Home Remedies For Psoriasis

The sudden fluctuation of temperature during the monsoon season makes us more susceptible to common colds and fevers. The monsoon season is known for inviting disease-spreading germs and viruses which can take a toll on our health. Indians anyway love tea, and the monsoons are a perfect time for many of us to have a cup (or two) of hot masala herb chai. Traditionally herbs have been our go-to for curing and preventing flu, and an herb-infused tea has always been our first choice for combatting seasonal ills. Herbs advised by our grandparents have inculcated in our minds the medicinal values of herb-infused beverages. Kavita Devgan, Nutritionist, at Tata Tea Gold Care lists the herbs that are perfect to add to your cups to make it more wholesome and to bid adieu to the monsoon-induced flu. Mulethi Mulethi also known as licorice has traditionally been used to aid colds, and coughs, boost immunity, and strengthen the liver. It helps to loosen up the phlegm which is the root cause of chest congestion, cold, and cough. The herb also protects our body from foreign microbes, pollutants, and allergies by boosting our immunity system. Mulethi has active compounds which help relieve constipation, improve digestion and help us score a healthy gut. Also, Read This► Turmeric: the wonder spice Brahmi Brahmi is one of the most popular Ayurvedic ingredients. It is also known as water hyssop or Indian pennywort and helps create a protective shield of vital nutrients and antioxidants in the body that helps in fighting infection and diseases. Brahmi is beneficial in relieving stress and anxiety as well Tulsi Almost every household has this herb plant. It is rich in vitamin C and zinc. Plus it is anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal and its combination of phytochemicals, bioflavonoids and anti-oxidant compounds, such as rosmarinic acid (a very good anti-microbial agent) helps combat respiratory illnesses ranging from a simple cold and cough to severe bronchitis and asthma. Ginger Ginger is an evergreen spice and is luckily a prominent ingredient in Indian cooking. The herb is loaded with vitamin B6 and has various medicinal values due to the multiple antioxidants it delivers. It is an effective immunity booster too due to the presence of the compound Gingerol. Cardamom Cardamom is one of the most expensive spices in the world and its distinctive flavor complements both sweet and savory dishes equally well. It delivers manganese, which is known to help boost virus-fighting cells in the body and is rich in multiple antioxidants and minerals too. Plus it is a gut strengthener and helps relieve digestive problems. Read More► Benefits of basil

<br>Kavita Devgan, Nutritionist, Tata Tea Gold Care lists the herbs that are perfect to add to your cups to make it more wholesome and to bid adieu to the monsoon induced flu.Mulethi<br>Mulethi also known as liquorice has traditionally been used to aid cold, cough, boost immunity and strengthen the liver. It helps to loosen up the phlegm which is the root cause for chest congestion, cold and cough. The herb also protects our body from foreign microbes, pollutants and allergies by boosting our immunity system. Mulethi has active compounds which help relieve constipation, improve the digestion and help us score a healthy gut.Brahmi<br>Brahmi is one of the most popular Ayurvedic ingredient. It is also known as water hyssop or Indian pennywort and helps create a protective shield of vital nutrients and antioxidants in the body that helps in fighting infection and diseases. Brahmi is beneficial in relieving stress and anxiety as wellTulsi<br>Almost every household has this herb plant. It is rich in vitamin C and zinc. Plus it is anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal and its combination of phytochemicals, bioflavonoids and anti-oxidants compounds, such as rosmarinic acid (a very good anti-microbial agent) helps combat respiratory illnesses ranging from a simple cold and cough to severe bronchitis and asthma. Ginger<br>Ginger is an evergreen spice and is luckily a prominent ingredient in Indian cooking. The herb is loaded with vitamin B6 and has various medicinal values due to the multiple antioxidants it delivers. It is an effective immunity booster too due to the presence of compound Gingerol.Cardamom<br>Cardamom is one of the most expensive spice in the world and its distinctive flavor complements both sweet and savoury dishes equally well. It delivers manganese, which is known to help boost virus-fighting cells in the body and is rich in multiple antioxidants and minerals too. Plus it is a gut strengthener and helps relieve digestive problems.<br> <br>(Puja Gupta can be contacted at [email protected])--IANS<br>pg/tb

