Nutrition & Herbs from Ayurveda & Greek Medicine

Nutrition & Herbs from Ayurveda & Greek Medicine

 

AYURVEDIC RECIPES

Watermelon Cucumber Smoothie


How to Make Watermelon Cucumber Smoothie

PREPARATION OF THIS HEALTHY RECIPE

Puree in a blender and serve chilled.

How Does This Ayurvedic Recipe Improve Wellness?

CONSTITUTIONAL & METABOLIC INSIGHTS

Reduce Water Weight, Puffy Skin, & Swelling

Both watermelon and cucumber are wonderfully cooling remedies for hot summer heat. On hot days you might feel puffy and swollen because dilated capillary beds release more fluid into your skin. If your lymph is thick, this extra fluid causes congestion and puffiness. Even your ankles will get swollen with the heat.

Watermelon's diuretic qualities reduce summer swelling. As it purges extra fluids from your body, watermelon leaves you feeling light and refreshed. This drying quality and low calorie count of watermelon are a boon to the delicious taste of watermelon for those trying to lose weight. Watermelon also has a surprising ability to reduce insulin resistance.

Note: Summer swelling is called damp heat in Chinese medicine. Ayurveda describes damp heat as the hot, sour, spreading, & liquid nature of pitta.

Cleanse Your Urinary Tract

The more you sweat, the less you pee. Your risk for urinary tract infections (UTI) and bladder stones increases with summer heat. As you sweat more, urine thickens to a dark yellow. When it sits too long in your bladder it becomes turbid. The foul, and often sour smelling urine irritates the bladder and urinary tract. Concentrated urine also forms stones more easily.

Watermelon flushes and cleanses your urinary tract by its diuretic action. Its cooling quality reduces inflammation. Pay attention to the color and quantity of your urine. When you notice it has returned to a light yellow color and is more copious, you will know that you are reducing your risk of a urinary tract infection this summer. Be sure to drink lots of water when cleansing your urinary tract with watermelon. Vata should be careful to restore electrolyte loss as well.

Although technically a bad food combination, blending cucumber and watermelon together makes it more compatible, at least for my digestive tract!
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Classical Metabolic Theory (CMT) 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 Classical Metabolic Theory to discover the keys to personalized nourishment.

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

Is Watermelon Cucumber Smoothie a Good Match for My Body?

Find out by taking this free, easy quiz. You'll learn your body type, and whether 'Watermelon Cucumber Smoothie' 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 Impact of Watermelon Cucumber Smoothie

Classical Metabolic Theory uses biocharacteristics to classify the metabolic impact of food, herbs, lifestyle choices, your body, and disease.

METABOLIC IMPACT / BIOCHARACTERISTICS

Metabolic Impact / 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.

Find Out More

COLD

ABOUT COLD BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold refers to anything that reduces body temperature, metabolism, and blood flow.

Active Ingredients: Cucumber, Watermelon

LEARN MORE ABOUT COLD

LIQUEFIED

ABOUT LIQUEFIED BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Substances that thin fluids (lower viscosity of blood plasma). These may include blood thinners or mucolytic herbs.

Active Ingredients: Cucumber, Watermelon

LEARN MORE ABOUT LIQUEFIED

CLEAR

ABOUT CLEAR BIOCHARACTERISTIC

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

Active Ingredients: Cucumber, Watermelon

LEARN MORE ABOUT CLEAR

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
AGGRAVATES
Vata 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

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 Cucumber Smoothie
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)
Quenches Thirst

STRONG QUENCHES-THIRST

An herb or substance that relieves thirst.

Active Ingredients: Cucumber

SEE ALL 'QUENCHES-THIRST' FOODS / HERBS

Skin Tonic

STRONG SKIN-TONIC

An herb that strengthens and nourishes skin, improving tone, color, moisture and complexion.

Active Ingredients: Cucumber

SEE ALL 'SKIN-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Soothes Throat

STRONG SOOTHES-THROAT

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

Active Ingredients: Cucumber

SEE ALL 'SOOTHES-THROAT' FOODS / HERBS

Anti Inflammatory

STRONG ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

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

Active Ingredients: Cucumber

SEE ALL 'ANTI-INFLAMMATORY' FOODS / HERBS

Refrigerant

STRONG REFRIGERANT

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

Active Ingredients: Cucumber, Watermelon

SEE ALL 'REFRIGERANT' FOODS / HERBS

,
Opthalmic

STRONG OPTHALMIC

Benefits the eyes, vision tonic.

Active Ingredients: Cucumber

SEE ALL 'OPTHALMIC' FOODS / HERBS

,
Hypotensive

STRONG HYPOTENSIVE

An herb that lowers blood pressure.

