Category: Home Remedies

A good head massage stimulates the nervous system and revitalizes the body. According to the Ayurvedic system applying oil on hair and massaging it enhances strength and quality of the hair. Other than that applying oil also offers several benefits like improved sleep, calm mind, relief from headache, prevents premature graying of hair, relief from insomnia and stress etc.

It works best when you apply warm oil fused with medicinal herbs and apply it on your hair or scalp. Most of the Ayurvedic oil recommended for massage is infused with one or more herb that is good for your hair. These medicinal herbs are usually cooked in the carrier oil and are kept for usage.

Although there are several choices on the list to choose from but Ayurveda emphasizes on choosing something that suits your body composition and hair type.

Hair type and time of application of hair oil

If your hair is dry, thin and fuzzy then your hair type falls in Vata category and if your hair is thin, but prone to graying then you have Pitta hair type. If your hair is thick and oily then you have Kapha hair.

Oils like almond and sesame oil act as a good base for the people with vata hair type as both the oils have incredible properties to nourish the scalp and reduce stiffness. For the pitta type of hair, cooling oil like coconut oil can be an ideal choice. Coconut is considered as pitta pacifying and hence can prove effective against hair issues caused by pitta dosha.

For the people with kapha type of hair can use sesame or olive oil because of their cleansing property which helps in keeping the pores open.

When is the best time to apply oil?

It is recommended that the oil massage during the evening time is most beneficial. If you divide the whole day into three parts, evening is the time which is dominated by the vata dosha. The application of sesame oil in the evening helps in calming down the vata dosha. Coconut oil is advised for usage in the morning as it can increase vata dosha if applied in the night.

To enhance the quality of the hair and to stimulate hair growth, it is advisable to apply hair oil in the night and take a warm water bath in the morning. Applying oil after the bath is not advised as it can attract dust and dirt when you go out. For better hair growth try applying the oil directly on the scalp, root of the hair and on hair length. It is always good to warm your oil a little as it helps in better absorption.

Benefits of different hair oils

Coconut oil

Coconut oil is widely used in India as it helps in preventing dandruff when applied on the dry scalp. It gives nourishment to the damaged hair and also conditioned them. People living in the hot climate usually use coconut oil as it serves as an excellent cooling agent. It also helps people who suffer from the pitta dominant condition. But if you are living in colder region, then use of coconut oil with its cooling nature may prove against you as it may increase kapha primarily in the people who are prone to cough, cold, allergies, etc. But if you still want to stick to the coconut in the colder region then you should mix a teaspoonful of black pepper powder in to about 100 mil of coconut oil. Heat the mixtures for 5 min. Filter the mixture and use it while it is warm.

Amla

Amla is quite effective oil for most hair related problems and helps in rectifying several problems like dizziness, headaches and other pitta conditions. Most of the Ayurvedic oils contain Amla as a major constituent. It can also be used with coconut oil as a carrier oil for providing excellent protection against the damage caused by the sun.

Brahmi

Brahmi is also known as Indian Pennywort or Gotu Kola and is used mainly to prevent hair loss and giving volume to the hair. Brahmi oil is made by mixing it with sesame oil or any other carrier oil. It can be then applied directly to the scalp. Brahmi helps in soothing mind and nervous system other than nourishing your hair.

Bhringraj

It is also known as False Daisy or Eclipta Alba. It holds a prominent place in the aurvedic system of medicine for hair treatment. It is often used with sesame oil or coconut oil for massaging of scalp. It contains high amount of protein that stimulates hair growth and helps in restoring sign of the hair.

Neem Seed Oil

Neem has a prominent place in Indian cosmetic and medicinal system for thousands of years. Neem seed oil is rich in Vitamin E and essential fatty acids. It also has prominent anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral properties. However, it is difficult to use it alone as it tends to solidify at room temperature, so it is mostly used in combination with olive oil as a carrier for application. It helps in stimulating hair growth and averts dandruff.

Sesame Oil

Sesame oil is used as the base oil for almost all massage oil in the ancient Ayurvedic system. The oil is the ideal choice for hair as it relieves you from headache, hair graying, dandruff, baldness and hair fall. It also helps in making your hair black, shiny, longer, deep rooted and also helps in offering sound sleep. After applying sesame oil massage take a warm water bath after a few hours. It helps in inducing relaxation. Its anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties protect hair from the damage caused by chlorine mixed in the water.

