I have a habit - I drink chilled water … near the refrigerator, directly from the bottle.

My mom has a habit : She warns me not to do so, as soon as I walk towards the refrigerator. She has been doing so since I first walked down.

The reason for this warning is nothing but a fear factor my mom has regarding for my health. She wants to protect me from the dreadful cold, influenza and perhaps even pneumonia.

Causes of Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an infectious state of the lungs. It is caused when micro-organisms in form of virus, bacteria and fungi attack the lungs. These are parasites which harm the human body and utilize the nutrients and tissues for their own existence. This causes a detrimental effect on the body which is much more detrimental than a mild cold or cough, its an infectious state in form of pneumonia. Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenza are some micro organisms which cause this infection.

Symptoms of Pneumonia

The human body responds to any foreign agent by a self defense system. In the case of any mild infection or common cold, the body reacts to it in form of a cough through which the toxins and foreign agents are expelled out of the body. However, in the case of pneumonia, the body loses its immune power and hence the power to expel out the irritants and toxins is lost. This causes the infectious substances and secretions of the parasites to get accumulated in the respiratory tract, mainly the lungs. The colour of this cough is also characteristic as it is not the transparent mucus secreted by a patient of common cold. A deep yellow or even perhaps a greenish shade is seen in the cough if it is expelled with great persistence of the patient. The agony of the patient doesn’t stop with congestion and wheezing alone. A high temperature on account of the infection is very common. Moreover, loss of appetite and exhaustion are seen among pneumonia patients.The most common symptoms of pneumonia are shortness of breath; chest pain, especially when breathing in; coughing; shallow, rapid breathing; and fever and chills. Coughs usually bring up mucus, also called sputum. The sputum may even be streaked with blood or pus. In serious cases, the patient’s lips or nail bed will appear blue due to lack of oxygen.

Diagnosis

Blood tests along with x-ray reports where a patch is identified on the lungs help in the diagnosis of pneumonia. However, practitioners may even identify the problem by physical symptoms.

Who is more prone to be infected

Since previous illness and advanced age both reduce the immunity of a person, these are factors which increase the risk of capturing the pneumonia bacteria. Asthma, diabetes, kidney disease, hypertension, advanced age and other such chronic diseases are some factors which increase this risk. However, people above 65 years have an option of administering anti pneumonia vaccine by which they can prevent this menace.

Natural treatment for Pneumonia

1. Fenugreek: In the initial stages of the infection tea made with fenugreek seeds help in perspiration and removal of toxins from the body. This tea can be taken three to four times a day. During this treatment no other food should be taken.
2. Garlic in pure form relieves the respiratory symptoms very soon.
3. Sesame seeds when infused with water and mixed with linseed oil help in relieving the phlegm from the body. Salt and honey when mixed with the infusion help in this at a faster rate.
4. Carrot juice , spinach juice and beet root juice also help in the relief of symptoms.
5. The pain experienced on the chest can be relieved by rubbing turpentine oil on the rib cage.

Mothers are always right in protecting their children, hope they would make use of these guidelines need be!!

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

Of late, my Inbox has been getting junked by all sorts of e-mails. One of them looked interesting. It was about the health benefits of Green Tea. I had tasted it at the persuasion of my cousin in one of the Thai restaurants. Green tea tasted good to me. Though it did not satisfy me any more than the usual comfort of black tea, it was different. It reminded me of the well-known Kashmiri tea I got to sip during a visit to our Kashmiri friends in Haryana. But green tea is poles apart in terms of medicinal value and taste.

I read hard on green tea and here’s the result.

About Green Tea

This is something that has been gaining popularity over the years. Though born in China, green tea has had all kinds of incarnations in different parts of the world. Made exclusively with the leaves of Camellia sinensis (haril chai), green tea is quite popular in the west. Science turned its focus on this recently and found that it is highly beneficial for health without having any side effects. And this accounts for people switching from the warmth of regular black to green tea.

How does it vary from black tea?

Tea in general is made from the leaves of Camellia sinensis. Predominantly, there are three types of tea -black, green and oolong depending on the way tea leaves are processed. And there is the not-so popular white tea too. Green tea is the least processed of all and thus retains the antioxidant, catechin polyphenols called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) along with caffeine. This is the main ingredient responsible for the health benefits. Remember, nature cures!

How are the leaves processed?
The freshly harvested tea leaves are steamed to a soft pliable stage so that they do not lose their natural colour or aroma. Then they are rolled, spread out and dried.The black and oolong tea leaves are made from fermented leaves which make them incapable of retaining any beneficial stuff inside.

