Ancient Herbs For Anxiety

The ancient knowledge of Ayurveda has reemerged, offering a revitalizing and holistic approach to skincare in a world dominated by modern beauty products and invasive surgeries. The traditional Indian medical system known as Ayurveda understands that true beauty comes from taking care of the body from the inside out. Ayurveda offers a time-tested treatment for aged skin that values authenticity and sustainability by utilizing natural treatments and antiquated traditions. Aging skin requires care, especially natural solutions that don't let your skin give away your age. Let's explore the various herbs that help achieve a youthful glow, better known as the age-old Nani ke nuskhe: Turmeric: A Golden Treasure for Skin Enhancement This radiant spice has potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Create a golden paste by mixing turmeric powder with honey or milk, and gently apply it to your face. Let the transformative magic unfold as the paste reduces inflammation and reveals a newfound radiance. Simply apply the turmeric-infused paste on your face and leave it on for 15-20 minutes. Rinse off the mask with warm water and unveil an improved complexion that beams with natural beauty. Aloe Vera: Nature's Soothing Elixir for Skin Known for its soothing and healing properties, aloe vera replenishes lost hydration and leaves your skin soft, supple, and glowing with vitality. Simply apply fresh aloe vera gel directly to your skin and experience its refreshing and nourishing effects. Gently massage the cool gel onto your face. Regular use of aloe vera gel can even help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, giving you a youthful and radiant complexion. Neem: Nature's Shield for Clear and Healthy Skin Neem, within the realm of skincare, is known for its potent antibacterial and antifungal properties, making it a remarkable guardian for your skin. This extraordinary plant offers a natural solution for treating acne and combating various skin infections. Harnessing its power is as simple as creating a paste by grinding neem leaves with water and gently applying it to the affected area. Allow the paste to work its magic, leaving it on for 15-20 minutes before rinsing it off. Experience the transformative effects of neem as it revitalizes your skin, providing a natural solution for clearer and healthier skin. Sandalwood: A Fragrant Marvel for Rejuvenating Skin Sandalwood is versatile, catering to different skin types. For dry skin, create a paste with sandalwood powder, honey, and olive oil. It soothes and moisturizes skin, revealing a refreshed complexion. For oily skin, mix sandalwood powder, fuller's earth, and lemon juice. It absorbs excess oil and unclogs pores, leaving a fresh, matte finish. Apply the mask to your skin and leave it on for 10-15 minutes. After the mask has dried, rinse it and experience the transformative effects of sandalwood for radiant and balanced skin. Rosewater: A Gentle Elixir for Skincare Revitalize your skincare routine with the enchanting properties of rosewater. This gentle elixir effortlessly harmonizes with your skin, maintaining its pH balance and providing hydration. Experience its calming effect as it reduces redness and reveals a refreshed complexion. Enjoy the convenience of using rosewater as a natural makeup remover, allowing your skin to breathe freely and luxuriate in the soothing essence of roses. Let rosewater be your go-to elixir, infusing your skincare ritual with its delicate and transformative touch. Shatavari: Nourishing Elixir for Skin Health In the realm of Ayurvedic skincare, Shatavari, though not traditionally used directly on the skin, holds incredible potential to nurture your skin's health through internal consumption. Available in various forms, such as powder, capsules, or liquid extract, Shatavari is often consumed as a dietary supplement. Indulge in the timeless ritual of taking Shatavari orally, either with warm water or milk, to unlock its holistic benefits. In a world where quick fixes and instant results often dominate, Ayurveda offers a profound reminder to slow down, connect with nature, and prioritize our inner health. The Ayurvedic beauty secrets for aging skin provide a natural and sustainable path to achieving youthful, glowing skin that radiates from the inside out. It's the perfect time to incorporate the goodness of Ayurveda into our daily beauty regimes. (Dr. Kriti Soni) Read More►Stress and Ayurveda

