Friday 26 October 2018

[www.keralites.net] SOUTH INDIAN FOOD SYSTEM

 

 SOUTH INDIAN FOOD SYSTEM

INDIAN FOOD SYSTEM (More precisely, South Indian but more or less applicable to all Indian meal systems) The following are rough translations of the words of Kanchi Paramacharya extracted from the Tamil publication titled Sollin Selvar (The Expert of Words), Sri Kanchi Munivar by Sri Ra. Ganapathy. The different Indian delicacies are explained as follows.

SAMBHAR: Sambar is also known as kuzhambu in Tamil, a term that literally translates to 'get confused'. Paramacharya explains how these three courses are related to the three gunas of spirituality: the confusion of sambar is tamo guna, the clarified and rarified flow of rasam is rajo guna and the all-white buttermilk is satva guna. Our meal reminds us of our spiritual path from confused inaction to a clear flow of action and finally to the realized bliss of unity.

SADAM: Cooked rice, the main dish of a South Indian meal is called sAdam. That which has sat is sadam, in the same way we call those who are full of sat, sadhus. We can give another explanation for the term: that which is born out of prasannam is prasAdam. What we offer to Swami (God) as nivedanam is given back to us as parasAdam. Since we should not add the root 'pra' to the rice we cook for ourselves, we call it sAdam.

RASAM: Rasam means juice, which is also the name of filtered ruchi. We say 'it was full of rasa' when a speech or song was tasteful. If something is an extraction of juice, then would it not be clear, diluted and free of sediments? Such is the nature of our rasam, which is clear and dilute. The other one, served earlier to rasam in a meal, is the kuzhambu. Kuzhambu contains dissolved tamarind and cut vegetable pieces, so it looks unclear, its ingredients not easily seen.

BUTTERMILK: A western meal normally ends with a dessert. In a South Indian meal, desserts such as pAyasam are served after the rasam sAdam. Any sweets that were served at the beginning are also taken at this time. After that we take buttermilk rice as our final course. Paramacharya explains that since sweets are harmful to teeth, our sour and salty buttermilk actually strengthens our teeth, and this has been observed and praised by an American dietician. We gargle warm salt water when we get toothache. The buttermilk is the reason for our having strong teeth until the end of our life, unlike the westerners who resort to dentures quite early in their life.

UPPUMA: If the term uppuma is derived from the fact that we add uppu or salt, then we also add salt to iddly, dosa and pongal! Actually, it is not uppuma but ubbuma! The rava used for this dish expands in size to the full vessel where heated up with water and salt. The action of rava getting expanded is the reason for the term ubbuma.

LADDU: Ladanam (in Sanskrit) means to play, to throw. ladakam is the sports goods used to play with. Since the ball games are the most popular, ladakam came to mean a ball. The dish laddu is like a ball, and this term is a shortened form of laddukam, which derived from ladakam. Laddu is also known as kunjaa laadu. This should actually be gunjaa laadu, because the Sanskrit term gunjA refers to the gunjA-berry, used as a measure of weight, specially for gold. Since a laddu is a packed ball of gunjA like berries cooked out of flour and sugar, it got this name. The singer of mUka panca sati on Ambal Kamakshi describes her as Matangi and in that description praises her as 'gunjA bhUsha', that is, wearing chains and bangles made of gunjA-berries of gold.

PAYASAM: payas (in Sanskrit) means milk. So pAyasam literally means 'a delicacy made of milk'. This term does not refer to the rice and jaggery used to make pAyasam. They go with the term without saying. Actually pAyasam is to be made by boiling rice in milk (not water) and adding jaggery. These days we have dhal pAyasam, ravA pAyasam, sEmia pAyasam and so on, using other things in the place of rice. Vaishanavas have a beautiful Tamil term akkaara adisil for pAyasam. The 'akkaar' in this term is a corruption of the Sanskrit sharkara. The English term 'sugar' is from the Arabian 'sukkar', which in turn is from this Sanskrit term. The same term also took the forms 'saccharine' and 'jaggery'. And the name of the dish jangiri is from the term jaggery.

TAMBULAM: It is customary to have tAmbUlam at the end of a South Indian dinner.. In the North, tAambUlam is popularly known as paan, which is usually a wrap of betel nut and other allied items in a calcium-laced pair of betel leaves. In the South, tAmbUlam is usually an elaborate and leisurely after-dinner activity. People sit around a plate of tAmbUlam items, drop a few cut or sliced betel nut pieces in their month, take the betel leaves one by one leisurely, draw a daub of pasty calcium on their back and then stuff them in their mouth, chatting happily all the while. The betel leaf is known by the name vetrilai in Tamil, literally an empty leaf. Paramacharya once asked the people sitting around him the reason for calling it an empty leaf. When none could give the answer, he said that the usually edible plants don't just stop with leaf; they proceed to blossom, and bear fruits or vegetables. Even in the case of spinach or lettuce, we have to cook them before we can take them. Only in the case of the betel leaf, we take it raw, and this plant just stops with its leaves, hence the name vetrilai or empty leaf.
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[www.keralites.net] Benefits of Okhra - Not Proved

 

BENEFITS OF OKHRA - THIS IS NOT PROVED

Okra Water Cures Diabetes-Unproven!

