9 Signs That Your Body Needs a Detox Immediately

We encounter toxic agents every day; plastic bottles,  cookware, carpets,  personal care items,  electronics, bedding and cushions are only a ‘few’ examples of items containing toxic chemicals and pollutants. These chemicals and toxic fumes get absorbed into our bodies very easily and gradual accumulation of these toxins may increase our risk of getting diseases such as fatigue, obesity, infertility, asthma and cancer.

This is why regular detoxification has become a hot topic of discussion in most of the urban areas. Detoxification helps your body eliminate toxic waste stored in your tissues and gives your immune system an extra boost. There are many natural detoxification methods that are safe and reliable; for example detox massage is one such natural way of getting rid of toxins which also helps you look and feel wonderful but let’s first focus on signs to look out for, that tell you it’s time for a detoxification-

Unexplained lethargy

Do you always feel sleepy and sluggish even after a sufficient amount of sleep at night? If you feel low energy levels all the time, it may be due to the high levels of toxins in your body. Drinking coffee might be a quick fix but it will only make the problem worse because those stimulants will make you feel even more tired after some time. A full body detox can help you get rid of that heavy feeling and regain your energy.

Moreover exercise, healthy diet and relaxation techniques like yoga can help you combat stress or stress related tiredness and fatigue. Physical therapies such as stress-relief massage have always been suggested by ayurvedic experts as a first line of defense against lethargy and fatigue.

Brain fog

Brain fog, or brain fatigue, can be described as a mild to severe episode of mental confusion that takes away your ability to concentrate on a task. When your body is full of toxins, you experience a lack of focus, poor memory and mental acuity. Toxins mess with your body’s metabolism and also affect your brain’s condition. When brain fog becomes a regular issue for you and starts affecting your daily life, it points towards an urgent need of detoxification.

Consume foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, iron, zinc, folate, and vitamin B-12. Eat avocados, nuts, deep-water fish, such as salmon, pomegranate and whole grains for better brain function.

Bloating, constipation and indigestion

Toxic overload in the body may impair your digestive system by causing chronic constipation; if your body has accumulated years of waste and fecal materials in the bowels and colon over time, it could cause serious problems for your digestive system along with symptoms like tiredness and headaches. You can try adding more fiber, whole grains, fruits, and raw vegetables.

Stay away from junk food, fried items and highly processed food stuff. Instead choose organic fruits and vegetables. However if you suffer from frequent constipation bouts than just making changes in your diet may not give you immediate results. In such cases, colon cleanse helps relieve constipation and also help maintain your digestive health in the long run.

Prolonged Insomnia

A peaceful night time sleep is essential for turning on  the healing mode within your body; but when your body is overloaded with an excessive amount of toxins, getting a good night sleep is not possible.. Melatonin release which is responsible for your sleep cycle may get affected by harmful chemicals. So if you are spending restless nights without getting undisturbed sleep, then it might be a sign of a huge toxic build-up within your body.

 An ayurvedic detox can help your body release more melatonin, and also bring back the harmony among the systems of your body. Detoxification plays a big role in solving sleeping problems; it helps you sleep like a child so you can wake up extremely relaxed every morning.

Mood swings and depression

What you eat mostly decides your mood and feelings. Eating unhealthy junk food can accumulate toxins in your body which eventually make you feel down and tired. This toxic build-up starts obstructing the nutrients from reaching your brain and other parts of the body. As a result, some people stay in a depressed state even after choosing a nutrient-rich diet. So, if you are experiencing mood swings and depression, a herbal detox program can be highly beneficial to you; it works as a powerful force against harmful toxins and flush them away from your system.  Consuming natural detox juices and smoothies every morning can also make you feel fresh and happy all day.

Frequent headache

Mild to low intensity headache on a regular basis may be a sign of toxic build-up within the body. Drinking plenty of water will increase the body’s effectiveness in expelling the toxins. Instead of popping pain killers, visit a nearby spa which offers ayurvedic therapies. Ayurveda has a lot to offer when it comes to treating common illnesses like headaches. Ancient therapies like shirodhara , panchkarma can do wonders and make you feel better instantly.

Whitening of tongue

Most people assume that oral health is only about caring for the teeth and gums; but in reality the tongue is also an important organ which needs care and attention because neglecting  it can put you at risk of various diseases. Pale or white tongue could be a side effect of drinking alcohol, smoking, or having oral bacteria.  Oral detoxification is commonly advised by ayurvedic experts to pull toxins out of your mouth and create a clean oral environment.

Sexual dysfunction 

Don’t be surprised to know that sexual dysfunction that you feel frequently may be a result of toxic accumulation. Dangerous chemicals and toxic build-up in your body affect you physically as well as emotionally. Drug abuse, long term medication and consumption of low-quality food can put a negative effect on your sex drive. Healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables, gentle massage from a professional therapist and some ayurvedic supplements can do wonders for your libido. 

Bad breath

Does your bad breath just not go away, even after brushing with the best quality toothpaste? It means that the root cause of bad breath lies much deeper than you think. An imbalance between the good and bad bacteria in your system might be the reason behind bad breath. Accumulation of toxins in your digestive tract may be yet another reason for bad breath. An herbal detoxification using herbs and fiber is the best way to get rid of bad breath.

Conclusion

In case you experience any of these symptoms frequently, your body is in need of detoxification. All you need to do is maintain a healthy body that does not need extra detoxification effort if you eat the right and healthy wholesome food.

So there you have it! The process of detoxing is not as difficult or restrictive as you may have thought. It’s likely that boosting your body’s natural detoxification system will be a relaxing and enjoyable experience for you! Moreover, you’ll feel amazing afterwards, which makes it all worthwhile.

How to Choose the Best Baby Massage Oil?

Among the basic 5 senses, it is the sense of touch that is most developed in newborn babies. When your child is young, the language of touch is primarily what makes them bond with you. Ayurveda says that baby oil massages decrease the Vata dosha in newborns and relieve stress – creating a safe and warm feeling for your baby. And what do you know? Modern research has now shown that baby oil massages from the parent can encourage the production of oxytocin (the love hormone) in babies, meaning your bond is more strengthened than ever and your child feels safe in your arms. Other than that, baby oil massages have proven benefits for strengthening bones, encouraging the growth of muscles through blood circulation, digestive issues, and even teething pains. 

Baby oil is the best choice when it comes to baby massage because its thick texture and lubricant qualities enable massages in the smoothest way possible. Oils don’t absorb into one’s skin as quickly as, say, lotions do. Oils also have the characteristic of penetrating deep into one’s skin layers, which other products often can’t do. The very application of oil on your baby’s skin through massaging improves your baby’s blood circulation and enables better nutrient absorption by their growing bones & muscles.

Now that you know why you should be choosing baby oil massages, the next step is to pick out the perfect baby oil for your cute little one. Don’t fret, because we have done all the homework and research required and picked out the best 8 baby oils for massage to conveniently choose from. Read on! 

 

Top 8 Baby Oils for Massage

 

1.  Ayurvedic Baby Massage Oil For Strong Bones & Muscles by Mother Sparsh

The Ayurvedic Baby Massage Oil For Strong Bones & Muscles by Mother Sparsh is concocted with the goodness of not 2 or 3 but 18 essential herbs to create the perfect mix of love and nourishment! It includes Ayurveda approved ingredients such as Ashwagandha, Coconut Oil, Jojoba Oil, Orange, Avocado, and even rosehip! The oil is free from any kinds of harmful chemicals and is light on your skin – it absorbs almost immediately, making it an excellent choice among baby oils. 

This oil is effective for – 

  • Strengthening muscles and bones of your newborn 
  • Relieving dry skin or rashes
  • Improving mobility and elasticity of the skin 
  • Can also be used by adults with sensitive skin

 

2. LuvLap Cold Press Virgin Coconut Baby Massage Oil by LuvLap

LuvLap is known for its cost-effective quality products for the wellbeing of your baby. And when it comes to the Cold Press Virgin Coconut Baby Massage Oil, the brand does not fall short of its promises. Coconut oil is one of the most trusted ingredients for mothers of newborns, which is why you can rarely go wrong with it. Made from garden-fresh coconuts and with no added chemicals – this oil is great for both skin and hair. 

This oil is good for – 

  • Daily use as body oil and hair oil
  • Enabling a soothing coconut oil massage for your baby
  • Naturally moisturizing your baby’s skin and hair with an abundance of Vitamin E

 

  1. Ayurvedic Baby Massage Oil with Organic Ghee by Blue Nectar

The Shubhr Ayurvedic Baby Massage Oil with Organic Ghee uses the goodness of Ghee and shows us exactly why our grandmothers swear by ghee. Along with the beloved Ghee, this oil contains 13 fresh and organic herbs concocted in it to make something beautiful in its bottle of magic. Be it saffron, rose, olive oil, or Ashwagandha – this massage oil has everything that your baby’s skin and muscles need! No artificial chemicals are added, so you can relax and use it on your little one without any worries. 

This oil is effective for – 

  • Strengthening muscles & bones in your newborn
  • Relieving gas and digestion problems bothering your little one’s tummy 
  • Improving the quality of sleep and emotional well-being of your baby
  • Making baby oil & lotion massages a holistic bonding experience for both the parent and the child

 

4. Baby Massage Oil by Himalaya Wellness

Himalaya is a trusted brand when it comes to natural Ayurvedic products for the skin and hair. This baby massage oil from Himalaya Wellness is loaded with the goodness of olive oil and winter cherry, and concocted with a special formula that creates a light oil that does not stain your baby’s clothes or sheets. What more could one ask for in a baby massage oil?!

This oil is effective for –

  • Promoting the growth and development of your newborn
  • Nurturing and replenishing your bond with your baby
  • Relieving dry skin problems 

 

5. Organic Almond Baby Massage Oil by Life & Pursuit

Almond oils are known for their sweet smell and moisturizing properties. When it comes to being a baby massage oil, the Organic Almond Baby Massage Oil by Life & Pursuit makes a great choice for parents looking for something with a sweet smell and the nourishing goodness of almonds. This oil is made from fresh and 100% organic almonds, and therefore is completely safe for your baby. 

This oil is effective in: 

  • Boosting the body growth of your baby
  • Promoting muscle strength in your newborn
  • Pamper, soften, and nourish the sensitive skin of your baby.

 

6. Baby Massage & Hair Oil | Super Blend Of 6 Organic Oils by Goodness Me

As the name suggests, the baby massage & hair oil by Goodness Me is a super blend of 6 organic oils including almond, olive, jojoba, sesame, argan, safflower  – making it a perfect choice to fulfill all skin nutrient needs for your baby. The oil is completely toxin-free and made from only organic ingredients, making it super safe for the delicate skin of your baby. What’s more? It smells heavenly! 

This oil is effective for – 

  • Reassuring care for your newborn during baby massages 
  • Soothing and nourishing sensitive skin
  • Protecting your little one’s skin from external damage.

 

7.  Baby Eternal Love Baby Massage Oil by Lotus Herbals

The Lotus Herbals Baby Eternal Love Massage oil is created with the thought of promoting eternal love between the mother and the baby at its heart. It keeps your baby warm, comfortable and nourished with the virtues of organic ingredients such as Olive Oil and Sweet Almond Oil. With no synthetic smells and a toxin-free formula, it makes one of the best options for baby oil on the market right now. 

This oil is effective for – 

  • Creating a warm environment for your newborn
  • Helping your baby’s limbs grow healthier and stronger

 

8. Ayurvedic Baby Massage Oil by Kama Ayurveda

The Kama Ayurveda Baby Massage Oil is created with the principles of the ancient Ayurvedic scripture of Ashtanga Hrudayam. Thanks to this trusted and renowned formula – it is extremely effective in not just nourishing your baby’s skin with organic ingredients such as sesame oil, turmeric, and liquorice, but it is also great at protecting your baby’s skin from external damage and relieving any existing skin infections. This is what makes this oil an excellent choice. 

This oil is effective for –

  • Providing your baby with skin protection 
  • Nourishing the delicate skin of your newborn
  • Warm massages to improve bonding

You can rest assured with this list of the top 8 baby massage oil and just concentrate on strengthening the love bond through baby massage.

10 DIY Face Packs to Treat Uneven Skin and Dark Spots

An uneven complexion can be a nightmare. After carefully selecting the best products from the best brands and reading multiple articles and essays on how to treat dark spots and uneven skin tone, you somehow still fall short in coming up with the perfect routine that gives you clear skin.

With constant pollution and stressful lives, it can be hard to maintain an even skin tone. But don’t lose hope! Think of taking care of your skin as being close friends with it. Just like a close friend, all it asks for is time, care, patience, and forgiveness. And just like people, skin types come with all kinds of quirks. Therefore, to get a brightened-up beautiful complexion, you need to pay attention to its needs according to its type.

This blog brings to you 10 different Do-It-Yourself face pack remedies that can be used to treat different types of skin with the nourishment they crave and deserve!

 

 

#1. Besan and banana face pack for dry skin

 

Why it works

As a child, did you hear your mother rave about the benefits of using besan to scrub skin during a bath? Well, for those of you who did, she was right! Besan or gram flour has excellent cleansing and exfoliating properties. Its alkaline nature helps balance out your skin’s pH. It is specifically known to be an excellent de-tanning agent and a natural body scrub. This makes besan an excellent natural remedy for dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and acne scars.

 

Exfoliated skin

 

The second ingredient, banana, balances out the alkaline and drying effect of besan. This fruit is rich in fats and vitamins that soften your skin and moisturize it well, leaving behind not just a well-scrubbed and exfoliated skin but also a plump and radiant face. 

 

What you’ll need

  • Two Tablespoons of Besan (Gram flour) 
  • One Ripe Banana

 

How to use

Mash a ripe banana in a bowl, and then add 2 tablespoons of besan into it to make a paste. If the paste turns out to be too thick, you can add rosewater to soften it. Apply it all over your face and neck. Leave it on for about 20-30 minutes. Then, wash it off with lukewarm or cold water. Dab your face softly with a clean towel to reveal a fresh-looking beautiful complexion. You can use this face mask whenever needed or regularly every week.

 

 

#2. Yogurt and turmeric face mask for de-tanning all skin types

 

Why it works

Yogurt is a beloved beautifying agent with its nourishing properties. Not only is it known for being a fabulous moisturizer but also for its de-tanning properties. It can be used effectively to treat sunburns, remove tan, and brighten dull skin – all thanks to its lactic acid and zinc content. Further, it contains nourishing ingredients like magnesium and milk protein that can help you fight fine lines and wrinkles.

 

Yogurt and Turmeric Face Mask for De-Tanning All Skin Types

 

When turmeric is added to yogurt, you get a hydrating face pack useful in combating practically all skin problems. Turmeric is traditionally used to brighten up skin tone and heal infections or wounds. Therefore, this mixture helps get rid of acne scars, dark spots, dark circles, and hyperpigmentation. 

