Siddha Medicine's 10 Simple Tips to stay young & Healthy always

Health is currently the hottest topic in the market and food for thought around the globe. Though living with various lifestyles and nature, still one is in search of health remedies and tips to make their life more perfect and keep their family healthy in every aspect. Let it be Google or a local health magazine, people are interested in surfing maximum information on health topic and issues.
Although there is no guarantee for a healthy and happy life yet if we follow these 10 Simple tips, we can improve the quality of our lives and keep our family healthy and happy always.

1. Keep yourself hydrated always : Our body is made up of 70% of water. Water helps to regulate our body temperature, protects our joints and organs and helps in Oxygen transport. One should drink 8-10 glasses of water daily. Drinking warm water before each meal helps to prevent overeating and obesity. It also regulates the appetite. Drinking a glass of warm water just after waking up keeps the systems normal and flushes out toxins from the body.
2. Decide your menu. Eat Right : One should be choosy in selecting right food in the menu. Food rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin E, High fiber, Minerals like Iron and Calcium is perfect to stay healthy. Include vegetables, fortified cereals, sprouts, legumes, low fat dairy, fatty fishes, lean meat, nuts, pulses and fruits in your food menu to make it a balanced diet. Have three meals daily to keep yourself nourished whole day. Never starve yourself to overeat at meal time. It may lead to abnormal metabolic activities and overburden the digestive system. Eat food slowly, chew it properly to get maximum benefits and proper digestion.
3. Love Organic. Cut Junk food : Give more priorities to food which is grown rather than foods that are born. Vegetables, grains, nuts, legumes, sprouts, fruits and pulses should be given more priority in food chart as these foods can be consumed by all in every climates and places without any ill effects as they are easily digested and assimilated by the body. Processed, artificially sweetened, colored and flavored foods must be avoided as these are difficult for the body to assimilate. Unhealthy snacking like French fries, pizzas, junk food made of white flour (maida) should be avoided as these foods make us prone to health issues like Diabetes, obesity etc. Try snacking a piece of fruit or handful of nuts. This will curb appetite and add extra energy.
4. Eat breakfast everyday : A healthy breakfast containing whole grain, high fiber, vegetables, low fat dairy and sprouts and nuts are excellent to keep one active throughout the day with good concentration and mental alertness. Have a heavy breakfast, moderate lunch and light dinner to remain a well nourished.
5. Sleep 8-10 hours daily : Never compromise with your sleep. Sleeping provides rest to the body, prevents sleep disorders, keeps the mind and body fresh, active and at its best the next morning. Always sleep in a dark, noise free room. Maintain a sleep routine. Avoid day sleep.
6. Keep moving : Daily exercise of 20 minutes or brisk walking 15 minutes twice a day is important to boost energy, reduce body pain and ageing of the body. It is best way to nourish all the vital organs of the body.
7. Maintain a good oral hygiene : poor oral hygiene is said to be a precursor of many ailments. Researchers believe that the bacteria causing dental plaque enter blood stream and blocks blood vessel causing heart diseases. Recently links have been found between oral bacteria and stroke, diabetes and birth of pre- term/low weight babies. Brushing the teeth and flossing, exercise, quitting smoking can add years to your life.
8. Keep Stress through Meditation and Prayers : Maintain a stress free life by prioritizing things in life. Something which makes one stress should be not be given priority or importance in life. Having a good peace of mind is very necessary to keep stress at bay. Yoga, Meditation, Prayers should be a part of life always. Give time to near and dear ones. Always take dinner with family to maintain emotional harmony. Never find any harmful means to combat stress like smoking or drinking. Feel the nature and love it, love yourself.
9. Bath daily in morning : Shower early morning will make one active and fresh. It will keep away foul odour and infections, regulate hunger, build immunity. It is also good to have a body shower in evening to overcome the work tiredness and it gives good sleep at night.
10. Avoid health supplements : Taking Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Selenium, Beta Carotene etc in foods are excellent way to reduce ageing and cognitive decline. But people instead of focusing on their meals, run after Vitamin and Mineral pills like Calcium tablets or Vitamin supplements. Unfortunately no evidence of taking pills provide anti ageing or any health benefits has been proved so far.

A glass of water contains 10 million bacteria but all good, claims study

octors always insist on drinking lot of fresh water as it is good for health. A new study has come up that has given another good reason to drink water. Even a glass of fresh water contains more than ten million bacteria that are good for health in some way or other, says the new study. These bacteria help in purifying water, making it healthier for drinking.

