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Herbs & Plants

Belleric Myroblan

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Botanical Name: Termindia chebula retz

Family: Combretaceae
Genus: Terminalia
Species:T. bellirica
Kingdom:Plantae
Order: Myrtales

Indian Name: Harad or Haritaki

Habitat:
This tree is indigenous to India. It occurs almost throughout the country up to about 1,000 meters excepting the dry regions of Western India. It is more common in mixed deciduous forests. The herb contains substantial amounts of tannin substances.

Plant Description:
Belleric myroblan is a large tree, often with buttresses. It has large leaves, 10 to 25 cm long, clustered near ends of branches; small pale green foul-smelling flowers in simple spikes and egg-shaped, brownish long fruits densely covered with hair….CLICK  & SEE THE PICTURES

The word Belleric is taken from the scientific name which distinguishes this myroblan from the other one, that is, chebulic myroblan, (harad). The dried fruits of the tree constitute the drug bahera. The trade name bahera is based on the Indian name of the tree.


Healing Power and Curative Properties:

Chebulic myroblan is a wonderful herb and is known as long-life elixir. It is the fruit of a middle-sized or large tree which has egg-shaped 10 to 20 cm long leaves and dull white flowers in spikes at the end of its branches. The fruit, which is 2 to 4 cm long, has five distinct ribs on its body.

Chebulic myroblan is indigenous to India. It has been used in Indian system of medicine for a very long time. The physicians in ancient India used it in the treatment of diarrhoea, dysentery, heart-bum, flatulence, dyspepsia and liver and spleen disorders. There is an old Indian proverb which says, “If one bites a piece of haritaki everyday after meals and swallows its juice, he will remain free from all diseases.”

The fruit of chebulic myroblan contains an astringent substance. The astringency is due to the characteristic principle chebulinic acid. It also contains tannic acid, gallic acid, resin and some purgative principle of the nature of anthraquinone.
The herb is bitter in taste. It is a tonic and a laxative and arrests secretion or bleeding. It is also useful in reducing fevers. The bahera fruit is one of the three constituents of the famous Indian preparation triphala, the other two being embelica myroblan (amla) and chebulic myroblan (harad).

Among its many medicinal virtues, is its use as a mild, safe and efficacious laxative. The drug helps arrest secretion or bleeding and strengthens the stomach and prornotes its action. It is useful in correcting disordered processes of nutrition by which the organism ingests digests, absorbs, utilises and excretes food substance and restores the normal function of the system. This herb is one of the ingredients of the famous Ayurvedic preparation triphala which is used in the treatment of enlarged liver, stomach disorders and pain in the eyes.

Acidity

The juice of chebulic myroblan is highly beneficial in the treatment of acidity and heart-bum. It neutralizes the acidity in the stomach, if taken after meals. For better results, this juice should be combined with the juice of Indian gooseberry (amla). Chewing a piece of chebulic myroblan is an age-old remedy for heart-burn.

Asthma

A piece of the fruit chewed every night, will reduce asthmatic tendencies to the minimum.

Constipation

As a mild laxative, chebulic myroblan is useful in constipation. Either the pulp of 2 or 3 fruits with a little rock salt or a decoction of 6 fruits and 4 grams of cloves or cinnamon, should be taken daily at bed time to relieve constipation.

Diarrhoea and Dysentery

This herb is also an effective remedy for chronic diarrhoea and dysentery. Four grams of the pulp of the unripe fruit is given with honey and aromatics such as dove and cinnamon twice a day in the treatment of these diseases.

Piles

chebulic myroblan is a popular remedy for piles. The fresh fruits should be fried to a golden brown color in castor oil, powdered and stored. Half a teaspoon of this dissolved on the tongue at bedtime brings about normal bowel movement in the morning and its astringent property heals the pile masses.

Oral Inflammation

The use of a diluted decoction of chebulic myroblan is a popular gargle for mouth inflammation. The paste of the fruit mixed in thin buttermilk also makes a very effective gargle in gum inflammation. The powder of the fruit when applied directly on the painful tooth gives relief.

Skin Disorders

The herb is very useful in skin disorders like chronic ulcers, wounds and scalds. A fine powder of the fruit mixed with carrion oil-made from fat of an animal-makes an excellent ointment for burns and scalds.

