Ayurveda Initiative For Global Health

Chapter 5 - Dealing With Feelings  Day 11 When we feel high, we have no problems. The problem comes when we feel low. No one wants to feel low. When one feels low, then the more one tries to feel high, the more the low feelings persist.  This seems to be the biggest problem. Vat is important about the reelings? They never stay the same. Feelings are fluid. See, you feel good now, later you don't feel good.  Then again you feel good. This continues in life. If we base our life on our feelings, we will be ruined. You feel good about something now and a little later you feel bad about the same thing. Then those feelings change yet again.  Have you noticed feelings changing? Many people are unaware of the nature of feelings. Everywhere you will hear people say, "Follow your feelings, go by your feelings, do what you feel like," etc.  What will you do? Be independent? People misinterpret what independence means. They think it means following your feelings...

Chapter 4 - Real Laughter  Day 10  Question - Do you mean just the observing from some centre is enough, rather than trying to change it? Gurudev Sri Sri - Yes. The very observation changes it. When you observe, all that is negative falls away. And the nature of positive emotions is - they grow. If you observe when you are angry, the anger will fall away. And if you observe if there is love. love grows. Question - And the attempt to erase simply strengthens the negative?  Gurudev Sri Sri - Just observing and letting go is the simplest? That is the best and only way. Observe. Observe that thoughts come and they pass. A negative thought comes because of stress.  If you are put under great stress, on that day, or the next day, you will get negative thoughts and become frustrated. All negative thoughts come out of your frustration. Instead of trying to do something with those thoughts that have already arisen, which are of no use, attend to the source from wh...

Why Medicinal Plants Should Be Planted In Your Garden ? The older generation insisted on growing a collection of medicinal plants in the garden (in every house). They served the purpose of first aid for common diseases. However, as bottled medicines spread, man no longer cared about medicinal plants and neither did he planted them in his home’s garden. Flowers and leaves used in prayers (poojas) are of medicinal values. These are in fact, ingredients of Ayurvedics medicines. Some of them are treated as panacea for certain diseases in indigenous medicines. Medicinal Plants Medicinal Plants – It is highly advisable to grow medicinal plants in the garden of your house A flower by the name Coronoaria is the favorite of Lord Vishnu, Lord Narayana, and Lord Ayyappa. Coronaria is in fact a medicinal shrub. Lotus that is offered to Goddess Lakshmi and The Buddha too has medicinal properties. In fact, bilva leaves and holy basil (tulasi), neem tree, and many others are all medicinal...

In Indian Culture Why do we worship Tulasi? Either in the front, back or central court yard of most Indian homes there is a tulasi-matham - an altar being tulasi plant. In the present day apartments too, many maintain a potted tulasi plant. The lady of the house lights a lamp, waters the plant, worships and circumambulates it. The stem, leaves, seeds and even the soil, which provides it a base, are considered holy.   A tulasi leaf is always placed in the food offered to the Lord. It is also offered to the Lord during poojas, especially to Lord Vishnu and His incarnations. Why do we worship the tulasi? In Sanskrit, tulanaa naasti athaiva tulasi - that which is incomparable (in its qualities) is the tulasi. For Indians it is one of the most sacred plants. In fact, it is known to be the only thing used in worship which, once used, can be washed and reused in pooja - as it is regarded so self-purifying. Why is tulsi sacred? As one story goes, Tulasi was the devoted wife of Shankhach...

Tulsi Puja Requirements: Tulsi Plant, Kumkum, Water, Clay lamp with ghee and wick, Matchbox, Flowers, Fruits Day : Any Day Time : Morning and Evening Tulsi is a sacred plant which can be found in almost every Hindu's home. Tulsi Pooja (Worship of Tulsi) is observed almost every day. Following things are required for Tulsi Puja. The sacred plant, Tulsi is regarded as the incarnation of the goddess Mahalakshmi. Tulsi represents duty, dedication, love, virtue and sorrow of all women. That is why this herb is usually worshipped by women of all age groups. To begin Tulsi Puja, one is required to take a bath. Decorate the pot where Tulsi is grown. Offer water to the sacred plant. Apply kumkum on one of its leaf. A length of red cloth can be wrapped along the stem. Offer red flower to the sacred herb, Tulsi. Offer fruits by placing them near the pot. Light the clay lamp and perform aarti to complete the Tulsi Puja. People usually take a leaf of Tulsi after the Puja and put it ...

