No Doubt, Green juices are one of the best ways to nourish our bodies. They offer a host of natural vitamins minerals, antioxidants, chlorophyll, phytochemicals, and active plant enzymes that your body requires on a daily basis. They have many other health benefits like boost immunity, heal and detoxify our body, and many more. But everyone has days when they are just too busy to make a green juice or a salad or when fresh green veggies are nowhere to be found. Even on good days, it’s difficult to fit in all of those 8-12 servings a day.
Our DAILY-GREENS™ effervescent tablet makes it easy! It is the most convenient and delicious way to get a daily dose of super greens and support your immune system. Crafted with 39 organic farm-fresh greens, veggies, fruits, and Ayurvedic herbs, spices, and natural antioxidants-rich superfoods that deliver complete whole food nutrition improve your health to become the best version of yourself. Let’s see how.
Instant absorption of vitamins, micronutrients, and enzymes
GREENS offers instant absorption of natural vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants with a faster onset of action. Also, an effervescent form enhances nutrient absorption as an effervescent solution sets the right pH in the stomach for absorption.
Gives your digestive system a break
GREENS effervescent tablets are easy to digest because they completely dissolve in water before you consume and available in a pre-absorptive state so that it can rapidly get absorbed without any burden on your digestive system.
Boost Immunity
GREENS drenches your body in plant nutrients such as Natural antioxidants, Vitamins, Minerals, enzymes and chlorophyll. Especially, water soluble Vitamin C, which is a potent antioxidant known for strengthening the immune system. Together with vitamin C with Zinc, Iron, selenium and plant chlorophyll present in GREENS strengthens the immune system, fight against free radical damage, prevent inflammation, increases red blood cell production, and helps enhance your cells’ ability to carry oxygen.
Speeds up detoxification
Everyone knows that eating plenty of green veggies is an excellent way to help your body naturally detoxify your body. Alkaline veggies like kale, broccoli, microgreens, etc. can help to neutralize and remove the harmful toxins in the liver and detoxify the body. But eating regularly can be tricky. GREENS proves that goodness of green veggies along with other detoxifying superfoods in the best possible way.
Allows cells to heal and repair
Veggies are rich in natural antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients, that protect our DNA from damage and help reduce inflammation. Also, berries like blueberries, raspberries, blackberries are rich in flavonoids, excellent for reducing oxidative stress and repair the cellular damage as well. GREENS contain all those 39 superfoods to facilitate cells’ healing and repair.
Easily obtain the recommended serving of fruits and vegetables a day
We all know fruits and vegetables especially green leafy vegetables are good for us in many ways. The Indian dietary guidelines recommend eating 8 to 12 servings of fruits and vegetables every day. It may seem like a lot, especially for people who don’t like leafy vegetables, but there are ways to work them into your routine. Adding GREENS can be a good way to add nutrients to your diet regimen if you struggle to eat the recommended servings of fruits and vegetables each day.
Enhances alkalinity in the body
DAILY-GREENS™ contains many alkalizing superfoods that have an alkalizing effect on the body due to their high mineral and no sugar content. Enhanced body alkalinity is positively linked to many health benefits including protecting against organs to malfunction and degenerate, reversing inflammation that leads to a heart or cancerous condition, and many degenerative diseases.
Stabilizes blood sugar and mood swings
Fluctuations in blood sugar can result in rapid mood changes, including mood swings, lethargy, and irritability. Caffeinated and sugary drinks like tea, coffee, fruit juice, and coke lead to high sugar fluctuation lead to mood swings and irritability. Whereas, being zero sugar content,GREENS is the perfect remedy. It provides enough vitamins and minerals without sugar to improves the brain functions responsible for the lift in energy and your mood and unlike caffeine or synthetic stimulants, there’s no late-afternoon crash.
Antioxidants protect you from Free Radical Damage
Antioxidants protect our body from oxidative damage, which contributes to physical aging. Studies have linked oxidative damage to the development of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and more, and the best source for antioxidants is found in fruits and veggies. GREENS deliver high amounts of antioxidants and provide greens-specific phytonutrients. It’s one effervescent tablet that provides antioxidants equivalent to one serving of fruits and vegetables.
Improves energy levels
Essential vitamins and minerals especially B group vitamins and iron deficiency can make your body work harder to perform a simple task which leads to fatigue and other health problems. Thanks in large part to the B vitamin group and iron, taking GREENS is associated with a boost in energy levels, feelings of wellbeing, as well as lower the stress and anxiety. This alone makes it worth staying compliant with a healthy routine.
Promotes vitality and youthfulness.
As we age, our nutritional needs increase. At the same time, it gets harder for the body to absorb nutrients. Medications can further deplete our body of nutrients. And If you don’t eat a wide variety of vegetables, fruit, and herbs, you are missing out on those key vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. GREENS can offset these deficiencies. The vitamins and minerals present in this wholefood based natural multivitamin, minerals, and antioxidants can also significantly boost your body nutrient supply, protect against the cellular damage, keep the nervous system functioning properly, and produce stress hormones.
Moringa – the superfood of superfoods! The ‘Miracle’ Tree
When I first heard of the incredible health benefits of Moringa, my jaw dropped. It consistently comes up as one of the most nutrient-dense, antioxidant-laden, medicinal foods on our planet. In fact, it is difficult to find another food richer than Moringa.
In terms of concentration and variation, it comes very close to being a perfect food. Discover how it can help you…
It grows on trees!
The most common species of Moringa tree is Moringa Oleifera (although there are 13 known varieties all belonging to the Moringaceae family). Growing in tropical and subtropical regions, it is commonly referred to as the ‘miracle tree’. It is able to survive in harsh, drought conditions when most other plants would simply die.
Whilst all parts of the tree offer medicinal properties, the leaves can be consumed daily as food, either fresh (should you be lucky enough to have a local Moringa tree) or in dried powder form (ideal to add to smoothies, soups, and salads).
In this article, I’ll touch a few of the most outstanding benefits of this superfood of superfoods.
Moringa leaf powder (which is a concentrated form of the fresh leaves) has been shown to contain:
46 types of antioxidants
18 amino acids
10 times the vitamin A of carrots
15 times the potassium of bananas
17 times the calcium of cows milk
25 times the iron of spinach
World Class Antioxidant Superstar
Moringa is one of the most prolific, natural antioxidant foods known. It is said to contain a whopping 46 antioxidants that prevent the damage of tissue from the action of free radical oxidation in the body.
The combined effect of so many antioxidants makes Moringa’s ability to protect against oxidation and aging far more powerful than individual antioxidants.
Probably the Highest Protein Content of Any Plant Food
Moringa leaves are thought to have the highest protein ratio of any plant-food ever discovered on our planet. They contain up to 40% protein.
According to the USDA, they have all of the 9 essential amino acids (histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, valine). Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. It is said, that the amino acid ratio in Moringa, is very balanced for bio-availability and human absorption.
Extraordinary Cytokinin Levels to Delay the Aging Process
Moringa leaves have been shown to have phenomenally high levels of the cytokinin plant hormones called zeatins and dihyrozeatins.
The zeatin levels in this plant have been shown to be thousands of times higher than most plants ever studied. Cytokinins delay the process of aging in plants. When applied to cultured human cells, they have been shown to delay the aging process too. Zeatin also has specific, powerful, antioxidant properties that protect the skin by increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes that naturally combat aging.
Lutein Protection for Healthy Eyes
Moringa has outstanding amounts of lutein (a carotenoid vitamin known for promoting healthy eyes and reducing the risk of macular degeneration). The recommended daily amount for the best protective antioxidant activity is 5 – 20 mg for an adult, whilst 100g of fresh leaves contain more than 70 mg.
