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Aromatherapy – Essential Oils, Attars, & Incense

Aromatherapy – Essential Oils, Attars, & Incense We all know that pleasant smells are satisfying and delightful while nauseating smells irritate the mind. However, there is a growing body of research that points to the remarkable healing properties of essential oil. In fact, the ancient science of Ayurveda has long explained the deep connection that smell has upon both the brain and consciousness. Ayurveda explains further, that all aromatic substances have a well defined and therapeutic value. For example, depending on the essential oil – some will either stimulate or calm the mind, stimulate circulation, enliven prana, and even act as an aphrodisiac; plus so much more. Many people commonly think of “aromatherapy” as being that of scented candles, potpourri, and perfumes. ...

Health Benefits Of Tikta Ghrita [“Bitter Ghee”]

Health Benefits Of Tikta Ghrita Tikta Ghrita, often translated as “bitter ghee”, is clarified butter infused with some of the more powerful herbs that Ayurvedic medicine has to offer. “Tikta” refers to bitterness and ghrita or ghee is made by cooking butter until the oil separates from the milk solids and the moisture is evaporated. Ghee has long been revered in India and is often used as a carrier for herbs. Ghee acts as the base and being an oil it easily penetrates lipid membranes thereby facilitating deeper penetration of herbs into bodily tissue while enhancing the potency and action of the herbs. Tikta Ghrita is a traditional Ayurvedic formula that has been used for thousands of years. According to the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda, tikta ghrita has purifying and strengthening effects o...

Health Benefits Of Cardamom

  Health Benefits Of Cardamom One of the most common spices seen in an Indian household is ‘Elaichi’ or cardamom. If black pepper is considered the king of spices then cardamom is considered the queen of spices; one of the most valued spice in the world. Cardamom comes from the Zingiberaceae family and has a unique strong camphor-like aroma and has a sweet yet spicy flavor. Ayurvedic texts describe two types of Cardamom namely suksma [small cardamom]; “true cardamom”, and brihat [big cardamom]. While cardamom seeds are commonly used as spices they are also used as medicine. Not only does Cardamom add a sweet unique flavor to your dishes, it adds a lot more – health wise. According to the US Department of Agriculture and the National Database for Standard Reference, cardamom is rich in...

Boost Your Immunity For The Winter

Boost Your Immunity For The Winter Despite the immune system doing an incredibly remarkable job defending against disease causing germs – at times, it fails. The good news is that you don’t need to travel far in order to help boost your immunity. In fact, most of what you need is already right in your kitchen. The immune system is just that, a system. Therefore, in order for the immune system to function optimally it requires balance and harmony which can be established by lifestyle considerations such as proper diet, spices, herbal preparations, and finally – deep rest and blissful sleep.  Immune Boosting Food Winter is a season to eat plentiful nourishing and warm food to help enhance the immune system. Generally, the food we eat during winter season should be warming, nouris...

The Ayurvedic Guide For The New Year – New Year’s Resolutions

The Ayurvedic Guide For The New Year  With the New Year slowly nearing and with the holiday season already upon us, many of us are reevaluating some of our own personal life choices. The New Year has always provided a perfect opportunity to look back at the past and more importantly, to look forward to the coming year. According to ancient teachings of Ayurveda, every aspect of our life contributes to our overall health and well-being. In essence, Ayurveda considers good health as being a state of balance. By obtaining this unique state of balance and well-being we can resolve nearly all the common New Year’s Resolutions. Top New Year’s Resolutions 1. Eat Healthy 2. Lose Weight 3. Stress Less 4. Improve Relationships New Year Message From Sadhguru – Come Alive 1. Eat Healthy How you ...

The Ayurveda Guide For Winter Season

The Ayurveda Guide For Winter Season Winter is a time when nature’s energy withdraws back unto herself as nature’s many expressions begin to slow down. According to Ayurveda, a person is a miniature reflection of nature and winter represents a time for much needed restoration. Every season has certain attributes which may cause aggravation and imbalances of doshas. For example, winter is generally considered a “kapha season”. Therefore, colds and other kapha conditions [i.e. congestion] are more common as the heavy, cold, and cohesive qualities of kapha are predominant. However, a balanced lifestyle in accordance to seasonal changes helps to create the needed elements in order to maintain health and well-being for the body and mind. Winter Tips – How To Stay Balanced & Healthy Du...

