Varicose veins ayurvedic remedy | Natural treatment for varicose veins

Varicose veins appear as blue twisted veins particularly in the legs. Improper blood circulation caused by weak vein walls and faulty valves allows blood to accumulate in the veins. Varicose veins tend to present more in women than in men. They can be caused due to age, genetic factors, long hours of standing, weight lifting, pregnancy and obesity.

An ayurvedic remedy called Pilex is available that strengthens vein walls, relieves pressure in the hepatic portal vein as well as reduces inflammation. Made of natural herbs and minerals with no side effects Pilex compares favorably to other medications such as Daflon given to alleviate the symptoms of varicose veins and to maintain blood circulation.

Another treatment suggested by Ayurveda is yoga. While lying on the floor raise your legs on a chair and breathe evenly. This helps drain the blood from the legs and improves blood circulation. There are some other simple stretching yoga exercises such as the Plow, Corpse, and Half Shoulder Stand that also help in treating varicose veins.

Read more on Varicose Veins and their natural remedies

Metabolism Weight Loss Diabetes

Simply put metabolism is the rate at which we burn calories. It is a complex process involving hormones and enzymes by which our bodies convert food into energy. The higher our metabolism the less the tendency to store fat and sugar. We all differ in how efficiently we burn calories. But we can take measures to speed up our metabolism.

Studies have shown that a improving metabolism not only helps to lose weight but also can prevent diabetes mellitus. An experiment with mice showed that when metabolism was increased the mice stored less fat in their tissues even though they ate 40% more. Fatty deposits around the liver can lead to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes and so preventing fat build up can also prevent type 2 diabetes.

Exercise is the best way to boost metabolism. Even short bursts of 3 minutes of vigorous exercise will speed up the metabolism rate.

Certain herbs such as Guggul, Garcinia and Gymnema are known to burn fat and boost metabolism. Gymnema has the added advantage of glucose metabolism and is very effective in diabetes management

Fertility diet | Foods that increase fertility

If you are trying to conceive, making changes in your diet can help. It is important to note that if trying to get pregnant, going on a restrictive diet to lose weight can hurt your chances. On the other hand obesity and weight gain have also been known to reduce fertility. The key is to eat right and maintain an optimum weight. Here are some foods that are said to improve fertility:

1. Broccoli, Spinach, Kale and other green leafy and cruciferous vegetables provide folate and Vitamin B which are considered very useful in improving fertility. Moreover for women who are planning to conceive, it is important to include enough folate in your diet to prevent certain birth defects

2. Include items such as nuts, Olive oil and wheat germ in your diet. These contain high amounts of Vitamin E and improve male and female fertility

3. Men should get at least 15mg of zinc daily. Oysters also known as an aphrodisiac contain large amounts of zinc and can improve fertility

4. It has been shown that women who opt for whole fat milk, ice cream and other dairy products increase their chances of conceiving as opposed to women who consumed low fat dairy. However there is no need to consume large amounts of ice-cream as that can increase weight and again hurt your chances

5. For men with low sperm count and problems with sperm quality or motility, Speman is an ideal herbal supplement. It contains herbs such as Orchis mascula, tribulus terrestris, hygrophilia auriculata and mucuna pruriens that help to increase sperm count, quality and motility. It also helps in problems of erectile dysfunction and ejaculation

6. Shatavari is the ideal herb for women. It contains phytoestrogens that help in ovulation and regulating hormones. Shatavari is also said to be a nourishing herb for the female reproductive organs.

7. Both men and women should get sufficient calcium from dairy. Vitamin D from the sun or supplements is also essential.

Moisturizing skin prevents aging

Moisturizing skin is an essential part of skin care. Soft moisturized skin is the key to prevent fine lines and wrinkles. Moisture retention is what keeps skin firm and supple. Babies have such soft skin due to their new skin that is highly moisture retentive. As we grow older the skin loses its ability to retain moisture.

To maintain skin softness a daily regimen of skin cleansing and skin moisturizing is essential. Skin loses its natural oils due to washing, being out in the sun and exposure to toxins.

