Natural Healthcare Guide

While many studies and researchers have proven the numerous health benefits of green tea , not much is publicly known about its less-popular sibling, white tea . So here are some comparisons of green tea vs. white tea that you may want to know. Both green and white teas offer numerous health benefits , but white tea may have a slight edge over green tea. However, white tea is more expensive. Perhaps the way to get the best of both teas is to include green tea in a daily diet and to splurge on white tea once in a while. Both green tea and white tea come from the same plant, the Camellia sinensis plant. Green tea is found in China and Japan, while white tea almost exclusively comes from the Fujian province of China. The white tea leaves are harvested during the early spring in a short period of time—just one to two weeks. White tea is derived from the immature, unopened buds of the plant. Green tea has a longer harvesting period and can have three to four yields in a year. G...

Flaxseeds are rich in Lignans, Fiber and Omega-3 fatty acids Flaxseed is one of the most concentrated plant sources of omega-3 fats which are considered to be "good fats" that are beneficial for the heart. These essential acids are only obtainable by eating the right foods; the human body is not able to produce them.Flaxseeds contain 50 to 60 per cent omega-3 fatty acids in the form of alpha linolenic acid.  Flaxseeds are also rich in antioxidants , B vitamins, protein and potassium. Modern research has found evidence to suggest that flaxseed can also help lower the risk of diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. High in dietary fibre . Flaxseed is rich in both soluble fiber (which dissolves in water) and insoluble fiber (which does not dissolve in water). According to Mayo Clinic3, "soluble fiber dissolves with water and creates a gel-like substance that helps to lower blood cholesterol and glucose levels." Whereas insoluble fiber "absorbs water which ad...

Scallions , also known as spring onions, belong to the Allium family of root vegetables that include additional flavorful members like onions, shallots, leeks and garlic to mention a few. Allium vegetables are termed as such due to a powerful healing substance found in them called allicin. The green onion's medicinal part is its stem. It works as well as an antipyretic, expectorant, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal. It is effective against colds, headaches, chills to the stomach, indigestion, and also for insomnia. The white stem contains a lot of glucose and allyl sulfides. Use it is a raw condiment to many foods by finely chopping the fresh white stem. Green Onion Health Benefits Scallions are low in calories and fat free while providing a bit of fiber. This fine herb contains folate, calcium, iron and vitamins A, C, K and some B-6. Scallions are also a rich source of vitamin C, manganese, potassium, copper, and contain a small amount of vitamin E. While these elements a...

Health Benefits of Okra Also referred to as lady’s finger and gumbo, Okra is a nutritional powerhouse used throughout history for both medicinal and culinary purposes. Okra contains vitamins, minerals and the antioxidants epicatechin, catechin, rutin, procyanidin B1 and B2 and quercetin. These antioxidants are capable of preventing damage to cells caused by environmental factors and stress. Okra's physiological effects are credited to the carbohydrates that it contains. Anti-diabetic effect - the fiber in okra is able to slow down sugar absorption to the blood. Lipid-control effect - The soluble fibers of okra, called pectin, are able to lower blood cholesterol by 10%. Brain-function-improvement effect - Eat okra for the purpose of improving brain functions. Health benefits of Okra The pods are among the very low calorie vegetables. They provide just 30 calories per 100 g besides containing no saturated fats or cholesterol. Nonetheless, they are rich sourc...

These are some general health tips recommended by Ayurveda Sleep on time: Wake up early, preferably before sunrise. A good night sleep can help to start a day with a fresh and clear mind. Drink lots of water: Drinking water is advantageous in every way. It assists metabolism and digestion, prevents constipation and the accumulation of waste products (ama) in the body, keeps away diseases and even helps in keeping the skin clear of acne and pimples. Wash your face often: Wash your face with water many times a day to remove dirt and grime, prevent the occurrence of pimples and acne and get a refreshed feeling. Take an oil massage: Massage your body with oil before bath which will rejuvenate you, reduce fatigue and prevent dry skin. Massaging the scalp with oil can prevent dandruff, graying and hair fall, enhance mental alertness and so on. Exercise regularly: There is no doubt as to the benefits of a regular exercise routine. Practicing Yoga and meditation can make your body...

