Managing Mental Stress Overload with Ayurveda

Each of us has a unique stress-tolerance quotient. Rather than attempt to banish stress from your life (is that even possible in today's world?), Ayurvedic healers recommend that you try and balance your stress-tolerance quotient so that you are able to manage stress instead of it taking over your life.

According to Ayurveda, mental distress occurs when the mind and the brain are taxed way beyond their normal ability to handle stress over a period of time.

Restoring balance requires addressing your diet and lifestyle along with balance-restoring herbs and therapies.

Signs of Mental Stress Overload

What are the signs of mental stress overload? If your answers to the following questions are mostly "yes," it is likely you have overtaxed your native ability to deal with stress:

• Do you often feel worried, restless or anxious?
• Do even small additions to your workload -- one additional deadline or one extra chore -- make you feel overwhelmed?
• Do you toss and turn in your bed at bedtime, unable to fall asleep?
• Do you always feel rushed; or feel that your days are too full?
• Do you feel frazzled and find it difficult to focus?
• Do you find yourself spacing out, more forgetful than normal?
• Do you flit from task to task but end up not completing any?
• Does anxiety make you breathe short and fast sometimes?

For many of us, this imbalance is all too common. Vata, the Ayurvedic physio-psychological factor that governs the mind, is thrown out of kilter with increased activity, movement or stimulation. Multi-tasking has become a way of life for us: grabbing a quick bite when trying to complete a project, drinking our morning beverage as we drive to work, talking on the phone while we put away the groceries. Even normally grounded persons can only go so long at a breakneck pace before they feel the effects of an imbalanced Vata. Daily commutes in rush-hour traffic, jobs that come with lots of travel, chauffeuring kids from one after-school activity to another: chopped up days leave many of us feeling fragmented and disoriented. And our senses are victims to a constant stream of stimulation all day long. The result? A cluttered, tired mind, frayed nerves and a brain that is wearing out, cell by weary cell.

Ways to Manage the Stress

Short of retiring to a hermitage in the Himalayas, how can you manage mental stress and stay vital and strong? Put our recommendations to the test--they can be incorporated into your regular day, no matter how full and hectic, and will help you stay balanced even in the midst of an urban jungle:

1. You know the rest of your day is going to be hectic, a stream of deadlines and mad dashes from here to there and back, so eeeeeease into your day with a soothing, grounding 10-minute wake-up routine. The key to success is to follow the routine faithfully every morning, whether you are at home or away.

Wake up at first light, and try and do that without a strident alarm or a DJ to jar you awake. Open your eyes and soak in the morning air and light. Sit up gently in bed, and take long, deep breaths for five minutes. Deep steady breathing will help you get off to a calm serene start. Stretch your arms out and above your head, then lower them gently. Do this a few times. Then, and only then, get out of bed. And when you do, head to your kitchen for a large mug of hot lemon water instead of to your computer to check your e-mail.

2. Sneak some serenity breaks into your regular day with choices that pacify Vata. When you can, choose silence over noise, soothing gentle music over talk radio, an evening stroll over television. Shut your office door or find a quiet spot at work or home after lunch for a few minutes of deep breathing and mental shut-off time.

Silence is a powerful mental rejuvenator, therefore seek it and savor it. Meditate for fifteen minutes every morning and evening when you can, or at least once a day. Meditation quiets mental static, recharges your body and brain, enhances focus, elevates mental performance and is an excellent way to pacify Vata. There are many types of meditation: find a good teacher and get started today.

3. Remember those five minutes of deep breathing you practiced upon awakening? Gradually acclimate yourself to breathing that way all the time. This may take a while, and you'll need to remind yourself often at the beginning, but the dividends will be rich once it becomes routine: rapid shallow breaths diminish prana - life force - and tire the mind and body. As you draw in a long breath, imagine the fresh burst of prana infusing every cell in your brain with new energy and life, and as you expel stale air out, imagine the tiredness and mental clutter emptying out. Proper breathing is free and takes little effort, and it's so important for health!

4. Woo sleep. Adequate quality sleep every night is essential to keep your mind alert, your memory keen, your attention span long and your focus laser-sharp. Diffuse the essential oil of lavender or a Vata-pacifying aroma blend in your bedroom one half-hour before you plan to retire. And retire early when you can--10 pm or earlier is ideal.

Your bedroom should be dark and silent, with a window open a crack for fresh air when the weather is not inclement. Drink a cup of warm milk an hour before bed (dairy or rice milk), spiced with a pinch of nutmeg if desired. Massaging your hands and feet with a small quantity of a light non-staining massage oil can be helpful. Once in bed, close your eyes and practice deep breathing for five minutes, letting go of whirling thoughts and worries and focusing your mind instead on a serene mental picture - a calm pond bathed in morning sunlight, a snow covered mountain range against a cloudless blue sky, gentle rain falling on green leaves, a deep velvety yellow rose in full bloom - as you consciously let go of Vata-aggravating mental clutter, you will drift off into sleep and awake refreshed and ready for another day.

Indian Board of Alternative Medicine
80, Chowringhee Road
Calcutta - 700002
India
http://www.altmedworld.net

Green Tea - The New Health Drink

An ancient Chinese proverb goes thus – “Better to be deprived of food for three days than tea for one”. Of the three major beverages of the world – tea, coffee and cocoa – tea is the most popular. Tea has a long and ancient history and has been associated with man since time immemorial.

History

China is known as the homeland of tea. India and China are probably the first countries to cultivate tea. It is believed that tea shrubs existed in China as early as 5000-6000 years ago. Once when Emperor Shen Nung was sitting under a camellia tree, a few leaves accidentally fell into a cauldron of boiling water. The resulting fragrance tempted the Emperor to sip the brew. This is believed to be the beginning of Chinese tea culture.

Basically there are three types of tea – black, oolong and green tea. Green tea today has become very popular worldwide. Made from the dried leaves of the camellia sinensis plant, green tea came from China between 4000-5000 years ago. In oriental countries green tea has been used for many centuries for its therapeutic and medicinal qualities. People in China and Japan have known the positive aspects green tea brings to our health for centuries and Asians on an average drink 1-2 cups per day as a cleanser for the body. The global consumption of tea is about 3 billion kilos annually with India alone accounting for the largest contribution (about 30%).

The Chinese have known about the medicinal benefits of green tea since ancient times, using it to treat everything from headaches to depression. It has been used as a medicine in China for at least 4000 years. The difference between green tea and other teas is that green tea is not fermented, thus keeping the powerful antioxidants lost in the fermenting process. Green tea is not oxidized at all, the leaves are steamed, rolled and dried. Green tea has a more delicate taste than black tea. Green tea is the variety that keeps the original color of the tea leaves without fermentation.

