Health Information and Tips

Ashwagandha – also known as Indian Winter Cherry has the Botanical name Withania Somnifera  -It is a shrub belonging to Solanace family. It is grown in the western India, Gujarat, MP, Punjab and in Himalayas.

Ashwagandha gets its name because its roots have the odor of horse. (Ashwa = horse , gandha = odor). It is called by another name Varaha karni because its leaves resemble pig’s ear.

Ashwagandha has light (laghu) and sticky (snigdha) properties, bitter and sweet taste. On digestion the sweet taste dominates. The main part used is root of this herb.

Medicinal properties of Ashwagandha

The various medicinal properties of ashwagandha is attributed to compounds known as withanolides which are present in it.

Ashwagandha is used as an adaptogen (as it enhances endurance), rejuvenating tonic and sedative. Hence many herbalists refer this herb as Indian ginseng.

Effects on mind: As it balances vata and kapha, it improves memory, counteracts the effects of stress and calms mind. It has an ability to relieve stress. It acts as sedative. Stressed patients with insomnia are benefited by this herb.

This herb can be used in Alzheimer’s disease, memory loss and insomnia.

Effects on general health : It acts as balya and strengthens the body. Generally, ashwagandha stimulates the immune system and strengthens it. It increases body energy level.

Convalescent patients’ gain more energy and can spring back to normal routine quicker when this herb’s preparations are used after illness.
The immediate relapse of disease is prevented on use of Ashwagandha. This supports HIV patients by strengthening their immune system.

Anti-inflammatory properties: It has anti-inflammatory properties and has been successfully used in adjuvant therapy for arthritis. It reduces inflammation of joints and eases movements.

Effects on digestive system: Ashwagandha increases appetite . It normalizes digestion and bowel movements.

Effects on reproductive system:  This magic herb increases shukra dhatu, sperm count and sperm motility. It increases libido and known as best Vajikara dravya (aphrodisiac)

It is also used as uterine tonic and to enhance female libido.

Ashwagandha retards ageing process when used as rasayana (rejuvenating preparation).

It reduces hypertension and also acts as diuretic.

Effects on pregnant woman: Ashwagandha is very effective in conditions like habitual abortion, threatened abortion. It stabilizes pregnancy and balances harmones which stabilize pregnancy.

Usefull preparations of Ashwagandha:

1.    A paste of ashwagandha leaves when applied on a local inflammation acts as anti inflammatory.

2.    The herbal massage oil which includes this herb is useful in many conditions like paralysis, epilepsy, sleeplessness etc.

3.    The preparation of Ashwagandha which is processed with ghee, sugar and honey is a very good aphrodisiac and increases semen quantity, sperm count and motility. It is effectively used in Erectile dysfunction, low libido and premature ejaculation.

4    Ashwagandha roots when used regularly helps to improve the conditions like emaciation of children, senile debility, rheumatism, in all cases of general debility, nervous exhaustion, brain-fag, low of memory, loss of muscular energy and spermatorrhoea.  It increases body energy  and vigor . It helps to rebuild the body system which is worn out due to chronic diseases like syphilis, rheumatism etc. It also replenishes the lowered energy of body due to over-work, mental exertion thus preventing early ageing.

5    Ashwagandha when used regularly , is very useful in emaciated children. It increases body weight and body energy.

6    Regular use of ashwagandha helps to reduce blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

7    Fine powder of ashwagandha well mixed with oil is very use full in many skin conditions.

8    Ashwagandha also acts as galactogogue and thickens the milk when given to nursing mothers.

Diabetes, a polygenic disorder characterized by abnormally high glucose levels in the blood is a syndrome of several metabolic disorders marked by excessive urination and persistent thirst. It is usually a combination of hereditary and environmental causes that defects the functions of hormones like insulin and glucagon from controlling the blood glucose levels in the body.

There are three different types of diabetes:

• Type 1 Diabetes (inadequate insulin secretion).
• Type 2 Diabetes (combination of inadequate insulin secretion and insulin resistance)
• Gestational Diabetes (combination of inadequate insulin and response).

Although not being completely curable, Diabetes is been medically controllable since insulin was made medically available in 1921. The target of this treatment can only be close to bringing the blood sugar level to normal.

Signs and Symptoms

The classical symptoms of diabetes are

• Polyuria (frequent urination).
• Polydipsia (increased thirst and fluid intake).
• Polyphagia (increased appetite) and
• Excessive weight loss.

Diabetes proves to be a leading cause of death to that of cancer and other heart diseases subjecting its victims to gangrene and amputations besides contributing for micro-vascular (blindness, kidney failure and nerve damage) and macro-vascular (atherosclerosis leading to stroke and coronary heart diseases) diseases as a result of damaged blood vessels.

Diagnosis

Urinalysis (urine test) can diagnose diabetes by looking for glucose and ketones in the breakdown of fat; however this alone does not diagnose the condition. The following blood glucose tests are used to diagnose diabetes:

• Fasting blood glucose test (above 126 mg/dL).
• Oral glucose tolerance test (above 200mg/dL , 2hrs after a 75g oral glucose load)
• Casual plasma glucose test (above 200mg/dL accompanied by symptoms, requires confirmation through fasting blood glucose test).

Treatment and Management

Diabetic awareness, appropriate diet and exercises, monitored blood glucose levels are very important in treating diabetes. Although there is no cure for Diabetes in the Medical World, there are various ways to treat it which include regular exercises, strict diet, weight control, foot care, medication like insulin etc…

Parents play a key role in ensuring their children meet the daily requirements of calcium intake, according to a recent report from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The report also states that most children and adolescents are at risk for bone fractures and osteoporosis later in life due to low calcium consumption when they’re young. Three servings of low-fat milk, cheese or yogurt, or up to 1,300 milligrams of calcium depending on age, are recommended each day to build strong bones.

