College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

 

AYURVEDIC RECIPES

Bananas With Lemon Juice & Fresh Cilantro


How to Make Bananas with Lemon Juice & Fresh Cilantro

INGREDIENTS

32 g
2 c
1/2 whole

PREPARATION OF THIS HEALTHY RECIPE

Cut bananas into bite sized chunks. Add other ingredients. Mix gently with your hands to avoid crushing the bananas until the corners of the banana are a bit rounded. Shown here garnished with chopped and whole nasturtium flowers.

How Does This Ayurvedic Recipe Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Bananas and Electrolytes

Bananas are a great snack after a summer sweat because they restore electrolytes. Their high potassium content nourishes both the nervous system and the muscles. Eye twitching and muscle spasms in general are early signs of electrolyte imbalance. In early summer, a twitching eye may be your sign to curb excess sweating in early summer as well as a cue to enjoy healthy tropical treats with bananas.

Bananas also have a high sugar content. Under the wiltering summer heat, the high sugar and complex carbohydrates of banana may leave the stomach feeling a bit heavy. The lemon and cilantro aid the digestion of these complex carbohydrates.

Lemons in the Summer

Why is lemonade the most popular beverage of summer? Apart from their resemblance to a ray of sunshine, and juiciness to rival a summer waterfall, lemons open the pores and help you sweat. Sweating actually help keep your body cool. Among herbalists, foods that help you sweat are known as diaphoretics. Diaphoresis, the dilation of pores and blood vessels close to the surface of the skin, is your body's way of turning on the air conditioner.

When the heat makes you feel like youre turning to mush, the astringency of cilantro helps tone and tighten inflamed tissues and digestive tract. Cilantro is also very cooling to the liver and an anti-inflammatory. Also a diuretic, cilantro is a perfect addition to meals to combat water congestion in early summer. Dont like cilantro? Try mint instead.

WHAT IS BANANAS WITH LEMON JUICE & FRESH CILANTRO?

Bananas with Lemon Juice and Cilantro is a sweet, refreshing and restorative summer snack. Lemon and cilantro add a fresh and zesty taste to your appetite for excitement in the summer. It is common in India to serve fruit with spices. This spicey fruit dish was designed by Wasfia Chowdhury.

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 Bananas with Lemon Juice & Fresh Cilantro Good for My Ayurvedic Diet?

Find out by taking this free, easy quiz. You'll learn your body type, and whether 'Bananas with Lemon Juice & Fresh Cilantro' 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.

Metabolic Nature of Bananas with Lemon Juice & Fresh Cilantro

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.

Find Out More

EASY

ABOUT EASY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Easy refers to anything easy to digest, or digests quickly.

LEARN MORE ABOUT EASY

COLD

ABOUT COLD BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold refers to anything that reduces body temperature, metabolism, and blood flow.

LEARN MORE ABOUT COLD

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

DRY

ABOUT DRY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Dry is identified by lack of moisture, lack of fat, or anything that causes diuresis.

LEARN MORE ABOUT DRY

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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ASTRINGENT

ABOUT ASTRINGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Astringency is characterized by constriction, drawing together, or drying.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ASTRINGENT

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 Pitta pacifying Vata pacifying

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
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

PHLEGMATIC

ABOUT PHLEGMATIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Wet & cold. When out of balance becomes congested, stagnant, and overweight. Loving, trusting, and patient.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PHLEGMATIC

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

AGGRAVATES
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

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Bananas with Lemon Juice & Fresh Cilantro
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)
Quenches Thirst

QUENCHES-THIRST

An herb or substance that relieves thirst.

SEE ALL 'QUENCHES-THIRST' FOODS / HERBS

,
Stimulates Peristalsis

STIMULATES-PERISTALSIS

An herb that promotes involuntary smooth muscle contractions to facilitate the movement of food and waste through the digestive tract.

SEE ALL 'STIMULATES-PERISTALSIS' FOODS / HERBS

,
Antacid

ANTACID

Herbs that neutralize acidity in the gastrointestinal tract, the stomach in particular.

