In addiction to alcohol, boil 1/2 kg of thymol seeds in 4 liters of water until reduced to 2 liters. Strain it and store. Use one cup of this drink before meals regularly. It also protects the liver and reduces the desire for alcohol.
For common cold and other stomach diseases, take 2-3 gm of lightly roasted ajawayan twice daily along with hot water or milk.
To prevent post partum (after delivery) diseases, boil 10 gm of ajavayana in 1 liter of water until reduced to one-fourth. Strain and drink it twice daily.
Application of 10 gm of fine ajavāyana powder mixed with half lemon juice, 5 gm of alum powder and buttermilk over the scalp helps to get rid of lice.
Cardamom
Application of cardamom powder mixed with honey inside the oral cavity cures stomatitis (mouth ulcers).
2-3 gm cardamom powder mixed with crystal sugar provides immediate relief in burning micturition and oligouria (reduced urination).
In continuous hiccoughs, boil 2 cardamoms and 3 cloves and sip it as a tea. If not relieved, one can take this drink 3-4 times a day. It freshens the breath and also relieves flatulence.
Black pepper
Chewing 1-2 black peppercorns relieves cough and also helps in sleep, especially if coughing.
Intake of 4-5 pounded black peppercorns mixed with one teaspoon of warm ghee and sugar is beneficial in urticaria.
Store the powder of 20 gm black pepper, 100 gm almond and 150 gm crystal sugar in a bottle. Use it regularly along with warm milk or water in cough and debility caused due to cough.
For hiccoughs or headaches inhale smoke of 3-4 burnt black peppercorns.
Cumin Seeds
Intake of 4-6 gm powdered roasted cumin seeds along with yogurt or diluted yogurt (lassi) gives immediate relief in diarrhea.
An equal quantity of roasted cumin and fennel seed powder (in a dose of one teaspoon, 3-4 times a day) is useful in diarrhea which is followed by colic pain.
Boil 5-7 gm of cumin seeds in 400 ml of water until it is reduced to one-fourth the volume. It is useful in intestinal worm infestation when taken twice daily.
In urinary diseases and leucorrhea, boil 3-4 gm of cumin seeds in water, strain the solution and take it with crystal sugar.
Cinnamon
It promotes digestion and relieves cold, cough and congestion when used as a decotion along with cardamom, ginger and clove. It also relieves Vāta and Kapha disorders. It strengthens and energizes the tissues. It is an antiseptic and a good detoxifying herb.
Coriander
Store dry coriander powder mixed with 4 parts of crystal sugar in a bottle. Take one teaspoon twice daily along with water in acidity. It also acts as a diuretic.
In metrorrhagia and excessive heat in the body, boil 3-4 gm coriander seeds in 400 ml of water until it is reduced to 100 ml. Strain it, mix with honey and drink.
Soak 2-3 gm of crushed coriander in 400 ml of water. Strain it and mix with a small quantity of honey. Taken frequently at certain intervals, this is useful for hyper-emesis during pregnancy and also in emesis in children. It also reduces restlessness and stops vomiting.
This remedy is also useful for diarrhea associated with bleeding (dysentery).
External application of 4-5 gm fine powder of dry coriander and some coriander leaves is useful for clearing up acne and blemishes. It also increases facial glow and complexion when applied as a face pack.
Regular intake of 2-3 gm of coriander powder along with cold water is useful for reducing excessive libido.
Fenugreek
Soak one teaspoon of fenugreek seeds in a cup of water overnight, next morning drink the water and chew the seeds. This is useful in diabetes and debility due to diabetes, Vāta diseases and cardiac diseases.
Store the powder prepared from an equal quantity of fenugreek, turmeric and dry ginger in a bottle. Use one teaspoon of this powder along with warm water or milk in arthritis, inflammation and Vāta disorders. This preparation is very useful for chronic arthritis, if taken regularly for a long time.
Regular intake of sprouted fenugreek seeds is also benefical in arthritis and diabetes.
Decoction prepared from roasted and ground fenugreek mixed with small quantity of ginger during autumn is useful in common cold and cough.
Mustard
Tying finely ground mustard paste over any inflammation, reduces the inflammation.
In headache apply ground mustard over the forehead.
Application of ground mustard mixed with vinegar is useful in many dermatological diseases such as ringworm, pruritus, itching and so on.
Clove
Application of 4-5 gm clove powder mixed with water over the forehead or temples relieves headache including migraine.
Chewing a slightly roasted clove gives relief from cough.
Application of 5-7 pounded cloves and turmeric over the sinus or furuncles on any part of the body is useful.
Application of powdered clove or clove oil relieves toothache.
Turmeric
In pyorrhea, halitosis (foul breath) and tooth diseases, massage the gums regularly with a mixture of turmeric, salt and a small quantity of mustard oil.
Intake of one teaspoon of turmeric powder with a glass of milk enhances immunity, helps in the prevention of common cold and cough. It also relieves body ache and pain due to injuries.
Half a teaspoon of parched turmeric powder along with honey is useful in hoarseness of the voice and cough.
Sprinkling of turmeric powder over cuts or burns checks bleeding and also prevents blister formation.
Wrap hot thick wheat flour bread (capātī) smeared with mustard oil and turmeric powder in cases of sprain. It relieves swelling and pain.
In blemishes and boils, apply face pack made of turmeric powder, sandalwood powder and margosa leaves. This also enhances the healthy glow of the skin.
Asafoetida
Rubbing asafoetida in water and applying it around the navel provides relief from flatulence and pain.
Grinding asafoetida in milk and applying it on the chest area provides relief in cold and cough.
