The marigold-coloured spice, known as Turmeric, which is revered in India as ‘holy powder’, has been used for centuries to treat wounds, infections and other health problems.  There has been increasing research into Turmeric’s main ingredient, Curcumin, and its astonishing array of antioxidant, anti-cancer, antibiotic, antiviral, and other, properties.  Researchers have discovered that Curcumin acts by inserting itself into cell
membranes, and making them more orderly, a move that improves the cells’  resistance to infection and malignancy.  It appears that Curcumin  the pigment that gives Turmeric its yellow-orange colour, and which is thought to be responsible for many of its medicinal effects  is able to ‘discipline’ cells, and get them back into working order.

The reason people in India refer to Turmeric as ‘holy powder’ is because it has such a broad range of health effects.  In fact, Curcumin has been shown to influence more than 700 genes, with benefits that include:

1. Pigmentation:  Apply a little Turmeric, mixed with Cucumber Juice or Lemon Juice, to the affected area to reduce pigmentation.  Leave on for 15 minutes, or more, and wash off.  For best results, do this every day until you regain your skin tone colour.

2. Strong Bones:  To strengthen bones, add Turmeric to hot milk, and drink before going to bed at night.

3. This will assist in curing numerous ailments, and reduces the risk of developing osteoporosis.

4. Pregnancy Stretch Marks:  To prevent unsightly stretch marks, due to pregnancy, apply a mixture of Turmeric and Malai, or Turmeric and Curd, to your stomach and waist before going for a bath.  Leave it on for 15 minutes, and then wash off.

5. Wounds:  Sprinkle a bit of Turmeric with Honey (optional), on cuts, bruises, or scrapes, after a thorough wash, as the anti-bacterial action will prevent wound infections.

6. Arthritis:  Turmeric can be used to reduce pain associated with Arthritis.  Warm a cup of milk.  Before it boils, remove it from the heat, and add in one teaspoon of Turmeric powder.  Stir, and drink it (this can be done up to 3 times daily).

7. Reduce Fats:  Regular use of Turmeric reduces fats, aids blood circulation, and purifies the blood.

8. Cosmetic Use:  For dry skin, make a paste of Milk Cream (1/2 tablespoon), Gram Flour (1 tablespoon – available in Indian stores) and Turmeric  (1/2 teaspoon), and apply it daily to your face to own glowing skin without any marks.  Leave out the Milk Cream if your skin is oily.  Make sure to scrub the paste into your face well, as it helps to remove blackheads too.  Turmeric may also be mixed with Almond Oil and Honey to purify and nourish skin.

9. Cysts:  Turmeric is very effective in resolving Cysts.  Apply a Turmeric paste on the Cyst.  The Cyst is, generally, resolved in about one month.

10. Joint Pain:  Mix 1/8 teaspoon Turmeric, 3 Cardamom Pods (optional), 1/4 cup Water, simmer for 5-7 minutes, then add 1 cup of Milk, 2 tablespoons Almond Oil  (cold-pressed).  Bring just to boiling point (but do not boil).  Add honey or maple syrup to taste, if desired.  Sip slowly as a hot tea.

11. Cancer/Leukemia:  No-one really knows the quantity required to treat cancerous conditions, however, it’s recommended to take at least 10 grams per day (5 grams twice a day), dissolved in fat.  The Curcumin in Turmeric is not toxic, so why screw around with low doses (however, be aware of the side effects).

12. Digestion/Metabolism/Stomach/Dyspepsia/Indigestion:   (a) For a digestive system ‘cleanse’, mix 1/2 teaspoon Turmeric with 1 cup hot Milk, allow mixture to cool, and then drink.  (b) To balance digestion, add 1 teaspoon Turmeric to 1 cup of Yoghurt, and eat it right after lunch.   (c) For Stomach Ache, mix Turmeric and Honey.

13. Anaemia:  Every day, take a dose of 1 teaspoon of Turmeric juice mixed with Honey.

14. Asthma:  Boil 1 cup of milk and add 1 teaspoon Turmeric powder.  Drink warm.

15. Burns:  Mix 1 teaspoon of Turmeric with 1 teaspoon of Aloe Vera gel, and apply to burnt area.

16. Conjunctivitis:  Mix 1 tablespoon of crushed raw Turmeric in 1/3 cup of water.  Boil and sieve.  Use 2-3 drops of this mixture in each eye, up to 3 times per day.

17. Dental Problems:  Mix 1 teaspoon of Turmeric with 1/2 teaspoon of Salt.  Add Mustard Oil to make a paste.  Rub the teeth and gums with this paste twice daily.

