Attitude Matters ! !

One evening a Swamiji of Sri Ramakrishna Mutt was addressing the participants on the concept of work culture ........

One of the participants asked the following question to the Swamiji : 'I am a senior manager of Materials Department and I joined an organization 25 years ago as an Engineer Trainee and over the last 25 years I have gone through every experience in the organization and I am now the senior manager looking after the material function independently. During the initial part of my career, the job was very challenging and interesting. Every day was exciting and I looked forward to each day  with lot of interest. However, all those exciting days are gone since I do not find my job any more interesting because there is nothing new in my job. As I have seen and handled every conceivable situation there is no more challenges in my work. I am now feeling bored because I am doing a  routine job. However, Swamiji, I am living in the same house for over forty years, I am the son for the same parents for over forty five years, I am the  father for the same children for the past ten years and the husband for the same lady for the past twenty years. In these personal roles I do not feel bored and the passage of time has not taken away the zeal from me. Please tell me why I am bored of the  routine in the office and not in the house ?' This was a very interesting question and we were all very anxious and curious to know what the Swamiji had to say ! ! The response from him was very interesting and convincing. He asked the executive the question :   'Please tell me for whom does your Mother cook ?' The executive replied that obviously the mother cooks for others. Then the Swamiji said that the mother 'Serves' others and because of this service mindedness, she is not feeling tired or bored. But in an  office, we 'Work' and not 'Serve'.

Anything we consider, as service will not make us feel bored.

That is the difference between Serving and Working. He asked the executive to consider his work as service and not merely a work ! ! This was a very interesting analysis ! ! Whenever you put a larger context around your work and see a broader meaning for your work, you will take interest in your work. An awareness of larger purpose of your job and an appreciation of its importance will make a very big difference in your internal energy.

You should believe that you are here for a purpose and should believe in the spiritual context of your role.

Attitude Matters ! !

Trust...

TRUST

"A man just got married and was returning home with his wife. They were crossing a lake in a boat when suddenly a great storm arose. The man was a warrior, but the woman became very much afraid because it seemed almost hopeless -- THE BOAT WAS SMALL AND THE STORM WAS REALLY HUGE, AND ANY MOMENT THEY WERE GOING TO BE DROWNED. But the man sat silently, calm and quiet, as if nothing was happening.
 
The woman was trembling and she said, "Are you not afraid? This may be our last moment of life! IT DOESN'T SEEM THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO REACH THE OTHER SHORE. Only some miracle can save us, otherwise death is certain. Are you not afraid? Are you mad or something? Are you a stone or something?"
 
THE MAN LAUGHED AND TOOK THE SWORD OUT OF ITS SHEATH. The woman was even more puzzled -- what he is doing? Then he brought the naked sword close to the woman's neck -- so close that just a small gap was there, it was almost touching her neck.
 
He said, "ARE YOU AFRAID?"
 
She started to giggle and laugh and said, "WHY SHOULD I BE AFRAID? If the sword is in your hands, why should I be afraid? I know you love me."
 
He put the sword back and said,

"This is my answer - I know God loves me, and the sword is in His hands, and the storm is in His hands -- so WHATSOEVER IS GOING TO HAPPEN IS GOING TO BE GOOD. If we survive, good; if we don't survive, good -- because EVERYTHING IS IN HIS HANDS, AND HE CANNOT DO ANYTHING WRONG."
 
This is the trust one needs to imbibe.
SUCH TREMENDOUS TRUST IS CAPABLE OF TRANSFORMING YOUR WHOLE LIFE!
And ONLY such tremendous trust is capable of  transforming your life -- less than that won't do.

Amarnath..Legends...Story and Trek

Celebrate India – Joy's Amarnath Yatra

"Jab Jab Bhole Shankar ka Bulava aata hai, tab tab bhakt darshan ko jaata hai" meaning that whenever the Lord calls, the devotee goes to his abode. However this becomes increasingly difficult to believe when you have been stuck in the same tent for two days straight. While it has been snowing in the mountains non-stop and chances of your Amarnath Yatra are becoming bleaker by the hour. Your only solace lies in the UNO cards you were smart enough to bring along, the free food in the lungars and a group of people to keep you company.

