Table of ContentsHow Does This Ayurvedic Food Improve Wellness?CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEWGentle, Nourishing, & Easy to DigestAs delicate as they may look, the sourness you experience while savoring a strawberry stimulates the appetite, and moistens the entire gastrointestinal tract from mouth to final elimination. Next time you pucker while eating a strawberry, notice how this invigorating little fruit strengthens your entire digestive system, even helping to dislodge stagnant and undigested food as it reduces feelings of heaviness. Strawberries can also help soothe an irritated, inflamed stomach.The sweet cool nectar of a strawberry encourages the production of body fluids, moisturizes muscles, and nourishes the kidneys. Want to satiate your thirst? Nibble on fresh, ripe strawberries. The juicy tartness of strawberry rejuvenates and revives you, while at the same time recollecting scattered thoughts and grounding the heart & nervous system. Its nourishing minerals and rejuvenative qualities, in an easy to digest package, make strawberries an ideal supplement for the elderly, those recuperating from illness, and after strenuous physical activity. According to the Chamber's Edinburgh Journal, No. 462, strawberries are well suited for invalids, as they do not produce acetous (aerobic) fermentation in the stomach. So, go ahead and indulge in strawberries! Radiant, Healthy Looking Skin & TeethStrawberries are highly purifying, able to permeate the skin and pores. Packed with vitamin C and salicylic acid, strawberry helps to remove dead skin cells when used topically. In summer, capillary beds in the skin dilate to release heat, leaving the skin red and inflamed with a tendency towards rashes. The mild astringency of strawberry tones and whitens the skin as it reduces this blood flow. They are even ideal for remedying slight irregularities in skin pigmentation, lightening freckles. They have a protective skin property that soothes and heals mild sunburn. For smooth, bright and glowing skin, rub mashed strawberry juice over your entire face immediately after washing. For greater effect, leave the sweet-smelling strawberry pulp on your face as a mask for 15-20 minutes.Want whiter teeth and fresher breath? Since strawberries are astringent and contain vitamin C, they help to remove surface stains and soften built-up plaque. Gentle apply the juice or pulp of a few strawberries directly onto your teeth and leave for five minutes. Rinse with warm water and a pinch of bicarbonate of soda. This natural tooth whitener will be sure to leave you smiling! Cooling Liver TonicAs we invite the warmth of the summer season, and our external environment starts to heat up, we start to feel our internal heat build as well. The heart rate increases as the temperature rises. Blood vessels dilate. Muscles feel heavy and fatigued. Excess blood flow irritates the eyes, which may seem stressed and dry. Naturally you'll become more social as well. But as the heat rises, you may even feel hot, irritated and impulsive. Your body cries out to be soothed and cooled.Ayurvedically, all the above heat symptoms are signs that summer heat stresses the liver and spleen. Fortunately the cooling qualities of strawberries can help! Their slightly sweet and slightly sour taste offer an ideal liver restorative, alterative and blood coolant. You'll notice the relaxing effect on the eyes, and better focus to boot, within ten minutes of eating a strawberry. Summer BerriesSummer berries, like the ruby red strawberry, arrive just in time for hot June temperatures. Blue, red and purple berries like strawberry are often sour, slightly sweet, high in beta-carotene, vitamin C and other blood purifying nutrients. Foods, like strawberries, that are high in beta-carotene lower the risk of having age-related macular degeneration, the main cause of vision loss in older adults, by up to 36%. Consume these berries by the handful as they also reduce internal heat, soothe inflamed tissues, and cool your blood. Over-indulge over the weekend? Too much fun sipping summer cocktails? Berries, and especially strawberries can help detox your liver and reduce a lingering hangover.
Most of us have heard about anti-oxidants, and we're told that we need them. Antioxidants neutralize harmful molecules called free radicals. Well, strawberries and most summer berries are chock-full of anti-oxidants. Strawberries also contain anti-carcinogens, a natural food chemical that reduces the occurrence of cancers. Like many members of the rose family, strawberries contain an enzyme called malic acid, known to gently cleanse and restore the liver. Lung, Blood Sugar, and Other Health BenefitsAs sweet as they are, research studies have shown that the sweetness of strawberries helps regulate blood sugar response. The sweetness and sourness of strawberries helps to moisten the lungs alleviating respiratory dryness. It's blood balancing properties have been used in feverish conditions. It has also been recommended for kidneys stones and difficult urination.
ABOUT STRAWBERRIESBUYING & PREPARATIONCOOKING STRAWBERRIES![]() Learn about the health benefits of strawberries for FREEYou'll receive free access to our entire website including healthy recipes, nutritional diet plans, medicinal uses of ingredients, & ayurvedic health tips. Sign in once and you can use our website indefinitely..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.Are Strawberries Good for My Ayurvedic Diet?SERVING SIZE: 1/4 c SPECIES: Fragaria x ananassa FAMILY:
Rosaceae MEAL: EAT IN: AYURVEDIC MEDICINAL BIOCHARACTERISTICSWhat is the biocharacteristic theory of medicine?
