For babies to sleep well

Mix 5 drops of onion juice and 5 drops of honey  and feed it before the child sleeps-This will ensure a restful sleep in children.
(It is not recommended to try this for children below 1 year of age)
-As told by Asaramji Bapu in the book "Arogya nidhi )

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Castor plant leaves for increasing milk in lactating mothers

castor oil plant-ricinus communis-image in the public domain from wikipedia.

Castor bean plant or Wonder tree :
Latin name:Ricinus communis
Telugu name:Amudhamu mokka
Hindi name for castor oil:Erad ka tel
Tamil name for castor oil:Vezhakennai
Malayalam:Chittamankku
 The seeds of the castor bean plant are highly poisonous but the commercially prepared oil has no such toxic properties and it is safe.

The leaves of this plant are boiled in water.The water is poured over the chest area of the mother and the leaves are tied like a poultice on the area.This  is said to increase the production of milk in a lady.

  There are many galactagouge herbs(which increases milk production for a mother) in Ayurveda and the simplest being fennel seeds.Eating  fennel seeds (saunf) helps the mother to a great extent to increase the secretion of milk.

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Natural insect repellents

Insects dislike the smell of garlic.Crushed garlic bundles kept in different parts of the room keep the insects away.
Black jeera and a piece of sandalwood kept in the cupboards will preserve the books and clothes.
Tulasi churna kept in bundles also help in keep insects at bay.
.

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Parijatham flowers recipe to boost energy

Shade dry the flowers of the night flowering or the Coral jasmine.Powder.Mix equal quantities of rock candy sugar.Eating a spoon of this is said to boost the energy levels in a person.
-info from Acharya Balakrishnaji of Baba Ramdevji's Ashram.
(Refer the previous posts for image and more info)

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Mudras for Healing -Part-8-Vaayu Mudra

Vayu mudra

This mudra is practiced for removing the excess and harmful 'wind' in the body.
It is useful for many diseases.The index finger is pressed on the base of the thumb and the thumb is pressed over the index finger.The other fingers are kept straight.
This must be practiced for 15 minutes twice or thrice daily and must be stopped once the symptoms disappear.
Benefits:

1. This immediately removes problems from excess gas in the stomach,bloated feeling and flatulence and constipation.
2. This is a very good mudra for reducing knee pains and joint pains.
3. It is also good for peple who are suffering from vata pains .
4. This mudra benefits people who are anxious all the time about little things,nervousness,it improves the mental strength,sleeplessness,head spinning.
5. It works well even for back pain if it is out of vata dosha and also for people who are suffering from pains due to decrease in the  synovial fluid( which lubricates the joints), and for creaking  noises of bones.
6. This also normalises the working of the ear to a certain extent.
7. This reduces the involuntary twitching of the eyelids
8. It also reduces hiccoughs
9. It also helps and makes the skin normal if it is very flaky and dry.
10. this also works well for chipping of nails due to vata doshas and brittle hair

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4 Winter health care tips

Sont *water works well for colds and other problems in winter:Refer the link for more details:

http://simpleayurvedichealthtips.blogspot.com/2010/02/dried-ginger-water-cure-for-some.html

Sont -jaggery-ghee mix for winter season:

Mix 2 gm of sont powder,10 gm of jaggery and little Cow's ghee and warm in a vessel till the jaggery melts.Remove from flame-mix everything well .Eating this mixture on an empty stomach wards off colds and other breathing problems.

Preventing Colds:
Sucking on 2 peppercorns for a while will prevent colds and coughs in the winter season.

Suryabedhi Pranayam:

The person should be seated comfortably with spine erect.
 The thumb of the right hand is placed over the right nostril and the index and middle fingers are used for closing the left nostril.
Inhale slowly through the right nostril to full capacity and close the right nostril with the thumb.
Now exhale through the left nostril.
This is one set.
Doing 10 sets a day is recommended in the beginning which can be increased till 15 but only according to one's capacity.
This must be done slowly and gently .The nostrils must be closed very firmly but without undue pressure .

 This must be done in winter months but in very cold places it can be practiced during the winter and summer months. 

(this is a very basic kind of suryabedhi-there are many more alterations and modifications but this works well enough for beginners)

• It aids in digestion
• Prevents coughs and colds
• Said to delay old age
• It is said to ease ladies of their menstrual problems.

A word of caution:this should not be practiced by people who are suffering from high B.P ,Heart diseases and asthma.

* Sont-dried ginger,sonti in Telugu,chukku in Malayalam and Tamil.

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Nyctanthes arbortristis or the night flowering Jasmine-an intro

Nyctanthes arbor-tristis.Photo source:wikimedia commons,Photo author:J.M.Garg GNU free documentation license. 

English name:Coral Jasmine,Tree of sorrow.
Hindi:Harsringar
Telugu:Parijathamu
Tamil:Pavazha malli
Sanskrit:Prajakta
Also called Parijat.
The flowers are extremely pretty with  white  bifurcated petals and an orange stalk and a mild fragrance.This is also very useful  in Ayurveda.Hindus love this flower as it has a rich religious significance too.
It is used for treating fevers,gynec problems,ring worm infections,coughs and many painful conditions.
It has anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties.
Keeping the flowers in the house is said to eliminate all the vaastu Doshas.
The tree clears the air in the vicinity and it is good to have one in the garden.
(see the newer posts for the the medicinal properties of this plant)

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Coral Jasmine help for Arthritis

(also see previous posts for image and more info)
The powder of the panch ang (or the 5 parts-the root,stem,leaves,flowers and seeds) is used for the treatment.It should be available in any Ayurveda pharmacy.

      Boil 5 gm of this powder in 200 gm of water till it reduces to half and filter and cool.Drinking this tea will reduce the painful symptoms of Arthritis.

