Why don't we trust nature? It can very well be our doctor

"Recently I read this article the subject is very useful for everyone, so I am posting here"

Tulsi for cold, dhurva for longevity, bilwa for cleansing, vallarai for memory power, curry leaves for indigestion and good hair growth and a host of other herbs are the saviours from tiny ailments in villages.

An apple a day keeps the doctor away. A garlic clove a day chases asthma away. A carrot a day keeps the ophthalmologist away . . . a dentist away and cancer away. Deep breathing exercises 20 minutes a day can keep most diseases away. A few yogasanas a day can keep most diseases away.

These are some of the sayings that we don't trust. Everyone one of us has some health ailment or the other. Some have severe headaches, others develop breathing problems, yet others get serious problems such as heart or lung ailments. But have you ever taken an apple or carrot a day as you must have learnt by heart in your primary school?

We don't trust nature. Most of us do not drink rainwater. Rainwater may be slightly contaminated with dust and other chemicals on the first day and from the roof that may be coated with chemicals, but one can harvest it directly from the skies. Keep a clean tub right in the open on the terrace. This can be done the second day of heavy rain. The first day, the water from the skies can wash away dust and other particles in the atmosphere. Then it can be double-filtered and stored in huge drums. This water can be filtered again for drinking.

One must experience the taste of rainwater. It is heavenly. An Australian study has confirmed that rainwater is very much safe for drinking and other household purposes and does not cause any illness. Most people have installed a rainwater harvesting system but use this water for bathing and washing and rarely for drinking.

Children love the rains. They love snapping those bubbles and having a bath. But today you find a lot of elders shooing them away from having fun in the rain all because they think they will catch a cold. Don't you get a cold even when you don't bath in rain? Your hair shines so well after a bath in rain/rainwater.

Working late or watching movies most of us have lost the habit of waking up early and doing some form of exercise. Schools back in the 1960s had morning prayer and some exercises in the open sunlight for about half-an-hour. Although yogasanas and breathing techniques have gained importance (more in the West), we turn to them for style, or when we have some ailment that refuses to budge with our popping pills.

Ancient texts kept at the Saraswathi Mahal library in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, about breathing exercises have this to say. Practising a certain type of deep breathing while studying (alternate right and left nostril breathing) can improve memory power and help you retain whatever you are studying. This text says that breathing should be practised on an empty stomach pretty early in the morning (studying early in the morning some time before sunrise). The text says that this way, you cannot forget whatever you have read. This is because the oxygen that enters your body clears congestion in the brain and enables it to retain whatever you have read with concentration in memory.

Deep breathing exercises practised just for about 10-20 minutes a day can improve eyesight, cure constipation, ward off most diseases. A person practising Asanas rarely gets any degenerative disease. It is advisable to learn these breathing exercises and yogasanas from a practitioner as there are rules about doing the same and they can cause harm if done in haste or on a heavy stomach or when ill.

While you can get rid of most skin problems by taking a sun-bath, we have the habit of seeing the sun when we travel to our workplace and on weekends after a late breakfast. Suryanamaskars have become a religious sign or practised to help us rid ourselves of paunches.

We use polyester garments and rarely expose ourselves to cool air or sunlight. The fresh air can give you a cold or fever. We get the idea that standing in cool air can give us a cold whereas overeating and eating junk foods or drinking colas cannot.

A lot many people are scared of tasting seasonal fruits. Mangoes are a ‘no' ‘no' for fear of our sugar levels rising or our getting diabetes. Whoever said fruits will usher in diabetes, and not a sedentary lifestyle and wrong eating habits? Bananas no, potatoes no, carrots no. There are a lot of self-analysed ‘Nos.'

Tulsi for cold, dhurva for longevity, bilwa for cleansing, vallarai for memory power, curry leaves for indigestion and good hair growth and a host of other herbs are the saviours from minor ailments in villages. People living in cities cannot even identify common herbs, much less use them to benefit. Looks like we don't trust nature.

Find out if your weight is healthy

Body Mass Index (BMI)

 

* The Body Mass Index (BMI) can be used to find out if you are overweight or obese.

Height and weight are used to find your BMI on this chart.

* In the graph below, mark the square where your height and weight cross.

The color of the square will tell you if your weight is healthy, overweight, or obese.

Try These Steps To Lose Weight

# Diabetes, overweight, high blood pressure, rich meals, desserts, high waist measure,

a lack of physical activity, and poor nutrition will bring bad news from your physician.

# Drink water instead of soda or other drinks high in calories and sugar.

# Take action now to prevent disease, reduce the fat, STOP SMOKING, PLEASE!

# Keep lots of fruits and veggies on your table and when you shop, read the food label.

# Turn off the TV and go for a walk.

# Go with a friend and enjoy a good talk.

# Plan for the future and increase your chances of attending your kids’ graduations and dances.

Change your lifestyle now—Play it smart!
start living healthy, and guard your heart!

Green Tea Benefits and Preparation

What is Green Tea ?

Green tea originates from China , Green tea has been used as a medicine in China for at least 4,000 years.

Botanical evidence indicates that India and China were among the first countries to cultivate tea. Today, tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world, second only to water. Green tea comes from a tea plant native to Asia called Camellia Sinensis. Black tea also comes from this same plant. What makes green tea different, and green, is not the plant used to make the tea, but how the plant is processed. Green teas are the least processed of commercial teas and the method used preserves more of the nutrients and health benefits.

Let's see some benefits of green tea below

Benefits of Green Tea

The most recent reports indicate that this Green tea is believed to be very useful in increasing a person’s metabolism. The overall effect that green tea diet drinks have on a person depends on a variety of factors, however. Further research needs to be completed regarding this aspect of using green tea.

For now, you can be assured that green tea will provide your body with many other benefits. All of this occurs primarily because of a key ingredient present in it. 

• Green Tea Act as antioxidants thus it lowers the Risk of Cancer.

• Green Tea Lowers Cholesterol and thus, the Risk of Stroke and Heart Diseases

• Green Tea Lowers Blood Pressure.

• Green Tea Prevents Tooth Decay.

• Green tea is said to help in lowering calories and fighting fat.

• Reduction in bad cholesterol and Helps in weight loss.

• Increase in metabolic rate / fat oxidization.

How to Make Green Tea?

                                                                        

Add one cup of  water in a teapot or kettle to a boil then let it sit for about few minutes to achieve the perfect temperature around 60-80 ° C (180 °F)

Now add the tea leaves and let it infuse for 2 - 3 minutes but not any longer, or else your tea will become slightly bitter

You can add small amount of  sugar, lemon or honey to your taste

Don't drink Green tea after 6 pm. Otherwise, you cannot have a good sleep

South Indian Food Guide

Introduction

South India which includes Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka have both coastal and non-coastal regions. The common aspect of all the states is that they are predominantly rice eaters.  Since fish and coconut are found in abundance they form an important part in their diets. South Indian food is largely non greasy, roasted & steamed. Rice forms the basis of every meal & is usually served with sambaar, rasam, dry & curried vegetables & curd preparations. Dosa, idli & vada have now become popular throughout the country.