ABOUT MOLASSES

Introduction

You'll feel warmed to the bone and relaxed after eating molasses. The gooey and thick nature of this sweetener gave rise to the famous phrase "as slow as molasses." One client observed these qualities, "The molasses was heavy and slow in movement - extremely viscous." Hot and heavy, molasses will ignite your digestive fire (agni) and ground the nervous system all at once.

Molasses is not your average sweetener. Its sour and bitter undertones are in stark contrast with molasses' strong sweet taste, making it an attractive option for desserts and cookies. This contrast in tastes also gives molasses a more balanced profile as a sweetener, Ayurvedcally. An added bonus of baking with molasses is the rich, sweet aroma of caramelized (slightly burnt) sugar that will waft through your home as you cook with it. Pouring this dark, sticky syrup resembles the spreading of thick, hot tar on a new road. While its dark color may be off putting to some, molasses hosts a number of unique benefits.

Molasses is made by boiling sugar cane juice and extracting the sugar crystals. There are several varieties of molasses, the difference being how many times it has been boiled. The sweetener has a dramatic history that you may not know about. In 1919, there was the Great Boston Molasses Flood. A distilling company was fermenting molasses into alcohol and their storage tank burst. This released a powerful and disastrous wave of thick molasses, traveling at 35 mph. The force of this wave was strong enough to demolish everything in its path, tearing down infrastructure, killing 21 people, and injuring many more. Locals in the affected neighborhood claim they can still smell the sweet, sticky molasses on a hot summer day, almost 100 years later.

Build Strong Blood

Molasses's dark, earthy color is a sign that molasses is a strong blood tonic. Hot, liquid, and mobile, molasses shares many qualities of the warm blood circulating through your veins. Its bitter sweet taste benefits the blood by cleansing toxins and building strength. The bitter taste clears congestion, stagnation, and excess heat in the blood. It also helps purify the bloodstream by drying out digestive toxins (ama). The sweet taste builds, strengthens, and nourishes blood and plasma tissue, when taken in small quantities.

In excess, however, molasses can actually clog circulation. Molasses is considered an abhisyandi in Ayurveda, meaning a substance that causes secretions which clog the minute channels of the body. The signs of abhisyandi include increased Kapha dosha, heaviness in the body, along with watery, sticky corners of the eyes where sleep gathers in the mornings. For this reason, it is best taken moderation and when digestion is strong.

Mineral rich molasses is well known as a potent blood tonic. It has a particularly affinity for the blood (rakta dhatu) and can help restore strength in certain cases of deficiencies. Molasses is a rich source of iron, an integral component for the creation of new red blood cells. This iron content also helps maintain healthy levels of hemoglobin, which is responsible for transporting oxygen in the blood. Like maple syrup, molasses offers a richer nutritional profile than refined sugars. One client explained, "The taste was strong and I could actually taste the minerals in the molasses... it had a dense and concentrated flavor."

The sour taste of molasses increases secretions in the body, rehydrating the blood. It is also a source of electrolytes including magnesium, potassium, sodium, calcium, and phosphorus.

Regulate Menstrual Cycle

Molasses also affects the blood by regulating menstrual flow. Its high iron levels can help reduce and prevent menorrhagia, or abnormally heavy or prolonged bleeding. Its iron content makes it a useful tonic for anemic women as a result of heavy menstruation. Molasses may also help encourage menses in scant conditions due to nutritional deficiencies in the blood. It is warming and mobile which stimulates a cold or dry body and increases circulation of blood. One client observed how molasses affected her cycle, "I had just started my menstrual cycle and noticed less cramping and bleeding than usual. I was also calmer during my menstrual cycle, which never happens." Its sourness and warmth ease circulation and tension in the uterus, and have a relaxing effect during menstruation, reducing cramps. A glass of hot milk with a spoon of molasses can also be used as a rejuvenative tonic for rebuilding the blood after a woman has given birth.

Reduce Anxiety

Sweet, heavy, and warm, molasses has a soothing effect on the nervous system. These hearty qualities pacify and warm a cold Vata constitution, reducing feelings of anxiety on a cold, rough, fall day. Molasses is also mobile, so if taken in excess, it may have the opposite effect. To avoid this, you can pair it with some stable, grounding foods like a bowl of warm oatmeal.

The secondary taste of sour stimulates the secretion of fluid in the body, countering the Vata dryness that can irritate the nerves. This warm, juicy effect adds a sense of comfort to a dry, Vata body that feels relaxing and grounding.

