Nature - The best healer

           Tratak is one of the 6 yogic kriyas which helps in the purification of our body. It is an amazing exercise to improve our power of concentration. An effective tratak practice takes one to the shores o meditation. It is said to bring energy to the third eye (pineal gland) and promote various psychic abilities.     Pineal gland :             Secretes Melatonin (Serotonin derivative). It helps in the regulation of the body's internal clock and circadian rhythms (sleep/wake cycle). Connect to brain and nerves through a complex network of bidirectional links. Method: Sit on the floor in any comfortable position or padmasana pose. Have a few deep breaths, make your breath steady, even, and rhythmic. Keep an object [burning candle (most commonly used), black dot on a piece of paper fixed on wall] of your gaze at your eye level at a distance of 3 to 4 feet or an arm's distance.  Keep the eyes meditatively wide...

                "Quiet the mind and the soul will speak."          Meditation is the state of enhancement of awareness and peace of mind to attain physical, mental, and spiritual stability. Meditation means to ponder, to pray, to focus the mind on some object, deep thinking, etc. Meditation is a beautiful and calming experience of the body, relaxing, soothing the mind, and awakening the soul. Meditation encourages a deepening of self-awareness, concentration, consciousness, and facilitates a deeper understanding of oneself and others.             Meditation is practiced all over the world but the techniques may vary. The first evidence of meditation was seen since the Indus valley civilization. The meditation practice was done early by the Rishis (Indian Sage), according to the Rishis meditation was the way for enlightenment and to establish the connectivity of their soul with God (The Creat...

           Food is an integral part of human culture. A well-balanced diet and proper methods of consumption of food are very essential for our proper health. The eating habits and selection of food differ from region to region and place to place according to natural conditions.           Indian food is as diverse as India. Most of our regional diets are generally well balanced and a person does not have to spend any extra money on additional supplements. The food culture and traditions of India have been shaped by its long history, unique geography and greatly influenced by the various rulers, travelers, and neighbors.      2000 B.C - Indus valley civilization lays the foundation for the Ayurvedic style of cooking.     1000 B.C - Aryans (roots of Hinduism get shaped, Vedas and caste system developed).     600 B.C - Buddhism and Jainism.     400 B.C - Greeks.     1200 A.D - Per...

 "DIET" we all have heard this word from many people like :  1. I am on a diet. 2. We should keep our diet proper. 3. We should have a balanced diet to keep ourselves fit and active.         But have you ever thought; what does diet mean? So basically diet has 2 meanings :  The kinds of food that a person, animal, or community habitually eats. A special course of food to which an individual restricts themselves, either to reduce weight or for medical reasons. THESE SPECIAL COURSES OF FOOD ARE ALSO SOMETIMES CALLED AS DIET THERAPY. There are different types of diets. Some of these diet plans/therapies may seem quite new or even unheard of by a few people. Detoxification diet :                    Fruits, raw vegetables, yogurt, and water are recommended to eliminate toxins that are caused by poor digestion of waste products absorbed from the environment. Allergies, arthritis are claimed to be allayed by t...

          Air is of prime importance for life . One may live for a few days without food or even water, but it is impossible to survive even for a minute or two without air.                            When we breathe in, oxygen from the air enters the lungs and dissolves in blood. Oxygen is essential for the process of combustion taking place in various cells of the body. When we breathe out, carbon dioxide formed in the body is expelled. Thus blood gets purified in the lungs (importance of deep breathing).           The main source of oxygen on earth is vegetation (green plants). Plants take up carbon dioxide from the air (for nutrition and growth)and release oxygen into the air. Thus the amount of oxygen is more in the area covered with greenery as compared to polluted and industrial areas.             A walk-in open space cover...

Scientific name : Mentha spicata. Synonyms: Garden mint, common mint, mint (species of mint), pudina, etc.                                                                Geographical sources :               It is indigenous to Europe but is extensively cultivated in North America and Asia. It grows better in a cool and shady place than in full exposure to the sun. Characters :               Spearmint is a herb. Colour: 1. Leaves- Green to dark green.                           2. Stem- Purple. Odor: Aromatic. Taste: Aromatic (but not followed by cooling sensation as in peppermint). Spearmint oil :              It is obtained by steam distillation of the herb...

Scientific name : Azadirachta indica . Synonym: Margosa, Bead tree, Indian lilac, etc.  Geographical sources:                 Found in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Shri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, Mauritius, Fiji, South Africa, and East Africa.                              The neem tree is approximately 30 mts tall . Neem tree has a stronghold in soil and hence prevents soil erosion. Neem is well known for its medicinal properties. Every part of the neem tree has some other medicinal values. Neem is bitter in taste. It has various properties like antibacterial, antifungal, insecticidal, contraceptive as well as a sedative. Uses of neem :            It is used in a variety of ways in medicine, cosmetics, grain storage, etc.                                ...