SEE ALL 'ANTACID' FOODS / HERBS

Burns Toxins

BURNS-TOXINS

An herb that detoxifies by helping your body metabolize toxins, as opposed to eliminating them.

SEE ALL 'BURNS-TOXINS' 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

,
Relaxes Eyes

RELAXES-EYES

Eases tension in eye muscles, so the eyes feel less strained, often by supporting the liver.

SEE ALL 'RELAXES-EYES' FOODS / HERBS

,
Wakes You Up

WAKES-YOU-UP

Invigorates the body and nervous system, increases energy.

SEE ALL 'WAKES-YOU-UP' FOODS / HERBS

Stimulates Energy

STIMULATES-ENERGY

This category groups thyroid and adrenal stimulating herbs.

SEE ALL 'STIMULATES-ENERGY' FOODS / HERBS

,
Refreshing

REFRESHING

Stimulates and wakes up the body, leaving it feeling cool, fresh, and energized.

SEE ALL 'REFRESHING' FOODS / HERBS

,
Satisfies Stomach

SATISFIES-STOMACH

Provides a sense of gratification and fullness in the stomach.

SEE ALL 'SATISFIES-STOMACH' FOODS / HERBS

Diaphoretic

DIAPHORETIC

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

SEE ALL 'DIAPHORETIC' FOODS / HERBS

,
Refreshes Skin

REFRESHES-SKIN

Flushes the lymphatic system to cool, awaken, and revive the skin.

SEE ALL 'REFRESHES-SKIN' 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

,
Antipruritic

ANTIPRURITIC

Antipruritics are herbs that inhibit itching, often associated with skin conditions such as sunburns, allergic reactions, eczema, psoriasis, chickenpox, fungal infections, insect bites, or contact dermatitis (as in poison ivy rashes).

SEE ALL 'ANTIPRURITIC' FOODS / HERBS

Immune Calming

IMMUNE-CALMING

Herbs that interrupt an allergic reaction or calm the immune system, useful in allergies and autoimmune conditions.

SEE ALL 'IMMUNE-CALMING' FOODS / HERBS

,
Anti Inflammatory

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

Reduces inflammation in the body. Different herbs and carriers target different body systems.

SEE ALL 'ANTI-INFLAMMATORY' FOODS / HERBS

Calms Heart

CALMS-HEART

An herb that literally calms the heart. These herbs are helpful in the treatment of anxiety, sadness, depression, or other emotional imbalances in the heart. Related to the Chinese Herbal Category 'calms spirit.'

SEE ALL 'CALMS-HEART' FOODS / HERBS

,
Refrigerant

REFRIGERANT

An herb or substance that strongly cools the body. Can be helpful in cases of heat conditions.

SEE ALL 'REFRIGERANT' FOODS / HERBS

,
Alterative

ALTERATIVE

Restores the proper function of the body by cleansing the blood and balancing blood chemistry. In Ayurveda terms, they pacify Pitta in rakta. They were traditionally used to revitalize and detoxify after a long winter.

SEE ALL 'ALTERATIVE' FOODS / HERBS

,
Rebuild Electrolytes

REBUILD-ELECTROLYTES

Substances that increase your electrolyte balance. Electrolytes help you retain water, keep your palate moist, and truly quench your thirst.

SEE ALL 'REBUILD-ELECTROLYTES' FOODS / HERBS

Diuretic

DIURETIC

Herbs that promote urine formation, thereby flushing the kidneys and urinary tract while eliminating any excess water retention. As diuretics reduce water retention, they are often used to reduce blood pressure.

SEE ALL 'DIURETIC' FOODS / HERBS

Cholagogue

CHOLAGOGUE

Cholagogues stimulate the production & release of bile from the liver & gallbladder. This refreshes and cleanses these organs, as well as increases bile in the small intestines.

SEE ALL 'CHOLAGOGUE' FOODS / HERBS

Constituents:
Nitric Oxide

NITRIC-OXIDE

Improves circulation by dilating blood vessels. Protects blood vessels from damage. Improves athletic performance, libido, immunity, and brain health.

