Gray hair and wrinkles can be a testimony of wisdom. But in a stressful world we often get caught up in equating our worth with productivity that could weigh on us post-retirement. Everyone, at every stage of life is a gift to the world. That said, aging does bring preventable and costly health challenges that we need to face squarely, from heart diseases, type 2 diabetes, obesity, arthritis, dry skin, falling hair, cognitive decline, stroke and cancer. There is also the possibility of depletion, loneliness and ageism. So, how can we look after ourselves better to ensure we are physically and mentally stronger as we age? Ayurveda is a holistic mind-body science which supports people through a comprehensive approach to live a healthier life right into their sunset years. It emphasizes that aging ( Jara ) is a natural process just like the seasons. It does acknowledge natural degenerative changes but recommends prevention, building resilience and an anti-aging regimen through its br
Scientific Name: – Zingiber Officinale
Ginger is used widely in most Eastern forms of medicines like Ayurveda, Chinese, Unani and Tibetian medicine.
Latest research has shown that it has immuno-modulatory, anti-tumorogenic, anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperglycaemic and anti-emetic actions.
- It is a digestive stimulant. In Ayurveda it is said that it promotes digestion and also helps in whetting the appetite. It also improves the assimilation and transportation of nutrients. Fresh ginger can be cut into strips. These can be soaked in lime juice and salt and then dried in the sun. These pieces of dried ginger can be eaten before lunch to achieve the results.
- It is very useful in colds and coughs. Whenever a cold begins, drinking ginger tea helps. Ginger can be cut into slices and boiled with water on a low heat for at least half an hour. To this cooled decoction add some honey. Drinking this will help relieve colds and coughs.
- It is very useful in treating nausea. Just boiling fresh ginger in water and drinking this throughout the day will help in morning sickness and also motion sickness. Chewing fresh pieces of ginger is very helpful in post operative nausea.
- It is also very helpful in relieving flatulence.
- It is very helpful in relieving muscle cramps especially exercise induced muscle cramps. In such cases fresh ginger juice is extracted and this is rubbed on the cramped muscle. Even when there is tightness of the cervical muscles in cervical spondilitis it helps.
- It is very useful in migraines. Here fresh ginger juice is extracted and this is then applied over the forehead.
- It also helps in the production of saliva. Hence chewing of ginger whenever there is a dry mouth is very helpful. It has also been effective in cancer patients who suffer from dry mouth after radiotherapy.
Make ginger a part of your everyday life. Use it in teas and in your cooking and reap the benefits.
Mira Swami, Director,
The Ayurvedic Centre
http://hihtindia.org/ginger-and-its-uses-from-an-ayurvedic-perspective/
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