Carolina College of Natural Health Sciences

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AYURVEDIC RECIPES

Watermelon & Cayenne Pepper


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How to Make Watermelon & Cayenne Pepper

PREPARATION OF THIS HEALTHY RECIPE

Cut watermelon in bite size chunks. Sprinkle with cayenne.

How Does This Ayurvedic Recipe Improve Wellness?

CONSTITUTIONAL MEDICINE INSIGHTS

Cool and refreshing, watermelon invites children and adults alike to step out of the heat and enjoy a refreshing cool treat on a summer day. Watermelon cools the body and restores balance to overheated blood. Watermelon is cold and heavy, making it perfect to relax your stressed, overheated body and mind in the summer.

Watermelon's cool diuretic properties leave you feeling light and refreshed. Dry Vata types should exercise caution with watermelon. Although the large fruit might be a tempting way to relieve dehydration, watermelon's juiciness only quenches thirst temporarily. Those who suffer from water retention will be happy to hear that, ultimately, watermelon's diuretic properties dry out your blood (due to Potassium). Like most cooling diuretics, watermelon is perfect for purging heat from and cleansing the urinary tract.

Vata, who may have a hard time digesting plain watermelon because of its cool quality, will enjoy the addition of cayenne pepper. A dash of cayenne pepper gives your GI a pick me up. Spicing up fruits is normal in tropical countries where summer heat makes your digestion sluggish. If you are feeling a little hazy in the heat, the bright kick of cayenne will sharpen your mind, helping you think clearly once again.

WHAT IS WATERMELON & CAYENNE PEPPER?

Fruits are frequently garnished with cayenne pepper in tropical countries, where summer heat makes digestion sluggish.

Constitutional nutrition is tailored to the individual. In the kitchen, especially during your family’s formative years, you shape your family's lifelong health.

Understanding your child's constitution is key to raising resilience, instead of wiring in disease. Study constitutional medicine to discover the keys to personalized nourishment.

Rooted in the insights curated from Ayurveda and Greek medicine, constitutional medicine teaches you which foods match your body, so you and your family have true vitality, strength, and balance. See How it Works.

Is Watermelon & Cayenne Pepper a Good Match for My Body?

Find out by taking this free, easy quiz. You'll learn your body type, and whether 'Watermelon & Cayenne Pepper' 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.

Medicinal Effects of Watermelon & Cayenne Pepper

Constitutional nutrition systems use biocharacteristics to classify the metabolic nature of food, herbs, lifestyle choices, your body, and disease.

METABOLIC NATURE / BIOCHARACTERISTICS

Metabolic Nature / Biocharacteristics

Ayurveda assesses metabolic imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics (vital qualtiies). 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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EASY

ABOUT EASY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

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

Active Ingredients: Watermelon, Cayenne Pepper

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LIGHT

ABOUT LIGHT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Lightness is identified by reduced weight.

Active Ingredients: Cayenne Pepper, Watermelon

LEARN MORE ABOUT LIGHT

CLEAR

ABOUT CLEAR BIOCHARACTERISTIC

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

Active Ingredients: Watermelon, Cayenne Pepper

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.

Active Ingredients: Watermelon

LEARN MORE ABOUT LIQUEFIED

MOBILE

ABOUT MOBILE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

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

Active Ingredients: Cayenne Pepper

LEARN MORE ABOUT MOBILE

DRY

ABOUT DRY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

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

Active Ingredients: Watermelon

LEARN MORE ABOUT DRY

AYURVEDA BODY TYPES (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
Kapha pacifying Pitta pacifying Vata pacifying

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

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

AGGRAVATES
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

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Watermelon & Cayenne Pepper
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)
Burns Toxins

BURNS-TOXINS

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

Active Ingredients: Cayenne Pepper

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Diaphoretic

DIAPHORETIC

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

Active Ingredients: Cayenne Pepper

SEE ALL 'DIAPHORETIC' FOODS / HERBS

Irritates Throat

IRRITATES-THROAT

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

Active Ingredients: Cayenne Pepper

SEE ALL 'IRRITATES-THROAT' FOODS / HERBS

,
Warms Chest

WARMS-CHEST

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

Active Ingredients: Cayenne Pepper

SEE ALL 'WARMS-CHEST' FOODS / HERBS

,
Flushes Sinuses

FLUSHES-SINUSES

An herb that relieves sinus congestion by flushing out mucus.

Active Ingredients: Cayenne Pepper

SEE ALL 'FLUSHES-SINUSES' FOODS / HERBS

,
Decongestant

DECONGESTANT

An herb that reduces mucus production often by restricting blood flow to mucus membranes.

Active Ingredients: Cayenne Pepper

SEE ALL 'DECONGESTANT' FOODS / HERBS

Anti Inflammatory

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

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

Active Ingredients: Cayenne Pepper

SEE ALL 'ANTI-INFLAMMATORY' 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.

Active Ingredients: Cayenne Pepper

SEE ALL 'CARDIAC-STIMULANT' FOODS / HERBS

,
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.

Active Ingredients: Watermelon

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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.

Active Ingredients: Cayenne Pepper

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,
Refrigerant

STRONG REFRIGERANT

An herb or substance that strongly cools the body. Can be helpful in cases of heat conditions.

Active Ingredients: Watermelon

SEE ALL 'REFRIGERANT' 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.

Active Ingredients: Watermelon

SEE ALL 'ANTIOXIDANT' FOODS / HERBS

Diuretic

STRONG 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.

Active Ingredients: Watermelon

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.

Active Ingredients: Watermelon

SEE ALL 'LIVOTONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Lowers Blood Sugar

LOWERS-BLOOD-SUGAR

An herb that lowers blood sugar.

Active Ingredients: Watermelon

SEE ALL 'LOWERS-BLOOD-SUGAR' FOODS / HERBS

Aphrodisiac

APHRODISIAC

Herbs that increase sexual arousal through various actions including increased circulation, relaxation, stimulation, or tonics that strengthen glandular health.

Active Ingredients: Watermelon

SEE ALL 'APHRODISIAC' FOODS / HERBS

Antispasmodic

ANTISPASMODIC

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

Active Ingredients: Cayenne Pepper

SEE ALL 'ANTISPASMODIC' FOODS / HERBS

Constituents:
Nitric Oxide

STRONG NITRIC-OXIDE

Improves circulation by dilating blood vessels. Protects blood vessels from damage. Improves athletic performance, libido, immunity, and brain health.

Active Ingredients: Watermelon

SEE ALL 'NITRIC-OXIDE' FOODS / HERBS

,
Vitamin C

VITAMIN-C

Active Ingredients: Watermelon

SEE ALL 'VITAMIN-C' FOODS / HERBS

Foods with a Similar Nature to Watermelon & Cayenne Pepper

  • Cayenne Pepper

    Cayenne Pepper has these Actions in Common

    Burns-toxins, Diaphoretic, Vasodilator, Anti-inflammatory, Cardiac-stimulant, Flushes-sinuses, Warms-chest, Antispasmodic, Decongestant, Irritates-throat

    LEARN MORE

  • Mustard Seed

    Mustard Seed has these Actions in Common

    Diaphoretic, Irritates-throat, Cardiac-stimulant, Diuretic, Vasodilator, Antispasmodic, Decongestant, Flushes-sinuses, Warms-chest, Burns-toxins

    LEARN MORE

  • Mustard Powder

    Mustard Powder has these Actions in Common

    Antispasmodic, Decongestant, Flushes-sinuses, Warms-chest, Burns-toxins, Diaphoretic, Irritates-throat, Cardiac-stimulant, Diuretic, Vasodilator

    LEARN MORE

  • Mustard

    Mustard has these Actions in Common

    Antispasmodic, Decongestant, Flushes-sinuses, Warms-chest, Burns-toxins, Diaphoretic, Irritates-throat, Cardiac-stimulant, Diuretic, Vasodilator

    LEARN MORE

  • Nigella (black cumin)

    Nigella (black cumin) has these Actions in Common

    Burns-toxins, Diuretic, Vasodilator, Anti-inflammatory, Cardiac-stimulant, Irritates-throat, Antispasmodic, Diaphoretic, Lowers-blood-sugar

    LEARN MORE

  • Allspice

    Allspice has these Actions in Common

    Antispasmodic, Decongestant, Vasodilator, Burns-toxins, Irritates-throat, Warms-chest, Anti-inflammatory, Cardiac-stimulant, Lowers-blood-sugar

    LEARN MORE

  • Cinnamon

    Cinnamon has these Actions in Common

    Cardiac-stimulant, Diuretic, Warms-chest, Aphrodisiac, Decongestant, Irritates-throat, Burns-toxins, Diaphoretic, Lowers-blood-sugar

    LEARN MORE

  • Turmeric

    Turmeric has these Actions in Common

    Antioxidant, Flushes-sinuses, Warms-chest, Alterative, Antispasmodic, Lowers-blood-sugar, Anti-inflammatory, Burns-toxins, Vasodilator

    LEARN MORE

  • Black Pepper

    Black Pepper has these Actions in Common

    Cardiac-stimulant, Flushes-sinuses, Antispasmodic, Decongestant, Irritates-throat, Burns-toxins, Diaphoretic, Vasodilator