Reducing Blood Pressure with Beta-Sitosterol
Beta-sitosterol is a plant sterol, which has been shown to reduce blood cholesterol levels whilst also balancing other blood lipid levels.
Prostate Cancer Prevention and All Round Health with Beta-Sitosterol
Plant sterols such as beta-sitosterol have also been shown to beneficially treat prostate enlargement and help reduce the growth of prostate and colon cancer cells.
As if that is not enough, beta-sitosterol also has anti-inflammatory properties, helps balance blood sugar, boosts the immune system, supports the pancreas, helps to heal ulcers and can alleviate cramps.
Healthy Liver and Detoxification with Chlorophyll
Studies show that chlorophyll supports liver function and detoxification of the body. Moringa contains an abundance of chlorophyll, which works synergistically with the other nutrients to help support healthy liver function.
A Strong Anti-inflammatory
Moringa has powerful anti-inflammatory properties, which make it beneficial for a myriad of inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis, joint pain, rheumatism and edema etc.
Antibacterial, Anti-microbial, Anti-fungal and Anti-viral Action
Moringa has been used effectively as an anti-bacterial/microbial/fungal/viral agent. It has been used traditionally to help against urinary tract infections, typhoid, toothache, thrush, warts, parasites, HIV and herpes (to name a few).
From a scientific research perspective of Jed W. Fahey (2005), I quote the following:
Subsequent elegant and very thorough work, published in 1964 as a PhD thesis by Bennie Badgett (a student of the well known chemist Martin Ettlinger), identified a number of glyosylated derivatives of benzyl isothiocyanate (e.g. compounds containing the 6-carbon simple sugar, rhamnose) (8). The identity of these compounds was not available in the referred scientific literature until “re-discovered” 15 years later by Kjaer and co-workers. Seminal reports on the antibiotic activity of the primary rhamnosylated compound then followed, from U Eilert and colleagues in Braunschweig, Germany. They re-isolated and confirmed the identity of 4-(α-L-rhamnopy-ranosyloxy) benzyl glucosinolate and its cognate isothiocyanate and verified the activity of the latter compound against a wide range of bacteria and fungi.
Traditional and folk medicine say a big “YES!” to moringa
I am a big fan of embracing Mother Nature’s gifts to support health. The western world is so desperately in need of scientific evidence for everything, whilst in traditional cultures, they just ‘get on with it’ and know how beneficial the properties of Moringa are, without the need for laboratories. Whilst there is plenty of scientific research out there, I love that people just ‘know’ that it works through personal experience.
According to Jed W. Fahey, in Asia, Africa, and South America, they’ve been using this plant to treat conditions like tuberculosis, headaches, inflammation, cholera, conjunctivitis, chest congestion, asthma, catarrh, bronchitis, anemia, skin infections, sores, intestinal worms, psoriasis, glandular swelling, lactation, skin infections, jaundice, tumours, urinary disorders. In fact, the list seems endless and I am only just scraping the surface here.
Moringa seeds have very special uses too
The oil (not to be consumed internally, without care and supervision) from the seeds has great healing properties when used topically (applied to the skin). The seeds can also be used to purify water (a successful method used in developing countries) and also to remove sea salt from water.
Moringa Powder Recipes
Moringa Energy Balls – 3 Ways!
Here are some delicious ways to use moringa leaf powder in energy balls. I’ve posted several recipes all jam-packed with nutrition here…
Moringa Energy Balls – 3 Ways
Dried moringa powder – the perfect addition to a smoothie
Here is my favourite way to use Moringa powder in a smoothie. It’s difficult to imagine a healthier smoothie! This recipe is absolutely delicious and I highly recommend it…
Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera) or Indian ginseng is a natural nerve tonic and a memory enhancer. Numerous scientific studies claim that Ashwagandha is a neuroprotective agent. It boosts the memory and fights dementia, an age-related loss of memory and other thinking abilities.
Anti-dementia Role of Ashwagandha
Accumulation of beta-amyloid peptide, a brain protein, disrupts the communication between the brain cells and kills them, thus leading to dementia. Intake of Ashwagandha reduces the accumulation of beta-amyloid peptide in the brain and lowers the death of the brain cells. It further promotes the growth of the brain cells, which improves memory. (1)
Prevents Degeneration of Brain Cells: The antioxidant property of Ashwagandha inhibits beta-amyloid-induced degeneration of brain cells.
Ashwagandha Preserves Memory
Acetylcholine is a brain chemical that supports memory processes and learning. Studies have noted that Ashwagandha intake inhibits the activity of an enzyme that otherwise hinders the activity of this brain chemical. Hence, Ashwagandha protects this brain chemical against damage and preserves memory and other brain functions. (2, 3)
Ashwagandha Improve Cognition
Healthy compounds present in Ashwagandha activate the brain cells and cause cognitive improvement. They further improve communication between the brain cells. Hence, more information is absorbed and retained by the brain cells, which results in long-lasting memory. (4)
The active healthy compounds present in Ashwagandha include:
Alkaloids.
Steroidal lactones (Withanolides, Withaferins).
Saponins.
Sitoindosides.
How Can You Make Ashwagandha a Part of Your Diet?
Ashwagandha is available in two forms:
Powder.
Capsule.
The natural root powder of Ashwagandha is considered safer than other forms.
You can either add Ashwagandha powder to a cup of coconut or almond milk or you can simply pop an Ashwagandha capsule after consulting your healthcare provider.
You can also add Ashwagandha powder to a cup of warm water or almond milk.
Besides this, Ashwagandha tea is also available in the market.
You can even make Ashwagandha tea at home by adding Ashwagandha powder to boiling water. Allow the water to sit for 10 minutes. This step will help in the release of active compounds. You can even add fresh ginger and basil leaves to Ashwagandha tea.
We believe Ashwagandha root powder is more effective and safer than other forms. It contains all require alkaloids and phytochemicals that provide beneficial effects in the prevention of all forms of dementia.
Consuming less sodium is certainly the best, but do you know
why you should be cutting your salt intake?
Why should you eat less salt?
Salt, which is sodium + chloride is the major contributor of
‘sodium’. Excess sodium intake is unhealthy because it raises the blood
pressure and increases your risk of heart attack and stroke.
It further puts pressure on the kidneys, weakens this pair
of organs and increases your chances of having kidney stones.
High sodium intake leads to water retention in the body,
thus causing swelling of the hands and feet.
Studies have also observed memory decline in adults with
high sodium intake.
As excess salt intake can make your health go haywire, it’s
better to reduce the overall salt intake.
Also Read: What Happens
If You Eat Too Much Salt
How can You Reduce your Salt Intake?
Salt is added to all savory food preparations. Many people
enjoy the taste of salt. Salt even has the ability to deepen other flavors.
We are so used to eating salty foods, that we develop a
taste for it. When you reduce your salt intake gradually, your taste buds
adjust to it and soon you start noticing and enjoying the natural flavors of
the food.
The aim is to consume 6 grams or 1 ¼ teaspoon of salt, which
is 2.5 grams of sodium per day. But, as per recent research, Indians consume
sodium more than the safe recommendation level.
White Salt
Read the Food Labels
The food label available on a food product can help us to be
more aware of the sodium content of the food and salt consumption. Before
purchasing any food product, examine the sodium content of the product. This
can help health-conscious individuals to choose lower sodium products. Let’s
learn to read a food label:
Know the Daily Value:
In order to understand the sodium content of a particular food, you need to
know the safe sodium recommendation for a healthy individual per day. As
mentioned earlier, the aim is to consume 2500 milligrams of sodium per day.
Once you know the limitation, you can consume the food in the right quantity
without going beyond the limit.
