Conventional antibiotics make users sicker in the long run
Doctors carelessly prescribe antibiotics for viral infections, which is
useless since antibiotics are only effective for breaking up bacterial
infections. To make matters worse, overprescription and overconsumption
make future infections harder to fight, since antibiotics deplete the
good bacteria in the gut.
In this medical travesty,
antibiotic-resistant bacteria are rising up, adapting to the singular
mode of action that the prescription antibiotics lean on. The CDC has
recently identified 20 resistant strains of bacteria, thanks to reckless
dependency on these prescriptions. A 2013 report by the CDC sounds the
alarm, reporting that over 2 million people contract antibiotic-resistant infections each year. Conventional antibiotics are making users sicker in the long run, more vulnerable and more prone to infection.
As
this disturbing trend continues, scientists are looking for simpler
answers. Researchers from the Salve Regina University in Newport, Rode
Island, are rediscovering the reasons why raw honey is still one of the best natural antibiotics around to this day.
Uses : Decoction of root is used with water to gargle to reduce
toothache. It is very useful in diarrhea (athisaara), amoebic dysentery
(raktaatisaara), bleeding piles and urinary infections. It arrests
bleeding and fastens the wound healing process. It is mainly used in
herbal preparations for gynecological disorders. It has been said to
have medicinal properties to cure skin diseases. It is also used in
conditions like bronchitis, general weakness and impotence. It is also
used to treat neurological problems. Root is bitter, acrid, cooling,
vulnerary, alexipharmic and used in treatment of biliousness, leprosy,
dysentery, inflammations, burning sensation, fatigue, asthma,
leucoderma, blood diseases etc. Decoction of leaves is used for
diabetes.
Mimosa Pudica is a small evergreen that grows in Brazil, Asia, Africa,
and India. The plant has a number of nicknames, including shameful
plant, touch-me-not, and sensitive plant. Mimosa Pudica earned these
names because of an interesting quality- its leaves close when they’re
touched. In Ayurvedic medicine, Mimosa pudica is known as lajjalu and its
inclusion within the system is not because of its dancing leaves, but
the therapeutic benefits the compounds within the plant offers. Many
hemorrhoid sufferers have experienced relief as a result of this special
plant’s pharmacological profile and antioxidant activity
Mimosa Pudica and Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids describe an uncomfortable problem in which the blood vessels
in the anal area swell and become very sore. Hemorrhoids can originate
from straining during bowel movements, pregnancy, being overweight, and
other factors. Swelling, discomfort, and even bleeding are common
indications of hemorrhoids and they’re all miserable for the person
experiencing them. In fact, in Ayurvedic medicine, hemorrhoids are known
as “arsha shoola” which translates to “pain from pricking like
needles.” Ouch!
For those experiencing the misery and agony of hemorrhoids, Mimosa
pudica offers several benefits. If you know anything about the history
of shaving, you may have heard of a styptic pencil, which is a small,
crayon-like device that’s able to stop the bleeding that results from a
shaving cut. Mimosa pudica has similar styptic qualities to stop
bleeding. This can be invaluable for bleeding hemorrhoids. A topical
paste made from Mimosa pudica leaves has been known as a hemorrhoid
therapy since at least the 16th century. Additionally, mimosa pudica’s phenol content and antioxidant action is
believed to help wounds, like bleeding hemorrhoids, heal faster.
Supplementing with Mimosa Pudica
If the uncomfortable presence of swollen, burning hemorrhoids is ruining
your day, natural herbal therapies like Mimosa pudica may be an avenue
for relief. It’s backed by at least 500 years of traditional use and
contains no synthetic compounds or harmful chemicals. That’s more than
can be said for many of the conventional medications available at your
local drugstore. Although herbal remedies may reduce discomfort, it’s also important to
understand that addressing your hemorrhoids at the source needs to be
part of the equation. If you’re overweight or strain during bowel
movements, these are not factors that Mimosa pudica will remedy, you
need to take action and address those separately.Have you used any supplements that contain Mimosa pudica? What were your
results? Please leave a comment and share your experience with us!
