Hadjod recipe - ( Helps strengthen the integrity of bones )

Names in different languages:

English: Veldt Grape, Devil’s Backbone; Bengali: Harbhanga, Harjora; Gujarati: Chodari, Hadsand, Vedhani; Hindi: Hadjod, Hadjora, Jangli-angoor; Kannada: Asthi Samhaara, Mangaravalli; Malayalam: Changalam paranta; Marathi: Chaudhari, Harsankar, Kandavela; Sanskrit: Vajravalli, Asthisamhari, Asthisamhrta; Tamil: Perandai; Telugu: Nalleru, Gudametige, Kokkitaya-ralu; Botanical name: Cissus quadrangularis

As proven by my experience, it is almost impossible to kill this plant and hence also aptly named Adamant Creeper. As its Hindi name (Hadjor) suggests, this magical vine can join bones and heal fractures. It is also useful in treating gastrointestinal disorders, piles, scurvy, and irregular menstruation.

NOTE:

 How you clean and cook Hadjod is a very important part. During cleaning it can cause your skin to itch and if not cooked properly, it could cause an itchy throat. So be very careful to cook Hadjod really well. Well worth the effort when you think of all the benefits to bones amongst other things.

Hadjod Chutney

 Recipe Category: Side Dish-Chutney 

    Ingredients needed - 

   Hadjod - 3/4 cup chopped

   Sesame seed oil - 2 tbsp

   Urad dal - 3 tbsp

   Red Chillies - 2

   Ginger - 1/2 inch piece 

   Tamarind - a small piece

   Curry leaves - a sprig

   Grated coconut - 3 tbsp

   Salt to taste

Preparation 

Choose tender Hadjod for cooking as the thick matured ones will cause itching in the throat. String the Hadjod and scrap or peel the sharp angular edges (all sides) and discard the nodes and leaves. It is advisable to grease your hands with sesame seed oil or wear gloves to clean before handling Hadjod to prevent itching. Wash and chop into small pieces and set aside.

Method 

Heat a tbsp of oil in a kadai, add urad dal, red chillies, tamarind, curry leaves and ginger. Saute until dal turns golden brown. Remove from kadai and keep it aside. If using tamarind paste, you can add it while grinding.

In the same kadai, add another tbsp of oil and saute the Hadjod on medium heat until it turns pale green. Sauteing the Hadjod well in oil is very important otherwise you will have itching in the throat after eating or even while eating.

Once the Hadjod is sauteed well, add grated coconut and saute for another 2-3 seconds. Add salt needed and switch off the heat. Leave it to cool.

Once it cools, grind the Hadjod with the dal to a slightly coarse paste.(if using tamarind paste, you can add at this stage and then grind). Hadjod Chutney is ready.

Mix Hadjod chutney with hot rice, top it with a tsp of sesame seed oil and enjoy it. You can have a vegetable stir fry with it to make a complete meal.

It also goes well with idli and dosa also.

Note - Hadjod should be eaten in moderation.

Relief pain - Hadjod Benefits

Hadjod or Cissus quadrangularis is an ancient medicinal herb mentioned in Ayurveda.

It is a rich source of Vitamin C and carotenoids. It is used for many remedial purposes such as bone health, obesity, gout, peptic ulcer, scurvy, hemorrhoids, osteoporosis, and irregular menstruation pain reliever.

• Bone is a living tissue. 
• The structure of the bone changes as we age, and may result in loss of bone tissues. 
• Good nutrition and exercise play an important role for bone health. 
• In today’s fast paced life, there is limitation and cultural changes in diet and activity which makes it imperative to introduce supplements to keep the body healthy. 
• In food, a combination of natural herbs maintains health in various phases of life. 
• Hadjod or cissus quadrangular is is a perennial plant of the grape family. 
• It was used to heal broken bones, tendons and ligaments in ancient times.
• Cissus quadrangularis is also called hadjod, Devil’s backbone, Asthisamaharaka, Veldt grape.

Some most beneficial effects of hadjod are:

Strong bones: 

• Research reveals greater chances of healing fractures with hadjod supplementation. 
• Cissus quad rangular is may help increase uptake of calcium, a key nutrient required for bone strength.
• Calcium aids in joining broken segments of bones. 
• Hadjod supplementation may also help reduce chances of fracture by 40%. 
• There is also less pain and swelling observed. 
• The new formation of bone takes fewer weeks comparatively. 
• I recommend BestSource nutrition natural supplement cissus quadrangularis extract that improves bone density and heals connective tissues. 
• This may help athletes reduce the risk of possible fracture.

Promote bone mineralization: 

• Osteoporosis is a softening of bone majorly related to age. 
• Menopause also contributes to loss of bone mass in women with greater risk of fracture. 
• Cissus quadrangularis increases the osteoblasts and bone mineralization process by increasing the uptake of calcium. 
• So, it reduces bone resorption and increases bone formation. 
• This herb is particularly beneficial for post-menopausal women and old people for this notable reason.

