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Ayurveda – The Indian Art Of Healing And The Principles Of Ayurvedic Nutrition

The concept of Ayurveda includes therapeutic measures such as yoga and meditation as well as a specific diet. The aim is to lead a life in physical and mental balance. We’ll tell you which foods are supposed to promote health and which aren’t, according to the healing arts.

What does Ayurveda mean?

Ayurveda is a term that is frequently used in the areas of nutrition and wellness, even if many do not know what it actually means. Ayurveda is the name of a healing art that originated in India. There, as well as in some other Asian countries, Ayurveda is scientifically recognized. In Europe, the healing arts are mainly used for relaxation and recreation.

The word Ayurveda has its origins in ancient Indian Sanskrit, where it describes “knowledge of life”. Accordingly, the healing arts have a holistic approach. The body, the soul, the senses, the mind – everything is connected for the followers of Ayurveda. The central treatment methods therefore include massage and yoga. They are offered as part of travel, such as a holiday in Sri Lanka, but many western spas also have Ayurveda treatments in their program. In these cures, a test is first used to determine which Ayurveda type you are. A distinction is made between Vata, Pitta and Kapha: These so-called doshas are each assigned different properties. According to them, different treatment methods are carried out during the cure. An important part of the art of healing, however, is the diet based on Ayurvedic principles.

The principles of Ayurvedic nutrition

A healthy diet in the sense of Ayurveda follows a series of guiding principles. You shouldn’t fast, but only eat when you’re really hungry and you’ve finished digesting your last meal. Eating should be done at rest and not standing up, and the food should theoretically fit in two hands. The nutrition plan in Ayurveda provides that every meal contains foods that are sweet, salty, sour, pungent, bitter and astringent. You can try the result using our Kitchari recipe, for example. You should drink only when you are thirsty, the recommended drinks are tea and warm, boiled water. No wonder, then, that Ayurvedic nutrition is often used to lose weight.

Food Classes in Ayurveda

There are three classes of food in Ayurvedic nutrition: sattva guna, tamo guna and rajo guna. Ayurvedic recipes such as buckwheat with berries contain many of the foods classified as sattva guna. These include fruits and vegetables, cereals and dairy products. They are said to prolong life and improve the general attitude towards life. A typical food of the sattva guna category is also ghee. The fat is quite similar to butter but comes in different flavors. The Rajo-Guna class includes foods such as onions, chillies and garlic, which stimulate body and mind and, in the worst case, promote aggressive behavior. Ayurvedic recipes especially avoid the foods referred to as tamo-guna. These are meat and fish. These foods are believed to drain the body of energy and are responsible for disease. All of this follows Ayurvedic teachings alone and is not based on scientific facts. By the way, the yoga diet also divides food into classes and is based on the Ayurvedic diet.

The spices in Ayurveda

Spices are an important part of the Ayurvedic diet. Salt is not used in Ayurveda, but aromatic spices such as saffron, cinnamon, cardamom, turmeric, and coriander are used. They are all attributed various positive effects on the body. Cardamom, for example, is said to strengthen the heart and promote memory. Plants such as ginger and anise are also frequently used in Ayurvedic nutrition. There are various dietary supplements that are mixed according to Ayurvedic teachings from health-promoting herbs and spices.

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Written by John Myers

Professional Chef with 25 years of industry experience at the highest levels. Restaurant owner. Beverage Director with experience creating world-class nationally recognized cocktail programs. Food writer with a distinctive Chef-driven voice and point of view.

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