Pay Attention to The
Serving Size: Just reading the sodium content on the food label is half the
information, which can be misleading. Pay attention to the serving size. For
some foods, the sodium content is mentioned as per one serving, whereas for
others the sodium content mentioned is for the entire packet. You can then
determine your sodium intake by calculating the number of servings you consume.
% DV (Daily Value) Is
Your Tool: A simple way to check if the food you are consuming is high or
low in sodium is by checking the % DV. A food product with 5% DV or less of
sodium per serving is considered low, whereas 20% DV or more is considered high
sodium.
Hence, by reading the food label you can easily decide if
that particular food is healthy or unhealthy for you. Food labels can also help
you to compare various brands for the same food product and you can easily
choose the right food. (3)
Pink Rock Salt
Use Natural Salt
Substitutes
Eating foods with little or no salt can be difficult. But
you can still enhance the flavor of your food by adding some natural salt
substitutes. Using herbs and spices is the key to tasty meals and they are much
healthier than using salt to enhance the flavor. Here’s how you can use them to
replace salt:
Rosemary:
Substitute a part of salt with rosemary in home-made sauces or dips. Rosemary
can also be added to grilled chicken, roasted potatoes or boiled eggs.
Fresh Mint
Leaves: Substitute a part of salt with fresh mint leaves in salads. Making
a fresh mint dip or chutney with other herbs and no salt can also enhance the
taste of the food. You can simply enjoy baked potato wedges with a mint dip
rather than choosing high-salt sauces or dips.
Black Pepper: Substitute a part of salt with coarsely ground black pepper in soups and
stews. They add an amazing flavor to the foods and improve the taste as well.
Lemon Juice:
Lemon juice is a great source of vitamin C as well as a great salt substitute.
Lemon juice can brighten up the taste of food and it goes well with vegetable
soups, curries, salads, fish and chicken.
Garlic:
Garlic has a strong and pungent taste. It adds a zesty taste to the foods,
which may reduce the need to add more salt. You can add roasted garlic, garlic
powder or freshly chopped garlic to enhance the flavor of the food and reduce
the requirement of salt too. (4)
Say No to Processed Foods
Processed foods, ready-to-eat foods or packaged foods are
loaded with salt. Though such foods are convenient, and you can cook them
quickly, they are actually making your life difficult by ruining your health.
Studies have found that 75-80% of our dietary salt can come
from processed foods. These foods contain ‘hidden salt’, hence you may end up
eating more salt without even realizing it.
Hence, it is always better to prepare fresh food at home
rather than relying on ready-to-eat food packets.
Choose Fresh Vegetables
Vegetables are a major part of the diet and healthy
individuals must consume 3-5 servings of fresh vegetables per day.
Vegetables are also available in the market in the canned
form, but it is always better to use fresh vegetables.
Canned vegetables are high in salt and they definitely
contain more salt as compared to fresh vegetables.
This additional salt is not needed by the body and
individuals with high blood pressure should completely avoid the use of canned
vegetables. If your goal is to reduce the salt intake, stay away from canned
vegetables.
Select Spices and Seasonings Carefully
Spices and seasonings enhance the overall flavor of the
food, but some of them contain salt. Always read the food labels and the
ingredient list before purchasing.
Choose spices and seasonings that come without salt. For
example, purchase garlic powder and not garlic salt. (5)
Salt
Limit Your Intake of Restaurant Foods
If you are out at a party and eating restaurant food is the
only option you are left with, simply reduce your portion size. Less food means
less sodium intake.
Fill your stomach with fresh vegetable salad.
Avoid adding any salad dressing to it because these
dressings often contain a high amount of sodium. Simply squeeze some lemon
juice to make the salad taste more refreshing.
While ordering food at the restaurant, avoid
eating foods that are loaded with sauces or processed cheese. Chinese and Thai
restaurants use a lot of sauces, which increases the overall sodium content,
whereas, Italian food contains sodium-laden cheese. Ask the restaurant staff to
serve the sauces separately.
Choose grilled, roasted or steamed food at a
restaurant.
Use salsa sauce and ketchup sparingly, as they
contain more sodium.
Other Tips to Reduce Salt Intake at Home
Cook pasta, rice, and spaghetti without adding
salt to it. Add herbs, spices and fresh vegetables to enhance the flavor.
Avoid adding salt to salads, yogurt, certain fruits
and to the wheat flour while kneading.
If using canned chickpeas or kidney beans, drain
and rinse them 2-3 times. This will not remove the sodium entirely, but it can
reduce the sodium by 30-40%.
Avoid using canned tomato puree. You can easily
prepare tomato puree at home.
Replace high sodium dips and sauces with
home-made chutneys or dips.
Replace salted butter with the unsalted variety.
Replace salty snack items like a packet of chips
with fresh fruits, dried fruits or unsalted nuts. You can even replace potato
chips with baked or boiled potato tossed in fresh herbs.
Note:
You can also reduce your salt intake by limiting these
‘hidden sources of salt’ from your diet:
Biscuits and crackers
Breakfast cereals
Bread and buns
Pasta sauce
Pickles
Papad
Packaged vegetable soups
Salad dressings
Cheese
Packaged buttermilk
These small yet important changes will surely help you to
reduce your overall salt intake. A little sodium is required by the body to
maintain the correct electrolyte balance. But, eating salt-laden foods has
never been beneficial or healthy.
You may initially find it difficult and your taste buds may
take time to adjust to the low salt diet, but after 6-8 weeks you will get used
to it. Learn to enjoy the natural flavor of the foods.
Cherry is a nutrient-dense fruit, with a low-calorie count and presence of significant amounts of important nutrients and plant compounds that boost brain health. Studies have found that consumption of cherries has a positive impact on different aspects of brain health. Let’s get into the details:
Eating Cherries and Sleep
Good quality sleep is critical to cognitive function and it helps in the removal of toxins that accumulate in the brain. Studies have reported that consumption of sweet as well as tart cherries affects the quality and quantity of sleep. This positive effect was seen in just 3-5 days of cherry consumption. A regular intake of cherries can increase the level of melatonin in the body. Melatonin, also known as the sleep hormone, regulates the sleep-wake cycle in humans and improves overall sleep quality. Hence, eating cherries can boost the cognitive function by keeping disturbed sleep at bay.
Cherry Consumption and Memory
As we age, our memory and the ability to remember things and events decline. The brain’s defense against oxidative stress and inflammation reduces, which affects the functioning of the brain. Research has found that eating cherries may improve brain cell function and lower the levels of inflammation. This is attributed to the presence of ‘anthocyanins’, healthy plant compounds that accumulate in the brain after the consumption of cherry. Anthocyanins are antioxidant and anti-inflammatory in nature that protects the brain cells against damage and preserves their function.
Cherry intake and Stress
Studies have noted that cherry is one of the best natural stressbusters. Eating cherry on a regular basis can uplift mood, reduce the levels of stress hormones in the body, and induce a feeling of calmness and happiness. Mental stress can have a negative impact on cognitive function. Being in a happy and relaxed state of mind can improve cognition and the ability to think. Hence, adding cherries to your diet can improve mental health by keeping the brain calm and healthy.
Conclusion: Eating cherries can fight poor sleep, memory, and anxiety-related issues. It induces a feeling of happiness and well-being, plus it improves cognition. Add a bowl of fresh cherries to your daily diet to refresh your mind and mental health.
Do you want to prevent all diseases in your life? Or, are you suffering from any disease and want to get rid of that naturally and without any medicine? If yes, then this ayurvedic diet plan can help you to prevent and get rid of all diseases.
Definition: The diet prescribed in ayurveda that can help you
to live a happier, healthier and longer life is called ayurvedic diet. The diet plan according to ayurvedic principles is
known as ayurvedic diet plan.
This diet plan is suitable for everyone. Anyone can follow this ayurvedic diet plan to achieve
his/her health goals or stay happier and healthier forever and live a longer
life.
