Thursday, June 30, 2011

Ghee Made With Medicinal Ayurvedic Herbs

Ghee (clarified butter) addresses so many health problems - such as restoring sexual vitality and lubricating tissues, nerves and organs. According to Ayurvedic science, ghee helps produce healthy semen, maintains a strong digestive tract, and keeps eyes and memory youthful.

Today I want to give you a medicinal ghee recipe that takes the healing process a step further. There are many medicinal ghee mixtures (ghee infused with herbs) - known and trusted for centuries.

Protecting Ourselves From Hard Living

Think of it this way: We inhale a TABLESPOON of solid particles each day (we live in a toxic soup). Doesn't it make perfect sense to moisturize with rich herbs to keep the tissue super clean and sturdy? Today's recipe can be used as both a preventive measure and a treatment for ailments in the ear, nose and throat regions. A half-teaspoon daily protects the body from all those invisible toxins floating around.

I recommend it to anyone who wants to improve mental alertness, calm their nerves and develop powerful focus. Personally, I use it (and prescribe it) to combat allergies, respiratory problems and severe headaches. And let me not forget, this is a fabulous salve for massaging the chakras and rebalancing energy.

Let Me Introduce Some Special Ingredients

I want to introduce you to the herbs that go into this medicinal ghee -- and give you an idea of how each one contributes to the body's balance and wellbeing. As I always say: It's good to read the label and know what's going inside of you.

Ashwanghanda: Effective for fatigue, weakness, impotency, infertility, arthritis and other problems associated with aging. It is similar to Ginseng, but without any of the overheating or over-stimulating side effects.

Brahmi Powder: Treats hair loss and skin problems such as eczema and psoriasis

Meluthi Licorice Powder: Great for bronchial problems, and bowel and urinary infections.

Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus): In India, Shatavari is considered the female equivalent to Ashwagandha. The name translates to "she who possesses 100 children" -- referring to the herbs' rejuvenating effect on women's reproductive organs.

Now for the recipe...

Enlightenment Ghee

2 tsp Brahmin Powder

3 tsp Meluthi Licorice Powder

4 tsp of Ashwanghanda

4 tsp Shatavari

1. Crush the herbs in an electric grinder, mortar and pestle, or small food processer.

2. Place in saucepan with 14 cups of water.

3. Simmer the ingredients and reduce until it resembles a creamy thick paste. There should be no loose water in the pan.

4. Add mixture to butter and prepare ghee as normal.

This recipe is enough for 2 lbs of butter. It can be used in any recipes calling for ghee. Add this ghee to your kicharee or mix 1 tsp in warm milk. Enjoy both the taste and the benefits.Link

Read complete article at http://www.ayurveda-increaselibido.com/Links/ayurveda.html

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

What Is Bodybuilding?

Bodybuilding makes not only a fit body, but also fit mind. The word bodybuilding says everything. It is so easy to understand the meaning of this word and what this sport is about. Bodybuilding is the best sport when it comes to making your body proportionally shaped and fit.

This sport is not only about the body. More important, this great physical activity is about health, too. Are you looking for health benefits of weight training and aerobic exercise? Bodybuilding has it all.

Improve Bodily Health:

Bodybuilding decreases risk of developing coronary heart disease. By engaging in physical activities such as weight training and aerobic exercise you have more chance to reduce and control high blood pressure, obesity and high cholesterol.

Bodybuilding has such great and healthy impact on muscle, bones and joints. Bodybuilding keeps your body and muscle strong and flexible. Bodybuilding and weight training can definitely help you with osteoporosis and arthritis.

These health benefits of weight training and aerobic exercise are already well known. Can our brain and mind benefit from bodybuilding, weight training exercise and aerobic exercise? What do we know about that?

Since, I was a little girl, I heard sayings such as, "In healthy body, healthy mind". Having over twenty years of experience in bodybuilding and fitness, I can tell you that this saying makes so much sense and it's so true.

Improve Mental Health:

Bodybuilding, weight training exercise and aerobic exercise can boost our mind and mental well being. Weight training and aerobic exercise can help with reduction in stress, anxiety and depression. Weight training and aerobic exercise can help in rising of self-esteem and confidence.

This is so important for people who have low self-esteem. Bodybuilding exercise can boost your self-esteem and confidence, by helping you to develop positive self-image. Developing positive self-image will happen as the result of changes in body shape as you begin to lose weight or feel your body get leaner, stronger and better.

Bodybuilding, weight training and aerobic exercise can improve your mood and help you deal better and easier with negative emotions. The way weight training and aerobic exercise can improve mood is because this exercise will make you feel good.

Physical activity, weight training and aerobic exercise help releases of endorphin. Endorphin is a brain chemical which influences mood. Bodybuilding exercise can help you sleep better, reduce fatigue and psychological tension.

