Miso Benefits (According to Ayurveda)

How Does This Ayurvedic Food Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Recipes with Miso: Ginger Miso Lemon Salad Dressing

Miso is a fermented salty soup. Soups are warm and hydrating. Sour increases all secretions in the body, liquefying Vata stuck in the GI and elsewhere.

Kapha and Pitta beware of high salt content. When used appriopriately salt can be one of the most powerful medicinal 'herbs' for Vata. It encourages a dry colon to stay moist allowing for easy flow of the bowels. Salt also encourages water retention and raises blood pressure.

Ferments in general (alcohol, bread, yogurt, cheese, etc) pacfiy Vata but increase Pitta and Kapha. Since they contain the metabolic by products of bacteria (i.e. bacteria poop!), overuse reduces quality of the blood.

About Miso

Like a salty bean cheese, tangy and sour with a funk. Used mainly in soups as a flavorful stock.

Buying & Preparation

Sold in red, yellow and many other varieties near the Tempeh section in health food stores.

Cooking Miso

Add a sweetener like honey if the taste of miso is too strong (or dilute with water).

Learn about the health benefits of miso for FREE

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SERVING SIZE: 1 tsp
PREPARATION: SOUP
EAT IN: AUTUMN-WINTER
FOR OCCASION: ON-THE-MEND

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Ginger Miso Lemon Salad...

Metabolic Nature of Miso

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.
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EASY

ABOUT EASY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Easy refers to anything easy to digest, or digests quickly.

LEARN MORE ABOUT EASY

CLEAR

ABOUT CLEAR BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Clear refers to anything that cleanses or flushes out wastes, or that digests ama.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CLEAR

HOT

ABOUT HOT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Hot is identified by increased body temperature, metabolism, or inflammation.

LEARN MORE ABOUT HOT

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?
Find Out More

SALTY

ABOUT SALTY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Salty refers to anything with salt, or high mineral content.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SALTY

SOUR

ABOUT SOUR BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Sour refers to anything fermented or acidic.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SOUR

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.
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PACIFIES

AGGRAVATES

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

MELANCHOLIC

ABOUT MELANCHOLIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold and dry metabolic nature. Colicky, tense. Withdrawn, pensive, anxious, and hesitant.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MELANCHOLIC

AGGRAVATES

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

PHLEGMATIC

ABOUT PHLEGMATIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

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

LEARN MORE ABOUT PHLEGMATIC

SANGUINE

ABOUT SANGUINE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

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

LEARN MORE ABOUT SANGUINE

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Miso
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

Constituents:

Protein

Foods with a Similar Nature to Miso

Poha

Poha has these Actions in Common
Nutritive
LEARN MORE
Bone Broth

Bone Broth has these Actions in Common
Nutritive
LEARN MORE
Bottle Gourd

Bottle Gourd has these Actions in Common
Nutritive
LEARN MORE
Guava

Guava has these Actions in Common
Nutritive
LEARN MORE
Rice Milk

Rice Milk has these Actions in Common
Nutritive
LEARN MORE
Puffed Rice

Puffed Rice has these Actions in Common
Nutritive
LEARN MORE
Vegetable Stock

Vegetable Stock has these Actions in Common
Nutritive
LEARN MORE
Wild Rice

Wild Rice has these Actions in Common
Nutritive
LEARN MORE
Turbinado

Turbinado has these Actions in Common
Nutritive
LEARN MORE
Rice Flour

Rice Flour has these Actions in Common
Nutritive
LEARN MORE

Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Nature to Miso

Cordyceps

Cordyceps has these Actions in Common
Nutritive
LEARN MORE
Asparagus root

Asparagus root has these Actions in Common
Nutritive
LEARN MORE
Sukumaram Ghrita

Sukumaram Ghrita has these Actions in Common
Nutritive
LEARN MORE
Sea buckthorn

Sea buckthorn has these Actions in Common
Nutritive
LEARN MORE
Slippery Elm

Slippery Elm has these Actions in Common
Nutritive
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Kshirabala Taila

