Premature Greying of Hair

Premature Greying of Hair


The hair has a tendency to lose its natural colour with advancing age. It is therefore natural for
the hair to turn grey with age. But premature greying is a morbid condition and it makes even the
young look older. This causes a great deal of concern to affected persons, especially women.
The hair is an appendage of the skin. It is composed of the same kind of cells as are found in the
outer layer of the skin, known as epidermis. It grows from a hair follicle which is a deep recess in
the epidermis. The sebaceous glands of the scalp secrete an oily substance called sebum,
which is the source of nutrition, lustre and blackness of the hair. The hair cannot be fed
externally, for such nourishment as the scalp requires must come to it from the bloodstream.


Causes of Greying


A faulty diet and mental worries are the two primary causes of premature greying of hair. It is
mainly due to the lack of some of the B vitamins, of iron, copper and iodine in the daily diet that
this hair disorder is caused at a young age these days. Mental worries produce an extraordinary
tension in the skin of the scalp which interferes with the supply of vital nutrition necessary for the
health of the hair. Similarly, anxieties, fear, jealousy and failures have adverse effects on the
hair. They dry out the scalpular marrow, the vital sap at the root of the hair.
Other causes of premature greying of hair are unclean condition of the scalp which weakens the
roots of the hair as the pores are blocked by the collected dirt ; washing the hair with hot water
and drying them with electric dryers which emit a blast of hot air ; the use of hair dyes in the
earlier stages when the hair have just started greying ; diseases like chronic cold, sinusitis,
anaemia, chronic constipation ; and the use of factory- made hair oils, which are generally
cleaned with acids and some of the acids have a tendency to remain in the oil. Heredity is
another predisposing factor which gives rise to this ailment.


Treatment


Diet is of utmost importance in the prevention and treatment of premature greying of hair and
persons suffering from this disorder should take a diet rich in all essential nutrients. The vitamins
considered useful in premature greying of hair are pantothenic acid, para-aminobenzoic acid or
PABA and inositol. The minimum daily requirement of these vitamins appears to be 10 mg. of
pantothenic acid, 100 gm. of para-aminobenzoic acid and 2000 mg. of inositol. To obtain
satisfactory results, all three of these vitamins, belonging to B group, should be supplied at one
time preferably in a form which gives all B vitamins, such as yeast, wheat germ and liver. The
three anti-grey hair vitamins can be produced in the intestinal tract by bacteria. Thus drinking a
litre of yogurt daily with a tablespoon of yeast before each meal will be an excellent remedy for
the prevention and treatment of premature greying of hair. If one wishes to take tablets of
calcium pantothenate and paba, they should be taken in addition to the yeast and yogurt and not
as a substitute for them.
Gayelord Hauser, one of the best known world nutritionists, in his book ‘The New Diet Does it’,
claims that this treatment will restore the grey hair back to its natural colour. He also advises
addition of iron and iodine in the form of sea food, to an otherwise adequate diet for obtaining
better results. Besides fish, which is the main source of iodine, the requirement of this mineral
can be met by adequate intake of carrots, bananas and similar other vegetables and fruits.
Carrots are especially useful in furnishing fresh blood and maintaining the health of the hair.


Home remedies


Certain home remedies have been found useful in the prevention and treatment of premature
greying of hair. The foremost among these is the use of Indian gooseberry or amla which is a
valuable hair tonic for enriching hair growth and hair pigmentation. The fruit, cut into pieces,
should be dried, preferably in the shade. These pieces should be boiled in coconut oil till the
Premature Greying of Hair
solid matter become little charred dust. This darkish oil is very useful in preventing greying.
The water in which dried amla pieces are soaked overnight is Indian gooseberry (amla) is
considered highly beneficial in the treatment of premature greying of hair. also nourishing to the
hair. This water should be used for the last rinse while washing the hair. Massaging the scalp
with a teaspoonful of amla juice mixed with a teaspoonful of almond oil or few drops of lime
juice, every night has proved beneficial in the prevention and treatment of premature greying of
hair.
Liberal intake of curry leaves is considered beneficial in preventing premature greying of hair.
These have the property to give vitality and strength to hair roots. New hair roots that grow are
healthier with normal pigment. The leaves can be used in the form of chutney or these may be
squeezed in butter- milk or lassi. When the leaves are boiled in coconut oil, the oil forms an
excellent hair tonic to stimulate hair growth and bring back hair pigmentation.
The butter made from cow’s milk has the property to prevent premature greying of hair. A small
roll may be taken internally and a little quantity may be massaged into the hair root twice a week.
Ribbed gourd, known as torai in the vernacular, boiled in coconut oil is another effective remedy
for premature greying of hair. Pieces of this vegetable should be dried in the shade. These dried
pieces should be soaked in coconut oil and kept aside for three or four days. The oil should then
be boiled till the solid is reduced to a blackened residue. Thisoil should be massaged into the
scalp. It will help enrich the hair roots and restore pigment to the hair.


