Tips to Overcome Stress and Depression

More and more people worldwide are affected by depression with different reasons. The reasons differ with the family relationships, work atmosphere, pressure with studies and exams, at times with complicated relationships too. Stress and Depression is not uniform and therefore one treatment cannot be applied as a common treatment to the affected person.

The individuals affected with depression needs to get involved in some activity and keep themselves busy and active. As the popular saying,” An idle mind is a devil’s workshop”. This applies very much as the thinking problem is extended with being idle. To overcome Stress and Depression engage yourselves in exercise, listening to music, reading, cooking, blogging or internet surfing. Get involved in activities that will remove the sick feeling and loneliness.

Signs and Symptoms of Depression

• A constant feeling of sadness, anxiety, and emptiness
• A general feeling of pessimism sets in (the glass is always half empty)
• The person feels hopeless
• Individuals can feel restless
• The sufferer may experience irritability
• Patients may lose interest in activities or hobbies they once enjoyed
• He/she may lose interest in sex
• Levels of energy feel lower, fatigue sets in
• Many people with a depressive illness find it hard to concentrate, remember details, and make decisions
• Sleep patterns are disturbed – the person may sleep too little or too much
• Eating habits may change – he/she may either eat too much or have no appetite
• Suicidal thoughts may occur – some may act on those thoughts
• The sufferer may complain more of aches and pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems. These problems do not get better with treatment.

Easy tips to Overcome Stress and Depression

Take a walk at least twice a day:

It is important in mental health to take a walk on green grass, because green color is good for health, the walk on bare feet will soothe your body and improve blood circulation. Walking twice a day is also recommended by Doctors for good health. Walking in the morning will provide exposure to bright sunlight that can provide psychological effect on mind. Avoid wearing dark glasses as sunlight exposure to your body must come through your eyes. Take a relaxed walk in the evenings after your dinner. This will also help to regulate your daily routine; perfect sleep in the night and get fresh morning.

Follow Aerobic exercises to overcome depression:

Health experts recommend Aerobic exercises as an effective remedy for overcoming depression. Allocate half an hour thrice a week for aerobic exercises. Listen to music, warm up slowly and practice. Get your heart beat (pulse rate) up to the target range of about 50-85 percent of the maximum heart rate depending upon your age and condition.

Plan a change in your sleeping schedule:

Plan your sleep routine such that you go to bed at the same time every night. Turn your lights dim and create a dark room effect for better sleep. Avoid working late night , avoid watching TV for extended hours. Engage yourself in quite activities like reading a book, articles etc. Basically keep away from stressful activities like drinking alcohol, caffeine.

Socialize and build a healthy community around you

Make an attempt to get along with close friends and family. You need not indulge into long conversations but yes…keep in touch and share your thoughts. Keep conversations simple, no arguments, have fun with people around you. Take time to go out for movies, or visiting some place where your mind is relaxed. If you do not have time for long visits, make it short over tea or coffee together .These distractions will lessen stress and you need to include small breaks in your daily routine.

Updating your personal dairy on a daily basis

Updating your personal dairy is a good method to reflect your depression or stressful feeling. This will give you an opportunity to recollect all occurrences in the day and mention the key things in your dairy. This is also a great way to release stress and make you feel relaxed.

Depression can lead to emotional and physical problems. Typically, people with depression find it hard to go about their day-to-day activities, and may also feel that life is not worth living.

Ayurvedic remedies for Overcoming Depression

Relaxation and Meditation are also effective measures in the treatment of depression. Practice shavasana -dead posture in Yoga, for maximum benefits of meditation. Meditation involves training the mind to remain fixed on a particular external or internal location. Meditation helps to create balance in the nervous system. Incorporate yoga and mild exercises.

Also read: Simple ways to include Ayurveda in everyday life

Natural home remedy for Overcoming depression:

• Add some fresh Rose petals to a cup of boiling water. When it comes to room temp, add sugar and drink whenever feeling depressed.
• Cardamom helps in relaxing the body and mind. Crush 3-4 cardamom seeds to powder. Take  ½ tsp of cardamom powder and mix it in 1 glass of water. Mix well, filter and drink 1 glass every day.
• Crush 3-4 cashew nuts to powder. Take 1 tsp of cashew nut powder and mix it in 1 cup of warm milk. Mix well and drink every day.

