A tip for burning micturition

Many people experience a burning sensation while passing urine (burning micturition).This is a simple tip to control the problem.
Dip a clean cloth in water and wring it to remove the excess water.Placing this cloth over the navel decreases the symptoms.

(Burning micturition has many underlying causes like infections and other complications - A doctor's consultation would be necessary if the problem persists.)

A simple tip for bad breath

Gently massaging the teeth with a mixture of salt and pepper and rinsing off the mouth controls bad breath to a large extent.

An extremely simple tip for cough and cold ...

Some people suffer from cough and cold all the time. It is recommended that they drink one glass of warm water in the mornings on an empty stomach.This reduces the congestion symptoms.

Pomegranate leaves tea for insomnia

Tender leaves (3gm) of the Pomegranate tree are washed well and boiled in 200 gm water and reduced to almost one fourth of its quantity. Filter the decoction.. Drinking this infusion relieves stress related insomnia.

For intelligent and healthy children

Pound 3 Tulsi leaves and mix with one drop of honey and a little water.
Drinking this mixture will make the child  intelligent and healthy. If the children are 2- 5 years of age, the dosage of 3 leaves is recommended ,children older than 5 years may use 5 leaves.

A recipe for Ladies

This  ' Nari kalyan pak ' is recommended for different kinds of ladies problems.This tip  is from the magazine 'Rishi Prasad'  released by the Ashram of Pujya Asaramji Bapu.

Ingredients needed:
wheat flour - 250 gm
Singada flour - 250 gm
Babul tree gum - 100 gm
Mishri - 500 gm
Date fruits with seeds excluded.-100gm
Ghee -250 gm

Mix:
250 gm of wheat flour and
250 gm of Singada ata.
Heat 250 gm of ghee in a pan and add 100 gm of Babool tree gum powder to the hot ghee.Then add the mixture of the flours. Fry till the raw smell's gone and add 500 gm of mishri powder and 100 gm of pounded date fruits.Stir the entire mixture well.
Pour on a greased tray  and cut into pieces which are approximately 20 gm each.Store.

( For more information of Singada ata refer :
http://simpleayurvedichealthtips.blogspot.in/2012/10/water-chestnut-or-singada-for-ladies.html

Mishri is rock candy sugar or patika bellam (Telugu)  or kalkand (Tamil).

Babool tree - Acacia nilotica. The gum is available in Ayurvedic stores .It is slightly darker than gum arabic which is from acacia senegal. )


Eating 20 gm of pak twice a day for 2 months will :
cure the problem of white discharge in ladies .(Leukorrhea)
It also helps in curing excess discharge in ladies.(Menorrhagia)
It decreases the feeling of tiredness and back pain experienced by ladies due to various gynec problems.
It is good for young mothers after delivery. It increases the secretion of mother's milk.
This also helps in men's health.

Orange juice - Barley flour mix for ladies

Mix 100 ml  orange juice with 10gm of barley flour.

1. Drinking this mixture on a regular basis helps the pregnant lady and eases her delivery.
2. This also strengthens the weak ladies who suffer from excess flow during their periods.(menorrhagia) 

Orange juice for the heart

50 - 100 ml of orange juice is mixed with honey and taken to reduce palpitations of the heart. It also reduces the symptoms of Angina.


(P.S- heart diseases can be fatal - a doctor would need to evaluate the condition if symptoms persist .)

Amla juice for the heart

Mix:
15 ml of Amla * juice
10 ml of pudina  juice
5 ml of ginger juice
and
5 ml of garlic juice.

Drinking this mixture will strengthen the heart.

For image of amla refer :
http://simpleayurvedichealthtips.blogspot.in/2010/03/gooseberry-to-beat-heat.html

Hunger Vs thirst

Hunger and thirst send the same type of signals from the brain so it is easy to get confused. A good way of knowing whether it is really hunger and not thirst is to drink a glass of water and wait for 15 minutes.If it was hunger - the pangs are back again.If it was thirst - the body feels satisfied and the pangs disappear.
  This simple observation has many benefits.It helps in weight loss , helps the body to work better and the body feels lighter.

Singada for men's health

The flour of the Indian water chestnut (singada ) is beneficial even for men's health. 5 gm of the flour is mixed with a glass of lukewarm milk .The milk can be sweetened .Drinking this mixture is improves men's health .

Refer previous post for more medicinal properties of Singada.

Water chestnut or Singada for ladies problems

Singada ( pani ka phal) or the water caltrop * is a fleshy fruit which is mostly anchored in mud which is logged with water.The fruit looks spiny and has two horns.The fruit is rich in carbohydrates and used a substitute diet on fasting days.
Singade ki ata (flour of the dried fruit) is available in most supermarkets.The halwa is of this flour is eaten in very moderate quantities for the strengthening of the uterus during pregnancy.
The flour is used in making rotis and this cures the excessive discharge in women.
The flour is boiled in water and this decoction is taken to reduce symptoms of burning during urination and it also tackles other urinary disorders.

(People suffering from constipation can avoid Singada . It is advisable to avoid drinking water for at least half an hour after eating singada.)

* trikona phalam in Sanskrit.

A remedy for gas problems

Half a spoon of ginger juice is mixed with half a pinch of asafoetida (hing ) and rock salt. Eating this mixture  reduces the gas problems.
Pregnant ladies may avoid this since hing is mildly abortifacient.

Care for asthma patients during the rainy season

The person suffering from Asthma or breathlessness can drink a spoon of warm sesame oil (til ka tel) followed by a glass of warm water.This gives a lot of relief .

Mudras for healing - Kubera mudra

Kubera mudra - image is copyrighted

This is a wish fulfilling mudra which can be practiced 2-3 times a day. In this mudra the tips of the thumb and the index finger and the middle finger are brought together and the little finger and the ring finger are bent and their tips gently press the palm. This simple mudra is said to be miraculous. The person needs to repeat his or her intention 3 times while folding the fingers.The goal is visualized .This will bring about the manifestation of  the wish.
Kubera deva  is the Hindu god of wealth .This mudra is named after him because it brings abundance into a person's life.

A tip to clear negative energy in the house

Rock salt is added to the water which is used for mopping the floor.When the floor of the house is wiped with this salt water, it removes the negative energy in the house and brings in harmony.

A simple tip for skin tags.

Technical name for skin tags: Achrochordon
Telugu : pulipirlu
Appearance :
small skin colored projections generally found around the neck.


