The mineral Magnesium is vital to proper functioning of the human body.  It is important for proper metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and fat. Some 50-60% of magnesium present in our bodies is in bones and teeth, the rest being in musles, tissues and organs. Small amount of magnesium is also present in blood.

Why does our body need Magnesium?

• To convert blood sugar into energy
• In potassium, calcium, phosphorous and sodium metabolism
• To counter stress
• To activate over 400 enzymatic activities in our body

Healthy levels of magnesium in our body are vital for:

• strong bones and strong teeth – apart from being a vital component of bones and teeth, it also helps assimilate calcium into them
• relaxing muscles and thus helping in cases of musular spasms/ muscle contractions
• regulating body temperature
• a healthy heart
• lowering high blood pressure levels
• lowering high blood sugar levels – hence beneficial for diabetics
• protein metabolism
• digestion, energy production in the body
• smooth functioning of the nervous system – hence relieves anxiety, stress, irritability and mild depression

What are the dietary sources of Magnesium?

Magnesium is found in whole, non-processed foods like whole grains, legumes, wheat germ and pumpkin seeds. Baked or jacket potatoes, corn, bran, soyabean, radishes, almonds, apples, bananas,  pink grapefruit, pomegranate, lychees, milk and milk products are other rich dietary sources of this mineral. Green leafy vegetables are also considered a good source of magnesium.

For normal functioning of muscles, nerves and digestion ensure that your diet includes the above in good quantities.

Tags: healthy eating, natural cure, natural health

Lemon has a special place in home remedies. And it carries a special meaning for those of us living in hot climes. A glass of Nimbu Pani (lemonade) is all you want after a day out on a hot summer day. Lemon has significant therapeutic properties and finds use in a wide variety of treatments, some of which I have tried to list below.

As a cooler

• Lemon makes for a refreshing drink in summers. It cools the body and lemonade with a pinch of salt helps replenish body salts lost due to heat.
• Lemonade with salt & sugar is recommended in loose motions.
• Sweet lemonade is recommended in fever.
• Essential oil of lemons is used for cooling.
• Its essence also finds use in soaps, body washes and deodorants to convey a “cooling effect”.

For the skin

• Lemon acts as a natural bleach. Applying lemon juice on face regularly brings glow to the face.
• Because of its high Vitamin C content, lemon helps ward off scurvy.
• Used with glycerine, it works as a good moisturiser.

As a cleanser

• Rubbing the inside of a rind of lemon on elbows and knees cleanses them.
• Lemon rinds have long been used for cleaning brass and copper utensils.

For healing

• Lemon has antiseptic, anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties.
• Lemon juice creates a soothing effect when applied on insect bites and stings.
• Lemon taken with honey, ground black pepper, crushed cardamom and hot water helps heal sore throat.

In detox

• Lemon, because of its acidic nature, cleanses the system. It acts as a blood purifier and helps the body get rid of toxins.
• Lemon strengthens the immune system of the body and helps protect against infections.
• Its high potassium content makes it useful for brain and nerve cells, and safer for those with heart troubles.
• Lemon taken with warm water and honey, on an empty stomach early in the morning, is known to assist in weight-loss.
• Lemon detox diets, which consist of fresh lemon juice, water, cayenne pepper and maple syrup are known to help cleanse the body of toxins and thus help lose weight quickly while improving general health and well being.

Tags: ayurvedic remedy, benefits of lemon, lemon in ayurveda, Natural detox, Natural healing, natural health

Are you spending thousands of bucks on those oh-so-attractively packaged anti-ageing creams that claim to have potent combinations of aloe, gold, diamonds, sea weeds and what have you! May be they work, may be they don’t. May be they’ll suit your skin, may be they won’t. May be you can spend thousands every month on these creams and botox, may be you can’t. But if you fall in the latter category and yet, like everyone else, want to keep the glow in your skin, try one of these natural anti-ageing treatments.

• Plant an aloe plant at home and use its juice as a face pack.
• Apply a swab of almond oil under your eyes every night.
• Mix 3 tsps of almond oil with 1 tsp each of apricot oil and soya oil. Massage your face and neck with this mixture. Take a face towel and dip it in warm water. Squeeze and spread on your face. Keep for 10-15 minutes, after which you can wipe the extra oil off your face and neck.

Tags: ayurveda, healthy living, Natural detox, natural health

• Mix some gram flour with grated potato. Use it as a soap substitute.
• Use powdered oats mixed with sandalwood powder and your favorite aroma oil to get a fresh feeling.
• Mix a mashed banana with some milk, honey and yogurt. Apply and leave for a few minutes. Wash off, preferably with lukewarm water. This paste works wonder for the skin, though some may find it a bit sticky. 

Tags: ayurveda, healthy living, natural health

Garlic has numerous medicinal values and is often used in Ayurveda. Its role in blood purification and heart ailments is acknowledged even in allopathic medicine. Indian cuisine commonly uses garlic as an ingredient that aids digestion. Garlic is known to aid against digestive issues like belching, flatulence and constipation.

Consumption of garlic helps reduce arthritic pain as it inhibits the formation of free radicals that can damage joints. The normal dosage is a clove of garlic taken with water in the morning.

