Aromatherapy is an alternative field of medicine used for the treatment or prevention of diseases. It involves use of herbal oils. Aromatherapy activates the limbic system and emotional centers of the brain, activate thermal receptors, and kill microbes and fungi.
Aromatherapy is used in the treatment of various diseases such as bronchitis, fatigue, migraines, respiratory ailments, acne, arthritis, muscular aches and pains, cystitis, cold and flu. Aromatherapy also encourages emotional peace and calm with a gently calming effect on mind, body and emotions.
Some of the major aromatherapy herbs are:
• Basil
• Bergamot (Citrus Bergamia)
• Birch
• Cajeput
• Cedarwood (Juniperus Virginiana)
• Chamomile (Anthemis Nobilis)
• Citronella
• Clary Sage (Salvia Sclarea)
• Clove
• Cypress (Cypressus Sempervirens)
• Fir
• Frankincense (Boswellia Carteri)
• Gardenia
• Geranium (Pelargonium Graveloens)
• Ginger
• Grapefruit (Citrus Paradisi)
• Jasmine (Jasminum Officinale)
• Jojoba
• Juniper berry (Juniperus Communis)
• Lavender (Lavandula Officinalis)
• Lemon (Citrus Limonum)
• Lemon grass
• Lime (Citrus Aurantifolia)
• Mandarin (Citrus Reticulata)
• Marjoram (Origanum Marjorana)
• Myrrh
• Neroli (Citrus Aurantium)
• Nutmeg
• Palmarosa (Cymbopogon Martini)
• Patchouli (Pogostemon Cablin)
• Peppermint (Mentha Arvensis)
• Pine
• Rose (Rosa Damascena)
• Rosemary (Rosmarinus Officinalis)
• Rosewood (Aniba Rosaeodora)
• Sandalwood (Santalum Album)
• Sage
• Sassafra
• Spearmint
• Spruce
• Tangerine fragrance
• Thyme (Thymus Vulgaris)
• Ylang Ylang (Cananga Odorata)
Article Source:
http://www.4ayurveda.com/health.asp?aid=259
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Medicinal Herbs
There are several herbs which are known for their medicinal properties. These medicinal herbs are in use since time immemorial. Ancient Indian text "Atharva Veda" has mentioned several medicinal herbs and their benefits. In modern times too people are now increasingly turning to medicinal herbs as a source of alternative therapy. One of the major benefits of medicinal herbs is that they have no side effects.
Some of the common medicinal herbs that are used in everyday life are:
• Neem: Neem has been used for treating all sorts of skin problems for centuries. It contains Nimbidol and Gedunin which have excellent fungicidal properties. Neem is extremely effective in treatment of skin disorders such as warts, scabies, psoriasis, eczema, and dandruff.
• Basil (Tulsi): Basil is worshipped in Indian culture as the purest and most sublime plant. It is extremely effective in treating skin disorders as it is a blood purifier and kills bacteria. Basil Tea or tea with basil leaves provides relief to inflamed throat conditions.
• Turmeric (Haldi): Turmeric is used as a popular remedy for infections, injuries, boils, accident recovery etc.
• Sandalwood (Chandan): Sandalwood is a uniquely Indian plant that has an extraordinary fragrance. The bark of the sandalwood tree is extremely smooth and sandal paste is applied on the body to impart an extremely smooth, unblemished and lustrous look to the skin. The fragrance of sandalwood is also said to be a proven aphrodisiac.
Article Source:
http://www.4ayurveda.com/health.asp?aid=260
Some of the common medicinal herbs that are used in everyday life are:
• Neem: Neem has been used for treating all sorts of skin problems for centuries. It contains Nimbidol and Gedunin which have excellent fungicidal properties. Neem is extremely effective in treatment of skin disorders such as warts, scabies, psoriasis, eczema, and dandruff.
• Basil (Tulsi): Basil is worshipped in Indian culture as the purest and most sublime plant. It is extremely effective in treating skin disorders as it is a blood purifier and kills bacteria. Basil Tea or tea with basil leaves provides relief to inflamed throat conditions.
• Turmeric (Haldi): Turmeric is used as a popular remedy for infections, injuries, boils, accident recovery etc.
• Sandalwood (Chandan): Sandalwood is a uniquely Indian plant that has an extraordinary fragrance. The bark of the sandalwood tree is extremely smooth and sandal paste is applied on the body to impart an extremely smooth, unblemished and lustrous look to the skin. The fragrance of sandalwood is also said to be a proven aphrodisiac.
