Tag: ayurveda

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Is Ice-Cream Helping You Beat the Summer Heat?

Yes, summers are here, and the scorching heat is unbearable. Our natural instinct is to grab something cold and what better way to beat the heat than an ice-cream. It’s cool, creamy, delicious and triggers dopamine rush. It gives a cooling sensation on the tongue; the flavour and overall sweetness contributes to the positive experience of enjoying this treat. It is hard to pass that feeling of instant pleasure. But before you grab that ice-cream, know the science behind what an ice-cream does to your body heat, so that next time when you require something to cool yourself, you’ll make a better choice.

How our body heat works?

To understand what ice-cream does to our body, we first need to know a bit about how our body controls temperature in different environments. The process of maintaining optimal body temperature by our body is called thermoregulation. Humans are warm blooded which means we can control our body temperature. Our body can constantly produce heat as a byproduct of internal chemical processes which is done by our metabolism. Our metabolism is responsible for correct functioning of our body. From breaking down food to absorbing nutrients to transporting them to different cells and then converting it into energy, metabolism makes it all possible. The heat this process generates is useful when outside temperature is cold but in summers, we need to avoid overheating.

How will Ice-Cream work once it gets digested?

It may seem logical to have something cold like an ice-cream in summers to cool yourself, however, once the components of the ice cream start to break down, the cooling effect is diminished. Its initial cooling effect is rapidly replaced by heat which is generated when the digestion process of ice cream starts. When the body needs to digest calorie rich foods, it produces a lot of heat to digest it which leads to increase in body temperature. Milk, sugar and all the cream added in an ice-cream are rich in calories. This will generate more heat in the body when outside temperature is already high. So, instead of having a cooling effect, it will have the opposite effect. The same goes for high calorie soft drinks- aerated drinks, packed juices. All of this will provide only a momentary respite from the heat but will not cool your body in the truest sense.

What can you actually do to keep your body cool in summers?

While it’s is ok to enjoy an ice-cream once in a while but as the mercury rises opt for a more balanced approach to beat the heat. Some of the best summer coolers are: 

Apart from this, warm beverages surprisingly are a good way to keep yourself cool. Drinking hot beverages cause your body to sweat which allows your body to cool down. Sweating is the most effective natural way for our body to lose heat. 

Eating spicy foods such as ginger, cayenne pepper and red chili peppers can cause you to perspire. When you eat spicy food, you might initially feel hot, but it triggers sweat response causing you to perspire and when the perspiration evaporates, it cools your body temperature. 

Lastly and most importantly, keep yourself hydrated. Drinking enough water is essential to maintain overall well-being and is one of the best ways to keep yourself cool.

Ayurvedic Perspective: 

According to Ayurveda, ice-cream has dampening qualities. It is cold, heavy, too sweet and lacks fire element. Fire or Agni in Ayurveda is referred to as digestive fire- energy that we all need for smooth digestion. Now imagine, pouring something cold and heavy on a blazing fire. Yes, exactly! The fire will diminish. Having too much of cold, sweet and heavy foods creates an imbalance in our body triggering conditions like excess mucus, lethargy, weight gain, allergies, indigestion, bloating and constipation. 

But if you really have a strong urge to grab that ice-cream cup, Ayurveda has some ways in which you can make this food little friendly for your body.

  • Consume your ice-cream around noon time, from 12:00 to 2:00 pm. This is the time when digestive fire is at its strongest. You will have plenty of time throughout the day to digest it. 
  • Go for ice-cream that has a bit of spice like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger or even cayenne pepper. This gives your body some digestive support. 
  • Cardamom flavoured icecream is considered to be one of best antidotes to icecream. When cardamom is added to dairy products, it aids digestion and helps to reduce excess mucus production caused by dairy. 

Bottomline

Cold treats can be satisfying when the temperature is soaring however, it does have an opposite effect on your body. Instead of cooling your body, it will generate more heat. You can enjoy cold summer treats but remember moderation and maintaining a balance is the key to good health. Fix on better and natural summer coolants and remember to stay hydrated.

