Triphala Powder | Tablets | Capsules | Juice Health Benefits

Triphala is a popular Ayurvedic remedy that has a good number of adherents who vouch for its gentle way of providing countless health benefits and curing various disease conditions.  With the Ayurveda way of life spreading far and wide, it is no wonder that almost everyone knows of Ayurvedic remedies like ashwagandha churna, shatavari churna, asokarishta, chyavanprash, and Triphala to name a few.  Not many in the west knew of these a few decades ago.  While the exorbitant cost of conventional treatment and the adverse side effects of the conventional drugs forced everyone to look for an alternative, the rapid increase in the number of people affected by chronic lifestyle diseases and the ineffective treatment rendered by the conventional system was yet another reason that intensified this search. 

It was the effectiveness of Ayurvedic system in treating some of the lifestyle diseases that led to the rapid proliferation of this old medicinal system the world over.  Its time tested remedies have been effective in curing a number of so called ‘incurable’ diseases.  Naturally, some Ayurveda formulations have become household names.  Triphala is one such time tested remedy.
 

Constituents of Triphala

 What is Triphala?

The word ‘Triphala’ means three fruits, the three fruits being Indian gooseberry, chebulicmyrobalan (haritaki), and Terminalia bellirica (bibhitaki).   The three fruits have exceptional medicinal valuable medicinally.  When they come together in Triphala, the resultant synergistic combo bestows a number of health benefits on its users.  No wonder most households these days Triphala is a part of their remedy chest.  Some of the classical Triphala preparations are Triphala guggulu, Triphaladhi Ghrita, Arogyavardhini vati, Triphala kwath, Chandraprabha vati.

Top 12 Health Benefits of Triphala

Indian Gooseberry (Amalaki)

This fruit is cultivated throughout India.  It is found in home gardens as well as grown commercially in a large scale.  It is well known for its Vitamin C content and can be used as a Vitamin C supplement.  It is used medicinally for treating anemia, peptic ulcer, diarrhea, jaundice, weak memory to name a few. 

Terminalia Chebula (Haritaki)

An important constituent in a number of Ayurvedic formulations, Terminalia Chebula (Haritaki) is used in treating asthma, vomiting, biliousness, bleeding piles, bladder diseases, heart conditions etc.  It is an excellent laxative.  It is also used in treating dysentery and diarrhea. 

Terminalia Bellerica (Bibhitaki)

This fruit is found in deciduous forests of India and Burma.  The bark of the tree is used in treating asthma and vitiligo.  It is useful in treating bronchitis, sore throat and diseases of urinary bladder.  The powder of this herb helps arrest bleeding.  The oil made using this herb helps luscious hair growth.

What is Triphala Churna?

The powder obtained on crushing the dry fruits and mixing them in required proportions is called Triphala Powder or ‘Triphala Churna’.  The usual proportion of ingredients is 1:1:1.  The three fruits are dried and finely powdered and then mixed in equal proportion by weight.  This is the general Triphala formulation available in the market.

Health Benefits of Triphala

• Used as a mild and gentle laxative for chronic constipation.
• Rich in anti-oxidants, relieves oxidative pressure.
• Gently detoxifies the body and restores the efficacy of the digestive tract.
• Aids digestion
• Cures sore throat.
• Improves immunity.
• Improves eyesight.
• Helps proper assimilation of food.
• Improves liver function.
• Relieves arthritic pain and reduces inflammation in the joints.
• Helps lose weight
• Helps keep diabetes in check
• Helps fight cancer
• Takes care of allergies
• Helps hair growth
• Eliminates dandruff.
• Brings down excessive cholesterol to normal levels.
• Nourishes skin
• Clears dark circles around eyes
• Improves hair color
• Clears acne

With such a wide range of medicinal property in its possession, it is no wonder Triphala is used extensively in Ayurveda for treating various disease conditions.  Now we will see briefly the medicinal benefits of Triphala powder.

Triphala for Constipation

Triphala for Constipation

It is the non habit forming and non addictive nature of Triphala that has endeared most of its enthusiasts.  Most would have encountered the remedy the first time as a solution for their constipation.  The first choice of an Ayurvedic physician for constipation is Triphala unless the disease conditions suggest otherwise.  Triphala activates the secretion of the digestive juices in stomach.  It also stimulates the peristaltic movement of the large intestines, thus relieving constipation and cleansing the colon.  

