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.
Agasi Flowers (Sesbania)

Agathi or Agasi Flowers

Sesbania grandifolia, (agathi or agasi) also called the Vegetable Hummingbird Tree and the Scarlet Wisteria, has managed to work its way into warmer areas of the world. Originating in either India or southeast Asia, it grows best in hot, humid areas including south Florida. Sesbania grandifolia flowers are eaten raw in salads, boiled, fried or use in curries, stews and soups. They taste like mushrooms and are rich in iron and sugar. Vietnamese use both varieties (red and white flowers) to make soup. Both types of flowers are less bitter than sesbania sesban flowers, have a crisp texture when eaten raw in salty sweet salad and get a bit more chewy when cooked, when used as ingredients in sour soups.

For the soup one needs 300g agasi flowers, coarsely chopped fresh chives and 1 1/2 tablespoon tamarind juice. Heat cooking pot over a medium heat. Add 2 tablespoon of cooking oil. Once the oil is heated, add in the coarsely chopped fresh chives. Give it a stir. Add flowers and stir well. Add 2 cups of water, cover with the lid and let it cook for about 5 minutes. Add 1 1/2 tablespoon of tamarind juice to the boiling soup. Season with butter or ghee and serve hot!

One can prepare sesbania flower salad too. Cut flowers into small pieces, add strawberries, pineapple, lettuce and toss well. Add pepper and olive oil. Before serving add lemon juice and serve.

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: July 8, 2016
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Lavender Flowers

Lavender (Lavandula)

Though most varieties of lavender can be used in cooking, some varieties are more widely used, including Lavandula angustifolia, particularly the “Munstead” cultivar. These lavenders have the sweetest fragrance among all species of lavender, which creates flavor in cooking. Blooms accentuate sweet and savory dishes with a sweet mingling of floral, fresh pine and rosemary with citrus notes. English lavender varieties (L. angustifolia) have the best culinary flavor.

How to cook with lavender?

Lavender can be used to add flavor and color to culinary recipes in either fresh or dried form. To dry lavender for culinary use, snip the stems off the plant just after the flowers have opened and hang the stems upside down or lay them flat to dry. Wash the buds well, then dry-roast them to remove some of the floral taste or grind them in a coffee grinder to improve the texture. One can also make lavender-infused sugar for baking and swap it out for regular sugar in  favorite recipes (Katherine Barrington  in http://homeguides.sfgate.com/)

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Paneer Rose Flower

Roses

Roses are one of the most beautiful, traditional, and fragrant flowers that you can plant in your garden. “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet,” says Juliet in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, which is so very true of the rose that has captured the minds and hearts of people through the ages. Roses have many culinary use and medicinal properties. Most rose flowers are edible.

1) Rose gulkan: Rock candy 1/2 cup, Honey -1/2 cup, edible rose petals – 1 cup. Wash rose petals in cold water and keep under good sunlight. Remove all water content from petals. In a bowl or bottle place a layer of little powdered rock candy, little honey and few petals and place 2nd and 3rd layer following same order of the 3 ingredients. Cover the bowl with clean muslin cloth and tighten the cloth so that no external moisture should go inside the bowl or bottle. Keep this bottle every day under sunlight for next three weeks. After three weeks delicious gulkan will be ready to consume. This preparation does not need any artificial preservative as honey is a natural preservative.

2) Rose sharabth: Add few edible rose petals to water and let it seep for few minutes. Add little lemon juice, sugar and cardamom -drink to cool down the body heat during summer.

3) Rose petal yogurt: Store dried rose petals in a air tight bottle. During summer months, mix fresh  edible rose petals or dried petals in yogurt, add little sugar for taste and have. This keeps body temperature under control and boosts the energy.

4) Rose buttermilk or lassi: For 1.5 cups of fresh yogurt or butter milk add 1/2 cup chilled water. To this add 8-10 fresh or dried edible rose petals and few drops of rose syrup (make sure to get good rose syrup). Add sugar according to your taste followed by few pistachio, almond and cashew. Blend everything using a mixer till the liquid becomes frothy. Serve when it is fresh. – This is another good drink for hot summer season.

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Squash Flowers

Squash Flower

All squash flowers are edible. Zucchini, pumpkin and other cucurbits that have large flowers are edible. Zucchini  produces larger flowers and flower is somewhat crisp.  It has mild and  sweet zucchini flavor. Pumpkin flowers are also large and is used for culinary purposes. The large yellow blooms are perfect for stuffing or deep frying.

Dee fried: To basin flour add little salt, chilli powder, turmeric , cumin and rice flour. Mix well and add little water to make a thick batter. Dip the individual flowers or larger petals in this and deep fry in the oil. Serve hot with tomato sauce..

