Buttermilk poultice for eczema

Massaging the affected area with curd or buttermilk will reduce the problem significantly. Buttermilk poultice also works well for eczema and psoriasis.

Benefits of wheat bran

Wheat bran aka chokar or bhusi of wheat is very high in fiber and is very beneficial for people having sugar problems,high B.P and constipation. It can be consumed in various forms and 20 gm per day for an adult seems to be a safe dosage. It can be powdered and added along with the regular wheat flour. This purifies the blood and makes a person more energetic and eliminates many problems in the body.

It is advisable to start using 5 gm a day and slowly increase the dosage.

A two in one tip for the strengthening of heart and improving the overall health of children

Munakkas

Munakkas are large and brownish raisins which generally have seeds. They have many medicinal properties.

5-10 munakkas are washed well and are boiled along with 100 ml milk.The milk has to rise thrice for the desired effect.

The milk is cooled till it is lukewarm.The soft munakkas are spooned out of the milk . They are mashed and de-seeded.

Adding a little mishri powder to the milk is optional. The pulp is eaten and it is followed by drinking up the milk.

The dosage for children above 3 years is 5 munakkas but adults can use up to 12.

It can be done for 20 days.

This strengthens the heart, relieves constipation, increases the strength of the liver and can also balance the cholesterol levels. It improves the overall health of sickly and thin children.

Tips to reduce the internal heat in the body due to pitta dosha

• Practicing Varun mudra helps in relieving the symptoms. 
• Practicing chandrabedi Pranayam will help in reducing the heat in the body.
• Drinking buttermilk mixed with a little lemon juice for 4-5 days also helps.

Drinking adequate water is very important.

For more info on varun mudra :

http://simpleayurvedichealthtips.blogspot.in/2010/10/mudras-for-healing-part-4-varuna-mudra.html

A tip for increasing strength in children

3 spoons of carrot juice can be given to children 3 times a day .This makes them healthier and stronger.

Surya Namaskar

Surya Namaskar  ( Salutation to the Sun god) is a set of exercises performed in continuum in a particular sequence.
   It is generally performed in the mornings on an empty stomach.It can be elaborated and enhanced by chanting mantras followed by some specific asanas and meditation.
  Practicing the Surya Namaskar has huge benefits.It is beneficial for a wide spectrum of physical ailments and also  has a huge positive impact on the emotional psyche.
       It also increases the energy level in a person and very useful for people who have very busy schedules .
      It is best to learn the techniques, the mantras and the dos and don'ts from a yoga teacher to practice it correctly.

Basil seeds/ Sabja

Basil seeds - image released into the public domain by author Madhavi

Basil plant- image source - wiki - public domain image

     

Basil seeds soaked in water -image released into the public domain by author Madhavi.

•  Sweet basil or the Ocimum basilicum is a very popular herb used in cooking. 
• This plant is an insect and snake repellent.It also has many valid medicinal properties. 
• The leaves release aromatic oils when crushed so, they were used as hand deodorizers.
• The seeds swell up when soaked in water with a thin layer of mucilage around them.These are used in desserts and drinks.
• In South India ,a spoonful of soaked seeds are mixed in a glass of water.Drinking this 'cools' the body during summers.

(to be used in moderate quantities)

Names in different regional languages : Rudrajada,Bhoo tulasi,Karpoora tulsi,Mishti tulasi,Sabza,Ram tulasi and Arjaka in Sanskrit.

Tulsi mala

image released into the public domain by author Madhavi Madhurakavi. Tulsi Mala.

Japa is the Hindu word for repetition of the Lord's name and mala means a chain.There are different kinds of japmalas (Rosary or prayer beads )which are used for different Gods and mantras.A Vishnu devotee generally uses a mala where the beads are carved out from the stem of the Thulsi aka Holy basil plant.
Wearing a Tulsi mala is supposed to be extremely beneficial for the mind,body and soul.It makes a person healthier in body ,calmer in mind and sinless in spirit.
The malas used for wearing are generally much smaller and smoother in finish.There are many varied opinions about the code of conduct to be maintained by a person while wearing them.Interested seekers may adhere to what they believe in.
For another tip to reduce the effects of cell phone radiations with tulsi beads you may refer:

http://simpleayurvedichealthtips.blogspot.in/2010/10/some-ways-to-protect-ourselves-from.html

Crystal healing

image released into the public domain by author Madhavi- healing and dowsing crystals

