School of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion
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SERVING SIZE: 1 tsp SPECIES: Mentha piperita FAMILY:
Lamiaceae "Mint is generally Vata aggravating because it is cold." - Kimberly Kubicke,  SEE MORE REVIEWS & COMMENTSAbout the Author: John Immel, How Can This Ayurvedic Food Make You Feel Great?AYURVEDIC ANALYSISWhereas pungent spices like cinnamon and cayenne can increase swelling, heat, and inflammation, aromatic spices like mint generally disperse fluids and heat, leaving a cooling aftereffect. Its aroma when inhaled easily reaches the brain. Psychologically, peppermint inspires, refreshes and arouses with a sense of awe and letting go. Mint clears all forms of stagnation - in the stomach, blood, gallbladder, lymph, lungs, and even emotions. It is used to clear mucus from the respiratory tract and open the sinuses. It soothes sore throats, and reduces eye redness. This ability to clear, along with its diaphoretic quality (releases heat via sweat), can alleviate early stages of fever and also bring rashes to a head for quicker healing. Applied topically as an antipruritic, peppermint alleviates itching, as well. A renowned stomachic for dyspepsia, mint's stimulating and inspiring nature is a traditional remedy for indigestion. It is a carminative, meaning that it both prevents and facilitates the release of gas. Mint relaxes muscle tissue, especially smooth muscle tissue, making it a useful antispasmodic. It is used to calm all cases of colic, including colicky peristalsis of the intestines, vasospasm type headaches, bronchospasms, and uterine spasms. ABOUT MINTCOOKING MINT Browse RecipesMint helps digest crude fibers in meat. Mint leaves, jelly and sauces are used on lamb dishes from the Middle East, to Great Britain and in American cuisine too. Mint is also key ingredient in Touareg tea, a popular tea in northern African and Arab countries. Learn about the health benefits of Mint 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 Mint 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.Digestion: Antispasmodic , ANTISPASMODICHerbs that reduce or inhibit muscle spasms or cramping, such as in asthma, colic or IBS.Appetizer , APPETIZERHerbs that cleanse the palate & stimulate hunger or desire to eat.Carminative , CARMINATIVEStimulates the release of gas. Helpful for bloating or cramping abdominal pain. Propels food downward.Digestive , DIGESTIVEHerbs that encourage healthy digestion.Spleen Tonic , SPLEEN-TONICAn herb that strengthens spleen function by improving strength of the blood. Spleen tonics Builds agni, brighten the person's appearances & firms up tissues.Stomachic STOMACHICAn herb that increases appetite or settles a nauseas or nervous stomach. These generally increase the digestive fire, therefore relieving symptoms of sluggish or difficult digestion.Cleanse and Detox: Burns Toxins , BURNS-TOXINSAn herb that detoxifies by helping your body metabolize toxins, as opposed to eliminating them.Detoxicant DETOXICANTAn herb that eliminates or metabolizes toxins from the body.Energy Vitality Strength: Stimulates energy STIMULATES-ENERGYThis category groups thyroid and adrenal stimulating herbsHeart & Circulation: Vasodilator VASODILATORA vasodilator is an herb that widens the blood vessels by the relaxation of smooth muscle cells within the vessel walls, thereby increasing circulation systemically or to a local area.Mind, Stress & Sleep: Stimulates crown , STIMULATES-CROWNCreates a feeling of awareness or tension in the area at the top of the head.Stimulates front of brain , STIMULATES-FRONT-OF-BRAINCreates a feeling of awareness or tension in the area in the forehead. Activates the frontal lobe - the area responsible for motor function, emotional expression, thinking, and decision making.Analgesic , ANALGESICRelieves or reduces feelings of pain without eliminating sensation.Nervine NERVINEHerbs that specifically go to the nervous system and brain. They can help with stress, memory, early alzheimer?s, even chronic pain.Skin Care & Beauty: Refreshes skin , REFRESHES-SKINFlushes the lymphatic system to cool, awaken, and revive the skin.Diaphoretic , DIAPHORETICAn herb that induces sweating, often by dilating blood vessels close to the skin.Antipruritic ANTIPRURITICAntipruritics are herbs that inhibit itching that is often associated with itching skin conditions such as sunburns, allergic reactions, eczema, psoriasis, chickenpox, fungal infections, insect bites, or contact dermatitis (as in poison ivy exposure.)Find Your Symptom: Refreshing REFRESHINGStimulates and wakes up the body, leaving it feeling cool, fresh, and energized.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 SpringMint is recommended for Spring. Check out these other Spring foods here.Comments & Impressions of 'Mint'Do you like 'mint'? Why or why not? What makes it unique? Is there something you'd like to know about 'mint'?
What effects does mint tend to have on vata?
Mint is generally Vata aggravating because it is cold.
Generally speaking, yes.
a traditional home remedy for
This information has not been validated by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.
Digestion Acid Reflux, Bad breath, Bloating / distension, Colic / spasm / cramping, Foul taste on tongue, Frequent Burping, Frequent Nausea, Gas, irregular digestion, Gastritis, Hiatal Hernia, Indigestion / Upset stomach, Irregular/small appetite, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Limited sense of taste, Pancreatic Insufficiency, Quickly full / early satiety, Receding gums, Slow, heavy digestion, Sweet taste on tongue, Tired after eating, Vomiting Mucus, Yellow teethSkin Acne - painful, Puffy / swollen skinDiet Anorexia, past or current, Sweet cravingsBlood and Circulation Blood dark in color, Chronic Fungus infection, Diabetes (Adult Onset), Fever (current), Headache, High Blood Sugar, Insulin Resistance, Low energy, Red sclera (white part of eyes), Sweat rarelyBones Cold aggravates pain, Hip pain, Joint pain, Muscles heavy / tiredMind Stress Sleep Conflict makes me depressed, lazy, Confusion / Cloudy Mind, Depressed, Depressed when stressed, Difficulty waking up, Disappointed by life, Excessive sleep, Fatigue / tired, Low self esteem, Migraines, Short bursts of energy, Sleep deep & long, trouble waking up, Sleep during the day, Slow, monotonous speech, Tired in morningPoop Diarrhea, Stool formed, but porous & airy, Undigested food in stoolWeight Loss Feel overweightRespiratory Health Frequent motion sickness, Post nasal drip, Sore throat
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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