earn money

2008-03-11T01:59:00.000-07:00

hit song in hindhi

2008-03-11T01:57:00.000-07:00

2008-01-13T02:44:00.000-08:00

taj mahal

Taj Mahal: a weekend of wonder

2008-01-13T02:42:00.000-08:00

Taj Mahal: a weekend of wonder

India for a short break? Simon Horsford heads for the Taj Mahal.
A short break to India seemed a great idea after a good dinner; less so in the cold light of day. But I calculated that by leaving on a Thursday morning, we could get three full days in Delhi and Agra and be back for the start of the following week, when the four-hour time difference would work in our favour.
Which is how we found ourselves driving into the Indian capital just after 10pm local time. The heat was intense even at this late hour, but it was still a welcome change from endless English rain. It's true that India consumes you the moment you arrive. The sights, the smells, the noise and the feeling that nothing ever seems to stand still.
If we needed any more convincing, the road trip to Agra proved the point. After a hearty breakfast of mango, fresh yogurt and scrambled eggs, we set off early for the four-hour journey; the train might have been quicker and more traditional but could hardly have been more entertaining or manic.
After only a few miles nothing surprised us any more, as a motley array of cars, lorries, bicycles, auto-rickshaws, people and animals jostled for position on the road. It was like a sub-continental version of Wacky Races. Families of four, five and more clung to rickety rickshaws, brightly coloured lorries took no prisoners while water buffalo, oxen and even an elephant vied for the limited space on the uneven two- and occasionally three-lane roads. The honking was incessant but oddly, the craziness was remarkably good-natured.
After three hours or so, and keen to make the most of our limited time, we made straight for the "ghost city" of Fatehpur Sikri, the stunning, short-lived imperial capital of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. This walled city, built in 1571 in honour of Sufi saint Salim Christi, stands as a fabulous example of Mughal architecture and the emperor's admirably inclusive approach to religion. Hindus, Muslims and Jesuits all lived at court and Christi even developed a cult called Deen Ilahi, a blend of the main religions.
His vision also extended to Fatehpur Sikri's architecture, which blends Muslim, Hindu and Jain designs among the arches and domes of this red sandstone city. His creation, which lasted as a seat of power for only 14 years, can be seen best by wandering into the magnificent open mosque of Jami Masjid (make a wish by tying a cotton thread around Christi's exquisite tomb) and at the five-storey open pavilion of Panch Mahal.
If Fatephur Sikri had taken the breath away, it was still put in the shade by the next sight - our reason for being there. Off a dusty road in the unremarkable town of Agra we wandered into our hotel, the palatial Oberoi Amarvillas, and caught a first glimpse of the Taj Mahal, just 650 yards away.
There is always a nagging doubt that reputation might not match the reality. No such worries here. The Taj Mahal is strikingly, heart-tuggingly beautiful. Earlier this year, it was voted one of the seven wonders of the modern world after an eight-year, worldwide online poll which apparently attracted 100 million votes.
Rudyard Kipling likened it to an ivory gate through which all dreams pass, and it's this fantasy-like aura that we noticed first the following day at dawn while we wandered around emperor Shah Jahan's memorial to his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal.
Our guide, clearly smitten, explained how everything about the Taj has a meaning, from the Islamic inscriptions and the calligraphic panels to the height of the dome and the location of the tomb chamber. Soon we were similarly affected. From our hotel room we saw first-hand how the monument changes colour as the light plays on the marble: from a misty reddish glow in the early morning to a dazzling white in the heat of the sun.
Dodging street hawkers proffering everything from postcards to copies of the Kama Sutra, we ducked into Agra's other gem, its magnificent fort. Again built of red sandstone by the open-minded Akbar, it also betrays other influences, such as the rigorously Islamic taste of Shah Johan (the Pearl Mosque being the best example) - there's even a touch of Britishness, in the shape of the barracks, added in the 19th century. It was on a marble balcony in the fort's Meena bazaar that our guide claimed Mumtaz Mahal had first met Shah Jahan.
Back in Delhi, we realised, inevitably, the shortcomings of such a short break, and wished we had more time to explore. The contrast between New and Old Delhi still astonishes: one British-built, ordered and modern, the other vibrant, daunting and with poverty disturbingly apparent.
With a copy of that week's Time Out: Delhi we contemplated everything from a Bollywood movie and a classical concert to a visit to the mango festival, ruling out the Sulabh International Museum of Toilets. In the end we sat in the beautifully landscaped Mughal gardens looking towards the Lutyens-designed Rashtrapati Bhavan, the former viceroy's house, and spent the last hours of a bright, Sunday afternoon snacking on super-sugary Indian cakes.
Back at my desk soon after lunch the following day, I reflected that, perhaps, there was too much to see in a long weekend. But it had been worth it to witness the hypnotic beauty of the Taj Mahal and to experience, however briefly, the intensity of India. And I didn't have jet lag.
Essentials
Elegant Resorts Worldwide Reservations (01244 897518; www.elegantresorts.co.uk) offers two nights at The Oberoi New Delhi and two nights at The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra, in a Premier Room, from £1,415 per person (based on two sharing) on a room-only basis.
The price includes return economy class flight from Heathrow with British Airways, private car transfers and a return train from Delhi to Agra with Designer Holidays, Elegant Resorts' India-based ground handler.

2008-01-13T02:41:00.000-08:00

London-Paris train service up 16 percent

PARIS - Eurostar, the operator of high-speed train service between London and Paris under the English Channel, said Wednesday its ticket sales surged 16 percent in 2007 as it carried 8.26 million passengers.

Ticket sales climbed to a record $1.2 billion, up from 518 million pounds in the previous year, the company said in a statement. Sales and passenger figures have risen each year since the service started.
The company gave credit to the newly refurbished St. Pancras station in London.
"The move to St. Pancras International has opened up high-speed rail services to millions more people across the U.K.," Eurostar said. "The new station, together with next door King's Cross and nearby Euston, is linked to towns and cities both north and south of the capital, with connections to seven mainline services and six London Underground lines."
Growth in international markets — or those outside Eurostar's home markets of the U.K., France and Belgium — grew strongly during 2007 with ticket sales up by 20 percent against the previous year.
Eurostar is a separate entity from Eurotunnel, which operates a vehicle shuttle service and the Channel tunnel itself.

2008-01-13T02:40:00.000-08:00

Travel Tips

There are common sense travel tips, like "Check at least three web sites to get the best deal on plane tickets." Then there are the tips that are more along the line of "secrets." These are the little-known tricks learned by experience. Here are some of the best of those.Cheap Travel TipsFind out where local visitors from within the country stay. The cheapest "tourist hotel" I could find when in a resort town in Mexico was $135. I asked a local businessman where to find a cheap room, and got one for $10. There wasn't a swimming pool, but the room was spotless. I was there to travel, not to lounge, so this suited me fine.Negotiating room charges is common in many countries. In Banos, Ecuador, we negotiated our room rate down from $12 to $6 per night, by paying for several nights in advance. The trick here is to be sure that there are other options, then make your final offer and walk away. Most owners will call you back and lower the price.Consider hostels, if you don't mind sharing a room. They're much more common overseas. This saves you a lot if you are single, because you pay for the bed. I once spent four days in a hostel for $4 per day, breakfast included. I shared a room with several others, and a TV room with travelers from 16 countries.Hotels in the U.S. are less likely to negotiate, but we have done it. Most small chain motels are not company-owned, but franchises, so it is usually the owner behind the counter. Paying for several nights in advance, or just starting to walk away, has resulted in discounts for us many times.Travel is often only as cheap as your plane tickets. For international travel, search the fares to several countries that you would like to visit. Go to the cheapest one now - the others will be cheap another time, and a savings of $500 can buy a few extra days, or an extra mini-vacation some other time.Anywhere you go, there are things you can do to keep it cheaper. Eat where locals eat, for example, instead of at tourist restaurants. See the free and cheap attractions first. You might have so much fun that you'll never get around to doing the expensive things. Higher prices mean better quality with travel bags, but not necessarily with travel experiences.
Other Travel TipsE-mail important documents to yourself. These should include a copy of your passport, other IDs, phone numbers of the U.S. Consulate offices where you'll be, and your itinerary or e-tickets for any flights. In this way, even if you are robbed and lose everything, you'll have access to all the important documents from any internet cafe in the world.On a streetcar, I once had a pocket unzipped and the wallet removed without feeling a thing. Many pickpockets are experts. Fortunately, it was a "decoy" wallet, with nothing but a few pieces of paper, and a fake credit card. Other ways to protect money, cards and documents include putting a bill or two under the inner sole of running shoes, safety-pinning a hidden pocket inside your pants, and hiding cash in several different places.I see young travelers in other countries walking anywhere they feel like it at night, and then being shocked that they are robbed. Aren't there places in New York or Chicago where you wouldn't walk at night? Ask the locals where it is safe and where it isn't, and trust your intuition when it warns you. Leave expensive clothing and jewelry at the hotel when you are just out for a walk. Safety tricks are the most important travel tips.

2008-01-13T02:38:00.000-08:00

Family yoga in the hands of a goddess

"Hey dad! You look like a purple balloon" was not the sort of comment I had been hoping for when I signed up my wife and eight-year-old son for a week's family yoga holiday in Cyprus. I was in the small exercise studio of the Anassa Hotel trying to ease my legs over my head after a strenuous shoulder stand (from Salamba Sarvangasana to Halasana in yoga speak). It was our final class and I wanted to show off to my son, Ben, and our instructor, lovely Liitsa - the Nordic goddess.

All karma: Ben Morris practises his yogic skills at the Anassa Hotel
Deflated from hero dad to Homer Simpson, I collapsed in a heap while Ben moved on effortlessly to the next position. Watching from the sidelines, my wife giggled into her ginger tea as Liitsa, sounding like a sympathetic sat-nav, carried on seamlessly with the class.
Yogic enlightenment, or even just a few supple tummy muscles, seemed a long way off. But as I lay sprawled on my mat I did at least feel a little taller, less hunched up, and pleased that the Morris family had been introduced to the world of yoga via the Trojan horse of a luxurious five-star hotel.
The fixers
The week's holiday was organised by a London-based outfit called Yogoloji, which specialises in intimate yoga breaks in beautiful surroundings. As well as morning and evening classes for adults, its Anassa package included a children's yoga programme, bespoke yoga therapy sessions and daily holistic treatments.

The price tag of £940 per adult doesn't include flights, accommodation or meals. Full board is compulsory at an extra cost of £475 per person for the week. For a wine-loving omnivore like myself the option of a specially designed detox menu didn't make the deal any more attractive. Just when did not ordering the Châteauneuf-du-Pape and avoiding the coffee, cheese and beef steaks become so expensive?
The hotel
The real star of the show was the hotel. When we arrived at the Anassa, after a long drive from Larnaca to the western corner of the island, our driver introduced the hotel as a "she". He explained that in ancient Greek "Anassa" means "queen" or "grande dame". Inside, the hotel began to live up to its regal title. The first impression is of a five-star monastery where no expense has been spared on materials (marble, sandstone and stained glass), craftsmanship or staff.
The lobby and connecting corridors have vaulted ceilings, full-sized icons on the walls and minimalist fountains. The good taste continues in the central bars and restaurants beyond to the villas laid out as an idealised Cypriot village. There are winding pathways and gentle slopes edged with soft Mediterranean landscaping that at a glance look completely natural - almost wild. The design is restricted to a comfortable human scale and everything is directed towards the sweeping beauty of the Chrysochou Bay and the hills of the Akamas Peninsula beyond.
There is even a real Cypriot church within the hotel grounds, so I was not surprised to see a group of orthodox monks enjoying a deluxe buffet breakfast in the main restaurant one morning. It was this mixture of style and spirituality that formed the perfect backdrop for our introduction to yoga-lite. Believe me, if there are plans to form a new religion based around hotels like the Anassa, I would be the first convert.
The yoga
There were two group yoga classes every day: a dynamic morning class at 7.30, with lots of sun salutations and stretching, and a slower, more meditative evening class at 5.30. I found the early starts a torture, but apparently they're the norm in most yoga retreats and it's probably wise to get the stretching over with before tucking into your full English breakfast.
As for the classes themselves, apart from the few moments when I felt like a Guantanamo Bay prisoner crouched on the floor with my hands behind my head and the odd bit of gratuitous sermonising, I really enjoyed the yoga.
Liisa Halme, our instructor from Finland, gently talked us through the exercises, offering the occasional guiding hand towards a decent "upward-facing dog" or a well balanced "bridge". I particularly liked it when she wore her Dolce & Gabbana movie-star sunglasses and harem trousers for our outdoor morning session. The outfit seemed to sum up the style of our glamorous yoga retreat.
The children's yoga
Despite their irksome titles, the Teeny Yogini (three- to six-year-olds) and the Teen Yogini (seven- to 14-year-olds) classes on offer seemed like a great way of getting young people painlessly involved in exercising. The sessions were structured around a narrative as the children imitated animals or pretended to be snow-boarders or aeroplanes while mirroring the classic yoga poses. The yogic twist helps develop concentration, balance and posture - especially useful after all those hours crouched over a Nintendo DS.
was also glad to see there was an emphasis upon relaxation. Ben and I agreed that our favourite part was at the end class - when tucked up beneath a marshmallow of a duvet you can gently meditate, clear your mind or even doze off.
All good stuff, except that there were no other takers for the teen Yogini, so Ben had the choice of doing it on his own or teaming up with old balloon-face dad. The lack of other children on the retreat also caused problems with child-care during the adult sessions. An early start or hanging around late in the children's club is fine if you are with your mates. If it is just you and a disgruntled cleaner watching a video then it's a little sad. For this reason, it is well worth checking that there are definitely other children of your child's age on the course before you book.
The therapies

The mixed bag of Ayurvedic consultation, yoga therapy, Chinese medicine, acupuncture, Abyhanga and Marma massage on offer from the ''Yogolojees'' (please!) did remind me of a restaurant I know in Southall. On the ground floor you can order biryani, while in the basement you can get a Chinese takeaway and upstairs there's pizza and pasta. All served on the same light blue plates by the same smiling Pakistani staff.
To be fair, my wife tells me that this mix-and-match approach to treatments is not unusual in a spa and she found the acupuncturist, Bobby Joy, impressive, experienced and very helpful.
The hotel's Thalasso spa also offers an extensive range of treatments so popular it's not unusual for them all to be booked before you have even unpacked your suitcase. In light of this, Yogoloji's day packages (£136 per person) include a treatment and two yoga sessions, and are a great way to ensure you do get a half-decent massage.
Bespoke bonuses
The Anassa has its own resident yoga teacher and therapist. Raven-haired Nana Georgiou looks every inch the exotic eastern mystic that one would hope to find teaching yoga in a retreat. She runs daily group classes, covering everything from Chakra meditation to dynamic detox and her own Aqua yoga (all £14 per person).
She also offers specially designed personal sessions and family yoga (£47), and even gives group yoga sessions free of charge in the children's club. The flexibility, choice and value for money make Nana's sessions the best bespoke yoga on offer at the hotel.
Escapes from the sanctuary
If you want to escape the Anassa, don't disturb your new-found karma by visiting the sprawling mess of Paphos. Instead, head north-west to the beautiful Akamas peninsula. Unlike many parts of Cyprus it's an unspoilt natural haven. Sadly, property developments are popping up at the fringes of the peninsula like Vandals at the gates of Rome, so visit now while it's still pristine. The hotel offers guided hikes, Jeep safaris or chartered yachts to explore the natural beauty of the area.

2008-01-13T02:37:00.002-08:00

Best Accommodations For Hawaii Family Vacations

Are you and your family interested in taking a Hawaiian family vacation? If you are, you should know that you have an unlimited number of options. One of those options involves where you and your family would like to stay when visiting Hawaii. For information on popular Hawaii family vacation accommodations, you may want to continue reading on.
Vacation resorts are one of the best choices for families looking to vacation in Hawaii. One of the many reasons why vacation resorts are nice for family vacations is because they often have a number of onsite activities. These activities may include golfing, access to a children's game room, swimming, and so forth. Many Hawaii resorts are designed for parents traveling with children.
Another one of the many reasons why Hawaii resorts may be the best option for you and your family is because of the onsite services that you may gain access to. It is not uncommon for Hawaii resorts, especially those luxury in nature, to extend a number of services to their guests. These services may include room service delivery of foods, a laundry service, as well as a childcare service. If you are traveling with young children or if you just want a break, a childcare service may be ideal for you.
Although there are a number of reasons as to why you should book a stay at a Hawaii resort, for your next family vacation, you should also know that there are a number of downsides to doing so as well. One of those downsides is the potential for crowding. Vacation resorts often have a number of guests, especially during popular vacations months. With that in mind, a large number of guests may also have its benefits. For instance, you and your family could make new friends. This is something that your children may love.
In addition Hawaii vacation resorts, you also may want to book at stay at a Hawaii vacation home. Hawaii vacation homes are nice for family vacations, as they give you the ultimate level of privacy. They also tend to resemble traditional homes, giving off a home-like feel. This is good for parents who are traveling with young children or first time travelers.
Another one of the many reasons why you should examine vacation home rentals, for your next Hawaii family vacation is because of freedom. When renting a Hawaii vacation home, you may have a backyard or even easy access to a beach. This enables you and your family to come and go as you please. You also can enjoy an unlimited number of activities, without having to worry about the noise level or how the person in the next room is feeling. This, alone, gives many parents comfort and peace of mind.
As with Hawaii resorts, you will also find that Hawaii vacation rentals have a few downsides as well. One of those downsides is the cost. Hawaii vacation rentals can be costly. With that in mind, it is important to remember that cost depends on a number of different factors, including size and location. If you are looking to take a Hawaii family vacation on a budget, you may want to examine smaller vacation homes or those that are located inland, as they are often cheaper in price.
You also have the option of staying at a Hawaii hotel. Hawaii hotels resemble Hawaii resorts; however, they don't always have as many onsite activities or services. They are, however, ideal for those who are vacationing on a budget. If you are interested in getting out and seeing Hawaii, as opposed to staying at your hotel, this may be a nice option for you.
Hawaii condo rentals are another popular choice for vacationers in Hawaii. Although you may want to take time to examine them, you may find Hawaii resorts or vacation homes a better choice. This is because many condo complexes are designed with adults in mind. You may still want to take the time to examine condo rentals, as you may be surprised with what you are able to find available.
Of course, the decision as to where you want to stay for your next Hawaii family vacation is your decision to make. When making that decision though, you may want to keep the above mentioned points in mind.

2008-01-13T02:37:00.001-08:00

How To Find Cheap Airfare Within Europe

It is often tiresome to search for cheap airfare between European cities and has been near hopeless for a number of years. Travelers were told that Europeans didn't bother offering cheap airfare. Instead of by air, they traveled at a low cost within Europe using the railway system or rented cars to get around if required.

However, now there are situations where cheap airfares within Europe are in fact the only option, peculiarly when time is of the essence. Some travelers cannot afford to pay not-so-cheap prices to get from Point A to Point B using airfare within Europe, but they often require to get there faster than say, by car.

The primary point to consider when researching cheap airfares within Europe is to look and see if you can arrive and depart from cities different than your originals. Why? Because a different terminal may be cheaper to fly from, or to, when planning airfare within Europe. Restructuring a trip to admit for a little more travel isn't terribly bad, especially IF there are giant savings, yes?

The problem with really cheap airfares within Europe is that there can be strings attached. Perhaps your return trip will be almost twice the cost of the one that got you there in the first place. Or the dates you can choose to travel may be very restrictive. And don't forget that the tax on some of these cheap airfares within Europe is as a rule more than the flight itself.

Also, be sure to bear in mind that shopping for cheap European airfares isn't the same as in North America. There aren't many connecting flights in Europe and the majority of cheap airfares are straight, city to city runs.

Places to Look for Cheap Airfares within Europe

It may be important to note that we are not supporting any of the following airlines. It's a reasonable starting point for cheap European airfare, however. Here are some of the movers and shakers in the cheap European airfare game so you can get started with your cheap airfare within Europe research.

Basiq Air - Has a home base in Holland and flies to 20 cities, give or take. Flights from Amsterdam run anywhere between 30-60 EUR ($37-74 USD).

BMI Baby Airlines - Offers routes across Europe.

Simple Jet - A very large amount of routes across Europe. However, there is an extra burden if you book with a credit card, and there are no refunds, unless there are extenuating circumstances (i.e. death of a family member).

Germania Express - Discount flights between Spain, Italy, Germany and Greece.

Sky Europe - Apparently the cardinal deduct airline in middle Europe.

Snowflake - Caters for the Mediterranean from Europe.

Continent Express - Taxes and fees at this locale are incomparably higher than the authentic fares.

Volare Airlines - An Italian based airline.

Wizz Air - A new airline, but quite prolific with it's customers. Travels between Warsaw and Athens.

Finding cheap airfares within Europe doesn't have to be an uphill battle. As long as you're armed with the correct facts and appropriate resources, you're on your way to finding that cheap airfare!

2008-01-13T02:35:00.000-08:00

Phuket Island Attracts Millions Of Visitors Every Year

Every year, the island of Phuket attracts millions of visitors, with it's beautiful beaches and scenery. In the past, the island derived much of its wealth from tin production, which began in Phuket over 500 years ago. Patong, across the island from Phuket Town, is the noisy nightlife centre of the island with great beaches and facilities. On the other hand, the area to the south of the island (Phuket City today) was developed and became a tin trading center.

But Phuket is much more than just a holiday island. We will hand-hold you through finding that dream property on beautiful Phuket island, and through the entire Thailand real estate buying process. Mainstream media also failed to explain enough that much of the damage on the island was distant from Phuket's main beaches. Our new Phuket edition is free to the public and available at an increasing number of distribution points throughout the island. Buses are also available to Phuket town and all major holiday destinations and beaches on the island.

The airport on Phuket island is a well-equipped little airport, the staff is friendly and immigration officers are very efficient and work fast. Half of those killed were foreign tourists visiting the island of Phuket and surrounding resort areas. Thailand's largest island, Phuket is incredibly diverse, with rocky and sandy beaches, tall cliffs, forests, waterfalls and temples. Boats can be chartered to go to some small island south of Phuket. See the Phuket beaches page for an overall map to the main beaches and towns of the island.

A comfortable Phuket hotel for groups, families and company meetings or large conferences. For detailed Phuket hotels information or to make a reservation, select a hotel and let asiahotels.com be your Phuket travel agent. You can look at Thailand best hotel prices and book the best hotel in Phuket. Book your Phuket hotel stay safely, securely and without worries. Set in its own tropical gardens, the phuket hotel boasts three magnificent pools and sundecks for soaking up the glorious sunshine over Phuket.

Read Phuket hotels descriptions, reviews by former hotel guests or place your own Phuket hotels review. You can look at Thailand luxury hotel prices and book the luxury hotel in Phuket. Book your hotel in Phuket before you leave home and save money! Our hotel is one of the best-valued vacation resorts in Phuket. The location of the hotel was also great in relation to the nightlife in Phuket. We returned to Phuket at about 2.30 and we were taken back to the hotel. Find and reserve the right Phuket meetings hotel for your group today.

2008-01-13T02:33:00.002-08:00

India - an experience of your lifetime

India – a country with an ancient history and over the billion population is an ideal place for visiting in winter. Warm weather, without an exacting heat, and the end of the rain season is what you can expect there in December, January and February. As India is a huge country you’d better to make your route ahead not to waste your time trying to reach the desired point of interest. India varies a lot from north to south and from east to west. One life is not enough to know all the secrets of the country. What to do if you have only few weeks? Of course you would like to see all the best, the quintessential of India. Usual tourist routs can be divided into 3 kinds – resort (Goa, Kerala), excursion (so called Golden Triangle) and mountain trip to Himalayas. It’s hard to combine all these routes in one single trip, but it’s possible if you have time, money and health! It surely promises to be the experience you never forget.
The main cities of the Golden Triangle are Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, but if you choose this route you also visit other cities, lying on the way. Delhi, the capital of India firstly strikes the western traveler with its noise, dirt and smell. However, when throw away it, you see that this city hides a lot of treasures really worth visiting. With a population of about 14 millions, Delhi is a huge metropolis with all its advantages and disadvantages. Being an ancient city Delhi has a lot of traces of its past. A mix of cultures and religions is reflected in its architectural heritage. The Jama Mazjid of the walled city is an example of Indo-Persian art the Birla Temple and the Chattarpur Temple complex are considered as a blend of the North and South Indian architectural styles. Gurdwara Raquab Ganj, Sheesh Ganj and Bangla Sahib belong to Sikhism, whereas St. Thomas and St. Columbus were bilt for Christians.
Agra with its world-famous Taj Mahal become one the most recognized symbols of India. This mausoleum was created by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his second wife Mumtaz Mahal.Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan state and is wide known as the 'pink city' because of the ochre-pink hue of its old buildings and crenellated city walls.Goa and Kerala – the best Indian resorts, attract a lot of visitors from allover the world. Goa on the Arabian Sea shore has become a legendary place known for its sun, sand and psychedelia. It’s divided into 2 parts – Northern and Southern. The South is a place for the respectable western tourists with its prestigious hotels and clear beaches. The North is the place for youth from all the countries, mostly known for its discos and beach parties.
Kerala is a green strip of land, in the South West corner of Indian peninsula. Natural paradise with its palms, sand and ocean it is a perfect place for beach vacations. Himalayas, Tibet is a mysterious land attracting a lot of people seeking harmony, self- comprehension and the solutions to some of their problems. The way o this place is very hard. It can become the most challenging trekking expedition in your life, but when you reach your aim you will know that this torture hasn’t been useless. Some people nevertheless find their harmony and stay in Tibet. But even if you decide to return home Tibet will always stay with you!

2008-01-13T02:33:00.001-08:00

Travelling to and within Ireland.

To enjoy travelling in Ireland one has to have first travelled to Ireland. As Ireland is an island nation, travelling to Ireland means arriving by either air or sea. One also has to consider the modes of transport on offer to travel around this wonderful country.If you intend to arrive by air, you will enter the country through one of four airports.
For visitors arriving on flights directly from/through North America either Shannon or Dublin airports will be your destination. Shannon Airport due to its proximity to Cork & Kerry is the most ideal destination. Dublin Airport is Ireland's biggest airport, serving the North Atlantic routes, Middle and Far Eastern routes and European routes. Regular shuttle flights are available between Dublin and both Cork and Kerry Airports. Cork Airport can be reached from many European destinations as well as from all over the world if you change flights at either London or Dublin. Cork Airport is, at the most, just two hours away from a stay in the Cork / Kerry region. Your final choice of arrival airport is Kerry Airport. Kerry Airport can be reached by flights from the U.K., or Düsseldorf.
If you intend to arrive by sea, which is ideal for those who wish to use their own car, there is a choice of 3 ports of arrival. The closest port of arrival is Ringaskiddy, which is just outside Cork City. Next Rosslare, which is located in the southeast corner of Ireland and is suitable for those who prefer a shorter sea journey. Finally Dun Laoghaire just outside Dublin links with Holyhead in North Wales for visitors coming through from the Midlands and Northern England.If you have arrived in Ireland by air or sea at Dublin / Dun Laoghaire or by sea at Rosslare, a comfortable way to travel onward to Cork or Kerry is by train (Iarnród Éireann).Kent station in Cork is less than 5 minutes walk from the city centre. It is also possible to change trains at Mallow to get to Millstreet, Killarney and Tralee. For Killarney and Tralee this will cost a small bit extra. Full timetables are posted at all stations.
Travelling by bus (Bus Eireann) is a cheap way to get around Ireland and a great way to meet people. Often very lively conversations will develop during your journey, with plenty of advice given for your stay in Ireland. The Dublin Bus Navigator is useful for finding your way around the capital city. The cheapest way to travel by bus is to get a rambler ticket available from most bus stations. These give unlimited travel on all Scheduled services - excluding Day Tours.
If you are travelling as a group of 10 people or more, then why not hire a coach for your stay in Ireland. This way you will be chauffeured day and night to you chosen destinations in safety and with no worries about who drinks and who does the driving!
For complete travel independence a car is your best choice whether you bring your own or hire one. The roads in Ireland are uncluttered and once off the main National primary routes, roads are considered crowded if you see another car going in the same direction and one coming against you at the same time.
For those who want to travel at a leisurely pace and enjoy the fresh air, Ireland is ideal cycling country. Bicycles can be hired nationwide.
Finally hitchhiking is perfectly safe in Ireland, for those on a low budget this is an ideal way to get around and meet people. Getting a lift is quite easy, especially if you have the flag of your country sewn onto the back of your backpack and displayed so drivers can see it easily. Many local people in Ireland hitchhike so you will often have competition at the best locations for a lift, which is usually between the 30m.p.h., and 40m.p.h. signs on the road-leaving town.

2008-01-13T02:31:00.000-08:00

Travel Credit Cards

Why bring travel credit cards instead of traveler's checks? Convenience, safety and savings. The first time I had to exchange $200 of travelers checks overseas, the bank charged me $8. Later, during the same trip, I used my debit card at an ATM to get $200 from my checking account. The charge was one dollar, and that was the last time I used traveler's checks.
Travel Credit Cards And Debit CardsIt is best to carry a credit card AND a debit card, and keep them well-hidden in two separate places. Bring cards that have either zero liability, or a fifty dollar liability limit for any unauthorized charges. Ask your bank or credit card company about this. Make sure you bring a Visa card, as this seems to be the most widely accepted right now.Sometimes an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) won't take a card for some reason. Normally, you can use the other card, which will usually work fine. That's the advantage of having two cards. By the way, criminals watch those ATMs, so be especially careful not to flash your money around when you leave an ATM.For most travel, credit cards may be less trouble than debit cards. They can be replaced quickly if stolen. On your stolen debit card, your liability might be zero, but you probably won't have access to your account until the matter is sorted out.On the other hand, on longer trips it's a hassle to pay the credit card bill on time, which isn't a problem with debit cards. That's another reason to carry both. On longer trips you can wait until you're a few weeks from home to use the credit card, and you'll get there before the bill does. Another advantage travel credit and debit cards have over traveler's checks, is that when you need the local currency, you'll almost always get a better exchange rate with your cards. Plus, the cash you get from the local ATM will truly be accepted everywhere, something no traveler's checks can promise.Be sure to call your credit card company or bank before you travel overseas. They may decline your card when you try to use it otherwise. Just let them know where you'll be and for aproximately how long. E-mail yourself the phone numbers to call in case of loss or theft, so you can get them from anywhere in the world.To sum up : Use cards with low liability, high enough limits for your trip, and hide them well on your body. These are the requirements for good travel credit cards.