Whitlow

Chebulic myroblan is also used to cure whitlow. The fruits are roasted, powdered and sieved. This powder is mixed in dilute tamarind water to make a fine paste which is applied on the infected finger. The astringent action of chebulic myroblan combines with the acidic effect of tamarind water to dry up infection.

Eye Disorders

A dilute decoction of chebulic myroblan used as an eye wash helps to relieve eye congestion. The fruit being astringent, decreases swelling and inflammation.

Mumps

A thick paste of chebulic myroblan applied over the swelling is a good remedy for treating mumps.

Vaginitis

A decoction of the herb is useful in vaginal irritation and inflammation. It should be used as a douche to wash the vulva parts. When there is thick white discharge, washing the part with a decoction made with neem leaves and chebulic myroblan fruits will help greatly.

Precautions: The use of chebulic myroblan should be avoided during pregnancy as it may cause abortion.

Coughs
Belleric myroblan is a household remedy for coughs. A mixture of the pulp of the fruit, salt, long pepper and honey is administered in the treatment of cough. The fried fruit covered with wheat flour and roasted, is another popular remedy for cough and catarrh.

Stomach Disorders
The herb is extremely useful in stomach disorders such as indigestion and diarrhea. A decoction or infusion of 1 to 3 grams of the pulp of the fruit should be administered in these disorders.

Sore Throat
The same mixture as for cough treatment is also a useful remedy for sore throat and hoarseness of voice. The fried fruit is another remedy for treating sore throat. It should be given in the same manner as for cough.

Chronic Constipation
The half ripe fruit is considered useful as a purgative. It can be used beneficially in the treatment of chronic constipation. However, the ripe and dried fruit has the opposite property.

Intestinal Worms
Belleric myroblan, mixed with the seeds of butea (palash) is very effective anthelmintic. It should be taken in doses of one teaspoon thrice a day. It helps remove all intestinal parasites.

Eye Disorders
The herb can be applied on the eyes as a soothing lotion. Its fine powder can be used beneficially in epiphora—that is watering of the eyes, in which tears flow onto the cheeks due to abnormality of the tear drainage system.
Other Uses

Hair Tonic: The herb is useful as a hair tonic. A paste of the fruit is boiled in coconut oil till its essence completely dissolves in the oil. This oil used regularly gives vitality to hair. Cheublic myroblan decoction is a popular hair tonic which many Indian women use to blacken grey hair.

Sweets and pickles based on chebulic myroblan are commonly used in Indian homes. They are believed to be digestive and mild laxative.

Source: www.indiangyan.com and Herbs That Heal

Categories
News on Health & Science

Killing Cancer, the Haldi(Turmeric) Way

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Researchers have successfully trapped curcumin in nanoparticles and this may finally allow the turmeric component to be used as a tumour-fighting agent.

In the laboratory of physician-researcher Anirban Maitra, a tiny vial of liquid portrays the fusion of a 21st century technology and traditional Indian medicine, brought together by a common spice — turmeric or haldi.

The liquid contains billions of microscopic balls constructed out of a polymer-like material, each loaded with a tiny amount of curcumin, the yellow ingredient of turmeric. Each ball is a Trojan horse — a weapon designed to enter tumour cells and initiate their destruction. Maitra, associate professor at the John Hopkins University School of Medicine in the US, believes these balls will allow curcumin to finally emerge as an effective cancer-fighting agent.

Maitra is part of a father-son team Maitra is part of a father-son team working from two sides of the world that has succeeded in trapping curcumin in nanoparticles, particles so tiny that tens of thousands of them would fit on top of a pinhead.

In the past five years, dozens of studies in India and abroad have established the efficacy of curcumin as a potential treatment for a number of cancers simulated in the laboratory. Some studies have also demonstrated the beneficial effects of curcumin in a number of non-cancerous conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and cystic fibrosis.

Curcumin is among the most attractive among promising new therapeutic agents because it’s been taken through food for centuries without any side effects,” Maitra told KnowHow. “But a single problem has prevented its widespread testing in humans — it’s poor solubility,” he said.

For oral curcumin to be efficiently absorbed from the gut into the bloodstream — so that it can reach various organs — solubility is crucial. An insoluble drug is excreted from the gut. While free curcumin “bathes” the gastrointestinal tract, little of it reaches the circulating blood, said Maitra. “So for diseases involving the gastrointestinal tract, such as colon cancer, free curcumin is okay, but for other diseases, it’s not suitable,” he said.

click to see the pictures…..().……………………………………
Curcumin and nanocurcumin in water, and turmeric

Curcumin therapy would require a patient to take 12 to 20 grams of oral curcumin each day, that is, some 24 to 40 capsules each containing 500 mg of curcumin. Studies have shown that beyond 12 grams, the after-taste becomes unbearable for a patient.

