Nature’s Way of Life

Good health is man’s inherent nature; that is “A sound body with a sound mind”.

To live in harmony with nature is to cease being an egoistic individual and thus open the gate way to true happiness and peace. Giving is nature’s way of showing love. So the joy of living is in giving.

Whenever there is an attempt to transcend the narrowness of the ego we will find joy and laughter.

Hence living in accordance with the laws of nature is a step towards evolution. Practice of nature’s way of life aids aspirants in their spiritual evolution.

Harmful substances in the diet.

Sugar: All the experts in nutrition denounce the use of sugar and salts in excess. Foods like chocolates, ice creams, chewing gums, Pepsi, Coco Cola, syrups and canned foods contains lots of sugar causing tooth decay, diabetes, migraine and skin disorder.

Nutritionists have named sugar as ‘sweet poison or white poison’.

Really speaking the human body does not need refined sugar for energy. The requisite sugar is available in sufficient quantities from fruits, cereals and pulses.

Sugar weakens the ability of white blood cells to destroy bacteria. Sugar is called ‘thief of calcium’ hence the boned get brittle tand teeth become weak.

Instead of sugar once can use jaggery as it does not go through processing as sugar. Jaggery has iron which helps in forming haemoglobin in the blood.

Harmful effect of sugar:-

o   Increases acidity

o   Ulcers are formed in the stomach.

o   Distorts the blood consumption.

o   May develop heart disease and diabtes.

Salts: Nowadays, use of salts has exceeded all reasonable bounds say the nutritionists.

 One must use only 2400 milligrams (1 teaspoon only) of salt per day in vegetables, sups and curries all together. But now salt is added even to chappatis, butter milk, salads and all bounds of good senses are crossed. Now salt is sprinkled in fruits. Even peanuts, almonds, pistachios are salted.

Excessive salt causes headache, insomnia, sinuses, epilepsy, rheumatoid, arthritis and even cancer. Salt is essential that one must cut down salt intake ti maintain a balanced health.

Ghee (Clarified Butter): ghee in moderation is good. Ghee is the best among all oily substances due to unique quality of increasing the potency of herbal preparation. Ghee made from milk of Cow of Indian Breed that has a Hood above her back is the best amongst all variety of Ghee. It is oily, has a sweet pleasant smell and tastes good is useful for enhancing intelligence, strength, life span, semen, vision, fetility, glow, tenderness and sound quality- says Ayurveda.

Ghee is nourishing and lends stability to the body. It fortifies the heart and provides nourishment even during old age, cures mental disturbances, stress, emaciation, anorexia, burning and injury.

This regulates vayu and boosts digestive powers. It flushes the out doshas from srotas, by cleaning and lubricating them. Ghee is used in diverse ways as part of diet with medicinal preparations, and from massage to mental diseases and physical weakness. Mature ghee which is years old can clean and heal wounds.

Circulatory system and diseases:

                
            Millions of people in the world suffer from diseases of the heart and blood vessels which are called ‘cardiovascular’ diseases.it has already become the number one killer disease in the world. The heart is a tough muscular pump whose constant function is to eject blood to the arterial system at an average rate of 70 to75 times per minute. The heart keeps the blood circulation going by receiving it in its chamber from every part of the body through the venious system and then pumping it out all parts of the body through the arteries.

                When any part of the circulatory system does not receive the needed blood supply, it gets damaged. This damage could be the heart itself or in any part such as lungs, kidneys, brain and other organ. Due to any breakdown in this mechanism in the heart there is heart ailment or heart attack as it is commonly called.

                There are various types of heart ailments. They are atherosclerosis, hardening if the arteries, coronary thrombosis, sudden blocking of the arteries of the heart, and hypertensive disease.

Atherosclerosis: the inner wall of the arteries get thickened due to gradual deposits of fatty material. These gradual deposits take the form of layers in the inner walls of the arteries and as a result, there is hindrance to the flow of blood, consequently blood clotting occurs in the roughened areas, and the blood circulation gets blocked.

o   

      Coronary Thrombosis: There is a sudden blocking of one of the arteries or its branches and then the supply of blood to the heart is affected partially or wholly. The sudden blocking takes place due to the deposit of clot in the narrow artery. Due to lack of blood supply, heart attack takes place with pain in the chest and arms and there may be perspiration.

Hypertensive heart disease: this occurs due to constant presence of high blood pressure in an individual. When the blood presence continues to remain high, it over strains the heart muscles and the whole of the circulatory system. This over straining causes wear and tear of the tissues. Leads to the hardening of blood vessels and diminishes supply of blood to the heart and brain. Sometimes the blood supply to the brain gets so diminished that paralysis of one or both sides of the body occurs. The illness resulting from strain or stress is known as psychosomatic. The main cause of strain is due to nervousness arising cause of fear, anxiety, frustration etc. most of the disease of this type such as heart ailments, hypertensions, asthma, etc. are mostly related to these mental strain and stress.

High Blood Pressure: In a normal and healthy person, the blood pressure remains 120 systolic and 80 diastolic. But when there is abnormalities in the arteries or in the circulatory system, Systolic pressure rises very high and at times diastolic also rises.

