The Indian Spiritual scriptures are full of insights of what the mind is really made of and how to control it.  Ancient Indian seers realized that the mind is actually an instrument given by God to realize the ‘self’ or the soul within.  There is indeed a very close interaction with the mind and the body too.

 The mind is defined as a bundle of thoughts. Swami. Vivekananda has compared the mind to a monkey, which is innately restless; which is drunk, with the wine, and then possessed by a ghost and finally bitten by the scorpion. Such is the state of modern man. He is so intoxicated by worldly desires that he seldom experiences a moment of peace. His mind is constantly restless, inebriated by desires, lust, anger and greed.

The mind may be considered to be finer body inside the gross body.  That vibrates at a higher rate than the gross body.

Since the mind and the body are so closely interconnected, a disease of the body will naturally affect the mind and a disease of the mind will affect the body.  The ancient Indian seers were aware of the fact that the mind should be tamed, controlled and then annihilated for complete and comprehensive health and total self-realization.

The Indian seers believed that all the misery that is seen today was only as a result of the untamed mind.  They believed that MAN MINUS MIND WAS ACTUALLY EQUAL TO GOD.  They also believed and demonstrated through their life as a living example, that a self realized person, does not operate his life through his mind or intellect, but lives in a state of ever-new joy and spontaneity. By annihilating the mind, the person does not become a zombie, but actually becomes supremely intelligent, supremely successful and fulfilled in life. 

To experience mind control and experience a state of unalloyed bliss, the ancient Indian sages prescribed many spiritual disciplines, like yoga, meditation and pranayama.  These practices help the aspirant to experience mind control and become Holistically healthy.

Introduction:

Herbal medicine (HM) is the fulcrum of complementary and alternative medicine. It is gaining increasingly popularity all over the world and gradually streaming toward integration into the mainstream healthcare systems. The use of HM cuts across gender, social and racial classes in both developing and developed countries of the world.

Benefits of Herbal Medicine

• More affordable than conventional medicine
• Easier to obtain than prescription medicine.
• Stabilizes hormones and metabolism.
• Natural healing.
• Strengthens the immune system.

Echinacea:

Echinacea, also called purple coneflower, is one of the most popular herbs worldwide.  Native Americans have used it for centuries to treat various ailments.  It is best known as an over-the-counter herbal remedy for the common cold or flu.  However, it’s also used to treat pain, inflammation, migraines and other health issues. They’re linked to many health benefits, such as reduced inflammation, improved immunity and lower blood sugar levels.

Ginseng:

Ginseng has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. Ginseng has beneficial antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Ginseng could help improve brain functions like memory, behavior and mood.  Research has shown that ginseng may be useful for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) in men.  Some studies exploring its effects on the immune system have focused on cancer patients undergoing surgery or chemotherapy treatment. Ginseng may be helpful in reducing the risk of certain cancers. Ginseng has been shown to help fight fatigue and promote energy

Ginkgo biloba:

Ginkgo biloba, or maidenhair, is a tree native to China that has been grown for thousands of years for a variety of uses.  Ginkgo’s antioxidant content may be the reason behind many of its health claims. 

Some specific conditions in which ginkgo extract has shown to reduce inflammation include:

• Arthritis
• Irritable bowel disease (IBD)
• Cancer
• Heart disease
• Stroke

Elderberry:

Elderberry is an ancient herbal medicine typically made from the cooked fruit of the Sambucus nigra plant. It has long been used to relieve headaches, nerve pain, toothaches, colds, viral infections, and constipation.

Elderberry is used to treat cold and flu symptoms. Cooked elderberry is safe; it’s toxic if eaten raw or unripe.

St. John’s wort;

St. John’s wort (SJW) is an herbal medicine derived from the flowering plant Hypericum perforatum. Its small, yellow flowers are commonly used to make teas, capsules, or extracts.  Historically, it was utilized to aid wound healing and alleviate insomnia, depression, and various kidney and lung diseases. Today, it’s largely prescribed to treat mild to moderate depression.

