When shall we start our New Year’s resolutions?!

The year 2023 is really special, because as soon as the new year starts the moon will be crossing the Ashwini star constellation, the very first constellation of the Vedic Zodiac. 

So the very first day of our new year corresponds with the very first star sign. By the way, the Ashwini asterism is often referred to as the “star sign of miraculous beginnings”.

Apart from this the 1st of january in 2023 falls on a sunday, 10 days after the previous new moon constellation. Both the 10th day after the new moon and the day of sunday are considered fixed, stable astrological occurrences.

So if we start out with our new year’s resolutions on the 1st of january it will be a lot easier to stick with them.

This goes from the Line Islands in Kiribati (these are the first points of sunrise in the world), all the way to Salt Lake City, Utah.

Unfortunately the west coast of  Canada and the US, as well as Hawaii do not experience this amazing astrological event. By the time they cross into 2023 the moon will be in the 2nd constellation of the zodiac.

Om Tat Sat

Adam aka Fat Yogi

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Detoxing during the colder months…

Every act of detoxification takes a toll on the system. So according to the science of Ayurveda detoxification during the colder months is never done!

First of all the effect of cold on the body makes the entire process of detoxification a lot harder, plus as cold also takes a toll on our system, detoxing is not advised to be done during a period that is more trying for our system.

But there is always a little trick, a tiny little exception when it come to eastern medicine!

There are a few spices and herbs that have a rather special effect on our bodies. The effect is detoxing in nature, but not in the usual way. They actually increase our power of digestion to the extent where our system becomes able to burn away the impurities stored in the body. So instead of getting rid of them through fasts, purgation or other such methods, the toxins are burned away!

The spices and herbs are as follows:

  • Bay leaves, in India it is also added into sweet rice and other milky sweets.
  • Black pepper, and also long pepper, as they belong to the same family of plants.
  • Cumin practically used in almost every dish in Ayurvedic cooking.
  • Fenugreek can be used as spice, but it can be made into tea as well.
  • Ginger, and also Turmeric, as they belong to the same family of plants.

Om Tat Sat

Fat Yogi

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(K)Örömvirág-The Calendula Officinalis…

Calendula has been known and used in folk medicine for centuries. It is also a well-known and popular herb in the Ayurvedic medicine. It can be grown and harvested from spring to autumn. It is colorful, mostly bright yellow and orange inflorescences, and it can be applied both externally and internally.

In its dried form, tea can be made from it. It is excellent in treating gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer as it has anti-inflammatory properties. In this case, one can drink up to 3 cups of tea a day.

If it is used for blood purification or to improve liver function, 1-3 cups per day are recommended for 3 weeks. If used as antipyretic or antispasmodic drink 1 cup, as needed.

To ease menstruation, consume one cup daily from the second half of the cycle.

In ointment form, used externally, it is an excellent wound healer and disinfectant. It can be used to treat difficult-to-heal wounds, surgical scars, ulcers, burns and frostbite, as well as eczema, varicose veins, venous inflammation, rosacea, hemorrhoids and tinnitus. It is also used externally for arthritis and is excellent for all sorts of skin irritations.

Preparation of ointment: bring to boil approx. 30 g of petals in an enamel pan, then simmer for 5 minutes. Mix 100 mls of extra virgin olive oil, shea butter and mango butter, half an avocado oil, jojoba oil and beeswax oil. After the beeswax has completely dissolved, remove from the heat and stir until all the ingredients are mixed. Combine the preparation with the essential oils if you like, then blend it until you get a cream-like substance. Transfer to an airtight jar and store in a cool place.

Calendula essence: In the event of accidents, the calendula tincture promises rapid improvement. Pour a handful of calendula petals into a bottle, pour 38-40 proof grain brandy (alcohol) over it so it covers the plant, and keep the bottle in a warm place for at least two weeks. Dilute the essence obtained with boiled water, soak a clean cloth and apply compression to the bruise. Apply a thick amount of calendula ointment to the skin of the affected part of the body so that the alcohol in the tincture does not remove the oily layer of the skin.

