When a large number of people are dying from Cancer, CAD etc. why
discuss beauty? The answer will be clear at the end of post. On this
message board, there is a ongoing discussion is on whether to boil
water and whether to take sea salt or iodized. Do not get confused.
Experiment yourself. Just one month use of sea salt will tell you
which salt is better, if you have been using iodized one so far. Your
body will tell you, if you listen to it. Scientific Test for foods,
which any body can perform without any equipment were also given by
this author in earlier posts. You can start the experiment of boiling
water out by just 25% and keep drinking it luke warm. Several earlier
posts have discussed Ushnodaka, water as elixir, medicinal waters etc.

Sept-Oct are months in which Pitta problems increase. Nose bleed,
vertigo, nausea, vomits, loose motions, fever, rashes, menorrhagia
are frequently experienced by sensitive people. These are ideal
months for detoxification of the body. Perhaps body tries Rakta
Vimochana by itself. In todays post we will discuss two simple herbs
available throughout world, which can be used to obtain beautiful
smooth skin and also to keep pitta dosha under control.

Ayurveda offers several receipes to keep both mind and body healthy.
Every herb helps humans in some form or other. All that we need is
some knowledge about how to use it. Many a time, person is healthy in
mind, but some unbalalnce exists in physical body. Herbs become very
useful to restore balance. Two herbs which are available widely are
Amalki and Turmeric. While turmeric has recently gained wide
acknowledgement as anti-cancer herb, in this post, we will address
only its properties useful for restoring or increasing skin beauty.
Turmeric is also available in slightly different variety, termed Amba
Haldi in India. This variety has less fibre, slightly less bitter,
lighter in color and is more used in beauty formulations.

When blood is pure, skin becomes smooth and silky. On the other hand,
the impurities in blood, which ayurveda terms as Pitta, cause skin to
become rough, constant itching and blemishes/spots of darker color to
appear. The first spot on body where such blemishes may develop is
the skin on ankle bone. Ayurveda comes to help readily in such
circumstances.

The beauty of the body is mainly dependent on nutrition in food and
its proper digestion/metabolism. To realize the truth in this
statement, just eat various fruits and vegetable soups for one week
(Juice fasting) and check the glow on skin. Our body knows only
health, when fed by proper nutrition and thoughts. The effects of
illness on body are always seen on skin. That is the reason, Vaidyas
use Darshan (Face) as first way of diagnosis. If there exists any
herb which can stop further unbalance of doshas, can increase memory,
make heart more healthy, the first choice is Aamalki. The reason
author has chosen this time of the year to write this post is that,
fresh crop of Aamalaki has started arriving in some cities of India,
and soon you will get it at inexpensive rates in Indian markets.
Amalki is `Grahi'. It means it enhances medicinal properties of any
other herb, when taken along with that herb. No wonder that Amala or
Amalki powder is a frequently found ingredient in many ayurvedic
medicines. Amala has property of stopping the vomits, quenching
thirst, increasing the libido and giving stronger erection. One fruit
of Amalki contains C vitamin, equivalent to the contents of C Vitamin
in ten lemon fruits. This contributes to anti-oxidant quality of
Amalki. Amalki is appetizer (deepana property), makes intestines and
ligaments stronger. Helpful in the fever caused by piles, bleeding
from chest, as cooler for heat in blood, for increasing the sharpness
of vision. The powder of Amalki (1/2-1 tsp) when mixed with honey (1
tsp) and given to Paralysis, Parkinson patients, it helps rebuilding
blood vessel network in brain. They regain motor function earlier, if
age is not beyond say 55.

Fresh Amla fruits, when ground coarsely, the juice is available.
This juice, when put in eyes few drops, eyes become glistening. For
places where fresh amala fruits not available, soak amala powder in
water (1 tsp for 100 ml water) and use this water to put soaked cloth
on forehead to stop nose bleed. Or carry out Lepan (paste) on
forehead. For loose motions, dyscentry, make a tea of coarsely
ground coriander seeds and amala powder ( 1 tsp each powder in 200 ml
water boiled for 10 minutes) and take three times a day. This tea
also helps to reduce and eliminate inflammation in urination which
occurs during urine infection(UTI). Ladies suffer more from this
condition, especially after pregnancy, C-section etc.

Amalki powder, Gokharu powder and sugar powder, when taken in equal
proportion, mixed and 1 tsp with water, reduced urine inflmation
occurring during Proteinuria. Youth oftens suffers by loss of semen
in urine. This simple remedy helps. In India, women use Amalki powder
tea along with Mehendi (Henna) to make hair smooth, silky and black.
Amalki oil helps make hair silky and lengthy.

