Blood-tonic (Pandughna, raktavardhaka) Foods & Herbs List: An Ayurveda Perspective

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Reported by John Immel Asheville, NC
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AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVE ON BLOOD-TONIC

An herb that produces more blood cells in the body, or otherwise improves blood cell quality or hemoglobin content. Helpful for anemia and other types of deficiency.

Blood tonics work by

Stimulating bone marrow to produce more blood cells (bhringaraj)
Supplying minerals (iron, etc) that improve blood cell quality (e.g. nettles, sesame seed supplying iron for RBC production)

INGREDIENTS WITH BLOOD-TONIC QUALITY

View By: Dosha Herbal Action Biocharacteristics (energetics) Taste System Meal Season

Neutral (Tridoshic)
Alfalfa Sprouts
Quinoa
Saffron
Reduces
Beef
Beets
Chicken Liver
Goji Berry
Jaggery
Lamb
Molasses
Pork
Rabbit
Sesame Seeds
Tahini
Reduces
Almonds
Blueberry
Bone Marrow / Fat
Carrot
Coconut Butter
Coconut Cream
Coconut Flakes
Grape
Mulberry
Pomegranate Molasses
Raisins
Sorghum Flour
Sorghum Molasses
Yam
Reduces
Black Pepper
Cherry
Flower / Bee Pollen
Sesame Oil
Stinging Nettles
Turmeric
Turmeric Root (Fresh)
Aggravates
Currants (dried)
Reduces
Blackberry
Dates (dried)
Reduces
Adzuki Beans
Amaranth
Bean Sprouts
Chickweed
Cranberry
Cranberry Juice
Pomegranate
Prunes (dried)
Watermelon
Reduces
Buckwheat
Popped Amaranth
Raspberry
Spirulina
Watercress
Incomplete
Wheat Grass

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HERBS & SUPPLEMENTS WITH BLOOD-TONIC QUALITY

View By: Dosha Herbal Action Biocharacteristics (energetics) Taste System

Neutral (Tridoshic)
Amalaki
Anantamul
Bhringaraj
Breathing Exercises
Reduces
Chyavanprash Nutritive Jam
Reduces
Brahmi Ghee (9oz)
Codonopsis (dang shen)
Oats, Fresh Milky Seed
White Peony
Reduces
Ashwagandha
Astragalus
Belly breathing
Dong Quai
Eleuthero Ginseng
Pippali
Aggravates
Iron Supplement
Reduces
Pitta Massage Oil
Reduces
Ashokarishta - Menstrual Tonic
Brahmi - Gotu Kola
Manjistha
Punarnava
Yellow Dock
Reduces
Bellows Breath (Bhastrika Pranayama)
Breath of Fire / Shining Skull (Kapalbhati Pranayama)
Guggulu
Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi)
Rhodiola
Incomplete
Ashwagandha Arishta
Jamaica Sarsaparilla Root
Red Peony

HELPFUL FOR*

'Blood-tonic' may be helpful for these symptoms and causes below.

Reproductive Health
Abortion (Past, Recent or Considering)
Currently pregnant
Heavy Period
Miscarriage (Past)
Painful menstruation & menstrual cramps
Post Partum (gave birth within last 6 months)
Recurrent miscarriage / Threatening Miscarriage
Uterine Fibroids
Vaginal Bleeding & Blood Spotting Between Periods
Blood and Circulation
Anemia
Blood light in color
Bluish nail-beds
Easily cold
Enlarged Spleen
Iron deficiency
Many cracks on tongue
Pale Tongue
Thalassemia Minor
Skin
Cold aggravates my skin
Eczema
Fragile skin/breaks easily
Pale lips
Pale Skin
Wrinkles on Skin
Weight Loss
Fasting to lose weight
Hashimoto's Thyroiditis
Laxatives to lose weight
Low metabolism
Purging Food
Sunken chest, ribs showing
Diet
Anorexia, past or current
Bulimia, past or current
Irregular Thirst
Taking Enzyme Supplements
Vegetarian
Digestion
Gas, irregular digestion
Gastrointestinal Bleeding
Irregular/small appetite
Malabsorption
Slow, heavy digestion
Bones Muscle
Muscles heavy / tired
Pale nail-beds
Thin hair
Thin, brittle nails
Poop
Soft Stool
Tarry black stools
Undigested food in stool
Lifestyle
Avoids cold
Unable to exercise due to Injury, disease, breathlessness, etc
Respiratory Health
Shortness of Breath
Mind Stress Sleep
Weakness / Debility

TYPE: HERBAL_ACTION

Blood-tonic Recipes Listed By Strength

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About the Author

John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly, teaches people how to have a healthy diet and lifestyle with Ayurveda. His approach to Ayurveda is clinical, yet exudes an ease which many find enjoyable and insightful. John also directs the Joyful Belly College of Ayurveda, offering professional clinical training in Ayurveda for over 15 years.

