AYURVEDIC RECIPES

Fennel Bulb Pesto

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4.86 out of 5 stars
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"Delicious springtime pesto. I added the juice of half a lemon. Fennel adds a perfect light crisp flavor. We're using it..."
- Catherine Inglese, Studio city, CA full start reviewfull start reviewfull start reviewfull start reviewfull start review

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How to Make Fennel Bulb Pesto

SERVINGS: 4
PREP TIME: 5 MINUTES
COOK TIME: 0 MINUTES
SKILL LEVEL: EASY

STYLE: WESTERN
PREPARATION: RAW, SAUCES
EAT IN: SPRING

INGREDIENTS


SKILL LEVEL: EASY
32 g
1/4 c
1/2 c
1 tsp
1/2 tsp
1/2 c

PREPARATION OF THIS HEALTHY RECIPE

1. Place all ingredients (including fennel bulb) in a food processor and blend to desired consistency.

Inspire yourself with your own pesto creations. Try any leaf or green vegetable. Pesto makes a great garnish on any dish, but especially for bean, potato, corn, or rice. Enjoy!

How Does This Ayurvedic Recipe Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Capture spring freshness with this perfect & easy to prepare pesto. A lightness distinguishes this pesto from others. The crispy, vivacious texture of fennel bulb is tempered by a cool quality the calms the mind and increases clarity. Pumpkin seeds impart a nutty flavor, without the heaviness of pine nuts. Vinegar adds the zing instead of cheese.

Revitalizing

Spring offers tender young greens that revitalize your energy, called prana in Ayurveda. From asparagus, to fennel bulb, cilantro, parsley, and spirulina, tender spring greens are packed with chlorophyll, the substance that makes plants green, waking you up out of winter hibernation. The bright green color and fresh taste of fennel bulb is your cue to its revitalizing properties.

Reduce Spring Puffiness

Your body purges fats and toxins in spring which can cause blood congestion and water retention. On warm spring days, you might even feel that your face and hands are puffy with the extra water weight, which can also cause problems with blood pressure. Pumpkin seeds, fennel, and cilantro are all diuretics which help to purge excess spring water weight. As a diuretic fennel purges excess spring water weight and detoxifies the blood. Fennel has been shown to protect the liver of experimental animals from chemical toxicity. Their mild bitter taste directly decongests blood.

Cool & Refreshing

Although temperatures mid-spring may still be mild to cool, you might notice a warmth in your chest, even on cold days. Somehow, cool weather in mid spring does not chill you to the bone. That's because your body is prepared for cold after the long winter. It is unprepared for heat. Warm spring days make your core too hot. Fortunately, fennel and cilantro are naturally cooling (pitta reducing). You'll feel these cooling properties not only on the tongue, but directly as a freshness in the skin & eyes. Your mind will also feel more relaxed.

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 Fennel Bulb Pesto Good for My Ayurvedic Diet?

Find out by taking this free, easy quiz. You'll learn your body type, and whether 'Fennel Bulb 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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LIQUEFIED

ABOUT LIQUEFIED BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Substances that thin fluids (lower viscosity of blood plasma). These may include blood thinners or mucolytic herbs.

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EASY

ABOUT EASY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

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

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COLD

ABOUT COLD BIOCHARACTERISTIC

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

LEARN MORE ABOUT COLD

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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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 Pitta pacifying Vata pacifying
HAS THE FOLLOWING
Subtaste:
Crunchy

CRUNCHY

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

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HERBAL ACTIONS
(see all)

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Fennel Bulb 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.

Appetite Suppressant

APPETITE-SUPPRESSANT

Suppresses hunger without causing weight gain.

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,
Appetizer

APPETIZER

Herbs that cleanse the palate & stimulate hunger or desire to eat.

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,
Digestive

DIGESTIVE

Herbs that encourage healthy digestion.

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Burns Toxins

BURNS-TOXINS

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

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,
Internal Detoxicant

INTERNAL-DETOXICANT

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

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Strengthens Resolve

STRENGTHENS-RESOLVE

Increases determination and courage by reducing stress and building strength.

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Stimulates Energy

STIMULATES-ENERGY

This category groups thyroid and adrenal stimulating herbs.

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,
Refreshing

REFRESHING

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

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Soothes Throat

SOOTHES-THROAT

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

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,
Flushes Sinuses

FLUSHES-SINUSES

An herb that relieves sinus congestion by flushing out mucus.

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Anti Inflammatory

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

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

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,
Anthelminthic

ANTHELMINTHIC

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

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,
Antipyretic

ANTIPYRETIC

Reduces a fever / febrifuge.

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,
Immune Calming

IMMUNE-CALMING

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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,
Coumarin

COUMARIN

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

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, Fats, Protein, Zinc,
Iron

IRON

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

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, Sodium,
Magnesium

MAGNESIUM

Helps muscles relax. Laxative.