Summary of the eRumor: 
This is a message posted on Facebook alleging that drinking water that after okra has soaked in it overnight will make the symptoms of diabetes disappear and the diabetes sufferer will never have to take insulin again.




The Truth: 
TruthOrFiction.com has found no definitive medical proof that anything, let alone okra, has the ability to make diabetes "go away" as asserted in recent social media posts.

We will post findings here if we find anything.

Still, there's hope that okra, a plant high in fiber and vitamin C, may offer health benefits to diabetes sufferers. This according to a 2011 study published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information concluded that dried and ground okra peels and seeds decreased blood glucose levels in diabetic mice. The study said, ""There are many reports available to support the multiple mechanisms of antidiabetic plants to exert their blood glucose lowering effect, such as inhibition of carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes, enhancement of insulin sensitivity, regeneration of damaged pancreatic islet cells and enhancement of insulin secretion and release," the researchers concluded."

It is always a good practice to check with primary care physicians before changing any medical treatment or substituting prescribed medications for natural remedies.
- M.D.HEGDE MANGALORE
Please don't copy everything availble in Facebook pages blindly.
 
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[www.keralites.net] 10 Benefits of drinking water from a copper vessel

 

 10 benefits of drinking water from a copper vessel


Copper vesselMost of us must have heard our grandparents tell us that drinking water stored in a copper vessel is beneficial to our health. So much so that some people have glasses and jugs made of copper that they use exclusively to store and drink water. So, does this belief really have any scientific backing? Or is it simply a myth? Well, we found out for you and here are 12 reasons to drink water from a copper vessel.
Why is it good for you?
According to Ayurveda water stored in a copper vessel has the ability to balance all the three doshas in your body, (vata, kapha and pitta) and it does so by positively charging the water. The water stored in a copper vessel is known as 'tamara jal' and is supposed to be consumed after storing the water in a copper vessel for at least eight hours.
When water is stored in a copper vessel the copper gently leeches into the water and lends it all its positive properties. The best part about this water is that it never becomes stale and can be stored this way for long periods of time.
Here are the health benefits:
Can kill bacteria: Copper is known to be oligodynamic in nature (the sterilizing effect of metals on bacteria), and can destroy bacteria very effectively. It is especially effective against E.coli and S.aureus – two bacteria that are commonly found in our environment and are known to cause severe illnesses in the human body. Known to help prevent common water borne diseases like diarrhoea, dysentery and jaundice, copper has been touted as the cheapest solution to cleaning water in countries that do not have a good sanitation system.
So, if you fear that your water may be contaminated, store it in a copper vessel before your drink it and rest assured you will be drinking healthy and clean water. Read more about diarrhoea.
Stimulates your brain: Our brain works by transmitting impulses (or orders) from one neuron to another through an area known as the synapses. These neurons are covered by a sheath called the myelin sheath that acts like a sort of conductive agent – helping the flow of impulses. How does copper figure here you ask? Well, copper actually helps in the synthesis of phospholipids that are essential for the formation of these myelin sheaths. Thereby, making your brain work much faster and more efficiently. Apart from that copper is known to have brain stimulant and anti convulsive properties (prevents seizures), that do a world of good for your brain. 
Regulates the working of the thyroid gland: Experts say that one commonality amongst people with thyroid diseases is that they usually have low levels of copper in their body. While this is most commonly seen in people with hyperthyroidism (excessive thyroid hormone), those with hypothyroidism (low levels of thyroid hormone) may also suffer from this deficiency. Copper is one of the most important trace minerals the thyroid gland needs to function optimally. A lack in copper can send the functioning of the gland out of sync. So when you drink water from a copper vessel it makes up for this possible deficiency and regulates the functioning of the thyroid gland. Read more about thyroid disease.
Beats arthritis and inflamed joints: Copper has very potent anti-inflammatory properties. This asset is especially great to relieve aches and pains caused due to inflamed joints – like in the case of arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Apart from that, copper also has bone and immune system strengthening properties, making it the perfect remedy for arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. This is where drinking water infused with copper is a great way to find relief from the aches and pains of these diseases. Read more about arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. 
Skin health and melanin production: Have acne or blemish on your skin? Drink water stored in a copper vessel. That is because, copper is the main component in the production of melanin (a pigment that mitigates the colour of your eyes, hair and skin) in our bodies. Apart from that copper also aids in the production of new cells that help replenish the top most layers of your skin. While melanin helps the body stay safe from sun damage, speeds up wound healing and covers up scars, the production of new cells is a boon for smooth, blemish free and clear skin. Ayurveda experts say that drinking this water on a regular basis, especially early in the morning can be the difference between acne and clear skin.
