AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVE ON CLEAR

Clear refers to anything that cleanses or flushes out wastes, or that digests ama.

Clear food has the ability to either clear the (1) digestive tract, (2) blood and lymphatic system, (3) mind, or (4) mucus or fluid stagnation in any organ. Clear foods reduce fluids. They help metabolize or purge toxic buildup (ama) from tissues. Clear foods reduce muscle and fat tissue (called karshana and lekhana in Ayurveda).

Cleansing, fasting, and an excessively light diet increases clear quality in the body. The remedy for excessive clear quality in the body is a Vata pacifying diet with rich or sweet foods. Inspiration, awe, open mindedness, forgetting one's cultural heritage or homeland, travel, and grief increases Vata type create clear quality in the mind. The remedy for an excess of Vata clear quality in the mind is stability and routine.

Anger, divorce, contempt, criticism, bitterness and overconfidence increase Pitta type clear quality in the mind. Pitta type clear quality is associated with an excess of focus. To relax focus and avoid oversimplifying life, consider how other people would benefit from this focus - including members of your extended family, friends, and colleagues.

Clear foods and herbs help heal wounds. Clear foods generally lack sweet, sticky, gooey, or oily qualities. Instead, they are bitter, sharp, warm, drying, and light. Turmeric clears the blood because it dilates blood vessels, improving circulation. Dandelion clears the blood because bitters help metabolise cholesterol, fats, and sugars. Dandelion leaves are also a diuretic, flushing water stagnation. Aloe vera clears the digestive tract because it is a slight laxative. Mint, like many aromatic herbs, refreshes and clears the mind and respiratory tract. Lemon clears the liver and gall bladder by draining excess bile. Black pepper clears tissues by irritating them. Heat clears by purging the sweat glands.

Kapha needs clear quality the most. Vata craves clear quality too much, to the point of creating deficiency. The body naturally cleanses during the spring. Spring is also the season where the body needs the most help with cleansing and detoxification.

Examples: Salt, Neem, Haritaki, Weight Away

OTHER HERB ACTIONS AFFECTING CLEANSE-AND-DETOX

INGREDIENTS WITH CLEAR QUALITY

HERBS & SUPPLEMENTS WITH CLEAR QUALITY

HELPFUL FOR*

'Clear' may be helpful for these symptoms and causes below.

CONTRAINDICATIONS / AGGRAVATES / IS AGGRAVATED BY*

'Clear' may aggravate, or be aggravated by, 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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