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The power of ancient herbs

Protein Powders for Enhanced Health: Conventional protein powders primarily focus on muscle building…reports Asian Lite News

A country like India boasts a rich cultural heritage with well-established traditional health practices, including Ayurveda. However, achieving optimal well-being in the modern world presents unique challenges. Dietary limitations due to cultural norms can lead to micronutrient deficiencies. Chronic stress, often associated with work-life balance, disrupts hormonal homeostasis and depletes energy reserves. Additionally, age-related concerns like bone health and hormonal fluctuations become prominent.

Advancements in scientific research have led to the development of targeted supplements designed to address these challenges. These supplements leverage the power of natural ingredients often backed by clinical studies to demonstrate their efficacy. Let’s explore some popular options with scientific backing by Mihir Gadani, co-founder, OZiva that can empower individuals in India to take charge of their health and well-being:

Protein Powders for Enhanced Health: Conventional protein powders primarily focus on muscle building. However, new formulations offer a more holistic approach. They incorporate essential multivitamins, minerals, and revered plant-based extracts like Shatavari and Tulsi. Studies suggest that these extracts can support hormonal balance (e.g., Shatavari) and regulate metabolism (e.g., Tulsi), promoting weight management. Additionally, these powders often utilize plant-based protein sources for optimal absorption and bioavailability.

Plant-Based Collagen Builders for Improved Skin Quality: Collagen production naturally declines with age, leading to wrinkles and decreased skin elasticity. Plant-based collagen builders with clinically proven ingredients like SesZenBio™ and CollabZen™ can stimulate the body’s natural collagen production. Studies have shown these ingredients to be effective in improving skin smoothness and brightness.

Glutathione Builders for Comprehensive Skin Health: Glutathione, a potent antioxidant, combats free radicals and promotes overall skin health. Plant-based glutathione tablets with vitamins C and E can help reduce hyperpigmentation, enhance skin radiance, and combat the visible signs of ageing. Research suggests that these components work synergistically to improve skin tone and texture.

Hair Vitamins for Healthy Hair Growth: Hair loss can be attributed to various factors, including nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, and stress. Hair vitamins rich in Biotin, Iron, Zinc, and Brahmi address these root causes by nourishing hair follicles, regulating hormones, and managing stress levels. Biotin, Iron, and Zinc are all essential nutrients for healthy hair growth, while Brahmi, an Ayurvedic herb, has been shown to possess stress-reducing properties.

Plant-Based Iron Supplements for Increased Energy Levels: Iron deficiency is a prevalent concern, leading to fatigue and weakness. Plant-based iron supplements with essential vitamins and minerals improve iron absorption and red blood cell production. This, in turn, enhances energy levels and overall health, as confirmed by numerous scientific studies.

Omega 369 for Overall Body Health: These essential fatty acids play a crucial role in maintaining healthy skin, heart function, and joint health. Balanced plant-based Omega 369 supplements promote hair and skin growth, reduce inflammation, regulate blood pressure, and maintain healthy cholesterol levels. Research consistently highlights the multifaceted benefits of Omega 369 fatty acids for overall well-being.

HerBones: Supporting Bone Mineral Density with Plant-Based Calcium, as we age, bone mineral density naturally declines, increasing the risk of osteoporosis. HerBones, a unique plant-based calcium supplement with Vitamin D3, Vitamin K2, and Magnesium, promotes stronger bones and joints. Studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of plant-based calcium, combined with these essential co-nutrients, in supporting bone health.

Plant-Based HerBalance: Mitigating Menopausal Symptoms: Menopause brings hormonal shifts that can cause hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and mood swings. This plant-based formula combines 21 whole foods and standardized herbal extracts like Black Cohosh and Lodh Bark. Research suggests that Black Cohosh can alleviate menopausal symptoms, while preliminary studies indicate potential benefits of Lodh Bark for hormonal balance.

