Ayurvedam

Many people use natural supplements and herbs to help lose weight naturally. This form of weight loss is considered safe and effective. You can improve health by losing weight by not hurting your body in the process

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According to the London based Obesity Task Force, an estimated 1.7 billion people are overweight throughout the world. Obesity in the United States is now considered an epidemic with more than 71% of adults classifying as overweight. Only a few decades before, in 1984, this percentage was 56%. Not only adults are suffering from this problem. Between 12% and 14% of children and teenagers are also overweight.

Over 300,000 people die each year from illness linked to weight. Health problems that can develop for overweight people include stroke, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, gallbladder disease, and gout. Less severe conditions include osteoarthritis and sleep apnea.

Protect yourself from weight related illness by loosing weight. The risk of health problems increases with the amount you are overweight. Herbal supplements aid in weight reduction while helping lower the health risks of obesity.

According to health experts, there of four factors in weight control: 1. strength training to help build muscle, 2. cardiovascular training to increase your metabolism, 3. good nutrition to manage caloric intake but provide the body with sufficient energy, and 4. mental strength providing the ability to start and execute a program. Good nutrition often includes the following nutritional herbal and weight loss supplements:


Popular weight loss herbs include the following:

    Bitter Orange
    Cayenne
    Coleus
    Ephedra
    Garcinia Cambogia
    Green Tea
    Guaraná
    Guggul
    Spirulina (Blue-Green Algae)

Ginseng is held in high esteem because of its use as a medicinal plant. The genus name Panax is derived from the Greek word meaning "panacea" or "all-healing." The species ginseng is said to mean, "wonder of the world." Ginseng is considered an aphrodisiac, stimulant, stomachic, and demulcent.
Traditionally, the wild root was consumed to vitalize, strengthen, and rejuvenate the entire body. As a medicinal plant, ginseng seems has been used as a remedy for all ailments, including depression, diabetes, fatigue, aging, inflammations, internal degeneration, nausea, tumors, pulmonary problems, dyspepsia, vomiting, nervousness, stress and ulcers. It is also known to be used to increase the appetite and bodily energy, regulate menses, ease childbirth, increase fertility of women, and treat periodontal disease.
American ginseng is said to relieve menopausal women of hot flashes, reduce fevers and loosen a dry, hacking cough due to smoking or other factors. American ginseng is used in traditional Chinese medicine for deficiency of energy, internal injuries caused by worry, convalescent weakness, palpitations, insomnia, forgetfulness, and nervousness and to promote general mental and physical well being.
Oriental ginseng is used as a cardiac tonic for shock and low blood pressure. Widely cultivated, Korean ginseng is now used as a natural preventive, restorative remedy and valued for its adaptogenic properties. Korean ginseng is more stimulating and increases the "yang" energy, while American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolium) increases the "yin" energy. Korean ginseng is considered most suitable for males and for older people.
Russian scientists claim that Siberian ginseng aids in memory, stamina and endurance. Siberian ginseng is a staple of athlete's and production workers.
Siberian ginseng contains remarkable compounds that favorably affect the adrenal glands, the small glands that rest atop the kidneys and secrete stress-fighting hormones. Taking the herb is believed to boost the body's capacity to handle physical stresses ranging from heat exposure to extreme exertion. Resistance to disease increases as well. So does one's overall energy level.
All forms of ginseng are said to aid in reducing stress, improving vitality and boosting the immune system. Oriental ginseng, whether white or red, is often taken as a daily tonic with the added benefit of an energy boost

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Ayurveda regimen  for winter depression.

Long nights, short days, sweaters, warm clothes and chilly weather make many of us sick and depressed. This depression which surfaces especially in winter is a Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and is often called as winter Time Blues or Winter depression. The exact cause for this depression is as of yet unclear. But yet few scientists believe lack of exposure to sunlight as the reason for this disorder.

The symptoms of winter depression are tendency to over eat, craving for carbohydrates and sweets and weight gain.

Had our ancestors observed this change in humans? The answer is yes. Have they recommended any remedies? Yes, they have recommended simple and effective natural remedies to overcome Seasonal Affective Disorder. They have laid down explicit guidelines about diet and lifestyles which have to be followed according to seasons.

The winter season is marked as Hemanta ritu and Sisira ritu in ayurveda. Hemanta ritu starts from mid November and ends in mid January. This falls in southern solstice which is called as visarga kala or dakshinayana in ayurveda. Sisira ritu starts from mid January and lasts till middle of march. Sisira ritu falls in Northern solstice which is called as Aadana kaala or uttaraayana.

The response of human body to this season is very well explained in ayurveda. People will have increased strength and their digestion capacity is increased .This is marked by increased hunger. These symptoms are caused by increased body fire which is supported by vata. Vata inside  body increases in winter because of cold and dryness which is prevalent in outer atmosphere.

The winter time depression is noticed mostly in persons who have vata as major constituent in their prakriti or body constitution. The cause for this type of change is longer nights of winter.

Light therapy is recommended by doctors for winter time blues. Exposure to artificial light may cause headache , Irritability ,Eye strain , Inability to sleep and fatigue. Exposure to sunlight and if sunlight is not available sitting near fireplace is the remedy suggested in Ayurveda.

Keeping the home well lit with lights help to reduce the intensity of depression.

Moderate exercise like yoga is another remedy for winter depression. Ayurveda recommends oil massage (abhyanga)  to body and head (moordha taila.). Indulging in sexual act to keep the moods elevated and to keep the body warm is another strongly suggested ayurvedic remedy.

Meeting friends who are kind and understanding boosts morale and brightens up the day. Spending time with friends on the beach helps to expose your body to sunlight and keeps your spirits high.

Relaxing with meditation, massage , light music and laughter helps to great extent.

The following ayurvedic tips help to prevent and reduce the intensity of seasonal disorder of winter, the winter time blues.
1.Expose yourself to sunlight as much as you can. In absence of sun light sitting near fire place is very helpful.
2. Massage your body with vata balancing herbal oil (abhyanga). Never forget to apply oil on your head (moordha taila.).
 3.Then remove the oil by taking hot water bath. A mixture of  flours of yellow gram (channa), green gram (moong) , fenu greek seeds (methi)  in equal proportion is the best herbal scrub which can be used to remove the oil. This mixture prevents the washing of natural oil from skin.
4.Consume hot soups.
5.Use vata balancing foods like wheat, oil, corn, black gram and jaggery.
6.Tickle your taste buds with sweet, sour and salt tastes
7.Always use hot water for all daily routine activity.
8.Use thick blankets and sheets made of cotton, silk and wool.
9.Always wear foot wear.
10.Indulge in sexual act.
11.Spend your leisure time with friends and relatives whom you like.