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A simple help with Coral jasmine for Sciatica pain

Sciatica pain can be very severe  which shoots down from the waist to the foot and people may be unable to move at times.It is also called Renganbhayi in Hindi.
Acharya Balakrishnaji from Baba Ramdevji's Ashram has recommended this decoction for reducing the pain.
          Crush 3-4 leaves of the Coral jasmine and boil in 2 glasses of water and wait for almost half the water is evaporated.Cool and filter.Drinking this decoction 2 times a day  works very well in reducing the symptoms of sciatica and also reducing the pain.
(see previous post for the image and more info)

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Triphala eye wash

Soak a small  spoon of triphala churna/powder in a glass of water overnight.
Filter this mixture well through a very fine cloth in the morning.Wash the eyes with this water .
This works very well for people with all kinds of eye problems.
  Jala neti is very effective and if  practised for 4-5 months it has the power to cure all types of ear,nose and throat problems.
Triphala water gargling  is also very effective for all kinds of gums and teeth problems.
Maha trifala gritha is an ayurvedic preparation which cures all kinds of eye problems especially if they are in the preliminary stages.It is trifala churna mixed in a base of Cow's ghee with little honey.
Also see for more info.
http://simpleayurvedichealthtips.blogspot.com/2010/01/remedy-for-constipation.html

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Recipe for eye drops as recommended by Baba Ramdevji

Mix:
1 spoon of ginger juice
1 spoon of white onion juice
1 spoon of lemon juice
3 spoons of honey.
filter very well with a clean cloth .Store in a  small glass bottle.
This should be refrigerated.
Dosage:
Use this mixture as eye drops .1 drop twice a day in the morning and evening in both the eyes.
This is also available as "Netra Jyothi" eye drops in Baba Ramdev's  pharmacy outlets.
This is said to improve the vision of the eyes and also reduce cataract and glaucoma symptoms.This can  also  be used by people who have redness in the eyes, eye strain.This home made eye drops  removes the fine dust from the eyes and  also prevents further diseases associated with eye problems.

It is also essential that one should practice pranayam daily in the mornings.This will make the recovery faster.

(Cataract and Glaucoma can become dangerous if left untreated at the right time.A doctor's advice is necessary.)

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2 simple ayurvedic tips for cataract

1. Extract the juice of the Palash flower.Put 1 drop each in both the eyes.This helps people who are suffering from cataract especially if it is in the early stages.For more info  and picture of palash:  http://simpleayurvedichealthtips.blogspot.com/2010/04/palash-tree-leaves-as-healthy.html
2. Mix a few drops of rose water and the juice of the leaves of Punarnava.Put one drop each in both the eyes.For the image of punarnava and more info see:http://simpleayurvedichealthtips.blogspot.com/2010/01/kidney-problems.html

(As requested by Uma)

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A few simple Ayurvedic health snacks for children

1. Dates soaked in water makes an excellent refreshment for kids.Soak clean dates in water for around 4-5 hrs.The water is sweet and nutritious and the dates are rich in vitamins and minerals and aminoacids and fibre.This reduces the weakness in a person.
2. Coconut-Jaggery mix.-Grated Coconut is cooked in thick jaggery syrup and rolled into balls.This can be stored for a week.This makes a delicious and high energy snack.
3. Soaked Ground nuts-Raw peanuts with the brown skin on is washed and soaked overnight.This makes a very nutritious snack for the entire family.
4. Sprouts-The benefits are many ...
5. Sesame seeds laddoo                                     http://simpleayurvedichealthtips.blogspot.com/2010/11/sesame-seeds-laddoo.html                                   

Reader's contributions are welcome as

I am  a mother of two children and I'm always on the lookout for new "healthy snacks" .

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An oil for joint pains

Roast 3 cloves of garlic in Castor oil*  till black.Cool and filter.This oil reduces joint pain to a great extent when massaged on the painful areas.

* Erad ka tel in Hindi

Vellkennai in Tamil

Amudhamu in Telugu.

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Custard apple leaves as an anti-lice treatment

Custard apple leaves juice should be applied on the scalp and washed off well with a herbal shampoo after 15-20 minutes.This should be done for 4 days.The lice problem is generally resolved within this.

link for the herbal shampoo recipe:http://simpleayurvedichealthtips.blogspot.com/2010/06/ayurvedic-shampoo.html

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Other ways to fight Stomach Ulcers

1. Seethali Pranayam ( A special breathing technique) can be practised to reduce stomach ulcers.
2. Stress only aggravates the ulcers so keeping a calm mind can do wonders for the body .
3. Press the area on the palm as shown in the picture below for 5 minutes .The pressing should be done gently and with mild pressure  with small breaks with the thumb of the other hand.This must be done on both the hands.This acupressure technique must be done at least for 40 days for good results.

acupressure for  stomach ulcers

(Also see the previous posts)

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Necessary dietary modifications for Stomach Ulcers.

1. Alcohol consumption should be avoided.
2. Smoking should be avoided.
3. A vegetarian diet should be preferred.
4. Hot beverages like tea,coffee should be avoided.
5. Spicy food should be avoided.
6. Buttermilk should be consumed only in moderate quantities.
7. Salt and sour tasting foods must be minimized.
8. drinking a small glass of cold milk will reduce the burning of the stomach 

(Also see the previous post)

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Ajwain or vaamu lehyam -an excellent recipe for indigestion

Hindi-Ajwain

English-Thymol seeds,carom seeds

Tamil:Omam

Telugu:Vaamu

Malayalam:ayamodagam

Sanskrit:ajamodika.

 The recipe is similar to Kasyapa Lehyam as mentioned in this post

http://simpleayurvedichealthtips.blogspot.com/2010/10/simple-recipe-for-indigestion-problems.html

Ingredients needed

Ajwain -100 gms

Cow's ghee-100gm

Mishri-Rock candy sugar-100 gm

Powder the rock sugar.

Melt the ghee.

Dry roast the ajwain and powder well and sieve.Mix the powders and add the ghee.

The mixture sets into a lehyam.Store in a glass jar.

Eating one spoon of this lehyam an hour before dinner cures most of the stomach problems.It decreases flatulence,eliminates all kinds of gas problems .Children may be given a little more than half a spoon.

