ALMOND MILK WITH SAFFRON & CARDAMOM |
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How to Make Almond Milk with Saffron & CardamomSERVINGS: 1 PREP TIME: 5 MINUTES COOK TIME: 10 MINUTES
INGREDIENTS
2 tbsp | |
1 pinch | |
1 tsp | |
1 c | |
2 pinch | |
PREPARATION OF THIS HEALTHY RECIPE
Soak 10 almonds overnight in water. Peel in morning. Grind saffron with mortar and pestle. Add spices, almonds and milk in a blender and puree. Boil, stirring constantly to prevent the milk from sticking to the pan. Pour into glass and add honey.
How Does This Ayurvedic Recipe Improve Wellness?
CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW
Strength & Energy Building Tonic
When the rhythms of nature invite us to seek out foods which nourish and strengthen our bodies, we can take inspiration from the squirrels gathering their nuts in preparation for the long winter. Long before the agricultural revolution, humans relied on nuts for an easily accessible and nutritionally dense sustenance. Their creamy texture must have been a primary source of satisfaction as well.
Since those times, nuts, and particularly almonds, remain one of the best foods to fortify your body. Almonds, and seeds in general, offer all the vitamins and minerals a young plant needs to grow. This enriching quality makes them excellent blood tonics for those with anemia. Almonds also work at a deep level to nourish the bones, helping your body to strengthen from the inside out. Indeed, the benefits of eating almonds are manifested outwardly through soft, firm, supple skin. Almonds also have powerful aphrodisiac and reproductive support qualities. Just inhaling the sweet, rich aroma of warm almond milk begins the process of soothing and nourishing the body.
Due to the time-intensive process of its cultivation, saffron has long been one of the most prized and expensive spices in the world. The richly saturated golden hue is reflective of the powerful qualities it holds as well as its status as one of the kings of the spice world. This vibrant spice comes from the flower stigma of a variety of the crocus plant, and it has been used across the centuries for a broad range of medicinal and therapeutic purposes. Saffron also has a long-standing reputation as an aphrodisiac. It is said that Cleopatra added saffron to her baths in order to enhance the pleasure of her sexual forays.
More importantly, saffron improves circulation, purifies and thins the blood. These actions serve to improve absorption and assimilation of the denser almond, a classic example of how Ayurveda often pairs heavy, rich foods with lighter, stimulating spices.
Calm Your Nerves
With our lives filled with activities, commitments, and relationships which demand our emotional and physical energies, most of us experience feeling a little frazzled these days. The demands of our lives, both positive and otherwise, often leave us feeling the depletion that arises from overly-stimulated nervous systems. Add in the strain of harsh weather or an irregular routine, and you may feel strong emotional and physical effects. When your body and mind feel overwhelmed, Ayurveda has some unique tips to ground your nerves. To start, saffron cools your mind while almonds nourish your nervous system. Every nerve in your body is coated in a layer of fat, called the myelin sheath, that insulates, protects, and guides the electric impulses of your neurons. Without this protective fatty barrier, your signals become frayed and irregular, leading to the sensation of being scattered and over-stimulated. Nourishing this fatty layer of the nervous system is key to settling your mind, for as your body builds up these healthy fats, it can better protect itself from the stresses accumulated over the course of the day. Spiced almond milk offers an excellent way to ingest these rich fats in a way which is easily absorbed by the body and gentle on the digestive system. The addition of saffron and cardamom both increase the medicinal qualities of the beverage and make it even more appetizing and comforting to drink.
Other Uses
Saffron and cardamom are given to children in Iran for colds and flu, often with cow's milk. Saffron, cardamom and honey break up mucus. This spiced almond milk is excellent before bedtime to encourage gentle and restful sleep in those experiencing over-stimulation, cold, and dryness in the body. While those prone to excess mucous accumulation should be judicious with quantity, all body types can enjoy this nourishing and grounding beverage in moderation. WHAT IS ALMOND MILK WITH SAFFRON & CARDAMOM?Tasty & delicious with a golden yellow color. Saffron is an exquisite and luxurious spice, the most expensive in the world.