Slows down ageing: If you are worried about the appearance of fine lines copper is your natural remedy. Packed with very strong anti-oxidant and cell forming properties, copper fights off free radicals – one of the main reasons for the formation of fine lines – and helps in the production of new and healthy skin cells, that replace old dying ones. Both these properties make copper a sure-fire way to beat fine lines. Read more about quick remedies for fine lines. 
Helps the digestive system perform better: One of the most common problems encountered these days is indigestion. Acidity, gas or simply the inability to digest certain foods are common and here is where copper comes to your rescue. Copper has properties that stimulates peristalsis (the rhythmic contraction and relaxation of the stomach that helps food get digested and move along the digestive tract), kills harmful bacteria and reduces inflammation within the stomach– making it a great remedy for ulcers, indigestion and infections. Apart from that copper also helps cleanse and detox your stomach, regulates the working of your liver and kidneys, aids in the proper elimination of waste and ensures the absorption of nutrients from food.
According to Ayurveda, if you want to help detox your stomach, drink a large glass of water that has been stored in a copper vessel, early in the morning on an empty stomach. Read more about indigestion. 
Aids in weight loss: If your diet just doesn't seem to be helping you lose weight, try drinking water stored in a copper vessel on a regular basis. Apart from fine tuning your digestive system to perform better, copper also helps your body break down fat and eliminate it more efficiently. Thereby helping your body keep only what it will use and throw out the rest. Read more about easy tips for weightloss. 
Beats anaemia: The most amazing fact about copper is that it is required in most processes that occur in our body. Right from cell formation to aiding in the absorption of iron, copper is an essential mineral for the functioning of your body. This is one of the reasons that it also helps in keeping anaemia at bay. An essential component in the entire process of absorbing and using iron present in the body, copper helps keep the levels of haeme (iron) up and regulates its flow in your blood vessels. Find out more about anaemia. 
Helps heal wounds faster: Known for its immense anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties, it is no wonder that copper is a great way to heal wounds quickly. Apart from that, copper is also known to strengthen your immune system and aid in the production on new cells. But its healing properties don't cease with helping the body externally; copper is also know to help wounds within the body, especially the stomach. All this put together makes copper a very effective healing agent.
Helps maintain cardiovascular health and beats hypertension: Heart disease is one of the most common ailments that most people suffer from, and copper helps minimize your risk of developing the disease. According to the American Cancer Society, copper has been found to help regulate blood pressure, heart rate and lowers one's cholesterol and triglyceride levels. It also helps to prevent the accumulation of plaque and has the documented effect of dilating blood vessels to allow for the better flow of blood to the heart. It also helps lower one's triglyceride levels and So, if heart disease is your bane, try drinking copper infused water for great results. Read more about heart disease. 
Read more about causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of heart disease.
Can fight off cancer: Another disease that is quickly becoming extremely common, cancers can be debilitating for both the patient and their family. How does copper help? Well, copper has very strong antioxidant properties that helps fight off free radicals and negate their ill effects – one of the main reasons for the development of cancer. According to the American Cancer Society the exact mechanism of how copper helps prevent the onset of cancer is still not known but some studies have shown that copper complexes have a considerable anti cancer effect. Read more about everything you need to know about cancer.
How to buy a copper vessel:
If all its benefits have convinced you to try storing and drinking water from a copper vessel, here is a guide to buying the right kind of vessel.
It is important to buy vessels that are made of pure copper. Do not buy ones that have other metals mixed in it. Some of the commonest vessels made with copper are copper water jugs or a kalash. If buying a jug or kalash is too expensive for you, you can invest in a copper glass.
Once you have bought it, rinse it out with water and pour water into the vessel and cover it. You can use a steel or glass dish for this.
One very easy way to distinguish between pure copper and an adulterated version is to know that copper is a very soft metal and pure copper is difficult to mould into intricate shapes. So if the design of your copper vessel is very intricate, it is most probably not made with pure copper.
Washing instructions:
Do not use a coarse scrub to wash the inside of the vessel as it will tend to scrape away copper from the vessel.
Instead, use one half of a lemon (you can squeeze out the juice) and rub it on the inside of the vessel. Allow it to stand for a few minutes and then wash off with plain water. Alternatively you could also try using baking soda with water. Use this mixture to coat the inside of the vessel and allow it to stand for a few minutes and then rinse away the excess baking soda.
Warning:
Copper is not innately utilized by our body. That is why too much of the metal can be detrimental. According to the FDA about 12mg/day is more than sufficient for the body to use without causing any harm. So, do not overdo the entire exercise. Drinking water twice or thrice in a day from a copper vessel is more than enough to reap its benefits.
You might also like to read: 
10 reasons to drink warm water with lemon and honey in the morning
5 reasons why walking on grass is good for your health
5 easy home remedies to relieve headache
Image source: silentshiva.blogspot.in
For more articles, visit our Diseases and Conditions Section. Health.India.com is now TheHealthSite.com. Follow the all-new site on Facebook and Twitter.
- M.D.HEGDE MANGALORE

    
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