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Search Results for: ginger

April 13, 2022 By Luke Coutinho 2 Comments

Ginger and How It Can Benefit You

GingerGinger is native to India and China. It has been important in Chinese medicine for many centuries, and is mentioned in the writings of Confucius as well. It is also named in the Koran – the sacred book of the Muslims, indicating it was known in Arab countries as far back as 650 A.D. It was one of the earliest spice known in Western Europe, used since the ninth century. It became so popular in Europe that it was included in every table setting, like salt and pepper.

A common article of medieval and Renaissance trade, it was one of the spices used against the plague. In English pubs and taverns in the nineteenth century, barkeepers put out small containers of ground ginger, for people to sprinkle into their beer — the origin of ginger ale. In order to ’gee up’ a lazy horse, it is the time-honored practice of Sussex farmers to apply a pinch of ginger to the animal’s backside.

Ginger has long been ascribed aphrodisiac powers, taken either internally or externally. It is mentioned in the Kama Sutra, and in the Melanesian Islands of the South Pacific it is employed ‘to gain the affection of a woman’. Conversely, in the Philippines it is chewed to expel evil spirits. Ginger is a known diaphoretic, meaning it causes one to sweat. It was recorded that Henry VIII instructed the mayor of London to use ginger’s diaphoretic qualities as a plague medicine.

I can go on about the amazing health benefits of this root. Over the last few years, I have used and shared this remedy with so many clients and friends for so many conditions, and it has never failed to produce the desired results.

Be it any ailment such as the following

  • Flu
  • Common cold and cough
  • Stomach pain
  • Menstrual cycle pain
  • PMS
  • Digestive disorders
  • Cancer ( building immunity and cellular health)
  • Headaches and migraine
  • Lowering cholesterol
  • Controlling high blood pressure
  • Boosting immunity and cellular health
  • Arthritis, joint and bone pain
  • Ginger has anti-aging properties
  • Ginger stimulates blood rush to sexual organs

How Can You Best Consume Ginger? 

You can use ginger in food or just have it plain. I like it best in a cup of warm herbal brew. You can try this simple and healing herbal brew:

  1. Boil a 1-inch piece of washed and peeled ginger in water for  10 minutes with 2 cloves
  2. Add a slightly split cardamom (optionally, you can also add fresh lemongrass or fresh basil for flavor)
  3. Simmer for 15 minutes
  4. Strain and pour into a mug.
  5. Add 2 pinches of powdered cinnamon, 1 tsp of organic raw honey or jaggery
  6. Sip it hot!

This drink will boost your immunity and make you feel better almost instantly! Make it part of your lifestyle.

Disclaimer:  Always check with your doctor especially if you are pregnant or have gall stone issues, before using ginger.

We hope the article helps you! For more on nutrition and healthy living, check out Healthy Reads. To get these tips directly from a GOQii Coach, subscribe for personalized health coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr

#BeTheForce 

May 21, 2022 By Arooshi Garg 1 Comment

Choose The Right Cup! Different Teas And Their Benefits

Teas and their benefitsTea is considered to be the 2nd most popular drink after water. An article in National Geography dated April 2014, reiterates this statement. According to the article, the world’s top beverage is not Coffee or Beer, its Tea. And a perfect start to the day is with a good cup of Tea.

But What Does Research Say? 

Various studies have been done emphasizing the health benefits associated with consumption of tea. A paper titled –Tea and Health: Studies in Humans authored by Naghma Khan and Hasan Mukhtar with affiliation to Helfaer Professor of Cancer Research, Director and Vice Chair for Research, Department of Dermatology, University of Wisconsin, says that drinking tea has been considered a health-promoting habit since ancient times and modern medical research is providing a scientific basis for this belief. The evidence supporting the health benefits of tea drinking grows stronger with each new study that is published in the scientific literature.

In their paper, the authors say, “Tea plant Camellia sinensis has been cultivated for thousands of years and its leaves have been used for medicinal purposes. Tea is used as a popular beverage worldwide and its ingredients are now finding medicinal benefits”.

“Encouraging data showing cancer-preventive effects of green tea from cell culture, animal, and human studies have emerged. Evidence is accumulating that black tea may have similar beneficial effects. Tea consumption has also been shown to be useful for the prevention of many debilitating human diseases that include maintenance of cardiovascular and metabolic health,” they add.

With tea becoming the latest super-drink among health enthusiasts all over the world, trying various options and experiencing its health benefits, it’s time for us to magnify our knowledge for the same! It’s no wonder that Green tea, Black tea, and Chamomile tea, to name a few, have gained acceptance among many as a health drink. And, why not? They are helping us in numerous ways!

If you are not aware, some of the new entrants into the tea world are Dandelion tea, Ginseng, Peppermint, Cranberry, Liquorice, Thyme, and Raspberry Leaf tea, among many others.