Well, for those of you who do not know, Amarnath Yatra is one of the holiest pilgrimages in the Indian Culture. It leads up to the Amarnath Cave that houses the famous natural shiv ling made entirely of ice. It waxes during May to August and gradually wanes thereafter. The legend says that Lord Shiva brought Goddess Parvati along to this cave to recite to her the tale of immortality but accidentally two pigeons still in their eggs heard the story as well and became immortal. Many pilgrims have claimed that they have seen the two pigeons.

Considering that it is just a legend, chances of actually seeing these pigeons are almost next to none and my chances of even getting up to the cave itself were looking even bleaker. I had already contacted my boss and asked him for two days extension on my leave but if it had continued to snow I would have surely been forced to turn back and head home. But I guess Bhole Naath actually wanted us to come – when we woke up the following day, the sky was clear and so was the route through the mountains. We packed our bags in a hurry and set out at once. The 16km trek to Chandanwari was not all that difficult, partly because we were all used to hiking and trekking, and partly because the trek was picturesque and the air pristine.

We camped in Chandanwari for the night and the next day set out for Sheshnag. And this was where it started to get interesting. The trek became increasingly difficult as the altitude started to increase. Within 3KM km of trekking, we reached Pissu Top. It has some spectacular views to offer and some mythological importance as well. It is said that that to be the first to reach for darshan of Bhole Nath Shivshankar there was a war between devtas and rakshas. In the war, the devtas annihilated rakshas in such large numbers, that the heap of their dead bodies resulted in this high mountain. The journey to our next destination, Sheshnag (its name is derived from its Seven Peaks, resembling the heads of the mythical snake) followed steep inclines on the right bank of a cascading stream and wild terrain untouched by civilisation. And camping around the Sheshnag Lake, at the end of the trek, with the beautiful glaciers in the background was just like icing on the cake.

The next day we set out for the last camp, Panchtarni. This is probably the most difficult part of the trek because to reach Panchtarni, one has to cross the Mahagunas Pass at 4276 metres (14000 ft) for 4.6KM and from there on gradually descend to Panchtarni at a height of 3657 metres (12000 ft) for another 9.4KM. If one is not used to this altitude (which most people aren't) or has not acclimatised well, then they are likely to feel dizzy or nauseous due to lack of oxygen.

Therefore carrying some dry fruits and lemons might be a good idea. Also one key essential for the trip is Vaseline or cold cream, because trust me, without them (sometimes even with them) your skin will start to crack rapidly in the cold dry winds.

The following morning was the day of the final trek to the A

marnath cave temple. We got up early so that we could get to the cave, stay there for a while and get back to Panchtarni in time. There are no accommodations near the cave although some people choose to camp themselves. The trek was 6KM each way and was relatively easier from the previous day's trek. On the way to the trek lies the confluence (sangam) of the two holy rivers Amravati and Panchtarni. The water is of course icy-cold but taking a dip in the holy water before entering the cave is considered a good practice. And near the cave, you will find ashy whi

te soil that is called Bhasm. Pilgrims usually smear several parts of their bodies with the Holy soil. I, on the other hand just chose to put a tilak on my forehead and move on.

As soon as I entered the cave all the fatigue of the trek vanished in an instant. The cave is huge and surprisingly very well maintained even at that height. But of course the most unusual feature of the cave is the three Lingams. The biggest of them all, representing Lord Shiva and the smaller two, representing Goddess Parvati and her son Ganesha. Incredibly, the ice formation is not everywhere; it is only those three stalagmites and that is what is fascinating about it. I later learnt that there are two natural water channels running above and below the stalagmites inside the rocks and are responsible for the formation of the lingams. And it helps, that the stalagmites take the shape of lingams very much like the ones found in other Lord Shiva temples throughout the world.

It is fascinating to see how nature's mysteries and the power of faith go hand in hand to deliver such spectacles. Without either of them, the Amarnath experience would not have been so easily available to the millions of pilgrims who visit the cave.

