INTRODUCTION:
We all are part of nature. Any amount of change in climate, life style, moods, relationships,
diet will have a lot of influence on individual state of mind and body. When this balance is
distrubed body is prone to disease. In olden days man used to live close to nature.
Whenever he was exposed to some illness he use to cure it with the available resourses
provided by the mother nature.
Herbs are considered to be safe to the body and have no side effects when used properly.
Herb: In general in a plant the leafy green part or flowering part (when dried or fresh) is
known as herb but in medicinal use herb refers to any part of the plant, seeds, roots, bark,
leaves, flowers. overdosage of herbals may lead to severe complications. All are not safe in
nature. only by identifying the nature of the body , nature of the disease, that particular
herb in a prescribed quantity should be taken. Nature provide us different types of
medicinal plants . we have to identify them and use for our illness.
Difference between Antibiotic and Herbs: Antibiotics are isolated chemical
constituents because of isolated chemical property bacteria easily adapt it and counter
attack it. Herbs are complicated chemical compounds . Garlic contains over 33 sulphur
compounds , 17 amino acids and 12 other compounds. The different compounds work
together and produces better results. The active ingredients of many plants are not known
yet. From the written evidence found on Sumerian clay slab from Nagpur , it is evident
that drugs from medicinal plants are used around 5000 years ago.
Precautions:
1. Avoid herbs and drugs that have opposite action.
2.Herbal medicine quantity and usage differ from child to adult.
3. If herbal medicines are used along with other drugs they may decrease or increase the
effectiveness of the drug causing side effect.
4. The herbs dongquail, feverfew, garlic, ginger thins the blood so they should stop taking
before surgery. sedative herbs kava, valerian increases the effect of anesthesia.
5. Not all herbal medicines sold are safe . only from a reputed pharmacist or practitioner it
is safe to purchage.
6. During pregnancy only under the supervision of ayurvedic practitioner it is
recommended to use herbal medicine.
7. Unregulated herbal medicines from overseas have been found to contain dangerous
levels of arsenic and lead which causes serious health problems. Be careful while
purchasing from internet.
8. Without consulting doctor never stop taking prescribed medicines.———————————————————————————————————————————–
TULSI PLANT:
In most of the Indian houses Tulsi plant is grown and worshipped.We can find Tulsi plant
in two varieties. one is Lakshmi Tulsi and second one is Krishna Tulsi. For Lakshmi Tulsi
the leaves are in Green colour and for Krishna Tulsi the leaves are in purple colour. It is an
inexpensive herb Which is loaded with lot of benefits.
krishna tulsi
BENEFITS OF TULSI PLANT:
1. Used in curing cold and cough
2. Used to reduce fevers (particularly dengue and malaria)
3. Strengthens Immunity
4. Useful in respiratory disorders
5. Useful in curing various skin diseases like ring worms as it contains Lonoleic acid
6. As it is rich in antioxidants useful to reduce stress , diabetes and high blood pressure
7. Acts as detoxifying and purifying agent
8. Useful to reduce kidney stones as it helps to regulate uric acid level in the body
9. Useful in dental problems
10. To heal the damaging effect of smoking
11. When tulsi paste is mixed with neem , turmeric it helps to reduce acne and pimples
12. Useful in repeated hiccups
13. Useful to reduce cholesterol deposition in blood vessels
14. Improves digestion
HOW TO PREPARE TULSI LIQID :
Tulsi liqid is prepared by adding 15 tusi leaves and 2 grams of peppar powder to boiling
water. After cooling , the liqid can be consumed.
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BETEL LEAF:
Introduction: According to Skanda Purana,during the churning of ocean by Devtas and
asuras,betel leaf obtained.It is a symbol of prosperity.
Various Gods present in betel leaf are:
- In the top portion of leaf Indra and Shukra are present.
2.In the middle portion Goddess Saraswati is present.
3.In the lower tip Goddess Mahalakshmi is present.
4.In the part that connects the leaf with stem Goddess Jyestha Devi is present.
5.Inside the leaf Lord Vishnu is present.
6.Outside the leaf Lord Shiva and Kamdev are present.
7.In the left side Goddess parvati and MangalyaDevi are present.
8.In the right side Bhoodevi is present.
9.Throughout the leaf Lord Suryanarayana Swami is present.
It is considered as one of the Ashtamangalyas. For pujas or for dakshinas the torn or holed
leaves should be discarded.
Composition: Betel leaf contains 85-90% of water, 0.4-1% fat, 3-3.5% protein. So a betel
leaf contains low fat and moderate proteins. It also contains essential nutrients such as
Iodine, Potassium, calcium, Vitamin A, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Nicotinic Acid. Betel leaf
contain essential oils and chemical components such as betel oil, chavicol, eugenol,
campene, betelphenol, terpene. These chemicals help to treat various diseases and
disorders.
In Ayurveda the importance of Betel leaf has been widely described. Betel leaves have
detoxification, anti oxidation and anti mutation properties. It plays an important role in
oral hygiene. Betel leaf has anti diabetic, cardiovascular, anti-inflammatory, antiulcer,
hepato-protective and anti infective properties. For some biological activities like anti
cancer, anti-inflammatory patents were also awarded.
Betel leaves are light to digest and hot in potency.
Uses:
1. To reduce cough –boil around 10 leaves in 500ml of water. Allow this to boil for at least
10 minutes and then drink.
2. A few leaves can be added to some boiling water with a little black pepper to treat
stomach pain in young children.
