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December 2009


Chanakya Said..

Chanakya Said..

One who is in search of knowledge should give up the search of pleasure and the one who is in search of pleasure should give up the search of knowledge. Once you start working on something, don't be afraid of failure and don't abandon it. People who work sincerely are the happiest. The fragrance of flowers spreads only in the direction of the wind. But the goodness of a person spreads in all directions. Jealousy is another name for failure. The world's biggest power is the youth and beauty of a woman. A woman is four times as shy, six times as brave and eight times as lusty as a man. Whores don't live in company of poor men, birds don't build nests on a tree that doesn't bear fruits and citizens never support a weak administration. Never make friends with people who are above or below you in status. Such friendships will never give you any happiness. The biggest guru-mantra is: Never share your secrets with anybody. It will destroy you. The four greatest enemies of a man are - the father who has taken a loan, the characterless mother, the beautiful but promiscuous wife and the stupid child. Treat your kid like a darling for the first five years. For the next five years, scold them. By the time they turn sixteen, treat them like a friend. Your grown up children are your best friends. Never go on a long journey alone. Wise men should never go into a country where there are no means of earning one's livelihood, where the people have no dread of anybody, have no sense of shame, no intelligence, or a charitable disposition.   Internee, Dayanand Ayurvedic College, Jalandhar-8 (Pb.)  

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20 Benefits of Ghee & Oil

20 Benefits of Ghee & Oil

Use of ghee and oil finds a specific mention in the ayurvedic texts Ghee, oil and muscle fat and bone marrow are the best unction substances of all. Amongst them desi ghee is the unctuous substances par excellence because of its power to assimilate effectively the properties of other substances. Various references are there in the ayurvedic texts about the uses of ghee and oil. In ayurveda the word ghee is used for ghee made from cow milk and oil means til oil. Some of the uses mentioned in the texts are. 1. Ghee enhances intellect. 2. Ghee should be kept in iron vessels. 3. Body becomes strong with massage. 4. Don’t take cold things after taking ghee. 5. Head, ear and feet should be massaged daily. 6. Obese persons should use oil in place of ghee. 7. Massage with fragrant oil according to season. 8. For unction use ghee at daytime and oil at night. 9. Don’t use honey and ghee mixed in equal quantity. 10. Cow milk’s ghee is most useful in enhancing intellect 11. Sesamum (til) oil is best in maintaining strength of body. 12. Application of oil at nasal opening helps in head diseases.

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15 MINUTE Workout

15 MINUTE Workout

Doing these three compound exercises as a circuit will ignite new muscle growth and boost your metabolism. Finish as many circuits as you can in 15 minutes, resting 60 to 90 seconds between sets. 1. Dumbbell squat press Stand with your feet hip-width apart. Hold dumbbells in front of you, your arms bent 90 degrees and palms facing each other. Squat until your thighs are just past parallel to the floor. As you stand back up, press the weights above your head, then bring them back to the start position. Do eight to 12 reps. 2. Single-arm incline row Holding a dumbbell in one hand, lie facedown on an incline bench and let both arms hang. Pull the dumbbell up toward your midsection as you keep your elbow close to your body, and then lower the dumbbell back to the starting position. Do eight to 12 reps. Switch arms and repeat. 3. Turkish get-up Lie on your back with your legs straight. Hold a dumbbell in your left hand, your arm straight above your chest. Stand up, keeping your elbow locked and the weight above you, and then lie back down as you keep holding the weight above you. Switch hands and repeat. Do four to six reps on each side.  

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A HARMLESS CUP OF COFFEE

A HARMLESS CUP OF COFFEE

Around the world, everyday millions of people wake-up to “Smell Coffee”. The smell, the taste, the caffeine-lift and the association that coffee has, to the good start of a day, sums up the “ultimate coffee experience”. Most of the people have a false belief that “coffee is bad for health”, which is not totally right. There is no conclusive evidence to suggest that a moderate amount of coffee is bad for health. “In excess nector turns to poison” Since years the merits and de-merits of coffee has been studied by scientists. The results of one paper can never tell the whole story. Taken as a whole, the results of thousands of investigations reveal that besides its ill effects, coffee also has factors which contribute towards good health.

