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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.