Archives for June 2021

Suran Kad (Suran)

Jun 26, 2021 by Chinmayi Kulkarni Leave a Comment

Suran Kad (Suran) Scientific Name

Amorphophallus paeoniifolius

Suran Kad (Suran) Other Names

English: Elephant yam, Whitespot giant arum
Hindi: Jimikand

What is Suran Kad (Suran)?

Suran Kad, commonly known as Elephant Yam, is used as food in the mainland in Southeast Asia and in the islands in Southeast Asia. It originated from and was first domesticated in India, where it was used as a food resource. Suran Kad is known to cause an itchy throat, so it is not commonly liked, as it may make your throat itchy. It grows in nutrient rich soil in the common form of a tuber and is often rich in nutrition. Suran Kad primary health benefits are that it is antiprotease, analgesic, and cytotoxic. The top Indian medical systems such as Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani recommend Suran Kad.

Common forms of Suran Kad (Suran)

Vegetable

Suran Kad (Suran) is commonly used for:

Maintaining a healthy weight
Improving digestion
Regulating blood flow
Good cardiac medicine
Maintaining hormonal balance in women
Providing relief from pre-menstrual syndrome
Improving appetite
Healing ulcers, bronchial irritation, and cough
Increasing wound healing speed
Strengthening muscles and bones
Treating piles and fistula (when consuming the tuber)

Suran Kad (Suran) Dosage

Vegetable: Consume alone or in a recipe

Suran Kad (Suran) Side-effects and Warnings

Common side-effects: Not known.
Not so common side-effects: Not known.
Pregnant or Nursing Mothers: Not known.
Children: Not known.

Warning:
Consuming an excessive amount of Suran Kad may cause a stomach burn.

Where to Buy Suran Kad (Suran) in the US?

Currently, we have not found any online sellers in the USA.
If you sell this or know of the source, please contact us by commenting below.

Akarkara (Aakarkaram)

Jun 25, 2021 by Chinmayi Kulkarni Leave a Comment

Akarkara (Aakarkaram) Scientific Name

Anacyclus pyrethrum

Akarkara (Aakarkaram) Other Names

English: Pellitory, Mount Atlas, Daisy Spanish Chamomile
Persian: Behampabri
Arabic: Aqarqarha

What is Akarkara (Aakarkaram)?

Akarkara, an herb that belongs to the Asteraceae family of plants, has the botanical name of Anacyclus pyrethrum. Apart from Ayurveda, it is an herb with many medicinal uses and is used by other alternative medical systems such as Unani and Homeopathy. Akarkara is mainly known for its aphrodisiac effect on the body, meaning it works to stimulate sexual desire. Additionally, it helps to detoxify the body by removing excess wastes and fluids. The most beneficial and useful part of Akarkara is the root which is medicinally used in the form of dried powder.

Common forms of Akarkara (Aakarkaram)

Root, Powder

Akarkara (Aakarkaram) is commonly used for:

Maintaining a healthy weight
Improving digestion
Regulating the blood flow
Maintaining hormonal balance in women
Providing relief from pre-menstrual syndrome
Improving the appetite
Healing ulcers, bronchial irritation, and cough
Increasing wound healing speed
Strengthening muscles and bones
Treating piles and fistula

Akarkara (Aakarkaram) Dosage

Capsule: 1-2 capsules once or twice a day or as prescribed.
Powder: Ranging from 125mg to 1g per day or as prescribed.

Akarkara (Aakarkaram) Side-effects and Warnings

Common side-effects: Not known.
Not so common side-effects: Not known.
Pregnant or Nursing Mothers: Not safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Children: Not known.

Warning:
Seek care if having symptoms of gastric ulceration, acidity, and intestinal inflammation in any form. Higher doses over a long period of time should be managed by an Ayurvedic physician.

Where to Buy Akarkara (Aakarkaram) in the US?

Kewra (Kewda)

Jun 24, 2021 by Avi Kumar Leave a Comment

Kewra Scientific Name

Pandanus odorifer

Kewra Other Names

English: Umbrella tree, Screw pine, Screw tree
Hindi: Kewra, Kewda, Pushpa-chamar, Keora, Panshuka
Sanskrit: Ketaka
French: Pandanus
German: Schraubenbaum, Schraubenpalme

What is Kewra?

Pandanus odoratissimus, also known as Kewda or Kewra, is commonly found in coastal areas in Southeast Asia such as the Philippines, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and northern Australia. Pandanus odoratissimus has antiviral, anti-allergy, antiplatelet, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. It is sold online as water, powder, oil, and incense.

Common forms of Kewra

Water, Essential Oil, Incense, Powder

Kewra is commonly used for:

Treating urine infection
Treating piles
Treating anxiety
Increasing strength
Supporting healthy tridosha
Improving mental health
Improving blood flows and regulates heartbeat

Kewra Dosage

Kewda water: consume with food in amounts as recommended by recipes
Cold infusion: 40-50ml
Powder: 3-5g

Kewra Side-effects and Warnings

Common side-effects: May cause diarrhea if consumed in large amounts.
Not so common side-effects: Not known.
Pregnant or Nursing Mothers: Not known.
Children: Not known.