Article Source:
http://www.4ayurveda.com/health.asp?aid=260
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Weight Loss with Ayurveda
In Ayurveda the causes of obesity are defined as not exerting physically, sleeping in the afternoon, consuming sweet foods, the diet and life styles which cause an increase in the dosha Kapha. Obesity can be caused by consuming more calories than he burns up. According to Ayurveda the obese persons are more prone to diabetes, kidney related problems, hepatitis, low libido, low energy levels, skin problems, fistula, piles, filariasis etc.
Everyone wants to look their best when big events come around. Occasions like weddings, reunions or hot dates can be the impetus to shed pounds. If your goal is to lose 20 pounds or more within 2 weeks you have your work cut out for you. It will take hard work and dedication but it can be done. Let's discuss popular Ayurveda ways to drop weight in a short time frame.
• Physical Exercise and Yoga, brisk walking, jogging, playing out door games etc help to reduce weight.
• Physical exertion like doing housework, walking to bring groceries, vegetables etc, walking long distances to collect your child from school, walking to work, climbing stairs. Exerting physically as much as you can, helps to burn more calories.
• Mental exertion like worrying or being involved in finding solutions to problems also restricts food consumption in some and thereby can reduce the intake of calories.
• Having sex frequently is also good physical output.
• Consumption of honey. This is advisable for non diabetic patients.
• Consuming 2 tea spoons of honey with a glass of herbal tea which includes weight reducing herbs helps a lot in weight reduction. Honey along with these herbs dissolves the Kapha and medha (body fat).
• Sleeping for less hours. Avoiding sleeping in afternoons helps to increase the burning of calories. This avoids the slowing of the basal metabolic rate.
• Avoiding food and beverages which increase Kapha and medha. The foods which increase Kapha and medha are sweets, sweetened drinks, large quantities of carbohydrates and oily food.
• Consuming wheat products more than rice products helps to reduce obesity. Using Green gram and horse gram helps in reduction of Kapha and meda.
Article Source:
http://www.4ayurveda.com/health.asp?aid=493
Other Useful Link:
http://www.4ayurveda.com/health.asp?aid=244
http://www.4ayurveda.com/health.asp?aid=66
http://www.4ayurveda.com/health.asp?aid=298
Everyone wants to look their best when big events come around. Occasions like weddings, reunions or hot dates can be the impetus to shed pounds. If your goal is to lose 20 pounds or more within 2 weeks you have your work cut out for you. It will take hard work and dedication but it can be done. Let's discuss popular Ayurveda ways to drop weight in a short time frame.
• Physical Exercise and Yoga, brisk walking, jogging, playing out door games etc help to reduce weight.
• Physical exertion like doing housework, walking to bring groceries, vegetables etc, walking long distances to collect your child from school, walking to work, climbing stairs. Exerting physically as much as you can, helps to burn more calories.
• Mental exertion like worrying or being involved in finding solutions to problems also restricts food consumption in some and thereby can reduce the intake of calories.
• Having sex frequently is also good physical output.
• Consumption of honey. This is advisable for non diabetic patients.
• Consuming 2 tea spoons of honey with a glass of herbal tea which includes weight reducing herbs helps a lot in weight reduction. Honey along with these herbs dissolves the Kapha and medha (body fat).
• Sleeping for less hours. Avoiding sleeping in afternoons helps to increase the burning of calories. This avoids the slowing of the basal metabolic rate.
• Avoiding food and beverages which increase Kapha and medha. The foods which increase Kapha and medha are sweets, sweetened drinks, large quantities of carbohydrates and oily food.
• Consuming wheat products more than rice products helps to reduce obesity. Using Green gram and horse gram helps in reduction of Kapha and meda.
Article Source:
http://www.4ayurveda.com/health.asp?aid=493
Other Useful Link:
http://www.4ayurveda.com/health.asp?aid=244
http://www.4ayurveda.com/health.asp?aid=66
http://www.4ayurveda.com/health.asp?aid=298
Benefits of meditation
The benefits of meditation have been known for many years and practiced by Indian Rishis. Now starting to become accepted in the west as a viable means to heal the body and heal the mind. There have been studies done that prove that a patient who uses meditation can reduce the healing time after surgery and also improve their chances of healing from any illness.
By relaxing the body in a comfortable position and calming the mind we bring about physiological changes that allow us to heal ourselves using only the unique powers of our body and mind. When practicing meditation, heart rate and breathing slow down, blood pressure normalizes, you use oxygen more efficiently. Also, your adrenal glands produce less cortisol, your mind ages at a slower rate, and your immune function improves. Your mind also clears and creativity increases. People who meditate regularly find it easier to give up life-damaging habits like smoking, drinking and drugs.