Did you know that our feet have 250,000 sweat glands! And that they
produce about 250 ml of perspiration daily! Isn’t that much of sweat
enough to give you foot odor? In fact, you may sweat more regardless of
temperature or weather and if you are a teenager or a pregnant woman you
have more reasons to get sweaty feet due to hormonal changes taking
place in your body. Other people who are more likely to get smelly feet
include those who keep standing all the time during the day, people who
are under tremendous stress or those who suffer from hyperhidrosis which
is a medical condition where a body sweats excessively which leads not
only to foot odor but overall body odor. If you doesn’t
fall in all these categories and still have foot odor, you may have
fungal infections like athlete’s foot. Foot odor, medically known as
bromodosis, can be embarrassing. In fact, keeping your feet freshly
smelling can be counted as good personal hygiene. Here are some natural
home remedies for you to keep your stinky feet fresh and odorless.
Remedies for Foot Odor
1. Baking Soda Foot Bath to Control Odor
Sweating is not the only reason for your foot odor. Its the bacteria
which is on your skin that breaks down the sweat and produces a cheesy
smell as the sweat decomposes. Baking soda creates an alkaline
environment which is not at all bacteria friendly. Sodium bicarbonate,
commonly known as baking soda, also neutralizes the pH of sweat which
also helps in eliminating bacteria.
Get this:
Baking soda- ¼ cup
Foot bath basin
Warm water to fill the basin
Do this:
Fill your foot bath basin with enough warm water to soak your feet.
Add baking soda to this warm water.
Soak your feet in this for about 15-20 minutes.
Dry your feet completely with a towel.
2. Vinegar to Remove Foot Odor
Vinegar,as you know, is acidic. When you soak your feet in water
mixed with vinegar, it creates an acidic environment which is unfriendly
for bacteria as they cannot survive in such an environment. You can use
the regular vinegar or apple cider vinegar for this home remedy to get
rid of foot odor. However, there is one concern here as vinegar has its
own smell and while you get rid of sweaty odor you may smell vinegary!
You may thus use some essential oil in your vinegar foot soak to keep
this smell away from you.
Get this:
Vinegar or Apple cider vinegar- ½ cup
Warm water- 7-8 cups
Thyme essential oil (optional)- 2-4 drops
Foot bath basin or a big bowl
Do this:
Fill the basin with warm water.
Add vinegar and thyme oil, if using, to this water.
How many of you love to pick these glorious red fruits, pomegranates known for their amazing medicinal powers? Pomegranate is a thick skinned super seedy fruit, with a brilliant red
hue which is now touted as a wonder fruit by scientific researchers. The
name pomegranate derives from the French word “pomegranate” or seeded
apple. They are believed to have originated in Iran and brought to Egypt
in 1600 BC, where it was not only revered as an important food source
but was also widely used for its medicinal value. It was held in high
esteem even during those times, as it is evident by their depiction in
Egyptian paintings and tombs. Inspired by the abundance of jewel toned
seeds within the bright red rind, pomegranate is considered to be a
symbol of fertility and prosperity in some cultures.
Drinking pomegranate juice benefits our health and skin in a myriad of
ways. It is one of the few fruits whose juice is as beneficial as the
fruit itself. This is because the peel contains the maximum amount of
antioxidants which are released in abundance when the fruit is squeezed
while juicing. It is currently ranked alongside blue berries and green
tea for its nutritional benefits.
Some people might find it a bit cumbersome to deal with the little
seeds, which is why, extracting its juice is the best way to utilize the
benefits of pomegranate juice. Drinking it allows for a quick and easy
assimilation of all the nutrients found in the bloodstream by the body.