For chronic conditions a dose of this powerful remedy (3-5 gm) is taken and mixed in warm water and taken three times a day.  A smaller dose (2-3gm) is recommended as a preventative in case there is a tendency to constipate often.  This dosage relieves constipation and eases bowel movement.

Triphala for Weight Loss

Triphala aids Weight Loss

Triphala stimulates liver and improves the ability to get rid of toxins from our body.  Triphala’s action as a colon cleanser helps weight loss as a healthy colon gets rid of waste in an efficient manner.  Also Triphala helps in proper assimilation of food as well as elimination of waste matter.  It also fights chronic inflammation usually observed in obese people, thus helping the body to get back into fat burning mode.  Being a laxative and cleanser, it expels toxin and excess water resulting in a quick and safe weight loss.

 

Triphala for Cancer

Triphala for Cancer

Triphala is found to stop the growth and proliferation of cancer cells.  Triphala is an excellent scavenger of free radicals and has radio protective properties.  This leads to a sort of cancer cell death (cytotoxicity of cancer cells).  Further studies on the efficacy of Triphala in combating various types of cancer are ongoing in India and other countries.   Breast cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic and blood cancer respond very well to Triphala.

Triphala for Skin Care

Triphala for Skin care

It is well known fact that accumulation of toxins over a period of time impedes the normal functioning of various organs and also manifests as skin eruptions, boils and other skin diseases.  With Triphala being a gentle laxative and excellent detoxifier, it is only reasonable to expect regular intake of Triphala to benefit the skin.  Triphala can also be applied externally to remove skin blemishes.  It adds glow and vitality to the skin.

Indian gooseberry (amlaki) is rich in Vitamin C.  It has excellent anti-inflammatory properties that help the skin regain its lost vitality.  Chebulic myrobalan (haritaki) is a well-known laxative that keeps constipation at bay.  It eases bowel movement and increases frequency of stools.  It also clears fungal infection of the skin.  Terminalia bellerica (bibhitaki) is a well known purgative.  It promotes hair growth and cures premature greying.  It improves immunity and promotes good health.

Triphala for Eyes

Eyesight diminishes with age, due to certain diseases like diabetes, or due to decreasing immunity.  Triphala improves immunity and Triphala decoction cooled and strained can be used as eyewash to take care of various conditions like red eyes, conjunctivitis, glaucoma etc. 

How to take Triphala?

This wonder remedy was taken in powder form since it came into existence.  The taste of the powder is not easily palatable and hence with widespread usage, more easily palatable forms like tablet, capsule and syrup were introduced.

Triphala Churna

Triphala powder is called Triphala churna.  This can be taken once a day, either in the morning or at night.  Ideal dosage would be 1-2 teaspoonfuls per day.  Mix the powder in hot water and allow it to room temperature.  Drink the remedy warm.  For best results it is advised to take the powder well in advance of breakfast or dinner, say 30-45 minutes.

Triphala Tablet/Capsule

Triphala tablets offer the same benefits as the powder sans the difficult taste and reach the stomach more easily.  Two tablets make a spoonful of Triphala powder.  It is not advised to take Triphala in any form when suffering from diarrhea. 

Triphala Syrup/Juice

A completely harmless and easy to use alternative to the churna and tablet/capsule is the Triphala juice.  Triphala juice can be prepared using 8 ounces of warm water.  A lemon is squeezed to this water and a tablespoon of honey is also added.  Now one tablespoon of Triphala powder is added to this water and mixed thoroughly.  Triphala juice is ready for consumption.  Taking Triphala in this form aids weight loss.

Triphala Oil

When Triphala powder is added to hot coconut or sesame oil and then allowed to cool to room temperature the ensuing oil is called Triphala oil.  This oil has excellent wound healing properties.  The oil can be applied on non-healing chronic ulcers.  Regular application helps heal the ulcers.  This oil can also be used to take care of skin blemishes, rashes and other conditions. 

Side effects of Triphala

Most of the side effects occur due to a prolonged excessive dosage of Triphala.  Although Triphala is safe for consumption, care should be taken when taken along with conventional medications as this can cause undesirable effects.  Hence it is advised that you consult with your physician before taking this remedy. 