Turmeric (Curcuma longa):

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is an herb that belongs to the ginger family.  Curcumin is the major active compound in turmeric. It may treat a host of conditions, including chronic inflammation, pain, metabolic syndrome, and anxiety

Ginger:

Ginger is a commonplace ingredient and herbal medicine. You can eat it fresh or dried, though its main medicinal forms are as a tea or capsule. Much like turmeric, ginger is a rhizome, or stem that grows underground. It contains a variety of beneficial compounds and has long been used in traditional and folk practices to treat colds, nausea, migraines, and high blood pressure

Valerian:

Sometimes referred to as “nature’s Valium,” valerian is a flowering plant whose roots are thought to induce tranquility and a sense of calm.  The valerian root may be dried and consumed in capsule form or steeped to make tea.

Chamomile:

Chamomile is a flowering plant that also happens to be one of the most popular herbal medicines in the world.  The flowers are most often used to make tea, but the leaves may also be dried and used for making tea, medicinal extracts, or topical compresses.

Conclusion:

Herbal medicines have become extremely popular all over the world. An important driver in this upsurge in patronage and use includes low cost, the wide acceptance due to its status of being a natural product with the acclaim of low toxicity, efficacy in certain challenging diseases, flexibility in its accessibility, preparation and use.

 

The Karma theory is not merely about re-incarnation. It includes the whole gamut of situations and relationships that we encounter in this birth.  Many westerners believe that the ‘Karma theory’ has made us Indians fatalistic and materially backward.  While, this may be partly true, the ‘Karma theory’ has held Indian society together over the years.

In recent times we have forgotten the real meaning of this theory and that is why our health has deteriorated to its current levels.  Our statistics of Cancers, Coronary artery disease and Dyslipidemias are worse than the Western standards, ever since we became urbanized and industrialized. 

Very simplistically put, according to the ‘Karma theory’, when we die in our last birth, we are shown a review of our actions in that life and we are actually made to experience the pain that our actions caused to others.  UNABLE TO FORGIVE OURSELVES FOR WHAT WE HAVE DONE TO OTHERS, AND UNABLE TO FORGIVE OTHERS FOR WHAT THEY DID TO US IN OUR LAST BIRTH, it is we who tell God to give us another birth where we can atone for our wrong actions and take revenge on those who have hurt us.

So, in the truest sense, God is not the cause of our current state of misery in this life.   Our current life is AN AGREEMENT WITH GOD, MADE BY GOD AND US DOES NOT HAVE ANY PART IN OUR CHOICE.  When we are born again, we have no memory of our past life action. That is taken away from us.  It is only a few yogis who know there past lives and that of the others.

This theory is not something that we can dismiss as nonsense or irrelevant.  It helps us have a correct understanding of why we suffer and why certain relationships are doomed in failure. This theory makes us feel contented and we will not exult when things go right or experience depression when things go wrong.

A proper understanding of this theory can also serve as a medical tool to combat the increasing numbers of ‘STRESS RELATED DISEASES’.

Introduction:

Melatonin is a hormone secreted by the pineal gland, a pea sized structure that is located in the center of the brain.  At night Melatonin is produced to help our bodies regulate the sleep-wake cycles.  The amount of Melatonin produced by our bodies seems to lessen, as we get older.  Scientists believe that this may be why old people have problems of falling asleep.

The uses of Melatonin:

• It is useful to hasten sleep and combat jet lag, without having the side effects of conventional sleeping pills.
• It strengthens the Immune system.
• It delays degenerative changes in the body.
• It has an anti-oxidant effect, which is useful to prevent strokes, coronary artery disease and cancer.
• It is useful to combat fatigue.
• It is said to prevent aging.
• It is said to enhance the testosterone levels in males, thus making them more sexually active in their later years.

Side effects of Melatonin:

• Some persons complain of nightmares.
• Headaches.
• Morning grogginess.
• Mild depression.
• Low sex drive.

