Ikat is a fabric pattern of South Asia since many centuries. It is a sought after fabric art which has achieved great popularity worldwide since ancient times.
History of ikat
The word “Ikat” means bind in Malayo -polynesian languages.
Ikat weaving traditions can be divided into two groups
The first one is weaving among Daic speaking people of Vietnam hanoic. The second group of ikat fabric art tradition belongs to Austonesian people of Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia. According to some sources Ikat takes origin from the land of Indonesia from there its glory spread to faraway lands. It is believed that another group of Ikat weaving community were residing independently in India, Japan and Central Asia, America in the same period of time.
How does ikat fabric art processing happen?
Ikat is a complicated technique involving labour and patience. In ikat weaving the resist is formed by binding yarns together with a tight wrap in the chosen pattern. Then these yarns are dyed. The bindings may then be altered to create a new pattern and the yarns dyed again with a different colour.
This process is repeated several times to create beautiful and elaborate patterns. As soon as dyeing process is finished the bindings are removed and yarns are woven into cloths.
There is another form of resist dyeing technique [ tie-dye and batik] where the resist is applied to the woven cloth.
In ikat the resist application happens before the yarns are woven into cloths. That makes the difference.
It is curious to note that in ikat both fabric faces are patterned.
There are different types of ikat dyeing:
In warp ikat or weft ikat either these yarns are dyed .
In double ikat both warp and weft yarns are dyed.
Ikat textiles may have a blurriness to the design and it might be due to the laborious work associated with weaving and dyeing. However, the pattern comes out perfectly in the finished cloth. Efficient craftsmen can mitigate the blurriness considerably using finer yarns.
However, the blurriness that is so characteristic of ikat is often prized by textile collectors. Ikat is listed among expensive ethnic fabric craft as the making is so laborious and time consuming.
Warp type of ikat seems to be originated in Neolithic weaving traditions and it is an ancient craft rooted in Asia. In India, Ikat dying technology has been present for thousands of years.
Ikat- trending fabric of urban populations
Ikat processed garments such as saree and kurtis are in demand in India and abroad along with bedsheets, door screens, and towels made in ikat art. The price of ikat made garments increases depending on the material [ silk, mul cotton etc] used for crafting this art.
Wellness wheel assessment is a visual tool to assess, strategize and evaluate the level of wellness of individuals. It has great significance in our day today life as we are living in an environment with multiple factors detrimental to state of well-being.
Wellness is defined by various institutions across the globe in multiple ways as it encompasses different dimensions. However, it is a term often heard in relation to health.
The World health organization [WHO]has defined wellness as the optimal state of health of individuals and groups which is a positive state of being that goes beyond simply not having a disease or infirmity.The dimensions of wellness is not limited to health alone. Health related wellness is one of its strong pillars on which other aspects are standing on, but being interconnected with each other.
Let us have a glimpse on the various dimensions of wellness. Wellness encompasses emotional, physical, financial, social, occupational, environmental, intellectual and spiritual dimensions.
Why is it crucial to assess your wellness level?
Wellness can be redefined as an active & continuous life long process of making decisions by individuals to live a healthy& fulfilling life.
Wellness wheel assessment is a visual tool to assess, strategize and evaluate the level of wellness of individuals. It has great significance in our day today life as we are living in an environment with multiple factors detrimental to state of well-being. Stress is mounting in everywhere and some people commit suicide to run away from the unbearable pressure life inflicts on them ,while others fall prey to serious illnesses and morbidities overtime. Here significance of wellness assessment is crucial and there is a dire need to implement strategies and action plans to improve wellness in all realms. It has to be executed as micro-habits & lifestyle modifications which will compound over the course of time giving you a fulfilling, stress free and contented life.
Wellness is a state in which an individual achieves his or her full potential in life. It enhances the sense of well-being.
Wellness is a process and well-being is its result achieved by traversing the journey of wellness. It is rooted in making wise healthy decisions about habits and lifestyles.
Wellness wheel assessment [WWA]
This visual tool is an image wheel with 8 dimensions of wellness which may stimulate your mind in assessing your current level of wellness, strategizing making action plans and evaluating them periodically. WWA includes 8 sections portraying different categories of wellness to be achieved by an individual such as:
Emotional
Physical
Financial
Social
Occupational
Environmental
Intellectual
Spiritual
Role of wellness experts in wellness assessment
The wellness wheel assessment and strategizing &evaluation can be practiced after consulting a wellness expert who may recommend effective strategies to be implemented in every sector of your wellness journey. Once you make a progress you can practice it yourself lifelong for achieving your full potential and a fulfilling life.
A wellness expert may guide you in assessing your current lifestyle, level of your emotional wellness – your ability to cope with people and incidents in your life, your physical wellness which is the strongest foundation of wellness as health of body determines your mental state [ vice versa too] and your other realms of wellness such as intellect, occupation, finance, spiritual & social wellness etc.
A health care provider with expertise in wellness strategies can provide you with action plans to foster a lifestyle ensuring healthy body and mind in the scientific way.
