All posts by Sumana Rao

Don't worry about the people in your past; There's a reason they didn't make it to your future.
Homemade ginger recipes

Homemade ginger recipes for common sickness

Ginger contains enzyme that help to reduce body inflammation and is also an aide for arthritis.  Ginger helps to reduce body pain, good for lowering blood sugar level, reduces nausea, motion sickness and reduces gastrointestinal infections.  It is a popular warming, decongestant herb used for cold and flu remedies, sore throat and poor circulation.

Details of four ginger recipes that one can use at home for different conditions are below:

Ginger Lemon:

This is good for colds, congestion, fever and cramps. It is different from regular lemon ginger juice because the content is heated.

  • What you need?
  • Freshly grated ginger 6 Tbsp
  • Lemons – 2
  • Honey – little for taste
  • Water -1 cup
  • How to prepare?

Place a pan on medium heat and add 1 cup water. Bring the water to boil and steep ginger in the hot water for about 15 minutes. Squeeze the lemons and get the juice. Add lemon juice to ginger tea and add honey to taste. If you want you can strain ginger and use it for cooking purpose. If not, swallow ginger while drinking hot tea.

Ginger syrup:

This one is good remedy for motion sickness and cramps.  Helpful for indigestion, cough and cold.

  • What you need?
  • Fresh grated ginger – 1 cup
  • Honey – ½ cup
  • Pepper – 1 tsp.
  • How to prepare?

Peel and grate ginger. Transfer ginger to a pan on low heat. Add honey and let honey cover the ginger.  Add crushed pepper. Allow ginger to simmer in honey for about 10-12 minutes. Ginger turns soft and honey tastes bit spicy. Transfer the syrup to airtight bottle and store in cool temperature. Whenever you need, take 1 Tbsp. You can also add ginger syrup to tulsi leaves tea and drink to get rid of cold symptoms!

Ginger-cinnamon tea:

To reduce menstrual cramp and pain one can drink ginger cinnamon tea.

  • What you need?
  • Grated ginger – 1 tsp
  • Cinnamon powder – 1 tsp
  • Honey – for taste
  • How to prepare?

Place a cup water in a vessel on medium heat and bring it to boil. Add cinnamon and ginger, cover the lid, allow it to steep for 15 minutes.  Add honey and drink tea. One can have this tea till the pain subsides.

Ginger balls:

If your stomach is upset and feels heavy then try  homemade ginger balls. It gives relief to upset stomach and also increases appetite.

What you need?

  1. Ginger powder – 3 Tbsp
  2. Cocoa powder (unsweetened) – 2 Tbsp
  3. Cinnamon powder – 1 Tbsp
  4. Crushed pepper – 1 tsp
  5. Cumin powder – ½ tsp
  6. Asafetida – pinch
  7. Honey

How to prepare?

In a bowl combine ginger, cocoa powder, crushed pepper, cumin powder, asafetida and cinnamon. Add honey little by little to prepare a dough, mix well.  If you need, add very little water (1 tsp). Knead the dough. If you feel, the dough is thin to make balls, add little more ingredients. Prepare small ginger balls and keep in a safe place to dry.  Store ginger balls in airtight container. When needed take one or two ginger balls to reduce symptoms.

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: February 26, 2020
« »
« »

Recommended for you

Reclining big toe pose

Reclining Big Toe Pose

Reclining big toe pose or Supta padangusthasna is a beginner’s pose. However, it takes several practices to get into the stretch. Precautions should be considered – while performing this pose your back and tail bone should be on the floor. Do not stretch the knee, keep a slight bent in the knee. Rest your one arm on opposite leg to hold the leg in position. Focus on the toes of the lifted leg. Pose is good for hamstring flexibility, hip joint, to strengthen hip flexors and glute. It reduces high blood pressure and sciatica pain. Improves metabolism and digestion – Healthy Live

LEVEL: Beginner

Anatomy :Glutes, Groin, Hamstrings, Knees

Pose Type :Hip Opener, Resting, Supine

Sanskrit :Supta Padangusthasana, (soop-TAH pad-an-goosh-TAHS-anah), supta = supine, reclined hasta = hand, pada = foot, angusta = big toe

BENEFITS

  • Lengthens the hamstring of the extended leg
  • Stabilizes the hip joint of the grounded leg
  • Improves hamstring flexibility
  • Strengthens the quads and hip flexors of the extended leg; hamstrings and glute of the grounded leg
  • Relieves low back pain, sciatica, and high blood pressure
  • Stimulates the prostate gland and digestion

CONTRAINDICATIONS

  • Hip pathologies
  • Limited hip range of motion
  • Low back pathologies (avoid rounding)
  • Ankle, knee, or shoulder injury
  • Diarrhea
  • Headache

