Month: August 2007

Categories
Positive thinking

Why Not Now?

Waiting For Someday
The time we are blessed with is limited and tends to be used up all too quickly. How we utilize that time is consequently one of the most important decisions we make. Yet it is far too easy to put off until tomorrow what we are dreaming of today. The hectic pace of modern existence affords us an easy out; we shelve our aspirations so we can cope more effectively with the challenges of the present, ostensibly to have more time and leisure to realize our purpose in the future. Or we tell ourselves that we will chase our dreams someday once we have accomplished other lesser goals. In truth, it is our fear that keeps us from seeking fulfillment in the here and now—because we view failure as a possibility, our reasons for delaying our inevitable success seem sound and rational. If we ask ourselves what we are really waiting for, however, we discover that there is no truly compelling reason why we should put off the pursuit of the dreams that sustain us.

When regarded as a question, “Why not now?” drains us of our power to realize our ambitions. We are so concerned with the notion that we are somehow undeserving of happiness that we cannot see that there is much we can do in the present to begin courting it. Yet when we look decisively at our existence and state, “Why not now, indeed!” we are empowered to begin changing our lives this very moment. We procrastinate for many reasons, from a perceived lack of time to a legitimate lack of self-belief, but the truth of the matter is that there is no time like the present and no time but the present. Whatever we aim to accomplish, we will achieve it more quickly and with a greater degree of efficiency when we seize the day and make the most of the resources we have at our disposal presently.

All the joy, passion, and contentment you can envision can be yours right now, rather than in some far-flung point in time. You need only remind yourself that there is nothing standing between you and fulfillment. If you decide that today is the day you will take your destiny into your hands, you will soon discover that you hold the keys of fate.

Source:Daily Om

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Herbs & Plants Herbs & Plants (Spices)

Paprika

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History/Region of Origin:
Paprika, as a member of the capsicum family, is indigenous to the Western Hemisphere. The pepper is grown widely and takes on a slightly different flavor depending on local soil and climatic conditions.

Geographical Sources:
The peppers used in Paprika are grown in Hungary, Spain, South America, and California.
General Description:
Paprika is a spice made from the grinding of dried sweet red bell peppers (Capsicum annuum). In many European countries the name paprika also refers to bell peppers generally. The seasoning is used in many cuisines to add colour and flavour to dishes.

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According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the word comes from the Hungarian “paprika”, which derives from the Serbian “paprika”, which is a diminutive of “papar”, which in turn was derived from the Latin “piper”, for “pepper.”

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Paprika is used as an ingredient in a broad variety of dishes throughout the world. Paprika (pimentón in Spain, colorau in Portugal, chiltoma in Nicaragua, but these “paprikas” are not made exclusively from bell peppers, other varieties are used, and there are several hot and sweet “paprikas”) is principally used to season and colour rices, stews, and soups, such as goulash. In Spain, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia, Turkey and Portugal, paprika is also used in the preparation of sausages as an ingredient that is mixed with meats and other spices. Paprika may be smoked for additional flavour.

Paprika is a spice which comes from a mild red pepper in the family Capsicum annum. It is a brilliant red powder and often used as a garnish.

In India, a similar powdered spice comes from a fruit locally called ‘deghi mirchi’, which is grown widely and takes on a slightly different flavour depending on local soil and climatic conditions. The hottest paprikas are not the bright red ones, but rather the palest red and light brown coloured ones.
Sorts of Hungarian paprika (in brackets the Hungarian name):

Traditional Ethnic Uses:
Paprika is the main flavor in Hungarian cooking, including dishes such as Goulash and Chicken Paprikash. In the United States, it is often used as a garnish on stuffed eggs, fish, and cheese and vegetable casseroles. Spanish Paprika flavors shellfish, rice, and sausage dishes. In Morocco, Paprika is used in tomato dishes and salads.
Taste and Aroma:
Paprika ranges from sweet and mild to hot. American Paprika is the blandest, while Hungarian Paprika has the greatest range of flavor.

Paprika is useful as a simple garnish for almost any savory dish. Combine it with butter, margarine, or oil for a quick baste for fish or poultry. This is especially good on roast turkey. Paprika can be mixed with bread crumbs before sprinkling them over casseroles or vegetables.

Click to learn about Medicinal Properties of Chile Peppers

Click to learn medicinal uses and side effects

Resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paprika
http://www.culinarycafe.com/Spices_Herbs/Paprika.html

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Herbs & Plants

Nageshar or Nagchampa (Messua Ferra)

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Botanical Name:Mesua Ferrea
Family : Guttiferae
Indian Name :Mesua nagesarium /Nag champa or Nageshar

Vernacular Name:: Sans: Nagakeshara; Eng : Iron-wood.Hind : Naageswar;
Parts Used :Bark, Leaf, Flower

Description:.

Mesua nagesarium is a moderate to large sized evergreen tree with 40-60 feet height. Leaves red when young, lanceolate, covered with waxy bloom underneath. Flowers white and fragrant. Found all over the country.

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Medicinal uses: Flowers, seeds and leaves are used as medicine. Flowers are used as astringent, coughs and bowel complaints. Bark extracts also used to cure astringent. Seeds oil is used as eczema and rheumatism.
Useful in the treatment of Asthma, Skin, Burning, Vomiting, Dysentry and Piles.
Various parts of these plants mainly including flowers, fruits are commonly used in the treatment of rheumatism, skin diseases, dysentery and bleeding piles. For bleeding piles, powder of Nagkeshar (Messua ferra) and Lodhra (Symplocos recemosa) should be taken in the dose of 2 gms thrice daily.

