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HEALTH SECTION
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Rejuvenating Recipes
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Prevention is better than cure is not only an English adage but has been propagated by ayurved since time immemorial. A person falls prey to various kinds of diseases if ignoring the body constitution he over indulges in, underutilises or stops exercising his senses and their desires. Ayurved defines the body (sharer) as shriyate iti shariram as something which is gradually decaying or ageing. The body through the process of metabolism utilises oxygen to produce energy to perform day to day functions oxygen's task is combustion. i.e burning. The cell utilises this oxygen to burn of regenerate to produce two more. Each new cell produced is weaker than the previous one. This process is understood as ageing. Now the important thing to understand here is that faster the metabolism faster is the ageing.
Also, the agnis which synthesise the nutrients and the growth of cells in youth, accelerate the destructive process if this fast paced life is allowed to continue uninterrupted and signs of ageing start showing at an early stage. If this process is slowed down and the body learns to utilise energy at an optimal level the person leads a long and healthy life. This can only be achieved through yogic kriyas and providing "rasa" the nourishing fluid in adequate measures to provide sufficient amount of prana to energy cells and the body so that the process of decay is reduced drastically.
An age old recipe for rejuvenating the lungs is to take seven pippalis (long peppers) two tbsp cow’s ghee and tbsp honey and grind to a fine paste in a mortar and pestle. This preparation can be taken with warm water or milk and can be continued for a year. Though pippali is an excellent rejuvenator for respiratory organs it can aggravate all three doshas if not administered properly.
Another excellent rejuvenator for the respiratory organs is garlic, which strengthens the functions of heart and is effective for lower blood pressure. Boil 3-4 garlic cloves in one cup milk and add ¼ cup water and let it simmer for a few minutes, filter and drink before retiring for the day. Garlic can aggravate pitta, people with high pitta can use green garlic (young whole plant) instead.
Rasa dhatu gets nourished by herbs or preparations which are in the Rasayana category of various ayurvedic preparations. Shatavri is an excellent tonic especially for women. It is available at various health stores in dried form. It is recommended to buy the dried form and pound it in mortar and pestle. Any dry powdered herb or churan should be discarded after six months as a general rule, as they lose their efficacy after six months. One tsp shatavari, 1 dry date, 1/2 tsp dry ginger, and 1 cup milk cooked over a low flame. When it cools down add 1 tsp honey to it. Remember honey should never be heated as it produces toxins when heated. (People with excess pitta may reduce the quantity of ginger.) This preparation helps in nourishing the female reproductive organs.
For optimal utilisation and absorption of any food or ayurvedic preparation the digestive organ should be in healthy condition. To strengthen the mucous membrane of the stomach a mixture 1 tsp licorice, 1 tbsp honey and a few leaves of tulsi can be ground into a paste and taken with warm water. (Licorice is not recommended for people with heart ailments and especially high blood pressure.) It is advised that before taking any ayurvedic treatment you get yourself evaluated by an expert.
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—The writer is an ayurved expert from Dhyan Foundation.
For queries contact gautam_aarti@yahoo.co.in |
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September 2007
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