20 Common Cooking Ingredients that Act Like Medicines

The use of herbal treatments for everything from sore throats to cancer has become more and more common with every passing year. We all know about the herbal supplements like St. John's Wort that can help you with chronic health problems, but did you know that many common edible herbs, spices and vegetables can provide impressive health benefits?

While you probably already use these ingredients in your home, you may not realize that they can do much more than just making your meals tasty and interesting. Here are some common foods that do double duty as effective herbal treatments.

1. Turmeric. As anyone who has ever treated a head cold with a nice hot Indian meal already knows, turmeric is one of the best healing herbs available to us today. It contains the anti-inflammatory curcumin, which may function in the same way as some pharmaceutical arthritis drugs.

The next time your joints are aching, just have a healthy serving of curry and see if your symptoms respond to the exotic spice. Researchers recommend a daily serving of 400 mg each day.

2. Ginger. Ginger has been well-known as a calmer of upset tummies for many generations. This "old wives' tale" has actually been proven to be true following several research studies on the effects of ginger ingestion of cruise ship passengers.

Many people around the world also use ginger as a mild pain reliever. For everyday aches or for arthritis pain, fresh or powdered ginger added to food can actually help to reduce your symptoms.

Ginger may also be an effective means of controlling ovarian cancer cells, according to a 2006 study by the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center. More research is needed, but the preliminary findings are very promising.

3. Cinnamon. Cinnamon was recently studied by German scientists for its effects on people with type 2 diabetes. Amazingly, they found that diabetics could decrease their blood sugar by up to 10% just by taking a cinnamon extract daily. Another study found that cinnamon may help to lower cholesterol as well.

Since cinnamon can be toxic when taken in very large quantities (much more than you would probably be able to eat at once), experts recommend that you use a cinnamon extract rather than actual cinnamon.

4. Garlic. Garlic is truly a super food. Not only does it taste wonderful, but it may even reduce your cancer risk. A 2006 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that people who consumed high doses of garlic had low instances of several types of cancers.

Garlic is known to be extremely useful against bacteria, even those that are resistant to antibiotics. It has antifungal and antiviral properties and may even help to lower cholesterol and prevent strokes.

5. Rosemary. If you have to choose just one herb to help you avoid several different types of cancer, rosemary may be it. Rosemary can actually help to prevent carcinogens that you ingest from binding with your DNA. This can help to prevent the formation of tumors and the eventual development of cancer.

Although human studies have not yet been conducted, preliminary animal studies have shown amazing potential for this common herb. You don't need to buy any special form of rosemary to get these benefits; simply use rosemary liberally in your cooking along with other beneficial herbs like parsley, oregano, onion, garlic, or thyme.

6. Honey. Honey is commonly used as a digestion aid and to soothe sore tummies and throats. The hydrating qualities of honey are well-known all around the world, and desert travelers have been known to carry honey and water to quench their thirst on long treks.

Honey is used externally as well as internally. Its ability to hydrate skin works even when it is applied topically. Because of this, honey is a common ingredient in many skin treatments, lotions, soaps, and anti-aging skin creams.

Perhaps the most impressive of honey's abilities is its effectiveness as a burn treatment. Honey helps to soothe the pain of a burn while limiting inflammation and retarding infection.

7. Chili Peppers. Hot peppers are an amazing food that can help you treat any number of common conditions. At home, you can eat them to to clear up a congested head and as a natural pain reliever.

An exciting and often-publicized use for chili peppers is as a metabolism boost. Adding chili peppers to your meals can help you burn more calories, and it is believed that chili peppers can even help you feel fuller after a meal.

8. Olive Oil. This delicious and exotic-tasting oil may help to save your life some day. With regular modest consumption, olive oil can help stop plaque from forming in arteries, thus reducing your risk of heart attacks.

9. Rice. Rice is one of the best-tolerated foods available. It can help to soothe a stomach that is suffering from constipation or diarrhea, and even people suffering from the flu are likely to be able to take some rice. Eating rice regularly can prevent the formation of kidney stones and block some types of intestinal cancers.

10. Parsley. Because it is rich in antioxidants, parsley can help to block certain types of cancers and keep your body's cells young and healthy. Antioxidants are particularly useful for detoxifying carcinogens, such as the types found in cigarette smoke.

11. Onions (and related plants such as chives, shallots, and leeks). Plants in the onion family have been used as medicines since ancient times. Their properties have been known and enjoyed by cultures all around the world. Their exceptionally high concentration of antioxidants makes onions and related plants ideal for preventing cancer.

Onions and related plants are also a hugely effective treatment for lung disorders such as pneumonia and chronic bronchitis. They have outstanding anti-inflammatory properties and can be used as antibiotics and antivirals.

12. Lemon. Lemon has a multitude of medicinal uses and has been a prized part of the medicinal kitchen for many generations. It is a general clarifier and purifier, and can be taken to cleanse the body of impurities. It has also been used to treat headaches, arthritis, and pneumonia.

Although it seems counterintuitive (or just plain painful), applying lemon juice to cuts and scrapes is great for preventing infections. The natural antiseptic properties of lemon juice will keep infections at bay and can even reduce the appearance of bruises.

13. Mustard. This humble little plant is commonly used as an expectorant and decongestant. It is antibacterial and can also help to clear nasal passages when one is suffering from a cold or other sinus malady.

