Stress relief with ayurveda | Herbal stress relief

For an athlete the last few yards to the finishing line are completed under the rush of adrenaline. In fact adrenaline and cortisol are two of the several enzymes released by the body when we need to react above and beyond our usual normal capabilites. It is this intense reaction that allows us to brake on time to avert an accident, to make a successful presentation, to finish a project within a deadline. The stress response is the flight or fight response of the body and it goes into this mode whenever it detects danger.

For animals, the flight or fight response is a life saver. For humans living in modern society, while most new situations are not of the life or death variety, they are still challenging enough for the body to revert to its need to protect itself by pushing itself to get out of the face of danger or to fight it.

Stress related problems arise however when the body is constantly exposed to challenging situations or rather when we perceive situations to be constantly difficult. The body stays in overdrive and with time mental and physical systems start breaking down. Heart problems, obesity, arthritis, skin conditions are only some problems that have been directly related to stress. Stress has its effects on our emotional health as well leading to nervous breakdowns, depression, isolation and pessimism.

When you recognize symptoms of stress, you need to bring your body into a state of relaxation so that it can once again function as normal. Socializing, building healthy relationships with friends and co-workers, exercising, having hobbies are all excellent ways to beat stress.

Ayurveda recommends herbs such as Ashwagandha and Bacopa to relieve stress and relax the body and mind. The beneficial effects of ashwagandha are well known in autoimmune and digestive diseases such as arthritis, IBS, Crohn's disease and colitis.

Read more on stress causes, symptoms and natural methods to beat stress

Bitter Melon research for diabetes

The international journal Chemistry and Biology published a study conducted by the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Australia and the Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica. The report established that bitter melon or karela contains four compounds that activate the enzyme AMPK. This enzyme is known to increase metabolism and sugar utilization by the body. In fact the reason diabetic patients are told to exercise is because exercise causes muscles to activate this same enzyme AMPK.

Insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic patients occurs because a)sufficient insulin is not produced and most importantly b)the sugar in the blood is not absorbed and utilized efficiently into energy by cells. Scientists involved in the study indicated that though there are prescription diabetes drugs that also activate AMPK, they are likely to have side effects while bitter melon has absolutely no known side effects. Bitter melon is eaten as a vegetable in asian countries on a regular basis and prescribed as an effective natural means to prevent and control blood sugar.

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Diabetes drugs Avandia Actos raise risk of fracture

A report published in the Dec. 10 online issue of the Canadian Medical Association Journal indicates that Avandia and Actos - two drugs that are prescribed for diabetes double the risk of bone fracture in women. They do not have the same effect in men. It is speculated that these drugs interact with estrogen thus weakening bones in women. 10 trials were conducted including over 13,000 diabetic patients.

Previously Avandia was stated to have serious side effects of heart failure, heart attack and death. This caused the FDA to increase label warning on the drug. These drugs known as thiazolidinediones are taken by about 4 million people in the US.

Type 2 diabetes can be controlled by diet, exercise and alternative medicine. The National Institutes of Health has recognized GYMNEMA as a herb that helps in controlling blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Being a herb, no side effects have been reported.

Read more on Gymnema benefits and action

Hemorrhoids herbal treatment | Hemorrhoids ayurvedic relief

Hemorrhoids or Piles occur when veins in the anal region become swollen. Pressure, straining and difficulty in passing stools causes the surrounding membranes to get irritated. There can be external or internal hemorrhoids. Internal hemorrhoids generally cause bleeding but no pain. External hemorrhoids can be painful and also bleed when wiped or after a bowel movement. In addition to straining while trying to have a bowel movement, hemorrhoids can also be caused by pregnancy, obesity or sitting or standing too long.

Pilex is an ayurvedic medicine developed by the Himalaya Herbals company and clinically proven with studies to relieve the pain, inflammation and bleeding caused by hemorrhoids. Unlike preparation-H which provides temporary relief, Pilex tablets reduce the pressure on veins, shrink the pile mass and stop the bleeding. It also softens stools and thereby helps easy bowel movement preventing any further irritation. It is composed of nine herbs and minerals such as Guggul, Neem, Amla, Haritaki, Vibhitaki, Indian laburnum and shilajit amongst others. Pilex Gel as an analgesic action and provides quick topical relief.

Herbal remedies for immunity against colds

Fall, winter and early spring are months when coughs and colds are most prevalent. Being indoors more often brings everyone into close contact. The cold dry air outside and air heaters inside also dry up the inner lining of the mucous membrane of the nose allowing viruses to attack more easily.

