Wheatgrass : A Herbal dose for Good Health

Wheatgrass is the young grass of the wheat plant, Triticum aestivum. It grows in temperate regions throughout India and can live indoors or outdoors. Many people grow their own wheatgrass by putting wheat seeds in water and then harvesting the leaves. It is sold either as a juice or powder.

The leaves are tough to digest, so they’re usually crushed and squeezed to make juice. Wheatgrass leaves also can be dried and made into tablets or capsules.

After a lot of research on the internet, I included Wheatgrass in my diet. An interesting fact about Wheatgrass is that it is a natural source of vitamins and minerals (a few of which are antioxidants) including Chlorophyll, Flavonoids, Amino acids, Enzymes, Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs), Minerals, Vitamins, Saponins. One ounce of wheatgrass juice has vitamin and mineral content equal to one ounce of fresh vegetables. Just Imagine one herb contains so many nutrients.

You may now wonder how does wheatgrass actually work, well let me enlist its features nutrients-wise-
Chlorophyll -

Antioxidant (free radical scavanger)

Helps preventing Cancer

Supports Blood circulation & increases Hemoglobin

Helps combat body odor

Helps in wound healing

Anti-inflammatory

1) Flavonoids

Antioxidant

Delays or prevents the onset of diseases caused by Free radicals

2) Amino acids

Anti-inflammatory activity

Improvement of endothelial functions

Reduces risk of cardiovascular diseases

Reduces high blood pressure

Inhibits platelet aggregation

Anti-viral, Anti-bacterial

Building blocks for protein.

Energizes the body

3) Enzymes

Antioxidant

Regulation of biochemical reactions

Cancer prevention

Stimulates Cellular Repair

4) Fatty Acids

Antioxidant

Supports Cardiovascular, Reproductive, Nervous & Immune system

5) Minerals

Antioxidant

Plays vital role in biological processes

Fatty Acids

Antioxidant

Supports Cardiovascular, Reproductive, Nervous & Immune system

6) Minerals

Antioxidant

Plays vital role in biological processes

7) Vitamins

Antioxidant

Beneficial for good vision

Supports tissue growth

Helpful in wound healing

Helpful in formation of hemoglobin

8) Saponins

Essential for healthy functioning of Nervous system

Supports Reproductive health

Builds Immunity

Helps in Detoxification

Cancer prevention

Reduces Cholesterol level

In short wheatgrass, supports metabolism and helps in detoxification, helps improve immunity, healthy cell-care and Blood sugar control. Essential micro-nutrients in wheatgrass helps improve immunity useful in conditions like cancer, diabetes, heart ailments.

Now you might wonder whether wheatgrass helped me improve my pale look, well, Yes it did. As it is rightly said, “if you are healthy from inside you glow from outside”.

Hey but consuming wheatgrass is not very easy initially but with the course of time your taste buds get used to it. So don’t worry!!!!

Take your dose of wheatgrass and ensure a healthy life.

The Miracle Food - Barley Grass

Nowadays there is lot of buzz about Barley Grass because it differs from the other superfoods such as

Wheatgrass, alfalfa  etc. People are overwhelmed with all the vitamins, minerals, enzymes and amino

acids, rich source of Chorophyll and many essential and unique antioxidants,  are found in Barley Grass

and that is why it is called a 'Miracle Food".

What is Barley Grass?

Barley grass powder is a nutrient-dense superfood extract made from the fresh, young shoots of the

barley plant (Hordeum vulgare) – a one-to two-year cereal belonging to the grass family, which thrives in

temperate subtropical climates and, as one of the first grains ever cultivated, has been a valuable source

of food since prehistoric times.

Barley grass is a nutritious food that is best known for its alkalising and antioxidant properties. Since the

allergenic protein gluten is only present in the barley grain, barley grass is gluten free.

What are the Nutritional properties of Barley Grass ?

 Vitamins – barley grass powder contains vitamin C  which is seven times more vitamin C than orange

juice and is an excellent source of B vitamins, including vitamin B1 and B12. Except it does not contain

Vitamin D

 Amino acids - Nineteen amino acids are found in barley grass including all eight of the essential amino

acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, which are essential for continual cell building, and

regeneration, as well as energy production, immune function and detoxification.  Barley grass is actually

about 26% protein, which is approximately the same amount of protein found in the same quantity of

lean beef.