Health benefits

The use of green tea as a beverage dates back to 3000 BC. Green tea is believed to have several wide ranging health benefits now supported by recent research. There are four primary polyphenols in green tea and they are often collectively referred to as catechins. Powerful antioxidants, catechins have been shown in recent studies to fight viruses, slow aging and have a beneficial effect on health. The principal catechin is EGCG whose composition in green tea is believed to be 100 times more potent than vitamin C and 25 times better than vitamin E as an antioxidant.

The production of free radicals is the body in the main cause of many ‘lifestyle’ diseases like diabetes, cataract, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease and skin cancer. The antioxidants in green tea fight these free radicals and therefore these diseases.

Studies on animals and humans in various places, as well as ongoing research suggest the following health benefits of consuming green tea.

Cardiovascular diseases

The antioxidants in green tea decrease the risk of blood clots, blood pressure, blood sugar and bad cholesterol and so provide protection against cardiovascular diseases. A series of animal and human studies have highlighted the heart-friendly activity of green tea. The EGCG in green tea is believed to slow the build-up of artery-clogging plaque. Green tea is also believed to improve the LDL-HDL cholesterol ratio, triglycerides and fibrinogen – all blood indicators of heart disease. Green tea helps to reduce cholesterol levels.

Compounds other than EGCG in green tea have been found to be heart protective as well. An amino acid called theanine, which helps reduce blood pressure is present in green tea.

Good for teeth

Green tea contains fluoride which is good for teeth. It can kill the bacteria that causes dental plaque. It checks dental decay by inhibiting the growth of oral bacteria and so fights cavities. When used as a mouth rinse, this herbal drink reduces plaque formation. It also counters bad breath.

Cancer fighting properties

A new study published in the Clinical Cancer Research reveals how green tea works to curb the development of bladder cancer. Green tea extract inhibits the growth and proliferation of cancerous cells, the study claims. Researchers at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) have found that green tea was able to target cancer cells while leaving healthy cells alone. The cell movement depends on a bio-chemical process called actin remodeling. When it is activated the cancer cells move and invade other healthy cells. Green tea extract affects actin remodeling.

Population studies suggest that green tea consumption may be one of the reasons why the incidence of cancer is so low in Japan. Studies have shown that people who drank more green tea were less likely to develop tumors. Emerging animal and clinical studies suggest that EGCG could play an important role in the prevention of many types of cancer including breast, skin, lung, stomach, prostrate, ovarian and colon cancer.

Stress buster

Catechin, present in green tea removes sleepiness and works as a stress buster. If you are in need of an extra boost, then green tea with the caffeine content is a good stimulant for short time energy. The drink has got a diuretic effect and prevents rashes, indigestion and disease called beriberi. Green tea chemicals destroy harmful microbes only.

Helps in losing weight

New evidence is emerging that green tea can even help dieters. It contains no calories – so is useful to those who want to lose weight. Researchers have found that men who were given a combination of caffeine and green tea extract burned more calories than those given only caffeine or a placebo. Green tea is less processed than black tea and contains rich sources of antioxidants which protect the body’s cells from damage. The steaming process maintains more of its pharmacological properties. It burns calories and speeds up body mechanism.

Scientists believe that EGCG could probably bring about weight loss by three mechanisms; increasing metabolic rate, preventing the digestion of carbohydrates and reducing appetite. No wonder the Japanese have been drinking green tea before, during and after a high carbohydrate meal for centuries.

Anti aging properties: Current research has revealed that green tea extracts can be used in anti-aging medicines. Green tea is healthy and helps in the body’s healing. Green tea may delay aging by its strong antioxidant action, preventing the accumulation of free radicals and the resultant damage to the DNA over time.

Other health benefits

Green tea helps to reduce the severity of rheumatoid arthritis, cataract, diabetes and impaired immune infection. It fights viruses and can help protect your joints and stave off arthritis in two ways – by reducing inflammation and by protecting against cartilage breakdown. It can even help improve joint mobility. It is believed to help boost immunity with its stimulating effect on the immune system. It acts as a herbalist for aiding in the circulation of the blood, a detoxifier for the blood and an aid in curing liver ailments. Green tea is also good for women experiencing menopause, being a good source of vitamins and minerals. Green tea helps to prevent or delay the formation of cataract and macular degeneration.

As a beauty aid

Many skin preparations contain green tea extracts – from deodorants to creams. Recent research suggests that green tea may protect your skin from against the damage caused by ultraviolet rays. Green tea is also being widely used to dispel the heat and bring on an instant cool together with a feeling of relaxation. It is also very useful to quench the thirst.

How to prepare green tea

Take one teaspoon of green tea leaves to one cup of just below boiling temperature water, let stand for 10 minutes and then strain. You may add lemon or honey for taste. Green tea is to be sipped slowly, not gulped down. Today green tea is commercially available all over the world and is a favored gift in an attractive basket or packet.

The only negative side effect of green tea is that it may induce insomnia. Hence it is advisable to take the evening cup at least 3-4 hours before bedtime. Ideally one should have 10 cups of green tea a day in order to get all its benefits. Green tea capsules are also available in the market but they are pretty expensive.

Already green tea extracts have found a place in cholesterol lowering drugs, dietary supplements and among popular beverage brands across the world. EGCG is being promoted for good health in popular staple food items like biscuits and cookies.

In conclusion

Few herbs go back in time as much as tea does. Tea has been one of the daily necessities in China since time immemorial and the art of growing, processing, brewing and drinking tea evolved in China. Today a wide variety of brews adorn the supermarket shelves. But a wealth of research suggests that green tea can be a welcome addition to your stock of brews. Today scientific research in both Asia and the West is providing hard evidence for the health benefits long associated with drinking green tea. So go ahead and enjoy this magical drink which has myriad therapeutic and medicinal properties.

Indian Board of Alternative Medicine
80, Chowringhee Road
Calcutta - 700002
India
http://www.altmedworld.net

Homeopathy First-Aid Remedies

What Is Homeopathy?

Homeopathy is a complete system of medicine that aims to promote general health by reinforcing the body's own natural healing capacity. It doesn't have treatments for diseases it has remedies for people with diseases. It is about why a remedy is given and not about what is given.
It was founded by Samuel Hahnemann, in 1790. He believed that the symptoms and signs of an illness are in fact attempts on the part of the organism to heal itself. So when a substance capable of producing a similar symptom to that of a disease is used it encourages a powerful strengthening of the defense mechanism.

Bites And Stings

For bites and stings you can use Apis Mellica, Ledum, Natrum muriaticum, Staphysagria, and Urtica urens.

Apis Mellica is made from honeybees. To prepare this remedy, the entire live honeybee is crushed and highly diluted by mixing it into a water-and-alcohol base.

Ledum is the number one remedy for bee stings. It's also known as wild rosemary and is sometimes called marsh tea. It's found in bogs across Northern Europe, Canada, and the United States. This remedy is prepared from the whole plant. It is gathered, dried, and crushed into powder. Then it's diluted to nontoxic levels in a water and alcohol mix.