Hair Dye


The paste of henna leaves, boiled in coconut oil to get a darkish oil, can be used as a hair dye to
blacken grey hair. The paste itself can be applied to the hair and washed away after a few hours
to dye the grey hair. Washing the hair with concentrated tea extract twice a week is also
considered useful in colouring grey hair to brown or black.

Indigestion

Indigestion


Indigestion or dyspepsia is one of the most common ailments today and is caused by dietetic
errors. It is a condition of the stomach in which digestive juices are incorrectly secreted, resulting
in discomfort.
The alimentary canal and the process of digestion begin at the mouth. The stomach, which is the
most abused organ of the body, looks like a pear-shaped pouch. It forms part of the digestive
tract which is a tube coiled in loops nearly 28 feet in length. It varies in size and position
depending on how much food it contains. An overloaded stomach tends to prevent the
diaphragm from functioning properly. It may also press on the heart.


Symptoms


Abdominal pain, a feeling of undue fullness after eating, heartburn, loss of appetite , nausea or
vomiting and excessive wind or gas are the usual symptoms of indigestion. Other symptoms
include a bad taste in the mouth, coated tongue, foul breath and pain in the upper abdomen.
Causes
The feelings of discomfort and distress in the abdomen are often caused by overeating, eating
too rapidly or not chewing properly. Overeating or eating frequently produces a feverish state in
the system and overtaxes the digestive organs. It produces excessive acid and causes the
gastric mucus membrane to become congested. Hyperacidity is usually the result. Overeating
makes the work of stomach, liver, kidneys and bowels harder. When this food putrifies, its
poisons are absorbed back into the blood and consequently, the whole system is poisoned.
Many people gulp their food due to stress or hurry. When food is swallowed in large chunks, the
stomach has to work harder and more hydrocholoride is secreted. Eating too fast also causes
one to swallow air. These bad habits force some of the digestive fluids into the esophagus,
causing burning , a stinging sensation or a sour taste, giving an illusion of stomach acid.
Certain foods, especially if they are not properly cooked, cause indigestion. Some people react
unfavourable to certain foods like beans, cabbage, onions, cucumber, radishes and seafood.
Fried foods as well as rich and spicy foods often cause abdominal discomfort and gas, and
aggravate the existing condition. Excessive smoking and intake of alcohol can also cause
stomach upsets. Constipation may interfere with the normal flow of ingested matter through the
gastro-intestinal tract, resulting in gas and abdominal pain. Drinking too much water with meals,
insomnia, emotions such as jealousy, fear and anger and lack of exercise are among the other
causes of indigestion.


The Cure
The only effective treatment for indigestion is a thorough cleansing of the digestive tract;
adoption of a sensible diet and a change in the style of living. The best way to commence the
treatment is to adopt an all-fruit diet for about five days. After the all-fruit diet, the patient may
take to a restricted diet of easily digestible foods, consisting of lightly cooked vegetables, juicy
fruits and buttermilk for about 10 days. He may thereafter gradually embark upon a
well-balanced diet.
The use of fruits in general is beneficial in the treatment of indigestion. They flush out the
undigested food reside and accumulated faeces and re-establish health to perfect order. Being
rich in water, they clean body mechanisms thoroughly. The best among the fruits in dyspepsia is
lemon. Its juice reaches the stomach and attacks the bacteria, inhabiting the formation of acids.
Lemon juice removes indigestion by dislodging this acid and other harmful substances from the
stomach, thereby strengthening and prompting a healthy appetite.
The orange is another effective food remedy in chronic indigestion. It gives rest to the digestive
organs and supplies nutrition in a most easily assimilable form. It also stimulates the flow of
Indigestion
digestive juices thereby improving digestion and increasing appetite. It creates suitable
conditions for the development of friendly bacteria in the intestines.
Another fruit useful in indigestion is grapes. They are a light food which removes indigestion and
irritation of the stomach in a short time and relieves heat. Pineapple is also valuable. It acts as a
tonic in dyspepsia and relieves much of the digestives disorders of dyspeptics. Half a glass of
pineapple juice should be taken after a meal in this condition.
The sufferer from indigestion must always follow the under-mentioned rules regarding eating :
Never eat and drink together. Water or other liquids should be taken half an hour before
and one hour after a meal. Milk, buttermilk and vegetables soups are, however, foods and
can be taken with meals.
i.
Never hurry through a meal. Eat very slowly and chew your food as thoroughly as
possible.
ii.
iii. Never eat to a full stomach. Always leave the table with a feeling that you could eat more.
Never sit down to a meal, feeling worried, tired, excited or in a bad temper as such
feelings temporarily paralyze the manufacture of digestive juices including hydrochloride.
iv.
Do not eat if appetite is lacking. Miss a meal or two, if necessary, until real appetite
returns.
v.
vi. Never boil vegetables, always steam them.
Do not mix too many foods at the same meal. Never eat raw vegetables and raw fruits
together as they require a different set of enzymes. Take protein and starchy foods
separate as far as possible.
vii.
Yogic asanas such as ardh-matsyasana, srvangasana, uttanpadasana, pavnmuktasana,
vajrasana, yogamudra, bhujangasana, shalabhasana, and shavasana, kriyas like jalneti and
kunjal, and pranayamas like kapalbhati, anuloma-viloma, and ujjai are highly beneficial in the
treatment of indigestion. Light exercises such as walking, golf and swimming also help digestion.


Water Treatment


A daily enema should be administered to cleanse toxic bowel waste. Other beneficial water
treatments include wet girdle pack applied at night, application of ice bags over the stomach half
an hour after meals, a daily cold friction bath and alternate hot and cold hip baths at night.
Massaging of the abdomen also helps.

Aritritis

Arthritis

The word ‘arthritis’ means ‘inflammation of joints’. It comes from two Greek words, athron
meaning joints and its meaning inflammation. It is a chronic disease process. In the early stages,
the whole body is usually involved and one or two joints may become completely deformed,
leaving the patient handicapped and somewhat weakened.
Arthritis assumes various forms, the most frequent being osteroarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Inflammation is the main feature of arthritis, which is a reaction of the joint tissues to some form
of damage or injury.

