How to Improve the Memory

Ayurveda has the cure for all disease. It is a complete and approved system of medication. The medicines made out of rasa (essence), bark, fruit, and leaves of different plants may appear to be useless, but they have the capacity to cure many incurable diseases. Today's modern life style has influenced the human brain to a great extent. Busy schedules and hectic work has resulted in our memory power becoming weakened. Foreign companies are coming up with new medicines and polluting the bodies environment at a time when we are trying to cope up with stress and tension. It is not sure whether such polluting medicines improve memory power or not, though it is certain that these medicines have adverse effects on the body.

Our brain has three parts. There are the conscious, subconscious and unconscious aspects of mind. All three forms are associated with memory. The conscious mind is the part of contemporary memory. The subconscious mind is related to those memories which can be remembered with great difficulty. The memories, which have been forgotten and the person is unable to recollect in spite of his best efforts are included in the unconscious mind. The memories and incidents which are a part of this mind sometimes appear in the form of dreams or a rare incident.

Important Yogic Remedies from Ancient Indian Scriptures:

1. 29th chapter of Agnipuran contains a medicine, which grants longevity to a person. According to the text, consuming 240 mg to 500 mg of Brahmi powder with milk every morning is very beneficial. It also increases the memory power.

2. Ayurvedic scriptures like Charaka and Sushruta say that consuming 3 gm of green vegetable soup (made form Brahmi) increases the memory power. Brahmi leaves are tasty just like the tamarind leaves.

3. Bhav Prakash includes the importance of Shankhpushpi for good memory. Consuming 3 to 6 gm of Shankhpushpi powder with milk is extremely beneficial for increasing memory. It also plays an important role in improving the functioning of the brain and its overall development.

4 .Beshajya Ratnavali is a famous Ayurvedic literature. According to this book, regular consumption of Brahmi, Shankhpushpi, almond, etc. strengthen the brain cells and provide coolness to the brain. They are helpful in improving memory power and curing nervous related problems.

5.An Ayurvedic literature called Chikitsa Chandrodaya mentions the importance of Brahmi in the form of a chemical. Regular consumption of Brahmi improves the capacity to think and understand. It also includes a simple combination to improve memory power. It says that almond and sugar candy 'Halava' (sweet dish) is very healthy to strengthen the brain cells and improve the memory power.

6. Add one gram of black pepper in ten grams of honey and consume this mixture twice a day. This combination is very beneficial for increasing the memory power, improves eyesight and stops premature graying of hair.

7. A Greek literature 'Ijajul Gruba' mentions that consuming fiber in right quantity is extremely beneficial. Almond and pomegranate squash are very useful sources of fiber food. Whichever squash suits the body, should be taken regularly in the summer season. This book has cautioned that the best way to improve the memory power is to keep the mind cold and the feet warm.

8. Ayurvedic books have paid utmost attention to massage. Massaging the feet and head with rapeseed oil is beneficial in improving the memory power. Regular massage of the head increases the blood flow and also improves the memory power. It also relieves headache and improves the eyesight.

9. A simple tip can improve your memory power many times. When you go to bed, lie down straight, close your eyes and memorize all the activities, which you did throughout the day from morning to evening. Practice this tip everyday and you will notice that the memory power has improved to a great extent.

10. People who sleep with their head towards the East or South direction have very good memory power.

11. According to Guru Pushya Yog one should always keep Apamarg herb, this increases the memory power.

Diet for a healthy brain:

Necessary vitamins for the brain:

Vitamin B -1: It is necessary for the brain. The main sources are-sprouted cereals, green-leafy vegetables and groundnuts.

Vitamin B-2: This is also very important for the brain and is found in milk, cheese, green vegetables, tomato and apricot.

Vitamin B-6: The brain needs this vitamin and is mainly found in whole grains, yeast, dried beans, potato, fruits, and green vegetables.

Vitamin B-12: It is very important for the proper functioning of the brain. Its main sources are milk, curd and cheese.

Vitamin-C: It keeps the brain healthy and the main sources of this vitamin are tomatos, melons, myrobalan, lime, green leafy vegetables, cabbage, strawberry, and turnip.

Vitamin-E: It gives strength to the brain and the main sources of this vitamin are tomato, dried beans, pulses, grains, spinach, and green vegetables.

Mineral salts are very important:

1. Calcium keeps the brain healthy and is mainly found in beans, grains, and pulses.

2. Our brain requires sodium and can be obtained from pulses, cheese. It is normally found in all the edible items and common salt is also sodium.

3. Our brain also requires iron, which is found in green vegetables, pulses, beans, groundnuts etc.

4. Potassium also strengthens the body and pulses, green leafy vegetables, beans, cereals, milk, fruits especially banana and orange are good source of potassium.

5. Zinc keeps the brain in proper condition and can be obtained from beans, cereals, and pulses. These items should be included in our daily diet.

6. Magnesium strengthens the mind. It is found in soyabeans, milk, green vegetables, pulses, well water etc.

7. Fluoride gives the brain the ability to think and understand. Fluoride is found in tea, coffee, soyabean and drinking water.

