Spices
| Ajwan | May stimulate pita – it is an excellent painkiller and heart tonic. It also helps get rid of gas in the intestine. |
| Bay Leaf | (increases pita) promotes sweating is a digestant and stimulant, kindles gastric fire and can be a diuretic |
| Basmati Rice | Very digestible and nutritious |
| Cardamom | (Increases pita) good for a cough, breathlessness, burning urination and hemorrhoids. It is a digestant and improves the flavour of food. |
|
|
|
| Chorale Nuts | Small nut from India – taste like almonds – used in deserts |
| Cumin Seed | Cumin is a vital part of Ayurvedic cooking, because of its distinctive taste and wonderful medicinal qualities. For any digestive complaints, one might almost say “just close your eyes and use cumin!” Cumin kindles the gastric fire and improves the absorption of minerals in the intestines. It helps relieve problems of gas and can also act as a mild pain reliever. Stomach pain, nausea and diarrhea can be relieved by cumin. Cumin is also very restorative to the tissues. |
| Coriander or Cilantro | has good digestive properties, can reduce fever and its diuretic –( increased excretion of water) – the plant has less strong effects than the seed |
| Cinnamon | may stimulate pita if used in excess) is an effective in enhancing digestion, toxic (ama) conditions and improves circulation., it helps to prevent heart attacks owing to its blood thinning properties. |
| Cloves | (increases pita) it is a good digestive stimulant and acts on sinus and bronchial congestion |
| Dal | Any type of dried bean, pea or lentil is called dal. Most dal is husked and split for quick cooking & digestibility. Sometimes dal is oiled to help preserve it. |
| Garlic | is a good tonic for the heart lungs and muscles and helps to prevent gas and breathlessness., it can be used as a pain killer and as an aphrodisiac (provokes pita) |
| Ginger Fresh | Pita use in moderation – both types of ginger kindles digestive fire and improve digestion, absorption and assimilation of foodstuff. Ginger can improve circulation, relieve congestion, help break down blood clots and may aid in preventing heart attacks. It is a good domestic remedy for the common cold, cough and breathlessness. Ginger Powdered – (may stimulate pita) |
| Ghee | Pacifies pita and vata – A digestive helping to improve absorption and assimilation. It nourishes and is good for improving memory and lubricates the connective tissue. Ghee makes the body flexible and in small doses is tridoshic. |
| HIng or Asafoetida | Strong smell – excellent digestive, helps reduce gas caused b beans, Use in small quantities and use only the compound type. |
| Fennel | |
| Mustard seed brown or black | (can provoke pita in excess) the most powerful action of mustard seeds is to assist in healing the bronchial system. Mustard seeds are very helpful with sprains and pains or to help get rid of intestinal worms. Mustard is also a digestive. Mustard oil is strongly aromatic and heating – so it is best to use it in cold climates. It will cover up all other tastes when you cook with it. Yellow mustard seeds have similar properties but are milder |
| Nutmeg powder | Increases pita) improves the flavour of food. It is good for digestion, helps relive a cough, induces sleep and can reduce pain |
| Pepper Black | sweetener |
| Rock Salt | (Increases pita & kapha) salt is a digestant and improves the flavour of food. It is a laxative and antiseptic and can be used to induce vomiting. Rock salt is a mineral salt that is very digestive. Rock salt has a special flavour and it does not retain water in the body |
| Poha | Basmati rice that has been pounded or rolled. Can be thick or thin. Doesn’t require much cooking. |
| Safron | is balancing and is good for improving skin colour and complexion. Some of its many uses are as a blood cleanser, liver detoxifier, nerve tonic, blood thinner and as a heart tonic. It has aphrodisiac and can help increase sperm count. It can also be used fora cough cold congestion and hemorrhoids. |
| Sucanat or Jaggary | Jaggary – Unrefined sugar made from the juice of crushed sugar cane stalks – Sucanat – a granulated natural sugar made from the pure sugar cane juice |
| turmeric | is the best medicine in Ayurveda. It cures the whole person. Turmeric can be used by all doshas. Turmeric helps digestion, maintains the flora of the intestine, reduces gas, has tonic properties and is an antibiotic. Turmeric can be used for a cough, sty, diabetes, hemorrhoids, cuts, wounds, burns and skin problems. It helps to reduce anxiety and stress. Note: people with hypoglycemia can use small amounts of turmeric in cooking but should not take it in quantity. The yellow colour of turmeric tends to stain clothes and skin. |
| Tulsi | Indian basil or holy basil it has a refreshing pleasant smell so keeping a plant in your house can purify the air. It is good for fever, cough and breathlessness. |
| Wheat Creamed |
