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Showing posts from February, 2012

Mandukaparni (Centella asiatica) a.k.a Gotu Kola-A Divine Great Herb

Gotu Kola or Mandukaparni meaning Frog leaved has been revered as an imperative memory boosting, intelligence enhancing, anti-aging and a rejuvenating herb in Ayurveda. Ayurveda has placed it in the higher echelon of ‘divine great drugs’. Growing up in peaceful and magnificent coastal state of Goa- India; I remember Gotu kola as a common garden weed growing all over our coconut orchards. We called it ‘gunduri’ or ‘panputi’ in my native language Konkani. My grandmother used to often ask me to collect the fresh creepers of Gotu kola, to make savory ‘chutney’ served with rice or dosa (lentil and rice pancakes). Sometimes she would shade dry whole Gotu kola creepers and cook them with homemade coconut oil to make soothing hair oil. I now realize why she had razor sharp memory and little grey hair even at the age of 85! Ayurveda has described Gotu kola as divine herb that strengthens memory, concentration and intelligence, promotes longevity, boosts complexion, improves voice and physical

How to Drink Water? Ayurveda’s Take on the Most Essential Nutrient!

Building health is much like building a house. Unless the foundation is strong, the building will not be sturdy. If maintaining health is high up on your list of New Year resolutions, consider some of the basic and most fundamental things to start with- like how you drink your water! The modest disposition of water often makes us take this most essential nutrient of our diet lightly. For those who are not aware; water is also the simplest and the most powerful remedy to most of our health issues. However, it all comes down to how we drink it! Ayurveda has described the qualities of different types of water- like hot water, boiled water; water originating from different sources like springs, lakes, rivers and wells, as well as the changes in qualities of water in different seasons. Also, the correct methods of drinking water have been explained in great details. Here are some simple and effective Ayurvedic methods of getting extraordinary benefits from ordinary drinking water. It is not