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, Alpha Linolenic Acid, Essential Fatty Acids

Foods with a Similar Nature to Fennel Bulb Pesto

Cilantro

Cilantro has these Actions in Common

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

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Dandelion Leaves

Dandelion Leaves has these Actions in Common

Appetite-suppressant, Diuretic, Stimulates-energy, Alterative, Cholagogue, Immune-calming, Anti-inflammatory, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant

LEARN MORE

Turmeric Root (Fresh)

Turmeric Root (Fresh) has these Actions in Common

Alterative, Burns-toxins, Flushes-sinuses, Anthelminthic, Cholagogue, Immune-calming, Anti-inflammatory, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant

LEARN MORE

Turmeric

Turmeric has these Actions in Common

Internal-detoxicant, Alterative, Burns-toxins, Flushes-sinuses, Anthelminthic, Cholagogue, Immune-calming, Anti-inflammatory, Digestive

LEARN MORE

Coriander Seed

Coriander Seed has these Actions in Common

Diuretic, Alterative, Burns-toxins, Immune-calming, Anthelminthic, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Appetizer

LEARN MORE

Fenugreek

Fenugreek has these Actions in Common

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

LEARN MORE

Ajwain

Ajwain has these Actions in Common

Burns-toxins, Internal-detoxicant, Digestive, Refreshing, Anthelminthic, Diuretic, Stimulates-energy

LEARN MORE

Tarragon

Tarragon has these Actions in Common

Alterative, Cholagogue, Internal-detoxicant, Appetizer, Digestive, Burns-toxins, Diuretic

LEARN MORE

Dill

Dill has these Actions in Common

Antipyretic, Digestive, Stimulates-energy, Appetizer, Diuretic, Burns-toxins, Internal-detoxicant

LEARN MORE

Fennel Seeds

Fennel Seeds has these Actions in Common

Burns-toxins, Immune-calming, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Appetizer, Diuretic, Stimulates-energy

LEARN MORE

Daikon Radish

Daikon Radish has these Actions in Common

Anti-inflammatory, Diuretic, Stimulates-energy, Cholagogue, Flushes-sinuses, Digestive, Refreshing

LEARN MORE

Herb Supplements with a Similar Nature to Fennel Bulb Pesto

Amritarishta (Amrutharishtam)

Amritarishta (Amrutharishtam) has these Actions in Common

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

LEARN MORE

Neem Leaf

Neem Leaf has these Actions in Common

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

LEARN MORE

Haritaki

Haritaki has these Actions in Common

Appetizer, Digestive, Diuretic, Immune-calming, Internal-detoxicant, Alterative, Anthelminthic, Anti-inflammatory

LEARN MORE

Goldenseal

Goldenseal has these Actions in Common

Burns-toxins, Cholagogue, Digestive, Diuretic, Internal-detoxicant, Alterative, Anti-inflammatory, Antipyretic

LEARN MORE

Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi)

Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi) has these Actions in Common

Internal-detoxicant, Refreshing, Stimulates-energy, Anti-inflammatory, Appetizer, Burns-toxins, Diuretic, Immune-calming

LEARN MORE

Guduchi

Guduchi has these Actions in Common

Anthelminthic, Anti-inflammatory, Cholagogue, Diuretic, Immune-calming, Internal-detoxicant, Alterative

LEARN MORE

Nagaradi Kashaya (Amruthotharam)

Nagaradi Kashaya (Amruthotharam) has these Actions in Common

Antipyretic, Burns-toxins, Cholagogue, Digestive, Immune-calming, Alterative, Anti-inflammatory

LEARN MORE

Hops

Hops has these Actions in Common

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

LEARN MORE

Dandelion Root

Dandelion Root has these Actions in Common

Alterative, Anti-inflammatory, Antipyretic, Cholagogue, Digestive, Diuretic, Internal-detoxicant

LEARN MORE

Echinacea

Echinacea has these Actions in Common

Anti-inflammatory, Antipyretic, Burns-toxins, Digestive, Diuretic, Internal-detoxicant, Alterative

LEARN MORE

Mugwort

Mugwort has these Actions in Common

Anthelminthic, Anti-inflammatory, Appetizer, Cholagogue, Digestive, Diuretic, Internal-detoxicant

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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Comments & Impressions of 'Fennel Bulb Pesto'

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

full start reviewfull start reviewfull start reviewfull start reviewhalf start review(4.86 out of 5 stars) 7 ratings, 1124 likes
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Wow! I wouldn't change a thing in this recipe. It's fantastic!
- Cheryl Davis, San diego, CA
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, 04-12-14 (Reply)
No cooking....
- David McKaig, Swannanoa, NC , 04-21-14 (Reply)
Great taste!
- Nadia Turgeon, Montreal, QU
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, 04-22-14 (Reply)
Experiment....certainly you may add.
- David McKaig, Swannanoa, NC , 04-22-14 (Reply)
Decided on using the bulb, used stems/fonds to enrich a soup stock. I found 1 bulb in food processor was at least a cup of fennel, so I just added more of all the other ingredients. Tastes good and look forward to trying it with roasted veggies and other recipes this week. Tastes different from other pesto's I've made. Learning that pesto is more art than science, love the creativity!
- Dave Blackburn, Denver, CO
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, 04-29-14 (Reply)
Delicious springtime pesto. I added the juice of half a lemon. Fennel adds a perfect light crisp flavor. We're using it on breakfast eggs, raw veggie salads, and with pasta. Try this recipe. It's so good and could not be easier.
- Catherine Inglese, Studio city, CA
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, 05-13-14 (Reply)
I love this! Only thing I changed when I made it again was to put a little less salt in it. It is a little confusing as to whether the intent is to use the stalk or the bulb, given the name of the recipe vs the ingredient listed. I decided to go with the stalk for the nice green color. The pumpkin seeds in this are amazing. Will be making this ALOT!
- Sara Lynne Moser, The Woodlands, TX
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, 04-20-17 (Reply)

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