Food contains nutrients essential for normal metabolic functions. An imbalance in nutrient intake or the consumption of harmful substances is the underlying factor in many chronic diseases. To acquire these nutrients, we have to eat foods that contain these required nutrients.

But fast life has increased the craze of fast foods. These fast foods are nothing but EMPTY CALORIE FOODS. These include pizzas, burgers, bakery items, refined foods etc. These foods contain too little enzyme producing vitamins and mineral content, and huge amount of calories. The intake of ‘empty calorie foods’ requires the body to produce its own enzymes to be able to convert these ‘empty calorie foods’ into usable energy. This is also the reason why resort to overeating while eating such junk foods.

One more important associated aspect is our hunger for food. The mechanisms that turns off hunger is feeling of fullness. But, by the time we have filled up ourselves with these concentrated yet ‘empty calorie foods’, we have actually eaten more calories than we actually need and this very excess turns into fat.

Its only when we obtain adequate amounts of all essential nutrients, the biological hunger ceases to exist. But if our foods are nutrient deficient, we would continue to resort to overeat these foods till we get adequate amount of required nutrients. This shows us why nutrient enrichment is important for achieving a healthy weight.

To add more worry, these ‘empty calorie foods’ that lacks fiber and contain huge amount of calories also slows down intestinal activity. These foods take long time to pass through the intestinal tract.

Well, now if any of the above stated facts have hit our brains, the least we can now do is cut short on empty calorie foods from our diet and make our diet follow the following points:

1. Diet containing high fiber content.
2. Rich with all nutrients.
3. Water intake of around 2 liters a day.

Life is small and short. Every one wants to carry on. With the above stated facts, we can certainly stay young, smart, healthy and strong.

Dr. Manushi Sachdev

In this modern world that we live in, full of medicinal remedies and medical breakthroughs, who would ever dream that something as simple as laughter could induce such amazing benefits to our health that could even rival highly scientific compounds found in drugs of today?

Life can sometimes be serious and tiring but a good and hearty laugh is not only welcome by the people around you but also by your mind, body and soul.

Keeping in mind today’s lifestyles and demanding schedules it seems almost impossible to find a genuine smile on anybody’s face. Laughter knows no cultural boundaries. You don’t have to speak the same language to laugh together. Laughter helps break the ice when you’re in a group. It is one form of communication to which everyone can relate. Finding humor in a situation and laughing freely with others can be a powerful antidote to stress. Our sense of humor gives us the ability to find delight, experience joy, and to release tension. This can be an effective self-care tool.

Scientific evidence on the effectiveness of humor as a therapy is overwhelming. The sound of roaring laughter is far more contagious than any cough, sniffle, or sneeze. A healthy sense of humor is related to being able to laugh at oneself.

Laughing at oneself can be a way of accepting and respecting oneself. Lack of a sense of humor is directly related to lower self esteem. Humor and laughter can cause a domino effect of joy and amusement, as well as set off a number of positive physical effects.

We usually keep popping in pills to get rid of our usual ailments but never think that a thing as simple as laughter can significantly contribute to cure various diseases with our own healing system.

An enthusiastic laugh can help to reduce stress, maintain the right blood pressure, elevate mood, boost immune system, improve brain functioning, protects the heart, fosters instant relaxation, and the list is inexhaustible.

For some people laughter is a serious business because they literally believe in the adage ”laughter is the best medicine.”

A study demonstrated stress-related hormones are decreased during laughter, which provides support for the claim that humor can relieve stress. Laughter has a number of direct affects on the overall physical health of an individual.

It stimulates production of endorphins, a natural painkiller and euphoriant, and reduces levels of the stress hormone, which contributes to high blood pressure and other conditions.

Laughing also exercises a large number of muscles, with substantial benefits for cardiovascular health.

LAUGH YOUR WAY TO GOOD HEALTH

The idea behind this therapy is a healthy and cheerful laugh that can make a person feel better, to relieve stress, combat diseases and strengthen the immune system. It is said that even one minute of laughter can give the body up to 45 minutes of therapeutic relaxation. It stimulates appetite and digestion and also expands the blood vessels and sends more blood racing to the extremities. This process sends more oxygen to every cell in the body, it also serves to speed tissue healing and stabilize many body functions. Laughter even produces a feeling of well being.

LAUGHTER YOGA AND LAUGHTER CLUBS

Somewhat similar to traditional yoga, laughter yoga is an exercise which incorporates breathing, yoga, stretching techniques along with laughter. The structured format includes several laughter exercises for a period of 30 to 45 minutes facilitated by a trained individual. It is practiced as a supplemental or preventative therapy. Laughter yoga can be performed in a group or a club. Therapeutic laughter clubs are extension of Laughter Yoga, but in a formalized club format. This form of laughter from the Laughter Clubs is about self generated laughing – not telling jokes or apparently about anything except laughing. Laugh till it hurts your belly, until tears are streaming down your face. We very often spot a large group of people standing in a circle and laughing hysterically in a park in your locality. Many people have formed such laughter clubs across the globe.

LAUGHTER MEDITATION

In laughter meditation there are some similarities to usual meditation. However, it is the laughter that focuses the person to concentrate on the moment. There are three stage process of stretching, laughing and/or crying and a period of meditative silence. In the first stage, the persopn places all energy into the stretching of every muscle without laughter. In the second stage, the person starts with a gradual smile, and then slowly begins to purposely belly laugh or cry, whichever occurs. In the final stage, the person abruptly stops laughing or crying, then with the eyes closed, breathe without a sound and focus concentration on the moment. The process is approximately a 15-minute exercise. This may be awkward for some people as the laughter is not necessarily spontaneous. This is generally practiced on an individual basis.

CLOWN THERAPY

Somebody once said, “A clown is like an aspirin, only he works twice as fast.” In some hospitals “clown rounds” are made. The clowns perform various fun acts, share jokes etc that make the patients (usually children) laugh. For hospitalized children, clown therapy can increase patient cooperation and decrease parental and patient anxiety. In some children the need for sedation is reduced. Other benefits include pain reduction and the increased stimulation of immune function in children.

This use of clown therapy is not limited to hospitals. They can transform other places such as nursing homes, orphanages, refugee camps, war zones, and even prisons.

The presence of clowns tends to have a positive effect. It was noted that 10 minutes of belly laughter can help the patients with two hours of pain-free sleep.

HUMOR THERAPY

It is also known as therapeutic humor. Using humorous materials such as books, shows, movies, or stories to encourage spontaneous discussion of the patients own humorous experiences. This can be provided individually or in a group setting. The process is facilitated by clinician.

There can be a disadvantage to humor therapy in a group format, as it can be difficult to provide materials that all participants find humorous. It is extremely important the the clinician is sensitive to laugh “with” clients rather than “at” the clients. Go ahead and laugh. Do it with pride, do it for your health!

