Energetic Properties

Salt (Namak/Lavan)-salty/hot/sweet   V- PK+ Makes food digestible, aids saliva and gastric juices, relieves muscle tension. Removes Heat.

Various kinds of salt are: Sea Salt, Mineral Salt. Salts from India- Black salt (Sel Noir) light pink in color, Black Salt being light grey in color, Rock Salt (Sendhav) off white in color and is not suppose to cause edema.

 

Cinnamon (Thwak/Tvak)- astringent/hot/pungent  VK- P+ Good for plasma, muscles, marrow, nerves. Aids in digestion for angi (digestive fire), heart strengthening, gas, and is sattwic. Drives out invasion of Wind Cold/Cold.

Action- Alterative, analgesic, antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic, antirheumatic, antispasmodic, aromatic, astringent, carminative, demulcent, diaphoretic, digestive, diuretic, expectorant, germicide, hemostatic, stimulant and stomachic.

Cinnamon Bark---Route- Kidney, lung, spleen, heart, uterus; tonifies; Yang, Qi; regulates- cold, damp, Qi circulation, blood circulation.

Cinnamon Twig--- Route- Bladder, heart, lung; regulates- Wind Cold, Wind Damp Cold; Drives out invasion of Wind Cold/Cold. 

Nutmeg (Malathi-phalam; Jati-phalam)- astringent/hot/pungent  VKP=  best sedative of all spices; tamasic. For abdominal pain, poor absorption especially in the small intestine. Drives out Cold.

Actions- Stimulant, carminative, astringent.

Route- Large intestine, spleen, stomach; tonifies- Yang; regulates- Blood circulation, Qi circulation, counteracts cold.

 

Cloves (Lavangaha)-  Pungent/hot/pungent  K- P+ V+ in excess, rajasic. Good for gas, nausea, nerves, indigestion and opens up srotas(Channels or pores). Drives out Cold; Resolves Damp; Supports Yang.

Action- Stimulant, expectorant, decongestant, anthelmintic, analgesic, aphrodisiac.

Route- Kidney, spleen, stomach; tonifies- Yang; regulates- counteracts cold, Qi circulation. Good for Qi Stagnation.

 

Licorice- Temperature- neutral;  Flavor- sweet;  Route- Stomach, intestines, lung, kidney, heart; Tonifies- Qi; Regulates- heat, resolves phlegm. Supports Qi.

 

Cumin (Jiraka, Jira)- Pungent/hot/pungent   VKP=  Digests bread like dill and fennel relatives, digestion, distention.

Action- Stimulant, carminative, lactogogue, diuretic, used like fennel and dill. Used for over eating heavy foods.

Route- Liver, stomach. 

Black Pepper (Maricha)-Pungent/hot/pungent  VK- P+ rajasic. Burns up ama very well, digests fat and obesity, raises agni, caution of prone to congestive heart failure. Drives out invasion of Wind Cold/Cold; Resolves Phlegm.

Action- Stimulant, carminative, decongestant, expectorant.

Route- Kidney, heart, large intestine, stomach; regulates- cold, damp, resolves phlegm, removes toxins, Qi circulation.

 

Pippali, or long pepper, is from India. Pungent/hot/sweet  VK- P+  Assists in all tissue except bone, a digestive, reproductive, respiratory, used for ama, and is sattwic (purity).

 

Galingale- Temperature- Hot; Flavor- Pungent;  Route- Spleen, stomach;  Regulates- Counteracts Cold.

 

Ginger (Ardrakam/Shuntha- Shunthi)- Sweet/hot/sweet   VK- P=

Good for all tissues having many healing properties, taken with rock salt it reduces Vayu, with rock candy reduces pitta, with honey it reduces Kapha, indigestion, arthritis, belching, flatulence, colic, and good for increasing agni (digestive fire). Drives out Cold.

Action- Analgesic, antiemetic, aromatic, aphrodisiac, carminative, diaphoretic, digestive, expectorant, nervine, sialagogue, stimulant.

Dry Ginger Route- Lung, stomach, spleen, intestines, heart, uterus; regulates- counteracts cold, resolves phlegm, Qi circulation, Blood circulation. Supports Yang.

Fresh Ginger Route- Lung, stomach, spleen, intestines, heart, uterus; Regulates- counteracts cold, resolves phlegm, Qi circulation, Wind Cold; Drives out invasion of Wind Cold.

 

Asafoetida (Hing)-Pungent/hot/pungent  VK- P+ in excess tamasic.

Considered best Vayu spice relieving abdominal pain, distention etc., strengthens heart, exorcism. Best for bean digestion, yet good in all digestive uses. Aggravates bile, or acid conditions.

