AYURVEDA IN URINATRY TRACT INFECTIONS

Urinary tract infections are a common health issue that causes physical and mental trauma to the patient. Gender wise it effects females more due to some anatomical features of female urinary system. 

Mostly the infection is bacterial and rarely viral and other microbes can also invade the urinary passage; from urethra to the kidneys.

In many cases this can be treated with antibiotics but some cases the infection persists and it becomes chorionic. Ayurveda and yoga practices can help in these circumstances; it is particularly important in recurrent type of infections

Ayurveda treats by virtue of using 

1. antimicrobial herbs

2. Use of diuretics 

3. Improve immunity

4. Practice of Clinical yoga can help to alleviate the issue of urinary infection completely.  Asanas like Bhadrasana, badhakonasana, ananthasana, pavanamukthasana has been found effective in UTI

A regular intake of water is also recommended, so that there will be sufficient amount of urine output which does not allow bacterial build up within the bladder and ureter.

Other precautions are to keep hygiene especially during days of menstruation in females and during unprotected sex, rational use of public toilets and regular exercises that give movement to the pelvic area

 

HOW TO LIVE LONGER BY AYURVEDA

 There are many mythological references to remain young (challenging the relentless attack of time and diseases which leads to old age), the classical examples being of king Yayati and Saint Chyavana; to whom the famous Chavanaprash owes its name.

Looking at a scientific and physiological viewpoint there is no return from senile to youth. What is possible is prolong the process of aging; Ayurveda does not contest this idea.

In Rasayana-Vajeekarana chapter (Geriatric and Aphrodisiac treatments) of ayurveda this is made clear. The texts say one should undergo these treatments when someone is still young or in middle aged.

The reason is simple and direct; every cell in our body has a predetermined lifespan; whether it be skin cells, bone cells, blood cells and so on. Once they reach maturity the cells are killed by our system itself (apoptosis).

There are many herbs that can help our cells to live to their full potential and lifespan; this helps to delay aging. The principle behind any anti-aging therapy must be good nourishment which has plenty of antioxidants in it, vitamins and micronutrients which are necessary for the maintenance and repair of individual cells. A good practice of yoga also help to ensure good supply of blood and oxygen to every individual cells.

It is not by chance that the herbs used for internal consumption in Rasayana finds a place in hair tonics too, like the famous Indian gooseberry.

 

 

 

AYURVEDA AND SEX

VAJEEKARANA 'TANTRA'

There is a whole specialty called Vajeekarana in Ayurveda, which is to address infertility both in men and women, to improve libido and ways to have healthy children. In classical ayurvedic text of Ashtanga Hridaya a couple without issues is compared to a tree without fruits or seeds! 

In this chapter of Ashtanga Hridaya treads more on the materialistic path where it deals with treatments and methods to improve libido and sexual vigor. This is an aberration of Ayurvedic ethical code of conduct (sadvrithas)

This might have crept in to ayurveda to satisfy the needs of Kings and Nobles who were the patrons of Ayurveda during ancient times.

It is recommended to undergo a panchakarma cleansing procedure before undergoing Rasayana-Vajeekarana treatments (Geriatric and Aphrodisiac treatments)

Ayurveda reccomends when to indulge in sex according to season; rarely in summer, sometimes in spring & autumn and anytime in winter without restrictions. 

Even though yogic practices totally urges us to desist from sexual acts at the higher level of yoga, some asanas, pranayama and kundali yoga practice can increase libido and vigor and also has found effective in certain sexual disorders like erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation.

AYURVEDA WEIGHT REDUCTION

Best way to find out whether you are obese is to check your BMI. BMI (body mass index) Normally a BMI of 18.5 - 24.9 is considered ideal. In simple terms BMI is a ratio of our weight and height. To start with at home, you can try a combination of treadmill workouts plus indoor cycling on stationary bikes. Food has a major role in making us obese. The choice of food depends on your intake, whether you are a vegetarian or non-vegetarian, age and sex.

 There is a misconception among some that vegetarian food will not gain pounds, which is wrong. Any food rich in calories will adds to ones weight if those calories are not burned properly. Even carbohydrates which normally is used by the body for energy-giving can be converted into fat. More carbohydrates in the system stimulate insulin production, which increases production of fats and inhibits their cellular uptake. So eat foods like 'channa' (bengal gram or Cicer arietinum also garbanz) which has a low cellular uptake will help you. Look for similar food items which has low-gycemic index. 

Look for causes, overweight or obesity could be due to

 Genetic

·        Side effects of drugs/medicines

·        Dietary abuse

·        Poor physical exercise

·        Oversleeping

·        Hormonal /menopausal

·        Side effects of diseases and intake of medicines like steroids

  TREATMENT PRICIPLES

·        Removal of  causes

·        Eat food that are less in glycemic index

·        Regular exercise

·        Sleep early, get up early

·        Do not mix proteins and fat in equal proportion (1:1)

·        Intake of decoctions that reduce weight

·        Diet suitable for kapha-type personalities

·        Ayurvedic diabetic therapy

·        Atkins Diet

there are some specific treatments in ayurveda like powder massages to reduce body weight

Western Medicine and Ayurveda

 

Difference between Western Medicine and Indian system of Medicine

Western medicine works on the principle of using active ingredients from different sources such as herbs, minerals, petroleum products by extracting the basic chemicals which act directly on the invading germs, microorganisms or cancerous cells or by making use of surgical and other invasive therapies like laser (making cuts or punctures), there are other noninvasive methods like lithotripsy and some types of radiations.