Protein is a vital nutrient, essential to your health. In its purest form, protein consists of chains of amino acids. There are 22 amino acids that combine to form different proteins, and 8 of these must come from the foods we eat. Our body uses these amino acids to create muscles, blood, skin, hair, nails and internal organs. Proteins help replace and form new tissue, transports oxygen and nutrients in our blood and cells, regulates the balance of water and acids, and is needed to make antibodies. However, too much of a good thing may not be so good for you. Many people are putting their health at risk by eating too much protein. Excessive protein consumption, particularly animal protein, can result in heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, and kidney stones. As important as protein is for our body, there are many misconceptions about how much we really need in our diet, and the best way to obtain it.

Proteins help replace and form new tissue, transports oxygen and nutrients in our blood and cells, regulates the balance of water and acids, and is needed to make antibodies
Some people, in the pursuit of thinness, are going on high-protein diets and are eating up to four times the amount of protein that their body needs. So exactly how much protein does your body really need? Much less than you think! According to the American Heart Association and the National Institutes of Health, as little as 50-60 grams of protein is enough for most adults. This breaks down to about 10-12% of total calories. Your body only needs 0.36 grams of protein per pound of body weight. To calculate the exact amount you need, multiply your ideal weight by 0.36. This will give you your optimum daily protein requirement in grams. Since the amount of protein needed depends on the amount of lean body mass and not fat, ideal weight is used instead of actual weight. Infants, children, pregnant and nursing women require more protein.
People on high-protein diets are consuming up to 34% of their total calories in the form of protein and up to 53% of total calories from fat. Most of these people are unaware of the amount of protein and fat that is contained in the foods they eat. You achieve quick weight loss on these diets because of this high fat content. High fat foods give you the sensation of feeling full, faster, so you end up eating fewer total calories. However, this type of protein and fat combination is not the healthiest. Animal proteins are loaded with cholesterol and saturated fat. Many people on these diets also experience an elevation in their LDL (the bad) cholesterol when they remain on this diet for long periods. High levels of LDL cholesterol in the blood clog arteries and is the chief culprit in heart disease, particularly heart attack and stroke. So while you may lose weight in the short-run, you are putting your cardiovascular health in jeopardy in the long-run.
Another reason weight loss is achieved on these high-protein diets, at least temporarily, is actually due to water loss. The increase in the amount of protein consumed, especially from dairy products, raises the levels of uric acid and urea in the blood. These are toxic by-products of protein breakdown and metabolism. The body eliminates this uric acid and urea by pumping lots of water into the kidneys and urinary tract to help it flush out. However, a detrimental side effect of this diuretic response is the loss of essential minerals from the body, including calcium. The high intake of protein leaches calcium from the bones, which leads to osteoporosis.
Medical evidence shows that the body loses an average of 1.75 milligrams of calcium in the urine for every 1 gram increase in animal protein ingested.
Additionally, as calcium and other minerals are leached from our bones, they are deposited in the kidneys and can form into painful kidney stones. If a kidney stone becomes large enough to cause a blockage, it stops the flow of urine from the kidney and must be removed by surgery or other methods.
Plant-based proteins, like that found in soy, lowers LDL cholesterol and raises HDL (the good) cholesterol. This prevents the build up of arterial plaque which leads to atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and heart disease, thus reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke. The amount and type of protein in your diet also has an important impact on calcium absorption and excretion. Vegetable-protein diets enhance calcium retention in the body and results in less excretion of calcium in the urine. This reduces the risk of osteoporosis and kidney problems. Interestingly, kidney disease is far less common in people who eat a vegetable-based diet than it is in people who eat an animal-based diet. By replacing animal protein with vegetable protein and replacing saturated fat with unsaturated fat, like that found in olive and canola oils, you can avoid the pitfalls of the typical high-protein diet. You will be able to improve your health and regulate your weight while enjoying a vast array of delicious, nutritionally dense, high fibre foods.
Remember, eat everything in moderation and nothing in excess. Also, the only healthy way to achieve permanent weight loss is to burn more calories than you take in. Anything else is just a gimmick.
If you’ve been wanting to lose weight without compromising your own health, then the Low-Carbohydrate and High-Protein Diet could be an option to consider. But before you dig deeper on how this diet approach helps in losing weight, it would be better to first cover the basics on what these nutrients can do for your body.

Carbs and Protein
Carbohydrates no longer sound like a stranger to anyone who’s been trying to lose weight instantly. This is one essential nutrient that’s commonly misconceived as unhealthy. Many say that carbs in a diet predominately result in an increase in fats. But, don’t take this as a gospel truth for not all carbohydrates are bad. They’re not the only reason why your body may feel bloated and large, and knowing what different types of carbs do for your body is crucial to your health and weight loss.
Protein, on the other hand, is good for the heart. The absence of its supply can lead to various illnesses and may even result in death. Some of these illnesses are weakening of the respiratory and immune systems, malfunctioning of the heart, as well as growth failure. Protein is acquired mostly from poultry products such as milk, beans, meat, whole grains, oats and peanuts.
So, why is the Low-Carbohydrate and High Protein Diet being implemented? What are the benefits?
If your main objective is to reduce your body weight, then it’s better to try the Low-Carbohydrate and High-Protein Diet than the Low-Fat and High-Carbohydrate approach. Low carbohydrates mean that your blood sugar level doesn’t increase quickly. Since there’s a minimal supply of sugar compared to the average amount you get, you have a lower risk of developing diabetes. You may ask about the energy supply you need and say “I thought carbohydrates are important because we need energy?” But don’t worry, because protein can cover this.
Any food that’s high in protein tends to make the digestion slower. In which case, you don’t easily get hungry and feel empty. Once you start feeling empty, your energy tends to decrease as well. However, the low-carbohydrate diet doesn’t mean that your body won’t get the energy it needs. Of course, carbohydrates are just one energy source; other nutrients can help supply energy as well.
The Low-Carb and High-Protein Diet doesn’t only contribute to quicker weight loss and lower blood sugar level, it also helps reduce blood-triglyceride levels, which is good for the heart.
Although this type of diet is advised, it doesn’t mean that the food you’re going to eat are only those that are high in proteins and miss out on other essential minerals and vitamins found in other varieties. Excess or lack of protein and carbohydrates is not good for the body, so watch out for the amount of these nutrients you take daily. Knowing the essential nutrients your body needs and the process on how to properly get these nourishments can prevent you from getting sick.

