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Recipes with Cucumber: Cilantro Jade Soup with Crunchy Cucumber & Lime
Cool as a Cucumber
Cucumber 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 Blood
As 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 Skin
If 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.
Recipes with Cucumber: Mint Cucumber Lemonade
Calming Stress with Cucumber
For 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.
Oft considered a vegetable, these elongated cylindrical delicacies are actually a fruit. They join watermelon and honey dew as succulent members of the summer friendly melon family. Originally from the Indian subcontinent, cucumbers are now grown worldwide.
Buying & Preparation
Cucumbers come in boggling array of shapes and sizes ranging from short to elongated, thin to fat, and sweet to bitter. Cucumber skin is full of nutrients and antioxidants however conventional supermarket fruits may contain significant pesticides and wax. Therefore we recommend buying organic cucumbers when possible, or peel the skin off the fruit.
Cucumbers 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.
In addition to its light sweetness and astringent tastes, cucumbers are slightly bitter, especially in the seeds, skin and tips of the fruit. The bitterness, although certainly with its benefits, may be a bit too strong for your palate. In which case, cut off the tips and rub them gently on the cucumber to extract the bitter white juice, or consider mixing cucumber juice with carrot, apple, or other fresh juice.
Cooking Cucumber
Cucumber serves as a delicious silky base or crunchy addition in salads, pickles, smoothies, dips, and so much more. They are a versatile addition to most cold dishes, from Japanese sushi to yogurt based dips such as raita. In India cucumbers are often served with yogurt, either as a garnish on yogurt, or pureed in lassis with cumin. Cucumbers are more common cooked than raw in China. In the middle east, Cucumbers are served chopped with tomatoes, vinegar, chilis, and raw red onions. Cucumbers may be pickled in brine or vinegar with various spices such as dill and celery seed.
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.
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Constitutional nutrition is tailored to the individual.
In the kitchen, especially during your family’s formative years,
you shape your family's lifelong health.
Rooted in the insights curated from Ayurveda and Greek medicine,
constitutional medicine teaches you which foods match your body,
so you and your family have true vitality, strength, and balance.
See How it Works.
Medicinal Effects of Cucumber
Constitutional nutrition systems use biocharacteristics to classify the metabolic nature of food, hebs, lifestyle choices, your body, and disease.
METABOLIC NATURE / BIOCHARACTERISTICS
Metabolic Nature / Biocharacteristics
Ayurveda assesses metabolic imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics
(vital qualtiies).
Aggravating them weakens your body and causes imbalance.
By knowing which biocharacteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct metabolic imbalances before you get sick.
Every biocharacteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold).
You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite biocharacteristic.
Taste is used to sense the most basic properties and effects of food.
Each taste has a specific medicinal effect on your body.
Cravings for food with certain tastes indicate your body is craving specific medicinal results from food.
Taste is experienced on the tongue and represents your body's reaction to foods.
Sweet taste causes physical satisfaction and attraction whereas bitter taste causes discomfort and aversion.
Kapha should use less sweet taste while Vata and Pitta would benefit from using more sweet taste.
One of the first signs of illness is that your taste and appetite for food changes.
The six tastes are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent.
Do you crave foods with any of the tastes below?
Ayurveda is a metabolic theory of medicine that explains individual health, tendencies, and disease patterns through the concept of doshas, which can be understood as your metabolic patterns and tendencies.
Each dosha reflects a distinct metabolic nature and describes strengths & weaknesses in bodily function, and how these affect energy levels, digestion, susceptibility to disease, and many other tendencies.
Your metabolic nature not only affects your physical characteristics, but also influences your mental thought patterns, confidence, and enthusiasm.
Ayurveda balances these metabolic strengths & weaknesses to support your body's vitality and prevent recurrent disease cycles. This support is a critical aid, especially in chronic or incurable disease conditions.
The 3 metabolic body types
(doshas),
are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha).
Through dosha, Ayurveda empowers people to identify metabolic imbalances early, break repetitive patterns of disease, and cultivate habits that support long-term vitality and well-being.
Ultimately, these metabolic patterns also provide a framework for understanding yourself, including body, mind, and spiritual tendencies.
Ayurveda & Greek Medicine were the dominant form of medicine along the Silk Road from England to China and South Asia.
They work by assessing your metabolic type, patterns, and nature.
Greek medicine recognizes 4 metabolic temperaments, Melancholic, Choleric, Sanguine, and Phlegmatic.
