Hot Potency Food
Hot Potency Food
(Hot, Pitta, Fire, Ushna Virya).
 |
| Flax Seeds, Garam Masala, Ginger, Garlic, oily fried and spicy foods |
A common misconception between hot and cold foods is that while a food which is cooked hot is considered to be hot and refrigerated food is considered to be cold. But the potency of food has no relation with the prevailing temperature of the food. Ice cream, for instance, will induce heat in the body, despite being cold in temperature.
Whether to eat heating or cooling foods depends on many factors, including the time of year, your Ayurvedic constitution, (Vata, Pitta or Kapha) and your current state of imbalance.
The kind of food we consume has a great impact on our health. Food can be classified into 'hot' and 'cold' categories. This concept is based on the internal nature of the food product.
These cooling foods, if included in the summer diet, can easily pacify body heat and restore balance in the body.
"Get Your Energies Right"
Introduction
Potency, Energy, Taasir, Virya is the effect of certain food on the body. Essentially it is believed that the body must not accumulate too much of any one type of energy. If it does it leads to several disorders.
The two basic energy are Kapha and Pitta and they increase or decrease at certain times of the 24 hour cycle of the day, seasons and the human lifespan. Foods and people have pitta and Kapha energies themselves, making it important to know the taasir of the food you eat so you can balance your energies.
Kapha energy peaks at night time, in winter and during childhood.
Pitta energy is found in the afternoon, in summer,and in the youth and middle age of the human lifespan.
Ayurveda says that every food , hot or cold has an innate potency which plays an important role in terms of its impact on body. Hot food helps in improving digestion and circulation. Hotness or coldness of the food is determined by their impact on the body. each body type, namely Vata, Kapha and Pitta, will be affected in different ways by hot and cold foods. While preparing a meal, it is important to maintain a balance between hot and cold foods. This has to be done by considering your own body type, its requirements and seasonal changes.
- Hot food helps in improving digestion and circulation.
- Cold foods are known to provide nourishment and strength to the body.
- Each body type will be affected in different ways.
Hot and cold foods are based on the internal nature of the food product which would have diverse effects on the three body types (vata, pitta and kapha) as classified in Ayurveda. This classification of food as hot and cold or its innate characteristics is referred to as "Virya" or potency. It simply tries to assess whether a particular food item has a cooling or a heating effect inside our body which in turn has an impact on our metabolism and digestion.
Hot foods
Hot foods depict properties of combustion and digestion . They impart a feeling of light body and mind. However, hot foods can also lead to vomiting, purging and can even destroy semen. Excessive consumption of hot foods can lead to gastritis, ulcers and rashes. They are said to increase one's appetite and can make you gluttonous. Heart burns are a common occurrence eating hot foods. Spicy foods are usually considered as hot foods. But some foods like honey are considered to be hot because of their potency.
The nature of the body type plays a major role in guiding us about the kind of food we should be eating. In case of one consumes excess of hot food the amount of heat that body produces increases. It also causes a burning sensation and the Pitta dosha increases. This can lead to trouble in our digestive system. loose motions, skin rashes and even boils.
Food temperature :
Seminal Ayurvedic text Charaka Samhita suggest that foods should not be kept for long after eating. Foods are best eaten hot. This is because cold food might be a little difficult to digest and assimilate. They result in more debris and residue
Kapha
People dominant in their Kapha (cold energy) can enjoy light, spicy and warm foods. They can spice up their dishes with spices like black pepper, cumin, ginger, sesame and turmeric
etc. These spices are very beneficial for the health as well. Bitter dark green veggies, beans and pulses are good for people with dominant Kapha. The fruits that they can eat include pears, peaches, figs, pomegranate and apples.
Listen to the latest songs, only on JioSaavn.com
"Eating according to your body type can benefit you in several ways. They can prevent onset of diseases and promote a healthy and active body."
Vata
People who are dominant in Vata should consume more warm, cooked and nourishing food which can be easily digested. They should include more dairy products in their diet. Veggies like beans, zucchini, cauliflower and sweet potatoes are all good for people dominant in Vata. Cranberries, plums, rhubarb, nuts, kiwi, grapefruit and bananas are the foods good for people dominant in Vata.
What about cold food?
Delayed digestion, frequent bout of Flu, cough and fever may be the cause due to excess consumption of cold food.
