Namaste everyone!
Living in heat is not easy and most people how living in country like Thailand is suffering from this natural ”disaster” , that sometimes can be unbearably. So, i start to look for any solution to keep myself cool and healthy. Like most of us i drink a lot of liquids: mineral water, fresh juice, coconut water ..and start to think more about food to. I just wasn’t really noticing, how my healthy diet is really affect my body temperature. And that what i discovered with Ayurveda :
MEAT
| Substance | Taste | Heating or Cooling |
Post Digestive Effect |
Properties and Action on Tridosha |
| Meat | ||||
| Beef | Sweet | Heating | Sweet | Heavy, Thick, Increases Pitta & Kapha. Reduces Vata. |
| Chicken | Sweet & Astringent | Heating | Pungent | Light, Oily Strengthening. Moderately OK for Vata, Pitta & Kapha. |
| Fish (general) | Sweet | Heating | Sweet | Heavy Oily, Smooth. Promotes Heat. Increases Pitta & Kapha, Reduces Vata. |
| Lamb | Sweet & Astringent | Heating | Sweet | Heavy. Strengthening. Increases Vata, Pitta & Kapha, |
| Pork | Sweet & Astringent | Heating | Sweet | Heavy, Oily Smooth. Appetizing. Promotes Perspiration. Increases Vata, Pitta & Kapha. |
| Rabbit | Sweet & Astringent | Heating | Pungent | Light, Dry, Rough. Increases Vata, Decreases Pitta & Kapha. |
VEGETABLES
Substance |
Taste | Heating or Cooling |
Post Digestive Effect |
Properties and Action on Tridosha |
| Vegetables | ||||
| Beet | Sweet | Heating | Sweet | Heavy. Smooth. Relieves Anemia. May Increase Pitta & Kapha When taken in Excess, Decreases Vata. |
| Broccoli | Sweet & Astringent | Cooling | Pungent | Rough, Dry. Increases Vata, Decreases Pitta & Kapha. |
| Cabbage | Sweet & Astringent | Cooling | Pungent | Rough, Dry. Increases Vata, Decreases Pitta & Kapha. |
| Carrot | Sweet, Bitter & Astringent | Cooling | Pungent | Heavy Reduces Hemorrhoids. increases Pitta if Taken in Excess, Reduces Vata & Kapha. |
| Cauliflower | Astringent | Cooling | Pungent | Rough, Dry. Increases Vata, Decreases Pitta & Kapha. |
| Celery | Astringent | Cooling | Pungent | Rough, Dry, Light, Light to Digest. Promotes Gas. increases Vata, Relieves Pitta & Kapha. |
| Cucumber | Sweet & Astringent | Cooling | Sweet | Heavy Increases Kapha, Relieves Vata & Pitta. |
| Lettuce (leafy) | Astringent | Cooling | Pungent | Light, Rough, Watery. Easy to Digest, Creates Lightness in the Body. Promotes Gas if taken in excess. Increases Vata, Relieves Pitta & Kapha. |
| Okra | Sweet & Astringent | Cooling | Pungent | Rough, Slimy. OK for Vata, Pitta & Kapha. |
| Onion (raw) | Pungent | Heating | Pungent | Heavy, Stimulates sex, appetizing, strengthening. Relieves fever when applied externally. Increases Vata & Pitta, Relieves Kapha. |
| Potato (white) | Sweet, Salty & Astringent | Cooling | Sweet | Dry, Rough, Light. Increases Vata, Decreases Pitta & Kapha. |
| Radish | Pungent | Heating | Pungent | Relieves Gas, Promotes Digestion. May Increase Pitta, Decreases Vata & Kapha. |
| Spinach | Astringent | Cooling | Pungent | Rough, Dry. Increases Vata & Pitta, Decreases Kapha. |
| Sprouts (general) | Mildly Astringent | Cooling | Sweet | Light to digest. May aggravate Vata if taken in excess, Good for Pitta & Kapha. |
| Tomato | Sweet & Sour | Heating | Sour | Light, Moist. Increases Vata, Pitta & Kapha. |
| Zucchini | Sweet & Astringent | Cooling | Pungent | Wet, Light. May Increase Kapha, OK for Vata, Relieves Pitta. |
Herbs & Spices
| Substance | Taste | Heating or Cooling |
Post Digestive Effect |
Properties and Action on Tridosha |
| Herbs & Spices | ||||
