AYURVEDIC FOODS

Olive Oil Benefits (According to Ayurveda)

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"HI I have a pdf article about the anti-inflammatory properties that I would love to share maybe you could use some of..."
- Jan Willem, Sturgeon, PD full start reviewfull start reviewfull start reviewfull start reviewfull start review

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How Does This Ayurvedic Food Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Recipes with Olive Oil: Rye Berry Bowl with Kale & Cranberries
Recipes with Olive Oil: Rye Berry Bowl with Kale & Cranberries
Raw olive oil is pungent & bitter. It's oily and bitter qualities act as a cholagogue, flushing the liver and gall bladder. In the United States, most olive oil is pasteurized. When cooked, olive oil loses its cleansing properties and sadly, its taste.

Buying & Preparation

Look for raw olive oil among imported greek brands.

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Is Olive Oil Good for My Ayurvedic Diet?

Find out by taking this free, easy quiz. You'll learn your body type, and whether 'Olive Oil' is a good fit. Complete the basic quiz in 1 minute, or go deeper with additional quizzes at your own leisure to learn more about your body.

Take the Quiz

AYURVEDA'S GUIDE TO VITALITY & WHOLESOME NOURISHMENT

Your Ayurvedic diet is tailored to your individual body and your specific imbalances. With an Ayurvedic diet you feel joy and satisfaction because what you are eating truly nourishes and balances you. Disease results from diets and lifestyles that are incompatible with your nature. By eating a personalized diet matched to your body, you experience optimal health. See How it Works.
SERVING SIZE: 2 tsp
SPECIES: Olea europaea

Metabolic Nature of Olive Oil

See a complete list of all biocharacteristics.
INCREASES
Guna Help

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.

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HEAVY

ABOUT HEAVY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Heavy is identified by sedation, sluggishness, or increased weight.

LEARN MORE ABOUT HEAVY

HOT

ABOUT HOT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

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

LEARN MORE ABOUT HOT

OILY

ABOUT OILY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

In Ayurveda, oily refers to anything moistening. More specifically, oily refers to building substances that increases fat, or are themselves fatty. For example, sugar is Oily.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OILY

TASTES
Taste Help

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?

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BITTER

ABOUT BITTER BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Bitter taste has cholagogue action - it is cold, clear, light, and stimulating. It increases digestive enzymes, laxative, and drying.

LEARN MORE ABOUT BITTER

DOSHAS
Dosha Help

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. They are easily stimulated, hyperactive, underweight and dry. Metabolic individuals tend to burn or use energy. They tend to be rosy-cheeked, easily irritated, focused, driven, and easily inflamed. Anabolic individuals tend to store energy as body mass. If they store too much energy, they could gain weight easily and have congestion. Anabolic people tend to be stable and grounded.

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PACIFIES
Vata pacifying
AGGRAVATES
Kapha aggravating Pitta aggravating
HAS THE FOLLOWING
Tissue (dhatu):
Fat

MILD FAT

Fat tissue (Meda Dhatu) includes adipose tissue and sebum (skin oil).

SEE ALL 'FAT' FOODS / HERBS

HERBAL ACTIONS
(see all)

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Olive Oil
Help
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.

Internal Detoxicant

INTERNAL-DETOXICANT

Liquefies, dissolves, decongests or dislodges internal stagnant toxins. Decongests the lymphatic system.

SEE ALL 'INTERNAL-DETOXICANT' FOODS / HERBS

Nutritive

NUTRITIVE

An herb that is strengthening and nourishing.

SEE ALL 'NUTRITIVE' FOODS / HERBS

,
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.

SEE ALL 'TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Emollient

EMOLLIENT

Soothes & softens the skin. Often a topical demulcent or oil.

SEE ALL 'EMOLLIENT' FOODS / HERBS

Cholagogue

CHOLAGOGUE

Cholagogues stimulate the production & release of bile from the liver & gallbladder. This refreshes and cleanses these organs, as well as increases bile in the small intestines.

SEE ALL 'CHOLAGOGUE' FOODS / HERBS

Constituents:

