In continuation of my earlier post, here we shall discus about keeping other parts of your body Naturally Healthy!
Skin,
Natural Remedies For Healthy Skin
Ayurveda for skin is happening word for beauty and skincare products. Still, Ayurveda is not just skincare routine but also the inner beauty within us, like maintaining pita or doshas in our body. Healthy skin is possible by following a good lifestyle, healthy and fresh food and skincare routine. Free radicals cause skin inflammation and ailments in cells and pollution in the environment.
1.Citrus fruits
All citrus fruits work miracles on the skin; they are rich in vitamin C. Vitamin C aids in revitalising the skin, has anti-ageing properties and brings in natural radiance to the skin. Citrus fruits rejuvenate the skin, increasing its elasticity, in removing free radicals and a detoxifier. The smell and favour of citrus fruit are features which is why most skincare products have them as main ingredients. In addition to vitamin C, they are also rich in bioflavonoids; vitamin P. Vitamin P strengthens the capillaries so the skin can absorb more vitamin C and other nutrients. Vitamin C is heat sensitive and never citrus fruit or juices should be cooked or heated at high temperatures. Citrus fruits can be part of your daily diet and for topical application on the skin.
What are the sources of Vitamin C and their benefits?
Oranges are skin exfoliator and rejuvenator in most skincare products. Indulgence in the smell and flavour of oranges is a treat to your senses. Skin being one of the senses, oranges increases the elasticity and lightens the skin. Oranges also contain Vitamin E an antioxidant, which removes free radicals and makes skin blemish-free.
Limes is best for treating acne, dark spot left by acne and lightens the skin.
Lemons have the same effect on the skin as limes, but lemons are more acidic the limes. The concentration of the lemon juice with water can be varied depending on the sensitivity of your skin
Grapefruit removes free radicals from the body and is rich in antioxidants.
2.Senna flower or Tanner’s Cassia/ Tarvar/ Avarampoo
Senna flower has medicinal properties for treating many skin ailments. Senna flower is the most common herb in Asia with a small bright yellow flower. They are called avarampoo in Tamil and tarvar in Hindi and is time tested, natural remedy for diabetes, liver disease and ulcers. Senna flower is also a home remedy for body odour and skin dryness. Senna flower hydrate and has a cooling effect on the body and skin.
3.Cabbage juice
Cabbage juice is worth trying and works wonders on skin by reducing skin pores and reducing wrinkles. Cabbage is rich in vitamin A, vitamin K, sulphur, silica and antioxidants. Take cabbage juice prepared as soup, tangy juice with a squirt of lemon. Prepare cabbage smoothie with a mix of veggies like spinach, avocadoes, cucumber best alternative to carbonated sodas and preservative-laden boxed fruit juices. The sulphur content in cabbage juice has an antimicrobial effect on acne and a home remedy for acne and other skin ailments like eczema.
4.Sandalwood paste
Sandalwood paste has a beautiful aroma which uplifts your mood, and its medicinal attributes uplift your skin. Sandalwood mixed with some lemon is a suntan remover, lightens skin darkening pigments, for treating acne and keeps skin looking young and beautiful. They make an excellent homemade toner by adding some rose water to sandalwood paste. Try to use sandal paste made at home by rubbing sandal stick on a stone or granite slab. Sandalwood paste from sandal stick is a better alternative to store brought sandalwood powder.
5. Bermuda grass juice/ doob/ arugumpillu
Bermuda grass called as doob in Hindi and arugumpillu in Tamil enriched with antioxidants. Take 50 ml of Bermuda grass juice thrice a week to treat skin ailments like acne and eczema. Doob grass hydrates body and skin naturally, making it look more fresh and supple. Blend ¼ cup, washed and destemmed Bermuda leaves with water. Add some cardamom or honey for more utterly taste.
6. Neem flower paste
Neem flower is antimicrobial and works great in treating acne. Mix Neem flower paste with turmeric and cucumber is homemade face pack on those hot summer days. The cooling effect of cucumber and pure nature of neem and turmeric is best suited for even most sensitive skin.
