College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

 

AYURVEDIC RECIPES

Mushroom Mashed Potatoes


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"Lovely recipe really simple and nourishing thank you xxx"
- Dhyani

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How to Make Mushroom Mashed Potatoes

PREPARATION OF THIS HEALTHY RECIPE

Choose Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes for mashed potato recipes - thanks to their higher starch content, they are the best choices for smooth, creamy texture.

1. Peel potatoes. Keep half of the potatoes unpeeled for a more rustic effect.

2. Chop into small cubes for shorter cooking time. Place in a pot, cover with water and bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until potatoes are tender. If the potato sticks to the knife, it is not yet fully cooked. Strain, reserving 1c of the potato water (unless you plan to add heavy cream).

3. Mash gently with a potato masher. If you overwork the potatoes, the starch molecules will break resulting in a gummy, gluey end result.

4. Chop mushrooms and sautee with minced garlic in the butter. Mix with potatoes, reserved potato water, and remaining ingredients. Add additional butter and salt to taste.

How Does This Ayurvedic Recipe Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Creamy mashed potatoes are a cozy way to celebrate November, satisfy your belly, and warm the hearts of friends, family and loved ones as you gather around the Thanksgiving table. A bowl of mashed potatoes can soothe the anxieties & worries of a cold autumn day, restoring ease and security to your day. Cooked garlic naturally adds warmth and a homey feel. Mushrooms and ghee bring savory richness that altogether makes this recipe a grounding comfort food.

Relax your Mind for Improved Sleep

Mushroom Mashed Potatoes are an excellent choice for those suffering from insomnia due to constant worries. Potatoes, mushrooms and garlic each make you feel sleepy in their own way. Potatoes because they are heavy and calming by nature. Mushrooms have an earthy taste that is a sign of their ability to keep you grounded and calm your nervous system. People may naturally crave garlic in autumn for relaxation and transition to a more inward-focused winter hibernation.

Restore Kindness, Affection, & Security

Comfort food is kindness food that makes you feel affectionate and brings out your cuddly side. A satisfied, happy belly naturally makes a person feel more comfortable. If your day has been erratic and stressful, this traditional comfort food truly nurtures a sense of security and ease of being.

*Note:

This remedy is helpful for deficient, under-nourished Vata constitutions only. For those feeling rundown, under-nourished from excessively light meals, and anxious about trying to get things done, a hearty bowl of Mushroom Mashed Potatoes is just what the doctor ordered. However, those with a Kapha constitution or who are overweight should take caution not to introduce the heavy qualities of mashed potatoes as a remedy for feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or anxious.

Digestibility of Potatoes

The fiber content of potatoes aids regular elimination, while their astringency binds overly loose stools. Potatoes are also soothing and demulcent, making them useful for cooling inflammation in the GI tract. The heaviness of potatoes, un-remedied by spices, can cause gas for Vata and can slow digestion for Kapha. You might feel as though you've eaten a brick after eating mashed potatoes. Spiced with black pepper, salt and garlic, Mushroom Mashed Potatoes will digest more easily than traditional recipes. Feel free to add more ghee or spices if you still find digestion difficult, but love mashed potatoes nonetheless!

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 Mushroom Mashed Potatoes Good for My Ayurvedic Diet?

Find out by taking this free, easy quiz. You'll learn your body type, and whether 'Mushroom Mashed Potatoes' 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 Mushroom Mashed Potatoes

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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HEAVY

ABOUT HEAVY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

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

LEARN MORE ABOUT HEAVY

EASY

ABOUT EASY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

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

LEARN MORE ABOUT EASY

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

DRY

ABOUT DRY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Dry is identified by lack of moisture, lack of fat, or anything that causes diuresis.

LEARN MORE ABOUT DRY

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
Pitta pacifying Vata pacifying
AGGRAVATES
Kapha 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
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

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

PHLEGMATIC

ABOUT PHLEGMATIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

A Phlegmatic has a cold and wet metabolic nature. The coldness implies a slow metabolism, the moisture that you are well-nourished. Phlegmatics tend towards sluggishness and thickened fluids, including mucus.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PHLEGMATIC

SANGUINE

ABOUT SANGUINE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

A hot and oily nature with a moderate metabolism and a well nourished body makes Sanguine individuals vigorous, vivacious, outgoing and generous, and prone to impulsivity and self indulgence. Bullish and intense when out of balance.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SANGUINE

Other

Bland Negative Calorie,
Musky

MUSKY

Have an earthy smell to them, such as mushrooms.

SEE ALL 'MUSKY' FOODS / HERBS

Downward

DOWNWARD

Downward-moving (Adho Gati Marga) substances move food downward in the GI tract, settle the nervous system, and relax muscles.