SEE ALL 'NITRIC-OXIDE' FOODS / HERBS

,
Aromatase Inhibitor

AROMATASE-INHIBITOR

Blocks estrogen synthesis by inhibiting conversion of progesterone and testosterone into estrogen.

SEE ALL 'AROMATASE-INHIBITOR' FOODS / HERBS

,
Coumarin

COUMARIN

Moderately toxic, vascular tonic, hypotensive, and anti-inflammatory.

SEE ALL 'COUMARIN' FOODS / HERBS

, Potassium, Melatonin, Vitamin C, Soluble Fiber, Carbohydrate,
Rutin

RUTIN

Rutin is a flavonoid with anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. Commonly used to treat conditions such as varicose veins, hemorrhoids, and high blood pressure.

SEE ALL 'RUTIN' FOODS / HERBS

,
Flavonoids

FLAVONOIDS

Flavonoids are a colorful type of polyphenol. As all polyphenols, they have a strong antioxidant effect. Many flavonoids have an anti-inflammatory, and/or antiallergen effect.

SEE ALL 'FLAVONOIDS' FOODS / HERBS

,
Polyphenols

POLYPHENOLS

Polyphenols are powerful antioxidants seen in many fruits and vegetables. There are more than 8,000 types.

SEE ALL 'POLYPHENOLS' FOODS / HERBS

Foods with a Similar Nature to Bananas with Lemon Juice & Fresh Cilantro

  • Lemon

    Lemon has these Actions in Common

    Refreshing, Wakes-you-up, Calms-heart, Quenches-thirst, Refrigerant, Cholagogue, Refreshes-skin, Relaxes-eyes, Alterative, Diaphoretic

    LEARN MORE

  • Banana

    Banana has these Actions in Common

    Quenches-thirst, Stimulates-energy, Demulcent, Rebuild-electrolytes, Stimulates-peristalsis, Antacid, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Satisfies-stomach, Antipruritic

    LEARN MORE

  • Acai

    Acai has these Actions in Common

    Wakes-you-up, Alterative, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Refrigerant, Anti-inflammatory, Quenches-thirst, Relaxes-eyes, Cholagogue, Refreshing

    LEARN MORE

  • Jackfruit

    Jackfruit has these Actions in Common

    Anti-inflammatory, Quenches-thirst, Refrigerant, Demulcent, Rebuild-electrolytes, Satisfies-stomach, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Refreshing, Wakes-you-up

    LEARN MORE

  • Cilantro

    Cilantro has these Actions in Common

    Burns-toxins, Immune-calming, Stimulates-energy, Alterative, Cholagogue, Refreshing, Anti-inflammatory, Diuretic, Refrigerant

    LEARN MORE

  • Mint

    Mint has these Actions in Common

    Antipruritic, Immune-calming, Stimulates-energy, Burns-toxins, Refreshes-skin, Wakes-you-up, Diaphoretic, Refreshing

    LEARN MORE

  • Lime

    Lime has these Actions in Common

    Diaphoretic, Refrigerant, Alterative, Quenches-thirst, Wakes-you-up, Cholagogue, Refreshing

    LEARN MORE

  • Strawberries

    Strawberries has these Actions in Common

    Immune-calming, Relaxes-eyes, Alterative, Quenches-thirst, Wakes-you-up, Anti-inflammatory, Refreshing

    LEARN MORE

  • Dandelion Leaves

    Dandelion Leaves has these Actions in Common

    Alterative, Diuretic, Stimulates-peristalsis, Anti-inflammatory, Immune-calming, Cholagogue, Stimulates-energy

    LEARN MORE

  • Beets

    Beets has these Actions in Common

    Stimulates-energy, Anti-inflammatory, Relaxes-eyes, Cholagogue, Satisfies-stomach, Alterative, Nerve-relaxant-grounding

    LEARN MORE

  • Fenugreek

    Fenugreek has these Actions in Common

    Cholagogue, Diuretic, Anti-inflammatory, Demulcent, Stimulates-energy, Burns-toxins, Diaphoretic