Ayurveda works on humours or doshas and thereby correcting the vitiated doshas

Doshas are energy packs which run the body (physiological factors)

In western medicine most of the treatments are symptomatic and mostly do not address the real underlying cause (root cause), so they rely on symptomatic, corrective (like surgery) and palliative type of treatments.

Ayurveda has two types of treatments one is symptomatic type and another detoxification treatment.

Symptomatic treatment address symptoms directly.

What makes Ayurveda unique is their ‘shodana’ or detox treatment popularly known by the name panchakarma. Sometimes panchakarma is a used as a misnomer; it includes all procedures of Ayurveda which help eliminate toxins which cannot leave our system by normal ways of excretion.

As far as medicines in Ayurveda is concerned all the medicines are taken directly from nature, whether it be plant, animal or mineral origin. The demarcation between food and medicine is very thin in Ayurveda. So sometimes a controlled food itself act as medicine. At the same time some ayurvedic herbal medicines are fast acting and potently dangerous if given in wrong does and to the wrong patient (like purgative and emetics).

 Spices has a very big role in Ayurveda pharmacopeia; but extracting only the active chemical ingredient is not done in Ayurveda.

One of the advantages of Ayurveda is that it does not have side effects except in medicines of mineral or metallic origin.

The main problem with a western drug/medicine is its side effects when a new drug is introduced to body, body cells respond in  different way and sometimes the toxic effect cannot be eliminated fully.

COCONUT BASED PRODUCTS

 Coconut palm grows in the tropics and its yield is year-round. Coconut is used in these places as an ingredient of food, both in its raw form and as oil. Oil is used for cooking and cosmetic purposes. A variety of hair tonics are prepared with coconut oil as base.

Coconut oil has effect on some types of poison, acts against diseases, reduce inflammation, kill bacteria.

An Ayurveda oil named ‘Murivenna’ which uses coconut oil as base is widely used  in sprains, pain and even fracture management in Ayurveda.

Coconut oil is an esseintial ingredient of food in the tropical wold. Many an eyebrow was raised about the health value of coconut oil as it is a saturated type of oil; theoretically such oils tend to increase bad cholesterol, but studies have proved that this is just a speculation.

Even though coconut oil is a saturated one, the chemical structure is simple and it does not create adverse effect on its consumers. There are no statistical data to substantiate the claim that coconut oil can cause high cholesterol levels. 

Coconut oil solidifies in mid twenty degrees С so it is a drawback when used in cold seasons and in cold countries. Coconut oil extracted without any sediments can be used by heating in such circumstances

Coconut kernel is an alkaline food and most alkaline foods are suitable for our consumption, it is a storehouse of nutrients including proteins, fat, minerals vitamins, manganese, iron and copper. 

Coconut water from tender coconuts is a good natural beverage and contains good amount of bicarbonates, and potassium so it is a good diuretic and is recommended in patients with cystic stones and urinary tract infections.

The faous ayurvedic eye drop named Elaneer Kuzhampu uses coconut water as its basis as fresh coconut is so pure and sterile (aseptic)

ANTI-MICROBIAL AGENTS IN AYURVEDA

Antibacterial Agents

There are many herbs which are antimicrobial in nature. Most important being Tulsi (Ocimum), neem and turmeric.

The uses of these herbs are in different ways; Tulsi is used to disinfect the surroundings, it purifies air so it is grown in courtyards and indoors. It also finds place as an ingredient in medicine for respiratory tract infections and other lung related illnesses.

Neem is known for its antimicrobial effect on both fungus and bacteria. It is used as medicine for many skin ailments. Neem is an active ingredient of many herbal soaps and cosmetics. Neem oil finds a place in agriculture too where it is widely used as herbal pesticide, the residual neem cake also finds its use as a fertilizer plus antifungal in property.

Another common spice which is widely used as an antimicrobial is turmeric. Turmeric is an indispensable ingredient in Indian cuisine and used as medicine too. Curcumin which is an active ingredient of turmeric is know to have anti-cancer property too.

Garlic and ginger also find an important place as food which has antimicrobial properties, especially cooking meant or fish. They can nullify the toxic effect, if any, of meat.

Single herbal drugs (having only one ingredient) are available in the market now; they adorn a prominent place in Ayurvediс treatment in India and elsewhere. 

Neem, Haridra, and Tuslsi are available in tablet forms.

COVID19 AND SENSE OF SMELL

 

How to regain sense of smell after Covid

One of the most common symptoms of Covid 19 is anosmia or potential loss of smell during the infection. It has been found that some patients are unable to regain the ability to smell well after covid recovery. This problem takes some bizarre turn when some patients have false perception like confusing the smell of perfumes with rotten or pungent smell.

At the moment there is no medication in modern medicine that can help, ‘time’ is the only cure available.

