Improves-focus Foods & Herbs List: An Ayurveda Perspective
Improves-focus Ingredients Improves-focus Herbs & Supplements AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVE ON IMPROVES-FOCUSReduces scattered thoughts. Creates a steady mind.Nourishing, sour foods and herbs with warmth and low glycemic index work best to reduce feelings of scatteredness. OTHER HERB ACTIONS AFFECTING MIND-STRESS-SLEEPINGREDIENTS WITH IMPROVES-FOCUS QUALITY
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Reduces BlackberryApple (cooked), Apple Cider Vinegar, Blackberry, Blueberry, Cherry, Cranberry, Green Mango, Honey Dew, Kefir, Lemon, Lime, Red Wine Vinegar, Sauerkraut, Sour Cream, Strawberries, Umeboshi Plums, White Vinegar, Yogurt
WATERResembles water (ap) in quality - fluid, sticky, soft, heavy, stable, cool.Acai, Apple (cooked), Apple Cider Vinegar, Blackberry, Blueberry, Cherry, Cranberry, Honey Dew, Red Wine Vinegar, Strawberries, White Vinegar, Yogurt
LIVOTONICAn 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.FruitsAcai, Apple (cooked), Blackberry, Blueberry, Cherry, Cranberry, Green Mango, Honey Dew, Lemon, Lime, Strawberries, TamarindApple Cider Vinegar, Cherry, Cranberry, Kefir, Lemon, Red Wine Vinegar, Sauerkraut, Sour Cream, Strawberries, Tamarind, Umeboshi Plums, White Vinegar
FIREResembles fire (tejas) in quality - hot, sharp, penetrating, light, dry.Apple (cooked), Blackberry, Blueberry, Buttermilk, Cherry, Cranberry, Honey Dew, Lemon, Lime, Strawberries, Umeboshi Plums
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.Apple Cider Vinegar, Cherry, Lemon, Lime, Red Wine Vinegar, Sauerkraut, Sour Cream, Strawberries, White Vinegar, Yogurt
RAJASICRajasic foods stimulate desire or nervous energy. Red meat, high protein food, garlic and onions stimulate desire. Rajasic foods include chili peppers, coffee, and anything that stimulates movement.Acai, Apple (cooked), Blackberry, Blueberry, Buttermilk, Cherry, Honey Dew, Kefir, Umeboshi Plums, Yogurt
NUTRITIVEAn herb that is strengthening and nourishing.Acai, Apple Cider Vinegar, Blackberry, Blueberry, Cherry, Cranberry, Lemon, Lime, Red Wine Vinegar, White Vinegar
POLYPHENOLSPolyphenols are powerful antioxidants seen in many fruits and vegetables. There are more than 8,000 types.Apple (cooked), Apple Cider Vinegar, Blackberry, Cherry, Lemon, Lime, Red Wine Vinegar, Strawberries, Umeboshi Plums, White Vinegar
ALKALIZINGAn herb or food that makes the urine more alkaline (higher pH). This herbal action can be helpful for a number of inflammatory conditions.Apple (cooked), Apple Cider Vinegar, Blackberry, Blueberry, Cherry, Cranberry, Lemon, Red Wine Vinegar, Strawberries, White Vinegar
RED-BLOODRed blood (Rakta Dhatu) includes red blood cells and blood vessels.Acai, Apple Cider Vinegar, Blueberry, Cranberry, Lemon, Lime, Red Wine Vinegar, Strawberries, White Vinegar
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.Acai, Apple Cider Vinegar, Blackberry, Blueberry, Cherry, Cranberry, Red Wine Vinegar, Strawberries, White Vinegar
ANTIOXIDANTAn antioxidant is a molecule that inhibits oxidation. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that can produce free radicals that lead to a chain reaction causing damage or death to cells. Antioxidants terminate these oxidation reactions.Apple (cooked), Apple Cider Vinegar, Cherry, Lemon, Lime, Red Wine Vinegar, Tamarind, White Vinegar
GENERAL-LAXATIVEPromotes a bowel movement. General laxative is an umbrella term that refers to several different types of laxatives...Apple Cider Vinegar, Lemon, Lime, Red Wine Vinegar, Sauerkraut, Strawberries, Tamarind, White Vinegar
SIALOGOGUEA sialogogue increases saliva. Sour foods are often great sialogogues, and increase output of all exocrine glands. Salty taste is very moistening as well. Bitter, pungent and sweettastes also increase salivary output but to a lesser degree. Astringents.Apple (cooked), Apple Cider Vinegar, Lemon, Lime, Red Wine Vinegar, White Vinegar
DETOXICANTAn herb that decongests or dislodges toxins from the body and the lymphatic, transforming or altering fluids to a more healthy state.Apple (cooked), Honey Dew, Lemon, Lime, Tamarind