There was not much space or time to daydream about the wonders of the cave. The darshan was quick because there were so many others waiting for their turn, but it was enough. In retrospect, I realized that it is not the destination but the journey that counted in the end. And keeping in mind this experience, now I am sure that "Jab Jab Bhole Shankar ka Bulava aaega, tab tab bhakt darshan ko jaaega."

Courtesy: WWW.Yatra.Com

10 ways to reduce belly fat

Top 10 Foods to Reduce Belly Fat

Obese people find it the hardest to deal with the fat stored in and around the abdomen and the waist.

Not only does belly fat make your abdomen bulge out, it also poses grave risk to of diseases like hypertension, diabetes and stroke. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), men who have a waist more than 40 inches have heightened risk of heart diseases and diabetes.

The most common reasons for the accumulation of fat in the tummy are hormonal imbalance, excessive eating, intake of large quantities of alcohol, sweets and chocolates and lack of exercise. Stress is also one of the prominent reasons for the storage of fat in the belly. Stress triggers the secretion of a hormone called cortisol. Excess of cortisol stimulates the storage of fat around the waist. Then there's another factor of improper digestion. Due to malfunctioned digestion gastro problems arise and this leads to a persistently puffy belly. As we add years, our efficiency of burning calories goes down, so sluggish metabolism also sets off the buildup of fat around the midsection.

If belly fat is one of your problems and you still thrive on a typical diet full of oily, starchy foods and carbs, it's time for you to treat this article as a wake-up call. You would need to change your diet drastically. First of all, you should avoid eating two to three hours before bedtime to control the belly fat. At the same time, incorporate foods which can help you overcome the problem.

Here's some information on foods which you should consume if you have a bloated belly.

Eggs: They provide good quality protein which in turn helps overcome hunger pangs.
Beans: Beans like black gram (chana), green gram (chana), chick peas and green moong bustle with fibre and proteins. They help you shed pounds and improve muscle tone.

Oat Meal: Befriend the good ol' oats if you're battling belly fat. Start your day with oats cooked in water or consume them with milk. They're high in soluble fibre and low in fat.


Vegetables: Green vegetables are rich source of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fibre. Consuming vegetables for dinner without chapatis and/or rice is helpful in shrinking the waist size. What's more, most green veggies have only 30-60 calories per 100 grams.


Barley: Barley has a considerably low glycemic index and contains lots of soluble fibre. This helps in diminishing the circumference of the waist. Regular consumption cuts down the risk of cardiac diseases and type II diabetes.

Green Tea: Polyphenols present in the tea help boost metabolism. Green tea is less processed and contains higher levels of anti-oxidants. It greatly suppresses the appetite.


Milk: When we say milk, we're not recommending full-cream milk. In fact, make sure you stay away from that. Go for non-fat milk which has the same amount of calcium and protein as full-cream milk but contains less sodium and helps prevent water retention. This reduces bloating.

Yogurt: It's oozing with calcium and protein and has very less calories (80 calories in a cup of low-fat yogurt).The beneficial bacteria present in yogurt boost immunity and aid bowel movement.


Tomatoes: The luscious red tomatoes contain only 20 caloriesper hundred gram. They are rich in fibres, lycopene and potassium. They avert water retention, thereby also preventing bloating of the belly.

Olive Oil: People realise that veggies are good for health but many find their taste boring. Add a small quantity of olive oil. This will improve the flavour of vegetables and make them tastier. But its real benefit is that it can help you lose the hateful flab around your belly. (MensXP.com)

Also read: Top 10 Healthy Midnight Snacks, Foods to Help you Quit Smoking

Source: http://in.lifestyle.yahoo.com/life-work/10-foods-reduce-belly-fat-article-ilmx.html

A beautiful Love story

A long time ago, before the world was created and humans set foot on it, God had put all the human "qualities" in a separate room. Since all the qualities were bored they decided to play hide & seek. 