Almond Oil

Almond oil is used in Ayurveda to treat vata dominant hair. As it is rich in vitamin E, magnesium and calcium it can be used directly for hair massage. It is sometimes also used as carrier oil for other aurvedic medicinal oils to provide shine, luster and strength to the hair. It also helps in controlling hair loss and damage.

These are some of the common oils recommended by Ayurveda for hair usage. However, if you are looking for any specific hair problem like baldness or alopecia, it is advisable to contact an Ayurvedic practitioner for advice on type of medicine or medical oil usage.

Vertigo is a condition in which a person loses control over his body movement and most of the time feels sensation of lightheadedness, dizziness and imbalance. Although vertigo cannot be defined as a chronic condition, the person needs support from others. He always gets a feeling that all objects are moving around him and will fall if he tries to move. The nausea has been always a predecessor in most of the vertigo cases.

In Ayurved, Vertigo is termed as ‘Brahma’, a condition where vitiated pitta combined with vitiated vata makes one feel like spinning.

Causes of Vertigo

Vertigo is mainly caused due to digestion disorder and gas formation, due to ear disease caused by fluid imbalance in the ear, distorted eye sight, nervous system disorder, migraine attack, blood circulation trouble, incompetent sexual activity, frequent epilepsy attacks, lack of sleep, brain tumor, utter fatigue etc. All these may attribute to the cause of vertigo but most prominent reasons behind vertigo are diseases affecting inner ear.

Recommended Ayurvedic treatment

The Ayurvedic treatments recommended for treating vertigo are:

• Patient suffering from vertigo can get relief if he/she consumes a mixture of ‘Duralabha Quath’ of about 50 ml along with ghee twice a day.
• Amla extract or juice with ‘Suvarna Sootashekhar Ras’ about 50-60 mg can be taken twice to reduce the effects of vertigo.
• A mixture of about 10 ml each of Saraswatarishta and Ashwagandharishta mixed with about 20 ml of water can be consumed twice daily for effective relief.
• A mixture of 100 to 250 ml of milk and powdered shankhapushpi about 1 to 2 gm is quite effective in dealing with the condition when taken twice a day.
• Panchkarma treatment like ‘Shirodhara’ is also quite effective.
• In case you are also suffering from constipation, take about 6 gm of amaltas with haritaki decoction during bed time at night.
• If the cause of the vertigo is insomnia, then taking about 10ml of Ashwagandharishta or about ½ tsp of its powder with water is also effective.
• Taking about 120 gm of Yogendra Ras with milk is also effective in providing relief.

Home remedies that are effective against vertigo

There are several home remedies defined in Ayurveda that are effective in treating vertigo. Let’s have a look at some of the best home remedies for vertigo.

Keep about 1 teaspoon of dried amla and coriander seeds soaked in water for a whole night. Strain the mixture, add some sugar and drink it in the next morning. Repeat the process for few consecutive dates.

Heat about 2 tsp of Til (sesame oil) oil and mix them in half tsp each of finely ground or powered cinnamon and cardamom. Apply the oil mixture on your head.

Make a mixture of almond about 8 pieces with some (about 8 pieces) seeds of pumpkin along with  3 tsp of wheat. Soak the mixture in water for the whole night. Next morning, remove the outer skin of the almonds and grind the almond into fine paste. Heat about 2 tsp of ghee and fry about half tsp of cloves into it. Add the paste to the ghee-clove and boil the whole mixture. Add some sugar to make it sweet (if required) and consume the mixture in the next few days.

The herbs generally used for treating Vertigo are Vacha (Acorus Calamus), Giloy (Tinospora Cordifolia), Yavasa (Alhagi pseudalbagi), Pitpapda (Fumaria Officinalis), Sariva (Hemidesmus Indicus) etc.

Lifestyle measures and diet plan that needs to be followed

Consume plenty of green vegetables and fruits, avoid consuming extra salt and keep distance from the junk food. Take plenty of rest and include raisins, poppy seeds, citrus fruits, vegetables and date in your diet.

Practicing a few relaxation techniques and avoiding pillow will help with better blood circulation to the brain.

Precautions that needs to be taken

When a patient is experiencing vertigo attack, he/she should not be allowed to move alone. The precaution should be taken while accessing staircase in lieu of the attack. The use of narcotic drugs, alcohols and tobacco should be strictly avoided. Try to restrict the patient’s diet to simple, light, spice free food stuffs. Do not allow the patient to operate any heavy machinery or to drive his/her car.

