School of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion
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SERVING SIZE: 1/16 tsp SPECIES: Hibiscus spp. FAMILY:
Malvaceae EAT IN:  Sign in to review this pageAbout the Author: John Immel, How Can This Ayurvedic Food Make You Feel Great?AYURVEDIC ANALYSISNaturally CoolingThis summer, while you are enjoying the exquisite beauty of hibiscus in your garden, drink chilled hibiscus tea to refresh your body and mind. Hibiscus tea is a famous refreshment called Jamaica in Latin America. The astringency of hibiscus provides cooling relief from the summer heat. Hibiscus cools your liver & even down to your blood by purging hot bile from the gall bladder. Thanks to high levels of antioxidants, hibiscus reduces low-grade systemic inflammation, common if your lymphatic system is congested. Together, these refrigerating qualities help your liver complete a natural spring detox cycle. In late spring / early summer your body naturally craves foods and berries with the deep red hue of hibiscus.Courtship & RomanceThe bright red color & sensual texture of hibiscus is a symbol of courtship and romance. In traditional Hawaiian culture, a luscious hibiscus worn behind a woman's left ear indicates that she is married, or in a relationship. If she wears a bright hibiscus behind her right ear, however, she is single and available. Beyond romance, perfectionist Pitta types find soothing relief in the exquisite beauty, delicate grace, and finery embodied by hibiscus.Hair Growth TonicHibiscus promotes hair growth and prevents premature hair greying by stimulating blood circulation to the scalp and increasing the supply of essential nutrients to the hair follicles. Intellectually disposed pitta predominant people who study, read and work all day, tend to "burn" away their hair with by thinking too much! To harness the hair tonify effects of hibiscus, make the following shampoo (Yields 1c): Simmer 3 flowers in 3/4c coconut oil until they turn pink / lighten to make a medicated oil. In a blender, puree 3 flowers and 5 leaves with 1/4c water. The mucilage in the leaves will make a paste that is useful as a shampoo plus conditioner. Add the medicated oil and continue blending. Rub 1/4c or more into your scalp and let sit 10 minutes before rinsing. Refrigerate remaining product up to 3-4 days.Reduces Blood PressureHibiscus is a traditional remedy for high blood pressure due to its diuretic action and blood thinning properties. This traditional use of hibiscus is backed up by a 2008 USDA study. Participants who drank hibiscus tea had 8 times more positive effect than the placebo group. If high blood pressure is an issue for you, enjoy hibiscus tea daily. Hibiscus tea protects your heart in more ways than one: It contains bio-flavanoids, believed to prevent build-up of plaque in the arteries.Skin CareBeautiful, vibrant hibiscus brings out your natural beauty. You may mix a small amount of hibiscus powder into a nutritive mask of colloidal oatmeal and powdered coconut for smooth, creamy skin with a healthy, sunkissed glow. Hibiscus extract has been shown to function as an anti-solar agent by absorbing ultraviolet radiation, reducing signs of aging topically. Add the powder or essential oil to your homemade moisturizer! If your skin lacks luster and vitality, a dash of red powder will bring a rosy glow to your cheeks. If your skin is already a lively red, using the white flowers will cool and soften the tone.Appetite Suppressant & Other UsesThe astringent and cooling properties of hibsicus calm an overheated stomach, reducing your appetite to natural levels. The diuretic and blood thinning qualities of hibiscus help you lighten up your waistline and your mood. The restoration of healthy circulation gives your metabolism a boost, essential in any weight loss program.By its diuretic action, hibiscus helps support the body when you are dealing with kidney disease, diabetes, obesity and liver issues. Hibiscus contains high levels of vitamin C. It supports female reproductive health. Then next time you sip a hibiscus cooler, let these facts slip into your mind and appreciate it's refreshing gifts even more. Too much hibiscus can dry out vata types, leaving them quite thirsty and dry. ABOUT HIBISCUSBUYING & PREPARATIONCOOKING HIBISCUS Browse RecipesLearn about the health benefits of Hibiscus for FREE
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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 Hibiscus Good for My Ayurvedic Diet?AYURVEDIC MEDICINAL QUALITIES
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary.