"Madness" was one of the qualities and he shouted: "I want to count, I want to count!" And since nobody was crazy enough to want to seek "Madness", all the other qualities agreed. So "Madness" leaned against a tree and started to  count:

One, two, three..." As "Madness" counted, the qualities went hiding.  "reason" hid in a pile of garbage.. "Lie " said that it would hide under a stone, but hid  at the bottom of  the lake.  And Madness continued to count "... seventy nine, eighty, eighty one..." By this time, all the qualities were already hidden-except "Love ". For stupid as "Love " is, he could not decide where to hide. And this should not surprise us, because we all know how difficult it is to hide "Love". "Madness": "...ninety five, ninety six, ninety seven..." Just when "Madness" got to one hundred..... ...."Love" jumped into a rose bush where he hid. And Madness turned around and shouted: "I'm coming, I'm coming!" As Madness turned around, "Laziness" was the first to be found, because "Laziness" was too lazy to hide. "Madness" searched madly and found "Lie" at the bottom of the lake. One by one, Madness found them all - except Love. Madness was getting desperate, unable to find Love.

Envious of Love, "Envy" whispered to "Madness ": "You only need to find Love, and Love is hiding in the rose bush." 

"Madness" Jumped on the rose bush and he heard loud cry. The thorns in the bush had pierced "Loves" eyes. Hearing the commotion God came into the room and saw what had happened. He got very angry and cursed "Madness" and said since "Love" has become blind because of u... ..u shall always be with him" And so it came about that from that day on, Love is blind and is always accompanied by Madness.!

HEALTHY FRUITS

01. Strawberries

 

Strawberries have high levels of ellagic acid and anthocyanins, and are rich in vitamin C (95 mg per cup) and fiber (3.8 g per cup). Fruits provide lots vitamins and carbohydrates to nourish the body and also add variety to the diet. Apples are a great source of vitamin C, they prevents the growth of harmful bacteria and help fight cancer. Bananas are handy for problems like constipation and diarrhea. Blueberries have a number of health benefits including anti-cancerous, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. Mango are other sources of vitamin C. Research has also indicated that these fruits are beneficial for arthritis and other anti-inflammatory conditions because they have a cooling affect on the body. Here are top ten healthiest fruits to keep you fresh, healthy and full of life. 09 more after the break...

02. Apples

 An apple's 3 g of fiber help you meet your fiber goal of 20 g to 30 g daily. High-fiber diets can lower heart disease risk

03. Bananas

 Bananas are a great source of potassium, which plays a key role in heart health and muscle function. Plus each one has 2 g of fiber.

04. Blackberries

 This fruit boasts a whopping 10 g of fiber in a single cup.

05. Cherries

 A good source of perillyl alcohol, which helps prevent cancer in animals. Heart-protective anthocyanins give cherries their color.

06. Blueberries

 Blueberries help prevent and treat bladder infections by making it hard for bacteria to stick to urinary tract walls.

07. Mangoes

 A single mango has enough beta-carotene to cover your RDA for vitamin A while racking up 57 mg of vitamin C.

08. Oranges fruits

One orange provides an impressive 50 mg to 70 mg of vitamin C, 40 mcg of folic acid and 52 mg of calcium.

09. Purple grapes

 Offer three heart-guarding compounds: flavonoids, anthocyanins and resveratrol (green grapes are not rich in them)

10. Raspberries

Teeming with 8 g of fiber per cup, they also boast vitamin C, ellagic acid and anthocyanins.

This is a guest post by Phil Kim who blogs about health and wellness and is doing research at philosophy of Mr. Ilchi Lee.

