Archives for September 2021

Muscle Cramps and Spasms

Sep 10, 2021 by Avi Kumar Leave a Comment

What are Muscle Cramps and Spasms?

Muscle cramps are the condition that generally occurs during any physical activity that puts stress on the muscles of any part of the body. Some instances where muscle cramps are conducive are activities like running, cycling, playing many sports, or just standing for too long. The cause of this condition can be several, but it mainly triggers when there is a low or excess supply of blood in the muscles. Few cramps like “writer’s cramp” the muscle spasm can be triggered by the low level of calcium in your diet.

What are the Symptoms of Muscle Cramps and Spasms?

The symptoms of muscle cramps are very common. Usually, people who have muscle cramps experience the following symptoms.
Pain is the most common symptom of this condition. A person should experience moderate to high pain in the affected muscles.
The muscles can also become weak, and you may feel numbness or a pin and needles sensation in the skin of that muscle.
In some severe cases, a person may become temporarily paralysed since the movement of the muscle will be restricted due to the injury.

What are the Causes of Muscle Cramps and Spasms?

The causes of muscle cramps are widespread. Some of the most common causes are as follows,

Dehydration due to lack of water intake is one of the most common causes of muscle cramps. Particularly when you are working out in the heat and sweating a lot that causes reduction of electrolytes and may lead to muscle spasm.
Muscle fatigue due to too much working out can also be a major cause of this condition. So giving your muscles enough rest is important.
Stress can also lead to this condition.
Restricted blood supply or excessive blood supply to the muscle also can cause muscle cramps and spasms.

When to see a Doctor?

A muscle spasm or cramps are usually not a cause for concern. This is a very normal condition, especially for sportsmen and athletes. However, there are some instances when they might occur due to some underlying condition, for example, multiple sclerosis, thyroid disease, or liver cirrhosis. So getting it checked by a doctor if you experience muscle cramps frequently and without heavy exercise may be important.

Lifestyle Prevention of Muscle Cramps and Spasms

Preventing muscle cramps is possible by following some simple preventive measures. Since the causes of muscle cramps are known, the prevention is also very straightforward.
As we all know the muscle cramps are mostly caused by dehydration, drinking plenty of water is important. If you have a tendency to get leg cramps at night, stretch prior to bedtime
Also warming up and stretching is very important before any strenuous activity which involves your muscles being stressed up.
Avoid over-exercise and try to give enough rest to your muscles.
Try to eat foods that are high in some nutrients, including potassium, sodium, and magnesium. This may help neutralize muscle cramps.

Common Ayurvedic Remedies for Muscle Cramps and Spasms

There are some Ayurvedic therapies using some herbs that are really effective on muscle cramps. Also some Ayurvedic oil massage is time tested to treat muscle cramp faster. Herbs such as Ginger, Ashwagandha, Amla, Nirgundi, etc are very useful for this condition.

Ginger: Drinking dry ginger powder with honey is very effective for muscle cramps. Just add two tsp of ginger powder in a glass of hot water and then add a little bit of honey then drink it.
Snehana (Oil Therapy): This is an external therapy which uses oil massage to heal the cramp. Ashwgandha infused oil is used to massage the sore muscles to loosen the knots and lessen bruising.
Nirgundi (Five-Leaved Chaste Tree): Liquify one tsp of nirgundi powder or paste formulations in the water alongside some jaggery and drink this mixture 1 time every day.

Curative Ayurvedic Herbs:

Ginger | Amla | Ashwagandha | Nirgundi

Preventative Ayurvedic Herbs:

Not Known

Morning Sickness (Hyperemesis gravidarum)

Sep 10, 2021 by Avi Kumar Leave a Comment

What is Morning Sickness?

Morning sickness is a pregnancy-related condition that occurs when a pregnant woman suffers from nausea and vomiting. Even though it is called morning sickness; it can happen any time of the day. This is more usual during the first trimester of the pregnancy but there are some cases where it could last throughout the pregnancy.

What are the Symptoms of Morning Sickness?

Usually, a pregnant woman with morning sickness suffers from nausea and vomiting and it is very common during the first trimester of pregnancy and generally starts by week nine after conceiving. The symptoms may be triggered by some factors, such as certain smells, heat, spicy foods, or maybe there won’t be any triggers.

What are the Causes of Morning Sickness?

The most common cause of this condition is increased hormone levels during the first trimester. It also may be caused by reduced blood sugar levels. However, other causes may also trigger this condition and the severity varies among women.
Those who have double or triple fetuses tend to experience morning sickness more often than those with single fetuses.
Excessive fatigue during pregnancy may also cause this condition.
Emotional stress can be another cause that triggers morning sickness.
Frequent traveling can be a cause of morning sickness as well.

When to see a Doctor?

