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Rejuvenation therapy with Drakshadi Rasayana

Rasayana therapy or Rejuvenation therapy helps to slow down ageing process, increases memory, boosts body immunity, and enhances complexion and youthfulness of skin. Sense organs and voice regain their sharpness. Rasayana therapy rejuvenates whole body and as well reproductive system thus making one to feel young and energetic in all aspects of life.

Consumption of herbal rasayana preparations is known as “Aushadha rasayana”. One can reap the benefits of rasayana therapy by regularly consuming “Aushadha rasayana”.  “Drakshadi Rasayana” is one such herbal rasayana preparation.

Drakshadi rasayana contains draksha (grapes or Vitis Vinifera) , amla or amalaki (Indian gooseberry or Emblica officinalis ), Honey, Ginger, Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra or madhuyashti), sugar , long pepper and ghee

Grapes: Grapes act as body coolant. They boosts memory power and act as a brain tonic. They help to relive constipation and promote digestion. These berries act as cardiac tonic and increase blood hemoglobin. Grapes are known to balance rakta (blood) and pitta. Hence they are very useful in gout and allergies. They strengthen the lungs and help in patients who are recuperating from tuberculosis, bronchitis and asthma. Grapes help in cystitis and burning micturition as they sooth the inner layers of bladder and act as diuretic. Fertility of men and women increases with the regular consumption of these berries. They strengthen the female reproductive system and increase the sperm count and sperm motility. Grapes play an important role in boosting immunity of skin and thus protecting it from various skin disorders.

Amalaki or amla (Indian gooseberry or Emblica officnalis): Amla or amalaki balances tridoshas. It strengthens hair follicles and rejuvenates skin on scalp. Regular consumption of this fruit boosts immunity of skin and prevents outbreak of acne and pimples. It reduces burning sensation of eyes, enhances memory, strengthens nervous system, normalizes digestion, reduces acidity, rejuvenates liver and relieves constipation. It acts as good cardiac tonic and helps to increase hemoglobin level in blood. Amla acts as an aphrodisiac and increases sperm count and sperm motility. It rejuvenates male reproductive system. This berry soothes burning sensation of urinary tract and very useful in cystitis and burning micturition.

Honey: This ingredient acts as an instant energizer, as sugars in honey are quickly absorbed by digestive system. Due to its hygroscopic properties it helps in quick healing of wounds and growth of healing tissue. It is very useful in bed wetting disorders. It rejuvenates damaged skin and acts as antioxidant. Honey boosts body immunity as it increases number of white blood cells. It is known as “Yogavahi” as it penetrates the deeper tissues. Its addition in herbal preparations helps to enhance the medicinal properties of herbs and help these herbs to reach the deeper tissues.

Thus the medicinal properties of the above ingredients have made “Drakshadi Rasayana” useful in many conditions like

Anemia: The precious ingredients like grapes, amla and honey help to nourish blood and help in anemia.

Indigestion: Drakshadi rasayana helps in promoting digestion and increasing appetite.

Acidity: Amla and grapes are known to reduce acidity. Thus drakshadi rasayana helps to reduce acidity and flatulence. It also help to reduce vomiting sensation and nausea.,

Asthma, Tuberculosis,Bronchitis and cough: Drakshadi rasayana boost immunity of lungs. It strengthens the lungs, boosts immunity and nourishes blood. All these facts together help patients who are recuperating from Asthma, Tuberculosis, Bronchitis and cough. It also prevents further damages due to repeated infection of  respiratory system.

It is very useful in pregnancy and acts as a fetal nourisher. It helps to prevent miscarriages and abortions. Drakshadi rasayana reduces acidity and vomiting.

This article is copy righted. The author Dr.SavithaSuri is an Ayurvedic Physician and web master of http://www.ayurhelp.com. Read complete article at http://www.ayurhelp.com/drakshadirasayana.htm.

Benefits - Grapes And Neem

Grapes are oval in shape and are small and juicy. Grapes are native to the Mediterranean region and central parts of Asia, but can be found in numerous countries. They are usually sold without seeds, and are consumed usually as a fresh fruit.

Neem is a product of the neem tree, which is considered to be the fastest growing evergreen tree. In parts of India the neem tree is also worshipped. It is a significant component of numerous ayurvedic medicines as all of the parts of the tree have medicinal properties.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF GRAPES
? It helps in maintaining a healthy blood composition. It also is a good source of strength and stamina.
? It is considered to be effective in controlling diseases such as rheumatism and liver disorders.
? It is effective in eliminating the acid contents of those suffering from uric acid tendencies.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF NEEM
? Its antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties help in protecting from a number of microorganisms
? The oil extracted from the leaves can help heal wounds, cuts and infections. It also helps in curing different skin ailments such as acne, rashes etc.
? The leaves also help in cleansing and detoxification
? Neem oil is considered to be good for the scalp, hence if applied regularly it can treat problems such as lice and dandruff, and even avoid hair fall.
? It also helps in better blood circulation, and production of healthy blood cells. Drinking neem extract is also beneficial to reduce ones sugar levels, hence is recommended for diabetics.
? It also helps strengthen ones immune system that helps prevent a number of illnesses.


Read complete article at http://ayur-guru.blogspot.com/2011/12/benefits-grapes-and-neem.html

Taking Care To Grow Great Hair

When you consider all aspects of personal care and hygiene, many people tend to overlook the care that should go into their hair. Although hair is only dead skin cells, that does not mean that it should not be properly cared for! Neglecting to care for your hair could result in many health problems—and cause you to become unpopular among your friends and colleagues. Additionally, taking good care of your hair can help to prevent hair loss and balding. It is as simple as following basic nutrition and hygiene guidelines.

Normal Hair Growth And How To Speed Up The Process

The average head has over 100,000 hairs, each of them sitting in hair follicles that lie just underneath the skin. No one hair follows exactly the same growth cycle; they all grow independently of one another. In normal hair growth, there are three main stages: anagen (the growth stage), catagen (the transition stage), and telogen (the resting stage). The growth stage can last for as long as seven years.

Speeding up hair growth can be a matter of getting the proper amount of vitamins and nutrients. A deficiency in nutrition can lead to dull, stringy hair, and even temporary hair loss! A common side effect of eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia is hair loss. This indicates that eating the proper amount of food is important to preventing baldness.

There are several essential vitamins that aid hair growth. Deficiencies in these specific vitamins can cause problems with hair growth. Zinc and biotin (which is related to vitamin B) are both associated with hair health. Zinc can be found in meat and eggs, while biotin can be found in most protein sources.

Another hair care essential is having enough fat in your diet. People on low-fat and no-fat diets are often at risk to suffer hair health consequences, because they can cause the scalp to dry up. Omega-3 fatty acids can help to ensure a healthy scalp and crop of hair.

Healthy Hygiene Help

Another aspect of hair care is regularly washing it with shampoo and conditioner. For people with abnormal hair conditions, such as dandruff, there are special shampoos available to help treat them. It is also important to limit flat-ironing and blow-drying your hair, because this can cause it to dry out.

The Hair Makes The Person

Hair care reflects a lot about your health habits and how much you value personal appearance. To avoid baldness and stringy, dead, or dry hair, follow nutrition and personal hygiene basics.

Read complete article at http://www.ayurhelp.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=11024

Napping May Help With Blood Pressure Management

A daytime sleep could have cardiovascular benefits according to new research by Ryan Brindle and Sarah Conklin, PhD, from Allegheny College in Pennsylvania in the US. Their study, looking at the effect of a daytime nap on cardiovascular recovery following a stress test, found that those participants who slept for at least 45 minutes during the day had lower average blood pressure after psychological stress than those who did not sleep.

Long work schedules, shift work, increased anxiety and a greater use of the internet and television late at night -- all characteristics of our modern society -- have had an impact on nocturnal sleep. We no longer sleep as long as we used to: The average sleep duration is now almost 2 hours shorter per night than it was 50 years ago. And this could be impacting our long-term health. For example, sleeping less has been linked to an increased risk of hypertension and cardiovascular problems generally.

Brindle and Conklin's experiment examined how daytime sleep might influence cardiovascular recovery after a mental stress test in the laboratory. They split 85 healthy university students into two groups: One group was allotted a 60-minute interval during the day when they had the opportunity to sleep; the other group did not sleep during the day. The researchers also asked the students to complete questionnaires assessing sleep quality and complete a cardiovascular reactivity task, involving a complex mental subtracting exercise. Brindle and Conklin measured the students' blood pressure and pulse rates at regular intervals throughout the experiment.

They found that daytime sleep seemed to have a restorative effect with students in the sleep condition reporting lower scores of sleepiness than those who did not sleep. Although blood pressure and pulse rates rose in both groups between baseline and the stress phase, during the recovery phase, those who had napped had significantly lower average blood pressure readings than those who had not slept. These results show that sleeping between 45 and 60 minutes during the day appears to facilitate blood pressure recovery after a mental stress task in the laboratory.

Brindle and Conklin conclude: "Our findings suggest that daytime sleep may offer cardiovascular benefit by accelerating cardiovascular recovery following mental stressors. Further research is needed to explore the mechanism by which daytime sleep is linked with cardiovascular health and to evaluate daytime sleep as a recuperative and protective practice, especially for individuals with known cardiovascular disease risk and those with suboptimal sleep quality."

Read complete article at http://ayur-guru.blogspot.com/2011/11/napping-may-help-with-blood-pressure.html

Home Remedies with grapes

Grapes have anti ageing properties and plent of nutrients. Grapes also help in expelling body toxins and relieving constipation. These properties of grapes help to keep the skin healthy with young looks.

Do not use any fruits as face pack if you are allergic to them.

For wrinkles: Cut fresh ripe green grapes or red grapes into two halves and rub them gently on wrinkles in circular motion. Take care not to rub it on eyes. Wash it off after 15 minutes. The anti ageing property of grapes helps to slowdown ageing process of skin.

Grape Facial Scrub: Mash 1/2 cup o fresh ripe white grapes and remove its skin. Mix almond powder to this pulp and use it as a scrub. This helps to remove dirt and oil.

Grape Cleansing pack: mash 1/2 cup of seedless white grapes with 1 tea spoon of organic honey. Apply this on face and leave it for 12-13 minutes. Wash it off with cold water. This pack helps to cleanse the skin from inside.

To relieve constipation: Eat around 20 to 25 ripe purple grapes daily at night. This helps to relieve constipation

( Persons who are diabetic and obese should consul family physician or dietician before consuming grapes internally )

Read complete article at http://www.ayurhelp.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=11023

Red Wine Grape Extracts and Health Benefits

Decades ago, scientists also discovered the French Paradox, and determined that despite a high fat diet, the French lived longer and healthier, and have concluded that the causes had largely to do with their daily dose of Red Wine.

More recently, discoveries by Dr. Joseph Baur and Dr. David Sinclair at Harvard Medical School in 2006, coupled with many follow-on university and research laboratory studies (including University of Pennsylvania, Marywood University, Yale, University of Michigan, University of Connecticut, Wake Forest, Oregon State, University of South Carolina, and many more), have shown that there are natural plant extracts that can activate sirtuin "survival genes" which increase longevity and reduce the incidence of age-related illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer's, and even cancer.

These natural plant extracts were discovered after investigating over 20,000 compounds. Nineteen (19) of these compounds were identified, and 17 (all polyphenols with strong antioxidant properties) are found in Red Wine Grapes, including Resveratrol, Quercetin Catechin, and others. Futhermore, it has been proven that the combination of these red wine polyphenols allow them to work together, and to remain longer in the blood stream (bioavailability) after being ingested.

Extensive medical research has been conducted by university professors, pharmaceutical companies, and nutraceutical companies into the medical benefits of red wine extracts. These studies have shown many health benefits including: anti-inflammatory, blood thinning and reduced risk for artery clotting (anti-coagulant), normalization of blood sugar (for diabetes), increase mental capacity and memory, increase in strength and endurance, and even the inhibition of many types of cancers (lung, colon, skin, liver and pancreatic).

Parts of the Grape

There are basically three (3) parts that have different components of beneficial polyphenols: 1) pulp, 2) skins, and 3) seeds. Studies have been conducted with each of these components, as well as the overall combination (whole grapes), and have shown a variety of positive results. The best supplements use whole grape extracts, which ensure you're getting the full complement of polyphenols from all parts of the red wine grapes.

Red Wine and Grape Juice

A logical question is whether or not the same health benefits can be derived from red wine and grape juice. While these liquids produce health benefits, a person would consume entirely too much alcohol and calories to get the equivalent dosage of a nutraceutical supplement.

Dosages

Assuming a high quality extraction and concentration system is used, red wine grapes can be expected to achieve up to 90% concentration of polyphenols (be sure to check the Supplement Label). If the polyphenol concentration is not listed, be cautious, as it is most likely inferior-grade product.

Approximately 500 mg of Red Wine grape extract is equivalent to one (1) bottle of high quality red wine. This is the concentration used by Dr. Smoliga in his studies, and by Naturex with their PowerGrape product. 

Types of Red Wine Grape Supplements

There are two (2) broad categories of Red Wine grape supplements on the market today:

1. Pure Red Wine Grape supplements

These use a variety of different types of red wine grapes, whole grapes, grape skins, grape seeds, etc. Each claim a different amount of polyphenols and Resveratrol based upon the types of grapes used, the extraction and concentration process. Each have a slightly different blend of polyphenols, and again, the total concentration of about 90% polyphenols will be the maximum achievable level.

The maximum level of a specific polyphenol, such as Resveratrol, will generally be in the 5-10% range. So for a 500 mg red wine grape supplement, the most Resveratrol or Quercetin, for example, would be 25 - 50 mg (not very much, and well below therapeutic dosage).