The treatment for depression is not ‘One size fits all’, however the family and friends need to extend maximum support. People, suffer from various ailments like thyroid, diabetes, high Blood pressure and those who really wanted to overcome depression should engage themselves in some other kind of activities like exercise to make yourself busy and to not think about what makes you depressed.

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Oil Pulling-an Ayurveda Remedy for Dental health

Oil pulling is an age-old remedy recommended by Ayurveda for Dental Health that uses natural substances to clean and detoxify teeth and gums. It has the added effect of whitening teeth naturally and evidence even shows that it is beneficial in improving gums and removing harmful bacteria!

What is Oil pulling?

Oil pulling is a simple procedure, infact a powerful Do-it-Yourself (DIY ) practice supposed to  draw toxins from your oral mucosa and destroying mouth germs while stimulating bodily eliminations and increasing metabolism, thus reportedly leading to various amazing healing benefits and enhanced health including whitening of teeth, fixing/fastening loose teeth, eliminating bleeding gums, stopping tooth sensitivity, decay & abscesses, and preventing cavities.

Oil pulling has been credited with a number of amazing oral health benefits since the times of Ayurveda, the oldest holistic healing system we know of. In Ayurveda, oil pulling is called “Kavala Graham“, and the Charaka Samhita sutra sthana chapter  states that “by oil pulling with til-taila (sesame oil), teeth are not affected with cavities and they become firm-rooted. Toothache and sensitivity to sour items will be healed and one will be able to chew the hardest items.”

Dr. Karach MD, the “author” of Oil Pulling book, said: “The oil therapy heals tooth pain totally. Obvious results are re-fixing of loose teeth,  the stopping of bleeding gums and the whitening of teeth.” In continuity , oil pulling also removes dental infections, stops further tooth decay, and reduces/eliminates sensitivity of teeth.

The popular oral benefits reported includes the cleaning of the tongue that had been coated with a white-yellowish film,  the healing of aphtous ulcers and a salivary gland infection, no more tartar forming,

How to do Oil Pulling?

The procedure involves rinsing (swishing) approximately one tablespoon of oil around in your mouth. As the oil hits your teeth and gums, microbes are picked up as though they are being drawn to a powerful magnet. Bacteria hiding under crevices in the gums , in pores and tubules within the teeth are sucked out of their hiding places and held firmly in the solution.

• Put  1 table spoon of cooking oil (Sesame oil /Sunflower oil/ Coconut oil) into your mouth.
• Swish for 20 minutes continuously. The oil will get thicker and foamy with a milky white coloration as it is mixed with saliva.
• At the end of the process the liquid will turn creamy white when you spit out.
• Spit out into a trash bin.Do not spit this into the wash basin or sink. It will clog the pipelines and the septic tank will become messy too.
• Do not swallow the liquid either as the liquid is having high bacteria.
• Rinse well with warm water. Warm water seems to clean the mouth better. Swish a few times with warm water to get any remaining oil out of your mouth.
• Brush well. You will feel and smell fresh. Your teeth will have an improved look.

Timing is the key. The longer you push and pull the oil through your mouth, the more microbes are pulled free.

Benefits of Oil Pulling:
People that “oil pull” state that it has helped whiten their teeth, alleviate halitosis, and even reduce gingivitis. In many cases, people also claim that it helps “prevent” cavities, as well as relieve gum and tooth sensitivity.

It truly makes sense from a mechanical perspective. As all of you know that the primary cause of tooth decay is bacteria. This simple oral health technique will immensely improve dental health. Oil pulling is a very inexpensive therapy that could potentially have great benefit on oral health.

Watch outs while following Oil Pulling:

Those individuals practicing Oil pulling for their daily teeth cleaning regimen should adhere to the following guidelines:

• Swish gently. If your jaw starts aching after five minutes, slow down. You’re working too hard!
• Do not swallow the oil while swishing. if you find it hard not to, you likely have too much oil in your mouth. Spit it out and try again with a smaller amount.
• Once you have finished pulling, spit the solution into the trash. Do not discard the oil in the sink or down the toilet because over time the oil may build up and clog the pipes.
• Do not drink anything before rinsing your mouth. Rinse with water first before consuming a beverage.

Also read: Gargling Salt water in the Morning Improves Health

Coconut oil is preferable as it is having antibacterial properties, mild in taste than other oils and is recommended by oral health experts too. In winters when oil becomes thick, heat the oil and use.

You will start noticing whiter teeth after you start oil pulling in your daily routine. Your teeth will start becoming smooth. Go ahead and try this simple practice for a bright smile and improved dental health.