While there are various moisturizers in the market it is important to choose the right one. Certain moisturizers can clog skin's pores, others may have chemicals that may damage sensitive skin.

Himalaya Herbals face moisturizing lotion is composed of aloe vera and wheatgerm oil. It is does not clog pores and is non-greasy. Aloe vera moisturizes and prevents aging while Wheatgerm oil is a natural source of Vitamin E and protects the skin from damage by the sun and pollutants

Adult Attention Deficit Disorder | ADD ADHD in adults

Attention deficit disorder and Attention deficit hyperactive disorder in adults is often misunderstood. People feel that the symptoms of ADD and ADHD are common and can be eliminated with willpower. However just as in children ADD and ADHD in adults is caused by an chemical imbalance in the brain.

Adults with ADD and ADHD have symptoms of agitation, restlessness, procrastination, disorganization, impulsiveness and inattention. These symptoms are experienced on a constant basis.

It is important that a person with ADD/ADHD and his loved ones learn about the problem and seek help. With proper therapy and self-help this problem can be curbed for a more productive life.

The herb Bacopa is reputed to be very effective in cases of ADD/ADHD by promoting mental focus and relaxation. Read more on Bacopa benefits and studies

Avoid trans fats Lower Cholesterol

Trans fats are ubiquitous in baked goods such as cookies and cakes. French fries are also high in them. Even cereals can contain trans fats. Trans fats are not only raise LDL cholesterol but lower HDL cholesterol as well thereby being doubly unhealthy unlike other fats. This increases the risk of plaque build up in arteries. In addition trans fat can increase triglycerides which lead to hardening and thickening of artery walls. Trans fat has also been shown to increase Lp(a) lipoprotein levels which may increase the risk of heart disease. It also appears that trans fatty acids damage blood vessel lining causing inflammation.

Trans fats are created by passing hydrogen through oil. This helps to preserve food longer and have a less oily feel. Foods containing partially hydrogenated oils or shortening will contain trans fatty acids.

It is important to carefully check labels to avoid trans fats. It should be noted that if a product has 0.5gms trans fat, it can be labelled as having 0gms of trans fat. Several servings of that product could easily build up the total amount of trans fat consumed. It is recommended that no more than 1% of your total calorie intake be trans fat. So for a diet of 2000 calories, the maximum limit of trans fat should be 2 grams. A large serving of french fries can contain as much as 5 grams of trans fat.

Guggul is a pure herb that helps to lower LDL, raise HDL and also lower triglycerides. Read more on Guggul herb's cholesterol lowering abilities

Foods that help prevent Alzheimers disease

Certain foods are considered good for the brain. These brain-healthy foods may help in preventing alzheimers disease by reducing inflammation and oxidation.

1. Vegetables such as green leafy vegetables like kale and spinach, cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower and colorful vegetables such as eggplant should be made a regular part of the diet. A study of over 13,000 nurses showed that women who ate more cruciferous and leafy vegetables in their 60's had a lower rate of mental decline based on learning and memory tests

2. Anti-oxidant foods prevent oxidative damage to cells. Animal studies have shown that after 3 years of being on a diet of anti-oxidant foods, they were able to perform cognitive tasks that they could not before. Anti-oxidant foods include blueberries, prunes, raisins, cherries, plums, oranges. Vegetables like green leafy vegetables, beets, red bell peppers, brussel sprouts are also high in anti-oxidants.

3. Foods that contain omega 3 fatty acids such as fish oils, olive oil, nuts and whole grains are also considered excellent brain food. These help to counteract free radicals and improve neural transmission.

4. Folate and other B vitamins are being studied for their role in homocysteine - a protein that is said to be a cause of alzheimer's disease.

5. Green tea, white tea and oolong teas are also said to be rich in anti-oxidants. As is dark chocolate.

6. Add herbs such as turmeric in your diet. Multi-vitamin supplements and herbal supplements may also help in improving brain functions. Mentat a herbal supplement contains over 40 herbs and minerals and has been shown very useful in early alzheimer's disease.