Kshirabala Taila has these Actions in Common
Nutritive
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Pitta Massage Oil

Pitta Massage Oil has these Actions in Common
Nutritive
LEARN MORE
Ashwagandha Ghee

Ashwagandha Ghee has these Actions in Common
Nutritive
LEARN MORE
Joint Balm

Joint Balm has these Actions in Common
Nutritive
LEARN MORE
Safed Musali

Safed Musali has these Actions in Common
Nutritive
LEARN MORE
Shirodhara Treatment

Shirodhara Treatment has these Actions in Common
Nutritive
LEARN MORE

Miso Research & Clinical Trials

In each clinical research trial below, students from the Joyful Belly College of Ayurveda ate the selected food for 3 days and reported the pharmacological effects. See other clinical research trials for diet & herbs at Joyful Belly.

TEMPERATURE/CIRCULATION

How did Miso affect your temperature?

0	2	11	16	3
Much colder	Slightly colder	Same	Slightly warmer	Much warmer

Total Responses: 32 Study ID:24 (2020-10-01 - 2020-10-25)

How did Miso affect your sweat quantity?

1	1	25	5	0
Much less	Slightly less	Same	Slightly more	Much more

Total Responses: 32 Study ID:24 (2020-10-01 - 2020-10-25)

How did Miso affect your appetite/hunger?

3	11	8	9	1
Much less hungry	Slightly less hungry	Same	Slightly hungrier	Much hungrier

Total Responses: 32 Study ID:24 (2020-10-01 - 2020-10-25)

How did Miso affect your digestion speed?

1	8	16	6	1
Much faster	Slightly faster	Same	Slightly slower	Much slower

Total Responses: 32 Study ID:24 (2020-10-01 - 2020-10-25)

TOXINS

How did Miso affect the amount of gas & bloating?

4	6	13	6	3
Much less	Slightly less	Same	Slightly more	Much more

Total Responses: 32 Study ID:24 (2020-10-01 - 2020-10-25)

How did Miso affect your stool smell?

2	2	23	2	3
Much less	Slightly less	Same	Slightly more	Much more

Total Responses: 32 Study ID:24 (2020-10-01 - 2020-10-25)

Tongue: How did Miso affect the thickness & size of your tongue coating?

0	4	17	11	0
Much smaller	Slightly less	Same	Slightly larger coating	Much larger

Total Responses: 32 Study ID:24 (2020-10-01 - 2020-10-25)

How did Miso affect the color of your tongue coating?

7	2	1	8	14
Yellower	Browner	Grayer	Whiter	No Change

Total Responses: 32 Study ID:24 (2020-10-01 - 2020-10-25)

How did Miso affect your urine smell?

1	1	27	3	0
Much less	Slightly less	Same	Slightly more	Much more

Total Responses: 32 Study ID:24 (2020-10-01 - 2020-10-25)

How did Miso affect the amount of bubbles in your urine?

0	1	27	4	0
Much less	Slightly less	Same	Slightly more	Many more

Total Responses: 32 Study ID:24 (2020-10-01 - 2020-10-25)

How did Miso affect your sweat smell?

0	4	23	3	1
Much less	Slightly less	Same	Slightly more	Much more

Total Responses: 31 Study ID:24 (2020-10-01 - 2020-10-25)

HYDRATION

How did Miso affect your urine frequency/quantity?

1	3	20	8	0
Much less	Slightly less	Same	Slightly more	Much more

Total Responses: 32 Study ID:24 (2020-10-01 - 2020-10-25)

NERVOUS-SYSTEM

How did Miso affect your energy levels?

0	8	15	9	0
Much less energy	Slightly less	Same	Slightly more energy	Much more

Total Responses: 32 Study ID:24 (2020-10-01 - 2020-10-25)

How did Miso affect your muscle tension?