Surprisingly, mustard is also used to increase the metabolism. Using plain yellow mustard liberally on foods adds a negligible amount of calories and helps to increase the amount of calories that the body burns.

14. Cloves. Clove oil is used by many cultures as a natural painkiller and anti-inflammatory. It is used in many modern toothache remedies to dull the pain and swelling.

15. Apples. An apple a day keeps the cancer away. Regular consumption of apples can block many types of cancer and act as a general health-booster. Apples can reduce appetite and even lower your cholesterol.

16. Kale. Kale has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity lately, and with good reason. It has more lutein than any other vegetable and more beta carotene than spinach. It can help prevent cancer and regulate estrogen in the body.

17. Licorice. Not the licorice candy sold in the United States - this often contains no licorice at all! Real licorice contains a substance that is strongly anti-cancer. Licorice is also antibacterial and can reduce stomach ulcers and diarrhea.

18. Peppermint. Most mints, in fact. The leaves of mint plants are commonly used in teas and medicines to calm upset stomachs, promote sleep, and reduce stress and tension.

19. Horseradish. Like its relative mustard, horseradish is a fantastic tool for fighting digestive disorders. It can be used to treat constipation. It is also a great immune system booster, giving the liver increased power to filter out harmful substances from foods.

20. Avocado. The main ingredient in guacamole isn't just tasty; it's the source of lots of "good" fat and can prevent the buildup of "bad" cholesterol. It keeps your heart and circulatory system healthy by preventing the clogging of arteries.

Now that you know the incredible health benefits that some common herbs, spices, and plants can provide, try to incorporate some of them into your everyday eating. You may just find yourself in better health today and in the future.

Tap water risky for pregnant mothers

LONDON: Pregnant mothers who drink or even shower in tap water can double the risk of serious heart and brain abnormalities in their unborn babies, a study has suggested.

The findings, reported in the journal Environmental Health , links by-products of water chlorination - chemicals known as trihalomethanes, or THMs - to increase the risk of holes in the heart, cleft palate and anencephalus, which results in the absence of a major portion of the brain, skull, and scalp.

Babies born in areas where drinking water is heavily disinfected with chlorine are at double the risk of heart problems, cleft palate or major brain defects, according to the study carried out in Taiwan on nearly 400,000 infants.

The disturbing finding suggests that expectant mothers can expose themselves to the higher risk by drinking the water, swimming in chlorinated water, taking a bath or shower, or even by standing close to a boiling kettle.

"The biological mechanism for how these disinfection by-products may cause defects are still unknown," says Professor Jouni Jaakkola, the author of the report.

"However, our findings don't just add to the evidence that water chlorination may cause birth defects, but suggest that exposure to chlorination by-products may be responsible for some specific and common defects," Professor Jaakkola of the University of Birmingham's Institute of Occupational and Environmental Medicine was quoted as saying by the Daily Telegraph of Britain on Tuesday.

He said though chlorination has been a major public health success by cutting waterborne diseases that earlier study may have missed this effect by not using specific categories of birth defect.

"While the benefits of water chlorination are quite evident, more research needs to be carried out to determine these side-effects," he says.

FOODS THAT CHANGE YOUR MOOD

Did you know that eating certain foods could improve your mood, provide uplifting energy and make you feel fresh? Read on...

