GARLIC AND ITS USES

Allium sativum, commonly known as garlic, is a species in the onion genus, Allium. Its close relatives include the onion, shallot, leek, chive and rakkyo.

Raw garlic is one of the very ancient spices used in Ayurveda. Even Sushruta has appreciated the benefits of raw garlic and is quoted in his writings. Sweet, salt, sour, pungent, bitter and astringent are the six tastes according to Ayurveda beliefs. Garlic is one of those rare herbs which has five tastes except sour.

Nature has gifted us lots of things to keep our self healthy. One of those gifts is Garlic. This great bulb has a lot of benefits, because no other plant has been held out for so long as a cure for so many human ailments. That’s why garlic has been considered as the “Wonder Drug”. Garlic has been used medicinally for many years for treating bites, tumors, ulcers, snakebite, wounds, headaches, heart diseases, cancer, pimples, measles and many more. It also prevents infections such as the common cold, cough because of its Anti-bacterial, Anti-fungal and Anti-viral property.

A famous proverb: ” Garlic is as good as 10 mothers “ , “Garlic a day keep sickness at bay”  and ” A garlic a day keeps diseases away”. Moreover, it is regarded as a miracle by naturopaths & herbalists. Various researches have proved it that Garlic is good for health and is beneficial in curing various health problems.

The garlic clove contains various nutrients as water soluble nutrients include vitamins, enzymes, amino acids and natural sugars & oil soluble nutrients includes sulphur compounds originating from an amino acid named alliin which is converted to a pungent compound called allicin which has natural antibiotic properties. Presence of sulphur in garlic is the cause of its pungent smell. However, the quality of Garlic cannot be over hidden due to this smell.

Garlic Medicinal Uses

• Garlic acts as an antiseptic & helps in curing the wounds very quickly.
• One of the health benefits of garlic is that it helps in fighting against various infection & acts against inflammation and infection, including colds and flu, coughs by adding a freshly cut raw clove to food three times a day.
• In certain studies in China it has been shown that it contains chemicals that prevent cancer. They suggest that eating garlic on regular basis provides some protection against cancer.
• Fresh or cooked garlic helps in lowers down the blood pressure and cardiovascular problems. It increases the levels of high density lipoproteins and reduces harmful cholesterol in the blood & keeps arteries and heart healthy.
• It thins the blood, reduces clotting and helps in controlling blood pressure and poor circulation.
• Garlic stimulates the immune system of body and helps in fighting against various diseases.
• Use two raw garlic daily to reduce the risk of cancer, due to its Anti-Carcinogenic properties. It helps prevent cancerous compounds from forming and developing into tumors. It also inhibits the growth of tumors.
• Prevents and relieves chronic bronchitis, respiratory problems, and mucous formation.
• It acts as a nasal decongestant and expectorant.
• Garlic works as a cleanser of the digestive system, helps in curing gastric  formation, kills internal parasites and is an excellent internal antiseptic.
• It exhibits antioxidant activity, which is good for your skin. It also contains flavonoids, which is good for heart and body.
• Garlic cures Earache, put two or three drops of warm garlic oil in the ears.
• Garlic is a natural aphrodisiac, it stimulates sexual desire. Normally not consumed by people in celibacy, who have taken vows not to marry.
• If any insect bites you at the seaside, you just crush the garlic and apply it to the affected area to reduce pain and to remove poison.
• If you are very fat and want to loose weight, squeeze half lemon juice in one glass of luke warm water and drink it with two cloves of raw garlic regularly twice a day (morning and evening), for about three months. Avoid using starchy foods and fats. Do exercise regularly. You will observe a great change in your body.
• Garlic supports anti-ageing . Use 2-3 cloves regularly for better results

Researcher recommends daily dose of fresh garlic of about 4 gm, equivalent to one or two small cloves for each & every person who wants to keep himself healthy.

Few watch outs for the usage of garlic:

• Garlic may cause or worsen bad breath problem.
• It is advised not to take garlic soon after heavy exercise or when someone has just come from sunlight.
• Since Garlic is hot and pungent, it should not be taken when someone has nasal bleeding and dizziness.
• For women suffering from heavy menstrual bleeding, it is advisable to stop using garlic from 5 days before onset of periods till it stops.

SKIN CARE AND HOME REMEDIES FOR GLOWING SKIN

Nothing makes a person more beautiful than healthy glowing skin. Natural home remedies offer a variety of unique treatments that work besides those offered by major department stores.

An Ayurvedic skin care regimen includes procedures for cleansing, toning, exfoliating, and moisturizing the skin. Ayurveda also has special formulas to help with specific skin care problems, such as eye treatments and special techniques for facial massage.

If the skin is not cared properly and neglected it suffers from premature aging, becomes dull and blemished. Regular consumption of milk, honey and yogurt are good nourishment for skin and prevents premature aging.

Important Habits to Get Glowing Skin

Few important habits that one would need to inculcate in the daily routine life to get a smooth, flawless glowing skin.