 

What you’ll need

  • 2 Tablespoons of Yogurt
  • A Teaspoon of Turmeric

 

How to use

Put the yogurt in a small bowl and then add a teaspoon of turmeric. Mix it well to make a good paste and apply it to your face. Leave this mixture on your face for about 20 minutes. Rinse the face pack off with clean water and dab your face dry with a soft towel. You will find beautifully hydrated skin underneath that looks much brighter than before. For best results, use this face pack twice or thrice a week.

 

 

#3. Saffron and milk for pigmented skin

Why it works 

Did you know that saffron is the most expensive spice in the world? This luxurious ingredient has excellent anti-oxidant properties that preserve and prevent skin damage. It has proven to have a role in decreasing the production of melanin (the enzyme that makes your skin darker) in your skin, making it effective in treating hyperpigmentation and dark spots. Just a few strands of this miraculous spice in milk can make an excellent skin-brightening face mask. Milk has great hydrating properties and is filled with protein that nourishes and moisturizes your skin, preserving its youth and radiance. 

 

Saffron and milk for pigmented skin

 

What you’ll need 

  • 3-4 strands of saffron 
  • Two tablespoons of milk 
  • A pinch or more of turmeric powder  

 

How to use

Soak 3-4 strands of saffron in some water overnight. Add the softened saffron to two tablespoons of warm milk. This will create a liquid texture. To make this mixture into a thick paste add a teaspoon of turmeric powder. Mix it well and apply it to your face. Leave it on for 20-25 minutes. Rinse with water and a mild cleanser to get rid of the smell of milk and the yellow of turmeric. You can use this face pack 3 times a week for the best results. 

 

 

#4. Neem face mask for acne prone skin 

Why it works 

Acne can be a big problem for those with sensitive skin, and it may seem like they can never catch a break. When your skin isn’t irritated with the breakouts, the dark shadow of terrible acne scars haunts you. Neem, praised for its versatile health benefits years ago by Ayurveda, can come in handy for acne-prone skin. Neem leaves are highly anti-bacterial making them suitable for combating acne. Along with this, they have a cleansing property that rids your skin of all kinds of dullness and dark spots. 

Aloe Vera added to Neem creates a beautiful mixture of a sweet nourishing plant and a strong protective one. Aloe Vera softens and soothes your skin while hydrating it greatly. It is also completely safe and effective for sensitive and oily skin. Together they make an excellent face mask whose benefits can be reaped by any skin type.

 

What you’ll need

  • About 15 Neem leaves/ 2 teaspoons of neem powder 
  • 2 teaspoons of Aloe Vera gel 

 

How to use

Method 1: If you are using neem leaves directly, soak them in water for a couple of hours before crushing them using a stone grinder or blender. Add the crushed leaves with aloe vera gel to make a good paste. Apply it to your face and let it soak into your skin for 15 minutes. Rinse with water and follow with your preferred moisturizer. 

Method 2: If you are using neem powder, mix it directly with aloe vera gel to make a thick paste. Add water/rosewater if needed to get a better consistency. After the paste is made, follow the same steps given in method 1.

 

 

#5. Sandalwood and honey face mask for soft and glowing skin

Why it works

Sandalwood or “Chandan” is a popular ayurvedic ingredient with a beautiful fragrance. It is frequently used in skin brightening products. Chandan is an excellent anti-inflammatory agent and anti-oxidant, enriched with Vitamin E and Vitamin B. This makes it great for removing tan and preventing visible signs of aging. Adding honey to it doubles its benefits, as both together work to make your skin plump, bright, and beautiful. This helps you get a natural glow to your gorgeous face. Additionally, lemon juice acts as a silver lining to your face pack, since it is enriched with Vitamin C and citric acid; both of which help in tan removal and getting an even skin tone

 

What you’ll need

  • 2 Tablespoons of Sandalwood Powder
  • 1 Tablespoon of Honey 
  • Some drops of Lemon Juice 

 

How to use

Mix the given quantity of sandalwood powder and honey to make a paste. To better the consistency, add lemon juice to the mixture. Put the fragrant paste on your face and neck evenly. You can use this under your eyes to get rid of dark circles, too. Keep it on for 25 minutes and then rinse with lukewarm water. Dab your face dry with a soft towel. 

 

 

#6. Mashed tomato face mask for infection-free skin 

Why it works

Rubbing tomato on one’s skin is a popular skincare trick, often causing wonder in people’s minds. Not only are tomatoes rich in Vitamin C and anti-oxidants, but they contain several skin-beneficial ingredients like potassium, Vitamin E, the B Vitamins, and magnesium. Some research goes as far as to say that tomatoes may prevent skin cancer by exfoliating dead skin cells and fighting harmful free radicals. It heals your infections and reduces the risk of getting sunburns. After a mashed tomato face mask, you are sure to find healed, softened, and brightened skin underneath.

 Mashed tomato face mask for infection-free skin

 

What you’ll need

  • 1 mashed medium-sized tomato

 

How to use

Take a medium-sized tomato and mix it in a blender to create tomato puree. Apply this juice directly to your face. Leave it on for about 15 minutes and then rinse with water. 

 

 

#7. Coffee face pack for exfoliation

Why it works

Yes, you read that right! Apart from being our saviour on days where we have to pull an all-nighter, coffee has great benefits for your skin. It is one of the richest sources of anti-oxidants out there and sucks out excess sebum and oil from your skin to reveal smooth skin underneath. It is often used as a scrub because of its caffeine content that gets rid of all your blemishes and scars. Mixing it up with lemon juice (which is rich in Vitamin C) gives you a face mask that exfoliates your skin, removes scars, and gives you an even-toned supple skin. 

 

What you’ll need 

  • 2 tablespoons of Coffee powder 
  • One lemon 

 

How to use

Make a thick paste out of 2 tablespoons of coffee powder and water (or rosewater if you prefer). Cut up a lemon in half and squeeze its juice into the paste. If you don’t like applying face packs with your hands, you can use the leftover lemon pieces as applicators. This might also help you squeeze in all the nutrients still left in the lemon halves. Leave the paste on your skin for about 20 minutes. Rinse to reveal glowing, soft, and radiant skin!

 

 

#8. Green tea and mint leaves face pack for irritated skin

Why it works

Green tea is an excellent anti-oxidant and the favorite beverage of healthcare professionals. Mint leaves on the other hand have a natural cooling effect that everyone adores. Irritated and inflamed skin can often be the root cause of blemishes, dark spots, and uneven skin tone. Therefore, green tea and mint leaves face mask works wonders to brighten up your skin and supply it with the numerous nutrients both of these plants have. Adding honey to this mask ensures hydration along with deep cleansing. 

 

What you’ll need 

  • Two tablespoons of green tea leaves 
  • 15 to 20 mint leaves 
  • A tablespoon of honey

 

How to use

Blend the green tea and mint leaves in a grinder. You can add water to get good consistency. After you have successfully made a paste, add the honey into it. Apply it all over your face and neck, with special attention on pigmented areas. Leave it on for 20 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water and dab your face dry. Do this consistently twice a week for best results. 

 

 

#9. Orange peel face mask for clear and soft skin 

Why it works

Orange is a citric food with lots of nutrition and multivitamins. It has astringent properties that can help heal scars and give you an even skin tone. Further, it has anti-inflammatory qualities that can prevent acne and its acidic nature is good for keeping your skin smooth and radiant. It is also rich in Vitamin C, which is associated with lightening dark spots and blemishes. The peels of orange are practically skin nutrition hubs. 

