Cough

&

Cold

Common cold may sometimes be due to weak digestion. When the food we eat is not fully digested, it transforms into mucus known as ama (toxin). This circulates through the body and reaches the respiratory system, where it causes colds. Diet: Cold food and drinks, ice creams, sweets, fried food and milk products (cheese, creams, yogurt) should not be consumed. Sweet fruit juices should also be avoided. Breads, meats, nuts and pastries are also not good to take. Follow a light and warm diet like boiled or steamed vegetables and vegetable soup. Spice teas, herbal teas and hot milk can be taken (if boiled with a piece of crushed ginger). Half a teaspoon of turmeric powder can be mixed with the milk. Home Remedies: Take teaspoon of ginger powder with 1 teaspoon of honey. Black pepper can also be added. Chewing a piece of fresh ginger with a little salt on it will ease coughs. Half a cup of warm water mixed with one teaspoon of lemon juice and one teaspoon of honey can be taken several times a day. Equal quantities of powdered fenugreek seeds, turmeric and ginger powder can be mixed together. One teaspoon can be taken in the morning and evening. In cases of a sore throat, a clove or two cardamoms or a few raisins can be chewed. Gargling with warm salty water is also beneficial. This can be done two or three times a day.

Fever
Common symptoms of fever are high temperature, headache, muscle ache, burning eyes, loss of appetite, coated tongue, excessive production of saliva, feeling of heaviness and nausea. Aggravation of one, two or all the three doshas may cause fever. This aggravation resulting in fever can have many different sourcesit can occur as a result of infection, because of external injury, insect bite or poisoning. Anything which disturbs the heat controlling mechanism of the body can cause fever. Fever can also be a symptom of many conditions, like bronchitis, pleurisy, tuberculosis, jaundice, malaria, measles or influenza. Diet: In all cases of fever, Ayurveda initially advises fasting so that the aggravated doshas or toxins can be digested. Proper treatment should involve a diagnosis of the root cause of the fever. For example, if the cause of fever is an infection, treatment for the infection should be taken. Home Remedies: Warm water (half glass) with one tea spoon lemon juice can be taken 3 to 4 times a day. Applying a paste of sandalwood powder on the forehead of the patient is also beneficial. The paste can be prepared by mixing a little water in sandalwood powder. If the fever goes higher than 102 degree Fahrenheit, it should be brought down by putting pieces of cloth soaked in cold water on the forehead, hands, arms and feet. The cloth pieces should be regularly changed after a few minutes.

Mix half a teaspoon of turmeric powder in a cup of warm milk and one teaspoon honey or some other sweetener. Take this decoction twice a day.

Regimen: A light, easily digestible diet is advised for a patient suffering from fever. Boiled or steamed vegetables, vegetable soup, fruit and fruit juices, small quantities of cow milk can be taken two to three times a day. A special preparation called khichadi is very good. It is prepared by cooking together rice and green lentils (mung dal). Spices like cumin seeds, coriander, turmeric, ginger and salt can be also be added to khichadi. Egg plant, bitter gourd and cooked radish and barley water is good. Small amounts of whole grain bread or biscuits can be taken with milk. Heavy foods that are difficult to digest like fried foods, fast foods, meat, chicken, fish, and raw foods should be completely avoided. The patient should take ample rest. Exposure to extreme cold or heat, exertion, exercise, mental stress, sexual activity and any other type of physical activity should be avoided until the patient regains strength.

