Ayurveda Initiative For Global Health

Asparagus racemosus Family : Asparagaceae Habit : Climber Habitat : All forest types, also in the plains Common name : Satavari Uses : ✔ It is useful in treatment of epilepsy, kidney disorders, chronic fevers, excessive heat, stomach ulcers and liver cancer, increases milk secretion in nursing mothers and regulates sexual behaviors. Sweta Mishra Biodiversity and Conservation Lab. Ambika Prasad Research Foundation  Cuttack, Odisha

Butea superba Family : Fabaceae Common name : Lata palsh Habit : Climbing shrub Habitat : Moist & Dry deciduous forests Uses : ✔ Juice of roots, bark and leaves are used for regulating menstrual flow and intestinal worms. The ointment made from the leaves is useful for boils, pimples, swellings, and for shrinking haemorrhoids. @ Sweta Mishra 

Rubia cordifolia Family : Rubiaceae Common name : Manjistha Habit : Perennial Climber Habitat : In margins and clearings of forest and scrub  Medicinal Uses: ✔ Roots of _Rubia cordifolia_ is used for the treatment of jaundice. It is also a popular remedy for itching in eczema, psoriasis, herpes & scabies.  📌 Manjistha has also been used as natural food colorants and natural dyes. The coloring pigments present in the roots are purpurin and munjistin. Madder root extract yield beautiful orange red to scarlet shades when applied onto the woolen yarn.  @ Sweta Mishra

Strobilanthes wallichii Nees Family : Acanthaceae Common name : Hardy Persian shield, Kandali Habit : Herb Habitat : Sunny slope  Location: Chamoli, Uttrakhand India Date: 18th December 2021 Native to the Himalayas, blooms during the season of Kandali Festival by the Rung tribe of the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand state in India. Medicinal uses : ✔ Leaves are used in intermittent fever.  @ Sweta Mishra 

Ficus benghalensis Family : Moraceae Local name: Banyan tree, Bara, vata, Indian fig tree 👉 Cultural values: Banyan tree is considered sacred by Hindus and is largely grown near temples. The banyan became a potent symbol of fertility, life and resurrection. It is believed that three gods – Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma are symbolized by the Banyan tree. Mostly the childless couple worship banyan tree and it is supposed not to be cut. In most of the Hindu  cultures. 👉 Medicinal uses: Various parts of these trees were used to cure many deadly diseases such as dysentery, diarrhea, diabetes leucorrhoea, menorrhagia, nervous disorders, tonic and astringent.  👉 Ecological values: It provides food for animals, birds, insects etc. It is a fast-growing tree that has been used for soil conservation and as an afforestation species.  The traditional worshipping has protected many plants which have tremendous medicinal value and made them as sacred, so that wi...

Honoured to receive Suriname’s highest award - The Honorary Order of the Yellow Star (Ere-Orde van de Gele Ster). I credit this award to the teachers & volunteers who have been doing commendable service in this country. I thank President Santokhi & the judges for this honour.  Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji

📖 *An Intimate Note To The Sincere Seeker* 📖 *#128. Ego* When does the ego come into play? 1. When you don't get attention.   2. When you seem to be losing attention.  3. When you get attention. (Laughter) Ego causes heaviness, discomfort, fear, anxiety. Ego restricts your genuine expression. Ego is separateness, non-belongingness, wanting to prove and to possess.  Ego has a positive aspect as well. It is a great driving force. Ego can elevate your spirit and motivate you to do great work. Most of the rewards and recognition are there to augment the ego. Yet, you can't stand an egoistic person and get upset with them. Egotism is born out of ignorance. Rather than feeling contempt for such people, have compassion.  A deep enquiry of who you really are, brings you the realisation that there is nothing to be proved and nothing to possess. This insight elevates you to another level of existence which is beyond the ego; it leads you to the natural state...

📖 *An Intimate Note To The Sincere Seeker* 📖 *#129. Memory*  Memory makes you miserable or wise.   Memory of experiences and events in the ever-changing world, however good or bad, constricts the vastness of the Self. It binds you.  Memory of the non-changing Self expands and elevates awareness. This liberates you. You are what you are, because of your memory. If you are ignorant, it is because of your memory. If you are enlightened, it is also because of your memory.  *Forgetfulness of the Infinite is misery. Forgetfulness of the trivial is ecstasy.* *Question:* How do we get rid of unpleasant memories and limitations? *Gurudev:*  *•* Know the impermanent nature of the world and events.  *•* Realise that past events do not exist in the present.  *•* Accept the past and move on.  *•* Be dispassionate and centred.  *•* Be in the company of the Wise. In their presence, the Knowledge of the Self is gained.  *•* Increase p...

📖 *An Intimate Note To The Sincere Seeker* 📖 *#130. Intellect*   Debates, discussion and contemplation nourish the intellect. Prejudice, stigmas and dogmas are detrimental to intellect. The intellect harbours inhibitions, likes and dislikes, approvals and disapprovals. The intellect also harbours wisdom, which brings forth intuition.  *Question:* Is intuition beyond intellect?  *Gurudev:* Yes, but it shines through the intellect.  *Question:* Are emotions and intellect contradictory? *Gurudev:* They can be contradictory.  *Question:* When there is conflict, which is better? *Gurudev:* In conflict, there is no better conflict! The pure intellect is not caught up in the emotions and becomes impure, like muddy water. Then it is unable to reflect the Self. A pure intellect, still and serene, reflects the Self.  *Question:* Is intellect affected by karma? *Gurudev:* Karma does not afflict the pure intellect. Liberation purifies the intellect....

📖 *An Intimate Note To The Sincere Seeker* 📖 *#131. Time and Mind* When you are happy, the mind expands; then time appears too short. When you are unhappy, the mind contracts; then time appears too long.  When the mind is in equanimity, you transcend time.  To escape from time, many resort to alcohol, drugs, sleep, etc; but when the mind is dull or unconscious, it is unable to experience the Self.  Samādhi (no-mindedness, timelessness) is the real peace. A few moments of samādhi gives the mind a lot of energy. This is the greatest healer.  A thought is nothing but a ripple in this moment of time. This moment also has a mind of its own – a Big Mind which has infinite organizing power.  Before you fall into slumber and as soon as you wake up from sleep, in the moments of the twilight of consciousness, experience this timelessness beyond the mind! Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji