Health Topics
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Healthy Living
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December 2009
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| 10 Ayurvedic Resolutions for a Bride-to-be |
| Dr Jyotsna |
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Marriage, some say, is the triumph of imagination over intelligence. Whether you choose to dumb down marriage or not, here are 10 ayuvedic treatments girls should resolve to have before that special day. |
Abhyangam: Relaxing Oil Massage
Abhyangam is an integral part of the daily routine that ayurveda recommends for overall health and well-being. It nourishes, pacifies the tridoshas (three humours), relieves fatigue, provides stamina, pleasure and perfect sleep. It also enhances the complexion and lustre of the skin, improves vigour and vitality, promotes longevity and nourishes all parts of the body while making it more flexible. |
Udvartanam: For Cellulite Management
In this therapy, the whole body is gently massaged with medicated powders prepared from various herbs. This helps reduce fatty tissues from the body known as cellulite. It also improves the muscle tonicity and blood circulation. It helps in losing weight by increasing the basal metabolic rate. This therapy reduces the extra fat in abdomen, hip, thighs and back region. It also imparts good complexion and helps subside blemishes and oily skin. |
Facial Treatment
Facials involve a cleansing procedure, a massage and steam, and the application of a face pack. What they help to do is remove the dead, dull outer layer of cells that make up the skin's surface, along with pollutants like dirt. The massage, which is an important part of a facial, helps blood circulation, which in turn aids the removal of toxins and wastes from the body. The massage also relaxes the facial muscles and is very important to delay the onset of wrinkles. The face is steamed during a facial for two main reasons. Firstly, steam helps the skin absorb oil better. Secondly, it helps in softening blackheads and whiteheads so that they can be removed easily. The application of a facemask in the end helps to tone and clarify the skin. Facemasks are also used to treat dry and acne-ridden skin. |
Avagaha: Hipbath
This mode of treatment involves only the hips and the abdominal region below the navel. The tub is filled with special herbal decoctions in such a way that it covers the hips and reaches up to the navel.
This treatment strengthens the muscles in the pelvic area, cures menstrual disorders, relieves painful inflammation and infections of the uterus. It also facilitates a good sexual life, increases the chances of begetting a child, relieves muscle stiffness and cramps. |
Pada Champi: Foot Care
A complete foot treatment helps reduce stress, increases blood circulation, imparts good complexion, and gives a soothing effect to the feet. Pada champi starts with an application of medicated oils. Following this, the nails are cleansed to prevent them from growing inward causing infection. Cuticles, dirt and dead cells are removed to encourage newer skin cell growth for smoother, more appealing feet. A special herbal pack is applied after that. |
Vasthi: Enema
Vasthi is considered as the key activity of all panchakarma treatments, since it cleanses the accumulated toxins through the colon. Vasthi is also highly effective as a rejuvenating treatment. Medicated oil or ghee, honey and a herbal combination are given as enema to clean the colon and increase the muscle tone. This treatment increases chances of motherhood, nourishes the uterine muscles, increases the appetite, cleanses the digestive system and regularises the menstrual cycle. |
Hastha Champi: Hand Care
A complete hand treatment helps reduce your suntan, and lightens the skin to give it a good glow. Hastha champi improves the look and feel of your hands and fingernails, by cleaning, strengthening, shaping and even dressing your nails. Improving the health of the skin discourages its wrinkling. |
Shiro abhyangam & lepam: Head and Hair Care
Shiro abhyangam stimulates lymphatic drainage, helping remove toxins and boost the immune system. It improves circulation, lifting energy and improves concentration. It relieves tension and headaches while alleviating stress and promoting relaxation. Luke warm oil is massaged from hair roots till the end with special medicated oils to impart healthy hair and prevent premature greying.
Shiro lepam is a hair care treatment done with herbal powders to make the hair soft and silky, and the roots strong. A herbal pack containing special powdered medicines is mixed with thick curd, and then applied from the hair roots till the tip. This is wrapped with banana leaf and kept for 30 – 45 mins before washing off with lukewarm water.
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Food
We are what we eat. Our nutritional status, health, physical and mental faculties depend on the food we eat and how we eat it. It is very important to maintain nutritious diet that gives stamina and does not cause plumpness. Some of the healthy foods are: milk, fresh vegetables, salads, fruits, dry fruits, and consuming one to two litres of water and buttermilk per day. Foods to be avoided include: deep fried food, junk food, fatty foods, thick curds and carbonated drinks. |
Vajeekarana aushadi: Aphrodisiacs
These drugs maintain the equilibrium of the hormones, increase the blood circulation to the uterus, strengthen the pelvic cavity, nourish the body and improve the chances of conceiving. These are available in prepared medicinal forms called ashoka arishtam, kumaryasavam, pushyanuga choornam, phala sarpi, sukumaram ghritam, kalyanaka kashayam etc.
10 Aphrodisiacs
- Guduchi – Tinospora Cordifolia
- Palandu - Allium cepa
- Soya Bean – Glycine Max
- Ashwagandha – Withania Somnifera
- Shatavari – Asparagus Racemosus
- Brahmi – Centella Asiatica
- Vidari – Pueraria Tuberosa
- Safed Musli – Chlorophytum Arundinaeum
- Atmagupta – Mucuna Pruriens
- Jyotishmati – Celastrus depedens
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Dr. Jyotsna is Consultant Ayurveda Physician at Apollo Wellness Plus, Chennai |
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