Browse Recipes AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVE ON BONE-TONICAn herb that strengthens the bones and joints.Avoid foods that cause gas and bloating. These acidify the blood causing the body to leech minerals from bones to maintain pH homeostasis. Mineral rich foods not only directly feed bone tissue, they also aid the kidney in the removal of acidifying metabolic waste products. Seek herbs that nourish connective tissue (horsetail). Bala, ashwagandha, and arjuna nourish bone. INGREDIENTS WITH BONE-TONIC QUALITY
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Almonds, Bean Sprouts, Crimini & Button Mushrooms, Kelp, Portobello Mushroom, Sesame Seeds, Shiitake Mushroom, Stinging Nettles, Turmeric, Turmeric Root (Fresh)
ALKALIZINGAn herb or food that makes the urine more alkaline (higher pH). This herbal action can be helpful for a number of inflammatory conditions.Almonds, Crimini & Button Mushrooms, Milk, Portobello Mushroom, Sesame Seeds, Shiitake Mushroom, Stinging Nettles, Tahini, Turmeric Root (Fresh)
EARTHResembles earth (prithvi) in quality - heavy, dense, solid, stable, hard.Almonds, Bean Sprouts, Sesame Oil, Sesame Seeds, Stinging Nettles, Tahini, Turmeric, Turmeric Root (Fresh)
BLOOD-TONICAn 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.Almonds, Crimini & Button Mushrooms, Milk, Portobello Mushroom, Sesame Seeds, Shiitake Mushroom, Stinging Nettles, Tahini
SATISFIES-STOMACHProvides a sense of gratification and fullness in the stomach.Almonds, Bean Sprouts, Milk, Sesame Oil, Sesame Seeds, Stinging Nettles, Turmeric
SATTVICSattvic 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.Almonds, Crimini & Button Mushrooms, Milk, Portobello Mushroom, Sesame Seeds, Shiitake Mushroom, Tahini
DOWNWARDDownward-moving (Adho Gati Marga) substances move food downward in the GI tract, settle the nervous system, and relax muscles.Almonds, Crimini & Button Mushrooms, Milk, Portobello Mushroom, Sesame Seeds, Shiitake Mushroom, Tahini
NERVE-RELAXANT-GROUNDINGEncourages feelings of stability and heaviness. Makes you feel settled, mentally relaxed. Mildly sedates the nervous system to ease stress. Can bring a spacey or anxious person back to earth. Reduces agitation, irritation, stress and racing thoughts.Almonds, Kelp, Milk, Sesame Oil, Sesame Seeds, Stinging Nettles, Tahini
NUTRITIVEAn herb that is strengthening and nourishing.WhiteBean Sprouts, Crimini & Button Mushrooms, Milk, Portobello Mushroom, Sesame Seeds, Shiitake Mushroom, TahiniAlmonds, Crimini & Button Mushrooms, Milk, Portobello Mushroom, Sesame Seeds, Shiitake Mushroom, Stinging Nettles
BONEBone tissue (Asthi Dhatu) includes the bones, hair, and nails.Almonds, Sesame Oil, Sesame Seeds, Tahini, Turmeric, Turmeric Root (Fresh)
SKIN-TONICAn herb that strengthens and nourishes skin, improving tone, color, moisture and complexion.Almonds, Milk, Sesame Oil, Sesame Seeds, Stinging Nettles, Tahini
OJASOjas 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.Almonds, Milk, Sesame Oil, Sesame Seeds, Stinging Nettles, Tahini
TONICA 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.Almonds, Sesame Oil, Sesame Seeds, Spinach, Stinging Nettles, Tahini
BUILDS-STAMINAPromotes strength, endurance and resistance in the body. Rebuilds weak tissues after a time of depletion.ProteinAlmonds, Crimini & Button Mushrooms, Portobello Mushroom, Sesame Seeds, Shiitake Mushroom, TahiniSpinach, Stinging Nettles, Turmeric, Turmeric Root (Fresh)
ANTI-INFLAMMATORYReduces inflammation in the body. Different herbs and carriers target different body systems.Stinging Nettles, Turmeric, Turmeric Root (Fresh)
VULNERARYAn herb used for the treatment of wounds (antiulcer, connective tissue tonic).Stinging Nettles, Turmeric, Turmeric Root (Fresh)