Natrum muriaticum is a good remedy for bee and wasp stings. It's basically salt, or sodium chloride. It's prepared by adding pure sodium chloride to boiling water. After the salt has dissolved the solution is filtered and crystallized by evaporation. The final product is diluted in water to the desired potency.

Staphysagria works really good in children who get mosquito bites, which become large and irritating. It's also known as palmated larkspur and grows in Southern Europe and Asia. The seeds are used to make ointments and antidotes.

Urtica urnens is for people with hives. It's also known as annual nettle. It has a long tradition of use for many ailments in Western herbalism and it's still highly valued today. To prepare this remedy the whole flowering plant, including the root, is steeped in alcohol.

See a doctor immediately

For bites and stings- If you are bitten or stung by something that is known to be poisonous or if you have bad reactions to bites and stings.

If after the bite or sting your conscious level is impaired or if the swelling is sever and rapid, especially if it affects your mouth and throat or if you have difficulty breathing.

Bruises

For bruses you can use Arnica, Bellis per, Hypericum, Lachesis, Ledum, Ruta, and Symphytum.

Arnica is the number one remedy for bruises. It's also known as Leopard's Bane, Mountain daisy, and Mountain tobacco. Usually the flowers, leaves, stems, and roots are crushed and mashed into a pulp and then slowly soaked in some alcohol. Then the remedy is made to undergo the homeopathic dilution process. During this process the substance will lose its toxic natute. It is then ready for use.

Bellis per can be used when Arnica isn't working that well. It's good for deep injuries to muscles and joints. It's also known as European daisy, Garden daisy, or Bruisewort. It grows throughout Europe and the eastern part of the United States. The parts used for remedies is the fresh plant in flower.

Lachesis is good for black eyes. It aids blood re absorption. It's a snake that's also known as Bushmaster or Surukuku. It's found in South America. In this remedy the venom is used. To prepare the remedy the venom is extracted from the snake and then diluted in large quantities of milk sugar.

Ledum is also good for black eyes and sever bruises.

Ruta is good for bruises on the elbow, shin or kneecap. It's a plant called Ruta graveciens. It's also known as Rue, Herb of grace, Herb of repentance, Bitter herb, or Rue bitterwort. It has been prescribed herbally since the time of ancient Greece and Egypt. It's native to Southern Europe, but it's cultivated worldwide. To prepare this remedy, the herb is collected just before blossoming. It is then pounded to a pulp and pressed for its juice. The juice is then diluted in a water-and-alcohol base.

Symphtum is used when you have trauma to a cartilage or periosteum. It's good to use when you have a blunt injury to the eyeball. It's also known as Comfrey or Knit bone.

Burns

For burns you can use Calendula, Cantharis, Causticum, Phosphorus, and Urtica urens.

Calendula is the number one remedy for first degree burns. It can also be used to dress second degree burns. It's also known as Pot marigold. To prepare this remedy the finely chopped, fresh flowers and leaves are steeped in alcohol. (First degree burns are burns that are red but have no blisters).

Cantharis is the number one remedy for second degree burns. It's also known as the Spanish fly. It's actually a beetle that's found in Southern France and Spain. To prepare this remedy the beetles are collected at daybreak, when they are sluggish. Then they are heated in steam of boiling vinegar until they're dead. Then they're crushed and mixed with successively greater amounts of milk sugar. The resulting powder is highly dilute. (Second degree burns are burns that have blisters but no skin loss).

Causticum is the number one remedy for third degree burns. It's also good for old burns that don't resolve and ill effects of burns. It's also known as potassium hydrate. It's prepared chemically by distilling freshly burned lime, potassium bisulfate, and water. (Third degree burns are serious burns that require medical attention and often skin grafting).

Phosphorus is good for electrical burns or shocks. Phosporus is found in phosphates and living matter. To prepare this remedy, pure phoshorus is diluted in large quantities of milk sugar.

Other preparations that are recommended for minor burns include Nelson's Burn Ointment and Pakua. Pakua is a preparation that aids healing in all sorts of injuries where the skin is damaged.

See a doctor immediately

For burns- For any third degree burn. These burns involve the full thickness of the skin and are likely to be less painful than first and second degree burns. So don't be fooled into underestimating the severity of a serious burn by the lack of pain.

If you have second degree burns and it's blistering and has loss of the top surface of the skin and is very sore and painful.

The second degree burn occurs on sensitive skin such as the face, hands, or genitals.
If the second degree burn is larger than a hand size.

In electrical burns don't forget to isolate the power before touching the person, or you can pull them off using non-conductive materials such as rubber, plastic, or dry wood. Do not dress or interfere with sever burns until you've seen an expert.

Cuts And Scrapes

For cuts and scrapes you can use Calendula, Hypericum, and Staphysagria.

With Calendula use a tincture instead of an antiseptic to clean and dress shallow wounds. Use the tincture topically in a dilution of 1:25 with sterile or boiled water. It's good for excessive pain, in clean cuts with stinging pain, and torn lacerations. You can also use it as a mouthwash after having a tooth pulled.

Hypericum can be used in deep cuts with a lot of pain and hypersensitivity to touch. It's also used for lacerated fingers and any injuries to fingers, toes, anus, spine, coccyx, palms, soles, or teeth.

Staphysagria can be used to clean cuts and after operations for lacerations. It's good for injuries that were made from sharp instruments.

See a doctor immediately

For any puncture wound that has been cause by a sharp object.

Hemorrhage (bleeding). The severity of the wound and the bleeding will dictate the degree of urgency and need for help.

Dislocated Joints

For dislocated joints you can use Arnica and Ruta.

Arnica is the number one remedy. After the joint has been put back into place you may need to follow with Rhus tox or another remedy.

See a doctor immediately

For joints and muscles- If you lose full range of movement of the joint.

The injured part is distorted, deformed, or unstable in any way.

You have pain or spasm of the surrounding muscles. This might mean that you have a fracture.

If there is marked swelling or bleeding under the skin.

If you have coldness, blueness, or numbness of the injury, or the part beyond the injury. This may mean that you have damage to the blood or nervous supply of that area

Fractures

For fractures you can use Arnica, Bryonia, Calcium phosphorica, Eupatorium perfoliatum, Silca, and Symphytum.

Arnica helps with the shock, bruising, and swelling. It's usually the first remedy you need to use because of the shock.

Bryonia is sometimes used for fractured ribs when you have pain when you move. It is also known as White bryony or Wild hops. The remedy is prepare from the root, which is harvested in Spring. An extract pressed from the root pulp is mixed with alcohol into a extremely dilute solution.

Calcium phosphorica aids the nutrition of bones. It may be used if the person is malnourished or the bones are not healing. It's a mineral salt that's the main constituent of of bones and teeth. It is prepared chemically from dilute phosphoric acid and calcium hydroxide.

Eupatorium perfoliatum is used when the main symptom is pain and the person doesn't have that much bruising. It's also known as Bone-set and is usually taken as a tea or tincture.

