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

Healthy and happy looking little ones are a lovely sight. But obesity in those tender years rings an alarm. Children are the future and we look forward to a healthy future, don’t we?

Childhood Obesity-A Global Epidemic

The world is changing. Children do not think or act like children anymore. They are introduced to the rational world quite early and they learn to think, discern and act like adults. Children are changing physically too. The International Journal of Pediatric Obesity observed that at least 46% of the child population in North and South America are going to be overweight by 2010. It is predicted that 25% of Chinese children will be overweight by 2010 while 38% of all children in the European Union are also feared to join the gang. In India, the prevalence of Childhood Obesity has been marked as 22% in 2002. Dr. Anoop Misra, (Director and Dept Head of Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, Fortis Hospitals, New Delhi) raises his concerns on the rising number of obese Indians. Among Indians, Obesity is often the predecessor of Diabetes, lipid disorders and Heart Diseases. Further, obese children stand the chance of growing up into obese adults.

What is Obesity?

A “complex condition, one with serious social and psychological dimensions, that affects virtually all age and socioeconomic groups and threatens to overwhelm both developed and developing countries”, is what WHO says about obesity. Obesity is not just having a few extra pounds but having a high proportion of body fat. A person is considered obese when his or her weight is 20% or more than the normal weight.

The Risk Factors

1. Hypertension
2. Lipid disorders like Dyslipidemia
3. Heart diseases
4. Some Cancers
5. Stroke
6. Metabolic syndrome especially Hyperinsulinemia
7. Lower chances of recovery especially from cancers
8. Reproductive and gynecological problems in women
9. Fatty liver disease
10. Osteoarthritis
11. Gout
12. Breathing problems in some cases and
13. Sleeping disorders

Reasons for Obesity among Children

Childhood obesity is often the result of an imbalance between the calories taken and the calories burnt. It is highly altered because of the modern life style. Children do not eat, play or participate in activities as before.

1. Poor Food Habits:

Children are introduced and encouraged to have food which were not given to kids a decade ago. Many of them do not get the privilege of home-made food as tiffins. They are free to eat food available in the school or outside. These kinds of food habits deprive children of their required nutrition while earning them those extra calories.

Children by themselves are not aware of the health hazards they are exposed to while doing so. The Indian family represented in the Indian (Hindi) Movie Tara Rum Pum serves as a good example to this.

2. Overeating, Of course!

Among the affluent and the elite section of the society , not only children, but the adults also are exposed to abundance. Many of us do hold obesity as a sign of prosperity.

Jokes apart, the western diet is high in fructose and low in fibre. This diet affects the insulin in the body which in turn acts on the brain leading to overeating. Insulin also suppresses leptin, another hormone that increases physical activity and well-being and reduces appetite.

3. Lack of Physical Activities

Children do not have any compulsory physical activity in schools. People with the habit of sitting for hours on demand of school or work without any regular exercise can gain weight. They need not do any overeating. Some people have the habit of eating while watching TV or during work. The practice of eating when not hungry is another cause for Obesity.

4. Family and Genes !

Obesity can be hereditary. The lifestyle and food habits followed by a particular family can be a contributing factor. But it can be kept in check through diet and exercise.

5. Medical Conditions

Illnesses like neurological problems plays a major role in increasing body weight.

6. Medications

Steroids, oral contraceptives, phenothiazines, insulin and certain psychiatric medicines like some antidepressants may cause appetite stimulation and consequent weight gain.

7. E motional Problems and Events Causing Mental Stress

Those with psychological problems like depression or low morale tend to eat more. It is an interesting fact that you tend to eat less or more in response to your emotions. In most of these cases, there are no physiological factors leading to weight loss or weight gain.

Fat people go though a phase of low self-esteem, depression, shame, rejection and isolation. And children facing this kind of social discrimination end up with psychological problems.

Put an End to those Increasing Waistlines

The awareness should be brought on the public level. Children cannot be blamed alone for this as it is the responsibility of the whole society to build up a healthy generation. Parents as well as teachers need to work together for effective remedies. Only a balanced diet with sufficient physical activity can limit obesity among children.

For this, children have to be aware of the health problems they are prone to. Depriving the littles ones from their favorite food stuffs is both insensitive and injudicious. On the other hand, children need to be taught the values of quantity and quality. Parents and teachers share the responsibility of encouraging them for physical activities. Swimming and jogging can be real fun if the whole family gets into it. Parents need to spend some quality time with their children sharing their little joys and worries. A listening parent gives the child the confidence to face the world.

-Aparna K V

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

‘Maria is just not the old Maria. She is lost in her own world. At times she is upset with the smallest of things. Yesterday, when our boss told her to spend more time in office, she took it as one of the most serious comments in her professional life and just could not control her tears. That’s not all, I have seen her shouting and yelling on her husband many times on the phone. Earlier she used to be patient enough to wait or the right time to discuss matters, yelling was not her forte. All this stress and tension has even perhaps zeroed on her appetite. She pukes only on the sight of food. I hope everything is all right with her on the personal front.’

My concern about Maria only increased when she threw a party to celebrate her happiness…she had conceived. Now, I was more conscious about her well being but the only difference was that now I was not worried I was cautious for her.

Pregnancy is a bundle of happenings in the body. Puking, tension, emotional drain, confusions, pain, stretch marks, restlessness, body size changes and a myriad of other symptoms are just a part of what goes on in the pregnant body. This write up is with an objective of understanding the scientific causes of symptoms of pregnancy. It is the hormones in the human body during pregnancy which alter the physiology and give shape to a new life - the baby.

Right from the stage when the fertilized egg implants itself to the uterine lining somewhere after ten to fifteen days after the last menstrual cycle, hormones start their action. It is the hormone which is liberated from the fertilized ovum that prevents the rupture of the uterine lining which needs to be prevented for the life of the new embryo. This hormone is nothing but the reproductive hormone - estrogen.

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