In fact, a skillful touch is an extremely powerful therapeutic tool which connects us at deep emotional levels.
A study carried out in America illustrates this very clearly. Two groups of premature babies were studied; the first was the control group in which the infants were left alone most of the time, except for feeding. The infants in the second group were held and cuddled each time they were fed. After the study was complete, it was observed that 80% of the infants in the second group had put on more weight than those in the control group. These babies were healthier and were able to leave the hospital much earlier than the control group, saving the government thousands of dollars in childcare.
This and other similar studies show how vital the sense of touch is to human beings; in fact it can be a lifesaver. Throughout history, nearly every culture developed its own traditional hands-on healing methods, which profoundly affected human beings on physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels. In fact, touch can vary from direct contact with the area to merely stroking the aura without any actual physical contact with the body.
Massage is a wonderful technique which employs skillful touch to relax both body and mind. It is a unique way of communicating without words; a healing art, which relieves pain and suffering.
In today’s jet age, massage is most definitely a stress buster as energy levels are low but stress levels are very high – whether it is deadlines at work, commuting in crowded cities or emotional confrontations in relationships. Children particularly, are brought up more with dictatorship than with love and understanding; the stricter the upbringing, the more dysfunctional and stressed-out adults they become.
It is now proven beyond doubt that our thoughts and emotions have a direct imprint on our body. In fact, we are what we think!
Often we notice that when we are happy and positive, our body feels light, flexible and energetic. When we feel depressed, stress, tension and negative emotions take over and we feel weighed down – as if a heavy burden is upon us. It is as if we are literally carrying the ‘weight of the world’ on our shoulders.
If this tension is not dissipated, it gets stored in the body. Negative thinking and suppression of desires leads to more blocks, preventing the free flow of energy. This blocked-up energy causes rigidity in muscles and tissues. Excess tissue builds up in the affected area forming a ‘protective’ psychological barrier. Wilhelm Reich, the father of modern psychology coined an apt term for it. He called it ‘Body Armour’, a term massage therapists are all too familiar with.
Rigidity in the body brings rigidity to the mind, and each perpetuates the other, setting up a vicious cycle.
This brings along chronic fatigue, high blood pressure, chronic shallow breathing, a negative self-image and low self-esteem – the classic pathologies of neuro-muscular stress.
Stress can be stored anywhere in the body. However, it is found that specific areas like the neck, shoulders and back muscles usually accumulate more stress. These muscles tend to remain stiff and tense all the time until eventually the pain becomes chronic. It gets aggravated with bad posture, hunching over the computer for hours together, wearing ill-fitting uncomfortable shoes and lifting heavy things incorrectly.

“Massage is a wonderful technique which employs

skillful touch to relax both body and mind.

It is a unique way of communicating without words;

a healing art, which relieves pain and suffering.”

Our muscles have an inbuilt memory; they learn to contracton stimulation and relax whenthe stimulus is removed. However, when we remain stressed for a long time, muscles forget their original relaxed state and remain contracted all the time – a condition called sensory-motor amnesia. This leads to chronic stress and can be very painful.
A good massage therapist locates and gently eases out the tension areas. Different massage strokes like kneading, friction and application of pressure enhance blood circulation and flush out wastes and toxins from the body. The heat generated by friction and rubbing helps to loosen the tight muscles. In expert hands, knots slowly unravel and the muscle gradually comes back to its original elasticity. This takes time, but guided breathing by the therapist and a willingness to consciously let go of holding patterns on the part of the client, are key factors. Once muscles relax, breathing slows down and the positive and negative charges in the body start to balance out.
A massage treatment should ideally feel like one continuous flow, and a good massage can even lead to altered states of consciousness.
Circulatory massage can be relaxing or energizing. The strokes are nearly always in the direction of the heart. Long, smooth strokes called effleurage, and kneading, squeezing strokes called pettrisage, are the two most important strokes in circulatory massage, so called because blood and lymph circulation as well as the heart function are greatly facilitated.
A relaxing massage generally starts with the face and head to calm the thoughts, and then moves downwards.
Esalen Massage, developed at Esalen Institute, California, at the very beginning of the New Age movement, is a very soothing massage with long, rhythmic strokes, which can put people to sleep! It is great for business oriented people and those who are tense and hyperactive, as it is a wonderful way of transfering healing energy.
Swedish Massage on the other hand, is brisk and invigorating and generally starts with the legs and feet. Rapid strokes with deep friction and percussion movements break down congested lymph areas, cellulite, and muscle spasms, leaving the person totally rejuvenated. It is excellent for athletes, obese people and those who are depressed or withdrawn, as it increases vibrancy levels dramatically!
These days Deep Tisssue Massage is very popular. This employs firm, constant compression, which liberates psychic tension in the muscles. It elongates and restores the elasticity of muscles as well. This kind of slow, deep work is most effective when both the client and therapist breathe in unison.
Thai Massage is also called Yoga Massage and includes some amazing stretches, postures and unique pressure-point work, all of which have a direct effect on the energy meridians in the body. This enhances chi, the vital life-force energy in the body. The therapist uses his or her own body weight in a fluid, rhythmic manner and gently guides the client into a deeply relaxed harmonious state, where yin and yang – the polar opposites – come together in perfect balance.
Ayurveda – the ’science of life’ – too recommends massage as a daily practice to stay fit and healthy and to remove toxins from the body. The sequence moves from the legs upwards to the back, torso, the arms and then finally to the head. The strokes are proximal to distal and flow outward to nourish the extremities as well.
Ayurveda especially recommends the correct use of different oils according to the season, pulse diagnosis, age and temperament of the client.
Ayurvedic Massage is said to balance the tridosha – the three humours: vata (wind), pitta (bile) and kapha (phlegm). It is known to rejuvenate the system, nourish the seven dhatus (constituents of the body), remove fatigue, improve eyesight, increase longevity, enhance immunity and strengthen the skin improving its color and texture.
Head massage is given a lot of importance in Ayurveda as it increases the supply of fresh oxygen and glucose to the brain, relaxes the nervous system, improves the circulation of life-giving cerebro-spinal fluid, increases the secretion of hormones and enzymes necessary for growth and development of brain cells, cures dryness, and increases the level of pranic energy in the brain. Nowadays, ‘Indian Head Massage’ is in great demand in spas and beauty parlours the world over.