Headache
Headache can be caused by sinusitis, hypertension, constipation, over working, mental stress, indigestion, acidity, sleeplessness and fever. Often, it is also present as a symptom of another disease. As there are many different potential causes for headache and migraine, the treatment cannot simply be pain relief. Lifestyle and diet needs to be carefully considered and appropriate changes made. Diet: Vegetables without oil or spices, vegetable and fruit juices and soups are recommended. Fruits like apples and grapes, and some sweets and dairy products can be taken moderately according to digestive capacity. Rice, salad and buttermilk are beneficial. In the morning, take a glass of water mixed with a teaspoon of honey. Avoid fried food, frozen or cold food, meat, spicy or dry food, tea, coffee, and food that cannot be easily digested. Yogurt should be avoided especially in the evening. Ayurveda also recommends against taking sour or acidic food. Minimize the consumption of pickled or smoked food, alcohol, cheese and chocolates as much as possible. Home Remedies: Grind dry ginger and make a paste by adding water. Apply this poultice on the temple. Mix 1 teaspoon of clove, cinnamon, and almond powder together. Add a little water to make a paste. Apply this paste on the forehead. Mix a pinch of clove powder in 1 teaspoon of cinnamon oil. Apply this mixture on the forehead or temples. Take I tablespoon of almond oil and boil it. When it cools down, put two drops in each nostril.

Sleep is a natural phenomenon of giving adequate rest to the body and mind. Inability to fall asleep at night for many hours or inability to have a sound sleep deprives one of natural rest and interferes with activities during the day. Stress, worry, improper diet, and lack of relaxation are some of the conditions that aggravate sleeplessness. In Ayurveda, insomnia is known as anidra. Home Remedies:

Have a glass of whole milk (full cream milk; without the cream removed) with green cardamom powder before going to bed. Have 1 teaspoon of licorice root powder with a glass of milk on an empty stomach in the morning. Boil 3 grams of fresh mint leaves or 1.5 grams of dried powder of mint leaves in 1 cup of water for 15-20 minutes. Take lukewarm with 1 teaspoon of honey at bedtime.

Diet and Lifestyle: Have fresh fruits, avocado, pasta, rice, dairy products, and sweet foods. Include nuts like almonds, walnuts, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, and peanuts. Have salads with a dressing of cream, yogurt, or vegetable oils. Use whole-wheat flour and brown rice instead of refined varieties. Increase use of butter or purified butter in foods. Avoid caffeinated drinks, alcohol, and aerated drinks after dusk. Avoid watching television or working on the computer late at night. Have a body massage with sesame oil, followed by a bath.

Stomach

Ache

Stomach ache or abdominal pain is a very common problem. Making a definitive diagnosis of the cause of abdominal pain can be difficult, because many diseases can result in this symptom. Common pain in the belly (abdomen) is usually related to indigestion or an upset stomach. This occurs when the digestion process is more difficult than usual for the body to perform. This may occur as a result of certain foods, eating too fast, or eating food that is past its sell-by date. Home Remedies: Mix 1 teaspoon each of mint juice and lime juice; add a few drops of ginger juice and a pinch of black salt. Drink this mixture to alleviate pain. Grate a small piece of ginger and extract its juice. Apply this juice on the bottom of the belly and massage it gently. This will be effective in curing stomach ache. Mix 2 teaspoons lemon juice and teaspoon rock salt powder in cup of water. Have this mixture 3 times a day.

Diet and Lifestyle: Beneficial foods include apples, fully-ripened bananas, carrots, figs, rice, cassava, nuts, beans, pulses (legumes), and leafy green vegetables. Avoid eating fatty, sweet, spicy, oily, or heavy foods, caffeinated drinks, carbonated drinks, milk and cream. Also avoid sleeping in the daytime, drinking alcohol, having food at improper times, excessive sexual intercourse, excessive exercise, working late at night, and eating food when the previous meal is not yet digested.

Backache
Backache or back pain is a common problem encountered by many people due to poor diet and bad posture. It occurs when the flexibility of the spine is affected. Also the condition can be the result of a spinal disc problem, injury to the ligaments around the spine, nerves emerging from the spinal cord, injury to muscles of the back, or diseases of the organs of the pelvis. Home Remedies: Have 2-3 teaspoons of psyllium husk with a glassful of hot milk at bedtime. This will evacuate the rectum, treating constipation, which is one of the main causes of flatulence and vata aggravation.

Have 1 teaspoon of castor oil with a glassful of milk at bedtime. Castor oil is considered one of the best oils to pacify vata dosha. Massage the affected area gently with warm sesame oil and cover with a cotton cloth. Avoid exposure to air or cold wind.

