College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

 

AYURVEDIC RECIPES

Cilantro Lime Salsa


How to Make Cilantro Lime Salsa

INGREDIENTS

32 g
1/2 c
1 whole

PREPARATION OF THIS HEALTHY RECIPE

Chop the raw onions and cilantro. Mix and marinate them in the lime juice for one hour.

How Does This Ayurvedic Recipe Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Freshen up your skin for spring! Spring fever is here and rosy cheeks will soon replace your winter pallor. The warmer temperatures stimulate blood flow, especially to the skin. That's why on hot humid days your might some notice congestion and swelling of the feet and hands. The swelling is a sign that your winter skin may benefit from some encouragement.

Cilantro Lime Salsa helps prepare your body for the warmer weather ahead by flushing the skin, liver, and digestive tract. By opening the pores, raw onions help cleanse the skin and flush our hands and feet when they are swollen. Raw onions also purge and cleanse the digestive tract. The onions in Cilantro Lime Salsa are marinated in lime to soften the sharpness. The marinade makes the onion more digestible and pleasant on the palate.

Lime, as all sours, stimulates secretion of bile, flushing the gall bladder and cleansing the liver. Cilantro's cooling nature is well suited to the hot temperatures of late spring. Meanwhile its bitter and pungent qualities continue to purify the blood and stimulate digestion.

WHAT IS CILANTRO LIME SALSA?

We love salsa but tomatoes are hard to digest. This recipe is our favorite base for 'tomato-less' salsas. Create your own variation by adding green chilies, chipotle, honey, cumin or other flavors. The sharp, raw onions become soft and refreshing when "cooked" in the lime.

Cilantro Lime Salsa is a refreshing, tasty garnish, like tomato salsa, common in Latin American cuisine. It can also be used in potato salads, as a dip, in salads, on top of rice dishes, or to garnish soups.

Cilantro Phobia?

Cilantro-phobia is the feeling of primal-revulsion to cilantro reported by a small number of our readers. Click here to learn more.

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 Cilantro Lime Salsa Good for My Ayurvedic Diet?

Find out by taking this free, easy quiz. You'll learn your body type, and whether 'Cilantro Lime Salsa' 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 Cilantro Lime Salsa

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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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

COLD

ABOUT COLD BIOCHARACTERISTIC

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

LEARN MORE ABOUT COLD

CLEAR

ABOUT CLEAR BIOCHARACTERISTIC

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

LEARN MORE ABOUT CLEAR

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 Pitta pacifying
AGGRAVATES
Vata 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
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
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.

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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 Cilantro Lime Salsa
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

General Laxative

GENERAL-LAXATIVE

Promotes a bowel movement. General laxative is an umbrella term that refers to several different types of laxatives.

SEE ALL 'GENERAL-LAXATIVE' 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

Internal Detoxicant

INTERNAL-DETOXICANT

Liquefies, dissolves, decongests or dislodges internal stagnant toxins. Decongests the lymphatic system.

SEE ALL 'INTERNAL-DETOXICANT' 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

Wakes You Up

WAKES-YOU-UP

Invigorates the body and nervous system, increases energy.

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

Refreshing

REFRESHING

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

SEE ALL 'REFRESHING' FOODS / HERBS

,
Stimulates Energy

STIMULATES-ENERGY

This category groups thyroid and adrenal stimulating herbs.

SEE ALL 'STIMULATES-ENERGY' FOODS / HERBS

Diaphoretic

DIAPHORETIC

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

SEE ALL 'DIAPHORETIC' FOODS / HERBS

Flushes Sinuses

FLUSHES-SINUSES

An herb that relieves sinus congestion by flushing out mucus.

SEE ALL 'FLUSHES-SINUSES' FOODS / HERBS

,
Decongestant

DECONGESTANT

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

SEE ALL 'DECONGESTANT' 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

,
Antipyretic

ANTIPYRETIC

Reduces a fever / febrifuge.

SEE ALL 'ANTIPYRETIC' 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

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

Hypolipidemic

HYPOLIPIDEMIC

Scrapes fats / cleanses blood vessels by 1) purging bile, 2) strengthening the liver's ability to metabolize fats, 3) by increasing uptake of cholesterol in the liver, and 4) by inhibiting fat cells.

SEE ALL 'HYPOLIPIDEMIC' 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.

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,
Aromatase Inhibitor

AROMATASE-INHIBITOR

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

SEE ALL 'AROMATASE-INHIBITOR' FOODS / HERBS

, Polysaccharides,
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, Sulphur,
Coumarin

COUMARIN

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

SEE ALL 'COUMARIN' FOODS / HERBS

,
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 Cilantro Lime Salsa

  • Cilantro

    Cilantro has these Actions in Common

    Antipyretic, Diuretic, Internal-detoxicant, Alterative, Burns-toxins, Hypolipidemic, Refreshing, Anti-inflammatory, Cholagogue, Immune-calming, Stimulates-energy

    LEARN MORE

  • Dandelion Leaves

    Dandelion Leaves has these Actions in Common

    General-laxative, Internal-detoxicant, Cholagogue, Hypolipidemic, Stimulant-laxative, Alterative, Diuretic, Immune-calming, Stimulates-energy, Anti-inflammatory

    LEARN MORE

  • Daikon Radish

    Daikon Radish has these Actions in Common

    Anti-inflammatory, Diaphoretic, General-laxative, Cholagogue, Diuretic, Refreshing, Decongestant, Flushes-sinuses, Stimulates-energy