NAINI SETALVAD

Have you ever experienced a day when in the morning you felt great, but after lunch, you felt down and tired? What if we told you that eating certain foods could improve your mood, provide uplifting energy and make you feel like a fresh daisy?
    The key to understanding the connection between the food we eat and our mood and level of alertness lies in understanding a little about how the brain functions. The brain communicates by chemical substances passed from one nerve cell to the next. These chemicals, called neurotransmitters, are made in the brain from the food we eat. The neurotransmitters that are most sensitive to diet and influential in affecting mood are serotonin, nor epinephrine and dopamine.
    Dopamine and nor epinephrine are alertness chemicals. When they are produced we think and react more quickly, we feel more motivated, we are more attentive and overall, we are more mentally energetic.
    Serotonin is a calming and relaxing chemical. When produced, feelings of stress and tension decrease.
    Now that you have a better understanding of the role neurotransmitters play in brain function, let's look at the relationship between these neurotransmitters and the foods we eat.
Foods that make you feel alert
The best way to eat for alertness is to have meals that contain protein, are low in fat, and have carbohydrates that won't drag you down. Mid-day is when your brain's supply of dopamine and nor epinephrine is beginning to wane. When you supply the tyrosine (from eating protein), your brain will be ready to make it into more of the two alertness neurotransmitters (dopamine and nor epinephrine). Please do not avoid carbohydrates as it is your main source of energy especially the B group which is the energy giving vitamin. Therefore have a combination of complex carbohydrates, fibre (vegetables and salads) and a bit of protein.
    Some healthy proteinpacked foods are: fish, sprouts, nuts, pulses, low fat paneer, skim or low-fat milk, low-fat yogurt.
    Lemons: The smell of lemons can induce the feeling of alertness. So add lemon to all your food.
    Apples, nachni, rajma, and broccoli: These foods contain Boron, which is responsible for hand-eye coordination, attention and short-term memory. Boron-rich foods also maintain healthy bone and blood-sugar levels.
    Foods that make you feel energetic for a longer time as they are low in glycemic index:
    Low-Glycemic Carbohydrates:
Brown rice, sweet potato, nachni, bajra, oats.
    High-Glycemic Carbohydrate should be avoided: Sugar, white bread, rice cakes, wheat crackers, bagel, instant rice, rice, pasta.
Smart: Prunes — they contain twice the antioxidant of most other fruits. Antioxidant-rich diets disable reactive oxygen molecules linked to memory loss and mental deterioration. They prevent mood swings. As they are low in glycematic index they supply energy for a longer time. They are also high in fibre, prevent constipation, maintain blood pressure levels being high in potassium and an excellent source of iron. Low iron causes fatigue. Look for California prunes as they
    have no sugar
    added. Energised: Oranges, apples, and yogurt — These foods are slow digesting carbohydrates and can supply a steady source of fuel for your body. Sunflower seeds: Sunflower seeds contain magnesium which helps maintain normal muscle and nerve function, and keeps heart rhythm steady and bones strong. It is also involved in energy metabolism and protein synthesis. Just a handful of sunflower seeds will give you half of your daily magnesium needs.
Happy: Bananas: Bananas contain vitamin B6, which is known to build serotonin levels. They contain no fat, and are available everywhere. Nuts: Walnuts (Kashmiri) are high in antioxidants, omega 3 fatty acids, prevent aging, excellent source of vitamin E. Pistachios (Californian) are low in glycemic index, high in vitamin B and fibre, low in fat and maintain blood sugar levels. Almonds (mamro) are high in antioxidants and Vitamin E. Dark Chocolate: This treat releases pleasure-enhancing endorphins into the brain and also contains phenyl ethylamine, a stimulant associated with love. Hence, they make you feel good. The higher the content of cocoa, the better you feel. Its cocoa which contains the chemicals. Head for the darkest chocolate. While all of the above will help you feel better throughout the day, there are also foods you should avoid if you find that you're feeling sluggish more often than you'd like. Water — at least eight glasses a day is the highest pickme-up. Many times fatigue is related to thirst and not hunger. So reach out for water. Avoid large, highfat meals. Fats stay in the stomach longer, diverting blood away from your brain, muscles, and other tissues, which in turn can make you feel sluggish for up to six hours. Have at least one iron-rich food per day. Iron helps transport oxygen to your tissues. Good sources of iron include prunes Don't eat too little. A low caloric intake leads to fatigue and irritation. Watch your intake of alcohol and coffee. Alcohol is a sedative that can also cause dehydration. Coffee can pep you up in the short term, but can cause you to drop like a ton of bricks later on. Avoid white sugar and white flour. It leeches the body of Vitamin B and calcium, causes constipation, and white sugar causes restlessness, lack of concentration and a quick feeling of fatigue. (The writer is a city-based nutritionist)

(clockwise) Oranges, broccolli, bananas, lemons

Eat healthy to build stamina

FITNESS MANTRA

Amrita Rao, Actress

My Workout Regimen:
Over the years I have discovered that I have a fantastic metabollic rate. I also don't have a tendency to put on weight so I don't think twice about what I eat. My body is not meant for the gym as it looks toned alI the time. I can go on for weeks without exercising. But I do believe that some kind of exercise is very important in our lives. So I prefer dancing rather than doing any other workout as it builds my stamina and gives flexibility to my body. I also do yoga as the deep breathing exercises are very helpful in our stressful lives. On account of pollution we don't deep-breathe any more. So these exercises are very good for our breathing system. It helps to fill our lungs with oxygen which is beneficial for the brain and skin.
My Daily Diet:
    When I wake up I drink a bottle of water — one litre of water in a minute. The oxygen in water is good for the skin and helps to clear the system. This was prescribed to me by a neurotherapist Reza Bohrani who had told me about the benefits of water therapy. This method is difficult to follow initially for a couple of days. But after some time the body gets used to it. If I follow this regime everyday the water content of my body is satisfied even if I manage to drink even one litre water during the rest of the day.
    As far as food is concerned, I don't follow a particular diet. I just eat the regular meals. I don't like to eat any fried stuff in the morning. So I normally gorge on a bowl of mixed vegetable juice and a bowl of soya for my breakfast. I am a strict vegetarian and love veggies like broccoli, sprouts, etc. I avoid food from outside. Even for my shoots I carry home food. A healthy lifestyle and smart snacking is very important. In the evening I munch an energy bar or a bowl of cut fruits. During my shoots I sip on a glass of chilled lime juice. In an hour I drink 2-3 glasses of this juice. I also have a proper dinner too and I feel that one must eat according to one's body type. I feel sorry when young girls starve and sip only liquids to become thin. They should realise that it's not healthy for their body later on. One must eat healthy and build a good stamina for your age and not worry about the size as it all depends upon the bone structure of your body. We shouldn't feel conscious about how much we eat even when we are eating out with friends.
My Happiness Quotient
    If I'm feeling a little low then I'll call up my close friends and probably just chat up with them. I feel that one must have somebody to talk to and if you have friends with a positive attitude around you then it is very good because they keep you motivated all the time. People with negative thoughts sow seeds of insecurity in you which definitely affects the mental being and actions of a person. So it's the company that you keep that matters a lot in your life.
My idea of relaxation
    I would probably go for a good massage or read a good book or even just watch a good movie. Even going on a long drive relaxes me.
    As told to GLACXY FERRAO