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High chances to catch Shingles after recovery from Chickenpox

What is Shingles?

Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus – the same virus that causes chickenpox. After recovery from chickenpox, the virus remains in the body and lies dormant in the central nervous system; which is made up of the brain and spinal cord. The virus may reappear in people of all ages who have previously had chickenpox.

The blisters are usually limited to one or more bands, called dermatomes, on one side of the trunk, around the waistline, or clustered on one side of the face.

The inactive virus may not cause problems for years, if ever. Shingles is most common in people over the age of 50, about half of all cases occur in men and woman age 60 years and older. The risk of disease increases as a person gets older.

How does Shingles occur?

Most people have chickenpox at some stage (usually as a child). The virus does not completely go after you have chickenpox. Some virus particles remain inactive in the nerve roots next to your spinal cord. They do no harm there, and cause no symptoms. For reasons that are not clear, the virus may begin to multiply again (reactivate). This is often years later. The reactivated virus travels along the nerve to the skin to cause shingles.

Typically individuals will develop one episode of shingles in their lifetime. The pain from shingles can be mild to severe, including burning, shooting pain or itching generally on one side of the body, does not cross over the midline of the body and visualizes as a rash or blisters. This indicates the dormant virus has reactivated and traveled from the nerves along a path to the skin, causing inflammation along the way. This pain can sometimes last for months post healing.

What are symptoms of Shingles?

The varicella-zoster virus usually affects one nerve only, on one side of the body. Symptoms occur in the area of skin that the nerve supplies. The usual symptoms are pain and a rash. Occasionally, two or three nerves next to each other are affected.

The pain is a localized band of pain. It can be anywhere on your body, depending on which nerve is affected. The pain can range from mild to severe. Other symptoms of shingles can include: fever, headache, sick feeling, extreme weakness, nausea, chills, fatigue, joint pain, faint due to weakness, etc.

The usual course of the illness is outlined below.

• Pain, tingling, numbness, itching on a specific part of the skin, on a single side of the body.
• A rash will typically appear 1-5 days after the pain begins.
• Red spots emerge that develop into itchy fluid-filled blisters.
• The rash has the appearance of chickenpox but only on the band of skin supplied by the affected nerve.
• The rash may involve the face, eyes, mouth and ears in some cases.
• Sometimes the blisters merge, forming a solid red band that looks like a severe burn.
• New blisters may arise for up to a week.
• Inflammation/swelling may be caused in the soft tissue under and around the rash.
• People with lesions may feel spasms of pain at the gentlest touch or breeze
• The blisters will gradually dry up, form scabs or crusts and begin to fade in 7-10 days
• Minor scarring may occur where the blisters have been.
• A shingles episode can often last between 2 and 4 weeks.

Is Shingles contagious?

Shingles is not spread through coughing or sneezing but through direct contact with fluid from the filled blisters. Before the blisters develop and after the crusts form, the person is not contagious.

You can catch chickenpox from someone with shingles if you have not had chickenpox before. But most adults and older children have already had chickenpox, and so are immune. You cannot get shingles from someone who has shingles.

Preventative measures for Shingles include:

• Keeping the rash covered
• Minimal scratching or contact with the rash
• Regular hand-washing
• Avoiding contact with Pregnant women who have never had chickenpox or varicella vaccine
• Avoiding contact with Premature or low birth weight infants

Ayurvedic treatment for Shingles

Many people opt for Ayurvedic treatment for Shingles because it has no side effects. Ayurveda, which is often called the Mother of all Medicine recommends few ointments on the skin. One of the most common herbal remedies for shingles includes application of a paste of turmeric powder on the affected area. Being a natural antiseptic, turmeric speeds up healing and relieves the sufferer from pain. The other popular home remedy is application of 1 cup of aloe vera gel mixed with 1 tspn of honey. Apply on the affected area 2 times a day.

Shingles is less contagious than chickenpox. The risk of spreading the virus is low if the rash is covered. However the infected person may require rest due to body pains and a general ill feeling.

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Menopause-What to expect if you are between 40 to 55 years

Menopause is a natural transition in women that occurs at the age of 40-55 years. The menstrual cycle stops and sex hormone levels decrease, including that of estrogen, resulting in the condition called menopause. Menopause is not a disease. In Ayurveda, menopause is described as a natural effect of aging and does not reflect any disease.

