India's 'healing' herb-dyed cloth

Could an ayurvastra bedspread tempt you into the land of nod?

Cloth infused with the herbs of traditional Indian medicine is becoming increasingly popular as the country's stressed urban workers seek cures for conditions such as insomnia and eczema.

Wearing a special shirt is claimed to cure itchy or sore skin, while sleepless nights can be taken care of by putting a herb-infused sheet over your mattress.

The herbs are selected according to the traditional Indian medicine known as ayurvedia, with the infused cloth known as ayurvastra.

"We have selected 28 medicinal plants based on ayurvedic texts and theory - then we dip the natural cotton into it to make sleeping cloths," the chief dyeing technician of the ayurvastra project, Rajan Kay, told BBC World Service's Culture Shock programme.

"For skin problems we select a plant like indigo, and mix with the plant turmeric."

Proper effect

The main centre for ayurvedic practices is Kerala, where it has existed alongside Western medicine for two centuries.

The Keralan government is set to release a report on a local clinical trial that claims the clothes do indeed have health benefits.

And cloth which calms the nerves is certainly proving popular with stressed-out IT consultants from nearby Bangalore.

The herbs are added during the dyeing process

But Catherine Stubberfield, who has worked with textile manufactures all over the world before moving to work with ayurvastra, warned that the clothes must be combined with the right lifestyle to have the proper effect.

"I believe that wearing natural cotton, wool or silk which has been dyed naturally is going to obviously help your skin, but I think as far as the healing goes ayurvedia is a way of life," she said.

"Wearing a T-shirt made of ayurvedic dyeing is not going to cure you. What the government report will say is if you take it with ayurvedic medicine, it is OK. But it is very difficult for people from the West to understand this."

Meanwhile Dr K Ravi, who established the project, outlined that health benefits of ayurvastra cloth are only part of the story - he began the project not to promote health, but to sustain the traditional industries of rural Kerala.

"The tradition of the handloom is part and parcel of this land - and ayurvedia also," he said.

He pointed out that people in the area traditionally get only 35 rupees - $0.6 - per day to live on. But the ayurvedia sheets will allow them to get more money in domestic and international markets.

"The major part of that that will be transferred to these poor people," he added.

 

 

Mobiles linked to disturbed sleep

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Foods That Curb Hunger

 

 

Mobiles linked to disturbed sleep

The evidence on mobile phone safety has been contradictory

Using a mobile phone before going to bed could stop you getting a decent night's sleep, research suggests.

The study, funded by mobile phone companies, suggests radiation from the handset can cause insomnia, headaches and confusion.

It may also cut our amount of deep sleep - interfering with the body's ability to refresh itself.

The study was carried out by Sweden's Karolinska Institute and Wayne State University in the US.

This research suggests that if you need to make a make a phone call in the evening it is much better to use a land line Alasdair Philips Powerwatch

Funded by the Mobile Manufacturers Forum, the scientists studied 35 men and 36 women aged between 18 and 45.

Some were exposed to radiation equivalent to that received when using a mobile phone, others were placed in the same conditions, but given only "sham" exposure.

Those exposed to radiation took longer to enter the first of the deeper stages of sleep, and spent less time in the deepest one.

The scientists concluded: "The study indicates that during laboratory exposure to 884 MHz wireless signals components of sleep believed to be important for recovery from daily wear and tear are adversely affected."

Researcher Professor Bengt Arnetz said: "The study strongly suggests that mobile phone use is associated with specific changes in the areas of the brain responsible for activating and coordinating the stress system."

Another theory is that radiation may disrupt production of the hormone melatonin, which controls the body's internal rhythms.

Electrosensitivity

About half the people in the study believed themselves to be "electrosensitive", reporting symptoms such as headaches and impaired cognitive function from mobile phone use.

But they proved to be unable to tell if they had been exposed to the radiation in the test.

Alasdair Philips is director of Powerwatch, which researches the effects of electromagnetic fields on health.

He said: "The evidence is getting stronger that we should treat these things in a precautionary way.

"This research suggests that if you need to make a phone call in the evening it is much better to use a land line, and don't have your mobile by your bedside table."

Mike Dolan, executive director of the Mobile Operators Association, said the study was inconsistent with other research.

He said: "It is really one small piece in a very large scientific jigsaw. It is a very small effect, one researcher likened it to less than the effect you would see from a cup of coffee."

Last September a major six-year study by the UK Mobile Telecommunications and Health Research Programme (MTHRP) concluded that mobile phone use posed no short-term risk to the brain.

However, the researchers said they could not rule out the possibility that long-term use may raise the risk of cancer.

 

 

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six [6] glasses of water (1.5 liter) everyday. ..

six [6] glasses of water

 

(1.5 liter) everyday… .. 

