Amla or Indian Gooseberry

Amla or indian gooseberry (latin name: emblica officinalis) is found extensively in india in the form of two varieties.

One is hard, small in size and found in forests; while the other type is softer, bigger in size, more fleshy and is cultivated.

Ancient ayurveda text mentions that special properties of rejuvenation and revitalizing of the entire body systems lie in the fruit of amla.

Natural properties of amla:

• Amla is sour in taste, cold and heavy in nature and has a sweet after taste. Chemically, the fruit of amla is full of citric acid.
• Therefore, it is said to contain the best and the largest amount of vitamin c extracted from nature.
• Other than this, it contains a good amount of calcium and minerals like iron and phosphorous in nominal amounts.
• Some other important ingredients are albumin, cellulose, fiber, carbohydrate, sugar and water.

Dosha healing benefits of amla

• Ayurveda believes that the fruit of amla helps to reduce all the three doshas or the body humors viz. vata, pitta and kapha; which when aggravated above their normal limits cause a disease.
• This is because of the varied properties it holds.
• Amla is sour in taste and therefore helps in decreasing vata dosha
• Due to it being cold in nature, calming and soothing in action and having a sweet after taste, it decreases the fire or the pitta dosha.
• And the rough nature of amla is helpful in reducing kapha

Health benefits of amla:

• The fruit of amla is found to be mainly useful in decreasing the heat as per its natural properties.
• Therefore, its most extensive use has been seen in the treatment of the diseases associated with increased body heat.

For example; it proves quite useful in ailments like burning sensation in eyes and in soles of the feet, increased thirst; or when there is immature graying of the hair due to excessive heat inside the body.

Medicinal usages of amla:

• During the summers, the most often symptoms due to the elevated external heat can be relieved.
• Burning sensation of the skin and any headaches associated with a heat stroke can be relieved by the applying a paste made of amla in milk.
• For the digestion disorders like acidity, loss of hunger and hemorrhoids; the use of amla in the form of medicines as well as diet is quite beneficial.
• Fresh juice of amla is given on an empty stomach in disorders like diabetes and urinary incontinence.
• The powder of dried amla taken with honey twice in a day is a good cure for cough.
• Amla is good for increasing the immunity power of a person
• Amla help to increase glow on face and also good for health of hair

DIETARY TIPS FOR DIABETIC

1. Eat a lot of non-starchy vegetables, beans, and fruits such as apples, pears, peaches, and berries.
2. Eat grains in the least - processed state possible: “unbroken,” such as whole - kernel bread, brown rice, and whole barley, millet, and wheat berries
3. Limit white potatoes and refined grain products such as white breads and white pasta to small side dishes.
4. Limit concentrated sweets - including high-calorie foods with a low glycemic index, such as ice cream - to occasional treats. Reduce fruit juice to no more than one cup a day. Completely eliminate sugar-sweetened drinks.
5. Eat a healthful type of protein at most meals, such as beans, fish, or skinless chicken.
6. Have three meals and one or two snacks each day, and don’t skip breakfast.
7. Eat slowly and stop when full.

CONSTIPATION REMEDIES

1.  Oil…it gets more than cars running

Pure olive oil is more than just a healthy and tasty fat; it can also help relieve constipation. It’s not surprising really when you consider what olive oil’s texture and consistency is like - it’s practically the poster child for constipation home remedies.

 It stimulates your digestive system, which helps get things moving through your colon, and taken regularly it can prevent constipation as well.

You will need…

-1 tablespoon of olive oil

-1 teaspoon of lemon juice (optional)

Directions

In the morning consume one tablespoon of olive oil. It works best on an empty stomach, so have it before you eat anything else. If you forget, wait until later when you haven’t eaten for a while.

 You can mix it with a little bit of lemon juice if you like to lighten the flavor (lemon juice also acts as a natural aid for constipation.)

2.  Freshen up from the inside out

The citric acid in lemon juice acts as a stimulant for your digestive system, and can also help flush out toxins and undigested material that may have built up along the walls of the colon.

Mixing the juice with water not only lessens the intensity of the lemon flavor, but helps get you the fluids you need to get everything moving normally again.

