Drink Your Vegetables and Fruits for Sustaining Best Health

Amla (Indian Gooseberry) Juice

Gooseberry (English), Nellikkai (Tamil), Amla (Hindi), Amalaki (Sanskrit), Emblica officinalis (Botanical).
Indications: Best among rejuvenatory fruits; Cold in potency; Balances Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
Recommended for: Anemia, Asthma, Bleeding diseases, Constipation, Cough, Skin diseases,  Diseases of heart, Jaundice, Weight loss
Ingredients: Gooseberry or Nellikai - 100gm; Jagery - 50gm; Water - As Required
Preparation: Light steam boil the fruit after removing seeds. Blend the gooseberry fruit. Add required water and jagery. 

Beetroot Juice

Beetroot (English), Beetroot (Tamil), Beetroot (Hindi), Beta Vulgaris (Botanical),

Recommended for: Antioxidant, Blood pressure,  Blood vessel widens, Detoxifier, Improves Blood circulation, Cancer prevention, Digestion diseases,Lowers bad cholesterol level
Properties: Alkalizer, Aphrodisiac, Balances pitta and kapha, Blood purifier, Healing, Nourishing , Improves immunity in children, Protects liver, Rich in magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium and calcium as well as small amounts of copper, selenium, zinc, iron and manganese.
Ingredients: Beetroot  - 100gm, Palm sugar - 30gm, Lime Juice - one tsp , Water if required
Preparation: Extract the juice from the carrot in a blender. Add palm sugar to the extracted juice.  Add lime juice and stir well. 

Carrot Juice

Carrot (English), Karat (Tamil), Gaajara (Hindi), Gaajara (Sanskrit),  Daucus carota (Botanical)
Recommended for: Bleeding diseases, Cold and cough, Laxative,  Piles, Sprue, Ulcers.
Properties: Alkalizer, Aphrodisiac, Balances pitta and kapha, Blood purifier, Healing, Nourishing , Improves immunity in children, Protects liver, Rich in beta carotene (i.e, anti-cancerous properties, especially lung Cancer), Calcium, Iron, phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium, Sulphur, Vitamin A and C and other minerals.
Ingredients: Carrot  - 100gm, Palm sugar - 30gm, Lime Juice - one tsp , Water if required
Preparation: Extract the juice from the carrot in a blender. Add palm sugar to the extracted juice.  Add lime juice and stir well. 

 Cucumber Juice

Cucumber (English), vellerikkai (Tamil),  kakdi (Hindi), karkati (Sanskrit), Cucumis utilissimus Linn (Botanical)
Recommended for: Cancer, Difficulty in passing urine, Heart diseases, Loss of appetite, Relieves Eczemas
Properties: Antidote. Anti-poisonous,  Balancing of three doshas, Binds stools,  Cools Body, Dietary Fiber, Digestion Problems, Diuretic, Fluid Restoration, Rich in Vitamin C, Folate and Potassium, Thirst Quencher,
Ingredients: Cucumber (medium) 100gm; Buttermilk 50ml; Rock salt 3gm; bunch of chopped curry leaves and coriander leaves
Preparation: Extract juice from the cucumber in a blender; Grind & squeeze the juice of coriander leaves & curry leaves. Add buttermilk, a pinch of rock salt, chopped curry leaves and coriander leaves and beat the ingredients again and serve. 

Dates Juice

Dates (English), Pereecham pazham (Tamil), Chuhada (Hindi), Karjura (Sanskrit), Phoenix sylverstris (Botanical)
Recommended for: Anemia, Aphrodisiac, Burning sensation,  Injury, Gain weight, Improves Kapha and Semen, Weight Gain and Weight loss.
Properties: Binds the stools, Blood purifier, Cold in potency, Digestion Problems, Nourishing, Reduces Vata and Pita Doshas, Unctuous in quality, Rich in protein,minerals and essential amino acids.
Ingredients: Coconut (Riped) – 1, Dates – 15 gm, Water – as desired
Preparation: Extract coconut milk from the scraped coconut. Soak the seedless dates in it for 1 hour. Make a paste of this mixture. If required, a little water may be added. 

Papaya Juice

Papaya (Papaya), Pappali (Tamil), Papita (Hindi), Eranda Karkati (Sanskrit), Carica papaya (Botanical)

Recommended for: Allergies,  Amenorrhea,   Anemia,  Asthma, Cardiovascular diseases, Colon cancer, Osteoarthritis, Sports injuries, Trauma.
Properties: Appetizer and Digestion improver, Balances kapha and vata, Binds stools,  Boosts immunity, Increases pitta, Reduces inflammation,  Rich in anti oxidant nutrients,
Ingredients: Papaya – 1 medium size fruit, Palm sugar – 30 gm, Water : Desired quantity
 Preparation: Peel and de-seed papaya. Dice and blend it in a mixer. Add palm sugar and  water if required. Beat it again and serve.  

Plantain Pith Juice

Plantain (Plantain), Valaithandu (Tamil) Kela (Hindi), Kadali kanda (Sanskrit), Musa paradisiaca (Botanical)
Recommended for: Obesity, Urinary stones, Ulcers, Burning sensation,     Acidity, Diabetes, Bleeding disorders, Menorrhagia
Properties: Alkalizer, Bitter & astringent in taste, natural diuretic, Cold in potency, Reduces cholesterol,     Its astringent quality helps in blood coagulation,
Ingredients: Plantain’s pith of the stem – 100gm; Buttermilk – 50 ml; Rock salt – 3 gm; Water – 50 ml
Preparation: Put the plantain stem in juicer and extract the juice. Add little buttermilk, water and rock salt. Stir well and serve. 

 Pumpkin Juice

Pumpkin (English), Poosanikkai (Tamil), Petaa (Hindi), Kooshmaanda (sanskrit),  Cucurbita maxima (Botanical)
Recommended or Beneficial for:  Chronic Fever, Calculi, Diabetes, Difficult urination, Excessive bleeding, Excessive thirsty condition, Fever due to Pitta, Internal fever, Leucorrhoea, Loss of appetite,  Obesity,   Skin diseases, Toxicity
Properties:  Aphrodisiac,   Balances Pitta dosha, Clears the urinary tract, Diuretic,  Laxative, Nourishing, Relieves three doshas.
Ingredients: Yellow Pumpkin Pulp – 300gm, Jaggery or Sugar  – 20 gm, Water – Desired Quantity
Preparation: Extract juice from pumpkin using blender. Add desired quantity of sugar or honey (in case of obesity). 

Tender Coconut Water

Tender Coconut (English), Ilaneer (Tamil), Nariyal Pani (Hindi), Narikela Pani (Sanskrit), Cocos Nucifera (Botanical)
Properties: Aphrodisiac,  Cooling, Diuretic (mild), Light to digest,  Reduces Pitta & Vata doshas,  Refreshing Tonic,  Rehydrator (replace saline), Rich in mineral salts, Urinary bladder Cleanser,
Recommended for: Diabetes, Heat boils, Itching, jaundice, Measles, Nausea, Pimples,  Prickly heat, Sun burn, Urinary diseases, Urinary stones, Vomiting , Worm infestation (for children)
Ingredients:  Tender coconut water
Consume in its 1. Natural form 2. With  Tender coconut water add 2 spoons full (10 ml) and milk 50ml. 3. Tender Coconut water - 150 ml add few drops of Lemon juice.
 

Reference: Medindia. net, Ayurvedic Diet, Juices.

Henna, natural dye for tatoo and hair color

History

Let us begin from the fundamental. Henna has a long history dating back to the Bronze Age and has been used to dye the hair, skin, and fingernails. Henna is a dried powder made from a plant called Laesonia Inermis. This plant grows predominately in hot climates. It is cultivated in India, Pakistan, Morrocco, Yemen, and other countries in this area. Initially henna was applied in these countries to cool the body in the hot summers.

Ancient Egyptians used henna to color their hair beards and nails. You might have heard the term ‘Mehndi ‘. The traditional Indian name for the art of henna is referred to as mehndi. The art is achieved by applying paste made from the dried and crushed leaves of the henna plant. A chemical, lawsone, bonds itself into the outer layer of skin i.e., palms, nails etc., leaving a red-brown stain that becomes darker the longer the henna paste is kept in place. The stain that remains on the skin from the henna will stay on the surface for an upwards of three weeks. The powdered henna is usually mixed with a slightly acidic liquid such as lemon juice or tea. The paste is applied on the skin along a pattern after the paste has ‘rested’ for at least six hours. This allows the lawsone to develop properly enough to bond with the skin. Some preparations have tea tree oil, lavender oil, or eucalyptus oil to help improve the stain.

