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The tulsi or holy basil is an important symbol in the Hindu religious tradition and is worshiped in the morning and evening by Hindus at large. The holy basil is also a herbal remedy for a lot of common ailments. Here're top fifteen medicinal uses of tulsi.
 1. Healing Power: The tulsi plant has many medicinal properties. The leaves are a nerve tonic and also sharpen memory. They promote the removal of the catarrhal matter and phlegm from the bronchial tube. The leaves strengthen the stomach and induce copious perspiration. The seed of the plant are mucilaginous.

 2. Fever & Common Cold: The leaves of basil are specific for many fevers. During the rainy season, when malaria and dengue fever are widely prevalent, tender leaves, boiled with tea, act as preventive against theses diseases. In case of acute fevers, a decoction of the leaves boiled with powdered cardamom in half a liter of water and mixed with sugar and milk brings down the temperature. The juice of tulsi leaves can be used to bring down fever. Extract of tulsi leaves in fresh water should be given every 2 to 3 hours. In between one can keep giving sips of cold water. In children, it is every effective in bringing down the temperature.

 3. Coughs: Tulsi is an important constituent of many Ayurvedic cough syrups and expectorants. It helps to mobilize mucus in bronchitis and asthma. Chewing tulsi leaves relieves cold and flu.

 4. Sore Throat: Water boiled with basil leaves can be taken as drink in case of sore throat. This water can also be used as a gargle.

 5. Respiratory Disorder: The herb is useful in the treatment of respiratory system disorder. A decoction of the leaves, with honey and ginger is an effective remedy for bronchitis, asthma, influenza, cough and cold. A decoction of the leaves, cloves and common salt also gives immediate relief in case of influenza. They should be boiled in half a liter of water till only half the water is left and add then taken.

 6. Kidney Stone: Basil has strengthening effect on the kidney. In case of renal stone the juice of basil leaves and honey, if taken regularly for 6 months it will expel them via the urinary tract.

 7. Heart Disorder: Basil has a beneficial effect in cardiac disease and the weakness resulting from them. It reduces the level of blood cholesterol.

 8. Children's Ailments: Common pediatric problems like cough cold, fever, diarrhea and vomiting respond favorably to the juice of basil leaves. If pustules of chicken pox delay their appearance, basil leaves taken with saffron will hasten them.

 9. Stress: Basil leaves are regarded as an 'adaptogen' or anti-stress agent. Recent studies have shown that the leaves afford significant protection against stress. Even healthy persons can chew 12 leaves of basil, twice a day, to prevent stress. It purifies blood and helps prevent several common elements.

 10. Mouth Infections: The leaves are quit effective for the ulcer and infections in the mouth. A few leaves chewed will cure these conditions.

 11. Insect Bites: The herb is a prophylactic or preventive and curative for insect stings or bites. A teaspoonful of the juice of the leaves is taken and is repeated after a few hours. Fresh juice must also be applied to the affected parts. A paste of fresh roots is also effective in case of bites of insects and leeches. 

12. Skin Disorders: Applied locally, basil juice is beneficial in the treatment of ringworm and other skin diseases. It has also been tried successfully by some naturopaths in the treatment of leucoderma.

 13. Teeth Disorder: The herb is useful in teeth disorders. Its leaves, dried in the sun and powdered, can be used for brushing teeth. It can also be mixed with mustered oil to make a paste and used as toothpaste. This is very good for maintaining dental health, counteracting bad breath and for massaging the gums. It is also useful in pyorrhea and other teeth disorders.

 14. Headaches: Basil makes a good medicine for headache. A decoction of the leaves can be given for this disorder. Pounded leaves mixed with sandalwood paste can also be applied on the forehead for getting relief from heat, headache, and for providing coolness in general.

 15. Eye Disorders: Basil juice is an effective remedy for sore eyes and night-blindness, which is generally caused by deficiency of vitamin A. Two drops of black basil juice are put into the eyes daily at bedtime.

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Fitness: Walking for wellness

Posted by SK May 9, 2010 0 comments

Introduction

Walking is one of the easiest ways to get the exercise you need to stay healthy.

Experts recommend at least 2½ hours of moderate activity (such as brisk walking, brisk cycling, or yard work) a week.1 It's fine to walk in spurts of 10 minutes or more throughout your day and week.
Key points

* Before you start, talk with your doctor to make sure it's okay for you to begin a walking program.
* Start with a short-term goal. For example, walk for 5 or 10 minutes every day. Or increase your number of steps by 300 to 500 each day.
* After you've made walking a habit, set a longer-term goal. You may want to set a goal of walking briskly for at least 30 minutes a day or work up to 10,000 steps a day. You can try to do this 5 days a week or more.
* You can wear a pedometer to track your steps each day.
* To stay motivated, find a walking partner, such as a family member, friend, or coworker. Daily dog walks are also a great way to keep up your walking routine.

What do you need to know to start a walking program?
Why walk for wellness?
How can you make a walking program part of your life?
Where to go from here

Return to topic:

* Fitness
* Healthy Aging
* Healthy Weight
* High Triglycerides
* Organ Transplant
* Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

What do you need to know to start a walking program?