                      The rise in pressure is caused due to the narrowness in the arteries, the heart has to work harder for pushing the blood through them as a result of which there is high blood pressure. In medical terms this is called ‘Hypertension’.

                
                  Though it is normal for the blood pressure to rise during excitement and at certain emotional moments, it goes down shortly. Such rises do not cause any harmful effects, but when blood pressure continues to remain excessively high, it causes various disorders such as tiredness, bad temper, visionary troubles, difficulty in breathing and coldness in hands and feet.

      
         Nature cure is a philosophical way of life, looking at life health and disease. Nature cure teaches us the principle is scientific dieting and right living. If accumulated poisonous matter which clog the system is eliminated through proper methods such as fasting and proper food, disease can be cured.

         During the process of metabolism, constructive and destructive changes and oxidation takes place in the system. Waste products when formed, are eliminated at once through kidneys, lungs, skin and bowels. If they continue to accumulate owing to inefficient action of the eliminative excretory organs, slow poisoning takes place and disease result.

          Nature tries to get rid of all impurities through its healing power. Every acute disease is a result of the purifying effort by nature. That time the methods like moderate eating, fasting, water consumption are to be tried to remove the disease. 

Nature Remedies

                
Nature has provided many herbs which are useful as home remedies. Most important among them are lemon, amla (gooseberry), holy basil, ginger, mint, tomato, carrot, onion, garlic, cucumber and coriander.

                These household remedies act as medicine and also act as a natural tonic.

                Lemon: Our body is like a house. It needs regular cleansing to operate at a peak performance. There are various remedies which are very useful in day to day life.

Ø  Drink a glass of water with one lemon juice in the morning before tea. This is a great remedy for cleaning the body internally.  Lemon juice is a good combination with water. You can add jaggery or honey to lemon juice with water. Lemon changes its qualities according to seasons. Though acidic, it pacifies pitta, the burning sensation in stomach. It interacts with enzymes and its acidic form becomes mineral composition.

Ø  Lemon Juice expels water from the body. It has an abundance of Vitamin C.

Ø  Lemon juice cures anaemia, joint pain, bleeding and oral disease.

Ø  Cures flatulence, indigestion and vomiting.

Ø  Helps bowel movement.

Ø  Cures sunstroke and dizziness.

Ø  Cures blood pressure and heart diseases.

Ø  It’s a beauty aid- Two to three drops of lemon mixed with a little honey if applied to face and wash after 15 minutes will make your face glow.

Ø  Lemon juice also helps your skin to glow, also it cures pimples.

Ø  In the winter season as the skin gets dry, add lemon with milk and apply to feet the cracks will get cured.

Amla: In Ayurveda Amla is called Amrit Phal, that which gives health and longevity. Amla is rich in Vitamin C.

Ø  The problems of teeth and gums are cured when powder of Amla is mixed with water and taken every day.

Ø  Cures throat problems.

Ø  Cures acidity instantly.

Ø  Amla pacifies Tridosha, purifies blood and cures indigestion, lucoderma and dysentery.

Ø  Improves vision.

Ø  Amla is a hair tonic. 1 kg of Amla to be grated with 4 glasses of water, grind it in mixer. Strain the Amla juice, add sesame oil 4 times the juice. Heat it, boil like ghee, strain the oil and preserve it in a glass bottle. This oil has to be applied at least three times in a week the hair becomes thick and long. Grey hair becomes black. You can also add Brahmi leaves while grinding Amla in a mixer.  This is a good combination for the growth of good hair.

Amla Supari: Grate 100 grams of Ginger and 1 kg of Amla, add little salt and dry it in sunlight Vitamin C will not diminish. The supari is very useful in many ways as it pacifies acidity and stops vomiting and cures indigestion.

Amla Powder: Grate 1 kg Amla and then dry it in sunlight after it becomes dry powder it in mixer and store in a bottle. Use this powder with water for various problems like throat irritation, itching bowel movement etc.

Diabetes: Amla juice mixed with a cup of fresh bitter gourd juice taken dailyfor two month will stimulate pancreas, enable the secretion of insulin, thus reducing blood sugar. Ageing is arrested by the use of Amla Brahmi oil for the Air.

Holy Basil (Tulsi): Most of the traditional Hindu homes, away from concrete jungle cities, have Tulsi plant, right in front of the door. In cities they keep it indoors in a little pot. No self respecting Hindu household is considered complete without the Tulsi plant, this is because the presence of a Tulsi plant in a home signifies the presence of Goddess Lakshmi herself Holy basil has a property of preventing harmful bacteria and insects from entering your home. There are two types of Tulsi.

tulasy amrta-janmasi

sada tvam kesava-priya

kesavartham cinomi tvam

varada bhava sobhane

“O Tulasi devi, your birth is from nectar, and you are always dear to Lord Kesava. It is for Lord Kesava that I collect your leaves. O beautiful Tulasi, please grant us this boon to serve the Lord.”

There are two types of Tulasi.  One is called Krishna Tulasi because it is said to be the same colour as Sri Krishna – purple.  

