In Ayurveda, food recommendations are always personalized based on one’s prakriti or balance of doshas. Ayurveda also recognizes the importance of harmony with nature, which is why your diet must change with the changing seasons.

In summer, the focus is on foods and ingredients that have a sweet taste and a cooling effect on the body [not necessarily cold foods]. Ayurvedic recommendations also take into account the properties of different foods, suggesting that a summer diet should focus on foods that are light and easy to digest, while they may be a little oily or unctuous.

Summer foods to avoid

As per the teachings of Ayurveda, it is advisable to cut back on foods with salty, sour and pungent tastes. Hot and spicy foods should be avoided as they can aggravate pitta dosha and alcohol intake should also be restricted.

Failing to adhere to these diet guidelines puts your overall health at risk. You may experience general weakness and fatigue, anxiety, as well as a burning sensation in the body.

Ayurvedic foods and drinks for a cooling summer diet

Ayurveda clearly defines the efficacy of a diet dominated by foods with sweet, light and liquid properties to beat the heat. Fresh cool beverages are best consumed in earthen pots and utensils. Not only does this add a distinct fragrant aroma to drinks, it is also believed to be strengthening for the heart. One of the best summer drinks mentioned is a sweetened beverage prepared by mixing Shakara (molasses) in Sattu (flour from roasted gram), which makes it naturally soothing in the hot summer heat.

Cooling summer drinks

• You can consume higher volumes of juicy, sweet fruits and vegetables with high water content like watermelons, ripe mangoes, gourds, cucumbers and zucchini.
• Coconut water, nimbu-pani (sweet lime water), sweetened lassi or butter-milk, and sweetened milk with rose petals added can make for good refreshing beverage choices to keep your system cool.
• Freshly-blended fruit juices and nectars prepared from summer fruits like grapes, sweet pineapple and watermelon are nutritious, refreshing and most importantly incredibly cooling.
• Aam panna, a drink made from the pulp of raw mangoes, can be easily prepared by boiling raw mangoes in water to create the pulp. You can then add some jaggery, roasted cumin seeds and black salt to the mango pulp and it should be ready to consume.
• It is best to avoid any alcohol and fermented drinks during the summer months, but if you do consume them, make sure to restrict intake and add plenty of water to the drinks.

Cooling summer foods and herbs

• Fresh leaves of mint or pudina have a strong cooling effect and may be chewed raw or added to salads and other dishes.
• Amla (Indian Gooseberry), which is renowned in Ayurveda for its high nutritional value, also helps cope with the heat. It can be consumed in the form of fresh juice or as a sweet jelly called ‘amla murabba’. As it is cold by nature and has a sweet aftertaste, it is useful in decreasing the body heat and can help prevent heat-related disorders.
• Rose syrup and water are regarded as extremely cooling, making them perfect for the summer. You can consume rose preparations in the form of rose syrup or rose jelly (‘Gulkand’), a combination of rose petals and sugar.
• In Ayurveda, coconut is described as having a sweet taste (rasa) and cooling properties (virya). This makes coconut a helpful aid to correct dosha imbalances caused by aggravation of the pitta.
• Grapes are highly recommended in any summer diet because of their high water content and light properties. They are also highly nutritious, rejuvenating the body and strengthening immune function.

With its calming nature and cooling effect, cardamom can be supportive in a summer diet. Adding choti elaichi or cardamom to your diet can help to relieve any burning sensation and heat disorders.

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Are my symptoms due to piles/haemorrhoids?

Piles can cause the following symptoms:

• Severe pain while passing stool
• Lump or a protrusion near the anus
• Rectal bleeding during or after passing stool. Blood is usually not mixed with stool.
• Redness and soreness around the anus, along with an urge to itch ever too frequently.
• Pain and discomfort in the anal region while sitting for long durations

If ignored for long, piles can lead to anal infection, faecal incontinence, development of fistulas and even anaemia, owing to the excessive bleeding. It might seem a little embarrassing for you to discuss this condition with your doctor, but piles are a very common condition, and hence there is no need for you to suffer in silence. The sooner you seek treatment for this condition, the higher are your chances of full recovery without surgery. If they are at the early stages, they usually go away in a few days after diet correction and treating the cause. Here are a few simple home tips and ayurveda remedies to treat piles.