New sign of Stroke - Pass on

They say if you email this to ten people, you stand a chance of saving one life.  Will you send this along?                      Blood Clots/Stroke - They Now Have a Fourth Indicator,  the Tongue    I will continue to forward this every time it comes around!  STROKE: Remember the 1st Three Letters..... S. T. R..    STROKE  IDENTIFICATION:  During a BBQ, a woman stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone that she was fine (they offered to call paramedics) ......she said she had just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes.  They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food. While she appeared a bit shaken up, Jane went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening.  Jane's husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital - (at 6:00 pm Jane passed away.) She had suffered a stroke at the BBQ. Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Jane would be with us today. Some don't die. They end up in a helpless, hopeless condition instead.  It only takes a minute to read this.  A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke...totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.   RECOGNIZING A STROKE  Thank God for the sense to remember the '3' steps, STR. Read and Learn!  Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify.. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.  Now doctors say a  bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:  S  *Ask the individual to SMILE.  T  *Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE  (Coherently)  (i.e. It is sunny out today.)  R  *Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.  If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call emergency number immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.  New Sign of a Stroke -------- Stick out Your Tongue  NOTE:  Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out his tongue. If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other that is also an indication of a stroke.  A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this e-mail sends it to 10 people; you can bet that at least one life will be saved.      I have done my part. Will you?

Traveling Angels

Two Traveling Angels........ this one will make you think twice!!!!! .. Keep reading to the bottom of the page -- don't stop at the feet (You'll see). Two traveling angels stopped to spend the night in the home of a wealthy family. The family was rude and refused to let the angels stay in the mansion's guest room. Instead the angels were given a small space in the cold basement. As they made their bed on the hard floor, the older angel saw a hole in the wall and repaired it. When the younger angel asked why, the older angel replied, "Things aren't always what they seem" The next night the pair came to rest at the house of a very poor, but very hospitable farmer and his wife. After sharing what little food they had the couple let the angels sleep in their bed where they could have a good night's rest. When the sun came up the next morning the ange ls found the farmer and his wife in tears. Their only cow, whose milk had been their sole income, lay dead in the field. The younger angel was infuriated and asked the older angel how could you have let this happen? The first man had everything, yet you helped him, she accused. The second family had little but was willing to share everything, and you let the cow die.. "Things aren't always what they seem," the older angel replied. "When we stayed in the basement of the mansion, I noticed there was gold stored in that hole in the wall. Since the owner was so obsessed with greed and unwilling to share his good fortune, I sealed the wall so he wouldn't find it." "Then last night as we slept in the farmers bed, the angel of death came for his wife I gave him the cow instead. Things aren't always what they seem." Sometimes that is exactly what happens when things  don't turn out the way they should. If you have faith, you just need to trust that every out come is always to your advantage. You just might not know it until some time later...                                  Oooo Some people           (    ) come into our lives   )  / and quickly go..      (_ /          oooO            (    )       Some people             \  (        become friends              \_ )    and stay awhi le... leaving beautiful          Oooo footprints on our         (    )    hearts...                    )  /                                    (_/                 oooO                  (    )      and we are                   \  (          ne ver                    \_ )      quite the same                                because we have                               made a good                                friend!! Yesterday is history. Tomorrow a mystery. Today is a gift. That's why it's called the present! I think this is special...live and savor every moment... This is not a dress rehearsal!           (\        /)           ( \__ / )           (  \()/  )           (  /   \  )    TAKE THIS LITTLE  ANGEL           ( / \/ \ )   AND KEEP HER CLOSE TO YOU             /      \    SHE IS YOUR GUARDIAN ANGEL            (        )    SENT TO WATCH OVER YOU            ____

ALEXANDER THE GREAT

ALEXANDER THE GREATEST - LAST WORDS

"Ice melts when heated"

"Eyes melt when hated"

Alexander, after conquering many kingdoms, was returning home. On the way, he fell ill and it took himto his death bed. With death staring him in his face, Alexander realized how his conquests, his great army, his sharp sword and all his wealth were of no consequence. He now longed to reach home to see his mother's face and bid her his last adieu. But, he had to accept the fact that his sinking health would not permit him to reach his distant homeland.

So, the mighty conqueror lay prostrate and pale, helplessly waiting to breathe his last. He called his generals and said, "I will depart from this world soon, I have three wishes, please carry them out without fail."With tears flowing down their cheeks, the generals agreed to abide by their king's last wishes.

" My first desire is that", said Alexander,

"My physicians alone must carry my coffin."

After a pause, he continued, " Secondly, I desire that when my coffin is being carried to the grave, the path leading to the graveyard be strewn with gold, silver and precious stones which I have collected in my treasury".

