Ayurvedic Herbs for Male Reproductive Problems

There is no doubt that low libido is a serious concern nowadays, as it is made obvious by the increasing amount of erectile dysfunction drugs surfacing on the market. Yet the conventional approach of these drugs tends to focus on suppressing symptoms without looking at the bigger picture and finding the root cause of the problem. Another concern related to male reproductive health is sterility. Ayurveda can certainly help us get a deeper understanding of these complex issues and deal with them in a holistic manner with the use of herbs along with diet and lifestyle guidelines. A unique aspect of this approach is that it is not concerned with just a quick fix, but it is aimed at dealing with the long-term management of these imbalances and at resolving the underlying factors that caused them in the first place.
Low libido can manifest as a lack of sexual energy or desire, as sexual debility or as the inability to perform properly. Symptoms of sexual debility may include lack of interest, erectile weakness, premature ejaculation, nocturnal emission and spermatorrhea, or the involuntary discharge of semen. Male sterility is a condition where the quality or quantity of the semen is low or altogether absent. This problem can easily go undetected, as it doesn’t necessarily affect the sexual desire.
All these symptoms are clearly expressing that one of the most powerful energies in the body is depleted, and this can be basically related to factors including lifestyle and dietary choices, habits, level of daily stress, family history, parents’ habits, and genetics. To understand how Ayurveda and Ayurvedic herbs can help to promote healthy sexual energy, we need to take a look at how it can become compromised in the first place.

Lifestyle Aspects of Poor Sexual Energy

There are innumerable causes relating to the lack of sexual urges and abilities These include poor diet and inappropriate food combining, overuse of bitter, astringent, salty, sour or spicy foods, emotional strain, improper fasting, old age, genetic factors, suppression of urges, excessive exercise and bicycling. Other important factors seen in clinical practice associated with low libido are general stress, overwork, substance abuse, improper diet and lifestyle, financial worries and troubled relationships, and using sex as one of the main outlets for stress and tension. Skillfully improving the diet and reducing stress through methods such as regular yoga, meditation, nature walks, and other creative means can help clients respond better to herbal treatment and improve their symptoms faster.
In the case of sterility the same factors can certainly play into the imbalance, although there are other aspects to consider that may not be related to the strength of one’s sexual appetite. For instance, Ayurveda recommends that men avoid over heating the testicles with excessively hot baths and prolonged use of sauna (without protecting with a cool, damp cloth), as well as wearing tight underwear and sitting all day, especially with the legs together on a chair. Too much heating tastes like salty, sour and pungent can also over heat the body, as well as over consumption of marijuana, tobacco, and alcohol. It has also been observed that extensive use of extremely bitter herbs like neem can decrease the sperm count and the libido.

Other Causative Factors of Poor Sexual Energy

If a couple has been actively trying to conceive for over a year without results, it may be helpful to check with a doctor to rule out other possible causes of male sterility, such as varicocele, a pitta related condition caused by increased blood flow and temperature around the testicles and vas deferens, or hydrocele, a kapha related disorder where excess fluid builds up around the testicles. Other causes may include chronic infection of the prostate, endocrine disorders, anatomical defects causing retrograde ejaculation, and pharmaceutical drugs.

Dhatus and Doshas Involved

From an Ayurvedic perspective, male sexual energy arises from shukra dhatu, the male reproductive tissue. Within this dhatu lays the great potential energy for procreation as well as the fuel for mental focus, concentration, and creativity. Since shukra is the last of all bodily tissues to become fully nourished through the process of digestion, it makes good sense to consider how the diet affects the overall reproductive health. Better eating habits that include stimulating and digestive herbs such as fennel, cumin, fenugreek, and cardamom can greatly contribute to the nourishment of shukra dhatu.
If there is a high level of ama (toxins) present in the system, then some degree of cleansing may also be indicated before addressing the rejuvenation of the reproductive tissue directly. Even ashwagandha, one of Ayurveda’s best reproductive herbs can still fall short if there are too many obstacles in its way. 
An important consideration in the treatment of poor reproductive health is the role of the doshas in its causative factors. Low sexual energy is often associated with an aggravation of vata dosha. Vata’s dry, light, cold, rough, erratic, and astringent qualities are opposite to that of shukra, which tends to be more kapha-like in nature. Here a warming tonic herb such as ashwagandha is the best to increase the quality and quantity of shukra.
Excess pitta can also play into the picture due to its hot and sharp qualities, which can overheat and burn shukra and even cause burning upon ejaculation. In this case, cooling herbs like shatavari or bala are good choices to nourish, cool and protect this delicate tissue.
Kapha predominant individuals tend to be the least prone to sterility, but can often experience symptoms of low or obstructed sexual energy and fluids, often associated with conditions such as obesity, congestive disorders, mental dullness and lethargy. In some cases kapha types produce excess shukra, which tends to accumulate as unstable, unripe dhatu and can cause preoccupation with sexual desire. Since many tonic herbs are heavy, sweet and oily (and tend to diminish agni and increase ama), they may aggravate kapha, so it’s best to combine them with light, warming and stimulating herbs such as ginger, cardamom, fenugreek and pippali.

Ayurvedic Vajikarana and Shukrala Herbs     

Once any possible causes and contributing factors have been determined, as well as the prakruti and vikruti of the person, then the best herbs and supportive measures can be selected to suit the individual needs. In Ayurvedic pharmacology there is a special group of rasayana herbs, classified as vajikarana, that help to nourish and stimulate the sexual organs and tissues, as well as to promote beauty and sex appeal. Further classifications of herbs that aid in increasing spermatogenesis are referred to as shukrala.
In Sanskrit vaji means “horse” and karana means “power,” to convey the idea of the power or strength of a horse. The closest common Western term for herbs in this category would be aphrodisiacs. Yet because vajikarana herbs nourish the reproductive tissue, they also help to increase ojas, which is the essence of all bodily tissues that can be transformed into spiritual energy.
Vajikarana herbs can act as stimulants, tonics or both. Stimulants are typically heating and rajasic like damiana, fenugreek garlic, and onion. They help to decrease kapha and have more of an invigorating action on the sexual organs. Tonics, whether warming or cooling, are more nourishing and help to restore the overall quality and quantity of the tissues. Some herbs possess both stimulating and rejuvenating properties, such as shilajit, garlic, fenugreek, and ashwagandha.