There are lot of stories shared by our elders and friends that the thought of going thru’ the stages of menopause is so scary. While some women sail through menopause comfortably, others struggle to deal with its annoying or even unbearable symptoms. Let’s understand to have a clarity on menopausal stages in a women’s life.

Symptoms of Menopause

Menopause symptoms varies from person a woman to woman. This is due to differences in lifestyle, attitude, genetics, weight, and customs. However a few symptoms are almost universally experienced.

Hot Flashes

A hot flash is the body’s response to our decreasing estrogen levels. It is experienced as a It can be felt as a slight warming, slowing rising up and over your entire body; or it can be a raging fire from the depths, consuming your entire body.  Either way the warming is felt , this reaction is completely normal and more than 50% of women going through menopause suffer from hot flashes.

Night Sweats

Night sweats occur for the same reason as their close friend, the hot flash, and cause extreme night time perspiration and discomfort.  You will not be able to have a sound sleep due to being uncomfortable. They are clinically called nocturnal hyperhydrosis. Nocturnal meaning “night”, hyper meaning “too much” and hydrosis meaning “water condition.”

Loss of Sex Drive

Due to the hormonal changes in our bodies, you may experience a loss of libido (sex drive). The key to getting through this is to be open and honest with your partner about the reasons you may not be in a mood these days.

Irregular Menstruation

The main cause of menstrual irregularities of any type is a hormonal imbalance. In menopause, the main contributor is estrogen and its decreasing levels in our system. You may experience periods more frequently or less; and they may be heavier (clots) or lighter.

Vaginal Dryness

Dryness in vagina is a common observation by most women. Along with the loss of moisture and dry feeling comes a loss in elasticity as well. You may be prone to repeated vaginal infections easily, loss of bladder control and having sex may become a pain, literally.

Mood Swings

You are going through an emotional pendulum with the changes in moods. You could be prone to tears and angry outbursts for no apparent reason, and believe it or not, this is a normal symptom of menopause.

Tiredness

You will feel exhausted quickly. Your low energy and tiredness are all symptoms of menopause setting in. You will long to take a nap at any time of the day. This tiredness and exhaustion can be described by women only.

Stages of Menopause

Perimenopause

Perimenopause is the stage that many women go through before hitting full-fledged menopause. The symptoms of menopause can begin as early as your 30’s or 40’s. Symptoms like the hot flashes and night sweats are common early on in a period called perimenopause. It usually happens four or five years prior to the onset of menopause, but in some women, it happens much earlier.

Menopause

Actual menopause usually begins in your 40’s or 50’s, when it occurs naturally. Surgical menopause occurs when a woman needs to have a hysterectomy and a bilateral oophorectomy (removal of both ovaries). Women who go through surgical menopause have a far worse time than those who go through it naturally. Their body is thrown into a hormonal imbalance, instead of eased into it and this can make the symptoms much more severe.

Post Menopause

Post menopause is considered to be a full year after the menstrual cycle has ceased to occur by most Doctors. During post menopause you can look forward to a lessening or complete suppression of the symptoms.

Lifestyle tips for balance

• Follow a strict routine: According to Ayurveda,sleep is important for the woman entering menopause or going through menopause, because both Vata and Pitta imbalances can cause sleep problems that will only make menopausal imbalances worse. To balance both the doshas and to have a good sleep, be sure you’re in bed before 10 p.m and that you arise before 6 a.m. This is the time of night when sleep comes easier and is more restful. If you stay awake past 10 o’clock, it will be harder to fall asleep, and you’ll also increase any Pitta imbalance, because 10 p.m to 2 a.m is the Pitta time of night, when the body needs to be at rest in order to cleanse and purify itself.
• For both Pitta and Vata dosha, it’s important not to skip meals, and to eat your main meal at noon, when digestion is the strongest. Try to eat at the same time every day, and go to bed and wake up at the same time.
• Be sure to get lots of rest during your menstrual cycle as you approach menopause, because this will keep Apana Vata in balance and avoid the more serious complications of menopause.
• Daily exercise is also important for keeping all doshas in balance. Do yoga or meditation if you cannot go out for walking.
• Oil massage twice a week will increase circulation, calm Vata dosha, and provide needed moisture to the skin.
• Drink lots of water. Minimize on caffeine intake and avoid alcohol to keep Vata dosha in control

Consult a doctor for medical advice if you observe varying conditions that are not manageable. At times a friendly talk or guidance from a counselor will do wonders rather than medicine.

Take out time for yourself. Minimize stress and you can control the hormonal imbalances to a large extent.

