AJWAIN

(5.00 out of 5 stars) 1 rating, 430 likes

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Ajwain is native to the Middle East and is still common in Egypt as well as Indian cooking. Like turmeric, ajwain is a spice used to enhance digestibility rather than flavor.

ALFALFA SPROUTS

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Promotes strength and solidity. Anabolic, but without creating stagnation. Regulates estrogen (phytoestrogens can increase or decrease estrogen as needed). Liver, Spleen Yin Tonic. Alfalfa is a urinary & GI membrane restorative. (Source: Holmes)

ALOE VERA GEL

(5.00 out of 5 stars) 1 rating, 516 likes

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Aloe includes more than 250 species of flowering succulents and is native to Africa, Madagascar and Jordan. It is closely related to cactus, yucca and onion. For thousands of years and across many cultures, aloe has been used to heal a variety of...

ALOE VERA JUICE

(5.00 out of 5 stars) 1 rating, 351 likes

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Aloe includes more than 250 species of flowering succulents and is native to Africa, Madagascar and Jordan. It is closely related to cactus, yucca and onion. For thousands of years and across many cultures, aloe has been used to heal a variety of...

ARTICHOKE

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Artichokes are a traditional liver remedy. As a member of the thistle family, they are

ARTICHOKE HEARTS

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See the Ayurvedic Analysis of Artichokes page.

ARUGULA

(4.50 out of 5 stars) 2 ratings, 473 likes

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Its sharp peppery flavor is a sign that arugula is light and easy to digest for those with slow, cold digestion, or to help take a heavy meal and "lighten" it, so your body can assimilate the nutrients of the entire dish.

BALSAMIC VINEGAR

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Vinegar heats up digestion, but aids fat metabolism. Balsamic vinegar is made with red wine, which is hotter than other vinegars.

BITTER MELON

(4.00 out of 5 stars) 3 ratings, 182 likes

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The bitterest member of the gourd family, bitter melon is a popular vegetable in south asia from India northward to China.

BROCCOLI

(4.00 out of 5 stars) 1 rating, 442 likes

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Broccoli is packed with nutrients, high in fiber, and keeps the stomach satisfied for a long time. An entire bag of broccoli has about 100 calories, or the equivalent of two french fries at a fast food restaurant. Raw brassicas contain chemicals...

BURDOCK ROOT (GOBO)

(5.00 out of 5 stars) 1 rating, 138 likes

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Bitter detoxicant, Cold vasodilator, depurative, alterative, astringent diuretic. Stimulates kidneys to eliminate uric acid. like dandelion rt but not a potassium diuretic

CELERY STALK

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The word for celery comes from the Greek word selinon which translates to 'parsley,' a close relative of celery. Celery's powers have been known since antiquity. Leaves of it were found in the garlands surrounding King Tut's tomb, and Homer makes...

CHICKWEED

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Cooling, lymphatic decongestant, alterative, anti-inflammatory diuretic, astringent, bitter. Mild demulcent. like Cleavers but stronger decongestant.

CILANTRO

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Cilantro is the leaf of the coriander seed. Both the leaves and the seeds have citrus overtones. Cilantro, as a cooling herb, pairs well with hot spicy dishes.

DANDELION LEAVES

(5.00 out of 5 stars) 1 rating, 300 likes

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When most people think of dandelion, they think of pulling this pesky weed out of their manicured lawn. It's the poster child for weeds. This is especially ironic because colonists brought the dandelion to the Americas as an important medicinal plant....

ENDIVE

SAVE FOOD

Endives are more bitter and cooling than other greens.

FENUGREEK

(4.50 out of 5 stars) 2 ratings, 237 likes

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Fenugreek is one of the oldest medicinal plants. It has been used since 4000BC. It's name means "ram's horn clover". It was found in the tomb of Tutankhamen.

GINGER (FRESH)

(5.00 out of 5 stars) 4 ratings, 798 likes

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IntroductionA steaming hot mug of ginger tea on a damp day warms up your bones and burns away thick, heavy congestion. When the weather is soggy, you feel tired and groggy. You naturally crave sunlight and heat. Pungent and light,...

GRAPEFRUIT

(5.00 out of 5 stars) 1 rating, 226 likes

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Grapefruit is a relatively new addition to the citrus family. It is a hybrid first discovered in the 18th century. Described as tart, tangy, or sweet, the grapefruit is said to be one of the "Seven Wonders of Barbados, because legend says the fruit was...

HONEY

(5.00 out of 5 stars) 1 rating, 246 likes

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Honey - The Nectar of the Gods This pure and natural heavenly gift from nature was the first sweetener known to man. Honey's sweet goodness has been an icon of abundance for centuries. It's golden syrup seems to capture the very...

KALE

(5.00 out of 5 stars) 1 rating, 381 likes

SAVE FOOD

Start with lacinto kale if regular Kale is too bitter but make sure you eventually switch over to the real stuff.

MUSTARD GREENS

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

PARSLEY (FRESH)

(5.00 out of 5 stars) 1 rating, 212 likes

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Parsley was revered for its medicinal potency long before it was eaten as a food. Native to the central Mediterranean region, the herb was sacred to the ancient Greeks. They used it to adorn victorious athletes and decorate the tombs of the dead.

PARSNIP

(5.00 out of 5 stars) 2 ratings, 102 likes

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Parsnip is native to the Mediterranean, where it is cultivated like carrots.

RADISH (RAW)

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The word radish derives from the latin word for root, "radix." Domesticated in Europe in pre-Roman times, radishes are an edible root of the Brassicaceae family. They come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors. They are inexpensive, grow quickly...

RED ONION (RAW)

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Like all roots cooked onion brings a grounding feel. Yellow onions are the standard onion in American grocery store shelves. White onions tend to be sweeter and crunchier. Red...

ROMAINE LETTUCE

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Nothing is more refreshing on a hot summer day than a crisp salad. All year long, your Ayurvedic practitioner has been telling you to avoid cool foods, but in the summertime, that rule is put on hold. It is the perfect time to enjoy watery, crunchy...

SPANISH BLACK RADISH

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Spanish Black Radish is higher in sulphuric compounds than other radishes, giving it some unique medical properties. See notes on radish.

STEVIA

(3.00 out of 5 stars) 2 ratings, 235 likes

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The...

TURMERIC

(4.64 out of 5 stars) 14 ratings, 1069 likes

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Turmeric is a warm, yellow, earthy, slightly bitter spice used in ritual, medicine, and cooking. Turmeric paste is applied to bride and groom before marriage in some places of India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. Although a deep yellow color, turmeric...

TURMERIC ROOT (FRESH)

SAVE FOOD

See Turmeric.

TURNIP

(5.00 out of 5 stars) 1 rating, 93 likes

SAVE FOOD

Turnips are the quintessential winter vegetable, perfect to cleanse the system after the holidays. Raw brassicas contain chemicals that can block thyroid function called goitrogens. These chemicals are easily inactivated by steaming or cooking.

WATERCRESS

SAVE FOOD

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