    LEARN MORE

  • Celery Seed

    Celery Seed has these Actions in Common

    Burns-toxins, Diuretic, Anti-inflammatory, Cardiac-stimulant, Lowers-blood-sugar, Antispasmodic, Diaphoretic, Vasodilator

    LEARN MORE

  • Basil (Fresh)

    Basil (Fresh) has these Actions in Common

    Anti-inflammatory, Cardiac-stimulant, Diuretic, Antispasmodic, Decongestant, Vasodilator, Burns-toxins, Diaphoretic

    LEARN MORE

Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Nature to Watermelon & Cayenne Pepper

  • Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi)

    Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi) has these Actions in Common

    Anti-inflammatory, Vasodilator, Antispasmodic, Warms-chest, Burns-toxins, Cardiac-stimulant, Decongestant, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Lowers-blood-sugar

    LEARN MORE

  • Punarnava

    Punarnava has these Actions in Common

    Diuretic, Lowers-blood-sugar, Vasodilator, Alterative, Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Antispasmodic, Cardiac-stimulant

    LEARN MORE

  • Mahasudarshan

    Mahasudarshan has these Actions in Common

    Alterative, Anti-inflammatory, Burns-toxins, Decongestant, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Livotonic

    LEARN MORE

  • Hot Shower

    Hot Shower has these Actions in Common

    Diaphoretic, Flushes-sinuses, Vasodilator, Warms-chest, Antispasmodic, Cardiac-stimulant, Decongestant

    LEARN MORE

  • Tips for the Perfect Hot Bath

    Tips for the Perfect Hot Bath has these Actions in Common

    Antispasmodic, Cardiac-stimulant, Decongestant, Diaphoretic, Flushes-sinuses, Vasodilator, Warms-chest

    LEARN MORE

  • Epsom Salt Bath

    Epsom Salt Bath has these Actions in Common

    Antispasmodic, Cardiac-stimulant, Decongestant, Diaphoretic, Flushes-sinuses, Vasodilator, Warms-chest

    LEARN MORE

  • Echinacea

    Echinacea has these Actions in Common

    Anti-inflammatory, Burns-toxins, Decongestant, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Refrigerant, Alterative

    LEARN MORE

  • Deodar (Himalayan Cedar, Devadaru)

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

    Vasodilator, Warms-chest, Anti-inflammatory, Antispasmodic, Cardiac-stimulant, Decongestant, Diuretic

    LEARN MORE

  • Yarrow

    Yarrow has these Actions in Common

    Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Livotonic, Vasodilator, Alterative, Anti-inflammatory, Antispasmodic

    LEARN MORE

  • Kanakasava- Breathe Alive Tonic Drink

    Kanakasava- Breathe Alive Tonic Drink has these Actions in Common

    Anti-inflammatory, Antispasmodic, Burns-toxins, Diaphoretic, Vasodilator, Warms-chest

    LEARN MORE

  • Trikatu

    Trikatu has these Actions in Common

    Vasodilator, Burns-toxins, Cardiac-stimulant, Decongestant, Diaphoretic, Irritates-throat

    LEARN MORE


Joyful Belly is a recognized college of biocharacteristics medicine.

View Other Healthy Recipes for Summer

This recipe is recommended for Summer. Check out these other Summer recipes here.
VIEW ALL SUMMER RECIPES MORE VATA / PITTA / KAPHA 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 through constitutional nutrition (Ayurveda & Greek Medicine). His approach 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 8 kids live in Asheville, NC

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Founder of Joyful Belly Ayurveda, John Immel, answers the question ‘What is Ayurveda?’

Comments & Questions About 'Watermelon & Cayenne Pepper'

Do you like 'watermelon & cayenne pepper'? Why or why not? What makes it unique? Is there something else you'd like to know about 'watermelon & cayenne pepper'?

(4.33 out of 5 stars) 3 ratings, 421 likes
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“Dear Janet - this dish is a bit light to substitute as a meal, but it does make a nice juice. -John"
Larissa Demalteris Golden, CO
2013-07-24
“What a perfect recipe! I tried this one on a day when my digestion was stagnant, this was such a great remedy."
Kimberly Kubicke Asbury park, NJ
2016-08-25
“It's hard to give general advice for specific situations without knowing a full health history. Consider making an appointment for a one on one consultation."
Katie Clinton Ferndale, sligo, AL
2022-01-17
“You're right! Generally Vata-dominant people do better avoiding watermelon. However, as mentioned in the article, the addition of the spice here can mitigate those chilly qualities."
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