Disclaimer:
The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.
Cultivation method: Its fruits normally ripe on October- November. Squeezed out of seeds from ripe fruits and dried it in sunlight for storing. It is possible to store of this seeds for a long time. February to March is better time for seed sowing. Germination commences within 3-4 weeks. One-two year’s old seedlings are used for transplantation in field.

Medicinal recipe:Asthma, Skin, Burning, Vomiting, Dysentry, Piles.

Nagkesar is a local name of Mesua ferrea. It is well known herb in Chhattisgarh particularly in the regions at Orissa state border. The traditional healers and senior natives of Chhattisgarh are well aware of its medicinal properties and uses. They use it alone and in combination with other herbs in treatment of many common troubles, but the traditional healers of the state are not much aware of Herbal dish Nagkesar Ke Murabba. According to the traditional healers of Bagbahera region, this dish was in use in early days and was very popular among the traditional healers. The healers were recommending this preparation as cardio-tonic. During the ethnobotanical surveys conducted in different parts of Chhattisgarh, I asked the healers about this dish but no one came forward with any information. The traditional healers of Bagbahera region are aware of its method of preparation but they have no reason explaining why this dish is not popular in present time?


Material Required : Nagkesar fruits and Sugar.

Method of Preparation : The fruits are boiled in water. Separately, sugar is boiled in water to prepare the Chashni (Syrup). The boiled fruits are added in Chashni and the combination is kept under moonlight for one month. Once prepared in bulk, it can be used round the year.
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As per Ayurveda:It is mild ushna, laghu, tikta; subdues deranged kapha; cures diseases of urinary bladder and those caused by deranged vata; beneficial in sore throat and headache.

Parts Used: Fruits, seeds, flowers, leaves and bark.

Therapeutic Uses:

Fruits: astringent, useful in gastric troubles; seeds: oil in rheumatism and cutaneous affections;

Flowers: astringent, stomachic and expectorant; powder mixed with ghee (butter fat) applied externally in bleeding piles;
The flowers are astringent and stomachic

Buds useful in dysentery; leaves: as poultice applied on forehead in severe colds;

Bark: astringent, Sweetish, carminative, binding, cardiotonic; good in asthma answeats; cures ulcers and piles , hot ,dry, easy to digest, digestive, good for fevers, sweats, biliousness, foul breath, scabies, skin eruptions, itching, small tumours, headache, blood and heart troubles, sore throat, cough, hiccough, vomiting, thirst, dysentery, and bleeding piles

Bark is mildly astringent and feebly aromatic. Combined with ginger it is given as a sudorifie,
.In many localities they are used for cough, especially when attended with much expectoration.
A paste made of the flowers with butter and sugar is used in bleeding piles and burning of the feel.

Resources:

http://www.allayurveda.com/topic_month_february2004.htm
http://www.orissafdc.com/products_medicinal_plants.php
http://www.mapbd.com/Mpdes.htm#nageshwar

http://www.ayurvedakalamandiram.com/herbs.htm#madayantika

 

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News on Health & Science

Coffee may prevent skin cancer

NEW YORK: US scientists have said the combination of daily exercise and a cup of coffee may prevent skin cancers.

Past researches have shown that moderate consumption of coffee may offer some health benefits.

Coffee may help manage asthma and even control attacks when medication is unavailable, stop a headache, boost mood and even prevent cavities, the studies had found.

A new study by scientists at Rutgers University in New Jersey shows that a low to moderate intake of caffeine combined with exercise can be good for health and prevent skin damage caused by the sun’s ultraviolet rays.

They arrived at this conclusion after conducting a study on mice, reported health portal News Medical.

For the study, the researchers used groups of hairless mice, whose skin is extremely vulnerable to the sun.

One group was given caffeinated water to drink, the equivalent of up to two cups of coffee for humans, another group voluntarily exercised on a running wheel, a third group both drank caffeine and ran, while a fourth group neither ran nor drank caffeine and acted as the control group.

All the mice were then exposed to lamps that generated ultraviolet radiation that damages the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in their skin cells.

They were then examined for evidence of programmed cell death, also known as apoptosis, which is the process by which cells with badly damaged DNA destroy themselves as a natural defence against illness and infection.

The scientists found that compared to the ultraviolet radiation exposed control group, the caffeine drinkers showed an increase of about 95 percent in ultraviolet radiation induced apoptosis, the exercisers showed a 120 percent increase, while the mice that were both drinking and exercising showed a nearly 400 percent increase.

One of the study’s authors Allan Conney said if apoptosis takes place in a sun-damaged cell, its progress towards cancer will be aborted.

The team who reported their findings in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences said drugs that induce apoptosis are currently being researched as a method of preventing different types of cancer but the combination of caffeine and exercise appears to have a similar protective effect.

Source:The Times Of India

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News on Health & Science

Smoking Could Ruin Your Sex Life

NEW YORK: Smoking could ruin your sex life as it can increase the risk of erectile dysfunction among men, says a new study.

And the more cigarettes smoked, the greater the risk, found the research that studied 7,684 men between the ages of 35-74.

The researchers led by Jiang He, professor of epidemiology at the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine in New Orleans, examined the association between cigarette smoking and erectile dysfunction.

They used questionnaires to assess the participants – none of whom had vascular disease.

The study found that there was a significant statistical link between the number of cigarettes that men smoked and the likelihood of them experiencing erectile dysfunction, reported science portal EurekAlert.

The link between smoking and erectile dysfunction was even stronger in participants with diabetes.

Although erectile dysfunction is not a life-threatening condition, it compromises well-being and quality of life.

The Tulane study results suggest that smoking prevention should be an important approach for reducing the risk of erectile dysfunction.

Smoking is already known for causing 87 percent of lung cancer deaths. It is also responsible for many other cancers and health problems.

Source:The Times Of India

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