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Showing posts from January, 2020

Vata & the Subdoshas 💨

This week we are talking all about Vata! It is Vata season , which means it is mostly cold, dry and mobile (wind) in the weather patterns. It is important to keep this dosha in balance and in its proper seat to avoid production and accumulation of toxins. Vata dosha is a combination of the air and ether elements. This represents action, movement and transportation. The qualities of Vata are dry, light, cold, rough, subtle and mobile. Vata is in our movements, actions, breathing, speech, detox, heart pumping and sense of touch. It is the kindler of digestive fire, opener of cell walls and channels, and develops and delivers babies. The seat of Vata is in the abdominal cavity bellow the belly button in the large intestine and colon. It is also in the pelvis, thighs, skin, ears, bones, heart, brain, nervous system and lungs. Each dosha (Vata, Pitta & Kapha) all have 5 subdoshas that exist. Each of these subdoshas represents the five elements (ether, air, fire, water, earth) that tie...

On the Radar: 10 Dangerous Foods from China

When we are at a supermarket and it’s often the low prices that catch our attention and fill our carts. Even a conscious consumer may look at an ingredient list, but not think beyond that. Knowing the geographic origin of what we eat is increasingly important as our food supply chain becomes progressively globalized. While we debate issues like GMO’s and their dependance on Roundup here in the United States, we readily import foods from countries where food production is akin to an unregulated Wild West. Here are 10 foods gnarly examples of “Made in China” foods to keep off your plate:                        1. Plastic Rice . Plastic Rice. Yes, I said that twice just in case you are like me and had trouble wrapping your head around it the first time. Chinese authorities have been making seizures of fake rice that consists of a mixture potatoes, sweet pota...

Arthritis Pain

What joints can be affected? Weight-bearing joints, such as hips and knees Neck Lower back Hands How many joints does it affect? Usually affects multiple joints Different types of inflammatory arthritis have differing patterns of joint involvement. For example rheumatoid arthritis tends to be symmetrical, involving joints on both sides of the body (e.g. both hands, both elbows, etc.) whereas psoriatic arthritis maybe symmetrical or asymmetrical  There are many forms of inflammatory arthritis ; signs that are typical for most include: Pain, swelling and stiffness in one or multiple joints Morning stiffness in and around the affected joints lasting at least one hour Pain and stiffness that worsens with inactivity and improves with physical activity Reduced range of motion Sometimes fever, weight loss, fatigue and/or anemia  https://arthritis.ca/about-arthritis/signs-of-arthritis  Get Arthritis products from iHerb ...

List of Foods to Eat with Gout (High Uric Acid)

Fruits for Gout Apple (sweet) Apricots(sweet) Avocado Berries (sweet) Cherries(sweet) Coconut Dates (fresh) Figs (fresh) Grapes (red & purple) Mango (ripe) Melons Oranges (sweet) Pineapple(sweet) Plums (sweet) Prunes (soaked) Raisins(soaked) Vegetables for Gout Beets (cooked) Carrots Cilantro Cucumber Fennel (anise) Green beans Leeks Okra Olives (black) Parsnips Potatoes sweet Pumpkin Rutabaga Summer Squash Winter Squash Taro root Zucchini Fruit Juice best for Gout Apple Juice. Apricot Juice. Sweet Berry Juice. Sweet Cherry Juice. Red Grape Juice. Mango Juice. Fresh Homemade Peach Nectar. Pineapple Juice. Sweet Lime Juice. Beverages for Gout Patient Coconut Water (fresh). Coconut Milk (homemade and fresh). Almond Milk. Rice Water. Cereals, Grains & Pseudocereal for Gout Brown Rice Sprouted Wheat Organic Wheat Quinoa Legumes for Gout Mung Beans (Mung Dal, Split Mung Dal) Mung Sprouts Nuts & Seed...

Carrots - An Ayurvedic view

  Revered in ancient Rome as an aphrodisiac and proverbial for their benefits on eyesight, carrots are sweet and bitter with a heating energy. They calm vata and kapha. Their high antioxidant content is the reason why carrots are used for blood cleansing, liver cleansing and cancer healing. Yet, delicious and comforting as they are, carrots may disturb pitta if consumed in excess. Balance carrots with pitta-soothing vegetables such as green peas, leafy dark greens or cilantro. And be especially cautious with carrot juice, because it is highly concentrated. It is best for pitta to combine cucumber, cilantro or aloe vera juice with their carrot juice. Daucus carota subsp. sativus (Hoffm.) Arcang. Apiaceae Sanskrit: Gājara Hindi: Gājar Carrots were first cultivated on the Iranian plateau--a region comprising today's Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran. Although wild carrots ( Daucus carota var carota ) have a woody and unpleasant-tasting whitish root, the agriculturalists of...

