Remedies - Ayurvedic home remedies

Remedies

Ayurvedic home remedies are a blend of commonly used herbs and spices to cure common symptoms and diseases. To cure or prevent any ailment natural herbs are taken in ayurveda as juices, paste, powder, infusion and decoctions etc. ayurveda also prescribes some exercises, massaging techniques, colors, aromas, gems and cleansing therapies as home remedies.

According to Ayurveda all the home remedies comprise of mostly the things that have their usage in homes and have multifarious medicinal usage also. Few such substances are clove, cinnamon, black pepper, cumin, fennel, rock salt, turmeric, coriander, ginger, honey, licorice, garlic, onion, basil and mint.

Remedies - Arthritis

Symptoms

Following are the signs that indicate the presence of this ailment:

• Severe pain in the affected joints.
  
• Muscles, ligaments and cartilage become inflamed.
  
• Movement of the joint becomes extremely painful, especially in cold, windy and damp weather.

It is notable that if this disease is not taken care of properly at the initial stages the joint becomes immobile and may also become permanently deformed.

Causes

This ailment is caused due to the aggravation of Vata (air) dosha and accumulation of Ama (toxins). Ama gets deposited in the weak areas of the body, joints with a simultaneous aggravation of Vata that is known as Ama Vata (arthritis).

Weak digestion, constipation, overeating and very little physical activity are the symptoms that can develop in a patient of arthritis.

Remedies

• Ama must be digested and Vata reduced in the body.
• Digestion should be improved and fasting for one day is beneficial for digesting Ama.
• Two teaspoons of lemon juice and a teaspoon of honey mixed in a cup of warm water is good for curing arthritis.
  Dosage: Taken twice a day proves.
• Bake one or two egg- plants. Mash and fry in about 2 tablespoons of castor oil. Spices like cumin, coriander, turmeric, garlic and salt can be added while frying.
  Dosage: Take once daily for two to three months for relief.
• Half a teaspoon of turmeric powder with warm water helps cure arthritis.
  Dosage: Taken twice a day
• One raw clove of garlic every day is very beneficial. This clove can be fried in ghee (clarified butter) or castor oil. Dosage: Once daily for two-three months.
• Guggulu (a herb) is very helpful in curing arthritis. If available, eat half a teaspoon twice a day after meals with warm water.
• Paste of 1 teaspoon red chilies and fresh ginger mixed in half a cup of sesame oil and strain. Gently rub this oil on the affected joints. ·Camphor, wintergreen and cinnamon oils are also beneficial for external application.

Dos and don'ts

Following is the diet suggested for the patients suffering form arthritis:

• Vegetable juices and soups
  
• Coconut water
  
• Coconut milk
  
• Carrot juice
  
• Beet root juice
  
• Cucumber juice
  
• Cooked vegetables like squash, zucchini and pumpkin
  
• Spices like cumin, coriander, ginger, asafetida, garlic, fennel and turmeric Green salad with a dressing of lemon juice and a little salt
  
• Khichadi (recipe made by cooking rice and mung dal )
  
• Regular physical exercise and massage with oil should form an important part of the routine.

The patient of arthritis must avoid the following:

• Eating hot, spicy and fried foods, sweets, wind forming foods like cabbage, Cauliflower, spinach, broccoli, okra and potatoes.
  
• Too much tea, coffee, alcohol, white sugar, yogurt, chocolate, cocoa.
  
• Antibiotics, painkillers, steroids and nicotine
  
• Sleeping during the day
  
• Staying up late at night
  
• Mental tensions like worry, anxiety, fear, stress and grief.

Remedies - Cold & Cough

Symptoms

Following are the signs that indicate the presence of this ailment:

• Running or blocked nose
  
• Sneezing
  
• Sore throat
  
• Congestion
  
• Headache
  
• Low fever with body pain
  
• Loss of appetite
  
• Lethargy
  
• Insomnia

Causes

The aggravation of kapha due to the intake of cold food, drinks and fried stuff etc causes cough. Seasonal changes is also one of the reasons for cough Improper digestion of food transforms into a mucus toxin (Ama) and this circulates through the body and reaches the respiratory system, where it causes colds and coughs.

