Muscle-tonic (Balya) Foods & Herbs List: An Ayurveda Perspective

Categories / Herbal-action / Muscle-Health / muscle-tonic

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Reported by John Immel Asheville, NC
Browse Recipes

AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVE ON MUSCLE-TONIC

Herbs that strengthen and tone muscle tissue. Helpful for people recovering from long term illness and debility, or after a sprain.

INGREDIENTS WITH MUSCLE-TONIC QUALITY

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

Neutral (Tridoshic)
Quinoa
Reduces
Beef
Buffalo
Eggs
Lamb
Pork
Rabbit
Sesame Seeds
Tahini
Reduces
Almonds
Banana
Chicken
Ghee
Jackfruit
Reduces
Sesame Oil
Reduces
Dates (dried)
Reduces
Adzuki Beans
Amaranth
Reduces
Buckwheat
Honey
Popped Amaranth

Browse Muscle-tonic Recipes

HERBS & SUPPLEMENTS WITH MUSCLE-TONIC QUALITY

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

Neutral (Tridoshic)
Arnica & St. John's Massage Oil
Betaine
Frequent stretch / movement breaks
Physical Therapy
Reduces
Bala Taila
Chyavanprash Nutritive Jam
Saw Palmetto
Reduces
Almond Oil
Bala
Balarishta- Vitality Tonic
Codonopsis (dang shen)
Kshirabala Taila
Oats, Fresh Milky Seed
Shatavari
Vidari
Reduces
Ashwagandha
Dashamoola Powder
Eleuthero Ginseng
Kegel Exercises / Mulabandha
Mahanarayan Oil
Reduces
Kapha Massage Oil
Incomplete
Ashwagandha Arishta
Makandi

OTHER HERB ACTIONS AFFECTING MUSCLE-HEALTH

HELPFUL FOR*

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

Bones Muscle
Flabby muscles / Poor tone
Foot cramps
Lean muscles
Muscle cramps
Muscles heavy / tired
Sore muscles / achey
Thin, lanky, slim with thin muscles
Weak muscles
Blood and Circulation
Cramping back of leg
Heart Attack
Heart Palpitations
Irregular heartbeat
Digestion
Anal Spasm
Diverticulosis / Diverticulitis
Reproductive Health
C-Section
Post Menopausal
Lifestyle
Lack of exercise
Unable to exercise due to Injury, disease, breathlessness, etc
Kidney Bladder Urinary
Bladder / Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
Mind Stress Sleep
Weakness / Debility

TYPE: HERBAL_ACTION

Muscle-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

Muscle-tonic (Balya) - Foods & Herbs ListCLASSIFICATION OF FOOD, HERBS, & LIFESTYLE

AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVE ON MUSCLE-TONIC

INGREDIENTS WITH MUSCLE-TONIC QUALITY

Neutral (Tridoshic)

Reduces

Reduces

Reduces

Reduces

Reduces

Reduces

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

Muscle MUSCLE Muscle tissue (Mamsa Dhatu) includes muscles and ligaments. SEE ALL 'MUSCLE' FOODS / HERBS

MUSCLE

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

SATISFIES-STOMACH

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

Blood Tonic 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. SEE ALL 'BLOOD-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

BLOOD-TONIC

Acidifying ACIDIFYING An herb that creates an acidic pH in the blood chemistry. SEE ALL 'ACIDIFYING' FOODS / HERBS

ACIDIFYING

NERVE-RELAXANT-GROUNDING

Blood Plasma Lymph BLOOD-PLASMA-LYMPH Plasma (Rasa Dhatu) includes plasma, white blood cells, and lymph. SEE ALL 'BLOOD-PLASMA-LYMPH' FOODS / HERBS

BLOOD-PLASMA-LYMPH

Fat FAT Fat tissue (Meda Dhatu) includes adipose tissue and sebum (skin oil). SEE ALL 'FAT' FOODS / HERBS

FAT

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

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

STIMULATES-ENERGY

Muscle Relaxant MUSCLE-RELAXANT Herbs that relax muscles. Helpful for chronic pain or tension as well as healing from physical trauma. SEE ALL 'MUSCLE-RELAXANT' FOODS / HERBS

MUSCLE-RELAXANT

Aphrodisiac APHRODISIAC Herbs that increase sexual arousal through various actions including increased circulation, relaxation, stimulation, or tonics that strengthen glandular health. SEE ALL 'APHRODISIAC' FOODS / HERBS

APHRODISIAC

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

Expectorant EXPECTORANT Expectorants help you eliminate mucus from the lungs. These herbs often work by increasing the quantity of mucus, or thinning the mucus. Expectorants are indicated when phlegm congests the lower respiratory tract. SEE ALL 'EXPECTORANT' FOODS / HERBS

EXPECTORANT

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

Analgesic ANALGESIC Pain reliever, reduces pain without eliminating sensation. Also known as anodyne. SEE ALL 'ANALGESIC' FOODS / HERBS

ANALGESIC

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

HEAVY

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

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

HOT

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

GOOEY

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

DIFFICULT

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

DRY

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

COLD

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

LIGHT

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

EASY

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

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

MOBILE

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

CLEAR

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

SWEET

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

ASTRINGENT

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

SALTY

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

CRUNCHY

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

Muscle
MUSCLE
Muscle tissue (Mamsa Dhatu) includes muscles and ligaments.
SEE ALL 'MUSCLE' FOODS / HERBS

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

Blood Tonic
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.
SEE ALL 'BLOOD-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Acidifying
ACIDIFYING
An herb that creates an acidic pH in the blood chemistry.
SEE ALL 'ACIDIFYING' FOODS / HERBS

Blood Plasma Lymph
BLOOD-PLASMA-LYMPH
Plasma (Rasa Dhatu) includes plasma, white blood cells, and lymph.
SEE ALL 'BLOOD-PLASMA-LYMPH' FOODS / HERBS

Fat
FAT
Fat tissue (Meda Dhatu) includes adipose tissue and sebum (skin oil).
SEE ALL 'FAT' 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

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

Muscle Relaxant
MUSCLE-RELAXANT
Herbs that relax muscles. Helpful for chronic pain or tension as well as healing from physical trauma.
SEE ALL 'MUSCLE-RELAXANT' FOODS / HERBS

Aphrodisiac
APHRODISIAC
Herbs that increase sexual arousal through various actions including increased circulation, relaxation, stimulation, or tonics that strengthen glandular health.
SEE ALL 'APHRODISIAC' 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

Expectorant
EXPECTORANT
Expectorants help you eliminate mucus from the lungs. These herbs often work by increasing the quantity of mucus, or thinning the mucus. Expectorants are indicated when phlegm congests the lower respiratory tract.
SEE ALL 'EXPECTORANT' 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

Analgesic
ANALGESIC
Pain reliever, reduces pain without eliminating sensation. Also known as anodyne.
SEE ALL 'ANALGESIC' FOODS / HERBS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Muscle Relaxant
MUSCLE-RELAXANT
Herbs that relax muscles. Helpful for chronic pain or tension as well as healing from physical trauma.
SEE ALL 'MUSCLE-RELAXANT' FOODS / HERBS

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