Ginger is a spice which has traditional medicinal value. In fact Indian and Chinese civilizations have been taking advantage of ginger since ages. Most of the Indian recipes have ginger in one form or the other. It has long been known as a very healthy food. It has anti-cancer properties and is recognised as healthy by both modern and ancient systems of medicine. Have a read to see why you should start eating more ginger.

What gives Ginger medicinal value?

Ginger is scientifically called Zingiber officinalis and this is a rhizome as discussed in the case of Turmeric earlier. This rhizome has volatile oils and compounds which impart medical properties as well as taste and odor to the rhizome. The aromatic constituents of ginger are zingiberene and bisabolene. The other constituents which give ginger a pungent taste are gingerols and shogaols. These stimulate the digestive system and impart characteristic taste and flavor. These active constituents are in form of phenols and complexes in form of flavanoids which impart their properties.

The other active ingredient in ginger is terpenes and an oleoresin, which is called ginger oil. These active agents are responsible for its antiseptic qualities, lymph-cleansing, circulation-stimulating and mild constipation relief. Research has shown that ginger lowers blood cholesterol by reducing cholesterol absorption in the blood and liver.

Ginger in ayurveda

Ayurveda acts by correcting the energies within the body to suit the environment outside and maintaining this balance. Energies within the body are either hot or cold. When there is excessive heat in the body, the hot energy is provocative and in cases of flu and cough, the cold or cool energies are more dominant. Ginger increases the heat within the body and thus increases the action of the hot energy giving rise to a fruitful balance of energies and correcting the illness.

Medical properties of ginger

1. It helps in improving perspiration, hence is effective in reducing or treating fever.
2. Ginger loosens phlegm and hence is used in the treatment of tough cold. Here it is used as an expectorant.
3. Ginger aids digestion by activating the digestive enzymes.
4. They neutralize stomach acids and hence are effective in digestion.
5. Ginger tones the muscles of the intestine and is thus used in relieving constipation.
6. It reduces inflammation of joints and tissues and hence is used in treatment of arthritis.
7. The circulation increases within the body by consuming ginger.
8. Motion sickness and nausea can be curbed by chewing ginger, swallowing may reduce its effect.
9. Nervousness and sore throats are easily improved by ginger.
10. Ginger has been shown to clean and thin the blood and hence is used as a blood purifier.
11. The ills of LDL or bad cholesterol are curbed by reducing the concentration of LDL.
12. Ginger is also a mood enhancer due the content of cineole , an alcohol.
13. The mouth freshening properties of ginger make it commonly used in tea and after meal refreshers.

As a spice, ground ginger can be quite a valuable substitute when fresh ginger root is not available. But fresh ginger is always preferred, both for its greater health benefits and for its superior taste. Fortunately, in most parts of the United States fresh ginger root is available year round, so finding it shouldn’t be a problem for the majority of shoppers. Ginger may not be the most familiar spice or herb, but it definitely pays to get to know this great root.

Tags: Ayurvedic Medicine, Kitchen Tips, Herbal Supplements, Natural Remedies, Natural Cures

“Don’t forget to bring my "Tailam" (medicated oil) while coming back…” is a familiar dialogue iterated by the Grandmother to the handsome dashing hero or to his father in some of the poignant South Indian films.

You might have heard your grandparents complaining of joint aches or pain in the big toe . Old age is a time when you suffer from all kinds of medical conditions. Gout is the swelling of joints that affects thousands of people across the world. During a gout attack the sufferer can’t even tolerate the weight of a bed sheet over the affected area. Keeping warm towel to applying medicated herbal oils are practiced over most regions of India for Gout relief.

Do you think you can’t beat the gout that has been annoying you for a long time?

The Bout of Gout

The inflammation of the joints or gout is the result of uric acid built up in the body. A normal human body contains small amounts of uric acid in its bloodstream. In some people the metabolism rate of uric acid might be on a higher side. The excretory system does not remove this excess of uric acid ( hyperuricemia) . Then the crystals of uric acid accumulate in the body tissues (tendons) over the years causing arthritis. When in larger quantities this ruptures the skin to form sinuses and the resultant discharge is a white substance. This metabolism of uric acid is inborn and hence the disease is also congenital or inborn. Other than Gouty Arthritis the abnormal metabolism can also result in uric kidney diseases.

Gout arthritis is one of the hundred types of arthritis. It affects five percent of the people with arthritis.

Primary Gout

Majority of the gout cases are idiopathic or have no known reasons. They are either innate or hormonal.

Secondary Gout

This is a condition that occurs only to 1% of the gout patients. It is mainly triggered off by medications.