The nanocurcumin is soluble in water and is thus enabled to slip into the bloodstream and travel to different organs. The idea of encapsulating curcumin in nanoparticles was hatched during transcontinental telephone calls between Maitra and his father Amarnath Maitra, professor of chemistry at the University of Delhi, who has been investigating the potential of nanoparticles for drug delivery over the past decade.

Prof. Maitra and his student Sheetal Soni synthesised the nanoparticles — about 100 nanometres in size — that are hydrophobic (water-repellent) on the inside and hydrophilic (water-loving) on the outside.

“This unique property allows hydrophobic drugs like curcumin to be encapsulated inside the nanoparticle where the region is hydrophobic, while the nanoparticle itself with a hydrophilic outer coat is easily soluble in water or other water-containing liquids,” Maitra said. The John Hopkins-Delhi University team published its findings in the latest issue of the Journal of Nanobiotechnology.

While the Delhi researchers synthesised the nanoparticles and determined their properties, the US collaborators conducted studies in human cancer cells maintained in laboratory test tubes to study the behaviour of nanocurcumin. The studies show that nanocurcumin is equal to or better than free curcumin against the human cancer cells. The scientists now plan to conduct studies to evaluate the tumour fighting in animals.

There are two ways through which the nanocurcumin circulating in the bloodstream may reach tumours. Left to themselves, the nanoparticles are likely to accumulate in tumour cells because tumours have leaky blood vessels — they have tiny perforations that would allow the particles to seep out. But there is another, more ambitious, delivery technique which Maitra says is the “more superior option”.

“We can attach a special molecule to the surface of the nanoparticle that allows it to be delivered selectively to specific types of cells such as cancer cells,” Maitra said. Such a nanoparticle would home in on cancer cells like guided missiles. In laboratory experiments, Maitra’s team has shown that in pancreatic cancer cells the curcumin initiates a sequence of cellular events that cause the cell to commit suicide.

Enzymes in the cells then degrade the nanoparticles, allowing curcumin to seep out and begin acting on the target tumour cells. The nanoparticles are made from a polymer that is degraded in the body and excreted.

Source: The Telegraoh (Kolkata,India)

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Categories
Yoga

Some Basic Movements In Yoga Exercise

There are several joints in our body, which needs lubrication and movements. The food we consume supplies the lubrication and Yoga and other activities provide the movements. In our regular life some of these joints are overused and some are rarely used which may create problems at later stage in your life. To help these joints maintain their healthy condition Basic Movements are necessary also they are useful to prepare your body to take up Yoga.

Benefits :–
1.As your body relaxes all your muscles also relax except those muscles, which are used in the movements, so one can easily concentrate on the movement / particular muscle (effort).
2. Aged and persons having diseases also can do these movements without much strain.
Standing Position – Yoga Postures or Asana(Exercise) in standing position: click & see


Stand erect with the feet quite close together, heels and the big toes touching each other. Hands touching thighs, this position helps achieve stability of pulse.

Neck Movement-1 ...click & see

Benefit: To increase the flexibility and stamina of neck muscles.
Procedure – Standing (as shown in the picture) Position, keep your neck straight, then slowly but without jerk bend your neck forward as much as possible, back to normal position then bend it backward and then back to normal, then to the right and to the left.

Precaution: – People with neck problems like spondilytis should avoid forward bending.
Neck Movement- 2 ...click &  see

Benefits: To increase the flexibility and stamina of neck muscles.

Procedure: – Standing Position(as shown in the picture), keep your neck straight, then slowly but without jerk start rotating neck clockwise from left shoulder to backwards then to the right shoulder and to front. Repeat this in anticlockwise direction starting from right shoulder.

Precaution: – People with neck problems like spondilytis should avoid forward bending.

Shoulder Movement– 1

Benefits – To increase the flexibility and stamina of shoulder & back muscles. This posture is useful for people with back problems.
Procedure :– Sit in the Vajrasana Position, keep your body straight, with arms by side. Then slowly but without jerk lift your both shoulders upwards as much as possible near to ears, back to normal position.
Precaution: – No specific precautions.

