Cinnamon and its health benefits

In this post, I will write about the spice, cinnamon and its health benefits.

Introduction

Cinnamon is obtained from the inner bark of several trees. It is harvested by growing the trees for two years, then the inner bark taken out and used. Outer woody portion is discarded.

Cinnamon is cultivated mainly in Shri Lanka, Madagascar and Seychelles. In Chinese medicines and in Indian Ayur Vedic system of medicine, it is long considered as a super power used to treat cold, indigestion and cramps.

It is also believed to improve energy, vitality and blood circulation. It is used both as a spice and medicine, since ancient times. It is used in food preparations. Principally, it is used in cooking as a condiment and flavouring material. It is also used in pickles, sauces as flavour and preservative. It is one of the oldest spices known.

Chemical composition

Cinnamon is high in nutrients. It is a great source of manganese, iron, calcium and fiber. Its flavour is due to the aromatic oil it contains. It has sweet and pungent taste. The pungent taste comes from cinnamon aldehyde.

Health benefits

Diabetes

Several scientific studies carried out shows that it significantly helps with type 2 diabetes by increasing amount of insulin production, and by improving their ability to respond to insulin, thus normalizing blood sugar. It not only stimulates insulin receptors but also inhibit an enzyme that inactivates them. Study on people with type 2 diabetes shows that consuming as little as 1gm (1/4 teaspoon) cinnamon powder per day is found to reduce blood sugar. The cinnamon in the diet of people with type 2 diabeteswill reduces risk of problems associated with diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Cardiovascular disease

Studies have shown that ½ teaspoon full of cinnamon powder can lower triglycerides, LDL, and total cholesterol, thus improving cardiovascular health.

Arthritis

Half teaspoon of cinnamon powder combined with one tablespoon honey, taken every day morning on empty stomach have significant relief of pain after one week and can walk without pain in one month.

Take one part honey, two part lukewarm water and ¼ teaspoon cinnamon powder and make a paste by mixing them. Massage it on the itching part slowly. Pain will recede with 15 minutes.

Yeast infection

It has shown amazing ability to stop drug resistant yeast infection.

Cancer prevention

Study published by researchers shows that it reduced proliferation of leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells.

Antioxidant

It is more powerful antioxidant compared to other antioxidant spices. It prevents oxidation more effectively than all other spices. 

Hair loss

Make paste of hot olive oil and one tablespoon honey and one teaspoon cinnamon powder. Apply on scalp before bath. Keep it for 15 minutes than wash hair.

Bladder infection

Take two tablespoon cinnamon powder, one teaspoon honey and put them in a glass of lukewarm water. Mix and drink it. It will destroy germs causing the infection of bladder.

Toothache

Make paste of ¼ teaspoon cinnamon powder and one teaspoon honey. Apply it on aching tooth. Apply daily three times until the tooth stops aching.

Heart disease

Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder. Apply on bread in place of jam. It will reduce cholesterol and will strengthen heart.

Skin infection

Apply honey and cinnamon in equal parts to cure infection of eczima, ringworms and all types of skin infection.

Brain health

By just smelling its wonderful odour of this sweet spice, boosts brain activity and its cognitive function and memory.

Other uses

• It has anti-clotting effect on blood.
  
• It is an excellent source of fiber and good source of calcium and trace mineral manganese to protect colon health and heart health.
  
• Traditionally it is used as warming remedy and provides relief on onset of cold or flu especially when mixed in tea with fresh ginger.
  
• It has been found effective natural remedy for eliminating headache and migraine relief.
  
• When added to food and pickles, it inhibits bacterial growth and food spoilage, making it a good food preservative.
  
• It gives an enchanting aroma and flavour when chewed.

Side effects

It has been found toxic in large doses. Large amount of cinnamon may increase liver problems. If you are on diabetes medication, you should pay close attention to blood sugar level. It may fall too low.

How to activate and open vishuddhi (throat) chakra

In this post, I will write about different ways of activating and opening vishuddhi chakra.

1. By yogic exercises

Yogic exercise such as jalandhar bandh [throat lock] and khechari mudra helps to open vishuddhi chakra.

2. By yogic asanas

Yogic asanas such as matsyasana [fish pose] is good to open vishuddhi chakra.

• Lie flat on your back with your legs outstretched and feet together.
  
• Slide your arms under your back, palms facing down and your buttocks resting on your hands, elbows facing down and together as possible.
  
• Push down on your elbows and lift your chest off the floors, head to bend backwards so crown of head lightly touching floor. It will form an arch of your back, chest and neck,
  
• Hold posture as you breathe from opened chest and throat.
  
