Ashwagandha Benefits and Medicinal Uses

What is Ashwagandha?

Withania Somnifera, popularly known as Ashwagandha is used as a single herb or used in polyherbal or herbomineral formulations in Ayurveda.  The word ashwagandha in Sanskrit means ‘horse’s odor’ because of the characteristic odor of the herb similar to horse’s sweat.  It can also mean that the herb bestows the strength and vitality of a horse to the user.   Lots of studies are going on worldwide to test and verify the various healing properties of this herb.

Also known as Indian ginseng, Ashwagandha is used in Ayurveda to treat various disease conditions like epilepsy, tumors, gout, lumbosacral stiffness, stiffness of joints, cardiac failure, vitiligo, ulcers in genital area, diseases of the urinary tract in women, abscess, depression etc.  It has anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, cardioprotective properties.  It is used as a mild tranquilizer because of its sleep inducing property.  It has excellent thyroprotective and hypoglycaemic properties.  It is regarded as a broad spectrum remedy for various disease conditions.  Ashwagandha benefits all parts of human body and can be taken in powder, tablet or capsule form.  Ashwagandha.

Ashwagandha Health Benefits

 Ashwagandha Root Powder

Ashwagandha is also called winter cherry and grows as a small evergreen shrub to a height of 4 or 5 feet. It belongs to the Solanaceae family of which the tomatoes and eggplants belong. It is cultivated widely in central and north western India and used in more than 100 Unani, Siddha and Ayurveda formulations.  All parts of this wonder herb have medicinal value.  Ashwagandha leaves have anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective and antibacterial properties.  The fruits and seeds of the plant are used as diuretic.  It is the root that is mainly used in Ayurvedic formulations.  The root has anti-inflammatory properties and is used in treating swellings, tumors, rheumatism etc.

Chemical Constituents of Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha has steroidal lactones called withanolides.  The pharmacological activity of the herb can be attributed to these steroidal lactones.  In addition to that, Ashwagandha also contains 18 fatty acids, some of which are sedative and hypnotic.  It has amino acids aspartic acid, glycine, tyrosine, alanine, glutamic acid and cysteine present in its roots.

Ashwagandha as Adaptogen

Adaptogens help our bodies to adapt to the stresses they are subjected to on a daily basis. They help normalize the physiological functioning of our bodies.  Ashwagandha is clinically proven to have excellent adaptogenic capabilities.  Double blind trial involving 60 healthy children of 8-12 years with oral intake of 2 gm a day of root powder showed an increase in mean corpuscular haemoglobin, total protein and body weight of the children.  No toxic effects were observed even after eight months of daily consumption.  Another study conducted on adults showed increase in haemoglobin and red blood cell count. There was a good reduction in ESR levels and improvement in sexual performance.  Thus Ashwagandha is found to be very helpful in restoring and maintaining general health. 

Ashwagandha for Skin

Ashwagandha for Stress and Anxiety

Ashwagandha root powder was tested in highly stressed individuals and found to safely and effectively increase an individual’s threshold levels to stress, thereby improving his/her quality of life.  Ashwagandha is found to be effective in treating insomnia.  It helps the body generate the necessary energy to settle and sleep and act as a rejuvenator and nervine tonic.  Thus it helps overcome stress related conditions in a positive way.  It rejuvenates the nervous system, eases out stress and takes care of insomnia.  Ashwagandha root powder can be taken with cow’s ghee or sugar to cure sleeplessness.  How much ashwagandha should I take for anxiety?  The usual ashwagandha dosage for anxiety is 3-6 grams a day.

Ashwagandha’s Diuretic, Hypoglycaemic and Hypocholesterolemic Effects

Ashwagandha was found to decrease blood glucose levels comparable to that of an oral hypoglycemic drug. It helps normalize high blood sugar and improve insulin sensitivity.  Ashwagandha is an excellent diuretic and complements weight loss efforts.  A decrease in serum cholesterol levels was also observed on regular consumption of ashwagandha root powder.  Ashwagandha lowers blood pressure and is found to arrest formation of stress induced ulcers.