Ayurvedic Diet Plan Concept
According to ayurveda, wrong eating habits are responsible for almost all health problems.
When you eat wrong or unhealthy foods, overeat, or have poor digestion, you develop toxins in your
body. These toxins are called Ama Dosha in Ayurveda. According to ayurveda, poorly digested foods are the main cause of all diseases. Ama dosha is sticky and heavy in nature. It accumulates in the body and sticks to various channels in the body and blocks them. It results in
a variety of health conditions, especially the ailments of the digestive system.
Then this Ama dosha mixes with Vata, Pitta and Kapha dosha and waste materials, which give rise to the formation of Amavisha. It spreads throughout the body. Everyone has some weak organs or tissues. Where Amavisha finds a weakness, it causes the disease of that organ. For example, if it finds a weakness in the gall bladder, it causes gallbladder stone. If
it finds a weakness in the lungs, it causes lung disease. If it finds a weakness in kidneys, it results in kidney
disease or kidney stone.
When Ama dosha and Amavisha mix with environmental toxins, it results in Garvisha. Garvisha includes all types of poisons that
result in various diseases. These diseases including diseases from pollution, microbes, and chemicals.
Therefore, you first need to remove already formed Ama Dosha from your body. Then you need to stop its further formation in your body. Following these steps, you can ultimately prevent and cure all diseases.
For Ama Dosha removal, you should read this: Fasting: One Medicine for Every Disease.
To prevent the formation of Ama Dosha, you need to follow the Basic Principle of Ayurvedic Diet and Ayurvedic Diet Plan (Eating Two Meals a Day) as discussed in this article.
Ayurvedic Diet Plan: Principles
For details, you should read
here: Basic
Principle of Ayurvedic Diet. Here is brief
information:
Don’t suppress appetite.
Only take food whenever you feel real appetite.
Eat two primary meals a day – Morning Meal and Evening Meal.
Don’t overeat.
Eat food in their natural form.
Eat food within 48 minutes of cooking. Don’t store food for more than 3 hours.
Eat food cooked at home.
Eat food with a calm mind.
Ayurvedic Diet: Meal Timings
Almost all classical texts of ayurveda recommend 2 primary meals a day:
Morning Meal – 3 hours after sunrise.
Evening Meal – 40 minutes before sunset.
Some have given timings – approx. 3 hours after sunrise and about 40 minutes before sunset. These timings are perfect in countries like India. These may not be suitable for all countries and in all seasons.
Some ayurvedic texts suggest eating when you feel appetite. Accordingly, I found the following are the best timings:
Meal Timings
During Long Days
During Short Days
Morning Meal
8 am to 9 am
9 am to 10 am
Evening Meal
5 pm to 6 pm
4 pm to 5 pm
This is the time perfect because your body releases a maximum amount of gastric juice during this time.
However, this table is a general illustration and I follow it for myself.
Gap Between Morning and Evening Meals
You can follow according to your convenience, personal circumstances, and appetite cycle. Just remember the gap between morning and evening meal should not be less than 6 hours and more than 10 hours. I have decided this minimum and maximum gap period based on timings of sunrise and sunset during various seasons in India.
FAQs about Ayurvedic Meal Timings
Here are important FAQs about ayurvedic meal timings:
What should I do if I don’t feel appetite in the evening?
प्रातराशे त्वजीर्णेऽपि सायमाशो न दुष्यति। अजीर्णे सायमाशे तु प्रातराशो हि दुप्यति॥३९॥ (AS.S.Ch 11)
You can take your evening meal as per your scheduled time. But remember the following things:
Do not eat before the scheduled time.
Do not overeat.
Eat less keeping at least ¼ part of the stomach empty.
Keep a minimum of 14 hours fasting period after the evening meal. So, you must not eat anything after taking the evening meal. It will help to digest the the food taken in the day properly.
However, you can drink desi cow’s milk or coconut milk after evening meal if required.
Following the above tips, there will be no harm to eat an evening meal at the scheduled time.
What should I do if I feel appetite after
eating a primary meal?
Some people feel appetite again after eating a primary meal. In most cases, it occurs within the first 2 hours after eating a primary meal.
Pitta dosha increases after eating food. It is a natural pitta cycle in your body. It is a false appetite. In fact, Pitta is digesting the food previously eaten.
If you feel appetite even after eating a good amount of food, then
it could be a false appetite. False appetite pacifies itself after a few
minutes.
What should I do if I feel appetite
other than meal timings?
If it is not a false appetite, as discussed in the previous question above, then you can eat healthiest foods keeping a minimum 2 hours gap
from a primary meal. The healthiest foods include:
Fruits.
Uncooked vegetables (raw vegetables or salad).
Fresh vegetable juice. (Don’t take fruit juice, instead eat fruits).
Coconut water.
These foods are easy to digest, full of nutrients and suitable for all people.
What do research studies say about 2 times meals a day?
Research studies have shown that eating frequent meals causes insulin resistance and people who eat frequent meals will develop diabetes
and other lifestyle diseases later in their life. People who eat 2 times a day have no insulin resistance in their body.
Another study also
confirms this. According to the study, the secretion of gastric acid decreases
during sleep. Sleep is directly linked
with low production of acid secretion in the stomach. Waking in the morning is
linked with an increase in gastric acid output. (Ref)
Most people suffering
from the acid peptic disease have
aggravated symptoms in morning and evening. It indicates an increase in acid secretion in the stomach in
the morning and evening. They also feel significant
relief from symptoms at night. So, acid secretion diminishes at night. (Ref)
Therefore, you should eat
2 primary meals a day. 2 primary meals a day is an ancient concept of ayurveda.
In India, taking meal is compared with Agnihotra Yagya, which is
done two times a day. Yoga Ratnakar has given its reference. He says as Agnihotra
Yagya is done two times a day, you should also take food 2 times a day.
In villages in Punjab, India, some families still follow
this tradition. They eat only 2 times a day. They are healthier than people who
are eating 3 to 6 times a day. However, 2 times the meal tradition is disappearing because of the adoption of western culture – breakfast, lunch,
and dinner. This was not our culture.
Deciding Your Perfect Two Meal Timings
When you are already eating 3 to 6 meals a day, then you
have to gradually adjust your body’s clock for two times meal plan. You should
listen to your body.
Eat energy dense food in the morning, as per
your appetite or hunger.
Wait for the time when you really feel appetite
again in the day. For example, if you eat energy dense meal at 8 AM in the
morning, you feel a real appetite at 2 PM
in the evening, then you should take your evening meal at 2 PM.
In next day, again repeat the same thing, but
eat with 15 minutes delay. Repeat this process for a few days until you get a
minimum 7 hours gap between morning and evening meal
time. Your body starts adjusting the
eating clock to two times meal plan.
If you are eating more than 3 times a day, then
you should also follow the same
procedure, but first, reduce the meal frequency over a few weeks. Then come to
3 times meal plan and ultimately 2 times meal plan.
Ayurvedic Diet: Morning Meal
Morning Meal
Energy Dense
Morning meal should be satisfying and fulfilling
in nature. Your body requires energy for
the whole day. So, you should eat energy dense food in the morning.
You can take fruits, whole grains, legumes (pulses) and vegetables in the morning.
Solid Foods: Whole grains, lentils,
cooked vegetables, seeds, and nuts are
solid foods.
Water-rich foods: Fruits, fruit juice, vegetable
juice, lemon water, buttermilk, coconut water, coconut milk, etc. are water-rich foods.
Keep Stomach Empty: You should always eat
less than your appetite. It means you must keep 1/4th part of your
stomach empty.
Ideal Morning Meal
You should eat food in the sequence of food category as
described in the below table:
Food Category
Serving (for adults)
Fruits
2 – 3 servings.