Baked squash flowers: If you don’t want to deep fry then stuff the blossoms with cheese and then bake them in the oven.  Or cook them on both sides on a tava.

Pasta: The blossoms can also be cooked into a pasta sauce. This is one of kids favorite recipes.

Soup: A good and tasty soup can be prepared using these blossom along with corn, pepper, ginger and zucchini.

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Neem Flowers

Neem Flowers

Neem tree is indigenous to India and to dry forest of south Asia. It is one of the highly medicinal plant.

Neem leaves, bark, stem, fruits, young shoots, flowers – all these parts are edible. Neem flowers has same medicinal properties as leaves.  Flowers alongwith tender shoots are used as vegetables in India.

  • In many parts of Tamil Nadu, India dried neem flowers are used thoughout the year. Along with turmeric and tamarind a dish namely “veppam poo rasam” or a traditional soup is made out of the flowers.  Little bitter but the taste of this dish is delicious!.
  • Fried dried flowers mixed with rice along with ghee and salt is a very tasty rice dish called “veppam poo saadam”.
  • During new year celebrations neem flowers are used with homemade yogurt to make a dish called “pachadi”.
  • Neem flowers with jaggery is consumed during new year day (Yugadi festival) and it symbolizes balancing of life during tough and happy time.
  • For patients who are suffering from fever and lost their taste neem flower dishes are good.
Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Phytoestrogens, Ayurveda and Menopause

Phytoestrogens, Ayurveda and Menopause

A recent study published in the American journal of Medicine reveals that use of herbal  or plant based supplements can help in menopause, particularly in reducing the hot flashes and vaginal dryness.

According to Dr. Taulant Muka, lead author of the new study and a researcher at Erasmus University Medical Center in the Netherlands “Phytoestrogens are clinical components found in plants that are very similar to the female hormone, estrogen.” Evidences shows that these components can help to reduce menopause symptoms.

Current treatments that are available for menopause are Hormone therapy- in the form of pills, patches, sprays, gels and vaginal rings, is the prescription used most often to treat hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms. However, research has linked hormone replacement therapy with an increased risk of breast and uterine cancer. Other studies also have shown neutral effects on cardiovascular health when used soon after menopause, but the effects become progressively unfavorable in a woman’s later years.

All these findings making women more to look for alternative type of medicines which is plant based supplements and herbal medicines.

In a study in which 6,653 women participated, traditional or Chinese medicine therapies, including soy, ginseng, black cohosh and St. John’s wort were tested on women. It was discovered that phytoestrogens were associated with a modest reduction in hot flashes and vaginal dryness, though night sweats continued. Specifically, plant estrogens decreased the total number of a woman’s hot flashes by 1.31 per day, on average !.

It is to be noted, that herbal medicines and supplements have been in use for menopause treatment – from many centuries in India and China. Ayurveda considers menopause as a “Balance Deficiency”. This ancient medicine system recommends many herbs for women who are undergoing menopause. For example, from Ayurvedic perspective, , menopause marks the transition from the Pitta phase of life to the Vata phase of life. During the transition, imbalances in both Vata and Pitta may occur. Hot flashes and night sweats are created by an imbalance in Pitta in the deeper tissues of the body and the build-up of ama (toxins) in the channels of the body. When ama accumulates in the body, the flow of heat in the deeper tissues can get constricted. It tends to build up and then, when it finds an outlet, flashes out in a fashion that leaves you feeling uncomfortable.

There are three bodily principles: movement and flow (vata or airy), heat and metabolism (pitta or fiery), and bodily substance (kapha or earthy.) And there are three basic types of imbalances relating to each of the three doshas. Easing your menopause transition can be as simple as “reading” your dosha symptoms and taking measures to get your doshas back in balance. The following symptoms and lifestyle prescriptions are indicated for each of the three dosha imbalances:

• Vata- Type-Prone To Nervousness: Anxiety, panic, mood swings, vaginal dryness, loss of skin tone, feeling cold, irregular periods, insomnia, mild or variable hot flashes, constipation, palpitations, bloating and joints aches and pains.
Ayurvedic Tips: Increase warm food and drinks, regular meals, early bedtime, oil massage, meditation, yoga, walking and spices such as fennel and cumin. Decrease caffeine and other stimulants, refined sugar, cold drinks, salads.

• Pitta-Type- Prone to Hot Temper: Anger, irritability, feeling hot, hot flashes, night sweats, heavy periods, excessive bleeding, urinary tract infections, skin rashes and acne.
Ayurvedic Tips: Increase cooling foods, water intake, sweet juicy fruits (grapes, pears, plums, mango, melons, apples,) zucchini, yellow squash, cucumber, organic foods. Go to bed before 10 PM and try to wind down earlier in the evening. Decrease excessive sun and overheating, hot spicy foods, hot drinks and alcohol.