Over a cuppa coffee

Here are some surprising health benefits of the brew

 One of the best ways to ward off chronic conditions, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer, is to eat a diet rich in antioxidants. But many of us do not eat the recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables — considered superior sources of antioxidants.
    So guess where many people are getting their antioxidants instead? Recent studies reveal coffee may be a surprising source. In fact, it is the top dietary source of antioxidants in many populations, including in the United States. Moreover, roasted coffee residues retain their antioxidant ability; it isn't lost in processing.
    Enjoy your java? You're not alone . . .
    Researchers estimate about 54 per cent of US adults drink coffee every day. Countries such as Germany, Austria, and Finland consume twice as much coffee as the United States.
    And there may be related benefits to this brew. Although most of the research is in the early stages, studies show that drinking coffee may be linked to some desirable health outcomes, such as:
    Decreased risk of Parkinson's disease: A study revealed that men may experience up to a 40 per cent reduction in risk by drinking as little as one cup per day. However, the effects were not observed in postmenopausal women who take estrogen replacement. In this case, coffee drinking may actually increase Parkinson's risk.
    Reduced risk of type 2 diabetes: However, this reduced risk is only linked to people who drink excess amounts of coffee, which is not recommended; the risks of drinking too much coffee outweigh this possible benefit.
    Decreased risk of liver cancer: Drinking coffee may be especially helpful in reducing the risk of liver cancer caused by cirrhosis, a type of liver disease that causes scarring of the liver.
    If coffee does have health benefits, it's not clear what they are from. Coffee contains not only antioxidants, but also caffeine and other yet-to-be researched compounds.
    But even if there are clear health benefits to the brew, there are caveats. Although coffee consumption does not seem to raise the risk of cardiovascular disease, research shows that chronic consumption may increase aortic stiffness. Plus, unfiltered coffee can raise levels of blood fats, and excessive caffeine intake may be bad for people who are sensitive to caffeine. Coffee can contain anywhere from 72 to 130 milligrams of caffeine per 227 grams serving, depending on the bean source and the brewing methods.
    So there is give and take with coffee. If you don't already drink it, the recent news about antioxidants is not necessarily a reason to pick up the habit. And for people who already drink it, it's no excuse to stop eating fruits and veggies. Finally, because of the caffeine content, moderation is still the key to enjoying it healthfully.
    Your best bet is to eat your fruits and veggies, and try to limit yourself to about one or two small cups of coffee per day. That way you stay within the recommended limit of no more than 250 milligrams of caffeine per day.
Caffeine may cause: nervous, jittery feelings sleeplessness rapid heartbeat increased blood pressure stomach upset
    Caffeine may not be recommended for people who have:
    overactive bladder
    heartburn
    high blood pressure
    arrhythmia
    anxiety disorder
    insomnia
Tea time
If you're not a coffee drinker, there's another steamy brew with multiple health benefits and less need for moderation. The health benefits of tea are widely established and are likely due to antioxidant flavonoids, as well as possibly the caffeine. Tea contains less caffeine than coffee, though, so you can drink more without worrying about excessive caffeine intake. Green tea can contain anywhere from 9 to 50 milligrams per 227 grams serving while black tea typically contains between 42 to 72 milligrams per cup.
    The well-established health benefits of tea include:
    Decreased risk of LDL cholesterol oxidation and improved blood lipids after eating a high-fat meal, which may in part translate into reduced risk of cardiovascular disease
    Decreased risk of heart attack and stroke
    Regular tea drinkers might also have:
    a possible decreased risk of Parkinson's disease
    a possible decreased risk of Alzheimer's disease
    Tea has been found to have anticancer properties in both cell and animal studies, however no definitive evidence exists yet proving tea's anti-cancer potential in humans. Larger studies are needed to prove or disprove these findings.

COFFEE TALK: Coffee contains antioxidants

Cold and flu myths busted

Here's what you need to know...

Colds are not caused by going outside without a raincoat: Sorry, mom. You meant well, but the only way to catch a cold or flu is by picking up a virus. Going out into the rain without a jacket, or with wet hair, does nothing to facilitate transmission. It's true, though, that we are more prone in the winter. Viruses are more easily shared when people are clustered together indoors.
Feed a cold, starve a fever? Nah. Feed 'em both: This advice is probably repeated as often as it is jumbled. But you wouldn't want to starve either virus: At higher temperatures the body produces more interferon, a protein that helps prevent virus reproduction. The body is like a furnace, and to create heat you need calories. When people have chills it is because they don't have enough calories to bring up the heat normally … by feeding them, they will have enough calories to raise the temperature, increase the interferon, and kill the bugs. Drink lots of water too.
Viruses survive on surfaces: You don't have to wait to be sneezed on to catch a cold or flu-you can pick the virus up right from a counter top, keyboard, telephone or other surface. Rhino-viruses, the family of germs responsible for most colds, have been shown to survive on a surface for several hours or even days. The concentration of virus attenuates; that is, the potency is less and less as time goes on. But you need very few viral particles to trigger an infection. Even if there's just a little left and you happen to touch that door knob or coffee cup, the virus can then survive on your hands for quite a long time. Then all it takes is a little wipe on your nose or eyes and whatever little bit of virus on there will go to town very quickly.
Vitamin C is ineffective for preventing or treating cold or flu: A review of 30 studies on vitamin C put to rest a few dozen years' of overconfidence in orange juice. Vitamin C cannot effectively prevent or cure common colds. Some benefit has been shown for extreme athletes exercising in extreme cold, but since vitamin C is only known to offer a biological benefit in certain cases, for the average adult, it's not worth it to supplement.
We can't cure the common cold: The problem is that there are hundreds of varieties, or serotypes of rhinovirus in addition to other viruses that cause the common cold. Of those hundreds, just a few are causing widespread infection at any point in time. The serotypes change so rapidly that they're impossible to keep up with. A vaccine would have to be specific to the current serotype, and by the time the virus was identified and an antidote developed, the active serotype would have changed.
    TNN