Silica may be used if a small chip has come off the bone. It's also known as quartz, rock crystal, or pure flint. To prepare this remedy Silica powder is mixed with sodium carbonate through a pharmaceutical process of substance dilution.

Symphytum is the number one remedy and is used only after the bones have been set. It may also be used when the bones aren't healing.

See a doctor immediately

For neck or back injury- If you think you have a fracture or serious neck injury. Don't move a person with this type of injury. Wait for expert help to arrive.

Sprains And Strains

For sprains and strains you can use Arnica, Bellis perennis, Bryonia, Calcarea phosphorica, Ledum, and Rhus tox.

Arnica is the number one remedy for muscles. It's used after overexertion of muscles when you have pulled a muscle and have pain and stiffness. It's also good after overexertion or straining of ligaments and joints when you have considerable swelling, bruising, and inflammation around the joint. You often have to use Rhus toxicodendron after Arnica before complete resolution occurs.

Bryonia is used for ligaments and joints when the pain is bad when you barely move and continued movement only makes it worse. It's also good for some swelling.

Calcarea Phosphorica is used when nutrition is a problem and is causing healing to be slow and prolonged.

Ledum is used when the fibrous tissues and joint have been affected.

Rhus tox is the number one remedy for ligaments and joints. It's also used for overexerted muscles. It's used on muscles after the most acute symptoms have gone or when the pain is bad when you first move but gets better after continued movement. It's also known as poison ivy or poison oak. It grows throughout North America and Canada. This remedy is prepared from plants that are gathered at night, when it's said that the oil is at its most potent state. The leaves and stalks are pounded to a pulp then mixed with alcohol. It is then strained and diluted.

Sun And Heat Stroke

For sun and heat stroke you can use Belladonna, Cuprum, and Glonoin.

Belladonna is used for fever, throbbing headache, bright red face, and stupor. It's also known as deadly night shade and devil's cherries. To prepare the remedy, all parts of the plant are used. The plant is crushed and pressed. The extract juice is mixed with alcohol in an extremely dilute preparation.

Cuprum is used for heat exhaustion. It's also known as copper and is found in rocks worldwide.

Flonoin is used for sunstroke, fever, throbbing headache, red face, and stupor. It's also known as glyceryl trinitrate or nitroglycerin. It's prepared chemically by adding glycerin to a mixture of nitric and sulfuric acids.

See a doctor immediately

For heat and sunstroke- If you have signs of mild shock which include being cold, clammy, pale tired, have nausea, have a raised heart rate or have muscle cramps.
The level of consciousness is affected. You may feel drowsy or dull.

If you don't show any signs of increased strength and vitality after an hour of cool rest.

For sunstroke- Sunstroke is a medical emergency because the body's temperature mechanism has been overloaded and has failed. Your skin will be hot, red, and often dry. You may show signs of impaired consciousness or confusion and even convulsions. You should do whatever it takes to cool your body below 102 degrees Fahrenheit as quickly as you can while you wait for expert help.

When To See The Doctor

Within 24 hours

If you have a wound that becomes infected. You will have increased pain, swelling, and redness. Especially if the inflammation runs from the wound in red streaks toward the body.

All animal bites should be examined by your doctor.

If you haven't had a tetanus shot in awhile and you have puncture wounds or lacerations.

Any unexpected impairment of use of your injured part.

Indian Board of Alternative Medicine
80, Chowringhee Road
Calcutta - 700002
India
http://www.altmedworld.net

Seven Keys to Unlock Your Brainpower!

Ayurveda, the ancient system of healing from India, describes three aspects to mental performance: "dhi" - learning and comprehension, "dhriti" - retention of knowledge, and "smriti" - memory or recall.

"For the best mental performance and realization of the fullest mental potential, each of these three factors individually needs to be at its peak, and, more important, the co-ordination among the three factors also needs to be optimal," says Rama Kant Mishra, Ayurvedic expert. Ayurveda recommends paying attention to the three fundamental pillars of good health - diet, sleep and lifestyle - to achieve this state of mental balance. Here are some tips from Mishra to help boost brainpower:

Eat Pure, "Intelligent" Foods

"According to Ayurveda, it is very important to eat foods that are natural and pure for their full benefit to be absorbed by the body," says Mishra. When foods are as close to their state in nature as possible, that's when they deliver the most potent nutrition. Foods that have been genetically altered, processed or refined have much of their natural intelligence stripped from them, and Mishra contends that they disturb the intellect and the co-ordination between the three aspects of mental prowess - comprehension, retention and recall. Also taboo are foods that are canned or preserved with artificial additives and preservatives, or foods with artificial colors and flavors. "Cooking with fresh, organic ingredients can take a little more time and effort," agrees Mishra. "But your brain, and indeed your entire system will thank you for it and repay the effort with accelerated performance."

Maintain a Supply of Balanced Nutrition

The recommended Ayurvedic diet is vegetarian. "Grains, beans and legumes provide nutrients for the brain," says Mishra. "Be sure to include plenty of cooked leafy greens. Several helpings of fruit and vegetables are recommended. Sweet juicy fruits are excellent cleansers; they help flush toxins out of the body. Don't count fat out entirely, fat performs some essential functions in the body, including the brain." Mishra suggests cutting down on "empty" junk foods and sugared drinks that interfere with the absorption of nutrients by the body. According to Ayurveda, good eating habits are as important as what you eat. Sitting down to eat, focusing on the food rather than on work or other activities, and savoring the meal are important. Ice-cold drinks disrupt digestion and impair the assimilation of nutrients by the body, and should therefore be avoided.

Harness the Power of Antioxidants

The brain is especially susceptible to damage by free radicals, reactive oxygen-based chemicals that thrive on stress, pollution and chemicals in your food. Free radicals have been widely linked to disease and aging. Antioxidants are therefore crucial for effective functioning of the brain. Recent research showed that blueberries are powerful brain food, primarily because of their antioxidant value. Ayurvedic antioxidant supplements contain Amalaki, the Indian gooseberry, considered the richest natural source of vitamin C, along with other herbs. Look for an antioxidant that works both inside and outside cell walls for full-spectrum protection from free radical damage.

Use Herbs and Aromas to Enhance Mental Potential

Ayurveda talks about a special class of herbs called "Medhya" herbs - herbs especially useful for the mind. "These herbs individually enhance learning, retention and recall as well as the co-ordination among the three factors," says Mishra. "They provide powerful nourishment for the brain." Shankhapushpi or Aloeweed, the authentic Brahmi or Herpestis monniera and Indian Pennywort or Centella asiatica, also known as Gotu Kola, are some well-known Ayurvedic herbs known to promote the health and functioning of the mind. "Synergistic formulas that contain not only these herbs but other supporting and balancing herbs such as Ashwagandha (Winter Cherry) to help boost resistance to stress are ideal," suggests Mishra, "especially for individuals in high-stress job environments who need to be at the peak of their mental potential on a consistent basis." Some essential oils are excellent aromatherapy for the mind. Try rosemary for mental clarity and alertness or basil oil to help dispel mental fatigue and enhance your mind's innate ability to focus. Peppermint oil and lemon oil are also effective pick-me-ups for the mind.