Foods with a Similar Nature to Olive Oil

Ghee

Ghee has these Actions in Common

Emollient, Tonic, Internal-detoxicant, Cholagogue, Nutritive

LEARN MORE

Carrot

Carrot has these Actions in Common

Internal-detoxicant, Nutritive, Cholagogue, Tonic

LEARN MORE

Flax Oil

Flax Oil has these Actions in Common

Emollient, Nutritive, Tonic

LEARN MORE

Sunflower Oil

Sunflower Oil has these Actions in Common

Emollient, Nutritive, Tonic

LEARN MORE

Safflower Oil

Safflower Oil has these Actions in Common

Tonic, Emollient, Nutritive

LEARN MORE

Canola Oil

Canola Oil has these Actions in Common

Nutritive, Tonic, Emollient

LEARN MORE

Corn Oil

Corn Oil has these Actions in Common

Nutritive, Tonic, Emollient

LEARN MORE

Grape Seed Oil

Grape Seed Oil has these Actions in Common

Tonic, Emollient, Nutritive

LEARN MORE

Mustard Oil

Mustard Oil has these Actions in Common

Tonic, Emollient, Nutritive

LEARN MORE

Pomegranate Molasses

Pomegranate Molasses has these Actions in Common

Cholagogue, Internal-detoxicant, Nutritive

LEARN MORE

Herb Supplements with a Similar Nature to Olive Oil

Vata Massage Oil

Vata Massage Oil has these Actions in Common

Emollient, Nutritive, Tonic

LEARN MORE

Almond Oil

Almond Oil has these Actions in Common

Tonic, Emollient, Nutritive

LEARN MORE

Vata Shirodhara Oil

Vata Shirodhara Oil has these Actions in Common

Emollient, Nutritive, Tonic

LEARN MORE

Cornsilk

Cornsilk has these Actions in Common

Internal-detoxicant, Nutritive, Cholagogue

LEARN MORE

Chyavanprash Nutritive Jam

Chyavanprash Nutritive Jam has these Actions in Common

Internal-detoxicant, Nutritive, Tonic

LEARN MORE

Gokshura

Gokshura has these Actions in Common

Internal-detoxicant, Nutritive, Tonic

LEARN MORE

Punarnava

Punarnava has these Actions in Common

Cholagogue, Internal-detoxicant, Tonic

LEARN MORE

Amalaki

Amalaki has these Actions in Common

Internal-detoxicant, Nutritive, Tonic

LEARN MORE

Asparagus root

Asparagus root has these Actions in Common

Internal-detoxicant, Nutritive

LEARN MORE

Sukumaram Ghrita

Sukumaram Ghrita has these Actions in Common

Nutritive, Tonic

LEARN MORE

Kshirabala Taila

Kshirabala Taila has these Actions in Common

Nutritive, Tonic

LEARN MORE

Impact of Olive Oil

In each clinical research trial below, students from the Joyful Belly School 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 Olive Oil affect your temperature?

0
5
12
15
3
Much colderSlightly colderSameSlightly warmerMuch warmer
Total Responses: 35 Study ID:34 (2020-12-01 - 2020-12-08)

How did Olive Oil affect your sweat quantity?

1
1
30
3
0
Much lessSlightly lessSameSlightly moreMuch more
Total Responses: 35 Study ID:34 (2020-12-01 - 2020-12-08)

How did Olive Oil affect the color of your tongue body?

2
15
0
18
PalerRedderBluerNo Change
Total Responses: 35 Study ID:34 (2020-12-01 - 2020-12-08)

How did Olive Oil affect your appetite/hunger?

2
21
7
5
0
Much less hungrySlightly less hungrySameSlightly hungrierMuch hungrier
Total Responses: 35 Study ID:34 (2020-12-01 - 2020-12-08)

How did Olive Oil affect your digestion speed?

2
15
13
5
0
Much fasterSlightly fasterSameSlightly slowerMuch slower
Total Responses: 35 Study ID:34 (2020-12-01 - 2020-12-08)

TOXINS

How did Olive Oil affect the amount of gas & bloating?

2
5
24
2
2
Much lessSlightly lessSameSlightly moreMuch more
Total Responses: 35 Study ID:34 (2020-12-01 - 2020-12-08)

How did Olive Oil affect your stool smell?

0
1
26
8
0
Much lessSlightly lessSameSlightly moreMuch more
Total Responses: 35 Study ID:34 (2020-12-01 - 2020-12-08)

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

0
9
21
4
1
Much smallerSlightly lessSameSlightly larger coatingMuch larger
Total Responses: 35 Study ID:34 (2020-12-01 - 2020-12-08)

How did Olive Oil affect the color of your tongue coating?

1
2
2
7
23
YellowerBrownerGrayerWhiterNo Change
Total Responses: 35 Study ID:34 (2020-12-01 - 2020-12-08)

How did Olive Oil affect your urine smell?

0
2
28
5
0
Much lessSlightly lessSameSlightly moreMuch more
Total Responses: 35 Study ID:34 (2020-12-01 - 2020-12-08)

How did Olive Oil affect the amount of bubbles in your urine?

1
1
28
4
1
Much lessSlightly lessSameSlightly moreMany more
Total Responses: 35 Study ID:34 (2020-12-01 - 2020-12-08)

How did Olive Oil affect your sweat smell?