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A good remedy for stomach ulcers

Coarse grind :

1. 10 gm  fresh ginger
2. 10 gm Jaggery 
3. 10 gm sesame seeds/til seeds

Roll this paste into a small laddoo and keep it under the tongue and swallow the juice slowly.
This must be done twice a day.The paste must be freshly prepared and should not be stored.One must not eat or drink anything for an hour after eating this lozenge for ulcers.
This must be done at least for a month for the ulcers to subside.
 This is very effective for burning in the stomach and other symptoms associated with the disease. .
-As told by Panditha Elchuri.

Ulcers are caused by various factors-like ,stress,H.Pyroli infection,some syndromes,improper eating habits-A physician's consultation would be necessary if symptoms persist.

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Prickly chaff plant or Apamarga or Uttareni plant-Uttareni oil recipe for reducing fat deposits-part 2

The thailam made from the juice of the Uttareni plant is highly recommended by Dr.Elchuri for reducing the fat deposits.
The recipe is as given below.
Wash the leaves and stems of Uttareni well and drain off the excess water.Extract the juice of the plant and measure.Add equal quantity of Sesame seed oil* to it .Pour the mixture into a heavy bottomed pan and stir the mixture frequently over very low flame till all the water evaporates.Cool and filter and store in a clean dry glass jar.
Usage:
The oil must be warmed slightly and massaged over areas which have more fat deposits.The general problem areas are the thighs and the tummy areas and at times the upper arms.One must wait for an hour for the oil to seep in and then take a bath.This helps in toning the skin .The body looks younger and thinner.
 (this oil is for external application only)

The previous post has more info and an image.

*sesame seed oil / gingelly oil / nuvvule nooni /nallennai/oil from sesame seeds.

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Curd and garlic cure for high Blood pressure

Crush 5 small cloves of garlic and mix in a small bowl of curd.Eating this mixture in the morning  on an empty stomach will definitely lower the blood pressure levels.Care should be taken that no medicine should be taken at least for 2 hrs after this.
This should not be done for more than 5 days in a row.Repeat this course if necessary after a few days.The problem should disappear after the third course.
--This health tip is as told by Sri  Satya  Sai Baba .
(Taken from a book where Baba mentions this to a devotee named Peddha bottu amma)


(Discontinue use if any uncomfortable symptoms appear.People who have gastric disturbances might not be able to tolerate this well)

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Prickly chaff plant or Apamarga or Uttareni plant-an intro-part 1

• 

  Uttareni plant-Rough chaff.

Latin name : Achyranthes aspera

English : Prickly chaff ,Rough chaff,devil's horse whip

Hindi : Latjeera,Chitchita

Sanskrit : Apamarga

Telugu : Uttareni

Tamil: Katalati nayuruvi

• Rough chaff plant has many medicinal properties and used in many different schools of medicine and folklore.
• This is also a 'potherb' (green leafy vegetable) .
• However pregnant ladies must avoid using the leaves juice either internally or for external application.It may induce abortion .
• Different parts of the plant are used to expel the foetus,to clean up the uterus,to induce labor pains in a lady, to treat a lady's menstrual problems, to treat habitual abortions and also to increase fertility in women.
•  The infusion of the whole plant is used to treat coughs,colds.
• The powder comes in useful to treat different kinds of urinary tract infections,digestive disorders and also to treat high BP.The juice of the plant is also used to treat skin infections.  
•   Some studies have shown that this plant when taken internally it  increases the thyroid hormone in rats.
• There is also a claim that' Renal dropsy '- (a condition where there is an accumulation of watery fluid beneath the skin due to a malfunction of kidneys.) can be cured with the help of the plant's infusion.

(the subsequent posts will describe some of the medicinal uses)

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5 tips for intestinal worms in children

(As requested by a reader)


All the tips mentioned are recommended by Pujya Sri Asaramji Bapu.

1. 11 papaya seeds are eaten on an empty stomach early in the morning.This must be done for 7 days in a row.This treatment must be repeated only after a year.Smaller children can be given fewer seeds.(4-5).(pregnant ladies must avoid eating papaya seeds)
2. 2 spoons of Pomegranate juice taken twice a day will not let the worms survive.this must be done regularly.
3. The juice of the leaves of the Bitter gourd leaves must be taken with a glass of very warm water.This treatment kills the worms in the stomach of children. (the plant must have been growing in a clean open ground and  on clean water)
4. 10 gm of Neem leaves juice+10 gm of honey must be taken internally.
5. Powder Ajwain/thymol seeds .Mix an equal amount  of jaggery to it.Pound the mixture and make them into small tablets of 1-2 gm each.Shade dry the tablets.Store in a clean jar.1 tablet must be given thrice a day for small children aged 3-5 years.

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A simple home remedy for worms in the stomach

Soak 2 dry figs overnight in clean water.Eat these figs in the morning on an empty stomach.Do this for 3 days.The worms will be cleared out.
-As told by Pujya Asramji Bapu.

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Bed wetting problems in children-Tip 4

Dried Dates

Soak dried Dates (dry dates)* in water .Let the child eat 2  of these dates before bedtime.This will also help and controls the bed wetting problem.

* called Chuhare in Hindi
Endu Karjooram in Telugu.

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Bed wetting problems in children-Tip 3

Pound 200gm jaggery and 100 gm  black sesame seeds and 50 gm ajwain*  .Let the child eat 10 gm of this mixture twice a day.This will arrest the bed wetting.

* Ajwain is also called Carom seeds or thymol seeds in English.
Omam in Tamil and vaamu in Telugu.

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Bed wetting problems in children-Tip 2

At times worms in the intestine could cause bed wetting in children.Once the worms are cleared out the problem will subside

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Bed wetting problems in children-Tip 1

Bed wetting is quite a common problem in children and in medical terms it is called Nocturnal enuresis.
  Giving 1 teaspoon honey to children before sleeping helps reduce the problem.Bigger children may be given 2 spoons.

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A very simple home help for high cholesterol levels.

Cinnamon-Picture released into the public domain by author Madhavi Madhurakavi.

This kitchen remedy for high levels of cholesterol in the blood is recommended by Pujya Asaramji Bapu.

 Take 100 ml of water and add 1-2 gms of Cinnamon* powder to it .Boil till half the water remains.Drink this infusion in the mornings with half a spoon of honey on an empty stomach.It is better to try this in the winter months.The honey can be avoided if the person is diabetic.
This should be done for 3 months.

