Friday, July 30, 2010

There is one thing about Baldness its neat….Is it ????


Hair loss or baldness is referred as Alopecia. If hair loss out in patches, it is termed as alopecia areata. Factors that are involved in hair loss include hereditary, hormones and ageing.
A less dramatic, but more prevalent, type of hair loss is androgenetic alopecia (AGA), or male pattern baldness. As name implies its genetic predisposition & the presence of androgens- male sex hormones- are involved in this condition. Women sometimes have the same type of hair loss, but it is not usually as extensive and most often does not occur until after menopause. All women’s experience some hair thinning as they grow older. Especially after menopause, but in some begins early as puberty. In addition, most women lose some hair 2 or 3 months after having baby because hormonal changes prevent normal hair loss during pregnancy.
In addition to this, factors that promote hair loss include poor circulation, acute illness, surgery, radiation exposure, skin disease, sudden weight loss, high fever, iron deficiency, diabetes, thyroid disease, drugs such as those used in chemotherapy, stress, and poor diet, ringworm and other fungal infection, chemicals such as hair dyes & vitamin deficiencies.

Some recommendations:-
1) Diet plenty in fruits and vegetables and low in starch, as fruits n veg’s contain flavonoid, many of which are antioxidant, protects hair follicle.
2) Eat plenty of food high in biotin includes in brown rice, green peas, lentils, oats, soyabeans,sunflowerseeds, and walnuts, This is needed for healthy hair.
3) Include soy foods such as soybeans, tempeh, and tofu in your diet. Soy foods appear to inhibit the formation of dihydrotestosterone, a hormone implicated in the process of hair loss.
4) Do not eat raw eggs as risk of salmonella, but high in avidin, a protein that binds to biotin and prevents it from being absorbed. Cooked eggs are acceptable.
5) Lie head down for 15 mins or massage scalp for blood circulation.
6) Use shampoo and conditioners contain biotin and silica also herbs are good.
7) Protect n cover your hair from harsh sunlight also do not use rough treatment, avoid crash diet.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Herbs in daily life...


“Herbs (medicines), while descending down from heaven to earth proclaimed those who eat us, are never destroyed. (Yajurveda)”


Throughout history. ..Mankind has benefited from plants in many different ways: Fundamentally for food and shelter yet also for several other purposes, including medicine, perfumes and cosmetics…Among these valuable plants is one group with a long history of use which we known as herbs. Knowledge of herbs and their properties has been passed down both orally and in written form for centuries. Since men’s early history, herbs have been used to add flavor to food. A few herbs are widely used around the world. Certain herbs are particularly associated with specific cuisines.
Indian cuisine is famous for its use of spices. Fresh coriander, mint chutneys etc. in south Indian cuisine curry leaf etc.
In European cookery, certain herbs are widely used in number of countries. Basil for ex with its strong, sweet scent evokes in Italian cuisine, famously key ingredient of pesto,/trenette pasta. Dill is associated with Sweden famous (salmon marinated with rock salt, dill, lemon, sugar, pepper). Aromatic bay leaves are one of the most widely herb used in European and North American kitchens, added to stews, sauces, & marinades. Rosemary crops ups across Europe, combined with lamb in many countries. In classical French cookery, certain combination of herbs are traditional such as fine herbs (Chopped parsley, chervil, tarragon, chives), herbs de Provence (thyme, rosemary, bay, basil, savory). Throughout herbs have been prepared for different medicinal uses. Something is surprising that some are very toxic. Such as Foxglove, opium, monkshood (though this is antidote to snack venom), henbane… Even though it’s mentioned in Ayurveda everything can be used as medicine only after applying certain criteria…

Monday, July 26, 2010

"Indigestion is the failure to adjust a square meal to a round stomach."... ACID REFULX..."

Heartburn is a condition in which the liquid content of the stomach backs up (refluxes) into the esophagus. The most common and persistent symptom of Heartburn is a burning sensation centered in the middle of the chest and/or throat, brought on by stomach acid that churns up onto the lining of the esophagus.