The king felt exhausted after saying this. He took a minute's rest and continued.

" My third and last wish is that both my hands be kept dangling out of my coffin".

The people who had gathered there wondered at the king's strange wishes. But no one dared bring the question to their lips.. Alexander's favorite general kissed his hand and pressed them to his heart. "O king, we assure you that your wishes will all be fulfilled. But tell us why do you make such strange wishes?"

At this Alexander took a deep breath and said:

"I would like the world to know of the three lessons I have just learnt.

Lessons to learn from last 3 wishes of King Alexander...

I want my physicians to carry my coffin because, people should realize that no doctor can really cure any body. They are powerless and cannot save a person from the clutches of death. So let not peopletake life for granted.

The second wish of strewing gold, silver and other riches on the way to the graveyard is to tell People that not even a fraction of gold will come with me. I spent all my life earning riches but cannot take anything with me. Let people realize that it is a sheer waste of time to chase wealth. And about my third wish of having my hands dangling out of the coffin, I wish people to know that I came empty handed into this world and empty handed I go out of this world". With these words, the king closed his eyes. Soon he let death conquer him and breathed his last. . . .

LESSONS TO LEARN:

Remember, your good health is in your own hands, look after it.

Wealth is only meaningful if you can enjoy while you are still alive and kicking.

What you do for yourself dies with you but what you do for others, lives on. It is called "Legacy."

Happiness keeps you Sweet,

Trials keep you Strong,

Sorrows keep you Human,

Failures keep you humble,

Success keeps You Glowing,

But Only God keeps You Going!

"The ability to grab opportunities"

"The ability to grab opportunities"

Reading Ries and Trouts Horse Sense made me think of all the boys in school who had consistently stood first in class, year after year. I have not heard of most of them for a long, long time. Some joined the IFS (Indian Foreign Service) and have yet to become ambassadors. Some joined the private sector and have yet to become CEOs. By 55, they should have. Some became doctors and lawyers. What put me into this reverie was Riess statement that in the dairy, cream rises to the top. In daily life, its generally not true. It's mostly milk at the top of the corporate bottle. Top executives come from the middle of the IQ curve. As the college president said to the faculty, "Be nice to your A students because they will come back and be your colleagues, but be exceptionally nice to your B and C students because they will come back and give us a new auditorium and a new science building." Top executives may come from the middle of the IQ curve. Peter McColough, former chairman of Xerox, made the same point about his Harvard School class of 1949. The record of accomplishment corresponds negatively with the standing of the class. The top people did not do that well. The one-third in the middle did. The guys who got the highest marks tended to be in the middle in accomplishment. Why is this ? Why does success in the classroom generally not correlate with success in a profession ? The smarter people are, the more they depend on themselves. After all, they know everything. They depend only on themselves to get ahead. Less intelligent people are more likely to look for others to help them up the ladder and to look for opportunities and grab them. Opportunities do not just arise in the environment. They are not presented to us by others, as the earlier incidents show. They can be inherent in us. They can be accidents that we may take to be calamities but that we can turn into opportunities. A young singer with a fine soprano voice was assigned to perform 'The End of a Perfect Day' for admiring relatives. When his adolescent voice cracked and broke at the family gathering, he discovered he had the ability to make people laugh. The singer-cum-comedian was Bob Hope! Moral: Believe in yourself first to succeed in life!

The Amla or the Indian Gooseberry.....its mystical effects

http://readnewsforchange.blogspot.com/2011/06/gooseberry-juice.html

Having high amounts of Vitamin C, Nicotonic Acid, Vitamin B-1, Iron, and Calcium-- gooseberry juice remains a popular tonic consumed across the globe. 81.2% of gooseberry fruit is water, thus it is a very good source of skin moisturizing, providing effective beauty remedies. What more....8.3% of it is Glucose. The juice has also got adequate amounts of Fibers, Carbohydrates and Proteins. Indian gooseberry juice contains the highest amount of Vitamin C. 

