http://www.yogiproducts.com/well-being/ Blog Section en yogiblogger@goldentemple.com Copyright 2010 2010-03-10T19:23:05+00:00 http://www.yogiproducts.com/site/weekly-qa-with-our-facebook-fans2/ http://www.yogiproducts.com/site/weekly-qa-with-our-facebook-fans2/#When:19:23:05Z Thanks for all your questions, comments and sharing of recommendations this week! Thanks for all your questions, comments and sharing of recommendations this week! Here's my weekly round-up of answers to your questions posted on Facebook. @Marissa- thanks for mentioning raspberry tea. Raspberry leaf is known by midwives throughout the Western world. It's even used in Chinese medicine. Raspberry leaf has long been associated with uterine health, especially because it has a tightening effect on the tissues, and is used to strengthen the uterus muscles. Millions of women drink raspberry leaf tea regularly to keep their female system in top shape. @Karen- thanks for the reminder to use two tea bags per cup to create a stronger brew. Not everybody thinks of that, but it's a great way to get more healing herbs in, without drinking more liquid. Especially in the of kava herbal tea that you mentioned, many people find that they get a much more relaxing experience if they double the dose, or even use more throughout the day. @Victoria- for pain relief and to cool out cramps, consider kava. This warming herb is very good for both. And like Karen recommended, if one tea bag isn't cutting it, try doubling up for a stronger effect. @Nisheel- Jai ho to you, too! Some of you might remember this affirmation from last year's smash hit, Slumdog Millionaire. It translates as "I celebrate", or "I salute my greatness". @ Sue- congrats on your choice to switch to tea for your energy. Many people find that green tea is a good energizer that doesn't jangle your nerves, and, of course, it's full of great health benefits. 2010-03-10T19:23:05+00:00 http://www.yogiproducts.com/site/five-signs-you-are-sleep-deprived/ http://www.yogiproducts.com/site/five-signs-you-are-sleep-deprived/#When:17:51:17Z We’re a nation of tired people. Americans are getting less sleep each year, and it shows. More and more people are failing to live up to the performance they expect of themselves, because of lack of sound, restorative sleep. Are you one of them? We're a nation of tired people. Americans are getting less sleep each year, and it shows. More and more people are failing to live up to the performance they expect of themselves, because of lack of sound, restorative sleep. Are you one of them? Five signs you need to make some deposits in your sleep bank account 1. You have trouble making even simple decisions2. You're hungry all day3. You're sniffly all the time4. You're emotionally volatile5. You have become clumsy Most Americans run a chronic low level sleep debt. Sure, those little energy withdrawals from your sleep bank account won't stop you in your tracks, but they slowly wear you down. What you need is some good old fashioned shuteye. Think about how much better you'll feel and how much more productive you will actually be if you take on a little less and head to bed early for a few nights. WebMD has a good overview of these five signs of sleep deficit. 2010-03-10T17:51:17+00:00 http://www.yogiproducts.com/site/how-the-doshas-disrupt-your-sleep-and-what-to-do-about-it/ http://www.yogiproducts.com/site/how-the-doshas-disrupt-your-sleep-and-what-to-do-about-it/#When:19:00:08Z We’ve talked about how balancing the doshas is critical for health, and that includes sleep. Understanding the doshas and how they influence your sleep is the first step to restful slumber. We've talked about how balancing the doshas is critical for health, and that includes sleep. Understanding the doshas and how they influence your sleep is the first step to restful slumber. Vata sleep symptoms• Body exhausted, mind won't stop• Cold hands and feet• Insomnia between 2:00 and 6:00 Pitta sleep symptoms• Intense mental activity• Heat• Heartburn• Insomnia between 10:00 and 2:00 Kapha sleep symptoms• Sleeps like a log, but trouble waking up• Mental dullness upon awakening• Wakes full of mucus Vanquishing Vata• Have a bedtime snack, to balance blood sugar (warm milk with sesame seeds is good)• Stay warm in a cozy bed, in a dark, clean, and uncluttered bedroom • Fall asleep when you are tired- don't stay up (Kapha dominates from 6:00 to 10:00, when it's easier to fall asleep) Vata Vanquishing Diet• Warm, cooked, moist, easy-to-digest foods such as asparagus soup, lentils and rice• Eat foods with the sweet, sour and salty tastes.