Warning:
Not known.

Where to Buy Kewra in US?

Diabetes (Diabetes mellitus or Type 2 Diabetes)

Jun 23, 2021 by Avi Kumar Leave a Comment

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes mellitus or Type 2 Diabetes is a condition where the insulin secretion or insulin efficiency in the body drops down over time. Insulin is a hormone secreted by pancreas that helps in carrying glucose from the blood into the cells. In Diabetes, this function of insulin is impaired, as a result the glucose stays in the blood leading to high blood glucose levels. This condition can lead to more health problems that could be serious or life-threatening.

What are the Symptoms of Diabetes?

Typical: Often, there are no symptoms. When first symptoms do occur, they include excessive thirst and/or urination, fatigue, weight loss, and/or blurred vision.
Might Experience: tiredness, dry skin, very hungry or thirsty, urinate often (especially at night), blurry vision, losing weight without trying, and tingling in hands or feet.

What are the Causes of Diabetes?

Excessive Weight
Physical inactivity
Family history
Aging
High Blood Pressure

When to see a Doctor?

More than normal fatigue, blurred vision
Drinking and urinating more than normal

Regular screening: Every year after the age of 40

Lifestyle Changes to Prevent Diabetes

Cut sugar: Eating less sugar on a daily and weekly basis will help to prevent diabetes. Switch to a low-carb diet and watch your portion sizes. Choose foods with high soluble and insoluble fiber.
Exercise regularly: Exercise regularly. Physical activity is known to reduce insulin insensitivity and helps in reducing blood sugar.
Drink water more often: Drinking more water will help your body stay fully hydrated.
Quit smoking: Smoking is known to increase the risk of diabetes, quit smoking to reduce your chance of getting diabetes.

Common Ayurvedic Remedies for Diabetes

High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)

Jun 23, 2021 by Chinmayi Kulkarni Leave a Comment

What is High Blood Pressure?

High Blood Pressure, commonly known as Hypertension, is when the pressure measured within arteries is higher than the normal range (from 130–139 Systolic mm Hg / 85–89 Diastolic mm Hg). If left untreated, the arteries could become blocked and prevent blood flow to the heart.

What are the Symptoms of High Blood Pressure?

Typical: High Blood Pressure known as the “silent” disease because it may have no noticeable symptoms.
Might Experience: Fatigue, nausea, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, headache, excessive sweating, palpitations or irregular heartbeats, problems with your vision, or confusion.

What are the Causes of High Blood Pressure?

Pre-existing family history
Obesity
Unhealthy eating habits

When to see a Doctor?

It is recommended to have regular screenings for those with a previous history of high blood pressure, those with blood pressure that is at the high end of normal (from 130–139 Systolic mm Hg/ 85–89 Diastolic mm Hg), or those with certain pre-existing health conditions that may be at risk of High Blood Pressure.

Regular screening: annually for those that are 40 and over and at risk of having HIgh Blood Pressure

Lifestyle Prevention of High Blood Pressure?

Eat healthy foods: Develop a healthy meal plan and stick to it. Be sure to have fruits and vegetables. Follow the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) practices.
Exercise often: Regularly exercising can help you maintain a healthy weight and therefore lower your blood pressure.
Avoid smoking: Smoking is known to raise your blood pressure. Avoiding smoking will help to prevent the risks of having a heart attack or a stroke.

Common Ayurvedic Remedies for High Blood Pressure

Simple Yellow Dal (Lentils)

Jun 22, 2021 by Chinmayi Kulkarni Leave a Comment

This is a simple recipe of yellow dal/lentils. Made from split dehusked green gram, this preparation is rich in proteins, easy-to-digest and especially good for vata dosha.

Good for all Doshas.

Prep Time: 5 Minutes
Total Time: 25 Minutes
Serves: 2 person

Ingredients

1 cup split green gram
1T ghee
½ tsp mustard seeds
½ tsp cumin seeds
2 cloves
¼ tsp grated ginger
¼ tsp asafoetida
¼ tsp turmeric
3 cups of vegetable broth
3 to 4 curry leaves
1 T chopped cilantro
1 dried red chilli
Salt to taste

Method

Wash the dal and drain the water and set aside
Heat ghee in the pan
Add mustard seeds and cumin seeds and wait till they splutter. Add asafoetida and turmeric
Add curry leaves and dried red chilli
Add cloves and mix
Add grated ginger and mix
Add washed moong dal and mix
Add the broth and let it boil
Keeping stirring to avoid the dal sticking to the bottom of the pan
Once the dal gets mushy, lower the flame and add salt, mix well and cover for 5 mins
Turn off the flame and let it sit for 5 mins
Garnish with cilantro. Serve hot

Serving suggestions

Serve hot with bread or plain rice.

Notes

You can add vegetables like beans, spinach and carrots to incorporate fiber
You can also use whole moong beans after soaking overnight.

Check out the Ayurvedic benefits of ingredients used in this recipe