Actions- Stimulant, carminative, antispasmodic, anthelmintic. 

Holy Basil (Tulasi/Tulsi)- pungent/hot/pungent   VK- P+ in excess. Works in digestion, on plasma, nerves, reproductive, blood, marrow, respiratory, with many other multiple uses. Tulsi contains the trace mineral copper needed to absorb iron, purifies the air when grown, as if it were a natural negative ion machine. Also regarded as sacred, sattwic (purity) in use, increases prana (life breath) and cleanses the aura.

Action- Antibacterial, antimalarial, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiviral, analgesic, diaphoretic, diuretic, febrifuge, nervine, vermifuge.

 

Peppermint (Paparaminta)- Sweet/cold/pungent   VPK=  Colds, flu, sore throats, opens mind, promotes emotional harmony, opens senses. Good for Qi Stagnation; Drives out invasion of Wind Heat. Drives out invasion of Wind Cold; Drives out invasion of Wind Damp; Removes Heat. Resolves Phlegm.

Action- Stimulant, diaphoretic, carminative, analgesic.

Route- Liver, lung; regulates- Wind Heat.

 

Tumeric (Haridra/ Gauri)- Pungent/hot/pungent. K- VP+ in excess  Good for all tissues, arthritis, blood purifier, digestion, gas, fevers, a natural antibiotic, thus improving the microflora.

Action- Alterative, anthelmintic, antibacterial/antibiotic, aromatic, carminative, stimulant tonic, vulnerary. Drives out invasion of Wind Damp.

Route- Spleen, stomach; regulates- Qi circulation, Wind Damp Cold, Blood circulation. Good for Blood Stagnation; Good for Qi Stagnation.

 

Mullein- Temperature- Cool;  Flavor- sweet;  Route-  Lung, stomach, large intestine, bladder; Tonifies- Yin; Regulates- Damp Heat, resolves phlegm.

 

Thyme (Ipar)- Pungent/hot/pungent  VK- P+  Indigestion, sever cough, menstrual disorders, gas, bad breath. Drives out invasion of Wind Damp; Resolves Phlegm; Supports Yang.

Action- Stimulant, diaphoretic, anticough, anthelmintic, antiseptic.

Route- Lung, spleen, kidney, bladder, heart, uterus; tonifies- Qi; regulates- resolves phlegm, counteracts cold, Qi circulation, Wind Cold.

 

Hyssop- Temperature- Warm; Route- Lung, stomach, large intestine, bladder. Useful for bruises, dropsy, gas, and promotes healing of wounds.

Action- Stimulant, carminative, astringent, diaphoretic, expectorant, stomachic.

 

Feverfew- Temperature- Cool; Flavor- Bitter;  Route- Liver;  Regulates- heat, Wind Heat.

 

Sage (Salbia-sefakuss)-  Astringent/hot/pungent  VK- P+ in excess. Clears srotas, opens head and lungs, calms heart, dries excess mucus, calms brain. Drives out invasion of Wind Heat; Drives out invasion of Wind Cold; Supports Qi. Supports Yang.

Action- Stimulant, diuretic, nervine, astringent.

Route- Heart, lung, kidney, liver, uterus; tonifies- Qi; regulates- Wind Heat, Wind Cold, Heat, Damp, resolves phlegm. 

 

Coriander (Dhyanaka)- Good for blood, plasma, tissue, digestion, main herb for digestive and skin rash problems, indigestion, griping, neuralgia, internal heat, skin rashes. Not to be used in excess Vayu nerve tissue deficiency. Antidotes hot pungent foods. Resolves Damp.

Action- Alterative, antibilious, aphrodisiac, aromatic, carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic, stimulant, stomachic, tonic.

Route- Stomach; regulates- Cold, Qi circulation. Good for Qi Stagnation.

Coriander leaf- drives out invasion of Wind Cold.

Coriander seed- drives out Cold. 

Fennel (Methica, Sonph)- Sweet/cold/sweet  VPK=  Abdominal pain, colic, gas, indigestion, nausea, digestion for children and elderly, raises agni (digestive fire). Most Sattwic (purity) spice.

Action- Stimulant, diuretic, carminative, stomachic, antispasmodic, lactogogue. Good for Qi Stagnation.

Route- Kidney, bladder, spleen, stomach, liver; tonifies- Qi, Yang;  regulates- counteracts cold, resolves phlegm, Qi circulation.

Fennel seed drives out Cold; Supports Yang.

 

Foods

Energetic Properties

 

Sugar- In excess deranges all humors. A certain amount is needed of the sweet taste to maintain tissue development, because the basic of our body is sweet.

