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.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

Do you have Hypothyroidism?

What    is   hypothyroidism ?     We say in Ayurveda that food is medicine. I’ll tell you about one such food, specifically, that can be used as medicine for hypothyroidism. This is a replacement for the medication you’re taking. However, this is one food that you should include in your diet on a daily basis.  Moringa, known as Shigro in Ayurveda, has long drumsticks and fresh leaves; moreover, people value it for its numerous health benefits. It has several benefits, including treating hypothyroidism.     All About Hypothyroidism:   Washed fresh drumstick leaves (3 bunches around 500 g) Ghee/coconut oil – 1 tablespoon Mustard seeds – 1/4 teaspoon Cumin seeds – 1/4 teaspoon Grated coconut – quarter to half cup Onion – 1 small Garlic – 3 one-inch piece Turmeric – 1 teaspoon Red chilli powder – 1/2 tablespoon Curry leaves – 5 Whole green chilly split – 2   Here’s what to do:     Wash and thoroughly squeeze fresh drumstick leaves. Finely chop them and place them over a clean cloth to absorb water; otherwise, the dish will become mushy if there is any water in it. Make a coarse paste with the grated coconut, garlic, cumin, turmeric, and red chilly powder in a blender. Heat ghee in a pan over medium heat. Splutter mustard seeds, curry leaves, and chopped onions into this, then add the leaves and sauté. When the leaves have softened, add the coconut paste you made earlier. Cook for 10-15 minutes on low heat, covered with a lid.   Have this as a side dish with rice.   Hypothyroidism is a treatable condition that can be improved, furthermore, with Ayurvedic diet and lifestyle changes.  You are not required to take hypothyroidism medicines for the rest of your life; however, it is important to monitor your condition regularly   If you are suffering from thyroid, you can take our Thyroid Reversal Program. You can also join our other Health Programs for mind and body detox. And If you are struggling with any health issues, you can either book a consultation with us or give us a message via WhatsApp at +91 79074 89839. If you have any queries, contact us. You can also follow me on Instagram.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        … Continue reading Do you have Hypothyroidism?

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.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Fruits for breakfast is not a good idea, Why ?

You might have seen many sources in the internet suggesting fruits for breakfast as part of a healthy diet. But Ayurveda has a different opinion.     Fruits for breakfast is not a good idea, Why ?       #1  Mornings are cold, dewy, and moist   Fruits are cold, moist, and slimy as well. Similarly, what is cold, moist, and slimy in our body? Kapha!   #2   Fruits are sweet, heavy and cold.   What is sweet, heavy and cold in our body? Kapha!   #3   6am to 10am is Kapha Kala   This is the time Kapha is at its peak – think excessive mucous, blocked nose, runny nose, and all upper respiratory tract symptoms.   #4 The Sun has just risen   Our digestive fire mimics the Sun; however, we do not have sharp digestion in the mornings.  Hence we may not be able to digest cold, sweet, heavy foods at this time.   what is a good breakfast? Anything warm, light and freshly cooked. Example, oatmeal, porridges, rice or chickpea flour, pancakes, stewed apples, green gram pancakes etc. These are not only light but also easy to digest.   When is the best time to have fruits?   Between 10am to 4pm (Pitta Kala) before or after a meal, but not with a meal. Trust me, if you do this, your gut will thank you!       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.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Hair fall post COVID

I have seen many patients complaining about post-COVID hair fall. Here is all you need to know about it! About 90% of the hair fall post-COVID is due to a condition called Telogen Effluvium. Whenever the body is subjected to a phase of physical and emotional stress, it may lead to this condition. The good news is that this is a reversible hair fall and the hair will grow back but 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 the hair loss. Else, the body uses the iron reserves for building the red blood cells. Hence, your iron levels are pivotal for the reversal of Telogen Effluvium and getting back your hair to fullness quickly.   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 suffering from severe hairfall, you can take our Skin and Hair Care Program. 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.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

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.