Commonly the beads of Rudraksha are threaded together as a mālā. Traditionally, it is supposed that the number of beads used should be 108 plus one. The additional bead is the bindu or “guru bead”. If the mālā lacks a bindu, the energy is said to become cyclical and wearers who are sensitive may become dizzy.
When the beads are strung, it is advisable to do so with either a silk or a cotton thread. It is then advised to change the thread every six months to prevent it from snapping and the 109 beads from scattering. The Rudraksha mālā may also be strung with copper, silver or gold, typically by a jeweler. A common issue with mālās wired with such metals is the mālā being tied too tightly. This may result in the insides of the Rudraksha seeds cracking and crumbling from excessive pressure. Thus, it is essential to ensure that the mālā is tied loosely. Wearing the mālā while in contact with chemical soaps and warm water is best avoided, however, as it can result in the Rudrakshas becoming brittle and eventually cracking.
Plant
Rudraksha scientifically known as Elaeocarpus ganitrus is a large perennial, evergreen broad-leaved tree growing almost 50ft to 200ft in height. It is normally grown in subtropical climatic region. Rudraksha tree starts bearing fruit in three to four years from germination. As the tree matures, the roots form buttresses, rising up near the trunk and radiating out along the surface of the ground. Stem is normally cylindrical with grayish white and rough in texture bark with small vertical lenticels and narrow horizontal furrows. Leaves are simple, glabrous, oblong-lanceolate, sub-entire or irregularly crenate, acute or acuminate, pyramidal shape, shining green on the upper side with a dull leathery on the dorsal side. Flowers are white or yellow colored, in dense racemes and mostly from axils of fallen leaves, fringed petals, anthers are linear, flowers normally appear in April-May.
As soon as the flower falls off drupaceous fruit resembling olive appears. They are globular in shape, 1cm. in diameter. The fruits have bluish black color when it’s ripe, and becoming brown colored when it’s already dry, and it has size approximately as big as marbles. Rudraksha seeds are sweet in taste. Rudraksha colors can vary with brownish shades. Ripe fruit is fleshy and has a seed with blue shell. Inner part or bead lying in the seed is called Rudraksha. Rudraksha is actually a round & near-round, symmetrical- oval, nut or cashew. They are medium brown to almost dark-chocolate colored beads.
In the single tree Rudraksha beads comes in all different mukhis (faces) at the same time but higher Mukhis or faces are very rare to find where most of Rudraksha beads are Five Mukhi. The beads come in seasonal pattern every year around mid-August to mid-October.
History
Rudraksha trees are mostly found in South Eastern Asian Islands of Java, Sumatra, Borneo, Bali, Iran, Java, Timor (Indonesia) and parts of South Asian Kingdom of Nepal. About 70% of the Rudraksha trees are found in Indonesia, 25% in Nepal and 5% in India. Considered a major stress reliever, reducing circulatory problems and of course as the best beads, the berry (Elaeocarpus Ganitrus) was first spotted in Indonesia and is now grown in Nepal and Hardware. However, because it is expensive, clinical research of its medicinal properties has not been possible, often resulting in the berry being subjected to esoteric mumbo jumbo.
Health benefits of Rudraksha
The holy seed has distinctive properties to know whether the water is poisoned/contaminated or drinkable. To know the drinkability of water, one should hold the blessed beads above the water, if it is good, the bead will move clockwise. If the water pool is poisoned, it will move anti-clockwise. It was largely used by the Sadhus and Sanyasis who wander in the forest. The revered bead will move clockwise if it is hold over a positive pranic substance while show anticlockwise movement if it hold over negative pranic substance.
1. Restlessness & Body Ache in Fever
Rudraksha is one of the best options to makes person feel better in fever. It has ameliorative effects. Research show it has immune-stimulatory effects. Thus, it can help as adjuvant to fight off infections.
Taking Rudraksha Churna (1 to 3 grams) with warm water helps reduce restlessness, body aches and burning sensation due to high fever. Though, this remedy is not commonly used, but it can be used to relieve extreme restlessness and irritability due to fever.(1)
2. For good health
The spiritual bead helps you settle down at new places which are not favorable as per your body energy. It is quite helpful in eating and sleeping at a new environment. Firstly, this advantage was valued by the Sadhus and Sanyasis. But in the modern days, it can be used by those people who travel different places for their works and businesses. Wearing of holy beads means ensuring good health as it is termed as the incarnation of God Shiva.
3. Diabetes
Research shows the probable anti-diabetic effects of Rudraksha. The significant reduction is detected in blood sugar level in experimental animals. Taking 1 gram Rudraksha Churna along with 10 ml Juice of Neem Leaves helps controlling blood sugar level.(2), (3), (4)
4. Gives relief from three basic health ailments
Diseases related to air, bile and phelgm are three basic health disorders. Their imbalance in the body disturbs the health of a person. Rudraksha helps to keep them in balance. Consuming a glass of Rudraksha powder mixed in water alleviates the diseases caused by phelgm.
