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Wellness expert Roopashree Sharma answers your health queries.
Dear Reader,
We all take our health for granted. Aren't we always sure we are healthy? But then one day, we get a rude wake-up call and find that we can no longer do so.
Does your health bother you?
Do you want to strengthen your body or your immunity?
Do you have bad skin? Or hair issues?
Is your digestive system giving you trouble?
Or is belly fat your problem?
Mail your queries to wellness expert Roopashree Sharma at getahead@rediff.co.in (SUBJECT: Roopashree, can you help?) for her advice.
Dear Roopashree,
I would request you not to misunderstand my question.
I am a 35-year-old male virgin.
Due to certain circumstances, I do not plan to marry nor do I want to establish sexual relations with anyone.
At the same time, the desires are there.
Is there any natural way to supress sexual desire?
Thank you.
Name withheld on request.
If you have chosen to practice celibacy, there are certain methods that yogis used to implement to focus their energies on meditation and other goals.
Yog recommends a Sattvik diet to enhance the sattva element in our body, ie to bring a balance in energies that leads to calmness, mental clarity and eventually bring us true happiness.
A Sattvic diet consists of ample fresh fruits and vegetables -- cooked and consumed with love and gratitude.
It can include certain nuts and legumes which are easy to digest.
Also, if you do not have any major ailments, try taking neem (crush 3-4 leaves with some water, strain and drink) or bitter gourd juice first thing in the morning for a detox.
Do this for 21 days. However, please discontinue if you feel any discomfort.
To further balance your energies and keep your mind calm, you can do light exercises in the morning. Follow this with the Anulom Vilom pranayama, starting with five minutes and eventually doing it for a minimum 20 minutes every day.
Before going to bed, you can do deep breathing in the Dhyaan mudra to get a peaceful and deep sleep.
Dear Roopashree,
I am an excessively sweaty person and it is embarrassing.
Any kind of the smallest exertion and I am sweating.
Once I cook a meal, I have to have a bath and change my clothes.
I always have to have a towel/hanky around to wipe my sweat.
When I am out, I am always sweating.
My family is like this too.
I have no health issues.
How can I solve this problem and sweat less?
Kavita
While sweating is a good phenomenon as it releases toxins from your body and allows your skin to breathe, excessive sweating could be an indicator of Pitta imbalance.
You can verify the same by visiting an Ayurveda practitioner, Kavita.
It could also be triggered by stress or anxiety, therefore regular exercises and pranayams like Anulom Vilom are advisable.
As far as your diet is concerned, avoid excessive fatty foods and consume a balanced diet with more fresh fruits and vegetables than fried and spicy meals.
Another good remedy is chandan lep (sandalwood paste) that you can make at home using the chandan stick.
Apply it on your forehead to balance the pitta element and bring calmness to the mind.
Dear Roopashree,
In our home, we don’t like to throw food.
Is it bad to eat food made a day or two ago, if it has been well-stored in the fridge?
Is it okay to freeze cooked food and eat it after a week?
Thank you,
Ramanika
Ideally, the fresher the food the better it is, Ramanika.
The first diet preference should be for fresh fruits and vegetables, followed by cooked meals. The least preference is given to packaged food that is not only old but also contains chemical based preservatives or high amounts of sugar.
While refrigerated food could be safe for consumption, it’s not ideal for digestion.
In the earlier days, we used to cherish simple sabzi at a dhaba, as it was plucked fresh from the fields and cooked right away for consumption.
Also, every time you heat food, its nutritional value comes down. Therefore, while stored food might taste good, its nutritional value is not the same as fresh food.
Dear Roopashree,
Both my children are fussy eaters.
The food at home is healthy, nutritious and tasty but it is a challenge at each meal time with them.
How can I improve their appetite without giving medicine?
Rupa
Rupa, as a mother myself, I understand the challenges involved.
In fact, I credit my creativity in cooking to my son’s selective taste buds.
Today, the challenge has doubled as we are not just competing with other dishes but artificial colours and flavours as well.
The best way to make children like to healthy food is to make them experience the difference by bringing them closer to nature. For example, do the burger experiment at home that shows how a fast food burger doesn’t decompose for more than a month!
Take them on nature trails or grow plants at home. Let them smell real herbs and vegetables.
When they buy packaged foods, show them the chemicals listed under the list of ingredients. Let them research the harmful effects of these preservatives.
Lastly, don’t forget to try new dishes and cuisines at home. Involve them in the cooking process to keep up the excitement and enjoy a good home cooked meal.
Dear Roopashree,
Can you suggest natural ways to ease joint pain?
Thank you,
Vimal
Hi Vimal, joint paints are a common issue even amongst young people these days.
However, there could be many factors such as age, genetics, your diet and daily routine, leading to joint pain.
I suggest you visit an Ayurvedic doctor to understand the root cause of join pains for a more sustainable solution.
Roopashree Sharma, a qualified yoga trainer and naturopathy enthusiast, is the founder of Atharvanlife (external link
You can send in your health queries to Roopashree Sharma at getahead@rediff.co.in (SUBJECT: Roopashree, can you help?). Do remember to include your age, height, weight, where you stay, health issues and any other details that will help. If you wish to remain anonymous, please let us know.
Please note: This is an advisory. Please consult your doctor as well. In case of any discomfort, please stop the regime and visit your doctor.
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