Did you know that bottled water is not just bad for the environment but also for your health? Take a look at this presentation to find out more about why you shouldn’t drink bottled water…

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Tags: healthy living, Save Earth, Stop Wasting, Sustainable Living, Water Conservation, why save water

May has just begun and already the heat is scorching. Makes one cringe at the thought of how hot the next two months are likely to be. And so out comes our list of do’s and don’ts to beat the summer heat. Simple changes in diet and lifestyle can help us breeze through the hot summers.

• Ok, top of the list. Drink lots and lots of water. As much as you can. It is important to keep our bodies hydrated, keeps our bodies healthy and skin glowing. If you can’t have too much of plain water, make some lemonade or buttermilk – some light, salty chass or cool lassi are irresistable in summers. You could also add some juice concentrate or RoohAfza to water, for taste. Just make sure you aren’t dehydrated. However, avoid drinking ice-cold beverages. 
• Go easy on fried foods and consume more of fruits, especially those with high water content, like musk melon, water melon. 
• Salads of tomatoes, cucumbers (both water rich) are good.
• Yogurt or curd are great in this season as they are cooling and are easy to digest. They are also rich in Calcium, Phosphorous, Magnesium and Vit. B Complex. Cool cucumber raita is a delight at times when you don’t feel like having food because of the intense heat. Here’s how to make it:

             Take a medium sized cucumber. Grate it and add to a bowl of whipped curd. Add salt and jeera (ground cuminseeds) to taste. Enjoy with a meal or as a stand alone. Works as a good rehydrator.

• Wear cotton clothes.
• Bathe twice a day.
• If you have a tendency to develop rash on your skin in summers, you could try these:

1. Apply ice-packs on affected area
2. Apply cooled cucumber juice on the rash. 
3. Use a mix of curd and fuller’s earth as a face-pack.
4. Maintain good hygiene. Use a good talc or baking soda if you sweat excessively.
5. Use a good scrub to exfoliate and ensure pores do not get blocked because of excessive oiliness in summer.

Tags: healthy eating, healthy living, natural health

A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience has found that chronic backaches can result in shrinkage of gray matter by about 5-11%, which is the equivalent of shrinkage that takes place in 10 to 20 years of aging! 

The shrinkage, it appears, is related to the duration of the pain. It is a 1.3 cu. cm. of gray matter loss for every year of chronic pain.

Well, who could have thought of that! But now that we know, don’t take that back pain lightly. 

Again, remember that chronic back pain may not necessarily be because of bad posture. It is advisable to consult a qualified orthopaedic doctor when you have back pains. Osteoporosis (weakening of bones) is one of the major causes of back pains. If you have chronic back pains, consult your doctor now.

Tags: healthy living, natural health

Recently my little nephew, he is six going on seven, was diagnosed with nearsightedness. Came as quite a surprise to me…he doesn’t watch that much of TV and nor is he addicted to computers. Does his home work in a well lit room…Ok, he is a fussy eater but one can’t really say his diet is seriously deficient in vital nutrients. His mom never suffered from myopia and dad developed it well into his late teens. So, what caused it really? It got be searching the net and I chanced upon this article on research on the relationship between outdoor activity and myopia in 6-12 year olds.

The article says that it is the time spent outdoors in the Sun that is important rather than engagement in some form of active sport. Thats exactly what my nephew does not do. He likes to play indoors and more often than not the only time he steps out of home is to go to school (where he is indoors again) or to visit a friend at his home (again indoors) or for an outing in the evening with his mom and dad.

According to the research it is the intensity of outdoor light that may be an important factor. And they use it to explain the lower prevelance of myopia in children in Australia. It goes on to suggest  that public health measures would do well to encourage children to indulge in some form of outdoor activity, to reduce their chances of developing myopia. 

Alright, gives me enough reason to push him to go outdoors and play. And just be! All the synthetic environment gets to me anyway and I can’t imagine why kids these days want to be indoors all the time, when they can very well be playing out in the open! Perhaps we need to introspect and see if we are creating an environment of too much comfort for them indoors and if it is that which gives them little reason to step out.