Ashwagandha and Cancer

Growth Promoting Effects of Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha is well known for its growth promoting effects in children.  Studies showed that a 60-day consumption of ashwagandha root powder 2 gm/day along with punarnava 2gm/day had a marked increase in haemoglobin levels, serum iron, MCV and increase in body weight of participants.  Ashwagandha root powder is an excellent growth promoter in children.  It is a well known memory booster.  Children can benefit from drinking a glass of warm grass-fed cow’s milk mixed with a spoonful of ashwagandha root powder every day morning after breakfast.

Ashwagandha has anti-arthritic effects and brings down arthritic pain in joints when taken regularly. A painful, dry, swollen and inflamed joint is taken care of with Ashwagandha herb.  One teaspoon of the root powder is taken in warm milk to reduce the arthritic pain.

Ashwagandha for Young and Old

Ashwagandha Benefits for Weight Loss

When used along with other weight loss supplements, Ashwagandha is found to improve their weight reduction capabilities.  This is due to its adaptogenic property of stabilizing stress related fluctuations.  This helps people who gain weight due to overeating. 

For weight loss efforts to succeed a strong immune system is imperative.  A vibrant immune system facilitates the body to continue its fat burning activities as the general tendency of the body in an immuno-compromised situation is to move away from fat burning mode as fighting the pathogens takes priority.  Hence a strong immune system is necessary for an effective weight loss regimen.  Ashwagandha comes in handy with its immunity boosting capabilities.  Ashwagandha reduces inflammation commonly observed in overweight people.

When adrenal glands produce cortisol in excess in a stressful condition, and when this happens day in and day out, it leads to weight gain, nervous eating, muscle loss etc.  Cortisol being a survival hormone, also stimulates production of glucose and triggers a hunger response in the brain.  Ashwagandha is known to bring down cortisol to reasonable levels thus protecting the adrenal glands and helping weight loss.

How to take Ashwagandha Powder for Weight Loss?

Ashwagandha powder is either mixed in milk or honey, and taken in the mornings after food.

Ashwagandha boosts Immunity

Ashwagandha Leaves for Inflammation

A paste made of ashwagandha leaves is applied topically on local inflammation for quick relief from pain.  Ashwagandha oil (made by adding ashwagandha powder to coconut oil) is used as massage oil for paralysis, sleeplessness etc.

Ashwagandha for Skin

Ashwagandha oil is also used in treating certain skin conditions.  Vitiligo responds favorably to the action of ashwagandha.  Paste made of ashwagandha powder is used in treating keratosis.  It is also an excellent skin toner.  For this purpose, a spoonful of fine ashwagandha root powder is mixed in organic coconut oil and made into a thick paste.  This is applied as a thin layer on affected areas of the skin.

Ashwagandha for Debility and Weakness

Regular intake of Ashwagandha churna helps improve old age weakness, brain fag, tiredness, spermatorrhea, loss of muscular energy etc.  Ashwagandha is very much helpful in patients suffering from chronic diseases like rheumatism, syphilis, and post-surgery recuperation etc.  It rebuilds the system that has been ravaged by the disease.  It is found to be very effective in treating retinopathy and conjunctivitis.  It is also recommended for treating uterine fibroids in women. 

Ashwagandha for Men and Women

Ashwagandha churna taken with honey and ghee in the prescribed format helps improve semen quality.  When taken regularly it helps overcome erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation.  It boosts libido and heightens sexual experience while promoting a calm state of mind.  It also benefits the female reproductive system and increases weight of the ovaries.

Ashwagandha and Cancer

Studies done in 2003 and 2007 have shown that ashwagandha is found to be beneficial in inhibiting the growth and spread of breast, lungs and colon cancers.

