Tag: Society and Culture

Yoga Move Builds Core and Arm Strength

Post author By Mukul
Post date June 5, 2009
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Here’s a fun yoga exercise that will build strength and flexibility in your core muscles and arms. Prepare your body for this move by starting on all fours, rounding your spine and pushing your navel up to the spine. Hold this cat stretch for a few seconds, then practice the following exercise.

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STEP- 1. Bring your feet together, bend your knees and lower your hips. Place your hands on the ground, shoulder-width apart, and move your knees to the outer sides of your upper arms.

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STEP-2. Press your hands firmly into the ground, pull your navel to your spine (like you did in the cat stretch) and let your buttocks drop down. Now slowly tilt forward and lift your feet off the floor, bringing the inner edges of your feet together. Don’t let your buttocks rise up; instead, pull up your knees and feet. Balance in this position for 3 to 6 seconds, then come down and repeat two more times.

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Source: Los Angeles Times

Tags Abdomen, Adho Mukha Svanasana, Business and Economy, Buttocks, California, Counties, Knee, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Times, Society and Culture, United States, Vertebral column, Yoga

Herbs & Plants

Kalanchoe Pinnata(Patharchur)

Post author By Mukul
Post date March 25, 2009
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Botanical Name : . Bryophyllum pinnatum
Family : Crussulaceae
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Saxifragales
Genus: Kalanchoe
Section: Bryophyllum
Species: K. pinnata

synonyms.: Bryophyllum calycinum, Bryophyllum pinnatum,also known as the Air Plant, Life Plant, Miracle Leaf, Goethe Plant and the Katakataka (Filipino)

Common names : Vernacular names for Kalanchoe pinnata include Cathedral Bells, Air Plant, Life Plant, Miracle Leaf, Goethe Plant and the Katakataka. The first two of these are also commonly names for plants of other species and genera. Also called “Wonder of the World” in the English speaking Caribbean.’Oliwa Ka Kahakai [Hawai’i], Mother Of Thousands, Air Plant [USA], Herbe Mal Tete [Dominica] Never Dead, Parvu, Hoja Del Aire [Bolivia]

Sanskrit Name:: Pashanabheda;
Hindi Name:: Patharchur;

Pharmacutical Name:-
Western Functions: Anti-inflammatory, hemostatic; reduces swelling, promotes healing
Energetic Functions: Clears heat and toxin, clears heat and cools the blood, invigorates blood

Habitat :It is a succulent plant native to Madagascar. It is distinctive for the profusion of miniature plantlets that form on the margins of its leaves, a trait it has in common with the other members of the Bryophyllum section of the Kalanchoe genus.It is a popular houseplant and has become naturalized in temperate regions of Asia, the Pacific and Caribbean.

Distribution and introduction
Kalanchoe pinnata has become naturalized in temperate regions of Asia, Australia, New Zealand, West Indies, Macaronesia, Mascarenes, Galapagos, Melanesia, Polynesia, and Hawaii. In many of these, such as Hawaii, it is regarded as an invasive species. It is also widely distributed in the Philippines and it is known as katakataka or kataka-taka which is also an adjective meaning astonishing or remarkable.

Much of the reason for the widespread naturalization of this plant can be traced to its popularity as a garden plant. The writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe – who also was an amateur naturalist of some repute – was “passionately fond” of this plant and liked to give the baby plantlets as gifts to friends who visited his home. He also discussed his air plant at length in an essay titled Geschichte meiner botanischen Studien (“History of my botanical studies”).

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Description : The plant is smooth, robust and un branched herb can grow 30-200 cm. tall.
The leaves are fleshy and leathery when older.The younger ones have simple arrangement, egg-shaped with cordate or rounded base while the upper ones is pinnate with -3-5 leaflets that are sized at 5-9(20) am x 2.5 – 5 cm.Its base is wedge shaped while the apex is blunt. The margin is notched with blunt or rounded teeth.