Manage Stress Levels

Stress and anxiety, whether caused by time pressure or difficult work relationships, can have a significant negative impact on mental performance. A calm mind, serene and centered in its equilibrium, is unquestionably superior in terms of focus, attention span, retention of knowledge and problem-solving ability. "It is important to manage stress before it becomes a severe problem," says Mishra, "because stress has been known to damage or destroy brain cells and many prescription pills for anxiety can have side-effects that can further erode mental performance." Planning tasks ahead and managing timelines, taking occasional short (even five minutes) breaks during periods of intense mental activity, and maintaining a healthy balance between work and relaxation can all help. The Transcendental Meditation technique, or other relaxation techniques are also useful in managing stress. Listening to relaxing music, diffusing aromas that help relax you, such as sandalwood or lavender, or a quiet evening stroll, alone or with a nurturing companion, can all help balance the mind and emotions.

Get Adequate, Quality Sleep

Related to stress is the other plague of modern society - lack of deep, restful sleep. "With diet and lifestyle, sleep is a fundamental pillar of Ayurveda," says Mishra. "Optimal physical and mental performance is impossible if all three of these factors are not addressed." Getting eight hours of sleep is less important than striving for quality sleep, which, according to Ayurveda, occurs when the mind is totally disconnected from the senses. Quality sleep recharges and rejuvenates the mind, improving both short-term and long-term mental prowess. Mishra advises a daily warm oil full-body massage to increase stamina during the day and promote quality sleep at night. Cutting down on stimulants such as caffeine, alcohol and nicotine; making work-related materials taboo in the bedroom and winding down the evening with calming activities, instead of stimulating ones, to help prepare the mind for restful sleep; are key to getting your zzzs. Aromatherapy can also help - try a blend of lavender, chamomile, jasmine and sweet orange, or just plain lavender.

Use it or Lose it!

No matter what your age or your occupation; your brain needs to be constantly challenged to be at its peak in terms of performance. "Whether it's doing logic puzzles, memorizing lines from Shakespeare, or learning a new skill, keep your brain busy," advises Mishra, "if you don't want it to rust away like a car in a junkyard." Asking questions to clarify things in your mind, visualization techniques and associative memory games can keep the brain nimble.

Indian Board of Alternative Medicine
80, Chowringhee Road
Calcutta - 700002
India
http://www.altmedworld.net

Yoga and Memory

Mans quest to have an excellent memory is well known from time immemorial. Some people may be born with an excellent memory but not everyone is so lucky! The key question is - is it possible to improve one's memory?

We hear of people with amazing abilities performing ten tasks at a time "(dasavadhanis)" and even a hundred "(atavadhanams)" . It is said that Swami Vivekananda had a photographic memory. He could repeat with great precision the meaning and explanations of very long words from the Encyclopedia Britannica. How could this be possible? are such abilities gifts, or can they be developed?

Of course, we may also ask whether it is necessary at all. Particularly when we have range of computers, calculators and other memory devices to assist us. A good memory may have been needed in an age when such aids were not available. However it is interesting to note that even those who use these aids extensively appreciate those with a good memory and wistfully wish theirs was as good! Everyone is convinced that memory plays a vital role in achieving success in life - both in the conventional sense as well as for personal growth and spiritual development.

The ability to remember and forget is one of the most complex and fascinating functions of the brain. It is well known that memory lapses are extremely selective; we remember some things and forget others. In some cases easy explanations for these facts can be found - a phone number which we use regularly activates a particular circuit in the brain, information flows very quickly along this well trod path, and remembering occurs. Sometimes, however, we are able effortlessly to recall information which we rarely use. Tulving a present day psychologist, has said that remembering an even depends upon i) the memory trace, i.e., the memory laid down in the brain, and ii) something in the immediate situation which acts as a retrieval cue, or prompt, to 'jog' the memory or activate the memory trace. For example, reading about wild life may help us to vividly recall an earlier visit to a game sanctuary and sometimes, surprisingly all the other details as well!.

PASCIMATANASANA

Sthiti: Dandasana

Practice
• Inhale, raise both the arms sideways at shoulder level parallel to the ground.
• Turn the palms facing upwards.
• Continue to inhale and raise the arms further up vertically biceps touching the ears and stretch the trunk from the coccyx region. Now turn the palm forward.
• Exhale, bend the trunk forwards from the lower back. Stretch the arms, Hands parallel to the ground.
• Exhale completely, form hooks of index fingers and catch hold of the big toes. Bend the back further forward from the lumbar sacral region so that the trunk is stretched along the things and the face rests on the knee. Bend the hands at the elbow and relax the abdomen muscles.
• Maintain the position for about a minute with normal breathing.
• Return to sthiti reversing the steps and the breathing.
• Relax in Sthiti Dandasana.

Note:
Do not allow the knees to bend.

Benefits:
Gives flexibility to the back bone. Stimulates the spinal nerves and back muscles. Improves digestion, Energizes the whole body. Removes constipation.

Limitations:
People with heart ailments, back problems and spondylitis should avoid this posture.

Indian Board of Alternative Medicine
80, Chowringhee Road
Calcutta - 700002
India
http://www.altmedworld.net

Keeping Well When Monsoon Dwells

First showers of monsoon are heartily welcomed by everyone after experiencing the scorching heat of summer. But monsoons reduce the immunity of our body and make us susceptible to many diseases which are commonly associated with this season. It is time for us to keep our body resistant against diseases by boosting our immunity and taking precautions against these diseases.

The diseases associated with monsoon are malaria, jaundice, gastro intestinal infections like typhoid and cholera. Apart from these, viral infections like cold and cough also make their presence felt.

Puddles of water formed due to rain become breeding grounds for mosquitoes which spread diseases like malaria and dengue fever. As a precautionary measure against mosquito bite born diseases one can use mosquito net around the bed which is better choice to mosquito repellants like mats and coils. A mosquito repellant cream is the best choice when you are away from home. Fumigating the house with smoke of dried Neem leaves in evenings for 1-2 minutes is an excellent Ayurvedic method to keep mosquitoes away.

Pollution of drinking water during monsoon is very common. It is very necessary to drink clean and pure water when water borne monsoon diseases like diarrhea and gastro intestinal infections threaten us. Drinking boiled water at home is strongly recommended to tap water. Prefer mineral water of government certified companies when you are away from home.

Walking in dirty water during rainy season leads to numerous fungal infections which affect toes and nails. Diabetic patients have to take a special care about their feet. Always keep your feet dry and clean. Avoid walking in dirty water. Keep your shoes, socks and raincoats dry and clean. Drying clothes with fumes of Loban and dry Neem leaves is recommended in Ayurvedic texts.