Has a hot and dry metabolic nature. Enthusiastic, vibrant and bright. In excess burns up fluids and ojas, irritable. Corresponds to high bilirubin in the blood that irritates and heats up the body and liver.
A Phlegmatic has a cold and wet metabolic nature. The coldness implies a slow metabolism, the moisture that you are well-nourished. Phlegmatics tend towards sluggishness and thickened fluids, including mucus.
A hot and oily nature with a moderate metabolism and a well nourished body makes Sanguine individuals vigorous, vivacious, outgoing and generous, and prone to impulsivity and self indulgence. Bullish and intense when out of balance.
Cold and dry with a slow, variable or erratic metabolism. Colicky, tense. Withdrawn, pensive, anxious, and hesitant. Analytical, intelligent, detail oriented and creative. Prone to ojas depletion, dehydration, an overactive nervous system, and depression.
Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Cucumber
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.
Herbs 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.
The reports shared below are part of an educational assignment completed by students at
the Joyful Belly Carolina College of Health Sciences.
These represent subjective experiences intended to help students explore principles of Ayurveda through personal observation.
In each report below, students ate the selected food for 3 days and self-reported these effects.
See other food & herb reports at Joyful Belly.
TEMPERATURE/CIRCULATION
How did Cucumber affect your temperature?
20
16
12
8
4
0
6
16
6
0
0
Much colder
Slightly colder
Same
Slightly warmer
Much warmer
Total Responses: 28 REPORT ID:14 (2021-02-07 - 2021-02-16)
How did Cucumber affect your sweat quantity?
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
4
22
1
1
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 28 REPORT ID:14 (2021-02-07 - 2021-02-16)
How did Cucumber affect the color of your tongue body?
20
16
12
8
4
0
9
1
2
16
Paler
Redder
Bluer
No Change
Total Responses: 28 REPORT ID:14 (2021-02-07 - 2021-02-16)
How did Cucumber affect the swelling of your tongue body?
22
18
14
10
6
2
3
8
17
More Swelling
Less Swelling
No Change
Total Responses: 28 REPORT ID:14 (2021-02-07 - 2021-02-16)
How did Cucumber affect your appetite/hunger?
15
12
9
6
3
0
1
7
11
8
1
Much less hungry
Slightly less hungry
Same
Slightly hungrier
Much hungrier
Total Responses: 28 REPORT ID:14 (2021-02-07 - 2021-02-16)
How did Cucumber affect your digestion speed?
20
16
12
8
4
0
0
9
15
3
1
Much faster
Slightly faster
Same
Slightly slower
Much slower
Total Responses: 28 REPORT ID:14 (2021-02-07 - 2021-02-16)
TOXINS
How did Cucumber affect the amount of gas & bloating?
20
16
12
8
4
0
1
7
15
2
3
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 28 REPORT ID:14 (2021-02-07 - 2021-02-16)
How did Cucumber affect your stool smell?
20
16
12
8
4
0
0
8
15
5
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 28 REPORT ID:14 (2021-02-07 - 2021-02-16)
Tongue: How did Cucumber affect the thickness & size of your tongue coating?
20
16
12
8
4
0
1
6
17
4
0
Much smaller
Slightly less
Same
Slightly larger coating
Much larger
Total Responses: 28 REPORT ID:14 (2021-02-07 - 2021-02-16)
How did Cucumber affect the color of your tongue coating?
25
20
15
10
5
0
1
0
2
3
22
Yellower
Browner
Grayer
Whiter
No Change
Total Responses: 28 REPORT ID:14 (2021-02-07 - 2021-02-16)
How did Cucumber affect your urine smell?
25
20
15
10
5
0
1
4
19
4
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 28 REPORT ID:14 (2021-02-07 - 2021-02-16)
How did Cucumber affect the amount of bubbles in your urine?
25
20
15
10
5
0
1
1
22
4
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Many more
Total Responses: 28 REPORT ID:14 (2021-02-07 - 2021-02-16)
How did Cucumber affect your sweat smell?
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
5
22
1
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 28 REPORT ID:14 (2021-02-07 - 2021-02-16)
HYDRATION
How did Cucumber affect your urine frequency/quantity?
20
16
12
8
4
0
0
1
17
9
1
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 28 REPORT ID:14 (2021-02-07 - 2021-02-16)
How did Cucumber affect the cracks on your tongue?
20
16
12
8
4
0
1
4
17
6
0
Larger/longer/more cracks
Slightly more
Same
Slightly less/smaller/shorter
Much less
Total Responses: 28 REPORT ID:14 (2021-02-07 - 2021-02-16)
NERVOUS-SYSTEM
How did Cucumber affect your energy levels?