Treatment


The diet of the arthritis patient should include fruits
and vegetables for protection and proteins and carbohydrates for energy. It may consist of a
couple of fresh raw vegetables in the form of a salad and atleast two cooked vegetables.
Cabbage, carrot, celery, cucumber, endive, lettuce, onion, radishes, tomatoes and watercress
may be used for a raw salad. The cooked vegetables may include asparagus, beets, cauliflower,
cabbage, carrots, celery, brinjal, mushroom, onions, peas, beans, spinach, tomatoes, squash
and turnips.
In severe cases, it will be advisable to put the patient on raw vegetables juice therapy for about a
week. Green juice, extracted from any green leafy vegetable, mixed with carrot, celery and red
beet juice, is specific for arthritis. The alkaline action of raw juices dissolves the accumulation of
deposits around the joints and in other tissues. Fresh pineapple is also valuable as the enzyme
in fresh pineapple juice, bromelain reduces swelling and inflammation inosteoarthritis and
rheumatoid arthritis. Repeated juice fasts are recommended at intervals of every two months.
The raw potato juice therapy is considered one of the most successful biological treatment for
rheumatic and arthritic conditions. It has been used in folk medicine for centuries. The old
method of preparing potato juice was to cut the potato into thin slices, without peeling the skin,
and place them overnight in a large glass filled with cold water. The water should be drunk in the
morning on an empty stomach. Fresh juice can also be extracted from potatoes and drunk
Arthritis diluted with water on 50 : 50 basis, first thing in the morning.
Black gingerly seeds, soaked overnight in water, have been found to be effective in preventing
frequent joint pains. The water in which the seeds are soaked should also be taken along with
the seeds the first thing in the morning. Drinking water kept overnight in a copper container also
serves the same purpose. This water has traces of copper which helps strengthen the muscular
system. For the same reason wearing a copper ring or bracelet will also help.
Warm coconut oil or mustard oil, mixed with camphor, should be massaged in case of stiff and
aching joints. It will increase blood supply and reduce inflammation and stiffness on account of
gentle warmth produced while massaging. Camphorrated oil is an ancient rebefacient used for
the purpose.
The time has also been used as a home remedy for arthritis since long. The citric acid found in
lime is solvent of the uric acid which is the primary cause of arthritis. Other remedies found
useful in relieving pains in the joints include green-gram soup mixed with crushed garlic cloves
and a teaspoonful of powdered fenugreek seeds in warm water taken everyday.
Sea bathing is considered beneficial in the treatment of arthritis. The natural iodine in the sea
water is said to relieve arthritis pain. As is well-known, iodine regulates the acid-alkaline balance
in the blood and tissues, helps to repair and regenerate worn out tissues and nourishes the
skeletal structure. It enters into the thyroid gland’s secretion. The hormone uses this iodine to
nullify germs in the bloodstream and to create a self- cleansing of internal toxemia.
If sea bathing is not possible, the patient should relax for 30 minutes every night in a tub of warm
water in which a cupful of sea salt has been mixed. The minerals in the sea salt, especially
iodine, can be absorbed through the skin pores. This will help correct an internal imbalance.
The body should be kept warm at all times. Joints should not be bandaged tightly as this limits
movement and interferes with the free circulation of blood. There should be plenty of indirect
ventilation in the bedroom. Rest is of greatest importance to arthritis, who should not overdo
their work, exercise or recreation activities.
Constipation should be avoided as it poisons the system and adds to the irritation and
inflammation of the joints. Light exercises such as walking, hiking and swimming are beneficial.
Maintaining a normal body weight is also an important factor in preventing arthritis. Obesity
places excess stress on weight-bearing joints and interferes with the smooth functioning of
tendons, ligaments and muscles.
The yogic asanas helpful in curing arthritis are trikonasana, bhujangasana, shalabhasana,
naukasana, vakrasana and shavasana. Arthritis patients should practice these asanas regularly.
Yogic kriyas like jalneti and kapalbhati and pranayamas such as anulomaviloma, ujjai and
bhrameri are also beneficial.
The patient should be given a lukewarm enema for a few days to cleanse the bowels. Neutral
immersion baths, hot foot baths, ultrasonic diathermy and exposure of the affected parts to
infra-red rays, a knee pack applied for an hour every night, stream baths and a massage once a
week are beneficial in the treatment of arthritis. All general cold water treatments, such as cold
baths and cold sprays, should be avoided.

Memory Boosters

Do you find yourself forgetting appointments? Losing your keys? Remembering faces but not names? Memory lapses like these are common, especially if you’re over 40. But they don’t have to be. According to ayurveda, you can give your memory a power boost at any age. Try the tips below and see if they work for you.

Stay Active
At least five days a week, take a 30-minute walk in the fresh air, or do 12 cycles of the hatha yoga series known as the sun salutation. Add inversions like the shoulder-stand and plow pose to increase blood flow to the brain.

Breathe!
Two yogic practices–alternate nostril breathing and anuloma viloma–stimulate the left and right hemispheres of the brain and improve memory. Or try this exercise: Stand straight with your eyes gazing forward. Gradually inhale, constricting the epiglottis (located just behind the base of your tongue) as you tilt your head back, looking up at the sky at the end of the inhalation. On the exhale, keep the epiglottis constricted as you slowly bring your chin to your chest, looking down to the ground. You’ll know you’ve got it right if it sounds like the ocean when you hold a seashell up to your ear. Repeat this cycle 7 times.