Benefits of Eating with Fingers

Why should we eat with our fingers? Indians follow this tradition of eating with hands all across India. Eating food with your hands not only feeds the body but also the mind and the spirit. The logic behind this practice is the Vedic interpretation. In the printed paper ‘Vedic wisdom behind eating with your hands’ it mentions that “Our hands and feet are said to be the conduits of the five elements”.

Vedic Interpretation

Ayurvedic texts teach that each finger is an extension of one of the five elements. The thumb is agni (fire). Children suck their thumb, this is nature’s way of aiding the digestion at an age when they are unable to chew; the forefinger is vayu (air), the middle finger is akash (ether ) i.e the tiny intercellular spaces in the human body; the ring finger is prithvi (earth) and the little finger is jal (water)

Childhood practices-eating with fingers

In our childhood days parents were always behind us to hold all fingers together while transferring the morsel into the mouth. Now you can also understand the essence of this practice. All the five elements will come into play by properly placing fingers together and it affects our digestive system.

Personal hygiene

Eating with one’s hands means following a good level of personal hygiene. It forces one to wash their hands before and after the meals. It’s believed that the touch, sight, sense and taste that can be drawn with one’s hands cannot be achieved with the aid of a fork, knife or spoon.

Apart from washing the hands, one should have clean fingernails as well. In fact, long fingernails are considered unhygienic in some countries, especially India. Besides this, the right hand is always used for eating because the left hand is considered unclean for eating purpose. The left hand that is idle during eating process actually aids to serve food during meals.

Benefits and Ergonomics

Eating with your fingers  helps you to judge the temperature of the morsel and rules out the possibility of an ulcer or a scalded tongue. Sitting on the floor and eating rather than a dining table is recommended because the repeated bending of the spine improves blood circulation and digestion. Prevents the morsel falling onto your clothes.

The staple diet in India includes rice, dal, chapathi. Eating chapathi and sabzi with hands is convenient rather than a fork and spoon.

Impact on digestive system

Each finger aids in the transformation of food, before it passes on to internal digestion. Gathering the fingertips as they touch the food stimulates the five elements and invites Agni to bring forth the digestive juices. As well as improving digestion the person becomes more conscious of the tastes, textures and smells of the foods they are eating, which all adds to the pleasure of eating.

The five fingers also represents taste like sweet, sour, bitter, salty and spicy. Therefore even if you are a newbie to the practice of eating with your hands, do make an attempt.

You can also read:

Karkidam-Monsoon is the ideal season for Ayurvedic treatments in India?

Simple ways to include Ayurveda in everyday life

Benefits of Drinking Water before Bedtime

Simple steps of Ayurveda for Good Health

How to be healthy this Rainy season

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Watch out for the Warning Signs of Diabetes

Diabetes is one of the most fearful disease that causes stress and anxiety. Diabetes is the condition of an increased blood sugar level which has many complications that arise with the severity and duration. Early diagnosis and control measures can help save lives and lessen the burden of the patients. Early diagnosis means early treatment thereby preventing complications as an outcome of high sugar levels.

Early symptoms of Diabetes-The Three P’s:

The early symptoms of Diabetes is categorized in three P’s, which are Polyuria, Polydipsia and Polyphagia. Let us understand the symptoms of each category.

• Polyuria: this is a state or a condition wherein there is an increased volume of urine with an increase in urinary frequency. The normal urine output in adults is about 1.5  to 2.0 liters per day but in cases of polyuria the volume is greater than 2.5 to 3.0 liters per day.
• Polydipsia: this is a state or a condition wherein there is an excessive feeling of thirst thus; there is an increased intake of fluids. Increased intake leads to increased output of urine or polyuria. You will feel thirsty all the time or your thirst is stronger than usual and continues even after you drink.
• Polyphagia: also known as hyperphagia, it is a condition wherein there is an excessive feeling of hunger. You always feel the urge to consume food.

The other signs and symptoms commonly experienced may include the following:

• Severe weight loss
• Excessive tiredness
• Lack of interest and concentration
• A tingling sensation or numbness in the hands or feet
• Blurred vision
• Frequent infections
• Slow-healing wounds
• Vomiting and stomach pain (often mistaken as the flu)

If you experience one or two signs you should not ignore. All these signs and symptoms should be taken into more tests to make sure that diagnosis of diabetes is correct. You can do the diagnosis and confirm that you are not having diabetes. If results are confirming early precautionary measures to be implemented.

