College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

 

AYURVEDIC HERB SUPPLEMENTS

Hot Shower

A hot shower can relax nerves, help expectorate mucus, and the steam can reduce irritation of the throat and lungs.

How Does This Ayurvedic Home Remedy Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

A hot shower can relax nerves, help expectorate mucus, and the steam can reduce irritation of the throat and lungs.

Metabolic Nature of Hot Shower

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.

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CLEAR

ABOUT CLEAR BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Clear refers to anything that cleanses or flushes out wastes, or that digests ama.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CLEAR

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

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?

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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.

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PACIFIES
Kapha pacifying Vata pacifying
AGGRAVATES
Pitta 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.

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PACIFIES
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

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

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

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Hot Shower
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)
Diaphoretic

DIAPHORETIC

An herb that induces sweating, often by dilating blood vessels close to the skin.

SEE ALL 'DIAPHORETIC' FOODS / HERBS

Clears Sinuses

CLEARS-SINUSES

Cleanses sinuses by draining excess mucus, allowing for clear, easy breathing.

SEE ALL 'CLEARS-SINUSES' FOODS / HERBS

,
Flushes Sinuses

FLUSHES-SINUSES

An herb that relieves sinus congestion by flushing out mucus.

SEE ALL 'FLUSHES-SINUSES' FOODS / HERBS

,
Warms Chest

WARMS-CHEST

Warms the chest and lungs, clearing mucus and allowing for clear breathing. Often these herbs are hot, aromatic, and pungent.

SEE ALL 'WARMS-CHEST' FOODS / HERBS

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Bronchodilator

BRONCHODILATOR

An herb that encourages the widening or opening of the lung airways. They are helpful in wheezing and asthma.

SEE ALL 'BRONCHODILATOR' FOODS / HERBS

,
Decongestant

DECONGESTANT

An herb that reduces mucus production often by restricting blood flow to mucus membranes.

SEE ALL 'DECONGESTANT' FOODS / HERBS

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Expectorant

EXPECTORANT

Expectorants help you eliminate mucus from the lungs. These herbs often work by increasing the quantity of mucus, or thinning the mucus. Expectorants are indicated when phlegm congests the lower respiratory tract.

SEE ALL 'EXPECTORANT' FOODS / HERBS

,
Hydrotherapy

HYDROTHERAPY

Uses water in various forms (liquid, steam, or ice) to promote health and wellness. Includes baths, steam, etc.

SEE ALL 'HYDROTHERAPY' FOODS / HERBS

,
Mucolytic

MUCOLYTIC

An herb that breaks apart mucus, liquefying the mucus.

SEE ALL 'MUCOLYTIC' FOODS / HERBS

Flushes Membranes

FLUSHES-MEMBRANES

Herbs in this category stimulate mucus membranes to release fluids, flushing them out.

SEE ALL 'FLUSHES-MEMBRANES' FOODS / HERBS

Cardiac Stimulant

CARDIAC-STIMULANT

Herbs that increase the heart rate. Useful in cardiovascular health, blood stagnation, and subjective feeling of heaviness in the chest area.

SEE ALL 'CARDIAC-STIMULANT' FOODS / HERBS

,
Warms Head

WARMS-HEAD

An herb that increases sensations of heat and warmth in the head.

SEE ALL 'WARMS-HEAD' FOODS / HERBS

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Vasodilator

VASODILATOR

A vasodilator is an herb that widens the blood vessels by the relaxation of smooth muscle cells within the vessel walls, thereby increasing circulation systemically or to a local area.

SEE ALL 'VASODILATOR' FOODS / HERBS

Muscle Relaxant

MUSCLE-RELAXANT

Herbs that relax muscles. Helpful for chronic pain or tension as well as healing from physical trauma.

SEE ALL 'MUSCLE-RELAXANT' FOODS / HERBS

,
Relieves Tension

RELIEVES-TENSION

An herb that releases tightness, constriction, and rigidity in a muscle.

SEE ALL 'RELIEVES-TENSION' FOODS / HERBS

,
Antispasmodic

ANTISPASMODIC

Herbs that reduce or inhibit muscle spasms or cramping, such as in asthma, menstruation, heart palpitations, migraine, or IBS.

SEE ALL 'ANTISPASMODIC' FOODS / HERBS

Foods with a Similar Nature to Hot Shower

  • Mustard Powder

    Mustard Powder has these Actions in Common

    Warms-head, Cardiac-stimulant, Diaphoretic, Flushes-sinuses, Vasodilator, Antispasmodic, Clears-sinuses, Expectorant, Muscle-relaxant, Warms-chest, Bronchodilator, Decongestant, Flushes-membranes, Relieves-tension

    LEARN MORE

  • Mustard

    Mustard has these Actions in Common

    Cardiac-stimulant, Diaphoretic, Flushes-sinuses, Vasodilator, Antispasmodic, Clears-sinuses, Expectorant, Muscle-relaxant, Warms-chest, Bronchodilator, Decongestant, Flushes-membranes, Relieves-tension, Warms-head

    LEARN MORE

  • Mustard Seed

    Mustard Seed has these Actions in Common

    Flushes-sinuses, Vasodilator, Antispasmodic, Clears-sinuses, Expectorant, Muscle-relaxant, Warms-chest, Bronchodilator, Decongestant, Flushes-membranes, Relieves-tension, Warms-head, Cardiac-stimulant, Diaphoretic

    LEARN MORE

  • Daikon Radish

    Daikon Radish has these Actions in Common

    Cardiac-stimulant, Diaphoretic, Mucolytic, Clears-sinuses, Expectorant, Warms-chest, Bronchodilator, Decongestant, Flushes-sinuses, Warms-head