Precautions have to be taken to prevent dampness and growth of fungus (mold) on and around the house where asthmatic patients live. Avoid fumigation in case of asthmatic patients.

Ayurvedic Tips to Increase Body Immunity and Preventing Diseases of Monsoon

The digestive system gets weakened due to dehydration in summer. This leads to low digestive power. This is further weakened by vitiation of doshas and dhatus due to monsoon. Hence following diets which increase power of digestion and strengthen the digestive system would be beneficial in rainy season.

• Light foods prepared out of old barley, rice and wheat.
• Sour and salted soups of vegetables.
• Drinking boiled and cooled water mixed with little honey.
• Consuming little quantity of wine prepared out of grapes.
• Adding ginger and green gram in daily diet.
• Eating warm food.

Avoid the following

• Sleeping in daytime.
• Over physical exertion.
• Over exposure to sun.

Additional Precautions

• Always keep the surrounding dry and clean.
• Do not allow water to get accumulated around.
• Keep your body warm as viruses attack immediately when body temperature goes down.
• Do not enter air conditioned room with wet hair and damp cloths.
• Dry your feet and webs with soft dry cloth whenever they are wet.
• Wash vegetables with clean water and steam them well to kill germs.
• Avoid eating uncooked foods and salads.
• Drink plenty of water and keep your body well hydrated.
• Do not allow kids to play in stagnant polluted water filled puddles.

Ayurvedic Home Remedies for Monsoon Diseases

Apply castor oil or sesame oil for cracked feet and skin. A freshly prepared paste of turmeric, neem and sesame seeds is recommended in Ayurveda for fungal infection between toes.

Drink a glass of warm water mixed with a tea spoon of honey in empty stomach. This flushes out accumulated toxins. Freshly prepared radish juice is the best remedy for cold. A pinch each of long pepper powder and rock salt mixed in warm water reduces cough.

The following home recipes can be used as home remedies for digestive disorders of monsoon

In Indigestion

Ingredients:
Rice-1/2 cup
Water -4 cups
Long pepper- 2or 3
Ginger -1

Method of preparation
Cook rice with recommended quantity of water with crushed ginger and salt. Powder long pepper and fry it in a spoon of cow's ghee and add it to gruel. Consume this when it hot. This is very light to digest and relieves colic pain.

In Diarrhea

Ingredients:
Rice -1/2 cup
Water - 4 cups
Ginger paste - 1/2 spoon
Salt to taste
Pomegranate juice: 1 cup

Method of preparation
Cook rice with recommended quantity of water with ginger paste and salt
Add pomegranate juice when the gruel is warm. This gruel rehydrates body and supply energy . This soothes inflamed walls of intestine and controls bowel movements.

In Flatulence

Ingredients:
1 cup of rice
4 cups of water
Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) - powder-1/2 spoon
Roots of pippali or long pepper
Ginger paste -1/2 spoon salt to taste

Method of preparation
Cook Rice, haritaki powder , roots of pippali and water together. Add salt to it.Consume this when it is warm. This relieves flatulence and regularizes the bowel movement

Thus precautions coupled with care really help you to enjoy monsoon. Have a healthy and safe monsoon.

Indian Board of Alternative Medicine
80, Chowringhee Road
Calcutta - 700002
India
http://www.altmedworld.net

5 Ways To Introduce Ayurvedic Principles Into Your Daily Diet

You are what you eat." Right, but only 50% right, according to the ancient healing tradition of Ayurveda. The combination of what you eat and what your body does with what you eat is what actually shapes health and well-being.

According to Ayurveda, you are unique, and your dietary needs are unique too, determined by your body constitution, age, the season, your environment and your needs for balance at any given time. But there are some diet and digestion principles that are universally applicable. Here we present five that you can begin any time - the quick and-simple way to incorporate the Ayurvedic way of eating into your daily diet. Once you start seeing results, you can delve more deeply into doshas - Ayurvedic body types - and tailor a diet and digestion routine that' best for you.

1. Add some Zest to Your Life with Lemon!

Add the freshly squeezed juice of half a lemon to a large cup of really warm water and drink first thing in the morning. Fresh lemon juice in moderation is good for all doshas. Lemon is a wonderful aid to internal cleansing. Antibacterial and antiseptic, lemon retards the presence of disease-causing bacteria in the digestive tract. It is also a digestion enhancer and helps reduce bloating and flatulence. It kindles a lethargic appetite, getting the digestive juices flowing. And it aids elimination, so your digestive tract is naturally flushed clear every morning. As an antioxidant, lemon helps fight disease-causing free radicals in the body. It helps keep your skin clear and your eyes sparkling.

More ways to use fresh lemon:

Add lemon zest to your herbal tea.

Squeeze some fresh lemon juice over your lentils.

Skip the fatty prepared dressing and opt for a squeeze of fresh lemon and a dash of extra-virgin olive oil over your salad.

2. Say "No Ice, Please!"

According to Ayurveda, iced beverages, especially with or right after a meal, can really slow down digestion. Imagine pouring cold water over burning coals set up to cook your food. That's effectively what you do to your digestive fires when you gulp down iced beverages with your meal. Instead, opt for digestion-enhancing drinks. Warm water infused with fragrant fennel helps enhance digestion, prevents bloating, and freshens your breath naturally. Cumin tea, or ginger-mint tea made with fresh ginger root slices and fresh mint leaves are great alternatives.

Warm herb/spice teas stimulate the digestion, help your body assimilate the nutrients from the foods you eat and help flush toxins from the system.

To make herb or spice teas, bring water to a boil, add the fresh herbs or spices, turn off the heat, and cover. Let steep for 5-7 minutes, strain and enjoy.

3. Invite All your Senses to the Table

Digestion begins much before the first morsel of food goes down your throat. When food is prepared properly and presented beautifully, and your body and mind are receptive, all of your senses can aid digestion. When you eat mindfully, colors, flavors, aromas and textures blend to make the process of eating a delightful and productive experience.

Create an inviting, pleasant environment to aid in the enjoyment of a meal:
• Keep the dining table free of clutter. Only your food should grace the table at mealtimes.
• Diffuse appetizing aromas 30 minutes before your meal - lemon, orange and coriander are wonderful for getting those digestive juices flowing.
• Eat in a silent, serene atmosphere. Keeping your mind free of clutter while you eat will help your body and mind make the best use of what you're ingesting.

4. Take a Lunch Break!

How many times a week do you grab a quick bite for lunch, use lunch as an excuse for getting business accomplished or skip lunch altogether?

According to Ayurvedic healers, lunch should be THE most important meal of the day. It's the time of day when your digestion is naturally at its peak, and your body best able to complete the digest-absorb-assimilate cycle.

