From our early memories, we would have been drilleed down with the importance of food and the benefits of eating certain foods. We naturally tend to assume that foods make us grow and sometimes we end up gobbling tons of food with a childhood innocence that they are going to make us taller and smarter in a jiffy. Looking back, we tend to smile at those memories nostalgically. However, in some cases, we grow up or we simply ignore one basic rule of eating the right food at the right time.

Foods are very much related to time and the physics of our body can agree with them only if they are taken for a certain period. For instance, there are some foods that are beneficial to us, but can actually work in a negative way, if taken at a wrong time. For example, there are some foods that should never be taken on an empty stomach. Here are some such foods that you may want to know:

Tomatoes: Tomatoes are no doubt full of vitamins and antioxidants. However, when eaten on an empty stomach, these ingredients combine with acidic nature of our stomach and can result in stomach block. They put unnecessary pressure on the stomach and can cause stomach ache. This can be dangerous for people who are already suffering from ulcers.

Citrus Fruits: Though citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruits, and lemons are high in vitamin C, fiber and antioxidants, they may irritate your stomach when taken first thing in the morning. The oesophagus lining of your stomach gets enlarged when there is no food to digest and taking these fruits can directly enlarge them even more, causing more friction to your stomach.

Short Crust/Puff Pastry: Pastries can be a good combination for breakfast but it is a strict no on an empty stomach. Pastries and crusts have yeast in them and they simply will not go well for an empty stomach.

Carbonated Drinks: Carbonated drinks are basically bad for health and imagine having them on an early morning. Nothing can be more troublesome for your stomach than having these carbonated drinks first thing in the morning. They up the risk of cancer and heart diseases and can also lead to many other complications. Strictly avoid them on an empty stomach.

Coffee or Tea: Is having coffee the first thing that you do in the morning? You may be unaware but you are actually causing a lot of harm to your body. Drinking coffee on an empty stomach can increase the levels of hydrochloric acid and can lead to constipation vomiting. They also slow the digestion process. Try having a glass of water on an empty stomach; give it some time to settle and then intake caffeine.

We've practically all had that stabbing headache from a long day's work or a piercing muscle cramp when we've got carried away with those weights in the gym. Sharp or dull - we've been in pain and more often than once. While it might ease off or decide to cling to you, you usually have two choices - pop pills or bear with it. What if you could relieve the agony without a prescription? That's the good news; you just might be able to.

Pain is more than just a reaction to a physical symptom - it is a perception. It relates to how you assess the physical sensation. While the Romans and Greeks theorized this idea of pain, by the 19th century, various studies found their place in scientific literature. It was then established that pain is a feeling triggered by the nervous system.

How do painkillers work? "Certain chemicals called prostaglandins released at the site of the pain sensation. These irritate the nerve endings which carry signals to the brain. The brain interprets these signals and that's how we feel pain. Painkillers obstruct these chemicals," says Dr. OP Garg, Rheumatologist and Head, Rheumatology at BL Kapur Hospital, New Delhi.

He adds, "An overdose of painkillers may damage the protective lining in the stomach. The most common side-effects of painkillers are gastric and peptic ulcers. It may also lead to internal bleeding and kidney and heart problems."

Drugs came much later, but the earliest cure for pain was found in nature. And once again, we seem to be making a journey back to these traditional remedies.
The one thing that I must set straight is that while natural remedies have an obvious appeal, they may not cure chronic conditions. But they can definitely reduce your dependency on drugs and can help you avoid them whenever you can. You'll have to agree, it does take more than a prescription pad to really bring relief.

Dr. Ashutosh Gautam, Clinical Operations and Coordination Manager at Baidyanath, suggests some ancient herbs and spices that can tame the pain.

1. Neem & Clove Oil for Tooth Ache

It benefits in dental and oral care by inhibiting bacteria that cause tooth decay. Neem can also fight infectious mutans and dental caries. Clove and clove oil is known to have both analgesic and antibacterial properties, and like neem, it can be help in curbing a toothache caused by bacteria. Neem leaves can be chewed while clove oil should be applied. You can also gargle with neem oil for better results.

2. Fennel for Stomach Cramps

Fennel (saunf) exhibits antibacterial and antiviral activities. It acts as a carminative - an herb or preparation which is known to prevent the formation of gas. It is also has stomachic reducing properties which means that it helps in toning the stomach and improves digestive functions. Applying fennel oil has been reported to relieve menstrual cramps. It is an excellent source of potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorous and zinc. It is also hepato-protective, has the ability to prevent damage to the liver. It can be powdered and mixed with soda bicarbonate, water and a pinch of black salt. This creates a synergistic effect.

