Cool Spice Coriander

Coriander is a herbaceous hardy annual plant. It has erect slender branching stems which are bright green. The flowers are small, pink, pale, blue or white. The upper leaves are wispy and finely divided. The lower leaves are broad and undivided. The fruits are crowned with minute calyx. Coriander is grown from seed and prefers warm dry conditions to grow. The seeds are slow in germinating. The coriander is used as one of the world's coldest spices. It's useful parts are seeds and leaves. The fresh leaves are also called cilantro. Since coriander is highly perishable so fresh coriander should always be stored in refrigerator especially with roots attached.

Health Benefits
Coriander is considered as an aid to the digestive system. It is appetite stimulant and helps in secretion of gastric juices. It works as carminative. The essential oil of leaves is anti-bacterial and fungicidal. Coriander herb is very low in calories. The coriander seeds are referred as anti-diabetic and anti inflammatory and have anti cholesterol properties. Coriander acts as diuretic and thus relieves fluid retention in the body. The deep green leaves of coriander possess good amount of antioxidants, Vitamins & dietary fibers.
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Diabetes-Facts, Myths & Diet

Diabetes which is also called the “sweet killer” can affect anyone, from any walk of life. And it does – in numbers that are gravelly increasing. Worldwide, it afflicts more than 380 million people. And the World Health Organization estimates that by 2030, that number of people living with diabetes will more than double.

Today, diabetes takes more lives than AIDS and breast cancer combined. It is a leading cause of blindness, kidney failure, amputations, heart failure and stroke.
Living with diabetes places an enormous emotional, physical and financial burden on the entire family. Just what is diabetes?To answer that, you first need to understand the role of insulin in your body.
When you eat, your body turns food into sugars, or glucose. At that point, your pancreas is supposed to release insulin.Insulin serves as a “key” to open your cells, to allow the glucose to enter - and allow you to use the glucose for energy.
But with diabetes, this system does not work.
Several major things can go wrong – causing the onset of diabetes. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes are the most common forms of the disease, but there are also other kinds, such as gestational diabetes, which occurs during pregnancy, as well as other forms.
Diabetes, often referred to by doctors as diabetes mellitus, is describes as a group of metabolic diseases in which the person has high blood glucose (blood sugar), either because insulin production is inadequate or because the body's cells do not respond properly to insulin, or both. Major symptoms that a person can typically experience are polyuria meaning frequent urination, they will become increasingly thirsty (polydypsia) and hungry (polyphagia).
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4 Ayurvedic Herbs-to Enhance Brain Power Naturally

In this age of day-by-day increasing mental stress, strain and cut-throat competition, we are finding it more and more difficult to cope with the pressures of day to day life. Ayurveda claims at not only increasing the powers of the brain but also at keeping the mental diseases away, along with helping to cure them desirably.

It is believed that a number of the diseases have their root in the brain of an individual. That is one of the reasons why the number of psychological and neurological cases is on the increase.
Ayurveda Dosha Healing and Mental Balance
According to Ayurveda text, the balance of the three body humors viz. air, fire and phlegm or the Vata, Pitta and Kapha doshas when gets disturbed, tends to manifest itself both in somatic as well as psychic spheres.
Vitiation of the Vata dosha destroys mental sense and gives rise to grief and infatuation.
When the Pitta dosha or the fire humor of the body gets aggravated beyond its normal limits, may lead to mental states of fear, lust and grief.
Similarly, imbalance in Kapha causes lethargy and in-discrimination.
These dosha imbalances disturb both the body as well as the mind. Although the predominant factor in case of mental disturbances is believed to be an increase and imbalance in the two mental states of the brain viz. Rajas and Tamas. These two states are ascribed to Iccha (Desire) and Dwesha (Repulsion). It is believed that when these states of mind tend to cross the limits set by social norms and values; they tend to excite the basic humors of the body resulting into degeneration of the brain powers and birth of mental diseases.
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Brahmi for Brain

Brahmi, with latin name Bacopa monnieri, belongs to family of Scrophulariaceae. It is commonly known as Brahmi, bacopa, Babies. The plant is used as whole plant, Brahmi is an annual creeping plant found throughout India including the north eastern region.