• Cleanse the skin at least twice a day with a mild cleanser.
• Complete body exercise shows up an attractive healthy glow on face. Gymming or yoga on a daily basis is essential for beautiful skin.
• Have a good night’s sleep for at least eight hours at night.
• Expose skin to sunlight for at least 15 mins a day that too without any UV  protection.
• Drink loads to water, i.e. 10-12 glasses a day.
• Mix equal quantities of cucumber juice, rose water and lime juice. Wash the face and apply it overnight. Rinse off in the morning. This clears the complexion and keeps it healthy.
• Take 50 ml. of tomato juice and mix with one teaspoon of lemon juice. Apply this mixture to the face. It helps to make the skin soft and glowing.
• Take equal quantities of turmeric powder and wheat flour and make a paste with sesame oil. Apply it to the face to remove unwanted hair.
• Apply orange juice to the face for smooth and soft skin.
• Take 30 ml. of cabbage juice and mix one teaspoon of honey in it. This mixture, if applied regularly to the face, helps to keep the wrinkles away.
• Make a paste of raw carrots and apply it to the face. Wash it after one hour. The skin will become glowing.

High levels of emotional and mental stress is one of the major reasons for skin getting dehydrated. Meditation and breathing are effective stress busters. To remove stress do this exercise-  yogic breathing, follow these steps:

• lie on your back or seat comfortably
• place one palm on your belly, and another one on your chest.
• start inhaling into your belly, letting it slightly rise, then keep inhaling into your ribs, expanding the ribcage up and out, letting the air completely fill up your lungs by inhaling all the way up into your chest.
• mentally keep track of your breathing — your belly, ribs, and chest.
• on your exhales, let the air move in the opposite order — chest, ribs and  belly sinking in.

Do this simple yet very effective breathing technique for 5-10 minutes when you need to calm down whether it is before an important meeting or right before you fall asleep.

Ayurvedic Beauty and Skin Care Tips

Try the following ayurvedic suggestions to get beautiful results you desire: Here are some simple home remedies which can be tried using easily accessible and other ingredients available in your kitchen cabinet

Wrinkle-free Soft Skin: Smooth castor oil on the face to keep it soft and wrinkle free.

Clear Skin and Pores: Clean the skin and pores with unpasteurized milk on cotton wool.

Natural Moisturizer: Make your own moisturizer for normal skin. Mix eight ounces of yogurt with a tablespoon of both lemon juice and orange juice to use on the face as a mask. Remove with damp cloth in about fifteen minutes.

Skin Conditioner: To condition the skin, make a paste of two tablespoonfuls of cream stirred with one of honey. Leave mixture on skin for five minutes and remove with a wet facial cloth.

Skin Tone and Pigmentation: A raw potato rubbed on the skin helps lighten pigmentation problems and improves skin tone.

Natural Mask and Mixtures: It is possible to make a powerful mask by mixing turmeric powder, milk, and sandalwood powder. Leave this mixture on the face for several minutes and remove with water to give the skin vibrancy. It improves skin complexion.

Smooth Complexion: Apply orange juice to the face for a smoother complexion.

Facial Hair: Remove facial hair with an application of sesame oil, turmeric powder, and wheat flour in equal proportions.

Treat dark circles under the eyes: Take cucumber juice and rub it on your face for some time. Wait for few minutes and wash your face with cold water. It is a good skin care remedy for treating spots and marks on skin and getting clear and glowing skin. It also proves effective to treat dark circles and dull skin.

Skin moisturizer: Once a week apply coconut oil on the entire body so that the skin is hydrated. You can do this 15-20 minutes prior to bath.

Treat skin problems like acne and pimples: Apply on your face paste of neem, mint and tulsi leaves. Wash with tulsi water . Do this regularly to note the change in skin.

Natural Sunscreen Lotion: Combine rose water with glycerin and cucumber juice. Refrigerate and apply this mixture before sun exposure each day.

Natural Face pack: A mixture of besan or gram flour, milk and turmeric powder is used as a natural face pack. It helps to deal with oily skin and get a flawless and beautiful glow on your skin. Many people use this mixture while bathing their children also.

Glowing skin: A quick remedy for glowing skin instantly . Put few drops of moisturizer or malai on a cube of ice. Massage your face with this cube for 4-5 minutes. You can try this remedy during winters when your skin becomes very dry and scaly. This remedy can also be used when you are feeling tired and dull to get quickly refreshed.

If your skin is dry, use curd. You can massage your skin with curd at least once in fifteen days. It will help you to get rid of dry skin as well as get glowing skin with an ease.

If your skin is oily use ripe papaya as a beauty and skin care remedy. Churn ripe papaya into a thick paste. Apply this paste on your skin and massage slowly for few seconds. Use clean and cold water to wash your face after 10 -15 minutes. Wipe your face with a soft dry towel. Try this remedy once in every two weeks to get a refreshing look and glowing skin.

Special care during summer:

Mix honey with some lemon juice and make a paste out of it. Apply this paste evenly on your facial skin. You can also use this paste on your hands, legs, neck and back. Let this pack stay on your skin for at least 5-10 minutes before you wash your face. This remedy will help you to get soft and glowing skin in minutes. It also acts as a substitute for skin bleach and helps to deal with oily skin. You can use this remedy during summers when skin tends to become oily quite often.

During summer when you come home during peak hours , apply a paste of rice flour and milk on the exposed areas of your body i.e hands, legs, face, neck. Leave for 5 mins and then wash with cold water. Skin coloration will be reduced.

Special care during winter:

In Winter season, right after a bath while the skin is still wet, rub some Baby oil into the skin gently to avoid dryness.

Mix 1 teaspoon Vaseline with 1 teaspoon Glycerin and leave overnight. This is good for dry skin and also during winter season.

Mix 1 teaspoon of Vaseline with 1 teaspoon of Vitamin E oil and 1 teaspoon of Glycerin and apply over the entire body. Have a bath after an hour repeat this for a week or two.

NATURE has the products which can best keep you beautiful, and the traditional potions prescribed by ayurveda use many of them in their most basic forms.