The sweet taste of molasses is naturally rewarding. It stimulates the release of serotonin in the brain, helping eliminate excess stress hormones and reduce anxiety. Eating large amounts of processed sugary treats will cause dramatic highs and lows with mood and should be avoided. However, small amounts of naturally sweet food can keep you feeling stable and happy.

Fire Up Metabolism

Most sweeteners have a cooling and suppressing effect on digestion. But molasses, similar to honey, actually stokes your digestive fire and warms up metabolism. Molasses is best for cold Vata types that need a little extra warmth in their diet. "I noticed a warmth throughout my body, which was extremely comforting... I was energized, however my body was very at ease. Being a Vata, this was a great feeling," described one client. Another shared a similar experience, "As the molasses went down the esophagus and into the stomach, I felt a nice warming sensation all the way down and into my belly. Then, my cheeks got nice and warm and rosy. A much desired feeling in my body as I am always cold. I will definitely be adding this ingredient to my regular diet."

The mobile quality of molasses means its warming effect is not just isolated to the digestive organs, but can spread throughout the body. As one client notes, "After a few minutes I felt warmth spreading through my chest and torso." Another experienced, "The dense molasses had a warming and spreading effect when I ate it."

While most sweeteners are Kapha aggravating, molasses can be enjoyed occasionally by Kaphas as it is warm and bitter. It is too heating for Pitta types.

Soothe Tense Muscles

Soft, warm, and dense, a spoon of molasses is enough to make anyone slow down and relax. The heavy and warm qualities help relieve tension and relax the muscles, particularly in the colder months of the year. A little molasses can help reduce tightness, constriction, and tension in both vessels and muscles. A client who practices yoga felt these effects in their body, "My muscles were functioning much better in terms of warm-up and efficiency in my asana practice." Another client explained how they didn't actually enjoy the taste of molasses, but still felt this sense of relaxation, "Molasses made my entire face pucker and it was not at all an enjoyable taste or flavor... My body does feel rather relaxed though." The magnesium content in molasses helps support proper nervous system functioning, keeping nerves, blood vessels, and muscles relaxed. It also helps relieve muscle cramps and spasms, including menstrual cramps.

Effect on Digestion

How molasses affects your digestion is dependent on your unique body type, or constitution. The sweet, sour and warm, molasses is particularly beneficial to a cold, dry Vata type, as it moistens the digestive tract and stimulates digestive strength. The sour taste of molasses stimulates the secretion of saliva which can help hydrate a dry, Vata digestive tract. A client described this sensation, "It caused me to salivate. My mouth tends to be slightly on the drier side, and when tasting molasses, my mouth watered."

Kaphas will benefit from the warm and bitter qualities of molasses, but it may be too heavy and sweet for some, weighing down already sluggish digestion. The heat of molasses will likely overstimulate and irritate a Pitta digestive tract.

Most people experience improved elimination with molasses, as it acts as a stool softener and promotes regular bowel movements. The sour quality softens the stools, while the sticky quality and astringency leads to better stool formation.

The warmth of molasses also relaxes the colon for easy elimination. "Molasses has been helpful with my digestion. It's helped to move things right along, firming up my elimination, and helping me to feel like I've finally had a satisfactory bowel movement," a client shared. Another Vata client also expressed their delight with molasses for improved bowel movements, "My bowels were great, and as a Vata I could ask for better elimination! Stools were easy to discharge." However, molasses can create stagnation, congestion, and constipation in some individuals. "My elimination was slower during this experiment," explained a client. "[It was] almost sludgy, like thick mud," they continued.

Conclusion

Molasses is one of the rare sweeteners that can actually stimulate your digestive fire. Its bitter and hot qualities help lighten the load on digestion when enjoying a home baked sweet treat, like gingerbread cookies. Molasses has a certain depth that most other sweeteners can't offer. Its sour tastes make this thick, dark, syrup a particularly useful addition to a Vata diet. Best known as a nutritive blood tonic due to its rich mineral profile, molasses can help restore deficient blood and add strength to the body. Heavy and warm, molasses will relax tense, tired muscles and ease anxious thoughts.

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. Foods that supplement your specific body type’s needs and digest easily create your 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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Are Molasses Good for My Ayurvedic Diet?

