As the mercury is dipping, slight nip in the morning air is palpable. This seasonal change can make one prone to infections and flu. Normally people with a weak immune system are the first to endure. As the seasons change having a strong immunity is pivotal to prevent and fight infections. During winters people frequently contract cold, cough, bronchitis, sinuses and flu like infections. Even Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) affects people more often in winters where they face difficulty waking up in the morning, feel drowsy throughout the day, lethargic, tired or run-down feeling coupled with tendency to oversleep & overeat.

An effective remedy for maintaining health and making up for this seasonal change will include good nutrition, exercise, sunlight exposure, supplements (wherever needed) and herbal preparations.

Nutrition – One cannot undermine the benefits of good nutrition in boosting overall health and wellbeing. After all, “You are what you eat”. Food is the only fuel that drives your body. Seasonal fruits and vegetables should be your go to when it comes to building a robust immunity. Often packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants they prevent seasonal infections and flu.

Exercise – Exercise is crucial for staying fit, healthy and active. Any bodily activity done regularly helps to maintain or enhance the physical fitness. Frequent and regular exercise also boosts the immune system. Apart from cardio and resistance workouts, a special mention for activities like yogasana, meditation and pranayam which helps regulate stress response thereby suppressing chronic inflammation and improving immune regulation.

Sunlight exposure – While exercising in the open you get not only fresh air but even your daily dose of Vitamin D from Sunlight. Many research suggest Vitamin D is vital for immune functions and decreases risk for developing auto-immune conditions or upper respiratory tract infections. Sunlight exposure stimulates the hypothalamus in the brain responsible for controlling the circadian rhythm and it also increases your serotonin that helps you stave off Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

Supplements – Any deficiency of vital nutrients should be addressed immediately to keep up with the maintenance of a strong immune response. Newer researches are increasingly finding out that supplements like vitamin C, vitamin D and zinc can boost your immunity.

Herbal preparations – Traditionally most Indian households use some herbal preparations or concoctions at the advent of seasonal change. Here we will read about how herbal drops can be beneficial. To boost immunity along with climate change these 3 daily drops will help you immensely.

Tulsi – A well-known adaptogen which helps you to adapt or acclimatise to the changing surroundings or seasons. Tulsi drops are super effective in reducing asthma, cold, cough and infections like sinusitis or bronchitis. In case of cold and congestion having Tulsi drops with warm water is effective in clearing the nose and lungs. Tulsi is well known for its myriad of medicinal properties as it is a powerful antiviral, antifungal, antimicrobial and antibacterial. Tulsi extracts have shown immunomodulatory response by improving the body’s response in fighting antigens (like bacteria, microbes, viruses, fungi, allergens, etc) by antibody production. Liquid aqueous extract of Tulsi also produces a reduction in the total bacterial count and an increase in the total neutrophil & lymphocyte count with a demonstrated good phagocytic ability, all determiners of a strong immune response. Eugenol present in Tulsi has been effective in combating several pathogens by disrupting their cell membranes.

Turmeric – Indians have known the health benefits of Turmeric for thousands of years. It has been used to fight inflammation, infections and get rid of toxins. Turmerone is a major bioactive compound found in Turmeric. Like Curcumin, Turmerones is one of the most well-researched natural therapeutic compound. It is a powerful anti-inflammatory and potent anti-oxidant. Turmeric’s detoxification property promotes healthy digestion and relief from stomach disorders. The medicinal properties in Turmeric may be able to boost the immune system even in people with existing immune disorders. Also helpful for people with chronic stress as it has immune balancing properties.

Ginger – Gingerol, a compound found in ginger is highly effective against cough, sore throat and other inflammatory illnesses. Ginger is also a powerful antiseptic and anti-inflammatory. Ginger is one of the best remedy for gastro disorders like dyspepsia, stomach ache, flatulence, indigestion, colic, spasms, ulcers, nausea, food poisoning and intestinal infections. It is also effective in helping reduce or relieve pain. Overall a very strong anti-oxidant with multiple health benefits.

