Indian Classical Music

As you may know, Indian Classical Music is of two forms: Hindustani and Karnatic. Both are based on the Raga form. Ragas are the grammer like specifications that provide the 1. the basic set of notes to be used in the ragas, 2. The ascending and the decending note patterns. Other factors like tempo and pitch are left for you to decide. One also usually specifies the Pakad for each of the ragas. A pakad is a rendition of a set of notes based on the raga grammer that helps you to quickly recognize the raga.

What is a Immuno-modulator

An immuno-modulator is an agent that balances and improves the immune response of the body in fighting antigens (disease causing agents such as bacteria, viruses, microbes, allergens etc.) and maintaining health.

What is an Adoptogen

An adaptogen is an agent that helps the body adapt more efficiently to stress. Adaptogens reduce the intensity and negative impact of the stress caused by mental tension, emotional difficulties, poor lifestyle habits, disease and infection, pollution and other factors. Tulsi is one of the most effective adaptogens known.

What is an anti-oxidant

Antioxidants slow down the process of excess oxidation and protect cells from the damage caused by free radicals. When cells are attacked by free radicals, excess oxidation occurs which damage and destroy cells. Antioxidants stop this process. The cellular damage caused by free radicals can be responsible for causing and/or accelerating many diseases. Tulsi is rich in antioxidants and is recommended to guard against free radicals and protect from damaging excess oxidation.

Tulsi – Its Health Benefits

Health Benefits of Tulsi

Tulsi is rich in antioxidant and renowned for its restorative powers, Tulsi has several benefits:

• Relieves stress / adaptogen
• Bolsters immunity
• Enhances stamina
• Provides support during cold season
• Promotes healthy metabolism
• A natural immuno-modulator

“Modern scientific research offers impressive evidence that Tulsi reduces stress, enhances stamina, relieves inflammation, lowers cholesterol, eliminates toxins, protects against radiation, prevents gastric ulcers, lowers fevers, improves digestion and provides a rich supply of antioxidants and other nutrients. Tulsi is especially effective in supporting the heart, blood vessels, liver and lungs and also regulates blood pressure and blood sugar.” Dr. Ralph Miller, former Director of Research for the Canadian Dept. of Health and Welfare.

Tulsi provides several benefits because:

The essential oils in the leaves of Tulsi that contribute to the fragrance and refreshing flavor of Tulsi, are a particularly rich source of a soup of phyto-chemicals. Key functions of these phyto-chemicals are 1. Adoptogenic 2. Antioxidation and 3. Immuno-modulation.

Herbal Medicines – Secondary Metabolites

Plants produce chemical compounds as part of their normal metabolic activities. The compounds include primary metabolites and secondary metabolites. It is the secondary metabolites and pigments that can have therapeutic actions in humans and which can be refined to produce drugs.

The classes of secondary metabolites are:

• Alkaloids
• Terpenoids
• Aliphatic, Aromatic and Heteroaromatic
• Polyketides
• Phenols
• Iridoids
• Steroids
• Volatile oils, Resins & Balsams
• Saponins

What is ORAC?

ORAC stands for “Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity”, a USDA recommended standard for measuring antioxidant capacity.

It is a scale that measures the amount of free oxygen radicals in your body that a food or supplement can absorb. Free oxygen radicals are formed in our body from normal daily living.  These free radicals bounce around our body beating up on our cell structure and organs.

Researchers have also discovered that consumption of foods with a high ORAC score help protect against premature aging and age-related memory loss.

ORAC measurement tell us how a certain food helps our body fight free-radical damage. The higher the ORAC score, the more the food will help us.

 

Quercetin

Quercetin is a water-soluble plant pigment called a flavonoid.

It has anti-inflammatory properties and acts as an antihistamine. 

Scientific studies also indicate that this flavonoid possesses potent antioxidant properties. Quercetin is found in onions, apples, green and black tea, and in small amounts it is found in leafy green vegetables and beans.

Cardiologists believe damage to LDL cholesterol (the ‘bad’ cholesterol) is an underlying cause of heart disease. Quercetin protects LDL cholesterol from becoming damaged. This flavonoid is said to block an enzyme that leads to the accumulation of sorbitol, which has been linked to nerve, eye, and kidney damage in those with diabetes; however, there is no evidence to support this action. Quercetin supplementation can also be used to treat prostatitis, allergies, asthma, atherosclerosis, cataracts, edema, gout, hay-fever, peptic ulcer, retinopathy.

Quercetin is more efficient when taken with Bromelain and Vitamin C (in the non-acidic form of magnesium ascorbate).

Detoxify your body

Many of our health problems are unknowingly caused by toxins and heavy metals continually building-up in our body. Detoxing is the process of neutralizing or removing toxins from the body. One way to detox the body is to have Detox Diet. A couple of these are:

1. Fasting – Fasting with water or fruit juice. Generally for a few days.

2. Master Cleanse – This is also known as the lemonade diet. With this diet you are required to drink only a specially formulated lemonade drink for between 10 to 40 days along with purified or spring water and some herbal teas.

3. Herbal Drinks – This is where you will include specific herbs and herbal drinks into your dietary regime as they will help to eliminate toxins from the body.
 
However generally people will consume some food (especially organic ones) along with any of the above which can provide their bodies with the essential vitamins, nutrients and anti-oxidants that a body needs in order for it to remove toxins. Many people will drink lots of water and eat foods high in fiber as part of their detox diet as these are particularly good for helping to draw out and eliminate toxins from the body. They do this by increasing the frequency of a person’s bowel movements.

Certainly many people have found that after doing a detox diet that their health has improved, they have more energy, and the body is better able to fight diseases. Also, many find that their digestive system has improved and they even lose some weight.

Having a detoxing herbal drink every day can help you maintain your body toxins to a low-level and hence a healthy life.

Health Drinks – General Glossary

LDL – low density lipoprotein

HLD – high density lipoprotein

EGCG – Epigallocatechin Gallete ( Potent Antioxidant )