Common Ayurvedic Tonic Herbs For Male Reproductive Health

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)

In Sanskrit, ashwagandha means “the smell of a horse,” due to the strong odor of the fresh root, which resembles that of horse urine. It is also considered to bestow the sexual vitality of a horse and is often used in cases of sterility and infertility. Being one of the best male rejuvenating tonic herbs, it promotes spermatogenesis, blood flow and tone to the reproductive organs and regulates hormonal function. It is commonly used to relieve conditions such as spermatorrhea, impotence, premature ejaculation, nocturnal emission and enlarged prostate.         
Its grounding and deeply nourishing qualities make it one of the best vata pacifying medicines. Due to its warming energy, it can provoke pitta when used in excess. This is especially true when prepared as a tincture, although the powdered herb used in combination with cooling vajikarana herbs such as shatavari, bala, licorice or vidari is fairly neutral. Ashwagandha has anabolic properties and increases the tone and strength of the muscles. Because it helps to combat stress, relax the body and mind, and fortify all the dhatus, it is a perfect herb for targeting many of the contributing factors associated with depleted sexual energy.
In my experience it is a fairly gentle herb with a wide range of uses and one of the most common vata pratyanika herbs. Some key signs and symptoms to look for when considering this herb are generalized low libido, stress, low mental or physical energy, depletion, insomnia, hyperactivity, nervousness, anxiety, worry and depression.
One of the most effective and simple ways to use this herb is to boil 1 teaspoon of the powdered root in a cup of raw unhomogenized cow’s milk for several minutes, sweeten with raw sugar or honey and take before going to bed or first thing in the morning. Those who don’t drink milk can use fresh almond milk or just plain hot water. I personally use this herb in formulation or along with other compounds more than just by itself for most conditions.
It is commonly used in combination with shilajit in male tonic formulas, which should be used with caution by pitta and vata folks or those with excess heat in the body. If kapha is involved in the imbalance, then it is best used along with stimulating spices such as pippali, ginger, cardamom, or fenugreek.
Ashwagandha plays a key role in several traditional compounds that are quite useful to enhance virility, including Ashwagandhadi churna and Ashwagandhadi lehya, a tasty herbal jam that is taken twice daily in doses of 1 to 2 teaspoons along with warm milk or water. Also, ashwagandharishta, an herbal wine preparation that is great for sexual debility as well as afflictions of the mind and nervous system, in doses of 20 to 30 ml twice daily. A moderate dose of the powdered herb ranges from 2 to 6 grams, 2 to 3 times daily.
Due to its sattwic quality, ashwagandha has long been used by the yogis of India to increase shukra/arthava dhatu and transform it into ojas, thus promoting spiritual energy and enhancing meditative power. Since mental rejuvenation is vital for overall health, ashwagandha is also one of the most valuable medhya rasayana herbs in Ayurveda, and it combines well with other medhya rasayana herbs such as brahmi (gotu kola or bacopa monniera), shanka pushpi and vacha.

 Kapikacchu (Mucuna pruriens)

This is perhaps one of my personal favorite vajikarana herbs for men, second to ashwagandha, which is its frequent partner in male supportive formulas. It has a sweet and bitter taste, and is quite heavy and oily. When used in moderation it is fairly tridoshic but is mainly used to balance vata and pitta, as it increases kapha and ama in excess.
Kapikacchu is often used along with gokshura for the treatment of spermatorrhea and as a potent aphrodisiac when prepared with other rejuvenating substances, including milk, ghee and honey. A simple milk decoction with these ingredients can serve as an alternative to some of the more elaborate preparations mentioned in the classic texts for increasing the sexual vigor and potency. Combined with diuretics like punarnava and gokshura, it is very effective in the treatment of enlarged prostate and edema. It also helps to buffer stress when used along with other vata balancing herbs like bala, ashwagandha and jatamansi. Typical doses of the powdered herb range from 1.5 to 6 grams. One should avoid it in cases of aggravated pitta or high ama, unless it is well formulated.     

Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus)

Although best known as one of the most important rejuvenating herbs for the female reproductive system, shatavari can also serve as a powerful male tonic. It has a bittersweet taste, is cooling and purifying to the liver and blood, and it helps to target pitta at its main site in the small intestine. When treating male sterility, shatavari is useful to balance heating herbs and foods that are commonly used to improve sperm count like ashwagandha, garlic and onion.
It prevents excess pitta from burning and depleting the sperm and, due to its heavy, moistening and nourishing properties, it is also a useful herb for vata, especially when combined with other vajikaranas like ashwagandha or bala. In much the same way as ashwagandha, it can be prepared as a milk decoction in doses of 3 to 6 grams, or taken alone or in combination with other appropriate herbs.
For addressing any emotional components that may be associated with libido issues, shatavari combines well with cooling nervine herbs like brahmi (gotu kola) and skullcap for pitta related emotions like anger and irritability. If there is more nervousness, worry or anxiety, then it is best combined with calming and grounding herbs like jatamansi, ashwagandha, or tagara. When there is a need for shatavari but there is a concern with excess kapha or ama, then it is best mixed with warming herbs like pippali or ginger.
Because the state of the digestion is of vital importance in restoring and maintaining health, it is good to note that shatavari is also one of the best herbs for balancing pitta in its main sites, the small intestine. It is used to reduce acidity and inflammation, sooth mucous membranes, and promote elimination due to its mild laxative and cooling diuretic properties.     
Shatavari is clearly one of best pitta pratyanika herbs and can serve as a chief herb in formulas for many pitta and pitta-vata related conditions. Some good indicators for using shatavari include general fatigue, low sexual energy, stress, irritability, inflammation, hyperacidity, urinary tract infections, and burning sensations. A typical dose of shatavari is 2 to 6 grams of the powdered herb, 2 to 3 times daily. One should avoid taking this herb in cases of high kapha and ama, or respiratory or sinus congestion.
Since the Ayurvedic approach is very individualized and holistic, the herbs selected for a formula and their proportions will vary depending upon the individuals needs. So let’s say an individual with a pitta predominant constitution presents symptoms of low libido, as well as other complaints such as heartburn, sharp appetite, hypoglycemia, sustained irritability, redness of the eyes and loose stools. Here a formula could use 4 parts shatavari to support the pitta prakruti and vikruti, rejuvenate and protect the reproductive tissues, relieve excess hot and sour qualities of pitta in the stomach, and calm and even neutralize the digestive fire. A supporting herb like vidari could also be added in 3 parts to bolster the sexual and physical energy, further balance pitta in the blood, liver, and GI track, and to help to bulk the stool. To calm the mind, 3 parts gotu kola could be added. Last but not least, 2 parts licorice to help to relieve symptoms of hypoglycemia, support sexual energy and relieve pitta in the intestines and harmonize the formula overall. Such a compound could be taken in doses of 1/2 to 1 tsp. hot or cold infusion, 2 to 3 times daily.

Bala (Sida cordifolia)

Bala means “strength” in Sanskrit, and it is one of the best rejuvenative tonic herbs for vata and pitta. It has a sweet taste, heavy and oily qualities, which may increase kapha when used in excess, and is mildly cooling. As most true rasayana herbs, it nourishes and strengthens all the bodily tissues, especially the plasma, muscle, nerve, marrow and reproductive tissue. Being one of the best anti-vata herbs in Ayurveda, it helps to correct disorders related to deficiency of the body and mind. It plays a leading role in the treatment of balakshaya or chronic fatigue, and can be used when there is exhausted physical or mental strength.        
Bala has a tonifying action upon both the male and female reproductive systems, promotes spermatogenesis and fertility, and is very effective in restoring sexual stamina.
Taken internally as well as massaging bala oil or ashwagandha bala tailam onto the penis can significantly improve its tone and help prevent premature ejaculation. For supporting the health of the prostate gland it can be combined with herbs such as gokshura, saw palmetto, ashwagandha, vidari kandha and kapikacchu. A typical dose ranges from 2 to 6 grams, 2 to 3 times daily.

Vidari kandha (Ipomoea digitata)

This starchy tuber is effective in promoting spermatogenesis and works fast when taken as a milk decoction. It is fairly tridoshic when used in moderation and, like ashwagandha, it is lighter for kapha types than shatavari and bala. To treat enlarged prostate it can be combined with kapikacchu or saw palmetto.
It is sweet and cooling, and it promotes ojas and muscle tone and coordination. Vidari is useful for sexual debility associated with nervous tension and adrenal stress. Here it can be used in formulation with herbs including Siberian ginseng, gokshura, licorice and ashwagandha.
The uses of this herb far extend this brief overview, but it is worth mentioning that it is a good alternative if shatavari is either too cooling or heavy, or when ashwagandha may be too warming. It falls right between the two and is of great value as both a vata and pitta pratyanika herb. A typical dose ranges from 2 to 6 grams, 2 to 3 times daily.

