Table of ContentsHow Does This Ayurvedic Food Improve Wellness?CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEWCool as a CucumberCucumber is an easy-going vegetable with a delightfully pleasing crunch. If you're feeling a little hot and bothered, this natural refresher will alleviate your thirst and freshen your breath. Its jade green skin recalls a cool afternoon under your favorite shade tree, ideal for your next picnic. Moisturizing & cool, a single slice is restorative, helping you mellow the summer heat.Purifies the BloodAs they calm your eyes and cool down your liver, you may feel the pressure in your arteries decreasing - cucumber's diuretic nature has been used to reduce blood pressure, water retention and detoxify the blood. It's cooling & soothing nature aids urinary, bladder and kidney function. Those who suffer from gout will be pleased to know that cucumbers aids removal of uric acid from the blood.Cucumbers & Beautiful SkinIf you're looking for healthy, glowing supple skin, then cucumber is your answer. Topical application of cucumbers restores smoother skin to your face or thighs. The appreciation of cucumbers in cosmetics is ancient, a beauty ritual passed down from generation to generation. To rejuvenate your skin with cucumber, simply place raw cucumber slices on the affected area. Or make a mask with shredded cucumber. For stronger effect, chill before use. The juice, especially when mixed with aloe vera or rose water, softens and whitens the skin.Natural chemicals in cucumbers help collagen in your skin to tighten, firming up the outer layer of skin - good for eyes, and good for reducing visible signs of cellulite. In their true essence, cucumbers are cooling, soothing and nutritive. If you are experiencing tired eyes or hot inflamed skin (whether from excess eye strain, wind, sun exposure, or other environmental elements), a slice of cucumber on your eyes helps them relax while reducing redness, puffiness, and the appearance of bags. External application of cucumber has also shown healing effects for acne, eczema, rosacea and psoriasis. Cucumbers are mother natures' cooling ointment. High silica content may help strengthen connective tissues in joints. Calming Stress with CucumberFor a quick fix stress relief, place cucumber slices into a pot of boiled water, and take some deep breaths. You will walk away from this soothing experience feeling a little more relaxed. For a quick anti-stress facial mask, mix 1 tablespoon of plain yogurt with 2 teaspoons of shredded cucumber for a quick calming fix. Shredded cucumber with honey (3 to 1 ratio) is a soothing remedy for dark under-eyes.ABOUT CUCUMBERBUYING & PREPARATIONCucumbers are easy to grow and ideal for container gardening. Plus, growing pesticide-free cucumbers at home produces the most delicious fruit and provides a highly satisfying garden to plate experience. The skin of certain varieties of cucumbers may be a little tough and difficult to digest, in which case consider peeling and de-seeding this versatile fruit before eating. The skins contain potassium, magnesium, silica and are high in Vitamin A.
COOKING CUCUMBER![]() They may be served shredded, julienned, or formed in elegant edible shapes such as cups and vases. Although mostly consumed raw, cucumbers can also be baked, sauteed, or boiled. Remember, beautiful skin starts from the inside first, namely your digestion. So load up your cucumber dishes with lots of fresh spices and digestive herbs, as pretty much any herb and veggie combines well as well as a variety of vinegars and oils. Herbs such as mint and cilantro will enhance cucumbers cooling effect, while heating herbs such as oregano, & thyme add warmth. As a member of the melon family, cucumber smoothies popularly feature watermelon or honey dew. Learn about the health benefits of cucumber for FREEYou'll receive free access to our entire website including healthy recipes, nutritional diet plans, medicinal uses of ingredients, & ayurvedic health tips. Sign in once and you can use our website indefinitely..WHY EAT AN AYURVEDIC DIET?Eating Ayurvedically makes you feel nourished and energized. An Ayurvedic diet is tailored to your individual body type and the specific imbalances you are working with at any given time. Ayurveda shows you your specific body type’s needs and what should be favored in your Ayurvedic menu. Watch as you eat less but feel more satisfied because what you are eating truly nourishes you. Since Ayurveda believes all disease begins in the digestive tract, food is your first medicine. By eating a healthy diet that’s ideal for your body, you experience optimal health.Is Cucumber Good for My Ayurvedic Diet?SERVING SIZE: 1/4 c SPECIES: Cucumis sativus FAMILY:
Cucurbitaceae MEAL: PREPARATION: EAT IN: AYURVEDIC MEDICINAL BIOCHARACTERISTICSSee a complete list of all biocharacteristics.