2. Polyphenol Formulations with Red Wine Grape Extracts

As stated, there is only so much Resveratrol, Quercetin, Catechin, and other specific polyphenols that can be extracted and concentrated irrespective of the types of grapes, or process used. In order to maximize a particular polyphenol, it must be specifically added.

Products such as Vindure 900, for example, add an additional 400 mg of Resveratrol and 100 mg of Quercetin, which means you're getting the Resveratrol-equivalent of over 100 bottles of red wine in a single daily dosage

Recommendations

According to Dr. Joseph Maroon in an article published by Bottom Line Health, in September 2009 (Prevent killer Diseases), "because Resveratrol absorption is thought to be enhanced when combined with other natural polyphenols, a mixed-polyphenol supplement is best." [Dr. Maroon is a professor of neurological surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) and author of The Longevity Factor

Red Wine Grape Studies (reference)

Grape extract and Resveratrol improves endurance and memory. In 2006, 54 sedentary adults were given a mixture of 400 mg red wine grape extract, 400 mg of Resveratrol, and 100 mg of Quercetin. Results included improved (decreased) submaximal heart rate, improved neurocognitive performance, and improved memory. By Dr. James Smoliga of Marywood University. A second study is underway with 400 mg of only pure whole red wine grape extract. 

Grape extract improves athletic performance and recovery. A group of twenty athletes, aged between 18 and 34 took part in the study in 2005, a collaboration between researchers from Avantage Nutrition and the French Agronomic Research Institute (INRA). the athletes were given 400mg of Bordeaux extract per day. Results indicate that the grape extract could reduce the risk of muscular damage, improve the explosive sports performance during effort, improve recovery capacity after effort, and improve the antioxidant status in athletes.

Grape extract reduces heart disease risk. Conducted by UC Davis cardiovascular researchers in 2006, the study was the first human clinical trial to assess the effect of grape extract on people with metabolic syndrome, a combination of risk factors that increase the risk for heart disease, including high blood pressure, excess abdominal body weight, high blood cholesterol fats and high blood sugar. In 24 patients, the extract lowered blood pressure by 8-12 points. 

Grape extract reduces incidence of heart attacks. A study at the University of Wisconsin of 15 adults with coronary artery disease discovered that the flavenoids in red grapes may prevent cardiovascular events. A 14 day supplementation improved endothelial function and reduced the susceptibility of LDL cholesterol to oxidation. 

Read complete article at http://ayur-guru.blogspot.com/2011/11/red-wine-grape-extracts-and-health.html

The Health Benefits of Grapes and Their Uses in Home Remedies

There are a few thousand kinds of grapes with very different chemical composition.

Grapes are 65-85% water, 10-33% sugar (glucose and fructose), phlobaphene, gallic acid, silicic acid, quercetine, anin, glucosides - mono delphinidin and delphinidin, fruit acids, like apple acid, salicilic acid, phosphoric acid, lemon acid, amber acid, formic acid and a little bit of oxalic acid, pectins, tannic substances, salts of potassium, magnesium, calcium, manganese, cobalt, iron and vitamins B1, B2,?6, ?12, ?, ?, ?, ??, K, folic acid and enzimes.

Grape skin has tannic substances and essential oils. 

Grape seeds have tannic substances, phlobaphene, lecithin, vanilla and fatty oil.

Grape leaves have sugar, quercetine, carotene, inosite, tannic substances, betain, tartaric acid, apple acid, ascorbic acid, protocatechine acid, potassium, sodium, iron and silicon.

Grapes have been used for treating metabolism disorders, liver, kidney and lung disorders and cardiovascular problems. Grapes improve metabolism and have diuretic, anti inflammation, light laxative and inducing perspiration effect. 

Grapes help with nervous exhaustion, hypertension, high blood pressure, bronchitis and gout. Eating grapes strengthens your body when you need to recover from anemia, gastritis with high acidity, metabolism disorder, chronic insomnia and constipation.

It is recommended to include grapes in your diet in the first stage of tuberculosis.

Drinking grape juice daily for a long time helps to lower high blood pressure. 

There many grape home remedies in folk medicine.

Extract of grape leaves (boil 1 part of grape leaves with 10 parts of water for 15 minutes, let it cool and filter it) is used for gargling your throat if you have angina and for washing your body if you have skin disorders.

You should eat raisins, if you cough, have an angina, ulcers in your mouth, bladder disorders and hemorrhoids.

Warnings: 

-Grapes and grape juice are not recommended for obesity, stomach ulcers, diabetes, colitis, diarrhea and dysentery.

-You will get an upset stomach if you eat grapes with milk, cucumbers, melon, fish, beer, mineral water and fatty meals.

-If you have a cavity in a tooth, eating grapes or drinking grape juice will intensify your tooth destruction. Rinse your mouth every time you eat grapes.

Yulia Berry is a professional makeup artist. It has been her passion to collect the most interesting natural home remedies, healthy diet plans, and beauty and makeup tips from different countries. She spent a few years researching alternative cures and healthy dieting. 

Read complete article at http://www.ayurhelp.com/wordpress/?p=231

Ayurveda Medicinal Properties of Grapes

Common Grape Vine ( Vitis Vinifera ) is known as Draksha in ayurveda.  This is widely grown in western parts of India, Punjab, Kashmir, central Europe, Turkey, Morocco and Portugal . The grape vine has long, woody stems rooted to ground. Stems are covered with flaky bark. The grapevine usually grows up to 35 meters. It has alternative, broad, palmate leaves. The unripe fruit is usually green and ripe fruit is dark purple in color. Ripe fruits are covered with light grey wax coat.

Grape vine has acquired numerous names by virtue of its shape and medicinal properties.  These names have been coined by ayurveda acharyas. It is known as “Draksha” as it is liked by one and all. Due to its medicinal properties it increases the moistness of our body tissues and softens the dried ones. Hence the name “Mrudweeka”.  Grapes get the name “Gosthani” as the shape of fruits resemble mammary glands (udder) of cow.

Chemical Composition of Grapes

Grapes contain 70 to 80% water and numerous organic and inorganic compounds. These are sugars, organic acids, phenolic compounds, nitrogenous compounds, aroma compounds, minerals, pectic substances. They are also good source of bioflavonoids

Ayurveda Medicinal Properties of Grapes

Grapes are sweet to taste and act as body coolants. They are soft, heavy to digest and increase the moistness of body tissues. By virtue of these properties this fruit alleviates vata and pitta. Hence these berries are used in diseases which arise due to vitiation of vata and pitta.

Usefulness of grape berries on different organ systems are given below.

Nervous system: Due to their property of alleviating vata the use of grapes is recommended as nervine . It boosts memory power and acts as a brain tonic.

Digestive system: Vata and pitta regulate functions of digestive system. Since grapes alleviate vata and pitta, they are widely used in digestive disorders like constipation, jaundice and thirst.

Circulatory System: These berries act as cardiac tonic. They strengthen the muscles of heart and increase the nutrient components (hemoglobin) of blood. Grapes are very useful in diseases which arise due to vitiation of rakta (blood) and pitta . Therefore the use of this fruit is recommended in Gout and allergies.

Respiratory System: Draksha or grapes help to strengthen lungs. Expectoration of kapha or Phlegm can be very easily achieved with the help of this fruit. Thus grapes are used as main ingredients in ayurvedic preparations which are administered in respiratory conditions like Tuberculosis, cough, bronchitis etc.

Urinary System:  Grapes act as diuretics and increase frequency and volume of urine. It soothes the inner layers of bladder. For this reason grapes are recommended in burning micturition and cystitis.

Reproductive system: Grapes help to increase fertility of Men and women. It increases quality and quantity of semen, sperm count and sperm motility. It also helps to strengthen the female reproductive system. These berries are known as “Vrishya”, which means they help in erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation.

Effect on skin: Grapes help to reduce burning sensation of skin and skin allergies. It boosts the immunity of skin  and help to prevent various skin diseases.

General health: Grapes facilitate a good supply of nutrients for recuperating patients. This fruit is of immense help to persons who want to increase their body bulk.

This article is copy righted. The author Dr.SavithaSuri is an Ayurvedic Physician and web master of  Ayurveda help through ayurveda consultations
Ayurveda Medicnal properties of Grapes

How To Get Sufficient Sleep Even If You Work At Night

There are people who need to work during night shifts. But the problem with this work schedule is that it can be very demanding and quite unhealthy. In fact, not everybody can stick to working at night for more than six months.

Due to financial problems, rising prices of oil and even mortgage woes, many feel compelled to accept whatever work schedule is available; even if it means that they have to toil during the graveyard shift. But majority of those who have to work when the moon is shining feel that they are in perpetual jet lag because their sleep patterns have been disrupted. Besides, they often find it difficult to sleep when the sun is already up and shining. If you are one of those who have no choice but to work at night, you need to understand that you can hang on to your work schedule without necessarily sacrificing your sleep.

Here are some ways you can bring back sleep into your life:

Wear Dark Sunglasses

In order to achieve a restful sleep, your body needs to produce some melatonin, a hormone responsible for making a person achieve a reinvigorating slumber. However, the production of this chemical is actually dictated by your bio clock and is only released during nighttime. If you see bright lights the moment you get out from work, your body will know it is morning and will not make the hormones you need to have a restful sleep. So what do you have to do about it? Simply wear dark sunglasses to trick your mind into thinking that it is night and it is time for you to sleep.

Maintain A New Sleep Schedule

It is advisable to sleep immediately after work. Furthermore, you have to make sure that you sleep at the same time everyday, even during weekends or your days off. Maintaining a schedule will help regulate your body clock, which is important in order to help you meet your daily sleep requirements. The reason why a lot of nighttime workers struggle to change their body clock is their inability to maintain a consistent sleep pattern. Many tend to sleep at night during weekends or days off.

Dark Is Right

Another way to trick your mind into thinking that it is nighttime is by putting up a curtain or shade that is dark. You have to remember to make your room cool, cozy and dark. You can also try wearing an eye mask if you are sharing your room with other people. In order to bring noise levels down, try wearing an earplug.

Say No To Caffeine

Do not worry. You will not have to sacrifice your caffeine fix in order to reach a relaxing sleep. Just make sure that you do not eat or drink anything that is loaded with caffeine at least five hours before you hit the bed.

Mini Breaks Are Important

The things you do while at work actually have a lot of impact on your sleep patterns. It would be better to have mini breaks throughout the shift to help make you feel less stressful when you go home. It would also be advisable to do some stretching and exercise while you are at your desk or when you are having your break. However, do not do any strenuous exercise at least three hours before your bedtime.

Go Easy On The Energy Drinks

Energy drinks have been the beverage of choice of people who work during the night. In fact, some people drink several bottles or cans of such drinks in just one shift. However, the caffeine content of this type of beverage can be very high. Sometimes, drinking green tea is more effective than chugging up energy drinks to keep you awake while you are working.

Read complete article at http://www.ayurhelp.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=11020

Dealing with Sleep disturbances while working in shifts –An ayurveda view

Our body functions like hormone release, body temperature, sleep-wake cycles, etc are caused due to Circadian rhythm which intern controlled by our biological clock. Circadian rhythms are responses of living beings for their surrounding environment, primarily to light and darkness. This rhythm follow a roughly 24 hours cycle and causes physical, mental and behavioral changes.

The biological clock of our body is situated in hypothalamus of brain. This clock is a group of nerve cells called suprachiasmatic nucleus, or SCN. The SCN controls secretion of hormone melatonin which makes us sleepy. When there is less light , the SCN sends signals to brain to secrete more melatonin. Thus the sleep and wake cycle are in rhythm with night and day.

Employees who work in shifts , especially at nights experience sleep disturbances due to disruption in biological clock and disturbance in Circadian rhythm. When these disturbances become chronic, the health of employees gets affected.

Employees who work in rotating shifts or exclusive night shifts experience "shift work disorder". Shift work disorder can lead to Insomnia or excessive sleepiness. This eventually leads to increased risk of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Psychiatric problems like anxiety and depression may be triggered due to sleep disturbances.

Due to Circadian rhythm the digestive system is active in day and sluggish at night. Awaking at night, impairs digestion.Inadequate sleep and caffeinated drinks taken during night shift, aggravate the problems of digestive system. Acidity and ulcers are very common in employees, who work in night shifts.

According to principles of ayurveda a good and timely sleep nourishes all tissues (dhatu poshana) and balances three doshas. This keeps our body healthy. Proper digestion and nourishment of body tissues boost body energy and helps to develop immunity to diseases. Altered sleep pattern vitiates vayu ,which intern cause degeneration of tissues and imbalance of doshas.

Vayu which gets aggravated due to disturbed sleep dries up the tissues. "ratrau jaagaranam rooksham". The vitiated vayu causes the following condition.

     Improper digestion or disturbances in digestion.
    Either Insomnia or increased sleepiness.
    Reduced concentration in work.
    Premature aging which leads to dry skin, wrinkles, grey hair, hair loss etc.
    Lowered immunity.
    Low sperm count and sperm motility.
    Erectile dysfunction
    Premature ejaculation
    Low libido.
    Reduction in quality and quantity of semen.
    Depression.
    Irregular menstrual cycle in women.

Tips to reduce health hazards due to shift work:

    Adjust your shift in a definite pattern like - day shift- evening shift- night shift. This slow transition in sleep pattern helps the biological clock to adjust itself for changing shifts.
    Avoid consumption of tobacco, alcohol and caffeine. This helps to retard ageing process and keeps the digestive system healthy.
    Keep your work place brightly lit during night shifts.
    Use blackout blinds or heavy dark colored curtains to block sunlight when you sleep during the day.
    Switch off your mobile phones when you sleep in day. Ask your family members not to disturb you.
    Consume light food before leaving for night shift.
    Avoid junk foods and aerated drinks when you work.
    Take warm shower before going to bed.
    Drinking a glass of warm milk before going to bed helps to replenish nutrients and nourish tissues which have dried due to Vayu.
    A complete body massage once in week with vata balancing herbal oil helps to reduce fatigue and prevents early aging symptoms like wrinkles, dry skin etc.
    Massaging head with herbal oil helps to reduce hair loss and premature graying.
    Try to spend around 30 minutes daily, for a brisk walk or light work out in gym.
    Drink plenty of water to maintain water balance. This increases body moisture level and reduces effects of vitiated vata.
    Avoid refrigerated foods and beverages.

