Archives for Sep 6, 2021

Ghee (Clarified Butter)

Sep 6, 2021 by Chinmayi Kulkarni Leave a Comment

Ghee is an important ingredient of ayurvedic cooking. It replaces the oil in cooking in most of the Ayurvedic dishes. It has many health benefits and helps cultivate your ojas. It is basically clarified butter and is prepared by cooking the milk fat solids. Although you can use any high-fat milk, it is recommended to use Cow’s milk. Cow’s milk has been found to be easily digestible and has high proportion of healthy fats like Omega-3s.

Good for all Doshas especially Pitta, use moderately for Kapha.

Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Total Time: 30 Minutes
Serves: 1 to 2 Cups

Ingredients

1 pound of butter from Cow’s milk
(You can initiate the process of ghee-making right from the Milk, however, it requires boiling fresh milk everyday for about 15 days and collecting the cream/fat and fermenting it till it turns sour. This fat is then mixed with water and churned to obtain the butter. Once you have the butter, follow the below process to make ghee.)

Method

Melt butter in a pot over medium flame.
Bring it to a boil and then let it cook over medium-low flame.
You will see foam and bubbles. Reduce the heat to low once it goes quiet.
Push the foam away from the top with a wooden spoon without stirring the butter.
The bottom will become transparent when the ghee is done.
Strain the ghee into a clean glass jar with a fine-mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth.
Let it cool and then cover it with an airtight lid.
If you did it right, you should see the granular texture of the ghee with a pleasant aroma.

Serving suggestions

Can be kept unrefrigerated as long as you want. Always use clean and dry spoons to spoon out the ghee.

Everyday Use Vegetable Broth

Sep 6, 2021 by Chinmayi Kulkarni Leave a Comment

This homemade ayurvedic broth has a rich taste that will enhance the flavors of your soups, stews, and all the hot preparations in ayurvedic cooking. On a winter day or when in convalescence, this broth could be consumed by itself to provide warmth and enhance recovery.

Good for all doshas.

Prep Time: 5 Minutes
Total Time: 2 hours
Serves: 3 to 4 Cups

Ingredients

1 T of Cow’s ghee (you can substitute it with olive oil)
¼ t each of cumin, black peppercorns, cloves, and coriander seeds
2 T of chopped Onion
½ T of chopped garlic
1 cup of chopped carrots
1 cup of chopped celery
4 to 5 cups of water
1 cup of chopped Leafy vegetables (optional)

Method

In a large pot melt ghee over medium flame.
Add onions and garlic and saute for 1 minute.
Stir in the spices, carrot, and celery.
Add water and bring it to a boil over a high flame.
Reduce heat to low, cover, and let it cook for 2 hours.
Add Leafy greens in the broth and simmer for 10 mins.
Strain it into an airtight mason jar. Can be refrigerated for 5 days.

Serving suggestions

Any additional vegetable along with onion, carrot and celery can be added as per choice or season.
Add chopped ginger if you are not feeling well.

Check out the Ayurvedic benefits of ingredients used in this recipe

Black Pepper I Cloves I Cumin I Coriander I Garlic I Ghee

Indigestion (Dyspepsia)

Sep 6, 2021 by Avi Kumar Leave a Comment

What is Indigestion?

Indigestion is a very common health condition that occurs when you feel discomfort or pain in the upper abdomen. This condition is commonly known as an upset stomach and is also called dyspepsia. The symptoms may include bloating or feeling full, abdominal pain and discomfort, loss of appetite, etc.

What are the Symptoms of Indigestion?

If you have indigestion, you may have:

The symptoms of this condition are very common. You may experience the following symptoms if you have indigestion. One of the most common symptoms of indigestion is early fullness while eating your meal. This may make you feel that you have eaten so much and will not allow you to finish your normal portion.
Paining and feeling uncomfortable in the area between the bottom of the breastbone and belly button. You may experience moderate to severe pain depending on the condition.
Along with the pain, you may feel a burning sensation in the area between the bottom of the breastbone and belly button. Bloating in the upper abdomen is also a very common symptom of indigestion. You may feel uncomfortable and tight in the upper abdomen area and may feel nausea.

What are the Causes of Indigestion?

There can be several causes of indigestion. Most of the time it depends on your lifestyle, particularly food habits. Let’s see what the possible triggers of indigestion are.
Overeating may be one of the major causes of indigestion. Additionally, too much fatty, greasy, and spicy food may result in indigestion.
Too much consumption of alcohol, carbonated beverages, and caffeine can cause indigestion.
Certain medications such as antibiotics, pain relievers, iron supplements, etc. can trigger this condition.
In some rare cases feeling anxious and restless can cause indigestion.