A special mention of two more herbal drops that boost immunity but not relatively native to the Indian context.

Rosemary – It cleanses the liver and subtly improves immunity. Analgesic effects of Rosemary relieve colic pain & dysmenorrhea.

Vetiver – An overall good tonic that keeps the metabolic system in check. It is also an excellent treatment for inflammation caused by sun stroke & dehydration.

How to use these drops to boost immunity?

Take Tulsi, Turmeric and Ginger drops in Water regularly – 5 drops in water when you wake up in the morning and 5 drops in water before you hit the bed in the evening.

These drops can alternatively be also used in Green tea or Black tea with lemon. Similarly, these can be even added to Buttermilk on a daily basis.

Stay clear of factors that can impair the immune system such as chronic stress, vitamin / mineral deficiencies, lack of sleep, exposure to toxins and unhealthy habits. We have heard the age old saying umpteen number of times that ‘Prevention is better than cure’. And the right time to put it into practice is during this critical period of seasonal flu and viral pandemic. Following all the above guidelines, we can now get through the winter season without passing around any flu or infections.

Our body has a natural detoxification system where various organs of our body work towards cleaning our internal system. Amongst them, liver and kidneys are the most important organs which act like a filter and have a major role in cleansing our body and purifying the blood. Liver is the place where all waste matter and toxins are processed and converted into substances that can be eliminated through the kidneys. After processing, liver distinguishes between the nutrients we need to absorb and the dangerous or unnecessary substances that must be filtered out of our bloodstream via kidneys.

Practiced for centuries by cultures around the world, detoxification is about resting, cleansing and nourishing the body from inside out. It is the process of removing waste matter impurities and harmful toxins from the body and purifying the blood. By removing toxins and feeding the body with healthy nutrients, this process of detox can help protect the body from various diseases and renew our ability to maintain optimum health. We may get toxins from either the food we consume daily (especially the processed foods), medicines or drug usage, environmental exposure and so on. Poor digestion also leads to toxin build up in the body. Due to improper digestion, faulty eating habits and poor lifestyle, people are likely to suffer from constipation as well which is one more reason for toxic bowel. If the bowel is not clean toxic matter remains in the bowel for a longer time giving more time to intestinal bacteria to ferment it which is likely to give rise to health problems. Another reason of toxicity is stress which triggers the body to release stress hormones into the system. While these hormones can provide the ‘adrenaline rush’ to win a race or meet a deadline, in large amounts they create toxin build up in the body and slow down the detoxification process in the liver.

Do you need to Detox if your liver and kidneys are working optimally?

An overtly toxic body hampers the normal functioning of these organs. When the liver is clogged and overburdened with toxins, it cannot do a very effective job of processing nutrients and chemicals that we consume which in turn hampers the elimination process of kidneys. Hence depending on the exposure of the toxins even people with healthy liver and kidneys need detox.

How frequently do you need to Detox?

The frequency of Detox will vary from person to person. This could be highly individualized depending on the lifestyle and biochemical parameters of the individual.

People with sedentary lifestyle, altered body rhythm, chronic stress, exposure to toxins, excess consumption of refined, processed or junk food or unhealthy addictions may need frequent detox.

Also people with weak liver and kidneys will have altered SGPT, SGOT, alkaline phosphatase, urea, creatinine, BUN levels (in your LFT and KFT) such people would need regular Detox.

As against this, for healthy people, it is advisable, to do Detox post the festive season as that is the time when they have gorged on excessive sweets and delicacies.

Which herbal drops are preferred for Detox?

When you are on the lookout for Detox, here are the 4 most effective drops.