“Parents and caregivers often know the importance of calcium, but aren’t sure how to incorporate it into their child’s diet,” said Andrea Garen, a registered dietitian at Dairy Council of California. “Since dairy foods provide 70 percent of calcium in the Western diet, finding ways to include more dairy can make a difference in a child’s long-term wellness and bone health.”

Garen’s suggestions include:

• Find ways to work more dairy into the diet: Offer a child yogurt or cereal with low-fat milk for breakfast, and string cheese and flavored milk as a snack.
• Serve as a child’s role model: If good nutrition is important to parents, it will also be important to their children.
• Insist on family meals: Eating together at home will help parents control what their children eat.

Garen added that the Dairy Council of California’s meal-planning Web site (www.mealsmatter.org) contains hundreds of free and easy-to-make, calcium-rich recipe ideas, including Chicken Crunchers. Parents can try this and other palate-pleasing recipes to help their children meet their daily calcium requirements.

Chicken Crunchers

Ingredients:

1 cup all-purpose flour

Salt

Pepper

4 Egg whites

1/2 cup milk

11/2 cups cornflakes

1 cup reduced-fat, shredded cheddar cheese

6 Chicken breast fillets; cut into strips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Set up three bowls with the following: 1) flour mixed with a pinch of salt and pepper; 2) an egg-wash, made by beating the eggs and milk together; 3) cornflakes mixed with cheese. Coat a 13 x 9-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Dip chicken pieces in flour, then into the egg-wash, then roll in the cheesy-flakes mixture. Bake for 25 minutes, turning halfway through to ensure even browning. Serve with ketchup, BBQ sauce or plain yogurt for dipping, if desired.

Total Preparation Time: 15 to 30 minutes.

Morning erection is an issue for which many old and young men are trying to find an answer. Sometimes or even very often, men wake up with an erection in morning. Morning erection is also called “morning wood” and the scientific term for morning erection is nocturnal penile tumescence. It is a normal and healthy physiological response. Generally, a normal can have 3 to 5 erections during full sleep and each could last for about half an hour.

What Causes Morning Erections?

A few people believe that a full bladder is responsible for a morning erection, which is not true. However, Acquisto Viagra treat the impotence, there is no firm and strong reason as to why a morning erections but one thing which is sure is that it is very closely related to REM sleep (when your brain changes its activity or during a during). Another reason for this erection is increased heart rate. Research is still going on this.

Cialis is the big competitor of viagra. A huge interest was vested in morning erection issue due to the erectile dysfunction. Researchers wanted to find a way out to the erectile dysfunction. If there is a man who is not getting a good erection then the first thing a doctor would analyze is his erection during the sleep. Doctor would observe if he is getting full erections during sleep or no.
Morning Erections and Medicines for Erectile Dysfunction

A morning erection can be a result of the erectile dysfunction medicines that includes Viagra køb and Cialis. Both Viagra and Cialis taken at the night may make way for the morning erections.

A morning erection is not a cause to worry about but if you are worried then you can always seek help of your doctor. Many factors add to the morning erection and it is usually a sign of sound mind, brain and physiological responses.

The question is why so many people are looking at their teeth to give them a brite smile and help them look and feel great about themselves. This pressure has been made worse by the constant glowing teeth you see on TV, films and glossy magazines. Mega stars all have white teeth and this creates the desire.

When you look at all those celebrities smiling away with dazzling teeth, you are sure to wish that you too had a set of equally shining teeth. Taking a look at your discolored teeth, you are sure to think that this is something that is far from your reach. However on the contrary, modern tooth whitening techniques has now made it possible for anyone and everyone to have a set of white, sparkling teeth.

It is through teeth whitening that it is now possible for you to whiten your teeth. There are various methods employed by different professionals for you to whiten your teeth; and one of these methods is through cosmetic tooth whitening.

Typically teeth gets darkened by day to day staining like coffee, tea, smoking, curry, blackcurrant, gravy and many more and over a period of time this then impregnates the enamel and darkens the teeth. Also as people get older the enamel loses its colour and also loses some of its depth.
Many teeth whitening techniques are constantly debated and analaysed for performance and customer experience but laser teeth whitening in the UK has become very popular due to the affordability and the fact it only takes on hour.

Teeth whitening is ideal for people who have healthy, unrestored teeth (no fillings) and gums. Individuals with yellow tones to their teeth respond best. But this cosmetic procedure is not recommended for everyone.

It is important to note at this point that our teeth have no uniform whiteness. Usually, the whitest teeth are the two front teeth while molars are generally two shades darker. A realistic goal for anyone wishing to have a whiter set of teeth is for the process to achieve its optimum level while retaining the natural look of white teeth.

Maintaining Your Whiter Smile is very important In order to maximize the longevity of your whitening treatment, it is important to maintain excellent oral hygiene (brush and floss after every meal) and steer clear of some of the more common causes of discoloration (coffee, tea, red wine, etc.).

To help avoid future staining, dentists often suggest using a straw, even with coffee and tea. Smokers wishing to undergo whitening treatment are advised to stop smoking in order to prevent the staining it causes. Discuss such considerations with your dentist during your initial whitening consultation.

Whatever you choose and lifestyle you lead at least there are some options to reverse your staining on the teeth and help you regain your smile and confidence.