This article will assist you in choosing the right type of tea for the health benefits that you are looking for.

How Tea Can You Help You

1. For your digestive system: Jasmine, Peppermint, Chamomile, Dandelion and Cranberry tea are the most effective teas that can provide relief to your stomach and liver. A number of restaurants serve Jasmine tea as an appetizer before meals. That’s because of Jasmine tea aids in digestion and helps produce saliva which contains digestive enzymes.

Chamomile tea eases and relaxes the digestive system and peristaltic muscles. It also helps to reduce menstrual cramps. A paper titled Chamomile: An herbal medicine of the past with bright future reiterates the above statements. It says, “Chamomile preparations are commonly used for many human ailments such as hay fever, inflammation, muscle spasms, menstrual disorders, insomnia, ulcers, wounds, gastrointestinal disorders, rheumatic pain, and hemorrhoids”. The study also says that Chamomile tea is one of the world’s most popular herbal teas and about a million cups are consumed every day.

Peppermint and dandelion tea can help reduce bloating after a heavy meal and also increase the secretion of digestive enzymes. Another study titled: A review of the bioactivity and potential health benefits of peppermint tea, suggests that Peppermint tea, brewed from the plant leaves, and the essential oil of peppermint are used in traditional medicines.

2. For cold, cough and flu: Ginger, Thyme, and white blossom tea have essential oils which help the body fight against viruses and infections. A concoction of ginger tea with honey is an age-old Indian alternate medicine for treating common cold and cough. The anti-inflammatory compounds gingerols and shogaol in ginger root help relieve a sore throat quickly, and they also kill cold-causing viruses.

3. To relieve aches and pains: Green tea, Chamomile, Red bush and Rooibos Tea. Nothing can be better than Green tea to cure body aches, pain, and swelling! These teas have huge amounts of antioxidants and minerals that give them the magical pain relieving properties.

Green tea also helps reduce puffiness and dark circles under the eyes when a soaked and cooled tea bag is used as an eye pad to soothe the eyes and area around it. Many of the beneficial effects of green tea are related to its catechin, particularly (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate, content. “There are human studies on using green tea catechins to treat metabolic syndromes, such as obesity, Type 2 Diabetes, and cardiovascular risk factors,” the study adds.

4. For healthy and radiant skin: Calendula, White tea, Green tea and Liquorice tea help clean the skin at the cellular level by removing toxins. These teas play a major role in activating the lymphatic system and detoxifying the liver. Their extracts can prevent pigmentation, eczema, and pimples.

A study –Green Tea and Skin concludes that the outcome of the several experimental studies suggests that green tea possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic potential, which can be exploited against a variety of skin disorders. Although more clinical studies are needed, supplementation of skin care products with green tea may have a profound impact on various skin disorders in the years to come

5. For reducing stress and lack of sleep/insomnia: Chamomile, Passion-fruit, Lemongrass and Mint tea promote placidity and coolness into the body, reducing stress and promoting calmness.

Chamomile tea is made with dried flowers of the chamomile plant and it can help fight insomnia. Fruit teas are packed with vitamin-C and antioxidants, making them a fresh and fruity option for the tea lovers.

Lemongrass tea is stimulating and helps the body recover from tiredness and discomfort. Lemon balm and mint teas are ideal for winters as these protect from cold and also help in improving concentration. Mint when added to any ice tea can be another refreshing option.

6. To refresh and energize you: Green, White, Oolong, Calendula, Roasted Dandelion, Natal, Lemon balm and Liquorice root teas are best for maintaining health and fitness due to the brimming amounts of antioxidants present in them. These herbal mixes are effective in the detoxifying body as they act as natural diuretics which help in removing toxins from kidneys.

Lemon balm and Liquorice tea is ideal for nervous system and maintains a regular flow of energy through the body. Green tea promotes weight loss – which can be attributed to the thermogenic effect of the antioxidants and caffeine present in it.

7. To prevent and treat nausea and vomiting: Apart from being refreshing, Peppermint, Ginger, and Raspberry teas provide other benefits too.

To begin with, peppermint is Anti-emetic (prevents vomiting) and also promotes the formation of bile in the gall bladder for better digestion of fat. Many people find the taste of this tea to be very strong, but one can adjust the strength by dilution according to the taste.

Ginger tea is a venerable solution for cold, cough and sickness in India. Hot ginger tea can be made either pure or with a ginger and herb mix. Raspberry leaf tea is a boon for pregnant women to overcome morning sickness as it is said to be a tonic for the uterus.