2008-01-13T02:30:00.002-08:00

Say goodbye to paper airline tickets
All-electronic tickets will save money, add convenience for customers
NEW YORK - Next summer, paper airline tickets will go the way of vinyl records and rotary-dial phones: They won't entirely disappear, but they'll be hard to find.
On June 1, the industry association that handles ticketing for most major airlines will stop issuing paper tickets. Some small regional or foreign airlines will continue issuing paper tickets, but they'll be few and far between.
Indeed, even without the International Air Transport Association's directive, the vast majority of airline tickets are already electronic. IATA says paper tickets have fallen to less than 14 percent of the 400 million tickets it processes each year.

On its face, the move to all electronic ticketing is a no-brainer for the airline industry. Paper tickets cost airlines $10 to $17, on average, compared with $1 or less for electronic tickets. A fully electronic ticketing system will save the industry $3 billion a year, the IATA estimates.
"From the airline perspective, it's 100 percent upside," said Robert Mann, an airline consultant in Port Washington, N.Y.
dition to pure cost savings, electronic ticketing lets airlines record revenue more quickly on their balance sheets and track revenue patterns. Airlines used to have to bundle and ship tickets to a processing facility, where each ticket had to be fed into a computer, before revenue could be booked or analyzed.
The industry also says electronic ticketing is more convenient to customers, who can manage their own bookings and make changes online without needing to call a travel agent or airline representative.
"It's very simple for the customer and has far superior protections for the customer," said Tim Smith, a spokesman for American Airlines parent AMR Corp.
Mann has a slightly different take.
"What's really happened here is that a lot of the work has been outsourced to the customer," Mann said.
Travelers holding electronic tickets perform most of the functions that used to be handled by the airlines, including in many cases booking their flights at a Web site, printing their itinerary, checking in for their flights online and printing a boarding pass from an airport kiosk.
Many people prefer it that way, but those who don't will still have the option of booking through a travel agent or airline sales representative.

Lorne Riley, an IATA spokesman, says electronic tickets are more secure than the paper variety, which can be easily forged. Mann notes that many foreign countries require travelers to present a ticket for either onward or return travel to gain entry. Riley said printed itineraries are accepted in most cases as proof of electronic ticket-based travel plans.
Most airlines have already mostly phased out paper tickets — AMR's Smith estimates that more than 98 percent of American's tickets are electronic — so the IATA move largely just codifies an industry shift that has already occurred.
Some smaller airlines will likely stick with paper ticketing, for now.
"It's ones for whom moving to a fully electronic system doesn't make economic sense," such as small regional carriers that fly a few thousand customers a year, who will keep issuing paper tickets, Mann said.
"Some carriers ... they'll just continue to provide their own solution," said Riley.
Indeed, the IATA's move applies only to the 70 to 75 percent of overall airline tickets. The IATA does not represent low-cost carriers such as Ryanair Holdings PLC and Southwest Airlines.
"We do not have any plans of eliminating paper stock," said Jeannine Rahe, a spokeswoman for the Airline Reporting Corp., or ARC, a separate organization that processes 169 million airline transactions, including tickets and exchanges, each year.
Still, Rahe said 96.8 percent of the tickets ARC processes are electronic.

2008-01-13T02:30:00.001-08:00

Provides Tips Planning Honeymoon Wedding Destination

We feature honeymoon registry service, destination wedding arrangements, destination information,and much more! Visit the links on both sides of this page to view superb honeymoon wedding destinations by state. Far away, exotic and world renowned for its spectacular scenery and friendly people, New Zealand is an ideal wedding and honeymoon destination. Jamaica is a fantastic honeymoon or wedding destination. Keep that in mind as you plan your wedding date and honeymoon destination. The first step in planning a destination wedding is to find a travel agent that specializes in honeymoons & destination weddings. - Provides tips on planning a honeymoon or destination wedding. Pick your wedding date to coincide with your honeymoon destination's off-season.

Find the perfect wedding or honeymoon destination is easy. This site is a romantic getaway for your romantic honeymoon vacation or destination wedding. Food, wedding decorations, bridal shower favors and music can also be used to incorporate the theme of a honeymoon destination. It is no wonder why Barbados has featured amongt the top 10 wedding and honeymoon destinations for a number of years. A popular wedding and honeymoon destination. A unique fusion of lifestyles, ethnicity and architecture in a city pulsing with life makes this an exciting wedding or honeymoon destination. Don't forget to bookmark this page now so you may return often while planning your destination wedding, weddingmoon, or honeymoon.

Browse through these guides for honeymoon travel advice and destination suggestions. A true exotic honeymoon travel destination. Virgin Islands These islands could be an excellent honeymoon destination for those who are new to overseas travel. Even driving is a great way to travel if your honeymoon destination is near. Climate and Weather Check local weather conditions for your honeymoon destination with your travel professional. Bain provides couples with vital information on cruises, foreign travel, packages, staying within a budget

even how to get married at their honeymoon destination. DecorationsDecorate with travel posters and brochures that depict the couple's honeymoon destination. A delightful room, whether for a Virginia honeymoon destination or simply to treat yourself to luxury travel accommodations. InfoHub has compiled a list of travel opportunities for honeymoon trips and honeymoon destinations around the world. The price of air travel to your honeymoon destination also varies greatly.

Many couples choose the most popular honeymoon destinations that are the most expensive ones. Future wife and husband choose together honeymoon destinations. To fulfil their dream they have to choose a superb destination for their honeymoon Holidays. Before you choose a destination for your honeymoon, decide how much time you can take.

Everybody wants to have a memorable honeymoon, and there are plenty of destinations that you can choose from. GINZ.com lets you choose your perfect honeymoon destination. Couples may even choose a resort honeymoon destination, be married at the resort, and then vacation there. How to choose a honeymoon destination, is always a cause of concern for the couples.. Here are some testimonials from several couples that have decided to choose Aruba as their honeymoon destination. Sandals resorts will spoil you endlessly and any of their destinations you choose will be the best honeymoon possible.

2008-01-13T02:28:00.000-08:00

Travel tips for your vacation rental trip to Bulgaria

Bulgaria offers pleasures for each one’s taste. Thinking of an active holiday? Bulgaria has it - swimming, skiing, riding, climbing, hunting, fishing... Thinking of relaxing - amazing nature, sunny beaches, healing spas, monasteries and churches, hospitable towns and villages... Ancient culture, endless beaches and an emerald sea, high mountains with marvellous gorges and caves, clear lakes and rivers full of fish, wide valleys, healing springs, ancient culture, hospitable people, tempting cuisine and wines, diverse flora and fauna...

Rent holiday home or vacation rental in Bulgaria (http://bulgaria-vacation-rentals.com) and enjoy your stay!

All accommodation places in Bulgaria have been categorised according to the 5-star international system. Privatisation has had a favourable impact and today the country is proud of hotels and restaurants that meet the modern world standard.

When you are ready for that once in a lifetime experience of an Bulgarian vacation, consider a private home rental for your source of lodging. Hotels can be nice, but staying in a private home rented for the occasion can give you a chance to see the real Bulgaria. Explore the countryside, walk into the village and visit with the residents, and see what it feels like to actually go home, to a cabin or villa at the end of the day, living as the Bulgarians do. Or, try a beach house if that suits you or an apartment if you prefer a more urban setting. Getting to know the local people by living among them for an extended stay of a few weeks will give you a chance to learn some of the language, or if you already speak Bulgarian to brush up on your skills. It will also give you a chance to learn local history in a very unique way, from the people themselves. You will appreciate all of the similarities of Bulgarian culture with your own, and learn to appreciate the differences as well. The Bulgarians are a wonderful, friendly people with a rich culture and history. Taking the time to live among them, getting to know them as friends and neighbors, is truly an experience you will always remember.

Private homes for rent to vacationers in Bulgaria can be found in various price ranges. If you are looking for luxury, there are villas available. If something more rustic suits your taste and budget, then smaller homes and even old farmhouses are available to appeal to all tastes. Just as an example, one property includes two bedrooms, queen size beds, kitchen, laundry area, bathroom, central eat and the satellite television, telephone and VCR that most tourists are used to having. Imagine though the coziness and comfort of coming back to the house after a day of sight seeing to sit by the fire place, drinking a glass of a local wine, having a light dinner of pasta, and enjoying the peace and quiet of your surroundings. Staying in a hotel in a major city will certainly show you the tourist hot spots, but staying in a private home will show you the real Bulgaria.

There are so many wonderful places to visit in Bulgaria like:
- Nessebar - beautiful small town on Bulgaria's Black Sea coast a few hours south of Varna. Another one of Bulgaria's many UNESCO world heritage sites.
- Sozopol - together with Nessebar these are the two sea towns with traditional houses and ancient dig sites.
- Bansko - a beautiful old village in the Pirin mountains with refurbished homes, stone wall, and cobblestone streets, but increasingly overtaken by resort hotels. Good place for skiing in winter and hiking in summer. The birthplace of the Bulgarian revival movement. If you want a true mountain village experience, there are a few other villages nearby from which to choose. In the beginning of august an annual Jazz festival is being held in the town. Skiiers and Snowboarders could find BanskoSki useful.

No visa is required for entry for citizens of the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.

However, foreigners have to register at the police after 72 hours. If you have booked with a travel agency, this will be taken care of. If not - usually, your hotel will handle the necessary paperwork (ask). If you do not stay in a hotel, you will need to go to the police and take the tedious task of registering on your own. Especially for UK and US citizens, Bulgaria is really cracking down on this. Failure to register might mean a 2000 Leva fine (about $1200 US). Also take care that you have an entry stamp in your passport, otherwise your exit could be quite troublesome.

Bulgaria offers tourist attractions all around the year. Most popular are summer seaside resorts, along the entire Black Sea coastline. In winter numerous ski resorts are there to attract tourists. There are many spa, treking and historical destinations that offer incredibly rich variety of experiences.

There are hundreds, maybe thausends of mineral water springs around the country, so this is something you'd better taste and drink. Ayrian and boza are two traditional Balkan non-alcoholic beverages.

2008-01-13T02:26:00.000-08:00

A day trip to Cordoba, Spain

Like the Seville region, the province of Cordoba is landlocked, though that should not be a reason for the more adventurous traveller to not visit either for they both are fascinating. The region of Cordoba is split by the mighty Rio Guadalquivir on which lies the ancient city of Cordoba, founded by the Romans, though it flourished under the Moorish occupation and this is evident in the architecture found all over the city. Built on a sharp bend of the river which is crossed by the Roman bridge, the El Puente Romano, the city was once a port. When the Moors were replaced by the Christians, the city’s beauty was left untouched and the Christian cathedral was built within the mosque, the Mezquita. The Mezquita dates back to the 12 century and symbolises the power of the Moorish Islamic influence on this region of Andalucia. Built in 785AD by Abd al Rahman, the mosque has been added to over the generations by both Christian and Islamic faiths as they each controlled this area.At the centre of Cordoba is the old Jewish quarter where little has changed in centuries, narrow streets and garden plazas, tapas bars and restaurants, an ideal area to explore and relax in the Spanish way. The bull fighting museum and the cool and refreshing fountains and gardens of the Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos are well worth a visit both being open from Tuesday to Sunday.Move outside of the city into the area of Cordoba, and you'll find it quite unoccupied, most of the population live in the city itself while the remainder are spread out in this large unexploited region. Summers here are dry and hot, so the best time of the year to visit is during the cooler spring and autumn months, where you will find villages that still hold on to their Spanish values, something that has almost all but disappeared from the Costas to the south.
Author: Warren Ward runs the vacation owner rental website of www.ChooseSpain.com which advertises hundreds of holiday villas and apartments throughout Spain.

2008-01-13T02:25:00.000-08:00

Mulch: the great cover-up - varieties and application techniques
WHEN A LEAF FALLS IN THE woods, it is not likely that anyone would pick it up. Leaves, plant litter and other organic debris cover the forest floor, grass layers build up over the prairie and rocks and gravel top off the sandy soil in desert areas. No matter what the climate or topography, the soil in nature is covered with some kind of mulch. It pays for us to apply this lesson in our home gardens as well, to reap the benefits that nature has enjoyed from the beginning.
FOUR REASONS TO MULCH
Smother out weeds. A mulch on top of your soil reduces weeds in two ways. First, it blocks the weed seeds that blow into the area from above by providing a less hospitable germination bed than bare soil. Second, it blocks many weed seeds already in your soil that may try to sprout up from below. The deeper the mulch, the more weeds you will block.

For more effective weed blocking, lay down a three-page layer of newspaper before applying your mulching material. The newspaper will provide an additional weed barrier and will decay into the soil over time.
Conserve moisture. Water evaporates more quickly from soil that is left naked. A mulch not only shades the soil from the hot sun, but organic mulches soften the earth and improve aeration as they slowly decompose. This softening encourages plant roots to reach down deeper, where they are more likely to find moisture on their own.

2008-01-13T02:23:00.000-08:00

Victorian garden edging tiles

Among the many materials used to edge walks, parterres, and planting beds in England in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the most popular was dwarf, or edging, box (Buxus sempervirens Suffruticosa). This dense, slow-growing, evergreen shrub was easy to propagate; it thrived in a variety of growing conditions; and it resisted insects and diseases. Often referred to as Dutch or English box, this popular edging plant was clipped in April and July to maintain the desired height of five to six inches. As late as 1834, John Claudius Loudon's Encyclopoedia of Gardeninq noted that dwarf box was superior to every other edging.

While dwarf box remained in common use throughout the first half of the nineteenth century, by 1843 there are references to the use of tiles as a substitute for box. The earliest of these occurs in Jane Loudon's Gardening for Ladies; and Companion to The Flower Garden:
Edgings are lines of plants, generally evergreen, to separate walks from beds or borders. The plant in most universal use for this purpose in British gardens is the dwarf Box.... Edgings to beds and borders are also formed of other materials, such as lines of bricks, tiles, or states, or narrow strips of stone, or even of wood.. .. Edgings oldies, to be kept securely in their places, should be set in concealed brickwork; otherwise they are apt to get out of place and to have a ragged and temporar

2008-01-13T02:22:00.000-08:00

The gentle art of forcing bulbs - Brief Article
Coax spring bulbs to flower indoors during winter
In the dead of winter, spring-blooming bulbs are especially welcome in the house. They can easily fill a room with a delightful perfume and remind you that spring really is just around the corner.
The process of getting flower bulbs to bloom ahead of schedule is called forcing. Depending on the kind of bulbs you choose, you could enjoy your first blooms in less than 10 weeks.
We list several popular bulbs, which you can find at most nurseries and garden centers this month or buy through mail-order catalogs. Note that many bulbs require a certain amount of chilling; some need to be refrigerated, others can be planted then chilled outdoors (see "Forcing tips" on page 83). Chilling periods given here are based on the recommendations of the Netherlands Flower Bulb Information Center.
CROCUS AND HYACINTHS must be chilled. They can be forced, one bulb per jar or vase, in water alone without any soil; there are special forcing jars and vases for crocus and hyacinths.
Crocus corms need to be refrigerated for 15 weeks. After chilling, place each corm in its own water-filled crocus forcing jar or vase at around 60[degrees]; flowers will emerge in about two weeks. Choose Crocus vernus in shades of purple, lavender, yellow, or white.
Hyacinth bulbs need to be refrigerated for 12 weeks. Then place each bulb in a water-filled hyacinth forcing jar or vase at around 70[degrees]; flowers follow in two or three weeks. Try fragrant Dutch hyacinths in shades of blue, purple, pink, or white.

2008-01-13T02:20:00.000-08:00

6 Great Las Vegas Hotels

Looking for tips on just the right place to stay on your Las Vegas vacation? There are a lot of great hotels in Vegas, but these six definitely stand out.
Wynn HotelThe newest masterpiece by Vegas hotel legend Steve Wynn, the 50-story Wynn Hotel opened in 2004 with 2,716 rooms, an 18-hole golf course, 19 restaurants, and 54 private spa treatment rooms. His namesake hotel displays his amazing art collection, offers incredible shopping right on site, and has a posh private lobby for VIPs. And of course, there's an awesome state-of-the-art casino at it's heart.
BellagioBuilt by Steve Wynn in 1998, the lavish Bellagio has excellent rooms, awesome service, and an amazing water fountain show. In December 2004, just before the Wynn Hotel opened, the Bellagio added a special 928-room Spa Tower, boosting total capacity to 3,933 rooms. The Bellagio is so ritzy that they offer a 50-minute body bronzing treatment with real gold dust.THEhotel at Mandalay Bay
This all-suite exclusive hotel within the larger Mandalay Bay property has 1,117 rooms that aim for a more cosmopolitan clientele than it's namesake parent. Each suite is 725 square feet of luxury with three flat-screen televisions, including one in the mega-swank bathrooms.Four Seasons
Another swank luxury hotel within the Mandalay Bay complex, the Four Seasons occupies floors 35-39 and has rates much higher than the standard $119-$349 of its parent. Four Seasons guests have their own elevator and entrance, plus pools, spa, and restaurants in an adjacent building.
Ritz Carlton at Lake Las VegasThe Ritz Carlton hotel is a half-hour's drive from the Strip, but it's renowned for it's golfing and outdoor activities. It nestles against manmade Lake Las Vegas where the water offers a refreshing alternative to the summertime heat. This three-year-old Tuscan-themed resort still maintains a touch of the glitz: Guests can stay on a special bridge with suites built to recreate Florence's legendary Ponte Vecchio (Bridge of Gold).
Venetian Resort Hotel CasinoLocated near the Wynn, this 4,027-suite hotel is part of the Sands Hotel group. Rooms are luxuriously appointed and the casino is magnificent. Coming this summer is a new theater hosting Andrew Lloyd Webber's smash hit musical, the "Phantom of the Opera."So, there you have it. Six great Vegas hotels that will never fail to dazzle and are guaranteed to impress even the most jaded repeat visitor. Just be sure to book ahead to get the best discounts on room rates and snag hard-to-get show tickets well in advance.

2008-01-13T02:19:00.000-08:00

2008-01-13T02:18:00.000-08:00

In pursuit of the perfect pantry - food storage tips in kitchens - Brief Article
Tips for creating a food-storage area that fits your requirements
The pantry is staging a comeback. As more people buy in bulk from discount stores and use a wider array of cooking appliances, they need more kitchen storage space. "Pantries are popular because storage is an absolutely critical issue today," says designer Mary Jo Peterson, consultant to the National Kitchen & Bath Association. "Most people are constantly struggling to find more space in their homes."
Design tips
We asked experts around the West for their tips on organizing pantries.
* Think small. Pantries don't have to be large or expensive. Is there a small, underutilized space in your kitchen that could be converted to this purpose? "Narrow pantries are a good way to use space in your kitchen that otherwise would go to waste," says kitchen designer Michelle Minch of Moving Mountains Design in Denver. Many home stores sell small, inexpensive modular pantry units that you can put together yourself. For instance, IKEA's Elemental Pantry-1 foot wide by 7 feet tall by 2 feet deep-sells for about $120.
* Think versatile. As you and your family grow older, your storage needs are likely to change. That means using adjustable shelves, wire racks that can be added or removed from pantry doors, and multiuse baskets that can be stacked and moved. For additional space efficiency, consider such adaptable items as 12- to 16-inch-wide wire baskets, which can easily hook to and hang from shelves.

2008-01-13T02:17:00.000-08:00

Wonder Water

How to use:
Assemble the following materials:
• Wonder Water®
• Silk flowers or dried flowers
• Wire, tape, or rubber band (optional, to hold stems in place)
• Clean and Dry vase
• Oven mitts and paper towels

STEP 1 Cut stems to desired lengths. Pre-arrange the materials and tie together with tape, wire, or a rubber band. You can seal porous stems that will touch the Wonder Water® using a white craft glue or clear spray paint to reduce the possibility of air bubble formation.
STEP 2 Place the bottle(s) of Wonder Water® in a pan. Make sure the cap is on the bottle tight! Fill the pan with water until bottle(s) float. Heat on a stove or hot plate until the water is nearly boiling. Do not microwave. Maintain the heat. Allow the Wonder Water® to liquefy in the bottle. (approx. 15-30 minutes)
STEP 3 Once the Wonder Water® has turned into a liquid, turn off the heat. Put on oven mitts and carefully lift the bottle(s) from the pan using tongs or a similar tool. Dry the bottle with paper towels. Immediately pour the liquid into your vase to the desired depth. Be careful not to let it run down the sides. To reduce the chance of bubbles forming, wait till the pan is no longer steaming then place the vase back in the hot water and leave it there for the duration of this procedure. Do not allow any regular water to contaminate the Wonder Water®.
STEP 4 Wait about 15 minutes and then add the arrangement. Be sure your tie is high enough so you can remove it once the Wonder Water® sets up. Allow the arrangement and vase to remain in the pan undisturbed for several hours or overnight. It is important to allow it to cool down slowly. The Wonder Water® will gel at room temperature.
STEP 5 Once you have removed the tie around your arrangement, you can make some small final adjustments. Just be careful not to disturb the part of the stems down in the gel. Clean up any spills with dish soap and water.

2008-01-13T02:14:00.000-08:00

Heart-smart herbs: tonics to keep your ticker in tip-top shape - includes related articles - The Herbalist
HE BEAUTY of a spring meadow in bloom. The profound sense of presence in a grove of redwoods. The appearance of tiny green shoots in a garden--all these things can give flight to the heart and bring us peace. Yet the heart-healing power of the earth's magnificent flora is not just spiritual; it can be physical as well.
Garlic and hawthorn berries are two herbs you can take every day to gently strengthen your heart and circulatory system, and prevent heart disease. A word of warning though: Self-diagnosis is a very hazardous pastime! If you suspect you have any kind of heart condition, see your health-care practitioner. Keep in mind that the favored tools of cardiology--drugs and surgery--do have an appropriate place and can be dramatically successful at treating acute conditions and cardiac emergencies.
Our discussion of garlic and hawthorn berries is limited to their use by generally healthy persons. While well-trained phytotherapists (health-care practitioners clinically trained in the use of botanicals) may have striking results when using them for patients with heart conditions, the layperson's use of these herbs should be as a preventive measure, not a substitute for medication. Like a low-fat vegetarian diet and regular exercise, herbs that benefit the circulatory system are best viewed as one aspect of a healthful lifestyle (see "Prevention Is the Best Medicine," p. 106).
HEALING WITH HAWTHORN BERRIES
Victorian garden edging tiles
Among the many materials used to edge walks, parterres, and planting beds in England in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the most popular was dwarf, or edging, box (Buxus sempervirens Suffruticosa). This dense, slow-growing, evergreen shrub was easy to propagate; it thrived in a variety of growing conditions; and it resisted insects and diseases. Often referred to as Dutch or English box, this popular edging plant was clipped in April and July to maintain the desired height of five to six inches. As late as 1834, John Claudius Loudon's Encyclopoedia of Gardeninq noted that dwarf box was superior to every other edging.
While dwarf box remained in common use throughout the first half of the nineteenth century, by 1843 there are references to the use of tiles as a substitute for box. The earliest of these occurs in Jane Loudon's Gardening for Ladies; and Companion to The Flower Garden:
Edgings are lines of plants, generally evergreen, to separate walks from beds or borders. The plant in most universal use for this purpose in British gardens is the dwarf Box.... Edgings to beds and borders are also formed of other materials, such as lines of bricks, tiles, or states, or narrow strips of stone, or even of wood.. .. Edgings oldies, to be kept securely in their places, should be set in concealed brickwork; otherwise they are apt to get out of place and to have a ragged and temporary appearance. (2)

2008-01-13T01:57:00.000-08:00

Credit Rating Report Information

The article here is affirmed by a huge body of knowledge regarding the "credit history" field which took more than half a year to complete. In case you believe that your identity has been used by someone unauthorized. In case you believe that you`re the target of identifying information robbery or otherwise worry that you may become one - for example, you misplaced your purse or wallet or otherwise gave sensitive information to stranger - take these steps right away:

1. Start a log. While you make telephone calls or send written messages, write comments about your calls and written communication with official authorities and financial institutions, detailing when you had contact with them, who you talked to, and their communication details. Also document the time invested in this and expenses you bear; you can deduct expenses that are indirectly cause by the theft on your income tax return, assuming you list what you had to pay, plus you might be able to ask for remuneration in case you are one day in a position to take legal action against the thief.

2. Contact the credit bureaus. Make a call or visit the sites of the 3 major credit bureaus and make a request that they issue an alert for frauds and attach a record to your credit rating.

3. Also, get copies of your score credit from each of the bureaus. You are able to request that the credit rating report be free of charge because you suspect they contain wrong data because of fraud.

You are able to ask for a primary warning in case you`re a victim of identity theft or otherwise additional deception, or believe that you may turn out to be one. This warning shall be found in your record for the duration of ninety days. The warning states that you do not approve a new credit card on an existing account, a raise of the credit maximum of an existing bank account, or additional credit. The warning may holdup your entitlement for credit.

If you`re an injured party of sensitive information theft, you can send the credit bureaus an identity theft report and then ask that they place an extended alert in your record. A report for identity theft is an official report you have filed with a national, state, or otherwise local agency that is in charge law enforcement plus more data the credit bureau might need. The extended warning is left standing in your credit history for the period of 7 years. In addition, for the extent of 5 years, every bureau is obligated to exclude you from alleged prescreened credit solicitations files.

If you`re on active military service, you can put in an active service alert to your record. This stays in place in your online credit score for the period one year and the exclusion from prescreened credit offers lists remains for two years. An issuer of credit or some other user of a credit score report that contains one of these alerts has to be exceptionally sure in order to verify the identification of the person that is making the request for a credit card before it makes the transaction.

4. Once you get your credit rating report from the 3 credit bureaus, review every one of them with care. Make sure that every part of your private data is right and that there are no false accounts or inquiries. Search for accounts that you didn`t submit an application for, or current inquiries that you didn`t initiate, and failures to pay and delinquencies that were not caused by you. Directly present any suspicious information or transaction record to the bureau that was the issuer of the fico score.

5. File an official report of the crime to the nearest police. Request the police officer to write down every one of the fraudulently used financial records that you revealed in your creditreports on the police report. Be sure to to obtain copies of the official police report. Be sure to register the telephones and names full names of every one of the police officers that you converse with.

2008-01-13T01:36:00.000-08:00

Ayurveda-The Science Of Healthy Living
Ayurveda is a science based on ancient Indian Philosophy. It can appropriately called The Science Of Living. Popularly speaking, Ayurveda can be defined as a medical science, which helps the human body to keep fit, while providing cures from indigenous plants, animal products and minerals for ailments.
Ayurveda is essentially, the science of healthy living; it is as much concerned with normal as with the abnormal. Being essentially the science of healing, it concentrates on what is required to lead healthy, normal life. It deals not only with what is to be done when one falls ill, but also with what should be done to maintain ones health. Ayurveda contains details about body care and the various foods and drinks, which promotes health. It contains the description of various diseases and their cures, and recommends the correct diet and behavior regime to counter these diseases.
According to ancient Indian Philosophy, the universe is composed of five basic elements earth, water, fire, air, and ether. Everything in this universe, including food and bodies we possess, is derived from these elements. A fundamental harmony therefore exists between the universe and the individual.
Ayurveda maintain that there is definite relationship between illness and metaphysical state of an individual. Its approach to medical treatment is to focus on the person rather than the disease.
There are systems, which develops out of Ayurveda or were influenced by it. One such system is Tibetan system of medicine.
Researches in traditional medicine- proves that Ayurveda richly deserves- have confirmed the efficacy of most of the natural substances used by practitioners of Ayurveda: bitter gourd to revive a falling pancreas, papaya seeds to kill intestinal worms without causing harm these are just 2 cases in point.

2008-01-13T01:35:00.000-08:00

Importance of Body Care and Diet in Ayurveda

Ayurvedic contains the detail instructions about body care and personal hygiene. Chewing of various spices and nuts is recommended for the clarity of voices, a pleasing taste, and fresh smells in the mouth, gargling with sesame oil be said to enhance the strength of the jaws. Sesames oil also gives depth to the voice and even results in the face becoming plump. Regularly oiling of the hair and the ears, and the periodic oil massages are a part of the normal recommended body care. Massage makes the physique smooth, strong, and charming, and prevents the onslaught of age. Scents and garlands of flowers are said to spread fragrance in the body, and enhance longevity and charm.

An India psychiatrist was surprised to find the following description of a tongue scraper, the like of which he had not seen in use in any other country.

Tongue scrapers which, should be curved and sharp edge, are to be made of metals like gold, silver, copper, tin and brass. The dirt deposited at the root of the tongue obstructs expiration and give rise to a foul smell: so the tongue should be scraped regularly.

Where as the diet is concerned, ayurveda provides the general description of food that promotes health and other, which should be avoided. It say that the food that should be allowed to the patients accordingly to the nature of the malady, and those which should be banned. Some medicines are to be taken with certain specific foods such as buttermilk. Certain drugs and formulations are administered to the patient in conjunction with certain food, falling which; the drugs do not have any curative effect.

Both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food is discussed in ayurveda. Non-vegetarian diets are particularly recommended in diseases like consumption where the wasting of flesh is evident.

2008-01-13T01:34:00.002-08:00

Scientific and Astrological Significance of Rudraksh

WHAT IS RUDRAKSH:-

There are different conceptions regarding Rudrakshas in Shiv Puran and other Pauranic scriptures but one thing is upheld in all of these that:-

DIVYA VARSHA SAHASRAM TU CHAKSHURUNMEELITMAYAA, PASCHANMAAKULAKSHIBHYAH PATITA JALBINDAVAH

SHIV UVACH : - For one thousand divine years I kept closed my eyes then tear drops fell from my eyes.

TATRASHRUBINDTO JAATA MAHARUDRAKSH VRISKSHKAH MAMAAGYAYAA MAHASEN SARVESHAM HITKAMYAYAA

Those drops of tear which fell from my eyes gave birth to the tree of Maharudraksh on my command for the benefit of all.