John's hobbies & specialties include advanced digestive disorders, medieval Catholic philosophy, & botany. He holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University. His wife and family of 7 kids live in Asheville, NC.

Learn More

College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

Blood-tonic (Pandughna, raktavardhaka) - Foods & Herbs ListCLASSIFICATION OF FOOD, HERBS, & LIFESTYLE

AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVE ON BLOOD-TONIC

INGREDIENTS WITH BLOOD-TONIC QUALITY

Neutral (Tridoshic)

Reduces

Reduces

Reduces

Aggravates

Reduces

Reduces

Reduces

Incomplete

Nutritive NUTRITIVE An herb that is strengthening and nourishing. SEE ALL 'NUTRITIVE' FOODS / HERBS

NUTRITIVE

Ojas OJAS Ojas is the essence of healthy tissue, immunity, stable energy and happiness. Substances that improve ojas are recommended after long-term illness, debility, emotional and physical trauma, and even sadness. SEE ALL 'OJAS' FOODS / HERBS

OJAS

Earth EARTH Resembles earth (prithvi) in quality - heavy, dense, solid, stable, hard. SEE ALL 'EARTH' FOODS / HERBS

EARTH

Sattvic SATTVIC Sattvic foods promote awareness and a refreshed mind by nourishing the body without taxing digestion. Sattvic foods do not stimulate desire or nervous energy. They create clarity instead of drowsiness or heaviness. SEE ALL 'SATTVIC' FOODS / HERBS

SATTVIC

Red Blood RED-BLOOD Red blood (Rakta Dhatu) includes red blood cells and blood vessels. SEE ALL 'RED-BLOOD' FOODS / HERBS

RED-BLOOD

Livotonic LIVOTONIC An herb that strengthens the liver. It is helpful for people with a history of substance abuse, chronic liver issues from hepatitis and hemolytic anemias. Generally, liver tonics are oily, cool, sweet, mildly sour, or contain beta-carotene. SEE ALL 'LIVOTONIC' FOODS / HERBS

LIVOTONIC

Fire FIRE Resembles fire (tejas) in quality - hot, sharp, penetrating, light, dry. SEE ALL 'FIRE' FOODS / HERBS

FIRE

Alkalizing ALKALIZING An herb or food that makes the urine more alkaline (higher pH). This herbal action can be helpful for a number of inflammatory conditions. SEE ALL 'ALKALIZING' FOODS / HERBS

ALKALIZING

Alterative ALTERATIVE Restores the proper function of the body by cleansing the blood and balancing blood chemistry. In Ayurveda terms, they pacify Pitta in rakta. They were traditionally used to revitalize and detoxify after a long winter. SEE ALL 'ALTERATIVE' FOODS / HERBS

ALTERATIVE

Tonic TONIC A tonic herb restores function through strengthening tissue. This can happen through a combination of nourishing the tissue, and invigorating tissue metabolism. The tonic should not be withering, as in caffeine. SEE ALL 'TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

TONIC

Air AIR Resembles air (vayu) in quality - highly mobile, drying, light, cold, subtle, rough. SEE ALL 'AIR' FOODS / HERBS

AIR

Anti Inflammatory ANTI-INFLAMMATORY Reduces inflammation in the body. Different herbs and carriers target different body systems. SEE ALL 'ANTI-INFLAMMATORY' FOODS / HERBS

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

Satisfies Stomach SATISFIES-STOMACH Provides a sense of gratification and fullness in the stomach. SEE ALL 'SATISFIES-STOMACH' FOODS / HERBS

SATISFIES-STOMACH

Diuretic DIURETIC Herbs that promote urine formation, thereby flushing the kidneys and urinary tract while eliminating any excess water retention. As diuretics reduce water retention, they are often used to reduce blood pressure. SEE ALL 'DIURETIC' FOODS / HERBS