The juice of Euphorbia hirta is applied on the skin tags. They fall off after regular usage.

Euphorbia hirta - aka -Asthma weed ,reddivaari nanu balu in Telugu .For the image and more info click on :

http://simpleayurvedichealthtips.blogspot.in/2011/07/euphorbia-hirta-asthma-weed.html

Raisins for alcohol dependence

Eating ~10gm raisins will decrease the urge to drink alcohol and also nourishes the nervous system. A sherbet made from the raisins has a similar beneficial effect.The dirt must be cleaned off well before intake.

Alcohol dependence is a major problem in the youth today and definitely not a good sign for the future. It can cause many long term problems like  liver cirrhosis,depression,impotence,dementia,insomnia,high B.P and many others.
I've posted many tips for natural de-addiction. Do click on the tags below for more information.

The pick-me-up Papaya

Papaya-image from publicphoto.org

1. The papaya is well known for its invigorative properties.
2. This fruit is given to children who look weak and emaciated and show signs of improper development. This improves their height and they get robust and healthy.
3. A few papaya pieces are eaten along with ajwain * powder as a digestion aid .This also prevents body odour.
4. People who are recovering from Bone T.B can be greatly benefited by eating a few pieces on a regular basis.

The papaya must be ripened naturally. Pregnant ladies can avoid the fruit.

*  for more info on Ajwain:

http://simpleayurvedichealthtips.blogspot.in/2010/02/for-eliminating-gas-problems.html

Custard apple for heart health

Custard apple-image in the public domain -author-Jim Conrad.

Hindi-sithaphal
Latin name:Annona sqamosa.

Eating this fruit on a regular basis (in very moderate quantities) when it is in season is very beneficial for the heart. It strengthens the heart and also reduces the unnecessary fear some people experience.A few who are very aware of their heart beat find that the symptoms gradually disappear.

Tips for excessive sleepiness

It is good to feel rested and have a good night's sleep and occasionally even  nap in the summer afternoons - but sleeping during the day is not recommended.These tips are for people who feel excessively sleepy during the day.

1. Eating lesser will discourage sleep.
2. Practicing pranayama is a good way to avoid sleeping during the day.
3. Practicing the Vajrasana will reduce the lethargy and other symptoms associated with excessive drowsiness.
4. This tip is good for students who want to avoid sleep and sense a slight headache while doing so.A clove (laung) is rolled with a betel leaf and eaten .This will prevent the heavy feeling  in the head and discourage sleep.

(The need for excessive sleep  may be caused by a number of disorders - If the symptoms are persistent a doctor's advice is necessary.)

A simple tea for De-addiction

Ajwain-Elaichi-
picture released into the public domain by author Madhavi Madhurakavi

Drinking alcohol and smoking can erode the health slowly.
This simple tip helps a person to overcome this addiction problem and also reverses the effects caused by alcoholism and smoking to a great extent.
Boil Ajwain seeds (thymol) with cardamom powder in water.Filter and cool and store. 200 ml of this decoction is taken along with meals twice a day  .This will help a person to regain his health and give up the habits. (250 gm of ajwain can be mixed with 5 gm of cardamom in 1 liter of water).

these are some more links for the same problems:

http://simpleayurvedichealthtips.blogspot.in/2010/11/medicinal-properties-of-liquorice-plant.html

http://simpleayurvedichealthtips.blogspot.in/2011/09/apples-for-weight-loss-anemia-fevers.html

http://simpleayurvedichealthtips.blogspot.in/2012/03/to-reduce-ill-effects-of-smoking.html

A simple tip for pigmentation of the skin

Mix half a spoon of unboiled milk and an equal amount of lemon juice .Massaging this mixture gently on the face before bedtime will decrease the pigmentation on the face and improves the complexion and lightens the marks on the face.

Charoli for men's health

Charoli nuts-Buchanania lanzan.Picture released into the public domain by author Madhavi Madhurakavi.

Eating 5 -10 charoli nuts along with 3 spoons of wheat flour halwa will increase virility.
Wheat flour halwa is made by roasting wheat flour/ ata in a little ghee. Water and sugar are added till it reaches a semi solid consistency.
This tip is from the book Arogya nidhi for 'napunsaktha'.

Click on the tag 'men's health' below the post  for more tips.


click on these links for more info.on charoli:

http://simpleayurvedichealthtips.blogspot.in/2010/10/beauty-with-charoli-nuts.html

this link gives a a recipe to fight old age:

http://simpleayurvedichealthtips.blogspot.in/2010/06/youvanprash-recipe.html

Flax seeds for Gonorrhea

picture released into the public domain by author Madhavi Madhurakavi.

Latin name: Linum usitatissimum
Hindi: Alasi

Flax seeds/ linseed  have many medicinal properties .This tip is for patients having urinary problems due to Gonorrhea.
10 gm of flax seed powder and 6 gm of Muleti * powder are mixed well and boiled in 1 litre of water till it becomes 1/8 of the original mixture.Filter and cool.Drinking 30 gm of this mixture twice a day will reduce the inflammation and symptoms.

For more information on Muleti refer

http://simpleayurvedichealthtips.blogspot.in/2010/11/medicinal-properties-of-liquorice-plant.html

Mudras for healing - Part 12 - Hakini mudra.

the hakini mudra -image is copyrighted.

The finger tips of one hand are pressed on the corresponding fingertips of the other hand.
The Hakini mudra is very simple but reaps immense rewards.The concentration power and the ability to focus   is enhanced in a person.It can be practiced at any time.Observing the breath while performing this mudra will be more beneficial.
This mudra is said to help in coordinating the right and the left brain hemispheres.
I was  wondering about why the mudra got its name and thought that there could be a connection with the Agya chakra .

(Chakras are energy centers of a body.There are 7 main chakras and the Agya chakra is represented between the brows.It is the centre of wisdom and clarity of thought.The energy of this chakra is called as the Hakini sakthi.The presiding deity of this brow chakra is Ardhanarishwara Shiva who is male on the right side and female on the left - representing that both the male and female principles are complementary ).