Tags: cause of shortsightedness, healthy living, myopia, natural health, prevent nearsightedness

This is a very simple and convenient remedy that I heard from a fellow tweeter @emergencyoh. When you have a headache thats driving you crazy, try chewing on a cinnamon stick. As simple as that? Wow! Sounds like something thats quick and easy to do even when you are at work, though you need to carry a few cinnamon sticks in your bag. Am going to try it the  next time I have a headache.

Headaches inflict us so often and for different reasons. Some of the common ones are:

• Flu
• Lack of sleep
• Lack of oxygen and natural light
• Stress
• Excessive heat

Honestly speaking I don’t like the idea of taking medicines anytime headache strikes. And so try one home remedy or another. I’ve found different things to work for me at different times. And the most common ones:

• If at work, the first is to treat myself to a cup of strong tea.
• Use a herbal headache balm. I always keep one in my bag.
• Get up from my desk and take a shortish walk. 

But my all time favorites are:

• Apply a herbal balm on the forehead. Take a short nap. Get up and have a good cup of tea or coffee. Super if its flu
• Or go out into the open for a walk. Nature walk works wonders if the headache is because of lack of O2, natural light or because of stress!
• Catch up with someone you like to be with, go out, have a good chat and a good laugh even if its over trivial things. Sounds odd but it often works for me. Especially when I am stressed.

Tags: healthy living, home remedies, natural cure, Natural healing

Age spots or liver spots or sun spots are pretty harmless discolorations* that normally occur on the face and neck, arms and hands. However, they are not very pretty looking and those of us who have them want to leave no stone unturned to get rid of them. But before I go into what can be done to get rid of them, let me point out that age spots take years to form, and hence don’t expect them to instantly disappear with any of the natural, home remedies. 

Why are age spots or sun spots formed?

Age spots, unlike what their name suggests, are not exactly age-related. Yes, they are common in those above 50 years in age or so but are also found in 30 year olds. The main reason behind the formation of age spots is exposure to Sun. And hence the name sun spots. And that also explains why they appear on sun exposed parts of the body. 

How to prevent age spots from forming?

• Cover the Sun exposed parts of your body with a good sunscreen half an hour before you step out.
• As with any other skin trouble, drink plenty of water to flush out toxins.
• Include antioxidants like aloe vera, citrus fruits and nuts in your diet.

Home remedies for age spots -

If age spots or sun spots have already developed on your face or hands, you could try one of these home remedies. Remember though that they won’t act like a magic wand!

• Take the skin of a lemon (should still have some juice in it) and rub the inner juicy part on the age spots. This will lighten them considerably if used regularly.
• Rub onion juice on the affected areas. This will cause the upper layer of skin to peel off and its acidic nature, like in the case of lemon, will cause the spots to lighten.
• Garlic juice, for the same reasons as in the case of onion juice, helps with the Sun spots.
• As in other skin conditions, applying aloe vera pulp on the spots helps too.
• Apply Apple Cider Vinegar on the age spots. Because of its acidic nature again, it acts as an exfoliator and lightens the spots.
• If the spots have a rough texture, applying castor oil helps.
• Almond oil can also be applied on the liver spots. It is rich in Vitamin E and helps smooth out and lighten the blemishes.
• Potato juice or orange juice can also be used to lighten the liver spots.

*It is advised to have a Doctor examine the spots as spots on the skin can sometimes be related to certain diseases, deficiencies or liver malfunction.

