Four Ayurvedic Spices to Add to Your Diet

If you’re feeling a bit “off”, Ayurveda is bound to have an answer. And not just any answer, recommendations for your specific dosha and on how to restore balance based on the sensations in your body and your state of mind.

The wisdom, rituals and herbal medicines of this millenary medicinal system have a long history of soothing our many ailments. Here are some key Ayurvedic spices to add to your pantry.

Ayurvedic tastes: Bitter, astringent-cold-pungent

Benefits

Ashwagandha is the Sanskrit name for the bark of Ashoka Tree used in Ayurveda. Along with turmeric, this is one of the main ingredients of golden milk, the healing drink that is becoming more popular each day. It’s mostly known as an adaptogenic herb that helps us balance our body when we’re stressed or anxious.

How to incorporate it to your meals

• Drink it in golden milk.
• Some places sell it as a powder or pill.
• If you’re lucky, you may find Ashwagandha-spiced ghee to spread on toast or add it to warm milk or tea.

Ayurvedic tastes: Astringent, hot, sweet, pungent, bitter,

Benefits

Triphala is a blend of three Indian fruits: amalaki or amla, bibhitaki, and haritaki. This is a powerful mixture of antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and antidiarrheal. In fact, it’s particularly good to improve digestion, especially in Kaphas.

How to incorporate it to your meals

• The most common presentation is powder or pill to be taken on an empty stomach.
• If you find a powder, you make an infusion.

Ayurvedic tastes: Bitter, astringent, pungent-hot

Benefits

You may be familiar with this gem. Turmeric has become a well-known superfood for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It’s also known to help the immune, glandular and endocrine systems thanks to curcumin, a phytonutrient present in the root. May be espeically benefit for Vata doshas.

How to incorporate it to your meals

• Look for tea blends that include it and enjoy it as an infusion or drink it as golden milk with Ashwagandha.
• Buy turmeric root and cook with it – use it in rice, curry sauce, stir fries and more. Adding a pinch of black pepper helps the absorption of curcumin.
• Alternatively, look for capsules or pills.

Remember to always consult a physician before adding any of these spices into your meals if you are pregnant or have an existing medical condition. Once you are cleared, have fun experimenting with these new flavors.

By Aimeé Durán Triujeque; All Rights Reserved @2022

By Aimeé Durán Triujeque; All Rights Reserved @2022