The first step towards eating for your Ayurvedic constitution is to find out what your constitutional type or dosha is. If you haven’t done so already, please take this quiz.

Once you know what your Ayurvedic dosha is, you can balance it by learning what foods support you and what foods can further aggravate your dosha.

The following general guidelines can help you get started. An Ayurvedic physician can help you further tailor your diet towards your individual constitutional type.

VATA
Balancing Foods
Fruit – Apricots, Avocado, Bananas, Berries, Dates, Fresh Figs, Grapefruit, Grapes, Kiwi, Lemons, Mango, Melon, Oranges, Papaya, Peaches, Pineapple, Plums, Strawberries. Sweet fruits are balancing. No dried fruits.

Vegetables – Artichoke, Asparagus, Beets, Carrots, Cucumber, Green Beans, Leeks, Mustard Greens, Okra, Olives, Onion, Parsnip, Potato, Squash, Watercress, Zucchini. Cooked vegetables are most balancing. Avoid raw vegetables.

Grains – Amaranth, Oats, Rice, Wheat, Wild Rice

Legumes and Nuts – Adzuki beans, Almonds, Black lentils, Brazil Nuts, Cashews, Flax, Hazelnuts, Mung beans, Peanuts, Pecans, Pine Nuts, Pistachios, Pumpkin, Red lentils, Sesame, Soy cheese, Soy milk, Sunflower, Tofu, Walnuts

Meat – Beef (occasionally), Chicken or Turkey (white meat), Duck, Eggs, Freshwater Fish, Seafood, Shrimp

Herbs, Spices, Condiments – Brown Rice Syrup, Honey, Maple Syrup, Molasses, other sweeteners than White Sugar, Allspice, Almond Extract, Anise, Basil, Bay Leaf, Black Pepper, Caraway, Cardamom, Cayenne, Chamomile, Cinnamon, Cloves, Coriander, Coconut, Cottage Cheese, Cumin, Dill, Fennel, Garlic, Ghee, Ginger, Mustard, Nutmeg, Onion, Oregano, Parsley, Peppermint, Poppy Seeds, Rosemary, Sage, Spearmint, Spirulina, Tamarind, Tarragon, Thyme, Pickles, Salt, Seaweed, Soy Sauce, Turmeric, Vanilla

Dairy – Buttermilk, Cow’s Milk, Cheese, Goat’s Milk, Goat Cheese, Yogurt. All is moderation.

PITTA
Balancing Foods
Fruit – Apples, Avocado, Berries, Dates, Figs, Grapes, Mango, Melons, Pears, Pineapples, Plums, Pomegranate, Prunes, Raisins, Watermelon. Sweet fruits are balancing. Sour fruits are aggravating.

Vegetables – Artichoke, asparagus, bell pepper, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cucumber, celery, green beans, leafy greens, mushrooms, okra, parsley, parsnip, peas, potatoes, squash, sprouts, zucchini. Sweet and bitter vegetables are balancing.

Grains – Barley, Cooked Oats, Basmati Rice, White Rice, Wheat, Wheat Bran, Wheat Granola are balancing. Amaranth, Buckwheat, Millet, Oat granola, Quinoa, Brown Rice and Rye are aggravating. Legumes and Nuts – All beans except black and red lentils are balancing, such as adzuki beans, chickpeas, kidney beans, soy beans, split peas and tofu. Coconut, psyllium, pumpkin and sunflower are balancing. Almonds, Brazil Nuts, Cashews, Chia, Filberts, Flax, Macadamia Nuts, Peanuts, Pecans, Pine Nuts, Pistachios and Sesame are aggravating.

Meat – Chicken white meat, turkey white meat, egg white, freshwater fish, shrimp (in moderation) are balancing. Beef, egg yolk, duck, lamb, pork, venison and seafood other than shrimp are imbalancing.

Herbs, Spices and Condiments – Maple Syrup, Fruit Juice Concentrate, Barley Syrup, Brown Rice Syrup, and other sweeteners except for honey and molasses, Coconut, Coriander, Cumin, Dill Fennel, Ghee, Mint, Orange Peel, Peppermint, Saffron, Seaweed, Spearmint, Sprouts, Turmeric, Wintergreen are balancing. Chili peppers, Garlic, Ginger, Horseradish, Ketchup, Mustard, Lemon, Mayonnaise, Onions, Pickles, Salt, Sesame Seeds, Soy Sauce and Tamari are aggravating.

Dairy – Butter (unsalted), Cottage Cheese, Mild Soft Cheeses, Ghee, Cow’s Milk, Goats Milk are balancing. Salted butter, Buttermilk, Hard Cheese, Feta Cheese, Sour Cream and Yogurt are aggravating.

