Cucumber Juice

Did you know that cucumbers are fourth most cultivated vegetable? Because of that you can find this low calorie plant available in most pars of the world. Cucumber is actually fruit and belongs to the same family as melons and squashes. We want here to point out some nutrition and health benefits of cucumber juice. We will also provide you a nice cucumber juice recipe.

Nutritional Benefits of Cucumber Juice

Because cucumber are mostly composed of water (95%) they are one of the best diuretic agents. In addition, a cucumber have other properties, such as gaining of hair growth, strengthening of the heart and blood vessels. Cucumber contains potassium, sodium, calcium, phosphorus, chlorine. magnesium, biotin, and vitamin B1.

Health Benefits of Cucumber Juice

 

Adding cucumber juice to carrot juice has a beneficial effect for rheumatic diseases, which occur as a result of excess uric acid in the body. If this mixture is added beet juice it speeds up its effects. Contents of potassium in cucumbers makes it highly valuable for patients with high and low blood pressure. Cucumber juice helps with the poor condition of the teeth and gums, as well with periodontal disease. The nails and the hair is necessary a compound of elements contained in the cucumber juice, in order to prevent cracking of the nails and hair loss. The juice of cucumber calms and strengthens the nervous system, prevents ASVD and improves your memory.

Disclaimer
The sole purpose of these blogs is to provide information about the tradition of ayurveda. This information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, prevention or cure of any disease. If you have any serious, acute or chronic health concern, please consult a trained doctor/health professional who can fully assess your needs and address them effectively. If you are seeking the medical advice of a trained Ayurvedic expert, call us or e mail.

Dr Unnati Chavda

Carbs

Despite what information you may be relying on now, carbs aren’t all-bad. In fact, there are some that are absolutely essential for a healthy diet. It’s important to not overdo it on carbs like sugar. Because there are so many different kinds of carbs, it can be difficult to determine which ones are good and which are bad. The confusion can lead to people cutting carbs entirely, but that isn’t the best solution for your health.

Many foods traditionally considered healthy are technically carbs, and can fit well into a healthy diet. Whole grains are especially important. Whole-grain foods are high in fiber, which means they keep you full and energized throughout the day.

These foods are also packed with “good” carbs that you shouldn’t worry about enjoying.

Cereal
Unsweetened oatmeal is a great nutritious breakfast choice, as well as cereals containing 100 percent whole grains. By adding your own fruits, nuts, or other add-ins, you can customize a healthy cereal flavor all your own.

Bread and Pasta
Breads and pastas don’t have to be once-in-awhile indulgences. By looking for varieties made from whole grains, you can get all the health benefits of carbs.

Rice
If you’re more of a rice (or quinoa or millet) person, there are plenty of carbs to be found there as well. Brown rice and other grains are the best choice for health, and don’t go crazy on the serving size.

Popcorn
It may come as a surprise, but unbuttered popcorn does count as a whole grain. Air-popped popcorn prepared with your own mix of your favorite spices is certainly a healthier snack choice than chips.

When it comes to carbs, or any other “bad” food group, it’s important to remember that cutting out any one type of food completely from your diet isn’t the way to health.

Disclaimer
The sole purpose of these blogs is to provide information about the tradition of ayurveda. This information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, prevention or cure of any disease. If you have any serious, acute or chronic health concern, please consult a trained doctor/health professional who can fully assess your needs and address them effectively. If you are seeking the medical advice of a trained Ayurvedic expert, call us or e mail.

Dr Unnati Chavda

Shirshasana

Headstand (Shirshasana) is often referred to as the king of all yoga poses. Here are 10 reasons why headstand should be practiced everyday. 

1. By reversing the flow of gravity, a headstand simulates a “face lift” by letting your skin hang in the opposite direction. The inverted position of a headstand also flushes fresh nutrients and oxygen to the face, creating a glowing effect on the skin. 

2. Headstands increase nutrients and blood flow to the scalp, decreasing onset of grey hair. Some yogis say that it will even convert grey hair back to its natural color! 

3. Headstands stimulate and provide refreshed blood to the pituitary and hypothalamus glands. These glands are vital to our wellbeing, and are considered the master glands that regulate all other glands in the body (thyroid, pineal, and adrenals).

4. When the adrenal glands are flushed and detoxified with headstands, we create more positive thought. Depression will decrease, as going upside down will almost always put a smile on your face. 