 

What you’ll need

  • Dried orange peels 
  • Rosewater  

 

How to use 

After eating oranges, store their peels and dry them out in the sun. When they are hard and dry enough, crush them to make an orange peel powder. Mix the crushed powder with some rosewater to make a thick paste with suitable consistency. Apply to neck and face evenly and leave it on for 15 minutes. After that, use a wet towel to remove the face pack. Repeat this twice a week for best results and an even plump skin tone.

 

 

#10. Oatmeal and honey face mask for clear skin 

Why it works 

Oatmeal’s gritty texture makes it the perfect exfoliator. Apart from having hypoallergenic and soothing properties, this ingredient is rich in amino acids. These acids support new skin growth, aid in tissue repair, and enhance body healing. When oatmeal is used in a face mask, the amino acids are absorbed by the skin, thus healing blemishes and repairing damaged skin. Honey compliments the benefits of oatmeal with its hydrating properties. Together they make a beautiful mixture that leads to a blemish-free and smooth skin. 

 

enhance body healing

 

What you’ll need 

  • Two tablespoons of oats
  • A tablespoon of honey
  • Lemon juice from half a lemon

 

How to use 

Mix the ingredients to make a good mixture. Apply it directly to your face with extra attention on coarse areas. Leave it on for at least 25 minutes. Rinse off with warm water to reveal clear and smooth skin underneath the oil and dirt. Use this face pack twice a week for the best results. 

 

 

Parting note 

Clear skin with an even complexion can seem like a faraway dream considering the pollution and stress one lives in today. But you don’t have to let these conditions wear you down. With simple and gradual attempts at taking care of your skin, you can keep our skin ever glowing and beautiful. We hope that no matter what skin type you have, these DIY face packs help you achieve the fabulous and healthy skin you want.

How Ayurveda helps in fighting constipation?

How Ayurveda helps in fighting constipation?

 

When you are unable to pass stools, find it difficult to pass stools or have infrequent bowel movement the condition is called constipation. The latter is caused by bad diet, voluntary delay of the bowel movements, lack of exercise, medications, stress, tension, dehydration, disruption in routine due to travel and other factors. Some diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome also bring about constipation.

Did you know that it is fairly common nowadays? Doctors prescribe laxatives but these work only for a short time. You will find that you need to take more and more dosage of the laxative to pass stools. In some time, without the laxative motions will not happen. Clearly a better and safer solution is required. Fortunately, the ancient Indian system of medicine popularly known as Ayurveda can help. We look at ways at how constipation can be prevented, treated and cured using Ayurvedic techniques.

 

Consume lots of fluids especially water

Water has a hydrating effect on the body. Drink plain water, unsweetened beverages as well as foods containing water to meet your body’s daily requirement of water. The latter aids the food to move along the digestive system. Stools are prone to be hard as well difficult to pass in the absence of enough water. Avoid artificially sweetened beverages as they have a negative effect on constipation.

 

Consume Psyllium husk

This is a natural reservoir of insoluble as well as soluble fibre. It plays the role of a potent bulking agent as well as demulcent in the colon encouraging regular and healthy stools. You can soak the husks in warm milk or warm water as per your preference. Adequate hydration should accompany the administering of this ayurvedic treatment. Consult a qualified and experienced Ayurvedic expert before embarking on this treatment as there exist other considerations which should be taken into account.

 

Castor oil

This is a home remedy for constipation playing the role of a natural laxative. One of the constituents of this oil helps in stimulating the small as well as large intestine. Take 1-2 teaspoons of oil while on an empty stomach. You can expect motions within roughly 8 hours.

Castor oil

 

Mint or ginger tea

Ginger is an herb with warming properties. When consumed in the form of tea it encourages the body to general more internal heat. As a result, the digestion process is activated alleviating constipation. Peppermint contains menthol. The latter has antispasmodic properties that aid in relaxing the muscles of the digestive tract as well as enable easier passing of the stools. For your knowledge Dandelion tea is a potent and natural laxative.

 

Have a fiber rich diet

A poor diet is a major contributor to constipation. Fiber results in a feeling of satiety as well as add bulk to the stool making it relatively easier to pass. An individual should ideally consume 20-40 grams of fiber daily. If the constipation is chronic in nature, you will need a bit extra fiber in your diet.

 

Warm bath

Add baking soda to warm water. Both these ingredients aid in relaxing the muscular valves responsible for keeping stools inside the rectum making it easier to pass stools.

 

Consume warm lemon water

Lemon juice is excellent for curing constipation as it has a stimulating effect on the digestive system. When it is combined with water it flushes out toxins from the body. When a small quantity of honey is added to the mixture it acts as a mild laxative. A useful tip is to replace honey with salt as it increases the contraction of the bowel muscles as well as is a good source of magnesium.

 

Herbal remedies

Prepare herbal tea employing yellow dock root. liquorice, dandelion root as well as ginger. Have this tea thrice daily. A tip is to consume 3 garlic tablets at night for 7 days. This will help rebalance intestinal flora.

 

Exercise

People have a tendency to lie down or sleep after meals. Instead go out for a short walk after consuming food. There are yogic postures which are effective in reversing constipation.  Consult a reputed and experienced yoga teacher for knowing how to do the asanas, when to do them and for how much duration. Exercise in general has a favourable effect in treating constipation. If your health, situation or age doesn’t permit vigorous exercise you can try Yoga as the latter doesn’t tax the body as much.

Exercise

 

As per the science of Ayurveda constipation takes place when the vata’s dry and cold qualities disturb the colon preventing it from functioning properly. The solution is to include hydration, warmth as well as oil to the system which will neutralize the excess vata.

 

 

Consume Ayurvedic herbs which target the Vata

Triphala is a popular as well as age old Ayurvedic concoction made up of three herbs. It balances all the three doshas and restores the power of the colon. It is designed to facilitate healthy elimination of wastes from the body. Consume couple of Triphala tablets along with a glass of warm water about half an hour before sleeping in the night. Alternatively put a teaspoon of Triphala powder in a cup of boiled water. Then wait for 10 minutes and drink the mixture.

If you have used this Ayurvedic herb in the past and if the results fell short of expectations try consuming a bigger dose to find out if it makes a difference. Every unique constitution, imbalance as well as other factors necessitates a different dose of herbs. Different folk with similar symptoms may need different doses to achieve the same results.

There are Ayurvedic massages that use Ayurvedic herbs and oils to promote blood circulation, destress the body, relax the mind, eliminate stress that are proven to prevent, treat and cure constipation.

Abhyanga‘ is the Sanskrit word for oil application. It is a form of Ayurvedic treatment in which your body is massaged using dosha-specific warm herb infused oils. The oil is mixed with herbs depending upon the condition and then applied on the body. It is a traditional full body massage that combine use of herbs, oils, touch and friction. Abhyangam improves physical consistency, sleep patterns, liquefy toxins, and induces relaxation while eliminating impurities.

Abhyanga

 

Spas may help you to relax and destress while warming up the body. This encourages regular bowel movements as well as the correction of externally induced constipation.

Consult your doctor before consuming Ayurvedic herbs particularly if you are on medication, pregnant or breastfeeding or suffering from a chronic ailment.

7 Best Face Serums in the Indian Market

Face serums have proven to be a phenomenal game-changer in the self-care beauty regime. Aimed to target specific skin concerns (like wrinkles, uneven skin tone, dark spots, etc.) and backed by intensive research, they deliver what they promise.

Before we delve into some of the best face serums available in the market, let’s understand a little bit more about face serums and why you should add them to your skincare routine.

 

 

What is a face serum?

Loaded with concentrated active ingredients, serums are lightweight topical products that can be easily absorbed by the skin.

