School of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

School of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

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AYURVEDIC RECIPES

Chickweed Pesto

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How to Make Chickweed Pesto

SERVINGS: 4
PREP TIME: 5 MINUTES
COOK TIME: 0 MINUTES

STYLE: WESTERN
PREPARATION: RAW

INGREDIENTS

1/2 c
1/2 c
4 clove
1 lbs
1/2 tsp

PREPARATION OF THIS HEALTHY RECIPE

Place all ingredients into a food processor to chop finely.

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 Chickweed Pesto Good for My Ayurvedic Diet?

Find out by taking this free, easy quiz. You'll learn your body type, and whether 'Chickweed Pesto' 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
Guna Help

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.

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HOT

ABOUT HOT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Hot is identified by increased body temperature, metabolism, or inflammation.

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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

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

MOBILE

ABOUT MOBILE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Mobile refers to anything that stimulates the nervous system, muscles, or activity.

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HEAVY

ABOUT HEAVY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Heavy is identified by sedation, sluggishness, or increased weight.

LEARN MORE ABOUT HEAVY

TASTES
Taste Help

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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BITTER

ABOUT BITTER BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Bitter taste has cholagogue action - it is cold, clear, light, and stimulating. It increases digestive enzymes, laxative, and drying.

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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.

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SALTY

ABOUT SALTY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Salty refers to anything with salt, or high mineral content.

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DOSHAS
Dosha Help

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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PACIFIES
Kapha pacifying Vata pacifying
AGGRAVATES
Pitta aggravating
HAS THE FOLLOWING
Subtaste:
Acrid

ACRID

Acrid taste is a combination of bitter and pungent tastes. Example include radish, turnip, and coffee.

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,
Crunchy

CRUNCHY

Makes an audible noise when you eat them. Can provide fun texture variation.

SEE ALL 'CRUNCHY' FOODS / HERBS

,
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

,
Musky

MUSKY

Have an earthy smell to them, such as mushrooms.

SEE ALL 'MUSKY' 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

HERBAL ACTIONS
(see all)

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Chickweed Pesto
Help
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.

Warms Abdomen

WARMS-ABDOMEN

Warms the muscles and organs of the abdomen, stimulating digestion and metabolism.

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,
Appetite Suppressant

APPETITE-SUPPRESSANT

Suppresses hunger without causing weight gain.

SEE ALL 'APPETITE-SUPPRESSANT' FOODS / HERBS

Stimulant Laxative

STIMULANT-LAXATIVE

Stimulant laxatives induce bowel movements by stimulating peristaltic movement (the contraction of smooth muscle in the intestines). They are effective when used on a short-term basis. On a long-term basis, they can create dependency. Aka irritant laxativ

SEE ALL 'STIMULANT-LAXATIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Strengthens Resolve

STRENGTHENS-RESOLVE

Increases determination and courage by reducing stress and building strength.

SEE ALL 'STRENGTHENS-RESOLVE' FOODS / HERBS

Stimulates Energy

STIMULATES-ENERGY

This category groups thyroid and adrenal stimulating herbs.

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,
Satisfies Stomach

SATISFIES-STOMACH

Provides a sense of gratification and fullness in the stomach.

SEE ALL 'SATISFIES-STOMACH' FOODS / HERBS

,
Builds Stamina

BUILDS-STAMINA

Promotes strength, endurance and resistance in the body. Rebuilds weak tissues after a time of depletion.

SEE ALL 'BUILDS-STAMINA' 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

Diaphoretic

DIAPHORETIC

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

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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

,
Soothes Throat

SOOTHES-THROAT

Soothes throat discomfort, including from a sore or ticklish throat.

SEE ALL 'SOOTHES-THROAT' FOODS / HERBS

,
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

,
Decongestant

DECONGESTANT

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

SEE ALL 'DECONGESTANT' FOODS / HERBS

Anthelminthic

ANTHELMINTHIC

Kills parasitic worms (hookworms, tapeworms, roundworms, etc).

SEE ALL 'ANTHELMINTHIC' FOODS / HERBS

,
Antifungal

ANTIFUNGAL

Herbs that destroy fungus.

SEE ALL 'ANTIFUNGAL' 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

, Fats, Sulphur,
Phytates

PHYTATES

Phytates prevent absorption of nutrients. They are commonly found in all seeds, including nuts, grains, and beans. Sprouting greatly reduces phytate content, as well as long, slow cooking with vinegar.

SEE ALL 'PHYTATES' FOODS / HERBS

, Protein,
Saponins

SAPONINS

Can be used to make soap. Saponins stimulate mucus membrane secretion, liquefying mucus for easy removal (expectorant).

SEE ALL 'SAPONINS' FOODS / HERBS

, Sulfated Polysaccharides, Polysaccharides,
Iron

IRON

Iron is necessary for the transport of oxygen in red blood cells.

SEE ALL 'IRON' FOODS / HERBS

,
Inositol

INOSITOL

Inositol is an alcohol sugar made naturally in the human body from glucose. It is lipotropic (aiding fat metabilism in the liver). It affects a variety of hormones, neurotransmitters, steroid, growth factors and water.

