Benefits of Curry Leaves (Compiled)

Curry Leaves (a.k.a. Curry Patta) are dark shiny green, aromatic and flavorful leaves of plant scientifically called Murraya Koenigi. These leaves make the south Indian curry flavorful and aromatic. They are slightly bitter in taste and used in making salads, Chutneys and spices in Indian/Asian Food.

Curry leaves consist of 66.3 per cent moisture, 6.1 per cent protein, carbohydrates 16.0 per cent, 6.4 per cent fiber and 4.2 per cent mineral matter per 100 grams. They are rich in vitamin and mineral content with calcium, phosphorus, iron, nicotinic acid and vitamin C.

Curry Leaves have a special place in Ayurvedic Medicines, because of their many health benefits.

Digestive Disorders: Buttermilk with paste of curry leaves, common salt and cumin seed powder is a common home remedy for digestive upset in Indian Homes. The curry leaves juice is also effective against heartburn.
A paste of these leaves with limejuice and honey/sugar/crystal sugar powder is a time-tested medicine in the treatment of “morning sickness” (hyperemesis graviderum). This paste is also useful for treating excessive vomiting and nausea in pregnant women.

Diabetes: Scientists are finding more about curry leaf – as it contain agents that slow down the rate of starch-to-glucose breakdown in people with diabetes. The curry leaves could control the amount of glucose entering the bloodstream. Ayurvedic research suggests a paste of about 8 to 10 fresh, fully-grown curry leaves is to be taken on an empty stomach in the morning for a minimum of 3 months for controlling non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. It also cures diabetes due to obesity, as the leaves have weight reducing properties.

Hair Tonic: These leaves nourish the hair roots. Add twenty leaves to a cup of coconut oil and heat the oil till the leaves turn black. Apply this blackened residual oil to the scalp 2-3 times a week. This oil forms an excellent Ayurvedic hair tonic to stimulate hair growth. This oil stops premature graying.

Herbal Mouth Wash: The fresh curry leaves contain 2.6% volatile essential oils along with chlorophyll, beta-carotene and folic acid, riboflavin, calcium and zinc. All these are excellent for keeping good oral health. Chewing 2 to 4 fresh curry leaves with 10 to 15mls water in the mouth, swishing for 5 to 7 minutes and rinsing the mouth out with water is a great herbal Mouthwash.

Kidney Disorders: Ancient Indian Medicine for kidneys recommends the juice of the curry plant root.

Insect Bites, Burns and Bruises: Curry leaves applied as a poultice can be effectively used to treat burns, bruises and skin eruptions. Fruits of the Curry Leaves with lime juice are used in treating insect bites and poisonous stings.

~Breathing Exercises~

Breathing exercise -

Learn how to breathe completely
We breathe or die. We do it constantly by the end of our lives. Breathing exercise will help you to enjoy every breath and feel life. When I was a child, other children laughed at my belly, which moved while breathing and I kept wondering why only their chests moved when they breathed in. When we breathe in, the air should reach the diaphragm (an organ in the mid section of the body, where ribs end) so that it remains inside the body long enough to allow oxygen to be absorbed. The stretching of the diaphragm makes a natural massage to the abdomen.

 

To find out whether you breathe completely, lie down on the floor and make this breathing exercise:
Place your hand on the abdomen. If your hand goes up when you breathe in, it means you breathe completely. If it stands still, you should make a conscious effort to make the air you inhale lift the hand on your abdomen. Lie down for a few minutes, breathe calmly and try to make the hand on your abdomen rise every time you breathe in. You can do it while watching television or reading. Start by consciously concentrating on the way you breathe and if you are able to do it while watching television, it means you have reached the state of subconscious complete breathing.

Another breathing exercise:
As a next stage, try to consciously breathe abdominally while sitting or standing. Once again, place your hand on the abdomen and try to make it move up and down while breathing calmly. Concentrate on it; when you notice you are breathing abdominally while standing or watching television, it means it has become a part of your nature and you are fully enjoying every breath.