Meditation: enriching soul
While a meditative state is the natural outcome of yoga and the spiritual benefit of meditation is supreme bliss or enlightenment, these words are unlikely to be understood by many.However, progress towards meditation and meditative techniques have several benefits at the gross body or material level:
• Improvement of body luster and general health-When your mind focuses on a particular part of the body, the blood flow to that part increases and cells receive more oxygen and other nutrients in abundance. Today, many of the film stars and fashion models include meditation in their daily regimen.
• Improvement in concentration - Many of the athletes and sports professionals regularly employ meditation methods. Studies have found a direct correlation between concentration exercises (meditation) and the performance level of sports professionals. Meditation strengthens the mind, it comes under control and is able to provide effective guidance to the physical body to effectively execute all its projects. Psychological Exercises are a powerful way of improving concentration and improving mental strength.
Benefits of meditation on Women's health and Pregnancy:
Women begin life as someone's daughter, and then someone's lover, wife, someone's mother. Yes, but who am I- who am I really? Not only does a woman need an understanding of her body but also needs to connect with the essence of her true self. A true self, which is an identity beyond everyday change- beyond gender, beyond fluctuations of hormones, beyond family expectations and other superimposed personality patterns. Discovering this true self is not as easy. Just when you know who you are , it all changes again.
The process of self discovery involves, stripping off false layers of identity, going back through all the conditionings , realizing- "I am not that, and not that, and not that", an emptiness out of which arises the realization - "Ah ha! I am that". The place for this self discovery is not the psychiatrist's couch, the matrimonial bed, the mother's group, or even a yoga retreat, but within your own private meditation times.
Resolve Phobias:
Meditation can help to resolve the deepest of neuroses, fears and conflict which play their part in causing stress and ill health.
For mothers-to-be:
Meditation puts mothers in tune with their babies. Mantra Japa is especially appropriate for pregnant women. After birth, daily meditation becomes a precious time to refocus and make sense of the many new thoughts and feelings which can be running through your mind, brought about by the events of childbirth and new motherhood.
Some other health benefits of Meditation:
• Confidence and self control
• Improved concentration
• Inner certainty
• Ability to focus and work efficiently
• Ability to let go of negative emotions such as anger and paranoia
• Improved posture
• Greater enjoyment of the physical
• Better personal relationships
• Improved health
On a purely physiological level, meditation has been subject to many scientific studies since the 1960s. These have shown that among its benefits are lower blood pressure, alleviation of some pain, increased levels of the sleep hormone melatonin and lower stress levels.
However, it is worth knowing that severe depressives and people suffering psychotic illness have been shown in some studies to become worse after practicing meditation over a sustained period. If you are concerned about such rare negative side effects you should consult with a Ayurveda professional, but otherwise, the benefits of meditation can apply to anyone willing to devote some time to regular meditative sessions.
Article Source:
http://www.4ayurveda.com/health.asp?aid=58
Other Sources:
http://www.4ayurveda.com/health.asp?aid=86
http://www.4ayurveda.com/health.asp?aid=87
http://www.4ayurveda.com/health.asp?aid=89
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
HEALTH AND PEACE OF MIND
The term for perfect health in Ayurveda is Swastha. Literally translated Svastha means "to be fully established in the Self.” Hence, when we are fully established in knowing our true nature, we express our full potential. This represents optimal health for each person.
Ayurveda is a journey to perfect health, peace of mind and, ultimately, to enlightenment. By the very laws of Sankhya philosophy, human incarnation is disharmonious. Once incarnated, humanity forgets its true nature as spirit and lives as a physical being guided by the senses. This journey is one of the pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of pain and suffering. This simplistic and, as some writers have stated, animalistic existence brings about both physical and emotional pain and suffering.
The process of healing is the process of remembering. When a person remembers their true nature as spirit, they become empowered to master the senses and make choices that bring harmony, not pleasure. The fruit of this action is peace of mind and well-being.
When we live out of harmony we suffer. In the physical body suffering takes the form of pain and symptoms of disease. Ayurveda understands that these symptoms are simply the body’s voice communicating that we are living out of harmony. When we change our life and re-create a life of greater harmony, our bodies reflect this change. There is less suffering. The greater the change toward harmony, the more radiant the body becomes.
The mind is no different. It is subtler, but the same laws apply. Symptoms of a diseased mind include unhappiness, depression, sadness, anxiety, anger and any other emotion other than peace of mind. These symptoms are also communicating that we are living out of harmony, that some aspect of our life is disharmonious.