SEE ALL 'INOSITOL' FOODS / HERBS

, Sodium

Foods with a Similar Nature to Chickweed Pesto

Garlic (raw)

Garlic (raw) has these Actions in Common

Flushes-sinuses, Warms-chest, Anthelminthic, Cholagogue, Diuretic, Stimulant-laxative, Antifungal, Decongestant, Expectorant, Warms-abdomen, Cardiac-stimulant, Diaphoretic

LEARN MORE

Daikon Radish

Daikon Radish has these Actions in Common

Flushes-sinuses, Warms-chest, Cholagogue, Diuretic, Stimulates-energy, Decongestant, Expectorant, Warms-abdomen, Cardiac-stimulant, Diaphoretic

LEARN MORE

Mustard Seed

Mustard Seed has these Actions in Common

Decongestant, Expectorant, Strengthens-resolve, Diaphoretic, Flushes-sinuses, Warms-abdomen, Cardiac-stimulant, Diuretic, Stimulates-energy, Warms-chest

LEARN MORE

Mustard

Mustard has these Actions in Common

Decongestant, Expectorant, Strengthens-resolve, Diaphoretic, Flushes-sinuses, Warms-abdomen, Cardiac-stimulant, Diuretic, Stimulates-energy, Warms-chest

LEARN MORE

Mustard Powder

Mustard Powder has these Actions in Common

Stimulates-energy, Warms-chest, Decongestant, Expectorant, Strengthens-resolve, Diaphoretic, Flushes-sinuses, Warms-abdomen, Cardiac-stimulant, Diuretic

LEARN MORE

Cinnamon

Cinnamon has these Actions in Common

Soothes-throat, Cardiac-stimulant, Diuretic, Stimulates-energy, Decongestant, Expectorant, Warms-chest, Antifungal, Diaphoretic

LEARN MORE

Wasabi

Wasabi has these Actions in Common

Cardiac-stimulant, Diuretic, Warms-abdomen, Cholagogue, Expectorant, Warms-chest, Diaphoretic, Flushes-sinuses

LEARN MORE

Horseradish

Horseradish has these Actions in Common

Cardiac-stimulant, Diuretic, Warms-abdomen, Cholagogue, Expectorant, Warms-chest, Diaphoretic, Flushes-sinuses

LEARN MORE

Cloves

Cloves has these Actions in Common

Cardiac-stimulant, Warms-abdomen, Anthelminthic, Diaphoretic, Warms-chest, Antifungal, Expectorant

LEARN MORE

Rosemary

Rosemary has these Actions in Common

Cardiac-stimulant, Stimulates-energy, Anthelminthic, Decongestant, Warms-chest, Antifungal, Diaphoretic

LEARN MORE

Spanish Black Radish

Spanish Black Radish has these Actions in Common

Diaphoretic, Flushes-sinuses, Cardiac-stimulant, Diuretic, Cholagogue, Expectorant

LEARN MORE

Herb Supplements with a Similar Nature to Chickweed Pesto

Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi)

Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi) has these Actions in Common

Antifungal, Cardiac-stimulant, Decongestant, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Expectorant, Stimulates-energy, Warms-chest

LEARN MORE

Hot Shower

Hot Shower has these Actions in Common

Diaphoretic, Expectorant, Flushes-sinuses, Warms-chest, Cardiac-stimulant, Decongestant

LEARN MORE

Inhale Steam

Inhale Steam has these Actions in Common

Expectorant, Flushes-sinuses, Soothes-throat, Warms-chest, Decongestant, Diaphoretic

LEARN MORE

Hot Bath

Hot Bath has these Actions in Common

Expectorant, Flushes-sinuses, Warms-chest, Cardiac-stimulant, Decongestant, Diaphoretic

LEARN MORE

Epsom Salt Bath

Epsom Salt Bath has these Actions in Common

Warms-chest, Cardiac-stimulant, Decongestant, Diaphoretic, Expectorant, Flushes-sinuses

LEARN MORE

Bibhitaki

Bibhitaki has these Actions in Common

Decongestant, Expectorant, Stimulant-laxative, Stimulates-energy, Tonic, Anthelminthic

LEARN MORE

Elecampane

Elecampane has these Actions in Common

Expectorant, Stimulates-energy, Anthelminthic, Cardiac-stimulant, Diaphoretic, Diuretic

LEARN MORE

Punarnava

Punarnava has these Actions in Common

Tonic, Builds-stamina, Cardiac-stimulant, Cholagogue, Diuretic, Stimulates-energy

LEARN MORE

Mustard Poultice

Mustard Poultice has these Actions in Common

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

LEARN MORE

Sinus Rinse

Sinus Rinse has these Actions in Common

Antifungal, Decongestant, Diaphoretic, Expectorant, Flushes-sinuses

LEARN MORE

Balarishta- Vitality Tonic

Balarishta- Vitality Tonic has these Actions in Common

Tonic, Warms-abdomen, Builds-stamina, Stimulates-energy, Strengthens-resolve

LEARN MORE


Joyful Belly is a recognized school of biocharacteristics medicine.

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About John Joseph Immel

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 7 kids, and pursuing his love of theology, philosophy, and language.

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