and a pot with ambrosia,
whose fine, shining and pure upper garment
makes him appear especially wonderful,
whose eyes are like lotus flower,
whose bright bodily luster is of the colour of a fresh rain cloud,
whose beautiful waist is adored by a magnificent yellow dress
and who burns away all diseases...
just like a forest fire,
to such Lord Dhanvantari,
I bow respectfully"

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" ॐ नमः भगवतेय  महा सुदर्शनाय
वासुदेवाय धन्वन्तरये I
अमृत कलश हस्ताय सर्व भय विनाशाय
सर्व रोग निवारणाय
त्रिलोक्य  पथ्याय त्रिलोक्य नित्याय
श्री महा विष्णु स्वरूपा
श्री धन्वन्तरि स्वरूपा
श्री श्री श्री
औषधा ; चक्र नारायण स्वहा II "

Meaning of this shlok--->>
"Obeisance unto the Supreme Bhagavan known as Sudarshana Vasudev Dhanvantari,
The holder of the Kalasha full of nectar of immortality,
Who removes all fears, who remove all diseases…
The well wisher of the three worlds,
And sustainer of the three worlds,
He is Vishnu swarup,
By the name Dhanvantari empowered to heal the Jiva souls."

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ॐ नमामि धन्वन्तरिं आदिदेवम I
सुरासुर वन्दिते पद पद्मम् II
लोके जरा रुक् भय मृत्यु नाशनम् I
धतर्मिशम् विविध औषधिनाम् II
Meaning is same as above said.

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वन्दे धन्वन्तरि पदयुगुलम्
स्वीकृतकार्ये फलसिध्द्यर्थम् ll
बिभ्रत कलशम् अमृतपूर्णम्
चक्र जलौका तथा च शंखम् l
साक्षात् विष्णोर्भूमि अवतीर्णो
दातुं सौख्यप्रदानम् ll1ll
वन्दे धन्वन्तरि पदयुगुलम्...
सर्वे सन्तु निरामया हि
नन्दतु जगति सदा आरोग्यम् l
मा कश्चित् ननु दुःखमाप्नुयात्
देयं सौख्यप्रदानम् ll2ll

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Listen this audio of Dhanvantari prayer in Sanskrit--->>
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VY-UOQ7O3Y&feature=related]

Lord Dhanvantari - God Of Ayurveda


Dhanvantari is depicted as Vishnu with four hands, holding medical herbs in one hand and a pot containing rejuvenating nectar called amrita in another. A shankh and Jaluka in oher hands.The Puranas state that Dhanavantari emerged from the 'Ocean of Milk' and appeared with the pot of nectar.
D prayer in Sanskrit is like dat--->>
शंखम् चक्रं जलौकां
दधतमृतघटं चारुदोभीश्च्तुर्भि
शुक्ष्म स्वचानन्तिर्ध्यन्शुक् परिविलसन
मौलिमंभोजनेत्रं I
कालंभोदोज्वलाङ्गं
कटितटविलसतचारु पिताबर आढयं
वन्दे धन्वन्तरीं तम निखिलगदवन
प्रौढदावाग्निलीलम II


For more Sanskrit prayers and Audio you can see at my another blog post here--->>

http://www.msayurved.com/2013/10/lord-shri-dhanvantari-bhagwan-prayer.html

Birth day celebration of Lord Dhanvantari ( the God of health, healing and cure ) is celebrated with great enthusiasm and happy environment, by Dr.Jigar Gor every year at his Treatment center  on Dhan Teras, two days before Deepwali, the Hindu festival of Lights.
The origins of the ancient healing science known as Ayurveda are lost in cosmic antiquity. According to the ancient text Caraka-samhita, this "Science of Life and Longevity" is eternal and is revealed in each universe in each of its infinite cycles of creation and destruction. This healing science is generally revealed by great sages or demigods. Occasionally, the Supreme Lord Himself descends as the avatara (incarnation) Dhanvantari and re-inaugurates the tradition of Ayurveda. This extremely rare appearance of God is recorded in the Vedic literature of ancient India.
He first appeared during the great churning of the cosmic milk ocean to deliver amrta (nectar) for the nourishment of the demigods. The churning of the milk ocean is one of the most famous episodes in Puranic history.
The second appearance occurred at the beginning of the reign of the current Manu in the second Dvapara-yuga, two billion years ago. Lord Vishnu foretold at the time of the churning that Dhanvantari would appear again in the human society and be offered sacrifices and worshipped by human beings. He would also teach them the science of Ayurveda. Dhanvantari at that time was residing in the heavens and Lord Indra seeing the misery of human beings afflicted by disease on earth, requested the Lord to teach Ayurveda to the human race.
Lord Dhanvantari was then born in the royal household of Kasi. He developed ascetic tendencies even as a young boy and performed severe austerities. Lord Brahmawith great difficulty persuaded Him to accept lordship over the city of Kasi and since then He bacame known as Kasi-raja. As a king He prepared the samhitas on Ayurveda in eight divisions for the benefit of humanity.
The Bhagavatam states "smrta-matrarti-nasanah" One who remembers the name of  Dhanvantari can be released from all disease.

Monday, September 2, 2013

Ayurveda philosophy on Types of Diet

According to the ancient wisdom science of Ayurveda, a diet can be considered to be right and beneficial for the body when it adheres to natural norms.
The natural diet needs to be able to maintain the natural well being of an individual. At the same time, the diet should be supportive enough to combat an ailment.Overdoing of the following diet types is discouraged.

Rough Diet: A diet that is rough and dry by nature tends to decrease the stamina of the individual. This kind of diet interferes with the natural manifestation of digestion and assimilation of food. This may lead to increased flatus and abdominal gas formation and improper evacuation of bowels.
As rough and dry diet aggravates the vatta dosha—or the air body humor—ailments like constipation, joint pains, dryness in the digestive tract, or dry skin might crop up.
In the long run, this kind of diet could rob you off the natural glow and radiance.