Introduction: Bacopa monnieri is bitter (Tikta) in taste; has been used in the Ayurvedic system of medicine for centuries. Brahmi occurs naturally in India and has a long history of use in the Ayurvedic medicine tradition in the treatment of a number of disorders, particularly those involving anxiety, intellect and poor memory. Traditionally, it was used as a brain tonic to enhance memory development, learning, and concentration.
Bacopa benefits: Brahmi is also used for the treatment of insomnia (Anidra). Two chemicals in Bacopa, bacosides A and B, improve the transmission of impulses between nerve cells in brain. The neurobiological effects of these isolated molecules were found to increase protein kinase activity and new protein synthesis, specifically in cells in region of the brain associated with long-term memory. Bacopa also increases level of serotonin, a brain chemical known to promote relaxation. The herb's ability to boost brain function while reducing anxiety may explain why it helps treat ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder).
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10 Benefits of Cardamom

The botanical name of Cardamom is “Elettaria cardamomum” and it belongs to family Scitaminaceae zingiberceae. Ayurvedic texts mention two types of Cardamom namely suksma (Small Cardamom) and brihat (Big Cardamom). The small variety is commonly used as medicine whereas the big Variety is mostly used in Spices.

Cardamom grows in Humid forests of India and is cultivated throughout the country. It is a large perennial herb with thick fleshy or woody rhizome which in turn gives off fibrous roots below.
Ayurvedic Energetics
Taste - Pungent and sweet
Post digestive effect - Sweet
Potency - Cold .
Attributes - Light and Dry.
Ten Benefits of Cardamom
1. To increase appetite: To increase appetite, appetizers are used as a food or drink that stimulates the appetite and is usually served before a meal. Cardamom is best appetiser, vermicide and improves the sensation of taste.
2. Offensive breath: Halitosis is the Medical term use for bad breath. Halitosis basically refers to the unpleasant odors emanating from the mouth, intensity of which differs according to food eaten such as garlic, onion,redmeat, fish etc. It is generally worse upon awakening (morning breath) because anaerobic bacterica in the mouth had hours to proliferate and produce volatiles. Cardamom is an effective gargle in bad smell of oral cavity and other dental ailments .
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Recommendations for future parents

In order for a pregnancy to go well and the baby to be healthy and vigorous, the couples who want to have a child will find the following recommendations very useful. Moreover, the recommendations reduce or eliminate the causes of infertility. Therefore, this is also addressed to couples who have difficulties to conceive.

Ayurveda, the traditional Indian medicine, recommend that the conception should be made whenever the physical and psycho-emotional health of the both parents is best. A bad mood at that time may have a negative impact on child development. For example, their anxiety and excessive worrying can be reflected in the child by increased shyness or difficulty in other aspects.
Even if there are some who say that a meat-free diet during pregnancy can harm the fetus, experts advice that babies born from ovo-lacto-vegetarians mothers are just as healthy as every other child.
For womens, the diet during six months before conception should be composed of foods having pungent as main taste (very rich in spices) and secondary taste - sour, along with regular consumption of cold-potency oils (sunflower, sesame, olive, grape seed oils etc.). This will stimulate the production of female hormones.
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Cumin for Cure

Cumin is a herb with very distinct flavour. Its distinctive and strong flavour, warm perception on taste buds which comes from certain group of essential oils in seeds makes it favourite for many. Its powder is pungent, sharp and slightly sweet; greenish brown in colour, and is an essential ingredient in Mexican and Indian cuisine. The spice is native to Middle-East Asian region, and is grown all over the world for its flavourful seeds.

In the Middle Ages cumin seed was thought to promote love and fidelity, so it was carried by attendees of weddings, and soldiers were always sent off to battle with a fresh loaf of cumin seed bread.
People take cumin for digestion problems including diarrhoea, colic, bowel spasms, and gas. Cumin is also used to increase urine flow to relieve bloating, to start menstruation, and to increase sexual desire (as an aphrodisiac).
Cumin finds its primary use in culinary. It is used as a spice and employed in cooking as a condiment and flavouring base. To keep its fragrance and flavour intact, it is generally ground just before preparing dishes. Its seeds have been used since ancient times in the preparation of many popular dishes in the Mediterranean, Asian and Chinese cuisines. Some Indian vegetarian, non vegetarian curries and rice dishes use cumin on regular basis. Its seeds have also been used in the preparation of soups, barbecue sauces and pickling.
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Ayurvedic treatment of ULCERATIVE COLITIS

Ulcerative colitis is a nonspecific inflammatory bowel disease of unknown cause that affects the mucosa of the colon and rectum.
There is mild inflammation in less severe cases with process limited to the mucosa and superficial sub-mucosa, in severe there is more damage in deeper layers of colon.