HOW TO

  1. Gently recline onto your back.
  2. Inhale and lift your right knee toward your chest. Reach for the inside of your big toe only if you are able to maintain a neutral spine.
  3. Exhale and draw your left toes toward your shin to flex the foot. Squeeze your left knee down to the mat.
  4. As you inhale, extend your knee by engaging your quadriceps and pressing the heel upward. Allow your leg to lengthen toward the ceiling.
  5. Exhale and draw your shoulders down to ground into the mat.
  6. Hold this pose for 5-10 slow breaths.
  7. To exit, inhale and release the toe, but keep the leg extended. With an exhalation, release your arm and extended leg to the floor. Repeat on the opposite side.

MODIFY OR REPLACE

  • Feel free to bend the knee of the resting leg. To support the lifted leg, place your hand behind the thigh as you extend your knee.
  • Wrap a strap or a towel around the base of the foot to extend the knee and lengthen the hamstrings.

SEQUENCING TIPS

Before:

  • Paschimottanasana (Seated Forward Bend)
  • Janu Sirsasana (Head to Knee pose)
  • Ardha Pavanamuktasana (Half Knees to Chest pose)
  • Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana (Extended Big Toe pose)

After:

  • Parivrtta Supta Padangusthasana (Revolved Reclining Big Toe pose)
  • Pavanamuktasana (Knees to Chest pose)

TEACHING CUES

  1. Reach for the inside of the big toe with your first two fingers.
  2. Keep the sacrum grounded into your mat.
  3. Draw your knee toward your chest, reach for the inside of the big toe, and extend through the heel.
  4. On each inhalation, feel your chest lift and spine lengthen. On each exhalation, draw your leg closer to your torso.

VARIATIONS

  • Supta Padangusthasana B (Reclining Big Toe pose with leg opens to the side)

WATCH OUT FOR

  • Pain/strain in the shoulders, knees, hips, or low spine
  • Upper or lower back lifting off the floor
Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: February 18, 2020
« »
« »

Recommended for you

Hyperhidrosis excess sweating

Hyperhidrosis, excessive sweating

Hyperhidrosis is a medical term used for excessive sweating.

Excessive sweating is something people think is common or embarrassed to speak to a doctor about. It can be a medical condition. According to researchers hyperhidrosis can be seen in people:

  1. Who has family history of heavy sweating
  2. Medical conditions that cause sweating
  3. Foods and medicines can cause sweating
  4. In women it can be due to menopause (pre or post)
  5. People sweat excessively even in cold climate

In most cases if excessive sweating occurs in more than one areas of body then it is likely to have family history of hyperhidrosis. For many excessive sweating can start at any age – many children sweat a lot while they sleep.

 Symptoms:

  • Visible sweating on cloths
  • Sweating that interferes in all day to day activities
  • Change in skin color in sweat areas to white, soft and peeling of skin
  • Rashes and skin infections
  • Constant sweat odor

 Types of hyperhidrosis:

  • Sweating in one or few areas of body: Focal sweating – in few parts of the body – like Face, underarm, palms, feet (Facial, Axillary, Palmar, Plantar Hyperhidrosis)
  • Sweating in both sides of body: in underarms, hands and feet
  • Sweating after a person wakes up with damp sheet and wet clothing
  • Sweating once a week due to certain activities
  • Sweating due to medical conditions such as – Diabetes, frostbite, gout, menopause, obesity. People with medical conditions either sweat in certain body parts or while they are sleeping.

Diagnosis: Generally, your doctor should examine and prescribe medicines or find solutions based on your conditions. Your doctor may recommend you to see a dermatologist.

Dermatologist will give ask specific questions and will conduct physical examination. This includes clear examination of areas of the body that sweat excessively and sweat test (example: application of powder that turns purple in the area where you sweat). Your other medical condition and types of medications that you are on, also will help for diagnosis.

Treatment:

  • Antiperspirants: Affordable solution. Regular or clinical strength antiperspirants helps to reduce sweating.
  • Iontophoresis: No sweat machine is called iontophoresis. Immersing hands or feet in shallow pan of tap water. It is a device that sends a low voltage current through water. This treatment session for 30-40 minutes a day – weekly 3 times.
  • Botulinum toxin injections: It is available in some countries. FDA has approved this treatment for underarms sweating problem. It helps post-menopausal women who sweat a lot.
  • Prescription medicine: Temporarily prevents patient from sweating. Oral medications are not preferred due to long term side effects of medicines.
  • Surgery: Removing sweat glands is an option.
  • Others like: miraDry, lasers and ETA -Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy surgery are also helpful.

