Health Benefits Ginger

Chinese herbal medicine is viewed through the lens of flavor,temperature of the herb, and direction of action within the body.If you have ever taken a raw piece of ginger and placed it on your tongue, you know right away the temperature of ginger is warm and slightly spicy. The flavor of ginger is considered to be acrid. Acrid herbs have the benefit of being dispersive, and promote movement within the body. If you have ever had an upset stomach with cramps, you can quickly note the dispersive effects of fresh ginger when consumed as a tea to settle the stomach. 

The direction of action within the body is more complicated to explain. In simplistic terms: ginger can help promote sweating, which can help ward of a cold or flu in its early stages, and it can warm the center or middle of the body, assisting the function of the stomach and digestion.Ginger, called Sheng Jiang in Chinese (meaning”Fresh Ginger”), is used in multiple forms for Chinese herbal medicine. There is the fresh ginger root itself, blast-fried ginger root (called Gan Jiang), and charred ginger (called Pao Jiang). Preparation of the root in these different forms draws out different therapeutic functions. 

Fresh ginger is used for coldand flu prevention, easing nausea and warming the stomach (improving digestion), treating cough and eliminating toxins. Of course: None of this is news! Why is sushi always served with pickled ginger? It helps eliminates toxins that result in food poisoning. Why did grandma give us ginger-ale as kids? It helps settle the stomach. Why do we commonly drink ginger tea in the winter months? It warms the core of the body and helps us avoid getting illness.

In fact, Western studies show that fresh ginger does have an antibiotic effect on microbes like salmonella, which cause us to get ill. Fresh ginger will also increase stomach acid secretion and intestinal motility, settling an upset stomach! Part of some Chinese longevity practices include the consumption of some form of ginger with major meals. Here are a few ways you can do the same, and promote a long and healthy life into old age as well:

Ginger Tea

Slice 3-5 pieces of ginger, 1/2″ thick
place in a cup and add boiling water
brew for 10 minutes, then enjoy
optional: add a tbs of honey for taste. Getting a cold?! Add honey and 2 tbs of lemon juice to your tea and drink hot!

Pickled Ginger

8 oz fresh ginger, peele
1 tablespoon sea salt
1 cup rice vinegar
1/3 cup sugar

Health Benifits Garlic

Garlic:

Since the time of the Industrial Revolution, the search for medicinal compounds from plants began to appear. Notable examples include morphine from the opium poppy, aspirin from willow and quinine from the Cinchona bark. This is also the time when research was more intensely focussed on garlic. Scientists wanted to find out why garlic had an odour when cut or crushed, what were it constituents and why did it work for so many ailments.Scientists found that each clove of garlic has an astonishing 400 plus beneficial compounds found within the oil. One of the key compounds is called allicin. Each bulb of garlic contains an enzyme called allinase which combines with allinin found in the garlic bulb to form the active compound allicin, which has health enhancing properties and gives garlic its distinctive odour even in some supplements. Odourless garlic supplements are generally considered to be inferior since most have low allicin content.

Nutritionists have long believed that garlic is healthy for the heart working to reduce homocysteine levels in the bloodstream. Homocysteine is an amino acid which damages arterial walls and encourages the deposition of cholesterol onto the arteries. Research indicates that garlic boosts circulation by increasing the production of hydrogen sulphide. Garlic contains numerous sulphur compounds that may be of benefit in maintaining healthy blood pressure levels and may also aid normal clotting. It is likened to taking low dose aspirin.Garlic stimulates white blood cell activity required by the immune system for fighting infections including colds and fungal infections including candida. In fact, some studies indicate that garlic fights infections that are often resilient to some antibiotics. 

Garlic has potent antimicrobial properties and in the 1950’s was used to treat cholera and dysentery. During the First World War, garlic was used to treat battle wounds in the absence of antibiotics.Garlic has been shown to be of benefit in normalising blood sugar levels and it is thought that this is due to its ability to enhance insulin production.It is theorised that garlic may enhance testosterone levels in both men and women suggesting that it may be of benefit to boost libido.These are just some of the main benefits of garlic. Because garlic has blood thinning properties, those of anticoagulant medications should consult their GP before taking any garlic supplements. Eating raw garlic can irritate the digestive system which is why supplements may be a route to take.