Oily Diet: Oily and unctuous foods when made a part of your daily diet can be rather disheartening. When you are taking in these kinds of foods more often, there is aggravation and imbalance of the kapha dosha, or the phlegm humor of the body.
Other than gaining unwanted pounds and becoming obese, there are other dilemmas like heaviness in the abdomen and chest region, lethargy, loss of natural hunger, and increased salivation.

Hot Diet: When you are taking more foods that are particularly hot in potency, you are bound to experience increased burning sensation within your body. Ailments like hyperacidity, skin disease with hemorrhage, and mental anxiety may turn up.
The hot food when taken continuously for a long stretch of time tends to amplify your body heat, and in the process the pitta dosha becomes vitiated. This in turn may lead to physical and mental weakness, vertigo, and lassitude.

Cold Diet: Some foods that are cold in potency, if taken for longer times, may smother your gastric fire. As a consequence, indigestion prevails. This suppression of the gastric fire then leads to anorexia and occasional nausea. There may be joint stiffness, blocking of the sinuses, and intolerance towards environmental cold.
   
Solid Diet: Regularly taking more hard and solid foods can be constipating. This kind of food is difficult to move down the alimentary canal and makes digestion worse. Digestion becomes very slow, or there may be indigestion and discontent.

Liquid Diet: Ayurveda limits intake of water and other liquids along with food mainly because this interferes with the normal burning of the gastric fire. Also, there are a number of ailments that may crop up in the process. This includes ailments like respiratory afflictions of frequent cough and colds, decreased immunity, or indigestion.

Ayurveda has a practical approach towards diet and lifestyle balance, wherein the emphasis is on moderation and optimum intake which is obligatory to gaining as well as maintaining natural wellness and longevity.

Friday, August 9, 2013

Ayurvedic Ways to Feel Energized by Food

The six Ayurvedic tastes are part of what forms the basis for a healthy, balance-creating
Ayurvedic diet.

Inherent within each taste are certain properties of nature that have an effect on Vata, Pitta
and Kapha doshas, the Ayurvedic governing principles in the mind-body.

 Because each taste affects Vata, Pitta and Kapha differently, Ayurvedic experts recommend
 that all six tastes should be included in every meal—or at least once every twenty-four hours to create a balanced diet. Special Ayurvedic teas and seasonings have been developed to assist in creating balance in Vata, Pitta and Kapha.

The chart below is designed to help make it easy at a glance to know what the six Ayurvedic tastes do.

The Six Tastes and Examples-

  1. Sweet: Sugar, milk, butter, rice, breads, pasta
  2. Sour: Yogurt, lemon, cheese
  3. Salty: Salt
  4. Pungent: Spicy foods, ginger, hot peppers, cumin
  5. Bitter: Green leafy vegetables, turmeric
  6. Astringent: Beans, lentils, pomegranate
How to Use the Six Tastes-
- To Decrease Vata To Increase Vata
Sweet, Sour, Salty Pungent, Bitter, Astringent

- To Decrease Pitta To Increase Pitta
Sweet, Bitter, Astringent Pungent, Sour, Salty

- To Decrease Kapha To Increase Kapha

Pungent, Bitter, Astringent Sweet, Sour, Salty




These are some Ayurveda Ways to Feel Energized by Food - 
1. Eat Foods with High Prana

Prana is the vital energy present in fresh vegetables and fruits and pure air that we breathe. One of the reasons for eating is to imbibe prana, so you want to choose foods that are high in prana.

Incorporating more fresh vegetables and fruits in your diet will give you an immediate energy boost. It's also important to cut the vegetables and cook them fresh at every meal. Buying pre-cut vegetables means that you have already lost some of the prana. For that reason, buy vegetables and fruits whole for maximum vitality
.

2. Eat Organic or Locally Grown Foods Whenever Possible.

Organic foods have more prana than foods that have been polluted with chemical fertilizers and pesticides. If your body has to work hard to purify the chemicals every time you eat, you'll feel fatigued and toxic.

Locally grown foods are also higher in prana, because they don't have to be shipped or stored and can be bought tree-ripened. There is another reason to eat locally grown foods--they contain the same ratio of the five fundamental levels as the climate in which you live.

One ayurvedic principle says that equal proportions of the elements is always enhancing. Locally grown herbs, fruits, vegetables and dairy products will have a more powerful and energizing biological impact. Herbs and plants grown in the desert are more helpful for the people who live in that kind of dry, hot climate.

This principle doesn't apply to grains or beans, which are grown in different regions. And if you can't get locally grown veggies or fruits, it's better to eat imported produce. The point here is that if you have a choice, buy or grow local produce for more vitality.

3. Avoid Eating Dead or Unintelligent Food

Just as fresh produce has more prana, food that is old, dead, or heavily processed contains very little life force. Frozen, canned, packaged, processed, bottled, fermented or leftover foods are either too old to be healthy, or even worse, have been altered with chemical preservatives and flavorings. This kind of unintelligent, dead food is difficult to digest and creates ama, which clogs the body's channels and creates fatigue. Choose food that is fresh, whole and unaltered by chemicals or harmful processing methods.

4. Eat Energizing Foods

Besides fresh, organic fruits and vegetables, an energizing diet includes whole grains such as quinoa, barley and amaranth. For protein, organic milk, lassi (a yogurt drink), panir and (fresh cheese) are energy-producing. Almonds, cashews, or walnuts are an excellent source of protein if they are soaked first or cooked with the grains to make them more digestible. Split-mung dhal and other small or split beans are an excellent source of protein. 
Fresh, easy-to-digest oils are another important part of the energizing diet. Ghee is an excellent cooking oil or baking oil because it doesn't burn at high heat. Extra virgin olive oil from the first press is healthy for baking or sautéing at low temperatures.

