તાજું સંશોધન કહે છે કે તમે તમારા આહારનો સ્વાદ માતાનાં પેટમાં હો ત્યારથી જ જન્મ પહેલાં કેળવો છો. સાદા શબ્દોમાં માતા ગર્ભવતી હોય અને ગાજરનો રસ પીતી હોય કે વધુ સલાડ-કચુંબર ખાતી હોય તો એ બાળકને પણ કુદરતી આહારની ટેવ પડે છે. તમને તીખું તમતમતું અને રેંકડીનું કે રૂપાળી વેસ્ટર્ન રેસ્ટોરાંનો જંકફૂડ ખાવાની ઘાતક ટેવ હોય તો બાળક પણ જંકફૂડિયું થાય છે.

જો ગર્ભવતી માતા ફણગાવેલા કઠોળ ખાય તો તો બાળક માટે ભયો ભયો. ફણગાવેલા કઠોળ તદ્દન મફતમાં એબીસી વિટામિનો આપે છે. ચાવી ચાવીને ખાવાની ટેવ પાડે છે. આ વાત અમેરિકાના વિખ્યાત ઇન્વેસ્ટિગેટિવ-ફૂડ-જર્નલિસ્ટ એરિક શ્લોસરે તેના પુસ્તક‘ચ્યુ ઓન ધિસ’નામના પુસ્તકમાં લખી છે, પણ આ લેખ પૂરતું આપણે તેણે ફણગાવેલા કઠોળનાં વખાણ લખ્યા છે તેને જ વળગીએ.

બ્રિટનની અને અમેરિકાની હોસ્પિટલોમાં તેમજ મશહૂર નિસર્ગોપચારનું કેન્દ્ર મેયો ક્લિનિકમાં અવારનવાર આપણા ખોરાકના પ્રયોગો થાય છે તેમાં ફણગાવેલા મગ, મઠ અને ચણા દર્દીના આહારમાં અપાય છે. ૩૫ વર્ષ પહેલાં ફણગાવેલા કઠોળનું ઉપનિષદ હોય તેવું પુસ્તક ડો. માર્થા એચ. ઓલિવરે લખેલું તેનું નામ છે -એડ એ ફયુ સ્પ્રાઉટસ. તમારા આહારમાં થોડા ફણગાવેલા કઠોળ, મગ, મઠ, ફણગાવેલો બાજરો કે ફણગાવેલા ઘઉ ઉમેરતા રહો.

અમેરિકનોને ફણગાવેલા કઠોળનો લાભ હજી સમજાયો નથી. જર્મનો અને બ્રિટિશરો ફણગાવેલા કઠોળથી જ સવારનો નાસ્તો આજકાલ કરે છે. ડો. માર્થા ઓલિવરે લખ્યું છે કે જે છોકરીઓ ફણગાવેલા ચણા કે મગ ખાય છે તેના વાળ કાળા, ઘટ્ટ અને સુંવાળા બને છે. સૌથી મોટો ફાયદો એ છે કે કાચા ફણગાવેલા મગને તમારે ચાવી ચાવીને ખાવા પડે છે.

વોશિંગ્ટનમાં‘લાઇબ્રેરી ઓફ કોંગ્રેસ’છે ત્યાં જઈને ભૂતપૂર્વ અને ચાલુ પ્રમુખોની બૈરીઓ માર્થા ઓલિવરનું પુસ્તક પકડે છે. મલેશિયા-સિંગાપોર પિનાંગ, શાંઘાઈ અને હવે તો મુંબઈની શાક માર્કેટમાં મહારાષ્ટ્રીયન બહેનો વાંસની છાબમાં ફણગાવેલા કઠોળ વેચે છે. મે મહિનાનો ધોમ ધખે છે ત્યારે વાતાવરણમાં ઊલટાનો ભેજ છે એટલે રાત્રે પલાળેલા મગમાંથી સવારે બધું પાણી કાઢી લો. એક સફેદ કપડામાં પોટલી બાંધો તો સાંજે ખૂબ ફણગા ફૂટી જશે.

ખાસ તો નીચલા મઘ્યમવર્ગની બહેનોને આજકાલ શાક મોંઘું લાગે તેમજ શ્રાવણ-ભાદરવામાં તો લીલોતરી શાક ખૂબ મોંઘું થાય ત્યારે લીલા શાકભાજીની ડબલ ગરજ સારે તેવા ફણગાવેલા કઠોળને સ્વાદિષ્ટ બનાવવા હળવો વઘાર કરીને તેમાં સ્વાદ પ્રમાણે મસાલો નાખીને શાકની જગ્યાએ વાપરી શકો છો. મહુવામાં મોટા ભાગના કપોળ મિત્રોની માતાઓ અમને બપોરે ભૂખ લાગે ત્યારે ફણગાવેલા મગનો નાસ્તો આપતી.