• When you are ready to release the posture, release slowly, put your arms on your side and relax.

3. By om chanting

Systematically chanting om with low and soft voice is a very good activity to open this chakra. It also raises vibration tone of the whole body and helps to concentrate and calm the mind.

4. By refining exercises

Refining exercise no.6 in the set of refining exercises is very good to activate, open and to balance this chakra.

• Take deep breath through the nose, close the mouth and block both nostril with the finger and thumb.
  
• Press the chin tightly in pit of throat
  
• Put other hand on the head
  
• Now swallow the saliva 5 times in this pose as an act of drinking water.
  
• Release posture and unblock nostril.

This exercise activates all 5 sense organs. It cleans sinuses and cures throat and thyroid problems. It enhances functions of pituitary gland, the master gland, which regulates the release of hormones from other glands. This exercise dissolves the granthi [knot] of pain which forms at vishuddhi chakra. By doing this exercise for long time, slowly we regain the capacity to absorb pain in life and create higher energies from pain for our evolution. Balanced and proper working of this chakra takes care of all overpowering weaknesses.

Vishuddhi chakra

In this post I will write about Vishuddhi chakra, the fifth chakra of human energy system.

Introduction

It is the fifth primary chakra of the human energy system. Vishuddhi is Sanskrit word. This word is derived from ‘shuddhi’, which means to purify, so this is the purification centre, purification of the entire negative and positive sanskars [cellular memories] take place here. ‘Vish’ means impurity, pain or poison. Shuddhi means to purify. This chakra not only purifies the physical body, but also on the level of the psychic and mind and dissolves granthi [knot] of pain. It is also called throat chakra.

Location

It is situated in carotid plexus, directly behind throat pit. It is located at the neck region of the spine. It is at the fifth junction of ida, pingla and sushumna crossing. The superficial activation point is little below adam’s apple in throat pit.

Structure

It is a solid soft ball of energy in bright sky blue colour in its clear state. Sixteen yoga nadi emanating from here looks like 16-petalled lotus flower. It is rotating clockwise. Seed mantra to stimulate this chakra is sound ‘ham’. It is associated with the physical element of ether or space [akash], the most subtle physical element corresponding to what we find in deep space. The ether is the cross over between the physical and spiritual dimension. Above this chakra, all other chakras are belonging to manas tatva. The endocrine gland associated with this chakra is thyroid and parathyroid gland. These produce hormone essential for growth, maturation and control calcium absorption and general metabolism. Body parts associated with it are throat, neck, shoulder, arms and hands. Physical body counterparts are pharyngeal and laryngeal nerve plexi.

Working

This chakra, first and foremost, is associated with communication and creativity. It is linked to our creativity and ability to communicate. Here, rising energy is transformed to energy of communication. When this chakra is opened, you are able to communicate your thoughts, feelings and desires. You are also able to speak for yourself and effectively communicate your needs to others. You fully express yourself without fear of rejection.

This chakra is associated with abundance. Here, you are at state of consciousness called ‘grace’, where it seems that what you want for you is also what God wants for you. It is also associated with listening to one’s intuition. When this chakra is working in balance, you live in particular way, where it seems that the universe supports you in all that you do and desire. It is the first level of consciousness from which one perceives and interacts another level of intelligence functioning.

When this chakra is opened you are able to receive the thought vibrations from other people’s mind. This chakra is a gate through which we are able to take our consciousness to higher level. It is the border between physical and astral levels, between consciousness and super consciousness. It is a place from which consciousness ascends towards higher realms of awareness. It creates conscious connection with the higher wisdom of the universe. It is our centre for harmony and teaches us how to resonate within ourselves and universe.

This chakra is our spiritual voice. It allows our creative ideas to manifest in our lives. Someone looking at the world through this chakra sees the manifestation of their goals. It helps to convey the truth from your heart and ideas from your mind.

The awakened and balanced Vishuddhi chakra unleashes an unlimited feeling of happiness and freedom which allows our wisdom, abilities and skills to blossom. All jealousies and envy are removed. Tendency to dominate others and to be dominated by others, the feeling of superiority and inferiority removed. It gives us connection with the whole universe enabling us to feel our oneness and part and parcel of the whole.

This chakra is centre for physical, emotional and spiritual purification. With help of this chakra, we can get rid ourselves of toxic substances we absorb from environment as well as mental impurities. We can purify and detoxify our body from harmful substances accumulated in the body from food we eat and drink and air we breathe. At mental level, thoughts, emotions, consciousness and sub consciousness is purified, harmonized and balanced by this chakra. Here, we can quieten our thoughts emotions and bring them into harmony. This way we protect ourselves from harmful actions and prevent others injuring from our harmful actions. We discover great self-respect and greater respect for others. At this chakra, we begin to articulate our emotions and desires and learn to control them.