Properties

It takes some time for a very dark color to develop. The paste can be left on for hours, the longer it is left on, the more intense the color result. The paste will dry and flake during the time it is left on, so some artists apply a mix of lemon juice and sugar to the paste by dabbing it on. Others may add the sugar directly to the paste which may increase intensity of color as well. When the paste is removed, the stain will be orange tinge, but will darken over the next several days to a red-brown color. The soles of the feet and palms of the hands have the thickest layers of skin and will absorb the most henna stain. The stain here will be the darkest and last the longest.

Since henna is a natural dye and turns the hair to a lustrous look, people all over the world use it to color their hair. Henna is a safe, natural alternative to coloring hair with commercial hair color products containing harsh and often harmful chemicals. Henna has to be mixed in the right proportion with the right ingredients to get the desired color and effect. Henna works by coating the hair strands. Henna stops falling of hair and reduces the itching of the scalp. It also helps dandruff problems.

Mehndi

The different cultures gave rise to different style of mehndi and different methods of application. Applying art form of henna is an important part of wedding ceremonies. Today Mehndi has also become popular in the west.

Published in Rediff blog on June 2, 2008
http://blogs.rediff.com/muthusamy/2008/06/02/henna-natural-dye-for-tatoo-hair-color/

Kancheepuram Silk Saris: Always Trendy, Always Appropriate

How have Kancheepuram silk saris evolved to suit the changing lifestyles and preferences of women around the world? Why have the saris stayed the most sought-after possession in the wardrobe of women? What makes them more fashionable?

Women and silk saris are two distinct words that cannot be separated and they love to wear finest silk. Previously silk saris were worn by women only because of the ritual or culture to do so. But now it has become a fashion statement for women, and they love wearing it. Indian silk saris are the traditional garments of women of all ages and they are always graceful, trendy and appropriate.

Well, Kancheepuram silk sari is one such popular silk sari which is being loved especially by teens. The pure silk Sari is amongst the most superior silks (pure mulberry silk) in the world. It definitely enhances the looks and are very popular now-a-days. It can completely change the personality of the person wearing it.

Historical records date back to nearly 400 years and reveal that it was during the reign of Krishnadeva Raya that silk weaving rose to eminence in Kancheepuram. The rich silk saris were initially woven in the temples.

The special hand weaving technique makes the sari to its reputation. The basic raw material, three single threads of, dyed silk yarn is woven using double warp and double weft technique. The silk yarn is woven with interleaved designs made with “Zari.” The zari is a Silk thread twisted with a thin Silver wire and then gilded with pure Gold. The border, body and the pallu are woven separately and then interlocked together. This joint is woven so strongly that even if the sari tears, the pallu or border will not detach. The contrasting border & pallu are woven with a variety of zari motifs. This enhances the beauty and the value of the silk.

The Kancheepuram silk saris are available in mind-boggling color contrasts and every imaginable design and variety, which can make the art of sari selection quite challenging. The traditional designs found in Kancheepuram saris include pyramidal temple borders, checks, stripes and floral “buttas.” The sari continues to hold pride of place among the various silk sari varieties available in India. The reasons for its pride possession and enviable reputation include fine texture, great luster, long durability and excellent finish. The biggest advantage of silk saris is that they can be treasured for years.

Caring and maintenance of silk saris is an art. There are traditional ways and means to wash saris. Use mild cold water for washing. Avoid hard water for washing. Use very mild detergent. Ensure it is meant for washing silk saris. Always resort tohand washing. Do not soak silk in soap water. Just dip your sari in water, rub soap gently, rinse it for one or two times, wring lightly and dry it in a shady place. Use mild heat while ironing. Preserve it under your wardrobe.

Kancheepuram silk saris are very much popular in Indian weddings, festivals and other celebrations. In Tamil Nadu or all over India, brides are expected to wear these heavy bridal silk saris for their marriage ceremony. No other fabric can match the grace of these traditional silk saris. The occasions meant for silk sari are birthdays! Anniversaries!! Festivals like pongal, diwali, dussera, New Year.

Source: Published in Beyond Jane on July 15, 2008 by Muthusamy R
http://beyondjane.com/fashion/style/kancheepuram-silk-saris-always-trendy-always-appropriate/


Designer Indian saree- Fashion Show



Kanchipuram Silk Saree Weaving

Indian Culture by Subosh Gupta Video

This video is meant for business people of western countries who are showing interest to get an idea about Indian Culture and more precisely about how Indian communicate. The noted celebrity Subodh Gupta, author of the book "Understanding Indian Culture and Bridging Communication Gap" explains that Indian don't often say thank you, please , sorry and this is normal in India.