5 tips for a healthier heart

1. Grind the seeds of the Tulsi plant (Holy basil).Take half a gm of this powder along with an equal quantity of mishri (rock candy sugar).This will improve the condition of the heart.
2. 20 gm of fenugreek seeds (methi,menthulu) are boiled in a glass of water .Drinking this decoction with honey helps in reducing heart problems.
3. Mix ginger juice with a little water .Drinking  this mixture will reduce the problem of the heart beating fast (palpitations).
4. The early rays from the sun are said to have beneficial properties for a person suffering from heart conditions.It is recommended that the person wait for the sunrise and stand at least for 10 minutes in the sunlight.
5. Drinking the juice of 1-3 lemons mixed with water will prevent heart attacks to a great extent.

(Heart ailments can sometimes be fatal-The tips are effective but a doctors consultation is necessary).

All the tips are taken from the book Arogyanidhi .

Neem for Ear problems

1- A bunch of Neem leaves are cleaned well and immersed in boiling water.Steam inhalation of this will decrease the ear problems.

 2 - Neem fruits are collected .The skin is discarded and the hard seeds are dried in the sun.The seeds are then roasted on a low flame and powdered.This powder is mixed with a little water and made into small golis or balls.These golis are dried well . Taking 2 golis twice a day half an hour before eating will reduce most of the ear problems including deafness.
(The golis should be half the size of a green pea -these should be checked for any signs of moistness or fungal attacks in which case they must be discarded.)

A help for facial paralysis

Acorus calamus or the sweet flag on top,Nigella sativa in the middle and dried ginger 

.

1 st image from top :

Acorus calamus :Latin name

Sweet flag  - in English

Bach in Hindi

Vasambu in Tamil

Vaembu in Malayalam

Vasa kommulu in Telugu

2nd image:

Nigella sativa

Kalonji in Hindi

Karum jeeragam in Tamil

Nalla jilakarra in Telugu

3rd image

Dried ginger

Sont in Hindi

Sonti in Telugu

Take 100 gm of sweet flag rhizome and soak in water for 12 hrs.Remove and crush them well and dry them in the sun and grind to a powder.

Dry roast 50 gm of  kalonji and 50 gm of dried ginger .Grind them to a very fine powder.Mix the 3 powders and add honey to the mixture.Store in a jar.

Eating 5 gm of this mixture twice a day will definitely improve the symptoms of the facial paralysis.

Paralysis symptoms sometimes reduce with the same treatment.

One must must avoid exposure to cold .

(P.S : Facial paralysis can be caused due to a number of reasons - a visit to a doctor ,a proper diagnosis ,treatment and post care is necessary.)

3 tips for Men's health

Tip 1
Mix:
10-20 ml of white onion juice
5-10 ml of honey
5-10 ml of ginger juice
1-2 gm of ghee
Drinking this for 21 days will decrease the problems related to men's health.

Tip 2
2 gm of Aswagandha churan*  is mixed with a little ghee and rock sugar powder and taken along with milk.

Tip 3
A small ripe banana is eaten along with 6 gm of ghee twice a day .

For more info on Aswagandha refer:

http://simpleayurvedichealthtips.blogspot.in/2010/04/aswagandha-or-withinia-somnifera-leaves.html


( the tips are taken from the book Arogyanidhi published by Asaram bapuji's  Ashram under the section  'Veerya vruddhi' For more tips in Hindi one can refer to this site:
http://hariomgroup.org/hariombooks/satsang/Hindi/Arogyanidhi.htm )

For more tips on the same topic click on the 'men's health ' tag below.

Reiki - an introduction.

Reiki is a healing practice originally developed by Mikao Usui. 'Reiki ' in Japanese can be roughly translated as the universal life force.

Mikao usui -image source: wiki - picture in the public domain.

Anyone can access this energy and heal themselves and others after an attunement from a master.The masters are specially trained to initiate people who are interested in learning .
The healing takes in the physical and emotional levels.This process of initiation takes less than a day and the reiki energy is initiated to the persons system.It is practiced by people of all faiths.There are generally 3 levels in Reiki .
Symbols and crystals are sometimes used to enhance the reiki energy.

Generally while healing, the reiki practitioner and the healee experience a sensation in the hands.It can be felt as  a soft warmth or a tingling sensation.Sometimes there is no sensation but the  healing happens.
 The practitioner need not exert physically or emotionally.The flow is not affected by the health of the healer and it flows according to the needs of the healee.
  Reiki works well on animals and plants and sometimes helps in easing situations.
Reiki does not have any side effects though at the beginning of the treatment some people may experience some unpleasantness because of the initial healing process and the deblocking.
Reiki does not interfere with other branches of medicine or meditations.It always treats at the root cause level so an accurate diagnosis is not necessary.
Everything has to be substantiated with tangible scientific proof to get the  stamp of approval from  people and reiki is no different.A lot of research has been carried out in the magneto-biology field where effects on magnetic fields on living systems can be measured with instruments like SQUID and magnetometers.These instruments have measured reiki energy . Kirlian photography also explained some aspects of reiki.
In spite of all the proof of  reiki is not decoded.There are still many mysteries about the science waiting to be solved.

Mudras for healing - Part 11 - Uttarabodhi Mudra

Uttarabodhi mudra  or the mudra of Perfection or Supreme enlightenment or the Mahadhairya mudra.

Uttarabodhi mudra(-image is copy righted-do not use without permission.).

The index fingers of both the hands touch each other.The thumbs are crossed and the other fingers are intertwined.
There are slight variations in this mudra where the tips of the thumbs are pressed against each other ,the index fingers are upright touching each other and the other fingers are just bent pressing the palm.
This mudra can be practiced for fearlessness .This is an ideal mudra for people who lack self confidence and suffer from stage fear.This mudra can be practiced by students who feel jittery before exams or people who get nervous before job interviews.Practicing this mudra is said to give an inspiration flash for problem solving.
The recommended duration is :  15 minutes 1-3 times a day.


Being courageous is just one of the obvious change occurring - This mudra promises a lot more spiritual benefits.

Beauty tips for Brides to Be

All brides want to look their beautiful best for their very special wedding day.

Drinking this juice will definitely clear the skin and improve the complexion.

Mix:

Tomato juice -half a cup

Carrot and beetroot juice -half a cup.

ginger juice-one teaspoonful

honey-1 teaspoonful

lemon juice-1 teaspoonful.

and pepper-few pinches.

This juice mix can be taken twice a day.

This lehyam can be prepared and eaten twice a day for more benefits.

Mix:

100 gm of Athimadhuram powder  and 200 gm of raisins and pound well.One spoon of this paste is eaten once or twice a day for a glowing complexion.

The juice is taken an hour after the intake of lehyam.