મહાન ફિલસૂફ ઈશાક સિંગર માંસાહારી હતા. તેણે જીવનનાં છેલ્લાં ૩૫ વર્ષ શાકાહાર અપનાવ્યો ત્યારે તેને કોઈ નેચરોપેથે કહ્યું કે માંસમાંથી જ પ્રોટીન મળે છે તે વાત ભૂલી જાઓ માંસમાં ફાયબર-રેષા-છીલકાં હોતાં નથી ત્યારે ફણગાવેલા કઠોળ તમને કોલસ્ટેરોલ વગરનું પ્રોટીન આપે છે અને માંસની ગરજ સારે છે. ચીનના પુરાણા આરોગ્યશાસ્ત્રીઓએ ૫૦૦૦ વર્ષ પહેલાં કઠોળને ફણગાવવાની રીત શોધી કાઢી. ચીનાઓ દરિયાઈ સફર ખેડે ત્યારે એક કોથળો ભરીને મગ લઈ જાય. લીલાં શાકભાજી ન મળે એટલે વિટામિન બી અને સીની ખોટ પૂરવા ફણગાવેલા કઠોળ ખાતા.

૧૭૭૨થી ૧૭૭૫ના ગાળામાં કેપ્ટન જેમ્સ કૂક અને તેના ખલાસીઓ તેમની સાથે લીંબુ લેતા, તેના શરબત પીતા અને લીંબુ ખલાસ થાય એટલે કઠોળને ફણગાવીને ખાતા. આને કારણે કેટલાય ખલાસી રોગોથી બચી જતા. અમેરિકાની કોર્નલ યુનિ.ના ન્યુટ્રિશનના પ્રોફેસર ડો. કલાઈવ એમ. મેક્કે જાહેર કર્યું કે ‘તમને બારે માસ લીલા શાકભાજી જોઈએ છે જે માંસના પોષક ગુણો સામે સ્પર્ધા કરે? તો તમે ફણગાવેલા કઠોળ ખાઓ. ટમેટામાંથી મળતા વિટામિન સીની ગરજ આ ફણગાવેલા કઠોળ સારશે. જોકે પ્રોફેસર કલાઈવ તો ફણગાવેલા સોયાબીન દર્દીને વધુ આપતા.

તેમનો મત છે કે ફણગાવેલા સોયાબીનમાં વિટામિન બી કોમ્પ્લેક્સ મળે છે. કઠોળનું વિટામિન એ ૬૦૦ ટકા વધી જાય છે. કઠોળમાં જે સ્ટાર્ચ હોય છે તેનું અદ્ભુત પરિવર્તન થઈ તે કુદરતી શર્કરાનું રૂપ ધારણ કરે છે. તેથી જ ફણગાવેલા કઠોળ કુદરતી રીતે ગળચટ્ટા લાગે છે અને ચાવીને ખાઓ તો જલદી પચે છે. આપણા ક્રિકેટરો પરદેશ જાય અને વેસ્ટ ઇન્ડીઝ ગયેલા ત્યાં ફણગાવેલા કઠોળ ભરપૂર મળે છે.

તેમને ફણગાવેલા કઠોળ ડબલ એનર્જી આપે છે. ત્યાં મગ વધુ સારા મળે છે. ફણગાવેલા મગમાં રોગપ્રતિકાર શક્તિ પણ છે. ગૌતમ ગંભીરને ડાયેરિયા (ઝાડા)થયેલ ત્યારે તેને ફણગાવેલા મગનો સૂપ, જો બ્રોકોલી કે કોબી સાથે ફણગાવેલા કઠોળ ખવાય તો કેન્સર વકરતું નથી.

બ્રિટનમાં તો જવ અને રજકાના બી પણ ફગાવીને ખાય છે. ન્યૂઝીલેન્ડના ક્રિકેટરો તેમના ભાતામાં ઘણાં કાચાં ખાઈ શકાય તેવાં બીજ લે છે. ત્યાં ફણગાવેલા જવ, ફણગાવેલી બદામ અને ફણગાવેલી મગફળી ખવાય છે. ચીની સ્ત્રીઓના વાળ કાળા અને ઘટ્ટ હોય છે, કારણ કે ત્યાં રોજ રસોડામાં ફણગાવેલા કઠોળની વાનગી હોય છે, આપણે તો માત્ર અડધાથી ઓછા ઇંચના ફણગાથી તુષ્ટ થઈએ છીએ, પણ મેં ચીનાના રસોડામાં ફણગાવેલા મગના બબ્બે ઇંચ લાંબા ફણગા જોયા છે.