Some other benefits of massage include

* Feeling relaxed yet alert
* Increased body awareness
* Increased freedom, ease and range of movement
* Enhanced confidence andenergy
* Reduced need for sleep, yetsleeping more peacefully
* Faster healing
* Feeling emotionally nurtured
* Feeling good and positive

“Head massage is given a lot of importance in

Ayurveda as it increases the supply of fresh oxygen

and glucose to the brain, relaxes the nervous system,

improves the circulation of life-giving cerebro-spinal fluid,

increases the secretion of hormones and enzymes necessary

for growth and development of brain cells, cures dryness,

and increases the level of pranic energy in the brain”

Massage is nearly always done with oils. These days, Aromatherapy Massage with essential oils is very popular. Essential oils like lavender and tea-tree are the only ones that can be used without dilution. Almost all the others, like geranium, rosemary, cypress, citrus and many others are generally blended in tiny amounts with carrier oils like olive, almond, apricot seed and vitamin E. All these have their own characteristic aroma and give a luxurious feel to the massage. These oils have many beneficial properties and are a wonderful complement to a good massage.
They relax, awaken and energize the nervous system, increase immunity, combat insomnia and infections, and have an overall healing effect on the body and mind, particularly on the emotions.
Ayurvedic massage also uses sesame, mustard, coconut, olive and castor oil. These oils are all extremely beneficial and can be heat-producing or cooling, depending on which oil is used. Particular herbs and spices mixed or cooked in these oils – according to the season – are recommended for sound health.

Uses and Benefits of Massage Oils

* Mahanarayan taila – for muscular pain, rheumatism, arthritis, gout and stiff joints
* Brahmi amla – for head massage
* Bhringaraj – for head and hair. Prevents dandruff and dry hair. Soothes pitta
* Almond oil -for disorders of the brain, nervous system and for premature aging. It soothes the burning sensations of the skin
* Mustard oil – cures pains, swellings and wounds. It is a wormicide. It increases pitta and body heat. Destroys diseases caused by vata and kapha
* Olive oil – helps rheumatism, gout, athritis, sprains, polio and assists with general muscle, ligament and nerve weakness

Aromatherapy Oils

* Antiseptic – lavender and eucalyptus
* Anti-inflammatory – chamomile and lavender
* Fungicidal – patchouli, tea tree, sweet marjoram
* For burns, cuts and scars – lavender, geranium, neroli
* Deodorant – bergamot, thyme, juniper, cypress, lemongrass
* Insect repellent – spike lavender, clove, camphor, garlic and citronella

Contra-indications in Massage

Massage, if judiciously used, helps in healing. However, it should be avoided in the following conditions:
* Inflammation or skin disease
* Purulent (pus) accumulations
* Swellings that might be malignant
* Recent phlebitis (inflammation of veins)
* Recent osteomyelitis (bone infection)
* Recent lymphangitis (lymph node infection)
* Recent thrombosis (clots in blood vessels)
* Severe degrees of hernia
* Very high or very low blood pressure
* Indigestion, constipation, vomiting, fever, very bad cough or cold – (aggravated kapha)
* Heart problems
* Epilepsy
* Pregnancy
* Just after meals

Most people find it very difficult to really relax; they are tense all the time – even in their sleep. The deep relaxation that a massage treatment affords paves the way for the body and mind to heal, as beneficial hormones are secreted by the endocrine system, which in turn affect all other systems in a positive manner.
Massage heals and nurtures not only the recipient, but the masseuse as well.
It is a most amazing and fulfilling experience to connect at such a deep and non-sexual level with another human being. For many people, it makes a tremendous impact when they find that they are received fully and non judgmentally – just as they are. Massage can therefore also be an opening for deep emotional release, as long withheld patterns may emerge, which are then gently released. The intention of the therapist plays a vital role here, and a loving, caring attitude makes a world of difference in turning a massage into a memorable experience.

So treat yourself to some TLC
(tender loving care)…TODAY!!!

The author is working as a massage therapist in Gurumaa Ashram, Gannaur, Sonepat, Haryana.

Agni Sara is a cleansing practice – agni means fire, and in this practice the internal fire is stoked, helping to heat up the body from within in order to stimulate digestion and detoxify the bodily systems. Sukhasana or ‘Easy sitting’ pose is a good position for this practice, although many other poses are also appropriate. Then, with that body awareness, move into a more suitable position where the spine can stretch. Agni Sara can also be done standing, with the feet spread wide apart, knees bent in an easy standing-squat and the hands resting on the thighs for support. Whichever position you choose, remember to work towards an erect spine rather than a rounded or hunched one.

The benefits of Agni Sara are incredible – in fact too many to list – but here are some: increased circulation to abdominal muscles, tissues and organs, pelvic muscles, improved elimination of waste and excess fat from around the abdomen, increased energy and elevated mood. Do not practice Agni Sara if you are pregnant, suffering from heart, nervous system, or respiratory ailments, have glaucoma, hiatal hernia, or ulcers of the stomach or intestine.
Process – In this practice, you contract your muscles all the way up from the floor of the pelvis to the diaphragm. This is done after a complete exhalation. From hands and knees position, exhale all the air from the mouth to get really empty. Then with no breath in the body, quickly draw the head and tailbone towards the navel, with the back arching up to the ceiling. The belly is sucked in upwards into the rib cage (this is an intermediate phase), and holding that posture with no breath – for five to ten counts – is Agni Sara. When it is time to inhale, the cat-tuck position and the belly suction is released and a regular inhalation and exhalation is done between sets. I recommend five to ten sets on an empty stomach!

1.  Stand erect.
2.  Keep a distance of 1-1/2 feet between the feet and place both hands on their respective thighs. Slowly exhale completely.
3.  Hold the breath out as is done in Uddiyana. After that, the stomach which has been sucked in due to complete exhalation is to be blown out like a balloon for a count of two seconds without inhaling. Pull the stomach in and again blow it out.
4.  Repeat this 4 to 6 times. Now inhale.
5.  Practise this kriya every day and gradually increase the number of repetitions. The practice should be relaxing and stimulating and you should be able to feel the heat in your body. After some days the abdominal muscles will become stronger and it will be very easy to incorporate it into your daily practice.
6.  This completes one round of Agni Sara. Repeat four or five times.

Remember
Practice on an empty stomach and avoid
doing Agni Sara during pregnancy, menstruation, or after abdominal surgery.
Consult your doctor first if you have any disease of the intestines or pancreas.
Do not practice it for at least four hours after a meal.