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.
Is Almond Milk with Saffron & Cardamom Good for My Ayurvedic Diet?
Find out by taking this free, easy quiz.
You'll learn your body type, and whether 'Almond Milk with Saffron & Cardamom' 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.
See a complete list of all biocharacteristics.
INCREASES
Increases These Biocharacteristics (Gunas)
Functional Ayurveda helps you assess imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics
(gunas).
Aggravating these characteristics weakens your body and causes imbalance.
By knowing which characteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct imbalances before you get sick.
Every characteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold).
You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite characteristic.
Learn More
| CLEAR ABOUT CLEAR BIOCHARACTERISTIC
Clear refers to anything that cleanses or flushes out wastes, or that digests ama.
LEARN MORE ABOUT CLEAR MOBILE ABOUT MOBILE BIOCHARACTERISTIC
Mobile refers to anything that stimulates the nervous system, muscles, or activity.
LEARN MORE ABOUT MOBILE 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 HEAVY ABOUT HEAVY BIOCHARACTERISTIC
Heavy is identified by sedation, sluggishness, or increased weight.
LEARN MORE ABOUT HEAVY DRY ABOUT DRY BIOCHARACTERISTIC
Dry is identified by lack of moisture, lack of fat, or anything that causes diuresis.
LEARN MORE ABOUT DRY COLD ABOUT COLD BIOCHARACTERISTIC
Cold refers to anything that reduces body temperature, metabolism, and blood flow.
LEARN MORE ABOUT COLD | 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?
Learn More
| SWEET ABOUT SWEET BIOCHARACTERISTIC
Sweet refers to anything builds tissue, including macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats.
LEARN MORE ABOUT SWEET ASTRINGENT ABOUT ASTRINGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC
Astringency is characterized by constriction, drawing together, or drying.
LEARN MORE ABOUT ASTRINGENT | DOSHAS
The Three Doshas / Body Types
According to the biocharacteristic theory of medicine,
people tend to get sick, over and over again, due to habitual causes and imbalances that are unique to the person.
Your body type summarizes this tendency, showing you the 'type' of conditions and imbalances that frequently challenge your health & wellness.
Using body type, you can also identify remedies likely to improve your strength and resiliency.
Your body type identifies physical and mental characteristics as well as your personal strengths and weaknesses.
The calculation of your body type is based on your medical history.
The 3 functional body types
(doshas),
are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha).
Catabolic individuals tend to break down body mass into energy. They are easily stimulated, hyperactive, underweight and dry.
Metabolic individuals tend to burn or use energy. They tend to be rosy-cheeked, easily irritated, focused, driven, and easily inflamed.
Anabolic individuals tend to store energy as body mass. If they store too much energy, they could gain weight easily and have congestion. Anabolic people tend to be stable and grounded.
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| | HAS THE FOLLOWING | Subtaste:
Aromatic AROMATIC
Herbs or spices with volatile essential oils that present strong aromas. Aromatic oils shock, refresh and numb tissue, with the end result of relaxing, opening and clearing stagnant fluids in tissues.
SEE ALL 'AROMATIC' FOODS / HERBS , Bland BLAND
Bland means doesn't have much taste. In Chinese medicine, bland taste refers to afood without little macronutrients, such as cabbage, radish or bok choy.
SEE ALL 'BLAND' FOODS / HERBS |
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Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Almond Milk with Saffron & Cardamom 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.
, Carminative CARMINATIVE
Stimulates the release of gas. Helpful for bloating or cramping abdominal pain. Propels food downward. Carminatives typically expel gas by relaxing the muscles of the intestines.
SEE ALL 'CARMINATIVE' FOODS / HERBS , Stomachic STOMACHIC
An herb that increases appetite or settles a nauseas or nervous stomach. These generally increase the digestive fire, therefore relieving symptoms of sluggish or difficult digestion.