18. Diabetes:  Take between 1/2 teaspoon and 1 teaspoon of Turmeric 3 times per day.

19. Diarrhoea:  Take 1/2 teaspoon of Turmeric powder or juice in water (or with Yoghurt), 3 times per day.

20. Pain/Swelling:  Mix 1 teaspoon of Turmeric and 2 teaspoons of Ginger with Water to make a paste.Spread over a cloth, place on the affected area (pain), and bandage.  Also, add 1 teaspoon of Turmeric to 1 cup of Warm Milk, and drink before bed.

21. Other:  Turmeric also assists Gallbladder, Premenstrual discomfort, Eczema, Endometriosis, Cataracts, Immune System, Melanoma, Heart/Cardiovascular conditions, Cholesterol, Liver, Colon, Coughs/Colds (take with Ghee), Alzheimer’s disease,  Piles (Turmeric/Onion/Mustard Oil paste on rectal area), Allergies, Hayfever, Boils, Menopause, Heel Spurs, Bunions, Fatigue, Goiter, Sinus, Migraine/Headache, Obesity, Itching, Bruises, Inflammation, Eye Conditions, Respiratory conditions, and more.

22. Use Glutamine When Taking Turmeric:  It is recommended to use Glutamine, at least 20 grams per day, with Curcumin, to make it maximally effective.



This is defined as ejaculation that occurs prior to penetration  or ejaculation before the person and the partner achieve orgasm. This usually is a result of the sexual debility and excesses and is not an uncommon condition nowadays. It is often associated with a lot of anxiety that tends to aggravate the condition. Ejaculation, controlled by the central nervous system, happens when friction on the genitalia and other forms of sexual stimulation provide impulses that are sent up the spinal cord and into the brain. 


1. Avoid taking salty, sour, pungent and bitter things. Food ingredients having sweet and astringent tastes are usually administered. Meat, eggs, cow's milk and ghee prepared from it are useful for this condition.

2. Mixture of cardamoms (elaichi), almonds, butter and sugar is taken daily in the morning.

3. Powdered root of the herb ashvagandha is useful when taken in one teaspoonful doses twice daily.

4. Juice of onions is useful when given with honey.

5. Mixture of roasted husked gram and sugar is taken at night daily for a month.

6. Twenty to twenty-five tender fruits of the ladies finger (bhindi) are given in the morning.

Clove Oil – Health Benefits

Clove Oil – Health Benefits

Clove is an evergreen tree, which produces a flower bud that has numerous medicinal properties. It is often referred as clove bud. Clove bud has a shaft and a head and hence it has the Latin name clavus meaning nail. Clove was extensively used in the ancient Indian and Chinese civilizations and it spread to other parts of the world, including Europe, during the seventh and eight centuries. Clove is rich in minerals such as calcium, hydrochloric acid, iron, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, and vitamin A and vitamin C.

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1. Dental Care: The most prominent use of clove oil is in dental care. The germicidal properties of the oil make it very effective for relieving dental pain, tooth ache, sore gums and mouth ulcers. Gargles with diluted clove oil help in easing the throat. The characteristic smell of clove oil helps removing bad breath. As a result, clove oil is added to numerous dental products and medications, including, mouth washes, and tooth pastes. Dentists also mix clove oil with zinc oxide and prepare a white filling material as a temporary alternative to root canal.

2. Infections: Due to its antiseptic properties, clove oil is useful for wound, cuts, scabies, athlete’s foot, fungal infections, bruises, prickly heat, etc. It can also be used insect bites and stings. Clove oil is very strong in nature and hence should be used in diluted form. Further, it should not be used on sensitive skin.

3. Skin Care: Clove oil is often recommended for skin care, especially to acne patients.

4. Stress: Clove oil is aphrodisiac in nature and hence serves as an excellent stress reliever. It has a stimulating effect on the mind and removes mental exhaustion and


6. Headache: Clove oil when mixed with salt, and applied on the forehead, gives a cooling effect and helps in getting relief from headache.


8. Earache: A mixture of warm clove oil and sesame oil is a good remedy for earaches.

9. Indigestion: Clove oil is effective in stomach related problems such as hiccups, indigestion, motion sickness, and flatulence. Hence, clove one of the important spices added in Indian dishes.

10. Nausea: Clove oil is helpful in case of nausea and vomiting and is often used for pregnancy related vomiting.

11. Blood Circulation: Clove oil increases your body metabolism by increasing blood circulation and reducing body temperature.

12. Blood Purification: Clove oil also helps in purifying the blood.

13. Diabetes: Along with blood purification, clove oil also helps in controlling the blood sugar levels and hence is useful to diabetics.

14. Immune System: Both clove and clove oil is useful for boosting the immune system. Its antiviral properties and ability to purify blood increases your resistance to diseases.