Who should avoid it?

• It should not be given to pregnant or lactating mothers, as it might affect the fetus.
• It should not be given to people with severe allergies.
• It should not be used in patients with Auto- immune diseases or with Leukemia.
• It should not be administered to children.

Dosage of Melatonin:

The dosage varies enormously from person to person and successful results have been obtained with doses ranging from 1 mg to 200 mg. It is best that this drug be started in a low dosage and then worked up to larger doses to get the optimal effects.

It should be taken only at nighttime, usually about 30 minutes prior going to bed.  If a person sleeps at night, then Melatonin should not be taken during the day and vice versa – because Melatonin plays a role in setting the body’s daily clock.

Is Melatonin safe?

Melatonin is one of the least toxic substances known. People have taken as much as 6 grams (600 to 3000 times the normal dose) and carefully monitored studies have shown no sign of toxicity. The only consistent side effect has been drowsiness and a slower reaction time. In the most extensive clinical trial 75 mgs of Melatonin per day was given to 1400 women in the Netherlands for up to four years and no untoward side effects were noted. In the US, FDA reports indicate that there have been no alarming side effects, despite the fact that this medication is available as an ‘over the counter remedy’.

Conclusion:

In India, flight crews are conversant with this drug and use it regularly to combat jet lag. Some of the claims that Melatonin retards the aging process have been debunked.  But, it would good if it would be made available over the counter remedy in India, as it could be safer than commonly used medications, such as Calmpose or Valium.

Introduction:

Eye irritations are a common problem. Some common causes are due to:

• Airborne irritants such as chemicals, smoke, smog, animal dander, and pollen
• Contact lens wear
• Excessive rubbing of eyes
• Inflammation caused by allergens or infections
• Too much sun exposure
• Dry eyes or inadequate lubrication of eye surface
• Viral infections such as the common cold

Common Home remedies for eye irritation:

Honey and milk:

Make an eyewash with warm milk and honey. Honey is known to have many amazing anti septic properties. Take equal parts of honey and lukewarm milk and mix them together and with a dropper she used to instill 2 to 3 drops of this mixture three times the day in each eye and this will often work wonders.

Castor oil:

Pure castor oil is very useful for eye irritations. Administer one drop of castor oil in each eye, thrice a day and that used to magically reduce the swelling and redness.

Cucumber slices:

Cut two slices cucumber and place it in cold ice for a few minutes. Then place the cool cucumber over the closed eyes and it is soothing and reduces the soreness in the eyes.

Rosewater:

When the eyes are irritated you can  rinse your eyes with rose water and it is very soothing for irritated eyes. Even instilling 3 to 4 drops of rose water are useful.

Aloe Vera:

 One of the most proven home remedy in recent times is Aloe Vera.

Aloe vera is readily available in different forms at drug stores and natural food stores and is fairly inexpensive. This natural remedy has proven antibacterial, anti fungal and antiviral properties..Aloe Vera eye drops also contains Aloe to soothe inflammation. Aloe is gentle enough to be used in and around the eye.

Conclusion:

A word of caution: Not all red eyes are conjunctivitis. If red eyes or eye irritation persist after three day use of home remedies, please contact your eye specialist.

Introduction;

Medical Qigong is an ancient form of Chinese energetic medicine; it is one of the four main branches of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), along with acupuncture, herbal medicine, and medical massage.

The Principle – how Qigong acts:

It is believed that disruptions in the electromagnetic energy of the body happen throughout our lifetime as a result of poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, injuries, surgery, suppression of emotions, and aging. The goal of qigong is to correct these bio-energetic imbalances and blockages. This enables the body to strengthen and regulate the internal organs, the nervous system and the immune system, relieve pain, regulate hormones, and strengthen and release deep-seated emotions and stress. What the Qigong practitioner does is he regulates the patient’s Qi energy and brings the patient back to health.

