Homeopathy & you September 2014 by Dr. Batras Media Pvt. Ltd.

Vol 1. Issue 11. September 2014 • `100

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dr MUKESH BATRA The homeopathic Graphites personality

PLUS

MANEKA GANdHI dung-ho! RYAN HARRISON Boost your mind power in 7 steps

The homeopathic ‘firewall’ effect Manage diabetes safely Goodness of strawberries Malaika Arora Khan’s wellness mantra

CArdiAC HeAlTH & HoMeopATHy

TAKE HEART WILL TREAT

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Vol 1. Issue 11. SEPTEMBER 2014

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INSIDE

Vol 1. Issue 11. SEPTEMBER 2014

Editorial Advisory Board Chairman| Dr Mukesh Batra Vice-Chairman| Dr Akshay Batra Editor & Publisher Dr Rajgopal Nidamboor rajgopal.nidamboor@homeopathyandyou.com Assistant Editor Kavita Nadkarni Head-Sales & Marketing Kiran Joshi Manager-Marketing J Chaitanya Kumar chaitanya.kumar@homeopathyandyou.com Contributing Writers Maneka Gandhi, New Delhi, India Dr Richard Firshein, New York, US Kerry Dulin, Michigan, US Nelressa Stallings, New Jersey, US Alan Jones, Wiltshire, UK Ambika Shukla, New Delhi, India Radhanath Swami, US/India Badrinath Durvasula, Mumbai, India Ruby Lilaowala, Mumbai, India Dr Preeti Mandawewala, Mumbai, India Amita Quenim, Goa, India Ryan Harrison, Los Angeles, US Vinesh Sukumaran, Bengaluru, India Eusebio Jason Fernandes, Goa, India Dr Pankaj Aggarwal, New Delhi, India

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Design HB Design Pvt Ltd Subscriptions Priti Gupta subscriptions@homeopathyandyou.com Website: www.homeopathyandyou.com E: editorial@homeopathyandyou.com Tel: 022-3367 1200 Fax: 022-3027 1415 Printed and published by Rajgopal Nidamboor for and on behalf of Dr Mukesh Batra, 2nd Floor, H Kantilal Compound, Andheri-Kurla Road, Sakinaka, Andheri [E], Mumbai – 400 072 and printed by him at Parksons Graphics, 15 Shah Industrial Estate, Off Veera Desai Road, Andheri [W], Mumbai - 400 053. Editor & Publisher: Rajgopal Nidamboor © All Rights Reserved. Reproduction, in any manner, without prior written permission prohibited. Disclaimer: Homeopathy & You is committed to providing useful information on homeopathy, health and wellness. However, its content is not intended to provide medical advice or diagnosis for individual problems, or inferred to be a substitute for professional medical guidance. It is imperative for readers to consult their doctor/healthcare professional or therapist, prior to starting any treatment, or practice, or attending to any questions thereto. The opinions expressed by writers and columnists are their own. They do not, in any way, or manner, reflect the views of the publisher, editor, or company.

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Letters Focus: Take heart, will cure with homeopathy Homeopathic ‘Sunsigns:Know your personality; know your remedy. Dr Mukesh Batra distils the homeopathic Graphites, this month Medical Marvels: Case reviews from homeopathic doctors How Homeopathy Helped Me Your Little Box: Homeopathic Home Kit: Ferrum Phos Child Health: Bowel problems and UTI Q&A: Doctor’s Orders For Women: Manage diabetes safely What Lies Beneath: The homeopathic ‘firewall’ effect Home[e]o Truths: Safe, effective medicine Living Well: Boost your mind power in 7 steps Say goodbye to dark circles The Way We Were & Are Fitness Equipment Home[o]pathy: The goodness of strawberries Health Happenings

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Read.Watch. Listen. Explore Celeb Fitness: Malaika Arora Khan

COLUMNS

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Live & Help Live: Maneka Gandhi

Poise & Balance: Preeti

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Life Coach: Vinesh Sukumaran

Good For You: Richard Firshein Fighting Fit: Kerry Dulin Whole & Soul: Radhanath Swami Corporate Wellness: Badrinath

Durvasula Mandawewala Mind Matters: Amita Quenim Mixed Bag: Ruby Lilaowala

MAILBOX: READERS’ FEEDBACK EYE-OPENER Homeopathy and IBS by Dr Akshay Batra in your August 2014 issue was an eye-opener for someone like me who thought that homeopathy is effective only for hair and skin ailments. I never knew that it also has so many useful remedies for IBS. I would like to congratulate you guys for such a lovely and colourful cover. The good mix of colours and thoughtful content prompts one to read the inside pages too. I also appreciated Dr Richard Firshein’s article on nutritional medicine. Keep up the good work! Abhay Nigam, Hyderabad POSITIVE DIFFERENCE I came across the August issue of H&Y at a homeopathic physician’s clinic in Mumbai. I had visited him for my son Deepak’s recurrent fever and associated cold and cough complaints, and was really inspired to read the ‘Child Health’ article [H&Y, August 2014]. As my son falls sick quite often, one of my friends referred me to the homeopath. However, I was a little sceptical about homeopathy for children, but not anymore, thanks to H&Y. After reading this article, I am sure homeopathy would make a positive difference in my child’s health. To begin with, my son has already started feeling better after taking homeopathic pills. He also loves their sweet taste.

VARIETY FARE: READERS WRITE IN Our August issue evoked a gratifying response. Do write in with your comments, suggestions and even criticism that will help us and our readers to get better. Every month one ‘best’ letter will be awarded. Please E-mail your feedback/comments to

editorial@homeopathyandyou.com

! rs e t i r W g n i l Cal

WRITE FOR US!

Girija Daate, Mumbai HEALTHY EFFECT I would like to congratulate Team H&Y for its effort in coming up with such a remarkable August issue. I especially loved reading, ‘Say no to size-zero.’ I am always worried about my daughter’s health, as she is a teenager who aspires to be a model. Though I have no issues with her preferred career choice, I am worried about her obsession to stay slim. I insisted her to read this article and surprisingly she found it really interesting. Thanks to H&Y, she has now consulted a dietician who helped her to make some healthy food choices. I’m really happy and grateful to [y]our mag.

Homeopathy & You is looking for quality articles [600-800 words] on homeopathy, health, wellness, and lifestyle, that reflect the spirit of our publication. Professional homeopathic doctors may E-mail their ‘best’ cases [and, ‘best’ letters from their patients] too!

Richa Kapoor, New Delhi

Send in yours, TODAY!

LETTER OF THE MONTH

H&Y came across as a pleasant surprise amidst other magazines, thanks to its attractive cover and well-thought content. The information provided on each and every topic is extremely useful. The magazine has a wonderful mix of homeopathy and lifestyle articles. I particularly enjoy reading Dr Mukesh Batra’s homeopathic personalities, as I find it extremely interesting. I also find ‘Medical Marvels’ very interesting. I am happy to know that homeopathy has successfully cured so many ailments and made a big difference to so many people. Thanks a lot for the info.

Please submit your material/articles etc., by pasting it in the body of your E-mail [not as attachment], along with a brief description of the piece, your credentials to write it, your short bio, your photo [in high-resolution .jpeg format {300 dpi}; as attachment], contact information and anything you feel we should know. E-mail your submission to: editorial@homeopathyandyou.com Website: www.homeopathyandyou.com

Rakesh Bapat, Pune

HOMEOPATHY & YOU | SEPTEMBER 2014

FOCUS

CARDIAC HEALTH & HOMEOPATHY:

TAKE HEART, WILL TREAT

Most individuals having hypertension [high blood pressure] achieve partial or incomplete control with conventional medications. This may trigger the risk of serious complications. Homeopathy can play a balancing role, leading to safe and effective control of hypertension and other heart-related issues.

By Dr MUKESH BATRA

esearch suggests that two out of six people could die from heart disease and six out of ten men, over age 30, may have signs of heart disease. The irony is most of us take no notice of our body signals. The result is ‘invited’ trouble, sooner than later. The saving grace, however, is high blood pressure, including heart disease, are manageable, or controllable, problems –– more so with appropriate and timely medical treatment. A multitude of risk factors is evidenced to play a role in the development of heart disease — cigarette smoking, physical inactivity, stress, obesity, high blood cholesterol, high blood

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pressure and diabetes. Such factors are controllable and not controllable. If, for instance, one has any two of any of the following risk factors — high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol and cigarette smoking — the possibility that they may have a heart attack is four times greater than if they had none. On the other hand, if one has all the three major controllable risk factors — hypertension, high blood cholesterol and smoking — the likelihood is eight times greater. It is, however, possible for one to ‘control’ the three major

risk factors — viz., diabetes, obesity and sedentary lifestyle — as also other accompanying factors, such as type ‘A’ personality, besides aggression, certain medical conditions and conventional medications. However, there are factors that are not under one’s control: male susceptibility, family history and increased age. The best way one can reduce the risk of heart disease is by minimising, or avoiding, the risk factors — giving up smoking, avoiding alcohol, restricting salt usage, limiting calorie intake, exercising regularly, reducing emotional stress, getting monitored and investigated for hypertension, elevated fat, cholesterol and other factors. The first step, of course, should be aimed to lower one’s blood pressure — the higher the blood pressure, the greater is the risk of heart attack, stroke and kidney disease. More importantly, if any of your close relatives have had high blood pressure, at an early age, it is imperative that you should be advised to have your blood pressure monitored on a regular basis. FACT OF THE MATTER Dietary fads and lifestyle changes, together with excess cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption and the presence of hypertension, obesity and diabetes, have led to an increased number of people presenting with clinical manifestations of arterial disease [atherosclerosis]. This is a process in which deposits of fatty substances — cholesterol, triglycerides, cellular waste products, calcium [not the calcium in food or dietary supplements] and other substances — build up in the inner lining of the artery. This build up is called plaque. A slow, complex disease, atherosclerosis usually starts in one’s childhood and progresses when people grow older. In some people, it progresses rapidly, in their third decade. Research suggests that the process begins with damage to the innermost layer of the artery, the endothelium. Homocysteine is yet another factor that needs to be considered in the prevention of heart disease. A naturally occurring amino acid found in blood plasma, excess homocysteine is suggested to irritate the lining of the blood vessels, causing them to become scarred, hardened and narrowed.

removes excess cholesterol from the plaque in the arteries; this, in turn, slows down their build-up. The levels of HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol in the blood are measured to evaluate the risk of having a heart attack. The ‘normal’ level for LDL cholesterol is less than 100mg/dL [dL = decilitre]; HDL should ideally be above 40mg/dL. CHOLESTEROL: HYPE & REALITY Most people today are brought up with a blatant fear for the word, cholesterol. The fact is: the cholesterol ‘myth’ is the greatest sham in medical literature. Cholesterol is essential for our physiology. It resides in every cell of the body; in simple terms, it is essential for our health. Our body contains about 5 ounce of cholesterol, although a mere 7-8 per cent, or one-third of an ounce, circulates in our blood. Cholesterol is manufactured in the liver and the intestinal wall [1,000mg-2,000mg]; it is synthesised in every cell, except nerve tissue. It regulates the exchange of nutrients and waste products. It helps in the development of the brain and the nervous system; it also acts as a ‘conduit’ for nerve impulses. Cholesterol promotes the digestion of foods. Without it, complex fats and fat-soluble vitamins [A, D, E, and K] cannot be absorbed. It plays an essential role, no less, in the manufacture of the adrenal, sex and pituitary hormones. It is also a key substance in the skin, which gets converted to vitamin D, by sunlight. Most importantly, cholesterol creates a barrier, preventing water and other fluids from entering the body through the skin. Your cholesterol level remains more or less dynamic, whether you eat cholesterol-[fat]rich foods or not. However, when you don’t eat dietary cholesterol at all, your body increases its production. There are, as you know, two major forms of cholesterol. High-density lipoproteins [HDL] are called ‘good’ cholesterol. ‘Good’ cholesterol ‘pulls’ excess cholesterol from the cells and gets rid of them from the blood. The other, low-density lipoproteins [LDL], or ‘bad’ cholesterol,

CHOLESTEROL: GOOD & BAD Cholesterol can be ‘good’ [high-density lipoprotein, or HDL] and ‘bad’ [low-density lipoprotein, or LDL]. When excess LDL cholesterol circulates in the blood, it can slowly build up in the inner walls of the arteries that feed the heart and also the brain. Gradually, LDL cholesterol can form plaques that clog the arteries [atherosclerosis]. The resulting effect may be heart attack, or stroke. Research suggests that approximately one-third to one-fourth of blood cholesterol is carried by high-density lipoproteins [HDL]. Labelled ‘good’ cholesterol, a high level of HDL is suggested to protect us from heart attack. All the same, not everyone acquiesces to the cholesterol hypothesis. There is a body of medical opinion that says the ‘cholesterol myth’ is the greatest deception in medical history. However this may be, research also suggests that low HDL cholesterol levels — less than 40mg/dL — could increase the risk of heart disease. It is suggested that HDL HOMEOPATHY & YOU | SEPTEMBER 2014

is suggested to ‘dump’ cholesterol in the arteries, leading to atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries — the likely trigger for heart attacks. THE DYNAMICS Cholesterol levels in the blood are dynamic, and not constant, like your blood pressure — they are subject to variation, especially during seasonal changes. So, just a lab test, or a couple of readings, does not indicate a person’s average blood cholesterol levels. Besides, most cholesterol tests are anything but accurate. What is established fact, however, is cholesterol levels increase with smoking, alcohol, stress, pain, fear, pregnancy, lack of exercise and certain conventional drugs — painkillers, cortisone and diuretics — besides excess vitamins A and D. Certain health disorders also affect cholesterol levels — viz., hypothyroidism, liver and kidney disease and obstruction of the gall bladder. On the other hand, just tell someone that s/he has high blood cholesterol levels, may be 300mg/dL-350mg/dL — they will instantly pull the ‘alarm button.’ Our media ‘blitz’ is so powerfully driven, that, the well-orchestrated ‘dangers’ of cholesterol have reached the crescendo. The message you get is, “If you eat too much cholesterol, it ‘floods’ your blood stream and moves from the tissues through the arteries to form atherosclerotic plaques and, subsequently, heart disease and heart attack.” The actual fact is plaque has nothing to do with high levels of cholesterol. Rather, when blood becomes acidic due to high intake of red meat and excess high-fat dairy foods, and less, or reduced, intake of alkali foods [e.g., tomatoes, avocados and green-leafy vegetables], along with lack of exercise, more so in the presence of obesity, the arteries harden [atherosclerosis] to protect themselves from ‘acidic’ blood — this causes the deadly ‘holes,’ or ‘cracks’ in the arteries. Your body, by way of defence, now works full-steam to ‘fill’ the inside of the arteries with cholesterol. When cholesterol ‘closes-in’ on such cracks, the resultant effect is high blood pressure [hypertension], to highlight one example. [Note: For readers who wish to know what there is, or not, in the cholesterol dilemma, there is no better book than The Cholesterol Myths, by Uffe Ravnskov, MD, PhD]. STATINS: NO PANACEA The fact also is most people have been besieged by the cholesterol juggernaut — this has lead to the use of statins by conventional [allopathic] physicians to combat their growing cholesterol ‘neurosis,’ now a trillion-dollar industry. Statins are no panacea. They are replete with several sideeffects — muscle pain and damage, liver and kidney failure, nerve damage, nightmares, or ‘delirium,’ memory loss, cognitive dysfunction and a host of nervous system-related problems. The inference is obvious — the story ‘plot’ for the mammoth heart disease drama, a result, or outcome, of high consumption of saturated fat and dietary cholesterol is, in actuality, a big farce. Put simply, the grand association of high cholesterol levels and coronary heart disease [CHD] is

HOMEOPATHY & YOU | SEPTEMBER 2014

anything, but fragile. All the same, the best thing to do, myth or no myth, is to achieve a healthy balance. This should aim at changing your lifestyle — because, your lifestyle holds the key to preventing atherosclerosis [hardening of arteries] and other illnesses. This is also a simple premise. When we are healthy and balanced, the liver stops producing high levels of LDL, or ‘bad’ cholesterol, because there is no need for ‘healing jobs’ to be done. ELEVATED FATS: HIDDEN DANGERS Hyperlipidaemia is elevation of lipids [fats] in the bloodstream. Lipids include cholesterol, cholesterol esters, or compounds, phospholipids and triglycerides. They are transported in the blood as part of large molecules called lipoproteins. Excess cholesterol in the blood is called hyperlipidaemia. The condition is also called hypercholesterolaemia. Triglycerides are derived from food and also made in the body. People with high triglycerides often have a high level of total cholesterol, a high level of LDL cholesterol and a low HDL cholesterol level. Many people with heart disease present with high triglyceride levels. People with diabetes, or obesity, are also likely to have high triglycerides. Triglyceride levels of less than 150mg/dL are normal. HEALING WITH HOMEOPATHY Homeopathy is mind-body medicine. It works on the individual’s overall personality; it uses natural remedies to correct psycho-physiological factors; it recommends individuals to physically and mentally relax. It also advocates appropriate exercise, leisure patterns, balanced diet and behaviours. In so doing, it calms down the person’s innate self, which may sometimes be suppressed for a long time. This ‘suppressive’ effect may be a likely ‘prompt’ for hypertension, heart disease and diabetes. Homeopathy has the therapeutic potential to heal deep emotional issues as well as correct chronic physical illnesses too — all triggers of lipid imbalance. It addresses and treats underlying stressors, or factors. Besides, it stimulates our immune mechanisms and ‘ups’ our body systems to regulate and maintain ‘healthy’ levels of

hormones, including blood cholesterol. Homeopathic remedies, based on the individual’s overall personality, presentation of symptoms, and clinical patterns, have the ability to ‘reduce’ low-density lipoprotein [LDL], or ‘bad’ cholesterol levels and ‘increase’ high-density lipoprotein [HDL], or ‘good’ cholesterol levels, naturally. In so doing, they help the body to heal the underlying illness, or its cause, without side-effects. A study by researchers — to highlight a clinical study, published in The British Homeopathic Journal — reported that the homeopathic remedy, Chelidonium Majus, reduced cholesterol levels in lab rabbits, which were fed a cholesterol-rich diet. The prospective outcome of the homeopathic approach is just not limited to the waning of symptoms, or signs, of illness. Rather, it involves achieving a complete, on-going physical and psychological well-being in the long-term. Homeopathy advocates a relationship of directness and continued communication to exist between the individual and the professional homeopathic doctor. It also suggests that one should not stop or adjust their conventional medications, without first consulting their conventional [allopathic] physician. Hans-Heinrich Reckeweg, MD, a conventional physician and homeopathic researcher, proposed a new protocol to treat each condition separately, like conventional medicine. His line of treatment for high cholesterol is keyed to correct imbalance with a combination of three homeopathic remedies. Allium Sativum D1, derived from garlic. The remedy helps to reduce elevated cholesterol levels as well as ‘bad’ cholesterol. It also increases ‘good’ cholesterol and has notable blood-thinning effects. Crataegus Oxycantha D1, or Hawthorne berries, helps to lower high blood pressure. It has historical and evidencebased clinical testimony to decrease cholesterol levels and prevent deposition of ‘bad’ cholesterol in the arterial walls. Viscum Album D2, or mistletoe, is clinically evidenced to decrease viscosity of blood and reduce hypertension, among other symptoms. In addition, homeopathic treatment helps to regulate one’s daily routine by promulgating a corrective programme, based on proper lifestyle, ‘customised’ to individual needs, followed by personalised diet plan, nutrients intake, exercise and relaxation.

but homeopathic remedies were found to be the better choice for the management of the subjective symptoms of hypertension. In a controlled study, researchers attempted to determine the effects of potentised aspirin on rats exhibiting reduced platelet aggregation associated with portal hypertension [high blood pressure in the portal vein and its tributaries]. Given that material doses of aspirin are known to be associated with a reduction in platelet aggregation, one of the aims of the study was to confirm that the reverse of this would be the case if potentised aspirin were used. The study confirmed that, compared to controls, the potentised homeopathic remedy, Aspirin 14C [aspirin in its diluted, minute homeopathic form] normalised deficiencies in platelet aggregation in rats that were involved in the study. A group of people suffering from mild cardiac insufficiency [inadequate blood flow to the heart muscles] were given Cralonin, a homeopathic combination product, containing the homeopathic Crataegus Oxycantha, Spigelia Anthelmia, and Kalium Carbonicum, or a combination of an ACE inhibitor and a diuretic, the ‘standard’ conventional medical treatment prescribed for this condition. Both groups showed equally effective results. The prospective study gathered data of the practical relevance of Cralonin on a total of 665 patients. The study also documented the symptoms for which Cralonin was prescribed as well as dosages and methods of administration. Approximately 50 per cent of the patients in the study took Cralonin as an adjuvant to standard conventional therapy with antihypertensives, or cardioactive drugs. The participating practitioners assessed patient tolerance of Cralonin as “excellent” or “good” in the great majority of cases. No side-effects were reported. The homeopathic therapeutic efficacy was rated “good” or “very good” in approximately 90 per cent of patients. The treatment was also most effective and fast-acting in cases of functional cardiac symptoms and stabbing pain [cardiodynia]. The study showed that there are advantages with Cralonin as an alternative to ACE inhibitors and diuretics in mild cardiac insufficiency. It may be mentioned that Cralonin is prescribed either alone or as an adjuvant therapy for functional or organic heart disease and post-infection cardiac symptoms. Cralonin has an excellent tolerability profile, documented

HOMEOPATHY: CLINICAL STUDIES In a double-blind randomised clinical study, a group of people suffering from mild-to-moderate hypertension were enrolled. The study compared individualised homeopathic therapy with placebo [dummy pill]. Successful results were obtained with 82 per cent of those subjects taking homeopathy compared with 57 per cent of those using placebo [dummy pill]. In another randomised double-blind study, a group of people suffering from essential hypertension [high blood pressure, with no identifiable cause] were treated either with standard conventional pharmaceutical products, or homeopathic remedies. Pharmaceuticals were found to provide superior blood pressure reducing effects,