Age defying activity (Vayasthapana) - The ingredient that nourishes the skin and ensures its optimum physiological functions and has an overall anti-aging property is called vayasthapana, which literally means 'maintaining youthfulness' or 'arresting age'. Vayasthapana herbs give overall support to the skin by keeping all three doshas in balance. Centella asiatica (Gotu-Kola) is the foremost vayasthapana herb with anti-aging effects; one of its many properties is to enhance collagen synthesis. It also has the deep healing (Vranaropana) abilities in the skin and are known for their ability to heal wounds. This herb support moisture balance and provide overall nourishment to the skin. Centella asiatica, commonly known as centella, is a small, herbaceous, annual plant of the family Mackinlayaceae or subfamily Mackinlayoideae of family Apiaceae, and is native to India, Sri Lanka, northern Australia, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Melanesia, Philippines, Papua ...

Youthful Radiance (Varnya) - An important group of herbs called Varnya, has the ability to enhance the radiance or bright complexion of the skin. If the skin does not have a healthy glow, or varnya quality, then it is not considered youthful in Ayurveda. Varnya herbs include sandalwood, vetiver, Indian madder and Indian sarsaparilla and so on. Recommended Products

Try these natural home remedies to get rid of Eczema Scars. It is a chronic skin disorder that entails • Itching • Skin irritation • Redness • Inflammation • Dryness • Thick, scaly patches (due to scratching) • Fluid-filled blisters that often leave behind ugly scars

Eczema is an irritating skin disease that ranges from chronic, itchy minor rashes to raging acute eczema flare-ups with open, oozing sores that require bandaging. Minimizing stress and adding moderate exercise has also proven to be effective. Sweat can act as a trigger or exacerbate eczema. So avoid sweating whenever possible or shower immediately afterward sweating. Increase your omega-3 intake with avocadoes, fresh salmon or tuna from unpolluted waters, eggs, organic raw nuts, and organic hemp, chia or flax seeds. Two tablespoons or more of flax seeds need to be ground with a coffee grinder just before consuming them. Simple Home Remedies for Eczema (1) Organic cold pressed virgin coconut oil is better than those pricey creams that a dermatologist offers. (2) Apply vitamin E oil, especially natural D-alpha tocopherol with mixed natural tocopherols. You can break open gel capsules for the oils. Avoiding synthetic vitamin E oil is tricky. So read labels closely, research, o...

One of the most common of all skin diseases, eczema consists of an inflammation of the skin of a catarrhal character. It is infact a symptom denoting the reaction of the skin to various forms of irritation. It is generally found in persons of morbid constitution where the excretions of the bowels or kidneys are defective. The real cause is the failure of the human system to excrete the poisons from the various orifices of the body. Waste matter is excreted from the rectum, through the stools, from the bladder through the urine, from the breath through the lungs and from the pores of the skin. The pores are an important outlet from which poisonous humours are discharged through sweat. If the pores of the skin are not given the chance to perform their given duty, the sweat is full of morbid humours which give rise to the various skin diseases, like eczema, acne, boils and other eruptions and itch. The best way to deal with eczema is to cleanse the blood and the body. The suffe...

The practice of yoga can help you prepare your mind and body for labor and birth as this helps you focus, to concentrate and keep you healthy. The Yoga Postures are gentle ways of keeping your body active and supple and minimize the common Pregnancy Symptoms like morning sickness and constipation. It can also help in ensuring easier labor and smooth delivery by relieving tension around the cervix and birth canal and by opening the pelvis. Yoga Precautions During Pregnancy For the first trimester, standing Yoga Poses are advised as this will help strengthen the legs, enhance circulation, generate energy, and may reduce leg cramps. During the second and third trimester, you may reduce your time spent for practicing the Asanas to prevent fatigue and overwork. Instead focus more on breathing and meditation. It is also not advised to practice from the tenth through the fourteenth week of Pregnancy since these are crucial times. Do not overstretch the abdomen; the emphasis of your ...

Yoga for Working Women Do these sentiments surface sometimes for you? "I'm unable to manage home and work." "I feel low on energy by the time I'm home." "I can hardly find time for myself." "I'm so stressed!" "My health problems are causing a hindrance." Of all the working population around the world, women are the most affected. The mere fact of balancing work and family responsibilities takes a toll on the body. This is the main reason why most working women have such problems as high stress levels and overweight. You are likely to suffer such problems due to lack of exercise. While you may wish to exercise, you may be limited by time considering the fact that you have to attend to family matters and issues once you come home from work. Yoga exercises produce power and strength; they enable your body to achieve a high level of relaxation. The psychological and physiological benefits of yoga cannot be under...