White- sweet/cold/sweet  VPK+ increases ama. In moderation can build tissue, but better to use whole sugars listed.

Route- spleen, stomach, lung.

Brown Sugar- white sugar with syrup added. Slightly less deleterious effect. Good for Blood Stagnation; Drives out Cold.

Route- liver, spleen, stomach, lung.

 

Rock Candy- (Mishri) made from sugar it gives energy. Good after dinner for digestion! Useful in summer drinks and is better than molasses. Used in pujas or rituals to deities and then eaten as prasad or blessed food.     

Action: demulcent.

 

Maple Sugar- sweet/cold/sweet VP- K+ Natural sugar

Action: demulcent.

 

Molasses- V- PK+ Builds blood and muscles. Supports Qi.

Action: iron, nutritive, tonic.

Route- kidney, liver, stomach, spleen, lung.

 

Lactose- Milk sugar. Empowers herbs.

Action: tonic. 

Milk- (Dugdha, Kshira)  sweet/cold/sweet VP- K+ Highly sattwic/sattva, or energy of purity. Nourishes plasma, skin, all tissues, especially shukra dhatu. Supports Yin.

Many wonderful properties of milk; especially when taken with Chayavan prash, a nutritive jam.

Cow- easily digested, best of milks.

Goat- warm energy- K- VP+  Easily digested and heals bleeding disorders, and difficulty in breathing; pulmonary.

Action: tonic, rejuvenative, nutritive, aphrodisiac, calmative, laxative.

Note: Dairy allergies may be due to the inorganic substances and the heavy nature of milk- kapha- Antidotes such as ginger and cinnamon help alleviate this issue.

AM- aphrodisiac--- Noon- digestive stimulant --- PM- for children, calmative, laxative.

 

Date palm or Dates (Kharjura)-  sweet/cold/sweet VP- K+ in excess V+ if dry. Added to herbal formulas as tonic, as it is good for wasting diseases and injuries. Drives out Cold. Supports Blood. Supports Qi.

Action- nutritive, tonic, aphrodisiac, one of the best fruit strengtheners, demulcent, laxative, refrigerant, febrifuge, expectorant..

Route- liver, lung, spleen:  tonifies, Qi, Blood.

 

Butter- sweet/cold/pungent VP- K+ Strengthens and stabilizes in debility and convalescence, thought heavy and fattening and may cause constipation in excess. Good for Blood Stagnation; Drives out Cold.

Ghee (Ghrita)- sweet/cold/sweet  VP- K= mildly. Known/translated as clarified butter in the USA. Increases ojas (life sap; essence of immune system and spiritual energy), promotes longevity, and reproductive fluid, good for children and the elderly, good for Vayu and Pitts disorders, taken with herbs it transports their nutrition to all seven tissue layers, while other herbs area made into medicated ghees to enhance their healing effects.

Actions- Tonic, emollient, rejuvenative, antacid, nutritive.

Route- Stomach, spleen; tonifies- Yin, Jing. 

Eggs- sweet/hot/sweet white- VPK+: Yolk- V- PK+ less tamasic than meat and fish because they are not killed. Action: tonic, nutritive, demulcent, aphrodisiac. Supports Yin; Egg White removes Heat.

Route- Chicken- egg white- lung; regulates heat. Whole egg- heart, kidney, lung, stomach, spleen, liver; tonifies- yin, qi, blood; regulates- blood circulation. Good for Blood Stagnation; Supports Essence/Jing; Supports Blood.

 

Vinegar (Vikankar)- sour/hot/sour V- PK+ (K mild) Aids in secretion of hydrochloric acid. Never use in excess to taste, can be harmful to other elements in body.

Action: digestive, circulatory stimulant. 

Route- liver, stomach; regulates- Qi circulation, removes toxins, counter acts cold, promotes Blood circulation. Good for Blood Stagnation; Good for Qi Stagnation; Drives out Cold.

 

Agar- Temperature- cold; flavor- sweet, salty; route- liver, lung, large intestine.

 

Walnuts (Akshota)- Sweet/hot/sweet  V- PK+   High in potassium, magnesium, vitamin A, reduces serum cholesterol. Good for marrow, reproductive tissue, and skin conditions. Resolves Phlegm.

Action- Nutritive, aphrodisiac, laxative, nervine; unripe fruit and husk are antiparasitical.

Route- Kidney, lung, intestines; tonifies- Yang, Qi, Jing; regulates- cold, resolves phlegm. Drives out Cold; Supports Essence/Jing; Supports Yang.