Seeds & Nuts
5 soaked almonds and 5 raisins
Whole Grains
2 servings.
Lentil (Pulse) curry
1 serving.
Half-cooked Vegetables
2 serving.
You can include lentil curry on alternate day or after 2 days. These curries are heavy to digest. The best lentil curry is Mung Dal.
Note: For best results, you should keep 1 hour gap between fruits and other foods during morning meal.
Sample Morning Meal Menu
Food Category
Example for Adults
Fruits
1 pomegranate, 1 Apple and 1 Orange.
Seeds & Nuts
5 soaked almonds and 5 raisins
Whole Grains
2 multigrain chapatis or 1 chapati and 1 cup cooked rice.
Legume (Pulse) curry
1 cup cooked curry.
Half-cooked Vegetables
1 cup.
According to Ayurveda (Yoga Ratnakar), you should eat fruits
before all other food items.
Morning Fruits
You can eat the following fruits in the morning:
Apple.
Apricots.
Avocado.
Berries.
Blackberry.
Blue Berry.
Cherries.
Cranberries.
Dates.
Figs.
Grapefruit.
Grapes.
Guava.
Sweet Lime (Mosmi).
Orange.
Peaches.
Pears.
Pineapple.
Plums.
Pomegranate.
Prunes.
Raspberry.
Sapodilla.
Restricted foods in the Morning
According to Yoga Ratnakar,
you should not eat the following foods in the morning:
Chironji.
Jamun.
Ber (jujube).
Gular (Cluster Fig Fruit) – Ficus Racemosa.
Imli (Tamarind).
Taal phal (Targola) also called Ice Apple or Sugar Palm fruit.
Dried ginger powder.
Coconut Soup and Coconut Meat.
Sesame and foods contain sesame in any form including sesame seeds and oil.
Mango.
Ankol.
Banana.
Fresh amla fruits (especially unripe).
Note: These fruits can be taken after 12 PM till 40 minutes before sunset.
Other than these fruits, you can eat any fruit in the
morning meal. I have provided the most suitable
fruit list above.
Ayurvedic Diet: Evening Meal
Evening Meal
Nutrient Dense
The evening meal
should be light and nutrient dense. So, you should take less foods made of grains and lentils. You
should also stop taking of dead animal foods like meat.
Water-rich foods: fruits, raw vegetables or salad, vegetable soup, coconut milk or desi cow’s milk (if available).
Keep Stomach Empty: 1/4th part of your stomach should remain empty.
Evening Meal
Food Category
Serving (for adults)
Fruits
1 to 2 serving.
Salad (Uncooked vegetables)
1 to 2 plate.
Whole Grains
1 serving (1 multigrain chapati).
Half cooked vegetable
1 serving.
Sample Evening Meal Menu
Food Category
Example for Adults
Fruits
150 grams papaya + 1 pear.
Salad (Uncooked vegetables)
¼ cup cut beetroot, 1 medium cucumber, 1 medium tomato, 1 cup green leafy salad, 1 spoon of mung sprouts, grated coconut 1 slice.
Whole Grains
1 multigrain chapati or 1 cup cooked rice.
Half-cooked Vegetables or Lentil Curry
1/2 cup.
In evening meal, you can eat any sattvic food, any fruit or any vegetable. These foods are easy to digest. You should eat that foods in the evening meal, which are light to digest for your body.
Note: You must keep at least 3 hours gap between the evening meal and bedtime. Fruits, vegetables, and salad in the evening meal are water-rich. However, they are easier to digest for your body, but they might also increase urination frequency at night if you eat before sleep. Therefore, you must avoid eating and drinking for 3 hours till bedtime.
Also Read: 7 Days Ayurvedic Meal Plan
Taking Milk at Night
Ayurveda only advises Desi Cow’s milk. When basic ayurvedic texts were written, only Desi cow’s milk was available. When ayurveda talks about milk or ghee, it refers to Desi cow’s milk and ghee, which is now very rarely available. So, personally, I don’t recommend any animal products to my followers.
Second, most of the patients had reported increased urine
frequency after drinking milk at night, which disturb their sleep. Sleep
disturbance is not good for health.
Third, nowadays milk may contain medicines and hormones, which may have adverse effects on health.
Fourth, in my personal opinion, I never recommend any product coming from animal source including milk products. They increase more Kapha Dosha in the body than plant-based foods. Therefore, they cause lifestyle disorders nowadays because people are not enough physically active as they were before.
Still, if you want to drink milk, then ayurveda has the
following recommendations for you:
You can drink Desi Cow’s milk at night.
Desi Cow’s milk is drinkable and has the best quality. Nowadays, rarely available! Desi Cow’s milk does not contain A1 protein. In some countries, A2 Milk is also available. It may also be good, but no surety.
You should keep at least 30 minutes gap between the evening meal and milk. The longer gap should be beneficial. You can drink milk after sunset. There is no restriction on milk consumption at night.
If you are not able to get desi cow’s milk, you can alternatively drink homemade fresh coconut milk.
Eating Sequence
Ayurveda suggests eating in the following sequence:
Fruits
You should first eat fruits. Include 2 fruits in each meal
from different fruit categories.
Fruits Categories:
Berries: Blueberries, strawberries,
Bilberries, Cranberries, Grapes, Raspberries etc.
Pome Fruits: All types of Apples, all
types of Pears, Nashi (Asian pears), quince (Cydonia oblonga).
Stone Fruits: Apricots, peaches, plums,
nectarines, cherries, pluots, Apriums etc.
Tropical Fruits: Bananas, Mangoes, Melons,
Pineapple, Fresh olive, Papaya, etc.
We have classified 5 categories of fruits above. You should select
1-1 fruit from any two categories. It will be ideal if you can select different
categories for each meal – 2 different fruits for morning and 2 different
fruits for evening and each fruit from unique category. However, it is not
compulsory.
The mandatory thing is fruits must be seasonal and local
grown. Don’t eat foods exported from different countries.
Hard Foods (Heavy to Digest)
Some foods take more time to digest in the abdomen. The
foods which are heavier to digest are called hard foods. It includes:
Food cooked in oils or ghee – all curries, Indian
style vegetable cooking in which oil is used.
Foods cooked in ghee.
Foods that contain any type of oil or ghee.
Seeds and nuts.
Whole grains.
Lentil curries.
Chapatis.
Oil or ghee cooked vegetables.
Rice.
Food with less water content.
Yogurt or curd.
Soft and Liquid Foods (Light to Digest)
Foods that take less time to digest or water-rich foods are
called soft foods. However, it also includes fruits, but fruits are recommended
before everything else. So, we exclude fruits from this list.
Amla juice.
Amla water.
Buttermilk.
Coconut water.
Fruit juice.
Lemon water.
Tamarind water.
Vegetable juice.
Vegetable soup.
Water.
Note: You should not take tamarind water, amla water
and amla juice in the morning on empty stomach.
However, you can take it in the evening
or after a meal. In fact, ayurveda recommends these food items after a meal.
Multigrain Chapatis
Ayurveda recommends whole
wheat and barley for daily eating. Based on this, we recommend the following
multigrain chapatis formulas:
Whole Wheat
75%
Barley
25%
However, you can also
include other grains in this formulation. Here is an example that we recommend some
people living outside India. Personally, I am also using the following multigrain
recipe:
Whole Wheat
60%
Barley
15%
Quinoa
10%
Amaranth
5%
Oats
5%
Ragi (Finger millet)
5%
People with a gluten allergy can include gluten-free grains
and millets. The following recipe might help:
Buckwheat
65%
Quinoa
15%
Amaranth
10%
Oats
5%
Ragi (Finger millet)
5%
Vegetable Chapatis
In India, vegetable chapatis are famous. Sometimes, they are called Paratha. Indian people grate vegetables and knead them in flour. However, they apply oil or ghee on the Tawa. So, they are mostly fried. Therefore, they are heavier to digest. These types of Parathas are best for children.