ચીની તબીબ નુગ પેનત્સાઓ કિંગ તો કહેતા કે સ્ત્રીઓએ સાંધાના રોગથી પીડાવું ન હોય તો બ્રેડ ન ખાવી. ઘઉની રોટલી ખાય તો સાથે ફણગાવેલા કઠોળ જરૂર ખાવા.બીજા વિશ્વયુદ્ધમાં બ્રિટિશ સોલ્જરો તેમજ આપણા સૈનિકોને ખાસ ફણગાવેલા કઠોળ અપાતા. પંજાબમાં ૧૯૩૮માં ઘઉનો પાક નિષ્ફળ ગયો ત્યારે તેની ગરજ સારવા બાજરાને ફણગાવીને પંજાબીઓ ખાતા. વધુ વખાણ લખવાની જરૂર નથી. તમે ઘણી વખત રીબો ફલેવીનનું સીરપ પીઓ છો, પણ પાચન સુધારવા તેની જરૂર નથી. ફણગાવેલા કઠોળમાં અઢળક રીબો ફલેવીન (પાચક સત્ત્વ) હોય છે. ચાલો આજે રાત્રે છાલિયું ભરીને મગ પલાળી બીજે દિવસે ફણગાવવાનું શરૂ કરી દો.

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Source: Internet

આજકાલ વધતા માનસિક તણાવ અને ભાગદોડવાળી જીવનશૈલી માં લોકોમાં હાઈ બ્લડ પ્રેશરની ફરિયાદ એ સામાન્ય વાત બનતી જાય છે.

નાનકડું ટેન્શન કે જવાબદારીઓને પુરા કરવાનું દબાણને કારણે આપણે આ બીમારીને સતત વધારીએ છીએ. આયુર્વેદના આ ઘરગથ્થુ નુસખાઓને અપનાવીને તેનાથી ઘણી હદ સુધી છુટકારો મેળવી શકાય છે.
1. ડુંગળીનો રસ અને શુદ્ધ મધને બરાબર માત્રામાં લગાડીને રોજ લગભગ દસ ગ્રામની માત્રામાં લો.

2. તરબુચના બીજના પલ્પ અને ખસખસ બન્નેને બરાબર માત્રામાં મેળવી પીસી લો. રોજ સવાર –સાંજ એક ચમચી ખાલી પેટે પાણી સાથે લો.

3. મેથીદાણાના ચુર્ણને રોજ એક ચમચી સવારે ખાલી પેટે લેવાથી હાઇબ્લડ પ્રેશરથી બચી શકાય છે.

4. ખાવાનું ખાધા પછી બે કાચા લસણની કળીઓને લઇને કિસમિસ સાથે ચાવો.આમ કરવાથી હાઇ બી.પીની સમસ્યા રહેતી નથી.

- ભારતીય જમણમાં મસાલાનો પ્રયોગ પ્રાચીન સમયથી થાય છે.

હળદરનો સૌથી વધારે ઉપયોગ દાળ અને શાકભાજીમાં કરવામાં આવે છે કારણ કે આ દાળ અને શાકભાજીનો રંગને પીળો કરે છે તે સાથે જ ભોજનને પણ સ્વાદિષ્ટ બનાવે છે.

- ડાયાબીટિસના દર્દીઓ માટે હળદર કોઇ ઔષધિઓથી ઓછી નથી. ડાયાબીટિસ માટે દરરોજ ગરમ દૂધમાં હળદર પાવડર મેળવીને પીવું જોઇએ.વાસ્તવમાં, હળદરમાં વાતનાશક ગુણ હોય છે જે
ડાયાબીટિસની સમસ્યાથી રાહત મળવામાં મદદ મળે છે.

આયુર્વેદ અનુસાર નાના-નાના પ્રયોગ કરીને તેના અલગ- અલગ લાભ ઉઠાવી શકાય છે.

- હળદર એ શરીરની રોગપ્રતિરોધક ક્ષમતાને વધારે છે અને લોહીને સ્વચ્છ રાખે છે.

- મહિલાઓની પીરિયડ સંબંધી સમસ્યાઓને પણ દૂર કરે છે.

- લીવર સંબંધી સમસ્યાઓમાં પણ તેને ગુણકારી માનવામાં આવે છે. આ જ કારણ છે કે શરદી- ખાંસી થવા પર દૂધમાં કાચી હળદર પાવડર નાખીને પીવાની સલાહ આપવામાં આવે છે.

- જરૂરી છે કે હળદર હંમેશા હવાચુસ્ત બરણીમાં રાખો કે જેથી કરીને તેના સ્વાદ અને ગુણવત્તામાં કોઇ ઉણપ આવે નહીં.