The ayurvedic approach to treating piles

Generally piles may be either internal or external and this can be confirmed by your physician after a physical examination and also using an instrument called the proctoscope. Ayurveda indicates that there are five types of piles or the arsh roga.

1. Born out of vitiation of vata dosha [air body humor]
2. Born out of vitiation of pitta dosha [fire body humor]
3. Born out of vitiation of kapha dosha [phlegm body humor]
4. Born out of vitiation of any two doshas
5. Born out of vitiation of all the three doshas—vata, pitta and kapha.

Home remedies and ayurveda advice for managing piles

According to ayurveda, the use of certain herbs, along with a combination of diet and lifestyle modifications can provide relief from the problem.

• Soak 1 tsp each of fennel and cumin seeds in 1 litre lukewarm water for 2 hours, strain and consume this water 2 – 3 times a day.
• Aim to drink one glass water per hour and at least 8 glasses per day. This would reverse any dehydration or constipation you could be suffering from, thus making your bowel movement smooth and comfortable.
• Make a detox drink by adding 1 tsp chopped ginger, handful of mint leaves, lemon wedges and 1 tbsp honey to 500ml water. Sip on this during the day to help flush out toxins.
• Eat green leafy vegetables, ghee and buttermilk daily.
• Consume foods that are high on fibre such as apples, papaya, oranges, sweet lime and cucumber to relieve the problem of constipation and hard stool.
• Dried, soaked figs are also known to be effective stool softeners.
• Including some raw garlic in daily diet helps prevent the bleeding associated with piles.
• Carrots are also known to reduce rectal bleeding. You can have fresh carrot juice or well-cooked carrot.
• You need to include some mild laxative in your diet like Triphala [Herbs combination of harad, baheda and amla], Gulkand [sweet jelly made from the rose flowers] and fennel or saunf.
• Fresh juice of amla taken on an empty stomach proves useful.
• If blood oozes out of the swollen piles, have ½ tsp sesame seeds mixed with some butter.
• Warm fomentation of the affected area with a warm poultice using the Haridra [Turmeric] helps.
• Sesame seeds paste may be applied on the piles for relief.

Most people with this condition swear by Sitz bath to give them relief. In this you sit in a tub of warm water for about 15 – 20 minutes. Soaking the anal region in warm water helps to relax the area and this should especially be done after passing stool. Do this at least twice a day.

Simple home hacks

• Massaging your abdomen area using tea tree oil or rosemary oil may help relieve the pain.
• Avoid using soap containing harsh chemicals around the anal region. After stools, gently wash it with clean hands using lukewarm water.
• Make sure to avoid using alcohol based wet wipes around the anal region. It only worsens the problem. You may try using a soft, moist cloth if you wish to.
• Taking oral pain killers or applying a local anesthetic cream can help relieve the pain to some extent, but only temporarily.
• In case, prolapsed piles becomes a permanent feature, surgery may be needed.

What to avoid

For someone who is suffering from the distressing condition of piles, soft and bland foods are usually recommended. Avoid chillies, hot and spicy foods, processed foods and caffeinated drinks. Also avoid foods that are high on starch, such as potatoes, and bakery items.

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Known as mulathee or yastimadhu in Hindi, this is a herb known for providing us with a variety of health restoring benefits. It may be used both for preventive, as well as curative purposes, although within the recommended dosage.

The ayurveda connection

In ayurveda, the roots of yashtimadhu are used for preparing medicines. Yashtimadhu, as the name suggests, has a sweet taste as well as after taste. Ayurveda counsels it to be supportive in treating the ailments relating to vatta and pitta doshas imbalance. The nature of the herb is heavy, slimy and cold in action. It therefore helps to balance the aggravated vatta or the air body humor, as well as the increased pitta or the heat in the body.

More than just preventive

Yashtimadhu is beneficial in hyperacidity, habitual constipation, abdominal pain, bronchitis, colds, cough, sore throat, muscle spasms, mouth and stomach ulcers and painful or burning urination. Moreover, it naturally supports the vital organs by improving the body’s immunity and endurance.

It is believed to be good for the voice, eyes and hair too.

Yashtimadhu increases the stamina and fertility, and also finds use in the problems of excessive thirst, toxicity and nausea. As a medicine it is used for treating headaches, scabies, rickets, anaemia and urinary infections. It acts as an aphrodisiac and is assumed to keep away premature ageing.