Ayurveda physicians recommend pregnant women to not take Triphala.  Also Triphala should not be taken when suffering from diarrhea.  In some rare cases Triphala can cause allergic reactions like breathing obstruction, itching and rashes on skin, swelling of throat etc.  Some may experience insomnia and find it difficult to fall asleep in the initial phase which can gradually fade away with regular usage.  In case of experiencing any mild discomfort, it is advised to stop taking the medicament and start again after a few days at a lower dose.

The health benefits of taking Triphala is huge and the side effects if any can be totally eliminated with a judicious adjustment of the dosage. An Ayurvedic expert can guide you in the right direction. 

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Agnimukh Churna: Ayurvedic Home Remedies

“Agni” (fire) in Ayurvedic parlance is the force that drives digestion, metabolism in an individual.  The stomach is called “pachak” or cook that makes use of this fire to digest and absorb the food we eat.  When all the three doshas, Vata, Pitta and Kapha are in harmony in an individual his/her degree of digestion of food and absorption of nutrients is optimal.  This individual will be healthy and possess a strong immune system. The digestive fire in this person is called samanagni or samagni.

When there is an imbalance in the three doshas and there is a dominance of Vata, then it can result in conditions of diarrhea, wind in the intestines, rumbling, etc alternating with normal digestion.  The vitiated fire is then called vishamagni.

If there is a domination of pitha in an individual then there is rapid digestion irrespective of the type of food consumed.  This can result in sour eructations, hyperacidity, painful urination, etc and the body grows weak and emaciated.  This individual experiences a constant feeling of hunger.  The digestive fire here has turned into tikshagni or teekshagni.

When kapha dominates an individual due to the imbalance of the three doshas, it can result in protracted and prolonged digestion of even a small quantity of food.  This causes heaviness in abdomen, asthma, respiratory illnesses, fatigue, nausea etc.  Here the fire is called mandagni.

Agnimuka choornam or aknimukh choorna is an excellent remedy for all the above mentioned conditions.  With the intake of this remedy the vitiated doshas are pacified resulting in re-establishing the lost harmony.  Samagni is the result which helps in regaining lost health.  Hence this preparation is useful in treating all types of digestive problems.

Ingredients of Agnimukh choorna are asafoetida, sweetflag (acorus calamus), piper longum (thippili), chebulic myrobalan (kadukkai), oregano (ajwain, omam), dried cleansed ginger (chukku), white leadwort root (koduveli), Indian costus root (koshtam).

Sweetflag

Asafoetida is used in treating indigestion and constipation.  Sweetflag is well known remedy for bloated stomach, flatulence, diarrhea in infants.  It aids digestion.  Piper longum is useful in treating polydipsia (excessive thirst).   Chebulic myrobalan cleanses toxins from liver.  Oregano is an antibacterial agent.  Dried ginger is an excellent appetizer.  White leadwort root is regarded as a kayakalpa herb.  This is a good general tonic for the whole body.  The decoction of Indian costus root is used in treating poisonous bites.  All these herbs combine together in agnimukh chooran to reinstate the lost samanagni.

How to prepare Agnimukh churna at home?

The ingredients of agnimuga chooranam are all available at the local herbal stores in India as well as online worldwide.  The ingredients are taken starting with the first, asafoetida 10 gm and and increment of 10 gm each for other ingredients in the order mentioned earlier.  So sweetflag 20 gm, piper longum 30 gm, chebulic myrobalan 40 mg, oregano 50 mg, dried ginger 60 mg, white leadwort root 70 gm and Indian costus root 80 gm are collected.  Each herb is powdered to a very fine consistency and then mixed together.  This is stored in a cool dry place.

Take half a teaspoon of this powder, mix it in a glass of cold water, and drink it before food both in the morning and at night.  This is repeated three to four days.  This is a quick and safe way to bring back the digestive system to normalcy.

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Vilvadi Lehyam: Ayurvedic Home Remedies for Stomach Ailments

Bilwa Tree with its fruits

Bilva or bael fruit also known as golden apple or wood apple is a fruit obtained from the bael tree, a species native to India.  The woody shelled fruit requires almost 10 to 11 months to ripen for consumption. The tree is called ‘vilva maram’ in Tamil and ‘bilva’ in Telugu, A sacred tree for Hindus, the bael tree can be found in all Siva temples, especially in Tamil Nadu.   All parts of the bael or bilwa tree, the root, the bark, leaves, fruit, flowers, twigs etc  have immense medicinal value.  There are a number of excellent medical concoctions Both Ayurveda and Siddha systems of medicine make use of the

Bilva or Vilva tree is well known for its medicinal properties, especially its action on the digestive system and the stomach in particular.  The hard outer shell of the bael fruit or wood apple has to be broken open to relish the content with jaggery and cardamom.  This is a tasty treat that can arrest diarrhea and dysentery.  When taken with cumin seeds and ginger it is found to be effective in treating hemorrhoids.  The decoction of the root is an anti-emetic and a good remedy for bowel inflammation.  The decoction made of the bilwa leaves is used in treating peptic ulcer.