Looking through the ayurvedic point of view it has been found that Nasya therapy which is one among the panchakarmas has been found yielding encouraging results.

Contrary to popular belief nasya is not a treatment limited to clean the upper respiratory tract, it is a simple but effective treatment in many neurological conditions including hemiplegia and facial paralysis. Before the advent of antivenom treatment in snake bite nasyam had a big role in toxicology too as it is fast acting due to bypassing the alimentary canal in absorption.

Nasya with Anu taila, shat bindu or fortified ksheerabala is used for nasya. It is better to perform the nasay in a clinic or hospital as pre-nasya procedures like oil massage and sweadana are mandatory.

As an adjuvant therapy gandoosha can also be done.

Role of Yoga and Marma therapy

Kapalabhati

Bhastrika

Massage on marma points of head

The abovу mentioned treatments has given encouraging results from various doctors in Kerala, India. Always consult an Ayurveda doctor to know more

COVID AND AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT

 

As pandemic continues to rage all over the world medical fraternity is looking towards alternative therapies like Ayurveda to prevent, treat and rehabilitate patients of covid.

Ayurveda has a branch called “Rasayana” which can be roughly translated as geriatric medicine; to be precise it is more of a preventive therapy applicable to all age groups.

The medicines used in ‘Rasayana’ can be taken in two ways, one is taking smaller quantity (dose) of medicines for an extended period of time; say three months.

Second one is taking “Rasayana” medicines in controlled doses under the supervision of a doctor for a shorter period of time. This is a combination of “Panchakarma’ procedures, followed by intake of medicine; followed by a strict regimen (daily routine) and diet.

 

To treat an infection of covid patients the ayurvedic way is mostly symptomatic as Ayurveda does not have medicines with sudden action on viruses.

 

Unlike other infectious diseases covid does not have a uniform pattern of infection or post-covid complications; mostly it affects our respiratory system but other systems like gastroenteric system is also affected, which is often missed in diagnosis. Rarely the complications can be to cardiovascular system and excretory system.

 

One feature of covid infection that baffled medical professionals was its ability to kill persons with good immunity due to stronger immune response. In such cases conventional immune booster can sometimes cause negative result, so need of the hour is immunomodulators which acts in a metered quantity.

 

Here also immunomodulators like Chyavanprash can help in the rehabilitation of post covid patient. If there is a gastrointestinal complication panchakarma therapy can also be availed; but most importantly yoga practices have been found effective especially the pranayama (the breathing techniques) section of yoga. A regular practice of pranayama along with rasayana medicines are the best possible alternative therapies that will go places in the management of post-covid complications.

BREAST FEEDING

 What makes mammals unique is the ability to breastfeed the young ones, whether it a little mouse, man, or whales and dolphins. Due to commercialization and false propagandas many a woman abstained from feeding their children during the recent past.

But due to recent propaganda by WHO and other NGOs world is rediscovering the benefits of breast feeding 

* Mother should eat all variety of food she was used to before.There's no food taboos.A new food item is not advised.

*Mother's milk is sufficient for every baby.Production of milk is by demand.Mother's hormones are produced in response to seeing touching hearing her baby.

Breast is not a store house.Milk is produced and flows when baby sucks.

*No other milk should be given for various reasons.One important reason is giving other milk will reduce mother's milk.This is because baby will be less hungry,sucks less and hormones come down.

There is no need to top up extra after mother's milk.

*Baby can be kept on chest or lap of mother even after feeding.Babies like to be close to the mother.Warmth,touch and smell of mother is a pacifier.(At any age)

Our brain is used to these stimuli first in our lives

Baby is not spoilt or you need  not discipline by keeping baby on bed after feeding.

*Baby passes stools while feeding or immediately after feeding.This is natural physiology.It is not due to indigestion as many think.

Mother's milk is human species specific and also baby specific.

A breast fed baby may pass stools 15times a day to no stools upto 15 days!!

*Baby's crying is not always due to hunger.That's the language to express everything.Cries while passing stool,urine,wet,hot,cold,itching,hurting,too many people around,no one picking...

*Mother's milk alone is sufficient for good growth and development for baby.if any doubt dicuss with your doctor or nurse

*Not enough milk complaint is common.Various reasons are

*Not sure how we know...if baby's weight increasing surest sign.

Indirectly we know if baby passes urine 5or 6times.Sleeps well after feed.

*Crying...

Do not wait till a baby cries with hunger.Observe cues like vigorous activities,turning face side to side sucking hand etc.pick baby during this time to feed.Baby starts sucking well.Crying is last step and it may take a while to settle the baby and mother too .

After feed may  be baby wants to stay close to mother.Keep baby on mother.

Other reasons for crying wet nappy

*Not fed for enough time...there is no strict rule every baby should feed in stipulated time.Everyone is unique

*Mother's anxiety and not enough support. Encourage every mother she will be able to give sufficient milk. Especially husband,mother, mother in law's need to do this.

Breast feeding needs to be learnt by mother and baby.It comes by practice.It's a new knowledge for mother too.

*Drinks too often.You don't need to set the clock and see.Take it easy.Every baby is unique.

*No privacy.too many visitors..

Good skin contact,time, peaceful atmosphere is required.

Stroke and speak to the baby while feeding.