Cold WAVE: The only way you can catch a cold is by picking up a virus

TUBERCULOSIS

TUBERCULOSIS

 

 

Tuberculosis is a serious disease. A tiny germ called tubercle bacillus causes it. The germ enters into tile body through the nose mouth, and the windpipe, and settles down in tile lungs. It multiplies by millions and produces small raised spots called tubercles

 

Tuberculosis is a disease because of an infection with the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis most commonly attacks the lungs (as pulmonary TB) but can also affect the central nervous system. TB spreads through the air when a person with TB of the lungs or throat coughs, sneezes or talks. Tuberculosis has bedeviled human beings for millennia.

 

Tuberculosis spreads through airborne droplets when a person with the infection coughs, talks or sneezes. Treatment for TB depends on whether a person has active TB disease or only TB infection. Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) is any stress of TB that can't be treated by the two most powerful TB drugs, isoniazid and rifampin. Tuberculosis can be easily prevented and even treated in mild cases by using some of the effective home remedies.

Tuberculosis symptoms

Loss of strength, colour and weight

Tuberculosis may occur anywhere in the body but, more commonly, it affects the lungs, intestines, bones, and glands. Pulmonary tuberculosis or tuberculosis of the lungs is by far the most common type of tuberculosis. It tends to consume the body and the patient loses strength, colour, and weight.

 

Symptoms of tubercular damage have been present in Egyptian mummies and in bones dating back at least 5,000 years. Experts supposed that about 10 million Americans are infected with TB germs. Only about 10 percent of these people will develop TB disease in their lifetime. The other 90 percent will never get sick from the TB germs or be able to spread them to other people.

 

People who have inspired the TB bacteria, but in whom the disease is controlled are referred to as infected. TB is an increasing and major world wide problem, specially in Africa where the spread has been expedited by AIDS. Approximately 90% of those infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis have asymptomatic, dormant TB infection.

Temperature rise, persistent cough, breathing problems and body pain

Other symptoms are a rise in temperature- especially in the evening, a persistent cough and hoarseness, difficulty in breathing, pain in the shoulders, indigestion, chest pain, and blood in the sputum.

Tuberculosis causes

Lowered resistance or devitalisation of the system

Lowered resistance or devitalisation of the system is the chief cause of this disease. Lowered resistance can result from intake of improper and inadequate foods, and living in ill-ventilated houses

Improper lifestyle, Smoking, drinking and stress

Other causes include exposure to cold, loss of sleep, impure air, a sedentary life, overwork, use of tobacco, liquor and other harmful drinks. These factors prepare the ground for the growth of germs of various kinds, including tubercle bacillus. These germs may be present in the body but are quite harmless for those who are endowed with vitality and natural resistance.

Home Remedies for Tuberculosis 

Tuberculosis treatment using Milk Diet

The chief therapeutic agent needed for the treatment of tuberculosis is calcium. Milk is the richest food source for the supply of organic calcium to the body and should be taken liberally. In fact an exclusive milk diet is considered highly valuable in tuberculosis. However, a preparatory fast for three days, consisting of raw juices, preferably, orange juice, is essential before the milk diet is begun. The procedure is to take half a glass of orange juice diluted with an equal quantity of water every two hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For the full milk diet, the patient should have a glass of milk every two hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the first day, followed by a glass and a half every hour on the second day. Thereafter, the quantity can be gradually increased until the patient takes a glass every half an hour. Usually, six litres of milk should be taken every day. In the case of women, five litres should be sufficient. Raw milk, that is, milk, which has not been pasteurised, produces the best results, provided it is clean and pure. Milk should be kept cool and away from dust, flies, odours, and sunlight.

 

It should be gently stirred before use to ensure an even distribution of cream. It should be sipped very slowly so as to be thoroughly mixed with saliva which dilutes it and, to a great extent, promotes its digestion. Nearly eight to six weeks of a full milk diet is necessary for the success of the treatment. A considerable amount of rest is necessary with a milk diet and the patient should lie down for about two hours twice a day.

Tuberculosis treatment using Custard Apple

Custard apple is regarded as one of the most valuable remedies for tuberculosis. It is said to contain the qualities of rejuvenating drugs. Ayurvedic practitioners prepare a fermented liquor called sitaphalasava from this fruit, when in season, for use as a medicine in the treatment of this disease. The pulp of two custard apples and twenty-five seedless raisins should be boiled in water on a slow fire. When about one-third of the water is left, it should be filtered, and then mixed with two teaspoons of powdered sugar candy, and a quarter teaspoon each of the powder of cardamom, cinnamon, and certain other condiments.

