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Turnip Greens Benefits (According to Ayurveda)
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Table of Contents

How Does This Ayurvedic Food Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Raw brassicas contain chemicals that can block thyroid function called goitrogens. These chemicals are easily inactivated by steaming or cooking.

About Turnip Greens

Researchers have found that the bitter taste of turnips is due to calcium. Turnip greens contain up to 4 times the calcium of other cruciferous vegetables. Several scientists are researching the presence of calcium taste buds. Confirmation would bring the total number of tastes in western medicine to six. The other five are sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami. Ayurveda has six tastes.

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Are Turnip Greens Good for My Ayurvedic Diet?

Find out by taking this free, easy quiz. You'll learn your body type, and whether 'Turnip Greens' 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.

Metabolic Nature of Turnip Greens

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.

Find Out More

HOT

ABOUT HOT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

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

LEARN MORE ABOUT HOT

LIQUEFIED

ABOUT LIQUEFIED BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Substances that thin fluids (lower viscosity of blood plasma). These may include blood thinners or mucolytic herbs.

LEARN MORE ABOUT LIQUEFIED

MOBILE

ABOUT MOBILE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Mobile refers to anything that stimulates the nervous system, muscles, or activity.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MOBILE

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

BITTER

ABOUT BITTER BIOCHARACTERISTIC

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

LEARN MORE ABOUT BITTER

PUNGENT

ABOUT PUNGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Pungency is characterized by irritation, or sharp, spicy foods that irritate the mouth such as black pepper.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PUNGENT

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.

Find Out More

PACIFIES
Kapha pacifying
AGGRAVATES
Pitta aggravating Vata aggravating

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
PHLEGMATIC

ABOUT PHLEGMATIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

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

LEARN MORE ABOUT PHLEGMATIC

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

MELANCHOLIC

ABOUT MELANCHOLIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold and dry with a slow, variable or erratic metabolism. Colicky, tense. Withdrawn, pensive, anxious, and hesitant. Analytical, intelligent, detail oriented and creative. Prone to ojas depletion, dehydration, an overactive nervous system, and depression.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MELANCHOLIC

SANGUINE

ABOUT SANGUINE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Hot and oily with a moderate metabolism and a well nourished body. Vigorous, vivacious, outgoing and generous, and prone to impulsivity and self indulgence. Bullish and intense when out of balance.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SANGUINE

Other

Subtaste:
Acrid

ACRID

Acrid taste is a combination of bitter and pungent tastes. Example include radish, turnip, and coffee.

SEE ALL 'ACRID' FOODS / HERBS

Family:
Brassicaceae

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Turnip Greens
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)
Bowel Health:
General Laxative

GENERAL-LAXATIVE

Promotes a bowel movement. General laxative is an umbrella term that refers to several different types of laxatives.

SEE ALL 'GENERAL-LAXATIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Liver & Gallbladder:
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

Weight Loss:
Lowers Blood Sugar

LOWERS-BLOOD-SUGAR

An herb that lowers blood sugar.

SEE ALL 'LOWERS-BLOOD-SUGAR' FOODS / HERBS

,
Lowers Thyroid

LOWERS-THYROID

Reduces thyroid function. Useful for people with hyperthyroid.

SEE ALL 'LOWERS-THYROID' FOODS / HERBS

Reproductive Health:
Anti Estrogenic

ANTI-ESTROGENIC

Reduces estrogen, which reduces thickness of the uterus endometrium, pelvic congestive disorders like fibroids, and frequently dysmenorrhea as well.

SEE ALL 'ANTI-ESTROGENIC' FOODS / HERBS

Bone & Joint:
Chelates

CHELATES

Binds to toxins such as heavy metals making them more soluble for elimination by the body.

SEE ALL 'CHELATES' FOODS / HERBS

Constituents:
Aromatase Inhibitor

AROMATASE-INHIBITOR

Blocks estrogen synthesis by inhibiting conversion of progesterone and testosterone into estrogen.