Study authors were astonished to find that water on such a large scale was purified naturally by bacteria in pipes and purification plants. Until today, scientists didn’t know about the existence of any such process.

One of the lead researchers said that they have found more than ten million good bacteria in a glass of water. Researchers explained that clean tap water always contain these good bacteria and they grow in the drinking water treatment plant and on the inside of our water pipes, which can be seen in the form of a thin, sticky coating – a so-called biofilm. All surfaces from the raw water intake to the tap are covered in this biofilm.

The new find suggests that bacteria can play a vital role in purifying the water in pipes than previously thought. The discovery lead to the theory that most of the water purification in done in pipes in water purification process rather than in purification plant.

Lead study author Catherine Paul from the University of Lund in Sweden said, “a previously completely unknown ecosystem has revealed itself to us. Formerly, you could hardly see any bacteria at all and now, thanks to techniques such as massive DNA sequencing and flow cytometry, we suddenly see eighty thousand bacteria per milliliter in drinking water.”

Paul further added that we have known about the existence of some good bacteria like in our intestine they help in digestion of food and keep us healthy. Maybe they have a much bigger role to play, beyond our imagination and we have to find that, said Paul.

Moreover, the quality of water might be directly proportional to the amount of bacteria present in water, however, further study is needed to confirm the find.

Amla – Health Benefits of Indian Gooseberry

Health Benefits of Amla from Siddha Medicine:

Health Benefits of Indian Gooseberry  (Phyllanthus emblica)
(Other names – Amla, Nellikkai, Amalaki, Dhatriphala )

1. Drinking fresh fruit juice daily helps to cure increased body heat, burning sensation of body, gastritis & digestive problems.
2. 20 ml of Amla juice daily with meals is an excellent liver tonic.
3. 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of dry fruit powder twice daily purifies blood. Cures Hyperacidity, wounds & ulcers.
4. Daily intake of the fruit reduces Cholesterol, improves Haemoglobin, enhances immunity & acts as a powerful Antioxidant.
5. 20 ml of fruit juice with honey early morning improves eyesight.
6. 20 ml of Amla juice with 20 ml of Bitter gaurd juice daily helps to manage glucose level in Diabetics.
7. Massaging scalp with oil prepared with the dried fruit acts as a hair tonic & induce good sleep.
8. Siddha Medicines prepared with Nellikkai like Triphala chooranam,Nellikkai leghyam, Nellikkai thylam etc has excellent results in curing various Pitha ailments.

Health Benefits of Amla:

The health benefits of amla include the following:

Hair care: Amla is used in many hair tonics because it enriches hair growth and hair pigmentation. It strengthens the roots of hair, maintains color, and improves luster. Eating fresh gooseberry or applying its paste on hair roots improves hair growth and color. Amla oil is very popular in India because it has been shown to reduce the chances of hair loss and baldness. This quality is due to the carotene content of Amla, as well as its iron content and general antioxidant capacity, which reduces hair loss by not allowing free radicals to damage hair follicles or impact the hormones that can cause premature hair loss.

Eye Care: Drinking Gooseberry juice with honey is good for improving eyesight, and studies have shown it to improve nearsightedness and cataracts, while reducing intra-ocular tension. This is mainly due to its impressive content of carotene, which have long been known for their powerful effect on vision-related conditions, including those that stem from free radical activity. Vitamin A and carotenes reduce macular degeneration, night blindness, and strengthen your vision before the age-related degeneration from free radicals can occur!

Calcium Absorption:One of the less discussed benefits of Amla is how it helps the body absorb calcium in a positive way. Calcium is an essential component of our bones, teeth, and nails, and also ensures that we have beautiful lustrous hair. So, eating a vitamin C-rich fruit like Indian gooseberries is a great way to keep your body looking and feeling great!

Metabolic Activity: Eating foods that are high in protein is one of the most important ways to stay healthy, since proteins are an essential part of our body’s metabolic activities. Our enzymes can breakdown plant proteins into amino acids and reassemble them into usable proteins for our body. Protein is necessary for cellular growth, muscle development, organ health, and a wide range of other metabolic activities that we need to remain healthy and happy!

Menstrual Cramps: Some of the minerals and vitamins in Alma combine to make it very useful in the treatment of menstrual cramps. Since it takes a while for the necessary elements to accrue in the body, it is better to consume Alma on a regular basis so it is always in the system and menstrual cramps can be prevented every month for women.