0
2
28
5
0
Much lessSlightly lessSameSlightly moreMuch more
Total Responses: 35 Study ID:34 (2020-12-01 - 2020-12-08)

HYDRATION

How did Olive Oil affect your urine frequency/quantity?

0
3
30
2
0
Much lessSlightly lessSameSlightly moreMuch more
Total Responses: 35 Study ID:34 (2020-12-01 - 2020-12-08)

How did Olive Oil affect the cracks on your tongue?

0
4
19
10
2
Larger/longer/more cracksSlightly moreSameSlightly less/smaller/shorterMuch less
Total Responses: 35 Study ID:34 (2020-12-01 - 2020-12-08)

NERVOUS-SYSTEM

How did Olive Oil affect your energy levels?

2
8
12
12
1
Much less energySlightly lessSameSlightly more energyMuch more
Total Responses: 35 Study ID:34 (2020-12-01 - 2020-12-08)

How did Olive Oil affect your muscle tension?

1
10
20
4
0
Much less tensionSlightly lessSameSlightly more tensionMuch more
Total Responses: 35 Study ID:34 (2020-12-01 - 2020-12-08)

How did Olive Oil affect your anxiety?

3
7
20
5
0
Much less anxietySlightly lessSameSlightly more anxietyMuch more
Total Responses: 35 Study ID:34 (2020-12-01 - 2020-12-08)

How did Olive Oil affect the stillness of your tongue?

5
24
6
More stillNo ChangeMore Trembling / Jittery
Total Responses: 35 Study ID:34 (2020-12-01 - 2020-12-08)

DIGESTION

How did Olive Oil affect the amount of gas & bloating?

2
5
24
2
2
Much lessSlightly lessSameSlightly moreMuch more
Total Responses: 35 Study ID:34 (2020-12-01 - 2020-12-08)

How did Olive Oil affect your appetite/hunger?

2
21
7
5
0
Much less hungrySlightly less hungrySameSlightly hungrierMuch hungrier
Total Responses: 35 Study ID:34 (2020-12-01 - 2020-12-08)

How did Olive Oil affect your digestion speed?

2
15
13
5
0
Much fasterSlightly fasterSameSlightly slowerMuch slower
Total Responses: 35 Study ID:34 (2020-12-01 - 2020-12-08)

TONGUE

How did Olive Oil affect the cracks on your tongue?

0
4
19
10
2
Larger/longer/more cracksSlightly moreSameSlightly less/smaller/shorterMuch less
Total Responses: 35 Study ID:34 (2020-12-01 - 2020-12-08)

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

0
9
21
4
1
Much smallerSlightly lessSameSlightly larger coatingMuch larger
Total Responses: 35 Study ID:34 (2020-12-01 - 2020-12-08)

How did Olive Oil affect the color of your tongue body?

2
15
0
18
PalerRedderBluerNo Change
Total Responses: 35 Study ID:34 (2020-12-01 - 2020-12-08)

How did Olive Oil affect the stillness of your tongue?

5
24
6
More stillNo ChangeMore Trembling / Jittery
Total Responses: 35 Study ID:34 (2020-12-01 - 2020-12-08)

How did Olive Oil affect the color of your tongue coating?

1
2
2
7
23
YellowerBrownerGrayerWhiterNo Change
Total Responses: 35 Study ID:34 (2020-12-01 - 2020-12-08)

STOOL

How did Olive Oil affect your stool smell?

0
1
26
8
0
Much lessSlightly lessSameSlightly moreMuch more
Total Responses: 35 Study ID:34 (2020-12-01 - 2020-12-08)

How did Olive Oil affect your stool consistency?

2
13
13
7
0
Much softerSlightly softerSameSlightly harderMuch harder
Total Responses: 35 Study ID:34 (2020-12-01 - 2020-12-08)

How did Olive Oil affect your stool frequency/quantity?

0
6
16
12
1
Much lessSlightly lessSameSlightly moreMuch more
Total Responses: 35 Study ID:34 (2020-12-01 - 2020-12-08)

How did Olive Oil affect your stool color?

4
0
2
4
25
More yellowMore grayMore greenMore orangeSame
Total Responses: 35 Study ID:34 (2020-12-01 - 2020-12-08)

How did Olive Oil affect your stool lightness?

1
11
20
2
1
Much lighterSlightly lighterSameSlightly darkerMuch darker
Total Responses: 35 Study ID:34 (2020-12-01 - 2020-12-08)

URINE

How did Olive Oil affect your urine frequency/quantity?

0
3
30
2
0
Much lessSlightly lessSameSlightly moreMuch more
Total Responses: 35 Study ID:34 (2020-12-01 - 2020-12-08)

How did Olive Oil affect the amount of bubbles in your urine?