SEE ALL 'AROMATASE-INHIBITOR' FOODS / HERBS

Foods with a Similar Nature to Turnip Greens

  • Kale

    Kale has these Actions in Common

    Cholagogue, Anti-estrogenic, Lowers-blood-sugar, Chelates, Lowers-thyroid

    LEARN MORE

  • Broccoli

    Broccoli has these Actions in Common

    Chelates, Lowers-blood-sugar, Anti-estrogenic, Lowers-thyroid

    LEARN MORE

  • Brussels sprouts

    Brussels sprouts has these Actions in Common

    Anti-estrogenic, Lowers-thyroid, Chelates, Lowers-blood-sugar

    LEARN MORE

  • Radish (raw)

    Radish (raw) has these Actions in Common

    Lowers-blood-sugar, Cholagogue, Lowers-thyroid, General-laxative

    LEARN MORE

  • Mustard Greens

    Mustard Greens has these Actions in Common

    Lowers-blood-sugar, Cholagogue, Lowers-thyroid, General-laxative

    LEARN MORE

  • Burdock Root (Gobo)

    Burdock Root (Gobo) has these Actions in Common

    General-laxative, Anti-estrogenic, Lowers-blood-sugar, Cholagogue

    LEARN MORE

  • Dandelion Leaves

    Dandelion Leaves has these Actions in Common

    Anti-estrogenic, Lowers-blood-sugar, Cholagogue, General-laxative

    LEARN MORE

  • Kohlrabi

    Kohlrabi has these Actions in Common

    Lowers-thyroid, Anti-estrogenic, Chelates

    LEARN MORE

  • Turnip

    Turnip has these Actions in Common

    Chelates, Lowers-thyroid, Anti-estrogenic

    LEARN MORE

  • Radicchio

    Radicchio has these Actions in Common

    General-laxative, Lowers-blood-sugar, Cholagogue

    LEARN MORE

Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Nature to Turnip Greens

  • Yellow Dock

    Yellow Dock has these Actions in Common

    Cholagogue, General-laxative, Lowers-blood-sugar

    LEARN MORE

  • Dandelion Root

    Dandelion Root has these Actions in Common

    Cholagogue, Lowers-blood-sugar, Anti-estrogenic

    LEARN MORE

  • Neem Leaf

    Neem Leaf has these Actions in Common

    Anti-estrogenic, Cholagogue, Lowers-blood-sugar

    LEARN MORE

  • Turkey Rhubarb

    Turkey Rhubarb has these Actions in Common

    Cholagogue, General-laxative

    LEARN MORE

  • Bilva

    Bilva has these Actions in Common

    General-laxative, Lowers-blood-sugar

    LEARN MORE

  • Patola

    Patola has these Actions in Common

    General-laxative, Lowers-blood-sugar

    LEARN MORE

  • Oregon Graperoot

    Oregon Graperoot has these Actions in Common

    Cholagogue, Anti-estrogenic

    LEARN MORE

  • Triphala Guggulu

    Triphala Guggulu has these Actions in Common

    Lowers-blood-sugar, General-laxative

    LEARN MORE

  • Maca

    Maca has these Actions in Common

    Anti-estrogenic, Lowers-thyroid

    LEARN MORE

  • Guduchi

    Guduchi has these Actions in Common

    Cholagogue, Lowers-blood-sugar

    LEARN MORE

  • Chandraprabha Vati

    Chandraprabha Vati has these Actions in Common

    General-laxative, Lowers-blood-sugar

    LEARN MORE


Joyful Belly is a recognized college of biocharacteristics medicine.

TRADITIONALLY INDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

Turnip Greens 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.

CONTRAINDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

Turnip Greens may be harmful or contraindicated for these symptoms. Note this is not a complete list of all possible contraindications. Please see your doctor before using this food to treat a medical condition.

Herb Drug Interaction Risk

Here are some potential herb drug interactions with Turnip Greens. Please see your health care provider for more information.

View other ingredients
for Spring

Turnip Greens is recommended for Spring. Check out these other Spring foods here.
VIEW ALL SPRING FOODS MORE FOODS FOR KAPHA 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.
CONTINUE READING

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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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Comments & Impressions of 'Turnip Greens'

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

(3.00 out of 5 stars) 1 rating, 78 likes
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Jess Allen park, MI
2013-06-19
“I noticed that many of the herbs/foods under "lowers-thyroid" seem to be beneficial for kapha. Why is this? I thought kapha is prone to underactive thyroid."
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