Yoga treats the mind and body as one. It treats man as a single entity and believes that any disease occurring in the body actually originates in the mind. Most diseases are psychosomatic – that is – they travel from the mind to the body. A frustrated and agitated mind will make a person quirky and restless in all his activities. Walking, eating, drinking, sitting – the restlessness of the person will be obvious to a keen observer.
A mind which is not balanced will be unbalanced in most of its work. For example, when he eats food, he won’t be observant of the size of the morsel or whether he has chewed it properly or not. When the mind is in a rush, then food is partaken in an inappropriate way. Food which has not been chewed properly stays in the stomach for a longer duration, and it is very taxing for the digestive system to digest the food properly. Food which stays longer in the stomach and intestines will produce more problems for the body, like indigestion, flatulence, dyspepsia, uneasiness and lethargy. Food should be consumed with great care and thought. What we eat and how we eat is very important and one should be aware of all these things. Eating too much processed food, food with artificial colors and stale food will definitely cause constipation.
‘I am the body and the body is me’ is a thought or feeling that makes a person so unaware, that satisfying the body becomes the only goal in life. Eating to enjoy and earning to buy a variety of foods becomes quite a passion.
I see people thinking about food most of the time. While eating breakfast they worry about what they will eat for lunch, and at lunchtime they plan where to go for dinner. To eat at an expensive restaurant becomes quite a passion about which one even loves to boast. I have heard that in some of the up-market restaurants in New York, Paris and Los Angeles, securing
a reservation is considered a very big achievement, and those who get one feel very proud! Man lives to sustain the body; that he can enjoy a variety of objects and feel happy seems to be the only objective of life.
The vedas says ‘Annam Brahman’. It means, consider food as god and eat as if a great ritual is being performed to appease god.

Treat the body as the truest temple of the lord; keeping it healthy is the foremost duty of every human being. Eat to live – don’t live to eat. Respect our body and worship it by doing yoga asana.
There is a folklore which says that if you are constipated for even a single day, you lose fifteen days of your life! A sadhak should make sure that he or she is never constipated. Eating fiber, drinking ten glasses of water a day, eating green vegetables and fruits, eating an early dinner are some of the life style changes which one should bring about for a totally healthy elimination system.
Hath yoga has some very powerful asanas which can cure constipation and its related problems. Here I will teach you a series of asanas for alleviating constipation.

“Treat the body as the truest temple of the lord;
keeping it healthy is the foremost duty of every
human being. Eat to live – don’t live to eat. The
vedas says ‘Annam Brahman’. It means, consider
food as god and eat as if a great ritual is being
performed to appease god. Respect your body
and worship it by doing yoga asana”

1). Breathe normally as you stand with your feet firmly on the ground. Allow all muscles to relax. Close your eyes and be aware of your body. Feel the sensations associated with the contact of your feet on the floor.
2). Inhale and then exhale while you slowly bend forward. Lean forward till you can touch your knees, calves, ankles, and feet. Do the movement slowly and in a relaxed manner. From the start to the final position, the movement should be slow, fluid, continuous and mindful. Do not force the stretch. Remain bent over for approximately five seconds or as long as feels comfortable.
3). Be aware of the sensations and the feelings the posture develops in different parts of your body, especially in the area of your back and legs.
4). Feel the movement of your belly.
5). Just relax in the posture. Be aware of your feelings and sensations.
6). Inhale. Return to an upright position by bending your knees slightly and straightening your vertebrae, one at a time. Let your head be the last part of the body to come back into position.

1). Lie on your stomach and place the hands on the floor besides the pectoral muscles.
2). Place the hands palms down, under the shoulders on the floor.
3). Whilst inhaling, without lifting the navel from the floor, raise the chest and head, arching the back. Obtain as complete a stretch of the body as possible.
4). Retain the breath, then exhale while slowly lowering the body to the floor. Rest and repeat two to seven times.
5). Do it two to seven times adding one every 14 days.

Ayurveda is a form of lifestyle adopted to maintain perfect balance and harmony within human existence. The ayurvedic approach to life requires listening to and addressing the unique needs of your body, recognizing and balancing your mental and emotional states and deepening your connection with your spirituality. We undergo several changes in our day- to-day life, thus causing great stress on our mind and health, leading to too many ailments and disorders. To cope up with the fast moving environment we need to strike a balance with the right kind of diet and food choices.

Triphala is a miraculous herb, that is exceedingly helpful in achieving ultimate health. It is a combination of three herbs rather more precisely, three fruits. These are Amalaki, Haritaki and Bhibitaki. These herbs have a well esteemed place in Ayurveda.
In Ayurveda, there are seven basic body constitutions resulting from the predominance of one or more energetic influences or Doshas. The Doshas, Vata, Pitta and Kapha, influence physical, mental and spiritual health. Each one of us is a unique combination of these three body influences. Your natural Doshic state of balance is called Prakruti.
.The three fruits of Triphala (Harada, Amla and Bihara) each corresponding to the “three humours” or “tridosha” of Indian Ayurvedic medicine. Vata is sometimes translated as “wind” which corresponds to the mind and nervous system. Its nature is dry, cold, light and activating. The second is pitta , which is also translated as “fire” or “bile.” It is responsible for all metabolic transformations including the digestion and assimilation of food as well as assimilation and clarity of thought and understanding. The nature of pitta is primarily hot, moist and light. Third is Kapha, which is sometimes translated as the “water” or “mucus” humour and is responsible for all anabolic or building functions such as the development of muscle and bone tissue. Its nature is cool, moist and heavy.

Because of its high nutritional content, Ayurvedic doctors generally do not regard Triphala as a mere laxative. Triphala is an effective blood purifier, that stimulates bile secretion as it detoxifies the liver, helps digestion and assimilation, and significantly reduces serum cholesterol and lipid levels throughout body.

Prolonged use of Triphala is safe and non-habit forming; in fact it rejuvenates the intestines, tissues, and cells of the body, prevents cancer, and aids in weight loss. It is known to promote the absorption of B vitamins, and to improve the general absorption of all nutrients and vitamins contained in our food. Triphala is a balanced formula for all body types. When taken in large doses at night, it has cleansing & detoxifying action, when one or two capsules taken with meals, it has a building & rejuvenating effect. When used regularly, it is good for gentle, slow detoxification of the digestive tract & then the deep tissue. Triphala is extremely beneficial in suppressing various carcinomas in the body. Triphala promotes vision and cures various eye related disorders. As a result, it is regarded as a kind of universal panacea, and is the most commonly prescribed herbal formula.

It is said that our digestive tract is a seat to extract energy from the food we eat. Whatsoever we eat or drink, gets converted into valuable energy that is beneficial for our body. But when there is some abnormality in the digestive function, there is formation of a variety of toxins that as per ayurveda are known as ‘ama’ in the body. Ama can be described as a sticky mucilaginous matter, that is formed due to accumulation of undigested or partially digested food in our digestive tract.
Triphala corrects constipation, cleanses and tones gastro intestinal tract. It gently stimulates the intestinal walls and restores the tone of the colon, thus helping in the elimination process. It detoxifies the whole body. It is anti microbial and anti-inflammatory and anti viral. It is very effective in irritable bowel syndrome. It also stimulates bile flow and peristalsis. It reduces high blood pressure and improves blood circulation. It has also been found to be helpful in liver disorders. It has also shown in-vitro antioxidant activity. Thus triphala is not just a laxative but it is a powerful body stimulant that promotes health and overall condition of the body.