VARIETIES OF RUDRAKSH: -

There are different views on how many types of Rudrakshas can be found because at some places there are references of 32-faced Rudraksh. Therefore it is believed that 32-faced Rudrakshas were found in Satyuga whereas in Kaliyuga only 14-faced Rudrakshas can be found. Occasionally 18-faced Rudrakshas are also found.

EKAM VADANAMARABHYA SHODASHASHTADASHAVADHI KADACHID DEVI JAYANTE RUDRAKSHANI MAHITALE

In the same manner, sometimes Gaurishankar and Gomukh Rudrakshas are also found by someone who may be fortunate enough.

Gaurishankar Rudraksh is a kind of twin Rudraksh joined together like two bananas are sometimes joined together but are found somewhat rarely. These are known as Gaurishankar Rudraksh.

GAURISHANKARSANGYAM CHA TATHAA GOMUKHSANGYITAM RUDRAKSHAM JAAYATE DEVI KADACHID DAIVAYOGATAH

O Goddess! Gaurishankar and Gomukh Rudrakshas are born by divine coincidence in some trees and found by some fortunate person.

AYURVEDIC SIGNIFICANCE OF RUDRAKSH:-

There are many names of Rudraksh like:- 1. Rudraksh 2. Shivaksh 3. Neelkanthaksh 4. Haraksh 5. Bhutanashan 6. Shivpriya 7. Paavan 8. Sharvaksh. Rudraksh is also known by the name of Shivbindu.

Today Rudraksh is only worn on head, in neck etc. and it is made worshippable but it is put to no other use. Rudraksh is Aml, Ushna, Vataghna and Kaphanashak. It saves one from evil spirits and planetary malefic influences.

In Ayurveda it is said that if the paste of bead of Rudraksh is applied on boils it can cure it. Therefore Rudraksh works on septic.

In jaundice and other such diseases related to the Pitta Dosha in Ayurveda if seeds of papaya are worn with the beads of Rudraksh then it can cure the ailment.

Five Mukhi Rudraksh is useful in controlling high blood pressure and heart diseases.

Rudraksh is not only to be worn but it has great significance in Ayurveda also.

COLOURS OF RUDRAKSH : -

Usually Rudrakshas naturally occur in 4 different colours : -

1. White (Shweta Varna) Rudraksh 2. Crimson red (Rakta Varna) Rudraksh 3. Mixed Colour (Mishrita Varna) Rudraksh 4. Black (Krishna Varna) Rudraksh.

Even though sometimes Rudrakshas of other colours are also found but these are the main 4 colours in which Rudrakshas are found in nature.

HOW TO USE RUDRAKSH : -

Usually Rudraksh Rosary (Mala) of 108 or 54 beads are used and Rudraksh Rosary is especially to be used for chanting of Mahamrityunjaya Mantra.

By wearing 5-faced Rudraksh bead in a red thread high blood pressure can be cured whereas 1-faced Rudraksh should be worn in the neck or should be kept at the place of worship or should be kept in the locker.

Rudraksh can also be used in combinations like two beads of 6-faced Rudraksh and one bead of 4-faced Rudraksh are worn in a combination in a red thread by a student it gives improvement in education.

Even one bead of Rudraksh if worn can give improvement in health, education and wealth.

HOW TO PURIFY RUDRAKSH : -

Purification of Rudraksh is of as much significance as is the purification of gemstones. At Astrological Research Centre (ARC) we have experimented and observed a number of times that Rudraksh works only when it is original and is purified with the help of correct mantra otherwise there is no such difference between a Rudraksh on tree or a Rudraksh worn by someone. On the other hand, we also tried to purify Rudrakshas but we found that different mantras should be used for purifying different faceted Rudrakshas. (which we will describe in our future articles related to Rudraksh).

MISCONCEPTIONS REGARDING RUDRAKSH : -

Today Rudraksh is viewed like if someone will wear a Rudraksh he will become a great devotee of Lord Shiva and will be freed of all the sufferings.

We found at Astrocent that whereas Rudraksh can be used as a medicine in Ayurveda it is merely made a worship item and even duplicate Rudrakshas are available in the market nowadays and the genuine Rudraksh produced in a year of 365 days makes up for only 15 day stock of the market. Therefore, to make up for the rest of 350-day stocks duplicate Rudraksh is being sold in the market.

There are a number of different views regarding the purification of Rudrakshas as well. But we have found in our experience that to purify a Rudraksh in the morning of the bright half Monday the Rudraksh should be purified with its specific corresponding mantra in keeping with the different faceted Rudrakshas and then worn.

There is a great need for pursuing research on Rudrakshas.

CAN ANYONE WEAR A RUDRAKSH : -

Usually it is thought that Rudrakshas are beneficial for everyone but at astrocent we found in our experiments that everyone cannot wear Rudrakshas. They have also to be tried first like gemstones and then worn. Because when we tried Rudraksh on different people we found that sometimes some Rudrakshas did not suit some people. And when we tried different faceted Rudrakshas on those (whom Rudrakshas did not suit) we found that none of the Rudrakshas suit them.

Therefore we found in our research at astrocent that Rudrakshas also did not suit everyone.

HOW ARE RUDRAKSHAS RELATED TO PLANETS : - Rudrakshas are also thought to be related with planets as we have also found at astrocent.

One Mukhi Rudraksh neutralizes the influence of the Sun and helps in leadership and on the other hand is also useful in increasing wealth and reducing the losses from enemies.

In the same manner, Two Faced Rudraksh neutralizes the malefic influences of the Moon (which we will discuss in our future articles). Therefore, at astrocent we have tried to assess the significance of Rudraksh in our original research.

RULES TO BE OBSERVED FOR THE WEARING OF RUDRAKSHAS : -

The one who wears the Rudraksh should not drink liquor or eat flesh etc. and also should not use garlic and onion and also at the time of sexual intercourse it should be kept aside. But even then if someone of these activities is undertaken by mistake while wearing a Rudraksh then it should be purified again with pure water and then again worn.

CONCLUSION : -

Where by wearing Rudraksh the malefic influence of planets can be reduced it can also be used as a medicine in Ayurveda. On the other hand, we have also researched at astrocent that although Rudraksh usually should suit everyone but still it need not necessarily suit everyone. Whereas the white, Crimson red, Mixed and Black colours of Rudraksh are also related to the caste of a person in which if a person wears a Rudraksh corresponding to his or her caste it should be more fruitful instead of the Rudraksh corresponding to a different caste.

2008-01-13T01:34:00.001-08:00

Fighting Obesity - An Ayurvedic Way

Definition of Obesity

Excess amount of body fat is Obesity. Excess weight of muscles, bone, fat and water in the body (like body builders and athletes) is Overweight. Over weighted persons are at increased health risk than normal persons. They are more prone to chronic diseases like heart diseases, type-2 diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, and few types of cancers.

Is fat necessary to our body?

Certain amount of body fat does the following function

1. Heat insulation.

2. Absorption of shock.

3. Storage of energy. Etc.

Ayurveda describes the functions of body fat as

Medaha sneha swedaudhrudatwam pushtim asthyancha This means in normal conditions the body fat keeps the body moisturized, causes sweating, gives energy to body (by storing energy) and nourishes bones. (By protecting them from shock)

Distribution of fat

Women have more body fat than men. In women usually the fat accumulates around hips giving them a pear shape. In men it accumulates around belly giving them an apple shape. The obesity related problems start when fat accumulates around waist.

In ayurveda the distribution of fat is described as follows:

Medastu sarvabhutaanamudarenvasthi thishtathi

Ata evodare vriddhihi prayo medaswino bhavet

Fat gets deposited in and around belly in all living beings. It is also present in bone. Hence when a person becomes obese his stomach bulges out.

And also the characters of an obese person are described as "Medo mamsa ativriddhatvaachalasphigudarastanaha" which means the hips, belly and breasts of an obese person sag and sagged parts flap as that person moves. An obese person will not be active.

Causes of Obesity

When a person consumes more calories than he burns then the excess calories get stored in the form of fat causing obesity.

1. Genetic factorsObesity tends to run in families. If parents are fat then the offspring also show a tendency to accumulate fat. Even the diet and lifestyle habits which are practiced in family also contribute to obesity.

2. Environment. A persons eating habits and the level of physical activities a person has also contribute for excess deposition of fat. When a person eats food containing more calories and has a sedentary work then the calories consumed are more than calories burnt. The excess amount calories are stored as fat.

3. Psychological disturbances.- There is a tendency to over eat in response to negative emotions like boredom, sadness or anger. This leads to obesity.

4. Binge eating disorder.

5. Diseases and conditions like Hypothyroidism, Cushing's syndrome, Depression, and certain neurological problems lead to overeating which in turn leads to accumulation of fat.

6. Medicines such as steroids and some antidepressants may cause weight gain.

Causes of obesity according to Ayurveda

The causes of obesity are very clearly explained in ayurveda. The following reasons which are mentioned in ayurveda increase the deposition of fat.

Avayamadivaaswapnashleshmalaaaharasevinaha | Madhuroannarasaha prayaha snehamedhovivardhati || According to ayurveda the causes of obesity are defined as:

1. Avyayama: Not exerting physically

2. Divaswapna: Sleeping in afternoon.

3. Shleshmala Ahara Vihara: The diet and life styles which increase Kapha

4. Madhura Annaha: Consuming sweetened foods.

Health risks due to Obesity

Obesity leads to the following problems.

1. Type-2 diabetes

2. Heart disease.

3. High Blood pressure.

4. Stroke

5. Few types of Cancers

6. Gall stones

7. Liver diseases

8. Osteo arthritis.

9. Gout

10. Infertility

11. Irregular menstruation in women.

According to Ayurveda the obese persons are more prone to the following diseases.

1. Diabetes.

2. Kidney related problems.

3. Hepatitis.

4. Low libido.

5. Low energy levels.

6. Skin problems.

7. Fistula

8. Piles.

9. Filariasis . etc

Tips to reduce Obesity

1. Determine with the help of your physician how much weight has to be reduced.

2. Set several short term realistic goals .

3. Reward yourself each time you make progress (Not food items)

4. Even small weight losses have shown to be beneficial.

5. Make gradual changes in eating habits.

6. You will lose weight when you burn more calories than you consume. Hence eating less and being more active help in losing weight.

7. Sound eating habits keep you out of putting on weight.

8. Stay motivated to lose weight.

9. Slow weight loss is the safest and most effective. ( one to one and half pound per week).

10. Gradual weight loss, promote long term loss of body fat.

11. A person who is moderately active needs daily, 33 calories per kg of body weight to maintain his weight .

12. Reducing calories intake by 300 per day and increasing the physical activity to burn 200 calories per day results in weight loss of 400 Gms per week.

13. To satisfy basic nutritional needs eat a variety of foods every day. Choose from each of the five food groups milk, meat, fruit, vegetable and cereals. Balanced food plans encourage making wise choices about everyday food choices. This type of diet helps to stay at your proper weight for life.

14. Allow for an occasional treat.

15. Evaluate your eating pattern.

16. Try to cut down on foods high in fats and sugar.

17. Most successful weight loss plans stress on reduction in both calories and the amount of fat eaten

Physical activity:

1. Determine the type of physical activity that suits your life style.

2. Regular aerobic exercise like brisk walking, jogging or swimming, is a key factor in achieving permanent weight loss and improving health

3. Health experts recommend exercising 30 minutes or more on all, days of the week for maximum benefits. The exercises should be moderately vigorous to be most effective but not exhausting.

4. Incorporate few simple measures to burn calories effectively. Like- taking an after dinner walk, using stairs instead of escalators or elevators, parking the car farther away to have a longer walk etc.

5. Exercises also improve sense of well being ,decreases stress and decreases appetite in some.

Ayurvedic tips to reduce Obesity

Numerous tips to reduce obesity have been mentioned in ayurveda. The following ayurvedic tips help you to reduce the obesity.

1. Very good exercises. Exercises like brisk walking, jogging, playing out door games etc help to reduce weight.

2. Physical and mental exertion. Exerting physically like doing house hold works, walking to distant places to bring groceries, vegetables etc, walking long distances to bring the child back from school, walking to working place, climbing stairs etc are types of physical exertion. Exerting physically as much as you can help to burn more calories. Mental exertion like worrying or involving in finding solutions to problems also restrict food consumption in some and there by reduces the intake of calories.

3. Having sex frequently is also a good physical exertion.

4. Consumption of honey. This is advisable for non diabetic patients. Consuming 2 tea spoon of honey with a glass of herbal tea which includes weight reducing herbs help a lot in weight reduction. Honey along with these herbs scrapes and dissolves the Kapha and medha (body fat).

5. Sleeping for less hours. Avoiding sleeping in afternoons help to increase the burning of calories. This avoids slowing of basal metabolic rate.

6. Avoiding the food and beverages which increase kapha and medha. The foods which increase kapha and medha are sweets, sweetened drinks, large quantities of carbohydrates and oily food.

7. Consuming wheat products than rice products help to reduce obesity.

8. Using Green gram and horse gram help in reduction of kapha and medha.

2008-01-13T01:09:00.000-08:00

Ayurveda Can Help Stop Hair Loss

Most hair loss sufferers seek solutions from Western medicine or turn to remedies derived from local traditions. Some experts however argue that the ayurvedic system of medicine has much to offer in dealing with hair loss conditions.

Ayurveda is the traditional system of medicine practiced in India and Sri Lanka. It is a complete approach to health care designed to promote a way of life rather than an occasional treatment. As a holistic system of medicine ayurveda focuses on our uniqueness and takes into account our mental attitude, lifestyle and spirit which should not be treated in isolation from each other.

According to ayurveda, the following principles are beneficial to healthy and plentiful hair:

- The scalp must be kept cool, so protection from sun and washing in cold or lukewarm water are paramount.

- Sound nutrition is key, so a hair-friendly diet should emphasize proteins, iron, zinc, sulfur, Vitamin C, Vitamin B-Complex and essential fatty acids.

- Use should be made of hair analysis to ascertain toxicity levels and nutritional deficiencies.

- Oils, for example sesame and coconut, should be applied to the scalp to nourish, lubricate and strengthen the roots. This will also improve circulation to the head.

You can find out more about alternative hair loss treatments by visiting the site listed below.

2008-01-13T01:08:00.000-08:00

Ayurveda - Principles & Practice

Ayurveda which has been evolved around 600 BC, apart from treating ailments concentrated more in its prevention. This was followed by the Aryans & Dravidians who were inhabiting India and has been practiced ever since. In the 21st century, Ayurveda has become an indispensable branch of medicine due to its naturalistic approach, that depends on the diagnosis of ones physical base ie Vata, pitta and kabha, and to maintain a right balance.

One of the important principle of Ayurveda treatment is that , treatment is given not only to the ailments or the affected part, but to the person as a whole. This creates an enviornment for purifying your body naturally, which eliminates all toxic imbalances from your body, enabling you to regain natural resistance from diseases and attain good health.

Kerala's equable climate, natural abundance of forests, which caters to the demand for herbs and medicinal plants, and the cool monsoon season (June-November) are best suited for Ayurveda's curative and restorative packages. In fact, today, Kerala is the only State in India which practices this system of medicine with absolute dedication.

Every object-plant, animal or human - according to the Panchabhootha Philosophy (5 elements of philosophy), is constituted of Vata, Pitta, Kapha.

The concentration of these elements vary in each individual and therefore the time, place, duration and kind of treatment required to restore the balance also needs to change. This is why Ayurveda have a separate system of diagnosis and treatment for each patient. And a season for undergoing Ayurvedic programmes - the monsoon. The atmosphere remains dust-free and cool, opening the pores of the body to the maximum, making it most receptive to herbal oils and therapy.

Rejuvenative Programmes The following are the major rejuvenational therapies practacied in Ayurveda.

Rasayana chikitsa Tones up the skin and rejuvenates and strengthens all the tissues so as to achieve ideal health and longevity. Increases Ojas (primary vitality) and improves Sattva (mental clarity) and thereby increases the resistance of the body. Includes head and face creams, body massage with herbal oil or powder by hand and foot intake of rejuvenative medicines and medicated steam bath. Herbal baths are also used.

Kayakalpa Chikitsa Prime treatment for retarding the ageing process, arresting the degeneration of body cells and immunization of the system. Includes intake of Rasayana (special Ayurvedic medicines and diet) and comprehensive body care programmes. Most effective for either sex if undertaken before the age of 50.

Sweda Karma Medicine steam baths eliminate impurities from the body, improve the tone and complexion of the skin, reduce fat and are recommended for certain rheumatic diseases, particularly for pain. Precious herbs and herbal leaves are boiled and the steam is passed over the entire body for 10 to 20 minutes daily.

Hand massage with herbal oils or herbal powder improves blood circulation and tones up the muscles.

Meditation and Yoga Mental and physical exercises meant to isolate the ego from the body and mind-designed to home your concentration, improve health and help attain peace of mind through 8 stages of training.

Disciplined behaviour yama Self purification niyama Bodily postures such as the lotus position asana.

Control of breathing Pranayama Control of the senses Pratyahara, fixing of the mind on a chosen object dharsana. Meditation dhyana and Samadhi - a state of being where you experience absolute tranquility and well being.

Beauty care Herbal face pack, herbal oil massage, intake of herbal tea etc. improves complexion and beautifulness of the body.

Body Slimming Medicated herbal powder and medicated herbal oil massages, and Ayurvedic diet of herbal juices etc. are part of the programme.

Overal Fitness Panchakarma Treatment A five fold treatment for mental and physical well being tunes the body, organs, mind, breath, nerves and purifies the blood.

Therapeutic Programmes Treatment for chronic head-aches, insomnia, mental tension and cases of hysteria, hallucination and insanity.

Dhara: Herbal oils, medicated milk or buttermilk and decoctions are poured on the forehead/whole body in a special manner. Variations include Oorhwanga Dhara (good for diseases of the eyes, ears and skin). Takra Dhara (for those suffering from memory loss, severe headache or insanity) and Sarvanga Dhara (for both head and body). Treatment to alleviate osteoarthritis, leukemia etc.

Snehapanam: Medicated ghee is given internally in a gradually increased quality of specific periods.

Treatment for spondilosis, rheumatic diseases like arthritis, paralysis, hemiplegia, nervous weakness and nervous disorders. Pizhichil: Lukewarm herbal oil is applied with fresh linen all over the body by trained masseurs in a rhythmic manner for a period of 1 to 11/2 hours daily for 7 to 21 days. Treatment for diseases like hemiplegia, paralysis, obsety and certain rheumatic ailments.

Udvarthanam: Therapeutic massage with herbal powders. Treatment for musculoskeletal ailments due to trauma or accidents.

Marma Chiksta: Treatment that works on the extremely sensitive vital points of the body (the 107 marmas).

Treatment for nasal ailments: Nasyam: Inhalation of medicated herbal preparations, decoction oils, ghee etx. to eliminate the morbid factors from the head and neck area.

Treatment for ear ailments Karnapooranam: Medicated oils are applied to the ear for 5 to 10 minutes daily to clean as well as treat specific ailments.

Preventing cataract and strengthening vision: Tharpanam: A treatment for the eyes effective in preventing cataract and strengthening the optic nerve.

Treatment for wasting of muscles, all types or rheumatism, sports injuries, pain in the joints, emaciation of the body or parts of the body and certain kinds of skin diseases.

Navarakizhi: The whole body is made to perspire by the external application of medicated rice packs in the form of blouses tied in muslin bags. Treatment for dryness of nostrils, mouth and throat, severe headaches, facial paralysis and burning sensation in the head.

Sirovasti: Lukewarm herbal oils are poured into a leather cap fitted on the head for specific durations as per physician's recommendation.

2008-01-13T01:07:00.001-08:00

The Ayurveda Approach to a Healthy Menopause and Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy

MENOPAUSE: IT'S ABOUT BALANCE

The medical community is quickly evolving its understanding of menopause. Following the abrupt, early halt to the HRT portion of the Women's Health Initiative last July, due to findings that Hormone Replacement Therapy's risks outweighed its benefits, headlines now read "Menopause is not a disease, but a normal part of life." Hormone "replacement" therapy (HRT) has become simply hormone "therapy" (HT) in recognition of the fact that replacing estrogen is not natural and brings dangerous side-effects, rather than the fountain of youth once touted.

Shocking and novel as these concepts may be to today's medical community, they are nothing new to Maharishi Ayurveda, a consciousness-based natural medical system from ancient India. For over 5000 years, Ayurveda has acknowledged menopause as a natural transition, not a mistake of Mother Nature's that requires hormone replacement therapy. Maharishi Ayurveda reassures us that menopause can be health-promoting, spiritually-transforming and free of troublesome symptoms.

Experts today are affirming this positive view of menopause, stating that it is not natural to get weak bones, heart disease and rapid aging after menopause. Rather, osteoporosis, heart disease and other chronic health problems develop over a lifetime, resulting largely from poor diet, stress and lack of physical exercise. And hormone replacement therapy (HRT,) once heavily promoted as the medical solution to these problems, is no longer recommended for their treatment or prevention.

Menopause: A "Balance Deficiency"

What is recommended for the prevention of major health problems after menopause is a healthy lifestyle. And, according to Ayurveda, healthy living is also the best way to ease symptoms of the menopause transition itself. How balanced, or overall healthy you and your lifestyle are when you reach menopause largely determines how smooth your transition will be. If you are "burning the candle at both ends" in your 30's and early 40's, you are more likely to have mood swings, sleep problems and troublesome hot flashes when your hormones start to change. Whereas if you are have healthy lifestyle habits and are managing your stress effectively, you are likely to breeze through menopause without any major problems.

Health problems at menopause represent imbalances in the body that were already growing in the body and are unmasked by the stress of shifting hormones. Menopause symptoms are Nature's wake-up call to let you know you need to start paying more attention to your health. Age forty-five to fifty-five is a critical decade, according to Ayurveda. It provides the foundation on which your later health is laid. Just like putting money in your IRA, timely investing in your health can dramatically increase your "yield" of healthy years at midlife and beyond. Particularly if you have not been taking care of yourself in your 30's and 40's, making lifestyle changes now is critical to ensuring that you age gracefully without the burden of chronic health problems.

What You Can Do Now to Get "In Balance"

While eating a healthy diet and getting enough exercise provides the foundation of good health for everyone, each woman's menopause experience is unique. Symptoms vary from woman to woman. Knowing precisely how your body is out of balance can guide you in selecting the key lifestyle changes you should make to relieve your symptoms. Ayurveda describes that the type of symptoms you have depends upon which bodily principle or dosha is "out of balance" in your mind/body system.

There are three bodily principles: movement and flow (vata or airy), heat and metabolism (pitta or firey), and bodily substance (kapha or earthy.) And there are three basic types of imbalances relating to each of the three doshas. Easing your menopause transition can be as simple as "reading" your dosha symptoms and taking measures to get your doshas back in balance. The following symptoms and lifestyle prescriptions are indicated for each of the three dosha imbalances:

V-Type- Prone To Nervousness: anxiety, panic, mood swings, vaginal dryness, loss of skin tone, feeling cold, irregular periods, insomnia, mild or variable hot flashes, constipation, palpitations, bloating and joints aches and pains.

Ayurvedic Tips: Increase warm food and drinks, regular meals, early bedtime, oil massage, meditation, yoga, walking and spices such as fennel and cumin. Decrease caffeine and other stimulants, refined sugar, cold drinks, salads.

P-Type- Prone to Hot Temper: anger, irritability, feeling hot, hot flashes, night sweats, heavy periods, excessive bleeding, urinary tract infections, skin rashes and acne.

Ayurvedic Tips: Increase cooling foods, water intake, sweet juicy fruits (grapes, pears, plums, mango, melons, apples,) zucchini, yellow squash, cucumber, organic foods. Go to bed before 10 PM and try to wind down earlier in the evening. Decrease excessive sun and overheating, hot spicy foods, hot drinks and alcohol.

K-Type- Prone to Weight Gain: sluggishness, lethargy, weight gain for no reason, fluid retention, yeast infections, lazy, depressed, lacking motivation, slow digestion.

Ayurvedic Tips: Increase exercise, fruits, whole grains, legumes, vegetables, spices such as black pepper, turmeric and ginger. Get up early (by 6AM). Decrease meat, cheese, sugar, cold foods and drinks.

Your Hormonal "Backup System"

Ayurveda describes that your hormonal changes at menopause will be smooth and easy if three factors are in place.

Your mind/body system (consisting of three doshas) is in "balance."
Your diet is wholesome and rich in phytoestrogens.
Your body is "clean" and uncluttered inside so your hormones and body can "talk" effectively.

Did you know that your ovaries and adrenal glands continue to produce estrogens and "pre-estrogens" after menopause, providing your body with its own hormonal backup system? Ayurveda describes that this hormonal production after menopause will be optimal if your mind and body are "in balance," providing just the right amount of estrogen to prevent hot flashes and keep your bones, skin, brain, colon and arteries healthy without increasing the risk of breast or uterine cancer.

Balancing your doshas, as discussed above, is the first approach to ensuring optimal hormone production after menopause, but Ayurvedic herbs can also help. Indian asparagus root (shatavari; asparagus racemosus), thick-leaved lavender (chorak; angelica glauca- related to the Chinese female tonic Dong Quai,) licorice root, sandalwood, pearl, red coral, rose and others are used by skilled practitioners in balanced, synergistic combinations to help relieve hot flashes, libido problems, irritability, mood swings and other menopausal symptoms.

Hormonal Help from Plants--It's Not Just Soy!

Diet also plays a key role in balancing hormones during and after menopause. It is well known that Japanese women rarely experience hot flashes, probably because their diet contains large amounts of soy, a food rich in certain plant estrogens called "isoflavones." Soy products are not the only source of plant estrogens, however. Another equally healthful source of phytoestrogens are "lignans," compounds found in a variety of whole foods including grains and cereals, dried beans and lentils, flaxseed, sunflower seeds and peanuts, vegetables such as asparagus, sweet potatoes, carrots, garlic and broccoli and fruits such as pears, plums and strawberries.

Common herbs and spices such as thyme oregano, nutmeg, turmeric and licorice also have estrogenic properties.

It turns out that if you simply eat a varied diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and dried beans you will be ingesting a rich phytoestrogen feast in your daily cuisine! Variety and moderation are important because just as too much estrogen is unhealthy after menopause, too much phytoestrogen may also be dangerous. This danger can be avoided by getting your phytoestrogens naturally from a variety of whole foods, rather than from supplements or concentrated tablets.

When You Can't Stop Flashing, Get The "Lead" Out!

More serious symptoms, such as frequent hot flashes, continual sleep disturbance, and moderate to severe mood swings, are signs of deeper imbalances that, if left untreated, will persist to set the stage for later disease. For these more troublesome symptoms to manifest, the tissues of your bodyyour bones, muscles, fat, organs, skin, and bloodmust be disturbed in some way. Ayurveda describes that stubborn symptoms are usually due to the buildup of wastes and toxins, referred to as "ama," in your body's tissues.

For example, hot flashes that won't go away despite herbs, diet, exercise, and perhaps even HRT usually represent a problem with ama. One of my Ayurvedic mentors explained it this way: When your body's channels are clogged with wastes, the heat from metabolism builds up in your tissues. Hot flashes result from sudden surges in blood flow as the body tries to clear the channels and dissipate the heat buildup quickly. A similar phenomenon occurs when you have a heater set on high in an overheated room with all the windows and doors closed. To cool down the room, first you must turn down the heater (see Tips for P-Type above) but you also need to throw open the windows and doors (as in removing the ama) so the heat can flow out.

We can understand this analogy medically in terms of hormone receptors. No matter how much estrogen or phytoestrogen you have floating through your bloodstream, it does you no good unless it connects with your body's estrogen receptors, the tiny "keyholes" on your cells. Estrogen and phytoestrogens fit these keyholes like minuscule keys and through them gain entry into your cells. When the receptors are clogged with debris or "ama," your hormones cannot get into your cells to do their work. Then bothersome menopause symptoms may persist despite a variety of attempted therapies.

In this case, a traditional Ayurvedic detoxification program referred to as Maharishi Rejuvenation Therapy (MRT), or "panchakarma," may be needed to clear the body's channels and gain relief. This internal cleansing approach is also the treatment of choice for more serious problems such as osteoporosis and high cholesterol. A study published in a recent issue of Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine confirmed that this ancient technology of herbalized oil massage, heat treatments and mild internal cleansing therapies does indeed reduce toxins in the body. Hormone disrupting PCB's and pesticides such as DDT were reduced by approximately 50% after just 5 days of treatment. Other studies have shown overall reduction in health symptoms, a rise in "good cholesterol," and reduction in free radicals from MRT.

In my clinical experience, MRT can be very transforming, eliminating symptoms while at the same time dramatically reducing stress and fatigue. After a week of treatment, my patients not only report feeling much better, they radiate health and youthfulness and many experience a profound sense of well-being and inner peace.

It's Not Too Late

The important point to remember at midlife is that health problems dont pop out of nowhere when your estrogen levels start to fluctuate and fall off. Rather it is the cumulative effects of damaging lifestyle habits--late nights, fast food, eating on the run, lots of stress, too little exercise--over decades that set in motion chronic disease and aging well before menopause. Your symptoms are simply telling you just how out of balance you are. The good news is that with a few basic lifestyle changes, and the healing power of Maharishi Ayurveda when needed, underlying imbalances can be resolved, paving the way for a smooth menopause transition and great health in the years to come.

The Maharishi Ayurveda Approach to Allergies

Allergies: The Ayurvedic Answer

In a healthy body, the allergic response serves to protect against invasion by harmful agents. Secretions and inflammation help our immune cells get into the affected tissue, dilute the toxic agent and help wash it away. "Allergies" become a health problem when an excessive and unwanted allergic response occurs to particles that are part of our normal environment and are not actually dangerous to the body.

Some individuals are born with allergies, and have a genetic susceptibility to them. However, most allergies are acquired after birth. While inborn allergies can often be helped by the measures discussed in this article, acquired allergies are generally more responsive to such behavioral approaches, and are the main focus of this article.

The Main Cause of Allergies

Although pollen, dust, dander, trees and other allergens are the trigger for allergies in susceptible people, they are not the underlying cause. Many people are exposed to these substances every day without developing allergic reactions. Rather, it is the inner condition of the body that determines whether an allergic response results from exposure to an allergen.