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES![]() 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.Here are the herbal actions of Strawberries: QUENCHES-THIRSTAn herb or substance that relieves thirst.DIGESTIVEHerbs that encourage healthy digestion.SIALOGOGUEA 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.RELAXES-EYESEases tension in eye muscles, so the eyes feel less strained, often by supporting the liver.IMPROVES-FOCUSReduces scattered thoughts. Creates a steady mind.SKIN-TONICAn herb that strengthens and nourishes skin, improving tone, color, moisture and complexion.IMMUNE-CALMINGHerbs that interrupt an allergic reaction or calm the immune system, useful in allergies and autoimmune conditions.ANTI-INFLAMMATORYReduces inflammation in the body. Different herbs and carriers target different body systems.ANTICARCINOGENICHerbs that inhibit or prevent the activity of a carcinogen or the development of cancer.STRONG ANTIOXIDANT An antioxidant is a molecule that inhibits oxidation. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that can produce free radicals that lead to a chain reaction causing damage or death to cells. Antioxidants terminate these oxidation reactions. ALTERATIVERestores the proper function of the body by cleansing the blood and balancing blood chemistry. In Ayurveda terms, they pacify Pitta in rakta. They were traditionally used to revitalize and detoxify after a long winter.REBUILDS-FLUIDSHerbs or substances that create moisture in the body and increase fluids.KIDNEY-TONICAn herb that strengthens the kidneys.LIVOTONICAn herb that strengthens the liver. It is helpful for people with a history of substance abuse, chronic liver issues from hepatitis and hemolytic anemias. Generally, liver tonics are oily, cool, sweet, mildly sour, or contain beta-carotene.Tannins, RESVERATROLAntioxidant frequently used for anti-aging. Protects airways and blood vessels. Anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic.![]() Joyful Belly is a recognized school of biocharacteristics medicine. Compare Strawberries with these FoodsBlueberry Blueberry has these Actions in CommonAnticarcinogenic, Improves-focus, Alterative, Antioxidant, Kidney-tonic, Anti-inflammatory, Immune-calming, LivotonicAcai Acai has these Actions in CommonAlterative, Antioxidant, Quenches-thirst, Anti-inflammatory, Improves-focus, Relaxes-eyes, Anticarcinogenic, LivotonicGrape Grape has these Actions in CommonAnti-inflammatory, Livotonic, Sialogogue, Antioxidant, Quenches-thirst, Alterative, Immune-calming, Rebuilds-fluidsTurmeric Root (Fresh) Turmeric Root (Fresh) has these Actions in CommonAlterative, Antioxidant, Skin-tonic, Anti-inflammatory, Digestive, Anticarcinogenic, Immune-calmingTurmeric Turmeric has these Actions in CommonAnticarcinogenic, Immune-calming, Alterative, Antioxidant, Skin-tonic, Anti-inflammatory, DigestiveCherry Cherry has these Actions in CommonAnti-inflammatory, Improves-focus, Anticarcinogenic, Livotonic, Antioxidant, Quenches-thirstCranberry Cranberry has these Actions in CommonAntioxidant, Livotonic, Alterative, Immune-calming, Anti-inflammatory, Improves-focusPomegranate Pomegranate has these Actions in CommonAlterative, Immune-calming, Anti-inflammatory, Livotonic, Antioxidant, Skin-tonicDandelion Leaves Dandelion Leaves has these Actions in CommonAnti-inflammatory, Immune-calming, Antioxidant, Livotonic, Alterative, DigestiveLemon Lemon has these Actions in CommonImproves-focus, Sialogogue, Alterative, Quenches-thirst, Digestive, Relaxes-eyesCompare Strawberries with these Herb SupplementsAmalaki Amalaki has these Actions in CommonRelaxes-eyes, Sialogogue, Alterative, Skin-tonic, Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Digestive, Improves-focus, Quenches-thirstLicorice Ghee (9oz) Licorice Ghee (9oz) has these Actions in CommonRebuilds-fluids, Relaxes-eyes, Alterative, Anti-inflammatory, Anticarcinogenic, Immune-calming, LivotonicLicorice Root (Yastimadhu) Licorice Root (Yastimadhu) has these Actions in CommonAnticarcinogenic, Immune-calming, Livotonic, Rebuilds-fluids, Relaxes-eyes, Alterative, Anti-inflammatoryMilk Thistle Milk Thistle has these Actions in CommonImmune-calming, Kidney-tonic, Livotonic, Alterative, AntioxidantTriphala Triphala has these Actions in CommonAlterative, Digestive, Improves-focus, Sialogogue, Skin-tonicSage, Red Sage, Red has these Actions in CommonAlterative, Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Immune-calming, Kidney-tonicBhumyamalaki Bhumyamalaki has these Actions in CommonAlterative, Anti-inflammatory, Digestive, Livotonic, Skin-tonicHawthorne Berry & Flower Hawthorne Berry & Flower has these Actions in CommonAnti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Digestive, Immune-calming, Improves-focusSchisandra Schisandra has these Actions in CommonLivotonic, Sialogogue, Digestive, Immune-calming, Improves-focusRed Clover Red Clover has these Actions in CommonAnticarcinogenic, Rebuilds-fluids, Skin-tonic, Alterative, Anti-inflammatoryHaritaki Haritaki has these Actions in CommonAlterative, Anti-inflammatory, Digestive, Immune-calming, SialogogueHEALTH & WELLNESS PRACTITIONERS!(Not you? Keep scrolling!) 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.View Other Ingredients for SummerStrawberries is recommended for Summer. Check out these other Summer foods here.Comments & Impressions of 'Strawberries'Do you like 'strawberries'? Why or why not? What makes it unique? Is there something you'd like to know about 'strawberries'?![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() TRADITIONALLY INDICATED FOR THESE SYMPTOMSStrawberries 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.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 6 kids, and pursuing his love of theology, philosophy, and language. |