This article is copy righted. The author Dr.SavithaSuri is an Ayurvedic Physician and web master of http://www.ayurhelp.com  .  Read article at http://www.ayurhelp.com/articles/sleep_disturbances.htm  drsavithasuri@gmail.com

Tips For Increasing Low Sperm Count - Beware of Cellphones!

There are so many studies that have shown that cell phones can harm the function of male sperm count. The general theory is: the farther you keep your cell phone away from your genital area, the better your chance for increasing low sperm count. To be exact, scientist have found that cell phone signals can effect five essential issues in semen production. They are:

Motility-how they move to the eggs.
Sperm count-the number of sperm inside certain amount of semen.
Morphology-the proper composition.
Viability-the endurance of sperm in certain conditions.
Liquefaction-how long the semen change from a thick gel into liquid.

So,what's causing the damage? There are many theories. Scientist suspect radio frequency (RF) energy, a form of electromagnetic (EM) energy necessary for making a call. The higher the EM energy emitted, though, the more damaging it can be. While cell phone RFs are considered low energy, young sperm cells are fragile and easily damaged, and thus may be sensitive to even low energy waves. Another theory is that using cell phone without earpiece can impairs the brain's regulation of the hormones that control sperm production. Radio frequencies can also increase the temperature of the newly forming sperm, which is bad if you want to increasing low sperm count.

Now that you know it, should you dump your cell phone? That's probably unnecessary, but being cautious isn't a bad idea. There are some options:

When the option is available, use a land line rather than your cell phone.
Using an an earpiece is highly recommended because it can protect your other sexual organ--your brain.
Avoid keeping your phone in your lap or your front pocket while not using it.
Your Man-bag, your backpack and even a clip-on holder that's positioned at your side are all better options than keeping it in your front pocket.

Well, maybe health effects may not be picked up for a potentially long time. But, given what is known and what is not known, it's not unreasonable to be as careful as you can. Your awareness about these findings can help you increasing low sperm count.

Read complete article at http://www.ayurveda-increaselibido.com/articles/lowspermcount.html

Severe Psoriasis Linked to Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events

Psoriasis is a common inflammatory skin disease, and if severe, has been demonstrated to be a risk factor for cardiovascular (CV) disease. However, the degree to which psoriasis is associated with major adverse cardiac events (MACE), such as heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death has not been defined. Now, new research from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine has revealed an increased incidence of MACE in patients with severe psoriasis.

In a cohort study analyzing data from a general practice research database, Penn researchers reviewed the case histories of over 3,600 patients with severe psoriasis and 14,300 controls. Lead author Nehal N. Mehta, MD, MSCE, Director of Inflammatory Risk in Penn's Preventive Cardiology program, and colleagues found that patients with severe psoriasis have a 53 percent increased incidence of MACE compared to the general population. They also found that having a diagnosed case of severe psoriasis confers an additional ten-year risk of 6 percent on MACE. The study results were reported at the 2011 American College of Cardiology meeting in New Orleans

Previous work from Dr. Mehta and senior author Joel M. Gelfand, MD, MSCE, from the Department of Dermatology at Penn found that the risk of death from cardiovascular disease increased by 57 percent in patients with severe psoriasis. In addition, the relative risk of death from cardiovascular disease was even higher in younger patients, who were as young as age 40.

Dr. Mehta and colleagues conclude that this new estimate of increased ten-year MACE may warrant more aggressive strategies for treatment of cardiovascular risk factors in patients with psoriasis.

Read complete article at  http://www.ayurhelp.com/wordpress/?p=206

Key genital measurement linked to male fertility

WASHINGTON DC - When it comes to male fertility, it turns out that size does matter.

The dimension in question is not penis or testicle size, but a measurement known as anogenital distance, or AGD.

Men whose AGD is shorter than the median length -- around 2 inches (52 mm) -- have seven times the chance of being sub-fertile as those with a longer AGD, according to a study published on Friday in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives.

That distance, measured from the anus to the underside of the scrotum, is linked to male fertility, including semen volume and sperm count, the study found. The shorter the AGD, the more likely a man was to have a low sperm count.

This offers the prospect of a relatively simple screening test for men, said study co-author Shanna Swan of the University of Rochester Medical Center.

"It's non-invasive and anybody can do it, and it's not sensitive to the kinds of things that sperm count is sensitive to, like stress or whether you have a cold or whether it's hot out," Swan said in a telephone interview.

"If somebody's got a short AGD, particularly if they have problems conceiving, I would say get to the infertility doctor, because the chances are good that something is wrong."

To reach their conclusions, researchers measured the AGDs of 126 men born in or after 1988, a small but statistically significant sample, Swan said.

The study did not address what might cause certain men to have short AGD measurements.

But previous studies, published in 2005 and 2008, looked at the possible link between mothers who were exposed to chemicals called phthalates during pregnancy and the AGD of their infant and toddler sons.

Phthalates are a group of chemicals widely used in industrial and personal care products, including fragrances, shampoos, soaps, plastics, paints and some pesticides.

In these earlier studies, the scientists tested for the presence of phthalates in the pregnant women's urine. They found that women who had high levels of phthalates in their urine during pregnancy gave birth to sons who were 10 times more likely to have shorter than expected AGDs.

Swan, who also co-authored the earlier papers, said they showed the correlation between prenatal phthalate exposure and shorter AGD.

The latest study does not address prenatal phthalate exposure directly, "but it does answer the question of why we should care about AGD," Swan said. "And it does suggest that whatever is altering AGD is also altering sperm count."

Read complete article at http://www.ayurveda-increaselibido.com/wordpress/?p=27

Vrishya Ksheera : (aphrodisiac milk with dates)

Vrishya ksheera is milk processed with aphrodisiac herbs and dry fruits. In Sanskrit Vrishya means aphrodisiac and ksheera means milk. Herbs which have both Vajikarana and Rasayana properties are used here. The milk thus processed with these herbs help as anti ageing.  It also helps to increase the sexual energy in men. Regular consumption of this milk helps in erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, low libido, low sperm count and low sperm motility. Texts of Ayurveda laud the properties of this milk. Its properties get enhanced when this processed milk is consumed with freshly cooked rice, sugar and ghee.This ayurveda recipe is very easy to prepare and herbs are easily available in ayurvedic shops .

Preparation of Vrishya Ksheera:

Ingredients:
Date fruit – 25 gms
Shatavari  (Asparagus racemosus)- 25 gms
Raisins : 25 gms
Yashti madhu (Liquorice or licorice or Glycyrrhiza glabra) : 25 gms
Seeds of Kapikacchu (Mucuna pruriens) – 25 gms
Black gram (urad dal) – 25 gms

Mix all the ingredients and cook with 1 liter of water until 250 ml of water remains. Add 300 ml of milk and boil till water evaporates and milk remains.  Filter this milk to a container with help of a clean thin cloth. This can be consumed with sugar or powdered sugar candies and rice. Or else it can be consumed without rice.

Note: Diabetes patients can consume this milk without sugar and can use cooked broken wheat instead of rice.

Foods for Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction ranks high among the many issues many try to avoid discussing. Men who suffer from erectile dysfunction especially find the topic cause for much embarrassment and feelings of inadequacy. Therefore, many men who have erectile dysfunction often have problems in their sex lives and in their relationships; there is generally a breakdown in communication and sexual confidence in men who have erectile dysfunction. But thanks to the many erectile dysfunction drugs on the market and nutrition against erectile dysfunction, there is now much less strife between couples dealing with erectile dysfunction.

Knowing exactly what is causing your erectile dysfunction is the best way to overcome it and lead a very fulfilling sex life. Reduced blood flows to the penis and nerve damage are the most common causes of erectile dysfunction. Other causes of erectile dysfunction are stress, poor nutrition, diabetes, vascular disease, smoking, pelvic trauma, hormone disorder, drugs, radiation therapy and neurological disorders. So once you’ve uncovered the cause of your erectile dysfunction, you can make a plan to address the issue while taking your prescription for erectile dysfunction.

But overcoming erectile dysfunction starts with proper nutrition, diet and body fat. Foods that contain zinc, vitamin E, fish oil, fruits and vegetables help to fight erectile dysfunction. Foods high in fat, sugar and sodium make your erectile dysfunction worse. Also, you should lose weight if you overweight as being overweight can lead to blood circulation problems. When the arteries and veins are blocked by fat and plaque, blood does not flow properly through the body and the penis needs proper blood flow to become erect. Here are some foods that can help you overcome erectile dysfunction:

Watermelon

Research shows that watermelon may help protect erectile dysfunction through its citrulline content. Citrulline is a phytonutrient that helps to relax and open up blood vessels, promoting the flow of blood to the penis. Citrulline converts to arginine in the body and arginine releases nitric acid to the blood which helps to relax the blood vessels. To get the best erectile dysfunction-fighting properties from watermelons don’t refrigerate it until it is cut. Also, you can fight erectile dysfunction more effectively if you cut the rind of the watermelon in small pieces and run it through a juicer. The highest concentration of citrulline is found in the rind.

Foods High in Zinc

Foods such as turkey, chicken, peanuts, whole grain products, yogurt, beef, lamb, salmon, cheese and milk are excellent sources of zinc. Some men who have erectile dysfunction have a depletion of zinc in their bodies. Zinc depletion in men may result from long-term use of diuretics as well as result from diseases such as diabetes, certain kidney and liver diseases and digestive disorders. Zinc is an important mineral in men’s sexual health. Zinc boosts the production of testosterone and enhances sperm mobility.

Read more at http://www.ayurhelp.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=11001

Low Libido in Men and Ways to Increase It Naturally

Low libido in men is not so uncommon. A vast majority of men suffer with a drop in their sexual desire as they advance towards middle age. There are a lot of factors that can be at play.

Some of them include increased stress, no or little physical activity, increased body weight, low testosterone levels and certain other lifestyle issues such as excessive smoking, alcohol abuse and use of recreational drugs etc.,

Ways to Increase Libido in Men

The state of your mental well being plays a very important role in determining your libido and also in the process of attaining a hard erections. Stress, depression, anxiety can put your mind off sex and the end result is diminished which can also lead to erectile dysfunction. Reducing stress can be a major step towards libido enhancement in men. Some of the best ways to do so include yoga, meditation etc., You must also try to control your anger and stop worrying about little things.

Not only this, lack of physical activity can lead to:

reduced blood circulation in your body and to the penis
   
increased body fat

Poor blood flow to the penis is a major cause of low libido and erectile problems in men. Besides this, excess body fat not only leads to plaque build up in your arteries but also leads to higher estrogen levels in your body. This tends to lower testosterone which is bad for your libido and erections.

Regular exercise can therefore, be a great help. It not only helps boost blood flow to the penis but also makes you lose weight and get rid of excess body fat. Exercise is great for increasing testosterone levels in your body. So make it a point to workout for at least 4-5 days a week.

Besides the above, natural libido supplements  can also be a great help. Such supplements not only increase blood flow to the genitals but also help elevate testosterone levels in your body. This is great for your libido and erectile function.

Top of the line supplements are comprised of natural ingredients such as ginkgo biloba leaf, muira pauma, panax ginseng, tribulus terrestris, acai berry, l-arginine etc.,

Such a potent mix of ingredients not only helps boost libido in men but also ensures powerful and longer lasting erections.

But this is not all!

Such pills can also help increase your stamina and energy. They can also help you gain more muscle and reduce body fat. Besides this, they can also help improve your lung and cardiac function.

Read complete article by Paul Norman @ http://www.ayurhelp.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=10994

Home remedies with onions:

1.    Regular consumption of onions helps to reduce incidences of osteoporosis.

2.    According to principles of ayurveda vitiation of Vata causes pain in body. Onions normalize vata and thus help to reduce pain and inflammation of joints in conditions like arthritis

3.    Cut two medium sized onions and fry them with turmeric till they become soft. Use castor oil or sesame oil for frying. Roll these hot tender onions in a soft clean cloth and tie it on aching part. This helps to reduce pain and inflammation of joint. Same remedy will be helpful to make hard abscess tender.

4.    Apply a face pack of onion juice and little turmeric on face. This helps to remove dark pigments and patches.

5.    Cook one cup of moong dal (Bengal gram or yellow lentil) with thickly sliced onions (3 medium sized onions). Add salt and a pinch of turmeric while cooking. Consume this along with rice or as soup. Moong dal and onion help to soften the stools and increase the bulk of stools. They also helps to heal the abrasions on walls of rectum and anus. This recipe helps to relieve constipation and normalize digestion.This also helps to reduce symptoms of piles

6.    Onions are known as best Vajikara. Regular consumption of onion helps in conditions like erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation and low libido. For this cut onion into long thin slices and fry it in butter till it becomes tender and consume it in empty stomach.

7.    Seeds of onion help to increase sperm count and sperm motility.

8.    In India kajal or eye liner is prepared at home using onion juice. This helps to clean the eye and increase its glow.

9.    Consumption of one tea spoon of onion juice and one tea spoon of honey helps in reliving chest congestion which normally happens in cold and cough.