ALTERATIVERestores 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.Turmeric, Turmeric Root (Fresh)
HYPOLIPIDEMICScrapes fats / cleanses blood vessels by 1) purging bile, 2) strengthening the liver's ability to metabolize fats, 3) by increasing uptake of cholesterol in the liver, and 4) by inhibiting fat cells.Turmeric, Turmeric Root (Fresh)
ANALGESICPain reliever, reduces pain without eliminating sensation. Also known as anodyne.Kelp, Stinging Nettles
DIURETICHerbs 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.Stinging Nettles
LUNG-TONICStrengthens the lungs. Lung tonics include antifibrotic, vessel tonic, or nourishing herbs with an affinity for the lungs. They aid recovery in acute or chronic lung conditions.Sesame Oil, Sesame Seeds, Spinach, Stinging Nettles, Tahini, Turmeric, Turmeric Root (Fresh)
HOTHot is identified by increased body temperature, metabolism, or inflammation.Almonds, Crimini & Button Mushrooms, Milk, Portobello Mushroom, Sesame Seeds, Shiitake Mushroom, Tahini
HEAVYHeavy is identified by sedation, sluggishness, or increased weight.Bean Sprouts, Spinach, Stinging Nettles, Turmeric, Turmeric Root (Fresh)
LIGHTLightness is identified by reduced weight.Crimini & Button Mushrooms, Milk, Portobello Mushroom, Shiitake Mushroom, Tahini
DIFFICULTDifficult refers to anything that is difficult to digest, or takes a long time to digest.Bean Sprouts, Spinach, Turmeric, Turmeric Root (Fresh)
LIQUEFIEDSubstances that thin fluids (lower viscosity of blood plasma). These may include blood thinners or mucolytic herbs.Bean Sprouts, Stinging Nettles, Turmeric, Turmeric Root (Fresh)
DRYDry is identified by lack of moisture, lack of fat, or anything that causes diuresis.Bean Sprouts, Kelp, Turmeric, Turmeric Root (Fresh)
MOBILEMobile refers to anything that stimulates the nervous system, muscles, or activity.Almonds, Sesame Oil, Sesame Seeds, Tahini
OILYIn 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.Almonds, Bean Sprouts, Milk
COLDCold refers to anything that reduces body temperature, metabolism, and blood flow.Turmeric, Turmeric Root (Fresh)
CLEARClear refers to anything that cleanses or flushes out wastes, or that digests ama.Bean Sprouts, Spinach, Stinging Nettles, Turmeric, Turmeric Root (Fresh)
BITTERBitter is disagreeable and stimulates rejection. It is a strong taste often associated with black coffee, dark chocolate, and most salad greens.Almonds, Milk, Sesame Oil, Sesame Seeds, Tahini
SWEETSweet refers to anything builds tissue, including macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats.Kelp, Sesame Seeds, Spinach, Stinging Nettles
SALTYSalty refers to anything with salt, or high mineral content.Bean Sprouts, Spinach, Stinging Nettles
ASTRINGENTAstringency is characterized by constriction, drawing together, or drying.Almonds, Bean Sprouts, Sesame Seeds
CRUNCHYMakes an audible noise when you eat them. Can provide fun texture variation.Crimini & Button Mushrooms, Portobello Mushroom, Shiitake Mushroom
MUSKYHave an earthy smell to them, such as mushrooms.Milk
BLANDBland means doesn't have much taste. In Chinese medicine, bland taste refers to afood without little macronutrients, such as cabbage, radish or bok choy.Spinach
SOURSour refers to anything fermented or acidic.Sesame Oil
PUNGENTPungency is characterized by irritation, or sharp, spicy foods that irritate the mouth such as black pepper.Cleanse And DetoxBean Sprouts, Crimini & Button Mushrooms, Portobello Mushroom, Shiitake Mushroom, SpinachSesame Oil, Turmeric, Turmeric Root (Fresh)
SKIN-CAREIncludes skin care, and anything that nourishes epithelial membranes (of digestive, respiratory, urinary tract, blood vessels, etc).Turmeric
ANTI-AGINGGeriatric 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.HERBS & SUPPLEMENTS WITH BONE-TONIC QUALITY