Amalki is pitta pacifier, cool, Rakta shodhak and best Rasayana
(hence used in Chyvanprasha). As a beauty herb, we can use amalaki
powder as soap. Rub the powder on body, which will open skin pores.
Skin will become soft and start breathing. The glow on the face will
return. Amalki is a special herb amongst those used in Vajikarana
(Rejuvenation of body). It gives good strength. Both men and women
can take amalaki. One special property is that amalki powder is also
equally effective as fresh amala fruit. After taking amala in any
form, even water tastes sweet. Even Vipaka of amalki is sweet. If one
sweats heavily as a result of excess pitta, sweat having bad odour,
amalki is the right choice. Bath with amalki powder will clean pores,
but reduce sweating. Taking fresh amalki juice (2 fruits only) daily
morning empty stomach, takes care of obesity to some extent.
Premature ejaculation is the state where more than 50% men may be
suffering all over the world these days. This amla juice is the
right answet for this. The heat in the semen and vagina (itch, pain
etc) will be taken care by this juice. This property is used by
author to start fertility medicines for couples in Sept-Oct, so that
proble of sperms getting killed due to Vaginal acidity can be solved
by Amala juice.

Those suffering from Diabetes can add juice of fresh Turmeric (1
inch long piece) juice to Amla juice, this will reduce insulin
resistance. When fresh Amalki is not available, you can take 1 tsp
amala powder and ¼ tsp turmeric powder along with water.

Amalki is `Raktastambhak' meaning, it reduces blood flow in case of
bleeding. Thus, nose bleed, bleeding piles, blood in urine (UTI or
renal failure), stomach ulcer, peptic ulcer or duodenal ulcer, the
amalki juice helps reduce the blood loss. Amalki gives healthy and
deep sleep also, Amalki is an important herb in treatment of
Jaundice. Acne, hair-loss, are also conditions where Amalki finds
major herb in formulations.

Turmeric is the first herb of choice, when blood purification is
thought of. Several Chinese herbs (Say Chopchini, China fruit) have
also entered in Indian ayurveda as a result of visits by chinese
scholars to India. Turmeric is also useful in beauty treatment of
skin. Several MNCs in India now sell beauty cream made from
Sandalwood and Turmeric. Turmeric cleans any blemish on skin. In
Indian kitchesn you will always find turmeric powder. Moment children
get injured due to any reason, Indian mothers first apply turmeric on
the wound as anti-septic. The use of turmeric as kitchen spice must
have been encouraged in ancient days to achieve both taste and blood
purification. Today, most of anti-cancer drugs contain most Rakta-
shodhak herbs. Turmeric improves complexion of the skin. The
impurities of melanin, the skin pigment, are removed by turmeric, a
strong anti-cancer property herb. Turmeric is generally essential
ingredient in formulations used to treat itching (e.g. Haridrakhand).
People suffering from frequent cough, cold, asthma often have itching
also, especially during night. Such patients get benefits by taking ½
cup milk, boiled with turmeric, and ½ tsp cow ghee added at the time
of taking. Some add a speck of sea salt to this milk. This
combination melts the phlegm, allowing it to exit. Turmeric reduces
vitiation of Kapha, Vata. Helps in boils, vitiligo, worms, eczema,
anorexia, raktadosha, prameha, swellings.

Amba Haldi and a little Calcium Hydroxide (Chuna used in Pan/Tambul
in India), when mixed together and applied on parts of body damaged
due to fall, fracture, pressure, swelling etc helps quick healing. A
home made poultice can also be used. Take a cup of rice floor, add ¼
cup Turmeric powder and a little milk to make a thin paste. Heat
paste on low heat. Soon paste will become cooked and some
transparency will develop. Apply this paste in hot condition on
swollen body part. Swelling and pain will disappear in just 3-4 days.
Turmeric. Ganesh festival is just over. Several suffer by hoarse
voice these days, since festivals in India are very noisy. By takina
a cup of milk boiled with a pinch of turmeric powder, this hoarse
voice problem can be tackled.

While suffering from Cough/Cold, if head starts aching, just put a
tsp of turmeric and 21 leaves of Tulsi in a cup of water, and let
water boil. The steam can be inhaled and also taken on forehead. The
headache goes away in just five minutes!

If you have dry cough and have tried every other medicine, one more
remains to be tried. Aloe Vera pulp 1 tsp, cow ghee 1 tsp and ¼ tsp
turmeric powder, mix everything and take twice a day.
Thus Amalaki and Turmeric are important herbs in Ayurveda. In India,
best quality turmeric is available from Maharashtra (Sangli district)
and Tamilnadu (Erode district).

Dr Bhate