1. Cumin: It is hepatoprotective (liver protective) and nephroprotective (kidney protective) in nature. An excellent detoxifier as it eliminates toxins from blood. Cumin herbal drops also act as a digestive stimulant since it enhances the release of bile and gastric juices for improved digestion.
2. Cinnamon: A powerful detoxifier of the entire body, specially the stomach and pancreas. It helps manage high BP, cholesterol, diabetes and menstrual cramps.
3. Rosemary: It is an excellent liver cleanser. It also protects the liver from damages like chemically induced liver cirrhosis. A potent antioxidant that also reduces chronic stress and fatigue.
4. Tulsi: One of the most traditional healing herb that helps to detox, stimulate and recharge your body functions. Apart from being a powerful hepatoprotective it is also anti-spasmodic (spasm relieving), anti-tussive (cough relieving), anti-emetic (nausea relieving), anti-ulcer (ulcer relieving), anti-allergic (allergy relieving), anti-asthmatic (asthma relieving), anti-pyretic (fever preventing), etc. Traditionally, Tulsi leaves were taken first thing in the morning. It is also known as a metabolic booster as it even counters metabolic stress. Because of this property of Tulsi, it is even incorporated in teas and marketed as Tulsi teas. The market is flooded with Tulsi tea projected as natural detox. Tulsi purifies and cleanses your body of all the toxins. A more viable and better option would be to use these herbal drops in warm water for detoxification.

Since time immemorial we have been reading and experiencing about the benefits of water consumption.

Nutritionally, water is one of the core components of essential nutrients. Drinking around 10 – 12 average size glasses or roughly 2.5 – 3 litres of water each day is crucial to manage all bodily functions from cellular to organ level. Not just that it is an excellent digestive aid and an equally amazing detox facilitator. It dilutes waste and toxins in the body for easy withdrawal from our system. The benefits of water cannot be underestimated and difficult to be outlined in one write-up.

Today we shall read about the most important function of water i.e Hydration. Hydration is critical to avoid dehydration issues. Dehydration can also be fatal if not managed accurately & timely.

Some benefits of hydration are …

• regulates body temperature
• maintain joint lubrication
• improves physical performance in athletes
• keeps the skin supple
• prevents hypovolemic (low blood volume) shock
• improves mental clarity and focus
• medium for transport / delivery of nutrients
• maintains a healthy epithelium and intestinal lumen
• prevents gastric upsets
• prevent UTI’s and kidney stones

Even after so many benefits of hydration there are people who still don’t drink enough water. Most often it is found that there are various reasons limiting enough water intake. Some of the common ones are staying indoors or in an AC environment, unable to identify thirst signals and get confused with hunger pangs, difficulty finding loos outside, urinary incontinence or simply forgetting to drink enough water.

But you would be surprised to know that most common reason for restrictive water consumption is people get bored of drinking plain water.

A novel idea to this solution is introduction of healthy herbal drops to impart both texture and health to the drinking water medium. Durmeric daily drops are manufactured using nano technology and retain all the goodness of herbs from which they are extracted. The bioactive compounds of these herbs are more bioavailable in these drop form due to the nano size of the extracts. These are high food grade quality daily drops and the extracts are far more effective than consuming just herbs due to the unique extraction process followed by Durmeric. Many variants of daily drops are available with Durmeric like Cumin, Cinnamon, Clove, Rosemary, Vetiver, Ginger, Tulsi, Turmeric, Sweet Basil. Each of these daily drops have their own advantage and impart various health benefits.  They can be added to stored drinking water at home or even office pantry water dispensers. The intake of water is known to go up considerably due to the fragnant aroma and taste of water that in turn helps achieve proper hydration. As per few customers when cinnamon / tulsi drops or its combination is used, the consumers water intake has increased significantly*. This could lead to better hydration in people with low water intake or dehydration issues.

Using daily just 5 drops in a glass of lukewarm water offers immense health benefits to the user. Hydration with Health can be achieved through these drops. For more information on how to use them effectively pls visit https://www.durmeric.com/daily-rituals/.

(*The above statement is based on customer experience purely and not scientifically validated.)