Remedies

• The body should be kept warm - especially the feet, chest, throat and head. Sweating is very helpful.
  
• Take half a teaspoon of ginger juice with half a teaspoon of honey, three times a day (morning, noon and night). In winter, warm the mixture by mixing a teaspoon of warm water in it.
  
• Mix half a cup of warm water with one teaspoon of lemon juice and one teaspoon of honey.
  Dosage: Take several times a day.
  
• In cases of dry cough (especially during the night), peel a small piece of fresh ginger. Sprinkle some salt on it and chew.
  
• Take equal amounts of cardamom, ginger powder, black pepper and cinnamon (1 teaspoon each). Add sugar equal to the total amount of mixture and grind to make a fine powder.
  Dosage: Take half a teaspoon twice daily, with honey or warm water after meals.
  
• In cases of sore throat, a clove or two cardamoms or a few raisins can be chewed.Gargling with warm salty water two to three times a day is also beneficial.

Dos and don'ts

The food and activities that are to be avoided are as follows:

• Cold foods and drinks
  
• Ice cream, sweets
  
• Fried foods
  
• Milk products (cheese, creams, yogurt)
  
• Sweet fruit juices
  
• Breads
  
• Meats
  
• Nuts
  
• Pastries
  
• Sleeping during the day
  
• Taking a cold shower
  
• Exposure to cold wind, fans, air conditioners

Following are the substances and activities that should be taken in cough:

• Boiled or steamed vegetables
  
• Vegetable soup
  
• Spice teas
  
• Herbal teas
  
• Hot milk with a piece of crushed ginger
  
• Half a teaspoon of turmeric powder mixed in milk provides relief.

Remedies - Constipation

Symptoms

Following are the signs that indicate the presence of this ailment:

• No bowel movements at least once a day
  
• Pain in the abdomen
  
• Heaviness in the stomach
  
• Wind formation
  
• Mucus coated tongue
  
• Headache
  
• Loss of appetite
  
• Pain in the lower legs
  
• Hypertension, fever
  
• Nausea
  
• Vertigo
  
• Palpitation
  
• Drowsiness

Causes

The aggravation of vata causes constipation. Improper eating habits including eating a lot of food, eating food which is difficult to digest (such as meat) and not eating enough vegetables and salads also lead to constipation.

Irregular sleeping habits or emotional disturbances (stress, grief, fear or worry) are other causes for the obstruction of the passage of stool, accumulation of toxins in the colon or excessive stimulation of the nervous system.

Smoking, consuming too much tea and coffee, or intake of prescription or illicit drugs can also cause constipation.

Remedies

• Drinking a glass of warm milk before going to bed helps in easy evacuation in the morning. In case of severe constipation, mix two teaspoons of castor oil in the milk.
  
• Drink one liter of warm water and walk around for a few minutes immediately after waking up early in the morning.
  
• Drinking lemon juice mixed with warm water two to three times a day eases constipation.
  
• One or two teaspoons of aloe gel can be taken twice a day.
  
• A common Ayurvedic medicine for constipation is Triphala Churna. It is a powder made by grinding three kinds of herbs. A teaspoon of this powder taken with warm water or milk at the time going to bed is beneficial.

Dos and don'ts

• The diet taken during constipation must be easily digestible.
  
• Plenty of fruits, vegetables and salads
  
• Freshly cooked food, and chew food thoroughly.
  
• Eat only when hungry and maintain at least 4 hours between meals.
  
• Use spices like cumin, coriander, turmeric powder, fennel and asafetida as they make the food easy to digest.
  
• Whole grain bread and cereals
  
• Regular physical exercise is also important for maintaining proper bowel movements.
  
• Sleeping hours should be regulated and efforts should be made to have a sound sleep.
  
• Fried foods, beans, gas forming vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli, nuts and dried fruits should be avoided.
  
• Do not mix too many kinds of foods in one meal.

More to come later, Be Here Be Healthy...