Medical qigong therapy consists of treatment by a practitioner to regulate the client’s qi. After the treatment the client will be given qigong prescriptions to assist in their ongoing healing. Tailored specifically to the client’s medical qigong exercises use physical movement, breathing methods and mental intention to correct and restore the function in the body.   Like any other system of health care, qigong is not a cure-all but a highly effective health care practice. Qigong as an important form of complementary and alternative medicine.

Common reasons for referring someone to Qigong instruction or therapy:

• Management of chronic illness
• Wellness promotion/preventative medicine
• Stress management
• Inability of Western medicine to clearly diagnose an illness or condition i.e. strange or bizarre symptoms that don’t conform to any known Western pattern of disease.
• Patient requests for holistic or natural treatment options
• Unacceptable risk (to patient or physician) of proposed medical interventions
• Terminal illness: palliative or therapeutic stages

Some diseases that Qigong treats:

Hypertension: benefits include improved blood pressure control. decreased medication use, decreased mortality by offsetting of the progression of cardiovascular lesions and retinopathy .

Asthma: disorders which are affected by emotional components or stress are very amenable to Qigong.

Allergies: Studies show Qigong can affect the immune system and stabilize the effects of stress and emotions.

Stress and stress-related disorders:  Vague. Fatigue, tension headaches, poor concentration, difficulty sleeping, problems with appetite, vague aches and pains are amenable to Qigong therapy.  

Cancer: Many studies have been presented at scientific meetings about the beneficial effects of Qigong on cancer cells and tumors.

AIDS: It can ameliorate the effects of AIDS especially in the last stages.

Gastro-intestinal: Irritable bowel, peptic ulcer disease, poor appetite, constipation, hemorrhoids, etc are successfully treated with Qigong.

Chronic fatigue/fibromyalgia: These syndromes can be frustrating to treat with Western medicine. Qigong can help these patients rebuild their stores of Qi and balance their energy circulation.

Diabetes: There is evidence that Qigong can alter hormonal levels in the body. Specific Qigong techniques exist for diabetes mellitus.

Arthritis: Qigong appears to benefit rheumatoid as well as osteoarthritis. The exercises are gentle and generally easy to learn.

Musculoskeletal pains and sports injuries: Acute or chronic musculoskeletal injuries. Best used under the guidance of a trained Qigong practitioner to avoid further injury.

Low energy states: If Western medical investigations reveal no clear cause for fatigue or low energy states, it is likely due to Qi deficiency.

Conclusion:

Qigong therapy is a great alternate medicine tool for many vexing problems that the Western orthodox medicine cannot solve.

Introduction:

Bio-resonancet uses a machine to measure the frequency of energy wavelengths coming from the body. Those measures are then used to diagnose disease. Proponents of this therapy say it can also cure certain diseases.

However, there’s no sound scientific evidence that bio-resonance has a role in diagnosing or treating disease.

How does it work?

Bio-resonance is based on the idea that unhealthy cells or organs send out altered electromagnetic waves due to cellular damage at the DNA level

Proponents of bio-resonance believe that detection of these waves can be used to diagnose disease, while changing these waves back to their normal frequency will treat disease.

It can be useful in certain medical conditions:

Smoking cessation

Studies found that 77.2 percent of people in the bio-resonance group quit smoking after one week after therapy versus 54.8 percent in the placebo group.

Stomach pain

Bio-resonance has been used to treat stomach pain of unknown or undetermined origin.

Allergies and related conditions

Using bio-resonance to treat allergies and related conditions such as dermatitis and eczema and asthma can be controlled.

Controlled studies have had mixed or negative results as to whether Bio-resonance can help treat allergies.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Some studies suggest that bio-resonance might be effective in Rheumatoid arthritis by normalizing how the levels of anti-oxidants within the body.

These antioxidants help fight free radicals, which may help lessen tissue damage in people with RA.

Cancer

Some users of bio-resonance say that it can activate tumor suppressor genes or lessen the effects of overactive cells, both of which can “kill” cancer cells.