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES![]() Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary.
The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.Here are the herbal actions of Cucumber: QUENCHES-THIRSTAn herb or substance that relieves thirst.DETOXICANTAn herb that decongests or dislodges toxins from the body and the lymphatic, transforming or altering fluids to a more healthy state.NUTRITIVEAn herb that is strengthening and nourishing.SKIN-TONICAn herb that strengthens and nourishes skin, improving tone, color, moisture and complexion.SOOTHES-THROATSoothes throat discomfort, including from a sore or ticklish throat.ANTI-INFLAMMATORYReduces inflammation in the body. Different herbs and carriers target different body systems.STRONG REFRIGERANT An herb or substance that strongly cools the body. Can be helpful in cases of heat conditions. HYPOTENSIVEAn herb that lowers blood pressure.OPTHALMICBenefits the eyes, vision tonic.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.ANTILITHICAn herb that dissolves / breaks up stones (gallstones or kidney stones) so that it can be passed.STRONG NITRIC-OXIDE Improves circulation by dilating blood vessels. Protects blood vessels from damage. Improves athletic performance, libido, immunity, and brain health. ![]() Joyful Belly is a recognized school of biocharacteristics medicine. Compare Cucumber with these FoodsCarrot Carrot has these Actions in CommonDetoxicant, Nutritive, Diuretic, Opthalmic, Antilithic, Hypotensive, Skin-tonicPomegranate Pomegranate has these Actions in CommonDetoxicant, Refrigerant, Nutritive, Skin-tonic, Anti-inflammatory, OpthalmicHoney Dew Honey Dew has these Actions in CommonNutritive, Refrigerant, Diuretic, Opthalmic, Hypotensive, Quenches-thirstHibiscus Hibiscus has these Actions in CommonHypotensive, Skin-tonic, Anti-inflammatory, Opthalmic, Diuretic, RefrigerantCelery Seed Celery Seed has these Actions in CommonAnti-inflammatory, Diuretic, Antilithic, Hypotensive, DetoxicantAcai Acai has these Actions in CommonAnti-inflammatory, Quenches-thirst, Hypotensive, Refrigerant, NutritiveAloe Vera Gel Aloe Vera Gel has these Actions in CommonAntilithic, Soothes-throat, Detoxicant, Anti-inflammatory, Skin-tonicAloe Vera Juice Aloe Vera Juice has these Actions in CommonAnti-inflammatory, Skin-tonic, Antilithic, Soothes-throat, DetoxicantGrape Grape has these Actions in CommonAnti-inflammatory, Opthalmic, Diuretic, Quenches-thirst, NutritiveBeets Beets has these Actions in CommonDetoxicant, Skin-tonic, Nutritive, Anti-inflammatory, OpthalmicCompare Cucumber with these Herb SupplementsCornsilk Cornsilk has these Actions in CommonAnti-inflammatory, Antilithic, Detoxicant, Diuretic, Hypotensive, Nutritive, RefrigerantAmalaki Amalaki has these Actions in CommonRefrigerant, Skin-tonic, Anti-inflammatory, Detoxicant, Nutritive, Opthalmic, Quenches-thirstRed Clover Red Clover has these Actions in CommonDiuretic, Nutritive, Skin-tonic, Anti-inflammatory, Antilithic, DetoxicantCleavers Cleavers has these Actions in CommonAnti-inflammatory, Antilithic, Detoxicant, Diuretic, RefrigerantManjistha Manjistha has these Actions in CommonAnti-inflammatory, Antilithic, Detoxicant, Diuretic, Skin-tonicArjuna Arjuna has these Actions in CommonAnti-inflammatory, Diuretic, Hypotensive, Refrigerant, Skin-tonicGokshura Gokshura has these Actions in CommonAntilithic, Diuretic, Hypotensive, Nutritive, Skin-tonicBhringaraj Bhringaraj has these Actions in CommonSkin-tonic, Anti-inflammatory, Diuretic, Hypotensive, OpthalmicPitta Massage Oil Pitta Massage Oil has these Actions in CommonRefrigerant, Skin-tonic, Anti-inflammatory, NutritiveUva Ursi Uva Ursi has these Actions in CommonAnti-inflammatory, Antilithic, Diuretic, RefrigerantDandelion Root Dandelion Root has these Actions in CommonDetoxicant, Hypotensive, Refrigerant, Anti-inflammatoryCucumber Research & Clinical TrialsTEMPERATURE/CIRCULATIONHow did Cucumber affect your temperature?