Here’s how ayurveda texts describe some special properties of this herb

Vranya – It is amicable for the skin, aids in relieving skin maladies like itching and burning sensation, and also tends to provide natural glow to the skin.

Keshya – Good for the hair, helps prevents hair fall and provides natural lustre and bounce to the hair.

Shukravardhaka – Yashtimadhu is also a natural aphrodisiac.

Chakshushaya – Eyesight promoting and relieves burning sensation in the eyes.

Medhya – Aids in improving mental powers and is included as a brain-tonic herb.

Rasayana – Rejuvenating and revitalising herb.

Vednahara – The herb is a potent pain-killer.

Swara – Improves tone of the voice and is soothing in case of throat pain.

Liquorice home remedies

For cough and cold

Take about one tsp of powdered yashtimadhu and mix well with honey. Have this twice a day for relieving cough, cold, phlegm and chest congestion.

For acidity

Take 3 – 5 grams of powdered yashtimadhu along with cow’s milk as a natural home remedy for hyperacidity and to heal stomach ulcers.

For mild to moderate constipation

Yashtimadhu may be recommended for a number of digestion ailments like constipation, hyperacidity, vomiting and peptic ulcer. For habitual constipation
you may mix powdered yashtimadhu and triphala churana in the ratio of 2:4 respectively. This mixture is to be taken in a dose of one teaspoon at bedtime along with warm milk.

For mouth ulcers

A decoction prepared from boiling yashtimadhu root may be used for gargling and it can be consumed too. This is an effective home remedy for not only mouth ulcers, but also for throat pain and inflammation of the vocal cords.

For general weakness

Powdered yashtimadhu when taken with honey and ghee is advised as a general as well as brain tonic. It helps fight diseases, promotes growth and prevents premature ageing.

External uses

Yashtimadhu may be used in the form of oil [commercially available] on the skin for fairness and rejuvenation. Also, yashtimadhu siddha taila is recommended as nasal drops for relieving chronic colds, nose-block, sinusitis, headache and associated symptoms. Local application of the oil is also good for wounds associated with blood loss since it has a property of arresting blood loss.

Yashtimadhu used as an active ingredient in hair oil helps prevent premature greying of hair and makes the hair strong and dandruff-free. Washing hair with a yashtimadhu decoction also helps.

Crushed or pounded yashtimadhu roots can be mixed with water or raw milk and prepared into a paste. This may be applied on the affected areas of skin infection or inflammation.

Applying a mix of the powdered herb with ghee helps to relieve the pain and swelling.

How much is good enough

The prescribed dosage of yashtimadhu powder is 3 – 5 grams. The herb is available commercially in the form of dried roots which can be consumed by breaking the same in smaller fragments, or else crushing or pounding it into a powder. As an ayurvedic medicine, it is available in the form of medicinal formulations like Yashtimadhu churana, Yastiaadi churana, Yashtiaadi quath and Yashtimadhvaadi taila.

Consume with care

As a word of heed, there are some precautions that need to be followed. And more importantly, overuse of yashtimadhu, both in terms of frequency and dosage, can be dangerous. The herb contains a natural component called glycyrrnizin in the form of glycyrrizic acid. This is believed to be 50 times sweeter than sugar. This makes regular intake of the herb rather addictive [especially in case you are sweet toothed].

Also, when taken in large amounts for a prolonged period, the herb might affect electrolyte balance in the body. Cases of water retention and high blood pressure have been noticed and therefore yashtimadhu must be taken with care especially if you’re suffering from hypertension or some kidney ailments.

 This was first published in the December 2012 issue of Complete Wellbeing.

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Rituals before bed time

Ayurveda explains that there are seven types of sleep:

• Natural sleep
• Sleep due to illness
• Sleep due to imbalance of the mental faculties
• Sleep due to imbalance in physical body
• Sleep due to aggravation of kapha dosha
• Sleep due to imbalance in tamas state.

Of these, natural sleep is regarded as paramount, which habitually arises from exhaustion of the physical and mental arena.

Drinking a glass of warmed and sweetened milk [preferably buffalo milk] with a pinch of balancing herbs like cardamom, turmeric, saffron or dry ginger powder helps you sleep sound.