Yet most of us eat the biggest meal of the day at night, often not long before we go to bed, and the body has to rev up and work hard to digest the food at a time when it should be trying to get into rest mode. Unless you're among the lucky few with a workhorse for a digestive system, eating heavy at night tends to result in undigested food clogging up your insides. You'll find it harder to fall asleep, your skin might break out, you'll gain weight easily, and you'll not feel as energetic as you should during the day.

So take that lunch break, and eat your most substantial meal of the day around noon. Heavier foods and yogurt should be eaten at lunch rather than dinner for the same reasons.

And when you have five to ten precious extra minutes, take the time to just sit quietly after the meal, savoring the experience, before you resume activity. This will direct your body's energy towards digestion before you draw it to other activities.

5. Drink to Good Health!

Water, the Ayurvedic beverage of choice, is crucial for digestion and absorption and to help flush toxins out of the body. It helps prevent bloating and constipation, and helps transport nutrients to the cells and tissues. It helps support the metabolism of fat.

Drink room temperature water or warm water through the day. Water spiked with digestion enhancing spices and herbs is even better. Light, clear vegetable broths, prepared fresh each day, are good detoxifiers and offer soothing comfort on cold winter days.

Indian Board of Alternative Medicine
80, Chowringhee Road
Calcutta - 700002
India
http://www.altmedworld.net

Yoga in the Office: A quick and effective stretch

It's great when we can escape to a full hour of yoga, be it in a class or at home in front of a video, but let's face it, that's not always possible. Enter Yoga in the Office, a series of simple but effective suggested positions to help stretch the wrists, neck, shoulders, back and legs.

Neutral Posture: Neutral posture is probably the most important position to understand and practice, for it is the position in which the spine is most stable and properly aligned. Whether standing or sitting, it means placing the feet hip-distance apart and facing forward. Look down at your feet: do they look like this | | or this \ / ? They should look like that first shape: parallel, with no outward rotation. If you're sitting in a chair, your heels should sit right underneath your knees, so that your knees and hips are bent at right angles. Sit near the edge of your chair, and sit tall. Lift your ribcage, and roll your shoulders back to open the chest. Feel a slight arch to your low back, and keep your chin level. Draw your belly button inward lightly, but not so much that your ribcage contracts downward. Breathe smoothly; hold this position for a minimum of 1-2 minutes, all the while concentrating on relaxing your shoulders.

Abdominal Breathing: As simple as it seems, a few minutes of proper abdominal breathing can do much to interrupt your stress levels and help you relax. Sit up in neutral posture and place your hands on your abdomen. As you inhale, feel your abdomen expand like a balloon, then slowly contract your abdomen by "sucking" in your belly button as you exhale. Relax your shoulders. Keep going: inhale with an expanding abdomen, and exhale while contracting your abdominal muscles. If possible, inhale through your nostrils, and exhale through pursed lips (think of the shape of your mouth when you're about to pronounce the letter "P"). Stop the exercise immediately if you feel at all light-headed (proper abdominal breathing should not cause this). When you inhale, try not to lift your shoulders; let the breath "move" into your stomach.

Neck Stretches: With hands resting on your waist, gently lower your chin to relax the back of your neck. Be sure the rest of your body is still sitting or standing tall in neutral posture; the only area that is bent is your neck. After holding through 2-3 breaths, return upright to neutral posture, then lower your right ear down towards your right shoulder. Hold through at least 2-3 breaths, and relax the left side of your neck thoroughly. Return upright and repeat on the other side. Finally, rotate your neck as far around towards the right as it feels comfortable, hold for 2-3 breaths, then return to center and repeat on the left side.

Shoulder Shrugs: With your hands at your sides, lift your shoulders up towards your ears as you inhale, then release the shoulders back down as you exhale. Repeat: lift and tense the muscles of the shoulders and neck as you inhale, then relax them completely as you exhale. Repeat at least 4-6 times.

Wrist Stretches: Hold up one hand in front of you like you would when saying "stop." Interlace your fingers with your other hand and pull your fingers back gently to provide a stretch to your wrist. Relax your shoulders, and hold through at least four breaths. Now, change the position of your hand so that your fingers point downward, and the back of your hand faces away from you. Take hold of the back of your hand with your other hand and pull gently toward you to stretch the back of your wrist. Hold through at least four breaths, then perform both stretches on the other hand.

Chest Stretch: Place your hands behind your back, holding a scarf, belt, or necktie in between them. Stand up tall in neutral posture, and gently squeeze your shoulder blades towards the center of your back as though trying to squeeze a pencil. Each time you exhale, raise your arms slowly behind you, going as high as feels comfortable, but not so high that your neck or shoulder posture is compromised. Try to relax your neck, shoulders, and chest as you perform this. Repeat at least 4-6 times.

Lateral Side Stretch: If you have pre-existing back problems, check with your doctor before performing this position. Stand tall with your feet hip-distance apart. Raise one arm overhead, and as you exhale, begin a gentle lean to the other side. Be sure your chest continues to face forward, and that your arm remains all the way up; don't drop your arm in front of your face or let your upper body twist downward. Try to keep your top arm fully stretched; avoid bending the elbow. Relax your shoulders and waist. Hold through two breaths, come up and repeat on the other side. Then start over; work up to a total of 4-8 repetitions.

Standing Spinal Twist: Stand with your right foot in front of your left foot. Place your right arm straight out in front of you, with your left thumb on top of your head. Keep your spine aligned; that is, do not lean forward or back. Gently rotate your right arm and upper body as far around as you can, keeping your focus over your right hand. Make sure your weight remains evenly distributed on both feet; do not raise either heel. Hold the position through three breaths as you consciously try to relax your shoulders and lightly contract your abdomen. Return back around and switch legs to perform the other side.

Seated Hip Stretch: If you have concerns regarding your knee, check with your doctor before attempting this position. Sitting in a chair, cross your right leg on top of your left leg so that your right ankle is just above your left knee. Point your right leg as far out to the side as possible. Place your right hand on your right knee, and your left hand on your right foot. Gently, sink your chest forward over your right lower leg; go as far forward as you comfortably can, and hold the position through at least four breaths. Relax your low back, shoulders, and hip muscles. Slowly return upright and repeat on the other side.

Indian Board of Alternative Medicine
80, Chowringhee Road
Calcutta - 700002
India
http://www.altmedworld.net

The Philosophy Of Natural Healing

The factors that create our health are part of our environment. They form an inward moving spiral in which we occupy the center. At the periphery is our environment in nature, which is composed of solar and other forms of energy, air, water, soil, and other living things. Within this is our more immediate environment, including the climatic and geographic region in which we live, our living place, for example, whether city or country, our work and social environment, and our home. It is within this environment that we think and act each day. Our thinking and actions are the product of the above plus daily food, which is the concentrated form of the environment that we internalize several times a day. Our daily thoughts and actions, which can be termed "lifestyle," determine our choice of food.