3.Coriander and Tulsi for Joint & Muscle Pain

Coriander (dhaniya) has been known as an analgesic, carminative, digestive, depurative (detoxifying), anti-rheumatic (joint pains) and antispasmodic (muscle spasms) agent. It can be used externally to treat ulcers and rheumatism (joint related ailments). Tulsi also works in relieving joint pain and pain related to arthritis.

4.Ginger for Inflammation and Headache

Ginger is a popular anti-nausea and carminative ingredient. It has been used by people to cure motion sickness. It fights bacterial, fungal and viral infections. Ginger oil acts an anti-inflammatory for arthritis and headaches. In simple terms, inflammation refers to swelling. It can be rubbed on the effected area. Its diaphoretic effect is known to keep your body warm.

5.Heeng (Asafoetida) for Indigestion

It reduces the growth of indigenous micro flora in the gut and also helps in relieving flatulence. It is an antispasmodic which means that it relieves the spasm by counteracting the effects of a hormone produced by the nerves called neurohormone acetylcholine. By doing so, the secretion of stomach acids and digestive enzymes is reduced and regulated. Take a pinch of heeng, mix it in a spoonful of lukewarm water and rub it on your stomach. (Bananas, Pain Killers Do the Trick for World's Oldest Man)

6.Green Cardamom

Cardamom is known to enhance the effectiveness of carminative (that combat flatulence) drugs. It is officially recognized in British and US pharmacopoeias and is used as an aromatic stimulant, carminative and flavoring agent. Chewing cardamom helps in regulating digestive functions.

फेरुला या वनस्पतीपासून हिंग बनवले जाते. हिंग़ातील अ‍ॅन्टी बॅक्टेरियल आणि अ‍ॅन्टी सेप्टीक घटक पोट साफ करण्यास मदत करतात. यामुळे पचनमार्ग मोकळा आणि स्वच्छ होतो. लहान मुलांच्या पोटदुखीवर हिंग हा एकमेव उपाय आहे. लहान बाळ हे अबोल असतात. त्यांना काही त्रास झाले की ते रडून व्यक्त करतात. पण ते नेमके का रडतात हे घरातील कुणालाच समजत नाही. डॉक्टरांच्या मते, खाण्याच्या वेळी मुलांनी अधिक प्रमाणात हवा श्वसनाच्या मार्गाने आत घेतल्यास आतड्यांचे आकुंचन होण्याचे प्रमाण वाढते. परिणामी पोटदुखीची समस्या वाढते. त्यामुळे त्यांच्या पोटदुखीवर हिंग हा रामबाण उपाय आहे.

- अर्धा चमचा हिंग पाण्यात मिसळून त्याची पेस्ट बनवा.

- पोटाजवळ हलक्या हाताने या पेस्टने मसाज करा.

- पेस्ट बेंबीत जाणारा नाही याची काळजी घ्या. बेंबीजवळील पेस्ट कापसाच्या ओल्या बोळ्याने पुसा.

- पाण्याऐवजी ऑलिव्ह ऑईल किंवा तीळाच्या तेलातही हिंग मिसळून पेस्ट करणे फायदेशीर ठरू शकते.

- पेस्ट लावल्यानंतर थोडावेळ ती थंड होऊ द्यावी तसेच सुकू द्या. पोटदुखी कमी करण्यासाठी थोडा वेळ लागण्याची शक्यता आहे.

- पेस्ट सुकल्यानंतर मुलांना ढेकर येऊ देण्यासाठी प्रयत्न करा. यामुळे गॅस बाहेर पडेल तसेच पोटदुखीची समस्या कमी होण्यास मदत होईल. त्यानंतर ओल्या कापडाने बाळाचे पोट स्वच्छ पुसावे.

अनेकदा लहान मुलं अचानक रडायला लागतात. नेमकं काय होतंय हे घरात कोणालाच समजत नाही. बाळ अगदीच लहान असल्याने त्यांना होणारा त्रास बोलून व्यक्तदेखील होत नाही. अशावेळेस रडारड करून मुलं अधिक हैराण होतात. डॉक्टरांच्या मते, खाण्याच्या वेळी मुलांनी अधिक प्रमाणात हवा श्वसनाच्या मार्गाने आत घेतल्यास आतड्यांचे आकुंचन होण्याचे प्रमाण वाढते. परिणामी पोटदुखीची समस्या वाढते.