Simply one should try to assess whether a particular food item has a cooling or a heating effect on body, which in turn has an impact on our metabolism and digestion. It is essential to note that consuming foods without considering one's body type and ignoring this distinction between hot and cold could have adverse effect on our health and make us more susceptible to diseases.
Hot Food according to Ayurveda:
- The most commonly consumed hot foods include onion, black pepper, Garlic, ginger and spicy foods. An Ayurvedic diet would avoid these ingredients.
- A huge list of vegetables comes under the category including potatoes, broccoli, spinach and beans.
- During the winter season in order to keep the body warm root vegetables like carrots radish, turnip and so on which are innately hot are highly recommended.
- Fresh fruits like apple, mangoes and oranges are classified as "hot foods"
- Spices like ajwain, mustard and hing (asafetida ) help provide relief from ailments like cold and Flu in winter season. Belonging to the hot food category they help boost immunity.
- Herbs like basil, oregano, and mints are known to be warming too.
Tea & Coffee
A majority of people enjoy warm drinks such as tea and coffee. However in summer tea and coffee consumption should be minimized or avoided. Tea and coffee generates a lot of heat in our bodies throughout the summer. It may also lead to stomach gas. Cold beverages on the other hand help to cool down your body.
Oily Foods
 |
| Oily Foods |
Fried roasted foods should be avoided at all times, but especially during summer. Consuming these might create digestive issues and cause indigestion and heartburn.
Garam Masala
 |
| Garam Masala |
Hot spices and spice laden foods should be avoided. Particularly hold back the spoon when adding chili to your food. Spices such as black pepper, cinnamon, cloves, and bay leaves are warm in nature, so using them mindlessly in summer causes the metabolic rate to rise and may even lead to hot flashes.
Ginger
 |
| Ginger |
While ginger is beneficial to one's health It can be hazardous in the warm season. It raises the body heat. Summer is good time to cut back on your ginger consumption.
Garlic
 |
| Garlic |
Garlic also has a warming impact as they result in an increase in bile and heat in your body and raises one's metabolic rate. So, excessive consumption of it is not advised.
Flex Seed
 |
| Flex Seed |
Flex seed is packed with nutritional content. However one should limit their consumption as the heat approaches. You should also avoid eating flaxseed if you have a pitta imbalances because flaxseed consumption during summer can result in a variety of issues such as increased blood pressure, a sensation of heat, and so on. As a result falx seeds should be eaten in moderation during the hot season.
Sour Vegetables
Fenugreek / Methi
Spinach
Palak is a rich source of vitamin A, riboflavin , vitamin B 6, vitamin B, vitamin E, vitamin C,vitamin K, magnesium,manganese, iron, foliate, calcium, Potassium and dietary fiber. Antioxidant ,energy booster. spinach can be extremely useful to combat Pitta and Vata imbalance.
Lady's Finger
Egg Plant / Brinjal
Green Chilies
It is good for piles. Should not be taken by the people with skin diseases . Jimikand is best among the root vegetables.
Potato
Broccoli
Onion
Garlic
Garlic has been highly valued for centuries all over the world for its health building qualities. The odour in garlic is due to its sulfur. content.
- Garlic is good for heart, a stimulant to appetite and useful in treating leucoderma, leprosy worms asthma and cough.
- The garlic kills worms hence this prevents cholera and typhoid.
- Reduces cholesterol in the blood.
- Helps the blood circulation and prevents pain in various parts of the body.
- Prevents clot in the blood, hence heart attack is prevented.
- Helps the curing of asthma and bronchitis.
- Helps in respiratory problems.
- Use garlic chutney, there will be magical improvement in many diseases.
- There is a lot of pollution, adulteration and environmental degradation around. Hence to keep up good health onion and garlic are to be used generously.
Garlic Oil
For all ailments. 100 grams of mustard oil, 1 pod of garlic. Heat the mustard oil and put the ground garlic and let it get brown. When it gets cool strain and keep it in a closed bottle..
Apply this oil whenever and what ever the pain may be like cramps, pain in the back, frozen arm, pain in calves, pain in heart or pain in neck, all pain will be relieved within no time. Apply this oil and than cover the part for 5 minutes.
Do not go for any pain removers, but apply this oil, see the difference yourself.
Carrot
Turnip
Sarso Ka Saag
French Beans
Fruits
Apple
Orange
Citrus fruits are warming
Mangoes
Dates
Beans
Radish
Tomatoes
Mong Sprouts
All dry fruits except dates & Raisins
Nuts
Walnut / Akhrot
Almond With Skin
It is good for eyes.