However, most cancer-causing genetic mutations cannot be reversed. Additionally, there are no studies demonstrating the effectiveness of bio-resonance in treating cancer.

Fibromyalgia

The combination of bio-resonance therapy, manual therapy, and point massage helps patients with fibromyalgia.

The study found a 72 percent improvement in muscular pain for the group that got bio-resonance therapy versus a 37 percent improvement for the other group.

Improvements in sleep patterns and sensitivity to weather changes were also found.

Over training syndrome in athletes

Overtraining syndrome, also known as burnout, occurs when an athlete doesn’t fully recover from training and competition.  In such cases Bio-resonance therapy helps the burnt out athletes.

Conclusion:

Most healthcare professionals agree that bio-resonance can’t diagnose or treat medical conditions or illnesses.

As noted above, there are some studies that show positive effects from bio-resonance. However, these studies only include a small number of people, and research has been limited. Much more research needs to be done to study the efficaciousness of this unique therapy.

Introduction:

Intermittent fasting is an eating pattern where you cycle between periods of eating and fasting. It does not say anything about which foods to eat, but rather when you should eat them. There are several different intermittent fasting methods, all of which split the day or week into eating periods and fasting periods.

What is the premise of intermittent fasting?

The premise is that a minimum of an 8 hour span is necessary in order for your body to assimilate and metabolize the foods you eat. It is believed that all modern illness is due to overeating and that in 6 weeks these illnesses can be surmounted by fasting intermittently.   

Benefits of intermittent fasting:

Fat burning

It improves fat burning in the body. It is seen that many participants lose about 10% of their waist circumference.  This is due to reductions in insulin and increases in growth hormone.  Intermittent fasting can also decrease insulin levels and lower “bad” LDL cholesterol levels.

Slows the ageing process

It slows the aging process. It is said to keep the mitochondria in a youthful state, and literally rejuvenates our bodies by triggering detoxification.

Reduces inflammation

Intermittent fasting reduces inflammation, hence chronic disease are reversed.   And health is restored.  Intermittent fasting reduces the release of free radicals.  Intermittent fasting along with increased water consumption will help eliminate inflammation in many individuals.

Improves brain function

Intermittent fasting improves brain function. People who try intermittent fasting report feeling sharper minded and focused.

Reduces the risk of Heart disease and Diabetes

Intermittent fasting reduces the risk of heart disease and diabetes. 

Reduces oxidative stress in the body

Intermittent fasting reduces oxidative stress as a result of which chronic diseases are ameliorated.

Conclusion:

Intermittent fasting is an eating pattern where you cycle between periods of eating and fasting. It has become quite popular in recent times and there is a lot of research to suggest that it is beneficial to the body.

Introduction:

Meditation is a simple way of liberating your mind, forgetting about daily anxieties and focusing on mental relaxation. Going into a meditative state involves learning to become a passive observer of one’s thoughts. It does not mean suppressing them or attempting to force them to disappear.

Five tips for beginners to learn how to meditate:

1)  Find a quiet, peaceful place.

2)  Sit comfortably, with eyes closed and focus on the region of the heart.

3)  Imagine that the source of light is within the heart and focus within.

4)  Meditate for 10 minutes by watching your thoughts and watching the watcher of your thoughts until you feel ready to come out of the meditation.

5)  Repeat it every day, in the morning and the evening. Incorporating this time for quiet contemplation and reflection can bring you enormous mental and physical benefits.

Benefits of Meditation:

Reduces stress and bring peace:

Most people understand that meditation reduces stress and promotes peace of mind. As you allow your mind to settle on one continuous thought, instead of being pulled in all directions, your stress level reduces. Other health problems like high blood pressure, irregular or high heartbeat, high pulse rate, abnormal breathing patterns, and anxiety also are regulated.

Helps in concentration:

Meditation is a great aid in regulating the mind.  When you pay attention to every unnecessary thought, you are drawn away from what is truly important. Practicing meditation helps you to gently ignore what is unnecessary and focus more on what is important. This gives you greater clarity and makes you faster and more capable of anything that you do.