    LEARN MORE

  • Cayenne Pepper

    Cayenne Pepper has these Actions in Common

    Decongestant, Flushes-sinuses, Warms-chest, Antispasmodic, Diaphoretic, Mucolytic, Cardiac-stimulant, Expectorant, Vasodilator

    LEARN MORE

  • Garlic (raw)

    Garlic (raw) has these Actions in Common

    Cardiac-stimulant, Expectorant, Vasodilator, Decongestant, Flushes-sinuses, Warms-chest, Bronchodilator, Diaphoretic, Mucolytic

    LEARN MORE

  • Horseradish

    Horseradish has these Actions in Common

    Cardiac-stimulant, Expectorant, Vasodilator, Clears-sinuses, Flushes-sinuses, Warms-chest, Diaphoretic, Mucolytic

    LEARN MORE

  • Wasabi

    Wasabi has these Actions in Common

    Cardiac-stimulant, Expectorant, Vasodilator, Clears-sinuses, Flushes-sinuses, Warms-chest, Diaphoretic, Mucolytic

    LEARN MORE

  • Allspice

    Allspice has these Actions in Common

    Cardiac-stimulant, Muscle-relaxant, Warms-head, Clears-sinuses, Vasodilator, Antispasmodic, Decongestant, Warms-chest

    LEARN MORE

  • Rosemary

    Rosemary has these Actions in Common

    Cardiac-stimulant, Muscle-relaxant, Antispasmodic, Decongestant, Vasodilator, Bronchodilator, Diaphoretic, Warms-chest

    LEARN MORE

  • Scallions (Raw)

    Scallions (Raw) has these Actions in Common

    Diaphoretic, Vasodilator, Clears-sinuses, Expectorant, Warms-chest, Decongestant, Mucolytic

    LEARN MORE

Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Nature to Hot Shower

  • Hot Bath

    Hot Bath has these Actions in Common

    Diaphoretic, Vasodilator, Expectorant, Warms-chest, Flushes-membranes, Warms-head, Antispasmodic, Flushes-sinuses, Bronchodilator, Hydrotherapy, Cardiac-stimulant, Mucolytic, Clears-sinuses, Muscle-relaxant, Decongestant, Relieves-tension

    LEARN MORE

  • Epsom Salt Bath

    Epsom Salt Bath has these Actions in Common

    Cardiac-stimulant, Mucolytic, Clears-sinuses, Muscle-relaxant, Decongestant, Relieves-tension, Diaphoretic, Vasodilator, Expectorant, Warms-chest, Flushes-membranes, Warms-head, Antispasmodic, Flushes-sinuses, Bronchodilator, Hydrotherapy

    LEARN MORE

  • Inhale Steam

    Inhale Steam has these Actions in Common

    Flushes-membranes, Flushes-sinuses, Hydrotherapy, Bronchodilator, Mucolytic, Clears-sinuses, Vasodilator, Decongestant, Warms-chest, Diaphoretic, Warms-head, Expectorant

    LEARN MORE

  • Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi)

    Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi) has these Actions in Common

    Decongestant, Diaphoretic, Expectorant, Muscle-relaxant, Antispasmodic, Vasodilator, Bronchodilator, Warms-chest, Cardiac-stimulant, Warms-head, Clears-sinuses

    LEARN MORE

  • Encourage a Sweat / Sweat Therapy

    Encourage a Sweat / Sweat Therapy has these Actions in Common

    Muscle-relaxant, Relieves-tension, Antispasmodic, Vasodilator, Bronchodilator, Cardiac-stimulant, Decongestant, Diaphoretic, Flushes-membranes

    LEARN MORE

  • Sit in the Sauna

    Sit in the Sauna has these Actions in Common

    Relieves-tension, Antispasmodic, Vasodilator, Bronchodilator, Cardiac-stimulant, Decongestant, Diaphoretic, Flushes-membranes, Muscle-relaxant

    LEARN MORE

  • Hot Foot Soak

    Hot Foot Soak has these Actions in Common

    Muscle-relaxant, Relieves-tension, Vasodilator, Antispasmodic, Cardiac-stimulant, Diaphoretic, Flushes-sinuses, Hydrotherapy

    LEARN MORE

  • Deodar (Himalayan Cedar, Devadaru)

    Deodar (Himalayan Cedar, Devadaru) has these Actions in Common

    Antispasmodic, Bronchodilator, Cardiac-stimulant, Decongestant, Muscle-relaxant, Vasodilator, Warms-chest, Warms-head

    LEARN MORE

  • Mustard Poultice

    Mustard Poultice has these Actions in Common

    Expectorant, Flushes-sinuses, Vasodilator, Bronchodilator, Cardiac-stimulant, Decongestant, Diaphoretic

    LEARN MORE

  • Chest Rub with Essential Oils

    Chest Rub with Essential Oils has these Actions in Common

    Vasodilator, Bronchodilator, Cardiac-stimulant, Decongestant, Expectorant, Flushes-sinuses, Mucolytic

    LEARN MORE


Joyful Belly is a recognized college of biocharacteristics medicine.

TRADITIONALLY INDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

Hot Shower may be beneficial for these symptoms. The suitability of any herb supplement for a condition is highly dependent on the individual. Please see your doctor before using this herb supplement to treat a medical condition.

CONTRAINDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

Hot Shower 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 herb supplement to treat a medical condition.

Herb Drug Interaction Risk

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

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Founder of Joyful Belly Ayurveda, John Immel, answers the question ‘What is Ayurveda?’

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