Amla, commonly known as Amalaki is one of the best health rejuvenators. It is also one of the richest source of vitamin c. It not only supplements the deficiencies of various mineral and vitamins but helps in cooling our body. It is tri-Dosha suppressant.

Bahera or Bhibitaki is highly used in treating various elements, works best in decreasing the inflammation from the body. It is helpful in maintaining all the humors, but it has strong action on aggravated Khapha. Bahera contains about 40 percent of palmitic oil and oleic acids and linoleic acid. Linoleic acid is helpful in maintaining the proper cholesterol levels in the body.

Harar or Haritaki is useful in maintaining the proper balance of the three humors. It is one of the most potent herbs that help in attaining longevity by rejuvenating all our bodily cells and tissues. It is a boon for people, having digestive problems.

As we have seen above, Triphala is an herbal supplement that has the potential to target each and every system of the body like nervous system, digestive system, circulatory system, respiratory system, reproductive system. Owing to its miraculous benefits, Triphala was and is widely used in making ayurvedic medicines. Triphala is part of some of the most prestigious ayurvedic preparations like Triphala guggul, Triphalaadi ghrita, Chandraprabha vadi, Arogyavardhani vati.
Triphala, being bitter in taste, is available in various forms like gelatin capsules, vegetable capsules, tablets, powder, and syrups and even in form of tea.

Jal Neti is a Yogic technique, which cures all diseases related to eyes, nose, throat and brain. The nose is the “air conditioner” of the body. One of the many functions of the nose is to regulate the temperature and humidity of the incoming air. Some people have “dry noses” and suffer dry, crusty, nosebleed type problems. Others have “wet noses”, with the constantly running sinuses and the tissues always up their sleeve! Others have perpetual stuffy and blocked nostrils. Regular practice of Jala Neti helps to establish the correct working environment of temperature and humidity in the nose. So, it’s wise to consider shedding your apprehension and trying this wonderful practice. As it happened with one person who came to me with complaints of blocked nose and frequent headaches I suggested Jal Neti, which was taught here in ashram and soon her aches and stuffed nose became a history. When one can relieve oneself from sinus related problems with as simple as nasal irrigation as it is being called in west, one doesn’t need pain killers and anti-allergic medicines. This technique has worked like miracle for scores of other people who have benefited from Jal Neti. Jal Neti is a process of cleansing the nasal path. The aim of the process is to purify the breathing path right from the nostrils to the throat. Besides being used to treat full-blown sinus infections, Jal Neti is perhaps the BEST preventive measure. Almost all of us can “sense” when we are about to catch a cold or an impending throat infection. But more frustrating is the “helplessness” or the inability to do anything about it as it takes over our defenses. It is here that Jal Neti really outscores everything else. Just flushing your ENT passages through neti a couple of times a day ensures that the infection does not take root and just passes by. The skin in the nasal path gets used to the osmotic pressure. Also, the organs get used to the different temperatures and can continue working without any disturbance. Well, to put it simply, Jala Neti is a cleansing practice of the sinus passages with warm saline water. Yogis have practiced it for centuries for its innumerable and powerful benefits. In yoga, it has been used for its extremely powerful physical, psychological and spiritual benefits. However, in the modern world – fed on an attitude of immediate gains – Jal Neti has gained immense popularity because of its dramatic effect on the sinuses.

Benefits:

1). Jal Neti helps solve the sinus infection and allergy problems without the use of drugs with immediate, immense and sustained results any without any side effects.

2). At the immediate level, Jal Neti is a great tool for any kind of respiratory disorder – sinusitis, allergy, asthma, hay fever to name a few. People invariably notice an immediate relief, which drugs fail to achieve. It helps to re-program the body’s natural mechanisms against respiratory complaints including sore throats, coughs, post-nasal drips etc.

3). Jal Neti rinses out the dirt and bacteria filled mucous lining as the warm water loosens and dissolves any internal build-ups, and takes them outwards. Due to gravity and a venture-effect, the sinus passages are also drained by the vacuum pressure flow of the water. Whereas it would normally be impossible to drain a “dead end” cavity like the sinuses, Jal Neti achieves this ingeniously and simply.

4). It can be of great benefit to problems associated with the eyes and ears such as certain types of deafness and myopia. But the great mental and spiritual effects overshadow these tremendous physical benefits.

5). Jal Neti has a cooling and soothing effect on the brain and is therefore beneficial for headaches, migraine, depression, mental tensions and even epilepsy, hysteria and temper tantrums. It stimulates better powers of visualization and concentration and gives a feeling of lightness and clarity to the mind.

6). On a higher plane, it is very effective for meditation as it works on the subtle effects of the olfactory bulb, and the psychic center, which is known as the Agya Chakra in yoga.

7). But the best part is that it is excellent for those trying to give up smoking. It reduces mouth breathing and re-sensitizes the nose to the indecency and discomfort of ingesting smoke, therefore de-programming the brain of the physical and psychological addiction.

How to do it?

Put warm water into the utensil and add a little salt in it. Tilt the neck and touch the tip of spout to one of the nostrils. Open the mouth and continue breathing through it. Gradually pour water into the nostril. Since the breathing is continued through the mouth, the water straightaway goes through the food pipe into the throat to the stomach. Just as we drink water through the mouth, in the same way it can be drunk through the nose. When some water is drunk though one nostril, perform the process with the other one. This process is not Neti, but when one is accustomed to drinking water through nose, then practicing Neti is easier. During Jal Neti, the position of the head and pot are adjusted to allow the water to flow out of the other nostril. To help water flow out of the other nostril, tilt the neck further. It is essential to find the pose of the neck here. When the pose is found, the rest of the process is easier. The water poured through one nostril can easily come out of the other. The breathing is naturally through the mouth at this time. Pour water into the left nostril and take it out of the right, then drink it by the right one and take it out of the left. If you have a 1/2 Liter vessel, then you can fill the vessel again for the second nostril. The stream of water from both the nostrils will not be same depending on the blockade or nervous spasms. Do the whole exercise gently and in relaxed posture. One can wipe the nostrils with clean linen/towel in between while changing the nostrils. Having finished with the water part just keep both arms at back and start blowing nose vigorously from alternate nostril (15-20 times) in order to remove every drop of water. Now look up for 15 seconds and while looking up again blow 10-15 times to blow off any residual water left. Go in Shashankasana and  stay in it for five minutes, again blow out at least twenty times from each nostril. Repeat whole procedure for minimum three times. Make sure that there is no water left. To check this blow it at back of your palm and see if there are any droplets of water or not. Nose should be thoroughly dried else it can induce headache. Having finished with the blowing part now go to your exercise room or in open space, lie down in Savasana (corpse position) for 10 minutes. Some of yogis insist on putting few drops of ghee in nostrils to lubricate nasal passage. For one nostril, generally half a liter of water is to be used. The water should be used at a stretch or with some rests. One should not include it in daily lifestyle. Whenever, the nasal path needs cleaning, the process can be used.