5. Eat a Variety of Foods

Rather than getting in a rut and just making rice, dhal and the same vegetables every day, be sure to rotate your selection so you are always getting a wide variety of grains, fruits, vegetables, proteins and flavors.

Ayurveda recommends that you eat all six flavors--sweet, sour, salty, bitter, astringent and pungent--in every meal. If you are getting bored with your food, or if you are having cravings for unhealthy foods, that's a clue that you are not getting all six tastes.

6. Cook with Energizing Spices

Cooking with spices makes the food more digestible and creates energy. The ayurvedic way to cook with spices is to sauté them at low heat in olive oil and ghee, then stir them into steamed vegetables, cooked grains, or soupy dhals. An alternative method is to sauté the spices in Ghee or olive oil and then sauté the raw vegetables, grains or dhal. Add water and cook until tender.

7. Avoid Energy-Draining Combinations

Avoid foods that don't digest well when combined, called mutually contradictory foods . According to AYURVEDA combining the following foods create 
ama and low energy.
·         Milk and salty, sour, bitter, pungent or astringent tastes. The only taste that combines well with milk is some foods from the sweet taste, such as sugar, dates, honey, rice or wheat. For this reason, it's better to drink milk separately from your meals.
·         Milk and fish.
·         Milk and eggs.
·         Milk and yogurt.
·         Ghee and honey (when mixed in equal parts).

8. Drink Energizing Water

Drinking lots of coffee, tea or caffeinated soft drinks may give you a false burst of energy, but caffeine taxes the liver, creating a toxic build-up and fatigue. It's better to drink beverages that clear toxins from the channels of the body, allowing the free flow of prana to revitalize the brain and organs. Almond Energy,Raja's Cup, and Vata, Pitta and Kapha Teas are energizing beverages to choose from.

9. Minimize Restaurant Eating.

If you must eat out, choose your restaurant carefully. Keep an eye on the ingredients and cooking methods. Are the ingredients fresh or frozen? Are leftovers served? Are there healthy oils? These are the questions you can ask.

10. Eat in a Settled Atmosphere

Ayurveda recommends that you eat in a settled atmosphere to gain maximum vitality from food. If you talk on the phone, watch TV or conduct a business meeting over lunch, your food is not going to digest properly. It will probably create ama, which is the cause of dullness and fatigue. Eating while standing, walking or driving also creates ama rather than energy.

Turn off the electronic devices and eat with someone you care about. Leave your responsibilities at the door--and instead revel in the beautiful colors, tastes, smells and textures of the food. All of this amounts to respecting your food and your digestion, and will help create the kind of light, clear, vital feeling that good food is meant to do.

Monday, July 29, 2013

Bitter Gourd - Sweet Benefits

Best thing to have in Monsoon season is Bitter Gourd with its sweet benefits.
when Rain falls, Children used to sing in Gujarati -

"આવ રે વરસાદ ઘેબરીઓ પરસાદ,
ઊની ઊની રોટલી ને કારેલાનું શાક" 

Bitter Gourd is very essential Herb of #Ayurveda science. To create interest of this bitter tasted vegetable in children, elder people made this sweet poem so that automatically one can get attache n crav to eat it...

Bitter gourd (Latin Name : Momordica charantia) is widely used as a vegetable and as a traditional medicine throughout Asia.

The Ayurveda scholar Bhavprakash said the qualities of Bitter Gourd like this :

" कारवेल्लं कठिल्लं स्यत कार्वेल्ली ततो लघु : l 
कारवेल्लं हिमं भेदी लघु तिक्तं वातलं ll 
ज्वर् पित्त कफस्त्रघ्न पाण्डु मेह् कृमिन हरेत् l 
तद् गुणा कारवेल्ली स्याद्विशेषादिपनि  लघु : ll "

Antidiabetic, abortifacient, anthelmintic, antimalarial, and anticancer properties are associated with bitter gourd. Bitter melon (Karela) is a valuable herb gifted to us by Mother Nature. It is one of the healthiest vegetables known to man.
Apart from being eaten mainly as vegetable, it is particularly reputed as a folk medicine due to its therapeutic properties. Although the bitter taste can turn you away, but it can really improve your health.

Bitter gourd is the english name of Momordica charantia. It looks like a hideous, light green cucumber and it tastes very bitter. There are two varieties of this vegetable. It is mostly found in tropical parts of the world, including Africa, Asia and South America.




It has numerous vital vitamins and minerals including vitamin A, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin C, Iron, Calcium, Phosphorous, Copper and Potassium. There are many health reasons why you should take this bitter vegetable seriously. Here are a few:

Diabetes:
The bitter gourd is particularly used as a remedy for diabetes because of its hypoglycemic action. It contains insulin-like peptides, alkaloids and charantin, all of which act together to lower blood and urine sugar levels without increasing blood insulin levels. These compounds activate a protein called AMPK, which is well known for regulating fuel metabolism and enabling glucose uptake, processes which are impaired in diabetics. You can take the juice of 4-5 bitter gourds every morning on an empty stomach, add seeds in powdered form to food or prepare a decoction by boiling the pieces of this fruit in water. If you are taking medications to lower your blood sugar, adding bitter gourd might make your blood sugar drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar carefully.

Blood Purification:
It has blood-purifying properties. As a result, the juice is used in the treatment of blood disorders like blood boils and itching due to blood poisoning. Have it little by little on an empty stomach daily, in 4-6 months you will see enhancement in your state.

Piles:
Fresh juice of bitter gourd is good for patients suffering from piles. Take a mixture of bitter melon juice and buttermilk every morning for about a month and you will see an improvement. A paste of the roots of bitter gourd plant can also be applied over piles to get a favorable result.

