Toxins: Effects and How to Remove

Just like water can't flow properly through a drain that is blocked, our blood circulation and hence the nutrient absorption won't be efficient if there are toxins in our blood.
Examples of some effects of the presence of toxins in the body:

• Skin problems like acne, skin allergies, rashes
• Kidney stones
• Chronic fatigue and low energy levels
• Swelling
• Stomach irritations
• Altered metabolism (which can lead to obesity)
  
• Weakened immunity due to low absorption of nutrients
• Even cancer in serious cases
  

Toxins are absorbed from the environment or because some chemicals are produced in the body due to negative emotions. Toxins accumulate because our body is unable to excrete those in some way. Some most common reasons for toxin accumulation:

• Improper breathing
• Lack of exercise
• Low fluid intake
• Negative thoughts and beliefs, stress
• Improper diet
• Incomplete excretion of waste products
  

 Ways to purify blood (rakta shodhan in Sanskrit) and the body by removing the toxins:

• Proper breathing: 80% of the toxins are removed from the body via the breath. For more details on breathing, check out my post.
• Yoga and yoga breathing routines like Pranayama: This calms the mind and removes stress which can be a major cause in the toxin build-up.
  
• Sweating: Sweat is another way the body releases toxins. The ideal way to sweat would be to exercise but one could also use sauna once in a while or other ways to sweat.
• Regular exercise: Exercise improves blood circulation and aids in the proper functioning of body organs and produces sweat.
  
• Drink lot of fluids: Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water (more if you sweat a lot). You can also have juices or add something to water like lemon juice, electrolytes, glucose etc to replenish the loss of essential electrolytes from the body. In fact, warm water with the juice of 1 lemon taken in the morning on an empty stomach is a great liver detoxifier, and has been shown to aid in weight loss.
  
• Ayurvedic blood cleansing: You could try some commercially available ayurvedic compositions used for cleansing the blood and the body. You could also use some herbs that aid in cleansing the blood like Neem, Triphala, Turmeric, Manjishta.
  
• Diet improvements: Include food in your diet that naturally helps cleanse the body - fiber rich foods like whole grains, green vegetables, fruits etc. And avoid processed food, food containing preservatives or any kind of chemicals in it.
  
• Fasting: Various forms of fasting could be regularly undertaken to let the digestive system remove toxins. You could go on a fruit fast for a day where only fruits and water are had during the whole day (you could have an early dinner to make it easier). You could also go for a complete fast where only water is had during the day. The first few times fasting would seem difficult but after that you would notice a feeling of being active, light and your thoughts would improve. Fasting is supposed to make the mind calm and is suitable for meditation. Make sure you start fasting with one day at a time - maybe once in a week or ten days. Ensure that you don't indulge in too much eating the next day. Fasting will be effective if we have a regular balanced diet during the non-fasting days.
  
• Go caffeine free: Or at least reduce the intake of caffeine.
• Sleep well: Have a regular sleep schedule so that the body has enough rest and the biological cycle is well maintained.
  
• Ayurvedic Massage: Massage improves blood circulation. Upon absorption through the skin, the medicated oils help to remove toxins from the system.

Please share your experiences or any more suggestions for toxin removal. Also, it would be great to hear from you after you use these techniques.
More later!

Health and Breathing

Before reading further, take a deep breath in and as you exhale, consciously feel your body and mind "RELAXING".
What could be more natural than breathing? But most of us don't realize that breathing — an act that we do some 20,000 times each day — is more than just our method of surviving, it deeply influences our health and happiness. I was unaware too until I started practicing yoga. Yoga incorporates breathing exercises (pranayama) in order to find the balance between mind and body; improving health and happiness. The heavy emphasis on breathing within yoga got me interested in researching more about this simple daily activity and I wanted to share what I found.
Chemically, breathing is a process of combustion of fuel using oxygen that releases energy and the bi-products of carbon dioxide, water and other waste products – here food is the fuel and energy released is what we use to walk, eat, run etc.
Just like for a car to be efficient, its engine has to be efficient during combustion, similarly, for a body to be efficient in absorbing nutrients and removing waste/toxins, its “combustion process” - breathing - has to be correct.
Consider the following facts:

