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Homemade Yogurt Benefits (According to Ayurveda)
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"This process works beautifully and is so easy. I tried it with skim milk last night and it turned out even smoother and..."
- Alisa Turner Oxford, MS

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Table of Contents

How Does This Ayurvedic Food Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Recipes with Homemade Yogurt: Chai Spiced Yogurt
Recipes with Homemade Yogurt: Chai Spiced Yogurt
It's easy to make your own fresh yogurt at home! Simply boil 1c milk, let cool till room temperature and add a tbsp of live culture yogurt. Most yogurts from the grocery contain live cultures. Wrap the yogurt in a towel and store in a warm place. By morning you will have fresh yogurt. I make yogurt daily in small quantities one cup at a time. It takes very little preparation time.

Afterwards the yogurt begins to sour. Ayurveda recommends you limit the consumption of yogurt or consume diluted as in a lassi. Yogurt is mud or at least has the same qualities as mud: thick, viscous, earth element suspended in water. It provokes Kapha, is mucous forming, and is hard to digest. It clogs the subtle channels of the body (capillary beds). In general, all ferments including yogurt vitiate the blood because they contain metabolic byproducts of bacterial digestion.

About Homemade Yogurt

Lassis are a popular yogurt drink in India. A lassi is simply equal parts yogurt and water blended together, often with digestive spices like cumin and salt.

Buying & Preparation

Fresh homemade yogurt pacifies Pitta. As it ages it continues to sour and ferment. Beyond 48 hours yogurt aggravates Pitta. All store bought yogurt aggravates Pitta.

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Is Homemade Yogurt Good for My Ayurvedic Diet?

Find out by taking this free, easy quiz. You'll learn your body type, and whether 'Homemade Yogurt' is a good fit. Complete the basic quiz in 1 minute, or go deeper with additional quizzes at your own leisure to learn more about your body.

Take the Quiz

AYURVEDA'S GUIDE TO VITALITY & WHOLESOME NOURISHMENT

Your Ayurvedic diet is tailored to your individual body and your specific imbalances. With an Ayurvedic diet you feel joy and satisfaction because what you are eating truly nourishes and balances you. Disease results from diets and lifestyles that are incompatible with your nature. By eating a personalized diet matched to your body, you experience optimal health. See How it Works.

Metabolic Nature of Homemade Yogurt

See a complete list of all biocharacteristics.

METABOLIC NATURE

Metabolic Nature

Ayurveda assesses metabolic imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics (gunas). 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.

Find Out More

GOOEY

ABOUT GOOEY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

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

LEARN MORE ABOUT GOOEY

HEAVY

ABOUT HEAVY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Heavy is identified by sedation, sluggishness, or increased weight.

LEARN MORE ABOUT HEAVY

DOSHAS

The Three Doshas / Body Types

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.

Find Out More

PACIFIES
Pitta pacifying Vata pacifying
AGGRAVATES
Kapha aggravating

GREEK MEDICINE / TEMPERAMENTS

The Four Temperaments / Humors

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.

Find Out More

PACIFIES
CHOLERIC

ABOUT CHOLERIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

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.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CHOLERIC

MELANCHOLIC

ABOUT MELANCHOLIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

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.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MELANCHOLIC

SANGUINE

ABOUT SANGUINE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Hot & moist. Full-blooded, vigorous. Vivacious, social, and epicurean. Bullish.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SANGUINE

AGGRAVATES
PHLEGMATIC

ABOUT PHLEGMATIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Wet & cold. When out of balance becomes congested, stagnant, and overweight. Loving, trusting, and patient.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PHLEGMATIC

Other

Tissue (dhatu):
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

,
Reproductive

REPRODUCTIVE

Reproductive tissue (Shukra/Artava Dhatu) includes male and female reproductive organs.

SEE ALL 'REPRODUCTIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Homemade Yogurt
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.

(see all)
Energy Vitality:
Nutritive

NUTRITIVE

An herb that is strengthening and nourishing.

SEE ALL 'NUTRITIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Skin Care & Beauty:
Demulcent

DEMULCENT

Herbs that coat or form a soothing film over a mucous membrane, relieving minor pain and inflammation of the membrane.

SEE ALL 'DEMULCENT' FOODS / HERBS

Liver & Gallbladder:
Livotonic

LIVOTONIC

An herb that strengthens the liver. It is helpful for people with a history of substance abuse, chronic liver issues from hepatitis and hemolytic anemias. Generally, liver tonics are oily, cool, sweet, mildly sour, or contain beta-carotene.

SEE ALL 'LIVOTONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Weight Loss:
Lowers Blood Sugar

LOWERS-BLOOD-SUGAR

An herb that lowers blood sugar.

SEE ALL 'LOWERS-BLOOD-SUGAR' FOODS / HERBS

,
Raises Thyroid

RAISES-THYROID

An herb that increases thyroid function.

SEE ALL 'RAISES-THYROID' FOODS / HERBS

Constituents:
Calcium

CALCIUM

Calcium nourishes bones and muscles. A muscle cell is activated when calcium enters the cell. It relaxes when the calcium is secreted.

