Fennel Bulb Pesto

How to Make Fennel Bulb Pesto

SERVINGS: 4
PREP TIME: 5 MINUTES
COOK TIME: 0 MINUTES
SKILL LEVEL: EASY
MEAL: LUNCH-DINNER
STYLE: WESTERN
PREPARATION: RAW, SAUCES
EAT IN: SPRING
FOR OCCASION: CLEANSE, DINNER-PARTY, GAME-NIGHT

INGREDIENTS

SKILL LEVEL: EASY

32 g	CILANTRO
1/4 c	OLIVE OIL
1/2 c	PUMPKIN SEEDS
1 tsp	APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
1/2 tsp	SALT (MINERAL SALT)
1/2 c	FENNEL STALK

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.

Metabolic Nature of Fennel Bulb 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.
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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

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.

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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

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.

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

Subtaste:

Crunchy

CRUNCHY

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

SEE ALL 'CRUNCHY' FOODS / HERBS

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Fennel Bulb 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)

Digestion:

Appetite Suppressant

APPETITE-SUPPRESSANT

Suppresses hunger without causing weight gain.

SEE ALL 'APPETITE-SUPPRESSANT' FOODS / HERBS

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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Cleanse & Detox:

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.

SEE ALL 'INTERNAL-DETOXICANT' FOODS / HERBS

Mind, Stress & Sleep:

Strengthens Resolve

STRENGTHENS-RESOLVE

Increases determination and courage by reducing stress and building strength.

SEE ALL 'STRENGTHENS-RESOLVE' FOODS / HERBS

Energy Vitality:

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

Respiratory-Health:

Flushes Sinuses

FLUSHES-SINUSES

An herb that relieves sinus congestion by flushing out mucus.

SEE ALL 'FLUSHES-SINUSES' FOODS / HERBS

Soothes Throat

SOOTHES-THROAT

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

SEE ALL 'SOOTHES-THROAT' FOODS / HERBS

Immune System:

Anthelminthic

ANTHELMINTHIC

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

SEE ALL 'ANTHELMINTHIC' 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

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

Heart & Circulation:

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

Kidney & Urinary:

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

Liver & Gallbladder:

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

Coumarin

COUMARIN

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

SEE ALL 'COUMARIN' FOODS / HERBS

Aromatase Inhibitor

AROMATASE-INHIBITOR

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

SEE ALL 'AROMATASE-INHIBITOR' FOODS / HERBS

, Fats, Zinc,

Magnesium

MAGNESIUM

Helps muscles relax. Laxative.

SEE ALL 'MAGNESIUM' FOODS / HERBS

, Medium Chain Triglycerrid, Sodium, Phosphorous, Protein,

Iron

IRON

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

SEE ALL 'IRON' FOODS / HERBS

, Alpha Linolenic Acid, Essential Fatty Acids

Foods with a Similar Nature to Fennel Bulb Pesto

Cilantro

Cilantro has these Actions in Common
Antipyretic, Cholagogue, Immune-calming, Stimulates-energy, Alterative, Appetizer, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Anti-inflammatory, Burns-toxins, Diuretic, Refreshing
LEARN MORE
Dandelion Leaves

Dandelion Leaves has these Actions in Common
Immune-calming, Anti-inflammatory, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Appetite-suppressant, Diuretic, Stimulates-energy, Alterative, Cholagogue
LEARN MORE
Turmeric Root (Fresh)

Turmeric Root (Fresh) has these Actions in Common
Anti-inflammatory, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Alterative, Burns-toxins, Flushes-sinuses, Anthelminthic, Cholagogue, Immune-calming
LEARN MORE
Turmeric

Turmeric has these Actions in Common
Anthelminthic, Cholagogue, Immune-calming, Anti-inflammatory, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Alterative, Burns-toxins, Flushes-sinuses
LEARN MORE
Coriander Seed

Coriander Seed has these Actions in Common
Anthelminthic, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Appetizer, Diuretic, Alterative, Burns-toxins, Immune-calming
LEARN MORE
Fenugreek

Fenugreek has these Actions in Common
Diuretic, Anti-inflammatory, Cholagogue, Internal-detoxicant, Antipyretic, Digestive, Stimulates-energy, Burns-toxins
LEARN MORE
Ajwain

Ajwain has these Actions in Common
Digestive, Refreshing, Anthelminthic, Diuretic, Stimulates-energy, Burns-toxins, Internal-detoxicant
LEARN MORE
Dill

Dill has these Actions in Common
Burns-toxins, Internal-detoxicant, Antipyretic, Digestive, Stimulates-energy, Appetizer, Diuretic
LEARN MORE
Tarragon

Tarragon has these Actions in Common
Appetizer, Digestive, Burns-toxins, Diuretic, Alterative, Cholagogue, Internal-detoxicant
LEARN MORE
Fennel Seeds

Fennel Seeds has these Actions in Common
Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Appetizer, Diuretic, Stimulates-energy, Burns-toxins, Immune-calming
LEARN MORE
Thyme (fresh)

Thyme (fresh) has these Actions in Common
Anthelminthic, Digestive, Stimulates-energy, Appetizer, Immune-calming, Burns-toxins, Internal-detoxicant
LEARN MORE

Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Nature to Fennel Bulb Pesto

Amritarishta (Amrutharishtam)

Amritarishta (Amrutharishtam) has these Actions in Common
Cholagogue, Diuretic, Immune-calming, Alterative, Anti-inflammatory, Antipyretic, Appetizer, Burns-toxins
LEARN MORE
Haritaki

