The Sacred Lotus Plant

The Lotus or Nelumbo nucifera is commonly misconceived as a Water Lilly. While the Lotus is an aquatic perennial like the Water Lilly it is much different. The Leaves and flowers of the Lotus plant extend above the water surface where the Water Lilly floats on the water surface. The Lotus is native to Southern Asia and is India's national flower. To Buddhists it has come to symbolise spiritual enlightenment, as its perfect, beautiful flowers rise from the dirty, smelly mud at the bottom of the lake in which it grows. Purity rising out of filth...

Lotus are easily grown in a large water bowl in a backyard or even balcony. They need to be planted at a depth of at least 40cm and require full sun to thrive. The only care they need is fertilising once a year in late winter/ early spring. Fertilising is best done by making a "parcel" of high potassium fertiliser wrapped in old newspaper and by pushing this parcel deep down into the Root zone of the plant. In Winter when the plant has died down you can cut the old leaves off, but always ensure you cut them off above the surface of the water to avoid water filling the hollow stems and drowning the plant.

Lotus don't just look great in the garden, they also look fantastic in floral arrangements. While fresh Lotus flowers are sometimes available, it is the seed pod that is most commonly used in florists. This is because the individual flowers are not long lived, sometimes only lasting one day. The seed pods however last much longer and they're organic and sculptural appearance adds texture and interest to flower bouquets and flower arrangements. A bunch of the Seed pods casually arranged in a tall glass vase look exquisite!

Almost all parts of the Lotus are edible and used in Asian cooking including the flower, seeds, leaves and roots. The flower is used in Salads, Seeds are grinded up and made into flour, Leaves are used to wrap and steam food such as Rice and the roots are chopped and fried and served in a similar way to Potato chips.

Lotus seeds are available in kamal gatta. These are used in ayurvedic medicines to increase sperm count.  Read Ayurveda health benefits of Lotus Seeds or Kamal Gatta

By Steven P Johnston 

The Benefits of Black Pepper

Black pepper is probably the one spice I wouldn't want to do without, I use it in every savoury dish I cook and I can tell when someone has omitted it, even if I am eating an otherwise spicy curry. There have been some scares over the possible health risks of eating too much black pepper, but you would never be able to eat it in the quantities that can harm you.

Black pepper has always been known as a carminative, which means that it helps get rid of flatulence and intestinal gas. It is also a diuretic, and diaphoretic. The former term means that it helps remove excess water from the body and the latter means that it promotes sweating, which is useful if you have a fever. It can also boost the immune system as it has powerful antioxidant effects. If you buy whole peppercorns and grind them yourself, the outer layer will help keep you in weight loss and slim by breaking down fat cells. What more could you want from one very small spice?

Black pepper also provides us with minerals that our bodies need, such as manganese, copper, iron, chromium and calcium. It is rich in vitamin K which is found in green vegetables such as kale, broccoli and brussel sprouts.

You can add ground black pepper to herbal teas to increase its warming effects. I particularly like it with lemon juice in green tea.

In Ayurvedic medicine, practised on the Indian sub-continent, black pepper is used along with long pepper and ginger, as a remedy for a number of diseases. Alone, it is used as a remedy for cholera, colic, headache, toothache, and urinary problems. It has been applied as a paste, externally, for skin diseases.

In China it is thought to have 'warming' qualities and is used to treat what is called "cold stomach," the symptoms of which include diarrhoea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.

With all these health benefits it is no wonder that in the ancient world black pepper was highly- prized and even used as currency and offerings to the gods. It was the search for pepper (and other spices) that led to the discovery of new lands in the Renaissance and earlier. It was a much-sought after commodity and in the Middle Ages, a man's wealth was measured in how many peppercorns he had. Of course, it was very useful when it came to preserving meat during that time, as was salt, but the peasants couldn't afford to use peppercorns for this purpose.

Next time you look at your spice rack, think about all the health benefits there are in those small jars and only buy peppercorns and grind them yourself as you need them for maximum health benefits.

Also Read Ayurveda Health Benefits of long Pepper or Pippali



By Lynne Evans 

Ayurvedic Acne and Pimple Home Remedies

Acne is perhaps the most dreaded health problem when one is an adolescent. Due to hormonal changes related with puberty and subsequent blood impurities, yellow pus-filled growths appear on the face, which are known as pimples. When this happens, it is said that the person is suffering from acne.

Almost everyone will have pimples at one time or other in their lives. Normally, pimples go away in a couple of days, but if the person does not take enough care, then they could live a lifelong scar behind. Also, pimples can spread on the face quite fast, especially if they burst and their fluids come in contact with healthy skin. Though we know of acne as mostly occurring on the face, it also occurs on the chest, neck and back.

Youngsters put in a lot of effort and money in using medicines for acne available in the market, but with disappointing results. But there are several natural methods in which acne can be prevented. The following is a list of the best methods known to fight acne.

Acne Pimple Ayurvedic Treatment with Simple Home Remedies

Remedy # 1

Wash your face with buttermilk several times a day. This will treat the pimples and also make your face shinier and healthier.

Remedy # 2

Take a single seed of a jambula fruit (Indian Plum). Put it in water and rub it thoroughly so that it moistens completely. When the seed is sufficiently wet, then rub it thoroughly on the areas where pimples are present. This remedy is especially beneficial for the pimples that occur in adolescence.