 

Drink six [6] glasses of water (1.5 liter) everyday and avoid medicine,

 

tablets, injections, diagnosis, doctor fees etc. You can never believe

 

before practicing. 

HOW TO DO THIS WATER THERAPY?

1.    Early morning, after you get up from bed, (without even brushing

your teeth) drink 1.50 litters of water i.e. 5 to 6 glasses. Let us all

know that ancient Indians termed this therapy as

 " USHA PAANA CHIKITSA ". You may wash your face thereafter.

2.    Here it is very essential to note that nothing else, neither
drinks nor solid food of any sort should be taken within 1 hr. before

 and after drinking these 1.5 litters of water.

3.    It is also to be strictly observed that no alcoholic drinks shall

be taken the previous night.

4.    If required, boiled and filtered water may be used for this purpose.

Is it possible to drink 1.50 litters of water at one time? This is a BIG QUESTION?

 To begin with, one may find it difficult to drink 1.50 litters ofwater at one time,

 but one will get used to it gradually. Initially, while practicing you may drink four

 glasses first and then the balance two glasses after a gap of 2 minutes. Initially

 you may find the necessity to urinate 2 - 3 times within an hour, but it will

become normal after quite some time.

By research and experience, the following diseases are observed to be cured

 with this therapy within the indicated days as below:
Constipation      --  1 day
Acidity          --  2 days.
Diabetes          --  7 days.
Cancer            -- 4 weeks
Pulmonary TB      -- 3 months
BP & Hypertension -- 4 weeks

Here is the list of diseases that can be cured by this water therapy:

1.Head Ache
2.Urogenital diseases
3.Blood Pressure / Hypertension
4.Hyper acidity
5.Anemia ( Blood shortage)
6.Gastro - entities
7.Rheumatism (Pain in  joints/muscles)
8.Dysentery
9.General Paralysis
10.Rectal Piodapse
11.Obesity
12.Constipation
13.Arthritis
14.Hostorthobics
15.Sinusitis 
16.Diabetes
17.Tachycardia
18.Eye diseases
19.Giddiness
20.Ophthalmic Hemorrhage & Opthalmia|
21.Cough
22.(Reddish eye)
23.Asthma
24.Irregular Menstruation
25.Bronchitis 
26.Leukemia
27.Pulmonary Tuberculosis
28.Uterus Cancer
29.Meningitis
30.Breast cancer
31.Kidney stones
32.Laryngitis

NOTE:
It is advised that persons suffering from Arthritis or Rheumatism should

 practice this therapy thrice a day i.e. morning, mid day and night, 1 hour

 before breakfast, lunch and dinner for one week and twice a day

subsequently until the disease disappears.

HOW DOES PURE WATER ACT ?

Consuming ordinary drinking water by the right method purifies human body.

 It renders the colon more effective by forming new fresh blood, known in

medical terms as Haematopaises. That the mucousal folds of the colon and

intestines are activated by this method, is an undisputed fact, just as the

 theory that new fresh blood is produced by the mucousal fold.  If the colon

 is cleansed then the nutrients of the food taken several times a day will

be absorbed and by the action of the mucousal folds they are turned in to

 fresh blood. The blood is all-important in curing ailments and restoring

health and for this water should be consumed in a regular pattern.

LIFE IS SHORT & INVALUABLE, JUST GO FOR IT.

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Health tips- Honey and Cinnamon

HAIR LOSS:
Those suffering from hair loss or baldness, may apply a paste of hot olive oil,
one tablespoon of honey, one teaspoon of cinnamon powder before bath and keep
it for approx. 15 min. and then wash the hair. It is effective if kept for
5 mins. also.
BLADDER INFECTIONS:
Take two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of honey in a glass of
luke warm water and drink it. It destroys the germs of 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 done 3 times a day till the tooth has stopped aching.
CHOLESTEROL:
Two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of Cinnamon Powder mixed in 16
ounces of tea water, if given to a cholesterol patient, it reduces the level of cholesterol
in the blood by 10% within 2 hours. As mentioned for arthritic patients, if taken 3
times a day any chronic cholesterol is cured. Pure honey taken with food daily relieves complains of cholesterol.
COLDS:
Those suffering from common or severe colds should take one tablespoon luke
warm honey with 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon powder daily for 3 days. This will cure most chronic cough, cold and clear the sinuses.
UPSET STOMACH:
Honey taken with cinnamon powder cures stomachache and also clears stomach
ulcers from the root.
GAS:
If honey is taken with cinnamon powder the stomach is relieved of gas.
HEART DISEASES:
Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, apply on bread or chappati 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. For those who have already had an attack, if they do this process daily, are kept miles away from the next attack. Regular use of the above process relieves loss of breath and strengthens the heartbeat. .
INDIGESTION:
Cinnamon powder sprinkled on two tablespoons of honey taken before food, relieves acidity and digests the heaviest of meals.
INFLUENZA
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 4 spoons of honey, 1spoon of cinnamon powder and 3
cups of water and boil to make like tea. Drink 1/4 cup, 3 to 4 times a day. It keeps
the skin fresh and soft and arrests old age. Life span also increases.
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, 1/2 hour before breakfast on an empty stomach and at
night before sleeping, drink honey and cinnamon powder boiled in one cup water.
If taken regularly it reduces the weight of even the most obese person. Also drinking of this mixture regularly does not allow the fat to accumulate in the body even though the person may eat a high calorie diet.