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Ashwagandha, Bala Taila, Bhringaraj, Comfrey Root, Elecampane, Horsetail, Joint Balm, Manjistha, Red Clover, Yogaraj Guggulu
ANALGESICPain reliever, reduces pain without eliminating sensation. Also known as anodyne.Arjuna, Ashwagandha, Astragalus, Bala Taila, Bhringaraj, Comfrey Root, Horsetail, Manjistha, Red Clover, Yogaraj Guggulu
ANTI-INFLAMMATORYReduces inflammation in the body. Different herbs and carriers target different body systems.Arjuna, Ashwagandha, Astragalus, Bhringaraj, Comfrey Root, Horsetail, Manjistha, Red Clover
VULNERARYAn herb used for the treatment of wounds (antiulcer, connective tissue tonic).Arjuna, Ashwagandha, Astragalus, Bhringaraj, Elecampane, Horsetail, Manjistha, Red Clover
DIURETICHerbs 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.Arjuna, Ashwagandha, Elecampane, Joint Balm, Manjistha, Red Clover, Yogaraj Guggulu
ALTERATIVERestores 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.Ashwagandha, Bala Taila, Comfrey Root, Joint Balm, Kshirabala Taila, Red Clover, Solomon's Seal
NUTRITIVEAn herb that is strengthening and nourishing.Arjuna, Bhringaraj, Comfrey Root, Horsetail, Kudzu root, Manjistha, Red Clover
SKIN-TONICAn herb that strengthens and nourishes skin, improving tone, color, moisture and complexion.Arjuna, Astragalus, Bhringaraj, Joint Balm, Manjistha, Yogaraj Guggulu
HYPOLIPIDEMICScrapes fats / cleanses blood vessels by 1) purging bile, 2) strengthening the liver's ability to metabolize fats, 3) by increasing uptake of cholesterol in the liver, and 4) by inhibiting fat cells.Ashwagandha, Bala Taila, Bhringaraj, Kshirabala Taila, Kudzu root, Solomon's Seal
TONICA 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.Ashwagandha, Bhringaraj, Dashamoola Powder, Kshirabala Taila, Yogaraj Guggulu
NERVINEBalances the nervous system. They can help with stress, memory, early alzheimer's, and even chronic pain. Often they are aromatic in nature.Astragalus, Comfrey Root, Dashamoola Powder, Elecampane, Red Clover
LUNG-TONICStrengthens the lungs. Lung tonics include antifibrotic, vessel tonic, or nourishing herbs with an affinity for the lungs. They aid recovery in acute or chronic lung conditions.Ashwagandha, Astragalus, Bhringaraj, Manjistha
BLOOD-TONICAn 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.Ashwagandha, Bala Taila, Horsetail, Kudzu root
OJASOjas 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.Ashwagandha, Bala Taila
NERVE-RELAXANT-GROUNDINGEncourages feelings of stability and heaviness. Makes you feel settled, mentally relaxed. Mildly sedates the nervous system to ease stress. Can bring a spacey or anxious person back to earth. Reduces agitation, irritation, stress and racing thoughts.Ashwagandha
BUILDS-STAMINAPromotes strength, endurance and resistance in the body. Rebuilds weak tissues after a time of depletion.Horsetail
EARTHResembles earth (prithvi) in quality - heavy, dense, solid, stable, hard.Arjuna, Bhringaraj, Comfrey Root, Horsetail, Manjistha, Red Clover, Solomon's Seal
COLDCold refers to anything that reduces body temperature, metabolism, and blood flow.Bhringaraj, Joint Balm, Manjistha, Red Clover, Yogaraj Guggulu
CLEARClear refers to anything that cleanses or flushes out wastes, or that digests ama.Ashwagandha, Astragalus, Dashamoola Powder, Elecampane, Yogaraj Guggulu
HOTHot is identified by increased body temperature, metabolism, or inflammation.Arjuna, Astragalus, Dashamoola Powder, Horsetail, Manjistha
DRYDry is identified by lack of moisture, lack of fat, or anything that causes diuresis.Ashwagandha, Dashamoola Powder, Kudzu root
HEAVYHeavy is identified by sedation, sluggishness, or increased weight.Ashwagandha, Bala Taila, Kudzu root