Have a fixed routine before bedtime, like listening to soft music or reading. This signals the body to get ready for sleep. Activities like reading and meditation promote tranquility and peace of mind, a great aid for restful sleep.

Limit your intake of oily, spicy and heavy-to-digest meals before going to bed as this interferes in the natural pattern of sleep.

Massage your scalp and the soles of your feet, with a little oil [preferably sesame oil] just before you sleep.

Spend some time with your kids or family members, before going to bed.

Rising in Brahma mahoorata

The right time to wake up and be out of bed is 4 – 6 am. It would be ideal to fix your wake up time 15 minutes to half hour before the crack of dawn. Brahma corresponds to wisdom, as well as God. Thus, this time of the day is apt for meditation as well as for intellectual work such as writing, reading, or studying. Sushruta, the Guru of ayurveda, has described this period as amrit vela or the period of bliss when all the natural elements [sky, air, fire, water and earth] co-exist in their purest form. Welcome the morning at this time to gorge in the freshness and grace that nature offers. Moreover, according to ayurveda, the simple activity of waking up at this fixed time keeps you reasonably distant from health maladies like constipation, indigestion, sinusitis, lethargy, eye ailments and halitosis [bad breath].

Cleaning the face

When you’re rinsing your face, you need to take a sip of cool water, swish it slowly in your mouth, and spit it out when it gets lukewarm. While splashing your face with water, hold a mouthful of water in and splash your face 15 – 20 times, then spit out the water. To freshen your eyes, again fill the mouth with water and splash cool water on the eyes. This helps balance the pitta dosha, since according to ayurveda the eyes are the seat of fire.

Nasal cleansing

Rub about 3 – 4 drops of sesame or olive oil inside the nostril to clean the sinuses and promote mental clarity. Anu tailam is a medicated herbal oil, which is highly recommended for this purpose. This mild oiling not only protects the nose but also the ear and throat from allergies.

Cleaning the mouth

To clean the teeth, ayurveda counsels natural tree sticks, or datun. These herbs provide wormicidal, blood-purifying, and healing benefits. But if you don’t have access to these you could use herbal toothpastes that contain neem, babool, lohdra and kushta. These protect the gums and enamel. When gargling the mouth, it is suggested that you first do so using some sesame or olive oil mixed with warm water, followed by plain warm water. This helps to keep the lips moisturised, prevents sore throat and tooth decay and is good for the vocal cords. Follow this by gargling with an astringent herb decoction. Then massage the gums gently to stimulate them and cleanse the digestive fire. This entire activity helps to remove ama [undigested toxic matter] from the digestive tract as well as invigorates the gastric fire .

Relieving the bowels

This has to be done with silence and patience, without forcing yourself or applying too much pressure. Using force may prove to be harmful in the long run.

Massage and bath

Before you bathe, a daily self massage with mustard or sesame oil helps balance the doshas. If you don’t have time, you could just massage the three areas—head, soles of the feet and the ears. Ayurveda suggests using warm water for below the waistline, but never wash your head with warm or hot water, as this could be harmful for your eyes and hair. After bath, use perfumed pastes made from scented herbs like sandalwood to enhance your natural glow and charisma.

Recommendation for vatta dosha

Of the three doshas, vatta is most easily affected by sleep inadequacy. This is mainly because vatta is light and erratic by nature. Also, a vatta person is generously a frivolous thinker with often fluctuating mental states—thus also a light sleeper. This condition could be aggravated in case the individual sleeps less or ignores/delays the call of sleep. Sleeping on your left side aids in right nostril breathing, which is warm and thereby balances the cold vatta.
Vatta types may sleep on their left side. For the vatta dominant types, it is strongly suggested that you be more persistent and serious with your everyday sleep pattern. Lest it could make you more prone to insomnia, disturbed sleep and also physical attributes of excessive gas and belching. A sleep routine is incredibly amicable for the vatta individual because the frequently dodging mind has to be kept under control.

Recommendation for pitta dosha

In case the pitta dosha is dominant in your system, you need to understand that your sleep can be easily affected by external stimuli like lights and sound. So you need to keep your room dark and mildly scented with rose petals, lavender oil drops or henna leaves. Sleep on your right side so as to encourage the cool left nostril breathing. Also, having a nap in the moonlight or amidst cool air and showers, or in cool dark shade will do you good.