Healing is the process of returning to harmony. Once back in harmony the body and the mind have no reason to communicate symptoms. The body becomes at ease; the mind becomes at peace. In this state, awareness reawakens to its true nature as spirit. Self-realization has occurred and the individual soul continues its advance toward enlightenment. When Self-realization occurs twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, the door opens to becoming a Jivan Mukta; a liberated soul, and enlightenment ensues.
Ayurveda teaches us that we are all unique individuals. We were conceived with a unique constitution or fundamental balance of energies that define who we are on the physical level. It defines what we are naturally attracted to and what causes us to move out of balance and experience disease. Depending on our constitution, we thrive in a particular environment.
We take our environment in through the senses, which are the portals to our body and consciousness. The energies we take in either blend with us or disrupt our harmony. Proper diet (taste), aromas (smell), sounds (hearing), colors (vision), and touch are essential to maintaining internal equilibrium. When harmonious impressions are taken in, the body is healthy and the mind peaceful. When disharmonious impressions are taken in, the body and mind suffer.
Hence, Ayurveda focuses on helping individuals understand themselves as unique beings. With that understanding, a person can become empowered to make choices that are in harmony with who they are. Ayurveda teaches us that nothing is right for everyone but everything is right for someone. Ayurveda is the path of understanding what is right for you.
Ayurveda also teaches us that it is not only the intake of sensory impressions that determines our well-being it is our lifestyle as a whole. Proper daily regimens are essential: a regular schedule that includes meditation, yoga practices, daily massage (morning application of body oil), proper eating habits and proper hygiene brings about good health and peace of mind. When combined with proper intake of sensory impressions, the depth of the peace and well-being we experience is infinite.
Article Source:
http://www.4ayurveda.com/health.asp?aid=163
Ayurveda is a journey to perfect health, peace of mind and, ultimately, to enlightenment. By the very laws of Sankhya philosophy, human incarnation is disharmonious. Once incarnated, humanity forgets its true nature as spirit and lives as a physical being guided by the senses. This journey is one of the pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of pain and suffering. This simplistic and, as some writers have stated, animalistic existence brings about both physical and emotional pain and suffering.
The process of healing is the process of remembering. When a person remembers their true nature as spirit, they become empowered to master the senses and make choices that bring harmony, not pleasure. The fruit of this action is peace of mind and well-being.
When we live out of harmony we suffer. In the physical body suffering takes the form of pain and symptoms of disease. Ayurveda understands that these symptoms are simply the body’s voice communicating that we are living out of harmony. When we change our life and re-create a life of greater harmony, our bodies reflect this change. There is less suffering. The greater the change toward harmony, the more radiant the body becomes.
The mind is no different. It is subtler, but the same laws apply. Symptoms of a diseased mind include unhappiness, depression, sadness, anxiety, anger and any other emotion other than peace of mind. These symptoms are also communicating that we are living out of harmony, that some aspect of our life is disharmonious.
Healing is the process of returning to harmony. Once back in harmony the body and the mind have no reason to communicate symptoms. The body becomes at ease; the mind becomes at peace. In this state, awareness reawakens to its true nature as spirit. Self-realization has occurred and the individual soul continues its advance toward enlightenment. When Self-realization occurs twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, the door opens to becoming a Jivan Mukta; a liberated soul, and enlightenment ensues.
Ayurveda teaches us that we are all unique individuals. We were conceived with a unique constitution or fundamental balance of energies that define who we are on the physical level. It defines what we are naturally attracted to and what causes us to move out of balance and experience disease. Depending on our constitution, we thrive in a particular environment.
We take our environment in through the senses, which are the portals to our body and consciousness. The energies we take in either blend with us or disrupt our harmony. Proper diet (taste), aromas (smell), sounds (hearing), colors (vision), and touch are essential to maintaining internal equilibrium. When harmonious impressions are taken in, the body is healthy and the mind peaceful. When disharmonious impressions are taken in, the body and mind suffer.
Hence, Ayurveda focuses on helping individuals understand themselves as unique beings. With that understanding, a person can become empowered to make choices that are in harmony with who they are. Ayurveda teaches us that nothing is right for everyone but everything is right for someone. Ayurveda is the path of understanding what is right for you.
Ayurveda also teaches us that it is not only the intake of sensory impressions that determines our well-being it is our lifestyle as a whole. Proper daily regimens are essential: a regular schedule that includes meditation, yoga practices, daily massage (morning application of body oil), proper eating habits and proper hygiene brings about good health and peace of mind. When combined with proper intake of sensory impressions, the depth of the peace and well-being we experience is infinite.