5. High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
Rudraksha has antihypertensive and cardio-protective effects, so it is a good alternative measure against hypertension. The research suggested that soaking Rudraksha in water in copper vessel, then taking it in the morning on empty stomach is more beneficial for high blood pressure. Copper may increase the anti-hypertensive property of Rudraksha.
Ayurveda has recommended following ways to use Rudraksha to manage high blood pressure.
- Take 250 ml water in a copper vessel and soak Rudraksha in this water overnight. Drink the water on empty stomach.
- Alternatively, eating 2 grams Rudraksha powder with water kept in copper vessel is more beneficial as compared to first one.
- The decoction made with 400 ml water and 5 grams Rudraksha powder and then reduced to 100 ml water is also beneficial in hypertension.(5)
6. Chicken Pox
Rudraksha help to reduce severity of chickenpox symptoms. It reduces malaise, tiredness and headache. Further, it decreases burning sensation and pain on chicken pox rashes. It speeds up recovery process and prevents complications.
7. Protects from heart diseases
Rudraksha helps to keep the blood pressure under control, which is quite beneficial for a person with heart related problems. Wear Rudraksha in your neck in such a way that it touches your heart. Other than this, on Sunday, put Paanch Mukhi Rudraksha in a copper pot filled with water and drink it next day an empty stomach. Following this process for a long period of time will keep heart troubles away.
8. Acne & Pimples
Rudraksha anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties are quite beneficial for curing acne and pimples. Its local use is quite helpful, decreases recurrence, and offers calming feeling by alleviating acne symptoms. The following mixtures using Rudraksha are used in Ayurveda.
- Mix Rudraksha powder and Arjuna bark powder in equal proportion. Take a teaspoon of this mixture and mix it with 2 to 3 teaspoons honey. Make a thin paste. You can add more honey in this mixture. Apply this Rudraksha paste on the affected parts or on whole face. Wait for 30 minutes and then rinse your face with warm water.
This remedy provides glowing effect to the face and skin. It also reduces acne and prevents recurrence.
- Rudraksha powder can be mixed with lemon juice to make paste and applied on the face.
This remedy is more beneficial for improving skin glow. It makes you feel fresh.
9. Helps to increase the memory power
Rudraksha helps to increase the memory power and intelligence. Chaar Mukhi Rudraksha is quite beneficial to treat speech impairment, poor memory and intellect.
10. Remove skin diseases
To deal with several skin related disorders put Rudraksha in a copper pot filled with water overnight and drink the water next day with an empty stomach it will keep away all the skin related problems. Similarly apply the paste of Teen Mukhi Rudraksha powder on your naval to get relief from diseases caused by metals. Applying a paste of Nau Mukhi Rudraksha and Tulsi is beneficial to treat wounds and injuries. Make a paste of Rudraksha and Neem leaves to treat skin irritations and itchiness.
11. Enhance beauty
Rudraksha is quite beneficial for making skin radiant and flawless. Apply the paste of Rudraksha and sandalwood powder to get soft and radiant skin. This paste gives relief from body odor. Rudraksha can also be used with rose water and almonds to get beautiful skin.
12. Black Spots & Blemish
Rudraksha fades dark spots and reduces blemishes. It is used internally as well as externally.
Internal Use: Internally, Rudraksha is taken with Mulethi (Licorice), Amalaki (Indian Gooseberry) and Manjistha. The mixture of these four herbs is beneficial internally to reduce hyperpigmentation, black spots and blemish. A teaspoon (5 grams) powder should be taken with water an hour after meal twice a day.
External Use: Fine powder of Rudraksha mixing with rose water is applied over the skin with dark spots, hyperpigmentation and blemishes. The regular use fades the dark spots and makes skin clearer.
13. Gives relief from body pains
With the regular use of the Rudraksha arthritis or joint pains and pain in the muscles can be treated. Apart from that it helps to treat swollen skin. Use the powder of Rudraksha mixed in mustard oil to the affected area to get relief from body pains.
14. Burning Sensation
If patient feels burning sensation in whole body, then the decoction of Rudraksha powder and sandalwood (Chandan) is used in amount of 50 to 100 ml. It gives relief in burning sensation.
If patient has burning sensation on the skin, the Rudraksha paste made with rose water is applied over the skin.
15. Help to treat cold and cough
Make a mixture of Rudraksha and Tulsi leaves in a powdered form and have it with honey every morning with an empty stomach to get relief from cold and cough.
16. Reduce stress
Drink a glass of cow’s milk boiled with Rudraksha to get relief from mental problems. This treatment helps to relax the mind and gives peace. You can also apply the paste of Rudraksha and sandalwood on your forehead to treat headaches.