You can practice Jal Neti in the morning or in the evening and continue for about a month and review your health. If you start feeling better then you can do this exercise as and when required. Caution: When doing it, never use your nose for breathing. Bhastrika Pranayama is a must after Jal Neti. To do this bow a little forward and move the neck right, and left; up and down, and then do Bhastrika, so that the nose becomes clean and dry. No trace of water should be allowed to remain inside the nostrils. After you have mastered this technique completely, you can practice drinking water or milk through the nose.

Drinking of milk or water through the nose has specific advantages. It cures all brain ailments and sharpens the Intellect. The ailments of eyes, ears, nose and throat are cured and sleeplessness is removed. It also improves the eyesight.

Ayurveda is not simply only a healthcare system but a form of lifestyle adopted to maintain perfect balance and harmony within human existence. The ayurvedic approach to life requires listening to and addressing the unique needs of your body, recognizing and balancing your mental and emotional states and deepening your connection with your spirituality. Ayurveda aims at striking at the very root of the disease. A real cure for any disease is only possible if we adopt a holistic approach, as the one advocated in Ayurveda and address the problem at its very root. Shunning the age-old principles of healing described in the Vedas- the great Indian heritage, as unscientific only just because they are old, is most unfortunate.

High Blood Pressure/Hyper Tension

Blood pressure is high when arterial blood pressure is elevated above the normal ranges. The normal blood pressure reading is systolic 120 over diastolic 80. Systolic high blood pressure above 140 can be dangerous. Monitoring the blood pressure is very important. Ayurveda doesn’t believe in temporary relief, it does not focus on treatment of symptoms but in eradication of causes of high blood pressure. Nature loves balance and the moment one realizes the mistake, nature helps extensively to bring balance in breath, body and mind. The symptoms of hypertension are dizziness, palpitations, heart pain, frequent urination, nervous tension, difficulty in breathing and sometimes pain experienced at the back of the head and neck on waking up. Stress, vitiation of vata, smoking and excessive intake of toxins, obesity, metabolic disorders and overloading of fast foods are the causes of hypertension according to ayurveda.
Our kitchen is stocked with ingredients, which can work as perfect cure for high blood pressure. Rasona or garlic is one important substance helpful in alleviating vata dosha controlling blood pressure. Garlic has been known to lower cholesterol and triglycerides and this in turn will bring down your blood pressure. Soaking one tsp fenugreek seed in water for a night and munching them early in the morning on empty stomach also reduces cholesterol and excess fat. Powder of Triphala should be taken regularly with warm water. For centuries, Sarpagandha, Arjuna, Gokshura, Bunarnava, Rose, Praval Bhasma, have been used to treat hypertension.
Regular Exercise is one of the best ways to lower blood pressure. Exercise has to be of right kind. A good exercise program, particularly endurance exercises such as jogging or athletics, will cause the peripheral resistance to decrease. Exercise helps to eliminate body fat, lower total cholesterol and raise HDL cholesterol that prevents fatty – cholesterol deposits. According to Ayurveda exercise improves the body, depletes excess fats, brings lightness of the body. It is certain that stress can cause hypertension. Anxiety, secondary to acute stage can cause rise in your blood pressure. Relaxation and removal of stress will help to lower mildly elevated levels of blood pressure. Nurture love and affection. Love and affection and affectionate touch can significantly drop, your blood pressure.
Speak truth. Lying has been found to boost blood pressure, because it requires a lot of mental exercise. Laughter is as good as relaxation therapy, exercise or other methods used to overcome stress. Study shows that laughter decreases adrenaline and cortisol production. Laughter can help you if you are having high blood pressure.

Obesity

Obesity is an open invitation for six of the most terrible diseases known to man – diabetes, arteriosclerosis, cardiovascular problems, paralysis and heart attacks. Hence, obesity may not itself be a disease, but it could definitely be a life-threatening condition. There are two main reasons for this abnormal deposition of fat, excessive fat intake through the diet and some metabolic problem, which does not allow the proper utilization of fat in the body. Ayurveda holds Agni, or the digestive fire, responsible for obesity. When the Agni is vitiated, then the ama (toxic substances) is built up in the body, leading to obesity.
There is a direct relation between the diet one eats and obesity. Controlling the diet is a sure method of controlling obesity. Foods that are excessively rich in carbohydrates must be avoided. These include rice and potatoes. Wheat must be used instead of rice. Barley and maize can also be used effectively. Fatty substances must be avoided. In obese people, the chances of cardiovascular problems such as arteriosclerosis are high. Hence, people who consume lots of hydrogenated fats have greater risk of cholesterol buildup in their arteries. Obesity increases the chances of diabetes mellitus. Hence, people who are overweight must reduce their intake of sugars and other sweet foods. Bitter and pungent foods are found to be effective in the control of weight and also preventing the dangers of diabetes in obese people. The bitter gourd and the bitter variety of drumstick are beneficial.
Guggulu, prescribed by most Ayurvedic physicians as the drug of choice in the control of obesity. It may be prescribed in its pure form (in the dosage of one gram four times a day), or it can be given in a mixture form as Navaka Guggulu or Triphala Guggulu. These are given in tablet form, followed by some hot drink. Mineral supplements such as Tapyaadi Lauha and Shilajitawadi Lauha are given in conjunction with the Guggulu tablets.
Having a tablespoonful of honey mixed in an equal amount of water, early in the morning really helps in reducing fat. Drinking hot water continuously throughout the day also helps to dissolve the excess fat in the body. Ginger is effective in dissolving fat. Have it twice or thrice a day in the form of tea. At least one day a week, a totally liquid diet is suggested. Fasting entirely can also be done, if it is physically tolerable. This helps to flush out the toxins and excess fats accumulated throughout the week. Regular exercise is one of the most important things. It helps to reduce the excess fats in the body and also keep the person fresh and active throughout the day.