Acid Reflux, also known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), is a condition which has many symptoms that are similar to heartburn. In many cases, people suffering from Acid Reflux typically suffer from persistent heartburn two or more days per week. In the long term, this can be very serious since, over time, the reflux of stomach acid can erode or wear away the delicate esophagus lining. This can then lead to scar tissue, which causes swallowing problems. GERD has also been linked to an increased risk of esophageal cancer. However, some people have Acid Reflux without heartburn. In such cases, symptoms include chest pain, wheezing, coarseness in the throat, breathing problems, a bitter taste in the mouth, dry coughing, and interrupted sleep, tightness in the throat, and halitosis or bad breath. Acid reflux can also lead to regurgitation of acid into the mouth, often due to overeating or bending down or going to bed right after a meal.
Causes of Acid Reflux
Just like other health conditions, there is not one specific cause of Acid Reflux and Heartburn. However, a malfunction of a band of muscle tissue called the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) can ultimately lead to many of the problems and symptoms associated with Acid Reflux and Heartburn. The LES is a complex area of smooth muscles and various hormones, which is responsible for the opening and closing of the lower end of the esophagus when we eat and swallow. It normally keeps the stomach contents from regurgitating, but due to certain physical conditions it can weaken and lose its contraction control. If this happens, the LES fails to close up and cannot maintain the pressure barrier between stomach and esophagus. As a result, acid and pepsin from the stomach can back up and cause acidity and heartburn in the esophagus.


The most common causes of Acid Reflux and Heartburn include:
• stress
• some antidepressants and sedatives
• elevated hormone levels during pregnancy
• eating before going to bed
• eating large meals
• slower emptying of the stomach
• frequently eating greasy, fried, and fatty foods
• smoking
• alcohol
• drinking lots of bubbly (carbonated) beverages such as soda
• diseases that weaken the esophageal muscle (such as scleroderma, mixed connective tissue disease, or hiatal hernias)
Remedies:-
• First n foremost thing is changing eating habits
• Avoid heavy eating; in the sense eat in limit. Overeating will make food to come back.
• Stop eating sour, salted food…this is one of most dangerous item to trigger the symptoms.
• Don’t sleep immediately after meals. Keep a gap at least 2 to 3 hrs between your meal and going to bed.
• While sleeping sleep on right side so that there are less chances of getting stomach contents back into your esophagus.
• Improve your digestion. Eat at regular interval with perfect timing. Be regular in taking food.
• Junk food, fermented, bread, pizza, carbonated drinks, citrus fruits, also milk products like processed cheese, etc also worsens the symptoms.
• Try to give up the food containing preservatives, pickles, fried fish etc.
• Infusion of cumin , fennel, sweet grapes, pomegranate etc are good .

Be doctor of your Body...

Crash and Burn.. Fad diets are exactly just that- a fad.

Crash and Burn... Stick to scientifically proven methods of weight loss, which means a healthy diet and plenty of exercise...


