ADZUKI BEANS

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Adzuki beans are known to have originated in China where they are used extensively in traditional medicine. They are a staple in the macrobiotic diet and very popular in Japan, second only to the soybean in terms of consumption and popularity.

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)

BARLEY

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Barley has an ancient history, and was first cultivated in the Near East.

BEEF

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Red meat strongly rebuilds deficient blood. It is especially useful in late summer and early fall. Red meat increases Pitta and Kapha. Too much red meat clogs the lymphatic system (Kapha blocking Vata in rasa dhatu), and causes blood stangation...

BLACK BEANS

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Black beans are a rich source of vegetable protein, easing any meat cravings for those seeking satiation. The shiny obsidian quality of the beans are a beautiful addition to any meal, providing an earthy depth and dark contrast. Black beans appear...

BLACK-EYED PEAS

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Popular in southern soul food. Apparently, eating black eyed peas on New Years Day brings prosperity.

BROWN LENTIL

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Beans are the 'musical fruit' because they contain saponins to protect themselves against insects. Saponins form the sudsy foam on the surface of a cooking pot of beans. They prevent protein digestion resulting in stagnation and gas of the bowels.

BROWN RICE

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Brown rice has a superior nutritional profile than white rice but it more difficult to digest. Brown rice is made by removing the husk from harvested rice grain but the bran layer and the germ are kept intact. In white rice, the bran and germ are...

BUTTER BEAN

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Beans are the 'musical fruit' because they contain saponins to protect themselves against insects. Saponins form the sudsy foam on the surface of a cooking pot of beans. They prevent protein digestion resulting in stagnation and gas of the bowels.

CANNELINI

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Cannelini beans are italian.

CAROB

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Carob is a hardy tree resistant to harsh climate and drought. It was used to feed swine and donkeys during famine. In the talmud and bible, numerous rabbis, the prodigal son, and St. John the Baptist reportedly lived on carob in the wilderness, earning...

CHICKEN

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The dark meat of chicken is oily and has a rich fat content, making it a grounding, nourishing meat for Vata and Pitta. Chicken is an excellent choice to balance conditions of dryness and debility by giving the body strong protein with a heavy dose...

CHICKPEA (GARBANZO)

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The short answer is yes, chickpeas are good for you. Here are some of the ways: The fiber in chickpeas is nearly 75% insoluble and remains undigested as it reaches the colon. This significantly bulks up stools for a satisfying morning...

CHICKWEED

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

DANDELION LEAVES

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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....

EGGS

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Egg whites are a great source of protein. The egg yolks are a hearty and nourishing tonic pacifying Vata but aggravating Kapha. Egg yolks are high in cholesterol. Egg yolks are heating, and mildly aggravating to Pitta. Some people are allergic to the...

FENUGREEK

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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.

KIDNEY BEANS

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Beans are the 'musical fruit' because they contain saponins to protect themselves against insects. Saponins form the sudsy foam on the surface of a cooking pot of beans. They prevent protein digestion resulting in stagnation and gas of the bowels.

LIMA BEANS

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Lima beans are a relatively sweet, easy to digest bean and an important source of protein for vegetarian.

MILLET

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Millet is drier than other grains. It's astringency can help bind diarrhea. It is warmer than other grains, stimulating good digestion and agni. Due to astringency, millet may feel like sandpaper if the tissues of the digestive tract are irritated or...

MUNG BEAN

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Looking for a new way to keep your body refreshed and cleansed this summer? Mung beans can help you keep your cool when the days are hot. These nourishing legumes are also famous for their cleansing abilities in Ayurveda.

OATS / OATMEAL

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The expression "Feeling your oats" testifies to the use of oats as a tonic for increased vigor. Oats calms the nervous system by nourishing and strengthening. It is useful for insomnia and anxiety. Oats have a slimy quality (they are demulcent)...

ORANGE

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The peel contains diosmin and hesperidin usually in varicose veins and hemorrhoids.

PEACHES

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Originating from South Asia and China, today's peaches tempt weary travellers on summer highways in the South. The sight of a rough, hand-written "Peaches" sign along a hot, dusty roadside is enough to induce salivation for the soft, juicy sweet taste...

PEARS

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Pears are an ancient fruit eaten since pre-historic times. Older varieties of pear had a hardened flesh that required hours of cooking to soften. Impossible to eat raw, the Romans stewed pears with honey and spices. Around the 18th century pears were...

PINTO BEANS

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Pinto beans are a 'mottled' bean. Regarding their cultural importance, pinto beans are the official state vegetable of Nex Mexico, where I studied ayurveda! Pinto beans are used for refried beans and chili. They are also called 'frijoles' in Mexico.

PORK

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This substantial meat builds blood and strength (balya). It's strengthening qualities (bruhana) are ideal for weak, or deficient clients. A pork stew with kale, garlic, ginger, and molasses is a tasty postpartum dish that will rebuild blood...

RED LENTILS (MASOOR DAL)

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Red lentils are more Vata provoking than mung beans, harder to digest, and more drying. Traditional dals are heavily spiced and very thin. Thick lentil soups are generally too heavy for western digestive systems unaccustomed to legumes as a source of...

RYE

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Rye is hearty, heavy, mildly bitter and pungent. A great winter grain.

SOY BEANS

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Soy bean is an ancient crop from East Asia that was domesticated as early as 6-7,000 B.C., almost 9,000 years ago!

SPELT FLOUR

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Spelt...

SPLIT PEAS

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Beans are the 'musical fruit' because they contain saponins to protect themselves against insects. Saponins form the sudsy foam on the surface of a cooking pot of beans. They prevent protein digestion resulting in stagnation and gas of the bowels.

SWEET PEAS

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Sweet peas (and string beans) are among the most easily digestible beans, and are thus an important source of fiber and protein. They can help you stay regular and feel satisfied after meals. Their naturally cooling properties are soothing to...

TAMARIND

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Tamarind is a tropical fruit in the pea family, widely used in chutneys, sauces, soup stocks, and desserts. It is indigenous to Africa but widely cultivated in India for thousands of years, and now in all tropical regions. It's name is derived from the...

TOFU

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Tofu was invented in China over 2000 years ago.

URAD DAL

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Traditionally used in idli's because it is lower quality than other dal's.

WHITE NAVY BEAN

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These white beans earned their name because of their widespread use by the navy, who considered the navy bean to be very nutritious. It is also a hardy variety easy to grow. Cannelini, Butter Beans and Great Northern Bean are two other kinds of white...

YELLOW LENTIL (TOOR DAL)

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Beans are the 'musical fruit' because they contain saponins to protect themselves against insects. Saponins form the sudsy foam on the surface of a cooking pot of beans. They prevent protein digestion resulting in stagnation and gas of the bowels....