I hope this post helped you and next time when you get the craving, do remember this post. It will help you make informed choices. Stay happy and stay healthy! 🙂

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Highly Effective Homemade Cough Syrup- A Quick Natural Solution

When it comes to flu, I try to resort to home remedies as much as i can. I don’t like over the counter medication like suppressants, expectorants or decongestants to treat my cough unless it is keeping me up all night and a doctor suggests it. 

I have seen so many people who have bad cough and stuffy nose heading straight to a drug store to pick up OTC medication for relief. The labels of these OTC cough and cold medicines are often overseen or ignored; as a result, people don’t know what these bottles contain and what their ingredients can do.

Decongestants provide symptomatic relief from congestion because they cause narrowing of blood vessels in the nasal passages and sinuses. This can help to reduce inflammation and stuffy nose but what people overlook is that other blood vessels throughout the body are not immune from the narrowing effect. It can lead to high blood pressure and elevated heart rate. People who already have high BP should always take such medication under doctor’s supervision and never self medicate.

There are growing concerns about safety and doubts about the efficacy around the use of OTC cough medicines. In fact, most studies have found no evidence that over-the-counter medicines actually suppress or stop coughing. In many cases, they’ve performed no better than a placebo.

Most viral infections anyway don’t need any medical attention. It’s best to resort to home remedies. The more medicines you take, the lower will be your immunity.

This homemade cough syrup remedy was passed on to me by grandmother. I made it for the first time some 7 years back when I had dry cough that just didn’t go away. It had been more than 15 days, the cough didn’t seem to get any better. I tried everything from saline water gargles, hydration, steam, even tried mucolytic drugs prescribed by the doctor. But nothing gave me much relief.

It was then this syrup came to my rescue and worked like a charm. Within 3 days I noticed a huge relief in my cough. The best part is I can give this to my little one without any fear of side effects.

Ingredients used and their benefits 

1) Holy Basil or Tulsi Leaves: Tulsi, the ancient herb, has positive actions on the respiratory system. Tulsi or holy basil helps to effectively liquefy the phlegm. Boiled Tulsi water helps to provide a soothing effect to people suffering from sore throat. Due to its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, Tulsi has been used as part of home remedies for cough and common cold for centuries. Its juice is also effective in bringing down fever.

2) Ginger: Ginger is a natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant that can help ease a cough. It can reduce inflammation in your respiratory tract and may even help to suppress the cough reflex.

3) Turmeric: Turmeric is a nutritional powerhouse and is said to contain a nutrient called curcumin, which has significant anti-inflammatory properties. It can relieve congestion and reduce coughing.

4) Black pepper: Due to the expectorant properties present in black pepper, it extends relieve from sinus, cough and nasal infection. It’s anti-viral which can break down mucus and phlegm deposition in the respiratory tract. 

5) Caraway seeds or Ajwain: Ajwain is a powerful spice that provides relief from coughing as well as clear mucus from your nose, both of which make breathing easier. It may also help to widen the bronchial tubes, which can help those with asthma.

6) Banafsha or Dried Sweet Violet Flower: Banafsha is one of the main hero ingredients in this recipe. It is medicinal plant which has a long proven history in treating whooping cough. It is highly effective in treating asthma, fever and also bodyache. It is also used as an ingredient in many herbal medicines. It expectorates phlegm from the chest and relieves chest pain and pneumonia.

7) Mulethi or Liquorice Root: Mulethi or Liquorice also known as “Sweetwood” is a traditional medicinal herb. It is widely used in Ayurvedic practice to treat respiratory and digestive disorders. It is said to contain anti-viral, anti-inflammatory & anti-bacterial properties, which maintains mucosal health. It is also an immunity booster because of its powerful antioxidants. 

8) Cloves: Clove is rich in essential oils which have antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Its anti-inflammatory properties can accelerate healing process. Many people opt for clove oil to clear blocked nasal passages too. It also has a cooling effect on nasal cavity and throat. Cloves show expectorant property that helps to discharge secretions and mucous in the respiratory tract.

9) Star anise: Star anise has been traditionally used in Chinese medicines for centuries to treat respiratory and digestive disorders. Studies indicate star anise may have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-cancer, antispasmodic, and sedative properties. Be careful when it comes to star anise. Use Chinese star anise and not JAPANESE. Japanese star anise is believed to be highly toxic.