Recommendation for kapha dosha

Kapha dominant individuals are of a steady and relaxed type. Therefore as kapha is largely stable and motionless [both physically and mentally], all factors that enhance relaxation like leading a sedentary life, sitting or resting for too long and especially sleeping for long causes dosha imbalance. Sleeping during the daytime is a strict no-no for you, in case you’re kapha type. As you already have the tendency to sleep more than average, over-sleeping and daytime sleeping are sure to result into kapha aggravation and imbalance. On the contrary, early rising from the bed would be supportive. It is alright if the bedtime is delayed sometimes. You are also advised to be sleeping on your left side, which aids in warm right nostril breathing.

This was first published in the October 2012 issue of Complete Wellbeing.

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Ayurveda relates the body’s immunity to Ojas— that is the essence of the seven tissues that make up the body. The ancient Indian therapeutic science strongly counsels that we take care of the Ojas or the vital energy for good health and wellbeing.

The seven tissues or dhatus are believed to make up the human body. These are Rasa [juice], Rakta [blood], Mansa [muscle], Medha [body fat], Asthi [bones], Majja [bone marrow] and Shukra [semen]. Ojas, the prime source of natural immunity, is the core extract of these seven body tissues and is highly vital to life and existence.

Herbs that augment immunity

Herbs such as amla, mulethi, ashwagandha, ginger, basil, harad, turmeric, brahmi and large cardamom are beneficial for your immune system. Also, unctuous foods like honey, cow’s milk and desi ghee work as natural rejuvenators. Let’s see in detail what each of these herbs can do.

Amla

Amla, known as Indian gooseberry, is the richest and best source of vitamin C. It also contains calcium, iron, phosphorus, albumin, cellulose, fibre, carbohydrate, sugar and water.

According to ayurveda, the fruit of amla helps reduce all the three body humours—vatta, pitta and kapha,  or the air, fire and phlegm; which, when aggravated above their normal limits, cause a disease. The special properties of rejuvenation and revitalising of the entire body systems makes amla highly beneficial for increasing the body’s resistance power.

Eating amla in raw form may not be easy  for all, but you need not fret. You could feast on amla murabba, chutneys or jams. The powder of dried amla [which is readily available] can also be taken mixed with honey, twice a day.

You can even extract fresh juice from the amla fruit and add it to salads or mix with other juices to balance the sourness.

Chyawanprash, which contains amla along with other herbs, is a well-known formulation that can be taken for long periods as a tonic to do away mental and physical fatigue.

Turmeric

Turmeric is used widely in India both for cooking and for medicinal purposes. It is believed to destroy all the three basic humours of the body. Therefore, turmeric is recommended in a large variety of ailments and also as a potent immunity-boosting herb. Tturmeric can be used to relieve ailments such common cold, dry itchy skin, joint pains and swelling during winter. The best part is that it can easily be included in your daily diet to equip your body to fight maladies.

About 1 – 3g powder of raw turmeric is recommended and can be supplemented with warm water or milk. The powder can also be mixed with oil and massaged on the skin. Haridra Khanda is an effective Ayurveda formulation of turmeric.

Ginger

According to Ayurvedic texts, as ginger is hot in action, it helps in decreasing the aggravated vatta and kapha doshas. Ginger helps fight infections, and boost immunity levels.

Ginger can be used for hot fomentation in arthritis, gout, oedema and other forms of joint and muscle pain. A powder of dry ginger mixed with sesame oil and massaged on the joint provides good relief.

Ginger helps find relief in almost all types of respiratory disorders like cough, cold, pneumonia, asthma and bronchitis. Moreover, it can be consumed in any form—fresh, dried, powdered or juiced.

Tulsi

Tulsi or holy basil contains specific anti-asthmatic and anti-infective properties. Ayurveda recommends holy basil to empower respiratory resistance. To find relief, consume fresh tulsi juice made by pounding leaves of the herb, twice a day. Add a few drops of ginger and some honey to this to increase its efficiency to build resistance.

Mulethi

Roots of the herb of Liquorice or yashtimadhu are an excellent home remedy for relieving a number of disorders. According to ayurvedic texts, mulethi, being heavy, slimy and sweet helps in decreasing the aggravated vatta or air body humour. Therefore, liquorice is helpful in treating the diseases relating to vitiation in air body humour.