- પેટમાં કીડા થવા પર 1 ચમચી હળદરના પાવડરને રોજ સવારે ખાલી પેટે એક સપ્તાહ સુધી તાજા પાણીની સાથે લેવાથી કીડા દૂર થાય છે. આ મિશ્રણમાં થોડું મીઠું પણ મેળવી શકો છો. તેનાથી પણ ફાયદો થશે.

- ચહેરાના ડાઘ- ધબ્બા અને કરચલીઓ મટાડવા માટે હળદર અને કાળા તલને બરાબર માત્રમાં પીસીને પેસ્ટ બનાવીને ચહેરા પર લગાડો. આ પેસ્ટથી માજ્ઞ તમારો ચહેરો જ નહીં નીખરે, પણ તે સાથે તમારો ચહેરો ખીલેલો રહેશે.

- સતત ખાંસી આવતી હોય તો હળદરની નાની ગાંઠને મોં મા રાખીને ચુસો. તેનાથી ખાંસી આવતી બંધ થશે.

-ત્વચાના વણજોઇતા વાળને દૂર કરવા માટે હળદર પાવડરને નવશેકા નાળિયેર તેલમાં મેળવીને પેસ્ટ બનાવી લો. હવે આ પેસ્ટને હાથ- પગ પર લગાડો. જેનાથી ત્વચા મુલાયમ બને છે અને શરીર પરથી વણજોઇતા વાળ દૂર થાય છે.

^^ ^^ ^^

Follow these  basic tips for healthy living and you can better control your own destiny.

1. Move More

Make it a daily challenge to find ways to move your body. Climb stairs if given a choice between that and escalators or elevators.
Walk your dog; chase your kids; toss balls with friends, mow the lawn. Anything that moves your limbs is not only a fitness tool, it is a stress buster. Think ‘move’ in small increments of time. It does not have to be an hour in the gym or a 45-minute aerobic dance class or tai chi or kickboxing. However, that is great when you are up to it. Meanwhile, move more.

2. Cut Fat

Avoid the obvious such as fried foods, burgers and other fatty meats (i.e. pork, bacon, ham, salami, ribs and sausage). Dairy products such as cheese, cottage cheese, milk and cream should be eaten in low-fat versions. Nuts and sandwich meats, mayonnaise, margarine, butter and sauces should be eaten in limited amounts. Most are available in lower fat versions such as substitute butter, fat-free cheeses and mayonnaise.

3. Quit Smoking

The jury is definitely in on this verdict. Ever since 1960 when the Surgeon General announced that smoking was harmful to your health, Americans have reduced their use of tobacco products that kill. Just recently, we have seen a surge in smoking in adolescents and teens. Could it be the Hollywood influence? It seems the stars in every movie of late smoke cigarettes. Beware. Warn your children of the false romance or ‘tough guy’ stance of Hollywood smokers. In addition, the trend to quit smoking has been slow to follow in France.

4. Drink Plenty of Water

Drinking water is still one of the healthiest things we can do. Water is essential for almost every function of the body. The average person needs eight 8-ounce glasses a day. Drink with meals, as well as before, during and after exercise. During exercise, cold water is more readily absorbed.

5. Reduce Stress

Easier said than done, stress busters come in many forms. Some techniques recommended by experts are to think positive thoughts. Spend 30 minutes a day doing something you like. (i.e., Soak in a hot tub; walk on the beach or in a park; read a good book; visit a friend; play with your dog; listen to soothing music; watch a funny movie. Get a massag, a facial or a haircut. Meditate. Count to ten before losing your temper or getting aggravated. Avoid difficult people when possible.

6. Avoid Excessive Alcohol Consumption

While recent studies show a glass of wine or one drink a day can help protect against heart disease, drinking more than that can cause health problems such as liver and kidney disease as well as cancer.

7. Keep a Positive Mental Outlook

There is a definitive connection between living well and healthfully and having a cheerful outlook on life. Remember, you cannot be unhappy when you are smiling!

8. Protect Yourself from Pollution

If you cannot live in a smog-free environment, at least avoid smoke-filled rooms, high traffic areas, breathing in highway fumes and exercising near busy thoroughfares. Exercise outside when the smog rating is low. Exercise indoors in air conditioning when the air quality is good. Plant lots of shrubbery in your yard. It is a good pollution and dirt deterrent.

9. Floss Your Teeth

Recent studies make a direct connection between longevity and teeth flossing. Nobody knows exactly why. Perhaps it is because people who floss tend to be more health conscious than people who do not.

The link between genetics and health is a powerful one. However, just because one or both of your parents died young in ill-health does not mean you cannot counteract the genetic pool handed you.