Health Benifits Turmeric

Turmeric. 

Detoxify the liver
Balance cholesterol levels
Fight allergies
Stimulate digestion
Boost immunity
Enhance the complexion
It is also an antioxidant Ayurveda recognizes turmeric as a heating spice, contributing bitter, pungent and astringent tastes.
Turmeric

Besides flavoring food, to purify the blood and skin conditions remedy is probably the most common use of Turmeric in Ayurveda.The main organs that turmeric treats are the skin, heart, liver and lungs. Turmeric Plant Turmeric is used for epilepsy and bleeding disorders, skin diseases, to purify the body-mind, and to help the lungs expel Kapha.

Activities of Turmeric include: Alterative, analgesic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-allergic, antioxidant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, appetizer, astringent, cardiovascular, carminative, cholagogue, digestive, diuretic, stimulant, and vulnerary.
Therapeutic uses of Turmeric: Anemia, cancer, diabetes, digestion, food poisoning, gallstones, indigestion, IBS, parasites, poor circulation, staph infections, and wounds.Turmeric helps to regulate the female reproductive system and purifies the uterus and breast milk, and in men it purifies and builds semen, which is counterintuitive for a pungent bitter.

Turmeric reduces fevers, diarrhea, urinary disorders, insanity, poisoning, cough, and lactation problems in general.Turmeric is used to treat external ulcers that respond to nothing else. Turmeric decreases Kapha and so is used to remove mucus in the throat, watery discharges like leucorrhea, and any pus in the eyes, ears, or in wounds, etc.
In Ayurvedic cooking, turmeric is everywhere, this multifaceted wonder spice helps

Vasthu House Design & Plans

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Vastu is not a religion it's a science of setting the things correctly and balances the five elements that is Earth, fire, water, space, and air to have the maximum benefit out of life.  Vastu, the meaning of vastu is dwelling, which is the home for god and humans. Vastushastra is based on various energies that come from atmosphere like solar energy from sun, cosmic energy, lunar energy, thermal energy, magnetic energy, light energy, wind energy. These energies can be balanced to enhance peace, prosperity and success. If a house is made according to these principles, the inmates enjoy all the happiness in life. If it is against vastu principals, it will be a place for all sorts of problems, worries and no peace.  

Altar The ideal direction to place the altar is North-Eastern direction.

Balcony Plan a balcony in North or East. A balcony in South is not recommended.
Bath Room Ideally the bathroom should be located in East. If that is not possible, then the next best direction is North.
Beams Design to have an even number of beams in a room. But do not sleep under the beams as it is likely to cause health complications.
Bedroom Plan the Master bedroom in South or South-Western corner of the house. A room in North-Western corner should be given to the newly-weds in the family. In either case avoid sleeping with feet facing South because it drains away the body energy.

East Direction House Plan

Cash and Valuables Place them in a cupboard on the Northern side, preferably in a room which is in Northern side.
Dining Room West is the direction of Saturn, representative of the masses and therefore also of their feeding mouths and hunger. Vastu Shastra directs that the eating room should be located in the Western side of the house.
Doors Plan the house to have even number of doors
Kitchen Agni, the vedic god of fire, resides in South-East. Vastu therefore recommends that the kitchen should be loacated in the South-Eastern corner.
Main Entrance The Main entrance should not face either intersections of roads, or an approaching dead end road. Nor should it be obstructed by tall structures like trees or lamp posts. If it has steps leading to the house, then build an even number of steps

Pillars Even numbers of pillars promote harmony in the house.
Rooms A Vastu house has odd number of rooms. Count all rooms which have a door.
Staircase A staircase is considered to be 'heavy'. Its preferred direction is South or West. Do not have a staircase in North-Eastern part of the house.
Toilets Avid the construction of a toilet in the North-eastern part of the house. It would spell disaster. Plan to have it between South and South-Western side of the house.
Trees West, South Tall trees are fine in S and W, but should be avoided in N and E.
Windows Vastu warns that a house should not have a total number of 3, 6 or 11 windows.