* Cinnamon is called Dalchini in Hindi

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Honey water gargling for Tonsillitis

People who are suffering from tonsillitis can try gargling with honey water(1 spoon honey mixed in a glass of water).This will reduce the uncomfortable symptoms.

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A simple remedy for Anemia or iron deficiency.

Pound 3-4 soft dates with milk and add a little ghee in it.Eating this mixture will prevent Anemia.

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Cashews for mental strength and improving memory

Eating 5-6 cashews with 1 spoon honey in the mornings ensures great emotional and mental strength in a person.Children may be given 2-3 cashews.It must be noted that a person should avoid eating more than 7 cashews a day.This might upset the digestive power.

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Figs help for indigestion

This tip is especially  for people who can't tolerate milk .

Soak 2 figs in water overnight.Drink up the water in the morning and chew the figs well.This will ensure proper digestion and also helps people who have problems digesting milk.

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Sesame seeds laddoo

Chimmili or sesame seeds -jaggery laddoo

Sesame seeds/gingelly seeds/til  are pounded with an equal  amount of jaggery and made into marble sized balls.
 These laddoos  are very delicious to eat and also provide a lot of energy.
A lady who has gynec problems can eat one ladoo a day 5 days before her periods and stop when the cycle starts.It is said that this preparation cleans the uterus by inducing healthy contractions and the lady's menstrual problems are solved.However a pregnant lady should avoid eating this.

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Forgiving and healing..an intrinsic connection

(An attempt made by me  to imitate the great genius Picasso)

It is very important  to forgive ourselves and others for the  healing process to start.The karmic link between both the parties is cut off after complete forgiveness by the victim.If the victim harbors any negative impressions of the incident or the person the negative feelings like revenge and anger affect the aura of the person and that in turn affects the health of a person.The helplessness and the anger is carried  to the subsequent  births.This becomes a vicious cycle.The best thing would be to nip off the negative feelings when they start to develop.

It is also important to forgive oneself completely.This is as important as forgiving others.

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A good appetiser

Pound soft date fruits,ginger,chillies and rocksalt.Eat one teaspoon of this chutney /dip with rotis or rice.This will improve the digestion and also increase the appetite in a person.This kitchen remedy also works well and eliminates gas problems.

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The significance of the lotus flower-Part-2-Medicinal uses-for excessive thirst.

Latin name:Nelumbo nucifera
Telugu-thamara
Tamil:Thaamiraipoo
Hindi-Kamal

A cure for excessive thirst:
Soak the soft portion of the seeds in half a litre of water and then filter.Drinking this water helps in controlling of the thirst of a person.
-As told by Panditha Elchuri.

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The significance of the lotus flower and some of it's medicinal properties-Part-1 Spiritual significance

Lotus flower -image in the public domain

I think a lotus flower is breathtakingly beautiful .This beautiful blossom also has a lot of spiritual significance.
It is very unique with it's  big succulent waxy petals and seeds which resemble the spouts of a gardening can and the distinctive fragrance in the background.

In almost all cultures it is a symbol of purity. It basically represents the"Ascension of man ".

 A segment from Madame Blavatsky's  " The Secret Doctrine" rightly expresses the importance of this flower--


"The Lotus-seed contains within itself a perfect miniature of the future plant, which typifies the fact that the spiritual prototypes of all things exist in the immaterial world before those things become materialised on Earth.
Secondly, the fact that the Lotus plant grows up through the water, having its root in the Ilus, or mud, and spreading its flower in the air above. The Lotus thus typifies the life of man and also that of the Kosmos; for the Secret Doctrine teaches that the elements of both are the same, and that both are developing in the same direction. The root of the Lotus sunk in the mud represents material life, the stalk passing up through the water typifies existence in the astral world, and the flower floating on the water and opening to the sky is emblematical of spiritual being" .


(The book is available online in many sites)

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The significance of the lotus flower-Part-3-Medicinal uses

This tip is recommended by Pandita .Elchuri.
If the lotus flower paste is applied like a pack on the chest area and washed off after half an hour the  chest area of  the ladies becomes firmer.
This should be done at least for a month for good results.

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Endangered plants and what we can do to help...

It is a fact that 20% of the world's plants are in the endangered category.More than 70% of the medicinal plants are endangered in India .This is very distressing because if the very delicate eco balance is upset the consequences will be disastrous for mankind in general.
  There is more information in the Botanical survey of India site and the ICUN (The International Union for Conservation Of Nature) site and the list of endangered species is growing at an alarming rate.
The different  broad categories in the conservation status  are :

Extinct-EX
Extinct in the wild-EW
Critically Endangered-CR
Endangered-EN
Vulnerable-VU
Near threatened-NT
Least Concern-LC


           A few species  in the Indian region which can be mentioned are the Pterocarpus santalinus or the Red sandalwood or the Rakthachandanam tree,The Sariba plant which is used in many Ayurvedic preparations ,Cycas beddomei and the list goes on....
          The very good looking Tigers are at least being talked about but so many species of plants are becoming extinct in the mute mode.
 One simple way to help our plants is by conserving their  habitat as a whole.We must try to plant as many native species of plants as possible in wastelands and along roads .This will attract the native insects and that in turn the native birds and this conserves the habitat as a whole.The exotic and ornamental plants which are not native will always try to to dominate the native plants and do not let them thrive.
 We are entirely dependent on plants so it would only be wise to protect them if we wish to secure our own future.Moreover these green inhabitants have been so useful to us for millions of years that we are obliged to help them in return.The cause may be altruistic or selfish but it's time to act now.

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A simple dietary modification for people with Asthma

It is always better for Asthmatic patients to use cow's milk instead of buffalo's milk.

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Great Compassion Mantra (High Definition)

This is a very beautiful mantra  I came across in You tube with the lyrics and explanation of " The Great Compassion Mantra " associated with the Kuanyin mother.

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A natural way to prevent Liver problems with Tamarind.

Latin name: Tamarindus indica
Hindi : Imli
Tamil : Puli
Telugu : chintapandu.
English : Indian date,Tamarind
 





Tamarind flower-image in Public domain released by James Conrad.