 Minerals – barley grass powder boasts an impressive array of minerals, including magnesium, calcium

(11 times more calcium than milk), iron and potassium.

 Fibre – indeed, the fibre in barley grass powder is thought to lower cholesterol and blood pressure and

can help to reduce blood sugar and insulin levels.

 Protein – barley grass powder consists of up to 45 % protein (the ‘building block of life’

 Phytochemicals – barley grass powder also contains a unique group of nutrients known as

phytochemicals. Phytochemicals are nonetheless highly beneficial for your health.

 Barley grass also contains a number of living enzymes and flavonoids that function as potent free radical

scavengers. These compounds make barley grass a great antioxidant and anti-inflammatory

supplement. 

 Barley grass is naturally alkaline and helps to neutralise excess acidity in the body.

 Barley grass contains high concentration of naturally occurring substances with antioxidant and anti-

inflammatory properties.

What are the health benefits of Barley Grass?

 Due to its alkaline property, Barley grass helps to detoxify & remove toxins from the body.

 Barley grass has self healing property which helps in relieving fatigue, Headaches, Irritable Bowel

syndrome. It can also help to treat fibromyalgia.

 Barley grass can help lower Chloresterol level

 Barley grass contains 5 times more iron than spinach & therefore help to combat anaemina

 Barley grass helps to balance the haemoglobin count

 Barley grass helps in boosting Immunity

 Barley grass contains as much potassium as citrus fruits, grapes, melons etc. It is also a good source

of magnesium, which is important to build muscles and bowel health as it aids eliminative functions.

What is the best way to take Barley Grass?

The best way is to take 1 teaspoon (approx 3.5gms) Barley Grass powder on an empty stomach

alongwith warm water or juice 30 minutes before meals, so that  the food does not interfere with

digestion and absorption of Barley Grass nutrients.

Knowing & Living with Diabetes

When Maria was diagnosed with diabetes at age 30, she knew what she was up against, as her Mother also has it. She knew that there was a risk that she would get it because her mother has Diabetes, but the thought never occured that it would happen to her.

It amazed us as to how quickly she adapted to her new lifestyle while trying to enjoy her work as Nutritionist. Maria's career as a Nutritionist also gave her a unique perspective on Diabetes Management.

She told us that, when she had gone for her routine blood cholesterol check-up, her doctor told her that A1C needs to be checked as her fasting blood glucose is high & at the follow-up diabetes was diagnosed. 

The next question was what type of Diabetes - type-1 or type-2? 

What is Type-1 & Type-2 Diabetes?

People with type 1 diabetes produce little or no insulin. People with type 2 diabetes do not respond normally to the insulin their bodies make. About 90 to 95 percent of people diagnosed with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. Only about 5 percent have type 1 diabetes, which is usually diagnosed in childhood or early adulthood and requires treatment with insulin.

Knowing about Diabetes

Diabetes is a group of chronic diseases that affect metabolism—the way the body uses food for energy and growth. Millions of people have diabetes, which can lead to serious health problems if it is not managed well. Conventional medical treatments and following a healthy lifestyle, including watching your weight, can help you prevent, manage, and control many complications of diabetes.

Researchers are studying several complementary health approaches, including dietary supplements, to see if they can help people manage type 2 diabetes—the focus of this fact sheet—or lower their risk of developing the disease.

What are Symptoms of Diabetes?

People with diabetes frequently experience certain symptoms. These include:

frequent urination

weight loss

being very thirsty

increased hunger

blurry vision

irritability

tingling or numbness in the hands or feet

frequent skin, bladder or gum infections

wounds that don't heal extreme unexplained fatigue

Living with Diabetes

A healthy diet, physical activity, and blood glucose testing are the basic tools for managing type 2 diabetes. Your health care providers will help you learn to manage your diabetes and track how well you are controlling it. It is very important not to replace proven conventional medical treatment for diabetes with an unproven health product or practice.

How to Manage Diabetes

• Diabetes is very often linked to 2 other diseases: hypertension and high cholesterol levels.