Only you need to have a baby and mother to have enough milk..

Mother's milk is the best gift for a baby...for a lifetime

KUNDALINI YOGA

Kundalini yoga is gaining popularity world over; more and more people want to practice Kundalini Yoga. 

What is Kundalini and how is it different from conventional Hatha Yoga?

Hatha yoga works at the body level, or starts with body later on to mind and soul. 

On the other hand, Kundalini yoga works at astral body. Apart from our physical body we have an astral body and it is made up of nadis. Nadis are mainly tubes through which prana (life force) flows. There are some junctions of nadis where high concentration of energy converge these are called chakras. 

Chakras in turn are many but mainly there are seven chakras.

They lie in one line aligned one over the other starting from the base chakra or muladhara. Many texts are of the opinion that chakras lie on our sushumna or spinal cord, but thinking on a physiological perspective it will be wiser to conclude that Chakras actually lie along Vagus nerve, which innervate the parasympathetic nervous system.

Parasympathetic system helps us in digestion, relaxation, sleep and going further even helping us meditate.

But how can we stimulate or influence these charkas? We have to make use of our senses to navigate to a place where it can help us create a sixth sense.

Visual imageries like colors, geometric structures called yantras, auditory impulses like mantas, tactile sensations like massages, olfactory impulses like fumigation etc. can help us raise our kundalini which normally reside in the base chakra or Kundalini.

Constant practice is required to achieve this

 

GHEE

 Ghee is a diary product from India, 'desi' ghee is synonymous with good nutrition in India. Ghee was considered as a medium to communicate with Gods with the help of 'agni' Deva (fire God) in some rituals like homa.

Let's take a physiological perspective of this, as we are a miniature model of this cosmos we draw a comparison.

Ghee is one of the few materials which can penetrate into our inner tissues, tissues communicate better thorough fatty-acid medium than water or any other liquid. It is even thought that ghee can even breech the most selective area of our body the Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB).

So analogy is that with the help of agni (digestive fire) ghee reaches inner tissues (devas) and brain and nourishes them. In Ayurveda panchakarma therapies are incomplete without  ghee.

But Ghee being purely fat many an eyebrows is raised when physicians advise patients to consume it fearing a spike in cholesterol level. 

This is where the manufacturing process and selection of ghee plays a big role. 

Ghee from cows that are fed in natural environment where cows are allowed to roam free are the best. Since their diet includes variety of materials including different kinds of grasses which contains medicinal properties. Farm fed cows are nourished with fodder which has pure nutritional as well as medicinal qualities.

Best ghee is obtained by conventional method of centrifuge using hands. Modern day diary farms use high velocity machine run centrifuges which will separate all the solid  and liquid part separately which include all types of fat, including low density lipoproteins which are considered as 'bad cholesterol'

Ghee obtained by conventional centrifugal methods are found to have higher percentage of high density lipoproteins which are actually good cholesterol

 

NATURAL SOURCES OF CALCIUM

 Major source of calcium is from animals, in the form of meat, diary products, seafood and eggs. But due to religious compulsions and the unethical practices of over exploitation of cattle and poultry more and more people are looking for alternate sources of calcium.

Some people who have lactose intolerance also needs alternate calcium sources.

Figs

Chia seeds

Almonds 

Broccoli

Plant-based milks like soya milk

Tomatoes 

Dates

Beans 

These are some of the plant based sources of calcium; but if one wishes to shift from animal based calcium to vegetarian calcium, one needs to move with caution as enzymes and gastric juices for the absorption and assimilation of these sources varies from animal sources and sometimes people may end up calcium deficient trying a sudden shift of diet.

Best way is to inroduce vegetarian calicium with gradual tapering of animal based calcium.

As a general rule whatever the source of calcium one needs to take green leafy vegetables in our regular diet for complete absorption of calcium.

 

GOMUTRA -COW'S URINE AS MEDICINE

Cows Urine (Gomutra) has been used in India from time immammorial both as medicine and manure. Gomutra is used as such or in prepared medications like pancha-gavya . It is used in panchakarma therapy like vasti, which is an important ayurvedic treatment in diseases like arthritis. It has been found effective in many diseases like skin diseases, liver-kidney disorders, anemia, gout and cancer (claimed by some fold vaidyas)

But a care should be taken in the selection of urine as farm-fed cattle is being fed with fodder with poor quality nutrition and there are chances 

Cow's that fed natural grass by free roaming is the best one, some conditions pregnant cow's urine is selected as it contains additonal hormones that has more medicinal value. Urine must be collected early in the morning, preferably the first urine and must be preserved before it turns stale.

Cow's urine is also used for mixing many ayurvedic herbs in the preparation of pills. 

However the cow's urine is more used as fertilizer along with cowdung and also for making organic pesticides

 

SIMPLE MORNING EXERCISES

 Good mornings begin after a good night's sleep! 

Try to get up from bed by turning towards your right side, fold your legs at knees and hip, also your arms folded and make your arms like a pillow for a minute, mimicking a baby in mother's womb, and slowly rise signifying a rebirth as per Oriental philosophies.