Recipe column- Sago / Sabudana- A Light Snack

Sago patties
Wash 1/2 cup Sago in cooled water and soak it in warm water for two hours. When it is puffed drain the water completely.
Boil 2 big Potatoes, remove the skin.and smash it.Add 1 small onion finely chopped, coriender leaves, 1 teaspoon Red chily powder, 1/2 teaspoon garam masala,and salt to taste.Green fresh peas can also be added.
Mix every thing and roll into small balls.Press the balls with your palm slightly.
Heat up the tawa and fry the patties with little oil in slow flame.
Turn both the sides and allow it to fry little brown.Crispy and soft patties to serve with tea is ready.
Serve it hot.
Slightly sprinkle few drops of lime juice on the patties and taste it with pudina chetney.

Sabudana upuma
Wash 1 cup Sago in cooled water and soak it in warm water for two hours. When it is puffed drain the water completely.
Heat 1 teaspoon of oil in a kadai
Allow mustard seeds to splitter
Add 1 small onion chopped, 1 potato cut into small cubes, 3 nos of Green chilies cut into small pieces, fresh green peas, 1 carrot cut into small cubes,(optional-Capsicum,Cabbage,and Beans)If you like garlic flavour, add ginger and garlic finely chopped
Cook the vegetables and Add soaked and drained sago
Reduce the flame.Add salt and a pinch of termeric powder.
Mix gently.If you feel it is sticky add coarsly grind peanuts.
Add 1 teaspoon of lemon juice to enhance the taste. Garnish with coriender leaves.
A stomach filling and mouth appealing Upuma ready to serve.It tastes good when it is warm.

Recipe column-Vendaikai thayir pachadi

A crispy, crunchy yet a smooth salad recipe
Ladies Finger / Vendaikai thayir pachadi
Wash and dry 10 nos of Ladies finger with a towel.
Cut it into small pieces.
Heat 1 table spoon oil in a kadai and fry the vegetable till it is crispy
Take a cup of thick and fresh curd (*not sour*) add salt and beat it with a spoon to mix well and smooth.
Add the fried vegetable
Heat up the kadai, allow mustard to splitter, and add 3 chilies sliced vertically,a pinch of asefotedia. Do not cut chilies into small pieces.
Pour this into the salad and mix well.
Top it up with some coriander leaves.
Do not prepare this earlier. Orelse you can fry the vegetable and keep it aside mix everything when you are ready to eat. Otherwise the cripness won’t be there and ladies finger when soft will not taste good.
It goes well with sambar rice, all mixed rice and with Roti.

Recipe column-Poriyal

Click here

Spice'N'Sweet - Simply Vegetarian: Gardening and organic farming

Spice'N'Sweet - Simply Vegetarian: Gardening and organic farming

Recipe column- Melagai Masiyal

Green Chillies/Melagai Masiyal
Wash Chillies and dry it with a towel.Grind chillies and salt in a mixer into a coarse paste without adding waterHeat up a kadai and add 2 tablespoons of oilAllow mustard to splitter and fry 1 teaspoon of fenugreek,pinch of termeric powderAdd the chillies paste and fry till the colour changes(Ginger chopped into small pieces can also be added to enhance the taste)Add tarmirind paste and waterAdd salt and allow it to thicken in slow fireWhen it is done oil added will seperate from the masiyalRemove it from the heat and allow it to coolStore it in an air tight containerKeep it in room temperature for 1 day and then refrigerate.Tastes great when mixed with rice or can be used as pickle

Recipe column- mor menthiya kulambu

Cluster beans,Ladies finger,
Mor Menthiya Kulambu
Heat up a kadai and Add 2 teaspoons of cooking oil in itAdd Mustard allow it to splitter Add 1 teaspoon of gram dal, 1/2 teaspoon methi seeds, 3 greenchillies splited, 2 red chillies, 1 pinch of asafoetida, 2 pinch of termericFry it and add the veg cut into small pieces of your choice listed above(10 small pieces is enough)Saute for a whileAdd 1/2 or 1 teaspoon of tarmarind paste(according to the sourness of the buttermilk)Add 1 cup of water, salt and cook the vegetableFinally switch off the flame and add 1 cup of buttermilk.Tastes yummy with rice and iddiappam