SEE ALL 'STOMACHIC' FOODS / HERBS , High Fiber Laxative HIGH-FIBER-LAXATIVE
A class of laxative that adds bulk and water to stools. The large size of the stool stimulates peristalsis so the stool can pass more easily through the colon. It is important to drink plenty of water when using high fiber laxatives, as they can be dehydr
SEE ALL 'HIGH-FIBER-LAXATIVE' FOODS / HERBS Nerve Relaxant Grounding NERVE-RELAXANT-GROUNDING
Encourages feelings of stability and heaviness. Makes you feel settled, mentally relaxed. Mildly sedates the nervous system to ease stress. Can bring a spacey or anxious person back to earth. Reduces agitation, irritation, stress and racing thoughts.
SEE ALL 'NERVE-RELAXANT-GROUNDING' FOODS / HERBS , Sedative SEDATIVE
Sedative herbs create a sense of calm in the mind and body by specifically calming or quieting the nervous system. Excellent for anxiety, stress and chronic pain.
SEE ALL 'SEDATIVE' FOODS / HERBS , , Nervine NERVINE
Balances the nervous system. They can help with stress, memory, early alzheimer's, and even chronic pain. Often they are aromatic in nature.
SEE ALL 'NERVINE' FOODS / HERBS , , , Tonic TONIC
A tonic herb restores function through strengthening tissue. This can happen through a combination of nourishing the tissue, and invigorating tissue metabolism. The tonic should not be withering, as in caffeine.
SEE ALL 'TONIC' FOODS / HERBS , , Demulcent DEMULCENT
Herbs that coat or form a soothing film over a mucous membrane, relieving minor pain and inflammation of the membrane.
SEE ALL 'DEMULCENT' FOODS / HERBS , Antipoisonous ANTIPOISONOUS
An antidote for a poison. Many anti-poisonous herbs draw out a poison and are good for insect bites. Others help burn it up.
SEE ALL 'ANTIPOISONOUS' FOODS / HERBS Blood Tonic BLOOD-TONIC
An herb that produces more blood cells in the body, or otherwise improves blood cell quality or hemoglobin content. Helpful for anemia and other types of deficiency.
SEE ALL 'BLOOD-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS , Cardiac Tonic CARDIAC-TONIC
Strengthens and tones the heart (heart-tonic). Cardiac tonics are used to treat a wide range of heart issues from arrhythmia, to cardiac insufficiency.
SEE ALL 'CARDIAC-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS Livotonic LIVOTONIC
An herb that strengthens the liver. It is helpful for people with a history of substance abuse, chronic liver issues from hepatitis and hemolytic anemias. Generally, liver tonics are oily, cool, sweet, mildly sour, or contain beta-carotene.
SEE ALL 'LIVOTONIC' FOODS / HERBS Aphrodisiac APHRODISIAC
Herbs that increase sexual arousal through various actions including increased circulation, relaxation, stimulation, or tonics that strengthen glandular health.
SEE ALL 'APHRODISIAC' FOODS / HERBS , , , , Emmenagogue EMMENAGOGUE
Herbs which stimulate menstruation. Emmenagogues are used for scanty menstruation, to relieve menstrual pain, and improve blood flow in the pelvic area and uterus.
SEE ALL 'EMMENAGOGUE' FOODS / HERBS Muscle Tonic MUSCLE-TONIC
Herbs that strengthen and tone muscle tissue. Helpful for people recovering from long term illness and debility, or after a sprain.