•Kapha-Type- Prone to Weight Gain: Sluggishness, lethargy, weight gain for no reason, fluid retention, yeast infections, lazy, depressed, lacking motivation, slow digestion.
Ayurvedic Tips: Increase exercise, fruits, whole grains, legumes, vegetables, and spices such as black pepper, turmeric and ginger. Habit of getting up early and avoid foods like meat, cheese, sugar and cold foods and drinks helps kapha type body.

One of the hot flash relief that is recommended by Maharishi Ayurveda is the combination of herbs like Shatavari (Asparagus sp.), Indian Sarsaparilla (Hemidesmus Indicus), Indian Gooseberry (Amla), Waterlily, White Sandalwood, Indian Tinospora, Rose and Licorice provides the cooling action by increasing cooling of lunar energy, which balances solar energy in the body. This formula is helpful for balancing Sadhaka Pitta, which governs the emotions, and Ranjaka Pitta, which governs the blood. Premium Amla Berry is another herbal supplement valuable for balancing Pitta in the physiology.

Apart from soy, there are several herbs that comes to rescue of menopause women. For example another equally healthful source of phytoestrogens are “lignans,” compounds found in a variety of whole foods including grains and cereals, dried beans and lentils, flaxseed, sunflower seeds and peanuts, vegetables such as asparagus, sweet potatoes, carrots, garlic and broccoli and fruits such as pears, plums and strawberries. Common herbs and spices such as thyme oregano, nutmeg, turmeric and licorice also have estrogenic properties.

Plant medicine thus is playing another major role in keeping women happy and healthy in their mid -life!

References
• http://www.mapi.com/
• www.cnn.com
• http://www.womenlivingnaturally.com/

Image credit: Photo by Mert Guller on Unsplash

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: June 23, 2016
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How Yoga benefits kids?

How Yoga benefits kids?

Have you ever wondered when the babies start crawling and sitting, every pose they do resembles yoga postures. Children body is so flexible and practicing yoga can benefit them in many ways. Yoga, the 5,000-year-old art of fusing the body and mind, is not just transforming adults today. Because of its amazing benefits, yoga for children is all the rage and is spreading rapidly around the world. Children naturally have that flexible body. Yoga helps kids to remain calm and focused in their life.

Some benefits of practicing Yoga at young age helps in:

  • Develop body awareness
  • Learn how to use their bodies in a healthy way
  • Manage stress through breathing, awareness, meditation and healthy movement
  • Build concentration
  • Increase their confidence and positive self-image
  • Feel part of a healthy, non-competitive group
  • Have an alternative to tuning out through constant attachment to electronic devices
  • Maintains Flexibility and Strengthens Growing Bodies

Animal Poses

Some of the solid reasons to put your kids in yoga classes are listed below

  1. Flexibility of the body
    Children are born with an innate flexibility and yoga poses help to prolong this gift. Poses like Warrior 1 and two aid in developing strength in their growing muscles and bodies.  Yoga teaches balance in many poses and it helps kids who take part in sports.
  1. Enhances Concentration
    Some slow-paced yoga postures like balancing tree, dancer poses helps to learn self-control, enhancing their focus and awareness. Flowing from pose to pose, for example from warrior 3 to standing tree Pose takes great attention—a skill that is essential in most learning environments.
  1. Increases Self-Esteem and Confidence
    When a child displays great strength, focus, and flexibility in Yoga, it does wonders for their confidence. A successful crow Pose or side crow pose yields poise and power, which leads them to believe in and pursue their true abilities.
  1. Teaches Present Moment Awareness
    Yoga teaches how the body and mind are inter connected  and  how we should be aware of our selves. When children are engaged, focused, having fun, and following a yoga lesson, they are in the present moment. This self-awareness of both body and mind helps children to be cautious in any situation.
  1. Cultivates a Peaceful, Relaxed State of Body and Mind
    All yoga classes conclude with a quiet time, also known as Shavasana or deep relaxation pose. Teachers will teach how to bring calmness in each organs step by step and helps in whole body relaxation while we are still aware of our surroundings.  Even if just for three minutes, children learn to understand the importance of this peace and can carry it with them into their daily lives.
  1. Gives Tools for Stress Management
    Yoga helps the body and mind to reduce stress. Practicing yoga provides kids an immediate outlet to reduce stress in a safe and nurturing environment.  Yoga is a challenge for our own body and everyday we try to do a yoga pose better. When we do yoga we are not in competition with anyone. Yoga teaches non-judgment and non-competition toward oneself and one another. This prepares kids mind to face any challenges in life.
  1. Creativity and Imagination
    Many times kids yoga teacher can bring  themes that are fun and engaging like “Jungle Safari.” When children are exposed to this creative opportunity, to make up their own yoga poses to fit with the theme it inspires them to be free, creative, and self-expressive.
  1. Encourages Kind Peer and Social Interactions
    Yoga teaches children that we are all the same inside, despite our outward appearance, race, and religion. We all have bodies that function, hearts that love, and feelings that feel.  Yoga inspires kids to be kind, patient, accepting, and emphatic with themselves and their peers.
  1. Teaches Discipline and Responsibility
    Daily practicing yoga brings discipline in kids life. Once they understand the challenge and benefits of doing yoga they will discipline themselves in not only practicing Yoga but also in other fields of life. This is taking responsibility for their action, helping others, staying composed and understanding the social responsibilities. When they learn that yoga takes practice versus an immediate accomplishment, they learn and accept that life is a path with good days, bad days, and everything in between.