Ayurveda for lungs and heart
Ayurveda for the heart is a home remedy in addition to advice or medications prescribed by your doctor. Ayurveda for lungs and heart is a noninvasive method for a healthy heart with nutritional benefits.
1. Indian gooseberry dipped in honey
Indian gooseberry (Amla) dipped with honey is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants. Indian gooseberry dipped with honey for heart and lung function. Amla honey candy is delightful and yummy. They remove cell impurities and toxins to repair and improve cell growth for a healthy heart.
How to prepare Amla honey candy?
Take 5 – 8 ripe amlas or Indian gooseberries
Wash, dry amlas thoroughly, deseed and cut them into smaller pieces.
Boil and cook the Amlas in water
Punch small holes on the cooked amlas
Prepare sugar syrup by boiling 2 cups of sugar in water to make one string thick syrup
Dip the cooked amlas in sugar syrup and let it cool.
Lastly, dip the sugar-coated amlas in honey and let them dry at room temperature
Store in an airtight container and serve.
2.Rose flower
Rose flower mixed with honey is an antioxidant for capillary blood flow and a healthy heart. Rose flower is rich in vitamin C and bioflavonoids, which improve lung function and treat inflammation caused by smoking and air pollution.
3.Ginger
Ginger contains an essential oil called gingerols, shogaols and phenols. Ginger helps in preventing heart disease and stroke. Ginger is antioxidant and to avoid inflammation of the heart and lungs. They help in lowering blood cholesterol and acts as a blood thinner. Ginger tea or ginger-infused water is a remedy for inflammation and congestion in the lungs. Intake ginger regularly in the diet will increase the air intake and expel of air by the lungs is more effective and easier.
4.Raisins
Raisins or dried grapes are rich in iron and antioxidants. Raisins are amazing and mighty food for the heart. They can treat cell inflammation and promote cell growth. Raisins prevent heart stroke and cardiovascular diseases. Raisins or dried grapes can be included in the diet as salad topping in yoghurt, oatmeal, poha upma and just as trail mix with other healthy nuts.
5.Radish juice
Radish juice or mooli juice contains anthocyanins, vitamin C, folic acid and flavonoids. They prevent cardiovascular and heart diseases like atherosclerosis. Take radish juice regularly with your diet to see improvement in heart function.
6.Flaxseed, almond and walnuts
Flaxseed, almond and walnuts are rich in omega-three fatty acid and a heart-friendly food. Flaxseed reduces triglycerides in blood and inflammation of the heart. All the nuts are heart-friendly, especially nuts like almonds and walnuts have a high amount of omega-three fatty acid which lowers LDL and triglycerides. They treat the inflamed walls of heart arteries and prevent blood clots causing heart attacks.
7.Turkey Berry/ Sundakai/ Bhurat
Sundakai in Tamil and bhurat in Hindi is usually in dried form is made tangy gravy with tomatoes. Turkey berry lowers blood pressure and prevents cardiovascular diseases. Sundakai/bhurat in recipes reduces heart palpitation and the blood clots.
Ayurveda for stomach
1.Fenugreek seed water
Fenugreek seeds soaked overnight in water is full of antioxidants and assists to purify the blood. Fenugreek seeds are crunchy and bitter will help in digestion and gut health.
2.Pomegranate flower tea
Pomegranate flower tea is rich in antioxidants and essential nutrients. They can prevent atherosclerosis, a heart disease caused by a buildup of fat, cholesterol, calcium forming plaques. These plaques may cause heart blocks, heart attacks and strokes. Pomegranate flower tea is stronger in the detoxification of body then the leaves or fruits of pome. They help soothe the stomach and in weight loss therapy. They decrease the absorption of fat into the blood and maintaining a healthy gut.
3.Mint
Mint is a natural home remedy for stomach ailments like gassiness or acidity. Mint contains essential oils which cure indigestion after a big meal. They decrease the level the absorption of fat in the body and benefits liver health. They increase bile secretion makes food digestion easy and quick.
