This morning drink can reduce bloating and indigestion

Consuming a basic mixture of soaked jeera/ cumin and ajwain/ carom seeds, which used daily to support the digestive system and gut health. US based gastroenterologist, Dr. Pal Manickam recently explained the health benefits of this drink through scientific evidence while demonstrating its practical advantage to gut health.

Magic potion

The preparation method for this drink involves soaking 1 teaspoon of each seed- jeera and ajwain in water throughout the night before boiling the mixture in the morning and then straining it to serve warm.

Detoxify and digest

This mixture enhance the digestive function and achieves natural body detoxification. The digestive acids and enzymes needed for better food breakdown emerge from thymol, which exists in jeera.

Ajwain works to eliminate gas and bloating through its ability to relax the digestive system. Saunf / fennel provides stomach relief while simultaneously decreasing stomach acid levels. This blend can also support metabolism. Regular consumption may also help reduce occasional discomfort from over eating or indulgent meals.

Dr. Pal explains that this morning drink activates the digestive system after sleep, by using gentle ingredients instead of caffeine or strong stimulants to prepare the gut for food consumption. The daily practice leads to better digestion, reduced bloating and improved bowel movements which results in long-term gut health improvement. Its warm, soothing nature also helps regulate morning appetite, encouraging healthier food choices throughout the day.

Science behind the drink

Dr. Pal, who specialises in gut health has explained the effectiveness of this morning drink. According to him-

The antioxidant properties and oil content in jeera and ajwain water help the body eliminate metabolic waste products.

The drink stimulates bile production, which serves as a crucial factor for fat breakdown and metabolic processes.

Ajwain helps the body reduce water retention while improving the absorption of nutrients.

The ingredients present no major risks which research evidence supports their traditional usage and small-scale studies confirm their advantages.

Regular consumption of this mixture can assist in weight loss through its ability to boost metabolism and fat breakdown.

The addition of fennel seeds to the mixture, enhances detoxification processes while simultaneously decreasing stomach acidity,

Dr. Pal states that this remedy does not function as a magic solution, but it offers a safe approach to enhance gut health and metabolic function. The treatment works discreetly to support natural body processes, without causing any severe adverse reactions.

Detoxifying and balancing effects

The consumption of jeera-ajwain water enables the body to detoxify by clearing out harmful substances and maintaining proper stomach acid levels. The drink functions as a gentle diuretic, which helps the body eliminate surplus water and decreases swelling. The advantages of this drink enable users to experience lighter body weight and increased daily energy levels..

Dr/ Pal notes that this traditional remedy helps control blood sugar levels following meals, thus providing sustained energy and preventing unexpected hunger cravings.

Wellness beyond physical benefits

The warm aromatic beverage creates a feeling of equilibrium which helps people maintain their mental health. Dr. Pal supports the value of traditional health practices because they create both physical advantages and mental serenity for individuals.

Ingredients

Jeera 1 tsp

Ajwain 1 tsp

Saunf  1 tsp ( optional)

Preparations

The seeds require dry roasting at a low heat to achieve better flavour.

Soak the seeds in water throughout the night.

In the morning, boil the mixture, strain and drink it warm on an empty stomach.

Who should be careful

People with chronic digestive issues or allergies need to consult their healthcare provider before using this drink as a regular beverage. People who are pregnant or taking medication, should verify potential drug interactions and adverse effects.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.    https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations   https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes     https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement https://GSiyers home remedies.blogspot.com   is the latest addition to my blogs

COVID-19: Top 3 immunity boosting concoctions to enjoy at home

COVID-19: With the sudden wave of fear of coronavirus, all of us have become cautious about our hygiene and our sneezing and coughing behaviour, we should also pay little attention to enhancing our immunity and what’s a better way to start from your kitchen. Guess what? Your grandma was right and there are reasons why we’d try ‘dadimaa ke nuskhe’( grandma's home remedy) for everything at least once.
Here are a few concoction options to dive in and give a twist to your regular routine to enjoy good immunity:

The gingery drink

Ingredients: Ginger, black pepper, cinnamon

Ginger is used to intensify agni (digestive fire), and naturally detoxify the digestive tract. It helps in the removal of toxins and promoting blood circulation to help open up sinuses. Black pepper contains Vitamin C and enriches immunity. Cinnamon is a spice which is a great source of antioxidants.