Diet and Lifestyle: Avoid having cold, stale, or fried foods; junk food; and aerated and alcoholic beverages, as these aggravate vata in the body. Have freshly prepared warm food and chew the food properly as it helps in complete digestion, preventing constipation and flatulence. Add to teaspoon of purified butter to food to pacify the dry nature of vata. Have early and light dinners to aid better digestion because at night metabolism gets sluggish. Avoid excessive physical exertion and take complete rest. Avoid sitting in one posture for long periods. Take a small break every hour. Make a habit of doing light exercises in the morning like walking, jogging, or stretching exercises, and have regular body massage to alleviate vata.

Dandruff
Excessive shedding of dead skin from the scalp is called dandruff. Skin cells die and flake off, so a small amount of flaking is normal, but when it increases beyond a certain limit, it results in social and self-esteem problems. In a normal condition the scalp skin dies and flakes off in a month, while in those suffering from dandruff, this happens every 2-7 days. It is also associated with redness and itching.

Home Remedies:
Mix 2-3 teaspoons of coconut oil with 1 teaspoon of Indian gooseberry (amla; amalaki) juice. Gently massage the scalp with this each day. Add 10 drops of lemon juice to 1 egg white, and beat well. Apply to the scalp and hair once a week. Mix 1 teaspoon lemon juice, 1 tablespoon mustard oil, and 1 cup yogurt. Apply this to the hair to 1 hour before washing the head and hair.

Diet and Lifestyle: Wash hair regularly 2-3 times a week with a mild shampoo. Massage your hair with oil every time before washing the head and hair. Indigestion, constipation, and acid stomach should be treated. Avoid spicy, greasy, hot and penetrating foods, junk food, and aerated drinks. Have food with good nutritive value; include fiber-rich foods, salads, fruits, and lentils.

Hypertension
Hypertension or high blood pressure means elevation of blood pressure above the normal range, which depends upon a persons age, sex, physical and mental activities, family history, and diet. Normal blood pressure of a healthy adult individual is 120 mmHg systolic and 80 mmHg diastolic. Home Remedies: Make a juice of 3-4 garlic cloves, 10-12 basil leaves, and a small quantity of wheat grass. Have once a day. Mix 1 teaspoon of onion juice with an equal amount of honey. Take once a day for 1 week. Upon noticing improvement, continue for several more days.

Keep clean potable water in a copper urn overnight. Have 3-4 glasses in the morning.

Diet and Lifestyle: Avoid meat, eggs, table salt, pickles, tea and coffee. Avoid smoking as it increases heart rate. Increase use of garlic, lemon, parsley, Indian gooseberry (amla; amalaki), watermelon, grapefruit, skim milk and cottage cheese. Regular exercise is one of the best ways to lower blood pressure; brisk walking, jogging, swimming and athletics are good options. Laughter is the best medicine, as it relieves stress and anxiety, which are the main causes of high blood pressure in todays lifestyle.

Muscle

Cramps

When we use the muscles that can voluntarily be controlled, such as those of our arms and legs, they alternately contract and relax as they move. Muscles that support our head, neck, and trunk contract similarly in a synchronized fashion to maintain our posture. A muscle (or even a few fibers of a muscle) that involuntarily contracts is called a spasm. If the spasm is forceful and sustained, it becomes a cramp. A muscle cramp is thus defined as an involuntarily and forcibly contracted muscle that does not relax. This causes a visible or palpable hardening of the involved muscle. Muscle cramps can last anywhere from a few seconds to a quarter of an hour or occasionally longer. Home Remedies: Massage the area of muscle cramps and spasm with sesame oil. Cramps in the foot can be relieved with a ginger soak. Put 1 or 3 tablespoons of salt, cup ginger powder and 2/3 cup baking soda in a bucket of warm water and soak the foot. This is an effective way for relaxing muscles. If an abdominal cramp is caused by gas or indigestion, use this herbal antacid formula: Mix teaspoon guduchi, teaspoon shatavari, and a pinch of shanka brasma. Take this 1 or 2 times a day after eating.