The other is called Rama Tulasi and is light green in colour.  Krishna Tulasi is            the more powerful of the two.

TULSI LEAVES ARE MOST EFFECTIVE WITHIN 5 MINUTES OF BEING PLUCKED.

If you plant Tulasi plants in your garden the air will be pure within a wide radius, and bacteria-free. Tulasi plant is extremely sensitive and aware, and quickly able to register the vibrations around her.

Living Tulsi leaves contain a natural ether, which drives away mosquitoes. The British loved to plant it in their lawns calling it “Mosquito Plant”. Traditionally, in temples the priests keep water and Tulasi leaves in a copper pot and offer three small spoonful’s as prasadam to devotees, who drink part of it and dribble the remainder on their heads. Susruta Samhita, Padampurana and Garudpurana, after centuries of observation in humans, describes Tulsi as a ‘child giver' and great spermatogenic agent. They report Tulsi as a fertility Improver and enhance the chances of woman bearing progeny.

Tulsi is the pillar of the traditional Ayurvedic holistic health system. Tulsi also alkalizes the body. It increases the body's efficient use of oxygen, boosts the immune system, slows down aging and provides a rich supply of anti-oxidants and other nutrients.

Tulsi protects you from solar Radiation. In the event of a nuclear holocaust, Tulsi will be the only saviour.

Ø  Holy basil gives out a lot of oxygen, therefore the environment is clean.

Ø  People put holy basil leaves in drinking water so water remains purified.

Ø  Phlegm and throat problems are cured with this water. Malaria can be prevented by eating 4 leaves of holy basil every day.

Ø  Few drops of juice of holy basil leaves cured earache.

Ø  Holy basil leaves and ginger are to be mixed and prepared in to decoction. These decoction is to be taken to cure cold. Cough, asthma and headache.

Ø  Reduces cholesterol levels in the blood.

Ø  Leaves of Holy basil are to be used with tea which cures sore throat.

Ø  Apply the juice of holy basil leaves on the affected parts of insect stings or bites.

Ø  A decoction of leaves is to be used for beneficial results in gout.

Ginger: There are excellent qualities in ginger. This is used as chutney, tea and various curries. Sun dried ginger has other qualities.

Ø  Decoction of ginger, holy basil leaves and jaggery are useful in curing cold, phlegm, fever and joint pains.

Ø  Ground ginger with jaggery would pacify flatulence and helps digestion.

Ø  Dried ginger is used as Ayurvedic medicines. Dried ginger is to be grounded with jaggery and made to small tablets. Take 3 tablets at a time twice a day. This reduces cholesterol in the blood.

Ø  Mental problems are cured with dried ginger and Ayurvedic medicines. Dried ginger also improves your memory.

Mint: Mint has a strong odour.

Ø  Mint cures hiccups, cold, cough and throat problems.

Ø  Mint drives away insects. Therefore mint is to be grown around the house.

Ø  Mint chutney improves glow of skin.

Ø  Mint leaves are to be used in tea and salads.

Ø  Juice of mint leaves, honey and lemon juice is to be mixed and taken to cure flatulence, vomiting and worms problem.

Ø  Mint improves iron in the body.

Carrot: Carrot is an invaluable vegetable. It contains A, B and B2 Vitamins and calcium, phosphorous, potassium and iron. Therefore this is a store house of nutrition. Carrots are to be eaten raw daily. The following benefits are to be obtained by the regular use of carrots.

Ø  Improves eyesight.

Ø  Helps Digestion.

Ø  Cures Kidney problems.

Ø  Improves health of gums and teeth, one has to chew them properly.

Ø  Saliva joins the mastication and the digestion improves.

Ø  Ulcers and cancer will be prevented.

Ø  Night Blindness is cured.

Ø  Improves memory power.

Ø  Youthfulness is enhanced.

Ø  Carrot halwa spoils the health as cooking makes carrots useless better to eat it as salads.

Tomato: Tomato should be used as a Fruit.

Tomato salad has to be taken as either salad or along with sprouts.

Ø  Juice of tomato and garlic is to be mixed and is to be taken as it cures tuberculosis.

Ø  Add turmeric in the tomato juice to cure asthma.

Ø  Add honey to the juice of tomato to cure skin diseases.

Ø  Soak 4 almonds in water for 2 hours and then take with tomato juice to help improve mental retardness, mental maladies and to cure paralysis, polio and indigestion.

Ø  Intellectuals who work day and night should take almonds with tomato juice.

Ø  Rub face with tomato slices and the face will glow with radiance.

    

         Onion: Onion has a cooling effect.

Ø  Hence the heat problems such as fever, onion juice is rubbed on the palm and feet.

Ø  Juice of Onion cures cholera, dysentery and diarrhoea, one can add coriander juice with it.

Ø  Spoonful onion juice with honey three times a day, would cure cold, bronchitis, hiccups, tonsils and cough.

Ø  Though onion is cooked, its values does not diminish hence can be used generously in our diet.

         Garlic: Garlic has been highly valued for centuries all over the world for its health building qualities. The odour in garlic is due to its sulphur content.

