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Flax Seeds In Ayurveda


Flax seeds or linseeds as they are also known have been used in Ayurvedic preparations for ages, because of their therapeutic properties.  They are the seeds of a plant that is grown all over the world, and that comes in many varieties. Oil is extracted from seeds, and fiber from the stems. The fiber is used to make thread and for linen cloth. The seeds are sweet and oily with a mild smell. According to Ayurveda these seeds have hot, pungent, heavy, purgative and strengthening properties.
Flaxseed has a nutty flavor and is used in bread and bakery products. The seeds from the flaxseed plant are also used to make linseed cakes and in liniments Generally speaking, though, linseed grown in hot climates is considered to be the best for medicinal purposes. In Kerala, a state in South India where the purest form of Ayurveda has been practiced for thousands of years, linseeds play a key role in several  Ayurvedic protocols like Virechana  which is medicated purgation therapy. Virechana cleanses the sweat glands, small intestine, colon, kidneys, stomach, liver and spleen. A number of effective and safe herbs, including Linseed, are  used  for this purpose.
Benefits of Flaxseed
Flaxseed oil is a potent source of essential fatty acids which the body cannot make on its own.  Apart from having Omega-6 fatty acids in the form of linoleic acid – the same good fats that are present in most other edible vegetable oils- , flaxseed oil has  Omega-3 fatty acids in the form of alfa- linoleic acid.Omega-3  fatty acids   offer protection  against heart disease by  getting  to the membrane of body cells and acting as guards  that admit only healthy substances and bar damaging ones. Thus flaxseed oil helps to lower bad cholesterol which causes heart disease, angina and high blood pressure.
The essential fatty acids present in flaxseeds also help in the transmission of nervous impulses. This makes flaxseed oil very useful for numbness and tingling as well as for preventing serious nerve ailments like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. Flaxseed oil also helps in speeding up the healing of skin lesions, and has proved very effective for everything from acne to psoriasis, to eczema and to sunburn. It promotes the health of hair and nails and contains substances called lignans, which have beneficial effect on the hormonal system of the body. .
Another important benefit is that flaxseeds contain phyto-oestrogens that can mimic the human sex hormone estrogen. In this capacity the oil is useful for infertility, impotence, menstrual cramps, endometriosis and menopausal problems. Crushed flaxseeds are an excellent source of fiber and absorb water 10 to 14 times their weight. As a result crushed flaxseeds are effective in cases of constipation.  The crushed seeds have a bulking effect, reduce hunger in those trying to eat less and help in binding with and removing fats and cholesterol. The high fibre content also makes flaxseeds a good ingredient in foods that would control blood sugar.
Ayurvedic Home Remedies
There are many home remedies with flax seeds that are simple and effective.  Take one tablespoon of ground flaxseeds mixed with 5 to 10 ounces of water to curb hunger between meals or as a therapy to reduce cholesterol or blood sugar. Ayurvedic physicians suggest a hot poultice of flaxseed oil to treat eczema and other skin complaints. For headaches, grind seeds in cold water and apply on forehead..This is also good for insect bites. For reddish eyes, grind seeds and apply pulp around the eyes. Linseeds ground with Isagbol and applied on painful joints can bring welcome relief while a poultice of linseed oil is helpful in cases of arthritis too.  A word of caution though… linseed imparts a lot of heat and so in cases of prolonged use, it is best that it is used under the guidance of an Ayurvedic physician or ‘vaidya’.
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Mulberry


The word ‘mulberry’ is usually associated with silkworms, but the Indian Mulberry also plays an important role in Ayurveda, the world’s oldest system of holistic healing. The plant grows in many parts of India, and one variety especially does well in the southern states like Kerala, as this species flourishes in warm balmy weather. The powdered extracts from the roots, leaves and fruit of the Indian Mulberry, which is known as ‘Noni’, have been traditionally used as a sedative and for many other Ayurvedic medicinal purposes. The plant, which can grow up to 9 m tall, has large, simple, dark green, shiny and deeply veined leaves. Some species grow well well on sandy or rocky shores and apart from saline conditions, the plant also can withstand drought.
The Indian Mulberry has flowers and fruits all year round. The flowers are small and white. The fruit is a multiple fruit that has a pungent odor when ripening. Mulberries are eaten as fruit and are also used to make, juices, sauces, muffins, cakes, cookies, tarts, wines, ice creams, smoothies, yogurt and jam. Sherbets are made from black, red and white mulberries…and of course Mulberry leaves are the only source of food for silkworms.
Mulberries are a literal powerhouse of nutrition. They are very rich in Vitamins B C, K and the element iron. Good levels of fiber, riboflavin, phosphorus, copper, magnesium, potassium and calcium are also found in mulberries. They are an excellent source of the antioxidants resveratrol, zeaxanthin, lutein ,and to a lesser extent the alpha and beta carotene. The leaves contain 18 amino acids, while the fruit mulberry contains a number of phytochemicals, including lignans, oligo- and polysaccharides, flavonoids, iridoids, fatty acids, scopoletin, catechin, beta-sitosterol, damnacanthal, and alkaloids.
Role in Ayurveda
Various parts of the Indian mulberry are used for medicinal purposes, such as containing fever, and also as a tonic. Eye problems, skin wounds, gum and throat problems, respiratory problems, constipation, stomach pains and post delivery pains are treated using its leaves, flowers, fruit and bark. The leaves are used in a gargle for throat infections, while heated leaves of the plant are applied to the chest, in order to relieve coughs, nausea and colic. The fruits are used to treat fever, depression, and sore throat as they are cooling. The bark of the Mulberry root is used as purgative and anthelmintic, while its juice is used to treat high blood pressure.
Mulberries are used in Ayurvedic preparations to reduce cholesterol, prevent blood clots and heart palpitations as well as to aid in weight loss, build immunity, benefit the digestive system, enhance appetite and check anemia and insomnia. Mulberry is also used in Ayurveda to soothe the nerves, relieve tiredness and fatigue. A simple home remedy for mouth ulcers and enlarged glands is to gargle with a solution of mulberry sherbet. Add 1 tsp of mulberry sherbet to a cup of water to make this solution. Interestingly, some recent studies conducted on Indian mulberry have suggested that it is capable of inhibiting the formation and growth of cancer cells. It activates the immune system of the body and has shown promise in helping combat leukemia, which is induced by retrovirus infection. So the next time you come across the word “mulberry”, don’t just think of silkworms or jams and jellies- think of Ayurveda and the myriads of ways this system of healing uses the Mulberry for your good health.
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Jatamansi – Ayurveda’s Nervine Tonic


It has roots that resemble the matted hair of a Himalayan sage- and an intoxicating aroma. Its botanical name is Nardostachys jatamansi- but it is commonly known as Jatamansi. The name comes from its appearance- ‘jata’ means dreadlocks and ‘mansi’ means human. This plant, which is also called the spikenard, nard, nardin, and muskroot, has pink bell shaped flowers. It is an endangered medical herb that has been used for centuries in Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine. Ayurveda describes Jatamansi as a combination of three tastes- bitter, astringent and sweet. Its chemical composition consists of a volatile oil and two alkaloids, besides an acid which is known as jatamansic acid.


Jatamansi is the most effective herb for putting an end to Vata imbalance. Vata is one of the three life forces or doshas- the other two are Pitta and Kapha. Ayurveda teaches us that it is these doshas that determine the constitution and health of an individual. They are balanced in a unique proportion in each of us, and any imbalance causes ill health. Vata dosha is responsible for all mental functioning and emotions.
Jatamansi- Many Uses

The seeds and fruits of the Jatamansi are the parts used for herbal remedies. In Kerala, a state in South India considered by many to be the home of Ayurveda, Jatamansi in root, oil and powder form has been used for hundreds of years by its traditional families of Ayurvedic physicians, as a nervine tonic and memory enhancer. It is also used to treat neurological disorders like epilepsy, hysteria, syncope, convulsions, and mental weakness. Due to its sedative action Jatamansi is very effective in chronic anxiety, depression, insomnia, migraine and tension headaches. Today, it is used in the Ayurvedic treatment of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.
Oil of Jatamansi is used to treat palpitations of the heart as the herb possesses anti-arrhythmic properties. It helps in maintaining the circulatory system and in purifying the blood too. Jatamansi is very effective in treating respiratory problems. It relieves the phlegm in cough and is also used in cases of asthma. This herb is a strong antioxidant, a coolant, an anti-inflammatory agent and a diuretic. It is especially helpful in treating urine related problems, including kidney stones and renal colic as well as in treating fever, especially in combination with other herbs.
Ayurvedic physicians prescribe Jatamansi as an aphrodisiac. In the menopausal syndrome it is used in combination with other nervine tonics and also as an emmenagogue, for it promotes menstruation and has a cleansing effect on the uterus. At the same time, decoctions made from this herb are useful in hepatitis and in treating enlargement of the liver, as well as for problems with the digestive tract, including lack of appetite, poor digestion, flatulence and constipation.
Jatamansi is an antiseptic. The decoction of the root is applied on the affected areas in skin problems, burns, wounds, rashes, eczema, and allergies, and in skin infections caused by streptococcus bacteria known as erysipelas. In cases of severe headaches due to hypertension or migraine, you can take the herb twice a day for 2 weeks. The oil of the herb can be used to massage the head. The oil is obtained from the root of the herb, and is called Nard oil. It is used in the making of perfumes, incense, cosmetics and deodorants. So whether it is to combat stress or to relieve insomnia, to treat coughs or fever, or to get relief from respiratory, urinary, digestive, or skin problems, let the root that resembles the matted locks of a sage restore the balance of your life forces and restore you to good health.
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