College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

 

AYURVEDIC RECIPES

Cilantro & Pepita Pesto


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"Delicious!I used the leaves and stems of the cilantro. I didn't have any oregano so I left it out and I t seems a..."
- Anna Reservoir, AL

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How to Make Cilantro & Pepita Pesto

INGREDIENTS


SKILL LEVEL: EASY
64 g
1 c
1/4 c
2 clove
1/2 whole
1/2 tsp
1/4 tsp
1/4 tsp

PREPARATION OF THIS HEALTHY RECIPE

1. Coarsely chop cilantro, juice the lemon, and peel garlic clove.

2. Add all ingredients to a food processor and blend until smooth.

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 & Pepita Pesto Good for My Ayurvedic Diet?

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

Metabolic Nature of Cilantro & Pepita Pesto

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

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

EASY

ABOUT EASY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

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

LEARN MORE ABOUT EASY

LIGHT

ABOUT LIGHT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Lightness is identified by reduced weight.

LEARN MORE ABOUT LIGHT

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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BITTER

ABOUT BITTER BIOCHARACTERISTIC

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

LEARN MORE ABOUT BITTER

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

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
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 & moist. Full-blooded, vigorous. Vivacious, social, and epicurean. Bullish.

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.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CHOLERIC

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

Other

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

,
Crunchy

STRONG CRUNCHY

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

SEE ALL 'CRUNCHY' FOODS / HERBS

,
Acrid

ACRID

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

SEE ALL 'ACRID' FOODS / HERBS

,
Musky

MUSKY

Have an earthy smell to them, such as mushrooms.

SEE ALL 'MUSKY' FOODS / HERBS

Outward

OUTWARD

Outward-moving substances stimulate circulation, push heat towards the skin, or are stimulating.

SEE ALL 'OUTWARD' FOODS / HERBS

Red Blood

RED-BLOOD

Red blood (Rakta Dhatu) includes red blood cells and blood vessels.

SEE ALL 'RED-BLOOD' FOODS / HERBS

,
Blood Plasma Lymph

BLOOD-PLASMA-LYMPH

Plasma (Rasa Dhatu) includes plasma, white blood cells, and lymph.

SEE ALL 'BLOOD-PLASMA-LYMPH' FOODS / HERBS

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Cilantro & Pepita Pesto
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)
Appetite Suppressant

APPETITE-SUPPRESSANT

Suppresses hunger without causing weight gain.

SEE ALL 'APPETITE-SUPPRESSANT' FOODS / HERBS

,
Warms Abdomen

WARMS-ABDOMEN

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

SEE ALL 'WARMS-ABDOMEN' FOODS / HERBS

,
Digestive

DIGESTIVE

Herbs that encourage healthy digestion.

SEE ALL 'DIGESTIVE' FOODS / HERBS

,
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

Internal Detoxicant

INTERNAL-DETOXICANT

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

SEE ALL 'INTERNAL-DETOXICANT' 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

,
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

Antimicrobial

ANTIMICROBIAL

An agent that kills microorganisms or inhibits their growth. Antimicrobial is an umbrella term that can be broken down into specific categories of target microorganism, such as anti-bacterials, fungals, and virals.

SEE ALL 'ANTIMICROBIAL' FOODS / HERBS

,
Anthelminthic

ANTHELMINTHIC

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

SEE ALL 'ANTHELMINTHIC' 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

,
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

,
Blood Thinner

BLOOD-THINNER

Herbs that thin the blood. Helpful for people with heart disease or clogged circulation.

SEE ALL 'BLOOD-THINNER' 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

, Phosphorous, Alpha Linolenic Acid, Fats, Medium Chain Triglycerrid, Protein, Essential Fatty Acids,
Iron

IRON

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

SEE ALL 'IRON' FOODS / HERBS

,
Magnesium

MAGNESIUM

Helps muscles relax. Laxative.

SEE ALL 'MAGNESIUM' FOODS / HERBS

, Zinc,
Saponins

SAPONINS

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

SEE ALL 'SAPONINS' 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

, Sulfated Polysaccharides, Sulphur, Polysaccharides

Foods with a Similar Nature to Cilantro & Pepita Pesto

  • Daikon Radish

    Daikon Radish has these Actions in Common

    Cardiac-stimulant, Digestive, Refreshing, Warms-chest, Cholagogue, Diuretic, Stimulates-energy, Blood-thinner, Diaphoretic, Flushes-sinuses, Warms-abdomen

    LEARN MORE

  • Garlic (raw)

    Garlic (raw) has these Actions in Common

    Blood-thinner, Diaphoretic, Internal-detoxicant, Anthelminthic, Cardiac-stimulant, Diuretic, Warms-abdomen, Antimicrobial, Cholagogue, Flushes-sinuses, Warms-chest

    LEARN MORE

  • Mustard

    Mustard has these Actions in Common

    Cardiac-stimulant, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Warms-chest, Carminative, Diuretic, Stimulates-energy, Antimicrobial, Diaphoretic, Flushes-sinuses, Warms-abdomen