Method: Take a cup of warm to hot (not boiling) water. Add a stick of cinnamon and let it simmer in for a minute. Chop up about an inch thick of freshly peeled ginger. For 2 minutes, let the ginger steep in the water. Splash in a dash of black pepper and drink it up.

Try the lemon grass tonic

Ingredients: Carom seeds (ajwain), turmeric, and lemongrass

Turmeric, rich in anti-inflammatory properties, has an active compound called curcumin, which is known to have benefits on immunity. Trace amounts of vitamin A in lemon grass boosts immunity and helps fight cancer. Carom seeds are anti-inflammatory and aids in digestion and acts as a good immunity booster.

Method: Add carom seeds and few leaves of lemon grass to hot water and let it come to a boil. Let it stay for two minutes. Lastly add turmeric and stir well. It’s ready!

Honey it up

Ingredients: Honey, garlic, cumin seeds

Garlic is a powerful immune booster that is used as a cure for everything from flu, colds to cancer. Honey has antibacterial, antifungal and anti-viral properties. The allicin compound is released in garlic only by chewing and breaking the garlic up so make sure to add whole garlic and chew it up

Method: Add a pinch of cumin seeds to hot water and let it stay for 2 minutes. Peel a clove of garlic separately. Mince, crush, chop, press or slice the garlic clove into smaller pieces. Let the garlic rest for a duration of 10-15 minutes to activate the enzymes. Add 1/2 tablespoon of raw honey onto a spoon.

Word of caution: Make sure not to follow every concoction tip which is forwarded on messages or videos on social media. Follow those who are recommended by qualified nutritionists or have an authentic source.

Over to you

Did you know that your kitchen holds all the solutions to boost your immunity? Now, you cannot refuse from the fact that it is true gold that resides just beside you and has the power to save you and give that superman boost to your immune system.

Remember to not panic buy these items and try looking for healthy alternatives or items that are handy at kitchen pantry.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     

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Human Immunity And Rasam: What We Know And Don’t

Note: This piece does not say that consuming rasam will prevent a person from contracting Covid-19. It talks about how rasam boosts immunity.

In 2015, the Nobel Prize for medicine was shared by three people, of whom Youyou Tu attracted high attention.

Neither a ‘doctor’ and nor an academic PhD, her research was in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

In the early 1970s, she isolated an anti-malarial principle artemisinin from a well-known Chinese herb, sweet wormwood, or Artemisia annua.

Now, in 2020, there is a chance that a culinary delight from traditional Hindu culture can play a role in effecting a food-based resistance to the spread of COVID-19 mortality rate by boosting the resistance of the body.

Given the fact that the presence of background diseases along with the age-factor increases the chances of COVID-19 fatality, a boost in immunity is important in battling the viral epidemic.
In this, rasam seems to have triggered some renewed interest of late.

‘Rasam’ is a southern Indian common liquid food item consumed by people from all sections of the society.

Tradition has it that a Brahmin priest came up with this formulation to cure a Pandya prince who was suffering from an ailment that could not be cured with any then known medicines.

Rasam in Sanskrit means ‘essence’.

In Vedic literature, rasa is the living fluid essence - from the breast milk through clarified butter to the juice of the fruits - rasa is the very essence of life.

In the culinary context then, rasam becomes a very important component in Indian meals.

What we know
A study in 2014 discussing the medicinal values of various southern Indian traditional food items has pointed out that like all things Indic, rasam also comes in quite a number of varied forms, each with their own medicinal valuer

Selavu rasam a known traditional food of Tamilnadu is prepared by boiling and seasoning a mixture of ground ingredients of black pepper, coriander seed, jeeragam, garlic and curry leaves. Selavu rasam is not only given to children and adult with cough, but also to lactating mother after their child birth. Vitamin C was rich in recipes like Murugai keeerai rasam (8.96mg) and Millagu rasam (10.55mg). 