When summer is at its peak, it’s time when many of us fall victim of sunburn. It’s time for us to be aware of various remedies available for sunburn. Most of the counter sunburn measures available in the market include steroids. In this post we will be listing some of the natural alternatives for prevention and cure of sun burn.

Sunburn can be regarded as a severe inflammatory skin condition which is caused due to overexposure to the ultraviolet radiation of the sun. According to Ayurveda, the people with the pitta type body constitution are more vulnerable to sunburn.

Ayurvedic treatment of Sunburn

Use of Aloe Vera gel or cream is quite effective in treating sunburn. In case you have access to the aloe Vera plant then it would be better to cut it open and use the gel from the plant directly. Application of aloe Vera provides instant relief to the sun burnt areas.

Coconut oil is also effective for providing instant relief from minor sunburn.

You can also use equal proportions of sandalwood and turmeric paste with little water. Apply the mixture on the burnt area for relief.

Cow milk is also known for its cooling effect. Dipping a gauze pad into milk and putting it on the affected area can also offer quick cooling effect.

A mixture of equal amount of turmeric, yogurt and barley is also effective against sunburn.

You can also use cool compressed bath or soothing gel or cream that contains sandal oil, aloe Vera, sandal paste, lettuce pulp, rose oil or a mixture of vinegar and olive oil. Ayurvedic oil such as Madhuyashtyadi, chandanadi, Ksheerabala, pinda Thailam, Dhanwantharam etc. can be used for treating sunburn as per medical advice. Other Ayurvedic medicine like Manjishtha, Triphala, Amalaki, Saariva, Usheer, Mandukpami, Gokshur and Haridra are quite effective in treating sunburn.

Other Ayurvedic ointment manufactured by combining Saariva, majistha, Chandan, usher, haridra, yashtimadhuk and mandukparni are quite effective when applied to the sun burnt parts.

Other medicines that are used in Ayurveda specifically to treat sunburn are Rogya-Vardhini, Kamdudha-Ras, Chandanadi-Vati, Chandrakala-Ras, Chandan-Bala-Laxadi oil, Panch-Tikata-Ghrut, mahanarayana oil, Shata-Dhout-GHrout, Gandhak-Rasayan, Usheerasav and Saarivasav.

Few home remedies for treating sunburn

There are many traditional home remedies that are effective in treating sunburn.

• Mix about 2 tsp of tomato juice and 4 tsp of buttermilk. Use the mixture on the affected part. Leave it there for about half an hour and then wash it off.
• You can cool the affected area by bathing it in cold water several times a day.
• We all know the cooling capability of cucumber. In case of sunburn, keep a cold cucumber slices on the affected area or pour some cucumber juice on the place with the help of cotton ball. You can also use grated cucumber and apply it on the affected part.
• Sunburn can also be soothed by applying rose water.
• Buttermilk is also a good cooling agent. It can be used effectively for sunburn. Wash the affected skin with chilled buttermilk to speed up the recovery process.
• Applying thick cold curd on the affected part or using a mixture of curd, sandalwood and calamine powder can be quite effective in getting instant relief.
• The paste of calamine powder with rose water or cucumber juice when applied on the skin offers effective relief.

Prevention is better than cure

The best way to prevent sun’s ultraviolet ray’s damage to your skin is to avoid the exposure. Minimizing the exposure of the skin to the sun, especially between 12 noon to 4 pm in the evening can help you in preventing sunburn. If you have to step out of your home or office during these hours, then it is advisable to lower or minimize the skin exposure.

Before leaving your home in a sunny day, take a few drops of neem oil and mix it with sesame oil. You can apply this mixture on your skin. This can act as a natural sun block. Drinking plenty of water is also advisable.

Application of neem oil on the skin before and after the shower also helps in nurturing your skin. It acts even better if you add a few drops of sesame oil to the neem oil before application. Coconut oil can also be used for the purpose. Indian Aloe also acts as an effective sun protector, this can be used before going out in the sun to minimize the damage.

Consumption of spicy or fermented food should be avoided during the summers. Taking carbonated drinks, oily or spicy foods and caffeine should also be avoided.

Try to consume as much fluid as you can as it will keep your skin well-hydrated and hence offers protection against ultraviolet rays. Alternatively, taking water boiled with the camphor powder and root of hemidesmus indicus. Use of buttermilk and mango juice also helps in beating the summer heat.