^^ ^^ ^^

Wise Words

Following is a letter by a Father to his son from a renowned Hong Kong  TV broadcaster/Child Psychologist. The words are actually applicable to all of Children, young or old, parents or us. This applies to daughters too. All parents can use this in their teachings to their children.

Dear son ,

I am writing this to you because of three reasons

1. Life, fortune and mishaps are unpredictable; nobody knows how long

he lives. Some words are better said early.

2. I am your father, and if I do not tell you these, no one else will.

3. What are written are my own personal bitter experiences that perhaps?

could save you unnecessary heartache.

Remember the following as you go through life:

1. Do not bear grudge towards those who are not good to you. No one

has the responsibility of treating you well, except your mother and me.

To those who are good to you, you have to treasure it and be thankful,

in addition, you have to be cautious, because, everyone has a motive for

every move. When a person is good to you, it does not mean he really

likes you. You have to be careful; do not hastily regard him as a real friend.

2. No one is indispensable, nothing in the world that you must

possess. Once you understand this idea, it would be easier for you to

go through life when people around you do not want you anymore, or when

you lose what/who you love most.

3. Life is short. When you waste your life today, tomorrow you would

find that life is leaving you. The earlier you treasure your life, the

better, you enjoy life.

4. Love is but a transient feeling, and this feeling would fade with

time and with one’s mood. If your so-called loved one leaves you, be

patient, time will wash away your aches and sadness. Don’t over

exaggerate the beauty and sweetness of love, and do not over exaggerate

the sadness of falling out of love.

5. A lot of successful people did not receive a good education, that

does not mean that you can be successful by not studying hard!

Whatever knowledge you gain is your weapon in life. One can go from

rags to riches, but one has to start from some rags!

6. I do not expect you to financially support me when I am old, neither

would I financially support your whole life? My responsibility as a

supporter ends when you are grown up. After that, you decide whether

you want to travel in a public transport or in your limousine, whether

rich or poor.

7. You honor your words, but do not expect others to be so. You can be

good to people, but do not expect people to be good to you. If you

do not understand this; you would end up with unnecessary troubles.

8. I have bought lotteries for umpteen years, but I never strike any

prize. That shows if you want to be rich, you have to work hard! There

is no free lunch!

9. No matter how much time I have with you, let’s treasure the time we

have together. We do not know if we would meet again in our next life.

With Love,

Your Dad

Often communicated by a trusted source, it is easy to believe in the healing powers of home remedies. However, it can be difficult to differentiate a successful home remedy from an old wives’ tale. To clear up the confusion, Dr. Oz took some remedies YOU swear by and put them to the test!

Pepto Bismol Facial

Method: Apply Pepto Bismol to face. Leave on for 10 minutes and peel off.

Verdict: It works! When applied to the skin, Pepto Bismol does the same thing it does to your stomach: It soothes and coats it. While it is an off-label use of this product, the aspirin and bismuth sub-salicylate contained in this classic pink medicine transforms dull skin and cleans out pores, giving you a healthy glow.

Sweet Almond Oil and Sugar to Cure Chapped Lips

Method: Mix 100% pure sweet almond oil with sugar to create a paste. Dip toothbrush in mixture and scrub lips.

Verdict: It works! The sweet almond oil helps to moisturize your lips while the sugar gently exfoliates away dead tissue. Be careful not to scrub too hard to avoid doing harm to your lips.

Manuka Honey to Soften Fine Lines and Wrinkles

Method: Apply manuka honey directly to trouble spots. Leave on for 10 to 20 minutes and then rinse away.

Verdict: It works! Thanks to its healing powers, this potent honey is used in hospitals to treat wounds. It costs about $15 in health food stores. Whatever is left over can be eaten, because it tastes delicious, too!

Chopped Garlic and Honey/Turmeric Powder and Milk for Joint Pain

Method: For the first step, chop garlic and add to 1 tablespoon of honey. For the second step, add 1-teaspoon turmeric powder to a half a glass of warm milk. Swallow the honey-garlic mixture and chase it with the milk mixture.

Verdict: It works! Inflammation is a major cause of joint pain. Garlic, honey, turmeric and milk all have anti-inflammatory properties. Mixing turmeric into warm milk (instead of water) makes it easier to drink.

Gin Soaked Raisins for Arthritis

Method: Put raisins in a bowl and pour in enough gin to cover the raisins. Allow the gin to evaporate, which should take about 1 week. Place the moist raisins in a sealed jar and eat about nine a day.

Verdict: It works! Drinking alcohol has been shown to cut the risks of developing rheumatoid arthritis in half. Gin is flavored by the juniper berry, which contains anti-inflammatory properties. Raisins contain ferulic acid, gentisic acid and salicylic acid – all natural pain relievers.