HOMEOPATHY & YOU | SEPTEMBER 2014

through long use and also by way of an observational study involving 2,178 patients. ACE inhibitors and diuretics are associated with unwanted effects: cough in case of ACE inhibitors and reduced quality of life [QoL] with many diuretics. Subjective reports on Cralonin from patients show favourable effects on QoL; besides, effects such as reduced nocturnal urination would apparently improve a patient’s perceived QoL. A good tolerability profile is particularly relevant in the case of cardiac insufficiency. Patients with only mild symptoms are unlikely to adhere to a regimen with noticeable side-effects, whereas more severely afflicted patients are usually prescribed multiple [allopathic] drug regimens, where compatibility can be an issue. The compatibility of Cralonin with currently recommended conventional medications indicates that the preparation can be safely added to existing conventional drug regimens. One would also do well to recall a study conducted by M Bignamini et al which examined the effect of the homeopathic remedy Baryta Carbonica 15C, in 34 elderly hypertensive subjects. Although the results did not show any significant effect of the remedy, when compared with placebo, one interesting outcome was patients, whose symptom patterns ‘matched’ with the remedy profile of Baryta Carbonica, showed a substantial reduction in blood pressure. Yet another study conducted in India showed tangible improvement in the hypertensive treatment group. The homeopathic remedies used in the study were Adrenalinum, Eel Serum and Baryta Muriatica, which is regarded by some clinicians as the ‘homeopathic amlodipine.’ The Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy [CCRH], in India, is conducting a large clinical study on hypertension — the outcome of the study is expected to provide a better understanding of the homeopathic perspective in the effective clinical management of hypertension. Most clinicians evidence that Crataegus extracts possess actions, or ‘synergy effect,’ attributable to a complex of active constituents. In an observational study conducted by D Schroder, PhD, and his team, the efficacy of a “homeopathic preparation of Cranolin — based on extracts of Crataegus, Spigelia Anthelmia and Kalium Carbonicum — in patients with mild heart failure was reported to be ‘not inferior’ to commonly used ACE inhibitors, or diuretics, for

HOMEOPATHY & YOU | SEPTEMBER 2014

13 out of 15 variables chosen to assess efficacy.” Spigelia Anthelmia acts on the heart and the nervous system. It has been homeopathically prescribed to treat pericarditis [swelling and irritation of the pericardium, the thin sac-like membrane surrounding your heart], anaemia, debility, chilly body parts due to poor circulation, palpitations and weak, irregular pulse, dyspnoea [difficulty in breathing] and angina pectoris [chest pain]. The remedy picture, from the homeopathic perspective, relates to excess nervous agitation and frequent palpitations. Evidence-based reports also correspond to the remedy’s efficacy in heart murmurs and valve disorders. Kalium Carbonicum is, from the homeopathic standpoint, suitable for hypertension in overweight individuals having a tendency to swelling and paretic [partial loss of voluntary movement] conditions. Symptoms often revolve on vertigo, or dizziness, while turning head, occipital headaches or migraine with nausea, especially while travelling. There may be palpitations with a ‘burning feeling’ in the heart region. PROBIOTICS & BLOOD PRESSURE We have all heard that consuming foods with probiotics — ‘good’ bacteria — promote a healthy gut. New research published in Hypertension suggests that eating or taking probiotics could help lower blood pressure. Probiotics are live microorganisms that occur naturally in the gut. These microorganisms are also present in some foods, such as live-cultured yoghurt, some fermented vegetables and aged cheese. Consumption of probiotic-rich foods — such as curd [dahi], or yoghurt — and dietary supplements of the ‘good’ bacteria may help lower blood pressure, according to new research. Past research had suggested that probiotics are good for our health — because, they support and help digestion, intestinal function and protect against harmful, or ‘bad,’ bacteria. It was recently reported in a study published in JAMA Pediatrics that probiotic use among infants may help reduce the risk of gastrointestinal disorders. Such evidence has led to the addition of probiotics to certain foods; they are also available as dietary supplements. The new study cited, led by Jing Sun, PhD, of the Griffith Health Institute and School of Medicine at Griffith University, Australia, suggests that consuming probiotics from food sources and dietary supplements may improve blood pressure. To reach their findings, Sun and his team analysed nine high-quality studies that assessed probiotic consumption of 543 adults who had either normal or high blood pressure. They found that, on an average, participants who had consumed probiotics daily for eight weeks or more had a 3.5mmHg lower systolic blood pressure [pressure in the arteries when the heart beats] and a 2.38mmHg lower diastolic blood pressure [pressure in the arteries between heartbeats], compared with those who did not consume probiotics. Such effects were strongest among participants with high blood pressure — defined as 130/85mmHg or more — and, greater benefits were found from consumption of probiotic products that contained multiple bacteria.

SELF-HELP • Focus on a healthy weight range for your height and body type in consultation with your doctor. Even a small amount of weight loss can make a major difference in lowering or preventing high blood pressure • Burn more calories than you take in to lose weight • Crash or fad diets are not helpful and may be dangerous — they may rob you of essential nutrients • Eat healthy food; limit salt intake. Don’t smoke; avoid alcohol — they can otherwise aggravate your blood pressure levels • Exercise regularly; go for a walk [30 minutes] 4-5 days a week • Manage stress with relaxation techniques; laugh a while, every day, or join a laughter club. Laughter releases more endorphins, the feel-good chemical; this, in turn, helps reduce your blood pressure • Monitor your blood pressure and follow-up with your doctor, on a regular basis. CONCLUSION Homeopathy can certainly play a useful role, not only in preventative cardiac care, but also as a supportive [adjuvant] line of treatment, in conjunction with conventional medicine. In most cases of hypertension, where blood pressure control, with conventional medications appears incomplete, the individual may

ayank’s blood pressure had been rising all along. The only problem was he wasn’t aware of it. He was fully into his demanding job as marketing manager with a top-notch company. He was alerted during a routine annual medical check-up at his workplace. Coming from a family of homeopathic followers and adherents, Mayank wanted to find out how homeopathy could help him. He did not have any apparent symptoms of high blood pressure — so, we had to confer with him and take up his case in sequential detail. In accordance with homeopathic practice, we began to ask him seemingly unconnected questions about his sleep patterns, stresses in life, bowel habits, or digestion, and other concerns. The reason being, all problems and experiences in the mind and

hirty-eight-year-old George, a legal manager with a pharma group, lived a deskbound life. He visited our clinic with high blood pressure and overweight problems. His cholesterol levels were high too. His allopathic doctor had put him on two conventional antihypertensive medications, along with a cholesterol-lowering drug. It was apparent that his high blood pressure and overweight problems began to advance at the same time. We put him on the homeopathic remedy, Natrum Muriaticum, based on his presenting symptoms and his oft-repeated feeling, that, “I have always had too much of depression and anxiety in my gut.” After six months of homeopathic treatment, George’s high blood pressure and overweight problems, which had troubled him for long,

be at risk of possible complications. Homeopathy in such instances — although not in extremely acute, lifethreatening conditions, like heart attack or stroke — can play a complementary role, leading to effective control of hypertension, and other cardiac concerns, when promulgated with appropriate lifestyle changes.

CASE STUDY

body, from the homeopathic standpoint, are related. It is only by balancing the body’s internal mechanisms can true healing take place. We prescribed Mayank the homeopathic remedy, Argentum Nitricum, because he was the social type, a warm human being. He felt apprehensive while thinking about his impending business meetings — this would bring on diarrhoea. After six months of homeopathic treatment, Mayank reported good progress. His blood pressure levels were under control; so were his anxiety and apprehension. He looked forward to his meetings with confidence, not with a wobbly, “butterflies in the stomach” feeling. This is the beauty of holistic homeopathic healing.

CASE STUDY

were better — almost under control. His cholesterol levels too reached acceptable levels in the next two months. His blood pressure levels and other parameters now continue to remain within normal limits. Homeopathy is mind-body holistic medicine. It has the therapeutic ability to heal deep emotional issues as well as chronic physical illnesses. It treats the most likely or causal lifestyle stressors. Besides, it stimulates our bodily systems to regulate and maintain healthy levels of hormones and blood cholesterol. Put simply, homeopathic treatment not only helps to reduce ‘bad’ cholesterol levels and increase ‘good’ cholesterol levels, it also stimulates the body to heal dormant health concerns, illnesses, or their cause. Naturally.

Dr Mukesh Batra, a homeopath of international repute, is Founder-Chairman, Dr Batra’s. In a career spanning four decades, Dr Batra has treated over a million patients, including presidents and prime ministers, and revolutionised the way homeopathy is practiced today. A writer, photographer, singer and philanthropist, Dr Batra has been honoured with several fellowships and over 50 national and international awards, including the Padma Shri by the President of India. He has authored several books, including the critically-acclaimed cyclopedic work, Healing with Homeopathy. He lives in Mumbai.

HOMEOPATHY & YOU | SEPTEMBER 2014

WHAT’S YOUR TYPE: YOUR PERSONALITY

GRAPHITES: A PICTURE OF POISE & GLOOM The homeopathic Graphites is a suitable remedy for calm, gentle, frank, yet pessimistic individuals having a proclivity to, or presentiment of, the dark side of life — the most unpleasant, or imagined — with a lack of self-belief, or diffidence. By Dr SAMIR CHOUKKAR

he homeopathic remedy Graphites is prepared from the powdered form of pure graphite. It is used to treat diverse and divergent ailments — especially skin conditions. It derives its name from the Greek, grahein, for ‘to write.’ You guessed it right — it is this form of carbon that is used to make pencils. Graphite is also used in a host of industrial applications and products. Graphites, the homeopathic remedy, was first proved by Dr Samuel Hahnemann, MD, the founder of homeopathy. Hahnemann observed that workers in a mirror-making firm were applying graphite powder to treat their cold sores on the face, near the mouth. He drew the ground swell of its curative powers from the idea, and proved that the homeopathic Graphites was just as effective for a host of skin disorders, besides metabolic problems, among other health issues. The homeopathic Graphites personality represents individuals who have a lack of self-confidence, along with self-doubt and reticence. It is, therefore, a suitable homeopathic remedy for people bogged down by a negative proclivity, or foreboding, to seeing the dark side of life — the most unlikable, or the most probable in their perimeter of thought. The most unique or characteristic emotional symptom of Graphites is insipidity too, a dull disposition. While the Graphites personality may not sink into a state of deep emotional distress — the fact is their bland outlook may never desert them. So also their wryness. While external impressions may not hit the skin of their thought profoundly, what again stays

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with them is a ‘surging’ element of dullness in their physiology and anatomy. The homeopathic remedy Graphites is used to treat not only acute, but also chronic or persistent health issues. It suits, from the homeopathic standpoint, individuals who are, by temperament and disposition, gentle, calm, unobtrusive and frank — in other words, people who are your next door, normal and pleasant folks. You may figure out the Graphites persona — more so, when you see someone who has a rolly-polly physical presence, is practical with a preference to execute rather than merely initiate a process, project, or task. You may also think of Graphites as an appropriate homeopathic remedy for individuals who are endowed with excellent coping skills in every situation in life, or when the chips are down. The only downside is their propensity to be just as lazy — at the other extreme. That they can be temperamental, when you least expect them to, is another — it denotes their state of mind, at that point of time, not their intent. Want to spot the Graphites individual in your midst? It is not difficult — when you identify someone with a dull, lethargic mind, who is slow to absorb or disseminate information. When you recruit, or interview, prospective candidates — you may be able to ‘diagnose’ the Graphites prospect, in a jiffy — someone who responds to your questions on the surface, not from deep within. You may end up feeling distant and not able to make contact with the individual in any real, tangible manner.

Jan Scholten, the renowned Dutch homeopath, who was decorated with the Dutch knighthood recently [see pg 26, ‘Homeopathic Happenings,’ in this issue], says that Graphites individuals adopt a fixed set of values, usually copied from their parents, or tradition. They switch off their mind and just carry on. They do everything ‘because it should be done like that.’” According to the leading Indian homeopath, Rajan Sankaran, MD [Hom], “They [Graphites] have problems with understanding and comprehension, e.g., at a conference when the speaker says something that excites them and you ask them what was said, they try to repeat, word by word, but cannot be precise, because precision involves understanding and comprehending. This comes close to Baryta Carbonicum [a homeopathic remedy, made from carbonate of Baryta] — the incapacity to think and abstract.” KEY SIGNS • Poor memory, especially short-term • Lack of resolve; just can’t take the simplest of decisions • Cannot plan • A powerful feeling of inadequacy • Wants others to take decisions — or, waits for someone to ‘make’ their decisions • Is usually upset or annoyed with trifles. Graphites is generally meticulous about trifles. Trifles make them fussy too • They weep for almost no reason, or just for the heck of it, at the drop of a thought. You’d think of a homeopathic corollary for the symptom — Pulsatilla, because of the weepy ‘connect.’ The difference, of course, is obvious. For Graphites, it is sentimental weeping, not wailing from a depressive or moody state. It is also weeping caused because of a sad, dejected, full of self-sympathetic and, at times, an overbearing sense of impending death. Worse still, listening to music makes Graphites more wretched

• Picture this — the Graphites spouse is one who pesters his/her partner with too much trivia • When ailments are triggered from a sense of anticipation — especially with feelings such as anxiety, restlessness, trepidation, or fearful forebodings that cannot be eased • Most authorities in homeopathy suggest that Graphites patients always emote a feeling of troubled agitation with a foreboding that calamity is just lurking around the corner, or waiting to strike • When mood changes are obvious — cheerful in the morning and agitated in the late afternoon or late evening. Mood changes may connote impatience, annoyance, or fretfulness, with a strong urge to keep to oneself, or spend time in silent contemplation • Yet another trait is Graphites may get angry all too quickly and fly into a rage. Yet, they may cool down at the speed of thought when consoled. USES The homeopathic remedy Graphites is prepared by triturating or pulverising graphite powder with milk sugar [lactose] — to make it soluble. The mixture is dissolved in water, diluted and succussed frequently to the desired potency levels. The resultant solution does not retain a vestige of the original substance graphite, except its curative, or nanotherapeutic energy — a potent and effective remedy to treating a variety of ailments that corresponds to its symptom-portrait. • Weeping eczema, accompanied by a discharge resembling honey — this typically presents at the back of the ears and the knees, on the palms of the hand and the nipples • Dry, cracked skin, psoriasis, and cuts that become infected easily and ooze pus • Keloids [elevated, scratchy scars], or scar tissue that turns firm • Deformed nails where the nails are usually thick, cracked and distorted

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• Metabolic imbalance, such as obesity, primarily because the body’s physiology is not able to use nutrients appropriately [Graphites not only treats the condition, but also prevents inherent complications from raising their ugly heads] • Gastric ulcers, where the individual feels better when they are lying down or consuming hot food. Graphites is safe and effective in the treatment of gastric or duodenal ulcers and tummy aches, especially when relieved by hot food or drink, especially warm milk. There can be acute attacks of acidity along with a feeling of extreme heat in the stomach and throat. This often leads to a desire for cold drinks, which worsens the symptoms • When such ulcers can trigger skin disorders • Hair loss, cold sores, and infrequent hot sweats followed by bleeding from the nose • Spasms and lack of sensation in the hands and feet • Enlarged glands • Nails that appear to be cracked, dehydrated and painful. The skin around the nails may bleed and easily get infected • Cracked skin, especially on the nose and skin folds • Eruptions in the bends of elbows, groins, behind the ears, in the corners of the mouth and in the eyelids • Fungus infections in the folds of skin and nails • Old scars that open up and become raw once again. Most homeopaths prescribe Graphites for the copious production of mucous, in the nasal cavity, when blowing the nose to rid oneself of excess mucous hurts because of cracks on the skin. The condition may co-exist with atopic dermatitis [eczema]; this is one reason why professional homeopaths use Graphites to treat the presenting health problem, besides easing or preventing any other related, or concomitant, skin symptoms. Graphites is a top-notch remedy for women’s ailments. It helps women who suffer from irregular, scant or complete absence of menstrual flow. It is also effective in women who have been diagnosed with distended ovaries and delayed menstruation, when accompanied by swollen and tender breasts, not to speak of bowel inactivity — constipation. Graphites can be a good remedy for menopausal symptoms too — such as hot flushes, night sweats, irregular or late periods, decreased libido and vaginal dryness. Graphites can also be used in the treatment of bowel problems, especially where the stools are large, hard, knotty and covered with viscid mucous. Other areas that Graphites would be a useful remedy are — • Inflamed eyes that appear red, itchy and irritated, along with a sticky discharge • Individuals having breathing as well as hearing problems. Graphites is also useful for certain sexual dysfunctions, such as impotence, after being high on

libido at an early age — especially in men. GRAPHITES INDEX • Obese individuals, with a pale, puffy look on the face • Individuals who are extremely sensitive to mildest of cold air, yet averse to heat and feel suffocated in a stuffy environ. They may just yet crave for air — which is ironical • Sweating on least exertion; profuse night sweats that stain their bedcover or pillow; yellow offensive foot sweats • Excessive tiredness, sleeplessness — no urge for any activity • A constant desire to lie down. Feels sleepy during daytime, sleepless at night and dull, unrefreshed in the morning • Shy individuals who have a rush of blood to the head with a flushing face, yet may have icy cold hands and feet • All physical symptoms often precede flushing on the face • Aversion to sweets, and salt, more so in children and young adults • Graphites individuals may also have a tendency for fissures, especially on the sides of nose, mouth or anus. Skin disorders, such as atopic dermatitis [eczema], may show dry skin cracks and flakes. When the skin cracks, the individual may show a certain thick honey-like fluid that dries into yellow crusts. Think of Graphites when anyone you know has a propensity to thick ‘growths’ in the skin, or a tendency to form thick scars [keloids] after a wound or surgical procedure. Or, when the nails are thick and distorted.

Dr Samir Choukkar, MD [Hom], is a Mumbai-based homeopath. He is an academician with a penchant for clinical practice and homeopathic personality types.

HOMEOPATHY & YOU | SEPTEMBER 2014

MEDICAL MARVELS: LITTLE PILLS, BIG RESULTS

Balance Regained By Dr HARISH NAGAOKAR, BHMS, Mumbai

hirty-eight-year-old Seema K, a teacher, visited me showing symptoms and signs of hyperpigmenation since childhood. Though there was no itching, pigmentation issues affected her face, limbs and back. Before coming to us, Seema had taken ayurvedic as well as conventional medications. She had also consulted a local homeopath, but failed to get long-lasting relief. Worried about the fact that her condition could be incurable, she hesitantly came to us on the insistence of one of her friends who is our patient. We diagnosed Seema with macular amyloidosis, a condition caused by abnormal deposits of protein called amyloid in the skin. The symptoms of macular amyloidosis include flat discoloured skin spots, merging of skin spots

to form patches, along with patches of darkened skin. While taking her detailed case history, a routine and important part of homeopathic consultation, Seema revealed that she was extremely upset due to her divorce and the untimely death of her son in an accident. She preferred to be alone and wept effortlessly. She was reserved and introverted by temperament. We prescribed her the homeopathic remedy, Natrum Muriaticum 200C, based on her presenting symptoms, her illness and personality type. After three years of homeopathic treatment, she was relieved of her pigmentation woes. The illness that had troubled her since childhood â&#x20AC;&#x201D; one that she thought was incurable â&#x20AC;&#x201D; no longer troubles her.

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Clear Skin By Dr NIDHI DUBE, BHMS, New Delhi

hirty-three-year-old Harshil M presented with dark brown coloured spots on his face since one year. We found out, during case-taking, that he used to be always stressed due to constant quarrels at home between his wife and parents. He also had a tendency, as we deduced, to be extremely nervous whenever he thought he had done something erroneous. Besides, he appeared to have low selfconfidence and took time to mix with others. He feared being alone and was insecure of losing his job. A detailed medical history revealed that his father was prone to kidney stones. We diagnosed him with lichen planus [LP] pigmentosus, a rare variant of lichen planus, characterised by the presence of hyperpigmented, dark-brown macules [a flat, distinct, discoloured area] in sun-exposed, or skin-fold, areas of the body. The exact cause of LP pigmentosus is unknown, but it is thought to be the result of an autoimmune process with an unknown initial trigger. The name lichen planus originates because of its resemblance to a plant called lichen that grows on rocks and tree bark, while planus is the Latin word for flat. We analysed and examined the symptoms of his illness and his personality, and we prescribed him

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the homeopathic remedy, Arsenicum Album 200C, followed by Sepia Officinalis 200C. After one year of homeopathic treatment, his skin complaint reduced. Today, it is fully resolved. He, as he put it, does not face awkward remarks on his health condition. Not surprisingly, he is less stressful, and more confident, than ever before.

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Toadleapâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; To Good Health By Dr ANU R, BHMS, Chennai

yoti A, a college student, presented with eruptions on her elbow joints since 2-3 years. The eruptions were also associated with itching. The problem embarrassed her, especially in social gatherings. Whenever she went out for dinner with her friends, she used to be extremely stressed about remarks made regarding her skin problem, which is considered by many to be repulsive while eating. Jyoti was diagnosed with phrynoderma.