15. Premature Ejaculation: Research has indicated that clove can be useful for treating premature ejaculation.

16. Cholera: It is believed that clove oil is useful for treating cholera.

17. Sty: Clove and clove oil is a very effective home remedy for treating sty. Sty is an inflammation on the eyelash and is a very irritating condition. Sty is not only painful, but also causes difficulty in the proper functioning of the eye.  Other benefits of clove oil include the following:

18. Cosmetics: Clove oil is often added in cosmetic creams and lotions. It is a good massage oil providing relief from pain and stress.

19. Clove Cigarettes: Usage of clove in making cigarettes is a new trend all over the world. Traditionally, clove was added in cigarettes in Indonesia. Smokers (wrongly) feel that the  numerous health benefits of clove would nullify the ill effects of smoking.

20. Flavoring Agent: Along with its digestive properties, clove oil is added in food items due to its flavor. It is added in many Indian dishes, pickles, sauce, spice cakes, etc.

21. Soaps: Due to the characteristic aroma, soothing effect and antiseptic properties, clove oil is added in making soaps.

22. Perfumes: Clove oil is also used in making perfumes.

One should be careful while using clove oil. Clove oil is strong in nature and hence should be diluted before application. 

Natural Help for Anxiety

Natural Help for Anxiety

Dealing with Anxiety 
Anxiety is a part of normal human existence. Everyone has been tense before a big test or performing in front of a crowd. It’s hard wired into our system to protect us through the “fight or flight” reflex. For some people these experiences are isolated, but for others anxiety is a constant and domineering force that controls and impairs their whole being.



The natural way



4. In more recent times, research has confirmed this traditional wisdom. There are now many published clinical studies demonstrating the ability of a range of herbs to support the normal functioning of the brain and nervous system and maintain a healthy equilibrium – which will assist with staying calm under pressure.

5. Serotonin is an important neurotransmitter manufactured and found in the brain. Along with other neurotransmitters, serotonin helps to support emotional wellness and sleep patterns as well as energy levels, sex drive and appetite. Serotonin also promotes healthy concentration, a positive mental attitude, memory and mental alertness.

6. While your feelings are not all about brain chemicals, the delicate balance between neurotransmitters and other hormones can play a big part in maintaining emotional stability, wellness and a positive outlook. Lifestyle, stress management and maintaining healthy relationships all contribute to happiness.

7. However, when there are challenges to face, a solid foundation of emotional health, balanced brain chemistry and a healthy self esteem will make all the difference to how we are able to cope or have the emotional strength to make changes necessary to improve our lives.  

8. A lot can be done to naturally maintain emotional health and a healthy positive mental attitude.

9. It is a good idea to keep your natural feel-good chemicals flowing by eating lots of fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grain foods, ensuring plenty of fresh air, adequate sleep, moderate sunshine and regular exercise. Many healthy foods (e.g. bananas, turkey and carbohydrates) contain nutritional precursors of serotonin and this makes them natural ‘mood foods’ to maintain healthy serotonin levels!

10. Also, never underestimate the power of a few stolen minutes during the workday (or school day) to rejuvenate the spirit and relax the mind – meditation, yoga or listening to a calming CD can all promote relaxation. Smoking, recreational drugs and alcohol can all depress the nervous system and affect the balance of neurotransmitters like serotonin – so try to cut back or avoid these habits for the sake of your emotional as well as your physical health.

11. Participate in social and community activities.  Social interaction and a sense of giving to your community enhance self-esteem and reduce stress.

12. Take care of yourself. Get regular exercise, eat nourishing food, and maintain a healthy weight.

13. Participate in activities you enjoy. Have you always wanted to learn a new language? Take up ballroom dancing? Mentor a child? Now is the time! (And activities like these will also help your brain.)

14. Stay focused on positive things and avoid negative self talk such as “I can’t do that” or “I’m too old.” When your self talk is negative, you will feel more stress. Instead of thinking what you can’t do, remember what you can do.

15. Connect with the people who are most meaningful to you. People with friends tend to be happier than those without. Stable social relations help you adjust to changes such retiring, moving, and losing loved ones.

16. Remember stressful events that you successfully coped with in the past and repeat what worked before.

17. Focus on addressing your problems instead of feeling helpless about them. Think of them as “challenges” or “tests” rather than as insurmountable obstacles.

18. Learn and use relaxation techniques and meditation.

19. If you are a caregiver, make use of support and education groups, as well as respite care, which provides time off for caregivers.

20. Medication may be needed in severe cases, which would require consultation with your doctor. Also, symptoms may begin to diminish on their own with age.