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It is best to leave only maximum 5 doors open.
Avoid keeping a T.V. set in bed-room.
 Avoid keeping any water feature or plants in the bed room.
 Arrange the furniture to from a square or a circle or an octagon in.
 Brighten the corners.
 Place a picture of bright sunrise on southern wall in living room.
 The wind should come from south-west in the bed room.
 Dining-room should not expose to the front door of your house.
 Never put mirror in kitchen.
 Keep the broom and mops out of the sight in kitchen.
 Keep the bathroom and toilet door closed as much as possible.
 Windows should open outward normally.
 Do not keep prickly cactus, plants in the house.
 Place an aquarium in the south-east corner in living room.
 Place a happy family picture in living room.
 Don’t grown very high trees like Bangan, Pipal, Thornytrees.
 Cheque the gate of the lift is not in front of the main gate of the house.
 There should not be any room which has shape.
 There should not be obstructive houses surrounding your plot.
 The house should be fully airy and has enough water resource.
 The seat in the latrin should be NORTH-SOUTH.
 In the office, sit facing the door.

 Hang a picture of mountains behind you in the office.

 Place the computer on your right side on the table.
 One should never hoard stale food, withered flowers, torn clothes, waste paper, waste materials, empty tins, old jars and useless things. These things prevent Lakshmi from entering the house.
 If there is marble flooring in the house you should see that the old leather shoes are not lying here and        there. Marble is considered to be holy stone. If possible avoid marble in bedroom, bathroom, and latrine.
 In a place of worship in the house it is necessary to have open atmosphere. Use marble in the worship        room. Take care that there is enough light and air. Latrine should not be near worship room.

House Dining room (VasthuShasthram)

A family that eats together stays together, as the saying goes, and indeed the dining room is another important place in Vasthu Sastra.This is the place where the family members get together to have their meals so is is vital that the position and atmosphere are conducive.

The best location for the dining room is in the west if the kitchen is located in the north-west sector of the house.If the kitchen is in the south-east sector, the dining hall should be located in the east.The north-west and the south-east are the only two sectors where a kitchen can be located in a house and the dining rooms should follow accordingly. Also the head of the family should face south while eating. One should never face north when eating.

To enhance the appetite of the family, it is encouraged to have pictures of fruits on the wall or fresh fruits placed on the dining table as it improves the intake of food. One should avoid using the dining table for studying, or as a home office worktop or for other purposes as it would not give the desired results.

House Prayer Room (Vasthushasthram)

After the bedroom, the most important place in the house is the prayer room, where pictures of deities should always face east only. Pictures of the deceased should not be placed together on the altar but on the wall outside the altar.The recommended sector for the prayer room is the north-east, which is the spiritual sector, in Vasthu Sastra . The room must be kept clean and free from weight.

After the bedroom, the most important place in the house is the prayer room, where pictures of deities should always face east only. Pictures of the deceased should not be placed together on the altar but on the wall outside the altar. The recommended sector for the prayer room is the north-east, which is the spiritual sector, in Vasthu Sastra . The room must be kept clean and free from weight .

House Living Room (Vasthushasthram)

The living room in a property is a place in any home where the family gathers and unites after the couple and children return from work and school. It is an important place because this is the place a family spends most of their time together in the house. This is also the place where the family members relax, chat and also receive visitors. The ideal place for the living room is in the north or east sectors. The television and hi-fi sets should be placed in the south-east portion of the living room. Avoid placing them in the south-west and north-east sector of the hall.

House Kitchen (Vasthushasthram)

What we eat and where we eat are all essential parts of Ayurveda, the ancient Indian science of life and longevity, which is inter-related to Vasthu Sastra. Ayurveda focuses on harmonizing your body while Vasthu Sastra stresses on harmonizing your property.The written records of this holistic system of healing are primarily in the scriptures dating back 6,000 years. It is a natural approach to creating perfect self, natural beauty and long life. 