15
12
9
6
3
0
2
3
13
10
0
Much less energy
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more energy
Much more
Total Responses: 28 REPORT ID:14 (2021-02-07 - 2021-02-16)
How did Cucumber affect your muscle tension?
15
12
9
6
3
0
2
11
11
4
0
Much less tension
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more tension
Much more
Total Responses: 28 REPORT ID:14 (2021-02-07 - 2021-02-16)
How did Cucumber affect your anxiety?
15
12
9
6
3
0
2
12
8
6
0
Much less anxiety
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more anxiety
Much more
Total Responses: 28 REPORT ID:14 (2021-02-07 - 2021-02-16)
How did Cucumber affect the stillness of your tongue?
23
19
15
11
7
3
7
17
4
More still
No Change
More Trembling / Jittery
Total Responses: 28 REPORT ID:14 (2021-02-07 - 2021-02-16)
DIGESTION
How did Cucumber affect your appetite/hunger?
15
12
9
6
3
0
1
7
11
8
1
Much less hungry
Slightly less hungry
Same
Slightly hungrier
Much hungrier
Total Responses: 28 REPORT ID:14 (2021-02-07 - 2021-02-16)
How did Cucumber affect your digestion speed?
20
16
12
8
4
0
0
9
15
3
1
Much faster
Slightly faster
Same
Slightly slower
Much slower
Total Responses: 28 REPORT ID:14 (2021-02-07 - 2021-02-16)
How did Cucumber affect the amount of gas & bloating?
20
16
12
8
4
0
1
7
15
2
3
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 28 REPORT ID:14 (2021-02-07 - 2021-02-16)
TONGUE
Tongue: How did Cucumber affect the thickness & size of your tongue coating?
20
16
12
8
4
0
1
6
17
4
0
Much smaller
Slightly less
Same
Slightly larger coating
Much larger
Total Responses: 28 REPORT ID:14 (2021-02-07 - 2021-02-16)
How did Cucumber affect the swelling of your tongue body?
22
18
14
10
6
2
3
8
17
More Swelling
Less Swelling
No Change
Total Responses: 28 REPORT ID:14 (2021-02-07 - 2021-02-16)
How did Cucumber affect the color of your tongue body?
20
16
12
8
4
0
9
1
2
16
Paler
Redder
Bluer
No Change
Total Responses: 28 REPORT ID:14 (2021-02-07 - 2021-02-16)
How did Cucumber affect the stillness of your tongue?
23
19
15
11
7
3
7
17
4
More still
No Change
More Trembling / Jittery
Total Responses: 28 REPORT ID:14 (2021-02-07 - 2021-02-16)
How did Cucumber affect the color of your tongue coating?
25
20
15
10
5
0
1
0
2
3
22
Yellower
Browner
Grayer
Whiter
No Change
Total Responses: 28 REPORT ID:14 (2021-02-07 - 2021-02-16)
How did Cucumber affect the cracks on your tongue?
20
16
12
8
4
0
1
4
17
6
0
Larger/longer/more cracks
Slightly more
Same
Slightly less/smaller/shorter
Much less
Total Responses: 28 REPORT ID:14 (2021-02-07 - 2021-02-16)
STOOL
How did Cucumber affect your stool frequency/quantity?
25
20
15
10
5
0
2
2
21
2
1
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 28 REPORT ID:14 (2021-02-07 - 2021-02-16)
How did Cucumber affect your stool color?
25
20
15
10
5
0
3
1
2
0
22
More yellow
More gray
More green
More orange
Same
Total Responses: 28 REPORT ID:14 (2021-02-07 - 2021-02-16)
How did Cucumber affect your stool lightness?
20
16
12
8
4
0
0
9
18
1
0
Much lighter
Slightly lighter
Same
Slightly darker
Much darker
Total Responses: 28 REPORT ID:14 (2021-02-07 - 2021-02-16)
How did Cucumber affect your stool smell?
20
16
12
8
4
0
0
8
15
5
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 28 REPORT ID:14 (2021-02-07 - 2021-02-16)
How did Cucumber affect your stool consistency?
20
16
12
8
4
0
0
4
18
5
1
Much softer
Slightly softer
Same
Slightly harder
Much harder
Total Responses: 28 REPORT ID:14 (2021-02-07 - 2021-02-16)
URINE
How did Cucumber affect your urine clarity?