Sandalwood paste can also be used as an effective sunscreen and offers excellent protection against sunburn.

It is recommended to drink plenty of water before going out in the sun. Drinking watermelon juice, lemon juice, coconut water, etc. can also help in keeping you fit as it keeps the body hydrated, which in turn reduces the harmful effect of ultraviolet rays of the sun.

The majority of the ingredients present in the kitchen helps a lot in boosting immunity and are capable of curing numerous lifestyle diseases when consumed in proper manner and in right quantity. For minor troubles and illness these home remedies can prove to be quite effective. But it is quite important to know how to use the commonly available items from your kitchen to cure minor ailments. Let’s look at some suggestions from Ayurvedic experts about using commonly found items in your kitchen for treating simple diseases.

Use of dry ginger for treating indigestion

In most of the Ayurvedic medicines, dry ginger which is also known as chukka in southern India, is a common composite. Due to its digestive and carminative properties it is used in several medicines. Ayurveda believes that ingestion is the major cause of several metabolism related diseases. Hence, it prescribes daily consumption of dry ginger to keep check on the illness.

Dry ginger should be washed, crushed and added to the boiling water before consumption. The mixture can be stored in a container and can be used for drinking as a replacement of water. This mixture helps in flushing out toxins from the body and helps in improving digestion and the reduction of minor blocks from the blood vessels. For the treatment of gastritis, dry ginger powder mixed with a glass of water can serve as an excellent medication.

The famous ‘Chukka Kappi’ or ginger coffee from south India is a special coffee, which is full of amazing health benefits. Other than ginger it also contains several other beneficial herbs like tulsi, cumin, black pepper, cloves, cinnamon, coffee, jaggery and cardamom. The drink is quite effective in treating minor ailments like cough, cold and even mild fever.

Some of the recent researches have also indicated that if the dry ginger is consumed on a daily basis, it helps in the development of immunity against cancer. During the summer time buttermilk prepared with crushed pieces of dry ginger along with leaves of lemon plant acts as an excellent thirst reliever and helps in improving digestion. It also helps in keeping a check on various illnesses brought by the scorching heat of the summer.

Sesame seeds for curing menstrual issues

Collect some dry roasted sesame seeds and make a powder of it. The powder can be stored in an airtight container. Include this powder in small quantities in your regular diet. The consumption of the sesame powder can help in building strong teeth, hair and bones. Women suffering from irregular mensuration are suggested to consume decoction of sesame seed. (Adding a pinch of jiggery with sesame seeds.)

Coriander as an effective treatment for mouth ulcer

Coriander act as an effective medicine against indigestion, nausea, stomach problems and even mouth ulcers. Coriander seeds can be crushed and added to the boiled water. This mixture can be used to gargle once it cools down. The gargle helps in removing bad breath and mouth ulcer. Even chewing coriander leaves can also provide relief from tooth and gum problems.

Black pepper for treatment of common cold

Black pepper is one of the most common spice used in the kitchens across the globe, it adds flavor to the dishes. Other than spicing up the food it can also be used for medicinal purposes. It acts as an effective medicine for all cold related problems. Including black pepper in your daily diet, especially during the monsoon month helps in keeping a check on cold and cough related from problems. It is quite effective against mild throat pain and phlegm. A decoction can be easily made by boiling few tulsi leaves along with black pepper in water to provide instant relief against cough and cold.

Asafoetida is quite effective for stomach problem

Asafoetida or hingu helps in improving digestion by stimulating the flow of digestive fluids in the body and at the same time it also treats gastritis and helps in de-worming your stomach. Adding a tablespoonful of asafetida with lukewarm water and drinking it, will keep a check on gastritis. For children palkayam can be used with a drop of honey for treatment of stomach pain.

Turmeric as an effective medium for purifying blood

Turmeric is used extensively in the Indian dishes to provide flavor and color to the dish. We already know and have read about the extensive medicinal properties of the turmeric. People with minor allergies should include turmeric in their regular daily diet. Turmeric acts as a great blood purifier. When mixed with honey and taken on a regular basis, it can provide relief from sore throat and helps in curing mouth ulcers. Turmeric is also used to treat several ailments from diabetes to common cold attributing to its unique medicinal properties.