OILYIn 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.Comfrey Root, Elecampane, Solomon's Seal
GOOEYGooey is identified by anything gelatinous (such as oatmeal), or by mucus congestion.Solomon's Seal, Yogaraj Guggulu
LIQUEFIEDSubstances that thin fluids (lower viscosity of blood plasma). These may include blood thinners or mucolytic herbs.Elecampane
MOBILEMobile refers to anything that stimulates the nervous system, muscles, or activity.Arjuna, Ashwagandha, Comfrey Root, Elecampane, Horsetail, Manjistha, Red Clover, Yogaraj Guggulu
ASTRINGENTAstringency is characterized by constriction, drawing together, or drying.Astragalus, Bhringaraj, Comfrey Root, Kudzu root, Manjistha, Red Clover, Solomon's Seal, Yogaraj Guggulu
SWEETSweet refers to anything builds tissue, including macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats.Arjuna, Ashwagandha, Bhringaraj, Comfrey Root, Elecampane, Horsetail, Manjistha
BITTERBitter is disagreeable and stimulates rejection. It is a strong taste often associated with black coffee, dark chocolate, and most salad greens.Arjuna, Bhringaraj, Elecampane, Yogaraj Guggulu
PUNGENTPungency is characterized by irritation, or sharp, spicy foods that irritate the mouth such as black pepper.Elecampane, Joint Balm
AROMATICHerbs 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.Yogaraj Guggulu
RESINOUSResinous substances often contain sap in them, such as rosemary, or herbs such as cedar, frankincense, and guggulu.Bhringaraj
SOURSour refers to anything fermented or acidic.Elecampane
ACRIDAcrid taste is a combination of bitter and pungent tastes. Example include radish, turnip, and coffee.Elecampane
SALTYSalty refers to anything with salt, or high mineral content.Red Clover
BLANDBland means doesn't have much taste. In Chinese medicine, bland taste refers to afood without little macronutrients, such as cabbage, radish or bok choy.Arjuna, Bhringaraj, Comfrey Root, Manjistha, Red Clover
SKIN-CAREIncludes skin care, and anything that nourishes epithelial membranes (of digestive, respiratory, urinary tract, blood vessels, etc).Ashwagandha
ANTI-AGINGGeriatric 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.HELPFUL FOR*'Bone-tonic' may be helpful for these symptoms and causes below.About the Author John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly, teaches people how to have a healthy diet and lifestyle with Ayurveda biocharacteristics. His approach to Ayurveda is clinical, yet exudes an ease which many find enjoyable and insightful. John also directs Joyful Belly's School of Ayurveda, offering professional clinical training in Ayurveda for over 15 years.John's interest in Ayurveda and specialization in digestive tract pathology was inspired by a complex digestive disorder acquired from years of international travel, as well as public service work in South Asia. John's commitment to the detailed study of digestive disorders reflects his zeal to get down to the roots of the problem. His hope and belief in the capacity of each & every client to improve their quality of life is nothing short of a personal passion. John's creativity in the kitchen and delight in cooking for others comes from his family oriented upbringing. In addition to his certification in Ayurveda, John holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University. John enjoys sharing Ayurveda within the context of his Catholic roots, and finds Ayurveda gives him an opportunity to participate in the healing mission of the Church. Jesus expressed God's love by feeding and healing the sick. That kindness is the fundamental ministry of Ayurveda as well. Outside of work, John enjoys spending time with his wife and 6 kids, and pursuing his love of theology, philosophy, and language. |
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