It is a good idea to start atleast 2 months before the wedding date and be very sure that the body is reacting well to it. For more info on Athimadhuram or Glycyrrhiza glabra refer:

http://simpleayurvedichealthtips.blogspot.in/2010/11/medicinal-properties-of-liquorice-plant.html

I personally think that brides look beautiful because the happiness shining through their faces so stress is best avoided.

(image  of the south Indian bride is copyrighted)

My stint in Saigon and the specialty teas

canopy of a tree in Saigon.-image released into the public domain by author Madhavi Madhurakavi.

A tall tree in Ho Chi Minh city - possibly Dipterocarpus.image released into the public domain by author madhavi Madhurakavi.

A numbered tree trunk .image released into the public domain by Madhavi Madhurakavi.

I had to been to the beautiful Ho Chi Minh city in Vietnam and was greatly charmed by the preciously numbered tall trees.The effort made by the government to monitor and conserve their vegetation is commendable.
The city was formerly called Saigon and it is truly a paradise for fruit lovers.The markets are filled with the  fresh and delicious mangosteens, dragon fruits, pineapples, the juicy water apples,the very sweet jack fruits,lichis, rambutans  ,sapodillas, custard apples, mangoes, durians ,guavas, soursops, grapefruits...and the list can go on.
The most dominant flowers I saw were the plumerias and allamandas along the roads.
The country values its  herbal medicines but unfortunately I couldn't gather too much information.
Though the coffee of Vietnam is famous I found the tea section to be more interesting.

The Lotus tea promises  to detoxify and help patients suffering from hypertension and insomnia.
The Grapefruit tea supposedly works for stomach aches and indigestion.
The other teas were Soursop tea ,green teas with many flavours,Ginger tea,Chrysanthemum tea and many other special teas with directions for use for various ailments.This was similar to the kwaths or kada of India where a herb is boiled in water and drinking the decoction will have a beneficial effect.

Home made golis for cough and cold in the rainy season

The rainy season brings sniffles in children and adults.This home made ayurvedic golis can prevent and effectively cure cold ,cough,indigestion problems and fevers .
  100 gm of fresh Neem leaves are washed well and made into a paste with 50 gm of peppercorns.The tree should be old enough growing in an unpolluted place.The mixture is made into small pea sized golis * .The spherical tablets are dried well in the shade and stored .
1 goli is smashed  and taken with honey once or twice a day for the problems mentioned above.For children the dose is halved.

* goli is a spherical form of medicine.

Ginger lehyam for breathing problems

Ingredients needed:


400 gm  undiluted ginger juice

70 gm -Jaggery Powder

5 gm -Methi powder (fenugreek seeds/menthulu/vendhayam)

5 gm of dried ginger powder(Sont/Sonti/Chukku)

5 gm-Cinnamon powder  (Dalchini , Patta)

5 gm -Black pepper powder  (Kala mirch ,Miriyalu)

5 gm clove powder (laung,Lavangam,krambu)

5 gm elaichi powder (cardamom,Elakulu)

5 gm bay leaf powder(aku pathri or biriyani aku in Telugu,Brinji ilai in tamil and Tej pattha in Hindi-Latin name:Cinnamomum tamala)

The above ingredients are available in the super markets in India.The names in Tamil,Telugu and Hindi are mentioned.
2 more ingredients are needed which are common in Ayurveda stores.

5 gm of Long pepper (Pipli,Pippalu)

5 gm of Nagkesar powder.

Method of preparation:
Pour the ginger juice in a wok and add the jaggery powder to it and keep stirring on a low flame.The mixture becomes thick and syrupy.Stir in the other powders and turn off the heat.Cool and store the mixture in a clean dry glass jar.

Dosage :
1 - 5 gm a day for children and
5-10 gm a day for adults half an hour before food .

Benefits:
Most  problems like wheezing,whooping cough and breathing related problems will reduce by eating this lehyam.It is most often used in winters and rainy season.

Pomegranate juice for cholesterol levels

Drinking a small glass of Pomegranate juice in the mornings or evenings will definitely reduce the cholesterol levels in the blood.This must be done for 41 days.
Exercise should be a part of everyday routine.Fried foods and high calorie foods must be avoided.

Jambul for Diabetes

Syzygium cumini or Jambul / Java plum is a very common tree found in most parts of India.

Syzygium cumini , Jambul.Picture released into the public domain by author Madhavi Madhurakavi

The fruits are slightly astringent and mature fruits are dark purple in colour.

This tip is recommended by the Baba Ramdevji's ashram .

250 gm of the washed fruit is boiled in 500 ml of water.
The fruits are then mashed well .Drinking this decoction thrice a day will help in reducing the high blood sugar levels.It is also beneficial for some problems related to men's health.

Jambul - Neredu in Telugu

Tamil- Naava pazham.

Curd and pepper for strong hair

Mix the powder of 10 peppercorns (kalamirch ,miriyalu,Milagu) in a small cup of curd.

Rub this on the scalp and leave for 5-10 minutes.Wash off hair with an ayurvedic shampoo.This strengthens the hair and prevents hair fall.

This can be done once or twice a week till the hair becomes lustrous and beautiful.

Radish for sub-cutaneous lipomas

Sub cutaneous lipomas are fat deposits just below the surface of the skin.They are generally benign and very rarely get malignant.
This tip for harmless non- malignant tumors is recommended by Asaramji Bapu :
Rub a little radish juice on the lipoma .
50 ml of radish juice is mixed with a little lemon juice and a pinch of salt.Drinking this will dissolve the tumors.
Sweets,condensed milk and dry fruits should be avoided in the diet.

Luther Burbank and the spineless cactus story

Luther Burbank was a pioneer in developing new varieties of plants.He developed more than 800 new strains of plants including fruits,vegetables,grasses ,flowers and grains.

This is an extract from the book 'Autobiography of a Yogi' by Paramahamsa Yoganandaji.It is from the chapter - Luther Burbank, A Saint Amid the Roses.

"The secret of improved plant breeding, apart from scientific knowledge, is love." Luther Burbank uttered this wisdom as I (Yoganandaji) walked beside him in his garden in Santa Rosa, California. We halted near a bed of edible cactus.
" While I was conducting experiments to make 'spine-less' cactus," he continued,"I often talked to the plants to create a vibration of love. 'You have nothing to fear,' I would tell them. 'You don't need your defensive thorns.I will protect you.' Gradually the useful plant of the desert emerged in a thorn less variety."

image source-wiki.Picture in the public domain.

