COVID Care‚ the Ayurveda Way

If you or someone you know just recovered from COVID, kudos! The main threat is over, but you still have a huge hurdle to overcome – dealing with the aftereffects. The virus might have caused damage to both your physical and mental health without you even realising it.  Now that you have recovered, it is time to focus on healing. Your primary aim must be to bring back your lost immunity over anything else. Immunity is not in the decoctions or supplements you have. It is in the food you eat, the exercise you do, the sleep you get – the quantity and quality of it, the way you go about your whole day – your ROUTINE! Immunity is a cumulative effect of all these small healthy habits you do every single day of your life. Get back to eating healthy slowly and steadily. Start with fasting, let your digestive fire build slowly, and then increase the quantity of food progressively. Start by consuming light, warm cooked foods with good fats and continue until your digestion is back to normal. Get back to exercising regularly. Just because you feel weak or tired, do not skip exercise. Do some kind of movement or activity. Simple walking or Yoga would also do. It is a known fact that Vitamin C boosts immunity. But, do not overload with Vitamin C and citrus fruits to gain back the immunity while your digestion is still a question mark. Work on your mind. The virus affects your brain function and clearly, the mind. The best way to relax your mind is to have a good sleep and breathing exercises and meditation. Make this a triple-lined part of your schedule. Post-COVID hair fall Another aftereffect of COVID is hair fall. About 90% of post-COVID hair fall is due to a condition called Telogen Effluvium. This condition is a result of your body being subjected to a phase of physical and mental stress. The bright side is that this hair loss is reversible and the hair will grow back. But it may take some time to get back to its fullness. During this condition, if you are someone with good iron levels, it will compensate for hair loss. Else, the body will use the iron reserves to build red blood cells. Hence your iron levels are important for reversing Telogen Effluvium and getting your hair volume back to how it was. In Ayurveda, a low haemoglobin level is called Pandu. In Sanskrit, Pandu means ‚ a pale whitish discolouration.  Pandu is a disease caused by the vitiation of Rakta Dhatu (blood tissue) in the body. Caraka Samhita‚ the ancient Sanskrit text on Ayurveda, suggests a few natural tips that help improve haemoglobin levels in the body. Consume a teaspoon of Amla powder with ghee before lunch. Reduce consumption of salty and sour foods. Stay away from alcohol. Exercise regularly. Include red grapes and black raisins in your diet. Reduce consumption of Vidahi‚ foods, which combine pungent, sour, oily and heavy qualities and cause burning. Some examples are apple cider vinegar, coffee, tomatoes and potatoes. Include dry ginger in your diet. Have 15ml of the Ayurvedic formulation‚ Draksharishta post dinner.   If you find your iron levels are still not improving despite following the above-mentioned tips, consult an Ayurvedic doctor.   If you are struggling with any health issues, you can either book a consultation with us or send us a message via WhatsApp to +91 79074 89839. We have the best Ayurvedic doctors in Trivandrum who are always glad to help you. If you have any queries, contact us.  You can also visit us at our hospital. You can also follow me on Instagram.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

Medicine Fact -What’s Really Inside Commercial Drugs

Perfect  Medicine Competition   It is a market situation where brands compete with each other purely on price. Whichever medicine brand offers a slightly lower price than the others, consumers prefer to buy from that brand.   Most of the medicine manufacturing brands (Ayurvedic & Allopathic) face this situation. This also means that manufacturers have to ‘cut corners’ to meet the pricing advantage to stay ahead of competition.   Cutting corners can happen in many fronts – by adding lesser quantities of expensive ingredients, using cheaper, look-alike alternatives, producing in bulk to achieve economies of scale reducing the quality, etc.   Doctors use an expensive ayurvedic herb, such as ativisha, to treat digestive conditions (it costs up to $49 for 10g). Most often this is replaced by its less expensive alternative ‘Musta’ in formulations manufactured commercially.   Every Ayurvedic doctor is trained to make medicines for his patients from scratch, unlike other medical systems. The government also allows licensed Ayurvedic doctors to dispense medicines made by them to their patients.   So if your Ayurvedic doctor prescribes his/ her own medicines always choose that.   It may be a little expensive, or less fancy or may not be as readily available compared to commercial brands, but there will be an ‘elephant and ant’ difference in the effectiveness.     Medicine Rights     Every patient has the right to know what goes into the medicine. Hence exercise your rights to ask your Ayurvedic doctor on the ingredients.   My pro-tip:  Ask your doctor to prescribe herbal medicines over medicines with minerals as the latter needs many levels of purification to be safe.   Ayurvedic medicine manufacturing is a multibillion-dollar industry. I am not saying all manufacturing companies do the same, however it is important to exercise caution as a patient.   If you are struggling with any health issues, you can either book a consultation with us or send us a message via WhatsApp to +91 79074 89839. We have the best Ayurvedic doctors in Trivandrum who are always glad to help you. If you have any queries, contact us.  You can also visit us at our hospital.You can also follow me on Instagram.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