SEE ALL 'DOWNWARD' FOODS / HERBS

,
Inward

INWARD

Inward moving substances promote introspection, self reflection, stillness, or slow the system down.

SEE ALL 'INWARD' 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 Mushroom Mashed Potatoes
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)
Relieves Burning

RELIEVES-BURNING

Herbs that soothe a burn or reduce an internal burning sensation, such as aloe vera.

SEE ALL 'RELIEVES-BURNING' FOODS / HERBS

Makes You Tired

MAKES-YOU-TIRED

Induces drowsiness and promotes sound sleep.

SEE ALL 'MAKES-YOU-TIRED' FOODS / HERBS

,
Nerve Relaxant Grounding

NERVE-RELAXANT-GROUNDING

Encourages feelings of stability and heaviness. Makes you feel settled, mentally relaxed. Mildly sedates the nervous system to ease stress. Can bring a spacey or anxious person back to earth. Reduces agitation, irritation, stress and racing thoughts.

SEE ALL 'NERVE-RELAXANT-GROUNDING' FOODS / HERBS

,
Strengthens Resolve

STRENGTHENS-RESOLVE

Increases determination and courage by reducing stress and building strength.

SEE ALL 'STRENGTHENS-RESOLVE' FOODS / HERBS

,
Sedative

SEDATIVE

Sedative herbs create a sense of calm in the mind and body by specifically calming or quieting the nervous system. Excellent for anxiety, stress and chronic pain.

SEE ALL 'SEDATIVE' FOODS / HERBS

,
Anxiolytic

ANXIOLYTIC

Herbs that help people suffering from anxiety or panic. They promote a state of calm and often improve sleep. Most anxiolytic herbs are also nervines.

SEE ALL 'ANXIOLYTIC' FOODS / HERBS

Satisfies Stomach

SATISFIES-STOMACH

Provides a sense of gratification and fullness in the stomach.

SEE ALL 'SATISFIES-STOMACH' 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

,
Nutritive

NUTRITIVE

An herb that is strengthening and nourishing.

SEE ALL 'NUTRITIVE' 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

,
Soothes Throat

SOOTHES-THROAT

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

SEE ALL 'SOOTHES-THROAT' FOODS / HERBS

,
Irritates Throat

IRRITATES-THROAT

Creates abrasive feeling in the back of the mouth. May stimulate coughing.

SEE ALL 'IRRITATES-THROAT' 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

,
Antioxidant

ANTIOXIDANT

An antioxidant is a molecule that inhibits oxidation. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that can produce free radicals that lead to a chain reaction causing damage or death to cells. Antioxidants terminate these oxidation reactions.

SEE ALL 'ANTIOXIDANT' 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

Builds Semen

BUILDS-SEMEN

Herbs that increase the production of semen, often by rebuilding fluids in general.

SEE ALL 'BUILDS-SEMEN' FOODS / HERBS

Constituents:
Phosphorous, Carbohydrate, Vitamin C, Soluble Fiber, Potassium,
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

, Sodium,
Saponins

SAPONINS

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

SEE ALL 'SAPONINS' FOODS / HERBS

, Sulphur, Sulfated Polysaccharides, Polysaccharides,
Salicylates

SALICYLATES

Salicylates relieve inflammation, are anti-cancer, and antidiabetic, but some are allergic to it.

SEE ALL 'SALICYLATES' FOODS / HERBS

,
Aromatase Inhibitor

AROMATASE-INHIBITOR

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

SEE ALL 'AROMATASE-INHIBITOR' FOODS / HERBS

, Melatonin, Protein, Fats

Foods with a Similar Nature to Mushroom Mashed Potatoes

  • Hemp Seed

    Hemp Seed has these Actions in Common

    Anxiolytic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Sedative, Diuretic, Nutritive, Tonic, Makes-you-tired, Satisfies-stomach

    LEARN MORE

  • Garlic

    Garlic has these Actions in Common

    Diaphoretic, Makes-you-tired, Anxiolytic, Diuretic, Sedative, Cholagogue, Irritates-throat

    LEARN MORE

  • Potato

    Potato has these Actions in Common

    Makes-you-tired, Satisfies-stomach, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Sedative, Antioxidant, Nutritive

    LEARN MORE

  • Lamb

    Lamb has these Actions in Common

    Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Strengthens-resolve, Nutritive, Tonic, Makes-you-tired, Satisfies-stomach

    LEARN MORE

  • Buffalo Milk

    Buffalo Milk has these Actions in Common

    Nutritive, Tonic, Makes-you-tired, Satisfies-stomach, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Soothes-throat

    LEARN MORE

  • Pumpkin

    Pumpkin has these Actions in Common

    Nutritive, Sedative, Makes-you-tired, Relieves-burning, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Satisfies-stomach

    LEARN MORE

  • Oats / Oatmeal

    Oats / Oatmeal has these Actions in Common

    Anxiolytic, Relieves-burning, Makes-you-tired, Satisfies-stomach, Nutritive, Sedative

    LEARN MORE

  • Poppy Seed

    Poppy Seed has these Actions in Common

    Makes-you-tired, Sedative, Antioxidant, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Anxiolytic, Relieves-burning

    LEARN MORE

  • Sorghum Flour

    Sorghum Flour has these Actions in Common

    Diuretic, Satisfies-stomach, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Sedative, Anxiolytic, Nutritive

    LEARN MORE

  • Jackfruit

    Jackfruit has these Actions in Common

    Builds-semen, Relieves-burning, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Satisfies-stomach, Nutritive, Tonic

    LEARN MORE

  • Cassava Root / Yuca

    Cassava Root / Yuca has these Actions in Common

    Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Satisfies-stomach, Antioxidant, Nutritive, Anxiolytic, Relieves-burning

    LEARN MORE

Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Nature to Mushroom Mashed Potatoes

  • Ashwagandha

    Ashwagandha has these Actions in Common

    Nutritive, Sedative, Strengthens-resolve, Antioxidant, Tonic, Anxiolytic, Builds-semen, Diuretic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding

    LEARN MORE

  • Punarnava

    Punarnava has these Actions in Common

    Antioxidant, Builds-semen, Cardiac-stimulant, Cholagogue, Diuretic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Tonic

    LEARN MORE

  • Blue Vervain

    Blue Vervain has these Actions in Common

    Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Sedative, Anxiolytic, Cholagogue

    LEARN MORE

  • Oats, Fresh Milky Seed

    Oats, Fresh Milky Seed has these Actions in Common

    Relieves-burning, Sedative, Tonic, Anxiolytic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Nutritive

    LEARN MORE

  • Shatavari

    Shatavari has these Actions in Common

    Builds-semen, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Nutritive, Relieves-burning, Soothes-throat, Tonic

    LEARN MORE

  • Gokshura

    Gokshura has these Actions in Common

    Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Nutritive, Sedative, Tonic, Builds-semen, Diuretic

    LEARN MORE

  • Vidari

    Vidari has these Actions in Common

    Builds-semen, Diuretic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Nutritive, Soothes-throat, Tonic

    LEARN MORE

  • Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi)

    Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi) has these Actions in Common

    Anxiolytic, Cardiac-stimulant, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Sedative

    LEARN MORE

  • Hops

    Hops has these Actions in Common

    Anxiolytic, Cholagogue, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Sedative

    LEARN MORE

  • Shankhapushpi

    Shankhapushpi has these Actions in Common

    Anxiolytic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Sedative, Strengthens-resolve, Tonic

    LEARN MORE

  • Kava Kava

    Kava Kava has these Actions in Common

    Makes-you-tired, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Sedative, Anxiolytic, Diuretic

    LEARN MORE


Joyful Belly is a recognized college of biocharacteristics medicine.

View Other Healthy Recipes for Autumn-Winter

This recipe is recommended for Autumn-Winter. Check out these other Autumn-Winter recipes here.
VIEW ALL AUTUMN-WINTER RECIPES MORE VATA / PITTA 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. John, his wife Natalie and their 7 kids live in Asheville, NC

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Comments & Impressions of 'Mushroom Mashed Potatoes'

Do you like 'mushroom mashed potatoes'? Why or why not? What makes it unique? Is there something else you'd like to know about 'mushroom mashed potatoes'?

(5.00 out of 5 stars) 2 ratings, 425 likes
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Maria Pomona, NY
2012-03-03
“Vatas can't have mushrooms and potatoes according to your list. Why is this good for Vatas?"
“Mushrooms can be difficult to digest but black pepper is a digestive. Potato is a diuretic but salt is an anti-diuretic. These qualities cancel each other out. Even though the ingredients on their own are imbalanced, the 'formula' in the recipe pacifies Vata."
Dhyani
2014-11-06
“Lovely recipe really simple and nourishing thank you xxx"
Traci Slc, UT
2014-11-06
“I love potatoes garlic and mushrooms...are there other spices I could add to make this easier to digest for Kapha?"
Natalie Immel Asheville, NC
2014-11-06
“Rosemary and black pepper might be tasty additions that will also make this more kapha friendly. Limiting portion size in general should help too. :)"
Tamara Macginty Cloughjordan, WA
2014-11-08
“When a recipe is shared that is not appropriate for a particular dosha as this one for Kapha, it would be most helpful to have an alternative recipe provided for that dosha."
Kimberly Kubicke Asbury park, NJ
2016-07-22
“Tamara, here is a link to our Kapha balancing recipes:https://www.joyfulbelly.com/Ayurveda/recipes/dosha/Kapha?lnk=326"
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