SEE ALL 'CALCIUM' FOODS / HERBS

, Protein

Foods with a Similar Nature to Homemade Yogurt

  • Yogurt

    Yogurt has these Actions in Common

    Lowers-blood-sugar, Demulcent, Nutritive, Livotonic, Raises-thyroid

    LEARN MORE

  • Okra

    Okra has these Actions in Common

    Nutritive, Demulcent, Lowers-blood-sugar

    LEARN MORE

  • Kefir

    Kefir has these Actions in Common

    Demulcent, Lowers-blood-sugar, Nutritive

    LEARN MORE

  • Raspberry

    Raspberry has these Actions in Common

    Lowers-blood-sugar, Nutritive, Livotonic

    LEARN MORE

  • Almond Milk

    Almond Milk has these Actions in Common

    Demulcent, Livotonic, Nutritive

    LEARN MORE

  • Kelp

    Kelp has these Actions in Common

    Nutritive, Raises-thyroid, Demulcent

    LEARN MORE

  • Seaweed (Hydrated)

    Seaweed (Hydrated) has these Actions in Common

    Nutritive, Raises-thyroid, Demulcent

    LEARN MORE

  • Watermelon

    Watermelon has these Actions in Common

    Nutritive, Livotonic, Lowers-blood-sugar

    LEARN MORE

  • Barley

    Barley has these Actions in Common

    Demulcent, Lowers-blood-sugar, Nutritive

    LEARN MORE

  • Flax Seed

    Flax Seed has these Actions in Common

    Demulcent, Lowers-blood-sugar, Nutritive

    LEARN MORE

Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Nature to Homemade Yogurt

  • Vidari

    Vidari has these Actions in Common

    Demulcent, Livotonic, Lowers-blood-sugar, Nutritive

    LEARN MORE

  • Licorice Root (Yastimadhu)

    Licorice Root (Yastimadhu) has these Actions in Common

    Demulcent, Livotonic, Nutritive

    LEARN MORE

  • Licorice Ghee (9oz)

    Licorice Ghee (9oz) has these Actions in Common

    Demulcent, Livotonic, Nutritive

    LEARN MORE

  • Asparagus root

    Asparagus root has these Actions in Common

    Demulcent, Nutritive

    LEARN MORE

  • Slippery Elm

    Slippery Elm has these Actions in Common

    Demulcent, Nutritive

    LEARN MORE

  • Betaine

    Betaine has these Actions in Common

    Livotonic, Lowers-blood-sugar

    LEARN MORE

  • Safed Musali

    Safed Musali has these Actions in Common

    Nutritive, Demulcent

    LEARN MORE

  • Solomon's Seal

    Solomon's Seal has these Actions in Common

    Demulcent, Nutritive

    LEARN MORE

  • Guduchi

    Guduchi has these Actions in Common

    Livotonic, Lowers-blood-sugar

    LEARN MORE

  • Comfrey Root

    Comfrey Root has these Actions in Common

    Demulcent, Nutritive

    LEARN MORE

  • Vata Shirodhara Oil

    Vata Shirodhara Oil has these Actions in Common

    Nutritive, Demulcent

    LEARN MORE


Joyful Belly is a recognized college of biocharacteristics medicine.

TRADITIONALLY INDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

Homemade Yogurt 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.

CONTRAINDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

Homemade Yogurt may be harmful or contraindicated for these symptoms. 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 Homemade Yogurt. Please see your health care provider for more information.

View other ingredients
for Autumn-Winter

Homemade Yogurt is recommended for Autumn-Winter. Check out these other Autumn-Winter foods here.
VIEW ALL AUTUMN-WINTER FOODS MORE FOODS FOR VATA / PITTA MAIN INGREDIENT PAGE

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.
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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.

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Comments & Impressions of 'Homemade Yogurt'

Do you like 'homemade yogurt'? Why or why not? What makes it unique? Is there something else you'd like to know about 'homemade yogurt'?

(5.00 out of 5 stars) 2 ratings, 257 likes
Sign in to review or comment

John J Immel Asheville, NC
2010-12-16
“Although we've never tried, numerous folks on the web suggest it is possible. Let me know if your experiment is successful."
Like Reply
John J Immel Asheville, NC
2011-05-05
“Kefir is more gooey and slimy than yogurt, suggesting it aggravates Kapha, especially if there is a buildup of mucus in the stomach."
Like Reply
Mary K Miller NJ
2013-03-17
“can you use almond or coconut milk to make yogurt?"
Like Reply
stacey Brighton, MI
2014-01-28
“can you use almond or coconut milk to make yogurt? "
Like Reply
Alisa Turner Oxford, MS
2014-05-25
“This process works beautifully and is so easy. I tried it with skim milk last night and it turned out even smoother and thicker than my previous attempts with whole, unhomogenized milk. However, it still aggravated my gastritis and ulcers. As a Vata-Pitta, I wonder was it the mild astringency (dry) or the fact that it was fermented (hot)?"
Like Reply
David McKaig Swannanoa, NC
2014-05-25
“Stacy- Try it and let us know the results!"
Like Reply
Kimberly Kubicke Asbury park, NJ
2016-08-29
“It is likely due the heat that fermented foods create in the body."
Like Reply
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