As we become older, we are also prone to diseases, one of the commonest diseases is arthritis. Even though there are many varieties of arthritis, most common one is rhematic type. It is a metabolic disorder but it gets manifested in our joints, starting with smaller joints of our fingers, later on to bigger joints like the weight bearing joints; knees and ankles.

We can do some simple exercise for our smaller joints; in yoga we call it 'pavanamukthasana' series; it means exercises that clears the passages of vata through our nadis or astral tube. On the physical body such exercises help us to eliminate the metabolic toxins which gets deposited in our joints overnight inactivity due to our sleep. 

This is simple flexion and extension of all our body joints including the small joints of hands and feet.

Another exercise we can practice is 'kapalabhathi,' kapalabhathi is active and forceful expiration followed by passive inhalation. This also helps to eliminate any build-up of toxic wastes in the form of gasses in our system, especially excess carbon dioxide. 

Kapalabhathi also help to reduce any viral or bacterial infection.

 

FUMIGATION AT HOME

Fumigation has its origin in some religious rituals with fire, in cultures which worshiped FIRE.  They considered fire and fumes as a means to communicate with the demi-gods and to destroy demons. Thinking rationally, we can understand that all the ingredients we use in fumigation has some ani-microbial, anti-bacterial or anti-fungal properties which repel harmful flies, mosquitos and even microbes.

Frankincense, gulgulu, myrrh, neem, sandal and turmeric can be used to fumigate our household both indoors and outdoors.

In Kerala fumigation using 'aparajitha choornam' an Ayurveda product is widely used in fumigating local community sponsored by the government, especially during the pre-monsoon cleaning drive which has been proved successful in reducing vectors borne and other diseases which appear during rainy season.

Fumigation can be done any place but more suitable in independent houses as sometimes fumes can trigger a false fire alam.

Best medium to fumigate is embers of coal or charcol from coconut shell and putting "aparajitha choornam" in it.

 

PANCHAKARMA

 What is panchakarma and its relevance

 Ayurvedic treatment is divided into two 

1.     Symptomatic treatment (samana)

2.     Detoxification treatment (shodhana)

Panchakarma belongs to shodhana or detoxification therapy of Ayurveda which is more effective and prevents the recurrence of diseases. 

Nature has given us different routes to expel toxins from our body, like voiding, urination, sweating and in in emergency situations vomiting. Our liver, kidneys and rectum take part in this natural process. But some toxins which body cannot expell remain in our system including deeper tissues and liver. So shodhana or detoxification therapy works in expelling these toxins.

But how is it possible to reach deep seated tissues and clean them? This is where the importance of fatty acids come into play. 

Ghee is a milk-fat product from India, very few materials can penetrate deeper tissues of our body, ghee is one among them. It is believed that ghee can even breech the blood-brain barrier. 

A copious amount of medicated ghee is administered to patient/subject in metered doses day by day, increasing the amount daily. Inside our body ghee molecule can penetrate the cell walls better. Most of biotoxins are soluble better in ghee medium and they come out to alimentary canal as waste product. When the situation is conducive for their explusion, a induced purgation, enema or vomiting is done in the patients. Procedures like medicated enema needs more sessions to get full result.

Apart from the oil administration internally (orally) patients are also given oil massages followed by sweating. This is to facilitate the expulsion of toxins near to skin through sweating. An Ayurveda massage is incomplete if sweating (steam bath) is not done.

Panchakarma is a time-consuming procedure as it takes few days to complete and there should be some restrictions on the diet too.

Historic Importance: One of the limitations of any indigenous or herbal system is that most of the medications are given enterically, or through mouth. And ingested medicine undergoes the same digestive process like our food. So many medicines which are in protein nature lose their molecular structure and cannot reach site of action.

In olden days nasya (nasal infusion) and vasti (enema) could bypass the alimentary canal by their entry through nasal and rectal entry where medicines could reach blood stream in its original form.

Any medication given via nose can reach the site of action fast too, in earlier days nasya was an important treatment in treating snake bite as anti-poison herbs could reach the blood stream soon through nasal mucosa. 

Apart from above mentioned benefits panchakarma procedures can be done to healthy people if they wish to do rejuvenative type of treatment.

In yoga also there are some detoxification therapies called as 'shat kriyas'

Yoga considers our lungs has an excretory function too where toxic gasses are expelled after respiration. Some pranayama practices mentioned in yoga are purely detoxifying in nature.

It expells mental toxins too!

 

HOW MUCH WATER TO DRINK? AND WHEN?

 How much water to drink varies from person to person depending on our body weight, nature of job and climatic conditions. 

Modern medical scientists also differ in this, as a generally accepted rule anywhere between 2 liter to 4 four liters is accepted, for a man weighing 70kilos. Coming to Ayurveda it also take into account of your prakriti physiological humour.

In simple words if you are pitta or fire type  person you need to drink more because fire-type  persons sweat more and dehydration rate is higher than kapha (earth) and vata (wind elements)

When to take water.

If you want to do slimming you can drink water before you take your meals, and if you want to gain weight drink water only after you have eaten all the solid food.

In you want to keep status-quo drink water in smaller quantiles at frequent intervals.

Cold or Warm Water: Always drink warm or lukewarm water if you have eaten any far rich meal. Cold drinks can definitely dampen your 'agni' or digestive fire.