Treatment for Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Ayurvedic Treatment of PCOS   Ayurveda considers PCOS as “artava dushti” which translates to menstrual abnormality. This happens due to vitiation of Vata, Pitta & Kapha. However, the highs and lows of vitiation varies from patient to patient. There are various treatment in Ayurveda for PCOS.       Types  of   Treatment protocols     1 – Vihara (Lifestyle)   Sleep is the most important parameter to corrected as sleep irregularities are one of the main causes of PCOS as per Ayurveda Moderate exercise to half of one’s strength and capacity is ideal. No extreme, strenuous workouts are advised. Meditation, breathing exercises like Kapalbhati, daily Abhyanga (oil massages) are also helpful.    2 – Ahara (food)   A customized diet that balances the vitiated doshas is ideal. Eg. If the patient presents with PCOS due to excess Kapha imbalance, the diet should be light. Vata imbalance – the diet should be nourishing. Reducing inflammatory foods like black gram, yoghurt and night shades like capsicum, potatoes, tomatoes, eggplants etc will also help. Overall, having light, easily digestible well cooked foods with good fats added is important.    3 – Internal medicines   In my practice, for most cases of PCOS that come to me, I do not usually prescribe medicines. I put them on a 3-month diet and routines protocol based on their imbalance and they get better. In cases where internal medicines are required, there is no one-size fits all in Ayurveda. The medicines vary from patient to patient depending on the imbalances.       Doctor Rekha is a 4th generation Ayurvedic Medicine Doctor (BAMS) living in between Dubai and India who has patients from around the globe who believes that the wisdom of Ayurveda can help everyone lead a happy, heathy and disease-free life.   If you are struggling with any health issues, you can either book a consultation with us or send us a message via WhatsApp to +91 79074 89839. We have the best Ayurvedic doctors in Trivandrum who are always glad to help you. If you have any queries, contact us.  You can also visit us at our hospital. You can also follow me on Instagram.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                … Continue reading Treatment for Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Mind Magic – Can your mind multi-task ?

Though it may seem that the mind is capable of doing many things at a time, it cannot. Instead the mind can switch tasks quickly and that happens one after the other. Kudos to modern science for discovering this after the 1900s, but total respect to Ayurveda and India philosophy to have spoken the some 5000 years ago!   Ayurveda says that the mind has a quality know as “ekatwam” or oneness. The mind is only one. The mind can do only one job at a time.   Think of seeing food in front of you. You see, hear, smell and taste the food. You feel the mind is into all of these thoughts at the same time. It is not. Even if we feel the mind is invested in multiple things at a time it isn’t.   Ayurveda quotes an interesting maxim for this – ‘utpala satadala suchivedha nyayam‘ When a needle is pierced quickly through a hundred lotus petals arranged one over the other, it may seem the needle pieces all 100 petals simultaneously but in reality, it makes piercing one after the other. The mind is like the needle here. Impressions happen one after the other.   So stop believing that your mind can multitask. Instead of doing many different things at a time, like having a coffee while typing on laptop while talking on the phone to the boss, try to do one task at time so that all your attention goes into one task, which means increased productivity! —————————–—————————————————————————————   Doctor Rekha is a 4th generation Ayurvedic Medicine Doctor (BAMS) living in between Dubai and India who has patients from around the globe who believes that the wisdom of Ayurveda can help everyone lead a happy, heathy and disease-free life.   If you are struggling with any health issues, you can either book a consultation with us or send us a message via WhatsApp to +91 79074 89839. We have the best Ayurvedic doctors in Trivandrum who are always glad to help you. If you have any queries, contact us.  You can also visit us at our hospital. You can also follow me on Instagram.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