STOOL-SOFTENERAn herb that softens stool that is hard and difficult to pass. They are the safest and most gentle type of laxative. Some foods are even stool softeners, such as warm milk with ghee.Acai, Blueberry, Cherry, Cranberry, Strawberries
ANTI-INFLAMMATORYReduces inflammation in the body. Different herbs and carriers target different body systems.Honey Dew, Yogurt
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.Strawberries
SKIN-TONICAn herb that strengthens and nourishes skin, improving tone, color, moisture and complexion.Apple (cooked), Apple Cider Vinegar, Blackberry, Blueberry, Cherry, Honey Dew, Lemon, Lime, Red Wine Vinegar, Sauerkraut, Strawberries, Umeboshi Plums, White Vinegar
EASYEasy refers to anything easy to digest, or digests quickly.Apple (cooked), Apple Cider Vinegar, Blackberry, Blueberry, Lemon, Lime, Red Wine Vinegar, Strawberries, White Vinegar
LIGHTLightness is identified by reduced weight.Apple Cider Vinegar, Cherry, Lemon, Lime, Red Wine Vinegar, Sauerkraut, Tamarind, White Vinegar
LIQUEFIEDSubstances that thin fluids (lower viscosity of blood plasma). These may include blood thinners or mucolytic herbs.Apple (cooked), Apple Cider Vinegar, Cranberry, Lemon, Lime, Red Wine Vinegar, Tamarind, White Vinegar
CLEARClear refers to anything that cleanses or flushes out wastes, or that digests ama.Apple Cider Vinegar, Cherry, Lemon, Red Wine Vinegar, Sauerkraut, Tamarind, White Vinegar
HOTHot is identified by increased body temperature, metabolism, or inflammation.Acai, Blackberry, Blueberry, Cranberry, Honey Dew, Lime, Strawberries
COLDCold refers to anything that reduces body temperature, metabolism, and blood flow.Buttermilk, Kefir, Sour Cream, Tamarind, Yogurt
HEAVYHeavy is identified by sedation, sluggishness, or increased weight.Buttermilk, Kefir, Sour Cream, Yogurt
GOOEYGooey is identified by anything gelatinous (such as oatmeal), or by mucus congestion.Apple Cider Vinegar, Red Wine Vinegar, White Vinegar
MOBILEMobile refers to anything that stimulates the nervous system, muscles, or activity.Buttermilk, Cranberry
DRYDry is identified by lack of moisture, lack of fat, or anything that causes diuresis.Sour Cream
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.Acai, Apple (cooked), Apple Cider Vinegar, Blackberry, Blueberry, Buttermilk, Cherry, Cranberry, Green Mango, Honey Dew, Kefir, Lemon, Lime, Red Wine Vinegar, Sauerkraut, Sour Cream, Strawberries, Tamarind, Umeboshi Plums, White Vinegar, Yogurt
SOURSour refers to anything fermented or acidic.Acai, Apple Cider Vinegar, Blackberry, Buttermilk, Cranberry, Green Mango, Lemon, Red Wine Vinegar, Strawberries, Tamarind, White Vinegar
ASTRINGENTAstringency is characterized by constriction, drawing together, or drying.Acai, Apple (cooked), Blackberry, Blueberry, Cherry, Cranberry, Green Mango, Honey Dew, Strawberries, Tamarind, Umeboshi Plums
SWEETSweet refers to anything builds tissue, including macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats.Lemon
BITTERBitter is disagreeable and stimulates rejection. It is a strong taste often associated with black coffee, dark chocolate, and most salad greens.Honey Dew
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.Liver GallbladderAcai, Apple (cooked), Apple Cider Vinegar, Red Wine Vinegar, Strawberries, White VinegarLemon, Strawberries
SKIN-CAREIncludes skin care, and anything that nourishes epithelial membranes (of digestive, respiratory, urinary tract, blood vessels, etc).Yogurt
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 IMPROVES-FOCUS QUALITY
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Reduces Garcinia Cambogia FruitAmalaki, Garcinia Cambogia Fruit, Hawthorne Berry & Flower, Schisandra, Triphala
DIGESTIVEHerbs that encourage healthy digestion.Amalaki, Garcinia Cambogia Fruit, Schisandra, Triphala
SIALOGOGUEA sialogogue increases saliva. Sour foods are often great sialogogues, and increase output of all exocrine glands. Salty taste is very moistening as well. Bitter, pungent and sweettastes also increase salivary output but to a lesser degree. Astringents.Amalaki, Hawthorne Berry & Flower, Schisandra