Haritaki has these Actions in Common
Internal-detoxicant, Alterative, Anthelminthic, Anti-inflammatory, Appetizer, Digestive, Diuretic, Immune-calming
LEARN MORE
Neem Leaf

Neem Leaf has these Actions in Common
Anti-inflammatory, Antipyretic, Cholagogue, Diuretic, Immune-calming, Internal-detoxicant, Alterative, Anthelminthic
LEARN MORE
Goldenseal

Goldenseal has these Actions in Common
Diuretic, Internal-detoxicant, Alterative, Anti-inflammatory, Antipyretic, Burns-toxins, Cholagogue, Digestive
LEARN MORE
Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi)

Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi) has these Actions in Common
Appetizer, Burns-toxins, Diuretic, Immune-calming, Internal-detoxicant, Refreshing, Stimulates-energy, Anti-inflammatory
LEARN MORE
Guduchi

Guduchi has these Actions in Common
Immune-calming, Internal-detoxicant, Alterative, Anthelminthic, Anti-inflammatory, Cholagogue, Diuretic
LEARN MORE
Hops

Hops has these Actions in Common
Anti-inflammatory, Antipyretic, Cholagogue, Digestive, Diuretic, Immune-calming, Internal-detoxicant
LEARN MORE
Nagaradi Kashaya (Amruthotharam)

Nagaradi Kashaya (Amruthotharam) has these Actions in Common
Digestive, Immune-calming, Alterative, Anti-inflammatory, Antipyretic, Burns-toxins, Cholagogue
LEARN MORE
Dandelion Root

Dandelion Root has these Actions in Common
Digestive, Diuretic, Internal-detoxicant, Alterative, Anti-inflammatory, Antipyretic, Cholagogue
LEARN MORE
Echinacea

Echinacea has these Actions in Common
Digestive, Diuretic, Internal-detoxicant, Alterative, Anti-inflammatory, Antipyretic, Burns-toxins
LEARN MORE
Mugwort

Mugwort has these Actions in Common
Cholagogue, Digestive, Diuretic, Internal-detoxicant, Anthelminthic, Anti-inflammatory, Appetizer
LEARN MORE

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'?

(4.86 out of 5 stars) 7 ratings, 1172 likes

Cheryl Davis San diego, CA

2014-04-12

“Wow! I wouldn't change a thing in this recipe. It's fantastic!"

Like Reply

David McKaig Swannanoa, NC

2014-04-21

“No cooking...."

Nadia Turgeon Montreal, QU

2014-04-22

“Great taste!"

“Experiment....certainly you may add."

Dave Blackburn Denver, CO

2014-04-29

“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!"

Catherine Inglese Studio city, CA

2014-05-13

“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."

Sara Lynne Moser The Woodlands, TX

2017-04-20

“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!"

College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

AYURVEDIC RECIPES

Fennel Bulb Pesto

Customer Reviews

Table of Contents

How to Make Fennel Bulb Pesto

INGREDIENTS

PREPARATION OF THIS HEALTHY RECIPE

How Does This Ayurvedic Recipe Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Revitalizing

Reduce Spring Puffiness

Cool & Refreshing

Is Fennel Bulb Pesto Good for My Ayurvedic Diet?

Metabolic Nature of Fennel Bulb Pesto

Metabolic Nature

ABOUT LIQUEFIED BIOCHARACTERISTIC

ABOUT EASY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

ABOUT COLD BIOCHARACTERISTIC

The 6 Tastes

ABOUT BITTER BIOCHARACTERISTIC

ABOUT PUNGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

The Three Doshas / Body Types

The Four Temperaments / Humors

ABOUT PHLEGMATIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

ABOUT SANGUINE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

ABOUT CHOLERIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

ABOUT MELANCHOLIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Other

CRUNCHY

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Fennel Bulb 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.

APPETITE-SUPPRESSANT

APPETIZER

DIGESTIVE

BURNS-TOXINS

INTERNAL-DETOXICANT

STRENGTHENS-RESOLVE

STIMULATES-ENERGY

REFRESHING

FLUSHES-SINUSES

SOOTHES-THROAT

ANTHELMINTHIC

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

ANTIPYRETIC

IMMUNE-CALMING

ALTERATIVE

DIURETIC

CHOLAGOGUE

NITRIC-OXIDE

COUMARIN

AROMATASE-INHIBITOR

MAGNESIUM

IRON

Foods with a Similar Nature to Fennel Bulb Pesto

Cilantro has these Actions in Common

Dandelion Leaves has these Actions in Common

Turmeric Root (Fresh) has these Actions in Common

Turmeric has these Actions in Common

Coriander Seed has these Actions in Common

Fenugreek has these Actions in Common

Ajwain has these Actions in Common

Dill has these Actions in Common

Tarragon has these Actions in Common

Fennel Seeds has these Actions in Common

Thyme (fresh) has these Actions in Common

Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Nature to Fennel Bulb Pesto

Amritarishta (Amrutharishtam) has these Actions in Common

Haritaki has these Actions in Common

Neem Leaf has these Actions in Common

Goldenseal has these Actions in Common

Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi) has these Actions in Common

Guduchi has these Actions in Common

Hops has these Actions in Common

Nagaradi Kashaya (Amruthotharam) has these Actions in Common

Dandelion Root has these Actions in Common

Echinacea has these Actions in Common

Mugwort has these Actions in Common

View Other Healthy Recipes for Spring

About the Author

Spring Diet

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Fennel Bulb 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.