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REINCARNATION Myth or Truth?

REINCARNATION Myth or Truth?

Today, in this era of 21st century, when our lives are totally driven by electronic gadgets, internet and latest equipments which are improving day by day and that they have become indispensable for our survival, there is something inside us, which we call as our inner self or soul which is craving for peace of mind and is not happy in possessing these worldly things. It is something else that satisfies it. But we, the preachers of science and technology do not find it necessary to look for the reason of this thirst and hunger of our soul and thus encage ourselves in this vicious circle of birth and death. All the scientists of this world , be it astrologist , geologist , anthropologist , archeologist and other streams related to human evolution and earth are unable to precisely correlate and tell about “ life after death “.

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10 Secrets of the Effortlessly Thin

10 Secrets of the Effortlessly Thin

The majority of thin people—whether they have been lean all their life or managed to lose weight and keep it off—share several healthy strategies that help them stay thin and healthy with seemingly little effort. Here are 10 secrets you need to know in order to join the ranks of the thin. 1. They don't diet: Or at least not in the traditional, all-or-nothing, deprivation sense of the word. "You need to get rid of that diet mentality and realize that what you are doing is making a permanent lifestyle change," says Anne Fletcher, M.S., R.D., author of the Thin for Life book series. She adds, "You do have to cut back on calories if you want to stay thin, but it's about reassessing what you eat and being more sensible in your choices, not about a quick-fix, crazy diet." Research has also shown that thin people tend to have a better quality diet than those who are overweight. They eat more fruits and vegetables and more fiber, and drink more water—all healthy things that provide more food volume for the number of calories. 2. They keep track of their weight: Thin people know how much they weigh, and they monitor that number by stepping on the scale frequently. It's not about a having an unhealthy fixation on that number on the scale, but it's a way to catch a 5-pound gain before it suddenly turns into a 20-pound gain. "Aim to keep your weight within a five-pound range, and if you see it go above that buffer zone, make sure you have an immediate plan of action for how to address it," suggests Fletcher. 3. They exercise regularly: "In my research, nine out of 10 people who've lost weight and maintained it exercise regularly and make it a critical part of their lives," says Fletcher. Even if you've never been a fitness fanatic, it's not too late to get moving. Even taking a few 15-minute walks throughout the day will be a move in the right direction. Once you start to enjoy the mood-boosting and calorie-burning advantages of exercise, start looking for ways to keep your workouts interesting. Join a local gym and try a variety of classes and cardio machines, find friends to walk with, or experiment with at-home exercise DVDs.

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Back Care Basics

Back Care Basics

Back pain can strike a person at any time. The good news is, most of acute backache attacks resolve without much fuss. However, it is only sensible that each of us should know the first aid measures to soothe the aching back. The most common cause of a back pain is strained muscles or sprained ligaments. Several things could lead to that: improper lifting, a sudden, strenuous physical effort, an accident, injury or fall, lack of muscle tone, excess weight especially around your middle, your sleeping posture especially if you sleep on your stomach, sitting in one position a long time, poor sitting and standing postures, holding the telephone under your shoulder, carrying a heavy briefcase, purse or shoulder bag, sitting with a thick wallet in your back pocket, holding forward-bending position for a long time, and the daily stress and strain. The effect may begin to show immediately after you have strained the muscles or it is several hours before it hits you. The muscles knot up in spasm and you can feel the pain. That's your body way of signaling you to slow down and prevent further injury. If you suffer a sudden attack of acute back pain, you might consider taking following first-aid measures.