The basic concept of a serum is that as they are concentrates, a higher percentage of active ingredients will penetrate the surface of the skin to ensure optimal effectiveness. Due to the concentration of the products, it should ideally take a shorter time for the results to be visible.

 

 

How is serum different from moisturizers?

Moisturizers are thicker and creamier formulation that locks in hydration and prevents the skin from drying by creating a physical barrier. The larger molecules of the moisturizer mean that their penetration is limited to the upper layer of the skin.

Whereas serum has been designed to be thinner in consistency with smaller molecules and deliver active ingredients deep into the skin layers for more targeted concerns and results.

Light weight face serums

 

Function and benefits of a face serum

While hydration is a primary function of face serums, it is not the only function. Face serums are specially curated to take care of specific skin issues. Let’s take a look at the multiple benefits of a face serum.

  • Provides a concentrated dose of nutrients, hydration, and antioxidants.
  • It is soothing to sensitive skin
  • Free radicals can cause skin damage, face serum helps to protect against this damage.
  • An improvement in the skin’s overall texture. You will notice that the skin has become firm, smooth, and plump besides looking young.
  • A visible reduction in the number of scars and dark spots, hyperpigmentation – making the complexion look clearer.
  • Reduction in whiteheads and blackheads as the size of the pores is reduced.
  • Breakouts become lesser, face serums reduce inflammation, and will make your skin look fresh.
  • Reduced visible signs of aging like wrinkles, fine lines, etc.

 

 

How to choose the right face serum

Certain factors must be kept in mind while choosing a face serum.

Skin type – Be aware of your skin type and read the label of the serums carefully to analyze the ingredients. If your face is too dry or oily you would not want a serum that aggravates the condition.

Skin Issue – What skin issue are you trying to eliminate? Is it fine lines or dark spots or maybe even old scars? Check the label of the serum and look up the ingredient to see if they will address your specific skin concerns.

For example, Vitamin C is a collagen booster and can help to diminish signs of aging. It would be useful if you are looking for anti-aging products.

face serums for dry skin

 

Hyaluronic acid is excellent for hydration. This would be an excellent ingredient in serum if you are facing dryness and flakiness.

The retinol-based serum works well on acne skin. So, opt for a serum with retinol if you are struggling with acne.

 

 

How to use a face serum

Face serum should be used after a toner and before a moisturizer as moisturizers help to seal in the toner.

Very little quantity of serum is required to be applied as these normally spread easily. Apply dots of serum on your face and spread it with your fingertips. Gently massage the serum into the skin with circular motions. As it has a higher rate of absorption, after a few minutes, you would not be able to feel it. Go ahead and use a moisturizer after this.

Apply serum on face

 

Check out our recommendations for face serums

 

Kumkumadi miraculous beauty fluid ayurvedic night serum by Kama Ayurveda

https://www.kamaayurveda.com/kumkumadi-miraculous-beauty-ayurvedic-night-serum.html

A conversation about serums is incomplete without the mention of Kumkumadi serum or tailam.

Kumkumadi serum is an ancient Ayurvedic formulation that has withstood the test of time. It is revered as a Miraculous Elixir.

Kama Ayurveda’s Kumkumadi serum is an Ayurvedic blend of natural oils and herbs for bright, radiant, and rejuvenated skin. It is considered one of the best serums for increasing hydration improving skin texture and skin health and reducing signs of aging.

 

Key Ingredients

  • While it is a complex blend of oils and herbs, some ingredients worth mentioning are as below.
  • Kashmiri Kumkuma or Saffron for a natural glow
  • Extracts from Indian Madder that reduces signs of aging
  • Licorice extract improves the texture of the skin
  • Vetiver helps to calm the skin

 

Benefits

  • Illuminates skin and reduces pigmentation
  • Clears blackheads and minimizes spots
  • Tones skin to reduce fine lines
  • Minimizes signs of aging
  • Provides hydration

 

Kumkumadi Tailam Face Serum with Pure Sandalwood & Saffron by Blue Nectar

https://www.bluenectar.co.in/products/kumkumadi-oil-face-serum-for-anti-aging-and-brightening-natural-tailam-for-women-and-men?_pos=2&_sid=4546afd24&_ss=r

Traditional wisdom prescribes Kumkumadi Tailam is a one-stop solution for all skin woes. It brightens, lightens, heels, firms as well as hydrates skin.

Face serum for oily skin

Blue nectar’s Kumkumadi Tailam is made using 26 Ayurvedic herbs following traditional ayurvedic recipes and processes for production. It is amongst the best in the election of Kumkumadi Tailams available in the market.

Furthermore, it has been clinically tested on Indian skin and it has been proven to brighten skin and improve skin firmness in 28 days. This kumkumadi tailam is free of artificial preservatives, mineral oils, and chemicals. It can be used as a face oil or a natural face serum for oily skin or as a face serum for dry skin.

Continue reading “7 Best Face Serums in the Indian Market”

Living with Chronic Pain – What is Sciatica Pain

The term sciatica medically describes the indication of leg pain with the symptoms of numbness, tingling, and weakness. In general, it initiates in the lower back and passes through the buttock down to the sciatic nerve in the back portion of each leg. Some of the general back pain problems such as spinal stenosis, lumbar herniated disc, spondylolisthesis can cause sciatica symptoms. Basically, Sciatica Pain is a general pain distressing the sciatica nerve that extends to each leg from the lower back portion.

Common causes of sciatica:

  • Lumbar herniated disc or bulging disc
  • Lumbar spinal stenosis
  • Trauma
  • Spondylolisthesis
  • Spinal tumors
  • Piriformis syndrome

 

Sciatica Symptoms

Common symptoms of sciatica:

  • Continuous pain in one side of your leg or buttock.
  • Experiencing worse pain while sitting.
  • Numbness, weakness or feeling difficulties while moving the toe, foot or leg.
  • Feeling acute pain when trying to stand up from sitting or walk.
  • When pain spread out down the leg but rarely it occurs only on the toes.

Though the symptoms are quite painful and acute sciatica can hamper your daily work schedule, it is very rare that permanent sciatica nerve damage happens. Also, it can hardly damage the spinal cord.

Treat sciatica pain Ayurvedically:

If you want to get relief from the disturbing pain, you have to undergo certain therapy such as the Ayurvedic Treatment for Sciatica Pain. Now, you must be wondering is Ayurvedic treatment is that much effective for sciatica? Basically, lots of people don’t like to take high-power medicines that cause side-effects after a certain period. So, Ayurvedic herbal treatment is the new practice now among the sciatica patients. The main plus point of Ayurvedic treatment is that it is totally natural and no chance of developing any harmful side-effect after using for a long time.

Ayurvedic Treatment

Sciatica is referred to as “Grdhrasi” in Ayurveda and “vulture’ is the meaning of it. The name refers to the limping pace of someone due to a piercing pain of sciatica. Ayurveda says pain is due to “vata”. “Vata” means “that which spreads”. Generally, sciatica is an example of vata disorder. In Ayurveda, you will get a wide range of natural therapies and remedies for sciatica.

Here, we are discussing 4 types of most popular Ayurvedic treatments.

  • Kati Basti

It is a treatment for the lower back to relax the muscles here and to reduce stiffness. In Ayurveda, “kati” means lower back whereas “basti” refers to “hold”. Flour dough is used to structure a well on the lower back portion of the patient. Then it is filled with lukewarm oil. It is necessary to maintain the warmness of the oil. It should be replaced when it becomes cool. Hot oil is used here to increase the blood circulation in the particular area. Thus it relaxes the muscle by reducing its tension, reduces stiffness, improves movement and relieves pain.