The Known Benefits

1. Green tea leaves of good quality will contain catechins which can fight viruses, slow aging, and have a positive effect on health.
2. Clinical studies show that this antioxidant effectively destroys free radicals which can cause damage to cells and the DNA.
3. The high presence polyphenols and flavanoids enhance the immunity system.
4. EGCG is a highly potent stuff that is many times powerful than vitamin C and E. This can prevent many degenerative diseases and even kill the cancer cells without damaging the healthy tissues.
5. Helps with High blood Pressure. Angiotensin II is the main culprit in causing high blood pressure by making the blood vessels constrict. Green Tea muffles this villain.
6. Green tea can constrain rheumatoid arthritis, control the cholesterol levels and lower blood sugar, treat genital warts and help with some cardiovascular diseases and infections.
7. Aids digestion and helps with weight loss. In combination with caffeine present in green tea polyphenols can burn a higher rate of calories. The catechin polyphenols also raise thermo genesis and the usage of energy.
8. Green tea prevents thrombosis or abnormal clotting of blood.
9. Green tea contains caffeine but in lesser amount than in coffee. Hence it does not cause sleeplessness as in the case of coffee, instead it acts a stimulant to sleep.
10. It makes the skin look healthier and younger. Think of the complexion of the Chinese and the Japanese.Green tea extracts have started appearing in cosmetics as well. Topical application of the extract is said to prevent the harmful effects of UVA.

-Aparna k V

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

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, Herbal Supplements, Kitchen Tips, Natural Remedies, Natural Cures

The Holy Basil : Tulsi

Herbs have always played a significant role in human life since centuries. The modern man, in spite of his scientific and inventions and innovations is now turning back to the safety of herbal care for his umpteen medical problems. He realizes the fact that Mother Nature has cure for everything and that there is much to be discovered.

Tulsi (Tulasi), otherwise known as Basil leaf, is one of the most popular medicinal herbs in India. It is native to India and has a central position in Indian culture. It also appears in some of the European Christian legends like those of the Greek Orthodox Church. The name basil is likely to have derived from Greek words referring to “royalty” or “king.” Tulsi is considered by Hindus as a sacred plant and is widely used for its extensive medicinal properties since eons. Tulsi, is the elixir of life and takes a customary and distinctive place in the garden of an Indian. It has a unique place in the native Indian beliefs and superstitions as well. A traditional Indian would not begin his day without offering prayers to the Sun God (Surya Namaskara) and the Tulsi leaves (Tulsi Puja). In ancient Hindu houses Tulsi is located in the center of the eastern side of the compound in a specially built-in area as it is believed to safeguard the house from harmful diseases. It is true that the presence of Tulsi in the vicinity of the house can control the spreading of harmful germs and keep the atmosphere clean and pure owing to its antibacterial powers.

Tulsi is highly revered and consecrated in India because of its invincible medicinal powers and is considered as a gift from the Lord Himself. It is a symbol of a Hindu’s religious inclinations. However, Vaishnavites do not draw on Tulsi for medicine due to their rigid belief that Tulsi is a favorite of God Vishnu.

There are various definitions as to what the Sanskrit word ‘Tulsi’ mean. Some references show that it means ‘the incomparable one’ while some others point out that it means ‘the one that does not tolerate’.

Scientific Names

Scientifically called Ocimum sanctum or Ocimum tenuiflorum , Tulsi has three varieties namely Rama Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum ), Krishna Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum ) and Vana Tulsi (Ocimum gratissiumum ). They are mainly distinguished by their color and then by the size of the leaves, fragrance and flavor. Thai Basil is another variety that closely resembles the Holy Basil.

Medicinal Properties

The healing powers of Tulsi are not alien to human race. Tulsi is the elixir that promotes longevity. Tulsi is bestowed with magical powers to reduce stress, enhance stamina, relieve inflammation, lower cholesterol, eliminate toxins, prevent gastric ulcers, lower fevers, improve digestion and so on. Most importantly, the intake of Tulsi, promotes general health with its strong antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, adaptogenic powers and enhances the body’s resistance as well.

There are innumerable uses to Tulsi and hence is d eservedly called the Queen of Herbs.

Tulsi leaves can promote the removal of phlegm from bronchial tube and also act as a nerve tonic. The adaptogen or the anti-stress agent in Tulsi can calm the nerves and alleviate stress. Basil and sandal wood paste make a good cure for headache as they have a great soothing power.

Scientists swear on Tulsi that it can reduce blood glucose levels and thus cure diabetes with its antioxidant properties. Studies also show significant reduction in total cholesterol levels with Tulsi.

It also helps in alleviating and preventing diseases like common cold and flu. The decoction made with Tulsi brings down high temperature resulting from fever or flu, especially in children. Many herbal medicines for cough, throat problems etc are made with Tulsi as the main ingredient. It can relieve a patient of bronchitis and asthma. Tulsi is also used for respiratory disorders along with ginger and honey.

Chewing Basil leaves can prevent mouth disorders and also purify blood. Toothpastes and toothpowders made of Neem and Tulsi are not uncommon in India as both are good for dental health and for eliminating bad odor.

Additionally, the dried leaves of Tulsi are mixed with stored grains to repel insects. Some find use to Tulsi as a mosquito deterrent.

Tulsi takes up a significant role in the eatern medicines like Ayurveda and Unani while it also makes a simple herbal tea in combination with other herbs. Though in the recent culinary experiments the plant is abominably reduced to a spice or a garnish which often remains as a left over in the dinner plate!!

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