Siddha Vaidyam & the Kitchen Medicines

Siddha Vaidyam is not just the oldest and the first medical system that ever existed since the prehistoric period but its a science and proof of intense spirituality and Siddhars show the immense possibility of a human beings.

This medicine was developed by the scientists of ancient days named Siddhars who gained their knowledge through deep meditation and thus arousing the serpent power that is hidden within every human. These are humans who have reached the blissful state of human life and achieved the state of ultimate knowledge.

The natural ingredients of the Siddha health system herbs are much better and free of side effects than the factory made chemical stuffed products. Simple Siddha remedies can be very effective in relieving symptoms, and preventing further development of a disorder. Anything that is easily available in your kitchen or around your home, and has a medicinal use, may be used as a kitchen and home remedy. When used for medical purposes, herbs, vegetables, fruits, spices, grains and oils are understood to be home remedies.

May Lord Vaitheesvarar bless you with greater health and wealth
~ Vijayakumar Alagappan

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Basic Esoteric Daily Practices

Esoteric Daily Practices
~By Vijayakumar Alagappan


Appropriate patterning, or ritual conduct, is the foundation of a healthy life. Esoteric Daily Practices promotes healthy organization of the energy channels and the seating of the prana, or internal winds. You may want to fine-tune this practice for your constitution. In order to do that, consult a beginning book about Siddha Practice, the Esoteric science ( Tantric life science ).



This version of practices has been shortened and simplified.  If you are being advised by a Siddha doctor, or you have a Guru from wisdom tradition, that person will give you more detailed instructions based on your constitution and sadhana.

 
Remember that Esoteric Daily Practices is ritual. Try to directly experience the rhythm you are establishing in your life. As you are practicing Esoteric Morning Practices feel that you are honoring your self, your body and God by participating in this daily ritual.

Morning
Wake up by atleast 5 AM to 6 AM.  If you can’t manage this at first, work your way into it. You can train yourself to wake up at this time naturally.



The Sun activates the pineal gland to send messages to the adrenal glands to release adrenal cortisol, which wakes us from deep sleep.



Before opening your eyes or getting out of bed, sense the energy of the day.
Rub your palms together quickly to generate energy and look at your palm for your palm to absorb the over night stored prana energy from your eyes, then gently energize your face, head, arms and hands with long, smooth strokes. Repeat this sequence until you have gently massaged your entire body, including your feet.



Check through your nostril(dominant)
Step out of the bed, touch the ground with the leg dominant side.
Evacuate your bowels. You can train yourself to do this at this time.
If your digestion is normally sluggish, drink a glass of warm water (fresh ginger, optional).
Wash your hands, and splash cold water on your face. Scrape your tongue with scraping tool available at pharmacy or yoga studio (dont use plastic one). Brush your teeth with mild, natural toothpaste and a soft toothbrush (if can with twigs like neem twigs etc.).



Take a slow walk in the fresh morning air for 30 to 45 minutes.
In the bathroom, dry brush your whole body. Use a natural bristle brush. Vata types should be particularly careful to stroke downward and without too much force. Pitta types should also use strokes that are less intense. Kapha types can use more vigorous back-and-forth strokes.



Perform Oil Bath—self-massage with gently warmed coconut oil + sesame oil + mustard oil / castor oil. Spend 30 to 45 minutes massaging the oil into your skin with long strokes, including ears, face and neck. A drizzle of warm oil may be poured on the crown of your head if you are planning to wash your hair. If your constitution is mainly kapha, you should perform oil bath only one to two times per week. You may want to use one of the massage oils formulated specifically for a kapha constitution. If you are experiencing high vata or pitta, you may want to use sesame oil or coconut oil respectively. Massage your body with oil only on lunar days (Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday)
Take a shower. Use Shiyakai or natural soap. Pad yourself dry.
For normal cold bath pour water from top to toe while humming.
Eat breakfast. Follow the natural dietary instructions for your constitution..

Evening
Shower after work if the day has been stressful, or especially hot or humid. A bucket shower is great at night. The sheets of warm water from the bucket are much more relaxing than a typical shower.
Eat dinner no later than 7 pm or 3 hours before you go to sleep (fruits or light meal like chapati). Follow the dietary guidelines for your constitution.



Go for a slow walk daily for 30 to 45 minutes if you missed in the morning.
Stop watching TV, using the computer or reading at least an hour before bed (9pm). Instead, spend some quiet time with your loved ones. Or sit quietly, linking up with your Guru or simply the larger cosmos and a sense of grace. You can also do Pranayama and Meditation.

Go to sleep by 10 pm to 11 pm, before you become exhausted, or even very sleepy because the oxygen level during this time will become lower to make you sleepy. Try to fall asleep with God, Guru or positive thought in your heart.


Note :The timing given above is according to Sun Rise 7am and Sun Set 7pm ( Malaysia & Singapore Time ). You may change the time by calculating your local Sun rise and Sun set time.

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Elumicham - Lime

Benefits of Elumicham
A very good and rich source of Citric acid, Citrate and Vitamin C. As per Siddha, it is a very good Anti-Pitha drug, a coolant, and a good carminative. Siddha Literatures also classify this herb under Kayakalpa or Kayakarpam. Regular intake makes the body healthy and rejuvenated. It also has various health benefits as discussed below.
Minerals found in Elumicham include small amounts of :

calcium - bone and teeth health.
magnesium - muscle health and preventing cramps by stabilising the nerves.

phosphorous - for cell wall, bone and teeth health - it combines with many other minerals in the body.

potassium - brain function, cell and muscle health and preventing cramps.

zinc - immune function, eye, nail and hair health, but also other organs. Zinc combines with many other vitamins and minerals in the body.

Vitamin E (skin, nails, hair, and cell health) and vitamin K (blood and bone health), plus niacin (blood and heart health) and folate (cell and DNA health) are found in small amounts, in addition to a large dose of vitamin C (immune functions).
Lime Juice : Extract of a squeezed lime :
2 teaspoons of lime juice with warm water daily in empty stomach cures constipation.
Lime juice mixed with equal quantity of honey and given empty stomach to reduce body weight.
2 teaspoons of lemon juice with 2 pinches of Black Pepper cures Diarrhea.
Massaging tooth and gums with lime juice helps to stop bleeding and eases pain.
Warm coconut oil with few drops of lime juice can massaged well in scalp regularly for dandruff and hair fall.
Lemonade : Drink prepared from Lime juice, water, sugar / salt / honey
Daily intake of Lemonade helps to cure increased Pitham, cools the body detoxifies the body, purifies blood, calms the mind. Also cures cough and respiratory problems.
Lemonade prepared with honey helps to burn fat and lose weight. It also makes our skin glow.
Lemonade acts as a Diuretic and flushes out all the toxins in our body in adding 1 teaspoon of ginger juice and 2 pinches of jeera powder to a glass of lemonade aids digestion after a heavy meal.
Inhibits Urinary calculi or Kidney stones as it contains highest amount of Citrate.