You will need…

-1 fresh lemon

-1 cup of warm water

Directions

Squeeze the juice of 1 lemon into 1 cup of warm water. Drink or sip until finished completely.

3. Coffee is our friend (sometimes)

A lot of people love their morning coffee, but it does more than just give off heavenly aromas and help you perk up. Caffeine is a natural stimulant for the digestive system, so indulging in a cup will help get you up and running in more ways than one. 1-2 cups is fine, but make sure you don’t overdo it-too much can actually have the opposite effect. Coffee is a diuretic and makes you urinate more frequently, and if you drink it an excess, it can cause constipation by dehydrating your body and drawing out water that would normally soften your stool.

4. Get moving

If you want stuff to move through your body, you need to move too! Our lifestyle these days not only involves dietary changes that increase constipation, but we’re often sitting much more than we’re active. While there isn’t an exact scientific reason as to why lack of exercise is linked with getting clogged up, we can assume that moving the body helps get the smooth muscle in the colon moving as well.

Keep in mind, however, that you should wait an hour after big meals before exercising.

 There are also specific stretches and workouts that are supposed to help with getting good old number 2 out the door.

5. Go natural (aka fiber, fiber, and more fiber)

You’ll hear people talk a lot about how a natural diet helps relieve and prevent constipation. An overall healthy diet just improves everything, and our bodies know how to process fruits, veggies, grains and roughage more than the refined or artificial foods that don’t pass as easily.

To get more specific, natural foods tend to contain boatloads of fiber-that magical word that signifies the end of toilet suffrage.

 In short, fiber is material that cannot be digested, and it acts like a sponge. It draws water from its surroundings, making it swell, which softens stool and adds bulk to it, which in turn helps it pass.

Like coffee, some kinds of fiber (like beans) can contribute to constipation, so always drink plenty of water. Some good fiber-filled foods include-

-Beans

-Apricots

-Whole grain bread

-Berries

-Broccoli

-Plums, pears, and apples

-nuts

-Potatoes (skip the fries though)

6.  Get some FLAXitive

Flaxseed oil is a pretty simple home remedy for constipation. It sort of coats the walls of the intestine, as well as stool, and increases the number of bowel movements you are having.

 Enjoying your oil with orange juice is a double whammy when it comes to constipation, since oranges have a good amount of fiber in them (make sure to get orange juice with pulp, which is what has most of the fiber.)

You will need…

-1 glass of orange juice with pulp

-1 tablespoon of flaxseed oil

Directions

Mix 1 tablespoon of flaxseed oil with 1 glass of orange juice. Drink as needed, but give it time (up to 5 hours) to start working so you don’t overdo it.

7. Establish a routine

Regulating the timing of when you go to the bathroom will regulate your bowel movements as well.

Set aside about 15 minutes anywhere from 1-3 times a day, and take your time, even if nothing happens. Make sure you stay relaxed, and eventually your body will catch on.

8. Baking soda does it all

Baking soda lies at the heart of home remedies. It’s is so incredibly versatile, and it pretty much does its job 95% of the time.

It works incredibly well for constipation (and tummy aches in general) because it is a bicarbonate, which will encourage air to come out of you one way or another, and relieve pain from pressure.

 It also re-alkalizes the stomach, neutralizing the acid a little bit and helping things pass through your gut.

You will need…

-1 teaspoon baking soda

-1/4 cup warm water

Directions

Mix a teaspoon of baking soda with ¼ cup of warm water. Drink all of the mixture-the quicker you finish it, the better it seems to work.

Eat What is in Season

Eat what is in Season:

One of the best things we can do for our health, is to eat seasonal foods. When foods are freshly grown in their season, they not only taste better, they nourish our body the way nature intended.

Locally grown seasonal foods meet our nutritional needs.

For example, the beta-carotene in the orange pigment of pumpkins, squash and carrots will help strengthen our immune system just in time to help ward off winter colds.

And the oils of nuts ~ fats in their purest form, will provide nutrient rich calories that help keep us warm as the temperature drops.

Practice eating seasonally and pay attention to times throughout the year that you have weakness, allergies, sickness or extra strength.

The foods listed below will give support to the seasonal foods that grow naturally, and strengthen the organ systems affected during that season. It’s really very fascinating!!