According to Maharishi Ayurveda, allergies result when the body has accumulated excess wastes, toxins and impurities. How does this happen? According to Ayurvedic theory, improperly digested foods (called ama), and impurities, such as chemical additives, are absorbed into the body, travel through the circulation and lodge in the respiratory tissues, skin and other tissues prone to allergy. These accumulated wastes and toxins block the channels, trapping the toxins inside the tissues, and activating the immune system. When additional allergens such as pollen or dust arrive on the scene, the already irritated immune system goes into high gear, creating the symptoms of an allergy attack.

Symptoms will vary depending on the tissue that has accumulated the toxic waste (ama visha.). If the tissue involved is the digestive tract, diarrhea can result. If in the skin, a rash or hives may occur. And if the respiratory tract is involved, sneezing, inflammation and mucous drainage will occur.

Since the source of allergies lies with our diet and digestion, adopting a proper diet and improving digestion are job one in the fight against allergies. Next, it is valuable to use internal cleansing regimens to reduce the clogging and accumulated impurities.

Recommended Diet for Allergies

The main dietary and eating guidelines for allergies are as follows.

1. Eat the largest meal of the day at lunch, between 12:00 and 1:00 PM, when your digestion is strongest. The sun-- the heat element in nature-- enlivens agni, the fire of digestion and metabolism, making our digestion strongest at the height of the day. Ayurveda recommends eating the largest meal when you are most capable of digesting it.

2. Avoid eating heavy meals in the evening. The single biggest contribution to toxins and clogging in the body comes from eating heavy evening meals, particularly after 7 PM. Since digestion is much weaker in the evening, it is vital to eat lighter, more easily digested meals at that time. Eat a warm, freshly cooked vegetarian evening meal without fried foods, desserts, cheese, yogurt or other curdled products, since these are heavy for digestion and cause more blockage, congestion and mucous.

3. Eat warm food. Warm food is much easier to digest than cold food. Ayurveda recommends we eat fresh warm food, freshly prepared. Avoid micro-waving, which has been shown to destroy over 90% of the protective antioxidants in the food. Also, avoid cold drinks, ice cream, frozen yogurt and other cold foods.

4. Avoid leftovers. Once food has been heated and then gets put back in the refrigerator it becomes hard to digest and very clogging in nature.

5. Avoid excessively hot spices, sour and acidic foods. These foods are irritating to the body and promote inflammation, according to Ayurveda. Many people experience their allergies become worse when they eat foods with chilis, tomato sauces, hard or aged cheeses, refined sugar and sweets, and acidic foods. Bell pepper, eggplant and potato should also be avoided due to their channel-clogging effects.

6. Do include detoxifying spices in your daily diet. Turmeric in particular has anti-allergy, immune-balancing effects. Coriander helps to detoxify on a cellular level; fennel cools and balances; ginger helps the digestion and dissolves ama, and black pepper clears the channels and increases bioavailability of nutrients. Make a spice mixture of 6 parts fennel, cumin and coriander, 4 parts turmeric and 1 part each of ginger and black pepper. Freshly grind the spices, saut them in a pan without oil until lightly browned, and put in a small airtight container. Carry them with you and sprinkle _ to 1 tsp. on your food at each meal, and cook with them when at home.

7. Do sip boiled warm or hot water about every half hour during the day around the change of seasons, to help your body purify and to support good digestion.

Behavioral Approaches to Reducing Allergies

Diet is not the only consideration in allergies. Ayurvedic theory also recommends the following behavioral changes to help tone down the allergic response.

1. Go to bed by 10:00 P.M. Between 10 PM and 2 AM, the body performs a natural cycle of internal cleansing. If we stay up after 10 PM, we interfere with this metabolic house cleaning and toxins and impurities begin to accumulate. Worse yet, the metabolic activity of cleansing tends to trigger hunger, and we may be tempted to indulge in the proverbial midnight snack. Unfortunately, eating after 10 PM further compromises the cleansing process and leads to even more waste accumulation, and more allergy tendency. On the other hand, going to bed by 10 PM improves the overall rejuvenative quality of sleep. You will find that your early bedtime habit helps not only your allergies, but your energy and complexion as well!

2. Cleanse the body before the allergy season. The traditional Ayurvedic answer to allergies includes purifying the body of ama and toxins before allergy season begins to prevent symptoms from arising at all. This internal cleansing may be done at home or, more thoroughly, through in-residence cleansing treatments called panchakarma or Maharishi Rejuvenation Therapy.

3. Have a regular routine of life. Eating, sleeping, working and exercising at about the same time each day is very balancing and stabilizing to the immune system and to the body as a whole. Allergies tend to be aggravated when routine of life is hectic and scattered.

4. Practice Yoga asanas and meditation. Yogas asanas and meditation are very balancing to all aspects of mind and body and have been used by many people to reduce allergy symptoms. For meditation, I suggest the TM technique because of its ease of practice and scientific verification.

Summary

The best approach to allergies is to focus on good eating habits, practice stress reduction and do natural cleansing before the allergy season.

Note: This article is for educational purposes only and is not meant to diagnose or treat disease. Please consult your physician regarding any symptoms you have or before you make changes in lifestyle and diet.

Statements in this article have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended for the prevention, diagnosis or treatment of disease.

2008-01-13T01:06:00.001-08:00

The Ayurveda Approach to a Healthy Menopause and Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy

MENOPAUSE: IT'S ABOUT BALANCE

Menopause: A "Balance Deficiency"

What You Can Do Now to Get "In Balance"

P-Type- Prone to Hot Temper: anger, irritability, feeling hot, hot flashes, night sweats, heavy periods, excessive bleeding, urinary tract infections, skin rashes and acne.

K-Type- Prone to Weight Gain: sluggishness, lethargy, weight gain for no reason, fluid retention, yeast infections, lazy, depressed, lacking motivation, slow digestion.

Your Hormonal "Backup System"

Ayurveda describes that your hormonal changes at menopause will be smooth and easy if three factors are in place.

Your mind/body system (consisting of three doshas) is in "balance."
Your diet is wholesome and rich in phytoestrogens.
Your body is "clean" and uncluttered inside so your hormones and body can "talk" effectively.

Hormonal Help from Plants--It's Not Just Soy!

Common herbs and spices such as thyme oregano, nutmeg, turmeric and licorice also have estrogenic properties.

When You Can't Stop Flashing, Get The "Lead" Out!

It's Not Too Late

2008-01-13T01:05:00.002-08:00

Ayurveda, India''s Science of Life, Health and Longevity

Ayurveda is India's ancient science life, health, and longevity. It is thought of by many scholars to be the oldest form of health care in the world. It originated in India over 5000 years ago, and was taught for thousands of years in an oral tradition from accomplished masters to their disciples. The purpose of Ayurveda is to heal, to maintain a high quality of life, and to increase the longevity of the individual. It is an art of daily living that has evolved from practical, philosophical, and spiritual insight. Even though they have been used for thousands of years, Ayurvedic principles have never changed, since they derive from universal laws of nature that are eternally true.

In Sanskrit, Ayurveda means the "Science of Life." Life is the integration of body, mind and consciousness. Ayurveda places great emphasis on prevention and encourages the maintenance of health through diet, lifestyle, yoga and meditation practice, the use of herbs, as well as cleansing and and rejuvenating therapies (panchakarma, abhyanga, shirodhara, nadi swedana, etc.)

Ayurveda is a science of self-understanding. By understanding our own unique nature or constitution we can begin to understand how we interact with our environment and thus make choices that will lead us toward greater health. Ayurveda defines disease as the natural end result of living out of harmony with our original constitution. Therefore, the Ayurvedic approach is very individualized, since the path to optimal health is different for each person, depending upon their unique constitution or prakruti.

The Ayurvedic system believes that the individuals constitution (prakruti) is recorded at the time of conception as a genetic code that can be expressed physically and mentally as disease proneness and emotional response. This constitution is determined by vata, pitta and kapha, which are the three main doshas, or psycho-physiological functional principles in Ayurveda. They govern the individuals response to changes and they promote the disease process when out of balance.

Many factors, both internal and external, can disturb this balance and bring about changes in the original constitution that may lead to disorders and disease. Some of these factors include emotional and physical stresses, improper food combinations and choices, physical trauma, or seasonal and weather changes. Once we understand how these factors affect us on a constitutional level, we can take appropriate actions to nullify or minimize their effects and eliminate the causes of imbalance. The aim is to understand the nature and structure of disorder, so we can re-establish order to gain control over our health and well being.

The science of understanding our constitution is the science of tridosha. Tridosha defines the three fundamental doshas or principles that govern the function of our bodies on the physical, mental, and emotional levels. Each individual has a unique balance of all three of these energies. These principles can be related to the basic biology of the body.

Energy is required to create movement so that fluids and nutrients get to the cells, enabling the body to function. Energy is also necessary to metabolize the nutrients in the cells and is utilized to lubricate and maintain cellular structure. Vata is the energy of movement; pitta is the energy of transformation, digestion or metabolism; and kapha is the energy of lubrication and structure. Everyone has the qualities of vata, pitta and kapha, but one is usually primary or predominant, one is secondary and the third is usually the least predominant.

Vata is the subtle energy associated with movement. It governs respiration, circulation, and elimination, as well as the pulsation of the heart and motor neuron impulses. Vata is very much like the wind it is light, cool, dry and mobile. People with a vata nature experience more of these qualities. Their bodies tend to be light, their bones thin, and their skin and hair dry. They often move and speak quickly. They tend to be talkative, enthusiastic, creative, flexible, and energetic. When aggravated, vata can cause confusion, insomnia, flatulence, constipation, weight loss, tremors, spasms, asthma, rheumatoid and osteoarthritis, as well as many neurological and immunological problems.

Pitta represents the fire element in the body. It governs digestion, absorption, assimilation, nutrition, metabolism, and body temperature. Pitta tends to be hot, sharp, and penetrating. It is also somewhat volatile and oily. People with a pitta nature reflect these qualities. They tend to feel warm, have somewhat oily skin, penetrating eyes, and sharp features. They tend to have moderate weight and good musculature. They tend to be highly focused, competitive, capable, courageous, energetic, and clear communicators who get right to the point. They can however become overly intense and speak with a sharp tongue. Pitta disorders include diarrhea, infections, hyperacidity, ulcers, skin eruptions, chronic fatigue, Crohns disease, colitis, liver, spleen, and blood ailments, as well as numerous inflammatory problems.

Kapha is the energy that forms the bodys structure and provides the cohesion that holds the cells together. Kapha supplies the water for all bodily parts and systems. It lubricates joints, moisturizes the skin, and maintains immunity. Kapha tends to be cool, moist, stable, and heavy. In the body these qualities manifest as dense, heavy bones; lustrous, supple skin; low metabolism and large, stocky frames. In addition, those with a kapha nature tend to feel cool. The heavy, stable nature of kapha reflects in a stable personality, not prone to quick fluctuations. When out of balance, kapha individuals are prone to gaining weight and tend to accumulate mucous. Kapha can also cause obesity, high cholesterol, diabetes, depression, edema, asthma, tumors, and a variety of congestive problems.

Ayurveda also states that like increases like. For example, the summer has attributes similar to those of pitta hot, liquid, light, mobile, and penetrating. Therefore, in the summer pitta in the body tends to be increased. Vata is light, subtle, dry, mobile, rough, and cold. So in the fall, which also exhibits these attributes, vata will tend to be increased in the body. Kapha is liquid, heavy, cold, sticky, and cloudy. In the winter, when these characteristics predominate in the external environment, internal kapha tends to be increased. The constitution of an individual is a dynamic force, and vata, pitta, and kapha are dynamic energies that will change and be affected by the environment and other factors in various ways. An Ayurvedic regime and lifestyle, along with dinacharya routines, will enable the individual to gain more awareness and control over how those factors can be diminished or nullified, so as to improve and maintain optimal health and well being.

From the time of birth until death, the body is engaged in maintaining life. Vata, pitta and kapha play an important role in the maintenance of cellular health and longevity. Kapha maintains longevity on the cellular level. Pitta governs digestion and nutrition. Vata, which is closely related to the life energy (or prana), governs all life functions. Ayurveda offers different therapies that may support the individuals constitutional harmony at all levels, while promoting cellular rejuvenation and overall vitality and immunity. The key to optimal health is to help the body eliminate toxins and reestablish the constitutional balance of the doshas. For such purpose, Ayurveda offers diet and lifestyle guidelines, herbal preparations, and cleansing and rejuvenating programs such as panchakarma and vata management therapies.

2008-01-13T01:05:00.001-08:00

Concept of ''Agni'' in Ayurveda

Being one of the panchamahabhoota, agni (fire) has the characteristic that it cannot exist without a base. In the body it exists in pitta dosha.

Agni is responsible for the following functions:

Digestion - indigestion (Pakti- Apakti)

Vision- absence of vision (Darshanam- Adarshanam)

Degree of heat (Matra- Amatratvamushmanala)

Normal -abnormal complexion (Prakrit - Vikarit varnam)

Prowess- fear (Shaurya- Bhaya)

Anger - exholoration (krodham- Harsham)

Confusion- clarity of mind (Moha- Prasadan)

For the metabolic processes in the body, there are three main groups of biological factors, probably exhibiting enzymatic functions (agnis).

Jatharagni or Koshthagni:

Present in the pachak pitta. It is responsible for the digestion and the absorption of nutritious substances during this process.

The process of digestion (ahar pachan) is divided in three stages, which collectively is called awastha paka and can be divided in the following.

Amavstha (Madhuravastha) Paka - in stomach

Pachymanavastha (Amlavstha) Paka - in 'grahani' (Duodenum)

Pakavstha (Katuavstha) Paka - in small and large intestine

As the rasa changes in different phase of digestion these phase of digestion are called avsthapaka. At the end of the digestion the digested food have their original rasa which is in accordance with the rasa of the ingested food. This is called as Nistha paka .It is also called popularly as Vipaka.

Madhur rasa & Lavan rasa have Madhura Vipaka, Amla rasa have amla vipaka and Katu, Tikta & Kashaya rasa have Katu vipaka.

Panchabhutagnis :

In ayurveda it is believed that everything is made up of five elements and so is the body. These five elements are the panchmahabhoota and are responsible for constituting every living being in the world. Agni transforms the Asharir Mahabhoota (external mahabhoot) to Sharir Mahabhoota. Example - When we drink water Jala Mahabhoota (water) dominates and later the water is transformed by Jala Mahabhoota agni to the Sharir Jala Containing five types of biological factors, it is responsible for the processing of the five basic elements into a composition useful to the body.

Dhatvagnis : The third group contains seven types, each for the assimilation of the seven tissues This assimilation takes place successively. From the absorbed nutritious substance, plasma (rasa) is produced first; from plasma, blood (rakta) is formed, then muscular tissue (mamsa), adipose tissue (meda), bony tissue (asthi), bone marrow (majjan) and the reproductive cells (shukra).

Besides performing all the metabolic functions agni takes care of digestion (ahar pachan) and in the absence of ahar it acts on the ama pachan i.e. properly metabolize the improper metabolites. When ahar and ama are absence Agni does the function of dhatu i.e. rasa, rakta etc. Digestion of dhatu is a fatal condition in which dhatus are broken down to get energy. The reduction or deficiency of the quantum of dhatu in the human body leads to the disease called 'Kshaya roga'.

In ayurveda it is believed that all the pathology occurs due to the impairment in Agni (Kaya). Hence the correction of Kaya i.e. Agni is called the treatment or 'Kaya Chikitsa' in ayurveda

Agnis are also classified into four categories according to how they manifest in the human being:

Tikshnagni -sharp,

Mandagni - mild,

Vishamagni - irregular, and

Samagni - regular or Balanced.

2008-01-13T01:04:00.001-08:00

Ayurveda, Ayurvedic Medicines, and Important Herbs

What is Ayurveda and Its Importance?

Ayurveda is a traditional holistic healing. Translated from Sanskrit, Ayurveda means 'the science of life'. ayur means "life" and veda means "science. India system which largely depends on plant support to form major Chunk of its medicine. Most of the herbs, spices, seeds, roots, leaves, stems, petals and flowers are deeply ingrained in all Indian homes where 'home remedies' are popular. Even certain family members in some family are adept in curing even intricate disorders by simple and cost effective formulations which, at times, have shown marvelous and astounding results.

All over the world today we are looking for a natural system of healing that is comprehensive and complete, that is not merely some curious form of folk healing but a real and rational system of medicine that is sensitive to both nature and the Earth. This is exactly what Ayurveda has to offer, for it has a many thousand year-old clinical tradition and a comprehensive natural method of treatment ranging from diet, herbs and massage.

With Ayurveda we learn the right diet for our individual type, how to improve our immune system, he keys to right use of sexual energy and rejuvenation,a nd a conscious way of life that can lift us to a new level of awareness in all our endeavors.

Without such natural wisdom as Ayurveda, we may find ourselves not only unhealthy, but unhappy and spiritually confused.

Ayurveda Principles and Theory

Ayurveda system is the prominent user of herbs and its basic theory revolves round imbalance and vitiation of three humors (Doshas).

Ether (Akash), Air (Vayu), Fire (Agni), Water (Jal) and Earth (Prithvi) are the great five elements which underline all living systems. these elements are constantly changing and interacting and can be simplified into three Vitiations (Doshas). When these doshas remain under harmony and balance, health of body does not get disturbed but, when their balance gets disturbed, a diseased state sets in.

The three doshas are vata (Wind), Pitta (Bile) and Kapha (Phlegm) and due to predominance of the one dosha, a person's personality is determined that is ' Vata-Prakriti', 'Pitta- Prakriti' or 'Kapha Prakriti'

Vata formed from ether and air, governs all movement in the mind and body and must be kept in good balance.

Pitta formed from fire and water, governs "all heat, metabolism and transformation in the mind and body

Kapha formed from earth and water, cements the elements in the body, providing the material for physical structure

Each person has an individual blend of the three doshas, with one or sometimes two doshas predominating.

Common Herbs used in Ayurvedic Medicines

Amalaki (Amla or Indian Gooseberry or Emblica officinalis) - The fruit is reputed to have the highest content of vitamin C of any natural occuring substance in nature. It maintains balance amongst three doshas and effectively controls digestive problems, strengthens heart, normalises cholesterol, prevents cancer, builds up and sustain defence mechanism, improves eye-sight and detoxifies the body.

Amla is said to have 20 times more vitamin C than orange. The vitamin C content of amla is between 625mg - 1814mg per 100gms. Other studies show that amla increases red blood cell count and hemoglobin. A research tem discovered that when Amla is taken regularly as a dietary supplement, it counteracts the toxic effects of prolonged exposure to environmental heavy metals, such as lead, aluminium and nickel.

Ashwagandha (Winter Cherry or Withania Somnifera)- Ashwagandha is one of the main herbs for promoting ojas and rejuvenating the body in Ayurveda. It is a well known semen promoter and it treats impotency and infertility.

Clinical studies show that Ashwagandha has antibacterial, antitumor, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating properties. The strong anti-stress actions, increases memory and learning capabilities. It has also found to be useful in Rheumatic and Arthritic disorders like pain, swelling etc

Summing up, it is a strong Aphrodisiac and has Immunomodulating, anti- inflammatory, anti tumor and anti stress properties which clearly shows why Ayurveda has such a high opinion of this herb as a general tonic.

Arjuna (Terminalia Arjuna) - It is a cardiac tonic of high quality. Terminalia arjuna, is known to be beneficial for the treatment of heart ailments since 500 BC. Clinical research has indicated its usefulness in relieving anginal pain, and in the treatment of coronary artery disease, heart failure, and possibly hypercholesterolemia.

"Terminalia arjuna bark extract, 500 mg 8 hourly, given to patients with stable angina with provocable ischemia on treadmill exercise, led to improvement in clinical and treadmill exercise parameters as compared to placebo therapy." Result on Clinical Research Conducted.

Improvement of cardiac muscle function and subsequent improved pumping activity of the heart seem to be the primary benefits of Terminalia Arjuna.

Brahmi (Bacopa, Gotu Kola) - Brahmi is known as "the food for brain". Traditionally Brahmi is used as a mental tonic, to rejuvenate the body, as a promoter of memory and as a nerve tonic. It promotes a calm, clear mind, and improves mental function.

Modern Research claims that brahmi improves memory and helps overcome the negative effects of stress. Brahmi is especially suitable for students as it enhances the minds ability to learn and to focus and for an elderly person hoping to regain their memory. It is unique in its ability to invigorate mental processes whilst reducing the effects of stress and nervous anxiety.

As a nervine tonic, Brahmi has been used to help those affected by stroke, nervous breakdown or exhaustion and Attention Deficit Disorder. The best Ayurvedic brain and memory formulas contain brahmi, as do many of the long life promoting compounds.

Guggulu (Shuddha Guggulu, Guggul, Commiphora Mukul) - Modern Research shows that it is the prime Ayurvedic herb for treating obesity and high cholesterol. Studies shows that guggulu lowers serum cholesterol and phospholipids, and that it also protects against cholesterol- induced atherosclerosis. Guggulu were seen to lower body weight in these clinical studies.

Guggulu also as anti-inflammatory properties and is effective in treating arthritis and other joint pains.

Karela (Bitter Melon, Bitter Gourd, Momordica Charantia) - At least three different groups of constituents have been reported to have blood sugar lowering actions in bitter Mellon. These include a mixture of steroidal saponins known as charantin, insulin-like peptides, and alkaloids. Scientific studies have consistently shown that bitter melon lowers blood sugar level of Type 2 Diabetes.

It could probably reduce the patients intake of antidiabetic drugs. Also Bitter Melon has two proteins which are thought to repress the AIDS virus.

Recently, the Department of Health in the Philippines has recommended bitter melon as one of the best herbal medicines for diabetic management.

Neem (Azadirachta Indica) - Neem is an extraordinary blood purifier, good for al skin diseases like acne, eczema, psoriasis and teeth and gums. Neem is included in most Ayurvedic Skin products because it is as effective on an external application as through internal indigestion.

In Ayurveda it has been safely used for over five thousand years and are a good immunity booster to prevent colds, fevers, infections and various skin diseases.

Shilajit (Mineral Pitch, Asphaltum) - Shilajit is one of the prime Ayurvedic compounds for rejuvenating the body. it is an aphrodisiac, anti-aging herb and to treat diabetes and debilitating urinary problems.

The Charaka Samhita states that a person must use shilajit for a minimum of one month before starting to realize he regenerating effects. It is also used to treat impotency and infertility. it is well known that Shilajit would return the libido of people to level of teenagers.

There is a folk saying by the indigenous people who live in the Himalayan region that Shilajit makes the body strong as a rock. It is an adaptogen, (Rasayna), that helps to combat immune disorders, urinary tract disorders, nervous disorders and sexual dissatisfaction.

Shallaki (Boswellia Serrata, Salai Guggul) - Modern Research indicate that the Boswellia herb may assist in treating joint mobility, pain, and may be a useful remedy for a variety of inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. A recent clinical trial suggests positive effects of Boswellia serrata extract in knee osteoarthritis.

Boswellia has also been found to be useful for a number of other disorders and best for treating Back Pain, Knee Pain, Joint Pain and Arthritis. This herb has also been proposed as a possible therapy for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Triphala (Amalaki, Bibhitaki, Haritaki) - Triphala has got the properties of three famous nutrients: amla, haritaki and bibhitaki. The advantage of this formula is that it is milder in action and more balanced than any of the three alone.

It has cleansing and detoxifying action. Used regularly it is good for gentle, slow detoxification of the digestive tract and then the deep tissues. It also has the ability to normalize all three humors with continued use.

As a daily supplement triphala is hard to beat; that' s why in India they say "even if your mother leaves you, every thing will be fine if you have triphala"

Tulsi (Holy Basil, Ocimum Sanctum) - Its very name Holy Basil certifies to its sacred nature. It is a sacred plant worshipped in many Indian homes and is a must in every Hindus house.

Holy basil is also a major ingredient of many Ayurvedic cough syrups. it is a good stress reliever, and modern research has found it to be good for Respiratory problems, Cold, Fever and all types of Cough.

http://www.ayurvediccure.com - Ayurveda, Ayurvedic Medicines and Herbal R

2008-01-13T01:03:00.004-08:00

Preventive Medicine - Ayurveda

It should not be hard for anyone to imagine that man sought medicine to maintain life and gain knowledge since the time of his being pre-hominid and eating plants while learning which ones killed him. Your puppy or kitten will show this when it goes outside for the first time and eats grass to help its gastrointestinal processes. The Therapeutae of Pythagoras who some say developed the pentagram were learning from far more ancient insights that were being lost and we have lost a lot of the knowledge of healing he had in his chanting or Singing of the Spheres.

Ayurveda includes the use of herbs and plants combined with psychic arts of a healing nature. The proper practitioner includes psychology as part of the diagnosis and getting the patient to use their own mental or soulful energy. It comes from very ancient shamanism and has many names for its practice. This art is called ayurveda in India, and it has Taoist and Yogic corollaries.

When I lived in Vegas I grew Aloe Vera, and its Vitamin E may be part of why it works to heal so many things. Comfrey tea is something my brother took to help a broken leg that wasn't healing in the traditional medical approach. There are many ways to enhance the immune system along with our natural ability to heal and help each other. 'Cleansing' auras or meridians of 'Chhi' or pranha, positive visualization and what is sometimes deemed wholistics have been available for longer than books or politicians were practicing their questionable arts. The ancient priests and shamans who were corruptible became even more so as this knowledge grew. The Incas 'magic' and healing may have been one of the best balances of knowledge and compassion ever exercised on behalf of every citizen.

Can you honestly say you trust the future of gene therapy and near immortality to our current system? Do you want more transparency or honesty? Shouldn't we all become 'informed consumers' and have alternatives considered when they make sense? Much of what Western doctors learn about anatomy and diseases is easily input and reacted to by modern computer and diagnostic tools. Can you imagine them ever putting these things in the public forum and trying to engage us all in honest dialogue that might diminish their power, money and influence? In China you don't pay the doctor when you are sick and preventive medicine is the rule. Bill and Hillary Clinton tried to emphasize 'preventive medicine' and ran into the same kind of lobbying that George Bush and Dan Quayle saw when they ran with a commitment to institute 'tort reform' in the legal system.

The idea that a fully diluted homeopathic tincture might heal through some imprint left by Cyanide found in peach pits or laetrile is just one of the conundrums that science still struggles to face. But the fact is cyanide kills cells and results have been achieved by some people who might have attuned themselves with that small amount of Cyanide that Japanese researchers found in peach pits after the US researchers said there was no possible agent that could kill cancer cells in peach pits. The implications of this extend to genetic rituals that modern science cannot see the effects of, and other energy lattice memory or Intelligence.

There are forces in society which seek to keep certain knowledge hidden or what one might term occulted. We do need to learn to stop the shelving efforts or those who do the shelving and denigrating. They would rather have a monopoly and power before seeing all mankind capable of greater things.

2008-01-13T01:03:00.003-08:00

Graceful Menopause With The Help Of Ayurveda

Menopause is a unique experience for every woman. It is the ending of a woman's monthly menstrual periods and ovulation. It also signals other changes to the body and mind, brought on in part because the body begins producing lesser amounts of the hormones estrogen and progesterone (among others).

Menopause is not a disease. It is a natural process in a woman's life. How a woman views this time of her life can have a lot to do with how frequent and severe her symptoms are. If menopause is viewed as the end of youth and sexuality, this time will be much more difficult than if it is viewed as the next, natural phase of life, a time of greater freedom, liberation from the restrictions of youth. .

Although menopause is one of the important physical milestones in a woman's life, many women lack concrete information about what is taking place and what are their options. With a proper diet, nutritional supplements, and exercise and simple lifestyle changes, most of the unpleasant side effects of menopause can be minimized to a great extent and with this knowledge and preparation you can step forward with grace and embrace it!

Ayurveda links menopause with aging. Aging is a Vata predominant stage of life. Thus, the symptoms of menopause experienced by some women are similar to the symptoms seen when the Vata dosha rises and upsets the normal balance of the body. Vata-type menopausal symptoms tend to include depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Menopause may also manifest itself as a rise in the other two humors also. Women with Pitta-type symptoms are often angry and suffer hot flashes. Kapha type symptoms include listlessness, weight gain, and feelings of mental and physical heaviness.

The type of treatment depends upon the dosha in which the woman's menopausal symptoms are manifesting.

Here it is important to note that health problems at menopause represent imbalances in the body that were already growing in the body and are unmasked by the stress of shifting hormones. Menopause symptoms are Nature's wake-up call to let you know you need to start paying more attention to your health. Taking proper steps in the direction of balancing the imbalance doshas, paying attention to your diet and making lifestyle changes now is critical to ensuring that you age gracefully without the burden of chronic health problems.

Vata-type menopause

Symptoms Nervousness, anxiety, panic, mood swings, vaginal dryness, loss of skin tone, feeling cold, irregular periods, insomnia, mild or variable hot flashes, constipation, palpitations, bloating and joints aches and pains.

Treatment:

Diet - Increase warm food and drinks, regular meals, and use spices such as fennel and cumin. Decrease caffeine and other stimulants, refined sugar, cold drinks, salads.

Lifestyle - Early bedtime, oil massage using almond and olive oil, meditation, yoga, Regular exercise like walking

Anti-Vata herbs include ashwagandha, arjuna, astragalus, cardamom, comfrey root, garlic, ginseng, guggul, hawthorn berries, licorice, myrrh, rehmannia, sandalwood and zizphus.

Pitta-type menopause

Symptoms - Prone to Hot Temper, anger, irritability, feeling hot, hot flashes, night sweats, heavy periods, excessive bleeding, urinary tract infections, skin rashes and acne.

Treatment:

Diet - Increase cooling foods, water intake, sweet juicy fruits (grapes, pears, plums, mango, melons, apples,) zucchini, yellow squash, cucumber, organic foods. Use spices such as cinnamon, cardamom and fennel. Avoid hot spicy foods, hot drinks and alcohol. no eating late at night.

Lifestyle - Go to bed before 10 PM , oil massage using coconut and sesame oil. Use Meditation and other techniques to reduce anger, hatred and resentment. Exercise and exposure to the sun are limited.

Anti Pitta herbs to be used include aloe vera, arjuna, barberry, golden seal, gotu kola, saffron, sandalwood and shatavari.

