Karkkidakam is here, it's time to refresh & revive
Some turned to spirituality for solace and soul cleansing during this month. It also evolved as a period for ayurvedic treatments and practices to cleanse the body and prevent ailments.
Over time, Karkkidakam became an 'annual maintenance' season. A time for rejuvenation — from having medicinal gruel to undergoing therapeutic massages and detoxes.
Nowadays, it's common to see 'Karkkidaka kanji' kits even at grocery stores and e-com platforms. And it's unlikely one doesn't come across 'wellness packages' offered by Ayurveda centres.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
2 hours ago
- NDTV
Ginger Tea vs Tulsi Tea: Which Tea Is Best For Monsoon Cold And Cough
As soon as the monsoon arrives, our bodies become more prone to seasonal illnesses. The damp and cool weather creates the perfect environment for germs, leaving us vulnerable to coughs, colds, and flu. While modern medicine offers quick fixes, many people continue to turn to ancient remedies to protect themselves from monsoon-related sickness. Two of the most popular homemade solutions are ginger tea and tulsi tea, both celebrated for their medicinal properties. They have long been used in traditional medicine to treat cold symptoms and support overall well-being. But which one is more effective during the rainy season? If you are looking to strengthen your immunity, here is what you need to know about ginger tea and tulsi tea. Ginger Tea Benefits | How Ginger Tea Helps During Monsoon Ginger tea is known for its bold and warming taste. According to a 2021 research paper, ginger is rich in gingerol and shogaol, which provide anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antioxidant benefits. These properties make it excellent for easing sore throat, clearing congestion, and fighting chills that are common during a cold. The benefits do not end there. Ginger tea also helps keep digestive troubles at bay, which are common in the monsoon due to slower metabolism. As Dr Ashutosh Gautam, Clinical Operations and Coordination Manager, Baidyanath, and Ayurvedic expert, explains, 'Ginger is a great digestive tonic, which improves gastric motility. So it alleviates constipation, vomiting, acidity, and protects the gastric lining against acidity.' However, people with acidity or sensitive stomachs should dilute ginger tea with a dash of honey. Limiting the intake to one or two cups a day is sufficient. Tulsi Tea Benefits | How Tulsi Tea Helps During Monsoon Tulsi, or holy basil, has been a staple in Ayurveda for centuries and is widely recognised as a natural immunity booster. A 2014 research paper highlights that tulsi is packed with vitamins A and C and has antiviral and adaptogenic properties. When consumed as tea, tulsi helps reduce throat irritation, ease congestion, and relieve mild stress. Unlike ginger tea, tulsi tea has a gentler flavour. It is mild, aromatic, and easy on digestion. You can drink it daily as it supports respiratory health and aids the overall healing process of the body. This makes tulsi tea a steady protector during the monsoon, helping keep seasonal diseases and flu at bay. Ginger Tea vs Tulsi Tea | Which Is Better For Monsoon Cold? Both ginger tea and tulsi tea offer powerful benefits, but they work slightly differently. Ginger tea acts faster against congestion, sore throat, and chills, while tulsi tea works more as a long-term immunity booster that strengthens respiratory health. If you are battling an active cold, ginger tea may provide quicker relief. If your focus is on prevention and long-term immunity during the monsoon, tulsi tea is the better choice. Many people prefer alternating between the two depending on their needs. There is no strict rule, and both teas can complement each other in a healthy monsoon routine. Best Time To Drink Ginger Tea | Morning Or Night? Ginger tea can be consumed at any time of the day. Having it in the morning or mid-afternoon helps jumpstart digestion and fight chills. However, it is best to avoid drinking ginger tea late at night, especially if you are sensitive to its warming nature. Best Time To Drink Tulsi Tea | Morning Or Evening? Tulsi tea, being milder, can be consumed throughout the day. Drinking it in the morning supports immunity, clears congestion, and soothes the throat. Sipping it in the afternoon or evening has a calming and relaxing effect. For maximum benefit, always drink tulsi tea warm. How To Store Ginger In Monsoon | Tips To Preserve Ginger Ginger is highly perishable during the rainy season, so proper storage is essential. Here are a few tips to prolong its shelf life: Store unpeeled ginger in an airtight container in the fridge to slow down mould growth. Peel and chop ginger into one-time-use pieces and freeze the rest for convenience. Wrap unpeeled ginger in a paper towel before storing to absorb excess moisture. For long-term storage, soak ginger slices in vinegar for occasional use. How To Store Tulsi In Monsoon | Tips To Preserve Tulsi Leaves Tulsi leaves also require careful storage to maintain freshness. Follow these methods during the monsoon: Gently wash and pat dry leaves, then line a container with a paper towel before storing. Place tulsi leaves upright in a jar like herbs, with a damp paper towel. Keep the jar in the fridge slightly open. Dry tulsi leaves in a cool, sunny spot and store them in an airtight glass jar for longer use. Avoid storing with strong-smelling food as tulsi absorbs odours easily. Monsoon Diet Tips | What To Eat In Rainy Season A healthy diet is as important as herbal teas in keeping immunity strong during monsoon. Here are a few foods to include: 1. Eat Warm And Fresh Food Digestion slows down during the monsoon, so avoid stale or heavy food. Choose freshly cooked khichdi, dals, soups, and light curries that are easy to digest while still nourishing the body. 2. Include Herbal Immunity Boosters Everyday ingredients like ginger, tulsi, turmeric, and garlic act as natural antibiotics. Adding them to teas, curries, or soups is a simple way to strengthen immunity. 