Tips for Coping with Depression

Tips for Coping with Depression

What is Depression?
Anyone can feel down from time to time or experience bouts of emotional grief or sadness due to some unexpected life event. For instance, they grieve when someone dies, or feel the sadness and loss when a close relationship ends, or even lose a job.

All these feelings are normal and are part of the ups-and-downs of life. But clinical depression is more than just the blues, more than the expected grief after any loss, and most certainly more than a bad couple of days.

Depression is a deep and dark state, a black hole that may seem impossible to emerge from, and a serious medical condition involving a delicate balance of brain chemicals. Unlike a bad mood that you can simply snap out of, depression can severely disrupt the ability to function properly and can extend through every aspect of your life with serious consequences.

Signs of depression may include feeling somewhat flat, tired and unmotivated. As it progresses a person with depression may no longer want to participate in social activities or hobbies that they once enjoyed.

Eventually individuals with depression may even lose the drive to work altogether, their relationships become strained and they push people away and become unreachable, and the will to live a happy, productive life slowly fades.

Although the future for someone suffering with depression may look bleak, there is a light at the end of the tunnel – depression is treatable and those suffering can live a happy, normal life. 

Signs of depression

  • Weight loss or weight gain 
  • Sleep disturbances: Difficulty falling or staying asleep (insomnia) or sleeping too much (hypersomnia) 
  • Difficulty thinking and concentrating 
  • Difficulty making decisions 
  • Fatigue or loss of energy 
  • Feeling physically slow, agitated, or restless to the degree that others begin to notice 
  • Physical complaints such as headaches, joint pains and stomach aches 
  • Low self-esteem, feeling worthless or excessively guilty 
  • Low libido or diminished interest in sex 
  • Suicidal thoughts, or continuous thoughts of death and self-harm

Tips for Coping with Depression
1. Regular exercise! Even if only for 30 min at a time, three days a week, a good workout will increase happiness inducing endorphins while burning the stress hormone cortisol which is associated with depression. If you do not feel motivated, or dislike exercising at first, keep going for long enough and you will definitely begin to see benefits within 3 – 6 weeks.

2. Talk it out. Talk to someone you trust, a close friend or a licensed counselor and try and come up with a plan of action. Often it is the first steps to recovery that are the most difficult, so try not to do it alone.

3. Eat a healthy diet. A poor diet depletes energy levels and a deficiency in certain nutrients (e.g. iron) can result in fatigue and feelings of depression.

4. Ensure that you are getting all the vitamins and minerals that your body needs, and explore serotonin uplifting foods such as oats, turkey, milk, pasta and other carbohydrate-rich foods.

5. Set realistic goals and responsibilities. It is important to have a plan of action and to start taking responsibility for the future, but know your limits and set your goals within reason. Small steps taken consistently are better than big steps which cause you to bomb out.

6. Prioritize and learn to say no. Avoid unnecessary stress by doing what needs to be done first and learn to look after your own needs. Be careful not to allow others to overload you with their responsibilities.

7. Make a conscious effort to stop negative thoughts. Try and change these thoughts into neutral thoughts and do not indulge in pessimism. Remember that this will take time, and may be difficult at first, but it can also be life-changing. Psychotherapy can be very helpful in this regard.

8. Take action! While your symptoms of depression may make you feel like crawling into bed or existing in your pajamas and slippers all day, make a decision everyday to get up, get dressed and do something. Simply cleaning your room, going for a scenic drive or doing something creative can be uplifting and help break a bad cycle.

9. Turn to nature. One of the best ways to re-energize and uplift your spirit is to get in touch with nature. Go for a walk in the forest, a picnic in the park or a simply sit on the beach and watch a sunset.

10. Let others help you. Don’t turn down a helping hand or a comforting hug. When depression hits, you may feel like pushing people away, but this is the time you need love and affection the most. Pets are also a great source of love and comfort!

11. Help others. One often feels a loss of purpose when depressed, so regain a positive purpose by helping others. Volunteer at a soup kitchen or help out at an organization that could benefit from your time and skills.

12. Make a change. Change is often very invigorating and refreshing. Aim to change your life-style to a healthier one, change your negative attitude towards life, and change your job if you know that your current work makes you miserable. It need not even be a drastic change. Simply re-arranging furniture or giving a touch of paint to a dull room can go a long way to uplifting your mood – better yet, it will keep you busy.

13. Read all about it. There are many books which are very helpful in learning how to manage depression. These include books written by experts in the field – as well as books published by ordinary people with a useful or uplifting contribution to share.

Research what is best for you. If you have a chronic or life threatening condition, don’t make changes without first discussing them with your doctor in order that your condition may be monitored. Well informed and supportive practitioners will support patients who want to take responsibility for their own health.