In this article, I am going to share with you, information about a few super-foods, and some homemade remedies, that can help in your quest for better health. A fit body will breed positivity and energy. So, along with regular exercise, yoga and meditation, it is also important to eat right. Remember the old adage—eat food like medicine to avoid eating medicine like food.
Garlic: Garlic contains natural chemicals which are excellent antioxidants that protect your heart tissues from getting ruptured fast. Though consumption of three to five raw garlic cloves early in the morning is a good cure for reducing cholesterol levels in the blood, many individuals find that this leads to bad breath. To address this problem, one can add a few garlic cloves to boiled vegetables. Roasting garlic in oil and adding salt is not recommended. Garlic can reduce hypertension / high blood pressure. Consumption of garlic at regular intervals will address symptoms like bloated stomach, constipation and poor digestion. Regular consumption of garlic will also make your skin glow. Garlic rasam is popular in south Indian households. Pickle manufacturers sell garlic pickle but it is loaded with chemical preservatives, excess chilli powder, excess oil and salt. However appetising it may appear, avoid garlic pickle available off the shelves as it will do you more harm than good.
Methi (Fenugreek): Methi is rich in iron, calcium, chlorophyll, minerals, and nutrients. Methi leaves available in the market have to be sorted and cleaned well. The leaves can be mixed with wheat flour to make methi parathas that can be had along with a teaspoon of desi ghee. Aloo-methi is a popular vegetable in India; but frequent consumption of potatoes can lead to obesity. If you love alo- methi, the trick is to make it palatable by using homemade seasonings on it and using fewer potatoes. Methi sambar is popular in south India. Finely chopped methi leaves can be added to other vegetables when sambar is being prepared.
Fenugreek seeds are often used for seasoning along with other Indian condiments like mustard—especially when sambar is being prepared. Soak methi seeds in a cup of water overnight; these can be had early in the morning on an empty stomach. Alternatively, mix soaked methi seeds in fresh curd and consume it after sprinkling salt.
Here is a homemade remedy for controlling sugar levels in the blood. Take 250 grams of methi seeds; add 100 grams of ajwain and 50 grams of black cumin seeds. Roast them dry and grind them to a fine powder. Consume one teaspoon in the mornings and evenings and you will find an improvement in your metabolic rate. Sugar levels in the blood will also be controlled better. As this powder contains cumin as well as ajwain, digestion will improve and those with problems of constipation or flatulence will find instant relief.
Black pepper powder and cumin powder can replace masala powders available in the market. The masalas available off the shelves contain salt, an excess of chilli powder and also preservatives that can wreak havoc with your body’s immune system. Pepper and cumin have healing properties and homemade masalas are superior to the ones available in the market.
Some Quick Home Remedies
1. A pinch of cinnamon powder along with one teaspoon of honey can clear a sore throat.
2. Brush your teeth with lemon juice and salt at least twice a week. This leads to whitening of teeth.
3. If you are suffering from cold/ running nose, swallow a single garlic clove.
4. Ajwain wrapped in a muslin cloth and heated on a pan can be placed to your chest in case you have chest congestion due to cold and cough.
5. Cinnamon powder boiled with water improves digestion.
6. Regular consumption of diluted ginger juice (1: 10—one portion of ginger juice with 10 portions of boiled and cooled water) can help burn belly fat.
7. Dried ginger powder crushed and boiled in water can help in warding off cold and improving digestion.
8. During winter, consume black pepper sambar at least twice a week. This is prepared using small amounts of tamarind (or replace tamarind with kokum), black pepper and lentils. Curry leaves are used to top up the sambar and make it yummy. When had with rice, this can be a great combination along with roasted papad.
9. Honey and lemon in a glass of lukewarm water can help in weight loss.
10. Regular consumption of bitter gourd can help control blood sugar.
11. Consumption of jambool fruit is good for diabetics. Jambool powder available in ayurvedic shops can be mixed in lukewarm water (one teaspoon in a glass of water) and consumed before breakfast. This will enable better control of diabetes.