Medicinal Uses:
* Digestive: Vomiting blood [China]
* Ears, nose, throat: Tonsillitis, otitis media, opthalmia. Leaf poultice or juice in the ear for earache.[China, Caribbean, Trinidad]
* Infection: Boils and pyodermas, mastitis. [China, Caribbean]
* Musculoskeletal / Trauma: Traumatic injury – fracture. Strains, sprains, bruises, swellings, Mash leaves and apply externally to lesion.[China, Ecuador, Caribbean, Trinidad] Bleeding from wounds [China]
* Parasites: Heated leaves for “tay tay worms”. [Trinidad]
* Psychospiritual: Leaves in bath for “bewitchment”. [Trinidad]
* Reproductive: Leaf poultice for dysmenorrhea. [Caribbean]
* Respiratory: Poulticed for head cold. [Caribbean] Coughing blood [China]
* Urinary: Leaves decocted to clean the bladder. [Trinidad]
* Veterinary: Toxic to cattle
* Other: Topical for headaches. [Caribbean]
Part Used: Whole plant
Caution:
* Contraindicated in cases of impaired digestive function.
* Topical treatment may produce severe skin blisters
Preparation: Collect all year round. Use fresh and squeeze the juice, or prepare as decoction
Dosage: 30 – 60 gm
Notes:
* Anti-ulcer
* Anti-bacterial.

Toxicity and traditional medicine:
In common with other Crassulaceae (such as the genera Tylecodon, Cotyledon and Adromischus), Kalanchoe pinnata has been found to contain bufadienolide cardiac glycosides. These can cause cardiac poisoning, particularly in grazing animals.

In traditional medicine, Kalanchoe species have been used to treat ailments such as infections, rheumatism and inflammation. Kalanchoe extracts also have immunosuppressive effects. Kalanchoe pinnata has been recorded in Trinidad and Tobago as being used as a traditional treatment for hypertension and for the treatment of kidney stones in India where is goes by the name of Pather Chat or Paan-futti.

Bufadienolide compounds isolated from Kalanchoe pinnata include bryophillin A which showed strong anti-tumor promoting activity, and bersaldegenin-3-acetate and bryophillin C which were less active. Bryophillin C also showed insecticidal properties

Ayurvedic Uses:

It is madhura, tikta; cures polyuria; allays thirst, alleviates burning sensation and dysuria; sheetala (sheetaveerya); heals urinary calculi.

Part Used: roots

Therapeutic Uses: Leaves: externally applied after toasting in the treatment of bruises, boils and bites of venomous insects; poultice or powder applied to sloughing ulcers.

The roots are bitter, astringent, cooling ,diuretic, laxative, useful in haemorrhoids, renalaand vesical calculi, diabetes and venereal diseases.

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.

Resources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalanchoe_pinnata
http://www.ayurvedakalamandiram.com/herbs.htm#madayantika
http://www.medicineatyourfeet.com/kalanchoepinnata.html
http://www.globinmed.com/IMRContent/detail.aspx?id=BOT00065

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Tags Caribbean, Crassulaceae, German language literature, Hawaii, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Society and Culture, Sturm und Drang, Weimar

Exercise

Limber up Shoulders, Back and Abdominals

Post author By Mukul
Post date February 13, 2009
1 Comment on Limber up Shoulders, Back and Abdominals

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This simple exercise will help you become more limber, with a trimmer midsection. This move targets your shoulders, back and abdominals.
Step 1. Sit on a sturdy chair. Place your feet flat on the floor at hips-width apart. Be sure your ankles are directly below your knees. Extend your arms overhead with your palms facing in and your shoulders relaxed. Pull your abs in toward your spine. Inhale.
Step 2. On the exhale, twist your upper body to the right. At the same time, lower your arms to shoulder height and stretch them to the side. Focus on reaching your fingertips away from you. Pause for three seconds, reminding yourself to pull up through your middle and to sit as tall as possible. Return to the start and switch sides. Continue alternating sides until you’ve done 10 moves on each side.

Sources: Los Angeles Times

Tags Business, California, Counties, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Times, Social Security, Society and Culture, United States

Exercise

Leg Stretch Can Build Flexibility and Strength

Post author By Mukul
Post date January 16, 2009
No Comments on Leg Stretch Can Build Flexibility and Strength

Here’s a dynamic exercise to help you develop flexibility and strength without risking injury or building bulk. You’ll increase your upper body strength while stretching the backs of your legs.

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Step 1. Kneel with your forearms and palms of your hands on the floor, shoulder-width apart. Spread your fingers, pressing down firmly with your index finger and thumb. Straighten your legs then walk toward your elbows until your heels are close to the floor and your knees are straight. Be sure to push against your forearms and keep your shoulders away from your ears. Do not collapse into your neck and upper shoulders. Pause for three breaths.

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Step 2. Slowly walk your feet away from your elbows, lower your hips and straighten your knees into a plank position. Balance on your toes and forearms while you tighten your abdominal muscles to keep your pelvis off the floor. Do not allow your midsection to sag. Hold this position for three breaths. Lift your hips and walk back toward your elbows. Repeat three times.