There is enough scientific data that plants respond to environmental stimuli but I think this delightful thorn less cactus story is substantial proof that plants also respond to thought waves.

Ber for healthy hair...

ziziphus-image released into the public domain by author Madhavi Madhurakavi.

The genus 'Ziziphus'  has around 40 species of plants. Ziziphus mauritiana is very common and well known as - Ber in Hindi ,Regi chettu in Telugu , Yezhandha palam in Tamil ,Elandha in Malayalam and Indian jujubee in English .

The wild variety is extremely common in India and grows along roadsides.They have oval leaves and the stems have hook like spines.

The leaves of the Ber tree are carefully plucked with a glove and dried and powdered.The powder should be boiled in water.Washing the hair with this decoction clears dandruff, prevents hair fall and  makes the hair strong and healthy.

Ayurveda tips in Telugu

The link given below is the official site of Dr.Elchuri.The site is in Telugu.The tips are simple with good results.


http://www.andarikiayurvedam.in/home.jsp

This is a good site for Telugu people who are interested in Ayurvedam.

An extremely simple tip for prostrate care in men

Prostrate problems are common in men above 50 .This is a simple aid with date fruits for this irritating problem.
Dates are very common fruits - AKA - Khajoor in Hindi,Karjooram in Telugu and Pericham pazham in Tamil.

3-4 dates are soaked overnight in little water and the dates are chewed well and eaten in the mornings.The symptoms are greatly reduced.This is done in summers.
In winters the dates are boiled in milk and eaten.

This also helps people who have mild constipation and increases the hemoglobin in the blood.This also strengthens the kidneys.

A 3 in 1 cure with lemons

Mix 1 teaspoonful of
Lemon juice
Ginger juice  +
 Honey
in 1 glass of warm water .
Drinking this mixture in the mornings 2-3 times a week will keep the heart diseases away, maintains the blood pressure levels and also ensures good digestion.

(People suffering from asthma ,cough and body pain need to avoid drinking this mixture.)

Follow the link below for a similar tip to lose weight faster:
http://simpleayurvedichealthtips.blogspot.in/2010/03/ayurvedic-way-to-reduce-weight.html

A tip to control heavy bleeding in ladies..

figs-crystal sugar and honey image.Picture released into the public domain by author:Madhavi Madhurakavi.

Mix and pound 100 gm of dried figs with 100 gm of rock candy sugar powder and 50 gm of honey.Store the mixture in a clean dry glass jar.
Eating 10 gm of this lehyam twice or thrice a day during the period  will significantly reduce the excessive abnormal flow.

The Audhambar tree - Goolar fig

image source : wiki .Picture in the public domain

Scientific name :Ficus racemosa
Hindi : Goolar
Tamil and Malayalam : Atthi pazham
Telugu : Medi, Udambaramu
English :Cluster fig

This tree holds a great religious significance as it is the tree favoured by Lord Dattathreya.
Generally the flowers are not seen as the fruits are a cluster of the flowers and the fig wasps take up the duty of pollinating them.
The great Telugu poet Yogi Vemana who is very famous for his simple yet profound quatrains (usually in the "Dancing lady meter") described it thus :

" Medi pandu chooda melimaiundu  
Potta vippi chooda purugulundu"

Meaning -  The  fig looks fine on the outside but there are many insects inside the fruit - Which goes to say that appearances can be very deceptive.

This tree has many medicinal properties .It is found near temples and can be easily recognized by clusters of fruit growing directly from the bark.

Photo author:J.M.Garg .GNU free documentation license.Lineated barbet eating gular fig

For long and lustrous hair

30 gm of  Daikon Radish *  pieces are eaten with 3 pinches of peppercorn * powder in the evenings when the stomach is not too full.This can be done for a month.

This ensures good hair growth.

*   Mullangi in Tamil -Telugu -Muli in Hindi

*   Peppercorn -Miriyalu in Telugu ,Mizhagu in Tamil , Kala mirch in Hindi.

Kalanchoe laciniata- for headaches

Kalanchoe-image author:Leo Michels -in the public domain.

Kalanchoe  - image in the public domain by Leo Michels

This plant is interesting to watch as a mature leaf has many tiny plants growing in the leaf nodes.It is an ornamental plant for the same reason.Similar plants are classified under Bryophyllums.

Telugu - Patra beeja (which means the seed is the leaf )
Tamil - ( similar plants) Katti pottal kutti podum  - (Which literally means -the leaf gives birth to young ones.)

Some similar species are known as  -Leaf of life, Pregnant plant.
The leaf is needle like ,dark green ,succulent and corrugated at the leaf nodes.

The leaf is crushed well and the juice is massaged on the forehead for the head pain to reduce.

A good tip for men's health

Cotton is a very common cash crop and in spite of the fierce competition from other fibers , cotton clothes are still preferred in summers.This plant  has many medicinal properties .The root decoction is known to cure many female disorders but this particular tip is for improving men's health.

The Indian cotton plant-image in the public domain .

The flowers of the Cotton plant (Gossypium herbaceum) are shade dried and powdered and stored .
 Milk is boiled well and mixed with boiled green gram dal * and sugar.This sweet mixture or kheer / Payasam is mixed with 3 gm of the cotton flower churn  and eaten.This improves the reproductive health in men.

* Green gram dal - Pesara pappu in Telugu
Pacha paruppu in Tamil
Moong dal in Hindi.

4 'O clock plant leaves for heat boils in summer

image source-wiki-in the public domain-Mirabilis jalapa

Latin name : Mirabilis jalapa
Telugu-Pattida puvvu,chandrakaantham,chandhrakantha
Tamil- andhi mandarai or anji mandaram
Hindi - Gul abbas
Kannada -Naaluku ghante hoo (meaning it blooms at 4 )
aka -beauty of the night .

This plant looks like a small bush and the flowers bloom in the evenings hence the names.The flowers are a very attractive and range from bright purple to pink to yellow and white.
This plant is quite common in India and it blooms through summers.

People suffer from heat boils in summers.They are painful and don't seem to go away.
This is remarkably simple tip for the problem.
Pluck one leaf -wash it well and pat dry.Smear a few drops of Castor oil over both the sides of the leaf and graze it over the flame for 2-3 seconds on both the sides.The leaf wilts immediately.When the leaf is lukewarm place it on the boil .It is ideally kept on  the boil for a few hours.
This can be done once a day for 3-5 days.
The boil reduces in size and disappears.
( My mother used to do this for me when I was young - and it always worked really well ).