 

Almonds (Badama) – bitter/hot/sweet VPK+ Increases marrow, godod for reproductive organs, convalescence, lowers bad cholesterol (LDL), raised good cholesterol (HDL), high in potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, protein, fiber, and the trace mineral boron that may regulate calcium metabolism. Drains Phlegm; Supports Essence/Jing; Supports Qi.

Action- Nutritive, nervine, aphrodisiac, demulcent, laxative, rejuvenation.

Route- Lung, large intestine, spleen; tonifies- Qi, Jing; regulates- Qi circulation, resolves phlegm.

 

Chocolate-  sour/hot/sweet  VPK+ can be rajasic and tamasic when used or prepared in large quantities, needs counterbalances.

Action- Stimulant, calmative, aphrodisiac. When prepared with white sugar it deranges Kapha.

 Cocoa- On a purely scientific level, chocolate has been researched and has many benefits. Cocoa in its pure form contains relatively high amounts of antioxidants known as flavonoids, which may assist in opening up blood vessels. Some researchers have concluded that small portions of dark chocolate a day can lead to decreased blood pressure and cocoa may be beneficial for the heart. BABS uses cocoa and dark bitter chocolate in the ingredients.

Coconut (Nariyal/Dirghavraksha)- sweet/cold/sweet VP- K+  in excess. Nourishes and softens skin, increases shurka dhatu, and one of the easiest oils to digest! Supports Qi.

Action- tonic, emollient, refrigerant.

Route- heart, spleen, stomach, large intestine; tonifies- Qi, Blood.

Coconut water relieves Vayu and Pitta dosha concerns.

Further information- http://www.babsbakery.com/coconut.html

Also refer to Dr. Bruce Fife’s book- Coconut Cures.

 

Sunflower- (Suryamukhi) astringent/cold/sweet   VPK=  Skin, lung heat, cough and high in vitamin E.

Temperature- neutral,   flavor-sweet.

Route- spleen, intestines; tonifies Qi

Grains

Energetic Properties

 

Whole grain is the staple for all climates and constitutions, gives bulk to stool, easy to digest, and is Sattwic/sattwa (purity; one of the three gunas). (Gunas- three qualities of fundamental laws of nature being--- sattwa-creation, rajas- maintenance, tamas- dissolution.)

Psyllium- astringent/cold/pungent VPK=    Action- antiinflammatory for digestive tract, laxative, may cause gas initially. **Hildegard’s antidote for melancholy (depression).

Spelt- sweet/warm/sweet VPK= Builds all tissues.  Action- gives bulk to stool, easy to digest. Supports Yin.  Route- spleen; tonifies Yin. **Hildegard regards spelt as eradicating black bile.

Oats- Sweet/cold/sweet VP- K+ Builds all tissues normalizes glucose, high amounts of iron, vitamin E, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, and B complex, protein is easily assimilated. A little heavy and hard to digest, especially with sugar and milk, will aggravate toxic blood conditions. Route- Kidney, stomach, spleen, heart, lungs, large intestine; tonifies- Qi, Blood; regulates- Qi circulation.

Action- demulcent, emollient, laxative (especially cut or rolled). Works on Shen level (spirit or consciousness) to help lift depression; Supports Qi. ** Hildegard warns they are not to be consumed by the sick as they require good circulation for the digestive system. The mid temperatures/powers— goes cold in digestion. Thus, if you have a naturally weak digestion, this would not be as good to eat as spelt, as spelt is warm in digestion. Adding digestive spices, such as cinnamon and cardamom warms oats up and digests better.
 

Barley (Yava)-astringent/cold/sweet   PK- V+ in excess  Reduces body fat and mucus, helps difficult breathing, removes toxins, helps prevent cholesterol absorption in intestines, contains calcium, iron, protein and potassium. Removes Heat; Resolves Damp; Drains Water.

Action- Diuretic, demulcent, antirheumatic.

Route- Spleen, stomach, gall bladder, bladder, intestines; tonifies- Blood, Qi, Yin; regulates- wind, damp, heat, toxins.

 

Wheat (Godhuma)- astringent/cold/sweet VPK+ Best grain for Vayu dosha, nourishing and strengthening, builds muscle tissue, energy, heart, earth, calms mind, with milk and sugar for bleeding disorders (rakta Pitta).  Removes Heat; Supports Yin.

Contraindications- Gluten may cause allergies, aggravate arthritis, gout or any other ama conditions. Refined white flour is an artificial food and tamasic (lethargy), K+ ama + while it clogs channels and dulls mind.

Action- Nutritive, aphrodisiac.

Route- Heart, kidney, spleen; tonifies- Yin; regulates- heat.

Works on Shen level (spirit or consciousness) to help relieve anxiety.

 

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