21
17
13
9
5
1
2
16
10
More cloudy
Same
More clear
Total Responses: 28 REPORT ID:14 (2021-02-07 - 2021-02-16)
How did Cucumber affect your urine smell?
25
20
15
10
5
0
1
4
19
4
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 28 REPORT ID:14 (2021-02-07 - 2021-02-16)
How did Cucumber affect your urine lightness?
20
16
12
8
4
0
1
10
15
2
0
Much lighter
Slightly lighter
Same
Slightly Darker
Much Darker
Total Responses: 28 REPORT ID:14 (2021-02-07 - 2021-02-16)
How did Cucumber affect your urine frequency/quantity?
20
16
12
8
4
0
0
1
17
9
1
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 28 REPORT ID:14 (2021-02-07 - 2021-02-16)
How did Cucumber affect the amount of bubbles in your urine?
25
20
15
10
5
0
1
1
22
4
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Many more
Total Responses: 28 REPORT ID:14 (2021-02-07 - 2021-02-16)
SWEAT
How did Cucumber affect your sweat quantity?
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
4
22
1
1
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 28 REPORT ID:14 (2021-02-07 - 2021-02-16)
How did Cucumber affect your sweat smell?
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
5
22
1
0
Much less
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more
Much more
Total Responses: 28 REPORT ID:14 (2021-02-07 - 2021-02-16)
SYSTEMIC
How did Cucumber affect your energy levels?
15
12
9
6
3
0
2
3
13
10
0
Much less energy
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more energy
Much more
Total Responses: 28 REPORT ID:14 (2021-02-07 - 2021-02-16)
How did Cucumber affect your muscle tension?
15
12
9
6
3
0
2
11
11
4
0
Much less tension
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more tension
Much more
Total Responses: 28 REPORT ID:14 (2021-02-07 - 2021-02-16)
How did Cucumber affect your anxiety?
15
12
9
6
3
0
2
12
8
6
0
Much less anxiety
Slightly less
Same
Slightly more anxiety
Much more
Total Responses: 28 REPORT ID:14 (2021-02-07 - 2021-02-16)
How did Cucumber affect your temperature?
20
16
12
8
4
0
6
16
6
0
0
Much colder
Slightly colder
Same
Slightly warmer
Much warmer
Total Responses: 28 REPORT ID:14 (2021-02-07 - 2021-02-16)
Note: These exercises are not part of an FDA-regulated study,
and were not designed or conducted under a clinical research protocol.
They are neither investigational in nature nor scientific findings.
They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
They are experiential assignments rooted in traditional Ayurvedic education, intended solely for instructional use.
No conclusions should be drawn regarding the therapeutic effects of any food, herb, or dietary substance based on these student reflections.
Cucumber may temper 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.
We will use this information to better predict food that helps you.
CONTRAINDICATED FOR THESE SYMPTOMS
Cucumber may be harmful or contraindicated for these symptoms.
Note this is not a complete list of all possible contraindications.
Please see your doctor before using this food to treat a medical condition.
Herb Drug Interaction Risk
Here are some potential herb drug interactions with Cucumber. Please see your health care provider for more information.
Diuretic: Diuretics may clear pharmaceutical drugs more quickly, lowering the effect. Avoid if taking water pills or pharmaceutical diuretics.
Hypotensive: Herbs that lower blood pressure can magnify the effect of blood pressure reducing pharmaceuticals.
Lowers-blood-sugar: Avoid if taking diabetes or other blood sugar lowering medication
View other ingredients for Summer
Cucumber is recommended for Summer. Check out these other Summer foods here.
Constitutional Nutrition: Strengthen Your Health Naturally
When your dietary choices align with your individual nature (constitution), it supports your metabolism, energy, and health naturally.
A personalized diet, fitting to your constitution, leverages your natural strengths while gently supporting your body where it's vulnerable.
Constitutional nutrition is especially beneficial for digestion, a foundational pillar of health influencing your entire well-being.
Balanced digestion fortifies your body's natural defenses against illness and enhances your resilience when illness does arise.
A healthy digestive fire (*agni*) eases discomfort, speeds recovery, and naturally uplifts your mood.
By embracing constitutional nutrition, you will soon experience a profound sense of renewal, vitality, and inner strength.
John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly, teaches people how to have a
healthy diet and lifestyle through constitutional nutrition (Ayurveda & Greek Medicine).
His approach 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.
John, his wife Natalie and their 8 kids live in Asheville, NC
“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."
Want our top Ayurvedic recipes and health tips? Subscribe to our free newsletter!
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
The information and products on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any
disease.
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