Shilajit (Asphaltum, mineral pitch)

Shilajit increases virility and sexual stamina, while maintaining the normal tone of the genital organs. Many vajikarana herbs have an anabolic effect and increase kapha, whereas shilajit with its pungent taste and heating energy invigorates, stimulates and scrapes excess kapha from the body.
In the case of kapha constitutions or kapha related reproductive imbalances, it is commonly combined with ashwagandha. It can also be used with diuretics such as punarnava to further reduce kapha via the kidneys, or warming stimulants that improve digestion, burn ama and refresh the mind and senses, like ajwan, ginger, pippali or the compound trikatu. For enlarged prostate, it combines well with gokshuradi guggulu, ashwagandha, saw palmetto, punarnava or vidhari.
I recommend using shilajit with other herbs or traditional preparations in doses from 250 to 500 mg twice daily. Precaution should be taken when using shilajit in cases of high pitta or vata due to its heating and scraping action, and during pregnancy.

Pippali (Piper longum)

With the exception of shilajit, most of the herbs mentioned in this article tend to increase kapha, so pippali makes a nice addition to formulas containing these herbs, since it is a rejuvenating herb with a warming, stimulating and kapha reducing action.
Pippali is heating, but its oily quality prevents it from becoming too drying to vata and its sweet post digestive effect makes it more pitta friendly than other hot spices and herbs when used in small amounts. Combined with ashwagandha, it helps to promote blood flow to the reproductive organs.
The primary ways we receive prana is through our breath, water and food. Pippali increases prana agni, thus raising the life energy and expelling impurities via the breath. It also kindles jathara and dhatu agni, and improves digestion, absorption and assimilation. Thus it is a key herb for rejuvenation and is used for a wide variety of digestive, respiratory and arthritic disorders. The typical dosage is 1 to 3 parts in complex formulas, or 250 mg to 1.5 grams. One should avoid using pippali in high pitta or inflammatory conditions.

Choosing the Right Herbs

When selecting vajikarana herbs to best suit an individual’s needs it is helpful to first gather as much knowledge regarding the person’s prakruti and vikruti, as well as the characteristics of their condition, the involvement of doshas, tissues, channels and organs, qualitative characteristics of the condition, medical history, contributing factors, strength of digestion, and levels of ama present, as well as their emotional state. This can certainly help to develop a strategy for selecting herbs that will resonate best with the client.
For instance, ashwagandha targets vata at its root and is famous for bolstering sexual energy, but how? By relieving stress, improving muscle tone, calming the mind and nerves, promoting sound sleep, replenishing adrenal energy and stimulating blood flow. There is no wonder how such an herb is perfect for pacifying vata at many levels and how it might support sexual and reproductive health on many levels.
Understanding the dynamic properties of herbs in the light of Ayurvedic principles can help us to choose relatively small amount of herbs to cover the most ground possible. Sometimes even just one herb, if it is well suited to the individual, can be very effective. Another important point to keep in mind is that many rejuvenating tonic herbs are heavy, oily, and hard to digest for those with low agni or high ama. Some individuals will develop gas, bloating or even constipation from such herbs. Here it is important to strengthen agni and cleanse ama before giving heavy herbs, or to combine them with light, warming and stimulating herbs like cardamom, ginger or pippali to make them easier to digest. Alcohol extracts and Ayurvedic medicated wines (arishtas and asavas) like ashwagandharishta or balaristha can help to lighten the properties of sweet, heavy and oily herbs a bit and make them easier to digest because they enter almost immediately into the blood stream.

Cultivating Our Sexual Energy

It is natural for our sex drive to diminish as a result of the aging process, but we can conserve our vital energy and retain our sexual capacities by maintaining a balanced diet and lifestyle, and by taking vajikarana herbs and foods. When choosing herbs to deal with male concerns, it is important to be aware of the various factors that may be contributing to the imbalance in the first place and eliminate those obstacles, whether emotional, dietary, or otherwise.
From a yogic perspective, sexual energy is a powerful force that can be redirected to fuel spiritual practices. It is worth noting that the lack of sexual desire is not always an indicator of low sexual energy, but may also be a sign of spiritual development and contentment.
Moderating sex to once or twice a month can be a powerful way to prevent depletion of reproductive fluids and to allow the body ample time to replenish shukra dhatu. Observing restraint along with pranayama (yogic breathing), asana (postures) and a sattwic (pure) diet, can help to breed contentment in the mind and increase ojas, the vital life essence, which is the by-product of shukra.
Conserving energy, both sexually and otherwise, can help maintain health and promote immunity, healing and peace of mind. This includes pacing ourselves in our daily life, decreasing stress factors, and taking time out to rest, relax and play, as well as giving ourselves time alone or in nature to reflect on how we feel deep inside and resolve any emotional issues. This along with an appropriate diet and the support of Ayurvedic herbs and healthy routines can most certainly uproot any male reproductive health concerns.


© 2007 Vishnu Dass. No reproduction allowed without written permission from the author. This article was first published on Light on Ayurveda, Journal of Health, Summer 2007.

Seasonal Tips

December - The End of The Vata Season

December is overwhelmed by Christmas, and it’s valuable to keep in mind the reason for having Christmas. This is the end of the Vata season and its now essential to balance the increased Vata. So traditionally, lovely heavy foods, lots of rest, companionship of family and friends, are all features of Christmas to settle Vata at the end of the Vata season.

It’s therefore important to use Christmas for this purpose. Avoid getting manic buying, wrapping, sending postcards, excess partying, especially in the run up to Christmas as Vata now will be very easily provoked. It is more in the vein of the traditional perspective to be respectful and restful and kind to your own physiology, which is the instrument for the divine to manifest in our mundane world.  Immediately after Christmas is the time when we are changing to Kapha season, so let the feast end at Christmas and be determined to get out for a good walk on the 26th of December.

Seasonal Tips

November - The Height of the Vata Season

November is the height of Vata season and it’s a most beautiful time in nature when the colours are most enjoyable. Its as if nature is beckoning us out to enjoy its finery. And this is very appropriate because nature is a very settling influence and to be in nature – gentle walks, enjoying the colours – is a very Vata pacifying occupation. Similarly, sorting out the garden is settling for Vata.

The most important thing at this point in the year is that nature has gone into rest mode. The whole of the environment is resting and so should we. So, at this time of the year very early to bed, and days off in the week, and relaxed meals and a good break at lunchtime. Just continuing to take life easier and be more at home at this time of the year. This is not the time of year for major undertakings or lots of travel. It’s rest, walk, comfort, companionship.

Seasonal Tips

October - 7 Ways to Please Vata This Autumn

Come October, change is in the air. Leaves turn colour and fall. The air feels cool and dry. Inside your body, Vata dosha, the dosha of the season, tends to increase, often commanding Pitta and Kapha doshas to play second, and third, fiddle. This is how it is likely to be till February, when the season both outside and within you will change once again.