10.    Chewing onions regularly help to prevent tooth decaying and reduce tooth pain.

11.    Regular consumption of onion helps to lower blood cholesterol and blood sugar (in diabetes).


Count on coconut (Cocos nucifera)
Coconut is a large palm (30 mts tall) and member of Arecaceae family with binomial nomenclature as Cocos nucifera . Coconut is known as Naarikela in ayurveda. This plant is grown throughout the tropics.
The fruit, flower and   root of this plant are used as ingredients for many ayurvedic preparations. The texts of ayurveda explain the properties of this fruit as - “Coconut is sweet to taste and act as body coolant. It is unctuous and heavy to digest.”

Tender Coconut water

Tender coconut water has soothing effect on intestines. It can be administered to infants as a rehydrating solution. It is known as “krimighna” i.e. kills intestinal parasites. When given as a regular health drink to children, it promotes growth and supplies good nutrients. Tender coconut water helps to overcome irritation of bladder and helps in preventing urinary tract infections. Regular consumption of this water helps in easy flow of urine and flushes out small kidney stones. It can be smeared on irritated skin (due to sun burn, rashes, chicken pox etc) to get a cooling effect. Tender coconut water increases glow and fairness of skin. Hiccups and thirst get quickly subsided on consumption of tender coconut water.

Uses of Coconut flowers

Flowers are used in prevention of frequent bowel movements in diarrhea and dysentery. They help to normalize vitiated pitta and rakta (blood). Flowers help to reduce frequent urination.

Uses of Coconut kernel (Coconut pulp)

Tender pulp cools the body and provides nourishment. It is very easy to digest and reduces acidity. Tender coconut pulp helps to boost body energy and strength.
Fully ripe pulp acts as a very good aphrodisiac (Vajikara). It is known to increase quality and quantity of semen. It is high in dietary fibers and cleanses the intestines.

Uses of Coconut Oil:

According to ayurveda coconut oil is mainly used to massage scalp. This increases hair growth and prevents dandruff and hair loss. Coconut oil accelerates healing of wounds and prevents diseases which arise due to dry skin.

This article is copyrighted. This article is copy righted. The author Dr.SavithaSuri is an Ayurvedic Physician and web master of http://www.ayurhelp.com  .Read complete article at http://www.ayurhelp.com/plants/coconut.htm

Causes for Unhealthy semen

Ayurveda Acharya charaka explains causes for unhealthy semen as follows

1. Increased frequency of sexual intercourse leads to shukra kshaya or reduced quantity of semen.
2. When a person gets physically exerted due to exercises beyond his capacity his dhatus get affected and the end product of dhatu i.e shukra dhatu looses nourishment. This may result in low sperm count and motility.
3. Consumption of unwholesome food, which can not nourish sapta dhatu or body tissues, leads to production of low quality of shukra or unhealthy semen.
4. Foods which are very bitter, astringent, salty, sour and spicy when consumed, reduce quality and quantity of semen
5. Semen can become unhealthy due to Old age, chronic diseases, worry, stress and depression.
5. Injuries to testes (trauma, cauterization,ets) can lead to low sperm count and sperm motility
6. Some Acute and chronic diseases can destroy semen producing tissues affecting semen production.



Unhealthy semen – An ayurvedic view.
Unhealthy semen or abnormalities in semen lead to infertility in men. According ayurveda unhealthy semen is known as dooshita shukra. When vitiated doshas affect semen, the semen loses its ability to fertilize egg.

The semen and its contents are referred as “beeja” in ayurveda. The Sanskrit word “Beeja” denotes seed. Acharya Charaka while explaining semen and its vitiation by doshas, gives the following example.

 Yathaa beejamkaalaambukrimikeetagnidooshitam |
Na virohati samdushtam tathaa shukram shareerinaam ||

This denotes that “The seeds of plants loose their potency when affected by altered climate, insects, forest fires and non availability of water.  Like wise the beeja (semen and sperms) in human beings get affected by doshas and loses its potency to produce offspring.”

When vitiated vayu affects semen, the semen becomes frothy, thin and loses its stickiness. The volume of semen decreases and semen becomes thin. The sperm count reduces and the ejaculation is painful.

The semen affected by vitiated pitta looks yellow in colour and has offensive odor. The ejaculation is accompanied with burning sensation in penis. In this condition number of healthy sperms reduces.

When vitiated kapha affects semen, it increases stickiness of semen and takes long time to liquefy. The motility of sperms get affected due to presence of kapha.

Some times due to injury in genital tract and increased sexual intercourse lead to ejaculation of semen with blood stains

Vayu which gets aggravated due to suppression of sexual urge causes clumping of semen. This type of semen is known as “avasaadi” type of semen in ayurveda.

Signs of pure semen: According to Acharya Charaka the pure semen is described as

“ Snigdham ghanam picchilam cha madhuram chaavidaahi cha ||
Retaha shuddham vijaaneeyaacchavettam sphatikasannibham |”

The semen which is thick, sticky, sweet, pearly white and ejaculated without any irritation has to be considered as pure semen.

This article is copy righted. The author Dr.SavithaSuri is an Ayurvedic Physician and web master of http://www.ayurhelp.com .  Read article at http://www.ayurhelp.com/unhealthy_semen.htm   drsavithasuri@gmail.com


Magnificent Milk - An ayurveda view
Milk contains nutrients like protein, fat, mineral matter, water and lactose. It is rich in calcium and vitamins. It is the natural food of all young mammals. Milk is a reservoir of nutrients and forms an important ingredient of a balanced diet. As it is rich in calcium it makes our bones and teeth strong. It helps to nourish the body with high quality proteins and vitamins. Drinking milk everyday helps to keep our body fit.

Texts of ayurveda explain the medicinal properties of milk as follows.

Praayasho madhuram snigdham sheetam stanyam payo matam |
Preenam brimhanam vrishyam medhyam balyam  manaskaram ||

Jeevaneeyam shramaharam shwasakaasanibarhanam|
Hanthi shonithapittam cha sandhanam vihatasya cha ||

Sarvapraanarbhutaam saatmyam shamanam shodhanam tatha |
Trishnaghnam deepaniyam cha shreshtam ksheena kshteshu cha ||

Paandurogeaamlapitte cha shoshe gulme tathodare |
Atisaare jware daahe shwayathou cha visheshataha ||

Yonishukrapradosheshu mutreshwaprachureshu cha |
Purishe grathite pathyam vaatapitta vikaareenaam ||

Nasyalepaavagaaheshu vamannsthaapaneshu cha |
Virechane snehane cha payaha sarvatra yujyate ||

According to principles of ayurveda milk is generally sweet and unctuous. It has cooling effect on body. Consumption of milk increases lactation. It refreshes body and mind. Milk nourishes body and is believed to be a complete food. Daily consumption of milk increases libido, quality and quantity of semen and helps in erectile dysfunction. It helps to boost memory power and strengthens mind. Milk acts as an instant energizer and relieves thirst. The symptoms of bronchitis and cough get reduced by continuous use of milk. Persons suffering from gout are benefited by regular consumption of milk. Milk accelerates wound healing.

When milk is used during ayurveda treatment sessions it alleviates vitiated doshas and eliminates them from body. It acts as an appetizer. Milk helps to reduce the period of recuperation . People suffering from anemia, acid peptic disorders, diarrhea, fever etc are greatly benefited by consumption of milk. Milk is of great aid to persons who experience constipation. A quick recovery can be experienced in condition like genital organ infections (male and female), on consumption of milk. It is used in diet regimen for diseases which are caused due to vitiation of vata and pitta. .

Milk is widely used in ayurveda treatments. It is instilled as nasal drops and can be used as body pack or face pack. Milk bath helps to rejuvenate skin. It is used in panchakarma treatment process to induce vamana (emisis) and virechana (purgation). It is also used in basthi (enema).

This article is copy righted. The author Dr.SavithaSuri is an Ayurvedic Physician and web master of http://www.ayurhelp.com .Read more about properties of milk at http://www.ayurhelp.com/ayurveda/milk.htm
 

10 Healthy Liver Foods - Things You Can Eat That Protect Your Liver

Liver ailments are very common in developed countries and up to 30% of the population of those countries suffers from what is known as steatosis, or fatty liver, an underdiagnosed condition that causes rashes, tiredness, obesity, diabetes, puffy eyes...

But here are the top 10 healthy liver foods you can eat to get out of that group:

Ginger - you can find fresh ginger, pickled ginger, and dried ginger. They are all a great addition, though some people dislike it's strong fresh. minty, and spicy flavor. Start with small amounts and find out what's perfect for you.

Turmeric - another liver protecting condiment, turmeric is often used in India and other countries to make things yellow. It has a very subtle taste and some people even claim it has no taste at all. A favorite of mine is adding turmeric to plain rice while it cooks.

Green Leafy Vegetables - every vegetable will protect your liver, but leafy vegetables have been shown to be especially protective. People who live in areas where leafy vegetables are consumed in larger amounts have less liver disease, while people who live in countries that consume few of these are plagued with fatty liver. As a rule of thumb, half your plate should be filled with greenies.

Fruit - fruit's fiber, vitamins and yet to be clearly understood enzymes help digestion and reduce the incoming toxic substances your liver has to deal with.

Vegetable and Fruit Juices - these combine the benefits of fruit, vegetables, and raw food (see next). Some people go on a one week or one month juice-only diet and have completely reversed serious liver disease. In fact, some people were diagnosed with untreatable terminal liver disease and have reversed it using this diet!

Raw Food - the heat used in cooking destroys the enzymes naturally found in food. These enzymes usually help digest the food and without them digestion hinders. One of the best ways to eat more raw food is eating fruit and juices.

Artichoke - look beyond its weird look, artichoke is one of the healthiest foods out there and can be delicious.

Whole Grains - the whole here is key. Whole grains have protein and, more importantly, fiber.

Soy Products - soy and its derivates (soy milk, tofu, tempeh...) have been shown to reduce inflammation and reverse and prevent cancer. Since what is going on in your liver is an inflammatory process which sometimes lead to cancer, soy will be a great addition to our diet.

Water - I'm not sure if this is a food or not. But it doesn't matter. Your cells, including your liver's, need this to work, so make sure you drink plenty.

Do Even More For Your Liver

Eating the right food is not the only thing you should be doing. The way you eat it, what you don't eat, some supplements, exercise, and even small periods of detoxing are key to protecting your health and reversing disease.

Read complete article by Miguel Oliveira  at http://www.ayurveda-increaselibido.com/Links/liver.html

Medicinal properties of FoxNut (Euryale ferox ) or “Makhana”

The plant foxnut belongs to the family Nymphaeaceae. It is popularly known as “Makhana” in India. It grows in water and is found in India, Korea, Japan and Russia.

Fox nut plant does not have stem. It has large round leaves and produces bright purple flowers. The whole plant is covered with small thorns (kantaka) .The leaves of fox nut plant have green upper surface and purple shaded lower surface. This plant produces fruits which are about the size of a small orange. Each fruit contains 8-10 seeds which are of pea size.

According to texts of ayurveda foxnut or makhana tastes sweet( madhura rasa) and is heavy to digest (guru). It increases moisture level in body tissues (snigdha and sheeta veerya).

Medicinal properties of makhana

The seeds of foxnut are used in ayurvedic preparations. Fox nut alleviates vata and pitta dosha. It strengthens the heart and is very useful in anemia. Makhana increases quality and quantity of semen, prevents premature ejaculation, increases libido and helps in female infertility. It is an important ingredient of herbal preparations used for erectile dysfunction. It strengthens body and increases energy level. Because of its aphrodisiac properties it is grouped under vrishyadi varga. The herbs under this group are used in vajikarana therapy.

The texts of ayurveda describe properties of foxnut or makhanna as follows

“makhannam snigdhavrishyam cha garbhasamsthapakam param |
Vatapitta haram balyam sheetam pittasradaahanut ||”

Makhanna increases stickiness of secretions by increasing moisture level in body. Hence it increases quality and quantity of semen and useful in impotence. It helps to increase the fertility in women and reduces vata and pitta. It strengthens the body and reduces burning sensation and quenches thirst.

Uses of Fox nut or makhana in alternative medicine systems

According to principles of traditional Chinese medicine fox nut or Makhana is used to strengthen spleen and kidneys. It is indicated in conditions like spermatorrhea, premature ejaculation, neuralgia, incontinence, chronic diarrhea etc. According to herbalists it is helpful in preventing early discharge of semen and restores sexual vigor in older men.( Because of this property the fox nut is categorized under Vajikarana dravyas in texts of ayurveda.) Makhana helps in conditions like arthritis, erectile dysfunction and premature aging. This herb has antioxidant properties and helps in digestion, rejuvenates respiratory system and prevents frequent urination.

This article is copy righted. The author Dr.SavithaSuri is an Ayurvedic Physician and web master of   http://www.ayurhelp.com
Read more about foxnut or makhana @ http://www.ayurhelp.com/plants/foxnut.htm

Ayurveda description of shukradhatu or semen

Formation of shukra dhatu or semen: The core nutrients of majjadhatu (bone marrow) help in production of Shukradhatu.(see Relationship between majja dhatu (bone marrow) and shukra dhatu (semen)  ).
According to texts of ayurveda shukra dhatu is pervading all over the body (sarva shareera gathaha).

Yada payasi sarpistu gudaschekshou raso yadha
shareereshu tadha shukram nrinaam vidyaat bhisagvarah ||

Shukra is present in our body in invisible manner as ghee is indistinguishable in milk. Same way jaggery can not be seen directly in sugarcane.

Shukra in men:

The invisible shukra present in body gets ejaculated through penis in the form of visible shukra or semen.
Semen gets ejaculated when men indulge in sexual activities after getting stimulated by sexual thoughts, touch etc .