  • Massage and Steam Therapy:

A traditional full body massage in an Ayurvedic style truly helps to relieve muscle pain. The massage is performed by professional persons who use medicated herbal oil for massaging. This herbal oil quickly gets absorbed through your skin and provides required nourishment to the muscles. Ayurvedic massage or “Abhyanga” is normally followed by a steam therapy. Depending on the severance of the pain, the steam may be localized or you may have to take for your entire body. Massage for Sciatica Pain is sometimes really effective in order to get relief from the acute pain.

Sciatica Pain

  • Therapeutic Enema:

It is the procedure to insert herbal oil or a specific herbal preparation (decoction) inside the colon. It is done to remove excess vata from the pelvic area. Both the colon and rectum have high lymph and blood circulation which leads to the maximum absorption. Researchers have confirmed that the enemas delivery is far more effective than the other general procedures. The herbal substances passed into the bloodstream more efficiently.

  • Herbal Supplements:

Some specific herbal supplements are frequently used to reduce vata in your lower back area. It is advisable that always consult an experienced Ayurvedic practitioner before consuming herbal supplements. Otherwise, you may have to suffer from another type of difficulties due to the wrongly chosen herbs.

Castor oil: It has a soft purgative effect that is effective to reduce vata.

Dashamula: it is a popular traditional herb with a great combination of 10 roots.

Ashwagandha: it is used to reduce pain. It also can rejuvenate the affected area and provides proper nourishment.

Guggulu: it is a gum-like resin originated from a small tree. It includes anti-inflammatory property and strongly reduces pain. In general, it is used for joint pain.

Sciatica and other chronic lower back pain can be efficiently treated Ayurvedically. If you can depend on Ayurveda treatments, you don’t have to take those painkillers. Also, you don’t need to undergo any type of spinal injections and surgeries. Ayurveda also leads people regarding the healthy diet plan and lifestyle changes. Thus you can avoid lower back pain from occurring. Ayurvedic Treatment for Back Pain will help you to bring back the desired body balance.

Ayurvedic Treatment for Back Pain

Some of the lower back pain symptoms do not imply a sciatica pain. Lower back pain also may happen due to muscles tension, sudden ache, skeleton irregularity etc. if you can treat sciatica by following Ayurvedic therapies; it is also possible that you can treat other lower back pain symptoms with the help of Ayurveda. For an instance, body massage is equally effective for both of these back pains.

Why is massage so effective? A perfect pressure point massage can heal your pain and make your muscles relaxed. This is most effective for those patients who are suffering from lower back pain caused by muscle strain and tension. If the therapist targets the correct muscle, you will get an instant result. Different types of massages are available in Ayurveda for lower back pain. Massage for Back Pain includes traditional Ayurvedic full body massage, partial massage, potli massage, acupressure and many more. Depending on your pain type, you should choose the correct one. Perfect massage will increase the blood circulation in the affected area and thus it reduces pain slowly. But you have to wait for long to get full recovery.

Bad Habits That Cause Back Pain

Back pain is one of the most chronic and common discomforts experienced by most of the people worldwide. A huge number of people have suffered from back pain at least once in a lifetime. Although back pain is not a serious health issue, it is uncomfortable and painful. It reduces your energy and increases the frequency of visiting doctor. Though we often experience a back pain, we cannot specify the actual reason for its occurrence. It may cause due to a bad sitting posture, it may associate with the muscles, bones or ligaments and a defective lumbar spine also can cause severe back pain. Back Pain Posture is one of the most common reasons nowadays because people work for long sitting in front of a desktop or a laptop.

Causes of Back Pain

Common causes of back pain:

  • Muscle or ligament strain: heavy lifting or abrupt awkward movement can strain your spine or back muscle. In a certain physical condition, a continuous strain on the back can be a reason of painful muscle spasms.

  • Bulging or ruptured disk: disks are the cushions placed between the vertebrae in the spine. The flexible material placed inside a disk may rupture, bulge or press a certain nerve. Disk diseases or slip disk is a serious cause of back pain and that too a chronic pain.

  • Arthritis and osteoporosis: osteoarthritis can affect your lower back bones and spine. It causes narrowing the space between the bones and spinal cord and that causes severe chronic back pain. Sometimes due to porous or fragile bones, vertebrae can develop density fracture.

  • Traveling: sitting for long in the flights or trains and walking for long carrying an overloaded backpack can cause Back Pain due to traveling.

  • Daily activities: We don’t maintain the right posture of sitting during our work. Also, we don’t follow the correct rule in order to plan our sitting arrangements. A straight back hard surfaced chair is always preferable to avoid back pain causes due to the wrong sitting posture.

Back Pain

Remedies for back pain:

You must be wondering how to get rid of a chronic back pain? Is it ever possible to achieve a complete recovery from the back pain? Choosing the right treatment for Back Pain is quite difficult. Now, we will discuss all of the fruitful remedies of back pain. You can overcome most of the back pain symptoms by following proper home remedies. But in some serious cases, you may have to consult with your doctor or may have to consider surgeries. Depending on the severance you have to decide the type of treatment.

Medications: Some popular pain reliever may get you relief from back pain. But you should take them according to your doctor’s instruction. Otherwise, harmful side effects may happen.

Exercise and Physical Therapy: exercise is the best remedy to treat back pain. Regular exercise can strengthen your abdominal and back muscles, increases flexibility and improves posture. Physical therapy is another keystone of back pain treatment. A therapist will apply various treatments including ultrasound, heat, electric stimulator and other muscle relaxing techniques.

Excercise and Physical Therapy

Acupuncture: this is the procedure to insert sterilized needle inside your skin at some specific points. Appropriate acupuncture can relieve you from the lower back pain.

Yoga: Specific types of yoga including breathing exercises, practicing certain poses and postures, some popular muscle and mind relaxation techniques can help you to get rid of the chronic back pain. Yoga is a therapy where we learn to strengthen and stretch our muscles. Specifically, yoga is the best way to reduce the intensity of pain that causes due to the back Pain Stretches.

 Is massage effective in order to reduce back pain?

Massage therapy is often really effective in order to reduce back pain. But you have to ensure that it causes due to the muscle tenacity or over-exhausted muscles.

A regular basis massage therapy might help you to improve the health condition. Basically, massage for Back Pain is one of the most popular therapies that help lots of people with varieties of spinal conditions such as:

  • Muscle tension
  • Ache
  • Inflammation
  • Stiffness
  • Muscle spasms
  • Pain

Using certain specialized tools or simply by using the hands, massage therapists rub, stroke and knead your back and thus it helps to increase the blood circulation throughout your body. It helps the affected muscles to gain more oxygen and nutrients and then eliminates toxins. Finally, you get relieved from back pain.

How does potli massage reduce back pain?

Potli massage is a famous therapy from Ayurveda for back pain relief. Wondering how this potli massage therapy works for your body actually? Potli massage for Back Pain works best for back pain occurred due to the diseases such as spondylitis or osteoarthritis.

It is done using some specific heated herbals in a pouch or potli. Then it is dipped into the warm herbal and medicated oil. It rejuvenates, nourishes and relaxes the affected area by massaging the potli on your entire back. You will experience a therapeutic effect while placing the potli on your back. It heals your pain and relaxes the muscles. You will feel refreshed after taking a potli massage.

How To Get Rid of Chronic Back Pain

Anybody who has experienced lower back pain knows how disabling it is. The issue prevents the affected individual from working productively at work and do many physical activities. There is no magic cure for chronic back pain. However, over time many treatments can reduce or even eliminate the problem. We look at the various treatments for chronic back pain.