Mulethi is a natural revitalising herb. A number of liquorice formulations are available on the market that can be taken for strengthening the body systems and increasing immunity. The powder of this root, when taken with honey and ghee, is sufficient to revive your immunity levels. Not only this, mulethi also acts as a general as well as brain tonic and prevents early ageing.

Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha is a natural herb that is beneficial in boosting immunity and restoring energy levels. It also delays the process of ageing. In the Ayurvedic texts, the herb of ashwagandha is regarded as a natural stimulator and rejuvenator.

A powder prepared by pounding the root of ashwagandha can be taken in a dose of  3 – 6g along with a glass of warm and  sweetened cow’s milk.

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What causes hangnails?

• Improper care of hands and feet.
• Dry and parched skin as it peels off easily.
• Synthetic soaps and detergents as they may cause skin allergies—a trigger for hangnails.
• The habit of biting nails.
• Deficiency of essential vitamins and minerals like folic acid and vitamin C.

Ayurveda on hangnails

As per ayurveda, our nails are a derivative of our bones, which are important dhatus or tissues of our body. Therefore, problems like hangnails might relate to the imbalance in diet and lifestyle.

To treat hangnails, ayurveda focuses on proper working and invigoration of the gastric fire [jatharagni] and that of the tissue fires [dhatwagni]. Put simply, ayurveda suggests that maintaining healthy digestion to prevent hangnails.

Natural cures

• Mix ingredients like honey, petroleum jelly and sesame seed oil/olive oil/almond oil in equal proportions and massage into the cuticles and the surrounding skin tissue.
• Mix alum into some soothing cream or moisturiser and apply the same at the affected area. This provides an antiseptic cover to the peeled off area of hangnails.
• Mix pulp of aloe vera and turmeric powder and apply it on the hangnail. You can even heat this mixture.
• Roast some turmeric in mustard oil. When it is tolerably hot, apply it to nail edges and leave it for at least an hour. For better results, leave the paste overnight on the fingertips with the help of small bandages.
• Drink hot milk or hot water with some turmeric twice a day. This helps as turmeric holds unique antiseptic and skin-healing properties.
• Seal the torn out edges of the skin with some transparent nail paint.

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What causes foot corns to form?

• Improper feet care or bad posture.
• Wearing tight/uncomfortable footwear or high heels that put repeated pressure on the same spot
• Standing in the same posture for a long time
• Obesity or excess weight too could lead to developing a corn as the excess weight increases the pressure on the feet
• Being overweight also affects the person’s gait, which in turn puts abnormal pressure on the soles
• Poor foot hygiene

Corns may or may not be painful. Some corns are so silent they often go untreated, which is detrimental to your feet in the long run. Ayurveda deems corns as a less significant disease [kshudra roga] and ascribes them to imbalance of the kapha and vata doshas or body type.

How to get rid of your foot corn

1. Soak your feet in warm water for 5 – 10 minutes to which salt has been added. You can regular table salt or Epsom salt. Soaking in warm salted water helps to soften the skin and makes it easy to work with. You could also add 1 tbsp hydrogen peroxide to the warm water. This too helps to soften skin and remove dead skin cells.
2. After sufficiently soaking, scrub the area gently with the help of a pumice stone or some other scrubber to rub off the dead skin. Scrub gently over the corn area as it may be painful.
3. After this, dry the foot well and apply a medicated cream or gently massage the foot with coconut or mustard oil.
4. Repeat this daily for 1 – 2 weeks or till the corn has completely softened and healed.

Natural home remedies to remove foot corn

• Add a capful of vinegar to warm water and douse your feet in it for 10 minutes. Then scrub gently and massage with a greasy oil like castor oil or olive oil for further lubrication. Tie a small piece of cotton/bandage dipped in vinegar onto the corn. Leave it in this position for a few hours or overnight. Vinegar naturally sanitises dead skin tissue, making the affected area easier to clean and scrub off the dead tissue.
• To remove a soft corn, tie a piece of orange peel or lemon peel on the affected area after you’ve done the soaking, scrubbing and oil massage ritual.
• Roast some turmeric powder in mustard oil and apply this paste when bearably hot to the corn. Cover it with a bandage and keep overnight.
• Mix one teaspoon of aloevera gel with one half teaspoon of turmeric and apply on the corn.
• Massage skin with medicated oils such as jatyaadi taila, kasisaadi taila and shadadhwata ghrita.