When to see a Doctor?

Indigestion is the most common condition which may be experienced by everyone and is not a cause of concern. However, in case the suffering and symptoms don’t improve or go away completely within two weeks, you should consult with your doctor. Also, in case your pain is severe, then you need to call your doctor immediately.
There may be instances when you develop more severe symptoms along with the normal indigestion symptoms such as unintentional weight loss, loss of appetite, recurrent vomiting, trouble in swallowing food, weaknesses, and fatigue, etc. This is the time to see a doctor as it may indicate a more severe illness.

Lifestyle Prevention of Indigestion

Preventing indigestion is very much possible by following a healthy lifestyle. Identifying the food that is causing you indigestion and avoiding them is important. Other than that you may take the following preventive measures to prevent indigestion.
Try to eat small meals throughout the day so that you don’t force your stomach to work too hard.
Eating slowly is a very good practice in developing digestive capacity. So, try to eat slowly.
You should not eat foods that are high in acid.
Caffeine causes indigestion and you need to avoid any food and drink which contains that.
Working out is very important along with eating green vegetables. Green vegetables have high fiber which helps you improve your bowel movements and helps you improve your digestion.
Smoking and consuming alcohol may irritate your stomach lining and cause indigestion. So quit them

Common Ayurvedic Remedies for Indigestion

Some of the Ayurvedic remedies can help you treat indigestion and give you immediate relief. Some of the herbs and spices like aloe-vera, baking soda, fennel seeds, saliva, holy basils, ginger, apple cider vinegar work very well for indigestion.

Aloe vera juice: Drink half a cup of aloe juice prior to meals to keep your stomach and esophagus soothed.
Apple Cider Vinegar: Combine 3 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in one cup of water, then drink up before every meal or at sleep time.
Baking Soda: Simply melt one teaspoon of baking soda in a cup of water and drink. The baking soda will assist nullify acid immediately.
Saliva: Saliva helps reduce acid, so raising the quantity of saliva you generate after a meal is a good way to prevent acid formation. Try chewing a stick of gum for 30 minutes for reduced indigestion or stomach ache.

Curative Ayurvedic Herbs:

Preventative Ayurvedic Herbs:

Not Known.

Hypoglycemia

Sep 6, 2021 by Avi Kumar Leave a Comment

What is Hypoglycemia?

Hypoglycemia, commonly known as low blood sugar, is a medical condition that occurs when your brain doesn’t receive sufficient blood sugar to get enough energy. As a result, a person may experience symptoms like palpitation, tremor, mental confusion, nervousness, and/or sweating. In some extreme conditions, you may also have a convulsion. This condition generally happens if you are late to consume food at your usual mealtime.

What are the Symptoms of Hypoglycemia?

In case you are suffering from hypoglycemia, you may experience the following symptoms,

A person with low blood sugar may feel anxiety and shakiness.
Fatigue is also one of the common symptoms of this condition.
Usually, people with hypoglycemia experience an irregular heartbeat which is, in general, faster than normal.
Feeling irritated is normal if you have a low blood sugar level.
You tend to become hungry more frequently.
You also may experience sweating.
Your lips, cheeks, and tongue may become numb, or you may feel a tingling sensation.
In some serious cases, you may develop more severe symptoms such as seizures, loss of consciousness, blurred vision, confusion, difficulty in understanding, etc.

What are the Causes of Hypoglycemia?

Hypoglycemia triggers when the blood sugar level or glucose level drops extremely low. This happens in the following conditions.
When you do not have food for too long and your blood sugar level drops, a new hormone from your pancreas directs your liver to break down the stowed glycogen and circulate glucose into your bloodstream. This may cause hypoglycemia.
Those who have diabetes are unable to make enough insulin and that results in building up glucose in the bloodstream and your blood sugar level shoots up. To lower the blood sugar level one must take insulin and that may cause lower blood sugar levels and result in Hypoglycemia.
Some medications can also lower your blood sugar level.
Too much consumption of alcohol may trigger this condition.
If your body produces too much insulin, that also may result in lowering your blood sugar level.

When to see a Doctor?

You need to visit a doctor if you have what could be hypoglycemia indications and you don’t have diabetes
Also, in case you have diabetes and hypoglycemia isn’t reacting to therapy, for example sipping juice or regular soft drinks, consuming candy, or taking glucose capsules.
Immediately seek out emergency assistance for somebody with diabetes or a record of hypoglycemia who has signs of acute hypoglycemia or loses consciousness.