8. Copper is very essential for the brain and the best sources are cereals, mushroom, green peas, beans etc.

9. Selenium refreshes the mind and makes it strong. Selenium is found in whole grains, milk, cheese, vegetables etc.

Sun heated oil:

1. Oil made under the sunlight cures diseases related to the brain. This oil is known as 'Asmani' oil, which means the oil made under the sky. To prepare this oil you require a blue colored glass bottle and black sesame oil or rapeseed oil or coconut oil. Fill the bottle with any one type of oil and keep it under the Sun for at least three months. Do not keep the bottle on the floor rather place it on some wooden plank.

2. Cover the bottle with cotton and change the cotton everyday.

3. This oil makes the mind active, cool and makes the hair healthy.

4. This oil works very well in all diseases related to the brain. Massaging the body with this oil increases the strength of the body.

5. This oil reduces burning sensation in the eyes, hands, legs and nervous weakness.

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Diet Theraphy for Diseases

Diet therapy suggests different types of special diets for various diseases. These diets can cure special ailments. The diet for various diseases with their description is provided below,

Best bet diet is meant for multiple sclerosis. This diet is free from proteins like gluten, dairy products and eggs. It contains small amount of yeast, sugar and other carbohydrates. Cabbage soup diet cures obesity. It consists of various types of cabbage, which is cooked in different ways. It contains spices in small quantities, which can be added to give it a taste. However by consuming the cabbage soup diet people tend to generate excessive gas inside the alimentary canal.

Atkins diet is also meant for curing obesity. Dr. Richard Atkins conceived the idea of this diet in the sixties, which is now one of the most popular low carbohydrate diets in the world today. This diet highlights the need of saturated fats in the diet and that trans fats need to be avoided. It puts forward that refined carbohydrates like sugar, flour etc. are the prime cause of obesity.

Diabetic diet is meant for people suffering with diabetes mellitus. This diet is rich in digestive fiber but low in sugars and carbohydrates. The diet consists of hypoglycemic substances.

DASH stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. As the name suggests the diet is meant for people suffering from hypertension. It is a mixture of different foods, which are meant for lowering the blood pressure. The diet consists of poultry, fish food, fiber, nuts and whole grains but less red meats and unsaturated fats.

Gerson diet is meant for diseases like cancer. This diet is rich in fresh vegetables and fruits, which requires minimum cooking. Animal products, plant products, sugars and diary products are reduced or totally kept off the diet. Graham diet is meant for those suffering from physiological defects. It consists of fresh vegetables and fruits with whole wheat and high fiber.Eggs are reduced to a minimum and meats and spices are completely avoided in the diet.

High protein diet is meant for bodybuilding and is followed by body builders and musclemen all over the world. Gym professionals recommend this diet as it consists of high amount of proteins among the other nutrients. Jenny Craig diet is recommended for weight loss. As the name suggests the diet was the brainchild of Australian diet expert, Jenny Craig. It has been proved that people loss their weight if they follow this diet, which occurs gradually, spread over a period of a few weeks. Natural foods diet is meant for curing obesity, diabetes, mood swings and cancers. This diet consists of only natural ingredients and synthetic or prepared food is a strict no. The diet also avoids ingredients like sugars and salt.

Ornish diet is meant for people suffering from heart diseases and obesity. This is a very strict diet where saturated fats are allowed only in fewer quantities. Egg whites are allowed but apart from that the diet is completely vegetarian. It consists of vegetables, legumes and high fiber foods. The diet does not even consist of fish and nuts, which are actually good for the heart. Pritikin diet is a low fat and rich fibrous diet, which is meant for people suffering from obesity. It is somewhat similar to Atkins diet.

Apart from disease specific diets, there are certain broad-spectrum diets, which aim at curing a range of ailments. A list of such diets is given below,

Breatharian diet is a very regulating diet that is difficult to practice. This diet eliminates almost all foods, except some fluids that can be consumed. It has been proven that this diet helps to keep the body free of external attacks in to the body.

Fat Resistance diet is a typical diet to combat various problems caused owing to excessive collection of fat in the body. This diet consists of fruits, vegetables, omega fats and proteins, which will help the fats in the body to be properly utilized.

Detox diet also referred to as detoxifying diet, which is a dietary regiment, which helps to flush out the toxins from the body. It comprises mainly of high fiber carbohydrate foods, which provide the collagen for the proper removal of undigested toxins from the body.

Fruitarian diet recommends mainly fruits in the diet. It can be either all fruits or at least three fourths of the diet should consist of food. The aim of this diet is to keep it completely natural. Fruits have high water content and so diet experts claim that it is easy to digest and so it does not cause dietary problems within the body.

Low carbohydrate diet restricts all foods, which that are rich in carbohydrate. Food grains like rice, wheat and their products, sugar and other sources of carbohydrates are more or less eliminated. Instead foods, which are rich in proteins and fats, are used in high quantity.

In low protein diet, protein rich diets like milk, eggs and all forms of meat are reduced. Proteins take a high time to digest and therefore they cause digestive problems such as constipation, indigestion. Instead of proteins nutrients like carbohydrates and fats are used in excess. It is good for people suffering from constant digestive problems.