4.Buttermilk
Probiotics are all about buttermilk. These good microbes are a critical necessity for maintain good gut health and prevent indigestion. Buttermilk also hydrates the body and improve blood circulation. Buttermilk with jeera and ginger is an excellent way to end your meal. Try this remedy for the wellness of the whole body.
5.Coconut milk with palm jaggery
Take fresh coconut milk extracted from coconut infused with palm jaggery twice a week to treat stomach ailments. Coconut milk contains lauric acid and lipids that antimicrobial and antifungal activity. Studies say they cure stomach sickness and inflammation.
6.Bottle gourd
Diarrhoea, gassiness and piles can be treated with laukki (Hindi) or sorakkai (Tamil) or bottle gourd as juice or by including it in daily meals. A cup of Laukki juice will curb hunger and create a sense of fullness. Bottle gourd decreases appetite for unnecessary eating and helps in weight loss therapy.
7.Plantain or banana flower
Plantain flower or banana flower is a quick remedy to soothe stomach indigestion. The fibre content in plantain is high and less in calories. Plantain or banana flower reduce flatulence and bloating caused by acidity. They can be added to soups, salads or made as curry, include banana flower at least once a week in your daily diet.
8. Black Nightshade/ Mantakali keerai/ Makoy
Black Nightshade/ Mantakali keerai/ Makoy is an essential green herb with a lot of medicinal properties to cure stomach and mouth ulcer. They also reduce inflammation in the gut and prevent constipation.
9.Horse gram soup
Horse gram soup is low calorie and weight reduction diet. They are high fibre containing lentil, which helps in bowel movement and low lipid absorption into the body. They are easy to digest and maintain the digestion process.
Ayurveda for Pancreas
Pancreatic health is vital for maintaining blood sugar level and preventing diabetes. Include vegetables like bitter gourd, green mango, ber in your daily diet for improving the health of the pancreas. Senna flower or avarampoo and ivy gourd or kovai pazham will also enhance the endocrine activity of the pancreas.
Ayurveda for Liver and Spleen
Ayurveda for liver and spleen reduces fat absorption and flushes out the toxins or free radicals accumulated in the liver cells.
1.Neem leaves
Neem leaves are antimicrobial, and rasam made from this leaf is sure to benefit the liver and the entire body. Rasam may be a little bitter increase its palatability with other spices like cumin and pepper. Take this rasam twice in a week.
2.Stone apple fruit/ Vilva pazham/ Bello
Stone apple fruit/ Vilva pazham/ Bello dipped in honey has medicinal properties to cure liver diseases.
Ayurveda for Intestine
August tree leaves/Agathi keerai/ Agasti and Palak/ spinach
August tree leaves/Agathi keerai/ Agasti and Spinach/ Palak is calcium and iron-rich green leafy vegetable. They can be included in the diet regularly for gut health and proper digestion.
1.Papaya
Papaya contains the enzyme papain and lots of fibre. Papain helps in digestion of oily and greasy food and fibre help in maintain the gut bacteria and prevents constipation.
2.Citron/ Narthangai/ Neeboo
Citron/ Narthangai/ Neeboo is rich in vitamin C, beta carotene and other antioxidants. They help in maintaining gut health and maintains the digestive enzyme secretion. Citron/ Narthangai/ Neeboo prevents and treats flatulence, acidity associated bloating.
3.Pomegranate juice
Pomegranate juice is rich in antioxidants and excellent home remedy for inflammation in intestine like Crohn’s disease, inflammatory bowel disorder. Take 15 ml of pome juice with palm sugar regularly three times in a week for maintaining the smooth function of intestines.
Ayurveda for Feet
1.Castor oil, coconut oil, Neem oil
Castor oil, coconut oil, Neem oil have yogic and medicinal values. Castor oil and coconut oil mixed in equal parts and applied on the feet will have a cooling effect on the body. Neem oil is an antiseptic and helps in healing small ulcers or sores in the feet.
2.Toe exercises
Try doing toe exercises 5 minutes daily for proper blood circulation for the whole body.