Ayurveda describes sleep as a basic instinct of life, essential to all living beings. Happiness and unhappiness, nourishment (proper physique) and non-nourishment, strength and debility, vigour and vitality, knowledge and ignorance, life span and death - all are dependant on sleep. Understanding Nidra (Sleep) Ayurveda considers Nidra (sleep) as one of the three pillars of health, alongside Ahara (food) and Brahmacharya (code of conduct for energy management). Sleep is essential to ensure good health and well-being. It provides the basic strong resistance to combat minor diseases and imbalances on a long-term basis. An important function of sleep is the enhancement of Ojas (vital energy) the master coordinator between mind, body, and soul. Ojus is the fine product of digestion and a life-supporting element that helps to insulate the mind from daily stress and exertion. The quality and quantity of sleep, therefore, need to be balanced, so as to enable effective functioning and it is necessary to disconnect the mind from the senses. Although people have acknowledged the importance of a good diet and exercise, they tend to ignore the importance of sleep, which in turn can have drastic consequences on one's health. For this, the elements of sleep that play a major role in getting perfect sleep need to be understood and practiced. The right breathing pattern, snoring, the right posture, setting up a daily evening routine, and creating a conducive physical environment are some of the key elements. An ideal position and posture are crucial to getting good sleep. According to Ayurveda sleeping on your left side is very beneficial as it improves circulation and promotes digestion and cardiac functions. Ayurveda also recommends sleeping on the left side, as it is believed to help one breathe properly while supporting body functions well. For quality sleep, getting the right breathing pattern is essential. Ayurveda says that sleeping immediately after a long and hectic day can lead to snoring. Regular snoring meanwhile indicates that you are not getting enough oxygen for the repair of the wear and tear of bodily tissues. To counter this, Ayurveda promotes Abhyanga (oil massage), Padabhyanga (feet massage), and Nasya karma (drops of medicated oil in the nostrils) as a solution for such issues. Sleeping in a well-ventilated place (not directly beneath the fan or air condition ducts) on a comfortable bed and with a suitable pillow, facing in a particular direction (excluding the north) is believed to promote good sleep and improve sleep quality. A good healthy routine has a direct impact on the quality of your sleep. Following it ensures a relaxed mind. Light exercise, light food, early dinners, listening to soothing music, following the rules of digital detox, etc. - such habits can make for a good evening routine. Creating a conducive environment for sleep is necessary to calm the mind and body. To do this, put away your gadgets to avoid the radiations which is in reality harmful to the nervous system. Ensure your surroundings are cool and clean and fresh to make it relaxing. To bring your body back into balance, try to go to bed and wake up at around the same time each day and aim to eat your meals too at approximately the same time every day. At the end of the day before going to sleep, practice gratitude by gently taking stock of all the good things in your life and all the moments you were grateful for in the day. Thus Nidra (Sleep) is to be done and practiced perfectly, like a ritual - for relaxing the body and quietening the mind to rest. Getting a good night's sleep is one of the most important things you can do to promote overall well-being and is to be considered and valued as one of life's ultimate and precious riches. (Dr. Subhash S. Markande, Consulting Ayurveda Physician, CGH Earth Wellness) Read More►UP Plans to Have The All India Institute of Ayurveda