Plum – The One Ayurvedic fruit you can have everyday

According to Ayurveda, eating too many fruit is bad for you. You must limit your fruit consumption. I’ve previously discussed Amla, grapes, and pomegranate, and how all of these fruits are extremely beneficial to us in a variety of ways. Today, I’d like to introduce you to a fruit that is not only healthy, but also does not increase any of the three Doshas. Ripe Plum is the name of that fruit.  It is remarkably easy to digest, and anyone can consume it without regard for how it affects digestion or whether it is hot or cold. The one that is very ripe and sweet, but not sour. It is a magical fruit that is suitable for everyone. In Ayurveda, plums have several health benefits depends on their properties, which were considered to cool, hydrate, and detoxify. Here’s a closer look at the Ayurvedic benefits of plums:    Balancing Doshas   Plums are good for balancing Vata dosha due to their cooling and hydrating nature. The cooling effectiveness of plum can balance Pitta dosha which is related with heat and inflammation. You can consume plums, due to their light and slightly acidic nature, to avoid the Kapha if you have excess mucus.       2.  Digestive Health   Plums are rich in dietary fiber; consequently, this helps in healthy digestion and regular bowel movement. Plums helps in promoting gut health. The natural laxative properties of plums helps in detoxifying the body  by flushing out toxins through digestive system        3.  Rich in Nutrients   Plums contain different kinds of antioxidants such as vitamin C and polyphenols, which fight off oxidative stress for overall health. They contain vital vitamins A, C, and K, as well as potassium and iron, all of which participate in numerous functions of the body.       4. Skin Health   Plums are rich in vitamins and antioxidants that help in healthy skin; they help in hydration and reduce oxidative damage. They can be useful in fostering good, glowing skin.      5.   Immunity   The vitamin C content of plums strengthens the  immune system, thereby increasing its capacity to fight against infections and diseases     How to Eat   The fresh plum can be consumed as a snack, added in salads, or blended together in smoothies. The fresh juice of plum is refreshing and hydrating, but since it contains natural sugar, it should be consumed in moderation. The important thing is, you don’t overdo it.   If you are struggling with any health issues, you can either book a consultation with us or send us a message via WhatsApp to +91 79074 89839. We have the best Ayurvedic doctors in Trivandrum who are always glad to help you. If you have any queries, contact us.  You can also visit us at our hospital.  You can also follow me on Instagram.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    … Continue reading Plum – The One Ayurvedic fruit you can have everyday

My Hair Mask Secrets

For hair growth and shiny hair, this is my go-to hair mask with a secret Ayurvedic ingredient!     Here is how to make it:   Soak 3 tablespoons of fenugreek seeds overnight and make a paste with a little water. Add a whole egg (you can also use flaxseeds as replacement, but egg is egg) Add 1 table spoon yoghurt Add half tablespoon hair oil of your choice (optional, if your hair is very dry)   Then add the secret ingredient!   Part your hair into smaller sections, first apply along the roots, over the scalp and then on the length of the hair.   Wondering what’s my secret ingredient? It’s licorice powder, and only 10g will do. Licorice is extremely good for hair growth, hair shine and also works an amazing cleanser for the scalp! Try this hair mask and let me know.. If you want to improve your hair health, you can take our skin and hair care program. You can also join our other Health Programs for mind and body detox.  If you are struggling with any health issues, you can either book a consultation with us or send us a message via WhatsApp to +91 79074 89839. We have the best Ayurvedic doctors in Trivandrum who are always glad to help you. If you have any queries, contact us.  You can also visit us at our hospital.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Ayurvedic Herbs – The Lesser Known Facts