An ayurvedic aid for rectal prolapse

Prolonged constipation in a few people results in a rectal prolapse.This is a condition in which the rectum  protrudes a little through the anus.
This simple recipe helps in reducing the problem.
Tender lotus leaves are washed well and dried and powdered.The petals of the lotus flowers* are also dried and made into a churn.Both the powders are mixed and an equal quantity of rock candy sugar (mishri ) is added.This mixture is stored in a clean dry glass jar.
A small spoon of the powder is taken along with water two times a day.Meanwhile the constipation problem should be avoided.
This helps in bringing back the rectum to a normal position.
Rectal prolapse is also known as Ghuda bramhsa in Hindi .
The lotus plants should have been growing in a good marshy area which is irrigated with normal clean water.
For more posts on rectal prolapse click on the tag below.

follow this link for vaginal prolapse problem.

http://simpleayurvedichealthtips.blogspot.in/2010/07/simple-remedy-for-dropping-of-vagina.html

* Lotus -Thaamara, Thaamarai, Kamal.

The Tree -Spirits

People praying to trees is a familiar sight in India .The trees which enjoy the most devotion are  -the Peepul tree and the Khejri tree (Sami / Jammi).

The method of collection of the medicinal herbs  is sometimes as  important as preparing the medicine.A small prayer of thanks is said along with a request to heal the person who uses it .This being only logical - Gratitude is a fine virtue to possess  and it would be most rude to pull a branch  from a life form however primitive it is considered to be.

This extract from the book " The kingdom of Faerie " by Geoffrey Hodson  explains more about the tree's state of consciousness.
The author is a famous philosopher , clairvoyant and Theosophist who published many articles for the Theosophical society.

A tree may be regarded as having a soul, because a portion of the monad-bearing life-wave pervades it,   and,evolves by means of incarnation within it; its evolution is quickened when a nature-spirit takes charge of a tree.

The first effect is the quickening of responsiveness in the dreaming consciousness of the tree.

The nature-spirit, being so much more highly evolved, appears also to act as a link, or channel, for energies from higher levels of 

consciousness, and so fulfils a function.

In taking up its abode in a tree, the nature-spirit appears to unify itself with the complete cell life of the tree, thus making homogeneous that which was heterogeneous; it, therefore, may be regarded as an expression of the soul of the tree, though at the same time it is a separate entity.

Horse gram soup for losing weight

Horse gram -image released into the public domain by Madhavi Madhurakavi.

Latin name : Macrotyloma uniflorum
Telugu : Ulavalu
Tamil : Kollu
Hindi-Kulath
Malayalam : Muthira

This is mainly used as fodder for cattle but recently it's in the limelight for its health benefits and medicinal value.

30 gm of presoaked  horse gram is boiled in 500 ml of water till the beans soften. The beans are mashed well .The mixture is filtered and the soup is spiced  with a pinch of cumin  (jeera ) powder ,rock salt and pepper powder.
It is ideal to drink this soup / stock in the winters as it is 'heat producing' .In the summers the quantity should be reduced.Beginners can start with 15 gm of the beans as they may not stomach it well and then gradually increase the quantity to 50 gm.
This is a good aid in reducing weight fast.
For more weight loss tips click on the tags below.

Multani mitti scrub

Multhani mitti  ( Fuller's earth) is a clay like powder which can adsorb some impurities and oils. A bulk of it is used in industries but it's  more famous for its cosmetic use. The constituents and colour may vary depending on the source.

Using this mitti as a gentle scrub while taking bath is extremely beneficial in the summer season.This pacifies the pitta doshas and opens up the pores of the skin .
The eye area needs be avoided.
Do click on the' summer tips ' tag below the post for more tips to beat the heat...

Pomegranate fruit rind for firming the chest area

Pomegranate :picture released into the public domain by photo author Madhavi Madhurakavi

The fruit rind is collected and boiled in water till only quarter of the volume remains.(the ratio being 1 kg of the rind to be boiled in 4 liters of water). Add 250 gms of  mustard oil to the  concentrate and heat till only the oil remains.
Cool and filter.Massaging with this oil firms and tones up the chest area in ladies.

this link has another health tip for the same problem:
http://simpleayurvedichealthtips.blogspot.in/2010/11/significance-of-lotus-flower-part-3.html

Pomegranate - Anaar in Hindi , Maadhulam pazham in Tamil , Dhaanimma in Telugu.

An extremely simple remedy for difficulty in micturition

Some people find it difficult to pass urine.This tip may give some relief for this trouble.
Mixing a little jaggery in lukewarm  milk and drinking it up will reduce the problem .
for more information about jaggery and image refer:
http://simpleayurvedichealthtips.blogspot.in/2012/04/jaggery-sugar-cane-and-palmyra.html

Dates for men's health

Eating 4 Date fruits every day will significantly help men to regain their overall health .


Hindi - Kajoor
Telugu -Karjooram
Tamil -Pericham pazham
Latin name - Phoenix dactylifera

A Neem cure for ringworm infections.

Ringworm is a fungal infection of the skin which can be recognized by the raised reddish circular type of border patches on the skin.(sometimes it is asymptomatic ).
Grind a few Neem leaves *  and mix an equal quantity of curd in the paste.Apply the mixture over the affected areas for the patches to disappear.
the link below gives another tip for the ring worm infection and the image
http://simpleayurvedichealthtips.blogspot.in/2010/04/tamarind-seeds-cure-for-ringworm.html

* Neem -Vepa in Telugu ,Veppai in Tamil.

Jaggery - Sugar cane and Palmyra varieties

Picture released into the public domain by author Madhavi Madhurakavi

Sugar cane jaggery is very common in India.It is made by boiling the fresh juice of the sugar canes in large flattish iron vessels till it becomes a semi solid mass.Some additives are used to enhance the colour or increase the shelf life .It is then poured into moulds and cooled.This needs a lot of patience and technique combined with skill.This jaggery contains traces of salt , iron ,calcium and minerals.
The main ingredient is sucrose which is the same as that of sugar but it is said that the energy release of jaggery is much slower when compared to the white refined sugar.So it is the lesser evil for people suffering from diabetes.
- Called Gud in Hindi - Bellam in Telugu - VeZham in Tamil.

picture released into the public domain by author Madhavi Madhurakavi.

