Archives for Jun 16, 2021

Refreshing Ayurvedic Lassi

Jun 16, 2021 by Chinmayi Kulkarni Leave a Comment

Lassi is a combination of unsweetened plain yoghurt mixed with spices and blended in a smooth drink. It is known to aid in digestion, especially when made with the spices used in this recipe. It is a calming, refreshing and filling drink, consumed after a meal in India (which tends to be spicy). Lassi is usually made sweet with sugar but can be made savory. It can be made in different flavors by adding essence or fruit pulp. It can be consumed even in winter.

Good for all doshas (kapha, vata, pitta).

Prep Time: 3 Mins
Total Time: 5 Mins
Serves: 2 persons

Ingredients

2 cups of water (chilled still water)
3/4 cup plain unsweetened yogurt (preferably whole milk yoghurt)
2 T Sugar or Honey (or to taste)
1/2 tsp ground cumin powder
A pinch each of clove powder, cinnamon powder, cardamom powder, black pepper powder
1/2 tsp fresh, grated ginger
Few coriander or mint leaves

Method

Add all the ingredients in a blender and blend into a smooth drink.
Garnish with Coriander or mint leaves
(Optional) Add ice.

Serving suggestions

Serve immediately.
Preferably make fresh and avoid leftovers as the flavour and freshness is lost when stored.

Notes

Avoid having Lassi just before bed.

Check out the Ayurvedic benefits of ingredients used in this recipe

Black Peeper I Coriander leaves I Clove I Cinnamon I Cardamom I Cumin Seed I Ginger I Mint leaves

Digestive Tea

Jun 16, 2021 by Chinmayi Kulkarni Leave a Comment

Human health extensively depends on efficient digestion and skillfully tending to digestive fire. This recipe is a simple tea that helps in promoting healthy appetite and efficient secretion of digestive juices. The ingredients are known to promote digestive capacity and enhance absorption of nutrients.

Helps in balancing all 3 doshas (kapha, vata, pitta).

Prep Time: 5 Mins
Total Time: 25 Mins
Serves: 1 person

Ingredients

2 cups of water
¼ tsp black pepper powder
1 tsp minced ginger root
1 Tbs. Honey
½ tsp rock salt
1 sprig of lemongrass
Juice of 1/4th lime
Mint leaves (optional)

Method

Add black pepper, ginger and lemongrass to water and bring it to a boil
Reduce to about ½ the quantity
Add Honey and Salt. Turn off the flame
Set aside for few minutes
Add lime juice before consuming

Serving suggestions

Serve hot.
Avoid reheating. Store in thermos.

Notes

Consume about 30 mins before every meal.

Check out the Ayurvedic benefits of ingredients used in this recipe

Black Pepper I Lemongrass I Ginger I Mint leaves I Salt

Poha (Flattend Rice Preparation)

Jun 16, 2021 by Chinmayi Kulkarni Leave a Comment

Poha is a dried flattened rice that softens up when soaked in water. It is made by the process of rolling, similar to rolled oats. This is a perfect breakfast recipe to kick-start your day with complex carbohydrates. It is easily digestible, low in gluten, and rich in iron.

This recipe is good for balancing all 3 doshas (vata, pitta, kapha).
Skip mustard seeds and peanuts if you have severe pitta dosha.

Prep Time: 10 Mins
Total Time: 20 Mins
Serves: 4 persons

Ingredients

3 cups of flattened rice or poha. Using thin poha will make this dish soggy.
1 ½ T cup safflower or avocado oil (or any other oil that can be heated at high temperature)
½ cup chopped onion (optional)
1t black mustard seeds
1t cumin seeds
7 to 8 curry leaves, fresh or dried
Salt (or as required) preferably Himalayan salt
a big pinch of turmeric
a big pinch of Hing (asafoetida)
1/4th cup chopped cilantro leaves
1 small green chili, chopped fine
Fresh coconut/coconut flakes, lemon and peanuts to Garnish

Method

Add water to the poha, wash and drain twice. Set aside.
Add oil to the frying pan and let it heat over a medium flame and add mustard and cumin seeds. Wait till they splutter and add hing and turmeric. Followed by curry leaves and green chilies.
Add chopped onion and fry till translucent.
Sprinkle the salt over the soaked poha and add it to the onion mixture and Mix well.
Put a lid and let it steam for 3 mins and mix well again. Repeat twice.
Sprinkle water if the mixture becomes too dry.
Add cilantro leaves, mix and turn off the heat.
Let it sit for a few minutes and serve hot.
Garnish with coconut flakes, peanuts, and a squeeze of lemon juice.

Serving suggestions

Serve fresh and hot.
Avoid storing in the refrigerator as the rice flakes might get dry and chewy.

Notes

You can add vegetables like carrots, peas, cabbage, etc and stir-fry with the onions to incorporate more fiber content.