Calendula oil: The petals are soaked in olive oil or soybean oil. It has anti-inflammatory, wound healing, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antioxidant, anti-aging properties. It is also used in hair care.

Hungarian/Magyarul:

A körömvirágot vagy a latin nevén ismert a calendulát évszázadok óta ismeri és használja a népgyógyászat. Az Ájurvédikus renszerben is ismert és kedvelt gyógynövény. Tavasztól-őszig termeszthető és szüretelhető. Színes, többnyire élénk sárga és narancsszín virágzata külsőleg és belsőleg egyaránt felhasználható. Szárított formájában, ha leforrázzuk tea készíthető belőle, ami kiváló gyomorfekély, nyombélfekély, fertőzéses májgyulladás esetén hámosító és gyulladáscsökkentő. Ilyenkor  napi 3 csésze tát igyunk belőle. Vértisztításra, májműködés javítására 1-3 csészével 3 héten keresztül. Lázcsillapításra, görcsoldásra alkalmanként egy csészével. Menstruáció szabályozására a ciklus második felétől naponta egy csészével fogyasszanak.

Kenőcs formájában, külsőleg használva kiváló sebgyógyító, fertőtlenítő. Alkalmazható nehezen gyógyuló sebekre, műtéti hegekre, fekélyre, égések és fagyások kezelésében, valamint ekcéma, visszér, vénagyulladás, rosacea, aranyér esetén. Ízületi gyulladások esetén is használjuk külsőleg és bőrirritációkra is kiváló.

Körömvirág kenőcs készítése:  forrázz le kb. 30 gr körömvirágot és egy zománcos serpenyőben, lassú tűzön elegyítsd el 1-1 dl extra szűz olívaolajjal, sheavajjal és mangóvajjal, fél-fél avokádóolajjal, jojoba olajjal és méhviaszolajjal. A méhviasz teljes feloldása után, a tűzről levéve kevergesd addig, míg az összes alkotórész el nem vegyül.  A készítmény dúsítható illóolajjal tetszés szerint, majd dolgozd össze annyira, hogy tejszínhabhoz hasonló állagú krémet kapj. Tedd át légmentesen záródó tégelybe és tárold hűvös helyen. 

Körömvirág esszencia: roncsolódásoknál a körömvirág-esszenciás borogatás gyors javulást ígér. Töltsünk üvegbe egy maroknyi körömvirágot (a virágját), öntsünk rá annyi 38-40 százalékos gabonapálinkát (szeszt), hogy a növényt ellepje, és az üveget legalább két hétig tartsuk meleg helyen. Az így nyert esszenciát hígítsuk forralt vízzel, itassunk át vele egy tiszta kendőt, és a borogatást tegyük a zúzódásra. Az érintett testrész bőrét kenjük be vastagon körömvirág kenőccsel, hogy az esszenciában lévő alkohol ne vonja el a bőr zsírtartalmát.

Körömvirág olaj vagy macerátum: a körömvirág olívaolajban vagy szójaolajban van kioldva gyulladáscsökkentő, sebgyógyító, antibakteriális, vírusölő, antioxidáns, gomba, baktérium, vírusellenes, anti-aging hatású, hajápoló, tápláló és különböző készítményekbe is érdemes belekeverni.

Namaste

Zita Demeter aka Dr. Sunshine

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Neem leaves, the best remedy for liver and blood ailments…

Neem leaves, though it might sound extremely mysterious, are actually leaves off a tree, called neem.

The neem is fast growing tree, that belongs to the mahagony family. It grows in the tropical and semi-tropical regions. The science of Ayurveda has been using some parts of this plant for over 7,000 years.

Over the ages a wide range of medical propensities were identified by the experts of Ayurvedic and Siddha medicine, though neem is mainly known for it’s extreme bitterness.

Because of this neem is mainly used from the late spring till the beginning of autumn, in the warmer times of the year, as Ayurveda categorizes bitter to be a cooling herb. Traditionally this herb is taken from the South Indian new year onwards. This celebration is called Ugadi, which typically falls in March or April of the Gregorian calendar.