Good for stomach:
It contains cellulose which is a very good source of fiber thus preventing constipation. It also good digestive agent and helps in stimulating the secretion of gastric juices. This can be very helpful for people with dyspepsia. However, sometimes it may worsen heartburn and ulcers.

Aids weight loss:
It stimulates liver for secretion of bile juices that are very essential for metabolism of fats. Thus, if you want to have a perfect, slim figure, then bitter gourd can help you.

Eye care:
It has high amount of beta-carotene that helps alleviate eye problems and improving eyesight.

Alcoholism:
It is an antidote for alcohol intoxication, and helps purify, restore and nourish liver. Its juice is also beneficial in the treatment of a bad hangover.

Cholera:
Fresh juice of leaves of bitter gourd is also a useful medication in early stages of cholera.

Immune booster:
A glass of bitter gourd juice in the morning can help to strengthen your immune system and increase your body's fighting power against infection. Researchers hypothesize that bitter melon is as an immunomodulator. One clinical trial found limited evidence that bitter melon might improve immune cell function in people with cancer.

Skin care:
Bitter gourd is also effective in treating skin diseases or skin infections, eczema and psoriasis. It also helps in keeping the skin free from blemishes and keeps the skin glowing. The blood purifying properties make sure that you don't get acne.

HIV:
Laboratory tests suggest that compounds in bitter melon might be effective for treating HIV infection. In one preliminary clinical trial, an enema form of a bitter melon extract showed some benefits in people infected with HIV. However, more research is necessary before this could be recommended.

Anti-inflamatory:
The phenolic compounds and carotenoids present provide antioxidant activity, which can protect against a number of chronic diseases. Bitter melon has been found to induce anti-inflammator y responses.

In fact,
its extracts are already sold as pills as well and it is being marketed as a blood sugar level reducing medicine.
But rather than going for an indirect method of intake why not try to eat some amount of Karela in the form of vegetable/soup/curry in your diets, to get all the benefits.

Although there are several health benefits of including bitter gourd in your diet, it is not recommended to take it in excess amounts as it can lead to abdominal pain and diarrhea.
Also, pregnant women are also advised against having bitter gourd.
For medicinal Use Always seek Ayurveda Doctor's advise.

Papaya - A Versatile Fruit

A slice of ripe Papaya for breakfast is a great way to start your day, for this fruit is literally bursting with healing and rejuvenating enzymes. 
Ayurveda, the world’s oldest system of medicine, with its roots in India, has recognized the unique qualities of Papaya and used it for many of its treatment protocols and herbal remedies. In Kerala, the tropical paradise in South India, the Papaya tree is a familiar sight, and the traditional families of Ayurvedic physicians for which this state is famed, all use this wonder fruit in   many of their preparations and concoctions.
The Papaya is a versatile fruit.  It is orange-yellow when ripe and used in jellies, preserves, and fruit juices. The green, unripe fruit is used in curries and salads as well as to tenderize meat, while the leaves and root of the plant are also used in a variety of dishes. In addition, the bark is used for rope making and the leaves can be used as a soap substitute and are excellent stain removers as well..


Unique Goodness
Papaya contains several unique protein-digesting proteolytic enzymes including papain and chymopapain. Proteolytic enzymes protect you by digesting and destroying the defense shields of viruses, tumors, allergens, yeasts, and various forms of fungus. Once the shield is destroyed, tumors and invading organisms are extremely vulnerable and are easily taken care of by the body’s own immune system.
Ayurveda recommends the use of the Papaya to balance  Vatta and Pitta- two of the three life energies- the third being Kapha-  which according  to Ayurveda  determine a person’s constitution. Only when the three energies are perfectly balanced in a proportion unique to every individual, will he or she enjoy good health.
Ayurvedic physicians use Papaya used for treating digestive problems anddigestive problems. It is a remedy for flatulence, liver disorders and infection of the pancreas, as well as for gastro-intestinal problems and enzyme deficiencies.. Ayurvedic medicines for arthritis use Papaya too .Fresh cuts or wounds are treated with applying the juice of a fresh fruit. The dried latex collected from unripe papaya fruits are used in the preparation of some Ayurvedic medicines that are effective in the treatment of warts, moles, eczema, and skin allergies. Apart from the fruits, the roots and leaves of this tree also have medicinal properties.
Papaya Home Remedies
  • To get rid of intestinal worms mix papaya latex with castor oil and take this mixture in the early mornings. For adults the quantity advised is 60 drops of the milk mixed with 30 drops of castor oil. In case of children,  oral administration of 15 drops of castor oil mixed with 15 drops of the latex is suggested. This time tested remedy for intestinal worms is very effective and has no adverse side effects. 
  • The latex from the unripe fruit is also excellent for the rapid cure of stubborn ulcers in mouth, tongue, and throat.  
  • To treat skin diseases, especially scabies and scalp eczema, papaya latex is mixed with alum powder and the paste is applied on the affected areas. The area is then cleaned with warm water after an hour .
  • One simple way to lose weight is by consuming unripe papaya fruits both raw and cooked.
CAUTION :
  • Pregnant women should keep away from both unripe and ripe papaya fruit in the early stages of their pregnancy. These fruits have a tendency to abort the formation of the fetus. 
  • For the rest,   inclusion of Papaya in your daily diet is the Ayurvedic  way to keep the Doctor away!

Friday, July 26, 2013

Periodic Table of Vitamins

With new gimmcky health products hitting the shelf daily, it can sometimes be difficult to distinguish those that are beneficial from those that are not.

As an essential source of nutrients, vitamins do play an important role in our health. Below is a guide of the important vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, and some tips on where they can be found.