Check out the Ayurvedic benefits of ingredients used in this recipe

Asafoetida I Curry Leaves I Cumin Seeds I Himalayan Salt I Mustard Seeds I Turmeric

Siris (Lebbeck)

Jun 16, 2021 by Avi Kumar Leave a Comment

Siris Scientific Name

Albizia lebbeck

Siris Other Names

English: Lebbeck, Lebbek tree, Flea tree, Frywood, Koko, Woman’s tongue tree
Hindi: Sirish
Sanskrit: Shukpriya

What is Siris?

Siris or Shirish is an herb known for its anti-poisoning properties in Ayurveda. The tree is used to make timber and fuel for forage, environmental management, and medicine. It also works as an astringent and is used for coughs, boils, gingivitis, flu, and other lung problems. The bark is used to treat inflammation, while the leaves and the seeds are used to treat ophthalmia and other eye problems.

Common forms of Siris

Bark, Seeds, Leaves, Fruits, Powder, Juice, Decoction

Siris is commonly used for:

Curing dental problem
Treating blood disorders, erysipelas and inflammatory skin conditions
Treating night blindness (decoction of its leaves can be used as eye drops)
Relieving chronic congestion
Curing wounds, lymphadenitis and skin diseases
Urinary Tract infection (Cystitis)

Siris Vach Dosage

Powder: 3-6g per day
Juice: 10-20ml
Decoction: 100ml

Siris Side-effects and Warnings

Common side-effects: Excess amount may cause vomiting.
Not so common side-effects: Not known.
Pregnant or Nursing mothers: Due to a lack of scientific research, it is best to avoid Siris during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Children: Not known.

Warning:
The red dye obtained from the bark can cause skin irritation. Additionally, men suffering from low sperm count and poor motility of sperm should avoid taking this herb.

Where to Buy Siris in US?

Jamalgota (Purging Croton)

Jun 16, 2021 by Chinmayi Kulkarni Leave a Comment

Jamalgota Scientific Name

Croton tiglium

Jamalgota Other Names

English: Purging Croton
Hindi: Jamalgota, Jaypal

What is Jamalgota?

Jamalgota, also known as Purging Croton, is a strong laxative, which works to encourage bowel movement. However, it has potent effects, which may cause cramps during defecation and loose stools. Beyond treating constipation, its a medicinal plant which is used in Ayurveda to stop problems like arthritis, gastrointestinal disorders, constipation, pimples, dysentery, intestinal pain, baldness, peptic ulcer, dyspepsia, headache, and intestinal inflammation. The seeds are mostly used as detritus (dead particulate organic material).

Common forms of Jamalgota

Seeds, Powder, Oil

Jamalgota is commonly used for:

Treating both persistent and obstinate constipation
Treating gastrointestinal ulcers
Reducing muscle and joint pain
Treating hemorrhoids
Treating skin tags
Treating abscess
Treating jaundice
Treating rheumatoid arthritis

Jamalgota Vach Dosage

Purified Croton Kernels: 5-25 mg once a day or as prescribed.
Croton Root Powder: 100-1000 mg once a day or as prescribed.
External Bark of Croton Roots: 500-1000 mg once a day or as prescribed.

Jamalgota Side-effects and Warnings

Common side-effects: Unpurified or unprocessed Jamalgota is unsafe and may cause severe irritation and inflammation in the alimentary canal and may result in the following side effects: stupor, acid dyspepsia, dizziness, vomiting, severe cramps, burning in the abdomen, diarrhea, ulceration in the mouth, severe abdominal tenderness.
Not so common side-effects: Not known.
Pregnant or Nursing Mothers: Due to a lack of scientific research, it is recommended to not take Jamalgota while pregnant or nursing.
Children: Avoid taking Jamalgota.

Warning:
1) Unpurified Croton oil is unsafe. 20 drops of croton oil can lead to death. Even a single drop may cause negative side effects.
2) It should not be used under the following health conditions: acute abdomen, acid reflux, before and after surgery, endometritis (inflammation of endometrium), ulcerative colitis and other inflammatory conditions of the abdomen, gastritis, abdominal pain, bleeding disorders.

Archives for Jun 16, 2021

Ingredients

Method

Serving suggestions

Notes

Check out the Ayurvedic benefits of ingredients used in this recipe

Ingredients

Method

Serving suggestions

Notes

Check out the Ayurvedic benefits of ingredients used in this recipe

Ingredients

Method

Serving suggestions

Notes

Check out the Ayurvedic benefits of ingredients used in this recipe

Siris Scientific Name

Siris Other Names

What is Siris?

Common forms of Siris

Siris is commonly used for:

Siris Vach Dosage

Siris Side-effects and Warnings

Where to Buy Siris in US?

Jamalgota Scientific Name

Jamalgota Other Names

What is Jamalgota?

Common forms of Jamalgota

Jamalgota is commonly used for:

Jamalgota Vach Dosage

Jamalgota Side-effects and Warnings

Where to Buy Jamalgota in US?