The divine fluid known as ‘amrut’ or ‘nectar of mortality’ is produced in bindu chakra. There is another centre called lalana chakra is situated between bindu and Vishuddhi chakra and it is closely related to Vishuddhi chakra. When nectar is produced, it flows down and stored in lalana chakra. This divine fluid has dual nature. It can act as both nectar and poison. Up to lalana, it is undifferentiated, neither poison nor nectar. As long as Vishuddhi chakra is inactive, when that fluid flows down from lalana, it is consumed by the fire of Manipur chakra, resulting in process of decay, degeneration and finally death of body tissues. When this chakra is awakened and that fluid pass through here, nectar and poison gets separated. Poison is discarded and nectar is retained. Not only internal poisons are nullified, but external poisons are also neutralized and rendered ineffective. This is the power of this chakra.

The nerve called kurma nadi [tortoise nadi] is associated with this chakra. When this chakra is opened, this nadi starts functioning; you will be able to control your desire of food and drink. Process of rejuvenation starts, which balances ongoing aging process. He gains complete knowledge of scriptures and knowledge of past, present and future [trikal gnan]. Negative experiences are transformed into wisdom and learning. Mystical power of levitation is gained. One can gain the ability to shrink to the size of atom or the power to increase in size according to his desire.

 By meditating on this chakra, one gets full knowledge of the four Vedas, gain power such as freedom from disease and old age, destruction of danger and ability to move in three worlds.

When this chakra is underactive, one tends not to speak much and shy. When it is overactive, one tends to speak too much and keep people at distance. When it is active and in balance, you have no problem expressing yourself. Even you can do it as an artist. It is the connecting point between the head and body. It is not only entrance point of food and drinks, but also the point where speech is formed and exits the body.

Dysfunctional Vishuddhi chakra causes physical problems such as asthma, ear infection, hearing problems, tinnitus, throat, teeth and gum problem and thyroid problem. At emotional level, it can cause mental confusion, mental eruptions, inability to say yes or no.

This chakra can be activated and balanced by certain yogic exercises such as jalandharbandha and khechari mudra and asanas such as matsyasana.

Aloe Vera and its medicinal uses

In this post, I will write about aloe vera and its medicinal uses.

Introduction

Aloe vera is a succulent plant related to cactus. It is stemless or a very short-stemed plant. Its leaves are thick and fleshy, green or grey green and have small teeth. Their fleshy leaves store water and are succulent. This juicy plant survives in areas of low rainfall. It flowers in summer. For medicinal use it produces two substances: gel and latex.

History

Aloe vera probably originated in northern Africa. It is found in morocco, Mauritania, Egypt. It is frequently cited being used in herbal medicine since beginning of first century. In Egypt it was presented as burial gift to deceased pharaohs. It is found being mentioned in rig Vedas, ancient scripture of India, as ghrita kumari. It is widely grown as ornamental plant in home gardens. Large scale plantation is undertaken in India, China, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa and Cuba.

Chemical composition

It has water, 20 minerals, 12 vitamins, 18 amino acids, 200 phyto nutrients. It contains proteins, calcium, magnesium, zinc, germanium, and vitamin A, B1, B2, B5, B12, C and E. It also contains folic acid, niacin, essential fatty acids and enzymes. It contains 99% water. The remaining 1% water is extremely powerful because about 100 ingredients work extremely well to treat health problems. It is the only known natural vegetarian source of vitamin B12.

Medicinal uses

Aloe vera is the most impressive medicinal herb given by nature. It is used in Indian system of ayurvedic medicine as multipurpose skin treatment.

Burns

It is excellent treatment for burns. Burns can be healed remarkably quickly and pain reduced very quickly by applying topically to the burn area. For minor burns, even scars are not left if the burn is treated with aloe vera.

Skin problems

It acts as a protective layer on the skin and helps replenish moisture. Skin disease such as acne, eczema, skin irritation respond well to natural antiseptic of aloe. Its topical application may be effective for genital herpes and psoriasis. It is widely used in making cosmetics, lotions, shampoos, soaps and herbal toothpaste. It can be used as shaving gel and aftershave to prevent razor burns. It enhances skin health. Its gel can be used for dandruff as well as lice. Aloe bitter gum/sap used in cosmetics helps to fight severe pimples, black spots, acne, stretch marks, fungal and bacterial infection.