The scientific names of this fruit juice are Amlica Embillicus and phyllanthus emblica. The fruit is popularly known as Amla in Hindi. Other names are Aonla, Aola, Amalaki, Amla-berry, Dharty, Aamvala, Aawallaa, Embelic, Nellikai, Nillika, and Usareekai . A popular blend which is preferred for drinking purpose is Gooseberry and Mint Cordial. 

Origin  Apart from having their origin in India, the gooseberries have been grown in Britain since the time of Henry Vlll. There is also an ancient belief narrating how fairies would shelter from danger in the prickly bushes, and hence gooseberries became known as fayberries. Gooseberry juice was also used as a medicine in the treatment of fevers and in the sixteenth century they were recommended to plague victims. In the north of England, gooseberry clubs were popular, with members fiercely competing for the varieties that produced the biggest, best and juiciest fruit of the year. Sacred Importance of Indian Gooseberry  It has even been scientifically verified that gooseberry juice has one of the richest and most documented legacies of any fruit juice known today. In fact, the juice is fondly addressed as the “Nurse”, the “Great Rejuvenator”, and the “Juice of Immortality” for centuries, due to its numerous healing properties and its ability to nourish the body on all levels.  Being more popular in the fruit form, gooseberry is nearly spherical shaped light greenish yellow with 6 vertical stripes or furrows. Having a bitter-sour taste, this fruit is claimed to be more fibrous than most of the other fruits. However, it cannot be consumed raw in vast quantities. In Hinduism, it is regarded as a sacred tree and worshipped as Mother Earth in India.
Benefits of Gooseberry Juice  Gooseberry juice is a natural, efficacious, and an anti-oxidant with the richest natural source of Vitamin C. It also contains cytokine like substances identified as zeatin, z. riboside, z. nucleotide. Gooseberry juice is extremely beneficial for treating ailments and availing several health benefits. It is even used in Unani and Ayurvedic systems to administer various health related complexities including Fever, Liver Disorder, Indigestion, Anemia, Heart Complaints and Urinary Problems. The details can be viewed as:   The antibacterial and astringent properties of gooseberry juice prevent infection and help in the healing of ulcers.  It is used as a laxative to relieve constipation in piles.  It is used in the treatment of leukorrhea and artherosclerosis.  The juice is referred to in ancient text as the best medicine to prevent aging.
It is a very strong rejuvenative which is believed to be the richest natural source of anti-oxidant vitamin C (with up to 900 mg/100g of pressed juice). Vitamin C acts as an anti-oxidant and can help to rid the body of dangerous molecules called free radicals. This important vitamin is also necessary for the synthesis of collagen. Blood vessels, tendons, ligaments, and bones-- all require collagen. Another benefit of Vitamin C is the part it plays in helping to synthesize norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter which helps maintain brain function and mood. Vitamin C can also help to lower blood pressure, maintain healthy immune functions, promote good dental health, and aid in the healing of wounds.  Another anti-oxidant found in gooseberry juice is superoxide dismutase. SOD (superoxide dismutase) is an important enzyme that many people are often deficient in. This enzyme is important in ridding the body of free radicals. Other health issues such as arthritis, prostate problems, corneal ulcers, and inflammatory bowel disease have been known to be helped by SOD. It also protects against oxidative stress.  The juice has the same antiscorbutic value as orange juice.  It is also effective for respiratory complaints.  The juice is used in Ayurveda as a cardiotonic, aphrodisiac, antipyretic, antidiabetic, cerebral and gastrointestinal tonic.  The juice also contains polyphenols which have anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-allergenic properties. They can help to lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure, diminish risks of cancer, and aid in immune system health.
	Two important tannins found in gooseberry juice are ellagic acid and gallic acid. Ellagic acid has been shown to be effective against cancer causing chemicals and aid in the death of cancer cells. Gallic acid is another anti-oxidant and is important in helping to treat diabetes.  The juice is popularly used in inks, dyes, shampoos and hair oils.  For insomnia: Take a mixture of coarse powder of nutmeg and fresh amla (gooseberry) juice.  The juice is a natural anti-inflammatory which soothes and protects the tissues of the digestive tract.