Karpura Valli Karpura Valli is a juicy plant commonly available in Indian homes, particularly South India. Chemical name is Coleus Ambonicus. It is called as Oma valli in Malayalam, Ajwain in Hindi, Kattumaruva in Kannada. Though it belongs to the Labiatae family, it is commonly referred as Oregano. As per the description provided in the book, Indian Medicinal Plants: An Illustrated Dictionary, Karpura Valli is stimulant, expectorant, and diaphoretic. Its alcoholic extract is antibacterial. The Karpura Valli oil extracted from the plant possesses muscle relaxant action. How to use: Raw Karpura valli leaves can be eaten. A decotion of Karpura valli and tulsi help alleviate cold and cough. Dip the leaves in bhajji flour and make bhajjis.Karpooravalli Health Benefits and Medicinal uses – Helps to alleviate cold and cough. – Used to reduce nasal congestion and sore throats in adults. – Karpooravalli concoction is used to treat asthma and bronchitis. – Helps in diges...

Sacred Trees & Plants For the Hindu, everything in the universe is sacred and whatever grows is more so. In Hinduism animistic beliefs find a place side by side with the highest philosophical and religious speculation and are often expressed mystically and esoterically. The tree deity has been found in the stamp seals of the Indus Valley civilization. Sacred groves homes of mother goddesses abound and some types of trees have attained great importance in Hinduism. Plants such as the tulsi, a type of basil, are equally important. The spirits that inhabit trees are the yakshas feminine deities; male figures never appear in such a connection. Veneration of the tree is a form of Shaktism, the cult of the Great Mother. A yaksha is propitiated with offerings such as food, bits of cloth tied to the branches and red-smeared stones put at the base of the tree. Some trees like the tulsi are worshipped daily, some every month, while some others are worshipped only duri...

Toranam-Door Decorative Decorating the main door of the houses, temples or any other place, where some ritual is performed, with a Toranam. It is part of the Indian culture. Normally, this kind of decoration is done during festivals or celebrations. Cultural Importance: Indians use a Toranam made of fresh and green mango leaves. However, leaves of other species like Neem are also used for this purpose. Most of us know that the green leaves absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. This helps in keeping the surrounding atmosphere clean and hygienic. Keeping, the aesthetics in view, mango leaves are preferred, since their shape adds to the ambience. The general reason given for this act is that tying mango and neem leaves would not allow the evil powers to enter the house. Scientific Reason: Photosynthesis is a process where in plants take in carbon-di-oxide and give out oxygen. This process helps in circulation of oxygen and in turn keeps the room temperature at an optimum l...

Aruvatham Patchai Scientific name - Ruta Graveolens English - Rue or herb of grace Siddha - sada pillai Tamil- Aruvatham patchai It is a delicate plant until it is called as herb of grace. It is easily wither if it is happen to be touched with impurity hands. Indians see it as one of the sacred plants. It has a special fragrance. The leaves are bitter in taste. It is a great help for newborn baby care. But, it is recommended to use in a small quantity. Benefits:- 1. the leaves are used for treating discomfort or indigestion (non-stop crying) and also sudden burst of tremors or quivering among newborn babies - the leaves (one or two) are rolled to make small amulet and tie it to the infant hand as a wristband. Baby will sniff the leaves whenever it brings the hand close to the nose. This cures the discomfort in the baby. 2. crushed leaves are use to make cough syrup or decoction to prevent or combat phlegm. 3. boil few leaves to make decoction and drink it for im...

Cow Mantra..... Hindus are worshipers of nature’s forces. We worship Vayu, Agni, Varuna, Indra, Prithvi and so on. They are natural forces embodied in the form of gods. Not just nature, we also have an age old tradition of worshiping nature’s creations such as animals, plants and trees. One of the most venerated animals in Hinduism is the cow. Hindus often refer to cows as the mother of earth because they give a lot for the human race. Each and every product from a cow is beneficial to man. Though most people raise cows for milk and other dairy products, even the manure and urine of cows are considered to have medicinal properties and serve as excellent disinfectants. Every year Gopastami is celebrated across the nation. It falls in the month of Karthika. This is the day when lord Krishna was grazing a herd of cows. This is why people refer to Krishna as Gopala. Gopala translates to caretaker of cows. Krishna loved grazing the cows and according to Hindu mythology, lord Kri...

The Prominence Of A Tulsi Plant. All traditional families maintain a 'tulsi' plant at home as it is an integral part of our culture. Well, there are more reasons to have a tulsi at home. Tulsi plants in house brings prosperity,   The leaves of tulsi are said to be therapeutic. They contain medicinal properties too. There is one more additional benefit of having tulsi in your backyard. It repels mosquitoes and other small insects. If you are a person who believes in ghosts and spirits, then rest assured; tulsi repels such negative influences too. In certain parts of India, this plant is considered very sacred and people literally worship it both at home and in temples. Eat a tulsi leaf every day. It is good for your health and is considered to be medicinal by many. In fact, it comes with anti-microbial properties too. Tulsi leaves also have the potential to purify your blood. They also keep your skin and hair healthy. As it contains antioxidants and immune boosting compounds,...