Ashwagandha an Excellent Anti-oxidant

Ashwagandha neutralizes and eliminates free radicals in our body’s immune system.  It is these free radicals that wreak havoc and cause breakdown of tissues which leads to rapid aging.  Lactating mothers can improve their breast milk’s nutritive quality with consumption of ashwagandha tablets.

Ashwagandha for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease

Ashwagandha is found to enhance memory and stabilize mood.  It improves the capacity to learn.  Further research in this direction is ongoing.

Though not many studies have been conducted with regard to bipolar disorders, a very limited study has shown promise in the mood stabilizing capacity of ashwagandha.  Mood and anxiety score levels remained stable in the subjects during the period of intake of ashwagandha.  Ashwagandha also benefits people with ADHD and ADD disorders.

The health benefits of ashwagandha are well known in the Ayurvedic world for thousands of years.  It has been used to treat a range of disease conditions.

Ashwagandha Dosage

There no recommended dosage of ashwagandha but it is safe to take 3 to 6 gm a day.  For better results fresh ashwagandha powder should be used, preferably organically grown.  Due to the increase in demand for the herb, commercial cultivation has gone up considerably.  Hence it is wise to look out for organically grown ashwagandha to reap full benefits of the herb.

How to take Ashwagandha Churna?

The term churna means powder and Ashwagandha can be taken in powder, tablet or capsule form. 

Side Effects of Ashwagandha Root Powder

Caution should be exercised when taking Ashwagandha along with barbiturates or sleep inducing compounds.  It is advised not to take Ashwagandha in such conditions.  Similarly, consumption of Ashwagandha when under the influence of alcohol is not advised.  No toxic effects were noted on regular ashwagandha root powder dosage of up to 6 gm per day.  Excessive consumption of the herb can cause stomach upset, vomiting and diarrhea.  It has a tendency to induce abortion in women, hence pregnant women should desist from taking this herb.

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Ayurvedic Home Remedies: Medicinal Uses of 'Touch Me Not' Plant - Part 2

Ayurveda regards the ‘touch me not’ plant to have tiktha kashaya properties. It has a light and ferocious guna and has seeta veerya (cooling). All seeta veerya herbs can be used to treat diseases involving excessive blood flow. It is very much used in treating wounds, boils. For example bleeding piles or haemorrhoids can be treated using this herb. The bloody condition can be pacified with juice of thottaavadi leaves along with juice of thumba leaves. This is applied externally on the haemorrhoids. Similarly, excessive menstrual flow can be treated with honey and juice of thottavadi leaves and taken internally. It is also well known and effective in treating painful menstruation.

Skin disorders can be treated with this herb. One of the difficult skin conditions to treat, psoriasis can be treated successfully with thottavaadi. Lajjalu keram is the way of treatment (oushadha yogam) for treating most of the skin disorders. Lajjalu keram is made with the surasam (paste of the whole plant) and the kalkam (bolus) of the leaves boiled in coconut oil. This is used in treating many skin disorders. Similarly dandruff can be effectively treated with this herb. For this eswara mooligai (Indian birthwort) is used along with thottavaadi.

Thottaavadi kashayam made after removing the flowers helps in relieving various difficulties of the hemorroids. Karappan (eczema) found in children can be treated by collecting the juice of this herb and heating it in coconut oil. This preparation is applied on affected areas.

Bedridden patients generally take very less water and this can lead to infection of the urinary tract. One prophylactic approach to prevent this kind of infection is to use the kashayam prepared of this herb. This kashayam is given to bedridden patients everyday. This will help to ward off urinary tract infection to a large extent. Taking care of this will help in preventing fevers and other complications.

In case of back pain due to excessive physical strain or work, especially of the upper back, thottavaadi comes in handy in treating such conditions. 15 ml of thottavaadi leaves can be taken daily for a few days. This will help in relieving back pain.

Diabetic patients will benefit immensely from consumption of thottaavadi leaf juice every morning. The combination of thottavaadi leaves, curry leaves, guava leaves and wheat conjee is very effective in bringing down excessive cholesterol.