When Vata dosha takes over for these few months, its restless, sweeping quality can throw your physiology and psychology completely out of balance. Constipation, dry skin, irregular appetite, lack of sleep, stress, fatigue an out-of-sync Vata can cause all of these problems and more - Understand Vata, Pitta & Kapha. But in nature's scheme of things, the Vata environment outside is supposed to synchronize perfectly smoothly with changes within our bodies and minds. If that is we stay in tune with some simple rhythms of nature.

It's really quite logical. Autumn, being the onset of dry and cold days and nights, needs to be offset by a diet, routine and temperatures that are warming, unctuous and nourishing. That's how all three doshas work: if you have a Pitta imbalance, you try to cool down. If your Kapha shows signs of aggravation, detoxify. And if it's Vata that has increased, well, there's a healing tip to soften every aspect of this volatile dosha.

The Council of Maharishi Ayurveda Physicians offers you a whole bouquet of such healing tips. To begin with, they say that the keyword in Vata-management is "regularity." Being a mobile dosha, Vata is always in need of stability, especially in these months when it becomes dominant. Therefore autumn and early winter are the most important times to pay attention to the basics of your daily routine.

Seasonal Tips

September - Start of the Vata Season

According to Ayurveda, Vata is the governing intelligence responsible for movement, both in nature and in our physiology. Vata accumulates in the cold, windy Vata season, which runs from mid-September until late-December.

Symptoms of Vata imbalance

An over-busy mind; difficulty in getting to sleep; a tendency to worry. Stiff joints; aches; wind in the stomach; irregularity in bowel movements.

Behaviour which exacerbates Vata imbalance are: frequent travel; irregular mealtimes; overwork; late nights. To balance Vata, Ayurveda recommends: regularity in your daily routine; take warm cooked food in the middle of the day; bed by 10 pm and early to rise; a morning body massage with warm sesame oil; regular exercise to half your capacity.

If your digestion and/or elimination suffers take more warm moist foods such as soups and milky puddings. Take fresh or stewed fruit in the morning - figs, prunes apricots or raisins. Try Transcendental Meditation and Pranayama help to balance Vata, especially in the mind.

Seasonal Tips

August -  The Height of the Pitta Season

In mid-late August we are heading towards the maximum accumulation of Pitta

So we are still well embedded in the Pitta season and that is the main dosha for most people to take care of.  Pitta accumulates in the body throughout the summer so going towards the end of the pitta season is a good time to really make a big effort to get rid of that excess Pitta. It’s good to spend time out of doors, but it’s important to protect yourself from the sun during the middle part of the day.

Use Ayurveda Products

During this season it is very helpful to use the Ayurveda products that are associated with reducing Pitta, such as Pitta Aroma and Pitta reducing spices in the form of Pitta Churna. With aromas, it is useful to use Sandalwood, or Rose or Lavender, and these can be used any time during the day, but particularly if you are in a hot environment.

If you are in an enclosed environment, it is helpful to keep the Pitta under control. For example, it might be a good time to use Pitta aroma in the car, where it will have an impact on the tendency towards irritability during driving.  When you don’t have access to open air and are in a hot environment, it’s good to splash the face with water to reduce Pitta. If you have too much exposure to sun, then consider applying coconut oil or Aloe Vera gel to the skin. If there are any symptoms of irritability, changing the abhyanga massage oil to the head to coconut oil is recommended. Coconut is more cooling than sesame oil.

Avoid Excessive Exercise

For exercise, swimming is good, and taking walks by water and in woodland is very helpful. It is important for Pitta people, during this period, to avoid excessive exercise over the midday period. It is better to take exercise in the early morning or evening.

Foods to Avoid

Try to avoid or reduce very Pitta-aggravating foods, such as hot peppers and very hot curries. Also reduce or avoid coffee, chocolate, sour fruit, tomatoes and vinegar; and keep alcohol to a minimum. Also hard cheeses, because they are very salty and sour.  Favour foods which are sweet, bitter and astringent. Sweet foods would include grains, such as rice, and the sweet fruits such as peaches, pears, grapes, nectarines, very ripe kiwis, leeches and melons.  Astringent and bitter foods include lentils (pulses), which have a drying effect on the mouth, spinach, asparagus, cabbage and broccoli. Its good to take all six tastes, ideally with every meal, because then, in a natural way, you get a cross section of all the nutrients which are necessary. The taste is an indication towards the nutrient contained in the food. Pitta has the quality of heat plus some moist quality, so balancing Pitta needs cool, drying qualities in food and activity. Pitta is aggravated when the climate is hot and humid, so Pitta types are  advised not to take their holiday somewhere hot and humid.

Seasonal Tips

July - The Height of Summer

July is also Pitta season and Pitta is perhaps even more increased now and so all the tip and advices that were relevant to June such as having lots of fun and enjoying Pitta-reducing diet are all the more relevant in July.

If you think of the appropriate joys that are soothing to pitta, high on the list has to be water. Pitta is the element of fire and it is soothed and balanced in the presence of water which is why you will choose the sea or the lakes as a site for your holidays. Even to look at the sea or the lakes, listen to water, to swim in it, to sail on it, is all very soothing to Pitta.

Other things that are soothing to Pitta are agreeable company, because disagreements are very provoking for Pitta, so enjoy your friends and family. Food soothes Pitta but your digestive capacity is a little bit diminished and the energy drops with the heat, sun. So choose the Pitta-reducing foods but keep the meals moderate in size and light, easy to digest.

Nice meals in pleasant company are very Pitta-pacifying experiences. Other things are music, especially the flute. Wind instruments are lovely for Pitta. And because of the eyes being Pitta, sight being Pitta, beauty is very soothing, so look and enjoy nature and art and things of beauty is very soothing for Pitta.

One more consideration at this height of the summer season is the drying effect of this warm weather, and by virtue of the heat starting to dry us, our Vata will start at this stage to be slightly increased.

The heat of the summer will contain it, yet that quality of dryness is the first increase of Vata coming towards the autumn and that is why it is valuable to consider now to continue or to restart your daily oil massage. You may have gone off the sesame oil because of its heating property when it came into the summer, but it’s nice to know that the coconut oil, because it is very cooling, would be very refreshing and enjoyable as a massage oil now. Sunflower oil would be an alternative, as it would balance both the Pitta and the Vata.

Generally our imbalances tend to be more Vata and Kapha, and so summertime is a lovely time. For most of us it brings better balance, and the trick is to enjoy.

Summary

1. Pitta-reducing diet - include sweet, bitter and astringent tastes; avoid fermented foods; use mild and cooling Pitta Spice Blend; see culinary guide wall chart for seasonal advice on foods.
2. Choose water - sea, lakes and rivers.
3. Agreeable company - family and friends.
4. Digestive capacity - moderate, light meals; main meal at midday, Maharishi Ayurveda Aci-Balance for delicate digestion.
5. Music - elevating Gandharva Veda flute melodies suitable for the time of day.
6. The eyes and beauty soothing surroundings; beautiful Nature, uplifting art.
7. Dryness of skin - morning oil massage with cooling coconut or sunflower oil.
8. Enjoyment - take time to appreciate.