Our grandmom’s have used herbs and spices wholeheartedly and their ”gharelu upchar” is something we can still swear by. The list of herbs and spices used then was pretty long and the list of health benefits that they would confer even longer. Some legacies carried forward and some lost in generational relay. It was strongly believed that herbs and spices could help pre-empt and thus prevent the stress from the effects of negative chemicals (even, the everyday stress of living) could cause in our living. It is these stresses which, if not stopped, might convert into some disorder, depending on which part of our body is at its weakest. This might be the reason why during earlier times they were used to ward off illness, help faster recovery, increase energy, boost fertility, etc.

Even though these herbs have worked for thousands of years, scientific research is only now beginning to unravel the potential that they have to make us healthy. Isn’t it time to upgrade the ‘home remedies’ tag? After all, science now shows clearly that these herbal power-healers can fight allergies, prevent cognitive decline, ward off heart disease, alleviate arthritis pain, reduce high blood sugar and help with myriad of metabolic and systemic conditions.

The best part is that that these herbs and spices besides being very effective, they can also be used without the danger of any side effects.

We all know that daily consumption of Tulsi is said to prevent diseases and promote general health, wellbeing & longevity. But had you known that the ursolic acid in it helps boost muscle mass and decrease body fat, you would have never scoffed at the few tulsi leaves your mother puts in your morning cup of tea daily.

Similarly, it has been scientifically proven that cinnamon is effective against diabetes. Simply by seasoning a high carb food with cinnamon, one can lesser its impact on their blood sugar levels.

Cumin is a proven digestive aid that improves digestion and appetite. It also has carminative properties that help relieves flatulence. Typically used in Indian cooking making it easy to digest. Remember even the jeera goli digestives that we used to love post meals?

Turmeric had been our secret for a long time. Researchers are now confident that the low alzheimer’s disease incidence and high consumption of turmeric here has a connection. No wonder it is suddenly one of the most studied food ingredient in the world.

Cloves are the best hack for toothache relief. Cloves have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anaesthetic properties. Improves blood circulation and makes one feel more energetic.

Ginger is known to prevent stomach upsets. It’s an effective remedy to help fight nausea and motion sickness. Remember the ginger candies / chews that your grandmom would feed you on a car journey?

Most importantly these miniscule herbs and spices work wonders even in smallest of quantities. Just keep the faith in them like people did till not so long back and let them do what they are supposed to do that is keep you healthy and disease free.

With the advent of newer technologies get ready to experiment the same old spices and herbs differently. Are you eager to try cinnamon herbal drops to your warm bowl of pumpkin soup this winter. Let us know …

It wouldn’t be wrong to say that mental health has been on a constant decline in the recent past few years. And its impact is visualised in ever increasing cases of depression, crime rates, marital discord, business partnership fallouts, road rage, suicidal tendencies, etc. Adding fuel to the fire, this year the pandemic crisis has amplified the already existing mental health issues. Every calamity or natural disaster leads to significant increase in mental illness and COVID-19 is no exception. And while the physical health and well-being is bound to recover post the vaccine, the mental health crisis may continue to ravage post the pandemic too.

A recent private survey indicated feeling of insecurity, helplessness, poor financial conditions, fear of losing employment, social distancing, stigma, domestic violence, loneliness, alcohol & substance abuse, etc., are the leading causes of mental illness during this pandemic.

Now there are ways to boost mental wellness by practising mindfulness, taking up meditation, therapy et all; all of which could possibly help explore new perceptions and dimensions. Nutrition also plays a very important role in supporting sound mental health. It is a science that is based on years and years of research and it won’t change easily. But with the advent of technology, it is possible to make Nutrition more viable as per the current lifestyle / norms / requirements. Throughout the pandemic we have known the benefits of our good old ‘Kadha’ made out of various herbs and spices. Herbs and spices have the highest ORAC values which means they display tremendous antioxidant properties which can drastically improve psycho-emotional stress and mental wellbeing amongst other health benefits.

At Durmeric, nano technology is used to extract the active ingredients from herbs & spices and converted into daily drops format. The daily drops are far better than consuming fresh herbs as the nano size of the key ingredients make them more bio available. Easy to use and suitable for the current hectic lifestyle.

