Picture of Aedes agypti

photo released to the public domain by Dept. of health USA

Aedes agypti (female) is the  mosquito which   can spread dangerous diseases like the Yellow fever ,Dengue and Chickungunya  in humans.It is characterized by its white markings on the legs.It generally bites during dawn and dusk but can bite at anytime during the day when it is cloudy .

Soapnuts cure for "loss of hair in small patches " in Ayurveda

Sometimes hair falls off or thins out  in a small patch on the scalp or on the moustache for men.This is also known as Alopecia.It is known as "Penu Korukudu " in Telugu.
This particular remedy was recommended by Panditha Elchuri:

Rub a soap nut on a rough stone with salt water and collect the thin paste and rub it on the hair loss patch twice or thrice  a day.The salt used must be sea salt.
Hair growth starts in 3 days after this treatment.
(for more info on soap nut refer 27-9 post.)

http://simpleayurvedichealthtips.blogspot.com/2010/09/note-on-soapnuts.html

A simple cure for hiccoughs

Rub the soap nut on a rough stone with water and collect this thin paste and apply on the throat.Hiccups stop.
--As told by Pandith Elchuri.
(For more info on soap nuts refer previous post)

A note on Soapnuts

Image source-wikimedia.org released to the public domain by author Jim Conrad

Soap nuts * are Soap berries of small trees which have substances called saponins in them which help them to act as a very safe detergents.They can be used to clean the hair  and laundry and gold ornaments.They are very delicate on the clothes and does not leave any poisonous residues like the conventional detergents.

1. Crushed Soap nuts are boiled in 2 glasses of water and the mixture is filtered and can be used as a completely environmentally friendly and gentle detergent  to wash dishes,colored clothes and gold ornaments .They come out clean and shining after a wash.
2. When it is used as a shampoo it prevents dandruff and promotes hair growth.
3. There are generally 2 main varieties in India -the South Indian Sapindus trifoliatus and the North Indian  Sapindus mukorossi.The north Indian variety is used more in Ayurveda.It is bigger  and looks more fleshy and orange when trifoliatus is blacker and smaller.
4. Care must be taken to see that the juice must not fall into the eyes which can cause irritation.
5. Soapnuts should not be taken internally.It has mild abortifacient properties.Which means that pregnant ladies should not consume soap nuts in any form.

*Soap nuts are called kunkudikaya in Telugu,Rita in Hindi,Punalai in Tamil,Amtalakaayi in kannada,Hristah in Sanskrit.

An Ayurvedic anti-lice treatment

Lice and nits may become a problem for some children.Grind 4-5 fruits of Neem with half a spoon of mustard seeds and apply this mixture on the scalp.Wash off after a few minutes.This will kill the lice and the nits along with it.
--As told by Asaramji Bapu in the book Arogyanidhi

A simple tip for Dental hygiene

Rub a mixture of mustard powder and salt on the teeth and gums to maintain healthy teeth and gums.

A simple cure for people who've eaten too many raw carrots

The beneficial properties of carrots are undoubtedly many.But eating excess raw carrots may give a tummy ache.There is a simple remedy for this stomach pain which is caused by consuming a "little more" of this orange root.Eating a small piece of Jaggery reduces the symptoms.The inner core of the carrot  is not tolerated well by many.
-As told by Pujya Sri Asaramji Bapu.

A good cure for a Hangover in Ayurveda

2-3 Dates must be soaked in water and mashed and given to the person with the Hangover.The symptoms of drinking excess alcohol and its unpleasant effects  reduce considerably after drinking this dates juice.
--As told by Pujya Sri Asaramji Bapu.

Ayurvedic Clothes

The increase in awareness of Ayurveda has inspired a few companies both in and outside India to launch a range of clothing which has Ayurvedic  medicinal herbs infused in them.
The fabrics used are usually cotton and silk and other natural fibres like jute.
A wide variety of  healing clothing like Sarees,Salwar suits,Materials,Towels  and bedsheets are available.
The clothes are dyed naturally with many well known natural dyes like turmeric,Neem,Indigo and Lodhra.Barks and roots are also used.
The apparel  companies claim that these are very beneficial for health and for various specific ailments like skin diseases,diabetes ,indigestion and hypertension.They have the maximum effect when worn while sleeping or meditating.These Ayurvedic medicinal  fabrics are said to have blood purifying properties and they  also cleanse the toxins from our body.
The price range is from rupees 1000 to 2000 for a Saree.The concept started originally in Kerala but the clothes are available in a few  specific stores in India.
(I have not tried out the clothing - I will post more info later).