Image courtesy: http://vtphysicaltherapy.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/10297891_464404297025295_3324349245708703342_n.jpg

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: June 21, 2016
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AMA: Gun violence is a Public Health Crisis

AMA: Gun violence is a Public Health Crisis

The American Medical Association said in a policy released Tuesday that the gun violence in the US is “a public health crisis”. The organization is making lobbying for gun control a top priority.

Before the dawn  this Sunday a worst mass shooting that happened in  Pulse gay night club in Orlando, Florida triggered more discussions and debate over gun violence.  50 people were killed by a gun man (Omar Mateen) and in the wake of the worst mass shooting in American history and with more than 6,000 deaths already in 2016 from gun violence, the American Medical Association (AMA) today adopted policy calling gun violence in the United States “a public health crisis” requiring a comprehensive public health response and solution.

Additionally, at the Annual Meeting of its House of Delegates, the AMA resolved to actively lobby Congress to overturn legislation that for 20 years has prohibited the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from researching gun violence.

In his statement AMA president Steven J. Stack, M. D. said that “With approximately 30,000 men, women and children dying each year at the barrel of a gun in elementary schools, movie theaters, workplaces, houses of worship and on live television, the United States faces a public health crisis of gun violence”. 

“Even as America faces a crisis unrivaled in any other developed country, the Congress prohibits the CDC from conducting the very research that would help us understand the problems associated with gun violence and determine how to reduce the high rate of firearm-related deaths and injuries. An epidemiological analysis of gun violence is vital so physicians and other health providers, law enforcement, and society at large may be able to prevent injury, death and other harms to society resulting from firearms.”

The AMA has numerous, long-standing policies that support increasing the safety of firearms and their use, and reducing and preventing firearm violence. Our AMA “recognizes that uncontrolled ownership and use of firearms, especially handguns, is a serious threat to the public’s health inasmuch as the weapons are one of the main causes of intentional and unintentional injuries and deaths” (H-145.997). AMA policy supports legislation calling for a waiting period before purchasing any form of firearm in the U.S. (H-145.991, H-145.992, and H-145.996), and supports requiring background checks for all handgun purchasers (H-145.991, H-145.996).

The group said it will actively lobby Congress to overturn federal legislation that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says prohibits it from conducting large-scale epidemiological studies on the problem.

Moreover, AMA policy supports stricter enforcement of present federal and state gun safety legislation, and the imposition of mandated penalties for crimes committed with the use of a firearm, including the illegal possession of a firearm (Policy H-145.999). All of these policies were originally adopted in the late 1980s, when there was a national focus on handguns in part because access to relatively inexpensive handguns had led to an increase in rates of homicide, especially among young people. These policies have been repeatedly reaffirmed since then by the AMA House of Delegates.

According to Dallas news a not-for-profit group that tracks gun-related incidents and deaths has tracked  139 mass shootings across the country this year alone. That includes six in Texas, which led to seven deaths and more than 26 injuries, according to data provided on the nonprofit site.

The AMA, which supports laws that require a waiting period and background checks for all handgun purchasers, said uncontrolled ownership and use of firearms is a serious threat to public health and a main cause of intentional and unintentional injuries and death. The AMA also renewed its call for stricter enforcement of present federal and state gun safety legislation, and the imposition of mandated penalties for crimes committed with the use of a firearm, including the illegal possession of a firearm.

Sources:

• American Medical Association
• http://in.reuters.com/
• http://www.india.com/
• http://huffnews.com/
• http://www.fxtribune.com/

Image credit: Photo by Lavi Perchik on Unsplash (Free for commercial use)

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: June 15, 2016
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