Stress:

Too much stress and anxiety can affect your mental health and mind. The negative effects of stress are:

Stress causes negative thinking
Stress takes so much of our physical and mental energy
Stress destroy enjoyment in life
Stress reduces ability to focus

Stress is the body's reaction to physical or emotional change. Physical symptoms may include headaches, muscle pain, chest pain, weight gain or weight loss, etc.

Anxiety:

Anxiety is different from stress. Anxiety is a feeling of nervousness, fear, worry. Anxiety could be caused by:

Stress at workplace
Stress and problems in a personal relationship
Financial stress
Emotional stress
And more

Some physical symptoms of anxiety include:

Difficulty breathing
Anxiety interferes with ability to sleep
Upset stomach
Dizziness
Abnormal hearth rhythms,
Restlessness
Trouble concentrating
Irritability
Muscle tension
And more

Bodybuilding, weight training exercise and aerobic exercise can help your mind and brain by protecting your thinking and memory. Millions of people experience memory and thinking problems as they get older.

The worst case scenario is when Alzheimer's disease affects brain cells, which destroys memory and thinking. Alzheimer's disease brings gradually loss of mental functions like thinking, remembering and planning.

Weight training and aerobic exercise gets the blood flowing and your brain needs a lot of blood to function correctly. Having a healthy blood flow can keep your brain and mind functioning properly. It can keep your thinking, remembering and planning skills at work for you, not against you.

Depression:

Depression is a medical condition and it could be caused by genetics, life difficult situations, and etc. But more than anything depression is the way people react to what happens in their lives.

Some symptoms of depression are:

Lack of energy and feeling tired all the time
Weight gain or weight loss
Inability to sleep well and change in sleep patterns
Aches and pain in body and muscles
Irritability, anger or anxiety
Inability to enjoy life
Inability to focus and concentrate
Lack of motivation
Low mental and physical energy

Weight training and aerobic exercise can treat depression naturally. Bodybuilding, weight training and aerobic exercise increase self-esteem, improve your health and body, lift your mood, reduce stress and frustration, improve your sleeping patterns, distract your mind from worries and difficult life events and situations, help you gain control of your life, body and mind.

Weight training exercise and aerobic exercise are very good stress and tension reliever. Physical activities will keep your body and mind relaxed, refreshed and calm. With weight training and aerobic exercise, you will have a more positive impact on psychological and physical health.

Improve Body And Mind:

Weight training and aerobic exercise gives you a feeling of empowerment over your mind and body. When you are physically active and you exercise, you are taking active control over your health and that improves your body and the state of mind.

Bodybuilding, weight training and aerobic exercise improve your energy level, much needed for your body. In the same time your brain and mind needs mental energy so you can concentrate and focus better.

When you exercise you breathe deeper, and that way you bring more oxygen to the body and brain. Oxygen keeps your brain healthy. Bodybuilding, weight training and aerobic exercise improve the efficiency of our mind. Overall health of mind and body will be enhanced when you are physicaly active.

The bottom line - Weight-training exercise and aerobic exercise are so essential and phenomenal for healthy mind and healthy body. Having healthy and strong mind and body, means balance and great connection between mind and body.

Improve Nutrition:

To improve the health of your mind, the best would be to incorporate weight training, aerobic exercise, healthy nutrition and rest. Healthy eating habits and the food you eat can affect your thinking and memory. It is so important what you put in your body and from that depends how your brain and mind will improve their function.

Eating foods rich in antioxidants can improve focus and memory. Foods high in antioxidants include fruits and vegetables, such as spinach, tomatoes, oranges, and etc. Eating whole grains, fruit and vegetables will supply your brain with glucose.

If your blood glucose level drops below normal, you can become dizzy. Try to maintain the normal glucose level in your blood without consuming the glucose in a form of sugar.

Food rich in iron provide your brain and mind with oxygen. Iron rich foods include lean meet, poultry, raisins, dry apricots, etc.

Food rich in Vitamin B is very important for healthy mind. Good food sources of the B vitamin are: milk, cheese, fish, meat, potatoes, bananas, eggs, and etc.

Eating organic foods reduces toxins that would go into your body and brain. Choosing organic food - your body and mind will benefit greatly. Water is essential for healthy mind and body.

Your body is 75% water. Staying hydrated benefits your body and brain by keeping you detoxified and oxygenated. Reducing fast food as much as you can will help keep you fit in your mind and body. To improve your memory avoid alcohol and heavy drinking.

Conclusion

Weight training exercise, aerobic exercise and right nutrition have beneficial effects on mental sharpness and strong healthy mind. Work on your body, work on your mind and they will serve you better in years to come.

Weight training and aerobic exercise raise your self-esteem and sense of empowerment. Bodybuilding offers exercise which will make you stronger and more energetic.

