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)
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...
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...
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...
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 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.
Oatmeal is warm, soft, and gently nourishing. The expression "Feeling your oats" testifies to the use of oats as a tonic for increased vigor. Oatmeal provides steady, long-lasting energy without overstimulating the system, making oatmeal a perfect...
The peel contains diosmin and hesperidin usually in varicose veins and hemorrhoids.
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...
Pork refers to the meat of the domestic pig (Sus scrofa domesticus), prized for its tenderness and rich umami flavor. Depending on the cut and preparation, pork can range from delicate and mild (as in tenderloin or loin chops) to deeply savory and...
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 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...
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Founder of Joyful Belly Ayurveda, John Immel, answers the question ‘What is Ayurveda?’