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APPLE A Wonder Fruit

APPLE A Wonder Fruit

The apple is a native of Eastern Europe and Western Asia and has been cultivated from pre historic times.. In India, apples are grown in the hilly areas of Kashmir , Himachal Pradesh and Kumaon. Nearly 7,500 varieties of the fruit are grown all over the world . The apple is a sub-acid fruit and one of the most valuable of all the fruits It is a fleshy fruit, with tough skin, ranging in color from greenish yellow to red. It is usually five to seven cm in diameter and has pinkish or yellowish white flesh. The apple is considered "protective" and most wholesome food. Apart from its energy value, it plays an important role in the normal development of metabolic functions-i.e..the chemical and physical changes that take place within the body and enable its continued growth and functioning . Food Value: The apple is a highly nutritive food. It contains minerals and vitamins in abundance. The food value of the apple is chiefly constituted by its contents of sugar which ranges from 9 t0 51 percent. Raw apples generally contain a small quantity of starch which gets wholly converted into sugar during the process of ripening. The acid content of the apple is also increased together with the sugar. This acid is constituted mostly by malic acid which is completely utilized by the body. The skin of the apple should not be discarded when taking it in raw form as the skin and the flesh just below it contain more vitamin C than the inner flesh. The vitamin content decreases gradually towards the centre of the fruit .The skin also contains five times more vitamin A than the flesh .

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Ayurvedic Management of Schizophrenia

Ayurvedic Management of Schizophrenia

Till the 18th century Schizophrenia had puzzled the heartland of modern psychiatry. The main important and confusing symptom is its variability and peculiarity. But long years back Maharshi Charak had discussed extensively about this socially stigmatised disease. Mostly cripples people in adolescence or early adulthood, the most productive period of life. Till 1950s not much effective treatment was available in modern science. There was not much effect on life expectancy even. Government is carrying major financial burden for this disease. Schizophrenia occurs in clear consciousness.  

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Ayurvedic Management of ECZEMA

Ayurvedic Management of ECZEMA

Eczema is a skin disease, mostly accompanied by severe itching. In the chronic stages, there may be oozing of pus and bleeding from the affected regions. It is also commonly referred to as dermatitis. In Ayurveda, eczema is known as Vicharchika. It is caused due to the vitiation of all the three doshas – vata, pitta and kapha. Eczema generally refers to a range of persistent skin conditions with visible signs such as redness, itching, flaking, blistering, cracking, pigmentation, fissures, scratch marks, oozing , bleeding etc. It is Pitta that controls all the metabolic activities in the body. An aggravated Pitta will manifest itself in the form of various skin diseases such as Eczema. Other factors such as climate, age, food, stress, nature of the skin etc also play a vital role in the occurrence of this disease. In some cases, however, hereditary factors also do play a vital part in the occurrence of this disease. Eczema is basically classified in to two types. Exogenous and endogenous. In the former, there is no secretion whereas in the latter, water may come out from the patches, either due to scratching or otherwise. Eczema is a constitutional disease. Its cause is deep-seated within the body. Hence external medications are not effective in eczema.

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Are you Depressed...?

Are you Depressed...?

  The following questionnaire may help identify symptoms of depression. Don’t try to skip any question as it may lead to a wrong conclusion. However, it’s advisable to seek medical opinion for a proper diagnosis.    

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Ayurvedic Solution for Old Age Depression

Ayurvedic Solution for Old Age Depression

The mental problems of the aged have to be examined along with the prevailing social system. Gradually there is a trend in the Indian families to become nuclear. More and more youngsters are living their family, either for education or occupation, to go to different cities and countries. There has been a movement of younger people from the rural areas to the urban areas. As a consequence, the elderly people are more often left alone. In the West there are special homes for the aged and hostels for the elderly but in our country such facilities are very few. The traditional family system in our country has encouraged the elderly to live with the family. It has always been recognized that the mental health and physical health are perhaps better when the elderly life along with the family. The usefulness or otherwise of the special homes and hostels for the aged in our country is difficult to comment upon. Indeed, one gets affected by the mood of the time. To me the temptation is to reflect on the broader sweep of events. In the recent past rapid changes have taken place all over the world. We are witnessing too much violent self-assertion by people, of their ethnic identity in different corners of the world. Powerful economic forces are deciding almost everything in all areas of human existence, more than at any time in the past. Psychological changes accompany the passing of years. These changes include slowness of thinking, impairment of recent memory, reduction of surgency enthusiasm, increased cautiousness, and changes in sleep patterns with a tendency to daytime naps.  