    LEARN MORE

Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Nature to Bananas with Lemon Juice & Fresh Cilantro

  • Amalaki

    Amalaki has these Actions in Common

    Refreshing, Refrigerant, Relaxes-eyes, Stimulates-energy, Alterative, Wakes-you-up, Antacid, Anti-inflammatory, Quenches-thirst

    LEARN MORE

  • Amritarishta (Amrutharishtam)

    Amritarishta (Amrutharishtam) has these Actions in Common

    Quenches-thirst, Alterative, Anti-inflammatory, Antipruritic, Burns-toxins, Cholagogue, Diuretic, Immune-calming

    LEARN MORE

  • Neem Leaf

    Neem Leaf has these Actions in Common

    Alterative, Antacid, Anti-inflammatory, Antipruritic, Cholagogue, Diuretic, Immune-calming, Refrigerant

    LEARN MORE

  • Licorice Ghee (9oz)

    Licorice Ghee (9oz) has these Actions in Common

    Demulcent, Immune-calming, Refrigerant, Relaxes-eyes, Alterative, Antacid, Anti-inflammatory, Antipruritic

    LEARN MORE

  • Licorice Root (Yastimadhu)

    Licorice Root (Yastimadhu) has these Actions in Common

    Immune-calming, Refrigerant, Relaxes-eyes, Alterative, Antacid, Anti-inflammatory, Antipruritic, Demulcent

    LEARN MORE

  • Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi)

    Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi) has these Actions in Common

    Diuretic, Immune-calming, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Refreshing, Stimulates-energy, Anti-inflammatory, Burns-toxins, Diaphoretic

    LEARN MORE

  • Shatavari

    Shatavari has these Actions in Common

    Antacid, Anti-inflammatory, Calms-heart, Demulcent, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Refrigerant, Relaxes-eyes

    LEARN MORE

  • Motherwort

    Motherwort has these Actions in Common

    Immune-calming, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Alterative, Anti-inflammatory, Calms-heart, Diaphoretic, Diuretic

    LEARN MORE

  • Mahasudarshan

    Mahasudarshan has these Actions in Common

    Diuretic, Alterative, Anti-inflammatory, Burns-toxins, Cholagogue, Diaphoretic

    LEARN MORE

  • Guluchyadi Kashayam

    Guluchyadi Kashayam has these Actions in Common

    Refrigerant, Alterative, Antacid, Anti-inflammatory, Cholagogue, Immune-calming

    LEARN MORE

  • Cornsilk

    Cornsilk has these Actions in Common

    Cholagogue, Demulcent, Diuretic, Refrigerant, Alterative, Anti-inflammatory

    LEARN MORE


Joyful Belly is a recognized college of biocharacteristics medicine.

View Other Healthy Recipes for Summer

This recipe is recommended for Summer. Check out these other Summer recipes here.
VIEW ALL SUMMER RECIPES MORE VATA / PITTA / KAPHA RECIPES
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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. His approach to Ayurveda is clinical, yet exudes an ease which many find enjoyable and insightful. John also directs the Joyful Belly College of Ayurveda, offering professional clinical training in Ayurveda for over 15 years.

John's hobbies & specialties include advanced digestive disorders, medieval Catholic philosophy, & botany. He holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University. His wife and family of 7 kids live in Asheville, NC.

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Dawn Bowden University place, WA
2012-04-13
“Zowwwweeee! Sweet, sour, tangy explosion in my mouth. The best way I've ever eaten bananas in my life. I have made three of your recipes, Joseph, and every one of them has been wonderful. I'm just beginning Ayurveda (I'm in the third month of a year-long yoga teacher training program), and am so grateful for you and your website. It pairs perfectly with what I am learning in the training. Before, I was experiencing some fear about how Ayurveda might change my life because I didn't know exactly what it was, but now I don't. I've let it go, and you and your site have helped me do that. You are an inspiration. You are my teacher. Namaste, Dawn"
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