17. Cough
Rudraksha is hardly used for treating cough, but its powder can be used with honey to cure cough. It is more beneficial when patients have cough with chest tightness and cough starts with irritation in the throat.
18. Breathing Problems & Asthma
Rudraksha is beneficial in severe cases of asthma and breathing troubles. Rudraksha and Turmeric powder are mixed in equal amount with honey. In acute attach, the patient is requested to lick the paste after every 15 to 30 minutes. In chronic cases, this mixture should be taken 2 to 3 times a day.
Types of Rudraksha beads
Rudraksha commonly come from 1 to 21 Mukhis, but Rudraksha of 1 to 14 Mukhis are commonly found. Rudraksha beads from 15 Mukhis to 21 Mukhis are rarer and mukhis above that are found in very few numbers every year. Of all these, 4, 5 and 6 Mukhi Rudraksha beads are found easily and plentifully. Depending upon the availability and production of Rudraksha different prices have been allocated for different Mukhi Rudraksha. The different kinds of beads with their significance and importance are given below:
1. One Mukhi (Face) Rudraksha
2. Two Mukhi (Face) Rudraksha
3. Three Mukhi (Face) Rudraksha
4. Four Mukhi (Face) Rudraksha
5. Five Mukhi (Face) Rudraksha
6. Six Mukhi (Face) Rudraksha
7. Seven Mukhi (Face) Rudraksha
8. Eight Mukhi (Face) Rudraksha
9. Nine Mukhi (Face) Rudraksha
10. Ten Mukhi (Face) Rudraksha
11. Eleven Mukhi (Face) Rudraksha
12. Twelve Mukhi (Face) Rudraksha
13. Thirteen Mukhi (Face) Rudraksha
14. Fourteen Mukhi (Face) Rudraksha
15. Fifteen Mukhi (Face) Rudraksha
16. Sixteen Mukhi (Face) Rudraksha
– To win legal problems
– To improve the chance of conception for the ladies
– To destroy the evil thoughts of enemies.
17. Seventeen Mukhi (face) Rudraksha
– Gaining unexpected money, attaining property, vehicles and all material assets.
– Circulation of high energies therefore removing lack of memory, inability to do hard work or laziness.
– Provide strong power to speed up love, marriage and relationship with longevity.
– Help to relax and improve concentration.
18. Eighteen Mukhi (Face) Rudraksha
19. Nineteen Mukhi (Face) Rudraksha
— Wealth, health and prosperity.
— New ideas to establish oneself in society with name, fame and success.
— Change characteristic of the person positively into gentle and polite behavior – Inner peace and perennial joy.
20. Twenty Mukhi (Face) Rudraksha
A look of this Rudraksha makes even an unfortunate person fortunate. It gives material enjoyment in the life and freedom after the death of this present body. It destroys the sins of all and saves people from the miseries of repeated rebirth. Worshiping it in the house balances and produces vital positive energy in the house preserving the environment of house from ghost, devil and spirits. There is always a harmony in the family. By wearing it, the devotee will achieve the fulfillment of all desires.
21. Twenty one Mukhi (Face) Rudraksha
– Improvement in financial position
– Removes hurdles, obstacle, loss and slowness in career of each family member
– Harmonious and cooperative family environment.
There is no loss of happiness in family members. Family members never become sick. – Respect and fame in society and nation. 21 face rudraksha is good for those who are doing online trading business, owners of multiple companies, political leaders, directors, legal consultant etc. who are always taking risks. By wearing this, even those who knowingly or unknowingly did sins of Bramahatya are wiped off.
Traditional Uses and benefits of Rudraksha
- When worn on an mālā, Rudrakshas were also said to ward off and shield against “negative energies”.
- Mitigates the past reactions of karmas
- Protects against ominous accidents and unfortunate events
- Cures the effect of adverse planets
- Aids in memory and decision making
- Regulates blood pressure
- Reduces stress and relaxes the mind
- Increases self-power
- Gives peace of mind to the wearer, stimulates the mind and sharpens the intellect.
- Balances the chakras and heal diseases in the body.
- For the bite of a Scorpion or other such creatures panchamukhi Rudraksha can be rubbed on a grind stone with the juice of a lemon and the paste applied on the affected spot. Pain will diminish.
- Those who takes the bath by keeping 9 (nine) Rudrakshas in water will get benefits equally to Ganga Jal Bathing and energy gaining.
- They are effective in controlling stress, therefore help in eliminating worries and blessing the wearer with greater peace of mind.
- Rudraksham bring clarity, sharpen the mind, and increase the power of Intuition.
- It reduces headache and beneficial in mental disorders.
- Rudraksha acts as blood purifier and reduces blood impurities and increases blood circulation.