Tuberculosis treatment using Indian Gooseberry

The Indian gooseberry is another valuable remedy for tuberculosis. A tablespoon each of fresh amla juice and honey, mixed together, should be taken every morning in treating this disease. Its regular use will promote vigour and vitality in the body within a few days

Tuberculosis treatment using Pineapple

Pineapple juice is beneficial in the treatment of tuberculosis. It has been found to be effective in dissolving mucus and aiding recovery. This juice was used regularly in the past in treating this disease when it was more common than it is at present. One glass of pineapple juice is recommended daily

Tuberculosis treatment using Banana

Bananas are considered useful in tuberculosis. The juice of the plantain or the ordinary cooking bananas works miracles in tile cure of tuberculosis. It claims to have cured patients in an advanced stage of this disease with frequent cough, abundant expectoration and high fever in two months, by this treatment

Tuberculosis treatment using Orange

Oranges are useful in the treatment of tuberculosis. A glass of orange juice should be mixed with a pinch of salt and a tablespoon of honey and taken daily by the patient. Due to its saline action in the lungs, it eases expectoration and protects the body from secondary infections.

Tuberculosis treatment using Drumstick

A soup prepared from drumstick leaves has been found valuable in this disease. This soup is prepared by adding a handful of leaves to 200 ml of water which has been heated to a boiling point. The water should then be allowed to boil for five minutes more. After that it should be removed from the fire and allowed to cool. A little salt, pepper, and lime juice may be added to this soup. This drink should be taken first thing every morning.

Tuberculosis treatment using Bottle Gourd

The use of bottle gourd is considered an effective remedy for tuberculosis. Bottle gourd is one of the best vegetables for tuberculosis patients. Regular use of cooked bottle gourd helps in developing immunity against tubercular germs

Tuberculosis treatment using Mint

The fresh juice of mint has also been found useful in this disease. A teaspoon of this juice, mixed with two teaspoons of pure malt vinegar and an equal quantity of honey, should be stirred in 120 ml of carrot juice. This should be given as a medicinal tonic thrice daily in the treatment of tuberculosis. It liquefies the sputum, nourishes the lungs, increases body resistance against infection, and prevents the harmful effects of anti-tubercular drugs.

 

 

 

Taking butter with sugar candy and ghee cures T.B. and provides potency. Custard apple is scrutinized as one of the most valuable remedies for tuberculosis. Pineapple juice is beneficent in the treatment of tuberculosis. It has been found to be potent in dissolving mucus and aiding recovery.

 

Take ten pieces of the black pepper (Piper nigrum) and an equal volume of asafetida (Ferula fetida) which has been fried in ghee. Then add passably little proportion of opium in it. Bananas are pondered useful in tuberculosis.

 

The juice of the plantain or the ordinary cooking bananas works miracles in tile cure of tuberculosis. Make a dish of bottlegourd and consume it on a daily basis when affected by tuberculosis.

Diet for Tuberculosis

Avoid devitalising foods and strong tea, coffee etc

The patient should avoid all devitalising foods such as white bread, white sugar, and refined cereals; puddings and pies; and tinned, canned, and preserved foods. He should also avoid strong tea, coffee, condiments, pickles, and sauces

Other Tuberculosis treatment

Take complete rest and avoid stress

The patient should completely rest his mind and body. Any type of stress will delay healing

Exposure to fresh air and sunshine

Fresh air is always important in curing the disease, and the patient should spend most of the time in the open air and sleep in a well-ventilated room. Sunshine is also essential as tubercle bacilli are killed rapidly by exposure to the sun's rays

Avoid strain and have mental diversion

Other beneficial steps towards curing the disease are avoidance of strain, slow massage, deep breathing, and a light occupation to ensure mental diversion.

 

 

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.
The service is provided as general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor.

Health - Important Tips

Answer the phone by LEFT ear.
Do not drink coffee TWICE a day.
Do not take pills with COOL water.
Do not have HUGE meals after 5pm.
Reduce the amount of OILY food you consume.
Drink more WATER in the morning, less at night.
Keep your distance from hand phone CHARGERS.
Do not use headphones/earphone for LONG period of time.
Best sleeping time is from 10pm at night to 6am in the morning.
Do not lie down immediately after taking medicine before sleeping.
When battery is down to the LAST grid/bar, do not answer the phone as the radiation is 1000 times.

Forward this to those whom you CARE about

A chat with Dr.Devi Shetty , Narayana Hrudayalaya (Heart Specialist)

A chat with
Dr.Devi
Shetty , Narayana Hrudayalaya (Heart Specialist) Bangalore
was arranged by WIPRO for its employees   ....

The transcript of the chat is given below. Useful for everyone.

Qn: What are the thumb rules for a layman to take care of his heart ?

Ans:
1. Diet - Less of carbohydrate, more of protein, less oil
2. Exercise - Half an hour's walk, at least five days a week; avoid lifts
and avoid sitting for a longtime
3. Quit smoking
4. Control weight
5. Control blood pressure and sugar

Qn: Is eating non-veg food (fish) good for the heart?

Ans: No

Qn: It's still a grave shock to hear that some apparently healthy person
 
gets a cardiac arrest. How do we understand it in perspective?
 

Ans: This is called silent attack; that is why we recommend everyone past
the age of 30 to undergo routine health checkups.

Qn: Are heart diseases hereditary?  

Ans: Yes  

Qn: What are the ways in which the heart is stressed? What practices do
you suggest to de-stress?

