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Sanjeevani Booti- A magical medicinal herb from Ramayana

Today we are celebrating auspicious day of Rama Navami. The story of Lord Hanuman associated with Sanjeevani booti is one of interesting highlight of the Ramayana.
Sanjeevani means ‘to bring back to life’. The divya aushadhi (divine medicine) that was used to revive Lord Laxmana, brother of Lord Ram was subject of research from many days.
When Laxmana was shot by a poisonous arrow, Hanuman was entrusted with the task of finding 4 special herbs (Sanjeevani, Vishalyakarani, Sandhanakarani and Savarnyakarani) on mountain Dronagiri in the Himalayas. The most important of this herb, Sanjeevani is believed to bring the dead back to life.
Ramayana is having many references related to Ayurved but curiosity about this wonder herb is unparalleled.

This curiosity leads into hunt for Sanjeevani in today’s world which is geographically bit different. Its botanical features, habitat, medicinal properties etc. are points for research amongst many people from many years.
Many excursion and research projects were designed to identify geographical location and habitat of Sanjeevani. Especially states like Uttarakhand carried out project related to Sanjeevani.

Initially with the help of tribal people and their knowledge, 22 different herbs were identified as a Sanjeevani at varying altitudes in the Greater Himalayas and it requires intensive and painstaking effort to locate these herbs since they are largely elusive.
Out of above herbs, three plants have been proposed as possible candidates for the Sanjeevani plant including Selaginella bryopteris, Dendrobium plicatile (synonym Desmotrichum fimbriatum), Cressa cretica which are very similar with described features, locations of Sanjeevani booti.
Ayurveda posits that a plant with features / characteristics similar to the organ or body can be used to treat the disease of that particular organ.

The plant S. bryopteris is a highly drought-tolerant plant that lies ‘dead’, dry and inactive for months and at the first rain (or upon hydration) comes ‘alive’, turning green and flush. If ‘similar cures similar’ then S. bryopteris must be Sanjeevani.
Modern biological experiments including current biochemical and cell biology methods carried out in University of Hyderabad, showed that S. bryopteris contains molecules that protect and help recover rat and insect cells from oxidative and ultraviolet stress, both of which can affect nerve in a fatal way.

Amongst all, many references showed Selaginella bryopteris is very similar in description with Sanjeevani booti. Research is still going for different aspects about this plant but Selaginella bryopteris is mostly considered to be Sanjeevani booti.
Selaginella bryopteris (संजीवनी) is a lithophytic plant that is native to India. It was used medicinally in India at that particular habitat. Sanjeevani booti grows on the hills of tropical areas, particularly in the ranges of Himalaya near India- Nepal borders.
Traditional uses include relief from heat stroke, dysuria, irregular menstruation, and jaundice, but the effectiveness has not been scientifically validated. It is also useful for coma patient by way of inhalation.
Sanjeevani booti is unique treasure from our glorious history. It is the symbol of our evolved medicinal systems at the Era of Ramayana. From identification to evaluating its medicinal properties scientifically, from conservation of its habitat to actually using it as medicine is the real treasure hunt for all of us.

Wishing you a very happy Rama Navami.

Author:
Dr. Gayatri Kulkarni – Mulye

MD (Ayurved)
Blogger @ Turyaa Wellness

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Time to Work on your Eyes while at Work!!!

March is an important month for vision or eye health because it is designated as National Save Your Vision Month. During this month, eye health organizations, healthcare providers, eye specialists, researchers come together to raise awareness about the importance of taking care of your eyes and maintaining good vision.
There are several reasons why March was chosen as the month to focus on vision and eye health. For one, it falls at the beginning of spring, which is a time of renewal and growth. This makes it a natural time to think about renewing your commitment to taking care of your eyes and making sure that you are seeing your best. This is also called “Workplace Eye Awareness Month” typically observed with a purpose to raise awareness about the importance of eye safety in the workplace. Eye injuries can be extremely serious and can lead to long-term damage or even blindness. The month aims to encourage both employers and employees to take steps to prevent eye injuries and to promote eye safety in the workplace.

During Workplace Eye Awareness Month, employers are encouraged to provide eye safety training to their employees, to make sure that they have access to appropriate eye protection, and to ensure that their work environments are free from hazards that could cause eye injuries. Employees are encouraged to take responsibility for their own eye safety by wearing appropriate eye protection when required, reporting any hazards or safety concerns to their employer, and getting regular eye exams to monitor their eye health. This is mostly seen in an industrial setting and workplace related eye injuries are also a concern mostly in those settings.