• Keeping these 3 factors, blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol levels, within ranges are very important to reduce the risk for diabetes-related complications such as heart attacks, strokes and vascular diseases.

• Diabetes should be managed on a daily basis

• Check your blood sugar often

• If you take insulin injections, do so at certain scheduled times in order to maintain proper levels of glucose.

• A proper diet plays a very important role, whether you have Type 1 or Type 2. Cut back on your sweeteners (sugar, grape concentrate, corn syrup, fructose, sucrose, lactose and maltose) intake. Sugar increases LDL cholesterol and triglycerides.

• Follow an exercise program approved by your physician. Development of Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or at least, significantly delayed. Type 2 can be regarded as a modern nutritional disease.

Effect of Dietary Supplement on Diabetes

• Certain herbal supplements (botanicals) can be used as part of the diet to maintain healthy blood sugar levels.

• Natural medicine cannot cure Type 1 diabetes but it may help by making the body more receptive to insulin injection.

• It is very important to work closely with your physician who prescribes the insulin, before using any of the herbal supplements.

• Changes that make the body more receptive to insulin could also require certain changes in the

dosage that must be addressed by the medical professional.

• When Type 2 diabetes is involved, the body often makes enough insulin; the body however has trouble absorbing it.

• Type 2 reacts well to natural medicine but making diet change should also be discussed with the treating physician.

• With all the research going on in recent years it is clear that controlling blood pressure and cholesterol levels are just as important as doing this with blood sugar.

Today diabetes is not considered as a disease but it is considered as metabolic syndrome, which is responsible for damaging various vital organs such as retina in the eyes, kidney, nerve ending, and blood vessels.

Boon for Kidney – Punarnava

Punarnava means "One which renews the body" i.e. which brings back youth again,full of vigor and vitality. Punarnava (Boerhaavia difusa) was named in honor of Hermann Boerhaave, a famous Dutch physician of the 18th century. It is also called as Red spiderling, Spreading hogweed, Tarvine, Hogweed, Pigweed, Tambadivasu, Raktakanda, Shothagni, Varshabhu, Snathikari.Punarnava as the name suggestes.

• Brings back the life

• Known as Kidney health support

• Recommended to use as Rasayana i.e. Punarnava herb improves tissue strength

• Used to rejuvenate Uro-genital tract.

• Roots are employed for many purposes including liver, gallbladder, kidney, renal and urinary disorders.

Further, in Ayurvedic texts along with its use for Kidney & liver several other benefits are mentioned for e.g.

• It has antioxidant property, so it is recommended as natural Immunity booster

• It is believed to be useful in purifying the blood and also the gastric juices

• This herb has good aphrodisiac properties as well as energy tonic.

• Combats joint pain and oedema

• It has anti-toxicological properties

• It is diuretic and therefore considered beneficial in many heart problems.

• Supports body's natural ability to expel fluids and prevent water retention, therefore useful in weight loss.

• Good for treating respiratory problems.

• Aids in digestion process and acts as a mild laxative,

The Ayurvedic description of Punarnava (Boerhaavia diffusa of Family Nyctaginaceaeare: It is described as Rasa (taste) - sweet, bitter & astringent, Veerya (nature) - Hot,

Vipaka (taste developed through digestion ) - sweet, Guna (qualities) - dry, light,

Doshas (effect on humors) - reduces vitiation of Kapha, Pitta and Vata.

Its principal constituents include alkaloids (punarnavine), rotenoids (boeravinones A-

F), flavonoids, amino acids, lignans (liriodendrons), ß-sitosterols and tetracosanoic, esacosanoic, stearic and ursolic acids.

The medicinal properties of Punarnava as per ayurvedic texts are :

Asmarighna – Litholytic,

Indralupta nasaka – Mitigates Alopecia aeriata,

Sothaghna – Relieves Edema

Mutrakrcichraghna alleviates Dysuria.

Kasahara – alleviates cough,

Vayasthapana – promotes longevity and maintains youth,

Svedopaga – adjunct to sucation (sweating therapy)

Anuvasanopaga – adjunct to oleating enemas.

