School of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

School of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

AYURVEDIC RECIPES

Sweet Potato With Pumpkin Spice & Mustard Seed

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4.67 out of 5 stars
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"Delicious! I used ghee instead of sunflower oil and cooked the spices, then the onion, then added the uncooked sweet..."
- Anna, Reservoir, AL full start reviewfull start reviewfull start reviewfull start reviewfull start review

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How to Make Sweet Potato with Pumpkin Spice & Mustard Seed

SERVINGS: 2
PREP TIME: 5 MINUTES
COOK TIME: 30 MINUTES
SKILL LEVEL: EASY

STYLE: INDIAN
PREPARATION: BOILED

INGREDIENTS


SKILL LEVEL: EASY
2 tbsp
1/4 c
2 c
2 pinch
2 pinch
2 pinch
2 pinch
2 pinch

PREPARATION OF THIS HEALTHY RECIPE

1. Chop the potatoes and boil in a deep frying pan with a pinch of salt. Use just enough water to cover the sweet potatoes. Remove from heat and strain when soft but not mushy. Place in a bowl and set aside. Discard extra water.

2. Cut onion in long thin wedges.

3. Use the same pan to sautee mustard seeds in sunflower oil until they begin to pop. Add remaining spices, let cook for a few seconds, and onion for an additional thirty seconds or until onions are translucent. Add cooked sweet potatoes and fry gently without mushing them. Sprinkle with a dash of salt when done.

Caution: Popping mustard seeds can be tricky. Make sure the pot is covered. To add spices, remove from heat, wait until seeds stop popping, and spices and mix with oil. Return to heat until spices being to fry. Adding the onion keeps the pan temperature low enough to avoid burning spices.

How Does This Ayurvedic Recipe Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Nourishing, sweet and a touch spicy, Sweet Potatoes with Pumpkin Spice and Mustard Seeds will have the power to make you feel at home, no matter where you roam. Cinnamon and ginger combine remind you of Grandma's famous Thanksgiving pumpkin pie, while mustard seeds add a touch of the exotic. Enjoy this comforting meal on a fall day.

Comfort Food

Sweet potato is unique among comfort foods in its easy digestibility, even for those with heavy digestive symptoms. Unlike dairy products, potatoes, and other common comfort foods like pasta, sweet potatoes feel light in the stomach, while still being nourishing. Sweet potato is supportive for digestion and contains ample fiber to encourage good elimination. Besides simple starches, sweet potatoes are rich in complex carbohydrates, which means these roots can satisfy the appetite for long stretches.

Warm Nourishment

With the cool winds of autumn beginning to blow through many regions, you may find your body feeling cold and congested, longing for warmth and comfort. Battling the cold may seem like a necessary evil as fall deepens into winter. Yet, a simple remedy for cold hands and feet may be as close as your everyday spice rack. Long relied upon for its stimulating effect on the circulation, cinnamon warms your blood and your body into coziness with its sweet taste and powerful punch. The warmth it brings to cold hands and feet has also been used for conditions like Raynaud's Syndrome.

Feel Light Yet Satisfied

Dried ginger is a zingy herb that helps keep the body healthy through cold and damp conditions, and helps to make many foods more digestible for those with mucusy digestive symptoms. It is one of three ingredients in the Ayurvedic digestive formula trikatu. Dried gingers punchy potency is what gives many baked goods like gingerbread that especially gingery tastiness, making these kinds of treats more accessible for those who find difficulty in digesting moist and dense foods.

Stabilize Your Blood Sugar

Despite the name "sweet," it may be a beneficial food for diabetics as preliminary studies revealed it helps to stabilize blood sugar levels. Cinnamon also helps your blood sugar remain stable and safe.

Discovered by Rose Ortiz, massage therapist in Asheville, NC.


WHAT IS SWEET POTATO WITH PUMPKIN SPICE & MUSTARD SEED?

Hearty, golden, grounding 'pumpkin pie'. Discovered by Rose Ortiz, yoga instructor in Asheville, NC.

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 Potato with Pumpkin Spice & Mustard Seed Good for My Ayurvedic Diet?

Find out by taking this free, easy quiz. You'll learn your body type, and whether 'Sweet Potato with Pumpkin Spice & Mustard Seed' 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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EASY

ABOUT EASY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

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

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CLEAR

ABOUT CLEAR BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Clear refers to anything that cleanses or flushes out wastes, or that digests ama.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CLEAR

MOBILE

ABOUT MOBILE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

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

LEARN MORE ABOUT MOBILE

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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ASTRINGENT

ABOUT ASTRINGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Astringency is characterized by constriction, drawing together, or drying.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ASTRINGENT

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
Pitta pacifying Vata pacifying
AGGRAVATES
Kapha aggravating
HAS THE FOLLOWING
Subtaste:
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

HERBAL ACTIONS
(see all)

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Sweet Potato with Pumpkin Spice & Mustard Seed
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.

Digestive

DIGESTIVE

Herbs that encourage healthy digestion.

SEE ALL 'DIGESTIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Makes You Tired

MAKES-YOU-TIRED

Induces drowsiness and promotes sound sleep.

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

,
Strengthens Resolve

STRENGTHENS-RESOLVE

Increases determination and courage by reducing stress and building strength.

SEE ALL 'STRENGTHENS-RESOLVE' 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

,
Nervine

NERVINE

Balances the nervous system. They can help with stress, memory, early alzheimer's, and even chronic pain. Often they are aromatic in nature.

SEE ALL 'NERVINE' 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.

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Stimulates Energy

STIMULATES-ENERGY

This category groups thyroid and adrenal stimulating herbs.

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,
Satisfies Stomach

SATISFIES-STOMACH

Provides a sense of gratification and fullness in the stomach.

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,
Nutritive

NUTRITIVE

An herb that is strengthening and nourishing.

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,
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.

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Diaphoretic

DIAPHORETIC

An herb that induces sweating, often by dilating blood vessels close to the skin.

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Warms Chest

WARMS-CHEST

Warms the chest and lungs, clearing mucus and allowing for clear breathing. Often these herbs are hot, aromatic, and pungent.

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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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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.

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,
Warms Ears

WARMS-EARS

Stimulates peripheral circulation to warm extremities, including the ears.

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,
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.

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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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,
Opthalmic

OPTHALMIC

Benefits the eyes, vision tonic.

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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

Livotonic

LIVOTONIC

An herb that strengthens the liver. It is helpful for people with a history of substance abuse, chronic liver issues from hepatitis and hemolytic anemias. Generally, liver tonics are oily, cool, sweet, mildly sour, or contain beta-carotene.

SEE ALL 'LIVOTONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Galactagogue

GALACTAGOGUE

Increases production of breast milk, often by raising prolactin and diaphoresis.

SEE ALL 'GALACTAGOGUE' FOODS / HERBS

,
Emmenagogue

EMMENAGOGUE

Herbs which stimulate menstruation. Emmenagogues are used for scanty menstruation, to relieve menstrual pain, and improve blood flow in the pelvic area and uterus.

SEE ALL 'EMMENAGOGUE' FOODS / HERBS

Constituents:
Catechins

CATECHINS

Antioxidant that reduces cancer and blood clots, dilates blood vessels, and is antimicrobial.

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,
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.

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, Fats,
Saponins

SAPONINS

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

SEE ALL 'SAPONINS' FOODS / HERBS

, Sulfated Polysaccharides, Sulphur, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Carbohydrate, Insoluble Fiber,
Coumarin

COUMARIN

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

SEE ALL 'COUMARIN' FOODS / HERBS

, Beta Carotene, Polysaccharides, Potassium

Foods with a Similar Nature to Sweet Potato with Pumpkin Spice & Mustard Seed

Mustard

Mustard has these Actions in Common

Digestive, Flushes-sinuses, Vasodilator, Cardiac-stimulant, Diuretic, Stimulates-energy, Warms-chest, Diaphoretic, Emmenagogue, Strengthens-resolve, Warms-ears

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Mustard Powder

Mustard Powder has these Actions in Common

Strengthens-resolve, Warms-ears, Digestive, Flushes-sinuses, Vasodilator, Cardiac-stimulant, Diuretic, Stimulates-energy, Warms-chest, Diaphoretic, Emmenagogue

LEARN MORE

Mustard Seed

Mustard Seed has these Actions in Common

Diaphoretic, Emmenagogue, Strengthens-resolve, Warms-ears, Digestive, Flushes-sinuses, Vasodilator, Cardiac-stimulant, Diuretic, Stimulates-energy, Warms-chest

LEARN MORE

Saffron

Saffron has these Actions in Common

Digestive, Galactagogue, Nutritive, Diuretic, Livotonic, Sedative, Diaphoretic, Emmenagogue, Nervine, Stimulates-energy

LEARN MORE

Cinnamon

Cinnamon has these Actions in Common

Diaphoretic, Emmenagogue, Stimulates-energy, Digestive, Galactagogue, Warms-chest, Cardiac-stimulant, Diuretic, Soothes-throat

LEARN MORE

Butternut Squash

Butternut Squash has these Actions in Common

Livotonic, Opthalmic, Alterative, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Satisfies-stomach, Diuretic, Nutritive, Tonic