Wellness assessment is carried out in a holistic and individualized way taking into account the age, sex, intellectual level, education, realm of work, occupation, ambitions& goals, state of health, lifestyle preferences and many more factors.
The wellness strategies to improve your social connections, occupational satisfaction, environmental well-being and spiritual wellness may help you reach new echelons of happiness and well-being eventually. Always remember that this is a continuous lifelong journey you can pursue yourself once you gain awareness about the strategies of wellness.
Star anise one of the flavouring agents of Indian cuisines,has the potential to prevent life style diseases and obesity being the rich source of bioactive compounds.
Star anise -an overview
Star anise is familiar to Indian kitchens as one of the key spice ingredients adding flavors to Indian cuisines. It is a fragrant licorice smelling spice used chiefly in cooking Biriyanis and delicious seafood reciipes since antiquity. Star anise is popularly known as “chakra phool” due to its wheel like shape.
Star anise [illicium verum] is a medium sized evergreen tree native to South east Asian countries, particularly China. The Chinese star anise is well known for its quality and comparatively low propensity to trigger allergy. It is a safe variety of star anise to consume.
The leaves of the tree are fragrant and the tree yields pink to red flowers also. This spice seed is taken from the fruits of the tree. The fruit is a capsule-like follicetum, star-shaped, reddish-brown, and contains six to eight follicles arranged in a whorl.
Star anise as a food ingredient provides numerous health benefits. The spice is a treasure-trove of numerous biologically active compounds which protect against various lifestyle diseases afflicting the mankind.
According to recent medical research studies, this flavoring ingredient offers great health benefits due to the presence of antioxidant compounds within it. Let us have a glimpse at the health benefits star anise provides.
Health benefits of star anise
Antioxidant property
Star anise contains several types of polyphenols and flavanoids. Phenolic compounds in star anise include p-coumeric acid, gallic aid, cinamic acid, chlorogenic acid and ferulic acid. Catechin and rutin are the major flavonoids. Antioxidants protect against oxidative stress related diseases to body organs such as lifestyle diseases, cancer etc.
Antimicrobial &anti-inflammatory properties
Apart from the antioxidant property to remove oxidative stress to cells of human body, star anise has anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties owing to the presence of these compounds in it :
Linalool
Quercetin
Anethole
Shikimic acid
Gallic acid
Limonene.
Shikimic acid imparts it the antiviral property to fight against viral infections.
The flavonoid anethole provides it antifungal properties.
Star anise has the potential to inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β)). It also helps to reduce oxidative stress.
In a nutshell, star anise protects your body against microorganisms causing inflammations and infectious diseases.
Obesity & cholesterol reducing potential
A study [2] showed that star anise tea consumption significantly reduced the overweight and BMI. Furthermore, it significantly lowered the levels of serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL and VLDL were observed in the study. It is a hopeful news that star anise helps to decrease bad cholesterol and fat accumulation within the body and prevent heart attacks and strokes chiefly along with other complications of obesity.
Culinary use of star anise:
It is used in Indian subcontinent chiefly as a flavoring agent added mostly to various types of Biriyanis and Masala chais. It has an equal significance in Chinese cuisines also as one of the quintessential flavoring ingredients commonly known as”the five spice powder”.
Caution regarding consumption of star anise :-
Consume only a very small amount of this spice. Chinese variety is generally safe. Excess intake may cause allergy,
Copyrighted Dr sanjana p (Dr sanjana vb)
References
https://biomedpharmajournal.org/vol15no2/antioxidant-and-anti-inflammatory-activity-of-star-anise-illicium-verum-in-murine-model/ Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Star Anise (Illicium Verum) in Murine Model,Ibrahim S Majal.Department of medical laboratory sciences, Mu’tah University, Karak Jordan
Indian subcontinent has several renowned trees for worshipping which are considered sacred. The list of sacred trees of India chiefly includes Banyan tree and Peepal.
Trees are symbolically connected with tradition and culture in various geographical regions of the world since time immemorial. The concept of linking trees with holiness or divinity and categorizing them as sacred trees is intricately connected to Indian as well as South East Asian cultures.
Indian subcontinent and countries like Japan, Korea also have this deep-rooted linkage with trees. The trees have merged intimately with myths and legends of the region and rituals are performed to worship trees in some of these hamlets for many centuries.
The tradition & practice of worshipping trees connecting with the religious landscape has been noted since ancient times. Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism has religious linkage with trees.
Indian subcontinent has several renowned trees for worshipping which are considered sacred. The list of trees chiefly includes Banyan tree and Peepal. Other sacred trees include Neem, Ashoka,Kadamba, Parijata,Sandal wood , fig tree etc.
Trees are symbolic representation of knowledge according to various cultures of India. Banyan tree is connected with permanent wisdom of hermit life and enlightenment.
Various religious texts and scriptures of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism has mentions about sacred trees and environment. The Hindu text Matsyapurana has Sanskrit hymns which illustrates the reverence paid to ecology in the ancient era.The excerpt from Matsyapurana goes like this:
“A pond equals ten wells, a reservoir equals ten ponds, while a son equals ten reservoirs and a tree equals ten sons”.