1
1
28
4
1
Much lessSlightly lessSameSlightly moreMany more
Total Responses: 35 Study ID:34 (2020-12-01 - 2020-12-08)

How did Olive Oil affect your urine clarity?

8
22
5
More cloudySameMore clear
Total Responses: 35 Study ID:34 (2020-12-01 - 2020-12-08)

How did Olive Oil affect your urine smell?

0
2
28
5
0
Much lessSlightly lessSameSlightly moreMuch more
Total Responses: 35 Study ID:34 (2020-12-01 - 2020-12-08)

How did Olive Oil affect your urine lightness?

0
6
24
5
0
Much lighterSlightly lighterSameSlightly DarkerMuch Darker
Total Responses: 35 Study ID:34 (2020-12-01 - 2020-12-08)

SWEAT

How did Olive Oil affect your sweat smell?

0
2
28
5
0
Much lessSlightly lessSameSlightly moreMuch more
Total Responses: 35 Study ID:34 (2020-12-01 - 2020-12-08)

How did Olive Oil affect your sweat quantity?

1
1
30
3
0
Much lessSlightly lessSameSlightly moreMuch more
Total Responses: 35 Study ID:34 (2020-12-01 - 2020-12-08)

SYSTEMIC

How did Olive Oil affect your anxiety?

3
7
20
5
0
Much less anxietySlightly lessSameSlightly more anxietyMuch more
Total Responses: 35 Study ID:34 (2020-12-01 - 2020-12-08)

How did Olive Oil affect your temperature?

0
5
12
15
3
Much colderSlightly colderSameSlightly warmerMuch warmer
Total Responses: 35 Study ID:34 (2020-12-01 - 2020-12-08)

How did Olive Oil affect your energy levels?

2
8
12
12
1
Much less energySlightly lessSameSlightly more energyMuch more
Total Responses: 35 Study ID:34 (2020-12-01 - 2020-12-08)

How did Olive Oil affect your muscle tension?

1
10
20
4
0
Much less tensionSlightly lessSameSlightly more tensionMuch more
Total Responses: 35 Study ID:34 (2020-12-01 - 2020-12-08)


Joyful Belly is a recognized school of biocharacteristics medicine.

TRADITIONALLY INDICATED FOR THESE SYMPTOMS

Olive Oil 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.

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.

Clinical Tools & Resources

Give smart recommendations to your clients and improve efficiency in your clinic with these tools.
About John Joseph Immel

About the Author

John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly, teaches people how to have a healthy diet and lifestyle with Ayurveda biocharacteristics. His approach to Ayurveda is clinical, yet exudes an ease which many find enjoyable and insightful. John also directs Joyful Belly's School of Ayurveda, offering professional clinical training in Ayurveda for over 15 years.

John's interest in Ayurveda and specialization in digestive tract pathology was inspired by a complex digestive disorder acquired from years of international travel, as well as 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. Outside of work, John enjoys spending time with his wife and 7 kids, and pursuing his love of theology, philosophy, and language.

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Comments & Impressions of 'Olive Oil'

Do you like 'olive oil'? Why or why not? What makes it unique? Is there something else you'd like to know about 'olive oil'?

full start reviewfull start reviewfull start reviewfull start reviewfull start review(5.00 out of 5 stars) 1 rating, 249 likes
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Olive oil is listed on other auyervedic diets as Pitta pacifying along with coconut oil and sunflower oil. This is the 1st auyervedic diet list where olive oil is listed as hot. Oh no! say it so! EVOO Hot or Not?
- Barbara Vanderhorst, Columbia, SC , 05-03-12 (Reply)
Hi Barbara, I've noticed this too. I'm either Pitta-Vata or Vata-Pitta, and, from my own experience, too much olive oil usage makes my skin breakout and I feel overly stimulated.
- Jess, Allen park, MI , 07-09-12 (Reply)
On the one hand, raw olive oil is a cholagogue, which balances oily quality in Pitta-Kapha individuals. However, the heat of the olive oil can aggravate Pitta in Pitta-Vata individuals.
Since you don't have it listed, I figured I'd ask about rice bran oil...is that okay for Pitta?
- Jess, Allen park, MI , 09-01-12 (Reply)
I have noticed some varieties of olive oil have a peppery taste, while others don't. I assume this would effect the influence on pitta sensitive individuals.
- david, San diego, CA , 05-20-13 (Reply)
In general, Kapha should minimize oil.
- Kimberly Kubicke, Asbury park, NJ , 07-05-16 (Reply)
HI I have a pdf article about the anti-inflammatory properties that I would love to share maybe you could use some of the info for your article? How do I do that? PDF usually email well. Where should I email it for you?
- Jan Willem, Sturgeon, PD
full start reviewfull start reviewfull start reviewfull start reviewfull start review
, 03-01-19 (Reply)

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