Diet and Lifestyle: Avoid excessive intake of salt, chilies and spices, sour items, pickles, junk food, carbonated drinks, and other poor dietary practices. Go to bed early every evening. In the mornings, have an oil massage using sesame oil, almond oil, or olive oil; massage the entire body and then take a warm bath. Regular meditation, yoga, and gentle exercise such as walking are highly recommended

Constipation
Constipation is usually related to the imbalance of the Ayurvedic body energy, vata. Vata imbalance causes dryness in the body, and problems related to movement and internal transportation of substances.
Diet:

Avoid fried food, white flour and white sugar products, cheese, and processed food. Try not to drink tea or coffee. Dry, cold or light food should not form a large part of the diet. Drink water regularly during the day. However, do not drink water immediately after or before meals. Try not to overeat, and have at least 4-5 hours between two meals. Avoid heavy food, or food that is difficult to digest at night, and eat at least 2 hours before sleeping. Drinking a glass of hot milk before bed is also good.
Home Remedies:

Develop a habit of drinking water in the morning. Start with 2 glasses of water, and increase intake up to 6 - 7 glasses. It is more beneficial if this water can be stored in a copper container overnight. Figs are a good remedy for constipation. After washing them in hot water, three or four dried figs can be soaked overnight in water. Eat them first thing in the morning, and drink the water in which they were soaked. They should also be taken in the evening. Try this treatment for three or four weeks. Drinking warm water with lemon juice and a pinch of salt is good. This can be taken several times a day. Take 2 teaspoons of castor oil before bed. Aloe Vera gel can also be taken to ease the symptoms. Have a couple of teaspoons each morning and evening. Eat around 8 fresh apricots. Boiling raisins in milk, and drinking this before bed, can cure constipation.

Obesity
Obesity or overweight is a condition characterized by excessive deposition or storage of fat in adipose tissues. Diet: Eat honey, fresh rice gruel and barley meal. For barley meal, the seeds are roasted and grinded to a flour, which is then mixed with water and/or honey (optional), and rolled into a dough. This is very good for weight loss. Avoid eating all sorts of fried, oily, greasy, heavy foods, which are difficult to digest. Also avoid sweets and newly harvested or brewed (Picchil) foods like new curd, new grains and new alcohol, which have been stored or matured for less than a year. Also keep meats, milk products, jaggery and white flour products to a minimum, since they lead to weight increase. Home Remedies: Mint is very useful. Mint tea will help. If green mint is available you can make a paste of with some simple spices and use it with meals. Vegetables like bitter gourd and bitter drumsticks are useful. Taking of honey is an excellent home remedy for obesity. Take a daily tablespoon with hot water. Fasting on honey and limejuice is highly beneficial in the treatment of obesity without the loss of energy and appetite. In this mode of treatment, one teaspoonful of fresh honey should be mixed with a juice of half a lime in a glass of lukewarm water. It can be taken several times in a day at regular intervals.

Exercise & Regimen: It is advisable to give up sedentary habits and to take exercise. Sleeping during the day, reclining on sofa and soft chairs, and a lethargic way of life should be given up.

Hair

Loss

&

Premature

Graying>

Stress, worry, anxiety, and inadequate nutrition lead to hair loss and premature graying of hair. A certain amount of hair loss is considered normal, as old strands are replaced by new. When hair loss is excessive, care must be taken. Similarly, the graying of hair after a certain age is a normal phenomenon, but when this starts in the early years of life, one should look for remedies. This is a

common problem in young adults, making them look older than their age. It can also occur in children. In Ayurveda, this disorder is known as khalitya-paalitya. Home Remedies: Mix powdered Indian gooseberry (amla; amalaki) and sesame seeds in equal amounts. Take 1 teaspoon twice a day with water. Heat 250 milliliters of coconut oil in a pan, and add 3-4 Indian gooseberries cut into pieces. Heat until the gooseberries turn dark brown or black. Use the oil for a hair massage 2-3 times a week. Take 1 cup of curry leaves and grind them with 1 cup of buttermilk. Apply this to the hair for 1 hour, and then wash the hair with an herbal shampoo.