According to Vedic literature many trees including Banyan tree, figs, khejri, teak,silk cotton were integral part various vedic rituals.
In Sikhism Jujube tree is considered as a sacred tree capable of removing all woes and sufferings, particularly the jujube tree situated near Harmandir sahib complex, Amritsar.
Banyan tree [Ficus benghalensis]
Banyan tree is worshipped as a symbol of longevity, connectedness, life’s stability and strength. This tree is a connecting link between generations due to its long years of survival or lifespan. The tree has witnessed many centuries, attaining giant aerial roots over the years and remains symbolic of growth, connectedness, stability and longevity.
Banyan tree is regarded as the symbol of Trimurti- Lord Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva according to Hinduism and it is worshipped very fervently in the subcontinent. The tree is considered as immortal as per the vedic traditions.
Banyan tree has gained significance beyond the spiritual realm and it is often regarded as a symbol of fertility, longevity and stability gathering the sobriquet tree of life. It is the national tree of India.
Indian subcontinent has numerous centuries old Banyan trees and Sagar in Madhya Pradesh has a Banyan tree which is believed to be 5000years old.
Ficus benghalensis or Banyan tree is an evergreen tree with wide spreading crown of green foliage and grows to a height of 20-30 meters. It is an epiphyte growing on the stem or branch of another tree and as it grows over the years numerous aerial roots are generated and these root hanging down to the earth touching the soil. Eventually these roots thicken and imparts strength and stability.
Peepal tree [ Ficus religiosa]
Peepal is known as Bodhi tree because it is under a Peepal tree The great Buddha achieved enlightenment. The tree has religious significance not only in Buddhism but also in Hinduism and Jainism. The sacred fig is the tree of meditation and has given utmost significance in Indian state Odisha, Bihar and Haryana as the state tree.
Ficus religiosa is a seasonal deciduous semi evergreen tree growing into the height of above 30m and trunk diameter up to 3 meters. Ficus is native to India and its neighboring countries like Nepal , Bhutan and Bangladesh etc. It grows in a wide variety of soils having good drainage for water. Ficus grows well in temperature range0-35 degree Celsius. It gross well in a wide variety of climates including tropical rain forest climate and tropical monsoon climate.
The stories Sacred trees of India are innumerable and are infused intricately with the religion, tradition and culture of this land and it imparts fervent hues to the cultural heritage as well as lives of people of the subcontinent since antiquity.
ADHD or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a type of neurodevelopmental disorder found in children as well as adults which interfere with work and social life.
Overview
The attention deficit hyperactivity disorder may be present since childhood; however, in some people it get manifested explicitly in adulthood or get unnoticed during childhood.
ADHD is manifested in children in different patterns including inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity.
ADHD begins in childhood and progress to adulthood affecting school performance, interaction with society and relationships depending on the grade of the disorder. ADHD may be seen as inattention or inability to focus on a topic or as hyperactivity [ overactivity which is inappropriate to the setting or context], impulsivity [hasty actions without any forethought].
ADHD may occur in various forms with all these problems in combined form or singly.
Three different types of ADHD include:
Predominantly inattentive form
Predominantly hyperactive/impulsive form
Combined form
ADHD in children and adult present in different ways. ADHD may lead to relationship issues, work place problems and oversensitivity to criticism particularly in adults.
ADHD is often diagnosed in childhood itself; however some forms of ADHD may escape the diagnosis and manifest as problems in adulthood.
The diagnosis is based on the clinical presentation of the disorder [ the presence of persistent symptoms that have occurred over a period of time and are noticeable over the past six months]. A healthcare provider can diagnose ADHD without much difficulty. The treatment for ADHD is dependent on the manifestation &the grade of the disorder. Modern medical as well as complementary and integrative medicine treatments are available for managing ADHD.
What are the causes of ADHD?
Although the exact cause of ADHD is not clear, it has been found that genetics play a prominent role.ADHD runs in families.
What are the signs & symptoms of ADHD?
ADHD may be presented in three different ways:
Predominantly inattentive type
Predominantly hyperactive/impulsive type
Combined
Predominantly inattentive type
Attention deficient hyperactive children of this category fail to pay attention to details, to focus on the matters discussed; and often gets complaints of poor attention span while being taught in schools.
Children with ADHD often makes mistakes in tasks due to poor attention to detail. They forget or fail to do tasks assigned due to their inability to pay attention for long and the restlessness.
They fail to do homework, chores and can not focus on conversations for a long time. Easily get distracted.
Sustained focus and mental effort are difficult.
Hyperactive /impulsive type
People having this type of ADHD constantly fidget. They are not able to sit at one place and are bounding with energy. Quite often stamped as talkative. Children often run about in class or in places where it is not appropriate.
Interfere while discussing a matter, will not allow to complete it. Cuts the conversation or answer a question before the question is completed.