Tickle the Roof of Your Mouth to Stop Hiccups

Method: Use a cotton ball to tickle the roof of your mouth at the point where the hard and soft palate meets.

Verdict: It works! Hiccups are caused by a spasm of the diaphragm. Tickling the roof of your mouth stimulates the vagus nerve, which interrupts that spasm.

Play the Didgeridoo to Help Snoring

Method: The didgeridoo is a wind instrument that produces a droning sound. Play this instrument, or as an alternative, blow into a wrapping paper roll before bed to help with snoring and sleep apnea.

Verdict: It works! Snoring and sleep apnea are caused by collapse of upper airways. Playing the didgeridoo strengthens those muscles and prevents them from narrowing. It uses circular breathing – storing air in your cheeks for one continuous breath. This practice can also lessen daytime sleepiness, a complication of snoring and sleep apnea.

Lemon Slices for Constipation

Method: Cut a lemon into pieces and then eat it.

Verdict: It works! Raw lemon is high in vitamin C, and in high doses, vitamin C can cause diarrhea.

Headband to Cure a Headache

Method: Pour rubbing alcohol into a bowl, wet the bandana in the alcohol and then tie it tightly around your head

Verdict: It doesn’t work. Although there might be some comfort in cooling your forehead, the fumes of the alcohol can actually worsen your headache. Additionally, high levels of alcohol absorbed through the skin and may cause nausea. Instead, soak the bandana in water that has been mixed with a little bit of rosemary or lavender.

Cabbage Juice to Cure Ulcers

Method: Take raw cabbage and blend in a juice extractor to remove the pulp. Drink the juice while fresh. You can sweeten the taste by adding carrot juice.

Verdict: It works! Fresh, uncooked cabbage has been proven to heal ulcers. In a study conducted in the 1950s, over 90% of participants were completely rid of their ulcers through this method.

Olive Oil Rinse to Prevent Gingivitis

Method: Take a bit of olive oil, and swish it around in your mouth. Swallow.

Verdict: It works! Because olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fats (the good kind of fat) and antioxidants that reduce plaque buildup, it works to prevent gingivitis. It can also minimize the discomfort from other sores in your mouth. Additionally, the antioxidants in olive oil help to kill off H. pylori, the bacteria that infect stomach lining and causes ulcers.

Milk and Cabbage Gel for Back Pain

Method: Chop up 5-6 large leaves of cabbage into halves or quarters. Add them to 2 cups of milk. Pour the mixture into a saucepan and heat for around 20-35 minutes until it boils and starts to look and feel sticky. Spread the mixture onto your back and leave on for around 20 minutes.

Verdict: It does not work! Although the heat may help to loosen up the muscles and bring relief, there is no science behind milk or cabbage being useful for back pain.

Curry Rice Drink for an Upset Stomach

Method: Take boiled rice, add around 10 crushed curry leaves, 1 tsp cumin seeds and then fry together. Then add 1 glass of water and bring to a boil. Have the drink on an empty stomach.

Verdict: It works! Rice usually helps an upset stomach. Additionally, there is also some evidence that curry leaves contain a protein that slows down digestion, and could be helpful to treat diarrhea.

Onion Wrap for Fever Aches & Pains

Method: Peel and slice an onion. Then cut the tops of panty hose and place the slices inside. Wrap around you ankle like a bracelet. Put a sock on over the onion. Wear overnight to reduce your fever.

Verdict: It might work. Onions have anti-inflammatory properties, which could reduce a fever, but only when eaten. There is no evidence that this would work through the skin.

Olive Oil and Garlic for Ear Infections

Method: Heat 1 tsp olive oil. Cool oil until it’s tepid. Make sure you test first. Add less than 1/3 of a pressed garlic clove – make sure you use only tiny pieces that will dissolve and not chunks. Use a clear dropper and add a couple drops into the ear canal.

Verdict: It works! Garlic has anti-bacterial properties which relieves pain and cures infection.

Apple Cider Vinegar for Heartburn

Method: Swallow a few teaspoons of apple cider vinegar rather than popping antacids to soothe heartburn.

Verdict: It does not work! Apple cider vinegar works for a lot things (like killing germs, weight loss and hair health) but unfortunately, there is no evidence that supports it can help heartburn. In addition, if it tastes bad, skip it altogether.

A Warm Drink for PMS Symptoms

Method: This homemade warm, spicy drink contains oregano, rosemary, anise seeds and cloves. Drink before bed to ease the bloating, cramps and back pain that accompany your monthly period.

Verdict: Dr. Oz delivers his first ‘maybe!’ All the ingredients in this warm drink reduce bloating and gastrointestinal cramps, but there is no research that links those ingredients to PMS symptoms. Here is the recipe for this drinks – try it at home and let us know if it works for you!