Risk factors: Oral contraceptive use, breast feeding, measles, infections and vaccination.
Stress: The disease has a huge impact on psychology of the person as well. It is very depressing to see one's own blood going in the toilet. This leads to depression and negative thoughts about life. The patient becomes so restless that he is normal work routine is disturbed and the feeling of hopelessness and despair starts to cloud his mind all the time.
So that's why it is important to keep the stress at the minimal level to attain state of remission and cure ulcerative colitis permanently.
Yoga and ulcerative colitis: According to the science of yoga, the colitis is the result of reduced digestive capacity. The capacity of digestion is connected to the fire element and manipooraka chakra. Failure of functioning of intestine results in incomplete digestion of food comes out along with stool.
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10 Healthy foods to live longer

Who doesn’t want to live a longer and healthier life? Everybody wants to explore more of this attractive human world. Believing in god and practicing paganism can get you closer to god, but it will not help you to increase your life’s longevity. There are some superfoods which can help you live long and healthy life, because exercising alone cannot keep you healthy. So, here are some superfoods that you need to include in your routine diet, to see their positive effects.

1. Spinach is a superfood because it is a very rich source of antioxidants. This superfood is packed with plenty of iron as well as Vitamins (such as A, C & K). Spinach is also great for your eyes, as it is rich in lutein. It is a rich source of fibre, and it helps in regulating blood pressure and builds-up immunity. So, add spinach in your salad or your sandwich or go ahead and cook that irresistibly tasty palak paneer!
2. Green tea: Every Indian shares a deep connection with tea. Green tea is rich in antioxidants, such as Vitamins C and E. It is rich in flavonoids and known for its various health promoting qualities and anti-ageing properties. It is known to keep away heart diseases and cancer. A good variety of green tea is the one coming from Japan, known as Matcha green tea. It is the ideal super tea that will keep your life healthy and keeps your body energetic.
3. Coconut is a super food with boundless health benefits. A glass of coconut water after your workout session will help in replenishing your body's lost electrolytes. Coconut oil can be used in cooking nourishing food as it is significantly heat stable and will keep your heart healthy. The oil contains special chain of triglycerides which are necessary for the brain activity. Lauric acid found in coconut oil helps in building good body immunity.
To enjoy your time on this beautiful earth, you need to balance your lifestyle with a healthy diet and a regular fitness session. So, include these food to live a longer and healthier life!
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Yoga Ayurveda Exercise-Basis of Health & Happiness

A diseased body is the biggest enemy of good health. A healthy body looks beautiful, attractive and remains active. Yogasanas and pranayama have a lot of significance in our life. Let us find out as to how can we cure different diseases through nature therapy and Yoga.

Yogic & Ayurvedic Treatment for Asthma:
Practice jala neti, sutra neti and vastra neti daily followed by surya namaskar, tadasana, katichakrasana, sarvangasana, bhujangasana, vajrasana, ushtrasana, gomukhasana, and shavasana, etc.
Practice kapalbhati, bhastrika and suryabhedi pranayama.
Uddiyan bandh and agnisar kriya are also beneficial in cases of asthma.
Eat roasted grams and drink hot milk at bedtime. It cleans the windpipe and helps overcome asthma.
Take 250 grams of Myrobalan marmalade; 50 grams of pipal churna and 125 ml of honey to cure serious cases of asthma.
Yogic & Ayurvedic Treatment for Tonsil Problems:
Practice ardhamatsyendrasana, bhujangasana, dhanurasana, sinhasana, makarasana, halasana, sarvangasana, and matsyasana for problems of the tonsils.
Ujjayi and brahmari pranayama should also be practiced twice daily.
Food containing iodine and vitamin E is beneficial in this case. Wheat and sprouts are good sources of this vitamin. Banana, grapes, raisins, dry dates, tomato and carrot are also good sources of this vitamin.
Mix Jalkumbhi bhasma in rapeseed oil and apply the paste on the throat to reduce swelling caused due to chronic tonsil problems.
Boil dry figs in water and crush them nicely. Apply the paste on the throat to reduce swelling. Barley, Moong, Sespedula and other dry and bitter foods are beneficial in cases of this disease.
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Panchkarma One Month Training Course



World health organization (WHO) defines health as “ a state of physical mental and social well being, not merely an absence of disease and affirmity”. Further this organization in its derive for “Health for All” proposes to spread health services that are “relevant, effective, acceptable and affordable in terms of needs culture resources of each community of the world.