Are you aware that some Ayurvedic herbs are more powerful than allopathic medications? Marketers and promoters still casually market and promote them as over-the-counter supplements and treatments.   98% of all herbal medicines mentioned in Ayurveda are combinations of herbs and not single herbs.   Ayurveda has a well-developed medical system of healing diseases with herbs. However, this is NOT by using a single herb as a medicine.   For example, using a super herb like Shatavari alone has very less effectiveness when compared to that of Shatavaryaadi ghrita (aadi means etc.) which is a combination of 35 plus herbs.     Ayurvedic herbs have their side-effects too!     Ayurvedic herbs may have lesser side-effects compared to other medical systems, removing the myth of being completely free of them. For example, prolonged use of Triphala is found to cause drying of mucous membrane of the intestine, leading to chronic constipation. Use of Sarpagandha as a herb for lowering BP has found to cause depression, if not used as per a qualified doctor’s advice.     ‘Sarva Dharmeshu Madhyamam’   Do not go to the extremes. Always take a middle ground. Do not overdo on Ayurveda herbs thinking it is good for you.   For example, some of the herbs are habit forming. If you are taking such a herb for say constipation for a long time, you will realize that you are unable to pass motion unless you take that herb.   One man’s meat is another man’s poison.   Just because, something is good and works for someone, does not mean it is good for you. You are unique. Your prakruti, your strength, your digestion, your genetic makeup, your surroundings, your internal environment, your thoughts and emotions, your mind, is what makes you YOU! Hence your herbs/medicines/food/treatment should be unique too. Do NOT self-medicate. Consult a good ayurvedic doctor before relying on what is written on the internet.   Doctor Rekha is a 4th generation Ayurvedic Medicine Doctor (BAMS) living in between Dubai and India who has patients from around the globe who believes that the wisdom of Ayurveda can help everyone lead a happy, healthy and disease-free life. You can join our Health Programs for mind and body detox. If you are struggling with any health issues, you can either book a consultation with us or send us a message via WhatsApp to +91 79074 89839. We have the best Ayurvedic doctors in Trivandrum who are always glad to help you. If you have any queries, contact us.  You can also visit us at our hospital. You can also follow me on Instagram.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            … Continue reading Ayurvedic Herbs – The Lesser Known Facts

COVID : The Ayurvedic Protocol

Covid affects different people in different ways. The most common symptoms are – Fever Cough Tiredness This article is for people with mild symptoms who are otherwise healthy and are asked to manage their symptoms at home. If you have serious symptoms of covid, then seek medical help immediately. Hydration: Drink warm water with dry ginger and Tulsi leaves. Boil water with a piece of dry ginger and reduce it to half the quantity, add Tulsi leaves and drink warm multiple times a day. Food: Have freshly cooked warm meals Have rice gruel or mung daal soup without salt and any fat added (oil, ghee) for lunch and dinner Leave stomach half empty after each meal Have dinner before 7pm Fruits: If you have symptoms, skip fruits completely If you are asymptomatic, have pomegranates or grapes Veggies: Have well-cooked food, no raw vegetables or salads Bitter ones are the best – bitter gourd, ash gourd etc. Reduce eggplants, tomatoes, potatoes and bell peppers Spices and Cooking: You can, for instance, add spices like cinnamon, pepper, cardamom, star anise, and cloves to food. Include dried turmeric and dried ginger in cooking Sleep: Sleep at least 8 hours every night without fail. Immunity is made and restocked while you sleep. Do not sleep during the day Relaxation: Relax, either read a book, talk to people, listen to music, or, alternatively, do something that helps you relax and makes you happy. Avoid smoking and alcohol Meditate Exercise: If you have symptoms, therefore, stay away from any type of exertion, including exercises. 30 minutes Pranayama Herbs: My top immunity boosting Ayurvedic supplement is, Guduchi (Amrit) – specifically, 1000mg per day. (available in various brands) If you have a productive cough, then use a mix of 1 tablespoon of honey with pepper powder 3-4 times a day. If you have irritation in throat, chew on Vyoshadivatakam from time to time If you have throat pain or congestion – do a hot water gargle with Himalayan Pink Salt and a teaspoon of dried turmeric powder Herbal Decoction: If you have respiratory symptoms, do the following kashayam (decoction) twice daily before food. Boil 2 glasses of water, add half a tablespoon of Trikatu Churna (Equal proportion of dried ginger powder, pepper powder and long pepper powder), then, reduce it to half a glass and add Tulsi leaves. You can add palm jaggery for taste. These are the precautions for the Covid symptoms. In addition, save this article for the future so that you can take care!   Doctor Rekha is a 4th generation Ayurvedic Medicine Doctor (BAMS) living in between Dubai and India who has patients from around the globe who believes that the wisdom of Ayurveda can help everyone lead a happy, heathy and disease-free life. You can join our Health Programs for mind and body detox.  If you are struggling with any health issues, you can either book a consultation with us or send us a message via WhatsApp to +91 79074 89839. We have the best Ayurvedic doctors in Trivandrum who are always glad to help you. If you have any queries, contact us.  You can also visit us at our hospital. You can also follow me on Instagram.