[www.keralites.net] Go Natural!

 

Go Natural! Devika Pathak Why pop a pill when turmeric can give you relief from pain, garlic will control your cholesterol and Indian snakeroot will keep your hypertension in check. Here's more on herbs that heal. Going back through human history, before allopathy and hospitals, humans turned to the Earth for remedies for ailments. The ancient disciplines of Naturopathy and Ayurveda have shown mankind how to benefit from Nature for centuries, and these systems of medicine have been regaining favour in recent years with the spurt of holistic health clinics around the country. In the West too, there seems to be a shift towards natural remedies, probably an extension of the `organic foods' trend. It may also have to do with the popularity of the TV show Outlander, in which the protagonist travels 200 years back in time and must therefore adapt her 1945 knowledge of medicine to treat people using only herbs and roots, as was the practice in 1745. This is actually possible because herbs contain active ingredients that have healing properties. This much is acknowledged even by proponents of allopathy -many of the medicines you and I are familiar with contain the potent extracts of herbs. Dr Kanika Sabharwal, MD -Homeopathy and Paediatrics, and Dr Onkar Rajiv Bilgi, MD -Ayurveda, list some things you'd see in a garden, but which may belong in your medicine cabinet. Mountain Daisy Mountain daisy or Arnica Montana is one of the most beneficial and widely used plants in naturopathy and homeopathy. Part of the daisy family, this delicate, yellow flower, also known as `leopard's bane' and `fall herb' is used to relieve soreness, joint pain, aches, arthritis and even bruises. Arnica Montana signals the body to send more white blood cells to the bruised or cut area. It's also a natural anti-inflammatory and pain reliever due to the sesquiterpene lactone in it. Marigold You may associate this flower with weddings and happy occasions. It turns out, the flower grants you its own reasons to celebrate -it can help increase blood flow and oxygen to wounds and infected areas, and also helps the body grow tissue more rapidly, which helps the body heal with less scar formation. Also known as Calendula Officianalis, this plant contains anti-microbial and antiviral agents and is thus used in topical antiseptics.Calendula ointments are also widely used to treat burns. Turmeric What we know as turmeric is made by grinding the root of the plant Cucurma Longa. Turmeric has long been touted as one of the healthiest and most beneficial spices in the world. It's often prescribed for muscle sprains and injuries because of its natural antiinflammatory properties.It blocks the molecule NF-kB which mediates inflammation to offer relief almost immediately.Turmeric does not have a very high dosage of curcumin, the active ingredient, so using an extract is advisable. Garlic Found in garlic, the active ingredient Allium Sativum may cause bad breath but it also possesses strong anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-parasitic properties. It inhibits ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) and promotes vasodilatation, thereby, reducing blood pressure.Consumption of raw garlic (or medicinal preparations of the same) promotes cardiovascular health, lowers cholesterol levels and prevents atherosclerosis. More importantly, it acts as an immune modulator, reducing the frequency and intensity of colds and coughs. Indian Snakeroot Rauwolfia Serpinita or Indian Snakeroot has been used to treat hypertension and other maladies for thousands of years. Interestingly, a Mumbai-born but British-trained medical physician named Rustom Jai Vakil was one of the first to introduce this herb to modern medicine. That was in 1949. Vakil popularised its use for the treatment of hypertension. He conducted various experiments and saw encouraging results in almost all participants who suffered from high blood pressure. Studies published in the Integrative Medicine: A Clinician's Journal have also espoused the fact that this herb is a safe and effective treatment for hypertension. Milk Thistle Almost all medicines for liver diseases contain Silymarin or Milk Thistle, which is isolated from the Cardus Marianus plant. Aside from its hepato-protective property, it is also effective as a treatment for a spectrum of diseases from varicose veins to ulcers. This plant has been used to treat such health problems since the 4th century, BC. St John's Wort According to Mayo Clinic, Hypericum Perforatum or St John's Wort has been tested and found to be effective in treating depression (especially seasonal affective disorder). Its efficacy has been compared to standard protocol drugs used to treat these conditions, and the reports say it has fewer side effects. It is also of great use in treating neuropathic pain and often used topically. Long Pepper Also known as Pippali or Piper Longum, this is the best herb to encourage digestion. Many times, in spite of the right diet, the body is unable to absorb the required amount of iron and vitamins from food. The regular consumption of this herb before meals, helps in the absorption of vital nutrients and can help stimulate the liver, too. Ashwaganda Withania Somnifera or Ashwaganda is an excellent daily tonic. Oil infused with the herb has been seen to help strengthen the nerves. It helps to control anxiety and induce sound sleep. An extensive study is being carried out to study its analgesic, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. Guduchi Tinospoira Cardifolia or Guduchi shields one from pollution. It has anti-periodic, anti-spasmodic, anti-microbial, anti-osteoporotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, anti-allergic and anti-diabetic properties. The herb is used in Ayurveda to treat conditions like jaundice, diabetes and arthritis. The experts emphasise that while these herbs are widely available, they should be used with caution. They may have sideeffects, much like any medicine you use. Health conditions must always be treated under the supervision of a trained physician. 

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Posted by: Kakdi Raita <kakdiriata@gmail.com>

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