| Anise Seed | Pungent | Heating | Pungent | Light, Promotes Digestion, Detoxifying Agent. Increases Pitta, Decreases Vata & Kapha. |
| Black Pepper | Pungent | Heating | Pungent | Light, Dry, Rough. Promotes Digestion. Increases Pitta, Stimulates Vata. Relieves Kapha. |
| Cardamom | Sweet & Pungent |
Heating | Sweet | Promotes Digestion, Good for Heart. Improves Smell of Breath. May Stimulate Pitta if taken in Excess, Relieves Vata & Kapha. |
| Celery Seed | Pungent | Heating | Pungent | Light, Helps Nausea. Increases Pitta, Decreases Vata & Kapha. |
| Cinnamon | Sweet, Bitter & Pungent | Heating | Sweet | Relieves Thirst, Stimulates Salivation. Relieves Dryness of Mouth. Stimulates Kapha, Decreases Vata & Pitta. |
| Clove | Pungent | Heating | Pungent | Promotes Digestion. Improves taste & Flavor of Food. Increases Pitta, Decreases Vata & Kapha. |
| Coriander Seed | Pungent& Astringent |
Cooling | Sweet | Oily, Dry, Light. Stops Burning Sensation of Urine. Helps Absorption. Increases Vata & Kapha, Relieves Pitta. |
| Cumin | Bitter, Pungent & Astringent | Heating | Pungent | Light, Oily, Smooth. Promotes Digestion, Relieves Diarrhea. Stimulates Pitta, Decreases Vata & Kapha. |
| Fenugreek (seed) | Bitter & Astringent |
Heating | Pungent | Dry Helpful for Fever & Arthritis. Increases Vata & Pitta if taken in Excess, Decreases Kapha, |
| Garlic | Pungent | Heating | Pungent | Oily, Smooth, Heavy, Anti-Rheumatic. Good for Cough & Worms. Increases Pitta, Relieves Vata & Kapha. |
| Ginger (powder) | Pungent | Heating | Sweet | Light, Dry, Rough, Promotes Digestion. Detoxifying Agent. Increases Pitta if taken in Excess, Relieves Vata & Kapha. |
| Mustard Seed | Pungent | Heating | Pungent | Oily Light, Sharp, Relieves Muscular Pain. Increases Pitta, Decreases Vata & Kapha. |
| Saffron | Sweet & Astringent | Cooling | Sweet | Smooth, Relieves Hemorrhoids, Reduces Vomiting. Helps Stop Hemoptysis. Increases Vata & Kapha, Relieves Pitta. |
| Salt (general) | Salty | Heating | Sweet | Heavy Rough. Promotes Digestion, Causes Retention of Water & Hypertension. Increases Pitta & Kapha, Relieves Vata. |
| Sesame (seed) | Sweet, Bitter & Astringent | Heating | Pungent | Heavy, Oily, Smooth, Strengthening. Increases Pitta & Kapha, Decreases Vata. |
| Turmeric | Bitter, Pungent & Astringent | Heating | Pungent | Helps in Diabetes, Promotes Digestion. Increases Vata & Pitta if taken in Excess, Relieves Kapha. |
DAIRY
| Substance | Taste | Heating or Cooling |
Post Digestive Effect |
Properties and Action on Tridosha |
| Dairy | ||||
| Butter unsalted) | Sweet & Astringent | Cooling | Sweet | Oily, Smooth. Reduces Hemorrhoids, Promotes intestinal Absorption. Increases Kapha, Reduces Vata & Pitta. |
| Cheese (unsalted) | Sweet & Sour | Cooling | Sweet | Heavy Smooth. Increases Pitta & Kapha, Decreases Vata. |
| Cow’s Milk | Sweet | Cooling | Sweet | Light, Oily Smooth. Increases Kapha, Decreases Vata & Pitta. Milk is more easily digested if boiled and allowed to cool to a warm temperature before drinking. |
| Eggs | Sweet & Astringent | Heating | Pungent | Oily, Smooth, Heavy. Increases Pitta & Kapha, Decreases Vata. |
| Ghee (Clarified butter) | Sweet | Cooling | Sweet | Light, Oily, Smooth. If taken in excess, increases Kapha. If taken moderately, good for Vata, Pitta & Kapha. Promotes Digestion. Ghee is strengthening. It is good for transporting herbal influences to tissues. |
| Goat’s Milk | Sweet & Astringent | Cooling | Sweet | Light. Relieves cough, Fever, Diarrhea. Increases Vata, Decreases Pitta & Kapha. Usually, goat’s milk is more easily digested for people who have difficulty with cow’s milk. |
| Mother’s Milk | Sweet | Cooling | Sweet | Light, Oily, Smooth. Enhances Ojas. Keeps Balance of Vata Pitta & Kapha. |