There are few Durmeric Daily Drops that can help boost mental health and you should use them regularly. Find them here …

Tulsi:

Regular consumption of Tulsi drops is beneficial in relaxing and calming the mind. It is also beneficial in relieving anxiety, migraines, headaches, mental exhaustion / fatigue, nervous, tension, insomnia and depression. Tulsi offers a host of psychological benefits that include anti-depressant benefits, positive effects on memory and improving cognitive function. A powerful adaptogen, Tulsi is known to effectively combat stress and boost mental health. Tulsi daily drops contains eugenol which keeps the brain and nervous system in top gear.

Tip: Try adding 4 to 5 Tulsi daily drops in a glass of lukewarm water and have it first thing in the morning daily.

Vetiver:

It is a well-known anti-depressive, nervine tonic and natural sedative that is stress relieving and sleep inducing. Vetiver is helpful for people who suffer from chronic stress and are facing anxiety issues. Also beneficial for children who suffer from ADHD and restlessness. Vetiver daily drops are perfect for deep relaxation.

Tip: Add vetiver drops to boiled and cooled lemongrass water for tranquility. It also pairs very well with mint and can be added to pudina (mint) chutney.

Rosemary:

Rosemary is an efficient nervous system stimulator. It boosts attention span, alertness and memory. Rosemary drops can also reduce stress and anxiety. It is a powerful mood-enhancer too.

Tip: Rosemary daily drops pair best with homemade salad dressings. Add 5 drops of rosemary to a mixture of olive oil, vinegar, mustard sauce and honey. Drizzle it over a cold salad and toss well.

Cinnamon:

Cinnamon is a potent brain tonic capable of improving brain functions. It helps body relax and makes one feel less stressed. Many researches have claimed that just the aroma of Cinnamon can help improve performances that require mental efforts.

Tip: Cinnamon daily drops are best used in soups before main meals (Lunch / Dinner). You can also try adding 3 – 4 cinnamon drops to your warm Pumpkin Spice Latte.

Clove Bud and Clove Leaf:

Clove bud and leaf daily drops helps stimulate the brain. It packs in more mental energy and helps the consumer become more focused and attentive.

Tip: Clove Bud drops impacts best when added to your daily cup of Green tea. Clove leaf tastes equally good with black tea and lemon.

Cumin:

It is an excellent wonder spice. A natural pacifier for the nervous system. It can help manage anxiety, stress, convulsions and seizures effectively.

Tip: Cumin drops imparts an exciting taste when added to buttermilk, solkadhi or sattu. It is excellent and it helps in reducing digestive disturbances too.

As a ritual in many cultures warming foods are consumed to help them cope with the winters. One such category of food that imparts warmth and sparks your digestive fire is your humble winter bitters.

In our culture methiladoos, gulkand, chyawanprash, gajak, etc are all eaten during winters. These foods have an unusual earthy flavour and has a mixed taste combining sweet, sour, pungent, astringent and bitter.

Bitter foods are essentially known to preserve strength, stamina and vitality while stalling the course of aging.

Bitter foods stimulate a healthy appetite, promotes peristalsis and serves as a digestive tonic. The bitter element enhances release of digestive juices and enzymes.

These bitter foods also relieve intestinal gas and kills bad bacteria from the GI tract.Excellent for the gut health.

Bitter foods are also known to promote healthy bile flow which has a cleansing effect on the system.

Bitter foods can activate the body’s defense system and improve the body’s immune response.

It is also known to clear congestion and purify the blood.

So,it’s time to try some bitter foods this winter and these should be your top picks …

• Bitter greens / leafy vegetables like fenugreek leaves, mustard greens, radish greens, spinach, collard greens, arugula, rocket leaves, dill leaves,
• Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, bok-choy, brussels sprouts, collard
• Root vegetables like radish, turnips, etc
• Bitter melon and spiny gourd
• Sesame seeds and fenugreek seeds
• Neem and aloe vera
• Cocoa and coffee
• Kalmegh, guduchi, chirata, etc
• Dandelion tea
• Mustard oil

Not everybody appreciates bitter food. So how do you reduce or neutralize the bitterness in these foods?

