Natural remedies

Knee pain due to ligament injury, arthritis
1. Soak towel in hot water and give heat to knees for 20 min by wrapping with this.
2. Wipe off dry and massage with mustard oil.
3. Use crepe bandage or thick (e.g. cotton) cloth on the knee for 2-3 hrs
4. Repeat the procedure after 8-10 hrs.


For heavy blood flow during menstrual cycle:
1. Take rest- Keep lying down most of the time
2. Keep a wet towel below stomach for 20 min , every 2-3 hrs
3. Eat fruits, salads (Raw vegetables) , juices, curd - Avoid grains especially wheat, tea /coffee. Rice can be given - don't give anything hot just at normal or cool temperature.
4. Boil coriander seeds in water such that the quantity reduces by 1/3 rd - allow it to cool at room temperature for 4-5 hrs - take 2-3 spoons 3 times a day
5. In case there is heavy clotting, Ginger water can be given. Ginger thins blood, hence the flow will be more but clots will reduce substantially.

Ancient suggestions for Rainy season

Monsoon is the breeding season for insects, hence, it is recommended to give-up Green leafy vegetables, brinjal and non-veg food, for preventing diseases.

Milk might also have few newly bred insects, hence dairy products are best avoided during rains. 

People might like to take fried things during rains, these should be limited if digestion is slightly weak in monsoon. 

It is recommended to avoid any heavy to digest food (e.g. reduce wheat, rice, 'urad dal' and other pulses, beans and lentils etc.); 

Addition vegetable soups, sprouts, dry fruits etc. to the diet are good. One can avoid raw foods to protect from micro-organisms and eat cooked diet, during monsoon season.

'Saawan' month or rainy season is suitable month for fasting,  as per Hindu religion.
Sweet dishes are preferred, especially by those fasting during Hindu month of 'Saawan'. However, as sweet helps increase growth of microbes, hence it not recommended to eat except in small quantity.

If we follow 'satvic', light & fresh or natural diet during fasting and eat small quantity only , we can gain health benefits and lose weight as well.

It is also suggested to add some spiritual reading or practices during this time. 'Saawan' means 'to listen' , and listening to discourses by saints, is advised in ancient Hindu culture. During monsoon season, working on one's internal purification, is considered best, as it's a perfect season for self analysis and spiritual progress.

Here is a link to a post on how to take fast:
https://inaweofnature.blogspot.com/2017/07/fasting-heals.html?m=1

Is that cup of tea a requirement, really?

Tea/ Coffee addicts, please ask yourself one basic question: Why & when do I need tea/coffee?

Allow yourself to think deeply and come up with the statement of actual need. The result may be like:
1. To take a break
2. To socialize with others
3. I feel tired, if I don't
4. To feel energetic and awake
5. To have some fun eating snacks with tea
6. To be able to get back to work & think etc. etc.

Tea or coffee are no good for health and not a requirement. They stimulate the brain for few minutes, this link explains what they actually do.

Common disadvantages of having tea / coffee
1. These are temporary stimulants, fooling a tired brain to feel temporary kick and continue working for hours, when the body and mind actually need rest. This is harmful in the long run.
2. Usually, one takes tea in-between meals, when (s)he is not hungry. Most people usually add some snack or goodie with these drinks. These overload an almost full stomach, under work of digestion process. This is bad for the health of body and could be one cause of feeling stuffed, gastric , digestive issues and weight gain with continuing this as a habit for long time.
3. These drinks are usually taken hot, along with sugar. The tea or coffee is processed in factories and the milk is not pure but like an industry product too. Neither the heat , nor these constituents promote health but each has its own effects in causing issues, disturb health of body and mind, when consumed regularly over a period of time.

Why do I feel good after sipping my tea/coffee then ?
Yes, there is a temporary pleasure of taste and a kick given to mind associated with tea/ coffee. This is very short lived and the brain is impacted in a reverse manner soon.


What to do instead:
1. Take a break - sleep, talk to friends, walk, meditate, do pranayama or yoga, relax when your body, mind feels tired. Give it some time to naturally come back with energy and become ready for work, else allow a break ; being greedy or forceful can do harm to the brain / body in ways which may be visible as sickness, only after long time.

2. If you are hungry or want to have a short meal, take a fresh juice or fruits or vegetable salad. You may also take lassi, butter milk , dry fruits or any fresh, organic healthy food/drink. These will provide energy as required for work, rejuvenate the tired cells with life and bring good health in the long run. Rightly chosen shall be quite tasty too.

3. If you are addicted to having a hot drink or it helps your health in your living conditions etc. ; you may replace it with healthier / herbal tea options and take without sugar & milk.

Here is a recipe, which has helped few of us replace tea/ coffee easily with this healthy option:
https://inaweofnature.blogspot.com/2019/05/herbal-drink-recipe.html?m=1

4. If you are trying to change this habit,  go slow. Start replacing a few cups of tea/coffee in a week with  another drink, water and slowly increase this. Later, give tea/coffee only once in a while, as you develop taste for other drinks. This will ensure a long lasting habit formation.

For some people , it may work to take a pledge like only 1 cup tea in a week etc. or giving up tea/coffee for a month etc. and may then follow other tips to keep this pledge.

Make your break ,a health break,  not a coffee break!