Climate Wise: In humid hot conditions it goes without saying that we needs to drink more, but hot dry spells can sometimes mask our water requirement as sweat is not apparently visible.

 

HAIR LOSS AND AYURVEDIC REMEDIES

Remedies

 

 Good hair is a direct benchmark of one’s health in general. In many cultures it is a parameter of beauty too. It is found that those with good nutritional diet, especially protein intake, has good hair too. In India lengthy thick hairs for girls is considered as sign of beauty and direct index of their gynecological health.

 

Hair loss can be due to myriad reasons

• Lack of Nutrition
• Change of water used
• Working in hot conditions
• Stress related
• Hormone related 
• Side effects of drugs

In some men baldness is a condition which sets in middle ages and it has a hormonal and genetic disposition. Currently there is no cure for this condition.

HOW CAN HAIRFALL BE PREVENTED?

• Create an ambience for hair growth, don't pour very hot water while taking shower.
• Keep the scalp clean and free from dandruff
• Eat protein rich food
• Rational use of shampoos
• PERIODIC APPLICATION OF OIL ON HEAD

External application of oils and paste of head. As per modern chemistry our skin is a highly selective membrane which allows entry only to selected chemicals and materials (no entry even for minute bacteria or viruses)

In Ayurveda mostly oils or hair tonics are made in oil medium, a nearest analogue is aloe vera, both have the ability to dissolve most of the aromatic active ingredients which enhances hair growth. 

Mere application of oil or cream does not suffice; this is where the importance of massage comes. Application of oil on head can definitely give a smoothness and sheen to scalp and hair but does not reach the dermis level of skin where the hair roots are situated.

Any massage with finger tips on head creates a pressure gradient sufficient enough to trigger a reverse osmosis type of medicinal entry. This applies to other massages too.

Hair oils are selected according to prakriti (physiological humour) and vikriti (pathology if any). 

It is recommended you consult your ayurvedic doctor before selecting the type of oil for your hair as sometimes some herbal oils used at the wrong place can be counter productive.

 

 

Role of Yoga in Covid19

 According to WHO major complications of Covid19 are pneumonia and airway obstructions which also account for majority of fatalities reported. 

Here we will see a yogic technique of pranayama to improve our overall health related with breathing. 

In philosophical and spiritual terms pranayama helps an aspirant of yoga to improve his field of prana, which in medical parlance can be correlated with our immune system.

In simple terms it help us to breathe better and live longer.

Kapalabhathi is a technique in yoga which emphasize on forced exhalations, this is mainly a forced expiration using abdominal muscles followed by passive inhalation. 

How does Kapalabhati work?

Most pranayama practices help to improve our vital capacity (the maximum air that one can exhale after a full inhalation) but this does not guarantee us good gas exchange due to some physiological factors, especially in obstructive lung diseases. In many cases of Covid19 it is found that dead space volume (air that does not take part in gas exchange) remains high which in normal circumstances humidifies the air within lungs and improve the quality of airway mucus, but in obstructive airway diseases like pneumonia it poses a huge risk of less ventilation and perfusion (blood flow through vessels) thereby compromising oxygen supply and elimination of carbon dioxide and subsequent accumulation of excess mucus which may prove fatal.

Kapalabhathi is one practice that can prevent accumulation of mucus thereby increasing the ventilation, gas exchange and perfusion rate, both in healthy and infected persons. It also flushes out the germ and prevent bacterial and viral load buildup inside the lungs.

Kapalabhati also has implication in nervous and endocrines systems, the impulses created by it can travel through vagus and phrenic nerves. They transmit impulses to brain and improves the functions of brain, especially the frontal lobe faculties of brain, the control panel of our personality. Interestingly the name kapalabhathi literarily means “shining skull.”

In the endocrine system kapalabhathi can alert our survival instinct by production of epinephrine and norepinephrine which help us to tide over emergency situations. Hence recommended not to overdo it also. 

These practices must be done under a qualified yoga teacher preferably under the guidance of a medical professional. Contrary to popular belief yogic practices do have side effects if practiced in wrong way, at the wrong place or done at unearthly hours. In Covid19 positive cases dryness of nasal passages and throat are sometimes seen; in such cases, kapalabhathi can increase dryness, in such situations drinking lukewarm water frequently in small quantity is advisable.

Indo Pak Love

 റാഡ്ക്ലീഫ് നിർമ്മിതമായ അതിർത്തി പൊട്ടിച്ചെറിയാൻ വിദേശഗമനം നമ്മെ കുറച്ചെങ്കിലും സഹായിക്കുമെന്നുള്ള കാര്യത്തിൽ തർക്കമില്ല. പ്രവാസികളായ സിന്ധികൾ ( Regardless of their religion and nationality ) ഒരുമിച്ച് ആഘോഷങ്ങളിൽ പങ്കെടുക്കുന്നത് കണ്ടിട്ടുണ്ട്, ഹലാലോ ഹറാമോ എന്ന് നോക്കാതെ വരുണ ദേവന്റെ അവതാരമായ ജൂലേലാലിനു ( ഷാഹ്ബാസ് കലന്തർ )  നേദിച്ച സിന്ധി പലഹാരങ്ങൾ മൂക്കുമുട്ടെ കഴിക്കുന്ന പാക്കിസ്ഥാനികളും ധാരാളം.  അനൗദ്യോഗികമായി ഇന്തോ-പാക്ക് വാണിജ്യവും, വ്യക്തിബന്ധങ്ങൾ ദൃഢമാക്കുന്നതിലും അറബ് രാഷ്ട്രങ്ങൾ, വിശിഷ്യ UAE വഹിക്കുന്ന പങ്ക് നിസ്തുല്യമാണ്.