KAPHA
Balancing Foods
Fruit – Apples, Apricots, Berries, Cherries, Cranberries, Dried Figs, Mango, Peaches, Pears, Pomegranate, Prunes, Raisins. Sweet fruits such as bananas and dates are aggravating, as are sour fruits such as lemons, sour oranges and grapefruit.

WASHINGTON: Curcumin, a popular Indian spice derived from the turmeric root, can help reduce cancer risk among postmenopausal women exposed to

hormone replacement therapy, according to University of Missouri researchers.

Studies conducted in the past have suggested that a combined oestrogen and progestin hormone replacement therapy increases postmenopausal women’s risk of developing progestin-accelerated breast tumours.

“The results of our study show that women could potentially take curcumin to protect themselves from developing progestin-accelerated tumours,” said Salman Hyder, the Zalk Endowed Professorship in Tumor Angiogenesis and professor of biomedical sciences in the College of Veterinary Medicine and the Dalton Cardiovascular Research Centre.

The study conducted using animal model showed that curcumin delayed the first appearance, decreased incidence and reduced multiplicity of progestin-accelerated tumours.

Curcumin also prevented the appearance of gross morphological abnormalities in the mammary glands.

The research team previously showed that progestin accelerates the development of certain tumors by increasing production of a molecule called VEGF that helps supply blood to the tumour.

And blocking the production of VEGF could potentially reduce the proliferation of breast cancer cells.

Hyder said that curcumin inhibits progestin-induced VEGF secretion from breast cancer cells.

“Curcumin and other potential anti-angiogenic compounds should be tested further as dietary chemopreventive agents in women already exposed to hormone replacement therapy containing estrogen and progestin in an effort to decrease or delay the risk of breast cancer associated with combined hormone replacement therapy,” Hyder said.

The study has been published in Menopause, a journal of the North American Menopause Society.

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WASHINGTON: Curcumin, a popular Indian spice derived from the turmeric root, can help reduce cancer risk among postmenopausal women exposed to

hormone replacement therapy, according to University of Missouri researchers.

Studies conducted in the past have suggested that a combined oestrogen and progestin hormone replacement therapy increases postmenopausal women’s risk of developing progestin-accelerated breast tumours.

“The results of our study show that women could potentially take curcumin to protect themselves from developing progestin-accelerated tumours,” said Salman Hyder, the Zalk Endowed Professorship in Tumor Angiogenesis and professor of biomedical sciences in the College of Veterinary Medicine and the Dalton Cardiovascular Research Centre.

The study conducted using animal model showed that curcumin delayed the first appearance, decreased incidence and reduced multiplicity of progestin-accelerated tumours.

Curcumin also prevented the appearance of gross morphological abnormalities in the mammary glands.

The research team previously showed that progestin accelerates the development of certain tumors by increasing production of a molecule called VEGF that helps supply blood to the tumour.

And blocking the production of VEGF could potentially reduce the proliferation of breast cancer cells.

Hyder said that curcumin inhibits progestin-induced VEGF secretion from breast cancer cells.

“Curcumin and other potential anti-angiogenic compounds should be tested further as dietary chemopreventive agents in women already exposed to hormone replacement therapy containing estrogen and progestin in an effort to decrease or delay the risk of breast cancer associated with combined hormone replacement therapy,” Hyder said.

The study has been published in Menopause, a journal of the North American Menopause Society.

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Herbs to Help with Diabetes Control
If you have been diagnosed with insulin resistance or high blood sugar levels, there are certain nutrients you can take to help control and even lower your blood sugar level.

Several herbal preparations have been used to control blood sugar levels beginning as early as 1550 B.C.3 Here are a few of the herbs that have been adequately studied to determine their actual effects and potencies.

