Ayurveda utilizes a metabolic classification system based on
Imperfections of the human form arise from genetics, poor lifestyle and diet choices, or environment. The imperfections themselves have a nature which corrupts the human nature. Ayurved classifies these imperfections into various biocharacteristics or gunas.
Natural Law Theory is a basic view of reality first described by Aristotle and later developed in the Middle Ages. It differences from the modern mechanistic view of reality, which claims that things do not have a nature beyond the sum of their parts.
On Joyful Belly, we've integrated this system into the core of the website, to provide tools for modern clinicians. Please click on category below to see how remedies are classified under this system. See all categories
Group: Male-Health
Group: Heart-Circulation-Blood
Anthocyanins are a type of polyphenol. As all polyphenols, they have a strong antioxidant effect.
Acts as a colon stimulant laxative and osmotic stool softener. Stimulates inflammatory prostaglandins in the colon. Calcium channel blocker that relaxes smooth muscle tissue. It is the active ingredient in senna, turkey rhubarb, cascara sagrada, etc.
Group: Bowel-Poop-Elimination
Blocks estrogen synthesis by inhibiting conversion of progesterone and testosterone into estrogen.
Group: Reproductive-Health
A bitter compound having strong chologogue, alterative, and anti-microbial properties. Lowers dopamine.
Group: Liver-Gallbladder
Used to reduce homocysteine in the blood, which supports proper liver function and prevents fatigue and blood clots. Improves muscle stamina and weight loss.
Group: Liver-Gallbladder
Methylxanthines are purine alkaloids that have a stimulant and bronchodilating effect.
Group: Energy-Vitality
Calcium nourishes bones and muscles. A muscle cell is activated when calcium enters the cell. It relaxes when the calcium is secreted.
Group: Immune-System
Cardiac glycosides disrupt the sodium potassium pump, causing stronger heart contractions.
Group: Heart-Circulation-Blood
Group: Muscle-Health
Antioxidant that reduces cancer and blood clots, dilates blood vessels, and is antimicrobial.
Group: Heart-Circulation-Blood
Precursor to acetylcholine. Essential nutrient that supports liver and brain development, metabolism, and muscle and nervous system function. It is lipotropic (aiding fat metabolism in the liver).
Group: Liver-Gallbladder
Group: Energy-Vitality
CoQ10 is a coenzyme that aids in ATP production in mitochondria. It is especially present in muscles, and energizes muscles. It is often used in heart weakness and low energy.
Group: Energy-Vitality
Moderately toxic, vascular tonic, hypotensive, and anti-inflammatory.
Group: Heart-Circulation-Blood
Emodin is an antifibrotic molecule found in many anthroquinone laxatives.
Group: Skin-Care
Group: Mind-Stress-Sleep
Group: Heart-Circulation-Blood
Flavonoids are a colorful type of polyphenol. As all polyphenols, they have a strong antioxidant effect. Many flavonoids have an anti-inflammatory, and/or antiallergen effect.
Group: Heart-Circulation-Blood
Group: Heart-Circulation-Blood
Group: Immune-System
Group: Digestion
Group: Immune-System
Do not use internally - breaks down to caustic, hepatotoxic elements in the body.
Group: Heart-Circulation-Blood
Inositol is an alcohol sugar made naturally in the human body from glucose. It is lipotropic (aiding fat metabilism in the liver). It affects a variety of hormones, neurotransmitters, steroid, growth factors and water.
Group: Reproductive-Health
Group: Digestion
Iron is necessary for the transport of oxygen in red blood cells.
A type of naturally occurring isoflavonoid. Many have a phytoestrogen effect. Frequently found in the pea family (Fabaceae).
Helps muscles relax. Laxative.
Group: Mind-Stress-Sleep
Group: Mind-Stress-Sleep
Improves circulation by dilating blood vessels. Protects blood vessels from damage. Improves athletic performance, libido, immunity, and brain health.
Group: Heart-Circulation-Blood
Group: Immune-System
Phytates prevent absorption of nutrients. They are commonly found in all seeds, including nuts, grains, and beans. Sprouting greatly reduces phytate content, as well as long, slow cooking with vinegar.
Group: Digestion
The plant version of cholesterol. Often precursors to stress and sex hormones.
Group: Reproductive-Health
Polyphenols are powerful antioxidants seen in many fruits and vegetables. There are more than 8,000 types.
Group: Immune-System
Group: Digestion
Group: Heart-Circulation-Blood
Group: Cleanse-and-Detox
Antioxidant frequently used for anti-aging. Protects airways and blood vessels. Anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic.
Group: Skin-Care
Inhibits autoantibodies from binding to TSH receptors in the thyroid.
Group: Immune-System
Rutin is a flavonoid with anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. Commonly used to treat conditions such as varicose veins, hemorrhoids, and high blood pressure.
Group: Heart-Circulation-Blood
Salicylates relieve inflammation, are anti-cancer, and antidiabetic, but some are allergic to it.
Can be used to make soap. Saponins stimulate mucus membrane secretion, liquefying mucus for easy removal (expectorant).
Group: Respiratory-Health
Group: Kidney-Bladder-Urinary
Steroidal saponins closely resemble human hormones such as estrogen and cortisol, and have a hormonal activity in the body.
Group: Skin-Care
Group: Skin-Care
Taurine regulates potassium, calcium and sodium in the blood which normalizes blood pressure, and proper nerve and muscle function. It is also anti-inflammatory.
Group: Heart-Circulation-Blood
Triterpene saponins are generally expectorant and increase absorption. They irritate mucus membranes and are mucolytic. They bind to and reduce cholesterol, and detoxify by binding to bacterial edotoxins.
Group: Energy-Vitality
B vitamins general help in metabolism, fat metabolism (lipotropic), and red blood cell synthesis.
Group: Liver-Gallbladder
An enzyme in every cell of the body, that aids metabolism, fat & protein metabolism, and DNA synthesis. B12 comes from animal course, and is commonly deficient in vegetarians.
Group: Bone-Joint
Founder of Joyful Belly Ayurveda, John Immel, answers the question ‘What is Ayurveda?’