Relieve pain: 

• Hadjod is very rich in Vitamin C, which has anti- inflammatory property.
• Inflammation can induce pain, swelling and many health issues. 
• Hadjod or Cissus quadrangularis is used by athletes to relieve pain and inflammation. 
• The pain-relieving effect is found as potent as Aspirin. 
• BestSource nutrition’s natural supplement Cissus Quadrangularis extract is a natural herb beneficial for gym-goer athletes to perform better by reducing inflammation.

Decreases post workout injuries: 

• Since Cissus quadrangularis possess anti-glucocorticoid properties, it is beneficial for athletes and body-builders. 
• Glucocorticoids, along with the body’s cortisol hormone, may induce muscle breakdown, loss of skeletal muscle proteins and weakens the bones. 
• Here, Cissusquadrangularis is a competitor to glucocorticoids. 
• Cissus quadrangularisis anabolic in nature and increases bone tensile strength. 
• During periods of stress, over-training, or illness, the cortisol level rises, this can be halted by using Cissus Qudrangularis supplements.

Helps weight loss and reduces cardiovascular risk: 

• Supplementation of Hadjod or Cissus quadrangularis, with exercise and natural diet, has shown very good results with weight loss. 
• It helps burn fat and increases muscle mass, along with managing appetite. 
• Several studies have noticed positive built up of lean muscle mass, which helps boost metabolism and burn more calories.
•  It helps in reducing the absorption of dietary fat and staying satiated. 
• Obesity, high body fat percentage, central obesity, or high waist to hip ratio can put one at risk of cardiovascular diseases.

The Green Gram Lentil Face Pack - Glowing skin

Green gram lentils are packed with essential Vitamins, calcium and magnesium.  It also comprises of proteins and fibre.
Ingredients Required - 
Green gram

Almond

Rosewater

• Ground green gram lentils into powdered form. 
• Add almond powder and rose water till it becomes a paste. 
• Apply this pack on skin, neck and back, and wash after it gets dried.
• Use cucumber juice to wash the face for more effective results.

Green gram lentils help in balancing secretion of oil and sweat on the face. It prevents acne and builds new and healthy skin cells.

The Nutmeg-Oatmeal Face Pack- Glowing Skin

• Nutmeg, also known as jayaphal, is rich in Vitamins, copper and potassium. 
• Oatmeal consists of high content of fibre and essential fatty acids and nutrients.

Ingredients Required - 

Nutmeg

Oats

Milk

• Take 1 tablespoon of powdered oatmeal in a bowl and add two pinches of nutmeg powder into  it.
• Mix it with rose water or milk and apply on the dark spots and acne scars. 
•  Leave it for some time and wash it off with lukewarm water.
• Nutmeg works effectively against acne scars, spots and blemishes that make you feel embarrassing. 
• Oatmeal offers sufficient nourishment and glow to the skin. 
• Repeat this application for at least four to five weeks, once or twice a week.

The Oatmeal-Almond Face Pack

Oatmeal is a powerhouse of fibre, nutrients such as vitamin E, zinc, potassium, and so on. Almonds are rich in Vitamin E content.
Ingredients Required - 
Oatmeal

Almond

Milk

• Take sufficient quantities of oatmeal and almond powder into a bowl and add milk into it to form a paste. 
• Apply this paste on the face and neck and wash it off after 15 minutes.
• Repeat this process for few months till you get rid of dryness, soreness or any kind of skin irritation.
• Oatmeal is rich in providing hydration to the skin. 
• It reduces skin redness, irritation and dryness in less possible time. 
• Almonds are skin lightening and moisturizing agents.

Papaya-Almond Face Pack- Glowing skin

Papaya is rich in Vitamin A and C content. Almonds are fortified with Vitamin E content.
Ingredients Required -
Papaya

Almond

Rose water / Milk

• Mash papaya into paste. Add a teaspoon of almond powder into it.
• Mix it well with rose water or milk and apply on the face.
• Leave it for 10 minutes and wash it off with cold water.
• Papaya is an effective remedy for removing blemishes and dark spots. 
• Papaya is sensitive for the skin, we can add almond powder to provide moisture to the skin.

The Sandalwood-Almond-Multani Mitti Pack- Glowing Skin

Sandalwood is known for its antibacterial and moisturizing properties. Almonds have high content of Vitamin E. Multani mitt nourishes the skin and makes it flawless.
Ingredients Required -  
Sandalwood

Almond

Multani Mitti

Rosewater/ Milk

• Mix equal proportions of these three ingredients into rose water or milk to form a paste. 
• Apply it, leave for 15-20 minutes and wash off with cold water. 
• This pack is one of the best face packs during summer season.
• Sandalwood and multani mitti are fighting agents against acne, blemishes, dark spots and sun tan.
•  Almonds are rich moisturizing agents and skin brightening actors too. 
• Your skin will become flawless and healthy within a few weeks. 
• The uneven skin tone will no longer be embarrassing after regular application of this pack.

The Sun Tan Remover Pack

The black gram, commonly known as urad dal is rich in potassium, iron and Vitamin B6 content.
Ingredients Required -  
Urad dal

Curd or buttermilk

• Soak a small bowl of urad dal in water overnight. 
• Next morning, ground it into a paste and add sufficient quantity of curd or buttermilk while grinding it. 
• Apply this pack for 15-20 minutes on face and suntanned areas such as hands and shoulders. Wash it off after some time.