Diabetes is called Prameha in Ayurveda. Diet planning- This is the cornerstone of managing diabetes. The diabetic diet is an otherwise normal balanced diet, with a few modifications and proper spacing between food intakes. Avoid diet increasing kapha dosha such as sugar, fats, potatoes, rice.

One of the methods to heal Prameha include strenuous exercises. Regular exercise in any form is a must. Implement Yoga to reduce stress and anxiety

Remedies to be implemented with immediate effect.

• Diet planning.
• Daily exercise.
• Restrict and reduce weight.
•  Avoid sleeping during daytime.
•  Avoid smoking.
• Avoid alcohol.

Again, early diagnosis means early treatment. So, if you or your loved one has two or more of these symptoms most especially the three P’s make sure that you schedule an examination or check up with your doctor for proper diagnosis and more effective treatment.

Further reading: Jamun (Black Plum) Controls Blood Sugar levels

Jamun (Black Plum) Controls Blood Sugar levels

Jamun, Black plum , java plum, malabar plum, jambolan or jambul can help a lot in controlling blood sugar level because it contains anthocyanins, ellagic acid, hydrolysable tannins etc. Each part of the Jambul plant such as the leaves, berry and seeds can be used by those suffering from diabetes. In fact, research has shown that the fruits and seeds of this plant have hypoglycemic effects as they help reduce blood and urine sugar levels rapidly.

Jamun Controls Blood Sugar levels

The seeds, in particular, are very effective as it contains glycoside jamboline and alkaloid jambosine that regulate and control blood sugar levels. Whenever this seasonal fruit is available in the market, try to include it in your diet as it can be very effective for the pancreas. Else you can make a powder of dried seeds of Jambul fruit and eat this powder with water twice a day.

Indian Black berry or Jamun is native to India and its neighboring countries but you can find it at Asian markets and herbal shops. Ayurvedic and Unani systems of medicine use the fruit, seeds, bark, leaves etc to treat a variety of health problems. Ayurveda texts indicate that Jambolan is one of the greatest fruits.

The seeds contain the glucoside jambolin which prevents the conversion of starch into sugar and this benefits by controlling blood sugar levels. They also contain many flavonoids, phenols and are rich in protein and calcium. It is a very good source of carotene, iron, folic acid, calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus.

The tree flowers with the onset of summer in March/April and bears fruit in May/June when it is hotter. The fruits’ skin is in various shades of purple, some almost black colored. It is an oblong shaped berry and the ripe berry has a deep purple flesh that colors the mouth and tongue for a few hours after it is eaten. The fruit tastes sweet and tasty with an astringent action.

Our next lane which takes pride of a jamun tree has the complete road blue with vehicles plying to and fro on the ripe fruits keep dropping . The last shower saw colorful water flowing adjacent to the road with pools of water collected and the sand also had a blue coloration.

Caution for pregnant women:

Few people advise pregnant women to avoid eating jamun as it will result in baby’s skin getting stained with small dark patches in the womb. However there is no clinical versions to support this claim.There is no harm absolutely for pregnant women to eat 8 to 10 black plums a day, why miss all the health benefits when the fruit is in season.

Top health benefits of Jamun:

• Dried seeds powder two times a day at one gram each dose could help support blood sugar.
• Fruits reduce excessive salivation
• Seeds decoction with honey prevents thirst and fatigue due to physical strain.
• Seeds decoction has anti septic activity
• For boils and other skin disorders apply some jamun seeds mixed with a little oil on the affected area.
• For Acidity, eat jamuns with black salt and roasted cumin seed powder.
• To remove body weakness, treat anemia, increase memory and remove sexual weakness, take 1 tsp each of jamun juice, honey and amla juice everyday in the morning.

Precautions while consuming Jamuns:

• Avoid eating jamuns on an empty stomach
• Never drink milk after consuming jamun.
• Do not eat them in excess as it may cause body aches and fevers.

Jamun is nature’s gift to mankind. Make best use of the natural resource– Jamun to control and regulate blood sugar levels. During off season the fruit can be consumed with the by-products like jamun seeds powder, vinegar, juices, jellies etc.

Doing Kegel exercises treat Urinary Stress Incontinence

Urinary Stress Incontinence is usually observed in women. Urine leaks for a few women when they cough, sneeze or even laugh. There will be no control over the urinary bladder. This condition is very embarrassing. Few women even avoid social gatherings when the problem is severe.