Ans: Change your attitude towards life. Do not look for perfection in everything
in life.

Qn: Is walking better than jogging or is more intensive exercise required
to keep a healthy heart?

Ans: Walking is better than ! jogging since jogging leads to early fatigue
and injury to joints .  

Qn: You have done so much for the poor and needy. What has inspired you
to do so?

Ans: Mother Theresa , who was my patient.

Qn: Can people with low blood pressure suffer heart diseases?

Ans: Extremely rare

Qn: Does cholesterol accumulates right from an early age
(I'm currently only 22) or do you have to worry about it only after you
are above 30 years of age?

Ans: Cholesterol accumulates from childhood.

Qn: How do irregular eating habits affect the heart ?

Ans: You tend to eat junk food when the habits are irregular and your body's
enzyme release for digestion gets confused.

Qn: How can I control cholesterol content without using medicines?

Ans: Control diet, walk and eat walnut.

Qn: Can yoga prevent heart ailments?

Ans: Yoga helps.

Qn: Which is the best and worst food for the heart?  

Ans: Fruits and
vegetables are the best and the worst is oil.

Qn: Which oil is better - groundnut, sunflower, olive?

Ans: All oils are bad
.

Qn: What is the routine checkup one should go through? Is there any specific
test?  

Ans: Routine blood test to ensure sugar, cholesterol is ok. Check BP, Treadmill
test after an echo.

Qn: What are the first aid steps to be taken on a heart attack?

Ans: Help the person into a sleeping position
, place an aspirin
tablet under the tongue with a sorbitrate tablet if available, and rush
him to a coronary care unit since the maximum casualty takes place within
the first hour.

Qn: How do you differentiate between pain caused by a heart attack and
that caused due to gastric trouble?

Ans: Extremely difficult without ECG.

Qn: What is the main cause of a steep increase in heart problems amongst
youngsters? I see people of about 30-40 yrs of age having heart attacks
and serious heart problems.

Ans: Increased awareness has increased incidents. Also, s edentary
lifestyles, smoking, junk food, lack of exercise in a country where people
are genetically three times more vulnerable for heart attacks than Europeans
and Americans.

Qn: Is it possible for a person to have BP outside the normal range of
120/80 and yet be perfectly healthy?

Ans: Yes.

Qn: Marriages within close relatives can lead to heart problems for the
child. Is it true?

Ans : Yes, co-sanguinity leads to congenital abnormalities and you may
not have a software engineer as a child

Qn: Many of us have an irregular daily routine and many a times we have
to stay late nights in office. Does this affect our heart ? What precautions
would you recommend?

Ans : When you are young, nature protects you against all these irregularities.
However, as you grow older, respect the biological clock.

Qn: Will taking anti-hypertensive drugs cause some other complications
(short / long term)?

Ans : Yes, most drugs have some side effects. However, modern anti-hypertensive
drugs are extremely safe.

Qn: Will consuming more
coffee/tea lead to heart attacks?

Ans : No.

Qn: Are asthma patients more prone to heart disease?

Ans : No.

Qn: How would you define junk food?

Ans : Fried food like Kentucky , McDonalds , samosas, and even masala dosas.

Qn: You mentioned that Indians are three times more vulnerable. What is
the reason for this, as Europeans and Americans also eat a lot of junk
food?

Ans: Every race is vulnerable to some disease and unfortunately, Indians
are vulnerable for the most expensive disease.

Qn: Does consuming bananas help reduce hypertension?

Ans : No.

Qn: Can a person help himself during a heart attack (Because we see a lot
of forwarded emails on this)?

 
Ans : Yes. Lie down comfortably and put an aspirin tablet of any description
under the tongue and ask someone to take you to the nearest coronary care
unit without any delay and do not wait for the ambulance since most of
the time, the ambulance does not turn up.

Qn: Do, in any way, low white blood cells and low hemoglobin count lead
to heart problems?

Ans : No. But it is ideal to have normal hemoglobin level to increase your
exercise capacity.

Qn: Sometimes, due to the hectic schedule we are not able to exercise.
So, does walking while doing daily chores at home or climbing the stairs
in the house, work as a substitute for exercise?  

Ans : Certainly. Avoid sitting continuously for more than half an hour
and even the act of getting out of the chair and going to another chair
and sitting helps a lot.

Qn: Is there a relation between heart problems and blood sugar?

Ans: Yes. A strong relationship since diabetics are more vulnerable to
heart attacks than non-diabetics.

Qn: What are the things one needs to take care of after a heart operation?
!

Ans : Diet, exercise, drugs on time
, Control cholesterol,
BP, weight.

Qn: Are people working on night shifts more vulnerable to heart disease
when compared to day shift workers?  

Ans : No.

Qn: What are the modern anti-hypertensive drugs?  

Ans : There are hundreds of drugs and your doctor will chose the right
combination for your problem, but my suggestion is to avoid the drugs and
go for natural ways of controlling blood pressure by walk, diet to
reduce weight and changing attitudes towards lifestyles.

Qn: Does dispirin or similar headache pills increase the risk of heart
attacks?

Ans : No.

Qn: Why is the rate of heart attacks more in men than in women?

Ans : Nature protects women till the age of 45.

Qn: How can one keep the heart in a good condition?