Shukra in Children:

Yadhaa mukulpushasya sugandho nopalabyate
labhyate tad vikaasaat tu tadha shukramhi dehinaam ||

Children will have shukra in dormant stage . This is compared to buds of flowers which have hidden fragrance in them. The visible shukra appears when children reach adulthood.

Shukra in women:

yoshitopi sravatyeva shukram pumsaam samagame
tannagarbhaaya kinchittu karotheethi vichintyate

The shukra in women gets secreted during sexual activity. But this is not useful in garbhotpatti (fertilization)

Shukra vriddhi laxanas (symptoms of increased shukra dhatu)

"ati sthree kaamataam vriddam shukram shukrashmari mapi"

When shukra increases beyond limits, it produces ati kaama or increased interest in sex and shukraashmari (seminal caliculus)

Shukra kshaya Laxanas:(Symptoms of decreased shukra dhatu )

Dourbalayam mukhasoshascha paandutwam sadanam sramah
klaibyam sukraa visargascha ksheenasukrasya lakshanam

Difficulty in ejaculation of semen.
Ejaculating little quantity of semen after a painful coitus.
Weakness
Early ageing symptoms with dry skin and wrinkled face
Anemia
Weak muscles
Getting tiered easily even after little exertion
Impotence or erectile dysfunction
Absence of semen ejaculation.

Causes for Shukra kshaya or decrease of shukradhatu (semen):

"jarayaa chintayaa sukram vyandhibhih karma karshanat
kshayam gachchatyanasanaat streenam chati nishevanat"

Old age, Mental stress and worries, chronic diseases, under nourishment and excessive indulgence in sex or ejaculation of semen leads to shukra kshaya or reduced quantity of semen.

Importance of Shukra dhatu:

As shukradhatu is end product of dhatu parinaama or formation of dhatus, it is considered as essence of all dhatus. Hence its level in body has to be maintained very carefully by consuming nourishing foods and leading a healthy life.

Shukradhatu has to be protected to keep body healthy. Practicing healthy sexual life, consuming healthy food and leading a healthy lifestyle help to protect shukra. Or else it leads to shukra kshaya

Vidarikanda as explained in texts of ayurveda

The ayurveda text Bhava prakaasha, explains the medicinal properties of vidaarikanda or Pueraria tuberosa as follows:

Vidaari madhuraa snigdha brimhani sthanya shukradaa |
Sheetaa swaryaa mootralaa cha jeevani bala varnadaa ||
Guruhu pittaasrapavanadaahaan hanthi rasaayanam |

Vidaari is sweet to taste , has cooling properties, heavy to digest and contains moisture and stickiness .
Brimhani : It helps in weight gain in  persons who have lost weight due to diseases or malnourishment.
Sthanya :  This herb is very helpful in increasing lactation in nursing mothers.
Shukrada: Owing to its, sweet, cool and sticky properties, this herb helps to increase quality and quantity of semen. This helps to increase sperm count and sperm motility.
Swarya: Singers and teachers who abuse their vocal chords are benefited by this herb. It helps to restore the voice.
Mootrala :. It acts as a diuretic, hence used in ayurvedic diuretic preparations
Jeevani : It rejuvenates the whole body and increases vitality and energy.
Balavardhana:. Vidaari helps to increase strength of body
Varnya :  It rejuvenates skin and increases fairness and glow. As it increases moisture levels of skin it helps in dry skin condition.
Rasaayana :  It nourishes whole body and increases rasadhatu. When rasadhatu is nourished the successive dhatus also get nourished.
Pavana hanthi : Viadaarikanda  normalizes vata and reduces vitiated vata.
Vrishya: As it reduces vata, nourishes rasa dhatu and increases shukra, It acts as a very good aphrodisiac. Owing to these properties it helps in erectile dysfunction, low libido and premature ejaculation. Hence this herb is used in vajikarana Preparations

Ayurveda Medicinal properties of Vidarikanda or Pueraria tuberosa

Pueraria tuberosa or Vidarikanda (in Sanskrit ) belongs to the family of Fabaceae. It is a perennial woody climber and has huge tuberous roots. A fully grown plant measures 5-6 meters in height. This plant bears white flowers with pink shade. It is mainly found in India, Nepal and Pakistan. It is popularly known as Indian Kudzu.

In ayurveda system of medicine, its roots are used for medicinal purposes. The roots contain Steroids, Sugars, Amino acids and Sterols. Researchers have evaluated the antimicrobial properties of this plant.

According to texts of ayurveda Vidarikanda is heavy to digest and increases moisture level of tissues and stickiness of secretions. It is sweet to taste and this taste remains in all stages of digestion. It has tremendous cooling properties. Due to these properties it alleviates pitta and vata .

Medicinal properties of Vidarikanda

1.    This tuber reduces dryness of body and eases bowel movement. It is very useful in relieving constipation.

2.    It strengthens the body and boosts its immunity. This wonder herb acts as Rasayana and helps to slow down ageing process.

3.    Vidaarikanda rejuvenates male reproductive system and increases quality and quantity of semen. This helps to increase sperm count and sperm motility.
4.    This ayurvedic herb reduces vata and normalizes kapha. Due to these properties shukra dhatu increases. Shukra dhatu helps to increase hard erections, libido and sexual energy.

5.    Vidaarikanda acts as an aphrodisiac and is known as vrishya. This is used in vajikarana preparations.

6.    It acts as a galactogogue and is very useful for nursing mothers.

7.    Due to its diuretic properties, it is used as an ingredient in ayurvedic diuretic preparations.

8.    Consumption of this herb rejuvenates skin and increases fairness and glow. It is widely used in diseases of skin which cause discoloration.

9.    This herb rejuvenates whole body and increases muscle bulk.

Back Acne Natural Home Remedies

What is back acne?

Back acne is same condition as facial acne. The sebaceous glands on skin get stimulated by androgen and produce excess sebum. Sebum is an oily substance produced by oil glands of skin. Over produced sebum clog’s pores on skin and prevent the release of dead skin cells. Thus dead cells, sticky sebum attract bacteria which thrive in these pores to form acne. Back acne have to be treated very carefully as back skin is very thick and oil glands produce more sebum.
Back acnes leave ugly scars when healed. The texts of Ayurveda mention many wonder herbs which help in back acne and scars.

What exaggerates Back acne?

Any thing which irritates skin exaggerates back acne. Few are mentioned here.

Back packs which rub the skin surface.
Rough back massages with unsuitable oils.
Tight fitting cloths.
Synthetic clothes which do not absorb sweat.
Rough back seats
Rubbing back vigorously with hard brush or loofahs

Home remedy for Back acne:

Wash your back with mild soap than harsh ones.
Do not use loofahs or long rough back brushes, as they irritate skin and increase break outs..
Mild skin cleansers are best to clean back skin.
Prefer baths than showers as soaking in warm water for 20 minutes help to release dead skin cells.
Avoid tight fitting clothes
Do not wear synthetic clothes as they do not absorb water and allow the moistness to accumulate on skin. This is a favorable condition for bacteria which thrive in skin pores.
Stay away from rough scratchy clothes as they irritate skin.
Wear lose fitting soft cotton clothes.
Do not get your back massaged with rough scrubs or irritant oils.
Put a hair band to avoid falling of hair on back. The sweat and dirt accumulated on hair may fall on back skin through hair strands

Vata and Kapha are two main doshas, which are involved in eruption of acne and pimples The oil produced by oil glands is called as medha (body fat). Kapha (one of the tridoshas) is dominant in meda. The presence of Kapha in medl makes it sticky. Vata is dominant in skin. When vata gets aggravated due to unhealthy diet and life styles, it activates the oil glands of skin  to secrete more sticky oil or sebum. Thus the  sticky oil or sebum oozes out to clog skin pores.

Ayurveda Diet and lifestyle as home remedy for back acne:

Avoid foods which are spicy, dry and oily. These may cause indigestion and lead to vitiation of vata.
Keep a habit of emptying bowels regularly this always normalizes vata.
Avoid fast foods and soft drinks.
Avoid exposure of skin to severe climatic conditions.
Drink plenty of water.
Consuming fresh vegetable salads and fresh fruits keeps the skin healthy and resistant to blemishes.
Do not consume foods, which lead to indigestion
Drink plenty of water (15 glasses a day)
Avoid excess usage of curds, fish , sour and salty foods, Bengal gram (urad), radish, sesame, horse gram and jaggery.
Practice a regular exercise regimen
Do not exert physically after heavy meals
Avoid exposure to extreme climates.
Control your emotions through YOGA and MEDITATION

This article is copy righted. The author Dr.SavithaSuri is an Ayurvedic Physician and web master of http://www.ayurhelp.com .Read more about back acne natural home remedies at http://www.ayurhelp.com/back_acne.htm

The Perfect Anti ageing Food For Natural Male Enhancement

Pumps, vacuums, surgeries - these might just be a bit too scary to get into for anyone who wants to enhance his manhood. Contraptions and devices can be intimidating and are admittedly not all too discreet. There are male enhancement pills advertised everywhere but the side effects are even scarier with prospects of contracting life threatening diseases. Anyone who wants to have a better chance at sexual performance can eat food for natural male enhancement. There is no need to have culinary talents to have food for natural male enhancement. These are regular food items that are available in most groceries and in anyone's pantry.

Eating a healthy diet loaded with vitamins and minerals as well as with whole, unrefined, fresh, and unprocessed foods is one of the important things to do in a male enhancement regimen. Some food for natural male enhancement include: fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, whole grains, beans and olive oil. Cold-water fish such as tuna, salmon, sardines, mackerel, and halibut are also recommended food for natural male enhancement. As a healthy lifestyle is recommended for anyone who is working towards male enhancement, all junk food should be avoided at all times, along with dairy food, sugar, refined food, fried food, and caffeine.

These are the general dietary guidelines that will improve anyone's manhood. There are specific food for natural male enhancement that are known to result in better erectile functioning. These food are rich in vitamins and minerals that increase blood circulation and improve conditions of the heart and other bodily functions. Those who include these food for natural male enhancement in their diets have been known to exhibit desired results:

1. Snails - This food is rich in zinc, an antioxidant mineral that is important in enhancing sexual functioning. The abundance of zinc in snails as well as in oysters and shellfish helps in producing DNA, repairing cells, and improving the male reproductive system.

2. Bananas - Known to be a rich source of potassium, bananas help in regulating nerves, heartbeat, and blood pressure. Aside from bananas, orange juice and tomato products are also good sources of potassium.

3. Fish rich in omega-3 - Fatty fish such as tuna, salmon, and mackerel contain healthy fat and omega-3 fatty acids which are good for the heart and blood circulation. Eating fatty fish is also known to reduce the risk of having prostate cancer.

4. Cabbage - This vegetable helps in preventing heart disease and cancer. It has phytochemicals, sulphoraphane, which help cure prostate cancer and colon cancer. Cabbage is a rich source of vitamin C, potassium and beta-carotene.

5. Berries and Cherries - Berries such as Acai berries and Acerola cherries are great anti-aging food that helps in erectile dysfunction. Acai berries contain anthocyanins, antioxidants known to protect brain functioning and aid blood flow to prevent arteries from blockages. Acerola cherries, on the other hand, are used as supplements for total health care with its high concentrations of vitamin C and other nutrients.

An important guideline in choosing food for natural male enhancement is to choose food that are low in fat and high in vitamins and minerals. It would be helpful to keep in mind that living a healthy lifestyle, and that includes diet, could result in better sexual performance.

Read Complete article by Kelly Purden at http://www.ayurveda-increaselibido.com/Links/anti-ageing.html

Top 6 Anti Aging Foods That Can Boost Your Health Today

Anti aging is the talk of town today. You can't go anywhere without hearing men or women talking about the latest anti aging discoveries or methods to stay young. We bring you the top 6 anti aging foods and what they can do for your body today.

Our number one on the anti aging food list is berries. So why are they our top anti aging food? It is simply because they contain high levels of antioxidants that prevent toxin build-up and cleanse the body from harmful substances that cause aging. It is recommended that you incorporate berries in your daily meals for best results.

Our number two on this food list is ginger. Ginger is one the best spices with potent health benefits. In addition to protecting people against common colds and flus, it alleviates rheumatic aches, boosts libido, improves digestion and blood circulation. The latter is the main reason why drinking ginger at winter makes us feel warm. Like berries, you should eat ginger on a daily basis.

Number three is garlic. Garlic is one of the top foods to protect against cancer, coronary diseases, and fatal flus. It also reduces blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Eating a clove of garlic once a week is the current recommended dosage to prevent cancers and other diseases.

Number four is nuts. Though high in calories, nuts are rich in essential minerals such as potassium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, and selenium. Such minerals are essential to enhance the function of the digestive and immune systems. It is recommended that you eat a handful of almonds, walnuts, of cashews daily to reduce aging.

Our number five food is avocado. Avocado like tomato is a fruit that is eaten as a vegetable. It contains high levels of Vitamin E, monounsaturated fat, and potassium needed to prevent skin aging. It also protects our body against water retention and high blood pressure. Since avocado is not as affordable as we'd like it to be, eating 2-3 avocados per week is a reasonable choice.

Our final item on the anti aging food list is soya. Natural soya beans have been recently discovered to protect against Alzheimer's disease. It also protects the body from osteoporosis, coronary diseases, and digestive cancers. Soya is especially beneficial for women in their late 30's as it alleviates menopausal hot flushes and mood swings. It is recommended that you eat at least 6 ounces of soya per week to reduce aging in your body.

Eating anti aging foods helps your body reduce inflammation, wrinkles, and cancer risks. While the benefits of such foods are ideal in theory, modern farming, harvesting, and storage methods drastically reduce their nutritional value. This is specially the case with Vitamin E rich foods responsible for skin rejuvenation and anti aging. Supplementing your anti aging diet with an affordable anti aging cream is a plausible solution for those serious about keeping both their body and skin young.

Reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, revitalize your skin and reduce signs of aging. Diminish darkening under the eyes, stimulate the growth of skin cells, enjoy powerful anti-oxidant support for your skin.

Read Complete article by Chimezirim Odimba at http://www.ayurhelp.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=10936

Facts about testosterone

(http://www.ayurveda-increaselibido.com/2009/11/facts-about-testosterone.html)

1.    Testosterone is a male sexual hormone.
2.    It is produced in testes in men. It is produced in little quantities in ovaries of women.
3.    Pituitary gland governs the production of testosterone
4.    Testosterone is muscle building hormone.
5.    It is responsible for development of secondary sexual characteristics in men like deeper voice, muscle mass, facial hair and development of male genital organ.
6.    It is responsible for libido in men and women.
7.    Testosterone increases body metabolism resulting in lower body fat.
8.    It helps in production of matured, healthy sperms.

How Deficient Levels of Testosterone Effect Bodybuilders

The symptoms of testosterone deficiency should be looked for by a man that is at an age where the levels of this hormone tends to diminish. It has been shown for most men that testosterone levels peak at age forty, but by fifty these levels will decline very rapidly. At what level should supplementation be considered? Or, does a doctor determine it by associated symptoms?

First, let's talk symptoms. When discussing these symptoms, we are only considering adult men, who had normal levels that led to normal development overall from the time of puberty. Adult men can experience depression among other mood disorders. It may be a good idea to have testosterone levels tested if experiencing depression, especially before deciding to go on the commonly prescribed medications such as Wellbutrin etc.

Muscle weakness is another symptom that may go unnoticed especially if a man doesn't work out on a regular basis. If a man never works out, then this could also lead to the muscle weakness just being blamed on a lack of training and exercise. There is evidence that a lack of exercise can bring about the deficiency. So, for the couch potato, the gym fly and everyone in between, muscle weakness is very relative and can easily escape the attention of a guy who might be testosterone deficient.

Diminished libido and erectile dysfunction can also be signs that a man has a deficiency of testosterone. So, maybe before running out to get a prescription for the this specific symptom, a testosterone level test may be a better first option. A loss of body hair is the last symptom that should be mentioned in this article.

Now let's talk about how doctor test for proper levels of testosterone and what those levels should be. A blood test is the standard method used to check levels, although urine and saliva will also work. It is usually preferred that this blood be drawn in the morning. In a couple days, depending on the lab, the results will be returned. Here is the part that is difficult to grasp. Normal levels have such a wide range, that even though a 14 year old is supposed to have a very high level, a 40 year old at peak, and a 50 year old a diminished level...it could be considered normal in all three males at 500 ng/dL. This result would actually be normal for a 60 year old.


Read complete article by Dane C. Fletcher at http://www.ayurveda-increaselibido.com/Links/Body-building.html

Ayurveda description of asthi dhatu (Bones or Skeletal system)

According to texts of ayurveda asthis or bones are formed from the nutrients supplied by medho dhatu through asthivaha srothas.The nutrients in medho dhatu which is meant to nourish asthi dhatu are processed in asthivaha srothas by dhatwagnis. Dhatwagni and bhutagni (vayu, agneya and prithvi) bring about hardness and heaviness to these nutrients which form asthi or bone.

Functions of asthi according to ayurveda:

In nature we observe that trees are supported by strong solid stems. Same way human body is supported by strong bones. All muscles (mamsa), tendons and ligaments are attached to asthis (bones). Asthi supports these structures and gives shape to our body.

Asthi Vriddhi Laxana:

When asthi dhatu increases more than normal , it leads to formation of adhyasthi (hypertrophy of bone) and adhidanta (formation of extra teeth).

Asthi Kshaya Laxanas:

When asthidhatu or nutrients of asthidhatu reduces the following diseases may surface.

Asthitoda : Inflammation of bones and joints (like arthritis)
Sadana : weakness
Dwija prapatana : falling of teeth
Srama : weakness
Bhagna : pathological fractures
Phakkaroga : rickets
Asthi Kshaya : thinning of bones like osteoporosis
Asthi Vrana : Osteomyelitis

Read Complete article at http://www.ayurhelp.com/ayurveda/asthidhatu-bones.htm

Sanskrit synonyms for Punarnava (Boerhavia  diffusa)

Punarnava or Boerhavia  diffusa  is eulogized by ayurveda acharyas by different names owing to its medicinal properties.

It is called as Punarnava (Punar + nava). Punar means – once again, nava means - becoming new. This plant rejuvenates liver and detoxifies it. It clears the lungs and reduces cough, asthma etc. It rejuvenates male reproductive system and acts as an aphrodisiac. This increases libido, erection and quality and quantity of semen. It is used in Vajikarana preparations. It detoxifies skin and clears it of infections. This plant cleanses the kidneys and helps to get rid of renal calculi (kidney stones). Thus the plant punarnava acts on all important organ systems and rejuvenate them, giving a new life . Hence the name punarnava.

Shothagni is another synonym for Boerhavia  diffusa . Shotha means inflammation. The plant which acts as an enemy to inflammation is shothagni. This plant is known to reduce inflammation in arthritis and joint pain. It is widely used in inflammation of liver, kidney and joints.

Alcoholism Disease and Alcoholism Physical Symptom

Ayurveda-medicinal properties of Tribulus terrestris- Gokshura

The plant Tribulus Terrestris known as gokshura in ayurveda, has innumerable medicinal properties.  In texts of ayurveda the medicinal properties of gokshura have been described as follows.

“Gokshuraha sheetalaha swaadurbalakrudvasthishodhanaha |
Madhuro deepano vrishyaha pushtidashmariharaha ||”
Pramehashwaasakaasaarshahakrichrahridrogsvatanut|
  (Bhava prakasha)

Gokshura is sweet to taste and has cooling properties. It is heavy and increases stickiness of tissues. Because of these properties it normalizes vata and pitta.
Balakrud : - Tribulus increases strength of muscles. Researches have shown that tribulus increases male hormone testosterone, which strengthen the muscles.
Vastishodhana :- It cleanses the bladder and boosts the resistance of bladder to infection. This property is very useful in treating cystitis.
Deepana : It increases appetite and normalizes digestion.
Vrishyaha: Gokshura acts as a very effective aphrodisiac. Its property of boosting testosterone level help to increase erection, sperm count and sperm motility. Hence it has been included as an active ingredient in Vajikarana preparations.  It increases libido and helps in rectifying male impotence
Pushti: Tribulus terrestris helps to build body muscles and boost body energy. It also increases body immunity.
Ashmariharaha:  It is of great use in treatment of renal calculi.
Prameha:  This plant helps to reduce frequency of urination in diabetes, cystitis and urinary tract infection.
Shwaasa Kaasa: It is very useful in diseases of respiratory system like wheezing and cough.
Arsha:  Tribulus helps to reduce symptoms of piles
Hridroga : Gokshura helps in protecting heart from cardiac diseases.

Read complete article by Dr.Savitha Suri at http://www.ayurhelp.com/plants/tribulus-terrestris.htm

Medicinal properties of Sugarcane:

Sugar cane has acquired numerous sanskrit names for its sweetness and appearance. Our Ayurveda acharyas praise the medicinal properties of Sugarcane as follows.
  
Ikshavo raktapittaghnaa balyaa vrishyaa kaphapradaaha |
Swaadupaakarasaaha snigdhaha guravo mutralaha himaha ||

Raktapittaghna:- The sugar cane plant has the properties of normalizing vitiation of blood and pitta (bile).It rejuvenates liver. Because of this property it is widely used in treating jaundice. It is,however, very essential that the juice, must be clean and devoid of micro organisms.   

Balya: The sugar cane juice instantly energizes our body and provides strength. Sugar cane is rich in iron and carbohydrates. Hence it boosts energy straight away.

Vrishya: It acts as an aphrodisiac and increases libido, quality and quantity of semen. It also helps in rectifying erectile dysfunction.

Kaphapradaha: It increases kapha and helps in expectoration of it in cough.

Mutrala: It acts as a diuretic and helps in detoxifying kidneys.

As it has sweet, heavy and cooling properties it increases shukra dhatu. Shukra dhatu is needed for male fertility. When shukra dhatu increases it increases sperm count, sperm motility. Healthy shukra dhatu helps to reduce erectile dysfunction and impotence. Sugarcane juice also increases lactation in nursing mothers. It helps in relieving constipation.

The Endless Uses for Aloe

Aloe Vera is a quite common household plant that most moms keep around the kitchen for treating little burns.  But as it turns out, Aloe has so many more incredible uses that makes it the mightly incredible plant that it is!  Here are some of my favorite new uses for aloe:

• Suffer from IBS or heartburn on a regular basis?  Consider aloe as a treatment!  Aloe has long been known to ease digestive problems and in fact, it may be one of the oldest uses of aloe vera.  If you are constipated, it helps keep you regular and helps clear toxins from your body too, making it great for detox.

• For aches and pains, aloe vera is just perfect as it contains over 10 natural substances to ease pain.  When applied topically, these constituents relieve sore muscles and joint pain associated with arthritis and other injuries.  Also, if you ingest it, aloe can help inhibit inflammation while supporting joint health and mobility.

• A boost of energy:  Drinking aloe can help dislodge the 2-5kg of decaying fecal matter, toxins and undigested food which often clogs the colon, so your body can better eliminate and obtain proper nutrition which increases energy levels.

• Get rid of wrinkles and improve skin clarity:  the skin is replenished every 21 to 28 days and applying aloe vera on a regular basis helps provide it with the nutritional building blocks it needs to help build smoother, younger looking skin. Aloe aids in the removal of dead skin cells, helps your skin hydrate itself, and provides deeper nourishment.

• Fight off free radicals: Aloe vera is a powerful antioxidant that fights free radicals, waste product that’s naturally created when food is turned into energy.

• Nutrition!  Aloe is full of over 200 active compounds, including soluble forms of calcium, sodium, iron, potassium, magnesium, vitamins A, B, C, E, Folic and and more, giving your body the nutrition it craves.

Read complete article at http://www.ayurhelp.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=6198

 All About Aloe Vera

Aloe barbedensis or just Aloe Vera to most people, is a species of succulent plant that probably originated in Northern Africa, Madagascar and the Arabian Peninsula.  Most of us know aloe as the plant to run to after burning yourself, but Aloe has a plethora of uses beyond treating burns.  It is non-toxic, with no known side effects, and is used widely in the traditional herbal medicine of China, Japan, Russia, South Africa, The United States, Jamaica and India.

Though the actual research on using aloe for burns has shown mixed results, a more recent review has concluded that the cumulative evidence supports the use of Aloe vera for the healing of first to second degree burns.  The plant’s juice has also been traditionally used internally for healing and soothing of digestive conditions like heartburn and irritable bowel syndrome and preliminary studies have suggested oral A. vera gel may reduce symptoms and inflammation in patients with ulcerative colitis. It has also been linked with improved blood glucose levels in diabetics, and with lower blood lipids in hyper-lipidemic patients.  In addition, compounds extracted from Aloe vera have been used as an immunostimulant that aids in fighting cancers in cats and dogs; but this treatment has not been scientifically tested in humans.

Topical application of Aloe vera may be effective for genital herpes and psoriasis and check this out: a double-blind clinical trial found that the group using an Aloe vera containing dentifrice and the group using a fluoridated dentifrice both demonstrated a statistically significant reduction of gingivitis and plaque. Aloe extract also has antibacterial and antifungal activities and have been shown to inhibit the growth of fungi that cause tinea, but evidence for control beneath human skin remains to be established.  And amazingly the inner-leaf gel from A. vera has also been found to inhibit growth of Streptococcus and Shigella species in vitro.   Needless to say, it would be wise to plant an aloe plant or two around your home.  Aloe juice is also available bottled for the drinking.  Just be sure not to drink too much as it may cause diarrhea or malabsorption.

Read complete article at http://www.ayurhelp.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=6195

  What happens when testes are exposed to heat ?

The testes are two glandular organs, which produce sperms and semen. They are suspended in the scrotum by the spermatic cords. Testes are suspended outside the abdominal cavity in the scrotum because the internal body temperature is too high for the sperms to survive. The normal temperature in the scrotum is 2-3°F below normal body temperature. Prolonged or repeated exposure to heat damages sperm count and sperm motility. In all quality of semen gets affected due to heat.According to ayurveda  the constitution of testes is explained as " Maamsa asruk kapha medaha prasaadaadwavrushanaha" which means   The two testes are made up of muscles, blood , fat and their derivatives .Kapha is dominant dosha of testes. Kapha dosha helps in production of healthy sperms with good motility. Increased heat reduces kapha . Reduction in kapha affects the production of healthy sperms. Because of this, it has been advised by Ayurveda acharyas to avoid exposure of testes to heat. It has been recommended to wear cold loose cloth over groin and testes during steam bath and wash testes with cold water after a long hot water bath. This process help to protect the dominant dosha (kapha) of testes and help in normal production of sperms.

For this reason stay away from wearing tight briefs, tight pants and avoid hot tubs and saunas to improve sperm count and sperm motility.

http://www.ayurhelp.com/2009/06/what-happens-when-testes-are-exposed-to.html Medicinal properties of Black Musli

Black musli (Curculigo orchioides) is a herb that belongs to the family Hypoxidaceae. It is a native of temperate regions such as Chota-Nagapur plateau and Deccan plateau in India.

The medicinal properties of this herb are elucidated in several texts of ayurveda. It is also a major ingredient of several medicinal preparations in the Unani system of medicine. The ancient inhabitants of China were well aware of the medicinal properties of Black Musli and extensively used it in herbal preparations. The rhizome of this plant is utilized extensively for medicinal purposes.