Ayurveda the science of life India's native wisdom in health and medicine since its inception thousands years ago gave mind and soul concept of health. And Ayurveda scholar 'Charak' defined health as an equiposed state of body, mind sense organs and soul.
In classical text book of Ayurveda “Charak Samhita” before describing treatment of various diseases, detailed description of body, what is state of health, what is illness, why body becomes diseased? How to prevent diseases and cure them has been made.
Anatomy or structure of the body has been described as consisting of three planes vis Physical plane, Mental level and Spiritual level. Each of these levels have its own importance and role for providing total or holistic health.
Ayurvedic classical texts not only describe how to have disease free life, but surprisingly also give detailed description of purpose of life.
And salvation has been very frankly explained as purpose of life. If we trace history of Ayurveda to know why Ayurveda was invented we notice an interested reference in a classical Ayurvedic text "Charak Samhita" that on this earth planet in the ancient days because of people deviating from natural way life style diseases erupted, and hurdled man's achievement of ultimate goal of life that is salvation.
To find a solution for this problem few scholars assembled somewhere in the Himalaya's and conducted a workshop to find out remedies to cure diseases which were hurdling achievement of salvation. As s solution to this problem “Ayurveda” the life science in very compact form termed as TRI-SUTRA was invented. Where TRI stands for Three and Sutra literally means thread ultimately means basic or fundamental. Another meaning of sutra is formula. These three basics(TRI-SUTRA) of Ayurveda were (i) HETU (2) LING (3) AUSHADH where Hetu means causes, Ling means sign and symptoms of disease and Aushadh means medicine for the disease.
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Quotable Quotes - Vivekanand Said...
1. BY the study of different religions we find that in essence they are one.
2. Where can we go to find God if we cannot see Him in our own hearts and in every living being.
3. When God solves your problems, you have faith in his abilities; when God doesn’t solve your problems he has faith in your abilities.
4. Relationships are more important than life , but it is important for those relationships to have life in them….
5. Who is Helping You, Don’t Forget them, Who is Loving you, Don’t Hate them, Who is Believing you, Don’t Cheat them.
6. Fill the brain with high thoughts, highest ideals place them day and night before you and out of that will come great work.
7. Anything that makes you weak physically, intellectually and spiritually, reject as poison. Swami Vivekananda Motivational quote.


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Soma Rasa, Sura Prohibitions in religious texts

What is Soma rasa?
Is it the name of an intoxicating beverage which the Aryans used ? Or, does the word have a spiritual and mystical meaning ?

Soma, a key concept in the Vedic literature has a number of connotations, sometime based on analogies, as one may discern in the 9th book of the Rigveda and in the Samaveda. Soma is the Supreme Lord, vehicle of immortality, drop of life, supreme medicine and the elixir of gods. It is also viewed in the sense of friend, fame, ecstasy, affluence, etc. Soma is identified with all the deities with Agni, Apas, Indra, Brihaspati, Pushan, Aditi, Rudra, Varuna, Prajapati, et al. Soma is moon in the cosmic creation, and is present in all herbs. As a plant par excellence classified into 24 species, it grows on the Mujavat, Arbuda, Sahya, Mahendra, the Himâlaya and other mountains. For the purpose of juice (rasa) in sacrificial rites, it is pounded with stones or in a mortar, and then cleaned and processed. As an oblation (havih) in yajña it goes to Indra who in the metaphysical sense, is the resplendent Self, 'the soul who drinks Soma' shooting forth from the anandamaya and vijnanmaya sheaths of the subtle body. The ambrosia of Soma is fermented and distilled in the inner consciousness of one's self. Says the Samaveda

Come O strong and courageous resplendent self, spiritual elixir has been pressed out for you. May you be filled with spiritual vigour as the sun fills the sky with its rays.'
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CINNAMON Health Benefits

Cinnamon does not only taste good, it also contains many health benefits such as: Anti-Clotting and Anti-Microbial actions, Blood Sugar Control, it boosts Brain Function, it's Calcium and Fiber protect against Heart Disease and improve Colon Health, among other things.

Cinnamon is one of the oldest spices known. It was mentioned in the Bible and was used in ancient Egypt not only as a beverage flavoring and medicine, but also as an embalming agent. It was so highly treasured that it was considered more precious than gold. Around this time, cinnamon also received much attention in China, which is reflected in its mention in one of the earliest books on Chinese botanical medicine, dated around 2,700 B.C. Cinnamon’s popularity continued throughout history. It became one of the most relied upon spices in Medieval Europe. Due to its demand, cinnamon became one of the first commodities traded regularly between the Near East and Europe. Ceylon cinnamon is produced in Sri Lanka, India, Madagascar, Brazil and the Caribbean, while cassia is mainly produced in China, Vietnam and Indonesia.
Although available throughout the year, the fragrant, sweet and warm taste of cinnamon is a perfect spice to use during the winter months. Cinnamon has a long history both as a spice and as a medicine. It is the brown bark of the cinnamon tree, which is available in its dried tubular form known as a quill or as ground powder. The two varieties of cinnamon, Chinese and Ceylon, have similar flavor, however the cinnamon from Ceylon is slightly sweeter, more refined and more difficult to find in local markets.
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5 Foods to Keep You Young