Foods that prevent inflammation | anti-inflammatory foods

Chronic inflammation is the root of many diseases. Chronic inflammation has been recognized as a factor in causing asthma, diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer's disease, and even some cancers. Arthritis and other joint disorders are a direct result of inflammation. Even disorders of the digestive tract such as IBS and Crohn's disease are caused by inflammation.

Chronic inflammation can be measured by high-sensitivity C-reactive protein test also known as CRP test. You can incorporate certain anti-inflammatory foods in your diet.

Foods known to help reduce inflammation are:

Olive oil contains oleic acid that is excellent for reducing inflammation.

Fish such as wild salmon, herring, sardines and tuna are known to contain Omega-3 oils which are anti-inflammatory

Nuts such as hazelnuts, walnuts, cashews and almonds

Pumpkin and sesame seeds

Vegetables such as broccoli, kale, spinach and cauliflower

Cherries and blueberries

Turmeric, Boswellia and Ashwagandha are the best known herbs for reducing inflammation.

How turmeric works | Latest news on turmeric

Turmeric has traditionally been used as an anti-septic, to heal wounds, to prevent inflammation and as an anti-oxidant. Used in a myriad of curries, turmeric is said to purify blood. Ongoing studies show turmeric to have important cancer fighting properties especially in breat, colon, prostate and skin cancer.

Until now, it was not known exactly how turmeric works. However last month, researchers at the University of Michigan revealed that molecules of turmeric insert themselves into cell membranes causing them to become more stable and better able to resist infection from microbes.

According to the study " A combination of solid-state NMR and differential scanning calorimetry experiments shows curcumin has a strong effect on membrane structure at low concentrations. Curcumin inserts deep into the membrane in a transbilayer orientation, anchored by hydrogen bonding to the phosphate group of lipids in a manner analogous to cholesterol. Like cholesterol, curcumin induces segmental ordering in the membrane. Analysis of the concentration dependence of the order parameter profile derived from NMR results suggests curcumin forms higher order oligomeric structures in the membrane that span and likely thin the bilayer. Curcumin promotes the formation of the highly curved inverted hexagonal phase, which may influence exocytotic and membrane fusion processes within the cell. "

Read more on Turmeric Benefits and properties

Medimix herbal soap composed of ayurvedic herbs

Medimix soap is considered to be the premier ayurvedic soap in India. Composed of 18 herbs and no animal fat, this is a curative soap that has been clinically proven to treat acne, prevent skin infections, prickly heat and body odor.

Medimix soap is the flagship brand of the Cholayil company and has been established since 1969. Herbs included in Msuch as Plumbago Rosea (rose colored leadwort) and Zingiber zerumbet Rosc (Jungle ginger) are used in ayurvedic for treating skin conditions and preventing skin infections. Other herbs such as Decalepsis hamiltonii help in healing wounds. Cedrus deodara and Melia azadirachta are natural antiseptics.

Medimix soap uses coconut oil as a base and is considered gentle enough for even a baby's skin

Read more on medimix soap ingredients

Shrink prostate naturally | Herbal remedy to reduce prostate mass and size

Prostate enlargement is common in men over the age of 40 and this incidence increases after age 60. An enlarged prostate causes problems in urinary flow and sexual health. If left untreated the growing prostate will eventually completely block the bladder.

The good news is that an enlarged prostate can be treated naturally. An ayurvedic herbal formulation Himplasia has been shown to actually shrink the prostate. It reduces the weight of the prostate significantly - by as much as 70% and had has been shown to cause the size to decrease by as much as 22%

Himplasia contains herbs such as Tribulus terrestris, Caesalpinia bonducella, Areca catechu, Asparagus racemosus and Crataeva nurvala along with minerals processed in herb juices. All of these herbs in their ayurvedic combination help to shrink the prostate, treat urinary problems and improve ejaculation.

Being herbal, Himplasia has no side effects and is completely safe. In one clinical study all 98 patients who were treated with Himplasia showed significant reduction in the prostate size along with relief from the symptoms of an enlarged prostate. None of them had any side effects.

Read more on Himplasia ingredients and how it reduces prostate size and weight.