Based on your needs, you can pick and choose which teas and their benefits you’d want to explore! Hope this article helps you. Do let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

For more articles like this, check out Healthy Reads. To know more about teas and other concoctions that can help you, speak to a GOQii Coach by subscribing for personalized health coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr

#BeTheForce

May 10, 2022 By Tabassum Parveen 1 Comment

Beat the Heat With Simple Lifestyle Changes!

lifestyle changes for summer

If you’re a kid, summer has to be the most awaited season for you as it spells the beginning of vacations! As an adult, there are many things you need to worry about. There are things such as dehydration, heatstroke and a few other precautions you need to maintain whether you’re indoors or outdoors.

What Happens to Your Body During Summer?

Your body undergoes so many changes in the heat. For instance:

  • Heatstroke: Puts pressure on your heart
  • Dehydration: Causes your brain to shrink, causes headaches, confusion, itchy eyes, heart palpitations and sleep issues
  • Muscle cramps and lethargy: because your body uses energy to lower your body temperature
  • Itchiness: under or around the eyes, around your body because of sweat being stuck under your skin
  • Nausea: due to the rise in body temperature
  • Low blood pressure as your heart has to work harder to supply blood to the body due to the heat.

The above issues can be fixed or avoided by adopting very simple lifestyle changes to beat the heat!

1. Hair Care

Your scalp sweats more during summer. Your hair may become frizzy and dry. While washing your hair every day might seem like a good idea, it may remove natural oils from your scalp which might result in dandruff and hair loss. You can try massaging your head to increase blood flow to your hair roots. Wash your hair every alternate day.

2. Face and Skincare

The sun’s harmful UV Rays may damage your skin resulting in brown spots, tanning and wrinkles if proper care isn’t taken. It is imperative to avoid the sun between 10 am to 2 pm as the temperature is quite high at noon. If you must venture out, use a sunscreen and appropriate protection to avoid any damage.

The best time to venture out during summer is either early in the morning or late evening as exposure to the sun is also important to strengthen bones and improve immunity as well as correcting sleep and mood.

3. Clothing

Choosing the right clothes will help you deal with the summer heat properly! Light colors are the way to go. Avoid dark colors and stick to cotton clothes or khadi which has the ability to absorb heat and cool down by itself. Avoid silk, nylon and other fabrics that absorb heat and store it.

4. Hydration

This is the key to stay healthy during summer! As mentioned above, dehydration can cause a lot of health issues. Drink at least 2-3 liters of water a day. Always have a bottle of water handy and keep sipping even if you aren’t thirsty.

You can also opt for coconut water, fresh fruit juices, sugarcane juice, herbal iced tea, buttermilk, or yoghurt. You can make your own natural drink by adding salt, a piece of jaggery, basil seeds, or mint/lemon drops to your water to replenish your body with electrolytes.

Foods That Help You Beat the Heat

  • Watermelon: When your body needs hydration, watermelon is the fruit to go to! It contains 90% water, is rich in Vitamin A and C. It helps you stay hydrated, protects your heart circulating system and acts against muscle and headaches.
  • Cucumber: acts as a natural body coolant, reducing body heat. It also helps you stay hydrated as it contains 95% water and it is rich in copper, potassium, vitamin B, C, K and Manganese.
  • Onion: One must carry an onion in a pocket to beat the summer heat. Onion acts as a body coolant by helping the body temperature cool down quickly and prevent a heat stroke. It can be consumed raw or added to a salad which can protect you from many diseases and infections. If you face nose bleeding issues during summer, inhale an onion to stop the bleeding.
  • Coconut Water: is loaded with Vitamin A, C and minerals like potassium, calcium, manganese and magnesium. It helps you stay hydrated with these essentials nutrients.
  • Basil Seeds: These small seeds have wonderful cooling effects. It improves hair and skin health and prevents diseases due to its anti-inflammation, antioxidant and antibacterial properties.
  • Yoghurt: strengthens the gut and improves immunity. 2-3 servings of yoghurt or curd can do wonders for your body. To enhance its benefits, add berries to yoghurt or consume either Lassi or buttermilk.
  • Barley Water: with a drop of lemon is an excellent summer coolant. It also cures urinary tract infection. You can either drink this cold or warm to replenish yourself with a good amount of fibre, vitamins and minerals.

Foods to Avoid During Summer

The scorching summer heat affects the digestive system severely. It’s best to avoid certain foods.

  • Junk Foods: can cause indigestion and food poisoning
  • Heaty Foods: Avoid red meats and spices such as nutmeg, chillies, ginger, pepper and cinnamon that generate too much heat
  • Dairy Foods: Skip high fat dairy foods such as cheese or ghee that might upset the stomach. Their high fat content may also result in pimples on the face.
  • Hot Beverages: Avoid tea, coffee and aerated drinks that leave you dehydrated and affect the kidneys.