Olive Oil: Four decades ago, researchers from the Seven Countries Study concluded that the monounsaturated fats in olive oil were largely responsible for the low rates of heart disease and cancer on the Greek island of Crete . Now we know that olive oil also contains polyphenols, powerful antioxidants that may help prevent age-related diseases.

Yogurt: In the 1970s, Soviet Georgia was rumored to have more centenarians per capita than any other country. Reports at the time claimed that the secret of their long lives was yogurt, a food ubiquitous in their diets. While the age-defying powers of yogurt never have been proved directly, yogurt is rich in calcium, which helps stave off osteoporosis and contains "good bacteria" that help maintain gut health and diminish the incidence of age-related intestinal illness.
Chocolate: The Kuna people of the San Blas islands, off the coast of Panama , have a rate of heart disease that is nine times less than that of mainland Panamanians. The reason? The Kuna drink plenty of a beverage made with generous proportions of cocoa, which is unusually rich in flavanols that help preserve the healthy function of blood vessels. Maintaining youthful blood vessels lowers risk of high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, kidney disease and dementia.
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WATERMELON - A Summers Delight

Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus var. lanatus, family Cucurbitaceae) is a vine-like flowering plant thought to have originated in southern Africa, where it is found growing wild. It reaches maximum genetic diversity there, with sweet, bland and bitter forms. Watermelon is also mentioned in the Bible as a food eaten by the ancient Israelites while they were in bondage in Egypt. In the 7th century, watermelons were being cultivated in India and by the 10th century had reached China, which is today the world's single largest watermelon producer. Much research effort has been put into breeding disease-resistant varieties and into developing a seedless strain. Nowadays a large number of cultivars are available, many of them producing mature fruit within 100 days of planting the crop.

The watermelon is an annual plant with long, weak, trailing or climbing stems which are five-angled and up to 3 m (10 ft) long. Young growth is densely woolly with yellowish-brown hairs which disappear as the plant ages. The leaves are stemmed and are alternate, large and pinnately-lobed, stiff and rough when old. The plant has branching tendrils. The flowers grow singly in the leaf axils and the corolla is white or yellow inside and greenish-yellow on the outside. Wild plants have fruits up to 20 cm (8 in) in diameter while cultivated varieties may exceed 60 cm (24 in). The rind of this fruit is mid- to dark green and usually mottled or striped, and the flesh contains numerous pips and is red, orange, pink, yellow, green or white.
Watermelons are tropical or subtropical plants and need temperatures higher than about 25 °C (77 °F) to thrive.
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Ageing Gracefully with Yoga

Ageing is a natural process. The one who is born is bound to age every second. The process of ageing starts right from the conception and continues through birth and till an individual dies. In this world nothing is stable. There is a time in one's body when all the systems in the body work till their maximum capacity. These duration of peak activity is not stable for a very long time. Subsequently there comes a stage when their is decline in the functional capacity of organ and the individual as a whole. This process of ageing is sequential and gradual. Further this process may vary from person to person.

With the advancement in science and medical knowledge the average life span of human beings has increased. Thus resulting in large elderly population around the globe. Thus more the ageing population more the medical facility would be required. Think about country like India where we are fighting with Malaria, Dengue and polio like diseases how we can tackle heart diseases, kidney failures, strokes and cancer. So one of the best way to deal with these situations is to understand what happens during ageing. One can understand his limitations and can repair himself accordingly.
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DAV's Ayurveda for Holistic Health
ISSN 2348-6910 Volume - 1 , Issue: 28 , September 2015

Editorial Board

Chief Patron
Shri Punam Suri
President, DAV College Managing Committee,
New Delhi.

Dr. S. K. Sama
Vice President, DAV College Managing Committee,
New Delhi.

Chief Editor
Dr. Raj Kumar Sharma
Principal, Dayanand Ayurvedic College,
Ph: +91-9814204443

Dr. Sanjeev Sood
Ph. : +91-9814004142

Executive Editor
Dr. Anup K. Gakkhar

Executive Manager (circulation)
Dr. Anil Gakkhar

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