3. Choose Seasonal Fruits Monsoon fruits such as papaya, jamun, pomegranate, and pears are rich in antioxidants, water, and fibre. Always consume freshly cut fruit to prevent contamination. 4. Add Probiotics Since the gut plays a key role in immunity, include probiotics such as curd, buttermilk, and fermented foods like idlis or dosa batter to maintain gut health. Monsoon Diet Tips | What To Avoid In Rainy Season Just as important as what to eat is knowing what to avoid during the monsoon: 1. Street foods like golgappas, fried pakoras, and similar items, as they may be contaminated or too heavy for the stomach. 2. Raw or uncooked food, which may carry bacteria, viruses, or parasites. 3. Seafood, since it can be a breeding ground for bacteria during the season. 4. Cut fruits and salads that may be washed with unclean water and harbour waterborne pathogens. 5. Dairy products that are unpasteurised or improperly stored, which can be risky during this season. Choosing between ginger tea and tulsi tea ultimately depends on your health needs. Whether you want instant relief from cold symptoms or long-term immunity support, both teas are powerful additions to your monsoon diet. Pairing them with healthy eating habits can help you stay energised and illness-free throughout the season.
Business Standard
4 hours ago
- Business Standard
IIT Alumni Council Launches World's First Open-Source Health Platform, with Ayurveda Revisited by Dr Shantaram Kane
PNN New Delhi [India], August 20: On India's 79th Independence Day, the IIT Alumni Council (IITAC) announced the launch of the world's first open-source health and longevity platform, envisioned as a global healthcare commons. The launch was marked by the release of Ayurveda Revisited: Process Technology Breakthrough, a five-volume compendium by Dr Shantaram Kane, which seeds the platform. Ayurveda is positioned as a foundational system within this free, non-commercial, globally accessible healthcare platform. The purpose is to create a collaborative and integrated ecosystem -- where timeless wisdom meets modern sciences, with genetics and epigenetics in cohort, and discoveries shared openly for the benefit of humanity at large. FROM PAGES TO A PLATFORM The release of Ayurveda Revisited is being framed not as an endpoint, but as the nucleus of a larger movement. The vision is bold: to make healthcare knowledge as open, collaborative, and universal as open-source software once made technology. Ravi Sharma, President of IIT Alumni Council, captured the ambition: "On Independence Day, we celebrate freedom. There is no greater freedom than freeing healthcare from exclusivity, with healthcare options freely available to all. Ayurveda can play the same role in medicine that Linux played in computing -- rigorous, credible, and open to all. This is not about replacing allopathy, but about standing alongside it -- together with Ayurveda and other traditional systems -- as part of an integrated, universal healthcare model. AYURVEDA, A SCIENCE REVISITED At the centre of this movement is Dr Kane's forty-year journey of experimentation. Drawing on his expertise in process engineering and nanoscience, he discovered that complex herbal and mineral formulations could be simplified into therapeutically potent 'Super-Extracts' effective at just a few drops a day. The compendium captures Dr Kane exploring Ayurveda's material science and process methods with scientific rigour. "I began as a curious tinkerer, much like our ancestors who explored the natural world and its healing powers," Kane recalls. "My first breakthrough was simplifying the preparation of siddha taila, and to my utter amazement, I found that a dose diluted by a thousand-fold was equally potent. That spurred me to keep experimenting with herbs, minerals and bhasmas. This book brings together the Super-Extracts, along with the process methods, observations and applications as my open-source contribution -- knowledge placed in the public domain for families, practitioners and researchers to adapt and expand." A MOVEMENT OF MANY VOICES Satish Mehta, convener of IIT Alumni Social Fund, emphasised the larger ambition: "Dr Kane combines the precision of an engineer with the vision of a technocrat. His deceptively simple approach opens the way to more accessible, affordable, and research-ready healthcare solutions, spanning the preventive to curative spectrum. His contribution enriches India's scientific heritage and lays the foundation for a global open-source health and longevity platform." He further added, "The launch builds on IITAC's Megaspheres framework. Dr Kane has been felicitated as Vishwaguru -- the IIT Alumni Council's highest honour, reserved for members who embody and demonstrate a rare combination of foresight, scientific contribution and enduring impact." Christina Watson, editor of the book and founding director at Wellness Lifestyle, said, "We applaud IITAC for this momentous step. It's time for a healthcare renaissance. Dr Kane's simple methods of self-care, health promotion and affordable clinical care provide an empowering option that can reach far beyond the traditionally privileged segment. Dr Kane offers an accessible way to bring Ayurveda's healing wisdom back into our homes and lives -- simple, doable and sustainable. At Wellness Lifestyle, we are proud to have supported the production