Studies by researchers from the department of biotechnology, SRM University and National Institute of Siddha, Chennai, reveal that 'Thaaleesaadhi chooranam', a polyherbal formulation prepared from 23 different herbs is mixed with rasam and given to people to build in them resistance against microbial infections.

Professor Agilandeswari Devarajan of the Department of Pharmaceutics, Hillside College of Pharmacy and Research Centre, Bengaluru, has been studying this delicacy for quite some time along with researcher Mohan Maruga Raja of PRIST University, Thanjavur.

Defining rasam as a traditional preparation with 'tamarind juice as a base, with the addition of Indian sesame oil, turmeric, tomato, chili pepper, pepper, garlic, cumin, curry leaves, mustard, coriander, asafoetida, sea salt, and water' they state that 'preclinical and clinical studies on rasam and its ingredients support' the traditional claims of medicinal values of rasam.

What we don’t

They point out that 'the real challenge lies not in proving whether the functional foods have health benefits' but 'in investigating the bioactive properties of these functional foods beyond a nutritional context'.

The study after describing the various common individual components of the rasam then points to an important fact - the processing factor

The processing in the formulation of rasam involves heating the spices in water and oil. This processing provides tremendous opportunity for a completely altered/different chemical composition of the finally formulated rasam. Loss of active principles or synergetic effect or breakdown of inactive metabolite to an active one or formation of new chemical entities (NCEs) is a real possibility.

This study published in the peer-reviewed journal 'Pharmacognosy Reviews' in 2017 says that a study of rasam with respect to these newly formed chemicals would reveal the following:

-the structural and functional features of these newly formed chemicals in the context of body's physiology and biochemistry;

-the same in the context of the origin and development of diseases;

-how these new entities emerging out of rasam interact with them;

-and interaction between organic and inorganic constituents.

Now with COVID-19 spread necessitating the building of measures to increase the disease resistance of the general population, India does have a great advantage of using her traditional food system, fortified by local medical knowledge to achieve this goal in a cost-effective and efficient way.

Rasam - a very easy to make food item makes itself available to all sections of the society.

And who knows an active principle that may inhibit COVID-19 may be hiding in plain sight in one of the rasam recipes of a village grandmother, waiting for our labs to find out.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     

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12 Amazing Home Remedies For Acidity: Easy Tips To Reduce The Pain

Acidity occurs when there is excess secretion of acids in the gastric glands of the stomach, producing gas, bad breath, stomach ache and other symptoms. According to a Nutritionist. "Acidity can be caused due to a long gap between meals, empty stomach or excessive intake of tea, coffee, smoking or alcohol”. When the secretion of acids is more than usual - we experience heartburn or acid reflux or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), which is normally triggered when we eat a heavy meal or spicy foods. Acidity can turn out to be quite annoying. In order to get rid of the same, we often resort to various remedies. However, if you have failed at doing so, then fret not, we've got your back. In this article we have included a list of few home remedies for acidity that may come to great help in getting rid of acidity problems. Follow them and watch out for results.

Here are 12 simple ingredients available in your kitchen or refrigerator that can be used to get rid of stomach acidity.

Acidity Home Remedies: 

1. Basil Leaves

The soothing and carminative properties of basil leaves can give you instant relief from acidity. At the first sign of gas, eat a few basil leaves or boil 3-4 basil leaves in a cup of water and let it simmer for a few minutes. Sip on it frequently. This is one of the best home remedies for acidity.
 
2. Fennel

You can also “chew sauf after meals, to prevent stomach acidity”, advises a Nutritionist. “For its multitude of gastrointestinal benefits, fennel tea is sure to help the digestive tract be healthy and happy. The tea is considered very useful to help indigestion and bloating because of the oils found in these seeds”, according to a renowned Health Practitioner.