This herb is also used to treat premature ejaculation. The natural remedy for premature ejaculation is prepared by taking mature thottavaadi root and making a paste of it using cow’s milk. A thick layer of this paste is placed on the soles of both feet and allowed to dry. Once the paste dries off the soles can be cleaned with a piece of cloth. This regimen is continued for a few days or weeks depending on the severity of the condition. This is found to be effective in treating premature ejaculation.

Similarly white discharge in women is treated with this herb. For this a small marble sized paste of the leaves is taken every day till the condition improves. Sneezing, difficult breathing, itching of eyes, throat etc and similar allergic conditions etc can be treated with tender thottaavadi leaves. A few of these leaves are plucked before sunrise and taken raw. Following this regimen for a few days will help in treating such conditions.

(Courtesy: Haritha sangeerthanam, Shalom TV)

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Ayurvedic Home Remedies: Medicinal Uses of 'Touch Me Not' Plant - Part 1

Medicinal Uses of 'Touch Me Not' Plant

The ‘Sensitive Plant’ (Touch-me-not) ‘thotta chinungi’ in Tamil and ‘thotta vaadi’ in Malayalam has been the subject of extensive studies over the recent years for its medicinal properties.

This plant is effective in treating a wide range of disease conditions ranging from allergy, asthma, menstrual problems, hemorrhoids, premature ejaculation, to hypertension, cholesterol, snake bite and more. Research has shown the plant to be effective in treating cancer, especially of the mouth and lungs. One of its compound mimocin is found to inhibit DNA replication in cancer cells.

The botanical name of ‘touch-me-not’ is Mimosa pudica. Though native to South and Central America, this plant is found in the tropical regions the world over. It is also called ‘humble plant’, ‘shameful plant’ because of the tendency of the leaves to fold inward when touched or shaken.

The thotta vaadi plant is an Ayurvedic home remedy for diabetes and hypertension. People suffering from diabetes can take 30 ml juice of thotaa vaadi plant in the mornings and evenings to bring down elevated glucose to normal levels. This remedy can also be used to keep diabetes at bay.

For those suffering from hypertension the remedy would be to take 15 ml of juice obtained from the leaves of this plant. This can be taken in the mornings and evenings to the keep blood pressure levels normal.

One Ayurvedic home remedy for arsas (hemorrhoids) is taking 8 gm of the dried and powdered root of thotta vaadi. This powder is added to warm milk and taken at nights for a period of two to three months. This is found to cure hemorrhoids or piles.

Some of the chemical compounds found in thotta vaadi are mimocin, galactose, mannose etc. These are more potent than the tricyclic anti-depressants and hence can be used in treating depression and other related disorders.

The plant has a tendency to bring down swellings and vata pain in the joints. The thick paste obtained from grinding the whole plant is taken in a piece of cloth and placed over the painful joint swellings and tied with a piece of cloth to hold it in place. This is done a couple of times. This relieves and pain and reduces the swelling. Similarly the paste can be used to treat delayed wound healing. The paste is applied over the wound to help in rapid healing.

The plant is a herbal natural remedy for asthma and asthmatic conditions. For this purpose 15 ml juice from thotta vaadi leaves is collected. Hot water is added to this juice and taken every two hours for quick relief from asthmatic troubles.

One of the problems of old age is insomnia. One excellent natural remedy for insomnia is the thotta vaadi plant. For this 5 gm of leaves is taken and boiled in a glass of water and taken at night before going to bed. Repeating this for a couple of days will help in curing insomnia.

Wheat congee made with thottavaadi juice, guava leaf, curry leaf and horse gram broth is a well known preparation for lowering elevated cholesterol levels.

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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 Women - Summary

Most of the gender specific diseases that affect women revolve around menstruation, childbirth and post menopausal complications. Some problems that women face include irregular menstruation, white discharge, vaginal itch, delayed puberty, excessive discharge etc.

Due to the oppressive nature of the male dominated society, almost all women are faced with self-esteem issues. Those who feel bad being born as women are prone to various illnesses and psycho-somatic disorders. Conversely, women with good self-esteem can lead a healthy life. A lucky few are born in a nurturing environment while the rest have to deal with various issues before restoring their self-esteem.

Some problems with menstruation include painful menstruation, scanty or excessive menstruation, and irregular menstruation. Juice of drumstick leaves is helpful in treating painful menstruation. One cure for excessive menstrual bleed is arugampul (Bermuda grass) juice. Powder of mango seeds is another remedy. Powder of Java plum seeds is yet another remedy for this condition.

One disturbing trend observed these days is girls attaining puberty prematurely (before age 10). You need to seek immediate medical intervention if you find your near and dear ones with this condition. Left untreated, this can impair the functioning of internal organs especially the heart.

While abortion is resorted to by couples for various reasons, frequent abortions weaken the womb. This will impair the capacity of the womb to bear child. It may even lead to hysterectomy (removal of womb). One safe way to avoid pregnancy is for women to take a few tulsi leaves in the mornings.

Nausea and vomiting is one of the first symptoms of pregnancy. While in most cases, this tapers off with time, in some cases it persists for quite a long time. Lemon juice with a pinch of salt is helpful in treating this condition. Ginger tea is also found to be effective in tackling this problem.

Women need to do some mild exercises during pregnancy to help with easy child delivery. They should not put on weight during this period. After childbirth, taking neem leaves with turmeric is said to heal all internal wounds and help in recuperation. Mutton curry with garlic, pepper and cumin seeds is an excellent rejuvenator. Kurunthotti paal kashayam is a vegetarian alternative for this.

Breast milk is the best food and medicine for the newborn. It would do a world of good for the child if it is fed on breast milk alone for the first four to six months. For adequate of supply of breast milk, women can add drumstick leaves, tender papaya to their diet. Fried sesame seeds also help in improving lactation. Applying a paste of cucumber seeds on the breasts is also beneficial.

Female infertility increases with age. A woman can be infertile due to genetic reasons. Incomplete or improper development of internal sex organs is another cause. Triphala choornam is said to be effective in such cases.

In general, women’s diet should contain adequate amount of fruits and vegetables. Proper rest and some basic physical exercises are necessary. Meditation and a spiritual outlook to life will help in managing the stresses of daily life. Above all, positive self-esteem is the foundation on which a healthy mind and body can be built to lead a meaningful and fulfilling life.

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Ayurvedic Home Remedies: Home Remedies for Women - 6

Menstrual problems occur due to various reasons. One of the main reasons for menstrual disorders is stress, both stress in the household as well as workplace. Anemia, tuberculosis, tapeworms, venereal diseases etc also can lead to menstrual disorders. Before starting any treatment regimen, the root cause behind the menstrual disorder should be identified. This can help in effective treatment of the condition.

Women experience pain in lower abdomen, lower back, and hip regions during menstruation. In addition, some women suffer from headache, stomach ache, pain in hands and legs, back pain and neck pain. Women who undergo pain should increase the quantity of onions, milk, honey, buttermilk, dates in their diet. They should remain active. Inhaling fresh air will help bring down pain.

Women who experience pain in ribs and back, pressure on stomach etc can take raisins and grapes during their periods. A handful of chembaruthi (hibiscus) flower and arugmapul (Bermuda grass) is taken and ground to a fine paste. This is taken with butter. Another alternative is to take 10 hibiscus flowers and ground to fine paste and added to a glass of milk. Taking this on empty stomach during periods is found to be helpful in alleviating pains in the extremities.

Hibiscus flower, rose flower, aavaram poo (Tanner’s Cassia) are taken in equal quantity and boiled in water and reduced to half. This decoction is taken, a spoonful three to four times a day with milk. Dietary restrictions include foods containing, salt and chilli.