Seasonal Tips

June - The Pitta Season

Now we have reached the pitta season, and the enjoyment of hot lovely weather means that pitta, the fire element, is coming stronger in our minds and bodies. So it’s relevant and appropriate to think of how to balance pitta in the summer. There are two real fundamental things that balance pitta: one is food and the other is fun, because what soothes pitta is to chill out and to enjoy. Pitta is to do with that discriminating faculty of mind, as well as the metabolisms and hormones in the body. So pitta, by virtue of the heat of the summer, gets increased. And unless it’s kept balanced, by the end of the summer people can suffer road rage, or irritability, or obsessiveness, or inflammations like heat burn or skin rashes.

 

It’s useful to think of the five different aspects of pitta in the body

Pachaka Pitta

The first pitta in the body is pachaka pitta, and pachaka pitta is located in the stomach and governs digestion. So the best method of balancing pachaka will be through the appropriate foods. Pitta-reducing diet is mainly the foods with sweet, bitter and astringent tastes. These include lots of sweet, juicy fruits, grains such as barley, oats, wheat and rice, pulses (beans, peas, lentils), and sweet mild spices like coriander, cardamom and cinnamon. And dairy foods are good, but it is better to avoid fermented foods such as yoghourt and cheese, and vinegar. However fresh, home-made yoghourt diluted and made into lassi is a lovely cooling summer drink because it is not heated by too much fermentation. So the right foods are good, and food after being acted on by packhka pitta is directed to the next of the pittas, which is ranjaka.

Ranjaka Pitta

Ranjaka pitta is located in the liver and bitter tasting foods are especially helpful for liver function so the same foods that help to keep pachaka pitta in balance also help to keep ranjaka pitta balanced. Pachaka’s the first pitta, ranjaka is the second pitta. And sadhaka is the third pitta.

Sadhaka Pitta

Sadhaka governs fulfilment and it’s located in the heart and, when functioning well, helps to keep us happy. So what is real nourishment for keeping sadhaka balanced is all the joys and fulfilment and enjoyment of the summer. It’s nature’s time of fulfilment, so naturally it is good to plan a holiday for summer, and enjoy.

Alochaka Pitta

The fourth pitta is alochaka. It governs sight and is located in the eyes. It’s also to do with insight. This also involves the elements of fire and light and how we metabolize them through our sense of sight. Obviously in summer it’s time to take care of the eyes by protecting them from too much light, so a good set of sunglasses will help to keep your alochaka pitta soothed, or balanced.

Bhrajaka Pitta

The fifth pitta in the body is called bhrajaka. Bhrajaka is located in the skin, and in the skin it metabolizes what ever you put on the skin such as the oils you use for your massage.  But, because the skin is one of the main sites where pitta lives, your skin will be sensitive to being provoked by excess heat of the summer and the sun. So Ayurveda would concur with the wisdom of protecting your skin from the excess exposure to hot sun. So wear your sun protectors on a hot summer’s day. By knowing the Pitta's, their locations in the body, and how to keep them balanced you can enjoy the fulfilment of the summer without throwing your physiology, your pitta, out of balance.

Products recommended for Pitta season

Selected Summer Products

So because of the pitta season it’s nice to consider things that are cooling and the Almond Energy drink, taken just with water at room temperature, is very soothing and cooling. The Pitta reducing teas, or aromas are something else you would find very refreshing at this time.

• Pitta Tea
• Tridosha Tea
• Pitta Aroma Oil
• Even Temper Aroma Oil
• Blissful Joy Aroma Oil
• Emotional Strength Aroma oil

Rasayanas

• Rasayanas are always useful
• Amrit Kalash can be taken through the summer.
• Aci-Balance (MA575) is a pitta-reducing digestive supplement.
• Amla Berry (MA1) is a very good pitta-reducing herb, a great support for the liver, eyes and for stamina.
• Triphala tablets (MA505) are excellent, both because they contain amla berry and because they keep the elimination regular and they act as a general vitalizer.

Seasonal Tips

May - A Change of Season

May is joyful time of transition – a change of season

Kapha season comes to and end and Pitta season, the one most people love, starts. The reason we love the summer is that it tends to balance our Kapha and our Vata, which our changeable, damp, cold weather overall tends to put out of balance. However, Ayurveda cautions that we should be discreet and careful at the change of season. Over a two-week period we should let go of strategies for balancing Kapha and adapt and adjust to those strategies which reduce Pitta for the oncoming season.

Two things to specifically to keep in mind for the summer

One is a change of diet

Pitta-reducing foods are much more a summer fare. We naturally, at this time, prefer the salads and the leafy greens and the sweet fruits, which soothe Pitta. Now is the time to cut back on hot spices, and oily foods are not good for Pitta, so we go for lighter, cooler diet with sweet and bitter and astringent tastes.

The second strategy for summer is to enjoy plenty of fun

This is the season of fulfilment, and nature is most productive at this time. So it is good for us to enjoy the fulfilment of life, and naturally we tend to take holidays and time out for fun, especially to be by water because pitta is fiery in nature. So whether you swim, or walk by the beach, or listen to the waves, or look at the lakes, it is very soothing for Pitta in the summer.

Seasonal Tips

April - Fasting, Exercise and Detox Herbals

 

In April, we are now in Kapha season, but we are now definitely into Spring and this is the time for spring cleaning

Because Kapha has predominated in our bodies over the last two or three months it now becomes more liquid and fluid in the body and more easy to move around the body. The toxins which gather in our tissues when we go out of balance are of a Kapha nature. So because the Kapha is more fluid, it’s most easy at this time of the year to eliminate these toxins from our tissues.

So how are you going to spring clean your body if it’s accumulated\toxins?

One very good strategy is a fast, and traditionally at this time of the year there is 40 days of fasting, during Lent, around Easter time. Fasting is determined by your own nature. If you are very Kapha or have a Kapha imbalance, strong fasting is indicated. Pitta is moderate fasting, and Vata a light fast.

Certainly what would be good for everybody at this time of year would be to eat lightly for a day. In other words, some light fruit for breakfast, a good thick soup or kedgeree, which is rice and dhal soup, for lunch, and a light vegetable soup in the evening. In between meals, teas or sips of hot water help.

Almost all could manage a light day every week, but if someone was very Kapha, a week of eating nice nourishing soups and fresh fruits, particularly apples, pears would be a good strategy.

With fasting, we could put the rider if you are considering doing a strong fast it would be advisable to check with an Ayurvedic physician to ensure it is appropriate for your nature or your imbalance. Overdoing fasting can disturb Vata which will have a detrimental effects.

So besides fasting, other ways of detoxing would include simple things like sipping hot water often through the day. That tends to move water-soluble toxins through the kidneys. Again, another way of helping the body to get rid of toxins is by taking exercise, as we discussed in February.

The use of Herbal Preparations

Another strategy in helping the body clear its toxins is the use of herbal preparations.

One herbal is called Detox tablets MA1010, and this is useful as it supports the detox organs of the body such as the liver, kidney and skin to clear the toxins, as well as functioning on the cellular level to help the cells clean themselves.

However if you are very Pitta or have a Pitta imbalance you will be better off choosing the Detox Pitta MA1663. Taking this product helps removes toxins without creating too much heat, or Pitta.

 

Seasonal Tips

March - The Kapha Season

March needs to continue the theme of balancing kapha because kapha is not only increased by the heavy weather of winter, but even spring time increases kapha because kapha is responsible for growth and so must be strong through March and April into May.

In January we emphasized balancing kapha in general. In February we emphasized exercise as a most fundamental strategy for keeping kapha balanced.

In March it’s worthwhile considering the foods you are eating and the processes of digesting the food so as to keep a better balance.