The Urine Incontinence is observed in women during pregnancy and after childbirth. Ideally the nerves, ligaments, and pelvic floor muscles work together to support your bladder and keep the urethra closed so urine doesn’t leak out. Overstretching or injury to these areas during pregnancy or childbirth can cause them to stop working properly.

Image courtesy: scienceoflife.com

Causes for Urinary Stress Incontinence

• Pregnancy
• After delivery (birth vaginally)
• Assisted Vaginal delivery ( usage of forceps)
• Prolonged pushing ( large baby)
• Obese persons
• Smokers
• Genetic predisposition(runs in the family)
• More number of vaginal deliveries
• Menopause stage , Aging
• Repeated urinary tract infection

Treatment for Urinary Stress Incontinence

The treatment options range from conservative treatment, behavior management, bladder retraining, pelvic floor therapy, medications and surgery. The success depends on the correct diagnosis in the first place.

Exercises to control Incontinence

Kegels are exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles – the muscles that support your urethra, bladder, uterus, and rectum. Kegel exercises may also help reduce the risk of Anal incontinence and urge incontinence.

How to do Kegel exercises at home

Start the exercise with an empty bladder. Imagine that you’re trying to stop yourself from passing gas and trying to stop the flow of urine midstream at the same time i.e closing and drawing up of the front and back passages.

Make sure that you squeeze and lift without pulling in your tummy, squeezing your legs together, tightening your buttocks, or holding your breath. In simple words, only your pelvic floor muscles should be working.

Though you may have trouble isolating these muscles at first, it gets easier with practice. It might help to place a hand on your belly while you’re doing your Kegels to make sure that it stays relaxed.

What is the frequency and duration for Kegel exercises

Start doing Kegels a few at a time throughout the day. As your muscles starts to feel stronger, gradually increase both the number of contractions you do each day and the length of time you hold each contraction, up to ten seconds. Practice them in sets of ten and try to work up to three or four sets about three times a day.

Make Kegels a part of your daily routine. You can schedule a set in the morning, while watching TV and prior to bed time. But it really doesn’t matter when or where you do them – as long as you do them regularly.

Be patient and keep up the schedule. It may take three to six weeks of regular Kegels before you notice an improvement in bladder control.When done correctly and often enough, they can strengthen your pelvic floor muscles, giving you better control.

Precautionary measures

However in the initial stages follow some precautionary measures to avoid any embarrassment.

• Use a sanitary pad to protect your clothes from urine leaks
• Try crossing your legs and tightening your pelvic muscles or shifting your body weight to one side when you feel a sneeze or a cough coming on.
• Cut down on caffeine consumption.(results have indicated positive effect)

Ayurveda recommendations for Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence is primarily a vata disorder, caused by weakness of the muscles of the bladder, especially the bladder sphincter.

Natural Home Remedy using Indian gooseberry, turmeric powder and honey:

Cut and de-seed 1 Indian gooseberry (Amla), Crush the Indian gooseberry into paste. Add a pinch of turmeric powder and 1 tsp of honey. Mix well.

Have 1 tsp of this mixture every morning for about 4 weeks.

You will feel the strengthening of prostrate muscles after duration of 4 weeks.

Natural home remedy using milk, fennel seeds and sugar:

In a glass of warm milk, add 1 tsp of crushed fennel seeds (saunf) and 2 tbsp of sugar syrup in it. Mix well and drink this every day.

To make Sugar syrup: Mix 2 tbsp of sugar in ½ glass water. Heat the sugar and water solution till it becomes a syrup.

Put an end to Snoring with Natural Home Remedies

What causes snoring ? Why does it affect only a few people ?

Snoring is the sound produced, while sleeping, due to the vibration in the respiratory structures. That is to say that the air movement gets obstructed while breathing, resulting in the sound. Snoring is associated with loud and irritating noise that causes inconvenience to the people around them and also becomes a major source of sleep distraction and irritability for the snorer as well.

Some of the causes of snoring include muscle tone of the tongue, blockage of airway, age factor, alcoholic beverages, certain medications and sheer physical exhaustion. Tonsil enlargement may also give way to snoring. For some people, the  narrowing of throat or pharynx while breathing during sleep is enough to cause vibration of soft tissues in the pharynx leading to snoring.

You will come across people snoring especially while traveling in the train. The problem is not significant or noisy for women. Either way it is embarrassing which can be minimized or ended with the right approach.