May Reduce Memory Loss

Meditation may help keep your mind young for as long as possible.

Helps you sleep better:

If you practice meditation on a regular basis, you will gradually begin to cherish the present moment. Worries of the day and the future will not trouble you, allowing you to sleep soundly. When you wake up the next morning, you’ll feel lighter and fresher. Maintaining a balanced sleep cycle can help to eliminate many health problems.

Makes you emotionally stronger:

During the meditation process, where we are constantly focusing our attention on one thing, we learn to let go of unnecessary thoughts. Meditation is a process of self-discovery. By understanding ourselves, we are able to build our emotional resilience and tap into our inner intuition.

Keeps you active throughout the day:

One who is committed to balancing their mental energies is also a lot more energized. The positivity that you develop in your mind will give you the zest and enthusiasm to maximize your productivity throughout the day.

Meditation boosts the immune system:

As we reduce our stress, the immune system is boosted and so is our general wellbeing.

Meditation causes muscle relaxation:

Muscle tension is generally caused by stress and when left unchecked can cause all kinds of problems such as vertebrae displacement, spinal issues and lack of mobility in the body.

 Meditation slows the ageing process:

 Meditation significantly increases melatonin and DHEA and decreases cortisol, which has a significant impact on slowing the ageing process down.

Meditation increases your sense of purpose and meaning:

The more you meditate the more you become aware of what you like and don’t like. Regular meditation gives rise to clarity about what is important in life and a sense of confidence to make the right choices. 

Meditation improves sociability:

Taking time out for you is really important but for us to live a full rich life, we need meaningful connections with others.  Meditation increases our ability to get out there and connect with others as a result of feeling more connected to ourselves and clearer and more confident about what is happening inside us.

Conclusion:

Regular Meditation reduces Stress. It controls anxiety. It promotes emotional health, enhances Self-Awareness, lengthens attention Span, It reduces age-related memory Loss. It also promotes love and helps fight additions.

Introduction:

The constant urge among the masses to stay ahead in life is mostly followed by stress and anxiety. In the hectic schedule of day to day life, we often feel stressed

Some of us try various over-the-counter drugs and meditation techniques to calm their mind. What is less known is that there are also some natural herbs that you can try to fight stress and anxiety in day-to-day life. These herbs are safe, natural and rarely have any side-effects.

Some useful Herbs:

Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha is a powerful rejuvenating herb that is used for preparing Ayurvedic medicine for the past 2000 years. Ashwagandha can help to reduce the cortisol level in the body, which is the main stress hormone. Regular intake of Ashwagandha can help to cope up with the problems of stress, anxiety, depression and poor sleep.

Brahmi

Brahmi has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for a long time to improve memory, reduce anxiety and tackle other health issues. Brahmi boosts brain function, and may also play a role in alleviating anxiety and stress. Apart from this, it is a powerful antioxidant that can be beneficial in treating chronic conditions such as diabetes and cancer.

Tulsi (Basil)

Tulsi is a common herb found in almost every Indian household. This herb is known for its powerful antioxidant properties and can help in regulating the blood sugar level. Tulsi promotes a sense of calmness and is quite effective in treating anxiety and stress.  Tulsi will help to boost immunity and will keep cold and flu at bay.

Lemon balm

Lemon balm is an herb from the mint family has a lemon aroma. It is a powerful relaxing and mood-boosting herb. It also has a soothing and anti-anxiety effect. This herb is also beneficial in treating insomnia, indigestion, dementia and Alzheimer disease.

Bhringaraj

Drinking Bhringaraj tea can calm your mind and relax your body. The compounds found in this herb can energize your brain by increasing your blood circulation, which ultimately helps to relax your mind and your body. It also encourages sound sleep at night.

Conclusion:

These herbs are generally healthy and safe. Caution must be exercised by pregnant or breastfeeding women. People suffering from autoimmune diseases may be advised to avoid them.