Home Remedies - Cough

• To cure a cough quickly, make a paste of basil leaves and honey. Have a teaspoon of this. Or alternatively boil basil leaves in some water. Strain and add a little honey. Give this mixture to the child.
• To keep throat infection and cough at bay, drink basil water daily.
• Mixture of honey and ginger juice is good for sore throat. Drink one teaspoon of ginger juice mixed with an equal quantity of honey. Follow it up with a glass of warm milk.
• Mix 1 tsp of Honey with ½ tsp of grated ginger. Give this mixture to the child to get rid of a sore throat.
• For a wet cough heat ½ tsp honey and a pinch of turmeric. Let cool and then give it to the child.
• To cure a cough boil ajwain leaf for 20 minutes in some water (just enough to last for 20 minutes). Strain and give the thickish liquid to the child. 
• Roast besan (gram flour) and ghee. Add this to glass of milk. This is an ideal drink to fight cough and cold. 
• Apply 'throat paint' to get rid of a stubborn cough. On a thin stick wrap cotton wool. Dip this in glycerine. Ask the child to keep his mouth open and now use this 'brush' to paint the child's throat from inside. 
• Soak 5 almonds overnight. To the soaked and peeled almonds add 1 peppercorn (preferably the white variety), 1 green cardamom (choti elaichi) and 1 tsp sugar. Grind to a paste and give to the child to eat.
• Steam is excellent for opening blocked nasal passages. Use plain water. Do not add anything to it as Vicks and other such additives just block up the passages more.
• To give steam to a very small child you can use one of these methods -
  ² Hold the child in your lap and cover both of you with a towel to retain the steam inside. Be careful of the hot utensil and the boiling water especially for active toddlers!
  ² Close all windows and doors of the bathroom. Turn on the hot water tap. Keep the child inside the bathroom for some time. You could play with the child to keep him occupied!

Home Remedies - Migraine

Migraine is the name given to severe headaches, normally lasting from 4 to 72 hours. It is mainly felt s pulsing or throbbing in one area of the head. During migraine, there is contraction or dilation of the blood vessels. Some of the factors that can trigger a migraine attack anxiety, stress, lack of food or sleep, exposure to light and hormonal changes (in women). In women, menstruation can also result in migraine. The symptoms of migraine are pain on one side of the head, a short period of depression, irritability and loss of appetite, pounding pain, nausea and vomiting as well as numbness or weakness in an arm or leg or on one side of the face. This severe headache can, however, be cured, naturally using home remedies. Read onto know some of the natural ways of treating migraine

Home Remedy For Migraine

• Migraine can be treated effectively with the help of fresh grape juice. Grind grapes to extract the juice. Consume the juice in the concentrated form, without adding water.
• Increase the intake of niacin (vitamin B3), as it has been found to be helpful in alleviating migraine pain. Some of the foods rich in niacin are yeast, whole wheat, green leafy vegetables, tomatoes, nuts, sunflower seeds, liver and fish.
• Cabbage leaves are helpful in relieving the pain of a migraine headache. Squash cabbage leaves and place them in a cloth. Place the cloth on your forehead for some time. Once the cabbage leaves become dry, remove the cloth and make a fresh one.
• Lemon peel is helpful in solving migraine headache. Grind lemon peel to form a paste and apply it on the forehead. Let it dry and then rinse off with cool water.
• A mixture of carrot juice, either with spinach, beet or cucumber juice, works effectively in curing migraine. Combine 300 ml of carrot juice with 200 ml of any other juice and drink it.
• You can also mix 100 ml each of beet and cucumber juices, with 300 ml of carrot juice and drink it on a regular basis.
• Massaging the forehead with primrose oil is beneficial in curing migraine. It works as an excellent anti-inflammatory agent, preventing any kind of constriction in the blood vessels.
• Include garlic in your diet. Either chew a piece of garlic in the raw form or mix it with other food items.
• Another effective method would be to have chamomile tea. This is effective in reducing the occurrence of migraine.
• Taking lukewarm water enema is effective. It cleanses the bowels, thereby removing the toxins from the body and helping prevent migraine.
• Take some sandalwood powder and add a few drops of water to it, so as to form a paste. Apply this paste on the forehead and let it dry. Once dry, rub it off by hand and wash it.
• It is advisable to avoid direct sunlight; smoking and drinking alcohol, as all these can aggravate migraine.