1	9	15	5	2
Much less tension	Slightly less	Same	Slightly more tension	Much more

Total Responses: 32 Study ID:24 (2020-10-01 - 2020-10-25)

How did Miso affect your anxiety?

1	14	12	5	0
Much less anxiety	Slightly less	Same	Slightly more anxiety	Much more

Total Responses: 32 Study ID:24 (2020-10-01 - 2020-10-25)

DIGESTION

How did Miso affect your appetite/hunger?

3	11	8	9	1
Much less hungry	Slightly less hungry	Same	Slightly hungrier	Much hungrier

Total Responses: 32 Study ID:24 (2020-10-01 - 2020-10-25)

How did Miso affect your digestion speed?

1	8	16	6	1
Much faster	Slightly faster	Same	Slightly slower	Much slower

Total Responses: 32 Study ID:24 (2020-10-01 - 2020-10-25)

How did Miso affect the amount of gas & bloating?

4	6	13	6	3
Much less	Slightly less	Same	Slightly more	Much more

Total Responses: 32 Study ID:24 (2020-10-01 - 2020-10-25)

TONGUE

How did Miso affect the color of your tongue coating?

7	2	1	8	14
Yellower	Browner	Grayer	Whiter	No Change

Total Responses: 32 Study ID:24 (2020-10-01 - 2020-10-25)

Tongue: How did Miso affect the thickness & size of your tongue coating?

0	4	17	11	0
Much smaller	Slightly less	Same	Slightly larger coating	Much larger

Total Responses: 32 Study ID:24 (2020-10-01 - 2020-10-25)

STOOL

How did Miso affect your stool frequency/quantity?

3	5	17	6	1
Much less	Slightly less	Same	Slightly more	Much more

Total Responses: 32 Study ID:24 (2020-10-01 - 2020-10-25)

How did Miso affect your stool color?

6	1	1	1	23
More yellow	More gray	More green	More orange	Same

Total Responses: 32 Study ID:24 (2020-10-01 - 2020-10-25)

How did Miso affect your stool lightness?

1	9	19	3	0
Much lighter	Slightly lighter	Same	Slightly darker	Much darker

Total Responses: 32 Study ID:24 (2020-10-01 - 2020-10-25)

How did Miso affect your stool smell?

2	2	23	2	3
Much less	Slightly less	Same	Slightly more	Much more

Total Responses: 32 Study ID:24 (2020-10-01 - 2020-10-25)

How did Miso affect your stool consistency?

2	9	14	7	0
Much softer	Slightly softer	Same	Slightly harder	Much harder

Total Responses: 32 Study ID:24 (2020-10-01 - 2020-10-25)

URINE

How did Miso affect your urine smell?

1	1	27	3	0
Much less	Slightly less	Same	Slightly more	Much more

Total Responses: 32 Study ID:24 (2020-10-01 - 2020-10-25)

How did Miso affect your urine lightness?

2	6	21	3	0
Much lighter	Slightly lighter	Same	Slightly Darker	Much Darker

Total Responses: 32 Study ID:24 (2020-10-01 - 2020-10-25)

How did Miso affect your urine frequency/quantity?

1	3	20	8	0
Much less	Slightly less	Same	Slightly more	Much more

Total Responses: 32 Study ID:24 (2020-10-01 - 2020-10-25)

How did Miso affect the amount of bubbles in your urine?

0	1	27	4	0
Much less	Slightly less	Same	Slightly more	Many more

Total Responses: 32 Study ID:24 (2020-10-01 - 2020-10-25)

How did Miso affect your urine clarity?

3	21	8
More cloudy	Same	More clear

Total Responses: 32 Study ID:24 (2020-10-01 - 2020-10-25)

SWEAT

How did Miso affect your sweat quantity?

1	1	25	5	0
Much less	Slightly less	Same	Slightly more	Much more

Total Responses: 32 Study ID:24 (2020-10-01 - 2020-10-25)

How did Miso affect your sweat smell?