2014 ൽ എകറ്ററിൻബർഗിൽ ജോലി ചെയ്യുന്ന ഒരു മലയാളി സുഹൃത്തിനോടൊപ്പം മോസ്കോവിലെ ഇന്ത്യൻ എംബസിയിൽ പോകാനിടയായി. ചേരി ചേരായ്മയിലൂന്നി സോവ്യറ്റ് യൂണിയൻ ഭാഗത്തേക്ക് ചാഞ്ഞ നെഹ്റൂവിയൻ ന യതന്ത്രത്തിന്റെ തിരുശേഷിപ്പുക്കൾ പുട്ടിനിലെത്തിനിൽക്കുന്ന റഷ്യൻ ഫെഡറേഷനിലെ ഇന്ത്യൻ എംബസി ഇപ്പോഴും കാണാം , ഹിന്ദീ - റൂസ്സീ സാംസ്കാരിക സൈനിക സഹകരണത്തിനു ചുക്കാൻ പിടിക്കുന്നിടം.

എങ്കിലും എംബസിയിലെ കാര്യങ്ങൾ മുറപോലെ തന്നെ, ഹിന്ദി മാത്രം സംസാരിക്കുന്ന ഗോസായി മാർ തന്നെ കൗണ്ടറിൽ ( അകത്ത് മലയാളി ഉദ്യോഗസ്ഥരുണ്ടെന്ന് ' കറണ്ട് ' പറഞ്ഞിരുന്നു ), സുഹൃത്തിന്റെ പാസ്പോർട്ട് റിന്യൂ ചെയ്തിട്ടുണ്ട് , പക്ഷേ വൈക്കീട്ടേ ഗോസായി കൈയിൽ തരൂ, എന്തു കൊണ്ടാണെന്ന് ചോദിക്കരുത് , ഏതോ സായിപ്പ് പറഞ്ഞതു പോലെ 'even waiting in queue is a fine art for Indians."

പുറത്ത് പൂജ്യത്തിലും താഴെ, ഹിറ്റ്ലറുടെ പട്ടാളം പോലും മുട്ട് മടക്കിയ റഷ്യൻ ശൈത്യം , തൽക്കാലം വെയ്റ്റിങ്ങ് റൂമിൽ തന്നെ തങ്ങുക.  നമ്മളെ കൂടാതെ വേറേയും പലരുണ്ട് , കൂട്ടുകാരൻ പ്രസാദ് സമയം കൊല്ലാൻ അടുത്ത ഫൈനാർട്ടായ വായ്നോട്ടം തുടങ്ങി.

അടുത്ത സീറ്റിൽ മംഗോളിയൻ മുഖഛായയുള്ള ഒരു സ്ത്രീയും നിർത്താതെ കരയുന്ന ഒരു വയസ്സുകാരൻ കുഞ്ഞുമുണ്ട് , കരച്ചലിനു കാരണം വിശപ്പാണെന്ന് സ്പഷ്ടം, അവരുടെ കൈയിലുള്ള ഒണക്ക ബിസ്കറ്റ് കുഞ്ഞിനു വേണ്ട, ന്യൂജെൻ KFC കുഞ്ഞായിരിക്കാം. ഭാഷയറിയാത്ത  കിർഗിസ്താൻ കാരിയാണെന്ന് തെറ്റിധരിച്ചു ഒന്നും മിണ്ടിയില്ല.

കുറച്ച് കഴിഞ്ഞപ്പോൾ സ്പഷ്ടമായ ഹിന്ദിയിൽ അവർ സംസാരിക്കാൻ തുടങ്ങി , ആള് മണിപ്പൂർക്കാരിയാണ് കെട്ടിയോൻ റഷ്യക്കാരനും, റഷ്യക്കാരികളെ കെട്ടിയ മമ്പാടുകാരടക്കം  ഇന്ത്യക്കാർ എമ്പാടുണ്ട് ആദ്യമായാണ് തിരിച്ചു കാണുന്നത്. കുഞ്ഞ് ജനിച്ചത് റഷ്യയിലാണ് നാട്ടിലേക്ക് പോകാൻ എബസിയിൽ നിന്ന് ചില കടലാസുകൾ കിട്ടണം, മൽഹോത്ര (അമ്പാസിഡർ) പ്രസാദിച്ചാലും  കൗണ്ടറിലുള്ള ചീനഭരണി പോലുള്ള ഗോസായി പ്രസാദിക്കില്ല !