Difficult to wait patiently for his or her turn.
While doing any activity or game there will be great disquiet and do things hastily and impulsively without any forethought.
Combined type of ADHD
In this type of ADHD both inattentive and hyperactive symptoms can be found. It is more complex and may impact the social interaction as well as relationships if not appropriately managed right from childhood.
ADHD symptoms in adults
Forgetfulness. Poor attention span and inability to focus on tasks for long.Restlessness.
Easily get distracted. Difficulty in doing some tasks in an organized way.
Difficulty in completing tasks that need prolonged attention.
How ADHD is diagnosed?
Primary level health providers as well as mental health professionals can recognize ADHD and can refer for medical evaluation. Mostly ADHD is diagnosed by clinical evaluation, asking questions to the person, family, care givers etc. Family history and upbringing environment are also taken into account to evaluate the condition. Some other psychiatric diseases or mental conditions may mimic ADHD. A well-trained mental health provider can differentiate these from ADHD.
Treatment for ADHD
ADHD is managed with various strategies depending on the age and grade of the condition. In preschool children medications are not recommended by modern medicine mostly. Parent child interaction therapy is recommended.
However, in some other higher grade cases medications are advised.
Depending on the progress or advancement of disease medications or therapy is given.
In children who do not improve with medications special school education and learning techniques are recommended.
Homeopathy &Integrative medicine approach
Lifestyle modification
Diet & nutrition
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Homeopathic medications
We provide homeopathic medications after detailed case taking & evaluation of family history, drug history, parental behaviour& approach, environment etc.
Homeopathy offers various constitutional remedies which are efficacious and safe to use in children as well as adults.
A few of the homeopathic drugs used for managing ADHD include tuberculinum,tarentula, Lachesis etc. Homeopathic medications are helpful to a large extent in managing emotional and behavioural problems in ADHD people. Homeopathy may be of help in integration with conventional medicine to relieve the distresses caused by pharmaceuticals and also in establishing emotional control and focus to a certain degree.
Homeopathic medications are selected with holistic approach integrating physical, mental and emotional characteristics of the individual having ADHD. Homeopathic drugs prescribed by a qualified homeopathic physician may be gentle and safe; also, non addictive.
Homeopathy can complement conventional medicine treatment well. Although many promising study results are there, extensive and rigorous research is needed in this realm beyond a few case studies.
What is the advantage of using homeopathic medicine?
Safe and gentle
Emotional control and stability
Improved focus and attention
Non-addictive remedies
Mental wellness & lifestyle protocols incorporated by us [ Mediprecision ]also in the treatment strategy tailoring to the individual needs help for improving the quality of life.
Mediterranean diet is a globally approved diet pattern for preventing and managing obesity & life style diseases and thus for sustaining healthy living.
Obesity and its associated risks are the growing concern in all age groups globally as it is the root cause of various kinds of life style diseases, hormonal disorders, cancers and depression.
Obesity is a condition which affects the quality of life and the general health of individuals as well as populations. Obesity is closely linked with diabetes and depression even in children, although genetics also plays a contributory role here. The emerging solution to preserve and sustain the health of the population is to adopt healthy lifestyle practices right from the formative years of life. Adults as well as children need to follow healthy food habits and ways for adequate physical activity to ensure better quality of life and productivity.
In the journey towards adoption of healthy life practices, diet plays a pivotal role. Everyone is worried about the right diet for their health and clinical conditions. This is quite natural and needs advice of a health care provider or nutritionist, particularly if one is affected with life style diseases such as diabetes, heart attack, stroke and some cancers.
Hormonal disorders like polycystic ovarian syndrome in females, also has been linked with obesity, insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. This condition requires vigorous physical exercise as well as dietary modifications for reducing insulin resistance and obesity.
Mediterranean diet is a globally approved diet pattern for preventing and managing many of the life style diseases and sustain healthy living.
What is Mediterranean diet?
It is a diet based on traditional diet patterns. Mediterranean diet follows the dietary patterns of people living in Mediterranean region. The diet gives emphasis to the inclusion of whole grains, vegetables, legumes, fruits, nuts, seeds, herbs and spices. Olive oil is included as a chief ingredient of most of the recipes in Mediterranean diet, it being a source of healthy fats. Fish, sea food and poultry are also included in this diet. Although not considered as mandatory, red meat and sweet is allowed occasionally.
History of origin of Mediterranean diet &its spread
Now, Mediterranean diet is a popular dietary choice among fitness freaks as well as with people concerned about life style diseases globally. However, it is curious to know that for many decades the diet was part of the lives of various tribes existed in the Mediterranean region.
The Mediterranean region comprises areas of the globe around the Mediterranean Sea, having the Mediterranean climate characterized by rainy winters and dry, hot summers. It encompasses the countries around Mediterranean sea in three continents Africa, Asia, Europe and certain regions of other continents such as California, Chile, Southwestern Australia, and southern South Africa.