Phrynoderma [meaning toad skin], is a type of follicular keratosis. It is a distinctive form of follicular hyperkeratosis [where hair follicles contain an excessive amount of keratin] associated with nutritional deficiency. Although originally thought to represent vitamin A deficiency, several studies have demonstrated multiple aetiologies [causes]. The skin bumps tend to occur primarily on the trunk and extremities. A detailed case analysis revealed that Jyoti had a strong aversion for sweets. She was extremely stubborn and got livid when contradicted. She felt left out and unwanted and also had suicidal thoughts at times. Considering her presenting symptoms and personality, we prescribed her the homeopathic remedies, Pulsatilla 200C, followed by Lecithin 6X. After 18 months of homeopathic treatment, she was cured of her skin eruptions and itching. Also, after the treatment, Jyoti is more tolerant and accepting of things and no longer bogged down by suicidal thoughts. The case again emphasises the fact that homeopathy works well in skin problems with emotional underpinnings.

medicines, but it provided no long-term relief. She also complained of constant headaches. We diagnosed her problem as angular stomatitis, due to her characteristic symptoms — painful cracks in the corners of the mouth. Angular stomatitis is often related to nutritional deficiencies, like iron or vitamin B2, B3, B6, and/or B12 deficiency, where the skin at the corners of the mouth breaks down and can become infected. The problem tends to be most painful while speaking, eating, coughing, or yawning. Other factors that cause angular stomatitis are fungal [yeast] and bacterial infections of the mouth. Ill-fitting dentures may also be another cause of the disorder. Frequent licking of the corners of the mouth may contribute to angular stomatitis too. Allergies to lipstick and toothpaste can, likewise, be one of the causes. Also, some people have adverse reactions to certain types of conventional medications [e.g., aspirin] — this can cause sores inside the mouth and at the corners of the lips. After evaluating her presenting and other symptoms, we prescribed Richa the homeopathic remedy, Acid Nitricum 200C. After two months of treatment, the fissures on her mouth were resolved completely; there was no itching or redness any more. Besides, her headache was relieved. She is extremely happy today, because as she puts it, “I can now enjoy my favourite spicy foods without worrying about the pain that troubled me so much before.”

Fissure Fixed

By Dr SRINIVASAN G, BHMS, Chennai

hirty-year-old Richa S, a software executive, visited our clinic complaining of fissures [deep cracks] on the inside corners of her mouth. She complained of associated itching, redness and burning for over a year. She had taken conventional HOMEOPATHY & YOU | SEPTEMBER 2014

HOW HOMEOPATHY HELPED ME

Safe & Strongly Spot Free

noticed a tiny white spot on my arm, all of a sudden, but I did not think much about it. A few days later, I noticed another white spot on my neck. I ignored it. I was horrified when I saw a large white spot on my forehead, some weeks later. I realised this could, perhaps, be white patches [vitiligo], something we all dread. I was now directed by a friend to consult Dr Daniel Raj. He put me on homeopathic medication. A month later, there was no improvement, but there was no deterioration either. In other words, no new white spots were detected. However, I slowly began to notice the white spots fading away; they disappeared completely in a span of 10-12 months. You can imagine my joy, delight, and relief. I had always thought of homeopathy as being just sweet, little pills, and also too slow — in my case, it was quite quick. Thank you, homeopathy. Thank you, Dr Raj! –– Nina Sood, a patient of Dr Daniel Raj, BHMS, MBA, Bengaluru

So Long… Sneezy Distress

was suffering from severe dust allergy for over two years. My condition would be at its worst whenever I would dust and clean the house, or anything, or when I’d be stuck in traffic jams. I would also feel completely suffocated sometimes due to the problem. Nothing, no treatment, really helped. I decided to switch over to homeopathic treatment after reading a newspaper article on allergies. Following six months of homeopathic treatment, I found a positive difference. I continued with the treatment for a while. I now feel good and healthy. A big thank you, Dr Rajendra Prasad! –– Shubha K, a patient of Dr Rajendra Prasad, BHMS, Chennai

Editor’s Note: Readers/patients are advised not to be irregular while taking homeopathic treatment as it prevents a proper analysis of the efficacy, or otherwise, of the remedy administered.

HOMEOPATHY & YOU | SEPTEMBER 2014

YOUR LITTLE BOX: HomeopatHic Kit FoR eveRy Home

FERRUM PHOS: THE HANDY, BROADSPECTRUM HOME REMEDY the homeopathic Ferrum Phosphoricum is a safe and effective remedy in the early stages of fever and infections, including inflammatory conditions, such as respiratory disorders, earache, and digestive problems, among other health issues. By Dr RUSHI VYAS

he homeopathic Ferrum Phosphoricum was proved by Dr J C Morgan in 1876. It is often given at the initial stage of fever, infections and also inflammatory conditions, such as respiratory problems, earaches, digestive, circulatory, and urogenital disorders. The remedy is most suitable for attentive, affable, open-natured people who are sensitive and sympathetic, but swing into action only when something has disturbed them, or they feel has gone wrong. The remedy also corresponds to individuals who present with symptoms of overexcitement, are too talkative, and have difficulty in focusing on things, or the job in hand. The homeopathic remedy, as most homeopathic doctors observe, is also best prescribed for imaginative, cheerful and lively folks — who change suddenly from a state of ‘normalcy’ to a listless, dejected state. FEVER • Slow-onset fever with hot flashes, top-heavy sweating, and extreme thirst • Symptoms are better by cold; pressure on the inflamed area; and, being left alone • Symptoms are worse at night; before sweating; and, physical exertion. RESPIRATORY • A slow-onset cold, with nosebleed and dry, hacking cough, sometimes with chest pain • Hoarseness with sore throat. Other symptoms may include short, panting breaths • Symptoms are better from light exercise; cold compresses • Symptoms are worse at night; early morning; before sweating; and, physical exertion. EARACHE • Pain and itching in the ear, sometimes with hearing loss. Pain may be one-sided • Symptoms better from cold; or, with pressure on the ear • Symptoms are worse at night; and, physical exertion.

GASTRIC • Indigestion, sour burps, and vomiting of food that looks undigested • Poor appetite with intense thirst • Diarrhoea with a tendency to recur during summer • Constipation, when accompanied by piles [haemorrhoids] • Blood in the stools — a classical indication of the initial stages of dysentery • Symptoms are better with light exercise • Symptoms are worse from heat; sun; movement; night; cold drinks; and, sour foods. POOR CIRCULATION • Varicose veins and nosebleed with bright red blood and a weak, rapid pulse • Flushed face with weakness and pallor • Symptoms are better from cold compresses • Symptoms worse from heat and movement. RAYNAUD’S DISEASE • Fingers and toes white, cold, numb, tingling, and burning, due to restricted blood flow [when blood vessels contract in the cold] • Symptoms better from pressure on the fingers; or, walking at a slow, measured pace. UROGENITAL PROBLEMS • Short periods [menstrual cycles], dry vagina, dragging pain and night-time stress incontinence [dribbling of urine] in women • Discernible loss of libido in men • Symptoms better from light exercise • Symptoms worse during night; or, touch. KEY SYMPTOMS • Colds accompanied by momentary hearing loss • Conditions that appear gradually • Hot flashes • Pale face that flushes easily • Symptoms worse from cold air. Dosage. Ferrum Phosphoricum 30C, 4-5 pills, twice daily, or as prescribed, or advised, by your homeopathic doctor.

Dr Rushi Vyas, BHMS, is a Mumbai-based homeopath.

HOMEOPATHY & YOU | SEPTEMBER 2014

CHILD HEALTH

HOMEOPATHY FOR BOWEL & URINARY PROBLEMS Homeopathy treats not just diarrhoea, or urinary infection, but the child having the problem. In simple terms, it treats the child as a whole, not just the illness in isolation. By Dr R RAMPRASAD

iarrhoea is one of the most common illnesses and, perhaps, the leading cause of death among children worldwide. Nearly half-dozen strains of viruses cause diarrhoeal illness [gastroenteritis] in children. Most diarrhoeal problems are associated with localised outbreaks in day-care centres and schools. Bacteria may also cause either inflammatory or non-inflammatory diarrhoea. The most effective prevention measure is for children to have access to clean food and water. Careful hand washing and good sanitation practices also help in preventing the spread of diarrhoeal infections among children. It is evidenced that an increased rate of breast-feeding reduces the occurrence of diarrhoea, or gastroenteritis, in children. The key symptoms of gastroenteritis are diarrhoea, with or

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without vomiting. Other symptoms and signs may include fever and lethargy. Fever and severe abdominal pain are more common in inflammatory diarrhoea. The degree of dehydration should be established quickly, before diarrhoea worsens. This is often life-saving. In most children presenting with viral gastroenteritis, fever and vomiting last less than 2-3 days, although loose stools may persist for up to a week. Most cases of diarrhoea caused by food-borne toxins last 1-2 days. Some, but not all, bacterial infections continue for longer periods of time. Diarrhoeal illnesses, for the most part, are benign, or self-limiting. Yet, treatment should begin early to prevent complications. Death, due to diarrhoea, in the developing world, is primarily caused by dehydration, shock and

circulatory collapse. With quick and proper treatment, rehydration and refeeding, deaths from viral gastroenteritis are minimal. However, death rates from bacterial infections depend on the virulence of the organism, timely treatment and the nature of complications. HEALING WITH HOMEOPATHY Homeopathy treats not just diarrhoea, but the child with the problem. In simple terms, it treats the child as a whole. Every child with diarrhoeal problems ought to have, like other health issues, certain physical and emotional symptoms. They also have a certain type of personality, response to illness, feelings, likes and dislikes — to foods, cold or warmth, among other things. A suitable homeopathic remedy is prescribed, based on such findings. Arsenicum Album is useful in diarrhoea brought on by eating spoiled or tainted food, or eating too much fruit, or when toxicity is suspected after the intake of ‘tainted’ food. The child is exhausted, yet restless and unable to find a comfortable position. They feel worse at and after midnight; they are often thirsty, yet they take just a few sips at a time. Podophyllum is another effective remedy, when there is a gurgling sound in the abdomen, with a sudden urge to pass stools. The stools are profuse and offensive. The diarrhoea is aggravated by eating, drinking and moving around. Chamomilla is indicated in diarrhoeal states in infants and children, especially when they are extremely irritable, fitful and inconsolable, or when they ask for something and reject it, when offered. The child feels better when carried around. Teething or ‘colicky’ infants, who experience diarrhoea,

respond well to this remedy. The remedy is also useful when diarrhoea is smelly, green, and slimy, like chopped grass; or, when it smells like rotten eggs. Veratrum Album is indicated when children have diarrhoea and vomiting and/or are chilly and weak. Or, when they tend to, ironically, crave for ice-cold drinks, despite being chilly. They may also have a bloated feeling in the abdomen and complain of stomach pain.

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inflammation of the body caused by severe infection] and meningitis [a life-threatening acute inflammation of the protective membrane covering the brain and spinal cord]. Recurrent UTI can cause high blood pressure [hypertension], or renal insufficiency [kidney failure] later in life. In children with structurally normal urinary tracts, appropriate treatment of chronic constipation has been shown to decrease the recurrence of UTI. Behavioural counselling and encouragement often help children to get over certain difficulties associated with incomplete emptying of the bladder. Improved hygiene, especially in girls, may possibly decrease UTI rates too. Circumcision in boys is suggested to reduce UTIs.

CLINICAL STUDY In a randomised, placebo [dummy pill] controlled study, published in Pediatrics, a group of children, suffering from acute diarrhoea, were individually prescribed homeopathic remedies. The homeopathic agents were found to be superior to placebo. In another study, published in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, a group of children [aged 6 months to 5 years], suffering from diarrhoea, were given an individualised homeopathic remedy, or placebo, over a 5-day period. Results assessed at the end of the period showed homeopathy to be superior to placebo as a means of relieving diarrhoea. Diarrhoea is not as simple as it appears to be on the surface. It can sometimes be dangerous, even fatal. It is, therefore, imperative that the disorder, whatever its form of presentation, mild or severe, is best treated by a professional homeopathic doctor at the clinic –– as soon as possible before the child has lost substantial fluids. SELF-HELP • Keep your child away from foods or beverages that ‘trigger’ symptoms of indigestion • Wash vessels, vegetables and fruits with filtered water — especially if your child has diarrhoea or a tendency for it. Good food hygiene is just as important to prevent a relapse • Hydrate well; encourage your child to drink 6-8 glasses of water, everyday. This will help to prevent dehydration • Call your professional homeopathic doctor promptly, if your child’s symptoms worsen. UTI Urinary tract infections [UTIs] are the most common and serious form of bacterial infections in children. Parents are apprehensive when the child appears to be in pain while urinating, more so when fever may be the only presenting symptom. Typical UTI symptoms include pain during urination, urgency, and urinary frequency. Complications of UTI include sepsis [potentially fatal

HEALING WITH HOMEOPATHY Aconitum Napellus is the first remedy of choice. It is often useful when the child feels anxious both before and during urination. The symptoms are often hot, scanty urine, and a burning feeling. Apis Mellifica is indicated when the child needs to urinate frequently, but only small quantities are passed. Stinging and burning sensations are apparent. Belladonna may be beneficial if urging to urinate is frequent and intense, and the bladder feels sensitive. Berberis Vulgaris is useful when there are twinges of cutting pain, or a burning feeling. The passage may also burn at times — after emptying the bladder, the child feels as if some urine still remained inside. Cantharis is useful when there is a scalding feeling while passing urine. COMMON QUESTIONS ANSWERED Q. My eleven-year-old daughter has frequent diarrhoea. She vomits, has feverish feeling, and gas. Every now and then, she feels chilly. Strangely, she loves to eat ice-cream. Please help. A. Your daughter would do well by following some preventative measures — example, careful hand washing. The key sign of gastroenteritis is diarrhoea, with or without vomiting. Please give your daughter the homeopathic remedy, Veratrum Album 30C, 4-5 pills, twice daily. The remedy is extremely useful when there is diarrhoea and vomiting with a chilly feeling or bloated abdomen, with a strong desire for ice-cold things. Q. My fourteen-year-old nephew has urinary tract infection. He complains of cutting pain and burning while passing urine. He feels there is some urine left always. Can homeopathy help? A. Urinary tract infections [UTIs] are most common problems in children. You get to know when the child appears to be in pain while urinating. Typical UTI symptoms include pain during urination and urinary frequency. Please give your nephew the homeopathic remedy, Berberis Vulgaris 30C, 4-5 pills, twice daily. The remedy is especially useful when there is a cutting pain, or burning feeling, while passing urine. Consult a local homeopath if there is no progress.

Dr R Ramprasad, BHMS, is a Thane-based homeopath, specialising in children’s disorders.

HOMEOPATHY & YOU | SEPTEMBER 2014

DOCTOR’S ORDERS

By Dr MUKESH BATRA lCEH, FSRH [MED] P [lOND], MDH [USA], FBIH [UK] PADMA SHRI RECIPIENT

I am a 31-year-old graphic designer. I have had irregular periods for some time. I also had my first bout of mild mastitis, following pregnancy. I was prescribed a birth-control pill, which helped. A few months later, the problem became worse. I was prescribed some allopathic medications. It made things worse. Please advice. Mastitis is an inflammatory disorder of the breast. It may be caused by a ‘jammed’ milk duct, or bacteria entering a cracked nipple during lactation, or infection from an abscess [pus] etc. There may also be a hormonal cause. If you have symptoms, such as discharge from the breast, which may not be related to lactation, please consult your doctor promptly. Meanwhile, I’d suggest that you take the homeopathic remedy, Calcarea Carbonicum 200C, 4-5 pills, twice [morning and night] daily. Please let me know your progress.

keep your doctor updated. Also, seek professional psychiatric help if you don’t feel any better.

My six-year-old son has had atopic dermatitis [eczema] for over two years. Although it comes and fades on most parts of his body, it is prominent on his forehead. His arms and legs are worst affected. He was on cortisone treatment, including antibiotics for some time. His eczema has apparently worsened. Please help. You’d try to eliminate certain foods, or food additives from your son’s diet. This may help to identify the trigger for his allergy. A patch test may also be useful. From the homeopathic standpoint, I’d suggest that you give him Calcarea Sulphuricum 6X, 4-5 pellets, twice daily, for one month. Please do speak to your physician and keep him informed of your son’s health.

I’m suffering from depression for over a year. I have severe giddiness, the moment I get up from bed, especially in the morning. This began following unwanted stress at my workplace and after we moved into our new house. I feel awfully uneasy and anxious. I also feel physically and mentally exhausted and unwilling to even answer ’phone calls. I am on anti-depressants. I feel I will never recover from my moody blues. Please suggest a suitable homeopathic remedy. What you have is more than gloom that some individuals suffer from time to time. The symptoms include hopelessness, desperation, lethargy, and a lack of well-being. This can continue for some time. There may also be certain physical symptoms. Phosphorus 200C, 4-5 pills, twice daily, may be useful for your complaints. Please

Do you have a health question? Need an answer?

E-mail your health questions to: expertadvice@ homeopathyandyou.com Renowned homeopath Dr Mukesh Batra will answer your questions.

My dad, a retired banker, slowly developed joint pain [rheumatoid arthritis, as his doctor says] in his feet, especially the toes and ankles. A few months later, it spread to his fingers. When this happened, a distressing thing took place. For a passionate, amateur musician, my father could no longer play his favourite instrument, the sitar. He seems to be awfully depressed because of it. Please suggest a suitable homeopathic remedy. Rheumatoid arthritis [RA] is an autoimmune disorder. It’s, however, not known why the body should by itself start to assault the joints. It is said that there may be a strong genetic tendency in certain people for RA. Some people with a certain tissue type are also suggested to be predisposed to it. I’d suggest that you give your dad the homeopathic remedy, Rhus Toxicodendron 200C, 4-5 pills, twice daily. Please keep your doctor updated about his condition, from time to time.

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FOR WOMEN

MANAGE DIABETES SAFELY & EFFECTIVELY Homeopathy understands each disease holistically [mind-body-spirit] and ‘tailors’ treatment for each individual having a given, or not given, disease. Diabetes is no exception.

By Dr PANKAJ AGGARWAL

omeopathy treats the individual who has the disease, not just the disease the patient has. This actually reflects a good deal of wisdom — it implies that any individual can fall ‘victim’ to an illness or disease, depending upon one’s personality. This includes certain traits and characters — a consequence of heredity and environmental [psychobiological and psychosocial] factors. Homeopathic doctors often aim to understand each illness or disease, corresponding to a personality trait. This is reason enough why some people are believed to be susceptible to one disease, for example diabetes, while others may be vulnerable to some other illness, such as arthritis. Diabetes is a major disorder worldwide, more so in India. It is reported that over 6.20 crore people in our country — 2.90 crore of them being women — now suffer from the disorder. Put another way, this is more than the combined population of Australia and Canada. What’s more, over 44 lakh Indians [or, more than three times the entire population of Milan in Italy] in their most productive years — age 20-79 — do not

HOMEOPATHY & YOU | SEPTEMBER 2014

know that they have diabetes. You know what to blame — modern, sedentary lifestyle, along with high calorie diet, lack of awareness, notwithstanding the information glut, and far too much stress. In my opinion, diabetes is a somatic [body] disorder with a psychobiological and psychosocial underpinning. PERSONALITY & GLUCOSE REGULATION The new, rapidly expanding field of psychoneuroimmunology [PNI] details how it all happens in human beings. In addition, the relationship between psychiatric and endocrinological illnesses is no less important, because of our shared biological milieu. You’d know why — blood glucose levels and their regulation directly affect our brain and mental functions. Conversely, blood glucose is affected by way of mental and emotional changes. New research also highlights the delicate relationship that exists between personality traits and glucose regulation, such as — • Anger • Anxiety, helpfulness; understands preferences and needs

of others as well as their own and tries to co-operate with others • High antagonism; disagreeableness • Depression, gloom, passivity, and a tendency for ‘harm prevention.’ Everyone feels sad now and then. When sadness lasts for months, or when one loses interest in things that would have made them happy before, the resultant effect could be changes in sleep and eating patterns • Fatigability [easily tired] and weight gain. A history of tuberculosis [TB] is one of the reasons for easy fatigability [There may be a constitutional, genetic trait to TB, albeit modern medicine considers the disorder as infectious, nothing more perforce]. HEALING WITH HOMEOPATHY One of the basic questions most people ask a homeopath is, “Should I discontinue my anti-diabetic conventional medication to start homeopathic treatment?” The answer is a resolute “no.” • Remember that homeopathy is healing all of you — not just regulating your blood sugar levels. • Women with diabetes are encouraged, by homeopaths, to exercise regularly for better blood sugar control and to reduce the risk of cardiovascular [heart] disease. The reason for this is our muscles use more glucose when active than while resting. • Your muscle movements also lead to greater sugar uptake by the cells and lower blood sugar levels. Additional benefits of exercise include a more healthy heart, along with weight and stress control. • The goal of homeopathic treatment is to lower one’s high blood glucose levels. The long-term goal is aimed to prevent complications from diabetes, such as vision loss, with physical activity and appropriate nutrition. THINGS TO DO • Homeopathic remedies should be taken after cleaning the mouth; preferably on empty stomach • Strong smelling substances like onion, garlic etc., should not be taken half-an-hour before and after taking the homeopathic remedy • The remedies should not be taken if the white globules have turned yellow, or if sediments appear in the liquid form of the remedy • During homeopathic treatment, no other medicines should be taken, unless okayed by your homeopathic doctor • Keep the medicines: 1] Away from strong smelling substances, like camphor, menthol etc., 2] In a cool, dry place away from direct exposure to sunlight 3] Away from the reach of children. Most diseases are ‘bogged’ by a number of myths. This stems essentially from ignorance or a lack of proper

information. Diabetes is no exception — it is filled with a number of imaginary beliefs. It is imperative to debunk such prevailing myths and present actual facts. Myth: Eating too much sugar causes diabetes. Fact: There is no proof that sugar is the main cause of diabetes. Diabetes is often related to family history, wrong eating habits, little or no physical activity. However, once it sets in, there should be a strict ‘no-no’ to sugar in any form. Myth: Healthy foods don’t raise blood sugar. Fact: The fact is that most foods provide carbohydrates. And, if there is enough insulin present in the body naturally or provided by injections, it will utilise the carbohydrates and consequently your blood sugar will not rise. However, if your body is producing less insulin or not utilising it sufficiently, then your blood sugar is bound to rise, even if you eat healthy foods. Myth: Only medical treatment can control diabetes. Fact: Diabetes is a disease that requires dietary interventions, along with medical treatment. Medications are only a part. What is also needed is a lifestyle that allows the medication to work more effectively, by helping your body heal itself from the inside out. This comes with a healthy, well balanced diet as well as a regular exercise and relaxation regimen. Myth: Diabetics have to eat special foods. Fact: Diabetics can eat ‘normal,’ food, barring sugary stuff. Myth: People with diabetes can eat any number of sugarfree products. Fact: Sugar-free does not mean calorie-free. It is advisable to keep a check on the calorie ‘count’ of food, before consuming it. This way your total calorie intake can be kept under control. This will also help in keeping a good check on your blood sugar level. Recent research indicates serious side-effects on the nervous system caused by the long-term use of sugar-free substances. The best thing to do is to avoid them. Myth: Stresses and strains of everyday life are not related to diabetes. Fact: The fact is that everyday stresses, as well as emotional and crises situations can play a role in raising your blood sugar levels. Hence, people with diabetes are advised to take time out to relax and keep their stress levels under control. A proper understanding of any illness or disease only means having a thorough knowledge of it, its causes and effects. This is why it is mandatory for all diabetics to be well-informed and able to separate myths from facts, or ‘hearsay’ chaff from ‘sugary’ grain.