But you can prepare vegetable chapati in another way. Don’t apply oil on the Tawa and don’t fry these vegetable chapatis. Such vegetable chapatis are very helpful, especially for people who eat less vegetables.
Dt. Sneha had written article on vegetable chapatis. You can find her recipes here: Vegetable Chapatis’ Recipes.
‘Ayurvedic’, ‘top 5 spices, ‘boost Immunity naturally’- do these words excite you? For all of us who are aiming to boost immunity naturally, the idea of Ayurvedic spices is quite captivating. They are a concentrated source of potent nutrients that help you boost your immunity in a natural way. Spices are also loaded with Antioxidants and have natural antibiotic and immunity-boosting properties. While the internet may suggest a long list of spices that are essential for boosting immunity, a few traditional spices from your Grandma’s kitchen can do more good. Here is a list of top 5 spices that should be a part of your daily diet regimen.
Turmeric Turmeric (Haldi) is also known as ‘Golden Spice’ and a staple to every Indian kitchen – whether in the spice box, or your grandma’s home remedy cupboard. Turmeric is a root that is used either fresh or in the dried powdered form for cooking, for protection against infections, or as a cosmetic measure. Turmeric in its raw form is packed with several health benefits including immunity-boosting benefit. Curcumin is the main bioactive compound found in turmeric reported to have many medicinal benefits. It has anti-inflammatory properties along with antiviral, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial that help to boost immunity. Turmeric also acts as a prebiotic that promotes the growth of healthy bacteria in our gut. Turmeric can also ward off the common cold and seasonal flu. Especially in children, it can reduce the onset of repeated Respiratory Tract Infections. Drinking daily fresh Turmeric concoctions (Kadha) or Turmeric tea over a while help to improve immunity. Just make sure to add black pepper with it, as curcumin (bio-active compound) present in turmeric absorption is enhanced by 2000 times by adding black pepper due to present active bio-compound -piperine Using Tips:
Turmeric Detox Water – Warm a glass of water with 1 gm (a pinch) of turmeric along with a piece of ginger, one lemon juice, one pinch black pepper, and 1 tsp honey.
Turmeric Milk (haldi doodh) – It’s nothing but milk boiled with turmeric. To gain the maximum benefit, have this drink before bedtime and let it work its magic overnight while you sleep peacefully.
Turmeric Tea- Brew your usual tea leaves/bags/green tea in water and add 2-3 pinch of turmeric along with one pinch of black pepper to it. Let it boil for a few minutes and relax with a hot turmeric tea to de-stress.
Turmeric Soup -Just add ½ tsp of turmeric spice to any of your favourite clear soup, give it a nice stir and let it boil along with other foods to make a health-giving soup.
Ginger Ginger is a very versatile spice used widely in the Indian kitchen and has been used as an active ingredient in several Ayurvedic medicines. It is a potent home remedy for various health issues, including nausea, stomach pain, and respiratory symptoms such as cold and the flu. Ginger can help to boost immunity and credit goes to its bioactive component – Gingerol, which makes ginger a perfect immunity booster. Ginger also has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory and antioxidants properties, which help in keeping several ailments at bay and helps fight infections. Starting your morning with a glass of ginger tea or ginger kadha is one of the best things you can do to ward off flu and boost immunity. Using Tips:
Ginger Tea- The best way to introduce ginger to your diet is by adding it to your regular tea or green tea. this will not only make it tastier but will also make an immunity-boosting drink.
Crystallized ginger helps in treating nausea too. Give your kids instead of candy.
Ginger-Lemonade- just add 1/2 lemon juice, 2 tsp honey, ½ tsp ginger juice, and 2-3 fresh mint leaves, a pinch of black salt together in 200ml water and your ginger lemonade is ready to enjoy!
Black Pepper Black pepper is considered as ‘king of spice’. It is available in whole, crushed, or powder form in the most Indian kitchen and use for a reason. Piperine is the bioactive compound found in black pepper has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-bacterial as well as immunity-boosting properties. It is also found that black pepper can improves digestion by helping in the breakdown of proteins and also protects the intestinal tract against bacterial growth. It is also considered as carminative (relieving flatulence), promotes sweating, which helps rid the body of toxins. Using Tips:
Adding black pepper to your soups, dishes, salads dressing, etc. is a great way to incorporate its benefits in diet.
Drink the concoction or Kadha prepared with black pepper along with other Ayurvedic and herbal spices and herbs such as turmeric, coriander seeds, mint leaves, cardamom, ginger, etc.
Prepare masala tea using black pepper, cardamom, dry ginger, and cinnamon. You can also add a pinch of black pepper into your green tea/lemon tea.
Coriander seeds Coriander is the most used and common spice in India. Right from its aromatic leaves we use in almost all our dishes to garnish them whereas, coriander seeds are one of the main components of ‘Garam masala’ powder which we incorporate in all curries, pickles, cooked vegetables, etc. Being one of the common spice, it also adds a delicious taste and earthy robust flavor to all the cuisines. Coriander seeds have multiple health benefits. The bioactive compounds found in coriander seeds are terpinene and quercetin has anticancer, immune-boosting, and neuroprotective properties. Coriander offers antioxidant benefits to prevent cellular damage caused by free radicals and fight inflammation in the body. It also contains antibacterial compounds that help fight infections and foodborne illnesses. Coriander seeds also help in lowering sugar levels, skin cleansing, and detoxifying the body as well. All these qualities make coriander great food for boosting immunity. Using Tips:
Use in your regular cooking such as whole seeds can be added to savory baked goods,
roasted vegetables, and cooked dal and vegetable dishes
Pickled the vegetables using seeds.
You can make Ayurvedic Kadha at home using coriander seeds with all other Ayurvedic spices and herbs.
Amla (Indian Gooseberry) The Indian gooseberry or amla is one of the main ingredients of almost all Ayurvedic medicines. It is the richest source of immunity-boosting Vitamin C which boosts the production of white blood cells (WBC) in the body that helps in fighting several pathogenic infections and disease. That is why Amla has also been popular and a potent home remedy for treating cold and flu. It is also rich in iron, calcium and many other minerals. Amla also contains Antioxidants to fight against inflammation, delay the signs of aging, reduce blood sugar, and improve heart health. It is also rich in a variety of polyphenols and beta-carotene that fight against developing cancer cells. Additionally, it also helps absorb calcium and iron from other foods, detoxifying your body, improves digestive health, and relive in dry cough. Overall, drinking Amla juice is great for immunity, eye, skin, hair, heart as well as diabetes. So, consider sipping on its goodness daily for detoxing and reviving up your immunity level. Using Tips:
Amla can be consumed in various ways. You can make fresh amla chutney, jam, murabba, pickles at home. But freshly eat or drink its juice to get the maximum benefits
If you like tangy foods, you can have amla just like that with some salt.
Amla Drink – You can make tangy Amla infused drink by adding enough water in Amla juice with a pinch of salt and 1-2 tsp honey.
TAKE AWAY
A strong immune system is the first line of defence against germs, viruses, and bacteria which can cause life-threatening complications such as COVID-19. Boosting immunity should always be a priority and now with the pandemic spreading across the globe, it’s more important than ever. The easiest way to do so is by eating a healthy diet along with grandma’s favourite immunity-boosting spices to gear up the process naturally.
Now that you know the benefits, include as many of these immune-boosting spices to your diet as you can. You can add these spices in your favourite drink tea or make an herbal Kadha or herbal tea at home using these spices. Or else simply make GRANDMA’S KADHA a part of your daily self-care ritual to boost your immunity.