Struggling With The Winter Woes! Not Anymore!

“Nights of this season are amorous as they are chilled with the onset of snow, further chilled by silvery moonbeams of the moon. These nights are ornamented with very silver clusters of cluttered stars.” (Ritusamharam by Kalidas) Winter, also known as Tusharkaal in Ayurveda, is considered to be the best season associated with creativity, warmth, and relaxation. However, there is a dominance of Vata when the weather turns cold and dry. The skin has a tendency to get de-hydrated and requires constant replenishment of moisture along with intensive care and nourishment. While we generally do take care of our facial skin, body care sometimes takes a backseat. In such a context, the following recommendations will nourish and take care of your body skin during the winter season. As a routine, exfoliate regularly with the Hydrating Sea Salt Crystal Rose Body Polisher. This will leave your skin buffed up with a silken satin sheen. The Desi Gulab Essential Oil will hydrat...

Bone Broth for Inflammation

Bone broth     can calm inflammation in the gut. Drinking bone broth regularly can be helpful in reducing the levels of inflammation in the whole body. This hot drink is also excellent for healing the gut lining. In this recipe, the benefits of turmeric are enhanced by bringing black pepper into the picture. Turmeric contains curcumin, the compound that gives the root its golden color. Combining black pepper with turmeric increases the absorption of curcumin into the body. This inflammation-fighting broth can be used in soups and stews or even just for sipping throughout the day. The following recipe makes 2 cups of broth. Ingredients: 1 cup full-fat coconut milk 1 cup bone broth 2 tsp. turmeric 1/2 tsp. cinnamon 1 tsp. raw honey 1/4 tsp. ginger powder pinch of black pepper   Instructions: Place all ingredients in a blender. Blend until well combined. Pour mixture into a saucepan over medium...

7 Ways to Balance Your Hormones Naturally

  Your body is a complex network of glands, organs and processes that interact with each other through chemical messengers called hormones. This hormonal network makes up your endocrine system. As the main regulator of your body, the endocrine system manages bodily functions like mood, sleep, appetite, metabolism, heart rate, sexual function, reproductive cycles, stress levels, body temperature, and your growth and development. When the system goes out of balance you can suffer from a wide array of symptoms, depending on your gender and the affected hormone. Possible signs and symptoms include: Fatigue Appetite changes Weight gain or loss Sleep problems Skin changes Hair loss Osteoporosis Depressed mood Sensitivity to cold or heat Altered sex drive Water retention Urinary tract infections PMS (premenstrual syndrome) Changes in blood pressure or heart rate Mood disorders including anxiety and depression While prescription medications may be able to...

Uses of Hibiscus in Ayurveda

                    A common name for Hibiscus in Ayurvedic texts is Japa .  Hibiscus is widely known for its attractive flowers which lack fragrance. Hibiscus belongs to the Malvaceae family, and its scientific name is Hibiscus rosa-sinensis. It is an evergreen plant which is approximately 150-270 cm in height .  It has strong branches and trunk; the leaves are dark green, shiny, smooth, and oval-shaped. This plant does not bear any fruit.  Flowers are found in various shades e.g. red, white, yellow, and orange.  Red hibiscus flowers are very common and widely used for medicinal purposes. The bark, leaves and flowers are known to possess medicinal properties. Hibiscus and Hair Health Hibiscus promotes hair growth and prevents premature hair greying by reducing excessive body heat , stimulating blood circulation to the scalp , and increasing the supply of essential nutrients to the hair foll...

8 Blender Hacks You'll Wish You Knew Sooner from Tastemade

Everything tastes better when it's blended! Check the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-r2gFFMoPc Get Dreamburgh 3in1 1000W Electric Hand Blender from Aliexpress   

3 Simple Home Remedies for Clean Toes

Toenail fungus can cause painful, itchy and brittle nails, and it flourishes in damp and warm environments like shoes. Toenail fungus is quite contagious, so it can easily be picked up from any environment. Though it might be uncomfortable, catching toenail fungus does not have to be a lengthy affliction. Home remedies are a highly effective way of getting rid of toenail fungus in just a few weeks. These home remedies may halt fungal growth and kill off existing fungus. What Is Toenail Fungus? Technically referred to as onychomycosis, nail fungus is a condition that occurs when certain types of harmful fungus grow along the nail bed. When this happens, the nails will begin to thicken and look discolored or deformed. The nails may appear to be dark yellow, white or brown. The fungus may start as a small dot of discoloration that gradually grows larger. People may notice that their nails seem brittle or crumbly, and the area around the nails may look inflamed. In so...