Urad dal is best for removing sun tan, sunburns as it calms the skin. It also brightens the skin tone. Though this sounds tedious, it works effectively.

The Carrot-Multani Mitti Pack - Glowing skin

• Multani mitti has amazing powers of hydrating your skin, lightening the complexion and in removing impurities and dark spots. 
• Carrots are fortified with Vitamin A content. 
• It acts as an antioxidant agent for making the facial skin lustrous and flawless.

Ingredients Required - 
Carrot

Multani mitti

Method To Prepare - 

• Extract juice out of one small carrot. 
• Add sufficient quantity of multani mitti into it till it becomes a paste. 
• Apply this pack on skin, neck and back and leave it for 10-15 minutes. 
• Wash it off with lukewarm water. 
• You will notice the difference in your acne spots and blemishes within a few weeks.
• Carrot juice works against the acne and dark spots, blemishes and freckles, making the skin flawless. 
• It fights against signs of pigmentation and enhances skin texture.

The Avocado-Walnut Face Pack for Glowing skin

Avocados contain large quantities of Vitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E and vitamin H.
Ingredients Required - 

Avocado

Rosewater

Walnut 

Method To Prepare - 

• Mash an avocado and grind it in the mixer to form a pulp. 
• Add rose water and a teaspoon of walnut powder into it. 
• Apply the pack on the face and wash it off with water after 10-15 minutes.

Avocados help in the moisturizing skin, making it soft and supple. It also adds a protective layer for the skin surface against environmental elements.

Lower Back Stretches To Relieve Lower Back Pain

1. Knee to Chest

•  With this stretch, you will need to align your pelvis, while stretching the lower back and the rear end muscles.
•  Lie on your back, and point your toes to the sky.
•  Now, bend the right knee slowly, and pull up your leg to the chest.
•  Hold your thigh with your arms, and try to pull the knee to the chest gently. 
• Hold it for about 15 to 20 seconds, and slowly release it and take it back to the starting position. 
• Repeat this same process with the other leg now.

2. Twist With Lying Knees

• With this stretch, you can strengthen your abdominal muscles by stretching your para-spinal muscles. 
• Lie down on your back, and stretch your legs straight. 
• Now, bend your right knee up and take it over to the left side of the body.
•  Keep holding it for 20 seconds, till you experience a gentle stretch on your back and hips.
• Now, rotate from back to the centre so that your core muscles get tightened. 
• Repeat this for about three times on each side.

3. Yoga Cat

• This is one of the most effective exercises for giving relief to lower back pain. 
• You need to kneel down on all fours, so that your hands are below your shoulders, and your knees are below your hips. 
• Now, exhale gently, and try to arch your spine. 
• Then, while bringing your face downwards, like a cat, inhale and tighten the core muscles. 
• Do these movements slowly and hold on to this position for about 5 to 10 seconds. 
• Repeat it 10 times.

4. Piriformis Stretch

• With this stretch, your piriformis muscles get lengthened and strengthened. 
• This is the muscle that causes sciatica, which is a radiating leg pain. 
• Sit straight, and cross the left leg over the right leg, so that your foot is placed next to the thigh.
• Now, bring the right leg below your hips. 
• Place the right arm on the leg and try to stretch it. 
• Just ensure that your back is kept straight and the chest is lifted.
• Hold on to it for about 20 seconds, and repeat this step with the other side.
•  Do it three times.

5. Cobra Stretch

• This is one of the lower back stretches which can tighten the lower back and abdominal muscles. 
• Lie down on your tummy, and stretch your legs, placing the palms on both sides of your head. 
• The elbows and forearms should touch the ground.
•  Now, push the body upwards, so that the weight rests on the forearms. 
• Keep the hips to the ground. 
• Keep stretching till you are comfortable and keep holding to that position for about 10 seconds. 
• Now, gently go back to the starting position, and repeat this thrice.

6. Restful Stretch

• This is one of the easiest and most comfortable lower back stretches. 
• This can give relaxation to your body. 
• Sit down with your knees bent and legs beneath your thighs. 
• Once, you feel comfortable, stretch your arms forward, and let your head fall forward in a relaxing position. 
• Keep holding on to this pose for 20 seconds, and return back to the starting position. 
• Try repeating this thrice.

7. Hamstring Stretch

• Lie down on your back, and bend one leg, while keeping the foot on the floor. 
• Now, bring the other leg upwards, and stretch it straight above. 
• Hold it on the knee to give it support. 
• Hold this for about 30 seconds, and do it for each leg twice.

8. Hip Flexing Stretch

• Try to bend one knee, keeping it vertical over the ground, and rest your body on the other leg, which is folded. 
• The other leg should also be bent, but the leg should lie down straight on the floor. 
• Now, keep your hands on the bent knee that is standing vertical, and hold on to it for about 30 seconds. 
• Now, repeat it, by switching sides.