A Holistic Approach for Optimal Well-being: Targeted herbal supplements can be a valuable tool, but true well-being is a multifaceted concept. To achieve lasting health and vitality, prioritize a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Regular exercise, even moderate activity most days of the week, strengthens your body and boosts energy levels. Finally, prioritize quality sleep for optimal cellular repair and restoration.

By incorporating scientifically validated herbal supplements alongside a healthy lifestyle, individuals in India can leverage the wisdom of ancient traditions and the power of modern science to take charge of their health and well-being at every stage of life.

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Health Lite Blogs

Herbs for better sleep

8 benefits of a weighted blanket.(photo:IANSLIFE)

Sleep deprivation is often due to a hectic lifestyle, anxiety, and stress. Stress affects the production of the neurotransmitter serotonin, but taking some herbal supplements can compensate for this loss…reports Asian Lite News

Sleep is your body’s natural way of healing itself. Good quality sleep prepares you for a productive day ahead. You need 7 to 9 hours of sleep to feel relaxed and rejuvenated, but sometimes getting quality sleep can be difficult.

Sleep experts at Eachnight.com have revealed how natural herbs can help those who may struggle to drift off at night. This research has been medically reviewed by Dr. Nayantara Santhi.

How can herbs promote sleep?

Natural herbs contain powerful sleep-enhancing properties for a night of restful sleep. They can calm your nerves and soothe your senses, providing adequate sleep.

Sleep deprivation is often due to a hectic lifestyle, anxiety, and stress. Stress affects the production of the neurotransmitter serotonin, but taking some herbal supplements can compensate for this loss.

Some natural herbs are high in tryptophan, an amino acid improving the synthesis of serotonin. Increasing serotonin levels offsets the chemical imbalance causing the most common sleep disorder, insomnia.

5 Best Herbs to try

Lavender

The anti-depressive, sedative and calming properties of lavender help you sleep better. Studies show lavender herbs can relax your nerves, reduce anxiety levels, and stabilise mood disorders. Reduced stress, anxiety, and a positive mood promote daytime wakefulness and more sustained sleep at night. Typically, lavender is used via sprays or inhaled.

Chamomile

Chamomile is an ancient medicinal herb known for its relaxing effects. Modern-day studies prove the efficacy of chamomile. It reduces anxiety, soothes your nerves, and eases insomnia. One study, for example, found that women who had given birth and struggled to sleep experienced less sleep inefficiency and depression when drinking chamomile tea at night for two weeks. The presence of nerve-relaxing flavonoids in chamomile tea makes it a popular tranquillizing drink. You can feel chamomile’s soothing effect even by inhaling its aroma.

Valerian

The roots of the valerian herb are often used to treat insomnia, restlessness, and anxiety in patients. Valerenic acid in the valerian roots inhibits the breakdown of the neurotransmitter GABA. This induces better quality sleep. Valerian works on the principles of anti-anxiety medicines, promoting deep sleep. Valerian is available in many stores and usually comes in the form of tablets.

Passionflower

Passionflower contains nerve-relaxing flavonoids, which help you to de-stress and sleep better. This tropical flower tastes good and is commonly used in many herbal, over-the-counter sedatives.

Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha is a medicinal herb commonly used to combat insomnia, as studies have shown it’s effective at improving sleep onset latency and quality of rest. The real sleep-promoting compounds of Ashwagandha are found in the leaves of this plant-triethylene glycol works to eliminate feelings of stress or anxiety, induce calmness, and help you fall asleep easily. Ashwagandha ultimately acts like a sedative, so it’s a great alternative to anxiety medications or OTC sleep aids since it works with your body to naturally bolster sleeping habits. Ashwagandha can be bought as capsules that are ingested. How to use herbs for sleep

Herbal tea

Make some herbal tea by adding 1 tsp of herbs to a cup of boiling water. Let it steep for 20 minutes, then strain and drink it. You can drink two to three cups of herbal tea in a day.