All these above treatments have some side effects including dry mouth, dry throat, dry skin, discomfort, skin irritation, muscle weakness in case of botulinum injection, surgical removal of sweat glands leaves excision marks or infection.

How to manage hyperhidrosis?

  1. Do not wear synthetic and heavy clothes. These clothes can trap sweat. Wear breathable fabrics like cotton.
  2. Carry extra clothing with you when you are going for outdoor activities or hitting gym
  3. Control spicy foods and alcohol, caffeine drinks
  4. Change socks often
  5. Shower twice a day and use antibacterial soap to control bacterial infection
  6. Underarm lines will help to absorb sweat and also in the shoe insert liners
  7. Use antiperspirants when you are stepping out.
  8. Drink plenty of water.
  9. After hot bath allow body to cool couple of minutes before wearing shirts.

Talk to your doctor about excessive sweating and find a solution. There is no need to be embarrassed as it is one of the health issues many people face. Talking about and finding solution for excessive sweating helps to improve quality of life.

References

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: February 14, 2020
« »
« »

Recommended for you

Coronavirus effect in China

Medical supply shortage in China due to growing coronavirus cases

As of today, death due to Novel coronavirus outbreak in China raised to 908 and more than 37,500 people are infected globally. According to daily health news updates, the death toll is more than SARS epidemic that occurred in early part of 2000s.

With growing number of patients infected with coronavirus, China Government is struggling to address the growing shortage of medical equipment and supply. Reports also say that there is a shortage of medical workers in the affected Hubei area.  National Health Commission of China over the past weekend reported more coronavirus confirmed cases. The healthcare infrastructure is causing more problem in China.   The fatalities that happened over the past week was reported around the city of Wuhan in central Hubei province. Wuhan is the city, where the coronavirus illness was first detected in December 2019.

The concern now is coronavirus deaths surpass the SARS deaths. In addition to mainland China, Hong Kong reported 36 cases. In Macao more than 10 cases were reported. An entire family in Hong Kong were infected with the deadly virus after they shared a hot pot meal. The large pot of boiling broth contained meat and vegetables. According to the New York Times, the family members had no or only minor symptoms when all of them attended to hot meal.

Meanwhile China’s ruling party has faced backlash and recriminations from the public over the death of the doctor who alarmed government about the disease more than a month ago, before the outbreak of the disease. Despite rising numbers of infections and deaths, China so far has refused to take help from world’s foremost agencies, from WHO and CDC (Center of Disease Control, US). CDC offered to send team of experts from its Epidemic Intelligence Service. However, China government ignored the offer. Similarly, WHO’S efforts and offer to visit Wuhan city was not considered. According to top diplomats, China does not want to appear to be unable to handle the situation alone.

Clinical trials and finding a vaccination to cure the 2019-nCoV is still underway. So far in US disease is contained and no deaths reported. Situation can change and it could spread to pandemic status according to experts. CDC wanted to study the medical situation in China, the study was hoped to improve US public response to any such threats or outbreak within the country.  US reported few more cases of coronavirus including a cruise ship where 65 people were reported to show symptoms of coronavirus infection.

In China, many villagers set up their own roadblocks to keep the outsiders away. Markets were hardly open in cities. Vegetable supplies were uneven in many cities and people are afraid to eat meat. In many places body of those who were died due to infections were burnt instead of burial, due to the fear of fast and widespread coronavirus.

In Beijing and other cities few businesses and stores were opened as of today, but the activity was very limited to due to the concern. Companies are checking the workers for fever and other symptoms and were also handed the masks to cover their face while working.  Largely the roads in China appeared to be empty, free of traffic and rental bikes which are more popular way of transportation did not find many customers either. Schools and major attractions including Forbidden city remain closed.

Many countries including US, India, Australia, Britain, Germany has offered aid to China including medical supplies. WHO is convening innovation and global research forum (to be held 11-12 February in Geneva) to mobilize international action in response to new virus. According to WHO Director General r. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus “Harnessing the power of science is critical for bringing this outbreak under control”.

Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) spreads primarily through droplets from sneezes and coughs and contact with surfaces. Researchers say it could also be transmitted through feces! It is important to wash hands cautiously and take preventive measurements to keep away coronavirus.

References:

https://www.foxnews.com/

https://www.scmp.com/economy

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: February 11, 2020
« »
« »

Recommended for you

Uploaded ToHomemade, scented vinegar for cleaning

Homemade scented vinegar for cleaning

Vinegar is a great source for multi surface cleaning. Both apple cider vinegar and white vinegar must have place in house pantry. There are many ways to use white vinegar for various purposes. One best application of white vinegar at home is for cleaning, because vinegar is a universal cleaner! Vinegar is one of safest cleaning liquid that we can use in place of harsh chemicals.