5. It's great to bust out a headstand at a party. Your peers will be impressed!

6. Improved circulation occurs with a headstand practice. Because the heart constantly has to pump blood upward to the brain, the headstand gives the heart a rest and reduces unnecessary strain. In addition, while in headstand de-oxygenated blood is able to flow more easily from the extremities to the heart.

7. Any fluid that is retained in the feet is able to drain (edema), therefore reducing the onset and prevalence of varicose veins. 

8. Headstands increase digestive fire and increase body heat. The intestines are cleansed by reversing the pull of gravity, while releasing congested blood in the colon.

9. Headstands strengthen deep core muscles. To hold a straight headstand for an extended period of time, the practitioner must engage the obliques, the rectus abdominus and the transverse abdominus. To really engage and strengthen the core, pike the legs by lifting and/or lowering both legs at the same time when coming in and out of the pose.

10. Eliminate your chances of having an ischemic stroke, as scientific evidence shows that this type of stroke rarely occurs in individuals that consistently do headstands!

Although I recommend learning headstand from a qualified teacher, its multifaceted benefits should not be ignored. Headstands can be contraindicative if you have neck injuries, extremely high blood pressure, ear and eye problems, if you are menstruating, or have acid reflux.

Everyday Herbs

Everyday Herbs with Magical Curing Abilities

1. Coriander

It is an herb, the leaves as well as seeds of which have several therapeutic uses.

Uses of coriander seeds

Their preparations are used for the following purposes:

• Soothing sinus problems and headaches:  Boil five tablespoons of coriander seeds in water and breathe in the steam. Wrap your head with a towel so that the steam does not disappear and maximum quantity of it enters your respiratory tract.
• For treatment of colds and flu : Brown five tablespoons of coriander seeds in a frying pan; ensuring not to overcook them. Then simmer the seeds in five cups of water with five pieces of ginger root. Minimize the liquid to two cups, filter the concoction and drink after adding some pure honey.
• For treatment of infection of the urinary tract:  Boil five tablespoons of coriander seeds in five cups of water and minimize the quantity to two cups and drink after adding pure honey. Drink this blend daily for a period of seven days to relieve the fiery sensation while urinating.

Uses of coriander leaves

• Quick fix the blisters and sores of mouth due to the antiseptic properties found in coriander leaves
• Increase the levels of good cholesterol in the blood and decrease the levels of bad cholesterol
• Good for inflammatory diseases such as arthritis on account of the anti-inflammatory features present in coriander leaves
• Agreeable for eyesight due to the presence of antioxidants
• Favorable for diabetese patients because coriander leaves incite the release of insulin thereby reducing the levels of sugar in the blood
• Benefits the nervous system and sharpens the memory
• Excellent for digestive system
• Countermeasure anemia due to the presence of high amounts of iron

2. Cayenne pepper

Cayenne has the following health benefits:

• One of the best anti-cold and anti-flu agents that acts by disintegrating the congested mucus
• A robust anti-fungal envoy
• Averts migraine headaches
• Releases allergies
• Releases intestinal gas
• Assists in saliva production
• Wards off circumstances that lead to the formation of blood clots
• Blended with lemon juice and honey, cayenne tea is the righteous morning drink for removal of toxic substances from the body.
• Being rich in capsaicin, it comforts joint pains
• Hinders food adulteration by microbes
• Encourages healthy loss of weight
• Acts as an anti-cancer agent
• Heart friendly
• Topical cure for toothache
• Local application of its poultice is a time-tested remedy for sores, inflammation and pain in joints as well as for snake bites.

3. Cinnamon

This herb has the following health benefits

• Improves blood sugar control in diabetics
• Decreases bad cholesterol in the blood and increases the good cholesterol
• Acts as a blood thinner hence prevents the formation of clots in blood
• Anti-microbial properties
• Anti-inflammatory

4. Cloves

• An anti-inflammatory chemical known as eugenol is found in cloves hence cloves are heart-friendly and joint friendly
• Have antioxidant properties
• Has anti-cancer properties
• Holds compounds that reform insulin function hence very good for diabetics
• Its oil is an excellent remedy for toothache

5.  Ginger

This root has the following health benefits:

• Reduces pain and swelling in people with arthritis.
• Functions against migraines
• Possesses anti-cancer features hence prevents and stagnates the growth of cancer
• Assists the process of digestion by upgrading digestive juices and subdueing acids
• Serviceable against nausea
• Potent for transient treatment of morning sickness

6. Onions

The unbelievable health benefits of onions are as follows:

• Improve immunity of the body
• Have anti-cancer chattels on account of the presence of quercetin
• Help control the levels of blood sugar due to the presence of chromium in them
• Have anti-inflammatory effects
• Repair infections
• Decrease the jeopardy of gastric ulcers

7. Fenugreek

Following are the health benefits of Fenugreek

• Burgeons breast milk production due to the presence of diosgenin
• Assists stimulation of uterine contractions hence helpful in bringing about childbirth
• Calms menstrual aches as well as menopausal symptoms
• In females, it assists in breast augmentation on account of its estrogen-related features
• Reduces levels of bad cholesterol in the blood
• Heart friendly because it is rich in potassium
• Controls diabetese because it contains a natural soluble fiber called Galactomannan, which hampers the rate of sugar assimilation into the blood.
• Alleviates dyspepsia
• Remedy for fever and sore throat when taken with lemon and honey
• Protects the mucus membrane of the large intestine from cancer
• Assists in weight loss by abolishment of appetite
• Puts an end to blackheads,pimples,wrinkles when a paste of fresh fenugreek leaves is applied to the face for  thirty minutes
• Incorporating fenugreek as a part of your diet or as a paste applied directly to your hair makes them sparkling and black.

Disclaimer
The sole purpose of these blogs is to provide information about the tradition of ayurveda. This information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, prevention or cure of any disease. If you have any serious, acute or chronic health concern, please consult a trained doctor/health professional who can fully assess your needs and address them effectively. If you are seeking the medical advice of a trained Ayurvedic expert, call us or e mail.

Dr Unnati Chavda

Oats Health Benefits

Oats, known scientifically as Avena sativa, are a hardy cereal grain and gain part of their distinctive flavor from the roasting process that they undergo after being harvested and cleaned. Although oats are then hulled, this process does not strip away their bran and germ allowing them to retain a concentrated source of their fiber and nutrients.

Ways to Consume This Wonder Food

Oats have numerous uses in foods; most commonly, they are rolled or crushed into oatmeal, or ground into fine oat flour. Oatmeal is chiefly eaten as porridge, but may also be used in a variety of baked goods, such as oatcakes, oatmeal cookies, and oat bread. Oats are also an ingredient in many cold cereals, in particular muesli and granola. Oats, oat bran, and oatmeal contain a specific type of fiber known as beta-glucan. Oats, in its pure form does not contain gluten but are highly cross-contaminated because they’re often grown and harvested alongside wheat, rye and barley

Oats, before its precedence as one of the world’s top “health” foods, was used in a lot of therapeutic medicines. In the early 17th century, Scottish settlers brought oats to North America. Today, the largest commercial producers of oats include the Russian Federation, the United States, Germany, Poland, and Finland.

