Eat Iron ..

Friends, why do we need Iron? Oh, sorry, we all use iron in our daily life, but I mean, why does human body require Iron?
About 60% of the iron in our body is present in the blood cells. It is this iron that helps blood cells to carry oxygen from lungs to various organs in the body, and obviously, when iron levels are down, oxygen consumption goes down, which in turn results in fatigue, sort of headaches etc. Serious deficiency of iron in the blood cells lead to anaemia. Now we know why we do not have sufficient energy when we need it – lack of iron. Human body requires its own share of iron to maintain proper energy levels.
So, iron is present in human body. But it’s not that sufficient quantity of iron is stored safely in a locker. We all lose iron (though a small amount) in our daily chores of life. Those who exercise vigorously, athletes and other sports persons are likely to lose iron through perspiration, while women of all categories lose a lot of blood cells during menstruation.
In the case of a pregnant woman, it is very important to have sufficient iron intake to ensure proper blood supply for the mother and the child. Though normally physicians prescribe iron tablets for pregnant women, it can be done away with, if iron rich food is included in the diet of the expecting mother.
Since iron is abundant in most of the vegetables, we have a wide choice for iron intake. Green leafy vegetables, cabbage, beans, green peas, cereals, bitter guard etc. are good sources of iron. Non vegetarians can have seafood like sardines, shrimp, etc and eggs to ensure iron intake. Milk, pomegranate, sesame seeds, black grape fruit and ghee are also good iron sources. Honey is good in the treatment of anaemia, thanks to its large iron content.

What's your New Year Resolution ?

To break it or otherwise, I suggest we all should have a New Year Resolution this year. That we'll keep ourselves physically fit for the whole year. ( For the next year, we'll renew the resolution on the next New Year eve!). I said "to break it or otherwise..", because, they say well begun is half done. Something is better than nothing you see.. However, I'm sure, once you start reaping the benefit of keeping yourself fit, you'll never think of breaking the resolution.

Well.. for all those who already follow a regular exercise schedule, let the resolution be to carry on the same with more enthusiasm, and for all those who never thought of exercise (and for those who only 'think' of exercise, like my hubby), let the resolution be that - I start regular exercise from TODAY. Your body will thank you tomorrow, because it helps you age well!

The first thing we should understand is, regular exercise schedule is a necessity for human body, as is regular food habits. How easily most of us excuse ourselves asking where's the time? All that is required is just half an hour's brisk walking, which is reasonalbly sufficient for a healthy body. (Of course, for tougher fitness freaks there are organ specific exercises).

John F Kennedy once said "Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity"

HAPPY NEW YEAR..

Wish you all a very happy and prosperous new year.

Ever tried Chukku Kashaya?

My daughter Parvathi is down with fever. Then I found the neighbours' kid, my brother in law Ranjith, his wife Anju all had to go through the same, during the last week.. So it's season of fever? Not exactly. But the climatic changes could get you fever. However, what do we do when the body temperature goes up? Run to the chemist to get Paracetamol? Oh.. please don't do that any more. On seeing the initial symptoms, viz. body pain, sore throat, feeling cold etc. go for a home made 'Kashaya'. Take a small piece of dry ginger (chukku) and 8-10 black peppercorns and grind them well. Add this to two cups of water along with a few Tulsi leaves and boil. Add a piece of jaggery. Boil it till it becomes half. Consume it hot. Lie down under a blanket (and sleep if you feel like), within few hours , you'll find yourself sweating a lot.

Don't like Garlic's smell? Read on..

Could you identify something that you see everyday in your kitchen, which would stop hairloss, reduce cholestrol level, enhance digestion, and is an ingredient in most of the medicines used for vata diseases like Hemiplegia (a kind of paralysis), Sciatica (a condition where the patient walks with pressure of the body on one leg, due to the compression of Sciatic nerve) etc.? See what "Ashtangahridayam" has to say

लशुनो भृश तीक्ष्णोष्णः कटुपाकरसस्सरः

हृद्यः केश्यो गुरुरवृष्यः स्निग्धो रोचनदीपनः

किलासकुष्ठगुल्माशोमेहकृमिकफानिलान

सहिध्मापीनसश्वासकासान हन्त्यस्रपित्तकृल

Yes.. It's nothing but "lassoon" or Garlic!

But , take care. If you are going to consume raw garlic, do NOT consume more than three cloves.

Kollur's Kashaya..

Hi Folks.. Had been away from home & the net for the last few days, seeking the blessings of Kollur Mookambika Devi.
Just happened to observe that distribution of the “Kashaya thirtham”, which they say was introduced by Sri Sankara Bhavatpada, marks the closing of the day at the temple.
Main ingredients of this “kashaya” appeared to be Black pepper and Jaggary.
Black pepper is widely used in ayurveda for diseases of respiratory tract and for indigestion, loss of appetite, cold, toothache etc. For fever and cold, the decoction prepared from pepper, jaggery and Tulsi is very useful and is commonly practiced at homes. Stomach ailments such as dyspepsia, flatulence, constipation and diarrhea are all treated with black pepper.
Jaggery is a good source of Iron that helps in increasing hemoglobin level in the body.
Sushruta Samhita says, Jaggery Purifies the blood, prevents rheumatic afflictions and disorders of bile and possesses nutritive properties of high order. "

Mmmm... How about drinking the holy kashaya everyday ?

M for Motus..

Obesity is the condition or physical state of the body when excessive deposition of fat takes place in the adipose tissue. Obesity could be genetic or due to overeating and/or irregular eating habits. Ayurveda considers an obese body as one which is highly prone to diseases. Obese people are prone to many diseases such as high Blood Pressure, Diabetes, Liver and Gall bladder disorders etc.
'Ashtanga sangraha" identifies an obese person as
अयथो उपचयोत्साहः चल स्फिगुदरस्तनः

To get rid of obesity, it is important to have disciplined and controlled eating habits as well as regular exercises. Taking a glass of water mixed with a spoonful of honey early in the morning in empty stomach would help reduce obesity. Obese people must avoid sleeping during daytime.