Lifestyle Prevention of Hypoglycemia

The lifestyle prevention to prevent Hypoglycemia is very important. Some measures can be taken to control this condition. Those who are already suffering from diabetes need different preventive measures than those who are non-diabetic.
If you have diabetes, stick to diabetic management plan which your physician must have given you. In case you are deviating from that and started taking new medications or started following a new diet and work out plans, please take prior permission from your doctor. Because these changes might affect your diabetic management which may trigger the risk of low blood sugar.
In case you are non-diabetic and are suffering from this condition more frequently, the best way to maintain your blood sugar level is to eat small meals throughout the day. However, this measure can help you for the short run but to treat the condition permanently, you need to consult with your physician.
Yoga may help you deal with your blood sugar level; some postures of yoga strengthen the pancreas and help you prevent hypoglycemia. You may try postures like, peacock, camel, locust poses, etc.

Common Ayurvedic Remedies for Hypoglycemia

Ayurveda can help you treat this condition. The greatest herbs to take are brahmi, jata masi, shanka pushpa, and licorice. These herbs are brain stimulants; they nurture the brain and let it operate on restricted sugar.
Blend these herbs all together in an identical proposition and use the blend to make it to a tea. Soak half a teaspoon of the herbs in the cup of hot water and drink after lunch and dinner.
You additionally can do Nasya with Brahmi ghee, 5 drops in each nostril will immediately alleviate nausea, sweating, and mental confusion.

Curative Ayurvedic Herbs:

Brahmi I Jatamansi I Shankhapushpi I Licorice I Ghee

Preventative Ayurvedic Herbs:

Not Known.

Hiccups

Sep 6, 2021 by Chinmayi Kulkarni Leave a Comment

What is Hiccups?

Hiccups are a health condition that occurs when there is a shortage of blood supply to the diaphragm- the muscle that differentiates your chest from your abdomen and plays an essential part in breathing. Consequently, the diaphragm suffers the sporadic recurring activities that we call hiccups. It can have many causes such as large meal intake, alcohol consumption, sudden excitement, etc.

What are the Symptoms of Hiccups?

Hiccups itself is a symptom. This might occasionally be accompanied by a minor stiffening feeling in your chest, abdomen, or throat.

What are the Causes of Hiccups?

There are many causes of hiccups. Generally drinking carbonated beverages can cause hiccups. Excessive consumption of alcohol may trigger this condition. In case you are eating too much food, you may experience hiccups right after that. In some cases, emotional stress can cause hiccups. There are instances when people experience hiccups for a sudden change in the temperature.
Apart from these common causes, some causes are related to nervous system disorders such as stroke, meningitis, numerous cases of sclerosis, brain injury, etc.
Nerve damage or irritation can trigger hiccups and additionally some metabolic disorders such as diabetes, kidney disease, steroids, etc.

When to see a Doctor?

Hiccups are only considered to be serious if it lasts more than 48 hours or if you struggle to eat because of the hiccups. In that case, it may be more serious as severe hiccups may indicate having heart congestive failures, renal failure, or even cerebral attacks. So make an appointment with your doctor if your hiccups are lasting for more than 48 hours.

Lifestyle Prevention of Hiccups

Hiccups that occur due to common causes can be prevented by following some preventive measures.
Trying to eat small portions per serving is important as eating too much at a time may cause hiccups.
Eating slower is a very healthy practice not only to avoid hiccups but to have a better digestion.
Try to avoid spicy food and carbonated drinks as much as possible
Limit your alcohol consumption.
Deep breathing and meditation is a very important relaxation technique and that will surely help you prevent hiccups.

Common Ayurvedic Remedies for Hiccups

Ayurvedic home remedies can help in treating hiccups. Here are some remedies which you can follow:

Honey: Honey relieves the vagus nerve, breaking the permanence of the hiccup impulse, thus making it stop.Take honey with castor oil for best results.
Cardamom Powder: Add cardamom powder with water will help you stop hiccups. Boil 1 ½ cup of water and add one teaspoon of cardamom powder to it. Once it cools down, strain it and drink the liquid for immediate relief.
Mustard seeds and Pure ghee: Mustard seeds are known to clear out any particles that may be stuck in your food pie and causing you hiccups. So mix ½ teaspoon of mustard seeds with ½ teaspoon of pure ghee and slowly consume the mixture.

Curative Ayurvedic Herbs:

Preventative Ayurvedic Herbs:

Long Pepper | Black Pepper | Asafoetida | Ginger