Ans : Eat a healthy diet, avoid junk food, exercise everyday, do not smoke
and, go for health checkup s
if you are past the age of 30 ( once
in six
months recommended) ...

Cinnamon & Honey for Health

Cinnamon & Honey
Bet the drug companies won't like this one getting around. Facts on honey and cinnamon: It is found that a mixture of honey and cinnamon cures most diseases. Honey is produced in most of the countries of the world. Scientists of today also accept honey as a "Ram Ban" (very effective) medicine for all kinds of diseases. Honey can be used without any side effects for any kind of diseases.

Today's science says that even though honey is sweet, if taken in the right dosage as a medicine, it does not harm diabetic patients. Weekly World News, a magazine in Canada, on its issue dated 17 January, 1995 has given the following list of diseases
that can be cured by honey and cinnamon as researched by western scientists:

HEART DISEASES:
Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, apply on bread, instead of jelly and jam, and eat it regularly for breakfast. It reduces the cholesterol in the arteries and saves the patient from heart attack. Also those who have already had an attack, if they do this process daily, they are kept miles away from the next attack. Regular use of the above process relieves loss of breath and strengthens the heart beat. In America and Canada, various nursing homes have treated patients successfully and have found that as you age, the arteries and veins lose their flexibility and get clogged; honey and cinnamon revitalize the arteries and veins.

ARTHRITIS:
Arthritis patients may take daily, morning, and night, one cup of hot water with two spoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder. If taken regularly even chronic arthritis can be cured. In a recent research conducted at the Copenhagen
University, it was found that when the doctors treated their patients with a mixture of one tablespoon Honey and half teaspoon Cinnamon powder before breakfast, they found that within a week, out of the 200 people so treated, practically 73 patients were totally relieved of pain, and within a month, mostly all the patients who could not walk or move around because of arthritis started walking without pain.

BLADDER INFECTIONS:
Take two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink it. It destroys the germs in the bladder.

TOOTHACHE:
Make a paste of one teaspoon of cinnamon powder and five teaspoons of honey and apply on the aching tooth. This may be applied three times a day until the tooth stops aching.

CHOLESTEROL:
Two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of Cinnamon Powder mixed in 16 ounces of tea water, given to a cholesterol patient were found to reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood by 10 percent within two hours. As mentioned for arthritic patients, if taken three times a day, any chronic cholesterol is cured. According to information received in the said journal, pure honey taken with food daily relieves complaints of cholesterol. (By the way. if you're taking cholesterol medicine STOP! They all contain STATIN which weaken your muscles...including YOUR HEARTand none has been shown to stop heart attacks or strokes!!!!

COLDS:
Those suffering from common or severe colds should take one tablespoon lukewarm honey with 1/4 spoon cinnamon powder daily for three days. This process will cure most chronic cough, cold, and clear the sinuses.

UPSET STOMACH:
Honey taken with cinnamon powder cures stomach ache and also clears stomach ulcers from the root.

GAS:
According to the studies done in India and Japan, it is revealed that if honey is taken with cinnamon powder the stomach is relieved of gas.

IMMUNE SYSTEM:
Daily use of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system and protects the body from bacteria and viral attacks. Scientists have found that honey has various vitamins and iron in large amounts. Constant use of honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles to fight bacteria and viral diseases.

INDIGESTION:
Cinnamon powder sprinkled on two tablespoons of honey taken before food relieves acidity and digests the heaviest of meals.

INFLUENZA:
A scientist in Spain has proved that honey contains a natural Ingredient which kills the influenza germs and saves the patient from flu.

LONGEVITY:
Tea made with honey and cinnamon powder, when taken regularly, arrests the ravages of old age. Take four spoons of honey, one spoon of cinnamon powder and three cups of water and boil to make like tea. Drink 1/4 cup, three to four times a day. It keeps the skin fresh and soft and arrests old age. Life spans also increases and even a 100 year old, starts performing the chores of a 20-year-old.

PIMPLES:
Three tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder paste.
Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it next morning with warm water. If done daily for two weeks, it removes pimples from the root.

SKIN INFECTIONS:
Applying honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts on the affected parts cures eczema, ringworm and all types of skin infections.

WEIGHT LOSS:
Daily in the morning one half hour before breakfast on an empty stomach and at night before sleeping, drink honey and cinnamon powder boiled in one cup of water. If taken regularly, it reduces the weight of even the most obese person. Also, drinking this mixture regularly does not allow the fat to accumulate in the body even though the person may eat a high calorie diet.

CANCER:
Recent research in Japan and Australia has revealed that advanced cancer of the stomach and bones have been cured successfully. Patients suffering from these kinds of cancer should daily take one tablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder for one month three times a day.

FATIGUE:
Recent studies have shown that the sugar content of honey is more helpful rather than being detrimental to the strength of the body. Senior citizens, who take honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts, are more alert and flexible. Dr. Milton, who has done research, says that a half tablespoon of honey taken in a glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon powder, taken daily after brushing and in the afternoon at about 3:00 p.m. when the vitality of the body starts to decrease, increases the vitality of the body within a week.

BAD BREATH:
People of South America, first thing in the morning, gargle with one teaspoon of honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water, so their breath stays fresh throughout the day.

HEARING LOSS:
Daily morning and night honey and
cinnamon powder, taken in equal parts restore hearing. Remember when we were kids? We had toast with real butter and cinnamon sprinkled on it!