Ayurveda describes the medicinal properties of black musli as follows:

Mushali madhuraa vrishyaa veeryoshna brimhanee guruhu
Tiktaa rasaayanee hanthi  gudajanya anilam tatha ||

According to Ayurveda , Black Musli is bitter-sweet to taste with a peculiarly  sweet after-taste that remains even after digestion. The tuber is heavy to digest and has the property of ‘stickiness’ (snighdha, picchila). Owing to these properties, Black Musli increases kapha and reduces vata and pitta..

The Ayurveda preparations of this herb are used in the treatment of several health conditions. The major uses can be classified as follows:-

In Respiratory Problems : Black Musli is used along with other herbs to treat bronchitis, chronic cough and asthma.

In Digestive Problems: Black Musli is effective in the treatment of hepatitis. It rejuvenates the liver and normalizes its function. It acts as a good appetite- stimulant and stabilizes digestion. The preparations of this herb are useful in treating piles and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

In Reproductive Problems: Ayurveda also elaborates upon this herb’s aphrodisiac properties. Black Musli preparations are widely used in treating erectile dysfunction, low libido, low sperm count and low sperm motility. Ayurvedic texts immensely praise its properties of enhancing quality and quantity of semen.

In Urinary problems: Black Musli acts as diuretic and boosts the resistance of urinary system against infections.

In Skin Problems: The tuber of Black Musli is ground into paste and applied externally as an effective cure for several skin diseases.

In addition to such specific medicinal uses, Black Musli is also used as a general systemic health enhancer (rasayana). It strengthens the body and boosts immunity levels. Contemporary  research  has  resulted in the discovery of new medicinal properties of Black Musli. The most noteworthy of these are:

• It is effective in prevention of post menopausal osteoporosis.
• It is a very good anti-oxidant.
• Its rhizomes have antibacterial properties.

In the light of the above facts, it is evident that the Black Musli is a herb that must be protected and preserved for medicinal use. But it is also a fact that this precious herb is facing imminent threat of extinction due to over-grazing by livestock and unsustainable rates of exploitation by over-zealous pharmacists. Thus, the need of the hour is comprehensive training and education in sustainable means of farming and preserving this priceless gem of the plant kingdom. 

This article is copy righted. The author Dr.SavithaSuri is an Ayurvedic Physician and web master of http://www.ayurhelp.com .Read more about medicinal properties of balck musli at   http://www.ayurhelp.com/plants/blackmusli.htm
 

How obesity reduces sperm count in men

According texts of ayurveda, increased medho dhatu reduces fertility in men and reduces shukra dhatu (semen). According to scientists obese men are more likely to have reduced sperm count than healthy men with healthy weight.Obesity usually causes low sperm count and erectile dysfunction. Obesity causes variations in harmones level. Studies have shown that testosteron level decreases as body weight increases. Lowered testosteron causes erectile dysfunction and low sperm count.

Skin problems caused due to increased Medho dhatu (obesity) Obesity causes harmonal imbalance. Imbalanced harmones cause dark patches(acanthosis nigricans) on neck and skin folds.
Skin stretches due to increased body fat. This leads to stretch marks.
Over weight causes vericose veins and ulcers which take a very long time to heal.
Due to obesity moisture get trapped in skin folds. This becomes a habitat for microbes and thus leads to bacterial or fungal infection.
Corns will develop in foot due to over weight.
Diets which cause obesity also cause acne and pimples. Oily foods and sugar leads to excess secretion of sebum and formation of acne.
Imbalanced harmones also cause oily skin.    Obesity related Erectile dysfunction Obesity is perhaps the biggest source of many problems.Erectile dysfunction is one of them As a person becomes obese the fat or bad cholesterol starts accumulating on walls of arteries of heart .This makes narrows arteries and reduce the supply of oxygen rich blood and nutrients to heart and brain. The same process occurs in arteries of penis thus restricting the blood flow to its tissues. This leads to erectile dysfunction Weight loss can be achieved by reduced calorie intake and increased physical activity. Changes in diet and lifestyle help to reduce weight and improve erectile dysfunction. Researchers have found that about one third of obese men with Erectile Dysfunction were able to cure this problem by making lifestyle changes and losing weight.
  Ayurveda description of medho dhatu Formation of Medho Dhatu (body fat) “Swatejombu gunaasnigdho drktam medhobhijayate” Medho dahtu (body fat) is formed from mamsa dhatu (muscles). The nutrients required to form medho dhatu are present in mamsa dhatu. These nutrients get metabolized with water and form medho dahtu.  Medho dahtu is snigdha (oily) and soft . Functions of medho dahtu “medah snehaswedou pustimastnanncha karoti” Because of medhodhatu the body looks soft and fair.
It gives a good shape to body.
It helps to produce sweat and keeps the body skin moist and prevents drying of skin
It strengthens the body and provides energy
It nourishes the next dhatu asthi (bone)
It protects internal organs by providing them a cushioning effect.
It controls body temperature. What happens when medho dhatu increases? (over weight) Increased medho dhatu causes tiredness
Even a slight exertion causes dyspnoea
Buttocks, breast and abdomen get enlarged and they become pendulous.
It leads to athisthoulyata (obesity) Effects of athisthoulyata  (effects of obesity)
Lifespan Reduces.
Body resistance to diseases reduces.
Erectile dysfunction: Inability to perform intercourse due to impotence.
Quantity of semen reduces.
Weakness
Increased sweating and offensive body odor
Increased appetite and thirst Causes of athisthoulyata (reasons for obesity) Overeating
Increased use of sweets, oily foods and cold foods.
Sedentary work
Sexual inactiveness
Sleeping in afternoons
Stress free life
Hereditary. How can we reduce body fat ?
Consuming dry foods
Fasting
Eating very little quantity of food
Exercising well
Avoiding afternoon sleep
Old age and chronic illness cause reduction of body fat Yoga For Arthritis - Yoga Contributes To Pain Relief As It Builds Your Confidence When you suffer from arthritis you get used to living with chronic pain, and pain relief usually comes in the form of a pill, rather than gentle exercise. But studies have shown that not only can yoga contribute to arthritis pain relief, but it provides other benefits too.
Yoga Helps To Make You Strong, Flexible And Confident, Even Though You Have Arthritis
People with arthritis tend to cut down on their activities which leads to even more joint stiffening, and more pain. Undertaking some gentle yoga exercises not only improves your circulation and strengthens your bones and muscles, the exercises can also give you the confidence to live your life in spite of your arthritis.
You don't need to bend yourself into a pretzel to do some yoga to help your arthritis. Breathing and self-awareness is at the core of yoga, so even standing up and breathing is a yoga exercise called Mountain Pose. This pose, just standing up and bringing your body into alignment as much as you can for a few moments, will help your posture, which translates into better balance in your daily activities. Other yoga exercises are modified for people who have arthritis, with chairs, bolsters and other props. You still get most of the benefits of the full pose, and over time, you may even find that you no longer need the props. Yoga Studio Or Self-Study?
If you have a yoga studio in your location, the best way to get started with yoga exercises for your arthritis is by taking some classes. Most studios have classes for people with arthritis, and if they don't the instructors will make sure that you're comfortable with the right props during a class, and that you exercise at your own pace.
If you're not near a studio, or if you find it hard to travel, you can learn gentle yoga exercises for arthritis from DVDs, in which the models performing the exercises have arthritis - so you can see what's possible for you.
Try yoga for your arthritis. Not only will yoga contribute to pain relief, but you'll be much healthier, and much happier and more confident. ead complete article aby Julia Denham at http://www.ayurhelp.com/articles/arthritis_yoga.htm
   Safed Musali or Shweta musali  (Asperagus Adscendens) The plant safed musali (shweta musali) belongs to family Asparagaceae. It is a tall evergreen thorny shrub grown in western India. Its rhizomes are used for medicinal purposes in ayurveda. Ayurvedic texts list musali under vrishyadi varga (plants which are aphrodisiac).
“Mushali madhura vrishya veeryoshna brihmani guruhu|
Tiktha rasaayanee hanthi gudajanya anilam tatha||” The rhizomes of musali have the following qualities It is heavy to digest and contains lot of moistness. It tastes sweet and the sweetness remains till it is digested. It acts as a coolant. It increases kapha and normalizes vitiated pitta and vata. Uses of musali:
• Its very effective in diseases which arise due to vitiation of vata and pitta .
• Ayurvedic texts commend this herb as “Shukrala”, which means the herb which increases quality and quantity of semen.
• It is recommended for men who suffer from low sperm count and low sperm motility.
• This plant is widely used in preparations to rectify impotence and erectile dysfunction.
• As it has cooling properties, it is widely used in urinary tract infections .
• The preparations of musali strengthen the body and increase body weight.
Formation of rakta or blood According ayurveda when rasa(lymph) is mixed with "ranjaka pitta"(haemoglobin) it forms Rakta dhatu or blood Functions of Rakta or blood according to ayurveda "Raktam varna prasaadanam mamsa pushtim jeevayathicha" Rakta enhances tone and complexion of skin. It strengthens and nourishes "mamsa dhatu" (Muscles). The whole physiology of body is dependent on this tissue. Rakta strengthens the body and keeps it healthy. It increases life span and keeps the person active. When a person has pure blood in his body he exhibits following symptoms. -He has attractive complexion and glow in his skin
-His sense organs work perfectly.
-He has perfect digestive power.
-He is always healthy and happy.
-His other dhatus get good nourishment. Panchabhoutikatwa of blood Its fleshy odor indicates presence of pruthvibhuta. Its fluid nature shows jala bhuta. It is red in colour indicating presence of agni bhuta, Its pulsatile movement indicates vayu bhuta, It is light in nature indicating akasha bhuta. Diseases caused by Vitiation of Rakta or blood "Raktam visarpa pleeha vidradheen kushta vaatasra pittasra gulmopa kusa kaamalaa vyangaagni naasha sammoha raktatwam netra mootrata Visarpa - herpes
Vidradhi - abscess
Kushta - skin disorders like acne, pimples, psoriasis, etc
vata rakta - gout
Rakta pitta - hemorrhagic disorders
Gulma - tumours
Kamala - jaundice
Vyanga - pigmentation of skin
Agni nasha - indigestion
Sammoha - syncope
Raktatwaknetra mootrata - Redness of eyes, skin and urine When there is reduction in quality of Rakta dhatu the following symptoms appear "Raktemla sisirapreethi siraashaithilya rookshatha" -Desire for sour foods and cold substances increases. This is manifested by burning sensation in palms and foot
-Collapsing of blood vessels
-Dry skin Properties of ghee (Clarified butter) as described in Ayurveda Ghee and oil are widely used in ayurveda system of medicine as mediums to administer herbal preparations. Herbs, pastes of herbs or decoction of herbs are infused in oil or ghee and later administered to patients after diagnosing the conditions and diseases.  Properties of ghee: Ghee prepared out of cow’s milk is considered to be having medicinal properties and is widely used ayurvedic preparations. Dhee kaanthismruthikaarakam balakarm medhokaram shuddhikrudvataghnam shramanaashanam swarakaram pittapaham pushtidam Cow’s ghee has following properties It increases intelligence.
Helps in enhancing memory power.
Rejuvenates the skin from inside and increases its glow.
Boosts body energy
Detoxifies body
Normalizes vata. (Imbalance of vata causes diseases)
Increases clarity of voice.
Normalises pitta
Nourishes the body
Improves digestion and increases body fire.
Increases quality and quantity of semen.
It is very effective in disorders of eye.
Acts as a good Rasayana
It is the best form of fat.
7 tips to prevent acne , pimple break up 1. Keep your skin clean. Wash the face or acne, pimple outbreak areas twice daily with mild soap whih suits your skin. 2.Do not touch the outbreak areas with hands. Our hands surfaces harbour bacteria which may infect the acne prone skin and cause pimples
 
