Why a Healthy Breakfast is Important to Lose Weight?

Most of the overweight people tend to skip meals. Breakfast is the most easier meal to be skipped. Everyone is in a hurry. We do not have time in the rushing hours of morning to listen to demands of our body. Hunger can be easily suppressed at this time of the day. This is a simple fact- you eat less, you weigh less but is it that simple? Do you really lose weight by not having breakfast, leave alone a healthy breakfast? Let us find out why mom (even ancient Ayurveda practitioners) used to say- Breakfast is the most important meal of the day!

What Does Breakfast Do?

Just try to take out the average time of your meal gap everyday. Suppose you eat between 8 to 9 pm every night and then wake up between 6-7 am in the morning, you have already not eaten anything for about 10 hours. Your body needs to recover from this brief period of starvation (thus the name breakfast) but then you skip your breakfast and have your lunch between 12-2 pm (depending upon the work load at your office). Now the meal gap has gone up to 16-17 hours. Till now you have not supplied the fuel to your body that keeps you running throughout the day. This might backfire on you because skipping meals almost always leads us to overeating. Now try to remember, did you had anything in between- not having breakfast and lunch? May be a handful of peanuts or popcorn, shared sandwich with colleagues, a number of tea or coffee (with all those teaspoons of sugar)? These things that seem to be little in amount, contain lots of calories and fat.

• Breakfast, in the first place stops us from having junk food in between. It provides us with glucose- the fuel that keeps our motors running. Our brain and nervous system need glucose to work- for walking, speaking, stretching and for all activities.
• When we eat early in the morning and gather the fuel right at the start of the day, we ensure that we use  it up all. It speeds up our metabolism You will work for the whole day long and burn up your calories. Just imagine, not having a breakfast but having a rich dinner after which you will go to sleep. How will you burn up all those calories gained from delicious dinner? It will all be stored as fat in your body.
• Breakfast ensures that we do not consume lots of calories during the day. If you will not feel hungry, chances are you will not eat those popcorn, chocolates, and in between snacks and avoid those calories.
• An early meal also increases the leptin output of our body. Leptin is a hormone that suppresses appetite. Eating a wholesome meal early in the day ensures leptin production in our body. Researchers at the University of Texas, El Paso, studied the food diaries of 586 men and women and determined that the more food people ate in the morning, the fewer calories they consumed in an entire day.

These are enough reasons to be convinced about the importance of breakfast to lose weight. Eat your breakfast right and lose weight. Know some more tips to Reduce Weight by Natural Ways

Natural Home Remedies For Flu

Influenza or flu is the most common disease during winters. All types of flu are caused viruses. There are about 200 known flu viruses. These viruses not only cause fever but also congest throat, nose, lungs, bronchial tubes, and middle ear making even breathing difficult for the patient. The drugs and medicines seem to be ineffective for flu as whenever you stop taking these medicines, flu comes back and makes the patient's life very uncomfortable. Ayurveda believes that the cure for flu is precaution. One has to prevent flu by increasing body immunity against viruses and other harmful outer elements. However, Ayurveda also suggest home remedies for getting relief from flu conditions like fever, cough, sorethroat, nasal congestion etc.

• Vitamin C, garlic, honey, cinnamon etc. are all immune boosters. Try to take them regularly as a part of your diet.
• Mix some fresh lemon juice with lukewarm honey and take it daily to increase immunity against viruses.
• To get relief from sore throat, gargle with lukewarm water after adding salt to it for 3-4 times a day.
• You can even gargle with 1 drop each of tea tree oil and lemon mixed in glass of warm water. Remember not to swallow the solution.
• Mix 10-20 drops of one of the following- tea tree, eucalyptus, lemon or lavender oil- to your hot water bath. This strengthens immune system.
• Mix 1 tbsp of lukewarm honey with 1/4 tsp of cinnamon powder. Take this mixture daily for 3-4 days to improve immunity.
• Take steaming water in a big bowl and add 2 teaspoons of chopped fresh ginger in it. Lean your head over the vessel and drape a towel over head in such a manner that the steam doesn't escape. Inhale the steam to get relief from congestion of nose, throat and chest.
• You can even add eucalyptus oil or menthol to the water and then take steam. You can breathe easily after such a flu treatment.
• Drink lots of water during the day. It keeps respiratory system hydrated and helps to liquefy thick mucus built up. Don't drink too much of coffee, tea, or alcoholic beverages and quit smoking as they may lead to dehydration.
  