You don't have to walk all at once. You can split it up. It's fine to walk in spurts of 10 minutes or more at a time. If you use a pedometer, you might be surprised to see how many steps you take by simply doing chores and errands or by taking walking breaks during the day. For more information, see:

Fitness: Using a pedometer or step counter.

There are many ways to walk more without going on a long walk. Use the stairs instead of the elevator, or park farther away from work or a store. Instead of e-mailing or phoning a coworker or neighbor, walk over. When you meet with someone or visit with a friend, suggest taking a walk instead of staying inside.

To get the heart-healthy benefits of walking, you need to walk briskly enough to increase your heart rate and breathing, but not so fast that you can't talk comfortably.
Test Your Knowledge

1. You don't have to walk 2½ hours all at once. You can get the same benefits by walking in spurts of 10 minutes or more throughout your day and week.
1. True
close

The answer is correct

Experts recommend at least 2½ hours of moderate activity a week. But you don't need to do it all at once. You can walk in spurts of 10 minutes or more at a time. Or you can wear a pedometer and try to walk about 10,000 steps every day.
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2. False
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The answer is incorrect

Experts recommend at least 2½ hours of moderate activity a week. But you don't need to do it all at once. You can walk in spurts of 10 minutes or more at a time. Or you can wear a pedometer and try to walk about 10,000 steps every day.
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Continue to Why walk for wellness?
Return to Fitness: Walking for wellness
Why walk for wellness?

Brisk walking is a form of aerobic exercise. This is exercise that increases your heart rate for an extended time. Aerobic exercise helps strengthen your heart, lungs, and muscles. A strong heart carries more blood, along with oxygen and nutrients, to the rest of the body. Aerobic exercise also lowers blood pressure and can help you stay at a healthy weight.

Walking and other aerobic exercise also can improve your mood and energy. Regular exercise helps prevent anxiety and depression.2

Walking also keeps your bones healthy. It is a weight-bearing activity, which means that it works the muscles and bones against gravity. This can help reduce your risk of osteoporosis and broken bones.

Walking, like all physical activity, burns calories. Being active is important for staying at a healthy weight.
Test Your Knowledge

1. Brisk walking increases your heart rate and strengthens your heart.
1. True
close

The answer is correct

Brisk walking increases your heart rate and strengthens your heart. A stronger heart can pump more blood, which carries more oxygen and nutrients.
close
2. False
close

The answer is incorrect

Brisk walking increases your heart rate and strengthens your heart. A stronger heart can pump more blood, which carries more oxygen and nutrients.
close

Continue to How can you make a walking program part of your life?
Return to Fitness: Walking for wellness
How can you make a walking program part of your life?

Think of walking as an easy way to burn calories and stay fit while you go about your daily routine. You can make walking an important part of your life by getting friends and family to join you and by finding new ways to put steps in your day.
Walk with others

* Ask family members, friends, and coworkers to join you. Set goals together.
* Join a walking group or club.
* Set a goal to take part in an organized fitness walk.
* Walk a dog every day.
* Plan family outings around walks together. Being physically active with kids sets an example they'll follow as they grow older.

Add steps whenever you can

* Schedule walks on your daily calendar.
* Buy a pedometer at a sporting goods store. A pedometer counts how many steps you take. The first time you wear it, count how many steps you normally take in a day. Wear your pedometer every day, and set a goal for increasing the number of steps each day. At first, try to add 300 to 500 steps to your day. Then work toward 2,000 more steps a day. A good long-term goal is to get 10,000 steps a day.

Fitness: Using a pedometer or step counter

* Instead of watching TV or going out to eat, go out for a walk.
* At work, get up and move around once an hour.
* When possible, walk to the grocery store, doctor appointments, work, school, or shopping. You could walk a lap around the grocery store before you start shopping.
* Park your car farther away from work or other places you're going.
* Walk around your neighborhood or around a park.
* Walk during TV commercials.

Be safe

* Know your surroundings. Walk in a well-lighted, safe place.
* Carry a cell phone for emergencies.
* Wear comfortable shoes and socks that cushion your feet.
* Pay attention to your walking surface. Use sidewalks and paths.
* If you usually walk outside and the weather is bad, take comfortable shoes to the mall and walk several laps inside.
* Drink plenty of water. Take a water bottle with you when you walk.

Test Your Knowledge

1. Using a pedometer or step counter is an easy way to motivate yourself to walk more.
1. True
close

The answer is correct

Using a pedometer or step counter can help you find out how active you are during the day. After you know your level of activity, you can set goals to increase your steps and your fitness.
close
2. False
close

The answer is incorrect

Using a pedometer or step counter can help you find out how active you are during the day. After you know your level of activity, you can set goals to increase your steps and your fitness.
close

Continue to Where to go from here
Return to Fitness: Walking for wellness
Where to go from here

Now that you have read this information, you are ready to plan a walking program that suits you.

Talk with your doctor

If you have questions about this information, print it out and take it with you when you visit your doctor.

Return to Fitness: Walking for wellness
Related Information

* Fitness
* Healthy Aging
* Weight Management

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