Barks of banyan tree, athi (common fig) tree, and naaval (Java plum) tree are dried and ground to a fine powder. The powder is mixed with mondhan plantain (kadhali vazhai) for a night. The resultant liquid is filtered out the next day morning. This is also called as kadhali aasavam. Taking this liquid helps in controlling excessive menstruation.

Maasikkai (Aleppo Oak) is fried to brownish color and ground to a fine powder. A pinch of this powder is taken with honey. This is found to help with excessive menstrual discharge.

Fully dried white arugampul (Bermuda grass) and pepper are powdered and taken with goat milk. This should be done before food in the mornings. This is said to arrest excessive flow. Kernel from the seed of fully ripe mango is a very good remedy. This is dried in shade and ground to a fine powder. This powder is taken with honey.

Women who turn anemic due to this condition can regain their health by taking juice of fresh Bermuda grass (arugampul) before food in the mornings.

One of my earlier posts mentions the importance of adding Black gram and sesame to the diet to deal with most of the menstrual disorders. Dishes made of black gram and sesame can be taken both as a delicacy as well as medicine. Regular and judicious intake of these grains will help in overcoming most of these painful conditions.

Decoction of Asoka tree bark is yet another remedy. Asokarishtam is a boon for all menstrual disorders.

Meditation, prayer, etc will help in dealing with the stresses of day to day life. A genuine spiritual approach to life offers strength and solace to the much stressed women of this century.

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Ayurvedic Home Remedies: Home Remedies for Women - 4

Nausea and Vomiting

Nausea gravidarum or morning sickness affects most pregnant women. Vomiting and nausea can be the first symptoms of pregnancy. Most of the time, the nausea is present in the morning and wanes off as the day progresses. In most cases this stops by the 12th week. In some rare cases, this progresses to excessive vomiting, necessitating immediate medical intervention.

Taking small gooseberries (ari nellikkai in Tamil) during this time can help deal with nausea and vomiting. Also taking lemon juice with sugar and a pinch of salt is found to be effective in treating nausea and vomiting in pregnant women. Care should be taken not to leave the stomach empty. Ginger tea is yet another effective cure.

Pain and Childbirth

Pregnant women should be healthy enough to endure the process of childbirth. Mild exercises after the fourth month up to the time of delivery help women to tone up their muscles as well as not to put on excessive weight. Walking in the evenings, small household chores etc are necessary. Childbirth occurs within couple of hours of onset of pain. Acupressure, hypnotism, anesthesia are some methods resorted to reduce pain.

Postpartum Care

Taking tender neem leaves with turmeric will heal the internal organs of any wounds that might result due to childbirth. Application of paste made from maasikkai (Aleppo Oak) seeds on vagina will help in rapid healing of wounds.

The herb manathakkali keerai (Black Nightshade) is ground to a fine paste using goat milk. This is taken in the mornings and evenings to help cure ‘body heat’ as well as internal wounds.

Women become extremely weak after childbirth due to the labor pain and extreme exhaustion. There are some time-tested home remedies that help women recuperate and gain back their strength.

Root of kurunthotti herb, cumin seeds, pepper, mustard, garlic of equal quantity is ground to a fine paste and added to Cornish hen curry and taken once a week will help in regaining health. This will help in healing joint pain and hip. Mutton curry made using cumin seeds, garlic and pepper is another excellent remedy that help women in getting back to normalcy. Kurunthotti palkashayam serves the same purpose for women who prefer vegetarian stuff.

Lactation

Breast milk is the ideal food for the newborn. It is food as well as medicine for the child. Women with poor nutrition find it difficult to lactate. Frequent usage of birth control pills too can lead to this condition. Inadequate availability of breast milk will affect the newborn’s health and growth.

Adding drumstick leaves and tender papaya to the diet will help in increasing lactation. Fried and powdered sesame seeds can be taken with rice to improve lactation.

Garlic is sautéed in sesame oil and added to palm candy and pepper powder and made into small marble sized balls. One or two of these balls are taken before food to help in lactation.