• Minimize pungent, bitter and astringent foods, and raw salads• Watch the caffeine, even early in the day. Use a warming, relaxing herbal tea in the evening. Pacifying Pitta• Eat a large enough evening meal, so you don't feel hungry before bed• Before bed- enjoy a blender drink of milk, dates and cinnamon, or a cooling herbal tea • Keep the bedroom cool• Fall asleep before 10:00 P.M. (pitta aggravation time) Pitta Pacifying Diet• Use sweet, bitter and astringent foods • Avoid less sour, salty and pungent foods (especially chilies) • Sweet, juicy fruits• Cool temperature food Clobbering Kapha • Enjoy teas of basil, mint and clove• Gradually decrease coffee consumption. Green tea is a good substitute. Kapha Clobbering Diet• Spicy foods invigorate the body and energize digestion. • Eat cooked food, served hot. • Light, easily digestible foods such as soups, beans and spiced cooked vegetables• Eat bitter, astringent and pungent foods• Avoid desserts and heavy, cold sweets, such as ice cream, fried foods, leftovers, and aged foods 2010-03-09T19:00:08+00:00 http://www.yogiproducts.com/site/herbs-to-sleep-by/ http://www.yogiproducts.com/site/herbs-to-sleep-by/#When:18:54:23Z A phenomenal Ayurvedic herb, ashwaganda, is a top sleep remedy. A phenomenal Ayurvedic herb, ashwaganda, is a top sleep remedy. Ayurvedic herbalists use the herb to reestablish long-term sleep rhythms and create deep, rejuvenating rest. Rather than making you sleepy when you take the herb, this remedy seems to regulate sleep cycles over time, gradually helping you to create a balanced sleep routine. A typical dose of ashwaganda is about a gram per day, taken over long periods, up to many years, as a rejuvenator, but, since ashwaganda is very safe, larger quantities are often used in Ayurveda short term. In India, the herb is given with pungent, heating herbs (ginger, pepper, etc.) to increase its effects. 2010-03-09T18:54:23+00:00 http://www.yogiproducts.com/site/healthy-sleep/ http://www.yogiproducts.com/site/healthy-sleep/#When:21:09:01Z Having setbacks with your sleep? Waking up in the middle of the night, unable drift off again? Maybe you’re one of those heavy slumberers, struggling to wake up when the alarm goes off in the morning. We'll search for some answers. Having setbacks with your sleep? Waking up in the middle of the night, unable drift off again? Maybe you're one of those heavy slumberers, struggling to wake up when the alarm goes off in the morning. If any of these sounds too much like your nightly struggle, you're in good company. More than 85 million Americans suffer from sleep problems. Sleep irregularities- too much or too little-cause major short- and long-term health problems. Today's midlife sleep patterns could be robbing men of as much as 75 percent of their anti-aging growth hormone. A shortage of this essential hormone, which is secreted during deep sleep, is associated with increased obesity, loss of muscle mass and reduced exercise capacity. Although total sleep time stays the same as men move into midlife, the proportion of time spent in deep sleep diminishes from 20 percent for men under 25 to less than 5 percent for those over 35. Sleeping too little and sleeping too much both have detrimental effects. Sleep loss causes increases in stress hormone levels, increases in blood pressure, glucose intolerance, and variations in heart rate. Women who average five hours or less of sleep a night are 39 percent more likely to develop heart disease than women who sleep eight hours. Those sleeping six hours a night have an 18 percent higher risk of developing blocked arteries than those who sleep eight hours. One in three Americans gets less than six and one-half hours of sleep a night, placing them at risk for serious disease. Ayurveda looks at three key areas that, taken together, are considered to be the foundation of a healthy lifestyle-balanced diet, balanced love life and balanced sleep. Sleep is the time when the body is able to repair and heal itself. 2010-03-08T21:09:01+00:00 http://www.yogiproducts.com/site/national-sleep-awareness-week/ http://www.yogiproducts.com/site/national-sleep-awareness-week/#When:17:22:47Z Next week is National Sleep Awareness Week and I’ve put together a collection of posts about sleep. Next week is National Sleep Awareness Week and I've put together a collection of posts about sleep - everything from tips for healthy sleep to natural remedies for embarrassing sleep habits. Check in every day next week something new. Have questions about sleep? Post them here and let's talk. 2010-03-04T17:22:47+00:00 http://www.yogiproducts.com/site/weekly-qa-with-our-facebook-fans1/ http://www.yogiproducts.com/site/weekly-qa-with-our-facebook-fans1/#When:17:12:59Z Welcome, all you Facebook folks! Thanks for all your questions, comments and sharing of recommendations. Welcome, all you Facebook folks! Thanks for all your questions, comments and sharing of recommendations. Here's my weekly recap of Facebook fan questions and answers. @Diane- that's a great recommendation for Moon Cycle tea. Yep, it does work very well. The ingredients work together as a formula for overall effect, but one of the main active ingredients is chaste berry, which is a wonderful herb for premenstrual issues. Most women will get some benefit for just about any PMS concerns with chaste berry in just about any form. Tea is a great way to get the herb into you in a fast acting form. And don't always wait until PMS time. Use Moon Cycle every day for a long term, building benefit to regulate the hormonal system. @Ridgell- eye remedies are very common in Ayurveda. It's a basic part of starting your day in Ayurveda to pop a small dab of ghee into your eye to protect and soothe for the day ahead. Ghee in any form (in food, as a remedy with herbs and as an eye ointment, is one of the most Ayurvedic prominent supports for the eyes. @Sarah- green tea and blueberries are both very high on the antioxidant scale. That means they support the body in dealing with inflammation, immune function and aging. @Beth- Echinacea is an herb to rely on for immune issues. A recent study found that Echinacea was effective in treating bird flu and swine flu that had become resistant to anti-flu drugs. 