Dr Pankaj Aggarwal, MD [Hom], is a New Delhi-based senior homeopath, specialising in diabetes and other systemic illnesses.

HOMEOPATHY & YOU | SEPTEMBER 2014

HOMEOPATHIC HAPPENINGS

KNIGHTHOOD FOR DUTCH HOMEOPATH

an Scholten, one of homeopathy’s leading lights, has been decorated as Knight in the Dutch Order of Orange Nassau by the Mayor of Utrecht, the Netherlands. This title is reserved for Dutch citizens who deserve appreciation and recognition from society for the special way in which they have carried out their activities. The idea, originally put forward by Jan’s eighteen-yearold niece and her mother, to present him as a candidate for knighthood, was supported by Jan’s wife, Maria, and then by homeopaths from around the world, who all wrote letters attesting to the importance of Jan’s work and his humanitarian qualities. One would be hard pressed to find a more worthy recipient of this prize. Jan’s tireless work in the development and advancement of homeopathy has opened up countless new possibilities for cure and has influenced homeopathy worldwide. In 1987, together with colleagues, Jan founded the Homeopathic Centre for Doctors in Utrecht. Jan brings to his work not only his knowledge of medicine, but also of chemistry, mathematics, and philosophy. He calls himself a scientist, making good use of solid information and logical thinking. At the same time, he stands open to information derived through the senses, thus marrying right and left brain in his research. He has conducted many provings and has furthered not only our understanding of remedies, but of homeopathy in a broader context.

HOMEOPATHY WORKS

omeopathy really does work and doctors should recognise its healing effects, say researchers, reports The Daily Mail, UK. A study found that allergy sufferers who were given homeopathic treatment were ten times more likely to be cured than those given a placebo [dummy pill] instead. Doctors should be more positive about the alternative medicine, which is the only complementary therapy available on the NHS, the researchers said. Their study attempts to settle the controversy over homeopathic treatment, which critics say is not effective because of the tiny level of active substance used in most remedies. Homeopathy works on the principle that a substance which in large doses will cause the symptoms of an illness can be used in minute doses to relieve the same symptoms. Critics argue that the active substance is so diluted that homeopathic remedies have no more effect than placebo or dummy treatment. Modern science has shown that

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nano-doses of anything have a disproportionately large power; nanoscience is now applying this idea to diverse fields, such as genetics, agriculture etc. The study put homeopathy to the test in 50 patients suffering from nasal allergies. They were given either a

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homeopathic preparation or a placebo. Each day for four weeks patients recruited from general practices and a hospital in London measured their nasal air flow and recorded symptoms such as blocked, runny or itchy nose, sneezing or eye irritation. Both groups reported that they got better — but on average patients who received homeopathy had a 28 per cent improvement in nasal air flow compared with 3 per cent among those in the placebo group. The study was carried out by doctors, led by David Reilly, MD, PhD, of the Glasgow Homeopathic Hospital, one of five specialist hospitals in Britain. He said the difference in results from the two treatments was statistically significant. Reilly said this was the fourth trial carried out by his hospital, all with similar results. In addition, there were positive findings in 70 per cent of a further 180 clinical trials. “I hope this will encourage doctors to examine the

volume of evidence supporting homeopathy — they might be quite surprised at the positive outcome in many trials,” he said. He added that it would take consistent scientific investigation to persuade some doctors, but attitudes were changing. About 20 per cent of doctors in Scotland have basic homeopathic training compared with one per cent 15 years ago. “It isn’t just about the remedies, which can be put to the test in trials, but about a greater holistic approach in encouraging self-healing and self-recovery.” Dr Bob Leckridge, President of the Faculty of Homeopathy, UK — the body for doctors, vets, nurses and other health professionals — said, “This latest research builds on existing evidence that homeopathy works, something that hundreds of doctors and their patients have known for 200 years.”

VET HOMEOPATHY @ DR BATRA’S STATE-OF-THE ART PET CARE HOSPITAL, YUSUF SARAI, NEW DELHI

‘GINGER’ CURED

By Dr SHALLY, BVSc & AH, MVSc [Surgery & Radiology]

inger, a friendly alsatian, was ‘down’ with severe cough and vomiting. His owners had tried a few simple ‘home’ remedies, for 3-4 days with no relief, before they brought him to us. We examined him and found that his chest was ‘sickeningly’ congested. It was obvious that Ginger was ‘coughing up’ a good deal of mucous — and, this was getting aspirated back in his mouth, which he swallowed. We also found that Ginger had a painful neck — we ordered an X-ray, along with blood tests. We diagnosed that he had spondylosis, with likely signs of early hip disease. When we began to analyse Ginger’s presenting [cough and stringy mucous] symptoms and his neck pain, on the basis of physical examination, lab and radiology reports, we deduced that the homeopathic remedy, Causticum [potassium hydrate], appeared to be most suitable for him. We advised his owners to give him two doses of the remedy and wait for a few days. Ginger’s cough reduced after a week’s time, but returned suddenly. The owners rushed him to us. We asked them to continue with Causticum for 5-7 days — just one dose in the evening. Ginger slowly began to show some progress. After 3-4 weeks, Ginger’s cough and stringy mucous no longer troubled him. His painful neck and spondylosis seemed to be better too, although he

struggled a bit while ascending the staircase at home. A repeat X-ray showed no further deterioration in his condition; his lab reports were also satisfactory. In the course of time, Ginger began to progress well — the best part is he’s now back to his ‘playful’ self, albeit he is unable to run around just as quickly as he did before. We feel there is no need to give him further treatment — unless his old symptoms reappear. His owners are happy that he doing fine — thanks to safe and effective homeopathic treatment. For appointments, contact: T: [011]-4269 4800/M: 0-93805 80808/E: info@drbatraspetcare.com Website: www.drbatraspetcare.com

HOMEOPATHY & YOU | sEPTEMbEr 2014

WHAT LIES BENEATH: MYSTERIES OF HOMEOPATHY

THE HOMEOPATHIC ‘FIREWALL’ EFFECT Homeopathy boosts our bodily systems, naturally; it can, therefore, keep lurking, looming, or prowling, illnesses at bay. Or, even nullify them before they expand into full-blown symptoms.

By Dr RAjGOPAL NIDAMBOOR

omeopathy places a natural ‘firewall’ within our systems. It makes us better equipped to fend intruders, or beat them naturally, without the fear of unwanted ripple effects, or side-effects, in our system. Homeopathy suggests that bacteria or viruses are not, in actuality, the only cause of diseases or illnesses. Such micro-organisms actually trigger that ‘shift’ and reside in the unwell organs and thrive in them. Think of worm infestations: of worms that feed on our ailing bowel. Or, Helicobacter Pylori — which is triggered by stress, the emotional upshot for illness. When Louis Pasteur came out with his landmark theory that bacteria were the real cause of diseases, Hahnemann had advanced his idea of ‘murderous small entities,’ or ‘animalcules,’ affecting our health, when the microscope, or microbiology, was still in its infancy. This is one reason why homeopaths have always maintained that medical treatment should be aimed to strengthen our body’s inner workings, or defence mechanisms and flush illnesses out of the system — and, not merely kill the micro-organisms. In other words, when one treats the ‘soil’ that provides the base for micro-organisms to thrive, the intruder will not find the right environ conducive to flourish — this results in driving out the illness from the ‘root,’ and not just the extermination of the micro-organism alone. To illustrate a case in point. When our body puts up a defence system, or check-post, at the level of the tonsils, it provides ‘ideal’ conditions for bacteria to reproduce. When an appropriate homeopathic remedy is given, it may not kill them. Yet, the fact is the tonsillitis is controlled. The bacteria now depart because our inner predisposition towards tonsillitis is removed. In other words, the inner workings get corrected, because the virus or bacteria are deprived of the essential, ‘fertile’ conditions to reside and reproduce. Is this not reason enough why a healthy person is not as easily affected by bacteria or viruses as a person who is not healthy? Homeopathy helps us to become healthier than before when we drive out illnesses.

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Homeopathy can also certainly help in keeping us healthy — from the inside out. This is not merely the removal of apparent symptoms, or illnesses, that appear on the surface. It is reaching deep down and eliminating the cause of lurking health problems, or deviations. Homeopathy boosts our inner workings, naturally, while keeping lurking, looming, or prowling, illnesses at bay, and nullifying them before they expand into full-blown symptoms. LISTEN TO BODY SIGNALS Just before we fall sick, we all tend to have certain premonitory or body signals. For example, an ‘itchy’ feeling in the throat, with sniffles, before the onset of colds. This often responds to the homeopathic remedy, Nux Vomica. Or, an abrupt onset of high fever, face hot and flushed, likewise to the homeopathic remedy, Belladonna. Or, sudden diarrhoeal bouts, with excessive bloating and gas, especially in the morning, forcing one from bed, with the homeopathic remedy, Aloe Socotrina. All such problems are, of course, not serious issues, but they can upset our routine and rhythm. Worse still, they may also ‘transform’ into heightened illness. If this is not inviting trouble, what is? Homeopathy places a natural ‘firewall’ within our systems. It makes us better equipped to fend intruders, or beat them naturally, without the fear of unwanted ripple effects in our system. To look at the other side of the scale. Things only get worse when we have low vitality. When there is extreme loss of vitality, or immune deficiency, bacteria, or virus, move in — this may result in the inevitable. In other words, illness. We are all exposed to infections in the air. Just think of this commonplace spectacle. You dread to see someone sneezing away to glory in a bus or train, as you head your way to office. As millions of viruses are sprayed into the air, you’d think you will catch the infection, a bad cold. By

the way, when is a cold, good? Everyone has breathed in the sneeze, as it were. However, in reality, just one or two may get ill — not several others who were around. People who have an inherent, latent tendency towards catching the infection may get affected, because the offending virus finds ideal growing conditions, or ‘soil.’ This may not be the case with others, who are healthy. They ward off the intruder with impunity — without even realising it. What about contagious and epidemic illnesses, you may well ask. This is a good question. The fact, again, is that epidemics affect people who have a dormant, inner disposition towards the given disease. It cannot trouble others who have a strong physiological attribute. Likewise, it cannot affect your inner disposition to illness if the ‘condition’ is treated with homeopathic remedies, or when the illness is cured with their use. There’s also an additional advantage — homeopathic remedies ensure preventing certain illnesses that you may be prone to attract and suffer from. This is how it works, or does not work. When antibiotics are used, or misused, to treat tonsillitis, for instance, only the bacteria get killed. Tonsils are your first line of defence — the antibiotic incursion now leads to a weak defence, as the tonsils are ‘open’ to bacterial attack, because they have developed drug-resistance. HOLISTIC CHILL-PILL FOR URBAN ILLS There’s a glitzy buzz of living in big cities — it is also like Bollywood’s most famed flicks — a chronicle of people leaving their homes in search of riches. Urban life is no ‘Paradise Found.’ From violence or terrorism, to bacteria lurking in your bathroom. From pressure to perform. From allergies to loneliness. From pollution to noise, you have them all in full measure. If we test ourselves, we may find a number of toxic chemicals, and other pollutants, in our body. Well, we aren’t yet talking of stress, respiratory illnesses, high blood pressure, diabetes, or arthritis. Too much of ‘urbania’ on TV has robbed us of spending quality time with family and friends. It has replaced physical activity and social interaction, while lazing on the sofa. The result is: depression, overweight issues, and poor school performance in children. Besides, we have trouble with teenagers emulating TV characters, not to speak of their behaviours. Some examples are — aggression, eating disorders, sexual problems, and drug abuse. Homeopathy is mind-body medicine. It highlights that most illnesses start in the mind, with physical manifestations. Homeopathy treats and corrects the body’s internal environment — the real ‘seat’ of illness. It addresses the demands of our hectic, high-tech everyday life — the obsession with our ‘unputdownable’ mobile phone or laptop. Remember, it’s easy to forget about our body’s need for balance in the buzz of our everyday life. This loss of

balance can lead to stress and illness. Homeopathy aims to restore the balance and increase our vitality and energy — of leading a life of optimal well-being. It also aims to make our life better at our emotional and physical levels — sleeping well at night and expressing a harmonious ‘connect,’ during the day. Put simply, homeopathy can provide simple, safe, holistic solutions to our increasingly complex urban ailments, without side-effects. Nux Vomica is useful for people with high blood pressure living a high life — fast-food, taking too many medications, including laxatives, alcohol and smoking Pothos Foetidus is handy for dust- and pollution-related allergies Fucus Vesiculosus is useful for health concerns of overweight, desk-bound individuals Passiflora Incarnata, in tincture form, is useful in stressinduced sleeplessness and high blood pressure [NB: Avoid taking the remedy a week before surgery]. Homeopathy is customised, or personalised, medicine; it does not have a ‘one remedy that fits all’ for a given illness. A remedy that suits the individual’s unique pattern of symptoms best is the remedy that works best. This is ideally achieved during your office consultation with a professional homeopathic doctor. ANTIBIOTICS: THE DOWNSIDE The next time you get tonsillitis, you will need a higher dose of antibiotics, or more powerful antibiotics. This may expand their resistance to antibiotics. Antibiotics may not work now. It is a vicious cycle — a major drawback of conventional [allopathic] medical treatment. It may also be highlighted that when fresh incursions happen and when individuals are treated with higher doses of antibiotics, the bacteria, for instance, may only die on the surface. Some may go down, sneakingin through the weak fortress. They may now affect the bronchus and the lungs. Everyone accepts the fact that bacteria become invulnerable to antibiotics, over time. Bacteria are extremely resilient folks. The plethora of chronic diseases, and other invasions, we are exposed and witness to today, is proof of this statement. When antibiotics first came to the ‘rescue,’ we saw few illnesses around. How things have changed today. Just visit any school in your vicinity. You will see several children showing signs of some ‘chronic’ illness. — right from allergies, colds, bronchitis to allergic asthma, recurrent illnesses and serious diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease. This may be one reason, perhaps, why some erudite allopathic physicians avoid the use of antibiotics, and other ‘heroic’ drugs, at the drop of a symptom. Is this not reason enough for one to take professional homeopathic treatment and correct the ‘defective’ soil — and, prevent illnesses from turning into chronic conditions?

Dr Rajgopal Nidamboor is a board certified wellness physician, independent researcher and editor-publisher, H&Y

HOMEOPATHY & YOU | sEPTEMbEr 2014

HOM[E]O TRUTHS

SAFE, EFFECTIVE MEDICINE; NOT PLACEBO Homeopathy works in adults, children, animals, and also on plants. It shows effective results in infants too — even in acute problems, such as abdominal colic. This would not have been possible if homeopathic remedies, as sceptics believe, were just ‘placebo.’ By KAVITA NADKARNI

he popular myth that homeopathy ‘acts’ only in patients who believe in it is incorrect. It works effectively in sceptics who criticise it too. Homeopathy is the world’s second largest system of medicine. Unlike conventional medicine, outcomes of homeopathic treatment are measured by long-term curative effects, resulting in the eradication of the illness or disease state and complete restoration of health. People worldwide believe in homeopathy because the efficacy of homeopathic remedies has been proved, time and again, through several double-blind trials conducted across the globe. Studies have also shown the ability of ‘diluted’ homeopathic remedies to induce, for example, physiological changes in body temperature and inner workings. As Dr Tejal Ajmera-Patel, MD [Hom], a Mumbaibased homeopath, explains, “Even the most diluted homeopathic remedies, if taken frequently may result in symptoms to appear in a healthy individual. Medicinal reactions in healthy individuals also show that homeopathic remedies are active substances. If they were, indeed, just placebo [dummy pill] they would not have caused symptoms. Another way we know that homeopathy is not just for believers is that infants and animals, who have no ‘vested’ interest or ‘influenced’ conviction in the effectiveness of homeopathy, respond

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well to it.” Well, even folks who are sceptics can benefit from homeopathic treatment — as history would tell us. Some of the early pioneering homeopaths were conventional doctors who gave up their school of medicine, converted to and practiced homeopathy. The point also is — as long as one’s disbelief does not lead to sabotaging or abandoning treatment, homeopathy should work just as well in them. THE MECHANISM Homeopathy works by stimulating the body’s own healing mechanisms, through the concept of ‘like cures like.’ A substance that can cause symptoms in a healthy person can be used to cure the same symptoms in a sick person by giving minute, highly potentised doses of ‘that’ substance. This is, indeed, the principle too behind conventional allopathic vaccines. This ‘acts’ as a catalyst to jump-start their own healing mechanisms. Every individual has their own natural innate healing power. All that is needed is the correct stimulus to kick-start it. Homeopathy does precisely that. NOT JUST WATER All homeopathic medicines are made by a process of dilution and succession [potentisation through vigorous

combining results from different studies. In each case, medical and other researchers confirmed that the healthy, healing benefits of homeopathy went far beyond that which could be explained purely by the placebo effect. A recent research in Germany shows an inhibitory effect of an ultra-diluted chemical on the bacterium Vibrio Fischeri. Also, there is a new major work from a consortium of European laboratories showing that ‘very high dilutions of histamine’ may exert a biologically significant effect on white blood cells [WBC] that take part in our immune response.

shaking]. Succussion is nowadays done by machines [originally was done by hand]. Succussion brings out the formative intelligence of the substance and imprints it upon the 60 per cent distilled water, plus 40 per cent alcohol, used to make homeopathic remedies. Alcohol acts as a preservative. There is increasing evidence that homeopathic dilutions have demonstrable, therapeutic and physiological effects on living organisms under clinical and also laboratory conditions. SCIENTIFICALLY PROVED Homeopathic remedies undergo scientific ‘proving’ where a control group of 50+ healthy volunteers [‘provers’] are instructed to take a remedy under experiment until they develop symptoms, which they are asked to record. Substances that have been rigorously tested include nearly everything in the periodic table — metals, minerals and gases, as well as plants and substances like snake venom. “The provers,” according to Dr K M Badiger, BHMS, a Bengaluru-based homeopath, “must be healthy, so that the symptoms they experience are new ones caused by the remedy. Whatever symptoms they experience in common or uncommon form become the black, pertinent type symptoms of the remedy which are then added to the Materia Medica of homeopathic remedies and Homeopathic Repertory [encyclopaedia of symptoms]. Thus, the curative indications of a remedy are obtained for clinical use.” There have been several clinical trials that prove homeopathy works well. During the past 24 years, there have been more than 180 controlled and 118 randomised clinical trials in homeopathy, analysed by separate meta-analyses, or methods that focus on contrasting and

NOT JUST PILLS Homeopathic remedies are not dispensed only as sugar pills. They are available in different forms, such as mother tincture, ointment, tablet, pellets, gel, lotion, oral sprays and even injections. A study of 6,500 patients at the Bristol Homeopathic Hospital, UK, was conducted showing that over 70 per cent of patients reported complete cure or significant improvement of their symptoms with homeopathic treatment. Epidemics, such as cholera and typhoid, to cull another example, were treated successfully using homeopathy in the 19th century with very high success rates, compared to conventional medicine. What makes homeopathy more and more popular among people today is its cost-effectiveness, along with its efficacy and safety. With thousands of cured cases and satisfied patients, it is hard to imagine that homeopathy would have been so successful across the world in providing therapeutic benefits — not just in acute ailments, but also in chronic diseases — for over 200 years with just the ‘placebo’ effect!

Kavita Nadkarni holds a degree in microbiology with a master’s in bio-informatics. She has worked in media groups, specialising in healthcare and pharmaceutical publications. Her areas of interest include complementary medicine and alternative healthcare. She is Assistant Editor, H&Y.

HOMEOPATHY & YOU | sEPTEMbEr 2014

GRIN AND BEAR IT

LAUGHTER,

THe BeST MeDICINe

LONG AND SHORT OF IT Adam was seated in the doctor’s waiting room. When he was called in to see the doctor, Adam slowly got up, and, grasping his cane and hunching over, slowly made his way into the examining room. After only a few minutes, Adam emerged from the room, walking completely upright. Paul, another patient who had watched him hobble into the room all hunched over, stared in amazement. ‘That must be a miracle doctor in there.’ he exclaimed. ‘What treatment did he give you? What’s his secret?’ Adam stared at Paul and said, ‘Well, the doctor looked me up and down, analysed the situation, and gave me a cane that was four inches longer than the one I had been using.’