With hectic lifestyles, meeting deadlines, erratic work hours, nutrition intake is severely impacted. Hence, lifestyle diseases like diabetes, hypertension etc are on the rise and it's time to face some hard facts, says an Indian nutrition expert. The latest survey by the Indian Market Research Bureau (IMRB) to ascertain the levels of protein deficiency and awareness about protein in India showed 73 per cent of urban rich are protein deficient with 93 per cent of them unaware about their daily protein requirements. In fact, despite the urban populace eating poultry products as a source of animal protein, India's consumption of poultry meat products remains one of the lowest in the world at less than 4 kg per capita for poultry while other developed countries have a per capita consumption of as much as 40 kg. To create awareness about the need to incorporate the essential component of protein in our diets, Protein Week is celebrated from July 24-30 each year. Detailing the importance of including protein in one's diet, leading nutritionist Ritika Samaddar shares, "As a building block of life, protein is present in every cell of the body. Protein is crucial for growth and development and to fight against diseases. The RDA for protein for an average Indian Adult is 0.8-1.0g per kg body weight, which is around 50-60 g of protein per day for the healthy adult population. There is a need to create awareness on the importance of protein on our health, how much to take and the sources of protein in our diet. India is a crab loving country. We as a nation consume excess starch and fat and grossly inadequate in proteins and there are multiple reasons for this." Debunking the common myths around protein consumption, Samaddar said, "Firstly the common perception is that "protein is difficult to digest", "leads to weight gain" and "protein is only for bodybuilders"." So how do we make sure that we get adequate proteins in our diet? Protein is of two types complete and incomplete, which is determined by the composition of amino acids. Complete proteins are found in poultry, egg, milk, fish etc. Complete protein sources like chicken, turkey, duck and egg are high in quantity and quality and 100 per cent digested. Eggs and poultry, besides being an excellent source of protein, are also loaded with micronutrients like vitamin A, Vitamin B12, Zinc, Iron, Selenium. "One egg gives around 7 g of protein, whereas 100g of chicken, duck or turkey is around 20-21g. So the focus should be not just on the quantity but also on the quality of protein one takes. Eating high-quality protein like egg and poultry increases metabolism, improves satiety and keeps energy levels high. Inadequate intake of protein leads to weakness and fatigue and delays wound healing and over a long period of time can precipitate into lifestyle diseases like central adiposity, diabetes and high triglyceride levels, besides malnutrition." Recommending a guideline on protein intake, Samaddar added, "To have adequate protein in one's diet, including a source of protein in every meal. Start your day with a healthy breakfast and include an egg daily or milk. Meals should include some protein food like chicken or lentils. Also snack on protein-rich foods like nuts, sprouts or eggs. In this pandemic too the nutrient most talked about and of utmost importance is protein. Protein is required to build immunity and also fight the disease. Post recovery too, increasing intake of protein is important to rebuild muscle loss, immunity and energy levels." Read More► Food Guide for The Monsoons

Hyderabad, July 15 (IANS) Scientists at the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IITH) have developed COVIHOME, an artificial intelligence-powered Covid-19 test that allows self-testing at home.On obtaining ICMR approvals, and after commercialisation, the kit developed by Prof Shiv Govind Singh, Department of Electrical Engineering, will be available in the market at an affordable price.This test kit can produce results within 30 minutes for both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. The major benefit of this testing kit is that it does not require RT-PCR (Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction), an expert human resource, and a BSL 2 lab facility for the extraction of RNA, so it has potential for one to take the test at home without expert supervision.Explaining the benefits of the testing kit, Shiv Govind Singh said, "A major objective of the research team for the development of the COVIHOME Test Kit was to break the transmission chain through affordable testing. We have already filed a patent for the device and are now looking for industry partners for ToT of technology for mass production".As per IITH, CSIR-CCMB has performed the validation of the rapid RNA electronic diagnostic device for detection ofSARS-Cov-2 virus in the swab samples independently with the in-house samples and hospital samples as advised by ICMR. These samples were confirmed for their positivity or negativity by the RT-PCR method.The validation report confirmed the kit's efficiency at 94.2 percent, Sensitivity 91.3 percent and Specificity 98.2 percent.While a test currently costs around Rs 400, the developers say that mass production of the testing kit will help to reduce the cost to around Rs 300 per test.Speaking about the role of IIT Hyderabad in helping tackle the COVID-19 pandemic, Prof B S Murty, Director, IIT Hyderabad, said, "IITH has come up with many unique & novel socio-technological initiatives and delivered remarkable results during this pandemic. Prof Shiv Govind's "COVIHOME" is one such admirable milestone. I am confident it will play a significant role in the safe & fast diagnosis of COVID-19 and minimize its spread".The COVIHOME testing kit was developed by the research team of Dr Suryasnata Tripathy, Supraja Patta, Swati Mohanty, and other students led by Shiv Govind Singh, Department of Electrical Engineering.The initial clinical trial and testing of the device was performed at ESIC Medical College and Hospital in Hyderabad. "Dean ESIC, Prof Srinivas M, and his team Dr Imaran, Dr Swati, and Dr Rajeev have played a big role in the successful development of this novel kit", said Singh.--IANSpvn/bg