If you are bored with smell of white vinegar, you can make use of your favorite herbs, fruit peels and flowers to add scent to vinegar. Try homemade scented vinegar to clean glass, counter top, kitchen cabinet and bathroom.

  1. Orange scented vinegar: Add orange peel to vinegar and leave it for few hours. Use the it to remove grease and tough stain from various surfaces. For one liter of vinegar you would need a one cup of orange peel. It gives good and fresh scent.
  2. Rosemary scented vinegar: Add about 10 sprigs of fresh rosemary to one-liter vinegar. Leave it for couple of hours. It is a good antibacterial cleaner works great on tabletops, center tables, kitchen tops, bathroom sink tops.
  3. Lemon scented vinegar: Add Lemon peel to one-liter vinegar. Leave it for couple of hours. Use lemon scented vinegar to clean glass surface, mirror surface, dinner table, cutting boards and to clean fridge surface.
  4. Pine scented vinegar: Add few pine clippings extracted from pine tree or bush to vinegar. Leave it overnight to transfer pine odor to vinegar. Use pine scented vinegar to clean wooden flooring, tables, cabinets, wooden furniture.
  5. Mint scented vinegar: Add few mint leaves in vinegar and leave it for few hours. Use mint scented vinegar to clean kitchen countertop, table, dishwasher surface, cabinet surface etc.

Tips:

  • Do not use vinegar to clean kitchen granite top
  • You don’t need to have exact proportion of ingredients to prepare these cleaner. Infusion timing is your preference
  • Don’t buy cheap white vinegar as it can harm surfaces
  • Use glass bottles to put scented vinegar. Use mason jars
  • You can use few drops of essential oils instead of peels and leaves

Reference: www.werindia.com

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
« »
« »

Recommended for you

Sage home remedies

Sage home remedies & uses

Sage is one of the beautiful flowering plant is a medicinal as well as ornamental plant. Its botanical name is Salvia officinalis. It is known for its remarkable home remedy and thus occupies both medicine cabinet and kitchen. In India, flowers of sage is offered to God and leaves are used for medicinal purposes. Plant contains camphor, cineole, flavonoids, thujone along with phenolic acids and tannins. 

Sage has several applications in herbal medicine-,

  1. It is known to boost cognitive function
  2. It promotes oral health by depleting growth of oral bacteria
  3. At lower dosage it exhibits antispasmodic and anti-diarrheal properties
  4. Helps to ease hot flashes during menopause
  5. Helps to improve lipid profile in Type 2 diabetes
  6. Sage is used for common cold, fever, coughs symptoms and to cure flu
  7. It is known to heal sore throat because it is an astringent. It relaxes mucous membrane and reduces inflammation of throat, mouth and tonsils.
  8. It is a mild hormonal stimulant and can be a remedy to promote regular menstruation.
  9. Acts as a mild sedative and relaxes muscles
  10. Good remedy for insect bites, rash type of skin conditions
  11. It is also a remedy for gas related stomach pain and bloating
  12. Sage is known to help to recover lost hair (in alopecia) and reduces grey hair by strengthening the hair root.

In kitchen sage is used in bread, tomato sauce, pesto, soup, corn bread, cheese, onion rings, apple dishes, biscuits etc.

Sage gargle and throat spray are two home remedies one can prepare at home.

Sage gargle:

  1. Sage dry leaves – 1 Tbsp
  2. Cayenne pepper – a pinch (optional)
  3. Salt – 1 tsp
  4. Apple cider vinegar – ½ cup
  5. Goldenseal root powder – 1 tsp
  6. Water – ½ cup

Preparation: Boil water and pour on to dried sage leaves. Let the leaves steep in the water for an hour. Strain and add other ingredients. Stir and dissolve the contents.

Use the liquid to gargle (1tsp 3-4 times a day). Gargle for a minute or two to get the benefit. Do not swallow the liquid, as it tastes bitter.

Throat spray:

  1. Sage dry leaves – 3 Tbsp
  2. Mint dry leaves powder – 1 tsp (or Peppermint essential oil – ½ tsp)
  3. Honey – 1 Tbsp

Preparation:

Pour one cup hot, boiling water on sage leaves. Let it steep for half an hour.  Add mint powder or peppermint essential oil, continue steeping for another ten minutes. Add honey, mix well and store in in a spray bottle.

Spray directly in mouth and throat to get relief from cold, soar throat and pain.

Sage should not be used by nursing mother as it dries up the milk. It is also not good at higher amount (not more than 10 grams leaves) in medicines. It can cause indigestion and nausea at high levels.

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: February 6, 2020
« »
« »

Recommended for you