LOVE EFFECT Aetiology [cause]: Unknown. Age of onset: Mostly teenage. Recent studies have shown that it may affect people of any age group. Risk factors: Age itself is the major risk factor. Others include: Co-education Cell phones Movies Internet [Of these the part played by cell phones is noteworthy]. Pathology: Multi-organ system failure Clinical features and symptoms: The most common presenting feature is throbbing pain in the heart often described by the patient as sweet pain Loss of appetite Sleeplessness Daydreaming Disinterest in any type of work [There is a danger of patient being transformed into a poet]. [Culled and Collated from the ‘Net]

SPEEDING A GP was speeding to a house call, so was not surprised when a state trooper pulled her over. Hoping to get off with a warning, she appeared shocked when he walked up to the car and planned to tell him the circumstances of her speeding. “I have never been stopped like this before in over 30 years of driving,” she said to the officer. “What do they usually do, ma’am,” he asked, “shoot the tyres out?” POT-POURRI Man: My doctor has advised me to give up golf. Friend: Why? Did he examine your heart? Man: No, he had a look at my score card. Doctor: You’re in good health. You’ll live to be 80. Patient: But, doctor, I am 80 right now. Doctor: See, what did I tell you? A man speaks frantically into the phone, “My wife is pregnant, and her contractions are only two minutes apart!” “Is this her first child?” the doctor queries. “No, you idiot!” the man shouts. “This is her husband!”

HOMEOPATHY & YOU | SEPTEMBER 2014

Courtesy: Mark Parisi, www.offthemark.com

CELEBRITY SPEAK

FAMOUS WORDS

I was first introduced to the advantages of homoeopathy in life and particularly sport and sport horses when based in England in 1997. We all want to keep ourselves and our equine partners in as good a shape as possible to perform the job at hand. Non-homeopathic medicines have their place; however with the drug testing of athletes being so stringent these days, anything that can give you a therapeutic benefit while being within the rules is a huge bonus. My ‘Witch’s Kit’ [Helios Homoeopathic Kit for Accidents and Emergencies], as we affectionately call John Robbins, author of Diet for a New America and it in the family, is always in the float and provides me Healthy at 100 with great amusement as I watch the sceptics become believers after they benefit from its use. Several Harvard-affiliated physicians have told me in Sonja Johnson, member of the Australian equestrian private conversation that homeopathy has helped their team, and Olympics silver medallist family members, or friends, but they would not want to say so publicly due to fear of ridicule [Hopefully, these open-minded] doctors and scientists realise that they are not alone and have the courage to call for more research on this most interesting and paradoxical form of treatment. How do we reconcile the fact that the American Medical Association [AMA] has long held homeopathy to be worthless, when so many people have reported that they found help for their ills in homeopathy? The AMA responds that patients are unqualified to evaluate the treatment they receive. I think that attitude is phenomenally patronising, and I think many of the smartest and most successful people [in recent history] have publicly expressed appreciation for the benefits they have received from homeopathy.

David Anick PhD, MD, Harvard Medical School, US Homeopathic medicines are effective natural remedies that have no side-effects. Robert Mendelsohn, MD, legendary physician and professor, When I fall on the ice, I treat my bruises with University of Arnica tablets, or creams, which seem to help. Illinois Medical School, US, and Jayne Torvill, British ice dancer, and Olympics gold best-selling author medallist

HOMEOPATHY & YOU | sEPTEMbEr 2014

LIVING WELL: LIFESTYLE

BOOST YOUR MIND POWER IN 7 STEPS Good health isn’t necessarily a physical concern. A strong and active mind certainly plays its part. After all, can a physically-fit person claim to be radiantly healthy, if s/he is chronically depressed, anxious, or stressed? Here are a handful of useful suggestions for treating your mind right and helping it to lead a long, healthy life. By RYAN N HARRISON

esearch is constantly uncovering the relationship between an active mind and the reduced risk of several debilitating conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, or cognitive decline. A lifetime of mental activity is evidenced to be the best protection against mental decline in old age.

1. Make time to relax. Not only does stress sap your energy, affect your immune system negatively and lead to chronic physical problems, it also steals your attention, exhausts your inner reserves, and keeps you involved in negative thought patterns. Stress may be hard to dodge in our fast-moving world, but you can take steps to relax and recover each day. One important rule is to allow yourself at least ten minutes

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between stressful tasks, whether at home, work or even in your spare time. This gives your mind the opportunity to unwind before you launch into yet another potentially stressful endeavour. During your ten minutes of calm, try gentle or deep breathing techniques, muscle relaxation exercises, visualisation, stretching, or any combination you’d like. The more often you take time to relax, the better you will get at it and the better it will work for you. 2. Laugh out loud. Read funny books, watch movies or TV shows that make you laugh, share funny stories or jokes with good friends, or even “fake it until you make it” by forcing yourself to laugh until it “takes.” Laughing is a powerful stress-buster that helps the mind to relax. Research has shown that it has amazing health benefits. It gives the

immune system a boost and reduces the levels of stress hormones that lead to premature aging. Deep laughter — straight from the belly — can have a truly cathartic effect, releasing pent up emotions and frustrations. It can also serve to distract you from focusing on feelings of anger, guilt or stress. Studies have also shown that laughter improves creativity, thinking ability, problem-solving, memory, recall and learning.

MIRTH RELIEF Laughter therapy is a new and exciting tool you can use to tap into the power of laughter. Typically practiced in a group setting, it helps reduce inhibition, increase self-confidence, and even develop leadership qualities among participants. Visit www.LaughterTherapy.com, for more information on the innovative, fun and therapeutic experience. 3. Challenge yourself. While physical exercise is certainly good for the brain as it maintains blood flow and helps prevent the death of brain cells, mental exercise is just as important. It takes some effort to build a strong mind, but the results are certainly worth the effort. Research is constantly uncovering the relationship between an active mind and reduced risk of several debilitating conditions including Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. A lifetime of mental activity is the best protection against mental decline in old age. However, it’s never too late to put your mind to use. Simple and fun things like crossword puzzles and number games such as Sudoku help keep your mind sharp. For more exploratory people, studying a foreign language and learning a musical instrument have proven effective at keeping the mind in top condition.

4. Stretch your spirit. Holistic health involves not only the body and mind, but the spirit as well. Human beings are more than their physical bodies, thoughts, and feelings. They are also spiritual beings. Refining your spiritual energies can help round out your life, improving your health and relationships, as well as your outlook. 5. Discover your inner landscape. Do you know who you really are? It is common to set up a mental list of what you like, what you don’t, what your strengths and weaknesses are, and how you think life is meant to unfold for you. What if there is more to you than you give yourself the credit for? Spiritual teachers have always encouraged plumbing the depths of our inner selves. Engaging regularly in practices such as meditation, journalling, and visual and kinaesthetic arts, or tactile communication, can unlock parts of yourself that you didn’t even know existed. The better, or truer, your understanding of yourself, the more freely you can live your life. 6. Encourage connection. It is easy to live a solitary life. In an age of unprecedented global communication, it is ironic that people are feeling increasingly lonely. This trend towards isolationism is an unfortunate cultural development. Yet the truth is, in the words of metaphysical poet John Donne, “No man is an island.” Mystics and scientists alike have confirmed that we are intrinsically connected to everyone around us in a variety of ways — from the energetic and subatomic to larger relations involving cultures and societies. Honouring and valuing the connection you have with people around you can help create happiness in your own life and in the lives of others. When you share time, thoughts, hopes, dreams, heartbreaks and joys with the people you care about, you open yourself up to a rich world of relationships. Whether sharing deeply and intimately with a partner or spouse, or building community with others of like minds and values, what you gain is the opportunity to experience the fullness and vibrant energy of love that comes from being part of something larger than yourself. 7. Serve others. Giving your time and energy to good causes that you believe in can deepen your sense of self-worth, broaden your faith in and understanding of humanity, and energise your own spiritual growth. It is important to serve for the right reasons. However, serving others because you think you should or because you feel obligated to will only drain and exhaust you. Genuine, or authentic, service, on the other hand, is a natural human propensity. We are hardwired to spontaneously feel drawn to do service that engages our hearts and minds. This kind of service, a natural outpouring of the human heart manifest in the work of our hands, actually nourishes the one who is giving as much as the one who is receiving.

Ryan N Harrison is a US-based holistic health educator and consultant in private practice. He has taught holistic nutrition, therapeutic herbalism and natural health for several years — in traditional and online settings.

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LIVING WELL: LIFESTYLE

SAY GOODBYE TO DARK CIRCLES Dark circles under the eyes are the second most common skin complaint preceded only by acne [pimples]. The good news is that you can effectively reduce or hide dark spots through well balanced nutrition and simple cosmetic measures.

ark circles are called liver spots and lentigo — they give you a tired and weary look, making you look older than your age. Many people assume that lack of sleep is the single largest cause of dark circles. The fact is several other factors may be responsible for pigmentation below your eyes. To find the appropriate solution, it is imperative to know the causes of dark circles. Aging. Dark circles are primarily the result of blood leaking through the capillaries near the skin’s surface. Since the skin under the eyes is extremely delicate and thin, the ‘leakage’ appears as dark spots below the eyes. As we grow older, the skin becomes thinner making the blood vessels more prominent, thereby causing that typical pigmentation spot beneath the eyes.

HOMEOPATHY & YOU | sEPTEMbEr 2014

Nutritional deficiency. Dark circles can be a result of nutritional deficiency. Simple medical tests will help you to diagnose it. A healthy balanced diet full of vitamins, iron, folic acid and other nutrients can help get rid of dark circles easily. Lack of sleep and stress. Lack of sleep results in a pale skin, making blood under the skin more visible, or blue, or dark in colour. Also, when you are stressed, more blood is directed to your main organs where your body needs it the most. This can make your face look pale and tired. The contrast between the rest of your skin and dark circles beneath your eyes can make the ‘dark shade’ appear far more noticeable. Smoking and drinking. Late night parties, smoking and drinking can make your skin look terrible and result in dark circles. It could be a sign of loss of water

from the body [dehydration] due to excessive drinking or intake of caffeinated drinks. Exposure to sun. Increased exposure to the sun can create dark circles, as it produces a melanin ‘spike’ around eyes than usual, giving them the dark colour. Hormonal changes. In women, the skin undergoes several changes during pregnancy and menstruation. Hormonal changes that take place in the body cause darkening of skin under the eyes. Allergies. Itching beneath the eyes may contribute to dark circles due to rubbing or scratching the skin around them. Apart from that, some food allergies can cause the area under the eyes to appear dark. In fact, dark circles in children often indicate allergy problems. Genetics. Unfortunately, there are some people who are more prone than others to develop dark circles. Blame it on their genes. Hereditary or genetics plays a big role in the development of dark circles. If you have naturally pale skin, the dark pigmentation and ‘broken’ capillaries are more likely to show through. Iron deficiency and liver dysfunction. Dark circles are linked to anaemia and liver disease, such as hepatitis. Iron deficiency is one of the most common causes of dark circles in many women — this can be treated through simple changes in your diet. Low iron levels result in poor oxygenation in body tissues due to low supply of oxygenated blood. HEALING WITH HOMEOPATHY Homeopathy can help in treating and/or preventing dark circles safely, without side-effects. The homeopathic remedy, Cantharis, is useful for treating dark spots, caused by exposure to the sun, with a burning feeling. Other useful remedies are Urtica Urens, Sulphur and Belladonna. You may take Natrum Muriaticum for dark circles caused due to shock or grief. For sunken eyes and pale face due to loss of vital fluids, China is useful. For dark circles around the eyes, due to nervous weakness or prolonged nervous tension, Phosphorus is effective. If you have blackish spots; dry, rough, scaly skin; burning sensation and restlessness, Arsenicum Album would be a useful remedy. For pale face with blue rings around the eyes, Bismuth is just as useful. It is, however, imperative to consult a professional homeopathic doctor for the appropriate remedy and precise dosages for effective treatment outcomes.

refined carbohydrates and sugar • If you have dark circles and you are diagnosed with anaemia, you may be prescribed an iron or folic acid supplement by your doctor. However, you should also get iron naturally through food. This can include ironrich food sources such as meat, spinach, broccoli and pumpkin seeds. Take calcium supplements as well • It is imperative to restrict the intake of caffeinated drinks, such as tea, coffee, alcohol and other caffeinated drinks as it aggravates dehydration • Shield your eyes from unnecessary damage from sun exposure. Wear sunglasses when out in the sun. Don’t look at the computer screen continuously for long durations • Having a regular exercise routine will prompt the capillaries to function more effectively. This, in turn, ‘pumps-in’ more oxygen to your skin. When you work up a profuse sweat, it helps to flush out accumulated toxins from the body • Having a stress-free and cheerful lifestyle would greatly help. When you de-stress, the body too functions better and you will be able to slow down skin aging • Skin hygiene complements good skin care. When you keep your skin healthy and clean, you will be contributing to making it free from destructive free radicals which affect the quality of your skin • You could cover up your dark circles with effective make-up. There are concealers available in the market for the purpose. Speak to a skin specialist [dermatologist] for appropriate products that suit your needs.

SELF-HELP • Hydrate your skin by drinking at least 1.5-2 litre of water each day. This helps your body to flush out toxic substances from the body • To prevent skin aging, naturally, include fresh fruits in your diet • Consume more alkaline food, such as lemon, olive oil, whole grains, nuts, dark-green leafy vegetables and seeds. ‘Up’ your intake of curd [dahi], or yogurt • Reduce the intake of acidic foods like dairy products,

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LIVE & HELP LIVE

DUNG-HO! Cow dung is a sine qua non for maintaining organic microbial and mineral micronutrient richness of soil. Put simply, it sustains all life. It also has all the trappings to transform us and our modern world.

By MANEKA GANDHI

ow dung is one of India’s treasures. We could have the richest healthiest soils in the world and grow twice as much as we do. Our population is growing. By the time I finish writing this article, there will be 30,000 more babies in India. But, because of excess use of chemicals, pesticides and bad water management, our soils are growing depleted and not capable of growing crops even at the same level that we grew them ten years ago. This is a recipe for total disaster. What’s in store for the future? Look at the price of grain and vegetables — if there was enough, would prices be going up? We need to do a quick re-evaluation of how to grow our crops. One of our biggest assets is cow dung. This, again, is on the decline because thousands of cattle are going to the slaughter house every day. Besides, there is a lack of adequate collection facilities in non-rural settings to productively use the animal waste. So, from being a free asset, it now sells for `6 a kg. FUNDAMENTAL FOR PLANT WELLNESS Cow dung consists of three basic elements critical to plant health: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Nitrogen allows plants to produce the proteins needed to build living tissue for green stems, strong roots, and lots of leaves.

HOMEOPATHY & YOU | sEPTEMbEr 2014

Phosphorus helps move energy throughout the plant; this is especially important in maturing plants. Potassium aids plants in ‘adapting’ sugars needed for growth and is especially helpful in root crops. While we ignore our own ghar ki murgi we buy huge amounts of the NPK fertilizer which is nothing but a chemical rehash of the same three elements. Cow dung also contains large amounts of humus, a wonderful soil amender. Humus is simply the bulky, fibrous material that comes from plant fibre and animal remains and is valuable in several ways: it enriches clay soils; supplies food for soil flora and fauna; preserves moisture during dry spells, while ensuring good drainage during wet times — it is also a storehouse for nitrogen in the soil. In short, humus acts like a reservoir, allowing nutrients to work. Fresh cow manure has the highest nitrogen content. Manure left to age 6-12 months is lower in nitrogen but has less chance of burning tender roots. Few people realise that the world is heading for an acute shortage of phosphorus in soil fertility [Rock phosphate is a near monopoly of US Rocky mountains and China; the two giants realise the commercial significance of their phosphorus mineral wealth]. It is going to be an international crisis akin to petroleum shortages. Cow dung contains up

to 0.2 per cent phosphorus; this alone justifies its recycling into the soil. The economic importance of cow dung could be as a source of phosphorus alone. The content of cow dung manure is 2-6lb per tonne of cow dung manure. Even more important: phosphate in chemical fertilisers being water soluble gets washed away in irrigation water. The phosphate in cow dung fertiliser binds itself to the roots of the plants and does not get wasted by getting washed away. However, phosphorus reaches the cow through the feed it takes. Soils that are organically rich are able to supply fodder and grass that are rich in phosphorus. So, ultimately we have to close the loop and shift to organic cow dung fertilisers for our soil to ensure continuous phosphorus sustainability. IDEAL FERTILISER This is an ideal fertiliser according to farmers: mix together 10kg fresh cow dung, 2kg groundnut cake and 2kg neem [Azadirachta Indica] cake and then add 100 litre of water. Stir well for 15 minutes daily for 15 days. To apply to plants, take 1 litre of the fermented solution and dilute with 10 litre of water. Pour around the base of the plant. A simple and easy-to-use technology. Women can prepare the fertiliser themselves and sell it if they like. Since there are no additives or toxic chemicals in this preparation, it is exceedingly suitable for organic farming practices. Better still, its cost of preparation is low compared to an equal quantity of inorganic fertiliser or plant protection chemicals. Cow dung makes much better garden plants as well. Add it to the kitchen waste you throw out: onion and banana peels etc. Composting manure at home is a simple process that can be completed in as little as a week. DIY MANURE PLAN Buy a compost bin. Put 5lb of sand to the bottom of your compost bin or pit. Cover the sand with a 5lb layer of normal soil. Cover the soil with a 10lb layer of cow dung manure. Cover the manure with kitchen waste. Cover the compost with soil. Cover the compost bin with a suitable lid or black garden plastic. After seven days dump the contents of the bin into a single pile on the ground. Use the rake to thoroughly mix the contents of the manure compost pile. Break apart large chunks with the rake to further disperse the ingredients together. Leave the cow manure compost uncovered for a day before putting it onto your garden bed. I guarantee that you will have much bigger, healthier plants. Cow manure can be used more directly to fertilise individual plants. A scoop of cow manure inserted into the base of a pot for squash or pumpkins, for example, gives them a nutritional boost for growing. You can also use cow manure spread around the base of established plants, particularly in sandy or nutrient-poor soils. This will provide nutrients over a longer period of time. As our population increases and landholdings get

smaller and smaller, cattle manure is the only answer. This is the way that it should be done: cattle are sent to grazing areas during the day and penned at night. Manure that accumulates in the pens is dug out towards the end of the dry season. It is allowed to cure for up to three months and then spread on the fields in September/October. One cow or buffalo gives about 1.5 tonne of manure per year. VALUED BY RESEARCH The paramount significance of cow dung and cow urine is to maintain the organic microbial and mineral micronutrient richness of soil. Many researchers have studied the value of cattle manure as a fertiliser compared with mineral fertilisers. Can manure restore and maintain soil productivity in nutrient-depleted sands? Yes it can: manure application to granitic sands overcomes or prevents deficiencies of micronutrients. Cattle manure contains an average of 1.04 per cent nitrogen, 0.15 per cent potassium and 0.78 per cent phosphorus and 32 other micronutrients. The nitrogen release is low and spread over time. Manure applications result in increases in pH, water holding capacity, hydraulic conductivity and infiltration rates. The soil conditioning ability of cow manure due to the amount of quality organic matter, that no fertiliser can match, is reason enough to use it. The soil amending properties of this great natural fertiliser are unbelievable. Cow dung sustains all life. Beetles, larvae, worms, bacteria, and fungi love it. Birds eat the seeds, insects, larvae and worms in it, and some of the dung itself. Mice and other rodents tear it apart looking for nutritious morsels. Reptiles stake out hunting territories around it. Land tortoises eat it for easy calories and B vitamins. Cow dung is a mountain of food delights for all creatures. It provides moisture, sustenance and shelter for a long list of creatures that form the chain of life itself. Examine a cow pat: in a five-minute period you will see butterflies, wasps, bees, beetles, moths, flies, hornets, dragonflies, lacewings, mantis, and ants. Ecologically, dung is a big deal. Fungi suck enzyme-dissolved carbohydrates from it into the soil. Beetles feed on it and in the process loosen, fertilise and aerate the soil. Remember â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the sacred Egyptian scarab, a symbol of rebirth, is a dung beetle.

Maneka Gandhi is the union cabinet minister for women & child development, animal rights activist, writer and environmentalist. She is well-known for her books in the areas of etymology, law and animal welfare. She lives in New Delhi.

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GOOD FOOD

HEALTHY TIFFIN TREAT Paratha, plain or stuffed, has been a favourite food for many across India. Parathas are made in different varieties; they are equally loved and cherished by children as adults. More importantly, you can make parathas, with their stuffed variants, healthy and nutritious.

By taRla Dalal Rajma Cheese PaRathas [CalCium-RiCh] Rajma cheese parathas are delicious in taste and are also calcium-rich. Serve these all-in-one parathas to your little one for lunch [in their tiffin box], or when they come home hungry from school. They are easy to make and taste great. • Preparation Time: 20 mins • Cooking Time: 25 mins • Makes 3 parathas

iNGReDieNts For the dough • 1/2 cup whole wheat flour [gehun ka atta] • 2 tbsp warm milk • Salt to taste For the rajma stuffing • 3/4 cup boiled and coarsely mashed rajma • 2 tsp oil • 1/4 cup finely chopped onions • 1 tsp finely chopped garlic • 3/4 cup finely chopped tomatoes • Salt to taste • 1/2 tsp chilli powder • 1/2 tsp turmeric powder [haldi] • 1 tbsp finely chopped coriander [dhania] • 2 tsp coriander-cumin seeds powder • 1/4 cup fresh curds [dahi]

Other ingredients • 6 tbsp grated processed cheese • Oil for greasing and cooking.

methOD For the dough

• Combine all the ingredients and knead into a semi-soft dough using enough water • Allow the dough to rest for 30 minutes. For the rajma stuffing • Heat the oil in a broad non-stick pan, add the onions and garlic and sauté on a medium flame for 1-2 minutes • Add the tomatoes, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 1-2 minutes, while stirring occasionally • Add the mashed rajma, salt, chilli powder, turmeric powder, coriander, coriander-cumin seeds powder; mix well and cook on a medium flame for 1-2 minutes, while stirring occasionally • Add the curd, mix well and cook on a slow flame for another 1-2 minutes, while stirring continuously • Divide the stuffing into 3 equal portions and keep aside.

hOW tO PROCeeD • Divide the dough into 3 equal portions • Roll out each portion into a 200mm [8”] diameter circle • Cook each chapati lightly on both the sides on a hot tava [griddle] and keep aside • Place a chapati on a flat, dry surface • Place a potion of the mixture in the centre, sprinkle 2 tbsp cheese over it and fold 2 opposite corners of the chapati over the filling, overlapping them slightly. Now fold the remaining 2 sides to seal the stuffing well • Heat a non-stick tava [griddle] and cook the envelope, using oil, till they are golden brown in colour from both the sides • Repeat with the remaining chapati and stir-fry to make 2 more envelopes Serve immediately. [Courtesy: www.tarladalal.com]

tarla Dalal was a noted Indian food writer, chef, best-selling cookbook author and host of cooking shows like Tarla Dalal Show and Cook It Up With Tarla Dalal.