- It helps as adjuvant therapy in breathing disorders and chronic cough.
- Rudraksha powder paste with rose water increase skin glow and brings charming effect on the face.
- When taken with milk, Rudraksha increases memory and brainpower.
- It helps in liver disorders and abdominal diseases.
- Rudraksha fruit or bark is a good remedy for controlling epilepsy.
- Leaves and seeds are known for various medicinal properties and traditionally used to cure stress, anxiety, depression, palpitation, nerve pain, epilepsy, migraine, lack of concentration, asthma, hypertension, arthritis and liver diseases.
- Pulp or flesh of drupe in green and fresh state is sour in taste, stimulates appetite and is given in epilepsy, diseases of the head and mental illness.
- The stone is rubbed with water and then it is applied to small-pox eruptions.
- It is applied on organs having burning sensation and in other conditions i.e. eruptions, measles, fevers, etc.
- Rudraksha is also useful for women suffering from hysteria and coma.
- It can be used as a cure for skin diseases, pimples, boils mental diseases, ringworm and possess anti-ageing property.
- Combination of bark, stem and leaf of Elaeocarpus floribundus has been used as mouth wash and fruits has been used as antiseptic.
- Elaeocarpus is used in ulcers, rheumatism, piles, pneumonia, and leprosy.
- Rudraksha can be used for improving memory power when taken with milk.
Tips and Care for Your Beads
Rudraksha divine beads can be worn by anybody irrespective of age, sex, caste, creed, culture and location. However, it is sensible that certain precautions should be taken while using Rudraksha since it is a divine gift and therefore very religious. We have a selection process through which we offer you energetic, healthy beads to give you best results. You may wait for a Monday as it is a favorable day to start wearing your bead or you may wear your Rudraksha early morning on any auspicious day of the week after an early morning bath.
- Taken an early morning bath.
- Chant ‘OM Namah Shivay’ nine or one hundred and eight times.
- Chant the seed mantra of your Rudraksha bead nine or one hundred and eight times. (Seed mantra is given in the booklet given along with the bead)
- After this mantra chanting, wear it remembering the face of all-auspicious Lord Shiva.
- Wash beads with water or water mixed with Ganges water every week.
- Allow to dry under fan. If you reside in a humid climate, then you may soak the beads in water overnight and scrub with a hard plastic brush to clear the pores. Note that beads are strong and do not break with scrubbing. Once they are dry, apply a light oil like Olive and Sandalwood oil with a toothbrush.
Rudraksha precautions
- One shouldn’t wear the holy bead during sex.
- The sacred bead should be taken off during menstrual cycle.
- At funeral visit, one should not carry it.
- It should be taken off while visiting a newly born baby.
- It is advisable to take off the beads while taking bath as excess soap may dehydrate the natural oil content of the beads.
References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudraksha
http://www.rudraksha-ratna.com/articles/rudraksha
http://www.gyanunlimited.com/health/amazing-health-and-medicinal-benefits-of-rudraksha/9262/
http://www.rudrakshayurveda.com/Rudraksha+Benefits/
https://omshivaloka.com/about-shivaloka/powers-benefits-of-rudraksha/
http://www.astromandir.com/rud4.html
http://www.rudrakshanepal.com/page-5-varieties_and_benefits
https://www.ayurtimes.com/rudraksha-elaeocarpus-ganitrus-benefits-uses/
http://www.suprapowers.com/rudraksha.htm
https://www.astro-vani.com/blog/the-magical-effects-of-rudraksh/
http://globalresearchonline.net/journalcontents/v34-1/10.pdf
https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxonomydetail.aspx?14957
http://www.gyanunlimited.com/health/amazing-health-and-medicinal-benefits-of-rudraksha/9262/
http://www.rudraksha-ratna.com/articles/rudraksha
http://globalresearchonline.net/journalcontents/v34
http://www.ijpbs.net/download.php?download_file=cms/php/upload/3021_pdf.pdf
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/53676/
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Rudraksha Quick Facts | |
---|---|
Name: | Rudraksha |
Scientific Name: | Elaeocarpus ganitrus |
Origin | North-East India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Philippines, Manila, Myanmar |
Colors | Deep blue |
Shapes | Drupaceous fruit resembling olive. Globular in shape, 1 cm. in diameter |
Taste | Sweet |
Health benefits | Restlessness & Body Ache in Fever, For good health, Diabetes, Gives relief from three basic health ailments, High Blood Pressure (Hypertension), Chicken Pox, Protects from heart diseases, Acne & Pimples, Helps to increase the memory power, Remove skin diseases, Enhance beauty, Black Spots & Blemish, Gives relief from body pains, Burning Sensation, Help to treat cold and cough, Reduce stress, Cough, Breathing Problems & Asthma |
More facts about Rudraksha |