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10 Spices That Heal Cancer, Diabetes & More

10 Spices That Heal Cancer, Diabetes & More

There's good reason to season: Doctors and dieticians agree that your spice rack can be just as essential as your medicine cabinet when it comes to preventing and treating disease. Research consistently shows that many spices and herbs have medicinal qualities and can help prevent everything from cancer to the common cold. Here are ten picks, plus easy ways to work them into your diet. 1. Cumin: Prevents Cancer How it works: It's no surprise to many spice researchers that cancer rates are lower in India, where cumin is a diet staple. Studies show that the curcumin in this spice inhibits the enzymes that help cancer cells invade healthy tissue and also keeps tumours from developing the new blood vessels that help them grow. Try to get: 6 teaspoons of seeds or 1/2 teaspoon of powder a day. Use it: Toss a bowl of root veggies, such as sweet potatoes, parsnips, cauliflower, and turnips, with olive oil and 1 teaspoon cumin powder. Bake at 300 degrees for 25 minutes or until tender, and add salt, pepper, and chopped cilantro to taste before serving. 2. Ginger: Calms Nausea How it works: Chinese medical texts dating back to the fourth century BC taught ginger's anti-nausea properties, and modern clinical studies offer scientific proof that substance in ginger shuts down a nerve receptor in the body that triggers the vomiting reflex. Try to get: Juice from 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger or 1/2 teaspoon dried ginger four times a day. Use it: Add 1/2 teaspoon grated ginger and a few drops of toasted sesame oil to your usual tuna salad recipe for an Asian-style flavour.  

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Can Foods Trigger Arthritis Pain?

Can Foods Trigger Arthritis Pain?

Are there foods that can cause arthritis pain to be worse? If you are overweight and affected with one of the symptoms of arthritis (pain, limited range of motion, others), the answer is yes: Unhealthy food choices may be contributing to the extra pounds stressing your joints and causing pain (arthralgia). Additionally, if you have been diagnosed with gouty arthritis—foods high in purines such as bacon, liver, turkey or even alcohol may cause a flare-up—or reactive arthritis (due to an infection from bacteria in contaminated food), the answer may also be yes. While genetics, autoimmune disorders and injury are the most likely causes of pain from most other types of arthritis, sometimes there is no clear reason. Arthritis is a general term used to describe more than 100 medical conditions with a common theme: They all affect the areas of our bodies where two or more bones meet, known as the joints. While some forms cause a local reaction that is limited to one joint in a specific region of the body (osteoarthritis, tendonitis, others), other forms of arthritis (systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, rheumatoid) may cause inflammation, joint stiffness, pain and swelling of several or more joints. Additionally, these forms have the potential to affect other areas of the body (skin, heart, lungs, blood vessels, others) and cause symptoms such as fever, circulatory disorders, swollen glands, anemia, fatigue and unintentional weight loss.  

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5 Good Foods For Cholesterol, 5 Bad Foods For Cholesterol