Recipe: makes 80 ml

Ingredients

  • 10 to 12 Tulsi leaves
  • 1″ ginger
  • 1″ fresh turmeric or organic turmeric powder
  • 10 to 12 Black peppercorns 
  • 1 tsp Caraway Seeds
  • 1 tbsp Banafsha
  • 1″ Mulethi
  • 2 cloves
  • 1 Star anise
  • 2 tbsps Jaggery powder
  • Water: 300 ml

Instructions

  1. Crush tulsi and ginger together. Coarsely crush peppercorn and cloves.
  2. In roughly 300 ml of water, add all the ingredients except jaggery.
  3. Let it all simmer till it reduces to almost 1/4th. Add jaggery and mix well till it melts. 
  4. Cover it and let it rest till it cools and then sieve it.
  5. Transfer it to a clean glass bottle.

Notes

  • It is safe for children. You can give this to kids above 1 year. One tsp for kids, twice in a day followed by warm water.
  • For adults about 10 ml twice a day followed by warm water
  • If not Jaggery, you can also add raw honey to it. Honey should be added when the concoction is completely cool. Honey should never be added to hot liquids as per Ayurveda. If you would like to know more about it, check out this link- Honey Rules! Why you should never cook honey. Do not give honey to children below 1 year.
  • This syrup will last you 2 days when kept at room temperature. But I prefer making it fresh everyday.
  • Drinking enough water is important with this syrup because some of the spices and herbs used are warm in nature.

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Seasonal Eating Guide for 12 Months in Indian Calendar

The Indian calendar is intricately linked with the country’s agricultural practices and climate variations. Each month, known by unique names in the Hindi calendar, signifies specific weather patterns and seasonal changes. These months are named after Sanskrit terms that have historical and cultural significance, reflecting ancient Indian traditions and knowledge systems.

The names of these months originate from ancient Sanskrit texts and are based on the lunar calendar. Each month aligns with specific climatic conditions and seasonal changes, influencing the human body’s needs and susceptibilities. For example, the heat of summer, the monsoon rains, and the onset of winter each require adjustments in diet to promote health and well-being.

Here is a brief overview of the months and their origins:

  1. Chaitra (March-April): Named after the star Chitra, this month marks the beginning of the new year in several regional calendars. It is a time of renewal and new beginnings.
  2. Vaishakh (April-May): This month is named after the star Vishakha. It signifies the onset of summer and the harvest of certain crops.
  3. Jyeshtha (May-June): Named after the star Jyeshtha, it is the hottest month of the year, requiring specific dietary adjustments to cope with the heat.
  4. Ashadha (June-July): This month derives its name from the star Purvashada. It marks the start of the monsoon season, bringing relief from the intense summer heat.
  5. Shravana (July-August): Named after the star Shravana, it is characterized by heavy rains and lush greenery.
  6. Bhadrapada (August-September): This month is named after the star Bhadrapada. It continues the monsoon season and is important for agricultural activities.
  7. Ashwin (September-October): Named after the Ashwini twins, who are considered to be divine healers in Hindu mythology, this month signals the transition from monsoon to autumn.
  8. Kartik (October-November): Named after Kartikeya, the god of war, this month is associated with festivals and rituals that prepare for the winter.
  9. Margashirsha (November-December): Named after the star Mrigashira, it is a month of spiritual practices and preparations for the cold weather.
  10. Pausha (December-January): This month derives its name from the star Pushya. It is the peak of winter, necessitating warm and nourishing foods.
  11. Magha (January-February): Named after the star Magha, this month continues the cold season, with dietary recommendations focusing on warmth and energy.
  12. Phalguna (February-March): Named after the star Phalguna, it marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring, with a diet transitioning to lighter foods.

These dietary guidelines draw on traditional Indian wisdom and Ayurveda, emphasizing the consumption of particular foods and herbs to harmonize with the environment. By following these practices, one can enhance digestion, boost immunity, and prevent seasonal ailments, maintaining overall health throughout the year. Here are some of them written in Hindi, followed by translation into English.