Diet and Lifestyle: Avoid pitta-aggravating foods like spicy, heavy, and oily foods, as well as tea and coffee. Avoid refined foods, refined sugar, junk food, and alcoholic and carbonated drinks. Increase intake of fresh fruits, green leafy vegetables, and vegetable juice prepared from lettuce, carrot, capsicum, and alfalfa. Avoid using chemical products on the hair. Try to use herbal oils and shampoos.

Diarrhea
The main symptom for diarrhea is the passage of loose and liquid stool several times during the day. This condition is usually accompanied by cramps, dehydration, wind and distention in the abdomen, weakness and mild fever. Diarrhea is caused by either a weak digestive fire or increased pitta. When food is not properly digested or absorbed, it passes out in semi-liquid or watery form. Improper eating habits, such as eating food which the system cannot digest, eating a meal before the previous one is digested, and irregular eating habits, are some of the common causes of diarrhea. Diet: Most people have a general idea of the foods which cause these problems. For example, if a person feels heaviness, uneasiness, wind, distention or stomach ache immediately after eating a certain food, it indicates that the particular food is not easily digested. Generally, foods which are fried in oil or ghee (clarified butter), meats, vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli, beans, nuts and sweets are difficult to digest. So they should be eaten less frequently and in small quantities. Eating contradictory (incompatible) foods, such as taking milk and citrus fruits simultaneously, can cause digestive upsets. Impure food or water, eating food which the system is not used to, infection of the alimentary canal, or psychological factors like grief and nervousness can also lead to diarrhea. Home Remedies: In cases of excessive thirst, water boiled with coriander seeds should be given (after straining). Pomegranate juice in small quantities can be also given frequently. A decoction prepared from pomegranate skin is very useful in stopping diarrhea. To prepare the decoction, take 50 grams of fresh pomegranate skin. Soak it in 800 ml. of water for one hour. Boil until a quarter of the volume remains (200 ml). Store this mixture in a clean, dry bottle. A couple of tablespoons can be taken several times a day. If there is blood in the stools, add half a teaspoon of honey to the decoction. Another helpful remedy is a sugar and salt solution. Mix one teaspoon of sugar and half a teaspoon of common salt in a cup of water. Small doses of this mixture (around a quarter cup) can be given whenever the patient wants to drink.

A paste made of sesame seeds (1 teaspoon) and a few tablespoons of goats milk is also beneficial.

Regimen: Fasting helps in digesting toxins in the intestine, although it should not be practiced if the patient is weak. As the absorption power of the intestines is very low, the patient should not eat too much at one time. The principle is to eat less, but more frequently if necessary. The diet must be easy to digest. Only foods that bind the stool like yogurt, rice, banana, apple and pomegranate should be taken in the beginning. Easily digestible foods like boiled vegetables, boiled rice, khichadi and fruits should be eaten. Khichadi is prepared by cooking together rice and mung dal (green lentils). Digestive spices like cumin, coriander, ginger, turmeric and cardamom should be used for cooking. Liquids should be given in small quantities (3 or 4 sips) at one time, though it can be given more frequentlyat intervals of thirty minutes. Fruit juices can also be taken in small quantities. Patients should take complete rest until they gain enough strength and energy. Physical exertion of any kind like exercise, sexual activity, sports, singing, dancing etc. should be strictly avoided. The mind should be relaxed and free from all kinds of tension. A gentle oil massage on the head is also helpful.