  
  
  
  
• Ayurveda suggests 'Neti kriya' (nasal saline intake) for clearing of the nasal passage and getting relief from congestion. Get a 'Neti pot'. Mix 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon baking soda in 8 ounces of warm water. Fill the Neti pot with this saline solution. Lean over the bathroom sink, tilt your head to one side and pour the solution directly into one nostril with the Neti pot. Solution will go into nasal cavity and run out the other nostril and the back of throat. Spit out the drainage, and gently blow nose to clear the nasal passages. Repeat the activity twice or thrice a day.
• Take half teaspoon each of sitopaladi powder, sudarshan and honey. Mix them well and have it every few hours.
• Avoid fried and cold food and liquids. Switch to a bland diet and take fresh and hot food and liquids like soups and herbal tea.
• Include garlic in your diet. It is one of the best immune boosters.

Know more home remedies for fever

How to Reduce Cholesterol?

By now, almost everyone know that fatty food, stress and lack of exercise are the main causes of high cholesterol. This is also a known fact that not all fats are bad- the low density lipoproteins or LDL is the bad cholesterol whereas the high density lipoproteins or HDL is the good cholesterol. When we talk about lowering cholesterol, we mean to say that we must reduce the bad cholesterol. At the same time we should also take steps to increase the good cholesterol which is beneficial for overall health. Here are certain tips on how to strike a balance among the two types of blood cholesterol by bringing changes in one's diet and lifestyle?

• Lose weight- obese people have higher risk of cholesterol imbalance. Losing as little as 2-4 kg of weight can also reduce considerable amount of cholesterol.
• Avoid having saturated fats present in red meat and dairy products. They increase bad cholesterol. Maximum of only 10 percent of your daily calories should come from saturated fats.
• Include healthier fats in your diet like leaner cuts of meat, low-fat dairy and monounsaturated fats that are present in olive, peanuts and canola oils.
• Avoid intake of trans fats found in packed and fried foods such as cookies, crackers and cakes.
• Eat whole grains- opt for grain breads, whole-wheat pasta, whole-wheat flour and brown rice.
• Eat more fruits and vegetables. They provide dietary fiber which lowers cholesterol.
• Have food items that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids- they lower cholesterol. Fish like salmon, mackerel and herring are good source of omega-3 fatty acids. Vegetarians can find omega-3 fatty acids in walnuts, almonds and ground flaxseeds.
• Exercise daily- even if for 30 minutes. There is no alternative to this.
• Quit smoking.
• Limit your alcohol intake.
• For faster results adopt Home Remedies for Cholesterol Imbalance

Beat Diabetes with Easy Remedies!

Diabetes among common population is on rise. It is more a disease related to lifestyle apart from some cases due to genetic factors. However, if you have diabetes, you need not panic. You can very well enjoy your life. You just require to change some of your habits related to diet and activity. A of us know that in diabetes, the blood sugar levels rise and body could not produce enough insulin- the hormone which regulates the sugar levels. So, what we need to do is manage our diet so that the sugar in blood doesn't rise or fall beyond normal levels. Apart from this, regular exercise (mild and not heavy workouts) are needed to control diabetes. To know how you can do this, read Home Remedies for Diabetes

Shatavari- Best Herb for Women's Health

There are many Indian herbs that treat many diseases the natural way. Among many herbs, one herb called Shatavari is mainly used for treating women related health issues. The name Shatavari itself define it as the best friend of women. Shatavari is a Sanskrit term that means 'woman with hundred husbands'. It's meaning is enough to tell its usefulness for women's health. However, Shatavari is also used to cure many other diseases. Read all about Shatavari- The Healing Herb for Women!

How Can You Balance Body Fat?