आहार के नियम भारतीय 12 महीनों अनुसार

चैत्र ( मार्च-अप्रैल) – इस महीने में गुड का सेवन करे क्योकि गुड आपके रक्त संचार और रक्त को शुद्ध करता है एवं कई बीमारियों से भी बचाता है। चैत्र के महीने में नित्य नीम की 4 – 5 कोमल पतियों का उपयोग भी करना चाहिए इससे आप इस महीने के सभी दोषों से बच सकते है। नीम की पतियों को चबाने से शरीर में स्थित दोष शरीर से हटते है।

वैशाख (अप्रैल – मई)- वैशाख महीने में गर्मी की शुरुआत हो जाती है। बेल पत्र का इस्तेमाल इस महीने में अवश्य करना चाहिए जो आपको स्वस्थ रखेगा। वैशाख के महीने में तेल का उपयोग बिल्कुल न करे क्योकि इससे आपका शरीर अस्वस्थ हो सकता है।

ज्येष्ठ (मई-जून) – भारत में इस महीने में सबसे अधिक गर्मी होती है। ज्येष्ठ के महीने में दोपहर में सोना स्वास्थ्य वर्द्धक होता है , ठंडी छाछ , लस्सी, ज्यूस और अधिक से अधिक पानी का सेवन करें। बासी खाना, गरिष्ठ भोजन एवं गर्म चीजो का सेवन न करे। इनके प्रयोग से आपका शरीर रोग ग्रस्त हो सकता है।

अषाढ़ (जून-जुलाई) – आषाढ़ के महीने में आम , पुराने गेंहू, सत्तु , जौ, भात, खीर, ठन्डे पदार्थ , ककड़ी, पलवल, करेला, बथुआ आदि का उपयोग करे व आषाढ़ के महीने में भी गर्म प्रकृति की चीजों का प्रयोग करना आपके स्वास्थ्य के लिए हानिकारक हो सकता है।

श्रावण (जूलाई-अगस्त) – श्रावण के महीने में हरड का इस्तेमाल करना चाहिए। श्रावण में हरी सब्जियों का त्याग करे एव दूध का इस्तेमाल भी कम करे। भोजन की मात्रा भी कम ले – पुराने चावल, पुराने गेंहू, खिचड़ी, दही एवं हलके सुपाच्य भोजन को अपनाएं।

भाद्रपद (अगस्त-सितम्बर) – इस महीने में हलके सुपाच्य भोजन का इस्तेमाल कर वर्षा का मौसम् होने के कारण आपकी जठराग्नि भी मंद होती है इसलिए भोजन सुपाच्य ग्रहण करे। इस महीने में चिता औषधि का सेवन करना चाहिए।

आश्विन (सितम्बर-अक्टूबर) – इस महीने में दूध , घी, गुड़ , नारियल, मुन्नका, गोभी आदि का सेवन कर सकते है। ये गरिष्ठ भोजन है लेकिन फिर भी इस महीने में पच जाते है क्योकि इस महीने में हमारी जठराग्नि तेज होती है।

कार्तिक (अक्टूबर-नवम्बर) – कार्तिक महीने में गरम दूध, गुड, घी, शक्कर, मुली आदि का उपयोग करे। ठंडे पेय पदार्थो का प्रयोग छोड़ दे। छाछ, लस्सी, ठंडा दही, ठंडा फ्रूट ज्यूस आदि का सेवन न करे…

Dietary Guidelines According to the Indian 12-Month Calendar

#Chaitra (March-April) – Consume jaggery this month as it helps in blood circulation, purifies the blood, and protects against various diseases. Additionally, take 4-5 tender neem leaves daily to avoid the common ailments of this month. Chewing neem leaves helps remove toxins from the body.

#Vaishakh (April-May) – With the onset of summer, it is essential to use bael leaves this month to stay healthy. Avoid using oil, as it can make the body unhealthy during this period.

#Jyeshtha (May-June) – This is the hottest month in India. Taking a nap in the afternoon is beneficial for health. Consume cold buttermilk, lassi, juice, and plenty of water. Avoid stale food, heavy meals, and hot items, as they can make you prone to diseases.