Tamarind fruit is used in Indian cooking and many Ayurveda washes and preparations.This method of keeping the liver healthy is suggested by Pandita Elchuri.
Collect a lot of Tamarind flowers when in season and dry them well in an  airy open space.Store the dried flowers well in a dry place in a glass or ceramic pot.Check it frequently for any kind of fungal attack.
  These dried flowers can be used in the place of tamarind or when a sour taste is required.They can also be added to veggie side dishes.This small dietary change does a lot of good to the liver and protects it.

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Goddess of Mercy - Kwan Yin Mother



Kwanyin mother-photo released to the public domain by Madhavi Madhurakavi.





 
Mother Guanyin or Qwanyin is the mother of Compassion worshipped in most parts of China,Japan ,Korea,Vietnam and others where Buddhism is followed.
She is the thousand armed and thousand eyed mother and also called the Mother of fertility and it is believed that all health problems vanish just by uttering her name.
She may also be represented like a man and she is also immortal.She carries a crystal vase in one hand and the legend goes to say that it is the water  meant for creation .Some also interpret that the water is for healing people as she is the one who "Listens to all the sounds (sorrows) of the world and rushes to help them.
Her crown usually has the "Amitaba Buddha".
She generally is represented like a  self luminescent lady with a  long flowing  white gown holding a Willow branch or a rosary.
 The picture is a photograph of my own statue which I bought in Vietnam and I'm very proud to have her in my home.
       
  

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Medicinal properties of the Liquorice Plant or Glycyrrhiza glabra.3- To regulate periods in women and cure menstrual problems

Recipe with Liquorice root for gynec problems:
Pound 100 gm raisins and 100 gm Athimadhuram root powder together.the mixture looks like a paste.
Eat 10 gm of this mixture and then drink milk before bedtime.
 This is especially useful for ladies who get their periods twice a month.
It is also useful for men's health.
It is very useful for people who feel excessively sad without any appropriate reason.
---This recipe is as told by Pandit Elchuri and  the name of this is  "Draksha Rasayana".
However high B.P patients and people suffereing from kidney problems and pregnant ladies can avoid this lehyam.

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Medicinal properties of the Liquorice Plant or Glycyrrhiza glabra.Part 2-A simple way to control hunger and thirst

Liquorice plant -image in Public domain-from wikimedia.

"Eating one clean healthy and  not so tender leaf of this athimadhuram / muleti / liquorice plant  early in the morning on an empty stomach will decrease the hunger and thirst of a person  to a great extent throughout the day.
This is often used by yogis who are under constant meditation.The hunger suppressant property of this herb helps them."
--This tip  is as told by a Yogi I had the good fortune of meeting.
(Disclaimer notice:I have not tried this and I have no guarantee that the tip works...The readers are requested to try this at their own discretion.)

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Medicinal properties of the Liquorice Plant or Glycyrrhiza glabra.1-A natural way to cure addiction.

Glycyrrhiza glabra-Licorice root-image in public domain.

Latin name:Glycyrrhiza glabra

Telugu:Athimadhuramu

Tamil:Athimadhuram

hindi:Mulethi,Muleti

Sanskrit:Yashtimadhu,Yashtimadhuka

English:Liquorice.

This plant has many medicinal properties and used extensively in Ayurveda and the Western medicine.It is used for coughs ,colds,as a soother for intestines,for treating urinary problems,for nerve related problems and many more.
Generally the root is used for the medicine.

A simple natural way to cure addiction with the help of Athimadhuram plant.

There is a simple way to cure addiction with the help of this plant.This tip is as told by Panditha Elchuri.

The root is available in all Ayurvedic shops.A small piece is kept under the cheek and sucked on for 3-4 hours.This discourages the person from chewing betel leaves or tobacco or consuming alcohol or smoking cigarettes.Slowly these habits which spoil the health of a person will disappear .

A word of caution:
People suffering from high B.P and kidney patients and pregnant ladies should avoid consuming excess athimadhuram.

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An extremely simple home remedy for hair growth.

For luxurious hair growth there is a simple method as recommended by Pandita Elchuri.
   Grind 2-3 fresh Gooseberries.Extract the juice mix equal quantities of Lemon in it .Apply this juice over scalp .Leave it on atleast  for half an hour before rinsing off with an Ayurvedic Shampoo.

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An easy remedy for itching and rashes in winter-3

As recommended by Pandit Elchuri:
Mix 3 teaspoons of ginger juice and little(appr. 10 gm) old jaggery and eat this mixture 1 hr before dinner.This is a sure shot cure for all skin rashes and itching caused due to excess accumulation of phlegm in the body and pitta disorders.This is also called Seetha Paithyam in Telugu.

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An easy remedy for itching and rashes in winter-1

In winters or rainy seasons some people may suffer from severe rashes and swelling and the skin becomes red and looks parched and dry.Sometimes it is also painful and anti histamines or moisturizing lotions help only to a certain extent.
        Mustard oil helps a great deal to overcome this problem.Moisten the skin with water and then apply this mustard oil on the skin.Leave it on at least for half an hour before washing it off.Regular application of this oil greatly reduces this problem.

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Mudras for healing-Part-7-Anjali Mudra or the Namaskaram pose

This Namaskar pose where the palms are pressed against each other lightly to greet others or to pray is a Mudra.
This reduces the stress and anxiety levels in a person and also brings one to a meditative state.
This form of greeting is always better than the handshake as there is no transference of germs of any negative unwanted vibrations from the other person.

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A simple recipe for Indigestion problems and children's health

Kasyapa Lehyam



 




The name of this lehyam or Ayurveda aushadham is "Kasyapa Lehyam".The recipe is recommended by Panditha Elchuri.

Ingredients needed:
Jeera (cumin seeds)-100 gm
Candy sugar (Mishri)-100 gm
Cow's Ghee -100 gm.

Method of preparation:

Dry roast Jeera and cool and powder.Sieve and powder again.Let the powder be very fine.
Powder the candy sugar.
Mix both the powders.
Add melted ghee to the powder.
Store this lehyam in a glass jar and always use a dry spoon to scoop it.