• Lose Weight Gradually

An obese person has higher chances of getting chronic back pain. Obesity results in more pressure on the spine causing or aggravating chronic back pain. But be warned. Strenuous physical activities aimed at losing weight put additional pressure on the spine. That will definitely make the condition worse. Do light exercises gradually increasing in intensity. The key is to be gentle on the spine while losing weight. The lesser your weight the less the burden on your spine.

• Yoga

Yoga is an ancient Indian science. But it must be practiced under the guidance of a qualified and experienced instructor. There are many yogic exercises that are gentle on the spine as well as strengthen the spine gradually. The key is to be patient and persevere.

• Physiotherapy

This is another excellent treatment option. Based on factors such as your age, weight and condition of the spine the physiotherapist will suggest exercises that strengthen the lower back and help eliminate/reduce pain.

• Ayurveda

Ayurveda is an ancient Indian system of medicine. It has been around for thousands of years. A trained Ayurvedic practitioner can recommend Ayurvedic medicine and/or oils to massage your back. Unlike Allopathy, Ayurvedic massage treatment has much lesser side effects.

• Indulge in Activities that make you Happy

Everyone has their favourite activity and/or hobby. The latter may vary from person to person. But it takes your mind off the back pain and ramps up your level of pain tolerability. So, whenever you find the pain unbearable do your favourite activity.

• Aromatherapy

The smell of essential oils extracted from flowers can help. It makes you feel better and forget life’s troubles. So, whenever you feel like popping in a pain killer sniff essential oils instead. It reduces stress and makes pain more bearable. Usually Aromatherapy doesn’t have major side effects. Check with your doctor before trying out this alternative medicine.

Aromatherapy

• Have Adequate Sleep

If you get quality sleep you are energetic during your waking hours. It also lets your back get ample rest which aids the healing process. You need to give your back enough rest to cure the pain. A good idea is to put a soft pillow behind your back while working for the sake of physical support.

• Massages

Certain oils have healing powers such as Ayurvedic oils and others. Massaging your back by a trained masseuse boosts blood circulation and accelerates the healing process. Massages are a popularly practiced and powerful technique to drive pain away from the affected areas.

 

Ayurvedic Massage Oil

• Correct Posture

Incorrect posture is a leading cause of lower back pain. If your job is sedentary make sure your chair supports correct posture, is comfortable to sit in and provides adequate support to your back. The bed you sleep in should not be uncomfortable and should offer good support to your lower back.

• Regularly Exercise

Physical activities release endorphins in your body. Endorphins aid in stopping the pain signals manifesting in the brain. Also, the former brings down depression, stress as well as anxiety which are mental health conditions linked to chronic back pain and also aggravate the pain.

• Apply Cold Packs or Hot Packs

The usage of cold packs brings down inflammation a leading symptom present in any kind of back pain. Cold packs play the role of a local anaesthetic. Heat packs ramp up blood flow to the affected region supplying much needed nutrients. The former also blocks the pain messages dispatched to the brain. You can use the packs individually or as a combination for best results.

• Good Diet

Calcium deficiency or protein deficiency may also contribute to lower back pain. Eat a well-balanced diet containing adequate fats, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins as well as minerals. If you suspect your diet isn’t adequate try consuming supplements prescribed by a qualified physician.

• Stretch your Hamstrings on a Daily Basis

Tight hamstrings are one of the causes of lower back pain. To treat the former condition regularly do hamstring stretching exercises. Make sure you do the latter very carefully and gently.

• Leverage Psychology as a Tool

If you are obsessed with your pain, your condition may become worse. Refrain from brooding over the same. Go out of the house, socialize or take a walk. In short do activities that distract you from the pain. Keeping busy will leave you with practically no time to obsess over your lower back pain. Visual imaging is a tool that may be effective for you. You can imagine in your mind that your pain is becoming lesser and lesser and ultimately disappearing.

• Meditation

Relaxation of the mind and body is effective against many kinds of chronic pain. Try out relaxation techniques such as meditation at home or in an outdoor setting to battle lower back pain.

• Join a Support Group

Remember that you are not the only person suffering. Many other people do with varying levels of success. A support group gives the opportunity to open up about your problems. You can benefit from the tips and invaluable experience of fellow sufferers.

• Stay Positive

A positive attitude will boost your will power and ensure you stay on the course of treatment. Seek out people and places emanating positive vibes.

• Consult a Medical Professional

If all treatment options fail, seek the opinion of a qualified medical processional. He/she will recommend medicines to alleviate the symptoms and treat the underlying cause. Sometimes surgery will be advised to cure the problem. Make sure you go to a reputed physician. Speak to his/her previous patients to get a better picture about the physician’s expertise.

Massage Therapy

Other nonsurgical treatments include laser therapy, Acupuncture, electrical nerve simulation, biofeedback therapy and more.

Various Overlooked Remedies for Lower Back Pain Relief

Lower back pain is a common problem, especially with sedentary workers. It is a leading cause of pain, discomfort, and disability. The pain could prevent you from doing your work efficiently and/or leading a normal social life. The usual treatment is medication including painkillers. In some cases, surgery is advised. The best treatment comes after a process of trial and error. Some people benefit from conventional remedies while some do not. We look at some overlooked remedies which are different but are potent.

  • Yoga

This ancient Indian practice can work wonders. Unlike gymnasiums and athletics Yoga does not put a strain on your body. It is suitable for everybody regardless of age. You are required to do exercises as per your capability. Done regularly Yoga strengthens your spine as well as back muscles.Yoga for Lower Back Pain

  • Ayurveda

This is an age-old Indian system of medicine. Ayurvedic medicines do not have as much side effects as allopathic medicine. It is safe and can be highly effective for patients with lower back pain. Ayurvedic treatment for back pain is worth giving a try.

  • Potli massage therapy

This is popularly practiced in India as well as South East Asia. Here heated herbal pouches termed potlis are employed to treat the affected regions. It is a kind of massage while heals as well as refreshes. Fresh as well as dried Ayurvedic herbs are selected for the potlis as per an individual’s Ayurvedic constitution and the underlying issue. This massage comes in 2 types namely wet and dry. Many have benefited immensely from Potli massage for back pain.

  • Body Massages

Most of us love body massages. The good news is that it helps relieve the painful symptoms of lower back pain. Make sure that the person doing the massage is qualified as well as experienced. Done incorrectly massages can make the condition worse. Massages promote blood flow to the affected area and remove the stiffness that contributes to lower back pain.

Lower Back Pain

  • Hot and cold treatment on the affected area

Remember to start with the cold treatment and not the hot treatment. You could use ice for the cold treatment. The latter brings down inflammation in the affected area. It plays the role of a local anesthetic by working on the nerve impulses. It is recommended to keep the cold or hot pack for 20 minutes and not more. This gives the lower back muscles and nerves time to recover. Heat application boosts blood circulation. The healing nutrients present in the blood brings down the intensity of the pain. Also, the pain signals are blocked from reaching the brain. There are various types of heat application. It’s advised to try different methods to discover what is best for your body. It could be a hot water bottle, a hot bath, a hot shower, a hot tub or a hot belt. It is best to alternate hot and cold treatments.

  • Indulge in activities that release endorphins in the body

The body produces certain hormones known as endorphins. Few know that the latter is as powerful as the best of painkillers. Endorphins stop pain signals manifesting in the human brain. The former reduces depression, tension, anxiety, and stress which are the result of or a trigger for chronic back pain.

The hormones are released when you indulge in exercise, take massages, meditate or do aromatherapy. Best of all the treatment is easy on the pocket, safe and without adverse side effects.