#Ashadha (June-July) – In this month, consume mangoes, aged wheat, sattu (roasted gram flour), barley, rice, kheer (sweet rice pudding), cool items, cucumber, pointed gourd, bitter gourd, and lamb’s quarters (bathua). Avoid hot-natured foods as they can harm your health.

#Shravana (July-August) – Use haritaki (Terminalia chebula) this month. Avoid green vegetables and reduce milk intake. Eat in smaller quantities, focusing on aged rice, aged wheat, khichdi (rice and lentils), yogurt, and light, easily digestible foods.

#Bhadrapada (August-September) – Since this is the rainy season, your digestive fire is weak. Eat light, easily digestible foods and consume medicinal herbs that enhance digestion.

#Ashwin (September-October) – This month, you can consume milk, ghee, jaggery, coconut, raisins, and cabbage. Though these are heavy foods, they are digestible due to the strong digestive fire in this period.

#Kartik (October-November) – In Kartik, consume warm milk, jaggery, ghee, sugar, and radish. Avoid cold beverages and foods such as buttermilk, lassi, cold yogurt, and cold fruit juices.

#Margashirsha (November-December) – Focus on consuming sesame seeds, jaggery, and warm foods. These help keep the body warm and maintain good health during the winter season.

#Pausha (December-January) – Eat foods that provide warmth and energy, such as sesame seeds, jaggery, and nuts. Avoid cold foods and drinks.

#Magha (January-February) – This is a cold month, so consume hot and spicy foods to maintain body heat. Include ginger, garlic, and warm soups in your diet.

#Phalguna (February-March) – As the weather starts to warm up, begin to include light and cool foods in your diet. Avoid heavy and oily foods to prepare your body for the upcoming summer season.

To sum and structure the above again.

Chaitra (March-April)

  • Recommended Foods:
    • Jaggery: Consuming jaggery (gud) during this month is beneficial as it aids in blood circulation, purifies the blood, and helps prevent various diseases.
    • Neem Leaves: Chew 4-5 tender neem leaves daily. Neem leaves help eliminate toxins from the body and protect against seasonal ailments.

Vaishakha (April-May)

  • Recommended Foods:
    • Bael (Wood Apple): Including bael in your diet during this month can help maintain good health.
  • Foods to Avoid:
    • Oily Foods: Avoid consuming oily foods as they can negatively impact your health in the rising temperatures.

Jyeshtha (May-June)

  • Recommended Foods:
    • Cool Beverages: Drink plenty of cold buttermilk, lassi (yogurt drink), fresh juices, and water.
    • Rest: Taking a nap in the afternoon can be beneficial in the extreme heat.
  • Foods to Avoid:
    • Stale and Heavy Foods: Avoid consuming stale food, heavy meals, and hot items as they can lead to health issues.

Ashadha (June-July)

  • Recommended Foods:
    • Seasonal Fruits and Grains: Include mangoes, old wheat, sattu (roasted gram flour), barley, rice, kheer (rice pudding), cooling foods like cucumber, bitter gourd, and bathua (Chenopodium album) in your diet.
  • Foods to Avoid:
    • Hot Natured Foods: Avoid foods that generate heat as they can be harmful to your health during this month.

Shravana (July-August)

  • Recommended Foods:
    • Haritaki (Chebulic Myrobalan): Using haritaki during this month is beneficial.
  • Foods to Avoid:
    • Green Vegetables: Reduce the intake of green vegetables.
    • Dairy: Minimize the consumption of milk.
    • Light and Digestible Foods: Consume older rice, old wheat, khichdi (rice and lentils dish), yogurt, and easily digestible foods.

Bhadrapada (August-September)

  • Recommended Foods:
    • Light and Digestible Foods: Due to the rainy season, digestive fire (jatharagni) becomes weak. Therefore, consume light and easily digestible foods.
    • Medicinal Herbs: Use herbs like Chita for maintaining health.

Ashwin (September-October)

  • Recommended Foods:
    • Rich Foods: Milk, ghee, jaggery, coconut, raisins, and cabbage can be consumed as the digestive fire is strong during this month, making it easier to digest heavier foods.