Vilva leaves have been successfully used to bring down excessive sugar levels in diabetic patients.  For this purpose some 5-10 vilva leaves are soaked in plain water overnight.  The next day morning the water soaked leaves are ground to a fine paste and then taken on empty stomach.  This is also effective in treating diabetic ulcers.  Tablets prepared from vilva leaves is an excellent remedy for hyperglycemia.

Vilwadi Lehyam/Bilwadi Leham is a well known product of the Kerala tradition that makes use of the Vilva fruit and other parts of the tree as its main ingredient  Other ingredients include coriander, cumin, caraway, pepper, long pepper, ginger, korai kizhangu (musta), nagkesar (nagappu in Tamil).  One of the effective ways of taking such preparations is to place them on betel leaf or banyan leaf,then lick and slowly munch them down.

Vilvadi lehyam is taken for ailments of the stomach like gastritis, vomiting, poor digestion, diarrhea and dysentry, and asthma.  A tablespoonful (5 gms) of this lehyam ( a jam like concoction) can be taken with milk three times a day after food.  This is a very effective remedy for those affected by the above said conditions under the guidance of an expert Ayurveda practitioner.  This preparation is also useful in treating irritable bowel syndrome, heartburn, acid-reflux etc (IBD).  There is no known side effects on taking this medication.

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Ayurvedic Home Remedies: Medicinal Uses of Curry Leaves

The curry tree (Murraya Koenigii) is native to India. The curry leaves are used extensively in South Indian and Sri Lankan cooking, especially in curries. Although thrown out later, the curry leaves are essential in providing the rich aroma to the curries. Recent studies have shown these leaves to possess anti-diabetic, antioxidant, hepatoprotective properties. They are also good for hair.

Curry leaves have plenty of Vitamin A and calcium. It also contains good amounts of amino acids. The leaves tend to excite the taste buds. They also help in quick digestion. Curry leaves take care of indigestion, stomach ulcers due to excessive acid secretion in stomach, diarrhea and other similar problems. It also prevents deposition of fat in various parts of the body.

One way to control blood sugar levels in a diabetic patient is to chew and eat a couple of curry leaves along with a few pepper corns first thing in the morning on empty stomach. The effectiveness of this remedy has led to studies on anti-diabetic property of curry leaves.

Take a handful of curry leaves, a dry red chilli and sauté them in ghee. Add a pinch of salt and pinch of tamarind to this and grind all of these to a fine paste adding water as necessary. This paste is mixed in hot rice and taken as a remedy for nausea, vomiting, digestive problems, diarrhea, bloated stomach etc.

Boils and similar eruptions appear on skin during summer. Most of the boils tend to subside over time, but some may persist and remain painful. Curry leaves come handy in treating such conditions. A paste made of curry leaves is applied on these persistent boils for quick relief.

Curry leaves are known to be effective in treating premature graying. Eating the leaves helps in strengthening hair roots. Add a handful of curry leaves to a litre of coconut oil and boil it for a few minutes. This hair oil is applied to the scalp. This is found to prevent premature graying as well as curing the condition.

Along with mint leaves and coriander leaves, curry leaves can be used in treating excessive pitta conditions. Some of the symptoms of excessive pitta include nausea and vomiting in the mornings. There may be even vomiting of bile. To treat this condition, make a paste of curry leaves with ginger, fried black gram, and salt. This paste is taken with food for a couple of days. This is very effective in treating nausea and vomiting due to excessive pitta.

The calcium content in curry leaves help in strengthening the bones. This can be had as a complementary treatment for people with osteoporosis and other similar conditions of the bone.

Thus curry leaves should be taken regularly for good health. Instead of throwing the leaves away from the curry, it would do a lot of good if we eat them. Thus curry leaves taken internally can strengthen the bones, improve digestion, and strengthen hair roots. External application helps hair growth. One of my earlier posts on Ayurvedic hair care details ways to make hair oil using curry leaves for premature grey hair.

