Ginger has been used as a spice and medicine for thousands of years. Its use has been recorded in early Ayurvedic treatises and Chinese texts. Ginger has a wide variety of herbal uses, many of which have been scientifically proven. Ginger is called ardrakam in Sanskrit and its anti-emetic, anti-inflammatory and anti-platelet properties have attracted considerable interest among researchers.
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Tinospora cordifolia (guduchi or gulbel) is an indigenous medicinal plant with a potent immunostimulant activity. According to the Ayurvedic treatises, Guduchi is referred to as Amrita. The term Amrita is attributed to this plant in recognition of its ability to impart youthfulness, vitality and longevity to its user. Therefore, it is categorized in Ayurveda as Rasayana. (Rasa means biologically transformable liquid nutrient of all the tissues in the body and aayana means a pathway. Thus Rasaayana bestows the strength of all dhaatus of the body! Rasaayana helps slowing down the ageing process, enhances memory, improves the functioning of vital organs, increases the ojus (the immunity factor) and nourishes all the tissues).
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Grapes and raisins have been a part of Indian diet for ages. White grapes are sweet due to the presence of glucose and are superior to black grapes, which are sour and irritate the throat. On the other hand, raw grapes are rich in oxalic, recemic, malic and tartaric acids, due to which they taste sour and tart.
The therapeutic value of grapes lies in the fact that they are rich sources of glucose. We know that glucose is a pre-digested food and is absorbed in the body soon after its intake. Grapes, by virtue of their easy assimilation, have a restorative effect.
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Liquorice root is an extremely useful herb that enjoys a fair amount of popularity now, in addition to its prominence in Ayurvedic Medicine. It is a tasting herb, which makes it appealing. It makes good tea-although if it possesses medicinal strength, it is probably not going to be your favorite beverage because it is outrageously sweet—many times more so than sugar. In some parts of the world, children chew the root as candy.
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“A spoonful of honey makes the medicine go down because it is yogavaahi (potentiating/ synergistic)” says Ayurveda. It claims that even though honey is sweet, if taken in the right dosage with medicine, it does not harm diabetic or obese patients. The ferment and a special protein as well as the vitamins in honey perhaps account for the beneficial action of honey in these conditions. Today’s Science says that since honey consists of velulose, it is not harmful in diabetes.
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It is a well-known fact that milk is the only food item that fairly represents a complete diet. When we talk of milk, it is usually the cow’s milk or buffalo’s milk that we think of immediately. However, Ayurveda mentions milks of various animals under the head ‘Dugdha varga’.
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The mango tree enjoys a unique status in our country due to its medicinal, commercial, and ceremonial utilities. It is praised as a heavenly fruit by the Vedas and the Ayurvedic classics describe it as phalashreshtha (the king of fruits).
Almost every part of the mango tree—from the bark to the kernel—has a medicinal use, according to Ayurveda.
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Piper betel is called Paan in Hindi and Taamboolam in Sanskrit, and is highly linked to Indian traditions and culture. More than seven varieties of betel leaf have been identified in ancient Ayurvedic texts. The Sanskrit words to describe paan are Vasya and Kaamajanani—it draws people to you. Because of these qualities and since it is stimulating, making the juices flow, it is also an aphrodisiac and is recommended before and during sex. Arakene, the alkaloid constituent in the leaves, which is akin to cocaine, may be the cause of their stimulant effect.
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More than half of all modern drugs—ranging from aspirin to the newest, most beneficial drug for treating breast cancer—are based on ingredients from plants. Medical practitioners on the Indian subcontinent have produced a wealth of plant-based medical knowledge that is unparalleled in the world. While modern medicine has largely ignored the Ayurvedic medical tradition, recent reviews of the proven efficacy of ancient natural treatments are finally gaining respect throughout the world.
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Moringa Oleifera is a very common tree and can be found in most backyards in Indian homes. In Sanskrit, it is known as Sobhanjana and Munaga chettu in Telugu. Drumstick is the common name.
The fruits and the flowers are commonly cooked and eaten as a vegetable. However, Moringa leaves are not very popular as most of us think that these are not nutritive. In fact, these are storehouses of enormous nutritive wealth. Fresh juice of the leaves contains Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Calcium and almost all the essential amino acids. A fascinating fact is that a glassful of drumstick leaves soup supplies as much protein as one gets by eating 100 grams of chicken or two-and-half cups of milk.
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