Vitamins are substances that your body needs to grow and develop normally. There are 13 vitamins your body needs. They are vitamins A,D,E,K and the B vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12 and folate). You can usually get all your vitamins from the foods you eat. Your body can also make vitamins D and K. People who eat a vegetarian diet may need to take a vitamin B12 supplement.
  • Each vitamin has specific jobs. If you have low levels of certain vitamins, you may develop a deficiency disease. For example, if you don't get enough vitamin D, you could develop rickets. Some vitamins may help prevent medical problems. Vitamin A prevents night blindness.
  • The best way to get enough vitamins is to eat a balanced diet with a variety of foods. In some cases, you may need to take a daily multivitamin for optimal health. However, high doses of some vitamins can make you sick.
There are 13 essential vitamins. That means they are needed for the body to function. They are:
  • Vitamin A
  • Vitamin C
  • Vitamin D
  • Vitamin E
  • Vitamin K
  • Vitamin B1 (thiamine)
  • Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
  • Vitamin B3 (niacin)
  • Pantothenic acid
  • Biotin
  • Vitamin B6
  • Vitamin B12
  • Folate (folic acid)
Vitamins are grouped into two categories:
  • Fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the body's fatty tissue.
  • Water-soluble vitamins must be used by the body right away. Any left over water-soluble vitamins leave the body through the urine. Vitamin B12 is the only water-soluble vitamin that can be stored in the liver for many years.

Function

Each vitamin has specific functions. You can develop health problems (deficiency disease) if you do not get enough of a particular vitamin.
Vitamin A - helps form and maintain healthy teeth, bones, soft tissue, mucous membranes, and skin.
Vitamin B6 - is also called pyridoxine. The more protein you eat, the more vitamin B6 is needed to help the body use protein. Vitamin B6 helps form red blood cells and maintain brain function, among other things.
vitamin B12 -  like the other B vitamins, is important for metabolism. It also helps form red blood cells and maintain thecentral nervous system.
vitamin C -  also called ascorbic acid, is an antioxidant that promotes healthy teeth and gums. It helps the body absorb iron and maintain healthy tissue. It also promotes wound healing.
vitamin D - is also known as the "sunshine vitamin," since it is made by the body after being in the sun. Ten to 15 minutes of sunshine 3 times a week is enough to produce the body's requirement of vitamin D. However, many people living in sunny climates still do not make enough vitamin D and need more from their diet or supplements. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium, which you need for the normal development and maintenance of healthy teeth and bones. It also helps maintain proper blood levels of calcium  and phosphorous.
vitamin E -  is an antioxidant also known as tocopherol. It plays a role in the formation of red blood cells and helps the body use vitamin K.
Vitmin K -  is not listed among the essential vitamins, but without it blood would not stick together (coagulate). Some studies suggest that it helps promote strong bones in the elderly.
Biotin -  is essential for the metabolism of proteins and carbohydrates, and in the production of hormones and cholesterol.
Niacin -  is a B vitamin that helps maintain healthy skin and nerves. It is also has cholesterol-lowering effects.
Folate -  works with vitamin B12 to help form red blood cells. It is necessary for the production of DNA, which controls tissue growth and cell function. Any woman who is pregnant should be sure to get enough folate. Low levels of folate are linked to birth defects such as spina-bifida. Many foods are now fortified with folic acid.
Panthothenic Acid -  is essential for the metabolism of food. It is also plays a role in the production of hormones and cholesterol.
Riboflavin -  (B2) works with the other B vitamins. It is important for body growth and the production of red blood cells.
Thiamine  (B1) helps the body cells change carbohydrates into energy. It is also essential for heart function and healthy nerve cells.

Food Sources

FAT-SOLUBLE VITAMINS-
Vitamin A:
  • Eggs
  • Meat
  • Milk
  • Cheese
  • Cream
  • Liver
  • Kidney
  • Cod
  • Halibut fish oil
Vitamin D:
  • Cheese
  • Butter
  • Margarine
  • Cream
  • Fortified milk
  • Fish
  • Oysters
  • Cereals
Vitamin E:
  • Wheat germ
  • Corn
  • Nuts
  • Seeds
  • Olives
  • Spinach and other green leafy vegetables
  • Asparagus
  • Vegetable oils and products made from vegetable oils, such as margarine
Vitamin K:
  • Cabbage
  • Cauliflower
  • Spinach
  • Soybeans
  • Cereals
WATER-SOLUBLE VITAMINS
Folate:
  • Green, leafy vegetables
  • Fortified foods
Niacin (B3):
  • Dairy products
  • Poultry
  • Fish
  • Lean meats
  • Nuts
  • Eggs
  • Legumes
  • Enriched breads and cereals
Pantothenic acid and biotin
  • Eggs
  • Fish
  • Dairy products
  • Whole-grain cereals
  • Legumes
  • Yeast
  • Broccoli and other vegetables in the cabbage family
  • White and sweet potatoes
  • Lean beef
Thiamine (B1):
  • Fortified breads, cereals, and pasta
  • Whole grains
  • Lean meats
  • Fish
  • Dried beans
  • Peas
  • Soybeans
  • Dairy products
  • Fruits and vegetables
Vitamin B12:
  • Meat
  • Eggs
  • Poultry
  • Shellfish
  • Milk and milk products
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
  • Citrus fruits and juices
  • Strawberries
  • Tomatoes
  • Broccoli
  • Turnip and other greens
  • Sweet and white potatoes
  • Cantaloupe
Most other fruits and vegetables contain some vitamin C; fish and milk contain small amounts.

Side Effects

Many people think that if some is good, a lot is better. This is not always the case. High doses of certain vitamins can be poisonous. Ask your doctor what is best for you.