• Science has proven that cancer is anaerobic - it does not survive in high levels of oxygen.
• Shortness of breath and heart disease are directly linked.
• Studies have shown that there is a high correlation between high blood pressure and poor breathing.
• Most emotional issues, including depression, result from the nervous system being out of balance. And breathing drives the nervous system.
• Research has suggested that fast, shallow breathing can cause: Fatigue, sleep disorders, anxiety, stomach upset, heartburn, gas, muscle cramps, dizziness, visual problems, chest pain and heart palpitations.
• Optimal Breathing helps to promote weight loss as oxygen burns fat and calories.
• Breathing well is the key to sleeping well and waking up feeling rested.
• Breathing provides 99% of our energy.
• Virtually every health condition and human activity is improved with Optimal Breathing.

Here's what happens when we breathe: Breathing oxygenates every cell and organ of our bodies. Oxygen purifies our blood by removing poisonous waste products. Irregular breathing will reduce oxygen supply, hamper this purification process and cause waste products to remain in circulation. Digestion will then become irregular, leaving tissues and organs undernourished. This will ultimately lead to fatigue and heightened anxiety states.
Have you noticed that when you are in stress your shoulders rise up and you breathe quickly and shallow? I want you to try breathing like that right now – do you realize that it produces more stress and breathlessness? Now, if you breathe slowly and up to the stomach, can you see the stress go away immediately? This is the most basic way to deal with stress. Even most of the self-help books suggest breathing deeply to relax before going for an interview or before delivering a speech.
Most people these days are "shallow breathers" — they use only the narrow top portion of the lungs. Now, the question would be "How does our breath become fast and shallow?" The major reasons are:

• We are in a hurry most of the time. And our movements and breathing follow this pattern.
• The increasing stress of modern living makes us breathe more quickly and less deeply.
• Modern technology and automation reduce our need for physical activity and there is less need to breathe deeply.
• There is increased exposure to pollution. As a result, the body instinctively inhales less air to protect itself.

Performing incorrect breathing habits over time can lead to permanent problems such as fatigue, weakened immune system, insomnia etc.
Breathing is the only bodily function that we do both voluntarily and involuntarily. So, the good news is that these habits are reversible. With regular practice we can breathe correctly most of the time, even while asleep.
The first rule for correct breathing is that we should breathe through the nose. This may seem obvious, but many people breathe mostly through the mouth. The nose has various defense mechanisms to prevent impurities and particles and excessively cold air from entering the body that may injure the lungs if you breathe through the mouth.
Now, the second step in proper breathing is to breathe through the abdomen. To practice that, lie down on the floor with your legs straight, arms at your sides, your palms up, and your eyes closed. Take time to relax your body and breathe freely. Keep your left hand on your chest and right hand on your stomach. Breathe through your nose and as you breathe, if only the left hand seems to rise and fall, your breathing is shallow and you are not properly using the lower part of your lungs. The chest and abdomen should rise as you inhale and fall as you exhale. This inhale and exhale process should continue comfortably and smoothly. This correct breathing is effortless and comes naturally to us. If you practice this correct breathing daily, it will eventually become involuntary and won’t require any conscious effort.
Using and learning proper breathing techniques is one of the most basic steps that can be taken to improve our physical and emotional health.