Tags: ayurvedic remedy, healthy living, home remedies, natural cure, Natural healing

Today is World Health Day. And I thought why not just remind ourselves of some basic do’s and don’t for good overall health. And in the process make some resolutions

So here goes my list of resolutions…

• Exercise – Build any form of exercise into daily routine. Meditation and deep breathing, yoga exercises, aerobics, walking, running, gyming…could be anything. 30 minutes of exercise, especially in the morning help improve our metabolism and also keep us fresh and active during the day.
• Five to ten minutes of Kapalbhati pranayam over and above the above. It improves the functioning of the respiratory system, improves blood circulation, improves digestive system, tones abdominal muscles, cleanses and purifies both the mind and the body, fights stress and helps lose weight.
• Eath healthy – Include nuts and fruits in breakfast and salads in lunch.
• Have a hearty breakfast so I have energy for the day. Also helps improve metabolism to have a good breakfast after the night long gap.
• Go in for a decent lunch but have a frugal dinner.
• Avoid skipping meals even when there seems to be no time for one. Am going to carry a banana or some almonds or one of those Protein bars and po-in any time I feel there isn’t time for a sit-down meal.
• Better still, try and have 5-6 small, healthy meals during the day.
• Have atleast 8-10 glasses of water every day. I find it difficult to have so much of plain water. So am going to try lemonade, RoohAfza, orange squash to get my full quota of water for the day.  Worth doing for good metabolism and happy skin!
• Avoid stress – That is something that is going to be tricky for me. And this will probably be my most important Health Day resolution.
• Avoid late nights as far as I can – whether it is for work or partying. Am going to follow the “Early to bed and early to rise…” dictum. That isn’t going to be tough though as I am mostly a morning person.
• Get atleast 6 hours of sleep everynight. A good, sound sleep allows the body to heal itself and get ready for the next day.
• Catch 40 winks, if I can, during the afternoons. Its like a quick refuel for me!
• Go for nature walks, and just immerse myself in the sights and sounds of nature…pure bliss!
• Laugh as often as I can…not waiting for a big joke to be cracked.

Ok, so thats my list. What’s yours? Do share!

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

Ok, we are approaching that time of the year again when we love to shut ourselves up in AC environs, at office, on the road and at home. And with the ads from AC companies being bombarded at us, it is easy to assume that when we confine ourselves to an AC room, we are safe in a pollution free environment. But is that really so?

A report by NASA confirms the opposite and advises on how the problem of indoor air pollutants can be tackled. The main cause of indoor air pollution is the increasing use of resins and solvents being used in modern home and office materials. Because of increased indoor air pollution, health problems like irritation of eyes, throat and lungs, and various allergies can arise.

And as my grandmother would say, staying in AC environs all day long prevents our body from sweating, a natural mechanism of flushing out toxins. Besides, lack of natural light and fresh air makes me feel tired and stressed. So I am one of those who prefer to open a window when I can and just do with a fan. And depend more on summer coolers (read drinks) to keep myself cool. And now that I chanced upon this report, I am just going to do that more often. But there are times when one can’t afford this ‘luxury’. What does one do then?

NASA’s research has found that indoor plants can absorb these harmful pollutants. 15 indoor plants have been recommended to help purify indoor air. Take a look at the list of these indoor plants here. I am going to try and find the common names of these plants and find out which of these are locally available. Their beneficial effect on cleaning indoor air notwithstanding, I just love the sight of plants in my room. It just feels to be good to be surrounded by plants, something green and alive to remind us even in our modern rooms, that we are a part of nature.

By the way, plants are also known to absorb CO2 and release O2 in the air,  help decrease sound levels and increase humidity. So much more reason to do up our homes and offices with plants!

Tags: green living, healthy living, natural health

Did you know that prunes contain natural aspirin? Try some prunes next time you have a headache instead of popping in a pain-killer.

Prunes or dried plums are also a good source of fibre and sugar. It is advantageous to use prunes (a source of natural sugar) as sweetners instead of refined sugar.

Prunes are also said to be a good laxative( dihydrophenylisatin) and are often used to treat constipation. 

Prunes are known to be good anti-oxidants too.  They neutralise the damaging effects caused by oxidation and so fight against aging.  The Chinese use a drink made with prunes to counter acidity.