Kartika (October-November)

  • Recommended Foods:
    • Warm Foods: Include warm milk, jaggery, ghee, sugar, and radish in your diet.
  • Foods to Avoid:
    • Cold Beverages: Avoid cold beverages like buttermilk, lassi, cold yogurt, and cold fruit juices.

Margashirsha (November-December)

  • Recommended Foods:
    • Warm and Nutritious Foods: Consuming ghee, milk, and warm foods is beneficial during this month.
    • Sesame Seeds: Including sesame seeds in your diet can help keep the body warm and healthy.

Pausha (December-January)

  • Recommended Foods:
    • Warming Foods: Ghee, jaggery, and hot milk are recommended to keep the body warm in the cold weather.
    • Dry Fruits: Almonds, cashews, and dates provide the necessary energy and warmth.

Magha (January-February)

  • Recommended Foods:
    • Ghee and Nuts: Continue consuming ghee and dry fruits to maintain warmth and energy.
    • Warm Soups: Hot soups and stews are beneficial during this month.

Phalguna (February-March)

  • Recommended Foods:
    • Light Foods: As the weather starts warming up, transition to lighter foods.
    • Green Vegetables: Increase the intake of green vegetables to cleanse the body and prepare for the upcoming summer season.

By following these dietary guidelines according to the Indian 12-month calendar, you can align your diet with seasonal changes, promoting better health and well-being throughout the year.

Conclusion

Understanding the dietary guidelines according to the 12 months in the Indian calendar offers valuable insights into how our ancestors harmonized their lifestyles with nature. These guidelines are not merely traditional practices but are based on deep knowledge of seasonal changes, climatic conditions, and their impact on human health.

By following these monthly dietary recommendations, one can adapt to the natural rhythms of the year, ensuring optimal health and well-being. These practices encourage the consumption of seasonal foods that are best suited to the body’s needs during specific times of the year, enhancing digestion, immunity, and overall vitality.

Incorporating these ancient wisdoms into our modern lifestyles can help us stay connected to our cultural roots and promote a holistic approach to health. Embracing these practices allows us to experience the benefits of balanced living, as envisioned by our ancestors.

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Honey Rules! Why you should never cook honey?

“The fruit of bees is desired by all, and is equally sweet to kings and beggars and it is not only pleasing but profitable and healthful; it sweetens their mouths, cures their wounds, and conveys remedies to inward ulcers.” 
– Saint Ambrose

The above quote pretty much sums up the importance of honey in our lifestyle. It’s one of the many nature’s gift to mankind. It is a natural and a healthy substance that has been harvested by humans for over thousands of years to heal and provide natural source of energy. Across the globe our ancestors were well aware of its benefits. In India, honey is an important part of Siddha and Ayurveda – the ancient, traditional systems of medicine. In ancient Egypt, it was used in managing skin and eye diseases, and also as a natural bandage applied on wounds and burns.

In this post we will look at various health benefits of consuming honey regularly, how according to Ayurveda honey should be consumed and the kind of honey you should buy to derive maximum benefit from it.

Health Benefits of Honey

Honey is anti-microbial and antiseptic: Several clinical studies have demonstrated that application of honey to severely infected wounds rapidly clears infection from the wound and improves tissue healing. It has a synergistic effect when applied with antibiotics. Tissue repair is enhanced by the low pH of honey. The pH of honey is between 3.2 and 4.5. This acidity is low enough to inhibit the growth of most microorganisms.

It is anti-inflammatory: Suffering from pain and inflammation? Include honey in your lifestyle. It has the power to lower inflammation. Honey contains antioxidants like Vitamin C, flavonoids, and polyphenols which are highly anti-inflammatory. It helps repair damaged intestinal linings, and stimulates the growth of new tissues.

It is an energy food: Out of many vital uses of honey, one of the most important use is that, it is a brilliant energy booster. Honey contains 85% of sugar molecules, glucose and fructose. The remaining 15% is water, pollen and trace nutrients. Unlike white sugar which is 100% sugar with a GI of 65, honey has a GI of 30-50. This means honey will provide energy over a long period of time.