The germ killing properties of Copper.

photo source wikipedia.org - public domain.

Copper * is a brown metal with a beautiful sheen used widely for making utensils and in many Industries.

•                 " Copper water" is always recommended in Ayurveda .Clean water must be kept overnight in a clean copper vessel and it is good to drink this water in the morning.
• Copper is naturally microbial resistant.It also kills microbes and germs thus making the water very drinkable.
•   Copper  kitchen sinks are being preferred by some these days because of this property of  resisting bacterial growth.Stainless steel sinks look clean and shining but the scratches on its surface have many microbes in them.Especially the E.coli bacteria can live for 2-3 weeks in a  normal kitchen sink but cannot survive for so long in a Copper wash basin.
• However Copper water cure should not tried by people with high levels of copper and pregnant ladies.

* Copper is called thamba in Hindi.Thamiram in Tamil and Raagi in Telugu.

Medicinal effects of Marigold

picture source:wikipedia ,Public domain

Marigold :Latin name:Tagetes erecta has many medicinal uses.It should not be confused with Dandelion or Calendula which may be similar but have different medical properties.

It is also called  Genda phool in hindi, Banti puvvu in Telugu and Zandu in a few Indian languages.

•  It is used as a natural food coloring.The extracts of the flowers are used as a food additive  for coloring agent in  industries.

•  It's flowers are used in face packs.The flowers are made into a paste with honey and applied on the face for a glowing complexion.

•  It is used for repelling insects and pests in fields.Insects and even some kind of mosquitoes do not attempt to live around this plant.So they are planted in between crops in fields.

• It is also a natural rain indicator.They bloom usually in the mornings but if they are closed shut  or become compact it indicates stormy weather ahead.

An ayurvedic cure for Scabies

This is only a  relief for itching.A doctor's consultation is recommended.

Mix equal quantities of Sandalwood paste to coconut oil and apply in the affected portion.The itching disappears.
--As recommended by Dr.Elchuri.

Cure for swelling of the spleen in Ayurveda

Grind mustard seeds* and an equal amount of Neem leaves to a paste.Give 5 gm of this mixture to the person who is suffering from enlarged spleen.
As told byPandith Elchuri.
*also called avalu in Telugu,Kadugu in Tamil,Rayi in Hindi.

An ayurvedic help for Jaundice

Boil 5 gm of sont/dry ginger with Cows milk.Drink this twice a day for 5 days if suffering from Jaundice.
The symptoms disappear.
-As told by Panditha Elchuri.

When cooking becomes worship....

Hinduism stresses greatly on the thoughts of a person who is cooking.It is believed that the vibrations of the cook  is transferred to the food and this can greatly influence the mind of the person eating the food.
        Devi Annapoorna is the Goddess of the kitchen so the kitchen is like her Temple and therefore it is recommended that a very strict standard of cleanliness is maintained.The person cooking the food should be focused ,calm and very spiritually inclined which ensures good health for the people partaking this food.
           For instance the food cooked by a very angry individual may be palatable but the subtle negative vibrations will influence the eater in a negative way.
       

Sri Annapoorna devi Ashtakam

Annapurna Devi Ashtakam is composed by Adi Shankaracharya and usually chanted before meals by Hindus .This is a prayer for nourishment ,wisdom and renunciation.

Matha Annapoorna Devi

Public domain image from wikimedia.

Goddess Annapurna Devi is a form of Parvathi Devi.
According to a Hindu legend  Shiva told Parvati his wife that the material world is nothing but " Maya" or illusion. Devi was quite upset with the very casual opinion Shiva had about food.She wanted  Shiva to realize the value of nourishment and thus disappeared to prove her point. Since then there was no food to be found and all the beings  including the Devas, Manavas and Asuras  were suffering from hunger .Time too stood still.
Even the saints cried-" Spirituality cant be appreciated on an empty stomach".
              Seeing this utter chaos the very kind Devi Parvathi manifested herself as Matha Annapoorna and set up a kitchen in Varanasi . Shiva ran to her with the other very hungry beings and accepted that the material world cannot be dismissed off so easily as a mere illusion.the Devi smiled and fed Shiva and everyone else.
    Since then Devi Parvati is worshipped as Mata Annapurna Devi.Anna means food and Poorna means complete.
Her idol is always the ever smiling peaceful Goddess with a bowl and ladle ready to dole out nourishment and food for her children.