Shallots can act as an effective medicine against acidity

Many people are not really aware of the medicinal properties possessed by shallots. Shallots are quite effective in removing phlegm from your body and also help in keeping a check on gastritis. Intake of one or two shallots in your daily diet can help in preventing dysentery and diarrhea. Shallots are also used for treatment of acidity. Adding 3 to 4 shredded shallots with boiled milk and taking it after the breakfast can help in treating acidity.

Cumin seeds as an effective agent to boost immunity

Cumin or jeera is commonly used in kitchens for culinary purposes. Other than adding flavor to food it also acts as an excellent immunity booster. Roasted cumin seeds when added to boiling water act as decoction and provide great relief from gastritis, tiredness and indigestion. For the children who are suffering from minor asthma, powdered cumin seeds mixed with a drop of honey can help in providing temporary relief. Drinking jeera water also helps in improving digestion and helps in providing relief from digestion related problems. Drinking Jeera water also helps in quenching thirst.

The change in the season from summer to winter brings in various changes to the human body. In Ayurveda, this transition is also known as Vata. Vata is the element of air. Vata governs various physical aspects in the human body like physical movement, ingenuity and acuity.

Colder season increase the Vata level in the body. This could bring in trouble if your body is pre-dominant with vata. According to Ayurveda excess of vata can make you vulnerable to the numerous physical and mental problems.

Symptoms of vata dosha are:

• Fear, depression and anxiety
• Restlessness
• Disorganised
• Too much thinking
• Forgetting day to day task
• Impatience
• Moodiness
• Constipation
• Dry skin
• Acne in lower part of the face and around chin
• Sore throat, cold and dry cough

If you are experiencing these symptoms especially during the winter season then it may be because of the Vata dosh. But you don’t have to worry about it; Ayurveda has simple and holistic solution. Let’s check on the few dietary and lifestyle changes that you can adopt to avoid any such problems.

Try to consume extractive food and avoid eating raw veggies

Ayurveda treats balanced diet as the key to perfect health. Augmented and extracted foods are little bitter in taste. However, these foods help your body by keeping food moving in the digestive tract. They act more like a cleaning agent but consumption of too much of these may increase your vata dosha and can result into sickness. So, it is advised against eating raw vegetables during the cold season. It is recommended to cook your vegetable with sesame oil or ghee before consumption. Ghee also aids in stimulating hunger and helps in absorption of nutrient from the food.

Some typical extractive foods are beans, garbanzos, black peas and lentils. Other than that you can also have some leafy veggies like chard, spinach or collards. Broccoli, cauliflower, celery, nuts, corn etc. can also be used in the diet.

Give emphasis on augmented foods

Augmented are quite good in soothing and balancing vata dosh. Most of these foods are heavy and sweet in taste. According to Ayurveda you should consume about 40 % of extracted food and 60 % of augmented food in your diet. But in the colder season you can increase the ratio to about 70% for augmented food and 30% for extracted food.

Some typical augmented foods that you can induct in your diet are brown/white rice, cereals, barley, oatmeal, beets, millet, quinoa, sweet potatoes, carrots, pumpkins, zucchini, squash etc. These foods are quite helpful in balancing your vata dosha.

Follow the routine

The major sign of vata dosha are difficulty in sitting at one place, restlessness, overreacting and loss or sleep or insomnia. Let’s have a look at some lifestyle tips that can relieve you from vata dosha.

Try to wake up at the same time in the morning. Make habit of performing daily routine of meditation and yoga asana. Try to take your meals at the same time each day. Before going to bed rub some sesame oil on to the bottom of your feet and put on a pair of socks. Try to sleep early.

A quick recap

• Consume warm, cooked meals at the same time of the day. Keep the ration of 70:30 for augmented and extracted foods.
• Avoid consumption of raw veggies and juices during the cold season.
• Maintain your routine

The key behind getting relief from the excess vata lies in the routine you follow and lifestyle you maintain. A healthy mind lives in a healthy body.

A tasty treat

A delicious vata soothing recipe containing dates, cinnamon and apple.

Ingredients:

• 2 apples
• 9/10 dates
• 2 cup of water
• 2 tsp maple syrup
• 1 tsp grounded cardomon
• 1 tsp ginger (grated)
• 1 tsp cinnamon

How to make?

Peel and slice both the apples. Then put all the ingredients into a saucepan and boil it over high heat. After the water starts to boil lower the heat to medium and seethe the mixture for 5 minutes. Using a scoop transfer the content into a juice, blender or food processor and blend it until it forms puree. Stir puree into a pane and serve it.