LEARN MORE

Beef

Beef has these Actions in Common

Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Tonic, Livotonic, Nutritive, Warms-chest, Makes-you-tired, Satisfies-stomach, Warms-ears

LEARN MORE

Nigella (black cumin)

Nigella (black cumin) has these Actions in Common

Cardiac-stimulant, Diuretic, Stimulates-energy, Diaphoretic, Galactagogue, Vasodilator, Digestive, Nervine

LEARN MORE

Chamomile

Chamomile has these Actions in Common

Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Vasodilator, Emmenagogue, Nervine, Diaphoretic, Makes-you-tired, Sedative, Digestive

LEARN MORE

Beets

Beets has these Actions in Common

Livotonic, Opthalmic, Vasodilator, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Satisfies-stomach, Alterative, Nutritive, Stimulates-energy

LEARN MORE

Cloves

Cloves has these Actions in Common

Cardiac-stimulant, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Warms-chest, Diaphoretic, Nervine, Warms-ears, Digestive, Vasodilator

LEARN MORE

Herb Supplements with a Similar Nature to Sweet Potato with Pumpkin Spice & Mustard Seed

Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi)

Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi) has these Actions in Common

Cardiac-stimulant, Vasodilator, Diaphoretic, Warms-chest, Diuretic, Warms-ears, Emmenagogue, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Nervine, Sedative, Stimulates-energy

LEARN MORE

Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha has these Actions in Common

Galactagogue, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Nervine, Nutritive, Sedative, Strengthens-resolve, Alterative, Tonic, Diuretic

LEARN MORE

Wild Ginger

Wild Ginger has these Actions in Common

Emmenagogue, Stimulates-energy, Vasodilator, Warms-chest, Warms-ears, Cardiac-stimulant, Diaphoretic, Digestive

LEARN MORE

Deodar (Himalayan Cedar, Devadaru)

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

Vasodilator, Warms-chest, Warms-ears, Cardiac-stimulant, Digestive, Diuretic, Nervine, Stimulates-energy

LEARN MORE

Vidari

Vidari has these Actions in Common

Nutritive, Soothes-throat, Tonic, Alterative, Diuretic, Galactagogue, Livotonic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding

LEARN MORE

Punarnava

Punarnava has these Actions in Common

Tonic, Vasodilator, Alterative, Cardiac-stimulant, Digestive, Diuretic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Stimulates-energy

LEARN MORE

Blue Vervain

Blue Vervain has these Actions in Common

Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Emmenagogue, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Nervine, Sedative, Alterative

LEARN MORE

Jasmine Flower

Jasmine Flower has these Actions in Common

Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Nervine, Soothes-throat, Alterative, Digestive, Emmenagogue, Galactagogue

LEARN MORE

Saw Palmetto

Saw Palmetto has these Actions in Common

Soothes-throat, Tonic, Digestive, Diuretic, Galactagogue, Nervine, Nutritive

LEARN MORE

Pennyroyal

Pennyroyal has these Actions in Common

Cardiac-stimulant, Diaphoretic, Digestive, Diuretic, Emmenagogue, Nervine, Vasodilator

LEARN MORE

Elecampane

Elecampane has these Actions in Common

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

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 'Sweet Potato With Pumpkin Spice & Mustard Seed'

Do you like 'sweet potato with pumpkin spice & mustard seed'? Why or why not? What makes it unique? Is there something else you'd like to know about 'sweet potato with pumpkin spice & mustard seed'?

full start reviewfull start reviewfull start reviewfull start reviewhalf start review(4.67 out of 5 stars) 3 ratings, 659 likes
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Many grocers don't distinguish yams from sweet potatoes. Yams are more moist, orange colored, Vata reducing, and Kapha increasing. Sweet potatoes have more dry, astringent quality and lighter color. Sweet potatoes are best minimized for Vata. In constipation favor yams and drop nutmeg. Sweet potatoes are better than yams for Kapha. The recipe works for both nicely!

Early postpartum nursing mothers and those prone to restlessness will benefit by substituting ghee for oil and 1/8 tsp of hing instead of onion.

- Ysha Oakes, Albuquerque, NM , 11-26-09 (Reply)
Delicious! I used ghee instead of sunflower oil and cooked the spices, then the onion, then added the uncooked sweet potato and stirred it until coated with the ghee. I put a little water in the pan and covered it with a lid and simmered it until the potato was tender, then took the lid off a cooked until the liquid was evaporated. I served it over kitchari. So tasty!
- Anna, Reservoir, AL
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, 11-08-20 (Reply)
Sounds so good! I'm glad you enjoyed!
- Katie Clinton, Ferndale, sligo, AL
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, 11-08-20 (Reply)

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