Breathing exercise rule
For physical activity your body needs more oxygen, i.e. you have to take in more air in deeper, controlled, conscious breaths. When I started exercising I used to make 10 repetitions at a single breathing in. I was in a hurry to finish the set before I was out of breath. I was not aware of doing it, until a friend joined me at the gym and noticed I was not breathing while making an exercise. It sounded odd and I began watching my breathing and tried to control it.

BREATHING EXERCISES

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source: http://cas.umkc.edu/casww/brethexr.htm

  A 20% reduction in oxygen blood levels may be caused by the aging process and normal breathing habits. Poor breathing robs energy and negatively affects mental alertness. Unless breathing is exercised, aging affects the respiratory system as follows:
  Stiffness: The rib cage and surrounding muscles get stiff causing inhalation to become more difficult. Less elasticity and weak muscles leave stale air in the tissues of the lungs and prevents fresh oxygen from reaching the blood stream.

  Rapid, Shallow Breathing: This type of breathing, often caused by poor posture and weak or stiff muscles, leads to poor oxygen supply, respiratory disease, sluggishness, or heart disease.

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BELLY BREATH EXERCISES
     The following exercises are simple ways to deepen breathing and to cleanse the lungs. These exercises will also increase energy and decrease tension.
  Lie flat on your back to get a proper sense of deep breathing. (Have some small pillows available to reduce strain by tucking them under the neck and knees. The natural course of breathing in that position will create a slight rise in the stomach upon inhaling and a slight fall upon exhaling.)
  Place your hands palm down on your stomach at the base of the rib cage. (The lungs go that far down. What fills them deeper is the pushing down of the diaphragm. The diaphragm creates a suction which draws air into the lungs. the air is then expelled when the diaphragm pushes up. In this process, the life-giving oxygen fills the lungs and gets into the blood stream for distribution to the cells. Carbon dioxide is expelled from the blood into the about-to-be exhaled breath, thus cleansing the body and blood of waste products.)   Lay the palms of your hands on your stomach just below the rib cage, middle fingers barely touching each other, and take a slow deep breath.  (As the diaphragm pushes down, the stomach will slightly expand causing the fingertips to separate somewhat.

  This movement indicates full use of the lungs, resulting in a truly deep breath rather than the "puffed chest" breath experienced by many as the greatest lung capacity. Chest breathing fills the middle and upper parts of the lungs. Belly breathing is the most efficient method. Infants and small children use only this method until the chest matures.

FOR BEST RESULTS, PRACTICE THIS EXERCISE FOR 5 MINUTES.

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COMPLETE BREATH EXERCISES
1. Sit up straight. Exhale.
2. Inhale and, at the same time, relax the belly muscles. Feel as though the belly is filling with air.

3. After filling the belly, keep inhaling. Fill up the middle of your chest. Feel your chest and rib cage expand.

4. Hold the breath in for a moment, then begin to exhale as slowly as possible.

5.  As the air is slowly let out, relax your chest and rib cage. Begin to pull your belly in to force out the remaining breath.

6. Close your eyes, and concentrate on your breathing.

7.  Relax your face and mind.

8.  Let everything go.

9.  Practice about 5 minutes.

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HUMMING BREATH EXERCISES
     Follow the instructions for inhaling the COMPLETE BREATH (Steps 1-3 above). Now, as you begin to slowly exhale, make a HUM sound. Keep making that humming sound as long as possible. Pull your stomach muscles in, squeezing out a few more seconds of humming. Then relax. Practice for 2 to 3 minutes.

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~HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE~(Compiled)

What is High Blood Pressure? 

Blood pressure is the force of the blood against the artery walls. High blood pressure (hypertension) and low blood pressure (hypotension) can both cause cardiovascular problems. 

High Blood Pressure (hypertension), often called a silent killer, is the pressure of the blood in the arteries. 

Blood pressure is typically recorded as the systolic pressure (as the heart beats) over the diastolic pressure (time between two beats). 

A consistent blood pressure reading of 140/90 mm Hg or higher is considered high blood pressure. 

Untreated, high blood pressure will cause heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, injury to the brain and eyes. 