DIURETIC

Stimulates Energy STIMULATES-ENERGY This category groups thyroid and adrenal stimulating herbs. SEE ALL 'STIMULATES-ENERGY' FOODS / HERBS

STIMULATES-ENERGY

Internal Detoxicant INTERNAL-DETOXICANT Liquefies, dissolves, decongests or dislodges internal stagnant toxins. Decongests the lymphatic system. SEE ALL 'INTERNAL-DETOXICANT' FOODS / HERBS

INTERNAL-DETOXICANT

Promotes Virility PROMOTES-VIRILITY Encourages virility and potency. SEE ALL 'PROMOTES-VIRILITY' FOODS / HERBS

PROMOTES-VIRILITY

Blood Mover BLOOD-MOVER Blood movers improve circulation through these mechanisms: Cardiac stimulation (usually pungents), vasodilation (usually aromatics), or blood thinning (usually bitters). SEE ALL 'BLOOD-MOVER' FOODS / HERBS

BLOOD-MOVER

Digestive DIGESTIVE Herbs that encourage healthy digestion. SEE ALL 'DIGESTIVE' FOODS / HERBS

DIGESTIVE

Nervine NERVINE Balances the nervous system. They can help with stress, memory, early alzheimer's, and even chronic pain. Often they are aromatic in nature. SEE ALL 'NERVINE' FOODS / HERBS

NERVINE

Antispasmodic ANTISPASMODIC Herbs that reduce or inhibit muscle spasms or cramping, such as in asthma, menstruation, heart palpitations, migraine, or IBS. SEE ALL 'ANTISPASMODIC' FOODS / HERBS

ANTISPASMODIC

Cardiac Tonic CARDIAC-TONIC Strengthens and tones the heart (heart-tonic). Cardiac tonics are used to treat a wide range of heart issues from arrhythmia, to cardiac insufficiency. SEE ALL 'CARDIAC-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

CARDIAC-TONIC

Adrenal Tonic ADRENAL-TONIC Strengthens, supports, or increases output of adrenals. SEE ALL 'ADRENAL-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

ADRENAL-TONIC

Cold COLD Cold refers to anything that reduces body temperature, metabolism, and blood flow. SEE ALL 'COLD' FOODS / HERBS

COLD

Hot HOT Hot is identified by increased body temperature, metabolism, or inflammation. SEE ALL 'HOT' FOODS / HERBS

HOT

Light LIGHT Lightness is identified by reduced weight. SEE ALL 'LIGHT' FOODS / HERBS

LIGHT

Dry DRY Dry is identified by lack of moisture, lack of fat, or anything that causes diuresis. SEE ALL 'DRY' FOODS / HERBS

DRY

Heavy HEAVY Heavy is identified by sedation, sluggishness, or increased weight. SEE ALL 'HEAVY' FOODS / HERBS

HEAVY

Easy EASY Easy refers to anything easy to digest, or digests quickly. SEE ALL 'EASY' FOODS / HERBS

EASY

Clear CLEAR Clear refers to anything that cleanses or flushes out wastes, or that digests ama. SEE ALL 'CLEAR' FOODS / HERBS

CLEAR

Oily OILY In Ayurveda, oily refers to anything moistening. More specifically, oily refers to building substances that increases fat, or are themselves fatty. For example, sugar is Oily. SEE ALL 'OILY' FOODS / HERBS

OILY

Mobile MOBILE Mobile refers to anything that stimulates the nervous system, muscles, or activity. SEE ALL 'MOBILE' FOODS / HERBS

MOBILE

Liquefied LIQUEFIED Substances that thin fluids (lower viscosity of blood plasma). These may include blood thinners or mucolytic herbs. SEE ALL 'LIQUEFIED' FOODS / HERBS

LIQUEFIED

Difficult DIFFICULT Difficult refers to anything that is difficult to digest, or takes a long time to digest. SEE ALL 'DIFFICULT' FOODS / HERBS

Nutritive
NUTRITIVE
An herb that is strengthening and nourishing.
SEE ALL 'NUTRITIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Ojas
OJAS
Ojas is the essence of healthy tissue, immunity, stable energy and happiness. Substances that improve ojas are recommended after long-term illness, debility, emotional and physical trauma, and even sadness.
SEE ALL 'OJAS' FOODS / HERBS

Earth
EARTH
Resembles earth (prithvi) in quality - heavy, dense, solid, stable, hard.
SEE ALL 'EARTH' FOODS / HERBS