_{Fennel tea is sure to help the digestive tract be healthy and happy}

3. Cinnamon

This humble spice works as a natural antacid for stomach acidity and can settle your stomach, by improving digestion and absorption. For relief, drink cinnamon tea to heal infections in the gastrointestinal tract. Cinnamon is a powerhouse of nutrients and loaded with health benefiting properties.
 

_{This humble spice works as a natural antacid}

4. Buttermilk

Did you know that buttermilk is categorised as a sattvic food in Ayurveda? So, the next time you get acidity after eating a heavy or spicy meal, skip the antacid and drink a glass of chaas instead. Buttermilk contains lactic acid that normalizes acidity in the stomach. Sprinkle a dash of black pepper or 1 teaspoon of ground coriander leaves for best results.
 

_{Buttermilk contains lactic acid that normalises acidity in the stomach​}

5. Jaggery

Ever wondered why our elders finish a meal with gur? “Due to its high magnesium content, jaggery helps boost intestinal strength”, says a Dr.  It aids digestion and makes your digestive system more alkaline in nature, thus reducing stomach acidity. Suck on a small piece of gur after a meal, and reap the benefits. Since jaggery  also helps maintain normal body temperature, cooling the stomach - experts recommend drinking Gur Sharbat (jaggery soaked in ice cold water) during the summer.
 

_{Jaggery aids digestion and makes your digestive system more alkaline in nature}

6. Cloves

Over the years, cloves have grabbed a prominent place in traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda to treat digestive disorders. Cloves are carminative in nature, thus preventing the formation of gas in the gastrointestinal tract. Add cloves while cooking foods like kidney beans or black gram that tend to cause flatulence. You can even eat crushed cloves and cardamom (mixed in equal amounts) to treat acidity, and get rid of bad breath (which often accompanies this problem).
 

_{Cloves have grabbed a prominent place in traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda}

7. Cumin Seeds / jeera

Cumin seeds work as a great acid neutralizer, aid digestion and relieve stomach pain. Slightly crush some roasted cumin seeds, stir it into a glass of water or steep one teaspoon of cumin seeds in a cup of boiled water and drink it after every meal.

8. Ginger

Beneath its knobbly exterior, ginger hides many health benefits. “ Ginger has excellent digestive and anti-inflammatory properties”, says a  Dr.  To help neutralize stomach acids, you can chew a slice of fresh ginger, or have a spoonful of ginger juice two-three times a day, or steep fresh ginger in a cup of boiling water and drink up.
 

_{Beneath its knobbly exterior, ginger hides many health benefits}

9. Cold Milk

For those who are not lactose intolerant, milk can help stabilize gastric acids in the stomach. It is rich in calcium, which prevents the buildup of acid in the stomach. “All you need to do is drink a glass of cold milk the next time you suffer from acidity”, suggests a Nutritionist.

 

_{Milk is rich in calcium, which prevents the buildup of acid in the stomach}

10. Apple Cider Vinegar

Very often, your acid reflux is in fact the result of too little stomach acid. That’s where apple cider vinegar steps in. Simply mix 1-2 teaspoons of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar in a cup of water and drink it once or twice a day. You can also take a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, and chase it with a glass of water.

11. Coconut Water 

“When you drink coconut water, your body's pH acidic level turns alkaline”, adds a Dr. It also helps produce mucous in your stomach, which protects the stomach from harmful effects of excessive acid production. Since it is rich in fiber, it aids digestion and prevents the re-occurrence of acidity.

12. Banana

When it comes to health benefiting properties, bananas hold much importance. Bananas contain natural antacids that can act as a buffer against acid reflux. This is the simplest home remedy for getting rid of acidity. Eat one banana every day to prevent discomfort.

_{Bananas contain natural antacids that can act as a buffer against acid reflux}

So if you ever happen to suffer from acidity, then bring these home remedies to your rescue.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     
https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement