College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

 

AYURVEDIC RECIPES

Sweet Beet Paste With Fennel, Cardamom & Ginger


How to Make Sweet Beet Paste with Fennel, Cardamom & Ginger

INGREDIENTS

2 tbsp
2 tbsp
1 c
1/2 c
1/2 inch
1/4 tsp
1/4 tsp
1/4 tsp
2 pinch

PREPARATION OF THIS HEALTHY RECIPE

Chop and puree the beets with the water and spices. Mix with remaining ingredients in a sauce pot and bring to a boil. Boil on low heat until thick and the oil starts to express itself.

How Does This Ayurvedic Recipe Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Beets provoke Kapha. Tubers tend toward heaviness and beets are naturally sweet. Sugar beets, a cultivated variety of the beet we normally find in our grocery store, account for half of the world's refined sugar production. All heavy, Kapha provoking foods should be lightened by spices that make them easier to digest. Otherwise, heavy foods have a tendency to bog and clog the blood.

Raw beets provoke Pitta but cooked beets are Pitta pacifying. Cooked beets transform the starches into sweeter sugars that are cooling. Beets cleanse and cool the blood, nourish the liver, are a gentle laxative, and improve the eyesight. Beets are good for anemia. Beet juice increases stamina and was used as an aphrodisiac in Roman times.

Pureed foods are easier to digest. They are 'pre-chewed.' Babies, convalescing patients, and Vata constitutions have weak digestion. Insufficient chewing of food forces their stomachs to break down larger chunks by acids. While an easy task for a tooth it takes time and effort for acids to penetrate a chunk of food. Pureed beets are thus gentler than diced.

Beets are high in bio-flavonoids. Generally, bio-flavonoids show anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and anti-cancer activity. The body tries to get rid of bio-flavonoids soon after they are eaten. To eliminate them the body activates phase II enzymes that also help eliminate mutagens and carcinogens.

WHAT IS SWEET BEET PASTE WITH FENNEL, CARDAMOM & GINGER?

Warming, grounding and sweet, Sweet Beet Paste has a luxurious purple sheen and surprising spicy finish. Fennel and cardamom add the true magic. Their aromatic oils lift up the heaviness of the beet root.

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 Sweet Beet Paste with Fennel, Cardamom & Ginger Good for My Ayurvedic Diet?

Find out by taking this free, easy quiz. You'll learn your body type, and whether 'Sweet Beet Paste with Fennel, Cardamom & Ginger' 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 Sweet Beet Paste with Fennel, Cardamom & Ginger

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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MOBILE

ABOUT MOBILE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Mobile refers to anything that stimulates the nervous system, muscles, or activity.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MOBILE

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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SWEET

ABOUT SWEET BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Sweet refers to anything builds tissue, including macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SWEET

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
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 metabolic nature. Colicky, tense. Withdrawn, pensive, anxious, and hesitant.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MELANCHOLIC

SANGUINE

ABOUT SANGUINE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

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

LEARN MORE ABOUT SANGUINE

AGGRAVATES
PHLEGMATIC

ABOUT PHLEGMATIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Wet & cold. When out of balance becomes congested, stagnant, and overweight. Loving, trusting, and patient.

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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

,
Bland

STRONG BLAND

Bland means doesn't have much taste. In Chinese medicine, bland taste refers to afood without little macronutrients, such as cabbage, radish or bok choy.

SEE ALL 'BLAND' FOODS / HERBS

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Sweet Beet Paste with Fennel, Cardamom & Ginger
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)
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

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

,
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

,
Stool Softener

STOOL-SOFTENER

Softens hard and difficult to eliminate stool. Stool softeners are the safest and most gentle type of laxative. Examples include warm milk with ghee.

SEE ALL 'STOOL-SOFTENER' FOODS / HERBS

Internal Detoxicant

INTERNAL-DETOXICANT

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

SEE ALL 'INTERNAL-DETOXICANT' FOODS / HERBS

Wakes You Up

WAKES-YOU-UP

Invigorates the body and nervous system, increases energy.

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

,
Makes You Tired

MAKES-YOU-TIRED

Induces drowsiness and promotes sound sleep.

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

, Makes Jittery,
Relaxes Eyes

RELAXES-EYES

Eases tension in eye muscles, so the eyes feel less strained, often by supporting the liver.

SEE ALL 'RELAXES-EYES' 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

Stimulates Energy

STIMULATES-ENERGY

This category groups thyroid and adrenal stimulating herbs.

SEE ALL 'STIMULATES-ENERGY' FOODS / HERBS

,
Satisfies Stomach

SATISFIES-STOMACH

Provides a sense of gratification and fullness in the stomach.