Amukkura (aswagandha) root and sada kuppai ground to a paste and taken with jaggery or sugar is yet another remedy to help lactation.

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Ayurvedic Home Remedies: Home Remedies for Women - 3

Puberty in girls happens between 12 and 16 years, but in some cases this may go beyond 18. One disturbing development observed these days is girls entering puberty very early (premature puberty), in some cases at the age of 9 and 10 years. One reason attributed to this is obesity. It is said obesity can trigger production of sex steroids. Hormonal changes, chemicals in environment can be other triggers.

Generally girls should not hit puberty before 12. Maturing quickly can be dangerous to heart and other organs. If you know of anyone maturing physically too quickly, ask them to seek immediate medical intervention.

On the contrary, in some cases, menarche may be delayed even beyond 18 years of age. One of the reasons could be under-developed internal sex organs. Poor nourishment, undeveloped womb, tuberculosis and heredity can also result in delayed puberty. In such cases, proper and adequate nourishment solves the problem.

Excessive Menstrual Bleeding

This may be due to ‘body heat’, workload in office or home, mental tension. Hormonal imbalance can also lead to menstrual bleeding. There are some good remedies for this condition.

Regular intake of white arugampul (Vel arugu) or tender Bermuda grass paste mixed in milk will put an end to this distressing condition. Similarly, seeds of Java plum (naval pazham), or bark of the tree can be ground to a fine powder and taken with water. This is yet another home remedy for excessive menstrual bleeding. Also taking mango seed kernel powder is effective in arresting excessive menstrual bleeding.

Juice obtained from fresh bark of Ashoka tree is very effective in treating all abnormal menstrual conditions. Decoction obtained from steeping leaves of athi, arasu, mango, naval trees is also an excellent remedy.

Pregnancy and Associated Health Problems

Abortion, nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, pain during childbirth, wound care, postpartum exhaustion, breast ache due to engorgement of breast milk, nipple cracks, stopping breastfeeding, sagging breasts etc are some conditions faced by women during pregnancy and childbirth.

Abortion

While the number of childless couples is on the increase, many couples resort to abortion for various reasons. If the mother gets pregnant within a few months of childbirth it can lead to difficulties for both the mother and the newborn. Similarly pregnancy beyond age 40 or more can be a health risk. Economic and financial reasons too can influence decisions on abortion. Pregnancy before marriage (teen pregnancy) etc and the associated shame can force people to opt for abortion.

One of the methods adopted in Indian villages for abortion include taking ripe papaya during the first three months of pregnancy. Another method is taking mustard paste with palm jaggery. The efficiency of these methods is questionable. Some practices not mentioned here can even lead to death.

Frequent abortion results in a weakened womb. This also reduces chances of pregnancy at a later stage. One reason for hysterectomy (removal of uterus) is frequent abortions.

Women can always opt for safe methods to avoid getting pregnant. One such method is to consume a few thulasi leaves (ocimum sanctum) everyday in the mornings. Conversely women who want to conceive should not take thulasi leaves.

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Ayurvedic Home Remedies: Home Remedies for Women 2

Most women can keep themselves healthy with improved self esteem. According to Fr John M. Valdaris a priest and a psychologist in Chennai, India, those who hold the erroneous belief and feel sorry for being born as women are prone to lots of psychosomatic illnesses. He has counselled a large number of women with physical and mental problems, and most of them were found to have issues of low self-esteem. Most of these women had problems like menstrual disorders, hysteria, inability to cope with workplace and domestic stress, interpersonal relationship etc.

The patriarchal structure of the Indian society has not only limited the full realization of women’s potential, but has also relegated them to the sidelines. While men in the families ate healthy food, women had to satisfy themselves with the leftovers. This resulted in anemia, general weakness, compromised immunity etc. Though there is a visible change in this condition these days, women still feel they are inferior and hence find it difficult to overcome the low self-esteem issues.