The Medical Condition

• Swelling
• Sudden pain while moving the joints
• Lasting joint pain in some people
• Redness and tenderness
• Warmness
• And stiffness of the affected area

Factors Contributing To the Increase in the Level of Uric Acid

• Food items containing purine generally trigger a bout of gout. Eatables like shellfish, dried beans, peas, organ meats like liver, kidney etc. are not recommended to gout patients.
• Intake of alcohol especially beer. The alcoholic content in the bloodstream interferes with the body’s ability to get rid of uric acid.
• The over weight of the body
• Some drugs also result in increased levels of uric acid in some. (Eg: some blood pressure medicines like Diuretics, Aspirin etc.)
• Renal insufficiency causes gout in older people. The kidney fails to remove the uric acid content of the body.
• Patients with medical conditions like Leukemia, Lymphoma and Psoriasis may also get gouty arthritis.
• Gout can also arise due to a surgery, chemotherapy, a joint injury or by a crash diet.

Medications

This form of arthritis is diagnosed through blood tests and x-rays. During an attack, sample fluid from the joints maybe taken to identify the disease.

• Doctors advise gout patients to rest the affected area in an elevated position.
• Water is the cheapest and most effective home remedy for gout. Drink lots of water so that the waste gets flushed out of the system.
• Avoid alcohol and foods with high purine-content. Make a habit of taking herbal teas.
• Check blood pressure and diet. Slim down and avoid over weight.
• Avoid wearing tight shoes or slippers to prevent hurting the joints and ankles.
• Some people find relief by icing or warming the area. But there is no scientific evidence on how it helps.
• The easiest and commonly available home remedy is turmeric. Turmeric is anti-inflammatory and is used in Ayurvedic medicine for treating gout, arthritis, diabetes, for healing purposes and so on. Ingesting 250 to 500 milligrams of turmeric three times a day would provide relief from gout attacks.
  

-Aparna K V

Disclaimer: The statements here are suggestions and we do not offer any medical advice. You should always consult your doctor or any qualified medical practitioner before buying any of our products.

Tags: Natural Remedies, Herbal Supplements, Kitchen Tips, Ayurvedic Medicine, Natural Cures

Are you among the few who are affected by Raynaud’s and yet do not know that you are affected???

Raynaud’s

Raynaud’s is known as Raynaud’s disease, Raynaud’s phenomenon , or Raynaud’s syndrome though there are minor variations in meaning. Many people are not aware that they are affected by Raynaud’s because its initial symptoms are similar to that of Arthritis.

Then, what exactly is Raynaud’s?

Raynaud’s Phenomenon is a disorder that affects the blood vessels in the nose, ears, toes and fingers. It is Vasospastic, i.e., it leads to the narrowing of blood vessels resulting from the contraction of the muscular wall of the vessels, medically known as Vasoconstriction . The affected areas undergo a triphasic change of colour in a characteristic pattern from white, blue to red. The fingers turn white on diminished blood supply. Then they turn into a blue colour without necessary oxygen supply. When the hands warm up, the blood flow would return and the fingers would turn red. Unless the fingers go through this tricolor pattern it is not Raynaud’s.

Raynaud’s Phenomenon comprises of both Raynaud’s disease (primary Raynaud’s) and Raynaud’s syndrome (secondary Raynaud’s. This condition can occur alone or as a part of another disease such as rheumatoid arthritis. When the condition occurs alone it is referred to as ‘Raynaud’s disease’ or primary Raynaud’s phenomenon. When Raynaud’s is accompanied by other diseases it is called secondary Raynaud’s phenomenon . Though, this medical condition is idiopathic or has no known causes, it is found that it is mostly triggered by cold or emotional stress. Smoking can also aggravate the condition.

This is seen commonly in people living under cold climatic conditions. Studies show that around 5 to 10% of the population in the USA is affected by Raynaud’s out of which a good majority is women. People living in hot climate may have frequent attacks during colder weather. Attacks may vary from digits to digits (fingers) and may last from less than a minute to several hours.

The Classification

The Primary Raynaud’s Phenomenon

It is the milder and most common version found among people. Women from the age range of 15 to 40 are found to have Primary Raynaud ’s Phenomenon than others. A person who has primary Raynaud’s phenomenon has no underlying illness or associated medical problems. Primary version can change into the secondary version in time.

Secondary Raynaud’s Phenomenon

Secondary Raynaud’s Phenomenon suggests that it is secondary to something else i.e., the patient may have an underlying disease or condition that causes Secondary Raynaud’s Phenomenon. This may reduce the blood flow to the digits by causing blood vessel walls to thicken and constrict too easily. This is a serious and complex disorder than the first one and is caused by connective tissue diseases.

Secondary Raynaud’s Phenomenon may affect people working in conditions like that of a plastic industry or those who are exposed to vinyl chloride. It may also concern people who operate vibrating tools, play instruments like the piano or do a lot of typing and thus cause stress to the fingers.

The Symptoms

The symptoms of Raynaud’s depend on the frequency, the period and the severity of the blood vessel spasms.

• Pain and paleness
• The changes in the colour of the affected skin when there is cold or stress. The affected area would change into a white hue first and then to a blue. It will be cold without any sensation. Finally it would swell or throb turning into a Red.
• A numbness or stinging sensation upon warming or on relief of stress

Medical Conditions

Raynaud’s Phenomenon in extreme cases may cause conditions which are difficult to treat:

• Painful ulcers or sores on fingers or toes
• Gangrene or tissue death
• Heartburn and difficulty in swallowing can occur when the tissues of the esophagus are weakened due to connective tissue diseases.