കാത്തിരിപ്പ് തുടരുമ്പോഴാണ് ഒരു കൗതുകരമായ കാഴ്ച കണ്ടത് ,  ഫ്ലൈറ്റിലെ ഭക്ഷണ വിതരണത്തെ അനുസ്മരിപ്പിക്കുന്ന ഒരു ചക്രമുള്ള ട്രേയിൽ ഭക്ഷണവുമായി ഒരു ഭടൻ പ്രവേശിക്കുന്നു , ഇവിടെ Food delivery ഉണ്ടോ എന്ന് പ്രസാദും . ഏറ്റവും അവസാനത്തെ വരിയിൽ ഇരിക്കുന്ന ഒരു ഇന്ത്യൻ സുന്ദരിക്ക് സർവ് ചെയ്തു ഭടൻ മടങ്ങി , എബസിയിലെ പ്യൂണാണ് ഭടന്റെ വേഷത്തിൽ വന്നത്.  കാര്യമെന്തെന്നറിയാതെ പലരും പിറുപിറുത്തു.. ഇവിടേയും സ്വജനപക്ഷപാതവും വി.ഐ.പി. സംസ്കാരമോ എന്ന് പ്രസാദും. 

കാത്തിരിപ്പ് നീണ്ടപ്പോൾ എമ്പസിക്കു പുറത്തുള്ള വർത്തമാന റഷ്യയയുടെ തീവ്ര മുതലാളിത്ത മുഖമായ артем ലെ KFC ലേക്ക് പോയി , തിരിച്ചു വന്നപ്പോൾ ലഞ്ച് ടൈം ആയിരുന്നു. രാവിലെ കണ്ട കാഴ്ച ആവർത്തിച്ചു ഭടൻ സുന്ദരിക്ക് ഭക്ഷണവുമായി വന്നു, ഇത്തവണ ഭക്ഷണത്തിന്റെ ഒരു പങ്ക് മണിപ്പൂരുകാരിയുടെ കുഞ്ഞുമായി പങ്കുവെച്ചിരുന്നു. എബസിയിൽ നിന്ന്‌ ഭക്ഷണം വിതരണം ചെയ്യുന്നതിന്റെ ഗുട്ടൻസറിയാൻ ഞങ്ങളും അവരെ സമീപിച്ചു.

അപ്പോഴാണ് അവർ മലയാളിയാണെന്നറിഞ്ഞത് , പിന്നീട് സംഭാഷണം മലയാളത്തിലായി, ദുബായിൽ ഏതോ സ്കൂളിൽ അദ്യാപികയാണ് റഷ്യയിൽ ടൂറിസ്റ്റായി വന്നതാണത്രെ, വിസാ കാലാവധി കഴിഞ്ഞിട്ടും അവിടെ കഴിഞ്ഞപ്പോൾ റഷ്യൻ പോലീസ് ഇന്ത്യൻ എബസിക്ക് കൈമാറി. ടൂറിസ്റ്റ് ഗൈഡ് പറ്റിച്ചതാണത്രെ. ഒന്നോ രണ്ടോ ദിവസത്തെ Overstaying നു സാധാരണ ഗതിയിൽ എബസിക്ക് കൈമാറുന്ന  പതിവില്ലല്ലോ എന്നു ചോദിച്ചപ്പോൾ അവൾ കാര്യങ്ങൾ തുറന്നു പറഞ്ഞു. അവർ     കോഴിക്കോട്ടുകാരിയാണ്, ഭർതൃമതിയാണ് , കുലസ്ത്രീ . ഭർത്താവ് നാട്ടിൽ പോയ തക്കത്തിനു stand-in കാമുകന്റെ കൂടെ റഷ്യയിലെ തണുപ്പറിയാൻ വന്നതാണ്. നിർഭാഗ്യവശാൻ കാമുകൻ ശത്രു രാജ്യത്തു നിന്നുള്ളയാളും , അറബി പോലീസല്ല റഷ്യൻ പോലീസ് രണ്ട് എമ്പസികളേയും വിവരമറിയിച്ചു. പാക്കിസ്ഥാൻകാർ കാമുകനെ കൊണ്ടുപോയി , നായികയെ ഇന്ത്യൻ എമ്പസിയും . പിന്നീട് 2 ദിവസം RAW മറ്റ് ഇന്ത്യൻ രഹസ്യ ഏജൻസികൾ അവളെ ചോദ്യം ചെയ്തു. അവസാനം ഇന്ത്യൻ ഏജന്റ്സിനു മനസ്സിലായി It was a case of love of convenience!

Now she was under Indian embassy so naturally to feed her is Embassy's responsibility, waiting for orders from New Delhi. She will be deported to Delhi and a recommendation will go to UAE to declare her persona non grata ( അനഭിമത ) .

അയൽക്കാരോട് നമ്മൾ സാധാരണക്കാർ എത്ര തന്നെ സൗഹൃദരായാലും രാഷ്ട്രീയ-അന്താരാഷ്ട്രീയ ശത്രുത, അത് ഒരു യാഥാർത്ഥ്യമാണ്, സൈനിക രംഗത്ത് സഹകരണമുള്ള റഷ്യയും ആഗ്രഹിക്കുന്നത് അതാകാം, അവരുടെ സുഖിയനും ബ്രഹ്മോവും വേറെയാരു വാങ്ങും ?