We all want to lose weight fast. It might be because there is party around the corner & you want to squeeze into that great dress you bought. Or maybe you are getting married soon & you want to look fantastic in your wedding photos.
Most likely though, it’s because you find it hard to maintain a long –term diet and exercise plan, so it seems easier to go on a crash diet whenever you find your clothes getting too tight…If this method sounds too good to be true- using words like “guaranteed” and “secret” and promises fantastic results, it’s probably just hot air. You may wonder why they don’t work. After all they all result in reduction in calories, which is what causes weight loss. Slashing your daily calories to below 1,000 can make the scales drops, but it will also backfire you later.
When u doesn’t have enough calories, you are not able to exercise effectively because burning your muscle, which weakens you. As you burn muscles you are slowing your metabolism. Once you stop dieting, you will find that your metabolism remains at that pace and you burn calories slower than before. This is why you gain your weight back even faster when you come off a crash diet.
You can’t escape exercise.. You can lose weight rapidly, but you have to do it safely and be absolutely committed to sticking to it in the long term. It’s very simple: simply burn more calories than you eat. You cannot achieve this just by dieting alone, but with combination of increasing physical activities and eating fever calories. You will need almost an hour a day of moderate exercise in order to lose weight. The most effective calorie burning exercise is Cardiac exercise such as running, cycling, swimming, aerobics, brisk walking and any thing that gets your heart rate ups. Doing an hour may be easy, but its more important to increase the intensity of your exercise so that you sweat for the entire hour. You also need to include few hours in muscle strengthening. Which ll also increases your flexibility n strengthens muscles as Yoga.
Smart Eating.. When it comes to your diet, what you eat is as much as important as how much you eat. Don’t just blindly reduce your total food intake- it’s smarter to cut down certain types of food that contribute the most calories to your daily diet.
1)Reduce Carbohydrates likes Rice, noodles, breads, potatoes, and cereals, However do not encourage to cutting them out altogether, as they provide you with daily energy. Try to choose whole grain versions.
2) Cut down on high-sugar stuff & avoid adding sugar into your meals or drinks. As much as possible, trim the fat from meats and dairy food.
3) Include vegetable, egg whites, soy products, fish, low fat dairy products & lean meat (without the skin, or the breast portion). Protein will give you energy with fewer fat calories minimize muscles loss and maximize fat loss.

You should be able to comfortably achieve cutting back on 500 calories a day with a moderate exercise regime and healthier eating habits. The minimum level of calories you need a day is 1,200Kcal, but do not go down to less than 1,500calories a day.

By being disciplined and sticking to moderate intense-but safe plan, you can lose at least one-and-a-half kgs a week.

Just try it.. :)

A MUSCLE CRAMP...are unpleasant, often painful sensation caused by muscle contraction or overshortening.

A muscle cramp is an involuntarily and forcibly contracted muscle that does not relax. Muscle cramps can last anywhere from a few seconds to a quarter of an hour or occasionally longer. Any of the muscles that are under our voluntary control (skeletal muscles) can cramp. Cramps of the extremities, especially the legs and feet, and most particularly the calf (the classic "charley horse"), are very common. Involuntary muscles of the various organs (uterus, blood vessel wall, intestinal tract, bile and urine passages, bronchial tree, etc.) are also subject to cramps.
Muscles cramping is often caused by an imbalance in the body’s level of electrolytes – minerals such as potassium, calcium, and magnesium which in turn can be due to illness or exercise.
1) A common cause is unaccustomed physical overexertion, overuse, or strain. Sitting, standing, lying in one position; anemia; the use of tobacco, inactivity; fibromyelagia; harmone imbalances, allergies, arthritis and even arteriosclerosis can also result in cramping,
2) As can in dehydration, heat stroke, hypothyroidism or varicose veins or more rarely the early stages of ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). Also deficiency of Vit E.
3) Some medication can cause muscles cramping as a side effect. The use of diuretic drugs for high blood pressure or heart disorders may lead to electrolyte imbalance causing muscles cramps. Poor circulation also attributes to leg cramps.
RECOMMENDATION:-
1) Herbs: - Alfalfa, bay berry, blessed thistle, caymene, garlic, ginkgo biloba, horse tail and saffron are good for circulation.
2) Horsetail, meadowsweet, valerian and skullcap help to relieve muscle cramp. Rubbing lobelia extract on the affected area helps to relieve muscle cramps.
3) Taking Valerian root at bed time helps to relax muscles spasm.
4) Drink plenty of fluids to stave of dehydration. Take a large glass of quality water (preferably steam distilled) toxins stored in muscles. Do this every three hours throughout the day.
5) Warm up before intense exercise and cool down and stretch afterward. Avoid overworking your muscles.
6) Rub pure, unprocessed olive or flaxseed oil into your muscles before and after strenuous exercise. Add 25 drops of oil to a hot bath and soak. Canola oil is also good for this purpose. Massage cramping muscles n use heat to relieve pain.
7) Take hot bath using mineral salts before bedtime to increase blood flow to the muscles. Before going to bed gently stretch muscles that tend to cramp during the night.
8) If you are on diuretic medication for High blood pressure or heart disorder, be sure to take supplemental potassium daily.( Do not take supplemental potassium if you are taking a potassium sparing diuretic, discuss with your doctor )
9) If you have cramps during the day, while you are active. This can be sign of impaired circulation or arteriosclerosis.( Consult your healthcare provider )