हिंग ठरते फायदेशीर ?

स्वयंपाकघरात वापरले जाणारे हिंग हा त्रास कमी करायला मदत करते. फेरुला या वनस्पतीपासून हिंग बनवले जाते. हिंग़ातील अ‍ॅन्टी बॅक्टेरियल आणि अ‍ॅन्टी सेप्टीक घटक पोट साफ करण्यास मदत करतात. यामुळे पचनमार्ग मोकळा व स्वच्छ होतो. पोटाचे विकार तसेच श्वसनाच्या समस्या कमी होण्यास मदत होते. लहान मुलांना थेट हिंग देणे त्रासदायक ठरू शकते. म्हणून त्यांच्या पोटावर हिंगाच्या पाण्याने मसाज करणे फायदेशीर ठरते.

कसा कराल हा उपाय ?

अर्धा चमचा हिंग पाण्यात मिसळून त्याची पेस्ट बनवा.
पोटाजवळ हलक्या हाताने या पेस्टने मसाज करा.
मात्र ही पेस्ट बेंबीत जाणारा नाही याची काळजी घ्या. बेंबीजवळील पेस्ट कापसाच्या ओल्या बोळ्याने पुसा.
पाण्याऐवजी ऑलिव्ह ऑईल किंवा तीळाच्या तेलातही हिंग मिसळून पेस्ट करणे फायदेशीर ठरू शकते.

पेस्ट लावल्यानंतर थोडावेळ ती थंड होऊ द्यावी तसेच सुकू द्या.

पोटदुखी कमी करण्यासाठी थोडा वेळ लागण्याची शक्यता आहे. त्यामुळे संयम पाळा.

पेस्ट सुकल्यानंतर मुलांना ढेकर येऊ देण्यासाठी प्रयत्न करा. यामुळे गॅस बाहेर पडेल तसेच पोटदुखीची समस्या कमी होण्यास मदत होईल.

त्यानंतर ओल्या कापडाने बाळाचे पोट स्वच्छ पुसावे.

लहान मुलांप्रमाणेच प्रौढांमध्येही हा उपाय फायदेशीर ठरतो.

खाण्या-पिण्याच्या अयोग्य सवयी किंवा अनहेल्दी लाईफस्टाईल यामुळे पोटदुखी, बद्धकोष्ठता, अॅसिडिटी यांसारख्या समस्या उद्भवतात. मग यावर औषधं-गोळ्या घेतल्या जातात. पण यामुळे शरीरावर दुष्परिणाम होतात. म्हणून या समस्यांवर काही घरगुती उपाय करुनही तुम्ही त्यापासून सुटका मिळवू शकता. त्यासाठी रामबाण उपाय म्हणजे- हिंगाचा काढा. त्यामुळे पोटांच्या सर्व समस्यांवर तात्काळ आराम मिळतो. तर जाणून घेऊया हिंगाचा काढा बनवण्याची पद्धत...

घरात बनवलेला हिंगाचा काढा सर्वांसाठी फायदेशीर ठरेल. त्यामुळे पोटातील गॅस, अॅसिडिटी यापासून तात्काळ सुटका मिळेल.

साहित्य-

ओवा- अर्धा चमचा
शतपुष्प- अर्धा चमचा
हिंग- पाव चमचा
काळं मीठ- चवीनुसार
सुंठ- एक तुकडा
ज्येष्ठमध- एक लहानसा तुकडा


कृती
हा काढा बनवण्यासाठी सर्वात आधी वरील सर्व साहित्य २५० मीली लीटर पाण्यात घालून उकळवा. ५ मिनिटे हे चांगल्या प्रकारे उकळवल्यानंतर ते गाळून घ्या. जेवल्यानंतर अर्धा तासानंतर काढा प्या. त्यामुळे पचनतंत्र सुरळीत होईल. लहान बाळाला पोटदुखी किंवा बद्धकोष्ठतेची समस्या असल्यास चमचाभर काढा बाळाला पाजा. ताबडतोब याचा परिणाम जाणवेल.
याशिवाय बद्धकोष्ठतेपासून सुटका मिळवण्यासाठी अधिक पाणी प्या. फळे, भाज्या यांचा आहारात समावेश करा. फायबरयुक्त आहार घ्या. तसंच मिनरल्स आणि मॅग्नेशियमचे सेवन करा.