Diabetes: Gooseberry contains chromium, which has a therapeutic value for diabetic patients. Indian Gooseberry stimulates the isolated group of cells that secrete the hormone insulin, thereby reducing blood sugar in diabetic patients and keeping their body balanced and healthy. When blood sugar is reduced, it means that glucose is also being used by the cells as functional energy, so the metabolism is stronger and you have more energy, without the plunges and spikes in blood sugar that are so dangerous for diabetic patients. Chromium also enhances the effect of betablockers, which are used for heart health, by reducing the LDL cholesterol content of the body.

Diuretic Activity: Besides being a fruit that is very high in water, Amla is also slightly diuretic in nature. This means that it increases the frequency and volume of urination. Urination helps our body eliminate unwanted toxins and excess levels of water, salts, and uric acid. Furthermore, it can help you lose weight, since up to 4% of urine is actually composed of fat. Therefore, a diuretic substance is always necessary for keeping our kidneys healthy, and also preventing urinary infections and uterine infections. Alma is a great way to do this!

Digestion: Alma is very high in fiber, like most fruits. Fiber adds bulk to the stool and helps food move through the bowels and keeps your bowel movements regular. This reduces the chances of constipation, and fiber can also bulk up loose stools and reduce diarrhea. Fiber also stimulates the secretion of gastric and digestive juices, so food is digested efficiently, nutrients are absorbed in an optimal way, and you feel lighter and healthier.

Reducing constipation can also help protect your from various gastrointestinal disorders, even colorectal cancer!

Heart Disease: As mentioned above, gooseberry strengthens the heart muscles, so the heart pumps blood smoothly throughout the body. By reducing excess cholesterol buildup, the chromium can reduce the chances of atherosclerosis, or plaque buildup in the vessels and arteries. This can reduce the chances of strokes and heart attacks. The iron content promotes the creation of new red blood cells, increasing circulation and the oxygenation of organs and cells to maximize growth and regeneration of tissue, while keeping the blood vessels and arteries clean.

Infection: Due to its antibacterial and astringent attributes, Indian Gooseberries protect the body against infection and improves the body’s immune response. They are also a very good source of vitamin C, which is famous for its impressive antioxidant abilities and its stimulation of the immune system. It increases the white blood cell count in the body, which is the main line of defense for the immune system, since white blood cells attack and eliminate foreign toxins and substances in the bloodstream and throughout the body.

Diarrhea and Dysentery: Due to its strong cooling and laxative properties, Gooseberry is a useful component in remedies for diarrhea and dysentery. It provides great relief for gastric syndrome and hyperchlorhydria (burning sensation in the abdomen). As a laxative, it helps flush out any toxins or harmful substances you may have eaten that are causing your discomfort or illness, thereby eliminating it from your system so the healing process can begin, and cooling the burning and discomfort often felt when diarrhea occurs.

Improving Appetite: Consuming Gooseberry powder with butter and honey before a meal improves appetite. It also helps to balance nitrogen levels, thereby increasing weight in a healthy way.

Anti-Aging: Amla prevents health-related hyperlipidaemia by reducing the amount of free radicals in the body through its antioxidant qualities. Free radicals are associated with signs of aging like wrinkles and age spots.

The fresh fruit of gooseberries contains more than 80% water, protein, minerals, carbohydrates and fiber. It is also used as a remedy for fever, liver disorder, indigestion, anemia, urinary problems, respiratory problems, cerebral, gastric and cardiovascular illness. Gooseberry lowers cholesterol levels, increases red blood cell production, and strengthens teeth and nails.

Here are some Health Benefits of Lotus

History - In fact when Buddha a child there were ponds of different colored lotus flowers outside his window with pink, white, and blue flowers symbolizing the three different types of people. 

In Egypt lotus flowers represent rebirth in the afterlife. 

And in India the flower petals represent the elements of the earth.

Where They Grow - Lotus plants grow in ponds in Asia anchored in the mud… rising to the top bringing forth beautiful white, pink, and blue flowers.  