HOMEOPATHY & YOU | sEPTEMbEr 2014

GOOD FOR YOU

PREVENT EYE DISEASE NATURALLY Recent medical research indicates that specific antioxidants, such as lutein, can lower the risk of eye disease, and prevent macular degeneration, cataracts, and glaucoma from occurring.

squash and carrots, is the most famed carotenoid, acular degeneration is a process that it is virtually absent in the eye. This is where obstructs vision by damaging the lutein and zeaxanthin enter the picture. fragile capillaries in the eye. It is the Age-related macular degeneration occurs when leading cause of blindness among people over cells break down in the macula, a yellow spot at age 60. Millions suffer from age-related macular the centre of the retina that is responsible for our degeneration [AMD]; up to 37 per cent of people By Dr RICHARD clear, central, or focused vision. This breakdown over age 75 have some form of AMD, and by age FIRSHEIN process slowly and progressively destroys sight in 80, 25 per cent will have lost eyesight due to this the centre of the field of vision, although it does disease. not affect peripheral vision. AMD occurs when the tiny vessels in the back of the eye Lutein and zeaxanthin work by accumulating in the are weakened, allowing blood to seep out and leaving the macula and screening out harmful blue light that can eye defenceless to damage from the sun’s powerful rays. damage the back of the eye [unlike ultraviolet {UV} light, This can cause a dark spot that blocks or blurry lines and which can also damage the eye, blue light is part of the distort anything in your field of vision. visible spectrum, known as the short wave]. Although AMD isn’t the only threat to aging eyes: think of xanthophiles are found primarily in leafy and green glaucoma and cataracts too. vegetables, especially kale, spinach, peas, lettuce, and Glaucoma, the most common cause of blindness in all broccoli, they are actually yellow and orange in colour, age groups, affects the optic nerve. It usually remains a fact hidden behind the chlorophyll that gives the undetected until a significant amount of vision has been vegetables their rich, dark hue. By pigmenting the macula, lost. Cataracts too are quite common, afflicting two-thirds lutein and zeaxanthin act like sunglasses, filtering out of individuals over age 70 with the inability to focus. destructive rays from the daily onslaught of light waves. Unfortunately, even in this age of medical progress, They also fight free radicals that threaten to impair our there are no cures for eye disease and resulting blindness. vision. Cataract and laser surgery, for example, benefit only a minority of patients, and although they can delay vision loss, they cannot prevent it. RISK FACTORS Indeed, there was little hope for aging eyes — until now. • Age, between 55 and 64; the risk increases as we get Luckily, we now know that the risk of eye disease can older be reduced by controlling one simple factor in our lives: • Diet. saturated fats and cholesterol; alcohol and smoking nutrition. Recent medical research indicates that specific • Sunlight. Exposure to constant sunlight antioxidants can lower the risk of eye disease and prevent • Heredity and gender. Women over 75 have twice the risk macular degeneration, cataracts, and glaucoma from of developing AMD as men of the same age occurring. These antioxidants include vitamin E, vitamin C, • Eye colour. Individuals with light-coloured eyes [blue or and an amino acid called taurine. green] However, the most important defenders of the eye are a • High blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes. class of compounds called the carotenoids, which include By taking a full complement of supplements including beta-carotene and, most notably, a versatile and potent vitamins C, E, and A, selenium, zinc, taurine, and nutrient known as lutein. Lutein appears to prevent the antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin, as well as eating a risk of macular degeneration and other eye illnesses by healthful diet filled with leafy greens and juicy fruits, you protecting the fragile back of the eye from harmful blue can keep your eyes alert and strong throughout life. light. Carotenoids are a group of antioxidants found in Dosage. For general health: carotenoids, through leafy concentrated quantities in fruits and vegetables. There green vegetables, or supplement/s, 5-10mg a day. Special are two major classes of carotenoids — the carotenes, conditions: lutein. For AMD: 20mg a day; for cataract/ including beta-carotene, and the xanthophiles, such as glaucoma: 5-20mg a day. Speak to your doctor for lutein and zeaxanthin. While beta-carotene, which is supplements and their doses that suit your individual responsible for the yellow and orange colour of foods like requirement best. Dr Richard Firshein, Founder-Director of The Firshein Center for Comprehensive Medicine in New York City, is a leading innovator and authority in the field of preventative and nutritional medicine, integrating both Eastern and Western medical practices. He is Board Certified in Family Medicine and has served as professor of family medicine. An internationally recognised leader in the field of integrative medicine and healthy aging, a cancer researcher, prolific author and writer, Dr Firshein has written several groundbreaking books, including the bestselling Reversing Asthma, Your Asthma-Free Child, The Nutraceutical Revolution and, most recently, The Vitamin Prescription [For Life].

HOMEOPATHY & YOU | SEPTEMBER 2014

FIGHTING FIT

UP YOUR MUSCLE STRENGTH Weight training aims to reduce your body fat, while strength training is keyed to enhance your muscle mass.

the ground to the hips and then lowered back here are three elements that define the to the ground], squats [exercise for increasing expression workout: volume, intensity the strength and size of the legs and buttocks, and weight. There is no magic formula as well as developing core strength]. as to how much weight a person can gain with the help of strength training, because there Note. When you lift weights either on are far too many variables on the programme your own or with the help of machine, it is By KERRY that you are performing, not to speak of your mandatory to have someone standing close to DULIN body weight. One thing is, however, certain — you for support and supervision. You not only the purpose behind strength training is to add need to work out the best way, but also with bulk to your body and enhance muscle mass, while safety. weight training is performed to reduce body fat. Strength training helps in increasing your endurance BODY WEIGHT EXERCISES level — the spin-off is it further allows you to exercise Body weight exercises use your body strength as also for longer periods of time. Most ‘marathon’ runners, your resistance power. It can be hard during the initial or athletes, for instance, opt for strength training. This stage — you may also feel that you just don’t have the helps them build more muscle strength and endurance strength in you to go through the ‘grind.’ If this is the — to perform better. case, you need to speak to a trainer and a nutritionist who can work on your diet. MUSCLE MASS You should also get going with a few basic exercises Strength training helps, as is obvious, in maintaining to build your strength — push-ups, dips, and pull-ups. and enhancing your muscle mass. The exercise and Never ever disregard the need to fuel yourself cumulative enhancement in muscle mass is not just properly too. A healthy diet is a must, but make sure for bodybuilders, physical fitness enthusiasts, and that you don’t make errors in your meal portions and athletes, but also for any ‘normal’ individual — it supplements requirement. can be a part of light weight training sessions for beginners too. THINGS TO DO There are a few things that you need to bear in mind BONE DENSITY when you are performing strength training. Weight and strength training helps build or enhance • When you feel some jerk or creepy, pop-up pain bone density and a healthier body. As you’d well know, during weight lifting, speak to your trainer or doctor a deficiency in bone density can lead to osteoporosis, promptly before resuming the exercise. Your trainer a growing concern today. would be able to make some changes in your daily You may now ask the question — how to build exercise pattern for some time. This can save you strength through strength training? from serious injury Well, it is simple, also not simple. It takes time to be • You have to maintain balance with your exercise attuned with strength training. movements when you are working in the gym. If The best thing to do is to get used to a variety of you have kicked-off your training programme, you different patterns for strength training with the help of need to stick to a pattern of exercise for at least your trainer, such as — 6-8 weeks to maintain, or sustain, the pace. You’d, thereafter, increase your intensity of strength WEIGHTS training The first, best and easiest method to build muscle • Always speak to, or consult, a trainer for strength strength is with barbells. Start with a light weight and training. You need an expert’s guidance at the focus on the technique. Add weight on an incremental time of performing, more so because your training basis, once you get used to the programme. The more programme should revolve around body weight weight you lift, the better, or stronger, your results will exercises and weight lifting exercises that suits your be. Other examples include bench press [upper body physique and needs best. Experts would also be exercise in which you lie on your back, lower a weight in the best position to advice you on your diet and to chest level, and then push the weight back up, protein health supplements that will provide you straightening the arms], overhead lift, deadlift [weight appropriate strength and balance to work hard and training exercise in which a loaded barbell is lifted off derive the best results. Kerry Dulin, a world-renowned fitness guru, first got into professional bodybuilding at age 40. He won his first bodybuilding competition at 41. Now 54, with a physique that would put someone half his age to shame, Dulin has what he calls “a manageable programme,” 12 top trophies to show for his fitness endeavours and three health and fitness websites. He lives in the US.

HOMEOPATHY & YOU | SEPTEMBER 2014

WHOLE & SOUL

THE PATH TO SPIRITUAL PROGRESS Spiritual life is a blessed opportunity for the soul to surrender in love to the Supreme Soul.

By RADHANATH SWAMi

urrender has two qualities — enthusiasm and patience. You cannot approach god with either one of them, nor with neither of them. They must be in balance and harmony whether we like it or not, because to attain peace you first have to fight a war. It is not a war with knives, swords, bows and arrows and guns. It is a war against ignorance. That ignorance is within us all. Is it not? That ignorance is all around us, and we must fight by resisting the forces of ignorance, and by not allowing ourselves to be defeated by the exploitative tendencies that are constantly bombarding us. To fight this war we must be extremely enthusiastic, extremely enthusiastic. It is said that an idle mind is devil’s workshop. Spiritual life is not for a lazy person. Look at the great sages of the past and the present. They’re tirelessly working for the benefit of all others with such enthusiasm and such determination that there was/is no power on earth that could stop them. So, we must be enthusiastic: enthusiastic to accept the disciplines which purify our lives, enthusiastic to chant the names of god, enthusiastic to pray to the Lord with a humble heart, enthusiastic to associate with saintly persons, enthusiastic to understand the scriptures, enthusiastic to do charitable work and give charity, enthusiastic to protect the ecology of the earth and to protect the state of affairs of human beings. Unless we are filled with this enthusiasm we will make no progress. Enthusiasm alone, however, is not enough. If you are simply enthusiastic and do not get the results when you want it, what will you do? You will give up. You must be patient. “My dear Lord, I am not a businessman. I am serving You. I am surrendering to You with the love for Your pleasure and when You

want to reciprocate with me, when You want to free me from the miseries of material life, when You want to detach me from the unwanted desires in my heart, when You want to fill my heart with divine love that is for You to decide: whether it takes one day or a million lifetimes. I don’t mind.” This is patience. There’s a story in the Caitanya Caritamrita about one devotee who committed a great offence. When He heard about the offence of the devotee, Lord Caitanya said, “This devotee, due to the offence that he has committed, will never be allowed to come into My association again.” When the devotee heard this, he felt very, very hurt. So, some of his friends approached Lord Caitanya and said, “Please, give him a chance.” Then the Lord said, “All right, but I will not see him again for millions and millions of births.” When they gave this news to the devotee he became so happy that he began to dance in ecstasy. They said, “What are you dancing for?” He said, “See, how fortunate I am that all I have to do is to continue my service for just a few more million births, and I will again be in the presence of the Lord.” When the Lord heard how enthusiastic he was and how patient he was for the Lord to reveal Himself, the Lord immediately came out and embraced him and took him into His eternal association. So, if you’re just enthusiastic, you’ll give up. What if you’re just patient? Then, you’ll be waiting forever... The combination of enthusiasm and patience makes our spiritual life well balanced and whole. So, when should you be enthusiastic, when should you be patient and how? The best formula is to learn from someone who knows the path — this will free us from accepting and rejecting mundane, perplexing tendencies in our own mind.

Radhanath Swami a spiritual guide, is the author of the bestselling book, The Journey Home. To know more about his work on leadership and spirituality, visit www.tulsibooks.com. Website: www.radhanathswami.com

HOMEOPATHY & YOU | SEPTEMBER 2014

CORPORATE WELLNESS

5 WAYS TO STAY HEALTHY, WEALTHY & WISE It is a great unbalancing and balancing act. Our lifestyle is guided by our environs, or neighbourhood. By pride. By what is marketed. By hard and soft sell. It is high time we reversed the trend — not with ‘smart’ self-help clichés, but with realistic pragmatism.

By BADRINATH DURVASULA

arketers push products through credit mechanisms. Should we fall a prey to their designs, or should we apply discipline, while avoiding umpteen temptations? The answers lie in what we adopt, or practice, because our soul is the guiding light to steer our destiny, to stay healthy, wealthy and wise. A corporate executive’s image in India is envious and filled with gloss, if not glamour. S/he lives in a good apartment, drives a trendy car, wears an impressive apparel and is often seen partying with colleagues and friends. However, the truth may be out of sync as workrelated stress is often high, demanding performance,

HOMEOPATHY & YOU | sEPTEMbEr 2014

meeting steep targets and sales to realise. Together and often they take a toll on one’s health, if one does not take good care of oneself. On the flipside, and on a personal front, there will be sure comparisons with the wealthy and the mighty — to drive them to acquire assets, most often beyond their capabilities. Many of my colleagues and others come to me for counselling on official matters, but end up referring to their personal problems, for the most part financial. When analysed, it becomes clear that most of them spend more than what they earn. The net result is a debt-trap. The vicious cycle triggers complex desires and ends with a debit burden. Credit facilitators also play the spoilsport,

becoming facilitators to fulfil our greed, nay desire, in a sense. The net result? Failing health, often attributed to work-related and financial woes. Is there a remedy? Can we protect our corporate citizens from the spiralling rigmarole? Do we believe in a healthy society and workplace? Indeed, each of us should be conscious and aware of the fact that a balanced approach to health and lifestyle is critical to our living. A few pointers would guide each of us to be more successful at work and in the community, more so with a challenging cultural digression. Here goes — 1. Avoid buying what you cannot afford. All of us need a home in a posh locality, have it well-furnished, drive in a top-end car, something your neighbours should be envious of, wear branded clothing, and flaunt with the iPhone — the list is long. But, sadly though, most of us cannot afford them all. While our means are limited, the ends are unending. Hence, the need for a practical solution to this dilemma. If you can’t afford it, don’t buy it. This is, of course, easy to understand, but difficult to practice. The problem gets worse confounded when family members start asserting demands, without realising one’s earning potential. So, just ‘stop the bluff.’ This is painful to begin with, but it will show results in a short span. 2. If there is not enough balance, you probably cannot afford. In our credit-crazy world, amassing debt no longer carries a social stigma. Everybody has a car payment, a house loan repayment and credit card payments. Just because everybody is doing it, it doesn’t make a good idea. Buying something you can’t afford now can double the pain of paying later. For example, if you purchase a `1 crore home today and the market goes into a slump and devalues your home by `30 lakh, you will be paying the bank twice by interest of what the home has come to be worth. Is it not weird? Just because it was easy to get credit to buy that home, doesn’t mean it was the right time for you to buy in. 3. Interest payments make someone else rich. When you pay interest on a purchase, you are overpaying for that item for the luxury of getting to use it now. The simple act of paying interest means that the price you are paying to make the purchase is greater than the sale price of the item. You are giving away even more of your hard-earned money in order to own that item than the manufacturer thought the item was worth. For example, if you buy a car for `10 lakh with a loan at 12 per cent interest for five years, in the end, you will pay almost `16 lakh for the car. Once you factor depreciation, you’re left with a cheap car that cost you a few lakh more than it should have. 4. Stop spending when in debt. Sometimes, such as when purchasing a home, the cost of the item is so great that you simply cannot afford to pay cash. This should be

the exception rather than the rule to knock the doors of creditors and banks. Thereafter, as a matter of discipline, you need to close your purse strings and stop spending on other luxuries. Getting into further spending by debt doesn’t help your financial situation. Making a realistic budget in such a case is the key to success. Once you know what you are actually spending on your trips to restaurants and beauty parlours would enable each of us to find the room to cut costs realistically. 5. No one can rescue, except yourself. In times of economic uncertainty, people often think that the government would be able to help them, but unfortunately it is time and again the moment when the government has the least amount of money and freedom to help its own citizens. In most cases, the government won’t save you, so you’ll have to save yourself. A case in point: the loan waiver schemes to farmers announced by some state governments. Well, unfortunately, or due to the government’s tough economic policies, such beneficial schemes have not been cleared by the Reserve Bank. When the economy is in a downturn, you just can’t look at what you are spending; you should look at where the money is coming from. Your employer is facing the same difficulties: trying to make payments, balancing the flow of capital, all when sales are slowing. Just like you, your employer will be looking to reduce their costs, including layoffs. Would that put some sense in our overall understanding? The best plan is to start saving now for that eventual rainy day, and prepare an emergency, or contingency, fund for you. If it is too late to start saving and you already need the money, think of financial institutions that will allow you to defer a payment, or two, if you prove you have a smart financial plan to eventually pull through. But do remember, it is easy to borrow, but is difficult to repay. By the time we realise the truth, it is too late in the day to correct. Your lifestyle is characterised by things you can actually afford, such as a house that won’t get repossessed, a car that might not impress the neighbours, but will still get you to work and back, and long, restful nights free from financial worries. This may not be the fairytale lifestyle of the rich and famous that banks and creditors try to sell you. Yet, you won’t have to worry about how to keep up on your [re]payments for a lifestyle you just can’t afford. The inference is obvious. It is no complex equation to understand that by your 50s, if only each of us can fulfil our financial commitments, the rest of our life will be treasured with pleasure. Our residual years, in such a happy circumstance, will demarcate the jewels from the rubble of pebbles. The big question is — should we, then, continue to over-commit, or stay healthy? The clear answer, or winner, is being healthy, wealthy, and wise — at every stage and age.

Badrinath Durvasula is Vice-President and Head, Legal and Strategy, Larsen & Toubro Ltd, Mumbai. A much-sought after speaker and motivational ’guru,’ Durvasula holds master’s degrees in nuclear physics, law and management.

HOMEOPATHY & YOU | sEPTEMbEr 2014

POISE & BALANCE

THE BLISS SYNTHESIS Vishuddhi Chakra is widely known as ‘the centre of nectar,’ because it is the level where poison and nectar, good and bad, are united into a harmonious synthesis for the common experience of bliss.

By PREETI MANDAWEWALA

he word Vishuddhi, in Sanskrit, means purification. This is the fifth chakra. It is usually translated as the ‘purification centre.’ The centre that purifies and harmonises all opposites, Vishuddhi Chakra is situated at the back of the neck on the path of the cervical spine, right above the Anahata Chakra in the ascending orders of the chakra. A purple lotus flower with sixteen petals symbolises the Vishuddhi Chakra. In the centre of the sixteen-petal lotus flower is a white circle; within the circle the yantra of Vishuddhi Chakra, a silver crescent is situated. The silver crescent is the lunar symbol of nada, pure cosmic sound. Thus, the fifth chakra is the seat of sound in the body, located in the throat. This is why Vishuddhi Chakra is sometimes called the the Bharatisthana — the centre of speech, because of its location in the throat. Bharati is the goddess of speech. Vishuddhi can be opened and balanced through practices of asanas, such as sarwangasnana, halasana, simhasana, asanas with jalandhar bandha etc. Pranayamas that help to stimulate the fourth chakra are ujjayi, kechari mudra etc. SIMHASANA Technique 1. Sit in vajrasana 2. Separate the knees as far as possible, while keeping the toes joined together in contact with the floor 3. Separate the feet too, but just enough to allow the buttocks and perineum to rest flat on the floor between the feet, if possible 4. Place the palms of the hands on the floor between the knees, with the fingers pointing towards the body 5. Lean forward, resting the body on the straightened arms 6. Arch the back; gently tilt the head back so that there is a comfortable amount of tension in the neck 7. Open the eyes and gaze at the centre point between

HOMEOPATHY & YOU | september 2014

the eyebrows, adopting shambhavi mudra 8. Inhale deeply though the nose, and exhale with a clear steady sound from the throat. Keeping the mouth wide open, extend the tongue out as far as possible towards the chin. Hold the breath out in shunyak state [till then maintain the position] 9. Repeat 3-4 times 10. Now inhale deeply and release 11. Relax the hands, join back the knees, straighten the legs and relax in dandasana. Benefits This is an excellent asana for alleviating disorders of the throat, nose, ears and eyes. It also develops a strong and beautiful voice. It is useful for people who are introverted and nervous. SARVANGASANA Technique 1. Lie flat on the back with the legs and feet together 2. Raise both the legs, keeping them straight and together at 90 degree 3. When the legs are vertical, press the arms and hands down on the floor 4. Smoothly and slowly roll the buttocks and spine off the floor, raising the trunk to a vertical position. 5. Turn the palms of the hands upward, bend the elbows and place the hands behind the ribcage, slightly away from the spine, to support the back 6. Gently push the chest forward so that it presses firmly against the chin 7. In the final position, the legs are vertical, together, and in a straight line with the trunk 8. The body is supported by the shoulders, nape of the neck and back of the head 9. The arms provide stability, the chest rests the chin and feet are relaxed 10. Close the eyes and relax the whole body in the final pose for as long as is comfortable

11. To return to the starting position, bring the legs forward until the feet are above and behind the back of the head 12. Keep the legs straight 13. Slowly release the position of the hands and place the arms on the floor alongside the body with the palms down 14. Lower each vertebrae of the spine gradually to the floor, followed by the buttocks, so that the legs resume their initial vertical position 15. Lower the legs to the floor slowly, keeping the knees straight all the time 16. Relax in shavasana until your respiration and heartbeat return to normal. Benefits This asana presses the chest against the chin. It stimulates the thyroid and parathyroid glands, balancing the circulatory, digestive, reproductive, nervous and endocrine systems. Together with the enriched blood flow to the brain, it also tranquillises the mind, relieves mental and emotional stress, fear and headaches. The thymus gland is also stimulated, boosting the immune system. Its influence on the parathyroid glands ensures normal development and regeneration of the bones, preventing premature calcification. Abdominal breathing is induced, improving the exchange of air in the body, relieving stress, while massaging the abdominal organs. Sarvangasana is used in yoga therapy for the treatment of asthma, diabetes, colitis, thyroid disorders, impotence and menopause disorders. Warning. People suffering from enlarged thyroid, liver or spleen, cervical spondilitis, slipped disc, high blood pressure, or other heart ailments and weak blood vessels in the eyes, should not practice this asana. It should be avoided during periods [menstruation] too.

for a count of 7 8. Now release the pressure of the thumb on the right nostril and while breathing out through the right nostril, count simultaneously 1-6 mentally, until the exhalation ends comfortably 9. Inhale through the right nostril again for five counts keeping the left nostril closed 10. At end of inhalation, close both nostrils, assume jalandhar bandha, and retain the air in the lungs for a count of 7. 11. Now release the pressure of the thumb on the left nostril and while breathing out through the left nostril, simultaneously count 1-6 mentally, until the exhalation ends comfortably 12. This completes one round. 13. Repeat 3-5 rounds. Breathing Breathing should be silent; ensure that it is not forced or restricted in anyway. The flow of breath must be smooth, with no jerks, through the practice. One should never breathe through the mouth. Benefits Thanks to increased oxygen intake, [during this pranayama], one feels clear-headed and calm. Regular practice helps in relieving stress, colds, mild fever, eye and ear problems etc. The practice is also beneficial in migraine, chronic sinus problems, blockages in the arteries of the heart and blood circulation. Your approach towards life will also change for the better â&#x20AC;&#x201D; i.e., from negative to positive. A regular practice of this pranayama for at least 10-15 minutes, twice a day, is a must to reap healthy benefits.