Common Causes of High Blood Pressure:

Obesity 

Lifestyle 

Genetic factors 

Excessive alcohol 

Birth Contol Pill

Pain relievers 

Other underlying causes may include: 

Kidney diseases 

Adrenal diseases 

Abnormal blood vessels 

Eclampsia / Pre-eclampsia in pregnant women

Thyroid diseases

Home Remedies for High blood Pressure

Tip 1:

Powder 100 gm melon seeds and 100 gm poppy seeds (khus-khus). Mix and store in a clean container. Consume 1 tsp with water morning and evening. 

Tip 2:

A clove of garlic is highly recommended for high blood pressure. Chew one clove of garlic first thing every morning and wash it down with water. The garlic can also be coarsely pound and swallowed with water. 

Tip 3: 

Make a juice of 25-30 curry leaves with 1 cup of water. Strain and drink first thing in the morning. Limejuice can be added for taste. 

Tip 4:

In the same manner coriander or fenugreek(Mehti) leaves can be tried they won't harm in any way and at the same time one can find out what is best suited to their system. 

Tip 5:

Mix 1 tsp honey with 1 tsp ginger juice and 1 tsp cumin powder (Zeera). Have twice a day. 

Tip 6:

Apple Cidar Vinegar & Honey has helped some people reduce BP.

Here are some testimonials I found on-line.:

8/1/2007: Yvonne from London, England writes: "I had really high blood pressure for me 174/114 and I tried 2 tbls ACV in apple juice twice a day for two weeks. have just had my blood pressure tested by the nurse and it is 130/72. She was as amased as me have now had my blood test done for diabetes and cholesterol will let you know the results when I get them. Thank you for the advice." 

7/19/2007: Luis from Bklyn NY, NY writes: "I do suffer from diabetes for several years. Several weeks ago I went to the doctor and they told me that my cholesterol was quite high 210. I began taking ACV once a day 2 tablespoons a day. In about a month time my cholesterol went down to 160 and blood pressure to 1about 120/80

/18/2007: Keith from Vancouver, Canada writes: "ACV and honey worked for me. I mixed acv and honey 50/50 with garlic,and took 2 tblsp twice a day. In 2 weeks my blood pressure went from 150/100 to 130/80. I place the 2 tblspoons in dandelion tea, drinking it cold from a champagne glass. I keep a jug of the tea in my fridge. Very economical and handy. It tastes better than champagne!! Probably any tea would do, and I will start using it with green tea too." 

7/9/2007: Manjo from CT, New London writes: "My BP was high around 96/146 for several weeks. After reading experiences on this site 

I started ACV. Now it is normal after 3 weeks of 3 times a day 2tsp ACV with 1tsp honey and glass of water. I also exercise for 1hr daily, feel much better."

4/29/2007: jon from Laconia, New Hampshire writes: "Going in to the military and I needed to lower my blood pressure. 154/85 at the beginning. Since I started using Apple cider vinager, and taking 1000 mg garlic pills. My blood pressure has dropped to 139/80 which is still on the high side, but it's only been two weeks."

3/30/2007: 

SHARON from WEST PALM BEACH, FLOIRDA writes: "MY BLOOD PRESSURE WAS 140/90 AND MY SUGAR WAS BETWEEN 112 & 120. I STARTED ON THE VINEGAR. SINCE I CHECK MY BLOOD PRESSURE AND SUGAR EVERYDAY I KEPT A RECORD. AFTER THE VINEGAR MY BLOOD PRESSURE IS NOW 127/70 AND MY SUGAR IS BETWEEN 80 & 100. IT WENT DOWN AFTER ABOUT FIVE DAYS. IT ALSO HELPS CHOLESTEROL."

11/15/2007: Barbara from Wallback, West Virginia writes: "I have been using ACV to lower my BP since Feb 07 (9 months) very happy with the continued results 121/82 and holding pretty steady, thanks to those who have emailed me asking questions please feel free to write with your questions"

11/23/2006: Charles from Greensboro, NC writes, "Apple cider vinegar 2 Tablespoons in 8oz water 3 times a day lowered my high blood pressure.

154/103 pulse 75 10/20/2006 

133/97 pulse 77 11/23/2006" 

To read more testimonials click on the link below:

http://www.earthclinic.com/CURES/blood_pressure.html