The fundamental digestive disorder is indigestion or dyspepsia which may give rise to more acute or serious diseases. The basic cause of indigestion, besides weak digestive powers, is overeating or eating foods which must be avoided. Stools of such persons contain large amounts of undigested matter. They suffer from flatulence arising from putrifying matter in the stomach or the intestines. Breaking wind or belching may provide temporary relief, but there is generally a feeling of fullness amounting to heaviness, loss of appetite and general discomfort. Sometimes hyperacidity may cause a burning sensation and even sudden escape of gas from the mouth or coming up of the undigested matter from the stomach. Overburdening of the stomach, the root cause of indigestion, has to be avoided in order to start the treatment. Treatment for Indigestion You should take light food. Do fasting for 24 hours and then take to easily digestible food. Fats and condiments must be avoided Blan...

According to Ayurveda consumption of food which is inextricably linked with digestion and its subsequent functioning or malfunctioning, the cause of improper functioning of the digestive system lies in the improper eating habits. Improper or imbalanced indulgence of senses which gives way to wrong eating habits serves to upset the all important digestive structure. Unhealthy eating manners triggered by the wrong use of senses aid to upset the physiological balance. 'Vata', 'Pitta', and 'Kapha' the natural substances included in human physiology are terribly disturbed on account of digestive disorders; the cause of which lies in the indulgent use of senses. Consumption of uncooked food items, oily stuffs and those enriched with moisture serve to bring about imbalance in the composition of air, bile and phlegm. While raw and uncooked food serves to upset 'vata'; oily and rich food upsets 'pitta' or bile. On the other hand, consumption of col...

Eating and digestion are daily, life-sustaining events. It's no wonder, then, that a healthy digestive system is revered in Ayurveda as a cornerstone of well-being and that every disease is believed to arise from inefficient digestion. The fiery metabolic energy of digestion, known as agni, allows us to assimilate food while ridding the body of wastes and toxins (ama). It transforms dense physical matter into the subtler forms of energy the body needs to be vital, generate internal warmth, and produce a clear mind. There are many types of agni in the body. Within the digestive system, agni determines the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach (where it's known as jathar agni), bile acids in the liver (bhuta agni), and sugar-digesting pancreatic enzymes (kloma agni). It also regulates the thyroid gland (jatru agni) and the metabolic transformations of the tissues (dhatu agni). Special agnis are even found in each cell. The metabolic pathway of agni begins with dige...

Start by warming the specific oil in a bowl of boiled water.  Use the open part of your hand, rather than your finger tips, to massage your entire body.  In general, use circular motions over rounded areas (joints, head) and straight strokes over straight areas (neck, long bones).  Apply moderate pressure over most of your body and light pressure over your abdomen and heart.  Start with your head. Pour a small amount of oil on your hands and vigorously massage it into your scalp.  Use the flat part of your hands, make circular strokes to cover your whole head. Spend more time massaging your head than other parts of the body.  Move to your face and outer ears, remembering to apply a small amount of oil as you move from one part of your body to the next.  Massage this area gently.  Massage the front and back of your neck, and the upper part of your spine.  At this point you may want to cover the rest of your body with a thin layer...

Benefits of applying oil to the body (abhyanga): Imparts softness, strength and color to the body Decreases the effects of aging Bestows good vision Nourishes the body Increases longevity Benefits sleep patterns Benefits skin Strengthens the body’s tolerance Imparts a firmness to the limbs Imparts tone and vigor to the dhatus (tissues) of the body Stimulates the internal organs of the body, increasing circulation Pacifies vata and pitta Herbal oils specific to your constitution or current condition are especially good choices for full body massage. Specific oil recommendations for each dosha are listed in the dosha-specific abhyanga sections below. Benefits of applying oil to the scalp (murdha taila): Makes hair grow luxurious, thick, soft and glossy Soothes and invigorates the sense organs Helps reduce facial wrinkles Bhringaraj Oil, Brahmi Oil, and Healthy Hair Oil are especially well suited for scalp massage. Buy Now Benefits of applying oil...