5 Good Foods For Cholesterol, 5 Bad Foods For Cholesterol

There’s no denying that a healthy diet is the first line of defense against rising cholesterol. If you eat a predominantly plant-based diet—with lots of fruits and vegetables you are on the right track to keeping your cholesterol at a healthy level. Certain so-called super-foods can actually help lower bad cholesterol and/or increase the good cholesterol. Ideally, you want to shoot for total cholesterol under 200, with LDL (the bad one) under 110 and HDL (the good one) greater than 35.Try to incorporate more of these foods into your daily diet. 5 Good Foods For Cholesterol 1. Almonds: Studies have found that eating just a quarter cup of almonds a day can lower your LDL by 4.4 percent, according to dietitian Leslie Bonci, who is also the director of sports nutrition at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. “Eating nuts, especially almonds, which are high in good-for-you monounsaturated fat, is better than simply eating a low-fat snack like pretzels,” says Bonci. Of course, they can also be high in calories, so stick with a small serving and choose almonds that are dry roasted without oil. 2. Garlic: Garlic is one of the best friends of the circulatory system. It decreases blood pressure and thins the blood. It decreases the level of LDL cholesterol in the blood. because it makes its absorption by the intestine more difficult. It has been proven that in the hours following a breakfast of toast and butter, the level of cholesterol increases 20%, however when the bread is rubbed with garlic, even if it has butter, this increase dose not take place.  

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Ayurvedic Management for Frozen Shoulder

Ayurvedic Management for Frozen Shoulder

A frozen shoulder also known by doctors as adhesive capsulitis is one that develops so much pain and stiffness in the shoulder joint that the affected person finds it difficult to move the shoulder freely. In some cases it is so severe that the shoulder cannot be moved at all, hence the term “frozen” given. It has nothing to do with temperature. The real cause is not known. What we do know is that inflammation develops within the shoulder joint and adhesions form. Adhesions, which are fibrous bands of tissue that look like cobwebs, develop within 10 days or so and occupy the joint space. The disorder can develop “out of the blue”, without a history of injury or overuse. But sometimes an injury such as a fall on to the shoulder may precede a frozen shoulder. It may follow a period of forced disuse, such as after a stroke. It can affect any person of any age but seems to be more common among middle-aged women and young athletes. It is commonly encountered in people with diabetes. The main symptom is pain and stiffness in the shoulder, which is slight at first and then gets progressively worse. The pain is a deep, sickly, throbbing ache in the shoulder, with radiation down the arms and possibly into the neck. It is aggravated by certain everyday movements such as dressing and undressing, as well as combing the hair. The diagnosis is usually confirmed by ultrasound examination. Unfortunately, healing is very slow but a complete recovery can be expected even without treatment. This may take two years or longer but on average takes about 18 months. About one-third of people have some restriction of movement after three years, but it does not affect their daily activity.  

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Sodium & Your Body

Sodium & Your Body

Sodium is the chief electrolyte which is found in large concentration in extra cellular fluid compartment. Nutritionally minerals are important. The daily requirement of macronutrients is less than 100 mg. These macronutrients are sodium, potassium, clorine, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and sulphur. The deficiency of these can prove fatal. Approximately body distribution of sodium is as follows: Sodium is found in the body mainly associated with chloride as sodium chloride. It is widely distributed in the food material more in animal than plants lowers major source is table salt, used in cooking or seasoning. It is found in cheese, butter, khoa etc. Sodium is absorbed in basal and lateral plasma membrane of intestinal and renal cells. Sodium pump activity transports sodium into extracellular fluid. Sodium is transported with the help of protein and glucose molecule.   Deficiency of sodium in plasma is called hyponatremia. Most common cause of hyponatrenia are diuretic medication, sweating, kidney disease, congestive heart failure and gastrointestinal loss.

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Cure Osteoporosis- With 7 Natural Ways

Cure Osteoporosis- With 7 Natural Ways

With advancing age, the bones start becoming thin and this is called as Osteoporosis. It means that the bones become “Porous”. These Porous bones become very weak, quite fragile, so much so that even a small impact is sufficient to cause them a fracture. This condition is more common in females. An average healthy women acquires approx. 98% of her skeletal mass by the age of 20 yrs. After that with every passing year, this process of acquisition of skeletal mass slows down. By the age of 35-40yrs, individual begins to lose bone mass, which remains reasonably stable until age of 50 and declines progressively after that. If this loss in bone mass is severe, it may lead to osteoporosis.  

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