Aromatherapy

  • Lose weight

Obesity is both a cause and result of lower back pain. Obese folk has extra pressure on their spine which results in back pain. When you are in pain you will feel like lying down and refrain from exercising. Lack of exercise weakens the back muscles and piles up the pounds. This is a vicious cycle. Hence do light exercises such as walking or yoga to lose weight which in turn reduces the pressure on the spine.

  • Acupuncture

This Chinese system of medicine has many benefits including alleviating the symptoms and causes of lower back pain. It’s been around for thousands of years and in expert hands safe without associated side effects. Make sure you use the services of a reputed as well as a quality practitioner.

  • Wear sturdy footwear

Avoid high heels. They are a major cause of lower back pain. Invest in robust, high quality indoor as well as outdoor footwear. The latter will support some of your weight resulting in less burden on your back.

  • Sleep well

Sleep rejuvenates and repairs the body. So, if you suffer from lower back pain make sure you are well rested. Both the quality and quantity of sleep matters. Invest in a good quality bed that supports your back while sleeping.

  • Maintain correct posture

Incorrect posture is a leading cause of lower back pain. Many of us don’t maintain the correct posture. Use chairs that are designed to properly support your back. Bad habits are hard to break and that applies to poor posture as well. With constant practice and a bit of willpower, you will soon get into the healthy habit of sitting, standing and walking while maintaining an upright as well as correct posture.

Body Posture

  • Take breaks

Avoid working continuously for a long stretch. This tip is particularly targeted towards those of us who have largely sedentary jobs. Get up, stretch your muscles or go for a short stroll. You will be amazing at the difference what a small step like this will make.

  • Mind training

You can train your mind to ignore or reduce pain signals. Distracting your mind, hypnosis and visualization technique are some of the tools you can employ to reduce the intensity of pain.

  • Indulge yourself

Do something that you enjoy will take your attention away from the constant pain. Listen to your favorite music, eat your preferred food, call up old friends or do anything that you perceive as enjoyable.

  • The power of positive thinking

The road to get rid of lower back pain may be long and tough. Negative thoughts may prevent you from not trying resulting in certain failure. Focus on the positives and move on. Let not negative people and memories of past failures discourage you. Only if you try will you succeed.

power of positive thinking

  • Join a peer group

Remember you are not alone. It is good to get support and encouragement from others who are in the same boat. Talking about your pain will definitely take a burden off your mind. The presence of others with similar issues will surely motivate you. Others may have the solution to your specific problems.

 

Why are my joints so stiff? What can I do?

What is a JOINT?

A joint is a junction in our body, where 2 bones join together. Joints allow movement in human body. Without these joints we wouldn’t be able to sit, stand, nod, bent and so on. If these joints become stiff, we have great difficulty in our movement.

Stiff joint has become a very common problem for everyone, nowadays. Sometimes you may feel stiffness in your joint due to some disease that your body may be undergoing. You may also feel joint stiffness after staying in a position for a long time. There are a number of reasons behind joint stiffness.

Joint stiffness can also lead to pains in different body parts like back pain, knee pain, pain near your knees etc. There are many treatments and remedies that will help you to get rid of such health related issues. However, you should evaluate each of the available remedies and ensure that you chose the best one for you. This article has been written to provide you with some details about the reasons and cures for joint stiffness and other issues related with this.

Joint Pain
Stiffness in Joints

Before anything and everything, lets first figure out the causes of Joint Pain. Let’s understand why the joints become stiff and then work around the method to cure or how to get relief from joint pain and stiffness.

Why does joint stiffness occur?

Joint stiffness may occur due to some diseases or may be because of your sitting or sleeping habit. If you sit for a long time you may feel that your joints are stiff when you get up. You may also feel that your joints are stiff when you wake up. This may happen because you stay in a same position for a long time. Due to this the body fluid gets away from your joints even the blood flow gets reduced. Because of fewer amount of body fluids near the joints you feel the stiffness. This stiffness does not stay for long time. After few minutes you will get relief from such stiffness.

Your over weight may also give you joint pain and stiffness. This stiffness occurs due the continuous press of your weight on the joints. To cure such pain you should focus on your weight loss.

But there are also some diseases that cause joint stiffness. Following are some of the diseases that may cause Joint Stiffness-

  • Rheumatoid arthritis– this is a chronic inflammatory disease. This is an autoimmune disease, which means your body parts are attacked by your immune system. This may lead to deformity of joint and severe joint pain.

 

  • Osteoarthritis– this is the most common among all type of arthritis. In this type of arthritis the bones get damaged severely. You may find tear on the bones due to this disease. This causes swelling and also stiffness. The pain which it causes is unbearable. It can attack any of you body part like knees, fingers, neck, hips etc.

 

  • Lumps– this is a disease like rheumatoid arthritis. It attacks itself including the surrounding tissues, bones and joints. This disease is very difficult to identify. This is such a disease that is not curable. But the treatments can reduce the pain, stiffness or swelling.

 

  • Bursitis– Bursae are small fluid sacs that are already present in your body. These are situated near the joints. When these fluid sacs get inflamed then it is called bursitis. This disease causes stiffness around the joints. This can attack any joint of your body. It mostly attacks the knee or elbow joint.

 

  • Gout– This is a disease that happens suddenly. It may attack you when you are sleeping. This gives you sudden stiffness in your joints. This also causes pain near the joints.

 

  • Bone cancer– joint stiffness or joint pain does not occur mostly due to bone cancer. But it may cause swelling and stiffness in your joints and it also bring pain to your joints.

These are some of the reasons due to which you may feel joint stiffness. Let’s now try to understand some of the methods to get rid of such health issues.

Remedies for Joint Pain

Following are some remedies mentioned-

  • Hot and cold compress– Before you go for the medicinal treatment of this problem you may try some home remedies like hot and cold compress. You may apply cold compress with some ice in a bag and apply that on the joint that is paining. You can do it several times throughout the day. But apply it continuously for 15 to 20 minutes. You can also do the same for hot compress. Put some hot water in a bag and give the temperature on the joints. You can apply both hot and cold compress or you may apply any of these two. It may depend on the amount of relief that you would get with them.

 

Hot and Cold Compress
  • Medicine– You can find a number of medicines that claim to reduce the pain which may occur due to any of the above mentioned diseases. However, no medicine can totally cure such diseases. PRECAUTION: Before you consume any of these medicines you should consult a doctor. A wrong medicine can have many side effects.

 

  • Ayurvedic treatment– Ayurveda has treatment for every disease. This is the most ancient form of treatment. The ayurvedic medicines are made up of 100% natural ingredients so that they do not cause any harm or side effects. There are also some essential oils that are used to cure such problem. Ayurvedic treatment for joint pain or ayurvedic treatment for back pain is very famous amongst all. Ayurvedic treatment is quite popular all over India. These treatments are done with the plants and ingredients derived from nature.

 

  • Exercise– This is one of the best method to cure such kind of pain. MOTION IS THE BEST LOTION. Since the ancient time yoga has been practiced since to stay fit. Yoga also helps to cure such disease. Yoga is all about controlled breathing and releasing oxygen to various body parts. You can also do other exercises to get rid of joint pain. But it is more preferable to do yoga to get some relief from joint pain or back pain. If you do yoga throughout your life span, you will be able to prevent many diseases and you will also get rid of some diseases.

 

These are some of the many remedies that are available for any kind of Joint Pain. It’s however recommended to consult a medical practitioner for the correct diagnosis. Once you are aware of the kind of pain you are suffering from, you could choose from the available treatments and remedies. But remember, keep moving and keep walking. Keep those joints in motion to avoid discomfort.