Article Source:
http://www.4ayurveda.com/health.asp?aid=163
Ayurveda and Five Elements
• Ether, Space (Akasha)
• Air (Vayu)
• Fire( Tejas, Agni)
• Water (Jal, Neer, Apa )
• Earth (Prithvi, Dhara )
Ayurveda discover the theory of five elements in ancient time. Ayurveda also observes the connection between these five elements within the human body physiology. The elegance of five element concepts lies in its simplicity of the basic principles, and the powerful analytical tool for body-mind and environmental assessment.
Each and Every element having its own importance and function in our body, Water is our life-sustaining nectar, making more than 70% of total body mass. Fire provides heat exists within all metabolic and chemical actions. Air element flows throughout the body, give movement to biological functions and feeding every cell with oxygen. “Space” (ether) is the essence of emptiness and main in all other elements. Ether is the most expansive without any form or boundaries, creates space for the other elements to fill. Human mind is also composed of ether. Ether is like an ocean on which thoughts and emotions ride like waves. Proper nourishment and emotional support acts as a container for ether. Satisfying and foods according to mood pacify ether as the empty space of digestive system. Emotionally, love is the best form of nourishment for all elements. These five elements also play roles in the different phases of life.
In Childhood, during the physical growth-water and earth elements,
In Adulthood when activity and change occur- fire,
And in old age when mobility impaired and the body begins to weaken- space and air element. Death is the time of ether. The body disintegrates and the elements flee their boundaries. All that remains is the subtly of our spirit.
Article Source:
http://www.4ayurveda.com/health.asp?aid=8
Ayurveda Routine
Practice a Daily Ayurveda Routine, which helps to keep good health
1. Good morning time - Wake up early in the morning before the sun rises at least one hour before, because this is the time when there is fresh and enough amount of oxygen in atmosphere.
2. Clearance of waste product - Drink 2-3 glass of water for proper elimination of waste product from your body. Notice for the constipation or abdominal problem, because this can be the indication of imbalance of body doshas.
3. Eye’s, nose and ear care - Wash your eyes with rose water, it will give relaxation in burning sensation caused by pollution and dust that you face every day or use onion juice mixed with honey to clean eyes. Use few drops of sesame oil with water while washing your ears. Use ‘Anu Tailam’ or ‘Shadbindu’ oil in the nostrils to clear sinuses.
4. Yoga for balance of body doshas and mind – After cleaning devote some time to yoga everyday for the doshas balance and mental peace. Ayurveda mentioned so many yoga postures for good health, but few can also be enough in daily routine to maintain health and dosha balance. ’Surya Namaskara’ is the one of the yoga exercises, which includes many yoga postures in one exercise and you will get all the benefits. ‘Paranayama’ is also important because it helps to develop dosha balance along with spiritual level. You require proper guidance to do it. Avoid exertion and excess of physical work; avoid sexual intercourse everyday in summer.
5. Importance of massage: Every day massage is also important as it open all skin pores and help to rejuvenate your skin and delay aging. Massaging also helps to stimulate the circulation in skin.
6. Breakfast: According to Ayurveda food is the important part of our daily routine, there are some well known Indian words about dietary habits which I would like to remind people here ‘jaisa khao aann waisa hoye maan’ meaning as you eat food the same is your mind. So let’s start your day with light food, which easy to digest by stomach.
7. Water after food: Do not drink water immediately after the meal, at least wait for 45-60mins, because at that time our stomach is in the process of digesting food and temperature reaches up to around 88-90 degree Fahrenheit (which is necessary for proper digestion) .That’s why the water is not advisable immediately after food. So, you can imagine if even water can affect the digestion process what the result will be after eating ice cream or deserts, which are fashion nowadays. So according to Ayurveda proper digestion is also necessary as much as the proper diet.
8. Employment and its atmosphere: In today’s fast life to earn wealthy life style people even forget about their health and diet habits. A person should try to get the employment with which he/she can manage health and diet, because if you don’t have good health you can’t earn good money without healthy body and mind.
9. Dinner – Today everyone’s dinner timing is completely disturbed due hectic schedule and busy life. The good time to have dinner is between 7-8 P.M.
10. Sleep- Some people have a bad habit to go to bed immediately after having food , if you are having food at around 7-8 P.M. then try to go to bed at around 10 P.M. Do not immediately lay down on bed. Proper, good and deep sleep is the sign of healthy body and spirit. Our body requires only 7-8 hours of good sleep without any disturbance.
Ayurveda Life routine depends on a mind-body assessment and constitutional type (dosha). Managing your stress, good sleep, daily routine, herbal supplementation and nutrition that suits your dosha type varies from person to person. Before adopting that life routine it is necessary to know your body type.
Article Source:
http://www.4ayurveda.com/health.asp?aid=48
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