Ø  Garlic is good for heart, a stimulant to the appetite and useful in treating lucoderma, leprosy, worms, asthma and cough.

Ø  The garlic kills worms hence this prevents cholera and typhoid.

Ø  Reduced cholesterol in blood.

Ø  Helps the blood circulation and prevents pain in various parts of the body.

Ø  Helps curing of asthma and bronchitis.

Ø  Cures respiratory problems.

Ø  Use garlic chutney often which will be a magical treatment in a lot of diseases.

Ø  There is a lot of pollution, adulteration and environmental degradation around. Hence to keep up good health, onion and garlic are to be used generously.

Garlic Oil (for all Ailments): 100 grams of Mustard oil, 1 Pod of Garlic. Heat the mustard oil and put the ground garlic and let it be brown, allow it to cool later strain it and keep in a closed bottle.

Apply this oil wherever and whatever the pain may be, like cramps, pain in the back, frozen arm, and pain in calves, neck, and heart. All pain will be relieved within no time. Apply this oil and then cover the part for 5 minutes. Do not go for any pain killers but apply this oil and see the difference yourself.

Cucumber: Nature is very kind to provide seasonal vegetables and fruits for our convenience. This vegetable gives more coolness during the summer season. Cucumber contains iron, magnesium, phosphorous, sulphur and chlorine. It also contains carbohydrates, proteins, fats and A, B, C and E vitamins. Never peel the skin of cucumber as its benefits are innumerable.

Ø  Minerals are balanced.

Ø  Kidneys will functions efficiently.

Ø  Constipation is cured.

Ø  The juice of cucumber is useful for application on the face to remove pimples and stains thereafter.

Ø  Pacifies the heat and burning sensation of the body.

Ø  Mouth ulcers and acidity are cured.

Ø  Joint pain is cured.

Ø  Take carrot, cucumber and spinach juice together to keep health of hair and skin.

Ø  There is potassium in cucumber, hence heart disease won’t occur.

Ø  Eat cucumber with skin, so problems of tooth, gums and bad breath can be solved forever.

Ø  Dandruff and hair fall will be prevented with the use of cucumber as a salad or juice etc.

Ø  Cucumber is a storehouse of vitamins and minerals.

Coriander Leaves: This enhances the taste and flavour of your food. There are many medicinal qualities in coriander leaves, it has A, B and C vitamins in plenty as well as irons.

The juice of coriander leaved and honey (each 1 spoon) is to be mixed and taken before sleeping at night. The following disorders are cured:-

Ø  The disorders of lungs.

Ø  Heart problems.

Ø  The ears, nose and eye problems.

Ø  Prevents T.B and asthma.

Ø  Two drops of coriander juice in eyes and the problems of eyes are cured. Coriander leaves should not be cooked and can be used in salads.

Harda (Myrabolan): In Sanskrit, Harda is called ‘Abhaya’ meaning to feel fearless. This helps the body to detoxify and maintain the health. Bowel movements are eased and constipation is cured.

                Pound the Harda leave out the seed. Soak it in water for 4-5 hours and drink the water in the morning before brushing your teeth. This keeps the young and old healthy hence the name ‘Abhaya’. One who used Abhaya water everyday will ever live fearlessly having excellent health.

Vegetables and Fruits- Sources of Radiant Health:

All life on earth emanated from the green of the planet. Vegetables and fruits are nature’s way of giving us life. They are the sources of the vibrant health. When we say nature we perceive the green world. The green in the plant is called chlorophyll. It is the pigment that makes the plants green.

    

            The carbohydrate are formed when carbon dioxide and water come together in the presence of sunlight. The chemical bonds of the carbohydrates lock in the energy of the sun. This energy is released when the human body burns the plant food as fuel. There is divine give and take between the human world and green world.  They are interdependent.

                There are medicinal qualities in chlorophyll. Wounds are cured when the juices are squeezed from the leaves and applied on the wounds. The deficiency of chlorophyll in the body is an invitation to various diseases.

                Clean the vegetables and leafy vegetables under running water before cutting them. If we wash the vegetables after cutting them will be grave as lots of vitamins and minerals also will be washed off. Hence take care to wash vegetables and leafy vegetables before cutting them. Use them immediately for salads and curries, otherwise they lose vitamins and enzymes immediately. Do not use soda bicarb or baking soda while cooking. Sprouts may be added with vegetables for salads.

                There is calcium, magnesium and potassium in vegetables and leafy vegetables. These minerals help the heart to function efficiently. If there is any obstruction in blood circulation to the heart, the stored minerals immediately give energy to the heart and keep it steadily functioning. The juices of leafy vegetables and vegetable supply minerals to all0 the cells of the body. Ageing is arrested through the juices of leafy vegetables. Thus juices remove the stress of the mind and they rejuvenate the body.

                There is a leafy vegetable called ‘Brahmi’ which grows on a creeper. In Sanskrit, Brahmi means ‘God Like’. Use of Brahmi leaves in salad, chutney or chutney with curds (Tambuli) keeps the body and mind cool.