Garlic slows down the ageing process as it purifies blood due to its detoxifying properties. Garlic also improves blood circulation and prevents clotting of blood. It reduces bad cholesterol and the blood pressure. It is recommended to chew a clove of raw garlic every day.

Garlic paste when applied on acne, boils, eczema and rash for 5 to 10 minutes has curative powers, because of its strong sulphur content. However, it may also irritate certain skin types and should be used with caution.

Garlic also has antibiotic properties and is also sometimes used to treat bronchial troubles.

Tags: ayurveda, ayurvedic remedy, garlic, green living, natural cure, natural cure for heart ailments, Natural detox, Natural healing, natural health

Dates are a healthy snack and have numerous health benefits. Dates are:

• rich in carbohydrates. And therefore, give instant energy and are preferred by those who do a lot of physical work.
• low in fat
• rich source of natural fibre
• rich in Vitamin A, B and E
• rich in Iron and Calcium
• rich in Potassium, Magnesium and Phosphorous
• easy to digest

Dates have been found to be particularly beneficial in:

• preventing abdominal cancer
• pregnancy
• respiratory disorders
• low blood pressure
• strengthening bones
• preventing night-blindness
• building natural resistance
• providing instant energy and nutrition
• treating intestinal disorders

Tags: dates for natural health, health benefits of dry fruits

Oftentimes, we read certain things which seem interesting, and then before we know, they get imbibed in our mind and we seem to follow them consciously or sub-consciously. Like, there was this snippet I read somewhere which said what is good for eating is good for applying too and it went on to suggest how applying tomato juice, potato juice, honey etc. is good for the skin! And now invariably after I have grated tomatoes or cucumber, I find myself applying the leftover on my hands to my face, before washing my hands off.

And then there was this article I read on the benefits of Amla (Indian gooseberry) - which are a plenty, including the well known fact that Amla is an excellent source of Vitamin C and a very good anti-oxodant. So come winters, when Amla is in abundance, I make it a point to add a chopped amla to the gravy of vegetables I make. Gives it a very slight tangy taste and a darker colour to the gravy. You can add a chopped amla while steaming chickpeas – gives a nice sour taste and turns the gravy dark brown without the need to add extra spices.

Instead of Amchur, one can use amlas with mint, coriander, green chillies, tomatoes and garlic to make green chutney – personally its my hot favorite, taste with all the goodness of greens and amlas. You can also put a couple of amlas in Sarson ka Saag!

My mother who doesn’t like the sour taste of Amla, makes Murraba and sugar coated candies using diced amla. You can get as innovative as possible with Amla and yet not go wrong! I make my own Amla hair oil as well. Just grate a few amlas, add to mustard or coconut oil and store for a few days. This hair oil is really good and makes your hair dark, lustrous and strong. Though while using it, be sure to put disposable or pvc gloves on else you might stain your hands black. If that happens though, don’t worry. Just rub a lemon peel on to the affected fingers and you should be fine.

Tags: ayurveda, Indian gooseberry, natural cure, Natural detox, natural health

Ever noticed how certain colors perk us up when we are in a bad mood? Ever wondered why the words “Sale” or  ”Order Now” are mostly colored red? Ever wondered how a walk in a beautiful park soothes your senses? Ever wondered why festival decorations anywhere in the world are always as colorful as can be?

That our mind responds differently to different color stimulii is perhaps common knowledge. What is interesting is that the belief, that colors also affect our health, is fast gaining ground. I got particularly intrigued by the subject when my daughter-in-law felt a remarkable change in herself after a few sessions with her friend who is a professional healer and uses color therapy in her treatments. Colors, according to some, also help in healing. The color of the light in the room we sit, the colors of fruits and vegetables we eat, the colors we see around us, the colors of the clothes we wear – all impact us in some way. Color therapy is based on the premise that any disease or discomfort in our body is a consequence of certain energies being missing. Using color therapy, like eating foods of certain colors(called color food therapy), wearing clothes of certain colors, sitting in certain colored lights (called color light therapy) or drinking water out of colored bottles (color activated water) or applying color to specific acupressure points(color spot therapy) can help us absorb the missing energies from the appropriate colors.

It is believed that people working in a grey coloured office tend to be less alert and active than those working in an office that has yellow or ivory theme. Some believe that if you surround yourself with green light, it will help reduce any heart problems. If you drink water that was kept in a green bottle in the sun for a few hours, it is likely to have a good effect on your digestive system. Blue – the ‘cooling’ color, is healing in case of ulcers and other inflammatory disorders. Blue is also believed to help in high blood pressure conditions and stressful situations. Orange stimulates the nervous system and the appetite. Red is good for those who feel low levels of energy. Its also supposed to be good in alleviating bladder infections. Yellow (stimulator) is the color used for muscle cramps and gallstones. Violet for scalp diseases, rheumatic pains, kidney and bladder weaknesses. Looking at green grass is said to be therapeutic for tired eyes. Indigo is supposed to be a soothing color

It is perhaps, all about belief. I couldn’t come across any research that conclusively proves the health benefits of color therapy. But then, as someone pointed out, if there is no harm in trying something, then why not give it a shot?!

Tags: color therapy, natural cure, natural health