ABOUT JICAMA

Although Jicama appears like a dusty old stone, it's taste and texture are refreshingly sweet and crisp. Jicama is the only root in the bean family consumed as a food. Licorice root, the other edible root of the legume family, is largely consumed as an herb. Jicama, like licorice root, is sweet and starchy, reminiscent of apples or raw green beans. In contrast to the root, the rest of the plant is very poisonous. Although native to South America, where it has been cultivated for centuries, has become popular in Southeast Asia where it was propogated by Spaniards.

BUYING & PREPARATION

The tubers are sweetest when grown in winter. Medium sized, firm tubers with dry roots are best. Avoid large sizes, which may be woody and less sweet. Avoid wet or soft spots which may indicate rot.

COOKING JICAMA

Browse Recipes In its native habitat, Jicama is served as street food with lime and a pinch of fiery cayenne. Served raw and julien sliced, jicama makes a crunchy addition to salsas and salads. Cut into squares, it enhances a fresh fruit salad. It can also be cooked as a potato, grilled, stewed, mashed, etc. In Asian cuisine, it is sometimes used as a substitute for water chestnut and paired with grilled fish or sesame oil. It is also cooked in soups and stir-fried dishes.

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.

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When I Eat Jicama:

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I FEEL BETTER I FEEL WORSE I FEEL THE SAME

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Is Jicama Good for My Ayurvedic Diet?

Find out by taking this free, easy quiz. You'll learn your body type, and whether Jicama is a good fit for your body type. Time to complete: approximately 1 minute.

SERVING SIZE: 1 1/2 c

SPECIES: Pachyrhizus P. erosus

FAMILY: Fabaceae

EAT IN: AUTUMN-WINTER

AYURVEDIC MEDICINAL BIOCHARACTERISTICS

What is the biocharacteristic theory of medicine?

INCREASES Increases These Biocharacteristics (Gunas) Functional Ayurveda helps you assess imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics (gunas). Aggravating these characteristics weakens your body and causes imbalance. By knowing which characteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct imbalances before you get sick. Every characteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold). You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite characteristic. Learn More	COLD ABOUT COLD BIOCHARACTERISTIC Cold refers to anything that reduces body temperature, metabolism, and blood flow. LEARN MORE ABOUT COLD
TASTES The 6 Tastes 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? Learn More	ASTRINGENT ABOUT ASTRINGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC Astringency is characterized by constriction, drawing together, or drying. LEARN MORE ABOUT ASTRINGENT SWEET ABOUT SWEET BIOCHARACTERISTIC Sweet refers to anything builds tissue, including macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats. LEARN MORE ABOUT SWEET
DOSHAS The Three Doshas / Body Types According to the biocharacteristic theory of medicine, people tend to get sick, over and over again, due to habitual causes and imbalances that are unique to the person. Your body type summarizes this tendency, showing you the 'type' of conditions and imbalances that frequently challenge your health & wellness. Using body type, you can also identify remedies likely to improve your strength and resiliency. Your body type identifies physical and mental characteristics as well as your personal strengths and weaknesses. The calculation of your body type is based on your medical history. The 3 functional body types (doshas), are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha). Catabolic individuals tend to break down body mass into energy. Metabolic individuals tend to burn or use energy. Anabolic individuals tend to store energy as body mass. Catabolic people tend to be easily stimulated, hyperactive, underweight and dry. Metabolic people tend to be rosy-cheeked, easily irritated, focused, driven, and easily inflamed. Anabolic people are heavy, stable and grounded, but if they store too much energy, they could gain weight easily and have congestion. Learn More	PACIFIES AGGRAVATES
HAS THE FOLLOWING	Type: Roots Element: Earth EARTH Resembles earth (prithvi) in quality - heavy, dense, solid, stable, hard. LEARN MORE ABOUT EARTH Color: Brown, White Family: Fabaceae

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 Jicama:

Energy Vitality:

Tonic

TONIC

A tonic herb restores function through strengthening tissue. This can happen through a combination of nourishing the tissue, and invigorating tissue metabolism. The tonic should not be withering, as in caffeine.

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Heart & Circulation:

Refrigerant

REFRIGERANT

An herb or substance that strongly cools the body. Can be helpful in cases of heat conditions.

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Joyful Belly is a recognized school of biocharacteristics medicine.

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