In most cases, Morning Sickness is a minor medical condition that doesn’t need any medical intervention and can be treated with over-the-counter medications. However, there may be instances when a pregnant woman may experience more severe symptoms along with morning sickness. In that case, visiting a doctor is very important.
In case you are unable to keep the food down, it might be a cause for concern and immediate medical intervention is needed. Weight loss of more than 2 pounds is not normal and that needs to be diagnosed by the doctor. If you experience moderate to high fever along with morning sickness, then make an appointment with a doctor. Nausea and vomiting are normal but the dizziness and lightheadedness are not very usual and if you experience that, do not delay in seeing your doctor. In case you notice any blood in your vomit, then it must be something seriously wrong. Any pain in the abdominal region needs to be addressed immediately.

Lifestyle Prevention of Morning Sickness

It’s natural to experience morning sickness during pregnancy so nothing can stop you from getting that. However, by taking some preventive measures you can reduce the effect of morning sickness.
Drinking plenty of water is a very important safety measure and that reduces the frequency of Morning Sickness. Also drinking water particularly before and after the meal will be more effective. Taking enough rest is very important to keep yourself healthy during pregnancy.
Use room fresheners to remove the odor which makes you nauseous. Eating small meals and avoiding spicy and fatty food is important to prevent this condition. Try to eat clean and less in quantity.
Do not smoke or take vitamins at night.

Common Ayurvedic Remedies for Morning Sickness

During pregnancy you need to be extra cautious about taking any medications. So Ayurvedic remedies are best to treat any condition in a pregnant woman. There are some herbs and spices which help you with the Morning sickness symptoms. Herbs and spices such as, Ginger, Mint, Cardamom, Cumin, Chamomile, Cinnamon are very effective for this condition.

Cardamom: This is a very useful spice for treating nausea. Just roast and grind cardamom seeds and take a small pinch for the whole day whenever feeling nauseous will surely help.
Cumin: Cumin can also be a very effective spice in order to deal with vomiting and nausea. Drinking half a teaspoon of Cumin powder with one glass of hot water is a great home remedy to get rid of morning sickness.
Chamomile Tea: Chamomile tea is very useful for your digestive system and hence it helps in easing nausea and vomiting. To make this tea, soak a tablespoon of dried Chamomile in one glass of warm water for about 10 minutes and then drink.

Curative Ayurvedic Herbs:

Preventative Ayurvedic Herbs:

Not Known

Rose Mint tea

Sep 9, 2021 by Avi Kumar Leave a Comment

This tea will give you a healing pause from your hot, busy, and intense life. With the cooling and soothing properties of rose and digestive properties of mint this tea is a great herbal medicine to balance summer heat.

Best for Vata and Pitta.

Prep Time: 5 Minutes
Total Time: 15 Minutes
Serves: Makes 2 Persons

Ingredients

2 cups water
5 or 6 mint leaves
2 tablespoons rose water
Few dried rose petals

Method

Boil water in a saucepan.
Add rose petals, cover, and let it simmer for 3 minutes over low flame.
Turn off, add mint leaves and rose water, and let it sit for 5 minutes.
Strain it into a cup and enjoy.

Serving Suggestions

Add cool coconut milk for an ayurvedic iced tea version

Check out the Ayurvedic benefits of ingredients used in this recipe

Mint

Ayurvedic Energy Drink

Sep 9, 2021 by Chinmayi Kulkarni Leave a Comment

In Ayurveda, ojas is the essence of vitality and immunity. This energy drink includes foods like dates, raisins, and milk to help nourish your ojas and give a boost of energy to keep you going. If taken with breakfast it vitalizes the nervous system and provides satiety.

Good for vata and pitta.

Prep Time: 5 Mins plus 8 hours to soak
Total Time: 10 Minutes
Serves: 2 persons

Ingredients

5 fresh deseeded dates
5 almonds
2 cups of Cow’s milk
½ cup water
½ t cinnamon powder
½ t cardamom powder
1/4 t turmeric powder
A pinch of ginger powder

Method

Soak the almonds overnight in water and soak the dates overnight in milk in the refrigerator.
Blend almonds, milk, dates, and water until fully blended.
Pour this mixture into a saucepan and add cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, pepper, turmeric.
Bring it to a gentle boil, pour into cups, and sip warm. Filter if needed.

Note

For quick and easy tonic replace almonds with 1 cup of almond milk and to make it dairy-free add 2 cups of almond milk instead.
You can also add ½ tsp of unsweetened chocolate powder and use this drink as a recovery drink after exercise
If consumed at night, you can choose to add freshly ground Nutmeg for a calming deep sleep.

Check out the Ayurvedic benefits of ingredients used in this recipe

Ginger, Lemon and Honey Tea

Sep 9, 2021 by Avi Kumar Leave a Comment

This tea is comforting as well as medicinal. It keeps the immune system strong and is a perfect warm drink for spring and winter and in times of cold, it is the perfect drink to sip on. It also helps in preventing acidity and heartburn and is ideal in situations like sleep deprivation, over-eating or travel.