Ayurveda treatment for chronic and hardened corns

For chronic, hardened and persistent corns, you need advanced ayurvedic treatment by an experienced ayurvedic physician.

Generally the vaidya or ayurvedic physician performs kshara karma using gaumutra [cow urine] and yavakshara [pearl ash]. He may even remove the corn surgically [shastra karma] or cauterise it [agni karma].

These procedures are followed by bandaging the localised area with turmeric paste and aloevera paste to promote healing and provide natural antiseptic cover.

As ayurveda attributes corns to kapha and vata imbalance, balancing the two doshas curb the re-occurrence. This involves modifying your diet [aahara] and lifestyle [vihara].

How to prevent corns

• Keep your weight under control. When you maintain proper weight, your feet won’t be over-pressured.
• Take care of your feet by cleaning, scrubbing and massaging them from time to time.
• Wear proper footwear that not only protect your feet and are comfortable but also allow equal distribution of your weight.
• Maintain a good posture that doesn’t put undue pressure on one side of your foot.

Last updated on 25 October 2019

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The season also affects the doshas [specifically vata], which manifests as a number of ailments like joint pains, body stiffness and nervous anxiety. Since illness is on the rise during this period, monsoon is a good season to detox our body.

Ayurveda recommends detoxifying and overhauling the body systems to counterbalance and reduce the accumulated toxicity from the body. The elimination channels of the body—lungs, kidneys, intestines and skin—work more efficiently when we get rid of the wastes.

Timely detoxification of the body helps restore the natural balance of the doshas, which are the mainstay of our existence. To enjoy the fruit of wellbeing, all the three doshas need to be in a balanced state; imbalance leads to disease.

Procedures for detox

One of the ways that you can detox the body with the help of ayurveda is through panchakarma .

The five techniques incorporated in this thorough cleansing process— vamana , virechana , shirovirechana , asthapana basti and anuvasan basti —aid in systematic detoxification of the body by the virtue of pacifying the vitiated doshas and balancing them.

Diet for detox

You can also cleanse your body through diet. As there is natural aggravation of air in the body systems, which needs to be pacified and brought back into balance, a specific diet is recommended by ayurveda. The rationale is to invigorate the distorted and frail gastric fire as well as detoxify the body.

• Opt for more sour, salty and oily foods.
• Consume old barley [ jaun ], wheat, old rice and oats.
• Eat vegetable soups with a tadka [seasoning] of cumin, pepper and asafoetida given in ghee. Increase your intake of garlic and ginger along with other herbs like cinnamon and holy basil. You can also consume the herbs as a decoction or pound them and eaten with some honey.
• Add honey to your milk, water or just have a spoonful as honey too promotes cleansing.
• Include more freshly cooked and easily digestible foods along with enough fluids in your diet.

Detox through skin

Ayurveda recommends the practice of scrubbing the skin for detoxification. It releases embedded toxins through the pores of the skin and keeps it soft and supple. It avoids accumulation of germs and microorganisms on the skin, which effectively stimulates skin channels and detoxifies the body.

• Cleanse your skin with sandalwood paste.
• Mix turmeric powder and gram flour [ besan ] in water or raw milk and apply once or twice a week.

Take care to…

• Restrict activities like strenuous exercise and prolonged exposure to the sun while the body is undergoing natural detoxification as they enhance sweat production in the body, thus causing obstruction to skin channels.
• Also avoid sleeping during the daytime during this period.
• Maintain proper hygiene to avoid infections and skin problems.
• Wear clean and comfortable cotton clothes during monsoon. Synthetic clothes are a strict no-no particularly while undergoing the process of detoxification.

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Ringworms and candidiasis are also types of fungal infections. Fungal infections generally crop up in damp and moist areas of the skin. Here we look at what ayurveda, naturopathy and yoga have to offer to give relief from fungal infections

Ayurveda says….

According to ayurveda, fungal infection is referred to as dadru. Imbalance in the three doshas of the body, particularly the pitta or the fire humour and kapha dosha or the phlegm humour is what causes them. Fungal disease is categorised as a variety of kshudra kushta.

Along with the anti-infective skin therapy, an ayurvedic physician would also recommend blood purification and proper elimination of body wastes. For that, you can take three to five grams of triphala powder with a glassful of warm water [preferably at bedtime] daily.