Women should cultivate the habit of valuing and respecting themselves. This in itself can cure many diseases. Women should never be ashamed of their bodies. Some women regard menstruation with revulsion. Menstruation is to be treated as a form of cleansing. It is the body’s way of cleaning the womb, just as urinating or defecating, nothing more, nothing less. This should be the attitude towards this natural process that takes place every 28 days. Trying to put off this natural process through medication can spoil the rhythm of this cycle.

Regular menstrual cycle is the sign of a healthy constitution. In case of unavoidable circumstances where one needs to put off their menstruation for a couple of days, there are a couple of ways adapted in some of the South Indian villages for this purpose. One is to eat a handful of roasted Bengal gram mornings and evenings, starting from a week before the onset of menstrual cycle. Another method is to take concentrated lemon juice with salt in the mornings on empty stomach. These methods should be used with discretion and used sparingly. This is for information purpose and you need to consult your physician before starting on this regimen.

Painful Menstruation

Many women suffer from stomach ache at the time of menstruation. They experience pain in the lower abdomen as well as lower back areas. The pain may be due to the spasmodic action of the womb to expel blood and other waste matters. Inflammation in ovaries can also result in pain. Take a couple of mature leaves of Giant Milkweed (Erukku in Tamil). Heat the leaves for a moment in a pot and then press them for juice. Take this juice with jaggery. This is said to relieve menstrual pain. Juice of drumstick leaves is taken in empty stomach in the mornings is yet another effective cure for stomach pain due to menstruation.

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Ayurvedic Home Remedies: Home Remedies for Women - 1

Women play a very vital role in the progress of society. They are regarded as the backbone of the family, which is the basic building block of a society. Mother is the child's first teacher. She is the role model for them. Yet it cannot be denied that women have been a marginalised lot. This has been so for a very, very long time. Thus women face problems that affect both their body and mind in a very unique way.

Some of the diseases that affect women are white discharge, itching of vagina, irregular menstrual cycle, painful menstruation, body odor, delayed puberty, scanty or excessive discharge.

White Discharge

The glands inside the vagina and cervix give out small amounts of secretions that come out as a milky white fluid. It is the old cells of the vagina. This way the body keeps the vagina clean and healthy. It is either clear or milky and won’t smell bad. This fluid is said to keep the vagina moist and pink. Change in color and density is observed when women are subject to stress and tension. Similarly ovulation, sexual excitement etc cause changes.

Diseases in womb can result in increased discharge. There may be itching and irritation with bad odor. When left untreated this can lead to excessive menstrual discharge. White discharge can also be due to bacterial infection, allergy, venereal diseases etc. Before initiating treatment, the cause for the disease should be established. There are a couple of good remedies for this condition.

Decoction made of ashoka bark is very effective in treating leucorrhea or white discharge. Collect 50 to 100 gm of bark obtained from ashoka tree. This is boiled in 10 glasses of water, reduced to half and then allowed to cool. This is taken in morning and night for two to three weeks and more depending on the severity of the condition.

The very tender coconut leaves found right in the crown part of a coconut tree (the pith) is a very good remedy for white discharge. A little amount taken in the mornings and evenings can take care of white discharge.

White onion chopped and sautéed in ghee is another excellent remedy for this condition. This is to be taken before food in the mornings and nights.

Powdered dry vallarai leaf and ghee is taken along with food. Regular intake of this remedy is found to cure white discharge

Vaginal Itching

Some causes that lead to vaginal include stress, vaginal yeast infection, weakened immune system, lack of hygiene, menopause, chemical irritants etc. Sexually transmitted diseases also can result in vaginal itching. In most cases, keeping the genital area clean and dry and using cotton panties instead of synthetic ones can help prevent vaginal itching.

Applying a fine paste of Maasikkai (Tamil) or Aleppo Oak seed on and around vagina can cure itching to a large extent.

Rice wash (water obtained after washing rice) is boiled after adding tamarind leaves. This is subsequently cooled down to a lukewarm state. This liquid is then used in cleaning vagina. Regular usage is said to cure vaginal itch.

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