Mysteries Explored: Indian Customs Vs Scientific Reasons-2

7. Why do we worship Tulsi Plant:
Hindu Religion has betowed 'Tulsi' with the status of mother. Also known as 'Sacred of Holy Basil', Tulsi, has been recognized as a religious and spiritual devout in many parts of the world. The vedic sages knew the benefits of Tulsi and that is why they personified it as a Goddess and gave a clear message to the entire community that it needs to be taken care of by the people, literate or illiterate. We try to protect it because it is like Sanjeevani for the mankind. Tulsi has great medicinal properties, It is a remarkable antibiotic. Taking Tulsi everyday in tea or otherwise increases immunity and help the drinker prevent diseases, stabilize his or her health condition, balance his or her body system and most important of all, prolong his or her life. Keeping Tulsi plant at home prevents insects and mosquitoes from entering the house. It is said that snakes do not dare to go near a Tulsi plant. Maybe that is why ancient people would grow lots of Tulsi near their houses.

Pilgrimage

Pilgrimage has become a part and parcel of the cultural heritage of India. Our history is interwoven with worship and pilgrimage. Besides giving great source of spiritual and moral enrichment, pilgrimage leads to zest, variety, color and grandeur to a dull and drab and insipid routine. The Indian becomes more vibrant and dynamic after a good pilgrimage. In fact pilgrimage and the related fasts are cathartic in nature. They are a means of purification and they strengthen the spirit within.

The lofty Himalayas, the sacred Ganga, the holy Cauvery, the crystal-like Tunghabhadra have all been cherished pilgrim spots of India from time immemorial. There are numerous other pilgrim spots belonging to different religions and faith in India, which attract large faithful and devout crowds throughout the year.

Hinduism - The Rath Yatra, which takes place in the town of Puri in Odisha attracts thousands of pilgrims from all over the country. It is a ceremonial procession of huge chariots bearing Lord Jagannath, his brother and sister wherein stout ropes by ardent pilgrims pull the chariots.

The Kumbh Mela is also a great pilgrimage, wherein the Mela takes place once in every 12 years at different places. A sea of pilgrims takes the ritual bath in the holy waters of the Ganges during this visit.

There are also numerous pilgrim spots which are frequented by the pious Hindu in India like Kasi, Rameshwaram, Haridwar, Dwaraka, etc and rivers like Cauvery Yamuna, etc.

Jainism - Once in every 12 years the ritual anointing of the statue of the Jain saint Gomateshwara takes place at Shravanbelagola, a tiny village in the state of Karnataka. For the Jain pilgrims it is a very sacred and significant occasion, who gather in thousands to anoint the statue with an offering of milk, honey and butter.

The Jains also visit other Jain pilgrim centers situated in Gujarat and other places as part of their pilgrimage.

Islam - For the Muslims the greatest pilgrim center is Mecca, for which a visit once in their lifetime is considered very meritorious. In India, the Jama Masjid in Delhi is of great significance. The Muslims visit and offer Namaz regularly at their respective Durgahs and Masjids.

Christians - For the Christians in India, there are some regional pilgrim centers with which they attach great sanctity and reverence. Usually they pray in their respective churches and Cathedrals. Some places like the Velankanni church in Tanjore District of Tamilnadu are places with healing powers according to the Christian pilgrims.

Sikhs -The Sikhs attach great importance with the Golden temple at Amritsar in the State of Punjab. Most of them visit this temple at least once during their life. They also undertake pilgrimage to other Gurdwaras located at different places in India.