Food in turn affects our thoughts and actions. Environment, lifestyle (including our day-to-day thoughts), and food all combine to create our present state of health. If these factors are in balance, or in other words, if our daily life and diet is harmonious with our environment in nature, we experience health. If, on the other hand, they become extreme or one-sided, we lose harmony with our environment and experience sickness. Natural healing is based on the principles of change and balance. Change is the basic law of life. It is the order of the universe. Yet, as manifestations of the universe, we have the ability to cause or initiate change. Everyone has the power to change direction from sickness to health. The first step in healing is to realize that change is possible, and to act upon that realization.

Let us take daily diet as an example. Daily food and drink are the direct source of our physical makeup. Our blood, cells, organs, tissues, and glands are a transformation of the minerals, proteins, lipids, enzymes, water, and other nutrients that we ingest daily. Therefore, any consideration of physical health must of necessity begin with daily food. Many of today's health problems are caused by the repeated consumption of meat, eggs, cheese, poultry, and other foods of animal origin. These health concerns, including cancer and heart disease, are the result of problems of quantity and quality. In terms of quantity, people eat much more animal food than they did several generations ago, far beyond what is necessary or reasonable. Animal foods are essentially the centerpiece of the modern diet. In terms of quality, modern artificially inseminated, hormone and antibiotic-fed livestock bear little resemblance to their natural ancestors. The appearance of "Mad Cow" disease and the European Community's refusal to accept hormone-fed American beef underscores just how serious these issues have become.

Modern chicken is especially problematic; all the more so because many people believe it to be a "healthy" alternative to meat. John Robbins, in his classic expose' of the food industry Diet for a New America, gives a detailed description of how chickens are confined indoors in small cages. They are so weak and susceptible to infection that they require regular doses of antibiotics to keep them alive. They are also fed synthetic growth hormones to speed their development. One result of these practices, according to Robbins, is that as many as 95 percent of the chickens going to market have some form of cancer!

Clearly, modern chicken is not a health food. Now, suppose someone is facing a health crisis caused by over-reliance on animal food. How can he or she change their situation into its opposite, or in other words, change their direction toward health? The first step would be to change from an animal-based to a plant-based diet.

Meat, eggs, cheese, chicken, and other animal products are generally contractive. Plant foods have the opposite quality. However, some plant foods are extremely expansive, while others are moderately so. The comprehensive factor that determines whether plant foods are moderate or extreme is their climate of origin. Foods such as sugar, chocolate, spices, tropical fruits, nightshade vegetables, and coffee come from tropical zones. The heat of the tropics produces lush and expanded growth. Moreover, the greater speed of the earth's rotation at the equator creates strong expansive force. Foods that come from the tropics are generally extreme.

On the other hand, plant foods that grow in the temperate zones are exposed to colder temperatures that cause them to be relatively contractive. Within the overall spectrum of foods, they are centrally balanced. Whole grains, beans, local vegetables and fruits are from the temperate regions and are generally balanced. When we eat in the middle our food becomes our medicine. (The word "medicine" is from the Latin root, "to walk in the middle." ) Our food enhances, rather than inhibits, healing and regeneration. Daily diet is the central issue in our lifestyle as a whole. It is a reflection of our priorities and way of looking at society, nature, and the universe. Dietary change, combined with an understanding of balance, can serve as the focus for a change in lifestyle. Unhealthy lifestyle patterns and environmental influences can be reviewed and changed into their opposites, so that they can be brought into alignment with natural harmony. Changing diet sets in motion a spiral that affects all aspects of life. The whole direction of your life will change from sickness to health.

Indian Board of Alternative Medicine
80, Chowringhee Road
Calcutta - 700002
India
http://www.altmedworld.net

Trataka – A Meditation Practice for Everyone

Trataka is a wonderful practice for everyone and especially for the aspirant of meditation. It is actually classified as a cleansing practice in Yoga.

What it is?

To put it briefly, Trataka - also called Yogic gazing - is a practice where the gaze is fixed on an object for some time and then that object is visualized clearly with the eyes closed, as an inner image at the eyebrow center.

Benefits

Trataka has several benefits which would be helpful to every one and not only mediation aspirants:
• Trataka is believed to have a helpful effect in treating and even resolving several eye disorders such as weak eyesight. It improves the internal and external optic function.
• It improves concentrative powers and mental resolve.
• It helps in disconnecting with the noise and distractions of the external world. This is deeply relaxing.
• In yoga, it is said to also develop the "third" eye - the seat of intuition or that associated with "psychic" powers.

How it Works?

At the physical level it is said to strengthen the eye muscles by exercising them to focus upon a point. Practicing Trataka on an object such as the candle flame is said to provide a unique 'balming' effect to the eyes which help in eye health and in the alleviation of certain eye disorders.

At the pre-meditative level, it is necessary to stall eyeball movement for great benefits and experiences. As we are aware, eyeballs are constantly in motion even while sleeping in the form of REM (Rapid Eye Movement). The aim is to minimize and eventually stall even this minutest of movement. Trataka is a wonderful practice in Yoga to achieve this, as it helps in overcoming this by focusing on a point and then visualizing its after-image with the eyes closed.

Many of the hurdles in our personal lives and even on the path to meditation have to do with our inability to disconnect with the external world at will. In yogic terminology, this would mean the inability to withdraw our senses from the sense objects. Trataka, through the focus on one object, helps to make this disconnect more easily and prepares us to do so at will. This is relevant to almost everyone, but specifically vital for the meditation aspirant.

How it is done?

Trataka can be practiced on several objects, but the most popular and effective is trataka on a flame. This is because a flame (such as a candle flame) produces the best after-image that helps in easier visualization of the flame even when eyes are closed. This is the desired effect of Trataka - wherein you can visualize and concentrate on the image even when the eyes are closed.

You should first be seated in a comfortable meditative posture or a squatting position with spine erect. If you have trouble squatting on the mat, you may raise the seating by a few notches.

A candle is placed in a Trataka Stand and the height of the stand is adjusted so that the wick of the flame is at horizontal eye level. The stand is placed at an arm's length. Trataka is to be practiced with spectacles removed, so people with spectacles may have to adjust the distance between the stand and themselves, so that they observe a clear image of the candle wick without blur.

The focus should on the top end of the wick, as the candle burns. Keep your eyes relaxed while fixing the gaze on the wick. Try not to blink as blinking will interfere in the formation of a clear inner image.

This gaze is kept constant for some time and then eyes closed. With the eyes closed, you should try to observe the inner image of the flame at the eye brow center.
If you don't see it, don't be disappointed - you should start seeing it with practice. Keep the eyes closed for as long as you see the inner image. Then re-start.
It can be safely said that the practice of Trataka is a powerful practice especially relevant in today's stressful times and a necessary one for the sincere yoga aspirant.

Indian Board of Alternative Medicine
80, Chowringhee Road
Calcutta - 700002
India
http://www.altmedworld.net