Since the pandemic and the work from home or distance working model the most strained was the eyesight. Studies have shown that there was typically a high rise in the Eye or Visual issues due to constant use of gadgets, technology, smart phones, internet etc during the pandemic days. The usage of internet, social media, online portals was on the rise especially during the lock-down period. Now we all are so used to the new set-up that we feel working from home is the best solution. 

But the toll it is taking on our eyesight is high. We need to include usage of the internet, screen time, technology also as a part of “Workforce eye awareness month”. Employers and employees need to devise a 20-20-20 rule to help with “Screen time detox” in a day.

Adapting a no screen time day or a screen time off day should be a must when it comes to helping the Employees. This could lead to a major economic loss to the company, employer and in turn to the employee but this could just be one step closer to adapting and adopting a new way of Visual or Screen detox for a day, to help create a new way of working in the office. One can promote preparing for spring and summer activities that may require good vision, such as sports, gardening, and outdoor recreation. By emphasizing the importance of eye health during this month, people are encouraged to take steps to protect their eyes and make sure that they are seeing their best for these activities.
Overall, March is an important month for vision and eye health because it provides a focused time to raise awareness about the importance of taking care of your eyes and maintaining good vision, and it helps to remind people that their eye health is equally important part of their overall health and wellbeing. So, it’s the month of spreading awareness and adapting a new regimen to detox your eyesight for better eye lifespan. Time to work on your eye-sight vision while working!!

Author -

Mrs. Shruti Prashant Kulkarni

Research & Product Domain Expert

(Atreya Innovations Pvt. Ltd.)

Chief Nutrition Counseller (Germany)

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Value your life by saving water

World Water Day is celebrated on the 22nd of March every year to raise awareness about the importance of water and the need to conserve and manage it sustainably. The significance of World Water Day is to overcome the issues of the global water crisis and the measures that can be taken to address this issue.
Water is an essential resource for life, and it plays a crucial role in preserving the environment, agriculture, industry, and human health. However, despite its importance, the world is facing a severe water crisis.

According to studies an estimated 2.2 billion people have no access to safe drinking water and 4.2 billion people lack access to basic sanitation services. The situation is further aggravated by. climate change, pollution, and overuse of water resources, leading to water scarcity, drought, and water-related conflicts.
The theme for World Water Day 2023 is “Valuing Water,” which aims to emphasize the economic, social, and cultural value of water and the need to manage it in an unbiased and sustainable manner. The theme also seeks to highlight the role of individual communities and stakeholders in ensuring access to safe and affordable water for all.

Life on earth depends on water which makes earth unique from other planets. On earth 70% of water is present but only about 3% of Earth’s water is freshwater. Of that, only about 1.2 % can be used as drinking water; the rest is locked up in glaciers, ice caps, and permafrost, or buried deep in the ground. Most of our drinking water comes from rivers and streams. The human body has a similar composition with 70 % water which plays a major role in carrying out all the physiological processes. Water is crucial to ingest and expel in the physiological process for any living being. Water has equal importance to other nutrients as it naturally contains lots of electrolytes.

Our ancient science also has depicted ways of water consumption according to the seasons and different time zones of the day.

  • In Varsha rutu (Rainy season) water has to be boiled and one should have it in lukewarm form.
  • In Shishir rutu (winter Season) one should keep water in copper vessels so that it remains warm and provides body heat which is needed in harsh winters.
  • In Grishma rutu (Summer Season) one should consume water preserved in mud pots. Additionally, one may add some herbal roots like Vala to this water to serve as a coolant and reduce the aggravated heat.

To address the global water crisis, several measures can be taken.

  • Firstly, there is a need to improve water governance and management by involving local communities and stakeholders in decision-making processes.
  • Secondly, there should be a focus on water conservation and efficiency measures, such as rainwater harvesting, wastewater treatment, and water reuse.
  • Thirdly, there should be a concerted effort to address the root causes of the water crisis, including poverty, inequality, and climate change.

In conclusion, World Water Day is an important occasion to raise awareness about the global water crisis and the need to manage water resources sustainably. By valuing water and taking concrete measures to conserve and manage it, we can ensure access to safe and affordable water for all and contribute to a more sustainable and equitable world.

Do the earth a favor, be a water saver.

Author. Archana Amol Patil.
Nutrition wellness coach,
Atreya Innovations Pvt Ltd.

Vaidya Shillpa Venkatesh Jamdarkhana
Certified Ayurveda Wellness Coach
Atreya Innovations Pvt Ltd.

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