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Ayurvedic Home Remedies: Medicinal Uses of Coriander Leaves and Seeds

Coriander seeds and leaves have been used as home remedies to cure various ailments from time immemorial. Known as cilantro in America and Europe, coriander leaves are also called Chinese parsley. These leaves find their place in South Asian, Chinese, European, American, Russian and Mexican dishes as well. The roots are also used in Asian, Thai dishes.

Coriander leaves when digested turn sweet and alleviate irritations in the intestines. They stimulate appetite and help in easy digestion too. They have magnesium, potassium and fiber in plenty. So regular consumption boosts immunity and purifies blood. They stimulate insulin production and hence help prevent diabetes.

Just as mint leaves, coriander leaves too help in dealing with headaches. A paste made of coriander leaves is smeared on the forehead and temples for a quick relief from headaches. This should be followed by thorough rest. Coriander leaves also cure mouth ulcers. For this a handful of coriander leaves are ground to a not so fine paste and then masticated thoroughly for a few minutes. This is done two to three times a day for a few days. This is a time tested home remedy for mouth ulcers.

People suffering from pitta aggravation due to excessive consumption of tea or coffee have an excellent remedy in coriander to pacify the aggravated pitta. It also helps in breaking the addiction to coffee and tea. It is an excellent alternative to tea and coffee. A handful of coriander seeds are fried and then powdered to a nice consistency. A spoonful of this powder is then added to a glass of milk with sugar and then taken instead of tea or coffee. Regular consumption can help break addiction to tea and coffee.

Half a teaspoon of coriander seed powder (prepared as mentioned above), a pinch of sandalwood powder, and four or five dried gooseberry pieces are added to a glass of water, boiled and reduced to half a glass. This is then taken at lukewarm temperature. This kashayam is a time tested home remedy for aggravated pitta due to excessive consumption of tea and coffee.

For relief from menstrual pain, women can take around twenty five thoroughly cleaned coriander seeds and boil them in a glass of water. This is reduced to half and allowed to cool to a lukewarm temperature. Sugar can be added as needed. This kashayam helps in relieving menstrual pain.

For painful urination in summer, coriander seeds offer an excellent cure. A teaspoon full of coriander seeds is added to four glasses of water, boiled and then allowed to cool to room temperature. Taking this water throughout the summer often will help in combating the summer heat as well as painful urination. This also keeps one fresh all through the day.

Coriander leaves are found to be effective in alleviating digestive problems. The leaves are washed thoroughly, ground to a paste and then pressed to obtain a tablespoon of juice. One teaspoon of cumin seeds are powdered thoroughly. Both are added to a glass of water along with a pinch of salt. This is an excellent home remedy for indigestion. This is found to cure indigestion as well as induce appetite within minutes.

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Ayurvedic Home Remedies: Home Remedies for Children - 2

Stomach Problems in Children

Home Remedy for Diarrhea in Children

Children often suffer from stomach problems due to various reasons. Constipation, diarrhea, stomach ache etc affect them frequently.  Diarrhea is the frequent watery bowel movement caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Impure drinking water, spoiled food, improper digestion etc can lead to diarhhea. ‘Body heat’ can also induce diarrhea in small kids. Diarrhea causes depletion in body fluids leads to dehydration. There is loss of water, sodium and other essential salts.

Symptoms of diarrhea include headaches, decreased blood pressure, fainting, unconsciousness, swelling of tongue, delirium, decreased urine output, dark urine, thirst, lethargy, sleepiness etc. If left untreated, diarrhea can be life-threatening.

If there is vomiting along with diarrhea, this can lead to a rapid depletion of body fluids. The immediate step in treating this condition is to replace the lost fluids and salt. Oral rehydration therapy is the best course of treatment. Here the patient is given a solution of salts and sugars by mouth. Intravenous administration can be done in extreme cases.

In case of diarrhea and blood in stool in children, this can be due to amoebic infection. Chances of contracting diarrhea in little kids who are fed breast milk are very rare. Breast milk provides the much needed immunity to children to fight diarrhea and amoebic infections.

Given below are some herbal remedies for children with blood in stool.

Sweet flag or Calamus has been used extensively for ages in treating stomach disorders. It has a very distinctive smell, and its essential oil is used in perfume industry. It has been used in Chinese and Indian herbal traditions. Ayurveda uses Calamus for treating digestive disorders.