Dosage:
Eating a teaspoon of this lehyam (medicinal paste) an hour before dinner is very useful in relieving all kinds of digestion problems.This removes the weakness in children and keeps them in good health.

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An easy remedy for itching and rashes in winter-2

This is as told by Pandita Elchuri.
Crush Ajwain seeds (100 gm) and jaggery(100gm) and mix and store this mixture .Eat a small marble sized ball of this mixture 2 times a day.This also reduces the itching of the skin.

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Mudras for healing-Part-6-Surya Mudra

Surya Mudra

The ring finger is pressed down with the thumb and the other fingers are upright.
Benefits of Surya Mudra:

1. Regular practice of this mudra helps in reducing weight.
2. It is very good for curing thyroid related disorders.
3. Keeps the mind calm
4. Promotes digestion.
5. Reduces laziness

Can be practised for 5-15 minutes a day.

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Mudras for healing-Part-6-Apan Vayu Mudra or Mritasanjeevani mudra

Apana Vayu mudra

This mudra is a combination of 2 mudras.It is also called the Mritasanjeevani mudra because it is extremely beneficial for the heart.
The tip of the index finger is pressed to the base of the thumb and the tips of the middle and ring fingers are brought to the tip of the thumb.The little finger is straight.

Duration-Can be done for 10-15 minutes a day .
Benefits of this mudra:
This Mudra is very useful for people who have heart problems.Regular practice of this Mudra prevents heart attacks,Blockages,Reduces angina and also normalizes the rate of heart beat.
       This mudra also reduces gastric trouble.

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Mudras for healing-Part-6-Prithvi Mudra

The tip of the ring finger is brought to the tip of the thumb.
Benefits of this mudra:

1. Makes the skin glow.
2. Makes a person enthusiastic and positive minded.

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Mudras for healing-part-5-Prana Mudra

Prana Mudra-photo author:Madhavi Madhurakavi

Touch the tips of the ring finger and the little finger to the tip of the thumb.The other 2 fingers are straight.
Benefits of this powerful Prana Mudra:

1. It is very beneficial for "Eye problems".This helps in reducing the power of the spectacles.
2. Helps those suffering from from vitamin deficiency.
3. Reduces fatigue and tiredness.
4. Improves the immunity of a person.

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Shunya Mudra-Mudras for healing-part -5

Shunya mudra.Photo Author:Madhavi Madhurakavi

The middle finger is pressed down with he first phalange of the thumb.The other fingers are kept upright.It must be done with both hands.It is very good for curing "ear problems".An ear ache is relieved in 5 minutes after performing this Mudra.

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Parwal , Potols or Tricosanthes dioica for good health

Parwal. 

The Pointed gourd or the Green Potato is very tasty as a vegetable and also full of nutrients.
This is one of the few vegetables which is suitable for all seasons.It is easily digestible,improves digestion,increases appetite,good for decreasing coughs and fevers.It is very beneficial and prevents heart diseases.
When this vegetable is cooked in Cow's ghee with a dash of coriander , cumin powder,pepper powder and turmeric powder it prevents all kinds of diseases related to blood.
Parwal is known to increase the body heat so it is advisable for people to eat this in moderate amounts.Any discomfort which is caused by eating excess of this gourd can be compensated by drinking 2 spoons of fresh coriander juice or a mixture of coriander seed powder+cumin powder+rock sugar powder+Ghee.

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Mudras for Healing-part 4-Varuna Mudra

Varuna mudra.

Varuna Mudra helps in maintaining the water balance in the body.The tip of the little finger is bought to the tip of the thumb and the other fingers are straight.
Regular practice of this mudra has many beneficial effects.

• It enhances beauty.
• It strengthens the body.
• Reduces the weakness in the body.
• It is good for colds,coughs,congestion and low B.P.
• It increases the lustre of the skin and prevents skin diseases and dryness.

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Mudras for healing-An introduction-1

Mudras are various strategically planned positioning and pressing of the fingers used for healing ,meditation and concentration.It is also called the   ' Hand yoga' or the "Mudras".
The mudras heal and harmonise the body and the toxins can be removed.
There is a lot of description about this hand posture yoga in the Hatha Yoga.
These hand mudras are also practised in Buddhism.
This is a complementary healing technique which stimulates the necessary glands to promote healing.
Ideally they have to be practised in the mornings on an empty stomach .The person must be seated in the padmasana pose or the sukhasana  and the mind must be kept calm and the yoga must be done with both the hands .But it can also be done anytime in the day in sitting or standing pose when the need arises.
 The fingers should be relaxed and firm and excess pressure should not be used.

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Mudras for Healing-part 3- Linga Mudra

Linga Mudra .Photo Author-Madhavi Madhurakavi

This Mudra is done by encircling all the fingers and keeping the inner thumb upright.This can be done for 15 minutes a day.It can be done 2-3 times a day but one has to be aware of the heat it generates .

Benefits of linga mudra:

• This is very useful for coughs and colds .
• It slowly removes the unwanted phelgm in the body.
• Also helps to reduce weight.
• Increases the heat in the body.

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Mudras for Healing-part 2-Gyan Mudra

Photo Author :Madhavi Madhurakavi

The index finger touches the tip of the thumb and the other fingers are kept straight.Can be done for 10 minutes.
Benefits of Gyan Mudra:

• Improves the clarity of mind and concentration.
• Improves memory.
• Useful for people who sleep more or people who suffer from lack of sleep.That is regulates it the energy flow which helps people with drowsiness or insomnia.
• Helps control anger

Active Gyan Mudra

Active Gyan Mudra


This is a different version of the gyan mudra used for some pranayams and breathing exercises where the thumb is over the nail of the index finger.