Recommendations

The Food and Nutrition Board at the Institute of Medicine establish recommended dietary allowances (RDAs) for vitamins. The recommendations reflect how much of each nutrient you should receive on a daily basis, based on the known nutritional needs of practically all healthy people.
The best way to get the daily requirement of essential vitamins is to eat a balanced diet that contains a variety of foods from the food guide pyramid.
Specific recommendations for each vitamin depend on age, gender, and other factors (such as pregnancy).

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Magnesium Heals ur Mind & Body

Lets see some benefits of Magnesium 


1. Better sleep - The sleep regulating hormone melatonin is disturbed when Magnesium is deficient. Furthermore, Magnesium brings balance and controls stress hormones. Stress and tension are often reasons why people suffer from insomnia in the first place
2. Relaxes the nervous system - Serotonin, which relaxes the nervous system and elevates mood, is dependent on Magnesium

3. Bigger, stronger muscles - Magnesium allows the body to produce more Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF-1), which is a major contributor to the growth and strength of muscles. Furthermore, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is the cell's energy store, and is created with help from Magnesium

4. Better flexibility - Magnesium loosens tight muscles. Without Magnesium, muscles do not relax properly and cramps occur. Magnesium is important for flexibility, because low Magnesium results in a buildup of lactic acid, causing pain and tightness

5. Bone integrity and strength - Magnesium helps to fix calcium properly. It may blow some people's mind that the calcium supplements they're taking are not only useless, but are actually contributing to osteoporosis! There are actually about eighteen essential nutrients that contribute to bone health; Magnesium is definitely one of the most essential, because it stimulates a particular hormone called calcitonin. And, it also suppresses a hormone called parathyroid that breaks down bone

6. Remineralizes teeth - Magnesium deficiency causes an unhealthy balance of phosphorous and calcium in saliva, which damages teeth

7. Alkalizes the body - Magnesium helps return the body’s pH balance. Magnesium reduces lactic acid, which is partly responsible for post-exercise pain (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness)

8. Hydrates - Magnesium is a necessary electrolyte essential for proper hydration

9. Helps to relieve constipation - Magnesium can be used to cleanse the bowels of toxins

10. Enzyme function - Enzymes are protein molecules that stimulate every chemical reaction in the body. Magnesium is required to make hundreds of these enzymes work and assists with thousands of others

11. Diabetes - Magnesium enhances insulin secretion, which facilitates sugar metabolism. Without Magnesium, glucose is not able to transfer into cells. Glucose and insulin build up in the blood, causing various types of tissue damage, including the nerves in the eyes

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Lifestyle during Rainy Season - Varsha Ritucharya

Everybody is enjoying the Rain. Rain is beautiful gift to mankind to get fresh, its season of Romance.  During the rainy season, our digestive fire is weakened and so digestive system need special precaution in this time. This is the season where so many diseases can occur in our body due to imbalanced Vata dosha particularly

Along with Vata dosha, Pitta and Kapha also imbalanced causing various diseases. . Little precaution and some good habits makes this romantic season more enjoyable.

In India, Some habits and precaution are told in all religious holy books.  They says, To be spiritual, we must be Healthy. Good healthy body is the 1st step to achieve status of spirituality.

शरीरं आद्य खलु धर्म साधनम्...I

They told some habits of food to follow in particular manners, they advised some things to avoid for this four months of Monsoon ( called Chatur Maas) to have healthy body, mind and soul as well. But all this indication of various religions like Hinduism, Jainism etc are for better Health.

चातुर्मास्ये  नरो यो वै त्यजे अन्नादि भक्षणं I
स गच्छति हरि  सायुज्यं न भूयस्तु प्रजायते II

It’s told by the medium of God so the person on this earth will believe in it and follow it sincerely. But all this things also told in Ayurveda and now these things are proved scientifically also.Ayurveda told these things as a Rutu Charya( tips on how to behave in perticular season) for Beautiful Health, Physically as well as mentally.

Ayurveda texts says in the adhyaay of RutuCharya---

आस्थापनं शुद्ध तनु जीर्ण धान्यं रसान कृतान I
जाङ्गलं पिशितं युषान मध्वरिस्तं चिरन्तनं II
मस्तु सौवर्चल आध्यं व पञ्च्कोलव्चुर्नितं I
दिव्यं कौपं शुर्तं च अंभो भोजनं तवतिदुर्दिने II
व्यक्तंललवन्स्नेहं संशुष्कं क्षौद्रव्ल्लघु I
अपद्चारी सुरभि: सततं धुपितंबर : II

During this season Ayurveda recommends some list of Do and Don’ts, to make our body and Mind Healthy. Let’s have a look on some tips ---
वर्षा ऋतु में वात दोष कुपित होता है अतः बुजर्गों और वातजन्य रोगों के मरीज़ों को विशेष रुप से  वातवर्धक खानपान और रहन सहन से बचना चाहिए।
सम्भवित रोग - पाचन शक्ति का कम होना, शारीरिक कमज़ोरी, रक्तविकार, वायुदोष, जोड़ों का दर्द, सूजन, त्वचा-विकार, दाद कृमिरोग, ज्वर, मलेरिया, पेचिश तथा अन्य वायरस एवं जीवाणुजन्य रोग होने की सम्भावना रहती है।