A Home remedy for Morning sickness in Ayurveda

Soak 2 cloves *  in a glass of warm water and ask the lady with the morning sickness to drink it.This helps in reducing nausea and the vomiting during pregnancy.
--As told by Asaramji Bapu.
*(laung in Hindi/lavangam in Telugu and Tamil)

                              Happy Ganesh Chathurthi                                

                     May the Lord bestow Health and Happiness on you.

A simple tip for Diabetes

Mix 2 spoons of ginger juice with 2 spoons of lemon juice and drink this mixture daily 1 hour before dinner.This controls diabetes and reduces the sugar level.
-As told by Pandit Elchuri

Ragi porridge for Diabetes and excess urination problem.

Finger millet picture-public domain from wikimedia.org.

Ragi or Finger millet is commonly available.Make flour from its sprouts.When a porridge is made from this flour and eaten with a little rock salt or Saindhavalavanam and  thin buttermilk without cream,it is an excellent help for people suffering from Diabetes and excess urination problem.

A simple cure from ayurveda for Vata pains

Vata pains include joint pains and for people suffering from Arthritis.
This tablet or goli recipe is as recommended by Pandit Elchuri:
100 gm of Chaste tree leaf powder or juice of the leaves(refer previos post)
Garlic-100 gm
Ginger juice-200 gm
Ajwain-100 gm
Peppercorns-100 gm
Mix everything and make small tablets which are almost the size of a split Chana dal and use.
Dosage:
1 tablet in the morning on an empty stomach.

Medicinal effects of Five leaf Chaste tree or Vitex Negundo.

Vitex negundo is a common medicinal shrub .It is also known as Vavili chettu in Telugu and Nocchi in Tamil.In Sanskrit its name is Nirgandhi.In Hindi it is known as Indrani.

Vitex negundo leaves-photo attribution:Doreneko from wikipedia.org

This plant is used for treating coughs,fevers,dyspepsia,Asthma,Worms in the stomach ,Boils, Cholera, Sprains, Skin infections and Rheumatism.

For any unpleasant effects of eating too many sweets

When one eats too many sweets the stomach definitely feels heavy and abnormal.A very simple way is to drink  a glass of very thin rice gruel with 3 pinches of salt or drinking warm water with 3 pinches of salt.
-As recommended by Dr.Elchuri

Side effects of eating improperly cooked Rice

Eating partially uncooked rice or rice cooked in little water or eating too much of it at improper times upsets the stomach.To relieve this condition one can eat half a teaspoon of ajwain mixed with 2 pinches of rock salt.

An excellent home remedy for hair fall-Bringraj oil

Bringraj or Eclipta alba is also known as False daisy.
It is known as karisalankanni in Tamil,guntagalagara in Telugu,Ajagara in Kannada .
Link for the picture :
http://simpleayurvedichealthtips.blogspot.com/2010/03/for-nasal-problems.html
Method of preparation of the oil:
Wash and pat dry the leaves of Bringraj well and extract the juice.Mix equal quantities of sesame seed oil to the juice and heat this on a low flame till only the oil remains.Filter and store.Use this instead of hair oil.The hair fall reduces.
-As told by Panditha Elchuri.

For Asthma like symptoms in winters

In winters due to the cold and accumulation of phlegm in the body ,the person experiences breathlessness and asthma like symptoms.
There is a simple home remedy for this .problem.Mix 1 teaspoon of mustard oil in 10 gm of old Jaggery and make a ball of this mixture and suck on this lozenge slowly.Even the most terrible symptoms of asthma and breathlessness disappear.
-As told by Panditha Elchuri.

A very simple way to prevent kapha based disorders...

Dry roast 100 gmof dry Ginger /sont/sonti/chukku and powder it.Mix equal quantity of old Jaggery to it and grind it to a thick paste and store in a glass jar.
Take 5 gm of this mixture and tuck it in the cheek and swallow the juice slowly till the paste dissolves.This should be done twice a day after food.Children may be give 2 gm.
This will ensure a good kapha balance in the body and reduces cough,cold,constipation problem,indigestion,gas,acidity problems and many other kapha based disorders and also decreases pains due to vata disorders.
--As told by Panditha Elchuri.

Preventing premature ageing with Amaranth

photo source:public domain picture from wikipedia.org

Amaranth is known to prevent premature ageing by its prolonged consumption in moderate quatities of the cooked leaves .Reheating of cooked Amaranth is not encouraged.
Amaranth is known as Thotakoora in Telugu,Mulaikeerai in Tamil,Chauli in Hindi,Rajgiri in Marathi and Cheera in Malayalam.