Washing hands frequently is a good method of getting rid of germs however it is not always possible to do so. The best way of dealing with coughs and colds is preventing infection in the first place. Here are some methods and herbal remedies that are highly effective in keeping colds at bay

1. Every morning before you consume anything else, make a drink of the juice of half a lemon and a spoonful of honey mixed with a cup of hot water.

2. Take a spoonful of Dabur Chyawanprash everyday. It is very tasty and can be had on its own. It has over 40 herbs and is chockful of anti-oxidants and vitamins.

3. Either take triphala in powder form or as a capsule with lunch and dinner.

4. Vasaka is also an excellent remedy during the winter months to prevent colds. If you do have a cold, it gets rid of phlegm.

Read more on ayurvedic herbal remedies for coughs and colds

Varicose veins causes | herbal remedy varicose veins

Varicose veins are very common and affect 50% of the population aged over 50 years. Women are more likely to get varicose veins. Varicose veins generally form on the inside of the leg and the back of the calf. Pregnant women tend to get varicose veins in the lower pelvic region.

When veins are unable to pump blood back to the heart on account of weak muscles and valves that do not seal owing to weak walls, the blood tends to collect in the veins causing them to bulge and twist. Varicose veins are primarily caused when pressure is applied. The veins of the legs have the hardest job in pumping blood to the heart. They have to work against the force of gravity and have to bear the weight of the body. As a result the pressure is immense and can overcome the strength of the valves. Therefore legs are most likely to develop varicose veins.

Varicose veins can get worse over time and when inflamed generally cause pain. In severe cases, when blood continues to stay accumulated without reaching the heart, blood clots can form. If these blood clots travel especially to the lungs, they can be life-threatening. Ulcers can form on the skin and form wounds.

Relief from varicose veins can be obtained by some simple techniques such as wearing supporting stockings, elevating legs when resting, avoiding salt which can cause water retention, exercising regularly and giving up smoking.

Pilex is a herbal ayurvedic formulation that is very effective in relieving pressure on veins and reducing inflammation.

Find out more on natural remedies for varicose veins

Inflammation treatment with herbs | Herbal relief for inflammatory diseases

Inflammation generally occurs when the body's immune system is called into action. Any kind of infection or injury results in inflammation sometimes followed by pain, heat and fever. As soon as the body detects a threat, white blood cells swarm to the spot and fight the infection or injury (such as a twisted ankle). Therefore inflammation is necessary for healing.

However when the body's immune system is out of control chronic inflammation results. Chronic inflammation leads to tissue destruction and persistent pain. This leads to serious conditions like arthritis and colitis. Most of the body's defence systems are located in the gastro-intestinal tract to keep bacteria from food at bay. It is therefore not surprising that many major inflammatory diseases affect our digestive system. Diseases such as IBS, IBD, colitis, ulcerative colitis, crohn's disease are all digestive tract related. It has also been found that many of these conditions are found in the developed world and only recently are there increasing cases in developing countries as well. This clearly points to our diet and environmental exposure.

The trend towards processed foods and sugars causes the digestive system to be unable to cleanse itself sufficiently. This can cause a build-up of toxins triggering the body's immune cells and inflammation. A modern lifestyle also exposes us to environmental toxins such as plastics and other chemicals not to mention the build-up of stress. In fact auto-immune diseases like arthritis are known to be caused by inflammation and stress.

The following are important Ayurvedic herbs that have shown astounding benefits in relieving inflammation, pain and stress as well as in clearing the body of toxins.

1. Triphala - Triphala which is composed of 3 pure herbs in equal proportions (amla, haritaki, vibhitaki) is the best remedy for intestinal cleansing and promoting digestive tract health. It tones the colon and rejuvenates the intestinal lining. It is anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial.

2. Boswellia - Boswellia has been scientifically proven to reduce inflammation and provide pain relief in diseases such as arthritis and colitis. It has been shown to be as effective as NSAIDs in many cases without any side effects. Boswellia is considered the premier herb in Ayurveda in fighting a wide range of inflammatory diseases. It has been shown effective in inhibiting pro-inflammatory cells

3.Ashwagandha - Ashwagandha is also a famous anti-inflammatory herb. In addition it induces relaxation and stress relief. A combination of Boswellia and Ashwagandha provides excellent relief in autoimmune inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and crohn's disease.

4. Guggul is another herb used to treat rheumatoid arthritis.

5. An ayurvedic formulation called Rumalaya Forte contains these important herbs as well as others. It has been subjected to clinical studies and offers pain relief from arthritis, bursitis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout and other painful bone and joint disorders. It also helps rebuild connective tissue.