Winter Foods:

Winter is the time of year when our kidneys, bladder and reproductive organs are renewed. It was typically a time when we rested and rejuvenated, but in our modern culture, we tend to keep going and overburden these organs with little concern for gathering and refreshing their strength, leaving us tired and weak. The cooking style that works best for our body during the winter is steaming and salt pickling, and foods that nourish these organ systems.

Foods to be eaten during Winter are:

Blackberries	Blueberries
Beans	Radicchio
Burdock	Sour Grapes
Cranberries	Watermelon
Red Cabbage	Miso
Sea Vegetables	Sea Salt, Soy Sauce
Mushrooms	Leafy Greens
Water Chestnuts	Plums and Vinegar
Buckwheat

Spring Foods:

Spring is the time of year when our liver, gallbladder and nervous system open and relax, by removing toxins accumulated from the winter. Like spring, the energy in our body is clean, sprouting and moving. ‘Spring cleaning’ is a desire we have for our homes after a long winter, and it’s equally necessary for our body as well. It’s the perfect time of year to fast or do a cleanse. The cooking technique that supports these organs in the spring is blanching, light pickling and sautéing, and foods that help stimulate this cleansing.

Foods to be eaten during Spring are:

Barley	Parsley
Oats	Rye
Lemons and Limes	Plums
Wheat	Green Lentils
Peas (Split, Black-Eyed, Green)	Pomegranates
Peanuts	Sprouts
Artichoke	Olives
Broccoli	Green Beans
Sour Pickles	Lettuce

           

Summer Foods:

Summer is when our heart, small intestines and circulatory system are strengthened. During this time of year, we blossom, just like the summer season does. The energy of nature and inside our body is expansive, free and easy. The cooking styles are grilling, roasting and deep-frying, and seasonal foods.

Foods to be eaten during Summer are:

Amaranth	Red Bell Pepper
Corn	Quinoa            Peas
Red Lentils	Apricots
Raspberries	Asparagus
Strawberries	Watermelon
Broccoli Rabe	Sesame Seeds
Brussels Sprouts	Sunflower Seeds
Chives	Tomato
Collard Greens	Eggplant
Dandelion Greens	Tropical Foods and Fruits
Potato	Kale
Mustard Greens

Indian Summer Foods:

Indian Summer or late summer is believed to be one of the most balanced energy phases. The organs that are enlivened during this season are the pancreas, spleen and stomach and the cooking technique that supports these organ systems is boiling, simmering and stewing. The foods that give strength.

Foods to be eaten during Indian Summer are:

Millet	Honeydew
Chickpeas	Raisins
Cabbage	Sweet Apples
Sweet Cherries	Pumpkin
Sweet Grapes	Brown Rice Syrup
Cantaloupe	Almonds

           

           

           

           

                       

Autumn Foods:

Autumn is when our lungs and large intestine are renewed. This season is grounding us after summer and getting us prepared for winter. The cooking style that best supports our lungs and large intestines is pressure cooking, baking and roasting, and foods that strengthen these organs.

Foods to be eaten during Autumn are:

Brown Rice	Sweet Brown Rice
Ginger	Soybeans
Leek	Lotus Root
Tofu	Onion
White Beans	Turnip
Carrot	Watercress
Cauliflower	Apricots
Celery	Pears
Chinese Cabbage	Apples
Cucumber	Walnuts

Health Benefits of Barley

Barley or Hordeum vulgare L., (from the grass family), is a wonderfully versatile cereal grain. When cooked, barley has a chewy texture and nutty flavor, similar to brown rice.

Its appearance resembles wheat berries, although it is slightly lighter in color.

Sprouted barley is naturally high in maltose, a sugar that serves as the basis for malt syrup sweetener.

When fermented, barley is used as an ingredient in beer and other alcoholic beverages.

Top 22 Health Benefits of Barley- The Wonder Grain:

Prevents Gallstones:

Being rich in insoluble fiber, barley helps in reducing bile acids secretion, thus increasing insulin sensitivity and reducing the levels of triglycerides.

Hence, barley can help women to avoid gallstones effectively.

Improves Immunity:

Vitamin C supports your immune system by reducing the chances of cold and flu.