3.Do not prick or squeez acne or pimple. It leaves marks which affect the glow of skin adversely. 4.Sun burns cause acne and pimples.Hence use a good non clogging sun screen lotion. 5. Use an electric razor to shave . 6. Use oil free base make up on acne prone skin 7. Do not scrub. Scrubbing does more harm than good. Posted by Dr.Savitha Suri
http://www.ayurhelp.com/acne_pimples.htm
http://www.ayurhelp.com Erectile Dysfunction and Smoking Whether people accept it or not, sex plays a pivotal role in a relationship and sexual dysfunctions can destroy even the most loving couple. However, when addressed in time and with proper treatment, even chronic cases of sexual dysfunction can be cured. Erectile dysfunction or the inability to initiate or maintain an erection is the leading sexual dysfunction in men in the United States. Each year, despite the fact that more than thirty million men are diagnosed with the disorder, the majority of erectile dysfunctions go unreported. Until recently, erectile dysfunction was recognized as a metabolic issue and not a lifestyle related disorder. However, studies have brought to light that those lifestyle choices like substance abuse and smoking are responsible for over 25% of all erectile dysfunction cases. Read complete article at
http://www.ayurhelp.com/blog.htm Infertility Problems in Men Sexual intercourse without birth control for a year or more that does not result in a pregnancy could mean something is interfering with your efforts to have a child. It could be infertility, which is also known as subfertility. Infertility is the inability to conceive a child within one year. The cause for infertility may be you, your partner or a combination of things. Infertility is not sterility. Sterile means you are unable to conceive a child and the problem lies either within you or your partner. The diagnosis of infertility just means that becoming pregnant is a challenge rather than it being impossible. Signs or symptoms of infertility are rarely experienced. Men who have hormonal problems might have a change in voice or pattern of hair growth, or enlargement of breasts, or difficulty with sexual function. Women who experience infertility may have irregular menstrual periods or experience pain during menstruation and/or intercourse. If one would be able to see the entire process from ovulation and fertilization you might wonder how things ever go right. The human reproductive process is complex. For things to go right, the processes of ovulation and fertilization need to work perfectly.
Although the cause of infertility can involve one or both partners, for many couples, the male partner is either the sole or a contributing cause. Multiple factors can account for difficulty with fertility. Causes of male infertility include: • Abnormal sperm production or function • Impaired delivery of sperm • Conditions related to a man’s general health and lifestyle • Overexposure to certain environmental elements Read complete article By Connie Limon at http://www.ayurhelp.com/articles/articles.htm Natural ways to increase sperm count Major cause for male infertility is low sperm count, low sperm motility and a large number of malformed or abnormal sperms. Various environmental and biological factors affect the sperm count. Numerous ways are explained in ayurveda to increase sperm count, sperm motility and thus increase fertility of men. The causes for low sperm count and natural ways to increase sperm count are explained below. 1. Sperm count reduces when the temperature of testicles increases. Temperature of testicles increases by using tight pants, undergarments, hot water showers, sauna etc. Avoiding these causes help to increase sperm count. Washing testicles with cold water after bath help to increase sperm count and sperm motility. 2. Weight increase causes hormonal imbalance and reduces testosterone level in men. Weight reduction helps to reverse this condition .Increased testosterone increases sperm count. In obese people fat layers of abdomen overlap testicles when they sit. Because of this the temperature of testicles raises. Hence sitting for long hours can reduce sperm count in obese people. Over weighted persons who sit for long hours , are advised to take a break in between and walk around for 10 – 15 minutes. This helps to increase sperm count and reduce weight. 3. The fertility in women decrease as their age progress. Same way the sperm quality and motility in men reduce as their age progress. The ageing process in men can be slowed down by using ayurvedic vajikarana therapy. Vajikarana therapy rejuvenates the male reproductive system and slows down the ageing process. It also increases quality and quantity of sperms thus increasing sperm count and sperm motility 4. Alcohol, marijuana, tobacco reduce sperm count and sperm motility by 50%. Keeping away from these addictions help to increase sperm count and sperm motility. 5. Psychological factors like stress, worry, strain can reduce sperm count. Put a stop to these factors by adopting yoga and meditation in your daily routine. Yoga and meditation are best stress busters. Lessening these psychological factors help to boost sperm count. 6. Regularly massage your body with herbal oil. Massaging herbal oil increases libido, blood circulation and boosts health. Massaging body with herbal oil is known as Abhyanga. Abhyanga retards ageing process, boosts health, increases libido, enhances blood circulation and strengthens the muscles. 7. Avoid riding bicycles as it causes trauma to testicles. 8. Consume good nourishing diet rich in fresh vegetables, fruits and dry fruits . Avoid spicy and bitter foods. Keep your body well hydrated by drinking 12-15 glasses of water daily. 9. Frequent ejaculation of semen can cause low sperm count. Hence avoid very frequent sex and masturbation. Giving a gap of 3-4 days between 2 consecutive ejaculations help to increase sperm count. 10. The toxin ama , which is formed due to indigestion may block the channels (srotas) which carry semen (shukra) and reduce sperm count. Hence stay away from foods which cause constipation and indigestion to keep the sperm count in normal range.
This article is copy righted. The author Dr.SavithaSuri is an Ayurvedic Physician and web master of http://www.ayurhelp.com .  Read article at http://www.ayurhelp.com/increase_sperm_count.htm   drsavithasuri@gmail.com
Preventing Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy through Ayurveda Definition: Benign prostatic hypertrophy is swelling of Prostate gland. The prostate is a walnut sized gland that is only present in men. It is located just below the bladder and top of the penis. This gland surrounds the urethra ( the tube through which urine flows from the bladder and out through the penis ). It is a very astonishing fact to know that the condition BPH has been explained in ayurveda long back. The anatomical position of prostate gland, symptoms of BPH and its remedies are explained by Acharya Sushruta.  The anatomical position of prostate gland is described in ayurvedic classics as  follows In Yogaratnakara it has been described as --
“ NAABHERADHASTHAATSANJAATAHA SANCHAARI YADI VAACHALAHA |
ASHTEELAAVAD GHANO GRANTHIROODHWAR MAAYATA UNNATAHA || “
Which means “ Below umbilicus (NAABHI), there is a hard gland which is little bit bulged and changes its place some times and some times stays stationary.  This gland is like “Ashteela” (A small stone used to sharpen swords). This gland when affected by vitiated vata causes a disease called “vataashteela” (or benign prostate hypertrophy) Sushruta explains the structure , anatomical position of prostate gland and symptoms of BPH  as follows. “SHACRANMAARGASYA BASTHESHCHA VAAYURANTARAMAASHRITAHAI
ASHTEELAAVADGHANAM GRANTHIMMOORDHVAMAAYATA MUNNATAM|| “ Which means - the place between rectum and bladder is occupied by vitiated vata it affects the easy flow of urine, stools and semen by enlarging the gland “ Ashteela”. The prostate gland enlarges in all men as age advances. BPH is very common and affects one third of men who are over 50. A person suffering from BPH does not have the increased risk of prostate cancer. Functions of Prostate gland One of the main functions of the prostate is to produce a fluid, which contribute to the liquid portion of semen and this liquid allows the sperm to move freely. The gland is divided into peripheral, transitional and central zone. The overgrowth takes place in central zone which leads to BPH. Effects of BPH Prostate gland surrounds urethra. When prostate gland enlarges, it constricts the urethra reducing the urine flow. The emptying of bladder becomes very difficult because of this. Causes of BPH According to present medical concepts The actual cause of prostate enlargement is unknown.
But the causes of BPH are very well explained In ayurveda which is based on tridosha theory. The causes of vataashteela or BPH are  explained  as follows
Causes for vataashteela according to dosha theory:
vataashteela is caused by vitiated vayu and apaana vayu ( a subcategory of Vayu) ( APAANA VAYU is located in two testicles, urinary bladder, phallus, umbilicus, thighs, groins, anus and colon.  Read complete article at http://www.ayurhelp.com/articles/bpharticle.htm This article is copy righted. The author Dr.SavithaSuri is an Ayurvedic Physician and web master of   http://www.ayurhelp.com
Read more about BPH at http://www.ayurhelp.com/prostate/bph.htm

Simple Tips to rectify erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction which is a very common complaint can be generally rectified by following few simple steps. Here goes the list of  simple but effective tips to rectify erectile dysfunction. Avoid consumption of alcohol. If you are addicted to alcohol restrict the intake. Alcohol acts on central nervous system and causes erectile dysfunction. Keep away from smoking. Men who smoke suffer from erectile dysfunction than men who do not. It is evident from researches. Smoking causes formation of plaques in arteries (atherosclerosis) which obstruct the blood flow. Avoid working for long hours. Take a break from regular routine at week ends and spend time with your partner. Practice Yoga and meditation regularly to keep away anxiety, depression and stress. Meditation and Yoga are best stress busters. Do not have the fear of not getting hard erections or do not doubt your ability to satisfy your partner. It will lead to psychological ED. Happy and comfortable atmosphere at home is very essential to stimulate sexual desire and keep sexually healthy. Exercise regularly and daily.  Brisk walk for 45 minutes is the best exercise which keeps the cardiovascular system healthy. Researches have shown that the incidences of erectile dysfunction are less in men who regularly exercise. Weight reduction helps to increase testosterone level and increases sexual energy and stamina. Weight reduction helps to keep hypertension and diabetes in control. Diabetes causes erectile dysfunction and anti hypertensive medications may cause erectile dysfunction. Marijuana, heroin, cocaine etc cause erectile dysfunction. Withdrawing from addiction to the above mentioned substances really helps in increasing erections and sexual stamina. Reduce the frequency of masturbation. Masturbating twice in a week is ideal. . Massage whole body with herbal oil at least once in a week. This increases sexual energy and stamina. Body massage (abhyanga) is mentioned as the best aphrodisiac in ayurveda. Sleep at least for 8 hours a day. Body gets energized with good sleep. Do not control natural urges. Empty your bladder before going to bed with your partner. Take all steps to prevent indigestion and constipation. Indigestion and constipation vitiate doshas and cause diseases. Hard erections will not occur when body is not healthy. Avoid hot, spicy and bitter foods which imbalance vata . According to ayurveda imbalanced vata causes erectile dysfunction. Give a gap of four days between two consecutive intercourses. Regularly consume Vajikarana Preparations. Vajikarana preparations always keep men sexually healthy. This article is copy righted. The author Dr.SavithaSuri is an Ayurvedic Physician and web master of 
 http://www.ayurhelp.com .  Read complete article at http://www.ayurhelp.com/tips_Increase_erection.htm   drsavithasuri@gmail.com Causes of Low Sperm count - An ayurvedic View Low sperm count, reduced sperm motility and malformed sperms are main causes for male infertility. There are various biological and environmental factors which affect sperm count, motility and morphology.  Many of these factors have been mentioned in ayurvedic texts. The causes of low sperm count are briefly explained below. Age :
 
Innumerable researches have been conducted to determine the effect of ageing process on male fertility. A decrease in male fertility has been noted as age progresses. Maintenance of good health by following healthy lifestyle and diet retards ageing process. The rate of fertilization starts falling down for men who are above 40. Hence “ Vajikarana Therapy” is recommended in ayurveda for men who are above 20 and below 70 to maintain optimum sexual activity and number of healthy sperms. Vajikarana Therapy recommends herbal preparations which are aphrodisiac. Vajikarana therapy increases sperm count, sperm motility and quantity of semen. This therapy is helpful in erectile dysfunction. Overheating of testicles: Overheating of testicles due to high fever, hot water bath, saunas, tight pants or under garments can cause low sperm count.  The Testes (two egg-shaped structures) remain in the Scrotum, outside the body, where the temperature is about 3 degrees C, cooler than the body internal temperature (27 degrees C. Sperm development in the Testes Requires the Lower Temperature.). Hence any factor which increases the temperature of testicles causes low sperm count. According to Sushrutacharya Testicles are made of Kapha and Medha (fat). Increased heat imbalances kapha and medha , thus affecting sperm production.  Addictions • Cocaine and Marijuana reduce sperm motility and sperm count by as much as 50%. 
• Smoking reduces sperm count, sperm motility and also causes genetic changes. Smoking causes low sex drive, erectile dysfunction or impotence.
• Alcohol can damage sperms. Hence alcohol intake should be reduced to increase fertility. Diet and Life Styles: • Stress at work place or in family, strained relation ship, lubricants or spermicides used in condoms and physical stress can temporarily cause low sperm count.
• Malnutrition and nutrient deficiencies cause low sperm count.  Deficiency of Vitamin C, Zinc, selenium etc can reduce sperm count.
• Bicycling can cause low sperm count, as testicles and scrotum may get injured during riding.
• Some studies have revealed that obesity may be a cause for low sperm count. Genetic factors : 1. Malformed organs or tissues in male reproductive system.
2. Obstruction of semen carrying tubes.
3. Persons with 1 extra X chromosome (Normal chromosome in man is 1 X and 1 Y chromosome) Environmental factors : 1. Overexposure to toxins, chemicals and infections. Pesticides, hydrocarbons and mumps in adult hood can cause low sperm count.
2. Chronic exposure to heavy metals like lead, arsenic or cadmium can cause low sperm count.
3. Radiations and X-rays affect sperm producing cells. Varicocele : Vericose vein in the cord of the testicle can cause low sperm count. Acharya Charaka in his ayurvedic text, mentions the following factors as causes for low quality of semen. Jaraayaa  Chintaaya shukram vyadhibhihi karmakarshanaat |
Kshayam gacchatyanashanaat sthreenaam chaatinishevanaath ||
• Old age
• Worry
• Diseases
• Exertion
• Fasting
• Over indulgence in sexual act
• Grief
• Strained relationship. This article is copy righted. The author Dr.SavithaSuri is an Ayurvedic Physician and web master of   http://www.ayurhelp.com
Read article at http://www.ayurhelp.com/lowspermcount.htm

Sunny holidays 'hit sperm count' http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6688963.stm Going abroad for a relaxing holiday before trying for a baby may not be a good idea, fertility experts say. Officials at the Bourn Hall Clinic in Cambridgeshire say soaking up the sun in tight trunks may be one of the worst preparations for fathering a child. Australian research has shown that too much heat can reduce sperm count and slow down the surviving sperm. But other experts cast doubt on the claims, although they said it may be wise to be cautious. Many couples feel that a foreign break improves their chances of conceiving by allowing them to relax fully. However, sperm takes eight weeks to mature in the testes, and during that period, is vulnerable to any changes in temperature. The testes naturally hang outside the body to keep them cool, and confining them in tight underwear, or dipping them in the hot tub may not be a good idea, it is claimed. Dr Thomas Mathews, the Medical Director at Bourn Hall, the world's first assisted conception clinic, said: "We find that at an initial consultation men may have a normal sperm count, but in some cases this has declined when we check again before treatment, which may be several months later. "It is only recently that it has occurred to us that there may be a seasonal effect at work." Hot baths He said experiments had found that exposing the testes to heat over long periods led to a decreased sperm count. In the 1950s, it was even suggested that regular hot baths could be a successful contraceptive. Modern IVF methods do not require large numbers of viable sperm, as a single sperm can be used to fertilise an egg, in a process called ICSI. The Australian research on animals found that heating the testes caused cell death, and a subsequent reduction in the numbers of sperm in the semen. In addition, the sperm that were present had a reduced swimming ability, and might therefore be less capable of fertilisation. But Sheffield University fertility expert Dr Allan Pacey said: "If this was a major effect, I think we would see people having problems conceiving in every country in the Tropics. "However, it's worth being cautious, as there is some evidence that scrotal heating can have an effect on DNA quality in sperm."

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