| Yogurt | Sour & Astringent | Heating | Sour | Smooth, Oily Good for Digestion, Diarrhea, Painful Urination. Increases Pitta & Kapha, Decreases Vata. |
FRUITS
| Substance | Taste | Heating or Cooling |
Post Digestive Effect |
Properties and Action on Tridosha |
| Fruits | ||||
| Apple | Sweet & Astringent | Cooling | Sweet | Light, Rough. Increases Vata, Decreases Pitta, OK for Kapha in small quantities. |
| Banana | Sweet & Astringent | Cooling | Sour | Smooth, Heavy. Laxative if taken in excess quantity. Increases Pitta & Kapha, Decreases Vata. |
| Coconut | Sweet | Cooling | Sweet | Oily, Smooth, Strengthening. Increases Kapha if taken in excess, Relieves Vata & Pitta. |
| Date (ripe) | Sweet | Cooling | Sweet | Oily. Decreases Pitta. Dates. almonds, and honey with milk that has been boiled and cooled to a warm temperature is strengthening and rejuvenating. |
| Figs (ripe) | Sweet & Astringent | Cooling | Sweet | Heavy Nourishing. Delays Digestion. Increases Kapha, Relieves Vata & Pitta. |
| Grapes (purple) | Sweet, Sour & Astringent | Cooling | Sweet | Smooth, Watery, Strengthening, Laxative. Increases Kapha, Decreases Vata & Pitta. |
| Melons (general) | Sweet | Cooling | Sweet | Heavy, Watery, Increases Kapha, Relieves Vata & Pitta. Watermelon Increases Vata. |
| Orange | Sweet & Sour | Heating | Sweet | Heavy, Promotes Appetite, Difficult to Digest. Increases Pitta & Kapha, Decreases Vata. |
| Peaches | Sweet & Astringent | Heating | Sweet | Heavy, Watery. Increases Pitta & Kapha, Decreases Vata. |
| Pears | Sweet & Astringent | Cooling | Sweet | Heavy Dry Rough. Increases Vata, Reduces Pitta & Kapha. |
| Plums (sweet) | Sweet & Astringent | Heating | Sweet | Heavy, Watery. Increases Pitta & Kapha, Decreases Vata. |
| Pomegranate | Sweet, Sour & Astringent |
Cooling | Sweet | Smooth, Oily, Stimulates digestion. Helps to form red blood cells in anemia. Increases Vata, Decreases Pitta & Kapha. |
Nuts & Seeds
Substance |
Taste | Heating or Cooling |
Post Digestive Effect |
Properties and Action on Tridosha |
| Nuts & Seeds | ||||
| Almond | Sweet | Heating | Sweet | Heavy, Oily Increases Pitta & Kapha, Decreases Vata. Energizer, Aphrodisiac, Rejuvenator. |
| Cashew | Sweet | Heating | Sweet | Heavy Oily Increases Pitta & Kapha, Decreases Vata. Aphrodisiac. |
| Peanut | Sweet & Astringent | Heating | Sweet | Heavy, Oily Increases Pitta & Kapha. OK for Vata in Moderation. Difficult to digest. Should not be given to children before age six, and only in moderation after that. |
| Pumpkin Seed | Sweet, Bitter & Astringent | Heating | Pungent | Heavy, Dry Kills Worms & Parasites. Increases Pitta & Kapha, Decreases Vata. |
| Sunflower Seed | Sweet & Astringent | Heating | Sweet | Heavy Oily. Slightly Increases Pitta & Kapha, Reduces Vata. |
| Walnut | Sweet & Astringent | Heating | Sweet | Heavy, Dry. Increases Pitta & Kapha, Decreases Vata, |
GRAINS
| Substance | Taste | Heating or Cooling |
Post Digestive Effect |
Properties and Action on Tridosha |
| Grains | ||||
| Barley | Sweet & Astringent | Cooling | Sweet | Light. Diuretic. Increases Vata, Decreases Pitta & Kapha. |
| Basmati Rice | Sweet | Cooling | Sweet | Light, Soft, Smooth, Nourishing. Decreases Vata & Pitta. OK for Kapha in small quantity. |
| Brown Rice | Sweet | Heating | Sweet | Heavy, Increases Pitta & Kapha, Decreases Vata. |
| Buckwheat | Sweet & Astringent | Heating | Sweet | Light & Dry. Increases Vata & Pitta, Decreases Kapha. |
| Corn (yellow) | Sweet | Heating | Sweet | Light, Dry Increases Vata & Pitta, Reduces Kapha. |
