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Better Health through Digestion with an Ayurvedic Diet |
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Nature's Healing Qualities: The Gunas
The gunas are the twenty most important sensations. Ayurveda is about how you feel. To know Ayurveda, know the gunas. The first eight gunas are heavy and light, sharp and dull, hot and cold, oily and dry. For example bread is heavy but salads are light. Black pepper is sharp but cheese is dull. Chilies are hot but cucumbers are cool. Butter is oily but popcorn is dry. On Joyful Belly we've selected only those gunas that are most useful in cooking.The Six Tastes
In Ayurveda, nutrition is based on the six tastes (western nutrition identifies only four tastes). Bitter is light and drying. Astringent is tightening and drying. Pungent is sharp and dry. Salty taste is liquefying and hot. Sour is hot, liquefying, and heavy. Sweet taste is heavy, gooey, and cold. Every season has a different taste and diet.The Three Doshas
Ayurveda groups all diseases into general categories called Dosha. The three doshas are Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. On a simple level Vata, Pitta, and Kapha mean small, medium and large. More deeply dosha describes three basic patterns of how we use energy. Vata spends energy. Pitta manages it. Kapha stores it. Dosha also predicts how the body responds to change. For example. Kapha and Vata rise in response to cold temperature. Pitta rises in response to hot temperature.Digestion
Good circulation, good digestion and well nourished tissue are three cornerstones of good health. By the magic of digestion, when you eat an apple it becomes a part of your body. Whether the apple is hot or cold, acidic or basic, sugary or bitter, the body still has to transform the qualities of the apple into the qualities of a human being. Digestion takes work. Some signs of indigestion include gas, burping, acid reflux, diarrhea and constipation.What do customers buy after viewing this article?
Nature's Healing Qualities: The Gunas
questions, comments & reviews
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In 1992 my Ayurvedic counselor in Troy, MI told me I was Pitta. Can time and illness change the dosha?
- Paula Smitz, Glendale, AZ , 06-25-11
Generally, time and illness change the imbalanced dosha but not a person's constitution. Best, -John
- John Joseph Immel, Asheville, NC , 01-17-12
I am a Vata and looking to prevent weight loss. I lose weight easily. Which foods have the most calories? Thanks.
- Elma, Yuma, AZ , 03-06-12
Dear Elma, You can search on 'ojas' building foods to find the foods with the most calories. Best, -John
- John Joseph Immel, Asheville, NC , 03-12-12
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* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
The information and products on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
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