                Brahmi cleans the blood and supports the function of the heart. The innumerable use of Brahmi are:-

• Brahmi enhances memory.
• Provides A, B, D, E and K Vitamins.
• Helps in cure of cancer, remove all toxins from the body.
• Brahmi improves intelligence.
•     Brahmi removes the problems of eyes, skin, nerves and digestion.
•     Cures leprosy.
•     Brahmi hair oil may be prepared at home for thick, dark hair.
•     Brahmi may be added to juice also.
•     All should use Brahmi in their diet in the form of Chutney or Tambuli at least once a week.

                Fruits: Fruits are the glory of the nature. Whatever is essential is made available in plenty by Mother Nature. This indeed is a cause of great joy and optimism. Fruits provide minerals, vitamins, fibres and hence immunity power. So eat more fruits and vegetables. It is now recognised that fruits having Orange, red, yellow, purple and pink colours have high levels of carotene a suspected anti-cancer substance. Citrus fruits contain Vitamin C and bio flavonoids contain important immune strengthening nutrients. Dark green leafy vegetables are rich in folic acid and B complex vitamins necessary for proper maintenance of red blood cells and nervous system. There is a lot of talk today about genetic, inheritance of diseases. The research says that only 2% of all cancers are attributable to genetic factors while 35% are diet related.

                The juice of fresh fruits, vegetables and leafy vegetables is the richest available food source of vitamins, minerals and enzymes. We just can’t eat enough raw fruits or vegetables. In a day to nourish the body hence we need extra nutrients to help the body to detoxify large amount of environmental toxins. Eating many carrots s difficult but juice of carrot cab be had at a time. That is why juicing is such an addition to a busy lifestyle.

      

          Enzymes in vegetables and fruits are destroyed when cooked. Hence raw produce should constitute at least half of one’s diet. Cooked foods require five to six hours for complete digestion, while raw foods require 3 hours. Fruit and vegetable juices are digested and begin to get absorbed within 30 minutes. Therefore these juices afford rest for the digestive organs. Hence ailing people are given fruits and vegetable juices as they are easy to digest.

    

            When we eat fruits we have to eat them with their skin if possible. There is a nutrient called pectin in the skin of the fruit which helps reduce cholesterol in the blood. Hence guavas, apples, pears, cucumbers, carrots all such should never be peeled.

                The physical condition one has tomorrow stars with what one does for his body today. As we eat so we become.

                In fact once we begin to drink fruit juices or vegetable juices on a regular basis, we may not need vitamins, mineral supplements. Vibrant health is promised through rich fiber rich food on daily basis. The optimum use of vegetables and fruits in daily diet promises not only vibrant health but also enhancement of beauty with dark thick hair, sparkling eyes and glowing skin. Therefore it’s always said

“Pure food brings pure energy

Pure energy brings pure mind”

                The children of today are the fortune of tomorrow. Hence they are to be made aware of a good life style and a healthful diet. Health is not a commodity that one could buy. One has to earn it with wisdom. The definition of balanced food according to Indian Science is:-

•      The food that provides for easy digestion and Nutrition.
•      The food that develops immunity in the body.
•      The food that creates vitality and peace of mind.
•      The food that enhances beauty and vibrant health.
•      The food that bestows longevity.

Once can adjust the food regimen as per physical and mental requirements.

One should aim for a disease free life!

Who is a health person?

An individual is free from diseases and one who-

•        Displays minimum ageing.
•      Completes all his tasks efficiently.
•      Takes pleasure in his work.
•       Has both material and spiritual knowledge.
•      Has a strong body.
•      Is energetic and healthy.
•      A person endowed with this application is successful in all undertakings.
• 
  

NATURE CURE IS NATURAL. 

Nature and Nutrition

Man is a part of nature. The vital energies of nature- air, light, food, water and space influence his physical and emotional wellbeing.

There is a mention in the Atharvaveda and Ayurveda that these vital energies facilitate self-healing in man.

Our ancestors Rishis and Yogis lived completely immersed in the forces of nature and respected them as divine.

They believed-

·         Vaidhyo Narayano Hari: - Sun is the greatest physician. He is the protector of all life.

·         Aushadhi Jhanavi Toyam: The water of Ganga is the true medicine.

·         Landhanam Paramoushadham:  Fasting is best treatment.

The Rishis and Yogis lived nearby the river, subsisted on seasonal fruits and roots, maintained peace of mind by prayer and meditation and maintained a healthy body by fasting once in a while. Hence they lived in equilibrium and harmony with nature.

|| Mahabhootanyahankaro Budhisyakat Mevacha

Indriyani Dashakancha Panchendriyagochara ||

In the physical body, there are five sense organs to hear, feel, see, taste and smell and five motor organs of action to speak, grasp, move procreate and excrete. The subjective world comprises of the subtle body which is the mind and Ahamkara- the awareness of the self.

            Everything in this nature is composed of five great elements known as ether (space), air, fire, water and earth and so is man. Therefore there is a great inter relationship between nature and the man. With this awareness, man can maintain good health and in case of ill health, he can maintain himself with a natural healing regimen – nature cure.