There is a saying that the best way to win the love of a man is through his stomach. For this to happen, the kitchen must be in the right place, that is, the south-west quadrant of the house.Following Vasthu Sastra principles to ensure a person's health, wealth, prosperity, peace, wisdom, good children, safe residence, godliness and the ability to live in harmony with nature. The most important aspect of them all is health if only when we have good health can we truly enjoy all the other benefits. If health is lost, all is lost.

The kitchen is where the health and nourishment of the family starts, followed by the dining area. The correct placement and arrangement of the kitchen and dining area are significant aspects of Vasthu Sastra principles. Fire represents the vital spark of life within humankind, a fragment of the sun, giving us precious life. Fire is also connected with the sight and digestive system of the body.In Vasthu Sastra, the south-east quadrant of a house is designated as the fire corner and is the best location for the kitchen. It should also be built in such a way that the kitchen is away from the front door of the house, preventing the contamination of energies entering from the outside.

Food cooked in the south-east quadrant will be tasty and will keep all the residents healthy and free from diseases. The other choice for the location of the kitchen is north-west.Ample ventilation must be provided in the kitchen to prevent cooking smells from permeating the whole house. If the house has more than one storey, the kitchen must always be located on the ground floor.

The decisions you make about your kitchen depend upon your current and future needs, your lifestyle, your interest, budget and the structural limitations of the house.

A well-designed kitchen should be functional and aesthetically pleasing, and harmonies with other areas of the house for a consistent appearance.

Bear in mind that the kitchen design can have a major impact on the energy system of the whole house.

House Dog Shed (Vasthushasthram)

Apart from human beings, even animals are affected by Vasthu defects.  A dog will 
be healthy and alert if the kennel is located in the South, South East or in the North 

West corner of the house.  The dogs will live longer if the kennel is located according 

to Vasthu

It’s just a fact of life that we’ve become accustomed to. But some dogs shed a lot; way more than others. When potential owners are looking for their next companion, this shedding is often a concern. Whether it’s just too high maintenance or you’ve got some minor allergies, finding out which dog breeds shed the most is an important part of your research for your next pet. Listed below we’ve got some of the top shedding dogs!

House Master Bed Room (Vasthushasthram)

Master bedroom should be located in the south-west.Marriage is a divine bond between man and woman; Vasthu Sastra can play an important role in maintaining that bond.I have seen marriages of even astrologically-c ompatible couples run into trouble because their houses are not arranged according to Vasthu Sastra principles. 

The foremost focus of a happy marriage is the couple's bedroom.The south-west corner of the house is the best place for it. Wife sd sleep on the left side of the husband.

Bedrooms in the south-east have ruined many marriages because that is the fire quadrant in Vasthu Sastra, which means a couple that sleeps in the area will constantly have heated arguments and fights.

The master bedroom floor should be at least 2.5 cm(1 inch) higher than all other floors. If you can't raise the floor, lay down a thick carpet.

Couples must not sleep under a beam as vibrations from the beam can cause health problems and have a negative impact on their minds.

House Main Door (Vasthushasthram)

The main door of the house should be the biggest door in a property.Vasthu Sastra gives importance to the front entrance or doorway of a house because this is where the positive energies and vibrations enter.If there is a crack in the main door or doorframe, it is inauspicious as it will bring harmful effects to the breadwinner and his children, even resulting in the loss of property. A new coat of paint can improve the flow of the energy and air into the house. The main gate of a house is given paramount importance in Vasthu Sastra because it is the direction of entry into a property.Out of the eight compass directions (north, south, east, west, north-east, south-east, north-west and south-west), the only location in which it is not good to have an entry is in the south-west of a plot.Occupants living on such a plot will spend more than they earn, and will not have peace of mind.

Front main door and back door should be in one line.

