News — herbs

During the summer season, the elements of Fire and Water (and the Pitta dosha) run high. This is the time when we experience the hot, light, liquid, sharp, oily, and mobile qualities of the season and as the heat waves roll through and our air conditioning isn't quite getting the job done we are more likely to feel irritable, frustrated, angry, impatient, jealous, and short-tempered. Learning how to cope with seasonal changes is essential. We may develop heartburn, acne, fever, skin rash, foul smelling sweat, headaches, and acidity during the summer season. But . . . summer is a time for...

The four fundamental signs of inflammation: pain, swelling, redness, and heat Sound familiar? At some point or another you've probably experienced all of these symptoms. A sprained ankle, a bug bite, some poison ivy. Inflammation is the body's protective mechanism, it is our natural defense system. When it senses foreign invaders, like a splinter or indigestible food, it sets off a cascade of events in attempt to protect you. It is one of our main mechanisms for removing metabolic wastes, debris, damaged cells and foreign agents. It allows our system to ward off bacteria, fungi and viruses. Acute inflammation is...

Here are some crucial brain health guidelines to incorporate into your daily routine. 1. Balance brain patterns through meditation. Through examination of brain wave activity in EEG's, we observe brain waves that are irregularly too high or too low suggest problems with the cerebral cortical functions. During meditation, gamma brain waves, which are associated with high levels of cognitive functioning, peak concentration and feelings of bliss.   2. The nose is the door to the brain. Alternate nostril breathing works on the frontal lobe; it balances the left and right hemispheres, improves capillary circulation and gives an alert and attentive...

There are powerful, ancient herbs and spices used in Ayurvedic medicine for ultimate health and overall well-being. Today's modern world doesn't exactly help us stay free of toxins. We may start off with the best of intentions to eat well, exercise, and detox. But life gets in the way. We don't always have time to prepare all the nutritious foods we need. The toxic, polluted world weave created places a burden on our systems that we were never designed to cope with. We have to get rid of all the preservative, pesticides, and genetically modified organisms in our bodies, before...

  Our modern lives can be stressful, no doubt, so it's nice to know we have nature's adaptogenic herbs on our side. Ashwagandha has been praised as a longevity and vitality tonic for millennia. It is revered in Ayurvedic medicine for its restorative, energizing, and strengthening properties. It is known to promote rejuvenation in the mind, body, and soul. In Sanskrit, ashwagandha means "the smell of a horse", indicating that the herb holds the strength of a stallion, and has traditionally been prescribed in ancient Ayurveda to help people strengthen their immune system after an illness. The herb, also known...