Sattvic
SATTVIC
Sattvic foods promote awareness and a refreshed mind by nourishing the body without taxing digestion. Sattvic foods do not stimulate desire or nervous energy. They create clarity instead of drowsiness or heaviness.
SEE ALL 'SATTVIC' FOODS / HERBS

Red Blood
RED-BLOOD
Red blood (Rakta Dhatu) includes red blood cells and blood vessels.
SEE ALL 'RED-BLOOD' FOODS / HERBS

Livotonic
LIVOTONIC
An herb that strengthens the liver. It is helpful for people with a history of substance abuse, chronic liver issues from hepatitis and hemolytic anemias. Generally, liver tonics are oily, cool, sweet, mildly sour, or contain beta-carotene.
SEE ALL 'LIVOTONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Fire
FIRE
Resembles fire (tejas) in quality - hot, sharp, penetrating, light, dry.
SEE ALL 'FIRE' FOODS / HERBS

Alkalizing
ALKALIZING
An herb or food that makes the urine more alkaline (higher pH). This herbal action can be helpful for a number of inflammatory conditions.
SEE ALL 'ALKALIZING' FOODS / HERBS

Alterative
ALTERATIVE
Restores the proper function of the body by cleansing the blood and balancing blood chemistry. In Ayurveda terms, they pacify Pitta in rakta. They were traditionally used to revitalize and detoxify after a long winter.
SEE ALL 'ALTERATIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Tonic
TONIC
A tonic herb restores function through strengthening tissue. This can happen through a combination of nourishing the tissue, and invigorating tissue metabolism. The tonic should not be withering, as in caffeine.
SEE ALL 'TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Air
AIR
Resembles air (vayu) in quality - highly mobile, drying, light, cold, subtle, rough.
SEE ALL 'AIR' FOODS / HERBS

Anti Inflammatory
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY
Reduces inflammation in the body. Different herbs and carriers target different body systems.
SEE ALL 'ANTI-INFLAMMATORY' FOODS / HERBS

Satisfies Stomach
SATISFIES-STOMACH
Provides a sense of gratification and fullness in the stomach.
SEE ALL 'SATISFIES-STOMACH' FOODS / HERBS

Diuretic
DIURETIC
Herbs that promote urine formation, thereby flushing the kidneys and urinary tract while eliminating any excess water retention. As diuretics reduce water retention, they are often used to reduce blood pressure.
SEE ALL 'DIURETIC' FOODS / HERBS

Stimulates Energy
STIMULATES-ENERGY
This category groups thyroid and adrenal stimulating herbs.
SEE ALL 'STIMULATES-ENERGY' FOODS / HERBS

Internal Detoxicant
INTERNAL-DETOXICANT
Liquefies, dissolves, decongests or dislodges internal stagnant toxins. Decongests the lymphatic system.
SEE ALL 'INTERNAL-DETOXICANT' FOODS / HERBS

Promotes Virility
PROMOTES-VIRILITY
Encourages virility and potency.
SEE ALL 'PROMOTES-VIRILITY' FOODS / HERBS

Blood Mover
BLOOD-MOVER
Blood movers improve circulation through these mechanisms: Cardiac stimulation (usually pungents), vasodilation (usually aromatics), or blood thinning (usually bitters).
SEE ALL 'BLOOD-MOVER' FOODS / HERBS

Digestive
DIGESTIVE
Herbs that encourage healthy digestion.
SEE ALL 'DIGESTIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Nervine
NERVINE
Balances the nervous system. They can help with stress, memory, early alzheimer's, and even chronic pain. Often they are aromatic in nature.
SEE ALL 'NERVINE' FOODS / HERBS

Antispasmodic
ANTISPASMODIC
Herbs that reduce or inhibit muscle spasms or cramping, such as in asthma, menstruation, heart palpitations, migraine, or IBS.
SEE ALL 'ANTISPASMODIC' FOODS / HERBS

Cardiac Tonic
CARDIAC-TONIC
Strengthens and tones the heart (heart-tonic). Cardiac tonics are used to treat a wide range of heart issues from arrhythmia, to cardiac insufficiency.
SEE ALL 'CARDIAC-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Adrenal Tonic
ADRENAL-TONIC
Strengthens, supports, or increases output of adrenals.
SEE ALL 'ADRENAL-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Cold
COLD
Cold refers to anything that reduces body temperature, metabolism, and blood flow.
SEE ALL 'COLD' FOODS / HERBS