Palm jaggery is made by boiling the sap from the Palm tree .It is also called thati bellam in Telugu ,Panavellam in Tamil.It is costlier than the sugar cane jaggery ( around 150 - 200 rupees) and available in some specialised shops.It has a distinct taste and smoky smell and much darker in colour.

The moonlight mystique

trees under moonlight -image in public domain.Source: publicdomainpictures.net

We are all  fascinated with the big bright silvery moon but some are a tad cautious of it.

Full moon days are supposed to heighten the activity of the mind and magnify the dormant feelings .The werewolf  kind of fiction is entirely based on the lunar cycle.It makes an interesting read but the effect of moonlight on humans and plants is still not clear.

Some farmers follow the ' planting by the moon ' technique -where they  plant  saplings    ( which produce above the ground  ) after a new moon-  or when the light is increasing or the waxing period.
Planting in the waning period or when the light is diminishing  is  supposedly good for root crops.

The full moon day and the new moon day are avoided for any farming activity.

This theory is based on the logic that the moon has its gravitational pull and the effect on the tides and the water table of the soil. So this makes it better if the mentioned plants are planted in that particular phase of the lunar cycle.
This theory is not supported by many scientists but the believers couldn't care less because  for them- their proof lies in their produce.
Many medicinal herbs are picked on the full moon day .It is recommended that way in Ayurveda.
Taking walks in the moonlight is said to balance Pitta doshas.
               
 Moonlight has a powerful cleansing effect on most crystals - I cleanse most of my healing crystals by exposing them them under a full moon on a Pournami night. So whatever the facts or myths are, I think our beautiful moon deserves a thumbs-up just for its visual appeal.

 

Carrot leaves help for Migraine

carrots with leaves-image in the public domain from wiki.

The leaves of carrot are washed well and patted dry.Smear a few drops of ghee on them and  heat  for a few seconds.The wilted leaves are crushed and the juice is used as nose drops.

2-3 drops in each nostril will make the person sneeze and the migraine pain eases away in minutes.

There are many posts in this blog to reduce the one sided migraine pain-Do click on the"Migraine" tag below this post.

Carrot -  Gaajar in Hindi

Turmeric flower for whitish patches on the skin

Turmeric flower - image in the public domain.image source:  wiki.

White patches on the skin can turn into normal skin color by applying the crushed flower of the Turmeric plant on the affected area.
However white patches on the skin could indicate some serious underlying conditions like Leucoderma and Vitiligo.A doctor must be consulted if the symptoms persist.

Carrots for the heart

The carrots are peeled and cut into very fine slices.The pieces are boiled in milk.Eating this mixture strengthens the heart.

A simple leaf juice for pimples

Indian broad beans

The Indian Broad bean plant is also known as
Sem in Hindi
avarakkai in Tamil
Chikkudu in Telugu
Sceintific name : Lablab purpureus

The juice of the leaves is massaged on marks and pimples for them to slowly fade away.

To reduce the ill-effects of smoking

Drinking 20 gm of onion juice in the mornings on an empty stomach will definitely reduce the ill effects caused by smoking.

This is a link to control addiction.

http://simpleayurvedichealthtips.blogspot.in/2010/11/medicinal-properties-of-liquorice-plant.html

A brain power mix.

Brain power mix

Mix the powders of 

1. 60 g of Poppy seeds 
2. 60 gm of dry dates-without the seeds
3. 60 gm almonds--they are soaked and the skin is removed and dried and then powdered.
4. 60 gm of the Cardamom seeds.

and5.  100 gm of Rock candy sugar.

Store in a clean dry jar.Half a spoon is mixed along with a little Cow's ghee or butter and given once a day.

This strengthens  the brain.This is especially useful for children who are suffering from ear problems.

1 --Poppy-Gasagasalu, Khus khus.

2 --Endu Kajjooram , Chuhare in Hindi.

3 --Almonds - Badam

4 --Cardamom -- Elaichi , Elakalu ,

5 -- Rock candy sugar -kalkandu in Tamil , Patika bellam in Telugu, Mishri in Hindi.

My corner of the Earth...

I live in this charming city of Hyderabad  where the people  speak a unique language. It is a delectable mix of Urdu and Telugu which can only be called Hyderabadi but there is a fact which is lesser known about the people here and that is - They all care for their environment.
I'm especially impressed with the ban imposed on the use of plastic carry bags by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation. Small little adjustments we make in our lives like using reusable bags,conserving electricity and using a handkerchief instead of  tissues can go a long way in improving the present environment scene.So now I go shopping with my eco- friendly  bags and hum my fav. Jamiroquai song -  I know this corner of the earth smiles at me.....

This is a pic of my bag made from Banana tree fibers - Isn't it clever...

Walnut paste cure for Herpes

Juglar regia-image in the public domain-source-pixabay.

Oral herpes or cold sores can be very painful and difficult to get rid of.The blisters can appear even on the facial skin .The causative agent is Herpes simplex virus or HSV and has different manifestations.

5 gm of walnut kernel paste is mixed with a little water and the mouth is rinsed well with this paste in the mornings.The symptoms will definitely decrease in a few days time.

Walnut : Akhrot in many Indian languages.

  another simple  tip for herpes blisters :  http://simpleayurvedichealthtips.blogspot.in/2011/11/simple-help-for-herpes-blisters.html

A good tip for corns and calluses

source: public domain images of Leo michels - Jasmine plant.

Corns and calluses are thickening of the skin which is hardened by friction and gets tougher due to repeated pressure.

When a few leaves of the Jasmine plant are crushed and rubbed over the problem area- the calluses slowly weaken and gradually disappear.

Ayurveda tips in Hindi

The blog
http://successful-life-tips.blogspot.in/

has many simple and brilliant tips in Hindi.It has many categories to choose from and the coolest thing about the blog is  that they have  an audio option .The blog is a consolidation of all the tips from the works and lectures of  Pujya Asaramji Bapu.

The book Aroya nidhi  which is every bit of what the title suggests is printed by the Ashram of Sri Asaram ji Bapu.The book is available online and the link is

http://hariomgroup.org/hariombooks/satsang/Hindi/Arogyanidhi.pdf

the link for the second part of the book is

http://hariomgroup.org/hariombooks/satsang/Hindi/Arogyanidhi2.pdf

These books are packed with precious tips and truly a gift for any Ayurveda enthusiast.