It was around 1950s that Ancel Keys, an American scientist noticed the fact that incidence of heart diseases is very low among people of Mediterranean region and he focused his research on the dietary habits of people of this region. His study is known as ‘The Seven Countries Study of Cardiovascular Diseases’.
Later further advanced research studies conducted over the years confirmed that Mediterranean diet & dietary patterns derived from it are not only beneficial in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, but also in the therapeutic approach of obesity, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, cancer or neurodegenerative diseases.
Mediterranean diet includes food ingredients having healthy, monounsaturated fat, which lowers total cholesterol and low-density lipoproteins [bad cholesterol] levels in the human body.
Nuts and seeds being an integral part of Mediterranean diet provide monounsaturated fat and are good for health if consumed in moderation.
Th diet includes fish and seafood & legumes which provide proteins, vital minerals, vitamins and omega fatty acids to the body.
Vegetables and fruits are important part of this diet and serve as effective antioxidants, sources of vitamins and minerals required for vital functions in the body.
Health benefits of Mediterranean diet
Mediterranean diet has numerous health benefits, particularly in the prevention of life style diseases. Of late numerous studies have elucidated its role in sustaining cognitive functions of brain and nervous system.
Mediterranean diet helps to:
Lower the incidence of heart diseases & stroke
It helps to maintain optimum weight and prevent obesity
It helps to reduce blood glucose levels
It lowers blood cholesterol
Mediterranean diet helps to reduce hypertension
Reduces the risk of development of metabolic syndrome in obese peope. Metabolic syndrome is the triad of occurrence of high blood pressure, high levels of bad cholesterol and obesity in individuals.
Mediterranean diet includes ingredients that support gut microbacteria. It also improves digestive health.
The diet also helps in reducing the occurrence of some type of cancers. [ prostate, colon cancers]
Improves brain health & cognitive function.
Improves longevity
Antioxidants in mediterranean diet helps to prevent free radical injury and helps improved skin health.Antioxidants are beneficial in slowing down ageing preventing oxidative stress to skin and vital organs.
High fiber content help reduce bad cholesterol improving cardiovascular health and it also reduces the risk for colorectal cancers.
written by dr sanjana p [copyright]
References
1.Wright C.M. Biographical notes on Ancel Keys and Salim Yusuf: Origins and significance of the Seven Countries Study and the INTERHEART Study. J. Clin. Lipidol. 2011;5:434–440. PMID: 22108146 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacl.2011.09.003 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22108146/
2. Gotsis E., Anagnostis P., Mariolis A., Vlachou A., Katsiki N., Karagiannis A. Health benefits of the Mediterranean Diet: An update of research over the last 5 years. Angiology. 2015;66:304–318. doi: 10.1177/0003319714532169. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23553669/
Green tea is one of the most sought-after health drinks &consumed widely by fitness freaks as well as common people globally. It is consumed for its taste as well as with the goal of achieving better health.
Green tea is extracted from the leaves of the plant camelia sinensis.Commonly young leaves and budding leaves are used for making this beverage. Green tea intake is beneficial in numerous ways. It is one of the major sources of Catechins which are a type of polyphenol antioxidants with immense health benefits.
History
Green tea originated in China in the late 1st millennium BC. From here it spread to various parts of the world as a refreshing and stimulating drink. There are narrations about green tea in ancient Chinese texts about green tea. The book written by Lu Yu [ between 618- 907 AD] describes about the origin of green tea. Another book penned by Zen priest Eisai describes about the stimulant effects of green tea and how it is extracted from the leaves.
Green tea compounds- Antioxidants
Green tea contains polyphenols mostly catechins. The four main catechin compounds are (−)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), (−)-epigallocatechin (EGC), (−)-epicatechin-3-gallate (ECG), and (−)-epicatechin (EC).
Other components include three kinds of flavonoids, known as kaempferol, quercetin, and myricetin.
Health benefits of green tea on heart, brain & skin
Antioxidant potential
Catechins found in green tea are effective antioxidants potent enough to prevent oxidative stress.
Boosts cardiovascular health
These are capable of preventing atherosclerotic plaque formation in Coronary artery and hence help in preventing heart diseases. This potential of green tea to thwart clot formation in blood vessels to heart and brain help in preventing heart attack and stroke. Furthermore, green tea can reduce can reduce triglycerides and cholesterol levels in the human blood.
Prevents sun induced damage to your skin Antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and photo protective functions of green tea make it a great addition to healthy life styles. Green tea helps to protect the skin from sun induced damage and premature ageing. It has immunomodulatory and photo protective effects on skin against UV rays of sun. Catechins in green tea are natural antioxidants that has key role in the prevention of cell damage.
Green tea helps to boost cognitive functions of your brain.
Caffeine, of green tea constituents can improve brain function, including mood, vigilance, reaction time, and memory. Amino acid L-theanine, of green tea can cross the blood-brain barrier.
Safety /cautionary warnings for green tea consumption
It is advisable to take only 1-2 cups of green tea a day and in this amount green tea intake is not associated with any detrimental effects to the body. However, if you are sensitive to caffeine green tea may cause tremors or shivering and anxiety.