7 Tips For A More Relaxing Evening – An Ayurvedic Evening Routine

7 Tips For A More Relaxing Evening It’s no big secret: for many of us, it’s extremely difficult to unwind — especially after a long day of answering emails, attending meetings, taking phone calls, taking care of kids or pets, and battling traffic on the way to and from our jobs. It seems increasingly difficult to find the “off” switch once we enter our personal sanctum — home, at the end of the day. The advent of technology and electronics that multitask our schedules is great in one way: they provide some efficiency and ease in checking off those ever-increasing priorities from our to-do lists. However, they can also spur a disconnect between mind/body/spirit, and aggravate Vata and Pitta — turning us into scattered, unfocused versions of ourselves (especially in the all-but-inevitable ev...

Deepak Chopra’s Timeless You. A New Year – A New You!!

Deepak Chopra’s Timeless You With the New Year slowly nearing and with the holiday season already upon us, many are reevaluating some of their own personal life choices. The New Year has always provided a perfect opportunity to reflect. To look back at the past and more importantly, to look forward to the coming year. Well, now’s your chance to prepare a list of important lifestyle changes you want to make. We will review Deepak Chopra’s Timeless You which is a series of practical steps combined with the teachings of meditation, yoga, Ayurveda, and other mind-body concepts to “maximize your energy, eliminate stress, and become the best you.” “For generations, we have been conditioned to believe that aging means progressive decline.” – Deepak Chopra Click Here To Purchase ‘...

A Healthy Holiday Treat [Seviyan Kheer] – An Indian Dessert Recipe

  A Healthy Holiday Treat The holidays are just around the corner and it’s the perfect time to bond with family, friends, and loved ones. It is also the season to enjoy your favorite foods. Is it possible to enjoy the holiday treats without the guilt of gaining weight? Yes – just indulge sensibly and consider more healthy holiday options. In fact, holiday foods don’t have to be unhealthy. Consider for the holidays, a simple and delicious Indian dessert – “Seviyan Kheer” which is often made on religious and auspicious occasions. First – Digesting Our Holiday Experience … Nothing brings out the holiday spirit more than eating amongst friends and family in a joyous and pleasant manner. According to Ayurveda, the act of cooking and eating in a positive atmosp...

The Mystifying Symbolism Of Ganesha & Santa Claus

Ganesha and Santa Claus In Hinduism and Vedic mythology, Ganesha is the elephant-headed boy with the big belly and (generally) jolly disposition. He has a lot in common with our own Saint Nick, and this time of year it’s fun to look at the similarities: Long trunk & long white beard – the trunk represents our spinal cord and nervous system, and the awakened kundalini traveling along its channels. It is the connection between our lower, ‘reptilian brain’ and our higher thinking centers, giving us self-control and wisdom. Ganesha lives at the base of the spine, but has access to the brain and higher centers. This means he is a complete being, and like him, we too can aspire to become fully-integrated humans, with control over our survival instincts, sexual impulses, drives, desires, spee...

Ten Health Tips For The Holidays

Ten Health Tips For The Holidays Ama, the toxic waste-product of inefficient digestion, can accumulate at any time of the year. During the holidays, we’re particularly susceptible to it. The bounty of festive meals and lots of sweets tempts us to overeat and eat at irregular times, and these are all triggers for the build-up of ama. If left unchecked, our body can become clogged and our immune system weakened by the accumulation of ama. Do you experience lack of appetite, stiffness in the joints, occasional constipation, respiratory issues, allergen reactions, or weight gain? Ama is the most likely culprit. So, what is the ayurvedic tool for conquering ama? Agni — our digestive fire! If we keep our agni strong, our bodies will be able to digest the food we eat without creating toxic by-pro...

Amalaki – The Most Nourishing & Rejuvenating Herb

Amalaki – The Most Nourishing & Rejuvenating Herb According to Ayurveda, Amalaki is considered one of the most nourishing and rejuvenating herbs. In fact, Charak – the ancient scholar of Ayurveda states “of all the Rasayanas, Amalaki is revered as one of the most potent and nourishing; Amalaki is the best among rejuvenative herbs.” Amalaki is a strong natural antioxidant containing high levels of vitamin C and acts as a powerful immune strengthener. Amalaki is one of the best sources of natural vitamin C and contains 20 times more vitamin C than an orange. Amalaki is commonly known as Indian gooseberry or amla, and the Sanskrit name “Amalika” means ‘sour juice of the fruit’. Interestingly, despite all the health benefits, Amalaki is also commonly known as the “poor ma...