            Small things matter much. When one has the knowledge of small things in life one can achieve great with insight and the future will be safe. For example the expectant mother should eat plenty of seasonal fruits and vegetables with balanced food in order to get natural vitamins and calcium for the baby in the womb. Hence the couple will be rewarded with a healthy baby without any deformation in the body.

            Change in inevitable in nature and so it is in the human body.

           

            Water is one of the five elements in the body and is called ‘Sanjeevan’ which gives life, the life itself. Our body is mainly made up of the earth element, but there is 70% water in our body. If there is any decrease of water element in our body we become restless. In nature, too there are 2/3 of water on the surface of earth in form of lakes, rivers, sea and ocean. There is constant change in water because of its quality of flowing.

            The earth’s surface visible is only 1/3. The earth’s surface is also changing because of wind, water, and sunlight. Similarly air, water, and food ingested in the body from external world caused changes in the body. After digestion food is changed into nourishment, which is utilised by body tissues. The waste material which remains is expelled out of the body.

            The digestive powers in the body is fire. Fire encompasses the changes and causes refinements in the body and mind from the gross to subtle. Such change includes the digestion and absorption of food in the gastro intestinal tract and in cellular transformation, as well as assimilation of sensory perceptions, mental and emotional experiences.

           

            Air is another great element in the body whose special quality is its mobility. The earthquake caused in the interiors of earth and the enormous waves caused on the seas and oceans are due to mobility of air. In the same manner, air is mobile even in the body. Though one seems to be sleeping, there is constant activity of respiration and water metabolism going on caused by air. The nutrition reached every nook and corner of the body through the mobility of air. It also transports the waste material to particular organ and expels it with force.

            Space assumes the highest importance of all these activities in the body to function. If the space is clogged or closed nutrition cannot reach certain parts of the body because the blood cannot circulate. This causes diseases. So space has to be maintained in balance. Giving place for various activities to be carried out in the body.

            As it is in the nature, so it is in the body. All the five elements work in coordination and they facilitate to keep up in good health. This awareness helps us to realize the relationship of the five elements within the body.

           

            The proper nutrition of the body and the elimination of waste material keeps the body fit, if the wastes are not eliminated on time then it results in creating disease. Therefore detoxifying the body assumes great importance.

            All the five elements in the body are equally important and are interdependent. But as far as digestion are concerned, space assumes great importance. If required space is made available in the stomach wherein the food gets mixed well with enzymes. The digestion process takes place for about three hours. The space works as a strainer. The nutrients and the waste materials are separated and the space helps the movement of nutrients to reach all parts of the body as well as elimination of waste materials. Thus creating space for the next feed. Therefore we need to give extra time for digestion. Some people eat without rhyme and reason enough for proper digestion of the previous meal. Hence the food remains undigested and starts fermenting, leading to problems like acidity, pain, feeling of fullness, etc. therefore nutrients do not reach every part of the body, hence the body feels inert and dull.

Improper dietary habits: - Our ancestors lived on a very simple diet it was precisely because of this that they enjoyed long life. On the other hand today our food is spicy, fried and full of preservatives and chemicals, which produces large amounts of acidic and poisonous end products in the body.

            Poisons accumulate faster in the body and people who eat meat and large amounts of pulses and it is these poison that are the roots of all disorders.

            Life begets life, but when we take meat, it is a dead matter which can’t enliven in the body. Eating dead matter in the form of meat is very unfortunate. The toxins gathered in the meat are not favourable for the body system. Uric acid deposited in the limbs of the animal is harmful for human consumption. There are greater risks of contamination in animal meat than in vegetarian food. There is no guarantee of a healthy meat therefore non veg foods are prone to terrible disease.

            All disease originate in the accumulation of poisons in the body. All disease are fundamentally the same. This principle has to be accepted as the corner stone of nature cure

            The first thing to do is to remove the toxins from the body to provide space in the body by fasting. For a while not to eat or drink anything as long as we feel real hunger. Thus elimination becomes easy. If the person feels hungry that is the testimony of proper digestion. In this way nature get rid of all impurities through its healing power.

            Nature can begin its healing from the minute cells. When the body is wounded nature starts the healing process at once. New cells are formed to replace the ones destroyed.

            When there is fever the hunger gets diminished or when we attend marriage we tend to eat a lot, again there is absolutely no hunger felt later in the evening.  We have to understand that these minute indications of the body and give a chance to nature’s way of acting, that’s fasting. The health automatically improved because of the space available for proper digestion and elimination. It never matters if we eat a little less. That is why it is said:

             

|| Hith Bhookh, Meeth Bhookh, Aashak Bhook ||

Eat healthy, eat in moderation and eat raw food as far as possible.

            Cooking- Cooked food is an old addiction of mankind. But cooking our food thus rendering it lifeless has become and established convention.  The human body is subjected to constant wear and tear. The process of regeneration of the body requires vitamins, minerals, salts, and enzymes. Vitamins and enzymes are also necessary for the digestion and assimilation of protein, carbohydrates and fats.

            These enzymes and some of the vitamins are destroyed by heat.