In comparison to other fruits, pomegranates contain the maximum amount
of anti-oxidants. It contains approximately 3 times more antioxidants
than green tea and oranges. A single glass of pomegranate juice
can provide you with 40 % of the daily requirement of folic acid and
vitamins A, C, and E. Freshly squeezed pomegranate juice, being
completely unprocessed, triumphs over packaged juice any day, as it
retains the maximum number of vitamins. Make sure that the juice is
unsweetened as sugar being inflammatory can counteract some of the
health benefits of this fruit.
Nutritional Value of Pomegranate:
Pomegranate
is a great source of ellagic acid, and antioxidant and punicic acid, an
omega 5 polyunsaturated fatty acid which is highly beneficial for cell
regeneration and proliferation. The juice of this fruit is an
exceptional source of vitamin A, C and E and minerals such as calcium,
phosphorous, potassium, iron, folic acid, niacin, thiamin, folates and
riboflavin.
Cancer is a disease entity which no medical system, modern or
complementary and alternative medicine, has really been able to control.
All the current research data suggest that it is a growing concern
across the world with numbers rising every year. In general, Cancer is
defined as a large heterogeneous class of diseases in which a group of
cells show uncontrolled growth, invade adjacent cells and spread across
the body through the lymphatic system.
Ayurveda, the most
ancient, structured medical system known to man mentions cancerous
growths under the terminology “Arbuda". The concept of Arbuda is similar
to that of a malignant tumor, which is treated surgically. These are
explained in detail in the text of Susruta, who is considered as the
"Father of Surgery".
However, in a clinical scenario, Ayurveda
treats various cancers, as different entities. The treatment approaches
to Ayurveda in cancer can be surmised under
1) Disease conditions
that are directly mentioned and shows clear malignancy, which includes
diseases that are diagnosed as arbuda and granthi. Examples are melanoma
(referenced as mamsarbuda) and leukemia (referenced as raktarbuda) and
oral cancer (mukharbuda).
2) Diseases that can be considered as
cancer, such as carcinomas of the stomach and hepatocellular carcinomas
affecting liver or various lymphomas which are explained in Ayurveda
under diseases like Gulma or Udara.
3) Diseases with the possibility
of malignancy, like erysipelas which is explained under Visarpa,
incurable jaundice (asadhya kamala) and non-healing ulcers(nadi vrana).
Patients
approach Ayurvedic practitioners for treatment of their primary
treatment of cancer, following failure with modern treatment in
progressing cancers (usually palliative), or as complementary to
chemotherapy and radiation.
Among Ayurvedic polyherbal
combinations that have shown an effect, “Brahma Rasayana”, an Ayurvedic
classical preparation with rasayana (regenerative) properties have shown
inhibition in tumor angiogenesis and prevention lung metastasis in
animal models. Another commonly used Ayurveda rasayana preparation
called “Chyavana prasha” has also been studied with Brahma Rasayana and
found to be effective in Cisplatin (Cisdichlorodiammineplatinum [II]
CDDP) induced acute nephrotoxicity, a side effect of a commonly used
group antineoplastic drugs for tumor. These formulations have shown
promise in alleviating various physiological conditions induced by free
radicals and have tissue regeneration capability.
Ayurveda use
more than 200 herbs and plants to treat Cancer. Early laboratory and
animal research suggests that compounds taken from traditional Ayurvedic
herbals may be able to slow the growth of cancer in animals. Some
important ones among them are Withania somnifera, Boswellia serrata,
Vitis vinifera, Dysoxylum binectariferum, Zingiber zerumbet Smith,
Moringa olifera etc.
Withaferin A from Withania somnifera
stopped the growth of breast cancer in mice in several findings.
Selaginella bryopteris, an herb known in Ayurveda as Sanjeevani, was
seen to stop the growth of cancer cells in the laboratory and also
reduced the development of skin tumors in mice.
Acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic
acid (AKBA) taken from the gum resin of the Boswellia serrata was found
to slow the growth of bowel cancers in mice. Pomegranate (Punica
granatum) is another herb that has shown action against bowel, prostate
and liver cancer.Cow’s urine is another commonly used medicine in
Ayurveda treatment for cancer.