Prunes are rich sources of Vitamin A and therefore beneficial for eyes, skin and the immune system.  Prunes are a rich source of Magnesium, which is a vital mineral needed in the body. Perhaps because of their rich magnesium content, they are also known to help in prevention of bone loss in post-menopausal women.

Prunes are rich sources of dietary fibre as well. Pectin, the soluble dietary fibre found in prunes helps lower blood cholesterol levels.

So what are you waiting for, go grab a box of prunes or better still buy some ripened plums and dry them naturally!

Tags: ayurveda, ayurvedic remedy, healthy eating, healthy living, High Cholesterol, natural cure, natural cure for heart ailments

Problems of the digestive tract lie at the heart of a number of diseases. Thats because when the digestive system is flawed, the body does not receive proper nutrients to ensure proper functioning. Good digestion ensures a healthy body. There are some simple things you can include in your food that will aid digestion. Having certain fruits and adding some simple ingredients to your meals while preparing them can keep digestive problems at bay. For example, papaya is considered a wonder fruit when it comes to be used as a home remedy for digestion. The fruit of Papaya contains a natural digestive enzyme. The pulp of the fruit is high in fibre and so even helps in bowel movement. Papaya is rich in Vitamin C and E and aids protein digestion. 

Bananas: help digestion and are considered a wonder food for those suffering from ulcers. Bananas because of their bland taste neutralise the acids in the stomach and are hence favored in acidity. Their soft texture coats the stomach lining and protects it from high acidity of gastic juices. 

Bananas being rich in pectin which is water absorbent, helps regulate colonic activity and aids in constipation. On the other hand, ripe bananas when mashed with some salt are said to cure dysentry.

Caution: Bananas are rich in potassium and should be avoided by those with kidney disorders.

Peppermint: We all know peppermint has a cooling, calming effect. It works much the same way in our stomach too. It relaxes the stomach muscles and aids in flow of bile juices which digest fats. And so peppermint helps in digestion.

Lemon: because of its anti-bacterial, antiseptic properties prevents the build up of harmful bacteria in the digestive tract. Fresh lemon juice taken with a pinch of salt acts as an appetizer and also gets the digestive juices flowing. 

Avoid ice-cold water with food. Cold water when taken with or after meals slows down the digestion. Infact if you can, avoid drinking water altogether with meals. If you must have, then prefer lukewarm water or at least that at room temperature.

Herbal tea: The Chinese tend to have herbal tea after a meal as they believe it helps digestion.

Probiotics: There are several probiotic options available in the market today – probiotic curd, probiotic milk, probiotic ice-cream. It is said that probiotics, which are essentially live bacteria or yeasts aid in digestion. They are also said to reduce generation of toxins and cancerous compunds in the intestines.

Exercise:  Lack of physical exercise slows down general body metabolism, thus affecting digestion. Try and build an exercise routine though avoid going for a walk immediately after a meal. 

Food ingredients:

Certain foods like beans, pulses are difficult to digest and as such adding a pinch of asofoetida, some garlic or ginger when preparing these dishes, helps in better digestion.

Prevention is better than cure. Avoid eating too much too fast. It helps to have a number of small meals than to skip a meal and have two king-sized ones. It also helps to go easy at dinner and have a good hearty breakfast. Most of us, ironically tend to do the opposite. We have a light breakfast when our body needs a lot of energy to get us going through the day. And take a hearty supper when ideally we should be doing good with lesser load on the stomach. 

It is also advisable to have your supper two to three hours before retiring to bed. Chew each bite properly and don’t gulp food down even if you are getting late for that appointment! 

Avoid having too many nuts as they can cause a feeling of bloatedness.

And if you are already suffering from indigestion, skip a meal or have something very light. Drink a lot of water or fresh lime juice with rock salt or have a banana, whatever suits your body type and system better. And sometimes, remember, it just helps to throw up!

Tags: ayurveda, ayurvedic remedy, healthy eating, healthy living, natural cure, Natural healing, natural health