To determine the correct placement of a main gate, measure the width of the plot and divide it into nine equal parts.In a north facing plot, for example, measure the land from north-west to north-east, then divide the length into nine parts.The main gate should be placed in the fourth and fifth parts. This is because each part is assigned to a planet and they can influence the occupant. The gate should not be higher than the compound wall. Also, try to avoid having a garbage disposal unit in front of the house and avoid having any obstruction, like power or telephone posts, in front of the main gate. As for the correct placement of the main door of the house, measure the front width of the building and divide it into nine equal parts. Count from the right (facing the building) and place the main door within the fourth and fifth parts. Also, having marshy land or a mangrove swamp across the main doorway of the house is considered unfavorable and can ruin the occupants. Doors that have cracks and dent should be replaced immediately as such marks will affect the reputation of the property's breadwinner. The main door should be the biggest in the house and, generally, the height of the door should be twice the width. The recommended size of the main door is about 1m (3.0 feet) in width and 2.1m (7feet) in height, and it should always open inwards towards the right. Since the main objective of Vasthu Sastra is to maximize the energy inside the house, it is recommended not to have arched doors and windows as they distort the energy flow. The back door should be positioned directly opposite the main door. The house should have an even number of doors and Vasthu recommends there are more doors in the north and east than south and west.

House Warming (Vasthushathram)

Apart from observing an auspicious date, the house-warming ceremony is another vital aspect and it is compulsory before moving into a house, whether rented or owned. In India, the house-warming ritual is regarded as second in importance only to the wedding ceremony.Vasthu Sastra says that all dwelling spaces are alive with unseen entities and prayers are necessary to purify the space from negative energy and to allow the flow of positive energy into the property. It is believed that unholy vibrations may have resided in the vacant space, which is why prayers are conducted asking the unseen forces to leave before new, protective energies are invited to occupy the space.  It is recommended that a priest or a qualified Vasthu Sastra consultant perform the house-warming ceremony because it involves several levels of cleansing. Those who follow different faiths can conduct the ceremony differently to invoke the blessings of the Almighty, elders or well-wishers. In the Indian tradition, the sacred rites are performed to bestow good health, wealth, peace and prosperity to the house owner.  The function begins with a pooja (a rite of worship) for Lord Ganesha, the main deity, and the breaking of a coconut to clear all obstacles in the way of the auspicious event.

A dweller must not occupy or move things into a property without performing the house warming ceremony. The elaborate ceremony will include the property owner and his wife dressed in new clothes, sitting before a makeshift fireplace as mantras are chanted. Nine saffron coated coconuts, signifying deities from the nine planets, are placed on top of small containers filled with water. The priest will then perform a purification ceremony by circling incense smoke and camphor fire over the deities to cleanse the premises.Sandalwood and mango tree branches, and herbs and spices are reduced to ashes in the fire so that pungent smoke will fill the air.  The rite also includes cutting a pumpkin that has been coated with kumkum (a red powder symbolising blood), with the pieces left as an offering in the eight cardinal directions (north, south, east and west or north-east, south-east, north-west and south-west) of the property.Prayer for prosperity the Hindu way A special prayer to the Goddess Lakshmi (the deity of wealth) is performed to ensure that prosperity, purity and serenity always accompany with the people in the house.

Milk and rice which signifies purity and long life, is boiled on a stove and caused to overflow from the pot. This signifies an overflow of wealth coming into the house. This is normally done by blessing the goddess reflection in a mirror with coconut water, sugar cane juice, honey, milk and water. Milk, which signifies purity and long life, is boiled on a new stove and caused to overflow from the pot. This signifies an overflow of wealth coming into the house.  The ceremony also includes boring a 15cm deep hole at the doorway of the house, which is then filled with pieces of gold, silver, copper, bronze and iron; this is topped off with a conch shell to strengthen the house spiritually.The hole is then sealed, leaving the top end of the shell exposed. The final part of the ritual is to bring a cow into the house for the house owner to garland. In Hindu mythology, the cow symbolises Lord Shiva and its dung is regarded as a blessing. Following the house-warming, the family should occupy the property right away, as it is inauspicious to leave the property empty again after these rituals have been conducted.

