What is ‘Smudging’??? – A powerful cleansing technique of an ancient Native American tradition. Smudging is a ritual way to invoke positivity and dispel negative influences or energies. This is an ancient Native American practice to cleanse a person or place by burning of herbs. It produces a feel of harmony in the area by making it free of negativity. The hypothesis behind smudging is that the smoke connects itself with negative influence and as it clears it takes the negative influence with it to discharge it into another place to be revived to positive energy. It is a very effective technique when you have been feeling unwell, resentful, angry, depressed, or after you have had a squabble with somebody. As well, it is nice to smudge yourself, the place and all the participants or guests prior to a ceremony or celebration or ritual. Moreover, smudging is even useful for cleansing the spaces of home, work area, car, gemstones, crystals, altars, sacred books, or any other spiritual item.

There are lot of ways of smudging and a range of different smudging herbs have been utilized for this purpose. Smudging herbs are mainly used in the forms of “smudge stick” which are made by tying the herbs into a bundle. In traditional cultures, the smudging herbs are regarded as sacred and the smudge stick is treated with high esteem. Different traditions and tribes utilize different herbs for smudging. Every herb utilized in smudging has its function and the burning of each herb results in a specific change in the surroundings. Many people consider that burning of 2 or more herbs concurrently is a potent way to unite the energy of the different herbs in the ritual, ceremony or celebrations. Some commonly used smudging herbs include sage, frankincense resin, sweet grass, myrrh resin, lavender, pinion pine, copal gold resin, cedar and juniper. Let’s take a look at the individual uses of each most commonly used smudging herb. Read the rest of this entry »

These days, people are more interested in herbal remedies to cure diseases and infections. Herbal remedies do not have any side effects like medicines. Tulsi is the most popular herbs which can treat a variety of conditions. In Hindu religion, it is said that a home which has Tulsi plant in courtyard is always holy and pure. Even a small Tulsi plant has a magical power to cure many serious health problems. Different types of problems can be cured by combining tulsi with other things. Tulsi herb helps you to cure the problem naturally. You can try any of the following beneficial treatments to cure different types of problems.

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Bones are very important part of body as it supports every move of the body. Bones consistently go through the process of breaking down and rebuilding. So, to maintain strength bones, a constant supply of nutrients is required. The building ability of the bone decreases as we age therefore the risk of osteoporosis or debilitating fractures and breaks increase. It is essential to take good diet to make the bones stronger. Refer the article to know the foods that make the bones strong.

There are total 206 bones in the human body which are categorized into 5 types such as long bones, short bones and flat bones, irregular bones and sesamoid bones. Bones have 11 main functions in the body. Bones are strong and hard as well as have a multifaceted internal and external structure. Among all bones in the body, femur is the biggest bone. Diet must contain lots of calcium, magnesium, protein and vitamins B, D, and K. Along with diet, perform exercise daily and decrease caffeine consumption as well as high-protein animal foods to make the bones strong. Read the rest of this entry »

Stomach ulcers are very painful and very common problem which can affect any body including children. Person who experience acidity or have some stomach infection, stomach ulcers are very common in them. They suffer from severe abdominal pain particularly around the inner part of the stomach. Compared to women, men have two times more risk of Stomach ulcers. There are many medicines available for stomach ulcers but the best way to treat is natural home remedies. There are many home remedies for stomach ulcers so read on the article to know them.

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Stomach Ulcer is also known as peptic ulcer or peptic ulcer disease (PUD). Stomach ulcer is open sore which build up on the inside lining of the stomach (gastric ulcers), esophagus (esophageal ulcers) and the upper part of the small intestine (duodenal ulcers). All three types of ulcers are denoted as stomach ulcers and they are extremely painful. 70% to 90% of stomach ulcers are connected with Helicobacter pylori. Helicobacter pylori are bacterium which exists in the acidic surroundings of the stomach. Read the rest of this entry »

Shankhpushpi is a twining perennial herb considered as the most wonderful gift of nature to the mankind. In Ayurveda (an ancient system of Indian medicine), it is mentioned as a rasayana which is commonly used as brain stimulator and memory enhancer. The herb has appearance like morning glory with blue flowers situated at alternate positions with flowers or branches. In India, it is commonly found in the state of Bihar. This herb’s all parts are used medicinally and have beneficial effect on the body. It is considered to be the only herb which has the ability to enhance all the aspects connected to brain power, for example memory, learning, and the ability to recall.