Iron facilitates proper kidney functioning and enhances the blood volume, preventing anemia and fatigue.

Manganese benefits the nervous system and immune system. Furthermore copper helps form hemoglobin and red blood cells.

Supports Pregnancy:

Barley prevents yeast and Urinary Tract Infections, which can be harmful to the fetus.

It helps ease morning sickness, nausea, and regulates blood sugar levels preventing Gestational diabetes.

It not only prevents edema (swollen ankle and feet), but also constipation and haemorrhoids, common in pregnant women.

Prevents Bone Disorders:

Barley grass contains calcium, phosphorus and copper which are good for the overall health of bones.

Manganese, in association with B-complex vitamins, is needed for normal bone production.

Effective against Osteoporosis and Arthritis.

Prevents Anemia:

Barley contains copper which helps in the formation of hemoglobin, needed for the production of red blood cells, abating anemia.

Fights Atherosclerosis:

Barley contains Niacin (a B vitamin complex) which prevents Atherosclerosis, a condition causing thickening of arterial walls, due to coagulation of fatty materials, such as cholesterol.

This greatly lowers the chances of stroke and heart disease.

Lowers Bad Cholesterol:

The soluble fiber, in barley, dissolves and binds with fatty acids, slows down absorption of sugar, and lowering low-density lipoprotein (LDL or bad cholesterol) levels.

Barley is a rich source of niacin, which is effective in reducing blood clots and cardiovascular disease.

Assists Weight Loss:

Fiber absorbs water, but the insoluble fiber really expands in your stomach, sticking around longer and suppressing appetite.

Barley is low on fat and cholesterol, and full of vital nutrients, making it ideal for daily consumption.

It enables the digestive juices to work overtime, sheds calories by preventing the build-up of fat and increases the rate of metabolism.

Diuretic:

Barley keeps the urinary tract healthy by preventing Urinary Tract Infection and is useful in bringing down simple fevers and controlling diarrhea.

Toxin Cleanser:

Gastritis patients are prescribed barley water as a tonic to expel harmful toxins from the body.

Warm barley water with limejuice is recommended for relief from cough, tonsils and throat inflammations like pharyngitis.

Lowers Cancer Risk:

Enterolactone, one of the plant lignans (a phytonutrient) found in Barley, helps to prevent breast cancer as well as coronary diseases.

The dietary fiber is fermented by friendly intestinal bacteria and flora creating butyric acid, the fuel for intestinal cells, thus protecting against colon cancer.

Wards off Diabetes:

The beta-glucan fiber, found in this whole grain, has the ability to slow down the body’s absorption of carbohydrates from foods, leading to a reduction in glucose and insulin levels, effective in treatment of Type 2 diabetes.

Aids Digestion:

Its rich fiber content prevents constipation by maintaining healthy bowel functions and decreases the expulsion time of feces.

Barley water disposes various harmful toxins and is the best tonic for all gastric inflammations.

It greatly reduces the chances of colon cancer and hemorrhoids as well.

For Radiant Skin:

Barley contains selenium which preserves skin elasticity and protects it against free radical damage.

The antioxidants in barley help in decelerating the signs of ageing.

Barley water flushes out toxins from the body, thus giving you a clean wrinkle-free skin texture.

Hair Care:

Copper aids melanin formation, a pigment which provides color to your hair.

Micronutrients thiamin and niacin, and Procyanidin B-3 act as hair growth stimulants

Iron and copper enhance production of red blood cells, warding off anaemia, a main cause of hair loss.

Treats Kidney Stones:

Barley is a trusted remedy for kidney stones and bladder issues.

Barley juice quenches thirst, treats kidney problems and also improves appetite.

Instant Energy Booster:

Barley not only brings down the heat content of your body but also is very easy to digest.

Hence Barley water is generally advised for convalescents from diarrhea, high fever and dehydration.

Nutrients Store:

This grain is rich in starch and sugar, low in fats and protein, an excellent source of both soluble and insoluble fibre, selenium, phosphorous, copper and manganese.

Barley helps the body to metabolize fats, cholesterol and carbohydrates.

Healing Properties:

Zinc, in barley, contributes to speeding up healing after an injury, and as an antioxidant, slows down skin and accelerated muscle aging.