Crystals have many unique powers and they have multifarious uses.They are wonderful gifts of nature. They can energize,heal,store,amplify and heal our system with their wonderful healing power.
Energy therapeutics work with different kinds of crystals to de- block and harmonize the chakras of the body.There are 7 major chakras or energy centers in our body which are :
The Muladhara chakra 
 Swadhishtana
 Manipura
Anahatha
Visuddhi
Agnya
and the Sahasrara


The chakras are like 2- way pumps absorbing the divine energy through the aura and supplying it to the endocrine glands of the body which in turn control the functioning of the physical organs.Each chakra represents a gland like in a console.The colored aggregate around the physical body is called the aura which consists of all the colors moving around the physical body with different vibrations.The crystals also have a definite effect on the aura of a person .
The white crystal is the storehouse of all the colors and so it can heal any deficiency.When energized with Reiki, the power of the crystals can be enhanced and can be used in healing to rectify the color deficiency of that particular chakra by activating it for its efficient functioning.

(As heard in a talk by Mr.M.Shyamal Rao -Reiki grand master and Crystal healer)

A tip to beat the pollution

Adding a pinch of Tulsi churna in the food when it is boiling helps in protecting the body from the effects of pollution. The churna can be added in either boiling rice or Dal (lentils).

VCO - Virgin coconut oil

I've read about the innumerable benefits of VCO and wanted to give it a try . Strangely enough VCO is not available in the supermarkets or any specialized stores here in Hyderabad in spite of the abundant trees found here.So I had to order it online.
It is less denser with a milder odor than the normal coconut oil.It also tastes milder.
 I am not sure about the other benefits but it is definitely good on the skin.A little oil when rubbed on the skin is showing definite improvement.

A simple tip to tame a rough personality

image in public domain from wpclipart.com

Visualizing a lotus flower or meditating on a lotus flower will make a person's personality more pleasant and pleasing to others.

Sujok finger massage rings

Sujok finger massage ring - picture released into the public domain by author Madhavi.

I recently came across the finger massage rings recommended by Sujok therapy.These rings look shiny and are  apparently made from a single wire designed to touch most of the acupressure points .They are supposed to be worn like rings and rolled up and down along the finger.The ring should not be worn and only meant for rolling. The massaging is done for all the fingers .2 minutes is the prescribed time for each finger.It is not supposed to be rolled on wounds.Children below 8 years of age should not try this.
The  snug fit ring itself is slightly expandable and dimples the skin on the fingers very superficially for a few seconds.
I am not a Sujok expert but the therapists claim that this practice is said to have very beneficial effects for different kinds of diseases.

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.

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.

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.

Tips for reducing eye strain and the 20-20-20 rule.

Eye strain is becoming increasingly common these days because of the routine use of computers.This can even lead to  CVS or the computer vision syndrome which include many symptoms like blurred vision ,headaches neck pain and dry eyes.

There are task specific glasses available which are meant for various activities where people need to focus uninterruptedly on something particular for a long periods of time. People who work on embroidery designs ,shooters  and pianists find these prescription glasses useful.Computer glasses help people who have to focus on the computer screen  for long hours.
These are some simple things one can try to reduce the eye strain.

• Focus on something which is at least 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds every 20 minutes.This will relax the ciliary muscles of the eye.
• Closing eyes for 20 seconds every 20 minutes will also help.
• Scanning the entire room  from a corner and focus on all the objects in the edge of the room will increase the fluidity and flexibility of the eyes.
• Looking out through a window and focus on something far off.

The eye is a very delicate and complicated organ where many parts of the eye and the brain have to work in concert for a good vision . Taking good care of them would be the wise thing to do.

A peculiar use of the Prickly Pear.

Prickly Pear  - image in the public domain

This cactus too is used in Ayurveda though not very often and it has many curative properties.

Hindi name :Nagphani

Latin name: Opuntia

Tamil  :  Pattanattukalli

Telugu : Nagajamedu

A mature thorn was used for the Ear piercing * in the golden olden days .This ensured that the area remained germ free for a while.The pierced hole was then blocked with a small neem stick to prevent further infection.

* Karna veda samskara

This is a ritual which is performed for both boys and girls among Hindus.This is said to prevent a person from many diseases especially  Hernia and Hydrocele in boys.

A simple tip for children's health

Soak 1-2 badams/almonds overnight.Remove the skin-make a paste and add a few drops of honey and let the child eat this mixture.It is very beneficial for the overall health of the child.