Some important side effects of
chemotherapy and Radiation therapy are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea,
mucositis, alopecia, anorexia, fatigue, sleep disturbances and
constipation. Ayurveda can effectively manage these symptoms effectively
and can be used as complimentary for chemo and radiation.
Biomedical
treatment of cancer is not always feasible, and an Ayurvedic approach
focusing on improving digestion, free radical scavenging, preventing
tumor growth, and enhancing tissue metabolism may be useful. Ayurvedic
treatment to cancer is focused on restoring equilibrium of doshas,
improving immunity, strength.
Ayurveda, the holistic healing science propagates health for all with
the aim of prevention is better than cure. Ayurveda explains the concept
of seasonal regimens which help us to maintain the quality of life.The
severity of heat and cold vary in each seasons. These changes affect the
level of doshas (three basic constituents of functioning of the body in
Ayurveda namely vata, pitha and kapha) in the human body.
Eventhough
the seasonal variations are considered natural it will affect the
equilibrium of doshas in the body and produces certain symptoms if not
managed properly. This can be corrected by making changes in the life
style. If these are neglected it will produce disease.In Ayurveda the
year is divided in to six seasons (ritu) and each season consist of two
months. These are Sisira (Late winter), vasantha(Spring),
greeshma(Summer), varsha(Rainy season), sarat(Autumn) and hemantha(Early
Winter).
Based on earth movement seasons are divided in to two
groups, Adana kala (sisira, vasantha, greeshma) when earth moves closer
to sun and heat is felt more and Visarga kala (varsha, sarad, hemantha)
which consists of cooler seasons. According to modern calendar the
seasons of Ayurveda starts with middle of January (start of Sisira ritu)
to Middle of November (Hemantha ritu).Season or time of the treatment
both external therapy and internal medication is an important factor in
Ayurveda. The treatment done without looking season will be pointless.
So it should be done in proper time except in emergency condition.
Two
weeks before and after the period of each season has also to be
considered. During this period treatments like vamana(medicated emesis),
virechanam(induced laxation), dhara (pouring of medicated oil or
decotion or milk or buttermilk on head or body), pizhichil (pouring of
warm medicated oil on body along with massage), navarakizhi (massage
with special bundle made of navara rice processed with milk and sida
cordifolia), snehapanam (intake of medicated ghee), vasthy (enema),
siravedham (mild surgical incision of veins inorder to remove impure
blood) can be done along with internal medication.
There is an
another opinion that treatment done in Varsha for the diseases due to
vitiation of three doshas ,in Sarad for the diseases due to pitha
vitiation and in for the diseases due to kapha vitiation should have
more effect.In emergency conditions treatment can be done without
looking for suitable season, but should take precautions to protect
patients body from extreme cold, hot and rain if it persist. Treatments
in which strict regimens are not needed also can be done in all the
seasons.
Honey is sweet – that’s a given. But did you know that honey also adds a
special touch to almost any recipe? It’s the whisper at a party. It’s
the sigh after the perfect bite. It’s the nostalgic feeling of
childhood. It’s your secret ingredient with endless possibilities.
Many people think of honey as a drizzle in desserts or a topping for
toast. But now more than ever, honey’s being recognized as a versatile
ingredient and pantry staple in the kitchen. All-natural honey gives
your recipes unbeatable flavor and unmatched functional benefits. From
balancing flavors to providing moisture to baked goods, one-ingredient
honey performs a slew of tasks, all from one little bottle.
Discover the versatility of honey…
Sweetener: Honey is slightly sweeter than sugar, so less can be used to achieve the same sweetness intensity. Flavor: Honey not only imparts a unique flavor to any
dish, but it also balances and enhances the flavor profiles of other
ingredients used in a recipe. Emulsifier: Honey acts as a binder and thickener for sauces, dressings, marinades and dips. Humectant: Honey provides and retains moisture to a variety of dishes and can even extend the shelf life of baked goods.