Excessive intake may cause liver problems.
Drug interactions:
Green tea may interact with nadolol, a beta-blocker used for high blood pressure and heart problems lowering your blood pressure as much as it should. Green tea has presence of vitamin K in small amounts which can interact with proper functioning of blood thinner medicines. Therefore, for patients using beta blocker drugs, and blood thinners like aspirin, clopidogrel etc. green tea is not a good choice.
Ujjayi pranayama is a type of breathing exercise of yoga which helps to get rid of your stress, fatigue and invigorate your body and mind.
The literal meaning of “Ujjayi” is breath of victory. This pranayama technique is related with victory as the breathing in expands the chest and belly of the person doing this pranayama and the body may resemble to a victorious warrior. It is one of the important pranayama mentioned in Hata Yoga Pradipika, the ancient classical yoga text.
Ujjayi pranayama -health benefits
It helps to de-stress
This breathing exercise helps to calm down your nervous system and remove your fatigue and accumulated stress. You may practice this simple breathing to address the stress of daily life in a positive and effective way.
Ujjayi contributes to meditation
Ujjayi is an integral part of meditative process and it aids to enhance focus and concentration indirectly. Meditation is calming down your nervous system and body to be receptive .Ujjayi helps in this area and as an outcome you may be gifted with better focus and improved concentration.
Helps to improve emotional stability
Ujjayi pranayama helps to reduce anxiety, agitation and impulsiveness. To get rid of this excessive mental stimulation, is crucial in achieving emotional stability with regular and consistent practice. Only an emotionally stable mind can do better decision making in your career as well as personal life.
It improves the energy flow in human body
According to yoga principles, this pranayama invigorates you by removing energy blocks in your spinal cord. It removes the stagnation of energy and facilitates smooth flow of vital force or energy.
How to do ujjayi pranayama?
The first step is sitting erect with your spine and head straight.
closing your mouth and constricting or contracting the throat with slight exertion. Avoid too much contraction of glottis.
Now try to exhale and then begin to inhale air slowly and rhythmically. Let the air pass through the constricted throat slowly.
Continue inhaling slowly the fresh air, until a sense of fullness is achieved in the chest region. It is good to retain the inhaled air for a period of 6 seconds.
Now exhale spontaneously. Please try to exhale slowly and it is advisable to avoid jerky or hasty movements.
At the end of it,breath normally in a relaxing way.
How does ujjayi breathe work for human body beneficially?
This breathing technique is capable of generating body heat with in. Actually, it is the friction of the air, going down the contracted upper airway to both lungs is generating the heat. It is soothing for all vital organs & particularly aids in stimulating the fatigued brain. Therefore, Ujjayi is also referred to as “Psychic breath”.
Ujjayi is beneficial in enhancing the capacity of your lungs. The airflow through constricted throat in this type of pranayama, compels the lungs to expand fully during inhalation of air. This maximum expansion helps increased oxygen transfer to various parts of the body.
The ujjayi pranayama is done slowly and rhythmically and it calms down the para sympathetic nervous system and brings about calmness at mental level.
While doing ujjayi pranayama certain vibrations in the larynx stimulate sensory receptors and it may signal the Vagus nerve. The whole process helps to calm down the mind and body.
The contraction of glottis throat] produced in Ujjayi pranayama exerts a gentle pressure on the carotid sinuses in the neck also, which is regulating blood pressure in the arteries. This may affect to reduce stress and slow down the excessive thinking activity.
Who should not do Ujjayi pranayama?
Individuals having high blood pressure & heart diseases better avoid doing this pranayama.
Never over do the contraction of glottis
While doing this breathing exercise, exert only a little contraction of throat so that the air flow through channel is streamlined and a little friction is generated. This is generating the adequate heat or energy. Too much exertion is the erroneous method of doing this breathing exercise and is associated with various disadvantages and adverse effects. Be cautious to be gentle.
Khejri tree is one of the most beloved trees of Indian subcontinent, with its distinctive leaves and small yellow flowers and the tree grows in arid, dry climate with tolerance to adverse weather.
Prosopis cineraria is the scientific name of this special tree which is intricately linked to the culture and traditions of Indian subcontinent since ancient times. Prosopis belongs to the pea family, Fabaceae.
Prosopis cineraria is the state tree of Rajasthan where it is known as khejri. This tree is known by various names in different parts of the country. In Western Uttar Pradesh it is known as chhonkara and inTelangana it is known as jammi. It is well-known in Madhya Pradesh& Maharashtra as Shami. Gujrati people of India knows the tree as khijro.
Its adaptability to arid & dry climatic conditions has imparted it ecological significance as the preserver of soil and biodiversity sustainability.
Khejri -the star of deserts all over the globe
Prosopis cineraria [khejri tree] is native to arid portions of Western Asia and the Indian Subcontinent. It is cultivated in Afghanistan, Bahrain, Iran, India, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. It is the national tree of the United Arab Emirates.
