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Master of all spices

By Nupur Amarnath
Tue, Sep 28 03:07 PM

By Nupur Amarnath
Mysticism is India's export to the world. From our sex texts to yoga to even our medicine system-India is the land of eastern
promises. There are many who teem to her shores just for a fix of the famous Indian spirituality. Everything is exotic and
exotic is good. However we Indians, collectively, remain immune to her charms.
Maybe a case of familiarity breeds contempt. But then again, we live in the times of pill popping-it's simpler to get your
nutrition off a bottle than off a plate. As we age, granny's good advice and mom's sage words give way to convenience. We
forget why we were chewing neem or sipping the haldi milk or eating tulsi leaves. It becomes tedious.
Who has the time to take care and remember to eat different powders, bite off various herbs or maintain a personal herb
garden? After all, good health now comes in neat little bottles, nicely packaged. Right? Wrong. Because it's for life that
moves at the speed of light that ayurveda is more relevant today than ever. And if you thought it's for the birds, listen up, as
the ancient medicine has quite a few tricks up its sleeves to cure what's ailing you.
Pate pacifiers hairloss
How many times have you woken up gripped with the sheer terror of seeing your curly locks on the pillow, lying there as a
picture of waste. Yes, men love a good head (ahem!). It's like their vanity muscles for the scalp. "Ayurveda has proven
effective in controlling and curing the problem of hairloss," notes Dr Preeti Chhabra, consultant, ayurveda, Sir Ganga Ram
Hospital, New Delhi.
But you need to start early. "Because ayurveda is more of a preventative medicine than a curative one," she mentions. If your
problem is not acute, ayurveda has an arsenal of potent hair tonics that you can use, either locally or orally, without any prior
consultation. Dr Chabbra advises, "Just ensure that you never massage on a dirty scalp."
Bhringraj: This is the wonder herb for your hair. Easily available and used as oil, the herb curbs premature greying and
tightens hair roots, thus restricting hairloss. "Bhringraj is a rich source of protein and pacifies the kapha (phlegm) and vata
(air) dosha in ayurvedic treatment," says Dr Durga Prasad, MD, BHU and DGM, Dabur India. Herbal beauty expert and
naturopath Suparna Trikha-Dewan points out that bhringraj is also known as keshraja, as it promotes hair growth. "Bhringraj
has a cooling and calming effect on the mind. It can be used internally as well as externally in the form of a hair oil or tonic,"
she adds.
Amla: This sweet sour berry is the best pitta (bile) dosha pacifier that there is. And it helps prevent hair fall. Amla (or amlaki)
is rich in antioxidant polyphenols such as emblicanins, vitamin C and pectin, which help in inhibiting platelet aggregation and
lowering LDL cholesterol. Use it as an oil or just have an amla a day -you can't go wrong with this one. Plus, it's also anti
ageing.
Baadam: Sweet almond oil, which is cold-pressed, improves hair growth and prevents hair fall. "Almond oil is a rich source of
vitamin E, vitamin D, essential minerals such as magnesium, calcium and protein, which help hair growth," says Dr Prasad.
Nariyal: Or coconut is part of every Indian household. New research demonstrates that coconut oil keeps protein loss at a
minimum. It contains medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) which can pass freely through the cell membrane, thus bonding the

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hair. Its low molecular weight enables efficient penetration inside the hair shaft.
"Use gentle yet firm strokes to massage the oil into the scalp, as severe and vigorous movements tend to break hair from the
root. Follow it up with a hot towel treatment or steaming for better penetration of all the nutrients," suggests TrikhaPain check bodyaches
Backache is surely back in business. "There are many ayurvedic oils and rubs that help in alleviating bodyaches," says Dr
Prasad. The Mahanarayan oil can be used as a rub in cases of stiffness, soreness or for sports injuries.
Ashwagandha: An Asian plant of the potato family, its roots have long been used to treat rheumatism, high blood pressure,
immune dysfunctions, erection problems and easing inflammation. Literally translated as horse's smell, "it's proven that
regular intake can make you as strong as a horse," says Dr Chhabra.
That's why, it's sometimes referred to as the Indian ginseng, rich in triterpenes, phenylpropanes and oxylipins that help
increase the body's resistance to anxiety and fatigue and also adds vitality. "It's rich in antioxidants and a nervine tonic that
helps beat stress too. You can take 3-5g of ashwagandha everyday," she adds.
Ginger: Research suggests ginger root inhibits production of prostaglandins and leukotrienes, which are responsible for pain
and inflammation. In an uncontrolled 1992 Danish study, 56 patients who had either rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoarthritis
(OA) or muscular discomfort took powdered ginger. All of those with musculoskeletal pain and three-fourths of those with OA
or RA reported varying degrees of pain relief and no side effects.
Menthol and Camphor: These compounds are found in many overthe-counter backache medications. "They help ease the
muscle tightness that leads to backaches," says Dr Prasad. Menthol is a natural constituent of plants in the mint family,
particularly peppermint and spearmint while camphor occurs in spike lavender, hyssop and coriander. "Both these ingredients
help in improving blood circulation.
Camphor is excellent for relieving joint pains, rheumatism, bruises and sprains," says Trikha-Dewan. Use her recipe: Add
1/2tsp of camphor powder to 50ml of sesame seed oil/olive oil/coconut oil and warm it a little. The camphor will dissolve and
can be used to massage on the affected area. Mentha crystals can be added too.
Torch that fat obesity
More than taking herbal weight-loss remedies, make these herbs part of your daily life.
Guggul: Guggul is frequently recommended by Ayurveda practitioners for weight control in addition to its use in lowering
cholesterol. In clinical trials, intake of guggul derivatives regularly for three months resulted in four times the weight loss
compared to a placebo. It can also help increase a person's metabolic rate.
"The extract contains guggulsterones, which help raise HDL (good) cholesterol, and lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and
triglycerides," says Dr Chhabra, "apart from helping reduce platelet stickiness." It is also used as an aphrodisiac.
Triphala: An effective laxative made of amlaki, haritaki and vibhitaki herbs; it takes away fats from body and reduces weight.
"It promotes normal appetite, good digestion, increases red blood cells and hemoglobin and has strong purifying and
antioxidant qualities as well. It also reduces the overall water content in the body tissues," Dr Chhabra tells us. Even having
fenugreek seeds (soaked overnight) helps in cutting fat from the body.
Stay calm stress
Stress is believed to be triggered by maanas dosha (mental disorder) in ayurveda. Besides ashwagandha (already mentioned
before), which is a proven anti-stress herb, as it regulates the chemical imbalance in the brain, there are several single herbs
and compounds that give relief from stress.