Wrinkle repair

Vitamin C and E, present in aloe vera helps to improve skin’s firmness and keep it hydrated. Its gel penetrate 4 times faster than water and helps to moisturize the under layer of skin. Combining with coconut oil can make good skin cream with supplements nutrients, essential; fats and moisture.

Digestive system

Its ability to encourage release of pepsin helps to improve digestion. Its juice seems to soothe digestive tract, irritations such as colitis, ulcers and irritable bowel syndrome. Its juice is commonly used internally to relieve digestive discomfort.

Laxative

It helps to relieve constipation. There is strong scientific evidence in support of laxative properties of its latex. Dried latex is made from the inner lining of the leaf. It contains aloin which is generally used as laxative.

Cardiovascular system

Aloe vera reduces triglycerides and lowers cholesterol. It reduces high B.P. by treating its cause. Vitamin C present in aloe vera helps to maintain tone of blood vessels and promotes good circulation.

Immune system

It seems to be excellent at regulating immune system. It can stimulate the immune response for those with weakened immune system. Vitamin benefits of aloe vera juice helps building the body’s defense system naturally against stress and disease.

Cancer

It seems to halt growth of cancer and to heal pre-cancerous lesions or growth. Its gel is a miracle cure for early stage colon cancer when combined with raw vegetable and fruit juice.

Detox

Its use said to be one of the finest body cleanser. It cleans morbid matter from stomach, liver, kidney, spleen, bladder and colon.

Other uses

• It stabilizes blood sugar in diabetes.
  
• It is used externally or internally to relieve joint and muscle pain.
  
• It cures teeth and gum disease.

Many nutrients available in aloe vera promote growth process and healthy functioning of all body’s system. Diluted leaf sap drank as a cure for malaria, headache, and chest pain and as a appetizer. Various scientific research studies are underway to study its potential to combat the HIV virus and to treat certain types of cancer particularly leukemia.

There is no single ingredient that makes it very potential and healthful, but several different compound group of nutrients work together to make it effective. Study report prepared by scientist of Banaras Hindu University of India says that aloe vera can be used to lower blood glucose and blood lipid level in diabetes and cardiac patients.

Side effects

• Avoid taking aloe for prolonged period as a laxative due to risk of dehydration and electrolyte balance.
  
• Use of topical aloe is not associated with significant side effects.
  
• Abdominal cramp and diarrhea is reported with prolonged use or high doses.
  
• Oral intake of aloe may also lower blood sugar level, take care if you are on prescription medicine for diabetes.

How to Open and Balance Anahata Chakra

In this post, I will write about different methods to open and balance anahata chakra.

By meditation

• Sit on floor cross legged or on chair with back straight.
  
• Close your eyes and take your awareness at the location of anahata chakra in the body.
  
• Imagine solid soft ball of energy of bright green colour in its clear state rotating clockwise.
  
• Mentally chant the sound ‘yam’.
  
• Continue for a few minutes.
  
• When you feel complete, open your eyes and relax.

By pranayama

Different types of pranayamas such as alternate nostril breathing [anulom velom] and breath of fire.

By asanas

A yoga pose that is excellent to open anahata chakra is ushtrasana, the camel pose.

• Kneel with your hips resting on your heels.
  
• Rise up on to your knees.
  
• Take your arms back and put on heels.
  
• Lift your chest up and lift your chin and allow your neck to follow the curve of your spine.
  
• Breathe normally.
  
• Feel your chest expanding and feel the opening of your heart chakra.
  
• When you are ready to release your posture, do it gently.
  
• Sit cross-legged and relax.

By refining exercises

Refining exercise no.1 in the set of refining exercise is very useful to open anahata chakra. This exercise clears knots creates by emotions in chest area and opens anahata chakra.

This exercise is also useful to clear coronary artery blockages of heart.  It cures high B.P., palpitation ad helps the heart to beat in natural rhythm. It also helps to cure lung disease such as asthma. It also activates thymus gland.

By activating thymus gland

Thymus gland was named from the Greek word ‘thymus’ which literally means life energy. Thymus gland monitors and regulates the body’s energy flow and immune system. It links body and mind.

Most important part of any healing process is keeping your life energy high. Without this, any treatment or medication will be worthless. The true wonder drug is life force energy or power and vitality that are within us, our will to be well. Thymus gland is central to our will to be well.

To activate thymus gland for speedy burst of energy, first you have to locate your thymus in the body. It is right in the centre of your chest.

Tap your thymus with your finger tips for 20 seconds gently while slowly and deeply inhaling and exhaling. Repeat the affirmation ‘my life energy is high. I am full of love’ while tapping.

This simple technique will reduce your stress, elevate your mood and increase your happiness. It will boost your body’s immunity and disease resistance. It will increase strength and vitality.