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In ancient time people used to cure their disease with the help of various herbs and some natural therapies that always proved effective. One of the most important formulas among these therapies is Chyawanprash. It is an ayurvedic herbal tonic with multiple health merits. It has been used widely in India and all around the world today as an immunity enhancer, rejuvenative and appetizer.

Chyawanprash is a complex ‘Rasayana’ derived from 2500 years old ayurvedic formula. First documented formula for chyawanprash was found in the ‘Charak Samhita,’ an Ayurvedic dissertation written by the sage Charak in the 4th century BC. As per Charak Samhita, administration of rasayana provides endurance of life, memory, health, youthfulness, vigor, brightness, improved voice, and body stamina.

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Dong quai is a common name for the herbal drug Angelica sinensis and is a part of traditional Asian healing systems. The plant grows at high altitudes in the mountains of the cold and damp regions of China, Japan and Korea. ‘Dong quai’ is a Chinese word which means ‘return to order’. Roots of dong quai have been used for more than a thousand years as a spice, tonic, and medicine. It is believed that this Chinese medicine best suits to individuals with yin or low energy profile due to its mildly warming effects.

Dong quai herb is also a commonly used menopause herb like other menopause herbs such as black cohosh herb but it must be used with extreme cautions. Primary use of the dong quai herb is to treat conditions involving women’s reproductive systems. Dong quai roots decrease pain and stimulate and relax muscles of the uterus as it contain compounds that dilate blood vessels. Dong quai is available in tablet, liquid extract, and raw root forms. Dong quai is often boiled or soaked in wine in Chinese medicine. The liquid is taken orally after the removal of root. Read the rest of this entry »

Brahmi Powder and Brahmi oil are made from the ingredients of Brahmi plant. It is creeping plant that originates in India including the North Eastern region. Brahmi contains steroidal saponin Bacoside A and steroidal saponin Bacoside B.

Brahmi is used to treat many disorders including anxiety, intellect and poor memory. According to Ayurvedic Test, Brahmi is considered as brain tonic to improve memory development, learning, and concentration. So it is used in oil and power. The properties of Brahmi are bitter, pungent, heating, emetic and laxative. Other names of Brahmi are Babies tear, Bacopa monnieri, Herpestis monniera, and Water hyssop. Ayurvedic tests tell Brahmi as medhya, a medicine that braces the mind to carry cognitive functions and logical pursuits.

Brahmi Powder:

Brahmi Powder is an outstanding hair nourisher. It furnishes long, dense, black and lustrous hair, relief from hair fall and premature graying. It is the best therapy for people who have chronic hair problems. Regular massage with Brahmi Powder on scalp eradicates dandruff. It is also helpful to develop memory power. Read the rest of this entry »

Guggul is a resin from the Commiphora Mukul tree native to India. Guggul has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for over 2,000 years to treat many ailments. Guggul contains Guggulsterone which directly affects the thyroid. To know the various guggul extract benefits for thyroid, refer the following article.

Guggulsterone is the active ingredient of the guggul extract. Below the thyroid cartilage in the front part of the neck, Thyroid gland is situated. Thyroid hormone is produced by this gland which regulates the metabolism of our body. It also regulates the energy of the body, growth and maturation of the tissue of the body and also the use of vitamins and hormones by our body. Two conditions affect thyroid gland that is either it produces too little hormone or it produces too much hormone. Hypothyroidism is a condition when thyroid gland produces too little hormone. Read the rest of this entry »

Asafoetida Powder has been recognized for its medicinal value and used in number of herbal remedies for various diseases. Asafoetida is the native of Iran and part of the Ferula species of plants. It is used in many Indian dishes as it is a source of pungent flavor. It has many benefits and uses, to know them refer the following article.

Asafoetida word comes from the Persian word “asa” and the Latin,” foetida” which roughly translates to Fetid smelling resin. Its different names are devil’s dung, stinking gum, asant, food of the gods and many other names in different languages. It has a pungent and unpleasant smell, in the raw form but when cooked, it enhances the taste and flavor of the recipe. A pinch of asafoetida is added to food preparations consisting of potatoes, lentils, peas, etc. It may cause severe diarrhea and vomiting when it is consumed raw. Asafoetida is found in three forms like tears, mass and paste. Tears is the purest form of resin and are rounded or flattened in shape, 5 to 30 mm in diameter and dull yellow or grayish in color. The common commercial form is Mass asafetida. It consists of tears converted into a more or less uniform mass generally mixed with fragments of root, earth etc. The paste form also contains extraneous matter. Read the rest of this entry »