The more energetic and stronger you feel, the greater is your confidence and self-esteem. With strong, healthy and positive confidence and self-esteem, you will be able to fight more everyday stress, anxiety and depression. You will be in control of your life, health mind and body.

Read complete article at http://www.ayurveda-increaselibido.com/bodybuilding.html

Wednesday, June 08, 2011

Functions of Testosterone and the Consequences of Low Testosterone Levels

Testosterone is an anti aging hormone in men that is responsible for many other functions apart from defining sexual characteristics and drive in men. This hormone which also known as anabolic steroid regulates basic body metabolism, stimulates red blood cell production and hinders the excessive production of free radicals. It also facilities protein synthesis and build up of lean body tissue. Unlike most other hormones testosterone exerts its effect by quickly passing through the membranes of cell and binding itself to the specific activation site of the DNA.

Testosterone is produced by small group of specialized cells within the testicles. Production is triggered through the simulation of these cells by the luteinizing hormones from the pituitary gland. As with most hormones the level of testosterone is monitored by hypothalamus in the brain. If testosterone levels exceeds certain value then hypothalamus issues a command to stop secreting luteinizing hormones and in their absence testosterone production comes to a halt. Such is the complex process of testosterone production.

High levels of testosterone are associated with balding and overtly aggressive behavior. Sometimes high levels of this hormone may be a factor in causing prostate cancer. Further too much of this hormone can cause blood to thicken and red blood cells to clamp together. This can place a man at a greater risk of stroke and heart attack.

With age the levels of testosterone slowly decreases. From the age of 30 there is a 1% to 2% reduction in testosterone levels till the age of 70. The decrease in levels of this hormone may vary depending on the individual and may produce menopausal like conditions in some men. Many men who are above 80 years of age have abnormally low testosterone levels. Men with low levels of this hormone have diminished sex drive and have difficulty in maintaining erection. They may become lethargic, withdrawn and may loose strength and physical endurance. Body composition also changes with low levels of this hormone and the lean muscle is replaced with fat.

Read complete article at http://www.ayurveda-increaselibido.com/wordpress/?p=31

A Guide to Fruits that Increase Testosterone

Diet and Testosterone....

Are you searching for ways to boost your testosterone levels naturally? Have you looked at your diet?

The following is a collection of tips from doctors, scientists and fitness experts about a healthy diet for optimum testosterone production, including lots of foods and even fruits that increase testosterone production.

Testosterone is produced by the body and is not found in the food we eat; however, certain foods lead to testosterone production and better blood circulation, which carries the testosterone to the appropriate organ, while other foods should be avoided.

So foods that encourage testosterone production may be called -- for lack of a better term -- testosterone food sources.

Testosterone Food Sources

Include:

Zinc: The best source of dietary zinc is meat. The best meat choice is the white meat of chicken. The best fish choice is salmon. For vegetarians, choose peanuts or beans. No fruits that increase testosterone in this category, because plant sources of zinc are harder for the body to use and are not good testosterone food sources.

Vitamin A: essential for the normal function of the reproductive organs. Lots of fruits that increase testosterone in this category: apples, blueberries, cantaloupe, pineapple and citrus fruits, just to name a few. Other food sources of Vitamin A include fish (salmon, again), leafy greens (spinach) and brightly colored vegetables like tomatoes, red peppers and yellow squash.

Hope you like salmon, because other than being an excellent source of Vitamin A and zinc, as well as protein, fish oil is said to keep SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin) levels lower. When testosterone runs into SHBG in the blood stream, it becomes attached to it, and then can't interact with any of the body's cells.

The net effect of testosterone that is attached to SHBG is the same as a lack of testosterone since it is prevented from having any impact on the body. Salmon might be your number one testosterone food source followed closely by oysters which are naturally rich in zinc.

Diet and Testosterone

Avoid:

The following foods are not testosterone friendly food and drink sources: fried foods, sugar and caffeine over stimulate the adrenals, which produce some testosterone. Over stimulating the adrenals leads to "adrenal exhaustion", means they are not going to produce testosterone or anything else.

So a breakfast of hash browns, toast with jelly and coffee with cream and sugar would have pretty much everything in it that you want to AVOID if you are looking for testosterone food sources.

In conclusion, a healthy diet and testosterone production go hand in hand.

It is not possible to include here all of the good testosterone food sources or even all of the fruits that increase testosterone.

Consult a nutritionist or dietician for a personal plan that addresses your individual needs.

In the meantime, for breakfast tomorrow have an egg omelet (egg yolk contains cholesterol which testosterone is made from) with tomatoes and red peppers (sources of Vitamin A) and orange juice to drink. Follow that up with some alfalfa-sprout toast (alfalfa is said to be a sexual stimulant) and some fresh apples, pineapples or other fruits that increase testosterone and you are sure to have a good start to your day.

Read complete article at http://www.ayurveda-increaselibido.com/articles/testosterone.html