Remedy # 3

Just rub the peel of an orange onto the pimples so that its juices moisten them completely. Even this simple procedure done several times a day will reduce and even eliminate the acne.

Remedy # 4

Take a ripe pumpkin. Mash it thoroughly and then rub it over the face for a long time. Keep it on the face for fifteen to twenty minutes. You will feel the skin drying up and stretching. This is when you must wash the face and then wipe it dry. Then apply the oil of either coconut or mustard onto the face. Do this for a week on a daily basis. Your acne problem will be solved and the skin of the face will become smooth.

Remedy # 5

Mix ten grams of the powder of chana (Cicer arietinum, chana) and ten grams of haldi (Curcuma longa, turmeric) in curds. Apply this paste onto the skin. Wash it off when it dries. Continue this treatment for a week. The acne will clear out.

Remedy # 6

Prepare a paste by dissolving the powders of lodhra (Symplocos racemosa), coriander and vacha (Acorus calamus, Sweet Flag) in water. Apply this on the face on a regular basis. It will treat acne and the skin will look as though it had never been afflicted with pimples.

Remedy # 7

Roast some mustard seeds, chiraunji (Buchanania latifolia) and a dry orange peel in equal parts. Grind them to a very thin powder. Put a little water to give it a pasty consistency. Apply this paste on the face once everyday. It will solve your acne problem.

Remedy # 8

Take some nutmeg and the water of red sandalwood. Break the nutmeg and mash it in the water of the red sandalwood. Applying this water on the face will take care of all the pimples and keep the skin lustrous and soft.

Remedy # 9

Take the root of a neem tree and put it in water. Squeeze on the neem root repeatedly in the water with your fingers. When it is sufficiently wet and you feel the juices have begun to exude from it, take the neem root out and rub it on the pimples as though it is a piece of chalk. This is one of the quickest remedies to get relief from pimples.

Remedy # 10

One more very simple but effective remedy is to prepare an infusion of the leaves of the tulsi (Ocimum sanctum, Holy Basil) and apply it regularly on the face. The infusion is prepared by taking two to four teaspoons of dried basil leaves in a cupful of water, bring it to a boil and then cool it for use.

Remedy # 11

Take a cup of boiled water and add into it turmeric powder and the leaves of tulsi. Let the fumes of this solution come in contact with your face, as though you are having a steam bath. When done, wash the face immediately. This treatment will open up your sweat pores. But washing it immediately, you are removing the grime and the dust which causes acne. Hence this remedy is more of prevention than a cure.

Treatment with Special Ayurvedic Methods

Ayurveda suggests the use of the Kumkumadi lepam to be applied on the face. Before applying this paste, the face must be washed thoroughly. Another internal remedy is to take Saribadyasava in dosages of 15 to 30 milliliters with an equal quantity of water.

By Dr John Anne

Effective Herbal Remedies for Irregular Menstruation, Menstrual Cycle

Irregular menstruation can rise from a number of causes. Normally, the menstrual cycle of a woman occurs within an interval of 25-31 days. The period can be extended or shortened occasionally due to minor hormonal imbalances. In case of frequent irregularity in the cycle, like missing periods for months (other than pregnancy), periods occurring within very short intervals or extending for more than a week and heavy bleeding, one should seek proper medical consultation. It is commonly observed in women approaching menopause, and the condition is attributed to severe hormonal fluctuations of the body. Other physiological disorders may also result in irregular menstrual cycles.

Symptoms

1. Frequent alterations in the time period of menstruation.
2. Missing periods for months.
3. Heavy bleeding continuing for more than a week.

Causes

1. Hormonal imbalances in the body.
2. Cysts or tumors in the ovary
3. Approaching menopause
4. Over exercise
5. Taking contraceptive pills or hormonal tablets.

Herbal Remedies for Irregular Menstrual Cycle

Herbs are very useful in treating irregular menstrual cycles. One can regularize the cycle by following the simple and effective herbal remedies.

1. The herb Parsley is very effective in treating irregular menstrual cycles. Consuming a mixture of juices from parsley, carrot, beet and cucumber helps in normalizing the menses.

2. Tea made from fresh or dried Parsley leaves is equally beneficial in treating irregular menstrual cycles. Add 2 teaspoonfuls of parsley leaves in boiled water and keep it for half an hour. Strain the mixture and it is ready for drinking.

3. Asafetida is another popular herbal ingredient used to treat this disorder. A small amount of asafetida is fried in ghee and taken along with goat milk adding little honey. This is a very effective remedy to treat irregular periods.

4. Extract from the bark of Ashoka tree is very effective in controlling the menses. It stimulates the uterine walls and helps in normalizing the menstrual cycle.

5. Leaves of bamboo are often prescribed to regularize the menstruation flow.

6. The Chinese herb "Dong Quai", popularly known as "female ginseng" is very effective in regularizing the menstrual flow. The herb is also beneficial in treating various symptoms of menopause.

7. Drinking Aloe Vera juice is another effective herbal remedy for irregular menstrual cycles. It controls heavy bleeding and regularizes the missed periods.

8. Drinking a decoction of ginger adding little honey is also beneficial in normalizing cycles.

9. Decoction of chicory seeds is very effective in normalizing menstrual flow in case of missed periods.

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By James E Napier