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Suffering from low energy levels? Try this Ayurvedic superfood

Amaranth, also known as Rajgira, is a gluten-free grain-like plant and also a great source of dietary fibre. The word Amaranth translates to “immortal.” And it literally lives up to its name! Amaranth is a powerhouse when it comes to boosting your energy levels.   Both the leaves and seeds of Amaranth are nutrient-packed, offering proteins, calcium, zinc, iron, and vitamins A and C. The essential amino acid lysine in Amaranth leaves not only aids in energy improvement but also helps with calcium absorption.   It is extremely beneficial for people who feel tired and weak often or recovering from a surgery or a disease. In my hospital I give Amaranth soup to patients as a post-treatment meal.   Health benefits of Amaranth   Amaranth, being an Ayurvedic superfood, offers a variety of health benefits.   Bone strength Amaranth is rich in calcium and therefore, helps strengthen your bones.   Heart health The magnesium and phenolic acid contained in Amaranth help resist heart diseases and strengthen heart muscles.   Energy and digestion Amaranth also helps improve your energy levels and digestion.   Gluten-free goodness Being gluten-free, Amaranth is a great choice for people suffering from celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.   Anti-inflammatory roots The roots of Amaranth have anti-inflammatory properties and are used to relieve pain and inflammation.   In Ayurveda, Amaranth is used for a wide range of purposes, including the treatment of blood and respiratory disorders, diabetes, urinary tract infections, diarrhoea, wounds, throat infections, blood purification, etc.   Ways to consume Amaranth   Amaranth may be heavy to digest for some people. But it can be made digestible by cooking it well. There are many healthy ways to consume Amaranth.   You can cook and consume Amaranth grains like how you cook rice or quinoa.   Another option is to pop amaranth grains and have it like popcorn.   You can also create a nutritious breakfast cereal or porridge by adding cooked Amaranth grains with honey or milk.   Amaranth soup also makes a great option.   You can also make a side dish by sautéing Amaranth leaves in ghee, seasoning it with black pepper and cumin.   Despite its amazing health benefits, it is not advisable to have Amaranth every day. Overconsumption of Amaranth may increase Kapha. So, it is best consumed once or maximum twice a week.   It’s funny how life turns out— as a child, I used to cry when I was asked to eat Amaranth thoran (a Kerala dish made with sautéed amaranth leaves and coconut). Today I tell all my patients to have it! The irony of life!

Health Benefits of Ragi

Ragi (finger millet) has my heart for so many awesome reasons! This little grain is not just popular in many corners of the world, but is also a nutritional powerhouse. Loaded with essentials like calcium, magnesium, iron, and dietary fibre, ragi is a superfood with amazing health benefits.    Ragi is often used to make flour, which can be used for making various dishes like roti (flatbread) or porridge. It is a great choice for those looking to incorporate a healthy and gluten-free grain into their diet, as it provides energy, aids digestion and supports overall well-being.    Properties of ragi    Ragi is super light and digestive. It is also known for its anti-Pitta and aphrodisiac properties. Having ragi helps balance all Doshas, purifies blood and rejuvenates your body.     We often advise Ragi for pregnant women and lactating moms to help improve breast milk production and for children to gain strength.    Downsides    Though ragi is great for your health, it has some downsides.   It is slightly Vata increasing. So, always cook ragi with ghee and spices.   You cannot use ragi as a replacement for rice. You can have rice every day. But it is better to have ragi twice or thrice a week as millets are called “Kudhanya” or unwholesome grains in Ayurveda.  Millets are goitrogens and this includes ragi. Therefore, do not consume ragi if you have thyroid issues.    However, despite the downsides, I still love my Ragi dosas with coconut chutney every week.     Ragi porridge recipe    Now, for those looking to add some variety to your ragi menu, let me introduce you to the delightful Ragi porridge.     It is a superfood fit for both babies and adults, including expectant mothers.    Ingredients  Ragi  Ghee  Cumin   Cardamom  Palm sugar  Water    Method of preparation  Sieve ragi and roast 2 tablespoons of it in 2 teaspoons of ghee  Add water to make a paste and add a pinch of powdered cumin and cardamom to it  Add water in a saucepan and add washed palm sugar to it  When it boils, add ragi paste and mix  Your ragi porridge is ready!    This recipe is a traditional first food introduced to infants, as early as 6 months. Skip the store-bought baby food loaded with unknown XYZ and give your baby ragi porridge. Start with a small amount so that your baby gets used to the new flavour and texture.    For adults, ragi porridge can be a great replacement for your oatmeal for breakfast! To make it interesting, you can add almond milk, top it up with stewed fruits and a scoop of some peanut butter. Having ragi gives nutritious and satisfying start to the day, not to forget its great health benefits!

There is Nothing Like Ghee – But Ayurveda Says It Is Not for Everyone! Why?