ANULOM VILOM Technique 1. Sit in any comfortable meditation posture, preferably padmasana, or sukhasana. 2. Keep the head and spine straight 3. Relax the whole body and close the eyes 4. Adopt pranav mudra [right thumb on the right nostril; ring and small finger on the left nostril] 5. Place the left hand on the knee in gyan mudra 6. Close the right nostril with the thumb and breathe in through the left nostril, at the same time count 1-5 mentally, until the inhalation ends comfortably 7. At end of inhalation, close both nostrils; assume jalandhar bandha [bend the head forward and press the chin tightly against the chest, blocking air in the throat region] and retain the air in the lungs Dr Preeti Mandawewala, PhD, comes from a traditional Marwadi business family. She first discovered, as housewife, her love for yoga and completed Yogacharya certification followed by Yogavachaspati. A few years later, she learned all she could about chakra meditation and pursued her doctorate in the subject. She conducts regular workshops and has found chakra meditation to be therapeutically effective for acidity, spondylitis, diabetes, high blood pressure, migraine, thyroid disorders and tennis elbow, among other health issues. She lives in Mumbai.

HOmeOpAtHY & YOU | september 2014

LIFe COACH

THE POWER OF OPEN & QUIET COMMUNICATION Communication is fundamental to human existence — be it open or silent expression. It plays a key role all through life.

a long ‘sermon’ on carelessness and the onventional literature on need to be more regular to class communication, for the most part, • Party hosts during social occasions details how human communication remembering guests who didn’t show up, begins from the moment a child is born. Or, long after the event is over how it goes on till one’s last breath. The truth • Friends, colleagues and family spending is — the actual process of communication By VINESH hours discussing people who weren’t there begins well before the child is born, from SUKUMARAN to share the moment. the moment of conception. The embryo Many a time your absence speaks much communicates its presence to its mother louder than your presence. through chemical changes in the body, along with There are quiet folks who think their communication related mood and emotional connotations. The is best demonstrated through their actions. Of what growing mass of cells also communicates the need they do, the way they care for others, the commitment for a particular kind of care for the mother. The unborn they want to live up to and the overall behaviour they baby, on the verge of entering the big wide world, communicates, through the mother, no less, along with articulate or demonstrate. While there is no debate on the tenet that your actions are a powerful mode the call to be ushered into hospital at the end of the of communication, the point often missed is the gestation period, and so on. communicating power of inaction. Communication is fundamental to human existence • Restaurants, given poor feedback by their customers, — it plays a central role all through life. that don’t do anything about it communicate their Agreed, that, there are differences between verbal ‘We Don’t Care’ attitude and non-verbal communication. It is, likewise, • People who get blamed for no fault of theirs, but not uncommon for people who want to stop don’t speak up or clarify their point, communicate communicating with someone to simply stop speaking, their low level of self-respect or talking, to them. In fact, silence is one of the most • People who have dreams and aspirations, but don’t powerful modes of communication. A few seconds of take any action towards realising them communicate silence in a conversation, or a dramatic pause, can their laziness or poor appetite for life. most often convey far more than a long-drawn-out, or Yet another pointer that traditional books on extended monologue, or dialogue. Silence not only communication miss out is the credo that conveys a person’s reluctance to communicate, but communication need not stop with your last breath. it also expresses their real emotions — including Dead people communicate the need to be put to rest feelings of angst, anger, shame, guilt, bliss, comfort by others. Their absence, in turn, communicates the and discomfort. need for their loved ones — to make adjustments and A close cousin of silence in the area of move on. Obituary messages, posthumous awards and communication is absence. recognition are other classic examples of how your Picture this — • The idea of a teacher marking students absent after communication could outlive you. Vinesh Sukumaran is a Bengaluru-based applications specialist in behavioural dynamics and neurolinguistic psychology. A writer and coach, Sukumaran’s principal area of work is keyed to helping organisations and individuals apply neuropsychology to perform better at work and live more fulfilling lives.

HOMEOPATHY & YOU | SEPTEMBER 2014

MIND MATTERS

EMPOWER YOUR WILLPOWER Your willpower has the ‘mindful’ ammo to help you attain a better quality of life; it also helps to break negative habits and focuses on positive achievements.

By AMITA QUENIM

he word, willpower, tells you about your inner strength. Who hasn’t heard parents say, “Where there is a will, there is a way?” Let us analyse what this means, and how it really helps. Is there anything a person can do if s/he is not willing to do? Nothing at all. A child has to be willing to learn and perform, so does an adult. Anything against our will is difficult to carry out. For any achievement you need to be strong-willed and, as you know, when you want to do it, there can be no obstacles. The inference is simple; also profound. To overcome any hurdle, to match challenges, to make a difficult decision and to reach your goal, you need willpower. What is willpower? The dictionary defines it as ‘the faculty by which a person decides on, and takes action.’ There are diverse definitions, the simplest being that willpower is your inner strength, a force, a drive which helps you to reach your goal. Yes, it is fighting spirit too, but a positive power that helps you overcome adversity by being focused and determined. This is a trait that can be developed and ought to be developed from early childhood; it is also never too late to begin at any age. As it is rightly said, “The trained will is a masterful weapon.” Since willpower is a quality that can be developed, or cultivated, let us cull a handful of pointers to build upon it and understand its value of use in everyday life: • The first step is to set a goal, and be positive during the process. There is no substitute for hard work, so go ahead with a positive thought in mind that you want to do it for gaining something. Look at the gain in it • Consider all factors and reason out the goal you have set for yourself. Weigh their pros and cons. Once you

begin, ‘just do it’ till you have achieved. Don’t give up; remain focused • Specify your target; be clear with what you will be doing to reach your goal. Instead of saying, “I will spend time with my little son,” change it to “I will spend every evening, or every weekend, with my little son.” Be specific; it will help you to achieve your goal • Look at the overall benefits, in the short- and the longterm. This has to be aimed at permanent change — one that sustains your game plan • The desire to reach your goal is part of your willpower. Your reason to improve your image and to feel comfortable has to be measured and acted upon • Self-talk is yet another mode to develop strong willpower. Tell yourself that you can do it and you are determined to do it; you will succeed. Conduct yourself as a brave person with the thought of success. Do away with fear • Anticipate obstacles as you begin, but work out strategies to overcome them. Be realistic with your plan to achieve. Temptations will crop up on your way; plan on how to deal with them, so that you are not influenced to stop halfway through • A goal set has to be achieved; this should be a strong statement, a reminder at all times. A strong drive with a strong desire will help build strong willpower. So, each time you succeed you gain the confidence to face and confront any challenge in life. Because, when you have succeeded once, or you feel you have conquered a difficult task on one occasion, nothing can hold you back from facing yet another challenge. In the process, you will discover that you are a strong-willed person — willing to achieve anything, any time, and in any situation.

Amita Quenim is a clinical psychologist for over 33 years. A teacher, principal, writer and columnist, Quenim lives in Goa.

HOMEOPATHY & YOU |SEPTEMBER 2014

MIXED BAG

THE CUPPA OF HOPE Most romances begin over a cup of coffee. Most broken hearts, likewise, heal with the cheerful beverage.

time. Soon, there could be impactful, heated ep. You got it right. Coffee has come a long discussions on coffee-prices as there are way since my childhood, when the beans on oil in OPEC. The manner in which coffee would be roasted, put in a grinder and bean prices are going up internationally, some brewed to perfection. This was before the era changes in demand-supply are only to be of instant coffee, bolstered by milk and sugar. expected. Today, with several varieties to pick from, coffee When we were growing up, the great debate has become complicated — like everything else By RUBY was between fresh coffee and instant coffee. in life. You have black coffee, espresso [coffee LILAOWALA I personally feel that coffee made from brewed by forcing a small amount of nearly freshly grounded beans will always have the boiling water under pressure through finely edge over instant coffee. But, in today’s age of instant ground coffee beans], cappuccino [an Italian coffee love, instant marriage and instant divorce, instant coffee drink which is traditionally prepared with espresso, rules, but freshly ground coffee will always hold its hot milk, and steamed-milk foam], frappuccino, milky, ground for people who value taste. macchiato [espresso coffee drink with a small amount Coffee and tea, in our culture, are often of foamed milk added], latte [coffee drink made with espresso and steamed milk], hot and cold mocha frappe interchangeable, since the two are hot and make a good social raison d’être, viz., when somebody comes to your [made with chocolate, a hint of coffee blended with ice, topped with whipped cream and a chocolate drizzle]. house and you are offering them something, you like to When you go to a coffee shop like Barista, Café give them a choice. Even our South Indian restaurants Coffee Day, Gloria Jean or Costa, the salesperson puts offer: chai ya kápi. you through a Mensa-like game of twenty questions Go to any coffee shop, and you’ll know that coffee when all you want is a regular, normal cup of coffee. has become a boy-girl thing. Most romances have The Spanish inquisition begins, “Do you want it black? started over a cup of coffee and most broken hearts Milky? Sugar? White, or demerara? Dollop of cream? have healed, thanks to this cheery beverage. Coffee Small, medium, or large?” Talk of the salesperson’s may have genders too. Expresso sounds macho, while candid commitment to caffeine — boy, oh boy. cappuccino sounds feminine. It is blue versus pink, arts Coffee has always been a big deal in most parts of versus science, or trousers versus skirts. Whatever it is, the world, but now the beverage has become a lifestyle as a coffee fan, I am not alone. In fact, I am in the good accessory, an indispensable prerequisite. It is not as company of my favourite film director Karan Johar. He simple as ‘brew up a pot, put up your feet and enjoy had a much-watched TV show — Koffee with Karan, your favourite magazine.’ Globally speaking, coffee where he handed over coffee hampers like they were is the second most popular drink after water — the Oscars. second biggest market, perhaps, after oil. Surprising, C’est la vie, or this is life. Kabhi coffee, for khushi — it has never started any imperialist conflict, but give it or, to wade over ghum. The choice is yours. Ruby Lilaowala, a former special correspondent for Gulf Times, is a writer, columnist, life-coach and counsellor. She lives in Mumbai.

HOMEOPATHY & YOU | sEPTEMbEr 2014

THE WAY WE WERE & ARE

THE LOGIC & SCIENCE OF TRADITION The ancient practices and customs we follow today have a logical basis, a scientific underpinning.

lders often advise not to take bath immediately after having food. This is because once we eat, blood circulation in the stomach becomes intense than normal times. When we bathe with cold water immediately after food, for instance, it makes the blood vessels contract. As a result, the digestion process slows down. Also, cold water activates certain chemicals in the body that ‘rush’ the blood to the skin to keep it warm. When this happens, the digestion process takes the backseat. This holds good if one takes a warm shower, does exercise or swimming immediately after eating food — the blood needs to be diverted to the skin surface for cooling. This interferes with the digestive process and can trigger stomach-aches and headaches. One may also experience fainting spells, at times. Though most people would see no ill-effects after having a shower right after a meal, physically weak or old people are likely to have adverse reactions. The bottom line — it is better to wait a minimum of 30 mins after a meal before taking a bath. THE BELL EFFECT The bell is an indispensable part in Hindu temples,

Buddhist monasteries, churches, and also pujas. The most widespread belief is that the bell is sounded to invite the deity to accept the worship and prayers. Yet another belief is that it drives away evil forces. The bell is a scientific phenomenon. It is not just made of any ordinary metal. It is made of various metals, including cadmium, lead, copper, zinc, nickel, chromium and manganese. The proportion at which each one of them is mixed is the real science behind a bell. Each bell is made to produce a distinct sound that it can create unity of your left and right brain. The moment you ring the bell, it produces a sharp but lasting sound which lasts for minimum of seven seconds in echo mode. This is good enough to touch your seven healing centres, or chakras, in your body. It is believed that the moment the bell rings, your brain is also emptied of all thoughts. As one is so occupied in the mind with various thoughts, the only way to awaken one is with a gentle ‘shock’, and the bell does exactly that. A well-designed bell produces long strains of the sound, Om. This is believed to make one focus on prayers — the purpose for which one goes to the temple. WATER ‘CIRCLE’ AROUND YOUR PLATE Water acts as a repellent to tiny creatures roaming on the floor, seen and unseen. Hence, the circle of water stops them to approach, or enter, the plate when kept on the floor. Also, they are attracted towards the part of food kept outside the plate making it safe to consume the food. This practice is redundant while eating on the dining table which is presumably cleaner than the floor. People who still practice it on the dining table are just following tradition without worrying about the real meaning behind it. TOSSING COINS INTO RIVER In ancient times, most currency used was made of copper, unlike stainless steel coins of today. Copper is a vital metal useful to the human body. The intake of copper with water is good for health. Throwing coins in the river was one way our forefathers ensured we take sufficient copper as part of drinking water, because rivers were the only source of drinking water. Making it a custom by saying it will bring good fortune to us — as is the practice today — has ensured that all of us follow the good practice.

HOMEOPATHY & YOU | SEPTEMBER 2014

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FITNESS EQUIPMENT

JUMP YOUR WAY TO OPTIMAL WELLNESS Regular exercise on a trampoline is effective for preventing several health issues, including obesity.

taying active is an important facet of a healthy lifestyle. However, selecting the right equipment or the most effective mode of exercise is equally important to have the desired results. Trampoline is gaining increasing popularity among exercise enthusiasts. Trampolines are available for purchase at local or online fitness stores; they can be used at home or at the gym. They are fun to use — this is their major benefit and this makes them different from running or jogging. We often see people running or jogging on the street. While only a few actually enjoy the activity, others show no enthusiasm or excitement towards it. Their pained faces and struggle to push themselves to run a little distance shows that they do not enjoy the activity. Trampoline, on the other hand, is enjoyed by most people. Research estimates that people enjoy the activity all the more when they jump with both their feet together. BENEFITS Low impact on joints. Trampoline exercises protect your joints whilst exercising your muscles. It protects your joints from constant jarring that occurs when you jog or run. This is because your vertical acceleration and deceleration is soaked up by the trampoline pad, which takes up to 80 per cent of the shock. Hard surfaces such as roads fail to do so. Low impact trampoline exercises also help to protect your ankles and knees that are especially vulnerable to injuries caused by the repeat pounding of jogging, or running. Effective weapon against aging. Regular exercise on the trampoline is proven to be effective against aging. In most cases, it leaves one stronger and fitter with greater stamina than before. Improved cardiovascular fitness. Studies have demonstrated a significant improvement in cardiovascular fitness with a regular, 30-minute trampoline workout [the gain was also not significantly different from those provided by treadmill workouts or other traditional forms of cardiovascular exercise]. Increased metabolism. Trampoline exercises have been proven to increase your metabolic rate, detox, and lymphatic — the tissues and organs, including the bone marrow, spleen, thymus, and lymph nodes, that produce and store cells that fight infection — efficiency, while helping your body to process nutrients more efficiently. Convenience to use. Trampoline provides a set space in which you can exercise. You don’t need to go to the

gym or tennis court, and neither would you need to find a route to run or jog. Trampoline is in one place, easy to get to and offers privacy [unless your neighbours can see you bouncing over the fence]. Besides, any comfortable clothing is suitable for your trampoline exercise. Increased leg strength. College students who performed just 30 minutes of rebounding twice a week experienced a significant increase in both leg power and strength. Similar results have been reported by some gymnastics coaches, who regularly include trampoline workout in their athletes’ training programmes. Obesity. Obesity is caused by two factors — an unbalanced diet [typically too rich in sugar and fat; not enough fibre] and not doing enough exercise to burn off the calories consumed. Occasionally, there are genetic factors leading to obesity. A trampoline can provide a great way to burn off calories in a fun environment. The best part — trampoline exercises can lead to improved balance, core strengthening, better performance in sports, requiring multi-directional movement, and enhanced co-ordination. SAFETY Common injuries associated with rebounding include sprains, shin splints [general pain in the lower region of the leg: between knee and ankle], fracture and dislocation. Soft tissue injuries, including bruising and lacerations [irregular tear-like wounds], may also occur as a result of landing on the non-elastic edges of the trampoline. For most people, however, the potential benefits outweigh the risks — risks that can be reduced by following some simple safety rules. • Set up your trampoline on a flat and non-slippery surface. It should be away from walls and furniture • Ensure that shock-absorbing pads completely cover the springs, hooks and frame; most injuries associated with trampoline use are a direct result of landing on an unprotected metal frame • Wear shoes with good ankle support [most gymnasts jump barefoot. However, most novice trampoline users would benefit from the lateral ankle support of a properly fitting running shoes] • Minimise the vertical height of your jumps. Low, controlled jumping will not only increase the intensity of your workout, but also ensure that your feet land in the correct place on the trampoline. HOMEOPATHY & YOU | SEPTEMBER 2014

Be Adwise Advertise in India’s first Homeopathy & Lifestyle Magazine which reaches to over 1 lakh health-conscious readers, Every Month! Available at over 500 outlets... news-stands, good bookstores [airports, Crossword, Landmark, Oxford], select hot spots and Dr Batra’s 134 Clinics.

Vol 1. Issue 11.

September 2014

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dr MUKESH BATRA The homeop athic Graphites personality

MANEKA GANdHI dung-ho! RYAN HARRISO Boost your mi N nd power in 7 ste ps

PLUS The homeop athic ‘firewall’ effe ct Manage dia betes safely Goodness of strawberries Malaika Aro ra Khan’s wellne ss mantra

HomeopatHy, HealtH and wellness are powerful issues today.

CArdiAC He & HoMeopAAlTH THy

TAKE HEART WILL TREAT

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Homeopathy & You Sakhar Bhavan Premises Co-Op Society Ltd, 9th Floor, Ramnath Goenka Marg, 230 Nariman Point, Mumbai – 400 021. Tel: 022-3367 1200 • Fax: 022-3027 1415. E-mail: adsales@homeopathyandyou.com • Website: www.homeopathyandyou.com

Top OF MIND

THE WALK ADVANTAGE Walking, thanks to its relative safety, is recommended exercise for all age groups. What’s more, brisk bouts of moderateto-high intensity walking have the same effect as jogging.

By EUSEBIO JASON FERNANDES

ost health groups stress on keeping fit, because of growing demands at work and extended hours on the computer. This is also because health can slowly take the backseat, leading them towards a sedentary, deskbound lifestyle. Lack of physical activity not only affects our functioning, but it also predisposes us to a never-ending list of cardiovascular, neurological and orthopaedic problems, like high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack, arthritis and so on. Research shows a strong association between physical activity levels and health problems including stress, the best cure for which is exercise. When you speak of exercise most people have a misconception — that it is necessary to visit the gym or attend yoga or aerobic classes. On the contrary, just 30 minutes’ walk in a park or on the way to, or from, work does the job, or fits the bill, just as well. BENEFITS OF WALKING Walking, due to its relative safety, is recommended exercise for all age-groups. What’s more, brisk bouts of moderate-to-high intensity walking can have the same effect as jogging. Jogging and walking, for example, help improve our cardio-respiratory endurance. However, unlike jogging, walking puts negligible stress on the knee joints, thus avoiding the usual post-exercise aches and pains. Walking as an exercise plays a vital role in maintaining and improving the functioning of all the systems of the body. Secondly, a steady pace of moderate intensity walk will help burn enough calories. The resulting improvement in circulation not only helps maintain a steady supply of nutrients, but it also helps in flushing out waste, or toxicity, from the tissues. Regular walking improves bone density, maintains joint congruity, as well as spinal integrity. Further, due

to the pumping effect created by the muscles of the legs, the potential risk of having varicose veins is also averted. Being an endurance exercise, walking helps to strengthen the heart and the lungs — it thus improves our physiological functioning. STAY FOCUSED Research recommends 30-minutes’ walk for at least 4-5 days a week. Although it may be difficult to adhere to the routine, group walking or buddy walking has been found to be a good motivational factor. Given the ease of taking walking for granted, a friend or a companion’s involvement helps to reduce boredom, if any. In addition, a gentle massage to the feet, or immersing them in warm water after a walk, helps soothe the joints and ligaments of the feet. THINGS TO DO Walking is something that is learnt during childhood, but as we grow it becomes important to adopt safe techniques. More so, when given the various changes that occur as we grow. Proper footwear is a key factor in avoiding unwanted injuries. As posture also makes a huge contribution in reaping the maximum benefits of walking, one should be aware of how they carry themselves while they walk. An upright posture with the chest out, an even step and stride length, reciprocal arm swing and breathing form some of the key areas that need extra focus. CONCLUSION Walking, like any other exercise, releases serotonin, the feel-good chemical — one that ‘ups’ your sense of feeling good. The big advantage is walking is comparatively a safe exercise option — it costs nothing, yet its effects are as profound, or perhaps better than other powerful or tough exercises.