3. chewing of raw leaves helps to reduce sore throat and infection.
4. Betel leaf paste can be applied to wounds to prevent infection and help the healing
process as it has anti bacterial, anti-inflammatory and cleansing properties.
5. For ear aches –betel leaf juice 1 or 2 drops can be dropped to cure.
6. Regular consumption of betel leaves reduces blood sugar levels in diabetic patients. It
prevents the type2 diabetes, because of its anti diabetic property.
7. Chewing of betel leaves maintains Salivary Ascorbic acid levels in humans. It helps to
prevent carcinogenesis in the oral cavity.
8. To reduce inflammation caused by joint pains in Arthritis, hot betel leaves tied in a cloth
is applied.
9. When infants are suffering from stomach pain – apply castor oil or coconut oil on 2-3
broad betel leaves , warm them on candle and place these leaves on the stomach. Take care
the leaves are not over heated.
10. Regular usage of betel leaves reduces body fat and increases rate of metabolism.
11. The Chavicol present in betel leaf kills the bacteria on the surface, if the boiled betel
leaves water is applied on the floor as a cleaning fluid.
12. The Eugenol-an antioxidant present in betel leaves reduces the risk of heart stroke.
Betel leaves helps in lowering of LDL cholesterol, Triglycerides, VLDL cholesterol. It
increases HDL cholesterol levels.
13. Applying betel leaves on the forehead relieves the common headache.
14. People with anxiety and depression are prone to nervous problems. By drinking a
teaspoon of betel leaf juice twice a day reduces the nervous problem.
15. Anti histaminic property of betel leaf reduces bronchial asthma.
16. Betel leaves contain phenolic compounds ,which exhibits antioxidant, anti mutagenic,
anti proliferative and anti bacterial properties.with these properties betel leaves inhibits
the growth of cancer cells in the body and stops to spread cancer cells to different organs
of the body. Further betel leaves have chemo preventive property.
17. Chewing of betel leaves reduces depression as they contain aromatic phenolic
compounds that stimulates the release of catecholamines-as the low level of
catecholamines increases the risk of depression.
18. Betel leaves contains a compound –Terpenes-which has anti malarial property. Betel
leaves can be used to fight against malaria.
Precautions:
1. Do not chew these leaves with tobacco-in the form of quid.
2. People who are suffering from ulcers, acidity, tuberculosis, migraine should not use.
3. Persons suffering from urinary track problems should not use.
4. The center vein in the betel leaf leads to infertility, so the young men and woman are
advisable to remove the center vein of betel leaf while consuming.
5. A person who consumes 5-10 leaves daily may become addictive.
6. Tender leaves have more medicinal properties than older ones.
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ALOEVERA:
In Sanskrit Aloevera is named as Kumari means princes. Aloe produces two substances-
clear gel and yellow latex.The gel in the leaves contain 96% water,some organic and
inorganic compounds. Aloevera is rich in vitamin C,E and beta
carotene, iron, calcium& zinc. It is extensively used in beauty products and it has got
antiviral and antibacterial properties.
1.when aloe juice is taken orally it emits toxins from the body as it is rich in antioxidants.
2. It also contains a protein which has amino acids and fatty acids.
3. Aloe juice increases the immunity of a person as it propels the cells to produce nitric
4. oxides and cytokines.
5. When taken orally the juice reduces the body heat.
6. The gel reduces the ulcers in the mouth and also reduces the pain associated with them.
7. If the juice is taken for a prescribed period it controls the sugar levels in diabetic
patients.
8. It reduces the body weight.
9. It reduces acidity and gastric trouble and increases the digestion.
10. Aloe juice when used as regular mouth washer reduces the dental plaque.
11. As the gel contains proteolytic enzymes they repair dead skin cells on the scalp and
promotes the hair growth.
12. It reduces dandruff and it is a great conditioner .Aloe contains a chemical similar to
keratin the primary protein of hair ,so it rejuvenates the hair with its own nutrients.
13. Aloe gel is used to treat wounds,remove tan, stretch marks and sun burns.
How to use: As aloe gel is bitter in taste it can be taken along with other fruit or
vegetable juices.Daily 100 ml of pure aloe juice on empty stomach for 1 or 2 months is
recommended for better results.
Aloevera products can be used in all seasons and the people of all skin types.The gel can be
directly applied or can be used along with other ingredients and can make as a pack.
Side effects of Aloevera: Aloevera leaf contains two substances one is gel and the other
one is latex which comes from underneath the plants skin.
Irrespective of the dosage, taking latex internally is unsafe and harmful. However external
application of this latex could be safe only.
1. It can cause stomach cramps.
2. It can reduce potassium levels.
3. It can cause kidney injury.
4. Prolonged application on skin may create skin allergy.
5. Prolonged intake of juice may increase the risk of getting diabetis due to laxative effect.
6. The intake may lead to dehydration.
7. It may cause vomiting as well as diarrhea as the leaves contain mild toxic substances.
8. Extensive use of juice may increase the risk of irregular heart beat.
9. The high dose ingestion can lead to liver inflammation.
10. Aloe latex consumption may cause muscle weakness.
11. Intake of aloe supplements is directly linked to thyroid problems.
12. Consumption of aloe juice for breast feeding mothers and pregnant ladies is not safe.
13. It is not recommended to the people who are suffering from diabetis, intestinal
problems, kidney problems, hemorrhoids.
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SANATANA DHARMA 