Active Ingredients: Cucumber

SEE ALL 'HYPOTENSIVE' 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: Cucumber, Watermelon

SEE ALL 'DIURETIC' 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: Cucumber, Watermelon

SEE ALL 'NITRIC-OXIDE' FOODS / HERBS

,
Salicylates

STRONG SALICYLATES

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

Active Ingredients: Cucumber

SEE ALL 'SALICYLATES' FOODS / HERBS

,
Vitamin K

STRONG VITAMIN-K

Active Ingredients: Cucumber

SEE ALL 'VITAMIN-K' FOODS / HERBS

,
Vitamin C

MILD VITAMIN-C

Active Ingredients: Watermelon

SEE ALL 'VITAMIN-C' FOODS / HERBS

Foods with a Similar Metabolic Impact to Watermelon Cucumber Smoothie

  • Cucumber

    Cucumber has these Actions in Common

    Diuretic, Quenches-thirst, Soothes-throat, Hypotensive, Refrigerant, Anti-inflammatory, Opthalmic, Skin-tonic

    LEARN MORE

  • Hibiscus

    Hibiscus has these Actions in Common

    Hypotensive, Skin-tonic, Anti-inflammatory, Opthalmic, Diuretic, Refrigerant

    LEARN MORE

  • Honey Dew

    Honey Dew has these Actions in Common

    Opthalmic, Diuretic, Quenches-thirst, Hypotensive, Refrigerant

    LEARN MORE

  • Pears

    Pears has these Actions in Common

    Anti-inflammatory, Soothes-throat, Quenches-thirst, Refrigerant

    LEARN MORE

  • Pomegranate

    Pomegranate has these Actions in Common

    Anti-inflammatory, Skin-tonic, Opthalmic, Refrigerant

    LEARN MORE

  • Carrot

    Carrot has these Actions in Common

    Opthalmic, Diuretic, Skin-tonic, Hypotensive

    LEARN MORE

  • Acai

    Acai has these Actions in Common

    Quenches-thirst, Anti-inflammatory, Refrigerant, Hypotensive

    LEARN MORE

  • Grape

    Grape has these Actions in Common

    Opthalmic, Anti-inflammatory, Quenches-thirst, Diuretic

    LEARN MORE

  • Chicory Lettuce

    Chicory Lettuce has these Actions in Common

    Anti-inflammatory, Opthalmic, Refrigerant

    LEARN MORE

  • Ice cube

    Ice cube has these Actions in Common

    Soothes-throat, Quenches-thirst, Refrigerant

    LEARN MORE

  • Cranberry Juice

    Cranberry Juice has these Actions in Common

    Diuretic, Opthalmic, Anti-inflammatory

    LEARN MORE

Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Metabolic Impact to Watermelon Cucumber Smoothie

  • Arjuna

    Arjuna has these Actions in Common

    Diuretic, Hypotensive, Refrigerant, Skin-tonic, Anti-inflammatory

    LEARN MORE

  • Bhringaraj

    Bhringaraj has these Actions in Common

    Anti-inflammatory, Diuretic, Hypotensive, Opthalmic, Skin-tonic

    LEARN MORE

  • Amalaki

    Amalaki has these Actions in Common

    Refrigerant, Skin-tonic, Anti-inflammatory, Opthalmic, Quenches-thirst

    LEARN MORE

  • Borage Leaf

    Borage Leaf has these Actions in Common

    Anti-inflammatory, Diuretic, Refrigerant, Soothes-throat

    LEARN MORE

  • Dandelion Root

    Dandelion Root has these Actions in Common

    Hypotensive, Refrigerant, Anti-inflammatory, Diuretic

    LEARN MORE

  • Cornsilk

    Cornsilk has these Actions in Common

    Diuretic, Hypotensive, Refrigerant, Anti-inflammatory

    LEARN MORE

  • Goldenseal

    Goldenseal has these Actions in Common

    Anti-inflammatory, Diuretic, Opthalmic, Refrigerant

    LEARN MORE

  • Chandanadi Taila

    Chandanadi Taila has these Actions in Common

    Refrigerant, Skin-tonic, Anti-inflammatory

    LEARN MORE

  • Pitta Massage Oil

    Pitta Massage Oil has these Actions in Common

    Anti-inflammatory, Refrigerant, Skin-tonic

    LEARN MORE

  • Uva Ursi

    Uva Ursi has these Actions in Common

    Anti-inflammatory, Diuretic, Refrigerant

    LEARN MORE

  • Cleavers

    Cleavers has these Actions in Common

    Anti-inflammatory, Diuretic, Refrigerant

    LEARN MORE


Joyful Belly is a recognized college of biocharacteristics medicine.

TRADITIONALLY INDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

Watermelon Cucumber Smoothie may temper these symptoms. The suitability of any recipe for a condition is highly dependent on the individual and constitution. Please see your doctor before using this recipe to treat a medical condition.

CONTRAINDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

Watermelon Cucumber Smoothie may be harmful or contraindicated for these symptoms. Note this is not a complete list of all possible contraindications. Please see your doctor before using this recipe to treat a medical condition.

Herb Drug Interaction Risk

Here are some potential herb drug interactions with Watermelon Cucumber Smoothie. Please see your health care provider for more information.

View Other Healthy Recipes for Summer

This recipe is recommended for Summer. Check out these other Summer recipes here.
VIEW ALL SUMMER RECIPES MORE PITTA / KAPHA RECIPES
MAIN RECIPE PAGE

About the Author

John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly, offers professional clinical training in personalized diet, lifestyle and herbs through Classical Metabolic Theory (Ayurveda & Greek Medicine). His approach is clinical, yet exudes an ease which many find enjoyable and insightful.

John's hobbies & specialties include advanced digestive disorders, classical Christian philosophy for mental wellness, languages (French, Arabic, Bengali), cooking & 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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What is Ayurveda?

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

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