    LEARN MORE

  • Mustard Powder

    Mustard Powder has these Actions in Common

    Carminative, Diuretic, Stimulates-energy, Antimicrobial, Diaphoretic, Flushes-sinuses, Warms-abdomen, Cardiac-stimulant, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Warms-chest

    LEARN MORE

  • Mustard Seed

    Mustard Seed has these Actions in Common

    Antimicrobial, Diaphoretic, Flushes-sinuses, Warms-abdomen, Cardiac-stimulant, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Warms-chest, Carminative, Diuretic, Stimulates-energy

    LEARN MORE

  • Horseradish

    Horseradish has these Actions in Common

    Cholagogue, Diuretic, Warms-abdomen, Antimicrobial, Diaphoretic, Flushes-sinuses, Warms-chest, Cardiac-stimulant, Digestive, Refreshing

    LEARN MORE

  • Wasabi

    Wasabi has these Actions in Common

    Flushes-sinuses, Warms-chest, Cardiac-stimulant, Digestive, Refreshing, Cholagogue, Diuretic, Warms-abdomen, Antimicrobial, Diaphoretic

    LEARN MORE

  • Turmeric

    Turmeric has these Actions in Common

    Anthelminthic, Carminative, Flushes-sinuses, Antimicrobial, Cholagogue, Internal-detoxicant, Alterative, Blood-thinner, Digestive, Warms-chest

    LEARN MORE

  • Tarragon

    Tarragon has these Actions in Common

    Antimicrobial, Cholagogue, Diuretic, Blood-thinner, Diaphoretic, Internal-detoxicant, Alterative, Carminative, Digestive

    LEARN MORE

  • Cilantro

    Cilantro has these Actions in Common

    Alterative, Cholagogue, Internal-detoxicant, Blood-thinner, Digestive, Refreshing, Carminative, Diuretic, Stimulates-energy

    LEARN MORE

  • Dandelion Leaves

    Dandelion Leaves has these Actions in Common

    Diuretic, Antimicrobial, Cholagogue, Internal-detoxicant, Appetite-suppressant, Digestive, Stimulates-energy, Alterative, Blood-thinner

    LEARN MORE

Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Nature to Cilantro & Pepita Pesto

  • Hyssop Powder

    Hyssop Powder has these Actions in Common

    Cardiac-stimulant, Carminative, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Internal-detoxicant, Refreshing, Stimulates-energy, Antimicrobial

    LEARN MORE

  • Yarrow

    Yarrow has these Actions in Common

    Cholagogue, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Internal-detoxicant, Alterative, Antimicrobial, Blood-thinner, Carminative

    LEARN MORE

  • Punarnava

    Punarnava has these Actions in Common

    Internal-detoxicant, Stimulates-energy, Alterative, Antimicrobial, Cardiac-stimulant, Cholagogue, Digestive, Diuretic

    LEARN MORE

  • Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi)

    Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi) has these Actions in Common

    Internal-detoxicant, Refreshing, Stimulates-energy, Warms-chest, Antimicrobial, Cardiac-stimulant, Diaphoretic, Diuretic

    LEARN MORE

  • Wild Ginger

    Wild Ginger has these Actions in Common

    Warms-chest, Cardiac-stimulant, Carminative, Diaphoretic, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Stimulates-energy

    LEARN MORE

  • Deodar (Himalayan Cedar, Devadaru)

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

    Stimulates-energy, Warms-chest, Cardiac-stimulant, Carminative, Digestive, Diuretic, Refreshing

    LEARN MORE

  • Neem Leaf

    Neem Leaf has these Actions in Common

    Anthelminthic, Antimicrobial, Blood-thinner, Cholagogue, Diuretic, Internal-detoxicant, Alterative

    LEARN MORE

  • Elecampane

    Elecampane has these Actions in Common

    Anthelminthic, Cardiac-stimulant, Diaphoretic, Digestive, Diuretic, Stimulates-energy, Alterative

    LEARN MORE

  • Mugwort

    Mugwort has these Actions in Common

    Internal-detoxicant, Anthelminthic, Carminative, Cholagogue, Diaphoretic, Digestive, Diuretic

    LEARN MORE

  • Haritaki

    Haritaki has these Actions in Common

    Internal-detoxicant, Alterative, Anthelminthic, Antimicrobial, Carminative, Digestive, Diuretic

    LEARN MORE

  • Trikatu

    Trikatu has these Actions in Common

    Cardiac-stimulant, Carminative, Diaphoretic, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Warms-abdomen

    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 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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Comments & Impressions of 'Cilantro & Pepita Pesto'

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

(5.00 out of 5 stars) 1 rating, 270 likes
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Anna Reservoir, AL
2020-10-07
“Delicious!I used the leaves and stems of the cilantro. I didn't have any oregano so I left it out and I t seems a little out of place to me. Next time I'll use sunflower oil as I used extra virgin olive oil and it was a little overpowering. Otherwise very tasty."
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