of this compendium, making decades of his writings accessible to a wider audience. Geetika Saigal, founder of Beeja House (an independent publishing house and the official publishing partner for IITAC publications) placed it in a cultural frame: "This is not just a book -- it is the beginning of a movement spearheaded by IITAC. Publishing it under our Wellness Lifestyle imprint is our way of committing to a future where healthcare knowledge is not hidden in silos but opened up -- credible, usable, and accessible to everyone." ABOUT THE AUTHOR Dr Kane earned his in Chemical Engineering from IIT Bombay and Sc.D. from MIT, USA. He spent over four decades leading research and development at Amoco Chemicals (USA), Gharda Chemicals, Swadeshi Polytex and NOCIL, where he retired as Vice-President (R & D). He has served as visiting faculty and Senate member at IIT Bombay and was awarded the institute's Distinguished Alumnus Award. ABOUT IIT ALUMNI COUNCIL The IIT Alumni Council is the largest global body of alumni across all 23 IITs, aggregating the technological and philanthropic resources of over 50,000 members in 100 city chapters worldwide. Its mission is to catalyse India's technological renaissance through initiatives funded by the IIT Alumni Social Fund and supported by incubators, project management forums, and research institutes. PUBLICATION AND EDITIONS Published by Beeja House as a Wellness Lifestyle imprint, with creative and production support from Anytime Media. Christina Watson edited the book, while Wellness Lifestyle sponsored and supported it throughout. The book is available in paperback and hardcover editions on Amazon. A premium hardcover Library Edition is also being released by Wellness Lifestyle, intended for institutional use such as Ayurveda centres and clinics, wellness retreats and universities. THE ROAD AHEAD This launch is not just about a book. It is the spark for an open-source healthcare commons -- a collaborative, non-commercial platform that India offers to the world. As Dr Kane concludes: "Knowledge only matters when it is shared. I am honoured that my work will forever be part of this Health and Longevity platform -- India's gift to humanity -- rigorous in science, humane in spirit, and open to all.
Hans India
6 hours ago
- Hans India
Ayurveda's Timeless Secrets To Keep Metabolism Strong As You Age
In Ayurveda, metabolism is not just a physical process but a reflection of one's inner vitality. Central to this system is Agni—the digestive fire that governs how efficiently our body processes food, absorbs nutrients, and eliminates toxins. A strong Agni means good health, abundant energy, and mental clarity. When it weakens, however, the body becomes vulnerable to fatigue, weight fluctuations, toxin accumulation, and disease. As we age, Ayurveda stresses the need to consciously protect and strengthen this inner fire to maintain a balanced metabolism. Aligning With Natural Rhythms Ayurveda teaches that the body thrives when its daily rhythm is in harmony with nature's cycles. Maintaining a consistent schedule—eating meals at regular times, avoiding late-night dinners, sleeping early, and rising with the sun—helps the digestive system function smoothly. This alignment allows Agni to remain strong and prevents metabolic sluggishness that often comes with irregular routines. Morning Detox Rituals One of the simplest yet most effective Ayurvedic practices is beginning the day with a glass of warm water infused with lemon juice and a pinch of Trikatu—a traditional blend of black pepper, ginger, and long pepper. This morning tonic stimulates digestion, clears toxins, and provides an early boost to metabolism, setting a positive tone for the day ahead. Seasonal and Fresh Foods According to Ayurveda, food should be fresh, warm, and seasonal. Light and easily digestible meals—like moong dal, steamed vegetables, and fruits such as papaya and pomegranate—are recommended to keep the digestive fire balanced. Eating in sync with the seasons ensures that the body adapts naturally to environmental changes, supporting steady energy and metabolic strength. The Role of Yoga and Breathwork Physical activity, particularly yoga and pranayama (breath control exercises), is deeply connected to maintaining metabolic health. Certain yoga postures stimulate digestion, improve circulation, and strengthen core energy. Regular practice not only aids weight management but also promotes mental balance, reducing stress—a major disruptor of metabolism in modern life. Understanding Your Dosha Ayurveda recognises three primary body constitutions or doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Each individual has a unique balance of these energies, influencing digestion and metabolism. For instance, a Pitta type may need cooling foods, while a Kapha type benefits from light, spicy meals. By understanding one's dosha and tailoring food choices accordingly, individuals can optimise their metabolic function and avoid imbalances. Stress Management Through Mindfulness Beyond diet and physical practices, Ayurveda highlights the role of mental well-being in sustaining metabolism. Meditation, mindfulness, and spending time in nature help regulate stress hormones that often interfere with digestion and energy levels. A calm mind supports a balanced body, ensuring that Agni remains strong even as the years pass. A Holistic Approach To Aging Gracefully Ayurveda's holistic practices—ranging from dietary choices to lifestyle adjustments—offer simple yet powerful ways to nurture metabolism across the lifespan. By protecting and kindling the inner fire, individuals can enjoy sustained energy, better digestion, and radiant health well into their later years.