It is an immunity-boosting Ayurvedic Kadha infused with 13 Ayurvedic spices and herbs including coriander seeds, ginger, Turmeric, Black pepper, Amla, Echinacea, Holy basis, Mulethi, Kulinjan, Adulsa, Bharangi, Shankapushpi, and Kalmegh. it has natural antibiotic and immunity-boosting, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-bacterial properties to prevent and ease the cough, cold, headaches, and infections and provides quick relief from the early signs of sickness like a runny nose, itchy throat, body aches, and weakness. Just drop an effervescent tablet in hot water and enjoy the Ayurvedic immunity-boosting kadha anytime at home.
The snazzy haircut of yours is of no use if your hair isn’t properly taken care of. Even men’s hair needs regular maintenance.
Just because you’re a man doesn’t mean you get lax about hair maintenance. The hair care routine for men is the same as it is for women, with a few variations.
With regular hair care, your hairstyle will last longer and look as good as it is meant to.
15 Essential Hair Care Tips For Men:
#1 Don’t over-wash your hair
A common mistake committed by every man is that washing hair quite often. Limit washing to twice or thrice a week and always condition your hair. This would ensure the hair health and avoid losing out on essential oil from scalp.
#2 Dry your hair gently; don’t rub it
Wet hair tends to be weaker and vulnerable to damage. So avoid rubbing your hair after washing as it will lead to excessive breakage. Instead pat dry it to avoid stress on scalp.
#3 Get rid of that comb-over!
Your hair might be thinning. Get a haircut that suits the thinning look. Do not, under any circumstances, do a comb-over please. Women run from that
#4 Use an egg conditioner
Egg is loaded with proteins and essential minerals like sulphur that your hair secretly craves for. Harness the goodness of egg by conditioning your hair regularly with egg yolk. Let the egg yolk penetrate deep into your scalp so as to strengthen your follicles from within.
#5 Protect your hair from chlorine
The chlorine in pools can be extremely disastrous for your scalp as it causes your hair to become dry and brittle. The easiest way to protect your hair from harmful effects of chlorine is to wet your hair with clean water and apply a mild conditioner before you step in into a pool. Alternatively you can also wear a swimming cap.
#6 Use less products on your hair
Using too much of hair gel, hair wax, hair spray or any other hair product makes your hair look unnatural and heavy. Use minimalistic amount of these products when it comes to styling your hair the right way.
#7 Use a clarifying shampoo
Over the period of time, the product that you apply on hair can build up and make your hair look dull and lifeless. You can use clarifying shampoo like Pantene Pro-V Total Damage Care to pull out all the built up and retain your shiny hair. You can also use white vinegar for hair rinse as it helps in balancing the pH level. It might sound weird but it really works.
#8 Wash, don’t repeat
An article on men’s hair care would not complete without clearing the myth about using a shampoo twice. Basically don’t get fooled by the television ads that tell wash, rinse and repeat. Washing your hair once is enough. But make sure you use right shampoo and conditioner.
#9 Cut down the heat
Another important hair care tip would be avoid exposing your hair too much to heat. Avoid using hair dryers for drying your hair. Let them dry naturally. It might take some time but it will surely prevent your hair from becoming frizzy. But if you are using hair dryer, make sure you keep it on low heat setting.
#10 Trim it
To keep your hair neat and well-kept, get a haircut every 4-6weeks. Try and get a morning appointment. The hairdresser will be less busy and not fatigued
#11 Take a cold shower
Cold showers actually blocks the blood capillaries in scalp. These blood capillaries carry essential nutrients and need to be active for optimum effect and suddenly constricting them would be disastrous for your hair health. But this doesn’t mean you shower your hair under piping hot water. It will completely mess up your hair by pulling out all the natural oils from scalp. Ideally try and rinse your hair with lukewarm water.
#12 Stay natural
Keep coloring, perming, straightening, etc. to a minimum as getting chemical treatments repeatedly can damage your hair beyond repair
#13 Use the right tools
Hair is delicate and you must ensure you use the right tools. Also, don’t brush wet hair; use your fingers or a wide-toothed comb instead
#14 Avoid tight hats
Tight hats or even tight ponytails can result in ‘traction alopecia’, a hair condition that can cause hair loss, sometimes permanently
#15 Stay healthy
Your hair health is a reflection of your lifestyle. Hair care for men means you need to eat well, get plenty of exercise, drink water, get enough sleep and try to stay positive
Your hair is the first thing that gets noticed about you. A well-maintained head of hair will have other heads turning your way.
Aloe Vera is a known to contain over 75 nutrients that can benefit your hair. Here’s how you can use it to treat common hair problems.
Do you often envy models for their lustrous and beautiful tresses? Are you frustrated with not having healthy hair? Well, you needn’t fret over your locks anymore. Alo vera is here to save the day.
7 Ways In Which Aloe Vera Benefits Hair Health:
The natural goodness of aloe vera combined with a host of beneficial properties give your hair the strength and sheen you’ve always wanted it to have.
If hair loss is something you suffer from then using aloe for hair growth is a great idea. It contains proteolytic enzymes which naturally stimulate hair growth.
It forms a protective layer over your hair that keeps it safe from environmental elements and also keeps it consistently hydrated.
It can also relieve scalp itchiness and irritation owing to the fact that it has potent anti-pruritic properties.
One of the truly amazing benefits of aloe vera for hair is that it can reduce dandruff. This is owing to the fact that it has strong anti-fungal properties.
It has very potent anti-inflammatory properties which help reduce redness and inflammation that could be caused by waxing and shaving.
It helps restore the pH balance of your hair because its own pH level is in the same range as your hair needs to be.
How to Use Aloe Vera to Treat Your Hair:
1. Standard Conditioner:
Keeping your hair damp, simply apply aloe vera gel using your fingers. This also provides a soothing effect to the scalp & helps in setting your hair in place.
2. Leave-in Conditioner:
Thoroughly mix the same amount of water and aloe and transfer the solution into a spray bottle. Add a few drops of an essential oil and you’re ready.
3. Deep-clean Conditioner:
Thoroughly mix the same amount of olive oil and aloe gel. Using a comb spread the resulting mixture evenly on your hair.
4. Aloe Vera for Hair Growth:
Aloe vera for hair loss is a quite unexplored area in our hair care routine. However, these aloe vera hair packs are an effective way to curb hair fall and also a completely natural way to address this issue!
a. Aloe Vera and Egg Hair Mask:
You need eggs yolks, aloe vera, and coconut oil or olive oil.
Mix all ingredients to make a smooth paste, without any lumps
Apply the aloe vera egg mask on your hair and scalp. Ensure that your roots are covered in this mask
Wash your hair with cold water and a mild shampoo and conditioner
b. Onion and Aloe Vera Hair Mask:
You need onion juice and aloe vera gel for this hair mask. Both these ingredients have well known medicinal properties that promote hair growth.