Dry sweet flag root is rubbed against a clean rough surface adding a few drops of water. The ensuing fine paste is collected. The paste is smeared onto the child’s tongue as a thin paste once.This can be done in the mornings and evenings to treat bloody watery stools in children.

Carom seeds or omam (Tamil) has been used in Indian traditional medicine for treating digestive disorders. Studies have shown that it arrests the growth of pathogens in stomach while leaving the beneficial flora unaffected. Pirandai (Cissus) is an herb that has gastroprotective properties.

Take a handful of pirandai leaves. Take a table spoon of carom seeds and powder it coarsely.Heat the leaves and powdered carom seeds mildly on a pan. Remove from heat and extract the juice from the leaves. This juice a spoonful can be given in the mornings and evenings. Make a fresh preparation each time. This is an effective remedy for diarrhea and bloody stool in children.

Vasambu (Sweet flag), omam (Carom seeds) chukku (dried ginger), turmeric, perungayam (asafoetida) are taken in equal quantities, fried and ground to a fine powder. A pinch of this powder is given in vilakennai (castor oil) in case of bloated stomach. Otherwise this powder can be given in honey. This powder is found to be effective in treating bloody stools and diarrhea in children.

Mint leaf (pudhina) is yet another herb used extensively in treating gastric disorders. It is found to relieve bloated stomach, and mint tea is found to help with stomach pain.

Take a handful of pudhina (mint) leaves in an earthen pot. Add a cup of water and heat it. Reduce it to quarter of a cup. Filter out the water with a sieve. This water or this mint decoction is given twice a day to treat diarrhea.

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Ayurvedic Home Remedies: Medicinal Uses of Castor Oil

Couple of decades back castor oil was extensively used for treating ailments afflicting people of all ages from newborns to old folks. A drop or two of castor oil was applied on the fontanel of the newborn. Castor oil was applied over the eyes before bathing the newborn. The child was fed milk mixed with castor oil once in two or three days. Up to the age of 12, children were given castor oil once in a month with coffee as part of stomach cleansing. In case of boils that occur during the summer season, castor oil is mixed in hot rice and made into a poultice and applied on the affected areas.

In case of anxiety coupled with palpitation and burning sensation on top of head due to excessive thinking etc, a teaspoon of castor oil can be allowed to soak on the top of head. This is said to relieve mental tension, anxiety and burning sensation on the crown of the head.

When small children suffer from unexpected stomach pain due to indigestion or body heat, instill two to three drops of castor oil into the belly button and gently massage the area in a circular motion two or three times. This brings the pain under control very quickly.

One forgotten use of castor oil is its application on sprained areas followed by hot water fomentation. This quickly heals sprains.

Castor oil and turmeric powder is mixed thoroughly to form a paste which is applied on cracked heels or foot fissures. This is done before going to bed.

In case of choked throat one simple remedy is to prepare a paste of castor oil and slaked lime and apply a thin layer externally on the throat area before going to bed. This quickly clears choked throat.

In case of gas in stomach a take a glass of milk after adding a teaspoon of castor oil to it. Another alternative is to chew and gulp down a spoonful of cumin seeds followed by intake of a mixture of 20 drops of lemon juice, 20 drops of ginger juice and 8 drops of honey. This is another time tested remedy for gas.

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Ayurvedic Home Remedies: Medicinal Uses of Oils

Oil massage once a week helps in relieving body pain, joint pains etc. Just a couple of decades back people in Tamil Nadu used to religiously follow this regimen to keep themselves free of joint pains and body pains. Now with the hectic lifestyle people are not able to set aside the time needed for a relaxing weekly oil massage. It has reached a stage where application of oil to the body or hair is viewed as a hassle and conveniently bypassed.

Oil prepared with herbs like nocchi, basil, cumin seeds, vadha narayana keerai, kuppaimeni etc is very effective in relieving body pain. Regular massage with this medicated oil strengthens the muscles and removes stagnant toxins. Kuppaimeni is a well known herb for its action on skin conditions like eczema, blackheads etc. For relief form body pain and joint pain, massage this oil on the affected area and then follow it with warm water fomentation.

Medicinal Benefits of Castor Oil

Castor oil is used for lighting up temple lamps in Tamil Nadu. It is also used as a medicine. Castor oil is given to pregnant women and children for easy elimination and to avoid constipation. There is a saying in Tamil which stresses the importance of oil. 'Vaithiyanukku koduppathai vaaniyanukku kodu'. If you spend money on oils, you can save money treating diseases and ailments. This stresses the role of oil in preventing various ailments.