Importance of plants and trees (Vathushasthram)

The Goddess of fortune will flee away from the resident of a house even though he is leading a princely life - if the following plants or trees grow in the periphery of such a house. 

a. Agaththi (coronilia grandiflora)

b. Alari (oleander)

c. Nanthiyavattam (Nerium Coronadum)

d. Murukku (Indian Coral tree)

e. Erukku (Catotropis gigantea)

f. Paruthi (Cotton shrub)

g. Karungali (Ebony)

h. Aal (Baniyan)

i. Puli (Tamarind)

j. Kal-aal (Ficus Vireus)

k. Naaval (Jambo)

It is again ten times a better deed to beget a good son than digging up ten tanks. It is again ten times a better deed to plant and grow a good tree than to beget ten good sons. After constructing a house, people grow plants, and trees in the front yard and at the back yard of the house. They reap good benefits by planting coconut, mango and other utility trees.  They also get flowers for worshipping God, from the flowering plants they grow. In addition the appearance of the house surrounded by greeneries is quite appealing to the eyes and adds beauty to the house,By planting and growing plants, and trees, the family will be benefited.  

\The text written by MAYA however warns that there are certain trees that are beneficial and certain other trees which are maleficent to the welfare of the family.   Maintaining a garden or growing plants, and trees in the South East or South direction of the house is prohibited.  Failure to observe this rule will lead to loss of property, fear, quarrel and falling sick often.

Maintaining a garden or growing plants, and trees in the East, West and North directions of the house will beget good children (sons and daughters) and a pleasant life. Both the house and its residents will not prosper, in which house trees such as Elandhai (Ziziphus jujuha), Sevvaazhai (Red plantain), Karu vaazhai (Black plantain) Maathulai (Pomgranate) are grown.  The wealth and welfare that are naturally reaped by a family will be reduced if trees like Purasu, Sampanki, and Naanai and Maththi kaagu are grown in the house. There will be loss of abundance of wealth and loss of son, if trees like Nelli (Phyllanthus embilica) and turmeric raezome are grown.  Even if these plants grow by themselves, they must be completely weeded out.

Growing a banyan tree in the eastern side, a peepul tree in the western side, an iththi tree (ficus viren) in the northern side of a house will bring in good fortune, bounty of wealth both monetary and grainy, and an increase of the tribe and the comforts of royal life. Growing a peepul tree in the eastern side, an iththi tree (Ficus viren) in the southern side, a banyan tree in the western side and an aththi tree (Ficus racemoso) in the northern side is malefic to the growers, causing bereavements and loss of property.  This is also true even if the above trees grow in the wild in the directions specified above.

Coconut tree, being equivalent to the Karpaga vrisham, (a tree of the heaven yielding whatever is desired) is the most ideal tree to be grown during this present iron age of miseries (Kaliyuga).  Also the mango trees and flowering plants could be ideally grown.
The vegetations of trees, plants, and all other small plants enhance the power to the motions of the five elements of Earth, air, fire, water, and ether, which in turn influence the human beings to reap the benefits of longevity of life and good fortune.
Even in the foreign countries people grow plants of some kind or other in their gardens or indoors with the strong belief that it will drive away the poverty.  Further, based on this same belief they have started growing plants in important locations, thus strengthening their belief.

The book of Vedas (the holy book of the Hindus) makes it known for the one who let grows a sacred Vilva tree (Crataeva religiose), all the sins he had committed in his previous births will be completely annihilated, all his descendants for the succeeding twenty one generations will reap the benefit of a life without poverty, beget children, get wealth with gems and jewels, get peace of mind without any enemies and be blessed with the benefit of living in the holy land of the Hindus (Punniya Bhoomi).Similarly for the one who grows and worship a sacred Tulsi (Holy Basil) plant (Ocymum Sanctum) the sins he had committed in all his former births will totally be annihilated and he will earn the merits of having lived in the heaven for thousand years for having worshipped the holy basil for one day and all his descendants for the succeeding 21 generations will be blessed with the comforts of a royal life having got in their possession the two species of gold one in the form of chank (conch) and the other in the form of a lotus of the heaven (Sanga nidhi and Paduma nidhi), regarded as possessing life and yielding whatever is desired.