How your brain works and how it memorizes

As my mother-in-law was aging she was forgetting things, one fine day she even could not recognize us. On the other hand few days back me and my childhood friend had gone to our old house where we would stay when we were small, there we met one of the Uncle's who could remember the minute details when we were small. This all started creating a curiosity surrounding memory and it functions, I started wondering how our brain memorizes these things?

Memory involves delicate coordination between 3 processes that are:

Encoding (mentally processing information so it can be entered into memory)
Storage (holding that information for a period of time)

Long term & Short term

Retrieval (accessing or recalling stored memories when needed)

There are 2 types of Encoding :

1) Automatic encoding - Some encoding occurs effortlessly, automatically without us having to

think about it e.g. Personal experiences, Information of high interest, some type of basic learing

(motor learning etc)

2) Effortful encoding - Requires special attention, thought and practice. You have to work to

get the infor in

There are 3 types or stages of memory:

1) Sensory memory - brief lasing of sensory experience (visual or auditory)

2) Short term memory (STM) - Here the memory holds information we are actively thinking

about; limited in capacity & duration.

3) Long term memory (LTM) - Items encoded into LTM are held almost permanently. LTM has unlimited capacity.

This memory is not stored in brain as books stored in a library, but it is widely distributed throughout the brain cortex in the scattered form. Therefore there is no complete loss of memory even though one of the areas of brain is damaged.

Queen of Herbs - Shatavari

Shatavari means "who possesses a hundred husbands" or "Acceptable to many" indicated that this herb is highly effective in problems related with female. Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) is mentioned in Charak Samhita, Susruta Samhita, Astanga Samgraha & Kashyap Samhita for preventing and treating various health disorders. It is also called as Shatawari, Satmuli, Shatamulli, Asparagus, Satawari, Bahusuta, Atisara, Kurilo and Satawar.

It is called 'Queen of Herbs' because it is important in all stages of female health. 

• In female child, its nutritive property helps in increasing strength. 

 • In adult female, it strengthens and nourishes female reproductive organs.

• In lactating mothers, it improves quality and quantity of milk.

• In old lady, it is one of the best source of protein.

Further, in Ayurvedic texts along with its use as a female tonic, several other benefits are mentioned for e.g.

• It is mentioned as medhya-the plants which increase intelligence and promote learning and memory, by increasing overall nourishment.

• It is one of the best rasayana, the rejuvenator herbs which improves health by increasing immunity, vitality and resistance, imparting longevity as well as protection against stress.

• This herb is also mentioned as balya means a strength promoter, stanya - a galactogogue and jeevaniya - an erythropoetic.

• The tuber of Shatavari is used in indigenous medicine as a tonic, for improving appetite and increasing the secretion of milk in lactating women.

• It also has the properties of aphrodisiac, diuretic and sedative.

• Prescribed for treating cases of nervous breakdown and menstural trouble

Ayurvedic Remedies for improving Eyesight

Prolonged constipation and nervous debility can cause Drishti dosha. Common cold can also lead to eyesight defects. Stress , Diabetes, Excessive smoking, alcohol intake, caffienated drinks are also responsible for defective. If proper care for eye is not taken, it can result into various eye conditions such as age related macular degeneration and cataracts, which is a leading cause of blindness in the world. The Ayurvedic name for defective eyesight is ‘Drishti Dosha’. Alochaka Pitta isresponsible for maintaining eyesight and it weakens with age. Proper caring for the eyes is one preventative measure that helps.

                 

Ayurvedic Herbs for improving Eyesight:

·           1)   Amla - Extract the juice of fresh amla and drink 20 ml twice daily.

·        2) Bhringraj - When Bhringraj herb or amla herb oil or paste is applied over eyes, they help in improving eye vision.

·         3) Black pepper- Black pepper powder should be mixed with honey o improve eyesight.

·         4) Ghee - Rub a small amount of ghee on soles of the feet to improve eye vision.

·         5) Garlic - The juice extracted from fresh garlic is used for regaining lost eyesight.

·        6)  Rose petals - Freshly extracted juice of properly cleaned rose petals, which can be used both internally and externally for improving eye vision.

·       7)   Triphala - Triphala is an important medicine for eye health, especially blurred vision or to prevent the development of cataract.