With all the knowledge about body fat on our weight and health, we tend to adopt weight loss programs and do not stop till we get rid of the last strain of fat from our body. But in spite of having bad reputation, fats are essential to protect vulnerable parts of our body. They also disseminate vitamins A, D, E, and K, that keep the hair and skin healthy. They play a major role in maintaining warmth in the body. However, they can also lead to increased levels of cholesterol and heart disease, and possibly cancer and weight gain as well. What to do then? Just balance you body fat but before knowing the tips for balancing body fat, first make the basics clear- know what are the types of fat so that you can keep the good ones and leave the bad ones.

Many Types of Fats

There are many types of fats- Saturated Fats, Monounsaturated Fats, and Polyunsaturated Fats.

Saturated Fats: In them, carbon atoms are saturated with hydrogen atoms. They raise the level of cholesterol in your blood which leads to heart disease and stroke. They mainly come from animal sources, like meat and dairy products including fatty beef, lamb, pork, poultry with skin, beef fat, lard and cream, butter, cheese etc. Some plant foods like palm oil, palm kernel oil and coconut oil also contain saturated fats, but they do not contain cholesterol.

Monounsaturated Fats: are simply fats having one double-bonded (unsaturated) carbon in the molecule. They can have beneficial effects on your health but when taken in moderation. They help in reducing bad cholesterol levels in blood and lower the risk of heart disease and stroke. They also provide nutrients needed for growth of body’s cell and have high levels of vitamin E. Foods high in monounsaturated fats include vegetable oils such as olive oil, canola oil, peanut oil, sunflower oil and sesame oil. Other sources include avocados, peanut butter, and many nuts and seeds.

Polyunsaturated Fats: have more than one double-bonded (unsaturated) carbon in the molecule. They too can have beneficial effects on health, reduce cholesterol levels in blood and lower the risk of heart disease, if eaten in moderation. They have certain fats like omega-6 and omega-3 required by body but can't be produced by itself. Vegetable oils, including soybean oil, corn oil and safflower oil, as well as fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, herring and trout, some nuts and seeds like walnuts and sunflower seeds are high in polyunsaturated fat.

How to Balance These Fats?

Eating foods that contain a higher level of unsaturated fats than saturated fats can lead to reduced blood cholesterol levels.

• Limit the consumption of saturated fats to less than 7% of total daily calories. If you need about 2,000 calories a day, only 140 of them should come from saturated fats.
• Replace foods high in saturated fats with foods high in monounsaturated and/or polyunsaturated fats. Eat foods made with liquid vegetable oil and avoid tropical oils. Eat fish and nuts. Replace considerable amount of meat with beans or legumes.
• Eat more of those foods that are naturally low in fat, such as grains, fruits and vegetables.
• Avoid fried, spicy, junk and processed food items as well as bakery food.
• Avoid tinned food. If eating them, check the label to find their saturated fat content which should not exceed 20 %.
• Ensure you take only one-teaspoon of oil for a meal.
• Exercise regularly. Practice of Yoga is good for over all health and not only for balancing body fat.
• If you have already gained a lot of weight then try these Innovative Ways for Weight Loss.

Do You Suffer from Bad Breath?

Nothing is more derogatory than people trying to avoid you. There might be many reasons for that but one of the common reasons is bad breath or halitosis. You might be a lovely person with a very good reputation but as soon as it comes to communicating directly with you, people tend to shy away. In fact, bad breath can not only play havoc on your social life but also on your professional life leave aside your love life. However, bad breath problem is not an issue that can't be solved. A little mouth care, diet habits and lifestyle changes can get you rid of your bad breath problem. To know how, read Home Remedies for Bad Breath

Ayurveda Honeymoon in Kerala

Young people of modern day are more conscious towards their health and wellness than their ancestors were, in the yesteryears. In earlier days, people used to spend their golden time after marriage visiting beautiful places and enjoying all of life's pleasure including good food, sight seeing and of course making love to their life partners. Today's 'just married couples' too enjoy their honeymoon to the fullest but with a difference- now they proceed for an Ayurveda honeymoon in Kerala- so rightly described as the land of god!

Kerala is the true heaven for those who want to spend their leisurely time in beautiful surroundings amongst the raw nature. And because Kerala is the Ayurveda hub not only of India but of the whole world, it offers the most healthy holiday which refreshes the new couple for a great start of their lives together. The latest buzz is therefore Ayurvedic packages for honeymoon tour- the unique offering of this land where Ayurveda took birth.