Shoulder Movement -2
Benefits :– This posture is useful for people with back problems.- To increase the flexibility and stamina of shoulder and back muscles.
Procedure :- Sit in the Vajrasana position, keep your body straight, fold you hands and place left fist on left shoulder and right fist on right shoulder, bring both your elbows together near chest, then slowly but without jerk rotate both these arms in opposite direction, (left arm anticlockwise and right arm clockwise) Repeat this in opposite direction (right arm anticlockwise and left arm clockwise).
Precaution :– No specific precautions.

Hand Movement- 1

CLICK & SEE

Benefits :- This posture is useful in increasing the strength of neck, shoulders and the stretching helps retain normal posture. To increase the flexibility and stamina of hand & shoulder muscles.

Procedure :- Relax in Shavasana position, keep your hands 6 inches away from your body, legs separated with 12 inch distance between them, lift your hands 1 to 1.5 inch above ground and slowly rotate them towards head without bending elbows, keep the hands parallel to the ground till both the palms meet, place left palm on right palm and stretch hands upwards and legs downwards for 5 to 10 seconds, then slowly but without jerk rotate both the hands back to the normal position via the same path.
Precaution :- If you feel strain while lifting your hands above ground then do this with your hands resting on ground.

Hand: Movement -2

Benefits: – This posture is useful in increasing the strength of neck, shoulders and hands, the stretching helps retain normal posture. To increase the flexibility and stamina of hand & shoulder muscles.
Procedure – Relax in Shavasana position, keep your hands 6 inches away from your body, legs separated with 12 inch distance between them, raise your hands above ground and slowly take them towards head without bending elbows, place both hands on the ground, stretch hands upwards and legs downwards for 5 to 10 seconds. Then slowly but without jerk bring both the hands back to the normal position via the same path.
Benefits :- This posture is useful in increasing the strength of neck, shoulders and hands, the stretching helps retain normal posture.
Hand: Movement- 3

Benefits :– This posture is useful in increasing the strength of neck, shoulders and the stretching helps retain normal posture. – To increase the flexibility and stamina of hand & shoulder muscles.
Procedure :- Relax in Shavasana position, keep your hands 6 inches away from your body, legs separated with 12 inch distance between them, lift your hands 1 to 1.5 inch above ground and slowly rotate them towards head without bending elbows, keep the hands parallel to the ground till both forearms cross, in this same cross position raise the arms above and on to the stomach, then slowly bring both the hands back to the normal position.

Precaution :- If you feel strain while lifting your hands above ground then do this with your hands resting on ground. The movements should be slow and continuous.

Leg Movement -1

CLICK & SEE

Benefits: – This helps development of the leg muscles and hip joints.- To increase the flexibility and stamina of legs & hip muscles.
Procedure :- Relax in Supine position, keep your hands around head rotating them side ways, then lift your left leg and bring it near to the hip, repeat this procedure for the right leg. Then slowly bring both the hands back to the normal position.
Precaution: – The movements should be slow & continuous.

Leg Movement -2
Benefits :– This helps leg muscles and hip joints. To increase the flexibility and strength of legs & hip muscles.
Procedure: – Relax in Supine position, keep your hands close to your body, then lift your left leg 30 to 40 degrees above ground level and rotate it in the clockwise direction without bending knees, repeat this procedure for the right leg.
Precaution: – The movements should be slow & continuous. Do not bend the knees.

Leg Movement-3

Benefits – This helps leg muscles and hip joints.To increase the flexibility and stamina of legs & hip muscles.
Procedure – Relax in Supine position, Move your hands around and place them at shoulder height, parallel to the ground, then lift your left leg and turn it to the right side as far as possible touching the ground. Repeat this procedure for the right leg. Then slowly bring both the hands back to the normal position.
Precaution – The movements should be slow & continuous. Do not bend the knees.

CLICK & SEE THE PICTURES

Knee Movement -1

Benefits: – This helps knee joints and hip joints.To increase the flexibility and strength of knee & waist muscles.
Procedure :– Relax in Supine position, Move your hands around your head, then bend your left leg in knee and rest foot near&nbspto hips , then turn the knee to the right side as far as possible. Repeat this procedure&nbspfor the right leg. Then slowly bring both the hands back to the normal position.
Precaution :– The movements should be slow & continuous.