Essential oils

Add herb-flavoured essential oils to your warm water bath at bedtime to feel a calming effect, inducing sleep.

Massage herb-infused oil mixed with olive, grapeseed, or coconut oil on certain parts of your body such as your forehead, neck, chest, wrist, chest, hands, or feet. Your skin may be sensitive to an undiluted essential oil, so diluting it reduces the chances of a reaction.

5 natural herbs that help you sleep

Aromatherapy

Inhale the fragrance of natural herbs through aromatherapy candles.

Supplements

Consume herbal extract supplements, available over the counter in pharmacy stores. Read the dosage instructions on the label to know how much to take per day.

A spokesperson from Eachnight.com commented, “Sleep disturbances occur when the normal processes of waking and/or initiating sleep do not happen. This can occur because of a combination of genetic, environmental, sleep habits, and other psychobiological factors.

If the pattern of sleep disturbances continues over time, these factors can create a vicious cycle of ongoing sleep problems with consequences in our waking lives. As they say, sleep health is as important as diet and exercise for our well-being.

Most of the natural herbs have a long history of use for the treatment of insomnia. These herbal medicines were being prescribed by physicians since ancient times as natural sleep aids. Modern-day studies and research have supported the efficacy of taking these herbs for a great night’s sleep, so any of these options can be a good fit. Although many herbs are harmless and have no side effects it is worth talking to your doctor before making any drastic changes.”

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Herbs to curb Cancer

Indian Podophyllum is another name for Podophyllum. Vanyakarkati is its Ayurvedic name. The rootstock of this herb has beneficial properties that aid in the prevention of cancer. Podophyllum is a purgative that is also used to treat vaginal warts…writes Suresh Garg

Nutraceuticals, functional foods, and supplemental micronutrients have the potential to inhibit cancer cell proliferation and induce apoptosis. A variety of natural dietary herbs have even been shown to have a potential role in the prevention and treatment of cancer, and are regarded as an effective strategy by Nutraceutical experts all over the world.

Epidemiological studies have consistently demonstrated that dietary habits are one of the most important predictors of chronic diseases, including several types of cancer. Thus, diet and food have a direct impact on health and disease. Through nutrition, humans have evolved a sophisticated and cooperative system of antioxidant defence mechanisms against toxic oxygen intermediates, according to biochemical and epidemiological evidence. This suggests that increasing antioxidant intake through nutrition may significantly reduce the risk of cancer.

Following are some of the herbs suggested by the experts in nutraceutical space which has significantly shown positive results in the prevention of cancer cells-

Graviola (Annona muricata):

Annona Muricata, also known as Graviola, soursop, Brazilian pawpaw, or guanabana, is an evergreen tree native to the Americas’ tropical regions and a member of the Annonaceae family. Graviola contains hundreds of acetogenins, which are chemicals (ACGs). ACGs have the ability to kill many different types of cancer cells while leaving healthy cells alone. It aids in the inhibition of energy production in cancer cells while also inhibiting the oxidative stress response. Graviola has also been shown to cause apoptosis. In addition to its positive effects, the herb may cause some side effects such as low blood pressure, low sugar levels, or even nerve damage. As a result, it is strongly advised not to consume directly. To avoid any access consumption or such side effects, please use a product supplement that contains the desired amount of Graviola.

Catharanthus Rosea

Catharanthus Rosea, also known as Madagascar Periwinkle, is a miracle plant. It is a member of the Apocynaceae family. It is the most medicinally valuable plant species in the Apocynaceae family, which is used worldwide in traditional herbal medicine. The plant has also been used in Ayurvedic medicine and traditional Chinese medicine for a long time. Western medical science began researching this plant in the twentieth century. Catharanthus roseus is well-known for producing the anticancer drugs vinblastine and vincristine, which are derived from the dimerization of the MIAs vindoline and catharanthine. The anti-tumor activity discovered in C. Roseus is due to the presence of dimeric alkaloids, which are already widely used in industry.