Helps in Digestion: Honey has a mild laxative properties which helps in giving relief from constipation. It is also a mild probiotic which is excellent for your gut. Regular consumption can help reduce bloating and gas problems.

Combat skin and scalp infections: Thanks to its anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties, honey can give you relief from dandruff, eczema, and psoriasis rashes. It can strike down candida overgrowth that most people today struggle with. It can curb  infections like ringworms, athlete foot, itchy scalp and seborrheic dermatitis.

Why you should never cook it?

Honey is liquid gold but its effectiveness nullifies once you heat it, cook with it or add it to hot liquids. According to Ayurveda, honey when heated above 40 degree Celsius becomes toxic. Overtime it contributes to ill health. The reason behind this is when honey is cooked, it becomes like a glue and sticks to your digestive tract producing toxins and clogging body channels. In Ayurveda, this is called Ama, which is nothing but undigested matter that can’t be flushed out of your body because it is stuck to your digestive tract like a glue. This is considered as one of the most difficult forms to detoxify. Charaka, the ancient sage of Ayurveda wrote over 500 years ago that, “nothing is so troublesome as Ama caused by improper intake of honey.”

Even modern science confirms that, heating honey can damage its properties, deteriorates the quality by damaging all beneficial enzymes responsible for its numerous health benefits.

How you should consume honey?

  • The best way to consume honey is as it is in its raw form. You can add honey to slightly warm to room temperature liquids but never to hot liquids. If you are used to having honey water in the morning, make sure the water is not hot.
  • Do not bake or cook with honey. Find different alternatives to sweeten your dishes which are not harmful when cooked like maple syrup or jaggery.
  • Honey should not be consumed when you are working in a hot environment. Honey has qualities of being ‘hot’ in nature. It is best avoided on a hot summer day.
  • It should never be combined with hot, spicy foods and fermented beverages like whiskey, rum.
  • Avoid honey baked goods, snacks or cereals

Caution: Do not give honey to kids below 1 year of age. It can lead to botulism.

How to identify good quality honey?

All the benefits of honey go to waste if the honey you bought is substandard or is highly processed. Do not buy heated or pasteurised honey. Honey contains live enzymes and antioxidants which become completely dead once honey is heated during processing leaving you with nothing but sugar.

Do not fall for organic ones too. It’s is the biggest scam of food industries. Most of the commercial honey available in the market are nothing but fructose or corn syrups which can create a havoc with your blood sugar if consumed daily. Look for artisanal honey with terms like raw, unprocessed, unfiltered or unheated on the label. Raw honey is never heated above hive temperature and is strained but not filtered. They bear quite a price difference to commercial honey but investment in health and quality products will take you a long way.

Hope this article helped you. Let me know in the comments if you want to know how you can incorporate honey in your lifestyle. Enjoy good health! 🙂

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Everything you need to know about drinking from Earthen Pot- Back to Basics

Water consumption is crucial for maintaining good health, particularly in summertime, when temperatures are soaring. This is the time when we crave for a glass of chilled water. We step inside our homes after being under the scorching sun and the first thing we do is drink a glass of chilled water straight from the refrigerator. Drinking cold water gives an instant relief and helps beat the heat.

According to experts, drinking 8-10 glasses of water is necessary to stay hydrated. However, drinking water at a proper temperature is also important. Drinking cold water straight from the refrigerator has been linked with many health issues. Various researchers and even Ayurveda has claimed that refrigerated chilled water weakens our immune system and leads to various health problems.

Here are a few reasons why one should avoid cold water from the refrigerator:

  1. In Ayurveda, it is believed that consuming cold water can weaken your digestive fire, known as Agni, and impacts digestion. Normal body temperature is 37 degree C, and when you consume something very cold, your body compensates by spending energy to regulate this temperature. This energy should originally be used in the process of digestion and absorbing nutrients.
  2. Consuming cold water from the refrigerator can lead to mucus formation. Due to this, problems like sore throat, cold, excess mucus and throat swelling can occur quite frequently. A study conducted in 1978 in a journal CHEST published by American College of Chest Physicians found that nasal mucus thickened after drinking cold refrigerated water and persisted for more than half an hour.
  3. Cold water consumption can also have an effect on the heart rate. It can reduce the heart rate of your body. Research at the National Yang-Ming University School of Medicine in Taiwan found that drinking 250 ml of ice water significantly lowered the heart rate as compared to room temperature water.
  4. It can lead to sudden headaches. Cold water can cool down your nerves in your spine, which affects the brain and nervous system. This situation can increase problems for people who are already suffering from sinus or migraine.