Disorders of Thyroid Gland

The thyroid gland is situated in the front of the neck and produces a hormone thyroxin, which plays a very important role in regulating the general metabolism of the body. When it is defective, the conditions known as myxoedema (in adults) and cretinism (in children) result. An excess of its secretion is associated with a condition known as exophthalmic goiter or thyrotoxicosis or Grave’s disease. Hyperthyroidism; (in which the gland secretes excess of hormones). This condition is more common in women than in men whose age ranges from 30 to 50 years. Thyrotoxit individuals become tremulous, irritable, anxious and even hysterical. Because the metabolism is raised, they experience rapid heart rate and palpitation, rapid shallow respiration. Frequent bowel motions and diarrhea, Flushing, heat intolerance, sweating, menstrual disturbance and sometimes bulging of the eyes. Hypothyroidism; here the thyroid is under active, producing too little thyroid hormone. This condition is far more common than hyperthyroidism and can be caused by iodine deficiency or thyroid failure brought on by pituitary dysfunction, inflammation, and scarring. Yet these mild cases can be the cause of vague, but persistent, disorders such as fatigue, depression, loss of vitality, and overall hormonal imbalance.
According to Charaka, goitre does not strike those who take milk in adequate quantities. In addition, old rice, barley, moong dal, Bengal gram, cucumber, sugar juice, and milk products are recommended for a goiter patient. Sour and heavy substances are contraindicated.
Kanchanara – Bauhinia veriegata (purple mountain ebony) is specific for proper functioning of thyroid. Among the other herbs jatamansi and Brahmi guggulu and shilajita are also useful. Gokshura, punarnava are useful herbs.
A fine paste made of the vegetable jalakumbhi (Pistia straticies) applied over the affected part helps in reducing the swelling. The juice obtained from the jalakumbhi should be given in doses of, 2 to 22 gm a day. It increases the amount of iodine, the lack of which, according to Allopathy, is one of the factors responsible for the disease.
Coconut oil offers much promise today to sufferers of hypothyroidism and slow metabolism. It is a known fact that the fatty acid chains in coconut oil, known as medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs) or medium chain triglycerides (MCTs), offer wonderful health benefits and are nowhere found more abundantly in nature outside coconut oil. For the hypothyroid sufferer the MCTs rev up the body’s sluggish metabolism

Diabetes

Diabetes is considered as metabolic disorder of the body. It is also considered as the mother of lot of diseases. The body utilizes the sugar in the body, as this being important for each and every cell and tissue. Insulin is the hormone secreted by the pancreas and it regulates the utilization of sugar within the body.When there is less or bad production of insulin,the cell can’t consume glucose, which is present in blood stream. This raises the level of glucose in the blood, creating diabetes.
According to Ayurveda, diabetes is a metabolic Kapha type of disorder in which diminished functioning of Agni, leads to a tendency toward high blood sugar. The main causes of these diseases are fat, urine, and Kapha buildups due to foods, liquids, lifestyle and others.
Ayurvedic practitioners address diabetes using a multi-prong approach. First, they address diet modification, eliminating sugar and simple carbohydrates, and emphasizing complex carbohydrates. Protein is limited, since excessive intake can damage the kidneys. Fat is also limited because there is often a deficiency of pancreatic enzymes, making fat digestion difficult. Since many diabetics have auto antibodies, a cleansing program is instituted. Pancha Karma is typically used for this purpose. This begins with herbal massages and an herbal steam sauna, followed by fasting to cleanse the body. This is followed by an herbal purge for the liver, pancreas, and spleen. Colon therapy is next, first to cleanse the digestive tract and then to reconstitute the system.
If you have been diagnosed with Diabetes, eliminate all objects that contain sugar from diet, like wheat, rice, potato, sugar, sugar cane and its juice, jaggery (gud), sweet fruits. Reduce fats, especially butter and ghee from diet. Take barley soaked in a triphala decoction overnight, then mixed with honey and eaten several times a day. Orange, and lemon, may be taken as and when needed. Take bitter melon, in any form, without any fear, and Jamun and powder of its seed. Take plenty of green vegetables, black gram, soya, fish etc. Stay away from alcohol. Take juice of bilva and parijataka leaves in identical parts for natural remedy of diabetes. Take two teaspoons ,two times a day.
Take two teaspoons of crushed Fenugreek seeds with milk. Daily Boil 15-20 Mango leaves (only fresh leaves) in 1 glass of water and leave it in the night. Filter this water and drink it first in the morning time. Avoid infections, burns and injuries as they develop ketosis in such worrying circumstances. Take abundance of potassium and vitamins C, E, and B-complex. Eat 10 fresh fully grown curry leaves each morning for three months. It avoids diabetes due to genetic factors. It also treats diabetes due to obesity.
The most important herbs for all doshas are shilajit, gudmar turmeric, neem, amalaki, guggul, and arjuna. Turmeric with aloe vera gel is best used during the early stages of diabetes for regulating pancreas and liver functions. Juice of bitter melon or bitter gourd or Rose apple or two tender leaves of Bilva and Neem may be taken on empty stomach daily. Juice of Jambu should be taken in an ounce quantity, twice daily, and that of Karela in 1-1/2 ounce dose daily. Shilajit is another useful medicine (250 mg as a single dose) should be taken, twice daily with juice of stone apple.

Heart Diseases

The heart is hridaya [hri-day-a] in ayurveda. This means everything. The main seat of a Atma [the soul] and all the bodily srotus [microchannels through which nutrition is supplied throughout the body is considered in the heart.
Heart Disease is caused by the obstruction to the coronary arteries. These are the blood vessels, which travel through the wall of the heart and nourish the heart muscle. If the blood flow is significantly diminished, then the heart signals its difficulties by registering pain or discomfort in the chest.

ARJUNA (terminalia arjuna) reduces the workload on the heart, lower blood pressure and improves cholesterol profile. Using Arjuna herb regularly will strengthen the heart to its optimum condition with no side effects.
GARLIC is most important substance helpful in alleviating Vata doshas controlling blood pressure. Drinking a glass of buttermilk mixed with the paste made of about 1gm of garlic, twice a day, will bring your blood pressure down. Garlic lowers cholesterol and triglycerides that have impact on heart disease.
If you take two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of CINNAMON Powder mixed in 16 ounces of tea water, it will reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood by 10% within 2 hours. Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, and eat it regularly for breakfast. It reduces the cholesterol in the arteries. Regular use of the above process relieves loss of breath and strengthens the heartbeat.
Fried things, pulses and their preparations, and groundnut oil are prohibited. Ayurvedic physicians allow. Cow milk, butter or ghee, as they are useful for the patient and not buffalo ghee and milk or groundnut oil. Stimulants like tea, coffee and alcoholic drinks are very harmful for such patients. The patient’s bowels should move regularly. If there is constipation, he is advised to take a glass of water early morning and go for a walk every day.
Ayurveda considers the functions of heart and mind interlinked. Disturbance in one affects the other. Therefore, patients having heart disease are advised by the Ayurvedic physicians to refrain from anxiety, worry, excessive sexual intercourse and wrathful disposition. All efforts should be made for the patient to have good sleep at night. When we are perceiving a stressful challenge in life, then we activate the system by increasing the heart rate, increasing the blood pressure, increasing the breathing response, thus sending out stress hormones in the body. All of which, over time, lead to increased risk of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.