            As a consequence they are not available in adequate amounts in cooked foods. Cooking makes the proteins and carbohydrates hard to digest. Hence they are not absorbed completely in the intestines. Thus the cooked food is almost valueless. The process of roasting, adding colours and flavours, frying and freezing makes the food difficult to digest and may even cause harm.

            Carbohydrates are digested either in the mouth on in small intestine. If carbohydrates are masticated properly, the enzymes in the saliva carry out partial digestion of carbohydrates. But if the food is swallowed, no mastication takes place, so no digestion takes place with saliva and the carbohydrates will remain in the stomach and decay and produce toxic materials.

            Quantity of food: The ideal quantity of the food can be explained as –

  “Half the food, double the drinks, triple the exercises, four fold the laughter”

On has to eat half the capacity of the stomach with enough of fluids. Then digestion will be perfect. Today people do not take discretion in the amount of food they take. Food these days is so spicy and savoury that the temptation to eat more and just a little more cannot be resisted. Excessive amounts of food is a burden on the digestive system and disrupts the process of digestion. Over eating spoils the blood composition and less eating leads to emancipation. So one has to remember to keep healthy one must remain a little hungry.

Lack of Exercise: Modern industrialisation has set man against all kinds of physical exertion. Intellectuals leading sedentary lives enjoy great prestige in society. The importance of physical exercise has salutary benefits to the body. Physical exercise speeds up the circulation of blood, enhances digestive power, increases perspiration and helps to remove poisons from the body.

Irregular life styles: Modern man is constantly under pressure of business and thus has irregular life style like taking food, drinks and rest as and when he finds time. The biological rhythm is consequently disrupted and toxic wastes increase in the body inviting various diseases.

            These days’ people accord high priority to sensual pleasures and therefore becomes easy prey to harmful habits such as smoking, alcohol drugs etc. these dangerous habits promote the formation and accumulation of toic  substances in the body and invite dreadful diseases like cancer by keeping the mouth stuffed with Pan and tobacco.

Tea coffee and Cocoa: these beverage do not possess any nutritive value. These are called stimulants.

Tea contains tannin which is a harmful substance.

Coffee contains caffeine which is another harmful substance.

            Cocoa- Chocolate are prepared by this seed. These seeds contain ‘Alkalide’ a harmful substance.

If any of these are taken in large quantities then it can cause constipation, insomnia, nervous tension, quickening breathing and other internal disorders. Coffee increases proportion of fat in the blood. If this condition persists for a long time the fat gets deposited on the walls of the blood vessels which get hardened. Gradually the blood pressure rises, the heart is overburdened and the risk of heart attack increases.

      Alcoholic Drinks: - All alcoholic drinks are regarded as vitamin robbers. They steal and destroy the nutrients of the system. They weaken the individual physically and mentally. Hard liquors are very harmful. They have deleterious effects on the nerves and the heart. Their effect on the digestive system is extremely bad. Alcohol burns hunger, causes irritation and swelling of the lining of the stomach and impairs the functions of the liver. So one must avoid these drinks and never offer them in parties.

Smoking: there is a direct relation between smoking and heart disease. Tobacco contains nicotine which is explicitly described in medical dictionaries as a powerful and active poison. Smoking introduces this poison as well as the highly poisonous gas carbon monoxide into the lungs.

            Experiments have shown that the nicotine causes increased secretion of adrenaline and nonadrenaline into the blood stream, resulting in high proportion of fats in the blood. So smoking accelerates the process of hardening of the blood vessels. The arteries providing nutrients to the heart muscles also become congested, hardened and brittle with consequences ranging from palpitations and hypertension to angina pectoris, heart attacks and also cancer.

Indiscriminate use of Medicines: It is a cause of concern today that people depend on drugs as if they are modern panacea for all ailments.

            A large number of medicine are toxic in nature and their use results in the accumulation of poisons in the body. Attempts to destroy germs by the use of antibiotics are futile because the antibiotics do not remove the cause of disease they may harm the cells of the body and weaken the vital force.

           

            Pain killers disturb the water content in the body and disturb the digestion power. The main problem with Allopath is that proper diet is not prescribed with medication. Hence the body becomes weak and loses its vital force.

            The following disorders are found in the person:-

·         One becomes fearful and tense.

·         Gets headache.

·         Feels weak.

·         Suffers sleeplessness.

·         May develop sinusitis.

·         May develop burning sensation in the body parts.

·         Feel tingling sensation in the body parts.

Hence one has to try and nature cure like exercises, fasts, juice diet etc. rather than going for medicines.

Television and computers are part of modern life. This has affected the community greatly especially students. Watching T.V continuously increases air element in the body because of passive watching. The subject matter watched may also affect the mind, therefore selective watching is good and so is the case with computers.

Therefore one should take frequent breaks, preferably in fresh air, move, stretch the body, fingers, hands, arms shoulders and spend a few minutes resting the eyes covering them with palms to ease the strain.

