Almond milk, or badam milk, is a great homemade sleeping remedy and a comforting warm drink for evenings. Traditional Indian badam milk is made with cow’s milk, almonds (badam), saffron, cardamom (and maybe some other spices, such as nutmeg) and sugar. A Natural Sleep Remedy Indian badam milk is not vegan/non-dairy almond “milk”, but real […]
Ayurvedic Massage: Does Your Doctor Prescribe Massage Therapy?
What if your doctor, instead of prescribing a packet of pills, would prescribe yoga and massage? Ayurvedic massage is a part of the traditional Indian medical system, and an Ayurvedic doctor can prescribe massage together with herbs and other remedies, dietary changes and exercises such as yoga. What Is Ayurvedic Massage? Ayurvedic massage uses oil […]
Going Offline for a While is Good for You
I recently took a three-week break from my laptop while traveling in Burma, a country with less than reliable internet connections. I did bring my laptop on the trip and I was going to use it to write, even if I wasn’t able to go online, but a few days into the journey the charger […]
Aromatherapy During Pregnancy: Useful Essential Oils
When talking about aromatherapy and pregnancy, the focus is often on which essential oils are safe to use. What we often forget is that although pregnant women should avoid many essential oils, a few oils are very useful especially during the second and third trimesters. An Aromatherapy Blend to Prevent Stretch Marks The essential oils […]
The Three Doshas in Ayurveda: Vata, Pitta and Kapha
The West has begun to discover the benefits of Ayurvedic medicine, one of the oldest medical systems in the world and the traditional system of medicine still in use in India. With the increasing number of Ayurvedic practitioners in the West and the ever-expanding range of Ayurvedic books in English, it is easy to apply […]
Ayurveda: What Is It and How Does It Work?
Ayurveda, India’s traditional system of medicine, is one of the oldest medical systems in the world. The Sanskrit word Ayurveda means “the science of life” and comes from the words ayur (life) and veda (knowledge or science). Ayurvedic texts may have been written a few thousand years ago but as with other Indian traditions (such […]
Aromatherapy Massage: Effective Natural Stress Relief
Massage therapy trends come and go, but aromatherapy stays popular. Today nearly every beauty product claims to contain essential oils and you can buy “aromatherapy” products from body lotions to toilet cleaner, so what is aromatherapy, really? And what are the health benefits of an aromatherapy massage? What is Aromatherapy Massage? There are few massage […]
How Ashtanga Yoga Healed My Back Pain
I have a lumbar scoliosis. (In non-medical terms: the lower part of my spine bends too much to one side.) I also have a noticeable inward curvature in the lumbar spine (=lower part of the back). Whenever I stand up and imagine my back’s absolutely straight, in reality it looks like I’m pushing my bottom […]
A Visit to a Lavender Museum in France
There are few herbs that have as many uses as lavender. Lavender is used in herbal medicine, in aromatherapy, in perfumes, in cosmetics and even in cooking. Although lavender grows around the world, French lavender is often believed to be of especially high quality. Not so long ago I had an opportunity to visit a […]
Pre-Natal Yoga: Strength and Health Throughout Pregnancy
Whether you are an experienced yoga practitioner or considering going to a pre-natal yoga class for the first time, a regular yoga practice during pregnancy can be beneficial for the mind and the body. Pregnancy yoga can be a way to stay healthy throughout pregnancy, to prevent and relieve aches and pains, and to prepare […]
Safety Tips for Yoga During Pregnancy
Pregnancy yoga can help to prevent and relieve aches and pains, it can keep you physically and emotionally healthy throughout pregnancy, and it can prepare the body and the mind for giving birth. However, there are many safety considerations for yoga during pregnancy. If you are new to yoga, the best way to be safe […]
Traditional Thai Massage: Healing, Relaxation and Energy
Traditional Thai massage is a healing art and a spiritual practice. While variations of Thai massage have become popular in the West, the traditional Nuad Phaen Boran is one part of the traditional Thai medical system and it was once practiced mainly in temples and hospitals. Today it is still used in Thailand to treat […]