How did Cucumber affect your sweat quantity?
How did Cucumber affect the color of your tongue body?
How did Cucumber affect the swelling of your tongue body?
How did Cucumber affect your appetite/hunger?
How did Cucumber affect your digestion speed?
TOXINSHow did Cucumber affect the amount of gas & bloating?
How did Cucumber affect your stool smell?
Tongue: How did Cucumber affect the thickness & size of your tongue coating?
How did Cucumber affect the color of your tongue coating?
How did Cucumber affect your urine smell?
How did Cucumber affect the amount of bubbles in your urine?
How did Cucumber affect your sweat smell?
HYDRATIONHow did Cucumber affect your urine frequency/quantity?
How did Cucumber affect the cracks on your tongue?
NERVOUS-SYSTEMHow did Cucumber affect your energy levels?
How did Cucumber affect your muscle tension?
How did Cucumber affect your anxiety?
How did Cucumber affect the stillness of your tongue?
DIGESTIONHow did Cucumber affect your appetite/hunger?
How did Cucumber affect your digestion speed?
How did Cucumber affect the amount of gas & bloating?
TONGUETongue: How did Cucumber affect the thickness & size of your tongue coating?
How did Cucumber affect the swelling of your tongue body?
How did Cucumber affect the color of your tongue body?
How did Cucumber affect the stillness of your tongue?
How did Cucumber affect the color of your tongue coating?
How did Cucumber affect the cracks on your tongue?
STOOLHow did Cucumber affect your stool frequency/quantity?
How did Cucumber affect your stool color?
How did Cucumber affect your stool lightness?
How did Cucumber affect your stool smell?
How did Cucumber affect your stool consistency?
URINEHow did Cucumber affect the amount of bubbles in your urine?
How did Cucumber affect your urine clarity?
How did Cucumber affect your urine smell?
How did Cucumber affect your urine lightness?
How did Cucumber affect your urine frequency/quantity?
SWEATHow did Cucumber affect your sweat smell?
How did Cucumber affect your sweat quantity?
SYSTEMICHow did Cucumber affect your temperature?
How did Cucumber affect your energy levels?
How did Cucumber affect your muscle tension?
How did Cucumber affect your anxiety?
HEALTH & WELLNESS PRACTITIONERS!(Not you? Keep scrolling!) HOW DOES EATING AYURVEDICALLY MAKE YOU FEEL?Eating Ayurvedically makes you feel nourished and energized. Food digests with ease when right for your body type (dosha). Healthy digestion is seen as the cornerstone of well-being in Ayurveda. Healthy digestion generally prevents illness. If you do get sick, a strong digestive fire reduces the severity of illness and increases your resilience. It also improves your mood. Once you begin eating Ayurvedically, you will feel refreshed, vital and strong.View Other Ingredients for SummerCucumber is recommended for Summer. Check out these other Summer foods here.Comments & Impressions of 'Cucumber'Do you like 'cucumber'? Why or why not? What makes it unique? Is there something you'd like to know about 'cucumber'?![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
Cucumber is generally considered too cold for Vata.
Cucumber might be difficult to digest for different reasons depending on the person. It could be the cold quality, it could be its hydrophyllic nature or it could be the skins and seeds. It's hard to say what's causing the difficulty without knowing more about the person having it. While cucumber is in the melon family, it is not considered a melon.
Cucumber is generally considered too cold for Vata.
Cucumber might be difficult to digest for different reasons depending on the person. It could be the cold quality, it could be its hydrophyllic nature or it could be the skins and seeds. It's hard to say what's causing the difficulty without knowing more about the person having it. While cucumber is in the melon family, it is not considered a melon.
TRADITIONALLY INDICATED FOR THESE SYMPTOMSCucumber may be beneficial for these symptoms. The suitability of any food for a condition is highly dependent on the individual. Please see your doctor before using this food to treat a medical condition.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. |