           

            Processed foods also pose a great danger. Their flavour, colour and taste attract children very much. Junk food contains high salts and fat. Obesity is on the rise in the developed countries. The deciding factor is relationship between food intake and total energy expenditure is neglected. Children nowadays are consuming a great amount of chocolates, fried foods, ice creams, carbonated drinks and cakes. They are high in salts, sugar and fats, low in vitamins and mineral contents and on top of it, they spend lesser time on physical activities, sports and games. They spend time watching television and playing Video games making them couch potatoes.

            Coupled with this is excessive emphasis in studying school curriculum for scholastic achievements, this further compels the child to forego physical activities games and sports. This is why the dietary management of obesity and physical exercises assumes greater importance. Therefore awareness about healthy eating habit and nutrition along with appropriate physical exercise is crucial to keeping obesity at bay.

            One has to have an awareness of natural laws. The knowledgeable can prevent misgivings and have good future.

            Action reaction is a law of nature, food also shows the same. Virtue brings its own reward and vice brings its own punishment. This is law of nature operating everywhere with unceasing precision and scientific accuracy, both on the physical and mental plane.

            Every wrong action brings its own punishment in accordance with the law of retribution.

            Things do not happen in this nature by accident or chance, they happen in an orderly manner.

Even though science has made tremendous progress in all directions, the environment is getting polluted day by day. The increase in number of factories and vehicles are also fostering the problems of world health in a big way. Major and minor scientific experiments with atomic explosions change and distort organic and inorganic materials.

            In 1934, artificial radioactive isotopes called radio nucleus were produced in nuclear reactors and have been utilized for the benefit of the society, in medicine, industry agriculture and research. In spite of the numerous benefits derived from these radio nuclides, many people are afraid of the effect of radiation exposure has built up over the years by the mass destruction caused by atomic bomb and experiments of nuclear bombs. So there is always a fear of the risk of radiation being an environmental pollutant.

            Nowadays ecology speaks of how to reduce the greenhouse effects and global warming and how to neutralise carbon monoxide, Yajna the sacrificial fire is the answer.

            I Vedic culture, systems of personal, global and universal healing were practiced. The sages devised certain methods which influenced personality and the environment.

            In ancient India, “Agnihotra- the fire place in the middle part of the temple or house was propagated to maintain balance of clean environment. Agnihotra means the fire that protects. Agnihotra was carried out in every house and temple to cleanse the surrounding environment”

            Yajna in a bigger scale purifies the planetary atmosphere. It also purifies the internal atmosphere. It removes external pollution and mental pollution.

            Handful of herbs in Yajna can purify the atmosphere herbs and woods properties are contained in the ash and smoke and this affects the environment and balance the atmospheric condition. Some removes the toxins from the body upon inhalation, some uplifts the mind, some bring about balance, in the motor and sensory nerve systems, and some help to destroy the pollutants that we breathe in.

            It is possible to induce a change in the mental pattern and attitude to heal the disease of the body by using certain combination of wood and herbs in Yajna.

            Smoke of the Yajna rises and combats all air pollutants.

            The devastation through deforestation happen around the world at all levels is to be recognized in a humane humanitarian manner by saving nature and revitalizing it.

Living with nature is nature cure, nature provides radiant health to man with its natural forces. They are clean air, water, fresh and natural food, fasting, exercise and calm mind.

            We can take care of ourselves by knowing these secrets of wellbeing:

·         By clean air we get enough oxygen. Oxygen is power which gives energy to cells of our body.

·         Clean water cleans the body internally and externally.

·         Nutritious food provides quality blood and rejuvenates the body.

·         Fasting helps flush out all accumulated toxins from the body and keep disease at bay.

·         When we exercise our body muscles will work with flexibility and alacrity.

·         A sound mind in a sound body and vice-versa is also true that is ‘A sound body with a sound mind’. So it is always been said that

Food is making blood

Exercising is distribution of blood

Breathing is purifying blood

                        And also is mind!

                        Nutrition

            A nutritious diet occupies an important and dominant place in our life.

            Nature with its natural forces restores the natural defences of the body

            It is body that effects the cure not the physician- says nature cure.

            Natural qualities in food are very important factor in the diet. The wholemeal wheat flour, manually de husked unpolished rise and such other cereals from the region, a lot of green vegetables, leafy vegetables, moderate use of pulses, milk and milk products, intake of fresh fruits, water intake of around 8-10 glasses a day, salads with germinated grains and vegetables compromise and ideal diet. Cooking should be mild and satwik with less of seasoning and spices.

            Germination of grains and pulses result in a vast increase in the nutritive value. Therefore consumption of germinated grains or pulses in raw form is called ‘Amrit Ahar’. One should consume half a cup of raw germinated seeds, pulses or grains daily either plain or with raw vegetables as salad in breakfast. There is an increase of 600 % in the amounts of Vitamin B1, thiamine, pantothenic acid, niacin in natural and live form.

            Lactation in nursing mothers increases considerably by the consumption of germinated cereals and pulses. This naturally leads to the proper and quicker development of the child as well.

            On no account the brain should be separated from wheat flour. Manually de husked rice or at least brown rice with red coat to be used. Minimum amount of salt is to be used. Sweets and fried items are not to be consumed every day. Non Veg foods should be stopped completely as they have more proteins and acids which is an invitation to diseases.