Sour Fruits
Sour apple,berries,sour grapes, sour oranges,
Lemon
Peanuts
Spices
Except Fennel
Oregano
Ginger / Dry Ginger
Mustard
Cumin
Asafotida
Black Pepper
Red Chilli powder
Cinnamon
Pippali Powder
Pippali (Piper longum) is a common table spice like black pepper. It boost metabolism, burns toxins, and help maintain a healthy digestive environment. It is best tonic for lungs. and supports clear and comfortable breathing. Pippali ksheer (Pippali milk) is good for dry cough. Dosage : Mix 1/2 tsp of Pippali powder with 1 tsp of honey or warm water.
Turmeric Powder
This boost immunity, reduces Kapha, and is excellent for fighting cold and cough. Dosage : Consume 1/4 to 1/2 tsp of turmeric powder with warm water twice a day.
Methi
Ajwain
Tulsi
It removes Kapha from the lungs and upper respiratory track and provides clear comfortable breathing. Tulsi boost the immune system and helps maintain a normal body temperature. Dosage : To make a Tulsi decoction of 100-150 ml Boil 10-12 tulsi leaves in a glass of water and reduce it to half. Add ginger and honey. Have it twice a day.
Mint
Sesame
Saffron
It is very warm in its post digestive effect, and hence it should only be consumed in winters.
Honey
Honey is considered hot food.
Oils
Mustard Oil
Sesame oil
Frozen Ice Cream
Frozen ice cream actually occupies a place in the "hot" food category.
To relieve pain one can apply garlic oil in addition to performing any mudra appropriate Mudra.
Pulses
Black Gram / Urad Dal
Horse Gram / Kulthi Dal
This dal is good for renal stones.
Cereals
Maize
Bajra
Bajra is a warm grain that usually welcome in in Winter season.
.
Jowar
Jowar is another Winter grain. that is low in fat and is good source of carbohydrate. It contains reasonable source of iron and calcium too. It helps in the formation of urine. therefore can be given to hypertensive patient.
Tamarind
Spices
Garam Masala, (It increases heat in the body specially liver.)
 |
| Garam Masala |
Nutmeg
Trikatu
Chyawanprash
Chyawanprash is an Ayurvedic health supplement which is made up of a super-concentrated blend of nutrient-rich herbs and minerals. It is meant to restore drained reserves of life force (ojas) and to preserve strength, stamina, and vitality, while stalling the course of ageing.
Non veg eggs,chicken fish
Tea
Coffee
Fried Food
Jaggery
All Fermented Foods
Sour Curd
Alcohol &Wine
Aged Cheese
Animal Proteins
Egg
The taasir is heating or Pitta, So avoid eggs in summer and between 12 noon and 4 PM. Whatever the season. Also Pitta people should eat eggs in moderation.
Refined Food
While these foods may produce heat in your body, it doesn't mean you stop eating them; it only means that you do not consume them in a huge quantity that may lead to stomach problems. Moderation is the key to keep healthy.
Horse gram
Use of horsegram ( kulthi bean) in food is commonly seen in different parts of India, It has a different odour. to which some people are allergic. To remove this odour, gram is roasted before using. Even the use of garlic and coriander leaves will take away the odour of horse gram. Horsegram can also be used in the soup form. Take 1 to 1/2 cup of horse gram. Wash it well and soak it for 24 hours. Add 8 times water to the gram and pressure cook for 15-20 minutes. For seasoning take a few seeds of jeera, 1/4 gram of red chilies, 1 tbsp of coriander powder, 1/2 tsp of pepper, 1 tbsp of oil and lemon juice and salt to taste. Now strain the water from cooked gram. Heat the oil in a pan and add seasoning agents. Add the water of the horse gram. Bring it to boil and add lime. Ready to use horse gram is hot in potency. It is good for people suffering from cough, discomfort or pain in a urinary tract. It even expels small stones from the tract.
Harada (Terminalia chebula)
- Haritaki is slightly fried in ghee and made into fine powder. To this powder rock salt (saindhav namak) is added to taste. Half to one tsp of this mixture can be taken after meals with warm water. Haritaki has hot potency and mild laxative. and stimulates digestion. It act as a rejuvenator (rasayana ). It cures fever, cough, cold and dyspnea. It is a healthy promoting remedy during this season.
https://madhuchhandacdmo.blogspot.com/2021/08/hot-potency-food.html
Comments
Post a Comment