Headaches

Almost every one of us has experienced a headache in our lives. Some have it throbbing, some have it on the forehead, some have it on one side of the head. Whatever the kind of headache, it's annoying especially for people who have frequent headaches or have some kind of chronic headaches or migraines.
I've myself had migraines for many years since childhood. But I've had an enormous relief during the past one year.
During my quest to cure myself of the headaches, I've learned a lot about the reason for these aches and have reduced the frequency of my headaches and can most of the times even get relief from a headache without medication.
Some of the possible reasons for headaches:

• Stress
• Self Criticism
• Negative belief about certain conditions inducing headaches (e.g., sun, strong smells, certain foods etc.)
• Feeling of being out of flow in life

How to Cure:

• Get comfortable with the reasons for your headaches - For example, most of my headaches were induced by going out in the bright sun. I came across a technique called "Sunning" (by William Bates) to make myself and my eyes comfortable in sun. You can benefit from the sun by simply letting the sun shine on your closed eyelids for about a minute or two. Close you eyelids and face the sun. Then, move your head slowly such that the sun rays warm even the corners of your eyes and the temples. Breathe deeply while sunning and enjoy the sun energizing your eyes and forehead. Do NOT open your eyes while doing this and facing the sun. To avoid any harmful effects due to ultraviolet radiations and for best results, perform this in the morning or evening. This technique is part of the Bates method for improving vision. Sunning is an ancient tradition in India. Sun is the source of life and sunlight energizes the entire visual system. 
• Relax - There could be many techniques like a head or a body massage, sleeping, enjoying with friends, dancing or whatever you like. I have devised a simple exercise that could make you feel relaxed anywhere and anytime and helps while you are having a headache. While taking a deep and slow breath in, feel yourself getting relaxed, imagine the oxygen you breathe relaxing your nerves in the head, your pain melting away, your eyebrows and the skin around your forehead relaxing, glow coming back to your skin and you enjoying this simple yet exhilarating breath. Then breathe out all the stress and feel the pain getting released and the headache going away. The headache may go away in a few breaths or a few minutes. 
• Tea - Sometimes a simple cup of tea can help during a headache. 
• Aromatherapy - Some herbs like lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus can help a headache. There are balms or aromatherapy gels/lotions that can be used to massage the head. 
• Practice yoga and meditation - Practicing regularly will eliminate your stress and headaches and will also help you maintain an overall great health. This will also improve your breathing. So, this is a great catch - while curing your headaches, also get a great mind and body and reduce weight :) 
• Get your vision tested - Sometimes headaches may be due to eyesight fluctuations. So, make sure that's not one of the reasons. 
• Love yourself and forgive yourself  - This is most important and is vital if you want to lead a healthy and happy life. So, whenever you catch yourself criticising yourself or someone else or a situation, use some wisdom from Shakespeare - realize that life is just a stage and we are all actors here :) 
• Life is perfect - Just be sure that all is well in life and nothing happening around you deserves stress. The happiness is in enjoying the moment NOW.

I hope this helps you the next time you have a headache.
I'd be happy to hear your stories about relieving headaches, please leave your comments..

Curing Flu without Medication

Most of us have fought the flu - the sore throats, the phlegm, the discomfort, the sneezing and the coughs.
And we know it's not pretty. It comes unannounced and the after effects continue from a few days to weeks.
Many of us use cough syrups, antibiotics or other medicines that suppress the flu symptoms. The worst part is that it makes us feel drained out and weak.
Most of us have our own stories about the flu, like,
If I get flu, it takes at least two weeks for me to get ok.
I get congestion when I have flu.
If I drink something too cold, I get a sore throat, then I get cold and fever.
During the change of season, I usually get the flu because of the weather.
If I eat something too sour, my throat becomes sore and I get flu.
During the flu, I get too much phlegm and I have breathing problems.