SEE ALL 'SATISFIES-STOMACH' FOODS / HERBS

,
Refreshing

REFRESHING

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

SEE ALL 'REFRESHING' 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

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

,
Vasodilator

VASODILATOR

A vasodilator is an herb that widens the blood vessels by the relaxation of smooth muscle cells within the vessel walls, thereby increasing circulation systemically or to a local area.

SEE ALL 'VASODILATOR' FOODS / HERBS

,
Blood Tonic

BLOOD-TONIC

An herb that produces more blood cells in the body, or otherwise improves blood cell quality or hemoglobin content. Helpful for anemia and other types of deficiency.

SEE ALL 'BLOOD-TONIC' 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

,
Irritates Kidney

IRRITATES-KIDNEY

Tight, sharp pain just below ribs in the back.

SEE ALL 'IRRITATES-KIDNEY' 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

Muscle Relaxant

MUSCLE-RELAXANT

Herbs that relax muscles. Helpful for chronic pain or tension as well as healing from physical trauma.

SEE ALL 'MUSCLE-RELAXANT' FOODS / HERBS

,
Antispasmodic

ANTISPASMODIC

Herbs that reduce or inhibit muscle spasms or cramping, such as in asthma, menstruation, hear palpitations, migraine, or IBS.

SEE ALL 'ANTISPASMODIC' FOODS / HERBS

Constituents:
Carbohydrate,
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

, Fats,
Betaine

BETAINE

Used to reduce homocysteine in the blood, which supports proper liver function and prevents fatigue and blood clots. Improves muscle stamina and weight loss.

SEE ALL 'BETAINE' FOODS / HERBS

,
Saponins

SAPONINS

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

SEE ALL 'SAPONINS' FOODS / HERBS

, Soluble Fiber, Beta Carotene, Folate, Manganese,
Iron

IRON

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

SEE ALL 'IRON' FOODS / HERBS

, Potassium

Foods with a Similar Nature to Sweet Beet Paste with Fennel, Cardamom & Ginger

  • Beets

    Beets has these Actions in Common

    Vasodilator, Blood-tonic, Internal-detoxicant, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Stimulates-energy, Warms-abdomen, Cholagogue, Irritates-kidney, Relaxes-eyes, Stool-softener, Antispasmodic, General-laxative, Muscle-relaxant, Satisfies-stomach

    LEARN MORE

  • Mustard

    Mustard has these Actions in Common

    Carminative, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Vasodilator, Antispasmodic, Decongestant, Diuretic, Muscle-relaxant, Wakes-you-up, Cardiac-stimulant, Diaphoretic, Flushes-sinuses, Stimulates-energy, Warms-abdomen

    LEARN MORE

  • Mustard Powder

    Mustard Powder has these Actions in Common

    Antispasmodic, Decongestant, Diuretic, Muscle-relaxant, Wakes-you-up, Cardiac-stimulant, Diaphoretic, Flushes-sinuses, Stimulates-energy, Warms-abdomen, Carminative, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Vasodilator

    LEARN MORE

  • Mustard Seed

    Mustard Seed has these Actions in Common

    Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Vasodilator, Antispasmodic, Decongestant, Diuretic, Muscle-relaxant, Wakes-you-up, Cardiac-stimulant, Diaphoretic, Flushes-sinuses, Stimulates-energy, Warms-abdomen, Carminative

    LEARN MORE

  • Horseradish

    Horseradish has these Actions in Common

    Cholagogue, Diuretic, Refreshing, Warms-abdomen, Diaphoretic, Flushes-sinuses, Vasodilator, Cardiac-stimulant, Digestive, General-laxative, Wakes-you-up

    LEARN MORE

  • Daikon Radish

    Daikon Radish has these Actions in Common

    Cardiac-stimulant, Diaphoretic, Flushes-sinuses, Stimulates-energy, Cholagogue, Digestive, General-laxative, Warms-abdomen, Decongestant, Diuretic, Refreshing

    LEARN MORE

  • Wasabi

    Wasabi has these Actions in Common

    Warms-abdomen, Diaphoretic, Flushes-sinuses, Vasodilator, Cardiac-stimulant, Digestive, General-laxative, Wakes-you-up, Cholagogue, Diuretic, Refreshing

    LEARN MORE

  • Lemon

    Lemon has these Actions in Common

    Decongestant, General-laxative, Relaxes-eyes, Carminative, Diaphoretic, Internal-detoxicant, Stool-softener, Cholagogue, Digestive, Refreshing, Wakes-you-up