Ayurvedic texts stress the importance of ‘Virechana’ a bowel cleansing process once in six months. Castor oil is used a purgative for this purpose. Castor oil is also used in treating stomach pain, abdomen pain, body heat etc. Castor oil is applied liberally in the naval area around the belly button for this purpose. This is said to bring down the body heat as well as relieve stomach pain etc.

In case of inflammation of the eye due to body heat, redness etc, castor oil is mixed with mother's milk and instilled into the eyes. This rapidly cures the redness of eyes. Castor oil is also used in treating dysentery due to 'body heat'. 'Sweet flag' is burnt in castor oil lamp and the ash obtained in mixed in honey and given to the person suffering from dysentery.

Constipation is considered to be the root cause of most of the diseases that afflict modern man. Fast food is one of the prime cause for constipation. Constipation leads to formation of hemorrhoids or piles.

Castor oil is used extensively in treating constipation. It expels accumulation of gas in stomach. It drives out intestinal worms and pacifies vata. It relieves mental tension and cools the body and mind.

My next entry will detail more on medicinal uses of castor oil.



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Medicinal Properties of Fenugreek

Fenugreek has been used as a home remedy to treat a number of ailments ranging from stomach ache, arresting hair fall, increase virility, general tonic etc.

Fenugreek of late has drawn the attention of the medical world for its anti-diabetic properties. It is available in capsule form in many health food stores.

It can

1. Pacify heat.
2. Stop diarrhea.
3. Soften skin
4. Cure cough.
5. Cure mouth ulcers.

The list goes on and on. My other blog on Siddha Home Remedies lists some of the home remedies that can be made using fenugreek to cure many ailments.

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Flowers as Ayurvedic Home Remedies

Ayurveda uses flowers to cure certain diseases. Flowers play an important role in our lives. Flowers of various hues and colours soothe your mood and relax your mind. The fragrance of certain flowers cools you down. Certain flowers can cure diseases when eaten. Following are some flowers used for treating diseases.

Rose

Even though many colours of roses are available the original roses are the best ones suited medicinally. This alone has the enchanting fragrance. Rosewater prepared from rose flowers is used as eyedrops to keep away all eye related infections. Kulkund made from rose cures ulcers of the stomach. The powder of dried rose petals acts as excellent laxatives.

Jasmine

Jasmine falls under the category of herbs which cure diseases just by inhaling them. For example, most of the mental disorders decrease in severity on inhaling jasmine flowers. It calms your mind.

Sunflower

Oil obtained from the seeds of sunflower can be applied on acne. This promotes healing without suppuration. When applied on swollen joints it is found to reduce inflammation. Sunflower oil is used in preparing various dishes.

Shoe flower

The red five petaled shoe flower has excellent medicinal value.

5-10 petals of the shoe flower are chewed. Drink a glass of water. This is found to cure ulcers of stomach. Also white discharge or leukorrhea can be treated this way.

The petals of 4-5 flowers are ground into a paste and mixed in buttermilk. Drinking this buttermilk cleanses your blood. It also strengthens your heart.

For hair fall, premature graying, and baldness etc a preparation made of shoe flower has proved to be beneficial. This is how you prepare it. Put petals of 50 shoe flowers in linseed oil and put this oil in a bottle. Wrap it with a thin white cloth and place it in sunlight for 10 days. Stir the oil once morning and evening. Filter the shoe flower out from linseed oil and mix coconut oil of equal quantity. This should be applied everyday on the scalp to prevent hair fall.

Plantain flower

Known for its excellent diuretic property dishes made of plantain flower are good in curing most of the stomach problems. They are also good at curing hemorrhoids. Some excellent dishes can be found here.

Neem flower

Gather neem flowers during the flowering season, clean and dry them. Powder the flowers and store them. This powder can be used in preparing rasam etc, to cure pitha and vadha related diseases. It also protects the liver.

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A Simple Ayurvedic Home Remedy for Bloated Stomach

Ayurveda emphasizes the importance of diet and lifestyle to lead a disease free life. By diet it means intake of fresh as well as cooked vegetables and fruits and avoidance of non-vegetarian food. By lifestyle it means observance of certain basics like exercise, yoga etc.