Kapha-type menopause

Symptoms - Weight Gain , sluggishness, lethargy, fluid retention, yeast infections, lazy, depressed, lacking motivation, slow digestion.

Treatment:

Diet Prefer light, dry and warm food, Consume fruits, whole grains, legumes, vegetables. Use spices such as black pepper, turmeric and ginger. Avoid meat, cheese, sugar, cold foods and drinks. Weekly fasting is helpful. Most or all of the daily food should be consumed before 6 p.m.

Lifestyle - Get up early (by 6AM). Mustard oil and linseed oil are often recommended for massage.

Anti Kapha Herbs include bayberry, cayenne, cinnamon, guggul, motherwort ,mustard and myrrh.

Key factors in achieving graceful menopause

A smooth menopause transition and great health in the years to come can be achieved with the help of -

Balancing Doshas - Ascertain the imbalance dosha according to your symptoms and follow the advice given above to balance that dosha.

Balancing Diet - Diet plays a key role in balancing hormones during and after menopause. It is well known that Japanese women rarely experience hot flashes, probably because their diet contains large amounts of soy/soya, a food rich in certain plant estrogens called "isoflavones." Soya products are not the only source of plant estrogens, however. Another equally healthful source of phytoestrogens are "lignans," compounds found in a variety of whole foods including grains and cereals, dried beans and lentils, flaxseed, sunflower seeds and peanuts, vegetables such as asparagus, sweet potatoes, carrots, garlic and broccoli and fruits such as pears, plums and strawberries. Common herbs and spices such as thyme oregano, nutmeg, turmeric and licorice also have estrogenic properties.

Eat a varied diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and dried beans .Its a rich source of phytoestrogen. Variety and moderation are important because just as too much estrogen is unhealthy after menopause, too much phytoestrogen may also be dangerous.

Apana Vata, which governs the genito-urinary tract, elimination, and menstruation, is a key area to attend to when preparing for menopause. Drink plenty of warm water throughout the day. Eat plenty of cooked, leafy greens, as this helps elimination and is also a good source of calcium. For both Pitta and Vata imbalances, a breakfast of cooked apples and prunes and figs is a good way to start the day, as it balances the doshas and cleanses the digestive track.

Panchakarma - More serious symptoms, such as frequent hot flashes, continual sleep disturbance, and moderate to severe mood swings, are signs of deeper imbalances.

Ayurveda describes that these stubborn symptoms are usually due to the buildup of wastes and toxins, referred to as "ama," in the body's tissues.

In this case, a traditional Ayurvedic detoxification program "panchakarma," may be needed to clear the body's channels and gain relief. This internal cleansing approach is also the treatment of choice for more serious problems such as osteoporosis and high cholesterol.

2008-01-13T01:03:00.001-08:00

Ayurveda Remedies for Erectile Dysfunction

Definition of Erectile dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability of a man to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for his sexual needs or the needs of his partner. Erectile dysfunction is sometimes called as impotence.

The term "erectile dysfunction" can mean the inability to achieve erection, an inconsistent ability to do so, or the ability to achieve only brief erections.

Ayurveda defines Erectile dysfunction or ED as follows.

Sankalpapravano nityam priyaam vashyaamapi sthreeyam ||
na yaathi lingashaithilyaath kadaachidyaathi vaa yadi |
Shwaasaarthaha swinnagaatrshcha moghasankalpacheshtitaha ||
mlaanashishnashcha nirbeejaha syodetat klaibyalaxanam |

This means even though a man has a strong desire to perform sexual act with a cooperative partner, he can not perform sexual act because of looseness (absence of erection) of his phallus (penis). Even if he performs sexual act with his determined efforts he does not get erection and gets afflicted with tiredness, perspiration and frustration to perform sex.

Physiology of erection

The two chambers of penis (corpora cavernosa,) which run throught the organ are filled with spongy tissue. The corpora cavernosa are surrounded by a membrane, called the tunica albuginea. The spongy tissue contains smooth muscles, fibrous tissues, spaces, veins, and arteries. The urethra, which is the channel for urine and semen runs along underside of the corpora cavernosa.

Due to sensory or mental stimulation, or both, the erection begins. Due to impulses from brain and local nerves the muscles of corpora cavernosa relax and allow blood to flow in and fill the spaces of spongy tissue.

The flow of blood creates pressure in the corpora cavernosa, making the penis expand. The tunica albuginea helps trap the blood in the chambers, thereby sustaining erection. When muscles in the penis contract to stop the inflow of blood and open outflow channels, erection recedes.

In ayurveda physiology of erection and ejaculation is described as follows

Vrishunow basthimedram cha naabhyuuru vankshnow gudam|
Apaanasthaanamantrasthaha shukra mootra shakrunti cha||

The apaanavayu one of the five types of vayu is located in the testicles, urinary bladder, phallus, umbilicus, thighs, groin, anus and colon. Its functions are ejaculation of semen, voiding of urine and stools.

Shushruta explains the process of erection and ejaculation as When a man has desire (iccha) to have sex, his response to touch increases (Vayu located in skin causes flow of signals from skin to brain, thus causing sensation of touch). This causes arousal or harsha. Arousal or Harsha intensifies actions of vayu and at this moment highly active vayu liberates the teja or heat of pitta. Thus tejas and vayu increase body temperature, heart beat and blood flow causing erection.

Causes of ED

Erection requires a sequence of events. Erectile dysfunction can occur when any of the events is disturbed. Nerve impulses in the brain, spinal column, around the penis and response in muscles, fibrous tissues, veins, and arteries in and around the corpora cavernosa constitute this sequence of events. Injury to any of these parts which are part of this sequence (nerves, arteries, smooth muscles, fibrous tissue) can cause ED.

Lowered level of testosterone hormone: The primary male hormone is testosterone. After age 40, a man's testosterone level gradually declines. About 5% of men that doctors see for erectile dysfunction have low testosterone levels. In many of these cases, low testosterone causes lower sexual interest, not erectile dysfunction.

The whole male body responds to testosterone.

Even sushruta has illustrated about this response of body to the element Shukra . He has said "yatha payasi sarpistu goodashchekshow raso yatha shareereshu tatha shukram nrinaam vidyaadhbishagwara." This means the shukra (the element which helps in reproduction) is present all over the body.

This can be explained with the following examples:

1. The ghee is present in milk in an invisible form. This is extracted from milk using many processes.

2. The sugar is present all over the sugarcane. It is extracted by subjecting the sugarcane to number of processes.

Same way shukra is present all over the body. But the cream of shukra (semen) comes out of the body only during the process of ejaculation. But this process of ejaculation needs a joyful union of mind and body.

Decrease in production of Shukra causes erectile dysfunction.

Over exertion - physically and mentally: Working for long hours in office, mental stress at office and home, short temperedness ,insufficient sleep cause erectile dysfunction.

These causes are explained in ayurveda as "shoka chintaa, bhaya, traasaat .... " which means that erectile dysfunction or Impotence occurs due to grief, fear, anxiety and terror.

Strained relationship with sexual partner: Erectile dysfunction also occurs when there is a disliking towards sexual partner.

Ayurveda describes this as "naarinaamarasamjnatwaat..." means disliking for women.

Diseases that cause Erectile dysfunction: Neurological disorders, hypothyroidism, Parkinson's disease, anemia, depression, arthritis, endocrine disorders,diabetes, diseases related to cardiovascular system also become reasons for erectile dysfunction..

According to ayurveda the diseases which cause erectile dysfunction are "Hritpaandurogatamakakaamalashrama..." - Heart diseases, anemia, asthma, liver disorders, tiredness. Apart from these the imbalance in tridoshas also cause impotence or erectile dysfunction.

Consumption of medicines, drugs and tobacco: Using antidepressants, tranquilizers and antihypertensive medicines for a long time, addiction to tobacco especially smoking, excessive consumption of alcohol, addiction to cocaine, heroin and marijuana cause erectile dysfunction.

In ayurveda texts these causes have been said in brief as "rukshamannapaanam tathoushadham" - "dry food, drinks and medicines" cause impotence or erectile dysfunction.

Trauma to pelvic region: accidental injury to pelvic region and surgeries for the conditions of prostate, bladder, colon, or rectal area may lead to erectile dysfunction.

These causes are mentioned as abhighata (trauma), shastradantanakhakshataha (injury from weapons, teeth and nail.) in ayurveda.

Other reasons: Obesity, prolonged bicycle riding, past history of sexual abuse and old age also cause Erectile dysfunction.

Ayurveda describes the cause of impotence or erectile dysfunction due to old age as follows. "diminution of - tissue elements, strength, energy, span of life, inability to take nourishing food, physical and mental fatigue lead to impotence."

Remedies for ED

ED is treatable at any age. The total treatment in for impotence is called as Vajikarana therapy in ayurveda. As this therapy increases the strength of a man to perform sexual act, like a horse, it is called 'Vaajikarana'. ('Vaaji'=Horse.)

Vaajikarana therapy leads to

Happiness.
Good strength.
Potency to produce healthy offspring.
Increased span of erection.

Eligibility for vajikarana therapy.

1. The vajikarana therapy should be administered to persons who are between 18 to 70 years of age.

2. These therapies should be administered only to a self controlled person. If this therapy is administered to a person who does not have self control, he becomes nuisance to society through his illegitimate sex acts.

Psychotherapy

Decreasing anxiety associated with intercourse, with psychologically based treatment helps to cure ED. The patient's partner can help with the techniques, which include gradual development of intimacy and stimulation. Such techniques also can help relieve anxiety when ED from physical causes is being treated.

Same treatment is illustrated in ayurveda. It has been said A woman who understands a man and is liked by him, along with erotic environment act as best aphrodisiac.

Drug Therapy

Numerous herbal preparations are mentioned in Ayurveda to treat ED or impotence. It has been said that people who have strong sexual urge, who want to enjoy sex regularly have to consume these preparations regularly to replenish the energy, vigor, stamina and strength. These preparations also supply the nutrients which are necessary for production of semen.

Ayurveda tips to overcome ED

1. Consuming herbal preparations to rejuvenate the reproductive organs.

2. Massaging the body with a herbal oil which gives a relief from physical exertion and also acts as aphrodisiac.

3. Practicing Yoga and Meditation to overcome mental exertion and to cope up with stress.

4. Sleep at least for 8 hours a day.

5. Avoiding the consumption of alcohol, tobacco, heroin etc.

6. Exercise regularly.

7. Avoid hot, spicy and bitter foods.

8. Favor sweets, milk products, nuts and urad dal.

9. Add little ghee in your diet.

10. Give a gap of four days between two consecutive intercourses

2008-01-13T01:02:00.001-08:00

Preventing Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy Through Ayurveda

Definition: Benign prostatic hypertrophy is swelling of Prostate gland. The prostate is a walnut sized gland that is only present in men. It is located just below the bladder and top of the penis. This gland surrounds the urethra (the tube through which urine flows from the bladder and out through the penis).

It is a very astonishing fact to know that the condition BPH has been explained in ayurveda long back. The anatomical position of prostate gland, symptoms of BPH and its remedies are explained by Acharya Sushruta.

The anatomical position of prostate gland is described in ayurvedic classics as follows... In Yogaratnakara it has been described as -- NAABHERADHASTHAATSANJAATAHA SANCHAARI YADI VAACHALAHA | ASHTEELAAVAD GHANO GRANTHIROODHWAR MAAYATA UNNATAHA ||

Which means Below umbilicus (NAABHI), there is a hard gland which is little bit bulged and changes its place some times and some times stays stationary. This gland is like Ashteela (A small stone used to sharpen swords). This gland when affected by vitiated vata causes a disease called vataashteela (or benign prostate hypertrophy)

Sushruta explains the structure, anatomical position of prostate gland and symptoms of BPH as follows.

SHACRANMAARGASYA BASTHESHCHA VAAYURANTARAMAASHRITAHAI ASHTEELAAVADGHANAM GRANTHIMMOORDHVAMAAYATA MUNNATAM||

Which means - the place between rectum and bladder is occupied by vitiated vata it affects the easy flow of urine, stools and semen by enlarging the gland Ashteela.

The prostate gland enlarges in all men as age advances. BPH is very common and affects one third of men who are over 50. A person suffering from BPH does not have the increased risk of prostate cancer. Functions of Prostate gland.

One of the main functions of the prostate is to produce a fluid, which contribute to the liquid portion of semen and this liquid allows the sperm to move freely.

The gland is divided into peripheral, transitional and central zone. The overgrowth takes place in central zone which leads to BPH. Effects of BPH Prostate gland surrounds urethra. When prostate gland enlarges, it constricts the urethra reducing the urine flow. The emptying of bladder becomes very difficult because of this. Causes of BPH According to present medical concepts the actual cause of prostate enlargement is unknown. But the causes of BPH are very well explained In ayurveda which is based on tridosha theory.The causes of vataashteela or BPH are explained as follows.

Causes for vataashteela according to dosha theory: vataashteela is caused by vitiated vayu and apaana vayu ( a subcategory of Vayu)

(APAANA VAYU is located in two testicles, urinary bladder, phallus, umbilicus, thighs, groins, anus and colon. Functions of apana vaayu are Ejaculation of semen, voiding of urine, stools, elimination of menstrual blood and expulsion of fetus.)

The vitiation of vayu and apaana vayu is caused by

1. Controlling the urge of urinatio

2. Controlling the urge of defecation

3. Over indulgence in sex

4. Consuming dry, very cold and less quantity of food

5. Old age

6. General weakness

7. Indigestion

8. Physical and mental overexertion

Symptoms of BPH

Difficulty in starting to pass urine ( hesitancy ),

A weak stream of urine,

Dribbling after urinating

The need to strain to pass urine,

Incomplete emptying of bladder.

Difficulty to control the urination urge.

Having to get up several times in the night to pass urine,

Feeling a burning sensation when passing urine.

Passing urine mixed with blood (indication of infection)

Symptoms of vatashteela are described as follows.

VINMUTRAANILA SANGASCHA TANNAADMAANAMCHA JAAYATE| VEDANAA CHA PARAA BASTOU VAATAASHTEELETI TAAM VIDUHU ||

The vitiated ashteela gland when enlarged is called as vatashteela. This enlarged gland causes

1. Obstruction to easy flow of urine.

2. Obstruction to Easy passage of stools and gas

3. Bloating of Stomach.

4. Pain in bladder.

When the above mentioned symptoms are noticed then one should seek proper medical advice.

Diagnosis

A digital rectal examination will be performed to examine the size of prostate by inserting a finger into the rectum. A distended bladder can be felt per abdomen. Ultra sound examination will be done to determine the amount of urine left in the bladder after urination. Routine urine test will be done to rule out infections.

A prostate gland tissue may be collected using a needle to check for cancerous cells.

Ayurveda tips for SELF-CARE

If symptoms are mild, the following methods can be tried for relief:

1. Vata gets vitiated when natural urges are controlled. Hence do not control the natural urge of passing urine. Urinate when you first get the urge.

2. Go to the bathroom even if you do not have urge.

3. Alcohol, tobacco, coffee increase vata and vitiate it. Hence avoid alcohol, tobacco and coffee, especially after dinner.

4. Vata gets normalized and vitiation comes down when body is warm. This can be accomplished with regular exercises and keeping the body warm.

5. Mental exertion leads to increase of vata. Avoid mental exertion at work place and at home.

6. Avoid foods which cause constipation as constipation causes vitiation of vata.

Other general tips

1. Avoid drinking fluids from two hours before going to bed.

2. Avoid cold and cough medications that contain decongestants or antihistamines. These medications can increase BPH symptoms.

3. Avoid drinking excess amount of liquids. Distribute the intake of fluids throughout day.

Prevention

BPH can be prevented by -

1. Consuming low fat diet

2. Including lots of fiber in diet ( fruits and vegetables which are rich in fiber).

3. Visiting your family physician as soon as you notice any symptoms while passing urine.

Apart from these many effective herbal remedies have been mentioned in Sushruta samhita and Yogaratnakara.

2008-01-13T01:01:00.002-08:00

The Maharishi Ayurveda Approach to Beauty and Skin Care with Nancy Lonsdorf M.D.

Every person is born perfect. Inferiority is a mistake of the mind, a cloud covering the light. Dissolve the clouds by observing a balanced life with healthy habits. Nourish your mind and body. Connect with your own inner self. Celebrate your own magnificence and your beauty will always shine through. -Dr. Rama Kant Mishra, renowned Ayurvedic physician and dermatologist

The Three Pillars of Beauty

Maharishi Ayurveda (MAV), the modern, consciousness-based revival of the ancient Ayurvedic medicine tradition, considers true beauty to be supported by three pillars; Outer Beauty, Inner Beauty and Lasting Beauty. Only by enhancing all three can we attain the balanced state of radiant health that makes each of us the most fulfilled and beautiful person we can be.

Outer Beauty: Roopam

The outer signs of beauty - your skin, hair and nails - are more than just superficial measures of beauty. They are direct reflections of your overall health. These outer tissues are created by the inner physiological processes involved in digestion, metabolism and proper tissue development. Outer beauty depends more on the strength of your digestion and metabolism, the quality of your diet, and the purity of your blood, than on external cleansers and conditioners you may apply.

General Recommendations for Outer Beauty

As we will discuss, the key to skin care is matching your diet and skin care routine to the specific skin type you have. Meanwhile, there are some valuable recommendations for lustrous skin, hair and nails that will be helpful to everyone, regardless of skin type.

1. Diet: Without adequate nourishment, your collagen layer thins and a kind of wasting takes place. Over time, your skin can shrivel up like a plant without water from lack of nourishment. To keep your skin plump and glowing:

A. Eat fresh, whole organic foods that are freshly prepared.

Avoid packaged, canned, frozen, processed foods and leftovers. These foods have little nutritional value and also they are often poorly digested which creates impurities that localize in the skin. The resulting buildup of toxins causes irritation and blocks circulation depriving the skin of further nourishment and natural cleansing processes.

B. Favor skin nourishing foods.

Leafy green vegetables contain vitamins, minerals (especially iron and calcium) and are high in antioxidant properties. They nourish the skin and protect it from premature aging.
Sweet juicy fruits like grapes, melons, pears, plums and stewed apples at breakfast are excellent for the skin in almost everyone.
Eat a wide variety of grains over different meals and try mixed grain servings at breakfast and lunch. Add amaranth, quinoa, cous cous, millet and barley to the wheat and rice you already eat.
Favor light, easy to digest proteins like legume soups (especially yellow split mung dhal), whole milk, paneer (cheese made from boiling milk, adding lemon and straining solids) and lassi (diluted yogurt and spice drinks).
Oils like ghee (clarified butter) and organic, extra virgin olive oil should be included in the diet as they lubricate, nourish and create lustre in the skin.
Use spices like turmeric, cumin, coriander, and black pepper to improve digestion, nourish the skin and cleanse it of impurities.
Avoid microwaving and boiling your vegetables. They lose as much as 85% of their antioxidant content when cooked in this way. Steaming and sauting are best.

Caring for outer beauty through knowledge of skin type

Besides these general recommendations the key to Outer Beauty is to understand the difference in skin types so you can gain the maximum benefit from your individualized skin care regimen. MAV identifies three different skin types based on which of the three main metabolic principles (doshas)- present in everyone, but to different degrees- is most dominant in your body.

Vata Skin

* Description: Vata is composed of the elements of air and space. If you have a vata skin type, your skin will be dry, thin, fine pored, delicate and cool to the touch. When balanced, it glows with a delicate lightness and refinement that is elegant and attractive. When vata skin is imbalanced, it will be prone to excessive dryness and may even be rough and flaky.

* Potential problems: The greatest beauty challenge for vata skin is its predisposition to symptoms of early aging. Your skin may tend to develop wrinkles earlier than most due to its tendency to dryness and thinness. If your digestion is not in balance, your skin can begin to look dull and grayish, even in your 20s and 30s. In addition, your skin may have a tendency for disorders such as dry eczema and skin fungus. Mental stress, such as worry, fear and lack of sleep, has a powerful debilitating effect on vata skin leaving it looking tired and lifeless.

* Recommendations for care

With a little knowledge, you can preserve and protect the delicate beauty of your vata type skin. Since your skin does not contain much moisture, preventing it from drying is the major consideration. Eat a warm, unctuous diet (ghee and olive oil are best) and favor sour, salty and sweet tastes (naturally sweet like fruits, not refined sugar) as they balance vata. Avoid drying foods like crackers. Drink 6-8 glasses of warm (not cold for vata types!) water throughout the day and eat plenty of sweet, juicy fruits. Going to bed early (before 10 PM) is very soothing to vata and will have a tremendously positive influence on your skin. Avoid cleansing products that dry the skin (like alcohol-based cleansers) and perform Ayurvedic oil massage to your whole body (abhyanga) in the morning before you shower.

Pitta Skin.

* Description: Pitta dosha is composed of the elements of fire and water. If you have a pitta skin type your skin is fair, soft, warm and of medium thickness. When balanced, your skin has a beautiful, slightly rosy or golden glow, as if illuminated from within. Your hair typically is fine and straight, and is usually red, sandy or blonde in color. Your complexion tends toward the pink or reddish, and there is often a copious amount of freckles or moles.

* Potential problems: Among the many beauty challenges of pitta skin types is your tendency to develop rashes, rosacea, acne, liver spots or pigment disorders. Because of the large proportion of the fire element in your constitution, your skin does not tolerate heat or sun very well. Of all the three skin types, pitta skin has the least tolerance for the sun, is photosensitive, and most likely to accumulate sun damage over the years. Pitta skin is aggravated by emotional stress, especially suppressed anger, frustration, or resentment.

* Recommendations for care

Avoid excessive sunlight, tanning treatments and highly heating therapies like facial or whole body steams. Avoid hot, spicy foods and favor astringent, bitter and sweet foods which balance pitta. (Again, naturally sweet, not chocolate and refined sugar!) Sweet juicy fruits (especially melons and pears), cooked greens and rose petal preserves are especially good. Drinking plenty of water helps wash impurities from sensitive pitta skin. Reduce external or internal contact with synthetic chemicals, to which your skin is especially prone to react, even in a delayed fashion after years of seemingly uneventful use. Avoid skin products that are abrasive, heating or contain artificial colors or preservatives. Most commercial make-up brands should be avoided in favor of strictly 100% natural ingredient cosmetics. And be sure to get your emotional stress under control through plenty of outdoor exercise, yoga and meditation.

Kapha Skin.

* Description: Kapha dosha is composed of the elements of earth and water. If you have a kapha skin type your skin is thick, oily, soft and cool to the touch. Your complexion is a glowing porcelain whitish color, like the moon, and hair characteristically thick, wavy, oily and dark. Kapha skin types, with their more generous collagen and connective tissue, are fortunate to develop wrinkles much later in life than vata or pitta types.

*Potential problems If your skin becomes imbalanced, it can show up as enlarged pores, excessively oily skin, moist types of eczema, blackheads, acne or pimples, and water retention. Kapha skin is also more prone to fungal infections.

* Recommendations for care

Kapha skin is more prone to clogging and needs more cleansing than other skin types. Be careful to avoid greasy, clogging creams. Likewise, avoid heavy, hard to digest foods like fried foods, fatty meats, cheeses and rich desserts. Eat more light, easy to digest, astringent, bitter and pungent (well-spiced) foods as they balance kapha. Olive oil is the best cooking oil and a little ginger and lime juice can be taken before meals to increase your characteristically sluggish digestive fire. Take warm baths often and use gentle cleansers to open the skin pores. Avoid getting constipated and try to get some exercise every day to increase circulation and help purify the skin through the sweating process.

Inner Beauty: Gunam.

Happy, positive, loving, caring individuals have a special beauty that is far more than skin deep. Conversely we all experience the quick and deleterious effect on our skin from fatigue and stress.

Inner beauty is authentic beauty, not the kind that shows on a made-up face, but the kind that shines through from your soul, your consciousness or inner state of being. Inner beauty comes from a mind and heart that are in harmony, not at odds with each other, causing emotional confusion, loss of confidence, stress and worry. Inner peace is the foundation of outer beauty.

Maintain your self-confidence and a warm, loving personality by paying attention to your lifestyle and daily routine and effective management of stress (I highly recommend the TM technique for its scientifically-verified benefits on mental and physical health and reduced aging.) You will also be healthier and feel better through the day if you eat your main meal at midday and make a habit of going to bed early (by 10 PM is ideal.)

Remember, kindness, friendliness and sincerity naturally attract people to you. On the other hand, being uptight or tense makes people want to walk the other way, regardless of your facial structure, body weight, or other outer signs we associate with attractiveness.

Lasting Beauty: Yayastyag

In order to slow the aging process and gain lasting beauty there are two additional key considerations beyond those already discussed,

1. Eliminate toxins and free radicals in the body: The main deteriorating effects of aging come as toxins and impurities (called ama in Ayurveda) accumulate throughout the body. These toxins may begin as free radicals in the body, or over time may become oxidized into free radicals, all of which contribute to premature aging in the body. For lasting health and beauty it is essential to avoid and neutralize free radicals, to prevent impurities of all kinds from accumulating and to remove those that have already become lodged in the body.

The most powerful cleansing therapy in Maharishi Ayurveda is "panchakarma" therapy, a series of natural treatments ideally performed twice yearly, that involves 5-7 days in a row of massage, heat treatments and mild herbal enemas. Ayurveda emphasizes the importance of undergoing this cleansing program once or twice a year to prevent impurities from accumulating, localizing and hardening in the tissues. Just as we change the oil in our cars regularly for optimal performance and lifespan, Ayurveda recommends that we cleanse the sludge from our tissues on a regular basis through panchakarma treatments.

Best of all, panchakarma treatments are luxurious, blissful, and make you feel (and look) completely rejuvenated in just a few days time. I have had many a patient who told me that friends asked them afterwards if they had gotten a facelift, they looked so fresh and youthful!

Other free radical busters include: reducing mental stress, eating antioxidant foods like leafy green vegetables, sweet, juicy fruits and cooking on a daily basis with antioxidant, detoxifying spices like turmeric and coriander.

2. Add rejuvenative techniques to daily living:

The daily activities of life in the modern world systematically wear us down and speed up the aging process. Ayurveda maintains it is crucial to practice daily rejuvenative regimens to counteract the stressful wear and tear of everyday life. According to Ayurveda the most important rejuvenative routines for your life are:

Going to bed by 10:00 PM. This simple habit is one of the most powerful techniques for health and longevity, according to MAV.
Meditate daily. Any meditation that does not involve concentration (which has been shown to increase anxiety) can be very helpful. I highly recommend the twice-daily deep rest and enlivenment of the Transcendental Meditation (TM) technique, whose benefits have been verified by over 700 published research studies.
Eat organic, whole fresh food that is freshly prepared. There is an Ayurvedic saying: "Without proper diet. medicine is of no use. With proper diet, medicine is of no need." Be sure to avoid those leftovers, processed and microwaved foods for better nutrition and vitality.
Perform Ayurvedic oil massage in the morning (abhyanga). Morning oil massage purifies the entire body, reduces anxiety and stress, helps prevent and heal injuries and supports circulation. It is especially helpful in creating a radiant complexion and keeping your skin youthful. Research shows it may also help prevent skin cancers.
Practice yoga asanas. Maintaining flexibility and circulation is key to health.
Practice pranayama (yoga breathing) techniques. Pranayama enlivens the mind and body. Ideally practice the following sequence twice a day. Asanas, pranayama and meditation.

Summary

Everyone's unique beauty shines forth when they have radiant health and personal happiness. Beauty is a side effect of a balanced, fulfilled life. Supreme personal beauty is accessible to everyone who is willing to take more control of their health in their day-to-day life through time-tested principles of natural living.

For most of us, beauty is not a gift but a choice. Every woman can be radiantly beautiful simply by beginning to lead a healthier life. You will be rewarded by the glowing effects you will see in your mirror each day and the powerful, bliss-producing effect your special beauty has on everyone in your life.

2008-01-13T01:01:00.001-08:00

Ayurveda - The Natural Remedy

The word Ayurveda is made up of two Sanskrit words ayur and veda meaning life' and knowledge' respectively. Taken together they mean the science of life'; in a more limited sense, the term is used to imply the science of medicine.

Legend has it that Brahma, the Creator (a part of the Hindu holy trinity of gods) first perceived it and taught it to his sons, Daksha Prajapati. Subsequently, Lord Dhanwantri, the God of healing and the teacher of the medical sciences passed it on the prominent Hindu sages Atreya, Bharadvaja, Kashyapa, Sushruta, Parashara and Charaka. Sage Atreya's disciple Agnivesha is said to have written the original Agnivesha Samhita around 1000 BC which has come down to us in the form of Charaka Samhita. This text is considered an authoritative pronouncement of Ayurvedic doctrine.

The universe is made up of the pancha mahabhutas or five primary elements:

Fire (Agni),

Water (jala),

Ether (akasha),

Earth (prithvi) and

2008-01-13T01:00:00.004-08:00

Be Natural! Treating Chronic Diseases with Ayurveda

Ayurveda is perhaps the oldest system of health care in the world and originates from the Indian subcontinent. Ayurveda is based on scientific principles of diagnosis and treatment. It differs from conventional medicine in the basic principles of investigation and assigning causes to processes rather than specific areas of physiology.

Ayurveda has been a vogue since 5000 years ago. Our Vedas have been repeated references to the efficacy of Ayurveda as a science of healthy life. The western world is now realizing the value of Ayurveda in treating Chronic diseases like Arthritis, Paralysis, Stroke, Neurological disorders etc. Even WHO has given high rating for Ayurveda system.

It differs from conventional medicine in the basic principles of investigation and assigning causes to processes rather than specific areas of physiology. The increasing awareness of herbal medicines in Western markets such as USA, UK, Canada and Japan and the technological advancements in biotech industry were two major reasons which compelled us to offer a platform like this.

The key to the success of www.AyurvedicCure.com is the quality of the ingredients they use, the way in which formulae are based on ancient Ayurvedic traditions, a careful manufacturing process and an ongoing research program for testing and evaluating new and old products.