Ayurveda package for honeymoon tours in Kerala mostly include a stay in a luxurious Ayurvedic cottage or in a luxurious houseboat. Here the couple gets healthy Ayurvedic diets and other blessings of this ancient alternative medicine. They are given ayurvedic massages to rejuvenate themselves. These massages not only make their bodies stress free but also fill them up with a new kind of thrill and excitement so necessary for this kind of tour. Not only they get advice on everything from healthy lifestyle, food habits, daily yoga practice, and meditation but also the knowledge about the need of keeping minds happy, fresh and lively.

So, if you are a newly wedded man or a woman, just explain the magic of Ayurveda holiday to your partner and head towards Kerala. And if you are a one who has been wedded since long, you can think of a second honeymoon- a Kerala honeymoon with refreshing Ayurvedic massage and all health and wellness!

Home Remedies for Sleep Disorder

Next time you are not able to fall asleep, don't just pop up that sleeping pill! They are harmful if taken frequently- you know that! Just follow some natural ways to cure your sleeplessness. Here are some home remedies for giving you restful good night's sleep!

• Don't go by the general theory of ' daily eight hours sleep'. Ayurveda advocates quality of sleep. The quantity of sleep is decided by individual body. It may range from anywhere between 5-8 and even 9 hours. Find for yourself, how much sleep you need to feel afresh!
• Set your body clock by following nature's pattern. Rise when sun rises, even sometime before that, and go to bed no later than 10 pm. Don't let the routine disturbed on weekends too!
• Exercise keeps us fit but do it in the morning. Exercising late in the day or in evenings raises our energy levels and makes us too active to go to sleep. If you can't find time in the morning, make sure you exercise at least 4 hours before your bedtime.
• Avoid rich diets for dinner. Ayurvedic diets favor lighter meals at night which is taken at least 3 hours before going to bed.
• Have a glass of warm milk before going to sleep. Add some nutmeg to milk for Vata body type, cardamom for Pitta body type and dried ginger for Kapha body type. Know your Ayurveda body type before using any of the spice with milk. Taking wrong one can even hamper your sleep.
• Get your lower limbs massaged with some non-staining oil like sweet almond or jojoba oil. For more relaxed sleep, mix few drops of lavender oil. Massage your lower legs, from knees to toes, and your lower arms, from elbows to fingertips, with easy up-and-down strokes with small quantity of this mixed oil.
• Make your bedroom relaxing with clutter free and quiet atmosphere. Wear comfortable clothes. Do not watch TV or read anything just before going to sleep. You may listen to soft relaxing music.
• Avoid alcohol or caffeine beverages, especially before going to sleep. Nicotine also leads to sleep deprivation, so quit smoking.
• Avoid sleeping during the day. If you can't, make it as short as possible. Twenty minutes daytime nap is rejuvenating enough to recharge you for the rest of the day.
• Do meditation for helping you deal with day-to-day stresses and worries. Stress is the worst enemy of sleep.
• Poppy seeds, jatamansi, Indian Valerian and the essential oils of rose, lavender and sandalwood are relaxing and calming. They are helpful in getting restful sleep. Use them in ways you can.
• At bedtime, rinse your eyes with rosewater, add a drop of ghee (clarified butter). Shut your eyes and go to sleep.
• Combing hair before retiring is also a good practice for good night's sleep.
• If married, make love to your partner. Its relaxing and helps you in getting a good quality sleep.

Ayurvedic Tea Recipes for Various Health Benefits

Ayurveda has always given highest importance to right food according to one's body constitution. As such, one should always eat food according to the dosha of his her body- vata, pitta or kapha. Ayurveda has also advocated certain diets that are beneficial to achieve overall health. It gives many recipes for specific problems such as Ayurvedic Detoxifying Recipes or Ayurvedic Recipes for weight loss etc. There are also many drinks that help maintaining health. One of such drinks is the tea, which when prepared with different herbs and spices give different benefits for health. Some of such ayurvedic tea recipes are described here.

Ayurvedic Tea for Digestion: Take 1 tsp each of cumin, coriander seeds, and fennel seeds. Also take 3 cups of water and honey. Boil water and after removing from flame, soak the ingredients, except honey, in it for about 5 minutes. Strain and add honey to make it sweet.