The books are also available in html format .There are many more e -books which can be found in this link
http://hariomgroup.org/books/

I am truly inspired by the seva members for their constant dedication to bring out the health tips to the general public.

A simple help from Ayurveda for Malaria

Bitter gourd plant image source: biolib.cz, © Michael Kesl image in the public domain.

Momordica charantia or the Bitter gourd * plant leaves are very useful in alleviating the symptoms of Malaria.

3-4 leaves of the plant are washed - pounded with 3 peppercorns and given to the person suffering from fever and chills .The juice of the leaves is applied on the body.This will reduce the symptoms of the mosquito-borne Malaria and helps in healing the person faster.

* Bitter gourd - aka -  Karela in Hindi-Pavakkai in Tamil, Kakarakaya  in Telugu. .

http://simpleayurvedichealthtips.blogspot.com/2010/11/5-tips-for-intestinal-worms-in-children.html

The  link above gives another tip  which uses Bitter melon leaves.

Guava leaves help for anal prolapse

Anal prolapse is the condition where a part of the rectum protrudes through the anus.There are various causes for this condition which has different  manifestations .
The prolapse which is caused  after dysentery can be managed by tying a poultice made from the paste of fresh leaves.
A decoction made from the bark of the tree can be used to wash the affected area for children.

However it is not recommended to try this at home and supervision of a Vaidya is necessary.
Previous posts have more medicinal properties of the Guava tree.

for image refer
http://simpleayurvedichealthtips.blogspot.com/2010/07/guava-curry-for-digestion.html

To reduce Arthritis pain

4-5 tender leaves of the Guava tree * are taken and washed  and pounded well  to get a paste.This paste is applied on the area where the person is suffering from pain due to Arthritis.This poultice reduces the pain to a great extent.

* Jama in Telugu

Amrud in Hindi

Goyya in Tamil.

Nose drops for Thyroid hormone disorders

The oil made from the fruits of the Neem tree is known to have many medicinal properties.
Using them as nose drops regulates the functioning of the Thyroid gland .
Dosage-1 drop in each nostril-preferably early in the morning on an empty stomach.

For another tip for Thyroid regulation refer :
http://simpleayurvedichealthtips.blogspot.com/2011/11/ayurvedic-cure-for-thyroid-problems.html

Benefits of Prayer wheels

My Prayer wheel from Nepal.

The prayer wheel is an upright cylindrical wheel which can be spun around on a spindle .
It encloses powerful mantras written on a paper or a film and the prayer drum is supposed to be rotated clockwise to generate positive vibrations.
When they are turned smoothly with a calm mind the power of the mantras have a healing effect on the person and the surroundings.
The teachings of  the venerable Lama Zopa Rinpoche  emphasizes that  this Dharma wheel protects  us from all obstacles and the people around the Mani wheel are blessed.That home which houses this wheel will become similar to the Land of Potala.or the abode of Avalokiteshwara or the Compassion Buddha.



   

Banyan fruit powder as a cure for many diseases

Banyan fruits.Ficus bengalensis

Hindi-Bad,Barrh
English:Banyan tree
Telugu:Marri chettu
Tamil:Aala maram

This tree has many medicinal properties but this post is about the healing properties of the fruit.
This tip is told by Panditha Elchuri.
             A fruit is made as an offering to the Banyan tree and it is highly recommended that the person say thanks to the tree for the help-( It is always good etiquette  to say thanks -even to a tree I guess..)
The fruit is collected ,washed and cut into 4 parts and dried in the sun .It is made into a smooth powder.

1-This banyan fruit powder is mixed with
2 - an equal quantity of Mishri or rock candy sugar and
3 - half the amount of Jeera powder.(aka cumin).

This mixture is stored in a glass jar.
Some dry pieces of fruit may be stored in bulk which is useful to make a fresh batch of the given mixture.

The dosage per day  is- half a spoon for children and one spoon for adults with a glass of milk which can be sweetened with Mishri.

Benefits for children:

• Children grow taller 
• Weak children become stronger and their complexion improves.
• The memory of children improves dramatically.
• A better behavioral change is seen in extremely stubborn children.

Benefits for Men:

• Men become stronger and get a lustre of youth.
• It is very potent and improves men's health in general and reduces the early discharge problem in men.

Benefits for Ladies:

• All kinds of gynec problems are solved if ladies  take this powder twice a day.

This includes - Excess discharge in periods,cysts in ovaries,white discharge problem,spotting between periods,repeated natural abortions,very light periods,some kinds of infertility and polyps.

• It also tones up the body  and firming the flabby areas giving them a youthful appearance.

For old people:
It acts a rejuvenant for the old.

Vinca rosea

Catharanthus roseus:image  in public domain from biolib.cz

Vinca rosea or Madagascar periwinkle is  an ornamental plant and is used in folklore medicine.
The other Indian names are
Sadaphuli
Sadhabahar
Nityakalyani
Billaganneru
shavamnari

Vincristine and Vinblastine are the most important substances extracted from this plant which is used for treating some lymphomas and leukamia and some types of tumors and cancers .The yeild is extremely low ( 1 tonne of the leaves  giving less than 50 gm of the usable form of the medicine).
  It is used  mainly as a tranquilizer and for diabetes and a good herb to reduce high B.P in traditional medicine.But an expert guidance is required because using this plant as a medicine can have unpleasant side effects.

To lose weight faster...

Wish you all a very Happy and Healthy New year.

On the same note, here's a tip to lose weight naturally.
Mix:
30 gm of  Triphala powder
10 gm of Sont powder(dried ginger powder-sonti,chukku)
10 gm of peppercorn powder --Kala mirch ,miriyalu, milagu.
10 gm of rock salt (kala namak-Saindhavalavanam)
10 gm of  long pepper powder-aka  Pippali , Pipallu .For the image see the link
http://simpleayurvedichealthtips.blogspot.com/2010/06/long-pepper-for-stomach-problems.html

The Sont and black peppercorns should be dry roasted before grinding them to a smooth powder.

Mix all the powders and store in a glass jar.
Half a spoon of this weight reducing churan is mixed with a little Sesame seed oil and taken twice a day.
Sesame seed oil is used in various other lehyams and available in all supermarkets-aka -nuvvula nooni in Telugu-til ka tel in Hindi and Nallenai in Tamil.

The dosage period is around six months and this will help a person in their weight reducing efforts and  to attain a slimmer figure.