Knee Movement -2

Benefits: – This helps knee joints, hip joints and also the spinal column. To increase the flexibility and strength of knee & waist muscles.
Procedure – Relax in Supine position, Move your hands around your head, then bend your legs in knee and rest feet near to&nbsphips , then turn the legs to the left side as far as possible, touch the left knee to the ground and turn the neck to the right side and relax all the muscles, continue normal&nbspbreathing, then slowly bring both the hands back to the normal position.
Precaution :– The movements should be slow & continuous, don’t take unnecessary strains while performing this exercise.

Knee Movement- 3
Benefits – This helps knee joints, hip joints and also the spinal column.- To increase the flexibility and strength of knee & waist muscles .
Procedure – Relax in Supine position.
Move your hands around your head, then bend your legs in knee and rest feet near to hips , keep 12 inches distance between them, then turn the left leg to the right side to touch the right toe, press the right leg to the left thigh, relax all the muscles,&nbspcontinue normal breathing. Repeat this for right leg, then slowly bring both the hands&nbspback to the normal position.
Precaution – The movements should be slow & continuous, don’t take unnecessary strains while performing this exercise.

Source:www.yogapoint.com

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Categories
Positive thinking

Healing With Movement

Rediscovering Dance:-dance.jpg
As children, most of us were encouraged to dance on a regular basis, freely and openly, in whatever way felt best. A few of us may have retained or regained our ability to engage in dancing unselfconsciously, but by the time we reach adulthood, many of us have stopped dancing altogether. We may have hang-ups about our bodies, or we may fear being judged. Then again, we may simply have fallen out of the habit for so long that we don’t even realize we never dance anymore. Whatever the case, there’s no time like now to rediscover the healing pleasure of moving your body to music-alone, as part of a couple, or in a group. Opportunities to dance abound, once you start looking for them.

If you haven’t danced in a long time and feel too self-conscious to start in a public situation, find some time alone to reintroduce yourself to the joy of listening and responding to music with your body. Turn the lights down low and remember that it’s much more fun when you’re not thinking about what you look like. It won’t take long before your body remembers how much it loves to move. Feel the music in your soul, feel the vibrations healing your body. Treat the time like a meditation session in which you agree to allow yourself to fully inhabit your amazing body.

If you feel awkward, remember that every culture since time immemorial has celebrated life and the body with dance. All people carry the memory of dance in their blood and bones. In other words, you were born to do this, it is in you already; all you have to do is start moving. If you prefer more interaction, take a class one night a week. In most cities, you can find everything from modern dance to African dance to ballroom and salsa. Whatever you choose, you won’t regret choosing to rediscover your birthright-the healing, joyful thrill of dancing.

Source:Daily Om

Categories
Positive thinking

Centered And Safe

Keeping Your Energy Strong d-1.jpg
Being a sensitive person in this world can sometimes feel very draining due to the fact that we are very receptive to the energy of the people and environment around us. Still, we want to be part of situations that involve small or large groups of people, and we would like to do it without becoming overwhelmed or exhausted. With a few simple strategies we can entertain at home and socialize in the world without running the risk of losing ourselves in someone else’s energy or giving our energy away. All this takes is a little time and practice, and the result-being part of social events without ending up depleted-is well worth the effort.

The whole purpose of this self-care ritual is to help keep yourself strong energetically when you are in a situation that could potentially be draining. For example, if you are having a party, you might take some time to prepare beforehand. Just as you spend time cleaning your home and preparing food, it is essential to prepare your inner home for the event. This can be as simple as taking a mindful walk or a cleansing bath, or engaging in any other activity that gives you energy. You can even just sit alone for a set period of time, tuning in to your energy and connecting to yourself so that you are less easily carried away by the energy outside of yourself. You may employ a mantra such as “I am centered and safe in the home of myself.” You can also charge a crystal or gemstone or any piece of jewelry with protective energy and wear it or carry it with you. This can be helpful during the event when just seeing it or touching it can remind you that you are centered and safe.!

Keep in mind that it is always acceptable to excuse yourself for a bathroom break or to step outside for a moment. This can give you the time and space you need to check in with yourself and correct any energetic imbalances you detect. Whether you are at home or out in the world, taking care of yourself in this way enables you to keep your energy strong, even as you open yourself to others.

Source:Daily Om

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