Soothing Tulsi Tea: Take 50 gm Tulsi, 7.5 gm Dalchini, 5 gmBrahmi, 15 gm Banafsha, 25 gm Saunf, 15 gm Iliachi dana, 25 gm each of Lalchandan and Kali Mirch. Ground them and boil the mixture in water.

Banafsha Tea for Cough and Cold: Take 60 gm Banafsha, 15 gm Kulanjan, and 20 gm Mulathi. Ground them and boil the mixture in water. Add one drop each of peppermint and eucalyptus oil.

Jushanda Tea for Relief in Asthma: Take 30 gm Mulathi, 15 gm Somavali, 25 gm Vasaka, and 2 gm Naushadar. Ground them and boil the mixture in water.

Herbal Diuretic Tea: Take 26 gm Hauber, 24 gm Gokshru, 25 gm Varun, and 25 gm Punernava. Ground them and boil the mixture in water. It is a diuretic agent which increases the volume of urine excreted and prevents the formation of stone and also dissolves the kidney stone.

Anti-oxidant Keshar and Green Tea: Take 5 gm Jaiphal, 4 gm Javitri, 50 gm Dalchini, 1 gm Keshar, and 40 gm Ashwagandha. Ground them and boil the mixture in water. For anti-oxidant green tea recipe, add 10 gm green tea leaves, and 1 gm each of Dalchini and Iliachi with sugar (as per taste) in water. Boil to get the tea.

Herbal Laxative Tea: Take 90 gm Senna, and 10 gm Dhania. Ground them and boil the mixture in water. It helps in relieving constipation.

Vata Dosha Tea Recipe: Take 1/4 teaspoon each of freshly grated ginger, ground cardamom, cinnamon, ajwan seeds and 1 cup water. Mix all the ingredients. Boil the water and add the herb mixture to it. Steep for 5 minutes. Strain and then serve. It balances the vata dosha.

Pitta Dosha Tea Recipe: Take 1/4 teaspoon each of cumin seeds, coriander, fennel, fresh cilantro, rose petals, and 1 cup water. Mix all the ingredients. Boil the water and add the herb mixture to it. Steep for 5 minutes. Strain and then serve. It balances the pitta dosha.

Kapha Dosha Tea Recipe: Take 1/4 teaspoon each of dry ginger, dill seed, fenugreek seed, 1 clove , and 1 cup water. Mix all the ingredients. Boil the water and add the herb mixture to it. Steep for 5 minutes. Strain and then serve. It balances the kapha dosha.

If, after reading so many types of herbal tea, you plan to grow these herbs for yourself then read and review about 22 plans for herbal tea gardens.

Ayurvedic Remedies for Prostate Problems

Prostate, the small organ below the urinary bladder in males has significant role to play in both- sexual activity and urination. It surrounds the urethra, the tube through which urine passes out of the body and produces seminal fluid discharged from penis during sexual stimulation. Prostate problems include the very common prostatitis- the inflammation of the prostate gland. Ayurveda recognizes two specific prostate problems-

• Mootrakruchra - painful urination, and
• Mootraghaata - suppression of urination.

They are, in fact, symptoms of prostate problems. Apart from these two main symptoms, other symptoms include problematic urine flow, dribbling, increased urination, hematuria (blood in urine), urinary tract infection and urinary retention.

Herbal Remedies for Prostate Gland Problems

Ayurveda suggests many herbs for the treatment of prostate gland problems:

Punarnava or Hog Weed (Boerhaavia diffusa) – It is useful in all urinary problems caused due to prostate ailments.

Prickly Lettuce (Lactuca scariola) -The bitter tonic of its leaves is very effective in treatment of enlarged prostate gland.

Shalaba mishri or Salep Orchid (Orchis mascula) - Useful where prostate problems are due to vata vitiation.

Gokshura or Small Caltrop (Tribulus terrestris) - This Indian herb, tribulus terrestris, http://www.ayurveda-herbal-remedy.com/indian-herbs/tribulus-terrestris.html is useful in treatment of urinary complications caused due to prostate problems. Its fruit is boiled in two cups of water till it is reduced to half the amount and drunk after mixing sugar in it.