    LEARN MORE

  • Lemon

    Lemon has these Actions in Common

    Alterative, Diaphoretic, Quenches-thirst, Cholagogue, General-laxative, Refreshing, Decongestant, Internal-detoxicant, Wakes-you-up

    LEARN MORE

  • Fenugreek

    Fenugreek has these Actions in Common

    Anti-inflammatory, Cholagogue, Hypolipidemic, Antipyretic, Diaphoretic, Internal-detoxicant, Burns-toxins, Diuretic, Stimulates-energy

    LEARN MORE

  • Garlic (raw)

    Garlic (raw) has these Actions in Common

    Cholagogue, Diuretic, Hypolipidemic, Decongestant, Flushes-sinuses, Internal-detoxicant, Diaphoretic, General-laxative, Stimulant-laxative

    LEARN MORE

  • Burdock Root (Gobo)

    Burdock Root (Gobo) has these Actions in Common

    Anti-inflammatory, Diuretic, Internal-detoxicant, Cholagogue, General-laxative, Alterative, Diaphoretic, Hypolipidemic

    LEARN MORE

  • Lime

    Lime has these Actions in Common

    Alterative, General-laxative, Refreshing, Cholagogue, Internal-detoxicant, Wakes-you-up, Diaphoretic, Quenches-thirst

    LEARN MORE

  • Horseradish

    Horseradish has these Actions in Common

    Diuretic, Immune-calming, Cholagogue, Flushes-sinuses, Refreshing, Diaphoretic, General-laxative, Wakes-you-up

    LEARN MORE

  • Wasabi

    Wasabi has these Actions in Common

    Flushes-sinuses, Refreshing, Diaphoretic, General-laxative, Wakes-you-up, Diuretic, Immune-calming, Cholagogue

    LEARN MORE

  • Ginger (Fresh)

    Ginger (Fresh) has these Actions in Common

    Anti-inflammatory, Hypolipidemic, Stimulates-energy, Burns-toxins, Internal-detoxicant, Wakes-you-up, Decongestant, Refreshing

    LEARN MORE

Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Nature to Cilantro Lime Salsa

  • Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi)

    Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi) has these Actions in Common

    Anti-inflammatory, Refreshing, Burns-toxins, Stimulates-energy, Decongestant, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Hypolipidemic, Immune-calming, Internal-detoxicant

    LEARN MORE

  • Goldenseal

    Goldenseal has these Actions in Common

    Cholagogue, Decongestant, Diuretic, General-laxative, Alterative, Internal-detoxicant, Anti-inflammatory, Antipyretic, Burns-toxins

    LEARN MORE

  • Amalaki

    Amalaki has these Actions in Common

    Stimulates-energy, Alterative, Wakes-you-up, Anti-inflammatory, Antipyretic, General-laxative, Internal-detoxicant, Quenches-thirst, Refreshing

    LEARN MORE

  • Mahasudarshan

    Mahasudarshan has these Actions in Common

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

    LEARN MORE

  • Amritarishta (Amrutharishtam)

    Amritarishta (Amrutharishtam) has these Actions in Common

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

    LEARN MORE

  • Echinacea

    Echinacea has these Actions in Common

    Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Internal-detoxicant, Alterative, Anti-inflammatory, Antipyretic, Burns-toxins, Decongestant

    LEARN MORE

  • Neem Leaf

    Neem Leaf has these Actions in Common

    Internal-detoxicant, Alterative, Anti-inflammatory, Antipyretic, Cholagogue, Diuretic, Hypolipidemic, Immune-calming

    LEARN MORE

  • Yarrow

    Yarrow has these Actions in Common

    Antipyretic, Cholagogue, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Immune-calming, Internal-detoxicant, Alterative, Anti-inflammatory

    LEARN MORE

  • Sniff raw onions, chopped

    Sniff raw onions, chopped has these Actions in Common

    Immune-calming, Refreshing, Wakes-you-up, Anti-inflammatory, Decongestant, Diaphoretic, Flushes-sinuses

    LEARN MORE

  • Hops

    Hops has these Actions in Common

    Diuretic, Immune-calming, Internal-detoxicant, Anti-inflammatory, Antipyretic, Cholagogue, Diaphoretic

    LEARN MORE

  • Bhumyamalaki

    Bhumyamalaki has these Actions in Common

    General-laxative, Hypolipidemic, Internal-detoxicant, Alterative, Anti-inflammatory, Cholagogue, Diuretic

    LEARN MORE


Joyful Belly is a recognized college of biocharacteristics medicine.

View Other Healthy Recipes for Spring

This recipe is recommended for Spring. Check out these other Spring recipes here.
VIEW ALL SPRING RECIPES MORE 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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Comments & Impressions of 'Cilantro Lime Salsa'

Do you like 'cilantro lime salsa'? Why or why not? What makes it unique? Is there something else you'd like to know about 'cilantro lime salsa'?

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Laura AL
2011-08-03
“Growing up in Chicago, I never tasted Cilantro unti I was an adult and at first couldn't understand why anyone would eat it. I read Harold McGee's NYT article when it was first published and related so much to the soapy taste identified with Cilantro. But over the years I have come to love Cilantro and now have it almost every day. Hopefully your readers who report primal-revulsion will gently try and try again. Eventually new associations will be made by the brain and then brain and body will get to benefit from this great herb! ~ Laura Plumb"
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