The story of human sacrifice for khejri tree & the chipco movement
In 1730 AD, the village of Khejarli near Jodhpur in Rajasthan witnessed a scene of violent & vehement environmental confrontation. Maharaja Abhai Singh of Marwar had ordered to cut khejri trees of the region to build a new palace there. A family resided in that region including Amrita Devi and her three young daughters gave their lives in an attempt to protect some khejri trees. This incident led to widespread protest and resentment and later turned into a massive movement in which 363 people were killed in the attempt to save the trees. In hindsight, this tragic incident compels us to have a look at the cultural significance of the tree in the history of Indian landscapes & vegetations. Khejri was part of their ethnic culture and lives rather than the environmental significance the tree connotes currently.
Later in the 1970s, the memory of this sacrifice led to the start of the Chipko movement in India which raise voice against cutting trees indiscriminately.
Kejri – A sacred linking with the myth
The Indian epic Mahabharata narrates the story of the Pandavas spent their thirteenth year of exile in disguise in the kingdom of Virata. Before entering the kingdom of Virata, they hung their celestial weapons on the khejri [Shami]tree for safekeeping for a year. When they returned after a year, they found their weapons safe in the branches of the Shami tree. It is narrated in the epic that before taking their weapons from the Shami tree, the Pandavas worshipped the tree and thanked it for keeping their weapons safe. It is curious to know that in Indian subcontinent every landscape and vegetation has a sacred linking with divinity as well as myths. Khejri is one of the such instances of trees being part of the culture and traditions of a spiritually inclined ancient society.
Khejri tree -Botanical description
The tree is found in extremely arid conditions, with rainfall as low as 15 cm (5.9 in) annually. Prosopis cineraria is a small tree, ranging in height from 3–5 m (9.8–16.4 ft). The leaves are bipinnate, with seven to fourteen leaflets on each of one to three pinnae. Branches are thorned along the internodes. Flowers are small and creamy-yellow and followed by seeds in pods.
The plant has tolerance for highly alkaline and saline environments and thrive in these localities also.
Kejri tree- A cultural link with Dussehra
The tree is revered by Hindu community in Inda and it is intricately connected with Dusshera festival. On the tenth day of the Dasara Festival the tree has some special significance.
In the Deccan region of India, as part of the tenth-day ritual of Dussehra, the marathas used to shoot arrows onto the crown of the khejri tree and gather the falling leaves into their turbans.
Mysore Dasara &Banni [ kejri] tree
According to historical references, Prosopis cineraria is known as the Banni mara, and holds a special place in the Mysore Dasara, where it’s worshipped on the Vijay-dashami day.
Conservation efforts for the Khejri Tree focus on promoting sustainable land management practices, afforestation initiatives, and the preservation of natural habitats. Protection and restoration of Khejri-dominated ecosystems contribute to the maintenance of biodiversity and sustainable use of this resilient species.
Khejri – Ecological warrior against soil erosion and climate crisis
Currently the entire world is grappled with climate crisis as the aftereffect of global warming. At another end landslides and soil erosion are continuously morphing the landscape of our habitat and ecosystem. In the wake of these grave scenarios, Khejri tree due to its adaptability to adverse weather conditions and survival in arid regions helps to mitigate the impact of climate crisis and soil erosion indirectly. Therefore we can call the plant as an ecological warrior which preserve the ecosystem with its deep roots and leaves.
As the Chipco movement advocates for preservation of trees, let us Embrace the trees , stop cutting and felling them down as long as no direct imminent threat of trees falling and endanger human lives under torrential rain and tempests. The term “Chipko” means “to hug” or “to embrace”. Let us embrace this tree and many others of its kind into human culture as well as lives to preserve our ecosystem and delve into our roots to imbibe the good practices of ancient wisdom.
Kalamkari is an ancient fabric art renowned for its mesmerizing beauty and intricate art work. kalamkari paintings portray deities and scenes taken from the Hindu epics such as Ramayana, Mahabharata and Puranas.
Kalamkari is a well-known fabric art loved by people across the world and everyone who love Indian ethnic fashion trends collect in their wardrobe at least a kalamkari shawl. Kalamkari fascinate people owing to its bright and black intricate artworks which portray Indian mythological stories.
It is an ancient textile printing art, that originated in Machilipatnam in the state of Andra Pradesh India. The name kalamkari is derived from two Hindi words “Kalam” implies ‘pen’ and “Kari” means ‘art’, which was coined by the Mughal emperors who came across this amazing art form during their conquest extended to Deccan region.
In India, silk, mulmul, cotton, and synthetic sarees portray the kalamkari art and they have great demand locally as well as in foreign lands. Printing is a much easier task than traditional Kalamkari work. Kalamkari printed dupattas and blouse pieces are popular among Indian women particularly among urban tribes.
Genesis of Kalamkari art
Kalamkari art originated about 3000 years ago in the state of Andhra Pradesh And this art form reached the zenith of its grandeur in Andra Pradesh during the reign of Vijayanagara empire.