There could be many different stories around flu and each of these stories determine our reaction to the flu and how much it affects our body.
I recently caught the flu after a long time. I got the usual dry throat followed by sore throat, fever, sneezing, weakness and phlegm. After the flu, I started analyzing my thoughts just before the flu. I had been thinking that I hadn't had flu in a long time and I was happy but a little fearful that I may get it as many people around me had.
When I got flu, I had the feeling of weakness and there was a little negativity about the state. During the next two days, I felt uncomfortable and weak but I didn't take medicines. I only took care of the food intake and used herbal remedies to help my body fight it (see the herbal remedy I used at the end of this post). After two days of fever and weakness, I decided that I am NOT sick. I realized that I didn't have flu but only my body did. And my body had it because probably its immune system was a little weak due to some negative thoughts.
After my decision, I was energetic, I was okay with the current situation and let my body go through the process but didn't let my mind feel the sickness. Many of you may not believe, but the next day I was almost completely healed. There was no fever, no throat discomfort and almost no phlegm.
What I realized was that my thoughts and feelings have a huge control over my body and its state of health. I could never have believed that my thinking induced sickness in my body but I could see it this time.
I have now taken a decision that I AM WELL.
You can try this too. Every time you feel sick, analyze the feelings and thoughts you had when you got sick and also the current thoughts. Modify those thoughts and feel healthy. Staying healthy is simply a choice. You either choose to stay in the negativity or choose to cure yourself out of anything.


Herbal remedy for flu, sore throat and cold:
1.5 tablespoons fennel seeds (saunf)
4-5 basil leaves - fresh or dry (tulsi)
7 whole peppercorn (kaali mirch sabut)
1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger or dry ginger powder (prefer fresh ginger)

Add the above ingredients to 2 cups of water and let it boil till the water becomes 1 cup. Sieve this mixture into a cup. Then add 3-4 teaspoons honey and squeeze fresh juice of half a lemon. Stir well and sip it.
This will taste like ginger honey lemon tea. 
Drink this upto 3-4 times in a day.
You may add black tea to the mixture if you want.

Stress and Health

Health is one of the major concerns in the present-day world. Compared to ancient India, much of the treatment in urban India is currently focused on modern medicine and surgeries.
Most of the modern medicine is based on the treatment of symptoms. Treating the symptom with medicines just removes the body signal of the actual problem leaving the body to fight it. In the meantime, we go about the usual business thinking that since the symptom is absent, we are healed.
Many people with chronic diseases like migraines, sinusitis, asthma go on getting their symptoms treated and expect their diseases to get treated. In turn, they get used to the recurrence of the symptoms and higher dose of medication each time. The same goes for diabetes and hypertension patients. The cycle of medicine becomes never-ending resulting in side effects to other parts of the body. Ultimately, this results in a perpetual reliance on medicines.
So, you can see how this pharmaceutical and health industry thrives even in the worst of times. And how unaware people keep on neglecting the actual source of their health issues.

Each kind of body ailment is due to a different kind of stress (mostly mental and sometimes bodily) that a person takes upon. If that source of stress is removed, the body ailment and also its symptom would go away.
For example, a person with high blood pressure has various symptoms like weight gain/loss, blurred vision, fatigue, anger or sometimes excessive symptoms like heart attack etc. Taking a medication for controlling the blood pressure would be a way to just avoid having symptoms. But the actual treatment would be to find out why the blood pressure is high - in most cases which is fat deposits in the arteries of the heart. Some of the causes could be stress/negative thinking, overeating (which may again have an emotional reason) etc.

In the early stages of health deterioration, exercise (this also creates a feeling of well being by releasing feel good hormones called "endorphins) and maintaining good mental health by removing unnecessary stress will make sure that most of the health issues go away.

Keeping a positive outlook or de-stressing sounds easy to many people. But for someone who has lived in a stressful environment or has had a difficult/traumatic past, such a mental state is the most difficult to attain.
For those people, many alternate techniques like yoga or therapies like acupressure and counselling would definitely help change the attitude towards circumstances and life and hence would positively affect the well being of the person. It is scientifically proven that a positive attitude makes the immune system stronger. So, the body is able to fight different infections better.

So, the next time you get sick, think of what has been going on in your mind recently. Try to get a different perspective of your situation, exercise and eat well and make a commitment to yourself that "I AM WELL." This commitment itself and its true feeling results in a healthy and confident state of mind.