Nuvia’s Cramps Remedy

1 tbsp oregano

1 tbsp rosemary

1 tbsp anise seeds

1 tbsp cloves

Directions

Add two cups of water. Let it simmer until there is only half cup left, drink while is still very warm preferably before bedtime.

Clove of Garlic for an Ear Infection

Method: Insert a glove of garlic into your ear. Make sure the garlic you use is not broken, because it can burn you.

Verdict: It works! Herbalists recommend garlic drop to shorten duration and reduce the pain of ear infections. Garlic has potential to prevent or destroy pathogens, so this is a successful treatment option.

Turmeric Powder for Cuts and Scrapes

Method: Take turmeric powder and cover the area that is bleeding. For a deep cut or gash, cover with turmeric and apply pressure to stop bleeding and prevent infection.

Verdict: It works! Turmeric contains a raw material called curcumin, which are an antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory. Curcumin prevents some extra chemicals from being released from injured cells, reducing damage.

White Rum with Lemon Juice and Water as a Fever Reducer

Method: Mix together rum, lemon juice and water and then use a wash rag to apply to your arms, back and forehead.

Verdict: It Does Not Work! Alcohol works to cool the skin so quickly that you begin to shiver, which works to raise your core body temperature. A 5-10 minute sponge bath with lukewarm water is far more effective. This treatment prevents a sharp decline in temperature by bringing it down gradually.

Water and Baking Soda for Acid Reflux

Method: Mix together and drink 3 times a day, 5 days a week for 3 weeks.

Verdict: It Works! When you have acid reflux, acid is burning your stomach causing indigestion and discomfort. Chemically, the bicarbonate ion present in the baking soda will react to neutralize this acid, effectively treating acid reflux.

Glue for Removing Splinters

Method: Put glue over the splinter, let it dry, and peel it off to remove splinter.

Verdict: It Works! Glue will stick to a variety of materials, so it can work for many types of splinters. The splinter will be pulled out at the same angle that it entered your body thereby alleviating the need for picking and scratching with needles. This procedure is safe and easy.

Mayonnaise for a Burn

Method: Apply mayonnaise to a burn immediately after it occurs and leave on for 10 minutes.

Verdict: It Does Not Work! Applying mayonnaise or other types of food can actually breed bacteria and complicate the healing process. After a burn occurs, the most important thing is to cool it down. Direct ice can hurt the skin, but cold running water will work. Aloe is proven to help, and you should cover with sterile gauze to protect the wound.

Hydrogen Peroxide for Ear Infections

Method: Pour hydrogen peroxide directly into the ear.

Verdict: It Works! Bacteria in the wax that builds up inside your ear cause ear Infections. The hydrogen peroxide causes a chemical reaction with the bacteria which results in visible bubbling. The hydrogen peroxide dissolves this bacteria and wax, making it an effective home remedy.

^^ ^^ ^^

Three things in life

that never come back: 

Time

Words

Opportunities

Three things in life

that should never be lost:

Peace

Hope

Honesty

Three things in life

that are most valuable: 

Love

Faith

Prayer

Three things in life

that make a person: 

Hard-work

Sincerity

Commitment 

Three things in life

that can destroy a person:

Selfishness

Pride

Anger

Three things in life

that are constant:

Change

Death

God.

^^ ^^ ^^

Shakespeare said:

I always feel happy, You know why?

Because I don’t expect anything from anyone,

Expectations always hurt…

Life is short..

So love your life..

Be happy..

In addition, keep smiling…

Just Live for yourself and

Before you speak, Listen

Before you write, Think

Before you spend, Earn

Before you pray, Forgive

Before you hurt, Feel

Before you hate, Love

Before you quit, Try

Before you die, Live…

^^ ^^ ^^

Amla, or Indian gooseberry, is considered as dhatri, or motherly figure. Thanks to its health benefits, amla has also been worshipped in Indian culture since ages.
Ayurveda, which is the oldest health system in the world, appreciates and uses amla to treat a host of diseases and promote positive health.
Amla [Emblica officinalis, or emblic myrobalan], is called amalaki in Sanskrit. It is extensively used as a rejuvenator in ayurveda. It is also used widely in combination with other two [chebulic and belleric] myrobalans [fruit-bearing plant species] as triphala. Amla is, indeed, the key ingredient in the popular ayurvedic recipe, Chyavanaprasha. More than anything, it may be called as “King of Rasayana” [rejuvenation], owing to its multiple health benefits.
Amla in ayurveda
Ayurveda describes amla as a cooling, astringent, digestive, laxative, stomachic, and aphrodisiac medicine. It also has anti-pyretic, anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties. Due to its numerous therapeutic effects on various organs and systems, it has been found to be useful in problems ranging from chest diseases such as cough, asthma, and bronchitis, digestive ailments like dyspepsia, hyperacidity and ulcers and anaemia, jaundice, diabetes, bleeding conditions, eye diseases, allergic and other skin problems to gynaecological problems.
Food and digestion