Other medicines that you can take under guidance of an ayurvedic doctor include: Kaishore Guggulu, Gandhak Rasayana, Saaribadyasava and Khadirarishta.

Fungal infections in different parts of the body have characteristic features and also different herbal remedies.

Skin

Skin infected with fungus becomes red, thick and dry. Circular lesions are formed on the skin; these are often itchy, scaly and clear in the centre. They occur on any exposed area of the body.

Herbal remedies

• Rub the juice extracted by pounding fresh bulbs of garlic at the affected site 2 – 3 times a day. Garlic has great anti-fungal and anti-infective properties.
• Pound a piece of fresh, raw turmeric along with a few basil or neem leaves to make a paste. Apply it on infected skin twice a day.
• Prepare a paste by pounding the seeds of the chakkermard herb, mix it with radish juice and apply on the affected areas.
• Apply mint juice on the infected skin.

Ears

A fungal infection in the ears causes hearing and balance problems, and a lot of pain. It generally occurs when there is more fluid in the ear. If not treated properly, this condition can become hazardous and hence should not be ignored.

Herbal remedies

• Soak garlic cloves in mustard or olive oil for a few hours. Heat this mixture until it’s warm and dip a small cotton ball into it, just enough to wet the cotton. Place the cotton ball in the infected ear and leave in overnight.
• Extract juice by pounding fresh tulsi leaves and filter through a fine muslin cloth and use it as ear drops.

Underarms and groin

There may be itchy lesions in the underarms and also under the breast in females. Whereas, in men, ringworm sometimes infects the inner and upper parts of the thighs and the groins.

Herbal remedies

• Mix camphor in some coconut oil. Apply the same on the infected patch daily at least thrice.
• Pound a few neem leaves to make a paste and apply it the affected area 2 – 3 times a day. Allow it to dry on the skin. You may also add some freshly pounded raw turmeric or turmeric powder to the same.
• Keep the skin as much dry as possible.

Scalp

A fungal infection in the scalp leads to hair loss and itching and scaling. It also makes the hair dry and brittle.

Herbal remedies

• Pound some garlic bulbs into a pulp and mix it into sesame oil or mustard oil. Apply this on the infected areas of the scalp.
• Grind basil, mint and radish into a paste, add some sesame oil to it and massage the scalp with it.
• Mix camphor in coconut oil and massage scalp with it on alternate days.
• Clean your hair and scalp thoroughly. Add a teaspoon of wheatgrass juice or lemon juice to the water you use for head bath.

Nails

Fungal infection in the nails causes dryness, rigidity and discolouration of the nails making them look ugly and unkempt. Sometimes, you might also notice black streaks on the surfaces of your nails.

Herbal remedies

• Rub some garlic juice onto the infected nail surface.
• Pound a fresh piece of turmeric with a few basil leaves. Apply it on the nail twice a day.
• Keep your hands dry as far as possible till the infection cures.

Naturopathy suggests…

Naturopathy suggests internal cleansing as a cure for fungal infections.

• Fast for 1 – 7 days. Have only fruits and vegetable juices that are naturally alkaline like carrots, cabbage, white gourd, spinach and coconut water during this period.
• Try neem water enema.
• Apply mud packs on the infected areas as mud therapy is anti-infective and anti-toxic.
• Reduce your salt intake while undergoing natural cleansing.
• Apply essential oils like apple cider vinegar, tea tree oil, garlic oil, lavender oil, oregano oil, or primrose oil on the infected area.

Yogic cures

Yoga equips the body to heal itself. Emphasis is on eliminating toxins and increasing strength.

• Kunjal Kriya aids in expulsion of toxic matter via vomitus and Shankh Prakshalana works as natural purgative. Both these procedures may be supplemented for releasing toxins from the body.
• Yoga asanas like Sarvangasana, Matsyasana, Pashchimottanasana, Surya Namaskar and yoga techniques like Jalandhar bandha and Uddiyan bandha help in alleviating skin maladies.
• Pranayama or deep breathing techniques like Bhastrika, Kapalbhati, Nadi Shodhan and Sheetali may prove effective as supplementary therapy.

Along with the above mentioned therapies, it is essential to eat a diet rich in vitamin C. Also consult with your dermatologist before discontinuing any topical anti-fungal creams or medications.

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