Hot
HOT
Hot is identified by increased body temperature, metabolism, or inflammation.
SEE ALL 'HOT' FOODS / HERBS

Light
LIGHT
Lightness is identified by reduced weight.
SEE ALL 'LIGHT' FOODS / HERBS

Dry
DRY
Dry is identified by lack of moisture, lack of fat, or anything that causes diuresis.
SEE ALL 'DRY' FOODS / HERBS

Heavy
HEAVY
Heavy is identified by sedation, sluggishness, or increased weight.
SEE ALL 'HEAVY' FOODS / HERBS

Easy
EASY
Easy refers to anything easy to digest, or digests quickly.
SEE ALL 'EASY' FOODS / HERBS

Clear
CLEAR
Clear refers to anything that cleanses or flushes out wastes, or that digests ama.
SEE ALL 'CLEAR' FOODS / HERBS

Oily
OILY
In Ayurveda, oily refers to anything moistening. More specifically, oily refers to building substances that increases fat, or are themselves fatty. For example, sugar is Oily.
SEE ALL 'OILY' FOODS / HERBS

Mobile
MOBILE
Mobile refers to anything that stimulates the nervous system, muscles, or activity.
SEE ALL 'MOBILE' FOODS / HERBS

Liquefied
LIQUEFIED
Substances that thin fluids (lower viscosity of blood plasma). These may include blood thinners or mucolytic herbs.
SEE ALL 'LIQUEFIED' FOODS / HERBS

Difficult
DIFFICULT
Difficult refers to anything that is difficult to digest, or takes a long time to digest.
SEE ALL 'DIFFICULT' FOODS / HERBS

Gooey
GOOEY
Gooey is identified by anything gelatinous (such as oatmeal), or by mucus congestion.
SEE ALL 'GOOEY' FOODS / HERBS

Sweet
SWEET
Sweet refers to anything builds tissue, including macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats.
SEE ALL 'SWEET' FOODS / HERBS

Astringent
ASTRINGENT
Astringency is characterized by constriction, drawing together, or drying.
SEE ALL 'ASTRINGENT' FOODS / HERBS

Bitter
BITTER
Bitter taste has cholagogue action - it is cold, clear, light, and stimulating. It increases digestive enzymes and is laxative, and drying.
SEE ALL 'BITTER' FOODS / HERBS

Sour
SOUR
Sour refers to anything fermented or acidic.
SEE ALL 'SOUR' FOODS / HERBS

Salty
SALTY
Salty refers to anything with salt, or high mineral content.
SEE ALL 'SALTY' FOODS / HERBS

Pungent
PUNGENT
Pungency is characterized by irritation, or sharp, spicy foods that irritate the mouth such as black pepper.
SEE ALL 'PUNGENT' FOODS / HERBS

Crunchy
CRUNCHY
Makes an audible noise when you eat them. Can provide fun texture variation.
SEE ALL 'CRUNCHY' FOODS / HERBS

Acrid
ACRID
Acrid taste is a combination of bitter and pungent tastes. Example include radish, turnip, and coffee.
SEE ALL 'ACRID' FOODS / HERBS

Aromatic
AROMATIC
Herbs or spices with volatile essential oils that present strong aromas. Aromatic oils shock, refresh and numb tissue, with the end result of relaxing, opening and clearing stagnant fluids in tissues.
SEE ALL 'AROMATIC' FOODS / HERBS

Musky
MUSKY
Have an earthy smell to them, such as mushrooms.
SEE ALL 'MUSKY' FOODS / HERBS

Energy Vitality
ENERGY-VITALITY
Includes vitality improving foods, herbs, and exercises by dosha.
SEE ALL 'ENERGY-VITALITY' FOODS / HERBS

Skin Care
SKIN-CARE
Includes skin care, and anything that nourishes epithelial membranes (of digestive, respiratory, urinary tract, blood vessels, etc).
SEE ALL 'SKIN-CARE' FOODS / HERBS

Anti Aging
ANTI-AGING
Geriatric conditions typically involve low agni / metabolism, poor circulation, weakness & debility, muscle weakening, poor digestion, a drop in sex hormones, and connective tissue degradation in bones & skin.
SEE ALL 'ANTI-AGING' FOODS / HERBS