Amla strengthens absorption and assimilation of food. It improves digestion and stimulates our taste buds to relish food better. Everyone without fear of gastric irritation, or increased acidity can use it. It can also be used to ease “too much heat” – a popular belief – in the body. It aids in better absorption and assimilation of iron from the gut. It also acts as a laxative in large doses due to its high fiber content.
Amla is best used as an ingredient in our diet regularly. It can be used as an alternative to tamarind, lemon or such other fruits to add flavour to food. It can be used as dry powder, fresh juice; or for dressing, by grating it coarse, or fine. It can also be used to prepare chutneys [paste] to be used as an adjuvant in our meals. It can be preserved for a long time in sugar syrup or as pickle and used regularly.
Amla is one of the best sources of natural vitamin C. It contains 20 times more vitamin C than an orange. Even when it is dried, or baked, it contains tannins, which prevent loss of vitamin C. Vitamin C, an anti-oxidant, fights free radicals, which cause many chronic and grave diseases like arthritis, high blood pressure, heart problems, Alzheimer’s, cancer, and so on. Vitamin C is also required for our body’s natural defences and healing mechanisms.

Look good

Amla boosts absorption of calcium. Thus, it helps in the formation, maintenance, and repair of bones, teeth, nails and hair. It also helps maintain youthful hair colour and retards premature graying. In addition, it supports the strength of the hair follicles. This translates to less thinning of hair with age.
Amla enhances protein synthesis by means of which bodily tissues, especially the muscles, are strengthened and toned up. It is, therefore, very useful to athletes and those who exercise regularly for maintaining muscular health and eliminating toxic products, the result of muscle activity.

Physiological benefits

Amla is useful in reducing LDL ["bad"] cholesterol and thus preventing arterial blockages that may cause heart attack or stroke.
Amla, when consumed in its natural form, as raw fruit or dry powder, can reduce chest congestion and facilitate the removal of sputum from the respiratory tract. It can soothe and heal inflamed airways and thus, is useful in cough, bronchitis, and other problems of the respiratory system.
Amla is also known to act as a very good brain and nerve tonic. It improves memory, tolerance, and nervous function.
Exposure to chemicals and consumption of chemically treated food or drinks results in the accumulation of toxins in body tissues. This affects the functioning of the liver. Amla helps in elimination of toxins. It strengthens the liver in the process. Regular use of amla will result in an efficient defence system in the body against harmful substances.
The fresh juice of amla acts as a diuretic; it also normalises acidic urine. It is helpful in burning urination and urinary infections.
It is known that amla is beneficial during chemotherapy and radiotherapy due to its adaptogenic[balancing effect on your body's systems]
In addition, rejuvenating properties.

Amla for common ailments

Dry Cough

Take half tsp amla powder mixed with a little ghee [liquefy the ghee]. Take frequently.

Piles

Take wild amla juice, or powder, with cream top of yoghurt, twice a day.

White vaginal discharge [leucorrhoea]
Take 1 gm amla powder with one tsp honey and one tsp crystal sugar mixed together, thrice a day.
Internal bleeding [Rakta Pitta]
Wild amla one gm, with one tsp honey, thrice a day.

Hiccups

Wild amla powder with long pepper [or, black pepper]. One gm amla, with 3-4 pinches of pepper.
Slow and burning urination
Juice of amla, half cup [approx 30 ml], twice a day. This should be supplemented with extra fluid intake and/or liquid diet.

Diabetes

Amla and turmeric, as juice or powder, twice a day, before food; use two tsp each for juice and half tsp each for powder.
Despite its supreme safety and therapeutic value, it is useful to consult an expert in ayurveda or herbal medicine to have a more specific and individualised prescription to suit your amla needs – especially when you have medical, or surgical, concerns.

Add Amla to Your Diet

Amla fruits are available at local fruit sellers. Amla is seasonally available from, October to January in India. You can buy fresh amla and make a murabba [sugar syrup preparation] with either whole fruits or grated amla. You could also make an amla pickle that is tangy and spicy. In case you prefer a drink, you can choose Amlana, which is a cool appetizer, or an amla-ginger punch.
Ready-to-eat packaged Amla also is available in a number of stores. Normally these are local brands. Options like dehydrated amla, amla in tablet form, packaged amla juice, amla pickles, amla chutney, amla candy are a good bet for trial.
You could even start off on Triphala or Chyawanprash both of which contain amla as a major ingredient.

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