An alarming fact of the 21st century is the growing prevalence of detrimental mental conditions amongst individuals across age groups. Stress has become an unavoidable part of day-to-day existence, with people facing new challenges regularly, be it in their personal lives, or professional environments. Stressful conditions often lead to the development of anxious disorders, and over time, depression. These states are accompanied by feelings of helplessness, worthlessness, a loss of interest in activities, fatigue, restlessness, insomnia or excessive sleeping, loss of appetite, and a number of other issues. Hence, it has become increasingly important for individuals to find new ways to manage stress, anxiety and depression. While psychotherapy, nutrition and other forms of methods already exist that are used to treat depression, anxiety, and stress, another effective and clinically tested way to treat such conditions has been yoga. Yoga provides a systematic method, along with a structured approach towards managing and treating mental conditions to provide relief to individuals over time. The benefits of yoga are many. The myriad asanas and breathing exercises help in improving bodily functioning, while also strengthening the individual's mind. Yoga can be a useful means to supplement psychotherapeutic treatment for depression, anxiety and stress. Here are 5 asanas that can be easily incorporated in daily schedules to manage and combat the ill effects of these dire mental conditions, and start the journey to recovery: Balasana (Child Pose) Balasana is a comfortable pose that stretches the upper-body and back muscles, relaxing the body and mind. It relieves tension from muscles, leading to improved posture, blood circulation, and alleviation of stress. Performing the Balasana is easy and comforting. Kneel and sit on your heels onto a yoga mat, touching the big toes together. Spread your knees hip-width apart and place your palms on your knees. Now, bend your torso forward and between your divided thighs, and touch your forehead to the mat. Bring your arms forward and place them on the mat, stretched out in front of you. Hold the position for a few minutes, and return to the initial position slowly. The Balasana induces a state of calmness, relieving stress and anxiety effectively, helping in dealing with bouts of depression with better preparedness. Sethu Bandhasana (Bridge Pose) The Sethu Bandhasana is a powerful inversion that opens up the chest cavity, improving cardiovascular health and increasing clarity and focus. This pose is also a great way to open up and strengthen the back, hips and hamstrings, working wonders for the tensed rear musculature. To perform the Sethu Bandhasana, lie down on the mat on your back. Place your palms facing down by either side of the body, and fold the knees to bring the heels closer to your hips. Keep the feet a few inches apart. Now, gently elevate your hips and back from the floor and hold the position for a few minutes. Relax and return to the initial position, exhaling as you do so. Savasana (Corpse Pose) A thoroughly rejuvenating and relaxing pose, the Savasana is a great way to calm the body and mind, alleviating tension from the muscles and causing relief from the effects of stress and anxiety. It provides a scope for healing and relaxing for individuals. Savasana is performed by simply lying down on a yoga mat facing the ceiling. Keep your legs and feet a few inches apart, letting them fall sideways. Place your hands on either side of the body with the palms facing upward, while relaxing the body in this position for a few minutes. Now close your eyes, and allow your body and mind to relax. Uttansana (Standing Forward Fold) Uttanasana is a great way to stretch the legs, back, shoulders and neck. It improves blood circulation and the overall functioning of the nervous system. It produces calming effects and reduces stress and anxiety effectively. In order to perform the Uttanasana, stand straight with your