Study Up
Memory is like a muscle–if you don’t use it, you lose it. Exercise your mind by memorizing a new prayer, poem, or Sanskrit scripture, reciting it every morning until you know it by heart. Then start learning a new one.

Feed Your Brain
According to ayurveda, memory-boosting foods include sweet potatoes, okra, spinach, oranges, carrots, milk, ghee (clarified butter), tapioca, and almonds.

Detoxify Your Body & Mind
A five-day mono-diet of kitchari (an ayurvedic rice and bean dish) will cleanse your system of ama (toxic residue), which can weaken memory–and lead to illness as well. To make kitchari, double rinse 1 cup each of basmati rice and yellow split mung dal. Add the rice, dal, and a small handful of chopped cilantro leaves to 6 cups of water and bring to a boil for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then reduce the heat to low and cook partially covered for 25 to 30 minutes. Eat kitchari garnished with freshly chopped cilantro and a teaspoon of ghee three times a day for five days to cleanse your body and mind.

Herbal Rx
Ayurvedic scriptures have a special classification for memory-boosting herbs: medhya (translated as “that which improves memory”). Some of the best herbs in this category include brahmi, jatamamsi, bhringaraj, and shanka pushpi, which can be found online or at Indian grocery stores. Here are a few ways to get these herbs into your system:

Make a Memory-Boosting Tea
Steep 1 teaspoon total of the four herbs listed above in 1 cup of hot water for 10 minutes. Strain and drink on an empty stomach twice a day.

Oil your Nostrils

According to ayurveda, the nose is the doorway to the brain, and thus, to memory. That’s why the smell of a particular flower may remind you of the day you strolled through Central Park in New York City, or why a waft of marinara sauce reminds you of family get-togethers. To stimulate the olfactory bulb (the nerve center in the brain that is responsible for your sense of smell) place 5 drops of warmed brahmi ghee (which you can purchase online) in each nostril at bedtime, lying down on your back with your head tilted up to the ceiling. Then inhale gently several times to help move the oil into the sinuses.

ANXIETY


Although it's normal to feel anxious from time to time, if you feel anxious without reason and if these worries persist and affect your day-to-day life, you may have generalized anxiety disorder.

Symptoms

1. May include restlessness, feeling tense or on edge, irritability, impatience, or poor concentration.
    
2. People may also notice changes in their physical health such as

• headaches,
• jaw pain,
• muscle tension,
• difficulty falling or staying asleep (insomnia),
• dry mouth, fatigue,
• chest tightness, 
• indigestion, bloating,
• excessive sweating, 
• and headache.
  
  TREATMENT

Meditation

This is one of the easiest natural cures for anxiety. whenever you are feeling uptight or stressed about anything just find a quiet place where you can relax. When you meditate you automatically become more relaxed and it will help to make your breathing easier. Also, when you feel comfortable and relaxed you should be able to get rid of the negativity that you built up during the day.

Eating Properly

Sometimes the food or drink that you take in during the day can bring on an anxiety disorder. Therefore, we should make sure that the food and drink that you take in everyday is healthy and balanced. Drinks that are high in caffeine can also raise our anxiety levels. Instead. Drinking and eating healthy food and drinks are some of the natural cures for anxiety.

Exercise Regularly

A well balanced diet is useless if we are not going to exercise our bodies regularly. The level of anxiety can be lowered by means of simply walking or running. The two are the simplest forms of exercise and can surely help us in dealing with the anxieties that we are experiencing. This is due to the fact that through exercising, our bodies have the capacity to produce endorphins in our brains. Such a substance is that which has the power to make us feel less stressed and a lot happier.

Good Relationship with Family and Friends

Having a good relationship with our families as well as friends can definitely lower the level of our anxiety. We should make sure to work on building a close relationship with them. Knowing that there are some people whom we can go to and confide in every time we have problems is a great relief and can really help us in dealing with all our anxieties in life.

Therefore, it is now safe to say that there is no need for us to worry that much because we can overcome our anxiety problems by way of the natural cures for anxiety. We just have to do all of the mentioned cures to surely do away with our anxiety problems. After all, the natural cures are so simple that any one can do them without any hassles and problems at all.