Eusebio Jason Fernandes is a graduate in physiotherapy with a master’s degree in applied physiotherapy from Sheffield Hallam University, UK. He is currently working with children having special needs. He lives in Goa.

HOMEOPATHY & YOU | sEPTEMbEr 2014

HOME[O]PATHY

‘STRAWBERRY FIELDS FOREVER’ Strawberries are a popular fruit and flavouring substance all over the world. They are not only delicious to eat, but are packed with a wide range of healthy nutrients.

ike many fruits, strawberries make their claim in history as a luxury fruit enjoyed only by royalty. Isn’t its shape of a heart and red colour the first clue that the fruit is good for you? Well, it actually is. Strawberries protect your heart, increase HDL [‘good’ cholesterol], lower your blood pressure, and guard against several ailments. Strawberries are packed with vitamins, fibre, and particularly high levels of antioxidants known as polyphenols. They are sodium-, fat- and cholesterolfree and low-calorie food. They also provide a good dose of folic acid, manganese and potassium. Strawberries contain significant amounts of phytonutrients and flavonoids — this gives them their bright red colour. Since ages they have been used to help with digestive ailments, whitening the teeth and skin irritation too. Their fibre and fructose content is suggested to help regulate blood sugar levels by slowing your digestion; the fibre, likewise, gives you the satiating effect. Not only the fruit, but also the leaves can be eaten raw, cooked or used to make tea. Boosts immunity. Strawberries help boost your immunity and protect us from infections. Just one serving [about 8-10 strawberries] provides more vitamin C than an orange. This alone makes it a fruit not to be missed. Prevents heart disease. The flavonoids and antioxidants in strawberries prevent the buildup of bad cholesterol that can clog your arteries. Additionally, the nutrients have anti-inflammatory properties. Fights cancer. Strawberries have antioxidants like lutein and zeathanacins which suppress the growth of cancer cells. Also, the high vitamin C content boosts your immunity and makes your body more capable of fighting cancer cells.

HOMEOPATHY & YOU | SEPTEMBER 2014

Great for pregnant women. Pregnant women are often encouraged to eat nutrient foods for themselves as well as their baby. The rich folate content in strawberries helps in the development of the baby’s brain, skull and spinal cord. In addition, it also has folic acid — this can prevent the child from having birth defects. Good food for diabetes. The high fibre content in strawberries helps to regulate your blood sugar levels and also helps in preventing, or delaying the onset of the disorder. Good for your skin. Aging affects your skin and other body parts. It is similar to the process of a metal rusting due to exposure to air. Vitamin C and other antioxidants in strawberries can help slow down the aging process and keep your skin wrinkle-free for long. Weight control. Strawberries are extremely low in calories. One cup of strawberries has only 53 calories. Also, they have a rich fibre content — this can leave you feeling fuller if you have them before a meal. Vitamin C in strawberries helps to boost your metabolism — this helps your body to burn your calories faster. Good for your bones. Nutrients like manganese, potassium and other minerals in strawberries not only help promote bone growth, but also help keep them in good health. This makes strawberries a good fruit for growing children. Prevents hair loss. Folic acid, vitamin B5, vitamin B6 and ellagic acid in strawberries help prevent your hair from falling and thinning. Furthermore, minerals like copper and magnesium help prevent dandruff. Boosts memory. Fisetin, a naturally-occurring flavonoid present in strawberries, helps to enhance memory by stimulating the signalling pathways. Research estimates that eating two or more servings of strawberries per week can delay memory problems in aging women.

HEALTH HAPPENINGS

ENZYME MAY STOP KIDNEY TUMOUR GROWTH US researchers have discovered an enzyme called FBP1 — a known element for controlling metabolism in cells — which plays a surprising role in switching genes ‘on’ and ‘off’ in kidney cancer. The new research suggests the enzyme may hold the key to halting tumour growth in clear cell renal cell carcinoma — the most common kidney cancer. The research team from the University of Pennsylvania also found the enzyme, which is present in normal cells, was missing from tumour cells in all of the 600 tumours they analysed. Their study came across the enzyme while analysing metabolites — small molecules used to make fuel — in normal and cancerous human kidney tissue. FBP1, or Fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase, is essential for regulating metabolism. The enzyme binds to a transcription factor, a molecule that controls gene activity, in the nucleus of certain kidney cells and restrains cellular energy production. The study found that FBP1 plays a surprising role in switching genes on and off in cancer of the kidneys. A feature of clear cell renal cell carcinoma [ccRCC] is higher levels of the carbohydrate glycogen and deposits of fat in affected kidney cells. The fat deposits accumulate as clear droplets, giving the cancer its name. Rates of the cancer have been rising worldwide over the last ten years. Patients have a good chance of survival if tumours are removed early. Their prognosis is not so good, if the FBP1 gene is turned off.

this needs to be continuously repaired. This process is not well understood, all right, but it is known that stem cells in the organs play a key role and that when repair fails, the organism ages more quickly. Researchers from the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre [CNIO] have “discovered one of the key genes that make up the maintenance mechanism for tissues,” says Miguel Foronda, the first author of the study. The study, published in Cell Reports, suggests that it has added yet another piece to the aging, stem cells and cancer puzzle, the three main elements which are known to be related, but no one knows exactly how. The authors write that, “By understanding the relationship through identification of key regulatory genes, we could have a different, perhaps more unified, vision of the three areas with enormous implications for health.” The target of the study, the Sox4 gene, is expressed during embryonic development. It contributes, for example, to the development of the pancreas, the bones and the heart, including the differentiation of lymphocytes. It is also active in the adult organism, but in a limited way, while being primarily restricted to some stem cell compartments. When Sox4 malfunctions it becomes a cancercausing gene, or oncogene. Practically all human cancers have too much Sox4, which translates into more cellular proliferation and less apoptosis — or, programmed cell death, a mechanism that protects against cancer. It is also known that Sox4 plays a role in metastasis, or the spread of a cancer from one organ to another. SLEEP PROBLEMS AFTER DIVORCE HARMFUL TO HEALTH People who experience persistent sleep problems after divorce stand to suffer from more than just dark circles. They might, according to a new study, also be at risk of

THE GENE LINK TO STEM CELLS, AGING AND CANCER An organism is healthy, thanks to a good maintenance system. The normal functioning of organs and environmental exposure cause damage to tissues — HOMEOPATHY & YOU | sEPTEMbEr 2014

HEALTH HAPPENINGS potentially harmful patterns in blood pressure. A growing body of research links divorce to significant negative health effects and even early death, yet few studies have looked at why the connection may exist. Divorce-related sleep troubles may be partly to blame, suggest the authors of the study, in an article published in Health Psychology. Says David Sbarra, associate professor of psychology, University of Arizona, US, who co-authored the paper with two of his former students, lead author Kendra Krietsh and Ashley Mason, “In the initial few months after a separation, sleep problems are probably pretty normal, and this is an adjustment process that people can typically cope with well.” “But sleep problems that persist for an extended period may mean something different. It may mean that people are potentially becoming depressed, that they’re struggling with getting their life going again, and it is these people that are particularly susceptible to health problems.” The study looked at 138 people who had physically separated from or divorced their partner about 16 weeks before the start of the study. Participants were asked to report on their quality of sleep during three lab visits over a seven-and-a-halfmonth period, using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, which takes into consideration sleep issues, ranging from tossing and turning to snoring to difficulty falling and staying asleep. Participants’ blood pressure was also measured at each of the three lab visits. Although the study did not observe a relationship between sleep complaints and blood pressure levels at the participants’ first lab visits, they did observe a delayed effect, with participants showing increased systolic and diastolic blood pressure in later visits as a function of earlier sleep problems. As Sbarra observes, “We saw changes in resting blood pressure were associated with sleep problems three months earlier. Earlier sleep problems predicted

HOMEOPATHY & YOU | sEPTEMbEr 2014

increases in resting blood pressure over time.” The researchers also found that the longer peoples’ sleep problems persisted after their separation, the more likely such problems were to have an adverse effect on blood pressure. “What we found was if you’re having sleep problems up to about ten weeks after your separation, they don’t appear to be associated with your future increase in blood pressure.” “However, after ten or so weeks — after some sustained period of time — there seems to be a cumulative bad effect.” The study’s bottom line — for people who have high blood pressure to begin with, the increase should not be taken lightly. GOOD MOTHERING HARDWIRES INFANT BRAIN New research at New York University Langone Medical Center, US, has found that the mother’s presence and social interactions ‘hardwires’ infant brain. The researchers carefully watched nearly a hundred hours of video showing mother rats protecting, warming, and feeding their young pups, and then matching up what they saw to real-time electrical readings from the pups’ brains. They aver that her nurturing role directly moulds the early neural activity and growth of her offsprings’ brain. The study, published, in Current Biology, shows that the mother’s presence in the nest regulated and controlled electrical signalling in the infant pup’s brain. Although scientists have known for decades that maternal-infant bonding affects neural development, the NYU Langone team’s latest findings are believed to be the first to show — as it is happening — how such natural, early maternal attachment behaviours, including nesting, nursing, and grooming of pups, impact key stages in postnatal brain development. The research says the so-called slow-wave, neural signalling patterns seen during the initial phases of mammalian brain development — between age 12 and 20 days in rats — closely resembled the

electrical patterns seen in humans for meditation and conscious and unconscious sleep-wake cycles, and during highly focused attention. The early stages are when permanent neural communication pathways are known to form in the infant brain, and when increasing numbers of nerve axons become sheathed, or myelinated, to speed neural signalling. According to Regina Sullivan, PhD, senior study investigator and neurobiologist, whose previous research in animals showed how maternal interactions influenced gene activity in the infant brain, the latest study offers an even more profound perspective on maternal caregiving. “Our research shows how in mammals the mother’s sensory stimulation helps sculpt and mould the infant’s growing brain and helps define the role played by ‘nurturing’ in healthy brain development and offers overall greater insight into what constitutes good mothering.” “The study also helps explain how differences in the way mothers nurture their young could account, in part, for the wide variation in infant behaviour among animals, including people, with similar backgrounds, or in uniform, tightly knit cultures.” The study notes, “There are so many factors that go into rearing children. Our findings will help scientists and clinicians better understand the whole-brain implications of quality interactions and bonding between mothers and infants so closely after birth, and how these biological attachment behaviours frame the brain’s hardwiring.” YOGA EASES SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDERS Adam Heenan, a PhD student in the clinical psychology, at Ontario University, Canada, has found that exercise and relaxation activities literally change

the way people perceive the world, altering their perception so that they view the environment in a less threatening, less negative way. For people with mood and anxiety disorders, this is an important breakthrough. For his research, Heenan used point-light displays, a depiction of a human comprised of a series of dots representing the major joints. Human point-light displays are depth-ambiguous and, because of this, an observer looking at the display could see it as either facing towards them, or facing away. Researchers have found people who are socially anxious perceive these figures as facing towards them — i.e., the more threatening way — more often. “We wanted to examine whether people would perceive their environment as less threatening after engaging in physical exercise or after doing a relaxation technique that is similar to the breathing exercises in yoga [called progressive muscle relaxation],” Heenan explains. “We found that people who either walked or jogged on a treadmill for ten minutes perceived the ambiguous figures as facing towards them [the observer] less often than those who simply stood on the treadmill. The same was true when people performed progressive muscle relaxation.” “This is important because anxious people display a bias — they often focus on more threatening things in their environment. In fact, some researchers think that this is how the disorder is perpetuated: people who are anxious focus just too much on anxiety-inducing things and, thus, become more anxious.” This is a viciously, perhaps incessant cycle. Notes Heenan, “This is a big development because it helps to explain why exercising and relaxation techniques have been successful in treating mood and anxiety disorders in the past.” [Culled and Collated from media reports and health journals]

HOMEOPATHY & YOU | sEPTEMbEr 2014

SUPER FOODS

FROM CAROM CURE TO JACK OF ALL FRUITS Carom seeds have a host of culinary uses, besides relieving simple tummy problems. Jackfruit packs a punch in terms of its multivitamin content — for good health.

jwain [carom seeds] is believed to have a long history. Legend has it that it first originated in Iran and the Eastern Mediterranean, from where it ‘reached’ India. It was also known and used by the ancient Greeks and Romans. It is suggested that the Greek philosopher and physician Dioscorides may have referred to carom seeds as ‘Ethiopian or Royal cumin’ in some of his writings. Ajwain is a popular kitchen ingredient — it is used for a host of culinary purposes. It is as much praised for its digestive properties as green tea is for its antioxidant activity. Ajwain is rich in thymol, a natural anti-fungicide and anti-bacterial agent. This is reason enough why it is extensively used in medicine, as well as cooking. What makes ajwain a celebrated digestive agent is its carminative properties. It is also a useful anti-cold remedy, just as much as it is effective for diarrhoea, hyperacidity, dysentery and flatulence [gas]. In certain communities, the seeds are eaten with betel leaves — to relieve dyspepsia and also gas. Ajwain is a good remedy for colic too. Take 3gm of the following ingredients in their ground form in warm water — ajwain 20gm, dried ginger 10gm and black salt 5gm. Remember, your grandma often extolled the idea of burning ajwain seeds as a ‘curative treatment’ for migraine and respiratory disorders, such as bronchial asthma? Likewise, a poultice [a soft moist mass, often heated and medicated, that is spread on cloth over the skin to treat an aching, inflamed, or painful part of the body] made of ajwain has been used, for a long time, to relieve arthritis [joint pain]. When fresh ajwain is rubbed on warts, it is said to ‘ease’ them out. The sap from ajwain is used in its crystalline form to treat winter coughs. Although the ‘opening’ smell is unpleasant, it seems to work well and quickly to relieve cough. FACT-FILE • Store ajwain seeds in an airtight container. Place in a cool dark place away from sunlight and humidity. Use as quickly as possible since ajwain seeds lose flavour rather quickly, because of evaporation of essential oils • Ajwain should be avoided in individuals having liver disease, ulcerative colitis or diverticulitis [small, bulging sacs in the intestine]. Research also suggests excess

HOMEOPATHY & YOU | SEPTEMBER 2014

ajwain seeds may ‘provoke’ gut secretions. This can, at times, trigger or worsen existing stomach or bleeding ulcers. Jackfruit is believed to be indigenous to India’s Western Ghats, where it has been cultivated for 6,000 years. It is also cultivated in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brazil, and the Philippines. The fruit is high in calories, but the best part is it contains no saturated fats or cholesterol. This makes it one of the healthiest fruits to savour. The fruit is made of soft, easily digestible flesh [bulb] with simple sugars, like fructose and sucrose, that when eaten replenishes energy and revitalises the body, instantly. The only caveat is jackfruit should not be consumed by pregnant women and individuals suffering from high blood sugar levels, ascitis [fluid build-up in the abdomen] and/or digestive problems. FACT-FILE • 100gm of edible jackfruit bulbs provide 95 calories • Jackfruit is rich in dietary fibre — this makes it a good ‘bulk laxative’ • The latex of jackfruit tree has anti-inflammatory properties. It is useful as a poultice for abscess and wounds • The fibre content protects the colonic mucous and decreases the exposure time as well as the binding to cancer-causing chemicals [carcinogens] in the colon • Jackfruit’s flavonoid pigments — carotene-ß, xanthin, lutein and cryptoxanthin-ß — along with vitamin A have antioxidant and other functions, especially in vision. While vitamin A helps to maintain the integrity of mucous membranes and skin, carotenes are evidenced to protect us from lung and oral cavity cancer. Jackfruit is a good source of vitamin C. It provides 23 per cent of Recommended Daily Allowance [RDA]. Consumption of antioxidant foods, rich in vitamin C, such as jackfruit, helps the body to develop resistance against infectious agents and ‘scavenge’ harmful free radicals and other toxins and flush them out of the body. Jackfruit is rich in B complex vitamins — something unusual for a fruit. It contains good amounts of pyridoxine, niacin, riboflavin and folic acid. Fresh jackfruit is a good source of potassium, magnesium, manganese and iron too. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids. It helps in controlling and regulating heart rate and blood pressure.

READ. WATCH. LISTEN. EXPLORE EAST-WEST HEALING In Eastern Body, Western Mind, Anodea Judith, a renowned chakra authority, brings a fresh approach to the yoga-based Eastern chakra system, while adapting it to the Western scaffold of Jungian psychology, somatic therapy, childhood developmental theory, and metaphysics. Judith’s groundbreaking work in transpersonal psychology, which is now fully revised and redesigned for a more accessible presentation, is arranged schematically — it uses the inherent structure of the chakra system as a map upon which to chart one’s Western understanding of individual development.

Each chapter focuses on a single chakra, starting with a description of its characteristics, while exploring its particular childhood developmental patterns, and how to heal and maintain balance.

Eastern Body, Western Mind Anodea Judith Celestial Arts pp 504 `950.00

SERENITY EXPLAINED “Are you happy in life?” asks philosopher Ramesh S Balsekar. “If your answer is yes — no problem, but if your answer is no, I can tell you my secret.” This DVD is a summing up of his seminal talks on his basic concept — how to live a happy and harmonious life. The DVD is presented in a clear and easily understandable manner. It explains, without rigmarole, how one can imbibe and expand upon Balsekar’s realistic ideas in daily life and solve most problems — big or small.

The Cosmic Law: Talks on a Happening Called Life DVD Ramesh S Balsekar Yogi Impressions `642.00

ROYAL RETREAT Royal Orchid Fort Resort is located in Mussoorie — the queen of hill stations. Nestled amidst rich, lush green surroundings, replete with a panoramic view of the snowcapped peaks and the Doon Valley, this property preserves the natural beauty of the 6-acre Tara Hall Estate. Built like an ancient fort, it has tastefully-done rooms, a multicuisine restaurant, 24-hour room service,

satellite television, banquet and conferencing facilities. Call: +91-78959 22255/66.

LIP-SMACKING FARE Shree Durgma Restaurant, Alambagh, Lucknow, is a no-frills vegetarian restaurant that serves a veritable smorgasbord of local delicacies at super-speed. You have just got to point out if you want less or ample oil in your food. The best fare includes: sarson ka saag, makki ki roti, dal tadka, dal makhni, jeera rice, and also a delectable paneer dish. All are lip-smacking, although the jeera rice ‘may be a bit oily for

some people.’ You may also pick your ‘take’ from the desserts. The best part is — the whole fare costs just `375, for two. Call: +91-522-262 2047.

HOMEOPATHY & YOU | SEPTEMBER 2014

CELEB FITNESS

MALAIKA ARORA KHAN’S WELLNESS MANTRA

g about writing a book — “How to have a well-toned body without starving yourself.”

he is well-known for her dancing skills — witness, her super hit songs like Chaiyya Chaiyya and Munni Badnaam Hui among others. Besides, Malaika Arora Khan has produced a movie, Dabangg [2008], with her husband Arbaaz Khan. A successful actor and dancer, producer, TV presenter, judge, model, and VJ, Malaika is also renowned in Bollywood for her ‘hour-glass’ figure. She dedicates her fitness to her disciplined diet and exercise regimen that she follows. We bring you Malaika’s diet and fitness secrets, courtesy celebfitness.blogspot.in

HER DIET CHART Morning. One glass of warm water with honey and lime, followed by one litre of warm water Breakfast. One small bowl of seasonal fruit, idli or poha or upma, or porridge 12:00pm. A glass of vegetable juice with amla, one egg white with two brown toast Lunch. Brown or red Goa rice, 2-3 vegetables, chicken or fish and one bowl of sprouts as salad 4:00pm. Idli, or poha, or upma, or one peanut butter sandwich Dinner. [Latest by 8:00pm]. Soup or salad. A light meal, but no lentils, or dal Night. If hungry, an orange or carrots, or any seasonal fruits, or dry fruits like figs, almonds and apricots. HER HEALTH TIPS • Breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dine like a pauper

HOMEOPATHY & YOU | SEPTEMBER 2014

• No carbohydrates at night • Don’t starve — eat healthy and everything in moderation • Avoid fried foods. Have a diet for the week and binge on Sundays • Cook everything in extra virgin olive oil • Have plenty of carbs through the day, like sweet potatoes, potatoes and brown bread. Have potatoes in their jackets — roasted • If you eat healthy, you will go a long way. HER YOGA PRACTICE I have been learning yoga for some time. KareenaKapoor-Khan and Amu [Amrita Arora] introduced me to it. Payal Gidwani has been training me. I do yoga thrice a week at home, alternating it between gym and pilates. Now, I really look forward to my sessions with Kareena Kapoor-Khan and Amu. We are yoga junkies. HER WORKOUT Besides doing yoga, I workout thrice a week; I am mostly into weight-training with my trainer when at the gym. NB: Malaika is planning to bring out a book on healthy food habits and workouts. She says, “I love talking about healthy food, home-made remedies and giving health tips. So, yes, I have been thinking about writing a book — “How to have a well-toned body without starving yourself.”

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