SEE ALL 'MUSCLE-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS
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Foods with a Similar Nature to Almond Milk with Saffron & Cardamom
Almonds
Almonds has these Actions in Common
Aphrodisiac, Brain-tonic, General-laxative, Muscle-tonic, Nutritive, Skin-tonic, Blood-tonic, Builds-semen, High-fiber-laxative, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Promotes-virility, Stimulates-energy, Bone-tonic, Builds-stamina, Muscle-relaxant, Nervine, Satisfies-stomach, Tonic
LEARN MORE
Saffron
Saffron has these Actions in Common
Aphrodisiac, Carminative, Emmenagogue, Nervine, Skin-tonic, Antipoisonous, Blood-tonic, Diaphoretic, Galactagogue, Nutritive, Stimulates-energy, Antipyretic, Cardiac-tonic, Diuretic, Livotonic, Sedative, Stomachic
LEARN MORE
Sesame Seeds
Sesame Seeds has these Actions in Common
Bone-tonic, Galactagogue, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Satisfies-stomach, Tonic, Builds-semen, General-laxative, Nutritive, Skin-tonic, Blood-tonic, Builds-stamina, Muscle-tonic, Promotes-virility, Stimulates-energy
LEARN MORE
Tahini
Tahini has these Actions in Common
Bone-tonic, Galactagogue, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Satisfies-stomach, Tonic, Builds-semen, General-laxative, Nutritive, Skin-tonic, Blood-tonic, Builds-stamina, Muscle-tonic, Promotes-virility, Stimulates-energy
LEARN MORE
Sesame Oil
Sesame Oil has these Actions in Common
Builds-semen, Livotonic, Promotes-virility, Tonic, Blood-tonic, Builds-stamina, Muscle-tonic, Skin-tonic, Bone-tonic, Galactagogue, Nutritive, Stimulates-energy
LEARN MORE
Jackfruit
Jackfruit has these Actions in Common
Cardiac-tonic, Muscle-tonic, Quenches-thirst, Tonic, Aphrodisiac, Demulcent, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Satisfies-stomach, Builds-semen, High-fiber-laxative, Nutritive, Soothing
LEARN MORE
Grape
Grape has these Actions in Common
Aphrodisiac, Builds-semen, High-fiber-laxative, Nutritive, Blood-tonic, Diuretic, Livotonic, Quenches-thirst, Brain-tonic, General-laxative, Nervine, Tonic
LEARN MORE
Fenugreek
Fenugreek has these Actions in Common
Carminative, Diuretic, Nervine, Stomachic, Antipyretic, Demulcent, Emmenagogue, Nutritive, Aphrodisiac, Diaphoretic, Galactagogue, Stimulates-energy
LEARN MORE
Dates (dried)
Dates (dried) has these Actions in Common
Muscle-tonic, Aphrodisiac, Diuretic, High-fiber-laxative, Nutritive, Blood-tonic, Galactagogue, Livotonic, Tonic, Demulcent, General-laxative
LEARN MORE
Milk
Milk has these Actions in Common
Nutritive, Soothes-throat, General-laxative, Quenches-thirst, Soothing, Bone-tonic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Satisfies-stomach, Tonic, Demulcent
LEARN MORE
Popped Amaranth
Popped Amaranth has these Actions in Common
Diuretic, Muscle-tonic, Satisfies-stomach, Blood-tonic, High-fiber-laxative, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Soothing, Demulcent, Muscle-relaxant, Nutritive
LEARN MORE
Herb Supplements with a Similar Nature to Almond Milk with Saffron & Cardamom
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha has these Actions in Common
Builds-stamina, Promotes-virility, Diuretic, Sedative, Tonic, Antipyretic, Galactagogue, Aphrodisiac, Muscle-relaxant, Blood-tonic, Muscle-tonic, Bone-tonic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Brain-tonic, Nervine, Builds-semen, Nutritive
LEARN MORE
Amalaki
Amalaki has these Actions in Common
Cardiac-tonic, Tonic, Carminative, General-laxative, Antipyretic, Nutritive, Aphrodisiac, Promotes-virility, Blood-tonic, Quenches-thirst, Brain-tonic, Skin-tonic, Builds-semen, Stimulates-energy
LEARN MORE
Gokshura
Gokshura has these Actions in Common
Muscle-relaxant, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Nervine, Nutritive, Aphrodisiac, Sedative, Builds-semen, Skin-tonic, Demulcent, Soothing, Diuretic, Tonic
LEARN MORE
Vidari
Vidari has these Actions in Common
Galactagogue, Livotonic, Muscle-tonic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Aphrodisiac, Nutritive, Builds-semen, Soothes-throat, Demulcent, Soothing, Diuretic, Tonic