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Poppy seeds (khus khus) aid for Loose Motions

White -Poppy seeds Photo Author: Madhavi Madhurakavi

These tiny seeds  have a good Ayurvedic use.The seeds are lightly roasted and powdered.Half a teaspoon of this powder can be taken along with water to reduce the loose motions due to indigestion.Alternatively this powder can be mixed along with  hot rice with a little salt and ghee and eaten.
Eating more than necessary might cause constipation.
(Dehydration is the most common and sometimes fatal after effect of diarrhea -Doctors consultation should be necessary if problem persists.)
The seeds are called kuskus in most indian languages and gasagasalu in Telugu.
(refer the next post for a good remedy for dandruff with the poppy seeds)

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Hibiscus flower oil for Dandruff

photo source:dreamstime.com for free stock images

A simple and effective way for banishing dandruff is by applying Shoe flower* oil  .This recipe is as mentioned by Panditha Elchuri garu as "Japa Pushpa Thailam".
Grind  or pound many red single layered hibiscus flowers and extract the juice from them.Take equal quantities of sesame seed oil,mix it with the juice and heat it over very small flame till all the juice of the flower evaporates and only the oil remains.
Apply the slightly warmed oil regularly before sleeping.This will ensure good hair growth and also cure even the most stubborn dandruff problem.

* Shoe flower is also known as china rose,Mandharam in Telugu,Chembaritthi in Tamil ,Gurhal in Hindi and Japa Pushpam in Sanskrit.

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A good home remedy for Dandruff with khus khus and milk

This particular recipe is as told by Dr.Elchuri.
Roast Khus khus  seeds (for more info and picture refer the previous post)  and soak them in  warm milk for a few hours.Then grind the seeds to a paste and apply on the scalp.Leave it on for around half an hour and wash off with a natural herbal shampoo.

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A simple tip for pregnant mothers...

Take a small piece of Tulasi (Holy Basil ) root and tie it with a thick soft thread around the waist (or like a  girdle) of the pregnant lady.This ensures the overall health of the pregnant mother.
-As recommended by Pujya Sri Asaramji Bapu.

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Kankoda,Kekhsa,Kantola,spine gourd ,teasle gourd or mimordica diorcia-An intro.

It is small ovoid, green and full of soft spines and looks like the sister of Bitter gourd but not definitely not in taste.It is known as Aakakarakaya in Telugu.

photo author Madhavi Madhurakavi.

This vegetable is seasonal and we can find it in the markets during monsoon.
It is rich in fibre and vitamins and used to make subzi and curries in India.
It has many beneficial medicinal properties.
It is cooling to the body,easy to digest,good for cough,fevers,increases appetite and good for the kidneys .Lactating mothers can eat this veggie to decrease the problem of vomiting in infants.
Recent research shows that it has good for diabetics.

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Beauty with Charoli nuts

Photo Author :Madhavi Madhurakavi.



Charoli ,Chironji or Almondette are obtained from Buchanania lanzan tree.
Crush a few seeds and mix it with milk and apply on face like a face pack.This gives a glowing skin.The nuts have a nutty almond like flavour and are used in sweets in India.They are also called Saara pappu in Telugu,Charam in Tamil and charoli in Hindi.

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Some ways to protect ourselves from Cell phone radiation and the other radiation dangers

The RF  and electromagnetic waves from various sources these days especially the cell phone towers and mobile phones are very dangerous for plants and animals and also hazardous to humans.

      A few tips as recommended by Panditha Elchuri are given below:

1. Daily massaging of sesame seed oil on the skin and then taking a bath after half an hour.
2. Making a mala of Tulasi beads which are  held together by a copper wire should be worn all day.
3. Wearing a Copper bracelet
4. Eating Trifala with warm water in the nights.(Pregnant ladies,weak and sick people should avoid taking Trifala)
5. Taking around 20 gm of aloe vera gel in the evenings with  pinch of sugar.         

All this definitely minimize the effects of unwanted radiation to a great extent.                                                                                                                                                    

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A home remedy for excess sweating of palms and soles

A little of Ajwain * powder is soaked in sesame seed oil overnight - when this mixture is eaten in the morning it reduces excessive sweating of palms and soles.
-as told by Panditha Elchuri
* Ajwain is also known as Omam in Tamil,Vaamu in Telugu and it is similar to caraway seeds.

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A simple home remedy for black moles

Grind a few onion seeds with water and apply on the moles.Regular application will lighten the moles.
-As told by Pandit Elchuri.
                       ( The onion seeds however should not be confused with Nigella seeds which are also called kalonji in Hindi.Nigella seeds are different.Onion seeds are much smaller.)

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Importance of cookware-Part 5-Use of Bronze vessels

Bronze is an alloy of primarily Copper and Tin.Using them as vessels has many overall  health benefits.It is called Kansa in Hindi , Kanchu in Telugu and vengalam in Tamil.
-Conclusion

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Happy Dussehra

photo source-wikimedia-public domain image.

Wish you all a very Happy Navrathiri.

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Importance of cookware in AyurvedaPart-4-vessels to avoid

It is always better to avoid Aluminium vessels and plates,Plastic vessels (for microwaving),Paper plates ,thermocol plates must be avoided for good health.
Using Aluminium  for long can produce ulcers in the mouth and the stomach,Can cause depression,can affect the brain and heart,Can cause knee pains,head aches,ear problems and also constipation.
 (Some of the materials described were not mentioned in ancient Ayurvedic texts however research has proved the same)

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Importance of cookware in ayurveda-Part3- Plates

Eating in a Silver plate is highly beneficial for ones health.
Alternatively eating in plates made with Palash leaves ,Banana tree leaf and  Banyan Leaves also is very good for digestion .The taste also is enhanced.They are completely safe and bio degradable and very inexpensive and good for health.
Also refer http://simpleayurvedichealthtips.blogspot.com/2010/04/palash-tree-leaves-as-healthy.html

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Importance of cookware-Part 2-Tumblers or drinking glasses

Ideally tumblers or drinking glasses should be made of copper or glass .It is very beneficial if the pot or the water storage can is made of copper or mud.One must always avoid drinking water from cracked pots or glasses.

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Importance of cookware in Ayurveda-Using iron vessels-Part1

The utensils used for cooking plays a major role in the health of people.
Firstly the vessels used for cooking should not be used for eating .

Vegetables cooked in an iron pan or skillet are very beneficial .It helps people with anemia.
An iron tava also is good for making rotis.However one must not eat in an iron plate .This makes a person less intelligent.Stainless steel has neutral properties .It is not harmful or beneficial.