The list of actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.Bone & Joint: Hair Growth Tonic HAIR-GROWTH-TONICAn herb or formula that encourages healthy hair growth.Digestion: Appetite suppressant APPETITE-SUPPRESSANTSuppresses hunger without causing weight gainHeart & Circulation: Blood Thinner , BLOOD-THINNERHerbs that thin the blood. Helpful for people with heart disease or clogged circulation.Hypotensive , HYPOTENSIVEAn herb that lowers blood pressure.Opthalmic , OPTHALMICBenefits the eyes.Refrigerant , REFRIGERANTAn herb or substance that strongly cools the body. Can be helpful in cases of heat conditions.Styptic STYPTICA herb that contracts tissue or blood vessels. Generally styptics are astringent. They are often used to stop bleeding.Immune System: Anti Inflammatory , ANTI-INFLAMMATORYReduces inflammation in the body. Different herbs and carriers target different body systems.Anticarcinogenic ANTICARCINOGENICHerbs that inhibit or prevent the activity of a carcinogen or the development of cancer.Kidney & Urinary: Diuretic 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.Liver & Gall Bladder: Cholagogue CHOLAGOGUECholagogues stimulate the release of bile from the gall bladder for improved digestion.Mind, Stress & Sleep: Relaxes eyes , RELAXES-EYESEases tension in eye muscles, so the eyes feel less strained, often by supporting the liver.Relaxes solar plexus RELAXES-SOLAR-PLEXUSSoothes and comforts the muscles of the upper abdomen, reducing any tension or pressure in the solar plexus area.Skin Care & Beauty: Skin Tonic SKIN-TONICAn herb that strengthens and nourishes skin, improving tone, color, moisture and complexion.Find Your Symptom: Refreshing REFRESHINGStimulates and wakes up the body, leaving it feeling cool, fresh, and energized.Bowel-Poop-Elimination: Relieves burning , RELIEVES-BURNINGHerbs that soothe a burn or reduce an internal burning sensation, such as aloe vera.Constipative CONSTIPATIVEAn herb that binds stools / stops diarrhea. When used in excess, these herbs and foods can cause constipation.HEALTH & WELLNESS PRACTITIONERS!(Not you? Keep scrolling!) Eat Well for Life With Ayurveda: Balance Your DoshaHOW 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 SummerHibiscus is recommended for Summer. Check out these other Summer foods here.Comments & Impressions of 'Hibiscus'Do you like 'hibiscus'? Why or why not? What makes it unique? Is there something you'd like to know about 'hibiscus'?227 likes a traditional home remedy for
This information has not been validated by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.
Poop 3+ bowel movements a day, Bloody stools, Diarrhea, Explosive elimination, Frothy Stool / with Bubbles, Green stool, Stool entirely liquid, no solid pieces, Stool in mushy pieces mixed with liquid, Stool thick mud, Tarry black stools, Yellow stoolSkin Acne - general, Acne - painful, Bruise easily, Easily hot, Red/flushed skin, Rosaceae, Sun damage/burn, Sun sensitivity, Warm & rosy skinMind Stress Sleep Anger, irritable, ambitious, analytical, Conflict makes me angry, irritable, MigrainesBlood and Circulation Autoimmune Disorders, Bloodshot Eyes, Feet or Ankles Swelling, Flushes Easily, Heat aggravates, High Blood Pressure, Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS), Thalassemia MinorLifestyle Avoids heatKidney Bladder Urinary Bladder infectionDigestion Crohn's Disease, Duodenal Ulcer, Gastritis, H pylori infection, Hyperacidity, Receding gums, Sores inside mouth, Stomach Ulcer, Strong food cravings, Strong hunger, Ulcerative ColitisBones Hair lossReproductive Health Painful menstruation & menstrual cramps
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 exudes a certain ease, which many find enjoyable and insightful. His online course Balance Your Ayurvedic Diet in a Week provides tools for gracefully healing with Ayurveda to thousands. John also directs Joyful Belly's School of Ayurveda , which specializes in digestive tract pathology & Ayurvedic nutrition. John and his wife Natalie recently published Explore Your Hunger: A Guide to Hunger, Appetite & Food.John's interest in Ayurveda and digestive tract pathology was inspired by a complex digestive disorder acquired from years of international travel, including his 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. |
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