Kalamkari is around 3000-year-old art form as per the archeological evidence. The discovery of a resist dyed piece of cloth on a silver vase at the ancient site of Harappa (c. 2600 BC) of the Bronze Age Indus Valley Civilization corroborates for its antiquity.
Kalamkari style of art originated in Machilipatnam. Centuries ago, the artisans of the hamlets were keen to depict mythological narratives using large bolts of canvas painted on the spot with simple means and dyes extracted from plants. The depictions were linking the art with Hinduism prevailed in the land for centuries since Vedic times.
Kalamkari underwent a huge transformation in its style with the Muslim invasion in Indian subcontinent. Later the Mughal empire patronized this craft in the Coromandel and Golconda provinces. The royals called the practitioners of this craft as “Qualamkars”, from which the term “Kalamkari” has evolved.
The Pedana Kalamkari craft made in Pedana close to Machilipatnam evolved under the patronage of the Mughals and the Golconda sultanate. The original kalamkari art got influenced by Persian art under the Islamic rule. This paved way for two major styles of kalamkari art in fabrics in Indian subcontinent.
The making of Kalamkari art on fabrics
Natural dyes are used since ancient times in making kalamkari art forms. Two principal styles of Kalamkari paintings exist in India. The hand painted style practiced in the town of Srikalahasti and block printed style practiced in the town of Machilipatnam. Both styles are registered as Geographical Indications from Andhra Pradesh under handicraft goods, with the Srikalahasti style registered in 2005 and the Machilipatnam style in 2008, under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.
Srikalahasti style of Kalamkari
In this style of kalamkari painting the “kalam” or pen is used for freehand drawing of the subject and filling in the colors. It is entirely hand worked. It is produced in Srikalahasti of Tirupati district of Andhra Pradesh. This style flourished in temples centered on creating unique religious identities, appearing on scrolls, temple hangings, chariot banners.
Srikalahasti style of kalamkari paintings portray deities and scenes taken from the Hindu epics such as Ramayana, Mahabharata and Puranas. The Kalahasti artists generally depict on the cloth the deities, scenes from the epic Ramayana, the Mahabharata, Puranas and other mythological classics mainly producing scrolls, temple backcloths, wall hangings, chariot banners etc.
Machilipatnam style of Kalamkari or Pedana Kalamkari is vegetable dyed block-painting on a fabric. It is practiced at the town of Machilipatnam in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh.
The captivating blend of colors on the fabrics mostly depicts characters of the Indian mythology, including the divine figures of Brahma, Saraswati, Ganesh, Durga, Shiva and Parvati.
The Machilipatnam paintings, is a melange of Hindu and Islamic art forms of fabric painting owing to the patronage of the Mughals and the Golconda Sultanate. Therefore, religious motifs of Hinduism were absent on this art form. The traditional block prints in this art show Persian motifs like interlacing pattern of leaves and flowers, the cartwheel, different forms of the lotus flower, creepers, birds like parrots and peacock, and other intricate leaf designs.
In this art form there is great significance to the portrayal of tree of life.
With the conquest by the Mughal Empire in 1687, a new style emerged in Machilipatnam kalamkari work which represented personal portraits of the emperors along with panels depicting sagas of the Mughal court.
The making of pristine kalamkari fabric
The first step in creating Kalamkari fabric is steeping it in astringents and buffalo milk and then drying it under the sun. Afterwards, the red, black, brown, and violet portions of the designs are outlined with a mordant and cloth are then placed in a bath of alizarin.
Later to cover the cloth in wax, except for the parts to be dyed blue, and immerse the cloth in indigo dye. The wax is then scraped off and the remaining areas are painted by hand.
To create design contours, artists use a bamboo or date palm stick pointed at one end with a bundle of fine hair attached to this pointed end to serve as the brush or pen. This pen is soaked in a mixture of jaggery and water; one by one these are applied, then the vegetable dyes are added.
Dyes for the cloth are obtained by extracting colours from various roots, leaves, and mineral salts of iron, tin, copper, and alum.
Various effects are achieved by using cow dung, seeds, plants and crushed flowers to obtain natural dye. Along with buffalo milk, myrobalan is used in kalamkari. Myrobalan is also used to remove the odd smell of buffalo milk. The fixing agents available in the myrobalan can easily fix the dye or colour of the textile while treating the fabric. Alum is used in making natural dyes and also while treating the fabric. Alum ensures the stability of the colour in Kalamkari fabric.
Modern day kalamkari art
Contemporary kalamkari techniques are slightly different from its primitive form. In Masulipatnam, mordant is now uniformly printed with a block. Indigo dyeing has been given up and the application of the wax resist by kalam has also disappeared. The mordant for outlining in black remains unchanged, but iron acetate has replaced indigo for dyeing the larger areas black, despite its known corrosive qualities. Yellow dyes are made from dried flowers of the myrobalam, Terminalia chebula.
Kalamkari is a vastly popularized ethnic art form which has been in use in most part of the country and spread world wide as one of the most sought-after fabric art form.