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

MEDICINAL QUALITIES

INCREASES Increases These Qualities (Gunas) Functional Ayurveda helps you assess imbalances through 20 main characteristics (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	MOBILE ABOUT MOBILE GUNA Mobile refers to anything that stimulates the nervous system, muscles, or activity. LEARN MORE ABOUT MOBILE LIQUID ABOUT LIQUID GUNA Liquid is identified by thin fluids (low viscosity). LEARN MORE ABOUT LIQUID HOT ABOUT HOT GUNA 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? Learn More	SWEET ABOUT SWEET GUNA Sweet refers to anything builds tissue, including macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats. LEARN MORE ABOUT SWEET SOUR ABOUT SOUR GUNA Sour refers to anything fermented or acidic. LEARN MORE ABOUT SOUR BITTER ABOUT BITTER GUNA Bitter is disagreeable and stimulating rejection, and a strong taste often associated with black coffee, dark chocolate, and most salad greens. LEARN MORE ABOUT BITTER
DOSHAS The Three Doshas / Body Types People tend to get sick, over and over again, due to similar causes and habitual 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	EFFECT: Acidifying ACIDIFYING An herb that creates an acidic pH in the blood chemistry. LEARN MORE ABOUT ACIDIFYING , Rajasic RAJASIC Rajasic foods stimulate desire or nervous energy. Red meat, high protein food, garlic and onions stimulate desire. Rajasic foods include chili peppers, coffee, and anything that stimulates movement. LEARN MORE ABOUT RAJASIC TYPE: Sweeteners ELEMENT: Earth EARTH Resembles earth (prithvi) in quality - heavy, dense, solid, stable, hard. LEARN MORE ABOUT EARTH , Fire FIRE Resembles fire (tejas) in quality - hot, sharp, penetrating, light, dry. LEARN MORE ABOUT FIRE SUBTASTE: Acrid ACRID Acrid taste is a combination of bitter and pungent tastes. Example include radish, turnip, and coffee. LEARN MORE ABOUT ACRID NUTRIENT: Iron COLOR: Brown NOURISHES: Red Blood RED-BLOOD Red blood (Rakta Dhatu) includes red blood cells and blood vessels. LEARN MORE ABOUT RED-BLOOD FAMILY: Poaceae

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:

Quenches thirst

QUENCHES-THIRST

An herb or substance that relieves thirst.

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Warms abdomen

WARMS-ABDOMEN

Warms the muscles and organs of the abdomen, stimulating digestion and metabolism.

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Sialogogue

SIALOGOGUE

A sialogogue increases saliva. Sour foods are often great sialogogues, and increase output of all exocrine glands. Salty taste is very moistening as well. Bitter, pungent and sweettastes also increase salivary output but to a lesser degree. Astringents

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Spleen Tonic

SPLEEN-TONIC

An herb that strengthens spleen function by improving strength of the blood. Spleen tonics Builds agni, brighten the person's appearances & firms up tissues.

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Energy Vitality Strength:

Stimulates energy

STIMULATES-ENERGY

This category groups thyroid and adrenal stimulating herbs

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Nutritive

NUTRITIVE

An herb that is strengthening and nourishing.

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Heart & Circulation:

Blood Tonic

BLOOD-TONIC

An herb that produces more blood cells in the body or otherwise strengthens blood. Helpful for anemia and other types of deficiency.

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Rebuild Electrolytes

REBUILD-ELECTROLYTES

Substances that increase your electrolyte balance. Electrolytes help you retain water, keep your palate moist, and truly quench your thirst.

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Lung and Sinus:

Warms chest

WARMS-CHEST

Warms the chest and lungs, clearing mucus and allowing for clear breathing.

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Mind, Stress & Sleep:

Relieves tension

RELIEVES-TENSION

An herb that releases tightness, constriction, and rigidity in a muscle.

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Find Your Symptom:

Warms ears

WARMS-EARS

Stimulates peripheral circulation to warm extremities, including the ears.

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Warms head

WARMS-HEAD

An herb that increases sensations of heat and warmth in the head.

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Muscle-Health:

Muscle relaxant

MUSCLE-RELAXANT

Herbs that relax muscles. Helpful for chronic pain or tension as well as healing from physical trauma.

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Bowel-Poop-Elimination:

Stool Softener

STOOL-SOFTENER

An herb that softens stool that is hard and difficult to pass. They are the safest and most gentle type of laxative. Some foods are even stool softeners, such as warm milk with ghee.

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