Onions, Garlic & Ayurveda

  What Restricted Vegetables Can Show Us about the Yogic Lifestyle By Natasha Friedman There’s nothing as mouth-watering as the smell of garlic and onions simmering in a pan full of spices. Which makes it a bit disappointing (for me, at least) when you start practicing yoga and hear that you’re not supposed to eat them. Or, even worse, when you come to live at a yoga center and find that your favorite allium vegetables are strictly off the menu. I spent three months this year serving in the kitchen at the Hridaya Yoga Center, and by far the most common question I heard from new students was “Why don’t you use onions and garlic?” It’s a simple question, but the answer is a little complicated. To explain it fully, we’ll have to go on a brief journey through the basics of Ayurveda, the yogic diet, and tantric theory. Divine Medicine or Demonic Potion? There is an interesting Hindu legend about the origins of onions and garlic. According to several sacred tex...

12 Uexpected Great uses for Vicks VapoRub !

Vicks VapoRub is a popular common cold remedy with medicated vapors. Its main ingredients — camphor, menthol, and eucalyptus — help relieve cough and nasal congestion. However, these are not the only benefits of the product. We at  Bright Side are pretty sure you’ve never heard of these unconventional but amazing uses for Vicks VapoRub, so we decided to share them with you. 12. Works as an insect repellent Try using an open Vicks VapoRub jar to repel mosquitoes, flies, and other insects. It’s perfect when you suddenly run out of repellent or you have left it at home. 11. Relieves headaches Menthol, one of the main ingredients of Vicks VapoRub, helps lower blood pressure in your head and, as a result, relieves pain. Just rub a little on your forehead. 10. Takes good care of your feet ...

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11 Calming Herbs to keep your Mind Balanced 💆

          Life is hard. Every day it seems like a new challenge appears to test your patience. You may not realize that chronic stress can also lead to long-term health complications. Living in a constant state of fight-or-flight tells your body to produce too much cortisol which can lead to weight gain, diabetes, mood swings, fatigue, and many other conditions. ( 1 ) While it’s important to take steps to manage stress, certain calming herbs can help strengthen your body’s stress response. Adaptogens are some of the best calming herbs because studies show they might make your body and mind more resilient to external stress. Keep in mind that adaptogens don’t work like prescription drugs for anxiety in that they kick in instantly. Instead, they need a few weeks to build up in your system before you notice the effects. When you need something in a pinch, however, other herbs and  essential oils  – like lavender oil – can ease symptoms almost instantly. 1...

Natural Home Remedies For Minor Burns 🔥

Natural Home remedies for Burns The use of natural remedies given below can be highly effective in managing such minor burns. These remedies are aimed at promoting healing of the damaged skin tissues and minimizing pain. Raw Potato Raw potato can be used to treat minor skin burns. It possesses soothing properties, which help in providing relief from the burning sensation caused by burns. It also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent and reduces redness and inflammation of the skin. It can also reduce the chances of having blisters. Research has proved the beneficial effect of raw potato in the management of minor burns. The histological examination of the burnt area and clinical studies made on the comparable burn wounds treated with either peel of boiled potato affixed to gauze bandages or just gauze dressings showed that the patients treated with raw potato had a faster rate of recovery from the symptoms. It was found that the usage of the potato peel dressing eliminated or reduced desi...

Spring Detox Smoothie

When spring arrives, I can't help but think about cleaning up my eating habits. After all, spring detox is a thing (along with spring cleaning, which technically is a detox for your home). That's why I’m sharing with you a smoothie packed with nutrients your body will love. Drink it in the morning and you'll give your body a much-needed boost of energy to get you through the day. Ingredient Breakdown: Why Each One Matters  Before I get to the actual recipe, I'd like to shine the spotlight on each individual ingredient used in this smoothie. You'll quickly see why this is a great spring detox smoothie worth drinking. Green Tea Not only is  green tea tasty to drink on its own, but it's also full of health benefits. It's high in antioxidants and contains a large amount of catechins, polyphenolic compounds that are thought to exert numerous protective effects, ...