2010-03-04T17:12:59+00:00 http://www.yogiproducts.com/site/ginkgo-how-it-works/ http://www.yogiproducts.com/site/ginkgo-how-it-works/#When:18:48:36Z By now you know that I’m a big fan of ginkgo, and here’s why. By now you know that I'm a big fan of ginkgo, and here's why. This herb acts primarily by increasing blood flow to the brain and central nervous system, providing a protective effect on cells generally, particularly nerve cells, and promoting peripheral circulation. Plus, it has well documented and powerful antioxidant qualities. In fact, it contains flavonoids called proanthcyanidins, also found in pine bark and grape seeds, which are very well studied, powerful antioxidants. Ginkgo's unusual properties lend to treating age related memory loss, Alzheimer's disease in the early stage, circulation disorders, including stroke, and tinnitus (ringing in the ear), brain aging cerebrovascular insufficiency, or lack of blood flow to the head. By all accounts, though, one of the most dramatic properties of ginkgo is its effect on memory. Particularly in the elderly, ginkgo, in multiple studies, improves conditions of concentration difficulty, short and long term memory problems, absentmindedness, confusion, and fatigue. Even younger people can benefit from these effects, because ginkgo improves mental efficiency and cognitive function, even in young, healthy people. Many people find that a little ginkgo every day helps keep the mind clear and the awareness focused. Ginkgo, the ancient herb, is extremely safe, and dramatically effective. Side effects are almost nonexistent, so much so that and the German government lists no drug interactions or contraindications during pregnancy or breast feeding. Using this herbal powerhouse in an herbal tea is a great way to have some every day. It may be just what you've been trying to remember to use. 2010-03-01T18:48:36+00:00 http://www.yogiproducts.com/site/ginkgo-a-brainy-discovery/ http://www.yogiproducts.com/site/ginkgo-a-brainy-discovery/#When:17:22:48Z Ginkgo, an ancient plant, is sometimes referred to as "the living fossil." Ginkgo, an ancient plant, is sometimes referred to as "the living fossil." Archeological records indicate that the trees date back at least to 250 million years ago. Cultivated for centuries in the gardens of Chinese and Japanese temples, it probably does not grow anywhere in the wild today. The tree lives as long as 1,000 years and they are big! These prodigious herbal medicine sources can grow to 120 feet in height, with a diameter of up to four feet. Ginkgo is one of the most researched herbs around. Modern research has focused on a standardized extract of the leaf, a concentrate of about 50:1. In other words, fifty pounds of ginkgo leaves are extracted to produce one pound of remedy. The resulting product contains a consistent 24% flavonoid glycosides and 6% terpene lactones. Today, the most common forms you'll find Ginkgo in are tea and capsules and capsules. Have any of you tried forms beyond tea? What were your experiences?   2010-02-26T17:22:48+00:00 http://www.yogiproducts.com/site/ginkgo-more-than-memory/ http://www.yogiproducts.com/site/ginkgo-more-than-memory/#When:21:19:15Z There aren’t many herbs I like more than ginkgo leaf. This little powerhouse does some heavy lifting for the nervous system, sure, but it doesn’t stop there. There aren't many herbs I like more than ginkgo leaf. This little powerhouse does some heavy lifting for the nervous system, sure, but it doesn't stop there. If you could add just one healing herb to your routine, you could make a good bet that that one herb should be ginkgo, especially if you are on the far side of forty. And yes, ginkgo has a host of benefits for the younger crowd, too. Ginkgo is a fascinating medicinal plant that offers promise for treating a very wide array of brain, nerve, and circulatory conditions, notably Alzheimer's Disease. This popular herb is also widely used in Europe, placing it number one in total medical prescriptions written there including all drugs and herbs. Scientific evidence supporting ginkgo has been accumulating for years, and, particularly in Germany, hundreds of scientific studies have shown its consistent benefit. Interest is at an all time high, of course, from those aging-but-don't want-to-get-old baby boomers. For the next few days, I'll be posting about the history, benefits and uses of ginkgo so check back for and let me know if there are specific questions you'd like me to address. 2010-02-25T21:19:15+00:00