Natural Home Remedies for Snoring

Given below are few effective home remedies and natural treatment for snoring. Snoring Home Remedies mainly involve few life style changes.

Lose weight:

Losing weight is one of the best recommendations. Obese people tend to have breathing problems during sleep. Weight reduction puts an end to snoring.

Give up smoking:

Smoking causes swelling and increased nasal congestion, mucous in the throat area. It is ideal if the snorer quit smoking as it will have a huge impact.

Keep away alcohol:

Alcohol is a major reason for snoring as intake of alcohol causes relaxation in the soft tissues and muscles in the throat leading to snoring.

Sleep posture recommendations:

Ideal posture while sleeping is on the sides. This will reduce the intensity of sound created while snoring.

Elevate your head by 4-5 inches as it eases breathing and prevents tongue from rolling back. Use cushions for this. Adjustments and switching over one’s sleeping posture may also make way for the control of snoring.

Diet restrictions

Avoid heavy meals, spicy and oily foods for dinner. Such foods aggravates the problem of snoring.

Consumption of Caffeine should be reduced to overcome snoring.Excess sweets and carbonated drinks taken at dinner may lead to snoring

Ayurveda, the Science of healing recommended the following Home Remedies:

• In a glass of warm water add ½ tsp of cardamom(elaichi) powder. Mix well and consume at bed time. This will aid in proper breathing and gradually help reduce snoring.
• In a cup of warm milk add 2 tsp of turmeric (haldi) powder. Mix well and consume at bed time. Aids in having a sound sleep without snoring problems.

Follow a regular sleep routine. Sleeping at fixed times and waking up at the same time is believed to reduce snoring. Physical measures are also available like nasal strips, oral and dental appliances. These are expensive accessories.

If you are snoring even after following the home remedies it is time to consult a physician. Snoring is not a disease but causes inconvenience to your spouse and children. If not addressed in time it can lead to Sleep apnea-another sleep disorder.

Cure Diabetes with Raw Ladies finger

Diabetes is a common ailment in people all over the world.These days we get to hear that small children are also diabetic and they need to maintain their health with lot of restrictions in diet.

For few people the sugar levels are high and they need to take insulin to maintain sugar levels. People with diabetes needs to go thru’ lot of pain and expensive treatment with regular medicines. Here is some good news, Ayurveda recommends a natural method to bring down sugar levels. Ladies finger is the vegetable that has proven great results in reducing diabetes. Ladies finger is known as okra, bhendi, vendakaya or bendakaaya.

Simple method to control diabetes using ladies finger

Ayurveda treatment for curing Diabetes with Raw Ladies finger.Here is a simple tip to control diabetes with Raw Ladies finger.

Take two raw ladies finger, wash them. Cut the ends of the ladies finger and slit the ladies finger lengthwise without separating the 4 slits at the broad base. Immerse the ladies finger in a glass of water. Cover the glass such that the ladies finger gets immersed. Leave it overnight. In the morning remove the ladies finger from the water and drink the water on empty stomach. The water will be slimy with the addition of the mucilage sticky content of ladies finger. Repeat this method for 2 weeks and then do a sugar test and check sugar levels.

Ladies finger has Soluble Fibers and fight kidney diseases

Soluble fibers are very important to keep your kidneys healthy. They play their role in digestion of carbohydrates. Lady finger is enriched with soluble fibers. Digestion process is slowed down and hence lowers the sugar level in blood. For some individuals the kidney gets affected with high sugar. Prevent deterioration to your key organs by adapting this simple method in your daily routine. Include ladies finger in your menu too. Okra helps in lowering the blood sugar level by blocking the absorption of sugar in the intestinal tract.

Watch outs while starting this natural remedy at home

You can complement this natural remedy even if you are on medication. Follow strict diet control. Regularly exercise and maintain health. Remember, the ladies finger natural remedy is a blessing in disguise therefore do not bypass your diet and exercise regimen. Studies have confirmed the benefits of ladies finger with extensive data and proven results. Okra is considered a nushka in treatment of diabetes naturally. Maintain a consistent approach and keep diabetes at bay.

It is generally observed that after following a good treatment people skip all the control methods and complain that the levels have gone high. Therefore do not get tired, follow systematic approach. All roads to healing require constancy, patience, and discipline. Lower Sugar levels and lead a healthy life.

Further reading: Read the Health benefits of Ladies finger to upkeep the health of a person and  11 Recommendations to Prevent Diabetes naturally

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