Even intake of vegetarian food is to be in moderation, Ayurveda insists. If not, it leads to indigestion, bloated stomach, improper assimilation of food etc.

One simple ayurvedic home remedy for simple bloated stomach, indigestion etc is given below.

Take 20 drops of lemon, 20 drops of grated ginger juice and 7 drops of honey. Mix them together and keep it ready. Now take a spoonful of cumin seeds and chew them thoroughly. Swallow down the chewed cumin seeds and immediately drink the lemon, ginger honey mix. This will clear the bloated stomach and indigestion due to overeating in minutes.

I will give below one traditional remedy for bloated stomach.

Take 100 gm of coriander seeds and 25 gm cumin seeds. Powder these seeds to a fine consistency and mix them thoroughly. Take a spoonful of this powder and add it to a glass of milk. This is an excellent remedy for a bloated stomach.

Ashta choornam is an Ayurvedic preparation for gas and bloated stomach. Half teaspoon of ashtachoornam is mixed with a bolus of hot rice and taken before the main course. A bit of ghee can be added to this. This is found to stimulate appetite. It helps in proper bowel elimination. It arrests diarrhea due to indigestion. It prevents accumulation of gas in stomach.

One way to prevent formation of gas is to take food based on one's intake capacity. One rule of thumb is to have solids half the stomach, 25% water and the remaining 25% be left empty. This should be found out through personal experience. Ayurveda discourages eating to full.

One of my earlier posts details ways to make some Siddha choornams for gas and indigestion.

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Ginger, Honey and Obesity

Ginger is known from time immemorial for its action on the digestive system. It activates the taste buds and restores the sense of taste. It plays a pivotal role in digesting heavy foods while maintaining the equilibrium of the doshas. It helps maintain the necessary heat which enables smooth functioning of the entire body. It aids blood circulation and removes lethargy.

Ginger tastes hot but becomes sweetish on digestion. It restores voice by clearing phlegm from the throat. It also removes phlegm in chest and helps in curing indigestion. In case of fevers due to these, honey and ginger juice is mixed and given internally.

When pitta increases beyond its normal levels in the intestines it results in giddiness and tiredness. In such cases, ginger, coriander seeds and cumin seeds are ground to a fine paste using a few drops of water and taken with honey or sugar.

Remove the outer skin of fresh ginger and dry it in sunlight for 10 minutes. Take 200 gm of such dried ginger and slice them into small pieces. This is then soaked in 200 gm of honey and stored in a bottle. Stir it regularly. Also place the honey and ginger combination in sunlight for 10 – 15 minutes twice a week. Ginger thus preserved lasts longer. This preparation is a good remedy for loss of appetite, lethargy, body heat, giddiness due to excessive pittha etc. Half a teaspoon of this sliced ginger and honey a day is the recommended quantity. Regular intake up to restoration of appetite is recommended.

Honey plays an important role in reducing beer belly or pot belly. Ginger prevents indigestion that may be caused due to honey. This combination of honey and ginger thus helps in combating obesity also.

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A Simple Way to Cure Indigestion

Eat only when you feel hungry. In other words eat only when you have a good appetite. Do not eat when you don't feel so. Do not eat in a haste.

Enjoy the food you eat and be conscious of the act of eating. It relaxes you at once. At the same time it helps the stomach to generate the necessary juices to digest the food.

If you eat using your hands, always clean them before eating. It is said that when you use your hands to eat, the body gets the feel of the food and it in turn helps secrete the fluids in the stomach to aid digestion.

Now for the nitty gritties. Mix powder of pulses, or pepper and cumin powder, or aingaya powder and sesame oil to the first portion of your food (assuming you eat rice). This serving gets digested very quickly. It won't burden the stomach as well. After this a serving of hot rice mixed with rasam will supplement the treatment.

Kernels of fully grown mango seeds are collected and allowed to dry. Add a few curry leaves and a few pepper corns to the kernels (1-2 seeds) and grind them to a fine paste using water. This paste is mixed in buttermilk. Add a pinch of salt to taste. This is then added to rice and taken. Tender mango leaves can be used in place of mango kernels. This brings about good appetite and helps sensitize the taste buds. You will regain the taste and you will start enjoying the food.

Take vilvadhi lehyam 5 gm morning and evening on empty stomach. Also 30 ml of jeerakarishtam after food both morning and evening help in improving digestion.

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