So, what is the solution? For someone like me, I need cold water in summers to quench my thirst. But fret not!! The answer to your concern is- EARTHEN OR CLAY WATER POTS. Drinking water from clay pot or matka, as we call it, is nothing new to us Indians. Our ancestors have been storing water in clay pots for centuries. Earth is a natural coolant and also naturally contains many minerals that are healing for human body.

Benefits of Clay Pot water

  • NATURAL COOLER: Clay is porous in nature which helps in cooling the water. Now this naturally cold water unlike refrigerated water will not give you sore throat or cold.  Infact, you’ll be surprised to know that this earthen water is soothing for sore throat because of many minerals that seep into water through clay. 
  • ALKALINE: Clay water is more alkaline than normal water. Clay naturally increases the pH level of water. Alkaline clay reacts with water, in turn increasing its pH level. Hence, we don’t have to run after those expensive water filters which claim to increase pH level of water when we can naturally do it and it is inexpensive. 
  • BOOST DIGESTION: Since clay water is naturally alkaline, it boosts digestion and metabolism. Human body is known to be acidic in nature. Keeping your body alkaline will help you and your child get rid of acidity and indigestion related problems. 
  • PREVENTS SUN-STROKE: Its summer time and temperatures are soaring everywhere. There’s nothing better than drinking water from these earthen pots. This nutrient dense water, will cool your digestive system and will prevent you and your child from other heat related ailments.
  • NATURAL PURIFIER: Clay pots are not just useful to cool the water, but it also helps to purify it naturally. The porous micro-texture blocks contaminants in the water and makes it safe to drink.
  • ENHANCED TASTE AND FRESHNESS: Water stored in earthen pots acquire a distinct taste due to minerals present in clay. This earthiness enhances the taste of the water and makes it refreshing. Also, the porous surface of clay pot allows for air circulation preventing the water from stagnation and helps to maintain its freshness overtime.

How to first time use Clay Pot

When you buy the pot, rinse it well with fresh water 3 to 4 times. Then fill it with water. Keep the water filled pot overnight or for 10 to 12 hours, then empty it. Do this twice. This is called seasoning of clay pots before use. Now, keep the empty pot in the sun for 4 to 5 hours. The sun rays will naturally disinfect the pot. After keeping it in sun, fill it again with water. Empty it after 2 to 3 hours. Now the pot is ready for consumption.

How to clean a Clay Pot

It is recommended to clean the pot at least once a week. To clean all you have to do is keep the empty pot facing upside down in the sun for 4 to 5 hours. The sun will do its job. Afterwards, rinse it with fresh water 2 or 3 times and refill again for consumption. Do not use any dish washing liquids or soap to clean it. Never use a metal scrubber to clean. And never put your hand inside clay pot. This might contaminate it.

Since clay pots are porous in nature, it allows the natural salt and minerals from water to seep through the outside causing a white powdery build up on the outsides of the pot. This residue is not harmful, and it can easily be cleaned with a dry clean cloth.

Some Do’s and Don’ts of Clay Water Pot

  1. Store it in cool, dry place to prevent mold growth.
  2. Don’t store acidic or citrus – based liquids in the clay pot.
  3. Don’t store hot water in it.
  4. Do not keep it in the refrigerator.
  5. Since clay is fragile, handle it with care.

Bottomline

Clay is healing for human body. It is time we go back to our roots. Ancient India extensively used clay wares which is nothing but earth. It is one of the healthiest substances to store water. Water stored in these matkas makes one of the most refreshing drinks on a hot summer day. Introduce your children and family to this goodness. It will help you connect with mother earth and nature.