प्रयोग करें-
  • अम्ल, नमक, चिकनाई वाला भोजन करना हितकर है।
  • पुराने चावल, जौ, गेहूँ आदि का सेवन करना चाहिए।
  • घी व दूध का प्रयोग भोजन के साथ करना चाहिए।
  • कद्दू ,परमल, करेला, लौकी, तुरई, अदरक, जीरा, मैथी, लहसुन का सेवन हितकर है।
  • छिलके वाली मूंग की दाल का सेवन करना चाहिए।
  • बाहर से घर में वर्षा से भीगकर लौटने पर स्वच्छ जल से स्नान अवश्य करें।
  • वर्षा ऋतु में भोजन बनाते समय आहार में थोड़ा सा मधु(शहद) मिला देने से मंदाग्नि दूर होती है व भूख खुलकर लगती है। अल्प मात्रा में मधु के नियमित सेवन से अजीर्ण, थकान और वायुजन्य रोगों से भी बचाव होता है।
  • तेलों में तिल का सेवन उत्तम है। यह वात रोगों का शमन करता है।
  • भोजन में नींबू का प्रयोग प्रतिदिन करना चाहिए। नींबू वर्षा ऋतु में होने वाली बीमारियों में बहुत ही लाभदायक है।
  • फलों में आम तथा जामुन सर्वोत्तम माने गए हैं। आम आंतो को शक्तिशाली बनाता है। चूसकर खाया हुआ आम पचने में हल्का वायु तथा पित्तविकारों का शमन करता है।
  • वर्षाकाल में रसायन के रुप में बड़ी हरड़ का चूर्ण व चुटकी भर सेंधा नमक मिलाकर ताजे जल के साथ सेवन करना चाहिए।
  • मच्छरों के काटने पर उत्पन्न मलेरिया आदि रोगों से बचने के लिए मच्छरदानी लगाकर सोएं। चर्मरोग से बचने के लिए शरीर की साफ सफाई का भी ध्यान रखें।
  • वर्षा ऋतु में सूती व हल्के वस्त्र पहनें।
प्रयोग  करें-
  • आलू ,अरबी जैसे कन्दशाक, चावल, भिन्ड़ी, मटर, पत्ता गोभी, फूलगोभी आदि का सेवन नहीं करना चाहिए।
  • गरिष्ठ, बासी, अधिक मसालेदार व ठंडी तासीर वाले भोजन का सेवन न करें।
  • दही, मांस, मछली का सेवन नहीं करना चाहिए।
  • अधिक तरल पदार्थ व मदिरा का सेवन नहीं करना चाहिए।
  • दिन में सोना व रात्रि जागरण नहीं करना चाहिए।
  • ओस में व खुले स्थान में नहीं सोना चाहिए।
  • अत्यधिक ठंडा पानी, कोल्ड ड्रिंक व आइस्क्रीम के सेवन से बचना चाहिए।
  • अधिक व्यायाम, अधिक शारीरिक श्रम व अधिक धूप का सेवन न करें।
  • स्नान के तुरन्त बाद गीले शरीर पंखे के हवा में नहीं जाना चाहिए।
  • भोजन निश्चित समय पर ही करना चाहिए, अधिक देर तक भूखे नहीं रहना चाहिए।
  • पित्तवर्द्धक पदार्थों का सेवन नहीं करें। गाय भैंस कच्ची घास खाती हैं। इसकी वजह से उनका दूध दूषित रहता है। अतः श्रवण मास में दूध एवं पत्तेदार हरी सब्जियां तथा भादों में छाछ का सेवन करना स्वास्थ्य के लिए हानिकारक माना गया है।
  • सीलन भरे, बदबूदार, अन्धेरे और गन्दे स्थान पर रहना या ज्यादा देर ठहरना इन दिनों में उचित नहीं होता।
वर्षाकाल में सबसे जरूरी और ध्यान देने योग्य काम है जल की शुद्धता पर ध्यान देना क्योंकि इन दिनों नदी तालाब आदि का जल दूषित, मटमैला और गन्दा हो जाता है। इन दिनों यदि जल दूषित और मैला हो तो इसे उबाल कर और ठंडा करके पीना चाहिए। बाहर का पानी देख कर ही पीना चाहिए। अगर पानी गन्दा हो तो पीना ही नहीं चाहिए।

Probable diseases- 
Reduction in digestion power, physical weakness, blood-related problems, vayu dosh, pain of joints, swelling, skin problems, ringworm, cankerworm, fever, malaria, dysentery. In addition, other virus and bacteria related diseases may emerge.

Use recommended-
  • Food, which contains acid, salt and greasiness, should be taken.
  • Consume very simple food
  • Old rice, wheat and barley should be taken.
  • Ghee (clarified butter) and milk should be taken with the food.
  • One can go for rabri of millet or maize made in buttermilk.
  • Pumpkin, brinjal, pointed gourd, bitter gourd, bottle gourd, ginger, cumin seed, fenugreek
  • and garlic are very helpful for health.
  • Pure water should be taken. If the water is taken from well, pond or river, then alum
  • should be applied before using it.
  • It is better to boil the water in rainy season. One should save himself/herself from rains
  • in the process of earning livelihood.
  • Don’t go in mud or wet dust bare feet.
  • Applying oil is beneficial.
  • Use kitchen spices in food to correct your digestive fire
  • Garlic, pepper, ginger, asafetida (hing), jeera powder, turmeric and coriander help enhance digestion and improve immunity.
  • Consume food according to your digestive fire
  • Having fruit or vegetable salads outside is also harmful because germs can easily grow there, always try and take home-made food during this season.
  • Wheat, Wheat floor is good in this season,  Moong dal is easy to digest and should be the dal of choice for the season.
  • Vegetables recommended during the rains are the non-leafy ones such as — snake gourd (turi), gourd (dudhi), pointed gourd (parwal), yam (suran), cluster beans (gavaar), apple gourd (tinda) and bitter gourd (karela).
  • It is better to stick to seasonal fruits because non-seasonal ones tend to get infested with worms during the monsoons. Among fruits, stick to pomegranates, mangoes, bananas, apples, litchees and cherries.
  • Non-vegetarians should go in for lighter meat preparations like soups and stews rather than heavy curries
  • Brown rice and bread are the best food items to go .with during monsoons.
  • avoid foods such as pastasoups, and other such foods which are meant t o be good host for the growth of bacteria
  • When eating out, choose restaurants that conform to basic standards of quality and hygiene, in order to avoid contracting serious infections such as viral fever, diarrhea and other water borne diseases
  • Avoid eating chaats, fried items such as pakoras, pre-cut fruits and juices from roadside vendors
  • Freshly prepared radish juice is a good remedy for colds. A pinch each of herb pipli, , and rock salt mixed in warm water also help reduce mucous formation.
  • In the starting of Monsoon, do Panchkarma -  Vaman and Virechan, for body detoxification
  • Do course of Basti Chikitsa during Monsoon to avoid aggravation of Vata dosha
  • Ubatan – application of Herbs in particular manners is advisable
  • Seek Ayurveda Doctors advise for Panchkarama, Medicaation and ask them about food also
  • Dry yourself after getting wet in Rain properly
  • Do  Dhupan / Fumigation of herbs as prescribed by Ayurveda Doctor
  • Be it residence or workplace, one should not live in damped places.
  • One should wash the feet and dry it properly after coming back from outside.
  • Mosquito net should be used to keep insects, bee moth and mosquitoes away.
  • If you get wet from rainy water, it is better to take a bath with clean water.
  • Food in this season should be easily digestible
  • Drink only boiled and filtered water, and make sure that it is consumed within 24 hours of boiling.
  • Take fresh and fresh prepared food and in little amount
  • Consume food within 2 hours of preparing it

