Āyurvedic Nutrition Flashcards by Jeremy Ferguson

Human life is supported by what three pillars according to Ayurveda

Āhāra - food
Nidrā - sleep
Brahmacarya - moderation

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Anything we take in to nourish our body and mind can be considered

Āhāra

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Forms of Āhāra

Food
Water
Breat
Emotions
Information through the sense organs

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Food contains what major life force

Prāna

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Reservoirs of energy in various forms
Created from the building blocks from food

Dhātus

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Food nourishes the body, the mind, and the soul so its called

Pūrnabrahma

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Eating balanced food is key to maintaining

Samā Agni

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Sensation that the tongue experiences

Rasa:Taste

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Bhoutic Composition: Earth & Water
Increases Kapha
Decreases Pitta and Vāta

Mathura: Sweet Taste

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Bhoutic Composition: Earth & Fire
Increases Kapha and Pitta
Decreases Vāta

Amla: Sour

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Bhoutic Composition: Water & Fire
Increases Kapha and Pitta
Decreases Vāta

Lavana: Salty

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Bhoutic Composition: Fire & Air
Increases Pitta and Vāta
Decreases Kapha

Katu: Pungent

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Bhoutic Composition: Air & Earth
Increases Vāta
Decreases Kapha and Pitta

Kasaya: Astringent

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Bhoutic Compostion: Air & Ether
Increases Vāta
Decreases Kapha and Pitta

Tikta: Bitter

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Builds and strengthens all dhātus
Nourishes the body and senes
Improves circulation and complexion
Strengthens the heart
Demulcent
Expectorant

Madhura:Sweet Taste

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Grains, ghee, milk, honey, root vegetables are considered what type of foods

Madhura

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Hot in potency but cold to touch
Stimulates acid secretions
Kindles hungers
Helps digestions
Reduce Gas
Increases circulation

Amla: Sour

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Yogurt, Limes, Āmalakī, Vinegar, and Cheese are examples of what type of taste

Amla: Sour Taste

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Hot in potency and strengthens Agni
Improves digestion
Maintains electrolyte balance in the body
Laxative, Sedative
Reduces the stiffness and removes blockages
Calming to the nerves and relieves spasms

Lavana: Salty Taste

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Improves metabolism
Helps digestion and absorption
Reduces congestion
Improves circulation
Relieves pain and muscle tension

Katu: Pungent

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Anti-coagulant
Cleanses the mouth
Raises the body temp
Kills worms
Promotes sweating

Katu: Pungent Taste

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Jalapeños, ginger, black pepper, pippalī, cloves, and garlic are considered what type of taste?

Katu: Pungent

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Produces thirst, fainting,
Weakness of the body, strength and semen.
Burning sensation

Katu:Pungent

Constricts blood vessels
Stops bleeding and flow
Promotes healing
Improves the skin texture
Antidiuretic, anti-bacterial, and hemostatic

Kasāya: Astringent

Alum, fruit peel, unripe banana, turmeric, goldenseal, leafy green vegetables, and blueberries are considered what type of taste

Kasāya: Astringent

Obstructs tissue pores Withholding of flatus, Feces, and urine

Kasāya: Astringent

Kindles hunger Good for digestion Purifies blood Detoxifies the body Antibiotic, Antiseptic, Anthelmintic, Antipyretic

Tikta: Bitter

Leafy Greens, Neem, aloe, goldenseal, gentian root, fenugreek, black tea, myrrh are all examples of what taste?

Tikta: Bitter

Causes the mind to have compassion and satisfaction in moderation Overindulgence causes attachment and possessiveness

Madhura: Sweet Taste

Mind is able to discriminate and helps with stimulation Overindulgence causes envy, jealousy, and anger

Amla: Sour Taste

Gives the mind confidence and a zest of life Overindulgence causes greed and over-ambition

Lavana: Salty Taste

Actions on the mind is extroversion and boldness Overindulgence causes anger, violence, and hatred

Katu: Pungent

Causes introversion in the mind Overindulgence causes insecurity and fear

Kasāya: Astringent

Causes dissatisfaction and isolation in the mind Overindulgence causes grief and sorrow

Tikta:Bitter

Overindulgence of Madhura affects which organs? Causes which diseases

Spleen and Pancreas Diabetes, Obesity, Agnimāndya, Tumors

Under indulgence of Madhura causes

Weak dhātus and debility

Under indulgence of Amla causes

Acid Imbalance

Under indulgence of Lavana taste causes

Water Imbalance

Under-Indulgence of Katu taste causes

Weak digestion, poor circulation, and cold extremities

Under Indulgence of Kasāya taste causes

Excessive discharge

Under Indulgence of Tikta tase causes

Accumulation of toxins

Amla taste effects which organ? Causes which diseases if uses in excess

Small Intestine Infections, ulcers, hemorrhages, looseness in the body, thirst, fevers, boils

Lavana taste affects which organs? Causes which diseases if used in excess?

Kidney Hypertension, kidney stones, swelling, early balding, graying, wrinkling of the skin

Katu taste effects which organ? Causes which diseases?

Lungs Dry lungs, dry cough, bleeding, increases thirst, weakens reproductive tissue, loss of energy

Kasāya affects which organ? Causes which diseases?

Heart Anemia, low blood pressure, insomnia, causes gas, bloating, weakens tissues, narrows the opening of the channels, constipation

Tikta affects which organ? Causes which diseases?

Colon Constipation, distinction, causes Vāta diseases, depletes dhātus

Old rice, barley, wheat, green gram, honey are what taste? How are these different then other foods of the same taste

Madhura They do not increase Kapha

Pomegranate and gooseberry are what taste How do they differ from other food of the same taste

Amla They do not increase pitta

Which salt is good for your eyes?

Himalayan Pink Salt

Gudūcī, sponge gourd, dry ginger, long pepper, and garlic are in what taste categories? How do they differ from other food with the same taste?

Bitter-Pungent They do not increase Vāta and are aphrodisiacs

Harītakī is part of what taste category? How does it differ from other foods with the same taste

Astringent It is not cold in potency and does not cause obstructions

Foods with this element are heavy, gross, and grounding They give stability and strength Help build dhātus

Earth Element

Foods with liquid, cold, moist, and mobile qualities have this element present Maintains body fluid balance Create sense of contentment

Water Element: Aap

Foods with hot, sharp, subtle, dry, and light quality have this element Man function is digestion Maintaining body temperature Clarity of thoughts Giving radiance to the skin

Fire Element: Tejas

Foods with dry, light, and subtle qualities have what element

Air: Vāyu

Foods with subtle, light and clear qualities have what element ?

Ether: Akasa