Ayurveda by Nelly

The New Year is bursting with the energy of opportunity. Why? Because fresh starts are sexy, second chances make us feel alive, and who doesn't want to refocus their attentions on creating a happier body, a healthier diet, and more abundance? Thing is, while we're in love with the idea of making resolutions, the execution…Well, that can get a little sticky. Because the truth is resolutions don't go deep enough. See, resolutions are life's surface dwellers. They take detours around our motivations for living, loving, or being, and go straight to action. And action works fine...Until things start to get a little shaky. When that happens, without a clear connection to what really matters, or some inspired driving force to keep us engaged and moving forward, our resolve waivers and the wheels fall off. Sound familiar? The good news is you have choices. So why not make this year different? Wisdom from the Past for Your Brightest Future This year, rather than swimming around ...

  We often refer to certain foods as ‘superfoods’, not because they are exotic or out-of-reach, but because they carry immense health value and grow in our own backyards. Ayurveda suggests that watching what you eat is the first step to remaining healthy. Ayurveda practitioner, Dr. Rahul Dogra of the Kairali Ayurvedic Group, an institution dedicated to Ayurvedic research and healthcare, says that as per Ayurvedic dietary habits, the food eaten should have at least one of the six tastes – sweet, sour, bitter, salty, pungent and astringent. The right foods promote ‘sattva’(purity), helps in body detox and rejuvenates the body as well, thereby resulting in improved immunity, physical and mental strength and digestion. If you wish to remain healthy by adopting such a diet, you should stop temporary crash diet, and ensure that you consume the Ayurvedic superfoods mentioned here. Here are five superfoods that can be used on a daily basis, and they can transform your health in a miraculou...

                       Cherry  is a nutrient-dense fruit, with a low-calorie count and presence of significant amounts of important nutrients and plant compounds that boost brain health. Studies have found that consumption of cherries has a positive impact on different aspects of brain health. Let’s get into the details: EATING  CHERRIES  AND SLEEP Good quality sleep is critical to cognitive function and it helps in the removal of toxins that accumulate in the brain. Studies have reported that consumption of sweet as well as tart cherries affects the quality and quantity of sleep. This positive effect was seen in just 3-5 days of cherry consumption. A regular intake of cherries can increase the level of melatonin in the body. Melatonin, also known as the sleep hormone, regulates the sleep-wake cycle in humans and improves overall sleep quality. Hence, eating cherries can boost the cognitive function by keeping di...

Researchers have discovered that a Chinese herbal remedy, namely, ‘ Horny Goatweed ’ could be the new alternative for Viagra. On experimenting with an extract from the herb, they are of the opinion that it could create new drugs to combat impotency, with fewer side effects. The leafy plant native to Asia and the Mediterranean region, has been long used in traditional Chinese medicine, and is known as a natural aphrodisiac. Now, a compound called ˜icariin has been noticed in the herb, which is equivalent to Viagra, but has no negative effects such as headaches or blindness. The Lead researcher, of the study at the University in Milan, Mario DellAgli, said “This could be the natural Viagra. We have synthesized a new molecule that is likely to replace Viagra one day.” Viagra works by stopping an enzyme known to restrict blood flow to the area, thereby preventing erectile dysfunction. Scientists in this study altered the icariin compound in the Chinese wonder herb, and noticed that it work...

Beautiful glowing skin is desirable by all. But, with age, our skin tends to become dry and irritated during certain seasons. A clear and glowing complexion is indeed, a sign of good health. Dry skin can cause early wrinkles and can lead to an aged appearance. Moreover, dry cracked skin can be the breeding place for microbes and can cause fungal infections and lead to dry eczema . According to Ayurveda, accumulation of vata in the body can lead to dry skin. For people over the age of 50, excess vata in the body can lead to dry skin, thinning and dryness of hair, brittle nails and cracking joints. Apart from this, dry skin condition may be due to genetic factors, nutritional deficiencies, exposure to extreme weather conditions, due to blockage of oil glands or sometimes due to medication. To increase the moisture level of the skin and prevent it from dryness, the skin needs to be cared for. Ayurveda has various herbal and lifestyle remedies that can help you in managing dry skin condi...

Swedana (also spelled as Svedana) is a Sanskrit word, which means perspire or sweating. The various techniques that induce sweating are known as Swedana karma. Swedana can induce hemodynamic changes in the body. First, it increases blood pressure and heart rate or pulse rate. These changes are just for a short period. After that, it can also reduce systolic blood pressure. It also improves blood circulation and removes toxic substances through sweating. THERAPEUTIC INDICATIONS Swedana is beneficial in following health conditions. General Symptoms VATA disorders KAPHA disorders Heaviness in body Hoarseness of voice Chocking sensation in throat Excessive Yawning Rigidity of any part (flanks, abdomen, back, lockjaw etc.) Contraction Pain Rigidity Heaviness Numbness Inflammation Body ache Lungs & Airways Cough Rhinitis Hiccups Breathlessness Asthma Pain Disorders Earache Neck Pain Headache Pain in foot, leg, knee and thigh regions Pain with cramps in ankle, knee, wrist, hip Jo...

What is the Liver’s Role in the Body? The liver is the largest solid, internal organ in the body. Located in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen, it measures 6 inches in width and weighs roughly 3 pounds. It is no surprise that the liver plays an important role in the body as it is involved in many different essential daily functions.  The liver works with other organs to digest, absorb, and process food. It is involved in the storage of glucose, or sugar, which is used when the body requires more energy. It produces bile, which is a substance that helps to digest fats from food, and absorbs and stores fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamins  A ,  D , and  E .  The liver produces substances that are involved in the regulation of blood clot formation and production of red blood cells. Along with the kidneys, the liver is also one of the body’s main organs of detoxification. It metabolizes drugs and alcohol while also working to eliminate harmful substances f...