TOP 16 HEALTH BENEFITS OF OATS

1. Fights Obesity: The soluble fiber Beta glucan, found in oats, shoots up Peptide Y-Y, a hormone associated with appetite control. The gel-like Beta glucan’s viscosity, keeps the stomach and small intestine fuller for long periods. It’s has low glycemic index (GI), which means your body will digest and absorb them slowly, delaying hunger pangs. Great for weight loss and keeping obesity at bay.
2. Enhances Immune System: Beta glucans, not only reduces cholesterol and blunts glycemic and insulin response, but it also boosts immune defense against bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. It also speeds the transport of neutrophils to infection sites, helping fight bacteria and repairing tissues quickly.
3. Laxative: Oat’s insoluble fiber, due to its sponginess, makes stools heavier, scrubs through the intestines and speeds waste disposal, relieving constipation. Recommended for people with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
4. For Type 2 Diabetes: Oats improves your insulin sensitivity. The high soluble fiber and complex carbohydrates, in oats, slow down its conversion to simple sugars. The high levels of magnesium nourish the body’s proper use of glucose and insulin secretion, preventing irregular blood sugar spikes.
5. Lowers LDL Cholesterol: The gel-like soluble fibre, beta glucan, traps cholesterol-rich bile acids. This entrapment inhibits the body’s absorption of low-density-lipoprotein, or LDL (bad cholesterol). Tocotrienols, a compound founds in oats, combines with antioxidants, forming vitamin E. The tocotrienols inhibit cholesterol synthesis and lower LDL (bad) cholesterol.
6. Controls Blood Pressure: Oats are high in soluble fibre which helps to reduce hypertension, or high blood pressure, and so reduce the need for anti-hypertensive medication.
7. Fights Heart Disease: Oats contains plant lignans, one of which, enterolactone, shields the body against heart disease.  Also the Antioxidant, Avenanthramides, fights off free radicals that attack high-density lipoproteins, (HDL or “good” cholesterol), while protecting LDL cholesterol from oxidizing from copper, which reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
8. Prevents Hardening of Arteries: The Antioxidant, Avenanthramides, in oats, suppresses the production of molecules that allow monocytes to adhere to the walls of the arteries, reducing the risk of developing atherosclerotic plaques, and slowing the progression of stenosis(narrowing of arterial passageways).
9. Boosts Nutrition of Gluten-free Diets: Oats increase the nutritional values of the Gluten-free diets, particularly for vitamins and minerals, as well as increasing their antioxidant levels.  Adults and children, who have celiac disease and cannot eat gluten, can eat oatmeal although it contains a small amount of gluten.
10. Anti Cancer: Phytoestrogen compounds, called lignans, in oats have been linked to decreased risk of hormone-related diseases such as breast cancer, prostate, endometrium and ovarian cancer. The insoluble fibers in oats are also thought to reduce carcinogens in the gastrointestinal tract, lowering the risk of colorectal cancer.
11. Asthma Relief: Studies have shown that children, introduced earlier in life to oats, have shown to less likely develop persistent asthma and related symptoms.
12. Performance Booster: Oats are a rich source of carbohydrates which provide calories for energy needs, which favorably alter metabolism and enhance performance, when ingested 45 minutes to an hour before exercise of moderate intensity.
13. For Health and Longevity: Oats contain phytochemicals (plant chemicals) which have been associated with protection from chronic disease such as cancer. Of all the grains, oats have a higher better balance of protein, essential fatty and amino acids.  Oats have a great range of vitamins and minerals and beta glucan which helps the body to heal quickly.
14. Skin Care: Apply oats to get relief from dry, itchy, irritated skin and to soothe children’s chickenpox symptoms. The starchiness of oats creates a barrier that allows the skin to hold its moisture, while the rougher fibrous husk of the oat acts as a gentle exfoliant.
15. Mineral Store – Abundant source of vitamins, minerals and nutrients. A real super food! Oats contain manganese, selenium, phosphorus, fiber, magnesium, and zinc. Oats are also rich in carotenoids, tocols (Vitamin E), flavonoids and avenanthramides – a class of polyphenols. Rich in carbs, protein and fiber.
16. For Peaceful Sleep: Having oats at dinner time, has long been considered an effective way to beat insomnia.

Disclaimer
The sole purpose of these blogs is to provide information about the tradition of ayurveda. This information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, prevention or cure of any disease. If you have any serious, acute or chronic health concern, please consult a trained doctor/health professional who can fully assess your needs and address them effectively. If you are seeking the medical advice of a trained Ayurvedic expert, call us or e mail.

Dr Unnati Chavda

 

Triphala

Karma

The Pali term Karma literally means action or doing. Any kind of intentional action whether mental, verbal, or physical, is regarded as Karma. It covers all that is included in the phrase “thought, word and deed”. Generally speaking, all good and bad action constitutes Karma. In its ultimate sense Karma means all moral and immoral volition. Involuntary, unintentional or unconscious actions, though technically deeds, do not constitute Karma, because volition, the most important factor in determining Karma, is absent.

Karma does not necessarily mean past actions. It embraces both past and present deeds. Hence in one sense, we are the result of what we were; we will be the result of what we are. In another sense, it should be added, we are not totally the result of what we were; we will not absolutely be the result of what we are. The present is no doubt the offspring of the past and is the present of the future, but the present is not always a true index of either the past or the future; so complex is the working of Karma.

When you find that you and life are more than just meets the eye, you will be agreeing with the fact that we are more than just our flesh. We are our minds, our hearts, our thoughts and our feelings. And if everything we move, responds back with the same power then we must try to create good karma, and use our spiritual bodies for good.

But even so, “gathering” good karma will result in a crowded spiritual body leading to a crowded mind. We must look beyond the concept of doing, and understand that, to be at peace with the universe, we must rid ourselves of a crowded soul. By this we understand that we must release ourselves from karma, even the good kind, for that ultimate salvation, the true NIRVANA.

But how could we possibly shut the sources of good or bad karma? How can we exist so simple, without wishing, deciding, doing and saying? This is where spiritual practices intervene. If you consider shutting of your sources, then you must consider meditation, for example. And if you want to work towards emptying yourself to total peace, you must understand that by meditation, you are achieving the state of simply being.

When you realize that you simply ARE, you do not expect, you do not wish, YOU do not exist, you coexist. And if you achieve this point, you have done the first and most important step of detoxifying your life, with a pure heart and soul.