“Courage is very important. Like a muscle, it is strengthened by use.”

Ayurveda Remedies...Anyone who believes that anything can be suited to everyone is a great fool, because medicine is practised..


"Anyone who believes that anything can be suited to everyone is a great fool, because medicine is practiced not on mankind in general, but on every individual in particular. ...."


Ayurveda medicine is one of the oldest forms of medicine in the world. It incorporates tool such as diest, exercise, breathing exercise, meditation (Yoga), mental visualization, therapeutic massage and herbs to treat illness and mental health.
In Ayurveda, the fundamental healing philosophy is the concept of the three Dosha or basic types of energy or fundamental principles. These are Vata(from ether + Air), Pitta ( Fire + Water) and Kapha ( Water + Earth). And accordingly to the principles of Ayurveda they are present in everyone & everything. Vata is the energy of moment. Pitta is the energy of digestion or metabolism. Kapha is the energy of lubrication and structure. All three doshas are present in everyone but one is usually predominant in any given individual.
An Ayurvedic medicine sees disease as a result of excess or deficiency of Vata, Pitta, Kapha and also the presence of toxins. Good health indicates a balance of these 3 energies in a body that is relatively toxin free. Herbs are used to treat illness by resolving this imbalance. Herbs that deal with energy or movement are used to increased Vata, herbs that treat digestion, assimilation, absorption, metabolism are Pitta, and those involved with structure and the musculoskeletal system –the “glue” that holds the body together are Kapha.
An Ayurvedic medicine regards the human body as a manifestation of cosmic energy that is transformed to all levels, both mental and physical. This can be difficult for people from western culture to grasp, but practitioners believes two system of energy are closer than we can conceive. At Auyvedas core is the belief that we are a totality of body & soul within the universe, if we can live in harmony with nature & our inner beings we will stay healthy.

A Fasting is not Hunger strike..."LAGHANAM PARMOUSHADHAM "....

Over time toxins build up in the body as the result of the pollutants in the air we breathe, the chemicals in the food & water we consume and other means. Periodically the body seeks to rid itself of these toxins and release them from the tissues. The toxins then enter the bloodstream causing the body to experience a “Low” or “Down” Cycle.
Fasting as an effective and safe method of helping the body detoxify itself and move through this low cycle with greater speed and fewer symptoms. In fact flushing is recommended for many illnesses in Ayurveda in Acute illness, allergies, respiratory disease, colon disorders. By relieving the body of the work of digesting foods, fasting permits the system to rid itself of toxins while facilitating healing.
During Fast following things happens:-
1) The natural process of toxin excretion continues, while the influx of new toxins is reduced. This result in reduction of the total body toxicity.
2) The energy usually used for digestion is redirected to immune function, cell growth, as well as eliminating process.
3) The immune system workload is greatly reduced & the digestive tract is spared any inflammation due to allergic reaction to food.
4) Due to lowering of serum fats, tissue oxygenation is increased and white blood cells are moved more efficiently.
5) Physical awareness and sensitivity to diet and surrounding are increased.
Due to these effects of fasting, a fast can help you to heal with greater speed, cleanse your liver,kidneys,colon,purify your blood, help you to lose extra weight and water flush out toxins, clear the eyes and tongue and cleanse the breathe. It is recommended that you fast 3 days a month

"A fast is not a hunger strike. Fasting submits to God's commands. A hunger strike makes God submit to our demands."