Good for Kapha dosha. For Vata, substitute jaggery or coconut sugar for honey.

Prep Time: 5 Minutes
Total Time: 20 Minutes
Serves: 2 person

Ingredients

1 t chopped ginger
4 cups of water
1 T of lemon juice
½ T of honey

Method

Boil the chopped ginger in water for 10 minutes over low flame with the lid closed.
Turn off the heat and let it sit for 5 minutes.
Once it cools down, add lemon juice and strain it into a cup.
Add honey and enjoy.

Serving suggestions

If you have a pitta composition or it’s summer, replace fresh ginger with ginger powder as it is less hot. You might also consider adding holy basil leaves or mint leaves to this tea, especially if suffering from a cold and cough.

Check out the Ayurvedic benefits of ingredients used in this recipe

Ginger | Holy Basil | Mint

Menstrual Difficulties

Sep 9, 2021 by Chinmayi Kulkarni Leave a Comment

What is Menstrual Difficulties?

Menstrual difficulties are a female condition that occurs when a woman experiences changes to the menstrual cycle that cause skipped periods, irregular periods, or extreme bleeding during periods.

Usually, the menstrual cycle frequently causes a range of unpleasant symptoms leading up to your period. The premenstrual period incorporates the very typical concerns, for example, moderate cramping and fatigue, however, these signs are generally gone once your period starts.

There are some instances when you may experience severe menstrual problems. Too light or too heavy menstruation and full absence of a cycle are some of the symptoms which indicate that there are concerns that you may be experiencing an irregular menstrual cycle.

What are the Symptoms of Menstrual Difficulties?

The symptoms of Menstrual difficulties are widespread. Most of the women suffering from this condition may experience a variety of physical and psychological symptoms. Some of the common symptoms are explained below,
Bloating is one of the very common symptoms. When the menstruation is too heavy, it doesn’t get cleared properly which may cause bloating. Also, During the menstrual cycle irritability is very much usual. Backaches are very much familiar signs of menstrual problems. It may be accompanied by headaches. You can also develop breast soreness.
Acne can be seen on the faces during menstrual difficulties. In some cases, you may also suffer from excessive fatigue which may lead to depression and anxiety.
You may suffer from sleeping disorders like insomnia and at times you may feel stressed out.

What are the Causes of Menstrual Difficulties?

There can be many causes of menstrual difficulties. It may vary from stress to more severe underlying medical disorders. Some of the most common causes are discussed below.
These days the number one cause of this condition is stress and lifestyle changes. Life has become very fast, and people often forget to take proper nutrition. Also, these days women go through a lot of stress due to work or relationships. That may also trigger this condition.
Taking birth control pills may also have some effect on your irregular menstrual cycle.
If someone has a miscarriage, she may experience menstrual difficulties for obvious reasons.
Those who are suffering from some bleeding ailments, for example, platelet disorders, clotting factor deficiencies, leukemia, etc are more prone to this condition.
Some medications can also trigger these menstrual difficulties.

When to see a Doctor?

Any complications regarding menstrual difficulties should not be avoided. But immediate medical intervention is needed if you experience the following difficulties.
If your period suddenly becomes irregular, then consult a doctor immediately. In case your period doesn’t fall in the bracket of 21 to 35 days, it is a matter of concern. See your doctor without a delay.
In case you bleed for more than a week, it is harmful to your body. You need to get an appointment with your physical asap.
If you are experiencing heavy bleeding and pain during your period, that is something not to be ignored.

Lifestyle Prevention of Menstrual Difficulties

Menstrual difficulties can be prevented if it is not caused by any underlying illness. Just by following some preventive measures and making some lifestyle changes, you can avoid getting this condition.
Eating nutritious food and exercising daily is the key for any illnesses and there is no exception for this condition as well. Maintaining a healthy life is very important to deal with stress and other mental and physical complications.
Getting enough rest is equally important.
Managing your stress and learning to relax your mind is very crucial to prevent menstrual difficulties. To learn some techniques to perform that.
Keep a watch on birth control pills or any other contraceptive pills and use them if needed with proper guidance.
Maintaining hygiene is very important to keep changing your sanitary napkin or tampons roughly every 4 to 6 hours.

Common Ayurvedic Remedies for Menstrual Difficulties

There are some great Ayurvedic remedies to treat Menstrual difficulties by using some herbs and spices like Bhutakesi, Kachur, Ajwain, Methi, Aloe Vera, etc.

Bhutakesi: This Ayurvedic herb is very effective for menstrual cramps. Add about 2 grams of the powder in one cup of hot water, drain it and then combine it with honey, and drink 2 times daily.
Aloe Vera: This is a great plant which benefits in controlling your cycle naturally and assists your hormones. Remove the gel from the plant, add a tablespoon of honey then drink it daily before your breakfast. But do not take this remedy while menstruating.

Curative Ayurvedic Herbs:

Preventative Ayurvedic Herbs:

Not Known