Heal Yourself with These 12 Ayurvedic Foods

Feeling run down, stressed out, or just generally out of sorts? Try adding these 12 Ayurvedic foods — based on centuries of healing wisdom — to your diet.

1. Lemons

Lemons are both purifying and nourishing, and they stimulate digestion. For reducing toxins, drink unsweetened lemonade as many times during the day as desired.

2. Ghee (Clarified Butter)

Ghee (clarified butter) is among the best rejuvenating and longevity-promoting Ayurvedic foods. It aids digestion and calms the nerves. Ghee’s rate of absorption is high, making it an excellent medium for transporting the nutrients of other foods to the tissues.

3. Dates & Figs

Dates and figs are prized among Ayurvedic foods for their energy-boosting properties. They also help build tissues. Eat one or two every day.

4. Almonds

Almonds are nourishing and life-supporting. Ayurveda recommends blanching and peeling almonds because their skins are slightly toxic. Eat several almonds daily to increase strength  and energy.

5. Mung Beans

Anti-inflammatory mung beans are among the best legumes for their supreme digestibility and health-giving qualities. They’re beneficial when people are sick or otherwise in need of very light food. Mung beans are particularly nourishing when mixed with rice or other grains.

6. Ginger

Ginger is often referred to in Ayurveda as “the universal medicine.” It promotes good digestion and helps remove ama. Dried ground ginger is more concentrated in its flavor and its effects. To aid digestion, sprinkle a thin slice of fresh ginger with lemon juice and salt, and eat one-half hour before a meal.

7. Cumin Seeds

This Ayurvedic food serves as a digestive aid and alma-reducer for all doshas. To help remove toxins, try our Jeera Tonic recipe made with cumin seeds.

8. Lassi

Lassi is an Ayurvedic beverage prepared by mixing one part yogurt into two parts water. It is an excellent nutritive digestive aid, taken during or after a meal. You can flavor lassi either with raw sugar or honey and a little ground cardamom, or with toasted ground cumin seeds and salt.

9. Juicy, Seasonal Fruits

Juicy, seasonal fruits are both highly nutritive and purifying. Juicy fruits should be completely ripe for maximum healing value.

10. Leafy Green Vegetables

These Ayurvedic foods are both nutritive and purifying. Their bitter flavor stimulates the liver, helps balance blood sugar, and aids skin conditions. Prepare leafy greens a little ghee or oil.

11. Cow’s Milk

Cow’s milk is considered a vitalizer by Ayurveda and recommended for those emaciated after injury. Ayurveda recommends bringing milk to a full boil to remove the qualities that can cause excess mucus. To further reduce milk’s clogging qualities, add a pinch of ginger and/or black pepper. Also, milk should be imbibed separately from foods with any taste other than sweet.

12. Water

Water is universally beneficial for everyone, and assists virtually all healing. It Ayurveda, it’s known for promoting digestion and, when imbibed while hot, removing ama.

From: Yoga Journal