The benefits of Ayurvedic remedies have been known in the villiagers of India and beyond for centuries, these remedies are as useful in our modern day world, as they have ever been, if not more. Studying Ayurveda for the last 5 years , being enchanted by this science of life , has given me the opportunity to really understand the mind , body and soul , and given me the knowledge to start living, a healthy and well balance life, improvement of health, mindset and overall happiness, this is something we can all learn, and the best bet is it can start at home, as Ayurveda says.
The kitchen is at the start of ones healing.
There are many remedies that are used in Ayurveda to help balance the body doshas, and to keep an overall wellness of the system. Cooking at home and regulary consuming thres herbs and spices go along way in helping the body detox naturally. The key lies in keeping it simple, understanding thats everything we put into the body and how we live our daily lives ultimately affects our long term health.
My Favorite kitchen Ayurvedic remedies
Turmeric (Curcuma longa)
Pungent and bitter in taste, turmeric is the one spice I use regulary in my cooking, like many spices, turmeric has a long history of use in Ayurvedic medicine, used for it pungent and bitter taste, cultivated from the roots of a flowering plant, grown in India and other parts of Southeast Asia.
Anti-inflammatory- Properties of turmeric, may help in treating some conditions like Arthritis, Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Anybody suffering from mild joint pain can also consume Turmeric capsules.
Digestion – Excellent for digestive problems, eating raw turmeric may help reduce symptoms of bloating and gas.
Antiseptic and anti-bacterial- properties of turmeric powder, made into a paste and applied onto the affected area of the skin for faster healing. Good for burns, cuts, boils and infections.
Helps with Liver Detox – Consumption of Turmeric produces vital enzymes, that help with detoxify our blood, breaking down and reducing the toxins. Improving blood circulation and promoting good liver health.
Ginger (Zingiber Officinale)
Pungent and sweet in taste Ginger is widely used in ayurveda, and is said to be an ‘entire medicine chest in itself.
Eating a piece of Ginger, just before lunch and dinner to aid in the digestion of food.
Ginger starts by igniting the appetite, digestive fire, improve assimilation and transportation of nutrients to the tissues, and clears the channels of the body. There are times when Ginger is contraindicated, in case of hyperacidity, hemorrhage (including menstruation) vertigo, and chronic skin disease, it is best to avoid. Otherwise, ginger is an excellent spice to be used daily.
Ayurvedic texts recommend taking Ginger for joint discomfort and motion sickness, its is also very good consuming before your main meal, to aid in digestion, added to hot water to drink as tea, and use as a spice added to lentils, soups and curries.
Cumin (Cuminum Cyminum)
According to ayurveda, Cumin is balancing for all three of the doshas, with its pungent, bitter taste and cooling energy, used as an carnative, alterative and stimulant, helping to aid digestion and flush out toxins from the body. it is a good source of Iron, 1 tablespoon providing 4 mg or 22% of your daily needs. Additionally, it is a good source of manganese, calcium, and magnesium.
Cumin is used as raw, whole seeds, ground, or dry-roasted. Sautéing and roasting bring the flavour and aroma to its fullest, and works well along with other spices including turmeric, ground coriander, ground dry ginger or cinnimon.
Widely used in vegetarian, vegan and india dishes , cooked with lentil, chickpeas, courgettes, aubergines, and works perfectly with sprinkled on roast potatoes.
To make stir-fried vegetables more flavorsome, can be also used to create a marinade, mixing olive oil and cumin together and pour this mixture over the vegetables and combine with couscous o rice for a healthy dish.
Lemon (Citrus Limonum)
Lemons sour taste, cooling energy, expectorant, and astrinent properities works to engnite, and stimulate salivation and digestive juices in the stomach. Ayurveda suggests drinking warm water and lemon in the morning before breakfast, this helps in cleansing the system , known for its diuretic properties, flushing toxins out of the urinary tract keeping it nice and healthy. Make this part of your morninbg routine.
The natural citric acid in lemons helps maximize enzyme function, this then stimulates the liver and aids in detoxification process.
Note: Never take lemons with milk, mango, tomatoes, or when one has a peptic ulcer.In cases of Nausea, Vomiting and/or Indigestion, make a mixture of 1 part lemon juice and i part honey. Dip your index finger into this mixture and lick it slowly.
Coriander (Coriander Sativum Ubelliferae)
Bitter, pungent in taste, with a cooling energy, Coranider has alterative, diaphoretic, carminative properties, and has long been used to easae gastrointestinakl discomfor.
Ayurveda embraces the tradition of using coriander often as an antidote to high Pitta. Energetically, coriander is considered a warming and cooling herb, depending on which part of the plant you use.
Leaves are said to be cooling, lovely in fresh jucies, can be used as a poultice to take the heat out of mild skin irritations, the seeds are more warming, which may help to gently stimulate appetite, assimilate nutrients, and aid in the elimination of natural toxins.
While mainly known for its strong affinity and benefit to the digestive system, coriander may also benefit the urinary system and the lungs, by helping to clear heat and mucous from the body.
Dr. Madeleine Mumcuoglu, of Hadassah-Hebrew University in Israel found that elderberry disarms the enzyme viruses use to penetrate healthy cells in the lining of the nose and throat. Taken before infection, it prevents infection. Taken after infection, it prevents spread of the virus through the respiratory tract. In a clinical trial, 20% of study subjects reported significant improvement within 24 hours, 70% by 48 hours, and 90% claimed complete cure in three days. In contrast, subjects receiving the placebo required 6 days to recover.