Gymnema sylvestre (leaf). This age-old herb from tropical India destroys sugar taste when the leaves are chewed and is often promoted as an appetite suppressant for weight-loss. More importantly, several small placebo-controlled trials show that gymnema extracts lower blood sugar levels by enhancing the action of insulin. Animal studies indicate that gymnemacan double the number of insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, and bring blood sugar levels to normal. Research findings also indicate that gymnema can improve blood sugar control so that smaller doses of oral diabetes drugs are needed. Several human trials clearly show quite a significant improvement in blood sugar levels with gymnema.4
Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum).  Fenugreek has been found to improve glucose levels, presumably by decreasing absorption of glucose in the small intestine. One large fenugreek study examined participants with poorly controlled Type II diabetes and found an average fasting blood sugar decrease from 151 mg/dL (baseline) to 112 mg/dL after 24 weeks.5
Ginseng root (Korean and American ginseng).  Ginseng has been studied and used as a treatment for infections and diabetes generally for up to three months with repeated courses. One study showed a significant reduction in post-prandial glucose versus placebo in Type II diabetes.6
Citrus aurantium (orange bitters).  This herb stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, thus increasing metabolism and lowering appetite.
Milk thistle (Silybum marianum).  Milk thistle is extremely good at cleansing the liver, an important factor in diabetes. In doses over 1,500 mg per day, loose stools as a result of increased bile flow and secretion can occur.7 This desired effect makes it the herb of choice for any liver-related diseases, including liver toxicity associated with acetaminophen, anti-psychotics, halothane, and alcohol.8
Green tea.  Green tea helps increase metabolism and reduce chronic disease. It significantly reduces food intake, body weight, cholesterol and triglyceride levels. In one study, green tea increased insulin activity by about 15-fold, an effect of the active ingredient, EGCG.9
Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus).  Bilberry leaves have a reported weak anti-diabetic activity and have been shown experimentally to lower blood sugar levels consistently by 26% in rats.10 In folk medicine, its blood sugar-reducing effect is touted so that it is a common constituent in ”anti-diabetic” teas.11
Cinnamon.  This spice increases sugar metabolism in rodent fat cells 20-fold according to a report in Diabetes Care. Researchers found that less than one-half teaspoon of cinnamon daily for 40 days significantly dropped blood sugar levels in 60 study participants with Type II diabetes.
Devil’s claw (Oplopanax horridum).  The Devil’s claw plant reportedly contains insulin-like substances, but its chemistry is still under investigation. The root can be made into a tincture and just five drops on the tongue can help stop sugar cravings.
Blood sugar imbalance and diabetes are both treatable without risky prescription medications if you are willing to take an honest look at what you eat, examine how active you are, and monitor how much stress you experience every day.  To help normalize elevated blood sugar levels, consider one or more of the supplements recommended in this article.

References

American Diabetes Association, Cowie CC, et al. National Health and Nutrition
Examination Survey 1999-2002. Diabetes Care. 29(6):1263-1268, 2006.
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Dec 2003. Vol. 78, No. 6, 1068-1073.
David Fitz-Patrick, D.  Diabetes and Hormone Center of the Pacific, Ala Moana Pacific Center, Honolulu, Hawaii; http://www.endocrinologist.com/herbs.html.
Shane-McWhorter, L.  Diabetes Spectrum. 14:199-208, 2001.
Sharma RD, et al. Nutr Res. 16:1331-1339,1996.
Vuksan V, et al. Arch Intern Med. 160:1009-1013, 2000.
Luper S.: Altern Med Rev. 3:410-421, 1998.
Pepping J: Am J Health Syst Pharm. 56:1195-1197,1999.
Richard A. Anderson, RA, Ph.D. From the University of California in Santa Barbara but on behalf of the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service in Beltsville, MD.
Cignarella A, et al. Thromb Res. 84:311-322, 1996.
Wichtl MW: Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals. Bisset NG, Ed.Stuttgart, Germany, Medpharm Scientific Publishers, 1994.

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BHUBANESWAR: Experts in ayurveda claim to have come up with medicines which can make life more comfortable for patients suffering from HIV/AIDS,

cancer or some physical deformity. The Central Council for Research in Ayurveda and Siddha (CCRAS), the apex body that oversees research in ayurvedic medicine, has developed the drugs. The council has also begun clinical trials in different hospitals across the country.

Director general of CCRSA, G S Lavekar said, “The traditional system in association with modern technology can do wonders in medical science. The age-old practice has been adopted by developing countries and our medicines are in much demand in abroad. Diseases such as HIV/AIDS, cancer and mental illness may not be totally cured but the drugs can definitely improve the standard of life of the patients.”

Lavekar said they have the credit of obtaining as many as 22 patents including one international patent right on drugs. “After vigorous clinical trials, seven drugs developed by the council are in the market while seven others are on the pipeline. These include one for HIV/AIDS, cancer, psoriasis and disabled persons,” he added.

For cancer treatment, the council has developed QUOL2C drug, which aims to increase the quality of life for those undergoing chemo and radio therapy. Clinical trial for the drug is conducted in four major hospitals including St John Medical College and Hospital in Bangalore, AIIMS, New Delhi and Tata Institute of Cancer, Mumbai.