You may by now have noticed that your weight is increasing as the season progresses, and if so this will indicate to you that you are eating more than your body wants. So, certainly you need more food in winter in order to generate more heat in cold weather to keep yourself warm, but you may be overdoing it.

Eat Appropriately

So the first strategy for a balanced kapha in relation to food is to eat appropriately to your nature. So you should always have hunger for your meals and eat to satisfy the hunger.

This is most important at breakfast. If you overeat at breakfast time you throw kapha out of the balance for the day because breakfast comes during kapha time of the day, between six and ten.

So ensure you have a light breakfast leaving you just contented, but hungry come midday for your middle meal of the day.

Having eaten appropriately at breakfast you are hungry for your lunch and, again, after lunch ensure that you haven’t overeaten. Just check that you are fulfilled but not filled full.
So if you eat appropriately at lunch you’ll have some appetite again for your evening meal about six.

You should not eat in between meals unless hungry, but, if so, just have something light between meals so as not to rob the hunger for the next meal.

Presuming you are eating the right amount of food at the right time, the next strategy for good digestion is relaxed eating. Always sit, always take time out and always relax and enjoy your food. There should be no stress, or anger, or depression over food. Food should be enjoyed. This stimulates the digestive juices and helps you get more benefit from the foods you are eating.

Kapha Reducing Foods

Choose kapha-reducing foods. These should be eaten warm.
• Because our digestion and metabolism can be dull with the kapha season, it’s nice if you could use a digestive. A good one is chopped ginger with a little lemon, salt and honey just before the meal.
  
• In the food itself, spices like fennel, cumin, coriander, black pepper, cinnamon, basil are excellent to support digestion.
  
• The foods to favour are foods which are light, hot, dry. The tastes -  pungent, or hot; bitter taste and astringent taste. The bitter taste is there in leafy greens, it’s there in a lemon. Astringent taste is the dry, puckering feeling in the mouth like with an apple or with dhals.
  
• Steam, or boil, or bake, or grill foods, but don’t use much oil in the cooking. Avoid using oils, or avoid much heavy dairy.
  
• In general, vegetables, spices, pulses and grains, other than wheat, are good for kapha.
  
• Remember your nature. If you are kapha, two meals a day may be sufficient, whereas pitta and vata will need more.
  

Seasonal Tips

February - We should think a bit more about exercise

 February is a continuation of the Kapha season, and since Kapha has qualities of being sluggish and dull and stable and grounded, the opposite qualities will bring balance, and exercise more than anything else brings movement and lightness and quickness, and stimulates the system.

Exercise is excellent to stimulate all the body’s metabolisms and thereby to burn off toxins which otherwise gather. So it flushes out tissues and causes a feeling of renewal. At this time of year it is the most important time for taking exercise. Traditionally at this time people would have been getting more physically active in preparation for Spring, and it’s also noteworthy that the sunlight is increasing and this also brings us more vitality and energy at this time.

Also traditionally, this was the time of year when more physically active sports were played, such as squash and weightlifting and cross country running. So, it’s the right time for plenty of exercise, but you should be aware of your own individual nature and capacity for exercise.

If you are predominantly in Vata, or tend to a Vata imbalance, exercise you choose should be gentle and not too demanding. So, half an hour’s brisk walk is good exercise, or things like Yoga or Tai Chi or Pilates.

Vata has to be cautious because Vatas can get addicted to the excitement of exercise and end up overdoing it. But certainly, exercise preceded or followed by an oil massage is a lovely balanced rejuvenation for Vata.

For Pitta exercise should be moderate because of their moderate stamina and strength. Pittas would enjoy jogging or cycling, or team sports like soccer. Any water sports are excellent for Pitta as Pittas tend to be fiery, hot natured. As Pittas can overheat in exercise, it’s important not to burn out overdoing it, and necessary to remember their moderate stamina and strength. A lovely refresh strategy for Pitta is a cold shower, or a coconut oil massage to follow the exercise.

 Exercise for Kapha is a must, and in general for Kapha the more exercise the merrier. So, demanding physical sports suit the strong nature of Kapha – rugby, marathons, triathlons – any exercise that’s stimulating and demanding would be good for Kapha. And the more the merrier.

In general, the timing of exercise should be as follows: for Kapha it’s good at any time of day; for Pitta and Vata certainly the Kapha time of day – early morning from six until ten, or early evening from six until eight - are ideal times. Vatas probably better not exercise too much in Vata time – between two and six in the afternoon – in case it over stimulates their vata.

Seasonal Tips

January - The Kapha Season

 In January we have moved into Kapha season. The cold damp heavy dull weather increases the qualities of kapha. Because of that it is essential that we work to keep kapha more balanced in the winter especially after Xmas when we may have tended to overeat and been lethargic.

It’s very important that we should do the opposite - start to be more dynamic, more active. Choose more activities, more interests, and more things that are stimulating and enjoyable to do.

The theme of activity follows through to exercise

This is the time of the year when exercise is most important. And so during January your New Year’s resolutions should include to get out and about more and be more physically active in whatever way you enjoy.

Sleeping in is a very bad policy

To be early up in the winter is much better. Foods to eat in the winter should be more kapha-reducing foods. These should include plenty of hot spicy foods; all the spices except salt are good. Eating a variety of grains is very useful but cut down on the wheat and brown rice.

The pulses are good, and most vegetables are good. Fruits are variable, some are good for kapha and some are not. Certainly stewed apple with cloves for breakfast is excellent – it is nutritious, cleansing and enlivening all at the same time. See recipe below.

Eating appropriately and not overeating becomes important in the winter. And if we make these changes in the winter - getting up early, getting a bit more exercise, eating appropriately and choosing the right foods – then we enjoy more energy, success and health in this season.

If we don’t balance kapha at this time of the year we’ll be prone to colds and to putting on more weight, to feeling a bit down and depressed, and being more lethargic and sluggish.

Cooked Apples with Cloves 

Start the day with a stewed apple to build appetite for lunch, stimulate regular bowel movements, increase vitality and alertness, and provide a light but satisfying start to the day.

• 1 whole fresh, sweet apple, cored and peeled
  
• 5 whole cloves
  
• 1/4 cup of purified water
  

Directions: Dice apple into small pieces. Add cloves, apples and water in a covered pot. Cook until the apples are soft. Discard the cloves, cool slightly, and enjoy.

Cautionary note

                 If you are ill or have a medical condition we recommend that you have a personal health evaluation with a practitioner trained in Maharishi Ayurveda. The practitioner will identify any imbalance that is giving rise to your condition and will recommend specific changes in diet and routine and herbal Ayurveda products that will help you.  Even if you are not ill you will find that a personal health evaluation is the ideal introduction to Ayurveda.

Ayurvedic Food Recipes for Weight Loss

Ayurveda has put emphasis on food, not only for its basic nature as a fuel for running the body but also for its overall impact on the health of a person. Food taken for balancing the doshas, keep one fit and fine. If anyhow, someone develops diseases, ayurveda cures them also through natural ways. For obesity or unnatural weight gain, Ayurveda suggests to improve food habits and taking diet according to Ayurvedic body type.

Ayurvedic Foods for Weight Loss
Ayurvedic food for balancing all the three doshas include, cooked oatmeal, psyllium chapattis or flatbreads, khichari, mung dal soup, lauki squash, green leafy vegetables, stewed fruit, lassi, ginger lemon appetizer drink, spiced tea, spiced milk, pomegranate chutney, spice mix, and many more. From among innumerable dosha balancing food, there are some that are specifically beneficial for losing weight. Some of such food recipes are described below.
Recipes for Weight Loss
Khichdi

Khichdi can be described as a porridge type of dish prepared from mung lentil and rice as the main ingredients. Various herbs and spices make it a healing recipe for various diseases. Ayurvedic therapies use it for cleansing due to its ease of digestion and assimilation. Khichari can be eaten by persons with any type of doshas but is especially good for vata.
Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup basmati rice
• 1/2 cup split moong dal (lentil)
• 1/2 tbsp ghee or sesame oil
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tsp mustard seeds (optional)
• 1/4 tsp hing also called Asafoetida
• 1/2 inch finely chopped ginger
• 1/2 tsp turmeric
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp red chili powder
• 4 to 6 cups of water depending upon the consistency desired.

Directions:

• Wash the lentil and rice together.
• In a heated heavy-bottomed saucepan or pressure cooker add Ghee (clarified butter) or oil.
• When ghee gets warmed, add hing, cumin and mustard seeds. Wait till the seeds crackle.
• Add chopped ginger, sauté for about 30 seconds.
• Add rice and dal, turmeric, salt and chili powder.
• Mix in gently.
• Add water and bring to a boil over high heat, stirring occasionally. If using saucepan, cover it, reduce heat to low and cook undisturbed until soft for about 30 minutes.
• Switch off heat, let khichari rest for 5 minutes.
• If using pressure cooker, cook the khichdi for one whistle.
• Let the cooker cool off.
• Fluff it up gently with a spoon, add a tablespoon of ghee (optional) and serve.

Yellow Mung Lentil Soup:

Simply called 'dal' in India, mung lentil soup is an excellent Ayurvedic diet which reduces the effects of Kapha and Vata Doshas. The spices and cilantro(coriander), used in this preparation reduces the Pitta Dosha. It is light and easily digestible. Anyone can have it without any worry about gaining weight.
Ingredients:

• 1 cup of yellow split mung dal ( yellow lentil)
• 6 cups of water
• 1/2 tsp. black mustard seeds
• 1 tsp. cumin seeds
• 2 tbs. of ghee (clarified butter)
• 1 pinch of hing (Asafoetida)
• 2 tbs. freshly chopped fresh cilantro (coriander) leaves
• 1/2 tsp. rock salt
• 1/2 tsp. ground coriander seeds

Directions:

• Wash the Mung dal.
• Add the dal and water together in a pot. Cook for 30 minutes.
• Stir the mixture occasionally till the lentil becomes soft.
• Add Ghee to another pan and heat at medium heat.
• Add all the spices when hot.
• Now add this spiced Ghee mix to the soup.
• Garnish with chopped cilantro leaves.
• Have it alone or with whole wheat chapattis or rice.

Apart from having light, digestible and dosha balancing foods, reduce weight by natural ways by following the below tips:

• Mix one spoon of honey and juice of one lemon in a glass of lukewarm water. Drink it on an empty stomach every morning. It helps in activating metabolism which reduces fat from body.
• Drink lots of water. It helps in flushing out toxins.
• Increase fruit and vegetable intake.
• Include Mint, Carrot, Ginger, Cinnamon and Black Pepper in your food recipes. They are excellent detoxifying agents.
• Include fiber-rich food like Oat Brans, Beans, Lentils, Fruits, Vegetables, especially green vegetables like Broccoli, Asparagus, Kale, Cabbage, Green Beans etc. in your diet.
• Exercise regularly. If not heavy work-outs, at least go for walking, jogging or swimming.

Look Beautiful, the Natural Way

Our skin faces a constant barrage of chemicals everyday from pollution to harsh chemically formulated products that strip the skin of its natural balance. These simple Ayurvedic home remedies help you to attain a clear, healthy and glowing complexion. Ayurveda mentions many simple natural ways to maintain a healthy and glowing skin. Using these natural ways, one can stay beautiful for a longer period without having to suffer the side effects of the chemicals.

Below are some simple 'secrets' to achieve a naturally beautiful skin.

• Mix equal quantities of cucumber juice, rose water and lime juice. Wash the face and apply it overnight. Rinse off in the morning. This clears the complexion and keeps it healthy.
  
  
• Take 50 ml. of raw (not boiled) milk and mix a pinch of salt and two teaspoonful of lime juice in it. Use it as a cleansing lotion. It helps to clean the deep pores of skin.
  
  
• Mix equal quantities of lime juice, glycerin and rose water. This lotion if applied to the face regularly at bed time is very useful in removing pimples, blackheads and other stains of the skin. It makes the skin soft, and can also be applied to other parts of the body (hands, feet etc.)
  
  
• Take 50 ml. of tomato juice and mix with one teaspoon of lemon juice. Apply this mixture to the face. It helps to make the skin soft and glowing.
  
  
• Take equal quantities of turmeric powder and wheat flour and make a paste with sesame oil. Apply it to the face to remove unwanted hair.
  
  
• Apply orange juice to the face for smooth and soft skin.
  
  
• Take 30 ml. of cabbage juice and mix one teaspoon of honey in it. This mixture, if applied regularly to the face, helps to keep the wrinkles away.
  
  
• Make a paste of raw carrots and apply it to the face. Wash it after one hour. The skin will become glowing.
  
  
• Regular application of mint juice to the face helps to remove stains.

Try out some of these simple natural remedies for smooth, clear and radiant complexion.

Home Remedies for Treating Low Libido

From among the instinctual needs of any human being, one is that of sex. However, sexual instinct or sexual drive is not similar in all- it ranges from low to excessive desire for sex. With increasing stress and “not so healthy lifestyle”, low libido has become more common these days. The problem of low sexual drive was present in ancient time too. As such, there are many Ayurvedic treatments for curing this problem.

Ayurveda on Low Libido
There are Ayurvedic therapies for almost all of the known diseases. It also gives a treatment for increasing libido which is known as Vaajikarana. This therapy increases the strength of a man to perform sexual act, just like a 'Vaaji' or horse, thus called 'Vajikarana'. This therapy leads to overall happiness, strength, potency to produce offspring, and increased duration of erection. The original scriptures of Ayurveda by Charaka, Sushruta and Vagbhata, describe such simple remedies that can be followed with the help of easily available ingredients in any kitchen. However, before moving on to these home remedies for increasing libido, one must also know the causes of low sex drive so that they may be avoided.

Causes of Low Libido
Ayurveda mentions the following causes for decreased Libido

• Compulsive sex with a person who is not liked by the partner.
• Anxiety and stress.
• Destruction caused to semen by consumption of spicy, salty and hot food.
• Overindulgence in sexual activities leading to low quantity of semen.
• Controlling sexual urges for longer duration leading to obstruction of semen which in turn results in low libido.
• Impotence by birth.

Home Remedies for Increasing Libido

• Consume eggs of fish/ swan/ peacock/ hen. Fry them in pure ghee before eating.
• Have sweet soup made from black gram. Mix black gram, rice, wheat and long pepper in equal quantities. Grind them to make powder. Fry the mixture in pure ghee and then cook it with milk. Eat after adding sugar to it.
• Mix Triphala powder in water. Keep it away for half an hour. Add a table spoon of pure honey. Have this in early morning daily.
• Add a tea spoon of honey in a glass of milk and drink. It increases resistance against diseases and give strength and feeling of wellness, necessary for general health including libido.