Diabetes
Diabetes is a disorder that impairs the bodys ability to metabolize carbohydrates and is characterized by abnormally elevated blood glucose (sugar) levels and the excretion of the excess glucose in the urine. There are two types of diabetes mellitus: Type 1 diabetes occurs primarily in children and young adults and has a rapid onset and progress. The pancreas does not produce enough insulin. Type 2 diabetes has evolved as a major disease in the last decade, usually affecting those over the age of 40 and having a slow onset and slow progress. It is a lifestyle disease caused by a high-fat diet and too little exercise. The body produces insulin, but the cells become insulin resistant (unable to utilize the insulin). Home Remedies: 1. Take 2 teaspoons of bitter gourd (karela) juice once a day. One can also increase its use as a cooked vegetable. 2. Take 1 teaspoon of Indian gooseberry (amla; amalaki) juice mixed with 1 teaspoon of bitter gourd juice twice a day. 3. Chew 10 holy basil leaves (tulsi), 10 margosa leaves (neem), and 10 bael leaves (belpatra) on an empty stomach in the early morning. Diet and Lifestyle: Include whole grains in the diet, such as wheat bread/pasta and brown rice. Cheese and yogurt prepared with skimmed (nonfat) milk may be taken. Use garlic, onion, bitter gourd, spinach, raw banana, and black plum. Make a flour mixture of 1 part barley, 1 part black chickpeas, and 4 parts whole-wheat flour and use this to form pancakes and bread. Avoid sweet, sour, and salty foods, potatoes, sweet potatoes, colocasia (taro), yams, fresh grains and pulses (legumes), whole yogurt (high in fat), and heavy, oily and spicy foods. Avoid sweet fruits like pineapple, grapes, mangoes, etc. Start doing some light exercise, such as brisk walking. Build up to a brisk walk of 30-40 minutes in the morning and again in the evening. Avoid sleeping in the daytime as it increases kledaka kapha.

Sinusitis
Sinusitis occurs when the tissues lining the air-filled spaces within the bones of the face are swollen. There is sneezing, difficulty in breathing, and a feeling of heaviness in the head. In Ayurveda, it is known as pinas. Home Remedies: The first step is to reduce the swelling of the sinuses, which can be best done by inhalation of steam. Boil 1 to 2 liters of water and add a few drops of clove oil (or a large spoonful of cloves), 10-12 crushed mint leaves, and a few drops of eucalyptus oil (or 1/3 cup of eucalyptus leaves). Inhale the steam for 10-15 minutes. Continue this twice a day until congestion clears and then once a week to clear the phlegm that gets deposited in the sinuses. Have 1 teaspoon of fresh ginger juice with 1 teaspoon of honey in it twice a day. Crush 4-5 peeled garlic buds and inhale the fragrance. This will reduce the congestion.

Diet and Lifestyle: A person suffering from sinusitis should have freshly-prepared and easily-digestible warm food, lots of vegetables, and fresh fruits. Take warm water plain, or prepare it with cinnamon and black pepper. Eat plenty of garlic and ginger. Avoid cold, heavy, oily foods, cold drinks, chocolates, ice cream, cold water, etc. Get plenty of rest. Sleep while lying on one side and with a pillow beneath the head. This prevents the accumulation of mucus in the air passages and helps to avoid difficulties in breathing.

Acne

&

Pimples

Acne is a skin condition in which there is excess production of oil from the sebaceous glands leading to the blockage of hair follicles. It is the most common problem of adolescents, therefore, it is known asYauvanpidika in Ayurveda; Yauvan means adolescence and pidika means pustules or papules. Home Remedies: Prepare a paste by mixing equal quantities of saffron, turmeric, margosa (neem), red sandalwood, basil, and fullers earth with buttermilk or milk. Apply twice a day. Prepare a powdered mixture of coriander seeds, fennel, basil, turmeric, and Indian gooseberry (amla; amalaki) in equal parts. Take teaspoon of this powder 15 minutes before lunch and dinner. Have 1 teaspoon of powdered Indian gooseberry fruit (amla; amalaki) in morning and evening with water.

Diet and Lifestyle: Avoid spicy, oily, bitter, and sour foods. Eat fresh, unprocessed food. Increase the use of herbs that have cooling effects on the body like fennel, coriander seeds, Indian gooseberry (amla; amalaki), and aloe vera. Increase intake of water to about 8-10 glasses per day, and take coconut water. Wash your face frequently with mild herbal soaps. Cleanse your face with lemon peels.