| Millet | Sweet | Heating | Sweet | Light, Dry. Increases Vata & Pitta, Decreases Kapha. |
| Oats (dry) | Sweet | Heating | Sweet | Heavy Dry Oats Increase Vata & Pitta, Reduces Kapha. Cooked Oats increase Kapha, Reduce Vata & Pitta. |
| Rye | Sweet & Astringent | Heating | Sweet | Light, Dry. Increases Vata & Pitta, Reduces Kapha. |
| Wheat | Sweet | Cooling | Sweet | Heavy Increases Kapha, Reduces Vata & Pitta. |
| White Rice (polished) | Sweet | Cooling | Sweet | Light, Soft, Smooth. Little nutrient value. OK for Kapha in small quantity Reduces Vata & Pitta. |
LEGUMES
| Substance | Taste | Heating or Cooling |
Post Digestive Effect |
Properties and Action on Tridosha |
| Legumes | ||||
| Black Lentil | Sweet | Heating | Sweet | Strengthening. Increases Pitta & Kapha. Decreases Vata. |
| Garbanzos | Sweet & Astringent | Cooling | Sweet | Heavy, Dry, Rough, Very Dehydrating. Produces Gas. Increases Vata, Relieves Pitta & Kapha. |
| Kidney Beans | Sweet & Astringent | Cooling | Sweet | Dry, Rough, Heavy Laxative. Increases Vata & Kapha, Decreases Pitta. |
| Lentils (general) | Sweet & Astringent | Cooling | Sweet | Dry, Rough, Heavy Dehydrating. Should be taken in Small Quantities. Increases Vata & Kapha, Decreases Pitta. |
| Mung Beans | Sweet & Astringent | Cooling | Sweet | Light, Soft. Increases Kapha, Decreases Vata & Pitta. |
| Red Lentil | Sweet & Astringent | Heating | Sweet | Easy to Digest. Increases Pitta, Relieves Vata & Kapha. |
| Soy Beans | Sweet & Astringent | Cooling | Sweet | Heavy, Oily Smooth. Laxative. Increases Vata & Kapha, Decreases Pitta. Tofu is OK for Vata & Pitta, Moderately OK for Kapha. |
OILS
| Substance | Taste | Heating or Cooling |
Post Digestive Effect |
Properties and Action on Tridosha |
| Oils | ||||
| Castor Oil | Sweet & Bitter | Heating | Pungent | Heavy, Sharp, Oily Relieves Rheumatic Fever& Constipation.. Increases Pitta & Kapha, Decreases Vata. |
| Coconut Oil | Sweet | Cooling | Sweet | Relatively Light, Oily Smooth. Increases Kapha, Relieves Vata & Pitta. |
| Corn Oil | Sweet | Heating | Sweet | Relatively Light, Oily, Smooth. Increases Pitta, Moderately OK for Vata & Kapha. |
| Oil (general) | Sweet | Heating | Sweet | Heavy, Oily, Smooth, Strengthening. Increases Pitta & Kapha. Relieves Vata. |
| Safflower oil | Sweet & Pungent | Heating | Pungent | Relatively Light, Sharp, Oily. Irritating if used excessively. Increases Pitta, Decreases Vata & Kapha. |
| Sesame Oil | Sweet, Bitter & Astringent | Heating | Sweet | Heavy, Oily, Smooth. Increases Pitta, Decreases Vata, Moderately OK for Kapha. |
| Sunflower Oil | Sweet | Cooling | Sweet | Light, Oily, Strengthening. Good for Vata, Pitta & Kapha. |
| White Mustard Oil | Pungent | Heating | Pungent | Light, Sharp, Oily Relieves Arthritis & Muscle Sprain When Applied Externally with Castor Oil. Increases Pitta, Decreases Vata &Kapha. |
SWEETENERS
| Substance | Taste | Heating or Cooling |
Post Digestive Effect |
Properties and Action on Tridosha |
| Sweeteners | ||||
| Honey (general) | Sweet & Astringent | Heating | Sweet | Dry, Rough, Heavy, Cuts Mucus. Slightly Increases Pitta. Decreases Vata & Kapha. |
| Maple Syrup | Sweet & Bitter | Cooling | Sweet | Smooth, Unctuous. May increase Kapha If taken in Excess, Relieves Vata & Pitta. |
| Raw Cane Sugar | Sweet | Cooling | Sweet | Heavy, Smooth, Oily, Increases Fat. Increases Kapha, Relieves Vata & Pitta. |
I really looking forward to my favorite food be more effective. I wish it’s gonna help you to. Feel free to share your experience and surviving tips on the hot weather.
Stay cool and healthy.
Peace and Love for you all…!
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