Herbal Remedies for Increasing Libido
Apart from the common ingredients, there are some Indian herbs that also cure the problem of low libido as well as other sex problems.

Shilajit (asphaltum, mineral pitch) – Shilajit not only increases body immunity but also acts as a aphrodisiac agent by arising sexual drive. It improves blood circulation and thereby maintains proper blood supply to the penis and testicular area. The quality of sperms is improved by this herb and it also increases body vigor. For all its qualities, it is rightly said the Indian Viagra.

Safed musli (curculigo orchioides) – Popular by the name of alternative Viagra, Safed musli is one of the most effective aphrodisiac agent. The roots of safed musli not only increase the sexual drive but also improves physical stamina.

Akarakara (Spanish pellitory, anacylus pyrethrum) – This herb is known as a very good sexual enhancer that not only excellently improves the sexual life of the patient but also makes him perform in such a way that leads to orgasm in his partner. It is used to treat the sexual problems like premature ejaculation, decreased libido, erectile dysfunction and impotence. It also improves sperm count.

Ashwagandha (withinia somnifera) – Ashwagandha increases sexual potential on one hand and solves sexual problems on the other. It improves the blood circulation, increases stamina and enhances sperm count. It is popular by the name of Indian ginseng due to its properties that are similar to ginseng.

Reduce Weight by Natural Ways

The chief cause of obesity or overweight is often overeating, irregular eating habits and not following the rules of eating such as improper mixing of food items in one meal.

In ayurveda, Charak Samhita describes eight different types of bodies that are disease prone. Out of these, the obese body is described as the one afflicted with the most diseases and troubles. Obesity is the condition or physical state of the body when excessive deposition of fat takes place in the adipose tissue.

Extra fat puts a strain on the heart, kidneys, liver and the joints such as the hips, knees and ankles and thus, overweight people are susceptible to several diseases like coronary thrombosis, high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, gout, liver and gall bladder disorders. Chief cause of obesity is overeating, irregular eating habits and not following the rules of eating or mixing non-compatible food items in one meal.

To decrease weight and get rid of obesity three things must be kept in mind:

• Controlling eating habits.
• Regular exercise.
• Avoiding the causes of weight gain

Diet recommended to lose weight

• Early morning
  Juice of half a lemon mixed in a glass of warm water and a teaspoon of honey.
  
  
• Breakfast
  Wheat or Mung bean sprouts and a cup of skimmed milk.
  
  
• Midmorning
  A glass of orange, pineapple or carrot juice.
  
  
• Lunch
  • Salad of raw vegetables such as carrot, beet, cucumber, cabbage, tomatoes. Steamed or boiled vegetables
  • Whole grain bread or whole wheat chapatis (Indian bread) and a glass of buttermilk.
  • Roasted cumin seeds, green coriander leaves, a little salt and some grated ginger mixed in the buttermilk.
  
  
  
• Mid-afternoon
  • Coconut water
  • Dry fruits
  • Lemon tea
  • Fresh vegetable soup
  
  
  
• Dinner
  • Whole grain bread or chapatis
  • Steamed vegetables
  • Seasonal fruits except banana and apple.

Home Remedies for Losing Weight

• Increase the quantity of fruits and vegetables and low calorie foods.
• Avoid intake of too much salt as it may be a factor for increasing body weight.
• Milk products like cheese, butter etc. and non-vegetarian foods should be avoided as they are rich in fat.
• Mint is very beneficial in losing weight. A chutney of green mint with some simple spices can be taken with meals. Mint tea also helps.
• Spices like dry ginger, cinnamon, black pepper etc. are good for loosing weight and can be used in a number of ways.
• Regular intake of carrot juice.
• Avoid rice and potato, which contain a lot of carbohydrates. Among cereals wheat is good.
• Vegetables like bitter gourd (Karela), and bitter variety of drumstick are useful in loosing weight.
• Honey is an excellent home remedy for obesity. It mobilizes the extra deposited fat in the body allowing it to be utilized as energy for normal functions.
  Dosage: One should start with small quantity of about 10 grams or a tablespoon, taken with hot water early in the morning. A teaspoonful of fresh lemon juice may also be added.
• Fasting on honey and lime- juice is highly beneficial in the treatment of obesity without the loss of energy and appetite. For this, mix one teaspoon of fresh honey with the juice of half a lime in a glass of lukewarm water.
  Dosage: Take several times a day at regular intervals.
• Raw or cooked cabbage inhibits the conversion of sugar and other carbohydrates into fat. Hence, it is of great value in weight reduction.
• Exercise is an important part of any weight reduction plan. It helps to use up calories stored in body as fat.
• Walking is the best exercise to begin with and may be followed by running, swimming or rowing.
• The gum of Commiphora Mukul called 'guggulu' is the drug of choice for the treatment of obesity.

Preparation of Home Remedies
According to ayurveda home remedies are prepared in the same way and with the same purpose as other ayurvedic medicines. The main aim is to obtain the maximum therapeutic benefit while making it palatable.

Some common methods of preparing home remedies are:

• Juice
  The juice may be taken from the fresh leaves, flowers or stems of the herb. The part of the herb used should be crushed or ground in a mortar and pestle, to make a paste. This paste should be put in a piece of cloth and squeezed to take out the juice.
  Dosage: One to two tablespoons twice a day.
  
  
• Powder
  Dried herbs are used for powders. The herbs are usually dried in a cool, shady and well-ventilated place, although some herbs are dried in direct sunlight. The herbs are then ground into a fine powder and stored in a dry, airtight bottle. The powder may be taken with water, or if specified, with milk or honey.
  Dosage: Half to one teaspoon twice a day
  
  
• Decoction
  A decoction is prepared by boiling the herb in water (ratio: 1 part herb to 16 parts water). The herbs are broken into pieces and soaked in water overnight. This mixture is then boiled until it reduces to one quarter of the original volume. It is then filtered and stored in a glass bottle.
  Dosage: One to two tablespoons twice a day.
  
  
• Infusion
  Herbs are soaked in water to make an infusion (ratio: 1 part herb to 8 parts water). Hot infusions result from adding herbs to hot water, or gently heating but not boiling the mixture. This is strained and taken internally. Herbal teas are forms of hot infusions. Cold infusions are made from soaking the herb overnight. Honey can be added.
  Dosage: half to one cup once or twice day.
  
  
• Paste
  A paste can be made from either fresh or dried herbs. The flowers, roots, stems, leaves or bark are ground and mixed with water. Pastes are mainly used for external application, in cases of cuts, burns and swellings. The paste should be thick enough to be applied in a layer to the skin.
  
  
• Tablets
  The herbs should be first dried separately and then mixed together in a powder form, in fixed proportions. Water or herbal juice can be added to this powder to make a paste, from which tablets of a specific size or weight are made. Tablets remain potent longer than juices, powders, pastes or decoctions.
  Dosage: 1 or 2 tablets twice a day.
  
  
• Medicated ghee and oil
  Ghee is cooked with herbal juices, decoctions or pastes. The ghee should be heated with the herbal mixture at a moderate, controlled temperature. High temperatures can easily burn the ghee or oil, destroying its effectiveness. Medicated ghee and oils are either used internally or massaged externally.
  Dosage: Half to one tablespoon.