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.Amalaki, Triphala
GENERAL-LAXATIVEPromotes a bowel movement. General laxative is an umbrella term that refers to several different types of laxatives...Amalaki, Triphala
DETOXICANTAn herb that decongests or dislodges toxins from the body and the lymphatic, transforming or altering fluids to a more healthy state.Amalaki, Triphala
SKIN-TONICAn herb that strengthens and nourishes skin, improving tone, color, moisture and complexion.Amalaki, Triphala
STOOL-SOFTENERAn herb that softens stool that is hard and difficult to pass. They are the safest and most gentle type of laxative. Some foods are even stool softeners, such as warm milk with ghee.Amalaki, Triphala
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.Amalaki, Hawthorne Berry & Flower
CARDIAC-TONICStrengthens and tones the heart (heart-tonic). Cardiac tonics are used to treat a wide range of heart issues from arrhythmia, to cardiac insufficiency.Amalaki, Hawthorne Berry & Flower
ANTIOXIDANTAn antioxidant is a molecule that inhibits oxidation. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that can produce free radicals that lead to a chain reaction causing damage or death to cells. Antioxidants terminate these oxidation reactions.Amalaki, Hawthorne Berry & Flower
ANTIFIBROTICFibrosis of an organ is often a progressive leading to organ failure (i.e lungs, liver, kidney). While vulneraries usually help restore collagen, antifibrotic herbs often clear collagen. Aka fibrinolytic.Amalaki, Hawthorne Berry & Flower
ANTI-INFLAMMATORYReduces inflammation in the body. Different herbs and carriers target different body systems.Amalaki
NUTRITIVEAn herb that is strengthening and nourishing.Hawthorne Berry & Flower
POLYPHENOLSPolyphenols are powerful antioxidants seen in many fruits and vegetables. There are more than 8,000 types.Hawthorne Berry & Flower
RED-BLOODRed blood (Rakta Dhatu) includes red blood cells and blood vessels.Schisandra
LIVOTONICAn 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.Garcinia Cambogia Fruit
FIREResembles fire (tejas) in quality - hot, sharp, penetrating, light, dry.Garcinia Cambogia Fruit, Hawthorne Berry & Flower, Schisandra, Triphala
DRYDry is identified by lack of moisture, lack of fat, or anything that causes diuresis.Garcinia Cambogia Fruit, Hawthorne Berry & Flower, Triphala
LIGHTLightness is identified by reduced weight.Garcinia Cambogia Fruit, Hawthorne Berry & Flower, Schisandra
HOTHot is identified by increased body temperature, metabolism, or inflammation.Garcinia Cambogia Fruit, Triphala
CLEARClear refers to anything that cleanses or flushes out wastes, or that digests ama.Amalaki
EASYEasy refers to anything easy to digest, or digests quickly.Amalaki
COLDCold refers to anything that reduces body temperature, metabolism, and blood flow.Hawthorne Berry & Flower
LIQUEFIEDSubstances that thin fluids (lower viscosity of blood plasma). These may include blood thinners or mucolytic herbs.Amalaki, Garcinia Cambogia Fruit, Hawthorne Berry & Flower, Schisandra, Triphala
SOURSour refers to anything fermented or acidic.Amalaki, Hawthorne Berry & Flower, Schisandra, Triphala
ASTRINGENTAstringency is characterized by constriction, drawing together, or drying.Hawthorne Berry & Flower, Schisandra
SWEETSweet refers to anything builds tissue, including macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats.Hawthorne Berry & Flower
BITTERBitter is disagreeable and stimulates rejection. It is a strong taste often associated with black coffee, dark chocolate, and most salad greens.Amalaki, Triphala
SKIN-CAREIncludes skin care, and anything that nourishes epithelial membranes (of digestive, respiratory, urinary tract, blood vessels, etc).Amalaki, Hawthorne Berry & Flower
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.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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