Here are some Important Herbs and their Uses:

Ashvagandha ( Withania Somnifera), ( Winter Cherry): Traditionally, Ashwagandha has been used in many ways--as a sedative, a diuretic, a rejuvenating tonic, an anti-inflammatory agent, and as an "adaptogen" (endurance enhancer). Many Western herbalists refer to this herb as "Ayurvedic ginseng" because of its reputation for increasing energy, strength, and stamina, and for its ability to relieve stress. It is especially beneficial in stress related disorders such as arthritis, hypertension, diabetes, general debility, etc. It has also shown impressive results when used as stimulants for the immune system. http://www.ayurvediccure.com/ashwagandha.htm

Amla ( Emblica officinalis), ( Indian Goosebery): Amla contains the highest amount of Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid), Phyllembin, Phyllemblic acid, Gallic acid, Ellagic acid in natural form and Cytokin like substance identified as Zeatin, Zriboside, Z nucleotide, Tannins 30%. It is one of the strongest rejuvenatives in Indian pharmacopoeia. It contains 30 times the amount of Vitamin C found in oranges. Its antibacterial, carminative, hypoglycemic, stomachic, Hypotensive and astringent action prevents infection, helps in healing of ulcers, treatment of jaundice, dyspepsia and cough and controls hyperacidity. Alma is a good Cardio Tonic and its mild stimulant action on heart helps to control blood pressure. The use of Indian Gooseberry enhances the antidiabetic action of Karela. Phyllanthus Emblica is a very good hair tonic. http://www.ayurvediccure.com/amla.htm

Brahmi (Bacopa Monniera): Aside from increasing intellectual and cognitive function, Brahmi induces a sense of calm and peace in its users. It is unique in its ability to invigorate mental processes whilst reducing the effects of stress and nervous anxiety. This makes Brahmi extremely applicable in highly stressful work or study environments where clarity of thought is as important as being able to work under pressure. Many people have the intelligence to perform to strict standards, but lack the composure and self-confidence to reach them. Additionally, Brahmi helps soothe the restlessness and distraction that nervousness causes. Brahmi is ideal for students and workers faced with this problem. http://www.ayurvediccure.com/brahmi.htm ,

Shallaki ( Boswellia Serrata): Today its major use is as an anti-inflammatory agent for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, low back pain, myositis, fibrositis, and osteoarthritis. Experimental and clinical usage of boswella indicates it has none of the side effects on blood pressure, heart rate of the gastric irritation and ulcers associated with many anti-inflammatory and antiarthritic drugs. It is now an approved herbal medicine in India for use against osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, soft tissue rheumatism, low back pain, myositis and fibrositis. In the United States,physicians are giving boswella high marks for effectiveness. Dr. E. W. McDonagh, a Kansas City physician, has reported success among some 350 patients suffering from a variety of advanced muscular and skeletal conditions for which other treatments had failed to help. http://www.ayurvediccure.com/shallaki.htm ,

Karela ( Bitter Gourd), ( Bitter Melon), ( Momordica charantia) : Bitter Melon, also known as Karela, Momordica Charantia or Bitter Gourd is a herb that helps regulate blood sugar levels and keeps body functions operating normally. It contains Gurmarin, a polypeptide considered to be similar to bovine insulin, which has been shown in experimental studies to achieve a positive sugar regulating effect by suppressing the neural response to sweet taste stimuli. Karela's principle constituents are lectins, charantin and momordicine. The fruits have long been used in India as a folk remedy for diabetes mellitus. Lectins from the bitter gourd have shown significant antilipolytic and lipogenic activities. http://www.ayurvediccure.com/bittergourd.htm

Shilajit (Asphaltum) : This is Shilajit, one of Ayurvedas most potent and unique rejuvenatives. The ancient medical literature attributes many health benefits to Shilajit known as "conqueror of mountains and destroyer of weakness." It has been said that there is hardly any curable disease which cannot be assisted with the aid of Shilajit. Shilajit has been used historically for general physical strengthening, anti-aging, blood sugar stabilization, libido, injury healing, urinary tract rejuvenation, enhanced brain functioning potency, bone healing, kidney rejuvenation, immune system Strengthening, arthritis, hypertension, obesity and many other application for numerous conditions. http://www.ayurvediccure.com/shilajit.htm

Garlic ( Lasuna), ( Allium sativum): The platelet and hypolipidemic activities of Lasuna ensures smooth coronary function. Garlic is regarded as one of the most effective remedies to lower blood pressure. The pressure and tension are reduced because it has the power to ease the spasm of the small arteries. It also slows the pulse and modifies the heart rhythm, besides relieving the symptoms of dizziness, shortness of breath and the formation of gas within the digestive track. It has an antiseptic effect and is an excellent remedy for infectious diseases and inflammations of the stomach and intestine. Human population studies show that eating garlic regularly reduces the risk of esophageal, stomach, and colon cancer. This is partly due to garlic's ability to reduce the formation of carcinogenic compounds. http://www.ayurvediccure.com/garlic.htm

Triphala: Triphala, a cornerstone of ayurvedic medicine, is a composite herbal preparation containing equal proportions of the fruits of three myrobalans, Emblica officinalis, Terminalia chebula and Terminalia bellirica. When consumed for a long period, it helps reduce excess weight. It promotes good colon health and acts as a laxative without causing cramps or irritation. It gently stimulates the intestinal walls and restores tone to the colon, thus helping in the elimination process, providing a colon cleansing effect. When consumed for a long period, it helps reduce excess weight. It promotes good colon health and acts as a laxative without causing cramps or irritation. It gently stimulates the intestinal walls and restores tone to the colon, thus helping in the elimination process, providing a colon cleansing effect. http://www.ayurvediccure.com/triphala.htm

Guggulu: ( Bedellium), ( COMMIPHORA MUKUL): Studies show that a 14-27% of LDL cholesterol and 22-30% of triglycerides levels were reduced when guggul was given to men and women with high cholesterol for 12 weeks with no change in diet or exercise. Research with laboratory animals suggests guggul may help enhance thyroid function. Since the thyroid gland produces hormones that are needed to regulate metabolism, it can help in weight loss. Studies show guggul may change thyroid hormone metabolism, increase levels of circulating T3, or triiodothyroxine, a thyroxine metabolite known to raise overall metabolism, which in turn increases fat burning. Since guggul supports atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), which may impede blood flow to and from the penis, guggul may possibly be the treatment for impotence many men are looking for. http://www.ayurvediccure.com/guggul.htm

Tulsi ( Holy Basil), ( Tulasi): Tulsi has antioxidant properties, and helps boost the body's ability to fight off damaging free radicals, which have been linked to disease and aging. It is an adaptogen that helps the body fight the effects of ongoing stress and also balances the mind, nerves and emotions. Tulsi maintains the health of the throat chest and lungs. In fact, it helps protect the entire respiratory tract. It is an anti-inflammatory. A herb that promotes optimum respiratory support. Tulasi has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, expectorant properties and is useful in respiratory tract infections. It helps during respiratory stress. http://www.ayurvediccure.com/tulasi.htm

Neem (AZADIRACHTA INDICA): Neem effectively kills the bacteria that cause Acne and studies prove that Neem will reduce inflammation, even the inflammation produced by Acne. In the case of eczema clinical studies demonstrate that even the application of weaker Neem leaf extracts effectively cured acute conditions of eczema, what to speak of the fresh cold pressed oil with its high concentration of active ingredients.Modern clinical studies have identified a number of compounds in the Neem tree that effectively regulate immune system functions. Whether drinking a simple cup of tea out of the leaves or taking extracts of the Neem leaf, Neem significantly and consistently reduced insulin requirements for nonkeytonic, insulin fast, and insulin sensitive forms of Diabetes.The pain, inflammation, and swelling of the joints in arthritis can be greatly reduced by different compounds in Neem http://www.ayurvediccure.com/neem.htm

Arjuna (TERMINALIA ARJUNA): Arjun improves cardiac muscle function and pumpingactions of the heart. Scientific studies have shown Arjun to be very effectivewhen used regularly over a period of time for the treatment of angina, coronary artery disease, heart failure, edema, and possibly hypercholesterolemia. Studies have also shown Arjun to have positive effects in the treatment of gonorrhea. Externally, this herb has been used to treat acne, blemishes, wounds, dysentery, and diarrhea. http://www.ayurvediccure.com/arjuna.htm

2008-01-13T01:00:00.003-08:00

Ayurveda Regimen for Winter Depression

Long nights, short days, sweaters, warm clothes and chilly weather make many of us sick and depressed. This depression which surfaces especially in winter is a Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and is often called as winter Time Blues or Winter depression. The exact cause for this depression is as of yet unclear. But yet few scientists believe lack of exposure to sunlight as the reason for this disorder.

The symptoms of winter depression are tendency to over eat, craving for carbohydrates and sweets and weight gain.

Had our ancestors observed this change in humans? The answer is yes. Have they recommended any remedies? Yes, they have recommended simple and effective natural remedies to overcome Seasonal Affective Disorder. They have laid down explicit guidelines about diet and lifestyles which have to be followed according to seasons.

The winter season is marked as Hemanta ritu and Sisira ritu in ayurveda. Hemanta ritu starts from mid November and ends in mid January. This falls in southern solstice which is called as visarga kala or dakshinayana in ayurveda. Sisira ritu starts from mid January and lasts till middle of march. Sisira ritu falls in Northern solstice which is called as Aadana kaala or uttaraayana.

The response of human body to this season is very well explained in ayurveda. People will have increased strength and their digestion capacity is increased. This is marked by increased hunger. These symptoms are caused by increased body fire which is supported by vata. Vata inside body increases in winter because of cold and dryness which is prevalent in outer atmosphere.

The winter time depression is noticed mostly in persons who have vata as major constituent in their prakriti or body constitution. The cause for this type of change is longer nights of winter.

Light therapy is recommended by doctors for winter time blues. Exposure to artificial light may cause headache, Irritability, Eye strain, Inability to sleep and fatigue. Exposure to sunlight and if sunlight is not available sitting near fireplace is the remedy suggested in Ayurveda.

Keeping the home well lit with lights help to reduce the intensity of depression.

Moderate exercise like yoga is another remedy for winter depression. Ayurveda recommends oil massage (abhyanga) to body and head (moordha taila). Indulging in sexual act to keep the moods elevated and to keep the body warm is another strongly suggested ayurvedic remedy.

Meeting friends who are kind and understanding boosts morale and brightens up the day. Spending time with friends on the beach helps to expose your body to sunlight and keeps your spirits high.

Relaxing with meditation, massage, light music and laughter helps to great extent.

The following ayurvedic tips help to prevent and reduce the intensity of seasonal disorder of winter, the winter time blues.

1. Expose yourself to sunlight as much as you can. In absence of sun light sitting near fire place is very helpful.

2. Massage your body with vata balancing herbal oil (abhyanga). Never forget to apply oil on your head (moordha taila).

3. Then remove the oil by taking hot water bath. A mixture of flours of yellow gram (channa), green gram (moong), fenu greek seeds (methi) in equal proportion is the best herbal scrub which can be used to remove the oil. This mixture prevents the washing of natural oil from skin.

4. Consume hot soups.

5. Use vata balancing foods like wheat, oil, corn, black gram and jaggery.

6. Tickle your taste buds with sweet, sour and salt tastes

7. Always use hot water for all daily routine activity.

8. Use thick blankets and sheets made of cotton, silk and wool.

9. Always wear foot wear.

10. Indulge in sexual act.

11. Spend your leisure time with friends and relatives whom you like.

2008-01-13T01:00:00.001-08:00

Ayurveda Approach to Genital Herpes

Dosha theory which help in diagnosis of the diseases.

According to ayurveda three doshas or three energetic forces control the activities of the body. These doshas are

1. Vata
2. Pitta
3. Kapha

VATA: The Vata dosha is the most important of the three doshas. It has been said in ayurveda classic books that pitta, Kapha and all other body tissues are considered lame without assistance of VATA. Vata dominates the lower part of the body, which is below umbilicus. The movements of body fluid, metabolism, elimination of waste products, semen ejaculation, pushing the fetus out of body, relaying stimulus to brain and response to organs and tissues, heart beat, respiration, body movements etc are assisted by VATA.

Vata dominated regions are intestines, lumbar region, ears, bones and skin.

Vata gets vitiated due to following reasons.

1. Controlling natural urges like urination, defecation, hunger, thirst, etc.
2. Late nights.
3. Irregular food habits.
4. Talking in a high pitch.
5. Over physical and mental exertion.
6. Consumption of spicy, dry, bitter foods.
7. Exposure to severe dry and cold climate.

The opposites of above-mentioned reason normalize the vitiated vata.

PITTA: The pitta dosha assists the body fire or Agni, which plays a major role in bodys metabolic activities. The locations where pitta dominates are digestive system, skin, eyes, brain, and blood. Pitta maintains body temperature. The secretions like digestive juices pigments like melanin (bhrajaka pitta), hemoglobin (ranjaka pitta) are all types of pitta.

Pitta is dominant in regions of Umbilicus, stomach, sweat, lymph, blood, eyes and skin.

Vata gets vitiated due to following reasons.

1. Excess consumption of spicy, sour, salty foods.
2. Consuming alcohol in excess.
3. Over exposure to hot sunny climate.
4. Short temperedness.
5. Using dried vegetables.
6. Indigestion of food.

The opposites of above-mentioned reason normalize the vitiated pitta.

KAPHA: Kapha provides bulk to body, lubrications, moistness, fertility, stability, strength, and memory. Helps in binding process wherever necessary. This is heaviest of all doshas.

Kapha dominated regions are chest, neck, head, stomach, body fat, nose and tongue

Kapha gets vitiated due to following reasons.

1. Sleeping in daytime.
2. Consuming sweets, chilled food, in excess.
3. Consuming fish, sesame, sugarcane, milk and milk products.

The opposites of above-mentioned reason normalize the vitiated kapha.

When these doshas are in balanced condition the body remains healthy. If these doshas get imbalanced the body succumbs to diseases. Doshas get imbalanced frequently due to change in climate, seasons, lifestyles, diet etc. The treatment is to bring back the doshas to normalcy and expel the toxin or ama produced during the imbalanced condition.

Causes of Genital Herpes

Herpes is caused by a virus the herpes simplex virus (HSV), which belongs to the same family of viruses that cause chickenpox. There are two types of herpes simplex viruses

1. Herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1) and mostly causes oral herpes
2. Herpes simplex type 2 (HSV-2). And mostly causes genital herpes

However, both type-1 and type-2 can occur in the genitals, oral area or both. Due to unhealthy life styles and diet the delicate balance between doshas get disturbed. This disturbs the body fire or Agni. (Agni is the body fire, which is responsible for transformation of one substance to another. It breaks down the food substances, eliminates toxins and wastes, maintains body temperature, and resists the invasion of microbes by maintaining strong body immunity.

The body fire, which is assisted by balanced doshas, digests the food completely to form Pakwa Anna rasa (the liquid form of food which is completely digested by digestive enzymes), which is ready to get absorbed by body tissues. According to ayurveda Pakwa Anna Rasa nourishes the body and its components to keep the body devoid of diseases. But when body fire is impaired there will be an incomplete digestion of food forming Apakwa Rasa (indigested food). The indigested food fails to nourish the body components leading to lowered body resistance.)

The disturbed Agni fails to digest the food and toxins get accumulated in body due to improper metabolism. Accumulation of toxins reduces the body immunity and paves the way for invasion by microbes. When a person who has low immunity comes in contact with HSV virus, he/she gets the genital or oral herpes.

Unhealthy lifestyle

1. Over eating
2. Sleeping in afternoons.
3. Over physical exertion.
4. Over mental exertion
5. Consuming food frequently even when not hungry.
6. Constant exposure to hot sunny climates

Unhealthy diet

Excessive consumption of

1. Salty, sour, hot, spicy food.
2. Sour curds
3. Alcohol.
4. Cheese
5. Charred and overcooked food.
6. Sesame, Bengal gram, horse gram, sesame oil, rice flour, garlic, fish.

Opposite foods

1. Curds, salt, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, sour fruits, meat, prawn, pork, should not be consumed with milk. The above-mentioned foods should not be consumed by mixing one item with another.

2. Sprouts, honey and milk should not be consumed with meat and fish.

3. Fish & milk: fish &sugarcane juice; jaggery & pork; honey & pork; milk & mango; banana & milk; are opposite foods.

The Transmission Of genital Herpes

A person can get genital herpes in following conditions

1. If he is sexual active and when he performs sex (oral or genital) with infected partners.

2. A person who has oral herpes transmits herpes to genital organs of a partner during oral sex and a person who has genital herpes transmits this to his partner during coitus when they have a genital contact.

3. The disease gets transmitted when mucous membrane comes in contact with infected area.

The disease gets transmitted mostly during active phase. But it may spread even during asymptomatic (when person is free of symptoms for a particular duration) phase. The virus needs a fluid media for its transportation. The body fluids like saliva, semen, vaginal tract secretions etc. Mucous membranes in mouth, vagina, urethra or open wounds facilitate the virus invasion due to their moistness.

In Genital herpes there is an imbalance of all three doshas (VATA, PITTA, KAPHA), which in turn vitiate lasika (lymph), blood (rakta), muscle (mamsa) and skin (twacha).

The imbalanced doshas vitiate skin and the immunity of skin cells is lowered. The virus attacks these weak cells and starts exhibiting symptoms on affected area.

Local symptoms

1. Pricking sensation

2. Edema

3. Pain

4. Feeling of constriction

5. A sensation of ant creeping

6. Many small eruptions gathering in a small area.

7. These eruptions or blisters burst soon with exudates.

8. These blisters will have different colors according to involvement of doshas. (Blackish red or blue in vata, red, yellow, copper colored in pitta, shades of white in kapha).

The weakened body immune system tries to resist the virus invasion but fails to achieve the goal. In this futile attempt the following systemic symptoms are exhibited.

Systemic symptoms

1. Fever
2. Weakness
3. Indigestion
4. Impaired bowels
5. Increased frequency of urination.
6. Body pain.
7. Increased thirst.

Imbalanced vata causes the symptoms like pain, swelling and body ache

The imbalanced pitta and vitiated blood and skin cause

1. Blisters,
2. Change the color of skin,
3. Cause burning sensation, and fever.

The imbalanced kapha and vitiated lymph cause itching, tingling sensation.

After the first attack the virus moves from skin through the nerve paths to base of the nerve and becomes inactive. Now the herpes infected person will be devoid of all symptoms. But the imbalance of doshas still persists.

Reactivation of Virus to cause outbreaks

At unpredictable times, the virus becomes active. It multiplies and resurfaces on skin by traveling through the nerve path and exhibits the symptoms locally. The severity of symptoms of out break depends on the strength of body immunity.

The pelvis or shroni, nerves and skin are dominated by vata. When vata gets vitiated due to precipitating factors, it reactivates the virus dormant in base of nerve end and the virus travel through nerve paths to reach the skin surface.

Precipitating Factors

As we know the outbreaks have few precipitating factors like

1. Excessive exposure to sun.
2. Illness,
3. Poor diet,
4. Emotional stress
5. Physical stress,
6. Friction,
7. Steroids
8. Menstruation. 9. Emotional stress.
10. Genital trauma and intercourse.
11. Repeated infections such as a cold or pneumonia.

These factors increase vata and increased vata activates the virus, which is dormant.

Low Immunity The systemically imbalanced doshas interfere with the body metabolism by vitiating the body fire (agni). This leads to indigestion and malassimilation of nutrients, which in turn causes poor immunity. Due to decreased immunity the body fails to offer resistance to outbreaks.

Ayurveda Tips to avoid outbreaks

Avoid

1. Spicy, sour, fried and junk food, which aggravates vata.
2. Precipitating factors.
3. Sleeping in afternoon.
4. Meat products over fried or deep fried in oil or fat.
5. Charred and overcooked food.
6. Consuming opposite food like fish and milk etc
7. Physical exertion after a meal
8. Taking bath immediately after exercise or heavy outdoor work.

Include honey, pomegranate, and fruits of Emblica officinalis, legumes, dates and raisins in your diet.

Practice Yoga and Meditation to control emotional disturbances

Ayurveda References

1. Sushruta Samhita
2. Charaka Samhita
3. Madhava nidana
4. Ashtanga Sangraha
5. Yoga Ratnakara

2008-01-13T00:59:00.003-08:00

6 Truths about Ayurveda

6 Truths about Ayurveda
#1 Ayurvedic medicine is less effective.
Truth: It is true that this method of treatment calls for more patience and endurance. The effectiveness can be cited by this example.
Whenever there is a tear in a cloth or a hole in a pitcher, we intend to rectify it using the similar material that it is made of. Similarly any fault in human body also calls to be corrected by use of natural resources, as much as possible.
#2 Ayurvedic medicines are slow in showing results.
Truth: The irony lies with the delay from patients side. Most patients visiting holistic practitioners take their time in trying other systems of medicine so as to derive a faster result. This not only delays the effect of medicine, it also hampers the working of the drug. This is because the patient has either tried much more complicated and powerful combination of drugs, the effect of which needs to be neutralized first. Or in the mean time, his malady has substantially become deep rooted and taken chronic form. It may at times show to work slowly, but as the fable goes slow and steady wins the race.
# 3 Ayurvedic medicine has side effects.
Truth: Any side effect from medicine, of any therapy, may result from the misuse of drug, either in processing or in prescribing. As far as side effect or after effect is concerned, I believe time tested medicines are safer provided the former two factors are precise. The safety of Ayurvedic medicine and mode of treatment may be advocated in 3 pints.
1. In Ayurveda the very first principle in treating a disease is to do away with the basic cause, and also to see that no new ailment emerges as a consequence. A disease is eradicated from its roots. 2. Ayurveda insists that medicine be centered at the patient, than on the disease. The mind, body and soul are considered a tripod and medicine is prescribed for overall health augmentation. 3. Since Ayourvda deals with preparations mainly from herbs and natural resources, it is a harmless therapy with least or no side effects.
#4 Ayurvedic medicines are for older patients.
Truth: There is no known limitation in this form of treatment. It is equally suited to all age groups. Ayurveda could be considered a boon for children when their body system is yet tender and in process of immunity building. The natural products do not interfere with their body resistance and at the same time tends to be more safe and comforting.
#5 Ayurvedic medicines are just an alternative.
Truth: Ayurvedic system of medicine is incorrectly quoted as an alternate therapy as this has always been the most ancient and complete system of medicine. Its been existing before the birth of other medical therapies. The word Ayurveda is itself derived from Ayush which means life and Veda which means science. There fore, Ayurveda is the complete science of life. It is a treasure to provide every individual a life full of health, vigor and vitality.

2008-01-13T00:59:00.001-08:00

Therapeutic Uses of Honey in Ayurveda

The FAO Codex Alimentarius Commission defines honey as the natural sweet substance produced by honeybees from the nectar of flowers or from secretions coming from living organisms feeding on plants, that bees gather, transform and combine with specific ingredients, store and leave to ripen in the combs of the hive.

In Ayurveda honey is called as "Madhu". Its qualities are explained as follows.

Vaatalam guru sheetam cha raktapittakaphapaham | Sandhatru cchedanam ruksham kashayam madhuram madhu ||

It has sweetness (madhura rasa) with added astringent as end taste (Kashaya anu rasa). It is heavy (guru guna), dry (ruksha) and cold (sheeta). Its effect on doshas is as follows It aggravates vata, scrapes kapha and normalizes pitta and rakta. It promotes healing process.

The contents of Honey are
1. Sugars like fructose, glucose, sucrose, maltose, lactose and other disaccharides and trisaccharides.
2. Proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, enzymes and amino acids,
3. Volatile aromatic substances.
4. Ashes and water etc.

Various ingredients of honey have helped it to become not only a sweet liquid but also a natural product with high nutritional and medicinal value.

The medicinal quality, taste, texture, color, aroma of honey differs according to the geographical area and the species of plants from which it has been collected.

Types of Honey:

Eight types of honey are described in ayurveda depending on the type of bee which collects it. They are Pouttika ,Bhramara .Kshoudra, Makshika , Chatra , Arghya ,Oudalaka ,Dala .

Pouttika - This honey is collected by very large bees from the nectar of poisonous flowers. It increases vata, causes gout and burning sensation in chest.It is also sedative and reduces fat.

Bhramara - This honey is collected by large bees and Sticky in nature.

Kshoudra - (Honey collected by medium sized honey bees ) light and cold in nature. Dissolves Kapha.

Makshika - (Honey collected by small honey bees) very light and dry natured. Usefull in VataKapha diseases and kapha diseases

Chatra - Heavy and cold in nature usefull in gout, Leucoderma (Shwitra),

Arghya - Good for eyes but causes arthritis .

Oudalaka - Useful in skin diseases, and helps in modulation of voice.

Dala - Dry and reduces vomiting.

Amongst all the above "Makshika" is considered as the best type with immense medicinal properties.

Therapeutic uses of Honey:

1. As it contains sugars which are quickly absorbed by our digestive system and converted into energy, this can be used as instant energizer.
2. As it is hygroscopic it speeds up healing, growth of healing tissue and dries it up.
3. Honey acts as a sedative and is very usefull in bed wetting disorders.
4. Honey is very good antioxident which restores the damaged skin and gives soft, young looks.
5. Honey has antibacterial properties due to its acidic nature and enzymically produced hydrogen peroxide.
6. Constant use of honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles to fight bacteria and viral diseases.

In Ashtanga Hridaya the great classic of ayurveda, the therapeutic uses of honey are explained as follows.

Chakshushayam Chedi tritshleshmavishahidmaasrapittanut | Mehakushtakrimicchardishwaasakaasaatisaarajit || Vranashodhana sandhaanaropanam vaatalam madhu ||

Honey is very good for eyes and eye sight.
It quenches thirst.
Dissolves kapha.
Reduces effects of poison.
Stops hiccups.
It is very useful in urinary tract disorders, worm infestations, bronchial asthma, cough, diarrhea and nausea -vomiting.
Cleanse the wounds.
It heals wounds.
Helps in quick healing of deep wounds.
Initiates growth of healthy granulation tissue.
Honey which is newly collected from bee hive increases body weight and is a mild laxative.
Honey which is stored and is old helps in metabolism of fat and scrapes Kapha.

Ayurveda explains another special quality of honey. Honey is called as Yogavahi . The substance which has a quality of penetrating the deepest tissue is called as Yogavahi. When honey is used with other herbal preparations it enhances the medicinal qualities of those preparations and also helps them to reach the deeper tissues.

Precautions to be taken before using honey:

Honey should not be mixed with hot foods.
Honey should not be heated.
Honey should not be consumed when you are working in hot environment where you are exposed to more heat
. Honey should never be mixed with rain water, hot and spicy foods, and Fermented beverages like whisky, rum, brandy etc, Ghee and mustard.
Honey includes nectar of various flowers of which some may be poisonous. Poison has hot or Ushna qualities. When honey is mixed with hot and spicy foods the poisonous properties get enhanced and cause imbalance of doshas.

Few Home remedies with Honey Mix 2 tea spoon of honey with carrot juice and consume regularly. This helps to improve eyesight and is very helpful for those who sit before computer for long hours.
In cold, cough and congested chest mix 2 tea spoons of honey with equal quantity of ginger juice and should be consumed frequently.
A mixture of black pepper powder, honey and ginger juice in equal quantities, when consumed thrice daily help to relieve the symptoms of asthma.
Regular use of one tea spoon of garlic juice mixed with two tea spoons of honey help to control blood pressure.
One glass of warm water taken with two tea spoons of honey and 1 tea spoon of lemon juice in early morning reduces fat and purifies blood.

Consuming one spoon of honey daily help us to lead a healthy long life.

2008-01-13T00:58:00.001-08:00

Ayurveda

Ayurveda is a branch of the Vedas. Originated in ancient India, 'Vedas' means knowledge and it there were Vedas written for every aspect of life. Ayurveda provides an integrated approach to the prevention and treatment of illness through lifestyle interventions and a wide range of natural therapies. Ayurvedic theory states that all imbalance and disease in the body begin with imbalance or stress in the awareness, or consciousness, of the individual. This mental stress leads to unhealthy lifestyles, which further promote ill health. Therefore, mental techniques such as meditation are considered essential to the promotion of healing and to prevention. Artha-Veda unfolds statecraft

Ayur-Veda sets forth medicine and health

Dhanur-Veda discusses military science

Gandharva-Veda illumines music and the arts

Sthapatya-Veda explains architecture

The Universe, according to ancient Indian thinking is composed of five basic elements, namely: Prithivi (earth), Apya(water), Teja(fire), Vayu(air) and Akash(ether). As the human body is similarly constituted, there is a fundamental harmony between the universe and man, a healthy balance between the microcosm and macrocosm. Ayurveda describes all physical manifestations of disease as due to the imbalance of these basic physiological principles in the body.

Ayurveda_2 True medicine, according to Ayurveda is one, which cures the disease without causing any side effect. It is in this aspect that Ayurveda enjoys an advantage over the modern system of medicine.Health, according to Ayurveda, is the natural state of all three aspects of human being i.e. body, mind and the soul (Indriyas, Manas and atma). In addition, effects of yogic postures and breathing on finger blood flow showed consistent changes with various breathing practices, changes that were more pronounced in trained yogic practitioners. Changes in endocrine hormone measurements also have been associated with certain Ayurvedic practices.

Measurement of metabolic rate, oxygen exchange, lung capacity, and red and white blood cell counts have been found to be associated with general yogic training and in some cases with specific asanas (posture). When the natural state comes in contact with unhappiness (Dukhasamayoga) disease result. Ayurveda has eight distinct- branches :-

1. General medicine
2. Surgery
3. Ear, nose, throat, eye and mouth diseases
4. Psychiatry
5. Midwifery and pediatrics
6. Toxicology
7. Rejuvenation and tonics and
8. AphrodiasicsIt is because of these eight branches that Ayurveda is known as the Astanga-ayurveda.

Ayurveda describes all physical manifestations of disease as due to the imbalance of three basic physiological principles in the body, called doshas, which are believed to govern all bodily functions. Evaluation of these three doshas--vata, pitta, and kapha--is accomplished primarily by feeling the patient's pulse at the radial artery, which is a detailed and systematic technique called nadi vigyan.