Incorporate these changes and you’re all geared to beat the heat this Summer! For more summer tips, check out Healthy Reads or ask a GOQii Coach by subscribing for personalized health coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr

#BeTheForce

April 16, 2022 By Tabassum Parveen Leave a Comment

Healthy & Refreshing Summer Coolers!

summer coolersGetting out of the house has been a task because of the heat. Venturing out means sweating profusely or being dehydrated due to lack of drinking water at continuous intervals. Want to take some extra precautions to keep your body cool and healthy? Try these healthy and refreshing summer coolers to keep you cool and ward off the heat!

1. Strawberry Pineapple Lemonade

Ingredients:

  • Strawberry – 2 cup fresh small size
  • Pineapple – 3 cup slices
  • Lemon – 1 or ½ cup
  • Ice – Optional
  • Honey – ½ cup
  • Water – 3 ½ cup

Method:

  • Place the strawberries, pineapple and water in a blender and prepare a puree
  • Strain the puree to remove seeds
  • Add lemon juice and honey
  • Add ice cubes and enjoy the drink

Benefits: This healthy, refreshing summer cooler is loaded with antioxidant properties. It supports the immune system, fights diseases and enhances your skin complexion. Its anti-inflammatory properties will help you deal with arthritis, gout, reduced blood pressure and stroke. Adding lemon will enhance its nutritive value by giving a dose of important vitamins to run body functions normally.

2. Mango, Raspberry & Basil Seed Popsicle

Ingredients:

  • Mango    – 3 cup
  • Chia Seed – 2 cup
  • Raspberry – 2 cup
  • Cinnamon Powder – 1 teaspoon
  • Brown Sugar – 1 tablespoon

Method:

  • In a blender, mix the mangoes until it is smooth
  • Pour it in a bowl and add Chia seeds
  • Mix well and let it rest in a refrigerator for 30 minutes
  • In a blender mix raspberries, brown sugar and cinnamon powder until smooth
  • Let it rest for 5 minutes
  • In a popsicle mold, pour 1 tablespoon of mango and chia seed mix. Then 1 tablespoon of raspberry mix.
  • Place in the freezer for at least 2 hrs

Benefits: This Popsicle is one of the best nutrient-rich summer coolers! Mango and Raspberry are packed with nutrients that support the heart, digestion, eye, hair and skin health. Adding Basil Seeds will reduce body heat and boost metabolism. It can relieve constipation and improve the respiratory system.

3. Ginger Cucumber Summer Cooler

Ingredients:

  • Ginger    – ½ Ginger
  • Cucumber – ½ Cucumber
  • Lemon – Few drops
  • Honey – 1 tsp
  • Water – 1 cup

Method:

  • Peel and grate the cucumber and Ginger
  • Blend it well by adding water
  • Strain it and add Honey and lemon
  • Decorate the glass with a slice of Cucumber and enjoy the drink

Benefits: Ginger improves digestive health and blood circulation. Along with Lemon, Ginger acts as an antibiotic. The combination of Cucumber, Ginger and Lemon act as a summer thirst quencher and also helps you lose weight by reducing water retention. It also boosts metabolism and keeps you hydrated!

4. Lemon Barley Water

Ingredients:

  • Barley – 3 cup
  • Lemon    Zest – 2 Lemons
  • Honey – ½ cup
  • Water – 3 cup

Method:

  • Place the barley in a bowl and wash it properly
  • Place it in a pan and add lemon zest and water
  • Bring the mixture to boil and let it simmer for 5-10 minutes
  • Strain the mixture then add honey and stir it well
  • Let the water cool down, transfer it into bottles and refrigerate until it is chilled
  • Serve it and enjoy the drink.

Benefits: It is one of the oldest drinks used by ancient Egyptians to cool their bodies during summer. This summer cooler helps maintain body temperature. It also acts as a natural remedy to reduce kidney stones and clear off Urinary Tract Infection. Due to its fiber content, it aids weight loss, improves metabolism and keeps the digestive system healthy.

5. Gur Sherbet (Jaggery and Chia Seed Drink)

Ingredients:

  • Gur (Jaggery ) – Few pieces
  • Water – 1 liter or 1 cup
  • Lemon – 1 or 2 slices
  • Salt – Optional ( ½ Tea spoon )
  • Ice – Optional
  • Chia seeds – 1 or 2 tsp

Method:

  • Soak chia seeds and jaggery in water for about half an hour or overnight
  • Add few lemon pieces  and serve chilled
  • Carry this drink to the office or if you are going out to stay hydrated

Benefits: One of the traditional summer coolers to replenish oneself. Jaggery is well known for its iron content. It also boosts immunity and reduces constipation. Adding chia seeds to it enhances this drink’s nutritive content by becoming a good source of fats that protect the heart and improve brain functioning.

Do try these healthy and refreshing summer coolers and let us know about your experience. Do you have recipes of your own? Share them now in the comments below!

If you enjoyed these recipes and want more, check out Healthy Reads or speak to a GOQii Coach directly by subscribing for personalized health coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr

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