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Brahmi: According to ayurvedic science, this is the best brain soother of all times. "Brahmi has an established reputation as
an effective and powerful brain and nerve tonic. The cells in the brain and the nerves are restored and revitalised by this
herb's antioxidant properties," says Dr Chhabra.
Brahmi is effective in improving the circulation of blood in the brain, increasing a person's intelligence and is said to promote
both short-term as well as long-term memory. Use it as a butter oil preparation to boost brain power.
Chandan: Or sandalwood is soothing to the nerves. Use it as a fermented preparation to suppress the pitta dosha. "You can
also take shankpushpi, saunf and mulethi, which are excellent nervine tonics and act as stress relievers," Dr Chhabra adds.
Keep it up virility
While the Chinese have their ginseng and guarana, we have ayurvedic answers to all these wonder herbs that boost the
male libido. "Sexual factors in men depend on all the three doshas-vata, pitta and kapha," says Dr Prasad, "However men
with kapha domination will not only be more active sexually but will also have fewer sex problems."
For example, men with vata dosha have dried seminal discharge with lesser amount of sperm. Men with pitta dosha have
sticky seminal discharge with more sperm. Men with kapha dosha have copious seminal discharge with high sperm count.
Using herbal supplements for sexual health problems have always been a cause for concern but taking these wonder herbs
in proper prescribed doses may actually be a lifesaver for you.
Kavach beej: Kavach beej has become very popular in recent times due to the discovery of levodopa in it, used commonly in
the treatment of the Parkinson's disease. "It is known as a nervine tonic, which increases coordination between the brain and
the sexual organs," says Dr Chhabra. It seems to increase stamina.
Shilajit: The Indian herbal Viagra. Shilajit is actually a mixture of four minerals, out of which one is the allimportant iron.
"Studies have shown that shilajit increases the quantity and the quality of the male semen and can provide a harder erection,"
says Dr Chhabra. But it's better to take shilajit only on your doctor's advice. "There are other options for boosting libido that
take time to effect but can be used without any preamble like Tulsi beej, shatavari, mulethi and laung," she adds.
Jaiphal: Or nutmeg has been used since the days of yore as an aphrodisiac by men. Jaiphal improves the nature of male
erection and also makes the brain respond better to sexual stimulus. "It mainly targets the problem of premature ejaculation,"
Dr Prasad mentions. "However, a word of caution: It affects your blood pressure and can turn toxic if taken in excess," says
Dr Chhabra.
Experts warn that all that is herbal is actually not good (see box 'Herbal highs'). But if taken properly, ayurveda can easily
translate into a better quality of life. "All you need to do is tweak your diet," says Dr Prasad. The question is: Are you ready to
take the first step?
Herbal highs
Herbal = Natural = Good.
Not exactly. Experts would tell you to do the math a little more carefully. Here are six must-ask questions before you buy an
OTC herbal medicine
1. Is the research self-generated or borrowed? Has the manufacturer done the required research on this specific product or is
using "borrowed research?"
2. Are the claims outrageous? Remember the saying, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
3. Who is the manufacturer? Is he reputed? Do they have a proven track record? Do your homework.

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4. Is the label comprehensive? Does the label give information about standardised formulations? You need this information to
know how much of the active ingredient you are taking.
5. Does it carry any possible side effects warning? Know what adverse effects to look for before you start taking any herb or
herbal product.
6. Are the dosage instructions clear? If not followed properly, herbal remedies can do more harm than good.
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