Apply the mixture of onion juice and aloe vera gel on your hair and scalp
After an hour, wash it with a mild shampoo and conditioner
Make a mixture of aloe vera gel, a mild shampoo and lemon juice
Apply this mixture on your greasy hair
Rinse it off after 10 minutes with cold water
6. Aloe vera for Dandruff:
a. Aloe Vera with Coconut Oil
Mix aloe vera gel with coconut oil and cook this mixture over a low flame for 30 minutes
Get this concoction to room temperature
Massage it gently on the scalp and hair and ensure it has spread evenly
Wash it with a mild shampoo and conditioner after 3 hours
b. Aloe Vera and Honey, Yogurt Hair Mask for Dandruff:
Mix 2 tablespoons of fresh aloe vera gel, 1 tablespoon of honey and 2 tablespoons of yogurt and olive oil
Massage this paste on your scalp for 15 minutes
Wash it with warm water after 30 minutes
You can use this hair mask once a week
c. Aloe Vera with Neem Oil:
Mix some drops of neem oil (around 12-15 drops) with aloe vera gel (around 2-3 tablespoons)
Massage this mixture all over your scalp
Leave it on for the entire night
Next morning wash it off with a gentle shampoo and conditioner
You can do this twice a week for effective dandruff removal
7. Aloe Vera for Grey Hair:
Keep fresh juice of amla in an iron bowl overnight
Mix fresh aloe vera gel to this stored amla juice
Store this mixture for a week and apply daily
You need to do this for at least 3 months for visible difference in hair colour
8. Aloe vera for Itchy Scalp:
Take fresh aloe vera gel and massage it on your scalp 20 minutes prior to your shower
Leave it on for a minimum of 20 minutes and wash it off with a mild shampoo and conditioner
9. Aloe Vera as Post Hairstyling Serum:
Rather than using store bought hair serums for shiny, lustrous hair, you can use aloe vera gel
Take a pea sized quantity of the gel and apply it over your hairstyle
You will get a lustrous hairstyle immediately
10. Aloe Vera for Split Ends:
Take Aloe vera gel, lemon juice and olive oil in a small bowl
Mix the ingredients to get a runny paste
Apply the mixture on your hair for 30 minutes
Wash it off with a mild shampoo and conditioner
11. Aloe Vera for Curly Hair:
For defined curls, you can apply aloe vera gel on your just washed hair and scrunch it up
If you think, you want more definition for your curls, you can use curling products after the application of aloe vera
12. Aloe Vera Shampoo:
For rough and brittle hair, aloe and honey shampoo is ideal, as it adds moisture and shine to your hair while strengthening your hair at the same time
Take a few aloe leaves, 2 tablespoon honey and 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
Mix aloe gel, honey and apple cider vinegar in a blender. The gel should be thoroughly mixed with the other ingredients
Use this shampoo for softer hair!
13. Aloe Vera for Dry Hair:
Take a little of aloe vera gel and almond oil
Mix both the ingredients and apply it on the scalp
Let it penetrate the roots for atleast 20 minutes
14. Aloe Vera for Frizzy Hair:
Take 3 tablespoons of coconut oil, 6 tablespoons of aloe vera gel and 4.5 tablespoons of curd
Mix the ingredients and apply the paste on your hair for 30 mins
Wash it off with a mild shampoo and conditioner
Now in a lot of the methods mentioned above, we have suggested using fresh aloe gel. If you are wondering how to get your hands on fresh aloe, read on!
How To Apply Fresh Aloe Vera on Hair:
Get a leaf of aloe vera (either a store or from your garden)
Cut the yellow bitter part and wash the leaf to remove all the residual yellow stuff
Cut the edges of the leaf
Thinly slice the top layer of the leaf. Ensure that you do not cut the gel within
Scoop out the gel from the leaf
Now use this gel in any of the above mentioned recipes and enjoy long, lustrous and glossy hair!
We understand that not everyone will want to completely ditch their regular hair care regimen and switch to aloe vera completely. This is why we recommend using aloe shampoos by brands like Pantene. They contain all the properties of aloe in its natural state and give your hair the nourishment it needs.
You know how your days feel incomplete without your daily dose of coffee? Well, what if we tell you that even your hair sometimes needs that pick-me up, which can only be provided by coffee? It’s true! And we’ll tell you how.
Because we love giving you great beauty advice, we have listed 10 benefits that a cup of coffee can provide your hair, and also some ways you can incorporate this lovely ingredient, in your hair care routine. Read first, thank later!
10 Ways To Use Coffee For Hair Care Problems
1. Prevents Hair Loss:
Male pattern baldness is a common condition in men, where they start losing hair as an effect of weak hair follicles. Slowly, the growth cycle of the hair gets affected, leading to slow but sure balding. Coffee powder for hair contains caffeine which helps prevent this, as it stimulates hair follicles, triggering stronger growth. Wash your hair with brewed coffee twice a week to restore hair in no time!
2. Coffee For Hair Growth:
Caffeine blocks the effect of DHT, which has been proven to induce baldness and damaged hair follicles, in both men and women. Washing your hair with coffee significantly increases follicle stimulation which leads to faster hair growth.
3. Improved Hair Texture:
Coffee for hair strengthens them from within, improving the overall quality and texture of it. Caffeine, when applied to hair directly is absorbed by the follicles, making them softer and shinier, instantly.
Procedure:
Just rub a palmful of coffee into your scalp and rinse it thoroughly.
Keep for 15 minutes and then rinse it off with a mild shampoo and conditioner like Pantene Pro-V Total Damage Care.
This will help seal the nourishment within the hair and also give it that added softness.
4. Improves Scalp Circulation:
A great stimulant for both skin and hair, coffee oil helps improve the circulation in your scalp, making your hair grow out faster and healthier.
Procedure:
Choose your favourite hair oil and roast in it a quarter cup of coffee beans at low heat for about 8 hours, making sure to stir it occasionally so it doesn’t burn.
Sieve the oil, store it in a jar, and use once a week.
5. Exfoliates Scalp:
Whenever you feel that your scalp is feeling really oily and grimy, a coffee hair mask is all you need. It scrubs off the dead skin cells and also keeps your scalp clean and fresh. Plus, every time you scrub away the dead skin, new cells will push out thicker, stronger hair.
6. Coffee For Hair Shine:
Coffee, in general, tends to have a lower pH than water. This helps the cuticles remain flat, thereby reflecting more light than it usually would. Dousing your hair for at least half an hour with cool, brewed coffee, once in a week can be very beneficial for it.
7. Improves Hair Colour:
If you want your hair to have a beautiful brownish-black tinge, as well as increase its strength, just follow this simple recipe.
Procedure:
You’ll need to mix 1 tbsp. of fresh brewed coffee with 2 tbsps. of conditioner.
Apply it after you’ve shampooed your hair, and keep it on for 5-10 minutes.
Wash it off and flaunt your new look!
8. Coffee Hair Dye Permanent:
If just a tinge of brown doesn’t quite do it for you, you can use coffee to further darken your hair colour, without using any chemical dyes. It’s also an easier way to change your look.
Procedure:
Firstly, you’ll need to wash your hair to rid it of all oils.
Brew some fresh, strong coffee and allow it to cool down.
Cover your hair with this semi-liquid for an hour and then rinse it off with lukewarm water.
9. Leave-In Conditioner:
Procedure:
Take some cooled off, freshly-brewed coffee and after shampooing your hair, pour it all over your head and scalp.
Leave it on for 5 minutes to half an hour, depending on how much time you have and rinse it off thoroughly.
Your hair will feel smooth and silky, because it got the instant energiser it needed.
10. As A Hair Mask:
A hair mask will exfoliate your scalp, leaving it with a layer of fresh, clean skin.
Steps:
All you need is 2 tbsps. of coffee powder and a tbsp. each of honey and olive oil.
Mix until it forms a smooth paste and smear it all over your scalp.
Leave it for an hour after which you can wash it off using a shampoo for a gorgeous looking mane.
They have many other health benefits like boost immunity, heal and detoxify our body, and many more. But everyone has days when they are just too busy to make a green juice or a salad or when fresh green veggies are nowhere to be found. Even on good days, it’s difficult to fit in all of those 8-12 servings a day.
antioxidants, Vitamins, Minerals, enzymes and chlorophyll. Especially, water soluble Vitamin C, which is a potent antioxidant known for strengthening the immune system. Together with vitamin C with Zinc, Iron, selenium and plant chlorophyll present in GREENS strengthens the immune system, fight against free radical damage, prevent inflammation, increases red blood cell production, and helps enhance your cells’ ability to carry oxygen.