Sources: Los Angeles Times

Tags Business, Business and Economy, California, Counties, Fitness, Health, Human abdomen, Index finger, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Times, Pelvis, Shopping, Society and Culture, Sports, Travel and Tourism, United States

Herbs & Plants

Karonda (Bengali: Karamcha)

Post author By Mukul
Post date July 16, 2008
No Comments on Karonda (Bengali: Karamcha)

Botanical Name:Carissa carandas
Family: Apocynaceae
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Gentianales
Genus: Carissa
Species: C. carandus

Synonym: Carissa congesta.
Commonly known as: Bengal currant, Christ’s thorn, corinda tree, karanda • Bengali: karamcha • Gujarati: kararmarda • Hindi: balalak, dindimi, karaunda, sushena • Kannada: karekayi • Malayalam: karakka • Marathi: karanda, karavanda • Oriya: sushena • Sanskrit: karamarda, sushena • Tamil: kalakkay, perungala • Telugu: kalive

Common Hindi name: Karaunda.

Habitat :Distributed all over warm regions of India and Sri Lanka.Grows wild and cultivated throughout Myanmar. It grows naturally in the Himalayas at elevations of 300 to 1800 meters, in the Siwalik Hills (part of India), and in Nepal and Afghanistan.

Description: 5m. Thorny evergreen shrub with 2-4cm long thorns, often forked.Leaves: Simple opposite, elliptic or obovate, shortly mucronate, glabrous, shining and coriaceous.Flower: 2cm across. In pubescent terminal corymbose cymes. They have jasmine-like fragrance.

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• A large evergreen shrub; bark light grey, branchlets usually with thin stout sharp spines. Leaves opposite, simple; exstipulate; petioles short; laminae elliptic or broadly elliptic or obovate, the bases obtuse to rounded, the margins entire, the tyips acute, often shortly mucronate, unicostate, reticulate, the surfaces glabrous, glaucous, coriaceous. Inflorescences in axillary corymbose cymes; bracts linear. Flowers ebracteolate, pedicellate, bisexual, actinomorphic, pentamerous, hypogynous. Calyx synsepalous 5-partite, the lobes lanceolate, pubescent. Corolla synpetalous, 5-lobed, salverform, the lobes oblong lanceolate, puvbescent, the tube cylindrical, dilated at the throat, pubescent, white. Androecium polyandrous, apically appendaged, basifixed, introrse, dehiscence longitudinal. Pistil 1,ovary ellipsoid 2-carpelled, syncarpous, 2-loculed, the placentation axile, the ovules 2 in each locules 2 in each locule, the style filiform the stigma minutely 2-fid. Fruit a drupe, ellipsoid, purplish black when ripe; seeds oblongoid, concave endosperm fleshy. Flowering and fruiting periods: October – January – June

YOU MAY CLICK TO SEE THE PICTURE

TREE

LEAF & FRUITS

Medicinal Uses:
According to Ayurveda, Karaunda roots are stomachic, anthelmintic, antiscorbutic and useful in treatment of stomach disorders, scabies, pruritus, intestinal worms etc. The unripe fruit is sour, astringent, bitter, thermogenic, constipating, aphrodisiac, appetizer and antipyretic. It is useful in treatment of diarrhoea, anorexia and intermittent fevers. The ripe fruit is sweet, cooling, appetizer and anti-scrobutic. It is useful in treatment of anorexia, burning sensation, biliousness, skin diseases, scabies, pruritus etc.
For flower view, please

Root: — Pruritis; Gonorrhoea: Pyrexia; Indigestion; Chronic ulcer. Unripe fruit — Haematemesis; Appetizer; Mucolytic; To allay thirst. Ripe fruit — Carminative; Expectorant; Biliousness; Haematemesis; Antidote for poisons ; Appetizer; Easily digested

Other Uses:
In Asia, the ripe fruits are utilized in curries, tarts, puddings and chutney.When only slightly underripe, they are made into jelly. Green, sour fruits are made into pickles in India.(Carissa carandus) plants, good use for Natural Fencing and get benefit of fruits from third year.
The karonda fruit is a rich source of iron and contains a fair amount of Vitamin C and, therefore, is very useful for cure of anaemia and has antiscorbutic (counteracting scurvy) properties. Mature fruit contains high amount of pectin and, therefore, besides being used for making pickle, it can be exploited for making jelly, jam, squash, syrup and chutney, which are of great demand in the international market.

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

Resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karonda
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karonda
http://www.tuninst.net/MyanMedPlants/TIL/famA/Apocynaceae.htm