Ginger
Take a small quantity of ginger alongwith 3-4 morsels of food to enhance appetite. Ginger taken just after meals helps in easy digestion of food.
Two teaspoons of ginger juice mixed with a small quantity of honey is useful in common cold and cough.
Keeping a piece of ginger between the teeth is useful in toothache caused due to cold or sinusitis.
Chewing a piece of roasted ginger is useful for suppressing cough.
Dry ginger powder (2-3 gm) mixed with 1/2 or 1 gm of cinnamon powder taken along with milk or water helps to reduce pain due to angina. It also strengthens the heart and balances the digestive system.
Drinking ginger juice mixed with lemon juice cures indigestion, as well as increases the appetite.
Boil 5 gm of crushed ginger in two glasses of water and add lemon and honey to it. Taking it on an empty stomach in the morning reduces obesity.
Lemon
For pimples apply lemon juice mixed with honey on the face.
In metrorrhagia (excessive bleeding) and hemorrhoids (piles), take one cup of luke warm milk in which the juice of half a lemon has been added, before the milk curdles, early in the morning on an empty stomach. It acts as a haemostyptic and is a quick remedy. Continue its use for 3-4 days, but if the patient does not get relief, consult a physician.
10 ml lemon juice mixed with 20 ml onion juice and a small quantity of honey is useful in liver diseases, dyspepsia and indigestion.
Lemon juice mixed with a small quantity of ginger and salt acts as an appetizer. It improves the digestion.
Those having a tendency to vomit and who feel nauseated while travelling are advised to lick or suck a lemon with salt sprinkled over it.
Onion
External application of lukewarm onion juice as an ear and nasal drop (4 drops) quickly relieves earache and common cold, respectively.
Keeping an onion in the pocket or wearing it around the neck prevents heat stroke.
To prevent airborne bacterial and viral infections in children, tie 8-10 onions in a cloth bag and hang it outside the house.
In chicken pox, one teaspoon of onion juice mixed with 2-3 pounded black peppercorns, taken 2-3 times a day for a few days is beneficial. This also wards off marks on the skin after the pox.
Tying a cloth soaked in the warm juice of an unripe onion quickly relieves painful furuncles, enhances suppuration and easily expels pus.
Drinking onion juice mixed with lemon juice and salt quickly relieves abdominal pain.
Garlic
Soak 1 piece of chopped garlic in water overnight. Take it on an empty stomach in the morning to reduce cholesterol, for cardiac diseases and for osteoarthritis.
Cook 50 gm of crushed garlic with mustard oil, sesame oil or olive oil and then strain. Its external application is good in reducing inflammation and pain. It is a very good remedy.
External application of garlic oil (3 drops) is also very useful for earache.
In an oxygen deficient environment, wear a piece of garlic around the neck as a charm. It provides relief.
Honey
Regular use of one-fourth teaspoon of cinnamon powder with 1 teaspoon of honey strengthens the immune system and relieves sinusitis and severe cold.
Mix two teaspoons of honey with carrot juice and take it regularly. This improves eyesight.
In cold, cough and congestion, mix two teaspoons of honey with an equal quantity of ginger juice and have it frequently.
A mixture of black pepper powder, honey and ginger juice in equal quantities, when consumed thrice daily, helps to relieve the symptoms of bronchial asthma.
Regular use of one teaspoon of garlic juice with two teaspoons of honey helps to control blood pressure.
One glass of warm water with two teaspoons of honey and one teaspoon of lemon juice taken early in the morning increases metabolism and ‘burns fat’ and also purifies the blood.
Consuming one teaspoon of honey daily helps to lead a long and healthy life.
Aloe vera
Eating a vegetable stew prepared from inner pulp of aloe vera plant alleviates arthritis, diseases caused due to vitiated Vata, abdominal and hepatic diseases.
Aloe vera gel or juice externally applied on cuts or burns prevents blister formation, stops bleeding and causes quick healing of ulcers and wounds.
Daily intake of 4-6 teaspoons of aloe vera juice is useful for relief from all abdominal diseases and general weaknesses.
External application of aloe vera gel enhances the facial glow. It is also useful in fading freckles and acne.
External application of aloe vera gel is useful to alleviate dryness of hands and feet.
Miscellaneous uses
Intake of the brew prepared from 2-3 gm cinnamon and 2-3 gm cloves boiled in water is very useful for reducing angina pain and palpitations. It is also useful for viral infection.
Powder prepared from cardamom, cinnamon and dry ginger taken with milk or water is useful to strengthen the heart. It also enhances immunity.
Regular intake of one cup of fresh juice of bitter gourd, cucumber and tomato on an empty stomach is useful in treating diabetes. It is also good for digestion.
Regular use of bottle gourd juice taken on an empty stomach is good for the heart and general health. It can also be taken in combination with apple juice. In case of common cold, use it after adding ginger juice or dry ginger. It also decreases cholesterol levels.
In case of high body temperature, round slices of bottle gourd be placed on the soles of feet, provide relief and reduce fever. It should be followed along with the medicines that are needed.
In cases of anemia, drink pomegranate juice mixed with apple and spinach juices. Eating papaya in large quantities relieves constipation and is good for liver.
For good memory and body strength, in the morning chew 5-7 almonds, 5-10 gm walnuts, 5-7 black peppercorns soaked overnight in water.
In the morning take 10 gm raisins or currants, 4-5 figs and 8-10 almonds soaked overnight in water. This acts as a tonic and is also useful in abdominal disorders.
Ingesting a mixture of raisins and figs cooked in milk improves digestion, enhances strength and wards off weakness.