Home Remedies for Prostate Gland Problems

Some remedies for prostate problems are available as common ingridients at home:

• If having enlarged prostate, eat a mixture of juniper berries and parslane.
• Eat more tomatoes to avoid prostate infections.
• If experiencing prostate problems, have alternate cold and hot hip baths for about ten minutes daily.

Remaining sexually active is advisable but over indulgence is prohibited by ayurveda. Regular exercise, even walks or mild exercises are a must. Never suppress the urge to urinate. Don't sit on a hard stool for longer periods. If doing desk job, get a soft ergonomic chair to sit on. Quit smoking and alcohol, especially if you are overweight. Taking these precautions will certainly keep the prostate problems at bay.

Herbal Drinking Water- Soon to be a Reality!

If you are someone who keeps track of new herbal products then you might not have forgotten the successful launch of Laboob Sager- the herbal Viagra, by Tamil Nadu Medicinal Plant Farms and Herbal Medicines Corporation Ltd. (TAMPCOL). Now this state-owned corporation of Tamil Nadu government is set to launch its all new herbal product- Herbal Drinking Water. The corporation claims it to be first of its kind in the country.

Herbal water is already manufactured and marketed in the US by infusing organic culinary herbs in pure water. This herbal water doesn't contain artificial sweeteners, preservatives, or additives of any other kind. They are made refreshing, aromatic drink by granting flavours such as those of lavender, mint, cinnamon, lemongrass, vanilla, ginger, cloves, cardamom etc.

Herbal drinking water, developed by TAMPCOL contains herbal extracts along with useful bio-active properties that play a major role in maintaining good health as evidenced by Siddha and original scriptures of Ayurveda as well as modern scientific theories.

This herbal water will be sold in 1,000 ml and 500 ml pet bottles and competitively priced in the growing mineral water market. According to G A Rajkumar, the Chairman and Managing Director, TAMPCOL, herbal water is set to be launched in the next two months after getting the ISI certificate and other related licenses.

What remains to be seen is that whether the corporation will follow suit of other nation and make its herbal drinking water flavored or not? Flavored or not, the healthy herbal water is surely a thing to wait for!

Child Health Care: Worm Infestation

If you are one of the concerned parents of a child suffering from worm infestation and you don't want to administer all sorts of strong medicines to them, you can well relieve yourself. Ayurveda has some easy remedies that will help your child getting rid of worms. Before knowing these simple ayurvedic treatments, its good to know what types of worms can harm your child's health and in what condition these worms occur so that you may avoid their repeated occurrence.

Common Types of Worms

If you examine your child's stool and see long white or pinkish tiny thread like shapes, your doubt was right- your child has got worm infestation. The common types of worms include:

• Round worms (Ascaris): They are round, thin, white/pink worm about 10-20 inches long.
• Pinworms (Thread worms): They are white, small and thin, just like fine threads.
• Hookworms (Ankylostomes): They are tiny dark-pink in color, not visible in stools.
• Tape worms (Taniea saginata/solium): They are flat and extremely long about 2-3 meters.

There are many other types of worms that not only infest the children but also adults.

Causes for Worm Infestation

The main cause of worm infestation is malnutrition and bad hygiene

• Any human being get infection through fecal-oral route. If defecation is done in open fields, the eggs of worms from stools of infected humans and animals find the soil and grow there. Children playing in such contaminated soil can easily be infested by worms.
• Children who eat without washing their hands, transfer the harmful eggs, sticked to their nails, into their stomach where they become fully developed worms. These worms sticks to the lining of the intestines and suck blood leading to anemia and other symptoms of worm infestation. They can grow to the extent of obstructing intestines causing acute pain and landing the patient in an emergency seeking condition. Tiny thread worms come out of the anus in the night to lay eggs around, causing itching.
• Some worms called cysticercoids reach the stomach by eating contaminated pork or beef. They are even more dangerous as they can mix into the blood and reach brain, heart, liver etc and prove fatal.
• Unwashed hands and using others' towels, handkerchief etc. spread worm infestation.
• Eating unwashed raw vegetables and drinking contaminated water are yet other causes of worm infestation.

Once you know the reasons, you can prevent the disease but what if worms have already infested your child? Know how to cure worm conditions through simple Ayurvedic remedies by reading worm infestation