The story behind the name Raynaud’s

The name of the disease takes after Auguste-Maurice Raynaud , a French medical student of the 1860’s who wrote a thesis named “ Local asphyxia and symmetrical gangrene of the extremities” on Raynaud’s Phenomenon as a part of his graduation programme. The thesis was about the colour changes Raynaud’s saw in the hands of women waiting for the streetcar on cold winter days. Today, the disorder is called Raynaud’s Phenomenon in memory of the French Physician, Raynaud’s.

If you think you have Raynaud’s and not rheumatism or arthritis as you have been supposing, you should consult an experienced rheumatologist without any delay.

–Aparna K V

Tags: Herbal Supplements, Natural Remedies, Kitchen Tips, Natural Cures, Ayurvedic Medicine

One country in Asia with many tourists visiting it, is India. Mother nature has bestowed its beauty on India, the tropical nation with equatorial climate. Another reason for many tourists visiting this place is the spicy and tangy food, with stimulating spices. Perhaps this is the reason why Indian food across various states intoxicates tourists and gives them a reason to return again in future. Though the culture and dishes across regions may differ, there is a similarity which binds all of them together. Indian Curries , bright colors and mouthwatering aromas are some of the typical characters of Indian delicacies. Natural health experts now further enhance the value of these spices by documenting the therapeutic value of these spices…turmeric being the first and fore most.

Turmeric is also known as ‘Curcuma longa ’ medically. It is a rhizome of the same family as ginger. A rhizome combines the functions of a stem and root. The structure of ginger and turmeric are thus similar as they provide water and nutrients from the underground to the plant and also store it for further use. The typical yellow color of turmeric is due to a flavanoid ‘curcumin’. Chemically curcumin is a group of polyphenol turmerone, atlantone and zingiberone. It is this active flavanoid that prevents and cures many diseases like cancer, arthritis, alzheimer’s disease, inflammation and many others. Perhaps the copious use of this spice protects many Indians from the evils of carcinogens as is shown by higher numbers of cancer patients in America.

Turmeric in Cancer

Cancer is an abnormal division of cells to multiple cells in the body to give rise to abnormal growths. The initiation of the cell division is on account of changes in the nuclear material in the cell in form of DNA. This alteration in the genetic material gives rise to the repetitive cell division and slowly the division of cells progresses to abnormal numbers. Turmeric interferes in all three processes in a cancer patient and hence slows down the deterioration of the condition. Leukemia, melanoma of the skin are a few conditions where the therapeutic properties of curcumin have been documented.

Turmeric in arthritis

Arthritis is an inflammatory condition where the body reacts to an unusual particle or toxin in the body in the form of an unfavorable response in form of swelling, pain and immobility. Histamine is released from the mast cells in the affected body which gives rise to the inflammatory response. Moreover COX 1 and COX 2 are produced which worsen the inflammation. Curcumin stops the release of histamine as well as COX 1 and COX 2 . This improves the condition and reduces the symptoms of arthritis.

Turmeric as an antioxidant

Many degenerative disorders and allergies are caused when free radicals are produced in the body by the invasive environment in form of pollution, toxic substances and radiations. These radicals eat up the cells of the body and fight with the normal body mechanisms. Curcumins act as an antioxidant which make the unstable free radicals stable by sharing the electron in heir valence shell. This prevents damage to the host body. Vitamin C also has similar properties but the efficacy of curcumin in turmeric is much more.

Turmeric in alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease affects the brain of the human body where the signals refuse to be sent from one part of the brain to another. Due to this certain dead parts are formed within the brain which donot get proper blood supply and don’t take part in neuronal transmission. These are called plaques and the curcumin stops the formation of these plaques and improves neuronal transmission.

Turmeric in cardiac diseases

Turmeric has anti cholesterol properties by which the concentration of bad cholesterol or VLDL is drastically reduced. Moreover, the anti aggregation property of the cells help in reducing the viscosity of the blood and prevent coagulation and atherosclerosis.

Turmeric in digestion

The digestive properties of the magical rhizome is also well documented. Turmeric helps in the production of bile and also helps in the clearing off gall bladder and the liver. Hence along with enabling faster digestion, the spice also reduces gall bladder stones.

Turmeric as an antiseptic

The antiseptic properties of turmeric have been used age old over cuts, wounds and injuries to heal them faster. Even throat infections and cough colds can be mitigated as well as cured if gargled with turmeric water. Turmeric water is prepared by boiling a pinch of tea leaves along with half a teaspoon of turmeric along with a pinch of salt in boiling water .

Buying Turmeric as a supplement is easy now.

- Gunjan

Tags: Kitchen Tips, Natural Remedies, Ayurvedic Medicine, Natural Cures, Herbal Supplements