Siddha Medicinal Uses :

• For burning sensation of body Lotus flower can be ground as a paste and applied over the externally. The rhizome paste along with milk can be given internally for increased body heat and burning micturation.
• For toxic snake bites the Lotus flower can be ground well and given along with water internally at regular intervals.
• The juice of the flower can be administered for diarrhoea. It is good for Heart too.
• The decoction of the flower is good for fever due to pitham. It also acts as a Cardiac tonic.
• The manapagu prepared from Lotus flower can be given for Cough, Bleeding piles, Bloody diarrhoea etc.
• Venthamarai poo choornam(White Lotus Powder) a Siddha Medicine is very effective for Management of Hypertension and given in the dose of 1 – 2 grams with milk before food twice a day.

Health Benefits of Lotus:

Lower Cholesterol - Making a tea of lotus flowers and leaves is great for lowering cholesterol. It blocks the absorption of fats and thus helps lower cholesterol and trigs. 

Diabetes - The leaves lowers blood sugar levels thus helping those suffering from diabetes. 

Fatty Liver - Tea made from the leaves also helps heal fatty liver disease. 

Detoxing - Lotus leaf tea is great for detoxing the blood and thus helping to lower your risk of disease. 

Stress - Lotus flower tea is relaxing, soothing, sedative, and helps with anxiety… and bringing about a peaceful feeling. 

GI Tract - Lotus flower tea helps with diarrhea, gas, and cramps… and soothes away inflammation.

Acid Reflux - Lotus flower tea helps with acid reflux, lowering stomach acid, and soothes away gastric ulcers. 

Lower Blood Pressure - Lotus leaf tea is also a good vasodilator helping to lower blood pressure. 

Fertility - Men who suffer from premature ejaculation find that lotus tea helps with their condition. And women who have heavy periods find that lotus tea reduces blood flow. 

Heat - In Traditional Chinese Medicine lotus leaf tea is used for summer heat syndrome to get rid of heat rash and cool internal organs. 

Skin - In Ayurvedic Medicine lotus flowers are ground into a paste and applied to the skin, moisturizes the skin, and creating youthful looking skin. 

Vitamin C - Lotus flowers contain Vitamin C which is a powerful antioxidant helping to keep away diseases such as cardiovascular disease, strokes, and even cancer. 

B - Vitamins - Lotus flowers also contain B - Vitamins which are important for fertility, vitality, and mood. 

Iron - Lotus flowers contain iron which is important for anemia. 

Phosphorus - Also lotus flowers contain phosphorus which is important for strong bones. 

Heart Health - Because lotus leaves are full of antioxidants they can increase blood flow to the heart and lower blood pressure. 

Anti-inflammatory - Lotus leaf tea is a great anti-inflammatory helping with redness, swelling, and pain… associated with arthritis and other inflammatory diseases. 

Weight Loss - Lotus leaves help to prevent carbs and fats from being absorbed, and boosts your metabolism thus you to lose weight. And lotus leaf contains L-Carotene which boosts metabolism. 

Anti-fungal and Antibacterial - Studies show that rubbing lotus leaves on infected areas can kill ringworm fungus and works well for athletes foot. And lotus leaf tea is also antibacterial in action… killing invading bacteria naturally. 

Linoleic Acid - And lotus flowers contain linoleic acid which is important for preventing heart disease, cancer, diabetes, arthritis, weight loss, and boosting your immune system.

Antioxidants - Lotus flowers contain powerful antioxidants such as nuciferine, lotusine, neferin and demethyl coclaurine which help to prevent cardiovascular disease, strokes, and cancer. 

Healthy Liver - Lotus leaf tea helps to promote healthy liver function. 

Melanin - The oil from lotus flowers helps the body produce more melanin to protect it from damaging suns rays… and also fights premature gray hair.

Astringent - Lotus leaf tea is very astringent and has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to stop internal bleeding… and has been used for treating bloody urine.

Mucus - Lotus leaf tea helps expel mucus, making it great for colds, coughs, and other respiratory and sinus problems. 

 Making Tea - Take 2 Teaspoons of dried flowers and add them to a 1/2 liter of very hot water and let steep for 5 or 6 minutes. Lotus flower tea has a nice sweet aroma. 

If you have fresh lotus leaves cut a 4x4 inch piece and steep it in hot water for 5 to 10 minutes. 

For dried leaves use 2 teaspoons in a 1/2 liter of hot water and let steep for 5 minutes. 

In capsule form most recommend taking from up to 6 grams per day. 

Used in - Lotus flowers have a beautiful fragrance, and because of that they are used in cooking of rice and other Asian dishes. 

Finding - If you google “Buy Lotus Leaf ” or “Buy Lotus Flower Tea” you will find lots of places that sell this product… or ask for it at your local health food store.