This evaluation determines the types of herbs prescribed, and it guides the physician in the application of all other ayurvedic therapies.Vata - is likened to the wind, which is constantly moving and hence represents the central nervous system.Pitta - the sun, which is a source of energy. It represents the digestive system and biochemical processesKapha - governs the balance of tissue fluid and controls the cell growth and the firmness of the body. Similar to the moon governing the tides.Specific lifestyle interventions are a major preventive and therapeutic approach in Ayurveda as well. Each patient is prescribed an individualized dietary, eating, sleeping, and exercise program depending on his or her constitutional type and the nature of the underlying dosha imbalance at the source of the illness.

The Ayurvedic practitioner uses a variety of precise body postures, all derived from the age-old discipline of yoga; breathing exercises; and meditative techniques. These postures are used to create an individualized self-care program to improve both physical health and personal consciousness. In addition, herbal preparations are added to the patient's diet for preventive and rejuvenative purposes as well as for the treatment of specific disorders.In addition to mental factors, lifestyle, and dosha imbalance, Ayurveda identifies a fourth major factor in disease: the accumulation of metabolic byproducts and toxins in the body tissues. Ayurvedic physical therapy, called panchakarma, consists of physical applications, including herbalized oil massage, herbalized heat treatments, and elimination therapies (e.g., therapies to improve bowel movements), which promote internal cleansing and removal of such toxic metabolic wastes. Certain of the agents used in panchakarma therapy are proposed to have free-radical scavenging, or antioxidant, effects.

Free radicals are naturally occurring atoms or molecules that are highly reactive with anything they come into contact with. A recently developed theory suggests that free radicals play important roles in causing a wide range of degenerative and chronic disorders, including cancer and aging. Thus, substances with antioxidant properties may be effective in preventing, or even treating, myriad conditions.

Ayurveda emphasizes the interdependence of the health of the individual and the quality of societal life. Therefore, measures to ensure the collective health of society, such as pollution control, community hygiene, the collective practice of meditation programs, and appropriate living conditions, are supported.In addition, effects of yogic postures and breathing on finger blood flow showed consistent changes with various breathing practices, changes that were more pronounced in trained yogic practitioners. Changes in endocrine hormone measurements also have been associated with certain Ayurvedic practices.

Measurement of metabolic rate, oxygen exchange, lung capacity, and red and white blood cell counts have been found to be associated with general yogic training and in some cases with specific asanas (posture).Ayurveda has been known to treat people with various chronic diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, chronic bronchitis, eczema, psoriasis, hypertension, constipation, headaches, chronic sinusitis, and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus In addition, published studies have documented reductions in cardiovascular disease risk factors, including blood pressure, cholesterol, and reaction to stress, in individuals practicing Ayurvedic methods and have shown improvement in overall health care utilization measures among meditators.

The "technology" of meditative practices has been subjected to studies showing physiological changes of heart rate, blood pressure, brain cortex activity, metabolism, respiration, muscle tension, lactate level, skin resistance, salivation, and pain and stress responses (improvement), and both negative and positive behavioral effects.

2008-01-13T00:20:00.000-08:00

Ayurveda and Yoga, Ancient Sister Sciences

Ayurveda and yoga are sister sciences that have been united for thousands of years for the sake of healing body, mind, and consciousness. Generally speaking, Ayurveda deals more with the health of the body, while yoga deals with purifying the mind and consciousness, but in reality they complement and embrace each other.

The ancient rishis (seers) were the original masters of all Vedic sciences. They understood that good health is a great asset on the path toward Self-realization. If the body is neglected it can easily become an obstacle to spiritual practice. Anyone who has practiced meditation for any length of time would agree to how difficult it can be to sit still for long periods of time without feeling discomfort and fatigue. Both yoga and Ayurveda are mutually supportive and offer many ways to prevent and heal various disorders as well as to cleanse and rejuvenate the body.

Besides sharing a philosophical foundation, both systems have many similarities in relation to attitude, nutrition, diet, hygiene, exercise, cleansing practices, as well as spiritual practices. Traditionally, a student of yoga would first live close to and serve the guru for many years, during which time he would learn healthy habits. The basic Ayurvedic principles for health and longevity were past on in the lineage in oral form to serve as a foundation for a life of sadhana (spiritual practice).

Nowadays, the teachings of yoga are easily available to all, and whether prepared or not we can leap headlong into its practice. This has its blessings, in the sense that more people can be turned on to the teachings, although much is often lost without the parampara, or close guidance at the feet of an accomplished master. With this in mind, modern yoga practitioners would most certainly benefit from a basic knowledge of Ayurveda to help establish a healthy daily routine and adjust their practice according to the constitution, dosha imbalance, season, and so on, to prevent disease and promote longevity.

First, lets take a look at the similarities between yoga and Ayurveda:

* Both are ancient Vedic teachings. Yoga originates in the Yajur Veda, while Ayurveda originates in the Atharva Veda and Rig Veda.

* Both recognize that keeping the body healthy is vital for fulfilling the four aims of life: Dharma (duty), Artha (wealth), Kama (desire), and Moksha (liberation).

* Both recognize that the balance of doshas (humors), dhatus (tissues), and malas (waste products) is essential for maintaining good health.

* Both share virtually the same metaphysical anatomy and physiology, which consists of 72,000 nadis (subtle channels), 7 main chakras (energy centers), 5 bodily sheaths, and the Kundalini Shakti (energy).

* Both advocate the use of diet, herbs, asana, pranayama, meditation, mantra, astrology, prayer, puja, and rituals for healing the entire being.

* Both encourage physical health as a good foundation for mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

* Both share the same view on psychology. Ayurveda embraces all six of the main schools of philosophy including the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and Vedanta (a non-dual philosophical and spiritual path). They both understand that the attachment to the body-mind complex is the root cause of all suffering and that the ultimate state of health is experienced when we abide in our true nature, which is total peace, regardless of the state of the physical body.

* Both use cleansing methods for the body, all of which encourage the removal of waste products and toxins through their natural routes of elimination. Ayurveda has panchakarma (five cleansing actions) and yoga uses Shat Karma (six purification measures).

Ayurvedic approach to asana practice

The use of asana, pranayama, and meditation for healing is known as Yoga Chikitsa, or Yoga Therapy and has been used for thousands of years by Ayurvedic and yogic adepts. In Yoga Chikitsa, a group of yogic exercises are chosen that will best support the individual and are practiced daily. This can be done over an extended period of time in conjunction with an Ayurvedic regime and herbal and dietary therapies. Yoga Chikitsa also plays an integral role in the Ayurvedic cleansing and rejuvenation process known as panchakarma.

For a well balanced personal yoga practice, it is important to take into consideration the individuals body structure, prakruti (original constitution), and vikruti (present constitutional imbalance). The following are general recommendations according to the predominant dosha.

Vata predominant individuals should remember to focus on calming, grounding, stillness, strengthening, and balancing while doing their practice.

Precautions for vata:

* Vinyasa or flow styles of yoga tend to move too quickly from one pose to the next and can aggravate the hyper-mobile quality of vata over time. Flow sequences can be made to be more vata pacifying if they are not excessively long, the length of time poses are held is extended, and transitions are done slowly and consciously.

* Those with lower back problems may find that bending the knees in standing forward bends can prevent discomfort.

* Back bends should be done slowly, carefully and within one's own limits.

Pitta individuals should maintain a calm, cool, and relaxed intention while doing asanas. Pitta types may benefit from trying to cultivate an attitude of forgiveness, and of surrendering or offering the fruits of their practice to the divine of to those in need of positive healing energy. Because asana practice tends to generate heat in the body, it is best to do them at cooling times of the day, such as dawn or dusk. Also, it is useful to place some emphasis on poses that help to release excess heat from the body, such as poses that compress the solar plexus and poses that open the chest like.

Kapha types tend to be sedentary and often dislike vigorous exercise. For this reason, their practice should be energetic, warming, lightening, and stimulating, providing they are physically capable. Vinyasa or flow style yoga is good for kapha because it is dynamic and moves quickly from one pose to the next, it induces sweating and gets the heart pumping.

Yoga poses that address specific doshic problems can be easily added to an Ayurvedic regime and integrated into an existing yoga routine, or they can be organized as a small session with the help of an Ayurvedic clinician who knows each individual case well and can help set up a well balanced program according to the needs of each client.

Ayurveda also offers Yoga Chikitsa, or Yoga Therapy, for specific doshic disorders. It is advised to consult an Ayurvedic practitioner for an individualized regime.

Ayurvedic Approach to Pranayama (breathing techniques).

The ultimate goal of pranayama is to calm the mind and prepare it for meditation. It also has a therapeutic effect on the physical body as well. It is not essential to do a pranayama practice according to dosha, but knowing its effects on the body is a valuable tool for management of the doshas. Below is a general list of pranayama and bandha exercises according to dosha.

Vata: Nadi Shodhana, Kapala Bhati, Agnisara Dhauti, Ujjayi, Tri Bandha, Maha Mudra.

Pitta: Sheetali or Sitkari, Nadi shodhana.

Kapha: Bastrika, Agnisara Dhauti, Kapala Bhati, Ashvini Mudra (contracting and releasing Mula Bandha), Ashvini Mudra, Ujjayi, Tri Bandha, Maha Mudra.

Furthermore, the Four Purifications taught in our workshops is an ancient method from the Ashtanga Yoga for purifying the gross and subtle body in order to prepare it for more advanced practices. They are tridoshic and safe for everyone, providing they are performed correctly.

Meditation According to Dosha.

These spiritual paths and their meditation techniques can be practiced by anyone, regardless of their prakruti. This list is only intended to give an idea on how dosha can support or influence ones spiritual practice. Many traditions of yoga blend various aspects of the paths listed here.

* Vata: Kriya Yoga or Ashtanga Yoga and other structured techniques help to keep vata stabilized and focused.

* Pitta: Jnana Yoga and Vedanta are good for pitta types because they often have sharp intellects and have a keen interest in self-study (Atma-vichara).

* Kapha: Bhakti yoga is natural for kapha types because they are often loving and devotional by nature.

Ayurvedic and Yogic Diet.

Ayurveda is more concerned with food being constitutionally balanced, while Yoga promotes a diet that is sattwic (light and pure). A combination of both aspects is the best choice for a yogi or anyone wanting to make real progress on a spiritual path.

Ayurvedic diet:

* According to dosha.

* Primarily vegetarian (meat is used as medicine, mainly for extreme deficiencies).

* Primarily cooked (raw food in moderation, especially for vata types).

* Containing six tastes.

Yogic diet:

* Sattwic vegetarian diet.

* Easy to digest.

* Simple meals (to limit desire).

* Both cooked and raw.

* Foods recommended in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika consist of rejuvenating substances such as wheat, whole grain, white basmati, corn, raw milk, raw sugar, butter, ghee, honey, dried ginger, mung beans, pure water, vegetables.

* Fruits, roots and nuts.

* Avoiding excessive hot, sour, salty, fermented, and fried foods.

* Avoiding tamasic (dulling) foods like meat, onions, garlic and mushrooms as a regular part of the daily diet.

Cleansing in Yoga and Ayurveda.

Ayurveda and Yoga both emphasize cleansing of the body for health and support of spiritual practices. Their methods are similar and work by expelling excess dosha and ama, or toxins, using the body's natural routes of elimination.

The yogic method is known in the Ashtanga tradition as Shat Karma, or six cleansing measures. These are:

1. Neti (nasal cleansing):

Jala neti (salt water flushing of the sinuses).

Sutra neti (nasal cleaning with string).

2. Dhauti (washing the GI tract).

Teeth, tongue, eyes, ears and forehead.

Agnisara Dhauti.

Vamana Dhauti (vomiting salt water).

Vastra Dhauti (washing with a cloth).

Varisara Dhauti (washing with water for purgation).

3. Basti (enema).

4. Trataka (forehead wash, gazing into a candle flame).

5. Nauli (intestinal washing, abdominal rolling).

6. Kapala Bhati (skull shining).

The Ayurvedic method for cleansing and rejuvenation is known as panchakarma (pancha karma), or five cleansing actions. This program is usually done for a week or two, but can also be done for longer periods depending on the case. The five actions of this method are:

1. Basti (Enema).

2. Nasya (Nasal application of herbs and herbal oils).

3. Vamana (Therapeutic vomiting).

4. Virechana (Purgation).

5. Rakta Moksha (Blood letting).

It is obvious that Ayurveda and yoga not only complement each other. Both sciences actually embrace each other as they share similarities and fundamental principles on many levels. Ayurveda and yoga should go hand in hand if we want to achieve optimal health, peace, and longevity.

ireland

2008-01-13T00:15:00.000-08:00

Travelling to and within Ireland.

To enjoy travelling in Ireland one has to have first travelled to Ireland.
As Ireland is an island nation, travelling to Ireland means arriving by either air or sea.
One also has to consider the modes of transport on offer to travel around this wonderful country.

If you intend to arrive by air, you will enter the country through one of four airports.
For visitors arriving on flights directly from/through North America either Shannon or Dublin airports will be your destination. Shannon Airport due to its proximity to Cork & Kerry is the most ideal destination. Dublin Airport is Ireland's biggest airport, serving the North Atlantic routes, Middle and Far Eastern routes and European routes. Regular shuttle flights are available between Dublin and both Cork and Kerry Airports. Cork Airport can be reached from many European destinations as well as from all over the world if you change flights at either London or Dublin. Cork Airport is, at the most, just two hours away from a stay in the Cork / Kerry region. Your final choice of arrival airport is Kerry Airport. Kerry Airport can be reached by flights from the U.K., or Düsseldorf.
If you intend to arrive by sea, which is ideal for those who wish to use their own car, there is a choice of 3 ports of arrival. The closest port of arrival is Ringaskiddy, which is just outside Cork City. Next Rosslare, which is located in the southeast corner of Ireland and is suitable for those who prefer a shorter sea journey. Finally Dun Laoghaire just outside Dublin links with Holyhead in North Wales for visitors coming through from the Midlands and Northern England.

If you have arrived in Ireland by air or sea at Dublin / Dun Laoghaire or by sea at Rosslare, a comfortable way to travel onward to Cork or Kerry is by train (Iarnród Éireann).
Kent station in Cork is less than 5 minutes walk from the city centre. It is also possible to change trains at Mallow to get to Millstreet, Killarney and Tralee. For Killarney and Tralee this will cost a small bit extra. Full timetables are posted at all stations.
Travelling by bus (Bus Eireann) is a cheap way to get around Ireland and a great way to meet people. Often very lively conversations will develop during your journey, with plenty of advice given for your stay in Ireland. The Dublin Bus Navigator is useful for finding your way around the capital city. The cheapest way to travel by bus is to get a rambler ticket available from most bus stations. These give unlimited travel on all Scheduled services - excluding Day Tours.
If you are travelling as a group of 10 people or more, then why not hire a coach for your stay in Ireland. This way you will be chauffeured day and night to you chosen destinations in safety and with no worries about who drinks and who does the driving!
For complete travel independence a car is your best choice whether you bring your own or hire one. The roads in Ireland are uncluttered and once off the main National primary routes, roads are considered crowded if you see another car going in the same direction and one coming against you at the same time.
For those who want to travel at a leisurely pace and enjoy the fresh air, Ireland is ideal cycling country. Bicycles can be hired nationwide.
Finally hitchhiking is perfectly safe in Ireland, for those on a low budget this is an ideal way to get around and meet people. Getting a lift is quite easy, especially if you have the flag of your country sewn onto the back of your backpack and displayed so drivers can see it easily. Many local people in Ireland hitchhike so you will often have competition at the best locations for a lift, which is usually between the 30m.p.h., and 40m.p.h. signs on the road-leaving town.

2008-01-12T23:14:00.000-08:00

6 Great Las Vegas Hotels

Looking for tips on just the right place to stay on your Las Vegas vacation? There are a lot of great hotels in Vegas, but these six definitely stand out.

Wynn Hotel
The newest masterpiece by Vegas hotel legend Steve Wynn, the 50-story Wynn Hotel opened in 2004 with 2,716 rooms, an 18-hole golf course, 19 restaurants, and 54 private spa treatment rooms. His namesake hotel displays his amazing art collection, offers incredible shopping right on site, and has a posh private lobby for VIPs. And of course, there's an awesome state-of-the-art casino at it's heart.

Bellagio
Built by Steve Wynn in 1998, the lavish Bellagio has excellent rooms, awesome service, and an amazing water fountain show. In December 2004, just before the Wynn Hotel opened, the Bellagio added a special 928-room Spa Tower, boosting total capacity to 3,933 rooms. The Bellagio is so ritzy that they offer a 50-minute body bronzing treatment with real gold dust.

THEhotel at Mandalay Bay

This all-suite exclusive hotel within the larger Mandalay Bay property has 1,117 rooms that aim for a more cosmopolitan clientele than it's namesake parent. Each suite is 725 square feet of luxury with three flat-screen televisions, including one in the mega-swank bathrooms.

Four Seasons

Another swank luxury hotel within the Mandalay Bay complex, the Four Seasons occupies floors 35-39 and has rates much higher than the standard $119-$349 of its parent. Four Seasons guests have their own elevator and entrance, plus pools, spa, and restaurants in an adjacent building.

Ritz Carlton at Lake Las Vegas
The Ritz Carlton hotel is a half-hour's drive from the Strip, but it's renowned for it's golfing and outdoor activities. It nestles against manmade Lake Las Vegas where the water offers a refreshing alternative to the summertime heat. This three-year-old Tuscan-themed resort still maintains a touch of the glitz: Guests can stay on a special bridge with suites built to recreate Florence's legendary Ponte Vecchio (Bridge of Gold).

Venetian Resort Hotel Casino
Located near the Wynn, this 4,027-suite hotel is part of the Sands Hotel group. Rooms are luxuriously appointed and the casino is magnificent. Coming this summer is a new theater hosting Andrew Lloyd Webber's smash hit musical, the "Phantom of the Opera."

So, there you have it. Six great Vegas hotels that will never fail to dazzle and are guaranteed to impress even the most jaded repeat visitor. Just be sure to book ahead to get the best discounts on room rates and snag hard-to-get show tickets well in advance.

2008-01-12T04:54:00.001-08:00

Pregnant women plagued by cravings for pickles and ice cream must remember to include plenty of folic acid in their diets. Shown to reduce the risk of miscarriage and birth defects, folic acid – found primarily in leafy green vegetables – is an absolute necessity for any woman who is pregnant or is considering becoming pregnant. In fact, "health officials at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommend that all women of childbearing age take folic acid (0.4 mg daily) to protect their future newborns from developing a neural tube defect, an anomaly of the spinal cord," writes Burton Goldberg in Alternative Medicine.

However, it's not just expectant moms who could stand to add more leafy greens to their plates. Because it is useful in combating everything from acne and canker sores to osteoporosis and cancer, we could all benefit from adding more folic acid to our diets. Along with pregnant women, elderly individuals and people suffering from depression or nervous system disorders especially stand to gain from the addition of this B vitamin.

Folic acid, the synthetic form of the B vitamin folate, works primarily in the brain and nervous system and is necessary for the synthesis of DNA, the production of red and white blood cells and of norepinephrine and serotonin in the nervous system. Folic acid also aids in the elimination of the amino acid homocysteine from the blood, a breakdown product of animal protein (methionine, actually) that contributes to heart attacks. A lack of folic acid can lead to anemia, insomnia, irritability and far more serious health problems.

Despite its range of health benefits, many Americans are deficient in the vitamin, coming nowhere near the government's recommended daily allowance of 200 micrograms daily. "The average American gets only 61 percent of the old Recommended Dietary Allowance, which is too low anyway," says James Duke, PhD in Anti-Aging Prescriptions. Part of the reason for the shortfall is that more Americans are choosing to eat more animal foods – which are a poor source of folic acid – rather than folic-acid rich plant foods, like dark green vegetables, legumes, root vegetables and whole grains.

Dr. Andrew Weil, in Ask Dr. Weil, recommends the use of supplements to make up for the deficiency. "As many as 90 percent of Americans don't get that protective 400 micrograms in their diet – for example, you'd have to eat two cups of steamed spinach, a cup of boiled lentils, or eight oranges every day. So it's important to take a supplement, especially if you're a woman and considering having children someday." As Dr. Weil suggests, for women who are deficient in this essential vitamin, the health costs can be especially high.

Folic acid is essential for pregnant women. Not only does it protect against cervical cancer, it also aids in healthy prenatal development and can significantly reduce the risk of serious neural tube birth defects and abnormalities that occur in very early fetal development, such as spina bifida. However, experts say most women aren't getting adequate levels of folic acid early enough to offer the best protection against birth defects.

"Very few women of child bearing years are taking folic acid… If a person waits until pregnant, the fetal abnormality is already established. All women of child-bearing age who might become pregnant should be taking 400 mg of folic acid," advises Dr. James Howenstine in A Physicians Guide To Natural Health Products That Work. To make matters even more difficult, women who take birth control pills are especially prone to deficiency in the B vitamin since birth control pills actually produce folic acid deficiency.

Men planning to become fathers need to monitor their folic acid intake as well, as low folic acid levels in males has been linked to low sperm count, and some studies suggest deficiency can also damage DNA carried by the sperm. Such damaged DNA could lead to chromosomal damage in a fetus, according to Bottom Line Yearbook 2004. In other words, both men and women who plan to have children should increase their folic acid intake for the sake of their baby-to-be.

Folic acid promotes good health for the mind and body, from the earliest stages of life to the latest. Men and women over 60 who feel fatigued and depressed may simply be suffering from a folic acid deficiency. In fact, folic acid deficiency has been linked to depression in patients of all ages, and according to Gary Null'sComplete Guide of Natural Healing, "the lower the level of folic acid in the blood, the higher the degree of depression."

Folic acid can also help ward off dementia, according to Patrick Quillin in Beating Cancer With Nutrition, who wrote that experts estimate up to 20 percent of senility in older adults is simply the result of a long-term deficiency of folic acid and vitamin B-12, which can be aided by taking supplements. However, when taking folic acid supplements, it is important to remember that folic acid and vitamin B-12 work most effectively together, so you should make sure you are getting enough vitamin B-12, as well. Vegans often struggle with this balance since their diets are very rich in folic acid but not in B-12.

The meager representation of folic acid in the American diet can be increased if we all just take a little more care in planning our meals. One way to up folic acid consumption is to make sure your diet includes raw foods, since heat from cooking easily destroys folic acid. And remember, sources of folic acid are plentiful – soybeans, spinach, broccoli, cabbage, peanuts, asparagus, citrus fruits, brussels sprouts, avocado, sunflower seeds, orange juice and don't forget those leafy greens – we just have to be willing to integrate these foods into our diets.

And who wouldn't be willing? After all, some added folic acid could go a long way in helping keep your nervous and circulatory systems in check, while also protecting your body from cancer and heart problems, as well as promoting healthy fetal development in babies. Folic acid is something we need at all stage of life, so we owe it to ourselves to get enough.

The experts speak on folic acid

General information on folic acid

A study is available from the Washington Council for Responsible Nutrition that reports women taking Vitamin E over age 50 and folic acid and Zinc during childbearing years would save Medicare 11 billion dollars, and overall reduce birth defects and coronary heart disease hospital expenses of 20 billion dollars per year.
Anti-Aging Manual by Joseph B Marion, page 100

WHAT IS IT? Even though your body needs only comparatively minuscule amounts of folic acid, it is a vital nutrient. Folic acid—along with all the other nutrients, of course—is your guarantee of optimum physical and mental health. Your levels of folic acid are dependent on outside sources; your body does not make it on its own. Furthermore, it needs vitamin C to work properly. It works in partnership with B12 and B6, as well as the other B vitamins. Folic acid is essential to the production of norepinephrine and serotonin, chemical go-betweens of the nervous system.
Complete Guide Health Nutrition by Gary Null, page 284

Folic acid is one of the B vitamins that is crucial for the synthesis of DNA (genetic material) as well as for many other important cell functions. It was discovered in spinach leaves in 1941 and was named "folate," after the Latin word for leaf (folium). The terms folate and folic acid are roughly synonymous. For the sake of simplicity, I will generally use the latter term. Not surprisingly, this vitamin is mainly found in green leafy vegetables. Although folic acid is not an antioxidant, it boosts the antioxidant network and thus has a place in our story.
Antioxidants Against Cancer by Ralph Moss PhD, page 92

WHO NEEDS folic acid? If you are pregnant, elderly, or suffer from any sort of nervous disorder, you may benefit from additional amounts of folic acid in your diet. Pregnant women, for instance, must be wary of folic acid deficiency. Folic acid supplementation has been helpful in preventing abortion and miscarriage. The elderly need additional folic acid, too. If you are over sixty and depressed, withdrawn, and chronically tired, you may be deficient in this vital element. Let's look at the results of a study in which folic acid was added to the diets of elderly individuals: three groups of patients were used, all with varying degrees of circulation problems. The first group, those with the least degree of difficulty, experienced improved vision less than an hour after receiving folic acid. (Among those with circulatory problems, vision is often impaired because of poor circulation to the optical tissues.)
Complete Guide Health Nutrition by Gary Null, page 284

Folic acid: a water-soluble vitamin of the B complex essential for the synthesis of nucleic acids and necessary for making red blood cells (hematopoiesis), so a deficiency of folic acid results in anemia. After absorption, it is successively reduced to dihydro-folic acid and then tetrahydrofolic acid, the parent compound of the derivatives that act as coenzyme carriers of one-carbon groups in various metabolic reactions.
Building Wellness with DMG by Roger V Kendall PhD, page 216

Red blood cells are built with Vitamins B-12, folic acid, and B6.
Anti-Aging Manual by Joseph B Marion, page 100

And remember, folic acid can be destroyed by exposure to heat and strong light.
Complete Guide Health Nutrition by Gary Null, page 286

Recommendations on folic acid

Doctors routinely advise women who are pregnant, or thinking of becoming pregnant, to supplement folic acid (a B vitamin also known as folate) as a means of safeguarding against birth defects such as spinal malformations.
Anti-Aging Prescriptions by James Duke PhD, page 219

It is becoming increasingly obvious that food supplementation is necessary to prevent cancer and other diseases. The prestigious Institute of Medicine (IOM) of the National Academy of Sciences in 1998 called for supplementation with folic acid and vitamin B12.
Antioxidants Against Cancer by Ralph Moss PhD, page 10

If you're concerned that your diet might not provide enough vitamin B6 and folic acid to prevent stroke, Dr. Lieberman suggests taking supplements of both nutrients. Aim for 300 milligrams of B6 and 800 micrograms of folic acid a day Vitamin B6 doses this high, however, should only be taken under medical supervision. Add E for extra protection.
Blended Medicine by Michael Castleman, page 10

Vegetarians owe it to themselves to be extra careful about their diets. As Richard W. Vilter, M.D., of the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, warns, "Persons who eat absolutely no animal protein (called vegans) or extreme vegetarians have no source of vitamin B12, but much folic acid in their diets." Frequently in such subjects, neurologic abnormalities develop of the posterolateral column degeneration type. This is a situation analogous to a patient with pernicious anemia who is treated inadequately with a mixed vitamin capsule containing folic acid." There is another danger for those who abstain from animal foods, including dairy products: dietary deficiencies don't show up for five to ten years because the body is able to hold some B12 in reserve. Nerve damage may exist without signs of deficiency until it is too late. The result of degeneration of the nervous system and the spinal cord is so irreparable that death may be the result.
Complete Guide Health Nutrition by Gary Null, page 283

Benefits and uses of folic acid

Folic acid is important during the aging process because it provides nourishment for the brain. Folic acid supports the production of energy and the production of blood cells. Supplementing with folic acid may help in the treatment of depression.
Alternative Medicine by Burton Goldberg, page 321

Three to four hundred milligrams of vitamin B5 and 150 mg of B6 should be consumed on a daily basis, while prescriptions of folic acid can serve as natural hormone replacements. Adequate quantities of essential fatty acids should also be consumed because they act as natural hormone supplements, prevent cancer, and can alleviate the symptoms of aging.
Complete Encyclopedia Of Natural Healing by Gary Null PhD, page 258

Folic acid, the synthetic form of the B vitamin folate, is incredibly important. For one thing, folate is a key regulator of an amino acid called homocysteine, a breakdown product of animal protein. A number of studies have connected high levels of homocysteine in the blood to arterial disease and heart attacks. Folate helps the body eliminate homocysteine from the blood. Recently, Dr. Howard Morrison, an epidemiologist in Ottawa, was able to make a direct connection between folate and heart disease. He looked at folate levels in the blood of 5,056 men who had participated in a nutrition study in the 1970s, and he found that those with low levels of the vitamin were 69 percent more likely to have died from heart problems in the years since. Folate also has been found to prevent neural tube defects (such as spina bifida and anencephaly) in babies, which are caused when this structure fails to form properly. The neural tube is the embryonic tissue that later becomes the brain and spinal cord. Apparently folic acid is essential to its proper development. Earlier this year, the Food and Drug Administration ordered pasta, rice, and flour makers to add folic acid to their foods as protection against birth defects.
Ask Dr Weil by Andrew Weil MD, page 98

Proper nutritional supplementation can significantly improve cardiovascular conditions, as well as prevent them from occurring in the first place. Useful nutrients include beta carotene; vitamins B3 (niacin), Be, B12, C, and E; folic acid; the minerals calcium, chromium, magnesium, potassium, and selenium; the amino acids L-arginine, L-taurine, and L-carnitine; coenzyme Q10; and pycnogenol.
Alternative Medicine by Burton Goldberg, page 771

According to some studies, folic acid has been helpful in relieving depression, even when used in dosages as low as 400 meg. It can also enhance cerebral circulation. One study showed that people with low levels of folic acid were twice as likely as people with adequate levels to have narrowed arteries in their necks. Psychiatric symptoms also appear to be much higher in people, particularly elderly people, who have low folic acid levels. In one study, low folic acid levels increased likelihood of dementia by 300 percent. folic acid is especially effective at breaking down the common chemical homocysteine, which is a neurotoxin. An appropriate daily dosage would be 400 meg, the amount found in many multiple vitamins.
Brain Longevity by Dharma Singh Khalsa M.D. with Cameron Stauth, page 247