Most herbs, spices and flavours from basil, coriander, black pepper, clove, ginger, cinnamon or rosemary will help override bitter taste bud receptors by stimulating other taste receptors like savoury, spicy or sour. Also, one can use Durmeric Daily Drops to balance out the bitterness while using these winter bitters. These drops are very convenient and easy to use. They easily dissolve in any aqueous solution or food preparations and are completely hassle free.

Examples of usage are:

• Rosemary daily drops can be added to salad made of arugula or rocket.
• Sweet basil drops can be added to early morning ritual of neem juice.
• Clove bud drops or clove leaf drops can be added to evening cup of dandelion tea to reduce bitterness.

Bitter foods may not be everyone’s favourite but they definitely boast of a variety of health benefits to watch out for …

Now that 2020 is officially behind us, we enter into a new year filled with hope, energy and enthusiasm. The new year is synonymous as a new beginning, a new chapter in the book called ‘Life’. And most often people want to ring in the new year with new year resolutions. Though it is just a calendar change from 31st December 2020 to 1st January 2021 and nothing more. Still, January for most people is a promising month to start with new diet plan, new gym membership or new health goals. That said it is sad to note that most (almost 80%) of the new year resolutions are never achieved or never even see the light beyond January. Come December we again gear up to set all our new year resolutions in place.

The question to ponder upon here is why do we keep repeating this cycle?

What is it with these new year resolutions specially the ones that are pertaining to health or fitness that are destined to fail?

Let’s know why these good intentions don’t live up to our expectations.

According to us the 3 most common reasons why new year resolutions fail are as follows ..

Resolutions that involve drastic changes in your lifestyle and not planned wisely will lead to major despair. Not planning properly will also mean you are planning to fail. You should be able to uphold your health plans over a period of time. Remember that you are going to fight against age old habits of yours and this will take time. Also, it is easier to drop out or walk away when you set goals or resolutions that are too difficult to adhere to. So always plan small changes towards your health goals. Start gradually and keep pushing yourself through to attain the desired results.
Never look for instant gratification. Most people want to see instant results. And if they won’t they want to back out. 10 days down the new plan you can’t expect to see significant changes in your measurements nor would you fit into your old jeans yet. Stop expecting unachievable results in a short span. If it was so quick and easy to do nobody would remain fat or unhealthy. Always remember your body has taken time to gain the extra kilos and it will take some time to lose weight as well.
You will need constant support and motivation through the entire process. Whether its your Dietitian or fitness trainer or diet tiffin service or running buddy to help you through this process. There are days when you would want to do away with all the efforts and just want to give up on the resolution. But having a coach to guide you through or a buddy to accompany you will make a huge difference. Enrolling in group activities helps you meet new people and makes the transformational mundane journey far more interesting.

What we also understand from the above failures is that most health goals are not sustainable over a period of time for various reasons. How about if some of these health goals were made into an easy to do task. It would be lot easier to sail through it right?

What if we told you that you can secure many of your health goals through few drops of herbal extract daily? Unbelievable right?

DURMERIC was born to realize this idea. It inherits the age old Ayurvedic legacy coupled with advanced nano technology to offer novel products that helps you stay healthy effortlessly. Durmeric offers herbal concentrates as daily drops making herbal nutrition easy and convenient. These drops are better than fresh herbs and are suitable for daily use. They are ‘nano-emulsified herbal extracts’ that offer the highest form of bio availability, ensuring complete absorption in the body. These drops as a part of daily health routine proves to be sustainable enough, as all you need is to add a few drops of Durmeric to your daily beverages. These few drops are sufficient to help you gain benefits of these medicinal herbs in your diet.

Let’s try to change our unhealthy habits one drop at a time. Looking to start afresh with a healthy lifestyle this 2021. Durmeric is here to support this journey of yours.

There is no better time to start than now.

Take a deep breath, sip some beverage and get set!