0	4	23	3	1
Much less	Slightly less	Same	Slightly more	Much more

Total Responses: 31 Study ID:24 (2020-10-01 - 2020-10-25)

SYSTEMIC

How did Miso affect your energy levels?

0	8	15	9	0
Much less energy	Slightly less	Same	Slightly more energy	Much more

Total Responses: 32 Study ID:24 (2020-10-01 - 2020-10-25)

How did Miso affect your muscle tension?

1	9	15	5	2
Much less tension	Slightly less	Same	Slightly more tension	Much more

Total Responses: 32 Study ID:24 (2020-10-01 - 2020-10-25)

How did Miso affect your anxiety?

1	14	12	5	0
Much less anxiety	Slightly less	Same	Slightly more anxiety	Much more

Total Responses: 32 Study ID:24 (2020-10-01 - 2020-10-25)

How did Miso affect your temperature?

0	2	11	16	3
Much colder	Slightly colder	Same	Slightly warmer	Much warmer

Total Responses: 32 Study ID:24 (2020-10-01 - 2020-10-25)

Joyful Belly is a recognized college of biocharacteristics medicine.

TRADITIONALLY INDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

Miso 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.

Mind, Stress & Sleep
Tired in afternoon
How does Miso affect 'Tired in afternoon'?
IT FEELS BETTER IT FEELS WORSE IT FEELS THE SAME
We will use this information to better predict food that helps you.

View other ingredients
for Autumn-Winter

Miso is recommended for Autumn-Winter. Check out these other Autumn-Winter foods here.

VIEW ALL AUTUMN-WINTER FOODS MORE FOODS FOR VATA 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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College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

AYURVEDIC FOODS

Customer Reviews

Table of Contents

How Does This Ayurvedic Food Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

About Miso

Buying & Preparation

Cooking Miso

Learn about the health benefits of miso for FREE

Get Recipes & Health Tips

browse recipes

Is Miso Good for My Ayurvedic Diet?

Metabolic Nature of Miso

Metabolic Nature

ABOUT EASY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

ABOUT CLEAR BIOCHARACTERISTIC

ABOUT HOT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

The 6 Tastes

ABOUT SALTY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

ABOUT SOUR BIOCHARACTERISTIC

The Three Doshas / Body Types

The Four Temperaments / Humors

ABOUT MELANCHOLIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

ABOUT CHOLERIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

ABOUT PHLEGMATIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

ABOUT SANGUINE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Miso 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.

NUTRITIVE

Foods with a Similar Nature to Miso

Poha has these Actions in Common

Bone Broth has these Actions in Common

Bottle Gourd has these Actions in Common

Guava has these Actions in Common

Rice Milk has these Actions in Common

Puffed Rice has these Actions in Common

Vegetable Stock has these Actions in Common

Wild Rice has these Actions in Common

Turbinado has these Actions in Common

Rice Flour has these Actions in Common

Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Nature to Miso

Cordyceps has these Actions in Common

Asparagus root has these Actions in Common

Sukumaram Ghrita has these Actions in Common

Sea buckthorn has these Actions in Common

Slippery Elm has these Actions in Common

Kshirabala Taila has these Actions in Common

Pitta Massage Oil has these Actions in Common

Ashwagandha Ghee has these Actions in Common

Joint Balm has these Actions in Common

Safed Musali has these Actions in Common

Shirodhara Treatment has these Actions in Common

Miso Research & Clinical Trials

TEMPERATURE/CIRCULATION

TOXINS

HYDRATION

NERVOUS-SYSTEM

DIGESTION

TONGUE

STOOL

URINE

SWEAT

SYSTEMIC

TRADITIONALLY INDICATED FOR THESE SYMPTOMS

Mind, Stress & Sleep

View other ingredients for Autumn-Winter

HOW DOES EATING AYURVEDICALLY MAKE YOU FEEL?

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Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Miso
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.

TRADITIONALLY INDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

View other ingredients
for Autumn-Winter