Don’t use-
  • One should avoid rice, potato, colocasia, ladyfinger and other things, which are difficult to digest.
  • Avoid Sour, Fermented food
  • Don’t consume food which is stored in cold storage  refrigerator
  • Avoid dry food and Sprouts
  • Don’t consume water of any lake or River or Waterfall
  • Avoid Butter Milk, Curd, yogurt, etc heavy digestable food
  • avoid eating raw foods, instead go for stir fried vegetables because it is difficult to know whether raw foods are properly washed, cleaned or stored
  • Excellent  road side temptations like pani puri and bhel puri are not prepared hygienically and thus can cause stomach aches. So it would be better to control yourself till the end of the season so as to keep yourself healthy and fit and to enjoy the monsoons to the fullest.
  • Avoid sleep  in Day time
  • Don’t over work in these days
  • Always take precaution of your foot and Skin
  • Don’t get wait frequently in Rain, it may cause infection
  • Drinking water form pond or river is disadvantageous.
  • Don’t go for stale food, curd, meat and fishes.
  • One should avoid highly liquid things and alcohol.
  • Sleeping during daytime and waking during night is bad thing to do.
  • Don’t sleep in ons and under the open sky.
  • Avoid exercise and sun bath.
  • Don’t do much physical exercise.
  • Don’t try to swim or to take bath in any unknown pond or river.


HEALTH TIPS FOR RAINY SEASON

Varsha ritu is the season for prakopa of vatta dosha, also pitta and kapha dosh are also high. The digestive power i.e agni is very low.Thus maximum precautios should be taken.

  • Be particularly careful about keeping your food and water clean. Wash your vegetables and fruits thoroughly to ensure removal of bacteria and dirt. The leafy vegetables contain larvae too and you need to be very careful in finding them while washing.
  • Although it is difficult to resist snacks in the cool weather, your diet should mostly consist of cereals and vegetables cooked in minimum of oil. Having oily food would create problems in digestion.
  • Vegetables preferable during monsoon are neem, torai, pointed gourd (parwal), turmeric, tinda,methi, and cluster beans.
  • The amount you eat should be balanced, but if you have to , do so by eating less not more. It is important to put the digestive system at ease.
  • Some of the easily digestible spices during monsoon are garlic, hing, pepper, ginger, turmeric, jeera powder and coriander. They are very nutritious in monsoon.
  • Non-vegetarian food is especially avoidable in monsoon. Those who can’t should stick to soups  and avoid curries of fish and meat.
  • Excessively spicy foods such as tamarind and pickles should be avoided. They add taste to your food but can be very heavy in the monsoon.
  • In this season, , people of vattaj prakriti, old age people and people suffering from vattaj disorders like jointpain, arthritis, backpain, insomnia,  swelling in joints, sciatica, body pain etc., dont eat raw vegetables like onion , cucumber etc. always consume cooked or steamed food.
  • Perhaps the most important precaution during monsoon is to avoid having outside food. Eat food cooked at home always. Foods such as raitas, sandwiches, salads are particularly avoidable as they contain raw vegetables and you cannot be sure of the hygiene in their storage. So, apart from salads, juices, cut fruits, chaats and golas from street vendors.
  • If you want to snack, there is no dearth of healthy options. The grilled corn (bhutta) that is available everywhere when it rains is preferable. But do not let the street vendor apply his masala on it. Corn is rich in fibre and when roasted on coal, it makes for a very healthy snack. In rainy season prefer grilled (bhune) items such as bhutta, chana, etc as humidity is very high, and these food items are relaxing to the system and also will not lead to accumulation of doshas.
  • Monsoon is a season of mainy diseases like malaria typhoid, common cold, conjunctivitis, cholera and mainy skin diseases . thus to avoid this maintain proper hygiene at places near you and does not allow water to stagnate , as it offers mainy mosqouito and flies.
  • Drink boiled and filtered water .  boiled water should be used within 24 hrs .
  • Try not to go out in rain. Carry a umberella always. If you get wet , dry yourself properly and do not remain damp for a longer time.
  • Clean your feet properly and dry them after coming to home from work
  • Tastes to be preffered are sweet, sour and salty and excessive pungent, bitter and astringent tastes should be avoided
  • People of vatta –pittaj and vatta kafaj prakriti should take more precautions as their chances of getting ill is more with respect to others.