    LEARN MORE

  • Ajwain

    Ajwain has these Actions in Common

    Digestive, Refreshing, Wakes-you-up, Cardiac-stimulant, Diuretic, Stimulates-energy, Carminative, Internal-detoxicant, Vasodilator, Antispasmodic

    LEARN MORE

  • Allspice

    Allspice has these Actions in Common

    Cardiac-stimulant, Digestive, Stimulates-energy, Carminative, Internal-detoxicant, Stool-softener, Antispasmodic, Decongestant, Muscle-relaxant, Vasodilator

    LEARN MORE

  • Ginger (Fresh)

    Ginger (Fresh) has these Actions in Common

    Antispasmodic, Decongestant, Refreshing, Wakes-you-up, Cardiac-stimulant, Digestive, Stimulates-energy, Carminative, Internal-detoxicant, Vasodilator

    LEARN MORE

Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Nature to Sweet Beet Paste with Fennel, Cardamom & Ginger

  • Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi)

    Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi) has these Actions in Common

    Muscle-relaxant, Antispasmodic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Blood-tonic, Refreshing, Cardiac-stimulant, Stimulates-energy, Decongestant, Vasodilator, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Internal-detoxicant

    LEARN MORE

  • Deodar (Himalayan Cedar, Devadaru)

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

    Muscle-relaxant, Refreshing, Antispasmodic, Stimulates-energy, Cardiac-stimulant, Vasodilator, Carminative, Wakes-you-up, Decongestant, Digestive, Diuretic

    LEARN MORE

  • Breathing Exercises

    Breathing Exercises has these Actions in Common

    Internal-detoxicant, Muscle-relaxant, Antispasmodic, Refreshing, Blood-tonic, Stimulates-energy, Cardiac-stimulant, Wakes-you-up, Decongestant, Digestive, General-laxative

    LEARN MORE

  • Bellows Breath (Bhastrika Pranayama)

    Bellows Breath (Bhastrika Pranayama) has these Actions in Common

    Cardiac-stimulant, Wakes-you-up, Decongestant, Digestive, General-laxative, Internal-detoxicant, Muscle-relaxant, Antispasmodic, Refreshing, Blood-tonic, Stimulates-energy

    LEARN MORE

  • Breath of Fire / Shining Skull (Kapalbhati Pranayama)

    Breath of Fire / Shining Skull (Kapalbhati Pranayama) has these Actions in Common

    General-laxative, Internal-detoxicant, Muscle-relaxant, Antispasmodic, Refreshing, Blood-tonic, Stimulates-energy, Cardiac-stimulant, Wakes-you-up, Decongestant, Digestive

    LEARN MORE

  • Punarnava

    Punarnava has these Actions in Common

    Cardiac-stimulant, Cholagogue, Digestive, Diuretic, Internal-detoxicant, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Antispasmodic, Stimulates-energy, Blood-tonic, Vasodilator

    LEARN MORE

  • Amalaki

    Amalaki has these Actions in Common

    Digestive, General-laxative, Internal-detoxicant, Refreshing, Relaxes-eyes, Stimulates-energy, Blood-tonic, Stool-softener, Carminative, Wakes-you-up

    LEARN MORE

  • Belly breathing

    Belly breathing has these Actions in Common

    Internal-detoxicant, Muscle-relaxant, Antispasmodic, Stimulates-energy, Blood-tonic, Cardiac-stimulant, Decongestant, Digestive, General-laxative

    LEARN MORE

  • Pennyroyal

    Pennyroyal has these Actions in Common

    Diaphoretic, Digestive, Diuretic, Muscle-relaxant, Antispasmodic, Vasodilator, Cardiac-stimulant, Carminative, Cholagogue

    LEARN MORE

  • Dong Quai

    Dong Quai has these Actions in Common

    Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Muscle-relaxant, Stimulates-energy, Antispasmodic, Vasodilator, Blood-tonic, Cardiac-stimulant, Carminative

    LEARN MORE

  • Trikatu

    Trikatu has these Actions in Common

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

    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.
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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 'Sweet Beet Paste With Fennel, Cardamom & Ginger'

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Ysha Oakes Albuquerque, NM
2010-06-15
“Blood building, grounding, warming and easy to digest, will feel WONDERFUL for postpartum mothers after bleeding has lightened. As beets encourage the flow downward and out of the subdosha of Vata called apana vayu, we must be careful the first 5-10 days after childbirth not to risk increasing bleeding."
“Dear Marinda & Katie, True Marinda, beets are naturally sweet. Sugar is simply optional and to taste. They actually get sweeter the longer you cook them. Katie, I eat beets alongside kitchari recipes and kale. There are lots of options! Best, -John"
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