Podophyllum

Indian Podophyllum is another name for Podophyllum. Vanyakarkati is its Ayurvedic name. The rootstock of this herb has beneficial properties that aid in the prevention of cancer. Podophyllum is a purgative that is also used to treat vaginal warts. Etoposide and teniposide, two podophyllotoxin derivatives, are used in cancer treatment. Etoposide is an alkaloid derived from the mandrake plant Podophyllum peltatum that is used to treat germ cell tumours, lung cancer, Hodgkin’s and non-lymphomas, Hodgkin’s gastric cancer, breast cancer, and testicular cancer.

Although podophyllotoxin has a high cytotoxic effect and acts as a tubulin polymerization inhibitor, if used excessively, it is more toxic than beneficial as an anticancer drug. As a result, it should only be consumed in the amounts recommended by an expert in the form of supplements, with the quantities added rationally.

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Environment Health India News

Himachal advocates cultivation of medicinal plants

As many as 318 farmers have been provided a financial assistance of Rs 99.68 lakh for the cultivation of medicinal plants from January 2018…reports Asian Lite News.

With the surge in demand for natural products, Himachal Pradesh, bestowed with rich biological diversity, has been advocating the cultivation of medicinal plants to supplement farmers’ income who largely hold small landholdings, officials said on Monday.

State’s Medicinal Plants Board under the Ayush Department has been encouraging farmers to cultivate them to supplement their incomes. For this, the state is providing financial assistance for the cultivation of medicinal plants under the National Ayush Mission.

Various farmer clusters have been prepared for this purpose. To get the benefit of financial assistance, a cluster must have at least two hectares of land. Each cluster comprises three adjoining villages in a 15-km radius. Mortgaged land can also be used for the cultivation of medicinal plants.

As many as 318 farmers have been provided a financial assistance of Rs 99.68 lakh for the cultivation of medicinal plants from January 2018.

The National Ayush Mission in 2019-20 has provided a financial assistance of Rs 128.94 lakh for medicinal plants component in the state. Out of this, Rs 54.44 lakh has been sanctioned for the cultivation of ‘atis’, ‘kutki’, ‘kuth’, ‘shatavari’, stevia and ‘sarpagandha’.

The state has set up herbal gardens in Joginder Nagar in Mandi district, Neri in Hamirpur district, Rohru in Shimla district and Jungle Jhalera in Bilaspur district.

Different types of medicinal plants, catering to different agro-climatic zones, are being grown in these herbal gardens, an official statement said.

The National Medicinal Plants Board of the Ministry of Ayush has established regional-cum-facilitation centre of the northern region at the Research Institute in Indian Systems of Medicine in Joginder Nagar. This centre is promoting the cultivation and conservation of medicinal plants in six neighbouring northern states — Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Chandigarh and Himachal Pradesh.

To generate awareness among the public, plantation drive ‘Charak Vatika’ was carried out by the Ayush Department. Under this drive Charak Vatikas were established in 1,167 ayurvedic institutions with the planting of 11,526 plants. The phase-II of Charak Vatika started on June 7.

The state with diverse climatic conditions is home to 640 species of medicinal plants, distributed in the four agro-climatic zones. Tribal districts like Kinnaur, Lahaul-Spiti, Kullu and a few pockets in Kangra and Shimla districts, located at an altitude of over 2,500 metres, produce enormously medicinal plants.

Some of these include ‘patis’, ‘batsnabh’, ‘atis’, ‘tragen’, ‘kirmala’, ‘ratanjot’, ‘kala jeera’, ‘kesar’, ‘somlata’, ‘jangli heeng’, ‘charma’, ‘khursani ajwain’, ‘pushkar mul’, ‘hauver’, ‘dhop’, ‘dhamni’, ‘nechni’, ‘neri’, ‘kejavo’ and ‘buransh’.

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