arms by your side. Bend forward at the hips, trying to go as low as possible, till your chest touches your thighs and your head reaches your knees. Hold this position for a few breath before gently releasing it and resuming the initial position. Halasana (Plow Pose) Halasana is an effective pose that stretches the entire back, improving posture. This asana has a relieving effect for the brain, and provides a great stretch for the entire body. The effects of this asana also help in managing symptoms of insomnia, relieving fatigue and anxiety. Halasana is performed by lying down on your back, with your arms by your side and feet joined together. Lift your legs up in a 90 degree angle, and hold your hips with the help of your hands to support the elevation. Now, bring the feet back and down to the floor, extending behind the head. Ensure that the thighs remain straight and avoid touching them to your head. Hold this position for a few breaths, and release the position while exhaling to resume the initial lying down pose. These yoga asanas among others can be a useful means to manage the damage caused to the mind from conditions like depression, stress and anxiety. Yoga can be a great means to resume your faculties and stay in the moment, which can be difficult when dealing with depression and anxiety. However, if done regularly and appropriately, combining with other forms of therapeutic treatment, yoga can become a great way to manage everyday stress, anxiety and depression effectively. (Meenakshi Mohanty, Fitness Expert) Read More► Restore Your Heart With Meditation

नवरात्रि माँ दुर्गा की शक्तियों का प्रतीक होने के साथ-साथ स्वास्थ्य के हिसाब से भी बेहद महत्वपूर्ण है। आयुर्वेद के अनुसार शरद ऋतु के आरंभ में व्रत उपवास और संयम रखना स्वास्थ्य के लिए उत्तम माना जाता है। आयुर्वेद में उपवास को भी निदान पद्धति माना गया है।  नवरात्र में दुर्गा जी के नौ रूपों की पूजा की जाती है और मान्यता है कि नवदुर्गा नौ विशिष्ट औषधियों में विराजमान हैं। इन औषधियों के सेवन से हमारे शारीरिक और मानसिक बल में वृद्धि होती है। साथ ही इन दिव्य औषधियों से हमारी रोग प्रतिरोधक क्षमता बढ़ती है। आइए जानते हैं कि नवरात्रि के नौ दिनों की नौ विशिष्ट औषधियाँ जो मानसिक और शारीरिक रूप से हमे पुष्ट करता है।  1. प्रथम शैलपुत्री - हरड़  हरड़ आयुर्वेदिक औषधियों में महत्वपूर्ण स्थान रखता है। ये कई तरह के होते हैं और इनका आकार भी अलग-अलग होता है। इसकी जड़ से लेकर फल तक का उपयोग होता है। इसमें ऐंटिबैक्टीरियल और ऐंटिइंफ्लामेट्री गुण मौजूद होते हैं जो हमारे शरीर की रोग प्रतिरोधक क्षमता को और अधिक मजबूत बनाती है। इसमें आयरन,कॉपर, मैग्नीज, पोटैशियम, प्रोटीन्स और विटामिन भी मौजूद होते हैं। गले और पाचन संबंधी व्याधियों से भी ये हमे बचाता है।  2.द्वितीय ब्रह्मचारिणी - ब्राह्मी ब्राह्मी को सरस्वती भी कहा जाता है। आयुर्वेद में इससे सारस्वतरिष्ट नाम की औषधि बनती है जो बुद्धिबलवर्धक होती है। साथ ही यह आयु और स्मरण शक्ति को भी बढ़ाती है। स्वर में सुधार करने में भी ये उपयोगी सिद्ध होती है।  3. तृतीय चंद्रघंटा - चन्दुसूर  चन्दुसूर मोटापा दूर करने में उपयोगी होता है। इसलिए इसे चर्महंती भी कहा जाता है। इसका पौधा धनिये के समान दिखायी पड़ता है।  4. चतुर्थ कुष्माण्डा - पेठा पेठा जिसे कुम्हड़ा और शीशकोहड़ा भी कहते हैं। इससे पेठा मिठाई बनती है। पुष्टिकारक और बलवर्द्धक होने के साथ-साथ यह रक्त के विकारों ठीक करता हैं और पाचन तंत्र को बेहतर बनाता है। हृदय रोग, पित्त और गैस को भी ठीक करने में यह उपयोगी है।  5. पंचम स्कंदमाता - अलसी  देवी स्कंदमाता को अलसी में विद्यमान माना गया है। यह त्रिदोष यानि वात, पित्त और कफ का नाश करता है।  6.  षष्ठम कात्यायनी - मोइया  यह औषधि कंठ रोगों का विनाश करती है। कफ, पित्त और गले से संबंधित रोगों में विशेषकर लाभप्रद है। इसे अंबिका, अंबालिका, अंबिका, मोइया और माचिक नाम से भी जाना जाता है।  7. सप्तम कालरात्रि - नागदौन  कालरात्रि के दिन की औषधि नागदौन को माना गया है। यह सर्वत्र रोगों का नाश करती है और मन-मस्तिष्क के सभी विकारों को दूर करती है।  8.  अष्टमी महागौरी - तुलसी अष्टमी महागौरी की औषधि तुलसी को माना गया है। आयुर्वेद में तुलसी को बेहद महत्वपूर्ण स्थान प्राप्त है। तुलसी के ढेरों फायदे हैं। ये रक्त को साफ करती है और हृदय रोगों का भी नाश करती है।  9. नवम सिद्धिदात्री - शतावरी शतावरी को नारायणी भी कहते हैं। यह बल - बुद्धिवर्द्धक और हृदयबल को बढ़ाने वाली महाऔषधि है। संक्षेप में यह बल, बुद्धि और विवेक के लिए उपयोगी है।