Diet therapy has become so popular in the world that is now referred as an alternative to medical science.

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Diet Therapy , Naturopathy

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Diet is a very important part of living and a nutritious diet helps keeping new diseases from affecting the body. Ayurveda suggests that only a balanced diet is not sufficient for good health. It recommends that specific bodily conditions require specific diets. It looks at diet as an alternative therapy and treats the body as a combination of three different factors called vata, pitta and kapha. These factors represent air, fire and water respectively. A healthy boy is one in which the three elements are perfectly balanced which can be achieved through diet. When any one of the elements is disturbed the body becomes prone to diseases, correcting the diet can cure it.

Diet therapy is a process of treating diseases of the body by eating a diet, which contains the necessary curative and preventive ingredients. A diet therapist would try to include the useful foods in the diet and eliminate all the harmful ones so that the person can recover quickly. Practitioners of medicine even claim that a healthy diet plan can help curing diseases and also assist in prevention of the disease. This is the main function of a diet therapy.

Be it with a well-structured diet plan for healthy living, or be it with a plan of diet for different diseases, diet therapy has carved a niche for itself as a noteworthy alternative therapy.

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Fasting Therapy

Fasting refers to complete abstinence from food for a particular period pertaining to a specific purpose and this is nature`s oldest, most effective and yet least expensive method of treating diseases, recognized as the achievement of natural healing. By depriving the body of food for a specific period of time, the organs of elimination such as the bowels, kidneys, skin and lungs are given opportunity to expel, unhampered the overload of accumulated waste from the system. Thus, fasting is merely the process of purification and an effective and quick method of cure, assisting nature in her continuous effort to expel foreign matter and disease producing waste from the body, thereby correcting the faults of improper diet and wrong living. It also leads to regeneration of the blood as well as the repair and regeneration of the various tissues of the body.

Juice fasting is the safest and the most effective method of fasting and far more superior to water fasting. Juices process definite medicinal properties as they are extracted from plants and fruits. Specific juices are beneficial in specific conditions. Besides specific medicinal virtues, raw fruit and vegetable juices have an extraordinary revitalizing and rejuvenative effect on all the organs, glands and functions of the body. They supply essential elements for the body`s healing activity and cell regeneration, resulting in speedy recovery. The patient should get as much fresh air as possible and should drink plain lukewarm water when thirsty. These fresh juices may be diluted with pure water on 50-50 bases and the intake of the same should be atleast 8-10 glasses of water should be the minimum intake. However, only fresh, raw vegetable and fruit juices are required for such fasts, since they contain all the required vitamins, minerals, enzymes and elements that are extremely beneficial in normalizing all the body processes.

It is required that enema should be given to the patient, every alternate day, so that gas or decomposing matter formed from the excrements remaining in the body passes out. In this process a lot of energy is spent during the fast. Thus it is advisable that the patient gets maximum physical and mental rest in this period. Sometimes it may happen that the intake of juices exclusively, results in an overload of toxic matter, which affects normal bodily functions. In such cases, when the bodily functions get disturbed, it is advisable to discontinue the fast and take cooked vegetables containing adequate roughage such as spinach and beets until the body functioning returns to normal.

The duration of the fast, however, depends upon the age of the patient, the nature of the disease and the amount and type of drugs previously used. Long periods of fasting can be dangerous if it is undertaken without the guidance of a competent guide, hence in general a person should not fast for more than a week. It is advisable to undertake a series of short fasts of two to three days and gradually increase the duration of each succeeding fast by a day or so. The success of the fast depends largely on how it is broken. This is the most significant phase. The right food after a fast is as important and decisive for proper results as the fast itself. The main rules for breaking the fast are; not to overeat, eat slowly and chew your food thoroughly and take several days for the gradual change to the normal diet.

After the raw juice therapy, the return to normal balanced diet should be gradual, and in stages. In the beginning, two juice meals may be replaced by milk and fruits. Then gradually juice meals may be substituted by a balanced diet. Fasting affords a physiological rest to the digestive, assimilative and protective organs. As a result, the digestion of food and the utilisation of nutrients are greatly improved after hasting. The fast also exerts a normalising, stabilising and rejuvenating effect on all the vital physiological, nervous and mental functions.

Source:Internet

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nails can teach us a lot

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Changes in your nails can often be one of the first signs of a problem with your diet or a vitamin or nutrient deficiency. Nail changes may signify a number of disorders elsewhere in the body. These changes may indicate illness even before the rest of the body does.

The following is a list of disorders that often show up in the nails:

Brittle nails signify possible iron deficiency and thyroid problems, impaired kidney function, and circulation problems

Yellow nails can indicate internal disorders long before other symptoms appear. Some of these are problems with the lymphatic system, respiratory disorders, diabetes, and liver disorders

Nails that chip, peel, crack, or break easily show a nutritional deficiency and insufficient hydrochloric acid and protein. Minerals may also be needed

White spots on the nails can be a sign of a zinc deficiency.

Source:Internet

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