The best way to take neem is early in the morning, first thing in the morning.

The effects of neem include anti bacterial, anti viral and anti fungal properties, so it is used as a cleansing herb both internally and externally. Internally it has powerful detoxifying effects so it is used in treating metabolic disorders, in treating diabetes or simply cleansing the blood, for the treatment of stubborn skin diseases.

Apart from it’s medical use, an extensive assortment of products are made from the different parts of the neem tree. All sorts of cosmetics are made from creams to shampoos, from balms to soap. As traditionally neem twigs are used as toothbrushes, modern day toiletries, made from neem, also include toothpaste.

Repellents and fertilizers are also made from neem, just as well as purely physical commodities like gum, lubricants and resin. Basically every part of the plant can be used to advantage.

Om Tat Sat

Adam Baktai aka Fat Yogi

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How to dress during the colder months!

According to Ayurveda the most important areas of the body, that we should keep warm during the colder months are:

  • The neck and throat area.
  • The area of the kidneys and our waist line. 
  • The feet.

Keeping these areas warm is a battle half won against colds, inflammations, the flu or any other seasonal troubles like bladder infections or piles, to name a few, during the colder months!

Om Tat Sat

Adam Baktai aka Fat Yogi

The Founder of Oriental Method

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A word explonation for the popular sanskrit terms mantra, tantra and yantra!

These 3 sanskrit words have the very same sufix, -tra. Which means: to elevate, to raise. 

  • So the word mantra means, to raise or elevate the mind, as the first part of this word ‘man’ means ‘mind’.
  • The word ‘tan’ refers to an act, or a rite, so the same way an action that elevates us, is called tantra in sanskrit.
  • And finally, the word yan refers to something, ‘man made, or human made’. So the word yantra refers to a device that was made or manifactured, and the purpose of that made object is to elevate the maker or the user.

And basically that is the main difference between mandalas and yantras. Mandalas are geometric configurations that can be simply used for decorations. Or they could be simply occurring in nature. Whereas yantras are always made!

There is a very simple defenition of yantras in Vedic scripture. If you add a mantra to a mandala, the mandala becomes a yantra. 

So mandala + mantra = yantra.

Usually the act, by which the mantra is placed into a mandala, is a tantric act, and act of ritual and of spiritual nature. So the full equation goes as follows:

Mandala + mantra, by an act of tantra = yantra!

And to boggle your mind even further, the picture you see in this post is the Sri Yantra. The only yantra in Vedic culture, that does not need a mantra.

Sri Yantra brings both spiritual and material abundance into our lives and immense creativity. One should keep this yantra in the North-Eastern part of the house, or above the main door, on the inside of our homes or work places.

This way we receive the blessings of the yantra every time we pass under it.

Om Tat Sat

Adam Baktai aka Fat Yogi

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Why is the number 108 is so special in Hindu and Buddhist cultures?!

Actually the number 108, is made up, by the simple mathematical formula of 9 x 12.

9 is the largest number that exists, if we look at it, from a numerological point of view. Because according to the science of numerology even the number 10,401 adds up only to be 6. 1+0+4+0+1 = 6. So if we break down the numbers to a single digit, the maximum value of them, can not be a larger number than 9.

The other number that makes up the sacred number of 108 is the number 12. 12 is seen as the largest variant that exists. 12 months of the year, 12 hours of the day, and 12 hours of the night, etc. Plus the number 12 is made up of two numbers, 1 and 2. The number 1 is the symbol for the Sun, and the symbolical number for the Moon, is the number 2.

And here comes a very interesting fact. If you divide the distance  of the Sun and the Earth, or the Moon and the Earth and you divide that number by the diameter of the Sun or the Moon respectively the number comes to 108.

So apart from the mysticism, if you multiply the largest number by the largest variant you get the largest, or the greatest number that exists, 108.

Om Tat Sat

Adam Baktai

The founder of Oriental Method

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