Folic acid: This is another member of the vitamin B family, found in abundance in liver, kidney, mushrooms, spinach, yeast and green leafy vegetables. It has been used for decades to prevent and treat certain forms of anemia. But folic acid also increases the production of white blood cells crucial in the defense against cancer. In the late 1980s, scientists at the University of Alabama Medical Center found that the folic acid in dark leafy vegetables, oranges and liver could act together with vitamin B to prevent injuries to lung tissue and retard the development of cancer among cigarette smokers. These researchers found that smokers whose lung cells were injured had low levels of both folic acid and vitamin B12. Since these nutrients are necessary to synthesize DNA, a deficiency of one or both of these vitamins could make cells more susceptible to the effects of carcinogens. These vitamins also offered protection against birth defects and cancerous changes in cervical cells.
Cancer Therapy by Ralph W Moss PhD, page 42

Floss one to two times daily and then rinse mouth (for one minute) with several mouthfuls of liquid folic acid (0.1% solution) and then swallow. In one study, 60 individuals with gingivitis rinsed for one minute two times daily and had beneficial results. If you cannot find liquid folic acid, buy folic acid crystals in 800 meg capsules, empty two capsules in water and use this to gargle.
Alternative Medicine by Burton Goldberg, page 1055

Lipotropic factors are compounds that promote the transportation and utilization of fats, and help prevent the accumulation of fat in the liver. They include methionine, choline, folic acid, and vitamin B12.
Cancer And Natural Medicine by John Boik, page 140

Folic acid helps against uric acid.
Anti-Aging Manual by Joseph B Marion, page 560

The four B vitamins that are most important for your brain are B12, B6, B3, and folic acid.
Brain Longevity by Dharma Singh Khalsa M.D. with Cameron Stauth, page 246

The body uses 75-99% of its Calcium, with Phosphorus, Boron, Manganese, Silica, Magnesium, Copper, Zinc, Strontium; Protein; the Vitamins A, B-Complex, B6, folic acid, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, and Vitamin K to form bone tissue and teeth.
Anti-Aging Manual by Joseph B Marion, page 800

The primary nutritional building blocks of both neurotransmitters are the amino acids tyrosine and phenylalanine. To potentiate the action of these amino acids, folic acid, magnesium, and vitamins C and B can be taken.
Brain Longevity by Dharma Singh Khalsa M.D. with Cameron Stauth, page 213

Part of the vitamin B complex, folic acid is necessary for synthesis of nucleic acids and formation of the heme component of hemoglobin in red blood cells.
Britannica Encyclopedia Volume One, page 674

[Folic acid] is especially helpful for patients with a history of breast cancer, cervical dysplasia, and smoking. For smokers, it cuts down on the adverse effects of nicotine on the lungs.
Complete Encyclopedia Of Natural Healing by Gary Null PhD, page 84

Treatments using folic acid

Folic acid is also used in the treatment of cervical dysplasia, a pre-cancerous condition of the uterus, and for this reason is also given to women who take birth control pills or who are pregnant.
Alternative Medicine by Burton Goldberg, page 410

Nerves on edge? Folic acid can help. The Lancet, Britain's prestigious medical journal, reports, "In the past decade [however] there has been increasing interest in the role of folate [folic acid] in neuronal metabolism, in neuropsychiatric illness, and in antiepileptic and convulsant mechanisms." When a folic acid deficiency occurs, your nervous system suffers, because there is normally such a high folate concentration in your cerebrospinal fluid. In many psychiatric and geriatric patients with mental dysfunctions, deficiency is common. "This is a promising area for future research," The Lancet adds.
Complete Guide Health Nutrition by Gary Null, page 285

Dr. Aesoph adds that chromium aids in stabilizing the erratic blood sugar seen in alcoholic hypoglycemia, while choline and folic acid are also commonly cited as important supplements to assist in the body's recovery from addiction.
Alternative Medicine by Burton Goldberg, page 480

Homocysteinemia: Persons with elevated levels of homocysteine are at risk for arteriosclerosis. This can and should be corrected with adequate amounts of folic acid, B 12, pyridoxine, and trimethylglycine. The only way you can be sure you are getting adequate amount of therapy is to regularly monitor blood levels of homocysteine. Current estimates are that 30 to 40% of arterial disease is related to high levels of homocysteine.
A Physicians Guide To Natural Health Products That Work By James Howenstine MD, page 220

Vitamin B may help for premenstrual or mid-menstrual cycle acne. Coexisting gum problems suggest the need for folic acid.
Alternative Medicine by Burton Goldberg, page 988

[For] pins and needles in the legs, take folic acid and B-12.
Anti-Aging Manual by Joseph B Marion, page 1100

Take 5 grams Vitamin C, 1 gram Calcium. 1/2 gram Magnesium, 100 mg. B-Complex, extra B6, B-12. and folic acid (for severe depression, requires Vitamin C for absorption).
Anti-Aging Manual by Joseph B Marion, page 800

Find relief in folic acid. One study found that women who experienced problems with constipation had low levels of the B vitamin folic acid in their blood. When the women began taking folic acid supplements, all of their symptoms subsided. Try taking up to 5,000 micrograms a day until the condition subsides, advises clinical nutritionist Shari Lieberman, Ph.D. But check with your doctor first, since dosages of folic acid over 1,000 micrograms should only be taken under medical supervision.
Blended Medicine by Michael Castleman, page 11

Herpes may be helped overnight by chewing folic acid with 500 mg. L-Lysine twice daily, and Zinc tablets.
Anti-Aging Manual by Joseph B Marion, page 455

If agitation or hyperactivity is seen, it is recommended that folic acid should be given in the amount of two 800 microgram tablets for each 125 mg of DMG taken.
Building Wellness with DMG by Roger V Kendall PhD, page 116

Disease prevention with folic acid

Folic acid, a B vitamin, is now known to prevent neural tube defects like spina bifida, a serious abnormality of early fetal development. Unfortunately, by the time most women learn they are pregnant, the critical period has already passed. A major source of folic acid is the cooked greens recommended in the program (another is orange juice). If you are contemplating pregnancy or think there is any possibility that you could get pregnant, for insurance take a daily B-complex vitamin supplement providing 400 micrograms of folic acid.
8 Weeks To Optimum Health By Andrew Weil MD, page 222

Women taking 400 mg of folic acid also have a decreased risk of heart attack and protection against Alzheimer's Disease and stroke. After 15 years of 400 mg of folic acid there is a 75% reduction in the number of women who get colon cancer.
A Physicians Guide To Natural Health Products That Work By James Howenstine MD, page 19

According to University of Washington researchers, 13,500 to 50,000 deaths from cardiovascular disease could be prevented every year if everyone took folic acid (the supplement form of folate) every day. All you need is 200 micrograms a day.
Anti-Aging Prescriptions by James Duke PhD, page 145

SPINA BIFIDA. Failure of the spinal bones to close over nerves arising from the lower end of the spinal cord. May cause paralysis of the legs and incontinence. Associated with poverty, bad housing and is more common in Celtic races and among the sikhs. Most common cause is folic acid deficiency. Prevention only. A woman of childbearing age should increase her consumption of food rich in folic acid, such as Brussels sprouts, spinach, green beans, oranges, potatoes, wholemeal bread, yeast extract. New evidence suggests health is determined before birth by a mother's condition during pregnancy. The UK Department of Health advises 400 micrograms (0.4mg) folic acid until the twelfth week of pregnancy.
Bartrams Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine by Thomas Bartram, page 25

Perhaps as much as 30 percent of all heart disease is directly caused by high homocysteine levels, he says. That's the bad news. The good news is that three B vitamins—folic acid, B6, and B12—can help convert homocysteine to methionine or cystine, thus protecting your heart. Dr. Baum recommends taking 800 to 1,000 micrograms of folic acid, 400 micrograms of vitamin B12, and 50 milligrams of vitamin B6 daily.
Alternative Cures by Bill Gottlieb, page 337

...Other nutrients may be equally critical to the prevention of osteoporosis. "Vitamin K, silicon, boron, folic acid, magnesium, and manganese all play a role in bone building and need to be consumed through diet or supplements," he says. To prevent osteoporosis, you must get sufficient levels and the proper ratio of these bone nutrients.
Alternative Medicine by Burton Goldberg, page 840

Sources of folic acid

Folic acid, a B vitamin found in green leafy vegetables, nuts, and whole grains, can prevent neural tube defects in fetuses.
Alternative Medicine by Burton Goldberg, page 866

Greens are high in vitamins and minerals, including iron and calcium in forms that the body can absorb and use more readily than supplements. For example, they are a major source of folic acid (folate), a B vitamin that regulates protein metabolism and offers significant protection against coronary heart disease. ("Folate" and "foliage" share the same root.)
8 Weeks To Optimum Health By Andrew Weil MD, page 141

Eat at least eight servings of fruits and vegetables each day. These high-fiber, low-fat foods are typically rich in folic acid and other B vitamins, which reduce the risk for heart disease by helping to prevent arterial blood clots.
Bottom Line Yearbook 2002 by Bottom Line Personnel, page 331

The leafy green that Popeye made famous is among the best plant sources of folate. All you need is 200 micrograms a day. You can get more than that from 1/2 cup of spinach (or lentils, pinto beans, lima beans, black-eyed peas, or sunflower seeds) or a cup or two of spinach soup. What a pleasant way to stave off stroke and heart attack! Of course, spinach and beans aren't the only great sources of folate. Others include parsley, cabbage, asparagus, broccoli, brussels sprouts, endive, okra, avocado, peanuts, sunflower seeds, and orange juice.
Anti-Aging Prescriptions by James Duke PhD, page 145

A major source of folic acid is the cooked greens recommended in the program (another is orange juice).
8 Weeks To Optimum Health By Andrew Weil MD, page 222

Beetroot is rich in potassium, folic acid, and the antioxidant glutathione.
Alternative Medicine by Burton Goldberg, page 173

Legumes: Peas and beans, such as kidney, lima, soybean, navy, black, and lentils, are loaded with protein, folic acid, and amino acids.
Alternative Medicine by Burton Goldberg, page 192

Diets rich in folic acid and B vitamins would turn out to have such powerful benefits for the heart that they could outweigh such "sins" as moderate red meat intake. Could the public be blamed for its confusion?
Betrayal Of Trust By Laurie Garrett, page 394

Folic acid—This substance protects against cervical cancer and is necessary for proper synthesis of RNA and DNA. It is found in beets, cabbage, dark leafy vegetables, eggs, dairy products, citrus fruits, and most fish.
Alternative Medicine by Burton Goldberg, page 591

Dietary folate sources include leafy and dark green vegetables, citrus fruits, cereals, beans, poultry, and egg yolks, but free folic acid occurs only in supplements.
Britannica Encyclopedia Volume One, page 674

Folic acid [is] found in whole grains, chickpeas, soybeans, spinach, broccoli, and cabbage)…
Alternative Medicine by Burton Goldberg, page 745

Probiotics help suppress the growth of yeast, improve digestion by increasing the production of some enzymes, produce acids that fight bacteria, and manufacture nutrients such as vitamins K, Bi, B2, B3, B12, and folic acid.
Alternative Medicine by Burton Goldberg, page 908

Foods rich in folic acid include spinach and other dark green leafy vegetables, broccoli, asparagus, and whole wheat.
Blended Medicine by Michael Castleman, page 10

Many women have also long esteemed certain wild mushrooms, which some thought to be special gifts from Mother Earth. As we now know, naturally grown mushrooms (as opposed to commercial mushrooms grown in the dark) contain folic acid, which helps to prevent birth defects. These delicious and abundant choices, which do not have any poisonous look-alikes, can be eaten when they are underripe.
American Indian Healing Arts by E.Barrie Kavasch and Karen Baar, page 146

Folic acid deficiencies

Folic acid may be the most common vitamin deficiency in the world, since more people are choosing animal foods (poor source of folic acid) over plant foods. The name, folic acid, comes from the Latin term "folium", meaning foliage, since dark green leafy vegetables are a rich source of folic acid. Other good sources of folic acid include brewer's yeast, legumes, asparagus, oranges, cabbage, root vegetables and whole grains. Since folic acid is essential for all new cell growth, disturbances in folic acid metabolism are far reaching, including heart disease (due to more homocysteine in the blood), birth defects, immune suppression, cancer, premature senility and a long list of other conditions. Without adequate folate in the diet, cell growth is like a drunk driver heading down the highway—more likely to do some harm than not.
Beating Cancer With Nutrition by Patrick Quillin, page 180

Birth Control Pills: These pills produce folic acid deficiency. Where there is a lack of folic acid, homocysteine blood levels rise and this is associated with osteoporosis.
A Physicians Guide To Natural Health Products That Work By James Howenstine MD, page 130

Men Need folic acid too. Low folic acid levels in men are associated with low sperm count. A recent study has led investigators to hypothesize that low folic acid could also damage the DNA that sperm carry—which could lead to chromosomal damage in a fetus. Self-defense: Eat plenty of folate-rich fruits and vegetables and fortified grain products.
Bottom Line Yearbook 2004 by Bottom Line Personnel, page 334

B12 anemia is often accompanied by folic acid anemia. One of the reasons folic acid is important is that it fosters healthy prenatal development: It aids in the prevention of birth defects, such as those of the neural tube, and is crucial for proper cell production in the growing fetus. Folic acid is easily consumed by heat; hence, diets that consist primarily of cooked foods, with few raw foods included, often result in this type of deficiency. In addition, young children may develop a folic acid deficiency if they are given goat's milk. (Although superior to cow's milk in many ways, goat's milk lacks folic acid.) Teenagers and adults who are vegetarians may also fall victim to this form of anemia if they do not carefully balance their diets. Finally, folic acid anemia can be induced by alcoholism, which completely drains the body of this nutrient, and by the consumption of certain prescription drugs, such as oral contraceptives and anticancer drugs.
Complete Encyclopedia Of Natural Healing by Gary Null PhD, page 32

Experts have estimated that up to 20% of all senility in older adults is merely a long term deficiency of folic acid and vitamin B-12. The RDA of folate is 200 meg for adults and 400 meg for pregnant women, although the Center for Disease Control has recommended that 800 meg of folic acid would prevent most cases of spinal bifida. Without adequate folic acid in the body, there is a buildup of homocysteine in the blood, which probably generates 10% or more of the 1 million cases of heart disease each year in the U.S.
Beating Cancer With Nutrition by Patrick Quillin, page 180

Deficiencies of folic acid and vitamin B12 may cause some cases of recurrent canker sores, says Flora Parsa Stay, D.D.S., a dentist in Oxnard, California. If you have recurrent sores, she recommends taking 400 micrograms of folic acid and 200 micrograms of vitamin B12 daily.
Alternative Cures by Bill Gottlieb, page 142

Persons with AIDS are often deficient in folic acid, selenium, zinc, and iron.
Alternative Medicine by Burton Goldberg, page 497

Deficiencies in vitamins B6, B12, and folic acid can trigger such neurological changes as a drop in alertness and memory ability as well as numbness and tingling in the legs.
BioMarkers by Williams Evans PhD and Irwin H Rosenberg MD, page 250

Reduced levels of certain vitamins, minerals, and amino acids have been tentatively linked with Alzheimer's, including folic acid, niacin (vitamin B3), thiamin (vitamin Bi), vitamins Be, B12, C, D, and E, magnesium, selenium, zinc, and tryptophan.
Alternative Medicine by Burton Goldberg, page 524

The elderly generally are deficient in Calories, Protein, Iron, Vitamins A and C, Calcium, the B-Complex, especially B-12 and folic acid, and that's with 70% of the elderly in institutions where the diets are carefully planned.
Anti-Aging Manual by Joseph B Marion, page 315

Low levels of folic acid, vitamin B12, pyridoxine, iron, and magnesium are some of the most commonly implicated nutritional influences on depression.
Beat Depression with St John's Wort by Steven Bratman, page 103

[Folate] anemia resulting from too little folic acid, needed for red-blood-cell maturation (see erythrocyte). White-cell and platelet levels are also often low. Progressive gastrointestinal problems develop. It may result from poor diet or from malabsorption, cirrhosis of the liver, or anticonvulsant drugs; it may also occur in the last three months of pregnancy and in severe hemolytic anemia (in which red cells break down). The blood profile resembles that of pernicious anemia. Taking folic acid causes rapid improvement; an adequate diet cures cases caused by malnutrition.
Britannica Encyclopedia Volume One, page 674

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Mommy Might Have Diabetes

Maternal diabetes or gestational diabetes occurs when a pregnancy is complicated by diabetes. Statistics show that 95% of mothers with diabetes depend highly on insulin. It also indicates diabetes can occur on different levels. One is when the mother is already diabetic even before the baby inside her was conceived. Another is when the mother develops diabetes while she is pregnant. When this happens, this is what is called gestational or maternal diabetes. Now some mothers stay diabetic even when they have already delivered their child but there are those who will later on become normal again.

Gestational diabetes occurs because the hormones during the pregnancy period were reduced due to the mother's dependence on insulin. Too much dependence on insulin can lead to an increase in blood sugar. Two to three percent soon-to-be mothers are affected by gestational diabetes.

Most of the time, these are mothers who

- have a family history of type 2 diabetes

- are older than the average maternal age. It's more risky the older the woman becomes

- are African-Americans, North American and Hispanics. These people have more chances getting gestational diabetes

- also experienced getting maternal diabetes before when they were also pregnant with another child

- have given birth to a child who weighed more than the average 9 pounds.

The point is any woman can get it. Be they old or young, Caucasian or Asian, there's no specific target. But the factors mentioned above show that these are the women who are most likely to have the disease. Gestational diabetes hits these women in the later stages of their pregnancy when the baby is already developed inside them.

There's no way to know for sure whether the woman is already experiencing gestational diabetes. But if she is always thirsty and always peeing, always tired, dizzy and vomits, has yeast infection and blurry vision, you must have a doctor tend to her.

Gestational diabetes normally occurs during the 24th until the 28th week of the pregnancy state. If the mother eats properly and exercises whenever she can, then the occurrence of maternal diabetes can be regulated and lessened. But if it is already there, then gestational diabetes may be treated with insulin.

Contemporary cases of gestational diabetes occurrence also show that not only does a mother's age have an effect but also the father's age. The older the father is, then the more possibility for the mom to have gestational diabetes when carrying the child.

It also shows that when the mother has an eating disorder or is not taking care of herself properly, then there's more chance for her to get maternal diabetes. Substance abuse and smoking are also risk factors that will not only harm the mother but the child as well.

The effects of incurring gestational diabetes during pregnancy is that the mother will most likely undergo a caesarian delivery. In worse cases, the baby has to be delivered earlier than the normal nine months and will have to be incubated instead. That's why gestational diabetes, when it occurs or has the possibility to occur, must be taken seriously.

Managing the proper lifestyle, exercising properly and regularly and taking in the right diet results to the safety of both mother and child during the pregnancy stage. There wouldn't be a problem with the hormones and gestational diabetes has less possibility of occurring.

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Type 2 Diabetes: Does Popping Pills Really Control It?

Discovering you have type 2 diabetes is a life-changing experience. It can be a life-change that is good or it can be disastrous. And popping pills to control your diabetes may not be the answer, but, it's up to you. Let me explain...

The majority of newly diagnosed people have type 2 diabetes. Lifestyle is believed to contribute hugely to the development of this type of diabetes; the wrong lifestyle for your body. Eating the wrong foods - and often too much; a sedentary lifestyle - too much sitting around at a desk, watching TV or sitting at a computer or just general inactivity all contributes. Your body loses the battle to keep your blood-sugars at a safe level for you and you develop insulin resistance; type 2 diabetes.

Drastic life-saving changes are needed. So what do we do? 'Pop a pill' and carry on (almost) as before. Sure you might make some token changes, like not eating so many cakes, sweets and biscuits. Or you might cut down on the sugary drinks.

But, for the vast majority of us, that's about as far as it goes.

And that's not good news for our health.

How do I know this?

Because I have type 2 diabetes - diagnosed in 1982.

But I wasn't particularly overweight and I did have a reasonable amount of physical activity in my daily life. So I followed the (then) current expert thinking on the 'ideal diabetic diet', which included a high proportion of high-complex-carbohydrate foods, such as potato, bread and pasta. I didn't make the connection between this type of diet and my constant high blood-sugars.

So I popped the pills prescribed and avoided the obvious sugar-laden enemies; cakes, sweets and sugary treats.

So where's the problem?

The problem is the constant underlying, grinding effect of continuing the wrong lifestyle and eating habits and the consequences it generates. My condition very gradually, almost insidiously, got worse. Yet I was following the eating guidelines I'd been given.

You see, taking drugs to control your diabetes, instead of changing your eating pattern and lifestyle can create an extreme yo-yo effect on your blood-sugars. It did for me. I ranged from a high of 17.6 mmol/l to 2.8 mmol/l (the safe range is between 4mmol/l and 7mmol/l).

And I had no idea of what was happening between my own blood testing sessions - but the overall effect on my HbA1C was not good. Keeping within the 'safe range', for me, was a nigh-on impossibility.

But that was OK, as my overall condition got worse I was prescribed more medication to try to keep my HbA1c levels in control - more pills! Until I reached the stage where the only way forward, if I was to continue using medication to control my sugar-levels, was to go onto insulin injections.

That's when I decided to take proper control of my type 2 diabetes and find out more about it and what it was doing to me.

THAT WAS SCARY I can tell you!! I found out about all the other health risks my diabetes was opening me up to. Serious risks I didn't know about, because I hadn't taken much interest other than 'I need to pop a pill to control it'. Risks such as heart disease; kidney failure; neuropathy (nerve-end damage); retinopathy (eye-damage) and more made me realise how important it is to understand as much as possible about diabetes. (That's why I set up my website; www.your-diabetes.com)

What to do? Well I decided it was safer, healthier and more sensible to change my lifestyle and eating pattern and reduce my reliance on pills. Instead of using drugs to control my type 2 diabetes I decided to do it in a natural and healthy way.

I've changed my meal contents - I now follow a low-carbohydrate diet. Yes, it took a bit of getting used to at first, until I'd got it sorted in my head what I could eat safely - after all you don't break the eating habits of a lifetime overnight. But it's not a difficult eating style to follow and there's plenty of help and advice available (you can read more about exactly how I did it in the complimentary 86-page PDF guide on my website - see below).

My medication? I've gone from popping 5 pills a day to just 2. And I'm working on reducing that even further. More importantly, my blood-sugars are now consistently within the safe range - my current average test reading is 5.9mmol/l. I'm just waiting to see what my HbA1C levels are at my next check-up.

My advice to you? If you have type 2 diabetes decide NOW - would you rather pop pills and have your health gradually degraded? Or would you rather take control of your diabetes and live a longer, fuller, healthier life?*

I know which I chose.

*PLEASE NOTE, this is reporting my own personal experience. You should not drastically change your eating pattern or your medication without consulting your diabetic medical team.

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Hatha Yoga: The Physical Path

What we commonly call yoga in the West is technically Hatha Yoga. Hatha Yoga (ha="sun" tha="moon") attains the union of mind-body-spirit though a practice of asanas (yoga postures), pranayama (yoga breathing), mudra (body gestures) and shatkarma (internal cleansing). These body centered practices are used to purify the body and cultivate prana and activate kundalini, the subtle energies of the body. Modern Hatha Yoga does not emphasize many of these esoteric practices and focuses primarily on the physical yoga postures.

In the history of yoga, hatha yoga is fairly recent technique that was developed from Tantra Yoga. The tantrics embraced the physical body as the means to achieve enlightenment and developed the physical-spiritual connections and body centered practices that lead to Hatha Yoga. But Hatha Yoga is uniquely focused on transforming the physical body through purification and the cultivation of the life force energy of prana. And all of the techniques of Hatha Yoga are seen as preliminary steps to achieving the deeper states of meditation and enlightenment found in the path of Raja Yoga (meditation).

The oldest and most widely used ancient text on the physical practices of Hatha Yoga is the Hatha Yoga Pradipika. This book was composed in 15th century CE by Swami Swatamarama and is derived from older Sanskrit texts, the teachings from well-known teachers, and from Swatamarama's own yogic experiences. The main goal of this text is to illuminate the physical disciplines and practices of Hatha Yoga and integrate these with the higher spiritual goals of Raja Yoga. Swatamarama begins with explaining the relationship between Hatha Yoga and Raja yoga, informing us that Hatha is a preliminary practice for Raja Yoga. He tells us that obtaining self-control and self-discipline is much easier when we start with the physical and energetic body, verses trying to directly control the mind as in Raja Yoga. Through the mastery of the prana, or energy of the body, we can then easily master the control of the mind and obtain success with Raja Yoga.

It was not until the 1920s when Hatha Yoga became popularized and promoted in India with the work of T. Krishnamacharya and a few other brave and determined yogis. Krishnamacharya traveled through India giving demonstrations of yoga poses and with other pioneering yogis promoted hatha yoga through its strong healing and other positive benefits. Since then, many more western and Indian teachers have become pioneers, popularizing hatha yoga and gaining millions of followers. Hatha Yoga now has many different schools or styles, all emphasizing the many different aspects of the practice.

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Chronic Gum Disease and Diabetes

Most individuals are already aware that diabetes can lead to chronic gum or periodontal disease. Recent studies however have revealed that the relationship between the two is like a double-edged sword, since it goes both ways; apparently, diabetes can also be born from chronic gum disease.

Basic Facts about Chronic Gum Disease

When an individual has been diagnosed of having chronic gum disease, this means that his gums and the bones that bind his teeth to its proper position are infected. If left untreated, chronic gum disease will make chewing extremely difficult or worse, lead to loss or removal of teeth.

Basic Facts about Diabetes

Is it true that diabetes is primarily caused by eating too much of sweet foods? No! There's still no known and accurate cause for diabetes so everyone is at risk. Substantially proven generalizations however have been made regarding diabetic individuals. People who are overweight, for instance, are more prone to having diabetes.

Who's at Risk?

Diabetics who smoke and diabetics who love sweets are the most at risk of having chronic gum disease as well.

The Process of Chronic Gum Disease: From A to Z

If oral hygiene is neglected, that's the first step to having chronic gum disease. Germs that accrue over the time will cause our gums to redden, swell, and even bleed when you start brushing your teeth once more. When this happens, you're suffering from gingivitis - a precursor of chronic gum disease.

Gingivitis however will disappear eventually if you don't shirk up your duties to your mouth and teeth. If you don't, things become more complicated and you get nearer to having chronic gum disease.

Accrued dirt becomes plaque; when plaque becomes hard, your teeth and gums get infected until there's not enough bones to hold your teeth in place. The result: an emergency trip to the dentist and several of your teeth pulled out.

The Bad Thing about Chronic Gum Disease

There are no warning signs. When you start feeling hurt and uncomfortable about it, it's usually too late because no amount of brushing of teeth or flossing will be able to rescue your teeth. Only the scary dentist has the power to salvage what's left of your teeth.

Possible Treatments for Chronic Gum Disease

Teeth Cleaning - If the damage isn't too serious, your dentist might be able to repair damaged roots and allow you to retain your teeth. Teeth cleaning will also help in removing accrued germs stuck within and in between your teeth. Your dentist may also request you to take an antibiotic or use a suggested brand of mouthwash to give your teeth added protection.

Surgery - If the wounds are fatal, gum surgery may be the only option. Worse, even if damaged teeth have been successfully removed, your gums may have been too infected to allow you to use dentals or fake teeth.

Other Possible Dental Diseases Related to Diabetes

Chronic gum disease is not the only thing that diabetics have to worry about. If they don't brush and floss their teeth regularly, they risk suffering from any of the following conditions:

Cavities - Choosing the right food can significantly reduce the risk of teeth developing cavities.

Thrush - Diabetics are especially prone to having this condition because the fungus that causes this affection flourishes in glucose-rich parts.

Dry Mouth - People who are unaware they have diabetes usually have dry mouths, which can consequently lead to other dental diseases.

You can save yourself from chronic gum disease and diabetes simply by eating well and eating right then brushing your teeth right after!

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Give Some Time To The American Diabetes Association

At a certain point in time, people come to realize that their lives can only gain meaning when they discover their true calling, through which they are able to help others. Life can not be solely defined by accumulation of wealth or achievement of self-motivated objectives. The full and true meaning of life can only be experienced by individuals when they finally realize that selflessness is the only thing that can make them happy.

Why Become a Volunteer for the American Diabetes Association?

We're not saying that being a volunteer for the American Diabetes Association will be more fulfilling than being a volunteer for another non-profit foundation. We're merely suggesting that you join the American Diabetes Association if you've had loved ones suffering from diabetes, and you had felt helpless because you're unable to make them feel better.

Also, if you have no preferences when it comes to what field or for what purpose would you like to be a volunteer in, you should then consider seriously joining the American Diabetes Association. Being a part of this organization will not only improve the quality of lives around you but yours as well.

A Brief History of the American Diabetes Association

The association's mission-vision is simple: cure, care, and commitment. The ADA made a lifelong commitment to providing care to diabetic individuals and finding an effective and permanent cure for the disease. The ADA extends its assistance not only to people diagnosed with diabetes but also to the generous and caring individuals who have freely given their time and love to attend to people with diabetes.

Founded n 1940, the American Diabetes Association is the organization with the most significant contribution in diabetic research next to the U.S. government, having donated over $200M already throughout the years. Its presence has been widely established across the United States with over 800 communities.

Why Is It Important to Help People with Diabetes

Shocking as this may be, diabetes actually kills more people every year than the mortality rate of AIDS and breast cancer combined. If early warnings and symptoms are not given the necessary attention and care, diabetes can lead to various medical complications, some of which are life-threatening. It has been estimated that approximately seven percent of the U.S. population are diabetic. Unfortunately, about one-third of this or around 6.2 million of these individuals continue with their lives without being aware of the dangerous state of their health.

The Responsibilities of Volunteers for the American Diabetes Association

An ADA volunteer has three primary responsibilities:

Extending Care - It's every volunteer's goal to provide as much care as possible, and of the best quality, to people diagnosed with diabetes

Eliminate Discrimination - Volunteers of the ADA strive to improve the outlook of society towards individuals with diabetes by getting rid of prejudices and misassumptions about the disease.

Social Involvement - Volunteers are not afraid to take a stand against any law-giving body or authority if the rights of diabetic patient are violated or if funding for diabetic research becomes insufficient

How to Become a Volunteer for the American Diabetes Association

The first thing you must do is register to become a Diabetes Advocate. You may do this online or better yet, find the nearest American Diabetes Association branch near your home and register there. Also, you can help the ADA simply by increasing people's awareness of the symptoms and risks of diabetes. Warning one person about diabetes is already one life saved.