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A safe and Natural Mosquito Repellent which can be made at home

This recipe is as recommended by Pandit Elchuri which is named  "Masaka vidhvamsini ".
Take equal quantities by weight of 3 easily available powders for this home made mosquito repellent.

1. Mustard powder  - Dry Mustard seeds in the sun and powder them or alternatively mustard powder is readily available in the market.
2. Powder of dried Neem leaves.The Neem tree chosen should be old and mature with a thick trunk and bark.The leaves chosen also should not be tender as they don't dry too well.                                              
3. Powder of  natural sea salt which are available as big crystals.

 Mix the powders and store.

Use it like Sambrani  or guggul.Take an iron bowl with burning red coal in it.Sprinkle little powder in instalments .There will be smoke .Fan the smoke.Let it permeate the room or the house .The mosquitoes fly away because the smoke is unbearable for them.Ideally the mixture should be sprinkled on hot and dried dung cakes .
The smoke is not poisonous .
If a person is allergic to any of the above 3 ingredients used he must  not use this .

1. Mustard is known a s Rai in Hindi,avalu in Telugu,Kadugu in Tamil.

    3.In Telugu the natural salt is called gadda uppu and in Tamil Kalluppu.

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To reduce the harmful effects of getting wet in the rain-A home remedy

Tuck a clove under your cheek if you have to get wet in the rain.This will greatly minimise the after effects of getting wet.
When one is caught unawares then it is advisable to go home and wipe all the moisture on the scalp and sleep on the left side.This is will stop all the unpleasant after effects of rain.
--As told by Pujya Asramji Bapu.

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A herbal insecticide

Nerium oleander-photo released to the public domain by author

As pretty as they may seem Oleander plant is one of the most poisonous plants found on earth.
It is called Ganneru in Telugu,Arali in Tamil and Kaner in Hindi.Care must be taken with children around these plants.
 There is a herbal  insect killer which can be made with the leaves of these plants making use of the toxic properties.
A few leaves of this plant are boiled  in water and sprayed where there are insects .The insects disappear after spraying this poisonous herbal based formula.This is a herbal insect repellent but it is also poisonous.Care must be taken to wash off residues of this spray and  it should not be sprayed around food stuff. Here herbal only means that it is plant based .
-As told by Panditha Elchuri.

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Soapnuts cure for "loss of hair in small patches " in Ayurveda

Sometimes hair falls off or thins out  in a small patch on the scalp or on the moustache for men.This is also known as Alopecia.It is known as "Penu Korukudu " in Telugu.
This particular remedy was recommended by Panditha Elchuri:

Rub a soap nut on a rough stone with salt water and collect the thin paste and rub it on the hair loss patch twice or thrice  a day.The salt used must be sea salt.
Hair growth starts in 3 days after this treatment.
(for more info on soap nut refer 27-9 post.)

http://simpleayurvedichealthtips.blogspot.com/2010/09/note-on-soapnuts.html

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A note on Soapnuts

Image source-wikimedia.org released to the public domain by author Jim Conrad

Soap nuts * are Soap berries of small trees which have substances called saponins in them which help them to act as a very safe detergents.They can be used to clean the hair  and laundry and gold ornaments.They are very delicate on the clothes and does not leave any poisonous residues like the conventional detergents.

1. Crushed Soap nuts are boiled in 2 glasses of water and the mixture is filtered and can be used as a completely environmentally friendly and gentle detergent  to wash dishes,colored clothes and gold ornaments .They come out clean and shining after a wash.
2. When it is used as a shampoo it prevents dandruff and promotes hair growth.
3. There are generally 2 main varieties in India -the South Indian Sapindus trifoliatus and the North Indian  Sapindus mukorossi.The north Indian variety is used more in Ayurveda.It is bigger  and looks more fleshy and orange when trifoliatus is blacker and smaller.
4. Care must be taken to see that the juice must not fall into the eyes which can cause irritation.
5. Soapnuts should not be taken internally.It has mild abortifacient properties.Which means that pregnant ladies should not consume soap nuts in any form.

*Soap nuts are called kunkudikaya in Telugu,Rita in Hindi,Punalai in Tamil,Amtalakaayi in kannada,Hristah in Sanskrit.

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Picture of Aedes agypti

photo released to the public domain by Dept. of health USA

Aedes agypti (female) is the  mosquito which   can spread dangerous diseases like the Yellow fever ,Dengue and Chickungunya  in humans.It is characterized by its white markings on the legs.It generally bites during dawn and dusk but can bite at anytime during the day when it is cloudy .

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An Ayurvedic anti-lice treatment

Lice and nits may become a problem for some children.Grind 4-5 fruits of Neem with half a spoon of mustard seeds and apply this mixture on the scalp.Wash off after a few minutes.This will kill the lice and the nits along with it.
--As told by Asaramji Bapu in the book Arogyanidhi

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Ayurvedic Clothes

The increase in awareness of Ayurveda has inspired a few companies both in and outside India to launch a range of clothing which has Ayurvedic  medicinal herbs infused in them.
The fabrics used are usually cotton and silk and other natural fibres like jute.
A wide variety of  healing clothing like Sarees,Salwar suits,Materials,Towels  and bedsheets are available.
The clothes are dyed naturally with many well known natural dyes like turmeric,Neem,Indigo and Lodhra.Barks and roots are also used.
The apparel  companies claim that these are very beneficial for health and for various specific ailments like skin diseases,diabetes ,indigestion and hypertension.They have the maximum effect when worn while sleeping or meditating.These Ayurvedic medicinal  fabrics are said to have blood purifying properties and they  also cleanse the toxins from our body.
The price range is from rupees 1000 to 2000 for a Saree.The concept started originally in Kerala but the clothes are available in a few  specific stores in India.
(I have not tried out the clothing - I will post more info later).

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An ayurvedic cure for Scabies

This is only a  relief for itching.A doctor's consultation is recommended.

Mix equal quantities of Sandalwood paste to coconut oil and apply in the affected portion.The itching disappears.
--As recommended by Dr.Elchuri.

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