LEARN MORE
Oats, Fresh Milky Seed
Oats, Fresh Milky Seed has these Actions in Common
Muscle-relaxant, Tonic, Muscle-tonic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Nervine, Nutritive, Promotes-virility, Blood-tonic, Sedative, Brain-tonic, Soothing
LEARN MORE
Bala
Bala has these Actions in Common
Builds-semen, Tonic, Builds-stamina, Demulcent, Muscle-tonic, Nervine, Nutritive, Promotes-virility, Aphrodisiac, Stimulates-energy
LEARN MORE
KapiKacchu
KapiKacchu has these Actions in Common
Brain-tonic, Stimulates-energy, Builds-semen, Carminative, Diuretic, Emmenagogue, General-laxative, Muscle-relaxant, Aphrodisiac, Nervine
LEARN MORE
Punarnava
Punarnava has these Actions in Common
Cardiac-tonic, Diuretic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Promotes-virility, Antipoisonous, Stimulates-energy, Blood-tonic, Tonic, Builds-semen, Builds-stamina
LEARN MORE
Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi)
Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi) has these Actions in Common
Muscle-relaxant, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Nervine, Sedative, Blood-tonic, Stimulates-energy, Diaphoretic, Stomachic, Diuretic, Emmenagogue
LEARN MORE
Saw Palmetto
Saw Palmetto has these Actions in Common
Nervine, Nutritive, Soothes-throat, Soothing, Aphrodisiac, Tonic, Diuretic, Galactagogue, Muscle-tonic
LEARN MORE
Chyavanprash Nutritive Jam
Chyavanprash Nutritive Jam has these Actions in Common
Carminative, General-laxative, Muscle-tonic, Nutritive, Promotes-virility, Stimulates-energy, Blood-tonic, Tonic, Cardiac-tonic
LEARN MORE
Joyful Belly is a recognized school of biocharacteristics medicine.
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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 biocharacteristics.
His approach to Ayurveda is clinical, yet exudes an ease which many find enjoyable and insightful.
John also directs Joyful Belly's School of Ayurveda,
offering professional clinical training in Ayurveda for over 15 years.
John's interest in Ayurveda and specialization in digestive tract pathology was inspired by a complex digestive disorder acquired from years of international travel,
as well as public service work in South Asia.
John's commitment to the detailed study of digestive disorders reflects his zeal to get down to the roots of the problem.
His hope and belief in the capacity of each & every client to improve their quality of life is nothing short of a personal passion.
John's creativity in the kitchen and delight in cooking for others comes from his family oriented upbringing.
In addition to his certification in Ayurveda, John holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University.
John enjoys sharing Ayurveda within the context of his Catholic roots,
and finds Ayurveda gives him an opportunity to participate in the healing mission of the Church.
Jesus expressed God's love by feeding and healing the sick.
That kindness is the fundamental ministry of Ayurveda as well.
Outside of work, John enjoys spending time with his wife and 6 kids, and pursuing his love of theology, philosophy, and language.
Read more
Comments & Impressions of 'Almond Milk With Saffron & Cardamom'
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(5.00 out of 5 stars) 4 ratings, 358 likes Sign in to review this recipe
what about using almond milk (store bought) instead of milk and almonds?
- Dave Blackburn, Denver, CO , 12-06-11 ( Reply)
David, that is a fine substitute if dairy is a problem. Thanks for the suggestion!
1-2 cups a day is sufficient unless you need more nourishment. Depending on your constitution, milk before bed might aggravate mucus (aggravate Kapha), or might help soothe you to sleep (pacify Vata).
Fabulous. I used a combination of commercial almond milk and organic whole diary milk. The tsp of honey is a bit too sweet for me, so I'll cut back on that next time.
Cinnamon would be a nice addition, as long as you're not Pitta.
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