Similarly QOL2A, a medicine for HIV infected and AIDS patients, has been launched for multi-centric clinical trials. “We developed this medicine in association with Indian Council of Medical Research’s two frontal organizations National AIDS Research Institute (NARI) and National Institute of Virology,” he said.

Ayush-Manas, a medicine for mentally disabled people is being tested in Ram Monohar Lohia Hospital in New Delhi and NIMHANS, Bangalore.

The council has also developed Triple 7 oil for cure of psoriasis, a chronic skin disease, Ayush-64 for treatment of malaris, Balgutti-a tonic for children.

“These drugs are in high demand in the international market particularly in countries like Mauritius and West Asia. The council is also working on different metabolic diseases such as hyper-tension, stress, anxiety, fatigue and others,” Lavekar said.

The council recently signed an MoU with Utkal University for further research in Ayurveda and Siddha under which several multi-disciplinary projects will be taken up

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Osteoporosis is the most common type of bone disease characterized by reduced bone mass, micro architectural detoriation of bone tissues and increased risk of fracture. This debilitating condition is likely to affect 1 in 3 women and 1 in 12 men over the age of 50. The most common type of osteoporosis is the bone loss associated with ovarian hormone deficiency at menopause.

Bone is a living tissue that is constantly being built. Bone mass increases during skeletal growth to reach a peak between the age of 20 – 25 years. However with age, bone starts losing some of its minerals and proteins causing problems like bone fracture, osteoporosis, low back pain, joint pain and troubles with nail, hair and teeth. Osteoporosis is also called a silent disease as it often goes unnoticed until a minor fall causes an unexpected fracture.

According to Ayurveda, bone loss, weakened bones or osteoporosis can occur due to improper transmission of nutrients between bone tissues referred to as Srothodushti of Asthidhatu caused by Vatakshaya. This condition can be remedied.

Reosto is a preparation of herbs and minerals formulated according to Ayurvedic principles for maintaining bone health. It boosts calcium levels, sustains bone mass, reverses bone loss, hypogonadism and also increases estrogen and progesterone secretion. Estrogen the breaking down of bone tissue while progesterone stimulates the formation of new bone.

Several studies have been conducted with Reosto which shown that after taking Reosto, serum calcium levels increased and total bone loss was reduced. Common symptoms of osteoporosis such as backache and leg pain were also reduced.

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should i change job?

For the last 5 years I am drowned with financial crisis

is saturn effect me for next 3 month

The FAO Codex Alimentarius Commission defines honey as ‘the natural sweet substance produced by honeybees from the nectar of flowers or from secretions coming from living organisms feeding on plants, that bees gather, transform and combine with specific ingredients, store and leave to ripen in the combs of the hive.’

In Ayurveda honey is called as “Madhu”. Its qualities are explained as follows.

“Vaatalam guru sheetam cha raktapittakaphapaham |
Sandhatru cchedanam ruksham kashayam madhuram madhu ||”

“It has sweetness (madhura rasa) with added astringent as end taste (Kashaya anu rasa). It is heavy (guru guna), dry (ruksha) and cold (sheeta). Its effect on doshas is as follows: It aggravates vata, scrapes kapha and normalizes pitta and rakta. It promotes healing process.”

The contents of Honey are :

Sugars like fructose, glucose, sucrose, maltose, lactose and other disaccharides and trisaccharides.

Proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, enzymes and amino acids,

Volatile aromatic substances.

Ashes and water etc.

Various ingredients of honey have helped it to become not only a sweet liquid but also a natural product with high nutritional and medicinal value.

The medicinal quality, taste, texture, color, aroma of honey differs according to the geographical area and the species of plants from which it has been collected.

Types of Honey:

Eight types of honey are described in Ayurveda depending on the type of bee which collects it. They are Pouttika, Bhramara, Kshoudra, Makshika, Chatra, Arghya, Oudalaka and Dala.

Pouttika
This honey is collected by very large bees from the nectar of poisonous flowers. It increases vata, causes gout and burning sensation in chest. It is also sedative and reduces fat.

Bhramara
This honey is collected by large bees and Sticky in nature.

Kshoudra
(Honey collected by medium sized honey bees ) light and cold in nature. Dissolves Kapha.

Makshika
(Honey collected by small honey bees) very light and dry natured. Useful in Vata-Kapha diseases and kapha diseases.

Chatra
Heavy and cold in nature useful in gout, Leucoderma (Shwitra).

Arghya
Good for eyes but causes arthritis.

Oudalaka
Useful in skin diseases, and helps in modulation of voice.

Dala
Dry and reduces vomiting.

Amongst all the above “Makshika” is considered as the best type with immense medicinal properties.

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