Ghee is known for its several advantages. It is known for its capacity to help with everything from hair health to cognitive function. Perhaps that is why our grandmothers used to feed us ghee-laden rotis and laddoos. Even Ayurveda loves ghee for its amazing health benefits! However, if you’ve never truly liked this crowd-pleaser, that’s alright.   Ghee is the best, no doubt! It is great for everyday use. However, Ayurveda says contrary to common opinion, it isn’t suitable for everyone. There are some lesser-known downsides of eating ghee, alongside crucial benefits. It won’t be appropriate for certain health conditions!   Today, we are going to know why! So, let’s get started!   But First, What is Ghee?   Ghee is a clarified or drawn butter used especially in Indian cuisine. Clarification means separating milk solids and water from fat using heat. Ghee can be made by boiling butter for longer than clarified butter, allowing the milk solids to brown before filtering it.   As a result, ghee has a rich, nuttier flavour than typical clarified butter. There are many misunderstandings regarding ghee as a fatty meal. However, Ayurveda considers it as a good fat. Ghee  has several health advantages if consumed in moderation and with the appropriate meals.   People in India use an ancient system of alternative medicine known as Ayurveda. Ghee is prominent in Ayurveda-recommended meals. You can use ghee in combination with herbal therapies as well. Ghee has lately gained appeal as a superior alternative to ordinary butter owing to its reported spiritual and medicinal benefits.    It has a high smoke point, which makes it suitable for cooking and serving as a foundation for gravies and stews. Furthermore, ghee is abundant in monounsaturated fats, which are found in studies to offer health advantages such as decreased cholesterol levels.    Some Amazing Advantages Of Ghee   Ghee is used alongside herbal therapy as part of Ayurveda, an ancient alternative medicine in India. Aside from its purported spiritual and therapeutic powers, ghee has many fantastic advantages.   Has healthy fats Ghee includes beneficial fats that help the body create good cholesterol. Unlike other forms of fat, it does not promote heart disease.   Helps digestion Ghee consumption is significantly associated with gut health. Our ancestors ate a teaspoon of ghee before each meal. It lined the intestines, which reduced the incidence of ulcers and cancer.   Boosts the immune system Ghee includes butyric acid, which aids the body’s production of disease-fighting T cells.   Contains essential vitamins It is also is a good source of oil-soluble vitamins A and E, necessary for a healthy liver, hormonal balance, and fertility.   Anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer Ghee contains butyric acid, which has anti-cancer potential. It has anti-inflammatory properties since it contains antioxidants.   Reduces bladder pain Several healthcare specialists advocate giving cow ghee in the morning to alleviate bladder discomfort. Garlic cloves mixed with cow ghee can be consumed to treat persistent fever. To treat dry mouth and taste buds, use amla powder mixed with raisins and cow ghee in the mouth for a few minutes. Haritaki powder combined with cow ghee is recommended for stomach discomfort since it works as an antispasmodic. Cow ghee combined with sugar might be an effective alternative to Triphala decoction, which frequently produces side effects.   Strengthens bones Ghee includes vitamin A, which promotes eye health and protects against night blindness, and Vitamin K, which helps calcium absorption. It helps reduce tooth decay and atherosclerosis. Also, discover wholesome meals for healthy bones.   Treats menstrual problems Menstrual difficulties can be treated with ghee, which helps to regulate the body’s hormones. It became a good alternative for treating menstrual disorders, including PMS and irregular cycles.   Helps to reduce weight loss Ghee boosts the body’s metabolism, making it an effective weight loss tool. Consuming ghee allows the body to burn other fats, which results in weight loss.   Post-surgery recovery  In ancient India, cow ghee was used as a base to create wicks after surgery. In Ayurvedic treatments, it’s often used over surgical sutures to promote rapid healing. To cure piles and fistulas, doctors use a specific concoction called Kshara, which contains cow ghee.   Cow ghee’s remarkable healing capabilities make it an excellent choice following an accident or surgery. Cow ghee is put initially into the ear lobes of youngsters to relieve discomfort and irritation while simplifying the piercing process.   According to Ayurveda, “You are not what you eat. Instead, you are what you digest.”  Your health is directly proportionate to your digestive fire (Agni). More than any other meal, ghee activates and improves your digestive fire or Agni.   However, there are many scenarios when you should avoid it. Let’s discuss them.   When Should You Avoid Ghee?   It’s a vital topic because ghee is a healthy dairy product that contains no health risks when used in moderation. However, if you have pre-existing high cholesterol or high blood pressure issues and live a sedentary lifestyle, you should avoid consuming ghee. On the contrary, if your doctor advises you to avoid ghee in your diet, you should do so.     Here are  5 situations when you should avoid having ghee according to Ayurveda.   If You Suffer From Indigestion Ghee is heavy to digest. So, while ghee may act as a laxative for some, it may have the opposite effect for those suffering from indigestion. Also, if you have a fatty liver, including ghee in your diet isn’t a good choice. Because ghee is a dairy product, persons sensitive to milk proteins might experience a rash, hives, vomiting, or diarrhea. Similarly, people who are lactose intolerant may suffer bloating, gas, or stomach distress after eating ghee. On the other hand, ghee can reduce allergy symptoms since it is filtered and has no milk protein. If you have a milk protein allergy or lactose intolerance, ask your doctor if ghee should be a part of your diet. Also, if you’re someone with… Continue reading There is Nothing Like Ghee – But Ayurveda Says It Is Not for Everyone! Why?